Chapter 6: Brutal Revenge
Kushi has been numb and not moving with just tears streaming down her face. After sitting in the chilly evening weather like that for about half an hour, Kushi wipes her tears and gathers herself. She was not going to be played for a fool for the second time. She realizes, Shyam has an ulterior motive for doing what he did. He must be planning something. Otherwise, he will not go to this length to dupe her and deceive her again.
Kushi decides, it is time she confides in someone. She needs to tell someone. She decides to tell Arnav everything. He may not believe her completely, but lately she knows Arnav has developed a soft spot for her, and he might believe her a little. That is more than anyone else right now and Arnav is the only one, who has the power to find out the truth if need be and then do something about Shyam.
She was falling in love with him and that is why it is also important to be honest with him, no matter what the consequences are. Having made up her mind, Kushi, closes her eyes, breathes in the slightly chilly evening air, opens her eyes with a determined look.
Kushi goes down stairs, finds a bathroom, spends few minutes to make sure, anyone who sees her, sees the normal Kushi. Once she is convinced that she is looking normal, she proceeds to Arnav's room.
Her heart was racing. This was not the fast paced heart beat she gets when she is near him. This was different. She slightly knocks on the door. Not getting an answer, she pushes the doors open. She steps inside and closes the doors behind her. She calls out for Arnav – "Arnavji."
She sees someone sitting by the pool in a suit. She turns around thinking that is not Arnav and turns around when she hears "Stop."
Arnav takes few long strides, walks to the door and bolts it shut. Kushi is oblivious to the rage burning Arnav.
"Arnavji, I need to tell you something. Please hear me out as this is very important. I am scared and I am coming to you because .."
"Shut Up" thundered Arnav.
Arnav grabs Kushi's arm forcibly and drags her to the pool and swirls her around with such a force, Kushi struggles to find balance. Arnav then grabs both of her arms and slams her against the wall.
The same wall, where he had backed her into and almost kissed her on Diwali. That image flashed through his brain increasing the intensity in his rage and he tightened his grip on Kushi's arms.
Kushi was in physical pain and tears rolled down her cheeks and she whispered, "Arnavji, you are hurting me."
That sent an inexplicable pleasure and pain through Arnav.
"I said SHUT UP."
Kushi froze in fear. In her 20 years of life she has not witnessed the rage and anger emanating from someone's eyes as she saw coming from Arnav who stood in front of her.
Kushi felt paralyzed and wanted to scream for help. But this was Arnavji. Her Arnavji. Why was he angry. Why are his eyes looking so dead and so dreadful. Kushi was forgetting to breathe. Her arms were bruised. There was physical pain.
Arnav mercilessly pinned her further into the wall, hurting Kushi even more.
"You don't get to speak. You don't get to take my name. I speak and you listen. You speak when I give you permission to speak."
Saying that Arnav releases Kushi. For some reason, Arnav was still unable to see the tears streaming down Kushi's face. Something inside him was revolting within his being. There was a constant need he felt to wipe her tears. This was taking all of his will power to keep the angry Arnav out and in front. He needed to do what he needed to do and do it quickly.
"If you want your sisters marriage to happen today, then you are going to marry me. You will marry me and this will be a contract marriage. I will break it off, when I see it fit. Until I break it off, you will act like a wife in every aspect, in front of the world. You will have no say and no opinion in the marriage. As soon as I break it off, you will walk away from this mansion, with just the clothes on your back. All you are allowed to say is Yes or No. And remember. Paayal's marriage will be not happen if you say No."
Kushi was on the edge of going crazy. What is it that is happening today. First Shyam blackmails to threaten her with Paayal's wedding and now Arnav is doing the same.
"You better say Yes, if you know what is good for you. You will marry me and you do not have a choice."
Kushi had enough of everyone threatening to ruin her sisters marriage. Kushi grabs Arnav's shoulder, turn him around and with all her strength shoves him. Arnav stumbles back.
"Who do you think you are Mister Arnav Singh Raizada. How dare you tell me, that I should get into a contract marriage with you. Who the hell are you to decide whether Paayal and Akash marriage will happen or not. You do not scare me and there is no way in hell, I will marry a disgusting human like you."
"Good Answer Kushi. Paayal will be ruined. And I will ensure, your family is ruined. When they are thrown out of this town in shame. You can then thank your guts and your braveness."
Saying that Arnav starts walking away towards the bedroom door. Kushi, wants to be defiant and call his bluff, but something in his tone and in his stride told, her of the impending doom. Something in her told her, only she can stop this. Something was telling her, she needs to stop Arnav.
"Wait!!"
Arnav turns around.
"I will marry you."
All of sudden, Kushi became vulnerable. She looked very helpless.
"Arnavji. Can you please tell me why you are doing this."
"Yes or No."
"I will marry you, but can you please tell me why you are doing this."
Arnav grabs Kushi's arms and practically drags her through out of the mansion through the back door, forces her into his SUV and drives on top speed to a temple.
The ride has sent shivers down Kushi's spine. She was extremely scared of vehicles going fast. Kushi was hurting physically. There were visible bruise marks on her arms. She was trembling in fear of the speed. She was emotionally drained. She felt like she was imploding within herself.
Tears would not stop escaping her eyes. Arnav literally drags Kushi to the temple. There was a pandit there. All required stuff for a marriage had been arranged for including Havan, Sindoor, Mangalsutra, Garlands etc.
As soon as the priest sees Arnav, he sits and starts chanting marriage related hymns.
Arnav, actually ties the Managalasutram, the way it is supposed to.
Arnav, actually applies Sindoor, the way it is supposed to.
Arnav puts garland around Kushi the way it is supposed to.
After the priest ties, her dupatta and a the one Arnav wore around his neck.
Arnav grabs Kushi's hands and starts walking around the fire.
They even complete the Saat Pheras as they are supposed to.
While taking the pheras, Arnav kept asking himself. Why was he doing all this. His plan was for Kushi to apply Sindoor herself. Kushi to tie the mangalasutram herself. He had a different vision on how this was going to happen. Then, why did he call Aman and ask him to get all this arranged. Why is he doing all these rituals, when he absolutely does not believe in them.
There was a reason, that had crossed Arnav's mind when he ordered Aman to get this arranged. Arnav was now unable to put a finger on it.
Arnav was getting more confused and puzzled. Even with those doubts swirling around his head, Arnav marries Kushi following all the rituals like they are supposed to.
"There. You are married to me now, Kushi. Until I decide when to end this farce."
Kushi collapses in utter grief unable to comprehend what is happening to her. In Arnav's eyes this was all a joke and she knows he does not believe in all of this. But in her mind, all the rituals that got completed, created a sacred bond of marriage, that she believed in.
"Arnavji. You did not tell me, why you are forcing me into marriage. You do not believe in all these rituals. If you wanted a contract marriage which has an end date, then why did you make me complete all these rituals. Why are you torturing me like this. You know, how important marriage and rituals are to me. Why are you making a mockery of me in front of Devi Mayya. Why Arnavji?"
Arnav instead of feeling happy that he is ruining Kushi and succeeding in his revenge, strangely was feeling two new feelings. Guilt and Remorse. Why was he feeling bad. Why is he unable to see Kushi in pain. Is he doing something wrong?
This conflict of the lover boy side and ruthless side was confusing Arnav. In the confusion and without thinking, Arnav mercilessly grabs Kushi's arm, at the same spot where he left bruises and forcefully lifts her up to her feet. Kushi winces in pain. She is dragged back to SUV and spun and slammed into the door.
"Get In" growled Arnav.
Arnav drives back to the mansion at an equally high speed. He was trying to be content with the portion of the revenge he had extracted so far.
Kushi was on the edge of the thresholds of bearable pain, grief and sorrow and was praying for her body to shut down. For her to disappear. For her to die.
Little did both know, what they would face once they enter the mansion.
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