IPKKND SS: Dooryian Ch4pg23 CONCLUDE 25 AUG 2013 - Page 5

Hey guys thank you very much for all your lovely comments on the start to this SS and for being kind enough to wait for my updates. Heres chapter two.

Thanks.

Chapter 2

Khushi's eye lids slowly opening to the sunlight in the room, her eyes focus on the image of his side profile close to her face. He slept peacefully as Khushi took first sight of him and recalled their time spent with one another the night before. She hoped that the estranged feeling she kept experiencing would have washed away by now but it hadn't. she didn't feel any different, she didn't feel the way she should, or the way she used to feel. Their was a content, a fulfilled feeling she remembered having upon these occasions, a feeling of immense attachment and love when being with him, around him intimate with him but she felt none of that even when he was at the proximity of hearing his heartbeat.

Watching him stir ever so slightly in his sleep Khushi found herself admiring him unintentionally. His facial features exactly the same as she remembered them, sharp, attractive, distinctive but she noticed the appearance of a few stress lines.. and one or two grey hairs growing amongst the locks of his hair and stubble but that made him all the more attractive. It wasn't the attraction that was missing, Khushi didn't know quite what was missing but she knew it was something on her behalf and not his. His love was as endearing as ever, the way he looked at her the way he was with her nothing had changed, she saw as much love in his eyes last night as she did when he had first fallen for her. The change was within her and that she was aware of.

A little later as Arnav wakes with the slight discomfort of adapting to the sunlight in the room, turning in bed he'd expected Khushi to be next him. Seeing her absent Arnavs expression falls to a disappointment. Considering this a missed opportunity for more time with his wife he gets over it quickly as there were going to be plenty more mornings ahead he could turn romantic and with that thought heads out of bed to make a start to the day.

..

As Arnav walks down the stairs to the lounge, dressed in slightly more casual attire an deep green knitwear over a white shirt and grey trousers it felt good to not have to dress formal for a change. Casually walking down the stairs, feelng fairly light hearted and happy to be back around his family Arnav looks around the house and the first thing he notices is Khushi walking around the house regimented fashion, quick efficient he couldn't believe how perfect her timing was. Whilst talking on the phone to Sharma ji she packaged the last of her sweets, read the necessary documentation, packed walked two and from the the kitchen several times, packing Aaravs lunch, making breakfast, finding nani's medication, laying the breakfast table and still managing to serve everyone breakfast whilst talking business in the background. "Wow" is the first thing that came to mind and on top of it all she still managed to look overly beautiful.

As Arnav walks to the table and takes a seat at what was his usual chair at the head of the table he hi 5's Aarav who is sitting on his right dressed in his school uniform but Khushi fails to notice him for a moment as shes engrossed in her conversation over her Bluetooth, when her eyes happen to fall on him looking her way she finishes the conversation and switches off the device to her ear.

She didn't have to stop on his account but she did do, Arnavs eyes filled with admiration for his wife and they smiled as he wishes Khushi "good morning." Khushi was always that little bit self-conscious after their times of intimacy and the same was seen her expression at this very moment as she wished him good morning back only she seemed a little more re-occupied and quite.

The rest of the family expect for Khushi who went of to do something ate breakfast together it was only when it was time for Aarav to leave for school was did she return. With bag, files and Bluetooth in place Khushi was ready to go to work, "Chalo Aarav aapke school ka time ho gaya." ("Lets go Aarav its time we left.")

As Aarav gets of his chair at the table and goes and puts his rucksack on his eyes light up when he hears that his dad was going to be taking him to school this morning. " Actually I was thinking I would take Aarav to school today, I'll drop you off to work on the way too?" As much as she liked and preferred her routine, Khushi couldn't say no, she had no reason to refuse and simply nodded in confirmation.

..

Outside Shaantivaan Khushi walking towards the car approaches the drivers side of the door is about to get in when she realizes and makes way for Arnav.

"you can drive if you want Khushi, I don't mind? " it didn't bother Arnav at all but Khushi refused it was as if she had forgotten already that it wasn't just Aarav and herself anymore, he was back. Nodding a "no" Khushi walks to the passenger side of the car. The conversations in the car were mostly between father and son, Arnav noticed the way Khushi was fairly quite throughout the journey. Arriving at the gates of Aarav's school both Arnav and Khushi get out of the car to see Aarav off.

Aaarav hugs Arnav and kisses Khushi goodbye which puts a heartwarming smile on Khushis face. Back in the car Arnav giving little time to Khushi to initiate a conversation realizes its not going to happen, looking her way now and again Arnav was beginning to think their was something wrong. Haulting the car outside AR offices where Arnav had given Khushi an office for her catering service Arnav wants to make sure everything is all right before Khushi leaves but Khushi seems to want to avoid the question. "Are you okay khushi?"

"Ji ham theekh hai..hame der ho rahin hai..hame jaana hoga" she says quickly." Arnav watching her leave the car with a halfhearted smiled knew that something was wrong even if she didn't admit so herself.

Khushi distracts herself with work, knowing that there was this sense of confusion in her mind to as to what she was feeling on Arnavs return Khushi wanted to block it out and worked throughout the day to do so.

On returning home early evening Khushi is about to go through her evening routine usually she would have picked Aarav up from school, helped him with his homework after eating then would have spent an few hours going through AR's business ventures with Aaakash before heading off to sleep. It was a hectic schedule in which she found time for other members of the family, calls to her Amma Babuji and finally managed to catch a little rest for herself. That routine from today was going to change. As she walked into their room she could see Arnav sitting behind the glass divide at the poolside surrounding him the outdoor table with bits of paperwork and a laptop which was usual to his style of working from home. She could only see his side profile but it looked like he was talking to someone over the phone.

Khushi putting her bag down and taking her Bluetooth off would usually head for a shower but she thinks of first handing back the responsibility that he had left her with. The key and combination to the house safe, business bank accounts and all legal authority and documents that Arnav had left with her a year back, it was huge responsibility.

Gathering together the appropriate documents and keys Khushi quietly steps out into the poolside as not to disturb Arnav who is working but he senses her presence the moment she steps onto the poolside.

Even with his back to her he knew it was khushi and asked her how her day had been."Tumara din kaisa raha Khushi?" ("How was your day khushi?") still preoccupied thinking Khushi fails to hear Arnav and goes on to explain the documents she puts down on the table he is sat at. "Woh kagasat aur chaviya joe aapne hamare paas choryey the, ek baar dekhlijyeyga". (" Here are the documents and keys you left with me, do check them over.)

Picking up the file that lay on top of the small stack Arnav casually flicks through but knows its not required.

"I'm sure everything is in shape Khushi, in fact AR's Indian branch is doing the best till date and I think I have you to thank for that." Looking up to Khushi who hadn't said a word Arnav sees her in a day dream and prompts her

"Khushi??..kya soch rahin ho?" ("Khushi what are you thinking about?")

Khushi jolting out of her thoughts denys thinking about anything..

Kuch nahin, aisa nahin hai..Aaakashji ne aapke gher mojundimein bohot mehnat ki hai hamne toe bas unki madat ki. ("That's not true, Aakaashji has put in a lot of effort whilst you were away, I was just helping." )

Answering with partial attention Khushi to what Arnav was saying Khushi fails to notice Arnav get up from his seat and advance towards her. before she realized he was at a very close proximity moving away a strand of hair behind her ear that had strayed away.

The feeling of Arnavs words on her ear, "That's not what Aaakash had to say.." Thank you..for looking after everything whilst I was away Khushi.."

His lips trailing their way down her neckline Khushi backs away from him. Wondering what the reason for this sudden reaction was Arnavs eyes take to first an surprise and then concern "Kya hua khushi.?" (Whats wrong Khushi?)

She seemed so lost, he 'd never seen her this way before, the first thing that came into his mind was the possibility of his intimacy causing her pain.

"Kahin kal raat ko jo hamare beech nazdikya thi.. use tume kuch..i didn't hurt you did I Khushi?" (I didn't hurt you during our time together last night?)

"Nahin..aise nahin hai.. " (No its no that..")

"Are you sure Khushi ?"

Khushi was more than sure it wasn't that and how did he even think of something like that..okay she was a little fragile but she didn't want him to worry over something that wasn't the issue, Arnav could never hurt her that way but she wasn't ready to tell him the truth either. The truth that she had been struggling to replicate the same feelings she had a year back for him, that would break his heart. Making fatigue the excuse Khushi avoids the matter and walks away into the bedroom.

Under the cool water of a running shower..Khushi finds some alone time and those worries begin to cloud her mind once again. How long could this go on for, he was bound to notice sometime or later and then how was she going to explain.??

She needed to put a closure to this, she needed to bring her life back on track, all that was required was for her to be the way she was a year back and everything would be back to normal. It wasn't so easy, her feelings were so different now and the fact she was all alone in this made things even worse. Khushi needed to confide in somebody about her feelings and the only person she felt close enough to was nani.

As khushi walks the floors of shaanivaan after her shower..she stops by naanis room. A little hesitant at first, Naani had very quickly spotted that something was bothering khushi. Khushi confided in naani who reassured her that it was okay to feel the way she did. She'd been away from him for a year it was bound to be difficult to get to terms with the change, it would take time and she had to be patient.

Having somebody like naani to talk to provided Khushi with a sense of comfort and reassurance. Khushi had decided that naani was right, that things would get better and that feeling she carried within would wear off. In no time at all it would be like it was a year back she told herself whilst leaving naanis room but she stopped in her tracks when she overheard something from the room.

It was Arnav dadi who was sitting behind the glass divide in the room praying on her beads yet it sounded like she had been listening to their conversation. Dadi seemed to have her own opinion that upset khushi a little. "Agar khushi ne chup chap appna patni hone ka kartavya nibhayay hota aur Arnav aur Aakash par business ka daayatva chor diya hota toe aaj yey nobat nahin aati."

("Khushi wouldn't have had this problem if she had left the responsibilities of business life with Arnav and Aakash and played the part of a wife instead trying to be the man of the house.)

Although naani was backing up khushi at dadis bitter opinion, Khushi was still left with a feeling of regret and wondered whether dadi was right.

Next Chapter

The following day Khushi begins to behave like more of traditional wife. Declaring that she had resigned from her catering service to dedicate more time to him Arnav becomes more and more curious about Khushi. She seemed to be even more distant and more the dutiful wife then ever before.

Arnav could sense that all those things she was doing for him were more obligation than love. Khushi's odd behavior finally pushes Arnav's level of tolerance and forces him to demand answers from Khushi.

...

Thank you so much for the update, I was very much missing reading this story.

Amazing and brilliant update, yet quite sad.

Poor Khushi is just in such a turmoil over her behaviour and feelings towards Arnav, but she has realised that she is at fault.

So glad Arnav has realised that Khushi is being a bit distant and has asked a few times if she is ok, I so want Khushi to be honest with him.

At least Khushi confided in Nani, but Dadi's words have left Khushi quite upset.

The pre cap looks fantastic, Khushi becoming a traditional wife and Arnav finally questioning her about her behaviour, very interesting.

Awesome writing and a wonderful read from start to finish.

Eagerly waiting for the next part,

Continue soon please and thanks for the PM xx