True Colors -Thread 2 - Page 84

At first Arnav did not notice the changes in Khushi.

He knew she was hurt and he expected her to be upset. It was impossible for her not to be upset with him. He knew he had hurt her and he was hurting too. Just like the last time when Shyam'He stopped the train of thoughts.

He felt miserable. Last time too it wasn't Khushi's fault. He had tormented her. But he had done it deliberately out of his misunderstanding.

This time he did not want to torment her. His heart bled at the thought that he was giving her pain. That he had to control his emotions, his spontaneous love.

He had been so wrapped in himself and the hell of his thoughts that he had not seen the small changes in Khushi.

She served his black coffee, but was never around to see him drink it, like before.

His clothes were ironed and ready, but she was never around to help him wear it.

His food was served hot and as he liked it but she was never around to feed him.

Occasionally he did notice. But hadn't he himself wondered how to live with her in peace? She was giving him the peace. But the difference was that it hurt like hell.

It was the next Tuesday that he got a serious inkling that all was not well from Khushi's side.

Anjali was going for her appointment with Dr. Karan. At the breakfast table she asked Khushi,

"Khushiji, today is your check up too right. Are you coming? I have to meet Dr. Karan at 11.00. You had said you will take an appointment for the same time. Have you? " Anjali asked.

"No di. I cancelled it. You go," Khushi said.

"Cancelled it? But why?" Arnav asked.

"Just like that," Khushi said and left the table.

Arnav was alarmed. The doctor had said her blood pressure was delicate and routine checkups were a must.

He followed her to the kitchen.

"Khushi why did you cancel? When is the next appointment? The checkups need to be routine. You know that right?" he asked.

"Ye I know. I will go when I am up to it," she said, continuing her work and not looking at him.

"But 'your blood pressure needs monitoring. The doctor needs to check if the baby is fine. You need to get an ultrasound done too. A delay is not good," Arnav said.

"Hm yes I know. I will go sometime this week or next. Let me see<" she said continuing to keep away some vessels.

He was irritated now. She was playing with her health and the baby's. He grasped her arm and turned her around, "Khushi you may be angry with me. But this is your health and the baby's safety we are talking about," he said.

She stood motionless without responding. "Khushi I am talking to you," Arnav grated out through gritted teeth.

She looked up and said, "I know how to take care of my child and myself Arnav. Thanks," she said and removed his hands and walked away.

'My child and myself?' her words kicked at his gut. Had she just called their child her child? How dare she! He was angry. His own words floated back to him 'Every time I look forward to my baby, I will remember that it is also that man's grandson, the same man who killed my parents'.

He had said it and probably meant it. But the child who needed a checkup now was his and he was not even able to connect the child to a dead grandfather, no matter how evil. If something happened to the child'.a chill went down Arnav's spine.

He could not get Khushi to keep the appointment, no matter how hard he tried. She was silent and adamant and he did not know how to get through to this Khushi

A frustrated Arnav dropped Anjali off at the hospital. Anjali was running late by 5 minutes. She ran to the reception "I have an appointment with Dr. Karan," she said.

The receptionist looked at the computer and said "That was at 11.00 Mrs Anjali. Dr. Karan said to cancel it if you are late."

The nerve of the man! Anjali was furious. She had come all the way.

"Please call him and ask him. I have come all the way. Can you ask once?" Anjali pleaded.

The receptionist picked up the phone and made a call while Anjali waited.

"Ok Mrs Anjali you can go in. Dr. Karan said you can come in," she said.

Anjali hurried in.

"Well what have we here? Someone who takes other's time for granted," Dr. Karan said caustically.

"No it's not like that. We had some problems at home," Anjali squeaked in. Why was she scared of this man? She need not be, Anjali thought and squared her shoulders and glared at him resolutely.

Karan observed that change. Good she was learning to take a stand.

"So Mrs. Anjali. Let's get on with our discussion. So, you want a divorce from your husband Shyam. Right?" Karan asked.

Anjali was irritated now. He kept asking her that as if testing her intentions. "How many times have I told you that," she said.

"Still. I am confirming. Are you convinced?" Karan asked.

"Absolutely!" Anjali said.

"Then make the first break Mrs Anjali. Take off the mangalsutra and wipe off the sindoor. If you do that I will be convinced you are serious about breaking this relationship," Karan said.

Anjali was stunned. Protectively her hand went around her mangalsutra. How could he? How could he ask her to take off something that meant so much to her? All her prayers, karva chauth, fasts, the marital bed, love'.the mangalsutra signified so much. He wanted her to take it off callously? Wipe off her sindoor just like that, which she had worn for years now?

Karan watched the play of emotions on her beautiful face. He knew Anjali was traditional to the core. For her these two things were the essence of her life, her values. He was asking her to give up these. He knew he was hard on her. He sighed. But he had to get her to move on.

Anjali knew Dr. Karan was right This mangalsutra meant nothing now. The sindoor too. She had to get rid of them. Her hands moved towards her neck But stilled. She couldn't! She just couldn't do it! Her eyes brimmed with tears. She could not make the huge snap of relationship at one go.

Karan continued to watch her feeling pity and concern, but not showing it. Pity his own wife had no qualms of giving them up while divorcing him.

"I haven't got all day Mrs Anjali. We can talk about your divorce only if you are ready to take some baby steps towards it. This is one of those," Karan said.

"I can't'.not right away'.I am not ready'."Anjali said looking at him her eyes pleading with him to understand. She expected a harsh reply.

She was surprised to see Dr. Karan walk towards her and lean down and say,"Mrs Anjali I know it is not easy. Those two things stand for all you believe in about marriage. Take your time. Make a new appointment to see me, but when you do, those two things should be out. All right," he asked her gently.

Anjali nodded looking into those kind eyes which did not go with the man she knew till now. Did she see pain and concern there? Did she see warmth and gentleness there?

Or was it her imagination, because the very next minute Dr. Karan said "Well out now. I have more people to see. Just ensure you don't take all your life to make the snap or you will never make it to the divorce," he said and turned away.

Anjali got up and limped towards the door. And when she reached the door Karan called out, "And if you are late next time, I really will cancel the appointment. So watch out!"

Anjali glared at him before going out. Infuriating man! Insensitive! Sadist! She cursed. Karan smiled watching her go'

Arnav was restless all through the day. He called home a few times. The maid had answered. He had checked if Khushi was fine and the maid had confirmed it. He had not spoken to Khushi. He was still mad at her for the morning. But he was tense.

Was she fine? Was the baby fine?

If something went wrong with them'he kept breaking out in cold sweat even thinking about something happening to them'.

Terse and stressed Arnav came home to talk to Khushi about making the doctor's appointment for the next day. He searched for her in the kitchen and the living room. She was nowhere to be seen. Anjali Di had gone to Nani's place.

The maid had left early.

Arnav went up to the bedroom. She wasn't there either.

He went down and searched all around the house but she was nowhere.

Terrified he stood rooted to the spot not knowing where his wife with his child was'.