Part VI - Redemption
Khushi whirled around to Arnav standing there with a determined look. But there was something else in his eyes'guilt?
He had heard everything her father had said. She was sure of it. What else could explain the lack of the one defining emotion she had seen on his face since the day he had tied that mangalsutra around her neck ' hatred.
Oh? So you believe me now? You agree that your brother-in-law is the scum bag in this story?
What choice did I have?
Trusting me? But that was never an option, was it? I was always the gold digger. Home-wrecker just became an easy add-on, didn't it?
"Khushi'" Arnav said aloud at last.
"Arnav babua, please come in" Garima quickly got up and came towards Arnav. Her son-in-law had come home for the first time in 5 months. And he must have heard her husband talk about Shyam. What was she going to do now. Her daughters' were married to this household where Shyam was considered God. A cold fear gripped her heart. Fear for her daughters' future!
Shashi looked at Arnav. The words he had heard from his son-in-law's mouth had been heartening. He had worried about Khushi for so long. Her hasty wedding had confused him but he had not been worried, atleast not about her future and her safety. There was something about both his sons-in-law. As different as they were, their integrity and their love for his daughters could not be doubted upon. But Arnav had never made it obvious like Akash had. That thought had rankled. Not anymore. Shashi smiled. "Arnav babua, I trust you."
Arnav winced and avoided Khushi's eyes.
"I am sorry you heard all that about Shyamji, babua" Garima was frantic.
"Please don't embarrass me. I am sorry my brother-in-law has caused you and your family so much pain. I wish I knew the extent of his criminal intent earlier. I want to kill him for hurting all of us so. But'"
Khushi knew he was thinking about his sister.
"I have to think of her. I have always tried to keep her out of harm's way. And now'I cannot reveal Shyam's wrong doings to her in this state. She thinks the world of him. She will'" Arnav's voice broke
Khushi wanted to hold his hand. She clenched her fists but couldn't resist looking at Arnav.
"Of course Arnav babua, we all understand. But we fear for her safety too. Shyam'"
"He is beyond redemption. I know that. He hasn't shown even an inkling of remorse. He doesn't even care about his unborn child. But I need time to bring him to justice in way that doesn't put my Di's life in danger. I need help. Khushi's help."
It was sheer manipulation. She couldn't say anything. Not with her family looking on.
"Khushi loves Anjali bitiya as much as she loves Payal. And she loves you. You can always count on her to be your strength" Shashi was beaming at his daughter.
"We should get going now. The puja is in a few hours and everyone is start wondering where we are."
"Of course, babua. Go on. Take care bitiya. And we will see you in the evening. Don't tell Payal yet. We want to surprise her"
Khushi didn't know how to react. The world as she knew it had changed irrevocably. She was used to his anger and his hatred. She didn't know what to expect from him now. Would he apologize? Would remain indifferemt?
Arnav had reached out to open the door of his SUV for her. She looked at him trying to see what he was thinking.
She couldn't. Whatever it was Arnav was thinking, he wasn't letting her see it.
Khushi's felt her anger rise again. He should have been apologizing. How dare he assume that she would fall in line just like that. She was not a toy and he was about to find that out.
"How dare you play with my family's trust like this? What right do you have to make promises you know nothing about? I am not helping you with anything. I do not want to have anything to do with that vile man. I don't want to have anything to do with you. I am done with both of you. I want my life back and as of tomorrow, I am getting it. I am leaving you, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada. First thing tomorrow morning."
Arnav hadn't even looked at her, let alone say something.
"Are you listening to me?" Khushi sounded hysterical even in her own head.
"You are bound to me, Khushi"
Khushi didn't know what he was saying. Those troubled eyes were blank.
"The contract, Khushi. It doesn't end for another month. You cannot leave before that. You know I would do anything to enforce the terms of the contract."
Part VII
Khushi couldn't believe her ears. He was bringing up the contract? He should have been apologizing and he was talking about taking legal action against her! She was a fool. How could she ever imagine this man ever loved her? She wasn't even sure he was capable of this emotion.
Arnav saw the display of emotions on Khushi's face. The disbelief, the anger, the hurt…He wanted to stop the vehicle, take her hand in his and say he was sorry. But he knew that wouldn't help. His mistrust had done far too much damage.
"I don't care about the damned contract. I don't care if you threaten to ruin whatever is left of my life. I don't care if you slap a legal notice on me. I don't care…"
"And what about the woman who has loved you like a sister? Don't you care about her at all? Can you leave knowing that Shyam can harm her? That he will be around her just so he can find the next victim of his lust? I am sorry you were the victim of his sick mind but would you wish that upon anyone else? Will you let your hatred for me overpower the love and respect you have for Di and the rest of my family?"
Arnav knew the moment he had said the words that they would force Khushi to see why she couldn't leave. He knew he could be accused of manipulation, of ruthlessness, of heartlessness. And she would be the one leading that brigade. It pained him but he knew he deserved it. He also knew it was the only way forward…the only way he knew. He could have apologized for what he had done. But could an apology take away the pain he had inflicted? He needed time – not just to break the news of Shyam's treachery to his sister but to make amends to Khushi. He didn't even know if that was possible. But he was going to try.
Khushi's shoulders slumped. She knew she had been defeated. Di had been so good to her. After the initial shock of their hurried wedding had subsided, she had taken Khushi into her fold one would a long lost sister. Khushi has spent of her only happy times in the last 5 months with Anjali. And all the while Khushi had felt guilty. Guilty of being the reason Anjali's married life was a sham. Guilty of being the person who was capable of putting an end to life as Anjali knew it in an instant. The mixture of guilt and love was dangerous and she knew that was exactly what Arnav was taking advantage of. Perhaps, in his situation, she would have done the same.
Wait a second, was she defending Arnav's actions? She had to get her head examined. She felt her resolve melt away. She was going to say yes. She was going to set herself up for more heartbreak. She was a glutton for punishment. More fool she.
"Do you have any idea what you are going to do?"
"Are you saying you are going to help me?"
Khushi looked away without a word. Arnav smiled briefly. It was a start
Arjun
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