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The Sinner- 4

Arnav's room..

Shantivan...

Delhi...

Around 10 a.m.

" When I was telling the truth, no one believe me, instead I was tagged as a " Liar".. and now, how I conveniently telling them lie and they are believing at me.. But they deserve this.. They all never deserves a selfless Khushi, but a Liar Khushi is apt for them..."

With that Khushi murmured to herself, "Liar" checked...

Today, she had lied smoothly and knowingly.. and from now onwards, she will fabricate the Lie in such a way, that it will make the Raizada believe on those golden lies..

Khushi looked once again at the mirror, the woman staring at her is definitely not the bubbly, naïve girl she used to be but the Changed secretive girl she had became..

" You are a liar.." Khushi remember those words and shake her head, " I have proved you, that yes, I am a liar...Just wait and watch, you will only get the fruit what you had cultivated since the time we met, Mr Raizada.."

Khushi's attention went back to the Mobile phone, and she smile a little, "another message"

"What is the Lion doing? Did he roared?"

" Mollycoddling the drama queen of this house.. Don't worry, he is now in guilt trip, so will do nothing..." Khushi replied instantly gritting her teeth just thinking about Arnav's behavior few moments ago..

Arnav was asking about her whereabouts... If she was the earlier Khushi, then it would have melted her heart but no, she will not do the same MISTAKE again and again..

Enough is enough now...

Unknown to her, Arnav has followed her upstair and was silently watching Khushi for long, her self muttering, constant chatting, smiling reading some messages.. Arnav felt his heart lit up with Khushi's cheerful gesture. Since last night Arnav is overburden with guilt, he was not sure how he will face Khushi but watching her so cheerful, gave him strength.

Arnav slowly took steps in the room expecting that Khushi will as usual senses his presence and will make easier his redemption.. But to his utter surprise, Khushi just finish chatting, place her phone casually on bedside drawer and entered in the washroom humming some unknown tune, not at all caring about Arnav's presence behind her..

Arnav was stunned in his place, his one hand was raised halfway to touch Khushi, but the later had already disappeared behind the washroom door..

" Did she really not realize my presence?" Arnav thought wonder..

" May be she realized that dreams can never became reality, that its high time she should wake up from her dreamland..." Arnav's heart mocked him raising the guilt many folds..

Arnav's thought broke suddenly looking at the bedside table on Khushi's phone.

" Android Phone?? Is it Khushi's ?" Arnav thought surprised.. before he could ponder the washroom door get open and Khushi came out looking like a fresh bloom flower..

Arnav look at Khushi forgetting the surrounding, forgetting the problems in his marriage, the only thing that matters at present is His Khushi... The beautiful, innocent bubbly girl who stole his heart and taught him to love and live once again.

Arnav's trance was broken when he realize Khushi was looking at him, with a nervous smile on his face Arnav took few steps towards Khushi when she spoke, " Is Anjaliji alright?"

" Huh??What?" Arnav asked surprised..

" How is Anjaliji?" Khushi repeat again.. Arnav looked at her a little surprise, it was not about the question but the way Khushi casually asked about his di its so unlikely of Khushi.. There is no compassion in her voice.. Her voice is so cold, so indifferent, as if Khushi is not asking about his di but about a woman who is not the family.

" Di is fine.. far better.. You just met her downstairs, she was asking about you. Oh actually.." Arnav suddenly stop speaking when Khushi smile, but there is something different in her smile.. It was a mocking, sarcastic one..

" Khushi... You..." Arnav was speechless looking at Khushi, but before he proceed further, Khushi's phone ping, indicating one incoming message.

Arnav felt detest, a certain discomfort looking at the way Khushi smiling while reading the message. Arnav cleared his voice.

" Who is sending you message Khushi?" Arnav asked curious.. He is becoming restless knowing that the genuine smile on Khushi's face is not because of him..

" Why?" Khushi just shrugged.

" What why? I just asked a simple question. Why are you replying this way?" Arnav said realizing that Khushi suddenly had closed her heart for him.. She had cut down the unseen bond that had always connected them..

" Why does it matter to you who messaged me ?" Khushi asked with a smile on her face, which rubbed Arnav in a wrong way..

" It matters because you are my wife.. I have the right to know. And I am surprise Khushi why are you making a fuss over a simple question?" Arnav said while Khushi looked at him with a blank emotionless face..

" You very quickly remember that I am your wife... but as per as I remember, I am your contracted wife with whom you strike a one sided deal just to protect your precious di.." Khushi said without any emotion while Arnav became pale. He felt someone had just punched in his gut.. His throat constricted with pain, he wanted to scream and shook Khushi until she leaves her this " I don't care attitude" and behave like previous, but alas, words are always the enemy of Arnav Singh Raizada.. Arnav did not able to produce a single word, while Khushi just continuously messaged back with a small smile.

Before either of them could start a conversation again a voice interrupted them,

" Chotey, Khushiji..." Anjali entered in the room with a small smile on her face.. Arnav looked at his sister and then at Khushi.. He was shocked to see Khushi's facial expression had been changed.. The smile had wiped away from her face, only a cold, blank look is lingering there, but what Arnav shook the most is the gleam in Khushi's eyes..

"Did I just see disgust in Khushi's eyes for Di?" Arnav thought for a second but soon dismiss thinking a person like Khushi can never treat any other person with hate or so much loath..

" Did I disturb you both?" Anjali asked again watching both her Chotey and Khushiji is silent.. Her brother is looking at his wife while Khushi is looking at her with something different in her eyes.. and Anjali for the first time felt very uncomfortable looking at the young girl in front of her whose life took different drastic change because of her own insecurities and foolish decision..

There was an awkward silence among the three, when finally Khushi clear her throat and asked, " No... You can never disturb US.. Come inside.."

Arnav jolted back looking at Khushi and was amazed that how quickly she had changed her facial expression.

" I knew Khushiji, you are so so lovely and kind hearted that you will never keep any grudged in your heart.. Please, don't think much .. let's forget whatever happened in last few days... I know chotey..." Anjali suddenly stop making Arnav hold his breath while Khushi frown a little..

" Did Di come to know about my inhuman behavior with Khushi ? About the contract marriage? Did she angry with me? Will she keep Khushi away from me?" Arnav was thinking about the consequences of his unthoughtful actions..

Arnav's thoughts were running wild while Khushi just rolled her eyes, " What a drama queen.. But don't worry, I will not let you snatch the award of best actress.. My genuine self, true concern never praised by you, so, I will treat you with your same tactics..."

With that Khushi makes a very confused face and said sweetly, " What was you even talking about ?"

" You don't have to hide anymore..I came to know about the way Chotey behaved with you after watching me at hospital trying to abort my Rajkumari.. I came to know from Nani.. But you know how Chotey is, he is too much protective about me.. He just lost control over his emotions when it comes to me.. and in anger, whatever he said, just ignore it Khushiji... I know you felt bad, but you should understand that whatever he did , he did for ME, his sister.. and being his wife and lover, you have to understand his shortcoming, accept his anger and forgive him.. afterall You love HIM and now he is your husband, it not it Khushiji..." though Anjali said with a sweet smile on her lips but her voice had a authoritative tone and it was nothing but an indirect command..

"Afterall She is sister of THE ASR, threatening people with their weakness runs in their blood... Bloody Hypocrites.. but wait Mr ASR and Ms ASR, you will get back what you did to me, one after another, in my sweet way.." Khushi thought internally while her blood boil but she chanted the mantras to herself..

" Don't show your emotion, act.. act like them.."

Arnav was took shocked to react.. He had a mix feelings right now..He was somewhere relief that his sister just came to know about that night when he had yelled at Khushi and called her " the biggest mistakes of life".. Only about that night, his darkest secret, the forced contract marriage is still hidden.. Arnav took a deep breath, and vowed himself, he will do everything in his power to hide all about those darkest sin of his before his family and he will simultaneously, win Khushi's heart..

On the other hand, the way Anjali talked with Khushi, somewhere make him uncomfortable.. His sister was not asking sorry, infact from her tone it was clear, Anjali was not at all sorry for her Chotey's inhuman behavior , infact she is happy that HER brother can go to any extend to make her happy.. and Anjali's commanding tone somewhere made him more guilty.. He had already done piles of misdeed, now he don't want Anjali also did wrong with Khushi..

Arnav's self conversation session got over when he got another Shock.. No.. It's not from Anjali, but It's Khushi..

Khushi just hugged Anjali..

It was not a new thing for him, that Khushi is forgiving.. Infact it was expected that Khushi will forgive him and his family and move on.. So, her hugging Anjali would have bring a soothing smile on his lops and relief in his heart, if not Arnav observe Khushi's expression..

Khushi hugged Anjali tightly, a little too lightly.. Her face is devoid any emotions when she uttered, " Its'okay Anjaliji.." but what caught Arnav's attention is Khushi's eyes..

Her expressive eyes which had always carried love and happiness, is now full of disgust and hatred.. Arnav shiver a little thinking what if it was towards his sister? What is Khushi felt repulse towards Anjali, after all because of Anjali only Arnav snatched all the dreams, hopes, happiness of her life..

Arnav became shocked when Khushi said, " It's okay.. forget all this.. I am little busy, will you mind if I catch up with you later?"

That was surprising for Anjali too.. She faked a smile and asked, " Okay, but why are you so busy Khushiji? I mean are you going out?"

" Yes.. for some shopping.." Khushi replied with her fake sugar coating tone, which Anjali did not get but Arnav catches very well..

" Shopping?? Great.. I did not went out for long.. I will also accompany you.. let's do one thing, I will call Mami and Payalji with us too.. It will be an outing for us four.. What say Khushiji? Shopping, Lunch, may be a movie together.." Anjali's enthusiasm makes Arnav smile but the nagging feelings regarding Khushi, could not leave his mind.. Before he could say anything, Khushi replied,

" I would love to go out with you all.. But I did not have that much savings you know.. My dubba service did not provide that much.." Khushi's voice did not quiver but both Arnav and Anjali was uncomfortable..

Anjali somewhere had an idea by now that Arnav was not treating Khushi the way she should be treated as a wife of ASR, and she thought to change that..

" Don't worry Khushiji..You are wife of ASR, you don't have to think about money..Chotey, I am very disappointed with you.. Why did not you give Khushiji a separate credit card, just the way our every family member have? Always only Di, Di and Di.. Now you are married, put some focus on your wife too.." Anjali said with a teasing smile making Khushi irritated and Arnav ashamed..

Arnav truly felt ashamed.. In this six months of their forced contract married he never think about Khushi's need, how she is meeting up her requirements, knowing very well that she does not have any money.. Arnav clearly remembered that in these past 6 months, Khushi only asked 300 rupees, from him on the day of Holi and that to as a loan..

Arnav felt too much ashamed.. He knew he is a failure as a husband, but as if with every passing second his own sister pointing out his folly's unknowingly..

" I am sorry Di.. Actually Khushi never asked for anything.. and it was a great mistake from my part that, I never asked her and never provided her with anything materialistic.. You know di, she never demanded anything from me....She never craved for any materialistic things.." Arnav spoke with lots of admiration and love in his voice and Anjali's smile only encourage him.. But all his positive vive just wipe out when his eyes met with Khushi's eyes..

Khushi's eyes had a silent question, a killer challenge and a sharp mocking.. as if questioning his statement.. and like a jolt, few words come back to him, which he spoke about Khushi not so long before..

" You are a middle class Gold Digger.. You trap rich men for their money.."

Not once, but many time Arnav uttered those words.. specially, " Gold Digger"

Looking at Khushi, arnav knew she also is remembering those particular words..

Arnav though uttered those words many times but everytime he knew that Khushi was anything but a gold digger.. But his past and his anger, his misjudgment spoil everything.. But now he had to correct it... and his sister is giving the scope to him..

Arnav pulled out his wallet and bring out the credit card.. Holding it ahead he said to Khushi, " Please take it Khushi.. and use it as you desire.."

Arnav said while his hand is forwarded, he knew that now Khushi will refuse to take the card and he will coax her.. if require, he will even take a day off from office and will accompany the ladies to shopping, so that Khushi can buy whatever she want.. Because Arnav was so sure that Khushi will refuse the card.. any kind of materialistic things, specially money and jewelry never matters to Khushi.. all her life she raved for love and Arnav inwardly curse himself to fail to give her the desired love..

But Arnav was taken aback when Khushi just took the card without any hesitation, without even protesting for a single time... as if she was waiting for the card..

" well, Khushiji, get ready.. we will start within 30 minutes.. I am informing others and also getting ready.." Anjali said all smiling and went out the room limping..

Arnav was still in shock.. His hands were still in air, extended...

Khushi hold the card looking at that as if planning something...

" I thought you will refuse.." Arnav whispered unable to watch Khushi changed so drastically.. The naïve, selfless, kind person changed so much..

" Why, you are regretting to offer me the card? Ohh... sorry I forgot that was an act infront of your sister.. take it, your card.." Khushi forward her hands making Arnav take few steps back..

" No.. No... I never said that.. you must use the money, after all it's your as much as it for the other members...But I am a little bit shock, You were not like that.. You never accepted anything from the family and you never..." Arnav was cut off by Khushi's mirthless chuckle,

" what an irony.. You knew I never craved for materialistic things, that is why, you always awarded me by calling as " God Digger"?" Khushi laughed while Arnav just closed his eyes feeling ashamed..

" I am sorry.. I just.." Arnav could not complete his sentence as Khushi pass by him and exit the door..

Arnav looked at the retreating back of Khushi while a dread feelings slowly consume him.. Why he is feeling that the Khushi he knew and loved had gone and the new Khushi is someone who is nothing but a stranger ...

Later at night...

Arnav was somewhere relieved when he saw that Khushi only bought one jewelry set for her while the other ladies brought almost the mall in home..

Arnav looked at the sleeping Khushi besides him and was about to lay beside her, but a call from Aman made him distracted.. after few minutes when he cut the call, something caught his attention... Few messages, in his phone.. There are some transaction details.. one messages about the jewelry , another few message about some transfer of money towards a hospital account and another few transaction in a new account...

Without wasting any time, Arnav again call back Aman and asked him about the transaction.. To his uttered horror, Aman said that all the money is used by Khushi and the knew account is in Khushi's name...Arnav could not believe his eyes and ears...

"What is Khushi behaving like this? Why she needs so much money?" Arnav was feeling like to rip his hair out.. He wanted to wake Khushi up but could not.. He decided to ask her tomorrow, and was about to sleep but another sound draw her attention..

It was an incoming message on Khushi's phone..

Arnav knew he is not doing right, but he could not help other than looking at the screen..There is a wink emoji..

A very much restless and jealous Arnav tried to read the message but to Arnavs surprise, the screen is lock and Arnav Singh raizada does not know about the password of his wife's phone..

He looked helplessly at Khushi who is sleeping without careing anything.. Finally Arnav just lay beside Khushi and look at her, as if getting a cue Khushi turn her back.. Now Arnav is facing the back of Khushi..

Slowly Khushi open her eyes and smirk, " Gold Digger"... Checked...

To be continued....

Author note:

Hi everyone...

Waiting for your precious opinion..

Thank you all once again for you love and prayer..

Take care, stay safe..

Love,

Your Storyteller,

Mamree

05.12.2021