Foundation of Marriage

Part 9 - The Scorpion

Khushi still stood there, not knowing how to react to the kiss she just received. Thankfully, Arnav stepped back slightly, giving her the space to breathe. His eyes had softened as he reassured her,

Arnav: "You're not dying, Khushi. You don't have a life-threatening disease, so just chill."

His words, though teasing, carried a hint of concern. Arnav didn't explain further. Instead, he reached up and removed the clutcher from her hair, letting it fall freely over her shoulders.

Arnav: "You look more beautiful with your hair open," he commented, his gaze lingering on her face. "And this green saree suits you well."

Khushi was still in a daze, trying to process everything that had just happened, when Arnav's voice broke through her thoughts.

Arnav (teasing): "You're not going to thank me for the compliment?"

Khushi managed a shy smile and whispered, "Thank you, Arnavji."

Arnav (smirking): "And what about thanks for dancing with you? Maybe I didn't dance to your tunes, but I did dance with you. Or maybe... I did both."

Khushi: "Thank you, again Arnavji!"

Arnav: "Good! Now change fast and come down, okay?"

Just as he was about to leave, Arnav noticed some faint finger marks on Khushi's arms. His expression darkened instantly.

Arnav: "What's this?" he asked, his voice was sharp with concern.

Khushi quickly tried to cover her arms, but Arnav wasn't having any of it.

Arnav: "Khushi I am asking you something!"

Khushi: "Nothing, it's nothing"

Arnav: "Nothing, I can clearly see what it is, those are finger prints"

Khushi: "Arrrnnavvjii.."

Arnav (angrily): "Don't even dare to lie to me Khushi! Tell me who did this to you?"

Khushi (teary-eyed): "No one Arnavji, please let this go!"

Arnav: "Let this go, are you crazy? Tell me now Khushi and I only want to hear the truth"

After much prodding, Khushi finally admitted, with tears welling up in her eyes, that her ex-fiancé was still troubling her. Arnav's eyes blazed with anger upon hearing her confession.

Arnav: "Why didn't you tell me this before?" he demanded.

Khushi couldn't hold back her tears any longer and started crying bitterly. Arnav with his fury barely contained, asked,

Arnav: "What was your family doing? Did you tell them he was troubling you?"

Khushi (shaking her head in no): "I can't tell them. I don't want them to feel more guilty about it. You know because they got me engaged to him despite my objections."

Khushi was trembling in pain and so was her voice. Arnav couldn't see her like that and his anger rose.

Arnav: "What does he want? Why is he still after you? Did his family and wife leave him or kick him out? Is that why he's bothering you now?"

Khushi just stared at Arnav, not knowing how to respond. But in a minute, Arnav's sharp mind understood what had happened. Khushi wasn't the one with confrontations, she would happily bear pain to keep others happy. Arnav's anger flared up again.

Arnav: "Don't tell me you didn't tell his family and wife, what he did to you, did to them?"

Khushi lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.