Even Stars Burn: Chapter Three

Khushi paced around her room, waiting, thinking, trying not to go insane. She wished so badly that Arnav had not visited her that night because since he had, he was all that plagued her thoughts. It had been a week since his visit and yet she could still feel her heartbeat pick up whenever she thought of him. He'd come with huge proclamations and promises but what had happened? Nothing, he did not call, he did not visit, he didn't even seem to care whether she was alive or dead...it pained Khushi more than she wished to admit. Why? Why was it that if she was here in turmoil and pain that he could so easily go on with his life? Why was it that he could make her life into nothing less than a living hell and he could go on leading his privileged life? Khushi was working herself into a state. Payal would come to visit her regularly and although Khushi didn't ask she always informed her about Arnav. Apparently he was very busy with meetings and models, he was burying himself in work...more like distracting himself with women. Khushi couldn't believe that at one time she had actually love-...it didn't matter any more though did it? Her eyes stung as unwanted tears began to stream down her cheek. She quickly wiped them away. This was not a time to feel sorry for herself, this is what she wanted. She wanted him to give up. To let her be....but was she really not worth fighting for? Was everything they had not worth it? To give up so easily....it made Khushi second-guess whether what they had was real or not? Was she just another name on a list? She had thought she was more than that....

Arnav was in the office, pretending to work...truthfully he didn't have the concentration or the energy for any of this but he needed the façade to evoke something from Khushi. He knew that if he smothered her in attention, flattery and gifts she would only accuse him of flaunting his money. So he decided instead to deprive her, starve her of love. It was what she was doing to him, he would not bend to her immature whims, if she cared, she would come to him. He knew she wouldn't come back to the Raizada home, but she'd find a way of getting to him.

Khushi was busy re-arranging her bedroom for the hundredth time, anything to keep herself busy, anything to stop herself from thinking about him. That's when her eyes fell on today's paper. Her eyes widened and her mouth was wide open, she lifted it, digested the knowledge and then tore up the paper. She barged into her room, opened the wardrobe and found a red lace saree, she'd bought it when she and Arnav were together and she'd been saving it for a special time, an anniversary, birthday or just a special time shared together. Instead she would use it tonight.

There was a slight chill in the breeze tonight, Arnav decided to keep his suit jacket on as he walked towards the hotel. He walked into the banquet hall and began to talk to dignitaries and established business men such as himself, when his eyes caught sight of something. At first he thought it was his mind playing tricks, the sleep deprivation had finally got to him. But he was wrong, he knew that face, he knew those eyes, he knew that girl.
"Khushi." The word escaped his lips without his intention to do so. Her hair was out, her eyes smoky and her saree hung from her petite frame in a way that only Arnav felt he could and should appreciate fully. Arnav couldn't believe it had worked, he had made sure that in all the papers it clearly stated that he was holding an exclusive party to show off the "AR Fall Line" however he never anticipated that she would actually come...hoped yes, but the fact that she was here...

Khushi was walking around the room, smiling, laughing and talking to anyone that would engage with her. She had managed to swindle an invitation from Payal on the pretence that she meant to make up with Arnav tonight, but she had no intention of doing so. She had spotted Arnav from the corner of her eyes and regretted coming here immediately  She'd forgotten the effect he had on her, her heartbeat picked up, her thoughts began to jumble around in her mind, she felt all those feelings flood back to her which she had intended to bury deep within. She was fully aware that their contract marriage was due to expire soon but while they were still married there was no way she would allow him to be unfaithful to her, he owed her that much. In the papers they insinuated that there was a model whom he had a special interest in and Khushi was here to put a stop to that, that was all. She had no interest in his deep brown eyes, or that coy look he would give her when they would talk about romantic things and she didn't care that he looked especially dashing today in his crisp black suit. No, Khushi was just here to ensure that he did not further insult the joke of a marriage between the two of them.

Arnav couldn't believe that she had fallen for the bait, really, was she so sceptical and insecure of their love that she truly believed he could so easily replace her. Khushi really was pagal if she believed that? Well, let the games begin...

Dark Paradise Chapter Three

The Raizada clan arrived at the Gupta's home, Buaji was busy in the kitchen preparing snacks when they entered, Garima was so happy to see her two daughters settled, although she was anxious about Khushi, after all who rushes into a wedding without telling anyone? Garima couldn't help but worry how Khushi's in-laws must have reacted. The Raizada's sat down, Mamiji muttered a few insults under her breath. Anjali was alone as Shyam had refused to come to the Gupta's which struck her as odd. Usually Shyam was so willing to do as she said, that's why their relationship was so wonderful they always understood each other, but since this morning she did not understand what had gotten into her husband. Naniji took the liberty of assuring Garima and Shashi that they had no issues with Arnav and Khushi's marriage but instead were very happy with it.
"Hum to sochre teh ki, Arnav bitua ki bya khabi nai hoga. Lekhin dekh Devi Maiya ki kripa se humhe itnee achee bahuriya milee." Naniji said as she smiled at Khushi, Khushi smiled back meekly, she herself didn't know what to call this relationship with Arnavji, yes he was her husband, but for how long? Until the truth comes out about Shyamji, or until he decides she's a no good goldigger again? It worried her, she trusted him but she wasn't sure if she was right in trusting him. Garima noted the worried look on her daughter's face.

"Khushi bitiya, zaraa mere saath chalo." Garima said and Khushi rose without hesitation, Arnav however found this as odd but couldn't pursue it as he was held up with Buaji who was trying to force another samosa  onto his plate complaining about how thin he was. Garima led Khushi into her old room, Khushi welled up at the sight of it, only one night away from it and the room felt like it had been hers in another life. She shook away the nostalgia and sat on the bed with her Ummaji.
"Khushi yeh saab...kya...kaab?" Khushi could see her Umma struggling to comprehend and she just smiled.
"Oh ho Umma! Aaap bhi na, jab doh loog ko pyaar hota hai to phir shaadi karte. Aur aap to jaante ki Arnavji alag type ki mard hai sabh khuch apne andaaz mein karta hai. Isilye shaadi bhi aisi hogaye." Khushi said smiling, all the while her heart welled up recalling all those moments she'd dreamed of her perfect wedding and in no way did this match up, well except maybe the part where she married someone she loved. Wasn't that the most important thing anyway?
"Ucha tik hai, par humko batiya hota toh ucha hota. I never got to even say goodbye. Or talk to you like I did with Payal." Her mother complained.
"Baath? Kis baare mein?" Khushi asked anxiously, Garima looked tense.
"Suhaag raat ke baare mein." Her mother said and Khushi's eyes became ten times wider, this was not happening! This was a very bad dream that she was about to wake up from!
"Umma yeh, khoi zuroorat nahi hai." Khushi objected.
"Kya aapne kaal raat...?" Garima asked.
"NO!" Khushi said rather too vehemently.
"Toh phir zuroori hai! Bhetja Khushi." Garima said and began to have "the talk" with Khushi. She explained how it was natural and a part of life in particular married life of course. Khushi felt nauseous and wanted to leave. Her cheeks burned flaming red and she was attempting to block her Umma's voice out of her mind.
"Samajgaye aap?" Ummaji said and Khushi nodded meekly as it hit her. Did Arnavji expect a suhaag raat? They were married after all, so did that mean that they had to...?
"Hai Devi Maiyan aab hum kya kaare?" Khushi said under her breath as she walked out of her old room and joined the Raizada's taking her seat next to Arnav.

Arnav noticed that since Khushi had come back from her chat with her Ummaji she was looking paler, fidgiting more and attempting to subtly shuffle further away from Arnav every opportunity she got. However the sofa was small and nothing escaped his eye. He picked up his tea and purposefully dropped it so that it spilt on Khushi and himself. Khushi let out a gasp, it was cold tea anyway so all it would do is stain, he wouldn't have done anything to hurt her. Buaji told them to go clean up in the bathroom, which Arnav remembered was a very confined space and also private. A great place to chew Khushi's brain over what happened between her and her mother and why she was acting so odd, well more odd than usual. They both proceeded to the bathroom and Arnav locked the door behind them which made Khushi gasp, she took a sharp breath and didn't dare breath out. What is he planning on doing? This question made her body shake and sweat. She attempted to steady herself but fear and anticipation ran through her, adrenaline causing her heart to beat at a ridiculous rate. He began to walk towards her to ask what had gone on when she jumped away trying to get as far away as possible from him.
"Khushi...?" He said confused, what was she doing.
"Dh-Dhoor! Dhoor raho humse." Khushi warned.
"What the-! Khushi, yeh kya hai?" Arnav said walking closer.
"Nahin! Dhoor se baat kar yaar, itne kareeb aane ki kya zuroorat hai?" Khushi said attempting to seem blasé. Arnav grabbed her by the arms.
"Khushi stop this nonesense, and tell me what happened?" Arnav demanded.
"Kya? Kya hua, kab?" She asked attempting to slide out of his grip, Arnav didn't want to use force but she was being so uncooperative. He pressed her against the wall and placed his arms solidly around both sides of her body forcing her to look at him. Khushi felt like her heart was going to rip out of her chest, she could hear it ringing in her ears and felt it in her stomach. How was she going to get out of this?
"Khushi, when you spoke to your Ummaji what happened?" He asked and he eyes widened.
"T-tumse kya?" She asked not wanting to admit that her mother had just had "the talk" with her and she now felt fully traumatised and also very petrified by him and the close proximity his body had with hers at the moment.

Arnav decided to approach it with a softer tone, "Humare biwi hai aap, aur aapka chehra bilkul uttergaya jabse tumne apne Ummaji se baat ki thi. I'm your husband and I have a right to know, otherwise all those kasme and vaade what were they for?" He asked knowing that these filmy dialogues always made Khushi melt and she was melting as he spoke.
"Kuch nahi baas...yuhin." She said shyly.
"Are you sure?" He asked and she nodded not making eye contatct. He let her go and she ran straight out of the bathroom and slowed down when nearing the family. Arnav smiled to himself, it was this strangeness that made Arnav fall in love with Khushi but he knew that wasn't what was important at the moment. Di was and exposing that snake was, after all the newly wed rasams were over they were going to have to get to work on exposing Shyam and if they couldn't. Well...that just confirmed that his Khushi was never really his and whatever they may have had wasn't real. Arnav wasn't ready to deal with that and so it was important to expose Jeejaji, not just for Di but for himself...and Khushi.


Read other parts to this here.