IPKKND FF: Winning You Back (Ch.16,pg.106) UPD:2/16 - Page 62

Chapter 16

Khushi slowly blinked her eyes open as the warm rays of the sun filtered through the poolside door. She quickly sat up, realizing that she had slept for too long. Hai Devi Maiyya, I missed the aarti. What will Nani and Di think? She was halfway to the bathroom when she remembered the events of the previous night, the nightmare she had endured. She made her way back to the bed and sank down into its comforting depths, pulling the covers close around her. It was only then that she noticed the sheaf of papers on the pillow next to her. But it was not to the stack that her hand reached out, but to the single red rose that lay next to it. She picked up the flower and brought it up to her face, inhaling the sweet fragrance. She stayed that way for a moment, simply breathing in and out, trying In vain to wipe the silly smile off her face. But the smile soon disappeared of its own accord when she caught sight of what was written on the papers next to her.

Arnav smiled, envisioning Khushi's reaction. She would take the rose first, he knew. And then a hue the same color as the flower would paint her lovely face, finally bringing color to the pale cheeks. And then she would read the papers and the first step of his repentance would be complete. He was abruptly awakened from his daydream by the very papers he had been thinking of, now being rudely thrust in his face.

"What the-" he looked up to see Khushi standing before him. Her face was flush, just as he had imagined. However, it did not seem to be from shyness. Inexplicable, she looked angry and he could not fathom why.

"What the?! You are saying that? I should be saying that! In fact, I am saying that! What the! What is the meaning of this?"

Arnav shook his head, bewildered. Perhaps he was missing something here, but for the life of him, he could not understand her anger. "Khushi, what's wrong? I thought you would be happy..."

"Happy? How could I be happy? Do you think you can buy my happiness? Well, let me inform you, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, my happiness is not for sale. And it never will be."

"Khushi, what-"

But she did not give him a chance to finish, interrupting him immediately. "What did you think? That you could sign over your property, your business, to me and that would make up for everything? That you could buy my forgiveness? Well, you are mistaken. I don't want this. I never did." And she proceeded to rip up the documents he had so carefully prepared, throwing the fragments at his feet.

As she walked away, he could only stare, wondering how his actions could have been so misunderstood. He had done this to show her he could trust her. AR was everything to him; it was his pride, his joy. He had built up his empire with his own work and signing that over to her had put him at her mercy. He had given her the power to destroy not only him, but his entire family. It was his way of showing her that he trusted her. And she had thought something else entirely. It would not be easy, but he would get through to her in the end. He had to, for his own sake.

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Khushi watched the raindrops slide down the windows, leaving glistening trails behind. There had been a time when she had loved dancing in the rain. Had? Why am I speaking in the past tense? I still love dancing in the rain. And there is no reason why I can't right now. Even as she thought this, she knew she was lying to herself. There were certain expectations placed upon her. After all, she was a Raizada bahu. Bahu. She scoffed at her herself. Arnavji had never treated her as his wife. So when did she become a bahu? And so, her mind made up, she walked out, past the gates of Shantivan and into the streets beyond. She did not dance, however, but merely stood there, her hands outstretched, her face lifted towards the sky. She closed her eyes, letting the rain was over her. It was as if she was being cleansed from the horror of the past few days. But her inner peace was shattered, as a hard body collided with hers, pushing her towards the trees on the side of the road. Startled, she opened her eyes, only to see an extremely angry Arnav glaring down at her.

"What the hell were you thinking, dammit? You could have been killed!"

At first, his words did not register. Then, she noticed the speeding cars and her proximity to them. They were not standing off the road, but previously she had been standing right in the middle of it. She could easily have been run over by any one of those rash drivers. He was right, of course. But the wounds were too raw for her to admit this. Instead, her head raised arrogantly, eerily similar to his, and she turned to face him, her body stiff with stubbornness.

"So what?"

"What do you mean, so what? Do you know what I went through, when I saw that car? What if I lost you?!"

"And so what? So what if I had an accident? If I had died? Aapko kya farak padta hai?"

"Of course farak padta hai dammit!"

"Kyun? Farak kyun padta hai?"

"Kyun ki I love you dammit!"

There. He had said it, loud and clear. He said it before, but she had been in no state to acknowledge it. This time, he knew the words had gotten through to her, as she raised wide, stunned eyes up to him, her mouth slightly parted in surprise. However, he did not wait for a response from her. He turned away and began walking back towards Shantivan, his body still vibrating with barely suppressed rage. But something made him turn back before he reached the gates and the sight he saw calmed his raging heartbeat. She was still standing where he had left her, the corners of her mouth turned up in a soft smile. It was not much, but it was something. And it was enough, for now.

*THIS IS ENTIRELY MY OWN WORK. PLEASE DO NOT COPY OR REPRODUCE.*