Part- 22
Next morning Arnav gets up to a new start.
A new start, which he has decided last night. He hasn't answered Khushi but he has answered to his heart all those questions, have been asked by Khushi. Now he knows he cares for Khushi... her presence and absence affects him, her smile and tears affects him, her sorrow and anger affects him...they have affected every time but he has been blind to see that. Whenever she has ignored him, he felt left out and when she has given importance someone over him, he has felt hurt, more appropriate to say, jealous. He hasn't realized it before arguing to her but now he knows the right thing to do. He needs her in his life and she will stay for good.
For starting he needs to win her after whatever he has done to her. But he still have to think about his strategy.
Arnav looks his side to check Khushi but she is not there. She is not in bathroom, not by the pool side, not in kitchen, not in mandir, not in family room, not in study, not even in Di's room... then where is she?
Tensed he thinks, Where could she go so early in the morning?
As he stands in middle of the staircase thinking, he sees Payel is coming out of her room and it strikes to him that he hasn't checked in her room.
Arnav goes to Payel and asks, Payel did you se Khushi?
Payel smiles before answering. Wo mandir gayi hai. (she has gone to mandir)
Arnav frowns, itni subha. (so early)
Payel, ha aajke din wo subha subha mandir jaati hai Devi Mayiaa ki ashirvad lene ke liye. (Yes today she will go to mandir earliest to take DM's blessings)
Arnav gets hesitates in asking, what do you mean by
aaj ke din?
Now it is time for Payel to frown, aap nehi jaante aaj ke din kya hai? (Don't you know what is today?)
Arnav senses trouble but still says the truth, No...maybe I have forgotten... will you tell me?
Payel shakes her head side wise and says, Arnav ji aap apki biwi ka janam din bhul gaye? (Arnavji have you forgotten yor wife's birthday?)
Arnav learns his mistake and which reminds him another goof up has been done. But what will he say to Payel? That he never cared to know her birth day. Nonetheless he manages some answer, Wo I am sorry Payel... you know I am always kind of occupied with business... you know what I mean.
She nods in understanding as she suggests, phir galti sudhariye. (then amend your mistake)
Getting the points he instructs her, okay call everyone. I am waiting downstairs.
In about 15 mins whole family except Anjali start preparing for a small birthday surprise for Khushi. Payel has alredy called Khushi and given her some shopping list on the way so her arrival gets delayed.
They have done a small decoration in family room and by the grace of ASR, the cake shop owner himself has delivered the cake in half an hour. As the preparation comes to an end, all they have to do now is just wait for the birthday girl to come.
As Khushi enters the house she feels it quieter than other day... She walks in.
Tadaaa...
Happy Birthday To You...Happy Birthday To you... Happy Birthday dear Khuhsi... Happy Birthday to you... The family sing in chorus
Eyes huge as saucers she watches Arnav pushing the trolley which has a huge cake on top of it.
It is less to say that she is surprised and happy, happy beyond measure. She really isn't expecting this.
First Anjali comes to her with Shyam and wishes her and after that all others one by wishes her warmly, loading her with lots of gifts.
Finally Arnav comes to her and wishes her sincerely, "Khushi a very happy birth day to you" and ASR is not a person to miss out of an opportunity getting presented before him so deliciously, hence he kisses her on her temple and his lips lingers there longer than it is absolutely necessary, taking Khusi by surprise.
All others who are present there only smile broadly at the affection clearly visible in his eyes.
Arnav sees her now turned pink face and smiles. Khushi could have died in heart attack after seeing that Laad Governor giving her the sweetest smile he has ever smiled so far but his voice holds her back, Khushi cut the cake.
She takes the knife in her hand when Akash interrupts saying, No No first put the candles on the cake ... How old are you Khushi? Let me put that many candles... he teases.
Before Khushi can opens her mouth, Arnav says with his usual smirk, Akash very bad... you are asking a lady her age... not good.
Shyam includes, Yes Arnav you are right. You should never ask that. They are always young.
Anjali gives him a light touch of her elbow. He smirks at her.
Now Payel, hands on her hips and rolling her eyes defends her sister, "itna bhi nehi hai ke chupan pare" (it is not so much that needs to hide)
Now Akash says gleaming, so that means ladies hide their age when they grow old.
Payel pouts. Arnav and Khushi both grins at them along with others.
Now Akash says dramatically "don't worry my beautiful wife... the older you will be the more I will love you, so you do not need to hide your age." Payel looks at him sarcastically.
Everyone laughs and but Mami ji rolls eyes her at his son suppressing her laugh.
Now Anali comes near Khushi and cups her face fondly as she says, mante hai ki Khushi iis gharki bari bahu hai aur bohot jimmedariyo ke saath aapne saree farz nibha rahi hai like a big girl. Par ye hum sab se choti hai iis gharme. Then she looks at Akash and says, she is just 22 samjhe. (I know Khushi is the Bari Bahu' of the house and she accomplish her responsibilities very well like a big girl. but she is the youngr among all of us. She is just 22. Do you get it? )
Akash smirks and Khushi says smiling, tab tak, jab tak ye nanha mehman bahar nehi aata. (Till the time our little guest is inside) She point Anjali's bump
But Arnav freezes on his spot. Anjali's words strike his ears she is just 22'. She is so young and so much younger than him.
In that moment he realizes, he has been harsh to her when he should have treated her like a baby. He never has thought before this moment that with his monstrous behavior he is stamping the blooming flower. Never before he thought that he has snatched a young girl's chance to love, her dream of happy married life driven by his ego. worst, he has put price tags for every priceless dreams of hers. Never has he thought that all this time he has acted nothing better than his father.
Arnav comes to his senses when he hears his family singing Birthday sond as Khushi cuts the cake. Khushi takes a piece and wants to feed Anjali first when she shakes her head and points to Arnav. Khushi turns to Arnav and holds the cake before him with trembling hand.
He holds her hand and draws it gently till his lips. He takes a bite of it and feeds her as well and wipes her lips with the pad of his thumb though nothing is there.
smiling nervously to him Khushi turns to others.
Arnav watches her every move with an undecipherable emotion in his eyes and as much as his eyes lingers on her, his vision blurs with the water gathering in his eyes.
It is time to make amends.
**
Khushi comes in her room to keep the gifts she has received form her family and that is when she notices a box rapped in a sparkling paper lying on her side of bed. Curious she opens it and finds a beautiful red sari. When she takes a closer look, she remembers that this is Arnav's design in which she has helped him before Anjali's pregnanay... Her eyes get wet and a smile appears on her face remembering that Arnav actually has taken her idea...
"Do you like it?"
Startle Khushi turns back and sees him standing on the door step.
Khushi quickly wipe her face as if wiping sweats and mustering a smile she says, ha sundar hai. Sukriya. (Yes it is beautiful. Thank you.)
He now comes close to her as he says, I thought so.
Khushi smiles when as he continues, When we designed this I never thought this will look beautiful on you.
He takes the sari from her hand keeps it on bed and takes her hand in his. Khushi feels uneasy to think what he is going to do now. last time he has kissed and fought with her, what today?
He shuts his eyes tight as he sees her troubled look and He knows what exactly she is thinking at that time which only adds to his guilt.
He takes a step closer to her and she steps back. He looks down to her feet and again steps forward and sees her again stepping back. He looks up at her now pale face and smiles naughtily before he asks, tum piche keu ja rahi ho? (Why are you going back?)ily
Khushi fumbles, ke keuke aa aap age aa rahe ho. (be... because yo... you are coming forth)
He again takes a step forward and this time Khushi gets stuck between him and the wall. Arnav leans on her staring deep in her eyes and sees only fear. Disappointed he steps back.
He tries to say something but Khushi tries to run away. He grabs her hand to stop her and twists it behind but gently to hold her close. As she tries to wriggle out of his grip he hold her other hand to and twists it back same way like the other.
Khushi's fear changes into anger as she grits out "aap ye kya kar rahe hai? Keu kar rahe hai? (What are you doing? Why are you doing this?)
Now Arnav speaks, His tone a combination of disappointment and anger, yet low, "Because I want to talk to you and you are running away. I have told you many times don't turn your back on me when I am talking." He pulls her close, close enough to feel each other.
Khushi's anger speaks, I am going because I don't want to listen to you.
Arnav, but you have to. I haven't given you any choice.
Khushi, did you ever?
Now Arnav's face drops a little but he composes himself soon for her to notice and opens his mouth to answer but gets interrupted by a knock on door. Seeing him distracted, Khushi uses the opportunity to free her and runs to the door. This irks Arnav more.
It is HP standing with Khushi's cell which she has forgotten downstairs and someone is calling.
Khushi checks the phone and a smile breaks on her lips. She doesn't bother to look back at Arnav and takes the call.
Arnav listens to the one sided conversation from where he stood.
Hello,
Ha Nanhe ji
Thank you Nanhe ji.
Ha aap ka tofa dekha maine, bohot pyara hai humesha ki tarha. (Yes I have seen your gift and it is very sweet, like always.)
Aap kab aa rahe hai aupas? (When are you coming back?)
Accha (Okay)
Ha haumare pure pariwarne humare janamdin ko bohot khaas bana diya. Sabne bohot sare gift diye. (Yes my family has made my birthday special. They have gifted me a lot of things.)
...
...
If NK would have been here before his eyes then he would have been burned alive from the fire coming out of Arnav''s eyes.
Arnav walk with purposeful strides to the poolside where Khushi is speaking to him.
First she has again ignored him for NK, that also in middle of their conversation and now the credit of his effort has been passed to others name.
In a swift move He snatches the phone from her hand and throws into the pool.
Khushi first gets startled and then furious, what did you do? I was talking.
Arnav speaks through his teeth, I was too.
Khushi, I told you I am not interested.
Arnav, I told you that you do not have a choice.
Khushi, who are you to give me choices?
Arnav, your husband damn it!!
Khushi now smiles sarcastic as she says, really? Thanks for reminding.
Now Arnav clutches her arms tight and says in fury evident in his voice, I told you don't you talk to me like that..
Khushi, I told you I will, anyways how does this matter anyway to you and to me?
Arnav, It matters damn it! It matters.
Khushi, Why? How?
Arnav, because because...
Khushi stops him and says "whatever the reason is; I don't want to know... but remember It doesn't matter to me, not anymore and after some time it shouldn't matter to you as well. Now leave me."
She frees her arms and stomps away leaving a dejected and raging Arnav behind.
**
Arnav's lips changes in to a thin line as his burning subsides. He throws his fist in the air... fu*k! I did it again... he says aloud and paces back and forth by the pool thinking why she doesn't let him explain, why has she said all that?
Wow!! Wait... Was she talking about the contract? Damn... how can I forget? Only 3 months are left... But it is more than enough time for Arnav Singh Raizada to win Khushi Gupta, Oops!!... Khushi Gupta Singh Raizada. So, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada be ready, Arnav Singh Raiada will make you his soon... you will be mine only mine... he decides as a lopsided mischievous smile appears on his face.
Arnav comes downstairs and finds Khushi is sitting with others.
He sits in front of her and she glares at him. Arnav ignores that.
They are discussing about Anjali's baby shower.
Nani, hum panditji se bat kar liye hai... do din bad ka muhrat dei hai unhone. (I have talked to Pandit ji ... he has given murat after 2 days)
Mami, Hai bohot funwa hui... invitationz send karike khatir abhise kaam shuru karike pari. (will be great fun... to send invitations we have to start work now)
Anjali only smiles.
Payel, hum abhi guest list bana lete hai. (I am going to prepare the guest list at once.)
Akash, let's do it together.
Mami, tum to shut up hi karlo Akash bitwa. tum agar enkelet ...mera matlab Payel ko helps karike khatir jaoge to uska kaam to dizasterz hui jaye. To tum Arnav bitwa ke saath milke baki ki arranzementz karoge. (You keep quite. If you sit with anklet I mean Payel then her work will turn to a disaster. You will do other arrangemenst with Arnav)
Hearing her mother's accurate observation Akash scratches his head embarrassed where Payel turns all shades of red.
All laughs.
Khushi says laughing, hum puja ki taiyari kar leng. (I will take care of puja arrengements)
Arnav, okay fine then, Akash and I will take care of the rest. Come Akash lets move.
Shyam, main bhi chalta hu. (I am coming too)
Khushi is too busy with her works in hand, in one side she is talking to a client over phone and on the other hand she is instructing HP with Puja decoration.
Arnav enters through main door with lots of things in his hands. Khushi keeps the phone down and goes to help him.
As his foot gets caught in some decorative items lying on floor Arnav loses his balance and falls taking Khushi with him who just has come before her to help him. They falls on the rongoli, Khushi and Payel have made just a while ago.
Khushi tries to get up but she is stuck under Arnav's weight who is no mood to move at all. Khushi looks at him irked, but the way he is looking at her makes her forget her anger as her eyes gets captivated by the intensity in his eyes.
Akash and Shyam who have been coming after Arnav enter in the hall and find them that way and exchange a look before Shyam speaks in a teasing tone, Arnav this is family room yaar... what is bed room made for?
Akash smirks as he adds intelligently, Yep Jiju is right, bhai not right.
Arnav and Khushi already back from their ecstasy get up hurriedly from the floor.
Seeing the look on his brother and jijaji's he barks, Shut up you two, he turns only to find Khushi has already disappeared from that spot and he meets Mami's shocked eyes as she shrieks, ee ka hai bitwa. Holi khel rahe ho ka? (What is this son? Are you playing Holi?)
Arnav doesn't care to answer as he leaves from there but not before throwing last angry glare to Akash and Shyam as they laugh.
But Mami's eyes only grow wide as se takes in the condition of the rongoli.
Arnav comes to his room and finds Khushi already cleaned and changed in a new pair of clothes.
Khushi walks to leave the room but while crossing Arnav he takes her hand in his and urges her to stop, ruko Khushi.
Khushi turns and questions through her eyes to know what is it when Arnav takes out a phone set from his trouser pocket and holds it before her.
She only stares him.
Arnav says, yesterday I drowned your phone so I bought you a new one.
Khushi now takes her hand back as she says, hume nehi chahiye. (I don't want it)
Arnav frowns, why not, you will need one right?
Khushi's answers coldly, I will by myself.
Arnav softly prompts, you buy or I buy, all are same, but her next line stumps him, hume aapka ahsan nehi chahiye (I do not want your favor)
Instantly his blood starts to boil, Ahsan!! Khushi I am your husband for god sake. You have rights on me and on my gifts. From where this AHSAN (he grits his teeth while saying) is coming in between damn it!
Now it is time for Khushi to react, I told you I don't consider you as my husband. So if you do something for me that's a favor and I don't want to any more favor from you, as you already have done enough.
Khushi is disgusted with Arnav's sudden claim of husband rights when this whole marriage is a mockery of that sacred ritual. until a few months back Arnav himself has not considered this marriage more than anything but a settlement between them and has reminded her about the contract they have signed in every given opportunity. And, now his so call husband soul has aroused to proclaim his and her rights on each other. How sick! NEVER... NEVER...
She tries to free herself as Arnav is holding her arms tight. But Arnav slips his hand behind her head and draws her face closer to his. His orbs have changed into blood red.
Khushi doesn't want to look into his eyes which will only make her weak but he turns her face griping her chin with the other hand and then takes her lips in fierce kiss. It is no passion. It is to claim his rights of a husband'.
He presses his lips on her tightly closed lips. He doesn't stop at her lack of response as he has expected none, rather he continues to suck and nibble her lips and none too gently. After few moments of torture Khushi regains her composer and pushes him hard with all strength in her body for him to lose his balance and stumble back a few steps.
Khushi throws a contemned look at him, enough to convey the message without words that she is hurt and he has hurt her today in every possible way.
She leaves the room with dry eyes as no tears left to shed when Arnav stands rooted to his tears of disgust flowing down his cheek, What has he done?
Unki ki beyazzati bardasht hai,
Unki diye dard bardasht hai,
Unki tohmate bhi hum ne muskurake sah li,
Bas unki humdardi hum na sahe sake.
Unke saath takrar manjoo hai,
Unke diye assoo bhi manjoor hai,
Unke wajase dil tuta, sapne tute humne wo bhi saha,
Par unhone pyaar jataya to hum unhe maaf na kar sake.
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