"Khushi, please say something. I don't like your silence." Arnav begged his wife over the phone. "I'm really sorry. I never meant any of it. I was just mad and angry and it was a slip of tongue. Please forgive me."
But once again, he was responded with cold silence from the other end of the phone and his heart broke. He knew he had hurt her a lot and now, she was refusing to talk to him. This was the third time he had called from the office, asking her to forgive him. He had wanted to solve this issue before he returned home. But everytime he had called up, she hadn't spoken a single word to him and her silence stabbed his heart, making him feel really guilty for his words.
"When I return back home, you can shout at me, insult me, do anything. Even hit me." He chuckled. "But please talk to me. You know what, I'll make it up for you. Get dressed and be ready in an hour. We'll go for dinner to your favourite restaurant. And then, we'll go on a long drive. Is that okay? Or if you have any other plan, you can tell me."
Khushi remained silent. She was really hurt by his words and didn't want to forgive him this easily.
"Even after being Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada, you haven't let go of your middle class status, have you?"
"But Arnavji…"
"Enough, I don't want to hear anything."
It had been a silly little fight of theirs but when Arnav had mentioned about her status, she had been deeply hurt. Somewhere, she knew he had never meant it, but she had to make him realise his mistake.
"Khushi, I know you are still listening to me. Please forgive your Lard Governor. He's such an idiot." And when he realised that she wasn't going to break her silence, he finally accepted defeat and disconnected the call. His only hope was she would forgive him by the time he reached his house.
Tomorrow was their first anniversary and he didn't want to drag this fight at any cost, especially when he knew he was the one at fault here.
Completing his work for the day, he grabbed his laptop and coat and decided to go home. Glancing at his watch, he realised that it was already 7:30 pm. He had made reservations at the restaurant at 9:00 pm and realising that he didn't have much time, he hurried to his car and drove off fast.
As he drove, his mind was preoccupied wondering what he could do to truly make her happy. Maybe he could take her to her favourite Jalebi shop near her house. Gol gappas? But after dinner? No. Or maybe yes, considering Khushi had a huge appetite; he thought about it and chuckled to himself.
Maybe tomorrow he could take a day off and spend the entire day at the farmhouse, away from his noisy family. Maybe that way, he could devote his full attention to her to make up for all the late night work at the office for the whole of last month.
What would she wear for tonight? He wondered. His favourite red saree? Or the black one he had gifted her last month. No, maybe she would wear her favourite Anarkali suit, the pink one.
He could already smell her hair, when he would later bury his face in it. She would smell heavenly, wouldn't she? So pure and radiant. Her favourite strawberry flavoured shampoo. Actually, his favourite too.
Maybe they could waltz tonight at the restaurant. Yes, he could finally show some of his moves to her and sweep her off her feet. Ofcourse, she was a better dancer than him, but had to prove to her that he was no less. He was worthy enough to be her husband.
He could already imagine her laughing at him, while he danced. And then, she would control herself lest he feel bad and then, she would kiss him with her soft luscious pink lips and assure him that he was not a bad dancer.
It was not even twenty four hours and he was already missing her voice. The way she used to call out his name with so much affection and love, like no one had ever done. He didn't need her to say it aloud to him. Just in her presence, she would make him feel loved like never before.
Arnav felt happy to share his life with Khushi. She made him feel complete, as if his purpose of life was fulfilled. She made him forget all his worries, his pain and taught him to look forward to a happy new day with her.
Yes, sometimes, they fought bitterly with each other like yesterday. But they had made up every single time. Khushi had a huge heart to not withhold any grudges against him. She forgave him every single time and now, he hoped she would do the same once again.
"Khushi Singh Raizada!" he smiled, her name escaping from his lips, so lost in her thoughts that he didn't realise he had skipped the red signal on the road and then, it was just a matter of few seconds.
But those few seconds, seemed like eternity to him as everything played like slow motion in front of his eyes.
It was the loud blare of the horn that he heard first and then, his eyes widened with shock as he craned his neck towards his right to see the source of the sound. And before he could react, a truck came and slammed into his car, crashing right into him.
And then, everything around Arnav Singh Raizada blackened, the violent impact of the crash thundering in his ears and the last thing he saw was Khushi's smiling face.
***
Khushi looked down at the red saree she had picked for the night placed on their bed. Till now, she wasn't sure whether she should start getting ready. Unknowingly, she had picked up his favourite colour for tonight and now, realising her decision, she smiled at her folly.
"Lard Governor!" she grumbled to herself. However hard she tried to remain upset with him, she simply couldn't. She knew that atmost, she would remain silent in front of him for two minutes.
And if she actually wore the red saree, she could already imagine Arnav's reaction to her, seeing her in it. He would gaze her from top to bottom as if he was mentally stripping off her clothes. And then, he would flash that sexy smirk and prowl towards her, as if she was his prey and then, he would grab her bare waist, drawing circles on her navel with his thumb.
That was it. And the very next minute, she would be like a jelly in his hands, while his mouth would nibble her earlobe and his husky voice would fill her ears.
She could already feel his tongue burning over her skin, with an insatiable thirst for her. And anyhow, tomorrow was their first anniversary. Maybe she should prepare herself for a wild day tomorrow, she decided, as faint blush crept over her cheeks thinking about it.
But her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by her phone ringing.
Arnav's name flashed on the screen and this time, she decided she would break her silence. If he had pleaded so much to her, maybe she should forgive him this time.
"Arnavji, it's alright. I forgive you coz I know you never meant any of it. And you will now ask, why I was giving you the silent treatment the entire day. It's because, even I was mad and angry at you. Lard Governor! Even I'm sorry. And I'm going to wear your favourite red saree tonight because I know you would want me to wear it. And yeah, we'll eat gol gappas after dinner. I won't leave you that easily. You have to do a lot to make it up for me this time." And it was then, Khushi realised that Arnav wasn't talking to her.
"Hello?"
"Hello? Is this Khushi?" she heard an unfamiliar voice on the other end.
"Yes?" Khushi asked, wondering who was talking to her.
"We found your number in the last dialled number list."
"Where's Arnavji?" Khushi panicked, feeling her heart pound with worry.
"I'm so sorry. He met with an accident." The man replied.
But Khushi didn't hear anything else after it.
Her whole world had become mute and the phone slipped from her hand, landing with a loud crash on the ground, while she felt the strong steady floor slip beneath her feet.
Anupamaa
