Chapter One

Khushi awoke and saw Arnav first thing. He was still asleep, still on the sofa. Khushi got up and went to the bathroom and got ready for the day. When she got out, Arnav was up and he was getting his clothes out. He walked past her, awkwardly, and went into the bathroom.

Khushi headed down to the kitchen and found Arnav's mother, Anannya. Khushi helped her out and prepared breakfast and Mamaji and Arnav came down.

"Di, we have to head to headquarters now," Mamaji said.

"But-"

"It's urgent Di."

"Fine," Anannya pouted.

Khushi looked at Arnav and he looked down at the floor. He would look up every now and then at Khushi, and she would flinch and look away.

Before leaving, Arnav took blessings from his mother and then they left. Khushi watched as Arnav left and Anannya placed her hand on her shoulder.

"Arnav is a really nice person," Anannya said, "once you get to know him."

Khushi simply smiled and Anannya left to work. The entire day passed and Khushi was bored. Anjali was at her in-laws, so Khushi didn't have any company.

It was getting late and Mamaji had already arrived. Arnav was at the office, the home office that was right next door. Khushi didn't know whether or not if she should go there and by the time she made up her mind, Arnav came walking in.

Arnav was surprised to see Khushi still awake. He thought she might've fallen asleep by now, but here she was in front of him. The two felt awkward and Khushi turned away to get the food ready on the table. Arnav sat down and Khushi put everything down. Arnav was about to serve himself, but Khushi did it anyways. He looked down at his plate and then at her and she sat down beside him and waited for him to begin.

Arnav looked at his plate and then at her. "Um… did you eat?"

Khushi shook her head.

"Why not?"

"I was waiting… for you."

Arnav just looked at her and Khushi looked down at her hands.

"Go get a plate for yourself," Arnav said.

Khushi nodded and got one and sat back down. She poured food onto her plate and waited for Arnav to begin. He just looked at her and the two felt awkward, so Arnav began to eat. Khushi began to eat too and the two ate, nothing but silence around them.

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Arnav and Khushi were getting ready for bed and Arnav changed into his pjs. He grabbed his pillow and went to the sofa, while Khushi had gone to the bathroom to change into her night gown.

She got out and saw Arnav asleep on the sofa. Truth is, he only had his eyes shut. Khushi walked over to him and knelt down. She looked at him and thought back to their teenage years. Even though Khushi and Arnav were never close, Khushi once used to have a crush on him. They were about 16 and she had told Anjali, since Anjali is her best friend. Anjali would tease her, but she never said anything to Arnav, but that was only because Khushi promised that if she had told Arnav, then she would tell Shyam, her crush at that time, and now present husband, that she was hitting on him.

Khushi moved her finger through his hair, not even thinking. Arnav was confused but it felt good. After a few minutes passed, Khushi realized and her hand snapped away, is if she were electrocuted. She went to bed and turned the lights off, facing the other way. Arnav looked up at her, but she didn't turn, and he went to sleep.

Prologue

"Do you, Arnav Singh Raizada, son of the late Arbaz Singh Raizada, wish to take the hand of Khushi Kumari Gupta, with a dowry of 50 lakhs?"

"I do."

"And do you, Khushi Kumari Gupta, daughter of Shashi Gupta, accept to take the hand of Arnav Singh Raizada, with a dowry of 75 lakhs?"

Khushi's eyes swelled with tears and she looked straight as she was doing the entire time. "I do."

The recessions began and Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta made their vows. Arnav placed the mangalsutra around her neck and filled her maang with the sindoor. Khushi shut her eyes as she left her innocent world and became part of an ugly game.

*~*

Khushi stood beside the bed. The maids had helped Khushi get rid of her jewelry and let her hair out. She stood there until Arnav came in, her now-husband.

She shut her eyes and stood still as she felt Arnav come closer and closer. But instead of him saying or doing anything to her, he just grabbed a pillow and went to the sofa and went to sleep. Khushi looked at him in wonder and then turned off the lights and went to bed.

Arnav looked at Khushi, who had her back faced towards him. Both were thinking back to how they got to this position.

*Khushi's flashback*

"Dad, how could you do this to me," she yelled. "I'm your daughter, not one of your men you order around."

"Beti, you know I'm doing it for your good-"

"Dad, I don't love him!"

"You will in time. He may be Chief Minister but-"

"Dad I don't love him and I will not marry him-"

"You will marry him and that is my final word!"

*End of Flashback*

*Arnav's Flashback*

"I don't want to get married Mama," Arnav yelled.

"Arnav, try to understand! Marrying her will mean getting a bunch of money from Shashi Gupta for support of your party, forget dowry!"

"But I don't want to get married!"

"But you have to. You want to win, don't you?"

"Of course, but-"

"Then you'll have to do this."

Arnav sighed. "Fine Mama, whatever you say."

*End of Flashback*

Khushi turned and Arnav shut his eyes. She looked at him for moment and wondered. Arnav's family and Khushi's family had been friends for a long time. But, Khushi would always hang out with Arnav's sister, Anjali. She never really spoke to Arnav and nor did he. While Anjali and Khushi spent time together, Arnav was growing and following the family footsteps and wanted to become Chief Minister.

Khushi finally drifted asleep and Arnav looked at her. He never realized how beautiful she was until today. Heck, he never even paid attention to her. And here they were today, husband and wife, in the same room, really close, yet really far away.

*Arnav's Flashback*

"Di, I don't know if I want to marry her," Arnav said.

Anjali smiled. "She is a very sweet girl. She knows a few politics too you know, so at least you have that in common. But other than that, I know she will be a very good girl to be your wife Chote. Trust me on that."

"I always trust you Di."

She smiled. "Watch. You two will be very happy together. I know you'll keep her happy."

*End of Flashback*

I hope you're right Di, he thought. I hope you're right.

And he went to sleep.