The Wait - Chapter 15

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CHAPTER 15



ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA


“I was back to reconcile with Khushi that night,” Dhruv adds. “Had even planned to cancel going to Greece. But then seeing you two like that… I.. was raged. And I decided to teach you a lesson. A lesson for life… By faking my death.”

Faking death!! He did all of this on purpose? To avenge me? How dare he?

“You faked your death?” I growl. “That means.. you.. you never met with that accident in Greece?”

Dhruv glares back at me without answering a word.

“Dhruv speak up,” I shout, almost on the verge to hit him. Yes, I want to hit my twin because if he really faked his death for something as silly as this, then he deserves my punch.

“You are diverting the topic, Arnav,” he sneers. “The point your actions that night, with my girlfriend made me do this,”

“Your Ex,” I scowl back, this time clutching his collar. “She was your Ex that time. And most importantly, I had no idea you were even planning to reconcile with Khushi. And even more important than that, Dhruv, I don’t believe you wanted to reconcile with Khushi.”

He keeps staring at me in agitation.

“If you could fake your death all these months, I can even believe you can lie now to any extent to hide your mistakes,” I add.

“And your mistakes?” Dhruv grins. “Will you ever count on that or do you plan to ignore them and keep them hidden forever from Khushi?”

I go speechless. Dhruv shrugs off my hands from his collar.

“You were waiting for that one opportunity to get Khushi somehow and you used it that night. It was all okay until today.. Until I returned. Now what?” he asks, clenching his jaw.

I would have replied to him then and there had the door not been knocked. I curbed my anger as I don’t want to show our family something is wrong between we brothers. It’s Garima aunty. She opens the door but waits at the room. The look on her face shows that she wasn’t expecting to see me in Dhruv’s room.

“Uhh..” she hesitates to speak.

“What happened Aunty?” I ask. “is everything okay?”

She passes me a weak nod before nodding.

“Yes. Actually, Khushi was awake now and she wanted to see-”

I’m about to take a step ahead towards the door to meet my wife when Aunty completes the sentence.

“Dhruv..” she says, and I come to a sudden halt. Her eyes tell me she is displeased with that thought just like I’m at the moment. Khushi wants to meet Dhruv?

“Me?” Dhruv comes ahead giving me a winning grin. “Uh… Well,” she sighs. “She is the only one who couldn’t meet me nicely unlike the others. Let me go see her.”

He smiles at both of us before heading out of the room.

Aunty stays back for a few seconds, unable to speak anything further to me. The moment I heard those words escape Garima aunty's lips, my heart sank and a sharp pang of pain shot through me. Khushi, my wife, had regained consciousness, and the first person she asked for was Dhruv, not me. It felt like a dagger twisting in my chest, a cruel reminder of the rift that had come between us.

All the love I had poured into our relationship, seemed to fade into insignificance in that very moment. How could Khushi turn to Dhruv instead of me? Had our bond been so shattered by the events that unfolded? The weight of betrayal and hurt crushed my soul.

I had hoped that now that we had taken one step ahead last night, by kissing and pouring our love towards each other, we would triumph over any obstacle, that the depth of our connection would withstand anything life threw at us. But here I stood, feeling inadequate and invisible, as Khushi's heart called out for someone else. The pain seared through every fiber of my being, tearing at the very foundation of our relationship.

Questions filled my mind, tormenting my thoughts. What had gone wrong? Was I not enough for her? Did she no longer believe in the love we had shared so passionately?

The room seemed to close in around me as I grappled with the agony of being second best in the eyes of the woman I cherished above all else. The ache in my chest intensified, mingling with a sense of helplessness and profound sadness. The tears threatened to spill, but I fought to hold them back, unwilling to let anyone witness the extent of my despair.

I wanted to scream, to vent my frustration and anguish at the injustice of it all. Why did Khushi choose Dhruv when it should have been me standing by her side, comforting her, and reassuring her of my unwavering love? The pain felt unbearable, like a wound that refused to heal.


But I couldn't let the world see my shattered heart. I swallowed the anguish, forced a stoic mask upon my face, and maintained a façade of composure. The longing to be with Khushi tugged at my soul, but I buried it deep within me, determined to respect her wishes, even if it tore me apart inside.

As Garima aunty leaves the room, her confused gaze haunting me, I stand there, grappling with the ache that consumed my entire being. The pain of being pushed aside, replaced by another, cut through me, and I wonder if my love for Khushi would ever be enough to bridge the growing chasm between us.

But In this moment, I vow to fight for our love, to reclaim the place I almost held in Khushi's heart from the time we married. I would not let this setback define our future.

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

KHUSHI ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA

The first thing I did when I woke up again after the sedatives was telling Mumma to call Dhruv. I wanted to meet him before he speaks to Arnav and tells him about our past. As I stand alone by the poolside of my bedroom, my heart pounds with a mixture of nervousness, desperation, and a flood of emotions. Dhruv is alive and though this is a huge relief and a moment to share the joy, my mind haunts me realizing he is back when I am already married to his elder twin Arnav Singh Raizada. Why did our fates intertwine us so badly that none of us will be able to live in the present knowing the past?

I turn back to the French windows from the poolside, when I catch a glimpse of Dhruv entering the room. Tears well up in my eyes, and I can no longer hold back the overwhelming weight of everything that has transpired. This was the man I loved once. And he is here! Alive and Back!

“Hey,” he smiles crossing the French windows and walking slowly towards me. But unlike every time before, this time, I step behind when I find the distance between us less than three feet. It comes naturally. Not just me moving behind but me clenching the mangalsutra on my neck too. Tight!! As if drawing strength from it to face the situation. Dhruv’s gaze falls on my mangalsutra and he stops too, his eyes blazing with annoyance!!

My voice trembles as I try to speak, my words choke by the weight of my confession. "Dhruv, I...I," I manage to utter between sobs, my voice quivering with regret and guilt. The truth hangs heavy in the air, the truth that I kept hidden from Arnav, the truth that I was once in a relationship with his own twin brother.

My tears flow freely now as I apologize profusely, my voice filled with remorse. "I couldn't wait for you, Dhruv. I had to marry Arnav. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I whisper through my tears, my voice filled with regret.

Guilt gnaws at my insides as I realize the magnitude of the secret I've kept from Arnav, my husband for life. I had never revealed the truth about Dhruv being the one I was involved with before him, and now the weight of that deception threatens to suffocate me.


Dhruv approaches me with a mixture of understanding and sadness etched on his face. "Khushi, it's alright," he says softly, his voice filled with resignation. "We couldn't control what fate had in store for us."

Dhruv's eyes hold a depth of understanding, his gaze searching mine. "Khushi, we can't change what has happened. It was beyond our control," he says, his voice laced with a hint of sorrow. "We have to face the consequences of our choices."

The silence between us stretches, filled with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. I take a shaky breath, trying to steady myself, and then find the courage to speak.

“I don't know how to tell Arnav. I'm scared if he would understand," I confess, my voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.

Dhruv's gaze is fixed on my face.

“He knows..” he says it and my heart skips a beat.

“What?”

Dhruv exhales with a nod.

“He knows it, Khushi. Right from the day I proposed to you, he knew we were dating. I had told him everything from the very beginning.”

Dhruv had told Arnav about us? I almost lose my balance and when Dhruv tries to reach for me, I step behind again, not wanting him to touch me.

“he.. he… knows?” I mutter. “No.. How’s that.. how’s that possible? I…”

“I can’t believe he didn’t tell you this,” Dhruv continues. “I can’t believe he could keep you in this guilt and confusion for all these months. I really can’t believe this, Khushi. How can someone be so selfish.”

Selfish? And Arnav? No! He is not like that. But then if he knew about me and Dhruv then why didn’t he tell me before? Why hide the fact?

“I had even told Arnav about our break up before I flew to Greece. He didn’t have to hide it from you.”

My heart pounds suddenly analyzing his remark.

“Break up?” I ask, looking into his eyes.

“Yes Khushi,” he nods. “Break up. Why are you seeing me like this as if that never happened. You know I wouldn’t have gone to Greece had we still been into a relationship.”

I feel choked at his words. What is that supposed to mean? Why is Dhruv not mentioning that despite our said break up he had come to see me in that club a day before he flew to Greece? Or was it.. was it not him?

This time I lose my balance and stumble on the recliner chair outside.

“Khushi, are you okay?” Dhruv comes ahead.

I don’t say a word recalling each and every bit of that moment in the club which is still so live and fresh in my head that I can detail every bit of it if asked.

“I was so selfish,” Dhruv continues but I don’t even see him anymore. “I didn’t even come once to meet you after that fight on the day we broke up. You at least deserved an apology from me, Khushi. One apology is what you deserved. I think that’s why God saved me and didn’t let me die. So that one day I meet you and tell you how much sorry I am for breaking your heart. For not willing to understand you that you were reserving your purity, until the wedding. And that’s completely right, Khushi. It’s your choice and I should have accepted that had I really loved you the way you deserved.”

Tears cloud my vision as I hear all that. It only affirms that Dhruv never returned to me after the breakup. Now I know why yesterday when Arnav and I kissed, for hours, I didn’t feel like it was the first time we kissed. All these months I was practically living cherishing that intimate moment I had, thinking it was with Dhruv but it was a lie! The man who touched me that night in the club, was not Dhruv.. It was Arnav. It was always him! And now I know why he never could muster that courage to tell me that it was he who had been comforting me that night?

“Khushi?” Dhruv’s voice brings me out of my reverie. “Say something.”

“Leave me alone.. Please.” I beg, looking down, unable to control my tears anymore. He looks at me one more time before sighing and leaving my room and the moment he is gone, I burst into tears, screaming my heart out for Arnav’s betrayal.


ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA

It’s night and Khushi hasn’t come out of her bedroom even once. Not even after she spoke to Dhruv alone. Though I really don’t care to know what they talked, I can’t help put a finger on why she has still holed up in the room? Her parents left back this evening and my family thinks she is unwell so all her meals were sent into the bedroom only as they didn’t want to disturb Khushi. Di stayed back here for one more night today because of Dhruv’s comeback. Shyam jeejaji and his parents agreed to that as they knew how much Dhruv’s return meant to us.

The pain of Khushi not even asking for me or trying to meet me once, ever since Dhruv had come back, was already eating me up but yet, I ignored the fact and knocked at the bedroom door to call her down for dinner but she didn’t open the door for me. It worried me like hell. But when DI went to give her the meals, she let Di in and also assured her that she would have her meals on time and not to worry much.

It only confirmed my suspicions that Khushi was purposely ignoring only me. Was she the same woman who had vowed last night never to leave me no matter what? Anger flamed in my body wanting to know what suddenly changed between us for her to behave like that and to get my answers, I decided to first check with Dhruv.

I storm to Dhruv, who is standing at the window looking out. The moment I reach near him, I grab his shoulder and turn him around to face me.

“What did you say to Khushi?” I scowl.

Dhruv doesn’t speak a word but the grin on his face says it all.

“You think this is a joke, Dhruv? Whatever you said to her, has made her hole up in her room. She is unwilling to even let me inside or talk to me.”

“Really?” Dhruv laughs sarcastically. “I’m glad she is finally seeing your truth then.”

I clench my jaw. This time I cross my limits of decency in talking and grabbing Dhruv’s collar, I pin him to the wall behind.

“What. Did. You. Tell. To. My. Wife?” Fury laces in my tone.

Dhruv holds my wrists hard probably to shove my hands off his collar.

“I told YOUR wife that I never met her after the breakup. And definitely not in that pub where she thinks it was me she was having that moment with.”

Damn! My heart slams in my chest, realizing that is going to break Khushi, turn her completely against me. It should have been me clarifying that to her, not Dhruv. Our relationship had not even begun to run smooth and now this truth from Dhruv’s side is going to ruin it.

“Phew,” Dhruv smiles. “One worry less, isn’t it? At least now everything is clear and transparent between the three of us. You should thank me, I made your job easier.”

I clench my jaw, looking bitterly at Dhruv once and storm out of his room, anger coursing through my veins. I can't shake off the distress that gnaws at me. Khushi's sudden change in behavior, her intentional avoidance of me, is driving me insane.

I spend the next two hours in my home study, the room where I usually retreat to gather my thoughts and find clarity. But tonight, there is no clarity to be found. How do I face Khushi now? What will I tell her? Will she understand?

I pace back and forth, my mind consumed by the fear of losing Khushi, of losing the fragile bond I have fought so hard to build. Dhruv's words echo in my ears, reminding me of the revelation that was kept from Khushi, the pub incident that she misunderstood. It should have been me who clarified everything, and set the record straight. But now, Dhruv has taken that opportunity away from me.

My fists clench with determination as I make up my mind. No matter the hurdles that lie ahead, I refuse to let Dhruv win. I will confront Khushi, face the consequences of the truth, and fight for our marriage. I cannot let this upheaval caused by Dhruv destroy what I have worked so tirelessly to create.

With a newfound determination, I leave the confines of my study and make my way towards our bedroom. The anticipation is killing me as I approach the closed door, my heart pounding in my chest. I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the difficult conversation that lies ahead.

The door is unlocked and it gives me a sigh of relief. At least she is not shutting me out. I enter the room, and find Khushi sitting on the bed, her eyes red from crying. The sight breaks my heart, and a mix of emotions floods over me. I approach her cautiously, my voice laced with a mix of concern and determination. "Khushi," I say softly, my tone a stark contrast to the anger that had consumed me earlier. "We need to talk."


To be Continued.

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🔥𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐑𝐁🔥

𝐀𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐥, the son of a social reformer is on a mission to draw out his father's enemies to the fore when he crosses paths with Meher Walia, the stunning daughter of his father’s arch enemy in politics. The feud between their families runs deep and is embittered. While he tries to resist falling in love with Meher, he is drawn into a game of lies, deceit and conquest, where every move can be a trap, a bluff or a sacrifice. In the game that mirrors the stage of politics and love, where the knights are cunning, the rooks powerful, the queen a temptress and the king vulnerable, will Ayaan dare to break the rules and face the deadly consequences?

𝑻𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒊𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒍, 𝑨𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈.

𝐌𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚, the daughter of a deputy chief minister, is the caged princess of her family, who is unaware of the dark secrets and crimes of her father. One encounter with Ayaan Shergill and she's drawn to his mysterious, handsome and dangerous persona like a moth to a flame. Indulging into a forbidden affair with Ayaan, and oblivious to the ulterior motives and dirty politics playing its part, will Meher choose love or loyalty when she faces the consequences of playing with fire?

𝑻𝒐 𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝑴𝒆𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒂 𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏.

𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐨𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫?