32. OS 18. Too Tempting to Resist (Part 32)

Part 32

Arnav looked into panicked eyes with something like a storm in his heart.

“I need to talk to you,” he blurted out.

Khushi hesitated a moment and then nodded. She was going to marry this Laad Governor. What was the point in refusing to talk to him?

They walked down the steps of the temple, silently matching their pace.

They paused near a low bench by a banyan tree.

Maybe they could sit here and talk, he thought, his eyes scanning the area to see if they would be left undisturbed. No, there were too many people about.

“Khushi, let’s have tea together,” he suggested, badly needing the privacy to ask her what he needed to know.

“No.” Khushi shot down the idea.

He sighed inwardly. She was not going to make this easy.

“Sit down,” he said motioning towards the bench.

Khushi sat.

He sat by her.

She inched away from him.

He drew in a deep breath for courage and patience.

Khushi looked away.

“Why did you agree to marry me?” he asked at this late date.

Fury rushed through her like tsunami waves, overpowering her. If she had gotten her hands around his neck, he would have been a dead man for sure.

“Khushi?” he asked, disturbed by her silence.

“Why do you want to know?” she asked, gimlet-eyed.

“Did your family force you to agree to our marriage?” he asked bluntly.

She stared at him with wide eyes for a long moment.

And then the fight left her. He could see the spirit leach out of her and he knew he had his answer.

His shoulders sagged.

They sat in silence for a long time, both lost in their unhappy thoughts.

Then she said softly, “They didn’t force me. I..I decided to do it for them. It is the least I can do.”

He looked at her, a question in his eyes.

“I owe them,” she said softly.

“Because they adopted you?” he asked bluntly.

Her surprised eyes looked into his for a moment. Then she nodded.

“Do you think they expect such...such sacrifice from you?” he asked softly.

She swallowed.

His eyes tracked the movement of her throat muscles.

“Maybe not...” she said slowly. She turned her head to look at him accusingly. “But you had to make it impossible for me to refuse.”

One brow went up in question.

“Dragging jiji into it. What was the need to do that? Aap ko pata hona chahiye tha na that everything we do affects jiji,” Khushi thundered.

Arnav frowned. “How?” he asked simply.

Khushi’s mouth fell open. “How? Aap pooch rahe hein how?”

He waited.

“Your brother is married to my sister. If I refuse your proposal, what will be my jiji’s izzath in her sasural?” she asked.

Arnav frowned. “What has my proposal got to do with Payal’s izzath?” he asked bluntly.

“You know nothing!” Khushi chastised. “Aap insaan ho ke machine? Your family would have taken their disappointment on jiji if I had refused. Matlab, my family feared they would.”

“Unbelievable,” he murmured, shaking his head.

“You should have thought twice before proposing,” Khushi informed him. “You put my jiji’s happiness at risk just to satisfy your whim.”

He looked at her angry visage. How to get her to understand that it wasn’t a whim, that he...that he...? He looked away.

A moment later, he said, “Khushi, why don’t you want to marry me?”

She pursed her lips. “Why should I want to marry you?” she asked bluntly. “You are much older than me.”

“Your parents don’t have a problem with that,” he countered.

Khushi had to admit he was right.

“You are akhdoo, khadoos. You lose your temper at the slightest excuse.” She gestured with her hand. “Your temper goes to satve aasman in seconds.”

He nodded. What couldn’t be countered had to be agreed to. “Yes,” he admitted. He paused for a moment and then said, “My diabetes makes me irritable.”

Khushi swallowed hard. Illness was not really something he had chosen to have. She had to concede this. It was only fair.

She nodded.

“And...”

“And?” Khushi asked, always curious.

“And my childhood...My parents died when I was young. Nani, mami and di brought me up,” he muttered.

Pity welled up in Khushi’s heart.

He turned his head and saw sympathy in her moist eyes. He, who normally had the greatest aversion to being pitied, felt comforted at the sight of her sympathetic tears. Suddenly he wanted to tell her the whole gory truth even if it turned her against him.

“My mama suspected that papa was having an affair and shot herself...with his gun,” he began.

Khushi gasped.

“He shot himself a couple of hours later,” he continued.

Khushi clutched her chest in shock.

“It was di’s wedding day. The shaadi didn’t happen, of course. We burned them together the next day,” he said, his voice emotionless, his face expressionless.

“He Devi Maiyya!” Khushi whispered.

The temple bells rang.

He expected questions from her, especially about his father’s infidelity. But she surprised him by remaining silent.

He turned to look at her white face.

“I am not like my father,” he comforted her.

She nodded slowly.

She didn’t demand any promises or make stipulations binding him to good behaviour.

“I will never hurt you, never subject you to the humiliation my mama felt. Never, Khushi,” he whispered.

She nodded.

The comfortable silence settled his heart and loosened his tongue. “I..I am not very...very comfortable dealing with people,” came the understatement.

Khushi nodded.

“I have always been alone,” he murmured, saying under his breath, “if anyone can be alone in the madhouse that’s my home.”

Khushi looked at him quietly.

“I thought...it is time to change that, maybe time to have a life,” he confessed. “That’s why I...”

Khushi nodded. “Yes,” she agreed.

“Do you hate me, Khushi?” he asked, his eyes directly on hers. 

31. OS 18. Too Tempting to Resist (Part 31)

Part 31

Arnav went to his room, his head whirling. Khushi would do anything for Payal. Anything for Payal. Why? Because she loved her sister who was not her real sister?

 Yes.

Khushi loved Payal. There was no doubt about that. Her love for Payal shone through everything she said and did. She even looked at Payal with intense affection.

Had she agreed to marry him to stay with Payal?

He frowned. Then why didn’t she look happy with her decision? She looked defeated, dull, lifeless, as though the fight had been brutally beaten out of her.

He drew in a deep breath after shutting the bedroom door behind him.

Her parents were happy with his proposal. They were happy that Khushi had agreed to marry him.

The frown grew fiercer. What had struck him about their reaction. Something had gnawed at him. What had been that?

He shut his eyes and visualised the scene when Khushi had agreed to marry him.

What had he seen on the faces of her family members?

Payal had been incandescent with pure joy.

Khushi’s father had been smiling, but his eyes had been... anxious. 

Buaji had heaved a sigh of relief and praised Nandkisore.

 And Khushi’s amma had looked so worried when Khushi had approached them. Her face had cleared only when Khushi had announced her decision.

Arnav had to face the bitter question. Had her family pressurised her into accepting his proposal?

He banged his hand on the wall, not feeling pain. It was going to be  a long night.

                                              ***

He called Khushi first thing in the morning.

Buaji picked up the receiver. “Kaun he, Nandkisore?” she asked.

“Buaji, is Khushi there?” he asked.

Buaji smiled. “Nahi, bitwaa. She has gone to the temple near our house. Kaa hua, Nandkisore? You want to talk to her so early in the morning?”

He muttered something and cut the call, hoping he had made some sense.

                                        ***

“Bitiya, take prasad,” the priest offered.

Khushi held out her hand for the laddoo and sensed another hand joining hers.

She looked at the hand. It looked very familiar.

She looked at the body attached to the hand and felt her mouth go dry.

Her eyes reached his face.

Molten chocolate eyes were focused on her wide hazel ones.

“He Devi Maiyya,” she whispered. “Raksha karna.”

30. OS 18. Too Tempting to Resist (Part 30)

Part 30

“Arnav bitwaa, don’t you have a gifat for your Khussi?” mami asked archly. “I thought tumhre pocketswaa will be phull of gifats, Hello hi bye bye!”

Arnav floundered. What did he know about giving gifts? This was his first shagun and shaadi!

“Please stay for dinner, Devyaniji,” Sasi requested, relieved that everything had concluded so well, especially for them.

“Yes, let’s, saasuma,” mami begged. “It ijj so much phun bhen all of are togethers.”

“I’ll be back,” Arnav muttered, leaving the house.

                                          ***

Khushi quickly slipped away to her room and started to remove her earrings.

“Khushi,” Payal came to her with a sweet smile on her lips.

Khushi tried hard to smile.

“Aren’t you thrilled?” Payal asked her the rhetorical question, hugging Khushi. “We will be together always as jethani and devrani, living in one house with our husbands.”

Khushi’s throat ached with unshed tears. She nodded.

Buaji entered the room. “What are you doing, Sanka Devi?” she asked. “Why are you removing the jewels? Arnav bitwaa will be back. This girl, Nandkisore!”

Khushi quietly pushed the stem of the earring into the piercing on her earlobe. What was the use of arguing? Arnav bitwaa had successfully destroyed life as she knew it by proposing to her.

                                              ***

Arnav returned in time for dinner and the two families laughed and chatted as they dined on Lucknavi delicacies. Only Arnav was perturbed by Khushi’s silence and impassive face. The rest attributed it happily to bashfulness.

Mami teased the new pair. Arnav looked at Khushi. She looked as though it were all happening to someone else.

He swallowed hard, confused and not a little disturbed.

As the families said their good nights, Arnav walked up to Khushi. She looked away and tried to pretend she hadn’t seen him.

“Khushi,” he called.

All looked at them expectantly.

Khushi swallowed her pain and her ire and turned her face towards him.

“For you,” he said, holding out a beautifully wrapped box.

“Bhat ijj it?” mami asked eagerly. “Khussi, open it and show mami.”

The Guptas couldn’t contain their delight at the special attention given to Khushi by Arnav bitwaa.

Nani and Anjali looked at each other, their eyes twinkling with happiness.

Khushi extended her hands and received the gift from him. He made sure to touch her fingers with his. She jerked at the touch but made sure to keep her head lowered so that he couldn’t read anything there.

“Unwrap it, Khushiji. Let’s see what our Chotey has given you,” Anjali encouraged.

Khushi pulled away the expensive covering to see a jewellery box inside. She opened the box.

There was a beautiful diamond necklace in the box, so gorgeous that even Anjali, the owner of hundreds of diamond necklaces gave an awe-filled gasp.

Khushi blinked at the fire of the stones. “Sh..shukriya,” she managed to mutter.

                                              ***

Payal went into the kitchen to get a glass of warm milk. The rest of the family, except for Arnav, went to their own rooms.

Arnav entered the kitchen, calling, “Err...Payal?”

“Ji?” she asked with a smile, walking up to him, leaving the milk. “Do you want something, jetji? Shall I get you a glass of milk or a mug of black tea?”

“No...err..Payal, I was thinking...your family doesn’t mind my proposal, do they?” he asked.

Payal smiled. “Mind? They are delighted.”

Arnav nodded slowly, making no move to leave.

Payal, encouraged to speak, said softly, “We were all so worried about Khushi. Woh kya he, Khushi and I, we slept together in one room from the day she joined us. So buaji and amma were worried how she would manage without me. She is scared of the dark.” She spoke through a throat choked with tears. “Because of you, jetji, we will always be together.”

Arnav blinked. This was info overload. He asked slowly, “Joined you? Why should she join you?”

Payal smiled sadly. “Her mother was my amma’s sister. Her parents died in an accident when she was eight. That’s when my parents adopted her and she came to stay with us.”

Arnav almost hyperventilated. “Adopted?” he asked softly when he could.

Payal frowned. “You didn’t know, jetji? Amma and babuji told your family.”

“No, I...I didn’t know. I...she was happy with you?” he managed to ask.

Payal smiled. “Very. She is very naughty and fun-loving. She brought life to our house.”

Arnav smiled slightly. “She..she is very close to you,” he stated.

Payal smiled and said, “Closer than sisters. She would do anything for me, anything.”

Arnav felt weak. Thankfully Payal had turned away to check on the milk.

“Good night, Payal,” he muttered before leaving the kitchen.

29. OS 18. Too Tempting to Resist (Part 29)

Part 29

“Khushi,” he began.

She looked away, miffed at him for putting her in a fix.

He threw a glance at his family that had joined the rest of the Guptas at the dining table. Good. He was alone with her and could talk without being overheard.

He opened his mouth to make a presentation highlighting the advantages being married to him would give her, but she gave him no chance.

“Are you mad?” she hissed. She rolled her eyes at Devi Maiyya in heaven. “Why am I asking this stupid question? Of course you are mad.  And I am paying for your madness.” Her eyes pierced holes in his face.

He was taken aback for a second by her hot glare, but he was ASR for nothing. He ploughed on.

“I have decided I need to marry,” he began pompously.

She pricked his balloon. “Couldn’t you have found someone else? Why did you have to choose me?” she asked angrily.

He glared right back at her. How dare she belittle the honour of being ASR’s wife?

“Delhi is full of girls,” she continued. “If no one here wanted you, you could have tried other states. There are many girls in Uttar Pradesh,” she informed him.

He clenched his jaw in anger.

“I was happy here, minding my own business. And then you had to come and propose,” she complained.

How dare she? he fumed.

He soon found out that she dared much more.

“You are pagal. You are a Laad Governor. You are a pukka Rakshas. You are always angry. And you want me to marry you,” she grumbled.

He drew in a deep breath to control his ire. “I am not angry, not always,” he claimed.

“You are too,” she stated.

“Only when people irritate me,” he qualified.

“I do. Always. You are either ghooring at me with your ajeeb aankhein or gritting your teeth or clenching your fists or screaming at me,” she said with a grimace.

He had to look away.

“Why do you want to marry me?” she asked bluntly.

He swallowed hard before giving her an answer. It was a make or break situation here, he knew. He also knew that words came to him with difficulty, especially sweet ones. He was severely diabetic in that regard.

“It is time for me to marry,” he started.

She frowned at him.

“You know I am rich,” he continued.

Her frown became fiercer.

“I—it is difficult to find a good bride,” he muttered.

She stared at him. How were his options limited because he had money? He was truly Agra pagalkhana material.

“I mean, someone who will respect my family and—and have sanskaar,” he managed to say, stealing a look at her perplexed face.

Before she could say anything, he continued, “I want a girl who will get along with Payal.”

Khushi sagged.

Her family wanted her to marry him so that jiji could have a comfortable life. And he wanted to marry her so that jiji would be happy. Her fate was sealed.

Yes, she had caved in. Elation filled every pore of his body and mind. The Payal reference had sealed the deal for him. She loved Payal and couldn’t refuse her anything.

But then something happened that blew his mind and shook the foundation of his success.

A single tear made its slow way down her cheek.

He opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong, but the sight of that tear was so overwhelming that he couldn’t get a word out except, “Khushi.”

She quickly dried her cheek and stood up, without looking at him.

He stood up, bewildered.

Making sure not to look at him, she quickly moved towards the dining table.

The Guptas and the Raizadas looked at her expectantly.

“I will marry Arnavji,” she said softly.

Her pale face and woebegone look were lost in the hugs and cries of congratulations that filed the air.

Only one pair of molten chocolate eyes saw her distress.

“Let’s have the shagun right now,” nani suggested, thrilled that her grandson was marrying her Khussi bitiya.

Before Khushi knew it, she was seated and her lap was filled with gifts.

She swallowed her tears as the ladies hugged her. An orphan, beholden to the family that had taken her in and fed her, had no voice or right to an opinion, she reminded herself.

Arnav watched the muscles of her throat move as she tried to quell the tears and the panic welling up in her heart.

28. OS 18. Too Tempting to Resist (Part 28)

Part 28



The Raizadas turned up in full force to request the Guptas to give their sanki daughter, Khushi to Arnav Singh Raizada, their papad ka tukda.

"So, what do you think, Sasiji?" nani asked, beaming away.

Sasi swallowed hard, throwing a glance at his wife and sister who looked scared at the way things were turning out.

"Woh..., that is, don't you think Khushi is too young for Arnav bitwaa?" he managed to ask.

Nani's smile faded.

"Bhat ijj age?" Manorama asked. "Can you tells my agewaa phrom looking at me?"

Buaji sagged in her chair. Garima drew in a deep breath.

"And our Khussi is childish, gets into scrapes all the time. She will make Arnav bitwaa a bad wife," Sasi tried again.

Garima and buaji nodded furiously, in full agreement.

"Theek keh rahe ho, babua," buaji added.

"Our Chotey is too serious for his age, babuji," Anjali said with a smile. "He needs someone who will help him lighten up."

Sasi gasped.

"Let us have Arnav talk to Khussi bitiya," nani suggested.

All faces cleared.

"Yes, yes," Garima said.

"Yes, that is a good idea," Sasi said thankfully for the respite.

"I will ask him to come over now," Anjali said, quickly taking her phone and leaving the room.

The Guptas, who had expected at least a day's time to persuade Khushi, sat stunned at the fast pace of events.


                                                                    ***

Arnav Singh Raizada walked into buaji's house in Laxmi Nagar in fifteen minutes flat, breaking speed records.

"Chotey, Sasiji thinks you should talk to Khussi bitiya yourself," nani explained.

He nodded.

Sasi cleared his throat. "Jiji, Garima, call Khussi," he croaked.

"Ji," Garima said, getting up to summon the heroine and the source of all their problems.

Buaji just gave up and sat back, chanting, "Hai Re Nandkisore, Hai Re Nandkisore!"

Garima and Payal led Khushi into the living room.

Khushi lifted her eyes and saw the Rakshas in his black suit and lavender shirt, sitting comfortably in her buaji's chair. She stumbled, catching her foot in the hem of her pink lehenga.

"Khushi, careful," Payal whispered.

What was the use of being careful now that the milk was already spilt? Her refusal to marry him had brought him to her house. She drew in a deep breath trying to still the butterflies and buffaloes doing bhangra in her tummy.

Arnav looked his fill.

Pink lehenga, golden choli and dupatta, long golden earrings caressing the fine lines of her neck, her hair coiled up in a fancy knot, an antique necklace enclosing her beautiful and creamy neck, slim gold bangles on her arms....Somewhere in his chest, a volcano of feelings erupted.

"Let's leave them to talk, Sasiji," nani suggested.

"Yes," Sasi said, looking uncertainly at Khushi.

The Guptas and the Raizadas moved to the dining room to have tea.

Buaji murmured in Khushi's ear as she passed by, "Don't be foolish. Think of Payaliya's future, Nandkisore."

Garima whispered, "Saavdhan, Khussi."

Khushi drew in a deep breath tinged with a feeling of hurt. Were her desires of so little value that they had to be sacrificed at every altar? She looked at the Rakshas with angry eyes. He was the source of all her problems.

"Sit down, Khushi," he invited in his husky voice.

She pursed her lips. He was inviting her to sit down in her own buaji's living room? The audacity of it!

She sat down as far as possible from him.

He got up and took the seat by her.

Khushi looked upwards. Devi Maiyya would get an earful tonight, she decided.