Arnav POV

Sunrays entered into the room making its presence, because of my tiredness whole night i slept peacefully ignoring the hard recliner. Slowly i turned my gaze to my bed only to get mesmerized seeing my newly wedded wife sleeping peacefully. She is looking cute in her sleep. I didn't lift my eyes from her until a knock distracted me.

Inhaling i went towards the door, before that our room state caught my eyes. For others, we are newly wed who starts their married life. So quickly i arranged my side of bed with the pillow which i used in recliner and hide the blanket in wardrobe.

Mom's smiling face invited me as soon as i opened the door. I smiled at her in return.

"Arnie, be ready by seven. You and khushi should have to do puja. Inform her to" said mom.

"Ok mom. Anything else" i asked in teasing manner seeing her standing at the same place for more than a minute.

"You've married yesterday only arnie, already you are throwing me out" She feigned sadly. In return, i winked at her before closing the door.

Sighing i strode towards khushi only to get drawn into her. Her calm sleeping face was enough for me to indulge in her. If only she is calm enough in daylight, they would have been comfortable in their relationship. And I that much knows she is anything but calm and innocent.

Thinking of the ways to wake her, i opened the poolside curtain and noticed her expressions whether she is awake or not.

She did awake but soon gone into her blanket saying "Argh..maa close the window. Don't make noise, i want to sleep" i didn't understand when did i make noise, i just moved the curtains aside so that it will fell on khushi. But then it strikes me she's thinking her being in her home. I thought to let her sleep for some time but the time didn't let me do so.

"Khushi.." i called her as a whisper.

"Will you let me sleep maa?" She asked raising her voice still thinking she's in her home. "Why are you hell bent on disturbing my sleep" i again her annoyed voice.

I don't want to create a scene among the guests, once they're out i'll let her according to her wishes. With this thought, i called her again.

This time i am succeeded in waking her, she stared me weirdly i think she got conscious of her surroundings. I want to start our first day with a smile, so throws one at her.

"Khushi, mom said we have to do rituals. So she asked us to be ready by seven" i said breaking our silence. Next instant her eyes searched for clock and her eyes widen as soon as she saw the time. I think she never seen sun rise.

But what she did next really shocked me, "I am sleepy. Don't wake me before eight" saying this she slept. Like seriously she didn't even acknowledge me, just slept like that. I stood astonished by her behavior. Nonetheless, i called her again as i want to try my level best but she slept so i went downstairs getting ready.

When i was in last step mom came running to me.

"Arnie, i said to bring Khushi with you. What's this behavior of yours? You're not alone, you should accompany her if she took time to get ready. She's new to this house, she came here trusting you. It's your duty to make her comfortable along with us. I didn't expect this from you" she said in a single breath thinking as if i wantedly left Khushi in room. If only she knows her daughter-in-law is sleeping selling her horses.

"Why are you standing like a wall? Say something" she scolded me more when i was thinking ways to reveal khushi's state.

"Your daughter-in-law was ill" i said calmly but she went hyper hearing that "Are you mad? Why are you saying this lately? You should have informed me the minute you came downstairs. Now move, i can see her myself as i guess how cool you're taking this issue" i don't know why she's freaking so much.

"Mom, just headache. Calm down. She said she'll be fine if she takes rest" i tried my best to stop her from barging to my room.

"She'll be fine right. If not take her to hospital. There is no need to do rituals being ill" said mom.

"Any other orders madam" i asked bending my head in teasing way.

"Badamash" she slapped me playfully.

"Ok mom. I am going to study room. Call me when khushi ate breakfast" informing this i marched to study room as i have loads of works pending due to marriage.

Two hours passed, i was busy in my work when i heard kaka's panicked voice calling me and mom.

Without thinking much i strode downstairs. There mom took me to kitchen along with her. Khushi stood in kitchen clad in a beautiful saree with simple stud, not too much bangles in hand. I was flat by her simple look. Even though she's standing looking nervous fidgeting with her pallu, she looks tempting for me. Breaking my stance mom asked her about her health.

"Nothing maa. Just feeling tired. Shall i take rest? But what about sweet?" Asked she.

Mom agreed and told her to take rest and asked me to help her. But khushi refused outrageously.

"It's ok maa. Why are you bothering him? If i take rest, I'll be fine" said she. I don't know why she's avoiding me.

"Noway, what is there to bother him. He is your husband, henceforth it's his duty to look after you" Thanks to my mom, she convinced khushi to take my help.

"Don't argue. Come khushi" i said without giving her chance to refuse further and dragged her to the dinning table by holding my hands.

She tried to withdraw her hand but i did opposite holding her hand tight, "leave my hand" she murmured and i can feel her cold voice.

I shrugged her words and gestured her to kitchen with my eyes where my mom stood looking at us. Seeing her, she calmed down little and i served her breakfast along with mine.

"Feed her a little from your plate arnie" i lifted my head from plate hearing mom's voice.

Obliging mom's words, I forwarded a piece of paratha before her mouth. She hesitated at first but seeing everyone gaze she accepted.

"Khushi beta, now it's your turn" said mom making khushi uncomfortable. I thought she'll excuse from this but surprising me she give me a big piece of paratha. I can feel her irritation by seeing the size of the piece. Seeing me staring her she indicated me to open my mouth.

"Khushi shall i ask your parents to come later. You know there is pagphere ritual for which you and arnie should go to your house with your parents" asked mom and i don't know how many rituals are left for us to complete. Thankfully she didn't fuss, she agreed and i am surprised hearing her calling my mom as maa. Is it mean khushi was ready to start our life? She accepted my family, will she accept me like them. A new hope entered in me and after finishing our breakfast i accompanied her silently.

"I can go myself" she said rudely making my new found hope fly in air.

Seeing her closing our room door, i changed my path to study room again. I don't know how i am going to manage family, am sure khushi will going to do opposite of what am saying.

When immersed in works kaka informed me it's past 1 and called me for lunch. From his talk i understand khushi is still in room.

I entered through poolside door as she closed the main door and again wake her like morning. Half of my life i am going to do this, i guess.

Unlike morning, she got angry "What do you want arnav? Why are you disturbing me always?" Asked she.

"Woh... it's past one in noon. You have to take lunch" i replied calmly hiding my expressions. Huffed she smoothed the bed and disappeared into washroom while i was pondering over her earlier words.

Seriously, am i disturbing her? Why she is always rude to me? I don't know or say i don't want to know it too. All i want is our togetherness along with happiness. I thought she is introvert that's why she's keeping distance from me, looks like it's not the case or am reading too much in between lines. Shrugging the thoughts i noticed she's inside washroom more than required time.

"Khushi..." I called her and this time she replied instantly "coming.."

"Are you okay?" I asked wanted to know her safety. What if she fell inside or something.

To my astonishment this time also i got an instant response that too her voice sounds soothing "I am ok, don't worry" shouted she from inside.

Her single reply lifted my mood and all the insecurities flied out of my poolside.

"Khushi shall we go downstairs?" I asked as soon as she came out and she replied politely to my surprise.

Anika asked about her health when we reached living hall. I decide to let them but anika question stopped me "Did you like your room? Do you need anything bhabi?" I was eager to hear khushi reply. Khushi being khushi diverted the topic and as usual, anika got into her nautanki mode. But that didn't caught my attention, my eyes glued to my wife face. She's enjoying anika antics and her smile which i missed from the time our marriage happened is heart warming. I'll do anything for this smile. Her simple stud suited her perfectly. Her cheeks, how it feels under my lips before i could imagine, i hissed in pain.

She pinched me, seriously she pinched me hard. I must be careful around her. If it was not enough anika jumped in to tease.

"What happened bhai?" She asked but i can see a mischievous smile hidden in her face. I stumbled a bit, what answer can i give that i was imagining to kiss her bhabhi. Horrible.

"I bit my tongue while eating" i answered the first reason came into my mind.

Seeing khushi face i got confused and it did not take more time to realise what i said. I can only bit my tongue and hide my smile. But whom he was kidding my sister is doctorate in teasing department. She didn't leave us until mom interrupted. And lunch passed without problem. She wanted to tour our house and like understanding my thoughts mom ordered me to accompany her. She stood searching for a reason to avoid this situation, i know if i let her in her own, then she'll never ever going to allow me into her life. So i grabbed her hand and dragged her upstairs.

"Arnav leave me. I am not in mood to tour the house" she released her hands from my hold and strode towards the room.

"Khushi wait... Khushi..." i shouted following her. Before she close the door, i entered in a nick of time.

"Khushi, i want to speak to you" i started while she took her place in bed and i stood near recliner.

"Speak, who stops you" she shrugged non-chantedly and i could only control my raising temper.

"Khushi...I am serious" i raised my voice hiding my irritation.

"I am all ears" she ruffled the pages of magazine. That's it my anger level crossed it's boundary.

"Khushi..." I shouted. She jumped from her place, i think she got scared.

"Why are you shouting?" She slowed down her voice.

"We..." I start to speak, but her mobile ranged stopped our conversation or rather say monologue of me, i thought bitterly. I gestured her to carry on with call giving her space.

After some time i entered to room only to face with scrunching face of khushi and i tapped her to let her know my presence.

"I have serious issues to talk. Don't interrupt me" taking a deep breath, "Khushi why are you behaving like this? I agree this all is new to you like me. But you have to come out of it or else our life will be disastrous. Try to open your feelings to me. Same applies for me too. What say? Lets start as friends?" I speak in a single breath and extended my hands.

"No thanks, i have enough friends already" she stormed out of the room just like that. Can't she smile at me for courtesy? Can't she accept me as her friend? I didn't asked her to act as wife. Why she is like this? Hard like a stone. It's hard to understand her.

***

Khushi parents led us to their home. They welcomed us circling aarthi. And i would say i love her second sister payal. She let me hold khushi hands which is impossible task for me.

As a couple, we entered her house and after pleasantries, i mingled with everyone. It was easy to mingle with them than khushi, my wife. Such an irony! In middle of this khushi and her mom got into kitchen.

I must admit it i loved spending time with them. They're so different from khushi. I am wondered is there any specific reason behind her actions. Nonetheless, i decided to clear this doubt.

Dinner was served and i was shocked seeing the dishes because all was my favorite. I turned my gaze only got astonished seeing the eager face of khushi. Why is she eager? Something is wrong.

Fortunately, before i rack my brain, aunty said the reason.

"Khushi said you like this food damadji" garima aunty said.

I smiled at khushi's eager face and i know she's thinking i dislike my food. How could i let her happiness in vein if she is happy then i am glad to tell thousand lies at the same time i don't want to dishearten garima aunty who prepared foods for me.

"I love karela soup aunty but mostly i don't prefer onion fries" i said eyeing khushi from the corner of my eyes. Her face gleamed in joy at last. With this satisfaction, i had my dinner but not before feeding each other as per gupta rules.

"Damadji why don't you stay here tonight? It's the first time you came here, we will be happy if you sleep here tonight. But...we don't have air-conditioning" shashi uncle requested him and at last he is embarrassed. I felt bad seeing him embarrassed. I, not only want to be khushi husband but also son to her family.

Without delay, i agreed and called rm to inform the same. In that mean time she retired to room saying she is sleepy. I wondered in one day how many hours she could sleep!

I talked with meera and payal, they are so jovial. Meera is same age as anika and i promised to help her once she finishes her studies. Brotherly instincts kicked in, like anika they both are also my sisters and i don't want them to struggle in getting opportunities in career. If aunty didn't push us to the room we'll chat whole night.

Shock would be an understatement when i entered her room. Her room has one single bed in the center, one window in corner. She occupied the whole bed in such a way that i cannot lay beside her and safely she put one blanket and pillow in the floor. I guess it was for me. I stood few minutes thinking what to do, i cannot sleep in floor, can i? Never in my life i faced difficulties in my needs. And moreover, if i accept this type of treatment from her then she'll never consider to close the gap between us. So i did what i didn't want to do without her permission. 

Pushing her little, i took my place beside her. Before she starts struggling i put my arm around her waist and locked her with my legs. She opened her eyes in shock. I praised myself for making her speechless.

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How many of you remember this story? Sorry for late update. Seeing the response i thought to put this on onhold. I updated only because some of readers asked me. 

So tell me guys still are you guys interested in this story? Shall i continue this?

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