HOW CAN I LET YOU GO?

CHAPTER 13

Khushi stepped into what was to be her new home and gasped in surprise! The cozy little house was modern and yet felt completely familiar. She wandered through the house , unmindful of Arnav's watchful eyes seeking her approval.

<I suck at describing houses...so why don't you just enjoy the pics ;)>

 

As she gleefully finished touring the last of the house, Khushi turned around to face her husband, a happy smile pasted on her face! Arnav's apprehensive face relaxed, as he too cracked a half smile at her enthusiasm. 

But Khushi's smile instantly turned into a frown as she recalled the circumstances that brought her where she was! It ineffect caused Arnav's attempt at a smile to fail too.

" Didn't you like the house Khushi?", he asked tentatively.

In response though Khushi turned around and walked out into the open patio. She stood with her back facing him, feeling the wind whip her frame . She felt Arnav behind her before he spoke.

"Khushi...?", he called out.

" Why did you marry me Arnavji?", she questioned ,still not facing him. When he did not reply she whipped around with blazing eyes, " Answer me!", she demanded, louder than she intended.

"Don't talk to me like that!", raged Arnav. But his rage was only a means to avoid answering her question.

"I will talk the way I deem fit! Who are you to stop me? "

"You know very well who I am..."

"Oh yes, yes! You are Arnav Singh Raizada....But I am also Khushi Kumari Gupta...."

"...Singh Raizada.", completed Arnav. At her silence he continued, " Don't ever  forget that! You are mine now...and I own you! You have no right to question me!"

Khushi's initial shock at the way he completed her name, wore off as she heard his last sentence. Fury bubbled in her again as she retorted," You are my husband and I am your wife...not a slave...so no Mr Raizada...you don't own me! We are equals. The sooner you get that into your thick skull, the better!", saying , she stormed away from him and into one of the bedrooms, slamming the door shut behind her!

Arnav cursed under his breath and fisted the wall. He had messed up again! And as punishment he had to spend his own wedding night outside his room, away from his wife! 

Sigh!

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This was just a filler for what comes next. I know its short but I will update a longer one soon. Don't worry this tension will get over soon. Its time for the man to woo his woman...properly. And seduction ofcourse is a part and parcel! ;)

HOW CAN I LET YOU GO?

First things first! Eid Mubarak to all my wonderful and patient readers! Have a splendid year. 
And secondly, I apologise yet again for the late update. But hope today, on Eid ,you will forgive me! :p

CHAPTER 12

Bewilderment filled the faces of those around, as they stared in pure wonder at the man who claimed not to have a heart! What else was this, if not a show of love? A declaration, nevertheless! 

Nani was old, but for a reason. She had garnered wisdom over her years of existence, that let her read through any situation, and allowed her to reciprocate in kind! As her gaze shifted between her grandchild and his betrothed, she noticed the pure awe and surprise with which she regarded him! She reached a set of conclusions of her own, and smiled inwardly at the prospect of seeing them through.

"Okay Arnav! If that is what you wish...then so be it! You may leave the house!", she thundered, earning shocked gasps from those around, as all eyes turned to her , some albeit accusing! 

"Nani...", started Khushi, only to be cut off by Arnav's vice like grip on her hands, as he all but dragged her out of his house. The house he grew up in. The house he helped rebuild. The house wherein his life, his di, resided!

"Arnavji....", Khushi retorted, struggling against his stronghold. " Please...listen to me!"

But it fell on deaf ears. He dumped her unceremoniously into the car before driving off , unmindful of the fact that his rash driving was tethering Khushi on the edge! She was close to having a full blown panic attack! 

"Arnavji...pleaseee...ssll...sllooow....do...down", she managed to whisper. 

But what Arnav failed to hear from her mouth, his heart seemed to capture, cause he glanced at Khushi, and saw her visibly pale countenance, as she gasped for breath. He braked the car immediately and unbuckled himself, before leaning over and capturing her face between his large palms.

"Khushi...", he called out, barely a whisper. When she didn't respond, he rubbed his thumb across her cheeks, wiping away her tears in the process, before calling out louder.

Khushi stirred and opened her tightly shut eyes, to the sensation of his calloused fingers  against her skin. It feels so right, she mused! She remained like that, in her semi conscious state, her eyes and lips partly open, leaning into his touch! 

Arnav felt tears prick the back of his eyes, seeing her like that, so trusting, so vulnerable! What have I done? Why did I do this to her? Why am I always the cause for all her pain? 

He recollected how she had stopped her mother from slapping him. How she stood up for him! Just like any dutiful wife. His wife! The thought soothed him. She was his! His alone! And he would be damned to let her go! If given a chance he would do it again , he realised. To make her his, he would do anything! But did she want him? Was all this just duty to her....or did she love him? 

Arnav turned back to her and realised that his thumb hadn't stopped moving across her skin. His abrupt stop, caused Khushi to peek at him through half opened eyes. On seeing Arnav though, her stupor vanished. Her eyes opened completely and then widened some more, before darting between his hands and his face! She gulped visibly, but didn't pull away. Arnav noticed this, and smiled inwardly.

"Khushi....", he husked, leaning towards her.

Khushi felt her heart go on its marathon again. But it was so loud this time, she feared it would burst! She clutched her heart with her hand, attempting to still its frantic rhythm. 

Hai Devi Maiyya!

Arnav leaned in some more, his breath fanning across her lips. 

"Khushi I......I lo....."

But his sentence was left hanging as they were interrupted by the honking of a vehicle behind them! Arnav came out of his daze and realised what he was about to confess! He cursed under his breath, which was audible enough for Khushi to catch though, before moving back to his seat and driving again. Khushi looked at him speculatively as his words from before ran on repeat in her head, over and over..... What was he about to say? I lo...what? I lost something? Did he lose something? No Arnav Singh Raizada can't lose anything...can he? Then? I long for something? What does he long for? He has everything he wants! No....ummm? I love something? Love? He and love? But he does love his sister.... He has told me before....so then.....could it be that... He loves.......me? Oh shut up Khushi! What are you even thinking? Arnav Singh Raizada ...loves you? A mere chit of a girl as he says? Its not possible.....right?

But try as she may, Khushi couldn't get the notion out of her head!

Arnav and Khushi played peek-a-boo the rest of the way, neither choosing to speak a word. Each scrutinising the other   for some sort of reaction, to what transpired earlier, and finding nothing, other than a locked jaw and fidgeting fingers! It was like this that they reached their new house. The house they would be calling their home.....soon!