Her Unexpected Husband- 32

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However books are opened in front of Khushi, her concentration was solely robbed by her family. She couldn’t able to come up with a convincible solution which justifies their action. They came on their own claiming Lavanya health was resultant of Arnav actions and left on their own without a word. They’re the hardest puzzle of her life, period.

Shaking her head as if trying to shove away the unanswered questions, she fixed her eyes on the book. She has to study for her, for her husband, for her family. She has to make them proud. With this newly taken decision, she concentrated on her notes. It’s not even a minute passed, a shrill of calling bell rang breaking her concentration.

Sighing, she closed her books and went to open the door. The moment the door opened wide, her eyes enlarged in surprise. There laid a big teddy bear of her height welcoming her with its cute appearance. Noticing the expression he wished to see on her face, Arnav grinned at her standing behind the teddy bear.

“It's so cute, Arnavji.” She exclaimed taking it on her hands. The sleek surface of the bear got her thrilled. She rubbed her face on its velvety face and giggled feeling the softness of it. She hugged the bear tight, close to her skin.

“This is not fair. Attention only to the non-living thing than the one living creature who bought this for you.” Arnav whined seeing her showering kisses to the bear.

She giggled at his cute face and stretched her right arm calling him to her shifting the bear to her other arm. He willingly went to her arms and hugged her tight.

“Seems like sir is in a happy mood today?” She asked caressing his back like she caressed the teddy bear sometime before. Lest she wants him to behave like a jealous baby.

“You got it right. I’m very happy.” He answered coming out of the hug.

“Then something good must have happened. Tell na what the matter is about.”

His happiness rubbed on her making her curious. She looked at him eagerly waiting for him to confess.

“Lavanya will not interfere on our life henceforth.”

“Really?” She asked unsure of what she heard. She should have known this is coming when Lavanya left without a word.

“Yes, baby. She’s out from our lives, though it’s temporary for now. I’m hoping to extend it permanently.” He answered adding his thought at the end.

“How it happened? I mean, so soon?” She questioned taking the teddy bear inside their room after closing the main door.

“All because of…” He initiated the answer and stopped his words in midway as his eyes roamed across the room.

“Because of?” She frowned at his halt and turned to face him after safely placing the teddy bear near her side of the bed.

“You can’t get everything for free.”

“What?” Her frown deepens at his cryptic statement.

He sauntered towards her to grab her hands gently and whispered huskily, “I revealed the reason already and if you need additional information, you’ll be charged. How about that?”

Her eyes glint in excitement and her heart drummed anticipating his next moves, “Shall I know the payment options?” She questioned with strange elation, with her heart pounding on her chest. She damped her dried lips preparing bracing herself for the upcoming demand.

“Of course.” He grinned at her and extended his hand and took something on his hand, “It’s so simple Khushi. Just fold these clothes in return, I'll clear all your doubts.”

Khushi instantly pushed him away feeling enraged by his demand. When she was dreaming for some cosy moments he’s giving her some stupid task. He’s fit to remain as a saint only, she mused angrily.

He looked at her with puppy face shrinking his eyes, “Baby it’s really a big punishment. Please slack the punishment for your poor Jaan.”

She threw a shirt on his face and blasted in anger, “To hell with your payment options. You know what, I don’t need any details. I am done with you.”

He stood too shocked to react. He hasn’t expected her outburst regarding the punishment. He thought he can convince her and escape from this punishment and implemented the same when he got a chance. But seems like Khushi is serious about his punishment. Poor him, If only he knew the art of buttering his wife in some other way and If only he knew she almost forgot the punishment she has assigned to him.

Coming out of his previous shock, he hesitantly placed his hand on Khushi shoulder who’s now sitting on the bed showing her back to him, taking long breaths to control her unexpected anger. She herself is shocked by her fury and the reason behind her anger almost surprised her. She never knew this type of feelings and expectations reside inside her until this moment. She realised how dependent and desperate she has become on his presence.

“KHUSHI…”

She took a sharp breath and lifted her face to met him. The hesitance and worry on his face made her feel guilty. She shouldn’t have reacted like that. She better practice to hide her disappointments and worry him unnecessarily.

“I’ll do it.” She spoke after a brief time and made him sit in front of her.

He shook his head in denial, “No need. It’s my punishment. I’ll do it.”

“I’m saying na, I’ll do it.” She said firmly, clutching his hands.

It’s again his time to get shocked. He couldn’t understand what suddenly happened to her.

“But…”

“No more arguments Arnavji.”

Arnav has no option but nods at her in acceptance.

“So, what happened is…”  Arnav started narrating what happened in the morning when his mother called him alone.

“So, what do you think about Lavanya?” Rekha asked keenly noticing the expressions playing on her son's eyes.

“What is there to think? Haven’t I cleared everything?” He questioned back.

“That’s before she came here.”

“I guess you want me to word your thoughts.” Arnav said in exasperation gauging where his mother is going with this conversation. Rekha kept mum and looked at him in an intimidating way.

“Mom this is not fair. You cannot keep mum calling me here. What you expect me to do? I did my best. Henceforth I can’t interfere on her matter. Moreover, I can’t hurt Khushi anymore for Lavanya.”

“I’ve taken a decision. I convinced Ratna to take Lavanya from here.” With that Rekha conveyed what she has planned.

Arnav sighed in relief, “That’s such a good decision Mom. She currently needs medical aid for her mental state. But… what if she calls me in between the treatment? I am saying before itself, I can’t come anywhere mom.”

“Why?” She asked sensing determination on his words. Something is not settling well with her.

“What, Why? I can’t leave Khushi alone.”

“What? Is she a child that you fear to leave her alone? Or You’re the only one married in this whole world and going to leave your wife behind for the first time. Had you forget your father also left us alone for his work?”

She hadn't realised that the words coming out of hers was not for Lavanya but it is the result of her own jealousy. For twenty-six years, he’s her possession, her life. The very sign of his awake state was the start of her day too. The moment he woke up, he’ll always call her like a small baby for his every need. She has to give him his bed coffee and coax him to get up from his bed and force him to eat amidst the delay. Many times, she has fed him with her own hands even after he started working. However, he grows up and reaches the sky he’s still her baby.

In fact, parents also grow as their children grow ages. For many parents, their child in white hair is still their small baby. Many overcome the emptiness they feel after their children grew up and stand up in their own feet, settling in life with their own family. But few take some time to adjust with the reality. Reality of the need to share their children with his/her friends, spouse and their children as they grow old. Here Rekha fell under the second category. And their unexpected marriage is not helping her either. She isn’t prepared for the blow. She isn’t prepared to share him with his spouse yet. She isn’t expecting him to go away from her soon. If only she knows, her place in his heart is still occupied by her and none can take her place away from him, even Khushi can’t replace it. He’ll always remain as her baby but with a slight change in his priorities.

“That’s what I don’t wish to happen. I’ve seen how you struggled without dad trying to compensate for his absence in my life. I don’t wish Khushi to undergo the nearest situation.” He answered after a brief pause.

“Oh, really? Try to be practical Arnav. What will you do when a situation arises which force you to leave her alone? What’ll you do if your work hinders you from staying with her?” She further raised questions feeling left out by his answer. He easily left her and here he’s determined to not leave his wife.

“Mom your question is out of syllabus. Come now, I’ll drop you home and you can take rest.” Arnav cleverly ignored her question feeling the rise in the temperature. His mother has no option when her son is eager to drop her home.

“Oh, Has Lavanyaji spoke to you?” Khushi asked after patiently heard from Arnav.

“Yes. She cried while I was leaving.”

Khushi jumped to another topic not paying much attention to what Arnav said, “Arnavji, Have you realised one thing?”

“What?”

“Auntyji accepted our marriage. Now hearing her talks with you, I feel she’s just disappointed by the way you behaved with her.” She said with a thought.

Arnav face fell hearing this. He also feels bad for leaving her like that, “I was given no choice Khushi. Leave it. She’ll come around soon.”

Khushi obliged his words and start to fold his clothes, “Have you took an off today?”

“No Khushi. I’m working from home today. Do you need anything?”

Khushi nods in denial and continued her work while Arnav settled comfortably on the bed with his laptop, “Study now Khushi, you can fold it after some time.”

“It’s only few Arnavji, I’ll study after finishing this.”

“I’m saying na the shirts are not going to run away.” He declared firmly like she did few minutes before.

Khushi twisted her lips at his dominance but nevertheless, she took her book and sat beside Arnav. While Arnav engrossed in his work, Khushi frowned at the silence. She doesn’t like to study when he’s at home especially after Lavanya departure. She wants to bask in this newly gained victory. She looked at him keenly gauging his expressions, looking for a chance to initiate a conversation.

“I’m not running away either.”

His voice startled her lost frame. Gulped at feeling caught, she fixed her eyes on the book and showed her back to his. Yet the corner of her eyes kept noticing his actions.

‘How he works effectively when I can’t concentrate on anything other than him?’ She mused with a cute frown, yearning for his attention.

‘You can do it Khushi. See how he works without having an ounce of distraction.’ She self-assured and tried to concentrate on her current mission. Not even for a minute passed she got bored already.

Closing the book, she fell back and laid her head straight on his lap. Sensing the sudden weight Arnav tore his eyes from the laptop and looked down, “I said you to study.”

Khushi pouts at him and complained, “It’s all your fault, I can’t concentrate on studies.”

“Excuse me?” He frowned at her accusation not getting head or tail of her complaint.

Khushi ignored his comment and held the button on his shirt, “I need a new phone. If you were present on that day, at least the phone would’ve survived.”

Arnav raised his brows and his eyes opened wide at the possibility, “How? Instead of breaking it would you have hit me?”

Khushi laughed at his expression and envisioned his imagination. Her laughs gradually turned chuckles and she pinched his cheeks, “My Darling Jaan.”

Arnav showed his other cheek chuckling. Blushing, Khushi lifted her head from his lap and palmed his cheeks. Ever slowly her soft luscious petals left its impressions on his hard rough cheek.

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