Jalebi ~ Part 27

By the time Arnav arrived home, he was a wreck. His eyes were bloodshot and he was in a foul mood. The moment he stepped through the door, Anjali came rushing over to him.

 

“Chote! Where on earth have you been? You went out hours ago, saying you just needed to pick up a new laptop charger and there’s been no news from you since. Do you know how many times I’ve called you? Do you know how worried I was?”

 

Arnav listened to everything his sister had to say, not entirely taking in a word she was saying. Anjali realised that Arnav’s attention was somewhere else. Taking a good look at him, she saw his red, puffy eyes.

Taking his arm, Anjali led Arnav into the living room, sat him down on the sofa and then sat down beside him.

 

“Chote, what’s the matter?”

 

Arnav remained stoic for a moment before responding by laying down on the sofa, his head on his sisters lap and his arms around her.

 

“My life is over Di”.

 

Completely breaking down, Anjali looked down at Arnav completely alarmed. She couldn’t remember the last time her brother broke down in this manner. Arnav usually always hid his emotions from her, tried to be tough for her, but right now…

Anjali stroked his hair as he cried. Nani came outside, hearing the commotion followed by Shyam and Manorama.

 

Mami came over to Arnav and sat on the sofa by his feet, her hand on his back.

 

“Arnav bitwa, what happens?”

 

Calming down slightly, Arnav wiped his eyes and sat up.

 

“I saw Khushi…”

 

The Raizada women and Shyam all looked between each other, not entirely sure how they should proceed with the conversation.

 

“Kya? Khushi’s back? Did you speak to her? What did she say? Chote, did she say anything to you?”

 

Shaking his head, Arnav looked at his Di and took her hands in his own.

 

“She’s engaged.”

 

Mami gasped as did Anjali. Nani turned to Shyam, her eyes wide as she realised what was happening here.

 

“She’s engaged? But how Saale Saab? Only a few weeks ago you and her were talking about marriage. How in this short time has she managed to go and get herself engaged?”

“She’s engaged to her childhood friend jijaji. The man her parents had initially picked for her. I met him when we went to London and you don’t understand how smug he was. I want to kill him!”

 

Anger irrupted within Arnav. How could she actually do that to him? How could she move on just like that? Did their relationship really mean that little to her? Turning back to his sister, Anjali could see the anger in his eyes.

 

“Did she not tell you as well Di that she wanted to spend her life with me? Then how could she do this? She says I’ve deceived her, but what has she done? She promised herself to me and now she’s with another man. How could she do that to me?”

 

Getting to his feet, Arnav stormed off towards his bedroom. The Raizada’s all looked between each other, unsure of how they needed to deal with this issue.

 

“Maybe I should go and speak to Khushi. Tell her that whatever happened wasn’t down to Chote.”

”She won’t believe you Rani Sahiba. I’m sure Saale Saab would have tried his best to make her listen to him. But she like him is also hard headed. I don’t think any of us getting involved will have any benefit.”

“But Chote… He’s so broken. We have to do something before he does something stupid. I’ve never seen him this upset, or this angry.”

”I think we just need to give him some time to cool down and come to terms with everything.”

“He’s never loved anyone the way he loves Khushi and I don’t think he’ll ever love anyone else as much as he loves her. I don’t think he’ll ever fully come to terms with what has happened…”

 

*****

 

Pacing his bedroom, Arnav tried to come up with a plan. He needed to do something. Anything! He couldn’t just sit and wait for her to go and get married to someone else. He needed to fight for her. But his options were limited and he didn’t know what to do. He had thought that by telling her the truth about Akash, she would maybe reconsider, but she hadn’t. There had to be something! Running his hand through his hair, Arnav yanked the ends of his hair in frustration. Why was this happening!?

 

*****

 

Dinner was served and ready. The Raizada family all sat around waiting for Arnav to come down before they could start eating. Hari Prakash emerged from Arnav’s bedroom and made his way down to the dining room.

 

“Arnav Bhaiya has said that he doesn’t want to eat now, you all should continue.”

“Has Chote had something to eat at least? If he doesn’t eat he’s going to fall ill?”

“I took him some coffee and some toast a little while ago.”

”Okay. Leave him gor now, I’ll take some food to him later.”

 

Leaving the dining area, Anjali turned to her husband and sighed.

 

“Shyam ji, we have to do something, I can’t see Chote like this.”

 

Akash, who had been absent when Arnav had returned home, looked up from his food.

 

“What happened to bhai now?”

 

Turning her attention to Akash, Anjali couldn’t believe that Akash was asking this question. After all, he was the main reason why Arnav was in this condition. She wanted to say something, make it known to the family that Akash was the cause of Arnav’s plight, but she stopped herself. Her Chote didn’t want the family to know about Akash and she was going to respect his wishes.

 

“Chote saw Khushi earlier and it didn’t go well.”

 

Looking up from her food, Payal’s eyes widened.

 

“Khushi’s back?”

”Yes. Chote didn’t say when she returned, but yes she’s back and she’s engaged. Did you know about that?”

”What? She’s engaged? To who? How could she get engaged and not tell me about it?”

 

Anjali felt sorry for Payal, she looked genuinely hurt and stressed about the fact that Khushi was engaged to someone and she didn’t know about it. Telling Payal everything Arnav had told her, Anjali watched as her expression fell.

 

“I can’t believe… But she loves Arnav ji so much. I can’t believe she… Why would she do this to herself?”

“I don’t know Payal. I really don’t know.”

”Di, do you think I should talk to her? Explain to her about bhai’s condition? If she knows how much he is hurting, surely she’d…”

 

Intervening, Akash looked up from his food and stopped Payal in her tracks.

 

“Don’t you dare! You are not to say anything to Khushi. She’s made her decision and it seems as though she is sticking to it. If she cared for bhai at all, she never would have gotten engaged to someone else in the first place. If she’s can do that’s to bhai, she doesn’t deserve him. Besides, with which right do you want to go and talk to her? The both of you shared everything and she didn’t even tell you about her engagement, that should tell you how she sees you. You are to say nothing to her Payal, I forbid it.”

 

Payal looked slightly taken aback. Akash had never spoken to her like that and she didn’t understand why he was speaking like that now.

 

Anjali watched Payal and Akash’s exchange closely and her heart went out for Payal who looked hurt and confused. On one hand she’d just found out that her cousin had made a huge decision regarding what she was going to do with her life without telling her, and on the other hand, her husband was giving her a hard time.

 

“Why are you being like this? She’s my sister and despite her decision not to tell me, I still love her. I’m sorry Akash, but I can’t just turn my back to her, I know she’s going through a hard time too.”

“Payal Bitya is absolutely correct. Khushi is hurting too and she can’t just get upset with her and turn her back from her. Payal, I think you should calm Khushi and see what she has to say.”

 

“Ji Dadiji.”

 

Leaving the table, Payal went upstairs to make her call. Akash remained at the table, his hands fidgeting under the table. What if Arnav had told Khushi that he was the one who had caused the hand over of the business? What if Khushi told Payal? It could cause problems in their relationship. But seeing how Dadi had spoken, he didn’t think he would be able to stop Payal. He just had to hope for the best that Arnav hadn’t told Khushi anything.

 

*****

 

Both Arnav’s bedroom and the study were a mess. Papers had been thrown across both rooms, a couple of vases had been broken… Arnav had been through the papers over and over and over again to the point where he had almost memories the whole file. There was nothing in there that was going to help him give Khushi her business back without involving Akash.

Arnav was now sat in their little bar, with a glass of vodka. Anjali had followed the trail of mess and saw her brother downing the glass of alcohol in one go.

 

“Chote! What are you doing?”

 

Turning around, he saw Anjali walk in, her eyes wide with shock.

 

“I’m drinking Di. What does it look like?”

“But you don’t drink like this. Chote come on, stop.”

 

Taking the bottle of vodka away from Arnav, Anjali took her brothers face in. He looked tired and angry and confused and broken.

 

“You can’t do this to yourself Chote.”

“What’s the point Di? What am I living for right now? My brother who I’ve always loved had taken the one thing I loved most in my life. My business isn’t mine any more and the woman I love… She’s someone else’s. I have nothing Di. Just this bottle of vodka.”

 

He made to take the bottle from Anjali but she had it away from him.

 

“Chote, I know your hurting, but this behaviour needs to stop right now. We will find a way to get this sorted…”

“But I won’t get Khushi back.”

 

It was evident that he was really struggling to deal with what was happening to him. Anjali felt broken herself. She didn’t know how to help her brother.

 

“You know Di, back in high school, I never really noticed her. But when I saw her at the reunion last year, I was completely blown away by her. And then I started to get to know her and I started to fall in love with her. It took me ages and ages to make her accept my feelings and give our relationship and chance but… It was all for nothing.”

 

Resting his head against the bar, Anjali pat her brother on the shoulder. She didn’t know how to comfort him, didn’t know what the right thing was to say. As much as she felt her brothers pain, she did understand what was going through Khushi’s head. She’d taken a chance on Arnav and subsequently had lost everything she had ever worked for. As much as Anjali wanted to go and talk to her, to try and get her to reconsider, she knew that Khushi’s feelings right now and the way she was behaving, were completely justified.

 

“Chote, go to bed. It’s been a long day for you.”

 

Nodding, Arnav got to his feet, stumbling slightly as he got up. Anjali took hold of his arm and he held onto her for dear life as she guided him towards his bedroom.

Upon arriving at his room, Arnav crashed onto his bed the moment he saw it. Moments later he was fast asleep. Taking his shoes off and tucking his in, Anjali looked at her brother who was completely exhausted and completely heart broken. She needed to do something to help his sort all this, but what and how? How could she get Khushi to reconsider, especially now when she was engaged to someone else. Making sure Arnav was asleep, Anjali backed out of his bedroom and made her way towards Payal’s.

Knocking on Payal’s door, she waited to be let inside.

 

“Come in.”

 

Pushing the door open, Anjali saw Payal quickly wipe her tears away and she sat up a little straighter on the edge of the bed.

 

“Di? Did you need something?”

”Were you able to get hold of Khushi?”

 

Anjali watched as Payal’s shoulders slumped slightly but she nodded.

 

“She didn’t say much, but she’s invited me round to her apartment so that I can meet Rohan. Di, this isn’t right! Nothing about any of this feels right. We need to do something! Khushi can’t marry Rohan, I know her, her heart belong to and with Bhai. If we don’t do something, she’ll go on to making the biggest mistake of her life.”

”I know Payal, but I don’t know what we can do.”

“Anything Di. We can do anything but we need to do it soon. I’m worried Khushi is going to speed up the wedding process now that she knows we all know. I know what she thinks like, she’s going to try to run further away.”

 

Sitting down beside Payal, Anjali took Payal’s hand into her own.

 

“We’re going to sort this mess, and we’re going to get Khushi back for Chote. I can’t see my brother like this.”

 

Anjali felt a new power within her. Akash had messed with her Chote’s life and had ruined everything for him. But she wasn’t going to let him win. She was going to get Khushi her business back and Khushi back for Arnav, even if it was the last thing she ever did.

Unwanted ~ Part 30

 

Arnav

 

Happy birthday to me! I’ve reached the grand old age of 33 and don’t have a lot to show for myself. I mean obviously I have my business empire, but other than that, not a lot. I don’t know where my wife is and my life hasn’t really progressed much in the last six years.

But for the first time in six years, I’m actually looking forward to my birthday. I get to spend the day around a group of young people who I have gotten very attached to. In order to celebrate, I have brought some chocolates to share with the kids.

It’s going to be a good day, I could tell.

 

*****

 

Just before the children went for their lunch, I decided to distribute the chocolates that I had brought with me.

 

“So it’s my birthday today and I have brought some chocolates for everyone!”

 

There was a slight yelp of joy as I started going round each desk, letting each child pick a chocolate. One by one I went through them all until I reached Arushi. Now unlike all the other kids, she hadn’t been anticipating my arrival with the treats. She was sat at her desk, drawing what looked like dresses.

 

“Here you go Arushi, choose one.”

“No thank you sir.”

“Why not? Don’t you like chocolate?”

“I do, but I’m not allowed to have normal chocolate. I can only eat special chocolate my mama buys me.”

“Why’s that?”

“I have sugar ki bimaari.”

“You’re diabetic?”

 

I could feel my eyes widen as I waited for a response from her. She nodded her little head just as the bell went off, signalling lunchtime.

I dismissed the children once I was sure that another member of staff was outside, ready to take them. I watched Arushi slowly put her things away.

 

“But you eat jalebis?”

“My mama makes me special ones, just for me.”

“I’m diabetic too.”

 

Getting to her feet, she rushed over to the door where her friend was waiting for her. Turning around, she gave me a little wave.

 

“I’ll tell my mama to make some special ones for you too sir.”

 

*****

 

All throughout lunchtime, I couldn’t stop thinking about Arushi and the little revelation that she had made. I should’ve known. As her teacher, I should’ve known that she was diabetic.

But that wasn’t all. There was something else about this matter that was troubling me and I didn’t know what it was and why.

I knew that children could get diabetes, but Arushi was so young? She’s only 5? It wasn’t fair that such a young child should have diabetes. They should be able to enjoy their life, eat as much sugar as they want without having to think anything of it. They shouldn’t have to turn down sweets and chocolates. It wasn’t fair.

 

*****

 

At the end of the day, I watched as all the children got picked up by their parents. Once all my kids were gone, I was ready to go back to my classroom when I saw Arushi still sat on the small wall, waiting.

I made my way over to the wall and sat down on it beside her.

 

“Your mama isn’t here yet?”

“Mama has work so she can’t get me any way. But Priya wasn’t here today so Naina aunty hasn’t come either.”

“So who are you waiting for?”

 

Arushi shrugged her shoulders as she swung her little feet.

 

“Have you always had diabetes Arushi?”

 

She nodded without looking up.

 

“Does your mum have diabetes?”

 

Shaking her head, she looked up at me.

 

“Mama said papa has diabetes. That’s why she knows how to make special jalebis. She used to make it for papa all the time.”

“Oh, I see.”

 

Turning around, she looked back towards the main gate. There were still quite a lot of children around.

 

“Do you want me to call home to make sure that someone is coming to take you?”

“It’s okay. Someone always comes.”

 

We sat in silence for a while.

 

“Do you have any plans of what to do when you go home?”

“No. Play with mama and then dinner and then bed maybe.”

“Do you get a lot of time to play with your mama?”

“Lots and lots of time.”

 

Her face lit up as we spoke about her mother and it was evident that they shared a close relationship. It must be hard for her mother, being a single parent…

 

“Are you going to do anything when you go home sir? On my birthday, mama takes me to the park!”

“When I go home, I’ll probably call my family and then plan next weeks lessons.”

“No cake?”

“I live on my own, so no cake.”

“Do you not have any family?”

 

If this were an adult asking, I would find them to be very rude and intrusive. But Arushi was just a child and she was curious.

 

“I do, but my family live in Delhi. So I can’t see them for my birthday.”

“Oh… Mama says she used to live in Delhi before, a long time ago. My papa too.”

 

So Arushi’s parents lived in Delhi? Could it be possible that I knew her parents? Shaking my head, I pushed the thought away. I was being crazy. Delhi was huge and there were tonnes and tonnes of people. The chances of actually knowing her parents were slim to none.

 

“Did I tell you sir, it’s my dad’s birthday today too! Me and mama did pooja for papa’s birthday in the morning.”

“Really? That’s such a coincidence!”

 

So Arushi’s father had the same birthday as me. I wanted to ask if she had spoken to her father, or made him a card to wish him, but I still hadn’t established if Arushi’s parents were separated or if her father was no longer alive. If he wasn’t alive, I didn’t want to upset her by asking if she’d spoke to him.

Something about this child intrigued me and I wanted to know more about her and her family. But how was I to do that?

Looking over her shoulder once more, I saw Arushi’s face light up as she saw a man in the distance.

 

“Arushi!”

 

The man called out and Arushi jumped to her feet, grabbing her bag that was on the floor.

 

“I have to go now sir!”

“Is that someone to pick you up?”

 

She nodded her little head frantically as she ran round the wall and started making her way down the gates. I watched as she ran off. The man looked a similar age to me, maybe slightly shorter than me. I watched as he stopped where he was, a smile on his face as his eyes fixed on the little girl running towards him.

I kept watching, he knelt down slightly as Arushi approached and she threw her little arms around him, and he lifted her up.

Who was this man? I knew Arushi’s dad was out of the picture, but who was this? Whoever it was, it was evident that he and Arushi shared a close bond. They both looked delighted to be together as they made their way down the path and out the school gates.
I had never thought that Arushi may have any other family other than her mother. This man could be her uncle.

Shaking my head, I got off the wall and made my way back tinny classroom. I was getting far too invested…

 

*****

 

When I finally got home that evening, the first thing I did was check my phone for all my messages. There was a whole stack from friends and employees wishing me a happy birthday. And then of course there was a whole lot of messages from my family.

 

Turning FaceTime on, I gave Di a call. She answered on the second ring.

 

“Hi Di.”

“Happy birthday Chote!”

“Thanks Di. How have you been?”

“I’ve been alright, you?”

“I’ve been good too. Just keeping myself busy.”

“When are you coming back Chote? We’re all really missing you.”

“I’m missing you guys too. I should be able to start thinking about coming back soon. Veer has been interviewing potential candidates like crazy. But it’s midterm now. So anyone he hires, they won’t be able to start until the new term begins.”

“That’s fine, there’s only a few weeks left.”

 

There was a pause as me and Di just took each other in. They hadn’t been apart for this long in a very long time and Arnav could tell it was unsettling Anjali.

 

“Di, I promise, I’ll be back soon. Or why don’t you come and visit me for a few days?”

“I’d love to. But Shalini has school and I can’t just leave her and come.”

“I understand Di.”

 

Me and Di made small talk. We spoke for a while. For the first time in a long time, me and Di were able to have a long conversation without arguing.

Once we were done, she passed the phone over to Akash and then to Nani and then back to Di.

 

“I was going to pass the phone to Nimisha, but she’s gone out with Pari. Maybe you can call them later, or they’ll call you?”

 

I nodded. I didn’t want to argue with Di by saying that I wasn’t going to call them. Wishing me a happy birthday once more, Di ended the call and I put my phone aside.

My time here really was almost up. There was only about another 2 weeks of the term and then the kids would go on holiday. And when they came back, they would have a new teacher.

As much as I was glad to be almost done, it was also hard. I’d really started enjoying teaching and I’d really grown fond of the kids around me. They’d become a part of my life and I loved seeing how far they’d come in terms of their education since I first starts with them.

When I’d arrived they were learning the letters H, I and J. Now, most of them knew the entire alphabet! We’d come a long way and my journey with them was almost at its ends.
As much as I had achieved a lot, I also didn’t achieve a lot. I had no new information regarding Khushi, no new leads. Nothing. Mumbai was cold. There was no sign of Khushi here. But regardless of the that, my heart told me that I needed to be here, that I was close.

Feelings were telling me to stay, the facts were telling me to move along.

Laying back in my bed, I looked up at the ceiling. If only a sign would just fall from the sky. But of course, nothing came.

Sighing, I got comfortable in bed, letting myself rest. Shutting my eyes, I was ready to take a short nap.

 

Just as I was about to drift off, a thought hit me.

Nimisha and Pari hadn’t called me today.

Now of course, to some this wouldn’t seem like a big deal, but to me, this was something noteworthy.

When I’d first moved here, Nimisha called me constantly. Sometimes with the pretence that she was missing me, other times saying Pari needed to talk to me.

As time went on, she called less and less frequently. But what stood out about today was that it was my birthday. Nimisha would never miss my birthday. Looking at the clock, I realised it was almost 7. The entire day was almost done and Nimi hasn’t called me? In a bit, Pari would go to sleep and wouldn’t be able to speak to me?

That was strange. It seemed out of character. And Di had said they were out. Where could they be at this time of evening?

Call me paranoid but something wasn’t fitting for me. Something was going on. Otherwise Nimisha wouldn’t pass up the opportunity of making a song and dance about our relationship. Something wasn’t right. Something was going on. But I didn’t know how I felt about it. Do I feel happy that Nimisha has left me alone, or should I be suspicious as to what she’s up to?

All of a sudden, I felt torn all over again. Something wasn’t right. I knew.

Jalebi ~ Part 25

It had been weeks since anyone had last heard from Khushi. Arnav had given her time and space and had hoped that by this point she would have cooled down a little and would’ve spoken to him, but she hadn’t.

After handing over all business responsibility to Akash, Arnav found for the first time in a long time, he had time for himself. Legally, nothing had been signed over yet, but it was well known now that there had been a change in ownership and that Arnav was no longer in charge.

Arnav received a lot of phone calls, people he had previously worked with asking why he made such an abrupt decision. Many told him that he had made the wrong decision, but Arnav just stated that he had his reasons and for now, he was taking a step back.

To begin with, Akash had been more than happy to be the new owner of two successful fashion houses. He finally felt as though he got everything he deserved. He’d got his revenge on Khushi for rejecting him, and he’d punished Arnav for always having one up on him. Now he felt content with life. He also found that he was actually happy with Payal, glad that he had picked Payal in the end. She was understanding and supportive, he kind of woman one needed beside themselves when trying to be successful.

However, as time went on, Akash found that he was beginning to struggle to keep up. There were always so many files to check, so many meetings to attend, he barely had time for himself. He and Payal had been unable to go on honeymoon, and by the time he got home in the evening, he had no time for Payal because he was so tired.

He’d hoped that once he got into a routine with things and once he started getting on top of things, then it would be okay, but as time went on, he fell more and more behind. At one point he wanted to ask Arnav to step in and help, but he didn’t. He didn’t want Arnav to think he was incapable. No, he was going to make this work, no matter what happened.

 

*****

 

As Arnav walked into the kitchen, he saw Payal was pouring some juice. They were alone in the kitchen and Arnav took this opportunity to speak to her.

 

“Payal, can I speak to you for a moment?”

“Of course.”

“Payal… Have you heard from Khushi recently?”

“No I’m sorry, I haven’t. I’ve called her and left her messages, but she hasn’t been responding to anything.”

“Have you maybe spoken to her parents?”

“I spoke to Maasi the other day, but it seemed as though they had people at their house, there was so much noise. She said she’d call back but she never did. And every time that I’ve called since, no one has picked up.”

 

Running his hand through his hair, Arnav realised that maybe it was time to just go back to England. Maybe that was the best way to find her and speak to her.

 

“I’m going to try and get a flight out by the end of this week. It’s been over a month. I can’t wait any longer, I need to sort things with Khushi.”

“But bhai… Khushiyan.”

“I don’t know Payal, I’ve tried everything but you know I can’t get that sorted. I just need to make Khushi believe that I love her.”

“I’m sure she knows that but I don’t think that’s the issue here.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to work this out Payal, but I need to be near her. Not hearing from her is driving me insane.”

 

Nodding, Payal showed that she understood, because she did. Arnav didn’t tell her the truth about Akash because he didn’t want to cause any issues between them. He had been tempted, to be spiteful and to get back at Akash, but then he realised, he couldn’t do that because it would make him as bad as him.

Arnav headed back to his bedroom at pulled his phone out to call Aman.

 

“Hi Aman, find me a flight out to London… Any time before the end of the week… Okay, thank you.”

 

Ending the call Arnav realised that he was making the right decision. It had been well over a month. He couldn’t leave it any longer, he needed to work things out with Khushi.

 

*****

 

It was Thursday afternoon, Arnav was due to fly out the next morning. He had called both Khushi and her parents, tried to get an address, but no one answered. He had asked Payal for their details, which she provided, but even she wasn’t sure if Khushi would be living with her parents or not. Arnav wasn’t sure what to expect when he got back to England, but he knew he wouldn’t come back without Khushi by his side.

Walking out of one of the shops in the mall, Arnav bumped straight into a woman, making her drop the bags that was carrying.

 

“I’m so sor…”

 

Actually taking a look at the woman, Arnav realised that it was Khushi!

 

“Khushi? When did you…”

 

Gathering her things together, Khushi sorted herself out and turned away. Arnav took hold of her hand, pulling her back to himself.

 

“Arnav please…”

“Don’t make a scene Khushi. Let’s go somewhere and talk.”

“I’m not the one making a scene.”

“Khushi come on.”

 

Debating whether or not she should go with him, Khushi decided she may as well. If she didn’t speak to him, he would just keep trying and she needed to set him straight.
Arnav led Khushi out of the mall and towards his car. He moved over to open the door for her, but Khushi brushed his hand away and opened the door herself and got in. The moment she sat inside, all she could think about was that one time they had got intimate in the backseat. The first time they had given into their desires. If she could turn back time, Khushi knew she would take that day back. That’s when she really started developing feelings for him. If she hadn’t given into him that day, hadn’t lost control, then now, she would still have her business.

Getting settled Arnav got the car going, making their way out of the car park.

 

“Where should we go?”

“We can go and talk at my apartment?”

“Where are you staying?”

“I’m staying at the apartment I had bought before moving here.”

“Oh it’s done?”

“Yes, the work was complete last week, that’s why I came back.”

“When did you come back? Why didn’t you call me?”

 

Turning to face him, Khushi raised her eyebrow.

 

“Why would I call you? Why would I speak to you? Actually, what am I doing here right now?”

“Khushi please…”

“I got back 3 days ago. And honestly Arnav, I don’t think there’s anything left to talk about.”

 

Arnav said nothing. He didn’t want to start talking about anything in the car.
They drove in silence, Arnav keeping his focus on the road. Khushi sat beside him, her hands fidgeting constantly. When she was sure that Arnav wasn’t paying any attention to her, she turned to look at him. It seemed as though he’d lost some weight in the last month. His face looked a lot less full than the last time she saw him, and under his eyes he had dark circles. But other than that, he was still the most handsome man she’d ever seen in her life. Shaking the thought away, Khushi turned away. She couldn’t be thinking about Arnav that was any more.

The drive to Khushi’s apartment wasn’t a long one, but for Arnav, it felt endless. He felt as though they had been driving forever. As soon as he got the car parked, Khushi was out of the car, leading the way. Arnav followed her, watching her hips sway slightly, her butt swaying ever so slightly as she walked. How he wanted to grab hold of her hips and pull her back against himself. But he stopped himself from acting in such a manner. There would be plenty of time for all of that once they got everything sorted.

Getting into the lift, Khushi pushed the button for her floor and they began making their way up. Her apartment was only on the third floor, so before they knew it, they had already arrived.

Getting out of the lift, Khushi made her way over to her door and unlocked it. She stepped inside and held the door as Arnav followed her in.

 

“It’s quite a nice little place.”

“Thanks, take a seat. Let me just go and put this stuff in my room.”

 

Nodding, Arnav sat down at the sofa, taking in his surroundings while he waited for Khushi to reemerge from her bedroom. Would they be able to sort things out today? Would they be able to clear up their misunderstandings? He wondered if she’d let him make love to her, to let him show her how much she actually met to him.

Moments later, Khushi came out of her room and went into the kitchen area and put the kettle on. Arnav waited patiently as he listened to her pottering around. Maybe she was just nervous and was killing some time, he didn’t want to rush her.

A little bit of time passed and Khushi came out of the kitchen with tea, coffee and some snacks.

 

“Please help yourself.”

“I’m not hungry Khushi, I just want to talk to you.”

“Honestly Arnav, I really don’t think there is anything to talk about. Whatever happened, has happened. I saw on the news about how you handed everything over to Akash. I would ask you about that, but honestly, I am exhausted with all this. I want my business back, but more than anything I just want peace. I spoke to my team in England about what can be done. They looked at everything closely and told me that nothing much can be done. I can file a lawsuit against you, but it would be lengthy and intense and at the end of it I may not even get anything out of it considering I actually signed those papers. Moreover, if I took this to court, it could cause our relationship to come to light and I just…”

“You just what?”

“I know you were probably using me. That you probably got close to me so you could make me trust you. But what we shared… It was special to me even if it wasn’t for you. So I want to keep it between us. I don’t want some lawyer or some judge telling me I was an idiot for getting into a relationship with you. For being foolish and sleeping with you. I don’t need anyone to tell me that if I had hold of my feelings, then I would still have my business.”

 

She looked away and Arnav could tell thoughts of everything that they had shared was troubling her. Sliding off the sofa, Arnav moved towards Khushi before dropping onto his knees before her. Taking her hands into his own, he rested his head in her lap.

 

“Khushi, I need you. I’m incomplete without you. Khushi I love you!”

 

They remained in this position for a long time, Khushi running her fingers through Arnav’s hair, tears streaming down her face into his hair. Why was this happening? Why had their lives become so difficult?

Tears ran down Arnav’s cheeks and onto Khushi’s lap. He’d never let himself become this weak in front of anyone before, but he couldn’t hold his tears back. He needed to get Khushi back, he needed her.

Playing all their intimate moments back, Khushi remembered the intensity of their relationship, the feelings she’d felt for him, how she had felt when she was with him.

Coming to her senses first, Khushi wiped her tears away and started pulling Arnav away from herself.

 

“Sh, stop crying Arnav, please.”

“You need to trust me Khushi, I didn’t do anything to deceive you…”

“Whatever has happened, has happened. We can’t do anything to change what has happened.”

“Forgive me… Take me back.”

“I can’t Arnav.”

“Khushi I love you… I can’t live without you. The last month… You don’t know how it’s been. I hadn’t been able to focus on anything, I’ve been waiting for my phone to ring and for it to be you. I’ve been dying to hear your voice…”

“We have to move on.”

 

He pulled back, his eyes filled with tears.

 

“Does that mean you’ll take me back?”

 

He moved towards her again, hugging her tightly before placing kisses on her face.

 

“Arnav…”

“I love you so much.”

 

Khushi felt his hands move along her body, rushing from her hips up to her breasts all the while kissing every inch of her face.

Coming to her senses, Khushi pushed at Arnav, moving him away from herself before getting to her feet.

 

“Stop Arnav! Listen to me!”

 

He looked up at her, the smile that had started creeping onto his face, fell away. He got up, tried to reach out for her, but she took a step back, maintaining a distance between them.

 

“What’s wrong?”

“Just because I said that we need to move on doesn’t mean I want you back. I don’t trust you Arnav! As much as I want to believe you, I can’t.”

“What did you mean by moving in then?”

“I meant we’re over and we both need to accept that and move on with our lives. Start afresh.”

“Did our relationship mean nothing to you? Is it that easy for you to walk away? To forget about everything that was between us. That still is between us.”

“I’m trying to forget, please just let me.”

 

Arnav walked right up to Khushi, closing any distance between them.

 

“Are you telling me that if I’m this close to you, you don’t feel anything?”

“Arnav…”

 

He placed his hand on her cheek and Khushi’s eyes fluttered shut.

 

“Are you trying to tell me that when I’m this close and touching you like this, you don’t want me to kiss you?”

 

Her eyes remained shut, almost as though she didn’t hear what he had to say. Arnav moved in, closing his eyes, their lips a nail widths apart when the door opened behind them. Khushi came to her senses first and pushed Arnav away and moved away from him.

 

“Babe you home?”

“I… I’m here.”

 

Arnav’s eyes snapped open. Babe?

Someone called Khushi babe? Turning on the spot Arnav came face to face with Rohan.

 

“What is he doing here?”

“I could ask you the same Raizada. What are you doing here?”

 

Sensing the tension brewing between the two men, Khushi rushed between them, her back to Rohan, facing Arnav.

 

“Arnav… I should’ve told you as soon as I saw you…”

“Why is he here?”

“Listen. Arnav… I…”

 

She looked down before turning to Rohan who simply placed his arm around her waist, holding her close to himself. Taking a deep breath, Khushi looked up at Arnav again before holding her left hand out.

How had he missed it? How did he not notice…

 

“I’m engaged Arnav.”

Jalebi ~ Part 24

Somehow the night had passed for Arnav. He spent most of the night consulting with his legal team and in between, called Khushi whenever he got a free moment.

For the first part of the night, Khushi’s phone just rang for a long time before going to voicemail. During the second part of the night, her phone just went straight to voicemail.

 

According to the legal team, he could sign her business back over to her, however, he had to pass his decision past Akash first and make sure he also signed the papers. This was a new clause that Akash must have added, because Arnav had never had to ask Akash to sign anything off before. And considering how Akash had been acting, there was no way he was about to sign the papers for Arnav to hand his business back over to her. He’d have to find a way to sort this without bringing Akash in between.

 

Getting out of bed, Arnav reached out for his phone and saw that there were no messages or calls from Khushi. He attempted to call her once more, but again, her phone went straight to voicemail. He left her another text, asking her to please call him and that he loved her.

He decided to call the house, maybe she’d answer that phone. After only two rings, the phone was answered.

 

“Hello? Khushi?”

“Arnav? It’s me, her papa.”

“Oh, namaste uncle. How are you? Is Khushi there? Can I speak to her please?”

“Arnav…”

“Uncle please, please ask her to speak to me once.”

“She isn’t here.”

“Uncle if she’s refusing to come to the phone, please tell her…”

“No Arnav. She’s not here. She got the last flight out to England last night.”

“What?!”

 

Arnav felt his head spin. Khushi had left? She’d gone back to England? Without even saying anything?

 

“She explained in a rush what happened between you two. I can’t exactly say I tried to stop her.”

“Uncle, I know what it seems like, but you have to believe me, I didn’t do it! I wouldn’t! Sir, I love your daughter more than I love anything else in this world.”

“I understand all this, but at the same time, this has happened. Khushi has worked for so long to get to where she was and now to lose it all…”

“I’ll sort it, I’ll have it all signed back to her.”

“I’m hoping I wasn’t completely wrong about you and that you will give her back what’s hers, but I don’t know if she’ll ever trust you again Arnav. I know my daughter, I think it will take a lot for her to accept you again and for you to get your relationship back on track.”

“Uncle, I love her truly and deeply. Even if it means waiting a lifetime for her, I am willing to do it.”

“I don’t know Arnav… I really don’t know what to say to you.”

“When is she coming back from England?”

“I don’t know. But me and her mother are flying out by the end of this week as well. Anyway, I have to go, take care of yourself son and try and get all this fixed.”

 

Saying goodbye, Arnav disconnected the call. Khushi had gone back to England? This complicated things. How was he going to try and sort things out with her if she was all the way on the other side of the world? And it didn’t help that she wasn’t taking his calls or replying to his messages. He could go after her, but then it would be harder to deal with the business side of things. But he needed to explain the truth to her.

Arnav came to the conclusion that he would let her be for a couple of days and then he would try and contact her again. This way she would have some time to cool down.

 

*****

 

At the breakfast table, everyone was sat around, waiting for the new bride to emerge with breakfast.

 

“Good morning bhai.”

 

Arnav completely disregarded Akash as he took his seat. This didn’t go unnoticed by the members of the Raizada family. They all looked to one another, confused as to what had transpired between the two brothers. Ever since they had been children, their morning would begin with a fist bump or a pat on the others back as they walked past. Today for the first time ever, Arnav didn’t respond to Akash.

Nani raised her eyebrow and looked to Anjali who just nodded, trying to signify that she would explain all later. Payal emerged from the kitchen with the help of Hari Prakash and placed all the food on the table.

 

“Payal, before you serve the food, could you sit down please. I want to talk to everyone about something.”

 

Arnav gestured Payal to sit down.

 

“Chote what’s the matter?”

“Nani I…”

 

Taking a deep breath, Arnav got to his feet.

 

“I’m in love with someone. And I want to marry her.”

 

Manorama dropped her spoon and gasped.

 

“Arnav bitwa? Shaadi? We aren’t even finished with one marriage yet and you already want us to start planning the next one.”

“Haan mamiji. Nani, I’m in love with Khushi and she loves me too and I want to marry her.”

 

The elders all told Arnav that they had no objections, that they were happy that Arnav found someone he wanted to marry.

Anjali sat and watched.

 

“Chote, this is all good and well, but…”

 

Arnav nodded and turned his attention back to Nani.

 

“Something happened yesterday, and I’m trying to get it resolved as soon as possible but Khushi’s left me…”

 

Now Devyani was confused.

 

“I don’t understand Chote.”

 

Arnav explained what had happened, the fact that he was now the sole owner of both the businesses. He explained that he didn’t know how it happened and that he was going to get it sorted as soon as possible.

 

“But she’s left, she’s gone back to London and she won’t answer me calls, I don’t know what to do now.”

 

At this point Payal, who had remained quiet throughout the whole ordeal looked up.

 

“Wait? She’s gone back to London? When did this happen?”

“She took the last flight out last night.”

 

Payal stood there stunned, completely unable to understand what was going on. When had all this happened and when had Khushi left? And why hadn’t she said anything before leaving?

 

“Look, I just wanted everyone to know what the deal was, but I also want to reassure that I am going to get this all sorted and I am going to get Khushi back even if it’s the last thing I do. I love her and she means the world to me. I’m not going to let all this come between us and ruin what we have. I won’t stand for it.”

 

He aimed all this at Akash, making him know that no matter what happened, he wasn’t going to let this slide, that he wasn’t just going to let him win like this.

If Akash wanted to play dirty, then he was going to fight back. And he was going to win.

 

*****

 

A few weeks had passed and there was still no word from Khushi. Every call that was made to her went unanswered and every text message was unread.

Arnav had been checking with Payal if she knew anything but she didn’t. Khushi’s parents had gone back to England now and so Arnav couldn’t even speak to them to see what they had to say.

In terms of the business, Arnav had been working his hardest to get things sorted, but without Akash authorising anything, Arnav couldn’t do anything himself. It was starting to stress him out, and he was starting to feel like he couldn’t handle it all any more.

Sat in his office, Arnav was reading through some files when Akash walked in.

 

“Bhai, you have a meeting with Singhania’s. Have you got the file that they asked for?”

 

Arnav looked down at his desk and located the file that he was looking for. Opening it up, he realised that he hadn’t read over it and made the changes that were necessary.

 

“I haven’t had the changes done. But come on.”

 

Getting to his feet, Arnav slipped his jacket back on. But Akash stood there, annoyed.

 

“You had one job bhai! Where is your mind these days? You’re not getting anything done at all. Come on you need to focus.”

“Don’t tell me how to run my own damn business Akash.”

“No, I need to tell you. If you carry on at this rate, were not going to have a business, forget two. You’re responsible for two very successful business and at the moment they’re both starting to suffer due to your incompetence.”

 

This angered Arnav. How dare Akash walk in and tell him he was incompetent.

 

“I wonder why I’m so incompetent? Maybe it’s because you ruined my relationship with my girlfriend and I’ve been trying to sort it.”

“A woman should never be more important than your business.”

“Well she is Akash! And you ruined that for me.”

“You need to forget about her and you need to get your shit together.”

 

Anger bubbled though Arnav’s body. How dare Akash speak to him like that after everything he’d put him through.

 

“You know what Akash. You do it. I’m done.”

 

Grabbing his suit jacket and his laptop bag, Arnav made his way over to his office door.

 

“What do you mean you’re done?”

“I mean I’m going to speak to my lawyers and I’m signing everything over to you. I’m done with all of this. If you think you can do better than go for it. I’m done.”

 

Arnav walked over to the door and walked out of the office. He was speaking the truth and he was being serious. He really was done. All this wealth, all this name and respect, it was all great but what did it matter if he didn’t have the woman he loved in his life? Well he was done. Akash could have it all. He didn’t want any of this.

Akash watched as Arnav descended the stairs and made his way out of the office building. Once he was actually gone, Akash looked around. This office… It was now his? He walked round to the chair that was his brothers and touched the top before pulling it out. Sitting down, Akash felt all his happiness erupt out of him. This was all his! He owned it all!

Like a child, Akash spun in Arnav’s large chair before putting his feet up on the desk. Finally. Things as they should be.

 

*****

 

Staring out at the night sky, looking up at the stars, Arnav recalled his passionate night with Khushi at the farmhouse. The night they’d made love under the stars, with the rain coming down around them.

 

“How could you just leave Khushi? After everything we went through to get together?”

 

But Arnav wasn’t determined to get her back. Their story wasn’t over yet.

 

Jalebi ~ Part 23

 

Rushing out of the wedding venue, Khushi avoided bumping into anyone. She couldn’t face anyone now, she couldn’t explain what had happened.

Arnav rushed after Khushi but someone caught hold of his sleeve and pulled him back.
Turning, he saw that the person holding him was his Di.

 

“Di let me go, I really need to go to Khushi.”

“Chote, what the hell is going on? I heard the back end of your argument with Khushi and it sounded… Chote what the hell have you done?”

“I swear Di, I haven’t done anything, something has gone seriously wrong and if I don’t sort it, I could lose her.”

“Look, I understand, but I can’t have you leave now. It’s our brother’s wedding.”

 

Dragging Arnav back, he protested, tried to explain to Anjali that he needed to leave. When he realised that his protests were going completely unnoticed, he watched as Payal and Akash prepared to start doing the holy rounds. He looked at Akash who looked so happy. So content with life. How could he be so calm when Arnav’s life was being flipped over completely?

Akash looked down from the mandap and he watched as Di brought Arnav back into the main hall. As he saw Arnav’s face, he smirked. The deed had been done, the arrow had hit the target. He had planned his move carefully. He had gotten both Arnav and Khushi to sign the papers ages back, but hadn’t filed them. He knew that if he had filed them earlier, it may have caused issues with his wedding. So he waited. And he only had the papers filed this morning. This way, the proceedings would happen during the day, and by the time it came to Arnav and Khushi’s knowledge, it would be time for his wedding. He knew that Arnav wouldn’t cause a scene and confront him while he was getting married.

Mentally Akash pat himself on the back. Stage one was complete, now for stage two…

 

*****

 

“Mohit I need to see those papers.”

 

Handing over the papers, Khushi sat down at his desk and went through them.
These papers were detailed, they covered everything. But the main point was that she had given up all her rights to her business to Arnav.

Tears streaming down her face, Khushi shut the file and threw it at the wall.

 

“I don’t understand Mohit! I’m always so careful about what I’m signing! How did this happen?”

 

Taking a seat opposite Khushi, he placed his hand over hers.

 

“Khushi, I know this is hard. As your friend, not as your lawyer, I would recommend you go back to England for a while. I know all you want to do is get this sorted, but right now I don’t see what we can do. You go to London, take some time out and I’ll stay and see what I can do. I’ll try and get to the bottom of everything.”

“I can go to London but I won’t get any peace.”

“I know, but at least you won’t have to face Arnav all the time.”

“I don’t understand Mohit, I really don’t…”

 

Covering her face with her hands, Khushi let herself cry. How could this happen, why was this happening. She had loved Arnav with all  her heart. How could he possibly have done this?

 

 

*****

 

It was much later and the wedding was done. Payal had been welcomed into the home as the Raizada bride and the little post wedding games had been played. Di had taken Payal up to Akash’s bedroom, and Arnav used this opportunity to pull Akash away and speak to him.

 

“Bhai, what’s up? I don’t really have time to discuss anything now, need to get upstairs and get busy, if you know what I mean.”

“I think you’ve already been busy.”

“No I haven’t. That’s only you.”

 

Laughing at the suggestive joke that he just made, Akash attempted to side step Arnav and leave. But Arnav wasn’t having it today. Placing his hand on Akash’s shoulder, he pulled him back.

 

“What the hell are you playing at Akash.”

“I don’t know what you mean?”

“Don’t act dumb. Akash, how the hell am I sole owner of AR Designs and Khushiyan?”

“What? You are? I didn’t know that!”

“Don’t lie Akash! No one else knew the plan other than you. Why the hell did you do it?”

 

Dropping the pretence, Arnav watched as Akash’s expression changed from his easy going one to a much more sinister one.

 

“Okay, fine, yes I went through with the plan. I made both you and Khushi sign those papers. It’s thanks to me you own 2 successful businesses.”

“But you knew I didn’t want this!”

“You didn’t want it, but you needed it and you knew that! AR may still be floating, but we both know that without the backing of Khushiyan, AR is going to sink completely.”

“We had the backing of Khushiyan!”

“But it’s not the same when it’s owned by someone else! We needed 100% power to make sure that everything went the way we wanted it to.”

“You’re crazy! The whole point of the partnership was so that we would be able to make things better for AR. We knew we had Khushiyan’s backing.”

“Why are you reacting so badly bhai? You own two businesses now!”

“I may have gained a business, but I’ve lost the most important person in my life.”

“There was nothing special about Khushi any way, you’ll get over her.”

“I love her Akash! I was going to marry her! She means more to me than these businesses do!”

“You may love her that much, but she obviously doesn’t feel the same. If she did, she wouldn’t have cared about the business.”

“You don’t get it Akash! She thinks I cheated her!”

 

Beginning to get impatient, Akash looked at his watch before turning back to Arnav.

 

“Look, it’s my wedding night, my wife is waiting for me. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

“How are you going to be able to look Payal in the eye and get close to her when you know you’re the reason her sisters heart is broken right now.”

“We’ll deal with that when she finds out.”

 

With that, Akash turned away. Arnav felt anger coursing through his body. This wasn’t meant to happen, this couldn’t be happening!

He walked into his room, picked up a vase and threw it against the floor, making it shatter into a million pieces.

 

“AGH!”

“Chote?”

 

Turning around, Arnav realised Di was stood at the entrance of his door, her eyes wide. Walking into the room, Anjali observed the broken case, but stepped around it and placed her hands on her brothers shoulders.

 

“Chote what’s the matter? What’s going on? What I saw between you and Khushi and now… All this anger? I haven’t seen you like this in such a long time, what happened?”

“Di…”

 

Finally the anger subsided and Arnav felt like crap. His heart hurt, his head hurt… Tears rolled down his face as he hugged his sister.

 

“Chote…”

“Everything is ruined Di.”

 

Anjali hugged her brother. She hadn’t seen him this upset in a long, long time. Breaking the hug, she led Arnav to the recliner and sat him down, before sitting down beside him. Laying down in her lap, he wrapped his arms around her and cried. Anjali stroked his hair, he hadn’t cried to her in this manner since they had been children.

She let him cry, let him get it all out of his system. When Arnav finally calmed down, he sat up.

 

“She ended it.”

“What? But why Chote?”

 

Arnav explained about the business, about how he was now the only owner of both business. He skipped the part about it all being down to Akash.

 

“I don’t understand how this just happened though.”

 

He realised he couldn’t hide the truth, and also realised he didn’t really care about trying to protect Akash. He ruined his life, made Khushi walk away from him, while he was still living happily. He couldn’t defend him.

Arnav explained everything, from the beginning. He explained the original plan, about Akash’s insistence, about the fact that he thought that Akash would back off now that Arnav and Khushi were serious about each other.

 

“I can’t believe Akash would do that! Chote, I know he’s our brother, but I’m sure there’s more to the story. Otherwise I don’t see why he’d go through with it, especially when he knew there was no need. It’s almost as though he did it to make a mess between you and Khushi. I don’t know Chote, you need to find out what Akash’s game plan is.”

“I really can’t deal with him now Di. I need to focus on Khushi, I can’t lose her Di! But she’s not been picking up my calls or responding to my messages. She hasn’t even opened my WhatsApp messages. Di, it can’t be over between us. I love her.”

“She’s angry, and she’s confused. Give her some time, she’ll come round.”

“I’ll sign her business back over to her, I’ll even give her half of mine on top of all of hers, anything. I just need her to give me a chance.”

“She will, don’t worry. You both love each other. She won’t let this end.”

 

Getting off the recliner, Arnav opened his wardrobe and took a little box out before coming back to Di.

 

“I brought this the other day, I was going to talk to Nani while Akash and Payal went back to Payal’s maternal home tomorrow. And then after that, within the next few days I was going to propose to Khushi.”

 

Anjali took the box from Arnav and opened it up. She gasped at the ring inside.

It was in the shape of a flower, a large diamond in the middle with lots and lots of little diamonds around it.

 

“Chote this is beautiful!”

“I wanted it to be something different, something extra special, like she is… But now…”

 

Tears gathered in his eyes once more. Anjali wiped them away with her hand and she shook her head.

 

“Give her some time. In the meantime you need to get this sorted, you need to fix this stuff with the businesses. I’ve seen the way you look at each other, she loves you as much as you do her. She won’t just end things with you like this.”

“Her business is her life. She’s worked so, so hard to get it to where it is…”

“And we will give back what’s her. Don’t worry Chote, we will fix this!”

 

Hugging his sister once again, Arnav prayed that Di was right and that they would be able to sort this out. If they can’t… He didn’t want to think what would happen if he couldn’t get her back.

 

*****

 

The clock struck 2am and Akash was stood by his window, looking out at the moonless sky. He turned around, looked at the sleeping, naked Payal in the bed and turned away again. How had his life come to this, how had he settled for his second choice?

Akash had been in love with Khushi for as long as he could remember. Back in high school, before he began dating Payal, his heart was set on trying to win Khushi over. When everyone else saw her as Jalebi, he saw her as Khushi. She was smart, talented, and beneath all the nerd, he could see a beauty. Maybe his friends had realised his attraction towards her, maybe that’s why they dared him to ask her out…

 

*Flashback*

 

“Go on Akash, we dare you! Go and ask Jalebi out on a date! She’ll never say no to you.”

 

Laughing, Akash fixed his collar and marched over to her. They were right, she’d never say no to him.

He looked at Khushi who was sat at a table, busy working away.

 

“Hi.”

 

Looking up, Khushi smiled and regarded him before she went back to her work.
Taking a seat at her table, Akash waited for her to notice him again. She didn’t.

 

“Ahem.”

 

Looking up once again, Khushi shut her book.

 

“Can I help you?”

“I was wondering if you’d like to go out on a date with me?”

 

Looking taken aback, Khushi tried to make sense of what Akash was saying to her.

 

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“Yes. So will you?”

“Look Akash, I’m flattered but… No. I’m sorry.”

 

Gathering her books up, Khushi got to her feet and then left. Akash watched as she walked away, not being able to comprehend what just happened. She rejected him? She rejected him! Everyone wanted to go out on a date with her and here she was, rejecting him! How dare she?

He watched her walk away, she didn’t even look back at him.

It was then he decided that he had to have her. He needed to find a way to catch her attention and make her realise that she wanted him. Akash’s eyes feel on a table of girls and he saw the girl he was looking for, Payal Gupta. Khushi’s cousin.
Smiling, Akash decided on what he was going to do…

 

*Flashback end*

Slamming his fist against the wall, Akash cursed himself. How had trying to make Khushi jealous end up with him marrying Payal? He should’ve realised that it wasn’t going to make a difference to her, that she didn’t want him. But he had hoped, somewhere along the line she would have realised that she had feelings for him too, but she didn’t.

This plan, to take her business, that was his punishment for her rejecting him all those years back. He couldn’t let that go. And now thinking about it all, he realised she deserved this. She deserved to have everything taken from her. She had rejected him, yet she ended up sleeping with his brother. His no good, good for nothing brother. What did Arnav have that he didn’t? Why was she willing to jump into Arnav’s bed but not his?

Thinking about it, he guessed Arnav deserved this too. He deserved to have Khushi hate him and think the worst of him. Arnav always had everything handed to him on a plate. He never had to work for anything, he always got what he wanted. Well not any more. He lost Khushi and that was good enough for Akash. If he couldn’t have Khushi, then Arnav couldn’t have her either.

Jalebi ~ Part 22

 

The big day had finally arrived. Weeks and weeks of preparation has led up to this very day.

There were only a mere few hours left until the wedding. Everyone was rushing around, making sure that everything was in place and ready to go. Khushi was doing last minute checks on all of Payal’s things, making sure that her stuff was all packed and ready to go and Arnav was making sure that all things surrounding the actual marriage ceremony were set.

 

*****

 

“Khushi, make sure that all my dresses have been put in, the new ones.”

“Yes jiji, they’re all in.”

“I honestly can’t believe that this is happening. I’m getting married!”

“I’m so excited for you! You’re marrying the love of your life!”

“I know!”

 

Both Payal and Khushi hugged each other and squealed out of joy. In a way, it still all felt surreal to them. Payal had never thought she would find Akash again and even if she did, she didn’t think that they would end up together.

 

“Khushi, can you believe that as soon my wedding is done, were all going to have to start organising yours.”

 

Looking away, Khushi blushed. She was very much aware that Arnav had already started making little plans regarding their marriage. She couldn’t wait until it all started becoming official.

 

“Aw look at you blushing! It’s my wedding, but you’re the one blushing like crazy.”

“Jiji leave me alone.”

“Khushi, on a serious note, there’s something I need to ask you.”

“Anything, what’s up?”

“Woh, I’m nervous about tonight.”

“Don’t be, you’ve been looking forward to your wedding for months and besides, it’s not like you’re getting married to someone you don’t know.”

“No no, I’m not nervous about that. I’m nervous about… The Suhaag Raat.”

“OH.”

“Khushi, I know this is personal, but seeing as you’ve done it… What can I expect? Will it really hurt?”

“You and jiju haven’t…?”

“No, we both wanted to wait until after marriage.”

“Oh I see. Well I guess there isn’t a lot to tell, I’m sure it’s different for everyone. As far as it hurting goes, it does hurt initially, but you forget about the pain because of the immense amount of pleasure.”

“I know this is personal as hell, but do you enjoy it?”

 

Blushing, Khushi looked away. Thoughts of her passionate nights with Arnav came back to her and it was almost as though she could feel his hands and his lips on her body.

 

“Very much. It’s the most enjoyable and amazing feeling in the world. You think that the best feeling is when you have your arms wrapped around your love and when you’re kissing them, but once you’ve done it, once you’ve been one with your love like that, you realise there’s no better feeling in the world. When you can’t actually tell where your body ends and where theirs starts, that’s the best feeling.”

 

Looking away, Khushi felt the heat spread all over her body. Shaking her head, she made an excuse and left the room.

Rushing out of the room, Khushi felt her heart thumping. Leaning against the nearest wall, she took a moment to breathe. Why was she getting so turned on and breathless just thinking about that?

Almost as if he knew she was thinking about him, Arnav texted Khushi.

 

*I can’t stop thinking about you. Bet you can’t stop thinking about me either.*

 

How did he know? How did he know that she was thinking about him? Shaking her head, Khushi went back to what she was doing before.

 

*****

 

Everyone was ready and waiting for the grooms party to arrive. Khushi and all of Payal’s friends were hanging over the balcony, trying to see if they could see the groom arriving. When finally they could hear the music and see the fireworks, they all cheered, the groom had arrived. As much as Khushi was glad to see the groom, her eyes sought out Arnav. There he was, right at the front, leading the procession almost. He was wearing a gold sherwani, not as fancy as Akash’s obviously, but still beautiful. Khushi looked down at herself in her pale pink and gold sari. Their pictures were going to look amazing.

While Payal’s friends made sure that Payal looked perfect, Khushi did a last check to make sure that all of Payal’s things were in order. As she was checking Payal’s suitcase, she could hear her phone ringing.

Walking over to her phone, she saw that it was her lawyer calling. Khushi was about to take the call, but decided against it. It was Payal’s wedding, she didn’t have time to think about work. For one day, work wasn’t her priority.

 

*****

 

The grooms family had been welcomed and Akash was taken over to the mandap.

Busy ushering guests, Khushi hadn’t had time yet to actually stop and speak to Arnav. Arnav had tried to stop Khushi a number of times, but she told him she’d be back in a minute.

After waiting for almost 20 minutes, Arnav had enough. The next time he saw Khushi walk past, he grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her to himself.

 

“Arnav! Let go someone will see us.”

 

Dropping hold of Khushi’s hand, he smiled.

 

“Let them see, we don’t need to hide any more because as soon as this wedding is done, I’m telling my family about us.”

 

Biting her lip, Khushi blushed. She still couldn’t believe this was happening.

 

“You look beautiful, the way you’ve draped this sari, it really compliments your body shape.”

“Thank you, you look great too.”

“We should take a picture.”

 

Nodding, Khushi followed Arnav as he led them towards the photographer.
Catching the attention of the photographer, Arnav wrapped his arm around Khushi’s waist. The photographer asked if they were a couple. Khushi was about to say no, but Arnav said yes.

 

“Could ma’am place her hand on sirs chest then.”

 

Looking around, Khushi saw that no one was watching them and so listened to what the photographer was asking of her. Placing her hand on his chest, the photographer clicked away.

 

“Beautiful pictures and a beautiful couple!”

“Thanks.”

 

Moving away from each other, Khushi blushed.

 

“It’s nearly time for the garland exchange and stuff, I need to go and get jiji.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in a bit then.”

 

Smiling Khushi turned away from Arnav and made her way up the stairs. Reaching Payal’s room, she saw that she was sat on her own, waiting.

 

“Come on jiji, jijaji is waiting for you!”

“Is it time for the garland exchange?”

 

Nodding, Khushi took hold of Payal’s hand and helped her up.

 

“Oh by the way Khushi, you should really call your lawyer. Your phone kept ringing over and over again. And I thought it was important so answered it. He said that you needed to call him back right now, it’s urgent.”

“It’s okay, I’ll call him tomorrow, he knows I’m busy with you’re wedding today.”

“No Khushi, I think you should really call him. He sounded very tense.”

“Okay, but first let’s get you downstairs.”

 

Getting Payal downstairs and at the mandap, she waited until the garland exchange was done before pulling her phone out of her bag and finding a quiet room to make her call.

 

“Mohit, I told you I couldn’t take any calls today.”

“I know and I’m really sorry but something’s come up and it can’t wait.”

“Okay, tell me, what’s happened.”

 

Listening to what Mohit had to say, Khushi’s smile slid off her face.

 

“What are you saying? Surely there’s been a mistake?”

“Khushi I’ve got the papers in my hand right now. And I’m comparing your signature against other papers that you have signed for me. They’re identical and it’s your pen, the one you always sign with.”

“But why would I sign such papers, it doesn’t make sense. Have you tried calling the legal team?”

“That’s the thing, because the legal team were under the business name and not under just you like I am, they no longer belong to you.”

“Wait! Are you saying…”

“I’m all you have.”

“Look let me speak to Arnav and then I’ll call you back. This has to be a big mistake.”

 

Her head was spinning. How could this be happening? Surely there had to be some mistake, Arnav wouldn’t…

Going back to where the rituals for the wedding were taking place. Locating Arnav, she walked over to him, grabbed him by the hand and dragged him back to the quiet room that she had been in.

 

“Hey, what’s up? Someone’s impatient.”

 

Looping his arms around her waist, Arnav pulling Khushi into himself and started kissing her neck.

 

“I was getting bored of the wedding, I’d much rather be here alone with you.”

 

Pushing Arnav away with all her might, Khushi folded her arms over her chest. Arnav was confused. She’d never pushed him away like that.

 

“Baby, what’s the matter?”

“You tell me what the matter is.”

“Khushi, if I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.”

“Have you received any work related calls today?”

“Work related? No I haven’t. Why?”

“Well I received a call from Mohit.”

“Mohit? As in your lawyer?”

“Yes. My lawyer, who also happens to be my only employee at the moment.”

“You’re only employee? What do you mean? You have a whole team of people working behind you.”

“That’s what I thought too.”

“Khushi what are you saying? I don’t understand what’s going on.”

 

Taking her phone back out again, Khushi opened up the documents that Mohit had sent her.

 

“Look! Just look at these papers!”

 

Arnav took the phone from her and started looking at the documents, his eyes wide as he realised what they were. He kept reading, not understanding how this could be happening. At the bottom of each page, he saw his signature alongside Khushi’s. But he didn’t sign these papers? But they were in his handwriting!

Getting to the final page, Arnav looked at Khushi who now had tears streaming down her face. He took a step towards her, only to have her step away from him.

 

“Don’t come near me!”

“Khushi I swear, I swear I don’t know what these papers are, I’ve never seen them before! I’d never do this to you!”

“So these papers signed themselves did they Arnav? I don’t understand how I could’ve signed them but I’ve looked at the dates and backtracked. The day these papers were signed, it was the day after we spent the night at the farmhouse.”

“I really don’t know…”

“Stop saying you don’t know! These papers didn’t produce themselves! You must have got me to sign these alongside other papers so I didn’t read what it was saying. And you picked a day when you knew I was distracted. You had to have known something about it, it didn’t just happen.”

 

Running his hand through his hair and yanking his hair. How could this have happened?

 

“Khushi… I swear I said no, this wasn’t meant to happen, when I started falling in love with you I put a stop to…”

“Wait! You actually planned… There was an actual plan to take my business from me?”

“I didn’t…”

“At one point, was there a plan to steal my business from me, yes or no?”

“Yes but…”

“Oh my god!”

 

Turning around, Khushi raised her hand to her head. She couldn’t believe this.

 

“So you actually… You had a plan to steal my business from me? How could you? Wait… Our relationship… Everything between us…”

 

He took a step towards her, he needed to explain, he couldn’t let her believe something that wasn’t true.

 

“I’ll admit, there was a plan, but I swear, I never wanted to go through with it, I never had a single intention of going through with it. And when things started happening between us…”

“Did you try to woo me so it would be easier for you to steal my business from me?”

“No! No! Not at all! I genuinely fell in love with you, Khushi you need to believe me.”

“Did you sleep with me that night in the farmhouse so that I’d be distracted the next day?”

“You know I didn’t. You know this isn’t true.”

“Did you sleep with me so you can steal my business?!”

 

He could tell she was getting angrier as the moment went on. She was angry and didn’t want to listen to what he saying and he couldn’t blame her. He probably would be this angry too.

 

“Baby… Please, believe me…”

“Should I tell you the truth Arnav. I don’t give a crap that you’ve taken my business. I mean I do, but what’s hurting me is that in order to steal my business from me, you stole my heart. I gave you my everything. I trusted you, I loved you, I gave you my heart, my soul, my body, my everything and you…”

 

Tears now streamed down Arnav’s face. How could he make her see that he didn’t do this to her?

 

“Did you ever love me? Everything that happened between us, was that you being tactical or did you actually do it because you cared for me?”

“Khushi, you know the answer to that.”

“I don’t know anything right now. I have never felt so confused.”

 

Wiping her tears, Khushi turned away. Arnav grabbed hold of her hand.

 

“Khushi please, don’t leave like this. You have to believe me, I didn’t do this to you.”

 

Pulling her hand out of his grip, she could really feel her temper bubbling up now.

 

“You keep saying you didn’t do this to me but you also admitted that there was a plan! How do you expect me to trust you?”

 

She turned away again. She couldn’t stay here.

 

“I need to go and talk to Mohit.”

“But the wedding…”

“To hell with the wedding!”

 

She turned away and was about to leave the room, but stopped and turned round one last time.

 

“It’s over Arnav. We’re done.”

 

She left the room and Arnav watched as she walked straight out of the front door. He should’ve gone after her, but her words had left him paralysed.

 

“It’s over Arnav.”

 

Was she going to end their relationship just like that? How could she do that? They had spoken about marriage! Their wedding was as good as planned! How could she end things and walk away now? Couldn’t she see that he loved her, that he wouldn’t do that to her? How could she think so low of him? Then his mind changed directions as he began thinking about the logistics of what had just happened.

How did this happen? Akash had said he wouldn’t do anything? He’d said he was happy that Arnav was happy with Khushi… But Akash also knew what happened that night when he and Khushi had gone to the farmhouse. Had he used that knowledge and acted on it? Did he go to Khushi because he knew she would be distracted? Arnav needed to find out and he needed to find out now. But how could he do anything with a wedding going on?

Unwanted ~ Part 26

Arnav

 

My work in Mumbai was wrapping up nicely. Most of the issues that the AR branch was having here was getting wrapped up quite nicely. I still needed to stay here a little longer, to make sure everything was running like clockwork, but on the whole, my time here was coming to an end. And as much as I prefer Delhi to Mumbai, I wasn’t ready to go home yet. I felt like I had something here in Mumbai. Something that was making me feel hopeful. Was I delaying going home for a feeling? Yes. Was I being stupid? Probably.

But I wasn’t ready to go back to Delhi. I needed to stay here. My heart was telling me I needed to be here. And for once, I was going to let myself listen to my heart.

 

*****

 

Much to my distaste, nothing came up, and my time here was almost done. I had 3 days left in Mumbai and then I was set to go home. I didn’t want to go home, but at the same time staying here without an aim didn’t suit me either. I thought something would hit me, something would come at me, but nothing was happening. I couldn’t let myself hang around here, twiddling my thumbs.

But being here on my own was working for me. I didn’t have to deal with Nimisha, or Pari or Di. I was at peace. I had my house, so I was comfortable here, and I didn’t have to worry about anyone bothering me.

It gave me time to really think about Khushi, to do some more research if I could find any leads on her, but I couldn’t. She’d vanished completely. I know for a fact she left Delhi, her trail ended at the Delhi train station, but where she went from there, I had no clue. She could be anywhere in India. She may have even left India. She could ever still be in Delhi, there was just no way for me to know.

Getting up from my laptop, I made my way to the kitchen to fix myself some dinner. Settling on some pasta, I put the pasta on to boil and started preparing the sauce when my phone began to ring.

For a moment, I couldn’t decide if I should bother to go and see who it was, after all it would probably be just Di or Nimi. But I decided to go and check it out. Making my way back to my bedroom, I picked up my phone from the bedside table and saw that it was Veer. Veer was an old friend who used to live near us before he moved to Mumbai to start up a school. I took the call.

 

“Hey Veer, how are you buddy?”

 

Holding the phone to my ear, I made my way back into the kitchen to make sure that my pasta didn’t burn.

 

“Arnav, how you doing buddy? Has Mumbai been good to you?”

“It really has. I’ve been enjoying it here, really peaceful.”

 

We had a little chat, catching up on what we’d been up to since we last spoke a few weeks ago, until his tone changed.

 

“Listen, Arnav, I need to ask you a huge favour.”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“One of my teachers has literally just resigned. He has just emailed me his resignation now and has said he won’t be in work tomorrow. I’ve called the agency and said they can’t do anything for me so last minute and I don’t have any substitute teachers at the moment because I have so many teaches on maternity leave. So I was wondering… Do you think you could step in for me. Just for tomorrow?”

“Wait what?”

 

Was Veer insane? How could I possibly teach? I’m a business man, I couldn’t possibly teach primary school children.

 

“As much as I’m flattered, I think you’re crazy! I’m a business man, I have zero experience with teaching.”

“They’re only little, they’re 5 year olds. All you have to do is teach them basic maths and English and play games with them. The lessons are all planned, you just have to follow the schedule.”

“If it’s so easy, surely you can find someone else?”

“I probably could, but I would need to have checks done to make sure that they are able to work with kids and I’d also need to go through qualifications. Arnav, I’m asking you because I know you have no criminal records, you’re safe to work with kids and you’re perfectly qualified. If it wasn’t so late in the evening, I definitely would try and sort something, but Arnav, you really are my only option right now.”

“I don’t know…”

“Please? Just for tomorrow. I’ll spend all of tomorrow trying to find someone else so you don’t have to come back, but please? I really need your help.”

 

As I watched my pasta bubble away, I actually contemplated what Veer was asking of me. I should have said no, of course I should’ve. It was crazy, how could I teach 5 year olds? But something about this request was appealing to me. It would be something different, a real adventure, even if it was only for a day. The rational side of me knew that I wasn’t fit to teach kids for even an hour, forget a whole day. No… I couldn’t do it, shouldn’t do it…

 

*****

 

“Class B, this is Mr Raizada. Mr Kapoor had to leave suddenly so Mr Raizada is taking your class today. Everyone, make sure you are good and don’t cause any trouble. I’ll be back to check on you at lunchtime.”

 

Veer pat me on the shoulder, wished me luck and then left. I must be insane. I actually decided to come here. Me, who has never taught a single child anything before. But I guess it is only for a day, and they’re only little. How hard could it possibly be?

I looked down at the kids, all looking up at me with their big, bright, curious eyes.

 

“Hi… I’m Mr Raizada. I will be taking your class today.”

 

I walked over to the desk and saw that I was meant to be teaching the children the letters H, I and J in the morning and then in the afternoon we were going to do counting exercises. It seemed straight forward enough. Looking at my watch, I realised that there was more than enough time to go through the letters, so I decided to play a little getting to know each other game, to help them become familiar with me.

Moving back I stood at the front of the class. They were all still staring at me, it was slightly off putting and intimidating, but I did sign up for this.

 

“Would everyone like to come and sit in a circle? We can play some games.”

 

They all looked at each other, but then started shuffling. I helped them to move their little tables out of the way and they made a big circle on the floor. I went and stood in the middle, looking around at all the kids.

 

“In this game, when it throw you the ball, you have to tell me what your name is and one thing you like and one thing you wish.”

 

Just as I was about to throw the ball to one of the kids, a little boy put his hand up.

 

“Yes?”

“Sir, are you a giant? My papa is big but you are even bigger than my papa.”

 

I found myself chuckling and I saw the kids nod in agreement to each other. I mean I didn’t think I was that tall, after all Akash was taller than me in our family, but I guess I was taller than a lot of people so I understood what they meant.

 

“No I’m not a giant but I know I’m very big.”

 

They all nodded, accepting the answer and then we began to go round the circle. One by one they told me their names and I tried my best to remember as many of them. It didn’t matter that I couldn’t really remember the facts they told me, I just needed to learn their names. I didn’t even really need to learn their names. In a few hours, I would leave this place and I’d probably never see any of these kids ever again.

I went round, one by one and took their names in. Some of them told me that they liked fairly obscure things, but I guess that helped as it’d help me remember them.
I got to a little girl, whose hair was braided and whose eyes seemed incredibly familiar.

 

“What’s your name?”

“Arushi.”

“That’s a nice name. What’s one thing you like Arushi?”

“I like my mamas special jalebis! They’re the best!”

 

The mention of jalebis made me think of Khushi. And like this little girl, I loved and missed Khushi’s special jalebis that she would make for me.

 

“I bet my wife makes better jalebis than your mama.”

“Never! My mama makes the bestest special jalebis just for me. She says my papa loves them too!”

“Really? Okay, maybe we will have a competition one day, but for now tell me one wish you have.”

 

The little girls smile fell and almost instantly she replied.

 

“I wish I could see my papa.”

 

I looked at her little face. Moments before she had been lively and teased me about her mother making better jalebis than Khushi and now it looked as though all colour from her face was gone.

An innate instinct within me made me want to hug the child in front of me, I don’t know why. I don’t know this child, why was I feeling such a pull towards her? Pushing the thought away, I nodded and then moved onto the next child.

As I carried on my activity, my attention stayed with the little girl who wished for her father. There was something about this girl…

 

*****

 

Grabbing a board pen, I went over to the whiteboard and wrote out the three letters that we were to focus on. I pointed to the first letter.

 

“Does anyone know what letter this is?”

 

Only a few little hands shot up, one of them being Arushi. I asked her what the letter was and she correctly identified that it was a H and then proceeded to tell me that she had a H in her name.

I told her she was correct and then moved onto the next letter and the next child.

The morning session came to a close and the children all went to have their lunch. I escorted them to the canteen and then came back to my classroom to find Veer waiting for me.

 

“So, how was the morning buddy?”

“It actually went pretty well. The kids are all really well behaved and they’re just generally a good group of kids.”

“I’m glad it’s going well. I remember at the start of the year they were complete pains.”

“Have you found a teacher for them?”

“I haven’t. But I have a couple of people who I’m waiting to hear back from.”

 

I nodded, taking in what Veer was saying.

 

“Maybe… Maybe I can keep filling in until you find a permanent replacement. It’s not good for such little kids to have such instability.”

“Arnav… Are you sure?”

 

I thought about what I was saying. Did I really want to do this? But there was something about being around these kids that I was enjoying. I was drawn to them and I wanted to be responsible for educating them.

 

“I’m sure.”

Jalebi ~ Part 20

By the time Arnav and Khushi awake from their slumber it was nearing 3am. The rain was still falling outside, loud and heavy.

Looking at the time, Arnav jumped up and ran his hand through his hair.

 

“Shit! Look at the time.”

 

Looking at the clock, Khushi too gasped.

 

“Mom and dad… They’re going to kill me. I said I’d get home before too late.”

 

Pulling the sheets around her, Khushi got out of bed and pulled her phone out of her bag. She saw that she had a couple of missed calls from her parents and then a text from her dad saying that the weather was really bad and that he would feel much more at ease if Arnav and Khushi didn’t attempt to come home in this weather.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Khushi quickly tapped out a reply before taking her charger out of the bag, plugging it in and then putting her phone down before getting back into bed with Arnav.

 

“Don’t worry, dad said the weathers too bad and that we should find somewhere to stay and not try and get back into the city in this weather.”

 

Arnav relaxed against the pillows and pulled Khushi into his arms.

 

“You hair is still wet.”

 

Touching her hair, Khushi realised that Arnav was right.

 

“We should have showers before we both fall ill.”

“Might be too late for that already.”

 

Laughing, Arnav got out of bed and handed Khushi a fresh towel. Holding the sheets close, Khushi got out of bed again and made her way over to the bathroom, before stopping dead in her tracks and raising her hand to her head.

 

“Clothes! Arnav my clothes are all out in the rain!”

“I’ll bring them in and put them in the drier for you. For now just take some of my clothes from the wardrobe and wear them after your shower.”

 

Nodding, Khushi went over to the wardrobe, and Arnav followed her, grabbing a dressing gown before he left the bedroom.

 

*****

 

Standing under the shower, Khushi let the hot water cascade down her body. It maybe long past 3am, but Khushi was feeling wide awake again, thoughts of everything that had happened between her and Arnav playing on her mind. She couldn’t believe that he was thinking about marriage, that he was ready and was willing to tell his family. That he was ready to ask her parents for her hand. She couldn’t believe this was happening.

If someone had told her a couple of years ago that she would merge her business with someone else’s and that she would fall in love with her business partner, she would have laughed in their faces and told them that they were crazy. But now that is was actually happening, she didn’t find it a hard concept to get her head around.

Yes, her business was still her priority, but she loved Arnav and it was evident that he wasn’t going to come between her and her business. They had managed to maintain a professional relationship while in a personal relationship and she was certain that they would be able to continue this.

Ready to turn the water off and get out of the shower, Khushi felt a strong pair of arms around her waist, lips kissing her exposed neck. Turning her head and lifting her face, Khushi saw Arnav standing behind her, his hands dropping to her hips and pulling her against him so she could feel his length against her butt.

 

“Hey…”

“I thought, why wait for you to be done when I could just join you in the shower.”

“I’m ready to get out now Arnav.”

“Nope, I don’t think you are.”

 

Spinning her around, Arnav pushed Khushi up against the wall of the shower, his hands all over her naked body.

 

“Arnav what are you…”

“I want you.”

“But we’ve already…”

 

Before she could finish what she wanted to say, his lips were on hers, his hands on her hips, pulling her close so the lower half of her body was crushed against his.

In no time, they were off again, Khushi’s moans filling the shower cubical…

 

*****

 

It was nearing 4am when Khushi pushed Arnav out of the bathroom so she could get dressed.

Wrapping the towel around his waist, Arnav laughed and got out and went to get dressed.

By the time he was fully dressed, Khushi got out of the bathroom, wearing one of his big t-shirts and a pair of shorts. Her hair was wrapped up in a big towel, her cheeks bright red from the heat of the bathroom.

 

“I found a hairdryer for you.”

 

Arnav pointed to the top of his dresser where a hairdryer was sat, waiting for Khushi.

 

“You always keep track of all my needs don’t you Mr Raizada?”

“I do… And I plan to keep track of them as we go through life together.”

 

For some reason, Khushi found Arnav’s words really made her blush. Biting her lip, she turned away so that she could dry her hair. He was promising a future… Promising that he would take care of what she needed in the future. He really was being serious about their life together and Khushi couldn’t help but feel overjoyed.

 

*****

 

“Babe… Babe, wake up.”

 

Eyes fluttering open, Khushi was met with the beautiful sight of Arnav leaning over her. Stretching her arms over her head, Khushi looped her arms around his neck, pulled him close to herself and pressed a kiss on his lips before letting him go again.

 

“A man could really get used to waking up his girlfriend if he got greeted like that every morning.”

 

Laughing, Khushi sat up in bed, stretching her arms and legs.

 

“Did you sleep well?”

“Best nights sleep I’ve had in a long time.”

 

Moving the covers, Khushi swung her legs out of the bed and got to her feet. She was feeling slightly sore, but she didn’t want to worry Arnav. Arnav smirked as he took her in. She was still in his t-shirt that was completely oversized for her and came half way down her thighs and his shorts that were just peeping out from below the bottom of the shirt.

 

“You’re clothes are all dry and I’ve ironed them for you.”

 

He nodded to the sofa on the other side of the room and Khushi saw her clothes all sat there, ready for her.

 

“You didn’t have to iron them.”

“I know but you didn’t want to go home looking a complete wreck. May have caused your parents to ask a lot of questions.”

“You have a point there Raizada.”

“I’ve taken out a fresh toothbrush for you and left it on top of the towel. If you need anything else just let me know. I’m going to go and get breakfast ready.”

 

Arnav turned away and was about to leave the room when Khushi rushed over to him and hugged him from behind.

 

“Thank you… For being such an attentive and caring lover. And I’m not just thanking you for the clothes and the toothbrush. Last night… Last night was by far the most beautiful night of my life, maybe even more so than our first night together.”

 

Turning in her arms, he pressed a light kiss against her lips, looping his arms around her waist.

 

“Last night was… Intense and passionate and beautiful for me too. But I know we can’t do this again any time soon.”

 

Khushi felt slightly taken aback by him saying this. She was just about to say that herself.

 

“I know that’s what you would have said next and I understand. You wanted us to not spend the night together again until after marriage and I agreed with that. Last night is something we both needed but I know we can’t do that again. But it’s okay by me, as soon as Akash and Payal’s wedding is done, I will tell everyone about us and we’ll get our wedding on track as soon as possible.”

“Thank you for understanding me and my needs.”

“I told you, I’ll always take care of your needs and what you want from me.”

“I really do love you Arnav.”

“I love you too.”

 

*****

 

Walking through the front door of her apartment, Khushi was praying that her parents weren’t awake yet. It was still only half 7, so she was hoping she’d got back early enough to avoid any awkward questions. But unlucky for her, her father was sat in the living room, watching TV while eating his toast. Turning his attention to his daughter, he switched the TV off.

 

“Lalita! Khushi’s home!”

 

Putting her bag down on the sofa, Khushi came and sat down beside her father.

 

“You’re already awake?”

“I didn’t sleep well, the whole time difference thing is still causing me to sleep at weird times.”

“You’ll get used to it soon enough papa.”

“I hope so, otherwise it’s going to be a very long month.”

“Do you guys still plan on going back as soon as Payal’s wedding is over.”

“Haan beta. You know India isn’t the place for me. I don’t even know how I am going to stay here for a whole month.”

“But…”

 

She wanted to tell her father about what Arnav had said last night, about what he had proposed, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. How does one tell their father that their boyfriend was ready to talk to the families about marriage?

 

“Did you and Arnav get all your work done yesterday?”

“We did.”

“You should invite him round one day so we can all have dinner together or something. It was nice meeting him at the engagement but it’ll be nice to talk to him when I can actually hear him.”

“I’ll let him know.”

“He is good to you isn’t he Khushi?”

“He is papa. He takes the best care of me and he respects me so, so much.”

“Well I’m glad that you have found love and happiness with Arnav. I’m hoping you kids do plan on making things official very soon.”

 

Blushing, Khushi looked away and her father got the answer he needed. She didn’t need to say anything, he knew his daughter well enough to know that she and Arnav did have plans for the future.

 

“Go and have some breakfast now otherwise you’ll be late for work.”

“I’ve already had breakfast but haan, I do need to get ready for work.”

 

Getting to her feet, Khushi hugged her father quickly before rushing off to her bedroom.

Karan watched his daughter rush away, her cheeks glowing bright pink. May she always remain this happy. That’s all he wanted in life.

 

*****

 

Akash walked into Arnav’s office to find his brother smiling at his phone.

 

“Ahem.”

 

Locking his phone, Arnav turned around. It was evident that he hadn’t been expecting anyone to walk in on him just now.

 

“Hey Akash, what’s up bro?”

“Nothing, I just came to see if you came into the office. You didn’t come home last night.”

 

Smirking, Arnav winked at Akash, who shut the door behind him and sat down at Arnav’s desk.

 

“You and Khushi spent the night together?”

 

Arnav nodded and sat down in his seat, opposite Akash.

 

“If I tell you a secret, will you make sure you don’t tell anyone at home just yet?”

“Of course bhai! You know I’d never tell anyone anything you told me in confidence.”

“I know you wouldn’t. I just wanted to make sure you knew. Well it’s just… I’m going to tell Nani and everyone at home about me and Khushi after your wedding. And I’m going to tell them and her parents that I want to marry her.”

“Wait! You’re going to marry her?”

 

Nodding, Arnav smiled.

 

“I spoke to her about it last night and yeah… It’s what we both want and we’ve seen that we can balance business and personal so, I don’t see why we should wait.”

“Wow! Congratulations bhai! That’s… I’m so happy for you! But… Don’t you think it’s too soon. You guys haven’t even been dating for long.”

“I know,  but we love each other and we know we’re serious about each other, I know it’s going to work between us. I don’t feel we need to wait.”

 

Getting to his feet, Akash went over to Arnav and gave him a big hug.

 

“Really, I’m so happy you’ve found your happiness in Khushi. And if you guys know what you’re doing then of course I’m going to support your decisions.”

“Thanks bro, means a lot.”

 

Looking at his watch, Akash excused himself, saying that he had something important to attend to. Arnav let him go and then went to Khushi’s cabin to find her.

Her door was shut and so he knocked and waited.

 

“Come in.”

 

Pushing the door open, Arnav walked in, shut the door behind him and then proceeded to come and take a seat opposite her.

 

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

“You’re working away.”

“Yep. So much to do. You should be working yourself Mr Raizada.”

“I tried to work, but my girl is refusing to get out of my head today. You see, we shared a super passionate night together last night and I can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop thinking about how her soft skin felt against my hands, how her lips felt against mine. How her body moved under mine… I’m sure you can understand my issue.”

 

Biting her lip, Khushi turned her attention away from her laptop and looked at Arnav before lowering her eyes once more.

 

“You know, it’s highly inappropriate to talk to your business partner about your sex life.”

“Is it also inappropriate to tell my business partner that I really want to take her clothes off right now and make love to her on this very desk.”

“Very, very inappropriate…”

“But I can tell my business partner definitely is imagining how it would be if we actually did what I just mentioned.”

 

Arnav watched as Khushi’s eyes fluttered shut momentarily. He knew the effect his words were having on her, and he loved knowing how much he affected her.

 

“Arnav stop…”

 

Her voice was a mare whisper, pleading him to not make her want him more than she already did.

 

“Last night Khushi… I can’t stop thinking about us.”

“I can’t either.”

“To think, soon enough, that can be us every single night.”

“I can’t wait…”

“Are you okay, after last night? I wasn’t too rough with you or anything was I?”

“No, no you weren’t rough at all. But I am feeling a bit sore to be completely honest with you. But I guess it could be down to the fact that we haven’t really… I haven’t… Last night was only my second night so… And… You’re really big so…

“You don’t know how much it means to me, knowing that I will be your one and only. As for size, I think you accommodate me perfectly. Made for me.”

 

Looking away again, Khushi looked at the keyboard of her laptop, blushing furiously.

 

“There’s so much I want to do with you, try with you… I can’t wait to be married to you Khushi. To make you mine. To explore our sexuality together.”

 

He watched as her chest rose and fell rapidly. She was breathless, nervous, excited… She wanted everything he wanted and that excited him. Way more than he should allow himself to get excited at the office. Getting to his feet, he leaned over and pressed a kiss on the top of Khushi’s head.

 

“I’ve got to get back and get some work done. I’ll see you late baby.”

“Bye…”

 

He didn’t want to have to leave, but he knew that if either of them wanted to get any work done, he had to leave now. He turned his back and began to walk away. Khushi watched as he left, her heartbeat and breathing still erratic from his words. She wanted everything he wanted. And she too could wait until they got married.

 

*****

 

Much later the same afternoon, Arnav and Khushi were still in a trance, memories of their passion from the night before keeping them distracted.
A knock on her door brought Khushi back to her senses. Had Arnav come back again? She couldn’t face him again, not now when she had finally completely calmed herself down.

 

“Come… Come in.”

 

Popping his head into her cabin, Akash smiled.

 

“Jijaji, hi! Come in!”

 

Entering Khushi’s office, Akash shut the door behind himself.

 

“How are you Khushi? Had a good evening with bhai?”

 

Gasping at what he was insinuating, Khushi blushed a deep red once more and looked away.

 

“Jijaji!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I won’t tease you. I’m just so glad you guys found your happiness in each other. Any way, bhai sent me to get you to sign some papers. He would have come himself but he can’t trust himself to behave at the moment.”

 

Laughing, Khushi took the papers from Akash and sat down at her desk. Sitting down opposite her, Akash watched as she skim read the top page.

 

“Oh, this is all to do with the New Years fashion show?”

“Yeah. Bhai asked if you could just sign and date all the pages.”

“Sure.”

 

Signing the first page, Khushi skimmed over the next one and signed that too.

After that, she stopped reading the pages and just kept signing and dating all the pages.

 

“Don’t you want to read through it all properly.”

“No it’s alright. Me and Arnav went through all the decisions any way. I trust him to have implicated all my changes accordingly.”

“You trust bhai that much?”

“I’ve trusted him with my heart jijaji, and now I trust him more than I trust myself.”

 

Getting to the last page, Khushi signed it and then handed the file back to Akash.

 

“Thanks Khushi. I’ll just pass these to bhai to get signed and then it’s all done.”

 

Smiling, Khushi nodded and watched as Akash got to his feet and left. Yes, she had trusted Arnav with her heart, she’d completely handed it over to him. And she did trust him more than she trusted herself. She knew he’d never hurt her. She knew he’d always cherish and respect her. Her Arnav loved her, and she loved him, and that’s all that mattered in life.

Unwanted ~ Part 24

Arnav

Being in Mumbai has been the best thing ever. Given, the food isn’t as good as it is in Delhi, but the fresh sea air has been good for me, and I feel so much more at ease. I haven’t felt this free in a long time.

There wasn’t that much that needed to be done in regards with AR. There were some minor issues, but the moment I looked over it, changed some details around, everything fell back into place. I needed to be here for a few weeks still, just to look over the running, but really, if I wanted to I could have gone home. But I didn’t want to. It was nice living on my own, not being woken up every morning to the sound of kids screaming. And in the evenings I liked coming down to the beach. It reminded me of mine and Khushi’s honeymoon in Bali.

Being here, a lot of things reminded me of Khushi. At the moment it seemed like I couldn’t get her out of my head. It felt as though she was close to me and that she was trying to make me realise that she was here. It could be possible, but I’d already had the city checked years back and there was no sign of Khushi here. Maybe between then and now she had moved here, but I didn’t know. Maybe I should get someone to see if they could find anything out about her again.

Getting into bed, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if I ever did find Khushi again. Would we rush into each other’s arms, would we kiss? Or would she try to avoid me and run away?

Six years had passed, but every memory related to her was still as bright and clear as ever. I could remember it all so clearly, how things were, how happy we were, until…

 

*Flashback*

 

“Chote, come downstairs now!”

 

I turned to Khushi, her eyes wide as she held the sheets close to her body. It was our six month anniversary and we were celebrating by spending the day in bed.

I rolled over, pressed a kiss between her lips while I let my hands wander along her naked body. She squealed and pushed me off, and I laughed as I put my clothes on and got out of bed.

I love Di, but she knew me and Khushi just wanted to spend time alone. We were meant to go away, but at the last minute a new project came up and I couldn’t go anywhere, my hands were completely tied. But I’d taken the time out today, just to spend our half a year anniversary together and now Di was making me get out of bed.

I turned to Khushi who stretched in bed before covering herself properly again with the sheets.

 

“You go and see to Di, I’m waiting for you to come back.”

 

She gave me a wink and I laughed before getting out. I made my way down the stairs and as I went down, I saw that everyone was stood in the hall. What was going on?

 

“Di?”

 

Di moved out of the way and I froze where I was. Nimisha? What was she doing her. Di came over to me, her eyes wide with anger.

 

“Is it true?”

“What’s going on?”

 

I looked between Di and Nimisha, still not understanding what was going on. And then I noticed something I hadn’t noticed before. Nimi was heavily pregnant. But why was she here?

 

“Is it yours?”

“What?”

“Her baby! Is it yours?”

“What?!”

 

Now it was my turn to have wide eyes. Why was Di asking me this? Why was Nimisha here?

 

“No! Of course not!”

“Chote, just tell us the truth.”

 

Now it was Nani. What truth? What was I meant to say to them!

 

“Nani, no! This isn’t my baby? Nimisha, what’s going on here?”

“I didn’t want to do this Arnav. I didn’t want to come and get you involved, but… I know you’re married and happy with your wife but… I can’t handle this on my own. I need you.”

“Nimisha. We broke up. I can’t help you. Maybe you should go and speak to your baby’s father.”

“Hello hi bye bye Arnav bitwa, that’s what she is doing!”

 

I looked between my family and Nimisha. Wait… Was she trying to say that… We’re they actually convinced…

 

“It’s not my baby!”

 

This was insane. Why did she think I was her baby’s father? How could I be her baby’s dad when I’ve never even slept with her? How had she made my family believe that I was her baby’s father?

 

“I’m really sorry! But Arnav, the baby is yours…”

“No! Absolutely not! It’s not possible.”

“I’ve never been with anyone else like that Arnav, there’s no doubt.”

“Nimisha, I broke up with you when I saw a love bite on you. Maybe the one who gave you that is your baby’s father.”

“He isn’t. Nothing happened between us. Well, nothing that could have left me pregnant.”

“Nimi this is insane! You know we never shared any kind of relationship like that! How can you possibly think this is my baby?”

 

I hear a loud gasp behind me. Turning around, I see Khushi, fully dressed, stood at the foot of the stairs, her face completely pale. I rush over to her side, taking her hands into my own.

 

“Khushi, I swear to you, this is all a misunderstanding!”

“There’s no misunderstanding Arnav. It’s taken me over 2 months to put it altogether, but I know now. Remember a couple of nights before you’re wedding we went out? We were both tense about what was going to happen, how things were going to end up. We both got a bit drunk that night and I remember some things that happened between us, but I couldn’t remember it all. Now however, after really thinking about it… I… You are the father Arnav.”

 

Khushi’s hand fell away from mine, tears threatening to pour out of her eyes.

 

“This is insane! Nimisha, stop this! I know I can’t be your baby’s father. I never touched you like that! I know I didn’t. The only person I’ve ever had such relations with is Khushi.”

 

I turned my attention to Khushi, cupping her face.

 

“Khushi, Khushi you remember our first night together right? You remember how nervous I was, how inexperienced I was… If that wasn’t my first night, I wouldn’t have been like that, we both know it!”

 

I could tell she was thinking about our first night and I watched as she nodded slightly, but I don’t think she was completely believing me. I felt like I was becoming slightly hysterical, why was no one believing me? I know this baby can’t be mine! I know it! In my heart, I know.

 

“Arnav I know this is hard to take in, but if you want I am willing to take a prenatal paternity test. I have already spoken to my doctor about it and we can have it done. But I know that this baby is ours.”

“Why are you coming to me so late in your pregnancy about this. If you are saying you got pregnant after an alleged night before I got married, then you’re near enough 6 and a half months. Why are you only telling me now? Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I was about 4 months along. And when I did, I was so confused. But I knew you were happy and I didn’t want to come between you and Khushi. So I decided I would keep this to myself and not involve you. But I have been really struggling. My parents turned their back when they found out I was pregnant and I couldn’t manage on my own. I didn’t know what else to do, I had to come to you.”

 

I shook my head and turned away. Khushi had dropped my hand again and her eyes were fixed on Nimisha. I watched as Di took hold of Nimisha and led her into the living area and sat her down on the sofa. Di sat down beside her.

 

“Where are you staying?”

“I had rented myself a home, but I couldn’t afford to pay this months rent… I came here to ask Arnav if I could borrow some money…”

“You don’t need to borrow money, I think you should stay with us.”

 

I turned to Di, I could tell I had a look of shock of my face.

 

“Di…”

“Chote, she’s come here to ask for money from you because she needs it to take care of your child. But knowing she is carrying your child, I can’t just send her away. And we have the space so Nimisha can stay with us until we sort all this out.”

 

At this point, Khushi rushed away, towards our bedroom.

 

“Di, we can’t! I’m married! Do you understand how hard this is going to be for Khushi if you insist my ex stays with us?”

“Khushi is sensible and will learn to deal with it. Besides, this won’t affect yours and Khushi’s relationship. Nimisha is simply going to be here because she is carrying the Raizada family heir. She’s not trying to take Khushi’s place in your life.”

 

I shook my head, I couldn’t deal with this right now. I was just about to leave when I turned my attention back to Nimisha.

 

“Thanks for ruining our half a year anniversary.”

 

I went up to our bedroom and slowly pushed the door open to find Khushi sat on the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest, tears rolling down her face.

 

“Khushi…”

 

She wiped the tears away, but she didn’t look at me. Sitting down beside her, I placed a finger under her chin and raised her face so she was looking at me.

 

“Baby…”

“I’m not upset, I’m fine. It’s just a bit shocking…”

“Khushi I don’t know what’s going on, but I can bet my life there’s some misunderstanding. The baby can’t be mine! I’ve never slept with her.”

“Why would she lie about this though. Maybe you have just forgotten…”

“Khushi, I wouldn’t forget something like that.”

 

Shaking her head, she turned away from me. I tried to move towards her, take her into my arms, but she brushed me away.

 

“If you push me away, I won’t be able to get through this. I need you…”

“And I will always be by your side, I just need some time to process all this. But I’m always here for you, I promise…”

 

*Flashback ends*

 

I sit up in bed and run my hand through my hair. For a while she kept her promise, she stood by me even after Nimisha did the prenatal paternity test and it came back saying that there was a match with my DNA and the baby’s DNA.

She held me close to her when I cried that night, when I expressed to her that I was confused and that I was scared. She comforted me, whispered words of love and support in my ears.

For a while everything was going well. Nimisha was living with us in our house, but she wasn’t having any impact on our relationship. She stayed out of our way, and we out of hers. Khushi promised me that she would support me throughout the whole ordeal. That she didn’t care if I had a child with someone else. She knew I loved her more than anything, and that was enough for her.

But as Nimisha’s due date neared, she became more needy and Khushi started distancing herself from me. I remembered our last night together clear as anything, but of course at the time I didn’t know it would be our last night together…

 

*Flashback*

 

“I can’t do this Arnav. I can’t! It’s too much! I’ve tried… You know I have. I want to be here for you, but it’s so weird, watching her make you touch her belly to feel your baby… I can’t… Please let me go to Buaji’s for a few days.”

“You can go, but Khushi, I need you here.”

 

I moved closer to her, needing to touch her. The last couple of days, she had been distant. She’d go to sleep before I got to bed or she’d come to bed long after I went to sleep. If on the odd occasion we got to bed at the same time, she would feign fatigue and would say she was too tired to have sex. I wasn’t missing the sex, I was missing her. I missed being close to her, holding her against me…

She kept herself busy at all times, always seeming to remember something that needed to be done whenever I moved in to kiss her…

 

“This is so intense, I didn’t think…”

“Yes it’s intense, that’s why I need you, Khushi I… I won’t be able to handle anything without you.”

 

I closed the distance between us, and wrapped my arms around her before pressing my face into the crook of her neck. Placing small kisses on her neck, I pulled her further into myself before sweeping her off her feet and putting her down on the bed. I pulled back slightly, but she pulled me onto herself again, her hands in my hair as she guided my face onto hers, pressing her lips between mine. In an instant, our kiss became passionate, our bodies moving against the others, our hands rushing over the others body, needing to touch each other’s bare skin.

Her hands found their way under my t-shirt, mine found their way on the hem of her kameez. I broke the kiss, needing to get her clothes off. She didn’t protest. Pulling her kameez off and then pulled her bra off, I let myself kiss every inch of her exposed skin, focusing on her pebbled nipples. Seven and a half months into our marriage and I was still obsessed with her breasts. I loved how average sized they were. They weren’t large, but they weren’t small either, they were the perfect size for her body and for my hands…

 

“Ah… Mmm…”

 

Little sighs left her lips as I ran my tongue over the sensitive tip of her nipple, her hands tightening in my hair. I let my hand move along her body, touching every one of her perfect curves before dropping to her shelwar. I pulled at the shelwar, making it come loose before pushing it away. Her legs wrapped around my waist as we carried on kissing each other, she was busy trying to get my clothes off…

Once we had got all of our clothes off, she pulled me close to herself, covering her body with my own. I trailed kisses all the way down her body, from her forehead all the way to her inner thighs. She held me close through the whole process, her hand gripped in my hair while the other bunches up the sheets beside her.

When I moved back over her, she was completely breathless, anticipating what was to come as though it was our first night all over again.

 

“I love you…”

“I love you too.”

“Stay with me?”

“Always…”

 

*Flashback ends*

 

We’d made love over and over again that night. Maybe it was a sign that it would have been our last night together, but I don’t think either of us at that point thought it would be. When we’d made love that night, it didn’t feel like an ending. What she was doing to me, it didn’t feel like she was doing it because she knew she was going to leave me.

We’d made love, promising to be by each other through it all. Giving ourselves up to each other all over again.

But when I awoke early in the afternoon of the next day she was gone…

 

*Flashback*

 

I reached out to Khushi’s side of the bed, only to find it cold and empty. I rolled onto my side and opened my eyes. Sure enough she wasn’t in bed. Getting up, I rubbed my eyes and looked at the clock, it was almost 1pm! How had I slept for so long? But then memories of last night came back to me. We’d made love to each other well into the early hours of the morning. It had felt good, to come together like that after so long, it felt like she had pushed away any insecurities and given herself to me all over again.

I lay back in bed, smiling as I remembered how I’d touched her and how she’d touched me. How her body felt against mine, under mine…

Getting up again, I looked around the room. It was obvious she’d probably woken up and started her day, I couldn’t expect her to have stayed in bed with me until so late. Stretching, I prepared to get myself out of bed. As I swung my legs out of bed, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before, a note with a rose on my bedside table.

At first I was confused, but then I felt myself relaxing. This must be one of Khushi’s romantic gestures so that she could tell me how she felt about last night.

Smiling, I picked it up and began reading…

As I read, I felt the rose slip out from between my fingers and onto the floor, she was gone.

 

*Flashback ends*

 

I sat up in bed as it all came back to me. I ran my hand through my hair. A letter… That was all I got. She never called me after to explain herself, not even a letter. Just like that, she was gone. After sharing on of the most beautiful nights together, she left me, just like that. I was still naked from our deeds of the night before and she left me.

I’d done everything to find her. I’d called her, called her family, had her cards tracked. I called the airport, the train station and the bus station, but I must have been too late. She must have been well out of the city before I made all those calls. I extended my search after that. But she’d vanished…

Lying back in bed, I rolled onto my side, facing the side of the bed where she should’ve been, but as always, her side of the bed remained empty. She was gone. And I didn’t know how to find her.

Unwanted ~ Part 23

Khushi

It was nearing 8am and Raj wasn’t awake yet. That was unusual, normally he was always awake by 7 at the latest.

 

“Mama, can I go and wake papa up?”

“Go on then, tell him it’s 8 o’clock.”

 

Arushi ran off towards the bedroom. Moments later I heard a squeal of laughter and heard the sound of feet running. I heard Arushi before I saw her, she ran out, closely followed by Raj who was shirtless and had his track bottoms slung low on his hips. Arushi came and hide behind me, and Raj reached behind me, trying to grab hold of her. But he missed and ended up pulling me towards himself.

Hands placed on Raj’s chest, I looked up at him with wide eyes, feeling a blush creep across my face. His arm crept round my waist, holding me where I was.

 

“Hi.”

“Hi…”

“Sleep well?”

“As always.”

 

He moved his arm away, and pulled away from me before turning his attention back to the little monkey hiding behind me. Taking hold of her hand, he pulled her towards himself.

 

“If you jump on me again tomorrow, I’m going to jump on you!”

 

Arushi laughed as she ran away. Raj too laughed before turning away and heading back for his bedroom. Just as he was about to enter his room, he turned around to face me once more.

 

“Do you want a lift to work or are you taking your car afterwards?”

 

I thought about it for a second before giving him an answer.

 

“Is it okay if I go with you today?”

“Yeah that’s absolutely fine.”

 

He smiled before going into his bedroom again. I was about to turn away when he popped his head out again.

 

“Khushi, mom’s coming home today.”

“I know, I’ve already made up her room and prepared some food.”

“You didn’t need to do that.”

“I know, but I wanted to.”

 

He nodded at me, his way of saying thanks before going back into his bedroom.

 

*****

 

The three of us got into Raj’s car, me and him at the front, Arushi strapped in her car seat at the back.

We went to Arushi’s school first, dropping her off before we head off to work. As Raj pulled up at the school, he turned his attention to Arushi, asking her who she wanted to walk her into school. Naturally, she picked him.

I leaned over, giving Arushi a kiss whilst Raj helped her out of the car. I watched as the father-daughter duo made their way over to the school gates. I watched as Arushi talked animatedly to him and he listened, replying to her in an equally animated manner.

Raj was a natural father. From the moment Arushi was born, the bond with her was there. And as she got older, he adapted with her effortlessly. Sometimes I still felt like she was a baby, but he always treated her according to her age and this was highly appreciated by her.

Moments later, I saw Raj reemerge as he made his way back to the car.

 

“She went inside?”

“She ran inside. We know how she is with school.”

“I used to be like that when I was little.”

 

Raj laughed as he started pulling out of the school car park and made his way towards the office.

 

“You know Khushi, it’s weird, but I see so much of myself in Arushi.”

“It’s not weird. You’re her father, you’ve brought her up as much as I have.”

“I know, but… I’m not actually her dad and all of us know that. But sometimes, I find myself looking at her and I think, if anyone didn’t know better, they’d think she really was my daughter.”

 

I understood what he was saying. Sometimes I’d sit and I’d watch them, and I would see so much of Raj in Arushi. Her kind, playful nature, all of that, she had learnt from him. The way she spoke, the way she walked, it was all Raj.

But the moment things didn’t go her way or she didn’t like something, I saw Arnav in her. Her anger, her attitude, it all screamed of Arnav.

 

*****

 

I was sat working at my desk when Jai came and told me that Raj had called me to his office. Sighing, I got to my feet and made my way up to Raj’s office.

Knocking on his door, I waited for him to call me inside.

 

“Come in.”

 

Pushing the door open, I found Raj stood by his window, looking slightly tense. I shut the door behind me and went straight over to him.

 

“What’s wrong?”

“Khushi I… I was looking at the newspaper and I saw that…”

“What did you see?”

“Arnav is coming to Mumbai.”

“What?”

“There’s been some major issues in the Mumbai branch of AR. And due to that Arnav is coming to get it sorted. Khushi, I know you don’t want him to find you and that the city is huge, but I thought you should know…”

“It’s okay, thank you for telling me. I don’t think we have any reason to worry. He doesn’t know I’m here and he won’t be looking for me so…”

 

I watched as Raj’s expression changed. He looked tense. I placed my hand on his shoulder and guided him to his chair and made him sit down.

I sat down next to him, perched on his desk.

 

“I know why you’re worried, but you have no reason to be worried. You know everything that happened, you know why I can’t go back to him. You don’t have to worry, me and Arushi aren’t going to abandon you and go to Arnav.”

“But Khushi, don’t you think he has a right to know about Arushi?”

 

I shook my head.

 

“He has his own child with Nimisha. In all these years they probably have another child. Arnav doesn’t need me or Arushi. He may have created Arushi with me, but you, Raj, you brought her up with me. You’re her father and no one has more paternal right over her than you do.”

“I know all this, but Khushi, Arushi knows I’m not her real dad. We always made it clear to her that she has another father. One who lives in Delhi, who is very busy but one who loves her. She knows the truth and we both know that one day she wants to meet him. Don’t you think we should…”

“Raj please. It’s been six years, so much has happened, so much has changed. Why are we getting stuck over this now.”

“You know why Khushi. You say so much has changed but you’re still wearing the mangalsoothra he tied around your neck and you fill your maang with sindoor for him every morning.”

 

I slide off the desk and turned away.

 

“Khushi, I still remember how I found you that first day, I remember how upset you were, how broken you were. And then just as you started to come to terms with your life, you found out you were pregnant. Khushi, I remember it all. And I see you now… I’ve seen you sit in your room, holding his picture close to yourself. I see it all Khushi.”

“Please.”

 

We haven’t spoken about all this stuff in the longest time, and I don’t want to speak about it now. Yes, I still missed Arnav, yes, I still had his mangalsoothra tied around my neck, yes, I still filled my maang with sindoor in his name… But that doesn’t change reality. And the reality is we don’t belong to each other any more. He isn’t mine and I’m not his. Life changed and I need to really move on.

 

“Can I go?”

“Khushi…”

“Can I go now please?”

“Can we talk about this at home?”

“There’s nothing to speak about. I don’t want to see him and I don’t want Arushi to see him. He doesn’t know about Arushi and it should stay like that.”

“But…”

“I’m her mother and I am telling you I don’t want him anywhere near my daughter. End of story Raj.”

 

He looked slightly taken aback. I’d never spoken to him in that manner before, but I had no choice. I know Arnav has moved on with his life, he moved on long ago, hence why he married Nimisha. If I tried to re-enter his life now with Arushi, there was a high risk of him pushing us both away. And I couldn’t risk that.

He had always loved Nimisha, she was his first choice. And now he was with her. I couldn’t put myself out there, couldn’t try to go back to him. He would reject me. And I couldn’t put myself through that. And I couldn’t put Arushi through that either. I couldn’t expose her to that. I just couldn’t.

 

*****

 

As I got home, I could smell pakoras and that could only mean one thing.

 

“Veera mausi?”

 

I walked into the kitchen, and there before me was my little angel and her nani.

 

“Mausi! You’re back! How was your trip?”

“As always, Rahul drove me crazy as did those kids of his, but it was nice. But I’m glad to be home now.”

“Has Arushi been troubling you?”

“Not at all! She’s been telling me all about what she’s been doing while I’ve been away.”

 

Veera walked over to where Arushi and the pakora were and handed the plate to me.

 

“Have one beta?”

“Nehin mausi, I’m just going to go and freshen up. Arushi, come let’s get you changed.”

 

Arushi rushed ahead of me and I watched as she made her way over to our bedroom. I was about to leave when Veera mausi took hold of me.

 

“Khushi, what’s the matter? You only refuse me pakoras when you are upset about something or stressed about something.”

“No I’m fine…”

“Khushi, you know you can’t hide anything from me. Have you and Raj had an argument about something?”

 

I shook my head and sighed as I sat down at the table. I explained about how Arnav was going to be in the city and how Raj wanted me to go and speak to him about Arushi.

 

“If you don’t think you are ready to face him, then don’t. But Khushi, one day you are going to have to let Arushi meet her dad. You decided right at the beginning that you were going to tell Arushi the truth about Raj not being her dad, that her dad was someone else. She may not ask questions now, and may accept Raj, but one day she will understand better and you will have to tell her who he is and if she wants to meet him, you’ll have to let her.”

“I know but… What if he isn’t what she’s expecting, or what if he turns her away…”

“Are you worried for Arushi, or yourself?”

“Maybe it’s a bit of both. I don’t know!”

 

She pat my shoulder and offered me a pakora before getting to her feet once more.

 

“No one expects you to make a decision now Khushi, but one day you will have to let Arushi meet her real dad, whether he accepts he or not is something else. But just know, me and Raj will always be here for you and Arushi.”

 

Getting to my feet, I gave Veera mausi a hug before rushing off after Arushi. She was right. Regardless of what happened, Raj would always love Arushi, at least she would always have a father in him. But Arnav… Every time I thought about Arnav, it felt like a knife going straight through my body. I had made the decision to leave Arnav but… My life was a mess, it had been for over six years now and there was no end in sight to this mess.

Maybe one day things would be better. One day…