This update is dedicated to deeswarna for leaving such valuable comments on every update. Agreed you had always been late in responding to the update but dear you are one of the reader whose comment is something I look forward to eagerly, every single time 😳 !!!!
ArHi SS: A Thing Called Marriage
Chapter 17
Arnav Singh Raizada- a man who has always been feared by his rivals and loved unconditionally by his family. He never did anything half-heartedly. Either he hated someone or loved someone too much.
And when it comes to his family, that man was no less than a devil to anyone who had any intention of harming his family. His personal life was always kept out of reach from media and from anyone else he didn't want it to share with.
Khushi Gupta had always been the girl he didn't considered as his family though she was associated to Raizadas since he was 14. May be it was because of his dislike towards her, the girl who had become the centre of his parent's love.
Or maybe it was because of the fact that he couldn't find answer to his one question just because of her. The question that plagued his mind like a disease, eating every ounce of calm, happiness and peace he ever had.
Why not HIM?
He absolutely hated the moment his life got linked with her, binding them together in the sacred relationship of marriage. He had got used to looking out for her, making sure that she is safe but not even in his dreams did he thoughts that he will be sharing his life with her.
He pushed her away at every possible situation. He didn't want to share his life with her. He was a loner. He always had been a loner and will always be a loner.
But she refused to bend to his will, staying firm on her decision to not leave him.
And now it had been a month since she was living, as his wife in his room, with him. A month which witnessed everything happening between them- they fought, he tried to push her away, she retaliated, he blamed her for the mess in his life, she lived in guilt of it still trying to mend the broken pieces of his life, they shared some emotional moments.
And Arnav didn't really have any idea exactly when Khushi got included in his family.
May be it was when he shouted at her, venting out what was in his heart, allowing her to glimpse at his broken self.
May be it was when she tried to make him see that they have a chance together, always bearing his temper and retaliating with her smart, witty remarks.
May be it was when he was proven wrong by her in judging her.
May be it was when he assigned her the responsibility of the work he loved to do.
May be it was when they together worried about Anjali.
Or May be it was when he saw her as just a human, afraid of few things. She did have her weak moments which she tried to overcome with courage.
But in the end, all that mattered was Arnav considered Khushi as a part of his family, NOW.
In the morning when Arnav enquired her about her meeting with the sponsor, he had glimpsed traces of apprehension, fear in her eyes and that was enough for him to worry about her. The moment he got to office, he asked Aman to clear his schedule so that he can attend the meeting together with Khushi.
Finishing the last minutes things, he made his way to Khushi's cabin. The moment he entered in the cabin, he heard a question that rooted him to the spot.
"I am sure that we can settle this in private. What are you doing tonight?"
Instinctively, his eyes turned towards Khushi noting how she trembled at first, realizing what Mr Mishra was trying to convey.
He saw RED.
No one, exactly NO ONE got away with any ill intention towards his family. Losing his temper, he shouted seeing how Khushi relaxed seeing him there and how much Mr Mishra looked scared. When Khushi was going out of the cabin, he kept shooting daggers at Mishra making his sweat.
The moment Khushi set her feet out of the cabin, he shouted "She is MY wife, Mishra." He turned and closed the cabin before advancing towards Mishra noting how he shuddered in fear, which gave him strange kind of satisfaction.
His tall form towered over Mishra, making him cower in fear. Setting his murderous gaze on him and making sure that Mishra was looking in his eyes, he bit out in a cold, ruthless tone "Have you forgot how I managed to save your company from a huge loss, offering to sponsor my show and recover some amount from it? Do I need to remind you about the income tax raid which happened in your company and house the day when you tried to outdo me in my game? Looks like you have forgotten everything and need a reminder again."
Arnav took out his phone and was about to dial a number when Mishra almost fell on his feet and begged "Forgive me ASR. I thought she was just an employee. I would like to re-quote my prices for your show. Please don't do anything."
Assured that his word had the desired effect on Mishra, Arnav stopped and threw the contract papers on his face "Save your life if you can."
Later when he saw Khushi and made sure that she is alright, only then did he calmed down a bit. Mentally deciding to keep an eye over everything about the show, he got back to work. Khushi kept asking him about what he had said to Mishra that made him run like a kitten being chased by a bull dog, he didn't say anything at all.
No one had to know his way of dealing with people till the time he was alive and was perfectly capable of looking after his family.
He was the protector of his family, silent guardian who always worked in shadows.
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The next day in Shantivan was eerie quiet and calm. The calm that was wrapped in tension, grief and pain. Each and every corner of Shantivan was mourning silently.
For the loss that this house had witnessed four years ago.
Arnav was more quiet than usual, not uttering even a word and his face looked pain-stricken. He watched silently as the servants shifted the living room furniture to cover the floor with white sheets.
Anjali dressed in a white kurta and salwar was by his side, instructing the servants about the arrangements to be made.
Ever since morning, they haven't left each other's side for a moment because they knew, they needed each other's support today.
That they didn't have the courage to spent the day without each other.
Just like always.
They were there for each other. Anjali glanced up at Arnav who looked lost somewhere and rested her head on his shoulder, hugging him, comforting him.
Because today was the day Avinash and Aruna was killed four years ago.
Khushi was in her room, sitting on the floor. Her hands held a portrait of Avinash and Aruna with her in between them, smiling at the camera.
Her body shook as tears fell on the portrait, her vision blurred.
Her hands trembled tracing the smiling faces of her Maa and Papa. She shook her head and hugged the portrait closer to her body.
She now knew why she was feeling vulnerable from past few days.
The shelter that these two peoples had provided her was snatched brutally and she wasn't able to do anything. Her mind always haunted that dreaded day making a chill run down her spine in fear.
She sobbed mourning over her loss just like she had done four years ago, when she had woken up from coma and found out that she is an orphan again.
Her voice broke as she spoke to the portrait like she always did.
"I...I...miss...you...Maa...Papa."
Arnav looked up the moment Devyani walked in the living room with the family priest, talking to him. Devyani for the first time was a part of the barsi pooja that Arnav and Anjali held in the remembrance of their parents.
All the AR offices were closed today like it had been happening since last 4 years and Arnav for a change was dressed in a white kurta-pajayma. His eyes looked red and puffy like he hadn't slept last night and so true it had been.
Arnav was with Anjali, talking and relieving past memories. Anjali kept listening to him, running her fingers through his hairs as he rested his head on her lap.
Arnav kept his parent's portrait on the table, putting garland on it as Anjali lighted the diya in front of their portrait. Unknown to them, Khushi was watching all this while hiding behind a pillar.
As the priest started enchanting the mantras after lighting the holy fire, he gestured everyone to sit down. Anjali and Devyani sat down looking sombre. Arnav who was about to sit stood up at once, realizing that Khushi wasn't down there with them.
His eyes caught a glimpse of Khushi hiding. He walked towards her, making her step back in apprehension.
As much as she was trying to mend everything in this family, she didn't want to do anything that might upset them. This day held very much importance in their life as much in hers.
Khushi was about to run away from there when Arnav caught her wrist, pulling her back. As she turned and looked at him with teary and questioning eyes, he gently led her towards the living room quietly.
She kept looking at him, her eyes dropping to his hand which gently held her. He didn't know what he had done today.
Unknowingly, he was taking her towards peace and happiness.
He didn't know how much she had longed to be a part of this pooja, to pray for the souls of the people she had loved very very much.
He made her sit beside him, gesturing the priest to continue the pooja as Anjali and Devyani looked at him in approval. As the priest asked Arnav to offer flowers and ghee to the fire, Arnav caught Khushi's hand in his and did as the priest asked.
Khushi knew what it meant. What he had silently conveyed to her. He didn't hold her responsible for anything. He had freed her of all his accusations. He was making her a part of this family in true sense. Isn't it what defines a family? Being with each other in grief and suffering?
In the evening as Arnav stepped inside their room, he was startled to find Khushi not there. He looked around when his eyes fell on the distant figure sitting on the threshold of the open French windows, looking up at the sky.
With a sigh, he walked towards her and sat beside him. He noted how Khushi wiped her tears after realizing that he was there.
He knew they needed to talk. She knew they needed to talk.
They both knew that the right time has come.
This is all for now. I am sorry for posting a short update but today my mind is not working whenever I am trying to write.
You all do know what's coming in next chapter, right?
Please do hit like button and comment...though I am not sure about updating on friday. I mean next chapter is the base of this story and a lengthy one too.
Please don't make me sad by not responding to the update...you all know that right?
Aditi
Edited by uv-crazyfan - 11 years ago
Kumkum Bhagya
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