Chapter 2

SS: Storm Within by TINA!

Part 2--Could you hurt the one you love again and again?

The next morning, it was still raining heavily, thunder crackling every now and then. It seemed to mirror the storm embroiling Arnav and Khushi's hearts--the storm that had taken over their lives months ago and showed no sign of relenting.

Arnav slammed his fist into the wall, his eyes closing as he realized what was to come.

He had to hurt her. Just like every morning, he had to be cruel.

There was no other option; he'd tried everything else. The throbbing in his hand was nothing compared to what would follow. Every time he ignored her, taunted her, screamed at her, his heart revolted, his insides throbbed with biting agony.

But he had no choice. It was a vicious circle--and one that had no end in sight. Khushi would not concede, and he would not give up.

Arnav dressed mechanically in his business suit, heading out the door as if demons were chasing him. The entire family was seated around the breakfast table: Nani was discussing something with Mami and NK, Payal was serving Akash, and his Di was calling the servants for more tea.

His wife was not there and while he ached to see her, he knew it was best if they did not meet. Perhaps then he wouldn't have to hurt her today.

"Chote!"

Anjali spotted him rushing past, and quickly grabbed a hold of his sleeve. "Chote, please, at least have breakfast before leaving."

"I have an important meeting at the office."

It was a rehearsed line, but likely no lie. His days were packed now with back-to-back conferences and work. It was far better to be consumed by contracts and figures than suffocating pain and darkness.

His sister pouted. "Please, Chote. Eat first. For me."

NK and Akash joined her, bodily taking him to the table. He sat reluctantly, one wish in his head: Please, love. Please stay the hell away from me. I don't want to hurt you, but I'll have no choice if you come before me.

His family did a fairly good job of overlooking his cold silence, the tension that clung to him. They'd grown used to it by now.

He ate quickly, barely knowing what he was chewing. And then, just when he was almost through, the unmistakable chime of anklets came from behind him.

"Khushiji! You look beautiful," NK exclaimed, snapping a picture with his ever-ready camera.

They were all smiling and laughing. As if nothing was wrong. As if everything was perfect.

It made Arnav yearn to scream, to break their foolish fantasy. How could they smile? How could they appear so bloody happy?

He could not do it. He couldn't even stomach the thought of it. Maybe once he'd been an expert at pretense, but Khushi had changed him. Her love had forever marked him. He could not conceal the storm brewing within his heart. And nor did he desire to.

"Thank you," his wife whispered, blushing under everyone's praise.

Her soft gaze fell on him and as always, he found himself looking up, staring right into those inky depths.

NK had done her no justice. She was far beyond beautiful. In her yellow and gold embroidered saree, she looked ethereal. Radiant. A bewitching temptress who'd captured his heart long ago.

He forced himself to frown, glancing away. But as always, she would not leave him be. Everyone else may have given up on him, but she would not. Never.

"Arnavji.." Khushi smiled brightly as she came to his side, a brimming tray in her hands. "Would you like some more tea?"

He scowled up at her. He'd seen grown men back down when he'd done the same, but she did not even shrink away, holding the tray higher instead.

"Arnavji?"

He swung his hand upwards, sending the tray flying with one snap of his wrist. His family members jumped up, their eyes widening as the porcelain shattered on the tiles, hot tea splattering across the fine marble.

"Chote!"

"Nanav!"

"ENOUGH!" he shouted. "You all can choose to keep up this facade, but I will not. Never! There is no happiness left now--not in my life at least. There's nothing to smile about!"

They all exchanged glances, but Khushi did not. Her eyes were locked with his, her hands trembled but otherwise, she gave nothing away.

Before anyone could stop him, Arnav hurried out the door, his heart constricting with renewed pain. Would its sting ever go? He doubted it.

Khushi tried to smile reassuringly at the others as she sat down. What she really wanted to do was chase after her husband, to make him see reason. But she knew from months of experience it would do little good. He was adamant. Set on hating her.

If only he knew that she could see right through him. That she could read his heart.. his pain as well as her own. Try as he might to hide it, but she still could make out the love in his eyes when he thought she was not watching him, could recognize the distress in his gaze every time they fought.

But what scared her most was one emotion she saw flicker every now and then: fear.

Her husband was fearful, so anxious his taunts no longer carried the same bite. He could try to resent her, but just as in the past, he was failing--only much worse this time.

The sudden feel of Anjali's hand on her shoulder startled Khushi. Her sister-in-law smiled warmly.

"Let's go, Khushiji. We should get ready. The guests will start arriving soon."

*****

That day, for the first time in months, Arnav came home around lunchtime. He'd had no choice. In all this tension, he'd forgotten a very important file. It was kept in the small safe in his bedroom.

His plan had been to move fast: grab the file and leave just as quickly. But what he saw as he walked inside Shantivan stunned him. He froze mid-step, his gaze widening with disbelief.

The house looked completely different. Banners, streamers, and colorful lights were everywhere. Music was playing and a rather large group of guests was laughing and chatting over bites of cake.

In the center of all the commotion sat Khushi, Nani and Anjali beside her. She was smiling and clapping as some children danced.

Did no one else see it? he wondered. Did no one care about what they were doing to her?

He felt a murderous rage descend over him. He could not help but stalk right up to his family. His wife gasped as she spotted him through the crowd.

"What the hell is going on here?" His tone was low, but charged with emotions.

No one answered, glancing out the corner of their eyes at one another.

"You have five seconds to explain," Arnav warned the trio. "Or so help me, I'll put a stop to this otherwise."

"No, Chote! You can't!"

His grandmother looked just as alarmed. "It's nothing, we're just celebrating--"

That word snapped what remained of his control. "Celebrating? There's no reason to celebrate!"

Khushi rose then, sensing that he was on the verge of breaking down completely. He was standing so close that her body accidentally brushed across his.

Arnav backed away, his lips thinning as he gazed at her. Unbidden, his eyes traced over her, lingering over the part he always strove to disregard.

There was no ignoring it now. Khushi's stomach was heavily swollen, protruding from her slender frame. She was nearly eight months pregnant.

And all he could think was: There it is. The reason all this pain has descended upon us.

"Congratulations, Arnav," one of his aunt's friends said, patting his back. "You should have come earlier. It was a wonderful baby shower."

He brushed her hand aside, his heart pounding with despair. "Leave."

The woman looked at him bewildered. "I'm sorry, but I think I heard you wrong."

This time Arnav shouted. "LEAVE! EVERYONE GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"

Everyone seemed to freeze around him. He could see his sister shaking her head, could see his Mami's embarrassed expression, but he did not care.

His gaze was focused on his wife. She'd not spoken, but he could read well the emotions in her eyes.

"Don't," she mouthed.

His jaw clenched in answer. "Did you not hear me? GET OUT NOW!"

The guests left then, casting confused glances over their shoulders.

"I'm so ashamed of you, Chote," whispered Nani heatedly.

He paid her no attention, ripping down banners and ribbons from overhead and sending them flying. No one could control him. He was wild, a red haze of rage clouding over everything else.

"Party over," he said when he finally stopped, his body shaking violently. "Do you all understand? Your celebration is over now."

Without pause, he marched towards the stairs. Through the thick fog of anger, he could feel her eyes boring into him. He found himself turned back, unable to look away.

Khushi appeared lost, wounded..

Could you hurt the one you love again and again? Yes, you could, but the scars would mark you too, never fading.