ArHi Marriage FF: His to take? Part XIII: pg 83 - Page 48

Lol!! 😆 Glad you liked that line... my fav in this chapter.

Lol! Like me 😉... I think he realizes something's odd about the whole thing.

Arnav finally had time to clear his head... we might see the light of day, yet...

Hope you enjoy this chapter...

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Part XII:

He needed to have a game plan in place by dawn. Everyone wanted answers' he couldn't hold out for long. He mentally sorted out the various 'stakeholders' in the piece, like he was analyzing a business deal.

His folks: They'd eventually come around. Aakash and Payal he wasn't worried about. Mama and Mami would offer token resistance. It was mainly Nani and Di. Suggesting they had a "reason" for the haste had sure shocked and upset them' he had to think on his feet then to diffuse the tension' but what did it mean now? It was far from the truth' heck, he was tempted like hell to make this the truth' but that was a lame-ass plan! He'd play it by ear today.

Guptas: mighty disappointed with Khushi, scared to say anything to him' he could tackle them later once Di and Nani were on his side.

Now, to the two most important stakeholders: Khushi and Shyam.

Shyam: the a**hole had clearly outlined his intentions ' he said they loved each other, and nothing could stop them from getting together' and now with this marriage, he had. But Shyam didn't look like he was going to relent' he was trying to manipulate the family into making things tough for them. But in time, would he come to his senses? Maybe he, like some married men had just gone astray' but it wasn't fair to Di' she deserved to know. And now with the baby on the way, maybe Shyam would gradually change?

Khushi: was in love with Shyam' when had this happened? How come no one had noticed it? Did her family know? They definitely wouldn't have been ok with this. Was she so blinded by love that she didn't care what it did to the people around her? Even disrespected the very sanctity of the institution she had sung praises of? But then, her reactions to him ' was she faking them? Was he just a pawn in her game to get Shyam jealous? Should he have asked her for an explanation yesterday? Would she have been honest? Damn! He didn't think he could deal with the truth if' what if she was playing them both?!

Hell! If he was going to give the jerk a second chance, he might as well give Khushi one' if he played it right, she could be persuaded to forget Shyam' on that note, he smiled and finally fell asleep.

The odd calm of the room and the sounds, rather their lack thereof, invaded Khushi's senses, as she squinted and saw the wintry sunlight streaming in. She missed the hustle and bustle of her Bua ji's house, which was ensconced bang in the middle of a fairly busy market area.

The heady, musky scent on the bedclothes reminded her of Arnav, and strangely it gave her a heady feeling. But she missed the lovely aroma of freshly brewed tea' Amma and Bua ji would've been up by now, in the kitchen if I were home.

She stifled a yawn, and sat up slowly in bed, tears in her eyes. They had been brokenhearted yesterday when they left, only Babu ji had reached out, and tried to bless and comfort her. Why had Arnav ji done this? She needed answers' she'd asked him several times before, and wanted to ask him when they were alone but so many crazy things had happened! Nevertheless, today was a new day, and she wanted to start afresh.

She glanced in his direction. His face, was bathed in the golden glow of the sun' he looked so at peace, the worry lines on his forehead smoothed, a faint smile hovering at his sensuous lips. His grey tee-shirt did little to hide his hard chest and broad shoulders' her eyes travelled lower to where the tee had ridden up a little' his flat stomach, the narrow dark strip of body hair that arrowed down to the waistband of his track pants' she gulped, and looked away' gosh! Just looking at him had her pulses racing' and last night, his unexpected gentleness... it wad really getting tough for her to be immune to him...

She strengthened her resolve' he knew the effect he had on her, and he had used to his advantage last night. She would be immune to his charms today... at least, she'd try her best!

Figuring she might as well get out of bed before he woke up, she set aside the quilt and swung her legs of the cot. She looked for the robe but couldn't find it. Shouldn't matter since he is asleep' plus the tee nearly reaches my knees'

As she made her way to the bathroom, she heard his raspy early morning voice, "Khush' that tee looks a whole lot better on you. I love how your legs look in it' I think we should get you some dresses."

Huh?! She turned back' it was the Laad Governor' looking at her with unabashed interest, a leery grin on his face. She yelled back, "Kya bulaya apne mujhe? Aur aap hote kaun hai dekhne.."

(What did you call me' Khush?! And who are you to even look...?" )

Arnav cut in smoothly, "Your brand new husband' that's who!" He was clearly enjoying this more than he'd expected to. He'd been able to sort out his mind last night, and was refreshed. He had some things figured out, and he would get answers to the rest along the way, but he definitely knew now what he was going to do.

His brashness had his bride scurrying for cover to the bathroom, and it amused him. Shock and Awe, Arnav'. That's what you'll do' and that's what will work!

His thoughts were disturbed by Khushi's "Arnav ji? Humein tooth paste and tooth brush chahiye."

He headed in the direction of her voice, and turned the knob... as usual, she had forgotten to lock the door. She gasped, "Aap undar kaise aaye?" and tried to smooth the tee over her legs, the action only drawing his attention to them! (How did you get in?)

He smiled naughtily, "Tumne lock nahin kiya tha' aur by the way, kal bhi nahin kiya tha.. jab tum shower le rahi thi." (You hadn't locked the door' and by the way, it wasn't locked yesterday either' when you were taking a shower).

Her jaw dropped, "Aapko kaise pataa?" (How do you know?)

He didn't respond' and instead just continued to smile, reaching past her to a sleek in-wall cabinet that had spare toiletries. He handed her a toothbrush and said, "Zyaada time mat lena' nahin toh mein phir se undar aajaaonga." (Don't take too long' else I'll be back inside again)

He returned to the room without waiting for a response.

"Arnav ji' agar aap ko bathroom jaana hai to'," Khushi's soft voice broke his train of thought. She was standing there, coyly, in his white tee' all cleaned up looking so lovely and pure. He felt like kissing her and at the same time, strangling her! (Arnav ji, if you want to use the bathroom')

"Haan," he said grumpily, and then covered up quickly with a smile. "Aur uske baad mujhe tum se kuch zaroori baat karni hai," he added softly.

(Yes. And after that, I want to discuss something important with you)

She looked at him in surprise, and nodded silently, then walked to the bed and settled in, covering her legs. She was still conscious about the length of the tee.

After freshening up, he returned and sat down on the other side of the bed, at a safe distance.

"Khushi, kal raat ko jo maine sab se keh diya' woh bus unko chup karne liye kahaa," he dived right in, without waiting for pleasantries. (Khushi, what I told everybody last night' I just said it to shut everyone up)

"Par kyon Arnav ji?!" she jumped in. (But why?!)

"Ab keh diya na' at least sab chup to ho gaye," he snapped back. Don't lost it now, stay calm! (Anyway, it's been said' at least they're quiet now)

"Par aap ne ek baar bhi hamare baarein mein socha? Ki sab kya sochenge, kehenge? Bas bol diya' ki jaldi thi! Pehle aap ne humein shaadi ke liye majboor kar diya' aur aisi shaadi jo' aap ko pata hai, hamaare zindagi mein shaadi kya ehmiyat rakhti hai' phir bhi aap ne'" Khushi rambled on, oblivious to the rage evident on his face.

(But you didn't even think once about me. About what people will say or think? Just went right ahead and said we were in a hurry! First, you forced me into marrying you' and the kind of marriage that' you know the how much significance marriage has is in my life' and even then you'.)

Not waiting for her to finish, he lunged and grabbed her shoulders, "Achcha' shaadi ki itni hi ehmiyat hai to tum ne ek baar bhi Di ke baarein mein socha'" and stopped short.

(Really?! If marriage means so much, then why didn't you even once think of Di')

"Shaadi aur Anjali ji' aap key kya raha hain? Mujhe samajh mein nahin aaya' Anjali ji ka iss shaadi se kya.. " Khushi shot back.

(Shaadi and Anjali ji' what are you saying? I didn't understand' what does Anjali ji have to do with this marriage?)

"Khud se pooch lena'" he mumbled, and released her, turning away. (Ask yourself)

Was she intentionally being dense?! She wanted him to say it' maybe it gave her perverse pleasure?!

"Khushi' bano mat. Tumhe pata hai' mein kis ke baarein baat kar raha hoon," he said softly. (Khushi' don't pretend. You know what I'm talking about)

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Index:

Part I

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2793839&PID=53266234�

Part II:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53288436

Part III:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53327898

Part IV:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53368855

Part V:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53391292

Part VI:

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2793839&TPN=27�

Part VII:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53459224

Part VIII

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2793839&PID=53551223�

Part IX:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53704076

Part X:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53843232

Part XI:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53962482

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Index ' My other work:

And it's payback time (ArHi on same team FF)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2753098&PID=52377401�

Tum theek ho na? (2-part SS)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2758856&PID=52566862�

And then he shut the door (OS)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2749279&PID=52266803�