Part 46
Khushi tossed in her bed for the umpteenth time since she returned back from Airport. She looked at the clock and found its only 4 in the morning and still time for Arnav to reach New Jersey. She turned to the other side feeling his presence and a lone drop of tear fell on the pillow thinking of their romantic moments. She memorized the way he would lift her making her sleep on his top, then realizing that she is getting hurt in the neck then placing her back on the bed he used to keep his head in her chest to get good sleep, her fingers unconsciously clutching his hairs in her fist and caressing to make him sleep. She woke up from the bed irritatingly and moved towards the window to stare at the stars.She closed her eyes with the anticipation of this message which would reach him where he is as she has no courage to utter those to him which would weaken him more. "I miss you too much Arnavji"..
The family was in a real surprise when they saw the daughter in law of the house finishing the house hold chores early in the morning. She started he day with a smile that even brightens the sunshine, distributing the morning tea to everyone, placing the necessary things for the aarti, preparing the breakfast for Lavanya, Akash, Shyam and Madhu, even more cleaning the house.
Payal : Khushi.. when did you wake up? How could you finish all the work alone?
Khushi stumbled to reply to that question as she didn't wish to let others know about her sleepless night. Anjali and Lavanya joined them which made her deviate the talks to something else.
Anjali : Khushi.. are you going to your house today?
Khushi: Why di? I haven't thought about it. She asked her with a confusing expression why Anjali put forwarded that question.
Anjali : No I mean , since Chotte is not there I thought you would love to stay with your parents for some time. That would really give help you to come out of your sadness. Anjali bit her lip with some fear as she was trying to tease Khushi for missing her brother.
Khushi stared at her faking an anger that would overpower Arnav's anger.
Khushi : Di. When did you start thainking that I would get solace only with my parents and not with all of you. If you are really asking me to visit my parents then yes I am visiting them two days later but I don't specifically need my parents to make me come out of my sadness. You all are my family and who are better in making me smile than anyone else.
Lavanya jumped on Khushi kissing her cheeks for the conviction.
Lavanya: See that's my bhabhi.. Di.. She is not so feeble hearted as you think. She is bolder than even you can imagine of her.
All of them smiled as Anjali felt proud to have such an understanding bhabhi nanand relationship among them.
*********
Arnav looked aghast seeing the plight of his flat engulfed with dust. He looked behind Abhay who didn't bother to see the surroundings instead pushing the luggages inside with his sleepy eyes.
Arnav : Abhi.. looks like we have a massive work this weekend.
Abhay(yawning) : I don't care about that.. Let me go and sleep.Good Night re.
Arnav sighed in disbelief as he never expected Abhay to assist him in this. Though he too was exhausted he tried to clear up something in his bedroom which would leave them good air to atleast breathe. Before that his prime most concern was driven over to his mobile which exhausted the entire charge in the battery had to be charged to call his darling wife.
After settling down and cleaning up th for sometime making himself comfortable in the couch he opened his laptop to call her from his VOIP. It was night time for her and he was sure she wouldn't sleep until she gets the call from him conveying his message of reaching home fine.
Khushi ran to her room as soon as she heard her mobile ringing. She was teaching Madhu for the next day exams and this ring surely made her jerk. She didn't mind Payal being pushed in between her running though Payal giggled at her for her desperateness to reach the room
Khushi ( panting for breath): Hello.. Ar.. Arna.. Arnavji.. Aap pahaunch gaye?
Arnav: Khushi... what happened? Did you come running? What was the need dammit? Tum ghir jaati toh? Why cant you be careful?
Khushi tried to control her breath and closed her eyes absorbing his voice which she missed for one day.. it was a bliss that couldn't be expressed easily to anyone.
Arnav : Khushi , tum theekh toh hona? Hope you are not hurt..
Khushi : Arnavji.. Here I was missing you like hell, you started scolding me before talking to me? How rude. She pouted still the tears pouring out of her eyes out of happiness after having the chance to talk to him.
Arnav closed his fists for being so stupid in scolding her instead of talk ing to her lovingly .. He could really reflect her own emotions on how they missed each other for 24 hours.
Arnav : I am sorry baby.. I just got scared.. I . I am sorry. He pressed his lips in remorse while she felt bad for teasing him.
Khushi : Arnavji.. Please.. Its ok.. I was just teasing you..
A moment of silence spread between them.
Arnav : So aren't we back to our good old days Mrs.Raizada. The same phone conversations which untied us? Wish I was in your arms baby. Miss you so much.
Khushi smiled though her tears weren't ready to subside anytime thinking of their moments together. She had to display this faade of happy wife infront of him.
Khushi : hmm. Don't remind me of all those moments. Now tell me how was your travel? Did you have your food?
As ususal the time constraints didn't matter to the couple. All the more they are bounded tight by love, their conversation didn't cease the undescribable love they use to shower between them. All news starting with the morning happenings till the hour she got the call from him was conveyed to him with her usual chatter that cradled his thoughts drifting him to sleep. Winding off the converstation at the urgency and need for his ample rest she demanded him to sleep and call her at night.
**************
The first time Arnav Singh Raizada could feel a sort of embarrassment among his office colleagues with the appreciation for his wife's sweet as their treat made him surprise himself. They had ulitlized to explore this opportunity to bring out the light sliced face of Arnie whom they haven't witnessed till date. As he moved towards his team in the cabin, he could see all the grinning faces who seem to shake his unconscious stupor by asking him about Khushi early in the morning.
Rania : Boss. Though I missed your marriage I got very well updated about Khushi bhabhi and her cuteness from our boys.. Seems like you have to make a match making session for the boys as they are bowled over by the traditional girls in Lucknow. Beware..
Akshay stomped his feet over Rania's when she was teasing him with her glances while stating about Lucknow girls.
Arnav ( smirking) : Not a problem Rania.. I guess I don't have to really work for it. My boys have already got in charge of that mission which they thought I didn't find out still. He winked at Tanish who blushed at his statement leaving behind a gaping Kushal who sat beside him munching a packet of chips.
Surprise would have been an understatement. The team could feel a very sense of lightness and cool attitude in their boss which was really different from before. They knew the magical charms of his wife had transformed him totally. Much to the fact that they found this unidentified glow on his face they had really wished good for his well being for the wonderful human being he was.
As he got back to his work with the team, he noticed the two missing people infact the love birds couple in the meeting .He turned his gaze towards his glass wall to spot them but found missing.
Rania : Where is Anita and Vishal ? Are they off today bunking the office to roam around for movie or something? He questioned casually looking at his files that needed an urgent clarification.
The team looked at each other and it was Akshay who opened his mouth to answer as his boss wasn't aware of the happenings there.
Akshay : Boss.. Anita has resigned her job. Mike had given her the release as you were busy in Lucknow. Vishal might be here any moment.
Arnav shockingly lifted his eyebrows not able to understand the fact from Akshay.. How could his team member be relieved without his notice? It was right that Mike didn't want to spoil his time during vacation but he was apprehensive on what had happened suddenly that she left the office where his lover was working?
Arnav : But why wasn't I informed? Is that their wedding preparations that made her resign? Any force or conditions from Vishal's family?
Khushal : They are no more a couple boss. She resigned herself to get separated from him in all terms.
Arnav : WHAT? What are you talking about Khushal ?
Tanish : Yes.. They broke up Boss.. We didn't let you know .. We got to know this when we were back after your marriage..
Arnav : How ? I mean whats the reason?
Just like they predicted Vishal entered the cabin with a bouqet of Roses to wish his boss. Arnav stood up in reciprocating his love to hug him though his mind was clouded with questions which he wanted to clear. He smiled at Vishal who took his seat beside him and continued the work which he had halted. Soon the team indulged in their discussion leaving aside the most important talk which he wanted to confront with Vishal. Soon he found himself time to get hold of Vishal during their break as he took a walk to his caf with Vishal.
VIshal : All happy now Boss ? You look really different.. I guess the after marriage glow.
Arnav : hmm.. yea.. Now tell me whats happening with you?
Vishal : with me? All good.. Cant you see that?
Arnav: Not exactly the point I am referring to. I used to see a docile sweet lover in you before. Havent seen you so laid back and cool which shocked as much as I heard something else.
Vishal : Let me come to the point Boss. Yes.. we broke up.. Atlast we found out we couldn't meet the competencies of settling together in life after this three years stint..Mutually accepted to break this relation and its all done..
Arnav turned himself towards Vishal serious about talking this.
Arnav : Just like that? Did you have very concrete reason to do so? If you still care to reply otherwise if you feel I am an outsider then I am ok to have ignored my doubt.
Vishal : Not at all boss. You are like my brother even more close than my brother. Of all the reasons that we could come up with were our parents. You knew we were from different states and cultures. Though there was a slight understanding in our families it didn't well go off with them especially submitting to the others' culture and rules. Ego cropped up landing into fights and troubles. Soon it started to affect our love life too. I had thoroughly kept offguard to all these problems submissive to all her taunts and abuses on my family.She was totally dominant by her family who had poisoned her mind about my family.She even suggested me to cut all my ties. But not when it broke out like a volcano one day, when I couldn't hear more of any accusation against my own mother which made me slap hard on her cheeks twice.
Arnav scrunched his eyebrows not able to digest how courageous Vishal had done that.
Vishal : Yea.. I too abused her family back making her ego come out of me putting forth the break up proposal before me. I readily agreed. In the long run I thought it was difficult to manage such a mess in my life and I feel contended now as I have got a different life free from any scurrily accepted painful relationships.
Arnav : You could have taken it smoothly Vishal. Having known the fact that how much you guys were in this ? May be she must have been haste.. You could have talked..
Vishal: And you have to believe that she is getting married this month end.. Don't you think its not really haste on her part to agree for the marriage and get engaged to another man ?
Arnav: Marriage? I didn't know ..
Vishal :Yes.. if she is so adamant on proving that love is just a crap. Then I too wont take sympathy.. My family has already got one alliance for me. I talked to that girl and liked her. Soon I am going to meet her and get married. Its as simple as it sounds.
Arnav couldn't really believe his ears on how casual Vishal sounded. He nodded his head as Vishal went near the caf asking him to join soon for their lunch. He couldn't believe that love was shortended like this. His mind just wavered thinking how could it be possible for such close and intimate couple to ditch their love and move on in life. May be that love wasn't so strong as he thinks.
*******
As he plunged himself on to the couch he received a call from the all time confidant & caretaker of his heart, his wife. The ambiguity surrounding his mind after the shocking relevation from Vishal did haunt his mind. He could easily resort to his wife who would have easy going solutions to come out of it he thought.
Khsuhi : Hello Arnavji.. how was the day ? Hope you had a good time meeting your colleagues? Did you give them the sweets? What did they comment? Hows your team? Do you know I got the dates for my TOEFL exam next week.. So I have to gear up for the studies. Akashji promised me to drop till Delhi for the exam.. What happened Arnavji.. Are you not feeling ok. NO response from your end? Khushi's non stop blabber stopped him to further retreieve his conscious. He was drowning himself int the pool of his wife's incessant chatter which was the only solace in loneliness.
Arnav : Nothing dear. It is a bliss to hear the sweet voice of my wife after a hectic day back from work.
Khushi : But I feel there is something bothering you today? I guess I am right..
Arnav smiled inwardly as he got caught in her web of investigating his mood. He knew that he had no choice to escape from her web of questions where he would get tangled in the process of escaping it. He expressed his shock about Anita Vishal's break up and how he couldn't digest the fact so easily that he himself had dreamed of such an understanding between themselves looking at Vishal and Anita. She was aware of their affair before which made her shocked too.
Khushi : But Arnavji.. why did that happen? I mean you said they are gonna get married soon. How come they split like that? Wont they feel the pain after getting separated like this? I mean I cant stay away from you for even one day they were in love for the past three years, how come?
Arnav : That too that was a live in relationship.
Khushi : Matlab?
Arnav :um.. they lived together like a husband wife like us in one house and they were like a couple.
Khushi gasped hearing what extend he meant and it was not easily digestible for a conservative person like her.
Khushi: Haww... that too before marriage?
Arnav smirked at the level of their talks improving with time. Before their talks were limited to the circle of family and friends. Now she is getting hold of the outer world where she has to explore and confront with such news about others.
Arnav : phir kya.. sab kuch karta hain.. jaise hum dono karte hain..
Khushi : Chi.. Arnavji.. aap bhi na.. but after that they broke up? Wont they feel guilty and is it not a big sin ?
Arnav sighed in disbelief that they were heading to a really crucial discussion.. but was that needed now when he was in the midst of his own turmoil of missing her in the process. He hit himself mentally for brooding over other people's life when they themselves weren't so much concerned about it.
Arnav : I guess that's the intensity or rather the power of their love and it should no where affect us.If its shortlived then we cant help it Khushi... Now just brush it off and come to our love story.. I missed you so much darling.. He said sheepishly earning and grinning blush that continued their conversation till they reached the point where KHushi had to shut his unavoidable desires developing inside pouring out in some shameless converstations that embarrassed her to the core.
*****
Days passed within a blink of the eye as she dwelled herself into the family matters and her exam. Her nights and days hardly moved without the little cheesy conversations with her Arnavji as they smiled, laughed and even fought along for petty matters. She had been under a biggest confusion on why Arnav was trying to take up a silly fight and making up for it until one day she found out that he was doing it on purpose as he felt insecure of their over pampering love that might end soon. She welcomed his thoughts with open arms as there was no thrill or fun if there wasn't some disagreements and arguments. At the end both couldn't extend their fight more than one hour despite their hard worked control not to compromise. The funniest part would be the time they talk about their small fights and create more out of it but Arnav was clever in diverting her towards his mushy moments the area where he got her into his control all the time.
She gathered his books and papers trying to clean her room as she was free for the day. She found out some old photos of his family and childhood which made her settle down to clearly go through those. Tears sprang up the brim as she moved through the pictures that revealed such a proximity by the sisters. Aditi di was much like Arnav in looks. She saw how lovingly the little boy Arnav clutched his sister's neck kissing her on the cheeks with a naughty smile.Her own lips curved into smile in between the tears looking at the next picture where he was smearing holi on her cheeks in the pretext of kissing his sister. The next picture where he and Akash were standing beside each other with Aditi di, Anjali di and little Lavanya tying rakhi on their wrists. Her thoughts squirmed to the recent happenings at their house during the Rakhi when NK had arrived there for Rakhi. She was on glee looking at the family union where she missed her partner beside who would be yearning to have some attention for him. She faked herself a smile looking at the sisters who were teasing Akash to the core as his elder brother wasn't there to rescue him from them. Khushi happily tied rakhi on NK's wrist and turned towards Shyam who was overwhelmed to accept this joy on that day. After receiving the gifts she turned beside to find Anjali kissing her chote's photo frame with tears remembering him. She couldn't really find her in such a vulnerable state which prompted her to call Arnav. Anjali asked her to cancel the call as she knew he would be sleeping and didn't want to disturb him. She revealed the little secret of her little brother who would fast one whole day for Rakhi as his sisters would keep fast for him. He always broke the fast the next day by the time his sisters would have tied rakhi to Akash thereby fulfilling the ritual from his side. Khushi was really moved by the one secret which she couldn't believe how he held such small values to his beliefs and followed it though he was miles away from his family. She smiled to her heart's content in getting to know more about him as the day passed by.
Soon with the impending situations that arose her to meet the financial constraints of her father to maintain his business she had given her ideas to expand his shop with the loan he was offered. She had consulted with NK about the renovation of their house which made it clear that NK was given a good responsibility. As she rose to the higher level of maturity in everyones books she claimed more respect as her assistance for Akash seemed to be fruitful too. The family could nurture the good values imbibed from her where she kept herself busy and at the same time proving her worth as a woman. Her biggest achievement was convincing mamiji to leave Payal for job in Akash's office as he required assistance. Arnav was all the more pestering her with his constant taunts of not to poke Mami harder on her decisions as it might end up hurting Payal. bUt at the end it was her victory and her Mr. had to surrender himself to her as usual.
Her days with parents and buaji to her heart's content but soon the her heart stopped when she received the visa from her Arnavji to come to him. On one side she was flying inside to get to unite with her husband who was restless for these two months to get her beside him but on the other the pang of getting separated from her family did bother her. Her father couldn't stop smiling at the littled kid daughter who took solace in his arms sleeping on his form remembering her childhood antics with him. Garima made sure she was given the royal treatment more than before as she could not think of treating her daughter anymore like this after she leaves to her husband's abode. BUaji made the most of her time in mayka with her advices irritating her to the core but she loved when they were hiding their emotions of getting separated with her. Buaji's sarcastic comments that they would get some peace of mind after their titaliya reaches the safest hands of her Arnavji brought tears in Khushi unknowingly.
Khushi : "I know you all are pretending to make me happy. Don't try to act as if it doesn't affect you and I am sure you all will be crying bitterly after I leave"
Words had brought out their emotional part in them pouring their emotions in tears. But the confidence still instilled upon her that she has to face it one day heading towards the biggest responsibility of her life as a wife.
She had to leave in two days time and the ticket had been booked for the day after. Neither Arnav nor Abhay had the privilege to come down and take their wives to US. After severe persuasion on the part of the wives that they would manage to reach there together the husbands were relieved. Though the guilt of not keeping up the word haunted Arnav the most, her soothing words and exciting conversation on how she couldn't wait to see him cheered him up. She pleaded him to freed her from this chains of protection & pamper on how to travel, as many had been travelling to and forth alone in flight. With Swetha by her side she was clever enough to understand the process of travel and she would withstand it. But Arnav as always being a protective husband made sure she lists down each and every step and references for travel. Above all he warned her of not forgetting to message him through every step.
She spent her entire day with Madhu and the family. Shyam and Akash were kind enough to take a day off to spend time with her. Her bags were packed and her papers for the college were arranged by Shyam as a responsible brother. How couldn't she thank God for giving her such wonderful releationships? Her emotional bonding with Lavanya , Payal and Anjali made her hug them crying on them as it was very difficult to peirce herself from their bond. The assurances that she got from Lavanya made her question her own maturity. She never believed that the arrogant girl whom she met in her college would be convincing her to compose herself as they are just getting sepreated by distance while their heart remains close forever. She always wished good and prayed for the well being of her sister in law who was a reason for her happiness in her life. If she had been stubborn enough to stop this marriage she wouldn't have had half the happiness she was enjoying now especially with the crime her brother had commited on her.
******
Khushi and Swetha moved towards the trolley after an emotional farewell from the family and their two best friends towards the airport. They couldn't hold their tears back that their pretty faces were went pale with they were standing in their queue for check in. They turned behind to face the big families who were waving their hands in glee. Putting up a smile that would cheer them up they reciprocated it and moved forward. They didn't know what was awaiting them at the other continent. Their first trip didn't miss the excitement as soon they fell into the grove of fear and anticipation on how the travel would be till one lady who stamped their shoulders while sitting on the lounge of Delhi Airport.
Lady : Hi Mrs Arnav & Mrs. Abhay Right?
Khushi scrunched her eyebrows in confusion on how this lady knew them. She nodded and shook hands with her..
Lady : Oh.. I think you weren't informed.. I am Manju.. I had been asked by your husbands to give you company till you reach NJ. And I am working in the client company where your husband Mr. Arnav is working. I don't know him directly but it was on the urgent message of my boss who wanted to take care of his very good acquaintance Mr.Arnav's and his friend's wife till they reach NJ safely. Shall we move?
Khushi scoffed inwardly thinking about how was it so much possible for her Arnavji to ignore her pleads and send someone to accompany them. Swetha chuckled and whispered in her ears.
Swetha : Jeeju is very much protective I know but didn't expect him to seek help from his client's staff to take care of his puppy.. OMG I cant expect what he will do when he sees you at the airport.
Khushi pinched her hard for making her blush infront of the stranger and moved forwards talking to her. She knew what a desperate husband would be waiting on the other side & the real possible encounter after this short gap of 2 months
To be continued.
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CID
59