Chapter 8
Chapter Seven
'Bhai...'
'Arnav Bitwa...'
'Chotey explain...'
After Anjali and Shyam had left the breakfast table and were in their room, the family circled Arnav, demanding an answer to his incomprehensible manoeuvre.
He looked at all their faces staring at him accusingly for letting that scoundrel enter Anjali's life again, and heaved a deep sigh. He looked directly at Nani, when he spoke as he knew only she would understand the depth of the desperation behind his decision and spoke the words that had brought his, Arnav Singh Raizada's defeat:
'Di is in denial again Nani.' The responsive gasp from her, and the rest of the family members said it all. The fear of Anjali, their beloved daughter, slipping away into the depths of insanity was a fear that gripped the core of every member in the Raizada house. The memory of her episodes after the death of Arnav and Anjali's mother had never left their minds, and hearing the words of her being in denial again raked up all those memories, making them as fresh as if they had lived (or more liked died) through that horror just yesterday.
No one spoke for what seemed like a long while. Each trying to pave their way out of the horror from the past. Finally Nani voiced a question that was beginning to etch its way into everyone's mind and had been eating at NK's for a while.
'But Chotey are you sure this is the only way...I mean after everything that has happened do you really want that man in this house, around Anjali, around Khushi...'
'Nani I'm not thrilled at having that man in this house but this was the only way...Di would have started questioning once he didn't show up and then what would we have done...she needs to be eased into the truth...and for that if I have to tolerate that sick man in this house I will do so...but I'm not going to risk Di's health or her child's Nani...I can't...once Di is stable and in the clear I will make her see the truth and kick that man out of her life once and for all...but until then we will just have to tolerate the scoundrel...and please everyone act as normally as possible around Di...don't let her suspect anything...'
'I understand all that Chotey but are sure this was the only way I mean do you really think it's safe to have that man in this house Chotey, not just for Anjali but for you too Chotey, I mean he's not exactly happy with what you did with him...and then what about Khushi bitya Chotey...she can't be safe with that man inches away from her...'
'Exactly Nannav...by bringing that man here you have put khushi ji in grave danger...did you even think once about her before you bought him here?'
At the mentioning of Khushi's safety Arnav's head snapped up and he turned around to look at her. She sat there, next to Payal still ghostly pale, clutching Payal's hand. And he gave an involuntary laugh.
' Safety?! Khushi's safety?!! Are seriously asking me that question?!!'
He said mockingly at NK and his Nani but seeing the concern and seriousness on their faces realised that they were still under the phantom, Khushi Kumari Gupta's spell.
'You don't have to worry about her safety Nani, because he would never hurt her, not his love!!' spat out Arnav disgustedly at Khushi. 'Would he Khushi? I bet you're really happy right now, now that your lover is back in the house. You're probably already thinking of rendezvousing with him on your beloved terrace!!! But you know what Khushi Kumari Gupta, your wrong!! He may be here but you two won't get your way. Either of you step out of line and try and break Di's illusion of her happy marriage and I swear I will break you Khushi. Don't forget he may be your lover but i'm still your husband and you answer to me. I told your good-for-nothing lover this and I'm telling you too, you put one step out of line and I will make you sorry for ever crossing me!!' growled Arnav at Khushi.
Khushi who had been sitting quietly through Arnav's second round of threats (after last night), digging her nails into Payal's palms finally released Payal's hands after Arnav had reached his crescendo and got up to look at him full in the face. Her face was blank. Impassive. There were tear marks on her cheeks from earlier but other than that it was completely empty, no emotion flickered across it. She replied to his banter in a dead, soft spoken voice.
'You already have broken me, what more do you plan to break Arnav ji?' She turned to leave, but stopped to add, 'And about me being sorry to have ever crossed you, well Arnav ji, I am sorry everyday that our paths crossed, no point in you trying to make me regret what I already do.'
And with that Khushi left Arnav and the rest of the Raizada's in a cloud of dead air. Speechless. Her voice had been low, but it wrung loud and clear in their heads. Something about her tone, or the lack there of left them unsettled.
****
After a long pause Nani again broke the silence and snapped Arnav out of his thoughts. Thoughts that had begun to debate Khushi's innocence again and the pain that he had and was causing her. The brother inside him argued vicsiouisly of her guilt, holding her words against her. While the lover inside him countered violently stating her innocence through her actions, actions that had ensured his life today. He was standing, alive in the Raizada lounge because she had risked her life for him. Yet the brother in him was unwillingly to let go of her suggestion to Shyam to leave his Di, and the fact that Mami ji herself had heard her ask Shyam to give Di a divorce and she herself had admitted to getting him to sign the papers. But her eyes and her heart and her behaviour all suggested otherwise...ugh what was the truth and why was it so hard to find...
'Chotey? Chotey I asked you a question.' Nani's authoritative voice cut through Arnav's plaguing thoughts.
'Hunh...what?'
'Chotey I asked you what was all of this? What you just said to Khushi bitya? Have you lost your mind?!! How can you even suggest that she is happy to have that man in this house, she is your wife! Do you not know her at all?!'
'Hunh...Nani what are you saying? Are saying that you think Khushi is innocent, that she had nothing to do with the whole Shaym fiasco?'
'Far from it...she is not innocent. But she isn't guilty either.'
'What?!'
'Chotey I don't know what is going through your head and why you said all those harsh things to Khushi bitya. All I know is that you have accused her wrongly. You cannot blame her for Shyam's lust and his irreparable actions.'
'Wait are you saying that you believe Khushi to be innocent?'
'Of any crime, yes.'
'If that is so then why have you been treating her so indifferently?'
'Because she may be innocent of the crime but she is guilty of betraying my trust. I trusted her to tell me the truth but she lied and kept this dirty secret. I understand why, it was to protect Anjali bitya. But that still doesn't justify her keeping the truth from me, or you for that matter.'
'So wait you don't think that she loves Shyam?'
'NO! I could never think that, I know Khushi bitya very well Chotey. She would never have an affair with a married man, and she would never even think of hurting Anjali bitya not only because she loves Anjali bitya so much, but because she loves you Chotey! She could never hurt you. Now I don't know what is going on in your head but if you don't watch out you may just end up losing both Anjali bitya and Khushi bitya, by bringing that man into this house. I hope you have thought things through.
'Now Manorama, will you please help me to my room, I think I have seen enough drama for today.'
As Nani Left with Manorama. NK approached Arnav.
'You're doing wrong Nannav. Very wrong for not trusting Khushi ji. And I'm sorry to say it but you will regret it Nannav. Severely regret it.'
As the family left the lounging area, Arnav was left in the middle, with Khushi, Nani ji and NK's words echoing in his head.
You already have broken me... She would never have an affair with a married man, and she would never even think of hurting Anjali bitya... because she loves you Chotey! She could never hurt you... You're doing wrong Nannav. Very wrong for not trusting Khushi ji... I am sorry everyday that our paths crossed... if you don't watch out you may just end up losing both Anjali bitya and Khushi bitya... you will regret it Nannav. Severely regret it.
****
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