Part 34

"What are you searching?"

Khushi shocked to the core, suddenly hearing Arnav's voice. She turned towards him and got down from the bed hurriedly. Arnav's face was stern in expression while Khushi was dumbfounded by his sudden arrival. Didn't he say that he will come for lunch? But why did he come so early? Has he been sick again? He might be feeling tired as he did not get out of the fever effect yet. She made up herself to lie.

Khushi: I'm not searching for anything. I just check whether this bedspread should be changed.

Arnav got inside the room and locked the door which alarmed Khushi.

Arnav: I see. Did you get your anklet back? His gaze was enough deep on her face, reading her expression.

Khushi(looking down): No not yet. She smiled voluntarily.

Arnav took her anklet out from his pocket and showed it to her.

Khushi(stammering): Thank god... you got it.

She advanced two feet while extending her hand. Arnav pulled his hand back which confused Khushi. His next sentence made her face drained.

Arnav: I got it from my bed.

His daggered gaze sliced her into pieces. She lowered her gaze swallowing her uneasiness.

Khushi: It might have fallen when I took care of you.

Arnav(folding his hands): Mind you explain, how did you take care of me?

Khushi was trembling. She was searching for words to escape from Arnav Singh Raizada.

Arnav: I'm asking you something Khushi. (he asked calmly)

Khushi: ohh I rubbed balm on your feet and palm. Then covered you with blanket..

Arnav(arching his eyebrows): Which blanket?

Khushi(pointing at closet): it's there.

Arnav: what about the special blanket which is standing in from of me stammering?

Khushi looked at him horror stuck. Arnav didn't get an answer, in no time his rage rose to no limit. He dragged her by her shoulder and roared..

Arnav(roaring): Now tell me, how the hell you saved me from death. (pause) Why Khushi? Why did you save me by losing a very precious one... to kill me on a daily basis? Why are you pushing me in the hell when you are also not happy doing that? (she looked at him with her teary eyes shockingly) Don't give me that look, your eyes say, what do you really feel for me. Why are you doing this Khushi? If I'm so valuable than anything for you then what stops you to come to me? Speak up damn it.

Khushi started crying closing her face by her palms.

Arnav: Stop crying. It won't save you from me today. You have to answer me Khushi.

Khushi looked at him...

Khushi: I do not know what's happening in my life. Everything becomes backward. I can't understand anything. If I should accept your relationship then why should have I bonded with someone earlier than you? If I should stay with my engagement then why should I meet you? I'm exhausted thinking those answerless questions Arnavji. I'm failed to get anything in my mind. Khushi sat on the floor, closing her face with her palm burst out crying. Arnav's condition was worsening as he was struggling to control his anger at the same time he was mellowed down seeing Khushi's state. He sat beside her kneeling down.

Arnav: Khushi, why won't you think, whatever happens with us is only to bring us close to each other? How much will you be running away from me, fate brings you close to me.....

He touched her shoulder. When he did that he got alarmed. His fingers caressed her shoulder sensing something there. Khushi lifted her head totally aghast. Khushi was about to stand and Arnav dragged her shoulder. His hand slipped its grip and her salwar got tear a little. It showed her Mangal Suthra which she has been keeping hiding inside her salwar. Arnav and Khushi were in the state no one could describe it by words. Khushi's eyes started pouring a river of tears and Arnav was glaring at her like ever before.

Arnav: Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. (Khushi stopped crying swiftly hearing her name in a different dimension) You didn't remove the Mangal Sutra nor did you show it outside. What all this?

Khushi (painfully): Remove? How could I?

Arnav: So you saved none other than your HUSBAND? (he asked her proudly)

Of course yes. He is her Husband from the day he tied his mother's Mangal sutra around her neck. Being a traditional girl how could she dare to remove it? Good or bad, doesn't she teach to stay in sacred relationship? If she respects her so-called "engagement" then is it even necessary to explain about MARRIAGE?

Khushi: Do you think I could sleep with a man who is not my husband?( she asked with uncontrolled tears)

Arnav (cupping her cheek): No.. no... I could never think about you like that. That's why I did not doubt you even after I found your anklet in my bed but why did you hide it?

Khushi: because I wanted to know about your stance on this issue. I thought if I hide it then you would try to sort it out immediately. But you disappointed me by breaking things.

Arnav(awed): I thought you didn't want this relationship and you are still sticking into your engagement. Khushi, you can talk to me about anything you want. I agree that it's hard to decide for you at the beginning but not anymore. I'm your husband. Please don't think anything more than that. And for your kind information, I won't leave you at any cost (he stressed). I will go to any extent to keep you beside me.

Khushi: I got out of that engagement when you tied mangal sutra on my neck itself. but Arnavji....

Arnav: Shhh.. don't start your Devi Maiya again. She wanted you to be with me. That's why everything is happening. Because of her wish, I met you that day, broke your fast, and her vermilion spilled on us giving her blessings. Don't think more than that. I won't hear any damn from you anymore. (he dragged her for hug) you are MINE. ONLY MINE.

Khushi: Mmmm.

Arnav: Ok look at me now. Tell me about your Ex- fiancé.

Khushi (hesitatingly): I don't know Arnavji.

Arnav (breaking the hug): Khushi I promise, I won't harm him. You can trust me. I will explain everything to him in a soft way.

Khushi: Really I don't know Arnavji.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

Khushi: promise. I don't know.

Arnav(confused): what do you mean by you don't know?

Khushi: He was my mother's friend's son. She liked me very much. She wanted me as her Daughter-in-law. So she made me wear a chine and told "I'm her BAHU". But after that we never saw her again. She didn't come to our house at least once.

Arnav(gritting his teeth): whaaaa.....t the..kkkk Did you hang in a relationship that is unknown? When did it happen?

Khushi: When I was eight years.

Arnav: Are you...crazy???

Khushi(pouting): What was my mistake? I brought up like that. I always think if something happens in my life then there must be a reason.

Arnav: Now tell me what can be the bloody reason behind your so-called engagement?

Khushi: I've been thinking the same from the day of our marriage. What if my mother's friend come in someday and asks about that? She is so sweet Arnavji.

Arnav(gritting his teeth): Then I will answer her. Ok? if she is so sweet then she would understand how badly she had ruined a small girl's heart.

Khushi: I'm not a small girl. She said in a feeble voice.

Arnav: Haan.. you are a very big girl who can save her husband by doing unpredictable things. He taunted.

Khushi bowed down biting her lips.

Arnav: Being good is not bad, but this much good is not can be good. Khushi looked at him as he confused her by his statement.

Arnav(chuckled): Too much of anything is good for nothing. (she nodded yes) Do you know that IDIOT's name at least?

Khushi (excitedly): Jee. And I also have a chain which has his photo.

Saying, she rushed towards her room followed by Arnav. She took out a small box and hand it over to Arnav. He opened the locket and stunned seeing the pic of the boy. He couldn't believe that it's even possible. He went completely speechless and looked at Khushi with unbelievable expression.

Khushi got confused seeing him all lost.

Khushi: Arnavji?? Do you know him?

Arnav nodded yes gulping. Khushi was horrified.

Khushi: Hey Devi Maiya... why are you examining me?

Arnav(with extreme calmness): Don't you know his name?

Khushi: CHOTTE.

Arnav was looking at her totally horror stuck. 

To be continued.....