Chapter 80
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 to 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 -'
Arnav stood up 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.
Khushi swallowed as she looked up into his face. There was no emotion in Arnav's voice as he said this. There was nothing there. No expression gave her any reference into her husband's current frame of mind. Khushi was exhausted from today's events and couldn't imagine what Arnav must be feeling like after putting in a whole day's work at AR Corp as CEO, attending the presentation with Mr. Irani, to having to meet Angad Grover and dealing with fallout of that revelation, to their conversation about previous relationships to now dealing with his sister's sudden marriage.
It struck Arnav that Khushi was completely silent and instantly her presence was at the forefront of his mind effectively overriding everything else that had happened. He stepped closer as he looked into her deep brown eyes filled with what he knew was concern for him. She had been married to him to for less than two weeks and had had to deal with things that took years to occur in normal relationships. She must wonder what she had gotten herself into, he thought silently as he looked at her.
Khushi wasn't sure of what to make of the silent Arnav standing in front of her but one look deep into his turbulent eyes gave her instant insight into his troubled mind. She reached up and cupped his deeply stubbled cheek, 'this is going to sound like a stupid question, but are you ok?' she asked softly.
Khushi's concern was the straw that broke the camel's back and Arnav and couldn't help himself, 'I don't know Khushi. I really don't,' he said as he looked into her eyes. He took a deep breath as he tried to assemble his thoughts in coherent sentences. 'I'm trying my level best to keep it together but I don't think I'm winning the battle at today. This thing with Di and Aman has completely thrown me off, not to mention the fact that you and I already had an issue to deal with and I've been like a bear with a sore head about that.' Arnav shrugged, 'quite frankly Khushi, I won't be surprised if you are over me with the way I've been today,' he confessed with heart wrenching honesty and a heavy sigh.
Khushi couldn't help but smile tenderly at this enigma of a man standing in front of her. 'Arnav, I'll never be over you,' she said emphasizing the words. 'I have to admit that your anger scares me but to be honest with you, you are still just as bad tempered as you have always been even when I worked for you. I suppose then I dealt with it because I thought your temper was your problem and other than occasionally needing to defend myself ' it really wasn't my problem. Now the difference is that I love you and I hate seeing you like this, almost self destructing in the process,' she said honestly. 'I also understand that we've been together for such a short while and its going to take a lot of communication like you say to understand each other. But I will say this, Arnav you need to learn some anger management because this really can't be good for you.'
Arnav sighed. Had anyone else said those words to him, he would have handed them their head on a platter with a garnish. But with Khushi, she spoke directly to his heart and he stopped and considered her words before reacting. 'I know I'm slightly hot headed '' he stopped when he saw her raised eyebrow, 'fine, Khushi, I'm very hot headed and I will try and work on it for you,' he said. Khushi cupped his face in both her palms and pulled his down so that his forehead rested against hers. 'Not for me Arnav. For you.' She took a deep breath, 'Arnav you need to start tonight when you see Aman-ji. Listen to what he has to say. I don't know what's going on here, but there must be a reason why he took this step.'
Arnav closed his eyes for a minute as he tried to absorb calmness from her and he nodded slowly. 'Khushi, I'm trying to make everything work. You and me, our marriage, AR Corp, Jaleebi Junction, balancing the families in relation to all the changes because of our relationship. But that's not an excuse. I have to remember that this new for you too and I will try and handle things more rationally,' he said sincerely as he looked into Khushi's eyes knowing deep down if anyone was worth the effort, then it was definitely Khushi.
Khushi leaned up and placed her lips on Arnav's. If anyone needed reassurance and a kiss today, it was him. 'I love you Arnav, remember that. And you don't need to give me justifications,' she whispered against his lips as she slid her arms around his broad yet weighed down shoulders to hug him. 'Please go and talk to Aman-ji.'
Arnav gathered Khushi into his arms and relished the feeling of her arms around him. Damn it. How much more could he be in love with this amazing woman?
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Aman picked up his phone as a tone signalled 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 a 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 his best friend cum brand new brother-in-law, Arnav Singh Raizada.
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Arnav Singh Raizada walked into the bar and was instantly greeted by the on-duty manager. 'Good evening Mr Raizada, we've made the arrangements you asked for, please follow me,' she said with the efficiency of an army general.
He nodded and proceeded as requested.
As they walked, madam manageress turned to him, 'we've assigned a matre d' to you this evening, however should you require anything further please don't hesitate to contact me directly,' she said. ASR turned around, 'actually there is one thing, I'm waiting for Aman Bansal, my...' Arnav paused, my what? Friend? Brother-in-Law? Arnav cleared his throat, 'My associate. Please direct him to me when he arrives.'
Once alone, ASR turned around and walked around the space. He had reserved one of the private dining rooms because of the privacy and confidentiality the room assured. Privacy? More like effective soundproofing for all the shouting that's going to happen, sniggered the Devil. Hey, you promised Khushi that you'll behave, don't forget that, whispered the Angel sagely.
ASR shrugged off his black jacket and his white shirt stretched across his shoulders as he moved to place it on the back of the chair he was going to sit on. Paired with dark blue jeans and black leather boots, there was an aura of casual yet simmering power around him. He tapped his fingers against the surface of the expensive polished rosewood dining table as he glanced at his watch. As if on cue he heard the door open.
ASR watched as Aman Bansal walked into the room with the calm and composed aura that always seemed to surround him. Diametrically opposite, Aman was dressed in a black shirt and blue jeans. It was as if there was a balance of yin and yang in the room thought ASR ironically. He watched Aman take a seat opposite him at the end of the long table which could seat twelve or fourteen, but today had only two chairs at each end which seemed to appropriately signify the current great divide between the two men.
Aman looked across the table and met ASR's gaze. 'You called his meeting ASR, so let's hear it,' he said without preamble in a very calm voice.
ASR's eyes narrowed as he tried to keep his temper in check. Unsuccessfully. Untamed fury ignited in the depths of his eyes and his fingers curled into his palms as he struggled to contain his temper. 'Cut the bullshit Aman, this is not a f**king meeting. Let me put this as clearly as I can because in case you haven't worked it out, I am royally pissed off! You decided to have a relationship with my sister behind my back and didn't have the balls to tell me upfront that you are seeing her. Screw up number one. You then travel to Sydney with her under the pretext that you're just travel companions. You both return married. Screw up number two. What the f**k Aman?!' Arnav said as he slammed one hand on the table his voiced thundering across the room.
Aman didn't so much as flinch. His gaze remained steadfast on ASR as he leaned back and crossed one leg over the other.
'Exactly what's the issue here ASR ' that I was seeing your sister? That I didn't tell you about it? Or that I've married Anjali?' Aman enquired calmly. The menacing expression that flashed across ASR's face told Aman that he was in dangerous, dangerous territory. Aman stared back at ASR blatantly. 'Actually before you answer, let me take a guess. It's all of the above.'
Arnav leaned back in the high-backed chair. Part of him wanted to get up and punch the living daylights out of Aman yet the other wanted answers. He remained silent and continued to look in Aman's direction. 'And yet you clearly seemed to be deluded into thinking that I wouldn't have a problem with any of the above questions' he said in an icily calm voice filled with brutal cynicism. The savage, burning glare from those molten eyes told Aman just how stupid ASR thought those questions were. Aman knew full well that he was on threshold of receiving the full wrath of ASR's anger but he stood his ground. This was not about their professional relationship where his CEO was demanding an explanation so Aman actively remained passive and he didn't feel the need to be intimidated.
'Oh I knew full well you would have problem ASR,' answered Aman, 'but let's get something facts straight upfront. You knew about my relationship with Anjali. Granted, I should have told you about it myself, but you are at the end of the day ASR and for some goddamned reason you always know about something the minute it happens. You want to throw the book at me for not being the one to tell you directly ' go ahead - I'll take it because I probably deserve that one.' The fact that it was Anjali who pleaded with him not to tell ASR about them remained buried inside Aman as he looked directly at ASR and waited for a retort.
'Damn straight I was pissed off at you for not having the balls to tell me to my face that you are in a relationship with my sister Aman, but this newest stunt takes the cake. Did you seriously think that I'd be delighted that you'd eloped with Di? Were you expecting some sort of warm welcome from me into the family?' ASR snarled viciously, the burn of major annoyance evident in his voice.
Aman's temper began to flare and he took a deep breath to reign it in. 'I never assume anything with you, least of all in relation to this. As for welcoming me into the family, I am a part of your family ASR. Had that ever been a problem, I'm certain you would have made me aware of that well before now. Furthermore, given that you knew about Anjali and me, if you really had an issue about me and her I know you would have never kept quiet about it which tells me that you weren't necessarily displeased about my relationship with her,' Aman countered in a low and completed self assured voice.
ASR detested it when an opponent got the better of him and unfortunately this time it was Aman who knew him inside out. Before he could speak, Aman raised his hand. 'I'm not done yet ASR. You've known me for how long? Almost ten years is it? You trusted me enough to hand me the Chief Financial Officer's portfolio from day one and handle all operational matters in your company how I see fit. You leave AR Corp in my hands whenever the need arises and trust my judgement without question. Damn it ASR, have you perhaps stopped for a minute to think that I must have had a damn good reason to marry Anjali the way I did? Did you not think given the f**king debacle that was Shyam Manohar Jha, I would have wanted to give her the wedding of her dreams to start of the kind of marriage that she truly deserves?' Aman asked his eyes blazing, fury lacing his quiet question.
Arnav flinched at the mention of that name which was like a punch in the gut and instantly his rage moved into a territory off the Richter scale. 'Don't mention his f**king name,' he bit out through clenched teeth, his voice filled with fury and pure hatred.
Aman leaned back in his chair and watched ASR. He could clearly see the vehemence and fury boiling inside his friend. Rage, anger and frustration because as far as ASR was concerned, there had been only one way to fix this problem and that was to permanently rid mankind of Shyam Manohar Jha's existence. Sadly that particular solution was also cause of a death penalty allocation. The hour of reckoning was here and ASR was going to have to hear that name whether he wanted to or not.
'Shyam Manohar Jha made a reappearance about eight months ago.'
ASR blinked in disbelief. His voice was hoarse as he replied, 'You're lying Aman. Di would have never hidden that from me!'
Aman saw the anguish in his friend's eyes and felt sorry for ASR in that moment, knowing full well that ASR would have gladly laid down his own life to protect his sister from that scumbag had he known about this. Stifling his own rage at Jha, Aman softened his voice.
'Anjali was petrified of saying anything to you because she knew full well what your reaction would be. So she came to me. I arranged round the clock protection but Anjali couldn't handle being watched. It was as if the bodyguards were scaring her as much as him. I began to see Anjali retreating back into that terrified space that you and Nani struggled so hard to get her out of. Anyway soon she was petrified of even stepping out of the house for essential things like doctor's appointments in fear that he'd get to her. So I stepped in and told Anjali I'd go with her. Shyam turned up at the doctor's surgery and because he was once listed as her husband he managed to get in because the records were never updated.' Aman sighed, 'He got into the consultation room and tried to attack Anjali. I was there and managed to hold him off. I then told him that Anjali and I were together to try and get him to leave her alone but the lie backfired. . Shyam blew a gasket and proceeded to accuse Anjali of having an affair with me during their marriage and said he'd make her pay. You know how deluded that bas***d is so at that point Anjali's protection was increased and we didn't hear a peep from him.'
Aman leaned forward and placed his hands on the table. His strong cheekbones emphasized the leanness of his features. His eyebrows were pulled together in the severity of the situation.
'After you got rid of that scumbag, I promised myself that I would do whatever it took to ensure Anjali was safe and that's what I thought I was doing,' he said heavily as he leaned back. 'But as I began to spend more time with her under the pretext of protecting her from Shyam, I knew that there was no way this was going to be a strictly plutonic relationship and I told Anjali exactly that. She took some time to think about it and said that after Shyam she didn't want another relationship and I respected that. But over the last few months, things began to change and she decided that she was ready to try. The plan was to take things slowly and then tell you,' Aman said absolute honestly as he looked at his friend.
Aman paused and took a deep breath, his hands clenching under the table.
'Shyam stuck to his word ASR. He was obviously following Anjali's movements because he tailed us to Sydney and attacked Anjali.'
Arnav's breath caught in his throat and his blood ran cold as his brain struggled to absorb this information. He closed his eyes for a split second. 'What did he do?' he asked softly.
Aman could see the concern in ASR's eyes for his sister but knew that he couldn't censor the severity of this event from him. 'He followed Anjali to a local shopping centre and attacked her in the ladies washroom. He hit and tried to rape her,' Aman answered clinically not allowing himself to give into the fury that was coursing through his blood. 'Lucky for Anjali, a cleaner came in for her rostered duty and managed to get him off her. She then hit the panic button and security arrived and contained Jha. He's been arrested for assault and is in jail there waiting to be charged.'
Aman swallowed the bile that was rising from his gut as he recalled that ugly day. 'When I got to Anjali, she was absolutely hysterical and convinced that he'd come back and attack her again. I've never seen her so helpless and terrified. ASR you said I didn't have the balls to tell you myself about Anjali and me. You're right. I didn't. I didn't because I've been in love with Anjali from the day you introduced me to her. I fell in love with her despite knowing that Nani had arranged her marriage to someone else and there was no future there. I loved even when she was married to that bas***d which is why I helped you get her out of that marriage. But after what happened Sydney, I swore that there was no way that I'd risk leaving the woman I love open to another attack and more than that I'd be damned if I'd let her regress to that shell of a woman Shyam Manohar Jha reduced her to.'
Aman was momentarily startled by the feelings of protectiveness and possessiveness that swept through him, but as Anjali's face appeared in the window of his mind, a feeling of calm settled over him and he knew without a shadow of doubt that he had done the right thing.
'If you were in my situation where the woman you love was hurting and you could see nothing but devastation in her eyes and her pain splinters your heart into tiny pieces because she thinks that she is going to be trapped in this hell for the rest of her days,' Aman looked up at his friend across the great dividing table, 'if you were in my place, what would you have done ASR?' Tell me honestly?' he demanded softly, 'would you not have done whatever it took to protect her and defend her from anymore pain, to be there for her in the darkness and in the light? You married for love, and so did I ASR, and that's the bottom line.'
It was so unexpected to hear cool, controlled Aman talk about love in a voice deepened by emotion that Arnav leaned back in his chair almost in disbelief.
Aman stood up. 'ASR, it's up to you if you want to accept my relationship to your sister. Either way, let me make it explicitly clear: I'm not giving Anjali up this time.'
hellooo darlings
So I've manged to read all the comments on the last two chapters and here are some key thoughts coming across:
most people thought Aman is hot - I totally agree. And he's only going to get hotter!!
there is also an opinion that I am biased towards men whose name starts with an 'A' - guilty as charged your honour!!
There was anger towards Aman and Anjali and their percieved selfishness in the way they married.
There was also a MASSIVE outcry in relation to Arnav and his reaction, particularly what readers felt was disrespect for Khushi.
In relation to Aman and Anjali, Chapter 80 hopefully answers some of the questions.
With respect to Mr Arnav SIngh Raizada, lets not forget one thing: The man may be married but he is still Arnav SIngh Raizada. Change in his personality will not happen overnight.
Marriage is about changing and growing with your partner and letting them help you evolve.
I'm sure you will agree that in these 80 Chapters there definately has been an evolution in Arnav from selfish, ego manic to perhaps a less selfish and less egotistical man.
Don't expect him to change over night because it aint happening.
For those of you in a relationship or are married - did your partner change and become a saint overnight? If the answer is yes for you - then my heartiest congratulations and strong advice to hold on to your man!!!
Finally, in all this don't forget the inherent strengh that one Mrs Khushi Kumari Gupta Arnav Singh Raizada possesses. She's not a woman who will tolerate out and out abuse. What she will do, and is doing, is learning that Arnav is the type of man that you need to choose your moments with. He needs to be in a particular space for things to penetrate his (sometimes thick!) male skull. And when Khushi gets him - she really gets him and drives the point home fearlessly.
Finally, I know I know, Akash and Payal are being missed. Sadly I can't have everyone in every chapter so I promise that the two other love birds on the block will make an appearance soon!
Looking forward to your thoughts as always, so please please don't leave me dejected after all the hard work thats gone into this chapter.
naina 😳
Edited by warriorprincess - 12 years ago
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