Part19 

Khushi was sitting in the Temple, thinking deep from her heart. She can't believe there was a secret in Lavanya's life. She thought Lavanya was her best friend more than a sister. Khushi always waits for Lavanya's arrival to pour her heart but it seems, Lavanya didn't have the same feeling for Khushi which disappointed her.

The much she knew, Lavanya was not a coward to commit suicide just because of her ONE MONTH of married life problem. She was a fighter. She faces everything. Though she hesitates to open up she would never take such a bad decision. Her marriage life could never be the reason for her suicide. Seeing a supportive mother-in-law, like Ratna, no girl would think of suicide. (she thought thoughtfully)

And Arnav... he respects everyone. He had no reason to be the reason for Lavanya's death.

This is not a matter to hurry. It may lead both her families to sorrow. As of now, she decided not to create scene accordingly.

She got back to GH. Though she decided not to create a scene she couldn't sit quite. She went to her and Lavanya's room and searched. She took Lavanya's album and saw her solo photos and friends photos as well. Sim, Pam, and Sheetal... were her friends in college. Maybe, they are aware of her problem. She searched for their phone number but she didn't get it. It may be in Lavanya's mobile. But where is her mobile? She might have dropped it at the time of the accident.

Khushi came back to the square one. She couldn't get an edge of the complexity. She huffed and came downstairs as Garima called her. She saw Arnav talking to Shashi. She sat beside Shashi looking at Arnav as if she was seeing him for the first time. Suspecting Arnav was not right. Without proof, she can't think of anyone in the way.

Shashi: Beta, when will you start, going to AR?

Khushi: It's not my decision. The owner of the company will decide it.

She said plastering a smile.

Arnav: She can come whenever she wants.

He said simply.

Arnav: Shall we go?

Khushi nodded yes. She took leave from her parents and followed Arnav. The entire journey was silent which made Arnav confused. He was looking at her, from time to time, expecting her to ask or say something as it was her habit. But Khushi was constantly looking outside through the window. Her mind was not at peace. After all, Lavanya was her sister.

The very first time, Arnav felt disturbed. What happen to her all of a sudden? Maybe, she is missing her parents. Though he gave excuse to himself he couldn't hold himself from thinking about "I won't disturb you".

RM

Arnav saw Khushi went to the kitchen directly. He sat in the living room. Ratna smiled seeing her Bahu back.

Ratna: How was your day?

Khushi: Nice as always... what about you?

Ratna: I missed my Bahu.

Khushi: Did you really miss me?

Ratna: Of course.

Khushi was silent.

Ratna: What happened beta?

Khushi: I remember Lavanya. You would miss her too right?

She asked her miserably.

Ratna got stuck. Khushi was not wrong if she misses Khushi in a day of their relationship she should miss Lavanya too. But Ratna took the situation in her favor. She used the chance well.

Ratna: Beta, you know what. We miss the person who makes us feel like we are existing.

Ratna didn't hesitate to utter it. Khushi was shocked as she didn't expect the direct hit.

Khushi: What do you mean Amma? You mean, Lavanya didn't make you feel good?

Ratna: you just returned from your Mayka. Instead of going to your room, you are here... with me... making me happy. Don't take me wrong. Lavanya never did that for us.

Khushi: US?

Ratna nodded yes.

Ratna: She stays in the room... alone... until Chotte arrives. She leaves the room after Chotte's arrival. I didn't interfere because it was a couple's issue. And I thought they need some time to get attached to each other. Didn't you see how she was on the day before her accident?

Khushi wanted to scream it's not an accident. But why does she do that to Ratna? What's her mistake? One thing is certain from Ratna's statement. It's Lavanya who should be blamed. It seems, neither was she a good bahu nor a good wife.

Khushi: Why didn't you say us about Lavanya?

Ratna: I don't want to make my bahu feel like, I'm complaining. She might have started hating me. Because girls won't like if their mothers-in-law advises them, forget about complaining.

She chuckled painfully. Ratna badly wanted to say all the truth. But she didn't know why Khushi remembered Lavanya all of a sudden. She already gave her overdose. So this is not the right time.

.......

Dinner went without much conversation. Khushi came to their room. Arnav was working on his laptop. In fact, he didn't have any work. He was waiting to see whether Khushi will talk to him or will keep quite. She went to the washroom taking her casual wear, without looking at him. He shut the laptop up and went to bed. Khushi came and laid down facing her back to him. He closed his eyes but he couldn't sleep.

After a while, Khushi slowly turned and saw him sleeping. She bit her nail thinking, not taking her eyes from him.

Khushi (in mind): How did Lavanya ask me to marry Arnavji? How could she even think of sharing her husband with someone that to a DAMN handsome husband? See, how hot he is looking...? Didn't she have possessiveness for her husband? Though I and Arnavji have not started our relationship yet I could even think of leaving him. (She thought a different behavior of La.) Yes, we had a stupid deal of marrying the same man once. But Lavanya stopped talking about it after she joined in the college... She never encouraged me when I talked about it.... But she didn't hesitate to take the matter again, after marrying Arnavji... why so? What could have happened that she committed suicide? Or did panditji misunderstand her accident wrongly? but he would not have told if he has doubt. He looked confident. What a mess is this?

We know Arnav was not sleeping.

He didn't know how long he kept his eyes closed. When he opened his eyes he saw Khushi looking at him. 

He raised his eyebrows and asked her through eyes like "what?" She nodded NO and gestured him to close his eyes. Arnav smiled.

Khushi: I didn't ask you to smile but close your eyes.

Arnav (folding his hands): why should I listen to you?

Khushi was stuck.

Khushi (composing): Because it's embarrassing to have gaze at you know.

Arnav: oh... Won't it be embarrassing to keep my eyes close, knowing that someone is gazing at me?

Khushi: You have to used to it.

Arnav: Ohhh Why?

Khushi: Just like that.

Arnav: ohh

Khushi: We are staying together. We can avoid misunderstanding if you start saying YES for everything.

Arnav: Why not YOU (he stressed) start to say YES (pause)...to me?

Khushi: I don't know you can be so innocent Arnavji...

Arnav: Why?

Khushi: Because WIFE never says YES to her husband. It's husband who should say YES. Understood?

Arnav (chuckled): Don't you think you are dominating?

Khushi: Dominating?

Arnav: More than that...

Khushi: What?

Arnav: you are behaving like a Dictator...

Khushi (chuckling): I don't have a problem if you reciprocate me in this.

Arnav: Two dictators can't be together.

Khushi( pretending to be sad): Ohh we have no choice then. Make yourself up to say YES.

Arnav: For that, you have to do one thing.

Khushi: What?

Arnav: Change your name.

Khushi: Why?

Arnav: "Khushi" doesn't sound like a dictator's name.

Khushi: Then you can call me Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada. (She said with high-frequency tone) It sounds exactly like a dictator's name. Isn't it?

Arnav (laughed): Does my name sound like Dictator's?

Khushi: Then what?

Arnav: Ohhh that's why you started calling me LARD GOVERNOR?

Khushi: Not exactly...

She said controlling her smile.

Arnav: What were you thinking, looking at me?

Khushi got stuck. She made up herself.

Khushi: I was worried about how I'm going to work under a kadoos boss.

Arnav(pretending): Who is that?

Khushi: A dictator...

Arnav: You mean, Arnav Singh Raizada...?

He asked in a husky tone, smilingly.

Khushi(in gruff tone): No... Arnav Singh Raizada...

She said making her eyes wide. Arnav laughed. Khushi also laughed. Her silky hair tumbled on the pillow when she laughed flinching back. Arnav stopped laughing and admired her laughing form. He wiped a teardrop that peeped from his eye. It was long back he laughed like this.

Khushi looked at him laughing.

Arnav: Good night.

Khushi: Sweet dreams.

Arnav laid covering himself by the quilt. So did Khushi. He got sweet dreams in his sleep. Obviously Khushi was with him in that dream... We hope, very soon, the dream will come true...

To be continued...

Today's Inkitt update

Does he like me?

Arnav woke up, squeezing his eyes. He saw Khushi watering plant, keeping a toothbrush in her mouth. He chuckled. This is the same scene that made him flat. He sat on the bed, keeping a pillow on his lap. How lucky he is? His wife looks beautiful even while brushing. He was busy admiring his wife, in that he missed to observe that the door was unlocked and Ratna came inside. She saw him admiring his wife all smiling. She coughed making Arnav jerk. Khushi smiled at her.

To read the above update, use my inkitt link dearies...