ARHI SS : Trapped-Thread 1 - Page 59

As he leaned down to kiss her, his hands sliding on her scarred arms gently, Khushi shivered. She forgot the whole world and all her pain in the magic of his touch.

The rhythmic movement of his hands on her arms, soothed the ache. His warm lips touching her skin, made her feel beautiful.

But the feeling lasted only till he leaned down to kiss her. Instantly she remembered all his words 'What gave you the impression I cared for you?' I hope you did not read too much into the kisses'

Words he had said not even 3 days back floated back to her---

'You will never be my wife in the true sense of the word.

You will remain alone.

You will cry every day that you ever had a crush on me.

You will regret you ever met me.

Because I hate you--

I hate people who manipulate and cheat to get their way---

Abruptly she jerked away No---no you should not. You cannot do this,' she said and pulled away from him.

Arnav looked at her in surprise and asked Khushi I am only trying to make you feel how beautiful you are,' he said.

Khushi got up from the bed and walked towards the French windows facing the pool side. With her back to him she said ,'And what will happen after the kiss Arnav? You will say it meant nothing. You will say I was just comforting you'.

I am not you Arnav. My values are different. In my world, people kiss to express undying love. In my dreams, the prince kisses the princess.

I can't handle meaningless intimacies, whatever be the cause. For me, when a man touches me without any emotion, it makes me feel just as used as those thugs made me feel.

I am sorry, but that's what I feel,' she said emphatically.

Stung by her comparison of his genuine care with the cruel attempts by her molesters, Arnav got up from the bed angrily and marched towards her.

So, for you, your husband and the thugs are the same?' he asked.

She shook her head No. The intentions may be different. But the end result is the same. I feel cheap because there is no respect for me at the end of all this,' she said.

He did not expect her rejection to sting so much. But it did. His touch made her feel cheap? He wanted to rage and rant at her.

But given her delicate frame of mind, he simply said, I will keep this in mind. I will never attempt to cheapen you. Now, let me go and get some food for you. And please don't do anything further to hurt yourself. Please ----.'

With that he turned around and left the room.

She watched him go, with tears in her eyes. The fact was, she wanted to be his, in every sense of the word. But then, she wanted it all---love, romance, sweet words, respect.

She knew he did not feel any of these for her. All he felt was sympathy and she was too proud to want it.

Life was strange. She had her dream man in her life, as her husband. But she could not live a single dream with him.

She did not know how long she was lost in her private hell, It was only when she heard the pitter patter of tiny feet that she realized a small child had entered the room.

He had curly hair and round button like eyes. The child was hardly four years old, as it seemed.

Enthusiastically he came close to her, 'Hi,' he said.

Hi baby' Khushi said softly.

I am richick---ma calls me riseek"you can can call me Richie--- he said and solemnly extended his hand for shaking.

Gently Khushi took his hand and kissed it,'And you know who I am?' she asked.

Yeah "you are mami. I was sick na for shaadi, so I came to meet you now,' he said smiling at her.

Khushi's heart flipped for the innocent child. She bent down and scooped him in her arms Nice to meet you richie' she said and kissed him.

Don't tell anyone I came here without knocking the door. Mamu and Ma will scold me,' he said.

I promise. I won't. But how did you know I would be her?" she asked.

Ma said when I come home, there will be a surprise at home or Mamu's room.I will have a new Mami. So, I came to check,' he explained solemnly.

So, now that you have seen me, do you like me?' she asked.

The child tilted his head to one side and considered the question. Then declared, Yes. You are sweet. But you have to good to me everyday. Promise?' he asked.

Promise Richie,' she smiled and kissed him again.

Just then the heard a woman's voice screaming, Rishik. You brat. Don't tell me you are in Mama's room

Anjali then came in.

Khushiji. How are you. Hope Rishik did not disturb you,' she said apologetically, smiling at her sister-in -law.

Khushi smiled back warmly, Not at all. He is such an angel,' she said, ruffling his hair.

Angel? You must be kidding me. He is such a brat. You will get to know gradually,' Arnav said, entering the room and smiling at his nephew fondly.

Khushi saw the smile transform his face.

He looked so much younger and warmer.

Mami. Kans mama calls me a brat. I am not a brat,' he said.

I am sure you are not. And he is not kans mama either. So I think both of you should drop the name tags and call each other by your real titles,' she smiled at the child and then at Arnav.

First tell mamu to promise and I won't' Risheek said.

Khushi looked at Arnav over the child's head You promise right?' she asked.

Ok. But one last time---brat brat brat' Arnav teased the child.

Risheek said then, 'One last time---Kans mama, Kans mama, Kans mama,' and as the family erupted into laughter, Arnav's eyes met Khushi's.

Looking at her, Arnav could not imagine a scheming, selfish person. He could see her genuine joy with her nephew, her innate warmth.

For a moment, he wondered, if he had misjudged her. Had there been any compelling reasons for her to trick him into marriage? If so what could it be? Was it Rohan?

He had to know.

He had to get to the bottom of this.

Perhaps she was innocent?

In the next few days, the thought grew in his mind as he watched Khushi bond with Anjali and Risheek.

She was a perfect sister-in-law, aunt and wife.

She missed nothing when it came to any of them.

Before he was up, his clothes would be neatly ironed.

She would bring his green tea after he freshened up.

She would have his breakfast ready just in time for him to eat.

She would send his lunch through HP, dot at lunch time.

When he came back, she would have his favorite black coffee ready.

For dinner, she would always check what everyone wanted and cook it herself---

He often wondered if there was anything she missed.

For Risheek, she was a playmate and a friend.

They watched silly cartoons, did silly painting, splashed water and played like two kids.

For his sister, she was a perfect friend and confidante---

And having seen her each day he began to wonder if he was convinced he had been wrong about her, when things changed all over again, on the day he checked his add on credit card and saw that Khushi had made a purchase for a whopping 1 lakh rupees in a jewellery shop---