For those who are familiar with my works you will know that a lot of my ff's are short peices which since Lessons in love have come to a pause but this is another one of those short peices. A couple of chapters max but i hope you like it non the less. Please add me to your buddy list if you would like pm's on my updates and are not already on my list. Thank you.
Chapter 1
The vivid scent of a strong flavorsome coffee apparent to her senses, Khushi turns in bed, the sheets with her unclothed figure creasing she stirs her hand on his side of the bed and feels vacant. It was 3am on the beside table clock when checking. She was accustomed to his habits of working late night, or just wanting to enjoy his own company, or even his late night cravings for coffee which may have been the case however, she least expected it tonight.
Meanwhile ASR who sits on the wooden ledge out on the patio with the poolside and the night sky in front of him, his mug of coffee to hand which he takes the odd sip from now and again before retreating back to what ever it was going on in his mind.
Khushi who walked towards the open patio doors and was stood at the corner after quickly pulling on her night attire, looked upon her husband from a distance. It was at times like this when she wondered whether she had not lived up to his expectations. He was a man who although her heart told her was devoted to her only he had many prior female acquaintances and there was always a little bit of Khushi that wondered how she compared to those previous women in his life. That was of course not a question for a wife to ask her husband not via the traditional upbringing Khushi had been given anyway. She never really spoke of her uncertainty to him and she didn't really need to for her concern was always given reassurance by one of his very natural gestures.
As Khushi took a few silent steps out into the poolside and took a seat next to him he spoke as if to say he knew of her presence all along. His warm eyes and content expression turning towards her. His words became one of those gestures that reminded her of just how much he loved her and she was silly to amuse otherwise . "You were amazing tonight" A little disproving of the nature of his compliment, at what he was implying, Khushis mouth shaped to a very animated ohm type shape. Her eyes grew a little wider when she did that expression. He looked at her slightly amused. His response a little smug after taking another mouthful of his coffee "What?, I'm your husband, I can seduce you however which way I please."
It was one of those things she was going to ignore because according to her it classed as beshaarmi.
She loved him immensely, everything about him whether it was the credibility of being the multimillionaire, swerve Arnav Singh Raizada, his pride, arrogance or the fact that he was unreasonable just because alongside all that he was kind hearted, soft spoken and understanding at all the right moments, and beyond all that he loved her unconditionally. He was the perfect mix of affection and authority and she loved that about him. Although his ways at times got testing for Khushi she wouldn't change him for the world. Knowing that this was probably the right time to bring up that conversation she had promised Aakaash she would have on his behalf. She took a glance over to his side profile for a second and watched his relaxed posture drinking from his mug. The scent of his coffee still strong and stronger at this proximity.
"Hame aapse kuch baat karni thi.." ("I wanted to talk to you about something.")
He took a very relaxed glance her way, his eyes warm he wasn't expecting something business related they usually talked about more personal things at this sort of time. "Hmm I'm listening"
"Woh Aakaash ji hamse keh rahe they ke woh.". ("Aaakash was saying..")
The very first few words and ASR knew it was Khushi being the middle man yet again. He looked at her a little disapprovingly, not harsh in anyway just slightly more monotone than before. "Khushi.. haven't I made it clear to you both of you before that if Aakaash has something he needs to tell me I don't see why he needs to go through you." The truth of it was that Aakash was pretty close with Khushi, Khushi helped Aaakash with certain business' tasks enough though she no longer worked for AR and there work ethic was good it was just sometimes he preferred to use Khushi as a means of contact with his brother and not just him the rest of the family did that too. Khushi was ASR's soft spot and if somebody could convince him it was her.
This time around Khushi got the feeling it wasn't going to work but she tired non the less for Aakaash.
"Woh aapko bohot maante hai Arnavji shyayad is liyey kuch cheze aapse baat ne se katra te hai. Woh U.S nahin jaana chatha Arnavji." ("He respects you a lot A and maybe that's why he finds it difficult to tell you certain things, he doesn't want to go to US on this project Arnavji")
ASR listened to what she had to say but there was just silence for a moment from him as he thought. Before leaving her seated position next to him Khushi had one thing to say. "Datyey ga nahin une please.." ("Please try not to be too harsh on him.") Khushi knew how temperamental her husband could be and Aakaash was the type of person who would take his words to heart. As Khushi walked away into the room..her footsteps into the room were audible to him as he sat still in that posture with his back to her.
"Khushi.." A moment later that sound of his voice and the way her name sounded in his tone never failed to give Khushi that butterfly feeling within. Stopping in her steps she turned around to see him stood at a short distance looking towards her his eyes intent on her. He could always make out what she was thinking even now he knew she probably thought continuing the conversation would annoy him so she walked away ignoring the fact that he had actually reacted on her to something that wasn't really her fault.
"Ji,.Arnavji. (Yes Arnavji) was her response no matter what the situation was whether they had argued, just made love or pulled sarcastic jokes at one another she put him in his place by addressing him this way and it wasn't always a way of putting him on a pedestal and giving him respect o no. It worked both ways for at worst of times it reminded him of how good she was to him despite his flaws despite his wrong doings it was something very powerful.
Even though he asked her many a time to deduct the formality from his name it never came to that. There was no need for his wife to put sir on the end of his name but maybe Khushi knew of the impact it had on her husband. The way it had the power to melt him, to compliment him or to show him his misdeeds and above all it was something very natural to her manner of speech but it seemed to work in her favor .
Just the way she responded with those two words and the selflessness in her nature was enough. She watched him close distance between them, stop at a very close proximity to her. His eyes very soft from what they were a moment ago and his tone even more so.
"I'm sor.. .." Even before he could finish his words she interrupted. "Nahin toh..aap ko maafi mang ne ki saruarat nahin hai(you have nothing to apologize for..) She looked into his eyes meaningfully whilst place the palm of her hand his chest but he was going to say his piece. "I forget that you speak on the behalf of others and I react as if you are to blame..I'm sorry" Khushi acknowledging his words..who was momentarily focusing on his t-shirt.. where her hand was rested feels his lips take to her neck line and instinctively wraps her hands around him.
...
The next morning .. "Aaj mausam hai suhaana..la la la laa .." Arnav could hear her singing in the corridor outside their room taking a glance up in the mirror to see her trying to walk into the room and balance his morning cup of tea in her hands. She didn't have to do that for him but she did. She played the role of the devoted wife with a crazy twist and that was Khushi all over. Khushi was her fun loving self, bubbly, a little clumsy, crazy but traditionalist bhartiya nari (Indian lady) she was just adorable. The total opposite of ASR but maybe that is why he loved her. She managed to be so simple, so frank, so visible about all her emotions, a quality he desired but could never really master.
The singing would normally stop at point of entry in the bedroom, it annoyed him and she couldn't deal with an angry ASR first thing in the morning but she was in her world so much saw that she continued. He just gave a slight raise of the eyebrows
"Aap hame aise kyun dekh rahe hai..?" Amused at the way she seemed to blush even now, they had been married nearly two years now but Khushi always managed to have this rosiness in her cheeks after each night of intimacy. She looked at him as if to ask why he was looking at her like that but he denied whatever look she spoke of
"Nothing" As ASR fixed his pockets with essentials Khushi walked to a drawer to take out his medication but there was only one tablet left.
Bringing it over to him, even before she could state her concern he already made sure it was sorted. "Its alright I'm going to the doctor on the way to work." As soon as mentioned show Khushi's eyes carried concern. "Just routine that's all"
...
"LOOK after yourself ASR, for god sakes, you've missed like 5 appointments!!, and look at you.! He had only just walked into her office and she was already on one..
"What don't like the blue?" He tried to change the topic but she wasn't talking about the suit, she was talking about him but he liked to make fun of her seriousness. Aaastha was an old friend of ASR's and hence she got to speak to him like she wanted to , they had been to college together and Uni and now she was his GP. She cared of course she did but he always seem to take her concerns lightly. Sitting on the patients chair, having his blood pressure measured the conversation was now a little more stubble. "I can tell when someone is not looking after themselves"
- "I'm Arnav Singh Raizada.."
- "Even Arnav Singh Raizada's need rest.
...
A non- stop array of meetings and conferences form ASR's day per norm, getting home fairly late today was like any other day been for a while now, demanding, tiring. Hp opening the door to Shaantivaan on his return home, things are pretty much as he is used to.
His meal covered on the dinning table awaited him, the family didn't wait for him at dinner time he would always finish late so he'd eat on his own which he didn't mind. The surrounding were pretty much the same too, Khushi looked to be busy at a distance with paper work spread on the kitchen worktops she sat at. She was busy trying to handle her catering service. Watching her faff about with the calculator and curse it once or twice it looked like she was having trouble.
Dropping his blazer on the sofa at the side ASR walks into the kitchen from behind Khushi. In her own world she is a little surprised to see him, was it already that time.
She felt him hover over her posture from the back and place a very light kiss on her cheek. Need help?'
Khushi looked up to him and smiled.. he was just what she needed!. 5 mins becoming 10 and 10 nearly an hour ASR gave a lot of time up to help Khushi almost everyday she was new to the whole business thing. Finally having solved the problem as ASR leaves the kitchen.. there is another more important person who requires his attention. Looking down at the person who stands in the way just as he leaves the kitchen ASR looks down at his 8 year old and his homework. ..
This was Arnav Singh Raizadas day and it didn't finish there, dadi would certainly have some issue or the other to take care of, then their was mami and her finances and not to mention the pending work and emails. After all that ASR finally got time to catch up with basic necessities, his meal, his medications. Sitting back in that recliner of his that supports his posture ..ASR finally gets his much deserved rest but when day upon day is tailored this way, it becomes exhausting and testing even for the likes of ASR.
...
"You are going to America with this project and that's it. We're not going to discuss this again." A new day at AR industries and a tired ASR summons Aakaash into his office. He had gone lengths to explain why it was that ASR wanted Aakaash to make this trip, he was for his own growth and not to mention for his father who was out their on his own. ASR had spoken.. but it was clear by the way Aaakaash had stormed out that he didn't want this.
Watching him leave the room, the ASR element within him a little provoked he fails to understand why Aaakash was so against it Like any other day he worked hard, meetings, deals, presentations he was now apt at all these things and he wanted his brother to be too but Aaakash didn't seem to see it that way.
Returning home from a long day, ASR who walks into the house a little exhausted he heads towards his room to freshen up getting out of the shower more casual attire he sees Khushi who is sat on the bed proof reading something. Wiping his hair and the back of his neck a little post his shower, Khushi fails to notice her husbands fatigue engrossed in what looked like work.
Unintentionally his eyes catching on one of the documents that lay on the bed ASR picks it up to read for a moment. It was contract where she had assigned the bulk of her profits to the partner which was wrong.
"These are wrong Khushi.. check your paperwork twice..! kitni baar kaha hai meine tumse, do not sign things before reading them properly it will get you into trouble.!" His tone sounded a little aggravated that was for sure but that was only because Khushi would get into trouble some day like this and that he didn't want but Khushi took it offensively.
"Aap hamse aise kyun baat kar rahe hai ..?! Yey hamara business hai ham joh chahe kar sakte hai.. Galti hamari toh nukhsaan bhi hamara, ham jo marsi mein aayey kar sakte hai!" (Why are you talking to me like this, its my business, I can do what I want with it, if I make a mistake I pay for it.. what is it to you!!! )
...
Khushi had stormed off unhappy and now Aarav didn't look to happy either. Sitting at the poolside with his father, ASR helped Aarav with his homework but ASR wasn't as understanding as per norm. Aarnav attempted answer one of the questions and then passed his book to his dad to check. He had answered it wrong
"Nope..try again.." ASR passed the book back to Aarav but he was fed up of answering these over and over again but ASR didn't give him a choice. "but dad.."
"Aarav do you want to be good at this or not! "
...
It had been a stressful day and at that a not so great one, he had tired, he always tried and he was the type that would keep persevering for himself but more importantly his loved ones and so he let it go telling himself tomorrow would be a new day. As ASR shut down his laptop after finishing the last of his paperwork, he needed some sort of hot drink even at this late hour of the night..it was probably his way of seeking relaxation or comfort. Instead of disturbing anyone, Khushi not having returned to their room after that incident earlier ASR makes his own trip to the kitchen. Making his drink walking back up to his room he happens to pass by the garden windows and by chance hear the conversation that was going on amongst the family in the garden.
" He's meant to help me with my work instead of giving me the answers he makes go over it again and again and again..!" Was one of the comments from his son, that he could understand he was young and wouldn't understand why his father used the approach he did but it wasn't just his son all his family seemed to gathered sulking or complaining about something he had done.
"Woh ghene walon ko maana kar diya Arnav bitwa ne..bhay hamare paise hai ham jaise chahe kharaj kar sakte not fair!." (he told the jewelers to leave, its my money I can spend it as I please. )Arnav had stopped maami from buying some suppositious looking gold items before but that was for her own good.. Aaakaash seemed to be complaining about the way ASR had decided on the business trip for him "He always insists on having things his way, the company is as much mine as it is his!." His wife seemed equally as unhappy with him,
"Jaise sab unka ho.. chilaha rahe they kynun ke hame catering service ke papers theekh taara se nahin pade..unaka AR nahin hai hamara catering services hai Khushi kumari Gupta singh Raizada ka.! " (Its like he owns everything, shouting at me for not reading my business papers, my bussniess! Khushi Kumari Guptas.) Even Nani had a say on how ASR had made her dietary life hell by making sure HP only cooked things that were beneficial to her health but tasteless after her last stroke.
All in all everyone of them could pick out something he had done wrong, as he walked past the opens doors to walk towards his room, his family had realized that he had overheard fell to a silence. He didn't say anything he simply walked past them.
Entering his room with a sense of very prominent fatigue in his posture, tiredness and just drained from all enthusiasm, putting his drink on the side table beside his recliner his phone beeps the once to let him know that he had received a new voicemail..
Walking out into the poolside silently ASR listens to the voicemail in the background as he watches the water in the pool silently putting his hands into the pockets of his night trousers.
ASR its Aaastha..your reports have come in..your blood sugar is low like I keep telling you look after yourself, rest. I'll see you on your next appointment. The voicemail ending with a beep, it wasn't anything unexpected ASR could feel his body give away even now ..closing his eyes in an attempt to shut himself away from things what he had heard from his family moments ago plagued his mind.
...
The next Morning silence there was an awkward silence at the breakfast table, ASR was as per usual on time but not dressed per norm. He wasn't dressed in his normal office attire. Today he adorned his weekend attire even though it was a weekday. The family didn't say much, they just watched him walk down the staircase and Hp follow him with a travel suitcase. Of course that made heads turn on the table but no one dared to question after last night. They were all over heard and all still annoyed at ASR but he had an announcement to make.
"I've made a decision, I'm going to take some time out for myself... it seems to me as though all of you can look after yourselves and will be a lot happier making your own decisions so I'm leaving. Aaakash I will leave all business related responsibilities to you and Khushi, Nani your medical reports have been left in your room and the same goes for your financial details maami. Aarav you have my phone number, if you need me." Surprised was an understatement.
..
He had left, just as he claimed he would and non of them thought of even asking for they were still holding their own respective grudges with him even Khushi but non of them had thought what the implications of his leave really would be.
Sometime after ASR's leave from Raizada house, it was still breakfast hour when Anjali had returned from her trip to her inlaws. Happy to see everyone the first thing she noticed was ASR's absence from the table. He was usually at the table at this time. "Arnav kaha hai..?" All eyes looking at one another.. Khushi was the one Anjali looked at but she too looked a little unsure, how was she going to answer Anjali.. how were any of them going to tell her what had gone on.
Edited by jagrutid - 11 years ago
Bollywood
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
