IPKKND Bitter sweet 2: An acquired taste C11 p28 23rd May ! - Page 7

so they are trying to stay away from each other to show the public.

like khushi,was that the only option left to come out of that mess?

Originally posted by: ManKiBaath

Once again Arnav made a choice for Khushi. I liked this one more than the first choice or should I say sacrifice he made.

Just like Khushi, I still don't understand why Arnav did what he did. So will be eagerly waiting for more from you.

It seems you and Khushi are in the same place of thought then. Let’s see how it unfolds then .. again thanks for reading with so much attention to detail. Appreciated

Originally posted by: Janu75

so they are trying to stay away from each other to show the public.

like khushi,was that the only option left to come out of that mess?

That is pretty much what they’re doing yes and I guess your thoughts tie in with Khushis.

Kushi’s accident has led to a family re union. Kushi is still miffed with Arnav’s way of solving the financial crisis. As a result the family split for society sake.The difference between the two are Arnav thinks practically and kushi gives more emphasis to family ties and emotional bonding between them kushi thinks from the heart . But inspite of this the unknown pull and attraction towards each other is still there. Loved the way how Arnav told kushi Aarav was good in cooking and not interested in the family business.

Looks like in the upcoming chapter children have swapped places waiting to see Arnav’s interaction with his daughter also the children are planning for them to meet in a party waiting to read more about it

Originally posted by: abivicky86

Kushi’s accident has led to a family re union. Kushi is still miffed with Arnav’s way of solving the financial crisis. As a result the family split for society sake.The difference between the two Arnav tinks practically and kushi gives more emphasis to family ties and emotional bonding between them kushi thinks from the heart . But the unknown pull and attraction towards each other is still there. Loved the way how Arnav told kushi Aarav was good in cooking and not interested in the family business.

Looks like in the upcoming chapter children have swapped places waiting to see Arnav’s interaction with his daughter also the children are planning for them to meet in a party waiting to read more about it

Exactly that Arnav is practical, business minded and prone to his own decisions and ego, Khushi like you say lives and breaths through what her heart tells her.

Switched places yes hopefully aditi and Arnav will be a good read as will be Khushi and Aarav

Not forgetting the couple in between

Thanks all here’s the next chapter

Chapter 3

-‘An invitation from Mr and Mrs Aman Mathur’-

Sat on Arnavs breakfast table the next morning as he took his seat at the Raizada dinning table.

Just as he picked it up to give it his attention he felt a pair of arms wrap around the back of his chair and his shoulders.

“Love you so much Pa !! She prologues the love bit, you have no idea how cool it is to be sleeping in your own bed after so long.”

Arnav smiles, glad he was able to keep one of the Raizadas happy.

“Sleep well?” He asked his daughter with smiling eyes looking up to her behind his chair.

“Yes, now time for breakfast from my fav Hp” she said walking around and sitting in the chair to the right of her father.

“HP make coffee please” both father and daughter spoke at one time and then looked at each other in a amusement” soon HP came along.

“Actually don’t I’ll make the coffee, you make the toast Hp ” said Aditi in coo with her father. Aditi knew If she got the coffee wrong it didn’t matter but if Hp did the whole house would be bought down especially whilst her mom was away.

Father and daughter were alike in many ways Arnav turned the pages of the newspaper to the bussniess section as did Aditi. When Arnav looked over his paper he saw his daughter reading the same page in her news paper. He felt a sense of pride for a moment, a look that had been missing from his eyes for days seems to shine through.

...

“Are you buying a new suit because moms going to be at this party?”, aditi raises an eyebrow watching her father fuss over the colour of a tie in a men’s retail store. After their morning breakfast she’d agreed to coming shopping with him.

“I’ll give you some extra pocket money if you make sure Aman doesn’t find out.”

Said ASR when his daughter had caught sight of his thinking.

“You know it’s Aman uncles party right and mom won’t fall for that anyway she’s way too sensible”

Fall for what? He said pretending like he had no idea what his daughter was talking of, “no clue what youre talking about now black or blue?” He said referring to a choice of tie.

“Blue” she answered.

...

Aarav after putting up a shelf in the kitchen so his mother wouldn’t have to ever stand on a ladder to overreach again looks on at his handy work.

“Not bad hey”, he says with a smile,

Khushi who brings him a mug of tea smiles.

“Your dad asked you to do that didn’t he?”

Said Khushi from beside him.

Aarav looked towards her and nodded. “I’ll take a picture later not sure what he’ll think about the alignment” .. Aarav pulls a face and they laugh.

“Nice to be here with you mom,” Aarav says ..and khushi smiles.

So are you going to Aman uncles party then? He asks after a little while. Khushi nods a “no”

“You’re not going because Dad will be there?” He Asks wanting push it a little more.

“You know the rules, 5 months until things can go back to normal, people shouldn’t see us together.” Says khushi in motherly tone.

“I think you’re using that as an excuse!” Says Aarav who saw through it.

“tell him how much it hurts mom it will make you feel better.”

Aaravs eyes turned the same as Arnavs when he said something meaningful like that. It sent as unknown sort of wave through Khushi until Aarav did something that was very much himself making Khushi smile.

However Aaravs wise words towards the end make Khushi think.
...

A day later Saturday evening at mathur residence, 5th wedding anniversary of Aman and his wife Riya.

They welcome ASR into the party, as the couple walks towards Arnav, Riya thinks it’s about time she mentioned to her husband that she had also invited Khushi.

Aman tries to stay calm for a moment. “You invited Khushi, he tries to make sure he’d heard correctly.

Why.. I mean you know the way things are right?

“Yes that stupid idea if yours..” Riya rolls her eyes.

God knows how many tiffs they’d had around this.

She smiled as soon as they got closer to Arnav, ASR handed her flowers and they hugged.

“Happy anniversary” he wished them.

“Don’t give him a hard time will you, he’s doing me a favour after all” says Arnav trying to help his friend.

Riya being Riya was having non of it.

Arnav who’s eyes lingered in anticipation of Khushi was put to rest by Riya who smiled quietly “She’s not here yet” trying to keep her voice down as not to be heard by Aman.
....

He stood with the other bussniess men and Khushi kept her distance.

He smiled admiring her in her black evening saari, his heart skipped a beat even now after all these years at one of her smiles.

There she was, smiled back as a pleasantry more than anything.

The way she carried herself told him she was still mad.

Trying to find her eyes more than once but she’ was well adverse in avoiding his gaze. Mingling with anyone but him.

There were many moments to the night, moments across the dinner table, moments where they couldn’t see one another amongst other guests, moments when they passed one another in the hallway. Every interaction stirred feeling.

Very much like the one now where ASR happened to catch a gentleman on Khushis tale. At first it was of no relevance but now after a second, third observation not only the infuriating man flirting with his wife but the tie to the Khushis blouse that had become undone made her that little more vulnerable and ASR all that more impatient.

All it took was for Arnav to walk over and the message was loud and clear for the man who scurried away at sight of a very dark look in Arnavs eyes.

Their they were first time in this party just the two of them. Khushi took a glance but it wasn’t much different from all the other distance looks she’d given him, only she carried her share of respect for her husband in them as much as she carried her dismay and his eyes displayed his love.

“Better now ?” He asked, leaving her wondering whether he was referring to her health or ease in the party not that she was uneasy anyway he was just assuming true to his personality.

She didn’t get chance to respond fortunately so because she didn’t want to raise any eyebrows. Riya had come to the rescue either by chance or on purpose but she was here non the less.

“Is everything alright?” She asked ..Khushi watched Arnav whisper something in Riyas ear as he walked away smoothly.

Riya passed a nod with a smile and once Arnav was gone did she walk around Khushi who was looking at her with question.

When her friend helped her with the ties of the back of her blouse did it make a little more sense.

“What’s going on in that mind of yours Khushi ?” Said her friend like one did when she totally had the other one worked out not only that Riya could also see Khushis expression in the reflection of the party decor on the wall.

Khushi who felt get somewhat nostalgic but also flustered tried to use the right words.

“It’s been a long time since he’s looked at me like that”, possessively was probably the right word but she didn’t want to say that out in the open. All Khushi could think of was those days with him in the office, heated conversations, his at times bitter but equally encapsulating ways that always turned to some form of love making in the end.

“I bet it’s been a long time since he’s done very much at all, I can only think of the sort of plans he has for you when he finally gets you home.” Says Riya as she finishing the tie of the blouse all the while insinuating naughtily to lighten the mood to which Khushi is left with her mouth wide open and eyes expressive.

“Riya!” She throws her a look

“What you know it’s true” she argues back.

...

Next chapter:

Sheetal throws wine over Arnavs suit partially on purpose, partially a result argument.

Khushi walks into Arnav changing into one of Amans shirts. She was probably here to tell him not to add fuel to fire by arguing with Sheetal. She paused only for a moment or two it seemed just outside the the room.

Arnav who buttoned his shirt could see her in the corner of his eyes “It seems all women think I’m cold and bitter” he was referring recent treatment he’d been getting from his wife, from his former wife and any other woman who looked at him like a business machine.

“Except aditi who sees the world in you” says Khushi from afar.

Note: Hope you enjoyed it - please share your thoughts.

Brilliant! I liked how Khushi is so respectful towards her husband, when she is mad at him.

Even if they want to maintain a separation legally, there is no need to do that in person. Is someone checking on them?

Awesome part

Loved it