ARHI SS : Trapped-Thread 1 - Page 22

For a few minutes Arnav was frozen with fear. Was she alive? The prospect sent a chill down his spine. He did not recognize this helpless feeling that swept him again.

He still remembered the first time he had felt that fear when he had endangered her, back in Simla.

He remembered everything that had happened then, as vividly as if it was yesterday.

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She had narrowly missed death then. What if she did not survive the calamity this time?

Fear gave force to his actions. Rushing forward, he felt her pulse. He could sense rather than feel his sense of temporary relief. As fleetingly as it came, the relief faded, because Khushi did not wake up despite all his attempts.

How long had she lain there? What had happened? The lack of knowledge added to his fear and worry. Gathering her fragile form in his arms, he rushed to his SUV.

It was almost an hour later that Arnav had any rational thought. This was after the doctor proclaimed, 'Extreme exhaustion, plus no food taken in the last 48 hours. Mr Raizzada, what has caused this state of collapse?' the doctor asked curiously, looking at the young man opposite him.

Arnav could not meet the eyes of the doctor. Had Khushi's parents and he completely forgotten she was a human being the person they all had turned their hatred to?

She had not eaten for two days? And not a single soul had asked her if she had?

Something uncomfortable stirred within his heart as he realized that of the 48 hrs, 24 had been with him.

Suddenly he realized how vulnerable she was. He could throw her out, and she would have nowhere to go. He could hurt her and there was no one to fight for her. He could just be a beast to her and she had no choice but to put up with it.

She was quite literally his prisoner and he had treated that way.

Shame engulfed him. If not a wife, he could treat her as a human being.

He may not love her. But didn't she deserve basic human courtesy.

Yes she did, no matter what she had done and how wrong she had been.

He resolved he would be civil to her, courteous even. They may never be close to being a husband and wife, ever. But, if they had to live under the same roof, civility and basic human courtesy was needed

When he approached her, she was half conscious. She was saying something. As he strained his ears to hear he could distinctly hear his name 'Arnavji---'.

Curious he bent forward to hear what she was saying.

'Arnavji---food----did not eat----' she was muttering.

For the second time in the day he felt ashamed. She thought he had not eaten food? And she had not eaten either.

Memories of the time he had done the same came back to his mind.

Why had he done it then? And why had she done it now?

He looked at her tired face. Her skin looked pale. Her lips were dry. Her hair was disheveled. Yet no one could deny that despite all this, she was the most gorgeous woman in the world.

Pity that she was married to him. Pity she had schemed to marry him. Some poor besotted fool would be happy being her husband, perhaps. What a waste of her own life that she was married to him, he thought.

She stirred then and her wide eyes looked straight into his. As soon as her eyes met his, they fluttered close, as if to wish him away.

'How are you feeling?' he asked her.

She was silent.

'Khushi are you crazy to starve without food?' he asked, genuinely upset that she had denied herself food because of him.

Silence.

Realizing he was not going to get an answer out of her, he got up and began pacing the room.

' I want you to understand this Khushi.

I may not love you now or ever. I may not want you as a wife now or ever. But I am not a monster. I can never hurt another human being.

So, from now on, let us be civil to each other. I will look out for you and take care of you because I have never walked away from my responsibilities.

I won't hurt you. Not intentionally at least. And you can live your life with ease.

Don't expect anything from me and I don't expect anything from you either.

Let's just live in peace,' he concluded.

Silence.

He turned around to see her looking out of the window.

'Did you hear me?' he asked.

She nodded in acknowledgement.

Her silence irked him. But he let it go as she was ill.

They discharged her after 2 more hours, advising sleep and good food. When they got back home, Khushi attempted to climb the stairs and walk up to the bedroom. But her feet shook and she almost collapsed, but strong hands held her then.

In a minute she was lifted off her feet and nestled close to a strong chest.

She listened to his steady heart beat as he climbed the stairs, with her in his arms.

His heart beat like every normal human being. Yet why didn't it beat for her?

He was not a brute or a monster, she knew. But why did he become a monster to her so often?

He was being nice out of pity. Would he ever be nice due to love?

Did their forced marriage stand a chance, when he was not interested in making it work and she had no will to make it work against his wishes?

A thousand questions plagued her mind and she closed her eyes in exhaustion.

Gently she felt herself being lowered into a bed. She looked around to realize it was his bed.

Alarmed, she got up and tried to rush out. But he pushed her back against the pillows.

'Rest Khushi. The doctors want you to get sleep. From now on, you can have the bed. I will sleep on the couch.

And yes, freshen up, if you want to.

Meanwhile, I will get you some food,' he said and walked away from the room.

When he came back, having put together food from a lot of readymade packers, he did not find her in the bed. Annoyed at her, for not listening to him, he looked around and did not find her.

This was becoming a habit. It was almost like playing hide and seek with her everyday.

And then he heard a noise from the poolside. Surprised he headed there.

Khushi had bathed and changed into some weird old pyjamas and a kurta. Her hair was caught up in pig tails. She had created a makeshift bed by the poolside and was sitting on it.

'What the hell is going on Khushi. I told you that you can take the bed. I will use the couch. Are you determined to be difficult?' he asked angrily.

For the first time in days, he saw some emotion on her face, other than sadness. And this time it was anger.

'What makes you think I will take what you give me out of pity and not because it is my right?

I may not be as rich as you, but I have my dignity.

As long as I am your wife in name only, I will not stake any claim to your money, your bed or your belongings.

I will never try to stake a claim on your heart and your emotions either.

And I will never accept any of these if they are given to me due to pity and not love.

Thank you Arnavji, but no thank you.

I am happy by the poolside and you are welcome to the bed---'