As the sun shone in the Raizada house, Arnav was the first one to wake up despite him coming home at four in the morning. The first thing he noticed was the absence of his wife in the room. Pulling himself up, he listened for the sound of shower running in the bathroom. The silence told him what he knew even before, Khushi is not in the room. But the question was where has she gone so early in the morning.
Arnav dragged himself to Anjali's room, his eyes closing due to the lack of sleep he got the other night. Yawning, he lifted his hand up which was in this moment felt heavy, and knocked on her door, twice.
Anjali opened the door, her state similar to Arnav. She glared at him as soon as her eyes laid upon his lightly swaying form in front of her room. "Bhai? What...the heaoolll?" She snapped, tired to, but was ruined by the monstrous yawn she had in the middle.
Stepping inside, Arnav first hugged her, messing up with her already tousled hair."Hey fatty! Good morning! Have you seen your Bhabhi?"
Anajli's face scrunched up."Seriously what is with you two? A few weeks ago Bhabhi came to me to know your whereabouts and now you? At least she came to when I was awake not like you! For god sake! You live in the same room, don't you tell each other where you are going? And you just had to destroy my peaceful sleep! Go away! " She pushed him.
"Wait a minute! Where would Bhabhi go this early. Its freaking 6 A.M!" Anjali spoke in a panicked voice.
"Relax Anjali! She must in the house only. I just wanted to check out with you when I didn't find her in the room."
"Just inform me when you find her. You two! Seriously you both are made for each other. You both will live your whole life like this, by finding each other. Nice!" Anjali said sarcastically.
"Oh you don't know the thrill in this Anajli." Arnav winked at her.
Anajli a puking face, sticking her tongue out while making gagging noise. "Oh, please! Spare me!"
Now, I am freaking out! Where the hell is she? Arnav had searched whole house but no sign of his wife. He once again looked inside his room. He checked his mobile and it has her message.
Hey,
I am just going for fresh air. Will be back at 8.
"Great! Just f**king Great! This girl didn't even felt the need to inform me! Here, I am loosing my mind over her and she just sent a me f**king message."
Arnav quickly typed a message and pressed the send button.
Tell me where you are. I am coming to pick you up! Now!
1 Hour ago, at central park.
Khushi was sitting on one of rusted benches of the park, watching men and women taking their morning walk, children playing before its time for them to go to school. Everything was so peaceful in the park, but on Khushi's mind. She had not been able to sleep all night. Her mind over going her last conversation with Payal again and again. Her mind having only one conclusion of that conversation but her heart having hope of that being not true, effectively starting the process once again. She was awake when Arnav came home. But it was dark and her eyes were closed. It was good he didn't find her awake at 4 Am in the morning or else his over caring side would have come forth, for which she was not ready. She had messaged Payal to meet her next morning. She's waiting for her to come.
Payal came from behind and sat next to Khushi. "How are you Khushi?"
Khuhsi didn't even turned to look at her. "Save the pleasantries Payal! Tell me why it has become important for me to hide this from Arnav. What are you not telling me Payal?"
Payal looked at her with sympathy, "Khushi, I think its better if you don't know this!"
Khushi stared at Payal. "Are you seriously telling me to not know this. Payal, all the things that I have been doing from the last year is for this! I even have to get married to Arnav Singh Raizada for this, when I never wanted to get married. Tell me how can you expect me to just let go when I know that it can ruin all the hard work that we have done and it will be for nothing." She let out a tired sigh, her shoulder slumping. "I already know Payal. I just need to confirm it from you. "
Payal took her hands in hers. "Khushi just let me tell you one thing. By this we won't become weaker. I know it will be another hurdle in the path of our destination, but still I am confident that we will be successful."
Khushi gave her a small smile, "Just say it Payal. I want to squash this hope in my heart that can't bring itself to believe what you have told me yet you didn't say it. Always hoping for another meaning to your words. But my mind knows better."
"Lavanya..." Khushi stilled next to Payal as the word came out of her mouth. "She works for AR and..." Payal looked at Khushi for anything that might just give out what she as feeling this time. "...and she has been sleeping with Arnav since few months. I am so sorry Khushi...I know it must been so hurtful to know to know this. I shouldn't have told you this."
Khushi shook her head. "Its Ok Payal. What were you afraid of? Telling me that his sister works for my husband or that she has been sleeping with him?" Khushi asked. "You need not to worry on both. At least we have something about him. As for Arnav sleeping with Lavanya, well, you know the truth about our marriage. It doesn't concern me whom he sleeps with. "
"I know Khushi but he's your husband. You have taken the vows with him in front of the holy fire--"
"Which I never wanted to take. Payal, you need not to worry. I knew what I was getting into. Its not like Arnav and I have real married life. Its just an agreement between us and we entered in this purely for our benefits. Its nothing less and nothing more."
"But you know that Arnav has been included in this indirectly. " Payal stopped Khushi when she opened her mind to refute back. " Its the truth whether you believe it or not. Arnav is the part of it as long as he has any relationship with Lavanya, be it him being her employer or her nightly secrets."
"But see the brighter side of it, Payal. We now know where his sister is, which, we didn't know before and now..." Khushi trailed off staring ahead, her mind clearly planning something.
"Don't Khushi!" Khushi heard Payal warning her but mind already making the perfect plan to get information which can take them one step ahead to their destination. "Don't even think I will let you do it."
"I have to Payal. Its our only chance." Khushi had a steely determination in her eyes that Payal knew, she cannot compete with but she had to try put some sense into her, now blinded with desperation, best friend. "You know the risk Khushi!" Payal hissed at her barely keeping her temper check. "Don't be so reckless. Seconds before you believed Arnav was not involved and now what you are planning to do will keep him out of this? Think clearly, Khushi! By doing this you will definitely drag Arnav into this. Do really want this?"
Khushi got conflicted now. "But Payal, I am his wife and I can easily go to meet him in AR and I will have a perfect chance to have something. I can search Lavanya's office."
"And what do you think, she will not know that you are in the office when whole office will be gossiping about the arrival of their boss's wife. " Khushi's face fell. "I am sure she will be more alert now that you are Arnav's wife."
"You are right. I am sorry Payal. Guess, I became desperate to end this once and for all. But you are right. Arnav has nothing to with this. I can't risk involving him in this by going over in his office to meet him. "
Payal's brows puckered up as she thought about Khushi's marriage. "Khushi, I know you this is stupid of me to ask you this but did you see Lavanya in your wedding?"
"No. I was not in my senses that day. My guess you also didn't see her?"
"Of course not! If I had I would have told you that night only. Khushi tell me if I am wrong but If remember correctly there was no news whom Arnav Singh Raizada was going to marry, was it?" Payal asked, her eyes taking a wild look.
"No Payal. Arnav made sure my identity to be hidden until we get married only after that few pictures of marriage was given to press." Khushi looked at her concerned. "What's wrong Payal?"
"Khushi, our one trump card, your marriage, could be for nothing. Lavanya never attended your marriage. It can only two meanings, one, they already know about your marriage, how, I don't know. Second, Arnav told Lavanya and I hope its none of the both because if it is..."
"Then they already know what kind of marriage I have. Either they know it by themselves or Arnav could have told Lavanya not only about me but about our marriage also." Khushi's voice turned cold, emotionless.
Khushi's mobile beeped grabbing both of their attention. "Its him." Khushi informed Payal after reading the message from Arnav. " He is coming to pick me."
"Then I should leave. Khushi just be careful. They know our moves now." Payal left from the park.
Khushi waited only for 10 minutes before she saw the familiar Red BMW of her husband screeching to halt before he stepped out of the car and approached her. The entire time Khushi raged inside. She was only looking at a man who had ruined the entire purpose of her marrying anyone. She took this big risk for what? For nothing, all because him!
Arnav was also boiling from inside, but from different reason. He has been going mad with worry and she was taking damn fresh air while he struggled to take breath in that house, worrying about her. He even thought she might have been disturbed by him sleeping with someone but he had dismissed that thought. He always told her when he'll not be coming home and she hadn't even flinched once. He had to tell this to her because of his family. His wife should know where he will be all night when they inquire her about him. God help him. He's going to explode when they will be alone in their room.
****
"Who the hell..."
"How dare you!!!"
They yelled at the same time the instant they were in their room away from anyone's earshots. They both had rage written all over theirs face. Eyes wide they stared at each other, breathing heavily. Then confusion flitted through Arnav's face. He didn't expect her to yell at him when she was the one going missing on him. "Wha...What the hell are you talking about?" He closed his eyes breathing deeply. "Forget it. I don't want to know. Just tell me why the freaking hell you stepped out of this house without informing anyone here?"
Khushi stepped forward, decreasing the distance between and stood in front of him, looking straight in his eyes. "You don't want to know?" She gritted through her clenched teeth. "But I bloody want to know something, Arnav Singh Raizada."
"What? " Arnav spat.
"You have to tell me the truth Arnav and I hope that this time I am wrong. Did you..." God, please deny it Arnav! "Did you discussed our contact with anybody?" Khushi watched rage flying out of Arnav's face in a second replaced by first confusion then realization. God! NO! She stepped back from him. "You discussed our marriage knowing that even one word out could destroy everything." My everything has already been destroyed by you. "Your family including mine are in the illusion that it is a real marriage. Why did you do that? Don't you know it will destroy my family's reputation. It will destroy my family!" Tears sprung in her eyes. But the real reason behind it was different.
"I am so sorry Khushi." Arnav lifted his arm to hold her but she backed away from his touch. "Believe me Khushi, I didn't know why I discussed this but I assure you nothing will happen. No one will know about this and I will never let anyone ruin your or your family reputation." He said sincerely but Khushi was blind with what had already happened which he is not aware of. The damage has already been done. He can't do anything now.
My god, not only did they know the truth of their marriage but they can and will use this information against her. There is nothing I can do now. Everything has been shattered. With this new thought, her anger returned tenfolds. "You want me to believe you? Why? Why should I? If this goes in Public, Arnav Singh Raizada, nothing will happen to your family, but it sure as hell will destroy mine. It would destroy me! And you as well as I know, nothing, not even a scratch be there on you or your family's reputation. You are a f**king billionaire. No one will raise finger one you. Everyone will target me and my family." She grabbed his collar, shaking him, "Now tell me! Tell me why the hell should I believe you when you went and f**king announced it to the whole world to laugh at this, at me!"
Arnav helplessly watched as she shook, yelled at him, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes had a greater pain them, like something had already been happened. Something big. And he was on fault. He should have never told Lavanya this. Arnav stood in front of her doing nothing, letting her pour her frustration and fears on him, shaking him, hitting him. Then she said something which snapped him.
Arnav grabbed her arms and now he was the one shaking her. "I will protect you Khushi! I have promised your father and I never ever back down on my words. You are a part of my family and I will never let anything happen to my family!"
Khushi was shaking her head, not believing a word he was saying. Then it became too much. Everything fell in front her eyes one by one. She can't do anything. They have become more powerful. She was more helpless than before. The pain, it was too much to handle and Khushi broke right in front of Arnav, in his arms. Her frame shook as sob after sob escaped her lips. She was now crying hysterically. Her head fell on his chest, her eyes closed, her breathing uneven.
Arnav embraced her tightly, his heart hurting seeing her in pain, and the reason behind it was he himself and that tore his heart. He cares for her, and he can never see the one who he cares for in pain. He rubbed her back, trying to sooth her with his words, promising her to protect her. "Khushi please, please believe me. Nothing will happen. I promise." He lifted her face up from his chest, her hands clenching the material of his shirt in tight grip. "Don't cry. Please." He tenderly wiped her tears. Her eyes opened at his touch. Her face was so close to him, her eyes filled with pain tugged at his heart.
Arnav found himself leaning towards her, cradling her face in his palms, he placed his lips on hers. As he felt the softness of her lips on his something happened inside him. He held her face more firmly as he moved his lips on hers and felt her hands move up and around his neck, holding him tightly. Khushi moved closer to him and opened her own lips to kiss him back. Hazy and not in the right mind she didn't know what she was doing. She just wanted to take her mind off the pain inside her chest that was killing her making her breathe with difficulty.
Arnav moved his right hand from her cheek down around her waist to pull her closer to him while his left hand tangled in her hair, holding her head as he kissed her with more fervor. Khushi clutched the small hairs at the back of his neck, pulling his head closer to her. There was no space between their bodies. They were locked in each other's arms as they kissed each other passionately.
Arnav felt her breathing speed up and her heart thumping against his chest rapidly. He broke the kiss to let her breath. He watched as she took much needed breath, her mouth parted slightly, lips swollen and red from their kiss. Her eyes opened and he couldn't resist himself but leaning again towards her. This time their kiss started passionately and became more and more heated. Khushi moved her hands down and wound her arms around his back, clutching his shoulder tightly. Arnav tilted her head to kiss her more at a new angle. He didn't know how much time has passed but it felt like an eternity to him. He broke the kiss and laid his head on her shoulder out of breath and panting and felt her shiver as his warm breath tickled her neck.
Khushi was still holding him tightly and neither did he loosened his grip on her. He calmed his racing heart before lifting his head and looking at her face. The minute he came in front of her eyes, she blinked and whatever world they were in shattered. Her eyes widened and a gasp flew from her lips, her eyes horror filled. Arnav loosened his grip on her and she stepped back, her hands dropped down from his back. He watched as she took step after step away from him before running out of the room.
And Arnav stood feeling as though his world has been exploded just from the kiss. He stood at same place listening as his heart kept beating loudly even when Khushi had left a long before. That day everything start changing, and Arnav somehow knew he'll never be the same again.
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