Being The Missus

Chapter 7 - Cocoon Cracked

Anjali smiled as she sensed a lightness in Khushi and Arnav’s banter. Like there was a cloud lifted. NK patted himself on the back - the plan was going perfectly, Nannav and Khushi were positively glowing.

“Payal, Khushi and Arnav are- Payal?” Anjali nudged NK as Payal did not reply to her.

“Guess what old woman-” NK chuckled.

“I’m thirty five you i***t, not fifty five-” Anjali snarled. “-but what happened? Oh God, wait, if I’m not wrong she’s staring at Akash, again!”

NK waved his hand in front of Anjali’s eyes, wondering if Anjali had suddenly gained sight. But of course, Payal mooning over her husband was a national fact.

“Well Anjali, the good news is, yes Payal is staring at Akash but he too is staring at her - they’ve only been eating dry bread for the past fifteen minutes.” Anjali burst into laughter at NK’s description. Well, things were going good!

Throughout the meal Arnav was engaged about business meetings and the launch date of Aura. Akash finally snapped out of his ‘love zone’ when Anjali whacked him on his head.

"Um, so yes, Raghav states that our shares have gone up after introducing the new line up. Talks are that after Shanaya the best way to reach further into the international market is by endorsing clothing line for other supermodels." Akash said, pausing in between to take a bite.

"That's good news. Tell Aman to confirm our meeting with Tyra Banks. We'll head there next week." Arnav munched on, waiting as Akash confirmed it with Payal. Khushi just blinked, wouldn't he say anything to her?

“Khushi you can go to your family’s place for a week-”

“Oh.” Khushi mumbled, her appetite lost.

Anjali groaned in frustration. Payal and Akash rolled their eyes. NK slapped his head. And here they were back to square one!

"K-khushi aunty." Khushi looked down to find a shy Aarav poking her waist.

"What is it sweetie?" Aarav blushed, fiddling with his shirt buttons. After a bit more prodding Aarav pointed to the plate of food before him. "I... uh... I pinched my fingers in school-" He paused, trying to flex his small fingers. Khushi watched the little boy bite his lips to bear his pain.

"Should I help-"

"Aarav, you're a big boy. A simple pinch is nothing. Take a spoon and eat." Shanaya half barked from the other end. The entire table fell in silence. Being highly sensitive to his mother's words, Aarav stiffly nodded and got up from his chair.

"Aarav," Khushi started when Aarav looked aside, smiling bravely. "No aunty, anyways I had my food a little while ago and I shouldn't be eating too much." Without another word, Aarav walked back to the guest room.

Khushi got up and took her plate, rushing after the little boy. She clearly missed the glare Arnav shot to Shanaya.

---

"Mom said I shouldn't put too much of weight. So I shouldn't eat..." Aarav trailed off, eyeing the piece of cake in Khushi's hand. "And she's right, it's important to stay healthy and fit! But that doesn't mean drastic diet or crazy exercise."

"Then?"

"It means that you should eat healthy and be active. Sleep and brush regularly. Also, be a good human being." Khushi explained, wiping his face with a wet napkin. Aarav made a stinky face when he swallowed the medicine doctor gave him, but soon enough felt drowsy. Holding Khushi's dress, he laid his head on her neck and promptly fell asleep.

How lonely must a boy be to crave such an affection from a stranger?

Running her hand through his soft hair, she cuddled the child till he was in his deep sleep. Looking at the time, she realised that she had forgotten to ask Arnav about his trip! Placing a pillow in his arms, Khushi laughed as Aarav snuggled deeply into it.

Kissing his forehead, Khushi headed to the kitchen for her next set of orders. Arnav was out for office, she might as well be productive till he came.

---

"That order was just a lucky fluke. Our kitchens are full of food but there's not a single demand." Hariprakash reported, sadness filling the old man's face. NK walked in, chomping on an apple and asked about the sullen faces.

Being his persuasive self, NK cribbed in irritation. "Khushi, why don't you ask Nannav for help?" Khushi brushed off that idea. This was her little creation and she would gladly take Arnav's aid as a sleeping partner - but only when her business would be worth it.

"We both know this business is failing, for what... I wish I knew! But asking Arnav to invest in a doomed company is against my ethics." Khushi sighed, looking at the pile of food around her.

"Nannav would invest in a heartbeat!" NK argued.

"That's exactly what I don't want!" Khushi spat back, groaning as her head throbbed again. Settling in a nearby chair.

Khushi cursed under her breath. She hated trying to please everyone around her, trying to secure her insecurities. Marriage was a two way effort and she was scared that apart from love she saw nothing from Arnav's end. In fact, she never approached to help him except for the small heart-to-heart with him about Aarav.

Why were her priorities never planned?

"Khushi..." NK interrupted her, looking around at the food. "What are we going to do with this? There's enough for at least two hundred people." NK muttered, scratching his freshly shaven chin.

"You're right..." Khushi whispered, a sudden idea flickering in her head.

NK tried to find the reason behind Khushi's sudden joy when she asked, "You know how to drive right?"

A moment later realization sunk in. No way, he was never going to drive in Delhi's streets!

---

NK was driving through the streets, uttering curses every now and then. On Khushi's lap sat Aarav and in the trunk of his SUV lay packets of food. The only thing that relaxed him were Mohan's and Hariprakash's pitying looks from the other cars.

"Khushi... you owe me big time." NK growled, softening the minute Aarav looked up at him in question. "Now I know why you brought this angel, so as to I can't fu-"

"Language!"

"-fudging blast at you. You know you're my least favourite person now!" Khushi stifled a laugh at NK's complaint.

"How is that possible Nanhe Uncle? Because of Khushi auntie, two hundred hungry people would find their tummy full - like me." Aarav rubbed his belly, smiling brightly at a mollified NK.

Why in the world was Aarav so sweet!

Tapping his nose, NK mocked seriousness; "Yes but the world isn't a good place and you'll be ignored even if you do the best deeds!"

NK was ready for Khushi's slap and Aarav's pout of protest.

But Aarav smiled sadly, looking at the road ahead; "I know."

---

"Arnav, aren't you ever worried about the age difference between you and Khushi?" Shanaya softly asked, skimming through the latest designed. She assembled the finalised ones, measuring her words carefully as his back stiffened.

"No I don't mean anything but I wonder that today being Saturday she..." Shanaya hesitated, watching a deep frown settle in between Arnav's eyebrows.

"She?"

Shanaya passed him a little newspaper clip, her body tensing as his face flushed with anger.

"I'm going home." He whispered, cold enough to chill every bone in her body. Suddenly Shanaya debated her actions. She had had more than enough abusive relationships to her share. More than enough one night stands, more than enough anger. But she knew Arnav wasn't any of those - he was still the charming, mysterious college grad. Yet her goosebumps refused to soothe as he stormed out of the office.

Shanaya gulped;

What if the Arnav she fantasised never existed?

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