Chapter 20
Khushi’s POV
I don’t know what happened between me and Arnav back home when I was arguing with him to know if he is anyhow meddling with my career but he put my worries to ease stating he wasn’t going to do that. Suddenly who has put sense in Arnav or is he doing this to gain my trust so that he can manipulate and take me back to India?
“Khushi?” Pam nudges me. We are at the event now and enjoying ourselves. “Look at those handsome hunks. Wow!! Why are male models so gorgeous?”
I don’t reply to that though I look in the direction she has been asking me to see. Yes, our model hunt company does have some great looking male models but I never even thought about them in any other angle. And even tonight as I glance at these men, in my head I recall the moment with Arnav today before I left home for the event when he wiped my tears and our lower bodies were almost close enough for me to know he was hard for me. How’s that possible if he hates me? Or does he not hate me anymore?
Khushi’s POV
I don’t know what happened between me and Arnav back home when I was arguing with him to know if he is anyhow meddling with my career but he put my worries to ease stating he wasn’t going to do that. Suddenly who has put sense in Arnav or is he doing this to gain my trust so that he can manipulate and take me back to India?
“Khushi?” Pam nudges me. We are at the event now and enjoying ourselves. “Look at those handsome hunks. Wow!! Why are male models so gorgeous?”
I don’t reply to that though I look in the direction she has been asking me to see. Yes, our model hunt company does have some great looking male models but I never even thought about them in any other angle. And even tonight as I glance at these men, in my head I recall the moment with Arnav today before I left home for the event when he wiped my tears and our lower bodies were almost close enough for me to know he was hard for me. How’s that possible if he hates me? Or does he not hate me anymore?
“Hi Khushi, hello Pam,” NK’s voice brings me out of my stupor. NK is another male model I work with mostly and he is more of a friend now. He gives Pam and hi five before turning to me and giving me a onceover. “You look stunning tonight.”
“I always do,” I say, sipping my drink.
“But why is your mood off? Looks like you are in another world tonight.”
“Arnav is back.” I mention, continuing my drink.
Both Pam and NK are shocked at my revelation. No, I never told them what exactly enmity we as a couple shared but they know our marriage is complex. Just the basics about it and that I had left him and that life to come and startover here in New York. They know that much.
“Oh god, that’s a terrible news.”
“So you mean now you are pretending to be a good wife before your mother-in-law only because you can’t see her hurt?” Pam asks.
“No. Not exactly. But she knows we are not in talking terms and I had to assure her, we are working on it.”
“Are you?” NK probes.
I stay still at his query.
“I mean, what if Arnav is here to woo you? Maybe he is okay to let you chose this profession and he just wants this marriage to work?”
I swallow.
“Will you give your relationship with him a chance?” he continues to ask.
What will I reply to him? I haven’t thought about it. The party continues and I get introduced to the sponsor of the project, I am working on. Dheeraj Mehra, is man is in his mid 40’s and a player. I can say that by the way he looks at me and I don’t like it. Why can’t women ever be treated as professional? And the industry in which I am, makes these hawks think we would do anything to climb the stairs of success. I don’t let his advances or the way my sponsor flirts around with me even in Pam and NK’s presence. In fact, I quickly fake to receive some message on my phone and then fake a smile too as if reading it.
“What is so interesting Miss Gupta? Any joke?” Dheeraj asks.
“No, my husband, he is just missing me. I think it’s time for me to leave. As is, the party is getting over.”
The mention of my husband confuses Dheeraj.
“You are married?”
“Happily married,” Pam lies. “Love marriage in fact, right Khushi?”
I nod at her lie proving it true.
“Oh,” he gulps his entire drink and then excuses us.
“Idiot!!” I whisper.
NK and Pam laughs out.
“But seriously, he was really crossing lines. If we had left your side, he might have even tried to touch you.”
“As if I wouldn’t have slapped him hard.”
“Woah!!” NK smiles. “Atta girl!! I like your spirits. I am leaving too anyway. Should I drop you ladies home?”
“With pleasure..” Pam and I both say that together.
*******************
Arnav’s POV
I stare at the clock. It’s midnight 1:00 and Khushi is still not back. I know events like this will demand more of her time and presence. Though I am not very comfortable with it, at this moment I have no choice. I pace in the living room then make my way back to the balcony to see if I can see her coming back. I have been doing the same from past two hours but this time I finally see her. Khushi gets down from the car and another man gets down with her. He is around her age. I can’t see them clearly from here but they stand there outside the car, and speak for some time. Who is he? My jealousy is already at its peak and is bursts out when I see him patting Khushi’s cheek as if assuring her something. My fingers fists to punch that guy. Khushi nods at him and then returns inside the building whereas he drives away.
In a few minutes I hear the door knob and Khushi steps inside. She is not drunk, at least not over her limits. The moment she sees me, and realizes I have been waiting for her to return, she looks a bit surprised but then ignores me completely, making her way to the bedroom.
“Who was he?” I snap.
She doesn't stop nor responds. So, this time, I follow her and before she can enter her bedroom, I grab her wrist and turn her around.
“I asked you something.”
“I am not answerable to you,” she retorts.
“But I am still keen to know why did he touch you.”
Khushi finally has my attention. But she still doesn't give me the kind of reply I am expecting out of her.
“Keep your jealousy in your goddamn pockets, Arnav Singh Raizada.”
She is about to leave back to her room when this time, I slide my arms around her waist and haul her to my body. I am not being rough or forceful. In fact, the way I am holding her right now, and looking in her eyes, anyone could tell I am hurt and concerned. With the kind of relationship me and Khushi have at this moment, with all the hatred that I showered upon her once and with all the ignorance and anger she is throwing on me, I fear it wouldn’t take much time for me to lose her completely to some other man. That fear is on my face and this is the first time I am openly expressing it to her. She is about to lash at me for my behavior but before she can do that, I say it out.
“Don’t leave me for someone else.”
Khushi opens her mouth to shout back but then she goes quiet by my words. Probably, she too hadn’t expected me to say this.
“Hate me as much as you want, Khushi, but don’t leave me.”
She stares at me with an unknown emotion.
“I don’t hate you, Arnav, I pity you.” Words slip out of her mouth. “I pity that despite being so strong in your intentions, you fail to let out your reasons behind those intentions to the very person whom you claim to hate and want to destroy.”
She has raised a valid point. There are so many things I have hidden from Khushi or rather didn’t want to tell her because I didn’t deem it necessary for her to know.
“And one more thing.” Her voice breaks my chain of thoughts. “I won’t leave you ever for another man but yes, I can definitely leave you for what you have done to me. I don’t think we deserve each other, Arnav. We never did. You play your nasty revenging games with my father if you have proofs against his involvement in destroying you or your family before, but keep me out of this because I am least interested in fighting a war whose even motive I am unaware of.”
She pushes me hard and gets out of my hold.
“I am tolerating you around me for your mother but soon, once she is fine, I am going to tell her we have differences between us which can never be sorted and she better doesn't keeps hopes from us to be together forever. Arnav and Khushi were probably never meant to be together, right from the time I fooled you to have a relation with me when you worked for my dad, till now when you tricked me to marry you for revenge. We both can live happily without having each other in our lives. Think about it.”
The moment she turns, I grab her wrist and pull her back to me.
“And what about the night we spent together? How can you justify that it was never meant to happen?”
“We did another mistake then, by choosing our desires over our already complex relationship that night. Don’t think that consummation of our marriage is going to be my returning point to you, Arnav. I have no such plans. Living without you, independently has given me the confidence that I don’t need a man, his negativity, his hatred and his dominance for my survival. And I definitely don’t need a flawed man in my life when I am already trying to work on my past flaws. Two flawed people can’t set everything right by coming together, Arnav. They worsen each other’s lives and that’s exactly what we are doing. I suggest you go back to India. You can take Maa with you because she is your mother, and you have every right on her. Leave me to where I am.”
She shoves my arm again and makes her way to the bedroom while I stare at her retreating back shockingly. Never in my life had I seen Khushi this determined, this clear about what she wanted. Indeed, the version of Khushi that I am meeting here in New York is completely enchanting. She is doing everything in her power to move ahead in her life, letting all this hatred, rivalry and stuff dumped behind. If only, I could do the same. I am not functioned that way or at least that’s what I believe is the way to give some justice to my past which my family deserves. And that is… the total destruction of Shashi Gupta, the man whose cruelty ignited this fire of avenging him, within me.
I might not have told Khushi anything much about it so far, but now that I wanted peace between us, it was high time I gave her some insight to the past destruction the man she calls as her father did.
To be Continued
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Vansh Kapoor
My best friend, Taani, assigned me the responsibility to help her find a suitable groom for her sister, Vidhi. I would have gladly done so if Vidhi hadn’t been my runaway bride, who didn't even acknowledge our marriage bond for 24 hours before fleeing from my life. Now she is right under my nose, letting her sister hunt marriage alliances for her, and the worst part is, I can’t even claim her as rightfully mine.
Vidhi Gupta
Vansh Kapoor, the man I ran away from five years ago on our first night after marriage, was a childhood friend of my elder sister who was now looking for prospective grooms for me. Vansh was dragged into this responsibility as Taani trusted him more than anyone else in the world. I may have had a reason to marry him in the past, but I’d no excuses to hold on to that relationship anymore. Especially not when I knew the selfish reason why he had married me in the first place.
Some Marriages are made in Heaven.
Some Marriages are meant to be Hidden.
Never thought I would meet you again out of the Blue.
With my heart begging to spend the rest of my life with You.
A Standalone Contemporary Hidden Marriage Romance
Wow di! Eagerly waiting for past mystery
ReplyDeleteAwesome written.. jealous Arnav .. I feel sorry for Khushi.. hopefully 🙏 they reunited soon…. … amila
ReplyDeleteBoth need to let out what they feel for each other rather than running away from there feelings .
ReplyDeleteAwesome Update. Khushi has no interest in another man but is unable to decipher Arnav's feelings for her. Arnav's thoughts are always with Khushi. NK is a model who is Khushi's friend and Khushi shared about Arnav with her friends. NK asked Khushi a valid questions whether she wants to give chance to the relationship or not. Dheeraj Meera seems to be a trouble and hope he don't bother Khushi much or he has to face Arnav's wrath . Khushi is quite strict in her profession. She told about her husband to Dheeraj. Khushi is getting very strong. She will also slap Dheeraj if he bother her further. NK went to drop Khushi and Pam. Arnav is worried for Khushi and is concerned for Khushi though he understands her profession. Arnav gets angry and jealous seeing Khushi and NK together like Ipkknd and his love is hidden behind his jealousy. Liked the way Khushi ignored Arnav with rocking attitude. Arnav gets angry at first then become vulnerable soft and afraid. Khushi showed Arnav the mirror and also assured him that she won't leave him for another man but also told Arnav how wrong he was for avenging her. Khushi is getting stronger and fierce. She called that night a mistake and want to leave an independent life alone. Arnav must tell Khushi what Shashi Gupta did exactly in this moment. But whatever Shashi Gupta do Khushi was innocent and completely clueless. Hope Arnav and Khushi both will give a chance to their relationship though Arnav has done a great mistake by rejecting his feelings for Khushi. Both love each other so much. Thanks for the Update😍
ReplyDeleteseriously, khushi is innocent? she was the reason this all happening. and you are saying she is innocent.
DeleteWow loved khushis answer to Arnav.. wayyy to go girllll.. Arnav needed this treatment and words to get some brains into him.
ReplyDeleteFinally he accepts that it was Shashi Gupta who did what he did in the past.. but that still won't justify avenging and doing all that he did with Khushi.. please post next part soon
This part is so perfect. This part's khushi is so perfect. This part's arnav is so perfect. Tbh, im not able to trust this story. There is always a fear, i always feel scared whenever i see new update of this story. Afraid of what Arnav is gonna do next. What if he does more harm to khushi and reduce his chances of forgiveness. Only coz of this fear, the fear of arnav doing something unforgivable and giving khushi more pain, i wasn't a fan of this story.
ReplyDeleteBut i guess, now its changing. Khushi tu already had transformed alot and progresses alot but Arnav is also changing and mellowing down. Im liking how he is not being a jerk anymore instead dealing khushi with calm and politeness. They are being very mature, which is very lovely to see.
I will suggest arnav to try to start afresh with friendship than anything else. Arshi surely have a long way to go and a lot to know about each other and understand.
I am so sad for khushi's state but I think even if she got divorce from arnav the only hopes will make her strong that her work and became pregnant
ReplyDeleteI live today update. Kkg rocked.
ReplyDeleteTheir emotions, feelings and reactions are balanced. Cannot wait for Arnav to vocalize everything. They have played the cat and mouse game and am glad Kushi came out strong this chapter. Way to go and worth the waiting. ❤️ Fiddy
ReplyDeleteLoved new khushi, she is very clear with her feelings, emotions and what she needs. Khushi showed arnav mirror how both are poles apart to become together. I liked how Khushi didn't play with arnav's jealousy to avenegr arnav. She directly said she will not leave arnav for another man.
ReplyDeleteAnd Khushi got two genuine friends in US like lavanya. I think Khushi's sponsor going to create trouble for Khushi.
Arnav questioning about that night to Khushi, after declaring he don't have feelings. He don't have rights to talk about that.
Arnav going to take the first step to woo Khushi by sharing Shashi's deeds. Khushi anyway not going to mellow down easily she is very hurt bcz arnav drag her to revenge her father without sharing the reason and after their special night he declare he doesn't have any feelings, indirectly insulting their special night.
Waiting for the next update dear.
Loved it
ReplyDeleteGood to see Khushi tells what she wants with Arnav. Now waiting to know what Arnav side of revenge on shashi Gupta. Superb update
ReplyDeleteWow this time arnav really made a bad decision when he chose to use khushi for his revenge against her father now he has to go the extra mile to change their relationship to something they both need
ReplyDeleteAwesome update can't wait for the next update. Thank you
ReplyDeleteNice Update
ReplyDeleteWonderful fabulous awesome update dear
ReplyDelete