There will never be another you- Chapter 8

 Senior Jha struggled to get up from the floor as Arnav and Akash watched him in fury.

The old man uttered a choked curse and stood on his feet wrapping one arm around his abdomen.

"Mr. Jha right now I just wanted to show you that I can slit you open and splash around like a child in a muddy puddle in your own office. Nothing will stop me from doing that. But you forgot a lesson , never turn your back until you know your enemy is dead. Looks like we'll have to go over the lesson the next time I see you , which will be soon."

Mr. Jha held the headrest of his chair for support and snapped.

"You are threatening me? Don't forget I am an experienced old player, you guys are still .." 

"That is exactly what I wanted to say. You have become old now. So better mend your ways. And we will make pay for what you did to our Di. You will regret it very badly old man. By the way turn on the TV after one hour."

Akash cut him in before the old man could complete his sentence.

Arnav and Akash left the conference room leaving an angry and confused Jha behind.

Mr.Jha picked up the IP phone and called his secretary and instructed to cancel all the meetings and asked to bring his car to the second entrance in 5 minutes.

Arnav dared to kick and punch him in his own office. He will make him pay for this. 

With the help of his guards he left his office premises in his car. On the way back to his home he called his admin office and asked them to send him the CCTV footage of the time when Arnav was there. When he reached his home the admin called him and said there is no CCTV footage of that particular time in their data base. He came prepared and someone from his company was helping him.

After checking the clock he switched on the TV in anger.

He stood shocked as Raizadas and Rathores addressed the media together stating the engagement of Shivaay and Anjali was held before 6 months and they are getting married next month. Shivaay clarified they kept their engagement as a secret to avoid media attention. He requested the press to respect their relationship and stop spreading fake news. He even assured them that the media will be invited for the reception party.

How did this happen? How can Rathore's accept a divorcee as their daughter in law? 

Everything is falling apart. His company is dooming and his only son is not doing anything to help. Now his plan to take revenge from the Raizadas worked on their favor. Because of that only someone like Rathore agreed to marry her. 

He threw the glass of whiskey against the 75 inch screen of his smart Tv with all his might and collapsed on the sofa in exhaustion.

--------------------------------------------

"Listen Anjali.. Before getting married I want you to know few things about me. "

Anjali signaled him to go ahead.

"I was in a serious relationship with someone for few years. Its in the past but I don't know if I can feel the same way again in my life."

Anjali could see the honesty in his eyes. He was hurt in love. From tabloids she knew he was in a relationship with Tripti- daughter of the famous industrialist Mr. Roy for many years. Reason for their breakup was unknown. She knows Tripti from their social circle. She is beautiful, sophisticated and modern girl- someone who could be a perfect wife of the Tycoon Shivaay Rathore. Shw wondered what went wrong in their relationship.

"Shivaay, I think we both know why we are getting married. I also have a history. I am just wondering why your family is so enthusiastic about this proposal."

She expressed her concern to him.

"Because finally their mission to get their son married is going to be successful. From the past one year they are behind me. Now they are gifted with an opportunity in the form of you. They are just being selfish for me. Nothing else "

Was he kidding? How the marriage with a divorcee like her will solve their problem? She wondered.

"Then there is something else also you should know."

"I don't want to know Shivaay. "

"I insist. Maybe this will change your mind to marry me."

"Nothing can change it now Shivaay. Unless you want to back out."

"I am not going to back out especially now when we have officially announced our relationship on National Television."

"Then leave it. I don't want to know anything else. We will know everything about each other eventually."

That made him lift his eyes from the glass and look at her.

"I mean we can be friends. And life won't be like a daily soap right? we both are mature and adults. It's not like we will be complete strangers after marriage. " She clarified her point.

He smiled at her and then asked the waiter to bring the main course. They were dining in an upscale restaurant at his mother's insistence. At first he refused but later he thought he should tell her about his past. 

Anjali Raizada is beautiful no.. gorgeous. 

She is a graceful young woman with delicate features. 

He could sense her insecurity for being a divorcee. He saw her helplessness because of the pressure of family and society. He is also feeling the same. 

But after talking to her today he felt much lighter than previous days. There is something about her presence which soothes his soul. And why the hell is he feeling this way? 

He was not supposed to feel this way. He felt deep inside his mind a closed window is open with a creak bringing light. 

"Anjali, Marriage is the beginning—the beginning of the family—and is a life-long commitment. It also provides an opportunity to grow in selflessness as you serve your wife. I promise you, even if there is no love, you will be respected and protected by me. "

The sincerity in his voice brought tears to her eyes. She blinked it away quickly and smiled at him. 

"I know just like me you are also not happy with this marriage. But for family's sake we have to do this. I don't have much expectations from this marriage. So let's see where it will take us. Let the life surprise me. I would like us to be friends, it will be less awkward I guess. "

He agreed smiling back at her and they continued with their dinner. 

After dinner he dropped her in front of Raizada house. Once she stepped out of the car she waited outside the car in hesitation.

"Something wrong?" He rolled down the car window and asked. 

"Ahh.. I wanted to ask you one last thing.." She said nervously. 

"Go on.." 

"Are you... Are you interested in man? I mean.. "

"What?" He looked at her in disbelief and answered. " No.. I am not a gay. "

"Ok.. I am sorry if my question made you uncomfortable. I just wanted to know." She clarified.

"I guess this evening was about clarifying certain things before marriage. So that's ok."

He drove away once she went inside the mansion.

-------------------------------------------

Arnav found his wife in the study. She was absorbed in deep thought tapping a pencil on her chin gently. Suddenly she scribbled something on the book in front of her. She is looking so cute.

Cute? Since when he started using adjectives like cute and innocent for girls. She is making his mind wander in dangerous areas. 

It is said that, it can take anywhere from 21 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit and an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. But that theory doesn't seem to work with him. His eyes automatically searched for her when he reaches home. Once she is asleep he love to watch her. The image of her sleeping soundly on his .. no their bed made him think so many possibilities could happen on this very same bed. 

She has become an addiction, which seems to be dangerous for his life. How can she control him so effortlessly? What magical power she has ? 

He was really angry when he realized she has the power to hurt him. He tried to ignore it. He didn't want her to know that she can control ASR by just breathing around him. He didn't want to be in control of anyone. He didn't want any commitments but after Khushi everything changed. He was feeling afraid of the way he is feeling around her. 

You feel charged and euphoric around them if we love someone. He made fun of his Di's explanation of love before few years. Is this love? But how can love happen in such a short span of time? 

When he came back from office he couldn't find her anywhere. She used to bring tea for him when he is back from office before. He felt really annoyed when Hari Prakash brought his tea instead of her. After tea he went to his study for some work. 

When he came down for dinner his Di and Khushi were absent from the table. When he enquired about them his Nani informed him that they both had dinner from outside after their shopping. 

 She was still avoiding him. She only talked to him only if it cannot be avoided. 

She is trying to maintain a distance between them. One more thing he came to know about his wife recently. It is not easy to persuade her. 

"What are you doing Khushi?" He asked her after few minutes when his wife didn't take an effort to acknowledge him. 

"I am making to-do-list for the wedding." She replied without looking at him.

"Ok.. actually I wanted something.."

"Tell me.."

"Woh I couldn't find the first aid box in the drawer. Did you see that? "

"Why? What happened? " She abandoned the book and pencil on the table and got up in worry.

"Nothing serious. Just a small knife cut. I was trying to slice the apple and .."

Suddenly she took his hand in her soft ones and inspected the wound with worry. It was a decent cut and blood was oozing out.

"Why didn't you tell me as soon as you came here? Why were you standing here like a statue ? "

She scolded him and ran outside the room in worry. In less than one minute she returned with a box.

She pulled him by grabbing his hand and made him sit on the bed. With gentleness she cleaned the wound applied ointment on it. Arnav with a small smile thoroughly enjoyed his wife's concern for him. 

She tied the bandage around his finger and got up from the bed.

"I will slice the apple and bring it for you." He nodded at her and she left for the kitchen. 

Khushi took out apple from the fridge and started slicing it.

"Khushi Bhabi.. Woh Anjali didi said you were looking for me." Hari Prakash came to the kitchen and asked her.

"Haan woh.. I wanted the first aid box for Arnavji. Its Ok. I took it from Naniji's room."

"For Arnav Bhaiyya? I already gave him first aid kit when his finger was cut. He took it from me and said he will nurse it."

Khushi stopped slicing the apple for a second as Hari Prakash's words registered in her mind. Without answering Hari Prakash she picked up the bowl with apple slices and left the kitchen. She smiled when she crossed the kitchen door and walked towards their room.

Love,

ST