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!"