HOW CAN I LET YOU GO?

CHAPTER 11

SLAP!!!!!

The sound echoed several times before Khushi's ears stopped ringing! She stared wide eyed at her amma. Her mother's hands rose again to slap Arnav, her husband of five hours! Five gruesome , tortuous and humiliating hours ...for the both of them. Enough is enough!

"Amma stop!", cried Khushi, holding her mother's hand, stopping her from slapping Arnav for the second time. All the Raizada's let a collective sigh escape from their mouths. They had witnessed the first slap, and had waited for Arnav's reaction with bated breath. But when they saw that he remained unresponsive , even when Garima raised her hand a second time, they feared Arnav would cross all boundaries.Khushi's timely interruption was a welcome relief. 

But Arnav stayed mum...almost calm and submissive! 

"Khushi?", Garima hissed at her daughter. " Why are you stopping me? What this man...."

"This man Amma....is my husband! However much this marriage was against my will...he is  my husband now. And nothing can change that!", retorted Khushi, leaving her mother and several others speechless. Mostly so...Arnav!

"Khushi...", trailed her mother.

" Amma....trust me...please let me speak to you all in private. Please?", begged khushi.

"Om Prakash! Inhe guest room dikha deejiye! (show them the guest room)", said Anjali, earning a grateful look from Khushi.

*********************************************************************************

{NOTE THAT THE DIALOGUES TAKING PLACE IN EACH ROOM WILL BE MIXED, SO THE ONLY INDICATION OF SEPARATE ROOMS SHALL BE THE LINE THAT WILL DEMARCATE THE CONVERSATIONS.}

" Amma....look at me.... please..."

"No Khushi, I do not know why you are trying to save him . I...."

"Garima, titliya ki baath tho sun liyo (listen to her)"

" Yes Amma...listen to me!"

******************************************************************************

"Chote...ye sabh kya hai?(what is all this?)"

" Haan chote! Answer your nani!"

"Di ...please..."

" No chote! Today you are not going to be let free without answering!"

*****************************************************************************

"Amma... I do not know why he did this. What was the reason behind his hasty decision......", Khushi trailed off....thinking about the conversation they had before the marriage fiasco.

"Then what is it Khushi?"

"Amma...As far as I know him, I know that he wouldn't do anything without a reason.  Zaroor iske peeche bhi koi vajah hogi! (There will be a reason behind this)"

"Kaise vajah Khushi? (What reason)"

***************************************************************************

"You have to tell us the reason chote! Tell me...your di...please!!"

" Di...I...."

"Hello Hi Bye Bye! Kahin tum us phati sari se pyaar vyaar toh nahi karath ho? (Do you love her)"

"..."

"Chote? Jawab deejiye (Answer)"

***************************************************************************

" Amma I am sure there is a valid reason. He is not telling us now... but when the time is right he will come clean with the reason."

"Time is right? What is the right time Khushi?? Isn't this the right time? He marries you forcefully and...."

"Kkkhhhuuu.....Khu...ssii"

"Babuji????? Amma.....Babuji called me....he took my name amma....Hai Devi Maiyya.....Babuji?"

The four ladies rushed towards shashi who was struggling to ove his arms.

"Babuji? .."

"Ar....naab....", shashi nodded his head and placed his hands with difficulty over Khushi's head, blessing her!

Khushi's eyes filled with tears at her father's silent approval. She raised her head to look at Garima questioningly.

*****************************************************************************

"Agar pyaar nahi karthe toh shaadi kyun ki chote? Itna nafrath karthe ho usse ki uski zindagi barbaad karne ki soch li? (If you don't love her why did you get married to her? Or do you hate her so much that you decided to destroy her life?)"

"Di!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Aur nahi to kya chote? Usse iss tarah shaadi kar lene se uski zindagi barbaad nahi hui toh aur kya hui....?( If , by getting married to her , you haven't destroyed her life ...then what have you done?)"

"Haan shaadi ki usse maine....aapke liye....apne liye... bus...isse zyada aur kuch nahi boloonga main!( Yes I got married to her...for you...for me....Enough..I will not say anything more)"

***************************************************************************

"Amma!" 

Khushi hugged her mother tightly, and Garima reciprocated her hug with equal fervour.

"I just hope he takes good care of you Khushi! If not...he will have me to answer to!"

Khushi hugged her mother harder, choosing to remain silent. Madhumati and Payal wiped their tears as a genuine smile lit their faces after hours!

***************************************************************************

"What do you mean chote? For me? Why?....What..."

"Di please....", Arnav grabbed his sister's hands in his and pleaded with his eyes," Just trust me...trust your chote! Please..... "

"I will not allow this Arnav! ", said nani with authority. But Arnav continued pleading with his sister. The Raizada's did not notice the Gupta's ,who had come out after their discussion and had heard nani's last sentence.

"Nani...", started Anjali, only to notice the dejected, detached and horrified expressions on the Guptas' faces!

Following her line of sight all the Raizada's turned to look at the Gupta's .

" Lets go Khushi, I see you are not accepted here.", said Garima...breaking the tension.

" No....!!!", yelled Arnav.

" Khushi won't go anywhere. She is MY wife and she will stay with me! And if nani has a problem accepting her into this house then I will oblige and leave this house with Khushi...this instant!"

Raizada's and Gupta's stared at Arnav with their mouths hanging open. Nani was the first to recover as she said, " You wouldn't dare!"

" Watch me nani! ", challenged Arnav.

" Jahan Khushi nahi....wahaan Arnav nahi.....(where there is no Khushi...there will be no Arnav)"

HOW CAN I LET YOU GO?

CHAPTER 10

Arnav had admitted to himself long back, that he loved her. But today standing in front of her accusing stance, he couldn't bring himself to voice out what he felt. He wouldn't admit it but a part of it had also to do with his ever present ego. She loved someone else didn't she? So wouldn't admitting his love be like...... grovelling?  And Arnav Singh Raizada never grovelled. She would come to him off her own accord. But till she did, she would be tied to him! And if marriage was the way, so be it!

Khushi looked down fingering her garland, the events of the day weighing down upon her. What had he done? What had she done? They had gotten married!!! How ? Why? How would she face her parents? His parents? What was he thinking? Her fury rose and she raised her accusing eyes at him. She stepped forward and pushed him with all her might! 

"How dare you?"

Push.

"What do you think of yourself? How dare you?"

Push.

" Do you even know what you have done?"

Push.

"How will I face people now? Your family, my family...jiji....!!"

She paused trying to reign in her emotions, before turning her fury back at him and pushing him again. She had him backed against a tree. 

The last push, pushed Arnav over the edge. He grabbed her hands and spinning her around pinned her to the tree. Glaring down at her , he noticed the equally defiant, and enraged look she gave him.

" Let go of me!!!!", she screamed.

" Never!!", he screamed back, effectively shutting her up!

Khushi looked at him bewildered. Panting heavily, she spluttered, " What?"

But Arnav was too lost. Her hot heavy breath fanning his chin. Her hair, loose from the braid, tickling his stubble. Her eyes, wide, hazel, reflecting the light! Involuntarily he leaned in, closer. He noticed her parted lips quiver, and he smirked. Not affected, are we? He envisioned his lips on hers, the vision pulling him closer. Just a little more and its mine! No sooner had he thought the thought , Khushi turned her head away!

However affected she may be by his presence, she was mad at him....too mad to let him try anything at all! So she turned away. 

Arnav stopped as the sight of her lips vanished , replaced by her milky white  skin. Playing hard are we? He trailed his lips down the column of her neck sucking her skin, teasing with his tongue. He felt her stiffen, and  her breathing grow heavier! He smirked some more. He nipped at her skin near her collar bone, eliciting a gasp from her. Then soothed it with his tongue and felt her shudder. He moved away a little and noticed the subtle pout on her lips, at the loss of contact. He pressed his lips on her reddened cheeks, lingering for a while before pulling away. He saw her open eyed, open mouthed expression , bearing which she turned to him. 

Khushi was shocked! He kissed her....again? She turned to him, to see his triumphant expression. What was he so satisfied about? Why did he keep doing ...all that? was he merely attracted to her? Or...did he have feelings for her? He married her for crying out loud! But he didn't believe in marriage! So was all this just a facade? What did he hope to gain by all this? Why was he doing this? 

Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks as she regarded him with her turmoil filled eyes.

" Why are you doing this?", she whispered, only for him to hear.

The question. He could answer her now! It would be make or break. But he didn't wanna break! He didn't wanna lose her! She was his dammit!!

"Because I can! You are my wife!"

HOW CAN I LET YOU GO?

Hello to all my readers! Oh and what a welcome! :/ But I shouldn't be one to complain. I have taken long enough to give you an update. And this time around I will Just suck up my sorry! And yes I will be able to update only once a week. And those of you who wanna read may visit my blog. I am no longer gonna post the update notification on myed. Emails I will send to those who ask for it. I won't keep you waiting any longer so here goes....

CHAPTER 9

Arnav snapped his head around to look at her. What was she asking? How did it matter to him? Couldn't she see? That he was..... What was he? Heck he himself didn't know the extent of his feelings for her! Feelings?? Hah! Arnav Singh Raizada And feelings? What has she done to me?

But Arnav wasn't ready to answer his own question...not now...when things were so uncertain. He needed to know what Khushi meant on the terrace that day. Instead of answering her, he put forth a question of his own!

"So, you don't love NK?"

Khushi bit back a groan, before attacking again," That's not the answer to my question!"

"So who is it that you love then?"

Khushi's eyes widened in surprise. What does he mean? Why is he asking this? 

She just regarded him with the same shocked expression, willing him to elaborate.

But Arnav turned away and got out of the car. Khushi followed in suite and came to stand behind his brooding form. She remained silent willing him to speak. 

He tensed as he felt her approach him but didn't turn. Neither did he answer her silent question...or plea rather.

Finally tired of the silence, Khushi turned away and walked towards the car. Just as she reached the passenger side , she turned back to him, " Arnavji..... "

He turned slowly to regard her.

" Will you please drop me to the mall? Nanheji must be waiting. He will be worried!"

And just like that, all the anger came flooding back! Arnav strode towards her, grabbing her by her shoulders, and shaking her with every word.

" You are bothered about him! You are worried about his tension. What he will think ....And me? What about me? Answer me dammit? What about me ...us?"

"What about us?", asked Khushi calmly.

Arnav's hands dropped to his sides, shock and something else shone in his eyes. He took a step away from her.

" What about us Arnavji?", she prompted. Khushi took a step forward as she continued," As far as I know Arnavji, you are my jeeji's jetji. My jiji is married to your brother, which in effect makes me... HIS sister-in -law! So,....... what about US Arnavji?", she questioned, this time using his tone for the last question? 

Arnav looked up at her with disbelief. Is that all their relation was about? Is that what she thought? Didn't anything that they shared, mean nothing to her? How could she act so aloof? So...so ...detached?

Arnav shuddered at the feeling , the feeling of losing her! 

NO!! Arnav Singh Raizada never loses! Never! 

He stepped forward and grabbed her hands dragging her along with him along the rocky path to his left. Khushi tried protesting and struggling, but he didn't relent. She was his...and he would prove it to her! 

After walking, rather dragging Khushi along, Arnav reached his destination. It was a small temple situated deep in the jungle through which they had come. A single idol sat on a stone , surrounded by diyas that lit the eerie jungle casting a glow over the area. A pundit stood at the far end of the clearing, where the mandir was situated. He came forward as Arnav approached, dragging Khushi along. 

Arnav left Khushi's hand as he moved towards the pundit. Khushi saw a bundle of notes fall into the aged man's hands. She also saw him shake his head in dismay. But he kept the money anyway. 

What was Arnavji doing? Why was he paying the pundit?

As if in answer to her silent question, Arnav turned around and walked towards her, just as the pundit disappeared into the jungle. Arnav dragged her towards the idol and dropped her hands. 

"You believe in this idol, don't you?", he asked.

Khushi regarded him warily.

"Anything sacred that happens here....you will believe in it....right? Tum nibhaogi use?"

Khushi was getting nervous. What did he mean? Why was he asking all this? 

"Arnavji....", she tried, only to be cut off by the entry of the pundit. He was carrying firewood and ghee....and two garlands.

Khushi started , trying to make sense of what was happening. She watched as the pundit set up a holy pyre and began chanting something. He looked up at her, pity on his face before turning towards Arnav and gesturing. In response Arnav grabbed Khushi's hands as he led her towards the pyre and made her sit down.

Noo!!! This was not happening! What is all this about? Why am I sitting here?

She tried to get up, but Arnav's grip on her kept her in place. Still she struggled asking him repeatedly to explain what was happening. It was only when the pundit gestured again and Arnav made both of them stand and reached for the garland ,that it all finally fell into place for her!

He was marrying her?? What the hell? How could he? What is he thinking? He...

But she couldn't complete the thought as just then she felt the garland go around her neck. Khushi stared up at him in surprise. Tears streaked down her face, making Arnav clench his fists and teeth, to stop the pain, clenching his heart.

"Put it around my neck!", he bit out. But she stood mute. Not moving a muscle. Arnav grabbed her hands holding the garland, and made her put it on him. Her hands remained on the garland, as she stared unseeingly at him, too shocked to process anything. Arnav stared back, just as intensely as he filled her parting with the sacred vermillion. 

The pundit instructed them to take the seven vows . And Arnav dragged a shock still Khushi around the fire. 

"Vivaah sumpun hua! ( The marriage was successful)", said the pundit, breaking Khushi's trance. She reached tentatively to touch her partition, and looked at her blood red fingers. The tears fell stronger, as the weight of the events that transpired, came crashing down on her! 

She looked up at Arnav accusingly, only to see his triumphant look as he said," I hope that answers your question!"