Chapter 3

Chapter 3 : Change for yourself, not for anyone else

Arnav awoke from sleep suddenly, his right arm instinctively reaching for Khushi , discovering her side of the bed empty. Startled, he sat up abruptly. Then he spotted her, seated cross-legged by the poolside doors, hands holding a container of channe but not eating. He was about to drag her back into bed when he heard her muttering to herself.

I feel like a fool. Why can't I be cool and take everything in my stride? He's going to think I'm a typical housewife, overreacting for small things and making big filmy drama! I AM that only!!' she grumbled comically.

Main bhi na, I should do something. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I'll try to make myself look better. Maybe I should ask Di to take me shopping. Yes ! That would be great. She can have a nice day out too...'

But... Di only wears sarees. I wanted to try jeans and skirts. I wish Lavanyaji was around. I could've asked her... Nevermind I'll ask Sheetalji where to go. She would know what sort of Western clothes Arnavji likes..'

She actually had the nerve to look pleased with herself ! Arnav thought in horror. Shopping with Sheetal! No way in hell ! His wife is truly guileless. He made a decision right then, and strolled over to sit by her.

Kya hua Khushi? Hungry?' he asked innocently, pretending he hadn't been listening to her monologue the whole time. She immediately packed up her snack and smiled nonchalantly. No, Arnavji, just couldn't sleep,' Arnav entwined their fingers and pulled her into his embrace.

Come back to bed baby. It's too early for heavy thoughts..' And he led her back into bed and they slept in each other's arms.

*~*~*~*

When Arnav came out of the bathroom the next morning, he found his wife folding laundry.

Khushi, I want to take you shopping.'

Khushi gaped incredulously at him and dropped the laundry. Kya..?'

You heard me. Now get ready.' He bundled her out into the car and they drove to the mall. He didn't lead her to the upmarket places but to the ladies section of the department store. He knew she liked to bargain, if she saw reasonably priced items, she would be more at ease to browse and not feel out of place.

At first she only looked and refused to try, but slowly as she spotted more things she liked she started being adventurous. Arnav just followed her around encouragingly, steering her away from tacky items with feathers and leopard prints, but on the whole she had a good sense of color and style. He saw her hesitancy at trying some jeans, and he intervened.

He suggested some bootleg jeans and a simple lacey top for her to try, and she beamed. She flounced into the dressing room to try them on. But she took extraordinarily long to open the door for inspection. When the door opened to Arnav, he found her inside, trying to pull down her top over her cute derriere, feeling self conscious.

Khushi, you have a very sexy behind. Believe me, I know,' he said with a wink. Appreciating her gorgeous blush, he said 'but if you're feeling self conscious get some kurtis to match them. You'll like the colors and patterns. Anyway,I don't want anyone else appreciating my wife's behind!'.

Khushi loved the idea. She chose kurtis with a couple of jeans, but also took the lacey top he had chosen, and matched it with a flowery flared skirt. Arnav smiled at her glee.

Khushi, I'm going to the IT section for a moment. Please take whatever you like, okay?' Arnav knew she was now dying to try some other things and experiment. He gave the salesgirl his card and left for the bookshop where he could kill some time.

After an hour and a half, he came back to find Khushi grinning with glee with her purchases.

Arnavji, can I cut my hair?' she asked tentatively. She rushed to reassure him when she saw his horrified expression. He loved her hair !

Just a little shorter Arnavji. It's a little difficult to style at waist length. Just a few inches shorter??' she compromised. Arnav wasn't too happy but he nodded. He proceeded to watch over the hairdresser with arms crossed, scaring the Mohawk haired woman a little.

But the happiness in Khushi's face was worth it. She had long sexy bangs now, hanging over her face very alluringly, and the new layers in her silky hair did wonders. She felt sexy, and he could see it. Coming out of the hairdresser's, she hugged him with so much glee that he laughed helplessly.

She walked in Shantivan that afternoon, to gaped mouths and wolf whistles. Everyone loved her kurta and jeans look and her sexy new haircut. And Arnav loved the happiness in her face, and the fact that she had let him do this for her willingly.

Sheetal looked down at the tableau with disdain. So country bumpkin went shopping at retail, so? But she was no fool. Arnav was making giant strides towards his wife and away from her reach.

She had to do something big. Now.

She scrolled down the contacts list of her phone and found the number of her old reporter friend at the gossip section of a daily newspaper. And a plan formed in her devious mind.

Hello Shelly? It's me Sheetal. Yes, I'm working at AR Designs now. Listen,I have a scoop for you. Did you know ASR is married? Yes! I'll give you the details. But I'm an anonymous source okay?' and the malicious gossiping continued for some time.

*~*~*~*

That night, Arnav was surprised to find Khushi wearing cutesy pajama pants with stars and a short fitting cotton top. She was adorable, with her new hair and all. She was buoyant with happiness, and cuddled into his arms as she tortured him by playing Salman Khan's new movie on their tv. She watched it absorbedly, but didn't protest when Arnav's hands started wandering around her body, becoming more and more distracted as he started nuzzling her neck from behind.

Lifting her top off he murmured huskily, I like this new top, much much easier to take off...Remind me to buy you more of them...' and claimed her lips. Salman Khan's movie continued on the screen ignored as they made love, the urgent gasps and moans drowned, as the flickering light from the tv flashed over entwined limbs.

That night, the lovers slept peacefully, bathed in their passion for each other. It was a temporary respite for them however, as a few miles away, a reporter was busily typing a story to be fast tracked into tomorrow morning's paper.

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To be continued...

☢️sageflower7☢️