Dark Paradise Chapter Five

Khushi was at the dinner table with the rest of the family which unfortunately included Shyam, he was scowling the whole meal, everyone was talking about how Anjali should eat this food and stay away from that food. But Anjali noticed how distant Shyam was, how he had no interest in anything, he looked angry and bitter but she didn't know why, she'd tried to coax it out of him but he wouldn't tell her. Then he complained that she was too emotional and should give him space to think, it had hurt her deeply for him to say that to her when he knew how much she loved him. But Anjali never made an issue about her own problems so she quietly carried on with things and prayed his mood would improve. However Khushi was not concerned with any of this as she was waiting with baited breath for Arnavji to return from a meeting he and Akashji had gone to. She knew for a fact that after dinner they would all be sent to bed early as tomorrow was the Raizada's showcasing of their newlywed brides function which all the female relatives, neighbours and friends would attend. Therefore the Raizada bahus were expected to go to sleep early so to look good tomorrow but from what Arnavji has planned it sounded like Khushi would not be getting any sleep. Payal passed Khushi the plate with Jalebis on it which Khushi had spent the afternoon making after Arnavji had left for his meeting. She piled Jalebi upon Jalebi onto her plate and then passed it to Anjaliji who noted the tension Kushiji must be in. Khushi was on her fourth Jalebi when Anjali interrupted. "Khushiji, sorry Khushi Bhabi, yeh kya hai? What's wrong?" She said inclining her head to the mountain of Jalebis. Khushi looked down and realised she wasn't masking her fear very well.
"Yeh, nahi voh kya hai....hum bohut kush hai isiliye khushi mein jalebi karen hi ho." Khushi lied.
"Oh, humhe laga tha ke shayad tumhe meetha pasand aaya kyunki tum bhi ek chota sa pyara sa bacha aanewala hai." Anjali teased winking at Khushi, who now started hicupping, she added a fake laugh but her hicupps would not subside. Shyam stood up and left the table which made no difference to Khushi who was still hicupping despite Payal forcing her to drink water.

Arnav walked through the door famished, he and Akash had been talking to absolute morons for the past four hours and Arnav felt like he'd gotten nowhere. He walked in happy to see the family laughing and smiling around the dinner table, he gave his briefcase to Om Prakash and took a seat next to Khushi at the table who was hicupping violently.
"Isse kya hua?" He asked Anjali seeing Khushi was unable to answer.
"Kuch nahi chotte, hum baas mazaak kare teh. I said that Khushi was eating extra Jalebis because she had an extra mouth to feed aur woh tense hogi." Anjali said laughing along with Naniji, Payal and Akash. Arnav looked smug and turned to Khushi who looked away immediately. Arnav poured his food in and began to eat when he slipped his left hand under the table and grasped Khushi's right hand. Khushi gasped aloud, her hicupps now having deceased from the shock of it.
"Kya hua Bhabi?" Akash asked and Khushi shook her head.
"Kuch nahi, baas yuhi." She said smiling then turning to Arnavji frowning at him mouthing, "Chooriyen". He stared back blankly calmly eating with his right hand, Khushi still had three Jalebis on her plate which she actually wanted to eat but couldn't.
"Kya hua Khushi, tum kaana kyun nahi kareen?" Payal asked.
"Nahin Jiji aab mera pehet bhargaya!" She said even though she really wanted those Jalebis. Payal shrugged and began to clear up as most of the family was done. Arnav was finished also, he didn't let go of Khushi's hand though, as everyone left the table Arnav leaned over, "Tumne abhi kapre badale nahi, kafi besharam ho tum, pathi ka kehna nahi manthi." He whispered in her ear and she leapt up from her seat as Arnav let go of her hand.

Naniji turned around at the noise Khushi made when she got up and looked suspiciously at her overly proud grandson.
"Khushi betiyan tumne kaana kaya?" Naniji asked and Khushi nodded. "Ucha toh phir jaldi se naha dhoke aab sojha kaal bada din hai, hmm, aur tum bhi Payal betiyaan hum chahat hain khi saari ki saari baas tum dhono ke dhekte rejhayein kaal." Naniji said happily. Khushi turned to look at her husband who was now stood by her side, he winked at her and she narrowly kept a yelp inside."Yeh toh mujhe kajaoga" Khushi muttered to herself. "Naniji, err, hum soch re teh ki kyun nah meh torre saath tumhare paas ajao, torhi masti torhi batein, acha idea heh na?" Khushi asked hoping Naniji would agree and Arnav would go upstairs and fall asleep by the time she came upstairs. Naniji shook her head, "Nahi Khushi betiyaan upper jao abhi ki abhi, hum khoob saari masti karoge kaal, tik hai?" Naniji said and Khushi understood there was no use in arguing, she gave a silent prayer to Devi Maiyan and headed upstairs. She looked behind her to see Arnav at the bottom of the stairs arms folded looking very happy, her heart skipped a beat half from fear and half from excitement. She recalled when he'd kissed her she'd been shocked but the feeling had stayed with her the whole day, he was like a current through her body, every time they touched it was electrifying. She went into the room with a steely resolve, no matter what happened she knew it was for the best, they were married and apparently this was what was right.

Arnav entered the room and saw Khushi sat on the bed appearing to be having an internal debate with herself, muttering one thing then turning her head and muttering something else. He loudly shut the door to break her concentration. She stood up and clasped her hands in one another winding them round and round as he approached closer and closer. He took off his suit jacket and threw it onto the bed, that startled Khushi she stepped back one step but stayed there determined not to seem timid and docile in this situation. This was Arnavji after all, the man who had saved her from a car in the rain, paid her father's hospital bills, caught her when she fainted at Teej, caught her every time she fell, he'd helped bring Akash and Jiji together, he'd been her first kiss, he'd ran around Delhi worried she'd been in an accident, he'd bandaged her wounds on multiple occasions, he'd married her, held her hand in-front of all and never let anyone say a bad word to her including his Mamiji who he respected though he'd never admit it. He cared, he had a funny way of showing it sometimes but he did care. Yes this wedding was born of confusing circumstances fueled by the love he had for his sister but it was possible he loved her too, right? Khushi inhaled as he pulled her close his arms wrapped around her waist. She'd never felt so powerless but so complete at the same time. She could feel Arnavji's heartbeat and it was rapid just like hers. That meant he had to have feelings for her back, she lowered her head and for a moment Arnav had forgotten this was just meant as playful teasing. For a moment he allowed himself to melt into her, to wrap his arms around her and embrace her wishing to let her melt into him. He'd forgotten how intensely he felt for Khushi, he turned her around so her back was against his chest and he grabbed her wa-st pulling her close. He pulled her hair aside and allowed himself one kiss on the nape of her neck, he then raised his head slightly and whispered to Khushi, "Kabrao maat, tumhari isaat ko meh aanch nahi aane doonga." He felt how ragged her breath was, she was really going to go through with this, but then again so was he, did that mean that Khushi also felt the way he did...He didn't dwell on it for long as Khushi ran to the bathroom embarrassed. She threw water on her face, of course this was a joke he wouldn't be serious about it. Why would he since she was the worlds biggest fool?! She felt so stupid, she crept back out and saw Arnavji settling on the floor again, that couldn't be good for him. She'd have to do something about that. She settled into the bed and closed her eyes.
"Khushi." Arnav said from the floor, Khushi's eyes opened.
"Hmmm." She responded.
"Tum meri issat ki raksha toh karengi na?" He asked teasingly.
"Goodnight Arnavji." She said, smiling.

Read other parts to this here.