thanks folks tried to reply to all comments so take a look please give me your thoughts.
writers challenge !!
As a added extra this week I’ve decided i”ll accept any requests you guys have.. for one shots ..
You leave leave me two lines or a couple of words you’d like me to use as a basis for a one shot and ill do my best.!
I Figured it would be a nice challenge. I’ve been ispired by another writer who has tried this works well.
Enjoy bitter sweet!
Chapter 8
Khushi had decided to stay one more night in dehli on Riyas suggestion she had to let Aarav know now who was already packing.
Now his proposal was all wrapped up he could pitch it to companies back in Mumbai. He was excited to finally start helping the family pay of their debts.
Khushi caught the back of Aarav as he packed his suitcase and sang along to his favourite song on his playlist. Noticing his mom enter the room he removes his EarPods.
(Aarav I was thinking maybe we should leave tomorrow?) “if you like” - replies, “everything is alright isn’t it?” He asks curious
Khushi smiles instead of telling him what’s on her mind in regards to her fast.
..
Khushi had managed to keep away from drawing any attention but with the evening approaching Riya needing help with thing as her mendhi dried and aman and Aarav made a fuss about chocolate icecream to go with the football match, Khushi not eating her share made riya suspicious.
“You’re fasting aren’t you be honest” she said not too loud as Khushi joined her at the dinning table where riya was having her mendhi applied.
“Yes” she nodded
And Riyas eyes looked on in admiration.
..
Some time on abc Aman had stood by riya at the garden of Mathur house and helped her break her fast, Khushi however still hadn’t eaten since the morning.
Even after aman and riya had their meal together riya found Khushi hesitating.
“You should eat”
“I will”
Khushi says .. her eyes saying she was putting off food, riya didn’t blame her it was the first time in years that Khushi wouldn’t break her fast in the proper way.
“Let’s go out for a drive she suggests with something in mind”
..
At Raizada house
Arnav looks at the framed picture of himself with khushi at the bedside table which with other pics would have to go away for the evening.
As he puts a tie around his loose collar for the evening he feels annoyed that a welfare officer was calling the shots.
Raizada house had been cleaned, and made to look like the home of a father and his daughter.
“Calling the shots over Arnav Singh raizada pfft” spoke his mind sarcastically . Had this been a decade or so ago and Arnav would have shut the department down and left the man jobless but that was then and this was now.
He was a little softer now but he could feel his old self in the back of his mind. The mere fact that someone was going to enter his house for dinner and judge whether or not he was lying about their circumstances made him mad. Even if they were playing the system how dare they question Arnav Singh Raizada.
Before Arnav could brew any more annoyance a gentle casual voice bought him back to what mattered.
It was Aditi.
“Pa who wears a suit to dinner on a Sunday night I know my pa doesn’t.” She said strolling in.
“You’ll just make them suspicious, You need to keep it real like me otherwise they’ll be on our case big time!” Arnav in his formal white shirt and blue blazer looked down at himself. Later watched Aditi pull at his tie and throw it to a side. His daughter was effortless about the whole thing which he admired, how she made Arnav smile. He raised an eyebrow and then concluded “You’re right”.
Aditi took the picture of her mother and father, and put it in the side table for the evening.
...
Mr Mehra the welfare office was older looking man, he looked around the house observantly asked some questions.
He enjoyed his food which Aditi was dying to make fun of because of his plump personality but Arnav gave her a be sensible look.
“The food is great” he said mid way.
“Yes I made it” pa cooks on a Saturday and I cook on a Sunday.
Says Aditi with a smile, they were eating salad with baked potato whilst Arnav sat in his knitwear and shirt. Nothing could be as honest as this.
Does anyone want dessert announced aditi the men replied “no thanks”
“More for me then” said aditi with excitement.
“Do you drink whisky mr Mehta?” Asked Arnav with a motive to see if he could build a repo with this man in order to get some privacy for him and his family for good.
“I do like a glass” admits Mehra
“Good because I’ve got quiet a selection”
Suggesting his poolside for a quiet drink.
..
On the other hand .. after a pleasant drive
Khushi is confused when riya stops the car somewhere which looks very much like Raizada house.
“Hp has left the poolside door open, what are you waiting for Arnav will be by the pool side working, go break your fast.” Khushi looks on at Riya in disbelief!
“Jaaon na” (“go on”)
She hesitated for a second and then later left the car. Her heart wondered if a few mins with him, to see him hear his voice would ease her, bring some happiness to a rather testing day where as her mind couldn’t get away from the circumstances.
...
She walked up the poolside steps and into the patio, there he was sat at a recliner, she could see the Back of his posture lay strong whilst he sat in front of his emails.
All she wanted was to feel close to him. Walking towards him with heavy eyes Khushi wrapped her arms around his back and sunk her face into shoulder.
“Naraz mat hoyey please” (don’t be angry please)
”Khushi” he sighs for a moment before kissing her cheek.
Realising this was just a figment of her imagination Khushi looks around and the poolside and into the room.. she could smell his aftershave linger in the air as she walked into their room.
She caught a glance of herself in the mirror knew it was inauspicious to break a fast this way.
She stepped into the washroom, opened a side drawer by the sink which held her mangalsutra and sindhur.
....
please make yourself comfortable Mr Mehta, says Arnav to the man walking him out to the poolside. Then turning back into his room to fetch drinks from his cupboard.
Behind the washroom door Khushi hears footsteps but not voices.
She opens the door Ajar to see his side profile.
Intuitive per character he can feel another person more so he can feel Khushi.
Looking to his side Arnavs eyes take to a daze for a second seeing his wife, later they crease with complexity.
Whilst Khushi looks on a him just a moment.
He walks over after looking over his shoulder to check on the man.
As beautiful as she looked and as much as he longed for her he was as firm as he had been from day one on this. It was like he didn’t see beyond his very first set of words.
“Leave” was the first word he said to her, not that he missed her, or if she was okay.
“Right now” his voice got sterner
Khushi flinched dropping her eyes at once.
“Aap..” — is as far as she got before he interrupted again.
“The welfare officer is outside”. His eyes were filled with his pragmatic self.
His words tore khushi down, .. her eyes filmed in tears and she walked past him quietly without the courage to tell him why she was here.
She took a alternative root through the front of house avoiding any eyes but Aditi could swear she’d seen her mother.
Maybe her eyes were playing tricks on her.
On the other hand a angry Arnav Singh Raizada takes a drink.
...
Riya is left to console a broken Khushi who talks of never returning to Raizada house.
..
As they return to Amans home Aarav and Aman await the ladies Aman looks annoyed and Aarav worried.
“What in gods name have you done?!”
Aman who had just received a call from Arnav is rather unhappy with Riya.
On the other hand Khushi wants space which Aarav can see but wants to make sure she’s okay so follows her into her room.
“You’re not going anywhere” says Aman as he stops Riya from leaving without a explanation.
“She’s a wife and a fragile one at that don’t you men get it, it’s alright for you to be all practical and play the game because you can handle it but it isn’t for her !!! Pfft why am I even trying to explain!
Hes pathetic as are you, Riya walks off in a huff.”
..
“Mom, you should eat” - says Aarav after giving his mom some time and then bringing in dinner. He knew about the fast, and what had just happened. He hated to see his mom upset and had a good mind to confront his father.I’m speaking to dad does he even know you’re fasting for him!!!”
Khushi catches Aaravs arm,
“No Aarav, Tum aisa kuch nahin karoge” (“You Won’t”)
I’ll eat - bas vapas chalte hai kal” (let’s just leave tomorrow)
Aarav agrees.
In the few Next chapters
She had no desire to be hurt by him now she was too tired, found it easier to be alone. He had tried to send messages of apology through his children but she didn’t want to hear any of it.
She kept herself to herself, days went on and there was good news.
The three months were over, Nanis money and Aarav and Arnavs extra efforts had paid off their debts. The family could move in together now but Khushi was hesitant. Arnavs stern words ordering her out of the house that night still echoed in her ears.
Edited by jagrutid - 6 years ago
Bollywood
