Chapter 40: Yeh duriyaan

There was knock on the door which brought khushi to open her eyes. She lifted her gaze and saw dhruv entering the ward while arnav was still sleeping. Her grip on arnav hand grew tight seeing her brother in front of her eyes. Her entire body was trembling in fear. She wanted to take arnav in her embrace and protect him from everyone who wanted to separate her from her husband and unfortunately her brother was among them. She was still not come out of that horrible dream which she seen last night. Dhuv taken the seat on the stool before her as he was surprise seeing the look on her face. Certainly, it is difficult to hide anything from him and she had a fear he may read what is going in her heart.

''Bha-iy-a..aap yaha..erhw.. how is anjali?'' She tried to divert his mind as he was looking at arnav with cold glare. Why he is looking at him like he is going to kill him? Did he came to know about his identity? No this is not possible..bhai trust me and if he get any doubt he would have ask me directly. She don't know what to do! Different horrified thoughts crossing her brain. He was glaring at him with sharp gaze as if he was investigating something. Oh god please help me! I have to save my arnav. She put smile on her face so that he won't get any odd feeling on her.

How is he? Any progress? He asked in a stern voice.

Khushi: ''Good..'' she replied urgently looking away. The way she was behaving it literally creating doubts in his mind. 

Dhruv: ''Tell me one thing when you meet arnav first time?'' Khushi shrieked by his query.

Khushi: Bhaiya, did you meet anjali...? I hope you didn't tell her about arnav being hospitalized..! She tried to divert the situation hoping someone would pop out and help her to escape from this situation.

Dhruv: ''You didn't answer yet khushi?'' Her heart stop to pump and upon that he called her khushi instead of gudiya that literally shake her. She was trying hard to maintain calmness.

Khushi(getting up): Bhaiya please stop your interrogation..don't you trust your gudiya? I love Arnav and he also loved me. That is more than important than any other truth..I already told you he is not that man so please don't make me remember that beast again and again...with lots of hardship and difficulty I come out from that fateful incident that changed my entire life..it hurts when someone remind me I have been raped...I moved on in my life and that asr no more exist-able...he is dead..'' She let out all her frustration in one go and closed her eyes to brushed away that incident from her mind and soul. A shiver run down her spine whenever she recall that night. Its true arnav is no longer monster..he is changed man now and she didn't recognize that man once she acknowledged as her boss that was the soul reason of her destroyer.

Not missing a single expression from her face, dhruv was feeling guilty for raising this topic that probably traumatized her. He kneel in front of her.

Dhruv: ''I'm sorry gudiya I don't mean to hurt you..'' She smile weakly in return. He wanted to believe her but deep down he felt weird by the way she was behaving.

His heart was saying something is fishy but until he was not sure he don't want to bother her. He have to find it by his own before getting into any conclusion but one thing is sure she was getting very much attached to arnav and if in future they get separated, khushi will be completely broken which he don't want to happen. He always wanted to see her happy and content with her husband.

He would have trusted khushi blindly if he didn't get a phone call from unknown number regarding Arnav being Asr. His blood stopped its circulation when he heard it. He don't want to jump in conclusion untill he get any evidence. He need to find more valid and strong information before presenting to everyone. Though deep from his heart he really wish everything is false otherwise once again his sister life would be spoiled which he cannot bare at any cost.

His chain of thoughts being broken by khushi shimmering voice.

Khushi: ''Bhaiya you may leave..i'm there with Arnav once he get discharge I let you know..'' He keep staring at her blankly. How he let his sister closer to that man even though his health was not stable yet he cannot take any risk what if he is the same man? No this is not possible..Arnav is anjali's brother. The person she worshiped like a god and he also believed him. He can never do like that. And khushi! she can never hide anything from him nor love a man that destruct her life. That means was it all a game plan to elope him but who wanted to separate them and why? Different question was making him restless and nothing is getting answerable. He was clueless at the same time worried for khushi marital life. She had suffered a lot since her young age. He only want to see her happy. To gain information he need time. He have to found out what is right and what is wrong. Who shot arnav and that message..? Who is that person that not wanted arnav and khushi to stay together? He need to know everything as soon as possible.

His every fiber was screaming to tell khushi everything about that phone call that was making him restless. He believe arnav and gave his sister's hand with a belief he would always make her happy. He had seen pure love in his eyes but on the other hand he cannot ignore that phone call henceforth. Exhaling a sharp breathe he was going to utter those words that probably would hurt her when doctor sneaked inside and began checking his report.

Khushi keenly observing arnav and waited for doctor to proceed. He was probably discussing something with nurse that was dressed in white uniform.

Khushi: ''Is everything alright?'' Doctor smiled as concerned reflecting through her eyes.

Doctor: ''Don't worry Mrs raizada, he is absolutely fine..infact its quite surprising he is recovering really fast within short span of time as bullet injured his right arm drastically. Her heart started to pain by his words.

Khushi: ''Why he is not opening his eyes? She asked anxiously and was on the verge of crying looking at his state. Dhruv give her support assuring her. Even she has been inquire he was stable yet his condition was signalling some other result. His body was warm. His skin looking dull and yellowish and a tube was injecting through his palm. Her eyes filled with tears.

Doctor: ''That's because he has been injected drug... Within couple of hours he will awake...relax..'' Khushi nodded in understanding with what doctor trying to convey. Dhruv was feeling bad seeing her misery and now it is difficult for him to judge the actual truth seeing her love for him. He had always seen immense hatred in her eyes for that Asr. There might be some misunderstanding otherwise khushi can never love that rapist. He feel soothing within his heart and decided to not persuade this matter until he won't found out about that unknown person or gather any proof regarding it.

*******

Arnav already awake from the deep slumber and first thing he saw was the glimpse of khushi that was gripping his hand possessively with tears streaming her cheeks. His body was still aching in pain he felt within his muscles. He glance at the large ward with few doctors approaching him.

Doctor: ''So how you feeling Mr raizada? He nodded lightly with his eyes fixed at khushi. She smiled delightfully looking at him.

Doctor: ''Once he has been discharged he has to take healthy food and medicine accordingly. Beside don't make him do any work for the couple of days...He need plenty of rest..'' Khushi nodded in affirmation. The conversation carried on for plenty of minute before they dismissed from the ward leaving the two alone.

''Arnav..'' she mumbled her voice choking with emotion and wounded her arm tight around his neck. His body stiffen and he lightly pushed her away in protest. She feel slightly hurt by the way he was behaving but doesn't take it to heart as she knew he is trying to maintain distance from her so that she won't get hurt when their contract get over but least he know she would never let him go away from her life and would make him realize she is only his.

She took a seat beside him and began caressing his hair who had his eyes closed pretending to sleep.

''Arnav..my arnav..'' she blushed while uttering those words and kissed his cheeks softly conveying to him that he only belong to her while he was relishing the love of his khushi with closed eyes.

Next morning:

Khushi remove the curtains of the window. Sun rays disturbing his nape making him groan in irritation. He relaxed as he stared at her. The moment she saw he was awake, she came closer to him. She securely place pillow behind his back and made him sit properly.

''Good morning..'' She wished sweetly putting her hand around his arm and lean forward by pressing her lips against his left cheek. He closed his eyes as her fragrance filled up his senses.

Khushi: ''How you feeling now!'' A beautiful smile creep on her lips.

Arnav: ''Khushi.. please..'' He tilted his head away in irritation making her heart ached.

Khushi: ''Why you are behaving so strangely..i am your wife dammit..'' She angrily shoot up. His behavior stabbing her heart.

Arnav: ''You are not..our one month contract is over and now yo..'' Her eyes sparkled in tears but she didn't let it fall down.

Khushi(Been interrupted): ''I can go to any extend to make you mine..dare to go away from me..i will kill you...'' She angrily started hitting him against his chest but then give up.

''Promise me Arnav you will never think about separating yourself from me..'' She look at him with pleaded eyes. ''Whatever difficulties that are coming in front of us due to past, we'll face them together but if you leave me, I will completely broke down..Do have any idea what I went through seeing you like that... I have been never be so scary when I saw you with pool of blood..no matter what I want to love you deep from my heart..i want you more than anything I ever desire..'' she blunt out everything that buried inside her heart. Tears was now flowing freely from her eyes. Arnav just heard every word uttered by her in stunned silence. For the first time he was sensing strange madness in khushi's love, something similar of what he felt for her. He don't know how to make her understand the gravity of situation but one thing is clear he will not spoil her life by keeping with him.

Arnav: I want to go home..'' She cupped his cheeks and made him look into her eyes as he was avoiding his gaze.

Khushi: ''No matter what I'm always there with you..we will face everything together..just be with me! will you be mine?'' She raised her hand hoping for a positive response but his silence said it all.

''So you decided to stay away from me? Is it so easy for you arnav?'' She asked with sad tone. And before he say anything in response, they have been disturbed by arjun.

Arjun: Khushi, Doctor called you in his cabin..'' She shot an angry glare to him for his bad timing and put her hair back in frustration. He gave her 'what i did' look and she intrude toward the cabin not before glancing at arnav.

*******

The discharged paper being signed by khushi before taking Arnav to Raizada mansion. Anjali and Sumitra get utterly shocked when the news of Arnav being shot get heard by them. Due to anjali insistence their marriage date being postponed for two week being inquire by doctor to let arnav for complete bed rest for some days.

Certainly Arnav was adamant to let this marriage happen today itself but anjali didn't give ear to him and made him agreed by her decision. On the other hand dhruv also feel little light within his heart as he need time to know about that mysterious man identity.

Two days passed like that nothing changed between arnav and khushi. She started to observe some changes in Arnav after coming back home. He had created a big wall between them, despite she tried a lot to make him understand but every-time he went away making an excuse of something. She had everything yet something is missing. She had very less time to gain his love. She could see in his eyes how much he loved her and needed her but yet there was hesitation as if he was holding something within his heart. Many times she caught him stealing glances at her and now she is determined to erase this distance between them. She had accepted him in all ways and staying away from each other is not going to solve the problems infact it will only make it harder for both of them to survive.

At night:

Changing her dress into light blue salwaar kameez, khushi stepped inside and saw the beautiful sight of her husband who was falling asleep in the bed. She knew he was just pretending to sleep like other nights so that he won't able to face her. Taking small predatory steps, she moved closer.

His slumber broke apart when he felt her hand roaming over his chest, caressing him, drawing pattern. Arnav felt a shiver run down his spine. She moved on top of him and started rubbing her face against his neck. He immediately moved his hand and switched on the light.

Arnav: ''Khushi what you..'' she placed her index finger on his lips and looked into his hazel eyes.

Khushi: ''Arnav I know you don't like my presence around you but please let me at least be close to you..feel you..'' Before he could argue she hugged him closer feeling weak and vulnerable.

''I had very less time in this house and I want to spend each and every moment with you...don't know whether after that I able to see you or not..'' She gasped bitterly while uttering those words. His eyes moistened and he raised his hand to hug her back but stopped in an instant. He had a fear that he might hurt her..give her more pain. She just remain silent pressing herself against him. He was feeling uncomfortable and got up to sleep on the couch when she pulled him back and both broke into hot hug.

Khushi waited for some reaction from him but she feel nothing other than rapid breathing from his side. Her own heart was beating fasting feeling him so close. They be like that for some moment and then a wave of electricity passed all over her body when he put his hand around her waist and began moving his fingers on her skin. She didn't say anything after that and keep holding each other like this was their last hug.

''Arnav, I love you..'' She smile wider and hugged him more tightly. He immediately come back to his senses and moved away. He was about to got up when she held him.

Arnav: ''Khushi this is not right..let me go otherwise I will leave this room! Do you want this?'' She shook her head and get sadden.

Khushi: ''I want to sleep with you..in the same bed whether you like it or not..'' She forcefully push him back on the bed and laid beside him snuggling him closer.

Arnav: ''I can't cross the line..I'm sorry..'' But she was adamant and enclosed her arm around his neck and half laid upon him by placing her one leg around his stomach with her palm grip his collar.

Khushi: ''I don't care about anything..samjhe aap..'' He can't help but smile knowing her sleeping position.

He looked down and saw her fallen asleep on his chest. He looked at her calm, beautiful face for a long time. He ran his fingertip across her eyelids, nose and then down her lips. He gently ran his thumb across her rose petal like lips and slowly tilted her chin to get a close view of her. He glance at her luscious, pink lips for long time and remember how sweet they were when he taste it on the hut.

Damn!! What I am thinking? He closed his eyes to push all those thoughts from his mind.

''I am sorry khushi..i can't..i knew you wanted me to accept you my wife but this can never be possible..every time you come close to me I remember that night when I treated you like a monster and the pain you had went through after that..that haunted look in your eyes I can never forget..i snatched everything that you loved..i hate myself so much for that I can't even think coming close to you..ever..I never let anything like that happen again..you are my responsibility and I will fulfill my duty until you won't settle down in your life with someone that is more deserving. That's true I love you crazily but my love is not selfish that I ruined your life by bonding you into this nameless relation.

********

Khushi standing in front of mirror wiping her wet hairs and smiled recalling about last night. She feel her heart was going to burst in joy.

''Khushi..'' He murmured her name in his sleep. She turned and looked her husband with her lovely smile and began stoking his hairs sweetly. He was still in his deep slumber.

''This is just a beginning Mr Arnav Singh Raizada just wait and watch what I will do next..I would make you fall for me so badly that you have no choice other than coming to me..'' A smug smile appear on her lips thinking about her next move when her mobile beep showing unknown number. She got up to place the towel on poolside and press the green button to receive the call by other hand.

Person(In call): ''It would be good for you if you maintain safer distance from Arnav..dare you try to cross your limits''? . She was taken aback by the threatening voice.

Khushi: ''Who the hell are you speaking?'' She asked astonished and was trying to recognize the voice but unable to decipher anything as the voice is unclear.

Person: ''That's none of your business..do what I am saying like a good girl otherwise you would dig into big trouble..dare you go ahead in your so called fake relationship..'' Khushi raised her eyebrow suspiciously.

Khushi: Excuse me!! Arnav is my husband and you don't need to guide me how should I lead my married life..got it..'' She was about to disconnect call when the next word from other end stunned her.

To be continued!! 

It's a long chapter. Hope you liked it.
wattpad makers has shifted all my stories except runaway bride from romance to fanfiction. ❤️ to get easy access to other readers.

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