New SS: Rumor has it, Ch9,pg65 - Page 5

Chapter 2: Love's Labors Lost.

"Good morning honey!" said Arnav, balancing a tray in one head and ruffling Khushi's hair with the other.

"Huh?" she sat up as if she'd been electrocuted.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Look, I brought you breakfast in bed!" he said proudly gesturing to the tray. She gave him a disdainful look before getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom.

"Oh, c'mon Khushi. I went to a lot of trouble. At least take a look at what's in there!" he said in a whiny voice.

"I haven't slept 8 hours at a stretch in 9 nights. I'll pass on your sad attempt at scrambled eggs and toast that's in there," she said before shutting the bathroom door in his face. His face that wore a look of comical dismay. What to do now, he mused?

When she emerged 5 minutes later after brushing, he was sitting on the recliner, waiting for her. He handed her a cup. "At least drink the tea. I didn't make it..Hari Prakash did. And I didn't spit into it either," he said. She took the cup silently and sipped.

"Don't you want to know where I was these past 9 days?" he asked after 3 minutes of very uncomfortable silence.

"Were you kidnapped?"

"No."

"Was there an accident?"

"No."

"Was there no phone available?"

"No. I mean yes, there was."

"Did you lose your voice or memory temporarily?"

"Err'no."

"Then I don't want to know," she put the empty cup down and walked to the wardrobe.

"You moved your clothes back into the wardrobe!" he exclaimed relieved.

"Since you weren't here I thought you what you didn't know wouldn't hurt you. I'll move them out today," she said quietly.

"No. No. Please don't. Listen, I've been a fool. I should've.."

"Nah-na-na-na-Nah-na-na-na-na, can't hear you, don't want to!" she said thrusting her fingers into her ears and yelling at the top of her voice.

"Khushi, don't be a child. Just give me a chance to explain," he said, removing her hands from her ears forcefully. She pulled her hands away from his and stepped back.

"Don't touch me again. Ever." She said.

"Oh? Or you'll do what?" he asked, piqued at her rebuff. He caught hold of her arms tightly and pinned her to the wall. "I'll damn well touch you if I want to. You're my wife, remember?"

"Oh? Now I'm your wife? Last week I was the resident wh**e who was wrecking your Di's marriage, no?" she asked scornfully. He pulled back, ashamed at his conduct.

"Can we talk about this like adults?" he asked, giving her some space.

"Sorry, aap qatar mein hain. Lots of people want to have adult conversations with me these days. Naniji wants to calm me down. Di wants to convince me of my love for you. Shyamji wants to, well..let's just say what he has in mind is definitely adult! You know, I'm beginning to value my Jiji more and more. She's the only one who doesn't give a damn what I feel and think. She doesn't want to talk to me and she's never tried to tell me anything. She's wonderful!" said Khushi, smiling slightly at Arnav. It wasn't a nice smile, he noted. Her lips curved upwards but her eyes spat disdain.

"So, you don't want to hear my explanation?" he asked finally.

"In your own words Mr.Raizada, Aap kahaan jaate hain, kya karte hain, I don't care. I don't give a damn. Samjhe aap?" she left him standing there gaping.

Damn, she's sexy when she's mad was the thought running through his head when she spoke again. Her voice brought him back to reality.

"Come down to breakfast when you're ready. I'll try to restrain myself from lacing your Parathas with Arsenic!" she quipped, walking out of their room.

Waiting to hear from you guys!

WW11

Chapter 3