The Royal Fling - Part 31

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Chapter 31

Shantivan

Property discussion ended and Khushi was the first one to leave the room. Whatever terms Arnav had mentioned at the end was above her head. It was needless to say that she didn’t need his money. Only because she was his wife didn’t mean she should inherit his 50% of property and assets. But arguing with him now was baseless. She decided to talk to him and force him to discard her name from that agreement later. When she came out, she almost bumped with Anamika who was equally stunned for almost being caught eavesdropping.

“Sorry.. Madamji” Anamika stepped behind, holding firmly her veil to ensure it remains covered.

Khushi didn’t fuss over it but soon realized that she wasn’t any usual maid of this house.

“You… you are that new caretaker for Daadi, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Jee” Anamika nodded.

“What were you doing here?”
Shyam and Anjali came out and strode to their room to discuss privately over the split up. They didn’t care or intrude Khushi – Anamika’s conversation. Daadi and Arnav followed them out. Anamika was speechless. Arnav had already shown his suspicion on her and now even his wife Khushi was doing the same.

“I asked you something. What were you doing at the door?” Khushi asked apprehensive of the caretaker’s presence around the same room where such important Royal matters were being discussed.

“I… I was… haan.. I was here to call Daadiji. It’s time for her medicines” she replied.

Arnav and Khushi both weren’t satisfied with her reply. It was so evident she was making it up.

“How caring” Daadi mentioned. “No one otherwise even remembers my medicine chart”

Anamika smiled. It was just her lips which were visible slightly behind that Veil. And Khushi noticed something.. a mole probably which was right below her lower lip, on her chin.

“Chaliye Daadiji” Anamika escorted Daadi back in the room.

“This woman… she .. she is” Khushi tried to find a right word.

“Strange?” Arnav completed.

“Hmm. She is not what she seems to be. I don’t get positive vibes from her” she further complained.

“Neither I. But I have asked her to share her photograph. Hopefully, that should give us a clear picture about her identity.

Khushi nodded but she didn’t realize why she cared? In two days, she was leaving this house. The Royal headaches were no more hers later.

“I don’t need your property Arnav” she shifted the topic.

“Right” he acknowledged and walked away without extending it.

Khushi’s jaw dropped. Did he just ignore talking to her? That too over such a crucial topic? How dare he? She followed him to the bedroom where they had reached by now. He opened the closet to fetch his night wear.

“It might not be a big issue for you but for me .. it is” she debated.

“The property split between us or having children with me?” he asked casually, grinning.

Khushi’s lips sealed. He was enjoying this argument, wasn’t he?

“Both” her posture stiffened.

Arnav noticed she had forgot to close the door hence walked to the door and shut it himself. She took it as if he was purposely ignoring her. The moment he shut the door and turned, she clutched his shirt and pushed him to the door behind.


“Are you even listening to me? Don’t make me go harsh on you”
He leaned back admiring her angry face.

“I am against domestic violence” he teased. She glanced at her hands which had gripped his shirt, almost unbuttoning the top few buttons. She was about to withdraw her hands from him but he caught her wrists, not letting her do so.

“Its okay… haq hai tumhara” (its your right) .. “mujhpe..” (on me)

She bristled with anger.

“Okay listen” he came to the point. “You are my legally wedded wife and entitled to share everything that belongs to me even if you don’t want to have it”

“I am leaving on Holi night”

That’s what she believed in, but he didn’t.

“Holi” he left her wrists and she didn’t take long to step away from him. “Which is your favorite color?”

“Why? If I say pink, will you wear pink outfits to impress me?” she mocked.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

“To dance on your fingers… on your instructions.. demands… is that what you want your husband to do?” he asked.

Khushi passed a sarcastic smile.

“My desires from a husband are very simple but the problem is Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada… You are too ROYALISH to fit in even one of them”

She turned to leave. He reached for her wrists and held them firmly. There was no pin, pull, just a plain touch anchoring her to him.

“I might not fit in any of them, but there is one such trait which no other man can give you other than me” he whispered.

Curiosity poked her and she met his gaze.

“What?”

There was desperation in her voice to know what that one trait is? Arnav was in no mood to clarify.

“You will know… by Holi” he replied and slipped away.

Holi? Why not now? Why so much suspense? Khushi bit her lower lip analyzing what that trait could be?


****************

HOLI

The sun rose early than usual. Summers had begun and it was hard to avoid the scorching beams of light entering their room from the gaps of the French door curtains. Khushi woke up alone on the bed. 2 days had passed finally and today she had plans to leave the house, this family and her over expecting husband who was missing in the room right now.

She showered and wearing a simple yellow-white combination Salwar she came out of her room checking messages on her phone. She had plenty of Happy holi wishes from her friends, well wishers and fans. It was hard to greet them back individually hence she posted a common wish on her social profile and locked her phone screen again as she neared the living room.

“Mumma?”

Khushi was surprised to see her mother in Shantivan. Subhadra Raizada was talking to Garima on the couch when Khushi interjected them.

“Khushi.” Garima got up and hugged her. “Happy Holi”

“Happy Holi” she answered.

“Your family invited us for Holi today. I didn’t know they celebrate it so widely. All their close ones are called”

“Yea” Khushi murmured.

She saw her father talking aside to Shyam.

“He is here too? I thought he doesn’t like to be a part of any festival” Khushi stated.

“Your husband invited him specially. How could your father miss a Royal’s invitation?”

Khushi was startled. Arnav invited her father? Something was fishy.

“Will you keep chatting with your mother or even wish your in laws?” Daadi taunted.

Khushi rolled her eyes. She had almost forgot to do that. When she was about to wish Daadi, she was stopped.

“Wait. Not alone. This is yours and Arnav’s first holi. Arnav…” Daadi called.

Arnav Singh Raizada came out from the drawing room, disconnecting a call he was busy on. Khushi’s eyes darted in surprise. He was wearing a white Kurta and grey jeans. He had done a haircut too and trimmed his beard. He looked sober and very much classy in that outfit.

“Holi Mubarak ho aap dono ko” Daadi wished the couple together as they bent down to take her blessings.

Garima watched the two with joy. Shashi reached his wife and stood next to her.

“Go take your father and mother’s blessings” Daadi insisted to Khushi who quietly obeyed. She had wished her mother already and had no plans to wish her father unless he wanted. Family functions, traditions, group lunch with relatives… Khushi was always one step aloof from all of these. But the Royals were very particular. Each and every celebration was incomplete without traditions and loads of rituals. She didn’t know how she would get adjusted to all this. But why was she even thinking of it? Today she was quitting this role… this place… forever… promising never to turn back. But as they say, was it really that easy.

Arnav gave her a gentle shook. She wasn’t paying attention to any of them after all.

“Tum theek ho?” (You alright?) he asked genuinely feeling concerned for her.

“After today, I will definitely be alright forever” she muttered and leaned down to take her parents blessings with him. Though Arnav wasn’t happy with that statement, he followed her actions and took the Guptas blessings.

“Let Devi Maa bless you both and soon you give me my first Grandchild” Garima blessed.

Whilst Arnav loved that line, Khushi froze.

“Mumma please” she argued.

“Whats so wrong about it?” Shashi asked. “After all you both have been for honeymoon twice.. once in Bali.. then Mussourie. I am sure you must have thought something about babies”

Arnav smirked hard.

“You mean… a baby boy, right dad? You will be interested in my child only if it’s a boy.. not if I give birth to a girl”

Arnav sucked in a sharp breath. Khushi was always like this.. cold and distant from her father. He was aware of the bitterness they shared although Khushi never came up to him and eased her heart out.

“That’s disgusting” Arnav commented. “Boy or a girl.. both should get equal love and rights”

Shashi felt an invisible slap on his face for being said that in Arnav’s presence. Garima came to their rescue.

“Khushi.. don’t spoil your mood on this occasion”

“No Mumma. My mood is absolutely fine. I was just rephrasing Dad’s words. I have no qualms if he loves my child of not. When he couldn’t give his love to me.. how can I expect he would give some to my baby?”

“Enough is enough” Shashi shouted. Before Arnav could take charge here, Daadi joined them again.

“Let’s get the Puja done. We have people waiting outside to start the festive”

She took Garima and Shashi along.

“Khushi..” Anjali reached the couple. “I hope you haven’t told the color to Arnav?”

Khushi was confused.

“Color? Which color??”

Arnav rolled his eyes and left to the Puja room. He was sure Anjali would give every bit of this tradition detail to Khushi.

“The one you would write on the Royal chits” Anjali answered. “It’s our tradition. Every new bride participating in this tradition writes her favorite color on a chit and that will be placed in the pot with others. The groom has to guess the right color written by his wife and apply it on her before noon. Means he gets exactly an hour to think and action. This is a Royal ritual played on Holi by generations” Anjali explained.

“Strange ritual” Khushi muttered.

“And if he wins to apply the right color on his wife before noon then he gets a chance to ask something special from his wife… like a promise… or any favors.. demands.. anything. And the bride cannot deny to fulfil it. This is his best chance to make his wife dance on his fingertips.. in a good way of course”

Khushi was amused. That’s weird. If Arnav wins… what will he ask from her? And … wait!! Why would she even fulfil it even if he wins? Is that.. is that why he made her wait till Holi? So that he could win this game and ask her to stay back? Damn!! That man was sharp. But what was the probability that Arnav would know which color she writes in that chit? He cannot be so brilliant, can he? She can choose any color. But anything was possible with Arnav Singh Raizada.

Anjali was so excited to give more insight to this custom.

“During our first holi, I made Shyam chase me until noon but then purposely gave up seeing his efforts. It was so much fun”

Khushi smiled. Anjali’s love for Shyam was always visible in her talks whenever she discussed anything about him.. even the silliest matter. But this was not a time to admire others. She had to think about her safety first.

Everyone assembled at the Puja room. Daadi begun circling the Puja thali at the Deity altar whilst other Raizadas and the Gupta couple stood behind her praying. Anamika took the corner. Today was her best chance to find the stuff she was here for. Whilst the family would enjoy the Holi celebration outside, she will get that perfect opportunity to do her work inside the house.

The puja was over. Khushi being the new bride of the family was told to mention her favorite color in the chit and put it in the box which would be opened sharp at noon to check if Arnav had applied that same color on his wife or not. Daadi and Garima were excited about it. Anjali reminisced her times and kept teasing her husband while Arnav Singh Raizada kept his eyes glued on his wife. She glanced at him once and made her decision. Red it is !! The color that she would write on the chit. She knew it was his favorite color and whatever happens he would never guess she would mention his favorite on that chit. This was her best way to make him lose. She folded the chit and placed it in the box.

“Good” Daadi smiled. “Now Arnav… think and all the best. We all want you to win”

Arnav smirked lightly.

“We have eyes on you Brother” Shyam interrupted. “No cheating”

“The box will remain with me” Daadi added. “We will open the chit at noon”

Suhani and Angad entered the house. Everyone else dispersed.

“Thank God you came” Khushi dragged Suhani out to explain her about this silly game.

******************

15 minutes to Noon

People were playing with colors and water.. in the garden area of Shantivan.

“I want to play too.. apply the color on you… mumma and… maybe even Anjali” Khushi told Suhani.

“But you cant… not until Arnav colors you first.”

“You really think he will even make an attempt to apply color on me? He knows I am leaving tonight… why would he waste time in all this? I think he will be making plans what to tell people once I am gone. He has better things to address Suhani”

Suhani sighed.

“He is Arnav Singh Raizada.. Always does the unexpected. Don’t take him lightly”

The moment she said it.. Khushi’s heart rate sped up. She saw Arnav standing amidst the group of some relatives and friends, taking wishes of Holi from them. She had watched him drinking Bhaang a few times in the last one hour and it had started showing effect on him now. His eyes had a mischief in them. His body posture boosted confidence. He hardly had eyes on anyone but her!! It made her feel uneasy. She decided to mock him a bit. It would ease her heart seeing him confused. She gestured him to check his watch. The clock was ticking after all. In next 15 minutes, it would be sharp 12:00 noon and he would lose if he doesn’t color her..

She would have turned away had she not seen him walking to the table where the Color thalis were placed. Was he… was he going to pick a color now? She waited with baited breath to see which one he chooses. He stopped at the yellow color thali and looked at her. She didn’t react. Poor man. Only because she chose to wear a Yellow white salwar didn’t mean she loved yellow color. But she kept her face from revealing any such gestures which can make him easy to choose. The next thali was red which he quickly surpassed. Khushi couldn’t contain her joy. She knew it!! She knew he would never even think in his dreams that red might be the color she wrote in that chit. He then stopped at the blue color thali and before he could fist some color, he paused and stepped behind.. Khushi’s heart fluttered. Why was he going back? In a second, he fisted some red color and turned to her raising his fist. Hell no!! Khushi swallowed. How did he know? How…?

She turned crimson noticing him heading for her.

“Khushi… he is coming” Suhani mentioned moving aside. She had no intentions of standing in Arnav Singh Raizada’s way. His heated look quickened Khushi’s breath as he reached her.

“This” he whispered…

She didn’t understand what he meant or what he was trying to explain her.

“You asked me 2 days back… what is that one trait which no other man can make you feel apart from me.. this is it.. Mrs. Khushi Singh Raizada” he murmured. “This is it..” he said reading her present state. “Your angry, ready to fight attitude changing defenseless when I walk to you… your controlled body writhing seeing me defeating your moves…. Your stomach fluttering when we are this close.. Your eyes dying to squeeze shut when I touch you”

What the hell was he talking about? Did she really react like this? She tried to look away but he caught her jaw and forced her to keep staring in his eyes whilst he eased his other fist to apply the red color on her forehead. Her eyes shut as he glided his fingers on her cheeks, coloring her smoothly like a piece of art.

“No one else can get you in this state apart from me” he declared rubbing his palm on her jawline. Khushi felt her knees going weak. What the hell was wrong with her? How could he notice all of these changes in her and she never traced it herself? What did it mean?? 

“Happy Holi” he exhaled long and slow as he titled his head and brushed his cheek with hers. The color pasted on his cheek which was his dire intention. It was obvious she wouldnt have taken that initiative to color him. And before she could come out of that shock, he pecked below her ear adding more to it... somewhere on her jawline… somewhere … just somewhere..

To be Continued

NEXT PART

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