Foundation of Marriage

Part 14 - The Night

Back at the Gupta house, Khushi sat in her room, trying to shake off the memory of what had happened that day. She had kissed Arnav. What was she thinking? For days, she had been telling herself to stay away from him, but now here she was, unable to stop herself from thinking about him. Her fingers kept brushing over her lips, replaying the moment in her mind. His warmth, the feeling of his skin against hers, lingered like a ghost she couldn't shake off. "What is wrong with you, Khushi?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head. She stood up, trying to distract her thoughts, but they kept coming back to him, his teasing, his intense gaze, his smile. She sighed and stepped out into the cool night air. She paused when she noticed Payal was sitting alone on the porch. Something about her posture seemed off, she looked sad, her head bowed and her hands clutched tightly in her lap. Concerned, Khushi made her way over and sat down beside her.

Khushi: "Jiji, what's wrong?"

Payal looked up and forced a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Payal: "Khushi... will you come have tea with me?"

Khushi (smiled): "Yeah why not, for the last time in the backyard?"

Payal took a deep breath, gathering the strength to share what had been weighing on her heart.

Payal: "I told Akash everything. About Shyam... all of it."

Khushi froze, her eyes widened in shock.

Khushi: "You told Akash ji?" her voice was barely above a whisper.

Payal nodded, tears finally slipped down her cheeks.

Payal: "I couldn't lie to him anymore, Khushi. He deserved to know the truth, even if it means... even if it means there might not be a wedding."

Khushi's heart shattered as she watched her sister cry.

Khushi: "Jiji, no...I've messed everything up for you again, haven't I?"

Payal: "No, Khushi. This isn't your fault. None of it is. Shyam... Shyam was the one who deceived us all. You didn't do anything wrong."

Khushi (crying): "Jiji I am so sorry, I... I didn't mean.."

Payal: "No Khushi please don't cry!"

Khushi: "Why did you tell them jiji, I would have gone far away from here after your wedding"

Payal: "Khushi how could I start a marriage based on a lie? Plus I felt guilty, why should you have to sacrifice? I can't see you in tears. Do you think I would happy to build a marriage based on your tears?"

Khushi looked down at her hands, her guilt was gnawing at her. She bit her lip before finally admitting,

Khushi: "Jiji I have to tell you something... Shyam.. he is.. is still bothering me. He keeps trying to corner me, to say things.. I don't know what to do. He hurt me very badly during the sangeet thankfully Anjali ji came in the right time!"

Payal's face hardened with anger.

Payal: "And you've been putting up with it for my sake? Khushi, you can't keep risking yourself like this! This is wrong and why didn't you tell anyone earlier?"

Khushi: "I thought if I stayed quiet, everything would just work out. I didn't want to cause any more problems. But now I see.. I can't keep doing this. You're right to tell Akash ji. Maybe it's time we stop keeping secrets, no matter the consequences. Also, I didn't want to trouble you or guilt buaji, she already thinks everything happened because of her."

Payal: "I just couldn't live with the lies anymore. We thought we could protect Anjali ji, but now I realize... we have to be honest."

Khushi reached out and took her sister's hand, squeezing it gently.