Arshi SS: Love or Marriage Pt8, Pg 67, 26/01 - Page 25

Oh my!

I want Arnav and khushi to be toghether! I knows ow its a touchy topic!

Sigh...

miss reading it

I could not send a PM...you have exceeded the limit...

But thanks for your response...I will be looking forward to the updates...Also since you said you did some research on Viraf...I am sure you must have seen Mahi Way..if you haven't please do...

its short and sweet 25 epi...and the best creation ever...

thanks

Her heart was beating fast; she could feel him standing behind her, his warm breath against her neck. She closed her eyes and curled her hands in fists. She shuddered, as she felt his fingers along her waist. Her throat became dry; she was shivering. She turned around and threw her arms around him and held him close, pressing herself against his chest. She burst into a smile; it felt right, hugging him. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up to meet his. Her smile disappeared; Arnav.

Khushi woke up with a start and sat up on the bed, breathing heavily, sweating profusely. She looked to her side; Shyam was still sleeping. She slowly got off the bed and walked to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and got herself a glass of cold water. As she sipped the water, she looked at the time; it was almost 4am. She kept the glass on the kitchen counter and closed her eyes; she saw Arnav again. Her eyes flew open. She leaned against the kitchen counter, her eyes filled with tears.

What is wrong with you Khushi? How can you keep thinking about him? You are married. This is wrong. Her eyebrows narrowed. Is it? Is it wrong? Have you ever had any feelings for your husband ever? Hmm.. maybe. He has always been there for you, Khushi. Who would have married you otherwise? You were nothing; you had no one. You owe him and his mother your life.

Khushi walked to the living room and sat on the sofa. She leaned down and took an album from under the table. It was her wedding album. They didn't have a grand wedding; they had gotten married in front of Devi Maiyya, only Sunita and her friend had been present. Khushi looked at a picture of a blushing bride, dressed in a green lehenga. Sunita had spent a lot of money on Khushi's bridal lehenga; she wanted Khushi to have the best she could afford.

Khushi's eyes teared up, as she touched the photograph of Sunita kissing her forehead. Khushi gulped as she saw the next picture; it was a picture of her on the bed in Shyam's room. The room had been decorated with rose petals and fairy lights; Khushi had waited nervously for Shyam. She had always seen Shyam as an elder brother, but ever since she had agreed to marry Shyam, Khushi had tried her best to love and care for him like a wife. She waited, and she waited, still dressed in her bridal lehenga, her hands around her knees, her dupatta over her blushing face. A few hours later Shyam had entered the room. He walked in, took one look at her and walked into the bathroom. When he came out few minutes later, he walked past her, got into the bed and switched off the light.

Khushi remembered the four months that she had spent as Shyam's wife. One month in India and then three months in Texas. He never spoke to her. He never looked at her. But he made sure she had food and a home; he never hesitated to give her money when she needed some. Khushi was happy; she was used to being alone in her life and she knew for Sunita's sake, she would find happiness in being alone for the rest of her life with Shyam.

Khushi closed the album and exhaled deeply. But now, she felt like she didn't have to be alone .. Arnav. She had seen him once after their first meeting a week ago. Lavanya had called her two days after they first met and she had spent the afternoon with her, shopping and cooking. She had invited Khushi to watch a movie with the gang later that week. So yesterday, Khushi had gone for a movie with Arnav, Lavanya and NK. During the movie, Khushi and Arnav had reached for the popcorn at the same time and Arnav had grabbed Khushi's hand instead, accidentally. Their eyes met in the dark and Khushi pulled her hand out of his a second later. The rest of the evening had been awkward. Why? Khushi didn't understand. This was not the first time she had held someone's hand before. When NK had introduced her to the rest of their gang, everyone had shook hands with her. Then why did affect her when Arnav held her hand? Khushi shivered again. And then the dream.

Khushi, you have to stop thinking about him. This is not right. You are married. You have to stop. But, Arnav .. there was something about him. Even yesterday before the movie, she had spent hours talking to him. She never knew she could talk so much, but with him, she was a different person.. happy and carefree. She used to feel comfortable with Sujata, but Sujata had been her goddess, someone she worshipped. She never spoke much, she only listened and learned. Arnav on the other hand was a friend? What was he? She didn't know. She looked at the album in her hand again.

Whatever he is, he has no place in your heart. She kept the album aside. You will not see him ever again. She exhaled deeply as she stood up and walked back to the bed.

That evening, Khushi looked at the clock; it was almost 6pm. Shyam will be home soon. She had stayed at home all day, read books, done laundry, cleaned the house, watched some tv. She had tried her best not to think about Arnav; though in vain. She closed her eyes and put her hands together in prayer, in front of the smiling picture of the goddess. Hey Devi Maiyya, help me forget him. Help me be a good wife to Shyamji and a good daughter-in-law to Ma. The door opened; Khushi's face lit up. Shyam was home.

There was something different about Shyam today. There was a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He closed the front door, placed his briefcase on the sofa and walked towards her. Khushi watched him, her eyes opened wide. He stood right in front of her and smiled again. He slowly touched her face; she closed her eyes.

"Khushi", his voice made her eyes fly open. She looked into his eyes and burst into a smile. She threw her arms around him and cried. Shyam smiled and caressed her hair. She didn't know why she was happy; it was not that she loved Shyam, but somehow she felt that Devi Maiyya gave her a chance to have a happy life with Shyam.

"Khushi, here, I want you to wear this. Let us go out for dinner." Khushi pulled away and looked at Shyam. He had a package in his hand. She took it from him and opened it to reveal a transparent black saree. She smiled and ran into the bathroom to change.

She stepped out of the bathroom, the transparent saree showing off her gorgeous curves. She had applied light makeup, the way Lavanya had shown her a few days ago.

Shyam was sitting on the bed. He smiled as Khushi walked into the bedroom. He signaled her to come sit next to him on the bed. She walked and sat next to him. He tucked her hair behind her ear. Khushi shifted on the bed, uneasily. She gulped. His finger slowly moved along her cheek, down her neck and all the way to her shoulder next to her pallu. She gulped and looked at Shyam.

"Shyamji, we should leave for dinner soon, right?" She started to get up from her bed, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back on the bed.

"Dinner can wait." He put his hand around her neck and pulled her close. Khushi closed her eyes. She tried not to think about what was about to happen. She grabbed her saree and closed her eyes shut tightly. Just as she felt Shyam's breath on her lips, there was the loud sound of thunder and she screamed and hugged him. She opened her eyes and pulled away. She smiled, embarassed.

She looked at Shyam and said, "I am sorry. I .. I am scared of thunder."

Shyam had a faint smile on his face, as he nodded and took her pallu in his hand. Khushi's eyes opened wide and she gulped. Shyam slowly removed the pallu off her shoulder and Khushi opened her eyes. Before she knew it, Shyam had pushed her down on the bed. Her eyes flew open and she saw him removing his belt.

Khushi sat up suddenly and started to say something, when Shyam screamed. "Shut up. Let's get this done with. My mom wants grandkids, and that's what we will give her."

"Shyamji, I.. Shyamji, but why are you.."

"I said quiet." He barked at her, as he slapped her face. Tears rolled down her face, as she kept her hand on her cheek. He moved away, and pulled the belt off his pants.

Khushi, tears streaming down her cheeks, shook her head and started to get off the bed, as Shyam took his pants off. He looked up as Khushi ran to the bedroom door. "Where are you going? Sit down." He screamed after her. Khushi took her bag from the table next to the door, opened the front door and ran out. She kept running until she reached the Metro station. She ran down the stairs and into the station. She swiped the ticket and ran into the platform just as the train rolled in. She jumped into the train and collapsed onto the seat, panting, scared. As the train rolled out of the station, she looked at the platform, he hadn't followed her. She leaned against the seat and closed her eyes.

Suddenly she sat up straight and her eyes opened wide. She didn't realize that she had run away from home. When she was a kid, she used to run to Sujata every time her parents hit her. But now, where will she go? Suddenly, it struck her. What have you done, Khushi? What will you tell Ma? What will Ma think? She will be heartbroken. But Shyamji hurt you. If you have stayed there.. but what will I tell Ma? But how could Shyamji do this to me? No, maybe he didn't mean to. Maybe, I should go back. Yes, I will go back. She wiped her tears and she touched her cheek as she felt her burning cheek. What if he hurts me again? No.. he won't. Even if he does.. maybe you should just stay quiet and suffer. What other option do you have?

The doors opened at the next station. Khushi got up and started to move to the door, when suddenly she came face-to-face with Lavanya.

"Khushi? What you doing at this stop?" Lavanya asked, surprised to see her getting off at the station.

"La, I.. missed the earlier stop.." But Khushi stopped as Lavanya quickly asked, "Khushi are you alright? Were you crying? And why is your cheek red?" Lavanya's eyes opened wide. "Did someone slap you? Your husband?"

Khushi shook her head. Just then the announcement came about the doors closing, and Khushi quickly stepped out to the platform. Lavanya followed Khushi and grabbed Khushi's arm.

"Tell me what happened?" Khushi looked away, but Lavanya dragged her to the seat nearby. Khushi looked up, and a tear rolled down.

Arnav threw a ball of crumpled paper on the floor. He had been trying to compose a song since morning, but he couldn't concentrate. He was frustrated; he couldn't stop thinking about Khushi. He wanted to see her, but how? She had told him she would call him today, but why hadn't she called? Was she not well? Was she in trouble? So what if she is? Her husband will take care of her, dammit. He kept his guitar on his bed and walked to the kitchen. He opened the shelves and took out a pressure cooker, poured some water in it. He took out a few potatoes and started peeling the skin off. Suddenly he felt a breeze; his eyes opened wide and he looked at the door. He put the potatoes down and ran to the door of his apartment and pulled it open.

Outside stood Lavanya, about to knock on the door .. and with her, Khushi!

So it's been 3 months since I updated this. Sorry it took me so long! I had so much planned for this story, but now I will just try to finish it in 2 more updates. I hope you liked it, please leave comments and let me know!

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