PART 5
16th July,2011.
Payal served breakfast for everyone.Subhadra Malik was eating silently, Devyani was cutting fruits for everyone.Anjali was talking with Akash about some land property.Everyone was pretending that nothing happened.Last night came heavily upon everyone.
Khushwant was missing for the entire day, Arnav called in her magazine office, she wasn't even there.Everybody went out of their mind.What if she has done something drastic to herself?What if she left them forever?Every bad thing ran across their mind, when they were about to call the police then they saw a laughing Khushwant entering in house. Wall clock showed 2 am in morning.
Payal came forward, " What is it Khushi? How can you behave like this?"
"Like what?"..Khushi said casually.Arnav was shaking in anger.Other members were scared that now something bad will happen.
" Khushi, it's 2 am in morning, you should have given a call, at least.Everyone was so worried..", Payal screamed.
Khushi looked at everyone.She really messed it up, she looked at Arnav, his eyes were red, face was converting colors in the range of red to violate.
"Well, I was in a party, and I am selected as a scriptwriter for a show, huge event ..the editor of our magazine recommended my name..yeah..there I met some publication house owner..may be in future, I can write a novel...sorry..I just didn't get the chance to inform you people.."..Khushi informed everyone.
"Puttar, at least you should have given a call..you yourself can see the time?Is this the time to return?You have been alone..this is Delhi, every second day we get to know about victimisation of girls, you should have thought about that..." ..Devyani said in a soft tone.
"Nani ,can we go to sleep now?I have office to go...she knows how to handle things..", Arnav said finally..
"She is your wife Arnav, how can you be so indifferent?" Subhadra said..
Khushi's phone rang that time.
"Yes, Khushwant Grewal here..."..she couldn't even complete..her phone was snatched and thrown against the wall by Arnav..Arnav started to shout.."Khushwant Grewal?? Huh...you are Khushwant Grewal?..."..Akash caught him as he was stepping towards Khushi.."Bhai..Bhai..relax..you are not well, Bhai.."
"Ask your sister-in-law Akash..if she is a Grewal, then why she is in Randhawa Mansion.."..Arnav was about to cry loudly.."Hasn't she punished me enough ? How many times I have to appologise?How can I make up for all my mistakes?"..
Akash was pushing him in the opposite direction."Bhai..relax..it's by mistake ..just mistake..Bhai.."..Akash was requesting.
"Everyday, I think what should I do so that she does not get upset..I am sick and tired of everything.."..Arnav was screaming..
Khushwant just kept quiet.She was stunned to see his actions.Akash was having tough time to handle him.She was going backwards, step by step.Arnav escaped from Akash, and came to her, and grabbed her hand.Unfortunately, it was her left side.It wasn't too late..Akash pulled him by his collar..."Bhai..she is already injured..you want to make her physically disable for the rest of life?" ..Akash shouted..
Suddenly Arnav returned to all his senses.He became silent.He looked at Khushi, who was silent for the entire time.
Subhadra came forward, said ," Khushwant, I agree, we are at fault, we treated you badly, you have every right to be angry, but being angry and destroying everything is different, everyday Arnav is appologising, he is giving every possible effort to make you feel better, what are you doing? You are becoming harsh on him as well as harming yourself too...forgive me and my grandson, and at least give us a chance to rectify everything."
"I am sorry everyone, if I may say so..I am sorry for the inconvenience..you people please go to your bedrooms.." Khushi said loudly and left.
Arnav came in dining space, "Where is she?"..Devyani asked.
"Sleeping, her shoulder was paining like anything, she took sedatives..I shouldn't have held her hand like that.."Arnav said in a sad tone.
"Where she is sleeping?"..Payal asked..
"At her usual place..poolside.."..Arnav said.."I requested her many times, she gave a damn.."..suddenly servant handed over a box to Payal, it was a packed mobile set..."Give it to her, say that you bought it, I broke her mobile last night, she wouldn't definitely take from me..and congratulate her on my behalf.."
"Congratulate?"..Payal was surprised..
"She said last night, that she is writing a script for a show..she met some publication house owner..etc etc..so please congratulate her.."Arnav said.
"Payal, give the box to Bhai..right now.." Akash said in a firm tone.
"What?"
Akash snatched the box and gave to Arnav.."It's high time Bhai, that you do something serious, you broke her mobile, you misbehaved with her..so you go and rectify that..don't hide behind my wife..Payal, never go on behalf of Bhai if he says so..I am serious." Akash said.
"Akash..is this a way to talk to your wife ?"..Subhadra said.
"I know what to do.I never threw her out of the bedroom, I never made her sleep on floor, no matter how much I am pissed off because of her..I don't attack my injured wife, rather I never became the reason of my wife's injury, physical at least.." Akash said, he was done with breakfast.."Bhai, I am going, you take your time..Payal, be ready in evening, we will go to watch movie. Mother, we will have our dinner outside, do not wait for us.."..
He left no room for any doubt.
"I am sorry on his behalf.."..Payal said in a submissive tone..
"Yeah right" Arnav made a face and said ,"Now he is your husband, he used to ask me..what he should give you ,rose or tulip, how to dress to impress you..now he is giving me lectures..really time has changed.."
Payal said under her breath.."Not again..there is limit to behave like a pompous ass.."
"I am not being pompous Payal..I am just telling the truth.."..Arnav said with a smirk.."call him later and tell I am not going today.." and he left for his bedroom.
He entered and saw that Khushi was crying.She was sleeping and crying at the same time.Arnav winced in pain and guilt.He took long strides towards poolside and picked her up.He laid her on bed and instructed the servant to take the excess mattress and pillow kept on poolside.The mattress was brought by Khushi, that time she hadn't met her collarbone injury, now she won't be able to drag a mattress with one hand.
Khushi turned another side.She was wincing in pain.Arnav remembered what Doctor said, it will take long to recover fully, if care is not taken, bone can be dislocated again."Arnav Singh Randhawa, you should be beaten black and blue.." Arnav said to himself.He took pain relief ointment and rubbed on her shoulder and neck.Called her editor and informed that she was taking a day off.
She will do a good job as a scriptwriter, Arnav has read several writings of her. Quite imaginative. Innovative of course.She is very romantic by heart, all her romantic fantasies are reflected in her writings, but hardly visible in her expression when she is with Arnav.
She woke up at 10 am.Saw her position, Arnav was seated on the other side of bed, he was checking some files.Seeing her confusion ,Arnav said ," You were crying while sleeping, was it a nightmare or is it paining so much?"
Khushi just rubbed her eyes, Arnav came near..took her hand in his and said ,
" Sorry for last night,really sorry..."
"You don't need to..I should have called.."..Khushi said in grim voice.
"I love you...Khushwant..", Arnav said in a low voice." last night, I searching you like hell, what I went through in few hours, I cannot explain that.What Nani said, completely right, everyday in newspaper we read about that.I was really scared last night, and I lost my temper..and broke your phone.."
Arnav paused for a while and handed over the box..and the sim card to Khushi.. said ,"Please accept it..don't say no..I feel so bad..please..forgive me.."
Khushi remained silent..all she wanted to give him a tight slap.From the very beginning she is nurturing this wish deep inside her mind.Sometimes she really thought about her relationship with this man, why she was still here?If she went to court, judicial separation could be easily achieved, if not divorce, she has that much weightage in her case.But she did not.She didn't want Arnav to be released so fast from this trap.A trap of his own guilt and suffocation.
She took the mobile set, fit the sim in the set, and plugged it in the socket and switched it on.Land phone was ringing, Arnav picked it up...then he called her.. "It's mother-in-law.."..
"Yours?"..Khushi asked in a callous tone.
"Of course..your mother-in-law left the world years ago, it has been ages..you forgot.?"..Arnav said casually..
"How can I forget? Whatever I am facing in my life , directly or indirectly connected to her death only..."..Khushwant said and took the receiver," Yes, mother, what is it?"
"I heard what you said to your husband my dear.So you start your day like this..or there are some worse examples too?"..
Khushi glared at Arnav who was standing with a pale face..and said to her mother.."You have anything important to say or you called just like that..?"
"Payal informed me about last night, you did wrong.."..
"Yeah, very wrong, so wrong that I had to get another hit on my injured shoulder..well I got it, she didn't inform about that?"..Khushi said in irritated tone.Arnav's color got more pale.
"You are not understanding Khushwant what you are doing..this will lead to ultimate chaos, which you yourself may not like, you still have time ..don't go that far so that there remains no way back to life."
"Are you done with your advices? I have other things to do...bye.."..Khushi just cut the phone.
Just then, Payal knocked the door, "Khushi, may I come in?"..
"Yes please.."
Payal came with breakfast.."Khushi, you are not well, eat something.."..Payal offered..
"Come on Jijee..you only informed mother that I came home in the midnight?What..Jijee..!! Why didn't you publish it in newspaper.."..Khushi said smilingly.
Payal was taken aback.."Khushi, I just .."
"Well, mother didn't ask me whether my shoulder is alright or not..you forgot to tell that?"..Khushi asked again..with a smile.
"I told her everything..she certainly called you to ask about your well beings..." ..Payal tried to make up..
"How? By telling me that my shoulder is paining because of me? If only I was not late at night, I wouldn't have got the pain?"..Khushi asked with a huge grin..
Payal was on verge of tears."Trust me, nothing like that..nobody is blaming you.."
"Arre..why are you crying..I just asked simple question..I didn't mean to offend you.."..Khushi said, not without the grin.
Arnav kicked himself mentally, if only he wouldn't have mentioned about his mother's death, Khushi would remain calm. Poor Payal is being grilled by her like anything.
"I really didn't complain about you Khushi, trust me..I just felt bad about you.."..Payal couldn't finish..
"You are not supposed to think about me Jijee, you are not supposed to make any opinion that what I should do, how should my life go on.I entered in this family so that your in-laws do not get offended, I endured and still enduring everything which can be classified as domestic violence, a good case can be made under Section-498A of Indian Penal Code, recently one of my colleague filed one, against her husband and in-laws. I restrained myself from doing that, just because of you. So all you should do is to thank me, you thank me, don't thank me , either way I give a damn, but please, in future ask me first , before spreading rumours about me...that you can keep in your mind?"...Khushi continued with her grin.
Payal was shocked ,so as Arnav.This is in her mind? Section 498A of IPC?Well she has every reason to do that.Payal started to cry."How can you say like that Khushi? Things have been so wrong that there is no way back, but revenge in this way is not a solution?"..Payal said with a sob.
"Jijee..I told you, I could do that, but I didn't, I am not doing anything like that provided you people leave me alone, let me be on my own..you got my point?" ..Khushi said with a yawn.
Arnav have had enough, he interrupted, "Payal, you go to your room..please.. please.." ..Payal left the room.Arnav looked at Khushi, she was all ready with her acidic words.
"Is it paining again ? Let's go to your Doctor then.."..Arnav suggested..
"What?"..Khushi was surprised.
"You are hurting your mother, your sister..I can understand, your shoulder is still paining, else you wouldn't have talked like that.Please, let me take the appointment for your check up.."..Arnav requested.
"I know the road direction, whenever I will think it's necessary, I will visit him.. thank you very much.."..she said and entered in bathroom. 20 minutes later, she came out after taking bath.
"Eat something, Payal brought you this.."..Arnav pointed at the tray.
"Who told her to bring? Not me..I really don't like these things.."..Khushi said .
Arnav gave a sigh, said ,"Then tell me what you like to eat..you will get that.."
Khushi got annoyed..said ," I don't want anything..I need to go.."
"Where?"
"None of your business..."
Arnav came and stood in front of her, said in a firm tone, "It is my business Khushwant, you are my wife, I must make sure that you be alright..so, tell me, where are you going?"
"I am not answerable to you..Mr. Randhawa.."
"You are..Khushwant..you are..so, where are you going?"
"Haven't decided yet.."..
"Ohh..then sit there..decide..then inform me, then go wherever you want.."
Suddenly Khushi started to wince again.."Ohh..shit..Khushwant..are you alright..somebody there..?Payal..ask the drive to start the car..emergency.."
Doctor checked her up , completely, "Mr. Randhawa, I told you not a single pressure should be given on her left side, how this happened?Bone is not dislocated yet, but it could be..do you realise how serious is this?"
Arnav kept quiet, "Did you try to sleep with her..and in that course..she got hurt?", Doctor asked again.Arnav did not answer."Mr. Randhawa, be careful, I know you are human being, but ..you know..what I am trying to say.."..
Arnav gave a nod."She will have to put on the traction belt for one week at least, and help her when she gets dressed, don't let her give any effort by her left side. Okay?" Doctor said again.
She read several magazines and books throughout the afternoon, she had to have her evening tea with the family, and later, dinner was also in the list.She felt suffocated.
"Khushwant, last night you were talking about some scriptwriting, what is the context? And if your novel gets published, it will be great"..Anjali said in a glad voice.
"Haan..series of dance drama..and one shot drama..stage performance only, "
"What is the subject?"
"Ethnic and contemporary ,mixed actually, main theme is love.."
"Hmmm..you have done any initial sketch?"..it was from Arnav..
"Not yet.."
It was almost 12 at night, Khushwant understood that she will have to sleep on bed.She didn't mind, it was a torture to sleep at poolside.However, she went to bathroom for changing and was about to close the door..Arnav stopped her hand.
"Doctor said not to pressurise your left side.He told me to help.."
"I don't want it.."
"Irrelevant, I know you need help, you want to argue, fine, that will not change anything.."
Arnav took off her traction belt from shoulder, "Raise your hands..",he said..
Khushi followed his instruction, Arnav took off her kamiz slowly..he didn't miss her stiffness, he cursed himself.Then he touched the hook of her undergarment, "Can you call Jijee.."..Khushi said after stopping his hand by her right hand.
"I will not do anything, trust me, Doctor told me to help you, that's what I am doing, ", said Arnav, and unhooked the piece of fabric and took it off, and put the night suit on her.."You can manage your salwar..I guess.."..said Arnav and left bathroom.
After dressing up she came out with her traction belt and stood near Arnav, "Yeah, I forgot..give it to me.." Arnav set the traction belt again.Then he set pillows for her and laid her down, kept one soft pillow under her left arm.
Arnav laid beside her, keeping safe distance, he kept staring at her."What?" ..Khushi said.
"Nothing..you have no choice to sleep showing your back to me..poor you.." ..Arnav said with a sigh.."I have one request.."..
"What?"
"Don't misbehave with Payal, I am the one to be blamed for your misery Khushwant, not her.."..Arnav said in a low tone.
"Hmm..what else?"
"Take care of yourself.."
Khushwant said ,"You are being too kind, you don't need to, and do not blame anyone for my miseries, it's my fault that I kept quiet, it was just the burden of my own gratitude to those who brought me up, I can never be the reason for your happiness, that I know very well, but I will try not to upset you anymore..."
Arnav could not say anything further.She doesn't trust him, what should he do to gain her trust?
"Khushwant, are you sleeping?"
"Not yet..what is it?"
"You will have to write some script..how will you write it? I mean with one hand you will be able to type?"
"I will do it with pen and paper.."
"Is there anyway I can help?"
"I will tell you..if there is any.."
"Khushwant.."
"Hmm.."
"You don't love me..right?"
There was no answer, Arnav looked at her, she was fallen asleep.
Edited by yakkudimag - 12 years ago
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