This One Shot is dedicated to my very good friend Vandana... She has been the reason; I started writing Arhi stories on IF. She has been my inspiration, my mentor and the most amazing friend. It's her birthday today, and this story I would love to dedicate to her... A Love Unspoken... Happy Birthday Vandy!! š„³
Arhi OS : Love Unspoken
Khushi stood in front of the huge mirror, admiring herself. Red really was her colour! Or was it because he loved it on her? She felt beautiful, dressed in a saree chosen by him. She felt like she was engulfed in his arms... wrapped up in his admiration and love. She looped in the dazzling diamond earrings, which he had gifted her on their wedding anniversary. She gave herself one last look in the mirror and moved across their bedroom, towards the door... towards her loving husband... her Arnavji.
Relaxed in the luxurious Audi, she looked out of the window, enjoying the changing landscape of Delhi. This city was special to her, it was her home... their home. She wondered why her husband had insisted that she reach the event, a little late. She was a person who loved being in charge, and sitting back and doing nothing, just did not agree with her personality. Yet, she had agreed to his tiny demand.
Arnav barely demanded anything of her anymore. He was a changed man, like Anjali Di always pointed out. She remembered the times, when she used to work for him. He had always been furious, annoyed or grouchy. Yet, he had made his way into her heart. He had screamed at her, yelled at her, hurt her with his harsh words... however, those few moments when their eyes clashed, she had seen the care and concern in them.
Then, there were those confusing moments in their life, where he would fluster her with his flirting. Never really saying anything clearly... yet making sure she understood exactly what he meant. He had always left his favourite sentence incomplete... 'Farak padta hai, dammit... kyonki...!!!' - and she had somehow realized his intentions. Agreed, they had been fools not to accept their true feelings then, but an unknown... unspoken understanding had always been there between the two.
Khushi straightened his mother's bangles, which now adorned her slender wrists and smiled gently. She was in love with a man, who thought he wasn't capable of loving, and for once, Arnav Singh Raizada had been wrong. Only she knew, how much he loved her... she was consumed in the intensity of his love. So what, if he could never express it in words? He had shown it to her in his every gesture, every action and everything that he did for her.
When he had forcefully married her, she had been angry, hurt and broken. She had courageously started to express her feelings for him and he had shattered her dream into a million pieces. He had thrown her out of his room, to the poolside and yet, she had known he suffered as much as she did. When he had shut the sliding door on her face and she had hurt her hand, he had not been able to hide the concern in his voice... the pain in his eyes. Had he not deserved her love, then?
When Shyam's truth was out in the open, she had felt his remorse. She still sensed how much he regretted acting hastily and jumping to conclusions... believing in a scumbag like Shyam over her. After that, he had apologized to her only once... a mere sorry... that she had not wanted to hear in the first place. Her husband, her strength, her love... to see the mighty Arnav Singh Raizada broken by guilt, was something that she could never have imagined.
There was never ever a moment, when she had wanted to make him repent and grovel. How could she, when she had always loved him selflessly... when she had been touched by his every gesture of kindness and love? Those joyous moments, when he had dropped his guard around her... she had seen the magnitude of his love and devotion... that was all, she had ever wished for. Even the 'I love you' spoken over the phone had paled in comparison to seeing the emotions of love and desire, shimmering in his caramel orbs.
Life had just been splendid after that... their emotion-packed remarriage, Shyam's revelation in front of Di and their peaceful married life. Arnavji had encouraged her to work, supported her in everything she wanted to do. He had taken charge of her Babuji's recovery and medical treatment. Wordlessly, he had fulfilled her every need... silently trying to mend the things that he had broken, along the way. Did he think that she did not realize his intentions... while buying her expensive dresses and jewellery? Did he think that she did not relate it to the harsh words he had spoken to her months ago, about being a gold digger? Yet, she knew how genuine his gestures were now... her wonderfully handsome husband... her Arnavji.
His eyes... yes, his soulful eyes, had always spoken volumes. Even though, those perfect lips never voiced his feelings, the eyes always made sure to tell her things in the most unusual ways. 'Our lovemaking is something beyond words'... he had said one night, after spending hours engulfed in an intense passion that she was just discovering. She remembered his sensual touches, his lips all over her body... tasting her, marking her... worshipping her. Hadn't every touch screamed of his love for her?
Khushi blushed at the mere memory of their passionate nights, as she noticed that the car had now, almost reached its destination. She looked through the tinted window; a huge sign glared right back at her. It read, Khushi... for people with an appetite for happiness.' Her heart soared with joy at her accomplishment. It was the inauguration, of her first ever restaurant, and it was all thanks to her doting husband... her Arnavji.
He was there, right outside the car, opening the door for her. As Khushi, carefully managed to stand, straightening her shimmering red saree... she looked up and her breath caught in her throat. He looked so handsome... clean-shaven, hair trimmed to perfection and impeccably dressed as usual. His caramel eyes, admired her from head to toe, making a tint rise up her cheeks in his favourite colour. "You look gorgeous, Khushi," his husky voice made her shiver, as he held her hand and walked with her over the red carpet leading into the restaurant.
Family and friends immediately surrounded them... although all Khushi could feel and focus on, was his warm hand on her bare waist. He pulled her along with him, towards the small podium that had been created in the restaurant. For the first time since she had entered, she noticed how beautifully he had gotten it decorated. Red roses... her favourite flowers, occupied centre-stage. She smiled slightly, looking at the man, who was an enigma to many, a shrewd businessman to most, and a romantic lover, only for her... his Khushi.
She heard him speak, his rough and commanding voice silencing the crowd immediately... yet, quickening the pace of her heartbeats. How did he manage to rouse her by such simple gestures? "Welcome ladies and gentlemen. It is a pleasure having all of you, at this very important moment for my family and me. My beautiful wife, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada, has always been well known for her culinary skills. Her food finds a way into peoples' hearts, just like her personality. Her love for food is the main reason for her excellence in cooking."
Arnav paused, held Khushi's hand and looked into her eyes, while continuing with his speech. Her heart fluttered like a hummingbird, not just at this simple touch, but more so, on seeing the pride and admiration shining in his eyes. This was probably the first time he was publicly appreciating her. She knew the reason behind why he never shared her with the rest of the world. She knew how insecure he was... unsure, jealous, possessive and according to him, not worthy of her love. That was the sole reason, he kept her to himself most of the time. Did that make his love weaker than anyone else's? NO! She reveled in his possessiveness... in his jealousy and in his effort to safeguard her from the rest of the world, because all she wanted was to be his wife... his Khushi.
"Khushi... a fine-dining restaurant with an assorted menu, conceptualized for those who love food. It is for those, who relish eating; who enjoy the simple joys of delicious food. It is for people who have an appetite for happiness... literally! I am proud of my wife's beliefs, her ideas and her achievement. I would like to raise a toast to this delightful venture, and would love all of you to join in." Khushi felt a bottle of champagne, being given into her hand and she could not help, but smile at the funny memory of her first experience at 'popping the bubbly'. She looked up at her husband, her smile mirrored on his handsome face. They could easily get lost in each other, despite being part of a massive crowd.
The rest of the party was a blur, as wishes, admiration, praises and hugs were shared generously. She knew that the restaurant 'Khushi' may have been her idea, but it was only possible, because of her loving husband's continuous support and assistance. More than anything else, she was happy to see his pride in her achievements. He may have never voiced it openly, but his actions said otherwise. Isn't that what was really important, when they say 'actions speak louder than words?'
As they drove home that night... satiated, happy and relaxed, she leaned on his firm shoulder; content with the way her life had shaped up. His arm went around her shoulder immediately, pulling her to him. He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead, warming her from within. His love remained unspoken... yet she understood it so well. Today had been a day, to reminisce about the tender moments they had enjoyed, the love that they had shared and all those beautiful memories that they had experienced. Snuggled in her husband's arms, Khushi had realized that he might never speak of his love openly... yet he would not back down from showing it, in every way possible. Words were never a necessity for him to express his love... her laad governor, her husband... her Arnavji.
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