ARSHI SS: THEIR MARRIAGE LIFE [PART:6(PAGE-15)] - Page 2

Khushi lifted the invitation and realized that the date was today's. So this is where he has gone, why didn't he tell me, thought Khushi frowning slightly. Suddenly, Khushi jumped with excitement, she had a brilliant idea on how to save her marriage. She opened her closet and knew just what to wear. It would perfectly match the theme of the party. She slipped into the black transparent saree Lavanya had given her on her birth day. She pulled on her matching jwellery, and smiled as she wore the silver earrings from the photo shoot. As she quietly left Raizada Mansion, she couldn't help but think, tonight would change everything.

Khushi's Saree

The party was in full swing when Khushi arrived, men in tuxedos and women wearing gorgeous, brightly colored dresses. Khushi admired the beautiful outdoor setting: lanterns hanging from the treetops overhead casting a warm glow, couples dancing on the makeshift dancefloor, and a band playing romantic Spanish music at one end. Rose gardens surrounded the area, and their aromatic scent drifted over, making the night all the more magical.

Khushi felt nervous in her black transparent saree; however, noticing the admiring looks people gave her, she became more confident and ready to face her husband. She thought "where was Arnavji?"

A woman in a bright red short dress stepped away right then, and Khushi glimpsed the night's honorary guest her husband, her Arnavji. As she began walking closer to him, she saw that although many people surrounded him, he seemed strangely unhappy and lonely. A woman in a little black dress was trying to pull him to the dance floor, but Arnav adamantly shook his head. He glanced up and his eyes met Khushi's.

And like always time seemed to stop, it was only him and only her, nothing else mattered. Khushi saw his expressions shift from shock to warm affection, almost as if he was glad to see her. When she was only a few feet away, Arnav's eyes ran up and down her silk clad form, his gaze heated. Khushi blushed under his looks, but her confidence didn't waver, and she looked directly into his eyes with quiet resolve.

As she opened her mouth to say something, a man jumped in front of Arnav, like a shield. The man looked at Khushi apologetically and said, "Are you a new model too? I'm sorry dear, but Mr. Raizada refuses to dance with anyone. He must be missing his wife," he told Khushi, while slapping Arnav's back playfully.

Arnav's face hardened and in a frustrated voice, he said, "Mr. Singhania, this is my wife." Although Arnav seemed aggravated, it made Khushi happy that he at least acknowledged her.

"Oh my," said Mr. Singhania, "What a beautiful wife you have!! Please dance and enjoy the night," leaving the two of them alone.

Arnav grabbed Khushi, pulling her against him, and furiously whispered in her ear, "What are you doing here Khushi? Go home now."

Khushi looked right back at him, her own temper rising, "I was invited, so I will leave when I want to, after I enjoy the night!" He turned away, shaking his head at her constant need to defy him.

Just then a man behind Arnav turned towards Khushi, who knew well how it felt when her husband became angry. He introduced himself as Rahul, and politely asked her to a dance.

Hearing their conversation, Arnav looked at the man in anger, but then smiled smugly as he knew that Khushi always declined to dance with any other man at such parties.

Khushi smiled at Rahul, tossing her glossy, black hair over her bare shoulder, "Sure, I would love to dance with you." Khushi held Rahul's arm and allowed him to guide her to the dance floor. As she turned away she caught a glimpse of her sulking husband, his hands in fists, his jaw tightened, and his eyes following her every step.

She danced with Rahul to the soft playing song, barely paying attention to what he was saying. Her attention was on her husband, who stood feet away and was staring at her with such intensity that it seared her through her saree. Once the song ended, Khushi found herself on the far end of the dance floor, her eyes searching for Arnav. Suddenly, she felt a cold hand yank her arm and drag her to a corner. Her face froze as she recognized Shyam tightening his grip on her, refusing to let go. "Khushiji," he whispered in a tone that made her shudder. She tried to pull away from him, but he held her even closer and said, "You know how much I love you! How dare you dance with someone else without my permission?" Khushi stared at him, revolted by his demeanor. Khushi glared at him, her arms throbbing with pain, she tried to elbow him as hard as she could, but he wouldn't let go. As she saw Shyam bringing his face closer to her's, she heard Arnav's thunderous voice.

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY WIFE!"

Arnav's voice echoed in the small corner of the party in which Shyam had trapped Khushi. Furious and shocked, his words sliced through the still air. Relief enveloped Khushi as she took in her husband standing a few feet away' his eyes dark as midnight and his expression livid. Shyam's head flew up, surprised at seeing his brother-in-law and he reflexively tightened his grip on Khushi's arms.

Stunned at the turn of events, Shyam roughly pushed Khushi away. Khushi's steps faltered and she fell as she was thrown sideways. As the cold night air nipped at her bare shoulders and stung her bruised arms, a whimper escaped from her lips involuntarily.

Shyam didn't even notice Khushi's pained cry, too focused on plotting his own escape. But, Arnav's eyes blazed as he heard Khushi's soft whimper.

There was a flash of swift movement and a howl of pain. Khushi looked on as Shyam staggered backwards, grasping his jaw as blood seeped through his fingers. Arnav's expression of pure fury remained as he stomped towards his brother-in-law, and he threw another punch, this time hitting Shyam's right eye with force.

Shyam dropped down onto the grass, looking shaken as Arnav towered above him. With a rough pull, Arnav jerked Shyam up by his collar.

"How dare you touch my wife!" Arnav said in a deathly whisper. "I saw and heard everything. How could you do this? I never want to see you near my wife, sister, or anybody else in my family ever again!" Disgusted by his brother-in-law, Arnav violently shoved him away, and Shyam hastily slithered away like the snake he was.

Arnav quickly knelt beside Khushi, his expression changing rapidly to one of concern and affection. Khushi, startled by what had happened and shaken by the fear that had gripped her, pulled Arnav into her, holding him tightly, her arms wrapping around him. He hugged her back just as tightly, his strong hands gently rubbing her bare back in soothing circles. He felt her body tremor against him, her tears staining his black coat.

"Khushi, please, don't cry'" Arnav said in a strained voice, unable to bear the pain he and others had given her. "I'm here, I won't let anyone come in between us ever again," he reassured her, repeatedly until her sobs finally stopped.