Arnav fluttered his eyelids feeling something strange on his body. He badly wants to continue his beauty sleep yet he wants to see what is the unusual feeling which keeps disturbing his sleep. Tearing the eyelids seems a herculean task at the moment but he took it as a challenge and won too.
His face instantly adopted a frown seeing Khushi drawing some irregular pattern on his chest lost in some thoughts. He captivated her crawling fingers which is dangerously close to crossing the territory.
“What happened?” He asked with the frown not leaving its place. Usually, Khushi wouldn't be lying silently on the bed if she woke up or better say he never woke up before her so he always begins his day seeing the empty side.
“Huh…” She looked up at him & blinked her eyes.
“Where are you lost?” He repeated his question, pushing her locks behind her ear.
“We should talk with Lavanya ji. Will you take me to her?”
His eyes dilated in no time. Why wouldn't be? He already conveyed how she tried to force herself on him yet his wife wants to meet her with him beside her.
“Are you mad Khushi? Didn't I say what she did? Still, you wish to meet her.”
“I'm saying after thinking a lot Arnavji. We wish it or not but we have the responsibility to break her illusion.” She said looking up at him seriously.
He shook his head in reprove “It’s not what you think Khushi. She’s already out of control. If she sees you now, she may react violently which I can’t afford. So erase this thought from your mind.”
She pouted in denial “I can manage. Take me to her.”
“No means NO. I’m not taking you to her. There’re high chances of her hurting you physically. She already did that with a nurse too. So a big NO from my side Khushi.” He declared in a final tone, releasing her hand.
She throws a glare at him and hit his torso with her fist showing her disdain. He shrugged his shoulder with a smirk igniting her anger. Without prior notice, she pinched his arm and twisted her lips childishly as a reflex. Strangely he enjoyed her antics and laughed seeing her poker face. She glared at him and was about to get up when he stopped laughing and pulled her to him reading her frustration.
Lifting her chin by his finger he met her eyes directly “Where did you send my matured wife? She bragged she’s mature among us. Now, what happened to her?”
“She’s here only. Sensible people can easily spot her.” She countered back firmly.
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
His perplexed face made her lips stretched on either side.
“We’ve come a long way in a short span of our relationship Arnavji. Why are you stubborn on not talking me there? Do you think I can’t handle things there? One day I’ve to face everything as the problem is related to our close-knit family. How could I stay quiet knowing you’re torturing yourself mentally? Someone has to take a step forward to find a solution Arnavji. You cannot just show your denial and frustration on mentally affected people, Lavanya ji will not be able to understand your stand in her current state of mind. That’s why I want to meet her. She needs a reality check Arnavji.” Khushi explained patiently yet her speech conveyed how impatient she is to clear all problems and bring happiness and order in her family.
Arnav closed his eyes for a brief time and opened with determination “It’s not about your capability Khushi. Why do you think I hid this fact in the first place? I didn’t want you to worry on this unnecessary issue when you’re stepping into your new phase of life. This new life is a sweet addition in my already content life but its more like a rebirth for you Khushi. You’re going to live what you’ve missed earlier. You’re going to achieve what you hadn’t in your past life. When we start afresh we tend to be happy and in a clear mindset. I didn’t want you to distract yourself from your goal when you’re nearing the culmination of your first step. Had you forgotten your final exams are nearing? And you’re already late in catching up with the subjects. If you miss final boards this year, it’ll affect you in admission.”
“Admission?” Khushi interrupted grasping his point of view.
Arnav looked at her as if she grew horns “Why are you surprised? You should be graduated to build your career Khushi. I’ve already started to research colleges for your further studies. After that, it’s upon you to decide whether to pursue Masters or going for civil service examinations like you dreamed.”
Khushi looked at him fretfully “Oh, but Arnavji… First, we’ve to mend our relations with auntyji. She’s already angry with me what if she doesn’t like me to study?”
Arnav caressed her cheeks gently soothing the worry “Why am I here? And moreover, she is not like old aunts. She just needs time to digest our marriage. Just see, how she treats you after that! The day is not fair when we’re going to live in the same house.”
Khushi lowered her eyes and snuggled her cheeks more into his palms. Her voice came out brokenly “What if she doesn’t accept Meera? How’ll I leave her?”
Arnav gulped at the feel of wetness on his hot palms which currently caressing her cheeks. He softly wiped her tears and pulled her close to his face “You think I’ll abandon Meera?”
Khushi shook in denial and hiccuped at the mere thought of her mother-in-law abandon Meera. She knows accepting her in their family itself a big step and accepting Meera in their family along with her expenses is beyond her expectation. Yet she can’t hold herself but anticipate something good out of their bitter relationship.
“Your foremost concern should be only on studies from now onwards. I’m here to face the thorns and making it a bed of roses for you. I know my yesterday behaviour doesn’t leave any good impression. But trust me when I say this, I need your support only. I just got carried away in shock and expressed myself violently. This will not happen henceforth. I learnt my lesson Khushi.”
“If you do everything and face the thorns why am I here for? To enjoy the roses after you scratch yourself with thorns?” She retorted not liking the fact that he wants her to live a life of fairytale leaving him alone to face the distress.
His jaw dropped completely flattered and mesmerized by his innocent yet mature wife. He sees no way of getting up from the deep pit of love. In fact, he is sinking more and more by passing minutes. He happily let himself drown into the pool of love reflecting on his wife's eyes that he didn’t realise when his thumbpads declined an inch caressing the soft petals invoking her desires. She parted her lips in the new sensation which she can differentiate from other times.
“Even thorns will be like a bed of roses if this rose shows some attention to this poor soul.”
Her cheeks turned dark pink by the mention and his caress on her lips become wider as he turned the tender flesh into his playground. She gripped his nape and buried deep into him allowing him to access her. But their play stopped even before it becomes intense as a shrill of ring made its presence. Releasing an irritating groan, he stretched his hands to get hold of mobile. Meanwhile, Khushi composed herself and ran out blushing.
“Good morning Dad.” He wished him reluctantly composing himself, expecting some dreadful news as his father’s call at early morning didn't settle well with him.
“Keep your good morning with you.” His father's stern voice confused him. Has he got angry with him for the way he spoke yesterday on the call? Or Has something big happened because of his behaviour with Lavanya?
“What happened, dad?” He asked in a feeble voice fearing the upcoming rounds of stress.
“Now ask me what happened. Are you sure you got married a week before? Or You're married earlier but hiding from us.” He mocked.
Arnav frowned utterly confused by his father statement “What Dad? Are you crazy? Why are you blabbering in the early morning?”
“What? That’s how you’re portraying your marriage life.” Raj shrugged casually on another side.
Arnav gritted his teeth at his casualty “I’m in no mood for your pranks dad. If you called me to tell such stupid hoax then please spare my sleep.”
“You’re of no use old man.” Raj feigned a prolonged sigh.
And Arnav sat up in jerk with enlarged eyes clearly expressing the unexpected shock he got by hearing the exact word of his wife’s view about his age from his father “Shut up dad. Don’t go on your daughter-in-law path.”
“My daughter is sharp. See how clever she is. She found out the truth even before us.” Saying this his father laughed much to Arnav dismay. Arnav could only facepalm for slipping his tongue foolishly enlightening their personal talks.
“But what’s the use when she has one stupid husband.”
“Will you stop beating around the bush and come to the point?” Arnav almost shouted in desperation triggered by helplessness and anger.
Raj stopped his play feeling the heat from his son’s voice “Its Sunday Arnav. Take Khushi out, spend time with her. Don’t worry about Lavanya. Just remember we can’t keep everyone happy. Don’t spoil your golden days considering her. Foundation decides the future. The more you mess it now, the harder it’ll be later. We’ve already a battle to convince your mother. Don’t add more into the list by concentrating on Lavanya, ignoring Khushi.”
If only he knows, he’s already late in providing this needed piece of advice to his son. But it says right, Everything happens for a reason. Arnav and Khushi already took a step close in terms of trust and compatibility building a strong foundation without anyone help. It’s always the interference of a third person be it their own people, creates a rift between couples and they already crossed that barrier to not let anyone between them when they’re down.
“Hmm.”
“Enjoy the day Arnav.”
Arnav hmmed in response ending the call. Thinking of his father’s words, he reached the kitchen.
“Khushi get ready we’re going out today.” He announced standing at the entrance.
Khushi turned around and met him with confusion “Where?”
“Will you not come with me if I not tell you?” He asked with raised brows.
Khushi immediately nodded her head as no and hesitantly looked at him. As if understanding her thoughts, he took a step forward.
“Inform this to Meera too. I’ll ask Aakash to bring his car.”
And tada, Khushi’s hesitation went away without a trace and she gave him a bright smile. Arnav patted her cheeks in affection.
“Shall I help you in preparing breakfast?”
Khushi took his palm away from her cheek and thrust a coffee mug “Just drink this coffee and take rest for a few hours. You’re still stressed out.” She said with concern dripped voice, caressing his wrinkled forehead.
Arnav accepted wordlessly and left from there messaging Aakash.
.
.
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.
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“I asked you to bring your car not bike which I already have.”
Khushi worriedly saw Arnav scolding Aakash for bringing his bike when he was waiting for the car.
“Chill man. Why are you getting angry for a small reason? Uncle asked me to bring Meera to the mall as he wants to buy something for Khushi.”
Arnav and Khushi looked at him confused whereas Meera stood anxious with the new twist. What will she do there? She knows none. Fear clouded her mind. She was about to hold Khushi hand to tell her to take her with them or leave her alone but Khushi spoiled her ideas.
“If papa said then, there must be a valid reason. You take her bhai.”
Arnav also second her words and started his bike. Meera stood helplessly watching her sister happily going with her husband.
“I’ve something important to talk with you Meera.”
Aakash voice made Meera jump on her place. She don’t know why she feels, whatever Aakash said to her Jiju and Jiji was a lie. Sweat beads formed on her forehead as she met Aakash stern face.
NEXT PART
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