SS: IPKKND Colours of Compulsion C10 P79 Conclude NEW SS PG 82 NOTE! - Page 26

Originally posted by: aditiraher

Please post next update soon...

Sorry for the delay.. really really sorry lost track ..bitter sweet conclude to go after this and then i'll be back concentrating on this one ..

Chapter 7

They were stood at the kitchen sink and Arnav had just insisted on helping his wife with the washing up even though getting a very disproving look. It wasn't a job for a man of his stature but as embarrassed as Khushi was by it her husband had a way with words. A conversation to change the subject.

"When I got home from work in the past and you sat with me by the recliner it wasn't purely customary, it was because you wanted to talk to me.. is that right."

Khushi was surprised at the question, It was something personal she never thought she would have to talk about. She did that because she had always been taught to look after her loved ones and he wasn't just anyone he was her husband looking after him for Khushi was obligation, duty, religion a lot more than she could ever say in words but she tired.

"Kuch khuch .. aap se baat karne ka mohka bohot kam milta tha..toh koshish karte they magar hitchichahat hoti thi"

(Yes a little I suppose, it was difficult talking to you, you were busy most of the time and approaching you was difficult for me.)

Arnav had clearly been thinking about earlier and all those other times he had shrugged Khushi's care off because a part of him probably thought she was being pretentious Anjali or nani had made Khushi behave that way towards him and he didn't appreciate all that traditional wife thing.

it was only today that he realized Khushi looked for time with him in her actions and he failed to see that all along.

unapproachable ? she found him unapproachable.. he took that very seriously but he could see why that was.

He couldn't remember one time he had made the effort to sit down and talk to Khushi in a light hearted manner before the ordeal or sit down and spend time with her just casually. He only ever did that when he had something serious to discuss.

Aur ab.. ("and now") Ab bhi aisa lagta hai ("do you still feel the same ..")

Takleef hoti hai mujse baat karne mein .. ("about talking to me do you still have trouble.."?)

"Utni nahin jitni hoti thi..aap ko Aditi ke saath dekh ne ke baad aap dono ki baate sun ne ke baad itna toh esaas hua hai ke aap hamari bate bhi sunenge ."

("Not so much after seeing you with Aditi,")

Aditi ne mujhe bohot kuch sikhayay hai.. unmein se ek ankhen padna hai. Tume lafs istamal karne ki sarurat nahin hai ...

(Aditi's taught me a lot and the ability to read ones eyes is one of those things. You don't need to use words Khushi.)

He was saying this because he could see Khushi eyes wandering, the washing was done she needed a towel to wipe her hands with and Arnav handed her one before the thought could even cross her mind properly.

She smiled.

The last task before both of them could call it a night was prepping a bottle of baby milk for Aditi incase of any sudden wakes in the night.

Like all other Aditi related duties it was something Arnav took care and as he moved to the task like it was second nature Khushi asked if he wouldn't mind showing her how it was done.

He talked her through it and she followed his instructions. From where the baby milk container was kept to how much powder made up the perfect liquid and the right level of heat on the cooker but as Khushi poured milk into the baby bottle from the saucepan to the baby bottle it was no easy task and a slight spillage caused quite a serve burn to Khushi's hand.

The horror on Arnav's face was to be seen, in a split second he was stood over Khushi pulling her hand under the cold water tap and she surprised by all the care he was giving her couldn't take her eyes off her husband. Even as her hand stung in fury Khushi was distracted by ASR's reaction. How he attempted to blow cold air onto her hand, then find the first aid box to apply ointment and dress her hand all whilst being gentle and concerned.

She had nothing to say..even when he was done he looked at her..and wondered whether she had heard anything he had been saying to her or even felt the pain.

That night was like any other after Khushi's return from the hospital, Aditi slept slouched on her fathers neck for most of the night and Khushi on one side of the bed.

Arnav would comfort Khushi when he saw signs of pain or distress always keeping in mind that Khushi's surgical wounds were fresh as was the hurt of loosing baby things seemed to have settled slowly.

...

When Arnav arrived home from a couple of early meetings in the morning the next day he stopped by the usual flower seller. Looking forward to seeing Aditi and content with the thought that he could be home to keep an eye on her Arnavs eyes search for his little Aditi as soon as he sets foot within the house but is taken by surprise by who he sees instead. His family

Aakash and his wife and Khushi and Anjali were wrapped around the circular seating area talking amongst themselves.

The only one who had instantaneously noticed that he had arrived was his little angel. Aditi's eyes caught her father instantly and an adorable smile took shape on her face. Her big baby eyes glowing she began making an attempt to crawl in his direction.

Slowly but surely she was making her way towards her father at a distance and no one apart from Arnav really noticed.

For a few minutes his mind was very much for the on goings in his home but as soon as he lay eyes on his daughter nothing compared.

He was exceptionally happy to see her his little angle.. there was something so very special between father and daughter that didn't compare to any other relationship.

In no time at all Aditi had crawled her way towards her father and was in an attempt to climb up to him..in a struggle she managed to cling onto his trousers before he ducked down to pick her up in his arms to stop her toppling over.

She circled her little arms around him instantly and it was then that Khushi caught sight of her husband at a distance, there eyes met for a moment she didn't really know how he would take to this sudden occurrence of the family but she smiled and he replicated the same even if his eyes were a little unsure.

...

Aap ka din kaisa raha?. (How was your day?)

She said as she took the flowers from him to free a hand. The family talking amongst themselves behind them at a distance ASR's thoughts naturally tried to balance both things going on before him.

"Good .." was his reply but Khushi knew that he would be wondering about the sudden return family in their home.

They're visiting.. ("woh milne aayey hai" ..)she said to put his mind to some peace.

...

Walking into the kitchen for a little privacy Arnav puts Aditi down in the kitchen high chair whilst Khushi attends to the roses. She takes the out of the packaging and puts them into water whilst Arnav discards his blazer.. and rolls up the sleeves of his shirt his eyes on his daughter all the while.

"How's your hand?" A concerned mention as Khushi began to arrange the flowers into a vase.

"Ji ..Behtar." ("Yes it's better")

There was a strange slience for a moment and Khushi felt obliged to tell her husband that the family outside were there because she had made the first move. Khushi had told Aakash that she was home from hospital.

Khushi could hardly start to give an explanation and was stopped by his warm words..

"Arnavji Hamne Aakash ko bataya..." (I invited Aakaash .. I told him I was home)

"It's okay.. I'm happy that they're here .. surprised but happy."

Whilst Arnav smiled his eyes seemed a little unsure but Khushi's were certain that he had nothing to worry about what was ahead of him was only good.

...

Walking into a room that had his dearest sat around in was a strange, very strange move for a man who hadn't seen any of them in over 6 months. He also was aware that all of them had a certain dislike for him on the basis of the past but he walked into the room with only good intentions and hope.

As expected, Aakash and his wife were polite, Anajli however was simply there for Khushi and that was clear in her limited interaction with ASR and preference to talk to Khushi. Arnav didn't take it to heart time was a healer to most things and he had the feeling Anjali was warming to him again just not as quickly as Aakaash had done.

...

Dinner was an activity designed to be family orientated and it was the first time in months they were sat at the table together. The food Khushi had prepared was lovely, as ever it got many compliments but the silences were still apparent.

There was conversation between Aakash's wife and Khushi about the dishes & even Anjali was a little talkative with time. The most surprising was Aakash's words which really showed how keen he was to put things right.

"We would like to stay for a few days if that's alright bhai..?

surprised Arnav broken into quite a smile.. his eyes ever so warm, Of course you don't have to ask yey tumara hein ghar hai.

Smiles all around expect for one little child who seemed to have broken into tears about something. Arnav excuses himself momentarily to check on his daughter.

As soon as ASR leaves the table, Khushi shares a grateful glance at Aakash who had been meaning to question her on that bandage around her hand ever since he had arrived.

"Bhabhi yey chot.. kahi bhai ne toh." (How did you hurt yourself bhabhi.. bhai didn't ..??)

Yey kya keh rahe ho Aakaash yey bas mamuli si chot hai ..Dekhyey inhe .. aap ko lagta hai ke woh kabhi aisa kuch kar sakte hai.

(No Aakash it was just accident, your brother would never do anything like that in a million years just look at him..)

When Aakaash turned in the direction Khushi was looking in he saw a father engrossed in trying to work out why his little one was crying. The lines of distress on his face that sugariness in his eyes once his baby had smiled, that was innocence. Something Aakash had never seen till today but it turned his heart and his opinion about his brother. He was being silly.

For some reason Arnav got the feeling that he was being thought of and so when he looked up by chance for a moment he saw the pair of them at a distance watching him. He smiled and they smiled back but it was that feeling of knowing that the conversation in the distance had something to do with him.

...

it was late in the evening that night when the family had retired to their rooms & Aditi had nodded off, Arnav and Khushi finally got chance to be alone. It was unusual for them to have such a full house these days so the feeling was quite different to the norm of what they had gotten used to.

Arnav got Khushi to sit down for a second on the couch so he could change the dressing of the slight burn. Whilst she watched him go get the first aid kit from the kitchen she began recalling something that happened a long time ago..

Flashback: It was a Saturday afternoon, ASR worked in the lounge of the house for a few hours on Saturday after lunch. His laptop bits of paper were all pilled on the coffee table, Khushi who was finishing of in the kitchen could hear her husband on a business call. She took a quick look at the clock to see it going to nearly 3pm, he always busy and like every other Saturday she would wait for him to give her a little of his time but it was rare. Occupying herself with things around the house Khushi was nearly done in the kitchen. She had a couple of plates to put back in their place but just as she went to do that did one of them fall to smash cutting her hand quite severely.

Trying to manage on her own yet having a piece of glass caught within her hand she struggled greatly..she was in tears.

She was ever so sensitive and hearing her husband at a distance she sort out for help.

He was busy in conversation when she tapped his back and he turned around to ask her what she wanted only to see blood. He threw the phone a side..held her hand tightly in place and scolded her throughout the process of removing the glass, it actually upset her more but then that's just the way he was.

... "Are you okay?" He said when he noticed that she was dazed and she shook back into the present.

"Ji .. Theekh ..aap puch kyun rahe hai" (Yes, why do you ask..)

"Because I feel I've been too preoccupied with work and Aditi and the family today and not given you enough attention." It was nice of him to ask..

"Ab de rahe hai na.. and Im good" she said with a smile as she watched him clean her healing burn.

Sure?

"Ji" ("yes")

"Aakash asked you about your burn didn't he .. He thought It was me .." Arnav was a sharp man of course he knew.. Khushi tried to deny so but she couldn't.

"Ji.. woh ...hmm" his reply astonished her.

Good ..at least I know he cares for you if anything were to happen to me I know you and Aditi would be in safe hands.." Khushi didn't like him talking like that ..her expression was like the instant dimming of lights..

Aap aisa kyun keh rahe hai..Please don't say things like that ..Aap hame abhi toh mile hai.."

He looked at her with that last line..

"Abhi?, I was always yours Khushi."

He smiled and it was one of the best moment Khushi had with him ever..

...

The next morning was different to all others, whilst Anajli decided to leave Aakash and his wife had decided to stay back for a few days. Aakash was going to spend the day showing his wife around their home town but before that was breakfast at the table as a family.

With Aakash and his wife in the background displaying how in love they were unintentionally of course, the casual holding of hands, odd kisses and display of affection amongst the couple since they had been here was something everyone had noticed but Khushi in particular.

Arnav watched Khushi as she tried to take less notice of Aakash and his wife but she couldn't hide the workings of her mind from her husband who happened to catch Khushi in one of those moments. As soon as she felt Arnav was watching she diverted her eyes but the fact that she was disturbed was clear to him.

As she cut sort their eye lock and began clearing the table he knew there was something wrong.

...

In her way he stood mid corridor as she tried to get through to the kitchen.

"Aap ko kuch chahiyey .. ?" (Did you want something? )

He wanted to know why she was disturbed .. Correction he knew why she was disturbed.

He took away the plates from her and put them on the side table in the corridor.

She looked at him confused why was he doing that after which he took her by her and entwined his fingers within hers and held her hand.

There eyes met, her disturbed and now confused ones with his warm, carefree brown eyes.

He stepped closer and looked her into the eyes ever so intently

He gave her Goosebumps, his proximity, the scent of his aftershave, the echo of his words as he drew his lips to her ear..

If you want me to Khushi..

I can remind you that you are my wife over and over again in public, I'll hold you hand, I''ll.. instead of just using words he kissed her gently just below her earlobe. Leaving Khushi rather emotional

"But I know my wife, she wouldn't approve.."

The sound of Aakash and his wife talking that more apparent startled khushi. He was right she smiled through her teary eyes pushing him away they weren't alone..anyone one of them could walk in..

"Koi aajayeyga.." ("Someone will walk in") she said in a muffled but amused tone.. she had just proved his point.

...

Next chapter/chapters

Aakaash's wife seemed to really get on well with Khushi they had simple conversations but as she played with Aditi she had a question of Khushi maybe a worry.

Khushi bhabi I am doing alright aren't I? Woh shaadi ke baad ham phehli baar sasuaral ayay hai na toh" (it's the first time I've stayed at my inlaws after getting married.)

Khushi hadn't realized, in all her own term oil she had forgotten that they hadn't welcomed Aakash's wife properly into the family or the house yet.

...

When Arnav returned from work that evening he was surprised to see that Aditi was already in bed in her own little nursery room but as he walked into his room he was even more surprised to see Khushi wasn't in bed rest is what she needed.

He felt a gentle touch as his shoulders and as he turned he a little he found Khushi behind him.. helping him out of his blazer. it bought back a lot of memories did this ..

he let her do so..and when he turned to see her completely he saw that under her dressing gown she was dressed in some night wear he had bought her long before her ordeal.

It was one of those she wore on occasions and nights the time the were trying for a baby.

Maybe the the intimacy between and Aakash and his wife still disturbed Khushi..maybe his earlier attempt to put her mind at rest hadn't worked in its entirety.