The tension inside Shantivan was a silent storm, brewing beneath the surface of pleasantries and rituals. The house bustled with activity-but between Arnav and Khushi, the silence had become a scream neither dared to voice.

-×-

Evening - Arnav's Bedroom

Khushi stood before the wardrobe, carefully folding her clothes and placing them in a corner. There were no drawers assigned to her. No space made for her presence.

Khushi (murmuring):

"Ek patni hone ke bawajood... yeh kamra ab bhi mera nahi hai."

(Despite being a wife... this room still isn't mine.)

Just then, the door opened. Arnav walked in, loosened his tie, and noticed her quietly placing her things away. For a moment, his expression softened-but he forced it away.

Arnav: (flatly)

"Kya kar rahi ho?"

(What are you doing?)

Khushi: (not looking at him)

"Apni jagah dhoondh rahi hoon. Har jagah toh aapne pehle hi le li hai."

(Looking for my place. Though you've already occupied every space.)

Arnav clenched his jaw. The sarcasm cut deeper than she realized.

Arnav:

"Tumhaare paas yeh chhe mahine hain. Uske baad tum chali jaogi. Toh yeh sab karne ki zarurat nahi."

(You have these six months. After that, you'll leave. So there's no need to do all this.)

Khushi: (quiet but firm)

"Toh main sirf waqt ka intezaar karoon? Apne hone ka saboot bhi na doon?"

(So I should just wait out time? Not even prove my existence here?)

Arnav: (sharply)

"Tumhara hona mujhe mehsoos bhi nahi hona chahiye."

(I shouldn't even feel your presence.)

Her hand paused on the fabric. For a moment, she didn't breathe.

Khushi (turning to him):

"Toh aapko farak kyun padta hai jab koi aur mujhe dekhta hai? Jab Shyam ne..." (She trailed off, the weight of that name thick in the air.)

Arnav's eyes flared with rage.

Arnav: (stepping forward, voice low and cold)

"Uska naam mat lena."

(Don't take his name.)

Khushi (softly):

"Aapne toh har faisla usi naam par liya hai, Arnav ji."

(But every decision you've made... was because of that name, Arnav ji.)

They stared at each other-hurt and anger mirrored in their eyes, like glass threatening to shatter.

-×-

Elsewhere in Shantivan - Rooftop

Shyam stood talking on the phone, his eyes scanning the windows.

Shyam:

"Khushi ji iss ghar mein hai... mere saamne... lekin Arnav ne usse mujhse cheen liya. Par main haarne walon mein se nahi hoon."

(Khushi ji is in this house... right in front of me... but Arnav took her away from me. I'm not someone who gives up.)

He smirked devilishly, watching the light flicker in Arnav's room.

-×-

Later That Night - Kitchen

Khushi poured herself a glass of water. Her hands trembled. Her reflection in the steel tumbler showed a different girl now-one who'd lost her innocence to accusations and duty.

Suddenly, Arnav appeared in the doorway.

Arnav:

"Kya tumhe... usse sach mein koi lagav tha?"

(Did you really... have feelings for him?)

She froze. The glass stilled at her lips.

Khushi: (meeting his eyes)

"Lagav hota, toh main kabhi uski asliyat jaanne ke baad usse chodti?"

(If I had feelings, would I have left him after knowing the truth?)

Arnav looked away, jaw clenching again.

Khushi:

"Lekin aapne toh mujhe kabhi apna sach batane ka mauka hi nahi diya."

(But you never even gave me a chance to tell you my truth.)

He didn't respond. The truth he feared... was perhaps the one he had ignored.

-×-

Midnight - By the Poolside

Khushi sat curled in a chair, her eyes staring up at the sky. She whispered a quiet prayer to Devi Maiyya.

Khushi:

"Agar main galat hoon toh sazaa do, lekin agar main sahi hoon toh kabhi na kabhi Arnav ji ko mera sach dikhai dena chahiye."

(If I am wrong, punish me. But if I am right, then someday, Arnav ji must see my truth.)

Unbeknownst to her, Arnav stood at the window, watching her. His fists tightened at his sides-not in anger... but confusion.

Because something in her voice didn't sound like a lie.

-×-

To be continued...

Next up: Chapter 4: Sach Ka Saamna

By

Muskan Tarway

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