Arhi FF: Us Against the World

Chapter 11

Arnav Singh Raizada, previously Arnav Malik, was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The only heir of the Malik family gave him access to endless wealth and luxury. But it all came at a price. The Sheesh Mahal that all of his friends were in awe of hid many secrets. Under the facade of the happy family, no one saw the cracks behind closed doors. No one saw that unintentional flinch of his mother whenever someone told her how lucky she was. No one seemed to question his father's late-night 'meetings' and long 'business trips'. No one but him.

At the age of 9, Arnav had witnessed his mother crying alone after his father went out banging their bedroom door shut. He had tiptoed inside and had seen his mother muffling her cries in the pillow. He had felt an unknown rage at whatsoever made her cry. His mother was the most important person in his life who loved him unconditionally; who appreciated his love for gardening, who understood his silence and anger, who protected him from his Dadi's wrath. His mother was his world. Ratna had looked up feeling Arnav's tiny hands and he had seen the immediate transformation in front of his eyes. It was the same fake smile she gave to her friends who gushed at her romantic husband for gifting her a diamond necklace. She took a deep breath and took him in his arms, murmuring that everything would be alright. Arnav's naive mind had believed her.

From then onwards, Arnav had a habit of sneaking to his parent's room in his father's absence to make sure his mother was fine. Many times, he had seen the same scene where his father would shout at his mother terming her as crazy and leave her crying. At a young age, Arnav had come to know the meaning of the servant's sniggers, his father's business associates stuttering at being asked how the international conference was, his secretary's blushing face whenever she looked at Arvind and the hushed whispers around the office. He had tried talking to his Di but she had not only refuted his claims but had made sure that their Dadi admonish him. They are a perfect family, she had declared proudly.

Arnav had learnt to keep things to himself from thereon. He silently wiped his mother's tears, held her hand, and gave her a charming smile whenever she looked forlorn. He had told her that he would take her far away from everyone who hurt her and she had cried but with happy tears this time. At the time of Di's wedding, Arnav saw his mother transform into a beautiful version of herself. She had started laughing more, humming to herself and was often caught daydreaming. Previously, Arnav had never bothered about his father's absence but his father's presence and affectionate behaviour towards them made him uncomfortable now. It seemed like they were putting on a show. It seemed like a fantasy that could end anytime.

At 14, reality caught up to him. The dreams that his mother was weaving with her husband's changed attitude came crashing down on Anjali's wedding day when a woman claimed to be Arvind Malik's love. He was running to the screaming voices but right when he had opened the door, his mother had looked at him with a ghost of a smile and whispered an 'I'm sorry, Chotte' and the gunshot had resounded that shook the walls of Sheesh Mahal. He had seen the blood seeping in the carpet, his mother lying lifelessly on the floor, but failed to see his father reaching for the gun. Another gunshot later, he had gone to his Maa, held her hand and murmured that everything will be alright; the same way he had done in these five years.

Everyone had come rushing in, screaming at the horror but he had held on to his mother not caring about the blood staining his favourite ivory sherwani. His Nani had forced him to leave his mother and the next thing he knew, he was lighting the pyre of both his parents. He was numb. He didn't cry, didn't react and turned away from anyone who came up to him to offer condolences. It was all fake, just like their 'perfect' lives.