The Royal Fling - Part 35

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Chapter 35

The medicines worked and Arnav Singh Raizada was asleep in no time. But not his Royal wife. She had trouble sleeping tonight. This Holi would be unforgettable for the rest of her life. So much happened and still a lot was yet to occur in the next coming days. Only time would tell how she will cope up. Arnav tossed on the bed, to turn the other side but winced in pain. He was still in deep sleep. Khushi rushed to his side of the bed. She gently raised his arm and tucked a cushion below to give it some support. His pain subsided. She heaved in relief. Tomorrow he was sending Akash and Payal to Shantivan. He was going to stay here alone and handle the investigation personally despite his own injury. He might be all tough from the outside for his family but he genuinely cared for them. He loved them and no matter what they accused him for, he still stood by their side, providing necessary support. It was a rare but commendable trait she wished to see in the man she ties a knot to. Don’t get carried away. Her subconscious mind snapped. His one right doesn’t erase all the wrongs he did with her. He was still the same man who lied to marry her. His next lie was allowing her to continue her profession. Though he had agreed to let her pursue it now, she knew he had no choice. But why was she even bothered to judge his actions now? She had better things to do. Like preparing for tomorrow’s shoot in Mumbai. His Private Charter was at her service tomorrow but was she ready to use his favors? What will they cost her in future? Was he doing these favors upon her to keep her glued to this marriage? For how long? Her head spun and she decided not to get deeper into these things. She slipped back to her side of the bed and dozed off.
*****************

The sharp ringtone woke him up. It was not his phone but Khushi’s and that wasn’t an alarm but a phone call from Khushi’s secretary Millie. Arnav rubbed his eyes and looked around for his wife who never leave her mobile like that often. But since she wasn’t in the room he answered the call.

“Ma’am” Millie spoke instantly before he could speak. “I have rescheduled today’s Shoots and even shared your next available dates with Bakshi for the next assignments”

“What the” Arnav snapped. “Rescheduled?”

Millie was confused when she heard a man’s voice.

“Who’s this? I need to speak to Khushi Gupta”

“Singh Raizada” Arnav added. “She is no more just a Gupta now”

Millie was left speechless. This man seemed to be very authoritative.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“I am your her husband” he got up from the bed, staring at the pillow which was cushioned under his bandaged arm. He didn’t recall keeping it there. Did Khushi?

“Oh..” Millie swallowed. “Sorry your majesty.. this is … this is the first time I am speaking to a Royal and I don’t know what to speak..”

Arnav rolled his eyes at her unusual ways of addressing him.

“That’s alright. But why did you reschedule her shoot?”

“Ma’am told me do so this morning. I hope your arm is doing well now. I heard you got shot”

Arnav was confused. Khushi postponed her shoot because he was injured?

“I am fine. I will convey your message to her”

“Thank you, Sir. Get well soon”

He disconnected the call. Khushi postponed her work for him? Now .. that’s interesting. But he didn’t know if he should be happy that she prioritized him before her work or be upset for being the reason of her distress. He knew how much career meant to her. He cannot sit here and assume. He should find her and talk.

He found her in the kitchen, freshly showered and looked like she didn’t get time to dry her hair. She had a towel wrapped on her head. It was a sight to capture. His wife was busy cooking.

“Where the hell are my Chefs?” Arnav interrupted her.

She paused to give him a glance.

“On their way. Angad called them today informing we are all here. How would they know otherwise?” she stirred the veggies in the pan.

Arnav recalled it had skipped his mind to inform the Chefs.

“Payal cannot stay hungry in the morning, especially because of her pregnancy now. And even you have medicines to take” she explained.

“So?” he stepped inside. 

She paused again but this time didn’t meet his gaze.

“So.. I decided to make breakfast for all of us” she didn’t want him to feel special.

Arnav stopped, some distance away.

“Millie had called on your number”

Khushi looked for her mobile and realized she forgot to carry it down.

“You postponed your shoots?”

“Had to” she turned off the gas burner. Breakfast was cooked. All she needed to do was ask the maids to arrange it on the table when everyone is ready to eat.

“I think you are being very impulsive now” Arnav muttered.

His statement irritated her.

“My observation” he continued. “Don’t miss your shoot for this”

“I have got my sister back after 2 long years and in very unusual circumstances. I don’t think I can concentrate on work today. The Producer has agreed to reschedule my shoot after a week. No big deal.”

This wasn’t a lie but it was definitely half-truth. Staying with Payal today was important for her but more than that she wanted to support the man who saved her sister’s family. How can she work when her husband’s arm is next to broken? Not even 15 hours had passed since the entire fiasco, how can she expect to give her best at work? She deserved a week break. To settle her sister in Shantivan and by then she assumed Arnav’s injuries would be fine too. But never in her excuses she dragged this reasoning. She didn’t want him to have high hopes from her. She pretended to stay back only for Payal.. not him.

But Arnav Singh Raizada was sharp enough to read between the lines.

“Done with your questioning? Now let me go” she tried to leave the room but he blocked her exit by his other arm.

“So much concern for the person who left you and not even a tinge of affection for the man who never wants to let you go?” he whispered in her ears. “How fair is that?”

He had to make this difficult for her!! Khushi bit her lip.

“Right” she mumbled deciding to play along. “Do you smell anything burning in this room?”

Arnav’s grinned.

“Are you jealous Mr. Royal Raizada that I am more worried for my sister than you?”

“Do I look like a green-eyed monster to you?” he humbly queried.

“I hardly ever look at you so keenly” she mocked.

That offended him for sure. He took a step closer this time.

“Who has stopped you then?” his husky voice tickled her eardrums. “I am all yours”

Khushi realized the matter had slipped from her hands. The conversation and her playful act were taking a dangerous turn where she wouldn’t want to go. So she changed the subject.

“How’s your arm now?” she cleared her throat to sound normal.

“Better” he smirked. “all thanks to the cushion who walked all the way to my side of the bed and gave support to my right arm”

Khushi felt her cheeks burning again. Here she wanted to hide her concern for him but he caught her in no time.

“Seems like you got magical cushions in this house” she murmured.

Arnav exhaled. She was so hard to crack. She wouldn’t just admit her sweet crime. Would she?

“Or maybe an angel came to rescue me in the midnight. What do you think?” he asked.

Angel? Did he call her angel? Well. For last night… she was… his disguised angel.

Before the conversation could drag, they heard Akash and Angad’s voices from the living room. Khushi took the opportunity to exit the kitchen and Arnav unwillingly followed.

“There he is” Angad pointed at Arnav. “How’s your injury now?”

“It will be better. Don’t bother” he shrugged. “Any word from the Police?”

“Not yet. I am just going there. Will call you once I have some information”

Angad left.

“Bhai” Akash interrupted. “We need to talk”

“Before you say anything, let me tell you that Daadi is informed about your arrival. She is going to welcome you both in Shantivan. Don’t break her heart by denying to go there”

“How.. how can I go back to that house? I have hurt you all”

“Acknowledging your sins and ensuring never to commit those mistakes again is enough to earn your place in the family again”

Khushi and Payal witnessed their conversation from the dining table.

“Will you forgive me?” Akash asked with a hope in his eyes.

Arnav gritted his teeth.

“You sold our business secrets to our competitors Akash. Do you have any freaking idea what kind of traitor you proved to be? Who does that to his own family?”

Akash looked down embarrassed. Khushi stared bewildered at Payal who seemed to be aware of this.

“Our business almost had crumpled if I hadn’t improvised and changed our strategies soon after” Arnav scowled reaching where Akash was standing. “You have no idea what you did Akash. We are Royals.. people look at us for support and if we fall… they fall.. they will never have anyone else to give a helping hand again”

“I am sorry Bhai” Akash finally met his gaze. “I was blinded by rage. I thought you were neglecting my opinions in our business. I felt left out”

“You should have talked to me about it” Arnav expressed his anger. “Only because I rejected your opinions once, twice, thrice, didn’t mean I considered you worthless. We are brothers Akash. Tiffs happen. Difference of opinions happen. Doesn’t mean we divide our ways”

Akash nodded in agreement and hugged him tight.

“I won’t do that mistake again. I promise”

Payal had tears in his eyes whilst Khushi’s head raised in pride. She had never seen Arnav Singh Raizada having a brotherly conversation ever with Shyam. Today when he explained things to Akash in such powerful words, it only showcased what a responsible Royal he was. Just that his own brothers misunderstood his actions and broke apart. These days she was seeing a different side of him and for a change she liked it.

Arnav patted Akash’s back.

“You both have to apologize to the Guptas too” he declared.

Payal almost shivered with that idea. Khushi clutched her hand.

“Don’t worry. We will be there with you both. I don’t know about Dad, but Mom will surely be happy seeing you back. She has missed you every single day Payal”

“I know” Payal cried. “I have missed her too”

Saying that Payal embraced Khushi who glanced at Arnav. He was staring back at her, giving support to Akash. It was time they took a lead and settle this couple in Shantivan and in the eyes of their family again.

****************** 

Eating with left hand seemed impossible. Had it been salad or something solid, he would have easily managed just like he did at breakfast. But since the doctors had advised him to drink soup which his Chef’s prepared on the instructions of his wife Khushi Singh Raizada, he couldn’t even ignore it.

The spoon slipped from his fingers and the soup spilled on his clothes.

“Damn” he groaned, pushing the bowl of soup away.

Khushi observed it from the balcony. She was talking to Millie about her schedules next week. She winded up the call and hurried inside.

“You have to finish that soup” she demanded.

“I want to.. But I cant” he snapped.

Khushi realized his problem and sat before him on the couch, taking the bowl of soup in her hand. She dipped the spoon in the soup and brought it to his lips.

“Now you can”

Arnav was mesmerized. His face lit up. The room felt silent for few seconds and when he felt she would back off from her actions if he keeps staring at her like that, he bent forward and sipped the soup.

“I didn’t know a kiss would change our relationship dynamics” he teased.

Khushi’s fingers trembled as she fed him next. That kiss on Holi morning had its own effects.

“Stop being so presumptuous” she glared back. “You looked after me when I was sick in Mussourie. This is my way to repay your favors. That’s all”

It once again pricked his heart. He leaned back and slid his hands in the pant pockets to fetch something. In a second, he fisted his fingers and stretched it out to her.

“Take it” he demanded.

“What?”

“Take it Khushi.”

She had no clue what he wanted to give her. He grabbed her wrist and opened his fist on her palm. It had nothing inside. He forced her fingers to shut the moment he was done.

“What? There is nothing inside” she snapped.

“Its invisible”

Khushi rolled her eyes. He was just playing around, wasn’t he?

“And this invisible thing has any name?”

“Feelings” he replied.

Khushi froze. He had still gripped her wrist. “I am giving you feelings Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. I want you to live with my feelings.. let them grow.. let them takeover your heart and once they are full-fledged, return them back to me .. with some of yours” he coaxed.

A shiver ran through her neck, spiraling further downward. His own breathing quickened as he raised her arm and let her feed the next portion of the soup. Now it all made sense. He didn’t want her in his life just to show the world, he wanted her for himself… He was falling for her… and he wished she felt the same for him. someday.. someday.


To be Continued


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