Dark Night Dawning Chapter 15

I wanted to protect to you from everything bad and here you are Di -not seeing, not talking, not hearing. I want you to come back. You have got to come back to me. Please Di.’ Arnav said these words, unshed tears in his eyes, holding his dear sister’s hand. Anjali lay motionless, strapped to machines that monitored her condition, unable to respond. Arnav’s heart wrenched at the sight of her looking so weak and defenceless.

He had landed in Delhi around 12 AM and driven directly to the hospital. He had sent his family members home as he wanted to spend some time alone with Anjali. He had made it clear that he didn’t want to talk about anything else other than Anjali right now.Knowing Arnav’s nature, everyone went home without any argument.

After he had sat by Anjali for a hour, a doctor came up to him and told him to go home and get some rest. He assured him that it was highly likely that she would come out of the coma pretty soon.

Arnav then went to the ICN to take a look at his little niece who was sleeping peacefully in her crib. I will not let anything happen to you ever. Having made that promise he headed toward home.

Arnav stepped into the dark recesses of his bedroom and switched on the light. There was something wrong with it. He realized what it was. It had become his room again. Gone were the chimes that tinkled when he stepped in, the stars hanging on her side of the bed, the pink and white half bed sheet, the lights and even the Salman Khan poster. He opened the cupboard to see all her clothes were gone as well. She really had left.

In the past two months he had thought a lot about his relationship with Khushi. After the Nainital trip, he had even wanted to turn the 6 months temporary marriage into a permanent one. But she had betrayed him again.

He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. About the way she had taken care of him when he was injured, the way she had saved his life in Mussoorie, the way she responded to his touch and finally the way she had confessed her love for him. He didn’t know what to believe. Somewhere in the corner of his heart he wanted to believe in her.

Couple of days ago, when he sat in the conference room in the middle of a meeting he had experienced an odd sensation as if she was calling out to him. He had felt restless the entire day. It was the same day he had received a call from Akash, telling him that Di was having the baby a week earlier than she was due. In the 24 hours that it took to get back to India, he had made up his mind to get into the root of the matter. Now that Di had safely delivered the baby, he had wanted to confront Shyam about the issue along with Khushi, so that the matter could be resolved one way or the other.

But he had come down here to find her gone. She had just up and left without so much as a good bye, leaving him to explain this entire mess to the family. Dammit! What was he supposed to tell them? That a saali had eloped with her jeejaji? How would he explain it to his Di of all people? She had put that two-timing twerp on a pedestal. She had loved Khushi like her own sister. AsArnav sat on the bed, he wondered how he was able to think about all this so calmly and realized that his mind had gone numb with shock. Then, his eyes fell on an envelope on the dressing table.

Arnav went up to the table and picked up the envelope on which his full name was scrawled in hindi. As he opened the flap, he found 300 rupees and a letter that looked all too familiar. His temper rose as he read the letter.

“Hum Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada! Arnav Singh Raizada se 300 rupiyeudhaar le rahe hain.”

That was not all. He found another letter that in which there was more money.

Arnavji,

I have re-paid the loan that I took from you some time back. You will also find more money in the envelope. Though it is not much, I hope it will cover some of the expenses of my stay at your house in the last six months.

Khushi

It was after he had read that letter that he completely lost it. How dare she? His rage knew no bounds as he threw the envelope across the room, the notes flying out in different directions. His hand swept across the surface of the dresser, its content smashing to the ground here and there and when he spotted a shiny little dot on the mirror and realized that it was her bindi, he took a vase that was close and threw it into the mirror, splintering it into a million tiny pieces. He paced the room like a man possessed. He looked at the immaculately made up bed and pulled out the sheet and threw the pillows on the floor. He could never sleep on that bed. F!@#! he could not stay in this room. He saw her everywhere. He could smell her fragrance. He could hear the khan- khan of her bangles and the tinkling of her payal. She had ruined everything. He walked out of the room his bags in his hands. He needed to get away from here!

More than 400 Kms away somewhere in the outskirts of Lucknow, Khushi sat on a cot in the small, dingy room that was her cell since the morning. She had no more tears left in her eyes. Her thoughts went back to the events of previous night. After the birth of the baby, she had wished everyone and had excused herself to go back home to arrange for some food. She had not returned after that. She had gone home and packed her bags quietly. Shyam had come sometime later and had taken her to the bus station and together, they had caught a bus to Lucknow. After reaching Lucknow they had taken a taxi to reach the outskirts, where Shyam had deposited her in this small house owned by an old couple. Shyam had left right after, promising to return soon. The couple had not asked any questions as they showed her to the small room in which she was currently locked up in. The old lady had given her some lunch and then finally some dinner which she had left untouched.

She didn’t know what Shyam was trying to achieve by bringing her here. She didn’t even care anymore. When she had found out that he was responsible for her dad’s condition, for Di’s accidents and then finally Arnav’s fall from the cliff, she had made up her mind right away. The look in his eyes had told her that this monstrosity would continue unless she gave in to his demands. What else could she do? There was no proof of the evil things he had done. The only eye witness was her dad who couldn’t talk. And when the most important person in her life didn’t believe her, who would?

She knew Di would be extremely hurt when she found out. Especially, knowing that she had been silent even afterAnjali had confided her doubts to her in Musoorie. But Anjali was better off without Shyam. She had a new life to look forward to – as a mother to the most beautiful baby.Arnav would help her recover from her trauma.

The other members of the family would be shocked at first, but they will eventually erase her from their lives like an old unpleasant memory. Arnav would make sure of that.

Arnav would handle everything - because he was the one person who knew that it was actually a good riddance. He would convince the entire family that they were better off without them.

The people who would be most hurt would be her mother, father, Buaji and Payal. This was the second time,the first being her hurried marriage to Arnav. At that time, standing on the threshold of the Raizada mansion, her Buaji had told her she had proved that she was not their own blood. But eventually they had forgiven and forgotten. This time there would be none. But still, she knew they will be okay; they had Payal – the good daughter who would manage to salvage their honour.

And finally Arnav - she dared not get into what he was thinking.But, she would rather have him think this way than not have him exist in this world.

**

The next day, the Raizada family assembled at the breakfast table, an awkward silence filling the air as they ate. Everyone was perplexed and worried about the events that had taken place in the last couple of days. ‘Akash, where is Chotte? Did he not return from the hospital last night?’ asked Naniji, her forehead creased in concern.

‘He did Dadi…...’ Akash squirmed a little as he told her, ‘He left within one hour though. He just called me. He has checked into a hotel near the hospital. He has asked us to bring the baby home as she is getting discharged today. He said he will take care of Di. He doesn’t want anyone to disturb him.’

They were so worried that they had forgotten the little bundle of joy that was in the ICN waiting to be taken home.

‘Yes of course! We will bring her home today and take care of her until Anjali recovers. But why is Chotte doing this? Why doesn’t he want to talk?’ she wondered aloud.

‘Dadi, you know it is a big shock for him that Di has gone into a coma,’ said Akash, ‘let’s give him some time to recover from it.’

‘You are right Akash,’ agreed Naniji, ‘We will wait until Chotte is ready to talk to us.’

That night, Payal paced about in her room, wringing her hands in anxiety. Khushi’s disappearance along with Shyam was already giving her sleepless nights. And earlier in the day, she had stepped into Arnav’s room and seen the devastation that had occurred there. She knew it was time to break her silence. I hope you are alright Khushi!

It was the middle of the night by the time Payal and Akash were able to meet Arnav in his hotel room. He had just got back from the hospital, and it was very evident from his face that he had not had a wink of sleep since the time he had got back.

‘May I know what was so important that it couldn’t have waited until tomorrow?’ Arnav’s irritated tone did not forebode well to Payal.

‘Bhai, this is very important!’ exclaimed Akash. ‘Please listen to her.’

Payal quickly regaled whatever she had told Akash beginning with Shyam’s entry into their lives, about his engagement to Khushi and eventually how they had discovered his fraud.

Arnav listened to everything in absolute silence and then asked one question.

‘Why did your family hide this information from the Raizada family?’

Payal paused for several seconds before answering, ‘Be…..because of mother…’ she stuttered in her nervousness,‘she didn’t want my alliance with Akashji to be jeopardized.’

Arnav realized that Khushi had not revealed this information to him. She had protected her family in spite of the trouble she was in.

‘Great!’ he exclaimed sardonically, ‘It’s wonderful to know that you are the kind of person who was ready to hide such an important truth from your future husband for a personal gain. How do I know you are telling the truth now Payal?’

‘Bhai!’ exclaimed Akash, ‘what are you saying?’

‘I am just saying that this might all be a big master plan by the Gupta family to trap two members of the Raizada family, one sister for the son-in-law and the other sister for the son ------ and that would be you Akash!’

‘Stop it Bhai!’ The usually quiet Akash raised his voice. ‘Please don’t talk about Payal that way. Payal had actually rejected me because of our difference in status. You are very well aware how much difficulty I had in trying to convince her to accept my proposal. I trust Payal completely. I understand you are under a lot of stress because of Di. So let’s talk when you are ready to listen to us calmly.’

Akash and Payal got up and left the room leaving Arnav standing by the window his back turned toward them.

**

It was one week since Arnav had returned from the US. Days had begun to fall into a pattern. He worked from morning till night and then went to the hospital to sit by Anjali’s bed talking to her about everything and nothing. This morning as he sat at his desk, looking blankly at a file his phone rang. It was the hospital. His heart lurched as they told him that Anjali had regained consciousness. She was out of her coma!

Arnav immediately rushed to the hospital where they told him that though she had recovered completely, she was still weak and they would like to keep her another day for observation.

Arnav went into Anjali’s room to see her lying on the bed her eyes closed. Just as he wondered if she had really come out of the coma, she opened her eyes slowly and smiled at him. The relief that washed over him was so immense that he fell on his knees by the bed, caught her hand in his and broke down. Anjali gently ran her fingers through his hair as tears streamed down her eyes.

‘Shhh chotte, everything is going to be ok.’ Anjali said in weak voice.

The next day Anjali was in her bedroom with her little daughter resting gently in her arms. Arnav looked on, a little smile playing on his lips, not ready to hold her yet. She was so tiny that he was afraid he would break her. Arnav looked at Anjali cooing to her baby gently, donning the role of a new mother with ease. After all, she had experience, hadn’t she? She had just been that to him in past 10 years. After he had gone to see her at the hospital he had avoided being with her for as long as he could. This morning he had brought her home and then immediately rushed off to the office to attend an important meeting. He had given standing instructions to the entire family not to say anything to her. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her what had happened. Strangely she didn’t seem to be asking either. Maybe she was still not completely recovered yet.

Naniji walked into the room just then and announced, ‘Anjali bitiya, the Guptas are here to see you and the baby.’

The moment Arnav dreaded had come. He quickly said, ‘Nani, please tell them that Di is resting. Please ask them to come back another time.’

Before Naniji could say anything Anjali’s calm voice rang with clarity, ‘Please ask them to come in Nani. There is something important they want to tell us.’

‘Di listen, this is not a good idea, I -------‘Arnav sat by her side, desperation showing clearly in his eyes.

Anjali touched her free hand to his cheek; her eyes filled with love as she said softly, ‘Chotte, don’t you think it is time we talked about what you have been avoiding since yesterday?’

Dark Night Dawning Chapter 14

It was a few weeks since the entire family had returned from Musoorie. Everyone had started to observe that something was wrong with Khushi. She was overworking herself taking care of the dabba business, doing all the household work and taking tuitions for the kids in the evening. She seemed to be losing a lot of weight and there were dark circles around her eyes.

One evening, Naniji and Payal sat in Anjali’s room talking to Anjali.

‘Anjali bitiya,’ said Naniji lines of worry creasing her forehead, ‘I am worried about Khushi. Outwardly, she seems normal but there is something definitely strange about her behaviour. At first, I thought that she was just missing Chotte. But it is something more than that. I see a deep pain in her eyes sometimes. I wonder if it is something to do with Chotte…..’

‘I feel the same thing Naniji,’agreed Anjali, ‘I can’t be sure, but I think something happened between them in Mussoorie. The way Chotte left the hotel in the middle of the night, I think they might have had a fight that night.Another thing is,I think he hasn’t been calling herthough he manages to make quick calls to me now and then. Payalji, has she said anything to you?’

‘No Di,’ said Payal in her soft voice, ‘She said she was fine when I asked her about it.’

‘I think I will talk to her about it,’ said Naniji coming to a decision. ‘The way she is losing weight, she will vanish into thin air one day. Anjali bitiya, I think you should talk to Chotte the next time he calls you.’

A gleam of comprehension entered Shyam’s eyes as the stood at the door eavesdropping on the conversation. His brain began to work over time. Looked like Arnav had finally revealed the truth of the marriage to Khushi.And seeing Khushi’s condition it had become very clear that he had not believed in her explanation. Khushi’s interference had ruined the wonderful opportunity he had had to get rid of Arnav. But, this information could open up new avenues for him.

That night, Payal sat in her room thinking about the conversation in Anjali’s room. Khushi was definitely in some sort of trouble. Was it something to do with Shyam?

‘Payal?’ Akash had just walked into the room, ‘What’s the matter? You look so worried.’

‘No Akash, there is no problem. Why don’t you change and I will come serve you dinner.’ Guilt gnawed at Payal at the secret she was keeping from Akash. She wondered how long it would be before all this came out and blew up in their faces.

A month later, Khushi sat in her room thinking about that fateful night in Musoorie when Arnav had walked out of their room. She had tried not to think about it in the past two months - the most agonizing two months of her life. Everything in the house reminded her about him, his clothes, his plants, his files, his towel, his recliner. She had lost her appetite and was unable to sleep well, his memories coming back to haunt her in her dreams. There were too many memories in this house. She needed to get out of here!

She had wanted to leave the very next day. But she knew she couldn’t do that to Anjali and Payal. So she had decided to wait it out for a couple of months.She had called Shuklaji and told him that he would have to manage the dabba business on his own. She would be telling her tuition students today that she was going to stop taking classes very soon.  She had removed all traces of herself from his room and had packed all her belongings. Khushi felt sad at the thought of leaving her new family. She had grown very attached to Di, Naniji, jiji, jeejaji, mamaji and even mamiji. Di would deliver her baby in another week or so. After that she would be out of his life for ever. She had never wanted to stay in a loveless marriage any way.

Her time spent with Arnav had taught her a lot. She wasn’t the naïve 22 year old who had crashed his fashion show almost a year ago. Now, she was a strong and mature woman capable of running a business however small. She had made up her mind.

She was going back to Lucknow – the place of her birth. In Lucknow,she would live in her parents’ house and re-start her dabba business. She had contacted an on old friend who had promised to help her. Her mom and Buaji had taken her dad to an Ayurveda healing village near Coimbatore in South India. Once they were back, she would ask them to come and live with her, so that she could take care of them.For the first time in months she felt good about herself.

Things had seemed a little close to normal since the Nainital trip, but Shyam’s deviousness had reared its ugly head once again. But more than that, it was Arnav’s distrust of her that was the problem. He was just not ready to believe in her. He believed that she was a gold digger, a liar and a home wrecker. He hated her.

From the first time Arnav and she had met, an unknown force had drawn them to each other, time and again. Khushi had finally understood what that unknown force was. Love.

In spite of all the misunderstandings, she had fallen in love with him, and unfortunately love was not a switch that one could turn on or off. She would never stop loving him. Her love would be enough to take her through the rest of her life. For her,love was forever.

That evening, Khushi saw that it was almost time for her tuition kids to come home. When she came down she found the entire house very quiet. She stepped into the pool side on the ground floor. No one was there either. She thought she should call Di.

‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you Khushiji.’ Khushi froze when she heard Shyam’s scary voice. He had creeped up on her so quietly that it scared her out of her wits.

‘Why not?’ she asked afraid that she was not going to like the answer.

‘They have all gone to the mandir today for a special pooja,’ he told her, ‘in fact, I was the one who suggested that they should go.’

‘It …..it’s time for my tuition class, I have to go,’ stammered Khushi, ‘Hariprakash ji!’ she began to step back.

‘Your students were informed by Mohan that you will not be taking a class for them today Khushiji,’ he told her calmly, ‘Hariprakash is out running some errands. I am afraid it is just the two of us here.’

Khushi paled on hearing this and turned around ready to run when his words stopped her.

‘I am so disappointed in your behaviour Khushiji. After all the time you have known me, do you think I will ever lift a finger to harm you?’

‘Harm me?’ she spat out, indignant at his audacity, ‘You have left no stone unturned to ruin by life little by little!’

‘What have I done Khushiji?’ he demanded, ‘Is it wrong to love you?’

‘Yes! How many times do I have to tell you that you are a married man,married to the most wonderful woman like Di. How can you ever betray her like that? Do you know how much she loves you?’

‘But I don’t love her Khushiji.’ Shyam said unemotionally. ‘I have never loved her.’

‘Why did you ever marry her then?’ she asked unable to believe what she had just heard, ‘Di told me that yours was a love marriage!’

‘It was a love marriage alright. But only for her. For me, she was only a means to live.’This revelation horrified Khushi to the core.

‘Oh my God! How could you?’

‘You wouldn’t understand that Khushiji. I will tell you one day when we have more time. I understood what love is after I saw you for the first time.’ His tone was beginning to scare Khushi.

‘Stop talking like that!’ she exclaimed, ‘I am a married woman. If Arnavji comes to know ------’

‘Oh please Khushiji!’ Shyam cut her off. ‘You and I both know why Arnav married you.’

Seeing Khushi’s shocked face Shyam continued with a derisive smile, ‘In the beginning, even I wondered about that. Until you told me that he had forced you into it. You wouldn’t remember, as you were under the influence of bhang.’

‘If I was under the influence of bhang, I could have said anything.’

‘Come on Khushiji, when he told you the truth about your marriage,you must have tried to explain yourself. He didn’t believe you, did he?’

‘It is none of your business!’ exclaimed Khushi raising her voice in anger.

‘Why has he abandoned you like this, after all that has happened between you two?’ he riled her again.

‘He is away on work, she said trying to sound calm, ‘And I said, it is none of your business.’

‘You really love him don’t you? ‘Shyam’s voice was dangerously soft.

Khushi stood there silently staring at him refusing to give him an answer but her eyes had revealed everything.

‘He will never love you the way I do Khushiji,’ Shyam tried to reason with her.’ Don’t you see he has only used you!’

‘I don’t care if he doesn’t love me, I’d rather be used by him than be loved by you!’ Khushi declared vehemently, her body quivering with rage.

‘No Khushiji! You don’t know what you are saying. You deserve better than him. That is exactly why you have to come away with me and marry me!’

‘Are you crazy?’ she whispered, his final words shocking her.

‘Yes crazy in love with you.’

‘Don’t you have any feelings at all for Di and your unborn baby?’

‘She will get over it,’ he said nonchalantly, ‘she has never really needed me in her life at all, her over possessive brother has always made sure of that.’

‘I am not going anywhere with you! Not in a million years!’

‘I was not asking you Khushiji.’ His voice had suddenly turned menacing.

‘Arnavji will come after you! ’exclaimed Khushi vehemently.

‘Don’t be so naïve Khushiji. Arnav is not going to come after us. People do that only when they care for someone. And you and I both know that he doesn’t love you.’ Shyam’s words twisted in her heart like a knife.

‘That doesn’t matter! You can’t force me to go with you!’ Khushi shouted at him.

‘I tried my best to convince you in a nice way. But you don’t seem to understand it Khushiji. If you care about the people you love there will be no more arguments.’ Shyam voice had gone dangerously soft.

‘What do you mean by that?’ Khushi asked him in a low voice afraid of what she was going to hear.

‘Accidental deaths are very common nowadays.’ His words chilled her to the bone. ‘Why don’t you ask your dad? Oh right, he can’t talk can he? In that case you might want to ask Anjali. She has had some lucky escapes in the last few months. She might not be that lucky next time.’

Khushi had gone still listening to what Shyam had just revealed.Then it hit her!

‘Oh my God!’ she whispered in shock, ‘It was you! You pushed Arnavji over the cliff in Mussoorie!’

‘I always knew you were very intelligent Khushiji’ he said with a twisted smile.

Khushi’s rage knew no bounds as she lunged at him, ready to claw his eyes out. Shyam caught her hands and controlled her but not before she had landed a good kick on his shin. Trying to control his pain he growled at her.

‘Stop these childish games Khushiji. You know I can take you away by force. But I don’t want to do that. Pack your bags, we will leave tonight.’

Khushi knew she had no choice. Shyam was demented. It would be futile reasoning with him further. ‘Not tonight. I will go with you right after Di’s baby is born. Not a minute before that.’

‘I admire you Khushiji. Even at a time like this you are thinking about others before yourself. Alright, that is not too far away. We will leave right after the baby is born. But we have to be out of here before Arnav is back.’

That night Khushi sat at the pool side of her bedroom looking at the water in the pool, as tears from her eyes fell one by one into the water. Where are you when I need you?

Shyam had entered her life and destroyed all chances at a happily married life that all girls look forward to. She had lived for months in agony desperate to know the reason why Arnav had married her. Finally when she had found out, he had refused to believe her and left her in anger. But she had decided to put all behind her take life by its horns. She was finally looking forward to a life of dignity and independence. But once again Shyam was taking it all away from her. He was taking her away from everything that was dear to her.

Why won’t you listen to me?He wouldn’t be able to hear her. Even if he were standing right next to her, he wouldn’t be able to hear her. Then she stood up slowly and wiped her tears. She would have to be brave. What choice did she have at this point of time? The lives of the people she loved was at stake.

Arnav stood in the conference room in the middle of a meeting. Suddenly, he felt a strange restlessness overtake him. Thoughts of Khushi were haunting him a little more than usual since morning. He excused himself and left the meeting. He needed some fresh air.

Later that night,Khushi went into Anjali’s room with her nightly badam milk. She found Anjali on the bed in throes of pain hyperventilating. She looked like she was having intense contractions. Khushi immediately called out to everyone in the house and rushed back to Anjali’s side, to hold her and soothe her. Soon, Akash had the vehicle ready and they were on their way to the hospital.

At the hospital, Khushi held on to Anjali until she was wheeled away by the nurses for a check-up. As the Raizada family sat anxiously in the waiting room, Anjali’s doctor who had just examined her,came out to talk to the family.

‘We will have to perform a C-section as the baby seems to be in distress,’ she explained.‘There is nothing to worry as it is a routine procedure these days.’

There had been no time to see Anjali as the nurses had taken her away immediately to prepare her for the operation. The family went back to their waiting room hoping that everything would go well. Akash had called Arnav right after they had reached the hospital. He told them that Arnav would be here the day after tomorrow.

One hour later the doctor came out and informed them that Anjali had given birth to a baby girl. The baby had been moved to the intensive care nursery for observation. The doctor also informed them that though Anjali was doing fine, she was still under the influence of the anaesthesia.

The Raizada family went to the ICN to have a first look at the newest member of their family. Khushi hugged all members of her family one by one, congratulating them.

‘Are you ok, Khushi bitiya?’ asked Naniji concerned with Khushi.

‘I am alright Naniji,’ smiled Khushi tears flowing down her face, ‘It’s just that I am so overwhelmed with happiness.’

Khushi looked at her niece’s innocent face through the glass window and thought that if her sacrifice would help this little girl’s life, it was all going to be worth it.

Couple of days later, Arnav walked into the hospital and came face to face with bad news and good news. The good news was that his little niece had come into this world healthy and thriving. The bad news was that Khushi and Shyam were nowhere to be found.

But the worse news was that after the operation Anjali had not come out of the anaesthesia and had slipped into a coma.

Dark Night Dawning Chapter 13

Suddenly, desired surged through her like waves and her head bent down of its own volition, her lips touching his in the lightest of kisses. When she felt Arnav kissing her right back, she stepped back in shock. Arnav eyes snapped open to look at her standing, her body bathed in moonlight, her chest heaving, her quivering belly exposed through her sheer net saree.

‘I …  your lap top was right there….. I just put it away…. You can go back to sleep now. I’ll just draw the curtains -----‘

Khushi knew she was blabbering. Just as she raised her right hand ready to draw the curtains, she felt Arnav’s hand enclose around hers, stopping her. He turned her around and pushed her back against the french doors. Khushi began to tremble. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the coldness of the glass doors touching her back or if it was his nearness. Her bangles made a slight clinking sound as their joined hands slid down slowly.

Arnav moved his hand to her hair and slowly undid the clips she used to pin her hair. He pushed the unruly lock behind the ear,sliding his fingers down her cheek, her neck, across her collar bone and came to rest gently on her left shoulder. His delicate touch scorched her skin like fire and her trembling increased, her chest heaving. He slowly undid the safety pin, holding her pallu in his hands, as she stood against the glass in her blouse.

‘Did you know that there was absolutely no use of the pallu?’ he whispered, ‘All evening you looked just like you do right now.’

He put his hands on her waist, spanning it as if he was trying to measure it, slowly sliding his hands up around to her back, he undid the jewelled clasp. He slowly slid his hands up the side of her breasts all the way to her collar bone to gently peel the blouse off her.

‘Arnavji!someone might see us -------’ Khushi suddenly realized her bare back was against the glass doors that opened to the patio. As she made a move to cover herself, he stopped her, bringing both her hands to her sides.

‘Shhh….Khushi, there is not enough light here, I am having difficult looking at you myself.’

She looked ethereal.His eyes darkened with desire as he looked at her.Her face was flushed with desire, the milky white skin of her delicate swan like neck, her gently rounded shoulders, the round mounds of her breasts, her thin curvy waist, her flat abdomen and her delectable navel just above the pleats of her saree that was wrapped around her rounded hips.

‘Undo my buttons Khushi -----’ he told her softly.

Hardly aware of what she was doing, she fumbled at the buttons of his shirt, slipping them through their holes. She pushed his shirt back and off his shoulders.He was magnificent. Her gaze drifted over his broad shoulders and down to the wide muscles of his chest, and lower still to a flat stomach and lean waist. Dark springy hair grew in a mat over his chest and tapered gradually to a narrow line that disappeared intriguingly into the waistband of his jeans.

She placed her hands on his hair roughened chest, moving them slowly so that the hair abraded her palms. He was so beautiful to her that he took her breath away.

His eyes filled with desire so intense that it bordered on anguish. He pulled her against him so that her breasts touched his hard chest, his hardness pressed against the softness of her abdomen. Khushi raised her hands automatically and put them around his neck. As Arnav used his body to push her once again against the cold glass windows, his mouth searched for and found the sweetness of hers, Khushi pushed back with all her might to avoid the cold on her bare back, her hands still clutched around his neck.

Arnav then slid his hand into her hair to pull her head back, bending down to kiss the nape of her neck, sucking bits of her skin. His head then moved down,taking one engorged peak into his mouth, and he slowly began to suck on it. Khushi’s hand clutched at his hair, bringing him closer as she thrust her breast toward his eager mouth. She felt a molten heat pooling at the lower part of her body as Arnav continued to suck harder. He then pulled up a chair and sat down in front of her holding her waist with both his hands. As Khushi arched her back, he took the other peak in his mouth and began his ministrations. Khushi began to moan as she dug her finger nails into his strong muscled back, an unknown craving for fulfilment beginning to take form.

Arnav placed soft kisses down the centre line of her midriff, his tongue leaving a moist trail until he reached her navel and then he thrust his tongue in and began to laveat it. When her entire body suffused in the warm sensations that he was creating, she pulled him up, her hands clutched in his hair. As they stared at each other for a few seconds, Arnav captured her lips in savage kiss, his tongue exploring the roof of her mouth, igniting deeply buried fires in her.

He then dipped his fingers into her saree where the pleats were snugly tucked into her stomach, pulling out the folds, so that her entire saree lay at a heap around her ankles.  With his lips still joined to hers, he moved his hand down so that he could cup her femininity through the thin material of her in-skirt. Though this touch was not new to her, she stiffened in resistance, closing her thighs together.

‘Khushi, it’s ok,’ he whispered softly against her lips, as the fingers of one hand deftly undid the clasp of her in-skirt, so that it slid down her hips smoothly. He then thrust one knee between her legs, sliding his hand into her panties to touch her molten silken core. His touch was delicate but a jolt of sensation went right through her. As his fingers began to move in tantalizing circles, Khushi realized what her unknown craving was for and she couldn’t help the strangled moan that escaped her lips. The pleasure built and built until every nerve ending tingled from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. He began to stroke faster and faster until he felt her stiffen and then shudder, her arms holding him in a death grip, her legs buckling.

He immediately, swept her up in his arms, walked the few paces to the bed and lay her down on it with infinite gentleness. He quickly removed the remainder of his clothes, and then hers while raining kisses on her face.

He then moved over her, opening her legs gently so that he couldpush into her, losing himself in her moist, warm sweetness capturing her lips again in a searing kiss.

Khushi gasped out an inarticulate sound of pleasure, surprised at the lack of pain this time around. He moved slowly rocking at first, and then the tempo increased gradually but steadily.

Her voice broke on a little cry, and was engulfed in a pleasure so intense that it seemed her body might shatter like fragile glass.

Arnav lost the faculty of speech. Her arms hugged him tighter, her thighs locked around him as he had guided her. His groans mingled with her soft, pleading sighs.

I LOVE you.

For a moment he was poised at the outer boundary of his being, and then, unable to holdback any longer he plunged through and fell of the edge of the world.

Arnav pulled on his jeans and began to pace the bedroom. What was he doing? Why couldn’t he control himself where Khushi was concerned? What was it about her that made him break his self- imposed rules? And then, she had said those three little words!There were so many unanswered questions between them that they had to clear. He suddenly stepped on an object lying on the floor and bent down to pick it up. It was Khushi’scell phone, flashing an unread message.

Khushi stood in the bathroom, thinking about what had transpired between Arnav and her. Back in Nainital* she had justified that it would be only for one night. Then how could she have forgotten that and given in to her desires? She was shamingly aware that she had not only initiated the love making but had also blurted out the truth I love you……Had he heard her? She quickly made up her mind. She would go back and tell him about Shyam. There would be no more secrets.

When Khushi stepped out of the bathroom, the room suddenly seemed darker and chillier. She almost didn’t see Arnav standing absolutely still by the french doors, his back toward her, looking out into the night sky. There was not a single star in the sky tonight and the moon was partially hidden behind a cloud.

‘So, when were you planning to tell me?’ he asked her in a softly menacing voice.

‘About what?’ she asked.

‘Stop with the innocent act,’ he bit out angrily, turning around to face her, ‘When were you going to tell me about your affair with Shyam?’

Khushi felt a chill going up her spine. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘Don’t even try to deny it!’ he spat out, throwing her phone on the bed. ‘Your boyfriend sent you a message!’

‘What message? I really don’t know what you are talking about Arnavji!’ repeated Khushi in bewilderment.

‘Take your phone and read the bloody message!’ he thundered.

Khushi picked up the phone and saw the message, her heart beating fast, her hands trembling as she began to read.

Dear Khushiji,

The time for us to be together has come after a long time. In know you been waiting for this day just as I. You and I have made a lot of sacrifices. I had to pretend to love Rani Sahiba just as you had to pretend to love Arnav. But everything will be worth it as it is for love – our love. I have to go away now but I will see you in Delhi very soon.

Love Shyam.

As Khushi stood like a statue in shock, Arnav strode up to her, held her by the soft flesh of her upper arms, pulling her closer , ‘What were you planning to do Khushi? Elope with yourjeejaji?’

‘How can you think like that?’ she whispered shrugging his hands off, ‘After what just happened?’

‘Stop pretending to look so horrified,’ he rasped, ‘What just happened generally happens between a man and a woman. It’s no big deal!’

‘But not for me! I…. I …you were the only one ------‘

‘Oh I know that! I knew that first night in Nainital that I was your first and have been the only one to touch you since. So, what am I supposed to do? Thank you for your “sacrifice”?’ Arnav spat out, his face twisted in anger.

Hey Devi Maiyya! Khushi closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

‘Oh no! I am not the one who said that. Your boyfriend says here, in this message.‘

‘All that is false!’ she declared vehemently.

‘What about the ones that you sent him?’ he asked her quietly.

‘What?!’

‘Check your sent box.’

I miss you…. Where are you?..... I am waiting for you.

‘I didn’t send them,’ she explained, ‘Shyamji told me he wanted to borrow my phone to send messages to Di.’ She never used her phone to send messages.

‘And sent them to himself? And you didn’t bother to check? How many more lies are you going to say Khushi?

‘Apparently no more as you have already made up your mind to believe his lies!’

‘Again the innocent act! It’s not just the stupid sms I believe! That day when we were ….. stuck in the bathroom, he knocked on the door looking for you. Why had he come to our bedroom at that time of the morning? Then the other day at the restaurant, I saw him trying to talk to you just before you ran away. You have been hiding the truth from me Khushi!’

‘If it is the truth you want to know then listen!’

Khushi told him how he had entered their lives as a man posing as an unmarried guy , how he had convinced poor Buaji to allow him to stay as a PG. How he had created a situation where she was forced to get engaged to him. She also told him that she had broken off her engagement the moment she had found about his treachery.

‘If all you are saying is true, why didn’t you tell everyone right way?’ Arnav’s question put Khushi in a quandary as she remember how her mother had begged her not destroy Payal’s chances at a happy life with Akash. But she couldn’t tell him that could she?

‘Because of Di!’ she exclaimed, ‘I didn’t want to destroy her marriage.’

‘You didn’t tell the truth because you wanted to continue your affair with him!’ his accusations continued.

‘It’s not true!’

‘You could have at least told me Khushi!’ came his anguished whisper.

‘Tell you? When just a day before that you had told me that I meant nothing to you and I did not exist for you? With what right would I have come up to you and told you?’ Khushi remembered the day clearly when after seeing Lavanya in a dress like hers he had yelled first at Lavanya and then later at her when she had gone up to speak to him.

‘You will say anything to cover you lies now, but I have another surprise for you. On the night of Payal and Akash’s wedding I saw you in each other’s arms!’

Khushi looked at him, her eyes growing big in shock. ‘He forced me!’

‘Yeah right,’ his tone was laced with sarcasm, ‘Then, why did you tell him to leave my sister?’

Khushi couldn’t remember the exact conversation she had with Shyam that night. She remembered she was extremely agitated and might have said some things in context. But how was she going to convince a person who had already made up his mind about her? As she silently stood in shocked silence she heard the chilling words that came out of his mouth.

‘And that, Khushi Kumari Gupta was the reason I married you that night!’

Hey Devi Maiyya!Finally, the words penetrated through the haze she was in and she asked him her whole body quivering with rage, ‘Why didn’t you ask me the same night?’

‘Would you have told me the truth?’ he countered.

‘Why not? I would have! In fact I was going to tell you all about him that night. But you just wouldn’t listen to me. You were in such a hurry to marry me by force!’

‘Yes! I did force you to marry me because I was ready to do anything to save my Di’s marriage. Even marry a characterless girl like you!’

Khushi felt like he had slapped her. ‘If that’s what you think about me, then there would be no point in explaining myself any more. I will not stay with you another instant. I am leaving!’

‘Oh just cut it out!You know very well that you are married to a rich man who can keep you in styleand luxury.’ He said adding insult to the injury.

Khushi realized that there would be no point in explaining to him anymore.

‘When we married I told you this marriage will be for 6 months. It still stands. Otherwise you know that I still hold Akash and Payal’s divorce papers.’

‘I am leaving for US tonight. I don’t know when I will be back. Once the baby comes, and I make sure both Di and baby are safe I want you to get of my life that very instant. Not a minute before that. Do you understand?’

Arnav packed his bags and walked out of the room unlocking the door, then closing it behind him with a bang, without even a backward glance at her.

Khushi sank down on the edge of the bed. She stared ahead of her into the mirror of the dressing table at the stranger who confronted her there, with her bruised bewildered eyes and trembling mouth.

Hey Devi Maiyya.I’ts over! All over!

Dark Night Dawning Chapter 12

Dark Night Dawning – Part12

The next morning the Raizada family was on its way to the Lord Shiva temple. This temple was situated 8 kms from Dehradun, on the banks of a stream. It was known as the Tapkeshwar temple. It had got this name because a drop of water always dripped from the rocks on the Shivlinga placed inside a cave. A special pooja was conducted on the full moon day of every month. As the Raizada family stood in reverence inside the shrine,the priest completed the aarti and distributed the prasad.

‘Thankyou Shiviji for saving Laad Governor’s life.  And you too Devi Maiyya, I will come to mandir as soon as I return to Delhi.’ Khushi said a silent prayer.

Arnav looked at the expressions on his wife’s face and knew that she was probably having her one way chat with God. He couldn’t help that small smile that stole into his lips.

‘Thank God you were saved yesterday Chotte!’ exclaimed Anjali, ‘I don’t know what I would have done.’

‘I think we should thank Khushi, don’t you Di? People say that pregnancy makes women emotional, but with you one can never say.’ Arnav teased his sister to bring her out of her melancholy mood.

‘Yes we are going to thank her,’ she smiled through her tears, ‘That’s why we are going to have a special dinner in her honour tonight at the restaurant.’

‘There is no need for all this Di.’ Khushi’s heart swelled with happiness at Anjali’s sweet gesture.

‘Don’t spoil our chances of getting a party Khushiji’ joked Akash.

The Raizada family returned to the hotel and lunched at the restaurant downstairs. Akash and Payal had decided to go to the Kemptyfalls  which wasn’t too far from the hotel. On the way back they would visit Gun hill from where they could see a good view of the Himalayan ranges one side and the Doon valley on the other side.Mamiji refused to go as she was motion sick and was tired of traveling on all the winding roads. Mamaji stayed back to give her company. Anjali and Naniji wanted to rest in their rooms. Arnav told them that he had to go to the mall to buy and new phone as he had lost the one he had during the fall. After that he would be working in the business centre as the crisis in the office was still going on. Though Khushi would have loved to see the falls, she decided to go to her room to rest as she no intention of being kababmeinhaddi between her jiji and jeejaji.

Khushi lay on the bed thinking about the past day’s event. She had been shocked to see Arnav at the cliff. It made her realize that life could be so fleeting. One moment you think the entire world is in front of you and the next moment puff….it’s all gone. There are so many things you want to tell someone, but you keep procrastinating thinking that there is a lot of time. Then one fine day it is too late, as that someone might not even be there in your life. She knew that she and Arnav had grown a little closer during their Nainital trip. He had changed his mind about their 6 month marriage and had made it a permanent one, hadn’t he? Though that decision might have had something to do with the last night they had spent together in Nainital.But she couldn’t deny that they had grown closer even after that inthe two weeks she took care of him while he was injured, and then the week when Lavanya came to stay with them. She knew what she had to do. She would have to tell Arnav about Shyam and would have to accept whatever consequences the revelation would bring about.Maybe Arnav would also tell her the reason for their marriage. Was there a possibility for a fresh start?

Arnav was in the business centre working with the team in US who were struggling to fix the problem there were in. Each passing hour was making it obvious that he was needed there. He would have to leave tomorrow night. As he furiously type out an important e-mail his thoughts strayed to the freak accident on the Cliffside. He still couldn’t believe the way he had fallen over. Even more freakish than that was the way Khushi had saved his life. She could have lost her life trying to save him. What did that mean? He knew that he and Khushi had grown closer in the past few weeks, in spite of his intentions to stay away from her. He had always thought that it was a physical attraction, but was it just that or was it something more?  Was there a possibility that he had misjudged her somehow? He would have to ask her about Shyam.

Anjali tried to call Shyam and finally reached through to him.

‘Hello Rani Sahiba?’

‘Where are you? I have been trying to reach you since yesterday. Your phone was switched off.’

‘My..my phone had died and I left the battery charger back in the room and then I misplaced my phone somewhere. By the time I sorted all this out it took this much time. What’s the matter? You sound very tensed.’ His heart beating fast, he waited with bated breath. He almost dropped the phone in shock when Anjali told him. His face began to twitch uncontrollably.

No! No! No! How could that be possible? Khushiji! What a waste of opportunity! What was he going to do now?

Arnav came back to the room late in the evening so that he could freshen up for the dinner. He didn’t find Khushi in the room. Just then he got a call from Anjali telling him that they were waiting for him at the restaurant. He quickly changed and hurried up. Arnav walked up to the table where his family was seated. Khushi was not at the table either. Where was she? Then he saw her……

Khushi wore a net saree with a velvet- sequin border. The saree was pink with hues of rust blended in to give it unique look. The border was golden sequin and pink velvet. The golden aari work on the blouse matched with the one on the pallu. The blouse was short ending just below her breasts exposing her long and slim midriff, her flat abdomen and her delectable navel.

Khushi looked ravishing!He had never seen her in a saree like this before and he couldn’t take his eyes off her as she walked up to the table. She felt her dhakdhak begin as she recognized the look in his eyes. She felt those intense eyes on her all through dinner and a warm sensation filled her body from top to toe.

Soon, Naniji got up from the table wanting to allow the youngsters to have a good time. She took her son and daughter-in-law with her.

‘Where is jeejaji?’ Arnav asked Anjali. Why did that creep leave his sister all by herself all the time?

‘He had to go back to Delhi on some urgent work. Why don’t you and Akash take my bhabhis to the dance floor?’

‘And leave you here all by yourself?’ asked Arnav, ‘No way Di. Akash you take Payal for a dance.’

‘Chotte, I am fine,you don’t have to baby sit me,’ protested Anajali.

‘No Di,’ said Khushi mischievously, ‘I am worried that Lady Frances might think that you look very lonely and come up here for a chat.’

‘Thank you for bringing my here Chotte,’ Anjali touched her brother on her cheeks in her usual affectionate gesture, her eyes tearing up, ‘You made time for me in spite of the crisis at work.’

‘Don’t ever say that Di,’ said Arnav gruffly, ‘I would do anything for you, and you know that.’

Khushi looked on as the brother and sister shared a tender moment. Her eyes welled up at the sight. How much love Arnav had in his heart for his sister, she thought wistfully. She wished he could spare a small bit of it for her.

Soon, Akash and Payal came back to the table and told them that it was their turn to dance. Just as Arnav and Khushi began to refuse Anjali commanded them to leave. When Arnav and Khushi reached the dance floor, the DJ began to play a slow song Tu hi mera.

Arnav took Khushi’s left hand in his, while his other hand clasped her bare waist. Khushi looked at Arnav, her almond eyes clashing with her chocolate brown ones, a streak of awareness sizzling through them.

Tereishqmein
Doobarahe
Din raatyuhinsada
Mere khwaab se
Aakheinteri
Ik pal nahoyejuda

He twirled her away from him, brought her closer, his hand on her quivering stomach, his lips near her ear. The veins in hand stood out as he used his strength to lift her high up in the air, holding her at the waist, as dipped her low almost to the ground with a hand under her head.

Tu hi mohabbat
Tu hi haiRahat
Lagtibhalihai
Teri saadgi

Patahoonkhudko
Harghadi
Terebagairtanha
Mujhethaamle
Mujherok le
Bhatkahoon main bhatka

Tu hi merameramera……..

As the song came to an end, they stood together looking into each other’s eyes, Arnav bending his head to kiss her…….

Suddenly they realized they were in the middle of a dance floor when they heard clapping from the other guests. When Khushi made to move away Arnav caught her hand and urged her to walk back with him to their table. As Anjali was tired she decided to go back to her room. Arnav and Khushi walked with her to see her to her room. Just then Arnav received a call from his work and excused himself.

‘Can I come in for a little while Di?’ asked Khushi as they reached Anjali’s room. Anjali looked a little sad and Khushi didn’t have the heart to leave her like that.

‘I would love that Khushiji, please come in.’

‘Di, don’t you think it is time you dropped the ji and started calling me Khushi?’

Anjali smiled in her usual sweet childish way and came up to Khushi to hug her, tears in her eyes. ‘Of course I will, you are the little sister I never had Khushi.’

‘What’s the matter Di?’ asked Khushi a little worry creasing her forehead, ‘You have been silent all evening.’

‘It’s nothing Khushi.’

‘Please Di, you just called me your little sister. Won’t you tell me?’

‘It’s your jeejaji,’ said Anjali quietly, ‘I think there is someone else in his life.’

Khushi looked at Anajli in shock as hot colour swept her cheeks, her heartbeat rising in crescendo. Hey Devi Maiyya!

Anjali continued, ‘I don’t know for sure, but a woman can sense these things you know. In the past year, he has been so distracted; he has not been his usual self. He used to stay away from the house for long periods of time saying he had lots of work, sometimes he shuts off his mobile while he is talking. I know he has been lying to me as well. I am sure he is hiding something from me.’

‘Everything will be alright Di,’ said Khushi guilt gnawing at her.

‘You know Khushi, I can’t discuss this with Chotte. I am afraid of what he will do if he got inkling about this. Promise me you won’t tell him I told you all this?’

‘Sure Di. But please don’t think about all this now. You are going to be a mother soon. Such thoughts are not good for the baby. Let’s talk about the wonderful things we will do when my niece or nephew will be born, ok?’

Khushi managed to distract Anjali by indulging her in talks about new member that would be coming into their lives, long into the night. Finally, seeing that Anjali was sleepy, she excused herself and left her room quietly. The talk with Anjali had left her confused. Should she or should she not tell Arnav about Shyam?

When Khushi entered her bedroom, it was completely dark except for the moonlight that had illuminated the room with its pristineness. She saw Arnav sitting on the bed, his back resting on the head board. At first she thought he was working on his lap top. When she went closer she realized he had dozed off with his lap top still on his lap. She loved how the hair on his forehead made him look boyish. She bent down, picked up his lap top and put it away. She went back to wake him up so that he could lie down more comfortably. As she placed her hand on his shoulders, she looked at his face. He looked so peaceful, with his eyes closed, his lips forming a cute little pout. Suddenly, desired surged through her like waves and her head bent down of its own volition, her lips touching his in the lightest of kisses……. 

Dark Night Dawning Chapter 11

Dark Night Dawning – Part11

Shyam watched the Raizada family sitting on the lawn enjoying their tea. Anjali, the darling sister was sitting between her two loving brothers and was laughing in her usual exuberant style. He could see the love in her eyes as she looked affectionately at Arnav.

Arnav, sitting there brooding, probably because of the conversation they had just had. Always behaving like he had the weight of the entire world on his shoulders.

Then, there was Naniji, the matriarch of the family, Mamaji, Mamiji, Payal and Akash – all of them sickeningly devoted to Arnav Singh Raizada. And why not? They all depended on him for their survival.

And finally Khushi – she seemed happy sitting there in the middle of the group. But then, his Khushiji was always like that. She had the ability to hide her true feelings.

Shyam turned around and walked away as fast as his legs could take him.A fierce rage had started within him. If he went and joined the group for tea he wouldn’t be able put on the façade of civility that he usually did in their presence. He needed to vent.

Oblivious to Shyam’s raging thoughts, the Raizada family listened in rapt attention to the waiter who had served them tea and pakodas. He told them that in the year 1911, a 49 year old spiritualist Lady Frances Garnett-Orme, had come to stay at the hotel Savoy with her companion from Lucknow, Lady Eva Mountstephan, also a spiritualist who specialized in séances and crystal-gazing. One morning after Miss Mountstephan had returned to Lucknow, Lady Frances was found dead. She had been poisoned by her friend. Though Lady Mountstephan she was arrested later, the court had acquitted her for lack of evidence. Since then it was believed by the locals that the hotel was being haunted by the spirit of Lady Frances waiting for justice to be served.

‘There is a gh…ghost in this hotel?’ stuttered mamiji after the waiter had left, ‘Let’s move to another hotel pleeej.’

‘There are no such things as ghosts Manorama,’ said mamaji consoling his wife, ‘He was just trying to entertain us because we asked him to explain its history.’

‘I suddenly feel very dizzy and weak,’ she shivered.

‘That’s’ because of over eating, first at lunch and then these pakodas. Let me take you up to the room for some medication and rest.’

As soon as they left, Akash excused himself to take Payal to Camel’s Back Road which was a 3 km stretch where they could have a sun set view of the Himalayas while they strolled along side it.

Just then Arnav got a phone from the office and he walked away so he could talk in private.

Anjali looked at her brother and then at Khushi who was looking at his retreating back wistfully. Anjali felt a little sad for Khushi who was saddled to her workaholic, unromantic brother. She suddenly realized that Shyam had not joined them for tea. She wondered what was keeping him. She dialled his number.

Shyam’s phone began to ring. It was his devoted wife. He cut the phone. He didn’t know why she bothered to care for him when the only person she really cared for was her brother – her chotte.She would never love anyone the way she loved him. They shared a very special bond, she said. In all the years he was married to her, he had never once seen that waver even once. And vice-versa. He had seen evidence of that on the night of Payal and Akash’s wedding. He had gone ahead and married Khushi just so that he could save his precious Di’s marriage.

After Anjali and he had been married, she had showered him with so much love and affection that he had started to feel that he was a stray dog that she had picked off the streets. What else would you call such blind devotion? She was a princess from a palace and he was a pauper from the slums. The same went for the entire Raizada family who smothered him with their patronizing attitude. But the worst was Arnav. He had made surehis poor brother-in-law would move into the mansion so that his beloved sister could live in luxury and style. He had even made provisions for a regular income to be deposited into his individual account as he very well knew that his poor brother-in-law wouldn’t be able to take care of his high maintenance sister with a meagre lawyer’s salary.Not that he was complaining.In fact that was exactly why he had married her.

He remembered the day he had accidently stumbled against Anjali in the temple so many years ago. He had helped her regain her balance when he realized that she walked with a limp and had helped her to her car. He had figured out right then that she came from a well to do family. He had been right. He had dug out her entire bio-data in couple of days. The only girl of the Raizada family, had no parents and lived with her younger brother, a grandmother and uncle’s family. It had not been difficult to beguile her with his charm. Even then, Arnav had his reservations but had bowed down to the wishes of his sister. After that the other members of the Raizada family had welcomed him with open arms.

He hated them.These condescending, overbearing rich people who thought the world revolved around them. Especially, Arnav Singh Raizada!

He had seen the way he had treated Khushi in the beginning. He had made her life hell. But that had soon changed. He was sure that it was her beauty that had mesmerised him. He only wanted to use her until his needs were satisfied. And it was his duty to protect Khushi from people like him. She and he were one of a kind- meant for each other.

Today, Arnav had threatened him that he would be kicked out of RM once the baby arrived. That could mean only one thing -that he had made a will. He must have left the entire property in the name of his darling sister. How dare he put an end to his best laid plans? He had worked years for this.

The root cause of all his problems- Arnav Singh Raizada. It would be so convenient if this root cause were to vanish from the face of the earth. With him gone, Anjali would inherit all his property. After that it would just be a cake walk for him. Then Khushi and he would live happily ever after.

Lost in his thoughts, Shyam almost missed seeing the object of his hatred walk right past, along the path heading for the cliff side. He was on his phone completely oblivious of the world around him. A sudden breeze had picked up, dust and leaves flying in all directions. Shyam watched as Arnav walked dangerously close to the edge. He began to walk toward him.

As the wind continued its wild objection, Naniji suggested that they should move into their rooms as the weather seemed to be getting worse. As Khushi walked next to Anjali she felt a stab of anxiety. Where was Arnav? He had left half an hour ago when he got a call on his phone. He should have been back. Khushi felt a steadily escalating sense of foreboding which she couldn’t understand. The trio went into the hotel’s lobby, moving towards the elevator which would take them to their rooms.

Arnav couldn’t think. One moment he was talking on his phone and the next moment he was flying. He felt himself falling, it was probably just seconds and then suddenly he stopped just as suddenly. He opened his eyes to see that he was stuck on a tree that grown in the side of a cliff. He carefully balanced himself and tried to find a grip using his hand so that his entire body weight did not rest on the flimsy branch. It was very tricky. How had this happened? Had he been so close to the edge that a gust of wind had pushed over the edge? Right now all he could think was to keep himself alive. He had so much to do.  What would happen to hi Di? Who would take care of her? And Khushi. There was so much he had to tell her.

Khushi! he whispered in anguish.

Khushi suddenly turned her head toward the entrance expecting to see ------ he wasn’t there.

‘Did you hear that Di?’ she asked Anjali.

‘Hear what Khushiji?’ asked Anjali perplexed at the way Khushi was looking back at the door.

‘I heard …… someone calling out for me.’ Anjali saw anxiety in Khushi’s eyes.

‘Looks like the story about this hotel had scared you Khushiji,’ she said softly, ‘Don’t worry it is just an old wives tale made up by the hotel staff to entertain the guests.’

After seeing Anjali and Naniji to their respective rooms, Khushi opened the door to her room. She shut it back again andturned around, walking as fast as she could.She entered the woods and took the path that led towards the valley. The wind howled through the trees, the light fading quickly as clouds covered the skies ominously.

Shyam was on his way back to Delhi. He had caught a bus that would take him to Delhi by night fall. He had called Anjali and informed her that he had some urgent work for which he would have to return to Delhi right away. After that, he typed another very important message on his phone and clicked on send. He then switched off his phone.

 After walking for about 10 minutes Khushi had reached an overlook with a view of the Doon valley. There was no sign of Arnav. Somehow she couldn’t turn back from there. She called out for him.

‘Arnavji?’ And then a little louder…. Arnavji?  Arnavji?

‘Khushi!’

That was Arnav’s voice! Where was it coming from? Khushi ran toward the edge of cliff calling out for him frantically.

‘I am down here Khushi.’

Khushi looked down and was horrified to see Arnav perched on the side of the cliff ------ his only support was a small tree that had grown out from the side of the cliff. A tree that looked like it would give way any minute! Khushi began to look around to see if there was any way she could help Arnav climb up from his perch. There was nothing. She realized that there would be no time to go back for help. And she had left her cell phone back in the room. Hey Devi maiyya, what would she do now?

Then, she spotted a narrow ledge leading up to the place where Arnav was. She would be able to reach him if she used some of the smaller trees that were growing on the cliff.

 Just as she was about to take a step, Arnav yelled at her, ‘What do you think you are doing Khushi? Go back to the hotel and get help.’

‘No Arnavji, that tree you are hanging on to might snap any moment.’

‘So what do you think you are going to achieve by coming down here? Just go!’

‘No! I will come down there and help you get out of there. You will see.’

‘Khushi, why don’t you ever listen to me?’

Khushi gingerly placed her steps and went down the ledge up to the spot where Arnav arms were at a reachable distance. She then offered her hands to Arnav to so she could pull him up.

‘Are you crazy, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada! There is no way you will be able to pull me up. Instead, you will slip and fall into this gorge even before me.’

Khushi realized that he might be right. Then she knew what she had to do. She lay down flat on the ledge next to him and slipped her feet into the roots of a small tree that had grown on it. She then asked Arnav to hold on to her. When he asked her to go away she pleaded with him.

‘Please Arnavji, by holding on to me some of your body weight will shift so that there is lesser pressure on the branch you are standing on. This way we have better chances of surviving.’

He looked into her eyes, ‘Do you know what will happen if I do hold on to you and this branch snaps?’

Without blinking her eyes she said, ‘I know……. But that is not going to happen, I am sure Jeeju will come looking for us very soon.’

Khushi stretched her arms down to him so that he could hold on her. Arnav realized that this was indeed a better grip than the one he had been holding on to. When he looked into her eyes he saw sheer determination, hope andsomething he had seen in her eyes before …..in Nainital.

‘Why are you doing this Khushi?’ He had to know.

‘Would you not do the same for me Arnavji?’ she countered. He remembered the day he had let go of her hand in his office. Even that day he had known that she wouldn’t be seriously hurt because she would land on the boxes. Nevertheless that act had been low even for him. He wished he could go back in time and change that. But then, there were a lot of things he would have to change. So many things had happened between them since then. He looked at her as they waited to be rescued.

It was more than an hour since Khushi had come down to look for Arnav. It was completely dark and the cold air nipped her skin. Khushi’s entire body had begun to ache now. Fear began to set in her heart as they waited. What if Akash fails to find them? She looked at Arnav and wondered if she should tell him how she felt about him? She should also tell him about Shyam’s treachery. Hey Devi Maiyyya! Please get us out of her safely she prayed fervently.

Similar thoughts crossed Arnav’s mind. What if they didn’t make it? Should he tell Khushi about why he married her?  Should he ask her about her relationship with Shyam?

Just then, they heard someone calling out their names. Khushi heaved a sigh of relief. ‘Down here!’ she yelled.

Akash came down the ledge with another man who was the hotel staff and Khushi reluctantly let go of Arnav’s arm.  Akash managed to pull up Arnav with the help of the other man. Tears ran down Khushi’s face as she realized that Arnav was finally safe. She ran up to him and hugged him. Arnav hugged her back tightly.

‘How did this happen Chotte?’ asked Anjali. They had all assembled in Khushi and Arnav’s room. A local doctor and come and examined them. He had prescribed them pain killers and a sedative to help them sleep. 

‘I am not sure Di. I was on the phone and was having a heated conversation with my executive in London. There was too much breeze and I was having difficulty hearing. I was walking too close to the edge. I felt a push……. It was probably the wind.’

‘How could you be so careless?’ she admonished, ‘What would have happened if Khushiji hadn’t heard you!’

‘What the ___?’ Arnav turned around to stare at Khushi.

As everyone turned toward her astonished,Anjali continued, ‘After the wind picked up, we were asked to move inside. When we were in the lobby, she told me she thought someone had called out for her. At that time even I brushed it off thinking that it was because we had all heard that ghost story. But I am assuming she followed through on her instincts and came to find you.’

‘This is similar to the time when your voice was completely gone and Khushiji was able to read your lips,’ said Akash, ‘But this time it is different. Maybe it was the ghost of Lady Frances who led you there Khushiji.’

‘Stop it Akash, you are scaring your mother.’ Mamaji said jovially.

Khushi and Arnav just stared at each other unable to say anything. Anjali then ushered everyone out of the room so that they could rest.

After everyone left the room, Arnav shut the door to their room and lied down on his side of the bed.  Khushi came out of the bathroom in her night suit and lay on the bed, switching off the bed side lamp. Arnav put his arms on her waist and hugged her to him. They slept like that spooned against each other, giving in to the complaints of their tired bodies, as sleep claimed them finally.

All explanations would have to wait until tomorrow, because tomorrow was going to be a new day.