106. Saving Khushi: Part 8

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Part 8
Laakh Jatan Kar Haari

On their way to the dhaba, Arnav and Khushi stopped at a small studio and made arrangements for their wedding photos to be developed & handed over to them by 10 the next morning.

Then they strolled hand in hand, beneath the benevolent eyes of a smiling moon. They had left the garlands in the temple, not wanting to attract undue attention at the dhaba.

Arnav unlocked the room, and stood aside to let Khushi enter.

“O Puttar!” the hostess bellowed. “Here is your dinner! I have made sabzi without any chilly for this handome munda, your husband!” she chuckled.

Arnav & Khushi smiled at her, Khushi blushing as she took the tray from her.

“Haiyye, you look so beautiful! Badi saj dhaj ke mandir gayi thi, with your husband!” the lady teased Khushi.

The newly-married couple flushed slightly, thankful for the dim light.

“You leave the dishes outside the door after dinner tonight, Puttar!” the lady instructed Khushi. “Some hard-drinking launde have come to the dhaba from some college! Bitu’s father is handling them. I don’t want their eyes to fall on you.” The lady turned away to go back to her kitchen muttering, “Haiyyo Rabba! Pata nahi college mein aaj kal kya sikhaya jaata he! Peene keliye college jaane ki kya jaroorat he?”

Arnav shut the door after their kind hostess and looked at Khushi standing behind him with the tray in her hand.

He took the tray from her and set it down on the low table.

“Shall we have dinner?” he drawled in his husky voice.

Khushi’s heart skipped a beat. What else could her poor dil do when Arnavji spoke in his very, very attractive voice, and that too in a dimly lit bedroom… on their suhaagraat?

She stared at him with rapt eyes, lost.

“Khushi…?” Arnav called, laughter hidden in his voice.

“Ji..?” Khushi woke up from her dream of dark nights and an irresistible voice.

“Dinner…”

“Ji…” Khushi quickly moved to the table to set out the tableware, hiding her blush at her wandering mind.

“…for now…” his wicked voice was very suggestive.

Khushi dropped a glass. It fell harmlessly on to the carpeted floor with a thud.

“Dhyan se…” Arnav warned, his tone revealing how much he was enjoying this.

Khushi pursed her lips. How dare he tease her so? She concentrated on the food.

She filled his plate and handed it over to him. He refused to take it from her, a mulish look on his face, a naughty light in his eyes...

 She frowned.

“Let’s share a plate.” Arnav suggested.

Khushi looked at him, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Arnav hid his smile and moved to sit very close to her.

Khushi held out the plate for him to take the first bite.

“You feed me.” Arnav demanded, his tone seductive, his voice fatal to any woman’s self-restraint.

Khushi swallowed hard.

She looked at him with wary eyes. He was waiting. Waiting impatiently, but still waiting.

She broke off a piece of roti, dipped it in the sabzi, and held it to his lips. He parted the sinful lips and wrapped them around her fingers as he took the morsel from her.

Khushi gasped and pulled back her hand as though she had stuck it in an electrical socket.

“Kya hua, Khushi?” he asked casually, after swallowing the food. His rapt eyes noted her shallow breathing, the pulse thundering at the base of her throat, her quivering lips…

“Nothing…” Khushi whispered.

“Sure?” he asked.

Khushi nodded, looking down at the plate.

To her shock, a large masculine hand came in to her line of vision, broke off a piece of roti, soaked it in sabzi, and brought it to her mouth. He held the food at her lips, and looked at her amazed eyes, waiting for her to part her lips.

Khushi parted surprised lips. He placed the food in her mouth, and on his way out, lightly caressed her plump lower lip with a hard finger.

Khushi choked.

Arnav, the most concerned husband on earth, rubbed her back gently, taking careful note of how many doris he had to undo to stroke her skin of her back and where the doris were tied...

Khushi tried to shake off his hand on her back, and inched away from him. He moved closer on the sofa.

“Your turn.” Arnav reminded her.

Khushi gulped as she took the next morsel to his waiting lips with shaking fingers.

This time, he licked her fingers. Khushi almost dropped the plate.

She pushed the plate on to his lap, and jumped up.

“Hamein bhook nahin he! Aap khayiye!” she muttered on her way away from him.

Arnav hid his smile as he discarded the plate, and joined her in washing hands.

Khushi quickly stacked the plates and cups on the tray and left it outside their room.

She shut the door.

“Lock it, Khushi…” Arnav said softly, standing a few feet behind her.

Khushi’s breath caught in her chest. Swallowing nervously, Khushi pushed the bolt home, her fingers trembling. She turned around to see Arnavji standing at an arm’s distance from her, his eyes on her flushed face. Khushi could feel heat emanating from her cheeks and ears.

Arnav took the few steps towards her.

He lifted his arm and ran a gentle finger down her cheek, loving the feel of the creamy, soft skin.

Her throat muscles worked to swallow.

“Last time… Khushi, do you remember, I lifted you and carried you in here, telling everyone that we were going to celebrate our honeymoon?”

Khushi could only nod.

The darkness and Arnavji’s low voice were doing things to her spine. His voice had to be banned if she had to remain sane.

“I was angry then… because I felt you had manipulated me in to staying here that night with your dramatics…”

Khushi had to nod. Every word he spoke was true. She had tried to reason with him, but it hadn’t worked. So she had resorted to manipulating him with the help of the uncle & aunty at the dhaba. For his good. What if he had gone alone to Nainital?

 With no phone.

 On a hartal day. 

After fainting that morning?

Who would have taken care of him if he had fallen on the way?

Khushi opened her mouth to defend herself, but his whisper silenced her.

“I was angry… because my anger was my only defence against you, because my anger was the only thing protecting you from being ravished that night…”

Khushi stared at him with eyes that resembled saucers.

“Trapped in a honeymoon suite… far away from the world we knew… a whole world that believed that we were married and on our honeymoon… and the worst temptation of all, you in a bridal lehenga, looking irresistible, like a dream come true, not letting me push you away, looking at me with worried eyes as I said I would leave alone…not able to hide how much you cared for me…”

Khushi fell back against the door.

“Now we are really married. Actually on our honeymoon…” Arnav said suggestively, smiling at her nervousness.

Khushi stared at him, speechless.

“I promised you a honeymoon here last time, didn’t I?” he asked, taking hold of her trembling hand and bringing it to his lips. He pressed hard lips to the soft skin of her palm.

“Why are you trembling, Khushi?” he murmured.

“Nothing…” Khushi whispered as she pulled her hand away from his light hold and almost ran to the open window to look out at the dark sky with a full moon. A gentle breeze ruffled the strands of silky hair falling across her cheek. She stood there panting, her heart thundering. Khushi clutched her hands to her tummy, trying to quell the panic in her.

The need to be with her husband prompted her to throw herself in to his arms. But the fear of the unknown and the wild sensations overwhelming her as he came close to her stopped her.

She felt him come to stand behind her.

He touched her hands resting against her thighs, and gently, taking his own sweet time, trailed his fingers over the sensitive skin of her hands, over her bangles, up her arms, moving towards her shoulders at a leisurely pace… as if he had all night…well, he did.

Khushi shuddered.

Arnav looked at her shut eyes and heaving chest, her parted lips and her clenched fists with acute pleasure, his eyes noting every detail about her, taking intense delight in looking at her freely as he had always wanted to… Now she was his, just as he was hers. They had every right over each other, and no one on earth could stop them tonight. Or any other night. Or day.

His loving fingers travelled over her shoulders, gently touching her nape and ears. Khushi’s head fell back on her neck to lie against his shoulder.

Arnav breathed in deep to calm his galloping pulse and gently lowered his head to kiss her arched neck. She trembled violently in his hold.

“Khushi…” he breathed against her throat.

Khushi turned and threw herself in to his arms. She locked her arms around his shoulders, hiding her face in his neck, inhaling the fragrance of his skin deep in to her lungs. His hands touched her bare waist, the sari giving him ample opportunities to indulge in his longing.

“Ar..nav..ji…” she whispered brokenly.

“Hhmmm…?” came his spine-tingling query.

She tightened her hold around his shoulders, and lay gasping against him. Her heart beat against his, in tandem.

Slowly, she moved slightly away and ran a curious hand over his chest. Yes, his heart was racing. Just like hers. She placed her ear against his heart. The dhak dhak was deafening.

So… so whatever was happening to her was happening to him too... She cheered up instantly. So it was not all one-sided. Just as his closeness to her was sending her senses hurtling in all directions like mad, her closeness was affecting him too.

To test her surmise, Khushi kept her right hand on his heart and moved forward to press her soft, plump lips to his Adam’s apple. His heart beat picked up its pace.

Khushi looked at his clenched jaw and flared nostrils with great curiosity. Slowly, she touched his jaw with her lips and felt him tremble. She looked in to his eyes with wonder in hers.

“Khushi…” Arnav whispered, his eyes taking in her beauty, heightened by the mellow light of the moon, the delight in her eyes at his helpless response to her touch...

She stood waiting, trapped by the need in his eyes, a similar need burning within her.

“You are so beautiful!” he paid homage to her ethereal beauty.

“Only in your eyes, Arnavji…” she whispered. “When you look at me…I feel beautiful, precious… as if I am the only girl on earth...”

Arnav bent to kiss her forehead, her nose, her cheeks, her chin, slowly moving towards her lips. His hands cupped her face, holding her in place for the pleasures to come.

His kisses in the cow-shed had prepared her for what was to come, the fireworks that would go off as soon as his lips met hers, the tingle that would spread through her body as he moved his lips softly against hers, the fire that would burn her as he plundered the depths of her mouth, tasting her as though she were nectar and he a bee…

They were both panting as he lifted his lips off hers. His eyes burned in to hers, singeing her with his passion… His need for her and her rising desire for him pricked their skin like a thousand needles…

“Khushi…your hair… I want to touch it…” he whispered his need.

Her trembling fingers went to her plait and quickly released her dark, silky fall of hair from its tie. It fell around her shoulders and down her back.

Arnav gathered the silky locks in his hands, crushing the strands in his fingers, loving the rich feel of her tresses against his callused skin. He dropped a kiss on her head, breathing in her jasmine fragrance.

His fingers trailed to her ears and removed her simple earrings. She shuddered at his scorching touch. Arnav focused on her parted lips.

His hands moved down her arms, and got rid of the bangles, one by one. She trembled in longing, craving his closeness, her body feeling cold when it was not pressed against the warmth of his… She clutched the neck of his shirt, spreading her fingers on the bare skin of his chest exposed by the single button that was out of its hole.

Arnav obeyed her unsaid plea, and moved his fingers to the buttons of his shirt. Expertly, he unbuttoned them, letting the two flaps hang loose, exposing the centre of his masculine chest. 

Khushi drew in her breath sharply, almost melting in excitement. She swayed on her feet, buffeted by the waves of a passion she had little previous knowledge of.

Arnav caught her by her shoulders and gently turned her to face away from him. He stroked away her hair over her shoulder, and slowly untied the dori at her neck.

Khushi moaned, unable to hold back her response to his searing touch.

Breathing heavily, Arnav sent his fingers to travel over the exposed expanse of her back, branding her with his touch. They latched on to the second dori at her waist.

Khushi swayed on unsteady limbs.

He pulled at the dori. The tie fell open.

Khushi swung around and took refuge in his ready arms, their hearts throbbing in unison, both of them breathing heavily, moved by a passion neither could control. Khushi lay crushed against his bare chest, her hands wrapped around his waist under the shirt. Her fingers clutched at his back, kneading the muscles helplessly, caught in the fire of love. Wanting to feel more of his skin, without any barriers, Khushi pushed the shirt away from his shoulders, letting it fall to the ground.

Arnav swallowed.

He bent to lift her in his arms, and moved towards the bed.

Khushi looked in to his ardent, passionate eyes, and curled her arms tighter around him.

Arnav laid his wife on their bed, letting her head rest on the pillow. He lowered his lips to taste the fine skin of her neck…

Smita,

Here is the interpretation for Part 8

This update is about very strong feelings of admiration or determination, feeling of strong eagerness, feelings of love and its intensity, summed up by the word, ARDOUR.

Arnav and Khushi, on their way back to dhaba, stopped at a small studio and arranged for the wedding pictures to be developed and delivered next morning by 10 a.m. Once it was done, they strolled along hand in hand showered over by the cool silver beams of the smiling full moon. They had left the garlands in the temple, not wanting to attract undue attention at the dhaba. Unlocking the room, Arnav stood aside to let Khushi enter. The hostess, who was glad to see them was heard bellowing out with a deep chuckle, O Puttar!  and telling Khushi that their dinner was ready and she had prepared sabzi without any chilly just the way her suave husband likes it. They both gave her a brilliant smile while Khushi with cheeks tinted in the hues of red rose, took the tray from her. Sardarni seeing that Khushi was resplendent in a red saree and looking beautiful, with a spirit of geniality, teased her saying, that she looked beautiful! She had been to the temple decked up and looking so beautiful with her husband! Her remarks made the newly-weds flush and were thankful for the dim light that hid their reaction. The lady instructed Khushi to keep the dishes outside their door after finishing their dinner as she would collect it later and asked her not to come out as some hard drinking, good for nothing college boys have come to the dhaba and are on the lookout for fun. Bittu's father was engaged in handling them. She did not want their lecherous eyes fall on Khushi. She had neither forgotten the intensity of the fight Khushi's husband, Arnav had fought to protect her nor the power of his anger. Giving them a precautionary warning, she went to her kitchen muttering all the way, O God! She just cannot really understand as to what was being taught in colleges now! What was the need to go to college to learn either to drink like a fish or drink under the table! The deeds of Sardarni showed her enthusiasm towards Khushi and her devotion to the lovely girl who had made a place in her heart with her simple exuberant behaviour.

Arnav shut the door after the kind hostess and looked at Khushi standing behind with the tray in her hand. Taking the tray from her, setting it on the coffee table, the only table there, he drawled in, shall we have dinner?  His husky voice oozing with love, made her heart skip a beat and what else could her meager heart do other than jiggity-jog when he spoke, enticing with his mesmerizing deep voice, that too in the confines of the dimly lit room, moreover on their first night? She stared at him mesmerized and lost in the depth of his eyes. Seeing her entranced, Arnav called out her name with laughter lurking in his voice. His voice brought Khushi out of her reverie and when he uttered, dinner, Khushi moved quickly and laid the table trying to hide her blush at being caught out day dreaming while her eyes were fixed on him. Her mind had wandered and Arnav, who had realized what she had been thinking, expressed his thoughts with, for now, in a suggestive voice, loaded with passion.

Khushi dropped the glass in her hand and it fell on the carpeted floor with a soft thud making Arnav who was enjoying unnerving her utter, be careful. His light tone having a hint of laughter in it, made her press her lips tight and clench her jaws thinking how dare he think of teasing her! Trying to give him a royal ignore, as though his words flew by her, she concentrated on the food. As she filled his plate, she held it out for him to take while he refused to stretch out his hand and take it from her with an adamant look on his face and a naughty glint in his eyes. His stance, his fierce eagerness,  made her frown and as Arnav suggested of sharing a plate, Khushi looked at him with piercing eyes full of suspicion. Arnav, hiding his smile moved and sat very close to her and demanded that he be fed from her hand. His tone was seductive all set to melt the bones and for Khushi it was a melt-down of her self-restraint. Khushi swallowed hard and she looked at him with wary eyes. She saw that he was waiting, waiting impatiently but still waiting. She broke off a piece of roti, dipped it in the sabzi, and held it to his lips. He parted the enticing lips and wrapped them around her fingers as he took the morsel from her. He had Khushi gasp and pull back her hand as though she had touched a live wire. His casual, what happened, after swallowing the food, made Khushi gulp and whisper, nothing. But Arnav was one happy man and with breathless eagerness and unbound  enthusiasm he made a note of her engrossed eyes, shallow breathing, thundering pulse at the base of the throat, her tremulous lips and this growing avidity was bringing out a deep yearning in him too. He persisted with, was she sure, trying to break her control with glee. Khushi nodded while she lowered her eyes and kept it glued to the food on the plate. To her chagrin, she saw a large masculine hand with long sinewy fingers enter her line of vision and foray into the plate. It broke a piece of roti and holding the sabzi within the piece brought it to her mouth. He held the bite at her lips and looked at her dazed eyes waiting for her lips to part. With great surprise as the morsel touched her lips it parted involuntarily and he placed the food in her mouth and on his way out lightly caressed her plump lower lip with the pad of his finger. The unexpected touch made her choke with surprise and Arnav, the epitome of concerned husband on earth, rubbed her back strumming through  her doris' and his fervor led him to silently counting the number of strings he needed to deal with that night. Khushi tried to wriggle out of his reach, to get out of the havoc that his hand was causing on her back and as she inched away, he moved closer on the sofa.

Saying that, now it was her turn, he made a nervous Khushi oblige him by bringing the next morsel to his waiting lips with fingers gone shaky! This time, he with utmost relish took his own sweet time and licked her finger sending sharp sensation all along and making her toes curl. The keenness and the  intensity of his passion were felt by Khushi and she almost dropped the plate. She pushed the plate on to his lap and shot up like a spring and made her way away from him muttering she was not hungry and he could have his fill. Arnav hid his smile as he shoved the plate away, and joined her while she washed her hands. Khushi once again rushed away quickly to stack the dishes on the tray and left it outside the room. The zeal with which he pursued her made her think that doing anything was better than the nerve wracking teasing of his. Once done, she shut the door only to hear a soft, lock it Khushi, from Arnav standing a few feet behind to make feel the heat of his words.

Khushi's breath caught in her chest filled with nervousness. As she slid the bolt home with her trembling fingers and turned around she saw Arnavji standing at an arm's distance from her with his eyes on her flushed face. Khushi felt her cheeks and ears turn hot and her hands covered them as Arnav covered the few steps between them. As his fingers ran gently with a feathery touch caressing her skin, loving the feel of the creamy, soft silken smooth skin, her muscles at the throat were overwrought by the frenzied sensations the touch induced and made them throb in rhythm to the pulse beat. His query, whether she remembered the previous time, when he had carried her in telling everyone that they were on their honeymoon, had Khushi nodding. The darkness and Arnavji's low voice were ganging up on her and the tell tale signs of the dual assault on her was the fluttery feeling emerging in her stomach. It was alarming yet ravishing vehemence. She thought, his voice sinfully seductive, had to be censored if she had to retain any semblance of sanity! He told her, that he was angry then, because, he felt manipulated by her into staying that night over there with her immense acting skills. Khushi had to agree, for that was what she had to resort to, when all her reasoning had not worked and she had sought the help of the two Samaritans at the dhaba, Sardar uncle and his wife. But it was for his well being itself. What if he gone alone to Nainital with no phone connection on the hartal day, after the fainting spell that morning? Who would have taken care of him if he had fallen sick on the way? As Khushi opened her mouth to speak in defense of herself, his whisper silenced her. He whispered that, he was angry because his anger was his only mode of defense against her, as it was keeping his heart at bay and saving her from him from being made his that night. Understanding his feeling, Khushi's eyes widened like a pair of saucers. He told her, trapped in a honeymoon suite, far away from the world that they knew, in an entirely different world that believed that them to be married and on their honeymoon and the worst temptation of all was seeing her in a bridal lehenga, looking irresistible, like a dream come true, alluring him, not letting him push her away, looking at him with worried eyes as he said he would leave alone, unable to hide how much she cared for him. All these had him on fire and anger was the only way he felt that he could bank the fire as it was impossible for him to douse it completely. His words, once again led her to the awareness of the depth of his feelings towards her and a sense of  admiration  for  respecting her values even though he did not believe in them at that time, made Khushi sag against the door.

Arnav's suggestive statement with a smile that, now they were married and on actual honeymoon had her nervous and him enjoy her discomfiture. Khushi was speechless to hear his statement as it brought in warmth and lit a small fire within her. Taking hold of her hand and raising it to his lips, showing her how much he loved her and every bit of her and how much he values having her in his life, he told her suggestively, that he was one who always kept his promises and he had promised her a honeymoon when they were there last time. Pressing his hard lips to the soft skin of her palm, he asked her, why was she quivering like an Aspen leaf? Though she felt the intensity of his feelings  Khushi whispered, nothing, as she slid her hand away from his light hold and glided to the open window to look at the dark sky resplendent with the full moon. A gentle breeze ruffled the strands of silky hair falling across her cheek, as she stood there panting, her heart thundering. Khushi clutched her hands to her tummy, trying to quell the panic that was taking humongous proportion in her. She felt the need to be with her Arnavji prompting her to throw herself into his arms but the fear of the unknown and the wild sensations overwhelming her as he came close to her stopped her. Her feelings made her a bundle of uncertainty. Not wanting to give in to either her passion or to the fear of entering the unknown zone, she was betwixt and between. She felt him stand behind her and as he touched her hands resting against her thighs, and gently, taking his own sweet time, trailed his fingers over the sensitive skin of her hands, over her bangles, up her arms, moving towards her shoulders at a leisurely pace she felt she was melting into a mass of jelly. His leisurely seduction that was assaulting her, his hands moving in a slow rhythm as if he had all night, was causing her to shudder and of course, he did have all night to prolong his sweet torture on her. He was slowly and deliberately stoking the fire within her with eager fervor.

Arnav's eyes caressed, her shut eyes and heaving chest, her parted lips and her fists clenched with acute pleasure, noting every detail about her, taking intense delight in looking at her freely as he had always wanted to.  Now that she was his, just as he was hers, they had every right over each other, and no one on earth could stop them tonight, or any other night, or day, for they possessed the very license to be with each other. His loving fingers trailed over her shoulders, gently touching her nape and ears leaving a blazing fire in its wake. Khushi's head fell back on her neck to rest against his shoulder a rest that was sure to make her jump off the deep end.  Arnav taking in a deep breath to calm his thundering heart that was pulsating at a rapid tempo, gently lowered his head to kiss her arched neck making her tremble violently in his hold. His warm breath caressing her throat, as he called out her name filled with his longing and love, made her turn around and press herself against him. Looping her arms around, nuzzling her face into his neck, as she inhaled his very own aroma deep into her lungs she was enveloped in a longing unknown hitherto. His hands touched her bare waist, the sari giving him a free rein and ample opportunities to indulge in his longing. As Khushi whimpered, Arnavji, his spine tingling query, Hhmmm...? made her tighten her hold around his shoulders, put all her weight on him and lay gasping in his arms. Her heart beat against his, in tandem, joining them rhythmically and pounding in their ears. Gaining confidence from this, curiosity, eagerness and longing to touch overpowering her, she moved slightly away and ran a curious hand over his chest. She realized that his heart was racing, racing just like hers and as she placed her ear against his heart, the dhak dhak was deafening. She now knew that she was not alone. Her acidity and the speeding of the heart were not just confined to her. Whatever was happening to her was happening to him too. It cheered her up instantly. Knowing it was not all one-sided, just as his closeness to her was making her senses heady like a free fall, her closeness was affecting him too. It brought in a determination along with a zeal that she never felt before.

To confirm her supposition, Khushi kept her right hand on his heart and moved forward to press her soft, plump lips to his pulsating Adam's apple. His heart beat picked up its pace and started to hurtle down. Khushi looked at his clenched jaw and flared nostrils with great curiosity. Loving the intensity and the fierceness of the feeling he was feeling that she could now feel, she slowly, touched his jaw with her lips and felt him tremble. She looked in to his eyes with wonder in hers. His whispered, Khushi..,  came out in ragged breaths. His eyes taking in her beauty, heightened by the mellow light of the moon, the delight in her eyes at his helpless response to her touch... While she stood waiting, trapped by the need in his eyes, a similar need burning within her, he paid homage to her beauty enhanced by the unsurpassed glow that he felt came from her. And added to it was the ethereal aura that came from the moonbeams showered on her by the smiling golden moon, made him say that she was beautiful. Seeing the admiration in his eyes, it made her whisper, she was beautiful only in his eyes, for when he looks at her, it makes her feel beautiful, precious, cherished as if she was the only girl on earth. Moved by her words, Arnav bent to kiss her forehead, her nose, her cheeks, her chin, slowly moving towards her lips. His hands cupped her face, holding her in place for the pleasures to come.

His kisses in the cow-shed had prepared her for what was to come, the fireworks that would light up within her as soon as his lips met hers, the tingle that would spread through her body as he moved his lips softly against hers, the fire that would burn her as he plundered the depths of her mouth, tasting her as though she were nectar and he a bee... They were both panting as he lifted his lips off hers and his eyes bore into hers kindling a fire within. His need and hers were akin for it pricked their skin like thousand needles, leaving them in awe. Their passion was like roses, more they cut, luscious was its growth. His tremulous whisper that conveyed his need, that he wanted to touch her hair and run his finger through the silken strands, made her trembling fingers comply quickly releasing her dark, silky fall of hair and let it fall around her shoulders, down to her waist in a mass of smooth wave dancing lightly to the gentle breeze along with the stream of silvery beams of the moon. Arnav, gathering the silky locks in his hands, sliding the strands in his fingers, loving the rich feel of her tresses against his callused skin, dropped a kiss on her head, breathing in her very own intoxicating jasmine fragrance. His fingers blazed a blitzkrieg onslaught on her senses as they trailed to her ears and removed her simple earrings. She shuddered at his scorching touch while Arnav's eyes focused on her parted lips. His hands moved down her arms, and gently removed the bangles, one by one, making her tremble with longing, craving for his closeness, her body feeling bereft when not pressed against his warmth. She clutched the opening of the shirt near the neck, spreading her fingers on the bare skin of his chest exposed by the single button that was out of its hole. Arnav understanding her silent plea, complied, and moved his fingers to the buttons of his shirt. Deftly, he unbuttoned them, letting the two flaps hang loose, exposing his masculine chest. 

Khushi drew in her breath sharply, almost melting in excitement. She swayed on her feet, buffeted by the waves of a passion she had little previous knowledge of. The raw need in her eyes had him in awe at the intensity and eagerness of her feelings. Arnav catching her by her shoulders gently turned her to face away from him. He brushed aside her hair over her shoulder, and with deliberate slowness untied the dori at her neck, making her quiver with anticipation. His slow assault on her senses made her moan. Breathing heavily, Arnav sent his fingers to travel over the unhindered expanse of her back, branding her with his touch. They latched on to the second dori at her waist that was restricting his view of the unblemished fair, soft, satiny skin. As Khushi swayed on unsteady limbs anticipating his next move he gave a gentle tug at the dori and the tie opened up. Khushi swung around and took refuge in his ready arms, shyness taking over her, while their hearts throbbed in unison, making both of them breathe in heavily, moved by a passion that neither could control. Khushi lay crushed against his bare chest, her hands wrapped around his waist under the shirt. Her fingers clutched at his back, kneading the muscles helplessly, caught in the blazing fire of love. Wanting to feel more of his skin, without any barriers, Khushi pushed the shirt away from his shoulders, letting it fall to the ground. Arnav swallowed. He scooped her in his arms, and moved towards the bed. As Khushi looked in to his ardent, passionate eyes, she saw the unbridled desire that was waiting to be unleashed, and curled her arms tighter around him. Arnav laid his wife on their bed, letting her head rest on the pillow. What he saw made him hitch his breath. For his wife bathed in the cool glow of the golden full moon, her eyes vying with the diamond of her nose ring were twinkling in anticipation welcoming him with a warm smile made him heady with her intoxication. In the face of her willing ardour, his resolve to be restrained melted like salt in the rain. With a warm glow rising from within, he lowered his lips to taste the fine skin of her neck and that was the beginning of their blissful journey together into their own land, their own choti si duniya.
That is why this is titled ARDOUR.

"The time is always right to do what is right"
                        ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.


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

Part 9

(Thank you, Risat, for the sweet banner!)


 Cheene Re Mora Chain, Mrignainiya...

Sunlight filtered in to the bedroom through the curtains, lighting up the dark room. Benevolent rays fell on the discarded clothing on the floor and on the face of Arnav as he lay tangled with his wife under the covers.

He blinked open his eyes, a smile slowly stretching his lips. Khushi…. He looked at the girl lying coiled around him.

Khushi had collapsed on his chest, exhausted after a night of loving. Her arms were around him, tight. Her rosy cheek was pressed against his heart, and her rich, silky fall of hair was spread across his chest. Her long limbs were entwined around his, keeping him locked in place. Even in sleep, she was unwilling to let go of him…

Arnav swallowed, feeling his chest contract in an agony of love. What had he done to deserve her? So generous, so giving, so loving… He ran his fingers over her head, fingering her silky strands.

Khushi opened one eye reluctantly. The room…It was not RM. And what was she lying on? She lifted her head to look in to Arnavji’s serious eyes.

Images of their wedding and their suhag raat flashed through her mind. She flushed becomingly and averted her eyes from him.

“Khushi…” he murmured, his husky voice raising goosebumps across her fine skin.

Khushi looked at him, with great difficulty.

“I love you.” His avowal was heart-felt.

Khushi had to nod. She had no doubts on this. “Hum bhi.” she whispered.

“I have never said this to anyone in my entire life, but with you, I want to say it… again and again… shout it to the skies…” His voice was a mere murmur, but Khushi heard every nuance in it.

 She smiled.

“I was alone for so long, Khushi… all my life…” Arnav confessed. “I never thought… I never knew… I was waiting for you, but I didn’t know I was waiting…”

His pain evaporated her bashfulness.

“You will never be alone again, Arnavji.” she promised him, cupping his face in her hands. She lowered her head to shower kisses on his face… his forehead, his cheeks, his nose, his ears, his eyes, his chin…

As she paused, he whispered, “You left out my lips…” He corrected her oversight with gusto.

Arnav called Aman and arranged for a car to meet them at the dhaba. He confirmed their appointment with Mr. Roy, the lawyer, that noon. He talked to the Police Commissioner, the private investigator, NK, & Akash, finetuning the denouement of the kidnapping drama.

The boy from the studio delivered the wedding photos as Khushi and Arnav were having their breakfast. Khushi brought the photos to the table, saying, “Arnavji, the wedding photos!” with a big smile on her lips.

Arnav pulled her on to his lap with ease. Khushi snuggled close as she flipped open the cover. Both of them looked at the photos, reliving every moment of the ceremony.

“Khushi, you are happy? Arnav asked, his eyes earnest.

“Very.” Khushi confirmed, smiling in to his face.

Arnav pulled her closer, and kissed the tip of her nose.

“I hurt you… that night…I dragged you up the temple steps…and forced you…” Arnav lamented their previous wedding.

Khushi frowned. “When? I don’t remember.”

Arnav’s eyes widened. “Khushi, our marriage…the first one… I blackmailed you…”

Khushi put down the photos and cupped his face with loving hands.

“Arnavji, let go of it.” she said.

“Khushi, but..” he protested.

“Why do you want to hug unpleasant memories close to your heart? Let go of them, Arnavji. They belong to the past. Let them remain in the past.” she begged.

“But I hurt you, Khushi…” Arnav repented.

“Ji, you did. Arnavji, both of us have lots of unhappy memories, lots of tragedies in our past. If we spend all our lives lamenting over them, we will be wasting the time we have together, to live together, to make a life for ourselves… Do you really want to spoil our present by hanging on to our past?” she asked reasonably.

Arnav shook his head.

“I am not asking you to forget the bad memories, Arnavji. We can never do that. It is impossible. But let us learn from the past and live in the present.” Khushi kissed him on his temple, her tender lips lingering lovingly on the furrowed expanse.

“Khushi…” Arnav warned her. “It is going to be terrible once we get back…”

“It has to be done, Arnavji…” she sighed. “We have to throw Shyamji out of Di’s and our lives… I am ready.”

Arnav looked at the trust in her eyes. 

“As long as we are together, I am not afraid, Arnavji. I know you will make everything alright. And I will help you.” Khushi said simply.

Arnav nodded, and quickly pressed a lingering kiss on her inviting lips.

The driver took them to Mr. Roy’s office where Aman was waiting for them, and then to the Police Commissioner.

Arnav contacted NK & Akash, and met the private detective to finalise their plans.

They then went to Laxmi Nagar, and after being greeted with tears and glad cries, collected the 2 copies of the papers Shyam had given Khushi. Arnav read through it and explained its purpose to Khushi.

She paled. “Had I got your signature on this, he would have killed you…” she whispered in shock.

“Yes.” Arnav hugged her close.

Khushi wept all over him. Arnav comforted her and said, “It is time to teach him a lesson. Let’s go home.”

Khushi dried her face & nodded.

Then taking Amma, Babuji, & Buaji with them, they left for RM.

Shyam sat in the living room, watching the ladies praying and crying. Akash & NK were sitting by him, NK fiddling with his camcorder and Akash working on his laptop.

“Where is Khussi Bitiyaa?” Nani lamented. “Akash, did Chotey call? Have the police found out where she is?”

Shyam looked anxiously at Akash.

Akash sighed. “No, Nani. There is no clue. Bhai will be back now with the ransom money.”

“What is happening in our house, Nani? So much pain, so much anguish…” Anjali wept. “Our Khushiji…”

“Somebody ka bad eye lagi he hamre ghar ma…” Mami was definite on the point.

Nani nodded.

Payal wept.

“Don’t cry, Payaliyaa. Hamre Arnav Bitwa will phind out bhere your sister is.” Mami consoled her daughter-in-law. “She is not a bhindi that any Taam, Dicks, aur Haari can steal from a sabzi mandi. She is an insaan. Hamre Arnav Bitwaa par bharosa rakho!”

Shyam looked away in contempt. The same people who were praising Arnav and Khushi would be badmouthing them soon. The contract marriage papers… that would teach these hags a lesson they wouldn’t forget in a hurry! Arnav Singh Raizada! Their blue-eyed boy! He would be revealed as a trickster soon!

The doorbell rang.

HP went to open the door. All eyes looked at the door in expectation.

They heard HP gasp, “Arnav Bhaiyya!”

Before they could rush to the door, Arnav entered the house, Khushi & the Guptas in tow. Two men in plain clothes followed the family.

Shyam stood, gobsmacked, speechless, shocked out of his skull. His missing kidnap victim had turned up at her house, safe & sound with her husband who had gone to make the ransom money!

“Chotey! Khushiji!” Anjali exclaimed and limped towards them. Nani & Mami beat her to it, and hugged Arnav & Khushi repeatedly.

Payal followed, hugging & crying over her sister.

“Bhere were you, Khushi?” Mami asked, tears in her eyes. “Bhat happened to you?”

“Khussi bitiya, are you alright?” Nani held Khushi close to her heart.

Anjali hugged Khushi as tight as she could. “Khushiji, you have no idea how worried we were!”

Arnav stood watching his family shower love on his wife, a small smile on his lips.

NK & Akash smiled at her, but stood by Shyam.

“Madhumatiji, Garimaji….” Nani wept with them. “Thank God Khussi Bitiya is alright!”

“Nandkisore ki jai ho!” Buaji said softly.

Arnav led his wife, the two men, and his family to the living room to sit down. This would take a long time. He introduced the men as Mr. Singhal & Mr. Sharma, his colleagues.

“What happened to you, Khushiji?” NK gave her the opening as planned. “The last we knew, you went to meet Nannav at his office.”

Khushi smiled. “I did. But I was kidnapped as I reached his car park.”

A loud gasp was the only response to her statement.

Shyam stood up to leave without attracting the notice of the family.

NK caught hold of his arm. “Where are you going, Jijaji?”

“Khushiji has just gotten home. Don’t you want to know what happened to her?” Akash appeared confused.

All eyes turned to look at Shyam. Sweating like  a horse, he dropped back in to his seat.

Nani looked at Khushi. “Why? Why were you kidnapped?” she asked, tears in her eyes.

Khushi held out a copy of the document. “For this.” 

Shyam started. What was she holding in her hand? The file… he had destroyed it! So what was in this paper?

Khushi handed over the document to Anjali. Shyam tried to lean forward to make out what it was, but he couldn’t.

Anjali read through the first page, a frown furrowing her brow.

“What ijj it, Anjali bitiya?” Mami asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

“Mami… Mami, it says…that if anything happens to Ch..chotey…our Chotey, then Shyamji will be the owner of AR Designs, this house, the bank balance, and everything that is in Chotey’s name…” She looked at Shyam with shocked eyes.

Shyam could feel heat emanating from his ears; his eyes turned red. He felt cornered. How could he get out of this maze? 

“Hein?” Mami exclaimed.

“What kind of mazak is this, Anjali bitiyaa? Why should Chotey make a will like this? He is young, and by the kindness of Devi Maiyya, healthy. And even if he does make a will, why should he trouble Damadji with his business? Damadji is not a businessman, only a lawyer. Why should Damadji take on Chotey’s responsibility? Hamre Akass Bitwaa and Manohar are there to manage everything…” Nani was thoroughly confused.

Anjali examined the papers thoroughly.

“Nani, Mami, it is not signed.” she exclaimed. She looked at Arnav. “Chotey, why did you draft such a document? And why should Khushiji be kidnapped for this?”

“I didn’t draft it, Di.” Arnav took a deep breath. “Jijaji did.”

“What?” Nani was moved in to exclaiming.

Anjali looked confused, and upset.

Mami opened her mouth to make a comment, and then desisted, her sharp eyes resting on Shyam's perspiring face and the determination in Arnav's eyes.

“Knowing that Khushi’s knowledge of English is weak, Jijaji gave her this document and asked her to get my signature on it. His plan was to get this signed, and then kill me.” Arnav stated.

Mami drew in a breath of shock.

Nani stared at Arnav & Shyam, her lips trembling.

Anjali looked wounded, and stared at her brother and her husband. Her bubble was bursting, her cocoon was no longer safe, reality was intruding in to her dream world with heavy feet…

“But he reckoned without Khushi’s attachment towards me. She brought the document to the office to show it to me. Jijaji realised that if I saw it, I would understand him for the greedy crook he was. So he followed Khushi to my office, and using chloroform, made her unconscious. Then he carried her away in his car.” Arnav stated softly, each word falling in to the silence like bombs.



Smita,
Here is the interpretation for Part 9.
This update is about the appearance of first light, just like in the sky and it is titled, DAWN.
The next morning as the sun sent it golden benevolent beams into the bedroom through the parting of the curtains lighting up the dark room, it was greeted to the sight of discarded clothing on the floor. It fell on the face of Arnav as he lay tangled with his wife under the covers; waking him up with its warmth and making him blink open his eyes. A smile dawned slowly relaxing his face as he uttered Khushi... as he looked at the girl lying entwined around him. After a night of blissful loving and tender ministrations, Khushi had been exhausted and had collapsed on his chest in the wee hours. Her arms were holding him in a warm hug. Her rosy cheek was pressed against his heart, and her rich, silky tresses had fanned across his chest. Her long limbs were entwined around his, keeping them together locked in place. Even in sleep, she was unwilling to let go of him... Arnav swallowed, awakened by feeling the pangs of love. He wondered what had he really done to be so lucky? What had he really done to deserve such an angel in his life? What had he done to make her forgive him so easily when his heap of errors had piled into hills of mistakes and then into a mountain of blunders. She was so very generous, so very giving, so very loving. Thinking about how much she cared, how willingly she gave and how blissfully, lovingly she had reciprocated last night, he ran his fingers over her head, fingering her silky strands. She was like a dayshine in his blighted life.
Khushi opened her one eye reluctantly. She was unwilling to let go of her sleep and in her drowsy state, she noted that it was not RM and wondered what was she lying on that made her feel warm, comfortable and wanting to snuggle more into? She lifted her head to check and her eyes met the serious ones of Arnavji. Her mind suddenly grasped the reality, as flashes of their wedding, and their suhag raat ran through her mind. She flushed becomingly just like the first blush of the day, and averted her eyes from him, making Arnav's eyes glue on to her. As he murmured, Khushi..., his loving voice that had gone deep and huskier than usual, raised goose bumps across her fine skin. Khushi looked at him with great difficulty to hear him say, I love you, his eyes reflecting his heartfelt avowal. Khushi was compelled to nod, for it was not at all an issue anymore and there was not even a wisp of doubt on this matter and to her it was as clear as crack of dawn and she too whispered back her love to him saying, hum bhi. In a soft voice filled with all his feelings, making it huskier than usual he murmured, that he had never voiced so to anyone ever in his entire life, but only to her, he wants to keep on saying it, shout it to the skies, announce it to the world, for it had become a part of his being and was just as natural as breathing to be alive. His voice was a mere whisper, but Khushi grasped even the subtle nuances in it. It tingled her, making her smile as she understood what he meant, for the very answering call was resonating in her. It was the very foundation on which their life stood, the dawn of a new era in their lives. Arnav confessed that he was alone all along and it had been such a long time that he never knew that what he was missing and he was waiting for her. His pain and awareness made her shyness vanish and cupping his face in her hands, trying to erase out all the lines of pain that were etched on it, she promised him that she would never leave him alone and he would never have the feeling that he had no one with him in the real sense and proceeded to cover his face with a shower of kisses, his forehead, his cheeks, his nose, his ears, his eyes, his chin, bringing each and every part under her soft ministration. Her kisses were like potent airs that was making him sail into the eternal dawn where he never had to fear of nearing the dusk. As she paused for a breather, the naughty Raizada whispered, that she had left out the most crucial part, his lips, correcting her oversight with gusto and inviting her like a spider invites the fly to its parlor.
Arnav, calling Aman arranged for a car to take them back after he got the appointment at noon confirmed with Mr. Roy, their lawyer. He called the Police Commissioner, the private investigator, NK and Akash and had all the plans fine tuned before the oncoming grand finale of the kidnapping drama. Their wedding pictures were delivered on time, while Arnav and Khushi were having their late breakfast. Khushi brought it to the table with a big bright smile making him pull her on to his lap. Khushi snuggled close as she took out the snapshots reliving every moment of the ceremony. Seeing her enchanted look, he in all earnestness asked Khushi, whether she was happy? Her smiling face confirmed her words, she was very much happy, and her demeanor made him gather her still closer and kiss the tip of her nose. Arnav was all apologetic for his behavior during their previous wedding. He lamented for being so delusional and hurting her that night, dragging her up the temple steps and forcing her to marry him. Khushi being Khushi, true to her nature of forgiving, frowned and asked, when? and said that she was not able to recall! Arnav with widened eyes, gulped and said that, their marriage, the first one, where he had resorted to blackmail and threatened her into agreeing to it. His apology was a green flash on Khushi that he was filled with immense remorse which was not palatable to her. She wanted the sunburst with clear skies and she set about to achieve it.
Khushi put down the photos and cupping his face with loving hands told him that to let go of the past. His protest, that it was a misdeed on his part was brushed aside. She asked him, why it was that, he was hell bent on hugging unpleasant memories close to his heart. She begged him to let go of them, come out of those unpleasant thoughts, for they belong to the past and that was where they had to remain, in the past. Even that would not assuage the remorse feeling that Arnav was feeling. Seeing that Arnav was lingering in it, wallowing in self-inflicted misery, Khushi tried to reason out with him as to why he needed to get out of it and that too without wasting time. She told him that, Yes, he had committed a big mistake but both of them were filled with lots of unhappy memories, lots of tragedies in their past. If they spent all their lives lamenting over them, they will be wasting the time they have together, to live together, to make a life for themselves. Was it really prudent to spoil their present by hanging on to their past? Was it not the time to let the ray of sunshine in and make their life as brilliant and dazzling as the aurora for them? Her pearls of wisdom that was nothing but art of living, was the only way that would enable them to build a solid and rosy future, made him nod his head. She continued to say that she was not asking him to forget the bad memories. That can never happen and it was impossible. But they could learn from the past, live in the present and build a future together. It was a talk that was the first brightening for Arnav. More than Khushi and her forgiveness he had to deal with his own conscience that was not giving him any respite. But Khushi's pep talk was a start, an onset to the sun spark in his mind. Khushi kissed him on his temple, her tender lips lingering lovingly and soothing the furrowed expanse. Arnav warned her that it was going to be very unpleasant and quite terrible once they get back and Shyam would not take things lying down and would latch on to each and everything that he could get his hands on for his survival. But Khushi sighed and told him, those were the things that they needed to face and it needed to be done to throw Shyamji out of Di's as well as their life and she was ready to face it. Her face shone with utmost trust in him and his ability to set things right and Arnav could see it. She simply told him that, as long as they were together, she was not afraid. She was aware that he would set things right and she would help him do so. Overcome by her whopping trust in him, faith in his ability and the unconditional quality of her love, he quickly pressed a lingering kiss on her inviting lips. He knew he had secured a priceless gem named Khushi and was really proud that she had accepted him as he was, with warts and all, for she was his cock light.
Once they reached Delhi, driver took them to Mr. Roy's office where Aman was waiting for them and as soon as the necessary deed was done, they were taken to the office of the Police Commissioner. Arnav later met the private detective and called Akash and NK to give finishing touches to their already formulated plan. Then, they went to Laxmi Nagar, after being greeted with tears and glad cries, collected the two copies of the papers that Shyam had given Khushi. Arnav went through it and detailed Khushi what it was. As she heard what it stood for and its implications, she paled and whispered in a state of shock, as it dawned to her that had she got his signature on it, Shyamji would have killed him. Arnav agreeing with her hugged her close as she wept all over him. As her tears subsided, comforting her, he told that it was time to commence the much needed lesson to Shyam and for it to be done they needed to go home. Khushi, after giving him one tight squeeze, dried her face and nodded. Taking Amma, Babuji and Buaji with them, they proceeded to RM.
While Shyam sitting in the living room watched the ladies immersed in prayer seeking divine blessings to keep Khushi safe and crying for Khushi who had to undergo the bitter ordeal, Akash and NK were sitting on the sofa flanking him on either side. NK was fiddling with his camcorder and Akash was working on his laptop. Their senses were alert and had kept an eye on Shyam as they did not want to miss any nuance from the scoundrel, not even a flicker of an eyelid. Nani who was very attached to Khushi, lamented where was Khussi Bitiyaa? She asked Akash, whether Chotey had called and have the police found out where she has been held? As Shyam looked on anxiously, Akash sighed and told his Dadi that, there was no clue and Bhai was expected to be back with the ransom amount. Hearing it, Anjali asked her Nani, what was happening in their house. So much pain, so much anguish, their Khushiji had to suffer so much. She was overwrought with misery and feeling helpless at the turmoil that her Chotey had to face time and again, wept bitterly seeking reassurance from Nani, who had been their pillar of strength at times of strife. Mami was eloquent when she expressed that it as jinxed! Some evil eye has been cast on their house. Nani too nodded silently as Payal wept. Mami tried to console her daughter-in-law, asking her not to cry as their Arnav Bitwa, their bright light was out there. He will turn the world upside down and try to find where her sister was and he will leave no stone unturned. She was not a vegetable to be whisked away. She being a human was not an easy task to hide, not as easily as lady's finger from the vegetable market and asked her to keep her faith on Arnav Bitwa. He will surely succeed. Shyam looked away in contempt. The same people who were all praises for Arnav and Khushi would soon be putting them on the anvil. The contract papers, when revealed out would teach all these biddies and battle-axes a lesson that that they would not forget in a hurry. Arnav Singh Raizada, their blue-eyed boy, their dead-cert, would soon be revealed as a trickster! That was gleam that was lighting his day and as time went by he was certain that it would grow brightly.
While Shyam's thoughts were wandering along those lines and weaving pipe dreams, the door bell rang and as HP opened the door, all eyes looked at the door in expectation as to who could it be. They heard HP's exclamation, Arnav Bhaiyya! and before they could rush towards the door, Arnav entered the house with Khushi and the Guptas' in tow. Two men in casual dress followed the family leaving Shyam gobsmacked, speechless and shocked out of his skull. His missing kidnap victim had turned up at her house, safe and sound with her husband who had gone to raise the ransom money! Anjali limping towards them exclaimed, Chotey! Khushiji! Nani and Mami rushed ahead and hugged the couple repeatedly. Payal followed them and hugged her sister tightly weeping away all her tension and happy at Khushi returning safely. Mami, with her eyes filled with tears of happiness asked Khushi, where she was and what had happened to her? Nani holding Khushi in a tight hug, relieved that she had come home safe asked her, was she alright? Anjali, relieved to see her and hugging her with all her might, told her that Khushi had no idea how worried the rest were. It was like a crack of dawn with the anxiety begone. Arnav with a small smile hovering on his lips stood watching his family shower love on his wife. NK and Akash smiled at her, but resolutely made no move to be away from Shyam. They flanked him on either side with a wide grin to see Khushiji back. When Nani saw the Guptas' she wept and told them that by God's grace Khussi Bitiyaa was safe with them now. Buaji too concurred saying softly that, it was all due to the Benevolence of her Nandkisore and may his deeds last long. With Khushi back in their fold it was like matinal to the members of the household sans one.
Arnav led his wife, the two men, and his family to the living room and once seated introduced the men as Mr.Singhal and Mr.Sharma, his colleagues. He knew what he needed to do would take a long time. NK opened the topic that was uppermost on everyone's mind and asked Khushi, what happened to her and it was an opening that they had decided as per their plans. He told her that the last they know about her was, she going to meet Nannav at his office and setting in motion the trapping of Shyam. Khushi smiled at him and said, that she did go to meet Arnavji but was kidnapped from his car park. A loud gasp was the only response she got for her statement. As Shyam stood up quietly to slink away, NK caught hold of his arm and asked, where was he going? Akash took it up as though he was one confused soul saying, does he not want to know what happened to Khushiji when she has just come home? Their query had all eyes rest on Shyam. Breaking out in cold sweat, sweating profusely like a horse that had just finished its race, he dropped back on to his seat. Nani looked at Khushi and with tear filled eyes asked her, why? Why was she kidnapped? Khushi held out a copy of the document and said, it was due to this, startling Shyam. He wondered, what was that she was holding in her hand. He had destroyed the file with his own hands! So what was in that paper? As Khushi handed over the paper to Anjali, Shyam tried to peep in to make out what it was about, what was it about to unfold, but just could not fathom. As she read through the first page, it perplexed her and a deep furrow appeared on Anjali's forehead.
Seeing her frown and read without even glancing sideways, Mami who was curious asked her, what was it? Anjali, who was flabbergasted after reading, told her stutteringly that, if anything happens to Chotey, their Chotey, then Shyamji will become the owner of AR Designs, this house, the bank balance, and everything that is in Chotey's name. Her eyes that held shocked expression moved on to Shyam. Shyam, who felt as though he was on hot seat, was like a cornered rat. He felt subjected to piercing stares that were making him very uncomfortable. He wondered, how was he to get out of this maze? Her words made Mami exclaim in disbelief! Nani, was confused to hear it and asked her what kind of joke was that Anjali Bitiyaa? Why should Chotey make a will like that? He is young, and by the kindness and grace of Devi Maiyya, healthy. And even if he does make a will, why should he trouble Damadji with his business? Damadji was not a businessman, only a lawyer. Why should Damadji take on Chotey's responsibility when Akass Bitwaa and Manohar were there to manage everything? Anjali, once again examined the papers thoroughly and exclaimed to Nani and Mami that it was not signed. She looked at her Chotey and asked, why did he draft such a document? And why should Khushiji be kidnapped for this? Taking a deep breath, Arnav told her that it was not he, but Jijaji who had drafted it. This had all the ladies stumped and Nani giving voice to their collective disbelief asked what, while Anjali looked confused and upset. Mami who was about to pass a comment on that remark, abstained from doing so, for her sharp eyes had noted the  blanched face of Damadji covered with beads of perspiration and the hawk like stance of Arnav Bitwaa with determination in his eyes. It dawned to her that there was more to it that what met the eye.
Arnav stated that knowing that Khushi's knowledge of English was poor, Jijaji had given her the document and asked her to get his signature on it. Jijaji's plan was, once it was signed, it was to finish him off. Mami drew in a breath of shock, while Nani stared and moved her head from Arnav to Shyam with her lips trembling. Anjali looked wounded, and stared at her brother and her husband. Her dream bubble was bursting and her cocoon was no longer safe. Reality was intruding in to her dream world with heavy feet and it burst into her dream like a thunder bolt.  She felt as though somebody had thrown a bucket of cold water to come out of the stupor that she was dwelling in, with her life coming apart like a slow ripping seam. It was like she was in twilight for she needed to head towards dawn leaving the dusk behind. Knowing very well what his Di and the other members of his family were undergoing, Arnav stated in a soft voice, that Jijaji had not taken into account, Khushi's attachment to him. As she had received it, she had brought it to him to be shown. Jijaji realizing that if he saw that document, he would realize that Shyam was a crook, that too a very greedy swindler, had followed Khushi to his office, using chloroform had made her unconscious and stowed her away in his car. Arnav's soft statement fell on the listening ears echoing like a big bell bong in a silent hall.
That was the point of origination for the sun to set, beginning of the dusk and ride into oblivion for Shyam Manohar Jha and the break of dawn and the sunrise for the rest. For Anjali is now in the twilight zone but surely the filial bond and the family bond would ensure that she would face the dawn and not the dusk.
That is why this update is titled DAWN.
"However long the night,
 The dawn will break.
 For the darkest hour is that before the dawn"
That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

Part 10

Dil Tu Hi Bataa (Krrish 3)

“Ye sarasar jhoot he, Rani Sahiba! Arnav is trying to malign me, defame my character!” Shyam stood up and shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at a calm & collected Arnav.

The family members looked from Shyam’s impassioned features to Arnav’s impassive face, their eyes wide, unable to believe that everything they had believed in for three years was crumbling before their eyes, the world they had created for themselves was falling in to ruins right before them. Anjali fell back against her chair, feeling her limbs tremble.

“Then what were a bottle of chloroform & a used cloth doing in your car on the night of the kidnapping, Mr. Jha?” Mr. Singhal asked softly.

Shyam looked at the man with overlong hair with venom in his eyes.

“Who the hell are you? Who are you to interfere in family matters? What are you doing in my house?” Shyam shouted at him. “And who gave you the permission to go sniffing in my car?”

“He is Mr. Singhal, a leading private investigator. I invited him here. This is not your house, Shyam. This is my house. And I gave him permission to ‘go sniffing’ as you so succinctly put it, in the car I paid my hard-earned money to purchase.” Arnav said softly.

Nani looked anxiously at Anjali, and parted her lips to express her astonishment at the proceedings.

Mami looked at the determined faces of Arnav, Akash, & NK, and caught hold of Nani’s hand and patted it, trying to calm her down and keep her silent. She realised that more things than were evident were going on.

“Rani Sahiba! Arnav is lying! He is trying to separate us!” Shyam bellowed, trying to turn his wife in his favour.

“Chotey…” Anjali whispered, not knowing whom to believe, torn between her husband and the father of her unborn child and her darling brother.

Arnav looked at his Di, pity in his eloquent eyes.

“Shyam Manohar Jha married you for your money, Di. He does not love you. Nor does he have it in him to respect our family or value the love and trust we gave him over the years. He fooled you, and he fooled all of us.”

Anjali stared at him, unable to take her eyes off his face.

“Shyam Manohar Jha met Khushi in Lucknow. He helped her when goons tried to humiliate her on the street… because of me. He followed her to Delhi, found out where Buaji lived, approached Buaji and asked her for a room to rent.”

All Raizadas gasped. This was news to NK & Akash too. Payal alone looked at the Guptas and Khushi, scared of the consequences of the disclosures to come.

Mami frowned, “So he was Madhumatiji’s PG? But… but…” her eyes widened. “Khussi was engaged to her Buaji’s PG!” She turned to look at Anjali & her Saasumma with wide, saucer-like eyes. “Aap ko yad he, Saasumma, when we went to asks for Payaliyya’s hand, Madhumatiji tried to calls Khussi’s mangetar to introduce him to us, but he was missing?”

“Manorama…Anjali Bitiyaa…” Nani whimpered.

Anjali looked at Shyam and at Arnav, shell shocked. 

“He is lying! They are all lying!” Shyam shouted. “Rani sahiba, would I do something like this?”

Arnav disregarded Shyam’s wail and corroborated his Mami’s findings. “You are very right, Mami. His object was getting Khushi. He told Buaji that he was an orphan, and put himself out by helping them, acting like a part of their family. When Babuji fell ill, he used the chance to propose marriage to Khushi through Buaji. Khushi had no idea that the Shyam married to you was the Shyam who was panting to get engaged to her.”

NK grit his teeth. Akash clenched his fists. By the time the day was done, he would level a facer to the cheap trickster with bigamous tendencies, he vowed.

“Chotey…what are you saying…?” Anjali breathed, the very foundation of her life shaking, in danger of toppling over.

“He is lying, Rani Sahiba! He wants to throw me out of RM, send me away from my rajkumari! He is lying!” Shyam protested.

Anjali looked at Arnav & Shyam, pulled between the two of them.

“Arnav Bitwaa is speaking the truth, Anjali Bitiyaa.” Buaji said, her eyes full of pity for Anjali. “We had no idea that he was your husband. Never. It was when you invited Titliyaa to your Satyanarayan pooja that she saw your husband for the first time and realised the truth, Nandkisore!”

Anjali sat staring at Buaji.

“Khussi slapped him and threw his ring at his face. She came to your house the next day to tell you the truth, but… your mangalsutra broke and you became hysterical….” Garima explained.

Buaji sighed, “Hamara bhi galti he, Bitiyaa. We should have told you the truth, come what may. But…but how could we walk in to your house and destroy your happiness and peace of mind, Nandkisore!” She hit her head with her hand. Babuji nodded with difficulty, his eyes filled with tears.

“But it soon looked as though he had learned his lesson. He stopped running after Khussi and began to act like your husband. So we thought he had repented…” Garima sighed.

“But he continued with his harassment of Khushi till we got married. I found out about him…I saw him for what he was…on Akash & Payal’s wedding night. I accused him of cheating on you, and he looked me in the face and gloated that he was going to leave you for Khushi.” Arnav said, looking at the pale faces turned to him.

Mami’s sharp intake of breath sounded loud in the room.

Nani & Mami caught hold of Anjali's hands to impart courage.

“I put up with him for your sake, Di. I realised that I had to keep him around at least till you were safely delivered of your child.” Arnav let out a weary sigh. “I knew him for the immoral scoundrel he is, but did not realise that he was capable of kidnapping Khushi or planning my death after getting my signature on the documents… all for money…”

Anjali looked at Shyam with budding fear and repugnance in her eyes.

Shyam jumped up in panic.

“They are all lying, Rani Sahiba! They are all hand in glove to break our family…my rajkumari…” Shyam tried to persuade his wife that he was whiter than white, as pure as the driven snow...

“Di…” Khushi said softly, “Di, I swear on my Devi Maiyya that every word that Arnavji said now is the truth and nothing but the truth.”

Anjali looked at her, feeling her head spin.

“She is lying! She has been trying to attract me, lure me, seduce me…” Shyam was at the end of his tether. “Sharam karo, Khushiji. You are lying about a devoted husband and father!” he accused Khushi.

Mr. Sharma said softly, “You contacted Lallan, a goonda, and asked him to supply you with 5 men and  a woman to guard a kidnapped Khushiji. The guards, headed by a small-time crook named Rocky, sat guard over the victim at a dilapidated house in a deserted location in Pahadganj…” He gave the requisite details. “Khushiji escaped from there. Rocky & the others gave her chase.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Shyam thundered. 

 “Rocky, Lallan… have you been watching some third-rate Bollywood movie for inspiration?”

Mr. Sharma smiled. “You don’t know them?”

“Of course not! Who the hell are they?” Shyam was the picture of affront, innocence under pressure.

“As to that, you will know better. We are just getting to know them.” Mr. Sharma said pleasantly.

Shyam frowned.

“They are all in our custody…that is police custody…” Mr. Sharma explained.

Shyam paled.

“And they are singing like birds… We have your phone records, Mr. Jha. All the calls to Rocky’s & Lallan’s phones have been noted. Their timing & duration match the stories told by the arrested.” Mr. Sharma was all smiles.

“They are lying…they…” Shyam began.

“Why should they lie about a man they don’t know, who doesn’t know them?” the policeman asked. “Their ransom call to ASR’s phone too has been investigated. And policemen witnessed your meeting with Lallan in the dilapidated house in Pahadganj after we picked up the kidnappers.”

Anjali buried her head in her palms. Mami and Nani put their arms around her.

Arnav looked at his Di, feeling his heart weep for her.

“Di, when you met him at a temple, fell in love with him, and told us that you wanted to marry him, none of us raised an issue about the fact that he was a penniless lawyer, an orphan with no known relations.” Arnav said softly, looking at Nani & Mami.

 They nodded.

 “We wanted you to be happy, Di. We saw Shyam through your eyes, as a noble man, a man of character. He made a fool of you, Di, and he fooled us too.” Arnav stated.

“Chotey…” Anjali wept.

“I am sorry, Di, but Shyam Manohar Jha is immoral, a crook, a greedy and money-hungry leech.” Arnav made his opinion very clear. "He has no place here anymore."

“Acha? I don't have the right to stay here? Who are you to decide where I will stay or not? Arnav Singh Raizada!" Shyam bit out, his hatred a live thing for everyone to see. "You are very loquacious when insulting me, Saale sahab! Who are you? The immoral son of an amoral father!” Shyam turned to look at the Raizadas gathered around him. “Do you know what your dear ‘Chotey’ has done? And what kind of girl your ‘Khussi Bitiyya’ is?”

All looked at him, wondering what he was going to say next. Arnav gently touched Khushi’s knee with his, signifying that she remain calm for the next few minutes.

Shyam lifted his office bag that he had left on the floor and placed it on his lap. He frowned. How come it was open? The zip had been torn away, leaving the bag gaping.

He put his hand in to his bag to pull out the contract marriage document. His fingers touched his journal, but no papers. Not the contract marriage document, not the legal papers he had stored in his bag… All papers were missing…

Shyam upturned the contents on to the low table in front of him. No papers at all. Just his diary, his pen, his keys…

Smita,

Here is the interpretation for Part 10.

This update is about being forced into a place or situation from which it is hard to escape, summed up by the word CORNERED.

Hearing Arnav explaining the document to Anjali that was pointing an accusatory finger at him, all his moves and hard work of the past four years under attack, Shyam stood up and like a fox at bay howling at the moon shouted that all that was being uttered was nothing but rubbish; Arnav was trying to blacken his name and defame his character. He in turn, pointed an accusatory finger at the calm and collected Arnav. The family members turned their head from one to the other, noting Shyam's vehement face and Arnav's stolid expression. Their eyes were wide unable to believe that everything they had believed in for three years was crumbling before them; the world they had created for themselves was tumbling into ruins right before them. In her predicament, Anjali fell back against her chair, feeling her limbs give away. Mr. Singhal who was witnessing Shyam's impassioned plea asked him softly, then, what was the necessity to possess a bottle of chloroform that was found in his car along with a used cloth on the night of the kidnapping? That query put him in a tight spot. But Shyam, a master conniver, looked as though he was spewing venom with his eyes, at the man with long hair locks, for posing impertinent questions. Riled beyond reason Shyam shouted at him asking, who the hell was he to poke his nose? Who was he to interfere in family matters? What was he doing in his house? And who gave him the permission to 'go sniffing' his car and now hound him unnecessarily? Arnav, who was an epitome of calmness said to Shyam, in a soft voice that belied the firmness in it, that Mr. Singhal, was a leading private investigator who was invited by him. Raizada Mansion was not Shyam's house, but it was his, Arnav Singh Raizada's house. And it was he who had given permission to 'go sniffing' as he so succinctly put it; in the car he bought paying his hard-earned money. This assertion landed Shyam in hot water and had to uncomfortably answer a lot of questions in front of the family gathered.

Nani, who was concerned of the impact of this exchange on her pregnant grand daughter looked anxiously at Anjali, and parted her lips to express her astonishment at the path the proceedings seem to treading on. Mami taking one look at the dead-set looks on the faces of Arnav, Akash and NK, caught hold of Nani's hand and patted it, placating her to calm down and keep silent. She, who had realized that there were more to things than they appear, now felt that it had advanced more than what she had thought off and knew for sure, that Shyam had gotten himself into a pickle. As Shyam bellowed, trying to sway the opinion of his wife as the way of getting out of spot saying, that Arnav was lying, he was trying to split them! Anjali whispered, Chotey, not really able to believe either one could be lying. She was tormented as to whom to believe, for she knew her Chotey, whatever be his faults, was a man of integrity, his love for her was unsurpassed, while her husband who doted on her, always soft spoken, whispering sweet nothings into her ear was the father of her unborn angel, her rajkumari. She was torn between the two. Pitting one against the other made Anjali a confused soul. Arnav looked at his Di, with soft eyes that held deep pity and told her that Shyam Manohar Jha married her for her money. He neither loves her, nor does he have it in him to respect their family or value the love and trust they reposed on him over the years. He had been successful in hoodwinking not just her but all of them too.

Anjali listened to his calm and eloquent description of her husband, as he primed her of Shyam's deeds and activities. She was mesmerized by the calm demeanour of Chotey without succumbing into his usual fits of anger. He told her that, Shyam Manohar Jha met Khushi in Lucknow, when he helped her as goons tried to humiliate her on the street, all because of him. Shyam had followed her to Delhi, found out where Buaji lived, approached Buaji and secured from her a room to rent. All the Raizadas' were stunned and gasped. This was news to NK and Akash too, but Payal, who was in the know, looked at the Guptas' and Khushi, scared of the consequences of the disclosures to come. Mami's 007 brains began to work overtime and started to connect the dots. She quickly deciphered the tricky situation for what it meant and stated that he was Madhumatiji's PG then. Its implication made her eyes widen and utter that, then, he was the one that Khussi was engaged to. She turned to look at Anjali and Nani with her heavily made-up eyes widened saucer-like with realization and said that, when they had gone to ask Payaliyaa's hand for Akass Bitwaa, as Madhumatiji had tried to introduce Khushi's betrothed to them, he had gone missing. It was because he was put on the spot as he was the one Khussi was betrothed to! Nani who was really pained to hear the revelation whimpered, Manorama, Anjali Bitiyaa! Her heart went out to her Bitiyaa who had found some happiness after a long time, who had thought that she had found gold, only to be told that it was nothing but fools' gold. Anjali looked at Shyam and at Arnav, shell shocked. Shyam, now up a tree, who till that day was ever smiling had shed his mask was seen shouting, that Arnav was lying through his teeth, and tried to reason out with his Rani Sahiba asking, whether he would do something like the one he was being accused off? He tried to appeal to her through the soft spot that Anjali had for him.

Arnav disregarding Shyam's wail, corroborated his Mami's findings saying, that she had hit a bull's eye and Shyam's objective was to snare Khushi. He had told Buaji the sorry tale of he being an orphan with no relatives to talk about, and had endeared to them by helping them, going out of his way to please them, and acting like a part of their family. When Babuji fell ill, he had utilized the chance to propose marriage to Khushi through Buaji, while Khushi had no idea that the Shyam married to Di, was the Shyam who was hankering to get engaged to her. This revelation made NK grit his teeth, Akash clench his fists. By the time the day was done, he vowed to level a facer to the cheap trickster with bigamous tendencies. Anjali who could not believe that the very foundation of her Paradise was being shaken asked her Chotey, what was he really saying and tried to confirm, whatever he said was true? Saw-toothed by this revelation to the family, Shyam jumped in protesting that, Arnav was lying and he was falsely being accused of such dirty deeds with the sole aim of throwing him out of RM and separating him from his rajkumari! All that he has been accused off was nothing but fictitious, the product of an overactive imagination. Anjali looked at Arnav and Shyam, pulled between the two of them. Buaji, with her eyes clear and full of pity for Anjali asserted that, Arnav Bitwaa was speaking the truth. At that time, they had no idea that he was not a bachelor let alone of the fact that he was her husband. They came to know about it when she had invited Titliyaa to the Satyanarayan pooja that she had arranged. It was then Titliyaa had seen her husband for the first time and realised the truth. Her words, were like a cold douche to Anjali and had her staring in confusion. Garima explained to Anjali that, Khussi had slapped him and thrown the ring at his face. The next day, she had come over to RM to inform her, the truth about Shyam, but seeing her getting hysterical and agitated over the broken mangalsutra she had felt could not add to her panic and unhappiness and had kept silent.

Buaji heaving a deep sigh, hitting her head with her palm and holding it admitted that, they too were at fault for not letting her know the truth, for they had imperiled the lives of so many with their silence. They should have stuck to revealing it come what may. But they were always at loggerheads with the thought of not wanting to rock her boat and destroy her peace and happiness. Her words were given a nodding assent by Babuji with great difficulty, with tears pooled in his eyes. Garima sighing at the foolish thought of theirs, that Shyam had mended his ways told, that it had looked as though he had learnt a lesson and had stopped running after Khussi. They had thought he had repented but he was a slinky customer and had thrown dust in their eyes by his act of a very concerned husband! Arnav continued from there enlightening the rest, that Shyam had continued with his harassment of Khushi putting her in extremis, till they got married. He had found out about him, had seen him for what he was on Akash and Payal's wedding night. He had accused Shyam of cheating on his Di, and Shyam had looked into his eyes and with a swagger had gloated, that he was going to leave his Di for Khushi. The pale faces turned to him and listened silently. Mami's sharp intake of breath sounded loud in the room. Nani and Mami caught hold of Anjali's hands to give her the strength and courage. The family started to get glimpse of the real Shyam Manohar Jha who was endowed with a crooked bent of mind.

Arnav, with a weary sigh told his Di that, he had put up with him for her sake. He had realized that Shyam had to be kept around, at least till the safe delivery of her child. He had come to know him for the immoral scoundrel he is, but did not realize that he was capable of kidnapping Khushi or planning his death after getting his signature on the documents, just to get his grubby hands on money. Anjali looked at Shyam with budding fear and absolute loathing in her eyes, making Shyam jump up in panic and try to persuade her saying that, they were all lying and each one was hell bent on breaking their loving family and he whimpered, his rajkumari... He was at his persuasive best, projecting himself to be as pure and chaste as the falling snow. Khushi who till now had kept her silence went to Anjali and swore softly to her, in the name of her Devi Maiyya that, every word that Arnavji said till then, was the truth and nothing but the truth. It was a bombardment of facts, caught between two fires, and boggled by it, Anjali felt her head spin, for her house had turned out to be a house of cards and the domino effect to be ricocheting off!

Shyam, who was at the end of his tether by being treed, with Arnav, Mr.Singhal, Buaji and now Khushi joining forces against him accused Khushi of lying. Pointing his finger, he scorned at her saying that, she being shameless had been trying to lure him, seduce him since long and when she had not been successful has resorted to lying to take revenge on him  just because he had been a faithful husband, a devoted father and one who was a family man first. Mr.Sharma, who was the other stranger present there, asked him softly, had he not contacted the thug, Lallan and asked him to supply with five men and a woman to guard the kidnapped Khushiji. The hoodlums headed by a small-timer named Rocky had held the victim in a dilapidated house in an isolated, godforsaken area in the vicinity of Pahadganj. Giving the details, he told the others that, Khushiji escaped from there, while Rocky and others had chased her. A serrated Shyam coming to know the details of Khushi's escape in brief that was like rubbing salt to the injury, thundered, what rubbish was he spouting? What a cock and bull story it was! It was unbelievably ridiculous! With names like Lallan, Rocky it looked like he had let his imagination running overtime by watching some third-rate Bollywood movie for inspiration! But Mr. Sharma was all smiles and asked, whether he did not know those people? Shyam who was the very picture of affront, innocence under pressure, told that, of course, he had no knowledge of what he was being asked about and who were they? Mr. Sharma in a pleasant tone told, that was something that he had knowledge of and they were just getting to know them. His words had Shyam frown deeply and Mr. Sharma explained that, right now they were the guests of the police. That was a sharp-cornered jolt and a bolt out of blue to Shyam making blood drain out of his face. Mr. Sharma told him that, right now they were singing like a canary. Addressing Shyam as Mr.Jha, he said that, they, the police are in possession of his phone records that was connecting him to have placed quite a few calls to Rocky's and Lallan's phones. The timing and duration logged match with that of killers' stories after their arrest. When the trapped Shyam, began to refute it sputtering like a leaky faucet, that they were lying outrightly, the plain clothes police officer asked him, why should they lie about a man, they do not even know, who does not know them? Their ransom call to ASR's phone too when investigated yielded the same and all pointed towards one and the only one, Shyam Manohar Jha. And above all, policemen have witnessed his meeting with Lallan in the dilapidated house in Pahadganj after they had picked up the kidnappers. Shyam Manohar Jha, the brilliant lawyer who could charm himself out of any situation so far, had fallen hook, line and sinker into the trap master-minded by Arnav Singh Raizada. Now up a stump, he was clearly at a loss and was in a deep hole. With that, Shyam knew that he was being cornered and the end of his stay at RM was just around the corner before being apprehended by the enforcement officer.

Unable to bear, either the accusations hurled back and forth or the pain it brought to her, Anjali shut her eyes and closed her ears with her palms, her face wound like a ball in pain. Mami and Nani supported her on either side and held her up. Arnav looked at his Di, his heart weeping bitterly for her, for having to make her face such a tricky situation. Arnav looked once at Nani and Mami, and then addressing his Di told her in a soft and soothing voice that, when she met Shyam at a temple, fell in love with him, and told them that she wanted to marry him, none of them had objected or raised it as an issue about the fact that he was a penniless lawyer, an orphan with no known relations. All nodded in agreement. He continued and stated, that was because they wanted her happiness and seeing Shyam through her eyes as a noble being and a man of integrity and character, they had accepted him. He had taken her for a ride along with them too.  As Anjali, run to earth, wept and uttered a heart wrenching cry, Chotey... It was a cry that was a means to reach out to him. It was a cry that was a plea to set things right as he always did. It was a cry that told him that his sister needed him now more than ever. But Arnav knew, that in order to help her he had to make her accept the bitter truth, for at times, one needed to be cruel to be kind and he could not afford to handle her with kid gloves right at that moment. So he gave out his opinion that was clear-cut, that was as clear as a crystal, leaving no room to think otherwise, that he was sorry to tell that the bland, bitter and unvarnished truth was, Shyam Manohar Jha was an immoral felon as well as a filcher, an avaricious man with a rapacious appetite on the prowl. And such a person had no place there anymore. His opinion given out so openly had jeopardized any chances of Shyam recovering the lost ground.

Shyam Manohar Jha, who was now blinded by anger, in desperation, spewed out his hatred just like fire from a dragon saying, is that so Arnav Singh Raizada! He does not have the right to stay there? Well, who was he to declare so? His hatred and his anger that had always been simmering under the cover of care and concern, told Arnav openly, that he had been extremely voluble and dramatic in his insults but who was he really? He was the immoral son of an amoral father! After all, when he was the progeny of such a rotten fruit what else could be expected? Turning to the Raizadas' and Guptas' gathered there, with his arms akimbo, he asked them do they have any idea of what their blue-eyed boy, Chotey had done? And what kind of girl their Khussi Bitiyaa was?

When all eyes were glued to Shyam wanting to know what drama he would unfold next, Arnav gently touched Khushi's knee with his, indicating her to be calm for the next few minutes, for they would turn the corner, pass the crisis together and intact. Shyam lifted his office bag that he had left on the floor and placed it on his lap. As soon as he touched it, a frown appeared on his face. He wondered how it was open. The zip had been torn away, leaving the bag gaping. He put his hand in to his bag to pull out the contract marriage document, but in a zigzag, his fingers touched only his journal, and could find no papers. It was devoid of not only the contract marriage document, but also the legal papers he had stored in his bag. All his papers had gone missing. In utter desperation, when he upturned the bag, the contents fell on to the low table in front of him. It consisted of just his diary, his pen, his keys, but the papers had gone awol. Was it Devi Maiyya who had bestowed her Benevolent eyes on her daughter, Khushi...? Meh be...!

That is why it is titled CORNERED.

"Things are never as they seem. A person. A Mark. A               statement. They are always deeper than we perceive, like       walking in the  ocean and suddenly dipping under the               surface because the  bottom has disappeared beneath your   feet. The water appears  shallow until you are suddenly           flailing around beneath the surface,  desperately searching for stable ground once again"
                                               ~ Kelseyleigh Reber


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