Chapter 2
Chapter 2
"Khushi, what's up with that face sweety?" Anjali asked as she came to RM for a breakfast. "Are you alright? Why I feel you have a flu? And why can't I see, Chote?"
"He is..."
"Here I am, Di!" he said, as he shortly came out of the study to see who had come.
"Hey, Chote," she said and then when she looked at Lavanya coming, she asked, "And she?"
"Di, she came yesterday. To visit her best friend, Arnav!" Khushi said as she covered for Arnav.
"Chote, you didn't tell. And you, Khushi, you are telling me this now?"
"Di, why are making a lot hell of an issue? She is here to visit me, so what's the big deal?!"
"I got no problem!" she said as she completely ignored Lavanya. "You better take Khushi to the hospital. She is sick!"
"No, di. I am fine. I caught little cold."
Lavanya almost chocked on her food.
"What kind off food is this?" she complained. "Urggh...too oily...ASR, doesn't your wife take care of you? This is so unhealthy!"
"First of all, that food I brought. Second of all, you are a guest here so you better know how to talk to the owners of the house!" Anjali said. Her tone clearly told that she hated Lavanya.
"ASR, can't believe that in your house people do not know how to talk to a guest!"
"We surely know that, but we decide to whom we have to talk nicely or to whom not. So better stay in your limits. If you don't like what is being cooked in this house go out and eat!"
"This is too much, ASR!" she said.
"Why don't you talk to me, why are you pulling him in?" Anjali asked.
Lavanya left from the breakfast table in anger.
Arnav gritted his teeth as he looked at Khushi.
"Di, why are you so angry?" Khushi asked.
"Chote, you are married man now, better keep your girlfriends away now!"
"Di, you are just hyping this matter."
"Oh really? Anyways, I am not here to discuss all this. Khushi, please sit and eat food. And later, you, take her to the doctor. This girl refuse to take care of herself. And you should be really taking care of her."
Arnav forced a smile on his face.
"Sure, if I will not take care of my wife who else will then?!" he said. But only Khushi could tell how angry he was.
Khushi did sit down to eat food, but she didn't feel like eating just like for the past two days. Food was important to live and that was something that she did not want to do now.
"Anyways, here are the tickets to the party that is held for couples at the hotel paradise. My friend has sponsored it. I have put both of your names in. Sweety, I know you aren't feeling well, but that's an another reason that you need to get well soon. Also, I don't want to hear no as you already said no to dinner already. Your brothers were very disappointed. Although, I will not be joining it, I have couple of my friends who will be going with their partners, I will get to know. So you better attend it. See you both soon!" Anjali said.
"Bye di!" Khushi said.
Arnav threw the plate of food on the floor in anger as soon as he knew Anjali was gone.
"Wait, why do I feel that you are doing all this deliberately. Don't tell me that you are using di...If you are, you are mistaken that it will work!" he said.
She again was quite. She has no answers to his assumptions about her. In fact, it didn't matter now as he had already concluded the fate of their relationship.
***
"Khushi, is there anything wrong between you and Arnav because of Lavanya?" Anjali asked.
"What? No. Where you even come up with this thought?" she asked as she laughed. "Di, you are worrying for nothing."
"Khushi, why can't I tell you are telling the truth?"
"Di, I swear!" she said and had her fingers crossed. "There is nothing wrong. Arnav loves me so much that he won't let any third person come in between me and him."
"Khushi, you are saying this I believe you. But not that Lavanya. Presence of third person in a husband wife, can create drifts!"
"Di, Lavanya is hot tempered, but she is nice. No problem between us!" Khushi said.
"Okay, sweety. I am relieved after what you said. You take care of yourself. Now I hung up the phone. I have to make a cup of tea for daddy ji and mummy ji! Also, dress in that golden saree that Chote had bought for you in the party!"
"Yes, di!" Khushi said.
***
"Effing...I don't know how long I am stuck with you. Can't wait the day you will finally be out of my life. Feel so suffocated!" Arnav said as he put his wrist watch on.
Khushi was too lost to even pay attention what he was saying, she was looking for her saree but only digging absentmindidly through her wardrobe, when she heard Lavanya's voice she came out of trance.
"ASR, is she going to the party?"
"Yes, me and her. Di have only pass for us two!" Arnav said.
"Darn it. I know it's so frustrating, ASR. But don't worry I will accompany you somehow!" Lavnaya said.
"That will be lot better at least I will have a distraction even in her presence!" he said looking at Khushi.
"I know how much headache she is for you. As I say, relax. She doesn't deserve your anger, by the way, you look hot!" she said and took him out of the room, but she stopped half way. "And you, better get ready in under fifteen minutes. Otherwise me and ASR will leave!" Lavanya said and they both finally left.
Khushi leant against the cupboard then slid down to the floor.
***
"Mam, it's a pass for only two and for Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada, and Arnav Singh Raizada, you cannot go in!" security man said to lavanya. "Mam and sir, you may go inside," he said to Arnav, Khushi and let them go in. Lavanya's nose flared as they both went in.
"How about money?" she said. "Would that work?" She added as she tried to bribe them.
"Sorry, mam, we don't sell passes. If you want to go in get your boyfriend than we might do something!"
"Is that it?" she asked.
"Yes, it's a couple party. And also, one of you should be registered."
"Shit! Now what do I do?"
She looked around if she could find someone.
***
"Mr. and Mrs. Raizada, please have a seat!" Manager said. "You have come on a very right time. Couples will be asked to join soon on the stage for a dance!""
"Indeed a very right time!" Arnav said as he faked a smile on his face.
***
He pulled her hard towards himself, his hands were tightly wrapped around her waist. "What a lovely couple we are, right?" he said in disgust. When she wasn't looking at him he forced her to look at him. "What happen, do you feel ashamed to look into your husband's eyes?" he asked. She had no idea what was the basis of his comment when he wanted to take that title from her.
Then he whirled her around in circles. She was going to trip when he was once again holding her in his hold. "You are very clumsy, aren't you?"
"Why are you doing this?"
He smirked. "It gives me happiness. A certain pleasure. No regret to tell you that you are the first person in my life whom I hate so much that I won't mind throwing out of my life like a crap!" he said.
"Arnav, you can hate me as much you want even though I do not know why you hate me this much, but I will only love you," she said. This made him look into her eyes that was smiling but sadly.
He pushed her back when Lavanya came.
"ASR, here I am!" she said as she came and hugged him. "Meet, Mr. Rahul Roy. He got me in. Mr. Rahul, thank you. You could enjoy with this lady," she said pointing at Khushi and took Arnav away.
"Hmm...Is he your husband?" Rahul asked as he stood beside Khushi. "Hate marriage! Probably, he loves his girlfriend!"
"You shouldn't be bothered!" she said. She was going to leave when he held her hand. Khushi gave him a cold look. He let go off her hand. "Sorry," he said as she shrugged his shoulder, "...didn't mean to. Looks like you have no company I can accompany you," he said.
***
"Where is she now?" Arnav asked.
"Must have gone home!" Lavanya said. "Haven't seen her in the party, even I was looking for her. Call her!"
Khushi's phone rang, but Rahul took from her hand and the other moment threw it away.
"What have you done?" Khushi said in shock.
"Even you are alone and me too. Looks like we can really accompany each other!" he said and held her hand and dragged her to the parking lot. "Let's go to my home. Believe me no one will know. Before this party will end I will drop you back home. Anyways, your husband is enjoying with his girlfriend."
Khushi looked at him in shock. She slapped him. "Can't believe you are such a cheap man, leave me!" she said in disgust and got her hand free from his hold.
Rahul pulled her in his arms forcefully and forced himself on her. "Oh come on, your husband is cheating on you, you should probably do the same."
"Shut up, what do you really know about me and my husband, even if he is cheating on me you have nothing to do with it. Leave me!" she screamed. "Arnav!" she yelled when he refused to let go her, and as if somehow in case he heard her and came to help her. "Please someone help me!" she yelled as loud as she could.
"Are you calling a man who doesn't need you? And seeing hatred in your relationship and the way your husband went away with his GF, it clearly showed how much he actually cares for you!"
Khushi tried to kick him, but in front of him she was nothing. He pushed her and she fell on the car bonnet. He moved further.
"Look, stay away from me!" Khushi tried to get up but he held her both arms. And she bit his hand with all her force. He growled in pain, he clenched her hair, even then she bit him as hard she could, the hold on his hand with her teeth, Rahul gave up and loosened his grip on her hair and eventually let go off them, she was going to run away, but he fisted his hand on her skull and turned her around and slapped her. The next moment she knew was that she was struggling to stand on her feet. Her lips were bleeding. She couldn't even wail in pain, as no voice came out of her throat. Rahul smirked in his victory, he had just clenched her pallu around her shoulder in a tight fist, when his hand was grabbed from behind, Rahul looked to his right at his wolf like form, he was literally forced to let go off her pallu, and the other moment he was pushed away from Khushi.
Arnav held Khushi by her shoulders, and looked at her bleeding lips and marks of a slap on her cheek.
"Arnav..." she called his name, her head felt shock after shock. He made her limp body sit on the ground. He took off his coat and wrapped around her shoulders.
"Man, just chill I was having a friendly conversation with her!" Rahul said. Too bad he had not thought of running away. Arnav's hands clenched, his facial muscles quivered in anger, as he looked at Khushi's state. He turned around and punched Rahul's face without any added warning. His one or two teeth broke. Arnav did not give him a chance to recover from the first blow and he punched his nose, probably his cartilage was broken by now. Blood was already flowing out of his nose.
He did not see where he punched, let it be his ribs, his stomach, but he made sure he didn't leave any chance to break his body part where ever he hit him. He kneed his stomach. He couldn't stand on his feet, but Arnav made him by fisting his hair.
"Please let me go. I won't touch any woman from now onwards," he pleaded.
"That you would do if you will be given a chance, you..." he gritted his words and then threw him backwards, lifeless.
Then he looked at Khushi and rushed to her. He sat on her side and pulled her in his arms, "Khushi, open your eyes!" he said. He cupped her face. When she did not answer, he took her to the car which was not parked far.
He settled her in the car seat and took the bottle water from the back seat and sprinkled water on her face.
"Khushi, wake up!"
He raked his hand in his hair in frustration when she didn't open her eyes. He went back where Rahul was and beaten the hell out of him. Then he called the police and got him arrested.
***
Khushi refused to take help of Arnav and moved away. She then absentmindedly walked towards her room.
"Arnav, what happened? I had to take the taxi. When and why did you leave? And your coat, what is it doing it with her?" she said and was going to get it when Arnav stopped her.
Lavanya was surprised. She wondered what was up with him. "ASR, what is it?" she asked, afraid, as she looked at his state. "Are you fine? Khushi? Is she okay?"
He shook his head.
"What happened, ASR?" she asked, her tone even more scared then before. "Did anything happened between you and Khushi?"
"That bas***d Rahul tried to molest her. He..."
Lavanya looked at him shocked and put her hand over her mouth. "Shoot! Did...did you get that moron arrested?"
Arnav looked at her in anger. "That bas***d would never ever dare to touch any woman!" he said.
"Does she need a doctor?"
"She refused to!"
"ASR, you should go and see her then!"
***
Arnav stood outside his room, and saw Khushi, she was sitting on the floor. She still had his coat around her wrapped around her tightly. Tears flowed down her pale cheeks. He took one step then stopped. Then after few minutes went in. She immediately wiped her tears and muffled her sobs. And stood on her feet.
"With cries nothing going to happen!" he said, as he took his night suit from the cupboard. "Stop it...Its annoying!" he said.
She removed coat around her arms and hung it on the chair. He went to the washroom and shut the door with a loud bang. She trembled.
She sat on the bed and slowly laid on the bed, curled into a tight ball, and hugged the pillow. Her tears drenched the pillow. She was so traumatized that she didn't even get to know when did she sleep.
Arnav came out of the washroom after taking a shower. He saw her tightly curled into a ball in fear. He was unable to get himself to go near her. But then he slowly walked to her. She was thankfully sleeping now as exhaustion depleted her thinking power.
He slowly laid her on her back and wiped the tears that clung to her eyes. He then looked at her blistered lips. He moved his thumb lightly over it. She moved a little at his touch, but settled almost suddenly. He sat on the floor on his knees and without even his own consent he was caressing her hair.
She held her hand in fear in her sleep. "Please, don't, don't touch me!"
"Khushi, you are safe, it's me!" he said. Her body relaxed and then she muttered something but was slowly peacefully sleeping. Arnav got up and went to take the first aid box.
***
It was 10:00 AM, Khushi hadn't come out of her room. Arnav looked for her as he waited at the breakfast table. Looked like it wasn't prepared by Khushi but by servants. "ASR, how is Khushi doing?"
"I don't know for now!" he said. "But she slept well!"
Then he finally saw her finally coming downstairs. She looked absent. With no emotions on her face. Lavanya looked at her.
"Hello, Mrs. Khushi," she said.
"I am sorry, I slept in. It won't happen again!" Khushi replied. "I mean as long as I am here!" she corrected herself. They both knew that she was trying to act normal but hardly was able to get herself to do so.
"ASR, I have to go and see my friends. May I go, or you need me, or why don't you come along?!"
"You should carry on. I have got to go to the office."
"Alright!" she said. "Meet me at the coffee shop at 4:30 PM!"
"Sure!"
Khushi left to the kitchen. She held the countertops and again she was unable to hold her tears back. She wiped her tears. When she turned around, Arnav was standing behind her. She didn't get to know when he had come.
She looked down to hide her tears. But from her face anyone could have guessed she was crying.
"I know last night whatever happened shouldn't have happened. It has..." he stopped when she let out a loud cry, she was going to slid down to the floor when he held her by her shoulders. She was keeping herself from crashing into his arms.
"Everything is okay, Khushi, nothing has happened. That bas***d is in the jail!" he said.
Arnav at best could do was given her a hug and assured that everything was fine. But something was stopping him. She had to be strong.
"I have told you before that stop showing me your crocodile tears. It has no effect on me."
This made her look at him, he slid his hands off her shoulders. It is said if you don't want to see anyone in tears, make sure to pretend you didn't notice them. And exactly that he had to do it. He knew she was strong and had to pull out of the trauma. And true he wouldn't have gotten himself to tell this to her.
"Why is he so cold towards her?" she thought. "Why so much hatred for her? and why he shows concern on the other side?" She wouldn't ask him this, even if she did she would not have gotten any answers. Neither it kept any importance. Did it?!
***
It was the the fourth day, Arnav hadn't come home. Khushi didn't know where he was. Lavanya was around, but even she did not know about him.
She tried to convince herself that she had to accept the defeat. She had to accept his hatred. She had to accept it was the end of their relationship that may be that was never there in between them. They were just not meant to be together. May be she couldn't give him the happiness that he deserved.
***
"Chote, is Khushi with you?" Anjali asked.
"Di, she is home. Why do you call me? I am busy!"
"Chote, she isn't picking up her phone. Even the house work is not working. Is she fine?"
"Yes, di. She is fine. I guess her phone fell in the water. That's why it isn't working. I have ordered a new phone for her. By today, she will have it replaced!" he lied when in the past four days he hadn't even contacted her.
"Okay, Chote. Just to let you know Nani is coming. This is why I have called Khushi."
"What nani is coming when?"
"May be by tomorrow evening!"
"Shit!" Arnav muttered. "Thanks I will let Khushi know!" he said.
***
Door bell rang. Khushi picked herself up. Again thinking that it might be Arnav. But everyday's disappointment made her think she was wrong.
She got up the bed and walked out of the room as fast as she could.
"Good evening, sir!" his servant said. Khushi's heart was filled with relief seeing him after four days.
"Khushi!" he called.
"Sir, mam is in her room!" his servant said.
"Khushi," he again shouted ignoring his servant. She wondered why he was angry now. She rushed to him. "Yes," she said.
"Nani is coming!" he said. "So you better be prepared!"
"When?" she asked.
***
"Good evening, Nani!" Arnav said. He and Khushi both went to touch her feet to get her blessings.
"Stay always blessed both of you, may you stay happy together whole your life!" This made both of them look at each other.
"How have been your journey, Nani?" Arnav asked as he stood straight up. Khushi had still bent when she held her aching chest. But she tried to handle the pain.
"It was great. I was really missing you both, so thought I should visit you guys!"
"You did really good, Nani! How is everyone? Mami, mama ji, Akaash?"
"They all are good!" Nani said. "Missing you both!"
"Nani, you freshen up, I get food ready on table!" Khushi said and wanted to escape as her pain made her uncomfortable.
"Okay, bitiya!" Nani said and Arnav helped her walk to the room.
***
"Khushi, bitiya, why are you not sitting with us to eat?" Nani asked.
"Nani, I ate. Just before you came!"
"That's really good!" Nani said. "Chote, how have you been? How is your work?"
"Good, Nani. Work is going great."
"Khushi, bitiya, food is awesome."
She smiled.
A sharp pain grew in Khushi's chest and this time she couldn't stop herself from moaning as an acid rose to her throat.
"Khushi, bitiya. Are you okay?" Nani asked.
"Khushi, you alright?" he asked, as he sat beside her.
"It's hurting!" she said.
"Do you want to call the doctor?"
"Of course you should!" Nani said angrily.
Arnav took out his phone and called the doctor.
***
"Mrs. Raizada, looks like you have not been eating well!"
"No, I did...It is..." she said. "I didn't feel like eating much. I have lost my appetite!" she then said as she knew there was no point in lying a doctor.
"Well, you should. Food is important. Even if you don't feel like, it's your body who needs it. For now nothing to worry about. Chest pain is due to excessive stomach acid build up. Do eat food and these pepsin tablets. Take care of yourself, otherwise you need to be hospitalized. And that is not pleasant thing to do!"
"I think I will be okay!" she said.
"Perfect to hear that, see you, Mrs. Raizada!" she said.
***
"Doctor, how is khushi bitiya?" Nani asked as she and Arnav waited for the doctor outside the room.
"She has not been eating well that's why acid reflux. Nothing to worry about. But it could be serious as it could cause Ulcer. Just make sure she eats food and her medicine on time!"
"Thank you, doctor!" Arnav said.
"My pleasure...Call me if a need arise!"
He nodded as he gave her a faint smile.
***
"Hasn't she been eating?" Arnav asked Metaliya as he took plate of food that she prepared for Khushi.
"I think for the past week she is hardly eating!" she told him. "Now I should be leaving, sir!" she said as she bowed and left.
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