ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi
Chapter 10
Khushi had always judged people after seeing their behavior, their heart and their selflessness for others. No matter how much beautiful anyone may look, Khushi never paid any heed to it.
After all it was the first lesson she had learned the hard way, quickly succeeded by other life-defining, harsh lessons. The first lesson that taught her- a face can lie but someone's heart cannot.
She never assumed anything about anyone unless she met them. But when it came to Arnav Singh Raizada, everything was different.
Even after being known for his charity works and his excellent, acumen businessman skills, Khushi badly wanted to hate him.
She hated him when they got married. She hated him when media mocked her because of him. But her hate lasted only for a day or less.
Since the time she had come to live in Manyata Niwas, he helped her one way or the other that she couldn't help herself from being grateful to him.
For being so considerate of her. For helping her without her asking for the same.
Now coming to think of it, even the word hate' couldn't perfectly describe what she felt when she was forced to marry him. Even when the media made her marriage a public joke next day.
It was just that she didn't like being forced into doing something. She didn't like her pride being shredded into pieces.
It was never him. It was just her damned life which never relents from putting her into awful situations.
She liked being married to him, she realized ruefully.
And that particular feeling just climbed up the top notch when she witnessed Arnav turning towards her, his lips slowly curving upward in a smile.
An honest smile which just pieced through her heart, with the sweet pinch of being proven wrong in feeling any untoward emotion for her husband.
She watched with bated breath as his lips parted, his eyes crinkling with satisfaction lighting them up.
"Anytime, Khushi. Just think about what I said yesterday. Okay." Arnav said before nodding at her good naturedly making her eyes widen in wonder. How can he forgive her so easily?
Wasn't it just yesterday when she involuntarily was about to kill herself when he came to save her and got himself injured?
As her eyes flew to the band aid still plastered to his forehead, she wondered- wasn't it just yesterday when he played a shouting match with her and called her a coward?
He isn't what others presume him to be, Khushi concluded falling back on her chair soundlessly as he exited from the house.
Her husband is maybe an eccentric and ruthless businessman for others, but it was all a mask like the one she wore when she faced the world.
He maybe, is like her in many aspects. May be better or worse, Khushi wondered.
Throughout the way to his office, Arnav couldn't help himself from smiling whenever he remembered the burning enigma that his wife is.
The more he managed to know her, the more he found himself considering her as a kind-hearted woman, entangled in the web of problems created by her own naivety and selflessness.
Her eyes still held broken pieces of her innocent dreams which Arnav recognized very well. He knew the pain and the fierce longing attached to it.
Because his dreams were shattered too. Along with his vision of writing a master piece which would have changed the dimension of English literature.
It would have written a memorable history, considering the time he spent in building every miniscule detail of the story. His imagination and his writing skills were something he trusted blindly. And very proudly as well.
Alas, his life had another adventure written for him, he shook his head as his chauffer stopped the car in front of Anjali Constructions, his office now.
The moment he walked in, his face hardened remembering that this office and building was his sister's dream.
And it was shattered as well.
Scowling, he stormed in his office ignoring his employees' greetings and smiles as usual. With his secretary barely managing to greet him before he shut the door of his cabin, he was surprised to see that someone was already in there, gazing out of the window facing the busiest road of Central Delhi.
Something which always reminded him that time is quickly ticking away. Still he was far away from restoring everything to the way it should have been.
While his heart burned to extract revenge from his own father and Vikrant for treating Anjali like a piece of dirt, his attempts to bring Anjali back weren't succeeding at all.
Anjali was still adamant on hiding while waiting for the perfect opportunity to make an appearance. He needed to do something and he finally knew what it should be.
Snapping out of his thoughts, he concentrated on the person standing with his back facing him. Taking in his tailored midnight blue three-piece suit, Arnav glanced down at the rich leather shoes that the person has worn.
From his silver cufflinks, a diamond studded Rolex watch peeked at Arnav. Noting that the person is rich, he was about to speak when the person turned around.
Arnav's eyes widened, realizing that it was none other than his wife's ally-the famous lawyer, Aman Mathur.
While his wife dressed simply, Aman Mathur dressed to impress others.
"Aman Mathur." Raising his hand for a handshake, Aman whispered humbly. As they shook hands, Arnav realized that he is being assessed. Aman was watching him with hawk-like eyes as if looking for any impairment or anything that he may be hiding.
Amused, Arnav walked around his desk and leaned back in his chair enjoying what was going on. Bringing his legs up to rest on his desk, Arnav tilted his head slightly "Did everything about me meet your requirements, Mr Mathur?"
If Arnav waited for Aman to flush in embarrassment at being caught, he was so wrong.
Their eyes locked. While Arnav gazed at him curiously, Aman's eyes held satisfaction and approval as if he liked Arnav.
"Indeed." Aman replied, sitting in front of him as if he owned this place. Keeping the briefcase on the desk, he leaned forward "Whatever Khushi said about you is true."
"And I thought I called you yesterday for a meeting. You amaze me, Mr Mathur. Going by your appearance, one may think that you earn well as a lawyer. Since you work with Khushi, I think that mostly you fight for poor peoples, isn't it true?" Arnav asked casually, his eyes narrowed while his mind raced with every aspect attached to the man sitting in front of him.
While Aman Mathur merely assessed him, Arnav Singh Raizada was tearing him down in pieces to know the kind of person and lawyer he is.
Aman smiled arrogantly "Beside the cases I work for with your wife, I also work as a consulting agent for few MNC's. Does that satisfy your curiosity Mr Raizada?"
"It'll suffice. Now coming back to why I wanted to meet you, I want you to start working on Niya Sharma's case again." Arnav said seriously, switching to his no-nonsense demeanor.
Aman stiffened. His words were bitter as he spoke "I am afraid that's not possible with the girl missing from her home. The kidnappers are already making Niya's parents life a living hell."
"Which makes it the perfect opportunity to strike againt Vikrant Chaudhary, especially when Niya is safe and far away from his clutches. But no one needs to know about it." Arnav declared smugly, earning a puzzled look from Aman.
As the meeting processed on, Aman relaxed and breathed in relief while Arnav explained what was going on in his mind. They countered possible situations attached with it together. With the meeting coming to an end, Aman gathered his stuff and stood up.
"As much as impressed I am with your sharp mind, I really want to thank you for saving Khushi yesterday. If she hadn't run away in the car, I would have stopped her from doing something stupid like she did yesterday." Aman said his tone full of regret and comprehension.
"Don't bother. My men were already watching her every move. They would have saved her anyway." Waving his hand around in a careless gesture, Arnav replied warmly.
"I don't have any doubt about that in my mind now. It was nice meeting you, Arnav." Aman smiled.
"Pleasure is all mine. Just tell my secretary your fees on your way out and I will send the check to you in an hour or so." Arnav replied, his lips stretched in a heart felt smile.
"Perhaps your detective failed to notify you that I don't charge any fees for any case I fight to help poor people in seeking justice. Good day to you, Arnav." Aman replied dryly, walking away as Arnav looked at him startled.
Khushi was catching up with the recent developments of her father's political party when she heard a loud squeal.
She smiled, realizing that Manyata has arrived home from school and went back to her work. Typing the concluding line to her letter to one of the party member, Khushi stopped abruptly as she heard a loud crash.
With her heart thudding in apprehension, she ran towards the kitchen imagining the worst scenarios in her mind. As she entered in the kitchen, her eyes widened taking in a small figure bathed in milk while holding an empty jug in hand.
"Manyata?" Khushi called out cautiously.
Manyata turned around, her eyes wide in shock while her mouth fell open. She looked at Khushi in fear. Her bottom lip started trembling while the remaining milk dripped from her body to the floor, the pool of milk around her widening quickly.
Big, fat tears filled her eyes as she kept the jug on the table nearby. Hiding her face behind her small hands, she started crying "It's not my fault, Mumma. Please don't get angry at me. I was hungry. Anupama aunty was tidying my clothes. I just wanted to drink some milk and eat some cookies. But the jug was so heavy."
Raising her head, Manyata wailed "And I am so small." She started sobbing again while Khushi bit her lips trying to not laugh, knowing that Manyata won't like it.
As the housekeeper Anupama rushed towards them in panic, Khushi shook her head silently telling her to not come closer.
With a chuckle, Khushi walked forward and gathered Manyata in a hug, not caring of her saree getting wet. The girl easily melted in her embrace making Khushi smile.
Patting her head, Khushi cooed "There, there baby. Don't worry. I am not angry with you. Mumma loves you right?"
Bobbing her head in affirmation, Manyata smiled at her cheerfully. Quickly wiping tears from her face along with the milk sticking to it, Manyata giggled "Right, Mumma."
Brushing the wet tendrils stuck to her small face, Khushi said gently "Now how about I get you cleaned up while Anupama aunty fixes some lunch for you?"
Eager to please her mother, Manyata agreed instantly. As Khushi held her hand, Manyata slid closer to her, clutching the end of her saree in her small fist.
She looked so vulnerable that Khushi just wanted to gather her in her arms and hide her from the world. Manyata reminded her so much of her own childhood when her mother loved her like the way Arnav loves Manyata.
Quickly taking off her wet, sticky clothes, Khushi helped Manyata in taking a shower. She washed her slightly long hairs carefully and made sure to clean her body thoroughly.
Wrapping Manyata in a long fluffy pink towel, Khushi walked out of the bathroom and settled her on the bed before pulling her wardrobe closet open. Picking out a bright yellow frock, Khushi helped Manyata in wearing it.
She carefully combed Manyata's wet hairs making sure to not pull at it. The moment she was done with it, Manyata jumped off the bed and twirled around "Do I look beautiful Mumma?"
Khushi smiled "Absolutely."
She'd not had any time to think anything as the next moment Manyata ran out while shouting how much hungry she is.
Shaking her head, Khushi followed her out.
Khushi spent the rest of the afternoon with Manyata. They talked while Khushi helped Manyata with the homework, then watched cartoons together and laughed together.
As the evening drew in with the sky turning dark, Manyata dragged her out in the garden at the back of their house. Khushi felt like she has walked in her dreamland.
The garden was full of different flowers- roses, daffodils, carnations and much more. The small place had so much color that Khushi blinked her eyes twice to make sure that it was all reality. The gardener must have worked hard to make everything look so beautiful.
Khushi's head jerked up as Manyata left her hand and ran away "Catch me if you can, Mumma."
She stood there watching her daughter running away, looking back in a hope that her mother will come up after her soon. She saw the liveliness and excitement in Manyata's eyes.
She didn't know when her feet started moving. She didn't hear when her anklets chimed with every step she took neither did she felt the soft, dewy grass under her feet.
She just ran.
Even when her eyes filled with tears.
Even when her mind screamed that she was getting too much involved.
Because she felt like she was chasing her dreams.
Wiping the tears streaking her face with the back of her hand, she slowly ran after Manyata and laughed. She didn't want to catch her daughter but the chase thrilled her heart.
Her laughter felt foreign to her ears but she laughed.
With every laughter came tears but she laughed.
She laughed on her own foolishness. She laughed after realizing how much she missed the old Khushi Gupta.
She laughed, realizing Manyata is a replica of her old self which shockingly made her happy.
She laughed unaware that her husband was now watching her.
Edited by uv-crazyfan - 11 years ago
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