ARSHI FF: COLOUR ME IN LOVE : PART 50 11/10/19 PG.82 - Page 7

PART 17:

"Arnav, I beg you please do not do this," Dia looked at his expressionless face, her own very much pleading, "What do you plan to gain by doing something so cruel and wicked?"

"You have a lot to gain, and are gaining pretty well I might add, Dia," he said smoothly, taking a sip of his bourbon, "You got a career, a juicy modelling contract and endorsements all because of the connection to my name. I on the other hand, have only one thing to gain."

"He's done nothing to you," she said, "Please I beg you, leave him out of this."

"I haven't done anything as yet my dear, but what I want to do will save everybody some heartache in the future," he said softly, "Surely if it were you, you would like to know, would you not?"

"It's not your truth to tell!" Dia almost cried.

He looked at her wonderingly, thinking what her angle was in wanting to prevent him from doing the one thing that could save her family from hell. Deciding her didn't care, he said firmly, "Be that as it may, you will pack your bags and be ready this weekend. Your sister's wedding should overshadow whatever bitterness Khushi might have toward you."

Dia looked at him with anger and more than a little incredulity, no doubt wondering how it would be possible for one human being to deliberately want to do what he planned to do. It had been worse than he expected. In the end, he was still an excellent judge of character. He watched as she stomped from the room, no doubt going to her room to sulk. She had first of all been very snappy and very rude since Khushi left, and he had taken it in stride. But he had put his foot down when she tried to wriggle out of going for Payal's wedding, preferring to attend the ceremony that will be held in Mumbai for the bulk of family and friends that would not be invited to the Chandigarh ceremony.

He was so lost in his train of thoughts that he did not see Shyam enter and stand, looking at him with a pensive look of his own.

"Arnav?"

His eyes flew up in mild surprise, "Bhai? Kuch kas ta?"

"Arnav," he said, coming to sit opposite the younger man, "May I ask what you're doing?"

Arnav looked him in the eye, poker faced. Shyam knew he was weighing how honest he wanted to be about whatever he was doing.

"I'm not entirely sure Bhai," he said finally.

"This thing with you and Dia...is it really an engagement or are you just playing with the Press? With us?"

Arnav frowned, "It's not what you think Bhai."

"Then what is it?" Shyam asked, "Listen, I don't expect you to explain yourself to me. You're a grown man and I should trust you know what you're doing. But...do not play with people's lives Arnav. You do not recover from something like that."

Arnav glared into his bourbon glass, "Of that you have nothing to be afraid of."

Shyam looked at the younger man and nodded resignedly, before turning to leave the Study. He had his own thoughts to sort out. As he exited, he saw his wife seated, knitting, a secretive smile on her face. It wasn't like her to even be home by this time of the day so he wondered about it, before making his way up to his room. Once there he realized his night wear had been laid out and he stared at it, not for the first time in the last few weeks since his wife's strange behavior. She was definitely different than he remembered but what had happened, he could not quite put his hand on. Even Arnav was clueless. He was aware she was avoiding her kitty party friends, but what was the reason? Did they have a falling out?

Deciding he could figure her out later, he went in to take his shower. It had indeed been a long day. About ten minutes later, he exited the bathroom, towel around his waist as he was accustomed to doing. He heard Anjali's quiet humming as she rummaged in the wardrobe, presumably for her night gown too. He quietly shut the door, but she must have heard because she jumped and whirled around. Her eyes bulged as a gasp escaped her, and she immediately whirled around, refusing to look at her husband. A frown creased Shyam's brows as he stared at her rigid back and saw her flushed face in the mirror.

"Anjali?" he said softly, wondering what it was this time. "Kya hua?"

"Woh... kuch nahin..."

"Toh?" he came to stand beside her, slowly turning her around to face him. Once upon a time, he would have been loath to touch her, but what was she trying to say? Did he repulse her now?

Still she wouldn't look at him, extricating herself from his loose grip, trying to look everywhere else but at him. She busied herself with pushing clothes back and forth in no particular order as he gazed at her enquiringly. What was up with this woman lately?

"What's the matter with you?!" he finally snapped, forcing her to look at him with surprised eyes, "Lately you've been acting strange, and I have not wanted to say anything because I could not quite make out what you were trying to do. Now you act as though I'm scum?! Do I repulse you?"

"No!" Anjali was shocked, "No, that's not it!"

"Then just what are you playing at?" he snapped finally, "What are you trying to pull here?"

Anjali went from shocked to blushing intensely, confusing her husband some more as her eyes travelled over her husband's form which for all intents and purposes, even after fourteen years of marriage was still in superb shape, save for the very slight padding of his midsection which used to be a washboard back in the day. Shaking her hand free from his grasp, she turned and high-tailed it out of the room, forgetting to shut the door as she ran.

A puzzled Arnav stood looking at Anjali's hasty retreat. He turned back to Shyam who was just as puzzled, and even more perplexed than he was. Seeing Shyam's state of undress, his lips curved in a very slow and mischievous smile.

"What?" Shyam asked, wondering if Arnav too had lost his mind or if he understood what in the world had just happened. "Tell me you at least understand what in the world is going on with your sister."

Arnav chuckled to himself, "Glad to see you are working things out," he smiled, and then walked on to his room.

Shyam was confused, "What?" he frowned, wondering if brother and sister had been drinking from the same bottle.

Then ever so slowly, he started to piece things together as he took stock of what had just happened. Anjali's hasty exit, flaming cheeks, Arnav's comment, his state of undress...and then a slow smile of its own started to curve his lips.

Really? Anjali? Was she really... Almost immediately, big, boisterous laughter escaped him, shaking his large frame. So his wife was once again taking notice of him, was it? Interesting...it was no doubt an ego boost, but even as he smiled as he dressed, he couldn't help wondering what had brought this all on. What had changed? Not that he didn't like it, he loved it. For the first time in years, his wife was showing some signs of being the woman he once knew her to be, but why? And she was dodging her friends...fielding their calls...why?

She hadn't even gone out for any of their insanely late kitty parties in weeks! Had Khushi said something to her? Did she know about Simran? Damn it, he had been wondering for weeks and now and it was near driving him crazy! He was just going to have to find out. Just not right now. Right now, he wanted to savor what had just happened. If only for tonight...he deserved it.

...

Nahar and Khushi lay on the dais floor, a soft blanket spread out underneath them as they stared at the moon in all its glory. She played with his callused hands more out of habit than conscious effort. It had been nice and quiet the last few weeks, but they both knew they were keeping something from each other and neither one of them was going to tell...at least not right now from the look of things.

All systems were go, ready for Payal and Akash's engagement and wedding which would follow three days after the engagement. Masi had suggested they collapse the normally week-long affair into three days so they could round it all up, spend less money and be done with it. No need to spend money unnecessarily. Payal had come home ten days ago, to spend her last days as a Gupta with her family. It was bitter-sweet, and exciting all at the same time. Khushi was taking it hardest, especially when she saw Payal on the phone with Akash. Their love was obviously strong...palpable even.

"They arrive tomorrow," Khushi said softly, tracing a line on Nahar's hand. No doubt a fight wound, but it looked new, "Where did you get this Nahar?"

"Must have been the last time I went with Babuji on that trip. Stupid sons wanted to cheat him. You know how I get when things like that happen."

"Did you have to fight with them?" she asked, displeasure evident in her voice.

"Aare Lalli, I am back safe and sound. No need to worry," he said, knowing she was about to transfer aggression from her sense of having to lose Payal in less than a week.

She harrumphed and turned away from him, "I hear that ullu ka pata is going to be here as well."

She sat up abruptly, "Nahar, no."

"No what?" he asked, sitting up slowly and fixing her with a confused frown.

"Don't go fighting with him, don't go making trouble. This is Payal's day and we will not have any brawls going on here. Understood?"

He still kept frowning at her, searching her face, "Did he do something to you too while you were in Mumbai?"

She gasped involuntarily, fear leaping into her eyes. It just came out, "Wh...what? Why would you think that?"

"You always get all jumpy whenever his name is brought up. Is my Lalli afraid of him? Did he threaten you about this wedding?"

"What?!" It was her turn to be surprised, "No! Where did you get that idea?"

He searched her face for truth, and having being satisfied, he sighed, "I can't let anything happen to you my love. You'll tell me if there's a problem won't you?"

"Most definitely. I promise," she said, taking his hand in hers and pressing it to her lips. "I've only ever been strong enough to face this because you're with me on this."

"And I'll be here for much longer if only you'll stop stalling."

"Lo, here we go again," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Nahin Lalli, enough. I have been patient with you. I have waited. I have done all a man who genuinely loves his woman would do. You cannot further deprive me of what is rightfully my place. My right."

There was seriousness in his voice that made her turn and face him, a questioning look in her eyes.

"Nahar?" she questioned softly, "Saab...saab theek toh hai?"

"Theek hi toh hai Lalli, likin ab bahut ho gaya. In a few weeks after Payal's wedding I'll ask Ma to start making preparations. Everyone we know is here and we don't need to make it big if you don't want to. But it's time."

"Nahar," she grabbed his hand again, "Babuji...theek to hai?"

Nahar sighed, "He's fine, and he's taking his medicine. Ma is also doing great. Everyone in my family is doing just fine, no one is dying. But you have to agree with me that I have been very patient with you. I have been by your side and I am not demanding payment, but there's no longer a reason to stall. Unless..."

"Unless what?" she asked, truly perplexed.

"Unless it's no longer what you w..."

She quickly hushed him by slapping her hand over his mouth, "What are you saying?!" she cried, "Are you trying to make me feel guilty? Because it's working."

He gently removed her hand, "That's not what I'm trying to do Lalli. I've pleaded with you for almost four years now to be my wife..."

"But I am!" she cried, her eyes filling with tears, "Nahar what is going on?!"

"You're not my wife Lalli," he said sadly shaking his head, "Not in the way God intended. When am I going to come home and see you at the door to greet me? When am I going to eat food prepared by you every day? Who insists I have a shower before eating or getting into bed at night? Who prepares my bath? Who puts out my night clothes for me? I want that to be you Lalli. Only you."

"Nahar..." she exhaled, tears filling her eyes as she gazed lovingly at him.

"You've been by my side and I know I can absolutely trust you above anyone else," he continued.

He was very surprised when the look on Khushi's face changed from one of open love to one of intense guilt. So intense she couldn't look at him anymore. He frowned, "Lalli? Kya hua?"

Fresh tears poured from her eyes as she shook her head, unable to meet his eyes, "Nahar...there's...there's something..."

"Kya? What happened?"

"Nahin...it's just...you spoke about trust but...I...I don't know..."

She looked so frightened that he rushed to assure her, "Listen Lalli, you know you can tell me anything right? So whatever it is...just say it. I promise I'll understand."

"You won't," she shook her head, her skin breaking out in goose bumps under his palm, in spite of the warm evening weather, "No one will. I can't expect you to. It was...I didn't..."

"What's this about Lalli?" he asked finally, the suspense unnerving him.

"Woh...Mumbai mein...aur...woh Raizada...Dia ka..."

"I know who he is," Nahar who had suddenly gone still, watching her carefully.

"Nahar, I was afraid...and it wasn't my fault..."

"Did he hurt you?"

"No, not exactly...I mean..."

Nahar was watching her so intensely with enough of a hint of trepidation for her to know her further speaking on the subject would destroy him. The courage to speak fled, her mouth going paper-dry. Unable to form the necessary words, she dissolved into huge, wracking sobs, unable to control herself as she wept bitterly. Nahar immediately enveloped her in a protective hug, sure that he was scaring her even more than whatever she was about to say.

"I didn't mean for it to happen...but I couldn't stop it either," she spoke between hiccups, her words muffled by her face being buried in the crook of his shoulder, "I don't even understand why I..."

"Shhh Lalli," He spoke after she had sufficiently calmed down he soothed her, "It's okay. I didn't mean to scare you over this. I thought the worst when you mentioned that ullu's name."

She shuddered in his arms, knowing she had not even said the worst of it, "But Nahar..."

"Listen Khushi. It doesn't matter what he has done to turn Dia against everything you've taught her. She may have betrayed your trust but I can promise you here and now," he said, looking into her eyes, "I won't ever betray you. Never. I will protect you with my life Lalli. You are my prized possession after all."

She was at a loss this time. The heartfelt plea in his voice...in his eyes...there was no denying that while he now had her utmost trust, she had kept him waiting for what others would describe as too long and to tell him what had happened between her and Arnav would destroy any hope of him ever trusting her, talk less of even marrying her. But she had to try. She couldn't be that selfish and cowardly.

"I...I didn't...Nahar what I wanted to say..."

He gently swiped at the tear that was coursing its way down her left cheek, "My love, whatever it is, it's unimportant. This is just the desperation of a man who is truly in love with his wife to-be. Don't you think I deserve to get my love too?"

She looked in his eyes, her heart breaking because she had indeed taken him for granted. Taken for granted the fact that he let her do whatever she pleased in their relationship, never questioning her and never forcing her to do anything she didn't want to do. He had been the perfect man for her to have waited this long and without once trying to force himself on her, or even threaten to leave her. Yet she had betrayed his trust, just as Dia had betrayed hers. There was no difference between the two of them. None...

"You deserve your love Nahar," she sniffled as she caressed his big hands in her much smaller one, "You deserve your love."

"Lalli, I'm not trying to pressure you. I'm just saying. It's time I got married. Same as you."

She smiled. "I know. But you need to give me a little more time than a few weeks after Payal's wedding. Please?"

He looked her in the eye, and finally sighed, "Of course Lalli. But no more than two months from now."

She smiled fully, "No more."

"Good. Now we need to get back before Masi shows up with her broom," Nahar got to his feet and pulled her with him, bending slightly to place his usual kiss to her lips, "I will miss you tonight."

She blushed furiously at that, for she knew Nahar loved to make statements that had double meanings attached to them. It was even more difficult in the face of what she had been about to reveal, but she smiled through the pain of her cowardice.

"Baadmash," she whispered shyly, sniffing away tears as she took the blanket from him.

"Go on in. Masi must be waiting," he swatted her behind as he did only when they were alone.

She ran off, blowing him a kiss from a distance as she usually did. Nahar released a pent-up sigh, bending to pack up the blanket, and what was left of the plate of sweets he had brought for her. Time was of the essence in this matter...he could no longer wait around and do nothing, only to end up losing the most beautiful jewel in all of Chandigarh.

With resolve in his steps, he dismounted and walked through the field, going past the house to the well-lit road. He got to his motorcycle which was leisurely leaning against the wall and turned to look at the house, a niggling feeling in his heart as he watched Khushi's silhouette moving around her room.

He was no fool. He knew she was about to reveal something big, but he would rather not hear it or imagine what it was. It was not good if she was shaking so much from the effort it took to tell him whatever it was that happened. No,it didn't cross his mind that she would have given herself to that idiot...she wouldn't do that. But something had happened...no. He would not go into the realms of possibilities. He would just focus his energies on making sure Payal married this weekend so he could start planning to make Khushi his too.

With that thought, he started his bike...

HO GAYA... J