Part- 18
A month is over of their contract.
Khushi has started going to office with Di and Shyam but Payel has no wish join again. She is happy in her household task.
Well Khsuhi also could have stayed back and have happily indulged herself in household like Payel but in another 2 months she will be out of this house and the unbreakable bond she has made with this family will only hurt her more to go away so she doesn't want to stay back and spend more time with them to make it hard to leave them.
Another thing she has realized that somehow, after Arnav's rude and cold behavior also, whenever he speaks politely to her she feels nice. She feels affected by his words. She is developing feelings for him which is not good for her. So she wants to stay away from him. Though Anjali will not let her work late thinking of his brother and drag her home as soon as office hours are over.
Here Arnav doesn't know why but when he returns home now days his eyes searches for her. His ears long for the tinkling sound of her anklet and this fact irritates him.
He knows she will leave this house after 2 months by his own decision, and she should go. He cannot effort to be weak for a girl. He has a huge empire to run and that needs Arnav Singh Raizada to be the way he is. ASR is above all feelings. That is why he is ASR... Arrogant, Snobbish, Rude. This is the reason people are scared of him and they do what he wants them to do. If they see ASR flowing in emotions that would be the D day for ASR designs.
And for these reasons Arnav too keeps his distance with Khushi. It is only good for him that she is working again. Both will be busy to care for their feelings and when they will return tired, won't have time to get their head into some stupid thoughts.
But there is a saying which both Arnav and Khushi have forgotten "Love knows no boundaries". No matter what you do but you can't stop it coming in your way.
Some more days pass... and it is Holi tomorrow.
Khushi who is as happy and excited as ever, running here and there in the house for preparation. Anjali and Khushi are in leave for their first holi after marriage in Nani' insistence and they are enjoying it totally.
Khushi is as usual in charge. Everyone gets amused to see her energy and excitement. Anjali and Payel are helping her, when she gives them chance. Nani and Mami are not allowed to work as per their instruction. Boys have gone to office but have promised to come back soon to help them.
Khushi has arranged the party outside and she is going in and out since morning.
She is been taking a bunch of towel to keep outside for the guests. As usual she trips on the stairs in her hurry and there Arnav reaches on right time to break the fall. Khushi who already has grown feelings for him couldn't help herself but to feel butterflies in her stomach, in his close proximity and the intense gaze of his only makes her loose control of her senses.
Arnav too brushes the ASR away from his mind and loses himself with her as he always wanted.
Arnav's eyes fix on her black orbs and drop to her trembling lips and this time he gives in to his heart and much to Khushi's shock he touches her lips with his. Khushi's eyes are wide open but slowly she closes them to feel her first kiss. If they both wouldn't have lost all their senses in moment then they could have heard their loud their synchronized heart beat.
Before the kiss can get any dipper sounds of workers outdoor brings Arnav back to his senses and his eyes shots open. He withdraws his lips as if electrocuted. Khushi also comes out of her ecstasy. He leaves her waist gently and looks away. Before Khushi can so much open her mouth he leaves the place in long strides.
Khushi stands rooted to her spot, bewildered with the happenings. After a long calming breathe she slowly bends down to pick the towels from the ground.
Arnav bang opens the door of his room as he walks in his room. His blood is boiling to a dangerous point, thinking what he has done. His jaw line stiffens as the vision appears before his eyes. He clenches his fist digging his nails in his palms.
what was he thinking? He trows a punch in the air.
To add to his frustration Khushi comes in the room.
Arnav sees Khushi and in is rage he pulls her towards him and clutches her arms he hisses... why have you come here? You want an explanation? No... you won't get it. ASR doesn't give any. And what happened is just a mistake. Don't you dare think it in different way. Understand.
More than the grip in her arm his venomous words hurt her. She just has come to get the colors which she has kept near poolside. She has never dreamt of an explanation. What happened, how she could think of it in different way when it comes to ASR? And why she would demand and explanation when it has been mutual and has felt right to her.
But now she also loses her patience and growls while she pushes him away from her with all her strength, " I haven't come for any explanation. How can I? when great ASR is involved. But now when you have talked about it then tell me why you did that? I am your contracted wife and you remind me this in every possible way then tell me where you have got the right to come any closer to me? Tell me..." With this she pushes him a little with her hands.
Arnav who is taken aback with her sudden outburst, looks stupefied to his spot and doesn't say a word. But this is not enough to calm an outraged Khushi, who finally letting out her pain. She again growls... Tell me. Tell me what do you think of me? Puppet? Who will move as you wish? ... She pushes again.
Don't you think I am a human being? I also feel pain? Tell me Am I a human or not? Do you think I feel pain? Do you? ... Another push.
This time Arnav holds her hands. His eyes are raining fire and his nose flaring. He holds her hand spins her around, her back hits the wall painfully. He pins her with his hands holding her wrists and looks straight into her eyes. As he tries to read them he only finds anger. That ignites him more as he speaks through his gritted teeth, "How dare you Khushi Gupta? How dare you? How dare you talk to me like that? Never ever... " but he doesn't get to complete his sentence as he sees the change in her eyes. They are dimmed and looks out of focus. But he still doesn't let go of her.
Khushi eyelids start drooping and this time he lets go of her hand.
Khushi doesn't feel the earth beneath her anymore as she sways. Her head feels heavy and darkness lands before her eyes. She holds her head with both hands before she looses her footing.
Seeing her dizzy state Arnav picks her up in his arms. He looks at her pale face and feels a tug in his heart as if it saying, what did you do? How could you hurt such a gentle thing? But he brushes that thought away and places her on bed gently and calls Anjali.
By the time Anjali arrives Khushi has come out of her daze.
Anjali enters the room asking what happened and when her gaze falls on Khushi she takes in her pale face and feels something is wrong with her. She asks her concerned, Khushi kya hua aapko? (What happened to you?) tumhara chahra itna utra hua keu hai? (Why are you so pale?)
Khushi just stares when Arnav answers, Di ye faint ho gayi thi... (Di she has fainted)... Anjali doesn't let him finish and starts scolding Khushi, Aur nehi to kya hoga? Subhe se daud rahi hai. Kabse hum bol rahe hai thora baith jao aaram karlo par nehi iske to pankh lage hai. Upar se na subha nasta ki hai na dopahar ko thik se khayi hai. Sharir to jawab dega hi (What else will happen? Since morning she has been running. How many times I have asked her to seat, to rest but no, it looks like she has grown wings. Moreover she hasn't have any breakfast and not taken proper lunch. Her body is bound to clash...)... (Arnav is staring Khushi while listening to Anjali)...
Khushi's eyes starts to tear up. Not because of Anjali's scolding but for the concern she shows for her. The love she feels in her words. She just looks at her fondly when she instructs Arnav, Chotey hum dawai aur khana bhejwate hai, make sure she has it. Aur hilne mat dena yeha se. (then she turns to her and says) mujhe aaj aap aur kamre ke bahar dikhai diye to kaal ki holi bhul jayiyega. (Chotey I am sending food and medicine. Make sure she has it and today I don't want you outside of this room or else your holi is doomed) Khushi makes a puppy face and nods negative.
Anjali smiles to see her cute face and leaves the room instructing her to rest.
Arnav stare at Khushi with heated eyes and she lowers her head as if kid got caught in naughty act.
He doesn't say a word just sits on the recliner.
HP comes with the food and medicine. Arnav signs him to keep them beside Khushi and leave.
Khushi doesn't bother to take the food or the medicine any sooner. she stay lost in her thoughts.
Arnav waits for 4-5 mins and then loses his patience. In two long stride he reaches by her side and picks up the plate from the bedside table. He gestures her to eat but she looks away. That is it. Trying to keep his calm he sits beside her and urges her to take the plate again. Khushi again royally ignores his plea. Sighing Arnav takes a spoonful rice and holds before her lips. She tries to ignore saying , aap keu aaisa kar rahe hai? Aap ko kya farak parta hai? (Why are you doing this? why do you care?)
Taking deep calming breathe he keeps holding the spoon, without saying a word, knowing very well, if he does he will blast her off.
After a few seconds Khushi fails to avoid him anymore and opens her mouth to let him feed her. Khushi gulps down the food looking at him.
Only thing she thinks, I don't understand this man. One moment he is mean and other moment he is caring for her. May be another way of regretting his misdeed.
As he feeds her few spoons she hold her palm up to stop him and takes the plate from him to east herself.
He gives her the plate but doesn't move from her side to make sure she finishes it all. Whenever she tries to keep the food unfinished his glare makes her eat again. When she finishes finally empties the plate Arnav gives her medicine and asks her to lie down and take rest.
Khushi does as he says knowing it is useless to fight.
"Don't you move from here", ordering Khushi he goes to get freshen up.
When Arnav comes out he doesn't find her in room. Furious, he looks for her. First he thinks she has gone out disobeying him and about storm out of the room he stops in his track. He towards the glass door, way to pool. It is open. He slowly walks out of the door and takes a look around. He finds her sleeping on the recliner by the pool. Her face is positioned upward. A tear drop still resting on his cheek.
A feeling of guilt makes him swallows hard. He lifts her in his arms like careful to not wake her up and takes her to the bed. He covers her with a blanket and stands there by her side to ensure she is sleeping peacefully. Once he is assured he leaves to help Anjali for tomorrow's party.
***
That night Khushi sleeps throughout under utmost care of Arnav.
Next morning Arnav wakes up only to see the other side of the bed is empty. He looks around but Khusi is nowhere in the room. He gets ready and goes down. He meets Anjali and Shyam first on the stairs. He asks about Khushi and finds out she is outside since early morning. He walkes to the party area and meets Payel on his way. He asks her too about Khushi's whereabouts? Payel informs that she has gone to backyard to get something. He thanks her and moves to backyard muttering, "Ye larki bhi na? (this girl ) ek jagha tikti nehi. (Doesn't stay in one place.) What her Bua calls her... yep Titli (butterfly) right her "... He reaches backyard and sees Khushi is instructing HP something and at the same time helping OP to move a few box.
Arnav stands there unable to move a foot forward. She is wearing a white chikankari worked Kurti paired with a white churidar. A badni multicolored dupatta adorned one her neck . Her untied silky black hairs are falling on her back and flowing in light breeze. Her complexion is glowing in morning light without any touch of make-up. The thin line of kajal is making her eyes more deep and attractive.
He stands there admiring every move of her pink full lips and every move of her slick arms while she explains something to HP.
Khushi feels a gaze on her and turns. She sees Arnav is standing in little distance crossing his arms on his chest. staring at her.
Though she is very angry for his behavior but also pleased the way he have taken care of her. When this morning she has woken up in bed, she has remembered sleeping outside and has realized that he has carried her on bed. She smiles thinking that. She decides to say thank you and moves forward.
Arnav has come out of his trance seeing her coming to his direction. The moment Khushi comes closer he starts, what do you think of youself?
Khushi is completely taken aback! What has she done now?
Arnav- Kal raat tumhari tabiyat kharab thi aur subha hote hi tum shuru ho gayi? (Last night you weren't well and you have started working again today?)
Khushi still is trying to register what he is saying?
Arnav- did you have your breakfast?
Khushi just looks like the kid about to get punished and nods her head side-wise.
The fist thing comes in his mind to blast her off but surprising himself he talks like he is trying to make sense to a 5 years old; do you want to faint again?
Khushi repeats her action.
Arnav- then come lets have breakfast.
Khushi follows him like obedient puppy.
On breakfast table everyone discuses about Holi and their plan and Khushi as usual most excited among all.
Arnav watches her keenly. How she has forgotten everything... his rude behavior, her enraged action and pain, her illness... and smiling, laughing, kidding now...
Only a person with insight can comprehend Khishi inwardly. What ever happened till now that she cannot pass into oblivion but she cannot hold that and repent all time. She always lived like there is no tomorrow and she will be that way. Her pain cannot take over her happiness, her smile, her laugh, her happy go lucky nature. When it will be unavoidably necessary to respond she will do the needful. Till that time she will live in the moment.
After breakfast all members of family gathers outside. In some time guests also start arriving. A great holy party begins.
Khushi is running after Payel with colors in her hands. When she was about to throw it on her, Payel bends and it falls on Akash. Akash then runs after Khushi with colors and Khushi hides behind Arnav, who is been standing and watching from afar. Khushi pleas to Arnav, "Arnav ji Jiju aa rahe hai heme rang lagane unhe mat bataiyega hum aap ke piche hai (Arnav ji, Jiju is coming to color me don't let him know that I am hiding behind you.)"
When Akash arrives in search of Khushi , Arnav winks at him and steps aside. Khushi ,who is praying hard with her eyes closed to her devi mayyia, to save her, feels something fishy and shots open her eyes only to find Akash grinning in front her. She glares at Arnav who has a lopsided smile plaster on his face and runs from there. Akash follows. Arnav also goes behind them to see who wins.
Khushi now hides behind a bush and from there he sees Anjali and Shyam romancing with each other. She picks up some color from nearby plate and throws at them. They get startled and stops in middle of something (like a kiss) and looks for the culprit around and soon find Khushi running away. They also attack her with colors.
With so many people following her she is running here and there to save herself. But finally Akash catches her and everyone including Payel, Anjali, Shyam, Mami drowns her into a tub full of color water. Arnav who watches all of it laughs his heart out.
Everybody looks at each other amused by the sound of his laughter and laughs along. Only Khushi who is struggling to get out of the tub makes a pouting face which highers the level of their laugh.
Khushi gets irked and throws color water on Arnav.
Their laugh comes to a sudden halt. Especially Arnav stares Khushi unblinkingly. All are astonished of Arnav's reaction but shockingly Arnav takes it sportingly and helps Khushi to come out of the tub.
Khushi is complaining to Nani about what all of them have done to her when she hears Arnav calling her, she turns.
A plateful color lands on her face and through the curtain of color Khushi sees the face of a gleaming, Arnav satisfied after taking his revenge and smirking to her.
Whole family including Khushi look amazed to see a different Arnav Singh Raizada in front of them.
Other than Arnav every member of the family thanks Khushi inwardly.(May be Arnav too who knows?)
Cricket
CID
10