Being The Missus

Chapter 6 - Spine

He wasn't at fault. He didn't even initiate the kiss, yet his fingers shook the minute he tore Shanaya off his mouth. They both froze, hearing Khushi's slight mumble.

It took a moment for both to realise that Khushi was just moving in her sleep. Relief broke through Arnav, like a bucket of ice water. Yet that emotion sidestepped the minute his eyes fell on Shanaya. He saw her mouth trying to open for an explanation, looking like a gaping goldfish. Grabbing her by the elbow, he dragged her to his garden.

"What the f**k was that?" He growled, his eyes boring into hers.

Shanaya paled, "Arnav I was just so... lonely. It had been years since I touched someo-"

"Shut the f**k up." He snarled, clenching his fist to stop his need from slapping that women. Lonely my foot. "How dare you!" Shanaya fumed, grabbing him by his collars.

"I haven't had anyone love me since Aarav’s father left me pregnant! My modelling career doomed and hadn't Yves Saint Lauren fancied a project on wasted supermodels, I could have never risen to where I am today! I can't even give time to my baby, afraid that a minute to him would leave me penniless. Then from nowhere you come into my life, bring me to meet your family. This safety and security, don't blame me for falling in love with you!" Shanaya cried, holding onto a stiff Arnav.

Taking a deep breath, Arnav held a sobbing Shanaya's arms and looked deep into her eyes, "You know if my wife knew this what she would do? If she would see that along with you, I too would be happy to house you and sweet Aarav?" Shanaya frowned at his absurd question. Divorce him? Take her money? Either way it would be in her benefit.

"Leave me in the blink of an eye. Because my happiness is everything for her." Arnav left her arms, stepping back several paces.

"So save your declaration of love."

Arnav watched Shanaya hug her arms, her eyebrows deep in contemplation. When she met her eyes with his, they were red and misty. But he knew the difference between anger and sadness.

"See Shan-"

"What's there in her? She doesn't even have business sense. And forget that, she doesn't even know that you hate eating Indian food. Just because she was conveniently there when you-"

"Shut up!" Arnav yelled, heedless if anyone heard him. "Easy? I made her life a living hell... she didn't even deserve the treatment-"

"So your guilt became your obsession, your need to meet her, be with her. I know you Arnav, the reason you were behind her was because she gave you no reason to hurt her. If she was an average person or even like me, a good friend, you wouldn't have given her a second glance." Shanaya whispered, her body shaking with rage.

Suddenly grabbing his face, Shanaya begged "I'll do whatever you want, but don't reject me like this. I've seen you since before and I've loved you even without you giving me any attention. Please Arnav,"

"I'm happily married," He bit out, shoving her hands away from his face. "Also, I've never loved your clingy behavior. Khushi's has always been self sufficient, but you, you didn't want to come to India after university and I was afraid that settling down was the first thing in your mind! I was just 23 then,"

"So that's why you broke up with me. No phones, no text - you just left." Shanaya croaked.

“I’m sorry for that. I really am. But there’s nothing more than that. If you’re here as a friend then stay as one, if not - you know where’s the door. You know what, forget it. Leave, you’re no longer tied with Roy Enterprises.” Shanaya's eyes widened, seeing everything slip away as Arnav stormed towards the door.

"Aarav's six years old."

Arnav whipped, hatred flaring in his eyes "Don’t insinuate anything."

"I never said it was yours."

Confusion filled in those beautiful, caramel eyes; "What do you mean?"

"I asked everyone where you were. Only one answered, but for that I had to go to his bedroom," She quickly whispered. Arnav frowned.

"It was just a glass of water, but my head felt woozy. I wanted to leave b-but he told me to sit on his bed while he brings me y-your address." Arnav kept quiet, analyzing her.

"Three months later I found I was pregnant." She sniffed, caressing her stinging cheek.

Giving him a soft, sad smile Shanaya said "I j-just got overwhelmed when I finally saw you. I don't know what I was thinking. Tomorrow-" She paused to wipe her tears.

"-I'll take Aarav and leave immediately." She took a tentative step to Arnav, regret filling her eyes.

"I'm sorry Shanaya, I really am," Shanaya said, breaking into a cry when Arnav placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

"But, in all things said and done, if you’re lying about something this serious-you’ll be over before you know it." Shanaya’s blood chilled at the thinly veiled threat.

"Khushi was, is and will be everything for me. On another note, this night has been really long so take care, and get ready for tomorrow’s presentation." Shanaya nodded, letting him walk by.

From the corner of her eye she noticed that Khushi’s breathing was calm, too calm. A slow smile spread across Shanaya’s lips. Khushi was the sentient one, and if she had heard everything… then she would definitely sympathize with her.

Now that’s a master stroke.

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Arnav relaxed against his bed, snuggling into his sleeping Khushi. Breathing her flowery scent, he smiled as her lavender scent calmed him.

"Hi," Khushi lazily mumbled, caressing his neck.

"Hi," Arnav whispered, pressing a deep kiss on her collarbone. Khushi slightly slapped his cheek, indicating to a sleeping Aarav beside her. "You don't want him to wake up to this!" She joked. Arnav only smiled in reply, suddenly the idea of having children with Khushi seemed to tempting. Slowly, softly he rubbed his thumb on her cheek, whispering a shy 'I Love You'.

Confusion and adoration filled Khushi, her eyes wide at his abrupt tenderness.

"What's wrong Arnav?"

"Nothing, why?"

"Nevermind." Khushi brightened up. She rested her head on his chest, taking his soothing hugs. Wrapping her little hand around his large one, Khushi spoke "If something is bugging you, you can tell me. I mean I know I don't understand too much when you talk about your work-" She laughed at herself, feeling suddenly insecure, "-but at least you'll feel lighter. I mean if I don't understand, you can speak to Akash or... even Shanaya." She whispered the last sentence.

A pang of regret hit Arnav, how many times he had watched Khushi fall silent in their conversations, unable to understand what the duo spoke. It all fell before his eyes, the way his younger cousin pushed him to spend some time with Khushi.

Khushi playing basketball, her sudden unabashedness.

"You know I like you the way you are, right?" He whispered, skimming his lips on her ear. Khushi giggled, "Yes but that doesn't mean you love everything about me." Before Arnav could protest, Khushi pressed her hand against his mouth as Aarav woke up.

Setting his messy hair, Khushi patted Aarav's cheeks and handed him a glass of water. Aarav blinked, his eyes puffy like his cheeks. Yawning softly, he snuggled into Khushi and protested against waking up. Picking the little boy in her arms, Khushi glared at an amused Arnav and carried the sleepy boy to the bathroom.

"Get up prince charming." Khushi cooed, taken aback as Aarav blinked at her, his dark eyes filled with joy; "I'm a prince?" Placing him on the counter, Khushi nodded in agreement. Arnav walked into the bathroom, saying; "Not just any prince, but the best prince in the world."

Aarav swung his little legs, laughing when Khushi and Arnav tickled him. "Alright sweetie, feeling better? Do you feel like vomiting?" Aarav stilled, suddenly wrapping his small arms around Khushi's stomach.

Khushi stiffened, despite the adoration she knew something was wrong deep down. Not even once did Aarav ask for Shanaya.

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Arnav stood under the hot shower, lost in thought. It had been years since he remembered his dead parents. Aarav reminded him of his distorted childhood. The pain in that boy's eyes. The sudden attachment to Khushi.

The little six year old shifted his ideals. Even though it had not been more than three days since Aarav arrived at his home, he had stolen everyone’s heart. Maybe being in a boarding school and bullied made Aarav a very sensitive and frightened child .

Suddenly Arnav felt very fortunate. Throughout his years he was bitter towards everyone who loved him because he lost his mother, yet that little boy just absorbed love from anyone. What if someone took advantage of that?

A knock on the door broke his thoughts;

"Arnav," Khushi called. It was unusual of him to spend an hour in the shower.

Arnav shook his head and switched the shower off, grabbing a towel he walked towards the door. "Sorry, I didn't realise that-" Khushi's heart squeezed at his flushed face. Holding his hand, she made him sit on the bed and towelled his body dry.

"Aarav is so different from me. If I had a mother who never looked for me-"

"He's special. That boy absorbs any love, like a little sponge." Khushi smiled, rubbing the towel through his wet hair. "I thought of that too. But isn’t it weird, that how much he loves you?" Arnav asked, surprised as she was far from shocked.

Step 4 Khushi - talk to Arnav!

“Yes Khushi I know you love Arnav, you guys set the fireworks when you look at each other and la la la. But do you have real conversations with him. About your insecurities, thoughts and stuffs like that? Why does Shanaya make you jealous? Why is your company dooming - Khushi, if you don’t talk then no one can help you!” NK exclaimed, munching on a slice of cake.

Khushi rubbed her hand on his neck, warming the goosebumps. "Arnav, that’s been going through my head all day. When a child is in distress he’ll call for his mom. But really it’s like Shanaya does not matter for Aarav. And Aarav literally worships the floor you walk on. Do you know today he was muttering ‘What the-what the-what the’?”

“What the-”

“My point exactly!” Khushi chuckled. “And above that, something’s bugging me about Sha-”

"Khushi Didi, Nani was asking for you to make lunch." Arnav groaned, locking his arms around her waist.

"Hariprakash Khushi will come after ten minutes!”

"But Arnav-"

"Fine then." He growled, getting up and tugging on his bathrobe. Khushi shook her head, at times it felt like he was twenty and she was thirty.

"Hariprakash-" Khushi started, "-tell Nani that Arnav and I have to go to his office for lunch." Arnav turned, raising an eyebrow; "I'm going to office?" He asked.

"Actually no, especially when..." Khushi grinned, snatching the rope of his bathroom to reveal a stark naked Arnav. "Oh you!" He ran, catching a squealing Khushi in his arms.

"Arnav the bed will break!" Khushi shrieked the minute he pulled her in. "I got stuff replaced with iron and even though I'm pretty flattered by your faith in my stamina - breaking iron isn't in my capacity." Arnav grinned as Khushi blushed.

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"So as I was saying, Shan-" Khushi stopped. Her husband was long asleep, his mouth open with soft little snores. Muffling a giggle, Khushi kissed his cheek and hugged him tighter. The stress of a new merger was getting to him. In a way she was happy that he finally was sleeping.

A year ago she would have screamed at the thought of sleeping next to this insufferable man, stroking his hair while he slept.

Yet unlike him, sleep was miles away, thinking about earlier today.

"Twelve paneer makhanis, thirty parathas, four zafrani pulaos." Khushi jotted on her notepad, running between one stove to the other. The current plan to shift into finer dishes was a right decision, there was at least some orders.

Packing the lunchboxes, Hariprakash sent his men for delivery.

After everything was done, Khushi sighed in relief. It didn't help their losses but the amount helped in covering delivery cost. Kneading her throbbing temples, Khushi watched Shanaya saunter into the kitchen, biting a juicy apple. There was something in her demeanour, that suddenly put Khushi at unease.

"How's everything Khushi? Heard you're getting some orders..." Shanaya eyed the dishes around. "Careful, I might mistake for your interests elsewhere." Khushi smirked at Shanaya's nervous face. "By the way, that apple had fungus." Shanaya coughed and spitted out the bites.

Shanaya scowled when Khushi passed her a glass of water; "My husband feels guilty that your life spiraled out of control because of his carelessness. In fact it hurts me as well to think that happened with you," Khushi squeezed her shoulder.

"Hh-how do you know?"

"He told me." Khushi gave her a genuine hug. Shanaya squirmed slightly, but relented into the hug. 'Now if Arnav knows how sympathetic his wife is... damn it!' Shanaya thought.

Brushing her hands, Khushi said "So when is Aarav's birthday?" Shanaya smiled, grateful for the change in topic.

"September 1, 2012." Khushi stopped chopping. Shanaya picked up another apple and checked it carefully before she bit into it.

"We're so similar," Khushi commented and continued at Shanaya's confused stare; "-once something's gone bad, we check it again and again. You must have known about Anjali’s phony husband - it was quite a spectacle."

Shanaya nodded, "Yeah, the newspapers weren't too kind."

Khushi placed the chopped coriander over the rice, ushering Hari Prakash away; "Apart from Anjali, that man caused quite some damage to my relationships. So you can understand why the slightest of lies can make me dislike a person on the spot."

"What do you mean?" Shanaya asked, suddenly finding a painting too interesting.

"Nothing, except that if you were pregnant in May 2011, how come Aarav was born in September 2012?"

Shanaya paled, while Khushi continued "So either Aarav isn't your child, or you were lying. Either way, remember what Arnav said to you if you lied?"

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