Khushi kept turning and tossing restless, on the bed. She unconsciously reached for her husband's body failing to feel his body weight on her as usual.Sleep flew out of her eyes the moment her hand come in contact with Naniji's familiar hand.She opened her eyes,coming to senses from the troubled sleep.She looked at Devayani to find her in deep sleep.She reached for her phone on the bedside table to check the time.It was past midnight.She saw the notification of 1 message from Arnavji.She stared at it for a moment,then opened the message,her heart beating wildly in her ribcage.

I love you baby.I love you with all my heart and being.I love you.

She read it,then reread it again and again hearing the message in his voice and she break down to silent tears.She wants to move out and go to him,desperately wanted to comfort him,comfort herself in his arms,The only place where she belongs,where she wants to be.She sit up and placed the pillow in a standing position on the headboard and leaned on to it closing her eyes.The happenings of the evening flashed through her head.How she fought with him for the remote,that sudden anger was not actually for Salman khan.She knew it.The way she reacted to the birthday party issue is also solely not because he didn't tell her.Ever since things became normal between them and even before that she sometimes failed to feel a sense of security of her place in his life.She knew she did wrong by keeping shyam's matter out of Arnav's knowledge.But then she was not sure had she informed him back then would he have believed her?She agreed for that marriage for her sister's life.She wouldn't put the blame on him and portray herself as the victim.She didn't regret doing it.But what pained her,killed her soul was the fact that he didn't trust her.He thought she was having an affair with his brother in law.Nothing in her 20 year old life shattered her as much as his words "you dont have a character"did.When everything was out in the open he did apologize and she forgave him in the heart of her heart,only that she dont know whether it was forgivable or not.The instances where she has been asked to keep out of Anjali's way to protect her mental health only worsened it.All those instances he was with her.Yes.His love reached her always.his love was enough for her.It is.she don't want anything else.But still she can't help ask herself if his di don't want her in his life what would have happened?She don't compare her place in his life to his sister's.she is his wife and Anjali is his sister.There is no comparison.She knew he never did compared them or prioritised between them.He kept it as what it is.The women in his life.His wife and his Sister.Yet all those hurtful events in their past coupled with his lack of trust on her,the disparities in their backgrounds which he never failed to highlight to her in a demeaning way when they used to meet initially,The unsaid blame of his family on her for ruining their daughter's marital life,all those mixed feelings never left her heart.She sighed.His pained face flashed in front of her closed eyes.She almost leapt out if the bed ready to go to him.No.She can't give in.Not this time.

Another thing is the way he dismisses any arguments between them by intimacy.She can't think of anything or react when he gets close to her.She is surprised at herself for responding to him in wanton way always.She don't know whether it is appropriate,but she is sure that she desired it.When he is away from her she crave for him and his touch and kisses.She don't know what to make out of the way he make her feel and she felt angry at herself for still wanting him inspite of the argument they may be having at that moment ,and for her inability to resist him.Like now.All she wanted to do now is to go to him,to give herself to him.The way he would relax after they make love or share intimate moments when they can't make love enlight her soul.The way he would act like a stubborn kid to get her close to him,trouble her to make sure her sole attention is on him,She may never admit but she cherish all those moments spent with him.

She opened the message and stared at it again.She click on the back button and opened her phone Gallery. She scrolled down to the folder at the far end which has a collection of her husband's pictures.Most of them are from their family gatherings,very few of them selfies of both of them taken by her.She scrolled down to the last few ones.Her favorites.His single pics in a different checked and light pink colour Suit.

Her mind went back to that day she got those pictures.He told her the night before to wake him up early as he have to leave for office early for the media interaction which is related to the upcoming big project in AR.He needs to overlook the model sample presentation followed by his interaction with media.As usual it was late when they actually slept.He made love to her once.Whenever they make love it can be anything,but predictable. Each time it felt different.But one thing she is sure of is it's duration.Sometimes it would be very urgent,he would totally be out of control and at times like that she would find it difficult to match up to him.But soon after that he would slow down and then start exploring her with his slow kisses and touches.Sometimes all over her body,sometimes some specific part and would shower his attention in the form of touches ,kisses and sometimes marking with his teeth.If the love making was slow and gentle,The exploration after that would be urgent.Anyway it would take time before he would be satiated completely.That night it was intense,and then after the slow shower of touches kisses,marking and soothing her skin,they both slept tangled in bed with him on top of her.After midnight sometime she felt her throat parched up and woke up to drink some water.When she open her eyes she find him up and looking at her intently.His body facing her sideways,his hand supporting his head.

"Kya Hua?kuch chahiye?"

"Woh pani"

She said pointing to the bottle of water.He handed her the bottle.
She sat up clutching the sheets to her chest and drank it.

She lied back on the bed.He leaned forward to her placing his both hands on her sides.His face aroused,eyes darkened .He caressed her cheeks and whispered .
"Baby..I want you again...am not satiated..you are not sour no?"

Khushi averted her eyes and nodded no.She always find it difficult to answer him verbally when he ask such intimate questions casually.

He leaned down further and asked

"Can we..??"

"No..Arnavji..it's really late now.You have to go to office early tomorrow no?"

"It's ok.I will manage.I can be a little late,I am the CEO remember? so it is not a problem.Please baby."

She vaguely remember the back and forth bickering that followed after that.She denied him because she didn't want him to mess up the work for any thing as he have to leave early the next day, secondly he does a lot of work and if he needs to get up early he should sleep now.He pleaded a couple of times,but she put her foot down and refused.He got annoyed and moved to the farthest end of the bed.He won't allow her to come near him or touch him.After some time,when she was sure that he slept,She hugged him from behind.He instantly turned around, pushed her back to the bed using his body and then placed him on top of her,with his face on the crook of her neck in his usual position all the while without opening his eyes.She can tell that he was in a half sleep state not completely awake.She caressed his bare back and kept running her fingers through his Hair lulling him to sleep.

She tried to woke him up shaking him gently half an hour earlier in morning.He pushed himself furthur to her body refusing to wake up.She shaked him again,this time with more force.
"Uthiye na ..Arnav ji..."
He reluctantly lift his face and looked at her.
"Let me sleep khushi"

He said annoyed.

"Woh it is 5.30 now..you said you want to go early today."

"Tho?..it's only 5.30 now no?"Arnav looked on confused.

"Woh.."She started then averted her eyes before continuing

"Agar apko kuch chahiye tho..That's why I woke you up early."

It clicked on his brain.The sleep flowing out of his head.Now he looked at her attentively.He feigned ignorance and asked
"Kya..I didn't get you..Kya chahiye mujhe?"

She glared at him and said

"As if you don't know."

He smirked at her and said.

"No jaan.I don't know.Please enlighten me."

She pushed him ready to move out of the bed.

"Fine then am going down to kitchen to make you coffee."

He smiled and pushed her down further to the bed pinning her hands on either side of her body.

"Tho raat ko mana kyu kiya?"

"Woh..you work a lot..you need to get some sleep."
"So now my sleep won't be disturbed?"
He asked amused.

"If I had let you then..We wouldn't have get enough sleep,besides .."She looked at him to find him looking at her with rapt attention .

"I don't want you to be grumpy whole day"blush raising on her cheeks.

"So you know me so well eh?You deserve some high reward for your thoughtfulness Mrs.Raizada." He said smirking down at her his lips crashing down on her ,taking her breath away.

She remembered pushing him to the washroom to get ready after the love making with much persuation.He came out dressed in a dark grey colour shirt and trousers ,Jeff would have some special designer suit ready for him in connection with the project it seems.He parted with a kiss,not letting her to come down for making him coffee.He said he would get it from HP.Ordering her to sleep he went to AR.

She was in the cafeteria,relaxing after the usual morning rush of customers.She forgot to check her phone.He might have called.She found one message from him which read,

Busy with presentation and media will call you later.You reached?

She replied back and then was absent mindedly scrolling through some apps when she got a notification from a post on insta from Aman behl.

She clicked on it to see her husband's photos in Checked black suit and light pink colour shirt.She couldn't help but zoom it and gaze at it again and again,warmth spreading her inside at the thought that this gorgeous man belongs to her.But wait how he is wearing something so different from his usual style?

She messaged Aman quoting the picture

How on Earth you guys made him to wear this??😯

Aman was more like a friend to her from her Brief tenure in AR and over the years their rapport grown to a more sibling like bond.After all they both have to handle ASR and Arnav and most of the time they both would turn to each other for help.

Don't ask me.He made a lot of fuss seeing the checked design and pink colour shirt.Jeff had a tough time convincing him to wear it.

And hair?

You know very well he wont let anyone touch his hair.So Jeff and hairstylist teamed up from beginning to get the hair done.I think they both gonna take a day off as soon as this media fuss get over 😁

Poor fellows.Aman ji will you do me favour?

Sure.shoot.

Please click some of his candid pictures,I need one smiling and other one hmm..She hesitated to type.

Smiling??🙄that seems next to impossible.but I will try..and the other one? 😊

Other one..hmm when he remove the over coat☺

🙄🙄ok.I will try my level best.

She got the pictures in between regular intervals.

That evening she got a quirky message from aman which was like a quote about choice, situation and keeping trust inspite of all.Aman never send any casual messages so she thought may be he forwarded it wrongly and didn't give it much thought.

She went to temple that evening with her family so she informed Arnav she would be little late.Shashi dropped her on the gate.Arnav waited till sashi drive away.She saw him standing near the steps still in that suit with coat on.She walked to him and he too came forward walking slowly and in a different way as if he is walking on a ramp.He hugged her as soon as she was at an arm distance and then pulling back kept looking down at her for a moment before bending his head down and kissing her languidly.He moved them behind a pillar,backing her to the pillar in the portico and deepened the kiss.He thrust his tongue insife her mouth,urgently searching for her essence.He break the kiss for air and moved a step back looking at her intently but there was something in his eyes which told her he is not gonna leave her to peace now.

"Kya kar rahe ho..move..let me go inside "she said trying to push him away.

She moved inside with him on tow.He waited till she interacted with nani down and went behind her to the room.Ignoring him she kept her things on place before turning to wardrobe.He closed and bolted the door then coming behind her,turned her around and pulled her into his arms.He still has that knowing smirk on his face.
"Jaan you didn't tell me anything about my outfit?"
Khushi looked at him warning bells ringing on her head.Does amanji?
He tightened his arms around her and asked.

"Do you like it?"

Khushi pushed him away and said while turning to the wardrobe again.

"What is this new thing you made up to trouble me today?why didnt you change till now?Let me go.."
He turned her to him and backed her to the wardrobe.

"So you don't like it?

"Arnavji.."she started but stopped when he leaned back a little to remove the overcoat.

She tried to escape sideways but in an instant he throw the coat to the bed and again pinned her to the wardrobe.

"Tell me jaan..do you like it or not?"

"Why you want me now to say whether I like it or not?You wear it to work whole day no?"

"So you won't say?"
He is practically breathing on her face,their bodies glued to each other.

She moved her face side by side to get some space.He left her hands then turned them around by backing himself to the wardrobe and pulled her to him.

"What do you want me to say?I don't Want to say anything."She said annoyed.

"Really?"

She didn't reply.

"Then why you ask aman to take my pictures and send it to you?"

Her eyes widened, head jerked up to him in shock.So amanji betrayed her secret.She quickly masked her expression and said.

"Your photo ?I asked him to send all pictures of the function to show naniji.."

"Liar! You asked for my photo only."

"No.I didn't "Khushi replied defensively .

"Fine "he again switched their position by backing her to the wardrobe and took out his phone.

"Let's confront aman for the truth.."

Khushi snatched the phone from him.

"No."He looked at her with a raised eyebrow .

"Fine.I asked him to send your photo.What is the big deal?"

He smiled victoriously and pulled her more tighter.

"No big deal?Then why you didn't admit before?"He whispered leaning down to her.She looked at him,he looked as if he won a million dollar deal right now.

"Arnavji..chodiye..."
she whined trying to pull out of his arms.

"No.I want to know what exactly you asked him."

She looked at him incredulously.

"Because your amanji won't betray his khushi bhabhi's secret on that part."He elaborated and continued

"Now I have two extra brothers all thanks to you, HP and Aman."

Khushi couldn't help but smile at that.
He too relaxed seeing her smile but still didn't leave her.He leaned in and kissed her forehead and side of her head feeling her hair's softness.
"Baby I want to know what you said to him."He said pulling back.

She pushed him and said "I just asked your photo.Nothing there to show you."

"Fine let me check your mobile then."He turned around searching for her bag.She ran ahead of him to get a hold of it.He ran behind her.She took it and ran around the room and he followed her.She moved to the poolside and in an instant he caught her from behind and turned her around in his arms.She kept the bag out of his reach twisting it behind the back."Arnavji am telling you I won't give it."

Arnav regarded her for a moment and said "ok fine let's strike a deal.You don't need to show me the message instead of that you have to do some other thing I ask.Anything."
she knew it is gonna be another trap but if he saw the message she will never hear the end of it.He would make her explain her each demands to aman.

"Kya chahiye apko?"

He smirked at her and moved back and acted like thinking hard.

"Since we both didn't fresh up and change hmm let's shower together?"

Khushi's looked at him shocked.

"Arnavji I told you before too Hum vo sab nahi Kar sakthe..I won't do That.I can't.."

"Ok.fine.then show me the message" he said and shot out his hands to reach for the bag.

"I won't do..I don't care.."she said turning around,fully intended to took the mobile out and delete the messages.He stepped aside her and snatched the bag.She tried to grab it,He spread his arm to the other side away from her reach and moved her to him with his other hand.

"Ye chahiye?"He asked in a low voice.

"Then you have to do what I said."

She closed her eyes for a moment and then said.
"Fine I will do.give my bag back."

He looked at her,smiled and then gave it to her.She took the bag and turn around to go to the wardrobe,on her
Way she deleted the messages and kept it inside the drawer.

He came behind her and stood closer without touching her and asked

"Chalein?"

She looked at him and said "aap jaiye I will come after oiling my hair."He looked at her for a moment and said ok.He removed his vest and took a towel and went inside.She rummaged through all the bathrobes he bought for her in the wardrobe,she never used those as she would dress up in the small cubicle in the washroom itself after showers and more over they all seems to be short in size for her liking.Finally selecting the longest one in the lot which just cover up till her knees she quickly change to it and then slowly oiled her hair wanting to delay going inside.Arnav called out from the washroom.

"Khushi are you done?come inside."

She sighed and slowly moved in fully expecting him to see him in a towel but he was still in the pink shirt and checked trouser.He was bending over the bathtub checking the water.He straightened, stared at her for a moment and then coming near her picked her up and carried her near to the glass wall.He backed her against the glass wall and then pinned her hands above her and kissed her passionately.The kiss gained speed and she forgot her inhibition and responded to him clutching his Hair.He explored her mouth thoroughly and then slow down the kiss.He break the kiss and looked at her.He moved aside took the shower spray and then gently splashed water on her face and then down to her upper body.He leaned in and kissed away all the water droplets from her face,and then splashed water in his hand and then sprinkled the droplets through his fingers by keeping his palm In front of her mouth upside down.Her lips trembled.He leaned in and suck the droplets to her lips and then to his mouth.He kept on sprinkling the droplets to her lips and then sucking it off her lips,the droplets melting as his lips met hers.She felt weak in her knees as his body moulded hers and his lips create havoc on her senses.

He pulled back and looked at her.

"Baby.."he whispered, his breathing laboured "I wanted to do a million things to you right now,under this shower,but not like this.when you want it as much as I do.When you would be comfortable enough to not to inhibit yourself with me.I would wait."

She stared at him registering his words. He moved her to the shower and kissed her on her cheek lovingly.

"Shower and come,I will go and shower in the rest room in the meanwhile."

And one more thing he said tightening his arms around her.

"If you ever want to see me in any outfit or my picture please ask me,Infact I would be ready to model for you In anything you want to see me.You don't need to ask Aman for it.Biwi ho tum meri.haq hai tumhara.. mujhpe"

Khushi felt embarrassed.She immediately tried to do some damage control .
"It was nothing like that..The suit was different..so only I asked.."

He cut her,his face amused,biting his bottom lips in a I know you too well expression

"Yeah right.I believe it."

Contained laughter evident in his voice.

The shrill sound of alarm startled khushi out of her sleep.She looked around to see she was lying down in bed and her Mobile placed in the side table.Naniji must have made her lie down and kept her Mobile aside.She don't know whether she slept really or not because after seeing his photos in her Mobile her mind went right back to that days events. She saw all that like in a dream,only it wasn't a dream.

What would be he doing?Does he slept at all?

She looked at naniji,it is around 5.30 only.She adjusted the comforter around her and then exit the room not making any sound careful not to wake her up .She went down to the kitchen to see HP is working for the menu for the day.They greeted each other.She worked along with him gathering ingredients for Arnav's favorite dish.She looked at HP not knowing how to ask for it.

"Hari praksh ji.."

"Ji Bhabhi"

He looked at her questioningly.

"Can you do something for me?"

"Of course..Kya kaam hai..kahiye.."

"Woh..please go to our room and just check what arnavji is doing..If the main room is locked check whether you can enter through the poolside door..unko patha nahi chalna chahiye.. "

"Ji Bhabhi...I will check now and come."

As HP went up she overlooked the breakfast preparation and started making Arnav's usual favorites for breakfast.

After a while HP came back
She looked anxiously at him.

"Main door was not locked.He was sleeping on the recliner Bhabhi.. I think he slept just some times before."

"Teek hai..danyavaad Hariprakash ji.." she smiled at him and completed the work.

"Hariprakash ji I prepared all his favorites..please do serve him..I may be leaving early today."

"Ji bhabhi."

Khushi went to Payal's room took out on of her sister's suits from the wardrobe kept in the room.She showered and changed to it.The suit look little oversized on her petite frame.She called her mother and asked her to send Shshi to pick her up as she wants ro visit temple for the early morning pooja.She didnt want them to know about their argument.She got ready and went to Naniji's room.Devyani was getting ready for the morning pooja.

"Khushi bitiya..why you went to kitchen early..you could have slept for some more time...are you Ok?"

"Ji naniji..Woh I am going early today naniji..I called bauji he will come to pick me now.I want to visit the temple on the way too. "

Devayani looked searchingly at khushi.She went to her and by holding her shoulder moved her to the bed and made to sit her on it.

"Bitiya..I will always be with you just like your amma-bauji,If you are ready to speak,tell me what's wrong?I need to know."

"Woh..nothing major naniji...woh bas.."She trailed off not knowing what to say.

"If you don't want to say now,it's perfectly ok.Just know this that whenever you need me I will always be there for you.You are important for me and my chotte.You are his future.I would always like to see you both together and in love for as long as I live and even beyond that."

That ultimately broke Khushi's resolve to not to worry her.

"I love him Naniji,and I knew he love me too,But sometimes I think I don't know him at all,There is some part of his life and heart where I don't have any place.She turned away to hide her tears.May be its all in my head.I don't know anymore.I just want to...She would not complete her sentence ,emotions getting the better of her.

"Shsh...If you felt this way,It is his responsibility to understand it and make it right.You want to visit temple na..go..I would tell chotte.Dont worry about any thing."

"Thank you naniji..I am leaving.Please remind him to take his medicine on time."She hugged her and then left the room taking the mobile kept on the table.

Khushi is leaving him,some one is taking her away from him.The haze of fog she is walking into doesn't allow him to see who it is.She is turning back to him and looking at him with tears running down her eyes,as if telling him that she really don't want to go.The fog thickens as her petite frame disappears into it.

Khushiii....Arnav jolted awake from the disturbed sleep.He looked around the room registering his surroundings.He scrambled out of the recliner and ran downstairs,he spotted nani in the living room.His eyes searched for her and somehow by his sixth sense he felt that she already left.The look on his grandmother's face confirming his intuition.He ran out of the main door and into the main entrance.A few feet away from the main gate he saw her sitting behind his father's scooter and Before he could move towards them they drive away.Arnav stood there clenching his knuckles,He turned around and strode inside,his restlessness evident in his gait.He almost stormed into the living room.

"Nani you told me I can see her in morning and talk to her.Why you let her go?Why you didn't wake me up when you knew that what happened?"

Devayani looked at Arnav calmly and said
"I need to talk to you alone Arnav.You fresh up and then come to my room."

"No,iam going to Laxminagar now. I need to fix this.You could have asked her to talk to me,when you didnt do that like you did with me yesterday What is there to talk now ?"He said agitated.

"Arnav you please give a break to your high handed ways if you know what would be better for you In this marriage.I wish to see you both together always.Come to my room.We need to talk."Devayani told him sternly and turned around and left leaving a baffled Arnav behind.

Arnav went back to the room.He need to talk to her.now.He just remembered how he broke his phone last night.He took the spare phone out which he usually uses for official matters.He dialled her number.The ring went unanswered.He tried again to get the same response.He threw the phone on bed and ran his fingers through his Hair.He need to see her,but before that he need to have a talk with his grand mother because the way she warned him unsettled him.He gathered his things hurriedly and move to the washroom to get ready for the long day.