Chapter 13: Unexpected

Arnav turned over in his bed to look at the side that was not slept on. She used to sleep on that side. She used to lay there as Arnav memorized each plain and corner on her as if he had to draw her from memory. She used to be there by his side... Until he pushed her away.

Being in the same house as Khushi and not sleeping in the same room felt alien to Arnav. Even when they had first married, atleast she was somewhere where he could forget everything he held against her and watch her sleep. It was an odd, calming activity. Her sleeping beauty extinguished all his worries, all his problems, and it took away the weight of every problem he kept locked up; it made his chest lighter.

Restless, Arnav sat up in his bed. It was 5 AM. He decided to go for a run to clear his mind and headed to the bathroom.

---

Shiv stirred in his sleep and Khushi automatically opened her eyes. She watched his face. Shiv opened one eye and took a look around. Next, he opened his second eyes and took in the scene before him. His fists clenched up and he waved his arms slightly before his angelic face scrunched into an expression of distress and let out a small cry. Khushi smiled and sat up in bed. Seeing her next to him, Shiv cried a bit louder. Khushi picked him up and rocked him slowly till he was calm and teething away on her shoulder.

Carefully getting out of bed, Khushi checked the time. 5 AM. No one in the house will be awake at this hour, Khushi thought to herself. Nevertheless, she freshened up in the bathroom while handling Shiv in one arm and walked to the kitchen to prepare Shiv's breakfast.

---

Arnav knew someone was awake. That's odd, he thought. The Prakash brothers don't get here till 7. Slowly and silently he made his way to the kitchen. He stopped at the scene before him and forgot all about going for a run.

Khushi was standing in the kitchen holding Shiv in the air as she tickled his belly with her nose. Shiv gurgled out little giggles and kicked his feet and arms about. Khushi's tinkling laughter once again filled the air as she brought the child back into her and pressed her lips his forehead.

Arnav felt something other than jealousy. It was pride. Pride in knowing that those two beautiful creatures, over flowing with joy, obviously oblivious to his presence, were his. Khushi still wore her mangalsutra, still filled her maang with sindoor. She was his wife. The beautiful creature she held had been created by both of them, and was now unconditionally loved by the both of them. Shiv was his son. They were both his. A smile crept across his face.

 It was at this instance that the desire to have them both back in his life overtook his any other desire. He wanted to be a good husband, a good father. Twice, he had failed Khushi. Now it was time to prove to her that he had changed. It was time to repent in order to make her relent. He wanted her, no want was an understatement, he needed her in his life. The past year had been living hell for him. Knowing that she was somewhere where he could find her, but the thought of losing her forever keeping him away. Arnav would show her, prove to her that he had learned from his mistakes.

The milk on the stove slowly started bubbling up and Khushi turned to face the stove. That's when she saw him.

---

Their eyes met with a bang. The smile on his face knocked her breathless and her eyes widened in an effort to control herself. Was he standing there the entire time or did he just some? Frantic thoughts filled her mind. The boiling milk slowly brought her back to earth and she turned quickly to turn the stove off. Arnav took a step toward her, that dangerously attractive smile still plastered on his face, and she took a step back as if it was an instinct.

"Give Shiv to me. You can get the milk easier with both hands." Arnav said to her.

"I can manage!" Khushi blurted out without thinking.

"Khushi, I'm sure you can, but I'm just trying to make your life easier. Hand Shiv to me." Saying this Arnav came closer to her. Khushi was still ridiculous and still her stubborn self, he thought. Always trying to prove that she can manage. Little did she realize that people already knew she could manage; people knew she was independent.

Frowning a bit, Khushi extended Shiv toward Arnav. Arnav smirked as he purposely dragged his fingers over her arm while reaching for Shiv. Khushi's eyes widened and she pulled her arm back. Taking staccato breaths, she concentrated on getting milk for Shiv. His touch set her skin on fire and deep down Khushi earned to return the favor, but she shut those thoughts away as quickly as they came.

Arnav's smirked deepened as Khushi pulled away, confirming his doubts. Yes, he still had the same effect on her. He could see it in her, she felt what he was feeling, but she was refusing to acknowledge it. Getting her to accept that she still had feelings for him would be the challenge. He gave Shiv a kiss on his cheek and leaned against the counter.

Khushi adjusted her dupatta, feeling uncomfortable, and the turned to face him. "You can take him to the dining room. I'll be right there." Her voice shook slightly but she hoped he would leave. She felt uncomfortable feeling his eyes on her.

"That's okay. We're fine where we are. Aren't we?" He turned to Shiv and tickled him. He smirked as she turned around in defeat. She wasn't getting ride of him so easily.

Khushi turned around to face Arnav but she kept her eyes on his feet. "Give Shiv to me. His milk is ready."

"Khushi..." Arnav's tone worried her. She knew that tone. That tone did weird things to her mind and body.

"J- Ji?" She slowly looked up to see him advancing towards her with a little gleam in his eye. Her breathe accelerated and Khushi stepped back to hit the wall.

"I was thinking..." Arnav was now whispering, driving Khushi's heart to extreme edges.

"Wh- What?" Khushi's condition was clearly visible through her voice.

"I was thinking..." Arnav took the final step forward and placed his fingers around Khushi's fingers which held the bottle of milk. She panicked. It felt as if she were getting electrocuted over and over again. However, it was like pleasurable electrocution... if that was even possible. She looked up to meet Arnav's glinting eyes. He smiled slowly, tightening his grasp on her fingers. "I was thinking that I'll give Shiv his milk. Why don't you go and change out of your sleeping clothes?"

Khushi was too lost in the pools of gleaming chocolate that were staring down at her. She couldn't move. She could only breathe as if she had asthma and look into his eyes as if she were trapped in them. "Huh?" Khushi had no idea what Arnav had said.

Arnav seized the opportunity and came closer. Shiv was now pressed against both of them and Shiv looped a hand around Khushi's neck, holding them together. Arnav slowly leaned into Khushi's ear. Slowly, almost seductively, he whispered into them. "I think you should go change your clothes... I'll take care of Shiv..."

Khushi closed her eyes and drew in a shaky breath to clear her mind. Arnav's breath tickled against her ear and the feelings she had locked up started bubbling forth. She quickly freed her hand from his grasp and stepped to the side and away from Arnav. What was she doing? What was she thinking?

"I- Uh.. Yeah. I'll do that." Khushi managed to stammer and almost ran from the kitchen. Arnav chuckled as he raised the bottle of milk to an eagerly waiting Shiv's mouth. Arnav adjusted Shiv in his arms and whispered to his son. "Don't worry, daddy's going to fix this."

---

Khushi walked into her room to see her phone buzzing. She walked over and without bothering to check who was calling, she put the phone to her ear.

"Hello?" Khushi said.

"Do you miss me yet, beautiful?" Khushi smiled a beaming smile as she heard the sound of the man on the other line. The "Farhan-Akhtar-meets-Shah-Rukh-Khan" style of his could be felt through the phone.

"What kind of a question is that? Of course I do!" Khushi replied grinning.

"Oh thank Devi Maiya for that!" She could sense his teasing smile though the phone.

"Are you calling to check up on me?"

"Yes, darling. How's Shiv?"

"How sweet. Shiv is fabulous! He clicked with his dad and the family better than I thought."

"That's good."

"Definitely. I guess this means I can return to you sooner than I expected." Khushi smiled.

"Does he know? Or does he suspect anything?" Khushi knew he was referring to Arnav.

"No, not at all. And I doubt he suspects anything. He's overwhelmed with Shiv right now."

He took a while to reply and then with a slight hesitation he asked her something. "Did he try to... uh... make a move on you? Try to claim his husbandry rights, or touch you or anything?"

Khushi could sense through the phone that he was slightly annoyed at the thought. "No." She replied. "And you know I won't let it happen." Khushi tried to reassure him and decided not to bring up what happened in the kitchen ten minutes ago.

"Good, good... Are you going to tell him? All of your family?"

"I am... but..." Khushi paused.

"But what Khushi? Do you want me to come there, so we can tell them together?"

She took in a deep breathe. "No. No, I want to ask for a divorce first."

The other side of the line was quiet so Khushi continued.

"If I tell them everything and then ask for a divorce, Arnav will never agree. I know him. He'll be angry and he won't give me the divorce. But if I ask for the divorce first without giving the real reason, I'm sure he'll give it to me. Of course, I'll give him full custody of Shiv, and after all the proceedings are done, I could come back to you."

"And you could tell him the real reason..."

"Yes, I'll tell him why... but after the divorce is through."

Khushi waited for his reply. She thought he would be happy with her decision, but he didn't sound too convincing.

"Is this what you were hiding from me? You made this divorce plan even before you left here, didn't you? Well, either way I'm glad you're thinking about things wisely."

"I thought I would surprise you with the news!" Khushi's tone was teasingly sarcastic. "Don't worry, I'll be back in your company soon."

"I know, Khushi, I know. I'll be waiting for you."

"I miss you. Sometimes I wish you were here by my side through all this." Khushi said, her voice sightly sad.

"I miss you too but don't worry. You'll see me soon. Just finish what you're there for."

"Thank you. I'm glad I have you in my life now." Khushi smiled and whispered and a small tear escaped her eye.

"Me too." His tone said he meant it. "Alright Khushi, I have to go. Keep in touch with me, please?"

"Of course. I'll call you soon, okay? Bye, Mahesh."

"I'll be waiting. Bye."

Khushi let another smile appear on her face. It'll all be done soon and she could go back to him soon. Her heart clenched as she thought of leaving Shiv behind. No, she shouldn't worry, she told herself. Shiv will be with his dad. It was going to be hard regardless. At least she'll be with Mahesh and he'll take care of her to the most possible extent. She smiled again and returned to changing her clothes.