Chapter 12: Crimson
Khushi
When she was ready, her fallen payal on her ankle and the repaired blouse under her dupatta, Khushi made her way to the Munh Dikhayi function. Her nervousness, which had disappeared briefly during the … adventure … with Arnav-ji, had returned in full force. She stood silently, watching through her dupatta as her sister was introduced to the guests.
"Manorama," a heavily made-up lady pitched her voice to carry across the room, "Are you sure that's your bahu?"
"Yes," Mami-ji peeked under Jiji's dupatta, "It is."
"Then who is that?"
Khushi trembled as everyone turned to stare at her, suddenly glad that for the veil that hid her face.
"That's Khushi," Anjali-ji said.
"Khushi? As far as we know, the bride's sister is named Khushi," another woman spoke up.
"Did she marry into the house as well? Without warning?"
The women murmured amongst themselves as Anjali-ji ponderously climbed the stairs to stand beside her.
"Did something happen so that she had to get married so quickly?"
Khushi closed her eyes.
They think that I … that Arnav-ji and I …
"That's ENOUGH!"
Arnav-ji stood in the corridor, hands fisted and eyes flashing.
"Before you say anything else, remember that the person you're speaking of is my wife," he stepped down to stand on her other side, "And I will not tolerate anyone speaking of any of the Raizada bahus in this manner."
A startled jolt travelled through her as he took her hand to lead her down the stairs, not stopping until they were standing in front of the lady who'd spoken.
"Don't forget that you are a guest in my house."
The lady remained defiant, looking to her companions for support, "We're simply questioning such a hasty wedding. No announcement, no warning, and here you are, married."
"I don't owe anyone any explanations," Arnav-ji declared icily, his fingers tightening around hers.
"Chhote!" Nani-ji approached them, her mouth twisted in displeasure, "This is no way to treat our guests."
The ladies sniffed and tittered but seemed unwilling to pick a fight with him.
"We'll begin the ceremony," Anjali-ji broke the uncomfortable silence.
When they were settled side by side on a makeshift seat, faces veiled, Jiji surreptitiously reached for her hand. Khushi twined their fingers together, glad for the unspoken support. They stayed like that as the procession of ladies passed by, lifting their veils and bestowing blessings or praise before setting a gift on the table in front of them.
Aakash-ji sat on Jiji's other side, ducking his head as the ladies gushed about what a beautiful pair they made. Under the cover of her dupatta, Khushi saw that he traced his fingers along Jiji's arm when he thought them unobserved. Jealousy stabbed at her as she wished for what they had, but it was quickly replaced by cold, sinking feeling as she regretted her thoughts immediately.
She felt Arnav-ji's stare from where he sat at the dining table, his phone in his hands. Feeling unexpectedly humiliated by the ceremony, she wished with all her heart that he'd chosen to sit next to her.
Just for a little while.
Suddenly he stood, and for a heartbeat, Khushi imagined that he'd heard her thoughts before she realised that he was going upstairs.
"You understand that this is not real?"
"There is no future, and after the baby is born …"
Her heart seemed to drop into her shoes.
"Chhote, sit next to Khushi-ji," Anjali-ji stopped him as he walked by.
He opened his mouth, frowning, but Nani-ji cut him off before he could utter a sound, "Yes, come and sit by your wife."
He surprised everyone in the room when he complied with a sigh, coming to sit beside her as the women in the room giggled and gushed.
"I never thought I'd see him married," a lady hovering to the side murmured, loud enough for Khushi to hear.
"He doesn't look happy," her companion replied, "he would've been much happier with my daughter."
Khushi curled her fingers into her skirt, feeling her chest constrict with some emotion best left unexplored. She blinked rapidly against the prickle of tears.
"You tried for so long to arrange an alliance with this family," the first lady spoke again, "Now both sons are married to these Gupta sisters from Lucknow."
"When will this be over?" her husband murmured after the ladies had moved away.
She took a shaky breath before replying, "Soon."
"We're leaving after this."
"Where?" Khushi looked up, startled.
"Somewhere. Anywhere."
. * . * . * .
He drove them to the café they'd once met in to discuss bringing together Jiji and Jija-ji.
It seemed like a lifetime ago.
"Tea, with a free biscoot?" he asked as he pulled out her chair, his mouth tilting into something resembling a smile.
Blushing, Khushi nodded.
"Are you hungry?" he set a menu in front of her.
She flicked through it, frowning at the unfamiliar food. Arnav-ji ordered for them when the waiter came around; black coffee and a sandwich for himself, and a tea for her. After a moment of hesitation, she asked for a sandwich too.
She drummed her fingers on the table in the silence that followed but stopped when he frowned in her direction.
Why can't I do anything right when I'm around him?
"Will you answer a question?" she asked.
"Only if you answer one too."
The food arrived, and Khushi smiled a ghost of a smile at the echo of her words from the other day as she waited for the staff to leave.
"Who was watching us … earlier?"
Arnav-ji froze in the middle of taking a sip of coffee, "Mami. With binoculars."
Khushi hid her grin behind her cup, barely containing a giggle.
"How many more of these functions are left?" he asked after a short pause.
"One more. The pagphere rasm."
"What's that?"
"Someone will come to collect us in the morning. We'll spend the day at home, and you and Aakash-ji will pick us up in the afternoon."
"What a waste of time!"
"I'll come home in a rickshaw," Khushi stared at the table, "or ask Jija-ji to drive me. You don't need to trouble yourself."
They spent the rest of the meal in silence.
"Come," he stood when they were finished, "I have some things to do."
Arnav-ji drove to a designer showroom, where he quickly asked to see the owner. Assuming that he was here on business, Khushi left his side to walk amongst the displays of salwaar suits. She ran her hands over a cream and crimson one, liking the simple design on the dress.
"Do you like it?" her husband appeared beside her.
"No," she quickly dropped her hands, her eyes finding the floor, "Is your business over?"
"Point out things you like," he said, "I need ideas for a project at work."
Khushi frowned, wondering why the head of a fashion house needed advice from her. At his nod of encouragement, she pointed out two of her favourite things on display and blushed when he raised an eyebrow. She was more careful after that, taking care to avoid pom-poms and temper her selections to what she imagined he favoured. Geometric patterns and clean lines.
Reds.
He bought them all when she was done, handing over a bundle of cash like it was nothing, and didn't speak until they were back in the car.
"I have one more thing to do. Here," Arnav-ji passed her a handful of notes, "I'm sure there are things you need. Meet me back here in half an hour."
He left without glancing back. Khushi stared at the money in her hands.
For a minute, she contemplated just standing here, refusing to spend the money he'd given her. She wasn't his wife, not really, and it seemed wrong to use his money. But he was right; she needed things, so she resolved to repay every cent before marching to the stalls. She arrived back at the car thirty minutes later, laden with bags. Underclothes, four plain suits (two to sleep in and two for daytime), a hairbrush, jasmine oil, and her favourite soap. A charger for Babu-ji's phone. A basta to keep it all in so it wouldn't mess up Arnav-ji's bedroom. He arrived soon after and packed away her things without comment, shaking his head when she proffered his change.
In the car, Khushi peeked at him as he drove, wondering how to thank him for his kindness. In the end, she settled for simplicity.
"Th-thank you, Arnav-ji."
"It's fine," he said brusquely, "ask HP if you need anything else, he'll arrange it for you."
They were silent until he parked the car at home.
"And Khushi … don't sleep outside tonight. I'll take the sofa, you can have the bed."
Perditrix: Aw I loved how Arnav didn't get away even after there was no audience. Oh how I wish that they'd get along soon enough but I love these love/hate moments Great chapter
Thank you very much! Take heart - there are more happy moments than unhappy moments from now on :)
aryaputra: Gosh I just am never disappointed with your fics. They get better and better over time (kinda like wine). And I always finish a chapter feeling completely satisfied. Completely random thought but have you heard of this Indian serial called 'Rangrasiya'? It stars Sanaya Irani as the female lead and the incredibly handsome Ashish Sharma. It's an intense, gripping series with a pairing to die for. Kind regards and best wishes, ~ArYa~
Hiya! Thanks for reading, and for your wonderfully kind words! I'm striving every day to become a better writer, so your praise is very appreciated. I have watched the first four or something episodes of Rangrasiya, but it reminded me so much of IPKKND that I decided to wait until I had completed the IPKKND recaps to watch it. I feel my brain will start to analyse Rangrasiya instead and the recaps won't be as good anymore! So yeah, it might be a while until I get around to it, but I'm definitely interested! It looks like something I would love!