"We're having sex!" she snapped cruelly. Arjun's eyes darkened dangerously. "Is that what we're doing?" he asked softly. "Just having sex!" "We've never just had sex." he said in a deceptively calm voice. "And you're not the type of woman to just have casual sex so don't reduce what we're doing here to just something physical, we're much more." "I am in love..." he began angrily when Arohi cut him off "Amar asked me to marry him and I said yes!" Arjun's eyes widened and Arohi saw them flash with anger. "What did you just say?" he asked furiously, still gripping her arm. "Ow Arjun, let go, you're hurting me." Arohi said. Arjun's grip loosened but he didn't let go. "Answer me damnit!" he half shouted. Arohi flinched at his raised voice. She stared at the wall behind him as she repeated. "I'm marrying Amar." Arjun's hand moved to her chin forcing her to look at him. "Atleast do me the courtesy of looking me in the eye when you lie to me!" he said with clenched teeth. Arohi's eyes widened. "I'm not lieing Arjun!" "I've thought long and hard about Amar's proposal and it's the best thing to do." "Ofcourse you'll still be Riya's dad, that won't change..." "BE QUIET!" Arjun said softly fighting to keep control of his anger. She would be marrying Amar over Arjun's dead body as far as he was concerned. "Best thing for whom exactly?" he asked. "Best thing for you, who is in love with me and about to marry another man, a man you'll never love." Best thing for Amar, who will go into a marriage where his love will never be reciprocated." "Or best thing for Riya who has two parents that love eachother but aren't married because her mother is being stubborn and instead of confronting her feelings head on and addressing her fears, she's running." "I thought we were past that now Arohi?" Arohi stared stubbornly back at him not saying anything. "Fine, you have no answer then let me make it clear to you, there is no way in hell I will let you marry Amar!" "Understood?!" "NO WAY!" "You're mine, you always will be, just like I'm yours." "If we weren't meant to be together we wouldn't keep finding our way to eachother." "It happened when we first got married in Vegas." "Even then we struggled through our feelings and in the end found love." "And now, how many years later we end up back together and still nothing has changed." "We're still just as madly in love with each-other as we were before." Arjun said adamantly. "NO!" "We are not!" Arohi said stubbornly. "Are you seriously trying to tell me you're not in love with me?" he asked. "Yes, I don't love you anymore." she replied, again not looking at him. "Look me in the eye Arohi!" he roared. "Look me in the damn eye!" Arohi looked up and stared at him. Tears gathering in her eyes and slowing sliding down her face. "I don't love you." she said looking into his eyes. Arjun's fingertip caught a teardrop as it fell down her face. With a sad smile he said "Arohi, you lips are saying one thing and your tears are saying something entirely different." "I'm inclined to believe your tears." "Don't do this to us." he said sadly. "I know you're scared, but give us a chance, don't ruin so many lives by rushing into a marriage with Amar because you're scared of what's happening between us." Arohi stared at him, the tears still sliding down her face. How badly she wanted to fall into his arms and believe that what he was saying was true. Believe that they could have a happily ever after. But she knew that couldn't be. Their love in it's intensity and passion was too volatile. It was all consuming but that wasn't always good when it came to two such strong personalities. They tended to hurt each other just as much as love each other. And she didn't want to hurt Arjun again, just as much as she didn't want to be hurt again. "Arjun, there is no point in discussing this further." "I have already said yes to Amar." Arohi said as she turned away from him again. She couldn't bare to see the anguish on his face anymore. Within seconds she was being slammed back against his chest, and then she heard his voice, dripping with cold fury. "Are you seriously ready to spend a lifetime with a man you don't love?" "A man that will never make you feel what I feel, not just physically but emotionally." Hearing nothing from Arohi he continued "If you decide to go ahead with this charade, prepare for a fight!" "I have the most to lose so if I have to play dirty I will Arohi!" "And I think you and both know from experience I am not a man to give up, especially when I know this is worth fighting for!" Arohi squeezed her eyes shut against his words.
Then slowly she became conscious of how close they were to each other and of Arjun's breath against her ear. Her own breathing hitched as she felt Arjun's fingers move slowly up her arm. A feather soft kiss against her ear, had her stomach doing flip flops. This was so unfair, she thought fighting against the feeling as she tried to move away from him. But he was too quick for her, as his arm snaked around her waist keeping her locked against him. Chest to back. "Arjun, stop it please." Arohi said softly. "Please let me go." "Never." was his husky answer as he kissed the nape of her neck again. "I will never let you go." he repeated as he kissed along the nape of her neck and bit down on her shoulder. Arohi gasped and then gasped again as she felt his hand sneak up under her blouse and his hand move up her abdomen. Her head rolled back on to his shoulder as he kissed her throat. Then suddenly he was turning her around swiftly, and his lips were on hers, possessing, devouring, claiming. Arohi groaned as she pressed closer, wrapping her arms around his neck as he continued to make love to her lips. She wanted him, she always wanted him. He had the ability to drive her mad with desire with just a look and a kiss like the one he was giving her now made her forget everything else but him and her and their desire for one another. His lips left hers and moved to her throat, as he softly kissed her pulse point. "Do you think any other man can make you feel this?" he said biting her earlobe and hearing her whimper. "Do you think what we have is normal, this desire and intensity for each other." "Do you really think we could ever find this with any one else but each other?" he asked hoarsely "Answer me Arohi!" he said as his hands moved over her body possessively. "No!" NO!" "Never!" she cried out as she felt the last of the buttons fall open on her blouse and his lips settle against her burning skin. His lips eventually moved back to hers, capturing them in a slow passionate kiss. When he finally did pull away and lift his eyes to look down into her dazed ones he said angrily "Lie to everyone else Arohi but atleast don't lie to yourself!" Stepping back from Arohi he raked his hand through his hair roughly, as he looked back at her flushed face and eyes glistening with tears. Softly he said "I will have my family back Arohi!" grabbing his jacket he walked past her and out the door leaving a broken Arohi to crumble on to her sofa. "What am I doing?" she asked herself out loud. "What am I doing?"
"Are you picking us up or is Amar?" Neha asked the next morning. Arohi sighed. Di had suddenly out of the blue decided to come see her and Riya, and that to the next morning. Considering Arohi's life was falling apart this was really not the right time for company. "Earth to Arohi!" Neha di snapped into the phone. "Sorry di." "Um, I should be picking you up." she answered softly. "What's wrong with you?" Neha asked getting right to the point. "Nothing di, what could be wrong with me." Arohi said in an over bright voice. "Hmm." "Why don't I believe you." Neha asked. "I don't know di?" "Would you like me to invent something to be wrong, maybe you'll be happier then!?" Arohi snapped. Neha paused and then heard Arohi whisper "I'm sorry." "It's okay." "Something is obviously wrong, but maybe it's better if we talk about it in person." Neha said slowly. "I'll see you tomorrow morning." "Rohan can't wait to see Riya either." "This will be good for all of us." Neha continued. Arohi nodded, knowing her sister couldn't see her nod, but she just was not able to speak past the lump in her throat. The lump that had made a permanent home in her throat since her confrontation with Arjun the previous night. "You know I love you right." Neha said suddenly. A sob escaped Arohi's lips before she could help herself. "Di, I have to go, I'll see you tomorrow." Arohi said quickly, shutting off her phone. Laying back down in her bed she thanked god for Sophia who had come and gotten Riya ready and taken her off to preschool. Arohi's pretense of being not well working even on Amar who had wanted to see her but Arohi had said she just wanted to rest. She'd barely slept all night, tossing and turning and crying. Aching to have Arjun next to her, to hold her, to comfort her. "You made this decision." she told herself over and over again. "You decided this was best for every one around and even if you couldn't love Amar you would be a good wife to him. That would be enough, she had convinced herself that eventually this would be the best decision for everyone. But after the confrontation with Arjun she felt raw. He was refusing to understand that they should not be together. That they were wrong for each other. Even though they had this magnetic attraction to each other, that was not enough for a relationship to survive. His words from last night ran through her head most of the night but so did the other words, the horrible heart breaking words they'd spoken to each other in the past. Words that had actually hurt more then physical blows. Their love was like that, it was intense, it was passionate, it was stubborn, it was all consuming. But it was also toxic at times, and when the going got tough they usually hurt each other beyond repair. Now they had a child, and even though Arjun thought she was being selfish by not making her Riya and him a family, in reality she was saving them from more heartbreak. Saving Riya from having to witness destruction of her parents marriage once again. And Arohi knew it would happen again, she just knew it. And she couldn't bare to watch the love she saw in Arjun's eyes for her, again turn into hate. It was just better this way.
Her phone ringing once again forced her to get up. Grabbing it she saw Arjun's name flash across it. She thought about ignoring it but then she wouldn't put it past him to show up at her door again. And she wasn't ready for Round 2 with Arjun. Mentally or physically. "I thought we said everything we needed to say to each other last night." she said into the phone. "Good morning to you too Sunshine." Arjun said into the phone. "What's made you so prickly so early in the morning?" "I would think you'd be happy, you are after all marrying Amar...the man that you...hmm...I can't say love." "What would I say Arohi?" he asked. "Is this why you called, you're having a hard time with rejection so you've decided to spew your venom once again!?!" Arohi said furiously. Arjun paused. "It didn't feel like rejection when you were melting in my arms last night." he said in a husky voice. "You're disgusting!" "Fine I have a physical reaction to you, big deal!" "I'll get over it!" she snapped. "Did you get over it after over 3 years apart?" he asked softly. "Cause I sure didn't." "Infact I think if possible making love to you is even hotter and sexier..." Arohi cut him off. "Is there a reason for this phone call?!" she snapped feeling flushed. "I'm taking Riya to see a play in the park tomorrow night, it's a kids performance she wants you to come too." he said. Arohi's mouth fell open. "You will never listen, that's your biggest problem!" "What any one else wants is second fiddle as long as Arjun Singhania gets what he wants!" "I am engaged to another man!" "I will not be going anywhere with you or doing anything with you!" she snapped. Arohi could visualize Arjun sitting up straight. His back rigid. His eyes cold. "Does your Amar know about the time you've been spending in my bed lately?" Arohi bit her lip and felt her face turn red. "You're so disgustingly crude!" she said softly. "I didn't think so, well get yourself to the park tomorrow night Arohi and paste a happy smile on your face as you spend time with your real family!" he said bitterly. "And if I don't!?" she snapped.d "I think you know what's going to happen if you don't Arohi!" he snapped back "Go to hell!" she yelled into the phone. "Not without you baby!" he said coldly, laughing bitterly as he heard her swear at him and then hang up the phone.
He knew he was being demanding, and he was threatening her but he had no other choice. And even though he said he'd tell Amar about their relationship, he wouldn't. What Arohi and him had, was their business. But if she believed that he could be that manipulative then so be it. He had told her he would play dirty to win her and he would. He couldn't lose her, he didn't need a legal document to say she was his wife! As far as he was concerned she was still his wife, he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of their life showing her exactly how much. But last night she'd thrown such a curve ball, he felt like he'd been sucker punched in the gut when he heard her say she was marrying Amar. Even the thought of it made Arjun physically sick. Arohi be someone else's wife, NEVER. He would let that happen. They were made for each other, sure they fought, but what couple didn't! And in all honestly he'd never thought Arohi would be one to give up something so amazing because she was scared. If she was confused right now that was okay. He would help her understand things, see their relationship in a clear light. And then she would have to come around, he refused to think about the alternative because that would ruin too many lives.
"You agreed to marry Amar!" Neha practically screamed! "But I thought you and Arjun were..." Neha asked pointedly. Arohi blushed "You thought wrong!" she snapped looking away from her sister. Neha continued to stare at her. "Fine, maybe we did make love a few time but you don't base a relationship on that!" Arohi snapped. "No, you don't but as far as I remember yours and Arjun's relationship was more then just physical." Neha said cautiously. "I thought maybe you were still in love with him." Neha said hesitantly as she watched Arohi. Arohi looked away and said softly "Well you thought wrong." Neha stared at her younger sister not believing anything that was coming out of her mouth. "So you don't love Arjun?" she asked again. Arohi bit her lip anxiously. "No." she repeated still not meeting Neha's gaze. "But you love Amar?" Neha asked. "No, di, love isn't everything." "There's such a thing as stability, companionship, friendship." Arohi replied. Neha stared at her with surprise. "You're saying this?" "So let me get this straight, you're going to throw away a true love, a love that most people will not be fortunate to see in a lifetime, for Companionship and friendship." Arohi glared at her sister. "Di, my life isn't a movie or book. I"ve seen what true love does to people, to families." "It's stability, and friendship that last in the end." Neha stared at Arohi until Arohi started to fidget uncomfortably. "Di, my mind is made up, I'm going to marry Amar." "He knows I'm not in love with him but maybe with time..." Arohi said hesitantly. Neha raised her brows and gave her a "give me a break look." "I think you're making a mistake." she said finally. "Whose side are you on?" Arohi asked pulling at straws. "After everything Arjun and I did to each other, how can you expect us to be together?" "I thought you discussed all that?" Neha replied "And you two have a child together." "Wouldn't it be better for Riya to have her family together?" Tears filled Arohi's eyes. "I am doing this for Riya di." "I want Riya to have stability, not be part of a family who has a history of destroying everything in their anger." Neha bit her lip but didn't say anything. She'd let her sister walk away once before from love, she wasn't about to let her do it again.
Arjun watched with surprise as Arohi, Neha and who he presumed to be Neha's son walked towards him and Riya. "Neha." Arjun said with a smile and Neha gave him a big smile and hugged him. Arjun hugged her tightly back. They had always had a good relationship until everything had happened between him and Arohi. "How's Arvind?" he asked. "Good," "You should call him one day, I'm sure he'd love to hear from you." Arjun nodded knowing that wasn't going to happen. Arvind had made it clear what he had thought of Arjun after the Natasha incident. Almost as if Neha had read his mind she said "Arvind doesn't hold any hard feelings against you." "He actually talks about you with fondness, and now that you and Arohi have worked out your problems it would be good if you and Arvind worked out yours too." Arjun nodded as he looked over at Arohi sitting on a picnic blanket with the 2 kids. "I thought we'd worked out our problems, but apparently not." Arjun replied continuing to stare at Arohi. Neha followed his gaze and turning back to look into his eyes, she didn't miss the longing and pain she saw. "You two have done a lot to hurt each other, it'll take some time to fix all your problems." she said. "Time is what I don't have" he replied. "You know she's decided to marry Amar, don't you." he asked. "Are you going to let her?" Neha asked. "Hell no!" Arjun said with feeling. Neha smiled. "I've aways admired that say never attitude of yours Arjun." "I do hope this time it works for you." Arjun smiled and changed the subject to ask about her son.
Arohi watched with increasing anger as her sister and Arjun laughed and she assumed reminisced. How dare he try to be friendly with her family, after the way he blackmailed her to come here. She knew she should tell Amar about her and Arjun, and she would. She just didn't think this was the time to do it. Frowning as Arjun made eye contact with her and gave her a smug smile. Smug probably because he had manged to get her here. Well he could be as smug as he wanted. She had come for Riya, not because of his threats. She'd only come for her daughter. "Want a drink?" Arjun asked as he settled down next to Riya who sat next to Arohi. Arohi ignored him. "Mama, daddy ask is you want a drink." Riya said looking up at her mom. "I'm fine sweetheart." Arohi said gritting her teeth as she watched Arjun smirk from the corner of her eye. "She's fine sweethot." Riya said turning to Arjun. "Tell your mom she looks very pretty today." Arjun said to Riya as he stared at Arohi with a smile. Arohi frowned. "Mama, daddy say you look very pitty today." Riya repeated. Arohi forced herself to stay calm. "Thank you." she said gritting her teeth. "Thank you." Riya said turning to her dad. "Riya can you also tell your mom that..." Arjun began. Arohi quickly interrupted him. "Riya, sweetie I am thirsty after all do you mind grabbing me a water from the cooler over there please." Arohi asked. Riya got up grabbing Rohan's hand to come with her. "Will you please shut up!" Arohi snapped as soon as the kids were out of hearing range. "No." Arjun replied nonchalantly. "Atleast I didn't tell Riya what I really wanted to say," he said quietly as he moved closer to her. "What I really wanted to say is..." Arohi prepared herself for something sexual to come out of his mouth. "What I really wanted to say is... I woke up this morning missing your beautiful smile." "I've waited all day to see that smile, that smile directed at me." "The smile that transforms your already beautiful face into something breath taking. "Arohi, just one smile please." he asked staring into her eyes. Arohi stared back at him, losing herself in his eyes. "Here you go mama!" Riya exclaimed shoving the water bottle between Arjun and Arohi's faces. Breaking the moment. Arohi quickly moved away putting space between them. The rest of the evening Arohi felt Arjun's eyes on her several times but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. It hurt too much to see the love in his eyes for her. She knew one day he would understand what she did was the best for all of them. One day he would thank her.
Neha paced from one side of Arohi's living room to the other. "Come on Arvind where are you!" she said out loud glancing at her watch. He wasn't picking up his phone but according to his flight information he should have landed 2 hours ago. Arohi was in the shower and she had really wanted to speak to Arvind alone before he dropped the bomb that was about to change everything. Hearing a knock on the door" she sighed "Thank god!" Opening the door she gasped. Arjun wasn't supposed to be here for another hour! "Your early!" she said accusingly. Arjun raised his brows. "Sorry, I just came directly from the office." "Was hoping to see Riya before she went to bed." Neha bit her lip nervously. "Oh, okay." "The kids are in the bedroom playing." she replied looking over at the door willing for Arvind to appear. "Okay, Arjun said giving her a weird look. "Are you okay Neha?" he asked. Neha quickly nodded her head. "Yeah, fine." she said distractedly. "I'm not even quite sure why you've invited me over." Arjun said slowly. "You'll see soon enough." she replied softly. Arjun shrugged and walked towards his daughter's bedroom. Neha resumed her pacing. About 10 minutes later still no sign of Arvind. Now Neha was starting to get worried. "Di, why are you pacing?" Arohi asked walking into the room. Neha groaned. Great Arohi was out of the shower now too. "No reason." Neha said not making eye contact with Arohi. Aorhi also shrugged and moved to the kitchen. "Would you like some coffee?" she asked her sister. "I'll have some too." they heard from across the room. "YOU!" Arohi yelled. "What are you doing here?" she asked lowering her voice but still looking furious. Arjun gave her a big smile. "Neha invited me." he replied. Arohi turned towards her sister. "DI????"! she snapped. Both Arohi and Arjun now stared at Neha. Neha stared back at them trying to figure out what to say, when she heard knocking on the door. "Thank god!" she said under her breath as she rushed to the door and threw it open to find Arvind there. Pulling him inside she asked "What took you so long?" Long story!" he replied leaning over and kissing his wife's cheek. "I missed you." he said. "Aaw, I missed you too." Neha said staring lovingly into her husbands face. "We get it you missed each other!" "Now what's happening here?!" Arohi snapped, staring at the two love birds. "Hi Arvind." Arjun said with a smile as he held out his hand to shake Arvind's. Arvind smiled back. "It's been a long time Arjun." "It's good to see you." "Jiju!" Arohi said feeling a sense of dread spread over her. Something was not right. "Is something wrong?" she asked. Arvind and Neha exchanged looks. "Is it mom or dad Arohi suddenly asked. "Is something wrong with mom or dad?" she repeated with tears in her eyes. Arjun quickly moved toward her, putting his arm around her waist for support. "No, everyone is fine." Arvind began. "The thing is that, well, how do I begin..." he said looking around nervously. "Maybe you two should sit down." he said. Arohi's eyes widened. "Oh my god jiju just tell us!" "I'm about to have a heart attack here!" Arvind visibly swallowed and paused. "Okay, well, the thing is that, well..." "YOU TWO ARE STILL MARRIED!" Neha suddenly burst out. "WHAT?" Arjun and Arohi said in unison. "I didn't let Arivind submit the divorce papers, I just had a feeling you two would get back together." "So yes, you're not divorced." "Legally you are still married." Arohi and Arjun both fell back on to the sofa in shock. Silence filled the room as they continued to stare at a fidgeting Arvind and a smiling Neha. And then they heard a burst of laughter from Arjun. And another, until Arohi turned around with a throw cushion ready to suffocate Arjun with it. Arjun caught her wrist before the cushion made contact. His eyes laughing, a big smirk on his face. "Is that anyway to treat your husband Mrs. Singhania?"