Chapter 79
Anjali di! Arnav smiled as his sister came into view. And then Aman emerged from the shadow behind her. It was almost as if in slow motion, Arnav watched as his best friend took his sister's hand in his and suddenly Arnav noticed the sindoor and mangalsutra on his sister. It took less than three seconds for Arnav's brain to compute what he was witnessing and suddenly the mad rage he had only just managed to contain came racing back.
Aman and Anjali exhanged a glance and Aman's hand tightened around Anjali's. Arnav stood up slowly as he stared at his sister and his best friend. 'I'm looking forward to a really really good explanation Di,' he said, his voice was savagely cold and hard and so was his face.
Aman stepped forward, 'ASR -'
Arnav held up his hand.
'I was speaking to my sister. Not you.' Arnav's tone was low, but with the softness of the hiss of a hooded cobra just before it struck with deadly force and it made Khushi flinch inwardly simply to hear it.
Aman felt Anjali recoil at her brother's tone of voice. Neither moved nor spoke for one tense second that slowly lapsed into five. The fight-or-flight instinct had grabbed her by the throat. He could see it in her eyes. She was ready to cut her losses and run. Instantly Aman's hand left hers and his arm slid around her back, across her waist as he drew her in very close to his side. Ordinarily Aman would have stepped back but this wasn't one of those times. Making a silent statement of protection and possession his eyes locked with his best friend's.
Arnav walked up the steps. Anjali moved even closer to Aman.
Aman felt every muscle in his body tense. He told himself that it was a protective response. He wanted to make sure Arnav said nothing to hurt Anjali. He stepped forward and placed himself between his wife and his best friend.
'Your sister is now my wife. Say what you want to me ASR, but you will treat my wife with the respect she deserves,' he said softly. His voice might be calm and civil, but his eyes were hard and his expression businesslike as he focused on ASR because at that moment he felt proud, possessive and fiercely protective of Anjali.
Arnav's eyes narrowed dangerously, 'Your wife is my sister first and foremost. Secondly, I am interested in hearing directly from her what possessed her to do this,' he said in a low, deadly tone.
The two men stood nearly nose-to-nose for what seemed an eternity. Tension filled the room as the two just stared at each other. Tension wasn't the only thing filling the room. Both of these men had larger than life egos, which meant that neither would back down with out taking a piece of the other with him.
Anjali shook her head as if to regain some form of control. Her nerves were taut as wire, threatening to snap. She couldn't face confrontations. She detested them. But today there was no choice, she had to step up and speak for herself. 'Chote,' she finally said, speaking slowly as she searched for the right words. 'I can understand why you are upset -'
'Upset? 'I can't imagine why I'd be upset Di. I mean you go to Australia to visit our family and come back married. To my closest friend. What the hell Di?' Arnav bit out through clenched teeth as fury rolled inside of him.
Anjali was well versed with her younger brother's infamous temper yet its every appearance petrified her. The force of that anger was nothing short of cataclysmic it was like a earthquake meeting a hurricane, a tsunami in the middle of a tornado. The quiet intensity of his fury was spine chilling. Anjali could feel the rage pumping off him, she saw it in his eyes, but Arnav remained controlled and eerily methodical. It was as if he was disconnected in some way and had retreated to a place where he could objectively control his body from doing serious damage to someone else if required.
'Chote'' she began, shocked to hear the quaver in her voice that reminded her of that helpless version of herself she'd thought she'd buried a long time ago. And suddenly just like that, Anjali was a helpless creature again. Helpless, scared and cowering in the corner while He yelled, screamed and smashed things, before turning his furious glare on her. And beating the living daylights out of her. Just like the girl she had been then, she began shaking.
Anjali's first instinct was to apologize, to obey. To cower and agree, to do anything to deflect anger, to pacify it. And then like an anchor in a stormy ocean, Anjali felt the stability of Aman's hand against the small of her back, it was gentle though it was also undeniably strong. It felt almost possessive as it drew her away from vortex of rage radiating from her brother which was threatening to suck her back into that dark painful place. His touch was instantly soothing. It was the strangest sensation, as if she was suddenly safe. Anjali tilted her head back to blink as the man who held her close to him came into focus like some kind of protector.
Aman took a deep breath. He knew that there was no point trying to have a rational conversation with ASR when he was in such an infuriated state. He had learnt that the hard way over the years. Having said that, Aman was also in no mood to watch Anjali bear the brunt of ASR's temper. He was holding on to his own temper by a thread and trying to retain his control with every ounce of will he possessed. Aman knew that just a few minutes longer and he hemself would snap. 'ASR you're pissed off. Fine. I understand that and you have every right. But right now I'm taking Anjali home with me. I'm not having you subject her to this when you know full well what it does to her - you want to get mad, then do it with me,' Aman said, his voice low and controlled only by a supreme act of will. He took Anjali's tembling hand and led her to the front door half expecting ASR to stop them.
It didn't happen.
Khushi watched Arnav walk in the opposite direction. Khushi remained rooted to her spot. She had no idea of what to do. Should she stop Anjali-di and Aman-ji or should she go to her husband? Torn, she stared at each direction before her heart won out and she ran in search of Arnav.
Their bedroom was empty. She raced out to the poolside. He was bound to be there; she was certain of it as she ran to the sliding doors and threw them open. Her anxious eyes scanned the wide open space in front of her. Like the agitated state of their life, the pool water rippled in small waves causes by the blustery breeze. He was nowhere to be seen.
Khushi ran down the passage way and up the next set of stairs. She opened the first door to her right. It was an empty guestroom. She slammed the door shut and moved to the next door. It was a bathroom. Devi Maiya how many rooms did Shanti-Vaan have, wondered Khushi as she continued down the passage.
One door remained at the end of the passage and Khushi flung it open.
Her breath came racing out as her anxious eyes found her husband. He was standing with his back to the door looking out of the floor to ceiling window and staring out at the garden, his muscular structure silhouetted in the rays of the setting sun.
'Arnav?' Khushi called out softly uncertain of whether she should enter or not.
The hesitant sound of Khushi's voice filtered into the dark recesses of Arnav's disconcerted mind. He turned around and sank down into his leather chair behind his antique mahogany desk and rested his head against its wide back and closed his eyes to seek a moment of respite from the insane day he was having. Arnav sighed deeply. The taste of betrayal was still terribly sour in his mouth.
Khushi walked into the darkening room slowly. If she had been paying attention, she would have realised that she was standing in Arnav's opulent, plush private study. Its dark royal blue paint perfectly mirrored his dark mood. The seating area was filled with three large overstuffed chocolate brown couches covered with an assortment of soft cushions, an elaborately carved low coffee table buckled under a stack of large books, business journals and magazines. An enormous flat screen HD plasma TV covered one wall. Gigantic bookshelves covered the opposite wall.
Khushi took a deep breath as she walked towards his enormous desk on top of which sat a state of art Mac paired with two huge 27-inch apple LED widescreens.
Just the sight of him made tears well up in her eyes and throat tightened. Arnav Singh Raizada was the epitome of magnificent strength even in the face of the most severe adversity. It broke her heart to see him like this. His silence was killing her. He always told her what he wanted and needed. Khushi's hand wandered up to her heart unconsciously, it was the worst sort of pain to see him looking so dejected and deflated. A lonely tear slid out of the corner of one eye. She quickly brushed it away. Tears might give her some relief but would put more of the burden on him. She knew that he didn't need her tears; she needed to be a strong partner for him.
She watched as he stood up and walked to low chest below the flat screen. Arnav poured a glass of amber liquor and tossed it back. Khushi's stomach churned with fear and anguish. Arnav refilled his glass before shutting the bar walking back to his chair.
Khushi slowly walked towards his desk. She had no clue of what to say to him.
The truth was best.
She took a deep breath, 'Arnav, I haven't been part of your life or family long enough to understand what is happening here or why. Obviously we, I mean you didn't know about Anjali di and Aman-ji. Maybe you should speak to them about why they did what they did. I'm sure they mean to deceive you?' she tried pleading on behalf of the newest set of newlyweds in the family.
Arnav's head shot up. 'Khushi you're missing the point; they have been deceptive. They should have spoken to me,' he said as his gaze narrowed, 'it would have been easier accept this if there was upfront honesty,' he said through clenched teeth.
A tremor moved through Khushi at the fury underlying his words. He was livid.
'Arnav please don't misunderstand me or get mad, but maybe if you take some time. I mean, this is all news to you. Maybe in the morning -'
He stood and walked around the desk until he was standing in front of her and Khushi had to look way, way up to meet his gaze.
'It's not news to me,' Arnav bit out softly. 'I've known for a while that Di and Aman are a couple. What I don't know is why he married her? And why so suddenly despite knowing her history.'
Arnav took a deep breath, 'I want answers and I want them now,' he said, in a voice that was deadly in its quiet calm.
============
Aman picked up his phone as a tone signaled an incoming message.
Be at the Blue Bar at the Taj in 30mins. And you damn well better be prepared. ASR.
As he read the message, Aman's head was held high, his stubborn chin tilted deliberately and the fire in his eyes indicative of the imminent battle of titans. ASR might cause the rest of the world to shake in their boots but not him. It was fact that ASR would be learning today thought Aman with renewed determination. His mouth set in a grim line; Aman stood up and picked up the phone and his keys. It was time to have a chat with this best friend cum brand new brother-in-law, Arnav Singh Raizada.
hello Darlings!
phew! poor Arnav... never a break in sight... lol
Don't forget: I tried creating a new ID for PMs but that doesn't seem to have worked. So if you want PMs, then add me as a buddy (warriorprincess)
ok reactions please, cant wait to read what's on your mind!!
yours always
naina😳
p.s. introducing Aman Bansal alongside his new Mrs.
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