Coerced Alliance: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

It was 4 am in the morning. The sun had risen yet, the sky was still dusky. Khushi awoke by the sudden noise on the door. It was a knock. She stood up from the recliner and took the quilt from the recliner and put it on the bed, so no-one would be suspicious.

She opened the door slowly, and saw Anjali waiting for her in her saree.

Bhabhi...aap tayiaar nahi hui ab tak? Aapko pata hai na...ki aaj kya hain? Asked a shocked Anjali.

(Bhabhi...why are you not ready yet?)

Ji...Di...! I know it is Karvachauth today...but my Alarm didn't ring today so...thats why explained Khushi.

Okay...get ready soon! I have the sargi for you. I will come back in 15 minutes to give you the sargi...okay?

Yes sure...replied Khushi.

Khushi quickly got ready and put on a lovely red saree. She opened the door and retrieved the sargi from Anjali and started having it, while sitting on the recliner.

What is the point of even having this fast if my husband does not even consider me as his wife? She thought. But in her mind she knew that she had to do this, if not for her husband then for his family. They had to be a normal couple at least in their eyes. She finished it all and then fled downstairs for the pooja.

-

Later Arnav woke up, he looked around and saw her not there. He had flashbacks of last night come back to him, how she made him eat his dinner and how she waited for him and how she took care of him. He had a quick shower and went downstairs in his black suit. He saw no-one at the table except HP.

Where is everyone? Asked Arnav.

Saab...everyone has gone to the temple! Shall i serve you your breakfast? Asked HP.

No thats fine...! Any messages? Asked Arnav.

Well there was one thing, Anjali ji forgot said that you need to come home at 6 o'clock today said HP slowly, he didn't want Arnav to be angry with him for no reason.

Okay...said Arnav and left for office.

-

At the mandir, Khushi and Paya, had thali's in their hands. They were walking into the mandir where the pandit was chanting. The morning pooja happened without any hassle. Anjali and Nani had accompanied their two bahus. They were so happy. Soon khushi received a phone call, she excused herself.

Hello said Khushi.

Heyy...what are you doing? Said Riya.

I am in the mandir right now...why? she asked.

Arre...kuch nahi...! Waise you know..today is karvachauth and I wanted to do the fast...Riya replied shyly.

You and fast? Really? But for who? Asked Khushi in a teasing tone.

Oh you know mera hone wala pati...! You know you should keep it too...kya pata? You might find someone! said Riya. Khushi's smile faded slightly. She still hadn't told Arnav that she was keeping a vrat for him. She just hoped that he would be okay with this. This was her first karvachauth, for every suhagan, this was a special day. If only had the circumstances been different, she would be happily doing this for the man she married.

Hmm...maybe next year! Khushi replied. She felt bad for lying to her friend. Soon, she will tell them soon that she was married. She hated keeping secrets from them.

Okay...waise...when can I eat? Asked Riya.

When the moon comes out at night! Khushi said.

Wow...you know so much! She teased. Okay then, I will see you on Monday.

Okay see you...Khushi ended the call.

She was now in a better mood then before. She was kind of excited after speaking to riya. After some time, all the ladies returned back to RM. There were so many preparations to be done, such as rangoli and mehndi on their hands.

The mehndi wali came and did superb mehndi, for all the ladies. She drew on Khushi's hand, intricate patterns.

Maam...whose initials should I put on your palm? Asked the Mehndiwali.

Ooh...put an "RR" said Khushi.

Anjali noticed this, but she was slightly confused at the initials that Khushi mentioned.

Bhabhi...what is this? It should be "AR"! So why did you say "RR"? asked a confused Anjali.

Nope Di, this is right! It should be "RR" for Raskshas Raizada, said Khushi annoyingly. Everyone laughed at Khushi's sudden outburst towards her husband. It was then Khushi realised what she had said. She blushed bright red, kind of lad that everybody had taken it as a joke. She went into the room.

She was feeling really hungry. Her stomach was growling with hunger.

Arrgh...just another 30 minutes Khushi and then this fast can be broken!! Thought Khushi excitedly.

Hmm...jalebi's...aur gol gappe! Yes thats what I am going to eat! thought Khushi.

-

Arnav had come home, as he was called home by his Di, someone who he can't refuse. He could see everyone was putting this mehndi on. He stared, clearly disgusted by this. He had clear instructions from his Nani and his Di, that he had to complete this ritual. He was only doing this for them. Plus he had so many calls about the effort his wife was putting into this. He sprinted upstairs. He opened the door when he saw his wife was slightly swaying. He ran to her and held her.

Khushi...Khushi...are you alright? He asked in sheer panick. 

He lifted her when he felt her eyes close. He placed her gently on the bed. He looked for some water. He took the glass and sat by the edge of the bed, he slowly made her sip the water. After a few minutes he could see some colour returning back to her cheeks. He noticed his wife, in the gorgeous orangey red colour. She looked like an angel.

She opened her eyes, slowly, feeling slightly disorientated at her surroundings. She sat up once, she saw Arnav.

Khushi...careful said Arnav. She suddenly noticed the water beside her.

Haww...what did you do? How can you break the fast? You know how hard I have tried to fast today and you broke it...Khushi shouted, small tear drops descending her face.

Arnav couldn't stand her tears. He lifted her up in his arms, without giving her an explanation. He took her by the poolside and made her stand up. He made her turn and pointed towards the sky.

Happy now? I broke your fast on the right time! Plus your health is much more important than some vrat...Arnav said in a low tone.

Woh...i am sorry that i shouted at you! Said Khushi.

Hmm...it's okay...now shall we finish this stupid ritual before you faint again! Arnav said sarcastically, but Khushi was too happy to notice his sarcasm. She held the channi in her hand and looked at the moon, then she looked at her husband. 

She bent down to touch his feet, but Arnav stopped her mid-way. He slowly fed her the water and then made her eat something.

Then he noticed her hands, adorned with mehndi. He took her palms gently and saw her hands. He noticed the "RR" on her hands. He knew what that meant. It was Rakshas Raizada. He had heard her talk in her sleep many times, calling him this name. He will ask her about this later, when she was well.

Hmm...now let's go downstairs to eat; he took Khushi carefully downstairs to eat. Everyone enjoyed the hearty meal.  

Arnav soon retired to the bedroom. He reflected on what had happened. He knew the concern he was feeling for Khushi right now, when she fainted. But still his brain was not willing to accept her as his wife, even though he did those rituals. All he knew that most people were after his money, and if Khushi was different then she would have refused to marry to him. 

However he forgot, that you cannot love someone with your brain, it has to be your heart who gives in eventually.