A clandestine affair right under the noses of his huge family... Where does it lead to?
It's not a continuation of the show, just a fanfic...So, if you have not watched the show at all, it doesn't matter...
A very important chapter in the story,,, a lot of important information here...
Moving On:
Dinner was generally a noisy affair for the Raizadas. Especially during weekends, the entire family would get together for a heavy 4-course meal and chitchat at the dining table. The excitement was a notch higher this time, as Manorama's sister's son NK had landed from Sydney in the morning.
Arnav watched the entire family at the dinner table. NK was messing with Akash, as the elders indulged him fondly. Anjali and Shyam were talking about something in great detail. Jatin, having tried hard to impress Arvind Raizada and failed, had turned his attention to Manoj Raizada.
Arnav hated small talk with the Jha family; specifically, the fake coy glances from Sheetal. Sheetal knew Ratna Raizada as a powerful matriarch of the family and was all set to win her heart. Her plastic expressions & phoney conduct drove Arnav nuts....yet he tolerated. He sat through the entire ordeal today for just one person.
She was a part of the kitchen team serving the family along with Roma & HP. Arnav sneaked glances at her, however she kept her eyes down strictly.
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Even after her strong resolve to win her husband back, Khushi was scared. She did not know how to proceed further.
Moreover he had made his attraction to her crystal clear, with his kiss the other night. She wasn't sure though, if he still wanted her after she had told him that she was married.
Khushi was apprehensive to look into his eyes.
"What if..." she wondered, "what if he is disgusted with me for letting him kiss me, since he thinks I am married to someone else".
Khushi hid her tears while adjusting her pallu carefully. She could never see revulsion in his eyes for her. That would break her heart.
As the dinner came to an end, Khushi moved back into the kitchen; For a fleeting moment, she turned to look at Arnav as he was talking to his father seriously.
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Khushi checked herself before anyone could notice her. She could not afford anyone perceiving the attraction between her & Arnav. She knew she wouldn't be given a chance to explain anything but would be chucked out of his life for good; even worse she could be labelled as trying to entice him.
"You have all the rights to seduce your husband", her heart reminded her painfully.
Khushi contemplated if it was a mistake coming here in search of her love.
Their peaceful married life was interrupted by a job offer for Arnav in Qatar by one of the men in their town. She didn't want him to leave, but Arnav was ambitious by nature. Khushi didn't want to stand in the way of his aspirations, so she let him go. She started getting anxious when she never heard from him- days rolled into months.
In an effort to divert Khushi's mind, her friend Preeto enrolled her in a cooking contest.
"It was sheer luck that I met Shuklaji there", Khushi reminisced.
He had just retired as the head cook of the Raizadas and was on his way to settle down with his son's family. Shuklaji's paternal instincts swayed Khushi to consider the offer with the Raizada family. But the real shock was when he showed her the pictures of that family members. Her heart galloped when she saw that her Arnav shared their last name.
"How is it possible? Did he cheat me? Is he done with me? Does he not love me anymore? Has he really forgotten me?", Khushi had questioned herself a million times, going through every possible permutation & combination. But she couldn't stop herself anymore now, could she? That too after four excruciating months of mental anguish....
Shaking her thoughts off, Khushi switched the lights off in the huge kitchen, and moved to her quarters.
Arnav's state wasn't very different.
It had been five torturous nights since the night of the kiss, with the days being equally miserable. Robert had confided in him that the mole in the company may have something to do with Arnav's previous accidents. Arnav was on high alert. He was specifically instructed by Robert not to trust anyone at home or work.
This was getting on his nerves. There was one thing that he desperately needed, one that would soothe him...Khushi, but he knew she was avoiding him.
He had watched her like a hawk tonight at dinner; He had noticed the thin sheen of tears in her eyes that she tried to hide....Enough is Enough..
With determination in his steps, Arnav marched to the attendant quarters... for his girl....
