#2 SS|TheContract+HerConditions|Link to New thread - Page 45

DAY 13- Santorini

Khushi woke up, feeling groggy. She looked at Arnav, who was looking at the mirror and setting straight his hair.

She blushed remembering last night. "About last night…"

Arnav cut her off. "Huh? Last night? What happened?" he asked puzzled.

Idiot! You imagined it Khushi!

Khushi chided herself and muttered "Um, nothing…"

Arnav sighed in relief internally. Thank God, no questions!

*

Santorini was a volcanic island few nautical miles away from Crete. A part of the island was a sunken in portion. Ancient Santorini, a.k.a Thera, consisted of two calderas, one of which exploded and sank into the Aegean. Some theories state that the sunken part of Thera is the legendary Atlantis.

Santorini was famous for its vineyards and different types of wines and for oranges. Donkeys were also an integral part of the little island. The guide Santos, told them that every household has a donkey.

"Santorini is also an important honeymoon destination. There are caves embedded one side of the island, which are converted to honeymoon suites. Ahh, so romantic!" Santos said dreamily.

Khushi and Payal turned red. Akash looked smug while Arnav looked uncomfortable.

Santos said that from a distance, a zig-zag wall could be seen on the sides of Santorini, which was the Donkey Path. Tourists and traders go up that path on donkey backs.

"Not advisable fer zose weeth byack problames, eh?" he laughed.

Oia (Ia) was the capital of the island. It was a quaint little village with white buildings with blue roofs and blue doors. It was a town where richness was shown through personal churches and chapels in the backyard of the homes of the rich; very religious people.

An hour later, the four of them were sitting in an open caf, which looked out to the bay, which looked heart-shaped. A huge, blue-heart.

"So pretty!" Khushi murmured.

Akash smiled at her, while Arnav stared at her face as the wind whipped her hair across her face and her eyes looked with awe at the waters.

"Pretty indeed!" Arnav said softly.

Khushi whipped her head around and stared at him while PaYash snickered.

"I-I meant the bay!"

Khushi rolled her eyes and looked away, while Akash muttered "Yeah right…"

*

Oia Square was a pleasant little place, bustling with activities ranging from caricatures to sales of local food. One corner of the square was two-feet high wall, which over looked the wilderness on the uninhabited part of the little island.

Santos said that those who wanted to trek across the caldera could do so. Khushi being Khushi wanted to go, but Payal refused vehemently.

"Khushi, I am too tired. I won't let you go alone…."

"Bhai will go with her…" Akash said.

"NO!" Khushi said. "That won't be necessary…" she muttered.

Seeing Akash's frown, Arnav sighed. "Khushi, its okay. Let's go."

Akash smiled. "Good!"

Arnav turned to Akash. "Akash, you said you have a surprise for us?"

"Oh. Oh yeah!" Akash went through his pockets and pulled out colorful paper.

"Whats that?"

"Well, they are tickets for an overnight stay at the caves!" Akash said excitedly.

"WHAT THE-!" Arnav yelled.

"Haaannn?" Khushi said dumbly.

"Khushi, me and Akash decided it'd be nice. And romantic! A gift from your elder sister and Jiju…" Payal said blushing.

"But Jiji and Jiju! It is not at all needed! Why did you do this…?" she asked, looking at Arnav for some sort of help.

Arnav was in frenzy. He saw Payal's anxious face and Akash's narrowing his eyes.

He closed his eyes. Akash, damn you!

"It's okay Khushi. I mean, we are on honeymoon after all… What's the harm in pushing up the romance levels…"

Khushi's eyes widened so much that they were like saucers. "What in the world are you…. Are you like, mad… Ar-Are you out of…. What the heck!" she spluttered.

Arnav wanted to chuckle at her and did too. "It's okay. I think you wanted to go trekking?" he asked smirking.

Turning red, she passed by him, muttering "Shameless hypocrite!"

Arnav smirked and took leave of PaYash and caught up with her.

NOTE: Let me tell you, that I was not allowed to go to the caldera trekking, so what I wrote next is purely out of my imagination. And OF COURSE not to the honeymoon caves cuz I am not even married! So they would be described out of my imagination. ={)

Arnav and Khushi walked silently on the trail leading to the caldera. As they went closer, green plants became more sparse and black soil and rocks became prominent.

A tourist couple passed by them, on their way back to Oia.

"I suggest you hold on to each other. There are high possibilities of tumbling down…" he said, pointing to the intertwined hands of him and his wife and then at some red scrapes on his elbows and his wife's knees.

"Thanks for the advice…" Arnav said smiling.

They nodded and left.

Arnav caught Khushi's hand and started to walk.

Khushi stopped him. "They are gone now! No need to-"

"Are you crazy?! Didn't he say we could die!"

She looked at him confused. "Well, maybe you should let go then…! I would die and you wouldn't have to pretend anymore!"

"Don't talk like that dammit!" he said, pulling her closer to him so she crashed into his chest.

He looked into her eyes, unable to take the thought of her dying.

"Don't talk of death!" he whispered.

She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Please stop confusing me…" she whimpered and on impulse, gave him a kiss on his cheek.

He let go of her, shocked.

"What in the-"

"Let's go…" she muttered and she grabbed his arm and walked ahead.

*

Khushi walked on the circumference of the caldera, Arnav holding her as she bent and took pictures.

"Khushi, I think we should leave… It's almost evening!"

"Yeah, one more pic!" she said, leaning into the pit.

Arnav tensed as he felt her hand slipping. He felt her leg trip and he pulled her into a hug immediately.

"We are leaving. NOW!"

"Al-Alright." She whispered and they headed back to the village, both confused at the ways the other was reacting.

*

The Cave Bar and Restaurant (Imaginary btw) was the hotel which was by the caves, for the couples to dine. There were only two-seaters in red everywhere. In the centre was the bar, behind which there was a dance floor. Few couples were dancing to a soft waltz.

There were glass walls over-looking the caves and the sea. The decorations were in white, pink, red and pale blue with little purple tints here and there. Right now, there dim lights, casting intimidating shadows everywhere.

Khushi sat down on a red chair in front of the bar. The rest of the place was filled with people and the only empty space was next to her. Arnav sat next to her, both panting.

"I will be to the washroom and back…" Arnav muttered and got up.

Khushi waited for him.

A man in a waiter's uniform asked her for her order from across the bar. "Mineral water." She muttered.

She did not notice a man in dark blue shirt, eyeing her lustily, sipping beer.

"Your order ma'am!" she heard, a few moments later.

Water! Her mind cried out and she grabbed the glass, still looking at the direction Arnav had gone.

Without pausing to feel the liquid in her mouth, she gulped it down. As she drained the glass, she felt fire scorch her throat and she looked with shock at her glass. She took a whiff and muttered "Shittt!" feeling the world go hazy.

She hiccoughed, and didn't struggle much when she felt a hand close around her arm, whispering "Care for a dance…?"

Her mind didn't process that the voice was a stranger's. She muttered an okay drowsily and allowed to be lead to the dance-floor.

*
When Arnav walked out of the washroom, his eyes searched for Khushi.

Where was she! He thought, walking towards the bar.

Beyond the bar, he saw her dancing with a complete stranger. Anger rolled off of him in waves. He saw her stumble a little and hold her head.

What was wrong with her!

He saw a tray with small glass cups, and without taking his eyes off her, drowned two or three of the cups. After downing one last cup, he staggered towards the dance floor in a haze.

A blonde stepped in his way and His eyes went to Khushi.

Well, he could do it too! He thought indignantly and asked for a dance with the blonde, and walked away from Khushi.

*

DAY 14- To Athens

Arnav woke up to the feel of hammering against his head. "Ow, shit!" he muttered, holding his head.

His blur vision began to clear, and he could finally make out distinct shapes. He was in a white room with a rounded ceiling, as if sitting under a dome. Right in front of him, was the painting of a woman emerging from a white ocean, her right hand covering her breast and her hair covering her left. In the background were women with wings and an alabaster oyster. (She is Aphrodite, Goddess of Love :* )

"What the-!" he muttered and pushed away the white sheets which had little red hearts on it.

He froze as soon as he felt cold air hit his bare back.

"What in the world!" he exclaimed and realized that he was shirtless.

How had he ended up like this?!

Pushing the sheets further away, he realized he had no clothes on at all. "Holy Shit!" he thought, and tried his best to remember incidents of the previous night.

And to his utter horror, the last thing he remembered was fluttering hair of a blonde woman.

Oh Lord, no no!

His eyes looked around for Khushi, and he noticed that the bedsheet was covered in places with blood and was sticky and wet.

Oh Shit!

"Khushi?" he called.

No response.

Where was she! Oh God, now he would be no different from her!

He hoped that the conclusions he had drawn about last night were wrong and maybe Khushi would remember something…?

BUT WHERE WAS SHE! Where had she spent the night?

He looked out of the windows and was shocked to see only the blue Aegean waters.

And then it struck him; he was in the honeymoon cave!

He put on his T-Shirt and trousers and peeped out. "Khushi?" he called out into the empty corridor.

He looked back at the bed, and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. First he had better clear this 'mess' up!

*
Ten minutes later, he walked around the glass lobby of the hotel-resort, his eyes searching for Khushi.

And he finally spotted her.

She was wearing an olive green full-sleeved, polo-neck sweater and sitting on a cushion that was overlooking the sea through the glass panes. She was clutching her stomach, and her shoulders were moving rhythmically.

He walked to her, unsurely. What would he ask her? 'Hey, who did I sleep with last night…?'

He stood behind her for a moment, and called out softly. "Khushi?"

He saw her tense all over. She tilted her head to one side, slightly as if questioning him 'what?'

He sat beside her, unsure of how to explain or ask. Her face was away from him.

"Khushi…" he called once again.

She seemed to wipe her face for a moment and turned to him with a smile. "What?"

Arnav had to control himself from gasping at her condition. She looked pale and her eyes were swollen and red. Her nose was bright pink from crying…? Her cheeks were red and tear-stained. And on her lips, was a big, fat and FAKE smile.

"Khushi! What happened!" he asked.

"N-Nothing…" she said, looking at the sea.

His hands automatically reached for her cheeks, and to his shock, she cringed and edged away from him, whispering a "Don't… Please. Just don't!"

Arnav's eyebrows puckered in worry and confusion. "Khushi, what-"

"I hope you had fun last night!" she spat, standing up suddenly.

Arnav cringed. Shit!

"Khushi, I didn't-"

"I don't care. Just… Just don't… I… Well, go away!" she said, and turned away with her arms crossed, sniffling.

"Wait, where were you last night…?"

She tensed immediately, and her eyes darted around in frustration. "I was here all night… By these windows. I slept on that couch…" she said, pointing towards a sofa near the reception.

A familiar blonde woman walked up to the two of them. "K, I cou-"

Arnav stared at her, blinking. Was she…

"Oh, hey Arnav!" The accent made her roll the 'R'.

"H-Hi…" Arnav said.

Jane's smile faltered when she saw Khushi. "K then why were you here? I mean you were here when I came from the room this morning….! And I-"

"Well, I-I like the sea…" Khushi muttered. "Jane, I need to talk to you… Give me a second Arnavji…"

With that, Khushi took Jane's hand and lead her away.

Arnav watched the two women converse, with a sinking feeling.

Could someone please explain W*F had happened last night!

He watched Khushi say something to Jane, and Jane's eyes fill with tears. She kept shaking her head and he could make out the words 'Sorry… So sorry…' from the distance. Khushi patted Jane's shoulder and seemingly said something that consoled Jane. Jane seemed adamant on something and Khushi denied it. Jane held Khushi's hand and apologized once more, while Khushi smiled ruefully at something she said. Jane gave Arnav a strange look and walked away.

Khushi walked towards Arnav and said "Let's go…"

"Khushi what did you tell Jane?" Arnav asked warily.

"Girl talk. None of your business…" she said and calmly walked towards a corridor.

"Where are we going?" Arnav asked, catching up with Khushi.

"To our 'cave' Mr Raizada…" she said, walking.

"What, but it is the other way…" he said confused.

Khushi stopped and looked at Arnav calmly. "Mr Raizada, JANE's room is that side…"

*
After visiting their room and gathering Khushi's stuff, the two of them headed out towards the Oia Square, where Minos had asked them to reach by ten in the morning so those who were staying in the village could be taken back to the ship by bus.

The look in Khushi's eyes, despite the calm faade she maintained, bothered Arnav. Her behavior towards him changed drastically overnight. She always maintained one-foot distance between them and cringed away from every touch. When she thought he wasn't looking, she would have her eyes filled with tears and disbelief.

As they sat by each other in the bus, Khushi literally STUCK herself to the window. She looked pale, but determined not to fall asleep this time… As if she didn't want his support while asleep….

Had it really bothered her that much? Well, she deserved it! She would know how HE had felt when he had seen her in Shyam's arms, he thought indignantly.

*

Back on Board-

As soon as they entered their suite, Akash and Payal sprang out of their seats. "Thank god you are here! We thought you would miss out on the ship!" Payal said relieved.

"We're here Jiji… Relax…" Khushi said softly.

Payal stared at Khushi. "Khushi! It is so hot out! Why are you wearing that sweater!"

Arnav noticed too and he realized that was quite odd.

Khushi smiled. "Jiji, it looks woolen, but it is not! The material is quite soft and comfortable on the inside and NOT hot!"

Payal looked slightly unconvinced, but Arnav was definite that it was 100% wool. It didn't take his trained eye much time to figure that out, but WHY was Khushi lying…

As they watched, Khushi headed to their part of the suite, with Arnav following her quietly.

As Arnav watched her without a word, he saw her pull the sleeves of her left hand a bit and cringe. She shook her head and unrolled the sleeve.

"Khushi…?"

Khushi jumped.

"Why did you lie to Payal…?"

"Well, I scraped my elbows badly and I didn't want Jiji to get worried. She'll give me an earful of how careless I am…."

Arnav frowned. "Scraped your elbows? But I don't remember-"

"How would you Mr Raizada?" Khushi asked sarcastically. "You were, er, sleeping at the time… I went on an early morning trip to the caldera…."

Arnav felt angry. "How dare you speak like that?! And why didn't you tell me you were leaving! What if something had happened to you!"

"Well, as I said, you were busy when I wanted to leave. And if something had happened to me, good for you because that's one less gold-digger you have to worry about isn't it?" she said casually, brushing her fingers through her hair.

He strode up to her in two steps and grabbed her arms. "I told you not to talk like that!"

"Ouch!" Khushi squeaked as the burn from her elbows shot up.

"Shit, I am so sorry!" Arnav said, letting go of her.

He reached to her gently, saying "Let me apply medicine…"

Khushi backed away a few steps, straight into the dresser, her eyes wide with fear. "N-no! I will do it myself…."

"But Khushi-"

"I will do it myself!" she said, almost hysteric.

"Okay…." Arnav said unsurely.

She fled into the bathroom.

She doesn't want me to see… That's for sure…. But… How bad are the injuries? He thought worriedly.

*

Night

Arnav watched Khushi from the couch as she restlessly paced up and down the suite. Arnav knew today was the day her parents had died, or rather killed.

He could see her eyes glistening with tears, and her body shivering.

"Khushi, its getting late…. You should sleep…."

"N-No… I am not sleepy…." She said shakily.

Arnav sighed and got up and went towards her. She backed away immediately. "DON'T TOUCH ME!" she shrieked.

Arnav held up his palms in surrender. "Okay, okay! But Khushi, you need to get some sleep or else-"

"Stop bothering about me!" she snapped. "You go sleep!"

Arnav gave up and walked to his couch and lay down, watching Khushi.

Twenty minutes later, she sat down on the floor leaning her head against the sofa.

The harder she tried, the more sleepier she got.

Finally, her eyelids drooped.

She was sitting in front of the burning car of her parents, leaning her head against her brother's chest, crying into his neck.

She looked up as she heard footsteps, and saw the familiar silhouette of a man. She squinted, trying to see his face through the smoke.

"They are dead. You're alone." Said that familiar voice.

The moment those words were uttered, she felt the support of her brother vanish and she fell back slightly, and supported herself on her elbows, scraping them against the road.

The face became clearer, and Khushi gasped "Arnavji!"

That face which once increased the beats of her heart, now wore a cruel sneer. A sneer she had seen somewhere, but couldn't place it….

As he came closer, Khushi felt terrified.

"JIJIII!" she sat up on the bed, sweating.

She saw Arnav right in front of her, looking at her anxiously. That terrified her even more… "No, NO! Go away!" she shrieked.

She threw aside her duvet and ran to the door connecting to Payal's suite.

She began banging on it. "Jijiii! JIJI! Jiji open the door!" she shrieked, banging the door.

Arnav, who was terrified seeing her like this, rushed after her. He put a hand on her shoulder and said "Khushi, it was just a dream! You-"

Khushi pushed his hand away, and cringed away from him. "DON'T TOUCH ME! JIJI!!!"

The door flew open, and an anxious Payal (followed by Akash of course) opened the door. "Khushi!" she exclaimed and rushed to her little sister, engulfing her in a hug as Khushi cried into her sister's hair.

"Jiji, I want Bhaiyya… I want my Ashu Bhaiyya! I can't take it anymore! Jiji, get me Ashu Bhaiyya!" she wailed like a little child.

Payal patted Khushi's back, a little teary-eyed herself. "Khushi, we don't know where he is…" she said gently.

"Amit Bhaiyya does! I KNOW he does! He keeps avoiding! Please Jiji! Ask him! Please!" she cried.

Payal sighed. "Khushi, I will try…."

Akash stepped in. "Khushiji, I think you should sleep with Payal for today…."

Payal smiled at Akash gratefully and led a sniffling Khushi away

*

Akash and Arnav sat quietly on the bed for sometime.

"Are you going to tell me what you are thinking, or do I have to make guesses?" Arnav asked suddenly.

"I am thinking Bhai, that something is wrong between you and Khushiji…" Akash said quietly.

Arnav sighed. "Akash, we have been through this and-"

"And you have lied to me everytime…" Akash replied.

Arnav said nothing, and few moments later, he said "Sleep on the bed. I will take the couch…"

"No. You take the bed Bhai…" Akash muttered and walked to the couch and lay down, leaving a perplexed Arnav standing.

Akash looked at his brother slump onto the bed.

The couch looked slept in… One side of the bed was perfectly made up… They hadn't even been sleeping on the same bed!

Something was wrong… VERY VERY wrong…. And he WOULD get to the bottom of this, for Khushiji was a little sister he had always wanted…

Fifteen minutes later, Khushi came out wearing a sky blue sari and blue bindi. The vermillion in her hair was clearly visible, a streak of red in black hair. Her hair was held by a black clutch and the familiar tinkle of her bangles was back.

Arnav stared at her, having forgotten what she looked like in a sari.

She caught him looking. "What, we are going back today. Buaji would kill me if I am in those western outfits and Naniji wouldn't approve too'"

Arnav nodded once and left to use the washroom.

#2

"And you have met my h-husband'" Khushi muttered.

"Ahh Yes'" Mike smiled, as Arnav nodded his head.

"Wow, you Indians have quite a lot of rules eh'? I heard being disloyal to spouses is taken quite seriously? I mean, in America it happens all the time!"

"Yes it is taken seriously, but some people don't'" Khushi said, looking at Arnav, who looked away, feeling very uncomfortable at her indirect accusation and exchanging an uneasy glance with Payal.

#3

"Well, that's all folks! I have a flight to catch! Nice to meet you ladies! See ya!" he said, while giving Payal a hug and giving Khushi a kiss on both the cheeks* and hurried away

Akash had smiled. "He is like NK Bhai'." While Arnav had jumped out of his seat the moment Mike's kiss landed on Khushi's cheeks.

She seemed shocked and her hands were covering her cheeks as she stared at Mike's retreating form.

"Oh Lord, these Americans!" Khushi muttered.

"How dare he-!" Arnav muttered.

Akash suppressed a snicker. "Bhai, relax and-"

"Relax? Seriously? What would you do if he kissed Payal?" Arnav demanded.

"Nothing really, because I can see the goodness in the guy'"

Payal smiled while Arnav said "But she is my wife!"

Khushi scoffed. "Oh shut up! Look who is talking!"

All three pairs of eyes turned towards her. Two confused, one guilt AND threatening at the same time.

Khushi realized her blunder and said immediately "I mean, its over na? Relax Arnavji' At least he didn't smooch me'" she said walking past Arnav, and added in a mutter "'and whisk me away to some room while I was drunk'"

Arnav recoiled, unable to tolerate what she had just implied. He fisted his hands and looked away; he knew he was guilty, and had no right to accuse her of something as small as a kiss'

*I dunno if ALL Americans do that, but my aunt's neighbours do -.-

#4

Khushi sighed. "Look Mr Raizada, you don't consider me your wife. In your point of view, you are not even married! So when you are not married, it is not really a crime is it?"

Arnav was stunned. "But Khushi, your beliefs and-"

Khushi laughed bitterly. "If my beliefs ever mattered to you, we wouldn't be stuck in this marriage, in an airport after a fake honeymoon'"

Arnav wanted to be angry, but the look in her eyes reigned in his temper. They looked sad and rueful'

She looked away. "Besides, you shouldn't worry too much' I was drunk too. For all I know, I might have spent the night with someone else too'"

That got through to him, with intense force. "What the heck!" he muttered. "Do you know what you are saying'"

"I know exactly what I am saying. But the difference, is I KNOW nothing of that sort happened with any stranger' While I can't say the same for you can I?"

For Arnav, only one thing mattered. "So, you didn't'"

"No." she said calmly.

And if Arnav hadn't been reveling in relief, he would have seen through that blatant lie.