*1*
A black Mercedes car zoomed out of the raizada mansion. The car runs through the heavy traffic of Delhi and stopped before a big building named ‘Mishra Laws and firms’ A girl in early twenties stepped out of the car,
“Mohanji, wait here till i come” she ordered her driver.
“Ji..Bhahiji” he replied smiling at his favourite sweet owner.
She walked confidently inside the building, nearing the reception, “I have appointment with Mr. Mishra, senior advocate”
“Your name mam?” the receptionist asked.
“Khushi kumari gupta singh raizada” she answered and the receptionist told her to wait for five minutes after checking her appointment in computer.
As soon as five minutes passed she strode towards Mishra cabin and entered in after knocking the door.
“Hello Mr. Mishra” khushi greeted in a perfect professional manner.
“Hello Mrs. Raizada. Take your seat” the elderly lawyer greeted her back and gestured her to take her seat.
“I want to file my divorce” khushi said without beating around the bush.
“What? But...” the elderly man shuddered hearing her request. Quickly regained himself, “But Mrs. Raizada you are newly wedded. How come you want divorce this soon? As far as i know you and Mr. Raizada are happily married and leading a happy married life” he asked as he know from his sources and circle that ASR is happily married and head over heels in love with his wife. Being one of the top reputed lawyer and friend of Mr. Roy he knows how ASR is and he is quite shocked with this divorce case.
“For your information we are married for one year, it is enough to get divorce. Other than that, there is nothing for your concern. Would you take my case or shall i go to other firm?” Khushi asked sternly.
Mr. Mishra took his glass, placed it on his desk, “Look Mrs. Raizada you are like my daughter. I advise you to solve the fight between you and your husband. Life is so small beta. We don’t realise one’s value when they are with us then will regret big time when we lost the precious. The thing which you find false and wrong now will look so right in future. Don’t take decision in haste and anger which only gives nothing but pain. My wish is, you both just sit and talk to know where your relationship lacks and what to do to avoid it. Communication always brings best out of your relation. Miscommunication is always a problem between couples these days. Many wants their partner to be understanding without voicing their thoughts like hero, heroines in novels and films but that is quite impossible in real life. We can’t expect life to be a gold spoon. Life’s beauty lies in unexpected twists and turns. So please keep your mind fresh before taking life turning decisions. I told you what i usually feel. Hereafter it’s your decision beta” he waited sometime after finishing his speech so that the words would sink in her mind.
Khushi looks distracted by his speech but soon composes her herself, “I don’t know you’re taking counselling classes here in your office” she smiled sarcastically.
The elderly man sighs at the stubborn women in front of him who was perfect for ASR in looks, arrogance and stubbornness. “If you already took the decision then who was me to change your opinion, i’ll take your case”
“Ok...That’s good”
“Why do you want to separate from your husband? Is he abusing you?” he asked taking pen and notepad.
“He is having affair behind my back. He has child with her” khushi said with disgust.
“That means he had affair even before your marriage” asked shocking by the fact that Mr. Raizada has child with another women before marrying this young girl who is sitting in front of him before one year. He know this is normal in this world as ASR is well known businessman and top if it his company is fashion house which has models wrapped around his one finger. May be he had his cosy time with his model resulted in living creature of his blood.
“Yes, she’s his Harvard friend, now they have six year old son” khushi answered him.
“So he is in affair even after marrying you and cheating on you” he asked noting the required points to win this case.
She sighed, “Yes or no, i mean now only he came to know that he has child with that women and i want divorce”
After observing all the facts, “Case is weak on our side Mrs. Raizada as you said he didn’t know he has son when he married you, so technically he doesn’t cheat you. If he chose to lead a life with his son and his son’s mother then our case has high chance to win. If he doesn’t want his son responsibility then also we can easily get divorce stating that he is unfair to his child, in future this will happen to you too. But if he choose to want only his son’s custody and you as his son’s mother then the case is totally depend on you. You can choose either a life with him accept his son or divorce him” he put forth the choices and chances of the case before her.
“In no way, i want a life with him. You can do whatever you want but i want divorce at any cost and not to forget alimony” khushi determined in her decision.
“Ok, as you wish. I’ll send notice to Mr. Raizada tomorrow. You be prepared for hearing. And regarding fees, you shall consult my junior” he dismissed her.
Khushi sat in car thinking her conversation with lawyer. She told the driver to drive to laxminagar.
“Hey, khushi betiya...come...” her buaji welcomed her with her usual breathtaking hug.
“Khushi, how are you? How is damadji?” her mother greeted her.
Khushi faked a smile at them, what she can tell them when she came here after taking steps to break her marriage, thought bitterly.
“All are fine amma, buaji. I just come here to spend some time with you as it’s been long, so i thought to stay here tonight”
“ok bitiya, What about arnav bituwa? He always tag around you if you came here?” her mother asked the question which she thought to avoid it for now.
“He is busy with his work amma. Stop asking about him, i am here to meet you but you’re asking him only” she pouted at least she acted.
She is chatting with them happily when her mobile rings and shows ‘Arnav’ she cut the call immediately. Again her mobile beeps before she cut it her mother nudged her to take the call which she can’t deny.
“Hello...” she answered.
“Where are you khushi? Where do you went? Now time is 7 p.m. Tell me where you are, i’ll pick you” came a bunch of questions from other side.
“I am in laxminagar. I am gonna stay here tonight” she answered slowly.
“What the??? Why didn’t you inform me beforehand? Wait let me also join you, it’s been long time i stayed there”
“Not needed” she replied sternly indicating sternly that his presence is not needed.
“But khushi...Are you angry on me for shouting at you for DNA test? I already told you na i am not like that. Why aren’t you trusting me?” she heard his hoarse voice.
“I am sleepy. Good night” she cut the call to avoid the conversation and she is not in mood to fight with him now as from tomorrow onwards there is lot of issues queued for her to fight.
“What the???” arnav muttered seeing the disconnected call. Why can’t you trust me khushi? he mumbled himself thinking her behaviour from karwachaut. He cannot forget that day not because it is first karwachaut after marriage, this is the day that brought changes in their relationship starting from khushi done DNA test behind his back and the result turned out to be positive which he don’t know how? And top of it she is not ready to trust him.
He behaved angrily with her for two days and after that khushi’s behaviour changed much to his dismay. Nowadays he’s seeing new khushi who is unknown to him. Whenever she opens her mouth before him the words rolled out of her tongue was always sarcastic.
He cannot understand how to handle this different khushi who is not ready to hear his words. He cannot read her mind like before, her eyes which always shows her inner soul is reflecting nothing. It’s been one week that incident took place leaving a crack in their relationship; it’s his fault to agree with her every demands like he did when she asked sheetal to stay in their house.
He decided to confront sheetal tomorrow as khushi told sheetal confirmed that aarav is his son. In his anger on khushi and later lost in khushi’s new found behaviour he totally forget this part. Their life is a mess now but not anymore he thought not knowing the biggest shock of his life is waiting for him tomorrow which will shook the soul of ASR and arnav. He is so lost in his thoughts that he failed to notice a pair of eyes which is on him is reflected with uttermost happiness.
*2*
Arnav heard some knocking sound, “Khushi...someone is at the door” he muttered turning other side to continue his sleep. Again he heard the knock, “khushi...” he raised his voice. But continuous knocking made him irritated and come out of his slumber.
He rubbed his eyes in order to erase his sleep and wandering his eyes here and there in search of khushi. Realisation dawned on him hearing another knock. Shoving the comforter aside and pushing his legs in slipper he made out of his way to the door. He came to face with a scared HP who was ready to knock again as soon as he opened the door.
“What?” he barked as his mood is totally off due to khushi’s absence.
“Bhaiyya, your lawyer is waiting downstairs. He want to meet you” HP replied hurriedly.
“What? This early”
“Bhaiyya, time is 10 a.m” Hp replied with shaking voice ready to hear another round of scolding.
Arnav eyes turn wide as saucers and he turned to clock to confirm the time, hell in his whole life he didn’t slept till late. Quickly dismissed hp he marched towards washroom taking his towel. Already he is awake half of the night thinking over their problems and wondering about khushi’s behaviour. Without having her kicking and pushing he stay awake another quarter night as it becomes a habit for him to sleep having her all over him. And top of it today morning he woke up late and don’t know why Mr. Roy is here, this day can’t be better, he thought.
He came downstairs after getting ready in his usual suit, “Hello Mr. Roy” he greeted and exchanged a hand with him. “What makes you come here? You could’ve waited in office itself. Anything professional problem turned up?” he asked scrunching his eyebrows in confusion.
“ASR, if it’s professional i would’ve contacted in your office itself, but it is personal” Mr. Roy his lawyer explained with hesitancy.
“What?” arnav uttered which came into his mind that instant.
“ASR Mrs. Raizada filed divorce. Her lawyer sent the court notice to your house, being your lawyer i received in court itself. You have to reply to that notice within 15days” his lawyer dropped the bomb in ASR’s life.
“Say again” arnav asked not believing his ears. He is not a fool to conclude that it’s khushi who want divorce from him, yet his heart did not want to believe it.
“Mrs. Khushi kumari gupta singh raizada wants divorce from you” he repeated gauging arnav’s reaction. The moment he finished the sentence his eyes widen at the sight of ASR falling from sofa.
Jumping from his seat he pulled ASR and made him lie on sofa. He tried sprinkling water on his face and patted his cheeks but nothing worked so he called his family members who was engrossing in attending their long term guest, they at first didn’t react his calls which he wondered was they all really ASR family. Without having any choice he broke the vase which is on the teapoy. Hearing a loud noise all members rushed upstairs where he was standing.
“Hey bhagwan, chotte’s favourite vase is broken. Mr. Roy you should’ve taken....” anjali exclaimed but she was interrupted by HP’s voice who came running from kitchen with arnav’s black coffee.
“What happened to bhaiyya??Wait let me take something sweet for him, he did not eat anything from morning” Hp shout alerted Raizada members.
That’s when they noticed unconscious arnav.
“What happened to chotte?” nani and anjali asked in same time.
“He fainted while speaking” Mr. Roy replied half truth as he did not want him to be the one who announce the news to his family. He don’t know how’ll they take the divorce of ASR and somewhere he feared of ASR wrath and he concludes this family is not aware of ASR’s life happening’s even after staying in the same house.
“Where is khushi?” payal asked noticing the absence of khushi when arnav is lying here ill.
“Haan, i didn’t see her from yesterday noon itself” anjali said after thinking for some time. Mami and Nk too agreed with her.
“Here arnav beta is ill. Where iz this patttishadi gone without taking carezzz of her husband” mami scoffed without letting go off the opportunity to taunt her.
“Khushi betiya is not here from yesterday itself and you are all telling me now?” the elder of raizada clan asked when she herself missed the same.
“Why nannav still didn’t go to office?” Nk throwed next question for which none has reply as they are so much engrossed in their guest sheetal kapoor and her son aarav, they ignored to notice whom is in home and whom not!
Mr. Roy, sheetal and her son are silent spectators of the scene. Before anyone start another query session hp came there with juice and sweet. Anjali snatched the sweet from him and make arnav lie in her lap, slowly she pushed the sweet through his throat.
As soon as the sugary thing touched his lips and made its way down, arnav gained conscious. He abruptly stand up and ready to run down the stairs to see his khushi but alas his body gave up made him unconscious again. This time Nk and Mr. Roy supported him before he fell down in rough floor. Slowly with the help of Hp they made him lie in his room.
Soon they called doctor, followed by doctor’s arrival they all waited outside as doctor told not to make crowd.
“Why arnav didn’t eat till now?” sheetal asked to Hp.
“Bhaiyya was sleeping until i woke him up after lawyer came” Hp replied cursing his fate for being answerable to the woman who start to rule the house by small things which family is aware or not he doesn’t know. But he’s sure this woman is taking their sweet khushi bhabhi’s place.
“I can’t believe it, khushi can be this much irresponsible too. Here arnav is ill without taking proper meals and medicines there khushi is enjoying elsewhere we don’t know” sheetal said gaining everyone attention on her. Seeing their faces, “I am sorry naniji, i know i don’t have any right to poke my nose in your house matter, but seeing you all worrying for arnav when taking care of arnav is khushi’s responsibility, i can’t sit quite” she finished with grin on her face which was unnoticed by raizada’s as they are busy pondering over sheetal words.
While Mr. Roy can only shake his head at their reaction and now he has fair idea of why the divorce of ASR is coming in the first place. This family gave too much authority to a mere guest.
“Sheetal is right! How come khushiji/khushi betiya will irresponsible? How come she leave without caring about chotte/arnav” these are thoughts running in nani, anjali and mami mind.
Their musings came to halt when doctor neared them, “His Bp is high and his diabetics also can’t help in this situation. Please give him healthy food, soon he’ll come to conscious” saying this, the doctor went away.
Anjali gave him juice after he gained half-conscious. Gulped the juice hurriedly in his half conscious state he managed to stand before anyone comprehend what happened he sprinted out of the room grabbing his car keys from the side table mumbling khushi’s name. From that the raizada’s know arnav is going to see khushi and he knows where she is.
“Hello hi bye bye...what happenzz nowzzz?” mami asked with her usual glory.
“I am taking your leave now” Mr. Roy said making them out of their reverie.
“Is there any problem in office, if it is then did aakash knows?” nani asked.
“I can’t say anything now. You ask to ASR itself. I am taking your leave” Mr. Roy politely dismissed the topic before he left from there.
“Call aakash now anjali betiya, ask him is there any problem in office. Chotte seems disturbed” the old lady ordered. But their dear anjali betiya forget due to aarav interference asking for juice. One by one leave the room not knowing they’re soon going to face a big trouble.
***
“I think there is some serious problem between them. Our plan is working and is in right path” a voice echoed through the four walls of raizada mansion.
“...”
“When’ll our plan succeed? How many days i have to wait for that day” the same voice reverberated through the electronic rectangle plate.
“...”
“Ok, i’ll do what you said. I’ll keep my eye on them” the voice said before cutting the call.
***
“Our first plan is success” sheetal restated in the phone.
“...”
“Oh dear, don’t worry. No one will come to know what we’re doing. What’s next?” she asked to the other person on the call.
“...”
“He fainted, now” sheetal said sadly.
“...”
“I’ll take care of him. We need him, he is our main.... wait someone knocking the door, i’ll call you later” sheetal finished the call.
Adjusting her hairs and taking a sip of water sheetal opened the door to see an excited aarav standing outside the room with cute smile playing on his lips. Aarav entered the room after sitting comfortably in bed,
“Mom when are we going to live with dad like a family” he asked curiously.
“Aarav...yeah...” sheetal shuddered at this unexpected question but soon she covered with an excuse, “Your dad is in stress now. As soon as he’s out of it, we’ll talk to him ok. Now tell me what my boy wants, what about laddoo? Now all are in their rooms we’ll grab some sweet for you” sheetal said ruffling his hairs.
Aarav exclaimed in joy thinking his mouth watering sweets especially laddo but soon his face fell and a frown appeared on his face, “Mom after dad start to live with us where khushi aunty will go? She’s nice and sweet mom. I behaved harshly with her only because of my wish to stay with dad”
While sheetal gave a tight smile as reply and before he asks further she literally run down to take his sweets.
*3*
Arnav stood before the wooden door battling himself whether to rang the bell or not, but nonetheless, he pressed the bell as his life resides inside. Gulping his nervousness again he ranged the bell when none opened the door.
After seemed like eternity the door opened only to face with ever smiling khushi whose smile faded as soon as her eyes landed on him. Arnav released his breathe which he holds till now unknowingly.
“What are you doing here?” she asked nonchalantly.
“khushi..”
“Your office doesn’t working in laxminagar. Did you forget that by any chance...smacking her forehead, yeah how can i forget that, you must be busy with your girlfriend and your son. So this thought missed your brain?” she mocked him without letting him speak.
“Kh..u..sh..i..” he staggered few steps back in disbelief.
“You’re kidding right?” he asked with hope, dismay of his erratic heart beats which clearly indicates something wrong is gonna happen.
“Do i look like a joker who entertains people with their smile? Whom i kidding? You and your family already treating me as one. If anyone from your family is upset then go...grab khushi...shout your frustration...order her to shut in room itself...tell her to stay away...or simply kill her with indifference...and...ignorance...she will hear all this with a smile...she has no emotions and feelings at all... That is the mantra of you and your family Mr. Raizada. How irony it looks! I thought you all are my family. But no, you are seeing and using me as your personal punch bag. I am tired of it, now your girlfriend also came there so please go start a life with her Mr. Raizada. At least understand her a bit unlike me and lavanyaji” khushi let out her pent up emotions that’s what he thought.
“Khushi...You’re taking me wrong. I love you, you know that. I really didn’t consider you as my punchbag, you’re my love and wife khushi. I know things are not good between us before our remarriage, but that doesn’t mean i didn’t love you. I behaved as jerk from our first meet itself and now you think low of yourself in my life which is not true. Soon you’ll realise too. You’ll be my priority always, i promise you you’ll be my prime concern even more than di. We’ll solve our problem calmly khushi, decision which we take in anger will never be right, who knows the result of that more than us khushi. Please take back the divorce case and lets take this issue slow and once again i assure you aarav is and never be my child, i didn’t share any such relation with anyone out there khushi. If we have child then it will be ours only” arnav said after coming out of shock which khushi given him.
“By the way, even if the divorce case proceeds then i’ll make sure that you’ll come to me by yourself before the case ends. So be ready to pack your cloths from here or it didn’t matter, i am all eyes even without that” he said with devilish grin and winked at her.
As usual her cheeks coloured a reddish hue and mouth formed o’s hearing his statement. Before she acknowledge, she felt her cheeks wet only come to know that he put a loud kiss.
“Be ready Mrs. Raizada” he huskily said and disappearing to his car but not before winking at her again.
“Hey devimaiyya, why this laad governor always ordering and troubling me” khushi muttered placing her palm on her cheeks after gained conscious from the kiss.
Closing the door she leaned on it thinking, “Why are you making things worse arnavji? Why can’t we lead a simple happy life. No khushi this is not time for mourning. The sooner you face this problem the better your life would be” she berated herself.
“I am worried for khushi. Where she will be? I called home but they are not picking up the call” payal told to nani sitting in nani room while anjali is busy with aarav’s drink in kitchen.
“Don’t worry payal betiya, chotte gone search for her na. She’ll be fine, maybe she is in gupta house” nani consoled her.
At the same time, a shadow walked to one of the room and made the room up and down searching something. After few minutes the person lips stretched into wide grin, hurriedly the person took the phone and noted the number before placing it in the same place. Making sure no one noticing, the person silently went out of the room.
Her mobile beeped with sound indicating a message is popped up. Chewing her nails seeing the message and contemplating for few minutes quickly she decided to give a call. After two rings, the call gets connected,
“Hello..I am khushi speaking. Is rohit dhawan there?”
“Yup! You called the right number. I am rohit dhawan, but how come madam remembered me? It’s been long time you called, you totally forget me as soon as you married. And i am angry on you, you didn’t even invite me to your marriage and i came to know from garima aunty lately. She told your husband is some business man. So, how come billionaire wife has time to call this poor soul?” he spoke without giving her chance to breathe.
“Will you shut your dramatic mouth rohit?” khushi laughed over the phone.
“What to do when my angel forgot me, one way or other i have to make her remember me you know. Ok, jokes apart what made you remember me?” he asked.
“Rohit, i want some help from you. I cannot trust others in this matter?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yeah sure, what do you want me to do?” he encouraged her hearing her hesitating voice.
“I want details of one phone number, like whose number, for whom they are in touch with and how often the number contacted to a particular repeated number”
“Yeah sure, but your husband is a big shot. You’ll get these services at your doorstep itself, isn’t it?” he asked confused by her request.
“That’s a long story rohit, our phones are being tapped and someone following our family closely. They have each and every detail of us. So i cannot contact detective agencies. You are working in telecom company so it will be easy for you to collect details, i guess” she reasoned and asked hesitantly.
“But now you’re speaking, that means our call also being tapped” he asked bewildered.
“No, no...this is AR corporation number, it cannot be tapped. I use this when emergency arises. So you can contact this number without fear, but this number will be mostly switched off. Give a ring to amma’s number i’ll call you myself”
“AR means AR fashion house?” he asked hesitantly.
“Yes, that is my husband company” she replied coolly.
“What?...ASR is your husband, that means there is high chance of your rivals keeping an eye on your family. So do inform police and your husband khushi, don’t do anything which makes you land in trouble. I think big shots are involved in this” he advised his cousin after recovering from the shock she given him.
Yes, he is her cousin. He is khushi’s aunt son, khushi parents did love marriage so all the ties with her paternal family is ended before she born. She and him studied in same school and both are friends without knowing their relation and later they came to know they’re cousins and that strengthened the bond. But after khushi’s parents death they are forced to separate yet they are in contact frequently. Rohit family didn’t approve their friendship so khushi limited her calls to him.
“...Rohit, i doubt someone from my family is helping them. Please don’t ask anything more than that, do as i say” khushi literally ordered him.
“ok, khushi. Give me one hour i’ll tell you all the details” he finished the call.
Khushi let out a sigh thinking all her problems will be solved once she finds whose number is this. But suddenly relief washed over her face and worry took over her. Hurriedly changed the sim she dailed a number.
“Look, he is going to burst like lava, before he reach, you better escape from there for few hours” she said without hearing who’s on the other side and cut the call as buaji entered.
Meanwhile, on the other side who picked the call smirked evilly before deleting the call log and put the mobile where it had been.
“Sheetal...” the loud roar of arnav shooked the whole raizada mansion. All members hurriedly run to the living room to see an enraged ASR ready to kill someone.
“What happened chotte? Why are you shouting?” anjali asked holding his arms.
“Where is sheetal di?” he asked with gritted teeth.
“Calm down chotte. It’s not good for your health especially when you are ill in the morning” she rubbed his arms trying to calm his anger which is next impossible for now.
“Hello, hi bye bye...what is happenings in this house from morning? First you fainted, phattisadi is nowhere to be seen and now you are shouting on top of your head” mami huffed in annoyance of disturbing her beautiful sleep.
“Are you all become deaf? Here i am asking for sheetal, you all are bothered about your own issues” he bit out his disappointment trying to control his rising anger due to his irritating family.
Yes, today he’s irritated on his beloved family as they are not understanding his anger pleas. Here he is dying to throw the sheetal out who becomes a thorn in his life. Seems like none care about it. Hell how can he forget that, they don’t even know khushi is in her home so what if she didn’t inform them, can’t they call her once and ask her where she is or they forget a person called khushi is here in the presence of their guest, he thought bitterly and a new realisation dawned on him that his family is too much concerned about sheetal more than they apprehense khushi and sheetal is taking khushi place slowly.
*4*
“Sheetal...” hearing his roar sheetal came running downstairs.
“What happened arnav?” she asked calming her heavy breath.
“That is what i am dying to ask. What is happening behind my back sheetal?” he asked taking one step forward in threatening manner.
“What are you talking arnav?” sheetal questioned controlling her nervousness. She knows what is coming and she did prepared for that but did not expect this soon.
“Don’t try to act smart sheetal” he warned her.
“What is going on here?” nani asked seeing the tension between her grandson and sheetal.
“Haan chotte, what is this? She is our guest, you cannot shout at her like this” chided anjali.
Hearing her his jaw clenched, “Guest...No one wants to know why i am behaving like this, instead of asking me the reason you are trying to make me worship your so-called guest”
“Chotte, she is your friend” anjali said disbelieving the fact that he’s insulting sheetal who is close friend of him according to her.
The tension in air grows strong after anjali defended sheetal. Arnav is ready to pounce on but breaking their trance payal asked, “Where is khushi arnavji? I am calling her from past one hour but she’s not taking my phone. I am worried”
“She’s fine payal. She is in buaji house, she already informed me before going there” he replied controlling his anger and thanked his stars for having at least one soul who bothered about his wife whereabouts but what he missed was, she also didn’t notice khushi’s absence from yesterday itself like his family.
Turning his gaze away from payal, “Sheetal i am asking you something. What did you told to khushi?” he asked with gritted teeth.
“I didn’t said anything” replied and shivered at the intensity of anger and rage she witnessed in his eyes for her.
“Don’t lie sheetal. Didn’t you told khushi that aarav is my son? Didn’t you produced fake DNA report and handed it to khushi?” shouted throwing the bomb on the occupants.
“What?...” four gasps erupted in the living room.
“I did not told anything of that sort” sheetal defended herself.
“You must be kidding isn’t it chotte/arnavji?” anjali and payal asked at the same time worrying for the life of their respective sibling.
“I am not kidding di. This was what sheetal told to khushi...” before arnav complete his sentence.
“What are you trying to tell arnav? Why would i tell khushi like that?” sheetal asked gathering her shattering courage.
“One more lie sheetal, i’ll kill you for sure” sheetal jumped from her place hearing his yell. It is not yelling, it is fury which would kill anyone who dare to go near him and mess with him.
“Chotte, what is this new problem? Is really aarav your son?” anjali asked coming out of her musings and praying to god that whatever she heard till now was a sick joke.
An instant shock waved over on arnav face. He did not expect this, at least not from his di. Before he recovers from the shock he heard his nani speaking,
“Sheetal betiya, why are you silent? What did you told to khushi? Is it true aarav is...” the elder women cannot continue after that. She didn’t even wish in her dreams that she could face this day. She feels as if they are going back to 14years where her daughter is betrayed. Same is happened with anjali and now arnav to landed in this mess. “Why her family have to suffer like this always?” she thought wiping her tears.
“I am sorry naniji. I cannot hide the truth for long, i guess. Yes, aarav is arnav’s son and it is just accident” sheetal faked her cry which is impossible for her that moment as her tears are stubborn like her that didn’t fall from her eyes. She forcefully poked her eyes with her middle finger when none noticed.
“She is lying dammit! You better accept your lie and pack your bags from here and your game is over sheetal” he again roared.
“Wait chotte, we cannot come to conclusion without investigating. Here she put an allegation on you, how can you expect us to sit silent and throw her away” said nani.
“Dammit...You’re asking her as if she is one pure soul who considers telling lie is a sin” he cursed loudly.
Nani stopped him and asked sheetal to continue.
“Arnav and me studied in Harvard in the same department. We both are alike so we bonded well as we both always ended up forming a team in doing assignments. Day by day we grow closer, i started to love him. He asked me to be his girlfriend which i agreed instantly. Though i am his girlfriend he didn’t consider me as one, he behaved as a friend. I too didn’t consider that as a big problem, i thought my love is enough for both to lead a life. During our graduation night, we pretty got drunk and he confessed his love to me, we got carried away. Being in love with him i too didn’t stop him but next day itself he broke up with me. I was devastated, i thought all will be fine after that night...he simply tagged that night as a mistake...” hiccupped she continues further taking a glass of water
“I don’t want to push him in an unwanted relationship so i set him free like he wished. After four months i got to know that i am pregnant and i don’t have the heart to abort my child which is the proof of my love. My parents disowned me when i denied for abortion. I moved out of my house and started to live separately with the help of my friend. Days passed hardly, i want to contact arnav and i badly needed his support but i know he will not love me or my child so i restrained myself from contacting him. After aarav born he became my universe, my thoughts of contacting arnav fly out of my mind. I started to live for aarav though he always reminded of arnav in all ways. I always wanted arnav near me when aarav first smiled, first laughed, first crawled, first sit on his own and started walking on his own, his first word and his first school day. I consoled myself saying this is my fate and decided to give aarav the world which he wish but alas! he wants a father. I failed to give him a father love, he starts acting arrogant after few days of his school and that is the worst time in my life. He wants a father like his friends have one. However i tried my best but at last failed. I showed arnav’s picture to aarav so that he’ll stop pestering for his father but it backfired.
Without having no choice i landed in india a month before in search of arnav. Luckily i find him in market i thought finally i found my love and father of my child. But my happiness didn’t last more than a minute, arnav introduced his wife to me. My world slipped beneath my feet. I decided to leave india and informed the same to aarav who denied outrageously. I convinced him but he put the condition of staying in delhi, he pleaded me that at least he could see his father from far. So i applied job and that turned out to be arnav company after that you all know what happened, we stayed here on the insistence of khushi. Unfortunately, khushi came to know all these in karwachaut. I don’t know she was doubting aarav’s father is arnav from long. She came to me with the reports of DNA test and i have no point to deny that. I am sorry naniji, i created a huge mess here, i’ll leave from her” she finished wiping her tears.
“You are leaving no where” anjali said shocking arnav but she cared less. Her heart pained to hear her side of story, she felt no girl should undergo this pain when she herself felt that not so before but what she missed was that her sister-in-law life also pinned with their lives. Whatever decision they take, will affect khushi first.
“Di you’re believing her over me” asked arnav shocked out of wits.
“Why khushi betiya is not here? Is sheetal truth is the reason for her absence?” nani asked finally.
“Yes! This sheetal faked the same story with khushi too. Being selfless soul she left rm and applied divorce” he bit out harshly.
Another gasp escaped from their mouth. This day can’t be worse than that.
“Khushi wants divorce, what will happen to her life?” payal mumbled herself with teary eyes.
“This is not true right. Aarav is not your son” payal asked to arnav with hope.
“I assure you payal, aarav is not my son and khushi always be my wife” arnav promised her.
“Then what about aarav chotte?” questioned anjali making him grit his teeth, if possible his teeth will be kissing the ground by now.
“Chotte please clear this mess soon. Four lives attached to this. I don’t want anyone to hurt in this process but at the same time, i don’t think a girl will lie on her child parenting” this time nani says indirectly believes sheetal.
“I have proof” arnav said gaining the attention once again on him. Sheetal was literally shivering in her place hearing him.
“Think sheetal. You should not accept defeat easily. Think...before arnav submit the proof, somehow you have to make the family believe in you. If he throws you out then our entire plan will be spoiled. No i cannot make that happen at least not until khushi find out who doing all this. Hope khushi saw the message and done the background check. And hope i did good by hiding the person who keep an eye on us and instead messaged their number to khushi, if i told her the name then she’ll not trust me. At least after finding whose number is that, she’ll not blindly trust her family members” sheetal thought and determined to prove arnav wrong and defeat the person whom behind this mess and got reminded of how she messaged the number to khushi.
When payal and nani was busy in gossiping and anjali with aarav as she planned, Sheetal walked to one of the room and made the room up and down searching something. After few minutes her lips stretched into a wide grin, hurriedly she took the phone and noted the number before placing it in the same place. Making sure no one noticing, she silently went out of the room and messaged the same number from her phone to khushi. *(Refer chapter 3)*
Did aarav really arnav son? What khushi and sheetal planning? If they are together then what happened in earlier was a drama? If yes then why do they act? Did sheetal is really good or she is acting before khushi too? Why khushi join her hands with her husband’s ex? Why anyone from their own family ready to backstab them? Did sheetal know who is the family member? If yes then why didn’t she told the name directly? If sheetal told the name to khushi will she believe her? Why are they doing the divorce drama? Is it really a drama or khushi going to divorce arnav? If it is drama then why? Is it because the person want to separate arshi? Is sheetal is also involved with them? And finally, what do you think, will sheetal succeed in her plan?
*5*
“I have proof” said arnav gaining everyone attention on him once again while sheetal praying hard not to get caught, if he proved that she’s lying then the entire plan will go in vain, she thought.
“What proof you are talking arnav? Don’t try to cover your lie” Sheetal courageously dared him. she wondered what happened in laxminagar that he is hell bent on throw her out. She hoped nothing wrong happened there as she is the one who called khushi and told what she heard in the other room of raizada mansion.
According to her and khushi’s plan, khushi is going to reveal the truth when arnav visit her in laxminagar. But their plan got scrapped due to a person who called and warned her until they are divorced they all will be kept under their scrutinity including laxminagar. So she called khushi and informed the same. On the other hand khushi too confirmed some unknown persons like goons are wandering around her buaji house. So she guessed khushi must have acted to hate him and the result is in front of her, ready to strangle her. Thank god, sheetal phone is not tapped or else the situation will be worst, she thought to herself.
“Wait let me show you” arnav said going to call someone from his phone but stopped hearing sheetal voice,
“Why are you doing this arnav? Don’t you feel your son aarav has right to stay with you. I guess he is hapless to get his father’s love. But you know, it hurts when you doubt on aarav’s parenting when he is the symbol of my love. It is said right, pain will be only understandable when we are hit by that not otherwise” sheetal feigned crying that somewhat melted raizada’s heart and arnav’s rage increases no bound by minute.
Claps echoed on the hall breaking their trance who was earlier consoled crying sheetal and payal stood there yet her thoughts are far wandered around khushi.
“Wow! Sheetal.. I must appreciate you, you have excellent acting skills. You deserve Oscar for this performance. In a blink of an eye you turned my family as puppet in your hands and now they are not even ready to hear me out let alone find out the truth themselves” arnav let out a bitter laugh which clearly shows his pain of standing sinner before his family without any of his fault.
“Chotte...” nani called.
“I too know how to raise my voice nani” that shut the elder raizada’s mouth.
“Dadiji how can you support sheetal instead of arnavji and khushi? sheetal is lying, why can’t you see her truth? Did you thought about khushi life once? What will happen to her and her whole life is mess due to this sheetal? Instead of throw her out you are taking her side” payal burst out her worry which shocked raizada’s as they are seeing her new side which is unaware to them till now. Even in shyam revelation she stood calm and cried but not shouted like this.
“Hello..Hi..Bye..Bye.. How dare you to raise your voice against sasuma?” mami scolded payal.
“Payalji, how can you put such accusation on us? We’re concerned for khushiji too but that doesn’t mean we should ignore little aarav who has nothing but having a family as his dream” anjali defended their behaviour.
“Are you indirectly declaring, you are ready to accept sheetal and aarav? Why do you always see one side of coin, turn the other side of the coin too who knows what lay there?” payal shouted in rage.
“Why my khushi has to suffer always?” payal mumbled silently but enough to heard by others.
“That’s why i am saying don’t rush things in anger” nani said breaking the ever growing hot tensed atmosphere.
“There is no way i am going to tolerate sheetal and her son anymore. She must leave shantivan the very moment. I cannot entertain people who stood hindrance before my khushi’s happiness” arnav declared his decision.
“If you decide all this in anger then who are we to you? Don’t you respect us and trust us with our decision” nani asked with tinge of hurt.
“Nani, if i am guilty then you’re right but here again and again i am denying the accusation. Why are you hell bent on distrusting me nani” he asked with the same amount of hurt.
“Please stop it, stop all this. I don’t want to be a home wrecker, please don’t fight within yourselves because of me. I’ll leave from here and then all this mess would be solved, you please forget a person called sheetal and her son stayed here on time period. Please don’t fight...” sheetal slumped down on the floor and let out a loud wail which obviously a fake one.
“Relax sheetalji. Calm down. We will talk in peaceful manner” anjali consoled giving her water while sheetal smirked at her success and the one who ready to backstab raizada’s face showed anger but soon that changed.
“Why are you all so careless when it comes to my sister? When shyam betrayed di you all treated khushi to worst and ordered her to not come in front of her. Now this sheetal is hurting khushi with her presence then, why can’t you simply order sheetal to out and stay away from khushi? why are you all supporting sheetal?”...let out a sarcastic laugh she continued, “Oh now i got it, khushi is just daughter-in-law of this house not daughter so why you’ll care for khushi. I am like a fool crying and begging you for my sister. If this happened to your daughter, you’ll happily crush everyone feelings just to keep anjali raizada happy. What a chameleon family i and khushi got?” Raizada’s eyes widen hearing her accusations.
Arnav gaped at payal hearing her words though he know what she said was nothing but a pure truth of his family and his earlier behaviour. And he concluded one thing, whatever happens this time payal will not tolerate any shits about khushi.
“Damn you and your lies sheetal” he cursed under his breath. Without waiting he called the persons whom he ordered to come to rm before.
In no time four persons entered making the occupants confused and they gasped seeing cops coming inside. Seeing them sheetal face become pale, she looks as if she was beaten by ghost. She knows her game is close and ASR will make sure to rot her in jail.
“Who are they chotte?” nani asked coming out of the shock payal had given them.
“Why don’t you ask this question to your loving guest sheetal kappor because they are close friend of her” mocked arnav.
All frowned in confusion, so without further ado he called first person to ocme forward.
“Do you remember him sheetal?” arnav asked raising his eyebrow.
“Oh..wait let me first introduce him to my family. Nani, di, mami he is aarav’s basket ball trainer. We must appreciate his skills and i am wondering how come he trained aarav who hates basket ball literally was loving the game now” he finished sarcastically.
“Arnav..What is...this? Aarav loves basket ball from his birth itself, you know from his age one he is seeing and playing basket ball” sheetal argued over lost battle.
“So you don’t accept your defeat, let me call your other friends too. Pranav..” ha called him in and turned to raizada’s “I am astonished to know a person lives in two different countries at the same time. Pranav lives in Australia as per sheetal but he is in india from past year” he cleared the air.
“I told about another pranav arnav” sheetal butted in.
“Wait sheetal..I’ll make your work easy. I’ll introduce all first, you can utilise that time to create story about that person.
“Well next Mr. Sharma, owner of sheetal rented house. He has one interesting story to tell. Sheetal lived there from past 6months, but she said she landed before one month.
And next person is Mrs. Choudry, lifeshine orphanage head. Aarav is one of the favourite boy for her and he is one pure gem who nurtured by her from his birth in orphanage.
He is a assistant in City hospital where khushi did DNA report. He exchanged the samples of mine with aarav so the report came as positive.
And not but least sheetal is bankrupt. So she decide to trap raizada’s knowing khushi’s selfless nature, her plan went smooth and she dreamed to live like a queen” he finished with stern face.
“It’s all a lie arnav. Arnav hear me out once please” pleaded sheetal before she convince him her cheeks burned.
Sheetal holds her cheeks and glare at the person who slapped her and that person turned out to be anjali. While sheetal cannot comprehend what is happening? Her mind stood still and busy gasping the new information of bankrupt as far as she know she is nothing but a bankrupt that is not possible. And she concluded that this was planned by the same people who were keeping their eye on arnav and khushi.
“How dare you to play with our feelings and try to break my brother’s marriage?” anjali stood with red eyes.
“Why you involved aarav into your plan? Don’t you feel ashamed to use innocent child?” asked payal.
Sheetal stood biting her lips trying to escape from this situation.
“I am afraid you rot in prison for whole life” finally winning smile settled on his face.
Arnav gestured the cop to arrest sheetal and told hp to bring aarav down.
“Arnav i agree this is all drama... But hear me please... I have a strong reason to do that which you are unware of... Your and khushi life is in trouble...” her voice faded by each passing second as cops forcefully dragged her out of the mansion.
As soon as sheetal was dispersed raizada’s bid a teary farewell to aarav who was attached to them like a family in a short span of time. But they too understand the situation, if he stay there then he’ll remember throughout his life that he was forced to act like someone and his own identity, habits will fade away with passing time which arnav didn’t want. So they handed him to the orphanage itself. They all watched aarav leaving with teary eyes but one person has evil smile on their face which others missed to notice.
“Take our khushi betiya home chotte” nani ordered to arnav who already went outside to pick his lady love clearing all confusions and mess from their lives.
“Hey khushi... Why are you doing marathon here?” garima asked eyeing khushi who was running here and there with mobile in her hand.
“Hey sankadevi..stood still” buaji get hold of khushi.
Irritated due their continuous interruptions khushi let out a groan.
“Buaji...don’t block my path. Move aside. Here am in great tension and you are enjoying to irritate me” khushi chided and pushed buaji aside.
“Hai..re..nandhakishore.. It should be written in world record” says buaji.
Khushi frowned “What...”
“That sankadevi khushi didn’t touch jelabi even after being irritated and annoyed” buaji chuckled at her own sentence while garima swallowed her smile.
“I am standing between life and death, you’re having fun seeing me like this” khushi sat in sofa with frustration.
Seeing her fallen face, garima and buaji sat beside her, “What happened with you beta? Did you fight with arnav beta?” buaji asked caressing her hairs.
Khushi lifted her lashes to see an expected face of her buaji and amma, “It’s nothing like that buaji and amma”
Garima made khushi lay on her lap, fondling her head she asked slowly, “Khushi beta, you know we are with you. Share your worry with us, it’ll reduce your pain. Did you fight with arnav beta before you come here? or any other problem?”
Khushi sighed, “A big problem is going on our lives amma. I can’t tell you anything now. I am sure i’ll win this with your support haaina..”
“Devimaiyaa blessings also with you titaliya. You’ll win this battle” buaji encouraged and hugged her.
Her phone rings shifting their attention towards the phone. Khushi hurriedly press the green button without seeing the caller id,
“Hello...rohit...”
“Is Mrs. Raizada there?”
“Yes, who are you?” khushi questioned non-chalantely.
“Mr. Raizada met with an accident. I saw this number in his call log” the other person said making khushi fall thud on the floor. In no time her eyes watered and voice quivered.
“Where is he? I’ll reach there within few minutes but please be with him” khushi said taking her purse and other necessities and noted the hospital name before sprinted out of the house. While gupta’s stood rooted to their spot seeing her run out of the house in this rainy evening.
“Haha...That sheetal tried to cross us and see now where she ended. Serves right for her being trying to act smart. She’ll rot in jail without any fault of hers. Haha...haha...” a voice echoed in raizada mansion room.
“...”
“Not to forget that khushi. What she thinks, is she Sherlock holmes or Jhansi ki rani? Guess what now her minion and partner is in jail and she is unaware of it”
“...”
“Just one arrow our goal will succeed. Wait for sometime” the voice glinted with determination.
*6*
Arnav literally run inside the gupta house, inhaling a breath "Buaji" he shouted.
Garima and buaji hurriedly came to the hall hearing their son-in-law shout.
"Arey beta...Just now sankadevi sprinted out of the house, now you are here" buaji exclaimed noticing the restless face of arnav. They're going to give him a call anyway as they are afraid of khushi whereabouts.
"Buaji where is khushi?" Arnav asked desperately. He simply want to see her, hug her, kiss the hell out of her and shout for her stupidity of believing everyone and always ready to invite troubles on their life.
"Don't know bituwa. She was impatiently gazing at her phone time to time from past hour. Suddenly one call came and she dashed out of the house as soon as she finished the call. If i am not wrong her eyes are teary, before we ask anything to her she ran away immediately in a blink of eye" garima clearly showed her worried form.
"What..." He could not utter more than that. His mind busy in clearing the dilemma.
Who called khushi? If she gazed the phone time to time then she may waited for someone's call. For whose call she must be waited? Did she waited for my call? If i didn't called her then she may be called me either directly or indirectly through aman. All persons in our family are fine, other than our family for whom khushi will show desperateness. She is pagal, she worry unnecessarily for everyone arnav, his mind argued in-between.
His heart shrugged away the mind conclusions as he know, whatever khushi does she will not go without informing others even if it is trivial and silly things.
His eyebrows twitched in irritation of not getting any clue to find khushi, more than irritation worry took over him.
Hurriedly taking his phone from his trouser pockets he called khushi. The phone ringed but none answered frustrated him more. He tried three more times and resulted in dead end.
Seeing his restless face, the fear and worry gripped gupta's. Garima handed him a glass of water. Gulping the full content, he called RM.
"Hello...ASR here, Hp did khushi is there?"
"..."
"Go and check the whole house. You have only five minutes" arnav ordered sternly while buaji holding his arm looking at him expectantly.
Closing his eyes, he started counting descending from hundred like khushi said. Whenever he got tension or anxious, khushi advised him to do this. As per her theory, medicines will make them weak and depended on it. So she insisted him to join in anger management classes or yoga to calm his nerves. But being ASR, he denied outrageously so she come up with this as per doctor's instruction. At first he would joke and mock around this as stupid technique, but now it relaxing him and this is the first time he is doing this too. He realised how much khushi has influence on his life from simple things to delicate one.
Before he count ten he heard Hp voice, "No bhai, bhabhi is not here and naniji wants to talk to you" hp said seeing nani stand beside him ready to take the reciever.
"Chotte what happened? Where is khushi betiya?"
"I don't know nani" he whispered as if his whole energy is sucked out of his system.
"Ask her friends chotte. She may gone to visit them"
"I'll look into the matter nani, incase if she showed up in shantivan do inform me asap" said and cutted the call before hearing nani's reply. He is not in mood to argue or entertain people even if the people is his own family. Khushi is the utter most priority for him now.
"Buaji, why don't we check in neighbourhood? Maybe she went to meet some of her friends there" arnav said with hope and the three went in search of khushi in different directions leaving the old man, shashi in their home itself.
They asked everyone who passed through them on the roads. Arnav went to happyji's garage after remembering something.
***
"We are the sole reason for this mess. Where khushiji must be went?" Anjali said to nani.
"We're doing the same mistake again and again. How come we didn't see khushi betiya gloomy state. I thought chotte and she had some fight, so she is behaving differently nowadays. But the truth is far away from that" says nani realised her mistake too lately. Their conversation was interrupted by payal who entered nani room.
"Dadiji, i am sorry. I shouldn't talked to you like that. But after seeing you supporting sheetal instead of khushi i got angered. You are elder to us...." nani cutted her words.
"It's ok betiya. You are concerned for khushi. But you took us wrong, we never ever thought you and khushi as outsiders. I know in anjali case we acted bit rudely, but we realised our mistake betiya. We are sorry if we made you still feel like you are outsiders"
"It's ok dadiji. Don't be sorry. Be gone by gone. We shall forget all things and live like before that's my wish" payal finished and anjali engulfed her ina hug.
"Hello..Hi..Bye..Byezzz.. hugs withoutzz me" mami huffed and crush them both in the name of hug.
"It is not time for celebration, still we don't know where khushi betiya is?" nani said making them break their hug.
"Don't worry dadiji. She must be somewhere around buaji house. Arnavji is looking for her, so all will be fine" said payal and beamed at mamiji as this is the first time manorama hugged her willingly.
***
"Where she must be? Where are you khushi?" Arnav mumbled oblivious to his surroundings standing in the middle of the road.
A car horn made him aware of his state. Wiping the sweat beads he stepped away from the path. Happyji came running to him from other side.
"Khushijiwentinautomywifesawthat" said panting heavily.
"What?.." frowned arnav not understanding a bit of what he conveyed.
Calming himself happyji continued slowly, "khushiji went in auto, my wife saw that"
"Where?" came the instant question for which happyji smiled sheepishly and called his wife who is not far from him.
"Where did you last seen khushi?" He questioned her blocking her in half way.
"I was in market when i saw her travelling in auto" she replied.
"Did she looked normal or in hurry?" He throws another question closing his fists.
"Her face is pale, i guess. I cannot see her properly as she is inside the auto and the auto crossed speedily" she stated what she saw.
"Where the hell are you khushi? Why cant you simply come in front of me? Is am so bad?" thought arnav and went other side to make call.
"Aman track khushi number. I want her whereabouts within in fifteen minutes" barked arnav.
"Ok ASR. Which number? Bhabhi's usual number or private number?" Aman asked while his other hand already working on another phone to get details.
"Both" answered and cut the call, before his feet carry him to his car he saw buaji walking towards him along with garima.
"Did you got any clue buaji?" Arnav asked desperately.
"No bituwa. Some people saw her travelling in auto" answered panicked buaji.
"Don't worry buaji. I'll search her, you please go home. Don't panic" he assured them though deep down in his heart he is scared like hell. His heart tells something is amiss and worst he couldn't pinpoint what it is.
Dismissing his unwanted thoughts, he rushed to the car and drove away to nearby temple. As soon as he entered temple premises, he jumped out of the car and searched the whole temple. His eyes didn't find khushi. His heart already thudding out of his chest in anxious and worry.
Without delaying much he dialed aman with quivering hands. Before he bark, his ear heard aman's reply which drowned him in a deep hole of worry.
"But how can it be possible aman? She is not in her home then how come her mobile location shows laxminagar. Did you cross checked it? She is not even in neighbourhood. What about her other private number?" He tried to control his anger and fury and helplessness by closing his fists.
"The private number is switched off and its last location also shows laxminagar. I am sure bhabi must be in laxminagar. Please double check once again ASR and i already contacted detectives. I am sure we'll find bhabi soon" aman assured him.
And he further adds, "ASR i think we shall inform police. Its already 8p.m. soon it will be dark and we cannot risk bhabi life. I'll speak to commissioner and request him to keep the issues in wrap, if you wish" he said last bit hesitantly.
"Ok aman. Involve police force. And mind it, this should be strictly private and confidential. Involve trustworthy aman" arnav ordered confidently rather say he's trying to be ASR not arnav and what he don't know was he failed miserably in that.
ASR or Arnav both needs khushi. The heart needed its soulmate either way. ASR is nothing without khushi and Arnav is dead soul in the mere absence of khushi.
They are not bounded by love but bonded by love. Bound has limit whereas bond is like a fevicol which last forever once if it binds well.
If one soul leaves then other follow the suit. Its not a matter whether they are angry or ignoring each other, the love will find its way. Love has the power to erase all bitter and anguish memories. Once it consumes you, you probably cannot escape from that.
Arnav temporarily ignored khushi but doesn't mean he didn't love her. If his live is true then his soul will come back to him or he will reach his soul.
~
In no time, a crew is assembled in ASR high security penthouse. The crew consists of 3 higher police officials and a detective along with technical team.
They are made to seated in living room and the set up of the hall is somewhat similar of conference room. Within quarter minutes they saw ASR entering his penthouse with rigid look along with three other people who looked like middle class people that doesn't suited ASR personality but they shrugged their thoughts as no one want to face ASR wrath. Soon they witnessed how ASR manager respectfully welcomed them and made them to sit.
"You already got the details through aman if i am not wrong. So i need my wife beside me within an hour or else be ready to kiss goodbye to your job" arnav said sternly making gupta's shocked. Yes, the people who accompanied arnav was his wife family. He didn't want them in danger and more over khushi stayed with gupta's before she went missing. So he thought the police will find khushi soon with the help of gupta's and the details they give.
"ASR, he said is your wife is missing and her phone location shows her maternal area and she is not there other than that we don't know anything. Shall you feed us with other details?" Mr.Khan from one of the crew asked.
For which arnav noded curtly and told when and where did he last seen khushi and when did he last spoke to her. And how there is no way she will visit her relative home when her home is in delhi itself.
"Do you suspect anyone who involves in harming you and Mrs. Raizada both personally and professionally. You have quite number of rivals queued in your business circle" Another cop Arjun asked and noting the points trying to get a clue.
And he eyed gupta's the next instant he gulped his throat hearing open threat of ASR.
"Don't dare to suspect them. They are my wife's family" roared arnav and eyed the officer dangerously who gulped visibily. Just because they are middle class doesn't mean they are culprit or gold digger which ASR learned it hard way after living with his wife.
"I want to ask some details from your in-laws ASR" Mr. Khan interrupted ASR and arjun staring session.
"Go head" agreed ASR.
"Is Mrs. Raizada is with you before she went missing?"
"Yes.." replied buaji. Mr. Khan stared at ASR to tell them who is she to his wife actually as they are confused with two ladies and one man in wheel chair and the information will lead them to that proceed easily. Knowing his look arnav shared their relations. Noding at ASR he continued his interrogation,
"Is Mrs. Raizada looks tensed before she missing and did she told anything to you about her whereabouts?"
"Yes. She looked tensed from morning and she didn't informed anything before she run outside" this time garima replied.
From morning onwards she is tensed, that does mean her missing is related to me or what, arnav thought to himself.
"ASR i am afraid to say, your wife is either kidnapped or blackmailed. We will conclude only when you provide us with details. Are you suspect anyone? Personal or professional rivals?" Mr. Khan declared making arnav numb.
Aman placed his hand on arnav shoulder and bring him back to earth, gaining his strength and wearing ASR mask he says, " I suspect two persons. Both are related to personal. One is Shyam manohar jha, my sister's ex-husband and another one Sheetal kapoor, my ex- girlfriend. But both are in jail" he said aloud rather say he told to himself the last bit as he himself scared of what if shyam involved in this.
"Ok ASR. Already we send one team to laxminagar as your wife mobile shows that area and now we're going to inform the prison superintand to investigate both shyam and sheetal. We further want to check your family numbers. We suspect yours and your phone numbers are tapped" Arjun asked permission polietly.
Arnav noded and take his mobile to call RM, in all that tension he forget to call there and decided to inform the current status. Before he press dial he heard Mr. Khan voice,
" ASR we activated mobile jammer in your apartment as a part of security purpose. So all our mobiles will be unreachable for some time"
Arnav nods and put back his phone and ordered aman to give them necessary details.
Soon they figured out their numbers are indeed tapped which shocked arnav to the core. When the crew is busy analysing the situation they heard ASR voice,
"If khushi is kidnapped then how come the mobile signals show her location as laxminagar. Her phone os not in her house too. I am sure kidnapper will not be a fool to keep her in laxminagar itself" arnav shared his query. Thank god, he contacted aman through his private number which he accidently carried with him or else the situation will be worst.
"That's what we to got doubt ASR. But don't worry our team is already working on it. I request you to dont share important matters with your number. Use your private number. If we take action against tapping them whoever doing this will get alerted. But we too need to tap your numbers?" Asked Mr. Khan
"Stop the services of my family private numbers expect me" arnav said and earned curious glances on him. And agreed to Mr. Khan demand. So technically, All raizada and gupta number will be tapped by both police and the person who is keeping eye on them.
"Are you doubting anybody in your family ASR?" Arjun asked out of curiosity.
"Nope.." he replied as he himself don't know why he said like that. Did he doubt his family? If this question arise before then ASR will chop the person who suspects his family but now he is totally khushi husband who has doubts on everyone and he himself suspect his family. Arjun agreed to stop the services.
***
"What you kidnapped khushi? What if ASR finds out?" A lady voice resonated in raizada mansion.
"..."
"What next? Forget it anyways, my path is cleared and yours too. But i am afraid what if ASR finds out? What will happen to us after that? ..helloo...hello...hello" the lady angrily punched the buttons as call gets cutted and what she don't know was the number is already blocked.
****
Meanwhile, on the other side..
Why garima aunty call also not connecting. Khushi also not taking her mobile. How can i contact them now? Rohit mumbled sitting in his office cabin.
He cannot find about the number earlier as he promised and he finds out just now that the number khushi gave is also a private number and the details cannot be find out by mere employee like him. That needs higher official and authority.
*7*
Money, a dominant thing in the universe which literally wrapped the whole world around it. Rich or Poor doesn't matter, this thing plays a prominent role in everyone's life. For rich, they run behind it to maintain their richie, for poor they run behind it for their everyday needs. But the main question is, did the money help them in their needy time or it will be useful in drastic situation where it has no value even if you have millions, billions of it. That's where arnav is standing now. He have lot of money to buy half of India but did his money find his missing wife? It's been five hours since his wife went missing but he couldn't find her with all the facility and government support he had.
ASR who boasted himself as he is the one who writes his own destiny is standing in a temple; stare at the idol with bending head and folding hands. He prayed to god to keep his wife, his life, his heartbeat, his soul safely wherever she was. After praying to his heart content he turns to leave but stopped abruptly hearing his phone ring in his private number. He attended the call and what he heard shocked, scandalized and horrified him to his core.
*
Few hours before,
“What? This much happened, sheetal turned to be deceit and khushiji mislead by her left the house asking divorce from bhai. You all are telling me now” aakash shouted for first time in his life which shocked raizada’s to the core who were standing in the middle of the living room.
His eyes are firing red and his whole demeanour screams so like ASR not like aakash they have seen. For a minute they are scared to go near him. Gaining courage payal placed her hand on his shoulder,
“Aakash calm down. Arnavji is already searching khushi. I am sure she must be in neighbour house”
“How can you say, all will be fine when actually it is not? I’ll deal this later. Now anyone care to tell me where is bhai?” he asked trying to lower his voice as much as possible.
“He is in laxminagar when we called few hours before, aakash. After that his calls are not connected and is out of reach” sadly said anjali.
Without responding to their answers and gazes he stormed out of the house.
Why i am always being dump like this? Why i am the last person who came to know the biggest issue in my family? Is am i too oblivious to the happening in my family? Why hadn’t i opposed the family when they are busy comparing aarav and bhai when i hostile the same? If once i voiced out my opinion then this day wouldn’t been end like this. How can i let my bhai’s marriage down when it is at stake and i like a fool sitting quietly when whole family is hell bent on making khushiji feel bhai fathered aarav. He and khushiji always supported him, didn’t they? How did i missed sheetal’s intentions? He cursed himself umpteenth time for his stupidity, foolishness and being coward of hiding behind his facade without opposing their family’s over hospitality to sheetal. Thinking this he strode the car little harshly but stopped abruptly hearing some sound.
Pressing the brake hard, he turned towards his side to see an scared, horrified Nk sitting in passenger seat clutching his seat belt and dashboard hard as if his life is depended on it. That’s when aakash noticed his presence. Nk was sweating profusely, thanks to aakash driving.
“Nk bhai, how come you are here? When did you sit in car?” aakash exclaimed in shock.
“I was following behind you when you left rm and got into car after you seated but you didn’t notice me. Forget it, are you going to laxminager now?” Nk answered and questioned him back.
“Haan...Yes...” aakash started the car. After that no words exchanged. They know why and what they are doing.
Nk resumed his position in his seat. Shock would be an understatement when he comes to know sheetal real face. He returned to Rm along with Aakash and what he heard after reaching there really appalled him. He kind of started liking her and decided to date her. He noticed lately that he has certain liking towards arnav’s choice of girls. Though sheetal is nothing like khushi, he liked her confidence and determination but now he came to know it was all a facade. She is worst women he had ever seen. Its better the truth out earlier or else his heart will be brutally broken like before. Shrugging his thoughts aside he concentrated on present and run behind aakash to accompany him and help arnav and not to say he is bothered about khushi’s missing. From the time he sat in car, aakash didn’t noticed him. He is in his own world giving him fear of hanging between life and death, that much horrible ride he had. He called aakash two times but he seemed to be into him, so he did what he is best at. He shrieked out loud that gained aakash attention and he stopped his driving making him sigh in relief.
Soon they reached gupta house and greeted with closed doors of the house. Aakash called arnav but it was out of reach. Aakash tried aman, to his bad luck that too unreachable as jammer is placed in the apartment.
“Now, what to do aakash? Where must be nannav and gupta family?” Nk asked eyeing the lock in the door.
“Don’t know Nk. Come we’ll ask about them to neighnours. Maybe they went somewhere near” aakash said and they asked the neighbours.
Seeing them happyji came there, tapped aakash shoulders, “Bhaiyya madhumatiji, her family are with arnav bhaiyya. They are searching for khushiji”
“Do you know where they are? When did they left from here?” aakash bombarded him with his queries.
“I don’t know their whereabouts bhaiyya. They left some two hours ago. They are worried” replied happyji.
“Hmm...” aakash noticed two well built man ready to open the gupta house with keys. Panicked, he rushed to them and stopped them.
“Who are you? How come the keys of this house are with you?” aakash asked eyeing the keys that is ready to join in its respective keyhole.
“First who are you to question us?” one of the men asked seeing the surroundings with his scrutinising gaze which alarmed aakash.
“Look, this is my in-laws house. So i have all the rights to question you not the other way round” retorted an enraged aaaksh who was already in frustration and worry where they landed in.
“We have ASR permission to open it. So leave before we so something” one of the two replied and slightly pushing him aside to put the key in key hole. While nk murmered aakash to interrogate the matter.
“ASR is my brother. so don’t dare to lie” aakash warned as he is not keen on letting this two unknown man into gupta house, besides he did not believe that his bhai gave them permission and he don’t want to take risk when already so many problems are hanging down their neck.
Sighed one of the man moved aside and spoke to someone through walky talky that confused raizada to the core. He turned towards aaaksh and gestured him to take the mobile which he was extending before aakash.
Frowning aakash took tha mobile and placed it on his ear, he heard arnav voice,
“Aakash they are police team. Allow them in”
“Where are you bhai?” questioned aakash confused by this call. When he called few minutes back, the number is out of reach now he is speaking to him. Is police force is behind this?
“I am in my way to laxminagar. I’ll see you there” arnav replied before cutting the call.
Aakash handed back the phone and mumbled a sorry and allowed them to in.
Within half an hour ASR reached there. As soon as he stepped in the house he saw the home is made upside down and two cops along with aakash and nk was searching the whole house for clue.
“Is any clue you got?” arnav asked no one in particular.
“No sir, we are searching. Only that room is remaining” he pointed towards khushi room. Arnav legs in his own accord carried him to her room. He entered followed by aakash and one cop. Without wasting time they indulge in searching.
Arnav pushed all the things that came in his way while searching. He know if khushi know that he pushed and messed her room then she’ll not allow him to enter their room and he is least cared about that now.
His eyes froze and lips curve into a smile seeing something in the wall. He reached near it and put his hand tracing the photo which is khushi’s. His eyes widened in astonishment when he across the replacement of salman’s pic with his. He barely remembered when he saw the wall last time. Maybe she changed after their marriage, he thought. His monologue came to halt hearing aaksh voice, infact he forgot all his worries for five minutes when his eyes lingered on photo.
Raising his eyebrows he shiftly reached them where aakash and a cop was standing and eyeing something in their hands. He bends his head to their level and took the phone from aakash hands.
“This is khushi mobile. Where it had been?” arnav asked without waiting for reply he dialled her number. To his shock her mobile ring echoed on the four walls.
This is the same room where me and buaji searched. That time her mobile was not here. And even when he called her mobile earlier it did not ring in the house, then how come the mobile is here now. If the mobile was not here earlier then why her location showed laxminagar. His mind full of confusions, mysteries and what not. He felt to pluck his hair out. But his determination in finding khushi is keeping him sane. Again his thought process came to halt,
“Sir, Your wife left on herself. See she left a note behind” the cop said and handed him the letter and called his other team members.
Putting her phone in nearby stand he read the letter and aakash to read that standing behind him.
Dear Arnavji,
Jab tak aapko yeh chithi millegi, tab tak hum aapse door challe jayenga....bohot door... hum aapke zindagi woh dusri awrat nahi bana chahete jo Arav hummein samajta hai. Hummein pata hai ki jab tak hum wahan rehenge tab tak aap unhe nahi aapnaoge. Isilye hum aapse door jaa rahe hai. Agar aap humse sacha pyaar karte hai toh hummein dhoonte dhoonte humare piche mat aayega. Sheetal aur Arav ko aapna lijiye. Hum hamare chotte chotte yaadon ke sahare khush rahenge. Yeh hamari vinti hai. Aapni zindagi jeeiye, hamara intezar mat karna.
Your’s
KhushI ArNav singh raizaDa :-P
--
{Dear arnavji,
When you find this note, i'll be gone away from you..far away from you.. I don't want to be the second women in your life like aarav thinks. I know until i stay there you'll not accept them. So i am going away from you. If you love me truly then don't come behind searching for me. Accept sheetal and aarav. I'll live happily with our short lived memories. Its my request. Live your life, don't wait for me.
Your’s
KhushI ArNav singh raizaDa :-P}
He dropped the letter as soon as he finished reading that. Ground slipped beneath his feet. He don’t know when Mr. Khana arrived and what they discussed. He simply stood there shocked. Aakash shaked him and he come out of his trance.
“Is it Mrs. Raizada handwriting” arjun asked pointing the letter.
Arnav nodded in reply. “It is not true right” he asked with a hope to akash. Aakash bend his head down which is the answer itself.
“I am sorry Mr. Raiza...” before Mr. Khan complete his sentence arnav interrupted him as something striked his brain.
“Why did she write the content in hindi and signature in English that too in weird way” arjun asked which went in deaf ears as arnav roared at the same time.
“Give the letter” arnav forcefully snatched the letter in a blink of eye. He reread it again.
“I am sure this is not her words” his eyes gleamed in joy of getting clue and died in the moment itself.
“How?” Mr. Khan asked.
“Khushi will not call herself as Khushi arnav singh raizada..” seeing their confused faces he cleared the air, “ she call herself as Khushi kumari gupta singh raizada”
That’s when all noticed the mismatched upper and lower cases. What she want to convey? Is it her usual way of signing or its a clue? Why did she use sticking the tongue out smiley? They thought except arnav.
Arnav already taking paper, pen and noted the exact words of her sign. Others also peeping to know what he is doing while Mr.khan realised it is something related to the clue.
KhushI ArNav singh raizaDa :-P
“ASR, write down the capital letters separately” said Mr.khan. Arnav did the same.
KIAND
Mr. Khan couldn’t conclude anything from that but arnav guessed it and add the ‘P’ from smiley.
KIANDP=KIDNAP.
Arnav staggered few steps back seeing the word kidnap. He couldn’t believe his own eyes.
“So that means Mrs. Raizada is kidnapped” Mr.khan said making all of them out of the shock.
“I want my wife now. Do whatever you want, take money as much as you need but i want my wife before the sun rise” after threatened them he left the house and stopped in mid way in a nearby temple.
***
Present
He drove towards RM manically. Gritting his teeth he pressed the accelerator more and speed of the car making the passing by fearing their lives. One sentence ringing on his mind making him tightens the holds of his hands on steering wheel.
“Payal Singh Raizada was the one behind your wife’s kidnapping”
*8*
“Payal...” the hoarse loud voice shook every pillar of raizada mansion.
Raizada’s rushed down to face with an enraged aakash shouting at his top of the voice for payal continuously. Along with him Nk and gupta family also there.
“Did you find khushi?” payal asked as soon as she reached last step.
Aakash strode towards her in blink of eye, grabbed her hands forcefully making her stumble a bit. Payal breath hitched seeing his hand rising in air. She closed her eyes tightly prepared for heavy slap but none came. Slowly opened her eyes she saw Nk holding his hands in mid air. While others terrified to react, as all happened in a second.
“Leave my hand Nk” aakash ordered sternly.
“No, it’s not right aakash. You should not raise your hand on women even if she is wrong” Nk admonished and bring aakash hands down. Aakash fingers curled into a fist in anger. While raizada’s once again tongue tied seeing the new avatar of aakash but what shocked them the most was of gupta’s oblivious behaviour towards the happenings. How can they be silent when aakash raised his hands on payal?
“What is this aakash? How can you raise your hand on payal?” nani questioned came out of her shock.
“What else do you expect me to do dadi? The thing she did was intolerable and unforgivable” shouted an fierce aakash who ready to murder payal.
Only he know what he felt when he came to know about payal deeds. He can’t believe his senses but later realised, All glitters are not gold. It took lot of time for him to digest this truth and act upon this matter. It’s not easy to grasp that the person whom he thinks to be his soul mate is not the way he thinks nor she is what she portrays.
“What she did?” anjali asked which went in deaf ears as already aakash dragged payal to the middle of the living room and pushed her with a force.
Fortunately or unfortunately mami caught her, “This is not right aakash” scolded aakash surprising everyone.
He shrugged his shoulders, “Where is khushiji payal? Where did you hide her?” shouted making raizada’s frown and payal in fear.
“How can i know aakash?” asked payal with crying face.
“Enough of your crocodile tears payal. We didn’t expect this from you. Is this what we taught you? Stop acting and tell me now where is khushi?” buaji spoke shocking payal to the core. Whatever happened till now in their lives buaji always supported her no matter what, but today all turned upside down.
“Buaji what are speaking? How can i know where is khushi when she is with you from the morning?” payal questioned back.
“Enough...” everyone turned to see the source of roar standing in the main door with some police. He strode towards them.
“Enough of your lies payal. Care to tell where my khushi is?” arnav asked with gritted teeth.
Payal eyes wandered from arnav, buaji, garima, shashi, nk and finally landed on aakash. She gulped her throat seeing the same amount of rage in everyone eyes. She knows her game is over, there is no way when her own family is against her while raizada’s are the one stood with confused faces unaware of the storm hitted them.
“I don’t know. Why are you putting false allegations on me” she asked feigned courageous and innocent.
“Don’t test my patience payal. Will you spill out or do you want to taste third degree treatment in police lock up” arnav threatened her. Her eyes widened hearing his threats.
“What is happening here chotte? How khushi missing is related to payal?” nani asked the question which bugged her from the time aakash entered. Instead of answering her, arnav gestured her to stop.
“I am sorry. I don’t have any other option. I was bound to do this. There is some other person behind this and i don’t know where she is” she declared and sat in floor with a thud.
Is she speaking truth? What if payal is manipulated? Is shyam involved or is it sheetal? How did they find out payal is behind this? How come payal will do something like this against her loving sister? I am sure there must be some misunderstanding. Payal harm khushi these three words itself didn’t fit in one sentence, not to forget how she fought with them for their indifference between khushi and anjali and how she fought for her sister rights. She plays a major role in throwing sheetal out, thought arnav, anjali, nani and mami.
***
Standing in the middle of a luxurious room with all facilities starting from air conditioner, cosy queen size bed with fluffy pillows, costly show pieces, a neat tiled floor with soft mattress, an expensive wind chimes and a big white coach which afford two members, a lavish dressing table, a big teddy bear except network and communication facilities, she stared at none in particular. Her fingers tightly bunched the salwar material in fear and anxiety. Her hair looks messy; eyes seemed puffy and ready to pour its precious. But she didn’t let her precious out, her determination, stubbornness and top of it her faith on her husband made her strong. Khushi her name; denotes happiness which suddenly washed out of her life like a storm.
The door clicked making her snap towards her surroundings. Swiftly she adjusted her appearance by covering her whole hands from shoulders with her duppata and turned towards to the source of her misery carrying a tray in hand.
“Hi babe! Here please eat something. You should not remain in hunger” the male voice reverberated inside the room.
“I am not hungry” khushi replied and occupied the bed. He too followed the suit to sit beside her. Seeing him near her, she moved aside making him glare.
“Please khush babe eat something atleast for me” hearing him she flinched and throw daggers at him.
“Ok khushi. Happy. Now eat, not for me but for your husband. How’ll you see him if you die in hunger?” he let out sarcastically.
“Don’t you dare to talk about him” khushi warned him for which she only got a wicked smile as reply.
Huffed in annoyance, she moved towards the window which was closed with hard grills paving no way to escape. “Where are we?” she asked slowly.
“Hanhaann...Nope! The lest i could tell was you can’t escape from me” he held her elbows and making her sat on bed. She disgusted at his touch but can’t do anything which would result in more advances from him.
She silently ate the food which struck in her throat numerous times giving him more chance to come close to her. She cursed her fate and stupidiness for falling in this mess.
As soon as she finished “I am done” said moved the plate aside and turned other side from his gaze. Suddenly she felt some sugary thing touched her lips, panicked khushi jerked from bed slapping the man in process.
“How dare you slap me?” he asked angrily.
“Can i show you once again?” she replied sarcastically.
Quickly changing his expressions, he cooed “You have all the right to slap me baby. I just gave you jelabi which you love, why are you angry for that” he asked as if he don’t know the reason.
She pushed the jelabi tray making it dirty with it’s syrup in the floor, “I hate it now”
“I’ll see how many days you are going to reject me. Don’t keep dreaming about your useless husband who will find you like a hero because you are already with one” he boasted himself not knowing her husband will always be her prince.
“Sleep well babe...” he winked at her and try to give her good night kiss which she escaped saying sleepy and occupied the bed covering her head to toe with a blanket. She waited until the door clicked indicating his absence. Angry tears start to roll down her eyes.
How dare he try to kiss her? Who give him permission to come near her? Who was he to order her and trying to act lovely dovey with her which only belongs to her arnavji? How dare he to mess with ASR wife? She thought angrily wiping her tears at the same time remembering her past hours.
She paced the length and breadth of gupta’s living room and desperately waited for rohit call.”He told me he’ll call in one hour, why still didn’t he contact me? Shall i call him once?”when she mumbled herself her phone rings. In her eagerness she attended without noticing the id.
“Hello...rohit...”
“Is Mrs. Raizada there?”
“Yes, who are you?” khushi questioned non-chalantely.
“Mr. Raizada met with an accident. I saw this number in his call log” the other person said making khushi fall thud on the floor. In no time her eyes watered and voice quivered.
“Where is he? I’ll reach there within few minutes but please be with him” khushi said taking her purse and other necessities and noted the hospital name before sprinted out of the house.
Neither she is in sense nor in mood to inform others about this accident so she did what her mind told. She stopped an auto and reached the hospital in few minutes. Before she enters the hospital someone placed a cloth in her nose from behind. In no time her head spins and after that all blanked.
After seemed like eternity, her eye lids fluttered trying to adjusting the light. Clearing her vision she opened her eyes fully to face with a luxurious pink room of girly choice most importantly her choice. Her breath hitched seeing the pink and white wall covered with natural scenery paintings which are hanging neatly along with salman khan poster in one wall and her photos in remaining walls. She turned to her bedside and noticed a small photo frame of her in red saree which she wore for AR photo shoot that mesmerised arnav. Small smile appeared on her lips seeing the ceiling which literally look like sky. Instantly she got remembered of bachelors night and a blush automatically crept on her face, no matter what that night will be the best memories in her life. That is the first time he told her his inner most feelings and that is the day when they both let out their inhibitions aside and enjoyed their night as just arnav and khushi who love their partner to the core not ASR or KKG. Realisation dawned on her like a thunder.
“How dare that laadgovernor to scare me like this? I know only he knows how to scare me and later make me happy, he and his ways hmphh... What is the need to scare me like this? Smacked her forehead, Did you forget how he challenged you? It’s all his doing.
“By the way, even if the divorce case proceeds then i’ll make sure that you’ll come to me by yourself before the case ends. So be ready to pack your cloths from here or it didn’t matter, i am all eyes even without that”
I’ll not speak to him when he’ll khushi...khushi..me..and this time i am not going to fall for his chessy talks and that sexy smile” she thought dreamily. She come out of her drolling session hearing door sound and turned other side thinking its arnav and she’ll act angry, he in reflex will pamper her.
“Still you didn’t wake up” the voice said making her jerk up from her bed. This is not her arnavji’s voice.
She turned and her eyes widen, “You....”
“Yeah, Me...” he replied coolly.
*9*
"You..." Khushi eyes widen in shock.
"Yup, it's Me! Wow, I must say you have strong memory" he replied coolly.
"Where is my husband? What happened to him?" Khushi gone into her worried mode forgetting her state.
"I thought you are genius, by now you should've guessed where you are and what happened?" He said nearing her.
"You mean, that call was fake and you..kid..nap..ped me" her mind worked in jet speed and she shuddered at the revelation.
"That's like my girl" Khushi flinched at his words.
"Have you gone nuts? Let me go" she surpassed him ignoring his words.
"Little kitten is on mission. But let me clear something, you cannot..." She cuts his words.
"Don't dare to play with me. I don't know why you kidnapped me, i am sure it must be one of your bad intentions. If my husband get an ounce of this, you will not be spared no one can save you from him" she threatened him.
"Oh please Khushi, don't tell this to your husband. I am very scared. If he see me then he'll kill me" he said and laughed like manic. "Do you expect me to get scared of your threat? Is your husband is god or what? Who have power to stood against me; your husband is small before me. He can't do nothing with his so called money" he said dangerously.
"Are you mad? You don't know my husband; he has power to destroy you" Khushi replied proudly.
"Oh really. Haven't you read or heard money have to bend before power? Still you didn't understand did you?" He asked raising his eyebrows.
Khushi want to slap him seeing his cool attitude. How dare he to underestimate my husband power? He has all the things wrapped in his little finger. In his snap of eye her arnavji will destroy the person before her.
"Ok, forget it. Like a good girl wrote a letter stating you are leaving your husband because he's cheating on you" he said handing her pen and paper.
"In your dreams. Why would i leave my husband? It is utter nonsense and i'll not do any such things" khushi said with venom.
"Oh, really. Lets check" saying this he neared her, Khushi moved backwards in fear. In this she forgot she is standing at the edge of bed when he came close to her she fell backwards in bed.
Before she move back he holds her leg, she wriggled to leave from his hold. But he is stronger than her so easily he pushed her and came on top of her. She closed her eyes trying to gather her strength, she pushed him by his shoulder but he holds her hands above her head and came closer to her ears. Tears started to fall from her eyes.
"Can you write or do you need more trail?" His whisper made her agree to his demand.
Wiping her tears angrily she wrote the content as he said and wrote her name as she planned before when he was gazing other side. She was thinking from the time she agreed to write the letter. Before he check the letter once again she hide her name with her hand and somehow convinced him that she didn't leave any hint. He called someone and sent the letter and her mobile to her home. She prayed hard for arnav to find her clue. He noticed her silence and decided to break it.
"Where are you lost Khushi? Ok let me check your general knowledge about me?" He said throwing a wink at her.
"Will you stop boasting yourself? What do you want from me? Why are you doing all this?" She asked finally coming out of her thoughts with gritted teeth.
"Well, i guess you are only interested in knowing why i kidnapped you. So I'll do the honour of introducing myself"
"I am Karan khundra, son of great politician and CM of uttarpradesh Mahesh khundra. A close friend of payal gupta now payal singh raizada whom i studied with her in University of Lucknow. We were close friends once upon a time, interesting isn't it? And one day, i saw a angel in my college, that happened before seven years. She looks like a school going girl, she came there searching for her sister. I fell for her in first sight. I felt, she is god's gift for me. Her look itself told me she is innocent and i wanted to protect that innocent angel from this cruel world. I want to know her details, so i followed her without her notice and find out that she was sister of one of my classmate who was one of the silent girl. From that day i started to follow her without anyone notice. She studied 11th standard that time. So i decided to give her time and until she grows i i'll not express my feelings. In the mean time i can't sit quite, day and night her face haunts me. It's hard for me to collect her information as she is from interior of lucknow. Without having choice i befriended with her sister to know about that angel. That was one tough task for me as she'll not speak to boys usually. I have to do lot of things to befriend her, that includes ragging, abduct her using my friends and like a gentle man i rescued her. Slowly she started to accept my friendship. We become friends though she'll not share her personal things with me. She needed me for helping her out of ragging issues and study related issues which angered me but i tolerated all that for my angel. After one whole year one day my angel stumbled upon me as i rescued her from bullying, that day was indeed a great day for me. My friend aka her sister introduced my angel to me which i already know. After that it was hard to see my angel as she become busy in her studies in the mean time i pestered my friend aka her sister to share about her family. Slowly she started to open up about her family that how her family adopted her younger sister when her parents died, how they started to treat her as their family member yet their buaji is not ready to accept her earlier and how their financial status is low and at last she dropped the bomb saying she is going to stop her studies as her babuji is struggling to earn money due to the loss their sweet shop faced and they decided to stop my angel studies also. That time she finished her 12th and ready to join in college. I tried a lot to convince her to study, so that i'll be able to meet that angel as i planned to suggest the same college as ours. But destiny has other plans, i met with an horrible accident which bedridden me after five years of coma. As soon as i recovered, i started searching for my angel and at last i found her using one video which telecasted in television. She fallen from stage, my breath stopped for a minute. But by god grace, one man saved her and at last married her before i reach her. So this is me and my love story. What do you guess from that?" He finished his part and asked last question in sarcastic way.
Khushi was shocked by this revelation. By his each sentence she got what he is telling. At certain point she knows the angel he is referring is none other than her and his friend is payal, her jiji. Shock would be an understatement for her. Her head started spinning with the realization of another obsessed lover behind her which she didn't know till this moment. How come she forget this person who stared her in different way but it is no fault of her too, she seen him only once. After that first meeting she actually forgetted him though some times her jijj says something about his love. Wait did he said payal is close friend of him. But jiji said something else. She said he is just her classmate and he is not CM son that time also. If he loved her then why did he waited till now, there is plenty of time between her marriage infact almost one year she worked under arnavji why didn't he approached her that time? If he want to marry me why didn't he tried to stop my remarriage? Is he also joined his hand in arnavji kidnapping? Is he the one sent sheetal to RM? Is he planned to separate me and arnavji? These musings made her spin her head and in no time she blacked out.
"Khushi...khushi..." Karan shouted and hold her before she hit the floor.
Picked her, he put her in the bed and sprinkles water on her. She didn't opened her eyes. Panicking he called doctor who assured him; she fainted due to shock and already there is little chloroform in her body made her weak.
Prescribing medicine doctor took leave and karan called someone.
"Keep the private jet ready. Two persons are traveling. Keep some casual cloths for one women. Inform to dad that i am going abroad and will return by next month" he finished the call and gazed her.
After half an hour he waked her up and gave her food.
Khushi eyes drifted into sleep, she tried hard to open her eyes but failed miserably.
"I am sorry khushi. I have no other way than mixing sleeping pills on your food. We're flying far away from our enemies who are ready to separate us. This time I'll not leave you khushi. I need you, after my maa you are the only one i need" he whispered with dangerous glint which showed his love but not an true one but an obessisive one.
~~~
"Don't lie payal, you know her whereabouts" arnav shouted nearing her.
Payal who was in the floor lifted her head "Trust me, i don't know where she is"
"She is saying truth bhai" aakash whispered in broken voice while payal looked shocked and small smile appear on her face thinking aakash trust her.
"What?" Arnav scrunched his eyebrows.
Nk asked everyone to come to tv room. Once all reached Nk connected his mobile with tv and pressed play button.
"Why your call is not connected? I am trying to call you from past hours. I feared of my family reaction karan. What if they throw me out after knowing my hand in kidnapping khushi? Look, don't do anything to khushi which she hates. I helped because you told me you love her so it's your duty to keep my name away from this police issues if once khushi missing case is out?" They all heard payal voice.
"Wah...you are speaking as if you did only for my well. You helped me just to gain attention of your family on you. Infact you are jealous of her" he said on the other side and laughed.
"What? I am not jealous. Why would i? I love Khushi as my own sister?" Payal said with quivering voice.
"Oh.. it's a news for me. Then why did you helped me when i asked you. Infact you didn't even gave me a assumption you are against it. You behaved as if you're waiting for that opportunity" he back answered carelessly.
"You're crossing your boundary karan. You asked my help, i did now i want an assurance from you. If by any chance police find about me, you have to help me or else I'll tell all your details" payal threatened him.
"Why should i help you? I already had what i want. If you are interested in trapping me then you are most welcome. I Will easily put all blame on you. I have full power. What do you have?" He asked sarcastically.
"Karan, this is not fair. You should not ignore me like this. Please at least for our friendship sake you have to help me" without having no option payal pleaded on mobile.
"Ok, then I'll help you. You gave me my happiness of my life. If any one asked you then told like this 'Someone blackmailed you using your pictures. You don't know them, you only talked to the person in phone which always shows private number. Make them believe, you are bound to do this. That's it' no one will find anything about me. I am flying far away with my angel. Have a happy life with your husband. Hope your path cleared and obviously mine too" he finished and cut the call with a smile before she questions him where?
Payal face lost its colour hearing her conversation with karan. Arnav, raizada's and gupta's look payal with hate, if possible she will be ashes by now. But her mind is busy finding how did she end up trapping in this mess.
How our conversation on phone is exactly recorded? Is that means already raizada's had doubt on me? Who? Arnav or aakash? What if it is aakash? He'll not accept me henceforth. Who is spying on me? Does it mean my life is closed? Oh, no i did all this for my life. What if?
*10*
"Payal, what's all this? Why did you do that to khushi betiya? Isn't she your sister?" Nani asked shattered by this revelation which threatening her family happiness.
"I can't believe you had such venom for khushiji" anjali said shaking her head to clear the true face of payal she heard lately.
"I didn't expect this from you payal bhabhi" Nk expressed his displeasure.
"Who is he? Where is he now?" Arnav shouted nearing her.
"Tell him payal, where is he? Why is he behind khushiji?" Aakash questioned nearing her.
"Tell them, why you helped him? Did you forget she's your sister? How can you let him kidnap her? Aren't you ashamed on kidnapping your own sister?" Buaji shouted holding her elbows in tight grip.
They all shouted her without giving time for payal for answer. Their questions and accusations creating havoc in her heart and mind.
No, this can't be happening. Why everyone is blaming me? Isn't they are the one who always put me in back seat? Whatever i do they always find fault in me. They are the one who made me feel like i am inferior to all. The minute Khushi enters all will forget me even in my home too. Why they are not understanding me? Don't i have feelings? Why they always took me for granted? Why i am the only one to bend before maaji(mami)? She accepts khushi then why not me? Am i that bad? Karan was right, indeed i was jealous of Khushi. But it's not only my fault, family had enough hand in intriguing my feelings against khushi, her mind reasoned in between. They consider only Khushi as daughter-in-law not me. I always be a slave or paid less maid to them. You're finished payal. Finished. No one is going to understand you. Your life is ruined. The persons stood before you ruined your lives. Your all dreams are crashed. Neither Aakash is going to accept you nor maaji. It's better to die than living between accusing eyes, her heart cried and came into wrong decision.
"Payal..." Aakash shouted loudly. Hearing him she come out of her thoughts.
Before anyone acknowledge what is happening payal ran downstairs to dinning table and picked the knife. In a blink of eye, the cold metal passed through her tissues making her blood come out of her stomach.
"Payal..." All are shocked by this scene. Arnav and aakash reached her in no time, aakash put her head in his lap while she pluck out the knife from her tissues.
"Payal...wh..at.. yo..u di..d?" Aakash stammered in shock.
In the meantime, remaining members reached there and arnav tears some cloth from her pallu and tied it in around her waist much to her displeasure and Nk was busy calling for ambulance and cops inform the new formed problem to their higher officials after picking the knife from payal hand.
"Payal...payal... don't lose your conscious. Payal..." arnav patted her cheeks even though he had less time to find khushi he cannot let payal die before his eyes. Already his eyes seen enough death he doesn't want to add one more in the list.
Her eyes slowly starting to close before closing her eyelids, she mumbled disorientedly.
"I didn't do anything wrong....I didn't wish...anything... bad for Khushi. I didn't told...him to...kidnap...her...I want her.. happiness...i did wron..g" she closed her eyes realising her mistake at last in death bed.
"Payal.." aakash shout reached outside of raizada mansion.
Soon ambulance arrived, they all packed to hospital. Standing outside ICU, arnav looks defeated; How he is going to find khushi? How will he find where she is? The only way to reach her is payal and she is not useful at moment. What can he do now when his name is still unknown, wait she said karan. But first name is not enough, there will be thousands of karan in delhi. How will he find the one whom he was searching? Sulking here bring nothing good, it's better i directly jump into finding khushi. Yes that will be the only option. With this determination he lifted his head and noticed his family reactions which is no less than him other than garima and buaji none eyes are teary. Aakash stood aloof staring the wall.
"Nk..." He called when he neared him, "I am going now. I have to find khushi before he flies out of india. You take over responsibilities here" he ordered him in hurry taking his mobile he turned to run.
"Bhai..wait..i am also coming. Khushiji is first priority for us" aakash said breaking everyone silence.
"Haan, babuwa...Get our titaliya first. Don't Know where she is and what she is doing? I want that bastard behind bars. Don't know she has eaten or not" buaji said crying.
"Go chotte. We are here, you should come here only with khushi or else forget you have family. And eat something before going" nani said blessing him. Arnav opened his mouth to deny for dinner.
"No chotte. Don't you think, you want enough energy to search khushiji? Chal, grab a sandwich in canteen. Aakash you too. If you need take Nk for your help, i'll look after things here. Don't worry about us. Nk bhai accompany them" anjali behaved as elder sibling and managed the situation, literally pushed them into hospital canteen and grabbed some food for family members too. In all these chaos they are tired already.
Nodding at her they three started for their mission- Finding Khushi.
Aakash was driving the car while arnav sat in passenger seat and nk was in back seat.
"How did you got the recordings? We may get clue from that" Arnav asked suddenly with his new found hope.
Nk started telling him, "When you gone out from buaji house we got call from garima aunty from your apartment"
Aakash mobile beeped with message he opened the message from garima that reads in hindi, "Call me from your private number" so he called her.
"What happened aunty?" Akash asked attending the call and moved little away from khushi room.
"Beta, did you find khushi? Where is she?” Garima asked from the other side.
"Aunty...woah...khushiji...is..kidnapped..." He exhaled his breath and heard inhaling of breath from other side.
"What...? Beta it's not time to play" garima said even though she knows no one lie in this matter but her mother instincts refuse to believe it.
"Aunty i am sorry, that is the truth. But don't worry bhai and me will not let our khushiji like that. Before dawn she'll be with us" aakash assured her and regaining his hope.
He is also confused, shocked and perplexed. But it is not time to let over his worries, already his bhai is devastated other side his family didn't know this matter yet. So he has to be strong for them. This is the time he waited for to stand strong and support for his bhai who stood beside him all the time and he'll.
He'll not let his bhai life in vain. His bhai suffered already for his enough life. Fourteen years back he is child so he couldn't do anything that time. But not now, even if it takes his life this time he’ll make sure of his bhai happiness.
With this determination he assured buaji and garima before cut the call he heard,
"Beta, arnav betuwa said our phones will not work inside apartment. Here policeji said our phones are safe from tapping and yours not so i messaged you. As soon as phone got worked my phone ringed. I don't know what to do but i attended it anyway. Khushi's cousin rohit called and he said khushi asked his help so he want to speak to her. I said him to call later. Maybe it'll be helpful for you" she said the purpose of her call wiping her tears.
"It must be useful aunty. Give his number to me. I'll check how it was useful for us" aakash asked and noted the number and inform the same to police. But what he don't know is sheetal already gave statement against payal and khan already digging into it.
Within few minutes Mr.Khan, arjun and his team arrived in cops quarters along with aakash, nk.
"I already called Rohit here sir" aakash replied to khan and desperately waiting for rohit arrival.
"Excuse me..." Rohit tapped aakash shoulders who was busy in his thoughts standing before room door.
"Huh... you?" Aakash asked scrunching his eyebrows.
"I am rohit dhawan, khushi cousin. You are payal's husband right what happened to khushi?" rohit asked worriedly and both entered to investigation room.
"Mr. Rohit, what did Mrs.Raizada said to you?" Mr.khan bounced on him.
"She gave me a number and asked me to track it details. I am working in telecom company" rohit answered with hesitation.
"What happened to her?" Rohit asked in no time.
"She's kidnapped" arjun replied at the same time checking rohit identity.
"What?? i know, the number she gave is a private number and it needs higher authority to find it's the details. I can't find it out and i already warned her not to involve in finding mysteries. And sir, she said her family has been under someone scrutiny and one of her family member is helping the culprit" rohit replied worriedly in a single breath shocking the occupants.
"What? Family member is involved" khan questioned, now almost his suspection is correct and instantly turned to aakash “Do your family knows Mrs. Raizada is kidnapped?"
"No" he replied in daze created by rohit words.
"Then it'll be easy to find Mrs. Raizada. Rohit give me the number" khan started his investigation in jet speed as he got the culprit but it is not easy as said, Raizada family not going to believe this truth and he need strong evidance.
Seeing the number in white board glistened in red pen aakash eyes widen.
"This is payal, my wife number AR corp., private number" he mumbled in shock.
"Arjun fast, release her number from blocking list and tap all her incoming and outgoing calls" he dismissed arjun and told rohit to wait.
Fortunately as soon as they removed her number from blocking list she called someone and they tapped her call.
"I am sorry to say Mr. Raizada your wife was the culprit” khan said breaking aakash and nk trance who looked horrified by the new found face of his wife/bhabhi after hearing her conversation with some stranger.
"With whom she was speaking? I want details Asap! Get details of his number, I'll show him how it'll be to mess with ASR wife and aakash sister" aakash said with fury curling his fingers.
"That's the problem Mr. Raizada. That number comes under government telecommunication quota. We can't get details of that number unless we have permission from ministry” arjun butted in massaging his temple in confusion.
"Then what are you waiting for? Get permission spend as much as you want but i need that bastard and my bhabhi before me safe and sound" aakash threatened in ASR way.
"It's not easy for us, but for you. You must know higher officials in ministry. Give pressure from your side that will move this case speedy or else it'll take atleast two months” arjun dropped the bomb.
Aakash nods and called aman to contact minister, being raizada came candy that time. In the mean time nk called arnav and Gupta's. All reached rm with recorded clips to know truth from easy route. Even though they are rich and have power, it'll take time to get help from ministry so aakash decided to confront payal. But she??
Hearing this arnav blood boiled more. Angrily he dialed detective number.
"Why did i appoint you? Can't you do your work? I am paying to find my wife not for entertaining" he bit out angrily. It's been already seven hours still there is no information on Khushi whereabouts. Threatened to destroy their agency if khushi is not found before dawn he cutted the call.
"Payal said, he is her friend. Do you know any of her friends aakash?" Asked arnav contemplating whether khushi know this friend of payal or not. As far as he know, Khushi didn't shared her friend circle on lucknow with him. He know her Delhi friends only.
"No bhai, till this moment i thought she will not speak to any males. She always a shy one. I don't even know her friends in delhi" replied aakash realising how unfair their relation is. Whatever problems they have, at least they should known each other better. Love is not only enough for sustaining in relationship, if it's enough he would know her deeds long back.
"Then we should ask gupta family" said arnav getting frustrated by each passing minute.
"They too don't know nannav. We already asked them, in fact they are shocked as much as we" this time nk replied.
"Waisee..i have one doublt. How come khushiji doesn't know payal bhahi number even though its a private number, but they do share all their stuffs right?" Nk questioned which bugged him lately.
"AR private numbers should not be shared between us unless it is emergency. But i do know all the numbers as C.E.O. They can share between their spouses. It's our policy. So khushi, di, payal don't know their each other numbers. But now, it's time to rewrite the policy" arnav said in distant tone lost in his thoughts.
"Shyam..." Whispered arnav and they reached the investigation quarters. Jumped out of the car arnav literally ran inside.
"Shyam manohar jha. Did you investigate him?" Arnav questioned impatiently.
"Yes ASR. He has no hand in this, now he has been kept in jaipur central prison, Rajasthan" Khan replied.
"Now what you are planned? Before dawn i need my wife before me" ASR in him warned.
"I already told Mr. Aakash to give pressure to officials. What stage it is in? We are also trying but it will have more power if you personally involved in" khan replied politely before burning lava.
"Aakash...what the hell is happening here?" Arnav shouted making others shuddered. ASR is in all his glory.
"Bhai, woah...just now aman called, minister is delaying purposely. You remember, last deal we got threat from our rival who is close to that minister so he is delaying" stated Aakash.
"Aakash don't be a dump ass. Is he is the only one who is minister? Call who is favour on us. Leave it” arnav dismissed and he himself indulged in.
In all the chaos, arjun interrupted, "Sir, shyam manohar jha has some useful information for us. Prison superintendent called now, shyam told them, he can help in finding this mystery. So they wanted us to go there or shall we investigate him by conference"
"What....?" Arnav and aakash shouted. The least expected person who knows khushi kidnapper is shyam. How is that possible? Is shyam trying to help that kidnapper by distracting us? Yes that must be possible, the thing he wished to do is doing by this unknown kidnapper. He must be happy about it, then why the hell he said he can help us. Surely there is a plan behind this, arnav and aakash concluded.
"He must be lying, don't waste your time by going there. Ask him through conference. We want to talk to him" ASR ordered for which khan have to oblige. May be they will get to know some clues.
~~~~~
"Jet is ready sir" a man working under him came to karan house and loading the luggages in car.
"Ok..Be ready. We have to fly before dawn. Already her bastard husband started searching for her. He is so close to us. Before he reach here, i have to fly somehow along with her" karan said getting ready.
"No problem boss. All is ready"
Karan nods giving last look to his house, he picked khushi and made her to lie in back seat while he occupied passenger. They started their travelling to airport in dark clouds.
*11*
Shyam was enquired by cops in prison. When they asked him "Do you know khushi?" He knows what he feared was actually happened.
So he instantly told them, he can help them in finding her and he too know ASR will not trust him if he told the full story so he choose to act cool and his foremost priority was rescuing Khushi safe. In no time prison enquiring room was changed into a conference room with two cops made shyam sit in center of the chair in jail uniform.
"What story did you created this time shyam?" Arnav asked with gritted teeth seeing him in big tv connected through the conference.
"It's not makeup story arnav. A truth, a hidden truth of many years precisely seven years. The one whom you are searching was karan khundra, son of uttar pradesh CM. Don't waste your time in enquiring me. I don't have any plans to escape from this jail so it's better you find khushiji without arguing and shouting at me" shyam replied coolly making arnav and aakash blood boil.
"Shyam..." Arnav bit out giving extra pressure to each syllable with gritted teeth, he badly wants to kick him seeing his cool behaviour. Now it is confirmed there is more to this karan drama. Shyam was aware of it; may be they both planned this but maybe Karan betrayed him so shyam spilling the truth now.
"Bhai, let's look for Khushiji first” aakash diverted arnav attention. The least he could do was helping him to find khushiji without wasting time. Already they are loss of time.
He felt, somewhere he is also responsible for this kidnapping. If only he could tried hard to understand payal's insecurities this day wouldn't come. If only he stood against his mother for payal. If only he guessed what torment payal was in. If only he predicted what future behold for them. If only...
Throwing his and payal fate into god aakash decided to rectify his wife sin. It's his duty too. Sharing happy moments, give into physical needs, depending on spouse for small matters, giving surprises, providing luxuries is not only love but sharing each other worries, helping hand in solving problems, taking part in your spouse misery and guiding them when they did wrong without blame game also included in it.
The time he heard payal conversation and her last words before losing consciousness is enough for aakash to realise he lacks in maintaining his married life and she suffers major inferiority complex or phycological problems. He like a teenager who thinks the meaning of love in only as fairy tale and many time blamed her easily. As a husband, it's his duty to look after his girl who come with him leaving her family only in the hope of her husband. A husband who will protect her, shield her from harm, will understand her, will support her when she needed someone, will walk along with her in the rough pace of life. But what he did? They badly needed to work on their relationship. For that he has to take one step forward; that is doing his wife's wrong into right.
With this new decision and determination, aakash slipped out of his family when they are busy staring at ICU. He asked payal status to one of the doctor, who checked her first. He assured the knife didn't go deep so just a small operation is enough to join the tissues. After getting a lot of assurance from him, he signed for operation and get ready to accompany his brother in finding his sister-in-law.
"Aakash..." Arnav called bringing him back to earth.
"Haan bhai. What you decided?" Aakash asked adjusting his spectacles.
"Now we have only one option available for us which shyam said. We don't know he is saying truth or not. But somewhere i guess whatever he told will be useful for us. I already made require arrangements. Karan dad is in Lucknow, aman already started to strike deal with him. He should bend before us, shyam gave some illegal business details of his. Khan will handle from here along with nk and his team. We have to reach airport, if karan planned to fly then surely he had to reach airport. Arjun and team is going to come with us" arnav explained dragging him to car.
"Bhai, i'll drive" aakash asked extending his hands.
"No aakash, you drive slow" before aakash know he was in the passenger seat. While talking arnav pushed him inside and he took his seat behind the steering wheel. The car zoomed fast to airport, aakash holding the dashboard for his dear life. Horror spread over his face seeing arnav's driving. But he to understand what his bhai condition is. Both are in same boat, his soulmate is in hospital at least he is assured payal will be safe but his bhai soul....
"Bhai, what if he is not in delhi. We only know his name and he has farm house is in delhi" aakash asked with wide eyes. Panic rushed in his spine but arnav sat unaffected making him feel weird.
"No aakash, he is in delhi. It's nearly two hours since we got Khushi letter and mobile. If he want to fly then he must be in delhi, this is the nearest airport for international planes and private jets. And he's planning to go abroad so obviously he is in delhi" arnav cleared his doubt and pressing his accelerator more.
"It made sense now aakash. Shyam is saying truth. Do you remember khushi mobile gps showed her mobile is in laxminagar when it is not. He must be locked her sim location in laxminagar, once it got locked wherever you go it always show the locked location. It cannot be done by a simple person; like khan said it needs higher official not someone like shyam can do it" arnav said out of blue shocked by the fact that karan planned well to kidnap her, in fact, it seems like he is waiting from a long time for it.
"Oh god. What is it bhai? It looks like some crime story" aakash murmured in shock.
Before he comes out of shock car screeched halt before airport. Arnav ran inside while aakash took the task of parking it as already many honking their horns. Following arnav, arjun and his team reached there and started seeing the footages.
"We don't know his face, how will he find now" arnav breath hitched for a moment. His heart started beating faster. He don't know, is it because of his running or it indicates khushi presence. Taking his mobile he called aman to get his picture but before that.
"ASR, they faxed karan picture" arjun shouted arnav came near them aakash to joined in.
Seeing the picture they both shocked.
"Bhai, isn't he the one who worked as a photographer in AR when khushiji joined our office. He said he's a friend of our photographer and joined as his assistant. Remember we sacked him seeing his unprofessionalism. That means he's behind her from that time itself" aakash bewildered trying hard to digest this truth.
Meanwhile, arjun was checking CCTV footages and passed karan photos to all entry gates and ordered to block him.
"He is not reached yet" arjun said with hope but here arnav is in his own world.
One physco lover is behind his Khushi from a long time, what he is doing here? He isn't aware of this. Hadn't he promised to protect her? Why he's failing each time? Is sheetal is send by him or she done for her own selfish reason. Why didn't he pressurize khushi when she avoided him? She already knows something is wrong in our family. In fact, she did divorce drama, realization struck hard for him making him fall on his knees. She is all alone battling but he, as usual enjoyed his life. He should have guessed khushi is hiding something. When it comes to khushi why he always let everything on her own?
"Bhai, control yourself" aakash said who was silently reading the various emotions played on his bhai face. He helped him to stand up and gave him water.
"Aakash...Khushi..." Arnav whispered with quivering lips. Aakash wiped his corner of his eyes seeing vulnerable arnav.
"He is not reached yet. Don't worry bhai, you'll get your happiness" aakash assured with hope.
"Good news ASR. Your manager made Karan father to agree with your deal. He gave his son whereabouts. We checked his location he has a farmhouse in outskirts of delhi. He is there from the past one year and from yesterday evening there is a girl, i mean Mrs. Raizada is also there. Now he's on his way to airport, we got hold of his men. So we're near to find your wife, within half an hour she'll be with you " arjun said earning a shock which is nothing but a sudden hug from ASR.
"Sir..he arrived" one of the cop shouted seeing the footage.
"Where?" Arnav reached the screen before arjun and confirmed he is the one who worked in AR.
"I'll go" arnav started to run.
"Sir wait, it is not safe for your wife. We have to trap him without his notice" arjun stopped him but when did ASR heard others he stormed out. He can't sit quite knowing his Khushi is with karan near his premises.
When arnav reached outside karan was opening the back door to get khushi before his hand touch her arnav ran in light speed, pushed his hand and let his head inside to get shocked seeing khushi unconscious and picked her.
Karan didn't expect arnav to be here before him, he already asked his dad to give him security. Where are they? How did arnav reached here? Why there is no security here to receive me? While karan lost in thoughts arnav picked her out. Seeing khushi in arnav arms karan gain his sense back.
"How dare you?" Karan gritted trying to punch arnav but a kick land on his face make him fell backwards.
Arnav saw aakash telling to go inside and he is struggling to keep pouncing karan while cops are running in their direction.
Soon khushi was taken into medical help in airport itself. Police rounded karan and put handcuff on his hands.
"Leave me. I have to go to my angel..leave me...leave me..." Karan went aggressive and soon a bunch of bodyguards came said something to one of the police and taking karan with him releasing from handcuffs shocking aakash.
"What are you doing? We gave complaint against him, how can you release him?" Aakash shouted.
Arjun ran towards them, "Sir, it's an order to release karan. But we assure you there will be no problem for Mrs. Raizada henceforth.
"Are you kidding me?" Aakash said in rage.
"Sir, it is not new. Don't you know indoor politics? We are bound to release him but they assured here after they'll look after karan and they will convince ASR too. If i deny, i must be transferred somewhere and new officer is going to release him anyway" arjun stated the fact.
Aakash let aside this matter temporarily as he know whatever arjun saying is indeed correct. It is not going to work like they are showing in films. Being in business line he know how much politics works in back door. They know closely other than common man.
Aakash mobile rangs, "I am coming bhai"
He entered the room where Khushi is staying temporarily. She was sleeping in bed unknown to the commotion she was in while arnav was staring and caressing her face time to time pecking her in between. His one hand holding her hand in his tight grip.
"Bhai" aakash called breaking the trance.
"See, my khushi is safe" arnav said with full blown smile adorned his face. The tension he felt in nearly nine hours is vanished permanently.
"Why she's unconscious?" Aakash asked nearing them fondling her head.
"That bastard gave sleeping pills to her" arnav said with fury. "Where is he?" He asked coming out of his khushi land.
Before aakash could answer arjun entered "ASR shyam manohar jha wanted to talk to you"
"What? What he wanted now?" Arnav asked carelessly but something strikes his brain.
"Ok. How can i talk from here?" asked arnav while aakash stood confused.
"We can't talk to him from here. Basically, we'll not give permission for prisoner to talk to outside person through conference or phone unless he's inquired but we can't deny he helped us big time" arjun said waiting for ASR reaction.
"I am going to take my wife to home. I'll talk to him from there through mobile, you give the number to aakash" ASR dismissed and picked khushi gesturing aakash to accompany. Arjun stood baffled hearing ASR order, he came to tell something but he ordered something and left like that.
Shaking his head arjun gone for further procedures and arnav, aakash along with khushi reached rm.
Arnav made her lie on the bed, aakash excused himself to call Nk and anjali.
"I am sorry Khushi. I failed you, i am sorry" he cried hugging her.
Some minutes passed in silence, arnav decides to fresh her up. He wiped her face, hands with water and changed her clothes into a comfortable one.
Aakash knocked before entering, "Bhai, i am going to hospital. Payal operation is successful she'll gain conscious in few hours. I should be there"
"Ok. Aakash take care. I'll come after khushi gain conscious. Send all to home, they must be tired" arnav said and requested aakash to wait in his room until he freshens up. When khushi wakes he doesn't want to scare her with his absence, he knows she will get scared. Hereafter he'll never let her alone.
Aakash started for hospital while arnav remembered shyam and decided to close the matter before khushi gain conscious. When she wakes up she should be stress-free. He dialled the number.
"Hello...ASR speaking, I want to talk to shyam manohar jha” arnav spoke sitting beside khushi caressing her hairs time to time holding her hands.
After a minute of silence, shyam came into line.
"Arnav, did you find khushiji? How is she?" Shyam worried voice reached arnav ears making him fist his fingers.
"You shouldn't worry about my wife, when am here” arnav said with possessive dripping on his voice.
"Haha... that's what i saw how you saved. Arnav you should be careful when you have a beautiful wife" shyam said making arnav blood boil.
"Shyam..." Controlling his anger "Why you wanted to talk me?" Asked arnav.
"To tell about karan. Don't fly in the sky thinking you find Khushiji so all problems are solved. Karan was one physco who will not leave khushiji. He thinks she is his breath. He's following her from the time she is in school. He is the one who send goons to abduct khushiji when you released the video. It's her luck, i followed her and saved her from them. Later he tried to kidnap her which i find out. Fortunately, his dad was MLA that time trying to get cm post. I found his illegal activities by mistake and threatened them with that. So karan let his guard down without having no choice. I continued to protect her until one day you put in jail. His men destroyed their papers thinking i have only one copy but already i had one more copy with me safely in a locker which i gave you now. So i am warning you, he is always a thorn on your neck. Unless you keep his father in toes you probably have a hard time handling him. I don't think ASR will need advice, did he? And don't think i am doing all this repenting because i am not! I love khushiji, will love until my death but doesn't mean i am a threat to you. Shyam manohar jha will not bend before ASR and he'll not force khusiji. His love is true unlike he showed on anjali. True love will not force them to love which i realised lately. When i am not able to love anjali who showered love on me then i cannot force khushiji too. Some love will end before starts mine and anjali love was same. Anyways good luck ASR. Keep khushiji happy"
Arnav doesn't realise when call ended. He sat pondering on shyam words. He don't know whether he has to be happy knowing shyam is away from their path or he has to be sad knowing other than him someone is loving his wife or he has to be worried for karan fiasco. His hand in his own accord caressing her head.
*12*
Arnav eyes fixed on khushi's serene face. Within a night she looks so pale, her eyes look puffy. She might be cried hard for him. While wiping her face he noticed her dried tears. How dare that bastard to make his love cry? He'll not leave him easily. Whoever that karan maybe, he have to face ASR for even thinking of his wife.
"Khushi. Open your eyes na. See you're safe with me. We are in our home. It's already seven in morning. Get up na jaan" arnav cooed in her ears lying beside her.
"Khushi..." He pecked her forehead and eyes one by one.
"Hmm..." she responded to his peck but soon her mind went into previous day, making her fear to open her eyes even though she heard arnav's soothing voice.
"Wake up khushi. You are in home. You are safe in rm. I am here, just open your eyes and see yourself" he said seeing her fearing to open eyes by closing her eyelids tightly.
"Hmm..." She moaned and open her eyes. Like he said, her eyes didn't deceived her. Indeed she is in rm, in their room, in their bed, in her cocoon her husband arms.
A relief washed over her entire form. A cry escaped her mouth seeing arnav near her. Like a child who found her mother in a crowd, khushi launched herself on him. He fell flat taking her with him.
"Arnavji..." She let out a happy wail. Happy that she escaped from that golden jail, happy that she was far away from that physco, happy that she was safe in her love arms, happy that she need not to be worried hereafter.
"Shh..shh.. you're safe" he caressed her head and other hand rocking back and forth. Khushi dipped more into him.
"Arnavji...he..is..pagal..he..." She hiccupped.
"Shh..shh..will speak about it later. Now like a good girl, get up. I am hearing growls from your stomach. Poor it was, missed it's daily dose" arnav tried to lighten the atmosphere earning a playful slap on his chest.
"Nahi..i'll not get up" she said like a stubborn child buried her face more into his neck shocking arnav. Wherever she is, the moment she got reminded of food she'll leave straight away to kitchen. And to his wonder, wantedly she is lying on him or else he have to plead her for just a kiss and a hug in daylight.
"Khushi, your health is perfect right?" He asked confusedly.
In reply she snuggled into him leaving no chance for air to pass through. Few minutes passed in silence, khushi is not ready to leave him.
"Khushi..."
"Hmm...I am hungry" she said at last failing in controlling her growls.
"Go freshen up. I'll be here with your breakfast" he disentangled himself from her.
"Hmm..come fast" she replied rushed to washroom taking her cloths.
Even though she wanted to go down to meet the family and do participate in conversation she didn't wished to do that moment. All she want was to confide with the four walls of their room with arnav. She herself wondered why did she feared so much for karan when she's not scared of shyam who lived with her in the same house for six months in her earlier marriage and another one month after her remarriage. She can't deny the fact that she noticed some undying mad glint in karan eyes which is absent in shyam eyes. Now she's with her hubby then why to burn her brains unnecessarily, she thought and came out asap. Her hunger didn't let her think more.
When she was out of washroom, already her husband made all the arrangements for her breakfast.
"Why are you standing there? Come khushi!" He called her and making her sit on recliner and he took seat opposite to her.
Seeing food Khushi forget her previous turmoil and silently they ate their breakfast.
"Do anyone from our family know about my kidnapping?" Khushi asked breaking the silence. From the time all she met was arnav, she was sure if their family know about her being missing then they must be here by now fussing over her or they are busy with sheetal. She thought to ask arnav without racking her brains.
"Yup. They know khushi. I told them not to disturb you" arnav told the half truth. He know she looks bit shaken by this karan fiasco and if she know payal is behind this then again she start to worry herself lest he want her to fall sick.
"That's good. I don't want to go out of our room arnavji" she said taking her place in bed after finishing breakfast.
Arnav was astonished hearing his wife who always keeps family as top priority is now saying opposite. Even though there's some unfinished business out there, arnav decided to oblige his wife wishes. He too sat beside her pulling her in his arms.
"Arnavji, i want to watch salmanji movie. Do one thing, put bodyguard movie. I want to see that" seeing khushi's enthusiasm arnav bowled off. Why not, when he thought she'll cry or talk to him about karan. Trust that his wife is one crazy piece only made for him. On the corner of his heart he too knows that she's doing this purposely to forget yesterday events and not to make him sad. He too don't want to push her so obviously he put the cd player.
"Sit beside me arnavji" khushi whined seeing him weirdly looking at tv. Before he took his seat, she happily dragged him towards her, hooking her arms with his and placed her head on his shoulder.
"Khushi, is this movie is that one?" Arnav asked after sometime.
"Haan, our movie date" khushi confirmed happily.
"Not ours, it's family picnic" arnav replied grumpily remembering three hours he wasted thanks to khushi who made it as family tour.
Khushi zipped her mouth, even though she did like that for di but she too knows spending time as a couple is how memorable and important for newly weds like them is spoiled only by her. After that they have no time to go out.
Yesterday night taught her best, they are missing their earlier joy of marriage because of family problems which seems never ending. Those days cannot be recreated. She want to utilise the time which she had, didn't life taught her happiness will no longer a permanent one. From the time she born all she got was sorrow-sorrow-happiness-sorrow-happiness-sorrow.
"Khushi where are you lost?" Arnav asked shaking her.
"Ahh...nothing arnavji. This is our first movie date" she exclaimed suddenly.
"But we gone for english movie khushi" arnav said with a frown.
"Naa... that was first date for you not for me" khushi twisted her words.
"What??" Arnav scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.
"Offoo arnavji. English movie was your favourite so that's your first date but i love salman movies. This is the first time we are alone seeing his film so its my first date" khushi explained as if she found some great explanation which no one knows.
"Okey..." Arnav obliged amusedly. Being khushi's husband he was always open to surprises.
Without disturbance they watched full movie in between cuddling, pecking credits to arnav. Khushi slept in tiredness.
*13*
"What the hell are you saying aakash?" Arnav shouted over the phone while khushi was taking afternoon nap.
"Bhai, i can't do anything when they are assuring me he'll not come around khushiji again. I tried hard without trusting them but i can't bhai... they're shutting me out saying they'll convince you. So your presence is needed" aakash said dejectedly.
It's afternoon and payal already gained conscious whole family is there except arnav and khushi. Aakash called arnav when he was unable to get hold on karan.
"Whose custody he is in?" Arnav asked massaging his temples. Running whole night and from yesterday morning itself his diabetes level is not stable making him tired and worn out. Hardly he had two hours of sleep.
"I think with his father. They are not giving information" says aakash with a sigh.
"Ok. I'll look into the matter" arnav said going to end the call but interrupted due to aakash voice.
"Bhai, inform me if you planned to see anyone outside. Khushiji will be alone na" aakash whispered hurriedly, in fact he wants to accompany him. As far as he know, surely his bhai will go out to settle Karan's matter. He doesn't want his bhai to face him alone, not that he's doubting his bhai capabilities but he too wants to settle score with him who was also a reason for payal condition.
"Aman, i want details about that karan in one hour" arnav called his right hand man.
"Ok ASR" he replied and ended the call.
"Hmm...arnavji..." Khushi murmured slowly getting up from the sleep. Arnav was beside her in a blink of eye.
"Khushi..." He cooed caressing her arms.
Without opening her eyes she snuggled to his lap. Fondling her head, "Are you sleepy?" He asked slowly.
"Hmm..." She tightened her hold on his waist.
"Shall i prepare coffee for you?" he asked as he know she is not sleepy. If she is asleep then she'll not snuggle to him unless she is tired of her taekwondo poses.
"Hmm..." She murmured.
He made her lie in bed and went down to prepare coffee for her. In the mean time his mobile rang disturbing her. Annoyed she attended the call without seeing whose mobile and call it is.
"ASR, karan is in his father's custody. His father flied down here and both are in farmhouse with high security. We can't meet him without appointment" aman said in one breath without hearing any voice at other side, "ASR..." He called.
"I want to see him. Do anything, but i want him before me" khushi voice reached over the phone shocking aman.
"Bhabhi...aap...where is ASR?" He asked in fear of getting another round of you're fired for umpteenth time.
"He's down, wait a minute amanji" aman heard her answer along with khushi calling arnav.
"Yes, aman. Did you found anything?" He questioned making his way to poolside as he was not interested in letting khushi know this matter.
"He was with his father in his delhi farmhouse where bhabhi was kept. ASR...bhabhi wants to meet him" aman said holding his breath.
"What the!" Arnav's favourite phrase came out before his brain progressing what aman said.
"I said all the details thinking you're on the call but that turned out to be khushi bhabhi. Sorry.. ASR" aman said holding his breath.
"Hmph... I'll call you later" arnav pressed the end button.
"Khushi" he called entering the room.
"You must be known by now why he called and i too know that he told you what i asked. I really want to see him and show him how true our love is and how foolish of him to thought you'll not find me and i want to see you punish him arnavji. You know he tried to come close to...me..." Khushi started speaking determined but when thinking of karan actions her body shivered and voice quivered.
"Shh..." He hugged her tightly assuring her at the same time controlling his rage.
"How dare he to come close to your wife? Only you have right on me. Only you the right to hurt me, scold me, care for me and have right on my heart, soul and body, none else. He tried to kiss me arnavji. Arnavji...h..e..." She hiccupped at the end and holding him to her dear life.
On the other hand his eyes turned bloodshot hearing her before he keep his emotions on check to control khushi, she ordered him.
"Kiss me...kiss me on check, forehead, kiss me..." She blabbered holding his collar.
Without thinking much, he did what she asked to do. One lead to another. Everything can wait, thinking this they both lost in their own world.
An hour or so mobile ranged making them broke their trance. Sighed he placed his phone on ear while other hand doing it's own job of caressing her bare shoulders. She snuggled to him in reflex.
"Kidnap him" said arnav making khushi shocked.
"You know where to keep him right. Call me after finishing your work" ASR in him ordered before end the conversation.
"Arnavji...what are you speaking? Who called and how can you order to kidnap someone. Don't you know how hard and torturous that will be. We both gone through this phase" khushi's good side started lecturing without giving him a chance to speak.
"Karan...i ordered aman to kidnap him" he answered ignoring her rantings.
"Why?" Even though she knows the answer still she asked him.
"To finish the unfinished business" Khushi sensed his transformation from her arnavji to ASR.
He felt her hold tightening on him, keeping his ASR mask aside, "khushi don't be scared. I am here na. Don't you trust me. You're the one who want to face him. If you don't wish now then no problem. I'll make sure to give him a lesson which he'll never forget in his whole life" he assured hugging her tight.
"Nahi...i want to see him. You're there na" she asked lifting her head.
"Hamesha..."
"Hamesha..." She repeated and placed her lips on his chest where his heart resides.
"Where do you planned to keep him?" She asked resuming her position. He flipped her and come on top her.
"That you'll know when you see yourself. You know mouth can be used for other purposes too apart from questioning" before she register his husky voice he closed their gap.
"Arnavji...leave na..mmm...leave me..It must be night by now. Don't we have to meet that karan" she whined pushing him aside.
Giving a scoffing look he went to freshen up.
After dinner they both started for their destination. Lost in arnav and karan fiasco she totally forget about the family which made him relax. First she need to let out this karan matter then they can think about payal, he thought but it's not going to work this way which he failed to predict.
The car stopped, khushi curiously watched out of the window to know the place. Shock would be an understatement for her. They are now standing before the construction site where she stuck while working in AR and he came running rescued her and a big fight between them followed by.
"Arnavji..this site..." Khushi asked dumbfounded as she thought this must be destroyed by now.
"This is the same construction site where you stuck in past khushi. Still it is not destroyed waiting for court order. There will be no better place than this" he cleared her confusion. Seeing them aman came running from the entrance.
Arnav throw a glance at him, being ASR man from years he understood what ASR mean.
"We kept him in ground floor ASR. That'll be safe for us" aman replied guiding him to the area where karan is kept in.
"Amanji, you said he was under high security then how did you kidnapped him?" She asked underestimating ASR man capabilities.
Aman let out a smile and moved his eyes to arnav for permission. Arnav too nods. "Bhabhi what are chloroforms for? We added little in food except karan's. Their chef is now on our side"
"Aman did you make sure, there is no camera inside and outside?"
"Fortunately, the farmhouse is under maintenance. So they removed camera's" aman answered confidently.
Noding his head at him, arnav helped khushi to get down in stairs. He's not interested in making her meet him but he do understand if she didn't let out her worry and frustration then she'll remember this karan life long and there'll be a constant fear of him. Arnav didn't want his khushi to suppress this issue and worry later, he want to finish this chapter asap in their life.
They entered the room where he has been kept. Three to four bouncers are surrounding him and at the entrance two bouncers are made to stand for security.
Khushi pressed herself more into arnav and her grip on his hands are tightening seeing karan tied in a chair. Arnav assured her through his eyes and held her hands gently.
"Pour water on him" ordered arnav.
"Your place is beside me not behind. I am here" arnav said seeing her trying to hide behind his back when karan is struggling to open his eyes.
"How are you karan? Oops Mr. Karan khundra son of Mahesh kundra" says arnav sarcastically.
"You... How dare you to take my angel away from me?" Karan shouted after gaining full conscious.
"SHE IS NOT YOUR ANGEL DAMMIT. SHE IS MINE, MY ANGEL" shouted an equally enraged and possessive arnav.
"You..." Karan tried to get up that's when he realized he was tied into the chair.
"Release me from this ropes. No one can live after treating me like this" threatened karan.
"Arnavji..." Khushi held his arms as he tried to go near karan in anger.
"Leave me khushi..."
"Angel, you're also here. See what your beloved husband is doing, say him to release me. We both will lead a life far away from here" he said like an obsessed person which is actually true.
"You are mad karan. What do you think, I'll run to you leaving my husband who love me to the core. Grab a life for yourself. Don't snatch others" khushi said panting heavily. When he said, she is his angel her patience level snapped and earlier fear fly out of the window. She want to beat him left and right but at the same time don't want to touch him for beating itself, so she dropped that idea.
"He brainwashed you didn't he? You betrayed me hearing him" Karan pointed at arnav.
"Are you insane? I don't even know you then how can i betray you. Mind your life, stay away from mine. You'll get a girl who love you truly. Not me, i am already someone's and never try to interfere in my life" she warmed him which went in deaf ear.
"Nahi...nahi... you're my angel. I don't give you to anyone else..." Before he finish the sentence a punch landed on his face which came from none other than arnav.
"Stop saying that again and again. What do you think I'll let you freely out from here and you can have a happy life. Never..." ASR took charge of the control.
"Haha....haha....hahaha....what do you think I'll sit quite when you both lead a blissful life. I didn't join as a photographer just to leave her, i didn't worked as mere assistant just to sit quite and i didn't befriend with payal to sacrifice khushi, i didn't sit quite for whole damn year after my coma just to let her out of my life, i didn't captured sheetal pictures just to break your relationship, i didn't brainwashed payal just to get hold on her, i didn't kidnapped her to rescue you. Hell i did all that for her, for my angel" he said like a manic eyeing khushi.
Arnav now confirmed sheetal was sent by him but still in his corner of heart he doubts sheetal's intention.
Gritting her teeth khushi informed arnav that she'll wait outside as she feel sick seeing the look on karan face. Arnav obliged as he too don't want that bastard eyes on her. For safety, he send aman with her. Though she is confused on him saying he brainwashed payal she decide to leave the place which is suffocating her.
"Angel stop...angel stop...." Karan shouted and started acting vigorous to come out of the chair.
"Don't waste your energy karan. You are not going to see the outside world for atleast few years" arnav said carelessly taking his seat before him.
"Stop boasting yourself ASR. I know what i signed for when i kidnapped khushi even after knowing your capabilities. Do you think i was weak then?" He said raising his eyebrows in mocking way.
"It's interesting to know your overconfidence. Lets forget it and coming to the main point will you stop running behind khushi?" Arnav asked without beating around the bush. He want to join with his wife Asap.
"Never..i'll never stop. Like i said earlier i didn't do all the things to let her go. First her father that shashi gupta then that shyam who controlled us for whole year, damn him if i met him i'll kill him with my bare hands same goes to you. How dare you to come between us? You know her only from an year but i know each and everything of her. Seven damn years i loved her, escaping from shyam eyes i noticed each and every likes of her. I get her details constantly by one or other way, i even know you married suddenly but don't know why and i don't want to know it either. I need her, she is my breath. I thought she'll divorce you when she came about sheetal and i'll console her then we'll get married. But she...she trusted you dammit. How much i tried to create hate in her mind for you, all got failed. And i didn't even planned to kidnap her until i came to know sheetal and my angel are at one team fooling me through payal. I cannot lose her can i? so kidnapped her. You know what i said, haha....i told her you met with accident and she came running to you. My plan is full proofed right but dammit you got my father on my toes and he withdrawed my security made your work easy. I must admit why everyone call you a shrewd man. Even after plotting perfectly by me, you still got me. But mind it i'll not let you succeed and I achieve my goal, no one can come between us" karan replied with mad anger arrogantly.
"So you can't back out do you?" He asked for which karan noded with sly smile.
"Then i can't help it" said this arnav stood and getting one spray bottle from one of the bouncers. He neared karan before karan comprehend arnav sprayed the liquid at his face. In no time he blacked out.
Giving a satisfactory smile arnav left the room. Outside khushi was curiously waiting for him. As soon as she spotted him she ran and hugged him tightly.
"Shh..he'll not bother us hereafter" he cooed and called aman near him.
"Khushi go sit in car, i have an important to talk with aman" he made her sit in car. Assuring her he went to talk with aman.
"Aman like we planned earlier, shift him to his house where you kidnapped him and already he is unconscious after he woke up made sure he'll eat the sleeping tablet mixed food and you already had his self declaration letter right. Put that in his side table. No one will come to know our involvement in this" arnav ordered and walked to the car carrying ASR aura and confidence.
They already made a letter with karan handwriting using expert. That states,
I cannot live in this world knowing khushi is with someone else. You made a deal with asr dad, because of your illegal activities i am not getting my angel. You sold your son's happiness. I hate you dad. I hate you...You're the reason behind my decision. Promise me that you'll never hurt my angel. Don't break your promise, it's your son's last wish.
They made sure to notice small things like how he call his father and how his handwriting is and how his signature was. Being ASR is always a cherry on top, little of money from his pocket the chef and the man who was with karan was on ASR side. They already gave sleeping tablets in the form of little choco's which he love. Once karan took his breakfast he'll be finished.
****
Two days later,
"Shyam manohar jha was found in sunshine orphanage at his second day of birth with a name tag and a letter attached to it. The kind hearted orphanage head decided to brought him up. Until his eighteenth age his expenses was managed by orphanage, later due to his interest he joined in law college with part time job he was offered in orphanage itself. Though he was taught to all the good things, the moment he saw the letter which was left by his mother changed him altogether into different person whose morning start with greed of money and end with the same. The letter states shyam was born for a greedy man and an innocent woman. Money acted as repulsive between shyam parents which resulted in throwing him out for better future. She further stated money is the only breath to live, nothing else matters. That statement made him mad for money. After finishing his law he joined as junior that time he came across a growing business man Arnav singh raizada. Shyam being intelligent in his field guessed ASR capability and started planning to enter into his family somehow. His wait become fruitful when his eyes landed on ASR sister Anjali Singh raizada who was a handicap was added as plus point in his cap. Soon anjali was followed by shyam and he portrayed himself as good man for which ASR sister fall flat in his charms. They are married by following days, somehow shyam made a good name for himself in raizada hearts. Life went smoothly, anjali being ATM bank for shyam made his life a heaven even though he hates her over Pampering.
One day he went to lucknow for his work lieing to anjali because if she come to know he also in lucknow then he'll be a bird in Golden cage. Two days passed in blur, third day he saw a video in which his brother-in-law holds a girl who slips from the stage. At first he didn't paid much attention but what captivated him was arnav's intense stare on that girl. Till now, arnav didn't eyed any girl, girls throw themselves on him but his eyes didn't turn on their side. There is something on her made the stone hearted man to stare at her. Shyam noticed a slight transformation in ASR demeanour, so he observed the reason only to get fall for that innocent beauty. The moment his eyes landed on the girl who was stilled on ASR hands shyam felt unknown happiness. That night his thoughts fully lingered around her and next day he decided to follow her. Fortunately he found her in bazaar but what shocked him was some goons trying to misbehave with her. His blood boiled seeing that scene, without wasting time he rescued her. Following days he collected all the information regarding gupta family. Before he approach her gupta family send both sisters to delhi. Cursing them mentally he traced khushi's delhi address. To his pleasure, he easily convinced madhumathi, her buaji to give him a place to stay as he is a orphan. He started to sweet talk with buaji and made a place for himself. But khushi always seen him as his friend only and keep him at a arm distance. Days started passing, khushi started to work on his brother-in-law company AR which become headache for shyam. He was happy knowing the fact that arnav and khushi relation is bitter; at the same time anjali and khushi bond was growing tremendously. As usual following her one day when she went to market he noticed some group of unknown strangers waiting for opportunity to round up khushi. Using his brain he distracted them and dig into the matter only to get shocked knowing a big hand is behind this. He dig down to the core and got the culprit is none other than one obsessive lover of khushi who was following her from her school days itself, with additional information of his father doing illegal business under backdoor which he used in his favour. He threatened karan' s father, if he didn't control his son then he'll release his illegal secrets. Being in the dream of getting chief minister post, Karan's father sent karan to abroad for namesake and shyam continued to threaten him until he was made to put behind bars. Shyam loved khushi so he did all the possible ways to protect her. He feed lies to ASR which was the turning point in their lives, he tried all his possible ways to separate arnav and khushi when he found some sparks between them. All his attempts failed when they came home married. Even then he didn't accept defeat, he kidnapped ASR both for money and khushi. At last failed in all his plans he was trapped by ASR and made to spend his life time in jail. And he was the one who helped ASR to find his wife. He did a mistake of loving a girl who was not his" khushi closed the file and let out a sigh.
Where she was living, her life was thoroughly monitored by many but she has no idea about it. The one whom she thought scumbag was the one who indirectly rescued and protected her. Why her life was like a spider web? She don't know how many secrets are still kept away from her. Now she understands why karan never approached her in this one year.
"Khushi..." Arnav placed his hands on her shoulder. She turned and arnav was confused seeing her empty eyes.
"Khushi...what?" Arnav asked but stopped seeing the file. Cursing himself for placing it on room, he took it and dump into the wardrobe.
"Khushi woh..." He stammered a little not knowing how to start the conversation.
"How many secrets are left for me to know?" She asked eyeing him directly which he avoided making her suspecting something she is unaware off is out there.
"You too have many secrets khushi. I didn't had any idea about it" he questioned her back without replying her.
Khushi lowered her eyes understanding what he is referring to. In these two days she came to know payal involvement on her kidnapping and her suicide attempt. Her feet didn't stood in floor she wish to see her straight away but arnav advice made her to wait until payal's pshyciatric treatment finished. And she know he is waiting for her to open up regarding this whole matter including sheetal's but she is keeping mum.
Anjali, nani, aakash and gupta's pampered her time to time in this two days. Raizada's are really sorry for their ignorance towards khushi which she being kind heart forgive them easily.
*14*
"How's your health young lady?" Payal heard her doctor cheerful voice.
"Fine...My abdomen is slightly paining" Payal answered in low voice.
"It happens dear, you underwent operation so bound to bear that pain. But don't worry as days passes it will reduce" the doctor said with a smile while checking her.
"I am going on leave for few days, so you'll be monitored by my friend. Take care" the doctor informed and made her way out of the room.
"Mr. Aakash, her injuries are curing rapidly. So it's time to start pshyciatric treatment. My friend Mrs. Malini will look after your wife case. She'll be cured soon. Don't worry" she patted his shoulder before went to her cabin.
"Betuwa, i going to see her. It's already two days she had gained conscious still she's not breathing a word to us" said worried buaji.
Even though she and her brother family is angry with payal they can't deny the fact that payal is their daughter. Whatever payal did, they too were a reason for it. If only they did notice the brewing jealousy of payal on Khushi this all mess could be avoided. Being her parents and buaji they spent maximum time with payal from the time she born, they should be the first one to notice her mental state which they failed miserably. Rectifying their mistake they didn't leave her side, either buaji or garima is always beside her apart from raizada's. When buaji is with payal, garima would be with khushi and viceversa.
"She is in stress buaji. She'll be fine once her treatment starts" consoled an equally worried aakash.
"Hello...Hi...Bye bye... don't worriezzz. Koon i mean payal realized her mistake and khushi also with us. So say Bye bye to worries...Once again our family is going to be happy" mami cheered the atmosphere by her usual rantings. Truth to be told, mami realised her mistake of treating payal like a servant after hearing what payal uttered. She swore herself, she'll bring back her family in shape.
The three entered the room. Payal was staring the ceiling. Aakash was the first one to near her.
"How are you payal? Is it paining?" Aakash asked caressing her hairs.
"Arey, payalia... Did you slept well?" Buaji fondled her head and put tilak on forehead.
"Hello Hi....payal...Why are you not speaking? Did you forget how to speak in these two days..hello...hi..bye..bye..." Mami said in her usual style.
"Where is khushi? How's she?" Payal asked with difficulty without taking her eyes from ceiling.
"She's fine. Bhai is with her" aakash answered her. If the situation was normal, khushi was the first one to pamper her. Alas once the ever loving, inseparable sisters are now apart due to others carelessness.
"Do you want anything? You didn't answered your questions payal" aakash tried to start conversation with her.
After that payal didn't spoke anything. She kept mum throughout.
That day passed, next day Malini started her treatment.
"Hello, strong lady..." Malini greeted entering the hospital room.
Payal looks her like an alien. Still now no one called her as strong lady, she was always a shy one.
"Why are you looking me like that? Did i put over make up in my face or am i that much beautiful you are admiring me without taking your eyes?" Malini throw a smile in return got a one from payal.
"How's your health? Wait let me check haan..." Malini started checking at the same time holds a conversation with her.
"By the way, i am malini, phyciatrist. What is your name strong lady?" She introduced herself.
Seeing payal all silent and eyeing her strangely, biting her lips she concluded payal is shocked, nervous.
"I won't bite you, you can talk with me freely. You know sometimes we will feel relax after sharing your problems to a stranger than your closed ones" malini said each and every word making sure to hold eye contact with her.
"Human's are not god to be perfect. Infact even in epic books we read many imperfect characters, but that doesn't mean they are bad. You know what i mean" seeing payal hesitating to open up malini continued.
"I have two childrens. Both are boys. Elder one is crazy, talkative, active and the latter is total opposite. Younger one is silent, shy type. If elder one befriended everyone then younger lags behind because of his nature. Do you think my younger son is lazy and not worthy?" Malini asked with a frown.
"Nope...infact your younger son will observe tiny things. He knows all the things happening around him and take decision according to it" payal answered surprising malini. She thought payal will have inferiority complex build up from childhood but hearing her answer she feels payal is not all the way she behaves.
"So do you" payal's head shot up hearing malini words.
"I don't understand what you are saying" payal replied genuinely.
"I studied your case, you feel inferior of your sister, don't you?"
"Woah... It's not like that"
"Oh, really. You should speak truth to both doctors and lawyers, so that they can save you" malini said with a smile.
"It's not like i hate her, but i feel hurt when others give attention to her ignoring me. I am not saying they are treating me as slave but when my mother-in-law treat her as good while i'll always remain as inferior. If she order me like a mother, i'll worship her all my life. Other side my husband who always follow his mother like a puppy. Seeing arnavji stands for khushi, i too want my husband to stand for me. If everyone sit for chit chat in evening, only i have to take snacks or drinks for all. Before i clean all the things and join them they will be dispersed to their room. Do you know how i feel? I feel like, am also like HP who works in our house. Khushi sometimes helps me but most of the time i feel like i am worst to be their daughter-in law. Why always i was overlooked by others? Why they took me for granted? Why? Am i not human? Ain't i have feelings? Or i am the one who overthinking all this. I can't understand anything now...I.want to be like khushi who was liked by others. If khushi is there the surrounding will be masti. I want to be like her..." Payal let out her turmoil in quivering voice.
"Relax, calm down. Here have a glass of water” malini handed the water. After making sure payal is calmed down malini started speaking.
"First of all you're not inferior of others. Everyone is perfect in their own ways. You want to be like her, do you know if you also act like her then what is the difference between you and her. Khushi has own identity, if you start to behave like her then where is payal. Don't payal has identity? Don't you want to be a unique? Let's take like this, if you payal started living your life like khushi then imagine yourself after few years. That time when you look back, payal had not lived her life instead her sister lived in the facade of payal.
I don't know how much do you know about payal. But i know, don't be surprised haan...Don't you are eager to know what i know about payal" malini asked seeing her all silent and her expression itself is telling she is contemplating something.
"What?" Payal questioned in a low voice. Already her mind is debating many things.
"Payal is a strong girl. I heard, silent people are good observers and she is perfect example for that. A shy type for outsiders. I know she has lot of patience hidden inside her. She knows all of her loved one choices and likes be it her sister or mother-in-law she'll do anything for their happiness. She is a perfect girl everyone wish for" malini boasted her character a little bit so that she'll come out of her shell.
"How are you saying payal is strong? Isn't she weak? Only weak persons wish to end their life midway" payal also equally involved in the session.
"Your opinion is totally wrong. Only strong person have the guts to end his/her life. They are so strong that they even jump from climb even after knowing its height, they'll eat poisened food even after knowing they'll lose their life in few minutes, they can hang themselves even after knowing their throat will pain like hell that can't be a bearable one and some people stab themselves knowingly when the knife pass into inner tissues tearing it's way. You know nothing is painful like i mentioned above..that too knife...."
"Stop! Please stop! I agree i am a strong person. It's my foolishness to betray my sister and try to stab myself. It's my fault" payal cried hugging herself.
"Hey..just calm down strong lady...relax ok. Now all is fine haaina?" Malini asked with a smile.
"Will they accept me back?" Payal asked like an innocent child.
"Who?"
"My sister, my husband, my in-laws and my parents. I am bad na. I know khushi will forgive me, she is my pyaari pagali" payal chuckled remembering khushi's antics.
Seeing her chuckle malini realised payal is just brainwashed little by someone and small incidents are boon to their enemy and her love for her family is still there. It is hidden in the mask of hate. It is not even hate, it's just an emotional weakness which everyone feels when their life is not the way they intended. Payal is no where near pshyciological disease. If their family noticed her distress and disappointment before this could be avoided.
After letting out her feelings payal felt relaxed. She feel like she is reborn, the burden,anger, disappointment she carried from long time is out. Though she shared only few things she feel light. Now what she did earlier look silly and guilty conscious took over her.
How will i face khushi now? How can i do something to my baby sister khushi? If khushi is in my place she should have killed herself before harming me. Why did i fell for karan tricks? Don't blame him as if you were brainwashed by him. Infact when he contacted you, you readily accepted to help him. Where is your brain gone when he said he love khushi and he is the only one who can keep khushi happy? Didn't you know how much khushi love arnavji? Didn't you witnessed with your own eyes how much arnavji keeps khushi happy? And not to forget you are the one who told him khushi and sheetal are in one team, her brain mocked her heart's confession. She remembered how she attended the call which khushi called and said, arnavji is going to burst like lava you better leave from there for few hours. Immediately she called karan and informed the same and he concluded they both are in a team so he is planning something big.
After few hours she came to know he kidnapped khushi. From that time itself she feared for her own safety. Deep down she know arnav will never let khushi to go. He'll find her somehow but when did brain heard heart. Seduced by brain she courageously lied against sheetal and made arnav to throw her out. Infact she is the one who sent evidences against sheetal. All was perfectly planned by karan and she in jealousy acted as a pawn for him.
"Don't worry they'll accept you. They love you, don't you know. I promise you, you'll lead a happy life and All the best for your future. Ok let me send them in" malini break her thoughts and excused from there.
"Mr. Aakash your wife will be perfectly fine in few days. She is just distracted by the things happening around her. Keep her in happy environment she'll be fine and come to my cabin i want to discuss about few things" malini said and eyed remaining members to go in. That day all family members came to hospital except arnav and khushi.
Later malini feed all the things payal uttered and advised do's and don't to keep payal happy.
"I am totally fine amma. Don't cry or else I'll also cry” payal wiped her tears seeing all members crying over her.
"Payalji, how are you now?" Anjali asked with hesitation.
"Fine..di" payal also replied with same hesitation.
"Betiya. Get well soon. Our home is waiting for you" nani said fondling her head. Payal smiled faintly.
"Hello...hi hi...payal...soon say bye bye to hospital... I am getting bored without you ok" mami hugged her and whispered "Sorry payal betiya. You are always my daughter, you know my extravaganza things right. I just blurb things. Ok this should be secret between us. It is not easy to hear sorry from manorama, hello hi bye bye..."
"Maa...what are you whispering in her ears?" Aakash entered few minutes back and seeing his mother whispering something in payal ears and payal crying he freaked out. What he doesn't know was that is happy tears. She let her happy tears out after long time.
"Payal..." Aakash called huskily after family went out giving them privacy.
"I am sorry..." "I am sorry" they asked in same time.
That's it aakash hugged her careful not to hurt her in the process.
"You don't need to say sorry" "You don't need to say sorry" again they said in same time.
"Ok. Enough of same timing. Take rest payal. I am here with you. All will be fine like before" aakash assured placing kiss on her forehead.
One week her refreshing classes went and today is the day she is going to her home. She feel like she's going to sasural after getting married like a new bride. In this one week, no one talked about arnav and khushi before payal. They decide to give her time. Payal is already guilty to face her. Her hear beating fast thinking of facing khushi.
Calming her nerves down like malini said she placed her right foot on shantivan after welcomed by aarthi.
*15*
"I came to know sheetal truth in karwachawt. After you broke my fast, i got DNA report. Already i gave your samples, you caught me when first report arrives. Seeing them before my eyes for half of the day, aarav being behaving like you, i couldn't sit quit. So i asked the hospital to give me another report. They send it on karwachawt. It said, yours and aarav DNA matches and you're father of aarav. I felt broken, I don't want to lose you at the same time i don't want aarav to grow fatherless. I want that report to be false. I don't know what to do. I confronted sheetal. What she told me was enough to break me. You know what she said, she told me aarav is your son and it was accident. She told me you were drunken. I was devastated. I... felt..as my breath..knocked out" khushi hiccupped remembering how she felt that day.
"Shh...khushi..." Arnav hugged her. The pent up emotions of last few days was so hard on her. Always she is an one man army, whatever life throws at her she'll face all with smile on her face singlehandedly. Be it rescuing her sister from bullying in school or helping her father in business when their shop is in loss or bravely accepted to console her sister's would be before marriage or courageously stood before arnav all the times or tackling shyam advances or the time arnav forcefully married her or rescuing arnav from kidnappers, she never depended on any one. Same habit she followed when sheetal matter is out. She thought to clear the thorn from their life. Infact she didn't even wish arnav to know someone conspiring against them. But when she came to know about karan, she cursed herself for handling this alone in the first place.
"That night, i broke down completely. I didn't even had my food. Do you remember that night, i talked about being fatherless is worst? I don't know how to tackle the problem. I thought to be selfish for once in my lifetime, but aarav face ripped me apart. If aarav want dad then he wants his mother too. For my selfishness i cannot separate a mother and son right. So i decided to go far away from here with your memories. I know if i continue to stay here you wouldn't accept aarav. I planned to leave RM that night itself" khushi felt him going stiff and she can feel he's controlling his emotions.
"I'll kill you if you think something like that" he tightened his hold on her.
"Don't you want to know remaining?" Seeing arnav nods "Then don't interrupt me" and she continued to let out her secrets.
"Before i leave i went down to pray devimayya one last time. Before i proceed further sheetal dragged me to our garden" khushi gone into that day where she came to know the biggest shock of her life.
"Sheetalji why are you dragging me?" shouted khushi. sheetal placed her palm on khushi mouth and gestured her to keep quiet. If it was another day khushi would have thought sheetal is kidnapping her but sheetal's pleading eyes made khushi to believe on her.
"Now tell me sheetalji. Why are we here now?" Khushi asked as soon as sheetal took her palm away.
"Khushi, i want to tell you something" sheetal said fidgeting with her dress in nervousness.
"What is left there to tell me? You already cleared my doubt. I promise you aarav will get what he deserve" khushi promised placing a stone in her heart.
"I want to talk about aarav. It's not what you think and what i said earlier" said an impatient sheetal.
"I don't understand what you are trying say" khushi told confused as much as possible.
"Khushi, i know aarav from past six months only not from birth" sheetal dropped the first bomb making khushi dumb.
"I didn't bear aarav in my womb. Infact i was never pregnant before" sheetal told the truth and waiting for her words to sink in khushi.
"What the!!!" Sheetal surprised to hear arnav phrase from khushi who always tease him with this phrase of his.
"Then what happened in graduation night?" asked khushi khushi impatiently and her eyes got back its glory. Sheetal was not astonished, she can understand, any wife in her place would react like the same.
"Nothing happened" sheetal said blankly. She was flabbergasted the next moment with the hug Khushi given her.
"Really. You don't know what you gave me. Sheetalji you are saying truth, aren't you? Or you're saying this to convince me" khushi said all in happiness and at last her selfless nature got into her.
"I am serious Khushi. ASR and me has no such relation. I was just a friend to him. World tagged us as i am his girlfriend, seeing proposals and girls advances reduced for ASR he let the lie roam around. Nothing is between us. You're one lucky girl khushi, being heartthrob of college and in fashion industry ASR never eyed any girl. He is made for you. I can very well see the difference between the ASR, i know in college and now. He is totally into you. I am sorry to become a problem in your happy life, i didn't want to be a reason for breaking a happy growing family, but it was not in my hands” sheetal assured khushi and came to the main purpose of her visit.
"What do you mean by that?" Khushi sensed something is wrong going around them.
"Khushi...i don't think you will believe me but it's my duty to tell you the truth. Someone sent me to destroy your and ASR relationship. I don't know what's their motive and why are they doing this but they want your relation to go downfall. They only found aarav from orphanage and made me adopt him. I was made to train aarav like ASR. They sponsered our expenses. Within 6months aarav is totally like ASR. They made drama of kidnapping aarav so that you'll rescue him and our meeting was preplanned. And same as our second meeting, they made aarav to faint where you went for shopping. At the same time i was sent to AR for interview knowing it's ASR company. I was forced to do all the things which i was not interested in. They made sure to keep tabs on me and aarav. Being already trained like ASR, aarav came in handy as they wished. Your family compared aarav and ASR made their goal easy. You got samples for DNA test. I was told to exchange the samples, i replaced ASR sample with aarav. So report came positive. Today also i was forced to break fast from your thali. Don't worry, without their notice i poured the water you used, in pool and filled new water in it and when you saw i drank that new water. I was monitored closely and i don't have other choice than taking their orders. Everyday they will order me what to do and i have to act accordingly. I am really sorry Khushi. Because of me you are restless and worried from few days. What i said today was also an order from them and poor boy aarav he still believes arnav is his father. I don't know how'll he react once if came to know truth" sheetal pleaded khushi to believe her at the same time worried for aarav also. If things go well she decided to adopt aarav for her.
"Why you agreed to do that and who are they?" asked khushi coming out of shock.
"I don't know who are they, they will contact me only through phone. And another thing i want to tell you is, someone from your family is helping them" sheetal said without beating around the bush.
"You gone nuts sheetal. First you act likes you know more about my husband and your son behaves as if he is photocopy of my husband. Then you told me aarav is born for my husband and now you are saying all is a fake and top of it you dared to suspect my family. No one from my family is like you, they will never try to harm me and my husband. Keep your lies to yourself. I regret the day i showed mercy on you” khushi shouted not able to believe sheetal is pointing her family member.
"Your shouting is not able to change anything. Believe me khushi someone is conspiring against you and arnav. Why am saying your family member involved is, they know my activities time to time. I tried to tell this truth to you before. Both time before i approach i was threatened. There is no camera in your home so obviously someone from your family is giving information to them. Trust me Khushi am not homewrecker. I will never be one that's why i mixed sleeping tablet to all food, as expected you didn't took food. This.." before sheetal complete her sentence khushi intervened.
"What? You mixed sleeping pills. How dare you sheetal. If anything happen to my family you'll not be spared" threatened khushi.
"I have no other option. I was living like standing in fire. Please khushi believe me" pleaded sheetal.
"Ok, if you didn't believe me. No problem, i'll record the conversation when next call arrives" sheetal said finding a way to make Khushi believe in her.
"Ok. I'll believe only after you show proofs. What makes you agree to do this drama? Don't you feel guilty for ruining a family? If you run out of money, you can ask to arnavji as your friend. Why all this drama?" Khushi asked furiously.
"Woah....i was..photographed...i have no option. If i didn't agree for their terms then they'll post it in internet..” sheetal said slumped down in grass.
"What?" Khushi couldn't digest what sheetal said. She couldn't even imagine something like this even in her dreams.
"How?" Asked khushi placing her hand on sheetal shoulder.
"I was in mumbai before, working in high firm. One day as usual in weekend i went to pub where i chill myself after whole week of stress in office. I just drank three shots without knowing it was spiked. And at last ended up with my colleague. It's not new for me so i shrugged it off. But two days later i got pictures of mine from that night. I was shocked and furious on my colleague. I confronted him, he said he too received the same pictures. We don't know what to do. Followed by the photos a call arrived, a man threatened me and told me to act like they wanted. I refused, they threatened to release the photos in net. My colleague was frightened. I asked them, why they chose me. They said i was close to the person whom they want to revenge. I didn't agreed for it but my colleague pleaded me as his family reputation will gone once the photos gets released and my dignity will be in question. So i fly to delhi in next day itself after that they told me about ASR. Trust me khushi, if i had choice i shouldn't agree for that in first place. Trust me once” sheetal broke down in tears. How much modern someone thoughts are, the thing sheetal faced cannot be tackled easily by victim.
"Calm down, sheetalji. I trust you" khushi helped her to get up from the ground.
"Now it's up to you khushi. You tell me what to do?” sheetal asked though she have some suggestions she doesn't want to involve, it's khushi family she has all the rights to decide what she wants to and from her family. Moreover khushi know her family well than her. Khushi stood contemplating something and decide to tackle this mess alone.
"You keep pretending that you're obeying their words. Our enemy wants my marriage to break and moreover they know you told me aarav is arnavji son. So i have to pretend angry on arnavji" khushi said to sheetal.
"Why not to take this issue to ASR eyes? He'll look after them. What if something happens to you?" Sheetal genuinely worried for her.
"Don't worry sheetaji. Nothing will happen to me. And i don't want arnavji to take stress, just now we are away from shyam fiasco. He'll be hurt if he came to know family member is involved in this" khushi somehow convinced sheetal.
"Who's shyam?" Questioned sheetal. And khushi feed her about shyam truth.
"What if he is behind this khushi? He was more benefited if their plan works" confessed sheetal.
"I don't think so. His priority is always money and yesterday also arnavji said shyam is in jaipur jail. But he is capable of doing that. Lets wait, that is the only option for us” khushi said what she thinks.
Days started slowly, khushi and sheetal can't find who is culprit and khushi heard the man who threatened sheetal. But she can't guess whose voice that was. Without having no choice khushi pull up the divorce drama.
"As soon as i was out of RM sheetal give me a number saying she doubts the person whose number she given is the black sheep. Then i contacted rohit, my cousin. He said he'll tell the details in an hour and advised me. He never call after that. Late evening one call came, the caller said you met with accident. I came running to you before that karan kidnapped me. You know he behaved like a manic. He try to misbehave..with...me...when i refused to write the letter" khushi finished hiccupping.
Arnav hugged her tight as much as possible. How dare that bastard to misbehave with his wife, jaan. He deserves more punishment. He curled his fists in anger but khushi snuggling made him back from anger.
"Shh... he'll never interfere our life hereafter. He'll never able to reach you. You trust me na" arnav asked holding her face between his palms. She nodded in response.
"Then leave all the stress and share whatever bothering you with me. Here after don't hide anything from me. See where your hiding habit lead us. My jhansi ki rani who rescued her husband from kidnapping is frightening now" khushi chuckled and hide her face in shy in his chest when he mentioned her as his jhansi ki rani.
What else can a wife wish for, a proper respect, recognization of her talent, trust and confidence from her husband. She is lucky like sheetal said, he never let her feel depended on him and he even encouraged her to be independent. She remembered how he gifted her a restaurant. She decided to run it as soon as family came normal.
"Hey..." He huskily called her playing with her hairs.
"Hmm..."
"I have no such relation with any girl khushi. You can trus..." Arnav decide to clarify his past.
"Shh..." Khushi placed her forefinger on his lips stopping him from saying further. "Don't...i don't want your past. I only want our present and future. I don't entertain if any girl enter in our present and future. Remember this, i trust you and will always" khushi kissed his lips surprising him. He chuckled seeing his tigress. Even sun will rise in west but khushi will never initiate any intimacy between them. So this moment was a magical rainbow for him which he cherised.
"What if i love other girl, what will you do? Do you still plug her hair out?" He teased her.
"Haan. I'll pull her hair and you...i'll make you sleep in guest room for one year" khushi smirked seeing his shocked face.
"Oh god..khushi...You..what will you do if our child comes? What do you do when i love my baby girl more?" Arnav smirked now seeing her crimson red cheek.
"Arnavji..." Khushi shrieked stand up from the recliner shocking him.
"What?" He to stood up seeing her worried face.
"Where is sheetal? I totally forget her. Where is aarav?" Khushi forget her in this two days. Only after speaking about her she got remembered of her.
"When you told me you'll prove aarav is not your son, i called her and warned her to escape from our home" khushi said biting her lips.
"So you are not angry with me at that time but played with me" arnav said with a fake hurt for which he got smack on his arms.
"Don't try to act. You're unfit for acting. Didn't you remember how you spoiled our plan before di when we exposed shyam. A wife who has good acting skills is bonded with opposite. Hey devimayya this is not fair, this LG doesn't even know how to act" khushi said dramatically knowing arnav is acting.
"Pagal..." He muttered and hugged her. "I couldn't even act before you, but you acted for more than a week right under my nose. How of foolish of me to run behind you everytime" he pretend to be serious.
"Hello...mera swami, You don't even know abcd of acting ok. So you can't fool me in this life time" she wounded her arms around his neck and winked at him.
"No one cannot win from you khushi..pagli with brain" he placed a peck on her cheeks.
"Hello, patiji. You still didn't answer my question, where is sheetal?" She poked his arms.
"Woah..yeah... she's in lock up. I'll take her out don't worry ok" he said without letting her speak.
"And destroy that photo also. No one deserve that. I feel disgust hearing the things that karan done" she said making disgusting face.
"I'll take care. And still you didn't promise me?"
"Which promise?" Khushi scrunched her eyebrows in confusion.
"That you'll never hide anything from me. And like a good girl you'll confide me everything which hurts you"
"I promise.. I'll never hide anything from you and same goes to you" khushi asked a promise in return which he accepted readily.
"Now tell me what you hide from me?"
"How do you know?" He asked astonished.
"A wife always know her husband" khushi throw a wink at him.
"Nothing khushi. Karan asked your hand for marriage to your father. This was unknown to everyone. When i dig into matter, i got to know this. He asked when you're in 12th std. After that i confirmed it with uncle also. That's it. Past is past. Leave it" arnav shrugged it as he know karan chapter will be closed.
One day later,
"Arnavji did you saw the news. That karan attempted suicide. What if he wrote a letter saying, i am the reason for his death. Oh devimayya I don't want to go to jail. I still have a life to live and if i was in jail with whom my LG will fight" she started blabbering while arnav stood amused hearing her thoughts. He is amused by her antics.
"Khushi..stop it.. Nothing like that going to happen. I am here na" arnav assured her.
"Ok, you are saying so i agree. I am so happy arnavji, somewhere i was scared what if he comes again in our life. But i feel bad he did suicide, couldn't he change his mind and live happily" khushi let her heart out.
"Lets leave it Khushi. It's his fate" he did not want to extend this topic or else he'll spill the beans somehow before khushi.
"When did you start speaking words like fate. I am surprised you know this word" teased khushi.
"From the time he was married to a pagal" she playfully hit his arms and hugged him.
"Will jiji speak normal to me?"
"Hope so" he avoided this topic also. Even though payal did all this in insecurities he couldn't come to a point where he'll forgive for what she did to khushi.
*16*
"Payalji, wait" anjali stopped her from stepping in. Payal eyed her confusedly while others understood why anjali said so.
Anjali ordered HP to get aarthi thal and circled around payal and aakash. Payal feel delightful yet there is nervousness occupied. Facing Khushi eye to eye was impossible for her, the guilt she is carrying is no less than undergoing thousands deaths. Aakash and malini assured her enough but she knows how her deed suffered khushi and she is ashamed of herself. Gulping and inhaling she entered placing her right foot on the mansion. Aakash didn't leave her hands, he's giving his constant support from the time she woke up. Seeing his care and mami's affection only brought her back from insecurity.
"Where's khushi?" Asked payal as soon as they settled in living room.
"Payal betiya, take rest. We'll speak about this later" the elder lady told her affectionately.
"Nahi dadiji, don't take me wrong. I'll never be calm until i face Khushi. My guilt is killing me, my subconscious mind is mocking me how fool i to think khushi as my enemy. I can't take this burden. Please dadiji, aakash please take me to khushi. I have to beg for apology" payal requested nani and pleaded to aakash.
Aakash nods understanding the gravity of situation even though payal is out of her insecurities still she has issues on handling her guilt. He helped her to climb up the stairs which leads to khushi room.
Others thought to give the couples sometime alone.
**
"Arnavji.. stop it. Aww, arnavji this is not fair... aww... haha... arnavji" khushi shouted as the result of arnav's continuous tickling.
"Then agree for my demands khushi kumari gupta singh raizada" he told her huskily. Khushi was panting and catching her breathe.
"Nahi..nahi...i'll not accompany you and I'll never wear that dress" she answered.
"Then bear this.." saying this he started his tickling again.
The reason for their playfulness was nothing but a naughty wish from arnav. After seemed like eternity he planned their honeymoon on Switzerland but as usual khushi madam sankiness reached its peak saying she want to celebrate their honeymoon in jammu Kashmir. His reason for his earlier behaviour was not because of the place she suggests but the place where khushi want to see in their honeymoon was amarnath temple in which lord shiva was on the form of ice stalagmite which occur only for 48days on the months of july and august. Poor arnav, never in his dreams thought he'll get such a demand from his wife who was literally waiting to change his honeymoon plans into religious tour.
To make khushi agree to his plans he purposely challenged her to wear western cloths in which she'll feel uncomfortable. And knowing his tricks khushi denied him resulting in current situation.
"Khushi, i am serious. Will you come to Switzerland or shall i take new model of AR?" He earned a slap from her for his mischievous talks.
"Dare you think anything like that. Laadgovernor, why don't you take your aman with you? He'll be perfect match for you" she teased him back.
"You're going to feel one day for losing this wonderful opportunity" he said with sad pout.
"Aww... sometimes my LG also look cute" saying this she pinched his cheeks for which he make faces.
"I am not a kid Khushi. I bet even after our child comes you're going to pinch me and our prince or princess will going to make fun of you" he said rubbing his cheeks where her nails pricked.
"Swami, you don't need to worry for that" she also didn't leave the chance to irritate him.
"Khushi am asking you for last time. One week you and me in Switzerland what say?" He asked seriously.
She kissed his cheeks "Got your answer, didn't you?" She raised her eyebrows in question.
"Nahi..i want confirmation" he said naughtily showing his other cheek too.
"You know you're behaving like a child now arnavji" she astonished seeing this type of behavior from him. Never before he behaved like this, he always gets what he wants never asked like this cutely. She had no heart to deny, smiling she came close to him. Guess what, they are disturbed umpteenth time.
"Bhai..." Aakash cleared his throat with a blush. He doesn't understand why his ever brainy bhai who always perfect in his works never get a chance to close his bedroom door while indulge in romance. He himself seen them romancing many times, always it'll be a shocking sight to see different expression playing on ASR face.
Cursing himself, arnav turned his face to see aakash and payal standing outside nervously. While khushi embarrassed like hell knowing in what position she and arnavji was before.
It will be a miracle if ever khushi gets pregnant, arnav mutters himself.
"Come aakash. Why are you standing there?" Arnav called them in and noticed nervous payal hesitating to enter. He eyed khushi to payal.
Understanding his gesture, "Arey why are you standing there itself? Come jiji and jijaji" khushi called them chirpily. They already decided to forget the past like malini suggested. Earlier arnav was little hesitant but khushi words did effect on him.
If we ignore her then what will happen? Again she'll be depressed and what guarantee we have that she'll never try to end her life? Do you realize what made her to help karan? It was all because of our ignorance, she felt we're treating her as inferior and me as superior. Can we live happily ignoring one of our family member? Can we ignore her each time we face her? Can't it'll create more mess in our family?Arnavji it'll not be fair when the main reason of her misery being me ignoring her and living happily, this was the exact words convinced arnav.
"Can't you speak to your sister payal?" Seeing the silent atmosphere arnav decided to break it.
"Khu..shi..." A cry escaped from quivering lips of payal.
"Jiji..." Khushi hugged her.
"Maaf kardo muje...will you forgive me? I..am a bad..sister..i am..a..fool..i never ever forgive myself for... doing bad to..you...i..." She hicupped releasing from the hug.
Arnav ordered them to sit down and pass a glass of water to payal.
"Forgot it jiji. Begone by gone. Please you don't strain yourself" consoled khushi.
"You are always good khushi that's why you're saying like this. But it'll never fade, i was the one who did all this foolish deeds to destroy you. It's not a small thing khushi. It's not a small thing to forget and move on. I...give me a chance to repent khushi. I promise hereafter you'll never get disappointed with me. Please only one chance khushi. Will you give me?" Payal pleaded with a hope.
"Jiji, it's not needed you know?" Khushi hugged her again while the brothers stood watching the emotional reunion of sisters.
"Still you didn't give answers?" Payal questioned breaking the hug.
"You're also pleading so much. So i think i should give a chance to my devraani" said an mischievous khushi.
Payal smiled remembering how she teased her as jetaaniji. How happy those days were? All were destroyed by her, thought payal.
"So all is set now. Shall we come out of this emotional drama? I am tired of it" arnav said disinterested earning a glare from khushi.
"Arnavji, i am really sorry. I am culprit of you as much as khushi's. I troubled you enough. I don't know why and how i came across karan's words and decide to separate you and your wife. I was the one who sent you proofs of sheetal. She has no fault in this. I was the one who gave each and every details of our family to karan. I seen how you look after my sister and how much she matters to you. One sorry will not be enough to undo my sins. I have baggage of it. Please give me a chance to be near khushi?" Payal pleaded and accepted her fault before arnav also.
Payal stood with expectant eyes while arnav stood immobile not knowing how to react. His eyes wandered from payal to Khushi who having same hopeful eyes to aakash whose is also no less than the three. Seeing them he nodded his head awkwardly.
"Ok..come jiji. We have lot to talk and pack. Don't know how the weather would be there? Do you think we need to do shopping?" Khushi speaking non stop making them confused while arnav stood bewildered guessing his wife motive.
"Khushi what are you speaking?" Payal decided it's time to intervene khushi blabbering.
"Arey jiji, we're going to Switzerland. Arnavji planned for it" khushi stated chirpily as if she was going on a family vacation ignoring arnav's deathly glares.
"Pagli.. we're not coming. I need rest, had you forget it?" Payal asked smacking khushi forehead.
"Haan. What to do now!... don't worry jiji. I'll ask arnavji to postpone it. We'll go after your health become stable" khushi came with solution and mentally patted herself.
"Khushiji, i think we should discuss all this later" aakash tried to stop this conversation seeing his bhai's deathly glare on khushi. He understood arnav planned something for them but khushi is hell bent on destroying it.
"Yeah..payal need rest. Don't stress her by your talks khushi" said an pissed arnav. Infact he is super angry, he did not want to lose his cool before aakash and payal so he's playing along.
Pouting at arnav, khushi send them out and she would have accompanied payal if arnav didn't pulled her by arms.
"Khushi, what the hell are you thinking?" Came an question from her angry husband.
"What's your problem arnavji? Leave me" she released herself from his hold.
"Don't test my patience khushi" warned arnav.
"Don't you saw them. Jiji wants distraction what else could be a better idea?" Khushi asked with irritation seeing non-chalent arnav who refuse to see family comfort according to her.
"If this is the problem then we can send them to some other place. What is the need to call them in our honeymoon?" Arnav said irritated again by the turn of events.
"What is your problem? I am not inviting some outsider, he is your brother, she is my jiji" another round of annoyance started for khushi.
"You're never gonna understand, will you? Leave it, it's my absurdness to expect some lonely time with you" arnav said marched out of the room.
"What time you are talking? Didn't we spend this whole week? You're behaving childish arnavji. I am not only your wife but also a daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law" shouted khushi behind his back. Even though he heard it he shrugged it off.
Anjali who was standing outside came to see payal, shocked seeing their fights. She left the place planning something.
That day passed smoothly, all behaved as nothing happened except our arshi fight. Eventually payal came to know karan's death news. She felt nothing while knowing it. She felt as if she was out of some bad dream.
***
"Sheetalji..." Khushi's exclaimed call alerted others.
They all welcomed sheetal who was out from prison by arnav. Already they are feed by arnav about her truth.
"How are you sheetalji?" Asked khushi.
"Fine.. Khushi. How are you? Arnav said what happened. Thank god you're safe. Finally our mission is successful but yeah it flops a little" sheetal said sadly at last.
"It's ok sheetalji. All is settled now, you know what i mean" khushi said with a hint which sheetal catched correctly. Others don't know about her photographs, arnav decided not to let anyone know it. Khushi also no less than him. They both didn't want sheetal to feel uncomfortable knowing everyone is aware of her state. Effortlessly he stoled the evidences and destroyed them.
"Sheetal beta, khushi said you was blackmailed. I can only pity you" nani expressed her sadness.
"I am sorry sheetalji. In my blindness i lashed you and put allegations on you" next round of apology started by payal.
"I am not angry on you payalji but with others" sheetal said eyeing everyone.
"What are you saying sheetalji?" Questioned an confused anjali.
"I am saying truth anjaliji" sheetal said little rudely.
"Sheetal, you have no right to speak with di like that" warned an enraged arnav.
"Why i have no right? You guys always give right for outsider to interfere in your lives, then why not me?" she replied challenging him.
"What are you trying to say sheetalji?" This time khushi questioned her.
"Your family giving more importance to outsiders than your own family" came an instant reply from sheetal.
"What?"...
"Yes, naniji, anjaliji, mamiji don't you think you're giving more importance and rights to me when i stayed here as guest than khushiji. You always look after my comfort ignoring khushi comfort. You always come across outsider words than your family. When i said aarav is arnav child you guys believed me when he clearly denied being in any relationship with me. When i took extra advantage here, you guys didn't restrict me instead encouraged me. Do you even realize how khushi must felt when you guys are comparing aarav and her husband. Will you stay calm like this if something like this happened to your daughter? Infact i am more shocked to see the hospitality i got here. Each time a child is being compared to the son of this house and none got doubt on that. Why do you guys always believe outsider than your family. Even in shyam matter you guys didn't believed arnav when he said he's cheating" sheetal shouted, making others shocked hearing about shyam from sheetal truth. Khushi was the only one who overwhelmed seeing sheetal concern for her.
"And Khushi you, you need not to be good for all. Never compromise your life for others wishes. I agree you can never see anyone in distress but doesn't mean you have to help them keeping your life at stake. Could you imagine where you would be by now if i didn't told the truth? If you want to help anyone be clear about your boundary. Keep them at a distance you don't know who is good and who is bad. Don't be a prey for your enemy. Your selfless nature and your family activities made everyone easy to achieve their goal. Be cautious khushi"
All stood with open mouth hearing her. Still now they thought they're always right. Before they came out of it sheetal attacked arnav with her words.
"I am sorry to offend you ASR. I didn't expect such an ignorance from your side. You're always known for your sharp brain yet you failed to guess the misery waiting for. I thought you would be the first one to notice aarav and your similarities but my guess went wrong. And you unknowingly let insecurities to develop in khushi heart. You are at main fault in khushi leaving..." She was intervened by khushi.
"He's not at fault sheetalji" came an defend for her husband.
"Can't able to hear anything against your husband haan?" Sheetal asked mischievously. Khushi smiled slyly.
"I am going, my work is finished" sheetal said breaking all their stance.
"Nahi..stay here for some more time sheetalji" requested khushi.
"Still you didn't learnt your lesson?" Sheetal asked raising her eyebrows.
None spoke after that, sheetal left RM and raizada's realised their mistake even khushi understood and accepted to go with arnav for honeymoon.
Their lives sorted out and persons like shyam and sheetal taught more lessons to them being their enemy.
Epilogue
"Arnavji, it is chilling so much" khushi said rubbing her hands to keep herself warm.
Arnav tightly hugged her by side, "Now?" His voice comes out hoarsely due to the climate.
Khushi pouted and nodded her head as no. He buried her more into him.
"This is so beautiful arnavji. Wherever our eyes wander all looks white" khushi admired the view before her being snuggled in his arms.
They are now in their honeymoon like arnav planned. They reached Switzerland a day before. Jetlagged, khushi slept the whole day and today they came to zermaat where a pyramid shaped mountain peak named for most photographed mountain in the world.
"Hmm..." Arnav murmured while his concentration was totally on khushi. Her excited child like innocent face, a broad heartfelt smile, eager eyes, pink cheeks due to climate it looks more reddish enough to tempt him, her warm body seeking it's solace in his arms are enough to distract him from her talks.
"Arnavji see na, shall we also go for ice skating?" She asked after a minute of silence. How will he answer when he's totally lost in her.
"Arnavji..." She shooked him seeing his lost state.
"Haann..."
"Where are you? I am asking you something?" She pretended to pout sadly. She knows he's lost in her but a wife in her want to hear it in words from her husband.
He is ASR didn't he? He disappointed her, "Ice skating is risky khushi. You find it difficult to walk even in ordinary floor then how can you walk putting skates on" words flow out of his mouth before he could control over it. Seeing her glaring arnav bit his tongue and give her a sheepish grin.
"Don't you think, we are freezing and your body badly needs warm now" arnav used khushi's shivering form in his side. The way he said those words did it's work making khushi melt in his arms.
Tangled in thick white fur sheets khushi asked raised herself a little from his chest "Arnavji, how about spending tomorrow here itself"
"Wow, finally. Khushi Kumari gupta singh raizada decide to stay in between sheets" he said naughtly and flipped her beneath him.
"Laadgovernor, why your thoughts are always one sided. I meant to spend time in this resort itself. Here the view is awesome from lawn. The mountains view and you know i saw in pictures, this resort has open terrace restaurant. We can have our lunch enjoying the view of alps and i thought to check the spa in ground floor"
"Why you need to visit spa? Spa is for tired people and i don't think you're one so how about making the spa enjoyable?" he winked her.
"Chi...laadgovernor" slapped his chest playfully before hiding her face in his shoulders.
"Did madam forgot the swimming pool?" He asked cupping her bare shoulder. Her confused face told him the answer.
"There is an open private pool in this resort. Like terrace lunch we can see the view of alps from that pool also" he replied sincerely like a gentleman.
She twisted her lips in annoyance and disgust imagining them in open pool.
"What is there to feel disgusted?" He questioned understanding her thoughts.
"What the!! Arnavji that's an open pool. How can we? Chi..." She made a face.
"When did i said we're going to swim there?" He asked raised his eyebrows with a mischievous smile.
"Arnavji..." She shouted in embarrassment and put his palms on her face to hide from him.
Seeing her, hiding from him by his palms he laughed out.
"You're cute baby" his lips cooed on her ears. She squirmed in his arms feeling his hands doing ministrations.
"Stop it arnavji. Your stubble is tickling me..mm.." she slightly pushed his face away from her shoulders.
"Do you like here?" He asked turning her side, encircling his arms around her waist. She, in turn put her arms around his waist while other hand caressing his face lovingly.
"Haan. It's beautiful. All i want is you arnavji. If you're beside me then I'll always be happy. No matter where you takes me i'll always be contented" she poured her inner soul.
Seeing her contented face arnav wanted nothing but her happiness. He felt light and serene when her face glows in happiness.
"Hamesha... I'll be with you. Promise me you never leave me in any situation. We cannot guarantee another karan or shyam will not enter in our lives. But i promise you that'll not affect our lives"
"Hamesha arnavji..." She hugged him tight burying his face more into her. His arms embraced her warmness.
Their little moment was disturbed by phone ring.
"Argh..i am going to break that damn thing" groaned arnav.
Khushi laughed at his irritated child like face, pushing him aside she attended the call as her husband is too lazy or precise irritated to take the call.
"Hello jiji... how's bali?" Asked an excited khushi in call.
Arnav can only bury his face deep in pillow knowing this talk will never end soon. When arnav announced he and khushi are going to Switzerland anjali surprised all of them giving bali honeymoon package to aakash and planned a religious tour for themselves. Knowing all in respective tour khushi didn't put any last minute stunt much to arnav pleasure. They all start their respective journey on same day and office was managed by aman. Only in emergency cases he was allowed to contact either arnav or aakash.
Fifteen minutes passed khushi was not ready to finish the call anytime soon. Got bored, arnav nuzzled her shoulders, neck disturbing her by one or other playful way.
She tried to push him, rolled her eyes scaring him which looked more tempting for arnav only to get ended up in letting to know their state on other side.
Embarrassed on disturbing a couple in middle payal ended the call much to khushi dismay.
"Arnavji... can't you keep your hands and other things to yourself? See now jiji know what we're doing. All because of you laadgovernor" she gritted her teeth smacked him by her elbow and hided her face in her palms.
He cared less, "You're going to spend lot of time with her next week then why to waste time now? Anyways i am sure she'll not be that much innocent in differentiating honeymoon and picnic. Come on, don't be a spoilt sport khushi" he lowered her and stopped her from speaking further.
****
Their life passed blessfully. After three years,
"Bhai, don't worry. Khushiji and baby is going to be fine" consoled aakash seeing tensed arnav pacing up and down in hospital corridor.
"Your Junior sankadevi or your chotte is going to be in your arms in few minutes with his/her little hands, leg, eyes, cute chubby cheeks. Don't get tense chotte" anjali consoled him making him little relief.
"Salesaheeb..." A voice shouted came running in the hospital corridor and hugged arnav tightly.
"Salesaheeb... congratulations. Where is Junior ASR?" Excited voice making all the eyes turned on him.
"Aap bhi na jijaji...still Khushiji in labour" said aakash for which he gave sheepish smile to all.
Anjali smiled like he's gone case.
"Jijaji, looks like you're so eager to see baby" payal asked raising her eyebrows he can only give a smile and eyed anjali who caress her slightly grown up bump.
"Baby and mother are fine. Congrats ASR. You're father of a baby girl" the doctor informed the excited family before her.
The new turned father stood speechless seeing a cute bundle wrapped in pink towel is taken by nurse near him. The nurse stood confused before them, she doesn't know to whom she has to hand the baby. All were looking at the bundle mesmirsed. Nani break their trance.
"Chotee. Hold her" nani gestured the nurse to hand him the baby.
Taking her near his chest, Arnav stood admiring his baby whom he and his wife created together. Her button like nose reminding him of khushi and other are exactly his carbon copy. Bending his face down he featherly placed his lips on her forehead. Sensing him she opened her eyes. He felt he's seeing him before mirror same Chocolate brown orbs observed the surroundings. Sensing crowd she wailed taking whole hospital around her head.
Poor arnav stood shocked, amused hearing such loud voice from such tiny body.
"Looks like khushiji have to take care of two LG's" laughed anjali.
The whole delhi rejoiced this news. Raizada princess was the talk of town. Everyone tried to take pictures or atleast some snaps. Protective father in arnav never let anyone know even a single nail of her.
Their life started with sweet new turn unaware of brewing storms.
_________
Lovely amazingly beautifully written...
ReplyDeleteThanks dear!
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