CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

 

 

Rathore turned and looked at the foolishness Arjun was doing, “then what are you going to do?! Truth! You say, telling the truth would solve everything? So go! Go and tell her! Tell her that the person she sees in her dream was the most wanted criminal! Tell her that she was kidnapped and nearly raped! Will that make you happy!?” he said as he saw Riya, now sleeping peacefully. “If you want, go and tell her, but let me tell you, I am not with you in all this!” Rathore warned, “I will not help you and if anything happened to her after that, I will not leave you either!” saying so Rathore went away leaving Arjun in the lobby.

 

Arjun looked at his back, now he had to walk it all alone, but he was ready, I would tell her everything! I cant see her like this, she cant do this to herself, she cant think of her love being an animal, I am not! I will prove my love to her. Again.

 

—

 

Arjun sat in his room, thinking. He was sure he would tell her and telling her was not a problem, problem was her reaction. He knew she would be broken at first but if everything went well, she would be calm soon, and now he was with her.

 

He was still in thoughts when the doctor came, “your highness,” he called and bought him out of trance.

 

“Hmm.” Arjun said.

 

“Your highness, I think, I think, you should take her back to Mumbai.” The doctor said not sure.

 

“Why, is everything okay?” Arjun got worried.

 

“No, what I meant was, I think her nightmares and her fear is due to this environment.” He said. “If you take her away for sometime, and in her memory also she believes she was in Mumbai. It would be better if she stays away from this place until she is better. All her nightmares are of Solapur, maybe if you take her -” he stopped as Arjun got up.

 

“You are right!” Arjun said. “I would take her away to Mumbai!” Arjun said, he understood the doctor.

 

The doc was about to leave, “doctor,” Arjun called. “I am sorry.” He said and doctor looked at him and smiled.

 

“I would have done the same if I were you, sir. I love my wife too.” doctor said warmly.

 

“But I wish you never are in my place, nobody should be.” He smiled weakly and doctor left smiling too.

 

—

 

Soon in the morning, the discharge was made, Riya was physically fine to go, but Arjun, he gave his princely glare and all the nurses scattered away to get the discharge papers ready. Mr. Rawte insisted he would come along but Arjun denied, and he understood. They both needed some time alone. When Riya would have only Arjun around herself, she could trust him again.

 

Rathore was again, angry at his decision of taking Riya to Mumbai. He was not talking to him, but Arjun smirked off, knowing he would be okay once his sister is fine. And as far as Shree and Chotu were concerned, they were themselves, lending their support to everyone they thought needed help. Shree was confused but he asked no questions, fearing, but ultimately trusting Arjun, he was the best. But for Riya, he knew Arjun was the only one. Arjun looked at Chotu, who was a little tired by now but didn’t show it. It was he who was always there to support Arjun, in all the decisions he made, even the wrong ones. He followed Arjun no matter what. And the special edition, Amit. He was sure he would make him limited edition once Riya was fine coz one thing he was sure of, if he was there, Riya wont even look for him. Stupid competition!

 

For a while, when he was going out of this hospital, he saw everyone who cared for them have the grim and sad look, just because they cared so much. Maybe they both wouldn’t have been alive if they were not by their side. Rathore, Shree and Chotu trying to make sure they are not hurt and these doctors and nurses, making sure they are okay even if they were hurt.

 

Sometimes, you want to get hurt. Just to see who cares enough to get affected.

 

 

 

But if Arjun thought that the life till now was hard, he was in for much more harder games of the destiny. Where he won’t face new challenges, what he was going to face was reality. Right now nobody chose what had occurred in their life. They never chose Sik to show up, they never chose Sik to kidnap and harm Riya, they never chose to have her memory lost, but Arjun did chose the indifference in her behavior, to make her hate him and in some sort, he kind of succeeded, coz she didn’t hate him but feared him, and as a long forgotten phrase says, ‘He who fears your presence, will hate you absent’. To make someone hate you is hell more easier than to make them love you. Now will he be able to bring out the hatred he chose fill in her heart, sorry, no hatred, fear.

 

And if the history is to be believed, hatred never harmed the person who holds it, but fear does. Fear scares, Fear harms, and fear kills too.

 

—

 

 

Everyone was out of the hospital, near the gates. The cars arrived, since night Arjun had made a distance from Riya, fearing she would be scared. He saw the car get down and opened the door for her, Riya looked like she didn’t expected it at all, and she was shocked. She looked to make sure it was Arjun opening the door for her, indeed he was.

 

She nervously held the gate and sat inside. Arjun then closed the door carefully and sat on the other side before waving a princely bye in form of thanks to the doctors and staffs. But one thing he didn’t know, the journey now that is going to begin is going to be the most dreadful journey of his life. (No, there aren’t going to be any accidents.)

 

He sat in and saw Riya fully aware of him. She was sitting like a kid sitting in his first class at school, with her knees tightly touching each other and her back straight with her hands on her lap, so that they don’t wander near his. And not to forget, she was pushing herself more to the door than sitting on the seat, incase she was near him. Arjun saw this and a deep hurt covered his face, he remembered why was she doing this.

 

 

One day Riya asked Arjun to go to the grocery store, mainly Arjun would bring down the groceries when Riya puts up a list on the fridge door hanging by the little fruit magnets as Arjun told her he didn’t like her voice and would not want to hear any of it. He would take the list and bring the items listed. But that day, she gave him the list herself and Arjun knew, she wanted to come along.

 

(Arjun’s POV)

I took her to the car, I was going to drive and she happily, she looked happy, when she happily came to the seat and sat down. When I sat next to her, on the driving seat, my nose was filled with her fresh aroma as she bathed few minutes ago. I controlled my nerves that were on fire very badly. And as I saw her in a red salwaar kameez, it didn’t help either.

 

Trying to get over with it quickly I geared up and zoomed the car, knowing she was scared of speed. I wanted to hurt her as much as possible, so that she hates me.

 

She clutched to her seat belt near the gear and my hand touched hers, oh it was so damn soft, her skin as if just out from a silk factory.

 

I scolded my mind and as well as to her, “cant you keep your hands to yourself!” I said angrily.

 

She quickly took her hand away and kept it on her lap.

 

Soon driving for some more time, my car was filled with her scent and I was having a hard time controlling my feelings, I was on verge of confessing to her and kissing her senseless! Then again, as usual, I screamed, “how much place do you want! Can’t you sit a bit away from me, you are all over the place!” I took her dupatta and threw it towards her and I bet I saw a layer of tear in her eyes.

 

She shifted more towards the door and my brain appreciated my acting while my heart loathed me.

 

Soon we ran into traffic, it was a red light and the line of vehicles was long. Mumbai, I tell you. And her ever so inviting aroma! Ah!

 

I tried looking the other side when I heard a knock on hers. It was a girl begging for some money. I looked at her and then at my side, trying to see when the light would go green but Riya looked at her smiling and searched her bag for some thing. Soon she took out a 10-rupee note and gave it to the kid. I smiled inwardly at the gesture and the kid looked at the note happily. She smiled through her broken teeth and went away running to the other side of the line. Riya too smiled contently and looked to me. My lips itched to smile back at her warm face but I bit my tongue and resisted.

 

Soon the light turned green and I moved.

 

Riya was out in so many days, she never went out of the house so looking at the buildings and people was making her happy.

 

“Why are you looking at those people like a retard? They would think I am roaming with a mental patient smiling across the road!” I said and she quickly looked down, not even glancing at the window again.

 

 

This is why she was sitting like this. Arjun thought and cursed himself.

 

He never liked to hurt her, but better he than Sik.

 

Soon they too ran into the red light, the street children gathered to the cars and asked for money. Soon a little girl again came to their car and knocked on her window again. To his surprise, at first Riya pretended as if she didn’t hear her, but then when she heard it again she didn’t have a heart to not even look up at her. Riya looked at Arjun from the corner of her eye and found him looking the other way, and quickly looked at the girl. She was filled with regret instantly. Right now she dint had any money, she was returning from the hospital, she smiled warmly to her and looked away at Arjun’s side, making sure he dint see her looking out again, but then she saw a ten rupee note stretched towards her.

 

Arjun heard the girl and knew Riya wanted to see but wont if she saw him looking, he saw the other side and Riya looked at her, he knew she wanted to help her, and he couldn’t stop his hand from reaching his wallet.

 

Riya looked at the note and then at the holder, she was shocked again. Her hands shook but she extended them and took the note but didn’t dare to look at his face, maybe he would be angry.

 

Riya happily brought down the glass of her window and gave the note to the girl. Taking the money, the little girl happily went away and Riya’s heart filled with content. Seeing a relief on her face Arjun too sighed inwardly and looked ahead as the car moved towards their destination.

 

—

 

 

Arjun opened the door with the keys and they went in.

 

“You go to the room I am coming.” he said and she nodded.

 

Saying so to her Arjun went out to call Rathore, they dropped amit and went directly to the ETF office. He informed they reached safely and went inside.

 

Arjun went to his room carefully making no noise, she would be sleeping, and opened the door, but the bed was empty! He looked inside his room, checked the bathroom but nope!

 

“From now on, you are living in the other room. I can’t bear to see your face every day and night!”

 

Arjun closed his eyes, and realized he shoved Riya in the other room. He went near the room and opened the door, she was sleeping, on the couch.

 

It hurt him like hell, like his heart was ripped out from his chest and tore into shreds. He kept a hand on his mouth to stop the sob and a tear fell from his eyes.

 

Kitna Majboor Ho Gaya Hoon Main

Toot Ke Chur Ho Gaya Hoon Mein

 

Doobta Jaa Raha Hai Dil Mera

Jab Ki Woh Saamne Kinara Hai..

 

Kitna Pagal Yeh Dil Hamara Hai

Dil Ka Rishta Bada Hi Pyara Hai ..

 

(English translation)

 

How helpless have I become.

I have been shattered into pieces.

 

My heart is sinking into the deep sea.

When I have the shore just in front of my eyes.

 

My heart has gone insane,

To this precious bond of our hearts.

 

(Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOaRkBpBR60)

 

 

He looked at her and moved out to his room. He sat near the bed, on the floor and wept silently.

 

“I am- I am so- so- sorry Riya. I have been such a bad husband! I am sorry for everything!” he said and cried.

 

—

 

Crying his heart out, Arjun slept on the floor itself, he turned and found the comfortable floor hurting his back, he looked at his watch, it was 8:19! Of night! He quickly stood on his feet and ran out. Thank god the door was closed or else she would have seen me sleeping on the floor! Riya must be hungry! I should order something to eat!

 

He went out of the room, towards the door to go out, but in the middle he heard a noise from the kitchen! He went towards it and saw Riya. She was up. What was she doing? He stood there and saw her taking out the freshly chopped vegetables and add them to the pan. It made a sound as the water collided with hot oil and Riya looked away and added the vegetables. She was back to her usual self, in her daily cloths, hairs tied in a loose bun and a small piece of cloth on her shoulder, to wipe off the slab when she would be done, she knew he hates dirt and untidy spots, so she cleaned everything as he wanted. She has done so much for him, will he ever be able to make it up to her?

 

—

Soon the dinner was served and Arjun came out from his room, he sat on the dinning table and served himself. He waited that she would come to eat but she didn’t, he then got curious and went stealthily towards the kitchen, what he saw froze him.

 

There she sat on the floor, with her plate of food, eating silently. Alone.

 

His hunger died inside. His guilt surfaced again.

 

—

 

 

When Riya came outside, finishing all her work in the kitchen, she found the dining table as it was, his plate full of food, but untouched. When I saw him serving himself, he was okay, then why dint he eat? She thought and decided to ask, it was not nice if he is not eating! He is hurt and he needs food to recover fast!

 

She took the food in a tray and knocked on his door, she held her heart and waited, after a moment the door opened and Arjun looked at her.

 

His eyes penetrated through hers and she looked away, not wanting to look at the coal black orbs, coz if she did, she would be lost in them. “umm- I – I saw this plate- you – you didn’t have food?” She looked everywhere but him and asked.

 

“I wasn’t hungry.” He lied.

 

“But you served yourself,” she said and Arjun looked at her, then she looked away.

 

“I – uh-” Arjun dint know what excuse to make.

 

“You didn’t like the food?” Riya asked, “should I make something else?” she said and hoped he would eat.

 

“No!” Arjun said at the thought of her working more, “I mean, no, I liked the food, I would eat this.” saying so he took the tray and moved inside, he kept the tray on his bed and ate.

 

Riya looked at him lovingly, he looked so cute while he was hungry and stuffed the food inside his mouth. There was no happiness greater than to see him eat. She leaned to the doorframe and looked closer. Soon the food vanished and he looked at her, she was standing on the door itself, watching him.

 

“Its okay, you go sleep.” He said and Riya looked at him, was he talking to her so lovingly? Was he?

 

She stood there looking at him and Arjun saw this. He looked at her and she was looking at him, she was as usual, lost in his eyes. Arjun looked here and there, hoping she would look away, he was finished eating and he went in the bathroom to wash his hands, when he came out, she was still here. He went near the door, maintaining his distance not to scare her.

 

“Riya,” he called but she continued to ogle, “Riya.” He called and she came back to reality.

 

“I – I am sorry, I was-”

 

“Lost.” He completed and looked away.

 

A little red color came up to her cheeks thinking he caught her while she was shamelessly ogling him.

 

Soon a sneeze came through his nose, he held his breath not to sneeze, due to the fight he had with Sik and the bullet shot on his waist, it pained him when he sneezed, and when his body knew it did, he got sneezes very often, he tried to control, but this one looked stubborn, finally his nose vibrated and he sneezed. A sharp pain banged his stomach and he held his abdomen, “AH!” he closed his eyes tightly at the pain.

 

Riya looked at him, he sneezed and growled in pain, getting worried she held him quickly, “are you hurt?!” came her sweet voice.

 

The pain vanished as she spoke, “can I help!”

 

Only you can. He thought but looked at her eyes, they were so pure and caring. How did he ever manage to make them cry?

 

He thought and quickly other one made its way, he sneezed and the pain returned, this time even stronger. He quickly held the stomach and sat on the sofa, near the door. Riya held his waist where he was hurt and made him sit. Arjun reached the sofa and fell on it, the fall made it worse and his waist pained.

 

Riya saw a dark red patch form on the light blue color shirt he wore. She gasped and Arjun looked down, his wound was bleeding.

 

Riya quickly stepped on her feet and rushed to his cupboard, she opened a drawer and took out the first aid kit. She took some cotton and opened his shirt, she could see the dressing get even more darker. She got nervous and tried to open it by finding an end but she couldn’t may be it was at his back.

 

“Cut it.” Arjun said still in pain.

 

At first she didn’t understand but then she looked at the small scissors and took them in her shaky hands.

 

Arjun knew he needed to change the dressing, he had the same one from night.

 

“I am not sure I can do this.” Riya said and kept the scissor away.

 

“You can,” Arjun said as the pain shot up, “make it quick!” he said and Riya looked at his face, it was wrinkled in pain.

 

She took the scissor and held the bandage and carefully cut it, it was easy. But then Arjun took the bandage away revealing his injury, and god, it was bad, there was a round patch of blood surrounding the wound. Riya closed her eyes for a moment and looked away.

 

“Give me the cotton.” Arjun asked and Riya gave him the piece she held.

 

He cleaned the sides and it appeared to be like a hole, stitched?

 

“What kind of wound it is? It looks like you were shot!” Riya said as he cleaned the wound and Arjun looked up surprised.

 

He stopped and said, “actually when the accident took place, a broken glass from the window poked into my waist.” He said and Riya looked at it.

 

“Is it paining?” she asked believing everything he said.

 

“A little.” He said and subsided a shiver that ran into him due to pain.

 

He applied the medicine and covered it with cotton but to put bandage he needed help. Riya saw this and asked him to sit on the bed so that she can help. Arjun stood up carefully and sat on the bed, Riya took the bandage and rounded it around his waist. She applied a medical tape at the end and sealed it.

 

All this while Arjun kept looking at her, she was so worried that her eyes looked focused on his wound.

 

“How did you know that I kept the first aid in my drawer?” he asked.

 

“I – I saw it, on the first day of – ” she hesitated, “our marriage.” She said and looked away.

 

Arjun heard of marriage and was lost in the bridal look of hers. Her creamy skin wrapped in the dark red colored bridal cloths, same as his blood. She looked so beautiful in that.

 

Riya helped him lay on the bed and adjusted the pillows behind him.

 

Arjun was busy looking at her frown, how beautiful, she looked beautiful in that frown too. he wondered and she looked.

 

“What can I do to reduce the pain?” she asked concerned.

 

“You really want to help?” he asked in his trance.

 

“Yes.” She said.

 

“Kiss me.” he said eyeing her lips.

 

“Will that help?” Riya asked innocently.

 

“It will.” He said and now his desires won over his senses.

 

 

Riya looked at him, his eyes held so much passion, but it was not the passion she was shocked at, she was shocked, it was all familiar. As if she knew this feeling.

 

She leaned in and Arjun moved his face up, he was lying on the bed so Riya had to lean towards him, he held her waist and she closed her eyes as a serious sensation took over her. She felt extremely shy but willing to do this, what if it really helped him?

 

Riya leaned to his face, he tilted it in response.

 

Soon her face came down to his and Arjun felt her soft and silky lips on his own, he had went cold due to pain but her lips were warm, more than warm. She stayed that way for a bit of time, Arjun too let her stay, not moving. Soon she felt his hand moved up and down, caressing her back. A shiver ran through her and she moaned. The sound of her moan filled his senses and he overlooked his injury. Arjun held her tightly and rolled on top of her.

 

Riya’s eyes widened, she tried to look at his wound but he held her face in his hand, his one hand on her face and other on her waist. She was extremely worried but Arjun held her chin and moved her face up, soon he leaned in and kissed her. It was soft and inviting, the one that keeps you hungry for more. But Arjun didn’t want to force her into this. He just had a kiss and now was moving away, Riya saw this and gasped, she wanted more!

 

She quickly held the back of his face and bought it near hers, Arjun looked at her worried now but then she closed her mouth and kissed him fully on his lips. Arjun forgot everything in hand and just continued what she had started, he rubbed her soft lips into his and Riya closed her eyes tightly, the sudden bravery overtaking her completely. Arjun held her hairs in one place and caressed her neck with the hand. Riya moaned and he deepened the kiss, Arjun opened his eyes but found no retaliation, he then took her lips in his mouth and sucked hard, making them deep red with his. He bit them softly and Riya lost herself.

 

Suddenly the incident of the hospital came in his mind, he left her abruptly and looked at her, there was disappointment on her face. He smirked a little and Riya opened her eyes, “can you sleep here for tonight?” he asked and Riya looked shocked.

 

“Please.” He said and covered themselves with blankets.

 

Riya looked at him as if she barely recognizes him and Arjun just hugged her and slept.

 

—

 

 

PRECAP:

 

 

Arjun takes Riya out on dinner.

 

 

—

 

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MUSKAAN