As always this update was fantastic too, realistically fantastic.
There is only so much that a person can do when he is confined to their house and told to only rest. Playing video games is a good pastime. I know because I was not allowed to put my foot on the ground when my leg was operated. But anyways I prefer reading...
I was wondering when her bade papa will ask about Rishab and you gave it today. That was a friendship that had been forging for 10 long years, it had to be strong enough for her to want to remain friends with him, but not at the cost of upsetting her Arnavji. Sure, he is still her friend but her priorities have changed quiet drastically. Even she has no idea how. She thinks its because they are married but she hasn't been able to see him upset long before that. Some relationships although not old are inherently deep and strong. Khushi didn't have to put off reconciling with her friend. Arnav was upset but he hadn't voiced his disapproval, she had every right to talk to whoever she wanted, but she had seen and felt it. He didn't want her to meet him, and she couldn't go against that.
She knew she wouldn't be happy if he is upset.
Rishab had noticed before that Arnav had a hold over Khushi, an invisible thread binding him to her, where she followed him, like a lost puppy. Now Khushi has started realising this. Moreover now she is even attracted to him. Likes it when he holds her in his arms at night.
A feeling of belonging with him that refuses to escape her now.
Arnav is being a possessive and jealous husband here. Possessive because no way he is letting go of Khushi. She is very precious. Khushi is priceless. But at the same time maybe somewhere he thinks that Rishab was better for Khushi than he is. They belong to the same society but Rishab is in no way damaged like he is. Rishab openly declared to the girl in front of her fiance but Arnav is still struggling with his feelings. Also Arnav had tagged Rishab a threat to his life at first sight when he had seen them together.
But it feels like he has no clue how to behave with her as a wife. But that couldn't be true. He is so much older, he would know, right?
He doesn't. He has only seen husbands and wives fight. He is trying his best to be nice to her and not hurt her. And yes he definitely doesn't think of her as babyji.
And now coming to their date, let me tell you it was amazing. I am glad you didn't take the chiched route of having them go to a restaurant or movie. And even here she sensed his unease and forced him to tell her where he wanted to go. It felt like they were rewriting their first outing together. Another photo-op, eating street food, she talking to people and buying trinkets, she being self-concious about her handicap and he not giving a damn about it, she worrying about his diet not wanting to eat when he wasn't. The difference is that this time they are husband-wife, then they were just more like acquaintances who lived in the same house. Before he was worried about her going alone because she was his responsibility but he almost agreed to it, this time he refuses to leave her alone for even a minute. Last time he took secret shots of her, this time he has no qualms calling her his model. Last time she requested him to take a few shots of her, this time she demands that her photos be taken. Last time he had to make do with a packet of chips but this time his wife made sure she got something from home. This time they naturally held hands while crossing the road and when she couldn't climb the stairs he carried her up in his arms. Didn't think twice about it, but consequently suffered as much. The physical pull is too strong for Arnav but he is a master at controlling his reactions from being shown. But Khushi isn't, and he saw her react to their proximity. What will he do when he realises Khushi likes it when he holds her close?
Arnav planted her feet back on the ground, and took her hands away from her body with an inhuman effort. Literally strangling the need to crush her to himself and kiss her senseless. Rip off this excuse of clothing she was wearing. Nobody ever warned him to not touch a female clad in an Indian saree. Every God damned inch he touched on her back, sides and arms was devoid of clothes that he was perfectly able to see that she was infact wearing. But the saree is so thin, blouse is barely there and collectively they do not cover much of her skin if you ask him. And to add to his misery she was propped horizontally in his arms, against his chest, in the line of his vision, all the while dressed in this...thing. And this thing is bloody dangerous, he decided. This was quiet descriptive. 😛 Although he suspected that she knew by now he held her while sleeping, not that he is not going to bring that up ever, her reaction to his touch in wide awake state had only fueled his wild imagination. Concentrate.on.something.else.
I like it that he is taking his time sorting his feelings before moving forward with Khushi. I guess Arnav has been disappointed so much at unfulfillment of his expectations that he stopped expecting anything from anyone, stopped wanting anything from anyone. But now he wants. He wants Khushi. Whether it is right or wrong, whether she wants him or not. And he will do anything to keep her with him. In his opinion, it doesn't matter if she doesn't love him and he still has his various issues to deal with, they can be friends, companions, she cares for him is enough. But his rival need not know that, so he manipulates her again. Proposes a trip to somewhere he knew she wanted to visit. But such a trip taken by newly weds is called a honeymoon is something he knows might never cross her mind since he hasn't outright said so. She might not even think of it as one but the world sure will.
Khushi is unknowingly being the person Arnav wants in his life, moulding herself to accomodate his needs, even wishing she was perfect in every way for him. Arnav is unknowingly being the kind of lover Khushi has always wanted for herself; someone caring and possessive, who doesn't care about her limp and never leave her alone.
Also we can see Arnav being the stubborn child again. He wants something and if you don't give him then he will throw a tantrum, albeit a silent one.
They are both progressing but how long will this go on? What will happen when Arnav's issues make their presence felt more strongly? Will the family ever come to know about Rishab's proposal?
Loved this chapter and thank you for the PM.
Now another song I feel describes Arnav's feelings for Khushi now. Its called Heart On Fire by Jonathan Clay ft. Scott Thomas.
I'm falling in,
I'm falling down.
I wanna begin
But I don't know how
To let you know,
How I'm feeling.
I'm high on hope.
I'm reeling.
And I won't let you go,
Now you know,
I've been crazy for you all this time.
I've kept it close
Always hoping
With a heart on fire,
A heart on fire.
With a heart on fire,
A heart on fire.
Hand in hand,
Sparkling eyes.
The days are bright,
And so are the nights.
'Cause when I'm with you I'm grinning.
Once I was through
And now I'm winning.
I won't let you go,
Now you know,
I've been crazy for you all this time.
I've kept it close
Always hoping
With a heart on fire,
A heart on fire.
With a heart on fire,
A heart on fire.
I was shut down, closed up
You opened up the door
I don't know where you can fall
But you woke me up and left me wanting more
Everything about you and everything you do
I won't let you go,
Now you know,
I've been crazy for you all this time.
I won't let you go,
Now you know,
I've been crazy for you all this time.
I've kept it close
Always hoping
With a heart on fire,
A heart on fire.
With a heart on fire,
A heart on fire.
All this time.
CID
16