Even Stars Burn: Chapter Six

At AK Fashion House 

Arnav was fuming as he stormed into the building, his jaw clenched and his eyes ready to scorch anyone into silence. The receptionist stood to stop Arnav when he barged his way into the actual office. He turned and gave one of his infamous ASR faces which silenced his former employee, there was both fear and shame in her eyes. He continued and found one of his old office lackees, he cornered him and grabbed him by the collar.
"Where is that snake?" Arnav asked through gritted teeth.
"Kaun sa saap Sir?" The ex-employee asked, half terrified.
"Wohi, A-m-a-n." Arnav said every letter clearly, slowly and painfully.
"A-a-aman Sir woh photoshoot main hai, third floor peh." The ex-employee stuttered. Photoshoot? That meant-. Without delay Arnav darted away from these clowns and went to pursue the only thing that consumed his mind nowadays- Khushi.

Khushi one for modesty at all times was struggling slightly with the scanty cuts of the saree and plunging necklines. If Bhuaji saw her like this she would be locked away with nothing but a copy of Ramayan. But this wasn't about Bhuaji or anyone else, this was about Khushi getting the justice she deserved and if that meant compromising on some of her more traditional morals, so be it. Besides, upon a second cursory glance, it didn't look too horrific. The saree was a black lace which was wrapped very thinly across her torso, the blouse was a satin again in black cut into a deep V-plunge. With hair and makeup Khushi felt less so like the "Village belle" instead a hardness came across her, a cold confidence which closed all her worrisome emotions off. It left her feeling nothing, well nothing except for the need to see Arnav and his family in as much pain as they had caused Khushi and her family.

Khushi stepped out onto the set, there was a wall to floor canvas with white roses studded on it which Khushi assumed was the backdrop. There were a lot of people swarming, again all in black. There was a desk behind the camera equipment with Mac monitors prepped, they were using interns to take test shots, to see lighting and such - Khushi had been on a shoot before and vaguely remembered how these things went. Aman was standing over the Mac monitors, engrossed in giving some for of affirmative feedback, a severity in his brow. He looked up and spotted Khushi, who couldn't help but play with the palla of her saree (a tell-tale sign of her nerves). Aman walked over, there was a prowess in his gait like every move he made just oozed the upmost self-assurance - something that Khushi had lost during her time with the Raizada's. She couldn't help but long to be like that again, an almost jealous feeling lingered inside of her but she hushed it away.
"Ready to kill it?" Aman asked excitedly.
"Nahin, hum kisi ko maar nahin sakte hum kya kehte hai....vegetarian hai." Khushi said suddenly worrying some form of animal slaughter would be included in the shoot, she had seen western magazines on news stands, modelling never made sense to her.

"No, no, I meant, are you ready to go model? Like do the best, kill it!" Aman said and Khushi smiled though she had no idea what he was talking about. "Forget about it." Aman said with a laugh that was warm and infectious, it set Khushi somewhat to ease. Aman looked Khushi over. "Nervous?" He asked, without assumption or stress just curiosity.
"Todha bohut, hum aise kapre. I mean bohut sundhar hai kapre, lekin mere ghar mein ladkiyan aise nahin dekhte." Khushi said while trying to adjust her saree to cover her more.
"Khushi I get it, hum hamesha ladkiyan ko kehte aisa nahin karte, aisa nahin kapre pehente, yeh mat karo, woh mat karo... but why? Its the 21st century for God's sake. Its time women should be free from the male gaze. Yeh sabh kapre ke bharein mein nahin hain. AK designs are here to shake up society, encourage women to do what they want, be who they want and not fear anyone. Its about self-confidence and self-assurance." He seemed so passionate about what he was saying and all of it did make sense. There was a part of Khushi that would always secretly want to wear those more risky and glamorous outfits Heroines wore in the movies. But Umaji and Bhuaji would always tell Khushi that normal girls don't dress like that and Khushi would automatically feel guilty for even harboring such ideas. Suddenly Aman was clicking his fingers in front of her face.
"Kahaan koh gayi aap?" He asked with the warmth of a laugh in his voice.
"Nahin kuch nahin, hum tayaar hai maarne ki liye!" Khushi said with enthusiasm and Aman laughed putting an arm around her.
"You're too much Khushi." He said.

Arnav stormed into the shoot and immediately saw red. It didn't take long for him to spot Khushi amongst the crowd of mediocrity. Arnav also did not fail to note Aman's arm snaked around Khushi's shoulders. Khushi too was smiling and seemed quite happy to melt into his embrace, Arnav then noted the clothes - or lack thereof. Arnav's head pounded and his whole body was tense, he couldn't decide whether to burn the place to the ground first or murder Aman.
"Arnav S-sir. Aap yahann nahin ho sakte-" One of Arnav's old Creatives had attempted to chastise him, Arnav raised his hand to her face, refusing to take his eyes off the site of his wife and this fraud. The ex-employee made a yelp out of fear and soon everyone in the room turned to see Arnav, but Arnav's eyes were fixed on her hazel eyes. Khushi turned and her smile dropped to a look of pure dread. Arnav was surprised she could stand to look him in the eyes after such a deep betrayal. His eyes he was sure were cold, hard and piercing. Her eyes in return were soft and shaken, her jaw was tight and her hands balled. Arnav could feel the conflict within her, her heart wasn't really in this, she didn't want to hurt him; he was sure of that. Then why?
"Aaahhhh Mr. Raizada, this is a closed shoot, I'm afraid you are not welcome here." Aman said breaking away from Khushi, he stood primally infront of her, marking her as under his protection, Arnav knew this well.

"Aman, I'm not here to talk to you, I'm here to talk to my wife. Khushi, come outside." Arnav said, Khushi who was stood anxiously behind Aman made no movements- this confused Arnav. "Khushi, outside." He said again, he then noted the faintest shake of her head. Aman turned and smiled.
"I'm afraid my employee doesn't wish to talk to you. Also, just a friendly tip Mr. Raizada, one businessman to another; you should really leave your personal life at home, it looks tacky to drag up personal issues at my star model's place of work." He said and Arnav flared up at Aman declaring Khushi as his in any sense. He charged for Aman and grabbed him by his collar.
"Don't talk about her! Don't you dare say a word about her from your filthy mouth!" He said while pushing him, in what direction Arnav wasn't sure, in his rage he pushed Aman into lights and equipment until Aman tripped and fell to the floor. Arnav had a fist ready to collide into Aman when a hand grabbed his arm. Arnav turned to see who dared to stop him; again those hazel eyes. She shook her head softly and Arnav lowered his hand. Khushi grasped his shirt sleeve.
"Chalo bahaar baat karte hain." She said and proceeded to drag him outside.

Dark Paradise Chapter Six

Khushi awoke before Arnavji that morning and decided to take this opportunity to claim the bathroom before him, knowing she needed to get ready for all the rasams that were to come today. Her Ummaji had given her some sarees to take with her now that she was a married woman and so she chose a heavier saree today. It was cream and red saree with gold embroidery she knew it would be difficult to handle but she also knew she had to look her best today and her best would involve this saree. She headed into the bathroom to get ready when the sound of the shower woke Arnav up, he sat up and his back hurt like hell, he'd have to talk to Khushi about this sleeping arrangement. He didn't have to head to the office today as Naniji had forced Akash and himself to take time off from work to spend time with the family, Arnav was reluctant at first but he knew that if he was at home he could keep an eye on Shyam, make sure he doesn't try to hurt Khushi or his Di. So it made sense for him to be at home in a way, Naniji just gave him a plausable excuse to hover around his brother-in-law. Arnav heard Khushi shut the bathroom door which snapped him back to reality.
"Sorry, did I wake you?" Khushi asked, the sound of fear in her voice, Arnav turned around to explain he was already awake when he was dumbfounded. Khushi looked mesmerising. Her hair was out, flowing down her back to her waist which was clearly on display by the choice of her saree. He stood up, unsure why, it was instinctive like he felt pulled towards her. His feet wished to pursue further but his head told him to remain firmly where he was. He shook his head and Khushi smiled with relief. Arnav and Khushi's belongings were equally divided in the wardrobe however her perfumes, make-up and other such belongings took full control of the vanity table. Khushi sat down and began applying her kajol, Arnav simply continued to watch her even as she put on her lipstick, selected her jhoomke, her tika and finally she picked up a tiny pot of sindoor and Arnav couldn't help himself. He walked up to her and lifted the pot from her hands and she looked startled as well as confused.
"Arnavji-" Khushi began but Arnav simply put a finger against her lips and she was silent. He then proceeded to take a pinch of sindoor out of the pot and swiftly adorned it in her maang. Khushi wasn't sure if Arnavji realised how much that simple act meant to her but the point was it did mean a lot to her, she blushed a crimson colour and then got up.

She walked straight into Arnavji though and her embroidery caught on his pyjama shirt, she thought of pulling away but remembered previous instances where this had happened and knew it would be best for Arnavji to  deal with this. He raised his hands and untangled the tiny beading from the threads in his shirt unintentionally caressing Khushi's neck as he was doing so. She knew that she shouldn't have enjoyed that but she did, his touch made her body burn but in a way that made her soul feel on fire, rather than feeling cheap like when Shyam had embraced her previously. With Arnavji she always felt like their brief instances and embraces were just that, brief, they were never long enough to satisfy but not short enough so that she would forget. He was always on her mind and she couldn't help but wonder, was there really never a time when she played on his mind, was he never tortured by her memory like she was, did he never spend nights awake wishing she was by his side like she wished he was at hers? He untangled the last caught thread and distanced himself from her by shuffling away. His movement made his back hurt again, he put a hand on his lower back and he sighed aloud.
"Kya hua?" Khushi asked rushing to his side, her hands on his shoulder and the other placed over his hand.
"Oh, woh, kuch nahi, just sleeping on the floor, my back's not used to it." He admitted, his back wasn't his concern right now, Khushi's closeness was, he could smell her perfume and she herself was intoxicating today. Khushi grimaced, she knew that the floor wasn't good for him.
"That's it no more sleeping on the floor it's silly when you own such a big bed!" Khushi said and Arnav turned to face her confused, what was she suggesting?
"Khushi I'm not going to let you sleep on the floor!" Arnav said.
"Who said, I'm sleeping on the floor?" Khushi answered back and for once it was Arnav's eyes that widened with shock. "Kya? Uff ho Arnavji? We're both adults here and anyway Kaal raath toh tumne kaha ki tum mere izaat ko aanch nahi anedenga! Toh phir baas ab hum dono hi yehi phar soyenge." Khushi said, her mind made up.
"Khushi I don't think that this is a good ide-" Khushi cut in before he could finish.
"Arnavji mujhe kuch nahi soonnah!" She said as she began to walk out of the room, she turned back briefly and smiled, "I trust you." She confessed and she headed downstairs. Arnav's heart felt heavy with emotion, Khushi really shouldn't have said that, this only made things more complicated and harder for them both. Arnav wasn't very sure how long he could keep this as strictly platonic, his heart craved to be close to Khushi like the way a husband and wife should be, not just physically but in the other ways also, he didn't really want to pretend but he knew at the end of the day it was the best option. If all this didn't work out at least then they wouldn't have to deal with the problems love brings with it. Arnav just wasn't sure what he was really doing.

Read other parts to this here.