POST-ARSHI MARRIAGE PT 22-24 THODASA INTEZAAR

Part 22 - Is it Wrong???

Arnav understands what she is going through coming to terms with her feelings as a woman, she was still a child in many ways. "Khushi, when I am with you, there is nothing you need to be afraid of, or shy away from okay. You are such a weird girl, you are such a strong and bold girl and now so shy and coy." He puts his arm around her shoulder, and says "now no more crying, you are coming home in a few days. Of course I don't mind taking you home right now, but I want you to cherish all those moments any girl would want from her wedding." Arnav gets up and tells her he has to leave now, it's too late. Khushi stands, he plants a kiss on her forehead as always and reluctantly leaves her room.

On his way out he is greeted by Babuji. They chat for a while and then Arnav leaves.

Khushi gathers her thoughts. What happened to her, why did she behave like that with him? How could she explain the feelings he arouses in her, when he touches her, when he kisses her. Every part of her yearned for him...she felt so incomplete right now. What would he think of her now? She tosses and turns. Nothing really mattered now, she did not want any wedding, or rituals or anything. She just wanted to be in his arms. It was her longest night.

Arnav sat in the car and drove home. He went straight into his room, changed and dropped himself on to the bed. She felt so right, every part of her felt so right. He needed her so badly, next to him. He wanted to kiss away her fears, her inhibitions. He wanted to bring out the woman in her. He felt so helpless and incomplete right now.

He got restless, threw the pillow away and got up and sat on the laptop till his weary eyes gave way. Sleep eluded him. It was his loneliest night.

It was a Monday and a busy day. The Sagai preparations and arrangements at Sheesh Mahal were being carried out in full splendor and grandeur.

Arnav got away from it all, and drove to the office. He asked Aman to take care of things, for he would not come for a week. He was available on the phone.

Arnav drove to the Rizwi jewelers and met with Mr. Mathur. After about half an hour he called Khushi.

"Hi goodmorning Khushi, kasi hoh." Khushi answered hurriedly, "Arnav...ji I am busy right now, will talk to you later. Bye." and disconnects the call.

Arnav is irked by her behavior. What happened? Here he misses her, and she doesn't really bother about him, or was she avoiding talking to him about last night, just in case he brought up the subject.

He knew her too well by now, she was avoiding talking to him. Arnav thought never mind he would give her some time to get over it.

He drove back to Sheesh Mahal and was completely occupied all day with the contractors who had not completely the finishings of the elaborate bathrooms. They promised everything would be done by tomorrow. He was mad as hell and almost raging like a bull.

Anjali noticed it and asked "Chote kya hua...itna gussa kyun...sab kaam complete ho jayega! promise kiya hai na!"

At that time the phone rang, he looked at the screen it was Khushi, he walks away from Anjali and goes to his room, "Hai bolo Khushi, ab phursat mili aap ko, humse baat karne ki?"

Khushi simply softly asks him, "Did you have lunch or not? You have been busy too?" Her voice calmed him and he realized he was taking out his frustrations on her and it wasn't fair. "Sorry Khushi I did not, what about you, have you eaten?"

"No I haven't, not yet." Khushi says good then, "I have sent some karela vegetable for you from home with the driver and some puris. Please eat."

"Why do you worry for me so much?" Arnav asked softly. Khushi simply stated, "Why not? Am I not your wife? If I don't who should? Katrina Kaif!"

Arnav burst out laughing, "Khushi you are still jealous, oh gosh Khushi, I was never so mad with Salman, when you put up those stupid posters."

They talk a bit and then Arnav goes to have lunch sent by Khushi. He relishes her food and then goes to his room to rest. He was tired as hell. And was feeling a bit low. He shouldn't have skipped breakfast.

TO be continued.

Part 23 -Something precious

He lay in bed and his thoughts were again filled of her. He didn't want to enter the room now, until she was here permanently, but where could he escape. This was his den, where he could think and cry for her.

This was the house where destiny had united them. Di came to check on him, and found him sleeping like a child, her Chote. She knew he was restless, and a weary soul until Khushi was back in his life. Anjali sighed and walked away.

The sun cast its evening shadow on the room. Arnav got up hurriedly. How did he fall asleep? There was so much to do. Got up and showered and went to Di and Naniji. They updated him on everything. He would go and visit her.

At Babuji's place, it was chaos, filled with fun and laughter. The verandah was filled with women sitting and singing and playing the dholak. Flowers were being put up everywhere. There was joy everywhere. The place was lit up. And then his eyes fell on her. Her hair tied and placed on one side of her shoulder. She was wearing a very pretty pink churidaar and she was busy arguing with her Maasi to let her do something. Maasi was arguing, that no since she was the dulhan she was not allowed to do anything. Instead the whole neighborhood was there to help.

Khushi turns and sees him standing at the threshold of the house. Her heart races at the sight of him. All the women stare too. What was the dulhe raaja doing here? they ask each other.

Maasi came up to him, "Beta aap yahan, kyun dulhan se mile bina din nahi kat ti?"

'Main Babuji se milne aaya hun, agar dulhan mere samne aiye toh main kya kar sakta hun" said Arnav

And he walks straight past her, greets the elders and goes to Babuji. Shashiji bids him to sit and they talk.

Khushi is left standing there, but she thinks fine, I will not go and see him inside the house.

She goes into her room. Payal and she start sorting her things out in preparation for the Sagai and the following events. But her mind is distracted. It has been almost two hours, and he did not come into her room. It was almost dinner time.

Amma called out to them both, to serve dinner and keep the table ready. The neighbours had all gone. So Khushi walked out along with Payal, and her eyes searching and seeking out Arnav.

She did not enquire about him to Babuji. Just went about cleaning the plates and placing the mats on the table. Her heart sank. She lifts her gaze he was right there beside her. She could have dropped the plate hadn't Arnav steadied her and taken the plate from her hand. Just then Payal walks to the table with the dishes.

Khushi walks away and goes into the kitchen deliberately. She comes back a few minutes later with some more dishes and goes about laying the table.

Everyone had taken their seats, and Khushi is left sitting next to him. Babuji nudging Khushi says, "Are Titalya, Damadji ko khana lagao." Arnav says, "No, first let her serve Babuji and the rest of you. Khushi will be here with you only for a few days. I am taking something very precious from you all, though treasured by me will always belong to you. "

To be continued

Part 24 - Thodasa intezaar

Khushi looks at him with tears about to flow from the corner of her eyes. Babuji realizes that Khushi would now start to cry so says Khushi, "bhook lagi hai Khushi jaldi karo hmmm".

Khushi gets going and serves everyone. At last she serves Arnav too. They all have dinner laughing and joking and Arnav looks on at this family whom he had come to love and respect more than anything else. He not only found his love, but the love of her parents and an aunt who always had her arms open for a bear hug.

Then Buaji spoke, "Arnav beta abb shaadi tak aap Titalya se nahi mil sakte hai samjiho. Bus do char dino ki baat hain. Thoda sabar karna padega."

Khushi smiles, remembering the New Year's night, and how they had ended up seeing each other.

Arnav asks her what was so funny. She said nothing with her mouth full of food. But she just couldn't help giggling. It irked him, but she just ignored him.

Dinner was done. And they turned in for the night. Arnav said he would leave too, and bid everyone a good night.

Khushi walks him to the verandah and the garden gate. He is about to say bye, when Khushi says, "Arnavji...Arnav...aap theek nahi lag reh hai aaj, kya hua, aap ne dawa lih, aap ka sugar!" with a frown on her face.

She just knew he didn't seem okay. "Nothing Khushi I am fine don't worry."

"No you are no telling me the truth. Please I must know." insisted Khushi, holding on to his arm.

Arnav assured her, "Don't worry Khushi I am fine now, ok...ok was feeling a bit weak this afternoon. Hadn't slept all night and I forgot to have breakfast this morning."

"Arnavji" she raised her voice with concern and worry, "kya aap theek nahi ho aur aap ne mujhe batana zaroori nahin samjha."

Arnav tenderly replies, "Shhh Khushi sweetheart. I am okay. Nothing to worry honestly." And holds her hand against his heart, "I am sorry I did not call and tell you. I just missed you so much last night, I couldn't sleep,... and I do not know how these few nights will pass without you."

She saw the sadness there and the tiredness, "Arnavji...I will be there soon, why did you want the wedding and all that, I would have come home sooner. Promise me you will have your meals on time and the medications."

"Promise I will, just for you, okay"...she goes into his arms willingly. He hugs her back. He kisses her on the forehead and shoos her off into the house.

Khusi walks back into the house and turns once again to look at his retreading back.

To be continued

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