ARHI SS : Trapped-Thread 1 - Page 71

It had been an hour since Arnav had left and Khushi was still clueless about how to manage the situation.

What could she do? She did not dare tell him the truth. It would mayhem.

And yet she was caught in her lie.

She hated lies.

Hated deception.

Hated not being able to tell the truth and not being able to lie confidently.

Her married life with Arnav had not progressed at all. What they had was a stable calm, some courtesy from him and even kindness.

And what did she feel?

She had no reason to complain. He was an impeccable gentleman. Except today, he had never raised his voice. He was extremely kind to her from the day she had been attacked. He never let her set foot outside unless it was in his car.

He had deposited money for her, which she had tried not to touch till now. If things got worse she may have to.

He knew she often cried for her parents and he had asked her quite often if she needed him to speak to them.

She had refused. She had never wanted Arnav to be disrespected by her parents or visaversa.

She would rot alone, but she would never let hate and anger corrode the love she had for all the three most important people in her life.

It was undeniable; he had taken care of her in every possible way.

Yet the emptiness in her heart gnawed at her. She yearned to be his wife with all the rights.

She wanted to know when he would come home, so that she could wait for dinner. But if she ever asked he would tell her Don't wait up. And please don't start all this.'

If she ever wanted to know where he was going he would give her a strange look and say Do I ever ask you the same?'

Even by mistake if he came into physical contact with her, he would step back immediately and tell her Sorry. That was not intentional.'

It felt like she lived with a stranger-a kind, humane stranger who tolerated her, but felt nothing for her. Even if he did, it was nothing close to the all consuming love she felt for him.

She could stare at him for hours. She could give up anything for him. For his one wish, one smile, she could give her all.

She had often asked herself why? What was the reason for her love? He had always vacillated between attraction, anger, kindness and civility.

She had asked herself a million times why she felt this way?

She always concluded, love needed no reason. It had happened to her and she could do nothing about it.

Even unwanted, she was shameless enough to want this life with him. Having him near her as enough. Was she normal? She had asked herself. She had no way of knowing because this was the only love she had known and she had never felt this way for anyone else.

The excited ring of Risheek's voice calling her, broke her reverie. She had to act fast. There was only one way---And she had to take it.

So, when she went down and Risheek demanded milk and snack, she went to the kitchen despite Anjali's and HP's protest.

'I will do this for my Richie,' she smiled.

She set the milk to boil, closed her eyes and touched the hot vessel with her palms, Even if she had tried she couldn't have stopped her yelp of pain.

Immediately, Anjali, HP and Risheek came running. Seeing her in extreme pain, Anjali came close to her and saw her holding her hands under the tap.

'Khushiji. What happened. Oh My God. You have burnt your hand. Please show me,' she said drawing Khushi's hands to have a look.

The blisters on her hand were already beginning to look ugly.

'HP get the first aid box,' Anjali commanded. Risheek was already in tears seeing his dear mami in pain

'Khushi mami, let me kiss your hand,' he said and kissed her palms.

Despite her pain she looked at the small child and smiled. Her heart swelled with a maternal love for the child.

'I am fine Richie. Just a little pain,' she assured.

Anjali continued to fuss and apply some gel that could stop the stinging pain and more blisters from forming.

When Arnav came home and went to his room, he found his sister and nephew hovering around Khushi. His sister had Khushi's hands in hers.

Immediately he saw her hands and the ugly blisters.

'Khushi, how did you burn your hands?' Arnav asked, clasping her hands in concern.

'It's nothing. Just a freak accident. I absent mindedly touched a hot vessel with both my hands. So it was burnt. Sorry Arnav, I am won't be able to come to the lunch and I am not able to wear the jewels. I don't even remember where I kept the keys of the draw. I will wear them after getting better,' she said.

He was surprised at her response. If she had said she could not come to lunch, it would have been enough. Why bring up the jewels?

He looked at his wife's burnt hands again and began to wonder, if this accident was self inflicted to avoid the truth. And if so, what was the truth?

He had to do some initial investigations. Turning around to his sister and nephew he said I will look after her. You guys go and have lunch. And yes, send up a plate for her. I will feed her.'

As he sat across her with a plate full of food, she protested,' I will manage with a spoon. It is only my palm which is hurt and my fingers are still not that bad.'

'It's ok. I will feed you today. Tomorrow you can do it,' he said sternly and began feeding her.

As she opened her mouth to take in the first piece of roti, her lips grazed his fingers.

Immediately she looked up and saw him looking back at her. Time stood still as they looked at each other-a world of emotions conveyed in those glances.

'Why are you being nice Arnav? I can't bear it if you are mean to me again,' she wanted to say.

'Why is it that I feel sorry for you despite knowing you are lying to me,' he thought.

Neither said a word as he continued to feed her. Gradually he began the questions,

'So why were you in the kitchen when HP was around?' he asked

'I felt like doing this for Richie as he wanted milk,' she replied.

'And why did you touch the vessel. You are very careful in the kitchen,' he said.

'I---I was ---lost in thoughts and did not see what I was doing,' she stammered.

Interesting Till this point her answers had been clear, he observed. Continuing his interrogation he said,

'And what were you thinking of?' he asked.

'Nothing---Ummm---must be our lunch plan---I was excited---you know we never go anywhere,' she stammered again.

'Hmm. So, what if I can't take you out to lunch. Let's go to your favorite movie to help you feel better. I will ask di to help you get dressed. She can even help you find the jewels,' he said again.

Was it his imagination or had she gone still. She even forgot her palm was burnt as she began to clench her hands. When he touched her chin to raise her mouth for another bite, he felt her skin was cold.

Gathering herself she said,' No---no---I am tired and want to sleep. You go back to office,' she said.

He was right. She was hiding something and it involved the jewels He was back to square one. What was she hiding?

Had she lost it? If so, why didn't she say so?

Or had she given it to someone? But who?

There was a mystery here he had to solve. May be it could give a clue about why she had forced him to marry her? Were the two thing linked?

He had to investigate.

He could hire an agency. But he did not like the thought of an agency investigating his wife, even if she was not a real wife

He would have to investigate himself----