Arshi: Before It Is Too Late(Part- 37 Last Part pg 50) 19/7/2014 - Page 9

Arnav and Akash come back from office early in the glowing mansion.

Aksash proceeds towards Payel, who is seating with Nani and unknowingly Arnav's eyes search for Khushi. Anjali catches his wondering eyes and prompts him " Chotey Khushi kitchen me hai. (Chotey, Khushi is in kitchen)"

Arnav feels little embarrassed for being caught. So he does what he does best, he barks, "Hariprakash black coffee" and goes to seat with the family.

Instead of Haripraksh, Khushi brings the coffee. Arnav notices that in the same tray she is bringing a great amount of jalebi. When Khushi keeps the tray in front of him, he says in a low voice, "I don't like sweets."

Khushi copies him and says, "hume pata hai. (I know)" then she takes the plate and turns towards other family members and says "ye lijiye garma garm jalebi, Khushi special" (have hot hot jalebis Khushi special).

As Khushi starts munching the sweet delight along with the family, Arnav observes her out of the corner of his eyes. Her eyes are twinkling again. The pleasant smile has returned and with that her joyous mood. She has changed from last night. It seems she has accepted the contract marriage and going with the flow. Arnav sighs in deeply of being foolish to even think otherwise.

But what he doesn't know that he when this morning Khushi has woke up, she has decided to being the Khushi all know. She has decided that she will never give him (ASR) the pleasure to watch breaking down.
**

At night when Khushi enters the room, she finds Arnav busy in his laptop and as he senses her in the room, he raises his head from the screen and after checking her once top to bottom goes back to.

Khushi looks at the bed and then at Arnav before going out of the room towards poolside.
**

Arnav checks his watch which states 11:30. He shuts his laptop and then looks around. Khushi is not there. But he finds her standing by the pool watching the stars. He once thinks to call her of but then why should he care? He goes to sleep. But sleep does not come so easily, especially to a man who has a beautiful woman before his eyes. But still after a lot of tossing and turning he falls into slumber.

**

Finally when Khushi makes sure that he has dozed off she comes inside the room and taking a pillow and a blanket from the bed she makes her bed on the recliner and falls asleep.

**.

Next Morning Arnav wakes up stretching his arms. His eyes wonder around and there his gaze fixes on Khushi, who is still sleeping on the recliner. Arnav realizes that Khushi doesn't want to share the bed with him. Good for her but Arnav cannot help but feel a slight pang inside. It is not because he felt bad but insulted. The ASR, who can get any girl, any top model in a jiffy and there Khushi is rejecting to even sleep by his side. He feels a rage building inside and decides to leave the room before he lash out. So in next 15 minutes he is out of his room for his regular jog.
**

When Khushi wakes up and looks around she doesn't find Arnav anywhere in the room. She sighs in relief and leaves to freshen up.

**

Arnav returns after jogging thinking by this time Khushi will be downstairs but he finds her in his pool side garden. Her back facing him and busy in something. Feeling suspicious he walks towards her.

As Arnav peeps in to see what she is doing and feels his blood boil. Khushi is cutting leaves of a rare species in his garden. His anger shoots like cannon. He grabs her arm and turns her with a jerk which shocks her to the hell, as she hasn't even heard him coming, and the cutting tool drops from her hand.

Arnav grabs her both shoulder with his hands and while tightening his grip he growls, "How dare you touch my plants? They are way too special for me and you have the guts to even touch them? Khushi Gupta next time you harm...no even dare to go near them you will see the worst of me understand. Tumhari aukad nehi hai een kimtiti plants ko chuneki (You do not have the position or status to touch them)." With this he pushes her away.

Khushi's eyes have been wide open all this time in disbelief. She has never thought that he will come back that time only. And as she loses her balance with the push he staggers forward and her head hits on the wall.

Arnav turns to her with a "ahha" sound but before he can realize what has happened she leaves the place in lightning speed without turning.

Cursing under his breath her goes check the plant, which Khushi has been ruining as he thought. In the next moment his anger changes into a sense of guilt.

She was cutting the leaves which have had worms, to save the rest of the plant which Arnav has missed before and now remembering her stricken face he feels sorry for her but dare he will admit before anyone.

**

When Arnav is coming down the stairs for breakfast he hears Anjali is asking Khushi, "Khushi ye chot kaise lagi? (How did you get this wound?)"
and in no time he covers the distance and stand by them.

Khushi and Anjali both turn towards him and Anjali complains to Arnav- Dekho na Chotey sar pe itni zor se lagi hai aur bata bhi nahi rahi hai kaise lagi? (See Chotey how badly she is hurt and also not telling how it happened?)

Arnav looks at Khushi and sees a blue mark is glowing on the left side of her forehead and the place has swollen considerably.

Arnav closes his eyes and stops the curse which is about t fall from his lips. But his eyes flatters open with Khushi's voice, "wo Di hom jaldi me darwaje se takra gaye. (Actually Di I banged on the door in a hurry)".She says it staring into his eyes and then turns back to Anjali and tells her not to worry it is not much.

Before Anjali can retort Arnav cuts in, "Di Hariprakash ko mere kamre me baraf le ke aane ko bolo."(ask HP to get ice in my room) and without uttering anything further he holds Khushi's hand and drags a astonished Khushi, in loss of her voice, to the room. She once turns back to see Anjali, who is gleaming at them.

Arnav brings Khushi inside the room and tries to make her sit on the recliner soundlessly. But Khushi protests and tries to jerk her hand free and then walk away. But Arnav grabs her hand again and yanks her towards him which results her come crashing against his chest.

"Don't you dare walk away from me." He hisses.

Khushi looks up only to feel numb seeing the fire in his eyes again. But this time she refuses to be weak and says in a low growl, "keu nehi ja sakte hum. Hum aapke naukar nehi hai. Hum kuch bhi kar saktte hai aur aap mujhe nehi rok sakte. Samjhe aap. (Why can't I go? I am not your slave. I can do anything and you can't stop me. Do you understand?)"

Arnav now feels furious and holds her hands in a tight grip and says through his teeth, "Don't you dare talk to me like this. Don't you ever." With every word his grip tightens painfully around her arm.
Khushi's tearful eyes look into his.

Suddenly there is knock on the door makes Arnav to lose her hand. It is HP with ice, napkins and first-aid box.

Arnav takes the tray from HP and sends him back. When he turns, he sees Khushi is sitting on the recliner and checking her arms which have his fingers' imprints. Arnav closes his eyes once again as he realizes that he has done it again. He goes to sit beside her and keeps the tray on table.

He wraps some ice cubes in a napkin and keeps it on her forehead on the wound. Khushi has lost her strength to protest so she silently sits there closing her eyes. Her tears make their way down.

Arnav watches little twinge in heart as the tears flow endlessly. As he applies ointment on the wound Khushi winces in pain. Arnav whiffs gently on her forehead. Feeling the cold and soothing blow on her face she opens her eyes. Her eyes roam over only to fix on Arnav.

Arnav stops blowing and now applies a little ointment on her both arms and whiffs again. Khushi is totally taken aback to witness his gentle side and if it is not too much then the next second her jaw falls open as she hears him ask "Better?."

Khushi nods like a doll and with that Arnav leaves the room but not before that giving a last look to Khushi who is already staring him.

As she watches him leave she realizes that this is his way of saying sorry. Sighing she wonders that why he has to be so rude in the first place?

**

Raizada mansion is now busy with Anjali's marriage preparation.

More than any member Kushi is running around. She has taken the charge of every arrangement with Payel. Arnav and Akash both are impressed to see their wives' responsible side.

Arnav is amused to see Khushi's excitement. How come this girl is so energetic all the time?' he wonders.

Khushi is arguing with the flower vendor over the phone when Anjali comes and taps on her shoulder.
After giving the final instruction and warning the vendor Khushi keeps the phone down.

Anjali smiles at her warmly before speaking, "Khushi tum to taiyari ke chakkar me khana pina bhol gayi ho. Thori der baith jaao. Aaram kar lo. (Khushi you have forgotten to eat and drink to take care of the preparation. Take rest for some time.)

Khushi- nehi hum thik hai Di. (No I am OK Di.)

Anjali- bas thori der. hume aap ko kuch dena hai. (Just for some time. I want to give you something)

Khushi sees the box in her hand. Anjali drags Khushi by arm and settles down on a sofa with her.

Anjali- Khushi iis me humare maa ke kangan hai jo unhone aapni bahu ke liye rakkha tha. Ye aab tak meri jimmedari thi jo main pura krrna chahti hu. (This is our mother's bangle which she had kept for her daughter-in-law. It was my responsibility till now, which I want to fulfill.)

While Khushi is wondering as she so much even has the right to touch it, Anjali takes out a pair of beautiful diamond plated gold bangle and make Khushi to wear.

Khushi feels helpless. She looks around for Arnav but he has gone out for some work.

Khushi- Di ye aap hi rakhkhiye na aap ki maa ki nishani hai. (You keep it. It is your mother's remembrance.)

Anjali- mere paas hai unki nishani (she shows a locket she wears) is pe aapka haq hai. (I have something of her. This is your right)

At that time Arnav enters with many bags in his hands. Anjali calls him. He gives the bags to HP and goes to Anjali.

Anjali- Chotey ye tum Khushi ko pahna do. (Chotey you make Khushi wear this)

Arnav first looks at the bangles, then his eyes dart towards Anjali as he mutters, "ye to Ma ke hai. (This is mother's)".

Anjali- ha, unhone apne bahu ke liye rakhhe the. (Yes, she has kept it for her daughter in law).

Arnav now stares Khushi, who is staring at him in return. He slowly avert his eyes and starts to protest, "but Di".

Chotey Ma bhi yehi chahti. (She would have wanted this.), Anjali chides him before can he can utter anything else.

Arnav doesn't argue anymore and slips the bangles in Khushi's hand. he needs to this for DI, he chants in his head.

Anjali's weds Shyam:

Anjali is getting ready for her big day. Though it is a private affair with family and close friends, still excitement is no less and Anjali is looking very pretty in her wedding costume.

Arnav comes to check on Di. He is too happy. He hugs her tight and Khushi watches she sees him blink back the tears in his eyes.

When Arnav leaves from there Anjali says, Chotey...

But Khushi completes the sentence for her "aaj bohot khush hai aur (is very happy) then she smile and says, aur bhabuk bhi (and emotional also)."

Both Chuckle.

As Khushi hugs Anjali from behind she says, smile in her voice, "aap ke liye hum bohot khush hai Di. (I am very happy for you Di)"

Anjali- hume pata hai Khushi. (I know Khushi)

Khushi then comes forth and cups her face saying, "aap bohot sundar lag rahe hai Di. (You are looking very beautiful Di)"

Anjali smiles fondly and keeps a hand over hers and says, "aap ne jo itni mahnat se taiyar kiya hai (you have worked so hard for this)...Then she gives her a small hug saying, aaj humbhi bohot khush hai. lekin sabse jayda khushi aur shanti mujhe iis baat ki hai ke aap hai humare Chotey ke zindegi me hai. (I am too is very happy today but I am more happy and eased that you are there in my Chotey's life)...Then she comes out of the hug and holds her arms and continues,... hum chate hai ke aap aur wo puri zindegi sathme khush rahe (I wish that you two stay happy together for whole life.)"

The light in Khushi's eyes dims a little but she manages to change the topic but it becomes worse then for her, "Di wo to hai, par aab ye batayie aap ko kaisa lag raha hai abhi? (That is there Di but you tell me how are you feeling now?)

Anjali- aapki to shadi ho chuki hai. aap hi batayie kaisa lagta hai shadi se pahle ki kuch palon me?(you are married so tell me how it feels on the last few moments before the wedding?)

Khushi turns her face to other side and control her tears before bringing back the smile on her face again as she speaks, "ghabrahat hoti hai ke aanewali zindegi kaisi hogi. Jo sawpne dekhe the kya wo sach honge? Khushi hoti hai ek jivansaathi pane ki aur dukh hota hai aapni pariwar ko chorne ki. Nayi zimmedariyo ka ahsaas hota hai lekin ek bishwas hoti hai ke jo kuch bhi ho koi hoga hamesha saath deneke liye. Koi hoga humare saath humare sukh dukh ko jine ke liye. Koi hoga hamesha hume pyaar karne ke liye humara sath nibhane ke liye.. (We get scared to think about the life coming in our way? We think that whatever we have dreamt of will come true? We feel happy to get a life partner but also feel sad to leave the family behind. We realize our duties ahead but we believe that there will be someone who will be always there for us to help. Someone will be there to live our happiness and our sorrow with us. We believe, someone will be always there to love us to accompany us.)"

Anjali becomes very emotional and happy to listen Khushi. She never has thought that Khushi will be so mature in reality. She knows exactly how it feels and what it means to a girl or rather woman to get married and start a new life with her partner. She comes in front her, hugs her tightly saying, "thik kaha Khushi. bilkul aaisahi lagta hai."(You are right Khushi it feels that way)... par farak itna hai ke hum yehi rahenge humare gharme (Only differene is I will be here in my home only) then she smiles and says, kahi aapko jalan to nehi hoga (Won't you feel jealous?)

Khushi smiles at that lovingly, "nehi Di. Kabhi nehi. Walke iis baat ki khushi hai ke aap humesha rahingi humare liye Arnav ji ke liye. (No away DI, I am happy that you will be always there for us and for Arnavji)"

As they hold each other in their arms, unaware to them Arnav, who has came there before to tell that the time has come, hear them and as he stands there he sees Khushi's wiping her face behind Anjali's back before plastering the smile again.

Arnav leaves the place not bothering them in their private moment and while walking back cannot help but think about what khushi has just said. Surprising himself she has felt her unrevealed pain in her voice. And to his frustration he understands that he was again wrong to think that she doesn't care.