Chapter
27: Damage
Arnav turned
to his sister who was staring at the floor in shame.
“What is she
talking about Di?” he asked.
“Chote, you
have to understand that I was very angry and upset when I did this.” She tried
to explain.
“When you
did what?”
“When I
drove Khushiji away.”
The sleeping pills that she had mixed in
Arnav’s milk should keep him asleep until morning. She had called Karan earlier
and he had agreed to help her start a new life. She had written a note to
explain to him why she was leaving. That note had taken her a week to write
because every time she started it she wanted to cry. She left the note along
with his mother’s bangles and the signed divorce papers.
She got out a small suitcase from
underneath the bed and began packing quickly and quietly. She kept glancing
over at Arnav to make sure that he wouldn’t wake up and stop her. Every time he
made a noise or shifted, she froze.
Finally she was all packed and ready to go.
She looked over at her ex husband one more time, he was blissfully unaware of
what was happening. She made her way to the bed and stole one last kiss before
turning her back and leaving the room.
She had made it to the front door when she
realised how stupid she was being. Arnav loved her. He had said so himself. And
she loved him too. It didn’t make any sense to run away from this. So what if
the circumstances for their marriage were unorthodox? It didn’t matter anymore.
The truth was out about Shyam and their marriage. Sure people were still
getting used to the idea but no one was against them being together.
She smiled. She was going to call Karan and
tell him she planned to stay with her husband. Then she’d go upstairs and tear
up the divorce papers before unpacking and snuggling up next to her husband.
She was just about to do this when she heard a noise behind her. She turned to
find Anjili staring at her.
“Khushiji?” she asked. “Is that you?”
“Yes Di.”
Anjili frowned. “What are you doing? It’s
the middle of the night.”
Khushi tried to hide her bag. “Nothing Di.”
“Were you thinking about leaving Chote?”
“Yes but-”
“Good.”
Khushi was stunned. “What?”
“Well, he only married you because of me,
he didn’t marry you because he loved you. Plus he just made you sign a contract
and you guys didn’t get married the proper Hindu way, so your marriage is
hardly valid.” She said in a-matter-of-fact way.
“What do you mean?”
“Did you do the pheras?”
“No but-”
“Was there a priest?”
“No.”
“Then it’s not a proper marriage. But what
you did was admirable. You did it to save your sister’s marriage and he did it
to save mine. Except it was a bit pointless because you both ruined my marriage.”
She said harshly.
“Di, I’m really sorry-”
“I know Khushiji. I also know that it isn’t
your fault but every time I look at you I remember my husband’s betrayal and
that hurts because he loved you more than he loved me.”
“No Di.”
“It’s true. If it wasn’t for you I’d still
be happily married. My husband wouldn’t have strayed if it wasn’t for you!” she
accused.
“Di please.” Khushi begged. “We told you
the truth. I didn’t do anything. I always refused his advances and treated him
like a brother.”
“Then why was he still after you?”
“Because he doesn’t understand the meaning
of no. I only love Arnavji.” She insisted.
“Is that because he has enough money to
give you everything you could ever want?”
Khushi was tearing up. She didn’t
understand why Anjili was being so callous towards her. “No Di, I love him
because of who he is.”
“Really? Because you used to hate him and
then suddenly you loved him. Honestly, girls like you make me sick.”
Khushi was in floods of tears by this
point. “Di, I promise you it’s not like that.”
“Really? Look at it from my perspective
Khushiji. You come in to my world and seduce all the men in my life. You turn
my husband, my cousins and even my brother against me. So tell me, what am I supposed
to think?”
Khushi could see why Anjili would think
that. I mean, from Anjili’s position, it did look bad.
“Di, if there is anything I could do to
change your mind-”
“You can leave.”
“What?”
“Leave. Otherwise, I’m going to make your
life as miserable as you made mine.”
Khushi looked in Anjili’s eyes to see if
she was serious but all she could find was a cold empty shell. She couldn’t
take it anymore; she grabbed her bag and ran out of the house. She didn’t want
to stay if she wasn’t welcomed.
Karan was waiting outside with a taxi when
he saw her heading his way wiping her tears.
“What happened Khushi?” he asked with
concern.
“Nothing. Just take me away please.”
He didn’t probe her further. He made her
sit in the taxi while he put her luggage in the trunk. As soon as he was
seated, they left the Raizada Mansion
The only
people who looked surprised and shocked at the events of the past were the kids
and Arnav.
“Shit!”
whispered Sanjay to Priti. “I never knew your mum was capable of something like
that.”
“I did.” She
replied. “I mean, where do you think I get my vindictiveness from? My dad
wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“He’s a
surgeon.” Said Sachin.
“Yes but
that’s he’s job. He doesn’t take pleasure in it.”
Arnav looked
at his sister who was still looking at the floor.
“Tell me it’s
not true Di. Tell me please.” He begged.
“I’m sorry
Chote. I really am.”
He turned
away from her in disgust. “Because of you, I lost the love of my life!”
“I know
Chote-”
“No you don’t!”
he yelled.
“Yes I do!”
she shouted back. “Because I had lost mine too and that’s why I did what I did.”
Before they
could continue their argument, Khushi stepped in. “Look guys, you can squabble
later but I’m leaving now.”
“Wait
Khushi. You said you have forgiven us.” Said Arnav.
“I have.” She
replied.
“Then give
me one last chance.”
“No because
I’m fed up of your family trying to ruin my life and my daughter getting caught
in the middle of it.”
“What do you
mean?”
“I can
forgive you for anything that you have done or might do to me but when my
daughter is concerned, then I can’t forgive anything. Anjili obviously still
has some explaining to do because driving me out wasn’t the only damage she
did.”
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