There will never be another you- Chapter 9

 "I asked you to take a photograph of Payal and Akash and publish it. Who asked you to go behind Anjali?"

"Excuse me... You are not my employer to shout at me like this. You gave me their hotel details and room number for your hidden agenda. When I went there,  I saw a better breaking news than Akash-Payal story so I used it for my benefit. I need your help from now. You have to pass me each and every detail of Anjali and Shivaay's wedding. Our channel should get it first before anyone.  Now don't show me your attitude, If I reveal your name to ASR or anyone you are done."

Madhumati gritted her teeth in anger and cut the call. That chit of a girl has the audacity to threaten her. She befriended a young journalist Tina during the time of Arnav and Khushi's reception. As she was the relative of Raizada's the girl gave her number. When Anjali, Payal and Akash left for the evaluation camp she called Tina and asked her to click a picture of Payal and Akash together and publish it. Madhumati promised her that update on Raizada's personal life will be provided to her first.

Madhumati waited for the next day's newspaper impatiently. Once the news is out, she knew how to convince Raizadas for the marriage. Her calculation went wrong and the plan failed miserably. Now instead of Akash-Payal , Anjali and Shivaay's wedding preparations are going on. Now above all that she need to pass the details to Tina otherwise she will tell everyone about her. She closed her eyes in frustration and leaned back in the old chair.

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Khushi supervised the arrangement one last time and sat on a nearby chair , she was tired. They are at the Raizada farmhouse for the Roka and Shagun ceremony. As they have to do it away from the eyes of media they are holding it at their farmhouse in the outskirts of Delhi.

Decoration is her responsibility as the elder bahu of the house. In the short span of time she arranged everything. More than physical exhaustion, emotional exhaustion is taking a toll on her. After listening to Anjali and Arnav's conversation that day she tried to act indifferent. But it is not helping especially now when he is showing his concern and care for her. 

Yesterday Anjali Di talked to her about him. It really surprised her when she told Arnav doesn't like it when someone pays more attention to him. He is just acting the opposite with her. Not only the first aid incident there were many incidents like that in the past few days. His tie, his medicine, his files mysteriously vanished from the usual places. And he will ask Hari Prakash to call her to find it for him.  Nowadays he want her to fix his tie everyday. If he doesn't like attention then why he is acting this way. 

Her heart will break one day if she gives in. She did everything for him acting like it doesn't make a difference to her, when the truth is just the opposite. His close proximity is making her heart to beat faster. But she acted indifferent. 

"Mam , This is for you." A staff came with a fresh apple juice for her. 

Just what she wanted at the moment. She smiled at the waiter and took the glass from him.

She took a sip and suddenly remembered no one like Apple juice other than her. 

"Who asked you to give me this? Apple juice is not a part of the menu we finalized. "

"It is not in the menu, but ASR sir said you would like to have one when you are tired. So the chef  made it for you. "

Khushi's eyes went to the second floor where he was standing along with Akash and Mamaji discussing something. The same time, as if he sensed her eyes on him he looked at her and their eyes locked. 

He gave her a small smile, when she showed no reaction he winked at her making her eyes bulge.

(image credit : pinterest)

Did he just wink at her? She fought a smile with difficulty and turned around and gulped the juice in one go. She handed over the glass to the staff. Arnav smiled as she left from the hall muttering something under her breath.

Closing her eyes tried to calm her pounding heart as soon as she closed the door of the room they are staying.  

After few minutes she opened her eyes and looked at the wall clock. She need to get ready for the ceremony.

She walked towards the travel bag to get the saree she packed for the ceremony. There were dozens of designer sarees and lehangas in the wardrobe from AR. She used only two or three from those for the post marriage functions. When Anjali insisted her to get new clothes and jewelries for the functions, she refused it saying there are already many unused function wear in her wardrobe. 

Before unlocking the travel bag she noticed a box on the bed. Her name was written on the box. She opened the box and found a note over the pink georgette floor length anarkali suit.

I know pink is your favorite color. I will be happy if you wear this today.

                                                                                                                 -A

Again.. He is being weird.  This is not like Arnav Singh Raizada. 

She was confused whether to wear the dress or not. He will feel bad if she doesn't wear it. But how is it her concern? 

After keeping the dress away and taking it back for the fifth time she went to change.

By the time Arnav came in, she already changed her dress.

Arnav was really disappointed seeing her in a gray salwar and the gift packet he kept on the bed was lying on the same place.  Masking his disappointment he took out his towel and went inside bathroom to freshen up.

By the time he came out of the bathroom she left. 

He started dressing up looking at the mirror. He apologized to her many times, once vocally and many times through his actions. 

He was looking forward to see her wearing that dress today. If she wants to continue like this let it be. He said to himself. What was the need to do all those when he never bothered to do all these for any other girl? Why is her forgiveness and happiness important to him? She is your wife Arnav, his heart said. But will she ever accept him as her husband? Does he really want that?

He wished if he could speak like the hero of that daily soap Mamiji and Nani watch. He doesn't know how to express feelings verbally. But he tried to woo her with his actions and failed. What was the harm if she wore the dress he gifted? He even added a personal note also. Stupid plan it was. 

 He sighed pushing his thoughts away. Di's engagement is one hour away. He left the room after getting ready. 

When he reached the hall, Rathores were already there and he engaged in a conversation with them. Khushi was nowhere to be seen. After about fifteen minutes, Anjali entered the hall flanked by Khushi and Payal.

As groom should not be present at the shagun ceremony, Senior Rathore informed Shivaay will be coming for the sagai only which will be done after shagun.

"Lo ageyi Anjali bitiya" Naniji exclaimed and Arnav's eyes went to his wife's form and upon seeing her he couldn't hide his smile of genuine happiness. She was wearing his gift.

For a brief moment their eyes locked and she smiled back at him. He looks so handsome when he smiles. She felt bad seeing him disappointed when he saw his neglected gift. When he left the room she came back again and changed. I will be happy if you wear this today - that is what he wrote. I want him to be happy. Why? To break your heart after one year? She pushed her thoughts away for sometime.

Both families exchanged gifts. As bride’s family, Raizadas gave a “Thaali” graced with sweets, silks, and riches to the groom's family as a part of the auspicious ceremony. In between helping Anjali to keep the gifts, she could sense her husband's eyes on her. Why was he looking at her like a lost puppy?

After the shagun, Shivaay came to the hall in a three piece suit. Anjali joined him at the center and as per the elders instruction they exchanged rings.

After the betrothal ceremony Khushi and Payal with the help of Hari Prakash took the gift boxes and shifted it to Anjali's room. When  Hariprakash came back to hall to take the final set of boxes Arnav took it from him and went to Anjali's room. 

Payal and Khushi was arranging the gifts in the cupboard when he came inside.

"Why are you arranging it? We are not going to keep it here anyways."

"Woh Naniji said as the gifts contain jewelries, keep it safe in the cupboard until we leave tomorrow." Payal replied him after turning back to face him. His wife didn't turn yet but continued  arranging the boxes. 

"Payal, I will help Khushi, Di needs your help, can you please go to her?" Arnav saw his wife pause for a second when he said that.

"Sure Arnavji.." Payal left the room leaving them alone. 

Arnav placed the boxes on the bed and walked towards his wife.

Without a warning he made her turn around by shoulder and closed the door of the cupboard and pinned her against it simultaneously. 

"What are you.." Before she could complete he leaned in towards her. He was very close and her heart started beating fast. She looked deep into his eyes. He tilted his head a little and his closed lips pressed against hers with delicate pressure. They moaned as their lips touched. He took her hands and placed her soft hands around his neck and his hands were placed on her hip.

He brushed his lips against hers giving her time to adjust. He opened his mouth a little wider. With his tongue he gently grazed her lips. When Khushi opened her mouth, with delicate motion he explored the inside of her lips and tip of her tongue. As a reaction Khushi made slow and deliberate circular motions around his tongue with her tongue making him groan. 

She showed him that she is with him in this. She gently nibbled his lip and tongue with her lips. For few minutes their tongues and lips continued to move, touch and intertwined with each other. They parted for air and suddenly they heard someone's voice from the door.

"OOPS sorry..."

Love,

ST