Dark Night Dawning Chapter 10

Dark Night Dawning – Part10

Khushi felt her dhak dhak increasing as something bristly rasped against her jawline.‘Hmmm….’ she moaned aloud as she felt the roughness of his morning stubble, his lipsblazing a fiery trail into the hollow of her throat. His hand was on her breast, his thumb arousing her nipple into a hardened peak.His lips then then moved up to the nape of her neck, his tongue darting out to make circular movements on her skin. Just as she thought how good it felt, he closed his mouth over the soft bit of skin and began to suck on it. ‘Hmmmmmm….’ she moaned louder.He sucked harder as she moved her fingers into his hair pressing him closer, egging him on.

KNOCK! KNOCK! ‘Khushi?’

Khushi opened her eyes to see Arnav’s head at the nape of her neck, her hand in his hair holding him to her. Slowly, he lifted his head and they both looked at each other their eyes dazed. She closed her eyes once again as a pleasure almost close to paint shot through her when he used his index finger and thumb to pinch her engorged peak.

‘Khushi?’ the voice was louder this time.

‘O……One minute jii!’ Khushi scrambled from the bed, straightening out her hair. She looked frantically for her dupatta when she suddenly saw Arnav holding it in his hand. She took it from him avoiding his eyes, asshe went up to the door.

‘Khushi, I am sorry to wake you up like this but I need you to help me with breakfast.Lavanyaji is leaving today, remember?’ Payal whispered urgently.

‘Of course jiji! And why should you be sorry? We have plent ___ Hey Devimaiyya! It’s 8 already! I will be down in 10 minutes ……’Her eyes widened in dismay when she saw the clock.

When Payal left, Khushi scrambled around for a towel and rushed to the bathroom only to realize that it was locked. Arnav was taking his shower! The Laad Governor! Couldn’t he have let her shower first? Especially when it was all his fault that she had woken up late. Khushi felt warmth creep up her cheeks when she remembered what had happened early this morning and her fingers went up to her nape of their own volition. When she felt a little soreness at the spot her fingers had touched she went to the mirror and saw that there was a mark. Hey Devimaiyya what was she going to do?

**

When Khushi went down to the kitchen, Payal was well into the breakfast preparations. She began to help her and in no time a hot piping breakfast was ready to be served. The family had assembled at the breakfast table and Khushi began to serve. Arnavhad come down looking especially handsome in his crisp white shirt. A lock of his hair fell across his forehead and Khushi’s fingers itched to straighten them out. What was she thinking? She nervously adjusted her dupatta so that it didn’t reveal the mark.

‘What is this on your neck?’ Khushi had not seen mamiji standing next to her looking at her nape.

‘Mamiji!’ yelled Khushi putting on the brightest smile she could ever manage. ‘What a beautiful saree! Where did you buy it?’

‘Of course my saree is bootiful, phati saadi. I didn’t buy it from your Buaji na, that’s why! And moreover, there is no need to shout, I am not deaf!’ came Mamiji’s caustic remark as she took her seat at the table.

Arnav, having watched the little exchange between the two, looked up at Khushi. A bolt of awareness sizzled between them like lightning, making her heart beat faster and then Arnav’s phone rang breaking the tension.

‘Yeah?’ he barked into the phone.

Finally, it was time for Lavanya to leave. Her bags were packed and waiting.

‘ASR is very lucky to have you in his life.’ Lavanya whispered into Khushi’s ear as she hugged her.

‘There is someone special waiting for you as well Lavanyaji. And something tells me you may not have to look too far for him.’ Khushi whispered back.

‘Hello? There are others waiting here to get hugs.’ NK called out jovially.

Next, Lavanya said her goodbyes to Naniji, mamaji,mamiji, Payal and Akash.  Anjali walked in from the main door.

‘Good you are here Di!’ exclaimed Lavanya when she saw Anjali, ‘I was wondering if I will be able to see you before I left.’

‘I had an early doctor’s appointment today. I made sure I would be back in time to see you off.’

‘I am so glad you stayed with us Lavanyaji,’ said Anjali giving her a hug.

‘Same here Di. You should stay with me whenever you visit London.’

‘It’s a deal.’

‘It was nice meeting you NK,’ said Lavanya extending her hand when he was obviously expecting  hug, ‘But then I will be seeing you soon won’t I?’ She laughed.

Everyone were wondering what she had meant by that when Lavanya turned around and looked at where Arnav was still on the phone. Arnav shut off his mobile when he saw Lavanya walking up to him. She gave him a brief hug and just stood there in front of him holding his hand.

‘I am glad you stayed with us Lavanya,’ Arnav began tentatively, ‘After what happened _____’

Lavanya raised her hand indicating him to stop. A smile played on her lips though her moist eyes gave away the sadness she felt.

‘Don’t ASR….. it’s all in the past now. I am over it. Remember what I had told you just before I left the last time?’

Agar tumhare life mein kabhi pyar aajaye …hold on to it ASR…...kyon ki pyaar nafrat she bahut bada hota hai……Make sure ki tum usse apni life se jaane nahi doge.Arnav lips tightened as he recollected her parting words.

‘Now that you have found it, don’t ever let it go.’

Arnav watched as she abruptly turned away from him and walked away. If only things were so simple.

**

‘So Nanheji, what did Lavanyaji mean when she said she will be seeing you soon?’ asked Khushi curiously voicing what everyone had been wondering about.

‘Oh its nothing Khushiji, it’s just that I have a job offer in London that I am considering.’ NK replied nonchalantly.

‘Oh, will you be leaving us then NK bhaiyya?’ asked Anjali her forehead creased with disappointment.

Before NK could answer Arnav piped in. ‘You could always come and work for AR industries NK.’

‘Thank Nannav. I know AR industries would be lucky to have me.’

The nerve of him thought Arnav when NK continued, ‘But if I work for AR now, it would look like I got the jobbecause I am related to you. I’d rather find a job based my own merit. Then maybe someday, after I have proved myself, I’ll come and work for AR.’

He was not such a bumbling fool after all, thought Arnav as his entire family stood there shocked at hearing his words of wisdom.

‘Uhhh ….All the best to you NK. When do you leave?’He couldn’t help it!

‘I have an early morning flight tomorrow.’

Arnav then turned toward Anjali. ‘Di, I hope you check up went well? What did the doctors say?’

‘The check-up went absolutely well although ____’

He didn’t let her finish. ‘Although what Di?’ his voice went up a notch in concern.

‘Relax chote, the doctor told me that I will have to do all my traveling this month because after that I will not be allowed to until the baby comes.’

‘That’s fine, you can stay home.  There is no need for you travel at all in any case.’

‘Oh no chotte!’ exclaimed Anjali, ‘I want to go to this Shiva temple.’

‘Ok….. so what’s the problem?’ asked Arnav dreading the answer she was going to give him.

‘Errr….. it happens to be near Mussoorie.’ Anjali said in a low voice.

‘What the _____?’ This was unbelievable!

‘Chotte,’ interjected Naniji, ‘If Anjali bitiya wants to go to this temple, what’s the harm? Mussoorie is not too far away and is a hill station. The fresh atmosphere of the hills will do her good before she becomes imprisoned for the next two months. Moreover we will all be there to take good care of her.’

Great! Now the entire family will tag along in this so called trip.‘Alright then, I will make all the arrangements although I am not sure I can go. I just got off on call with Aman. There is a crisis brewing with one of the clients in the US. I may have to go to the states.’

‘No…no…..you have to come with us Chotte!’ exclaimed Anjali pouting, ‘It’s been so long since we went out somewhere together.’

‘It’s alright Rani sahiba,’ said Shyam affably, ‘We don’t need saale sahab. I mean, I am there to take care of you.’

Though he was addressing Anjali, Arnav was sure his words were intended for Khushi standing right next to her. Damn! He would have to postpone his trip by couple of days.

**

Early next morning the Raizada family set out for Mussoorie. Arnav was at the wheel of the SUV, Khushi sitting next to him in the passenger seat. Anjali, naniji and Shyam were in the back seat. Akash and Payal were in the other car with mamaji and mamiji. The crisis in Arnav’s office had kept him in the office till late the previous night. Khushi was sound asleep by the time he got back home. He had slid into the bed next to her, gathering her to him and fallen into a deep sleep. Khushi had woken him early next morning with a cup of hot tea.

Arnav hadn’t wanted to come on this trip. Hell! He wished this trip was not happening at all. He hated that Shyam was sitting next to his Di, cool and calm like he was the most devoted husband in the whole world. Right after his marriage to Khushi, he had told Shyam clearly that he was going to give him another chance to redeem himself. In the beginning, it had seemed like Shyam was going to do just that. But slowly he had begun to show his true colours when he had knocked on the bathroom door. What was he doing in their bedroom? Then he had tried to talk to Khushi at the restaurant. He hated the way he looked at Khushi. Unfortunately, he couldn’t touch the bastard until his Di delivered the baby. He just couldn’t risk it.

Then there was this huge crisis at work. A lot of money was riding on this deal and it would all go down the drain if he didn’t work on trouble shooting immediately.

And finally there was Khushi……… Lavanya’s parting words came back to haunt him. Damn! Damn! Damn! He banged his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.

Khushi sensed Arnav’s agitation. She wondered what was bothering him so much. Was it because of the trouble at work or was it something else? Normally, a husband would share all his troubles with his wife. But things were not normal between them, was it? A deep sadness engulfed her.

As they approached Mussorie, the car made its way on the meandering roads lined by lush greenery, the endless landscapes spectacular in their beauty, shadowed by majestic snow ranges on one side and glittering views of the valley on the other side.

Finally they reached their hotel called The Savoy hotel which was anarchitectural wonder, built mostly with wood in English Gothic style.Since it was already lunch time they went directly to the restaurant for lunch. After lunch Naniji, Mamaji and Mamiji went up to their rooms to rest , while Akash, Payal, Khushi, Anjaliand Shyam decided to go shopping for souvenirs to the Mall which was a series of shops. Arnav had refused to go along as he wanted to work. He told them that he would be at the business centre as that was the only place in the hotel that had an internet connection.

Around 5’oclock, he got a message from Akash telling him that they were just reaching the hotel and had asked him join them for tea on the lawns outside. Arnav got up from his seat to stretch himself and came by the window to look outside. He saw Payal and Akash walking ahead, Khushi helping Anjali who seemed a little breathless. Shyam seemed oblivious of Anjali’s state as his eyes were trained on Khushi. Arnav anger rose as he saw Shyam’s callous behaviour. He left the business centre his whole body shaking in rage.

‘What happened to you Di? You don’t look ok. Can’t I trust anyone to take care of you well?’ he raged looking at Shyam and Khushi.

‘Chotte!’ exclaimed Anjali, ‘I am absolutely fine. This is quite normal in at this stage. Why is your anger at the tip of your nose at all times?’

Noticing Khushi’s agitation Anjali continued, ‘Look, you have made Khushiji upset. Come on Khushiji, let’s join the others for tea.’

As Anjali and Khushi walked away towards the lawns, Shyam spoke to Arnav, ‘Be careful what you say in front of your dearest sister saale saab. You don’t want to upset her, do you?’

Arnav wished he could wipe the smirk off Shyam’s face as he retorted, ‘Don’t you dare call me that Shyam!’

‘Respect, saale saab, respect!’exclaimed Shyam raising his eyebrows, his face displaying the arrogance he felt,‘don’t forget that I am married to your dearest sister and hence your jeejaji.’

‘The only who has forgotten that between the two of us is you, Mr Shyam Manohar Jha!’ rasped Arnav with barely controlled anger.

‘Well, whatever it is, you are stuck with me,’ he said with derision. ‘There is nothing you can do about that.’

‘Don’t be so sure about that.’ Arnav‘s voice was low and menacing. ‘Didn’t I tell you that I was giving you a chance to redeem yourself? I don’t think you took my advice seriously.’

‘I think you already know that I have stopped money going into your individual account. I have made sure you are dependent on my sister for all your personal expenses. And once the baby is born, I plan to tell her everything. After that you will be kicked out of Shantivanlike the dog you are, without a single pie to your name!’

‘Anjali will never believe you!’ exclaimed Shyam his face twitching.

“Well…… we will just have to wait and watch, won’t we?’ said Arnav as he walked away toward the lawns to join his family for tea.

No! No! No! Arnav couldn’t do that to him! He couldn’t let years of hard work go down the drain that easily!