Part 6
Lavanya: I cannot believe this. You allowed her to massage your back?
Her eyes spit fire with the mere thought of ASR been touched by that low class Khushi.
Arnav: Jealous?
He was being very casual .
Lavanya: Jealous? No way ASR. Why will I be jealous? But I cannot believe you could do this .She touched you? Damm.
Arnav: Hey hey Relax Lavanya. Aisa kuch nahi hua joh tum soch rahi ho. She got the water bag and placed it on my back. It was relaxing, If she hadnt done it, the pain would never go.
Lavanya: But why did she get that? You asked her ?
Arnav: No. I
Lavanya: See.. She is already trying to come between us .WHen you didnt ask her for help, why was she helping you ?Damm girl. I will not leave her.
She was about to leave in search of Khushi but Arnav stopped her.
Arnav: Have you gone mad? Relax Lavanya. You are unneccessarily dragging this matter now. She is my wife and she knows her duties well.
Lavanya: Not wife. She is your contracted wife. She cannot do all this without my permission. I made her your wife. You didnt choose her.
Arnav: Now you are going overboard. No matter who chose her , the fact is still the same. She unknowingly felt the pain I had and hence helped me out. I dont see anything wrong in it. And Lavanya apart from this husband wife relation I share with her, there is still more to it than we ever thought. She didnt show mistrust on me when she came to know I was with you. She understood me unlike you.
Lavanya : Unlike me? You mean I dont trust you Arnav? I can see what is happening. She is trying to prove better than me, she is clearly impressing you. I know why. She is getting used to this richness and class now. She does not plan to leave you or this house. THats why she is acting to be good.
Arnav: Lavanya how could you even say this? Khushi is not like that.
Lavanya: Well ASR. You will come to know that soon. But remember one thing, whatever she does, she will never be able to extend this 6 months marriage contract. I will not let her do so.
Sometimes Lavanya had no control over her right on Arnav, which he understood and at the moment ignored. After all for him, she loved her and any girl friend would react the same way. He just thought Lavanya was going through a rough phase where she unwillingly had to allow her boy friend get married to some one else. Though this decision was foolish, now that it was already taken, Arnav did not want to increase her pain. He changed the topic and started discussing about her next Modelling shoot.
They were in the Living room now, discussing about it when Nani saw them. She was unhappy whenever she saw Lavanya with Chotte. She always felt Lavanya had a special kind of attraction for him which she never liked. And now Arnav was married. She had to maintain some distance. She saw Lavanya holding his hand and smiling too. Seemed like they had not noticed they were been watched. Suddenly Khushi came to Nani with her medicines.
Khushi: Nani, you again forgot your medicines. Take it.
Nani: I will take it but before that do my work.
Khushi: Haan Nani, boliye.
Nani whispered something in her ears. Khushi was unwilling to do this. But she could not deny Nani. She came where Arnav and Lavanya were sitting together. Lavanya didnt even bother to notice her but Arnav did not ignore.
Arnav: Kuch chahiye tha?
Khushi: Jee Woh.
She saw Lavanya who was giving her angry glare.
Khushi: Woh. The Tea bags are in the top rack. I cant reach it. Can you please help me Arnavji?
Lavanya: Excuse me? Why will he help? Ask some servant to do that.
Khushi: But.
Lavanya: But what? Cant you see he is busy?
Arnav: Stop it Lavanya. Its hardly a matter of 2 minutes. I will help. Come.
He stood up and left towards the Kitchen. Khushi followed him. Lavanya fisted her fingers and opened a magazine to read. She had to do something to keep this Khushi away from Arnav. When Arnav and Khushi came in the Kitchen, he helped her by taking the Tea bag box.
Arnav: I dont know who placed it so high. Why are you making Tea? Where is Hari Prakash?
Khushi: He is out to the Laundry Arnavji. I am . I am sorry.
Arnav: Its Okay. You dont need to be .
Khushi: No Arnavji. I did it on purpose .SO I am sorry.
Arnav: What? On purpose? Why?
Khushi: Nani asked me to do so. So that you avoid Lavanyaji . She saw you both talking and sitting together in the Living room. Thats why she made me disturb you both. I am really Sorry Arnavji. I would not have done that if she had not been watching. I am sorry.
Arnav: You dont have to be Sorry. Actually no one can disrespect Nani in this house. We obey her for everything. Nani doesnt like Lavanya much. Her modesty is what makes Nani think Lavanya is not suited to be the bahu of this house. We never told her about our relationship. I wanted to convince her but thats when Di and Lavanya came up with this 6 months Marriage stuff with you. This just gives time for Lavanya to come in Nani's good books. I hope she does.
Khushi was quietly listening, noding her head. Arnav then realised he should not be talking about this matter so openly with Khushi. Lavanya coming in good books of Nani will also mean she accepting his and La's relationship. Khushi was presently his wife. How will she feel from within ?
Arnav: Main kuch zyaada bol gaya.
He stared at her for few seconds and then left. Khushi placed the tea box aside. How should she react? This relationship was so complex. But Arnavji loved Lavanyaji and she will always pray for his good life ahead. This 6 months is a torture for him. She can read that on his face. He can neither get close to his love, nor fully accept his present wife. How can life be so cruel for a gem person like Arnavji? She will pray to her Devi Maiyaa for him. He deserves to be happy with whomsover he wishes to be with.
_________________
Almost a week more passed. It was Lavanya's birthday today and she had organised a grand party at her home. She had personally come to invite Arnav and take him with her for this party. Arnav came back from work and was getting ready for the party.
Arnav: Di where is Khushi? I didnt see her after coming back home.
Anjali: She is gone to see her father. But you forget all that and enjoy the party. Seems Lavanya has some surprise for you.
Anjali helped Arnav wear his Jacket.
Arnav: Surprise? The birthday girl wishes to give a surprise?
Anjali: Yes. Guess she is taking you out for a long drive after the party is over.
Arnav checked his phone and started dialing Khushi.
Anjali: What are you upto now? Whom are you dialing?
Arnav: Khushi. Let me tell her I will be late.
Anjali snatched the phone from him,
Anjali: I will tell her. Dont worry about that. She knows you are going for Lavanya's party today. Infact I had asked her to join too but then when she got a call from her home, she rushed there to help her father. I will send her the car to pick her up. You just concentrate on the party. Okay?
Arnav: Father? Whats wrong with him?
Anjali: I dont know much but seems he had felt a pain in his chest again. So the nurse whom you appointed for his service, noticed it and called her home. I told her if she needs Dr or something, she can let me know.
Arnav suddenly became serious.
Arnav: He is ill and you didnt tell me Di? How can you hide this matter? Her father is in pain and you allowed her to go alone and check him? Why couldnt you inform me? Dont you think I had a right to know this?
Anjali: Chotte I am not asking you not to go there. But this is equally important. Today is Lavanya's birthday and you should be present with her. She has done so much for you. Khushi is there with her father. And its nothing major . She can handle it.
Arnav: Di yeh aap bol rahi hai? I cannot believe this. Your heart melted everytime you saw a person needing help and today you are asking me to enjoy the party with Lavanya instead of helping Khushi take care of her father ? He is sick Di.
Anjali: But Chotte, he is not bed ridden now. You have already done enough for him. You paid all the bills of his hospital as we promised Khushi for this marriage Deal. Khushi is not expecting anything more from you after this. She understands it.
Arnav was raged and above anyone's control now.
Arnav: He is my Father in law, Di. I know how to handle this. And Khushi may not expect me to do anything beyond what we agreed for, but I cannot turn away from my responsibilities. At least not until I am bind to her.
Lavanya was just watching how Arnav was only taking Khushi's side and not even bothered about anything else, not even her, as if nothing else exist in this world apart from him and his so called contracted wife. She hide herself when Arnav was coming out of the room. She did not wanted Arnav to see her. So her fears were turning out to be true. Arnav was slipping from her hands. She had to do something seriously about this.
___________________
Khushi: Paapa please lie down. Dont get up from the bed. The Dr has clearly told you to take bed rest.
Shashi: Bitiya I am fine now. You should leave now. You are newly married and your family needs you there. Go home.
Khushi: No Paapa. How can I leave you alone?
Shashi: I am not alone. The Nurse will be here. She will take care of me.
Khushi: But a Nurse cannot take the place of a daughter Paapa.
Arnav meanwhile came there.
Arnav: She is right Uncle. No one can replace your daughter. Only Khushi can take the best care of you.
Khushi was surrprised to see Arnav here. She moved aside and Arnav stood next to her.
Arnav: Ek baar bata nahi sakti thi ki Uncle taqleef mein hai? (Couldnt you just inform me about his health?)
Khushi: I thought you might be busy Arnavji.
Arnav: I told you, nothing matters to me more than my family. Work can wait, but not the needs of my family.
She remained quiet. Shashi was happy to hear this .His Son in law was really gem of a person.
Shashi: Khushi, make some tea for him. Go.
Arnav didnt deny. Khushi made the best tea he had tasted until now. She left in the kitchen and Arnav started checking with the Nurse on what the Dr said about Shashi;s health.
Shashi was sleeping now and it had been almost 1 hour that Arnav was here in their house.
Khushi: Arnavji, if you dont mind can I stay tonight here?
Arnav: No problem.
Khushi: And please call me for any issue related to his health. Dont keep me in dark on such crucial matters Khushi. Did you get that?
Khushi: I will. Actually I thought you must be busy with work and then you had Lavanyaji's party to attend to. I didnt wish to disturb you Arnavji. You have already done so much for us.
Arnav: Will you stop counting what good I did? Khushi, we might not share a real husband wife bond between us but even then, I dont want to miss out any small help that I can provide to you and your father. Please remember that next time you take such decisions of handling the matter alone.
Khushi: Thanks.
She kept her eyes glued on the floor as she hardly met his eyes when they talked. Arnav sort of liked this gesture of hers. She was too shy, too innocent and too obedient at times.
Arnav: I will accept the Thanks only if you look in my eyes and say that. Otherwise I feel you are thanking the floor.
Khushi chuckled and very slowly met his gaze.
Khushi: Thank you.
Arnav: You are welcome.
Khushi: Please give my wishes to Lavanyaji.
Arnav checked the time on his watch. It was half past 8. The party had already started. I will send the Car for you tomorrow when you are ready to come back. Take care of your father which I know you will.
She smiled again and followed him till the door. She waited till he got inside the car and left the house. Something was brewing in her heart. A kind of desire or something. She had started liking Arnavji's gestures and behaviour from a different angle today. She always respected him but that respect had reached to a new height. In her teenage she dreamt of having a life partner like him but today fate had played such a mysterious game with her. Though she got a husband like the one she always wished, still she cannot hold him with her forever. All this was only for 6 months. ONLY 6 MONTHS. Tears formed in her eyes which she wiped off and closed the door.
____________
252