Chapter 26
Arnav’s POV
I had to get Maa to the hospital to get her regular tests done. These couldn’t be done from the comfort of the penthouse so I drove Maa here to ensure we don’t miss knowing how well she is doing. Whilst Shyam and his team are busy in conducting these tests, I am sitting with Di in her cabin. She is speaking on the phone to some of her patient, so whilst she continues, my mind wanders over how the last two days have already changed everything between Khushi and me.
It's been two days since she agreed to give me a chance for the next month to be her husband and we are now cordial to each other. She doesn't say hurtful things to me nor I do anything to bring tears in her eyes. I just want her to be happy now apart from getting recovered from her ankle sprain too.
“Chotte?” Di’s voice brings my attention back on her.
“Huh?”
“All okay? You are smiling.”
Am I? I think so. I smile again.
“Nothing. Just a good day,” I shrug.
She smiles back at me, folding her hands over the desk between us.
“This smile reminded me of your old times. The innocent version of my brother back then.”
I swallow hard. I don’t want to be reminded of my old times because that only pains me now. I really have changed a lot, in the last six years.
“Any progress with Khushi?” she continues to probe.
“A bit.” I nod. “She has agreed to give me a chance for the next one month as her husband. Precisely, for the next 28 days as two days have already ended.”
Di is confused.
“Chance?”
“Yea. We are going to live as a normal couple. Take care of each other, be good and all that..”
“Sharing the same room?” she is quick enough to ask me that and I sigh.
“Except that,” I swallow nervously this time. “Which is fair enough. I want her to feel comfortable and safe around me before she gives me the right to sleep on her bed again, Di.”
“Chotte…” Di touches my arm over the table. “This is a good change.”
“I know. I don’t want to miss it, Di. I want to give Khushi everything that I always wanted her to have.. happiness.. luxury.. affection.. pampering.. I want her to have everything.”
She smiles.
“I cooked for her two days straight, can you believe that?” I ask with a chuckle. “She ate it and loved the dal the most.”
Di keeps staring at me.
“And she also let me change her ankle bandage and I helped her to walk. She… she took my support to walk, can you imagine that?”
Di’s eyes tear up.
“Di? Why are you getting so emotional? I am sharing the best days of my life with Khushi with you..”
“I am emotional seeing tears in your eyes, Chotte. Your eyes are moist.”
Are they? I quickly touch my eyes and realize she is right. I have tears in my eyes. I wipe them off.
“Happy tears..” I shrug.
“Chotte..” she gets up from her chair and pulling another one, she sits next to me, holding my hand. “You have to take this slow. At this rate of giving Khushi all her happiness, I’m afraid you will lose up everything you have.. including your smile.”
I don’t understand.
“What will you do if after one month she still chooses to leave you? What if she still wants you to set her free?”
I gulp at that thought.
“Then I’ll set her free.” I murmur.
Di is speechless but I know what I said.
“Yes, di. If that’s what Khushi really wants and if doing so will make her happy, then I’ll set her free. I’ll never interfere in her life again. Never show her my face. Never…”
She cups my face and then quickly pulls me for a tight hug. I don’t know what to say further but I have made my decision. I’ve hurt Khushi enough, she has hurt me too in the past by faking her love but I don’t want that fake love anymore if that’s what she has to offer me at the end of this one month. I don’t want her to give us a chance for maa or for anyone else. If she chooses me, I want her to do it with her heart, mind and body for herself.. not for anyone else. There are high chances she will never choose me and like to remain aloof and single for some period of her life where she can focus on her profession and career growth. So, I’ve made up my mind to let her choose her freedom if that makes her happy. I’ll let Khushi go if she wants to because my heart tells me she’ll come back to me some day. She will love me the way I love her some day. Just some day.!!
*****************
Khushi’s POV
It feels good to be back to work though I could hardly concentrate and the only thought running in my head was of Arnav Singh Raizada. Last two days I took enough rest and thankfully now I am back on my feet. This morning I had to shoot for a restaurant advertisement with NK and Pam. After that we decide to share a cup of coffee and have a small chit chat. I don’t want to go home so soon as I really was caged there from two days. Not that I didn’t like Maa’s attention and Arnav’s concern towards my injury. But coming back to work makes me refreshed. Today Maa had an appointment with Shyam for her regular check ups and though I wanted to join her for the same, my shooting schedules didn’t match with her timing to visit the hospital. I was more than willing to adjust but Arnav insisted I should go work while he would take Maa to the hospital. Obviously, that sounded nice too. He wanted to meet his sister and Shyam too so why not.
So whilst NK, Pam and I have our coffees I eventually happened to tell them about my verbal agreement with Arnav for the next one month to be cordial.
“Don’t give him a chance, he is going to use it for his benefit, Khushi,” Pam advises me as soon as I finish telling her and NK about the conversation I had with Arnav.
To be honest, this was too personal to share, but my mood today gave it off and they forced me to tell what was so wrong with me that I couldn’t focus on work at all.
“Pam, that’s her decision. Let her make it,” NK argues. “Besides, why do you think Arnav will use it for his benefit? I’ve met him and had a man to man talk too. That guy must have done some huge sins but he genuinely loves Khushi. It’s written all over his face and actions.”
“He lost his chance, NK. That’s why. And now when Khushi wants to lead an independent life and move on, he is trying to brainwash her.” Pam replies.
They keep arguing about my decision to give one month to Arnav as my husband and be cordial to me. I know this isn’t going to lead us anywhere. At the end of it, he will fly with Maa to India and I’ll continue my profession here. Matter closed. I glance at NK and Pam once who are still arguing and then my focus shifts at the door where I see Arnav getting down from his car and entering the same cafĂ© where we three are. He is wearing a casual dark blue jeans and a white button-down shirt nicely tucked in. Arnav has trimmed his beard too and looks suave. The moment he sees me, my heart flips. I hadn’t called him here to pick me but I’d kind of guessed he would do that since my shoot is done for the day. Living with this version of Arnav Singh Raizada who wasn’t going to hurt me with his words or actions, who was only going to show me the good part of life and respect me for what I do and want, who would be close to me but not touch me unnecessarily, who still claims to love me and only wanted to redeem all the wrongs he did towards me so far was unknowingly going to make my heart have an innocent crush on him. All I had to do was not let it develop into anything else and keep it professional. How hard can it be?
“Hey,” he says as soon as he reaches our table.
“Hi,” I smile back as I would do to any acquaintance of mine.
Arnav quickly shakes hands with NK and then Pam too waves at him though I see she is angry on him for hurting me all long.
“I didn’t call you to pick me up,” I say casually.
“I know you didn’t but I thought maybe I should. If you don’t like me coming here then-”
“You are right. I didn’t like you coming here, Arnav. Never do that again.”
He looks hurt but then he quickly replaces it with a smile.
“Okay. I’ll.. I’ll leave then. Nice meeting you two,” he says looking at NK and Pam who are confused by my behavior, and then heads out.
The moment I see Arnav leaving, I grab my purse and follow him.
“Arnav wait.”
He stops at the door.
“I am sorry for being so mean. I appreciate you coming here to pick me up.”
The pain on his face is still there yet he smiles.
“Don’t be sorry. It just gave me a reality check how you would have felt when I insulted you before my friend, a lot more bitter than this, when we were newly married.”
Yeah. I remember that dialogue he said once in a party after Lavanya called me beautiful.
“Some people have a dark heart and it makes them the ugliest amongst the rest.”
I had felt insulted but I really didn’t want to do any tit for tat to him.
“I’m coming with you. Lets go.” I say, waving back at Pam and NK before heading out.
Arnav follows me and helps me sit in the car. He is about to set the GPS location for our home when I stop him.
“I’ve a few things to shop. Can we go the shopping center first? It’s just few blocks away.”
“Sure. Lead me.” He starts the engine and I guide him with the route.
We reach the shopping mall, and I start picking a few dresses for me. Recently I couldn’t do any basic shopping. In fact, I am going to buy some stuff for Maa too. She said she needed more wool. So, that too. Arnav is following me at every counter but he is not intruding in my choices and is giving me enough space to shop my inner wears too which thankfully I get to pick without his notice. I then march to the men’s section and start looking for a T shirt.
“That’s men’s section. Women’s T shirts are there,” Arnav quickly points out.
“I know. I like to wear loose men T shirts at night. They are very comfy with a pair of shorts.”
Arnav doesn't say a word, just watches me go through the options before me.
“These are good but…” I speak to myself, “I want a black color.”
“I have a black T Shirt at home.” He suddenly says forcing me to stop and turn to him.
He becomes super alert.
“I mean.. it’s unused. And just the kind you are looking for. You can keep that one if you like.”
His eyes doesn't waver from mine.
“You want me to wear your T shirt?” I reconfirm.
“Women do it, I have heard,” he replies. “They like wearing the ones which their boyfriends or husbands wear. The one I am giving you is unused, I promise.”
“You think wearing your T shirt will make me feel close to you and I’ll think of extending our stay together as a couple beyond one month?” I glare at him.
Arnav quickly covers the distance between us.
“Take it as a gift, Khushi. No expectations. If you hate wearing it, discard it right away and I wouldn’t even ask you what you did. Not that I would ever see you wearing my shirt as you’ll wear it only in your bedroom at night when I am not allowed.”
He’s got a point. He would never see me wearing his T shirt even if I chose to take that as a gift from him.
“Okay,” I nod. “I trust you haven’t wore it ever and hence accepting it. But… you’ll have to take something from me in return. I don’t need your favors, that’s why.”
Saying that I look around and walk straight to the formal shirt section for men. I pick a crisp silk white shirt for Arnav, exactly his size and pass it to him.
“This is from me to you.”
Arnav takes it from me and shrugs.
“Nice but I think the size wont fit..”
“It will fit.”
“The sleeves, Khushi.. They are ..”
“Perfect for your sexy biceps..” I say unknowingly and just then I realize my mistake. I called his biceps sexy. Wrong timing but true. I look at Arnav and change my words. “I mean.. steely biceps. You … you work hard in the gym so that shows up on your arms..”
I could go on and on with my excuses but Arnav places his finger on my lips to shut me up. We gaze at each other, for long..
“I’m taking this shirt,” he says. “Should we bill the stuff or anything left for you to buy?”
“Wool,” I say pushing his finger off my lips.
“Wool? For?”
“Maa. She wants to knit booties and binnies.”
“What?” Arnav follows me as I stroll to the wool counter to pick some good colors of wool.
“Booties and binnies?” Arnav repeats.
“Hmm,” I pick two solid colors in brown and maroon and keep them in my shopping bag. “For your babies.” I add.
Arnav zones out at that information.
“She loves doing this, Arnav and I have seen her how much it interests her and keeps her occupied. She has a lot of dreams and expectations of having her grandchildren wear all that woolen stuff she makes.”
“Will they?” he asks, with hope.
I gulp but nod in agreement.
“Why not? They will. All you have to do is, after this one month when you free me and go back to India, find the right woman for you and get re-married. She’ll give you babies and Maa will get her grandchildren. Simple.”
Arnav’s dark gaze turns darker but he controls the urge to snap at me.
“I’m at the billing counter. Finish this fast,” he mutters before leaving me alone to fetch the wool. Looks like he didn’t like the thought of marrying another woman and having babies with her. But that’s his lookout. I’m not going to be that woman in his life for sure and yet… I pick my favorite colors of wool so that Maa makes booties out of them for Arnav's babies. Strange!!
To be Continued.
_______________________________________________________________
Until then enjoy this teaser.
Rohan Oberoi has been an integral part of the book ‘Mr and Mrs Kapoor’ and ‘Love By Chance’.
Readers have loved him as Vansh Kapoor's best friend and a protective brotherly figure to Vidhi, raving over their cute bickering all the time. But, no one noticed his unrequited love, his sorrow behind the mask of the happy go lucky persona he exuded.
And, now it’s time to reveal his love story.
Are you excited?
To get to know more about Rohan and Ishika, do not miss reading the books:
Mr and Mrs Kapoor
Love By Chance
Rohan Oberoi and Ishika Bhatia’s love story will release in October end. Stay Tuned.
Note: The models used for the book cover and the posts here are nowhere related to the story, its characters or this novel.
I am still at my thought they will separate but khushi during this duration she will be pregnant the baby only will unit them together again
ReplyDeleteNothing can be more depressing and upsetting than 2 people united for the sake of a baby. A relationship should have a heart/emotional connection not a compromise connection.
DeleteWe have enough stories on this. Can't bear 1 more.
DeleteNo No... No baby concept here until they are in love.
DeleteThank gosh! Thank you madhu❤
DeleteThank you so much for reply dear. Also thank you for the answer.
DeleteI know many of us hate Arnav due to his past doings but I feel pity for him seeing him being the only one interested in this relationship. Tho I know he was wrong at some point he's atleast redeeming for his doings.. but Khushi still doesn't love him.. she never did initially but when he forced her to marry him she had started getting attracted to him and possessive of him but after what happened between them that's gone too.. hope Khushi starts having some feelings for Arnav soon.. this is really heart wrenching to read Arnavs one sided love and redemption
ReplyDeleteDear, its not one sided. Khushi is equally participating. She didn't disclose their tiff in front of his mother, keeping a happy couple facade, agreed to share 1 roof with arnav, agreed to give him a second chance, allowed him to redeem, fulfilling her part of promise to not be cold towards him but cordial and in talking terms and many more. What more is left for her to do to prove her part? She is letting arnav do and have what he wants, obviously sometimes some hurtful words comes out the mouth as they haven't forgive and forget the past completely yet. They still have a long way, haven't reach to their destination so would obviously have their ups and downs.
DeleteKhushi act like a victim. She is the main culprit
Deleteexactly... finally someone said it thankuu
DeleteI feel so pity for this arnav. The part "teary eye" part was so sacred and beautiful. It shows the dept and intensity of his love and thats what also angers me, infact disgust me that if he loves her so dearly, purely, deeply and passionately than how could he hurt her so much especially the ways he used??? What kind of love is this? Should i love this kind of love or refrain myself? If a person saw this arnav and that of past, no one would imagine that he could do all those evil things he did during the start of the story. The difference is so vast. Im loving this arnav but still hate the previous arnav.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for khushi too. At one side she said she don't want to do tit for tat but end up doing the same. She seema to unable to make up her mind. I don't wanna see her female version of previous arnav. If she had give her words of not doing tit for tat than she must abide by it. At least till 1 month. Otherwise break the deal of 1 month chance.
Ps: my heart goes out for him.
ReplyDeleteI think something really big will happen for Khushi to see Arnav in a different light and love.. idk what but something for sure.. cause otherwise I don't see any reason of Khushi changing her mind so soon otherwise
Awesome Update Arshi's are quite cordial with each other now. Their relationship is slightly improving. Arnav is still in pain regarding the past. He told Anjali how Khushi has given him a chance. Arnav has changed and want to give Khushi everything. He really loves Khushi a lot. Arnav and Anjali's moments were emotional. Arnav is willing to leave Khushi for her happiness. Wish Khushi was there when Arnav was saying all this to Anjali.. Arnav is really regretting his past mistakes. Arnav wants Khushi to choose him wholeheartedly and is willing to set her free. That's true love. Khushi too is lost in Arnav's thoughts. NK is really nice and understands Khushi. Khushi though likes the new version of Arnav still want to keep distance. Arnav is behaving nicely with Khushi but he is hurt too. Khushi bought wool for Arnav's mom. Arnav suggest Khushi to wear his T shirt. Arnav might have hurt Khushi in the past but now Khushi too is hurting Arnav. Khushi bought Arnav a T shirt and called his biceps sexy. Khushi asked him to get married once a. Hope she gave Arnav a last chance when she has already picked wool to make booties for Arnav's babies. Arshi's relationship is getting more complicated. Thanks for the Update♥️
ReplyDeleteWhy you aren’t mentioned Khushi's past mistake?
DeleteTill when? Till when you want to keep digging the same old 1 mistake of hers and keep pointing it out? Is her 1 mistake overpower arnav's various mistakes? Was her 1 wrong deed was so big that arnav's all those wrong deeds are nothing infront of it? Great.
DeleteWhen come to Khushi, till when? Nice, Hypocrisy
DeleteAww! I love women wearing their mens clothes so much. Its too cute and adorable.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very profound story with a lot of relationship nuances that neither can be faulted nor can be pitied. That is the beauty of Madhu's writing gets us so involved we take sides but if you look in depth neither is guilt free nor are the victims. Lovely writing. Fiddy
ReplyDeleteKhushi's keep reminding arnav to not expect happily ever after just remind herself and him. She is scared. I want arnav and Khushi to be free with each other like friend and enjoy like outing, partying, cooking and roaming without thinking about past and one month arrangement. And before that I want Khushi to know his stepfather's deeds.
ReplyDeleteArnav want to love, care and pamper her alooot. He started doing it in the last two days. But I really wish to see Khushi also doing that. Arnav possessiveness toward Khushi with his family members.
Waiting for the next update dear...
One month cordial means they both give their best in that ,Arnav doing his best to woo khushi and heart but khushi she is not ready to open up or give her full acceptance to this relationship she is very stubborn that she will never give Arnav a chance after this one month cordial that is so mean and she didn't want Arnav in her life after one month then Arnav will be the get hurt in all this and again as Anjali told he will lose his everything including his happiness that is his khushi and the love he has for her to to win her back in his life and lead a happy married couple hmm don't know what to say like in past khushi is doing the same mistakes like she didn't realise her own true feelings for Arnav and she is confused like hell and that her friend Pam is also more confusing her but nk he saw the changed Arnav and wants khushi to give him a second chance in a true way but khushis mind is not accept the fact that in her heart she loves Arnav but she is yet not understand that feelings in that way she will hurt both Arnav and herself also after their one month cordial deal hmm I hope some big accident or something with Arnav after one month will be the reality check for khushi to realise her feelings for Arnav in the past that didn't happened but not now but after one month Arnav showed her what is real love and husband or lover's care for khushi and they should apart from each other after that cordial then only some things big wil happen to Arnav then want to see khushi don't know what will change her presumption on Arnav pls update sooooooooon dear
ReplyDeleteOmg! Something shud happen to arnav like accident just to make khushi realize!!!!! Woaw! Such a sadistic and violent approach.
DeleteIt’s too clichĂ©. I have been reading past stories of Madhu n realized Arnav was the one who got into such major conditions mostly. Even if something happens to khushi it’s small n she doesn’t have to stay in hospital. Arnav is gaining all the pity by that but not khushi.
DeleteWhy will only khushi miss him? Doesn't its arnav who actually loves her and a bechara here so shouldn't he miss her alotttt. We miss the person we love, isn't? So why just khushi? And it was khushi only to bring them the situation where they are now nice talking term, its all coz of her only. And he definitely didn't saved her from her father, infact he got saved himself coz of her father that came out a devil and khushi a demsel whom he had rescued according to him and you guys. I guess ppl have forgotten that arnav was revenging khushi for her father's deed and when he got to know the truth of her being not involved he suddenly realized his love towards her and end the game of revenge towards her but still kept it against her father.
ReplyDeleteWonderful fabulous awesome update dear
ReplyDeleteYou people remember how you all bashed Arnav in the starting of this story and pities Khushi? Now its the opposite LOL. I feel both were wrong and the victimised themselves.
ReplyDeleteAll those comments chiding khushi shows the sad reality of indian society. No matter what! No matter what men do! Its always women who are blamed and chided. They are expected to bend and compromise and forget.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely update so emotional and heart warming can't wait for them to be in love and im 200% they are gonna be together before the due date of 28 days.
ReplyDeleteA bow to Khushis firm stance and strong strength. She deserves to show her heartache too. Its very rare to see such hight spirited and self-esteem girl in a relationship.
ReplyDeleteAwesome update.
ReplyDeleteI want more plz.
ReplyDeleteI love this ff.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what's gonna make khushi change her mind regarding arnav because she is pretty firm in her stance and i like it.
In a day the page has 5000 views, the same is visible to the viewers as well as author. Madhu, i have read your books and ffs and i really liked them hence I am here to read more. But you not respecting your readers and updating insta but not letting anyone here know whether you will update is not right. I know you have your life but leaving a note should have been good. But yeah thanks for the ffs and book, i for one will not come back here.
ReplyDeleteAwesome written thank you 🙏.. amo
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSuch a disgusting thought process. You wanted to say and had almost said that khushi should/would come licking arnav's feet. This is what girls deserve right.
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