He lied there, in silence...grief filling up his heart again. He was not alone who was hearing all this...One more poor soul was standing there..who came back just to return Arnav's wallet which had fallen down in his car in the process of taking him home. She stood there, eyes welling up with tears, feeling pity for that poor soul!
La continued," You never called me or messaged me even, asking where I was, what I am doing...Not, for even a single second you worry that why I didn't return?"
Arnav whispered," I called you La. But.."
"Called me? How many times? And, if I didn't, did you ever thought of searching me? Well, I know you wouldn't care...because you already have someone to give company on your bed..", said La🤢
Arnav looked towards her in shock...his jaw drop open. Before he could say anything..
"Mind your Language Mrs. Raizada!", shouted Khushi, appearing from their hall. Both La and Arnav looked towards her.
Khushi continued.." I know, I should not interfere in your matters...but, Do you have any idea how much your husband is doing for you? Do you have any idea, how much he loves you? Do have any idea, that every night, he sleeps without dinner? Do you have any idea, Mrs. Raizada...how much he curse himself, for not being a good husband?"
"Listen you...", Khushi cut-off La's statement.
"You listen Mrs. Raizada! Today, I am not shouting at you, because you thought so cheap about me! I am shouting at you, because you are rejecting, cursing love of such innocent soul. Do you have any idea why he fainted today? It just because of you! He was really happy yesterday...planning how he would spend evening with you..but.. (She paused and wiped her tears) At least he called you, but you, you didn't even care if he had his dinner or not! He didn't had anything this morning and fainted. Instead of caring for him, asking apology from him, you are shouting at him...hurting him more and more", Khushi yelled at her...her voice trembling because of the brimming anger.
Arnav didn't say a word. Inside his heart, he was praising her...admiring her for speaking his heart...giving words to his pain. But, he was tensed about La's ego, which was being hurt by Khushi. He knew that La won't keep her mouth shut and will surely end up hurting Khushi. He finally said Khushi in a polite tone..
"Khushi, pls leave."
"But, sir.."
"Khushi..(He looked up) Pls!", He pleaded.
"Fine!", said Khushi and stomped off from the room, crying simultaneously..not because he asked her to leave, because she feeling really pity on his condition.
There in bedroom, La was fuming with anger. Arnav tried to say something when La blasted again..
"This kind of respect I have! Right!!?? That middle class, narrow minded girl shouted at me and you said nothing?? What kind of husband you are?"
"Listen La.."
Before he could complete his sentence, she stormed out of their bedroom. Arnav anyhow got up from bed and tried to stop her...but she directly made her way out of their house.
Arnav sighed. He knew, it was vain to go out and stop her. He made his way towards his room and rested back on his bed. As she sat there, flashback of recent argument rode back to his mind...how Khushi fought for him..how she became his inner voice. He felt satisfaction, setting in his heart.
While waiting for La to return, Arnav drifted to sleep due to effect of medicine.
*Beep beep*
His cell beamed. He opened his eyes and opened his message inbox.
*Did you take your medicines - Khushi*
Arnav smiled at her concern and typed..
*Yes yes!*
And, glanced at wall clock which showed 6:30 of evening. He removed the blanket and went outside calling for La..
"La"
No response.
"La.." he looked around, only to find her absent from the scene. He again tried her cell, which first kept ringing and on second try was switched off. Arnav sighed again and feeling weak again, made his way towards the room. As soon as he reached his room, his cell beamed again. He opened his message inbox.
*Did you take your evening medicine? And did you had anything?- Khushi*
Arnav smiled again replied..
*I was about to take my medicine. Don't worry!*
He made his way to side table and took his medicine. After 2min, his cell beamed again..
*Did you take it now- Khushi*
Arnav rolled his eyes and replied..
*Yes Madam! Any other instruction? :P *
*No*, Replied Khushi.
Feeling a bit better, Arnav took out his laptop and started working. His cell beamed yet again🥱
*I hope you are not working Mr. Raizada. - Khushi*
'How did she come to know?', thought Arnav.
*Well, yeah. I am feeling much better, so just thought of finishing my work*
Just after 2 sec his cell rang. It was Khushi.
"Hello!", spoke Arnav.
"Hell with your Hello Mr. Raizada! Don't you understand what doctor asked you to do? Are you born brainless?", she barked.
"Listen Khushi..I..", Khushi cut him off.
"What listen? Listen to me, switch off your laptop and snuggle inside your blanket. I don't want any ifs and but. And, ask your Mrs. Egoistic wife to prepare something for you!"
"La is not at home.", he said.
"That was expected!", she said and cut her call.
"Hello..hel...", Arnav said, when she already had cut the call. He rolled his eyes again and got engrossed in his work.
*Ring*
Bell rung, 30 min after Khushi's call.
'It must be La.', thought Arnav and made his way to the door. He opened the door and his jaw dropped as he saw an unexpected figure standing at his door with a big packet.
"Khushii..you?"
"Yah me! So? Now, clear my path!", she ordered. Arnav stood there staring her with shock. Khushi made "what mann" expression and pushed him aside and barged inside his house...leaving Arnav, standing there...still thinking if its really Khushi😕
Khushi turned, rolled her eyes and walked back towards him. She pinched him hard.
"Oww", yelled Arnav.
"Its really me! Now, close the door!", she instructed him and walked towards his kitchen. Arnav followed her like a kid.
"Where are plates?", she asked in a stern tone. He pointed towards the nearby shelf. Khushi quickly took out 2 plates and bowls. After keeping it on nearby counter, she started unpacking things from her big packet. She quickly scooped out veggies from the packing and poured it the bowl, while Arnav kept observing her actions. After she was done, she held his hands and dragged him towards the dinning table and made him sit forcefully.
"Eat!", she barked.
Arnav looked at her, then at the plate.
"Do I need to call a pandit to take out auspicious time for your dinner?", she asked in a sarcastic tone. Quiet scared of her glaring eyes, he quickly plucked the roti and started eating his food.
"Better!", she said and sat down to eat.
"I am not a superwoman, that I can make food so fast. So, I ordered it from outside.", she said, without any enquiry.
"But, I didn't ask anything.", said Arnav, while chewing.
"So? Can't I say without your asking?", she said.
She continued.." I knew, that your madam won't do anything for you! Silly lady! I don't know, how can you fall in love with her? I mean, I really doubt that you had love marriage."
As soon as Khushi said this, Arnav hands stopped near his mouth. He softly put the broken piece of roti, back on plate and became serious.
"I never loved La.", he declared. Khushi looked at him with shock.
He continued, " I belonged to a middle class family. It was not easy for my dad to collect money for my higher education. Being a brilliant student I always aimed at getting higher studies. At that time, La's dad who was a professor in my dream university, recognised my talent and helped me with financially. That time La was studying in abroad. When I finished up with my studies, she came to India and became good friends. We began hanging around together. Three months later, she confessed to her dad that she likes me and his father kept proposal in front of me. I always liked her as a friend and accepting her as my wife was not possible for me."
He paused for a while.
Then again continued, "But, suppressed under the favour of her dad, I agreed to marry her. I thought that I would eventually fall in love with her, once we are married...but things turned out to be worse. After marriage, I saw a very different La...or probably, I have a changed a lot! "
Arnav's eyes were filled with tears. Khushi slowly kept her hands on his shoulder and whispered.." I am sorry, I.." and before she could complete, door bell rang!
Both looked at each other...fear covering them..
"LAVNYA!" both said in unison, quiet assured that it was La standing outside the door..🥱
Precap : Escaping from Mrs. Raizada😆
Edited by Gazal.. - 12 years ago
Debate Mansion
