Being The Missus

Chapter 9: Lady In... Shining Armor?

Khushi lazed on the couch, popping one orange slice into her mouth. These moments were rare, in fact, the entire image of her in jeans and skipping lunch preparation was a one-time scenario. Honestly, she wasn't comfortable; her mind was running a million races, panicking with what to do next.

Step five - Khushi Roy, you need to change from your salwar kameez and into new clothes! Makeover baby, you need to be more modern.

She hesitantly toyed with her crop top. Once Arnav walked in his eyebrows shot high up in appreciation.

Khushi blushed, ushering him to close the door before anyone saw.

Arnav sneakily wrapped an arm around her, testing the skin under her jaw with his teeth. Standing still, Khushi played with his shirt's buttons and asked;

"Did you ask Shanaya about-"

"Yeah." He broke off from her hug and settled on the bed.

Khushi scratched her head, passing him a bed table when she prodded him.

"What's more to say? She stumbled and... anyways she's beneficial for the new set of products launched, and that's all to it." A scowl settled on his face as he furiously typed on the laptop. Khushi didn't need a large neon sign to tell her that her husband was deeply disturbed.

She sat next to him and held his hand. "What's the problem?"

"You won't understand." He whispered. Instead of feeling disappointed, Khushi smiled. She never expected him to be an open book in the first place.

"I don't have to, just tell me.".

"It sucks Khushi, why is Shanaya doing all of this and above all why include Aarav into this? I doubt if that boy is hers now."

"I know, he’s a wonderful boy Arnav. An angel-” Khushi stopped, surprised that Arnav was staring at her.

“What?” She asked.

“Khushi I’m sorry, for everything.”

"What are you talking abo-" Khushi stopped, watching his gaze rest on her mangalsutra.

Taking a deep sigh, Khushi smiled and said; "The past is past. Moreover, we're talking about you, not me! There's nothing I can tell on having friends like Shanaya, but what I can say is that there are a few people in this world who love you a lot."

"I know; like you, Di, Nani, Akash-"

"NK and Hariprakash!" Arnav chucked a pillow at Khushi at those devil's names.

"Don't talk about those idiots! Firstly NK gives stupid ideas, and Hariprakash doesn't even have a clue on how to keep his mouth shut!" Khushi chuckled at his complaint, happy that his mood had elevated significantly.

"But it makes sense that why they are idiots." He shrugged, chewing on his pen while Khushi poked his shoulder.

"Why?"

"Because they are your best friends." If Arnav hadn't given her a heartbreaking grin, she would have slapped his face... again. Narrowing her eyes, Khushi sauntered off the bed and stretched wide, aware of his heated gaze.

"I think for tonight this lounge sounds like an excellent bed-"

"Arrey Khushi I was just joking! Why are you going to sleep-"

Khushi threw a random pillow on his face, "Who said about me?"

"Oi!" Arnav called out, but Khushi banged the bathroom door straight on his face.

---

Shanaya tried to keep the smile on her face but failed miserably at the hotel booking papers Khushi had given to her. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Hariprakash and Jaiprakash bringing her bags down.

"Shanaya it was such a pleasant experience to have you over here. But as you are aware; with Arnav leaving for the States, Di and Nani heading to Lucknow and me being busy with my business - I would hardly be able to host you. Therefore I have booked a suite for you and Aarav at the ITC. If there's any issue, don't hesitate to call me." Khushi hugged a fuming Shanaya.

"I'd have rather known when this was happening, does Arnav kn-"

"You fingers seem to have a mind of their own when my husband is around. Therefore I preferred if you and I spoke about this," Khushi whispered as Shanaya paled rapidly.

"I didn't lie." Khushi raised an eyebrow at her.

Taking a deep breath, Shanaya muttered; "I didn't value him when I was with him. Then came a time when I realized he knows to treat me well, so I wanted him back. But he left, I tried to find him. True I didn't turn into an emotional mess, but the people who treated me like s**t knew that Arnav wasn't around me and I swear, they didn't leave any opportunity to have me. So forgive me Khushi Sen Roy if I saw the only man who treated me well and fell in love with him for that."

Free of the venom in her heart, Shanaya leaned against the pillar.

"I believe you. My husband's no saint and I know that better than anyone." Shanaya was in disbelief, wasn't Khushi going to shove an 'I'm-better-than-you' on her face?

"But that doesn't give you the right to meddle in my marriage-"

"Arnav doesn't even like you for how you are-"

"Because he loves me for who I am. There's a difference. And anyways, the woman who couldn't love her son, what can she claim about loving my husband!" Khushi snarled, leaving a dumbfound Shanaya behind.

---

The oil cackled as Khushi fried a fresh set of jalebis, dunking the piping hot ones into the sugar syrup. Just as she was about to make a new batch, she felt a tug on her shirt.

Turning around, the anger in Khushi fizzled. Aarav held her shirt in his fist, his large eyes glistening in tears.

"Do you dislike me?" He whispered, pausing to remove a polka dotted hanky. Sniffing softly, he looked on as Khushi bent on her knees, wiping his tears from his chubby cheeks.

"Of course not!"

"Then why are you sending me away... I d-don't want to stay away from you. D-did I do anything wrong?" Aarav sobbed. Khushi's heart broke to piece and before she knew it she hugged the boy tight in her arms.

"Oh no, I just..." Khushi paused, not knowing what to say as the boy shivered and clung on tighter. "My mom doesn't love me; please tell me if I disturb you-"

"Hush no! You are an amazing child." And she meant every word of it. Till date there had barely been people she'd met who hadn't hurt her, Aarav was an exception.

Holding the boy's small arms, Khushi stared deep at him; "Aarav, what is it? Listen you can trust me ok." Aarav nodded frantically, but Khushi shook her head in negation.

"Did you know what I mean?" Khushi asked, to which Aarav replied; "Yes."

Softening at his timid voice, Khushi held the boy close. She ran a hand through his hair, pressing a sweet kiss on his forehead.

"If I tell you the truth you won’t send me back to boarding school right?”

Khushi didn't have the heart to refuse his cherubic face.

"No, never."

And in that she never noticed Arnav behind the pillar, watching them.

---

Shanaya chuckled as Hariprakash, and Jaiprakash kept her suitcases back in the guest-room. Well, that little kid was at least useful for something. However, the smile on Shanaya's face dipped when she heard excited shrieks from the swimming pool.

Walking towards the French windows, she saw Aarav in SpongeBob splashing water everywhere.

Nuisance

"Ha ha ha... the big bad shark is going to eat you!" Khushi growled, swimming towards Aarav who wiggled towards the edge in his floats.

"Oh no, Patrick help me!" Aarav squealed, splashing water on Khushi's face. Shanaya c****d her head, distaste on her lips to find Khushi sauntering around in a one piece swimming suit and boy shorts.

"No way, Spongebob... run run run!" Khushi screamed as Arnav grabbed her from behind, secretly biting her exposed shoulder.

"Yes yes yes Patrick! Bite and eat the shark!" Aarav innocently cheered, confused as his favorite people gawked at him with wide eyes. For a quiet moment, the duo blushed at the unintended innuendo.

Within a second Khushi grabbed and tickled Aarav, blowing raspberry kisses on his cheek.

"Buhahaha, I got you SpongeBob. And you little starfish, leave me alone."

"I don't think I'm little." Arnav retorted.

" Aren't you also called Chote?" Aarav giggled at Khushi's question, giving her a quick high five.

Arnav scowled at the duo; "Yes, my grandmother and my twin who’s older by two minutes do call me a ‘little one’. But you are in trouble Spongebob, you ditched your best friend!"

"My best friend is Patrick... not Chote!" Aarav giggled, hiding in Khushi's arms. Suddenly both Khushi and Aarav yelled as Arnav lunged for them, peppering them with kisses and tickles.

Shanaya looked on, fisting the white curtain in her hand.

She had expected the boy will bring trouble between them - how come they’ve become closer than ever?

---

"Is everything fine." The doctor looked up at the concerned spouse. For the past twenty minutes, there was only one question being asked again and again and again.

After the fainting episode, which is considered normal in these cases, the doctor calmed a certain Roy down.

"See, this happens. Trust me."

"Oh God, I know I messed it up. Of course, the babies weren't an expected news, yet it doesn't excuse me for putting pressure. God, my reaction must have been so baffling!" The doctor tried to reply with some calming words, but it had no effect.

Akash Roy had fainted at the news of twins.

And Payal Roy couldn't stop cursing herself.

---

"An-Miss-Roy-oh." Aman stammered.

"What? Didn’t you tell NK for me to drop by the office to " Anjali raised a sleek eyebrow, her faded irises enhancing her beauty.

“The door was unlocked?” Aman squeaked.

“No I can walk through walls,” Anjali deadpanned. For once Aman desperately wished that Anjali could see, then she would have known this was not the best time to walk in. Definitely not when Aman was having his ‘me’ time.

"Oh." Aman rushed through the room, trying to grab some tissues and sanitizers.

"What?"

"P-papers asked you to sign the sir." Aman fumbled.

"WHAT?" Did Aman lose his mind?

"I-I mean sir asked you to sign the papers but everyone at home was busy so I thought that you could send someone over or..." Great, make an i***t of yourself! Shut up and buckle up Aman - literally!

Anjali frowned at the sound of rustling papers and guided herself to a chair.

“The room is pretty warm.” She commented. If only she saw how red Aman became.

“Th-thank you. Oh wait, you want to switch on the AC or the fan?” Aman rambled, heading to the attached washroom. Thank heavens for the private bathroom! Anjali frowned as she felt something under her leg.

“Oh Aman, I’ll actually drop by later,” Anjali said.

“Why? I mean, no problem, you can wait here.” Aman smiled.

“You see, even though I’m blind it would be strange to share an office space with a half naked man.” Anjali grinned. Aman paled, wondering how she saw that he was just in his briefs and office shirt.

“And for some reason your secretary thought this would be the best time for me to meet you.” Anjali chuckled.

Still grinning, Anjali picked up the pants on the floor and lifted it to him.

---