Arhi FF PMIJ Thread 4- Thd 5 link page 1 -8/4 - Page 14

PART 20

Khushi on the other hand was still watching their kissing Pic together on her Phone and crying , She wanted to talk to him, be with him but the truth which Shalini told her had crushed her heart into pieces and she had no more courage to even think of joining it again. He had hidden a painful truth of his life from his wife. How could he hide it from her? Didn't he think of confessing about that night with Shalini to her before they could take their relationship to the next level?? How could he cheat her like this?? How??

FLASHBACK

The day of marriage had passed by the same awkwardness between the couple. The next day was not so different as Arnav had readily started to office without any botheration on his part to atleast talk to Khushi. But it was Khushi on her part tried to talk to him to which he answered with the insistence of daadi. But soon with her presence around with whom he had to spend his lifetime he had started to accept the new relationship with small talks and fights. Not because he was angry at her he was still at the primary level of acceptance to a new relationship. But as it is said every relationship shall not start in a sweet phase theirs started in a sour phase to enter into a sweet phase. The initial friction between likes and dislikes started the spice in life by which both had tried to understand each other more.

Two weeks later:

Khushi: You cannot talk to me like that. You have married me Arnav.

Arnav: Yeah So? I am always like that Khushi. You should have thought about this before saying a YES to this marriage.

He angrily got up from the Chair leaving his breakfast half and picked his suit walking away from her. She was in tears seeing him behaving so rude. It had been just two weeks for their marriage and he didn't even care for her. How was she supposed to know that he doesn't like Aloo sabji? No one told her about his likes and dislikes and now that she wanted to know about them , he was only being arrogant than understanding her situation. Even Daadi was in RM for some days which did leave her in lurch to get used to her husband. She wiped the lone tear which rolled down and then continued picking the plates but her hand was caught by someone from behind her. She jerked at his touch and turned behind. He stood there with little remorse in his eyes for screaming at her..

Arnav : Khushi, I didnt mean to hurt you. I am still getting over this fact that we are married now and we are binded to each other for the next years of our life. I may seem to be rough with you but believe me my intentions are never to hurt you for that.

Khushi had not expected this but the way he spoke his heart out made her convince that she didn't chose a wrong person. He was right; this marriage decision was not easy even for her. But wasn't it his family who proposed him for her? If it wouldn't have been for her DI, she would never take such an important decision so hastily

Arnav: Don't do this, the maids will do.

Khushi: I like doing it Arnav. It's my right here in this house.

Arnav: But I feel bad Khushi. When I see you doing everything that a Wife should and realizing how different I am compared to you. You fulfill your responsibilities so well and I don't even give a ear to your talks sometimes..

Khushi: (Smiling): I won't mind you doing that unless you tell me one thing.

He kept looking in her eyes to know what she meant to ask.

Khushi: Kya aap iss shaadi se khush hai Arnav? Do you ever wish to give this marriage a chance in future? Not just you but even I need time to accept things fully but only when I am assured you too are equally interested. Or else there is no point in waiting for the other.

Arnav couldnt believe he had married such a strong willed and patient girl who only cared to make their marriage work. But was he right choice for her. How was he supposed to tell her that he already had given the major right of this relationship to someone else? His ex Fianc the guilt that was hovering his mind from the day they had agreed for marriage. Was he even worth his wife now? Only this thought was keeping him away from giving Khushi any right which was hers. But may be as time passes, he would let her know everything and hopefully she will forgive him too.

***********

Four months had passed after their marriage and today for the first time Khushi was seeing him so much angry on something. It was his usual way to be frustrated all the time but today he was much more than that. He was barking on the phone to someone regarding some Show.

Arnav (On call): Do hell with those Designs, you hear me? I don't care if they are the best or not. I need results and I will never compromise on the quality.

She dropped the Table lamp while arranging it at the corner, disturbing his talks which irritated him to the core.

Arnav: What The Hell are you doing Khsuhi? Can't you see I am on an important Call? Just get out of here..!!

She was so depressed when he said that to her in such an angered tone. If he was pissed off by his work doesn't mean he will take off all the anger on her. She didn't even wait to pick the lamp from there but giving him a sad look she walked out of the room. Not even a minute had passed that he realized his mistake. He shouldn't have scolded her like that. He asked the caller to ring him later and he threw his Phone on the bed and rushed down to find her. He searched her everywhere except the Kitchen.. Not seeing her anywhere he thought she must be cooking something. Without wasting much time he came there and saw her sitting beside the refrigerator with her knees touching her chin. She seemed to be very upset. He fisted his fingers seeing her like this. How can he get so frustrated for no fault of hers.. He had to manage his anger somehow. He came inside and kneeled down before her. She didn't see him purposely. He pulled her chin up with his fingers and his eyes said it all.

Khushi: Arnav please. Do your work, I wont disturb you again.

Arnav: Khushi I am sorry!! I was annoyed with the progress of the New Show, and in that I went overboard in making you upset for no reason. Please forgive me..

She didn't even utter a word and that made him know the level of her depression. He quickly held his ears showing how much guilty he was for doing this and that got a smile on her lips..

Khushi (Pushing hinm gently): You always do this.. First get angry on me and then say a Sorry. What value will that Sorry have then?

Arnav : I know. And this time I promise this Sorry will be Priceless.

Khushi: No. You asked me to get out of our bedroom. I won't step my feet there now.

Arnav: You don't have to either.

He gently took her in his arms shocking her. She wrapped her hands on his neck and he looked in her eyes..

Arnav: Because I will carry you inside forever!!

He started walking to their room while she could only blush at his words. That showed how their relationship was progressing day by day.

**************

Days passed and their relationship started growing slowly. They had started knowing each other's likes and always tried to make the other happy some way or the other. Arnav always had missed a Friend in his life which he got one in the form of his wife. She was very sincere in this relationship. At times he did remove his frustration by shouting at her but she never fought back. Like a good friend she first tried to analyze his problem and then advised him on what his reaction should be. Getting frustrated by silly things wasn't worth it. And she made him realize this. She was the sole reason of his calmness. They shopped together, partied with his clients, had some lovely candle light dinners and shared their little past with each other but Arnav never got the opportunity to tell her about Shalini and their relationship. Once he did try to open up but before he could even start she started screaming at her friend over the phone for a situation which was almost similar to his.

Khushi: How could you Preeto? How can you give him everything like that before marriage? What if he ditches you later? How could you be so weak that you surrendered everything to him without even thinking of your future? I never expected this from you. Where were your morals Dammit? But wait.. Not just you, even Pavan is equally responsible for this. How could he use you like that?

Arnav who was wiping his face from the towel, getting ready to sleep could realize on what topic she was shouting at her best friend. He gulped down his inner thoughts seeing her so frustrated on her friend for losing herself so easily to a Man who was not her husband yet. If this was her case knowing about her friend, will she ever understand him? Will she be able to accept his past and live with it for the entire life? What if she starts hating him? What if she leaves him and goes? No. He cannot afford to lose such a good wife and friend. She had become an integral part of her life now. She is more than his parents who gave birth to him. He cant let her go off his life just like that. There was nothing that he ever hide from her but this part of his life had to be kept a secret. For their happy future, for their happy living.

He was still lost in the thoughts but she had cut the call and was now taking her clothes out for changing.

Khushi (Murmuring): I really feel Preeto should have thought before agreeing to her desires..

Arnav: (walking towards her): Khushi relax. Dont boil your blood. Its fine..

Khushi (Turning back): No Arnav. Its not fine. This is wrong. We have to realise what our morals are. Surrendering to our desires without a proper marriage is what I am against of.

Arnav (Trying to get control of the situation): Okay.. Think it this way, what if we were having an affair and you know, some day before our actual marriage, I would have got some desires to do all that naturally, wouldn't you allow me?

Khushi (Hit him on his chest): Never. I would have slapped you once even if you would do anything more than a Kiss. Touching a girl like that before marriage is wrong Arnav. I know many won't agree with this, but this is what I believe and like to follow..

His face was dull knowing he would never be able to let her know about Shalini then..

Khushi (Trying to control her anger): Anyways. Why am I removing my frustration on you? I am sorry Arnav. But I just lost my temper knowing it from Preeto..

Arnav smiled weakly and walked back to the recliner to suppress his thoughts.. When she came out changing into her night dress, she saw him leaning his head on the recliner with his eyes closed. He was looking such a kid today. Probably he got some unwanted dose from her for no reason. She shouldn't have taken her anger unnecessarily on him. She came to him and sat beside him on the recliner but he seemed unaffected. An unknown desire to touch his face pooled in her mind. She lazily moved her finger on his face and this was enough for him to open his eyes and see her. His eyes were moist and she feared it was all because of her. She immediately cupped his face and moved forward.

Khushi: Arnav?

She couldn't speak anything after this. She leaned her face to kiss those tears at the corner of his eyes and the moment she did this, he gasped. Never did she come so close to him in these 9 months of their marriage. This was the first time she was kissing his face. His hands itched to hold her waist and pull her close to him. She continued placing some wet kisses on his face as gently as possible while he closed his eyes feeling his wife for the first time. Desires invoked in him and he could not stop himself from claiming her too. He made her sit on his lap on that recliner hugging her form and nuzzling his nose at the crook of her neck. She moaned at his touch and he realized what he was just doing. He pulled back from that hug and looked in her confused eyes..

Arnav: No Khushi. We cannot do this.

Khushi : Why Arnav? We are married and we ..

Arnav (Interrupting): We still need time to know each other fully. You need to know what past I had..

Khushi (Cupping his face): Does it even matter now? I don't think so. Arnav we have started a new life and we should concentrate in that rather than dwelling in the past.

Arnav had no words to reply back to her.

Arnav: May be some more months we should wait to know each other fully and then think of taking it to the next level. (He only needed time so that he could prepare herself and tell her about Shalini).

Khushi was upset but she didn't allow him to know that. She was about to get up but he stopped her..

Arnav: May be on our first wedding anniversary?

She smiled with her cheeks going all red with the thought that he at least gave her a perfect date for this. She couldn't deny him. He picked her in his arms and placed her on the bed. Shutting the lights off, he took his side to get some sleep.

Flash back ends.

Khushi clutched her pillow near to her heart feeling the pain at heart. What was that factor that troubled him of spitting out the truth.. why did he take such a painstaking effort to hide it from her ? She was totally in dilemma when she thought about her flash back how reserved he was in getting intimate with her but the next moment Shalini's words rang a bell..

Flash back with Shalini

Khushi : What the hell are you talking dammit ?

Shalini : Oh the husband who didn't conceal anything from you about his engagement conveniently forgot to confess you that he had utilized the rights of a husband unofficially fulfilling his desires on me before he broke the engagement?

Khushi strangled her neck in anger for unnecessarily blaming her husband.

Khushi : Do you think I would believe you so easily? I trust my Arnav more than myself.

Shalini struggled to remove her hands from her throat somehow could shrug her hands off.

Shalini (coughing): Oh really.. You believe your husband..(Coughing).. Then hear it from me Khushi.. He is a number one cheat. He ditched after using me physically in the pretext of blaming my character. Ask anyone in the family he was the one who broke this engagement. And you don't believe my word. Do you? Do you know who all know about this? My brother Shravan and your Jeejaji Shyam knows about it too. And if you want a proof then see this with your naked eye..

Shalini showed one picture of shirtless Arnav sleeping on the bed with Shalini where she had wrapped her arms on his waist keeping her head on his chest. Shalini was happily smiling in the pic which was clear that she had taken it from her mobile. Khushi was devasted beyond words seeing the pic. Her hell shocked face was a like a merry for Shalini. She slowly felt her knees go weak and fell down on her knees. Shalini smirked at the effect of her allegation on Arnav with the only proof she had with her. She moved towards Khushi who was staring at the floor with dried up tears.

Shalini: Finally Khushi.. I am begging you to give my Arnav back. He is just smitten by you. There is nothing called pure love he can show you. If he feels bored of you then I am sure he would look out for another girl within no time. Understand Khushi Take action before any mishap affects your life. Hope you will take a wise decision.

Flash back ends.

She stood up in anger wiping off her tears. Nothing can change her mind now.. She knew how to handle this. Any time she won't be giving up without getting answers from him. For allowing his brother who was a cheat and flirt to marry her sister and to ditch her by hiding this big truth.

************

NK packed his bags and turned to see Lavanya's face which was urging him to talk to him. He knew she was not very much comfortable with the lie he had told the family about his urgent requirement in London. She was trying her best to mend up their relationship while he was hell bent on not giving a chance to her. She knew the lie he had purposely told his family to escape from her presence when his plan became futile trying to leave her at Gupta House. He was acting like a coward running away from the confrontation rather than accepting the arguments and giving it a chance. Lavanya wiped off her tear which dropped out of the brim without her wish. It was not worthy for a husband like him who didn't even think of her now. She moved behind and turned to take her files to leave for her office. Something in her life which gives her contentment and she thanked God and her Jeeju who was considerate enough to think about her wishes. She moved towards the door to leave for office when her mother in law stood at front.

Lavanya : Mom. I am leaving for office. I have kept the breakfast ready on the table. Bye.

She moved towards the stairs while Nandini kept staring at her retreating back. NK noticed how she didn't even bother to bid a bye to him even after seeing his packed bags. His ego was getting affected badly with her continuous ignorance. Nandini came inside and kept her hands on his shoulders.

Nandini : Beta.. What is this? You both are a couple. Don't you think she is avoiding you so much and on the top of it you are also giving her freedom as per her wishes? She ought to be with you when you leave for London. Instead she is leaving for her work?

NK : Ma.. Please don't talk to me about that. I am not snatching or giving her any freedom it's just that I mind my own business.

Nandini : Matlab.. What is that between you two?

NK : Nothing.. That's it ma.. Nothing between us anymore. She is on her way. I am on mine.

Nandini : What do you mean NK? You are a couple? Can't you talk yourselves and find a solution to work this out?

NK : She won't compromise ma.. I don't want to take a chance her .Let this be like that.

Nandini: For how long? This is not done Nanhe.. I am going to talk to Sashi ji and Garima about this.. She has to listen to them at least.. I should blame you for this.. If you hadn't insisted that you would marry only this girl I would have selected a good obedient girl for you who would love you and be your wife everywhere.

NK : Ma please.. don't talk about past now. You do whatever you want I am leaving today. That's final.

NK hurried out of his room in frustration leaving behind a confused Nandini who was unable to figure out what can be done to mend this relation. She had to talk to Lavanya's parents and question them how they have brought up their child who has no botheration about the in laws and her own husband.

*********

Shyam came inside Gupta House with a big bunch of shopping bags. Madhumati and Garima smiled at each other thinking of how the little one's father couldn't keep himself away from his daughter. He came beside them seeking blessings and smiled at them.

Madhumati : arre wah... Papa is early today that too with lots of gifts for his Pari.

Shyam : Haan aunty.. I went for shopping today and I saw many good toys for the new born baby. So bought everything I liked.

Garima : accha that's good.. You carry on. Anjali is inside the room with the baby..

Shyam smiled and proceeded towards the room.

Khushi was straightening the crib for baby while Anjali looked at her found out that she was lost in her own world.

Anjali : Khushi tum theek tho hona? Are you fine Khushi ?

Khushi turned around faking a smile not letting her sister get affected by her pain. She knew Anjali wont spare Arnav if she knew about this truth and the bitter part of it when the two brothers had planned to cheat both of them really left her shattered.

Khushi : Nothing di. I am feeling tired that's all.

Anjali :See I told you not to do so much of work. Above all now you have to leave for work too. I think Khushi you take an off today. She said touching her forehead to check the temperature.

Khushi : No di.. I have so much work pending. I have to finish it before month end.

Anjali : I wish I could have helped you somehow Khushi.

Khushi : Don't worry di. I shall take care.. Don't bother.

That's when Shyam entered with a smile greeting them.

Shyam : Good morning.. hello where is my Pari?

Khushi and Anjali turned to see Shyam. As usual Anjali was fuming in anger seeing him while Khushi smiled at him who seemed to be changed with the daughter's arrival. She bid a bye leaving behind the couple to have some time.

Anjali saw how Shyam lifted the baby from the bed and started playing with Ananya. The baby seemed too comfortable with his presence around which surely irritated Anjali. She limped towards the bed sitting beside him snatched the baby from his hand.

Anjali: Don't fake your love to my child. I don't want her to get attached to her useless father who knows only to act and flirt behind girls.

Shyam : Anjali. Shyam screams at the top of his voice. He calms himself realizing that he is in Gupta House and stares at Anjali.

Anjali : Whatever way you scream or shout no one can change the truth. You won't change and you cant. Such an irresponsible creep you are. I am afraid about my child now. She should not get the bad effect of your character any time. Anjali said as she placed the baby inside the crib safely.

Shyam moved towards her clutched her shoulders tight flinching her in pain.

Shyam : Don't you dare talk nonsense? She is not only your daughter. She is my blood too. Infact she belongs to me more than you. Don't just show off your attitude just like that Anjali. I have the right to see her to bring up her according to my wish. I am warning you not to talk any filthy words about me henceforth.

Anjali : Just by making me pregnant wont make you a responsible father Mr.Raizada. It requires responsibility and affection. I don't have any hopes on you for my daughter.

Shyam : Then listen to me Anjali. I will make you come home with my daughter and I will show you how you proclaim that I am the best husband and the best father to my daughter. Mark my words.

He furiously got out of her room leaving behind a sarcastically smiling Anjali. She knew he had changed a bit but this wasn't enough for her to get a trust on him. He has one more soul dependant on him now. He has to get competent to look after both with honour. She sighed praying for good things to happen to her daughter;s life.

********

Arnav paced across his room with his as usual headache which was affecting him so much from the morning. The meetings that held in the morning were enough to increase his stress. But he knew the ultimate reason for his ill health. His wife's absence which started to affect his health badly. Didn't she even think of him for a moment that she didn't wish to call him anytime. He got furious thinking about the sheer avoidance from her part. He plunged himself on the bed with his hand pressing his temple to ease out the ache. Just like how he had wished he got a call from his mobile. He didn't have the strength to even attend it as he had been starving the whole day not wanting to have food. He got irritated by the rings and finally took up the mobile and saw the caller. The moment he saw Khushi's name on the caller he got up and sat on the bed with a painful anger.

"Zinda Hoon Khushi. Agar chaho toh apne Devi Maiyaa se keh sakti ho ki mujhe meri Daadi ke paas pohacha de. Taaki tum apne Di aur apni family ke paas aaram se reh sako.."

("I am still Alive Khushi.. If you want then please pray to your Devimayya to take me to my Daadi. So that you can stay peacefully with your Di and your family")

He gulped down his pain and hung up the call throwing the mobile in the couch. He was infuriated by the fact that feeling lonely is hell and who else can his wife understand that more than him. He couldn't vent out his frustration to anyone. To his illuck he was blessed with no one beside him to atleast bear his taunts hear what he speaks, take care of him when he is ill although his life partner was just meters away from him. He felt like a pain stabbing in his heart for talking like that to his Khushi but he couldn't help himself to control his innate anger which had been brewing up within him. He closed his eyes praying to his Daadi asking him to forgive him for this mistake. Soon tiredness and hunger swept over him making him fall in fatigue and sleep.

Khushi stared at the mobile for a while. She was fighting with herself taking up courage to talk to him and clear things. He was on the contrary trying to hurt her more and more. She cried bitterly thinking how he loved to hurt her again after so much understanding. She felt it so fake when they had a blissful relationship after their marriage. She drifted herself to sleep turning the other side as she didn't want to miss the meeting for the next day but as usual sleep wasn't giving her a green signal to enter in. She closed her eyes thinking of her ill fate for once on why she agreed to this marriage.

Both were correct in their point of views. Both in a fit of anger avoid each other's presence but least they realized that they can't keep themselves away from each other. Some sort of a magnetic pull which is the real love that too bonded by the strong force of marriage. Will this pull bring them together? Whatever that comes in between them would they be able to break their shackles and succeed in this test of after marriage LOVE?

To be continued

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