Chapter Six 'FF: 'pata nahin chala kab pyaar hua'

CHAPTER ONE

Since we are yet to know if Arnav will come to know Khushi's innocence or not, I have started it at the time assuming that Arnav does not come to know Khushi's innocence and the six months of marriage are completed. There was hardly any trouble from Shyam. Anjali to everyone's delight has given birth to a cute baby girl.

All the family members are in the hospital while Khushi goes to Raizada Mansion to collect some clothes for Anjali. Arnav drives her there. Shyam is still there at the hospital as he cannot be seen leaving so soon.

Khushi collects the required clothes from Anjali's room and walks into her own to collect some Ayurvedic medicine which will help Anjali recover faster. Arnav is already there waiting for her by the poolside in his grey suit looking handsome as usual.

Khushi is startled, "Arre, aap yahan, chaliye hum dawayee leke chalte hai."

Arnav nods, "But before that we need to talk Khushi."

Khushi knows what is about to come but she tries to ignore him. He stops her by catching her arm and pulls her towards him. "I said, I want to talk to you."

Khushi tries to move away but is unable to do so. She gives up. Her Lad governor always wins.

"Tell me, what is it that you wants to talk about which can't wait?"

Arnav: "Six months are over. I told you that this would be the time of our marriage contract. My Di is safe with a baby and that is all that I wanted. I want to give your freedom back. I promised I will let you go free. So coming week We will go to the family lawyer and get a divorce. You will be free of any bonds with this family or me. You can leave as you please."

Khushi looks at him stunned: "Leave as I please! fine words Arnavji. Give my freedom back. Free of any bonds with your family. Really! However, you forgot to say one more thing. You promised that you would let me know why you had to marry me in the first place. Six months, I have tried every way to make you answer that question but you always evaded that one. So please before we get to the next point of our relationship, if you think I have ever helped your family. Loved and cared for them just like my own family members, please tell me why you had to marry me...please I beg you."

Arnav looked at her. Her eyes tearful and pleading. He did not like hurting her anymore. He so wanted to tell her that he no longer thought Shyam is a threat. He did not want this happening. However the past six months have made him realize that it would not be possible for him to stop her. He realized that he cared too much for her to make her suffer more. He has treated her ill and would now have to pay for it. As he thought about it he realized that Shyam could still change. He did not trust the man one bit but now Di was ok and he could take care of Shyam. However Khushi need not suffer anymore.

Arnav sighed, "Khushi, There was a very strong reason to blackmail you to marry me and that reason was my one and only sister. I can take any amount of pain and hurt. I have done that in the past but Di cannot. She was almost broken the last time we had to face the deceit of our very own blood relatives. There is no way I am going to make her go through that once again. I had taken a vow to protect her then, which I will keep come what may. So when I came to know about your affair with Jeejaji, I did what was best in her interest. I married you albeit forcibly. With you married, Jeejaji would have to let go of his intentions. Also there was no way of you getting your wish of him leaving Di."

As he recollected the scene on the terrace, Arnav's blood boiled and he relived that pain again. He knew he still could not trust Khushi completely but he did not want her to suffer as well. Now he was angry as usual, all logic went out of his mind.

"Yes! that is the reason why I married you, because I knew from the start that you were a gold-digger. Or else you wouldn't have hurt an innocent helpless creature like my Di. She always protected you and loved you like a family member and this is how you repaid her by having an affair with her husband. All these days you were in the house. Both of you were with Di. How could you play this game? Don't you have a conscience? And you flirted with NK during the wedding preparations. You have no soul. All you wanted was a rich guy who would fall for you and give you luxuries throughout your life. You thought Jeejaji could do that for you. so you asked him to leave Di. Well! I don't care about both of you, but I will deal with anyone who would want to hurt my sister."

As he got angrier and angrier, his grip became harder and harder. Khushi cried out in pain and it was only then he realized again, that he had hurt her. He let go of her arm.

Khushi felt the pain deepen, oddly the pain in her heart was more than the pain on her arm. All this time she thought the reason would be something related to his feelings towards her , this she could have accepted, anger maybe , even hate but distrust and for a reason which he could have clarified with her any time. It meant only one thing. He did not trust her and a relationship without trust was not a relationship at all. It will be the same that she would have had with Shyam.

At that moment Khushi felt as if she lost, she lost her fight, her will, her love, her want to live, her hope for their relationship to work everything. tears fell down her rosy cheeks endless and with great effort she controlled herself.

She turned to face him and said, "So this is the reason why you hate me! So this is the reason why you wanted to marry me! This...This is what you think of me and my character. That I would do anything to get married to a rich guy. Even if he is a married one. That I would go to any extent to demean myself to get money."

Arnav looked at her angrily, "Why not? you agreed to help Lavanya for money, you got a job at AR for money. You asked Shyam to leave Di for money. unfortunately Shyam was not as rich as you wanted but luckily for you, I had the reason to marry you. I had no option!"

Khushi looked at him aghast, "No option! I would do anything for money! right? You could have paid me to disappear. you could have threatened me to keep away from Jeejaji. You could have done a lot more things differently. You did not have to marry me Arnavji! You did not have the right to ruin my life like this. You had no right!" Saying this she dissolved into sobs.

Arnav could not take it anymore. He wanted this to be closed as soon as possible. He knew he had to have this conversation with her but he never knew it would be so difficult for him to actually go through it. He wanted to hold her at the same time he wanted her to disappear. He could not watch this anymore.

"I think we need to end this conversation. We both know that the contract has come to an end. You kept your end by staying with me for 6 months and I completed mine by not crossing any lines. We will speak to our families after Di comes from hospital. As the doctor said , due to complications, Di will have to stay for about 2 weeks in the hospital. once she is back we can complete the divorce proceedings. Till then we will continue as we were." said Arnav. He was finding it difficult to say those words but he had to.

Khushi wiped her tears, "No! I will not wait for 2 weeks. I cannot wait for two weeks. I will not stay in this house. I want my divorce as soon as possible. Till then I will stay at my house." Arnav started to protest but Khushi held her hand up, "Don't worry. I will make something up. They will suspect nothing. We will continue as we were. Don't worry after all I am a very good actress, right?"

Arnav looked stunned, "I will see what I can do about the divorce thing. Meanwhile make sure nobody knows about this especially Shyam. If anything leaks out, I will..."

"You will make Payal Jiji's married life hell! yes, I know. You need not remind me." Khushi shook her head, "I should have known. I don't know why I thought that I could change our relationship. I could change your feelings for me. Gatli meri hai! Mujhe Yaad rakhna chahiye tha ki aap Arnav Singh Raizada hai. inn 6 mahino mein pata nahin kab aur kaise hum aap se pyaar kar baithe...pata nahin chala kab pyaar hua but no more. Now you will have no trouble from me. Rest assured, I will keep away from Shyam. Di will not find out about our arrangement. I will stay at my house from tonight. Good bye! Arnavji."

Saying this Khushi turned around the wet and slippery poolside to go. In doing so she was about to slip and fall down when Arnav caught her hand just in time and pulled her with such force that they both collided. And knowing or unknowingly their lips touched for a brief amount of time. Their bodies reacted in shock and they let go of each other. Before Arnav could say anything, Khushi turned around and left.

She blinked continuously in the auto while travelling to the hospital. She could not see clearly due to the tears which kept welling up in her eyes. She composed herself. She had to do this for Di's sake and for Payal Jiji's sake. She cannot lose control! not now!

She hated that even now she cared about Arnav. How she wanted to know if he was ok.

He was not ok! Her last words kept ringing in his ears, "Pata nahin kab aur kaise hum aap se pyaar kar baithe" He could not believe his ears. She actually said those words, that she loved him. This was what he had wanted to hear the night he saw them together on the terrace. She Loved HIM, not Shyam, HIM. Then why did she not say so? Why did she keep quite? No, this was just one of her tricks to get to him. to make a mockery of his feelings like the last time. He did not dare to hope again. He had sworn himself off love for good.

It felt good to say such things then why was he in so much pain? Why couldn't he erase her picture off his mind and why was he panicking when she said she will go to her house? Wasn't this what he wanted? Arnav looked at his reflection in the mirror saying to himself like he usually did, "Main ASR hoon. I don't care about her. Mujhe koi farak nahin padata."

"To Phir tum itne udaas kyo ho? Tumhe usse khone ka dar kyo lag raha hain? Agar koi farak nahin padata to tumhare aakho main aasu kyo hain ASR." asked his reflection in the mirror. Arnav could only see his blurred image...he knew some had changed, he had changed, khushi had changed him...he could not...would not live without her...

To be continued...

Chapter Two

Khushi reached the hospital and walked towards Di's room. Her hands were shaking as she kept her emotions in control. As soon as she reached the door she saw Shyam trying to act as if he was very much concerned about his wife and child. Anger filled up her head as she wanted to blast him but seeing Anjali's innocent smile her anger evaporated immediately. The baby was so cute, the baby had her mother's eyes and his maternal uncle's nose. She reminded him of Arnav the moment she set her eyes on the baby. She smiled automatically, then cursed herself. She would never cure herself of him.

As soon as she entered, Shyam tried to smile at her, Khushi as usual remained civil in presence of Anjali. She went towards her bed and looked down at the baby. It was trying to smile at her. Khushi touched the baby's cheek with one finger.

"Look Choti, your Aunt is here. Ask her where is you Mama?" Khushi looked at her surprised, "Choti?" Anjali smiled and said, "yes Khushi,Chotey ki bhanji is Choti, right!" They both laughed out loud while Shyam who got nervous at the mention of his Saalesab tried out his fake laugh to join in.

Just then Arnav came into the room. Seeing him, Khushi remembered the conversation they had by the poolside. She tried to forget that, to him, she was just a gold digger. She wanted to get away from his presence so she said, "Di, Buaji called today , she said she was not feeling well. So I was thinking if it is okay for me to go and stay with them. With Baba in recovery and bualji ill, amma will have her hands full. I don't want her to fall sick as well. but don't worry , I will come everyday to see my Choti. okay!"

Anjali immediately sensed something was wrong, so did Shyam. He knew, Arnav would never let Khushi alone unless there was something big. There was something going on between these two and as if on cue, Anjali asked, "What is wrong Khushi? Did you both fight again?"

Khushi smiled and replied, "Arre ,no Di, not at all. Just that I could spend some time with amma while I have the chance. Once you are back in RM, I will have to devote my entire time to Choti right?"

Arnav looked puzzled. they both clarified it to him at once, "Chotey ki Bhanji is Choti!" They both started to giggle again like school girls. Arnav smiled.

Khushi immediately set out Di's clothes and her dinner and decided to spend time with the newborn. While Di was having dinner at her bed, Arnav joined her and helped her get comfortable. Anjali smiled and asked, "Chotey, what's wrong? why did you cry today? Did you both fight?"

Khushi looked at him and he looked at her. They both looked scared, "no Di, I just remembered Mom too would have been so happy."

Anjali nodded, "yes, She would have been so happy and proud to see you married happily and me in my motherhood."

Khushi got up, "Di, I should go now, see you tomorrow. sleep tight." Anjali nodded and gestured towards Arnav, "Wait Chotey will drop you."

Khushi refused, "No Di , it's alright. I can go by myself." Anjali smiled, "Either you go with Chotey or with your Jeejaji, chose."

Khushi could not but laugh at the irony. She smiled slightly and said, "I better go with my hubby. I can't take a chance of offending him now, can I?"

Anjali smiled and replied, Smart choice, now Chotey go and drop khushi at her house and pick her up in the morning. The entire week I am here, I want you to make sure she gets here from her house and reaches back home back safe. This will be your responsibility okay?"

Arnav nodded. He had no choice. He could not say no to Di for anything.

As they entered the parking lot, Khushi stopped walking. Arnav looked at her puzzled. "You can go now. You need not waste your time anymore. I can take an Auto and leave. Thank you."

Arnav huffed, "I know you can go in an auto but Di said that making sure that you reach home is my responsibility so I will have to make sure that you reach home."

Khushi looked at him with frustration. The more she wanted to keep him away the more it was difficult not to.

She replied, "That is not my problem. You can make sure that I get home in your own way while I will be going home in the way I want to. Auto...Auto." she shouted and left him staring at her back.

However Arnav was ASR and he would never give in if challenged. She wanted him to make sure she got home safe, then he would do it his way. So as soon as she got into the auto, he too got in. Khushi looked surprised, ASR in an auto!

"What the!" she bit her tongue while Arnav looked at her wide eyed. Since their stay at her house during the third month of their marriage, he had decreased the usage of those words. She asked him, "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you reach home right?"

"Laksminagar" they both said to the auto driver at once.

The auto rise was a bumpy one. As they were nearing the house the auto went into a ditch and their heads clonked against each other. Both cried out in pain while the autodriver smiled and apologised. "Zara sambhalke Bhaiyya." said khushi.

They got down and khushi started to walk towards the house while Arnav followed her. He was angry that she did not allow him to pay. Buaji who was standing near the door welcomed both.

She asked Arnav to come in but Arnav refused. "No Buaji, I have to get back to Di, I just came to make sure Khushi got home safe. She said she wanted to stay here for a while. By the way, how are you feeling now?"

Buaji looked puzzled, "What is wrong with me? I am fine. We will be visiting Anjali bitiya again once she is feeling even better. I know it will be a strain on her to keep on receiving visitors all the time."

Arnav then realized Khushi had lied to get Di to agree to send her to her parents place. He said goodbye and searched for khushi, she had just walked inside her bedroom and was not to be seen.

Feeling disappointed he turned to go and as soon as he reached the steps he heard her voice, "Wait! Wait! one minute."

As soon as he turned around she was standing very close to him, catching his head she clonked hers against his head again, "ouch! Khushi! have you gone mad?" "I don't want horns on my head." she replied.

In pain and anger he pulled her back and they both fell against the pillar. He held her while she struggled to get her balance back and in that fight their noses bumped against each other. For a moment both remained stunned and when they realized what had happened, they both laughed out loud.

It lasted only a few seconds but then reality hit them hard. That they could not stay together even if they wanted to. There was this huge chasm of doubt that they both would have to build a bridge across to reach each other's heart.

Tears welled up in Khushi eyes and she turned and left. Arnav could not say anything. This is what he had wanted and ASR always got what he wanted. What could he complain about? Then why was this pain rising in his heart every time he saw her go away from him?

As he turned to walk away he saw something shiny on the floor. He bent down to pick it up. He knew exactly what it was. This was the second time he was finding it.

As he moved towards the stairs, Khushi came out in a hurry. She started to search here and there around the patio and then looked at him and asked, "Did you by any chance see my payal?" Arnav thought a bit and then shook his head and moved away in a hurry.

Khushi looked at him till he was out of sight and then went back inside. She had lost her Mom's payal again just as she lost ASR again.

ASR was ASR, by the time he reached the road, his driver was waiting in his car to pick him up.

He reached his house and changed. Without Khushi he had half a mind to go to the hospital to visit Di but then he was sure this would alert her. So he decided to spend the night in his room.

He slept on the couch as usual even though Khushi was not there. Somehow he did not want to change that. The moonlight hit his room making it glow strangely. As he prepared to sleep, he took out the thing that he found on the floor, and dangling above his head, he stared at khushi's payal. This would probably get him through the night. Khushi's earlier words kept ringing in his ears, "pata nahin chala kab pyaar hua" as he held her payal close to his heart and fell into troubled sleep.

To be continued...

Chapter -3

Khushi ran towards the light..she saw the shadow in that light and she simply followed it like her heart asked her to... she did not know why..just that every fiber of her being was wanting to reach that shadow. The attraction was so much that she did not care what would come in her way, she blindly kept on running. She felt uneasy with all the effort she was putting in. She had almost reached it when she shouted, "please hold me... I don't think I can stay on my feet any longer... you need to help me." No sooner did she say that, than the shadow turned, the light focused on the two eagle like eyes which always looked so alert and beautiful at the same time.. he smiled and caught her as she smiled back and fainted into Arnav's arms.

Khushi woke up perspiring, she looked around for Arnav, only to realize that she was now in her own bedroom and in her own house and not in RM mansion. It was a strange dream, still she was satisfied, maybe because she saw Arnav welcome her into his arms. What a strange dream to have at 6 o'clock in the morning. She knew she had to forget him, which was impossible but still she had try. Or else she would die remembering him. Her soul was now empty and lonely like never before. She just now realized how attached and in love she was with Arnav. She had tried denying it for ever but in her heart she knew she loved him more than she loved herself. And this man whom she would give anything, thought of her as a gold digger, a person with greed and some one who betrayed his sister. How could he? Did they not spend enough time to understand one another. She knew why ASR had become ASR but why did he not try to understand that there was no way that Khushi could have betrayed his family come what may!

Tear drops rolled over her cheeks and she closed her eyes to try to go back to sleep but Arnav's smiling face kept waking her up. She gave up and got ready to help her mom and to make some Jalebis for Di since she had requested some.

Arnav turned in his sleep on the couch and something made a sweet noise and he woke up, "Khushi!", he called out automatically. Then he realized it was the payal in his hand that had made the noise. He was all alone in his bedroom and Khushi was in her house with her family. He sighed. There would be peace now...peace that he used to love but since the time Khushi had entered in life...he had not known peace. Khushi had come as a tornado and turned his life upside down before settling into a sweet breeze that he got so used to that the peace that he liked so much, was now suffocating him. He did not want peace anymore...He wanted Khushi...which was impossible!

Arnav got up to get ready for his office. He remembered he had to pick Khushi up and drop her at the hospital and somehow he was looking forward to this more than going to his office.

Khushi got ready and was thinking of how to let her lad governor know that she will be coming to the hospital on her own when she heard the horn. She huffed, no use, he would not take no for an answer and she was in no mood to argue. She said goodbye to buaji and her mom and babuji who looked very happy that Arnav had taken the pain to pick her up himself. She quickly sat in the front seat, kept the dabba in the back seat and put her seat belt on quickly and waited for the car to start. Arnav smiled inside, she was behaving like a small school girl who wanted everyone around to know that she was mad. "Point noted" he thought. As the car moved, "what's in the dabba? Di has enough food in the hospital." She remained silent. Arnav took a deep breath to cool down, "Okay, if you want to be childish about this fine!". Khushi looked at him crossly and replied, "I am not being childish. I am practicing to not get provoked by you. By the way the dabba has Jilebis that Di likes so much. She felt like having some yesterday but the hospital did not have in on their menu. FYI." Arnav shrugged but inside he felt happy at least he made her speak to him.

As they reached the hospital Khushi felt a strange sadness come over her. She was so used to having her lad governor around that when she realized she would not see him till night she turned to take a last look at him for that day. She watched him park the car, take the ticket from the parking attendant, carry the bag for his Di and walk with a stride that she loved so much. Arnav sensed she was looking at him but avoided looking at her, he did not want to break the spell. He too wanted to stay but he knew office had to come first as always. He came up to her and gave her the bags. As she took them their eyes met and they stood looking at each other for about two minutes before they realized they were on the hospital stairs. Arnav shook himself inwardly and turned around to go. He reached the car door and got in. As he started the car he looked at her and was surprised that she was still looking at him with those beautiful eyes which made him love her all the more. As he backed the car he could not pull his gaze away from her. At last he simply closed his eyes and forced himself to turn the car and drive away. Khushi felt as if he was walking away from her life and she had tried her best to stop him.

In the hospital room. doctor was attending to Di while Shyam looked around bored. He had hardly spent some time with the child yesterday. But then khushi had no expectations from him. The fact that he has started to behave properly was a lot according to her. as soon as she entered the room, his eyes lit up. Seeing this she felt like turning back and leave the hospital but she knew she had to stay to look after Di but with him around... the day looked very unpromising. Khushi said a prayer to her favorite goddess and walked in front of Di. Shyam looked happy. Khushi as usual ignored him and spoke with the doctor first who assured her that everything was going good and Anjali was showing improvement. He then gave her some new medicines which were required from the hospital medical store on the sixth floor. Khushi took the list and told Di she would be back and gave her the Jalebis that she had made for her. As she walked the stairs towards the sixth floor she felt as if someone was following her. She turned around but she found no one. As she turned towards the dispensary some one caught hold of her hand and pulled her towards the hospital balcony which was separate and closed to public. As she turned to see who it was she gasped.

Arnav was driving towards his office and as soon as he blinked his eyes, he saw sankadevi's sad doleful eyes which were just eating at his heart. He tried to control a lot but half way through he just could not bear it. He needed to see her happy and not sad, so he immediately turned the car around and reached the hospital in record time. He threw the keys to the parking attendant and ran to Di's room. As he entered, he was surprised to see Di laying with Choti alone. He asked, "Di how come you are alone? where is Jeejaji and did not Khushi come?"

Di smiled and replied,"yes Chotey, Khushi went to get some new medicines that the doctor had prescribed and your Jeejaji just followed to check if she knew where the dispensary was."

Arnav became alert. It was as if some sixth sense was telling him some thing was wrong. He quickly ran to the sixth floor much to his Di's surprise.

As he reached the sixth floor he asked the staff about Khushi, someone directed him to the balcony. he felt puzzled. Why would Khushi go to the balcony except...except to talk with some one..., someone like Jeejaji. His blood boiling he took big strides towards the balcony and was about to throw open the door when he heard Khushi gasp loudly.

"What do you want? How dare you touch me?". She struggled to break his grip. Shyam looked smug, "Khushiji, please listen to me. I know...I know about the real relationship that you have with Arnav. You do not love him. he does not love you...this is a sham marriage. I was waiting for this day. I am sure , now that Choti is born, he will free you and you can be back to your old self. Khushiji, Please try and understand, I have been so patient till now waiting for everything to fall in place. Please tell me the truth that you too love me! Come away with me...I need you."

Khushi felt disgusted. there was no end to his treachery. He was simply acting all these days. He was a creep and will be one all his life. This had to end now, this had to end here. She would have to tell Di and Arnav everything. Anger filled her being at being touched by him. She shook her hand off with such force that Shyam had to retreat back to avoid getting hurt.

It took supreme control on her behalf but she could not hold any longer, she lifted her hand and slapped Shyam on his face. The sound almost echoed in the small balcony. She then waited for him to be able to come back to his senses because Shyam looked dazed and stunned for almost 2 minutes.

Then she spoke, "What kind of a man are you...no wait what kind of an animal are you...Your wife just gave birth to your child and you come here asking me to have a relationship with you. I may have a sham marriage but I love my husband. I will love him whether he loves me or not. It may not be a marriage for him but for me it will be for my life. Papers do not decide your relationship...your heart does...and my heart is with Arnavji. So do not think that if we separate you will have anymore of a chance than you did when you were staying with us as a PG and deceiving us saying you were a bachelor with no one in this city. I have told you this once before and again I am telling you now. I do not love you, never have , never will. I love my husband. I know he hates me...but I love him. And don't you ever dare touch me again, do not forget I am Mrs Khushi Singh Raizada. I may not be close to my husband but I am pretty sure he will murder you if he hears about this. So Mr Shyam Jha you better keep your distance from me or else you may lose everything that you have."

Saying this Khushi stormed out of the balcony and walked towards the dispensary. Shyam looked angry and puzzled. Damn! he lost his chance again but no worries. He knew Khushi would not tell anyone about this encounter not while Anjali was in this hospital in recovery. he dusted himself off her angry words mentally and again with a smug smile walked back to his wife's room.

Arnav his behind the door as he saw his Jeejaji leave the balcony with no trace of shame. he was a characterless man and he had managed to fool everyone but no more. he knew exactly what he had to do now. After shyam left he looked for Khushi. His heart soared at her name. ASR never felt this happy in his life. The mention of her name brought a smile on his face. he could control his feelings any longer. he felt like jumping up high and yelling to the world that he loved his wife. That he came to know that she loved him too..That she was innocent...that the creep had fooled her family as he had fooled his by his sweet words... Khushi never loved Shyam, never wanted him to leave Di...

He searched for her but he must have missed her. As he walked quietly back to Di's room he began to remember what had happened that night and what had happened today. he must have misunderstood her. And he punished her for something she never did. He felt guilty...for the first time in his life he felt scared. He was sure he would lose her ...

"No! I will not let that happen...I will make her forgive me...I must..Khushi...Darling..it is all my fault...I will rectify everything... Please just once chance is all I need."he said to himself. He would not feel ashamed to say sorry to her and beg her forgiveness. He had treated her unfairly and it was up to him to set it right. In fact he was also planning to set Jeejaji right..he had a plan."

The three were back in the room. Di was blissfully unaware as to how wound up all three were. Khushi was angry, shyam was nervous as he saw Arnav walk in and Arnav was happy..so happy that he was smiling. He walked straight to Di and choti and kissed his niece. Khushi was pleasantly surprised to see him. After the episode with Shyam, seeing Arnav, she felt like hugging him and speaking her heart out but she knew he would never believe her.

They had lunch together and as they finished, the hospital staff brought some Kulfis. Arnav had stayed almost half a day, much to the distress of Shyam. He had lunch with them. Khushi was happy to see him around, he was quite and there were no angry words from him, he quietly did whatever he was told. which surprised her. He left the room to attend a phone call when the staff brought the kulfi's. Di took one and gave one to Shyam. Khushi took hers with great pleasure and started to eat., It was a new flavor... chocolate kulfi. She in her haste had gulped her entire kulfi with traces of it left on her lips and round her mouth. Just as she finished hers, Di said, "Arre Khushiji, please give your husband also some. I know he has diabetes but he can at least taste this. Its a new Kulfi flavor. Khushi looked sad, She would have to share the last one with lad governor..but not much she promised to herself. She walked out with the kulfi pot.

There was slow wind blowing as the sky look cloudy and dark. It was the rainy season. She walked up to him . he was standing in the balcony on the fifth floor which overlooked the hospital parking. As the wind began to pick speed, all the people outside rushed inside. They were the only two left outside. She went to him and said, "Di wants you to taste this kulfi, its a new flavor." He looked at her and smiled at the traces of kulfi on her lips and mouth. He knew after Jalebi, Kulfi was her favorite sweet. He knew she did not want to share it, he was about to say no when he saw Shyam staring at them.

As Khushi stretched her hand with the kulfi pot, Arnav said, "I just want to taste it. so I do not need an entire pot. just a drop will be enough." Khushi smiled, good ..she thought. The she looked puzzled as her lad governor came closer and closer and then before she could understand what was happening, touched her lips slowly... with his tongue and rolled it over on her lips and then ended the sensation with almost a kiss on her mouth. Khushi stood still as she experienced the sensation of his tongue over her lips... that made her want to invite it in by opening her lips. The sensation left her speechless and dry mouthed. She was shocked and pleasured at the same time. The tingling sensation remained on her lips even after he moved away from her and said in the sweetest voice, "Wow, that is a new flavor I have never tasted before...I like it...I might want some more.."

Khushi stood still... controlling the dizziness that she was feeling right now...She wanted to prolong the memory so that she might not forget it. She then shook herself to come back to reality only to realize that this had actually happened. he was still standing in front of her. He wiped the remaining traces of the kulfi from her cheek with his thumb and put it in his mouth to taste it and said, "Like I said...I would like some more..." and left leaving Khushi stunned with pleasure.

To be continued...

Chapter 4:

Khushi could not move. Arnav's behavior was totally not what she had expected. She stood there for 5 minutes trying to stop her hands from shaking and for her heartbeat to return to normal. It did not work so she did the only thing she knew, she opened the Kulfi pot and ate off the entire Kulfi and then she was okay. She looked here and there to check if anyone had noticed this.

Shyam who saw the entire thing got angry. he did not want them to get near, he had to do something to get the misunderstanding stay so that he will find time to make Khushi realize how much he loved her. In anger he broke the kulfi pot and had to go to the bathroom to clean the mess.

Khushi walked back slowly. Her heart was still beating hard. She was dreading to go inside as her cheeks had a flaming red color on them. One look and everyone would know something had happened.

As Arnav entered the room, Di looked up and noticed the change. He was sad yesterday but today he looked really happy as if he found the world to be a pleasant place to be in. Maybe the fight he had with Khushi was over. They both usually fought like kittens. So when he came near her she asked, "Chotey, what is the matter, why are you smiling so much? Tell me."

Arnav looked at her and said, "Nothing Di, Its just that the weather is so nice." Di almost gagged, Chotey talking about nice weather? What was going on. Just then Khushi came in and looking at her flushed face, Di knew something romantic had happened between the two. So she did not push further.

Di took Choti on her lap and started to play with her, just then the sky turned darker and there was a thunder clap. Khushi got scared and ran to Di's side, and stood between Di and Arnav. As she did, Shyam came out of the washroom and said, "I better get a light. looks like it will be worse now."

A few minutes later, the lights went out and there was total darkness in the room, panicking Khushi clutched Arnav's arm and bit her lip. Arnav was worried about Di, He said, "Di are you okay?"

Di smiled and said. "Its okay Chotey, I am no longer scared, I am a mother now so I am stronger than before, I can take care of myself and my baby."

Arnav smiled at that, "I know Di, you have changed, you have become strong but I will always be there for you. For you, Choti and ...Khushi." Khushi could not believe her ears but then realized, he was saying this in front of Di. She could only see his outline and hear his voice but still she knew he was telling the truth. There was a conviction in his voice which she hadn't heard before.

As they all waited, Shyam came in with a candle, the reflection of the light made him look even more evil, khushi grabbed Arnav's arm again. This time Arnav knew instantly why khushi was scared, so he slowly moved her hand and put his hand on her small back and then circled it around her waist in a firm grip... pulling her near him. This small gesture made Khushi feel so safe that she unknowingly rested her head on his shoulder. In reply he said, "It's okay."

Within the next few minutes the lights came back and Arnav had to remove his hand from Khushi's waist, while Khushi grudgingly moved away from him.

Arnav took a look at the time and realized he had spent too much time in the hospital so he told DI he would be leaving now. Di smiled and said, "please make sure you come back and take Khushi home. The weather is horrible now and you better drive carefully." Arnav nodded and looked at Khushi who was standing near the door and did not look very happy. He purposefully went to her and said, "I will be back in a few hours. Take care of Di and Choti. I will drop you home. And ...Khushi take care." His last words pained her. She nodded as Di was present and was pleasantly surprised as he dropped a kiss on her forehead before leaving.

Di smiled with happiness. Chotey was never a person to show affection in front of others but now he had changed. Khushi changed him and he was returning to the normal Chotey she knew before they had to leave Lucknow.

Shyam looked as if he would burst. Arnav was seeming to come closer and closer to Khushi. He had to do something about that.

As she saw him leave Khushi felt sad again. she thought, "why is he playing games with me. Why is he so endearing one moment and so aloof the other? And why was he so caring today? probably wanted to keep Di satisfied that their relationship was good." She sighed and went to DI and played with Choti while DI took her afternoon nap. She sat on the bed so that Shyam would keep his distance from her. She felt repulsed when she recounted their meeting on the balcony. What a characterless man he was. then she looked at Di who might have to go through a lot of pain when she would come to know the truth. And Arnav, he thought she wanted Shyam. How could he think so? How could she solve this problem without hurting anybody?"

"How do I solve this without hurting anybody especially Di." thought Arnav. He had to make sure that the grip that Shyam had on her was slowly but surely removed but how would he go about it was the question. Di loved shyam dearly and there was no way she would leave him unless she came to know the truth. It would leave her heartbroken and in distress which Arnav was not ready to make her go through. He thought for a long time till Aman came and said, "Sir, it is 6 o clock. Would you want me to stay further?" Arnav looked at him and said, "That's ok Aman. The weather is turning bad, Ask everyone to leave for today." Aman looked shocked but nodded outwardly. Arnav sir was changing!

The staff brought juice for Anjali while Khushi ordered tea. Shyam was nowhere to be seen. He left sometime after Arnav had left the hospital. Khushi was happy to see him go.

They were sipping their respective beverages when Arnav arrived. He walked straight in as always and Khushi who looked up to see the sudden entrance choked and spluttered on the tea she was drinking. Arnav immediately went up to her and patted her head slowly and asked her to look up, "careful, look up... there... are you okay now?" He asked with the look of real concern on his face. Khushi nodded.

She was taken aback with the worry that she saw on his face. It looked like he really did care about her. Then again there was Di in the room. She looked at him across the room, he was standing near Choti's small bed and playing with her. He looked at her too but with a smile. Khushi's heart melted. Maybe Choti's arrival was a good thing for everyone including Arnav.

It was 8 o clock when Di confessed she was feeling tired and would retire for the night. Shyam had yet not arrived. Arnav asked the nurse to be on duty while he came back. Di said goodnight to Khushi and slowly fell into deep sleep.

Arnav and Khushi walked towards the parking lot. They got into the car and drove. The raindrops fell in intervals leaving a fresh feeling on their faces. Khushi kept looking at Arnav. He did not look angry, nor did he shout at her. He in fact looked very much deep in thought.

Arnav was fighting his feelings, his heart told him to tell Khushi about his feelings right away and be one with her but his head said, it was necessary that she not be told the truth. Khushi was impulsive and she might blurt away the truth to Shyam which might ruin his plan to bring Shyam back to square one where he needed him to be. And that was the same place where Shyam required Di more than anything else in the world. He looked at Khushi who was trying to figure out his changed attitude and he was enjoying her confusion.

He had wanted to do what he did on the hospital balcony, when she asked about the kulfi. Except he regretted that he could not do it for a longer time, he was afraid he might lose control. Her lips were so soft and inviting. For a moment there he had wanted to kiss her full fledged,...damn the world, ...damn shyam. She was his Khushi and he wanted to love her as much as he wanted to. He had the right!

Soon they arrived at her house. Khushi was still trying to figure out Arnav's behavior. The weather had taken a turn to the worse and it had started to rain a bit more heavily. There was no electricity in the area and the only lights were that of the car.

As Khushi got down, Arnav went up to her side to catch her hand. Khushi looked tired...she could not take this anymore. Just then there was a big clap of thunder which scared her so much that she screamed and hugged Arnav with all her strength. "Arnavji!" she said , "I am so scared."

She half expected Arnav to push her away and take her inside the house, Instead Arnav slowly put his arms around her and hugged her tightly, "It's okay Khushi, I am there now."

Khushi looked up to him, rain falling on her cheeks mingling with her tears. She asked, "Why are you doing this? Why are you playing this game with me? There is no one here to see if you really care for me or not. Then why this charade now?" Saying this she tried to move away but Arnav did not loosen his grip,"

You are right, there is no one here...We are all alone...so I think this would be the right time.." he said

Khushi looked at him puzzled, "To do what?"

He smiled down at her and said, "This...darling" and he brought his lips to meets hers fully and stopped the words which she was trying to say. Khushi wanted to move away and get angry but the touch of his lips were exactly what she had wanted all long since Diwali. What had happened in the hospital Balcony left her thirsting for more. This kiss would quench her thirst at least for now.

He kissed her slowly pulling at her lower lip, teasing her and fanning her want for intimacy. She replied by moving closer and opened her lips further inviting him. He was in control till that time but her response made him further his kiss and this time there was nothing soft and slow about the way he took hold of her lips and made them his own. Khushi could hardly breathe. Time passed as they stood there kissing and holding each other.

It was only when they heard the sound of a horn far off did they realize that they were on the road. They stopped simultaneously and moved a bit away.. looking at each other. Their lips swollen red and wet in the rain that was still continuing to fall. Their desires clearly written on their faces and the control they both were exercising on them selves to not go on further.

Arnav panicked, Khushi might have concluded why he had changed.. this was not what he wanted... so he quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her towards her house. He left her, standing dazed on the patio, while he almost ran back to his car and fled from the scene. Leaving Khushi stunned, pleasured and wanting more.

to be continued...

Chapter:5

Khushi looked at Arnav's retreating back. he had literally fled from there and took off in his car. She tried to control her feelings of surprise. She did not understand why he had acted the way he did. They were doing something they had never done before. Opening up to each other's true feelings, this was new to them. His touch made her feel thrilled and precious. The way he kissed her, there could be no other reason than the fact that he too wanted her the way she wanted him. Yet his departure raised all kinds of questions in her mind. Was he playing games again?

Buaji opened the door to find her niece totally drenched and shivering. She shouted, "Nand kishore, what is wrong with you sankadevi! why are you so wet? and where is Arnav babua? Dd you fight again?... okay! Okay!...don't look at me like that..no more questions...come in now."

Khushi silently went to her room and was lost in thoughts. She was not aware that she had taken a bath and was now sitting, in her night clothes, on her bed. She looked at the air conditioner that he had got fitted the last time they were here. She smiled at the schemes she had made to make him suffer. At least he was honest then. Now a days he was different. The way he touched her, caressed her lips, and held her in his embrace. There was no way she could get any sleep tonight. She had to know why he had kissed her the way he did and she promised herself that she would find out.

Arnav drove fast but carefully. He was on the highway and could hardly see the road. He was moving at a good speed when he noticed a truck coming right on to his car. He tried to avoid the collision but the truck did not turn. So at the last moment he swirled the car into a u turn and got into the wrong lane. The oncoming traffic was dangerous but Arnav was able to pull his car safely into an open spot.

He took deep breaths to calm himself down as adrenaline pumped into him. He knew that was a close call and he also knew that was no accident. Someone had wanted to kill him and he knew exactly who that someone was.

Khushi was looking at her reflection in the mirror for the first time that night. She could not believe what had happened a few minutes before. She was trying to get a grip on her feelings. Elation, depression, fear and love. She was feeling all these at the same time. Just then she felt a cold breeze hit her face. It was as if she was suffocating and was not able to breathe. And the most scary part was when she heard Arnav call her name and saw him walk away in the mist as if in a dream in the reflection of the mirror. Her heart started to beat faster, it was not a good omen. She had this uncontrollable urge to know if he was alright and it had to be now

She quickly picked up her phone and dialed his number, it was ringing but no one picked up. She frantically tried again and again.

Arnav had calmed down enough to pay attention to the silent buzz his phone was giving off as it was in the silent mode. He picked it up to answer without looking at the number.

"Are you okay?" she asked in a panicked voice.

Arnav became alert, "Yes...how did you know...why are you calling me now?"

Khushi replied, "I had to call you. I felt as if something bad was going to happen so I had to call you to be sure that everything was all right. Is everything all right? Are you okay? Are you at home?"

Arnav was stunned. He realized that even though she maybe angry with him. He and Khushi will always remain connected come what may. She had realized he was in danger even before he could. And this was the same girl whose intentions he had doubted all these days. Arnav felt very guilty. At the same time he was happy that Khushi still cared about him and had called him irrespective of their differences.

"Khushi, don't worry it was a small mishap. I am okay."

"Mishap! that means something did happen. Are you safe ?where are you? Why did you not call me? I know it must be due to your speed driving. I have told you so many times to not drive so fast but you don't listen to me at all." Khushi stopped to catch her breath.

Arnav laughed, "Khushi relax. I am okay and am going home. I will call you when I get home. And I will drive slow. Okay? so let me drive now. Bye."

Khushi felt as if a bomb had hit her, "Usually Arnavji would have gotten all angry and shouted at me to relax and stop lecturing him. And now he laughs and tells me that he will drive SLOW! something is wrong here. Terribly wrong!" She kept the phone down, waiting for his call as she sat on her bed thinking about the recent days events.

Arnav reached the hospital as soon as possible. He ran up the steps not waiting for the lift. He reached his DI's room and threw open the door. To his relief, the nurse was reading a magazine while Di was sleeping peacefully and Choti was in her small bed. He heaved a sign of relief and apologized to the nurse for his sudden entry.

"Thank God!" he thought, "thank God that Shyam had the brains to not hurt Di or else I would have made him suffer the most horrible death." Just then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Shyam with his same smug smile, "Don't worry", he whispered "your Di is safe Saalesaab. I have made sure the nurse was here. I am not that an idiot."

Arnav growled, "That I know, you are not stupid enough to kill a hen that lays golden eggs. But then you are far from one aren't you, so maybe I should think of a reason why I shouldn't do what you have done. You are walking a very thin line here Shyam. One more act from you and believe me you will see the consequences. You and that Khushi. I will not forgive anyone." Saying this in whispers, Arnav left after instructing the Nurse to make sure that Di's bodyguards are there throughout the night.

Shyam smiled, "So Arnav still believes Khushi loves me!"

Arnav drove to RM mansion and then remembered he had to call Khushi. He was in two minds. He had misled Shyam by taking Khushi's name but he was sure Khushi would have noticed the change in his behavior towards her. He wanted to very much play the part of the annoyed and hurt husband but he just could not. His heart did not allow him to remain angry at her any more even if it was a false emotion. He had hurt her a lot and he did not want to continue that.

Khushi replayed every part of the day, when he touched her, kissed her forehead, put his hand round her waist and assured her, when he almost kissed her on the balcony and now when he kissed her openly showing how he felt about her. Everything confused her.

This was not the ASR that she knew. He had changed. His behavior had changed. Did he believe her now? Was he convinced that Shyam was not the one she wanted? She kept looking at her phone. He had not called yet. He had promised her...well...sort of. He was under no obligation to contact her. The divorce will soon happen. Her heart turned heavy as she thought of that night at the RM mansion when he told her the reason for their marriage. She bit her nails as she thought.

The phone rang and she picked it up on the first ring.

"Why did it take so long to call me? You said you will call as soon as you reach home. It is almost one hour now and..." Khushi bit her tongue. She had no right to shout at him like that.

"I am sorry. I went to the hospital first to check on Di and then came home. So that's why the delay." he replied. He smiled as he imagined Khushi biting her nails in tension. She always did that.

Khushi was surprised. He had never provided any explanation to her no matter what the circumstances were before. And now he was actually apologizing to her. She said, "I am sorry too. I should have known that you would go and check on Di. I will call her tomorrow as she would be sleeping now."

Arnav agreed, "Yes, that would be a good idea. I will pick you up at nine as usual. so goodnight now. Bye." he cut the call and hung up. He did not want the conversation to turn to tonight's event that happened between them.

Khushi smiled. As usual he was avoiding everything that was emotional. At least this was the ASR she knew.

During the night, Khushi slept fitfully. She had dreams where cars were whizzing past her and Arnav . And she was trying to save herself and him from the oncoming vehicles. One truck had come very near to him but Khushi jumped in front of the truck and screamed as the vehicle was about to hit her. She woke up perspiring. This was not a good dream. She did not mind getting hit but Arnav was in danger. She had to protect him no matter what.

She got ready in haste. Buaji kept chiding her for stuffing food in her mouth instead of eating normally. It was already Nine and Arnav was very punctual. She ran into the room to take a last look in the mirror and as she did so... she remembered the feeling that she had last night of Arnav vanishing in the mist after calling her name. She felt the panic again. As she looked into the mirror she found herself looking straight into his eyes which were puzzled. She immediately felt relief and without realizing she turned around and hugged him tightly.

Arnav was startled at the sudden hug that he received. He understood immediately that she might be thinking of last night's incident. So he too hugged her to comfort her. They stood there in each other's arms without moving. Khushi felt she could stay like this for the rest of her life. Safe and secure in his arms forever.They could feel the rhythm of each other's heartbeats.

"Umm...Oohu..Oohu...," coughed buaji.

to be continued

Chapter Seven: