Arjun glanced at Arohi who sat with her face buried in a magazine, completely ignoring him. They were on their flight back home and since last nights huge argument, Arohi wouldn't even look at him, forget about speaking to him. After leaving the suite he'd sat in the hotel bar for hours replaying everything that had happened and was said. He could have kicked himself for making the stupid comment about her wanting him just as much as he wanted her. It had been inappropriate and unnecessary but in his anger he hadn't thought about that. But seriously... in love...she was bloody in love with him! How and when did this happen? How had he missed it? As he sat and drank and mentally went through their interactions together, little things started coming back to him. Her crying when he hurt his ankle, the look in her eyes when they danced together the other night, the clothes she bought for him. The more he thought about it the more it started to make sense. It had been right there infront of him. And he'd missed it. Or maybe he chose to miss it because his brain was so clouded with lust for her that he couldn't think of anything else. He just took everything she did and attributed it to her sweet and giving nature. He didn't believe or for that matter want to believe that it was more then that. And now he'd hurt her so badly. He hadn't wanted to be so blunt about not having those kind of feelings for her but he had had too. Things had already gone too far, and he didn't want her to think that in the future there was a chance that he would be changing his mind. He wouldn't be. He didn't believe in love. Love was a very fickle emotion in his experience and he didn't have time for it. It messed you up and he wasn't about to fall into that trap. This morning she'd still been asleep when he left for the conference and during the day she hadn't taken his calls. She'd stuck to Lara like glue once they got to the airport and since they'd sat down in their seats she'd been either feigning sleep or listening to music. Her face void of any emotion which was rare for Arohi. Her eyes still puffy from crying. He got it she didn't want to talk to him...but for how long? They lived in the same house, hell in the same room now. How long could she avoid him? When he tried to speak to her she switched seats with Jai. As Jai opened his mouth to tease Arjun about trouble in paradise, Arjun softly but clearly told him to "Shut up" as he too switched on his headphones trying to drone out any more of the insane thoughts moving around in his head.
"Arohi, how long are you not going to speak to me?" Arjun asked as they walked up to the front door of their house. Jai and Lara had just dropped them off. Arohi ignored him as she rang the bell. Arjun rolled his eyes in frustration and walked in as the door opened. Arohi followed struggling with the luggage she wouldn't let him help her with. "For god's sake Arohi!" he snapped, grabbing at the suitcase. "Ram Prakash please come here!" she called not letting go of her luggage. Ram Prakash arrived in moments. "Please take my luggage up to my room." she said, smiling at him. Arjun shook his head and walked away. Seconds later he stopped. He'd been so distracted by his and Arohi's drama that he hadn't registered the yelling in his house. "What the hell?" he muttered out loud as the yelling got louder. "Why are you even here?" "I get enough of this in Chandigarh from you now I have to put up with it here too?" Arjun's mom yelled. "Oh that's what you want, me to be sitting in Chandigarh alone and you're here doing what ever you want with whomever you want?" Arjun's dad yelled back. Arohi and Arjun stood outside the dining room taking in the scene playing out infront of them. Arohi in shock and Arjun's shock quickly becoming anger. "Yes, that's exactly what I want, atleast I won't have to see your horrible face..." Arjun's mom began. "ENOUGH" Arjun shouted as he walked further into the room. Arohi followed behind looking from her father in laws livid face to her mother in law's blazing eyes. "What the hell is happening here?" Arjun asked furiously. "Ask your mother who doesn't want me in my own son's home!" his dad snapped. Arjun's lips tightened into a grim line. But before he could respond his mom cut in. "Don't you try to blame this on me!" "You have been here less then 24 hours and you've already started with your..." BE QUIET BOTH OF YOU!" Arjun shouted. He could not believe he was in the middle of this again. It was his childhood all over again. "First of all, what are you doing here?" he asked his dad. "Arjun, your my son, I missed you and I wanted to see Arohi and make sure she was settling in okay." he replied. "Why would you come when you know you and mom can't stand each other?" Arjun asked. "I'm not scared of this woman and I shouldn't have to put my life on hold and not do what I want when I want because of her." "I talked to Arohi and she convinced me that I should come." he stated matter of factly giving Arohi a loving smile. Arohi winced and tried to ignore the furious look Arjun was now directing towards her. "I, well..." she began. "This is my house, and in my house I will not tolerate any of this drama!" Arjun stated, giving both of his parents stern looks. "This is a big house there's no need for you two to even have to see each other." "Just stay at opposite ends of the house at all times!" Arjun added. "And if I hear or witness another one of these episodes again, so help me god you're both going home to Chandigarh!" he warned. Arjun's dad opened his mouth to say something but then seeing the look on Arjun's face he thought better of it. Giving his wife one last glare he stalked out of the room. Arohi turned wide eyed to her mother in law who taking a deep breath smiled at Arohi like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened here. "How was your trip?" she asked, coming and hugging Arohi. "Fine, how are you?" Arohi asked. "Well I was fine but now..." Arjun's mom began but stopped when she saw Arjun's eyes boring into her. "Arohi, before I forget you received flowers this morning." "I put them up in yours and Arjun's room." "It didn't say who they were from." she added. Arohi nodded and excused herself leaving Arjun to wonder who the hell was sending Arohi flowers.
"I can't believe you invited my dad over when you know my mom is here!" "What were you thinking?" Arjun snapped, as he walked into their bedroom. Arohi stood next to the flowers breathing in their scent. Ignoring him. "I'm talking to you Arohi!" Arjun snapped as his eyes zeroed in on the blood red roses. Some one sent Arohi red roses?! Arohi walked away from the flowers over to the closet. Arjun had had just about enough! Stalking over he grabbed her hand and pulled her back around to face him. Arohi wore a stony expression trying not to meet his eyes. "Arohi, I asked you a question!" he snapped. Arohi finally looked up and glared at him. "He's your dad and he's lonely in Chandigarh, so I told him to come visit his cold hearted son!" she said angrily, struggling out of his grasp. Arjun let her go. Grabbing a change of clothes Arohi walked into the bathroom. Arjun sat down heavily in a chair. A throbbing pain had started in his temple a few hours ago and it was only getting worse. Arohi alone was going to be difficult enough to handle, now he had to play referee between his parents too! Bloody Hell! Vicky was the lucky one, off in some European country playing tourist leaving him to sort everything else out. Turning his gaze towards the roses he glared at them. Who the hell was sending Arohi roses?
"Arohi beta your dad sends his love." He's doing well, keeping busy." Arjun's dad said with a smile as they sat at the dinner table. Arohi returned his smile. "I'm glad, I talk to him almost every day but I still worry about him." "I'm happy that he's keeping busy." "School will be closed for 2 weeks for Christmas holidays at the end of the month so I'll go down then and see him." she said. Arjun looked up at. "A visit with your dad would be good for you." Arjun said. Arohi pressed her lips together in anger and glared at him. "How's everything else in Chandigarh?" Arohi asked, pointedly ignoring him. As her father in law launched into the various goings on in their hometown, Arohi's mind began to wander. How dare he even try to speak to her or make that comment about her seeing her dad and how "good it would be for her." It was none of his business what she did and with whom! If she wanted to go to Chandigarh she would..hell if she wanted to go to Timbuktu she damn well would! She didn't need his permission or input. She had cried and cried last night after he'd left. Not believing that she'd fallen in love with someone so cold and heartless. Her heart breaking every time she'd replayed their argument. But then she'd suddenly stopped. What was wrong with her?! Why was she crying like it was the end of the world when he didn't give a damn! He'd left and not come back for hours and hours and when he finally had come back he smelled like alcohol. She'd feigned sleep but the whole time she'd imagined him off some where some hussy getting drunk because now she knew that all he felt for any woman that caught his interest was lust! "Disgusting pig!" she muttered to herself. "What did you say Arohi?" Arjun's dad asked, forcing Arohi to come back to the present. Glancing at Arjun she saw his eyes narrow. She had a feeling he'd heard what she'd said. Good! He deserved to hear what he really was! "Nothing dad." Arohi replied, giving him a sweet smile. "I'm tired I'm going to go up to bed." she replied standing up. Arjun watched her walk away. Fine she was mad but he was done chasing after her, trying to talk to her! Enough was enough. First she basically drops a bomb on him and then expects him to jump up and down like a lap dog thanking her for loving him. When he doesn't react how she wants him to, he's suddenly a disgusting pig! He had been straight up with her from day one. So a few things had changed between them but that didn't mean she could say something so crazy, basically pull the rug out from under his feet and not expect him to stumble a little. Some of what he said might have been wrong but everything else was necessary. Yes he was heartless, he was cold, he was everything horrible she wanted to believe he was. If that saved her from further heartache then he could be much worse then that. She didn't need another Singhania man breaking her heart.
"How was your trip?" Samir asked the next afternoon as they sat together in the lunch room. "Good." she replied, quickly changing the subject. She didn't want to think about London anymore. "What's been happening here?" she asked. Samir quickly filled her in and as the two laughed about something a student had done, the principal approached them. "Good afternoon sir." they both said. "Good afternoon." "Arohi, I wanted to talk to you about the Christmas concert." "The board has approved it and we've set a date of 3 weeks from now, December 22nd." Arohi nodded. "I want you to coordinate this event, speak to the teachers let them know what needs to be down." "Just basically be the lead on this." he added. "And if you need assistance feel free to ask the other teachers." "I've let them know you may be approaching them." the principal added. "I can help." Samir suddenly volunteered. "Arohi and I worked on the project together so I have a pretty good idea of what she wants." he added, smiling at Arohi. "That would be a great help." Arohi replied. "Okay perfect, you two let me know if you need anything and Arohi you can get any money you may need for supplies and materials from the school's petty cash." "Just see my assistant." Arohi nodded. This couldn't have come at a better time. She needed a major distraction to get over Arjun. She needed to immerse herself into something that will take all her time and effort leaving her so tired that she would fall into bed from sheer exhaustion. Because she couldn't take any more sleepless nights, where she sat crying in the bathroom like she'd done again last night. No she definitely needed a distraction. "We'll start working on this tonight!" she said to Samir, telling him to come over after dinner.
Arjun frowned as he stared at the new bouquet of red roses that sat on his dresser today. Some one had sent Arohi another dozen red roses. No card attached. His gaze drifted to Arohi who breezed in, ignored him and dropped her bag on to the nearest chair. "You got another bouquet of roses." Arjun said, trying to be nonchalant as he pulled on a t-shirt. Arohi ignored him as she grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom. Arjun sighed, why the hell was he even bothering. A few minutes later she walked out wearing a blue and pink cotton salwar kameez. Walking to the roses she smelled them and smiled. Arjun watched and seeing her smile he frowned. "Who sends flowers and doesn't attach a name?" "Kinda creepy if you ask me." he said. "It's a good thing no one asked you then!" Arohi snapped, walking out of the room and leaving an irritated Arjun behind.
Dinner was a quiet affair with both Arjun's mom and dad ignoring each other, Arjun and Arohi ignoring each other, and nani feeling a little bit under the weather so taking her dinner in her room. Other then a lot of glaring and tight lips there wasn't much happening at the dinner table other then eating. "Arohi, do you want to watch Dabang after dinner tonight." Arjun's mom asked, knowing it was one of Arohi's favorites. "Oh mom I would love to, but Samir is coming over, we're working on organizing the Christmas concert together." Arohi replied. Arjun stiffened. That Samir was coming here again?! That guy would use any excuse to spend time with Arohi. First all day at school and now in the evenings too. "When is the concert, I would love to come?" Arjun's dad asked. "It's in 3 weeks." "December 22nd." Arohi replied. Before Arjun's dad could say something Arjun's mom cut in. "There's no way he's allowed to stay here for another 3 weeks!" she snapped. "It's the holiday season you're supposed to spend it with your loved ones not with negative people who just complain and whine all the time." she snapped. Arohi sighed and Arjun scowled. "Mom, maybe I didn't make it clear last time, so I'll repeat myself one last time." "NO DRAMA!" "I know you two are always itching to get into a fight but this provoking that you both like to do, don't think I don't see it." "In your home do what you want!" "You alwyas have." "But in my home I will not have these biting comments going back and forth between you like it was a ping pong match!" he snapped. He was already pissed off enough that that Samir was coming to fawn all over Arohi, having to hear his parent's drama would be over the top. Arohi stared at Arjun who looked ready to break something. His parents had stopped arguing for the time being, but really, for how long? It was like they couldn't help themselves. Seeing Maria bring out dessert, Arohi frowned. She hadn't seen Reena since she got back. Where was she. "Maria, Reena isn't at work today?" Arohi asked. Maria hesitated for a moment, glancing at Arjun and then quickly she shook her head no. "She's not feeling well so she's taken a few days off." Maria replied. Arohi nodded. "Okay, thanks." "I hope Gia is feeling okay." "I'll check on her tomorrow at school." Arohi added, picking at her dessert. Hearing the doorbell, Arohi excused herself. "Must be Samir." she said out loud as she walked away. "Must be!" Arjun repeated in an irritated voice. Pushing his un eaten dessert away he too got up. Sweetoo sat at the entrance of the dining room waiting for him. Arjun winced. Since when did Arohi's mutt become his. Ever since he'd come back from London the dog had been following him around. Giving him sad looks. Even when he snapped at him he still wouldn't leave his side. "Dog, your real daddy is here now." "Why don't you go say hi, and while you're there feel free to take a big bite out of whichever body part you want." "Infact there's a big dog bone in it for you." Arjun urged. Sweetoo's response was to wag his tail happily because Arjun was paying attention to him. Arjun frowned at the sound of laughter coming from the family room. How wonderful. He could just picture Arohi bestowing one of her beautiful smiles on the idiot. A smile that he, Arjun, would probably never have directed towards him again. Just as soon as the thought entered his mind he stiffened, pushing the thought aside. He was Arjun Singhania, he didn't need anyone smiling or for that matter talking to him. Arohi didn't want to speak to him, that was her problem not his. He'd explained himself in London and if his only fault was that he had done exactly what he had told her he would do...Not have feelings for her then so be it. He couldn't help that she considered herself in love. But even as he tried his best to convince himself that voice in the back of his head kept pestering him with questions like, why Samir being close to Arohi bothered him so much or why her smile not reaching her eyes anymore bothered him? Why did he notice that she had barely eaten in the last 2 days. Pushing around her food and then excusing herself. Why did it bother him so much that she was so quiet and that the usual chatter that filled his home, that usually annoyed him...why did he miss it so much.
Three days later Arohi knocked on the door of Reena's little house. Gia hadn't been coming to school and Reena had still not returned to work. When she had asked Maria, she had received vague answers. Something didn't seem right. Knocking again she was just about to turn away when the door opened. "Hi Gia," Arohi said with a smile. Gia's face lit up. "Maam, you've come to take me to school?" Gia asked excitedly. Arohi smiled. "Sweetie, school is finished for today but if your mom says it's okay then I'll come get you in the morning." Arohi replied touching her cheek. Gia nodded happily. "Is your mom home?" Arohi asked looking inside. Gia nodded and Arohi watched as her little face became more solemn. "She's laying down." Gia replied. "Is it okay if I come in and see her?" Arohi asked. A conflicted Gia stared back at Arohi. Wringing her hands nervously she looked back towards the one room which Arohi presumed was the bedroom. "If she's sleeping I promise to be quiet." Arohi added. Gia nodded and moved out of the way to let her in. Arohi walked through the small house. Things were strewn everywhere and she could see empty bottles of liquor laying about. Walking into the tiny closet sized bedroom Arohi paused. "Gia, please work on your math homework." "I promise I'll have you back at school tomorrow." Reena called softly. "Reena?" Arohi said softly. Reena turned around abruptly and then screamed out in pain. Arohi's gasp filled the room. "Oh my god, what are you doing here Arohi?" Reena asked miserably, tears streaming down her face now. "I, I was worried about you and Gia." Arohi said, forcing herself to stay calm. "Who did this to you Reena?" Arohi asked staring at Reena's battered and bruised face. Reena looked away. "Gia's father." she whispered, closing her eyes against the onslaught of tears. Tears filled Arohi's eyes but she fought to keep them at bay. "Why...why...what kind of animal does this to his wife?" Arohi asked as she went and sat next to Reena. Reena shook her head. "He drinks a lot, and he doesn't work...and..I'm so embarrassed I never wanted you or anyone else to see me like this." "That's why I even took time off work and made Maria swear not to tell." "It's just so humiliating." Reena cried. "Humiliating for him not for you!" Arohi said harshly as she held Reena's hand. "Him hitting you shows exactly what kind of vermin he is!" Arohi said furiously. "It was better, he'd left for about 6 months this time." "We didn't hear from him and I thought...I thought maybe he was dead." Reena said, guilt evident in her eyes. "He should be dead!" Arohi replied. "He showed up a few weeks ago and started up where he left off, and when I try standing up to him he does this." Reena said sobbing. Arohi hugged her gently. "Is anything broken?" she asked softly. "I don't think they're broken but my ribs, I think are bruised." she replied. Arohi nodded. "Okay first things first we're going to the hospital and then after that to the police station to report this animal." "He should pay for what he's been doing." Arohi said. "No, no I can't, I can't have him arrested." "He'll kill us!" "He's that type of man, he's crazy!" Reena said hysterically. "Reena, he can't do anything to you and neither will I let him." But seeing her shaking with sobs Arohi relented. "Fine, we won't go the police yet." "But you're not staying here." "After we leave the hospital you will come back home with me, and you and Gia will stay there." "There's a room downstairs that you two can use." Arohi replied soothingly. "I can't involve you in this." Reena said shaking her head. "Too late, I'm already involved and I'm not leaving you here alone to die." Arohi replied.
"If you need anything just let us know." Arohi said to Reena as she watched her settle into her new room. "Are you sure Arjun sir is going to be okay with this?" Reena asked. "Don't worry about Arjun, he'll be fine with it." Arohi replied, knowing that he probably wouldn't be okay, but right now she didn't give a damn. "The doctor had told you to take it easy and that's what I expect you to do for the next few days." "No need to hurry back to work." Arohi said. Reena nodded. "Thank you Arohi, thank you so much." she said tearfully. Arohi smiled. "Be strong for your daughter and I promise you will get through this, and please think about pressing charges against that scumbag, he deserves it." Arohi said. Turning around she let herself out and came face to face with a smiling Maria. "Arjun sir is a very lucky man to have found a wife like you." she said quietly. Arohi nodded, forcing a smile on her face as she walked away. She knew how lucky Arjun considered himself. She knew exactly what he thought of her and what her purpose was in his life. Walking into their room she frowned when she saw yet another bouquet of red roses. It was starting to get a little creepy. Some one sending her blood red roses without a card. Who could it be? As she walked to the roses and pulled one out she winced as a thorn cut her. "Arohi, be careful!" Arjun snapped as he saw her from the doorway. Walking a few steps he grabbed her hand and a tissue to press against the blood. For a moment Arohi let herself stare at him. study the worry on his face for her. It was something a husband would do. But snatching her hand back she glared at him. He wasn't her husband he was a stranger that she shared a home with for the time being. "Don't touch me again Arjun!" "You have no right!" she snapped, seeing the bewildered look on his face turn into anger. Turning away from her he said "You're right." "I have no right, it won't happen again." Arohi frowned and about to take a step to leave she suddenly stopped. "I need to talk to you about something important." she said. Arjun stopped with his back to her. "What is it?" he asked briskly. "Reena is going through some problems at home and until things are cleared up she will staying here." Arohi replied. Arjun turned around, his mouth open in shock. "Do you think this is some sort of half way house or hostel that anyone and everyone can just move right in?" he asked, glaring at her. Arohi stared at him. Her arms folded across her chest. "She needs a place to stay right now, her current living situation is not a healthy one for her or her daughter." "I've told her she can stay as long as she wants." "And no this is not a half way house and god forbid you help someone out of the goodness of your heart...for that you would need a heart, so I will pay room and board for her while she stays with us." Arohi replied matter of factly. Arjun was furious as he watched her walk to her purse, take out a cheque book and start writing. 'Here you go" she said walking over, and shoving the cheque at him. Arjun caught her wrist pulling her forcibly against him. "I am sick and tired of this attitude of yours." "You're mad, I get it! But how long are you going to continue with this?" "Until March!" she snapped back trying to struggle out of his vise like grip. "And what the hell is in March?" he snapped furiously. "The school term is ending then and I'm moving back to Chandigarh for good!" she replied tersely. Arjun's eyes widened and he loosened his grip, giving her the opportunity to move away. "I would have left earlier but I can't leave my students in the middle of a school year like that, so that's why I'm waiting until March." she said quietly. Arjun's eyes took on a cold, hard look. "Do what ever you want." he said coldly, turning away. Arohi eyes filled with tears. He didn't give a damn that she was talking about leaving! And all she did all day long was think about him...she was such a fool. "I will move out of your room just as soon as Nani leaves." she added queitly. "Whatever." Arjun replied walking to his closet. The lump in Arohi's throat was threatening to choke her now but she had to finish. "Reena needs help right now, her and her daughter are not safe in their home." "It's our responsibility to help her, she has no one else." Arohi added. Arjun turned around. "Do what ever you want, you always do." he said coldly. "But I don't want any of her household problems coming into my house...understand?" Arjun added. Arohi turned away without answering. "Arohi, did you hear me?" Arjun barked. But Arohi had already walked out of the room.
"God damnit!' Arjun snapped slamming his dresser drawer shut. She was leaving, that was good. He had been wanting her to leave for a long time now. Then why the hell had it felt like someone had kicked him in the stomach when she said those words. "Leave!' he snapped out loud. "And take you holier then thou attitude with you. "What the hell did she think she was, Mother Theresa! This need to help everyone, and everything, taking on other people's problems. He didn't like it one damn bit! Not one bit. And to invite a staff member of his to move in with her child! What the hell was she thinking? Were there no boundaries with her? He couldn't breathe in his own house anymore, taking deep breathes he glanced at a photo of a smiling Arohi that he was sure his mom had placed in his room. Picking it up he traced her face with his finger. Her smile, he didn't think he'd ever seen a more perfect, more beautiful, more genuine smile then Arohi's. Genuine, that's what she was. She didn't know how to be anything else. It was natural for her to want to help, to make things better. She couldn't see people in pain, or upset and she would go to any length to protect the ones she cared for. That was just her. No, she wasn't Mother Theresa, she was Arohi Singhania and she was rare. And she'd be gone soon. Feeling a sense of dread settle over him he called himself a fool. This is what you want and it was the best thing for Arohi too. They separate and move on...she'd probably meet someone else, get married again... have children. "Bloody hell!" Arjun muttered as his fist came down hard on his dresser. Arohi married to someone else! Someone else's name attached to hers, in love with some one else, someone else touching her, making love with her. The anger was so instantaneous and sharp it was almost painful in it's intensity. Arohi would be someone else's. Not his, but some other man who would take Arjun's place. Arjun didn't even notice he had thrown it until the vase with the red roses lay shattered across his bedroom floor. Raking a frustrated hand through his hair he tried to get control of himself. What was he doing? What the hell was she doing to him?!
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Pyaar Toh Hona Hi Tha
FanfictionI'm just POSTING this story here... I don't own it... it's written by IF user @salmankh1 (Raman di). Arjun hates the idea of marriage or love but loves his li'l brother beyond limits, so when he says that he was getting married to his girl friend, h...
