Love - An Alluring Darkness (Discontinued)

Part 2

 Arnav, fresh after the bath, sat near the poolside chair pretending to be busy in his laptop. But thoughts wandering to the talk he just had with Khushi. The decision he finally made to keep Khushi and Shyam apart forever was to bound her in a permanent bond of marriage with himself. But why did he pick this particular one out of all, to achieve his goal, he himself was not sure.

"I long only for you Khushiji. I don't accept RS as my wife nor does that marriage mean anything to me, Please believe me Khushi, you are the one and only one I have ever loved" "If that relationship doesn't mean anything to you, then why don't you break this marriage?? Leave Anjaliji!!!" the words of Khushi and Shyam from that fateful night he was destined to witness. Flash of that memory made him see red and, had it not been for HP who came to inform him that dinner is ready, there was no guarantee in the survival of his poor laptop. He commanded HP to tell Di that he will join them shortly, and sent him off. Composing himself, and deciding to give Shyam the taste of his own medicine, Arnav strode down to dining room with determined steps.

Everyone was already seated at the table. Nani taking the head of the table, Anjali and shyam sitting beside each other to Nani's right, Manohar at the other head of table, and Akash to his right and Maami to his left. Arnav joined them and took his usual seat, that is left to Naani, while the ladies looked at him curiosity and a bit of a surprise due to the earlier not so subtle Arshi encounter they all witnessed.

His eyes roaming around the room searching for Khushi, and saw her entering the room with desert in hand. His eyes trailed her every movement. Whatever feeling he had for her was killed at the memory of the terrace scene that played at the back of his mind. Now whatever is left in him is the vengeance to avenge their betrayal. The anger that is bursting within him like a volcano seeing Shyam and Khushi in the same vicinity, while the surface appeared like a calm standstill ocean. It's not about defending now. It's about striking back. He will make them suffer so much for their every wrong doing. With determination, Arnav put his plan into action. Pretending to take the paratha that was at the center of the table, he stretched his right hand that was wrapped in bandage.And flinched intentionally while picking one. The hiss of pain that escaped his lips didn't go unnoticed by Anjali, and she was quick to notice the injured palm of Arnav and asked "Chotte what happened to your hand??" with worry evident in her voice. Her anger on him completely forgotten on seeing the injured palm of her little brother.

"Wow di, I was trimming the plants and accidentally injured myself" he lied through his teeth. No guilt or what so ever for lying to his Di.

Anjali first thought of feeding him by herself, but then changed her mind on seeing Khushi serving food for everyone. "Khushiji, didn't you see that Chotte is hurt. Why don't you serve him dinner, and help him having it"Anjali couldn't help the teasing tone from her voice. Khushi was dumbstruck hearing her nananth's request. Anjaliji is talking to her like she was never angry on them, and she didn't want to upset Anjali since she is in a better mood now. Also, having noticed his injury earlier, she didn't want to start another conversation with him that could lead to another fight. She already have enough in her plate that was dished out by Arnavji. She said "Ok , Anjaliji" at the same time, she glanced at Arnav, and seeing him looking right back at her with a challenging stare, an eyebrow quirked up, made her realize that he was up to something. But having no other option, she filled his plate and took the seat at his left, angled herself to feed him. Khushi raised the first morsel of food to his mouth while he was eyeing her with so much intensity that she felt it difficult to hide her nervousness. Arnav parted his lips leisurely and consumed the food from her hand taking his sweet time. They had the full attention of Raizadas and Jha's, when Arnav royally ignored their gobsmacked expressions. "Stay tuned, the show have just begun" Arnav told inwardly. After few minutes Arnav held Khushi's wrist when she was about to feed him another morsel and with a naughty smile he said "This one is yours" and her reverted her hand and directed it towards her lips. "Okay he is playing the sweet husband thing again.."Khushi parted her lips and let herself have the morsel looking into his eyes. Something acute to desire crossed his expression when she looked at him and she froze, with the food in her mouth, at the penetrating gaze of Arnav. Meanwhile, he extended his hand further and swiped his thumb slowly across her lower lips, while muttering "you got something there". Khushi broke out of the trance at the sudden cough of Shyam. Shyam had chocked at food, watching the sudden romantic mood of his BIL with the love of his life. The spell cast by Arnav was broken and Everyone's attention was turned to Shyam,

"Appko ko kya hua. Bhagvaan, why are you coughing so bad, please drink this water" A worried Anjali filled and extended a glass of water to her dear husband. Shyam drank it in a go, and stood up while saying "I am fine now RS., I just bit a chilly. you please don't get tensed, it won't be good for our princess. I will retire to room now" Shyam faking his concern for their unborn turned to leave. Arnav enjoying the discomfort of Shyam, kept his left hand wrapped around Khushi, who sat stiff like a statue, contributed his cent "Haa jeejaji, if you try to have something you are not supposed to have, you will definitely chock on it. So please take care of what you are having. Please now you go and take rest". Shyam didn't miss the actual message Arnav was trying to convey, he walked away bitterly while Anjali followed suite.

Arnav who have finished his intended task, bid good night to all and left to room. Not wanting to spend any more time with his so called wife.

Khushi in kitchen was drying the cleaned dishes,weighing the pros and cons of the deal in her head, the crease lines of worry not leaving her forehead. If she didn't accept this forever marriage deal, she will be free of his torture after 6 months. But then her family will again have to suffer because of her. They will have to face the humiliation in front of societal having a divorced daughter that too with a marriage that lasted only for 6 months. And what if Jiji's marriage also got affected due to her divorce. She can't take the risk. Moreover if the permanent marriage is what that heartless monster wants, then he will again put her Jiji's marriage as a leverage to make her agree to his demands. So there is no point in denying it. She have to accept it.. But she will also put her set of conditions. She can't enter this new deal without him agreeing to accept her demands. The thought in mind Khushi moved to put the dishes away. "Khushi , what are you doing?" The not so surprised voice of Payal, who was arranging the kitchen brought her back to present. "What Jiji?? I am just putting away the dishes" Khushi replied nonchalantly. "Budhu, then put it in drawer, why are you stuffing it in Fridge" "oohh!!" Khushi exclaimed, her lipse forming the perfect O. "woo jiji mein.." She stuttered realizing her blunter . "It's okya, Khushi. I will put it away. You go and take rest. You seam lost since evening. Is everything alright??" Payal asked a little concerned for her little sister. "Yes Jiji, everything is fine.. No problem between me and Arnavji.. I will put the dish away by myself" Khushi blabbered placing the dishes at the drawer. "You also go and take rest no,, you are always troubled by Maami whole day. You need rest more than me" Khushi continued non-stop. "Acha baba, ok.. I am also going to sleep.. now you too go and get some rest" Payal, smiled seeing her little sister all worried for her., that in turn won her a small smile from Khushi.They walked out of kitchen and parted ways.. The smile vanished out of Khushi's face as she turned away from Payal..She definitively can't risk her Jiji's marriage. She made up her mind ready to burn her life in the hell her husband had set for her; to be punished for the crime she never committed; to face his wrath on an unknown revenge plan. 

Arnav's room.

Sitting on the recliner, he was verifying the statistics of a new project they were planning to start soon, when Khushi entered the room. He didn't bother to look her way, as he was engrossed in the work, anyway he have to speak to her only tomorrow to know her decision.

"I have made the decision" Khushi's voice made him raise his head out of he laptop."That was fast, I thought you will try to buy more time to make the decision..After all, it is a life time deal" the contempt leaking into his voice. "So what is it??" he pondered at her silence.

Taking a deep breath Khushi said staring into his eyes "I am ready for the deal you proposed. But I too have some conditions to proceed with this deal".. Arnav was surprised at her demand, but didn't want to show it to her. "What are those,, spit it out.". He hid it effectively under the mask of irritation.. What could it be that she wants?

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I had dropped the plan to continue this story, since I only have half of the story figured out in my head, and I didn't get any response for sometime after posting it. But since there are someone to read it out there now, I will continue with writing. Thanks for the encouraging words!!