Desert Rose Chapters 17 - 18

Desert Rose – Chapter 17

PAYAL’S mehendi arrived on a warm sunny morning. Khushi sat on the stool in front of the dressing table mirror wearing her jhumkas. She was dressed in her dark blue and gold anarkali suit, which she had picked up during the shopping spree with Anjali and Payal earlier that week. She wore a matching gold chain and blue stone pendant on her neck.

As Anjali had mentioned a few days ago, between the two of them, they had managed all the wedding preparations. They had chalked out a plan of what needed to be done and executed it meticulously. The invitations had been sent out, decorators, caterers and photographers booked. Since the wedding was to take place in the Haveli, the venue was not going to be a problem.

Arnav had kept out of their way, being completely immersed in his work, but she knew he was the one executing everything behind the scenes, as it was his cheques that were making everything possible making it look like magic. It was like the best of the best services were available just on their command.

Her eyes kept darting toward the door every few seconds much to her consternation, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.She had hardly seen him in the past few days, though they slept on the same bed every night, a wall of pillows between them. He came to bed late, after she had slept, and was up before her,coming back into the room after she had showered and changed. Most of the times, he walked in, all sweaty from the gym, as she sat at the dressing table and dashed into the shower.

Just as she began to apply sindoor on her forehead, the object of her subconscious pondering, walked in, his eyes darkening as he took his her appearance in the mirror, accelerating her dhak-dhak to a racing speed. He flustered her further into almost spilling the small silver box of sindoor, as he took off his t-shirt, his muscles rippling as he threw the shirt on the chaise lounge. Couldn’t he just take off his clothes in the bathroom like normal people? Laad Governor! Khushi muttered to herself as she left the room.

As Khushi came down the stairs, her eyes brightened at the captivatingscene. The Haveli, already rich in its ethnicity, looked resplendent today with the magical artistry of the decorator’s hand, with flowers and guaze drapes in yellow, orange and cream.

She went up to the kitchen to help Hariprakash and Lakshmi prepare food snacks the fifty odd guests that were due to show up for the Mehendi. These guests were relatives of mamiji who would be arriving from Katariasar and nearby towns. The Haldi had been wound up the previous day with few close relatives in attendance. But the Sangeet, which was going to be a grand affair,was scheduled for later that evening, combined with a cocktail party that Arnav was throwing for guests from Delhi, mostly associated with AR.

Soon the Mehendi ceremony was underway with Payal getting the full bridal mehendi. Though, Anjali had opted for the simple Arabian style design, mamiji had insisted on a very elaborate design for herself. The ladies had dressed in red today, a dress code they had chosen for the mehendi which Khushi had totally forgotten about.

Offering to servesome of the guests herself ,to relieve Lakshmi who had to dash home for an emergency,Khushisoon realized that some of the women had begun staring at her, making her uncomfortable. Walking toward a group gathered around mamiji, she pausedstanding behind a pillar, as she heard them talking about Payal.

‘What sort of a family are you getting your son married into Manoramajijj?’ one of the guests asked her, ‘The whole community is talking about the scandal.’

‘What can I do Kamala? God is playing a cruel joke on me.’ Mamiji replied back with a sigh.

‘I heard this girl spent the night with your nephew at the Desert Festival,’ another woman said, ‘Is that why he married her? Why was it done so secretly?’

‘He did not have any other choice.’ Mamiji replied back, her voice laced with scorn. ‘Of course he didn’t tell anyone. Marrying that girl was nothing to be proud of.’

Khushi looked at the embarrassed faces of Anjali, naniji and Payal and ran back into the kitchen, her chest heaving, as she tried to control the tears that were ready to burst out of her.

‘Khushiji?’ Shyam came into the kitchen, ‘are you alright? I heard the ladies talking back there.’

Had he been spying on her? Khushi wondered, ‘I am ok Shyamji.’ She said gruffly and she began to prepare jalebis, her body seething with a latent anger. ‘Please leave me alone.’ She didn’t feel like talking to anyone right now.

Just then she heard another voice. ‘Shyam, I think Akash could use your help in taking care of the male guests in the courtyard.’

‘Of course  saalesaab.’ Shyam said, walking out of the kitchen.

Khushi ignored Arnav’s presence as she began to squeeze the batter from the piping bag into the hot oil, her motions aggressive as she made small circular motions. Her mind was whirling with the words she had heard from the ladies…..

Is she the girl? At the Desert Festival…….Heard they were inside for a long time…..

Added to that, the heat was beginning to get on her nerves as she tried to get her hair out of the way. She wished she had her hair stick so she could tie it up in her old style.

Suddenly, Arnav, who seemed to be carrying on some conversation on his Bluetooth device with someone called Aman, came up behind her, to lift the thick strands of her hair in his hands.As she looked back at him nervously, he indicated her to continue with her work, knotting her hair into a rough bun. Khushi closed her eyes briefly as the tips of his fingers on her nape, sent goose bumps throughout her body.

‘Are you done with the jalebis?’

Khushi realized he was addressing her. ‘Yes….. I have to prepare some samosas now,’she answered without looking back.

‘Leave that, we are going out,’ he said coming up to her and taking her hands in his.

‘Arnavji, there is so much work!’ she protested.

Arnav paid no heed as he led her out of the back of the house to where his Royal Enfield was parked. He got on the bike, kick started it and then he asked her to get on the back.

‘Where are we going?’ she asked him.

‘Will you just shut up and sit?’ he said rhetorically, lifting his eyebrows.

God, this Laad Governor was incorrigible, thought Khushi as she sat behind him.Why did he always have to have his way?

‘Hold on tight.’ He warned her.

Though she had no intention of doing any such thing, she was forced to change her mind once he started off in full speed, clutching his shoulder in fear.

As the warm breeze hit her face, whipping a few strands askew, Khushi began to relax, enjoying the view of the serene sands.

Fifteen minutes later, they reached a building that looked like warehouse. Once they stepped inside Khushi realized that it was Arnav’s factory. Arnav asked one of the female workers, Gauri, to show her around while he planned to have a quick word with Keshav regarding an important issue.

As Gauri took Khushi along explaining to her the entire process of how fabrics were woven from threads, she was enthralled. She was so engrossed that when Arnav came back to get her, she hadn’t realized that she had been there for almost half an hour. Just then, Gauri told Arnav that Khushi had mentioned that a slight variation in the colour combinations would bring out an even richer colour in one of the fabrics that was about to be weaved. After listening to the details, Arnav told Gauri to go ahead with Khushi’s suggestion.

‘No, Arnavji, please don’t do that,’ begged Khushi, ‘I was just thinking out loud. I have no idea how that will turn out. Please.’

‘You have worked in the fashion industry,’ he said, ‘how wrong can you be?’

‘But ---’

‘Stop worrying, will you? Now let’s get back. Don’t you remember it is your sister’s mehendi?’ he said as he walked toward the bike. He smiled as he imagined the look on her face.

Khushi wrung her hands in frustration as she followed him.

Back at the Haveli, Khushi found that Sona, Keshav’s sister had covered up in her absence.

‘Bhaiyya just asked me to come in earlier.’ She quipped when Khushi asked her. ‘And jiji, we are rehearsing for the sangeet this afternoon. You will be there, won’t you? she reminded her.

‘Of course,Sona.’Khushi said smiling up at the girl.

Later that evening when Khushi rushed toward her bedroom, having got delayed first, by the rehearsals, and then later when she had to get Payal ready for the Sangeet. She smiled proudly as she remembered how radiant Payal looked today in her green and orange lehenga choli.

When she came out of the bathroom, she founda packet on the bed. It was probably the lehengacholi Anjali had sent for her. After she changed in closet she looked at herself in the full length mirror and was awestruck.

The georgette lehenga was bright red with scattered gold thread motifs, flowing into a wide pink border embellished with gold and silver threads. While the bodice of the short choli was also bright red, dotted with gold sequins, the sleeves were sheer and devoid of lining. The double shaded chunri was also equally beautiful, with a thin zari border in temple design.

As she adjusted the chunri, bringing down her right shoulder, sheremembered how much she had enjoyed the factory trip this morning, completely distracting her from the mami’s disdainful remarks at the mehendi ceremony. Something flashed to her at that instant. Was that why he had taken her out this morning? To distract her? But why?

Why the hell would anyone in his right mind not want to marry you? the words he had told her on the terrace that night came back.  The way he had looked at her then, sometimes made her wonder if he had married just because --- no. She looked up to see the full length mirror reflecting back apale face and a thin figure. He couldn’t have married me for that, she told herself fiercely --- unless he was desperate? But a man of his reputation wouldn’t find women hard to come by. He had said so himself  --Don’t worry I am not that desperate.

Hey Devi Maiyya! Would she ever understand her enigmatic husband, she wondered.

When Khushi came down, she found Anjali dressed ina rich blue saree, completely embellished with silver work, welcoming the guests from the Delhi. She was soon joined by Arnav looking more handsome than ever in a black self-printed short length sherwani and black trousers. Then, Khushi saw the one person she dreaded the most -- Ria Chopra. She was fashionably dressed in anoff white shimmery saree, trimmed with gold lace,on a matching, one-shoulder designer blouse.

Akash and Payal were engrossed with their friends from the Jaipur wedding where they had first met andKhushi hung back, not wanting to intrude.

‘Don’t worry Khushi, I feel just as left out in these parties,’ said a voice from behind her.

Khushi turned around to find Dr Manav, looking cool and casual in a chocolate brown corduroy blazer, white shirt and beige chinos.

‘Dr Manav!’ she exclaimed smiling at him, ‘Don’t you know any of these people?’ asked Khushi, surprized at what he had just said.

‘I know nothing about fashion or trade,’ Manav said affably, ‘who would be interested in talking to a small town doctor?’

‘Well, then that makes two of us.’ She quipped.

Soon Manav had Khushi in splits, telling her some anecdotes about his hostel life as a student in Manipal Medical College, in Mangalore.

‘Manav!’ exclaimed Anjali coming up them, ‘why do I get the feeling you are telling her about your hostel capers? Is it that cafeteria incident with Gattu?’

‘No Anju,’ said Manav, ‘I was telling Khushi about Prof. Mehta.’

Shyam came up to them and said, ‘The Sangeet is about to begin,’ He seemed to have a sour face.‘So it would be better if you take your seats.’

The Sangeet began with the professional Rajathani dancers performed the Ghoomar on some popular Rajasthani folk songs. After that Sona performed on Meri Banno ki aayegi baaraat….

Before the next dance, she came down to drag a reluctant Khushi to perform with her for ---Mere Haaton mein nau na uchoodiyan hain…

Though Khushi began to refuse, not wanting to further create gossip, she agreed after Payal and Anajli came up to her and insisted as was so lost in the dance.

‘God Arnav!’ exclaimed Ria standing beside Arnav with a drink in her hand, ‘is this the girl you rebuffed me for? This girl – who is dancing with the hired help?’

‘Yes,’ replied Arnav unable to take his eyes off Khushi.

‘How downmarket!’ she spat with contempt, ‘from when have your tastes fallen down like this?’

‘From the moment I saw her,’ he said absentmindedly, ‘now if you will excuse me there is something I have to do.’

Arnav went up to the stage and addressed the crowd, mike in his hands.

‘Just want to say a couple of things today. First, Akash -- I just want to let you know that I am happy that you finally found love and happiness with Payal. Congratulations to both of you and here is to wishing you a very happy married life.

‘Second --- I would like to ask, my wife – Khushi Singh Raizada, if she would honour me with a dance.’

Khushi, stunned into immobility, had to be practically pushed toward the stage by Anjali. She walked up slowly to take Arnav’s outstretched hand.

The lights dimmed as the music began to play the initial tune to a popular song.

‘Khushi, now would be the time to stop looking so surprized.’ Arnav said, bringing Khushi close to him, sliding his other hand around her waist to rest at the small of her back.

Khushi gasped. ‘I..I  didn’t think you were the dancing type, that’s all,’ she said breathlessly, as she moved her hand up to his shoulder.

‘I wasn’t,’ he quipped, with a lop-sided smile. ‘Until, someone back in my Harvarddays,taught me how to loosen up and move to a rhythm.

Just as Khushi began to think that the “someone” was probably some American bimbo, Arnav continued, ‘She told me that there were just a few simple steps to a slow dance. Move to the music, twirl, move again, dip and then finish it off with a lift.’

As the song began, Arnav did just what he told her, pulling her in flush against himself, staring into her eyes, inducing her dhak-dhak.

KhuchKhashai,

kuchhpaashai,

kuchhajnabiehsaashai

Twirling her first toward his right, and then toward his left,he brought her back to himself…

kuchhduriyaannajdikiyaan,

kuchhhanspaditanhaayiyaan

Sliding his hand up the middle of her back, he widened his stance as he dipped her toward his left, his lips mere inches away from hers…..

kyayehkhumaarhai, kyaaitbaarhai

shaayadyehpyaarhai…pyaarhaishaayad

And then he brought her back and dipped her toward his right.

kyayehbahaarhaikyaintezaarhai

shaayadyehpyaarhai…pyaarhaishaayad

Standing behind her, he took her hands in his, lifting her in one swift motion.As Khushi slid back down Arnav’s body, slowly, completely entranced and flushed with excitement, the bright overhead lights switched on and then the entire house plunged into complete darkness as the power went out.

Khushi let out a small squeal, turning around to clutch at his shirt front in a death grip.

‘Khushi,’ Arnav whispered in her ear, ‘I think the mains tripped because of over load. There is nothing to worry about. Hariprakash is probably on his way to fix this.’

‘I …. it’s too ….dark,’ she gasped as her entire body quivered uncontrollably.

‘Are you afraid of the dark Khushi?’ he asked her, and as she nodded her affirmation on his chest, he lifted her face to him. ‘You know what would help?’

When she opened her mouth to ask him, his lips captured hers in a fierce, bruising kiss, his tongue darting in to explore her warm recesses, sending shock-waves of fire through the blood in her veins.Khushi could feel the heat of Arnav’s hands searing the skin on her bare back, and her fingers clenched in his shirt in response.

‘F@#$!’ Arnav swore under his breath as Khushi pressed herself closer, her finger nails digging into the hard muscles of his chest. Still keeping one strong arms around her, Arnav’s other hand moved to the curve of her waist, his body manoeuvring her toward the side of the stage to pin her against the pillar.

A fiery sensation of pleasure shot through Khushi, a pleasure so sharply powerful that it was almost like a shaft of pain, making her moan aloud.

‘Khushi – the power is back on.’ Arnav whispered huskily against her lips.

At once Khushi came to her senses, looking around in fear, remembering with a shock that they were on a stage and then, heaving a sigh of relief when she realized that Arnav had steered her behind the curtains to side of the stage.

‘I am glad you stopped wearing that hideous brown lipstick,’ he told her as he bent down again to give her one swift, hard kiss before walking away.

The rest of the evening went by in a daze for Khushi, the memoryof the kiss keeping her hot and bothered throughout. Later into the night, when Payal came up to her looking pale and uncomfortable, Khushi quickly took her into her room.

After making sure the guests had boarded the appropriate buses that would take them to their respective hotels, Arnav came back into his study talking to Aman who informed him that everyone was on their bus except for Ria who had insisted on staying back. Arnav turned around to find her standing at the door to his study.

‘Why the f@#$ didn’t you leave on the bus Ria?’ he asked her raking his hands through his hair in frustration.

‘Arnav…I …..I just….. wanted to apologize…for the other day…..’ she said her voice slurring making it obvious she was drunk.

‘Look,’ said Arnav trying to induce some patience in his voice. ‘let’s talk about this in the morning okay? I will make arrangements for you to get back to the hotel.’

She swayed toward him slowly, ‘I just want to let you know that I don’t care if you are married.’ She tripped on her saree hem and would have fallen face down on the hard floor if Arnav hadn’t caught her. ‘I will always be there for you Arnav. You know what I mean?’ She pressed herself to him.

‘You are drunk and you don’t know what you are talking about Ria.’ Arnav said putting her away firmly. He took her by the arm and led her out of his study,unaware that Shyam had just eavesdropped on this interchange.

‘Akash!’ he called out to his brother who came up to him, ‘your friends are put up at Royal suites, aren’t they? Could they give Ria a ride back. She missed her bus.’

‘Bhai…’ Akash paused, hesitating a little before continuing. ‘My friends want to take me back to the hotel for a bachelor party. I was hoping you could join us as well.’

‘What? No way!’ exclaimed Arnav, ‘It’s pretty late and I have tons of work. Ask Manav.’

‘Manav just left as he had an early morning appointment,’ Akash said, ‘you know I will be in big trouble if any of the elders found out. The only way I would be let off the hook is if you came along.’ He implored.

Of course! Now he was talking.  On second thought he wasn’t sure if it was going to be a great idea to let a drunk woman go off with a bunch of boys. He would have to go along, he realized in frustration. Suddenly, he wanted Khushi to know that he was going to be late coming back. But he couldn’t find her anywhere. When Anjali and Shyam came up to him, he briefed them about the sudden plan, asking Anjali to let Khushi know.

Once Arnav had left the Haveli with Ria and the boys, Shyam persuaded Anjali to go to bed, assuring her that he would give Arnav’s message to Khushi.

Khushi sat in Payal’s room, as the mehendi artist drew intricate patterns on her hand.Payal was sleeping peacefully after Khushi had helped her change into her night clothes. The poor girl had exhausted herself too much during the party and hadthrown up most of the dinner she had eaten.As she was tucking in Payal, Sona had come in with the mehendi artist, explaining to her that Arnav had told her to make sure she got some mehendi on her hands. Khushi’s heart surged with joy at his thoughtfulness.

As Khushi stepped out of Payal’s room, she found the living room empty, with just a few lights on. Just as she was about to climb the stairs, she heard a voice call her from behind. She jumped up in fright as she turned around and found Shyam lurking in the shadows. ‘Oh Shyamji….you gave me a scare!’ she breathed, clutching her hand to her heart.

‘I just wanted to let you know that Saale Saab asked you not wait up.’ She looked up at him, her eyebrow creased in curiosity. ‘He has gone to the hotel with Ria, and he will probably be late getting back.’

Shyam watched as Khushi’s face fell, ‘Oh’ she said quietly.

‘Khushiji, I am sorry,’ he said coming closer, placing a hand on her shoulder, his eyes staring at her intensely. ‘I saw Arnav and Ria hugging each other in the study. I told you he doesn’t care.’

Khushi stepped back a pace, ‘I am very tired Shyamji…..I will go up now.’ She turned around and hurried up the stairs, dabbing at the tears streaming down her cheeks.She entered the bedroom and turned in the lock for some unknown reason.

Two hours later, Arnav tried opening the bedroom door in vain, realizing that Khushi had locked it from inside. He opened the door with the spare key he kept in the study, and entered the room to see that Khushi was fast asleep.

It had been tough to pry Akash away from his friends, as he seemed to want to go on and on in the revelry like there was no tomorrow. This is exactly why he had been worried about Akash getting married this early. Anyway it was too late now. He would have to insist on him taking up some responsibilities right after the wedding. Maybe managing the upcoming fashion event would give him some direction.

Lost in his thoughts Arnav got into bed, a smile stealing into his lips as he saw the letter ‘A’ embedded within the intricate mehendi design on Khushi’s palm. As he looked at her face, serene in sleep, his heart constricted as he saw the moist tears clinging on to her lashes. 

Desert Rose – Chapter 18

His mouth claimed her lips in an urgency that suffused her entire body with an intense, uncontrollable longing for fulfilment. She responded with an abandon, opening her lips to allow the insistent thrust of his tongue.Her entire body shuddered with excitement as her dhak-dhak began in full force….

Khushi woke up with a start as her heart had started clamouring wildly. She opened her eyes almost expecting to see the chocolate eyes staring back at her. But all she could see was an empty bed.She had been dreaming about him again.

She couldn’t believe that it was almost a month after Payal and Akash’s wedding --- a month of discoveries for Khushi in her new household.

On the night of the Sangeet, she had cried herself to sleep when Shyam had told her about Arnav and Ria. In the days following the wedding, she had kept out of Arnav’s way, talking to him only when absolutely necessary. After two weeks, Arnav had left on a business trip.

In retrospect, Khushi realized that she had no right to feel so possessive about someone who didn’t love her in return. He had married her dueto a sense of responsibility and nothing more.

But she missed him. She missed seeing him through the mirror as he came into the room sweaty from the gym. She missed seeing him at breakfast. She missed seeing him before she fell asleep across her pillows.Did being in love make one weak and pathetic like it did her?

She remembered her resolve about giving him his freedom after Akash and Payal were settled in their married life. But Khushi had soon realized that it might be easier said than done.

Mamiji, still upset that things had not gone her way, had turned out be quiet the tyrant. Naniji, much progressive than her daughter-in-law, inspite of her age, had decided to go on a pilgrimage along with her friends. So in her absence mamiji was having a field day. She had made it very clear that she no longer wanted to eat food prepared by Hariprakash or Lakshmi, as it was the duty of the new daughter-in-law to cook. She also expected Payal to get the pooja room ready for the early morning aarti and then press her legs every night after dinner. She left no stone unturned to treat like the hired help.Of all the things, it was mamiji’s snide remarks about the pregnancy that hurt Khushi the most.

Payal being anaemic,in addition to suffering from severe morning sickness was having a tough time coping up. Luckily for them, mamiji was too lazy to supervise for more than a few minutes, allowing Khushi to cover up for her wherever possible. She woke up early to get the pooja ready for the aarti and then managed to prepare breakfast. Later on, she helped Payal prepare lunch and dinner, making sure she did minimal work.

Though Akash was a very loving husband,he often took a very neutral position --as far his mother was concerned, which was in no way useful to Payal. He continued to go on his weekly boys’ night out leaving Payal all alone. Khushi realized that Arnav was right about him. He was not ready for marriage.

The one person Khushi could count on – her sister-in-law, Anjali -- was just too busy. The reason for that was that Anjali ran an NGO in collaboration with Dr Manav. She accompanied Dr Manav on his rounds of the smaller villages where they worked closely with the local Panchayats regarding issues like basic healthcare and education. Khushi had once accompanied them on one such trip and was amazed at the selfless work they did together.

‘A year ago, I was in a deep depression Khushi,’ Anjali had confessed to her. She had found out that she could not conceive because of a uterine defect. That was the reason she had decided to stay in Raisar as the loneliness in Delhi had been driving her crazy. One day, Manav had taken her with him on one of his rounds, to one of the villages where Anjali had seen women with problems much greater than her own. She had found her purpose in life. Arnav had agreed to her idea of starting an NGO and had funded her organization.

‘When I first men Shyam, he told me he wanted to be an environmental lawyer. I think I had fallen in love with his ideals. I wanted to be one too. But my parents didn’t think that would be an appropriate profession for a woman. They wanted me to get married and settle down.

‘Shyam didn’t become an environmental lawyer because it wasn’t very lucrative. He aspires to be in politics. That is not bad either. He could still bring about change.’ She had told Khushi.

Khushi felt sad for her sister-in-law who was exuberant in spite of such profound grief. She found an opportunity to cheer her up when she realized that it was her birthday the following week. When she spoke to Akash and Manav about throwing a surprise birthday party for her, they agreed that it would be a great idea.

But there was one problem that had begun to bug her --- Shyam Manohar Jha. He had gone back to Delhi a week after the wedding, but had returned a few days ahead in lieu of Anjali’s birthday.She wary of him, because of the way he had spoken about Arnav on different occasions.He had wanted to join in the planning for Anjali’s surprize birthday party andit was during this time thatKhushi realized that Anjali’s husband was not what he seemed to be. His behaviour with her was bordering on inappropriate --- superfluously touching her or complimenting her, his stare almost lascivious at times. She knew there were people who were little more physical than others but didn’t were harmless. She wondered if she was being unnecessarily paranoid about Shyam. Nevertheless, she made sure she was never alone with him.

Though Khushi enjoyed every moment of planning the party for Anjali, she wished Arnav could also be with them. She was sure he would have enjoyed doing this for his sister. But, Akash had told her that Arnav was really busy and that it was highly unlikely that he would even make it to the party.

That night in a hotel in Mumbai, Arnav tossed restlessly on his bed. Sleep didn’t come easily to him these days. He missed seeing a certain face before he went to sleep.

He got up from bed and mixed himself a vodka tonic. His thoughts went back to the day of the Akash and Payal’swedding.

As he stood looking at the bride and bridegroom taking their pheras around the fire, Khushi looking on, her eyes moist with tears, Anjali had said ---

‘Chotte, I know we have already beaten this to death.’ She paused. ‘But as a woman, I want you to know that getting married like this is what most girls’dream of.’As his sister walked away, he felt an uneasiness swamp him in the region of his heart.

For some reason Khushi’s behaviour had seemed stilted after the wedding. After two weeks of silent treatment he had been relieved when the trip to Mumbai had come up, hoping work would provide some respite.

He raked his fingers as he thought of the phone call he had received earlier in the evening. It was from the police. They had called to inform him that they might re-open Lavanya’s case as they had found some evidence that linked her death to two other women who had died under similar circumstance of drug overdose in the last two years. They had requested him for any information that might be of use to them. He downed the rest of his drink in one gulp and slapped the glass back on the table.F@#$!He didn’t want this crap about Lavanya starting all over again.

On the evening of Anjali’s birthday, Khushi stood in the closet looking at the clothes hung up on her side. Anjali had helped her re-arrange Arnav’s clothes so that her new clothes could be accommodated.

She had found out a few days ago that Anjali was not the one that had laid out the red lehenga for her on the Sangeet evening. A set of suits and sarees had arrived for her after Arnav had left for his trip. The clothes were beautiful and fit her to perfection. She wondered how he had figured out her size. Now that she was Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada, it was natural that he would want her to look the part as well, thought Khushi.

She chose a dark red chiffon suit with tiny bronze buttons running the length of it, from the V neckline to the hem. It had a bronze border on the hem and the cuff of the long sheer sleeves.

A little later, she joined Akash, Payal and Manav in the living room to welcome Anjali’s school friends who Manav had managed to invite.Shyam brought Anjali to the house in the evening as planned, having taken her out to the city for some shopping.When they entered the house, the house that seemed shrouded in darkness, came alive with lights and shouts of “surprise”, making Anjali squeal with delight. She was overwhelmed with happiness to see her friends and well-wishers gathered there to wish her.

When Anjali went up to change into a better saree, Khushi went around making sure the guests were being taken care of.

‘Khushiji,’ said Shyam coming up to her, ‘we would need more cutleries for the party. Would you please come with me to the store room and help me find it? Hariprakashji seems to be busy with the guests,’ he added when he saw Khushi looking around.

Khushi didn’t know how to refuse him without making it obvious. As she nodded her assent and began to walk with Shyam, she caught Manav’s eye.  ‘Hey Khushi, what’s up?’ he asked her.

  ‘We were going to store room to get some cutleries,’ she explained, heaving aninward sigh of relief at the interruption.

 ‘You don’t have to trouble yourselves for that,’ he said affably, ‘Hariprakash!’ he yelled getting the man’s attention right away. ‘He is then better man for the job anyway.’

As Shyam gave a tight smile, Manav said, ‘If you could excuse us, I would like to introduce Khushi to some of my school friends.’

Manav led Khushi away from Shyam, stepping out to the patio garden. As Khushi sat on the low parapet wall, looking out into night, the beautiful garden filled with bougainvillea and desert rose plants, Manav spoke gently. ‘What was with that SOS look you shot me Khushi? What’s going on?’

Khushi hesitatingly briefed Manav about her anxiety regarding Shyam, adding finally that it was probably just her imagination.

‘Don’t ever disregard a sixth sense as nothing Khushi,’ said Manav, ‘you can never be too careful with these things. My advice would be to confide in Arnav.’

‘I don’t know Dr Manav,’ she said quietly. She had deliberately misled Arnav once, for her own gain. Why would he believe her if she told him about his own brother-in-law who he knew for much longer than he knew her?

 ‘I don’t want to unnecessarily cause trouble in Di’s life based on a hunch, Dr Manav.’ Khushi said in a low voice. ‘She’s already had too much grief to deal with as it is.’

‘So you know about her not being able to conceive?’ said Manav grimly. ‘I am glad she spoke to you about it. She was so sad last year that it scared me. I have been pressing her to go see this specialist friend of mine, but she is afraid she will get more disappointment. ’

‘She told me how you helped her manage her depression.’

‘Well, I do have years of experience of being her friend,’ he quipped. ‘Anju and I studied together in the same class for years,’ he explained. ‘We were best friends. Arnav used to be so jealous about that. He would try and tag along with us.’ He reminisced fondly about how they had spent their childhood years to youth playing, studying and having fun together.

Khushi looked up at him. ‘How do you manage to be around her Dr Manav?’

‘What do you mean?’ he said he brows creased in query.

‘You are in love with her.’She said.

‘What? No!’ he protested, his eyes going wide. When Khushi kept looking at him, he admitted, ‘is it that obvious?’ He was silent for a long time.

‘I am sorry Dr Manav,’ Khushi apologized. ‘I had no right, I ----’

‘It’s alright Khushi,’ he paused. ‘After our twelfth grade, we split up. I got admission in Manipal Medical College in Mangalore and she went to Delhi for her BA.

‘When I was away from her I realized that my feelings had grown to be more than friendship. I was going to tell her when we met here in Raisar during the holidays. But I was too late. She had met Shyam in Delhi and didn’t talk about anything else other than that.I didn’t tell her.

‘Later, when her parents were looking out for a groom for her I was still studying. And then, when they died in the crash, I was away in a remote village doing my house surgency. The next time I saw her was at her wedding. I guess we were not meant to be.’

‘Dr Manav…..’ Khushi whispered sadly.

‘I know what you are thinking,’ he told her bringing a smile to his lips.  Don’t worry; I am not going to ruin her marriage and our friendship by telling her my feelings. I am happy that she is happy.’

‘Chotte!’ exclaimed Anjali, thrilled that her brother had made it after all. ‘I wasn’t expecting you.’

‘Well, since I couldn’t be here to be part of your surprize party, I decided that I should keep my visit a surprise.’ He said affectionately hugging his sister.

‘This is the best surprise party ever!’ she exclaimed.‘Thanks to Khushi!’

‘Di, how can you forget about us?’ Akash interposed.

As he began looking around him, Anjalisaid her tone teasing. ‘Hmm looks like someone has missed his wife a lot.’

‘But the wife doesn’t seem to have missed her husband at all,’ said Shyam his tone acrimonious.

At a sharp look from Anjali he sobered, ‘I mean, she has good friends to keep her company in his absence. She is in the garden.’

As Khushi sat silently listening to the usually affable Dr Manav, speak out his feelings so intensely, unbeknownst to her, the man she had been missing, was standing at the french doors of the patio.

‘You are a good man Dr Manav.’ Khushi said placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

‘I hope I have your assurance that you will never discuss this with anyone?’

‘I promise,’ she said, ‘if you promise not to tell Di or Arnavji about Shyamji just yet.’ She said anxiously.

‘You have got to be careful Khushi,’ Manav said his brows creased in concern.

‘I will Dr Manav.’

Just as Manav smiled up at Khushi, he saw Arnav walking toward them. ‘Hey Arnav!’ he yelled out to him, ‘didn’t think you were going to make it,’ he said as Arnav came closer.

Khushi turned around, surprised and elated at the same time. Her heart began beating an erratic dhak-dhak.

‘Sorry to have disappointed you my friend,’ he said enigmatically.

‘No way!’ said Manav laughing as he got up, ‘Alright, I will leave you two alone now.’

‘That’s ok Manav. I didn’t mean to disturb.’

‘Oh that was just random chit chat’ he said, looking at Khushi, ‘it’s time to catch up with my other friends. See you both inside?’ He walked away leaving them both alone.

‘That seemed like a very serious conversation,’ he said after a few seconds. ‘What were you talking about?’ Arnav asked.

‘You heard what Dr Manav said,’ she replied carefully, ‘we were generally talking.’ Khushi hated lying, but she knew that what Manav had revealed was relative to Anjali and Arnav might not take it the right way. There was no point in digging up old graves.

‘Come on inside you two, it’s time for cake cutting,’ Akash called out to them.

As they went inside, Khushi once again threw herself in taking care of the guests. But she was constantly aware of her husband’s eyesfollowing her everywhere she went. She knew from his body language that something was bothering him.

Finally, the dinner was done and the party came to an end as most of the guests took their leave. ‘What took you so long?’ said Arnav as soon as Khushi entered the bedroom an hour later. The room was aglow with the low light from the floor lamp next to the chaise on which he was seated. He working on his laptop, placed on the coffee table in front of it. The incandescence from the floor lamp, threw his features in shadows making him look harsh.

‘I was helping Haripraskashji clean up.’ She said going up to the dressing table to take off her jewellery.

He came straight to the point. ‘Why were you sitting with a Manav, alone in the garden, away from the party?’

‘Since when did it become a crime to sit with a friend and talk?’ she countered irritated at his question.

Arnav stood up to his full height. ‘Since when did he become your friend?’ he said acrimoniously.

Khushi turned around in anger, disliking his tone. ‘I don’t owe you any explanations!’

‘Of course you do!’ he rasped as took a step toward her. ‘I am your husband!’

‘Oh is that so? Then, maybe you would like to divulge your whereabouts on our wedding night?’

‘What the f@#$!’

‘On the night of the Sangeet, you went with Ria Chopra to her hotel!’ she spat out angrily. ‘Care to explain about that?’

 The brown eyes glittered, and she saw a muscle move beside his jaw. She had made him angry, she knew, and suddenly she wished very much that she hadn’t.

He said softly, ‘You really have a rock-bottom opinion of me, don’t you, Khushi? I may as well justify it.’

As he strode toward her, Khushi shrank, but there was no retreat possible. She was trapped between his advancing figure and the door behind her.

She said pleadingly, ‘Arnavji – I’m sorry …’

‘No, you are not.’ He shook his head. ‘But you will be.’ One arm went round her, the other under her knees, scooping her up as effortlessly as if she had been a child.

He walked with her to the wide bed and dropped her, sprawling, on to the comforter. For a second she lay there, robbed of breath,then she twisted, attempting to roll across the bed and reach the floor on the other side, away from him.

But he was too quick for her. His hands caught her by the shoulders, dragging her back, pinning her easily against the yielding softness of the mattress. Then with one supple movement he was kneeling astride her, imprisoning her struggling body between his knees.

Khushi was breathing hard, her breasts rising and falling quickly, as she glared up at him.

She spat out ‘I told you not to touch me!’

‘So you keep saying.’ He said between his teeth, ‘But, your body was saying a completely different story on the night of the Sangeet……when I kissed you.

And this suit you’re wearing …….is an invitation in itself.’ The long fingers reached down and unfastened the button at the top of the bodice, then moved down, releasing the one at the hem, at the bottom, rucked up to the mid-thigh by her struggles.

Her little startled gasp broke off in her throat. She said, ‘Arnavji –please …’

‘Please what Khushi,’ he said softly, mockingly. Unhurriedly, he did two more buttons, brushing the loosened edges of the kurti away from her body.Her face burned, and she sank her teeth into her lower lips as another two buttons gave away. The fire was spreading to her body, because he was touching her now, his fingertips moving softly, sensuously over her skin, her collar bone, the curves of her breasts where they rose above the demure lace of her bra, along the length of her thighs encased in skin tight leggings. Her pulses went haywire, her heart fluttering against her rib cage like a trapped bird, and the liquid heat began to pool at the pit of her stomach.

She turned her head away, feeling feverish, closing her eyes as she did so, because she didn’t want to look at him, didn’t want him to see her eyes.

He was seducing her with his touch, she realized, dry-mouthed, tantalizing her with this slow, calculated removal of her clothes, teasing her into wanting more. And she wanted so much more, she realised as his hand moved to the last remaining fastening at her waist, and her dress fell away.

She felt him move. She wasn’t his prisoner anymore, because now he was lying beside her, his hands sliding the sleeves of the kurti down from her shoulders, freeing her arms. He touched her face, cupping her chin, turning her gently but inexorably towards him.

‘I haven’t been with Ria or anyone else since the time you stormed into my life,’ he said looking into her almond eyes and then his mouth covered hers. A long quiver ran through her body as her lips parted under his, shyly at first, then completely as the intimate invasion of his tongue kindled her response.

Khushi’s heart sang with joy at his admission, knowing, as she stared into his caramel depths, that he was telling her the truth.Her fingers curled into the woven fabric of the comforter and her body tensed as his fingers traced the cleft between her breasts. He was teasing, allowing his fingers to explore so far and no further inside the fragile cups. Thenhis hand skimmed the flatness of her quivering stomach, and curved about the rounding of her hip.

He said her name against her lips, leaving her mouth to place tiny kisses along the long length of her throat, down her chest, then the clip on her bra was twisted free and she gasped as she felt his hand on her naked breasts. His touch was a sensuous agony. His palm cupped the soft mound, his fingerscaressing the hardening peak, sending a shaft of bewildering pleasure right to her molten core.

His lips continued their path down the cleft between her breasts, down to the flat planes of her stomach, his tongue delving into the recesses of her navel.

She felt a little moan rising in her throat. The blood was singing in her ears, her senses were clamouring for the ultimate fulfilment.

Then his tongue traced the path up her rib cage, to her breasts, and he took one small engorged peak into his mouth, suckling, his mouth like molten fire against her skin. She felt her body shudder in anguished delight, her hands lifting of their own volition to twist in the thick, crisp hair at the nape of his neck.

She was sinking down into the softness of the mattress, the weight of his lean body imprisoning her, creating new hungers in every trembling inch of her as she strained towards him with a need that bordered on desperation.

His hand slid below her stomach, his face absorbed, intent, his mouth hot and seeking against her other breast. His hands were urgent as they stroked her through the thin fabric of her leggings, with a swift and sensual purpose.

Her hands moved down to his shoulders, her fingernails digging into the hard muscles, her body lifting toward his in an arc of sheer abandonment.

As she let out a strangled moan at the double onslaught, she vaguely became aware of the loud knocking on the door, as Arnav lifted his head sharply, saying ‘What the f@#$!’

It was Akash. Arnav got off the bed, swearing under his breath as he strode across the room to open the door.

Khushi watched him go, feeling dazed and breathless and curiously bereft. She got off the bed, sliding her arms into her kurti and clutching her dupatta to her breasts, she rushed into the closet.She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and gulped, at the sight --- the tumbled hair, the flushed, aroused face, her undressed quaking body.

She reddened, huddling back into her bra, cursing at the numerous tiny buttons of her kurti that he had undone so meticulously moments ago. She dragged her fingers through her tangled hair, trying to tame the recalcitrant tresses. Adjusting the dupatta on her shoulders, she walked back into the bedroom to find Arnav,whose eyes that had been smouldering with passion a few moments ago, nowlooking at her with anger.

‘So, you worked as a designer at the boutique,’ he said, his voice dangerously low.