Yaadein - Part 21

 

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Chapter 21


Arnav Singh Raizada was unable to decide what Khushi’s motive behind doing all this was. While he sipped his Coffee and his father savored the Onion Pakoras, Khushi kept narrating her own childhood incidents to Aarav and others. The way her eyes sparkled when describing a naughty incident, the way she blushed when Aarav teased her, everything was out of the world tonight. Aarav sat on her lap and she didn’t mind despite recalling how bad her legs ached last night. With Aarav around, she was becoming a perfect mother and with Arnav around.. She behaved like a perfect wife… He applied a break to his thoughts. It was too soon to judge her and since they had no plans to stick to this marriage yet, he better didn’t think in that direction.


“Arnav…” Ayush interrupted his stance. “There is no point in sipping from an empty mug Son”

Arnav realized his coffee was over long back and god knows why he was still faking a sip? Probably, to spend more time around Khushi? Khushi and Aarav both laughed heartily at this joke.

“I have some work to do” Arnav rose from the couch without breaking his gaze from her. “You are coming with me. We need to talk” 

Heat crept her face. Talk? What did he want to talk? Did he notice she wore his favorite color tonight? 

“Go, Khushi” Ayush stated seeing her so blank and expressionless. 

“Jee” she got up promising Aarav she would return soon. 

Arnav led her to his bedroom and this kind of worried her even more. She stopped at his door not getting inside. 

“Do you need a separate invitation to get in?” Arnav snapped. 

“I think I do” 

Arnav recalled he had denied her to step in here. 

“You warned me never to show up here” she muttered. “What brings this change now?” 

“Change?” Arnav smiled sarcastically. “You better don’t talk about change because whatever you did in the past few hours was nothing like you” 

“That’s me” she interrupted. “Thats how I am now. It’s just a matter of time and you will realize it too someday” 

Arnav exhaled. 

“Can you please step inside this room? I am taking my warning back” 

Khushi’s joy was all over her face. She raised her left feet to step inside but then stopped. Arnav watched all her antics. 

“What?” he asked. 

“I need to put the right foot in. That’s auspicious” she winked at him and got in the room. Arnav was baffled. Seriously? Did she just say and do that? 

“Since when did you start being so orthodox?” 

“Believing in certain traditions doesn’t mean I am orthodox” 

She scanned the room stepping inside. She looked everywhere, every corner except the bed because she knew once she does, the flashbacks of that one night with Arnav Singh Raizada on that bed 8 years ago will haunt her again. 

“Sit” he gestured her towards the recliner. 

“Thank you” she sat uncomfortably because he sat next to her. Did they ever sat together like this and conversed before? 

“Why are you doing this?” he patiently asked. “You know you don’t have to take up any responsibility of this house” 

“Thanks for reminding me that” 

She turned her head away. Not that she had expected him to appreciate her actions, but why was he even questioning them? 

“I have no intention to hurt you Khushi. But I need to know why you are suddenly doing this?” 

“Because I want to leave this place giving you all the best memories” 

Arnav was blank for a moment. 

“Memories is all I had from past 8 years. I don’t need more” his stony voice was back. 

“You need them.. Just the better version of them. After I leave this house in three weeks, I don’t want you to remember me for what I was 8 years ago” 

Arnav was too emotional to reply to that statement. He saw tears in her eyes. 

“I don’t even know if you would want to remember me but since I will be seeing Aarav frequently, I guess you don’t have much choice” 


He nodded in agreement. 

“Or are you going to completely cut off from seeing me and only allow Aarav to meet me some times?” 

Arnav hadn’t thought any of this. He couldn’t even decide what their lives would be once she quits this place. 

“Never thought about that really” he answered. “But I assure you no one will stop Aarav from seeing you” 

“Thank you” she smiled. “I thought you wouldn’t even recognize me if we meet again after few months or years” 


That hurt both but she continued!! 

“You know what? Lets do this” she suddenly became all active. “Imagine, you are in a Supermarket and you see me… Say we meet each other after a year from now. What would be your reaction?” 

Arnav hated to think all that. 

“I don’t know. Lets stop imagining things and live the present” 

“Come on Arnav Singh Raizada. Let me see your story making skills” 


What she considered as fun right now was anything but fun. How could he even imagine not seeing her for a year and again bumping with her in the Supermarket. 


“So you mean to say we are divorced and we never saw each other for a year?” he clarified his doubts. 


Khushi nodded trying to hide the tears which were ready to spring from her eyes. 

“Fine. I would say.. Hi to you” 

“Say it” she demanded. 

Arnav rolled his eyes and played along. 

“Hi Khushi. How you doing?” 

Khushi smiled. 

“Very well, thank you. What are you doing in the Supermarket?” 

“Had a few things to pick up” he casually replied. 

“I see… Alone or…?” 

“With someone” 

Their eyes locked intensely. None of them knew how this fake conversation would continue further. 

“your wife?” Khushi painfully asked. 


His throat constricted. So that’s what she thinks? That after she leaves this house, he would end up marrying someone? 

“Hmm” he purposely agreed. “What about you? How is Tanmay?” 


Now he sounded possessive… jealous. Khushi smiled timidly. 


“He must be good. I haven’t seen him in past few months” 


What a wise reply!! he thought. But seriously? 

“I thought you might have married him” he mocked. 

She still had the same expression on her face.. the one which reflected pain and yearning for something.. She was blank. Arnav waited for a moment to fetch that reply from her and when she still didn’t say anything, he gripped her arm, focusing back on the present. Enough of the games they played. 

“I asked you something” 

A reply was on the tip of her lips but would he understand? 

“It tough” she uttered. “Knowing how bad wife I have been earlier, I don’t think I can step into second marriage again” 

There was a long silence and then she continued. 

“But you deserve good Arnav. I will always pray you get everything in your life which you missed because of me. A good wife, true love, happy family. You deserve it all” 


Arnav fisted his fingers!! Why did it hurt? Why couldn’t he imagine this with anyone else? 


“I know you waited all these years because of Aarav. You were worried if the other woman would love him like a mother or not. But you don’t have to worry about it anymore. I am here for Aarav.. I always will be there for him. I am not going to leave him ever. And don’t we all grow wise with age? Whatever mistake you did in choosing me as your wife, I am sure you wouldn’t repeat that. Whoever you will marry in future will be the best for you and this family” 

Arnav was done with this conversation. It pricked his heart somewhere. 

“Enough” he scowled. “Only because you are wiser now, doesn’t give you the right to advise me on my second marriage. I know what I have to do with my life. Its better you focus on yours” 

Khushi watched him as he made his way to the French doors. He stopped there, with his back facing her. 

“I have the tapes you need” he informed, changing the subject. 

“Tapes? You mean the CCTV footage of my accident 7 years ago?” 

A ray of hope shone in her heart. 

“Yes. I had copied the tape which Shanti Jha had shown me during your accident’s investigation. Its in my office archives. I have asked Aman to bring it up tomorrow. Come to my office and see those” 


Khushi stood up. 

“That’s great. I … I will be there” 

Arnav had composed himself by then, his tone was softer again. 

“I have informed Dad to get you” he added. 

“That’s fine. I can…” 

“I don’t want you to drive alone. That’s it. Dad will get you” 


Khushi accepted his orders silently and since he was in no mood to converse further, she made her way to the door. 

“One more thing” 

Khushi stopped and their eyes met again. 

“Don’t wear red again until you are in Shantivan” 

She stiffened. Finally!! He noticed. 

“Why?” she crossed her arms at the front. 

Arnav gritted his teeth. She had that audacity to ask him why? 

“I don’t like that color anymore” 

“Strangely, I have started liking it though” she debated. “But.. only because you asked it so nicely, I will accept it. You wont see me in red ever again Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada.. not even if you desire to in future…” 


Declaring that she made her way out. Arnav brushed his fingers in his hair frustrated at his own self. Seeing her in red tortured his body, reminding him of all those times when he had admired her in that color. And though she accepted his request, why did it sound like a torture still? 


******************* 

Next Day 


Khushi was silent throughout their drive to AR Office. Ayush finished a quick call and turned to Khushi. 


“You must be happy that Arnav is himself interested in clearing your doubts. I never thought he would initiate this” 

“I don’t know Uncle.. what if those tapes prove nothing??” 

Ayush now understood her worry. He tried to ease her a bit. 

“Even if they don’t prove anything, what will it change? You are still Aarav’s mother and Arnav has accepted that” 

That’s it. Arnav had only accepted her as Aarav’s mother, not as his wife. It was this fact which pricked Khushi. Hence wasn’t very happy with that explanation. 

“Look Khushi. You cannot alter the past but you still have time to build a good future. Its in your hands still” 

“But my future is clouded by the dark shadows of my past” 

Ayush was confused. Since last night’s conversation with Arnav, Khushi was desperate to vent her heart out to someone and now that feeling was unstoppable. So she decided to share it with her father-in-law. 

“You know what he told me last night? Stop wearing red until I am in Shantivan. Can you believe it Uncle? That proves how much he hates me … I am sure every time he sees me, he recalls all the ill things I did and spoiled his life. Last evening was my way to improve those memories but what did I get? Nothing” 

Ayush was surprised at her outburst. 

“Did he really say that to you? Not to wear Red anymore?” he enquired. 

“yes” she pouted. 

Ayush laughed aloud. 

“Uncle, please. This is not funny anymore. He was so serious as if he would kill me if I choose that color again” 

“Sorry.. I.. I didn’t mean to laugh but.. you are so silly not to read his intention behind it” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean.. he is affected by you.. in red mostly.. Still!! He loses his control… slips his composure when he sees you in that color. Didn’t you see how he was sipping the empty mug during our family time? He was so engrossed in admiring you that he forgot everything” 

Khushi’s cheeks reddened. It was kind of Odd to hear that from her father-in-law. 

“Okay now tell me something honestly” he became serious again. “Do you want to continue your marriage with Arnav even after these three weeks?” 

Khushi gulped the ache formed in her throat. She had never given a deeper thought to it but now was the right time to decide. 


To be Continued.

NEXT PART

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The sequel to Bride Lost and Found (The Bride Series)

Jahaan Singh and Niyati's marriage was accidental but there was a spark in their relationship from the moment they had seen each other at the marriage canopy. While Niyati was not interested in marriage or relationships, Jahaan couldn't lose her to maintain his Royal Tag and family status. Sorting a middle way was their only option left. But what would happen if his Ex Bride returned?

A fun loving, romantic story of a Royal Heir and his commoner destined Wife.

EXCERPT 3

“Let me be very specific His highness” Arun Mehta, Niyati’s father, put his glass of orange juice away and focused back on Jahaan Singh sitting opposite to him.

“Nothing is free in this world. Not even a wife. You want a wife; you have to buy her problems too” he adds.

Jahaan was good at reading people’s mind and the moment he saw this couple; he had realized what category they fit in. They were greedy for money and fortunately he had that plenty. Yet, he was prepared for worst.

“Be specific Mehta” he growled.

“You want to keep Niyati with you, please do. We will not have a problem but what about the debts that we have to settle down? You can see how well breed Niyati is. We kept her that way. And we paid a lot for her education and upbringing. Who will pay for that?” Arun continued to put his demands.

“And you are forgetting the embarrassment she put upon us yesterday. The whole town is mocking us that we couldn’t handle our daughter and let her fled on her wedding day” Rekha added supportive words to her husband’s yet to be made proposal.

“Yes” he agreed. “The embarrassment and torture from the Zamindar cannot be forgotten”

“Let’s stick to the main point, Mehta. Quote your price” Jahaan snapped.

The Mehta couple looked at each other and grinned. Finally, they were getting a fair deal to make and they would use it to the fullest.

READ CHAPTER 1 HERE

READ EXCERPT 1 HERE

READ EXCERPT 2 HERE

READ on Amazon Kindle HERE

You can Buy the "His Destined Bride" HERE @ INR 99 only.

PAYPAL USERS (International) can BUY the PDF Copy of His Destined Bride HERE

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GRAB YOUR FREE COPY OF Bride Lost and Found (The Bride Series Book 1)

On the verge of getting married, Niyati elopes to fetch her lost life, only to be found again. They say when you are destined for someone, you find him no matter how far you run. Is Niyati ending up in a hopeless situation by tying this knot or is this beginning of something sparkling?

FREE EBOOK PDF LINK 1 (For both Indian and International Readers)

FREE EBOOK PDF LINK 2 (For both Indian and International Readers)

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