Part 5

Arnav stood with his legs slightly apart fixed to the ground. His arms still folded infront of his chest though his skin still burnt from Khushi's gentle touch. He had to give it to her. Barely 30 minutes they had been married, and already they had their first fight and she like any woman, had the nack to remember and bring up every significant point from the past to prove her point. And also, he hardly had a word in and now didnt know how to respond. He laughed internally, it didnt take them long to adjust to their husband and wife role. Minutes in fact.

He closed his eyes, replaying her gentle kiss on his cheek. He supposed he should say something, but he was struggling to find the right words to say. Nothing he contemplated would help. He opened his eyes and stared at his wife as she busied herself nervously tendering to her outfit, assuring her pallu and her long hair was in the right place. She had kept it loose, just the way he liked it. Her hand gently caressing her mangal sutra, an object that had more weight for her, more significance for her than it would ever be for him.

He forced himself to take a deep breath and slowly exhale. She asked that they should be and behave like mature adults. It was true that 10 years of age difference existed between them. Yet who was the mature one out of the two of them. Was he? He wasn't sure. Yes he had the advantage of being older. But did older equate to being wiser? Especially today, Especially now?

Arnav glanced at his expensive heavy diamond Rolex watch that he only wore during special occasions. They still had a few minutes before they would have to go in. He wanted all the ceremonies to be completed before their actions would hijack his brother's wedding. Oh how he planned it so impeccably?! Not. He never once considered how this would impact on his brother that he loved dearly. Actually if he was honest, he couldnt even remember anything about the marriage ceremony. He was there in physical form but his attention was purely devoted to his now wife. Then in rage, but still his eyes only watched her, followed her and only briefly darted away when he felt his rage slipping.

Didn't he say several times that he would do anything for his siblings? Usually one would assume that they were only going to be good things. And prior to tonight, he had only done things for their best interest even if it meant sacrificing himself. But today, when the whole family's attention and focus should be on his little brother's wedding and the celebrations of it, he would in less than 10 minutes, take all the attention away from Akash and Payal. How did that happen? Did he not forsee this?

He was suppose to be the great Mr Arnav singh Raizada. The billionaire that in business terms couldn't do anything wrong. That had the nack to mint and make money like most people would have the ability to breathe. And yet, at this very instant, he didn't feel that indestructible. All because of the petite woman in front of him and the stirring in him that she caused.

He watched as Khushi slowly turned to face him. Her eyes were still red with all the crying, but she remained in control. Her large hazel eyes searched his.

"Are you ok Arnavji?" the concern radiating through her tone.

What do you think Khushi?! Am I okay? Do I look ok?

But Arnav decided that it was better he did not answer. He glanced across the entrance hall outside the main door. He could still smell the flowers that Nani insisted had to be fresh for today's function. The lights illuminated the whole area brilliantly. He had to give him and his family credit. Whatever they did, they usually did it with style. And even his arrangements at the terrace were brilliant.

True he hardly lifted a finger but it was his ideas that spurred Aman into action. He would give the man a raise. He deserved it for putting up with him and for making sure that everything he asked for was catered for, with a snap of a finger or a phone call, anytime during the day or night. He wasn't a nasty boss, infact he treated Aman well and ensured that he was paid equally impressively. That's why Aman was still by his side ' 10 years later. He was so good now that sometimes, Arnav hardly needed to say anything. Aman just knew what to do. But today, even he was stuck. How do you organise a wedding that was small, minimal yet elegant with the Raizada trademark? That's where Arnav's talent and impeccable business preparation came in. Arnav kept reminding himself that this was a business deal, a contractual marriage for a purpose and nothing more. But truly was this a business deal? And had he handled it the same way?

He moved his feet slightly, unfolding his arms and bringing his hands together. Starting with the right little finger, he flexed it into his palm at different joint points. He then worked similarly with the other fingers, occasionally hearing a crack from his joints. He repeated the action again. It allowed him time to think and was at least a slight distraction.

Business deal?!

Now he began to pace, up and down.

What of this was like a business deal? How would he normally have handled if there was a rumour that one of his client was maybe cheating them?

There was a set protocol that he always followed and never swayed from.

1.     Check facts. Rumours were plenty in his business but facts spoke for itself. So he always started at asking Aman to initiate a full and thorough investigation and to present to him all the facts within 24 hours.

2.     Review facts and all documentation. Then he reviewed all the facts, especially the contracts that was signed.

3.     Team discussion and preparation for next step. Once he was satisfied that there were problems, he called for his team of key people including Akash and Aman and legal advisors to come up with a plan on how to deal with the client. He always discussed it with Akash whether he had already made a decision or not. It was nothing to do with brotherly love but trust. Akash always covered his back and if things did not seem right or on a rare occasion, Arnav may have missed something, Akash would point it out ' softly, very softly when they were alone, but he would point it out nevertheless.

4.     Dealing with the client. Maybe an error was made unknowingly by the client and just a meeting would correct it. However, if it was intentional, then depending on whether it served AR and whether the client wanted to as well, a new contract was drawn and any repercussions of the old one would need to be settled. If they refused to pay (which usually was the case), legal action would be threatened. And Arnav was not afraid to use legal action if everything stacked up and he had tried all other options first.

5.     Always be willing to walk away. If it didn't serve AR, he would walk away from the deal no matter how good it looked. He wasn't driven by looks, purely by what the facts and figures spoke to him.

He suppose that was why he was successful. That's why he was in control of his destiny. There was hardly emotions involved. It was purely business and he wasn't afraid of walking away if he lost, was wrong or made no sense.That was how he handled things at AR.

Khushi's earlier question reveberated in his head.

You, Arnav Singh Raizada, have always stressed that you chose your own destiny and now mine.  Why would you choose this mess?

Arnav froze. He felt goosebumps on his arms despite a three piece suit and the weather being plesant. Oh boy!!! This was a disaster from the start.

Why would he choose this mess? And what motivated him?

He loosened his tie only slightly. He could feel the increasing heat now and couldn't resist the temptation to run his fingers through his thick brown hair. He didnt chose. He only reacted. He failed to even follow one step of his life-long never-failed formula for dealing with confrontation and problems. 

"Arnavji, you sure you are fine?" Khushi broke through his thoughts.

"Fine khushi. Give me a minute." He spoke softly and watch her nod as she continued to fidget in her outfit. "Khushi, you look perfect. Stop playing with it."

He wanted minimal distraction and he was on a roll. He needed time to think before they went in.

Arnav began to pace again, this time his strides longer more purposeful.

How different would things be if he had followed his formula? Would they both still be standing here in this mess. He knew the horse had already bolted but maybe there was a means of salvaging something, even breadcrumbs would be better than this, surely. He owed him to himself and now he owed it to her too. Surely, no one in sound mind, would chose a life worse than hell for himself and his partner. That would just be plain self-destruction.

His pacing increased. He was sweating but that was the least of his problems.

So the main issue was he saw Khushi and Shyam in an embrace. He heard her say to Shyam to leave Anjali and he naturally assumed Khushi was cheating on him with Shyam and would break his sister's marriage.

Mistake 1: He assumed!!

He saw them embraced and assumed they were having an affair. How many times had people seen him and Khushi verbally confront each other, yet no one knew the tender moments between them as well. What if Khushi was telling the truth?! And actually that truly did not matter. Khushi was not the problem. Shyam, his brother in law was. He had married his sister and promised to love her. But instead he lusted over another woman.

Didn't assumptions make an ass of people. And guess what, Arnav felt was already starting to feel that way. He forced himself another deep breath, hoping the tightening in his chest would stop or atleast diminished.

Mistake 2: Khushi cheating on him?!

Well, it would help if they were going out with each other first. The attraction between them was too strong. He had to give in to that. Neither could she or he deny that or resist that. So why did he naturally jump to that conclusion? She had always been honest with him in the past, even when he did not like it.

Mistake 3: Where were the facts?

He had confronted Shyam and he admitted he fancied Khushi. He didnt say anything about having an affair with her. And how? When Khushi spent most time in RM or with Arnav through their usual bickering. That girl worked like a work horse, where did she get time to do anything else.

He never confronted khushi. He just assumed the worse of it. Worse still, in business ' he would have asked Aman to arrange for all the facts to be found. He did nothing of that sort here.

Mistake 4: Review of facts?

Very difficult if he had no facts in the first place.Nada. In business, this would be pure incompetence. Suicide really. yet, the mighty ASR did just that!

Mistake 5: Discussion with team?

At least if he had discussed with Akash, maybe Akash would have told him that they needed to know more. Again nothing. Discussion with Anjali? He tried to tell her but worse, he had no basic facts to support things except for Shyam's word for it. He decided and then ran like a loose cannon, with the contractual marriage idea and all its legal implications.

Mistake 6: Meeting with client?

What meeting?! He had assumed the protector role for Anjali and made the decision not to tell her at all. He had assumed she was weak without giving any thought that clearly she needed to know about her husband's infidelity. How was he different from Khushi if that was Khushi's true intentions to protect his sister. He was equally guilty.

Mistake 7: Taking appropriate action?

If shyam would stop and Anjali forgave him, the marriage may continue but maybe certain conditions drawn. And especially now, when there was a young life also involved. They would review the pre-nup arrangements that he made Shyam sign. The one good thing he did. And if divorce was eminent, they would go down that route as well.

But Arnav did not do any of that. He failed at every step. In fact he was not thinking at all. This decision of his was purely driven by emotions. Strong emotions that he had felt for Khushi that made him immediately feel betrayed and then he set out to punish her and protect his sister. But how can you punish something when your life now revolved around it? Pretty much in the same dilemma Anjali would face as well. If he was thinking, he could send khushi away. She was right. But instead he brought her even closer. Why? 

For fear of losing her?!

Khushi was right all along. He was only lying to himself if he thought he would not fall in love with her or fall out of love from her. He was way in too deep.

But now that he knew he made the mistake irrespective of what actually happened, he definitely needed to sort it out. He owed it to himself for his peace of mind and to his wife and the rest of his family. 

He had dealt with the emotion. If he was afraid of losing Khushi, it would no longer be a problem. This marriage dealt with that. She was right, divorce was not a possibility. He would still struggle to admit he loved her though.

But he would start by admitting his life definitely was starting to revolve around her. The day that he did not see her face pained him. In fact, he was not going in to AR that often so he could be with her in the same building. That was sad but true. When he thought if she was hurt or was leaving him, his breathing definitely struggled. When she cried, it hurt him immensely and when she smiled, it made his whole world light up. He felt lighter, free, happier. She had made him smile, laugh and she had given him tears. She was his weakness but maybe now with her by his side, he could turn that weakness into a strength. A possibility he would need to explore whether feasible.

Next he would deal with the repercussions of their marriage, especially in the coming few hours. After that, he will rectify all his mistakes. He would still keep Khushi close because he wouldn't assume that she was innocent, like he wouldn't assume she was guilty. But after he has reviewed the facts, he would decide.

Arnav felt lighter. This felt right. He clicked his fingers several times. Yes. He looked at Khushi and contemplated whether he needed to say something about what she had said earlier. A mature person would. Here, she had spilled out how she felt and he was just going to stand there silent? No. He would definitely say something but what. He scanned Khushi for clues, hoping that she would start saying something to make it easier.

As though on cue and sensing a sudden change in the atmosphere, more relaxed, Khushi again broke the silence. "Are you angry with me Arnavji? With what I've said."

"No, Khushi. You were entitled to your opinion. I'm not mad."

"Did I push your patience?" she moved closer.

"Maybe at the start but not at the end." He reflected on her points or argument. "It made sense." Arnav felt that was sufficient and in his own way, maybe that was his olive branch to her, truce at the moment whilst he arranged his next action.

Arnav moved closer to Khushi and placed his hand on her back. He felt a tinge of electricity pass through them. They always had a connection, even when she fell in to his arms in Lucknow. He took a deep breath and rested his eyes on hers. "Let's go in."

Khushi nodded. She didn't know what had changed between them. Not that Arnav had said anything really. All she saw was him playing with his fingers and then pacing. But his comment on her remarks startled her. She was expecting him to deny it blatantly, bring in issues about her being immature and aukad and misreading things. But instead all he said was It made sense. He was not denying anything and in his way, he was accepting that he loved her. But she was aware he was also accepting the hatred in their relationship. And that was where they were at the moment. Checkmate!

Khushi followed his guidance and moved into the foyer. She stood there behind him. She could hear the laughter in the room in front of them and immediately all her muscles tensed.

What did she do? What did they do?

Soon the laughter would be over, and it would be her and Arnavji's fault. She cripped her outfit trying to slow her heart rate. Trying to stop the taste of bile rushing up to her mouth. Trying  to stop her being sick. Trying desperately to stop the overwhelming guilt.

Arnav paced slightly in front of here. He too was surveying the scene and the reality of his actions slowly dawning on him. How was he going to explain this? And that too to his family and hers. The laughter pierced him like a knife, accusing him and punishing him for what he was going to do next. And today, he was pretty sure, he and only he, would be the cause for the end of that laughter. He sighed. But he had no choice.

No, Arnav that is a lie.

He had choices. He just followed his emotions and chose wrong. And he would take responsibility for his actions and the consequences.

He turned and looked at his wife. Their eyes met for a brief second. She stood there rigidly. Knucles white with tension. He feared she may rip the outfit with the way she was grapping it. Her eyes moist again and she was chewing on a bottom lip. A far different picture from outside when she told him how she felt. Then she was a tigress, fierce and feisty. There she was his equal. Here, she was resigned to her fate like a wounded animal. And here was when she needed him the most. He retracted his steps and stood along side her. He grabbed her right hand and held it strongly but gently in his.

"Khushi, I'll handle everything. Don't worry. Ok?"

She nodded, like an over-compliant doll.

"I mean everything, Khushi. In a moment, in front of the family and then everything else after. It will get better. But I need time. Ok?" He whispered as his thumb gently caressed her palm. "I promise." He managed a slight smile and then guided her into the huge living room and to the shocked sea of faces staring at them.