Warrior - Chapter Ninety Four

When the day came to an end, I made my way downstairs and outside to find Arnav and Dev already waiting for me. Dev opened the door for me when I got closer and shut it behind me once I was seated besides Arnav.

"How was your day," Arnav asked.

"Eventful," I sighed. "Yours?"

"So to say."

Dev pulled away and drove us back to Raizada mansion. When we arrived back, we were greeted by Mama and she told us to wash up and that food would be ready, but given that I really needed to get some practice in, I told her that I was still full from lunch and would eat later. So Arnav and I headed upstairs and freshened up, and while Arnav got comfy, I changed into some leggings and an off-the-shoulder top.

Scheisse, don't I look like a cliché.

Once I was changed up, I went back into the room and found Arnav on his laptop.

"Are you ever not on that damn thing," I frowned.

"Sometimes," he frowned back.

"Really? I hardly see you not with that thing."

"That's not true; I don't eat with it nor sleep with it."

I couldn't help but to scoff. "Yeah right! Like I'd allow that thing in bed."

Arnav's cheeks slightly filled up with blush and my mind filled up with the events from earlier this morning.

Me and my big stupid mouth! "I'll see you later," and I quickly left the room.

What would you allow in bed though? Sex toys? Maybe one of those vibrators with a remote so he can control it! Or- oh! A spreader bar!

Oh for fuck's sake!

*~*

The next few days went by rather peacefully, with no awkward moments like the lips thing. The days went on fine, the both of us doing our work, while I also continued with my rehearsals.

It also turned out that Varsha's birthday was this Saturday, while NK's was coming up next week on Thursday. While NK wanted to celebrate his 21st birthday at the club with a real ID - naughty one, I know -  Varsha didn't want to do anything at all. Unfortunately for her, she wasn't allowed to make the decision, Madhav deciding that there would indeed be a party held for her on Saturday night.

So with those plans set, I set my calendar accordingly, although truth be told, I slightly dreaded the idea of going to the club. Given what happened last time... not to mention the fact that Arnav and I have never addressed it, I just....

Fuck, man!

But one thing at a time! First thing first, I have rehearsals Saturday morning, so I'll be busy at the Academy. Akash will also be coming in, getting a few recordings of the rehearsals to have that footage for the site. Then once rehearsals are over, we can head back together and be in time for the party. Also, knowing Mama, I'm sure she'll have a full glam squad ready for me by the time I get back, so it should all turn out fine!

And fine it did turn out! After rehearsing all morning long and sweating buckets, I was so happy when I got back and Mama told me that she had a glam squad ready and waiting for me once I was all showered up.

"You rock, Mama!"

"I know," she beamed.

Running upstairs, I went straight to my room and found Arnav holding a red box with a golden bow on top.

"Uh, is that a present for NK's mom," I frowned.

"What, this? Uh, no, not this one. Her gift is sitting on the closet island."

"Oh! So what's this, then?"

Arnav's cheeks instantly reddened, making me curious.

What's he up to?

"Uh... this is f-for you."

For me?

Arnav stepped forward and held out the present to me.

I glanced from the box to him. "Arnav, it's not my birthday."

"I know, but... I thought you could wear it for the party."

"I thought planning outfits was Akash's mom's responsibility?"

Arnav let out a chuckle. "Yeah, Kaki Ma is usually the one doing that."

I gave him a small smile then took the gift. "Thanks, Arnav. I appreciate it."

"My pleasure," he smiled back.

Oh I'd like to pleasure you and your mystery-!

Don't finish it! Don't... calm down.

Pinching my lips together, I headed into the closet, put everything down, grabbed my robe, and hit the shower. After washing away every bead of sweat off of me, I stepped out, got in my robe, put my hair up in a towel, and headed back into the closet. I heard Arnav talking in the room, no doubt on the phone.

Hundred bucks, it's Aman.

Anyways, let's see what's inside this box!

Taking off the top, I set it aside, then moved the tissue paper away to reveal a gorgeous pink saree.

Oh my-! It's so fucking beautiful!

"Oh, you opened it."

Looking up, I see Arnav come into the closet, putting his phone away in his pocket.

"Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful!"

"Mom told me the theme was pink since that's Choti Ma's favorite color."

Huh! If you had asked me to guess a few months ago, my answer would've been beige.

"I'm glad you like it."

"Is it Arani?"

"Yup," he nodded.

"Why am I not surprised," I chuckled. "Speaking of which, you got the contract, right? Ivy sent it out."

"I did and I shall go over it soon."

"Awesome, and another thing - what does Arani mean?"

The corner of his lips crooked up. "You mean you still haven't figured it out?"

"Figure what out," I frowned, which only made Arnav chuckle.

Uh, what's so funny?

"It's simple - Aryan, Arnav, Shalini - Ar. A. Ni."

My eyes widened on their own. "I can't believe I wasn't smart enough to figure that out on my own."

"It's fine," he chuckled.

"Well, wait, doesn't it also work with you, your dad, and then Mama?"

"Sure, since my name and Pops' starts with A-R. But technically, I'm the middle one."

"Uh huh... interesting choice to go that way. If you guys used just the beginning of your names, it could've been Arasha."

"Yeah, we didn't like the sound of that."

"Hmm, I get what you mean.... It's similar to the name Arshi- well, if you throw in another weird syllable and sound. And if you guys went with just your parents names then... oh! Arini!"

"Pretty sure that's what the gossip columns used when referring to my parents."

Wait, what? "They did?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "I remember coming across a few of those articles."

"Oh... my bad."

"Don't worry about it, Mom and Dad always found it funny. Sometimes they'd use it themselves to make fun."

"Huh... okay. Well, thanks for the saree, it's very sweet of you."

And without a thought, I reached up and kissed him on his cheek.

Arnav instantly blushed as he looked at me in shock, and I had to force myself to not burst out with laughter. Instead I pursed my lips together, quickly changed into a tank top and shorts, placed my robe and towel aside, and headed out, taking the saree with me as I headed to the glam room.

Forever a blushing baby.

*~*

After glam was complete and my saree was on, it was finally time to party! Mama and the gang had invited several people, including my own folks. The ballroom was used to host the themed party, and many guests filled it up, all following said theme. Some were familiar faces from the wedding, others I had no idea who they were. Whatever the case, I mostly did not give a fuck. 

My family and I stood together, mingling.

"Shouldn't you be taking care of the guests," Amma asked.

"Why? I don't know them," I frowned.

"Khushi, you have a responsibility as a daughter in-law," she frowned. "You have to tend to your guests."

"Well you guys are guests and I'm tending to you."

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Oh let it be," Babuji chuckled. "Our girl is always so busy, we hardly get to see her."

Amma wasn't so happy with it but she didn't say anything in return, especially since Babuji had a point.

We all mingled some more, though at one point squirt stepped away and went to Akash when she spotted him.

I wonder how things are going between them? Or if there even is things to begin with?

Glancing around the room, I spotted Arnav, clad up in another one of his rare navy blue suits, along with a pink tie and pink pocket square. The man looked quite bored with the other two men he was with, and when he caught me looking at him, he slightly widened his eyes, further confirming my suspicions. But given the way the two lumps were blabbing away, it didn't seem like Arnav's boredom would die anytime soon.

Looking away, I spotted none other than the birthday girl herself, chatting with an over-the-top dressed aunty.

And the poor birthday girl looked like she was in trouble.

"Uh, you guys chill, I'll be right back," I said to my folks, and headed over to Varsha.

The closer I got, the more I sensed her desperate need of help.

Aunty in-law may have changed her wardrobe, but her social skills weren't totally there yet.

"There you are birthday girl!"

Varsha immediately turned around to me and her eyes made it obvious how grateful she was. "Oh, hey Khushi. Are you having fun?"

I glanced at the aunty Varsha was talking to, and my fuck did she overdo it with the pink lipstick. "Totally!"

"It truly is a wonderful party," the aunty gushed. "You know, my daughter's in-laws' threw a party just as extravagant as this!"

"Oh," was all Varsha could reply with.

A smart person would understand by her tone that she wasn't truly interested. A dumb idiot would just let it go over her head and continue.

"Oh it was just absolutely fabulous," the woman gushed.

Looks like she chose option two.

I was about to open my mouth and make up some bullshit excuse to help Varsha escape, but the dumb aunty spoke up.

"But my daughter is just so ungrateful!"

Oh?

Even Varsha frowned, looking curious.

"What can I say," the woman began, "her in-laws give her such extravagant clothes, such extravagant jewelry, throw such amazing, lavish parties and events, and my daughter tells me she wants a divorce!"

Varsha and I could only frown.

This woman isn't serious, is she?

"She was going on and on about something like how she and her husband just don't connect and how he's so different than her and that they could never get along - really Mrs. Raizada, tell me that isn't the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard?"

Wanna bet?

"I mean we've all experienced that as women who have also done arranged marriages. We've all adapted in some way, shape or form. This young generation, I mean honestly!"

Oh, I'm really getting close to opening my big mouth.

"The nerve of her to tell me that she wants a divorce," she scoffed. "I'd rather have a dead daughter than a divorced one!"

Bitch-!

"Right, because a dead child is better than a miserable one," Varsha said.

Quiet mouse, say what now?

Okay Aunty in-law, I see you, let's go!

The dumb woman went to open her mouth, but Varsha beat her to it.

"Give your daughter my sincerest congratulations, as well as my condolences."

Huh?

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," the dumb woman said.

"I-it's q-quite simple," Varsha said, lifting her chin up. "I congratulate her for her divorce. My condolences are for the fact that she has a-a m-mother like you."

Oh!!! Burn!!!!!!!

Taking my hand in hers, Varsha led us away and I followed after her - me momentarily turning back to gleefully wave at the dumb aunty - and then we went to the other side of the room.

"Well, well, well! I must say, I'm really impressed," I exclaimed.

"Really? Even though I stuttered," Varsha asked sheepishly.

"Doesn't matter if you stuttered- heck, it wouldn't even matter if you were in tears! You said what you had to say and that's what matters; you took a stand."

"I guess.... I don't know how you do it so confidently every time."

"Trust me, even I was once like you."

Varsha let out a scoff. "I find that hard to believe."

"Honest; just ask my parents and sister. I didn't get where I am overnight, it took some time. And the more you stand up for yourself, the easier it gets. You'll stutter and have a few hiccups at first, but then it's smooth sailing from there."

"Gosh, if only you had come into our lives earlier."

I can imagine. "Well, I'm here now, though I must admit, it would've been one hell of a show watching you face the old demon," I frowned, looking up in thought.

"Oh no! I doubt I'd ever go that far-"

"Nonsense-! Well, we won't ever know since the old geezer is kaput, but facing everyone else will add up to that."

Varsha let out a small scoff as she grinned. "I appreciate your vote of confidence."

"Gals gotta stick together," I shrugged.

"Especially those that are family."

My eyes slightly widened, but I quickly caught myself. "Uh, well, now that I've saved you from one bumbling idiot, would you care to approach another?"

"Oh no, I've had enough for one day! I better find Madhav and see what he's up to; hopefully he's not doing anything else too crazy."

"What's he done that's crazy so far?"

"This party for one," and the both of couldn't help but to chuckle. "I hope he didn't do anything else crazy like crazy presents."

Shit! I didn't get anything for her- well, technically the present Arnav is giving is from both of our behalves but....

"You didn't get anything crazy, did you," she asked, looking a little scared.

Fuck! "Oh, well Arnav and I-"

Varsha let out a sigh of relief and I couldn't help but to frown at her. 

"Knowing Chote, it can't be anything crazy," she explained. "Besides, you already gave me the best gift possible, double presents are really highly unnecessary."

Huh? "What do you mean," I frowned.

"I mean the shove of the cliff you gave me," she smiled.

Oh!

"That's one of the best gifts anyone has ever given me, asides from my son, my husband, and my family," she smiled.

"I see.... Well, I'm not exactly sure how that's exactly a gift, but sure, I'll take it!"

Varsha let out a chuckle. "Trust me Khushi, it truly is one of the best gifts I've ever received. But, if I could make one request, would that be okay?"

Oh? What's this Aunty in-law? "It's your birthday, so I'll allow it, but remember who you're talking to," I said, arching my brow at her teasingly.

"Oh, I remember alright," she chuckled, and then she let out a sigh. "Some time ago, when you gave me an earful of things to listen to as you shoved me off the cliff, as mentioned earlier, there was something in particular that has been stuck in my mind for some time now."

"And what would that be, because I said a lot of things," I frowned.

"You had said, and I quote, so don't you dare try to say to me that I don't fucking understand - I'm not one of your other family members. You also had said so don't you fucking dare think of me as one of them, because I am not them. ...At the time, I didn't think of it much but recently... I don't know it's just had me thinking."

Well if I must admit, things are a whole lot different.

Ain't that the truth!

Like this fucking voice thing for example!

 Also, Aunty in-law cussing? Wow!

"I know the circumstances for your marriage to Chote is... different, to say the least. It's not ordinary, for sure so.... I-I g-guess what I'm trying to say is...."

Hmm.... "Take your time," I said softly.

She took in a deep breath and let it out. "I know that your marriage to Chote is different. You've also been through something traumatic, and although I haven't experienced anything like that... I understand."

I couldn't help but to cross my arms over my chest.

Where's she going with this?

That's what I wanna know too.

"I understand that it can't be easy. With my trauma, I drowned in it for years and wasted so much of my life away! ...I gave him the power."

Oh?

"What, does his ghost come and haunt you?"

"Heavens, no-"

"Then why the fuck do you act like he does? Why give him the power?"

Interesting how she has her version of him, just like I do - of course our situations are different... yet similar in some ways.

"What I'm trying to say," she continued, once again taking another deep breath, "is that... I hope you're not doing the same... giving that... monster the power."

My eyes automatically widened on their own.

"You have the right to feel the way you feel, of course you do! One hundred percent! But I can't help but to wonder if maybe you and I are on the same train- or maybe were on the same train? In the beginning you were quite distant, that's understandable. After your little shove, I thought maybe things had change but... but then it felt like it didn't? And then it did again?"

A rollercoaster is the only way to explain it.

She pursed her lips together. "I don't know what the relationship is between you and Chote, but I do hope that one day it'll be something - something beautiful. ...I hope that some day you'll consider yourself as one of us and not an outsider. I hope that you'll no longer give that monster any significance power over you."

"What makes you think he does?"

"Don't they always in some ways? No matter how much you improve yourself, strengthen yourself - they always have some power because you can never forget what they did. It's etched in your brain forever."

Point taken, point taken....

"But just because they do, doesn't mean we have to give them the driver's seat, but rather reduce them into a tiny speck of dirt that's stuck on a window."

That's one way of putting it.

"I'm sure I'm rambling and all over the place but... I just hope for the best for you, that's all. I want you to be happy, I want to see you smiling."

I can't help but to look at the woman before me. To think that I once thought of her as nothing but someone that blends into the background, incapable of making even a peep.

Yet here she is now.

"Thanks Choti Ma," I smiled softly.

Unlike me, Varsha's not that great at holding back emotions, the woman letting out a small gasp of surprise. Her eyes even started swell, tears forming in them. She quickly hugged me, giving me a tight squeeze, and I hugged her in return.

"Choti Ma- is everything alright?"

Pulling apart, the two of us looked up to see Arnav frowning at us.

"Everything's wonderful," Choti Ma said. "Did you need something Chote?"

"Uh, actually Kaka was looking for you. He wanted to start cutting the cake."

"Oh, he's really doing the utmost today! Better go to him!"

Giving a light pat on my cheek, Choti Ma walked away, leaving the two of us.

"Everything okay," Arnav asked me.

After all of that? "Yeah, all good. Dandy, even!"

Arnav could only frown.

"Let's just say, I think it's time I stop punishing and shoving your family out for something they didn't do."

Arnav's eyes slightly widened. "Oh!"

Looking over, I spotted Choti Ma with the others, standing by a tall, four layer cake. She looked over at us and waved us over.

"Well, better join the cake cutting," I sighed.

"Uh... yeah... yeah," and we joined the others.

Another step in the right direction... I pray.