Part 4 Confusion

The next morning

Arnav was polishing his shoes, sitting in the living room. Of course, he used to do all his work. Though his hands were polishing the shoe his mind was not in the work. He looked lost. Khushi's words were echoing in his head. Her, DON'T PRETEND LIKE REGRETTING, literally killed him. Only he knew how much he was regretting MISSING her in his life. He didn't have the courage to talk to her about his marriage. How could he do that when he knew how it would affect Khushi? He knew she would break down into pieces. Yet, he posted his wedding photos on Facebook because he didn't want to keep her in the dark. He honestly wanted her to move on. But now, after seeing her with her husband, he collapsed. He was not that courageous to see her with someone. Until she was away from him, he could avoid feeling the heaviness in his heart. But, now, she was in front of him with her husband. It seemed she was happy with her husband. Anyone would be happy with Khushi. Such a sweet girl she was. How deeply and madly she loved him...! He was the most and most unluckiest person in the world to miss such a sweetheart. Arnav cursed his fate. He should not have met Khushi in his life then he would not have felt this killer pain. He felt helpless... distraught... anxious... stressed... whatnot?

As he was lost in Khushi's thoughts, he didn't notice Sheetal coming downstairs, getting ready. Usually, he won't be seen in the same place where Sheetal was present. She slammed her feet on the floor intentionally with her high heels with irritation. That dragged Arnav's attention. He looked at her. In no time, he kept the shoes on the shoe rack back and walked to his room.

"Bloody hell..." Sheetal said gritting her teeth.

Fatima who was stirring the gravy, rushed out of the kitchen, hearing her high pitch tone.

Arnav stopped, not turning his head.

"Can't you just stay away from my sight? Why the hell did you show your damn face when I go out? Are not you satisfied spoiling my life? Are you sitting in front of my eyes to spoil my day too?" Sheetal said with annoyance.

Arnav looked at her tightening his jaws.

"How dare you glare at me? What do you think of yourself? Don't you know me? I will tangle your neck..."

Before she completed the sentence, Arnav tangled her neck, making not only Sheetal but also the servants of the house shocked. Fatima dropped the spatula from her hand jerking. No one expected such action from Arnav.

"Dare you... Who spoilt whose life? It's you who spoilt my bloody life... (He roared) Because of you, I lost everything. Mind your words... You too get to know what I can do... If I show my strength, you can't stand... YOU (he stressed) keep distance from me. Or else, you will regret"

Sheetal coughed. Arnav pushed her neck and Sheetal fell on the couch. She caressed her neck with a shocked expression on her face. As that was the first time, she saw Arnav getting angry. Arnav flicked his finger near her face.

"I don't say anything. It doesn't mean I will tolerate your tantrum... Mind it" He walked to his room.

Fatima stood with an open mouth. This was a brand new scene for her. She pulled her head inside the kitchen with fear when Sheetal ran her eyes into the living room. Sheetal huffed as she didn't find anyone in the living room. How could she see anyone if everyone was hiding just like Fatima?

"Fatimaaaa..." She shouted Fatima's name who was her mother's age.

Fatima rushed out.

"Jee..."

"I won't come home tonight"

"Jee"

Sheetal walked out. Baby Khushi came out of the curtain and witnessed everything, hiding behind it. It didn't seem, she felt sad about what happened there. She rushed to Arnav's room and hugged his knees.

"Super Daddy" she giggled.

"What happened Khushi?" Arnav asked.

"I like how you pushed Sheetal" she hopped, clapping her hands.

Arnav got stuck. Did she see that?

"I don't like you keeping silent when she scolds you," she said making a cute face.

"Ok, Daddy won't be quiet anymore. Ok?"

"Good daddy"

"We are late to school today. Go and get ready"

"Okkkiiii" she ran to her room to get ready.

Rishab School

It was Shyam who hoisted the national flag. Khushi frowned. Where was Arnav? Was he absent today? She came to the class and saw baby Khushi sitting in the classroom who didn't attend the assembly.

"Good morning teacher," she said with a cute smile.

"Why are you late, today?" Khushi asked.

Baby Khushi bowed down not answering. Khushi was supposed to ask her something, but she saw a peon coming.

"Yes...?"

"These are the Identity cards of the children, ma'am. VP asked me to give it to the respective class teachers" the peon said.

Khushi nodded ok and got them from him. Khushi started distributing the identity cards to the children one by one. She checked every card before giving it to the kids. She did the same with Baby Khushi's identity card. She frowned, not seeing the mother's name on her identity card. Arnav's name was there but his wife's name.

"Khushi..." Khushi called.

Baby Khushi came to her.

"Why are you late today? Are not you feeling well?" she touched her forehead.

Baby Khushi nodded no.

"Dad fought with SHEETAL," she said in a low tone.

Khushi felt a prick in her. SHEETAL? Was not Sheetal her mother?

"Sheetal? Who is she?" Khushi asked not showing her turmoil.

"She is there at our house"

"Is she your mother?"

"No... I don't have a mother" she said sadly.

Khushi was confused like hell. She was damn sure that Sheetal was Arnav's wife. She saw her name on the wedding hall board. She could never forget the name that snatched Arnav from her. Then why baby Khushi was telling the opposite of it?

"Where is your mother?"

"I don't know. I have never seen my mother. Whenever I ask my dad about my mummy, he says I don't have mummy"

Khushi felt like scratching her head. What the hell was this?

"Does Sheetal like you?"

Baby Khushi nodded no.

"She doesn't like me. She doesn't talk to me. She vomits often and scolds my daddy. I don't like her"

"Why did daddy fight with her today?"

"It's not daddy but she fought with daddy like always. But today, daddy also scold her for the first time. I liked it" she said giggling.

Khushi was looking at her blankly. She wore the identity card on baby Khushi's neck.

"Go to your place"

Baby Khushi went to her place. Khushi became thoughtful. What was happening in Arnav's life? Was not he happy with his wife? Why did she fight with him? Why was he silent when she fought? Why did he get angry today all of a sudden? There were many thoughts running through her mind but she could not get answers to her questions.

Short break

The children went to the washroom. Khushi was checking the playthings on the shelf that was next to the window. That was when Lavanya came to her class.

"Hi, Lavanya..."

"I'm sorry, Khushi. I'm really sorry" Lavanya said making a sad face.

"Sorry for?"

"You know I didn't get sleep last night," Lavanya said worriedly.

"But why?"

"I was thinking about you, only"

"Hey, talk slowly. If anyone heard you telling so, they will misunderstand us" Khushi teased.

"Khushiiiii..."

"Ok, ok, tell me"

"I'm sorry, I don't know he is your husband. Or else, I would not have talked about him to you"

"Why are you taking it seriously...? just leave it"

"Are not you upset with me?"

"Why should I be? You said my husband is looking handsome. What's there to get upset? He is indeed handsome"

"I would not have said so if I had known he is your husband"

"Arrey... I said leave it..."

"How could you be so cool, Khushi?"

"Do you want me to fight with you?" Khushi smiled.

"Do you know how tensed I was?"

"Relax... there is nothing to be worried about."

"Thank you, Khushi"

"That's ok"

Lavanya left the place. Khushi continued her work. She had no idea someone heard her talk with Lavanya about her husband. Arnav was the one standing near the window outside Khushi's classroom. He was confused about Khushi's so cool behavior because he knew how jealous Khushi had been when they were in college. She fought with him for talking with girls. She never liked him entertaining girls. Arnav almost stopped talking with girls only to make Khushi secure.

If it was so, how could she not get angry with Lavanya when she ogled at her husband openly? Didn't she possessive of her husband? But why? No doubt, her husband was looking striking. Then why won't she be jealous of him just like she was with him? Arnav was confused. He could not hold himself from thinking about their college days.

Flashback...

To be continued...