The sun rose over Shantivan, but the light did little to dissolve the shadows that clung to Arnav and Khushi’s lives. The house bustled with normalcy—prayers, breakfast preparations, conversations. But beneath the surface, truths lay buried, waiting to erupt.

-×-

Morning – Dining Room

Khushi quietly placed the jug of juice on the table, trying to blend into the background. Arnav sat at the head of the table, pretending to read the newspaper, but his eyes flickered to her often. Anjali noticed.

Anjali (smiling):

“Chhoti bahu, tumhare haath ka halwa toh ab sabko roz chahiye.”

(Khushi ji, your halwa is so good—we want it every day now!)

Khushi (smiling faintly):

“Pakka, Di. Aaj se halwa ka theka mera.”

(Of course, Di. I’m now in charge of halwa duty.)

Manorama (tauntingly):

“Haan haan, sab kaam tumhare hawale. Sasural mein naye naye kaam milte hain.”

(Yes yes, give her all the work. That's what a new bride gets in her in-laws’ house.)

Khushi gave a small smile, but inside, she was crumbling. Nothing about this house—this marriage—felt like it was hers.

Nani:

“Waise, Arnav bitwa... aaj tum office jaa rahe ho ya chhutti loge?”

(By the way, Arnav dear... are you going to the office today or taking the day off?)

Arnav: (without looking up)

“Kaam rukta nahi, Nani. Jaana padega.”

(Work doesn’t stop, Nani. I have to go.)

His voice was cold, clipped. But as he stood to leave, his eyes met Khushi’s for a moment. She held his gaze this time—unblinking, unafraid.

-×-

Later – Raizada Office

Arnav sat at his desk, his mind clouded. Numbers and charts blurred on the screen. The memory of Khushi’s words the previous night haunted him.

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

He stood abruptly and stormed out.

-×-

Meanwhile – Shantivan

Khushi was arranging flowers in the living room when she felt a presence behind her. Her body stiffened.

Shyam (smiling):

“Khushi ji... aapne mujhe ab tak bhula toh nahi diya?”

(Khushi ji... you haven’t forgotten me, have you?)

Khushi turned sharply, disgust flashing in her eyes.

Khushi:

“Aapka sach main jaanti hoon, Shyam ji. Aapka asli chehra sabke saamne lana ab sirf waqt ki baat hai.”

(I know your truth, Shyam ji. It’s only a matter of time before everyone else sees it too.)

Shyam (smirking):

“Par tab tak aap yeh sab seh kar thak chuki hongi... aur Arnav aapko chhod chuka hoga.”

(But by then, you’ll be too exhausted to fight… and Arnav will have left you.)

Before Khushi could respond, a sharp voice echoed through the hallway.

Arnav:

“Meri biwi se door raho, Shyam.”

(Stay away from my wife, Shyam.)

Both turned to see Arnav standing at the stairs, fury written all over his face.

Arnav (stepping forward):

“Aaj agar tumne Khushi ke kareeb aane ki koshish ki... toh uska nateeja bura hoga.”

(If you ever try to come near Khushi again… you won’t like the consequences.)

Shyam (feigning innocence):

“Arnav ji, aap galat samajh rahe hain. Main toh bas...”

Arnav (cutting him off):

“Main jo dekh raha hoon, wohi kaafi hai.”

(What I’ve seen is enough.)

Shyam backed off with a forced smile, but the fire in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed.

Khushi stood frozen, her heart thudding. Not just at the danger that lingered around Shyam... but the one line Arnav had said.

“Meri biwi se door raho.”

For the first time... Arnav had called her his wife. Out loud. In front of Shyam.

-×-

Later – Bedroom

Arnav returned to the room, tense. Khushi stood there quietly, watching him.

Khushi (softly):

“Aapne mujhe... uske saamne bachaaya.”

(You protected me... in front of him.)

Arnav: (not facing her)

“Main kisi ko haq nahi deta tumse baat karne ka. Us tarah.”

(I don’t let anyone talk to you... like that.)

Khushi:

“Toh aap kya kar rahe hain, Arnav ji? Aap bhi toh mujhse har din ussi tarah baat karte ho.”

(Then what are you doing, Arnav ji? You talk to me the same way every day.)

Arnav turned sharply. But instead of anger, there was something else in his eyes this time—guilt. Doubt. Something vulnerable.

Arnav:

“Main tumpe bharosa nahi kar sakta, Khushi. Tumne us raat kya kiya... maine sab kuch suna.”

(I can’t trust you, Khushi. I heard everything that night...)

Khushi (stepping closer):

“Sirf suna... dekha nahi. Kabhi poocha nahi. Kabhi samjha nahi.”

(You only heard... but never saw. Never asked. Never understood.)

Arnav: (voice cracking slightly)

“Main... main bas apni Di ko bacha raha tha.”

(I was just trying to protect my sister.)

Khushi: (tears in her eyes)

“Aur mujhe? Kisne bachaaya, Arnav ji?”

(And me? Who protected me, Arnav ji?)

The question hung in the air like a blade.

-×-

To be continued…

Next up: Chapter 5: Bechaini Ka Ehsaas

By

Muskan Tarway

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