Arnav waits patiently expecting her to stop her crying. But she seems unaware of the surroundings & clung into him for her dear life. When her sobs didn't reduced, he scooped her in his arms taking her into his… now their room… leaving the space for other entrants.
She clutched into him like a baby, burying her head on his
neck as he carried her to room. Smita who has seen them called Meera.
“Today I give you company. But tomorrow onwards….”
Meera interrupted climbing up on the bed “I know aunty. I can manage alone in this room.” Smita smiled in gratitude.
*
Arnav pushed open their room door by his leg & closed it behind with his back. He carefully put Khushi on the bed & got up to move. Khushi hiccupped, clutching his arms stopped him “Where are you going?” She asked between her tears.
“I am just going to latch the door Khushi.” He replied softly cupping her shoulder & squinted in assurance. Her uncertainty clouded eyes settled back at his assurance.
Arnav quickly latched the door & took his seat beside Khushi. She instantly leaned her head on his shoulder & reflexively he throws his arms around her pulling her more towards him. She clutched his collar in her fist and hid her face on his neck letting her hot salty tears to roll down on his warm skin.
“Jaan you'll fall sick if you keep crying like this.” Arnav softly whispered on her ears.
The 'jaan’ did its trick but in an opposite way. Her silent tears turned into sobs. He sat helplessly not knowing the way to stop her cries. Each time she wailed out a sob, he felt a sting in his heart as if someone is twisting it.
“He never cared for me. He… for him only Meera is his daughter. Why? Ain’t I his daughter? Ain't I deserves his love? For every girl, her father is her hero. But why isn't it applicable to me? Am I that bad?” She spoke between her sobs.
Arnav patted her head softly & lifted her chin to meet her eyes directly “You aren't bad Jaan. And about your father not being your hero, I can only say that he left that vacancy for me to fill it.”
“You… You want to be my hero?” She asked unsure of her hearing & understanding ability. Her eyes scrutinized his stance to find any teasing or playful smirk but find none. He seemed utter sincere of what he said.
“Ofcourse Jaan. Ain't I fit into that role perfectly?” He declared with love dripping from every cell of his body, trailing his fingers on her cheeks soothingly. Her heart calmed down in no time so as her tears but that too only for few minutes.
“But I am not apt for the role of your heroine.” She whispered brokenly breaking their embrace.
Arnav closed his eyes for a brief time & made up his mind to clear her insecurities once for all.
He took her palms in his & secured it in between his both palms “Khushi, no one can be my better half more than you…” Khushi interrupted his words,
“Then promise me that you'll shower the same affection on our coming days. I’ll do anything to keep this care & affection with me. I know we aren't in same status. I am no match to you, but I'll learn anything to keep us unite. And we've to convince your parents. They aren't wrong na, anyone in their place would do the same. They would've dreamed a lot about your wedding. But... Promise me, you'll help me in coaxing them and you would always stay beside me. ”
“You don't even have to ask this. I am always beside you khushi.” He announced recovering himself from shock. He didn't expect her to speak about his parents when she was missing her father's love. He's totally surprised at her thoughtfulness.
“You're so good ji. But… poor you. You've to bear my along with my sister too.” Khushi whispered sadly.
“What? Come again.”
“Ji… I am burdening you na.” She said with a sad pout which was captured by his hard one's in no time.
Khushi was startled at the sudden contact. Her eyes closed automatically as his lips latched itself on her soft petals. He stilled savouring the sweet taste of his wife's petals at the same time imprinting this beautiful moment in his memory. But Khushi was left with zero patience who find it's hard to stay still. Unknowingly she moved her upper petals on his capturing it fully on hers taking control among them sending shocks to her equal participant. Her fingers moved inside his black strands caressing the scalp giving every sinful thoughts to her husband. A feeble sound escaped her mouth as the result of his immobile form.
Arnav recovered himself and moved his lips over hers. As he plunged deep into her mouth exploring it, she felt elated. The reality is far more better than her imagination which she had not few minutes ago. The exhilaration of her first kiss indeed made her forget everything in the world. She shifted herself closer to him & almost sat on his lap. His palms descent from her cheeks to her neck & rested there comfortably. Her’s clutched his shoulders digging her nails over the fabric.
Unknowingly, he caressed the skin underneath his fingers. The moment his fingers come in contact with a cold thing that happen to be her mangalsutra, he got back his sanity and slowly pull back his lips breaking their contact. Both gasped out of breath trying to catch air. Khushi hid her face on his chest out of shyness as her earlier actions replayed in her mind.
“Dare you say bad about my wife. You'll get this punishment irrespective of the places.” Arnav warned with a smirk caressing her cheeks fondly. She buried her face more into his shirt feeling terribly shy to face him. She can't believe she's so eager to initiate & to feel those things which is doing jig on her insides.
Sensing her discomfort, he slowly leaned on bed taking her with him. His head rested on the cosy pillow whereas she chose his chest as her pillow. He raised his head a little & looked down at Khushi who suddenly turned so interested in observing the pattern on his plain shirt. Silence prevailed the room but surely it's not a painful one.
“What do you want to study further?” He initiated the conversation feeling awkward by the silence.
She shot up her head in shock.
“Come on Jaan. I saw your high school grade certificate. You scored good. Why did you stop your studies? Why didn't you studied secondary grades?”
“I studied ji… it's that I couldn't appear for final examinations due to my father.” She replied drawing patterns on his chest.
“Why? What he did? Why did you stopped your studies?”
“My father's kidney operation is scheduled during my exams and… and we don't had enough money that time. So… I stopped my studies & started working…”
Arnav sighed in anger. Wish he had met her earlier, she wouldn't have had to undergo the hardships.
“His world was money, drinks, tobacco… After amma left us, I.. I had to work on evenings to feed ourselves… whatever I earn he always used to rob it when we go to school. I… this time… he bought money from that old man in return of me… he sold me…” The dead sobs erupt like volcano “I can't imagine what would've happened if you did not come there at correct time…”
Her continuous talk midst of her sobs made her hiccup. Arnav got up instantly and gave her water rubbing her back.
“Shh… Shh… Calm down Jaan.”
She gulped the content and wiped her tears with the back of her palms.
“I am burdening you na… I am bad. I am making you worry unnecessarily with my cries. I… ummmm….”
Her darling husband didn't let her finish her sentence giving the promised punishment for tagging herself as a burden.
NEXT PART
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