Trapped ARHI SS Part 24 Up Thread 2 - Page 31

'I am waiting Khushi,' Arnav said irritably as Khushi sat silently in the car, refusing to answer his questions.

'Can we go home first?' she asked.

'Why? So that you can think up of an excuse?' he asked her angrily.

'Please. I want to go home. I am too upset now to answer you,' she pleaded.

Taking pity on her, he drove home. The drive was silent. Each was lost in theirown thoughts. Arnav was thinking of their kiss, the tender moments and the final fiasco.

What was she hiding? By now he was sure she was hiding something from him. Why did he care if she was in trouble?

Why couldn't he cut down this raging attraction that still made him feel hot in the car despite the AC in full blast?

Khushi watched his tense face. Why could she never make him happy though it was her only wish? Why did she always seem to come across in such a pathetic light in front of him, when all she wanted was to make him respect her?

What would she tell him when he asked her again, which she knew he would?

The truth was something she could not reveal. But a lie would seem too far fetched. What could she do?

She was tormented at what was going to unfold.

When they reached home, Arnav did not waste a minute. He dragged her behind him to his bedroom and locked the door.

'So tell me now Khushi. Where did the money go?' he asked tensely.

'I---lent it to a friend--- she stammered finally, breaking the silence.

'Really? You lent it and you did not even know?' he countered.

'I had given her a cheque last month. She must have deposited it this month. It was a month ago and I forgot. She is in need of money and I -----,' she continued but stopped suddenly looking at his disbelieving expression.

'Khushi this is not the first time I have seen you in financial crisis. Earlier I have noticed your jewels were missing.

What is happening? Where is it all going? Are you in trouble? Is someone blackmailing you?' he asked sternly.

At his last statement Khushi shrank visibly from him and said in a barely inaudible whisper' No---no. Why would anyone blackmail me?'

'You tell me. I am clueless,' he said.

She was quiet again and said in a barely inaudible voice No one is blackmailing me.'

Arnav watched her face intently. It had lost all colour. Her eyes did not meet his. She was shaking like a leaf.

She was lying. But why? What was she hiding?

He had to try a gentler approach. He moved closer to her and tilted her chin up.

Khushi. Our marriage might be forced. It may not have a long life. But you must know, I will always protect you.

'I won't let anyone harm you. But to help you I need to know what is wrong. You don't need to tell me all the details, but can you at least admit that you are in some kind of trouble?' he asked.

His gentleness did what his anger could not. She flung herself at him and sobbed I wish I knew a way to make everyone happy and avoid all this. I wish I could die but not let harm come to you or anyone else.

'I wish I could tell you what is wrong. But I just can't',' she sobbed.

As he held his sobbing wife, his heart ached for her. She wasn't lying. She was definitely in trouble. He also found out one more thing. She was trying to protect him and someone else. But why? What could anyone hold over her head and threaten her? His thoughts were interrupted when Khushi continued,

'Arnav I am bad luck for you. I have let you down time and again. I let you down in front of my parents that day and you had to marry me.

I let you down in the restaurant today. I am sorry. So sorry ,' she said as she continued to cry.

'Shhh. Not a word about the past. And as for what happened in the restaurant, it was nothing. I am concerned about you. I wish you would tell me everything so that I can take care of you. But since you can't, at least I can do my best to take care of you.

Let's forget the past Khushi. Let us start again as friends, if not a husband and wife. I want to make you smile and laugh like you were before all this happened.

I don't want to hurt you or see you hurt by anyone else.

Isn't that a good start for a friendship. So what say? Friends?' he asked gently moving her away from him and extending his hand.

Tentatively she put her hand in his 'Friends' she smiled and then added 'And in future, if you ever find reasons to distrust me or hate me, will you remember what I tell you now? I would rather die than ever let you down. Nothing matters more to me than you. Please understand, that if there is ever any reason to misunderstand me in future, then I was still trying to do my best for you. Can you believe that?' she asked.

He did not know why, but he wanted to trust her though there was not a single reason she had given him till now, to trust her. He listened to what his heart was telling him and said 'Yes I can believe that.'

A huge smile broke out on her face and her eyes shone with happiness. 'Thank you so much. Now shall I have to go to bed. It is too late,' she said and turned around to leave.

But she felt a tug on her sari pallu. She turned around to find Arnav holding her sari pallu with a teasing expression. Puzzled she tried to free her sari when he said 'When we are friends who trust each other, why can't we share the same room and bed?'

Shyly she nodded.

And so that night Khushi moved back to Arnav's room and once again shared her husband's bed. And in the wee hours of the night when she was fast asleep and almost resting on her husband's broad chest, Arnav was wide awake, his mind troubled looking at her innocent and peaceful face.

'Khushi I am getting you investigated. I am sorry about this. But I have to know what is wrong and save you. And I want you here with me to keep to watch over your every move,' he told himself.