89. Loving Khushi: Part 1

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Loving Khushi:  Part1

“Yes, yeh sab tumhari wajah se hua he. Jab se tum aayi ho, tab se. Tum meri zindagi mein aayi kyon?” Arnav bit out, images of Di trying to stab herself running through his mind. He turned away from Khushi’s pale face.

“Main tumse mila hi kyon? Life was better when you were not in it. And most importantly, Di was so happy. Yes, it is all your fault, Khushi. Because if you were not here, Shyam would never have done something like this.” He said, helplessness making him bitter, truthful, & cutting.

Khushi stared at him with wounded eyes.

“Di would have been happy, like she was before.”

Tears slid down her cheeks.

“You are the biggest mistake of my life, Khushi Kumari Gupta. Kash main tumse mila hi na hota.” Arnav said as he walked away, the need for air and some time alone driving him.

Khushi sat by the pool, crying.

Arnavji had hurt her with his words. But what hurt her more was the fact that every word he had spoken was true. She had promised Naniji that she wouldn’t go in to Di’s room. She had broken that promise. And seeing her had driven Di into trying to kill herself and her baby.

Khushi shut her eyes in pain. Tears dripped down from her cheeks to the floor. Why was she destined to hurt those she loved the most? The image of Arnavji’s tortured face rose in her mind.

She shook her head at her own fate. Where ever she went, whatever she did, however good her intentions were, it all turned out bad. Sometimes, she didn’t even have to do anything. All she had to do was breathe, and other people’s lives came tumbling down like a house of sand. Her very existence was a peril to others.

She looked around. It was time to leave. She had done enough damage in Shantivan, through her efforts to help them. It was time to force herself on her Amma, Babuji, & Buaji. Where else could she go?

Arnav drove through the dark, his headlights piercing the black shroud of the night. Driving alone at night had always cleared his mind.

The picture of his Di trying to kill herself and her baby flashed through his mind, followed by the recurring nightmare of his sister’s wedding day and his mother’s suicide. Arnav felt as though someone was choking him. He began to sweat profusely in the cool night air.

He saw his Nani, tears in her eyes, begging Khushi not to go to Di’s room as it would hurt her more. He saw his Mami asking him why Khushi had gone into Di’s room even when Nani had asked her not to. His fingers tightened on the steering wheel.

The cut on his cheek throbbed.

“Khushi, rona bandh karo. Khushi, I love you.” He saw himself saying it over the phone from the cellar the kidnappers had imprisoned him in. He felt her run and hug him in the dark dungeon, almost rocking him off his feet in her enthusiasm and eagerness. He saw them falling together, hiding from the kidnappers, Khushi’s breath against his neck, her heart thudding against his like the fluttering wings of a bird trapped in a cage.

Arnav swallowed the lump in his throat.

They had been through so much together. She had stood by him in all trouble. And he had almost lost her. The image of her falling off the cliff and lying dead in his arms almost drove him mad. How hard he had tried to revive her! And he had almost failed. If he had lost her!

Arnav winced at the memory of the words he had hurled at her in anger and hurt. She had broken her promise to Nani. It had resulted in a disaster that he had averted with great difficulty, but he knew that she had not gone to Di’s room to hurt her. The goodness of her heart had led her there. Her intention had been good, even though the consequences were terrible! He should not have spoken to her like that! Especially as he hadn’t meant anything he had said. 

The hurtful words he had hurled at her rushed through his mind. Yeh sab tumhari galti he! Tum meri zindagi main aayi kyon? He winced.

His sharp tongue! His anger! It would destroy his life one day, as his Mama had always warned him. Arnav started his car, & drove home, hoping desperately that Khushi was still there to hear his apology.

Khushi walked in to the bedroom, her mind still full of images of the love between Arnavji & Di. The way in which he had apologised to her at the temple, the way in which she had forgiven him, the love that she showered on him… Di was his mother and his sister all rolled in to one. And yesterday, she had called him Arnav, not Chotey! And she had refused to listen to him. She had led him out of her room, refusing to believe a word he spoke against her husband….

She had successfully destroyed a family that had been reasonably happy. Not intentionally, not deliberately. By just breathing. By being alive. By catching Shyamji’s eye even though she had never considered him as anything other than Buaji’s PG…

Khushi walked to the wardrobe, slid the door open, and began gathering a few clothes & essentials she would need at Buaji’s house. She carried them to the bed, sat down, & began stuffing them into her black bag. She needed to leave before Arnavji got back.

Arnav ran up the stairs and pushed the door of his bedroom open, his heart beat sounding loud in his ears. He stared at Khushi for a moment, unable to breathe. He was just in time. She was packing to leave. He swallowed with a dry throat.

He walked to her. “Khushi, what are you doing?” he asked, his voice weak & unsteady.

Khushi pushed the last dupatta in to the bag, and lifted her head to look at him. “I am going to Buaji’s house, Arnavji.” she said softly.

Arnav’s heart stopped.

Khushi fastened the zip of the bag, lifted it, & stood up to leave.

“Khushi, don’t do this right now. I..I didn’t mean what I said…Khushi, I was angry…I…” Arnav could feel his heart sinking at the closed look on her face.

“Please don’t think that I am leaving because I am angry with you, Arnavji. Every word you spoke was true. Every word. If we hadn’t met that night at Sheesh Mahal…”

“Khushi…” Her reasonable tone and calm demeanour sent chills down his spine. He could feel his life slipping through his fingers like sand.

“If I hadn’t fallen into your arms that night… if you hadn’t insulted me… if Jiji’s wedding had not been cancelled… if we had not met at the dargah… if you had not insulted me there…” she sighed. “I would not have shouted at you at the dargah… and you would not have been tempted to air the footage of my falling into your arms with a gandi commentary to insinuate that I was trying to lure a rich man to his doom. “ Khushi shifted the bag to her left hand.

Arnav shut his eyes in pain.

“Goons would not have attacked me on the street and stripped me of my dupatta and hit my Babuji, and Shyamji would not have had to appear there like a saviour and thrash the goons.”

Arnav stared at her with wide eyes.

“We would never have met that rascal. Never. And he would have never seen me. Had he never seen me, he wouldn’t have taken the pains to stay at Buaji’s house as a PG and propose marriage to me. Di would have been happy in her marriage. Her Shyamji would have been a good husband. She would have been eagerly looking forward to having her baby.” Khushi sighed heavily.

Arnav stared at her, unable to make a sound.

“I never wanted to hurt you, Arnavji. Never. I never wanted to work in your office or home. I didn’t even want to meet you after the dargah incident. But Devi Maiyya had different plans. Again and again she sent me to you. You tried to throw me out, but failed. I tried to go away, but…” Khushi shook her head. “It is time, Arnavji. I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore. Especially not you.” Her clear eyes looked directly in to his.

Arnav could not say a word to save himself. Her eyes were pools of love and hurt.

Khushi walked past him towards the door. At the last moment, he managed to take hold of her arm.

“Khushi, main tumhe aise jaane nahi doonga!” he said through the constriction in his throat.

“Don’t stop me, Arnavji. I don’t want to stay here and hurt all of you more than I have done so far.” Khushi said.

Arnav pulled Khushi into his arms, holding her close to him. The bag fell from her hand.

“Khushi, listen to me.” He breathed in to her face, his eyes beseeching her not to leave him alone to face his devils. “I didn’t mean all the stuff I said. Khushi, main tumhare bina…”

“I too can’t bear it, Arnavji!” Khushi said impulsively, and then thought better of it. But her honest eyes revealed her love and her anguish to the watchful Raizada.

She continued, trying to make the best of a bad situatuion. “I can’t bear it that Di is upset because of me…”

‘Aur main?” Arnav asked softly, looking deep into her pool-like lovely eyes, holding her closer still.

“Can you be happy if Di is unhappy?” Khushi asked the million dollar question, not expecting an answer.

Arnav stared at her in shock. Not just because the question was unexpected, but because the answer that was ringing in his head was a shocker. Yes, he could be happy. Not deliriously happy, because Di’s happiness and well-being were a serious concern & priority, but he could be contented. He could set everything right. As long as he had Khushi by his side. Nothing else mattered. If he had Khushi with him, he could face any dragon, any problem, he could fix Di’s life for her, he could climb mountains, he could fly without wings… he could live.

And the worst point, the lowest point of that evening was the look on Khushi’s face that said that she knew the answer to the question she had just asked. The passive acceptance of the reality that Di always came first in Arnavji’s life and that her place was way down below, if it was even there. Arnav stared at her, full of disgust at his inability to show her how much he loved her, how much she meant to him…

The shock of old absolutes crumbling and new realisations taking their place made him loosen his hold on her arm. Khushi freed her arm, lifted her bag, and moved towards the door.

Watching her leave him, Arnav felt his breath stop. “Agar who tumse door jaane lagegi, toh tumhare saansein rukne lagenge.” Di’s voice resounded in his head. His face hardened. Khushi's place was with him. Only with him. She had no right to leave him. She was his wife. His wife. He would not let her go. Her presence was essential for his survival, like air, like water…

She opened the door to leave. Arnav slammed it shut, and held it shut with his arm. He had to stop her. She was in a self-sacrificing mode, and he could not cajole her out of it right now. He had done too much damage with his words that night as it was.

“Hamein jaane deejiye, Arnavji.” Khushi said softly.

“Tum nahi jaa sakthi.” He would die if she left him.

“How can you break your contract and leave?” He was glad for their contract marriage. Otherwise he would have been left with no hold over her!

Her tear-filled eyes widened to an impossible size.

“What did I tell you on our wedding night? We entered into a contract marriage. The contract is not over yet. So put the thought of leaving me out of your head!” he made it clear.

He grabbed the bag from her shocked and numb fingers. “Because you simply can’t.”

Khushi managed to find words. “After all that happened… all that was… you still consider it a contract marriage?”

Arnav turned away to hide his face from her hurt and accusing eyes.

“What do you mean ‘consider’ it a contract marriage? It is a contract marriage.” Arnav affirmed. There was no other way. He had to hang on tight to the contract part of their marriage. Otherwise she would be out of his life in a jiffy. And that was unacceptable to him. She could throw away their life together for Di, but he could not.

But Khushi was not done yet.

“What will you do? Inform the police that I have not fulfilled my side of the bargain?” Khushi fumed, disillusionment clouding her eyes.

“I will do what I promised to do then. I will get Akash to leave P..payal…” he stuttered as the sweet face of his obliging & sweet-tempered sister-in-law came to his mind. His lips curled in self-disgust. “And you know Akash will never disobey me.”

Khushi felt the ground slide away from beneath her feet. After all they had gone through, after all the pain and the misunderstanding, the tears and the misery, the agony and the trauma, they were still where they had started out. Arnav Singh Raizada was still Arnav Singh Raizada. His inordinate fondness for contracts was still intact. And she was still Khushi Kumari Gupta, his favourite whipping girl, the fool who could not seek her happiness & freedom at the risk of her Jiji’s marriage. Her heart wept blood.

Arnav drew in a deep breath, knowing that she must be feeling torn & betrayed. He turned around, wanting to put an end to the farce.

“Khushi, jitna tum jaane ki zid karogi, utna main tumhein rokne ki zid karoonga.” He told her, holding her gaze. “Ab tak to tum mujhe achi tarah jaan chuki hogi!”

“Haan, jaan chuke hum.” Khushi retorted. “That you will always remain what you were, a Shaitan, who does not care for anybody. I thought you had changed.” She swallowed her tears. “But no, you haven’t. I know. Just as I try and succeed in forgetting, you will remind me, you will hurt me, you will break my heart…”

Arnav couldn’t bear to see her anguish. Images of Diwali night, their wedding when he had flung the mangalsutra around her neck and thrown sindoor in her maang as though to insult her, her tears… they crowded his head.

“Khushi…” he whispered.

“It is good that you reminded me that Arnav Singh Raizada can never change.” Khushi wept through her harsh words.

“Khushi…” Arnav murmured, trying to soothe her.

But Khushi was in no mood to be soothed. “Theek he, as long as this contract is in place, I will not leave this house.”

Relief as he had never felt before flooded his veins.

Khushi walked up to the calendar he had on his table. “We started our contract marriage on February 14^th.” she announced. “March, April, May, June, July, August…” she turned the pages. “Our contract ends on the night of August 14^th. I will be free again on August 15^th, like India.” She smiled without humour.

Arnav gulped.

“Twelve more days once this night is over.” Khushi declared. “Then I will be free of you for ever.”

“Khushi…” Arnav could only gasp.

“May I ask you something?” Khushi asked, her direct eyes on his face. “You forced me into a contract marriage because you were foolish enough to believe Shyamji when he said that I loved him.”

Arnav fumed. “I had evidence. The evidence of my eyes. I saw you both on the terrace, hugging each other, Shyam professing his love for you, and you asking him to leave my Di for you…” the lion roared, his mane  flying courtesy of his fury.

Khushi’s eyes looked like saucers. “You saw us?” she asked finally.

Arnav nodded.

“Shyamji wrote on the mirror with lipstick that he wanted to see me on the terrace. I… I thought you had written it…” her eyes skidded away from his. “I went to the terrace, and stood there, waiting for you. He…he came. I was shocked. He said that he loved me and that he did not love Rani Sahiba. He … he pulled me into his arms… Do you know how strong he is, Mr. Raizada? My arm felt asthough it would be pulled off. My ribs…”

Arnav swallowed.

“I wanted to prove him a liar. I knew he would never leave Anjaliji because he had married her for her money and as long as Anjaliji continued to believe blindly in him, he was safe… and rich. That is why I asked him to leave her. If you had stayed to listen some more you would have heard me assassinate his character. You would never have fallen for his lie.”

Arnav & Khushi stared at each other in silence.

Then Khushi said, “You never wanted to get married. But you sacrificed your freedom and married me to keep your Di’s wedding safe. But now there is no need for this marriage. You know that Shyamji was lying. That there was never anything between him and me. That I was never a threat to your Di’s marriage. Then why do you want this marriage to continue till its bitter end?”

Arnav had no reply to offer.

“You married me to keep your Di happy. Now our contract marriage and my presence are a threat to her happiness. Then why do you want me to stay here?” Khushi asked.

Arnav looked at her in silence, his heart beating loudly and rapidly.

Khushi waited for a reply, and not getting one, walked out of the room. She sat at the feet of Devi Maiyya, praying for Anjaliji, thinking about her future, Arnavji… her marriage… no, her contract marriage…

She returned to their bedroom very late. Arnav was pacing the room, waiting for her to return. She freshened up and crawled in to her lonely bed. She shut her eyes and tried to sleep.

Arnav lay back in his recliner and looked at her lovely face. She was back in his room, his bed, his life. He had 12 days to persuade her to give their marriage a chance. "I will win you back, Khushi. I will win you over with my love." he promised her. His lashes slowly fell over his eyes, and he drifted off to sleep.

Rashmi's interpretation: Part 1

Smita,
Here is the interpretation to Part 1.
This update is about having an effect or consequence, either favourable or unfavourable, that can be described by the word, REDOUND.
When Arnav accused Khushi of being the instigator of all foul things that happened in his life after he met her, it was with bitter, stinging words. When he asked her why she had turned up in his life, it cut her heart like a cold chisel. To add to it he added, why did he ever meet her? Life was much better without her in the picture. His Di was happy and now her sad state was due to her. It was her presence that caused Shyam to go astray. All that he berated Khushi took silently with just tears streaming down her cheeks. The final words before he left in anger for a drive, that she was the biggest mistake of his life. Wish that he had never met her, slashed through her like two-edged sword.His hatred towards her dominated powered by the sight of his sister trying to stab herself to put an end to her life as well as that of her rajkumari. His words caused not only wounds but twisted within her lacerating her beyond belief.
His words she felt was the truth. It's impact could be seen in the way she perceived it. She had renegaded on the promise she had given to Naniji that she would keep away from Di's room. Seeing her, Di had tried to end her life as well as that of the unborn child. She felt was she destined to hurt all those she loved the most? With this thought came the image of Arnav who was disraught to her mind. The thought that where ever she went, whatever she did, however good her intentions were, all were like a house of cards ruled her mind. Though the intentions were good the end result had always been topsy-turvy. Her very existence seemed to bring peril to others. She recoiled at the feel of her fate indicating that she was like a tornado engulfing all along its path and leaving a trail of destruction behind. With these thoughts predominating she decided on leaving. Her time at Shantivan was over and the damage accrued by her presence and efforts was beyond repair. Her only recourse and refuge was to shut herself in the confines of her Amma, Babuji and Buaji, the only place left for her to return to.
As Arnav drove through the darkness while he was as mad as a hornet, his exercise to exorcise the mind of the black shroud of anger, he saw various pictures flitting through his mind's eye. His Di trying to kill herself and her baby, the recurring nightmare of his sister's wedding day and his mother's suicide, his Nani, tears in her eyes, begging Khushi not to go to Di's room as it would hurt her more, Mami asking him why Khushi had gone into Di's room even when Nani had asked her not to. These flitting images had a strong bearing upon his mind and he felt as though he was being pounced upon by a ferocious animal, eager to strangle and his fingers tightened on the steering wheel.
The clenching of his jaws made the cut on his cheeks throb. It reminded him, of him soothing a crying Khushi asking her to stop her tears, telling her that he loved her. This succeded in the return of the memories of the time he was held in the cellar by his kidnappers. He could feel the impact of her hug when she tracked him, her relief, her eagerness and enthusiasm at the sight of him alive, hiding together from the kidnappers, her warm breath against his neck, feeling her heart running like a hamster on the wheel. His heart recoiled at the words he had uttered, remembering all the difficulties they had undergone. She had stood by him as his pillar of strength. She had even almost lost her life in her effort to save him. He could see clearly even now her falling off the cliff and lying senseless in his arms that almost drove him insane! His efforts to revive her had come to naught and he had nearly lost her. But somehow she had been revived! What if he had lost her then?
His bitter, acrid words returned to him and they made him wince. He realized that though her action was done in good faith had resulted in a near disaster that he had averted in time, he should not have uttered such cruel sharp words, especially those said in anger and hurt, when they were never really meant.  His mother had time and again warned him of the power his anger held over him.His quick temper was a bane and would all likely destroy his life. And now he had done the very thing that his Mama had warned him against. Used the razor sharp tongue and hauled her over the coals once again! Realizing his folly of letting anger rule over him, he rushed back hoping Khushi would be around to accept his apology.
Khushi who was engrossed with her mind full of love between Arnavji and Di, realized that the bond that prevailed was one that of siblings as well as that of mother and child! And last night Di had called him by his name not her beloved Chotey! She had refused to listen to a word against her husband and had shown her brother the door. She felt that she was instrumental in destroying the peace, harmony and happiness of the family. Her very breath seem to cause a havoc amidst them, by being alive, by catching the fancy of the roving eyes of Shyamji, though she had considered him purely as a Buaji's paying guest, she seems to attract more wrath than she could ever dream about. Coming to a decision, prevailed by the events, she started to pack a bag of essentials she would need at her Buaji's house. She needed to be quick off the mark, lest Arnavji turned up at the door.
When Arnav ran up the steps it was with trepidation of not Finding Khushi. With his heart sounding like jungle drums, he opened the door to find her packing her things. Stuffing the last of her item into her bag, she answered his query of what was she doing, with, she was on her way to Buaji's house. As she stood up to leave Knowing Khushi, and her soft giving nature, he asked her not to do it, as he had not meant whatever he spoke and it came out only in a fit of anger, without meaning anything! She told him his anger does not have a bearing on her decision and all he told was the truth. When she started to list out all the things that should not have happened he knew, Keeping Khushi by him was an uphill task. Her calm tone, reasonable argument along with the serene face, with no emotions like snow and ice she manifested, his heart clenched like a fist. A hand of cold started to grip his heart. Her every word cut through him and reminded him of all the deeds that redound to his discredit that had made her suffer and still he had held her responsible. Her bad times started with meeting him at Sheesh Mahal and as a revenge for shouting at him at the Dargah, him airing the footage with commentary insinuating her of trying to snare a rich man that had left her exposed to the attacks of goons who had thought her to be an easy picking and had tried to have their share in the spoils. Her savior in the form of Shyam had led to her meeting the rogue and he had taken advantage of their plight. If all these incidents had not occurred, then his Di's life might not have been affected, she might have been happily living with her marriage intact and looking forward to her own family with pride and happiness.
She told Arnav, that she neither wanted to hurt him, nor work in his office or at his home. She had not even wanted to see him after the dargah incident, but Devi Maiyya's plan seems to be otherwise and her rule prevailed. Every time they tried to move away from one another they were thrown together. But now the time to separate has arrived as she does not want to hurt anyone anymore and especially, him. The impact of her words was stupendous. Her clear eyes without a shred of guilt in it, left Arnav speechless, without a word to defend. He could see that her eyes were filled with love and deep hurt, like limpid pools in shadows, that made him squirm. While she walked past him to the door, his sense prevailed upon him to stop her. With a lump in his throat he told her, that he would not let her go! She beseeched him not to stop her from moving out as she did not want to be the cause of anybody's hurt anymore than what has occurred already. But Arnav asking her to reconsider her stance told her that he never meant any of the stuff he told her and with silent eyes beseeched her to stay back. He told her, that without her, he.. but Khushi did not let him complete and overcome by emotion said, that she too cannot bear it. Though Arnav scrutinized her honest eyes that revealed love and anguish, changing her mind about giving in to his request she continued it, as she too cannot bear to see Di upset because of her. When his softly spoken, what about me? came out, she told him, could he be happy if Di is unhappy? Her question was rhetorically asked not expecting an answer. The impact of her question on him was resounding.
Her simple straight forward query effected him so much, that he was bombarded with a shocker of an answer in his mind. Like the query, the answer though unexpected was very much to his liking. He saw clearly that he could be happy, though not overjoyed as Di's happiness and well-being was also attached to it, he could still be contented. He had the confidence to set things right with nothing but Khushi by his side. He felt with her presence beside him he could move mountains, and turn things around. She was his strength and comfort. Her presence had a profound bearing on his deeds. It cut him to shred to see the numbness that had enveloped her and the stoic acceptance on her face with the realization that his Di was of utmost importance in his life and she came a distant second if ever she was there. He felt disgusted and recoiled at his inability to show her his love, what she meant to him and how high placed she was in his life.
The tipping point of realization that his heart had changed forever made him loosen his hold on her and let her move to the door. Feeling his breath stop, he recalled his sister words that if his loved one goes away from him he would feel his breath stop. He realized that it was so with him where Khushi was concerned and her place was beside him and nowhere else. She was his wife and only his and he would not let her go away as she was as necessary for him as air and water to live. Just like skin to the apple or carrying water in the desert, her presence was essential for his survival.
With Khushi opening her door to leave, Arnav slammed it shut knowing any attempt to coax her to stop from leaving would be of no use when she was being altruistic and self-giving. It would be as difficult as to break iron with your bare hands. The damage his words had done was way too much for her to listen to his pleading. He refused to budge and allow her to leave when she asked. And with all other avenues closed by his own folly, though he abhorred, he used his trump card of contract marriage and asked her how could she break the contract? The impact of his statement was so severe that it stunned her. He reminded her of his words on their wedding night when they entered into the contract marriage. Any thought of renegading the contract was simply not acceptable. Khushi recoiled at his words and at the thought, that the marriage was for him still just a contract! When she voiced out her thoughts, though he affirmed that it was a contract marriage, he shied away from seeing the hurt in her eyes his words once again caused her. He knew if he had not played this card she would have prevailed upon her senses to oust herself from his life as quick as a wink, thinking of the comfort his Di would get from it. But he was not ready to throw away their life together for his Di. Even if Khushi could be prevailed upon he was not ready to do it.
Khushi though disillusioned, being a fire brand, living up to it countered him with, what would he do? Hand her over to the police for not fulfilling the bargain? His stuttered threat, to make Akash leave Payal, was disgusting even to his own ears. The feeling of futile prevailed on her and the feeling that they were back to square one, just where they had started even after all the pain, turmoils, perils they underwent together dominated her. She felt, for Arnav Singh Raizada, deals and contracts predominated and she was still his favorite punching bag. She could not jeopardize her sister's happiness for the sake of her freedom and happiness. She realized that she was like a nut caught between the nut cracker. Arnav feeling the turmoil that she was undergoing, wanting to put an end to this farce told her outrightly that, however much stubbornness she would show to go away, the same amount he too would show in stopping her. By now, she does know him well! Her retort, that she does know that he would remain a devil as he was, who bulldozes everyone to abide by his wish. Even though she had thought that there was a change in him, it was just a wish on her part. He has proven that and he gets thrill out of breaking her heart into smithereens while reminding her of all the things that she wished to forget. Arnav could not bear to see her anguish. He could see clearly where her mind took her to. The vivid pictures of Diwali night, their wedding when he had tied mangalsutra around her neck with abhorrence and splashed in disdain her maang with sindoor, flashed through his head. His remorseful calling out, Khushi, had no effect on her. She, recoiling at his affection and accrued with the harsh words that he had uttered, she told him that it was good that he reminded her that Arnav Singh Raizada could never change and as long as the contract was in place, she would not leave the house. With the relief flooding his veins he breathed a sigh that he was able to prevail upon her to stay back by hook or by crook, though not relishing the method he had to resort to. He felt at least she was with him. But, that was thanking his stars too soon. Khushi calculated that the six months would be over in twelve more days and then she would be free from him forever. His relief was a mere touch on and her words made him gasp.
When Khushi asked him with clear eyes, that he forced her into contract marriage because of foolishness to believe Shyamji's words that she loved him, Arnav fumed and roared like an aggrieved lion, that he was an eye-witness to both hugging each other with Shyam professing his love and she asking him to leave his Di for her! Khushi became wide eyed at his fury and asked whether he saw them. At his nod, she told him that seeing what had been written on the mirror with the lipstick to come to the terrace, she had assumed it to be him and never thought it to be Shyamji. While she was waiting for him, Shyamji had come and held her in a bone crushing hug and had told her that he loved her and not Rani Sahiba. His grip did not allow her to struggle a bit and had felt her arms were being pulled out of their sockets. It had left behind marks of his brutal crush. Wanting to prove him to be a liar, she had asked him to leave Anjaliji which she knew he would never as she was his safe deposit for a rich and luxurious life. Having married Anjaliji for her money would he leave her for a girl with no means of her own? If he had stayed back he would have heard her ripping Shyamji's claim to shreds and his character being assasinated. He would have never fallen prey to his lies. Once again she showed his deeds that redounded to his discredit. The truth she told had Arnav stumped and held him in silence. When she asked Arnav, that the reason for their marriage being to safeguard his Di's marriage, which has lost its validation why does he want to prolong it? When he now knows that there was nothing between his brother-in-law and her, why was he stopping her? When he chose to remain silent she prevailed upon him, when now their contract marriage and her presence were itself threat to his Di and her mental balance, why was he insisting on her staying back and be within the folds of this bond?
Getting no response she moved out of the room, offering her prayers to Devi Maiyya at her feet, for Anjaliji and her well being, prevailing upon Her friend, for answers on her future, contract marriage and life after that.
Returning to their bedroom, she crawled into the lonely bed after freshening up while Arnav who was pacing the room till then lay back on his chaise lounge looking at her lovely face. Peace dominated his being with the knowledge that she was back in his room, his bed, his life. He vowed to himself as well as her that he will make his efforts to redound to his credit by winning her back, winning her love within 12 days, thereby giving their marriage a chance to survive. With these thoughts dominating his mind he let himself slip into the arms of Morpheus.
In the entire update it is Arnav Singh Raizada's temper that has contributed to the unraveling of his marriage. His sense of unrealistic attachment to his sister even to the extent of closing his eyes, towards the unconditional love that his wife Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada has for him and his family, contributed to it. But when he realized the extent of damage his harsh words had done, his sense to right the wrong done prevailed. But his deeds redounded to his discredit. Skating on thin ice, the contract marriage, he has held on to Khushi by his side and is trying to have his efforts redounding to the good.
"Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures,   but of the   success that may come tomorrow. You   have set                   yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you               persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles.       Remember, no effort that we make to attain something           beautiful is ever lost"
                                       ~ Helen Keller
That is why this update is called REDOUND.

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.


Part 2: Day 12

                  Thank you, RabbaVe for the banner!

Section 1

Arnav woke up first, Khushi’s name on his lips, his panicked eyes automatically searching for Khushi on the bed. She was asleep, drained by the events of the past few days, curled up in her white blanket with small pink roses spread on it.

His eyes softened at the sight of her relaxed face. He sat up and looked his fill of her.

So it had all been a lie. Shyam had manipulated him, turned him against Khushi… And he had fallen for it. Di’s accident on Payal & Akash’s wedding day, his determination to tell Khushi that he loved her, the terrible scene he had seen on the terrace, the revelation of the real face of Shyam Manohar Jha and the realisation that Khushi had been fooling him, that she was in love with Shyam, finding out that Di was pregnant, hearing Shyam claim that Khushi loved him and that he loved Khushi, that he was willing to abandon Di and go away with Khushi… 

It had been too much to take in. It had been unexpected.

The pain of losing Khushi had been sharper than the pain of knowing that his Di was living in a fool’s land… he could admit it now, to himself. Knowing that Khushi loved another had cut him like a knife, lacerating his heart, leaving him bleeding. Had it been just that slimeball, Shyam, he could have dealt with him easily. Di would have cried and fainted, but she would have seen sense. He could have managed, as he had been managing for the past decade. But Khushi! Her loss, a sense of betrayal had cut him to the core. And Di's pregnancy. That had complicated things further. Arnav sighed.

He looked at Khushi’s face closely. Faint dark circles under her eyes, the gauntness on her face… She had paid heavily for his sins. Being insulted by thugs on the streets of Lucknow because he had aired the clip… Arnav swallowed hard. His thoughtlessness had led to her public humiliation. And had let Shyam make  a place for himself in her family. Arnav Singh Raizada was Arnav’s worst enemy, he realised at that moment. His ego, his anger, his arrogance, his bitterness, his blindness, his prejudiced view of the world, they had all combined to make his and Khushi’s lives miserable.

They had been getting close. They had been on the verge of confessing why farak padta he, when the storm had broken over their heads. Her shyness as she had accompanied her family to his house on Payal’s wedding day, his possessiveness, her panic when he had told her that he wanted to talk to her, the eagerness with which both of them had rushed to the corridor to lay their hearts bare… Arnav could almost cry at the pain & disillusionment both those innocent individuals had suffered that day.

 The shock in her eyes as he had proposed the 6-month marriage, her helplessness in the face of her Jiji’s wedding being cancelled, the tears she had shed as he had tied the mangalsutra around her neck, the way in which she had shut her eyes when he had flicked the maangtika aside and smeared the sindoor in her maang… 

She had buried her face in her hands in shame at what they had done that night. She had known how disappointed her family would be in her, how furious his family would be, how unhappy all would be… He had not been bothered by their tears and complaints, only by the blow that Amma had given Khushi. All he had seen was Shyam’s shocked face, his chagrin at having his illicit pleasure stolen from under his nose…

 And the wedding night… Arnav clenched his jaw. He had pushed her out of the room, forcing her to sleep on the tiles in the cold. He buried his face in his hands. With his actions and his words, he had made life hell for her. 

His family had not helped either. They had punished her for a crime that had not been hers, but his. Her own family had shunned her. All because of him. Just him and his bad judgement.

He looked at a sleeping Khushi with moist eyes. A girl with less spunk would have gone under. But not his Khushi. She had bounced back, matching him word for word, action for action… She had made his family open their hearts to her again. She had regained her place in her family. She had hidden her unhappiness behind her smile. And after all his cruel words and hurtful deeds, she had put her life on the line to save him from the kidnappers.

He didn’t deserve her. He didn’t. She was a better human being than he could ever hope to be. She deserved better, but he couldn’t let her go. If she left him, he would… he would… die…

Six months of living in the same room as her, trying to hate her and failing, enjoying the tricks she played on him, pining for her as she lay on the bed and he lay on the recliner night after night, trying hard to douse the flame of love in their hearts and failing…

He gazed at Khushi’s still form. How he had longed to wake her up every morning with a kiss! To touch her soft cheeks, to smooth that truant strand of hair from her cheek, see those lovely eyes open… He had never done any of these, only wanted, desperately, to do them…

What was stopping him now? Nothing. Arnav smiled gently. He got up from the recliner and moved to the bed on soft feet.

He looked down at her sleeping form.

He knew that he loved her more than his life. But he couldn’t tell her that now. She wouldn’t believe him. She wouldn’t want to believe him. Her focus would be on Di’s well-being and her plan to leave RM in 12 days.

And he knew that she loved him more than her life. But she wouldn’t admit it. Not if it killed her. Because admitting her love would be detrimental to Di’s future and happiness. And because he had been in his usual nasty ASR avatar last night. The contract marriage! Payal’s future! The nonsense he had spouted! If she had dared him to do his worst and tried to march out of RM, he would have been stumped. Thankfully, her kind heart  and her love for her Jiji had rescued him from a messy coil. 

Arnav sat down by Khushi, his loving eyes taking in her beauty, his heart taking comfort from the way her chest was rising & falling as she breathed. She was alive. He was alive. In spite of the machinations of Shyam, they were both alive. They had been given a second chance to live. Together. And he was no fool to let it go. Or to sit and watch Khushi let it go. Not for Di. Not for his family. Not for anybody. 

He needed a strategy. His sharp brain quickly considered and discarded many ideas to keep Khushi with him even when the contract marriage was over. A business-like approach wouldn’t work with her. He had to think with his heart. But… but how could he think with his heart? He had never done so before!

As he watched, Khushi turned towards him, curling her hand under her cheek. The strand of hair on her cheek beckoned him. He caressed the strand away and tucked it behind her ear, letting his fingers linger on the delicate, sensitive skin. Khushi’s eyes fluttered open.

Arnav looked into her eyes, sleep still lingering in them, awareness of him and his touch evident in them. Then he knew what to do, how to think with his heart… All he had to do was shower her with love, all the love he felt for her, show her again and again how much she meant to him, love her in all the ways he had wanted desperately to love her in the past few months… She wouldn’t be able to refuse him. She couldn’t pretend not to see or feel his love.

He looked down at her. What did he really want to do at that moment, he asked his heart. The answer was quick & clear. He badly wanted to kiss her cheek. The thought had barely entered his mind when he put it into action. He bent forward and kissed her cheek, breathing in her jasmine scent, savouring the softness of her plump cheek that was still warm from the cosiness of the pillow….

He lifted his head slightly. Khushi was staring at him in astonishment, her cheeks rosy.

“The twelfth day.” he reminded her softly, a smile dancing in his eyes. “Twelve days for me to persuade you to give our marriage a chance.” 

Khushi sat up in shock. What had happened during the night? She put a hand to her forehead. He Devi Maiyya! This rapid shift between the personalities of ASR and Arnavji would drive her mad one day!

His eyes ran over her form, relishing the dips and the curves. Feeling his eyes on her, Khushi lifted her head to look at him. And began looking frantically for her dupatta.

Arnav asked himself, what do I want to do right now? The answer his heart gave him was to hug Khushi as tightly as possible. The next moment, Khushi found herself hauled in to his arms, falling against his broad, muscular chest, her arms automatically going around his shoulders. He pulled her in to his embrace, as close as humanly possible, and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

Khushi hyperventilated. Arnav enjoyed her breathlessness which he shared, loved the rapid beating of her heart which found a similar rhythm in his, and relished the softening of her body against his. He ran his fingers down her back, making her tremble against him. Arnav shut his eyes in pleasure and relief. She would never leave him. She could never leave him.

They stayed together, locked in each other’s arms for long moments, till Khushi recollected the events of the past night and tried to pull away.

Arnav let her ease away, slightly.

“Tum theek ho, Khushi?’ he asked, his palm cupping her face, his concerned eyes running over her pale face. The tears, the anxiety, the pain of the past few days, they were all etched on her face.

“I am fine.” Khushi repled, making her way out of the cradle of his arms with great difficulty. “You don’t have to worry about me, Mr. Raizada.” She waited for him to blow up.

“How can Mr. Raizada not worry about Mrs. Raizada?” Arnav asked evenly.

“Very easily.” Khushi replied. “I suggest you practice it. You will need it after 12 days.” She scrambled off the bed and moved towards the bathroom.

Arnav let her go.



Darlings, I wrote a short story for a competition by IndiReads. I have been selected as one of many finalists. The story has been posted on Facebook by the publishers for the readers to vote. They will pick the winner based on the number of votes the stories receive.
If you can make the time, pls read my story. IF YOU LIKE IT (and only if you like it) please vote.

 http://www.indireads.com/a-midnight-encounter/

Pls leave ur comments & likes here

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Rashmi's interpretation: Part 2 Section 1

Smita,

Here is the interpretation to Section 1 of Part 2.
This update is about awareness, understanding and perception that can be summed up in a word, COGNISANCE.

Arnav woke up with a sense of panicky, with Khushi's name on his lips and his eyes searching for her. He saw her still form on bed, still deep in sleep after the exhausting last few days that had drained her out. The sight of her all curled up in her white blanket with small pink roses on it was as welcome as flowers that bloom in the spring and a soothing vision at the start of the day. Taking in his fill of her he relaxed. Seeing her innocent face, he realized that it had all been a lie. His scumbag of a brother-in-law with his Machiavellian skills had manipulated him and turned him against the innocent Khushi and he, who prided himself for his sharpness had fallen for it like a pack of cards. His thoughts went to all the incidents that had conveniently fallen in line with and abetted Shyam's story. Di's accident on Payal and Akash's wedding day, his determination to tell Khushi of his love, the shocking scene he had witnessed on the terrace, the cognition of the real face of Shyam Manohar Jha, the perception that Khushi had been fooling around him while in love with Shyam, finding out that Di was pregnant, hearing Shyam claim that he and Khushi loved each other and Rani Sahiba was the cog in the wheel who would be abandoned... These unexpected things came to his knowledge in a matter of an hour or two and had clouded his judgement. He admitted that, the knowledge he had lost Khushi was much more painful, than knowing that his Di had cocooned herself in a fool's paradise. The thought of Khushi being somebody else's, made a cut that penetrated deep into the heart. If it was just the matter of the sleazebag Shyam, he could have been dealt easily. His Di would have first denied, but later reconciled and he could have made her understand. He would have managed it as he had all these years! But it was Khushi that was the crux of the matter. His perception of losing her and a sense of betrayal was enough to rub salts into the open wound. To add to that Di's pregnancy had complicated the matter.

In hindsight he realized the folly of his actions. But at that time it was beyond his ken.

Seeing Khushi's face he noticed that she had dark circles under her eyes, looking rather gaunt, the result of his follies that had taken a toll on her. Arnav felt his throat constrict with the comprehension that it was his thoughtless and mindless gesture of airing the clipping that had led to her being the butt of humiliation in Lucknow and Shyam inveigle into her family. For Arnav Singh Raizada, he himself was his worst enemy. His anger, arrogance, ego, bitterness, blindness, prejudiced view of the world, collectively had blighted not just his but Khushi's world too.

During Akash-Payal's wedding, they were on the verge of confession as to why it makes a difference what other thinks and does, when they were left twisting in the wind. Recalling a shy Khushi who entered his house on the day of her sister's wedding, his possessive feelings, both wanting to lay their hearts open and their step through the corridor to do so, the pain and disillusionment on that day, all due to one person's lust and greed. He acknowledged that what should have been a wonderful day in their lives had turned to one that they could recall only with bitterness. His mind, grasping her shock at his proposal of a six month marriage as a mortgage for her sister's wedding and happiness, her tears as he tied mangalsutra and her wince with eyes closed when he daubed sindoor on her, her bitter crying with face buried in her hands in ignominy of their act and having to face the unhappiness and the wrath of their family, felt as though a knife was twisted in his heart for having put her head on the block. He recognized that he was not bothered by their complaints and tears but the the slap that Khushi received was the one that irked him and he had felt the sting! He had noticed Shyam's shocked face as well as his vexation on realization that the rug had been pulled from under his feet. Though it had given him satisfaction to have one upped on Shyam and blocked his moves, innocent Khushi was subjected to humiliation at the hands of their family and to the ignominy of being a cast off. At that time, he was not aware of his mistakes.

At the thought of wedding night, his own behavior was enough to put him in a black mood. Without having insight to the happening, assuming things, he had pushed her out of his room, forcing her to sleep on the cold floor beside the pool, amidst the mosquito infested folliage, while he had slumbered on his cozy bed with the AC on. With the awareness of this iniquity came the remorse. He buried his face in his hands and regretted his every action and word that had made her life a living hell. Neither his family had helped in this matter nor hers. They had judged her by her silence and punished for a crime that had been perpetrated by him. He now recognized that it was he who was the sole cause and he had made one extremely bad judgement, a Himalayan blunder that had caused Khushi to become a favorite punching bag.
Looking at the sleeping Khushi he realized that it was her fortitude and tenacity that had helped her to bounce back and hold her head high. She had matched him, word for word, action for action, without cowering at his bellow. With persistence she had made his family open up to her. She had given them happiness suppressing her unhappiness showing to the world that she was His Smiling Girl.  Moreover, forgetting that he had roughshod over her, she had nearly forfeited her life to save him from the clutches of the kidnappers. When he heeded to to the voice of his heart, he knew very well, that she was the finest specimen of a good human being, of much higher caliber than he could ever hope to be. His discernment was that, she truly deserved a better person in her life than him but the crux was, he could not let her go. If she left, he had nothing to live for.

With six months of living in the same room, trying to hate her and failing, enjoying all her ploys to irritate him, her ministrations, her subtle offerings of help, lying away from her on chaise longue night after night, trying their utmost not to nourish the seed of love, nipping it every now and then but failing badly, has now grown into a strong tree that had made them survive intact the kidnapping incident. He is aware that he trusts her the utmost. His love had grown manifold. Gazing at Khushi's still form, he felt his longing to wake her up each morning with a kiss! His mind knew and understood the bliss of being able to touch her soft satiny cheeks, smoothen the silky tendril that lay tenderly marring her smooth porcelain cheek, see those lovely hazel pools open up to him like the petals of the lotus that bloom to the warmth of the sun rays. He had never given in to his feelings like he desperately wanted to do.

Suddenly he observed,  that there was nothing to stop him from expressing his feelings. With this realization, a gentle smile lighting up his face and he moved towards the bed. Looking at her, he knew that he loved her more than anything else in this world, more than his life itself. But if he revealed it, she would not believe him as she was entrenched with the thoughts of Di getting well and her leaving RM in 12 days time. 

He also knew that her love for him was unmistakable as well as immeasurable and yet she would give up her life before admitting to it, lest it proved fatal to Di's future and happiness. He understood that his reversion to ASR, flailing contract and deal, placing Payal's married life on the anvil and spouting nonsense last night had in fact, reinforced her decision. If she had walked out he would have been left high and dry. Mercifully her soft, kind and giving heart had an upper hand over her mind and had paved the way for him to woo her into staying with him.
Sitting down by the sleeping Khushi, his loving eyes taking in her beauty that refreshed him, like the crystal pool of water would the desert wanderer, his heart comforted by her the rhythmic beat of hers making him aware that both, inspite of the vile attempts by Shyam, were alive and well. Providence had provided them with a second chance to be together and he was hell-bent on utilizing it to the fullest. He was not a foolhardy to let Khushi sacrifice herself and their happiness either for his Di or his family or for anyone else.

He perceived a need to formulate a strategy and plan the follow through. His sharp brains set itself to work and deliberated with what needed to be done considering all the pros and cons. He recognized that where Khushi is concerned, business-like approach would be of no avail. To reach out to her, he had to think with his heart only. That was the hitch, when he never had done so!

As he watched Khushi turning sideways towards him, tucking her hand under her cheek, had a little bunch of tress fall on her cheek. Listening to the voice of his heart, caressing her cheek with his fingers light and gentle as a feather-stroke, he tucked the soft tendrils behind her ear. Khushi's eyes fluttered open like gorgeous butterfly wings, with the remnants of sleep still lingering, yet with the awareness of him and his touch. That was the time he got the insight on how to think with his heart and  what he needed to do. He was percipient enough to realize that love is like the sunbeam that gleams through the shower and kisses off gently the dew from the flower. All he had to do was shower her with love incessantly at all given opportunity, show her what he means to her, what he felt for her, love her in all the ways he had wanted desperately in the past few months. Then she would not be able to refuse him. Then she could not pretend not to see or feel his love. Reinforced with this knowledge he looked at her and pondered what he really would love to be doing at that very minute. The answer came to him as vivid as a dream. He wanted to kiss her cheek. The second the thought entered his mind, he set about to put it into action. Bending over reposing Khushi, in a movement as quick as a flash, he kissed her cheek, breathing in her Jasmine perfume, savouring the soft, silky cheeks that were warm from being cradled by the soft pillow.
With a slight lift of his head he noted, Khushi staring at him in a daze, her cheeks glowing like a rose set in snow. With a smile dancing on his lips and his eyes twinkling with light flecks in the caramel depths, he reminded her, that it was the twelfth day, twelve days for him to persuade her to give their marriage a chance, shocking Khushi and making her sit upright like a bullet. She wondered what had happened overnight to cause such a drastic change in him! His mood, was as different as a clipped hedge and a forest, and she realized that, the rapid shift between the personalities of ASR and Arnavji was bound drive her insane one day! Once he had lent his ears to the voice of his heart, he followed it to the letter T. His eyes ran appreciatively over her, taking his fill of her willowy figure, looking stunning in her white salwar kameez and lingering over her curves. Khushi lifting her head, frantically started to search for her dupatta.
Arnav again questioned himself as to what he really wanted to do right then? His heart told him that it was to hug her as tightly as possible and the very next moment, an astonished Khushi was enveloped in a big bear hug, with Khushi tightly clasped against his broad muscular chest, her arms instantly wrapping around his shoulders. Pulling her close, he rested his head on her shoulders nuzzling her neck.

Khushi started to heave making Arnav enjoy the exercise of bringing her out of her comfort zone while he too was sailing in the same boat. He relished the feel of the soft body softening all the more at his touch. Running his fingers along her back in rhythm to their rapidly beating hearts, sending frissons of pleasure, he made her tremble in his arms. Awakening her to the pleasures and introducing her to the awareness of possessing an enticing figure he shut his eyes in pleasure with the realization that she would never and could never leave him.  He also realized that she was not averse to him. He recognized that in her heart there was a niche and quite a big one too just for him. His apprehension on that front was laid to rest. They stayed locked together, cuddling close, savouring the sweetness of being in each other's arms for long moments, neither wanting to leave the warmth, till Khushi remembered the events of the last night and tried to put a distance inbetween. Arnav loosening his hold a tad, cupping her face in his palm, his concerned eyes observing her pale face closely asked her, whether she was fine? Her face was a poignant picture of anxiety, pain of the last few days and the pearly tears like rose's dew, shimmered in her eyes. Khushi recovering from the sensual assault, pulling herself out of his embrace replied, addressing him as Mr. Raizada that, she was fine and he need not worry about her. She was waiting for his usual reaction, that is, to bite her head off, like a bear with a sore head. But Arnav now aware of the damage that his anger has always caused, remembering his mother' advice, have patience Chotey, patience, asked her in an even voice, how could Mr. Raizada not worry about Mrs. Raizada? Her reply was, very easily and suggested him to practice it as he would be in need of it in twelve days time. Saying so, she scooted out of the bed into the bathroom, making Arnav let her go with a smile.

Recognizing the folly of letting anger take over his mind he discerns and realized that one need a warm heart to woo Khushi to continue with their marriage. With the perception of, the need to listen to his heart, he was able to make Khushi aware of her response to him, even after all the bitter spat between them. He grasped that the chemistry between them that existed before their wedding was still intact. Moreover, with his new found cognizance he was able to talk to Khushi without blowing his top off when she opposed him.

For Khushi it was awakening of her feelings and awareness of the response of hers and Arnav's. It was also the knowledge of Arnav wanting her to stay with him and he would try to change her mind. She also perceived that Arnav was trying his level best to change himself and a man who found it difficult to express himself has resorted to express implicitly both in words and deeds, which was a huge leap for him.

"What lies behind us and what lies  before us are tiny         matters compared to what lies within us"
                         ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
That's why this is titled COGNISANCE.

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.




Part 2: Day 12: Section 2


Darlings, I wrote a short story for a competition by IndiReads. I have been selected as one of many finalists. The story has been posted on Facebook by the publishers for the readers to vote. They will pick the winner based on the number of votes the stories receive.
If you can make the time, pls read my story. IF YOU LIKE IT (and only if you like it) please vote.

 http://www.indireads.com/a-midnight-encounter/

Pls leave ur comments & likes here

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Khushi left the bedroom and went down the steps. There was no one in the hall or the living room. She prayed to Devi Maiyya and went into the kitchen. Hari Prakashji was nowhere to be seen.

Khushi brewed tea for Arnavji and set it on a silver tray. As she was loading the tray, Hari Prakashji came in to the kitchen.

“Khushi Bhabi, you made the tea?” he asked. “I had gone to give tea to Anjaliji.” he apologised. “Naniji, Akash Bhaiyya, Payal Bhabi, NK Bhaiyya, & Mamiji are there with her.” 

Khushi smiled at him. So the coast was clear. She lifted the tray and walked up the steps to Arnavji’s bedroom on rapid feet.

Arnavji was talking to Amanji, standing by the pool, his head turned away from her.

Khushi added his pills to the tray, walked to the small table by the pool on silent feet, deposited the tray on the table, and left quietly. Arnav turned around to see the hem of her dupatta floating on the breeze as she left through the bedroom door.

“Khushi…” Damn! He had hoped to spend some time with her. He looked at the tray. Tea and his medicines. Khushi normally handed over the pills to him and made sure that he took them, even when they were at loggerheads. But now… Arnav swallowed.

Khushi went down to the kitchen and began making breakfast with Hari Prakashji’s help. When her work was done, she placed the dishes on the dining table.

HP took Anjaliji & Naniji’s trays upstairs. Mami, Akash, Payal, & NK came down for the repast. Arnav checked on his Di, and then followed them down to see Khushi waiting at the table, serving Mami & the others.

Arnav sat down. Khushi served him.

“Sit by me, Khushi.” Arnav said.

“No, Arnavji, I will have breakfast later.” Khushi replied, her face and voice expressionless.

NK, Akash, Mami, & Payal looked uneasily between the husband and wife.

The meal was soon over. Payal, Khushi, & HP cleared the table. Arnav & Akash prepared to leave for the office, Mami & NK sat in the living room, chatting desultorily.

Arnav shrugged into his coat & picked up his bag.

Payal was seeing Akash off. Khushi was nowhere to be seen.

He looked towards the kitchen. Normally Khushi came with him to the door to see him off. But today, she was being very elusive.

Akash left. Payal returned to the kitchen. Khushi was still missing.

 “Khushi!” Arnav called.

Khushi came out of the kitchen, and looked at him, waiting to hear what he had to say. Mami & NK looked at both of them like spectators at a tennis match, wondering what was going on.

“I need to talk to you.” Arnav said, his face stern.

She needed to talk to him too. She walked up to him.

They moved towards the front door. They stood facing each other near the door, hidden from other eyes.

They were silent. Arnav ran his eyes over Khushi’s beautiful but tired face anxiously.

“Khushi…” he said, finally.

She looked at him.

“Khushi, I need to go to the office today. An important meeting… Otherwise I wouldn’t have…” Arnav sighed.

Khushi nodded.

“I will be back before noon.” he promised. He had only 12 days to woo her. And wasting half a day in his office was not the way to do it.

“I would like to visit Buaji, Amma, & Babuji. I will be back before noon.” Khushi said.

Arnav looked at her. How could he refuse her? He had to nod.

“Di…” he said.

“I won’t go to Anjaliji’s room again. I have learnt my lesson.” Khushi said, no trace of tears or hurt on her face.

Arnav’s eyes widened. “Di, not Anjaliji.” he insisted.

Khushi smiled slightly. It was but a twist of her lips. “She is Di to my Jiji, not me. Jiji’s marriage is not a contract one, you see.”

Arnav’s throat worked hard to swallow. The sense of Khushi slipping away from him inch by inch was very strong.

He placed his bag on the ground, and pulled her into his arms, holding her against his heart, wishing he could wipe away all her memory of every harsh word he had said, every folly he had committed…

“It will get better, Khushi. Di will get better. She will realise that it was not your fault. That it was all Shyam’s doing. She will see his real face. Just give her a little time.” He dropped a kiss on her hair, breathing in her jasmine fragrance.

Khushi pulled out of his arms with difficulty, fighting herself and him. “But I don’t have any time to give her. I will be out of here in 12 days. She can take her own time to come to terms with the misery that is her life. And I will not trouble Anjaliji to forgive me. Once I am out of this house, her forgiveness and her anger will not touch me.” She was not angry. She was just being practical.

Arnav stared at her, helpless against such calm stubborness.

“Khushi, I won’t let you leave me at the end of 12 days.” Arnav hissed.

“I don’t need you to ‘let’ me do anything after 12 days. You will no longer be my husband. And I will no longer be your wife.” Khushi stated.

“Khushi!” Arnav warned her, his eyes hurt and showing the beginnings of panic.

“Jiju is waiting for you.” she reminded him.

“This conversation is not over.” Arnav warned.

“We have 12 more days to fight over this.” Khushi admitted. “But whatever you do, whatever you say, I will still be leaving on August 15^th.”

Arnav looked at her, silent, helpless.

“Bhai?” Akash called from the car. Arnav turned and left.

Khushi went to get her purse. She needed to go to Gupta House. Or Buaji & Amma would come looking for her here. After all, it was her birthday.

Arnav threw the file on the table, loosening his tie. The meeting had gone well, but his heart was sick. His head felt as though a bomb was ticking away in it, threatening to burst at any moment.

He quickly called home.

“Mami….has Khushi returned from Laxmi Nagar?”

“Arnav Bitwaa? No, she has not. Bhy? Jhagadke gayi thi kaa, Hello Hi Bye Bye?” Mami asked.

“No. No.” Arnav reassured her. And himself.

“Arnav Bitwaa, bhen you see Khussi, ask her if she has taken Saasummaa’s Laxmi with her. Oo kaa he, Saasumma hajj been searching for her goatwaa phor two hours now. Donon Khussi aur Laxmi gaayab hui gawaa!” Mami said. “Donon Laxmi Nagar to naahin gaye? Best phriendz jo thehre!”

Arnav managed to extricate himself from the conversation with great difficulty.

He could call Khushi. His heart beat faster at the thought of hearing her voice. But what could he ask her? He dropped the phone on his table and cupped his nape. His head hurt. He rolled his neck to loosen the muscles.

Maybe he could drop in on the pretext of taking her home. His face cleared. And he could take her home. Even if she tried to delay returning to RM, Bujai & Amma would support him if he insisted that she accompany him home.

He grabbed his car keys, pushed his phone into his pocket, and rushed out, mumbling an excuse to an astonished Akash who had been about to enter his office.

Amma, Buaji, Babuji, & Khushi were all seated at the dining table, sipping tea. Buaji’s face was a picture of unhappiness. At regular intervals, she sighed, “Poor Anjali Bitiyaa! Poor Arnav Bitwaa!”

Amma nodded. “She is well rid of that kameena.”

“It will take a long time for her to get over that scoundrel.” Buaji sighed. “ Nandkisore ki kripa he, Payaliyaa and Titliyaa are there to comfort her. They will take care of her well.”

Amma and Babuji nodded. With trembling fingers, Babuji held on to his glass of tea, his recovery from the stroke slow but sure.

Khushi looked into her tea cup. Poor Buaji! Poor Amma & Babuji! Their Titliyaa would be back in their house sooner than they knew, back home to plague them. Khushi swallowed a lump of tears choking her. For the past 10 years, she had been getting into one scrape after the other. And her family had been paying the price for adopting her. When would this end?

“How is Arnav Bitwaa?” Buaji asked. Amma looked anxiously at Khushi.

“He is alright.” Khushi said, trying to smile.

The doorbell rang. All looked towards the door. 

“I will open it.” Khushi said. She hoped it was their garrulous neighbour, Vimla Chachi. She would occupy her family, letting Khushi lock herself in her room to think and cry in private. Privacy was in short supply in RM.

She opened the door to stand still, her heart fluttering in shock. Arnav Singh Raizada.

They stood looking at each other.

“Kaun he, Nandkisore?” Buaji asked.

Khushi managed to say, “Your Payaliyaa’s Jetji!”

“Arnav Babua? Why are you standing at the door with your arms across the doorway, not letting him come in, Sanka Devi?” Buaji asked in wonder as she and Amma rushed to the door to welcome their Damadji in.

Khushi lowered her arms with great difficulty, and stood watching Amma & Buaji greet her husband with great love, exclaiming over his slight loss of weight after the kidnapping.

They made him show them the rope marks on his hands, and exclaimed over them, cursing the kidnappers who had hurt him so.

Arnav looked at Khushi. 

“I told them.” she replied. Arnav nodded. What was the use of hiding it from her family.

“Come in, come in, Babua. Sit down.” Buaji invited him.

“I was returning from office.” Arnav delivered his excuse. “So I thought I will drive Khushi back home.” He blinked his eyes. His head was pounding.

Buaji led him by hand to the dining table.

“Parmeswari, make some adrak ki chai for our damadji!” Buaji instructed her. “It will get rid of your headache, Nandkisore!” she told Arnav.

Arnav let Buaji & Amma seat him at the table, and greeted Babuji. He watched Babuji fold his hands in a ‘namaste’ with wonder in his eyes.

“Khussi’s Babuji is much better now.” Amma whispered to Arnav, her face revealing her relief. “He can drink tea by himself, Bitwaa. And he can say a few words.”

“The physiotherapy is working. And my tel maalish, Nandkisore!” Buaji said.

Arnav was genuinely delighted. He smiled at Babuji. Babuji returned a lopsided smile.

Khushi came to the table with a cup of ginger tea and placed it in front of him. She had to take the chair immediately to his right. There was no other chair available. Khushi sat down.

Arnav sipped the tea, stealing glances at Khushi at intervals. Her face was pale. She was unusually silent.

As Arnav finished his tea, Buaji asked, softly, “How is Anjali Bitiyaa?”

Arnav looked at her in silence.

“Khussi said that you had found out about Shyam.” Amma added. “It must have come as a big shock to Anjali Bitiyaa!” she sighed.

“She believed in him, Nandkisore!” Buaji lamented. “Itna parem kiye rahe! Itna viswaas kiye rahe! And he was so unworthy of her!”

Arnav nodded.

“It was all my fault, Arnav Babua.” Buaji said, lowering her head. “When he said that he was from Lucknow and wanted a room to stay in… I was a fool, Nandkisore. I believed him. I felt sorry for him. His speech, his Lucknavi manners… I let him stay here.” She looked at Arnav. “He said he was an orphan. We had no idea! We never even dreamed that…”

Arnav nodded. He could not pretend not to see the pain and guilt in the eyes of Amma, Buaji, & Babuji.

“He tricked everyone.” Arnav admitted.

“He used to travel a lot. Would be absent for days at a time. But we never suspected…” Buaji hit her forehead with her hand. “Hai Re Nandkisore!”

Arnav nodded.

“Then Sasi Babua fell ill. We were so worried, Nandkisore! Two daughters to marry off! And then Shyam asked me if he could marry Titliyaa!” Buaji sighed. “I thought, itna acha ladka he, Nandkisore! And he will stay with us. And he likes Khussi so much. She will be happy…”

Arnav clenched his jaw.

“Titliyaa did not want to marry him, Nandkisore!” Buaji admitted.

“We suggested that she accept the proposal, but she kept on refusing.” Amma said.

“I tried to force her, Arnav Babua. I did not let her have a moment’s peace. I kept on asking her to agree to the marriage. But Titliyaa kept on refusing him, Nandkisore!” Buaji admitted.

“She finally agreed on Diwali night.” Amma said.

Arnav whipped his head up to look at Khushi. She looked away, her bloodless fingers in  a tight hold on her lap.

“Tumhe yaad he, Nandkisore? You dropped her here that night…” Buaji reminded Arnav.

Arnav did not need Buaji to remind him of that night. He looked at Khushi’s averted and pale face. He had hurt her so much that night, humiliated her no end… The tears in her eyes as he had torn her heart into shreds… It was a miracle that she was still talking to him. He tried to swallow his pain, but could not.

“A few minutes after you left, Shyam came here.” Buaji continued. 

“Someone had written a gandi comment about Khussi and Shyam staying under one roof on the wall of our house.” Amma said softly.

“Sasi Babua had a seizure when he heard about it, Nandkisore! His daughter’s name being bandied about! How can any man bear it?” Buaji asked, her eyes filling with tears.

“We were forced to conduct the sagai that night, Arnav Babua. Khussi was forced to accept him. She had no way out.” Amma said.

Arnav nodded. Amma dried her wet eyes. Babuji clenched his fists.

Buaji frowned. “I have been staying here for more than 20 years, Nandkisore! I know every man, woman, & child in this locality. And they know me. Who will dare to write such nonsense about my bhateeji on my wall?”

Amma nodded.

“Shyam must have paid someone to do it.” Arnav croaked, by now having a fair idea of all the iniquities his sainted Jiju was capable of.

All the others looked at him in wonder. They had never considered that angle.

“To force us to conduct the sagai. To force Khussi to agree to it.” Amma breathed.

Arnav nodded. Khushi looked down at her hands, at the finger that had worn Shyam’s ring.

“The kameena!” Buaji gasped. Babuji grasped the arms of his wheelchair as if it were Shyam’s neck.

There was silence as all the duped people in the room thought about the cheat with violence in their hearts.

Finally, Buaji said, “Bitwaa, we would never have known that he was Anjali Bitiyaa’s husband, if she had not invited Titliyaa for the Satyanarayan pooja in your house. Nandkisore ki jai ho! She saw him there, on your terrace.”

Arnav remembered Khushi walking into his room like a sleepwalker, dazed, not knowing where she was, a glint of tears in her eyes. She must have been going to the terrace to confront her suspicions. And when she had returned, she had knocked in to him and sobbed as if her heart would break. The betrayal of her family’s trust in Shyam, the knowledge that Di was married to that scumbag, the unpalatable truth that Shyam had turned her into ‘the other woman’ in his marriage must have brought her to her knees… If only he had known then… maybe if she had told him… But would he have believed her? Arnav had no more illusions about ASR.

“She threw his engagement ring at his face and slapped him hard, Nandkisore!” Buaji said with satisfaction. “I only wish I had been there, with my belan! I would have taught him a lesson that he would have never forgotten.”

“He came here after the pooja. We threw him out. He threatened that Payaliyaa’s wedding would be cancelled again if we told you about his misdeeds.” Amma wept.

“But we sent Khussi the next day to your house to tell Anjali Bitiyaa the truth, Nandkisore!” Buaji said. She sighed. “It was then that Anjali Bitiyaa’s mangalsutra broke and she became very upset. Titliyaa tried to tell her, but…” Buaji shook her head. “And on Payaliyaa’s wedding day, when we found out that Anjali Bitiyaa was pregnant…”

“We thought that he had learnt his lesson, realised how big a sin he had been about to commit, become a better man…” Amma lamented.

“We should have told you all this earlier, Bitwaa.” said Buaji. “But how could we destroy the happiness in your family with our words, Nandkisore? And would you have believed us had we told you what kind of a man your Jijaji was?”

Arnav nodded his understanding of the situation.

“Had we told you earlier, he would not have dared to kidnap you…” Amma wept. “If something had happened to you…”

Buaji nodded, her heart heavy.

“I am fine. Your Titliyaa saved me” Arnav smiled slightly.

Amma, Buaji, & Babuji looked at Khushi with appreciation in their moist eyes. Khushi looked down at the table.

“Di will be fine too. It will take some time.” Arnav stated. “And she has her baby. She will be fine.”

Amma, Babuji, & Buaji nodded.

They sat around the table, talking. Arnav felt at home, basking in the warmth of their love and concern.

Buaji said, “You must stay for lunch, Bitwaa. After all, it is Sanka Devi’s birthday today.” She bustled off in to the kitchen.

Arnav looked at Khushi with an open mouth.

“Khushi… Khushi… you never said…” he managed to say.

“It is not important.” Khushi said.

“Khushi, of course it is important. Happy birthday, Khushi. May you have all the happiness in the world today and every day of your life.” His wish was heart-felt.

“Shukriya.” Khushi said.

Arnav rubbed his forehead. His head hurt. And worse than that, he hadn’t known that it was Khushi’s birthday. Damn! He hadn’t purchased a gift for her. Double damn!

“Your head is hurting still, Arnav babua? Don’t worry. Khussi will do maalish for you.” Amma said.

Arnav & Khushi stared at her in shock. No, no… Khushi screamed silently.

“Her hands have magic in them! After all, she is my niece!” Buaji laughed from the kitchen.

Amma handed over a bottle of oil to Khushi. “Rub his forehead as you do for us, Khussi. Babua’s headache will vanish.”

“Hey Devi Maiyya! If only I could vanish!” Khushi whispered. Arnav smiled at her aside.

“Did you say something, Khussi?” Amma asked.

Khushi shook her head. What was the use of protesting? Her life was doomed! Her family was worried about Arnav babua’s headache while her own personal headache was Arnav babua and he was sitting by her waiting for his maalish!

"My maalish, Khushi." Arnav looked hopefully at Khushi, waiting for her to touch him. This was a piece of luck he hadn’t expected.

Khushi sat still, looking at the bottle of oil in her hand first and her contract husband next. If only she could fry him in it!

Rashmi's Interpretation: Part 2 Section 2

Smita,

Here is the interpretation to Section 2 of Part 2.
This update is about difficult to find, catch, or achieve, may be a person, task or need. Sort of elusive, maybe the action is difficult to recall, something deceptive or deluding.

It is a WILL-O-WISP.

What is will-o-wisp?
It is atmospheric ghost lights seen by travellers at night, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes. It resembles a flickering lamp and is said to recede if approached, drawing travellers from the safe paths. The phenomenon is known by a variety of names, including ignis fatuus meaning foolish fire, jack o' lantern, hinkypunk, and hobby lantern in English folklore and in much of European folklore.
It is used to denote anything that deludes or misleads by luring on; an elusive thing or person, an illusion.

When Khushi left the bedroom she found the living room deserted, offering her prayers to Devi Maiyya she went to the kitchen where she brewed tea for Arnavji as Hari Prakashji was not to be seen. While she was setting the silver tray for Arnavji, Hari Prakashji came in and apologized saying that he had gone with the tea tray for Anjaliji and rest of the members of the house were there too. Khushi giving him a smile that conveyed her thanks for giving her the much needed information without asking, given the volatility of the situation, quickly made her way to Arnavji's bedroom. Her lucky star seemed to be shiny upon her. When she went in she could hear Arnavji voice with the inimitable staccato, speaking to Amanji, standing with his back towards her by the pool. Khushi keeping the tablets that he needed to take beside his tea, placed the tray on the small table by the pool quietly and cleared out. Sensing some movement Arnav turned, and all he could see was a wisp of the end of her duppatta float away like the deluding mist of a mirage. By the time he called out to her she was gone. He cursed himself, for he had hoped to spend a few moments with her. When he looked at the tray he saw the tablets, that she normally handed over to him in person and made sure he took it even when they were at loggerheads, was placed there. Right now, meeting her alone was proving to be as elusive as quicksilver. He realized that the task of getting her to talk was really difficult.
Khushi set the table after preparing the breakfast along with HP, while he took two trays for Nani and Anjali upstairs. While the rest of the family came down for breakfast, Arnav checked on his Di's and followed them. Khushi, who was waiting at the table and serving the food, plied his plate with food. When Arnav asked her to take her seat by his side, she refused saying that she would have it later, with out any inflection keeping an expressionless face. Her listless reponse made the rest look uneasily between the two. Once the breakfast was over, Khushi immersed herself in the mundane task of clearing the table, while Arnav got ready to go. While Payal was seeing Akash off, Khushi did not come out. Seeing even when he was all set to go, she did not come out, he called out to her. Khushi came out reluctantly,mand seeing her reluctance he told her that he needed to speak to her. She accompanied him to the door as she too needed to talk to him. Once away from the prying eyes, observing her beautiful but tired face he told her that, he was needed in the office as there was an important meeting and he would be back by noon, eliciting a nod from her. Knowing that he had only twelve days to woo her, wasting half a day in his office was something not to his liking, but it had turned out to be inevitable.
Khushi told him that she would like to visit Buaji's house and would be back by noon. Arnav looking at her wanting to refuse her let go anywhere could not say so. He just nodded and when he started to say, Di, she told him laconically that, she would not go to Anjaliji's room and she had learnt her lesson the hard way. Her voice was without any emotion, and usage of Anjaliji in place of Di made his eyes widen. When he insisted that she was Di not Anjaliji, Khushi with a wry smile, more of self derision, said that she is Di to her sister not to her as her sister's marriage was not on a contract basis. She knew her feeling otherwise so far had been illusory. Hearing it Arnav felt as though a stone had lodged in his throat and was unable to swallow, and knew he was being stone walled. He felt that Khushi was as slippery as an eel and was inching away from his life. Feeling desolate, leaving his bag on the floor, pulling her into his arms, with her head against his heart, wished he could paint the landscape of her memory with best of delights, erasing off every harsh word he had said, every folly he had committed. Trying to console her, placing a kiss on her hair that was meant to convey, be careful, inhaling the jasmine fragrance, said that things would improve. Di would get better and realize that the fault lay not with her, but with Shyam. She needs a bit of time and asked Khushi to give it. Khushi pulled out of his arms with difficulty, having to fight not only with him but even herself said, that she does not have the luxury of being able to give Anjaliji the time, as she would be out of RM in twelve days time. Anjaliji could take all the time she needed, to come to terms with the misery that her life has fallen to. She would not even stress her by asking for forgiveness. Once she was out of this place, Anjaliji's anger and forgiveness will have no bearing on her. Khushi told all this stoically. She knew she had to be practical and that was what her life had taught her and held her together all the time before. She was under no illusions as to her place in the lives of the Raizadas. Seeing her stoic acceptance and mulish obstinacy, he felt as helpless as the doves caught in a storm, and could do nothing but stare. But he being more stubborn censured, that he would not let her leave him at the end of twelve days.  Her retort was, that she did not need his permission to do anything after twelve days as they would cease to be a couple and she would no longer be bound to him. His eyes, showed the hurt at her words and the seeds of panic sprouting with it. When he warned her with a, Khushi, she reminded him that her Jiju was waiting for him, making him warn once again, that was not the end of their conversation. But Khushi being Khushi knew, that her marriage was like a mirage, where things appear but they are not real. Her retort, that they had twelve more days to squabble over it, but whatever he said or did, would not make any difference to her decision to leave on the 15^th of August, left him feeling helpless. Arnav looked at her, silent and helpless, ruing his earlier deeds that were boomeranging back to him. Hearing Akash calling out to him, he left to the office. While Arnav went with Akash, Khushi getting her purse hurried out to Gupta House lest Amma and Buaji come looking for her, today being her birthday.
Though the meeting had gone well, Arnav was disturbed and his heart was sick with the thoughts of Khushi deserting him. His attempts to bring her around were coming to a naught and she was fast becoming impalpable. The stress due to the unpredictability of the outcome of his wooing was rapidly taking its toll on him. His head ached like a herd of elephants tromping around his skull. With the intention of ascertaining that Khushi had returned, he called home, only to find that she had not yet returned and face Mami's querry, whether they had a spat? When he assured her and also himself, that it was not so, she said in jest that both Khussi and Laxmi are missing and to ask Khussi whether she had taken Laxmi with her after all they both were best friends. Though it was said to him in a lighter vein, Mami was showing that Phati saadi had no one in the house who would back her, the only support she can expect was from Laxmi, Nani's pet goat. It was an intentionally ambiguous way of saying Khushi was not welcome at RM. Her concern lay with Anjali and Arnav and Phatti saadi had no place in their life. Arnav extricated himself with difficulty from the conversation.
Coming to know that Khushi was yet to reach RM, he thought of the options he had. One was to call her. Just the very thought of listening to her voice made his heart beat, as fast as an Arabian steed on a race track. But he wondered what could he ask her? Dropping the cell on the table he wondered what to do, while his hand cupped his nape giving it a gentle squeeze. He rolled his neck to ease out the pain. And suddenly he brightened up with the thought, that maybe' he could drop in at GH under the pretext of taking her home. He knew she would be outnumbered and he would have the full support of Buaji and Amma if he insisted that she accompany him. He knew without such tactic she was bound to delay her return and only with tricky manipulations would he be able to get her home with him. With this thought in mind, he rushed out unheedful of an astonished Akash about to enter his cabin.
At GH, all were at dining table sipping tea while they were immersed in deep thought. Buaji's face was sad, like the sun in the day of mist, when his face is watery and dim, and was sighing at regular intervals, sounding like the wind sighing through the trees under rainy skies saying, Poor Anjali Bitiyaa! Poor Arnav Bitwaa! Amma grated her teeth and said that, she was well rid of that knave. Buaji sighing out deeply told, that it would take a long time for Anjali Bitiya to get over the scoundrel. It is most fortunate that she has her Payaliyaa and Titliyaa to comfort her. They would do everything to comfort her. Amma and Babuji concurred with her. Babuji held on to his cup with trembling fingers, a sign of recovery from the stroke, slow but sure. Khushi looking into her tea cup thought that Buaji, Amma and Babuji have vested so much of hopes on her to help Anjaliji! They are under the illusion that their Titliya would be there at RM to shoulder the responsibilities. But the sad part is, they do not even know that she is soon to be back amidst them to plague them. Right now her situation would be incomprehensible to them. She felt tears pooling in her eyes that were like honey-heavy dew. She thought, for the past ten years her family had been bearing the brunt of the scrapes that she had been getting into. Was this the price they had to pay for adopting her? When would this come to an end?  With great difficulty, she suppressed her tears. At the query from Buaji, how Arnav Bitwa was? Khushi with a smile said, he was alright, setting their mind at rest. When the door bell rang, Khushi volunteering to open, hoped that it would be Vimla Chachi, who talks nineteen to the dozen and relieve her of being further probe. Then, she thought she would get respite from all the eyes and in privacy of her room, which was lacking in RM, would be able to relieve her heavy heart, knowing that just as heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of water, she too needed the relief.
As she opened the door and she stood still, her heart, fluttering up and down like a butterfly in a garden, at seeing Arnav Singh Raizada looking at her, with his caramel eyes, wide with a smile. She was so engrossed that she forgot to let him in. Seeing no response, Buaji asked who was that? And Khushi managed to say, her Payaliyaa's Jethji! Addressing her husband, in terms of his relation with her sister through her marriage, Khushi has once again given the hint in a subtle and tricky way that any relation as spouse was there only for the next twelve days. Buaji and Amma, oblivious to the true state of affairs rushed to welcome him, chiding Khushi as to why she was not letting Damaadji in and addressing her as Sanka Devi, Buaji stressed, that she was behaving quite crazily. Khushi with great difficulty let him in and her Amma and Buaji greeted him with warmth and affection, exclaiming over the slight loss of weight after the kidnapping.
They hovered around him looking at the marks made by the rope, throwing curses at the rogues who kidnapped him. When Arnav looked at Khushi she replied, that she had told them. Arnav nodded agreeing as to what was there to be gained by hiding it. When Buaji invited him in, he told her that he was on his way home and had come to collect Khushi. Seeing him blink his eyes trying to suppress the headache, Buaji made him sit at the dining table and ordered Khushi to prepare ginger tea that would reduce the pounding in his head. When he greeted Babuji, receiving a folded hand greeting in return, he was wonderstruck. Seeing it Amma whispered, that he was much better now and was able to drink by himself and utter a few words. Buaji added that, physiotherapy was doing wonders and her massaging too has contributed to it. Arnav was truly delighted with the progress and smiled at Babuji, and in return received a lopsided smile. As Khushi brought tea, she was forced to sit by his side as that was the only vacant chair. Arnav sipping the tea, stole glances at Khushi and observed, that she was unusually silent and had grown pale like a flower that is cut off. When Buaji asked him how Anjali Bitiyaa was, he kept silent. Amma added that Khushi told them that he had found out the truth about Shyam and it must have been a big jolt to Anjali Bitiyaa. Buaji lamented saying, Bitiyaa had believed him to be a loving person. She had loved and had placed her implicit trust in him and he was totally an unfit for her love and trust. Arnav just nodded and thought, it was incomprehensible as to how he could not see through Shyam for such a long time! Shyam was one fine actor. Buaji opened up and admitted with shame that it was her fault, when he had said that he was from Lucknow, an orphan and was in need of a room to stay she had believed him and taken him as a boarder. She was taken in by his Lucknavi manners, smooth and cultured talk and had never dreamt that he was double-tongued as well as double-faced person. Arnav could see the pain and guilt in their eyes for not having seen through and said, he had tricked all of them. Buaji hit her forehead saying, she should have seen through when he was absent for long periods saying he was travelling, but they had not doubted his words. When Shashi Babua fell ill, their thought had centered on getting the two daughters married. Seeing this, Shyam taking advantage had asked for Titliyaa's hand and she had thought getting such a good proposal was a blessing. Moreover, he would stay with them along with him liking Khussi and keeping her happy. Her words angered Arnav and made him grind teeth silently resulting in a clenched jaw and hard chin with muscles jumping near the jawline. Buaji admitted that Titliyaa was not at all for the marriage. Amma added that every time they suggested, she kept on refusing. Buaji continued saying that, she tried to force her and had relentlessly pressurized her but she never budged. Amma once again added that, finally on Diwali night she agreed. Arnav whipped his head up, like a an invisible whip being cracked, and looked at Khushi. Her eyes skittered away while her hands were held in tight clasp on her lap with blood drained out.  Buaji and Amma were unaware of all that was going on between them. Buaji asked Arnav, whether he remembered that night, he had dropped her back? Arnav did not need Buaji to remind him of that night. The night he had hurt her so much, the night he had humiliated her to no end, the night he had made her shed the pearly tears as he had ripped her heart into shreds. His quiver of errors was being filled rapidly and was growing like a weed. He realized he was on a slippery surface. It was a miracle that she was still talking to him. He tried to swallow his pain, but could not. Buaji and Amma continuing their narration taking turns told him that, within a few minutes after he left, Shyam had turned up. Somebody had written graffiti on the wall of their house linking Shyam and Khushi in an unpalatable way. Her father had a seizure hearing this and did not fancy mud slinging on his daughter. She was cornered and she was forced to accept him. They were forced to conduct the engagement that night itself.
By then Amma, Buaji and Babuji were tearful and filled with remorse for having placed their Titliyaa's head on the anvil unknowingly. Buaji with a frown told that, she had been the resident of the locality for twenty years and knows every one here. She wondered, who would dare to write such nonsense about her neice on the wall? Arnav pointed that, it could be Shyam's handiwork, hiring someone to do it for him. Arnav now had a fair idea of the nefarious nature of his haloed Jiju. They all agreed that it must be so and they had never thought about the incident in this way. Amma's heart twisted at what they had put Khushi through and sighed at the way they had forced the unwilling girl. Khushi looked at the finger, where she had worn Shyam's ring while Arnav nodded at what they said. Overcome by hatred, Buaji gasped, scoundrel, while Bauji squeezed his hands clutching the arms of his chair as though it was Shyam's neck. Once again, all those present were introduced to illusory ways of Shyam Manohar Jha. He had not only lied to them, but also tricked them to the degree that was incomprehensible at that time. The glib lawyer had ascertained that his actions were all premeditated and were made to appear as a favour and hoodwinked all of them. He kept all in an illusory state while he bamboozled them. While thoughts of violence of varied degree was hovering in the hearts of all those present in the room, Buaji addressing Arnav said that, they would have never been in the know, that he was Anjali Bitiyaa's husband, if Bitiyaa had not invited Titliyaa for the Satyanarayan Pooja in his house. With the grace of God, she saw him there on the terrace. Arnav recalled that day, Khushi had walked into his room in a daze, not knowing where she was, with her eyes brimming with tears. It must have been after confronting that scumbag on the terrace. When she had knocked in to him unknowingly, she had sobbed her heart out with  stream of tears descending like a broken necklace of pearls and he had felt that something had gone awry. The betrayal of family's trust in Shyam, the knowledge that Di's marriage was balancing on fragile glass, the unpalatable truth that Shyam had turned her into 'the other woman' in his marriage, must have broken her. She who had held marriage and all the things associated with it, with honor and respect, was being made by Shyam to go against her innate being, engaging himself in polygamy, thereby making her an accomplice in his crime. She along with the others, were made to see things that had lulled them to a false sense of security, which were nothing but magical illusion. Arnav wished if only he had known then, if only she had told him. The very next moment the query that arose in his mind, would he have believed her, answered it. Arnav had no more illusions about ASR. He knew having such firm faith in Shyam then, he would have accused her instead. With his thoughts on Khushi being always bordering on suspicion, in order to cover up for his attraction, he would have accused her of all vile things, though he would have never meant it in reality. But words, are like pearls, once broken cannot be repaired. His illusory ways had been responsible for her not to confide in him.
Buaji told him with relish that her Titliyaa had thrown his ring at his face and had delivered a well-timed five finger salute across the face, an action which she wished, she was a witness to and she too would have joined the fray to give him a hiding of his life with her rolling pin, one that would have been never forgotten in his lifetime. Amma continuing the narration, wiping the tears streaming down her face, told Arnav that Shyam had come over after the pooja and they had thrown him out. He had held breaking of Payaliyaa's wedding as a sword on their heads, if they spilled the beans. Buaji took up the narration saying, undeterred, they had sent Khussi to RM to tell Anjali Bitiyaa the truth about her husband. Seeing Anjali Bitiyaa agitated over broken mangalsutra she could not do so however much she tried. Later,on Payaliyaa's wedding day' Buaji petered off and  Amma continued, lamenting that, hearing Anjali Bitiyaa was carrying, they had thought he would have mended his ways and become a better man. On hind sight they realized that he was like an apparition and whatever he had shown them was not really there.
Buaji told him that, they should not have hidden but disclosed it to him sooner, but how could they destroy the happiness in his family with what they knew, if Shyam had mended his ways? Would he have believed them, if told what sort of a dirtball his brother-in-law was? Arnav nodded indicating that he understood. Amma once again with bitter regret and a heavy heart said that, had they told all this may be he would not have dared to kidnap, and if anything had happened to him, Arnav Babua,' They just could not fathom the folly of their silence then! Buaji too nodded sighing heavily.
Arnav giving a gentle smile assured them that, he was fine and their Titliyaa was the one who saved him. Amma, Buaji and Babuji looked at Khushi with appreciation in their moist eyes, while Khushi had her eyes downcast. Arnav assured them once again over his Di's state saying that, she too would be fine but would need time to reconcile to facts and moreover having her baby would help her to pull through. All agreed with his statement. As they sat around the table, talking Arnav relished the feeling of being part of the family and basked in the love, warmth and concern shown by these simple people for whom relation and people were of utmost importance than money. The wealth they measured in others, were in terms of human relationship, love and goodness in heart and not the status, money or luxuries one could have. These qualities were all in complete contrast to all the things he had time and again accused Khushi off. It was Shyam, who was the epitome of all the things he had thought Khushi to be, a golddigger, a liar, a manipulator, a betrayer, a backstabber, a conspirator and an opportunist. He had been hallucinating about those things to be in Khushi, though they appeared to be so to him at that time, none of them were true. 
Buaji bustled off to kitchen, saying that he must stay back for lunch as it was Sanka Devi's birthday. Arnav was stunned to hear it and when he managed to voice out that she never uttered a word about it, she shrugged it off saying, it was not of that importance. But he refuted saying that, it was important and wished her with a heart-felt, Happy Birthday, Khushi. May you have all the happiness in the world today and every day of your life, for which Khushi thanked him like an echo, where things can be perceived, but there is nothing there, either inside or outside.
Arnav rubbed his forehead to ease out the pain, but worse than that was, he being unaware of Khushi's birthday. That was not acceptable! He had not even purchased a gift! That was all the more unacceptable to him! Seeing him squeezing his forehead, Amma thought that his head ache had persisted and told him that, Khussi would give him a head massage, making both Arnav and Khushi stare back in shock! Khushi's mind screamed a No! Buaji called out proudly that, her hands have a magical effect! After all Titliyaa was her niece! Amma giving her the bottle asked her to massage with the oil like she does for them and make Babua's head ache vanish. Khushi's aside, Hey Devi Maiyya! If only I could vanish! made Arnav smile. She realized her position is similar to that of a reflection. Things appear but have no reality of their own. When Amma asked whether she said anything, Khushi just shook her head and wondered, what was the use of protesting? Her life was doomed! Her family was worried about Arnav Babua's headache while her own personal headache was Arnav Babua himself and he was sitting pretty by her waiting for his massage! Arnav who was waiting to feel her touch, asked for the massage hoping that she would comply and he would get the pleasure of her touching him even if it was just a head massage. Khushi sat where she was, looking at the bottle of oil in her hand and her contract husband. Her cheeky thought, what bliss it would be to fry him in it. Though calm outward, boiling inside, her images of frying him, though delusive, was satisfying!
"Don't believe everything you think. Thoughts are just that -      thoughts"
                                           ~ Allan Lokos, Pocket Peace:                                      Effective Practices for Enlightened Living
Arnav is realizing that Khushi is fast turning out to be like a mirage, knows he has to woo her with great care. He also knew that if he slackens his pursuit he would end up with a reflection, things appear, but have no reality of their own and she would just end up by becoming an illusion for him.
Khushi knowing that Arnav will woo her is placing a stone on her heart lest she exposes it to another hurt, thinking that the love, trust and faith of Arnav was like the city of Gandharvas for her, where there was neither a dwelling nor anyone to dwell.
For the residents of Gupta House, the episode of Shyam in their life was like a magic illusion where things are made to appear due to the temporary coming together of causes and conditions. One that they would like to put behind, if possible succumb to Amnesia. 
For Shyam it was like a dream, objects perceived with the five senses are not there, but they appear through delusion. He had deluded himself of having the cake and eating it too. All he got in the end was the boot. 
"Because an illusion is an illusion. Reality always exists               despite the facade"
                                            ~ Kasie West, Pivot Point
That is why this is titled WILL-O-WISP.

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.