Arnav smirked seeing his effect on Khushi. She was lost sitting there. With red hue spread across her cheeks, she was looking edible.
Arnav gulped averting his eyes from her quivering lips, inviting him to devor them. He smiled and left the room.
Khushi looked at his retreating figure from the corner of her eyes. As soon as he went away, she let out a long breath which she didn't realized she was holding.
.
.
.
Arnav was standing in the balcony when Vivek came there.
ASR. He called, making him turn.
I want to talk with you about something important. Vivek came closer, making Arnav confused.
Everything alright? He couldn't help but wish for it to be.
Vivek shook his head. I don't think so.
You are being betrayed. His words shocked Arnav to the core.
Again? He closed his eyes in frustration and anger.
Vivek nodded his head.
*
*
*
Khushi and Anjali were sitting in the living room since the time Arnav said about taking Khushi out.
It was still noon and they had enough time to sit back and chat before Khushi should go and get ready for the dinner.
Khushi. Anjali called her. Han Di. Khushi turned her head towards her, averting her eyes from the tv screen.
How are you feeling now? She asked her.
Much better Di. Why? You need something? She placed her hand upon hers.
I am feeling a little tired. If you don't mind, can you massage my head for some time? Anjali lowered her eyes, knowing that she is hurt too, but right now, she was feeling like pulling her own hair out due to the pain and tiredness in her head.
Arey Di. Why are you asking. You should order me na. Khushi smiled and raised from the couch.
Wait, I will bring some oil too. You will feel much better. Anjali smiled. Thank you soo much Khushi. Khushi passed her a smile too.
Bringing warm oil from kitchen, Khushi stood behind Anjali and gently started massaging her scalp, relieving her from the pain.
Anjali felt her muscles relax under her magical touch and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Khushi. Ap se aik baat pochon?? She spoke after a while. (May I ask you one thing?)
Hmmm. Khushi hummed.
Kya ap Chotte ko maaf kr saken gi? Anjali felt her hands stiffen on her hair. (will you be able to forgive Chotte?)
Hamein nahi pata Di. She whispered slowly. (I don't know Di)
Hum yeh nahi keh rahe Khushi k jo kuch Chotte ne ap k sath kiya, wo theek tha. Hum Chotte ki taraf se koi safai nahe de rhe. (I am not saying that whatever Arnav did was right, Khushi. I am not speaking on his behalf)
Lekin humse Chotte ki ye halat dekhi nahi jati. Wo ap k liye muskara tu rhen hain, lekin hum jante hain k wo ap se judai bardasht nahi kr pa rhe. Ap un k liye sub se zada maini rkhti hain, Khushi. She explained. (But I am not able to see his condition. He is smiling for you, but deep down he is not able to cope with your separation. You means the world to him now)
Hum smjhte hain, Di. Khushi resumed massaging her head. (I understand Di)
Ap ko pata hai Di, jab Arnavji ne hum se wo sub kaha, she stopped gulping her emotions. Tu humein kuch smjh hi nahi aa raha tha. Hamein nahi smjh aa rha tha k har baar mjhe hi kyn sb kuch sehna prta hai. Anjali pulled her hand, and made her sit beside her. (You know Di, when Arnavji said all that to me, I was not able to comprehend anything. I was not able to understand that why I have to bore the pain always?)
A lone tear escaped Khushi's eyes as she sat there on the couch.
Us waqt hamein kuch smjh nahi aaya tha, tabhi humne wo qadam, subconsciously, Khushi placed her hand on her leg, recalling her suicide attempt. (I was not able to understand, that's why I took that step)
Pata hai Di, she looked towards her, kisi bhi rishte mein pyaar se zada aitbaar maini rkhta hai. She wiped the tears that were flowing on her cheeks. (you know Di, in any relationship, trust means more than love)
Arnavji humse pyar tu kr paye, lekin hamara aitbaar nahi kar paye. Her heart ached when she remembered all the time Arnav didn't trust her. (Arnavji was able to love me, but he couldn't trust me)
Aur hum nahi jante Di, k ab hum Arnavji ko maaf kr payen gai k nahi. She stood up, taking the oil from the floor. (And I don't know Di, that whether I will be able to forgive him or not)
Hum ye rkh kr aate hain. She said but Anjali knew that she was just trying to get away from there. (I will come after putting this)
Anjali sighed, resting her head on the couch back. DM, ab sirf ap hi inhain qareeb la skti hain. She prayed closing her eyes. (DM, now only you can bring them close)
After sometime, Khushi came back and behaved normally. Both the ladies got busy, talking about anything and everything. Khushi too felt relaxed after conversing about something else then her life.
It was 6 pm, when Anjali realized that now it's time for Khushi to get ready.
Acha bus bus. Ab ap jain aur tyari karen. Raat ko jana bhi tu haina. Anjali urged her, stopping the conversation. (Okay it's enough. Now you go and get ready. You have to at night na)
Khushi nodded her head slowly and stood up. Out of nowhere, Arnav came there surprising both Khushi and Anjali.
What the? Words escaped Khushi's mouth without her acknowledge.
Anjali looked at Khushi and then at Arnav. Arnav also stood surprised at Khushi and looked at Anjali. Meeting her eyes, they both broke into laughter.
Khushi stood there unable to understand what was so funny. O Khushi. Arnav cried in between laughing and side hugged her.
You two look so cute together. Anjali managed to utter, before moving towards her room, holding her baby bump.
Arnav suppressed his laugh and looked at Khushi, at the same time Khushi too looked at him. Suna Di kya keh rhi hain. He caressed her forehead with his nose, before leaving a kiss at the same spot. (Heard what Di is saying?)
Hmmm. Khushi was unable to say anything, due to his close proximity. She brought her hand in between both of them and held his collar as Arnav leaned his forehead on her.
Their noses touched, their breath mingled, their heart beats became one.
Khushi. He whispered.
Arnav ji. She whispered.
Arnav leaned towards her inviting lips, his desires taking over his senses. Khushi closed her eyes, seeing the raw passion in his eyes. Arnav's heart swelled in pride.
Overwhelmed, he crushed her in his arms, holding her close to her heart. Khushi hugged him back, pushing herself near him if that was even possible.
Aj k baad mein tmhare har dukh, har takleef ko khatam kr don ga Khushi. Ab tumhari zindagi mein sirf khushiyan hongi. Koi dukh ab tmhare qareeb nahi aane don ga main. Arnav thought as Khushi snuggled in his chest. (I will remove every pain, every sadness from your life after today. Now there will be only happiness in your life. I won't let any sadness come near you)
Without a warning, he scopped her in his arms, earning a shriek from her. Arnavji, ye.. ap. She stammered.
Apni biwi ko utha raha hun. Koi masla hai. His intense gaze made her shiver. (I am holding my wife. Any problem?)
She shook her head, clutching his collar as he made his way towards the bedroom.
Umm, Khushi. He said when he sat before Khushi, after making her comfortable on bed.
We won't be able to go on dinner in a restaurant. He held her hands in his own.
What happened?? She asked feeling that something was wrong.
According to Vivek, one of our men is betraying us. Her eyes widened at the information.
It's not safe for us to go alone in a restaurant. But Vivek has come up with a solution. He continued.
Khushi questioned with her eyes.
He said that we should have dinner by the sea side only. He will make arrangements. And we will be safe here too. He explained.
Arnav gazed at her face. His eyes held some emotions with Khushi failed to interpret.
Arnavji. She called him.
Without a word, Arnav hugged her. I am scared Khushi. He confessed, burying his head in the crook of her neck.
Shhh. Everything will be alright Arnavji. Khushi caressed her back.
You trust me na?? He asked, gazing deep in her eyes.
Khushi nodded her head, without thinking twice.
Then remember, I will always be there for you. He promised.
Hamesha. Khushi accepted his love. (forever)
Only if they knew that their life is going to have a drastic twist.
Only if they knew.
...
Love,
Neena💖