Part 8
Khushi chopped at the potatoes angrily. How dare he? Who did Rohit think he was? He didn't know anything about Arnav! How dare he make assumptions about Arnav's personality? Comparing him to a beast?
Khushi threw the potato cubes into the steaming, boiling small pot of water. She glared at the pot as if Rohit's face was plastered on it. She sighed. It wasn't the new pot's fault. Speaking of new, Arnav had recently filled up the kitchen with new kitchenware and lots of grocery. Apparently before their marriage, Arnav used to be a take-out kind of person which is why his kitchen was completely bare except for the red wine bottles and a few wine glasses.
Khushi frowned at that. She would have to talk to him about his drinking problem. Then again, he never seemed drunk. He was as sober as he was when he wasn't drinking. He must have really good alcohol tolerance, Khushi thought to herself.
Just as Khushi was preparing the dressing, she heard the front door being unlocked. She grinned. Arnav was home.
Khushi hurried to the entrance doors. The second Arnav opened the doors, Khushi wrapped her arms around him.
She heard his chest rumble with laughter. He wrapped his arms around her waist "This is a nice welcoming. I could get used to it"
Khushi smiled at that. Deciding to put the whole Rohit event behind her, she grabbed his hand and led him to the dining room "I made potato salad. I hope you like it"
**********************************
Arnav swallowed. Why was his wife so hellbent on making him food? "Khushi" he tugged her back "I had a dinner meeting with a client. I've already eaten" he lied.
Khushi's face fell "Oh.." she focused her eyes on the ground.
Arnav inwardly sighed. He should have known that would upset her. Unable to see her disappointment, he held her shoulders and made her turn to face him. Pressing two finger under her chin, he pushed her chin up.
"Hey" he murmured "I was just telling you about my day. I had dinner quite early. I have room for a little more food"
Her face lit up instantly "That's great" she chirped "I have made potato salad. I'll give you a small serving"
Just as she turned to run off to the kitchen, she let out a yelp tripping over the cat. Arnav grabbed her before she fell on her face.
"Are you okay Khushi?" Arnav asked, glaring at the black cat who was now hissing at them.
Khushi nodded. She frowned at the cat "He's been acting weird all day, including yesterday"
Arnav kept his expression neutral "What do you mean?"
"Since yesterday he's been acting distant. He doesn't seem to like being around me anymore. He doesn't like the food I give him either"
Arnav rubbed her back soothingly "I'm sure it's just a cat thing. Besides cats are rarely affectionate"
Khushi sighed "It's just I got attached to him and had thought he did too" she gave him a fake smile "Anyways, I'll go get you some food"
The minute Khushi had completely disappeared into the kitchen, Arnav growled at the cat causing it to hiss back. Arnav grabbed the cat by the scruff and lifted it to eye level, ignoring it's attempts to break free and claw at him.
"Obviously you're not gonna be a good pet" Arnav whispered harshly "So what's the point of keeping you"
He threw the cat carelessly out of the window just as Khushi came out of the kitchen carrying two small bowls. She smiled at him and gave him a bowl. He smiled at her as he tried hard not to hurl his insides out at the smell of the food.
Arnav tried. He really did. He tried to force a spoon of the salad down his throat but he knew the consequences. He helplessly looked over at Khushi as she talked about her day while filling her mouth, thankfully not realizing that he wasn't eating. Arnav had to find a distraction. He had to figure out something.
"I wonder where the cat went" Khushi's voice broke out through his thoughts.
The cat!
Arnav grabbed at the opportunity "I think I saw him jump out the window into the garden" he said getting up with the bowl in one hand "Let me check"
He took large quick steps to the window showing the garden Khushi was working on. Without a second thought, Arnav threw the contents of the bowl out of the window, not really caring where it landed.
He took his time returning to the dining room where Khushi had finished her food. He smiled "He's not in the garden anymore. He'll probably return in the morning"
Khushi nodded "I do wonder where he does go at night"
Arnav chuckled "Guess that will remain a mystery"
Khushi smiled "Oh! I went to the library today. I got you and me library cards" she bit her lip "I wasn't sure if you had one..."
He chuckled "I don't. Thank you though"
She grinned "I took out some movies we could watch"
After fulfilling her wish of watching whatever movie she wanted, he picked her up to take her to bed. He changed her clothes and tucked her in.
Arnav hesitated when his gaze fell on her neck. Unconsciously he took a step forward but he immediately rectified his mistake by taking two steps back.
No, Arnav thought to himself. I will prove him wrong. I am not addicted to her blood. I don't need her to survive.
Using his gifted speed, he reached the nearest bar located just on the outskirts of the town he resided in. He walked up the bar. Not bothering to sit, he ordered a red wine. The second his drink was delivered, a manicured hand rested on his shoulder.
Arnav turned around to meet an unknown woman but then again it wasn't strange for strangers to meet in a bar. The woman had caked her face with make up and wore many ornaments. Her black skirt was so short that she only needed to bend a little to reveal what she was wearing inside. Her top was practically designed to push her almost non-existent breasts together to form a cleavage.
She grinned at him "I'm Mary" she said trying to act seductive.
Arnav took a sip of his glass "And?"
She had the guts to slide her hand across his chest up to where his top button resided. She bit her lip "I was hoping to get to know you"
Just as Arnav was about to tell her to back off and flash his not yet existent marriage ring at her, something clicked in his mind. This was it. He could finally prove that he didn't really need to rely on Khushi.
He looked at the woman "Follow me. I know a place"
Mona or was it Maria? Either way, the woman eagerly followed him out of the bar into a secluded dead end alley.
Arnav turned to face her. His eyes flashed red. "Stand against the wall" he growled.
As if hypnotized, she did as told. Arnav began to lean towards her neck, his fangs slipping out. However, he couldn't do it. It seemed too...intimate. Cursing his conscious if he even had one, he settled for her arm. Grabbing it, he sank his fangs in and spit it out immediately. The woman was a bloody drugstore. Arnav was almost tempted to push his finger down his throat to get rid of the foul taste. He glared at her dazed state.
"You will forget" he commanded "You will go home and sleep. The next day you will find a therapist to cure you of your drug problem"
She repeated what he said and left.
Arnav ran his hand through his hair. He was hungry.
Correction : he was starving.
Maybe he should just...
No! Arnav shook his head hard. He had to prove that he didn't need her blood. He wasn't addicted.
And yet only a minute later, he stood towering over her unaware sleeping body. His eyes flashed red as he stared hard at the tiny puncture marks that she thankfully hadn't noticed. Arnav leaned down and closed his eyes.
I am, he finally admitted letting his fangs slip into her neck. I am addicted to you.
**********************************
Khushi fluttered open her eyes, surprisingly still tired. She looked over to the other side of the bed only to find it empty. As expected. Yet it still gave a pang of disappointment.
Khushi sat up and stretched. She heard a loud meow and looked over to the cat that lay at her feet.
She smiled at him "Hey Arnav" she didn't bother pet him, not wanting to feel rejected again.
She swung her feet to the floor and stood. She immediately regretted it, falling back into bed. Khushi groaned. Why was she so tired? She had slept for more than eight hours.
Arnav meowed and tried to climb into her lap. Khushi couldn't help but chuckle. She scratched the back of his ear which he seemed to enjoy.
"You are one moody cat" Khushi giggled "You have worse mood swings than a pregnant woman"
Speaking of pregnant, Khushi wondered if Arnav wanted kids. If yes, how many? It would devastate her if he didn't want any.
Khushi stood up and made her way to a full length mirror attached to the front of the closet. She raised her shirt a bit and rubbed her flat stomach. Through the mirror she saw Arnav sitting on the floor, his head tilted as he watched her actions.
Khushi giggled "I know it's early in the marriage but I still wonder" she told the cat through the mirror "I mean we have been...doing it a lot and...that leads to a child right?"
Arnav immediately stood at attention, his ears pointing up. Then he walked over to her and stood on his hind legs. His front legs went up, almost in the way a child would ask to be picked up.
Khushi laughed and picked him up. She smiled at him fondly "What if I am?" she whispered "Do you think he would be happy?"
Arnav meowed loudly and rubbed his paw against his mouth. A gesture Khushi had learnt meant hunger. She sighed "Fine. Let's make your belly satisfied first"
Khushi carried him down to the kitchen where he jumped out of her arms on to the counter. She grabbed a bowl and poured milk into it. She put it in front of him and continued making her breakfast.
When she sat down on the dining room table she realized he wasn't drinking the milk. She highly doubted if he even licked it once.
Khushi rolled her eyes at him "Of course. I get what you're trying to do. You're trying to teach me your behavior and rules" Giving him a deep frown she switched his milk with her bread "Happy?" she asked.
The cat answered with a satisfied meow and began munching. Khushi poured cereal into her newly acquired bowl of milk. Once they were finished, Khushi set the dishes into the sink.
"Okay" Khushi clasped her hands "Let's go do some gardening"
If Khushi had given more notice to the cat she would have realized his eyes had widened and had seemed terrified.
**********************************
Khushi patted the soil on top of the seed. That would do it. Hopefully in a little while, something would grow.
Khushi peeled off her gloves and looked for Arnav. That cat had gone into a frenzy when they had entered the garden. Not only did he avoid any ray of sunshine but he actually also seemed to be doing some sort of work of his own.
Khushi almost chuckled. She grabbed the weeds and headed to the garbage bin. Surprisingly that's where she found Arnav. He was sitting on the lid.
"Get off" Khushi said trying to pick him up but he refused. He remained glued to the lid.
Khushi frowned. Suddenly the wind blew causing the tree above that was giving shade to Arnav to sway to the other side. Arnav let out a yelp before running away.
Khushi chuckled. That cat had serious sun problems. She lifted the bin to put the weeds in only to find...her potato salad? Well it looked about the portion of a bowl.
Khushi gasped as realization struck her. Arnav, her husband, had thrown away her food. A pang of hurt settled in. Had her food been that bad that he had to lie and throw it away in discretion. Tears pooled in her eyes but she refused to let them go.
"Now now, thrown away food is the least of your worries"
Khushi swirled around, startled by the newcomer "You!" she gasped in recognition.
He grinned at her "Yes. Me" he mocked.
"What do you want from me?" Khushi demanded. She looked around. Where was Arnav, the cat? Khushi glanced at the clock "My husband is going to be home any minute. If he sees you, he's not going to be happy at all"
"Do you even know what your husband does behind your back?" Rohit asked with a tilt of his head.
"What are you talking about?"
Rohit grinned "Don't you find it weird that he hasn't told you about his business? What he does for a living? Where it's located?"
Khushi glared at him "You're trying to make me distrust my husband" she accused.
He laughed "Not me. These photos are"
With that said, he threw the photos at her feet. One caught her attention. She bent down and picked it up. It was a photo of Arnav...with another woman. The woman was wearing very short clothes. Her heart beating fast, Khushi looked at Arnav. It seemed as if he was leaning in for a kiss...
"No" Khushi whispered, a tear slipping out of her eye.
Rohit smirked, knowing he had finally hit the bulls eye "Now Khushi. Tell me if your husband is truly a man to be trusted"
Khushi looked at him, a sob trying to rise up "Please tell me they're fake"
He, however, took no mercy on her "Get them checked for all I care. I only wanted to show you the truth about your husband. The rest is your choice"
With that said, he turned around and left the house.
Khushi collapsed to her knees and blindly grabbed another photo. That one was of her husband holding the other woman's arm. His head was bent over her arm making it seem as if he was placing a kiss on it.
Not wanting to believe it she grabbed another photo only to find that her husband seemed to be getting intimate with the woman. It looked like he was placing a kiss on her neck.
Khushi burst into tears. The man she had married had been a facade all this time. She should have known he was too perfect. Nobody was that perfect and yet she had believed in him all the way through.
Khushi didn't know what to do. Should she confront her husband? Should she-
She heard the front door opening.
"Khushi" she heard Arnav call her name.
Khushi closed her eyes and knew she had to face him.
**********************************
When Arnav saw his wife slowly walking towards him, he knew something was wrong. She didn't look as happy as she normally would to see him. Neither was she running towards him like usual. She had an upset look on her face. Her eyes weren't looking at him. They seemed more interested in looking at the tiled floor. Did he see traces of tears on her cheeks?
"Khushi" he reached her in just a few large paces. He cupped her cheeks with both of his hands "What's wrong?"
Khushi leaned away causing him to frown. She hesitantly looked up at him "Where were you last night?"
His frown deepened "I was with you Khushi. Don't you remember eating the salad you had made and watching that movie you borrowed from the library?"
She pressed her lips together "I mean where were you when I had fallen asleep"
His eyebrows furrowed "I was with you"
She showed him the back of what seemed like a photo. There was a date and time on it. The photo had been taken yesterday at 11:42 pm.
Arnav sucked in a breath. That was around the time he had gone to feed. His heartbeat sped up as she slowly flipped the photo around. It was of him and the woman from the previous night. It was taken at the time when he was leaving towards her neck. However it was taken at the angle that an outsider would think he was leaning in for a kiss.
He gritted his teeth "Who gave you this?"
Khushi ignored his question "Were you with her last night?"
"Khushi I asked yo-"
"No!" she almost screamed, completely surprising Arnav enough to make him take a step back "Tell me" she demanded "Were you or were you not with her last night?"
Arnav pressed two fingers to his temple "Khushi it's not that simple. I-"
"It's a yes or no question Arnav" Khushi interrupted him again "Were you or were you not with her last night? Is this photo real?"
"Khush-"
"Answer me Arnav!" Khushi yelled, a tear slipping from her eye.
Arnav pressed his lips together. He let out an exasperated sigh "Yes" he finally admitted. "I was with her last night. The photo is real but it's not what it seems"
The photo slipped from Khushi's grasp and landed near her husband's shoe.
More tears slipped from her eyes. "This photo speaks for itself Arnav. I never thought you would do this to me. I thought you were perfect. I thought you were the one but you're nothing more than an unfaithful-"
Arnav grabbed her shoulders, pulling her closer to him "God damn it Khushi. I never cheated on you. It's not what you think"
She pushed him away "I don't want to hear anything you have to say!" she cried "I never want to see you again"
Arnav's breath hitched "What do you mean?"
Khushi stared at him for a long second before replying "I am leaving"
Just as she turned to head to their bedroom, Arnav grabbed her "Bloody hell Khushi. Just hear me out"
She shook him off "Fine! Tell me then. Why were you with her last night when you should have been with me? Surely not even a late business meeting needs to be conducted in such an intimate manner so don't even try to tell me it was business"
Arnav clenched his jaw but didn't reply. Only the ticking of the grandfather clock could be heard through the thick fog of silence. Khushi stared at him, hurt evident in her eyes as she waited for his response. He, however, looked as if he was in a dilemma.
After an agonizing wait which bore no fruit, Khushi shook her head "I'm leaving" she whispered.
She turned around to leave but stopped when he finally spoke "No, you're not"
Khushi turned around to glare at him but almost took a step back when she noticed his red rimmed eyes "A-Arnav?" she looked at him, suddenly feeling confused.
"You're not leaving" he growled "Go to our bedroom and sit down. Wait for me"
Entranced, Khushi turned around and did as told. Arnav closed his eyes, suddenly wishing he hadn't done that. It had only been about a month to their marriage and he was already finding it difficult to keep his secret. Arnav did want to tell her but at the same time he didn't. What if she didn't want to be with him anymore? What if she ran away when he let his guards down and told the whole village the monster that he was? What if she never let herself fall in lo-
Arnav sighed. He was attracted to her. Not in love with her. In fact he didn't even know what love was. There was only strong attraction.
And addiction. Addiction to her blood. Hers was the purest he had ever had. No drugs, no smoke. No alcohol. Nothing to violate it.
Arnav groaned. Simply thinking about her sweet flavor made him crave her but he knew things weren't so simple anymore.
He glared at the photo near his shoe. That photo could have ruined everything. Then again it was still succeeding. Thankfully Khushi hadn't fully examined the photo. If she had looked closely she would have seen his fangs. Somebody had been spying on him. Somebody wanted to destroy him.
Using his vampire speed, Arnav reached their room in a split second. Khushi had followed his orders and was sitting on the bed, her face completely blank.
Arnav walked up to her and tilted her chin to face him. When she looked into his red rimmed eyes, he spoke "You will forget anything related to the events that occurred tonight. When you recall this night, you will only remember me coming home and taking you out to have a nice restaurant meal. Afterwards, we went home and you felt tired so we went to bed"
"Tonight when you came home, you took me to have a nice restaurant meal. Afterwards I felt tired so we went to bed" Khushi repeated.
"Good girl" Arnav said "Now sleep"
And Khushi did just that...
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