Dark Night Dawning Chapter 23

‘What??!!’ For the second time that night Khushi had her mouth open in an O. She was mortified when she heard the advice Arnav had given Prateek. ‘Arnavji, how could you?’

‘Look Khushi, it was just a joke ok?’ Arnav said affably.

‘Joke?…..Arnavji! This is not Delhi ----- here in Lucknow you can’t say things like that. Prateekji comes from a traditional and cultural family!’

‘So what?’ he countered, ‘Do people from traditional and cultural families expect women to be behave like rag dolls?’ He decided to pull her leg,’You tell me Khushi, don’t you feel free?’

Was he asking her if she felt free in bed?! ‘Yes…..I mean No! ……I don’t know!’ exclaimed Khushi flushing crimson,‘Oh God, I am not talking to you about this!’ Khushi was already worried what Palak’s family would have thought about her behaviour earlier in their house. In the past one year she had got so accustomed to the Raizadas lifestyle that she had forgotten how women behaved in the in these parts. She would have to apologize to maasiji tomorrow.What will happen if Prateekji tells someone?’ she asked lines of worry creasing her forehead.

‘He won’t.’ Arnav declared confidently.

‘How would you know?’ she challenged.

‘He is a man ----- and men don’t talk!’ he said cockily,‘And what was I supposed to do when Palak came up to me told me advise him about letting her work after marriage? What was she thinking? Why would Prateek listen to some random guy who he met for the first time?’

‘I think Palak feels a little more free with you than Surajji, she feels like you are the cool older brother.’

Palak thought of him as a brother? As if he didn’t have enough problems with one sister back home. People were so quick to form relationships here weren’t there?  He said ‘Of course she will feel more free with me ----- Suraj behaves like he has a stick up his a@#!‘

‘Arnavji!’ Khushi cut him off. ‘Please stop talking like that!’

‘Alright, so explain this to me. If Palak is my sister, then does that make Suraj my brother? And if so, will you be Suraj’s sister?’ he asked her with a poker face.

Khushi just stared at him like he had just grown tow horns and then turned and walked away to her room.

That night Arnav entered the bedroom to find Khushi standing in her blouse and petticoat. She had just picked up her kameez in her hands when she spotted him. She clutched the cloth to her chest and snapped.‘What are you doing here?’

‘What do you mean what I am doing here? Looks like you have forgotten that you have given up the extra rooms for Palak’s wedding guests!’  Right now his room was occupied by half a dozen giggling school girls.

‘Oh!’ said Khushi hitting her forehead with her hand, ‘that’s right…’

‘How am I supposed to work with all this din?’ he asked her exasperated.

‘Kamlamaasi asked me and I couldn’t refuse,’ she explained. Why did she have to feel guilty about it? She hadn’t asked him to come here and work, had she? She defended herself,‘This is not Delhi! Here in Lucknow we help our neighbours.’

‘Oh believe me Khushi, I am painfully aware of the fact that this is not Delhi!’ he bit out.

‘Good! Now go out -----I have to change!’ she snapped back.

Arnav walked slowly into the room toward her, and stood in front of her looking at her from her head to toe. As he leaned in, her dhak-dhak began in a slow rhythm and she took a step backward only to realize that he was picking up a file that was kept on the table next to her.

‘I only came here to take this,’ he said and walked back to the door. Then, he turned around and said, ‘I think you are forgetting that I have seen you in a lot less Khushi.’ Giving her a scorching gaze he stepped out, knowing that Khushi was probably shooting daggers with her eyes, pouting her cute lips.

The next morning, when Khushi woke up, she realized that she was lying practically on Arnav. Her left hand lay on his wide muscular chest, her breasts pressed against his chest, her head resting on his left arm. Her face was nuzzling in the crook of his neck and her left leg was lodged snugly between his legs. Her hand tingled as it brushed the hair on his hard chest and as she looked up at his sleeping face, her hands moved up of their own volition to touch the roughness of his cheeks.She was reluctant to leave the warmth of his body.

Then she suddenly realized that the room was cold -----he had switched on the AC when he had come to bed after working till late. That was probably why she had hugged him -----to keep herself warm. Maasiji had put her in a fix by asking her for the spare bedrooms, how was masiji to know that she didn’t share the bedroom with her husband? And this husband of hers had thrown all the pillows that she had neatly arranged in the centre, to the floor!She slowly disengaged herself and turned around. Just as she was about the raise herself, a strong arm wrapped around her waist just below her breasts, pulling her flush against himself ashis lips brushed against the side of her neck. Her heartbeat accelerated to full zoom and heat pooled in the pit of her stomach as she felt his arousal against her lower back. After a few seconds she realized that he was still asleep!She quickly extricated herself from him and rushed into the bathroom.

**

A few days later, Khushi was busy in the kitchen preparing food for the boxes. Arnav was in the courtyard exercising with a vengeance. She could sense that there had been some tension brewing on the work side, as he had been very irritable from the past few days. He was on the phone a lot yelling at Aman, Akash and a bunch of other people who were apparently responsible for messing up a new project that was very important. But something told her that he was most irritated with himself as he wasn’t able to give his 100% being here in Lucknow. She knew that he ran into trouble often with the internet connection going down in the middle of an important meeting, network problems with the phone and the fact that he missed all the important meetings with clients visiting the headoffice in Delhi. Added to all this, the rooms being occupied by the girls had curtailed his privacy a lot. As she felt an inkling of guilt, she stemmed it. She hadn’t asked him to come out her, had she? She took her frustration out on the chapati dough. Just then, she heard the door bell and went up to the door. It was Palak. She had come to check with them if the night’s dinner was confirmed.

‘What dinner?’ asked Arnav, as he stood up wiping the sweat off his face.

‘Khushi, didn’t you tell Arnavji that all the young crowd have planned a dinner and a movie tonight?’

‘I …I thought you might not be able to go as you have been working late every night for the past one week.’

‘Arnavji, try to come with us na?’ pleaded Palak, ‘Please, please, please…….’

‘There is no need for all this Palak, I would have come anyway. It’s just that I didn’t know.’ He said staring at Khushi.

That evening Khushi got dressed for dinner and went up to the guest bedroom to call Arnav who had locked himself in there since lunch time. The girls were at Palak’s place, freeing up some space for him. As she was about to knock on the door she heard him say a familiar name. Her hand froze before it touched the door -----

‘Lavanya! Sorry I should have called earlier…..’

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‘I said I was sorry!’

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‘You have no idea how things have been here…… ‘

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‘Yeah…..yeah…. I understand…… I shouldn’t have done that……it was a mistake…..’

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‘There have just been too many distractions……..’

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‘It’s been such a relief that you are there……….I don’t know what I would have done if it was not for you!’

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‘Absolutely…….I will come there and set everything right.’

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‘I can’t thank you enough Lavanya…..see you soon…bye!’

Khushi ran back to her room, her heart thudding so loud she thought everyone might be able to hear it. What did he mean by that conversation? It seemed like he was lamenting to his ex-girlfriend. Did he still have feelings for her? It was a mistake…..  Had he finally given up trying to convince her to go back? She thought about the passionate kiss they had shared a few days ago ……Then Shyam’s words came back to her ---

The truth is that Arnav has never been faithful to any woman in his life. He is greedy, you see he can’t be content with one when there are so many ready to fall into his hands. Oh, I have no doubt why he wants you --- your exquisite beauty tempts his rather jaded appetite -----  but when the bloom’s worn off he’ll discard you like a broken toy and never give you another thought……

Hey Devi Maiyya! Did he want both? She was his responsibility and Lavanyaji…..wasshe his true love?

**

Arnav realized that someone was calling out for him. He came out to see that Palak’s cousins were standing there all dressed up to go out somewhere. Oh the dinner!

‘Oops I completely forgot girls, give me 5 minutes ok,’ he rushed back to his room to change. No problem jeejaji…. The words wafted after him as he quickly donned on some casual clothes. This time he chose a blue shirt to wear over his black jeans.

‘Alright let’s go……where’s Khushi?’ he asked them as he walked towards the door.

‘Khushi jiji already left in Suraj bhaiyya’s car ……along with Palak and Prateekjeejaji.’ One of the girls told him.

What the f!@#! Why hadn’t she come and remind him?

When they reached the restaurant, he saw her sitting between Palak and Suraj. His brown eyes turned a shade darker when he saw her looking gorgeous in a hot pink anarkali suit. But when he saw her smiling to something Suraj was saying, his temper rose a couple of notches. He greeted Palak and Prateek with smile as he sat across from her with two of the girls sitting on either side of him.

‘Too much work Arnavji?’ enquired Palak as he sipped from a glass of water.

‘Not really it’s just that someone forgot to remind me that it was time for dinner.’ He stared pointedly at Khushi.

‘Palak, please tell him I am not hissecretary!’ she declared staring right back.

‘Oh o…..jeeji seems to be upset about something,’ said one of the girls and began to giggle.

‘Well…..jeeji is always upset about something or the other….. so let’s forget that….. girls----go ahead and order whatever you like. It will be my treat in honour of the bride and groom to be!’ Arnav announced to the group.

All the girls except Khushi gushed with pleasure at the grand gesture. Khushi knew better. The Laad Governor could be charming when he wanted to be. How else would he have attracted all the women in his life? It was only she who had never been subjected to his charm…….

Once the orders had been placed, the girls attacked him with questions, ‘Arnav jeejaji, is your house really that big? Do you really have so many cars? I wish I could find someone like you jeejaji……’

Before he could say anything, he heard Suraj say sharply to girls, ‘Mehek, Sonal ….. you shouldn’t say things like that! Money is not everything in this world!’

‘Bhaiyya, they are just having fun,’ said Palak affably, ‘Just let them be.’

‘This is not a laughing matter Palak,’ he admonished his sister, ‘People need to be treated with love, understanding, trust and respect. And these things cannot be bought with money!’

Arnav got the feeling that Suraj’s conversation had more to it than he was implying, so he decided to respond, ‘But Suraj, don’t you think money has its advantages? People come and work for you because you pay them. Not because they love you.’ he smirked.

‘Maybe not Arnavji, but they would go the extra mile for you because of that.’ He countered.

‘My employees go the extra mile …..for extra cash…..it’s called overtime payment.  But then I wouldn’t know how it works in sweet shops….’ Arnav’s tone seemed innocent enough but Khushi knew that it was dripping with sarcasm….especially in his reference to sweet shop.

‘Employees can be bought with money Arnavji…. but these things don’t work in personal relationships.’ Suraj argued.

So Saint Suraj had subtly changed the course of the conversation to the real point. It was time to put that idealistic moron in his place. ‘Actually, I partially agree with you on that one Suraj. For personal relationships, just money may not completely do the job. You also need to have a certain charm to make the person happy.’ He suddenly turned his head and looked at Khushi with a gaze that scorched the very depths of her soul and said‘It takes a lot of talent to satisfy someone by taking them to new heights making them feel out of this world.You know what I am talking about, don’t you Khushi.’

There was no mistaking the meaning of what he had just said and Khushi turned the deepest shade of red. Luckily for her the younger girls didn’t have a clue what was being talked about. They had begun to chatter and giggle amongst each other. But Suraj had visibly stiffened at Arnav’s last comment. Khushi couldn’t believe he had said that. How could he publicly hint at something that was so very personal between them? She stood up abruptly and excused herself to go to the wash room. Palak joined her.

‘I don’t know what’s gotten into him Palak…’ she lamented as the y washed their hands.

‘So what Khushi? I thought what he said was quiet romantic. So tell me…..does he make you feel out of this world?’ She asked her mischievously.

‘Palak!’ she blushed and turned away from her.

‘Khushi…don’t think you can get away from this conversation,’ Palak’s voice stopped her. ‘One of these nights I am coming over for a slumber party. You can give me all the juicy details once my pesky cousins go to sleep.’

‘I don’t think so!’ said Khushi aghast at her best friend’s demands.

‘Khushi, don’t be ridiculous, who am I supposed to ask about this, my mother?’

As the group stood in the parking lot of the restaurant, Arnav tried to get himself out of the movie plan when he heard the movie’s name was Ishqzaade. He was sure it was going to be a teeny bopper love story and would bore him to death. Khushi’s head was splitting and she was in no mood for the movie either. Suddenly, one of the girls asked innocently, ‘Why can’t you both go to the movie? What do you plan to do after you go back home?’ She got shushed by the other girls followed by muffled giggles.

‘Of course we will go……’ bit out Arnav, ‘Moreover I think my car will be needed as I don’t think all of you will fit into the Santro.’

‘We will manage if you really want to go,’ countered Suraj.

‘Let’s just go to the damn movie!’ Khushi wished she could bang both their heads together. Just as she was about to take a step, she felt Arnav’s hand at her waist.

‘My car has been complaining about your absence my dearest wife,’ he said sweetly. But Khushi knew better. He was doing this just to spite Suraj. Arnav disliked anyone who opposed him in his views. This was so unfair of him. She walked back with him quietly, a barely controlled temper suffusing her frame.

As they drove back home after the movie, Arnav wondered how anyone could sit through that insufferable movie. But then he thought most movies were insufferable. The young girls seemed to have affected by its intensity. But it was the girl sitting beside him that troubled him the most. Something was bothering her for sure. She had been extremely quiet since….. he couldn’t even remember when. His work load had increased so much in the last 4-5 days, it wasn’t even funny. He would have to talk to her and figure out what was bugging her so much.

As soon as they were back home, Arnav rushed to his laptop. His phone had been overflowing with messages regarding the delay in the new project and he had a lot of damage control to do. He would have to finish working on the damn proposal tonight. After a while, he remembered that he had to talk to Khushi. He entered the bedroom quietly to see that lights were switched off. He wondered if she had already slept when he saw her silhouette by the window, partially illuminated by the moonlight streaming through it. He realized she was crying when he heard a sniffle. He went up to her and held her by her shoulder, his forehead creased in concern.

‘Shhhh Khushi what happened? Why are you crying?’ he asked as he brought her closer to him self.

Suddenly her body was racked with sobs as she tears started streaming down her face furiously.

‘God, Khushi stop it!’ he whispered hoarsely as he pulled her flush against him and with one hand and with the other hand he lifted her face up to him. Her eyes were closed but the tears continued to flow. He decided to stop them in the only way he knew how. He bent his head to her face and kissed the tears, on one side. He saw her screw up her eyes as she let out a gasp at his touch. He then repeated his action on the other side. Her eyes remained closed but her breathing had altered as she began to take shorter breaths with her mouth open.

He then ran his tongue under the inside of her lips from one end to the other. Her hand that had been resting on his chest suddenly clutched him harder as he continued his exploration of her lower lip. His lips then moved to her chin, tracing the contours of her jaw, down her throat till they reached the low cut of her neck line. His hands then moved around her waist up her back to zipper at the back of her kameez. He slowly brought it down as his other hand peeled her kameez off her shoulders down to her waist.

He bent his heads to kiss the valley between her breasts, raining wet kisses down her rib cage until he reached her navel. Then holding her tiny waist with both hands, he trust his tongue inside. ‘Oh Khushi…… I missed this so much!’ he groaned hoarsely.

His words suddenly broke into the sensual magic that he had entrapped her in. She tried to push him away as she said, ‘Why are men such cads? All he wanted to do was to sleep with that girl!’

Arnav continued to kiss his way up her body ‘What? …Oh! …. In the movie?’ he continued up her rib cage, into the valley between her breasts, ‘Well….. the girl was pretty stupid!’ he mocked as he nibbled up to her neck, ‘How could she not know?’

‘How would the poor girl know that men are such cads that they will do anything to get their own way?’ she said vehemently.

‘Khushi?’ Arnav lifted his head to look at her eyes flashing and her body shaking with anger.

‘They will even go to extent of marrying without thinking one second what she will have to go through! Without thinking for one second that she might be an innocent girl!’ she spat out.

What was she talking about?‘Are we still talking about the movie?’ he asked quietly as he took a step back. He thought Khushi was not making any sense at all.

‘All they want is a woman’s body! …..Nothing else matters to them!’ she continued in her rage.

His own temper rose as her incoherent accusations continued, ‘Khushi! I don’t know why we are talking about this all of a sudden. But let me tell you that women also want a man’s body ----it’s just that they pretend like they don’t. That’s the only difference.’

‘Women never pretend!’ she shot back, ‘They are helpless when a man forces himself on her!’

Arnav put his hands up as he took a few more steps back. ‘Is this what this was all about?’ he whispered hoarsely his face stoic.‘You think I am forcing myself on you?’ He walked away from her leaving her half undressed, her tears streaming down her face. At the door, he turned back and said in a clear voice, ‘If you think that what happened a few minutes ago, was force ------ then you are just fooling yourself Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada!’

When Khushi looked up, she saw the door banging shut. She pulled on her kameez with shaking fingers and climbed into bed. She had no more tears to shed as she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep exhausted.

In the morning Khushi woke up all alone in her bed. She still had a raging headache. A little later she went into the kitchen and made two cups of tea. As she sat quietly sipping her tea, she realized something. There was no trace of Arnav’s lap top in the living room or the dining table. She rushed into her room and opened the wardrobe. His clothes were gone. One of the suit cases was missing. Hey Devi Maiyya he really had left!