Chapter 7

Swati

@SwatStar_Arshi

Loved all comments... I know some of you feel Khushi being harsh towards Arnav but some people need harder push before they realize things... And Arnav has been such a thick head in this story... 

But I am sure you will love Chapter 7 - Name says it all... 

Chapter 7 - Soul Searching Night 

Sleep was far away from Arnav. Khushi slept immediately due to medicines, he could hear a small snore and he did not miss the cute smile on her face. After a long time, he was seeing her sleeping peacefully without crying or turning and twisting.

That made him think, was Khushi happy without him? Was he not the first person on her mind when she was in an accident? The thought almost killed his heart. He walked out poolside for some fresh air and started remembering the things happening last few days.

Last few days or may be almost more than a month, he was always busy at work or was surrounded by family, Aarav, Sheetal and never got his chance to relax with Khushi.  Or for that matter, due to Khushi's insecure behavior and DNA fiasco, he was purposely ignoring her. Today just one day he came early, he had to wait for her for few hours and he was completely pissed off. And poor Khushi has been waiting for his glimpse for more than a month now. It felt awful remembering how he was purposely sitting with Aarav and Sheetal for late hours. She questioned him and begged him to spend time with her and he had mocked her!!

While driving back home today, he had talked to driver Mohan to get firsthand information on the accident. He knew Khushi had slept off in the car and got jerk when accident happened. Looking at her holding her head, obviously first call was made to Arnav. Then after 5 minutes, she took logical decision to call Karan since he was at the nearest distance. Di had told him how at home, everyone gathered around Khushi not letting her chance even to move or talk and forced her to lie down and rest. Dr. was also called and Dr. too suggested her to rest. Her friends coming and seeing her later in the evening was natural and expected. Still he felt ignored or left out.

And all these days he was ignoring her purposely!!

What the hell was wrong with him? He was hopping mad with Khushi's friend Karan when he interacted with Khushi. He was so jealous when Karan side hugged Khushi while leaving though he also hugged Payal and he could see it was a pure friendly gesture. Still he felt like choking Karan for being so close to Khushi. But then he had called Khushi childish, insecure when she was seeing him day in and day out with his ex-girlfriend Sheetal. How could she not be insecure when Sheetal always talks about their college days, acts as his best friend and shows off that she knows Arnav better than his own wife? And not to forget her son acts, walks, talks and eats exactly like him!!

What is going on around him?? He suddenly felt sick to his stomach. All these days he ignored all the obvious signs and conveniently blamed Khushi!

He could easily connect the dots and realized Sheetal is never even looking for an apartment. She has been in their house for more than a month and given a chance she is showing no signs to move out. Suddenly he was shocked with this new revelation. He realized Sheetal was always joining them to work related parties by travelling with them stealing their privacy as a couple, she would always go and come back from office with him, Aarav and she would hog his evening time.

He had always been surrounded by too many women to not understand how Sheetal was all the time openly flirting with him, trying to be physically closer to him and trying to hog all his time in the name of work or Aarav. She did it many times in front of his family and especially Khushi. How the hell did he allow that? And how painful it must have been for Khushi?

He had seen Khushi's face always pale these days, her smile not reaching her eyes and she was mostly quiet. Was he always this dumb? His Harvard brain was useless when it came to his relationships, he knew that but was he this blind too??

He recalled how Khushi had tried to talk to him indirectly, asked him questions and ended up asking if he ate jalebis with anyone else? He could not help but laugh. She was trying hard to make things work and he was being thick headed. He just hated himself that moment!!

He could have, would have and should have done so many things differently. He was older and supposedly more mature in their relationship. He could have simply asked Aman to look for an apartment for Sheetal and stopped Khushi from calling her to stay at RM. He could have spent more time with Khushi, been romantic and naughty with her like before and made her feel wanted and secure. After all she was the only one he ever loved!! He could have ensured her time and again that no old flings meant anything. Instead he chose to ignore her and was spending time with his ex-gf and her son in front of her!! He felt like slapping himself.

He looked at the sky. Tears rolled down from his eyes. He knew he has failed as her husband. She was never childish or doubting him. She was just any young 20 year old, newly married, trying to take care of his whimsical family, encourage her jiji, and help her to save her from Mamiji's taunts. She was just trying everything, running everywhere and managing everything with a smile. She never missed out any responsibilities towards him or any family members. And what did he do in return? Ignore her!!

And to top it all, he realized he has been always keeping quiet whenever Sheetal or Aarav behaved rude with Khushi or Payal. He was angry at her for DNA test but then how could he allow someone else to hurt his Khushi? Again he felt miserable not being able to protect her.

He walked inside. Felt peaceful looking at her sleeping. Suddenly remembered, Payal mentioned Khushi working part time job. He could not ask her why she needed or wanted to do the job. Even if he asked her now, he knew she will not tell him the real reason. Was her bauji / family ok? Why did she need money suddenly or she just wanted to avoid seeing him spending time with Sheetal and Aarav?

He had no clue when and where things started slipping from his hands. Usual control freak Arnav Singh Raizada was in total mess when it came to his relationship with his own wife. No wonder she stopped trying. No wonder he was a complete snob, jerk and what not!

What would he do with her? He kept smiling looking at her and again tears rolled down from his eyes. Should he just feel lucky she did not leave him after his insensitive behavior, apologize her forever, kiss her senseless and knock her out of her senses with his love, what should he do? Buaji's name for her - Titaliya was so perfect for her, he acknowledged. She spreads her wings and spreads colors of happiness in everyone's life around her. He needed to love and protect his fragile Titali...

He literally felt like going to kitchen and make jilebis just like Khushi and eat them!! What The?? He shook his head and smiled. What has she done to him? Right from the day one when she landed in his arms, his life was changed for good. It was time to cherish her.

And he clearly knew saying sorry or showering her with expensive gifts wouldn't cut the deal for him this time! This was his Khushi, love of his life!

Arnav decided he needed to take control of too many things!! First priority his wife, then find out motive of Sheetal's sudden visit. He apologized and kissed Khushi on her forehead and promised her he would work hard to mend their relationship while she was in deep sleep. He would always love and make her his utmost priority. He was devastated to acknowledge in his mind that he chose some other woman over his wife, his Khushi but then he was determined to fix his mistakes, be her partner, companion. He more than ever wanted to build his relationship with his wife. He wanted to know her in and out, wanted her to share her innermost feelings, and wanted her to run to him as she always did. Oh boy, he so much missed his Khushi.

Khush, he again felt sharp pain in his heart when he remembered Karan calling her Khush. His first thoughts when he had met her couple of times was she brought happiness in the surrounding. He so badly wanted to start calling her Khush but never did. He could never express himself well and now he had shunned her. He so badly wanted her to stop calling him Arnavji and just move on to Arnav. But he could wait for it now.

He just pulled her into him again kissed her forehead, held her hand and slept with new found resolution in his mind!!