featheredclover

[featheredclover]

Hi Jalebi,

It was me who asked the question, on what exact point Arnav realised Khushi is innocent and trusted her.

I’m so elated that you liked my question. Very eagerly waiting for your answer. And one more thing to add, (regardless of what your answer is) would Arnav sought out Khushi after the kidnap scenario even if he hadn’t trusted her?

Hope you have a good day!

I hope that softens the fact that I have not answered your question in... ages.

The reason why I truly loved your question was because it is something that's never really stated in the show, so it's very very open to interpretation.

For everyone else, the question was

[But at what exact point, do you think Arnav completely nullifies or forgets or accepts or maybe comes around the fact that indeed khushi is innocent, because he was very much believing in the concept of hers and Shyam’s affair]

There are two things here.

When did Arnav believe Khushi & when did Arnav realize the whole truth because I think the show frames it as two different points.

When Did Arnav Believe Khushi

This phase, I believe, happens over the course of a few months. In general I like to think that Arnav was irked and disturbed by Khushi's contradictory behavior. Cause the way she was, at times, genuinely did not fit the kind of woman Arnav believes her to be. Also, at some points I do think Arnav knows that he's meting out unfair punishment.

At one point he isn't even punishing Khushi for hurting his sister. He's punishing Khushi for hurting him. (A part he doesn't quite easily accept cause that means he loved her and he'd rather accept anything except the fact that he was vulnerable, in love, and in love with the wrong person).

And then when he unleashes his rage and hears her story and refuses to believe it, a part of him has registered her story. At least there's a different point of view to everything - which is why he also waited for a proof.

The fact that she wants him to believe her, soothes and hurts him at the same time. Maybe it's an extension of her act, maybe somewhere there's the woman he loved.

It's too optimistic to hope that what she's saying is the truth.

And then when he's kidnapped, isolated, and almost forced to a brink of impending death - then other things and matter disappear. To hear that somehow, miraculously, Khushi was worried, crying for him - undoes him in many many ways.

He believes Khushi's innocence. Her love. Their love. Or whatever it is.

The likelihood of Khushi's innocence is far greater, and when she comes across all odds to just save him and not have a word about anything else - he believes her.

When did Arnav realize the whole truth

This, interestingly, happens during Shyam's whole panicked yet intelligent speech at Shantivan.

Shyam knows Arnav loves Khushi - assumes Khushi must have told Arnav everything at this point and he would believe the woman he loves - so Shyam no longer cares about what story he spun to Arnav.

What was important was to discredit Khushi and anyone who believes/supports Khushi.

But with Shyam's set of lies and Payal standing up to Khushi's defense - Arnav sees 2 things very clearly.

That Khushi was right, and how easily Shyam could spin a story into another.

I truly think that's when he got the grasp of what went between Shyam and the Guptas.

Hope this answers your question!

Lots of love,

Jalebi

P.S: Really wished though this was a full track.

[featheredclover]

to the first misdirect found in an indian serial that defies the trope of "blamed female character of sacrificial nature burns herself to pay for the so called sins she committed"

the 80s and 90s trope of hindi movies where it was so normal for the soft-hearted female lead to burn herself to commit suicide because the family belittles her.

this scene ALWAYS gets me!

[featheredclover]

one of my top fav arshi moments

and it HAS has hassss to be the Janmashthami episode! there is just something INTOXICATING (pun intended) about the complete loss of control both the characters displayed.

the blatant unruly, wild, untethered behaviour from khushi AND ARNAV made my heart beat with joy, anticipation, fear(?), and complete love. the sensitivity in those scenes was truly impeccable. my soul was SATISFIED with how the vulnerabilities were completely naked, unveiled to us viewers, but hidden from the characters.

the intimacy shared with the viewers, but arshi are completely clueless that they have exposed their deepest selves to each other. the scene becomes a secret meant for US, the watchers.

[featheredclover]

Fanaa

17

Read from the beginning

Previous<<< >>>Next

A sunny morning greeted the Sheesh Mahal penthouse. Wrinkling her nose, Khushi twisted and turned to hide her eyes from the light.

A puff of breath left her as her mind jolted into full wakefulness. 

What had they done yesterday? What had she done yesterday?

It was a beautiful but lazy hour after he pleasured her into her first ever orgasm. Blushing, Khushi thought of how he had kissed her gently after that, carrying her to their bed before tucking her in.

There was one moment which made her groan out loud now. One silly innocent moment.

—

The darkness the room was engulfed in did nothing to hide his beautiful self from her.

Drunk on the haze he had put her through, Khushi grabbed his hand before he could walk off.

The blanket rested on her chin, as she widened her eyes and asked softly.

“What about you? I-I can try if you t-teach me?”

He had just smirked, showing off that elusive dimple .

“Khushi?”

“Yes?”

“Go to sleep”

—

Why in god's name did she have to do that?! 

Berating herself, Khushi hopped into the shower. Only for some steam and some clarity. 

As the gush of warm water touched her skin, washing away some delicious fatigue, she couldn't help but wonder - what about Dhruv Singhania?

Can they still do that issue? Rhapsody’s first issue is on someone whom Arnav despises. But…he was the right choice for the magazine.

The dilemma continued to play in her head as she dressed in a pair of white shorts and a sweater, perfect for the weather Lucknow was draped in today.

Picking up her cell, Khushi dialled NK.

“Hey! Khush, what's up? Everything is fine? I mean after yesterday?”

“I hope it is…I didn't know they had a history “

“ Oh well, I guessed as much. But since neither Arnav nor Aman objected, I went ahead with Singhania! Are we screwed now?”

“I'll ask”, she whispered. 

“Listen! Is it fine if I stay in for the day?”

“Oh sure. Nothing much going on here anyway. Let me know about the issue”

A click set her into motion. Gathering her will, Khushi walked out into the living room.

She stopped in her tracks to see her man draped in nothing but a towel. There was another towel, but it simply rested around his neck.

And his beautiful face was lathered with the perfect amount of shaving cream. 

“You shave in the living room?”, she smiled.

“Occasionally, when the shower’s running and the door’s locked”, he shot back with a glint in his eyes.

Locked door? What is he-oh! Never mind.

Mischief sparked up inside her as she walked upto him, never leaving his eyes.

“May I?” 

Biting her lip, Khushi tilted her head as a grin threatened to break free.

A pleased yet surprised look overtook him, as he placed his razor in her out stretched hand.

Making a quick decision, she rested her knee near his before sitting astride him, ignoring the sharp intake of breath from him as he caught hold of her waist.

“What are you doing?” He gritted out.

“Shaving”, she replied smugly.

He said nothing. He didn't have to. His eyes held the blaze of a man at the end of his tethers. A man probably used to discipline and order, not a girl who tested the waters every chance she got.

Sliding a hand against his neck, even as he closed his eyes, Khushi began her task. His skin revealed itself beneath the short pickle of hair.

In smooth glides, she moved the razor. His eyes bore into her now. If she was being crazy, they held more emotion than she had experienced.

“Pull your lips in”

“Excuse me?”, he raised a brow at her command.

“Like this”, She demonstrated helpfully.

He visibly swallowed before doing as she told under her expectant gaze.

Holding his jaw gently, she completed his morning ritual.

“There! All done”

Arnav grabbed her waist before slamming her against his chest.

“All done?” He whispered hotly.

“Uh huh” Khushi nodded.

“Aren't you forgetting something?”

Her trembling thighs gave her away. She tilted his jaw, angling it to her favour.

 She kissed him.Once, twice. The third time she deepened the kiss, not resisting the moan which clawed out of her throat.

Breathless, Khushi broke away.

And that man. That monster of a man, just looked at her with flushed cheeks and challenge in his eyes.

“I was talking about after shave Mrs Raizada “

Oh! She was going to kill him. Her way.

[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Twenty Seven

Read from the beginning

Previous<< >>Next

A silver trunk lay wide open in the middle of the room. Adorned with butterfly stickers, which Khushi had stuck on when she was twelve, it was now being furiously filled with folded clothes. 

“May I ask, what the actual hell is wrong with you?”, Mona asked, while Preeto glanced at her warily.

“And shouldn’t you give your hand a rest?”

“I am fine”, Khushi huffed as she dropped another stack of shirts into the trunk. 

“I am sending all of these back home. Ma can donate them to charity-“

Mona sneaked a good pair of jeans from under her nose, as Preeto took the bait.

“Well, why this cleaning spree? Diwali is still months away”

“It was just irritating me”, she shrugged.

Eyeing the lavender curtains framing her window, she mumbled, “We need new curtains”

“Bonkers, she has gone bonkers”, Mona whispered.

Swiping a hand across the table, Khushi swept her jewellery into a small bag. That did it for the girls.

“Okay! That’s it. Tell us what’s wrong”

————

“Okay, so he told you he can’t meet you?”

“He went home. I don’t know if he’s going to talk to Akash bhaiya…”, she traced absent patterns on her duvet.

“It’s a good thing Khush! You wanted this didn’t you?”

“Yes”, hesitation clouded her voice.

She stood up, and walked over to her window. Resting her cheek against the window pane, Khushi turned back to look at her friends.

“After I burnt my hand, he actually came to walk me till dorm. I mean he bunked class for me…and then he said he wants to talk to me. And this morning he sends Aman to tell me he is going to Delhi! I hate that guy!”

Preeto smirked, while Mona looked less impressed.

“You are just love sick”

“Patience Khush!”

She crossed her arms across herself in defiance as she looked away.

“I have been patient for so long!”

All the assurance she got from her friends were the twin pillows aimed at her.

———

The soft slumber around the campus peaked the most in the afternoon. And all she could think about was curling up against the boy who was now kilometers away.

So she had packed her bag with two books , and rushed off to the common library.

It was only when she had crossed half the route that she felt the weight of a stare on her. Turning, her eyes clashed against Dhruv’s.

“O-oh”, she stuttered , their last interaction weighing heavily on her mind.

“Khushi”, he hesitated visibly before cursing under his breath.

“Please can we talk?”

It was the last thing she wanted to do. The only person she wanted to talk to was not here. But she knew she couldn’t avoid Dhruv forever.

So she nodded.

——

The rickety, weathered bench creaked under their weight. He chucked away his bag, turning his full attention to her.

“I am sorry, Khushi. That day I snapped at you like a fucking idiot. I didn’t even see beyond..beyond how you looked at Raizada”

She couldn’t say anything. What do you say? How do you even-

“I am not going to deny what I felt for you Khushi”

She looked up in shock.

“D-Dhruv that’s, well…”

He chuckled humourlessly.

“Don’t bother explaining. I know what you have with Raizada.”

“But that’s my cross to bear. All I want to do is apologise. I hope in due time….we can be friends again?”

Khushi sighed at his hopeful expression.

“Of course Dhruv. Your apology means a lot”

And for now, things were alright. 

Khushi couldn’t help but wonder how everyone but her and Arnav were able to communicate and resolve their differences. She was done waiting. She wanted him.

But how could she force his hand?

She had bitten her nails off worrying about him. She had never seen him unravel before that fateful day. The only aspect of his life where he was vulnerable, she realised. Helplessness flooded her as she toyed with the soda cap strung around her neck, resting right over her beating heart.

[featheredclover]

Let's give Khushi more middle names. She already has a long name, a few more words can't do any harm, Can it? I'll go first!

Khushi Kumari 'I wash my clothes in the swimming pool' Gupta Singh Raizada

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @hand-picked-star @hand-written-dreams @jalebi-weds-bluetooth

[featheredclover]

the first 4th wall break from ipkknd

my heart genuinely went dhak dhak yaar. imagine khushi has to see that ON A REGULAR BASIS. damn, icl khushi better than me, otherwise i would be pouncing on him 24/7

[featheredclover]

IPPKND OS: Slip of Tongue

Sangeet was supposed to be a friendly family ritual.

A charming little dance competition between the bride's and groom's sides - a harmless pre-wedding tradition to bond, laugh, and mildly embarrass oneself on stage while attempting vaguely synchronized Bollywood moves.

Again, that's what it was supposed to be.

Until Arnav Singh Raizada decided to turn it into Dance India Dance: Apocalypse Edition over a mere challenge by Khushi Kumari Gupta.

Who now stood in the middle of Shantivan’s garden, lehenga flaring, bangles clinking with her hands on hips, chin jutted out and eyes ablaze with moral indignation.

"You are a cheater!" she yelled at his back.

Arnav Singh Raizada didn’t bother to look up from his phone.

“This is a family dance competition!” Khushi yelled again.

“Yeah, excuse me-,” Arnav signaled NK, "NK please tell her it's a competition and Khushi... try to keep up.”

Khushi gasped at his insult. Trust Arnav to find inventive ways of ridiculing her!

"Haan Nanheji, what else can a talentless man do?" Khushi smiled as Arnav stiffened, turned slowly toward her, arms folded, jaw sharp enough to slice through the tension.

Now, she had his attention.

"Excuse me?" he said, like her accusation had personally offended his entire bloodline.

The said bloodline had stopped whatever they were doing in the name of dancing and watched the battle that was yet to begin.

Khushi marched toward him, dupatta flying like a battle flag. "You’ve flown in professional choreographers and actors for Jiji's wedding?! Who does that? It’s a wedding, not Jhalak Dikhhla Ja!"

Arnav took a single step forward and stopped her march, his eyes zeroed straight on hers.

The intensity always, always, threw her off.

But it was not the time to think of those things. Her accusations had barely begun!

Regaining her composure she began her tirade, "So what’s next, backup dancers in silver jumpsuits? Fireworks? Smoke machines?!"

"You're overreacting," Arnav replied, going back to his phone for a message from Aman.

"Oh, am I?" she snatched his phone. "You are not even calling actors who are Jiji and Jijaji's favorite - no, no you're straight up calling Hrithik Roshan AND Shahid Kapoor to perform in OUR SANGEET FROM YOUR END. HOW DARE YOU! HEY DEVI MAIYYA THEY ARE NOT EVEN FAMILY."

"Do they remember it's our sangeet?" Akash whispered to Payal.

"Akash ji, I don't think they even remember this is our wedding." Payal replied, hoping Buaji isn't around to whack Khushi for yelling at Arnav.

Even if he deserved it.

"Khushi, just accept that you're afraid of losing." Arnav grabbed both her wrists with one hand, plucked his phone from her fingers and smirked at Khushi, who had turned red in rage.

Khushi scoffed, and freed her hands from his. "Oh it's not me who is afraid of losing. Because you wouldn’t need to ‘win’ so desperately by hiring others if you could actually dance. Admit it. You’ve got two left feet and a fragile ego."

He stepped closer, just enough to crowd her personal space - not that Khushi ever backed down.

"You think I can’t beat you on that stage?" he said, nostrils flaring at her insult.

"You?" She laughed. "Even Lakshmi ji can dance better than you-" on cue, the goat blared nearby. Arnav, for once, really craved a mutton biryani. Khushi gave Lakshmi a high five in the air.

Arnav's jaw twitched. "Khushi-"

"What?"

"On that stage, I could you eat you out in a sec-"

His mouth clamped shut a second too late.

Silence.

A pause.

Then, full stop.

Arnav’s breath caught.

His eyes widened fractionally.

Khushi blinked.

Arnav blinked.

They blinked at each other.

The world froze. Akash looked like he'd swallowed his own tongue. Payal had turned a curious shade of crimson. Anjali faintly murmured, “Not like this Chhote...” NK wheezed with barely-contained laughter.

Khushi's mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again like a dying fish.

Then - in what could only be described as a tactical retreat - Arnav turned on his heel and walked away.

-- -- --

Arnav didn’t sleep that night. He lay awake in his room, staring at the ceiling like it had wronged him.

He tried to be logical. Maybe she didn’t know what it meant.

Maybe she was just embarrassed because he’d shouted something vaguely weird in public.

Maybe—

No.

Khushi, had very briefly, looked at his lips before he left.

He had heard the slightest, softest gasp.

Which was worse - making an image lodge itself in his brain.

Khushi.

Under him.

Eyes dark.

Lips parted.

Calling his name. In soft, sweet, gasps.

He flung a pillow over his face.

This was torture.

-- -- --

The next morning, the rest of the family acted like nothing had happened - bless their collective denial.

But Khushi?

She acted like he was contagious.

If he stepped into the kitchen, she evaporated. If he glanced at her across the room, she snapped her head away like he was staring into her soul.

And while ignorance was bliss, a part of him felt like an apology was due. Even if that apology was like a thousand thorns on his tongue.

He wouldn't want to embarrass Khushi in public.

-- -- --

Khushi drowned herself in jalebis. Walked into a tree. Told Payal she was just “hot” when she was visibly sweating bullets.

“We need to talk,” Arnav said - having appeared from nowhere. How does he keep doing that?

Khushi spun, startled. "Talk?"

"About yesterday."

"What are you even talking about?" she said, too fast. Too fake. Arnav rolled his eyes at her terrible lie.

"Khushi, you know what I meant.”

Her eyes narrowed. Her cheeks flushed.

And then she exploded.

“Is that what you want?! A girl who doesn’t know anything? A clueless little thing you can shock and corrupt and then brag about? Is that your thing, Arnav Singh Raizada?!”

He took a sharp step back. “What the f—? No!”

“You want some poor naive girl who doesn’t even know what it means so you can-so you can teach her?! You disgusting, horrible, cocky, ALPHA MALE- no-flower-giving, no-dating, no-LOVE-having—"

“Khushi-”

“—Laad Governor with no heart and no shame and - what the hell kind of man are you?!”

"THE ONE WHO WANTS TO SAY SORRY."

That made her pause.

He took a slow breath, the kind that meant he was gearing up to be serious. “I shouldn’t have said that. Not like that. Not in public.”

“And I just needed you to know that,” he added, almost awkwardly.

Khushi didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, “It's not that Arnav ji...”

That made him look up.

“What does make me want to hurl a chappal at your handsome face is that Arnav Singh Raizada doesn’t even know how to date someone!”

He blinked. “What?”

“To what extent must I analyze you? Where are the flowers? Where’s asking a girl out with words and not…LED screens and groin-level hip thrusts?”

“I didn’t hip-thrust at you.”

“You THOUGHT about it.”

He looked genuinely offended. “What the f-no, I didn’t! What's wrong with you?”

“What's wrong with me is that you're not normal!” she cried. “You’re the kind of man who seduces women by glaring at them across rooms and then wonders why we’re all confused! What am I supposed to do, Laad Governor? Paint a signboard that says FLIRT WITH ME, YOU BRICK WALL?”

He stared at her. “You want me to flirt with you?”

“YOU’RE MISSING THE POINT.”

"You have a point?"

"I do! You can't even take me out and you're straight into eat-" Khushi clamped her hands over her mouth.

"Hey Devi Maiyya," she shrieked, and fled with her dignity on the floor.

Arnav stood in stunned silence.

And then slowly, a smile crept across his face.

Because she had just handed him the playbook.

-- -- --

That night, Khushi curled up under her blanket with a mountain of jalebis and a heart rate comparable to a dhol beat.

What had come over him? What had come over her?!

How had they gone from talking about a dance competition to... to whatever in the world these things are.

And he didn't have to apologize. They both were had foot in the mouth disorder.

She tried reading a romance novel.

Mistake.

The hero's name was Arman. And in Chapter 4, he was eating strawberries off the heroine’s-

She threw the book across the room. Then quickly rescued it and put it in her secret drawer. She would die before anyone got to know what she read.

Clutching her dupatta, she tried to screw her eyes shut to sleep.

She was in a red saree. The pallu floated like in the wind. A man stood by a rain-soaked window, transparent white shirt clinging to his chest in a way that would definitely get a sanskaar warning on Doordarshan.

'Teri Meri' swelled in the background. She ran into his arms. There was spinning. Wrist-grabbing. A full-blown neck kiss that would put SRK to shame.

Wait... why did the man look familiar?

And then, with one hand, Arnav.. Arnav! reached behind and tugged at the dori of her blouse.

Khushi sat up in bed with a gasp.

“Hai Devi Maiyya!”

Hands over her mouth. Wide-eyed. Very, very awake.

And so incredibly flustered.

She couldn’t face him.

She wouldn’t face him.

-- -- --

Devi Maiyya disagreed.

Khushi and her friend had practiced 'Teri Meri' as a mockery. As to how Jijaji and Jiji didn't really have a conflict but created this dramatic love story out of nothingness.

But the funny commentary CD and her friend - were both delayed so she was left on the stage in her green saree and just the original soundtrack.

And Arnav showed up. Sans the actors and choreographers - who were apparently cancelled last minute.

Arnav and Khushi danced.

He made her feel the rhythm.

And Khushi's heart absolutely misbehaved.

Because he let her win in more ways than one.

-- -- --

Khushi ran into the guest room, clutching her heart and knocking over carpet into the bed where there were a few things.

A white rose, a box of jalebis, a long rectangular box that she suspected had bangles and a handwritten note that was impossible to decipher.

Blue Orchid, 8pm, Saturday?

She stared at the note for three solid minutes.

She squeaked. Then panicked. Then almost fainted. Then screamed into a pillow and promptly knocked over a stack of bangles.

And of course — at that exact moment — he walked in.

"Khushi."

"Ji Arnav ji," she panted, snapping back to poise like she hadn’t just done the Macarena of joy.

"Tum theek ho?" She nodded so hard at his question that her head could've nearly fallen off.

And then, he stepped in.

Arnav Singh Raizada, in all his devastating, smirking calm.

“Uh… someone left this,” she said, clutching the note like a weapon.

Arnav raised his eyebrow. So this is how she was going to play it.

"Someone?" He asked.

"Someone," Khushi shrugged, twisting the end her saree between her poor fingers.

"Khushi. Kumari. Gupta." Arnav punctuated each word with a step towards her, making her hit the wall behind her.

"N-not like this." Khushi whispered, closing her eyes.

"But Khushi... if not like this-" Arnav tucked her hair behind her ear, "then how will I tell you that-"

Khushi gripped his hands, hoping whatever Arnav was planning quickly got over-no-no-it lasted long enough for him to not change his mind!

Hey Devi Maiyya she was not ready for a kiss! She needed at least five more minutes to scream.

"T-tell me what A-Arnav ji?"

"That Di is calling you downstairs." Arnav stepped back and hid a smile at her obvious disappointment.

Khushi turned red - this time in anger - and picked up the rectangle box to fling it at him.

"Khushi! The bangles will break!" Arnav ducked.

"HA! YOU BOUGHT IT FOR ME!" Khushi cheered, "I knew it! And who leaves notes without signing their name? What if it was for someone else? What if someone else wrote this? Must I assume everything written around me is by you? You and your God complex. And okay this is cute... but-but I don't know why you're doing this. Tell me why? You can buy these things for me but can you tell me-"

She stopped.

Because Arnav had leaned in and kissed her cheek. Quiet. Certain. Just once.

It was over before she could inhale.

"I hope that answers your questions," he murmured.

Khushi blinked. Brain buffering. And then, on impulse, she stood on tiptoe and planted a quick, nervous kiss on his cheek too.

Arnav - who had faced boardrooms, buyouts, and Buaji - actually looked startled.

"I-uh-okay so if we're doing this, then-then you can’t just show up in your car. Buaji will have a heart attack. And Happy ji’s garage is too crowded, also oil stains. No, no, maybe you stand near the paan stall and I 'coincidentally' come for... for tamarind-no, that’s not believable-OH DEVI MAIYYA."

Arnav folded his arms, watching her with quiet disbelief and far too much fondness.

"Khushi."

She looked up, mid-rant.

"It's not a heist. Just a dinner."

"It’s not just dinner! It’s our first proper-thing. And our families are nosy. And your face is too famous. And I panic around candlelight. And I don’t know what fork to use. And-"

"Khushi."

"Haan?!"

"We’ll go to dinner."

"That's what I’m trying to figure out!"

"In Delhi. Like adults. I’ll pick you up at 8. Ring the bell. Say hello to Buaji. Like a normal human man. She won't question me at all"

He reached for her hand and linked their fingers. Gently, not claiming. Just there.

She stared at their joined hands.

"...Okay, but if Buaji throws a chappal at you, I did warn you."

"I’ll bring a helmet."

Khushi laughed.

"Fine," she muttered, cheeks pink. "Come at 8. Ring the bell. Say you’re here to discuss… lights. Wedding lights. That’s believable, right?"

"Not even a little."

"Whatever, just bring jalebis. She’ll forgive anything. You're beginning to be her favorite anyway - ever since your advertisement for the steel factory. And if nothing else, praise the company or the fabric of the sarees she stiches." Khushi chuckled.

Only Arnav could defend the Guptas gift by citing the revenue of the company that made the steel thali.

He laughed under his breath. "Okay."

"And," she added, voice soft, "don’t forget to bring yourself."

"Khushi... I think that's the plan."

-- -- --

Khushi wore the bangles that night.

And the next day.

And to the mandap rehearsals and while eating laddoos and while yelling at NK about choreo counts. She wore them to sleep, even though Payal teased her about it.

One night, Arnav noticed.

He was helping her up after she tripped over yet another strategically misplaced rug in Shantivan.

"You're still wearing these?" he asked, catching her wrist.

Khushi shrugged. “They’re pretty. They go with everything.”

“You wear them all the time?” he asked casually, eyes flicking to the glass bangles.

Khushi looked down. “Haan. All the time.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Impossible.”

“Oh, it is very possible!” she huffed. “While eating, yelling, dancing, fighting - oh, remind me to tell you how Hari Prakash ji said jalebis can't be sugar-free, I mean who is the halwai's daughter here? Anyway, yes, fighting, sleeping, bathing-”

Arnav smirked and stepped closer. “Bathing?”

Khushi blinked.

Blushed.

Internally screamed.

The fairy lights blinked rapidly between them like scandalised chaperones.

"Sir, I need these files-" Aman, the savior (and sautan when he called right when Arnav and Khushi tried kissing, again), showed up in time and helped Khushi run away in mortification.

Because Arnav was right.

Apart from the fact that the chime of these bangles told her that everything was a reality, there was something else that Khushi felt too intensely in her heart when these were the only pieces of jewelry she wore in a bath, or clinked in between her very very unsanskaari dreams at night.

Now all she had to do was wait, wait for Jiji's marriage and tell the family about the latest development.

-- -- --

(": THE END :")

Tagging the usuals (pls mention if you’d like to be tagged - also this is a new list so if I’m forgetting anyone - sorry!)

@chutkiandchotte @dreaming-star @professor-cant-fuck @thedupattaknowswhatsup @bigfatreader @muttonthings @da-ka-ba @fresh-child-bouquet @hand-picked-star @fancydreamphilosopher @scorpio-smiles @thenainitaldisaster @titaliya @sankititaliya @sampigehoovu @jalebicheesecake @dnkkpi @nammy07

[featheredclover]

September Rain

Chapter Twenty Six

Read from the beginning

Previous<< >>Next

He was a proud boy. He had always been. Ma had praised him for that. Everyone had.

It was only dad who frowned when anyone said that about him. He always maintained that it’s that one flaw Raizada men have. 

He remembered the way his dad used birdwatching and volunteering at blue cross shelters to get that flaw away from both his sons.

But how could his father know? Pride doesn’t dim with good character.

He stretched his legs out on the terrace, his eyes steady on the green roof a distance away. She was probably asleep by now. The burn… he thought angrily. 

God! Why can’t she be careful for once?

He had been a fool.

An idiot who thought he was hiding it better, controlling it better.

He was letting Khushi know that she should move on. She deserved better than this mess of a man.

Who has a meltdown at 17 for god’s sake? She deserved a man better than that, he had thought fervently.

Rolling his eyes at himself, Arnav knew. The only fool he was making out of his acting was himself. As if he would sit there , hands folded as some nobody took Khushi away. His Khushi.

——

He didn’t want to talk to Akash bhai. And like always he respected his decision. Granting him all the time and space in the world.

Only Aman didn’t give a damn about his needs.

He invaded blatantly . Leaving a filled form for the post of treasurer by his bedside. All set to be submitted.

Arnav gave in. He didn’t pause to think why.

Was it because it was the first thing she had said when she found him in throes of despair? To apply for other posts? He didn’t know. 

What he did know was that she wanted to be with him on this journey. There was no one who would have been happier than her upon hearing the news that he had broken the shackles of his grief.

So he had run. Leaving his lunch. Leaving his friends behind. All that to go tell her as she sat under the shade of the vast tree.

She had hugged him. Uncaring of his stony silence, she had done that. But he couldn’t hug her back. Not right then. Because she deserved someone better. 

Khushi might not know it yet. But she…she was special. She was whole. Even when she was a doe eyed eleven year old, she was someone who made you smile. She shouldn’t have to deal with his messy unravelling.

 When he asked for her help, he felt weak. He knew he could have pulled some strings and managed the preparation on his own. But the thought of not having an excuse to talk to her all those weeks? Arnav Singh Raizada was too weak for that.

He felt torn when they used to meet at the stairs. The hesitancy that grew in her stance daily was killing him. The only thing which kept his misplaced will power going was her. Her and her alone. 

And when he was called into the headmistress’s office to be informed of his win, all he wanted to do was run to her.

Because he knew what he wanted would be reflected in her eyes, what he wanted to feel would be in her arms and what he wanted to please the most would be her heart.

But he didn’t. Because the splinter in his heart still hadn’t healed. And Khushi couldn’t see this fragmented version of him. He simply couldn’t let her see him that way anymore.

———

The wide toothed grin which had been so evasive for weeks was now shining bright. Khushi donned it with such joy, the recipient of that smile couldn’t help but be dazzled. But he wasn’t at the receiving end of it anymore, was he?

Varun. The cheeky bastard had invaded his presence in her life, more than what he could tolerate. 

He might have resolved to not be with Khushi till he made something of himself. But in reality, he had forgotten the admirers who would buzz around her, with their saccharine words and pretentious gestures .

He will kill this guy if he flutters around his Khushi again. 

———

Arnav shook his head, as those very real emotions overwhelmed him again. Standing up now, he leaned against the terrace railing. His gaze once again settling on the green roof.

He had been watching her in glances. Like he always did. He dabbled with beakers, chemicals and NK’s antics all at once. And just when he was distracted he heard a sharp yelp and a hiss. 

It was too late. She was hurt and it was too late.

He had to stop himself from running after Mona and Preeto. But he couldn’t stop himself from taking that risk and bunking the afternoon session to meet her. To assure himself more than her.

 Rubbing his tired eyes, he picked up the phone Aman had sneaked in last week and dialled a number as familiar to him as his own name.

“Bhai?”, he croaked out. 

“Arnav!”

He could see the expression on his brother;s face in his mind’s eye, clouding over with surprise.

“I- I am sorry. I have been a complete idiot”

A rough rumble of laughter reached his ears.

“You definitely have been!”

------

Next>>>

[featheredclover]

honestly as much as i hated the fact that arnav even believed the possibility that khushi was the reason why shyam was a charaterless creep, it definitely shows the writers true understanding of how trauma actually works.

with everything that arnav has experienced in the past it is so likely that his unhealed trauma with his past WILL STILL BE a barrier between his trust in love. i am so satisfied that the writers didn't make arnav immediately change upon falling in love with khushi and actually made him doubt her. because that is how the trauma cycle works. unhealed thought patterns come back to haunt you. you question every nice thing in life. and by the time you think things would be different, self-fulfilling prophecy is that the doorstep. when the brain wires itself to expect bad things, it will notice only those things.

however as a viewer, putting myself in khushi's shoes, the feeling from arnav being caring to a complete 360 in his behaviour with no explanation would truly be hell. i mean from khushi's side, here she was finally trusting men, and then arnav leaves her to fend for herself. zero explanation. no consultation. nil trust. if i thought i had found someone who truly, deeply understands me, cares for me, is always protecting me, suddenly become the very reason i can't even recognise who i am? gosh, i can only imagine her condition.

sigh... i won't lie. i did skipped through the entire payal weds akash thing because I just couldn't handle the complete flip of the switch. GOSH MY CHEST PAINS. i hate miscommunication troupe.

get therapy guys!

[featheredclover]

so likeeeeee Lavanya x Khushi was my endgame actually😔😔 my soul is with this duo.

i love this episode so much!! #yashi

i am so glad they explored this arc for both lavanya and khushi. truly shows what truly girls are like <333

[featheredclover]

Hear me out, the way he's looking at Lavanya here, omg, my heart can't handle it! They may not have been meant to be, but let's be real, they were totally an adorable couple <3

[featheredclover]

arnav is so REALLLL , me and shantivan ppl all fcking hate shyam

[featheredclover]

Fanaa

16

Read from the beginning

15..........17

A whirlwind of horses and mallets crowded her vision as Khushi gazed at the scene. 

“Thrilling isn’t it?”, NK grinned as he passed her  a glass of lemonade. 

He had managed to click the photographs for the cover. Dhruv had been extremely photogenic, rendering the task much easier than they had expected.

She had sneaked in a text to Arnav, informing him that she would be late. The lack of response would have rattled her any other day, but today was the day she was observing the Singhania Scion to get any nugget of information other than the ones on his Wikipedia page.

She looked on as the match began between Lucknow lions and Jodhpur giants. The graceful sport, played with much gusto, was something Khushi had only heard about. 

Right now with NK and his whispers explaining the rules kept her enough company to make her forget that Arnav still hadn’t replied to her text.

———

“Please Khushi, you must stay for the after party. As my guest. You have brought me immense luck in my game”

Khushi shrugged awkwardly, “Please Mr Dhruv, you won because you are a great player. And I really should go back now. I had a good time. Thank you for inviting us here. NK will stay for the party”

“NK’s not enough! I must have a beautiful girl like you giving me company”, his eyes glinted with something beyond her comfort as he raised an arm to hold her hand.

Before Khushi could step back, a jerk and a shove pushed away Dhruv’s hand.

“Singhania “, was her husband’s curt response, almost sounding like a snarl.

“Raizada! What a surprise “, Dhruv smirked , “I had no idea you had a taste for the…..young”, he mocked, casting a sleazy glance at Khushi.

She felt herself wanting to hide. This was a game she simply didn’t want to play. And like always, his hold anchored her, sliding around her waist, refusing to let her feel less.

“I see Khushi is done with your interview then. We’ll take your leave.”

Arnav nodded at NK in acknowledgement before holding her hand intending to storm off.

“Oh! Come on! Khushi will know I meant no harm. You see, Lavanya was so Arnav's type, Anjali was surprised-“

“I won’t say this again Singhania. Keep the two bit illicit mess you thrive in to yourself”

“Oh but it’s no longer a mess, is it Raizada?”

Khushi could no longer hear him, because Arnav had deemed him not worth any more replies.

“I-“

“Don’t want to hear it Khushi “, he snapped , almost ripping open the car door.

Bad timing, Khushi decided before sliding into her seat.

———

The car swerved into the buzzing weekend traffic. The privacy screen meant that Khushi had nowhere else to focus on except the man beside her. He had eased into calm now. But she couldn’t help but wonder if it was deceptive.

Of course he had a history with Dhruv. A history concerning people she now knew but she didn’t know how to get him to tell her. 

She had to try, didn’t she?

Scooting closer, Khushi played with his collar, lowering down her voice to a soft murmur she asked,

“You aren’t going to tell me what happened back there?”

His eyes snapped open, burning into hers. 

“Shouldn’t I know?”, she sighed.

He gulped, staring at her as if she was some code which was leaving him puzzled.

Clearing his throat, he looked away.

“My sister…she cheated on her husband with Singhania. Her husband…Shyam wasn’t some messiah either. But he was loyal. For me-“

He took a deep breath, “For me infidelity is…my father cheated on Ma. He left her when she needed him the most, leaving her with money but not his support. She didn’t tell me she was diagnosed with cancer for years because I would have hated him more. I couldn’t..I didn’t know till she couldn’t hide it anymore “

“Where is he now?”Khushi asked gently.

“He died in a boating accident a year before ma got worse”

“Anjali?”

“She was too busy to be involved in ma’s care”

There. That was it. Arnav hadn’t elaborated much. But she knew instinctively that it went deeper than that. There was neglect, resentment and something painful. And he had put everything in a box for so long, she felt he was living it all again as he struggled to form words to explain his past to her.

———

The rest of the journey back home had been silent. Arnav had calmed down noticeably. But Khushi was still strung up.

Still rattled at the way he snapped at her, Khushi wanted him back, the Arnav who made her feel like she was the centre of his attention. 

Not this Arnav who just coolly walked into their apartment, going about his business. She moved into the dressing room without a grumble. Grabbing one of those slinky little pieces Sara had insisted on, Khushi stepped into the shower.

She felt juvenile, using this method to get his attention. As she slipped on the white lacy thing, Khushi wondered if Arnav would even blink an eye. He was , after all ,not experiencing everything for the first time like she was. 

Oh well, she had to try, didn’t she?

Walking out , Khushi searched for him in the bedroom. Without any luck, she went about searching the house.

She finally found him, resting against a recliner in one of the private balconies. He was disheveled. His buttons had been ripped off in probable frustration, as tanned skin peeked out. A glass of whiskey rested lazily in his hand.

Persistent with her desire, which she relied upon to grant her the courage, Khushi walked up to him. Bending down, she held his stare as she grabbed his glass before setting it atop the glass teapoy.

She settled on his thigh, fluttering her legs together, aware that her dress had ridden up.

He let her settle on his lap, but didn’t speak a word. He just looked at her. Looked at her as if she was….

“I am sorry”, Khushi whispered.

“I am sorry but I didn’t know. I mentioned him and you didn’t say anything. We could have scrapped the whole thing-“

“Shh Khushi “, he groaned before sliding his hand around the nape of her neck and pushing her up against him.

He traced a trembling finger from her knee, caressing her thigh.

Khushi moaned as his lips attacked hers. He pushed his tongue against hers, impatience in every ripple of his hard body. 

She kissed him back, completely bewitched. She was in a blind haze as he held her in place, kissing her like there was no tomorrow. 

She shivered as his touch reached the juncture of her thighs. 

He gently pushed the hem up, tracing the lacy yet modest underwear she had donned on.

She could almost feel his leash snap.

“May I?” , he asked hoarsely.

Khushi bit her lip gently as she nodded with a gasp.

Without slipping it off, he pressed his finger against her, sending her into a frenzy. He just couldn't take his eyes off her.

She gasped loudly as he began sliding his finger against her. Clutching the lapels of his shirt, Khushi whimpered as his touch became more bold, more rough and much more insane.

“Khushi” he murmured, before slipping his finger underneath the piece of cloth, jolting her with pleasure.

Pinching her clit, he whispered into her ear as she leaned against him.

“Is this okay?”

Khushi nodded, unable to find any coherent words.

He rubbed, he pressed, he pinched , he caressed the softest part of her.

And she was a mess.

Moaning his name, Khushi twisted in his lap, completely driven into the pleasurable misery.

He slid a thick finger into it, before she clamped down on him.

“Feels good?” He kissed her cheek.

“Oh yes” she moaned, thrusting her hip deeper into his finger.

“Good” he groaned.

Kissing her with a passion which thrilled her as much as it scared her, he took his time. Pushing and pulling in and out of her. Going deeper with every slide.

“Oh god!” Khushi groaned as she felt a strange sensation take over her body.

“Oh baby”, Arnav moaned hotly against her neck as she convulsed around his finger.

He slid in deeper, as she twitched in his lap. Her hair was now a wild mess as she tilted her head back, completely overwhelmed. Completely a mess.

Next chapter>>

[featheredclover]

Fanaa

15

Read from the beginning

14.......16

"Morning”

Her ear tickled under his breath as she squirmed in his hold. She turned her head and-

“Khush! Wait, I can call you Khush right?”

“Of course”, she beamed at NK.

“What were you daydreaming about?”

“Oh, nothing. Just this and that”, she shrugged, flushing at her thoughts.

It had been a few days since they had kickstarted the work on the magazine’s debut issue. A few days of working till late and falling asleep after she ate her husband’s face.

Goodness! What must he be thinking of her!

 Like clockwork, she would drift towards him. She felt like a pervert. He never really said anything, but that slight smirk which curved his lips before he made her dizzy with pleasure was enough to let her know her eagerness was not going unnoticed.

He drove her insane. She was no fool in love. This man was just a walking treasure of sex appeal. Every mundane act he performed was a class in being sexy. The way he made himself coffee every morning, the way he pulled on a fresh shirt every morning, the way he once rubbed her feet absently as he read the newspaper and kissed her into submission later.

Clearing her throat, Khushi willed herself to focus on her laptop. Strewn across the screen were tabs of Dhruv Singhania. His manager had agreed for an interview before he left for Bombay. And of course, NK had wagered for a photo-op the same day. 

After that night though, she hadn’t discussed Dhruv with Arnav. It just hadn’t come up, until this morning.

———

The wheels rolled steadily even as Lucknow traffic surrounded them. The privacy screen stood steady between them and Mohan, the driver.

She sighed. Weekend had rolled over in a blink, and she was just beginning to get the hang of it. The work. The schedule. The subtle glances she got at work. The feeling of having a husband to lean back upon was still strange.

She would be heavy in discussions when someone would call her Mrs Raizada throwing her completely off track. She tried not to think much about it. 

The fact was that she was indeed married to Arnav. She got this position because of him. It made her uncomfortable in certain moments, but not enough to stop working. It helped that NK couldn’t care less. 

-----

“You are awfully quiet this morning”, he glanced at her, morning papers lay strewed between them.

“Oh, I have to interview today”, she sighed.

“Interview whom?”, he frowned.

“Dhruv Singhania “

A beat passed. Then two. He didn’t say anything. Neither did his face betray him.

“That reminds me. I’ll come home straight from the polo grounds “

Arnav didn’t react still. It felt like he was barely keeping himself from snapping. 

“I see”, he said coolly before diverting his attention back to the page in his hand.

———

Strange, she mused.

Was there some history there? But Dhruv had gone to business school, nowhere near Arnav.

“Khushi! I am sorry, the cameras have a glitch! Basu and I’ll get it fixed and reach there in an hour. Can you please finish the interview by then?”

Flustered, Khushi felt a pit of worry bubbling up within her.

“M-me? Alone?”

“You must have done an interview in college!”

“Yes, but that was for a project or college magazine. Not for this multi million dollar enterprise”

NK shook his head, “Khush come on! You need to treat it like your own magazine. Not about AR”

“Is that even possible?”, she asked glumly

“Yes, it is. Now, trust me. In these few days I have seen what you are and I know you can handle Singhania. What are you waiting for?”

—----

By the end of the afternoon, Khushi couldn't answer NK’s question. Not to him, not to herself.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she gathered herself even as the taxi navigated it's way through Lucknow traffic.

Dhruv Singhania.

As popular, as he was a mystery.

She knew about such personalities. And honestly even a few days of marriage with such a man had given her no clue.

Arnav was….he was…

Khushi couldn't help but feel that he was much more at ease with her than she was. She knew he was older and experienced. But still, something about his comfort with her surprised her.

“Wow! What are these?” Khushi looked into the almirah in awe.

Stacks of clay pots in different shapes, painted in different colours lay there. Each cuter than the other.

“Ma’s” Arnav grinned, “She used to do pottery and then she picked it up again after the diagnosis “

Khushi looked back at them, “Why don't you use them? They are really pretty “

“Okay”

Just like that, he asked her to pick two cups. Her iced tea and his black coffee were poured into heart ones that morning. And every morning from then on.

She sipped, glancing at him over the rim of her cup, even as Manorama aunty's voice rang in her ears .

“It's been years. But Arnav never speaks of Ratna. He shuts down anyone who brings her up.”

—---

The car jerked to a halt. Stepping down, Khushi breathed heavily upon seeing the magnificent polo club.

She sailed through the gate, and stepped into the Pearl lounge.

The cool air conditioned air hit her flushed cheeks, as she looked upto see the man of the evening.

“Khushi Gupta, I assume “ he smirked sipping champagne out of a stem.

“Nice to meet you, Mr Singhania “

Dhruv was a hard to miss man. Dressed in a polo uniform, the Jodhpuris tailored seamlessly, he cut a dashing figure.

“If only NK, had told me you were so beautiful I would have dressed in something better” he winked.

She purses her lips, unsure at the flirting.

“Where shall we do this?” 

Gesturing at the coffee table, Dhruv slipped into a chair.

—---

Even if their start had been a bit awkward, Khushi began to ease as he answered her questions with sincerity. 

He was a wealthy man with a heart. He had his faults, and she was sure being a skirt chaser was one of them.

“Do you want to see my grandfather's book, Khushi?”

“Sure! What is it about?”

“ Well, he was the Maharaja of Rajouri. Eden Blake photographed him in the 60s”

She would have been a poor journalist had she not heard of Blake’s name. 

The book was a beautiful olive green hardbound. Glossy pictures of polo playing gentlemen displayed on each page.

Out of the blue, a sensation of fur brushed against her right arm.

She yelped, even as the jet black creature purred and settled herself near her master.

Dhruv chuckled, “Miss Gupta, meet Elizabeth. She has a habit of sneaking up on people”

“She is beautiful” Khushi muttered with a smile before petting the cat.

“Oh” she looked up , “I am not a miss”

She didn't know why she felt the need to clarify. Just that she did.

His smile faded, “Oh. NK didn't mention it”

“Well”, Khushi shrugged.

“It's not the first thing to be introduced by”

“Who's the lucky guy?”

“Arnav Raizada”

She said, fighting to keep the sheepishness away from her voice.

“Oh my. Small world”, he picked up a cigarette from the tray beside him.

“You know each other?” She tilted her head.

“Well, let's just say he isn't a fan.” Dhruv chuckled.

He slid the book towards her, “Please, take this as my gift”

He paused before offering her a drink, “Stay for the match, please. You won't regret it.”

Next chapter>>>>

[featheredclover]

Dinosaurs didn’t watch Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? and now they’re extinct.

Coincidence?

[featheredclover]

starting a collection of my favourite AO3 author’s notes

honourable mentions