The Wait - Chapter 16

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CHAPTER 16


ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA


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.”

She doesn’t say a word but the moment I’m about to sit next to her, she gets down and walks to the French windows. That’s not good. It only proves she is in for a huge fight. I sigh, getting down the bed and make my way towards her.

“Khushi, I-”

“Don’t,” she snaps turning around to face me. “You can’t have any logical reasoning for what you hid from me, Arnav.”

Before I can retort, she clutches my shirt over my chest angrily, looking into my eyes.

“How could you hide that fact that it was not Dhruv but you that night?”

The painful expressions on Khushi’s face pricks my heart.

“What does it even mean, Arnav? I don’t take you as one of them who would take advantage of a woman in her drunk state. Then why did you do that?”

“I tried telling you I wasn’t Dhruv, that night,” I snap. “Try to remember, goddammit.”

She goes still for a moment, as if trying to recall, and just like that we are both transported to that night in the club again.

“I am not Dhruv..” I replied. “I am Arnav Singh Raizada..”

For a second, I felt her withdrawing from me but then she gasped and hit my chest again.

“Stop it, Dhruv. Just stop playing this game now. You think I won’t recognize you? The intensity with which you are looking at me right now, the pain in your eyes knowing I am in pain, the way your fingers are stroking my arms to stop me from shivering.. all these actions can only come from the man who loves me… and that’s you… not him.”

I immediately stopped touching her and clenched my jaw.

“You don’t understand,” I yelled. “You are mistaken, Khushi..”

“Yes I was mistaken…” she snapped back. “I was mistaken that we are actually over when you broke up with me. But look at me..” she cried. “This is so not me, Dhruv.. And look at you.. You look as dejected, as guilty and as miserable as I am, Dhruv because we can’t stay away from each other.”

I didn’t know if it was the drink which wasn’t letting her realize that she was actually having that conversation with me and not her Ex Dhruv, or had my actions, gestures and most importantly my overflowing love for her in my eyes confusing her?

“We will talk tomorrow. Tonight you are not in the senses to know who I am..” I blurted and turned around to leave when Khushi held my arm.

“Don’t leave.. please don’t leave me alone again.. I am sorry.. I am sorry..”

Though holding my hand, she literally slid down inch by inch, losing her strength to have this conversation with me, whilst sobbing. I couldn’t see her like that ever!

“Ssshhh..” I leaned down and pulled Khushi on her feet again.

“Don’t go.. please..” she cried.

“I wont.. I wont go.. Come here..” I encircled my arm around her waist and pulled her to my body, to support her and not let her collapse on the floor.

Khushi held my shoulders finally and looked into my eyes.

“You really don’t love me anymore?” she murmured, her breaths coming out quick and short as she cupped my face. “You don’t want me in your life anymore?”

My mind lost every ability to think as she asked me that.

“Tell me..” she shook me. “I promise if you don’t want me, I’ll never ….”

“I want you..” Words slipped from my mouth. That was the truth. I wanted her because I loved her.. At that moment, I didn’t realize she was asking this to Dhruv, not me. “I want you Khushi.. more than you would ever know.. more than I could ever show you the depth of my need for you…”

The moment I said this, she locked her grip to the back of my neck, holding me in place and her lips found mine. For a second, I couldn’t fathom what she did, and what my response should be. First her tears, and then her kiss, everything was enough to zone out my senses and I took over her lips, her tongue, her kiss the very next second. Sliding my fingers in her hair, I angled her face to kiss her better. I don’t know if it was me or her who lost the balance first and fell on the plush couch at the dark corner. Sitting on the couch and I dragged Khushi to me until she was straddling my lap. The black dress she wore, almost pushed up revealing her flawless legs. There was something in that moment which was so perfect that I didn’t want to break it. Every sane thought in my head vanished when I felt her wet spot pressing against me where our bodies were meeting. Sliding my palms over her legs that were straddling my body, I pulled her closer, before slipping my fingers from the slit of her dress towards her wet spot. She let out a soft moans as my fingertips brushed the silk fabric of her undergarment. A moan which was still etched into my head, giving me sleepless nights wanting to have her in every way. But I knew it was wrong and I shouldn’t be doing that. I’d to resist her. When I pulled my fingers away, Khushi groaned in annoyance, stopping our kiss too. She looked at me, wanting to know why I wasn’t continuing it. I cupped her face and kissed her red nose.

“I’ll touch you beyond that only after I marry you legally, Khushi. Just like you always wanted.”

Despite being drunk, she looked at me with so much love. My fingers wrapped around her tiny nape and I pulled her in for another kiss. As my fingers kept caressing the pearl necklace, the string broke off and the pearls began to fall down. Khushi wasn’t even bothered of it, she was that lost in the kiss. I fisted a few pearls before I could lose them all, wanting to save them forever with me, as a memento of our first kiss, promising myself that the next morning when she would be in her conscious state of mind, I would tell her it was me she had this moment with. I knew she would be angry, and probably wouldn’t want to see my face ever. But I vowed to win her. With Dhruv not wanting her back in his life, I was not going to stop myself from expressing my love to the only woman I had ever loved and wanted to spend my life with.

Khushi’s grip on my shirt loosens as the flashback ends. She looks at me horrified. I realize she must have recalled that scene and remembered I’d given her my true identity that night. But since she was drunk and I never pressed harder the fact that it was really me she was getting intimate with and not Dhruv that night, she is still pissed. When Khushi tries to leave my shirt, I grab her wrists, stopping her from doing so.

“I didn’t betray you that night Khushi. Despite telling you that it was me Arnav Singh Raizada, and not Dhruv, you were unwilling to believe me.”

“Then you could have told me until I believed it, Arnav,” she snaps. “Why didn’t you? All these months I thought it was Dhruv I had that moment with. I know I was drunk, but you could have revealed it to me some day…”

“God knows I wanted to do that,” I scoff. “But Dhruv’s sudden accident news in two days in Greece and everything changed. You flew to India and then you were sick for days knowing about it. Though I too had come to India to stay by my family in those tough times, we were all grieving over the loss. Weeks later, when we had accepted that fact, I couldn’t even fathom telling you that it was me and not Dhruv that night knowing you were still in that trauma. Then I flew to London again for work, thinking you would come there to complete your masters and I would then meet you again and try putting this matter before you. But you stayed in India and never returned Khushi. After all these months, we met again for Di and Shyam’s wedding. And you know the rest.”

Khushi shrugs off from my hold and steps back.

“Today morning,” I add. “Today morning you asked me in Gupta Mansion what I was hiding from you. You asked me why didn’t our kiss last night feel like it was the first time? Remember I told you what if I tell you everything? Will you still stay with me or not?” I ask. “This is what I wanted to tell you, Khushi. This is what I was afraid of. But fate played its card at the worse time. Dhruv’s sudden entry and everything that was hidden came out in the open.”

Khushi looks away as if not really believing I was going to tell her everything myself had Dhruv not shown up today. Before she can walk away, showing me her distrust, I pull her to me again.

“Believe me, Khushi.”

“I want to believe you, Arnav. But this can’t be your excuse. After we met here again, you had every opportunity to tell me. At least at the time when I agreed to marry you. How could you set the base of our marriage hiding such an important fact?”

“Am I the only one who did that?” I retort. “Keep this matter aside for a minute and think what you did, Khushi.”

She goes speechless as I continue.

“You too didn’t make any effort to tell me ever, that you were dating my twin brother. That Dhruv was your past… that Dhruv was your Ex.”

Khushi glares at me.

“So before you accuse I am the only one who set the foundation of our marriage hiding something so critical, remember you too did the same.”

Khushi's gaze pierces through me, her anger palpable as she processes my words. The weight of her disappointment hangs heavy in the air, and I struggle to find the right words to mend what feels irreparably broken. This is not the time to play the blaming game with each other.


“I didn’t tell you about Dhruv because I was afraid of your reactions,” Khushi speaks up. “I know no man can tolerate that his wife ever had an affair with his brother before him. But then I realized as the days passed, that if I want to take that step ahead with you, I should come clean with my past with you, Arnav. You deserved to know it. Believe me I wanted to tell you everything.”


I stare at her knowing she is telling me the truth.

“I believe you,” I reply. “We both have been wrong in hiding things, Khushi. And now we both should let it go.”


“Two wrongs can never make a right, Arnav.” She crosses her arms, her expression a mix of frustration and hurt. "And nothing can justify what you did, Arnav. I was hiding my past with Dhruv from you. But you have withheld something so significant, something which was related to you and me. That had nothing to do with Dhruv but us, and that…” she pauses to take a breath. “that has shattered my trust in you."


I reach out to touch her arm, but she steps back, denying me that connection.

“At least you knew from the beginning about my past with Dhruv, but it is just today that I have learnt that the most beautiful moment of my life, where I thought Dhruv was back to me, was all a sham. That it was not the man I loved but his brother in whose arms I was seeking the solace that night? I feel.. I feel so… so cheap and used.. and..”


“I wasn’t using you.” I scoff.

“But it wasn’t right. It shouldn’t have happened.” She retorts.

“I know, Khushi. And I'm sorry. I can't take back what happened, but I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to make it right.”


She scoffs, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "How can you make it right, Arnav? How can you erase the pain I feel, the betrayal that lingers within me?”

I take a step closer, desperation evident in my voice.


"By being honest with you from this moment forward, by never keeping secrets, and by showing you, every day, how much I want you in my life. How much you mean to me."


I have never confessed my love to Khushi and I know even if I do it today, she wouldn’t be able to connect to it.

Her shoulders sag, and she looks away, seemingly torn between her anger and inner turmoil.

"It's not going to be easy, Arnav. Trust takes time to rebuild, and forgiveness doesn't come overnight."

"I know," I reply, my voice filled with conviction. "But we can work through this together, Khushi. We can rebuild what we've lost, stronger than ever before."

She meets my gaze, her eyes searching for sincerity. "Transparency is important, Arnav. But it doesn't erase the pain. It will take time for me to heal, to forgive."


I take a deep breath, the weight of my mistakes pressing on my chest. "I understand, Khushi. I will give you the time you need. I will be patient, and I will prove to you that what I feel for you is unwavering."

I reach out to cup her face, my touch gentle and pleading. "I promise, Khushi. I will spend every day showing you how much you mean to me, and I will never stop trying to make amends for my mistakes."

She sighs, her resistance waning as she leans into my touch. "I want to believe you, Arnav. I want to forgive you, but it won't happen overnight."


"I know," I whisper, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "But as long as we're together and we're honest with each other, I believe we can overcome anything."

Her gaze softens, and for a moment, the weight of our shared pain feels just a little lighter. I hold her close, vowing silently to myself that I will do whatever it takes to heal her wounded heart, even if it means waiting for forgiveness that may come slowly. Our journey to rebuild trust has just begun, and I will be by her side, every step of the way, proving that my love for her is unbreakable.


KHUSHI ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA


I don’t know what to believe, what to do further or how to handle these changes in my life that has suddenly popped up. With Dhruv’s return, a part of me is happy to see him back, alive and healthy. But a part of me is angry that he never returned to me after the breakup. He was seriously gone to Greece to enjoy the new phase of his life where I was never on his list. Today, he might be repenting seeing me become Arnav’s wife, he even said I deserved an apology for the silly reason he broke up with me. But I don’t know how I should be processing his presence in my life again, when I am married off to his brother? On the other hand, Arnav and I have confronted about the two important things we both were hiding from each other yet I don’t feel at ease. It’s hardly now I had started to trust the man I have to share my future with and knowing he had hidden something so delicate from me, trust is not going to be an easy factor to build again.

With my past and future colliding in my present, how am I supposed to even balance the intricate relationships of my life?

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

Last night though Arnav and I shared the bed, I was too far from his reach. I didn’t even turn to face him and chose to restrict him if he advanced to me, even in his sleep. But fortunately, Arnav didn’t force me to sleep closer. He gave me the distance, the space I needed to clear my head from all the turmoil and revelations.

Now as I wake up in the morning, I realize he is not on bed. It’s 07:00 a.m. Either he went for a morning jog or might be working out in the gym. Just when I am about to get down the bed to start my day, I hear the bathroom door opening and Arnav Singh Raizada comes out, freshly showered and his lower body clad in a white Turkish towel.

I watch as Arnav emerges from the bathroom, his presence commanding attention even in the simple act of him applying the deo on his body. He's engaged in a phone call on his Bluetooth earpiece, his voice low and focused, and I can't help but feel a pang of hesitation as I observe him from the bed. The memories of last night's revelations still weigh heavily on my mind, creating a distance between us that I can't seem to bridge.

Arnav glances in my direction, his eyes meeting mine briefly before he turns his attention back to his call. He smiles, a gesture that offers reassurance and warmth, but it doesn't erase the questions and doubts swirling within me. He continues his conversation, his voice steady and business-like, while I remain rooted to the bed, unsure of how to navigate this newfound complexity in our relationship.

As he walks towards the walk-in wardrobe, his broad shoulders and chiseled physique draw my gaze. I find myself admiring him, my mind momentarily forgetting the turmoil that plagues it. Arnav notices my attention, and his eyes lock with mine. Again!! The intensity in his gaze this time leaves me momentarily breathless, as if he can see right through me, deciphering the conflicted emotions swirling within my heart.

“Hold on, Aman,” he says, breaking the silence, and looking at me again. “Can you fetch my black shirt?”

I nod, unable to find words in that moment, and make my way to the wardrobe, my steps hesitant and uncertain. I stand close to him, acutely aware of his presence, yet the air between us feels heavy with unspoken truths and lingering tension.

Arnav doesn't move away as I fetch for his shirt, his gaze never leaving mine. It's as if he wants me to acknowledge his proximity, to acknowledge the connection that still exists between us despite the revelations that have shaken our foundation. I realize there are dozens of black shirts hanging here. Which one does he want? While he keeps speaking something to Aman, I gesture him sliding my finger one by one on his black shirts, asking which one he wanted to wear. He keeps denying with his head, as I point at each one of them. Finally when I am on the last one, he nods in acceptance. Damn! Why do I feel he is doing all this on purpose? My hand brushes against his arm as I hand him the shirt, and a jolt of electricity courses through me at the slight contact.

I lower my eyes, unable to meet his gaze any longer. Can we move past the secrets and pain, and find a way to rebuild the trust that has been shattered?

As Arnav takes the shirt from me, he reaches out, his fingertips grazing my hand for a brief moment. His touch sends a shiver down my spine, a gentle reminder of the connection we shared that night at Gupta mansion and the potential for healing what lies ahead.

"Thank you," he murmurs softly, his voice tinged with sincerity.

I nod again and before I embarrass myself, or he gives me another command to fetch something else for him, I leave for the bathroom.


To be Continued.

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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐞 - 𝐀 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥 & 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫...

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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?