Being The Missus

Chapter 11: Tables Turned

A box of jalebis, a bouquet of crimson roses and a bottle green glass bangles.

Ways to win Khushi's heart.

Except those three gifts were given by a man who once proposed Khushi in their tender growing years. Arnav growled, pangs of jealousy sinking in his heart, at the million watt smile from Khushi. She didn't hesitate to fix her hair or check her speech, she slapped his arms at his little jokes and munched into the pile... pausing to caress the roses every once in awhile. Like a little child she slipped the bangles, while B-a-n-k-e-y-l-a-l assisted her every now and then.

And apart from a bangle set that you even refused to acknowledge as a gift to her, what have you ever given her?

Arnav's mind taunted. Since he knew Khushi could make jalebis, it never crossed his mind to get one. Since he had a garden at home, it never crossed his mind what a bunch of roses could mean. Since he's given her a set of bangles once, it never crossed his mind to gift his wife another time.

"How did you become so thin?" Khushi asked, her cheeks rosy from laughter. Arnav frowned, so wonderful if the man in entirety would have vanished - not just the fat.

"What can I do? They hardly give your style of jalebis in the States!" Bankeylal chuckled. f**k, he looked good while laughing. Whereas I look like an i***t who sounds like a dying donkey. Arnav clenched his fists when a thought perked up.

States? America? What?

"You lived in America?" He asked.

"And I suppose you're her infamous husband! I really couldn't believe that ASR, the fashion magnet, would whisk our chatterbox away, what a relief for Lucknow-aah!" Bankeylal laughed as Khushi threw a pillow on his head.

"Excuse me, this was the same chatterbox that you fell head over heels for!" Bankeylal flushed red at her tease and stuck his tongue in response. One... two... three... Khushi's just being friendly. Then why isn't she friendly to me? Even I tease her! Uhm... well more like pointing out the difference in statuses isn't a tease. So let's concentrate on this B-a-n-k-e-y-l-a-l.

"If you both are done with your idiocracy then can I speak to dear Bankey-whatever."

"It's Bankim Sadh, but Khushi prefers to call me Bankeylal for the fact that I blushed a lot and I had a gardener named Bankeylal! So to answer your question, I only went to the States to expand my business for six months." Arnav gave him a tight lipped smile.

"You have a rather funny name." Arnav gave a mock laugh, confused as silence fell between the three of them.

"Bankeylal's father was in the army and he died when Sadhvi aunty was pregnant. They say that his last words were 'Vande Mataram'. So to honour him and the country he died for, she named Bankeylal after the composer of our Vande Mataram - Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay."

Bankim noted the rigid stance in Khushi's husband. For a moment he looked exactly like his pictures in the magazines - rigid and lifeless. Well husbands being the best friends with their wives best friends wasn't the most common thought, so to break the ice Bankim walked towards Arnav.

"Anyways, it is a pleasure to meet you. We've all looked up at how our fella made it big! And anyways home you may agree that home may not be the best place for business, so I think it's better if we meet in my office regarding the tiffin. So I shall take my leave-"

"No way!" Khushi butted in, stomping her foot in disapproval. "You came all the way just to help me, so you can't leave without having breakfast here. What do you say Arnav?" Khushi smiled.

"Sure," Arnav's face twisted to a scowl the minute they both left towards the dining room.

His Khushi didn't even care that he was leaving for office.

---

"Arnav you should have seen his office, just like yours!" Khushi said, much later into the night. She had returned after finalising a deal with Bankim and was now sitting on the bed, applying cream on her hands.

Arnav just grunted, continuing to type furiously in his laptop. However, Khushi, too elated to have a glimmer of hope for her company, chatted on.

"I honestly didn't expect him to help me out. Do you know he organized the engagement for Ambani's! Also in Hollywood he does all the big events, it's such a shock that he's helping me out! I can't believe, my food at those place-"

"Climb down the horse Khushi. You can't expect a plate of sticky jalebis as a dessert for someone's wedding." Arnav snapped, his eyes widening at his own outburst. Khushi zipped up, her eyes suddenly wet. Keeping the bottle of cream on the dresser, she ignored when her husband called out to her.

"Sorry, I've just had a bad day." Arnav whispered. Before he could say more, a knock interrupted them. Khushi wrapped a robe around her maxi, a wide smile settling on her lips as Aarav ran into the room and jumped straight into her embrace.

"Aunty aunty where were you! I was waiting for you to come home!!! Do you know I'm dancing for my annual school concert! Today was our first rehearsal and sir said that I was gifted. Sir looks like a teddy bear... haha, but he pinched my cheeks too hard! I'm not cute, I'm a big boy!" Aarav pouted, upset as Khushi patted and kissed his chubby cheek.

"Not fair!" To get support, the boy climbed up on Arnav's lap and carefully explained his situation. In spite of years of practice in keeping a straight face, it took everything to not laugh at the 6 year old pouting in anger for being called cute.

Pleading his loyalty to Aarav, Arnav gave a fake scolding to Khushi. "Khushi, Aarav is such a big boy. You can't kiss his cheek like that! He is rough and tough and..." Arnav swallowed his laughter as Khushi held her ears and climbed next to him, tickling Aarav till her laughed.

"Now you better not complain when I won't give you kisses, big boy." Khushi stuck her tongue out at Arnav, shocking the latter with her sudden flirting. As he looked down, he watched Aarav stifle a giggle at Arnav's stupefied face.

It makes Aarav happy. The little teases in the swimming pool to the teases now, it makes the boy so much more happy.

After Aarav walked away giving everybody goodnight kisses, Arnav watched Khushi's smile slip.

"Why can't you ever be happy with me?" He asked, Khushi shook her head at his question and looked at him. "What makes you think that I'm unhappy with you?"

"Everything. You don't want to share your business nor anything... you just sit there, smiling at Aarav all day. Sometimes I feel like you effortlessly ignore me. To think of it, I've seen your chirpiness take birth only when Bankim is around-what?" Arnav stopped short at Khushi's ashen face.

Crawling closer to him, Arnav closed his eyes when Khushi took him into a hug.

"I never knew an argument would make me feel special."

"What do you mean?"

Khushi sniffed slightly, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Nothing, I'm sorry if you feel left out. I'm just a little stressed." Arnav tried to say something but found no words.

---

The next three days went worse. Bankim mixed well into the family, often dropping by for meals. Today was no different. He butted heads less with Khushi, keeping himself busy with his deal. Shanaya had been eating his head for promotions and watching Khushi return from Bankim office with a spring in her step was the limit.

Pressing his temples, he gave an uneasy smile as he walked towards the dining hall. Everyone laughed at another tale from Bankim.

"Beta, you don't look like a boy who's spent time in America!" Nani fondly pulled his cheek as Bankim gobbled a plate of pani puri's.

"Nani more than half return in a suit, throw curses every half a second and hate their culture. That's hilarious because they're just a mockery of themselves. India might have gotten freedom, but they still believe being Western is a better thing." Bankim bitterly said, saddened at the youth's ignorance and pride of their land.

Arnav stepped back, suddenly feeling uninvited. He was everything that Bankim measured in a sentence. And his entire family just agreed on how better a person like Bankim or Khushi is...

"He's such a perfect guy." Shanaya said, joining Arnav with a glass of juice. Ignoring her, Arnav looked at his phone when Shanaya chuckled.

"I am such an i***t. A part of me felt guilty for trying to steal your from Khushi, given that I believed I was a better fit for you. But the beauty of Khushi is that, she's suited to a man who listens and is proud of her-"

And just to verify her statement, Bankim exclaimed;

"Nani, in the beginning I was shocked to know Khush-Khush married ASR! No offence to your lovely grandson, but both are as different as chalk and cheese. But opposites do attract, over that with Khushi's gifted talent at Chikankari, which I may add is becoming a fading art, these two must be taking fashion with a storm!" Bankim chuckled, happy that his friend married someone who would value her talent.

Payal and Akash coughed gently, "Khushi doesn't help Bhai with designs..." Bankim frowned at Akash's statement and turned to Khushi - "Khush-Khush, didn't you tell Arnav that you're prodigal at it."

Khushi blushed in embarrassment and shook her head, "Nothing like that. AR produces clothing that are worth 5 star people, I am just..."

"You don't tell me that Arnav doesn’t know that you’re one of the few people who know the embroidery from the Prince of Awadh era?"

"Kya Bankeylal! Arnav is a gifted man and trust me he knows where talent lies. Now you use your stomach and tell me how does this Tehri taste like?" Khushi watched in anticipation as the entire family partook little bites of the yellow rice. They moaned in pleasure as the spiced pulao overtook their senses.

"Didn't Khushi call you for the food tasting?" Shanaya asked innocently, happy knowing that her work was done. Arnav moved away, working on his phone. But every few minutes he watched over his family, how it looked complete without him.

"Aren't you going to let me taste?" Khushi jumped, surprised at his soft question. His eyes wondered over the kormas, biryanis and he thought again... Why hadn't she called me?

"I didn't know you liked Awadhi cuisine... but I've got Italian for you, not that I made it - or else you'll have a heart attack!" Khushi laughed at her own cost, giving a separate plate for Arnav. Slowly everyone left, leaving him with a plate of lasagna.

No one waited for me? Oh wait... hadn't you mocked Khushi once for waiting up?

Holding his plate, he headed to the kitchen. He took a bite of the pulao, closing his eyes at the heavenly taste.

Alone in the dimmed kitchen, Arnav quietly ate his dinner.

---

Nervous.

It had been long since Arnav felt his palms clammy just because he wanted to appreciate someone. He held the bunch of roses in his hand and headed to the garden where half of the family was there.

Along with it was an envelope of their flight tickets to America and a legal document of a property he purchased for Khushi's own restaurant. He checked his pockets and sighed in relief, the diamond ring was still there.

Even though it was months since they married, he had actually never proposed. Both times round. So maybe this was the best place to take her to place she'd never visited and gift her the restaurant she truly deserved.

"Khush-Khush, guess what! Your company is now integrated with mine and your first order is for a Los Angeles wedding. Three weeks, paid expenses!" Bankim grinned, handing the document deal to Khushi. "Also, hopefully we'd be able to open a chain of restaurants which can act as hotspots for events. What say? Your own restaurant?"

Arnav stood still, the flowers pricking his hand. Something cool touched his cheek, he was crying? Walking slowly towards Khushi, his face masked into an emotional plate. Khushi jumped in joy at Bankim's proposal, USA and restaurants! Her laughter ceased when Arnav stopped before her, his face too devastated for his twenty nine years.

"Arnav?-" Khushi stopped short when Arnav held on to the gifts, not meeting her eyes. The family fell silent as Khushi smiled and stepped forward, her lips parting to a 'thank you' when he stepped back, his grip tighter on the presents.

"It's not like you need them anymore." He snarled, his eyes red with anguish. Khushi grabbed his arms in panic, but her tore off her and darted to his room.

Bankim stood still, suddenly guilty of a crime he didn't commit. "I must say, you're smarter than me. Never knew he was the weaker one." Shanaya's smirk fell at Bankim's glare. As Bankim watched her son follow the distraught man, he shook his head in disgust.

"Don't measure me to you, I have better things to do." He snapped, unheeding of the sudden hurt that fleeted against Shanaya's face. Why did no one ever like her?

And wisely, the rest of the family resisted themselves from butting into the situation.

---

"I DON'T-Aarav?" Arnav broke off, bending to the little boy's height. Aarav's heart broke, Arnav uncle couldn't be crying - he was his hero! What went wrong? Everything was going fine...

Aarav wiped the tears away, his eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "What happened uncle? Why are you crying? Should I call Khush-" Aarav stopped as more tears gathered in Arnav's eyes.

"Don't... it's not like she cares." Arnav whispered, picking the child in his arms. Aarav sat on the table while Arnav sat on the chair opposite him, his face lost in thought. "No, you are the world for Khushi aunty..."

"I'm not. I hate eating alone and she just isolated me. When did I say I hate Indian food, yes I prefer Italian more but... that doesn't mean she doesn't feed me what she feeds the family. You know, I was alone on the kitchen, eating on my own. There was no one around. Do I need water, do I need anybody? Just because I'm rude it doesn't mean I don't want love. I want the attention damn it!" Arnav gnashed his teeth, the veins popping in his neck out of anger.

Aarav looked at the conflicted man and he cursed himself, why did he not notice his second favourite person? "You're scared of being alone," Aarav whispered, not knowing he hit straight at Arnav's heart. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you. I know how it feels. My ‘mom’ doesn't speak to me, ever. I'm sorry," Aarav flung his small arms around Arnav's neck, trying to console the larger man as much as he could.

"No, it's not your fault. Please don't say sorry." Arnav cooed, not wanting to break the child's heart. Khushi was right, Aarav was a gem. Hugging the boy as tightly as he could, he looked up to find Khushi standing at the door, her face torn in confusion.

"Sweetdreams boy, I'll talk to you later." Arnav kissed Aarav's head. Aarav hopped off the table and gave Khushi a tight hug before walking down the hall.

The minute Arnav spotted his gifts in his hand, his anger returned. "You can throw my gifts." Khushi bent beside him, taking his rough hand into hers. "Arnav, they mean the world for me-"

"They don't. Your Bankeylal is there to suffice for everything. Need to save your business - Bankeylal! Require someone to taste your food - Bankeylal! Want to visit America for the first time - Bankeylal! Even Nani approves of him, the man who didn't absorb America into him. You both are perfect for each-" Arnav stopped short, his eyes wide as Khushi slapped the table.

"ENOUGH! Are you out of your mind! Bankeylal has always been a friend and I asked him to help me because I want to be like you, self made. How could you-I've never looked at that way!" Khushi shut her eyes in disgust.

"He proposed you!" Arnav countered.

"I was freaking fifteen!" Khushi screeched.

"So what! It still means he has feelings for you!" Arnav argued.

"Are you hearing yourself! If that's the case then how do you clarify your feelings for Shanaya since you've even slept with her!" Khushi burst at him, taking deep breaths.

"Oh... so that's the matter. You're playing me? First the newspaper ad of being perfect with NK, now the perfect guy - Bankim- ends up. Oh wait, he's your Bankeylal and you're his Khush-Khush. You know right that I’m risking my company by breaking the deal with Shanaya just because Shanaya is playing these dirty games - especially with you - and I barely had a relationship with her. By no circumstances do I know her favourite colours, sweets or even flowers! So save your explanation for yourself. You know what, I was an i***t to think of a honeymoon in LA." Arnav stole the flight tickets and roses and threw them in the bin.

He pulled out the diamond ring from her finger and threw it to the bin, "I never even proposed you, Bankim f*****g did that when he was fifteen."

"You've gone mad." Khushi whispered, her body stiff from the words he hurled at her.

"Yes I have! Because I have a wife who wishes every single day I was someone else. A wife who'd give time to everything around her except for me. So don't worry, I'm not going to step into your dreams! Do whatever you want... weren't you my Khushi? How could you leave me alone to eat food? The last time that happened was at my parent's death." Arnav broke off, seething in anger and anguish.

Khushi just wept, every tear trying to tell a story. But she was exhausted. Cupping his cheeks, she said "I didn't know that. I'm sorry," She whimpered as he drifted away to bed, leaving her alone by the desk.

---

When morning knocked in, Arnav had left for America. Khushi held her throbbing head, yesterday had taken a toll on her - physically. The only reason she cried was that how could have Arnav gotten her so wrong? Since when did he develop such insecurities where a meeting or two with an attractive man would cause an emotional meltdown?

After all she too was human.

Khushi made some calls and rested in her bed, calling in sick.

Naturally, the house's youngest ran upto her, demanding to give her a snuggle till she felt better. Khushi closed her eyes, ignoring every single thing that happened in her life.

She just snuggled the soft boy and fell promptly to sleep.

---

Day 3638,

Notes... no. Just weird, how... why does it matter that I broke her fast? I don't believe in it. She might be, in that orange saree and fake jewellery. Who told her to fast for a better life? She looked pale! Sometimes the right decision is in front of you. You don't need a f*****g God for that.

Why is it irritating me! Let me break every single fast for her... it doesn't make me her man. It wouldn't make any Tom, d**k or Harry her husband either. But why did she look at me as if I changed fate.

As if me breaking her fast would stop her from going to Lucknow.

Would it?

"Bhai?" Arnav shot up, dropping his journal as Akash knocked at the hotel suite. The last two days had been miserable, his conscious killing him for the words he threw on Khushi. A part of his guilty bit always lived in relief that the man Khushi deserved never existed, thus he'd make the best out of himself.

But when Bankim manifested as the best thing ever... Arnav just flipped.

"Don't stand, come in." Arnav smiled wryly at his cousin's concerned face. "I don't want to interfere, but we were all worried after that night. Everything's fine right?" Akash placed a hand on his shoulder. Arnav shrugged in reply.

"Does it matter?" Arnav scoffed, "I've already hurt her, every f*****g time I do that. Like I have no way of conversing properly with her. Maybe she deserves that bastard Bankim." Akash chuckled at his older cousin. Ignoring Arnav's pointed stare, Akash said, "Then you deserve Shanaya. You both are from Harvard. Love the language English and let me not forget the way you bond with her son-"

"Shut up. I love Khushi. Just because Shanaya seems better doesn't mean-"

"The same thing applies for Khushi." Akash explained. Arnav fell silent, feeling all too foolish. "I know Bankim treats her better and in fact he should be with Khushi unlike Shanaya's hapless attempts at seducing you, the main thing is that Khushi wants and loves you. Period."

"Love is a strange thing Bhai. Once it happens, one will make sure no matter however they other person is - they'll stick. Some people take advantage of it.. Khushi isn't your father to cheat, and neither are you your father to take advantage of that fact. If you have insecurities, don't bring it out on her. Let no day come where only her memories is something you apologise to." Akash advised, his voice taking on a darker edge. Standing up, he brushed his hands to find Arnav concerned.

"Akash, is everything alright with you? You sound… wise."

Akash smiled, his cousin was indeed a softie.

"Of course. Being concerned doesn't suit you, so you should step back to brooding over your diary and leave me to a chat with Payal. Not that you'd be interested to know-"

"Too much information Akash." Arnav laughed, throwing a pillow at his cousin's face.

As Akash left the room, he ran a hand through his heart. The tumour in his heart had frightened him to wits. Maybe it was a blessing that the tumour had been benign and could be easily drained out of his body.

But he could have died.

Lost his dear Payal, and the kids he wasn't ready for.

"See, I've reassured Mrs. Roy that nothing's wrong with you Mr. Roy, but it's better if you check with a specialized doctor." The doctor who treated a fainted Akash notified.

A week after checkups Akash realised how silly he was. Storing his 'I love yous' for a strange moment like childbirth or fifty years later when she'd forget how a confession felt like was pointless. Confirming his booking with his doctor in America, Akash FaceTimed Payal.

"Hey!" Payal's face popped up, dressed in his favourite nightgown.

Akash touched the screen, his million watt smile refusing to fall at the barely distinguishable bump.

"I love you,"

---

Aman hid a chuckle as Arnav pre-poned the meeting with Tyra Banks and was in the first plane back home. Relaxing in his first class seat, he watched the fashion tycoon carefully pack and repack the gifts he'd bought for Khushi.

"Do you think this emerald is too green? I wonder if she would like the necklace though, Khushi hates materialistic things..." Arnav murmured, tearing a page from his diary to write an illegible, yet handwritten letter to Khushi.

"Sir, you've given a flip since that Bankey arrived." Aman commented, hoping his chances of becoming Arnav's brother-in-law didn't dim at his brashness.

"When you're in love Aman, you'll understand the sudden feeling of loos-what, why are you smirking?" Arnav frowned at the wistful twist in Aman's face. Aman had watched every single moment when Khushi's heart got crushed under Shanaya's 'flair' and the family's positive opinion for the leggy model.

"Ah, nothing... just wondering that this what happens to you within one day of..."

"Of what?" Arnav butt in, impatient.

"Within one day of being in Khushi's shoes." Aman concluded.

Arnav was left speechless.

---

Apologising to his family profusely, Arnav rushed straight to his bedroom. Khushi sat against a chaise, her face void of makeup and smiles.

"I'm home." Arnav whispered, his heart jumping as Khushi half-smiled at him. She literally walked on eggshells as she gingerly hugged him.

He didn't deserve this.

"Khushi I'm really sorry for-"

"It's fine. Anyways there won't be a problem now." Her voice was sweet yet lifeless. It was now that he noticed the heavy dark circles under her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I've rejected the deal and declared bankruptcy. Everything's over."

---