ArShi SS : When the past haunts (Chapter 4 and Epilogue : pg 12) - Page 8

Originally posted by: DMGFan-2b-not2b

Oh dear I spoke too soon about you updating very fast :-)

Chapter 4 : My wife is the keeper of my secrets and protector of my pride

Thunderclouds were flashing in AR Designs that morning. Everyone walked on eggshells, as ASR was beyond livid, no one envied Aman sir who was in the hot seat almost permanently. Astutely out of loyalty, all staff threw out their copies of the Delhi Chronicle that morning. The offending article about Khushi bhabhi (or madam, when ASR is around) disgusted everyone; as she had won the hearts of them all, with her sunny smiles, optimism, courage to face ASR and her scrumptious lunch boxes; which was now a flourishing small business.

Although from outside it looked like ASR was alternately shouting at Aman and down the phone, the actual situation inside was quite different. Aman and ASR were on full damage control mode, calling up lawyers intending to sue for slander. ASR was quivering with rage, one was that a bloody gossip had dared speak ill of his wife and above that had implied that he was embarrassed by her! That couldn't have come at a worse time, just when he was succeeding in helping her experiment with her look, to make her feel better about herself.

Now it just looked like he was preparing her to look suitable for public view, implying she wasn't before. ASR groaned as he remembered how she looked that morning when she caught the newspaper as HP was rushing to throw it out. She had left their room that morning wearing a cute purple lace kurti with her new pair of jeans to break them in (she claimed), and was so happy after preparing breakfast with Payal.

But when he came back abruptly from his jog, (after having seen the papers at a newsstand) he found her wearing her old pale blue salwar suit, her hair severely held back by pins, her pretty face pinched with clogged tears. Payal was pestering her to talk, but as soon as Khushi saw him, her face crumpled and she broke into heartbroken sobs. Payal held on to her sister, and Di appeared, then Nani; soon all the mother hens were dragging her away from him.

He wanted to hold her tight and spirit her away but Di assured him that she needed some time. Di told him to trust her, that she would make Khushi see that the gossip wasn't true. She's very upset Chotey. She won't listen to reason right now. She will lash out at you, and you will react in anger, and this situation would just become worse. Let me help her through this. You go and GET the b***h that wrote this and her source, and run them out of town!!' she breathed words of vengeance to Arnav; words he was more than happy to fulfil.

The reporter at the Delhi Chronicle had disappeared, to avoid his lawyers, so he couldn't confirm his suspicions. He knew how gossip reporters worked. They are fed a tiny version of the truth, and it's their job to blow it out of proportion with scandalous overtures in the name of sensationalism. Normally he ignored the rubbish that comes out about him, but they had hit too close to his heart this time. He can take the slander, but he couldn't bear that Khushi had to face it. He suspected the source' was someone knew everything and who was around him daily, and had run through a checklist of possibilities:

1. Lavanya (is Khushi's friend more than his)

2. Aman ( absolutely ridiculous ,no way)

3. Pam or Sim (too scared to lose their job to do this)

4. Sheetal (...

5. Shyam (in jail; not well acquainted with media industry; plus is disgrace himself)

So, Sheetal thinks she can prod the Rottweiler and get away did she? She thinks she has media contacts? Aman had pointed out that not only was a lawsuit necessary, but Khushi needs to launched into society properly, to thumb their nose as the gossips, so to speak. A grim smile appeared on ASR's face as he picked up the phone to call someone who owed him a huge favour. Covering the mouthpiece , he spoke to Aman,Get Geeta in here with her design catalogue. Now!'.

Hello, Alice? ASR. It's your lucky day. Can we meet in half and hour? Good. Looking forward to it. Arnav disconnected the call, a solid plan forming in his head. A little filmy like Khushi, but stylish like him.

By that afternoon, the plan was in motion. Arnav sat back in his chair and ran through his mental checklist . satisfied. Now he had to go convince his wife.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Arnav walked in Raizada Mansion with bated breath, having heard from the security guards that the house was stalked by paparazzi and gossip reporters, and that Di had firmly shut the door to everyone, locking the family away. He went in search of his wife, found her by the poolside with Payal. Payal left quietly when he approached them and stood by her, trying to gauge her mood.

Did you eat something, or did you starve all day at work?' she asked, still facing the calm reflective pool.

Arnav felt a wave of affection as he pulled Khushi to her feet and embraced her tight. She must be incredibly hurt by all this nonsense and here she is worrying about his food.

Baby, are you alright?' he tried to look into her face but she nodded into his chest, her hands gripping him tight in return.

I missed you a lot today. Di said you sent the dogs after the newspaper? I hope you weren't too mean...' she said meekly.

Hey! They insulted my wife! I'll run them out of business for their audacity!' he said vehemently as a small smile cracked her pretty face. Encouraged by that, Arnav continued raining threats and abuses at the newspaper.

I'll make sure that reporter won't even get a job writing greeting cards!'he exclaimed as Khushi started giggling uncontrollably. He held her in his arms and watched her laugh, thankful to Di for her calming presence today.

Khushi... tell me really. Do you feel any glimmer of truth in the claims? You tell me and I'll kill the thought with my bare hands!'

Khushi giggled more at that. She was tired of all the fuss. This was after all a very private matter, and now everyone wanted to know details. If they only knew : Shyam fiasco, 6 month contract marriage, marriage without rasms and pheres, Garima's past. Khushi closed her eyes and shuddered.

I feel like running away and hiding Arnavji. I am so afraid I'll make a wrong move and it'll all blow up in everyone's face. Please. Please let's escape somewhere. So we can sort out all this without people breathing down our necks...'

That Arnav could do. And so they quietly packed after telling Di and Nani, and escaped in his car and drove to a place that Khushi had been wanting to see again.. Nainital.

It was dark when they arrived. After booking into a decent inn, they freshened up and ventured out for a walk under the moonlit sky. They had volumes to talk about but either were silent, enjoying the companiable silence.

Khushi..'

Arnavji...'

After an awkward pause, Arnav asked, 'Kya hua Khushi? Kuch toh bolo..?'

I need something from you Arnavji. Full honesty. Will you give me this? My mind is overflowing with questions. I'm sick of the thoughts I'm having,' Khushi asked.

Of course Khushi...' Arnav agreed immediately.

Did you ever have sex with Sheetal ji?'

Arnav coughed at the blunt directness of the question. But just as quickly he gave her the truth she wanted, No, Khushi. Never.'

Have you had sex with other women?'

I'm not answering that Khushi..'

Kyu? Is it something important for you to keep secret? Okay, fine. How many women have you been with?' she prevaricated.

Don't push it Khushi. Still not going to answer that question.' he said, stone-walling.

But why?'

Jaan, it doesn't need discussing. It's in the past and it doesn't affect our future. So let it be, please?'. She looked at him mutinously but he stood his ground.

Khushi, I'm with you now. Hopefully till the day I die. Let the past stay there and please tell me why you're worried about these things?'

Are you embarrassed with me Arnavji? Am I not sophisticated to be seen by your fashion circles?', she looked away and swallowed.

Arnav was horrified. WHAT? Why do you think that? That article? Babe, did I do something? But I thought you didn't like those parties. Oh man... I've misunderstood haven't I? You thought I didn't WANT you with me? No, Khushi! Oh man...' Arnav raked through his hair.

He held Khushi's shoulders and looked into her eyes, Khushi, I'm sorry. I can be a little thick at times. Even you know you plan better parties than me! But can we make a pact? Please, whatever it is, next time if something bugs you, just tell me clearly please? I can't imagine you've been feeling like this for MONTHS and I didn't know. You're the light of my life, I'd be honoured to have you by my side. I'm so sorry!'

But, Khushi had already forgiven him. She grabbed his arm and leaned against him affectionately. Instantly Arnav vowed to show her off at all the parties in future.

I want you to help me with English, Arnavji. Nanheji has offered, but I'd rather you did. Please help me? Like you did with the shopping that day?'

Arnav beamed. This may be the first time she has actually asked him to help her with something, and he wasn't about to let it pass. Of course Khushi. But don't fight with me if I correct you, okay?', he teased and she poked him in the ribs.

Arnav yanked her to his side and squeezed her. Not only was she his happiness, she now felt like a close friend. She felt like home.

They stayed in Nainital for 2 weeks. Arnav trying to do work via the Internet and phone, while Khushi enjoyed spoiling him and having his full attention. Days filled with laughter and happiness, night clouded by passion and romance.

They were loath to return to Delhi but Khushi knew she couldn't hide forever. The newspaper gossip columns had shifted to more scandalous news and the Press photographers had stopped stalking Raizada mansion. Arnavji had explained to her his plan for an exclusive interview with a fashion magazine.

She had balked at the idea initially, but Arnavji assured her that he would be featured too and the interviewer was a friend.

Khushi had been gearing up for the sight of Sheetal again, but upon returning home had discovered her gone. Apparently she was fired without reference from AR Designs the day they left for Nainital. She was effectively blacklisted from other fashion houses as well. On top of that, police officers came to take her away too, with charges of graft and fraud. Khushi had been glad to have avoided seeing that.

The magazine interview was soon after. Alice D'Souza was a cute bubbly columnist who wore loud coloured clothes and has a raspy loud laugh. Khushi and her got along famously before long, as both were foodies and Arnav found himself just grinning and enjoying the two women's bantering. Khushi wore one of Geeta's latest designs for AR Design's Diwali collections, and the pictures were beautiful.

Things were going the right way for Arnav finally. After years of pain and loneliness, the windows were thrown wide open, and light was shining brightly banishing all dark corners. Watching her talk animatedly, her beautiful face innocently luminous. She loved with all of her heart and soul and he was the lucky bas***d who got it.

Nazar na lage ...

THE END

☢️sageflower7☢️

Epilogue : The magazine article... (pls go to http://zaniamorph7.wordpress.com/