Khushi did not slept a wink that night. After the crying had subsided, she thought back to the clause her Dad had inserted while finalizing the marriage with Arnav.
'My daughter has foolishly fallen under your charms Mr Raizada, while for you, she is nothing.
I know you won't lose a chance to divorce her or annul this marriage.
Her actions may have brought me shame and even grief. But, she is still my daughter. I can't have her out in the streets a few days after marriage.
Yes the society will gossip about her and us. But more importantly, her future will be insecure. Therefore, I am inserting a clause that both of you cannot file for divorce before a year.
You may ask why only a year.
Well the reason is simple, in a year you both will know whether you want to be with each other. If you treat her harshly, she will have the option of filing for divorce. And even if you divorce, she will get more alimony and some more of your property. This will ensure that whether you are her husband, or whether we take her back, she will have enough money to lead a life.
Much as I hate my daughter for what she has done, I am a father at heart. And I cannot have my child becoming a divorcee and a destitute at one shot.
So, even when you leave her, my daughter can still make a life for herself. If you fail to comply by my rules and do not sign this contract, I won't hesitate to drag you to the courts and media,' Sashi Gupta had declared.
Arnav had not given in, at first. But he had finally signed, with the threats looming large on him. He had told her If only I did not have my Di and my reputation, which I have worked so hard to build, I would have never signed. Never!'
Khushi closed her eyes to shut out the bitter memories. 'Oh Papa. What have you done? Don't you know I will never fight him? Don't you know I will never take his money? Don't you know I wanted his love only and nothing else? Be it a year or a decade, I can never hurt Arnav. Why didn't you realize this Papa?'
Finally when she slept it was at the crack of dawn---
But the new day after their confrontation brought in a gap between them, which widened as the days sped by.
It was more a result of Khushi's conscious efforts to avoid her husband while still trying to fulfill all her duties as a wife.
Sitting in his couch that day, nearly a month after the fight, he realized he hardly ever saw her. She was like a presence he could sense but could never see.
He could feel her presence in her small toiletry items in the bathroom and the dressing table, the neatly ironed clothes laid out for him, his fully charged mobile, his packed lunch boxes, his fresh morning coffee, his evening green tea---
He had tried to see her by staying awake or waking up early. But she never stepped into his room. Where did she sleep?
Using her job as a pretext, she was never at the breakfast table too. And when he came home for dinner, she was always informed by Anjali that Khushi was tired and retired early.
He had come home early a few times, to talk to her, but he had been informed she was away at work. On the weekends too, it was no different. She worked on Saturdays. And on Sundays she took off early to an orphanage she worked for and came home late night.
On the rare occasions they had bumped into each other, she had practically shrunk into herself and moved past him like a scared rabbit.
Unknown to himself a part of him felt the void. He had tried to dismiss it, at first. But over the month the void had grown. He had become used to her, he concluded. Nothing great! He chided himself. It was normal, he concluded.
However, his thoughts often wondered to her.
Where was she working?
Who was her boss?
Was it safe?
Even though she travelled by the car, he did not know how safe her work place was.
And---was she happy? Did she eat well? Did she sleep well?
He hated himself for caring, but he was human and he always knew cared for others more than himself.
Anjali had observed the duo with rising concern. Khushi had confided partly in her. She had said, Di. Arnav is very temperamental. He often blows up on me.
I am beginning a new job. I can't handle both the stress in my life. So, I want to avoid Arnav till I am comfortable with my job and responsibilities.
I need your help.'
Anjali had been hesitant, at first. If anyone knew how painful a strained marital bond can be, it was Anjali. 4 years with a money-minded, conniving husband, had reduced her to a zombie. It was only her son, who had given her the zest to live.
But she had always had dreams for her Chotey's life. She had wanted to see him find happiness in his married life because he had been suffered bitterly due to his parents' separation and their mother's harsh attitude towards him.
When he married Khushi, Anjali had been ecstatic. She knew the marriage was brought about due to some strained circumstances. But she knew, instinctively, Khushi was the perfect girl for Arnav.
She had always known, her brother would make a difficult husband, because of his views on love, marriage and human beings.
But Anjali had taken one look at Khushi and known that her innocence, beauty and goodness would make her brother think differently.
But things were going from bad to worse. Arnav and Khushi hardly spoke to each other. They avoided each other as if their life depended on it. If things continued this way, Anjali knew that their marriage was headed for disaster. She had to do something. But what? May be a talk would help? But would just mere talking resolve things? She had to try.
Of the two, she knew Khushi was more approachable and prone to listen. So, Anjali decided to talk to her---
That evening as Khushi was in the guest room, which was where she holed up in to avoid Arnav, Anjali approached her.
Khushiji, do you have a few minutes?' Anjali asked gently.
Sure Di, tell me. Do you need something? Are you Ok? Is Richie ok?' Khushi asked, concerned for her loving sister in law.
No Khushiji. We are fine. I am here to talk about you and Chotey,' she said.
Immediately Khushi's face fell and she turned away with a Sure Di,' muttered under her breath.
khushiji, it is ok if you don't want to talk,' Anjali said, looking at Khushi's reaction.
No Di. Please tell me,' she said turning back to face her sister in law.
Khushiji I know my Chotey is not the best husband. In fact, far from it. That is why I was apprehensive about his married life.
I always knew he would resist marriage, love and all those trappings.
He successfully evaded these till he married you.
He never did any of the stuff normal boys of his age do---run after girls, date them, wine and dine them---He remained a loner and he hates the man-woman bond with a passion.
The reason is, his own family.
I don't know if he told you about our parents. Did he?' she asked.
Yes Di, he did,' she said, remembering the sordid details of his childhood and growing up years.
Flashback from M&O: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3524206/the-mirage-and-oasis-thread-2-note-page-22?pn=14
So you know Khushi that he spent the best part of his youth to please my Mother and the rest he spent making a life for himself and then me.
I don't want you to pity Chotey. I am just trying to make you understand your husband.
He has never got love, peace, faith in him, faith in others, harmony. It is impossible to make him believe there is something called true love, because the one person who should have given him selfless and true love, hated him---our mother.
Even today I long for Chotey to find some happiness and peace in his life. When you came into his life, I felt happy. In you I saw the girl who could make my Chotey believe in love.
But I can see he is making it hard for you.
Khushiji, if my mother at least once spoke lovingly to him and gave her blessings, my Chotey can change.
But, that is not possible as she refuses to see us.
But maybe if you can love my Chotey despite his anger and hatred, if you can restore his faith in human beings---he can change---
I know it is difficult. But can you try?' Anjali asked, pleadingly and looking at Khushi with hope.
Khushi did not know what to promise her sister in law, because she did not know that she too had broken his trust in human beings.
But she would definitely try and do what she could to make Arnav happy, without making a fool of herself---after all she still loved him---and she could do anything to make him happy---
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
CID
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