Smitar's: Loving Khushi#4 link to #5 on Pg 1 - Page 13

Where the waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they give
~ Jane Austen, Emma

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Section 2 A of Part 9.

This update is about accepting things reluctantly but without protest. ACQUIESCE.

When Arnav assured Khushi that she may leave him on 15^th, even after they get married, as she asked why was he doing it, Khushis mind was a ball of confusion that mirrored on her face. Arnav felt contrite for putting her through such confusion after having to stomach all that he had dished out. He began his explanation saying, that she had told that they should never have met. As Khushi nodded, he confessed that he had not realized then why such a statement came out of her mouth, from her who had loved him unconditionally. He acceded that it was only when he thought about it, whole night through he realized, how right she was. A deep frown etched on Khushis forehead. Keeping track of Arnavjis thoughts was quite a tough job compared to managing a room full of naughty tykes prancing about. With a sigh he accepted that he was the cause of Payals wedding to be cancelled. He agreed as to being the one who caused her humiliation, by airing the footage, shredding her off her dignity and become an easy target for hooligans. His action had hounded her and caused to uproot herself from Lucknow to Delhi and endure the accompanying turmoil. And in Delhi he had made her life a living hell while at his office. He had left no opportunity pass by to hurt her while she was working at his home. And then their dreadful marriage that left her in a terrible situation, of being punished for no crime of hers. Swallowing a bitter pill he agreed that one way or the other, all he did for her was spell trouble. He bowed down to state he was the one who had been the cause for the loss of her peace, reputation, financial security, her place in the family, goodwill of her family, her happiness, values and dignity everything that were dear to her. In fact he had destroyed her life, shook her to her very being and shattered the very foundation that her life was built upon in the past ten years or so. Seeing the relenting Arnav, Khushi felt her chest constrict. He told her that before they met, she was a happy, carefree girl filled with rosy dreams, a place in her family and in her society, a bright future where she had pictured open acceptance of her on her marriage and warmth of the family she was married to. He has ruined her and destroyed all that she had held dear. He had shattered her dreams. He wanted to make amends and restore everything that he took away from her. This was the Arnav who accepting his series of bad judgement, was amenable to do anything she wanted, to rectify the situation.

Khushi stared at him and saw that he was filled with remorse. The tell tale signs of his moist eyes and the earnest appeal in them pulled at her heart strings. He whispered his heartfelt thoughts that while she wants to leave him, he does not want her to and even the thought of it was abhorrent to him. But he will give in knowing that she is entitled to leave him and he cannot and will not bind her as he had been a bad husband, a worse employer and a cruel, dreadful man to know. If she wants to, she was free to leave him on the 15^th. But while doing so, she should be able to leave taking all he had snatched from her and with her dignity intact. As Khushi looked at him with a stunned expression, Arnav cradling her face between his palms, promised her that she would be Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada, with the name of her husband and his family as her protection. She would never be alone or helpless again. Neither any one would be able to take her name without respect nor point out towards the genuineness of the mangalsutra, she was wearing. No one would be able to speculate whether she really has a husband or if so, why was he stashed away from them. Fingering the black beads he told her that wherever she goes his name will be a shield that would protect her. Knowing her mind, accepting her need, knowing very well the significance of mangalsutra on her neck and her reverence towards it and the institution of marriage, he gently asked her to take the mangalsutra with her even if she leaves him.

Khushi drawing in her breath quivered inside, at the way he was easing things for her. She told him that he did not need to do it. Arnav in a voice filled with emotion acknowledged, that he knew that she does not need his help. He was aware of her capacity to bounce back. She would find herself a job and with her usual panache will look after her family. She would be able to move ahead without taking any aid from him. But it was what he needed to do, if he has to live on. By the time he finished saying so much, his voice had begun to quiver. He had laid open his heart and mind in front of Khushi. This time, he did not try to hide his feelings and showed her how vulnerable the once invincible Arnav Singh Raizada has become now. By baring his thoughts in front of her, he has shown how much he trusts her and their love. By doing so, he has shown that he is reconciled to the idea of her leaving him if she wished to and his only intention in doing this was to give her the security that she never had, that of the knowledge, come what may she has him backing her. Hearing his words and seeing his state, the arrogant ASR brought to his knees and seeking her consent in all humbleness, a lone glistening pearl from her limpid pools of her eyes that made its way down her cheek was scooped and kissed away by his lips, for he was determined not to let any more precious tears escape from her eyes due to him.

He asked her, she had dreamt about her marriage. Had she not? Was it not about a marriage taking place amidst her family and all being happy about it? Was it not meant to be with lights glittering, flowers lending their perfume and pleasing the eyes and laughter echoing all around? Were not mountains of jalebis too a part of her dream? When Khushi nodded slowly affirming all he said, he accepted that he had made a mockery of her dreams and burst each and every one of them six months earlier. She was made to embrace things that were unwarranted and uncalled for, He wanted a chance to set this right. He wanted to give her a wedding of her dreams. He wanted to bring her dream into a reality with no strings attached. He assured her that the marriage was not meant to bind her to him. It was not a trick played on her. She was a free bird to do as she deemed fit after 15^th. All he wanted to do was to subscribe to her happiness.

Looking into his tired eyes that were puffy and had bags under it due to lack of sleep, worry and tears, unable to see his pain and what his guilt had reduced him to, she yielded and assured him that she would marry him, but he needed to promise her something. When Arnav looked at her with an enquiry in his eyes, she sought his assurance that he would come out of his guilt trip by putting their past out of his mind and not worry about every single incident that happened between them in the past one and a half years and regret them. He needed to adapt himself and that adjustment was vital lest he wasted himself away. She knew she would not be able walk away, leaving him to burn in his personal hell. Hearing her words of solace and comfort that were meant to absolve him of guilt, even when she was the one who bore the brunt being innocent, Arnav realizing the extent of her unconditional love kissed her hand with ardor, humble submission and respect. He adored her and admired her for possessing a heart large enough to forgive and strive to comfort him when she herself was in turmoil. In business parlance, she had cut a deal, befitting the wife of a businessman. He promised her that he would try, and with eyes holding hope, eagerness, desperation requested her, will she too try it out with him. Can she bring herself to put their past behind them and start anew? With her nod, his request found an acceptance from her.

In this update, both have accepted what they are and given space for the other to get over their murky combined past. They have agreed to one thing that they would be bound together even if she plans to separate for the time being. He asks her to take with her his protection and to face the world with her dignity intact while she asks him not to knuckle under the past. Both acquiesce to try to shake themselves out of the past, a stupor they had fallen into and look ahead for a bright future in the times to come. Meanwhile they would go ahead with their marriage.

That is why this update is called ACQUIESCE.

Where the waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they give
~ Jane Austen, Emma

Thats it from me. Hope you enjoy it.