Rabba...Ishq Naa Hove Season 2 Prologue to Part 35

Prologue 

The rain looked unstoppable tonight. It had been pouring continuously since 4 hours. There already had been a high alert in many localities of Delhi by the weather department. There was hardly anyone out. Everyone were sitting inside their respective houses, admiring the pouring rain from their windows, unlike this speedy car which strode on the dark roads, with a 16 year old boy driving it, having no control on the wheels. Suddenly a flash of light casted on his eyes, by the truck coming from the opposite direction. The boy turned the stearing wheel to his left, pressing the breaks as hard as he could. Before he could understand what was happening, the car had already hit someone off the ground before smashing to the huge trunk of the tree at the corner of the road. It was a disaster.
The loud sound of this accident opened all the doors of the people in the vicinity who rushed to the spot to help the injured. It was not less than a miracle that the boy who was driving the Car only got scratches on his forehead and few on his arms and feet, but the man whom the Car hit, died on spot. This gruesome accident took life of an innocent and that too from the hands of a boy who was not even having an age limit to drive. The boy collapsed on the floor, looking at the blood shed. There were enough scream to scare him to hell. Soon the ambulance and the Police Van arrived at the accident zone. The dead body was still taken to the Hospital for further procedure and the boy was immediately taken under custody. Fear striked in the boy's mind as he was been dragged by the Police in their Van. His eyes started shutting slowly feeling dizzy, witnessing this fatal situation. All he could hear was one of the Policemen recognizing him and telling his superiors.
"I know this boy. He is Arnav Singh Raizada, the youngest Son of the Raizada family"

The boy fainted once he was pushed in the Police Van. It seemed like this incident was going to be a Life turner for him.





Part 1

The accident had shook every pillar of Shantivan where the Raizada family stayed. It had been 10 days since their youngest child Arnav was in the Remand house, waiting for the Judicial Panel to decide on his punishment. Every little effort which could lessen Arnav's punishment was made in order to get the boy back home, safe and sound. Their lawyer Roy was in touch with the family to keep updating them about Arnav's condition, one thing was sure ,the boy was still getting a better treatment compared to others, considering he was from a rich background, all thanks to the high contacts which the Raizada's had in the society. The accident matter was published in every newspaper and had become a wide topic for the media to discuss. Where at one end the media was claiming for justice for the man's family who died in the accident, the supporters of the Raizada family were busy trying to prove the brakes of the car had failed which is why the boy couldnt stop this mishap from happening. It still didnt prove much in the Court as Arnav Singh Raizada was under age and having no proper licence obviously to drive a vehicle. After much torment, the day of judgement was here and obviously none of the decision from the Judicial panel was under the Raizada's favour. Arnav was punished. The boy who was born with a silver spoon was going to suffer for 2 long years in remand without any benefits for belonging from a rich and powerful family.

Subhadra Raizada, grandmother of Arnav hurried her footsteps to meet Arnav once before he was taken into Custody. The boy looked messed up. His tears had dried, she couldnt see the dark circles under his eyes and the pale yellowish face of his. As soon as Arnav saw his Daadi, he ran into her arms.

" Daddi take me out of here. This place sucks" 16 year old Arnav pleaded to his Daadi Subhadra Raizada who looked very helpless at her grandson's situation. The headstrong woman who had been handling the burden of the entire family and Business burst out in tears embracing Arnav. Words choked in her throat as she saw their lawyer making re attempts to convince the judicial panel for reducing Arnav's punishment.

" Chotte.. Listen to me.."
"No. Just take me home. I want to be with you, with Bhai. I dont want to be here" he yelled back.

The police officials were waiting to take Arnav back to the remand house. But as this was a high profile case, they waited for some extra time allowing the boy to talk to his family.

"2 years Arnav. You got to stay here for 2 years. No one can take you out. Not even me" she replied.

Fear clouded in the boy's mind. He suddenly became all silent and even though Subhadra kept giving him some hopes of coming to meet him every month, his face was expressionless. He stepped back slowly, until the police held him again and took him out.

The lawyer then came to Subhadra Raizada who tried to compose and handle the next immediate situation before her.

"What is the compensation Roy? "

The lawyer was unsure how to tell this. He knew her anger and he was also aware that she might not be happy with what the Panel had decided.

"Ma'am the deceased had only one 13 year old daughter whose entire responsibility will now lie on the shoulders of the Raizada family, including her stay, her education and even her career building in future until she is 25"

Subhadra Raizada gritted her teeth. She will have to bear an unknown girl in their family, raise her as one of their own while her grandson will lead a life of hell in the remand?

While the Police officials took Arnav towards the Van, suddenly he was hit hard by a stone on his forehead. Arnav screamed in pain, touching the fresh wound on his head. Blood was oozing out. The police officials secured him and tried looking who was the person who hurt this boy. They couldnt spot anyone around except a tiny girl, age 13, giving raged looks to Arnav, holding another stone in her fist , as if looking for one more opportunity to hit him, or may be even Kill him. Why shouldnt she do that? This was the same boy who was responsible for her father's death. Arnav stood astounded seeing the girl. She looked fiery, raged and extremely mad at him. He heard one of the Police officials screaming out her name.

"Stop that girl.. She is Khushi.. The deceased's daughter. Stop her someone"

So it was her father who came under his car that night? The pain in her eyes made Arnav realise what a serious and irrevocable sin he has committed. There was immense pain in those eyes he was looking at, so intense that it made him forget his own pain for some minutes. She raised her hand to throw the next peice of stone again on him but was timely caught by Raizada's lawyer, Roy, who held the girl's hand and snatched the Stone from her. Roy threw the stone away and even raised his hand on the girl. Arnav involuntarily raised his arm as if to stop Roy from hiting her. She doesnt belonged to be hit. Fortunately Roy realised the girl's motive behind doing something like this and hence didnt hurt her. Arnav relaxed, his arm slowly moving back down, but his eyes locked on the girl who seemed untouched, unaffected by Roy's gestures. She was fearlessly looking at Roy as if demanding him to try hiting her and check the consequences.

Arnav was so much engrossed in the girl that he didnt even realise when the Police officials hurried him in the Van and one of them started dressing his wound. The Van started, her figure kept diminishing as the Van speeded out of the Court Gates.

******************

Khushi Gupta and the Court personnel were escorted by an old maid of Shantivan to the Living room. Khushi was numb. So this is where that Boy belonged? She still couldnt understand why she was sent here? To stay with this family? She preferred to be alone on the streets, fighting for her survival than staying under the roof where the family of that boy stayed, who killed her father. She tried to refrain herself in the Court premises from coming here, but she was helpless. Just like the culprit had to bear the punishment in the remand house for children, she too felt like punished for staying here till the next 12 years of her life, until she was 25. The court personnel Somesh Chaturvedi was holding her hand. They waited for Subhadra Raizada to come and attend them. It had been 2 days since her grandson Arnav was in remand now, undergoing his punishment. She felt raged seeing the teen girl. She indirectly was the reason for their family's despair but one thing she cannot ignore was that this poor girl had lost her only family, her father, because of her grandson Arnav.

Chaturvedi: Subhadraji.. These are the court papers wherein the legal custody of this girl is given to you.

He handed the papers to Subhadra Raizada who signed them and returned back.

Chaturvedi: Every month end, someone from the Court will come here to take your signatures and visit this girl, just to ensure she is safe here. If there is any such complaint from the girl about being troubled
Subhadra immediately guestured Chaturvedi to stop speaking further.

Subhadra: We have no reasons to harm this girl in any way. She will be more than comfortable here than she could have been in her own house.

Khushi game a fuming look to her.
Chaturvedi: Aap se yehi umeed hai Subhadraji. Dhanyawad ( We expect the same from you Subhadraji.. Thank you )

He then left Khushi's hand and keeping his palm over her head, he blessed Khushi. In next few minutes Chaturvedi was gone. Khushi looked at Daadi with anger. The later showed the same expressions. Calling out for their maid Chanda, Subhadra asked her to show the guest room to the girl, which will now belong to her. Chanda took her upstairs.

*****************
The room was big, lavish and totally a palace like. Her own house must have been equal to this one room in Shantivan. Yet this place lacked the homely touch. Khushi closed the door behind her and then headed straight to the bed edge. She sat down on the floor, hugging her knees, remembering the little moments she spent with her father. Wish he was alive. She remininsed the cute antics he did to make her eat medicines when she was ill, his little bed time stories to put her to sleep, the way he combed her hair
while she dressed for school. Wish that dark night had never come. Wish her father had not been out of home on that stormy night to buy her favourite ice cream. Tears pooled in her eyes and she had no clue for how long she had been weeping like that, sitting in dark, alone, taking support of the bed edge. Suddenly she felt someone keeping a plate of cut fruits before her. She shivered and looked up to see who entered her room without her permission. He was almost a 19 year old boy. He had decent looks and little muscles growing on his arms. Who was he? The boy smiled at her.

"Eat those, you must be hungry"

She didnt reply .She pushed the plate away and dropped her head again between her knees.

"If you dont, Lakshmi will eat it all at once. Then dont come complaining about it"

Lakshmi? She raised her head again and before she could even understand who Lakshmi is, a small goat came from behind him. Khushi was surprised to see the goat wearing a chicken kaari dress. Was she dreaming. The boy kneeled down and caressed the goat.

"Lakshmi.. Meet Khushi, she will now stay with us. Do you like her?"

Lakshmi noded and instantly went towards Khushi and rubbed her head on Khushi's arm. Khushi was initially afraid but soon she started patting Lakshmi too. She then raised her head to see the boy grinning. He brought one piece of apple from the plate, towards her mouth. Khushi didnt resist. She ate it. The boy smiled happily.

"I am Shyam .. Shyam Raizada"

He extended his arm for a handshake. Khushi didnt respond. SHe kept eating the fruits slowly while feeding the goat with her. Shyam kept looking at her innocence. Wish his grandmother had never gifted him a Posh car for scoring highest grade in the College. Because his little brother Arnav, whom he lovingly called "Chotte" had stolen the car keys that night from his room in the intention of driving his brother's newly gifted vehicle. Arnav had learned driving when he was 15. But he always drove with a guardian beside him, either his brother Shyam or their driver Mohan. It was just that terrible night when he planned to drive it openly on the roads, that too alone. Arnav was a very bright kid. He always had learnt things prior to his age, all thanks to his curioisity and absorbing abilities. Arnav was really a sharp kid, always top scorer in every subject. How can an intelligent boy like him commit such a mistake which took a man's life?

Khushi took almost 3 months to start speaking to Shyam Raizada, that too because of his continuous efforts and concern towards her. Apart from Shyam , she only spoke to the maid Chanda, a woman in her late 40's who took care of her just like a family member would. Subhadra Raizada never bonded with her nor she tried putting efforts. She had a cold behaviour towards the girl because the more she saw her in this house, the more she missed her own grandson Arnav.

Subhadra's Son and daughter in law had died a few years ago in a Car accident. Their sons Shyam and Arnav were hardly 9 and 6 respectively that time. It was Subhadra who took the responsibility of her two grandsons and also the entire business which her Son left. She pampered both the kids so that they dont really miss their Parents. Shyam was always a sober boy, but Arnav a tough kid to handle, at least in terms of his obstinance. When he wanted something, he would bend the whole house before him, until he gets it. It was this trait which was soon going to bend his fate and Khushi's.

___________________________________________________


Part 2

The two years in the Child remand were over but it looked like it had been ages, both for Raizada family and Arnav Singh Raizada who had to bear all the abnormalities inside. The 18 year boy who came out with their Lawyer Roy, from the Child remand was totally new to Subhadra. He had become weak healthwise and obviously lost the most precious thing of his life.. his Smile. Though Subhadra hugged him outside the gates of the Child Remand home, she didnt receive that warmth back from him. Looked like he was not ready to the care and concern of the outside world. She feared to meet his eyes, because all she could see inside them was hollowness. She cupped his face and kissed his forehead, holding back her tears. Today was not a day to remorse but a day to celeberate, her grandson had been freed. But will he ever be able to lead a normal life again? She had decided not to take Arnav back to Shantivan. The presence of that girl in their house will make things difficult for him. He needs more time to adopt the change in his life and she had already made arrangements for it. She had done his admission in Harvard University where he would stay for all his remaining years of education. The far he stays from them , the sooner he would recover, thats what she believed. Even Arnav didnt budge on her decision. He wanted the same. The mere thought of facing that girl broke him into peices. Though he had served the punishment for that mishap, he knew he will never be able to change her hatred for him, he will never be able to meet her eyes again, Never.

Subhadra flew with Arnav to Harvard, completed all the formalities there and settled him in the Boarding. What hurt her the most was, even after being 10 days passed coming out of that Child Remand, he still was the same. No expressions on his face, no dreams in his eyes and most importantly he was silent like never before. Her heart ached seeing him in this state. If only that girl would not have been in Shantivan, she would have taken her Grandson back there and healed all his pain by her love and warmth. She was totally in a dilemma how to leave him here alone? Though she had appointed a guardian for him who would look after Arnav's security, she still hoped that he would come out of his grief very soon.

Arnav on the other hand was only reliveing the tremors of his past 2 years. He went through sleepless nights even now. He would sit at the Window Pane and keep looking outside, sometimes at the busy city, sometimes at the open sky, as if trying to connect with someone there. This boy showed no traits which he possessed before that accident. Being extremely worried for him, Subhadra even consulted the best Pyschologist there and explained his condition. The Doctor tried her level best to make him speak up what he felt, but failed terribly in the first 2 weeks. It was only on the 3rd week and their 9th visit when she heard him giving a very shocking response to one of her question.

"Arnav, this is our 9th visit and you havnt uttered a word to me. How will I heal your heart if you stay mute?" she asked in a very humble tone.

"Killers dont have heart" he authoratively replied with his eyes still fixed on the ground.

No wonder the Doctor felt the intensity of his pain and realised that this case was not that simple to solve. She explained Subhadra that it might actually take her years to get Arnav feel normal again. Looks like he himself was not willing to take this leap of change and accept the reality. Kids like him who face such terrible situation at their young age, find both solace and pain in grieving about their deeds but if this continues with Arnav there is a fear of him losing his psychological balance. That was the first time when Subhadra broke down. She had lost her faith in curing Arnav.

Things were still little better for Khushi Gupta who was slowing coming out of her comfort zone and befriending with Shyam Raizada. He was the only one boy who always made her feel comfortable in their house. She had resumed back her education but the only difference was that , she was now in a good school. She initially missed her friends of the old school but later coped up making new ones though none of them ever touched her heart the way her old school friends did. These girls here were rich and with pricy attitude. Even if they tried to mingle with her, she avoided. However rich family she stays with right now, she will never forget that her real place doesnt belong here.

11 Years Later

Khushi had started growing her career under the guidance of Shyam Raizada who was now handling the empire of AR Designs in India, the other half in the capable hands of Arnav Singh Raizada himself in Paris. The company had been named after him and this was a mutual decision of Subhadra and Shyam. Since the name and that identity itself irked Khushi, she had decided never to work for it. Whatever assistance she did for AR designs was only based on the requirement. She had no intentions to become a regular employee of this Company even if this is the last pillar left for her career growth. Staying with this family, she herself had pursued her career as a Fashion Designer and she was the best in whatever designs AR had recently launched, especially the traditional ones.

Khushi stood a few meters away from the house where she had spent her childhood with her father, at Lakshmi Nagar. This was one place she kept visiting frequently, but never dared to enter the house, as she knew those memories will only her haunt her and fresh her wounds again. It had took a lot of efforts from her end to forgive the Raizada family as they actually were innocent. The only man she would never dare to forget and forgive was their youngest Son whose even name she refrained from taking on her lips, she hated him that much, even after 11 long years. Tears pooled in her eyes as she kept admiring the little lane which led to her house and soon memories crossed her mind again. How pleasant her life had been then, not that she was not happy with the Raizada's. But that family didnt belong to her, that house didnt belong to her and most importantly she always felt her nerves tingling with rage whenever those people there talked about him (Arnav). Though she had avoided any conversation with the Raizada family that included his topic, she knew it wouldnt be forever. What if someday he comes before her?

Suddenly she heard their driver Mohan calling out her name.

Mohan: Ma'am, Shyam Sir is calling on your number.

Khushi wiped the corner of her eyes and made her way back to the Car where she had left her mobile phone. The moment she answered his call, he snapped.

Shyam: What is taking you so long today to come back home?

The worry he had for her could never be hidden in his tone. Khushi asked Mohan to take her back to Shantivan and then continued talking to Shyam.

Khushi: You know where I was, then why are you asking?
Shyam: (chuckled softly): I know where you are that is why I am asking. You know what Khushi? I think you should step in that house once and..
Khushi (interrupting): I cant!! ( words choked in her throat).. I am not prepared Shyam..
Shyam never could force her for this. As her mood was off, he thought of sharing something else which can change her mood.

Shyam: Guess what? Rani Saheba is coming back from her Mayka tomorrow.

There was a bright smile on Khushi's lips. All her pain, all her worry just vanished away so easily. She knew how hard Shyam was missing his wife Anjali. She was the best thing that can happen to a best man like him. Anjali was a family friend of the Raizada's and soon this friendship turned to Love. Shyam and Anjali got married a year ago and were leading a very happy and contended life. A man like Shyam Raizada deserved such happiness.

Khushi: That's .. thats a good news.. So finally you will get some relief huhh? ( she teased )
Shyam: Yea.. I hope so.. ( he blushed hard leaning his head behind on the Recliner)

There was something else too which Shyam wanted to tell her, but he knew it might break Khushi even more. How would he inform her that after 11 long years his brother Arnav was making a comeback in this house?

*******************

Paris - Fashion Shoot

"After 11 long years you are going to go home and stay with your family. Aren't you happy? ",Lavanya Kshyap asked while rolling the gloss on her lip giving them a final touch up.

No wonder she didnt get any response. The 27 year old man before her was as cold and unnerved as ever. But there was something mysterious about his present expressions. She had known Arnav Singh Raizada from past 6 years and never had she seen him so much attentive towards a mark on his forehead, as if he was lost in some old bitter memories. She got up from the dressing table and reached him.

" What's the story behind this scar? " her voice echoed in his ears but the moment she tried touching it, he backed out. He would never let anyone know this scar itself was the reason of his reluctance in going back to India. The 2 horrible years in Child remand, the 5 years of bachelorship and master degree in Harvard and the past 4 years of Business in Paris, nothing could save him from forgetting his past and overcome from the fear of facing that girl again.. The girl who gave him this scar on his forehead, marking him as her enemy for the rest of their lives.

Noticing the expressions of hurt on his face, Lavanya denied.

"Okay .. You dont have to tell me. I know what you said when we met 6 years ago.." she softly arranged the position of the tie on his neck. "Tum mujhe sirf apni dosti de sakte ho.. Jawab nahi" ( You can only give me your friendship... not answers )

That was right. Arnav had always been a very secretive personality. In the University earlier, he feared if his past history would make people run away from him. And now he thought it was too late to reveal what mistake he committed in his past. He hated people digging in his life. This is why he never had much friends. But Lavanya was an exception case. He met her when he was doing his Masters. His distance from every girl and less speaking trait is what attracted her to him. Fortunately her name was linked with Arnav for a certain Project and that gave her enough time to understand him. She almost bugged him like a teenager everyday with some queries or the other and then one fine day he agreed to take her as his Friend.. She knew expecting beyond this was worthless. There was a tornedo of agony in his heart and he himself will never let anyone heal it.

"By the way, I am curious to see, tum jawab dene ka haq kis ladki ko doge? (I am curious to see who will the special girl whom you will give the right to ask you questions). I am sure she will be special, very special" she tried to brighten his mood but failed.
"Are you ready?" he asked moving her arms away from his neck.
"Almost" she quickly picked her purse and then walked out with him from the Backstage room. Today was one of the finest event of AR designs in Paris after which both of them were heading to India.

Lavanya was part of AR designs, she was the Head of Marketing team in AR and had earned that position because of her talent. No wonder AR needed a face like her who would boldy handle the marketing of all their Deisgns, globally. After the Event was over, Arnav and Lavanya headed for some shopping. They had hardly 2 more hours to head for Airport.

"This Watch is for Shyam, Dress for Anjali, Spiritual books for Daadi and " she was checking if Arnav had managed to select gifts for everyone from his family when suddenly she saw Arnav engrossed admiring a simple Dimmond Bracelet. "Wow.. Whose this for?"

He cannot say that yet because he himself didnt know if he would be able to give her (Khushi) this or not? And even if he tries, will she accept? It was only once that they had met until now after which both maintained enough distance, almost avoiding each other in their own ways. But now that he will be staying in Delhi for 4 months to handle and host the next Event of AR, in Delhi, will he be able to bridge that gap between them? He fisted the Bracelet in between his palm. This was the worst thought ever. He kept the bracelet back on the table.

"What happened? Not buying?"

She didnt get any response from him. Arnav Singh Raizada stormed to the billing counter to pay the bill. Lavanya sighed at his ignorance. He definately had someone in mind when he was adoring this Bracelet. But whom? Is that woman the reason behind his gloominess? May be their coming days in Shantivan will clear her doubts.

___________________________________________________


Part 3

Subhadra Raizada was very enthusiastic about her grandson's arrival. She had never thought Arnav would agree to come back home. Yes, she had almost been begging him to return from past many years. But despite of that he always shrugged that idea, and kept giving excuses of his work. He even didnt come for Shyam's wedding. Somehow the bonding which Arnav and Shyam had earlier to that accident, was no longer there. Shyam , as an elder brother had always given his hand to Arnav, making him understand that no matter what happens, his family will always stand behind him. It was Arnav who didnt wanted that help. For Arnav, that help was no less than a sympathy which his family offered to bring a smile on his face. He was not interested in accepting any such compassionate offers.

Though Arnav and Shyam were in good talking terms, it was mostly Business. Whenever Shyam tried to get into his personal life, he always restricted that topic and either changed the topic or hang the phone. This had been his usual practice after which Shyam decided not to interfere until he wants to let his heart out to his elder brother, like he did in his childhood. Arnav had talked to Shyam's wife, Anjali once or twice on Video calls. For Arnav, she was the most tender hearted woman he had ever seen or heard of, someone who suited the simple lifestyle of his elder brother.

The only trick that worked this time in getting Arnav come to India was their new Business Client who was offering almost 40% of their Contracts to AR design. Thus to legally enforce this new Business, all the heads of AR designs had to be present. Arnav was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) cum Managing Director of this Empire and his presence was obviously must.

Subhadra was in the kitchen getting some special dishes prepared for her Grandson. She knew he was totally foodie, someone who liked to try varities. So today's Dinner had to be exceptional.

Subhadra: The ladoo's. I need them Sugarfree and yes, tell Chanda to be peculiar about adding Walnuts in the Kheer. Chotte loves it.

The kind of excitement she had in her actions today, was never seen in the past 11 years.

Shyam: Daadi.. You need to calm down or else your BP will shoot up.

Shyam got inside the kitchen and made Subhadra sit on the chair of the 2 seater dinning table.

Subhadra: I am very happy Shyam. I believe the coming 4 months are going to be the happiest of all these years for me. I have already decided what my agenda for the next 4 months should be. ( her enthusiasm still continued ) You know Anjali's Uncle Ram Verma? That Textile Factory Owner?

Shyam had no clue what Anjali's Uncle had to do here. He plainly noded.

Subhadra: He is looking proposals for his youngest daughter Meera. I am going to make Arnav meet Meera and..
Shyam: Hold on Daadi.. Just hold on.. ( she paused).. Isnt this going too far? I mean, Chotte has not even reached here and you are already planning proposals for him? I dont want him to get scared of all this and run back to Paris. You know what I mean..

Subhadra's face paled.

Shyam: Let him reach first. There is still a lot he has to adopt here. Let him do that and then we shall think about Verma Uncle's daughter. Okay? Now cheer up.

He surely brought a smile on Daadi's face but she was still feeling gloomy from inside.

Subhadra: Shyam.. I hope everything will be alright during Chotte's stay here. You know why I am saying this. ( SHyam's expressions paled). Is she aware that he is coming?
Shyam: Not yet. I tried to tell her yesterday but she was very excited about the new designs that she did for AR. I didnt wanted to spoil her mood .
Subhadra got furious.

Subhadra: Shyam!!( she got up in anger). She shouldnt mind if my Grandson is back in this house. It is his house, his family. He can come here anytime he wishes too.
Shyam: I know Daadi. But this is not going to be easy for any one of them. They are both still grieving on that incident which happened 11 years ago.
Subhadra: Tell her about his visit and stay. I dont want her to get any kind of shocks after seeing him at the door.

Saying that Subhadra left the Kitchen and Shyam could only sigh in disappointment. Daadi had never tried to understand the situation from Khushi's angle. That is the reason why they both were still very cold towards each other. Daadi and Khushi saw each other only once a day, in the morning, during the Puja. It was one of Daadi's rule to have the entire family present during the Puja and she and Anjali circled the Aarti thali before the Idol, turn by turn. Initially Khushi avoided entering the temple here in Shantivan, she hated God for snatching her father. It took her almost 4 years to stop hating God and start trusting him again, though Shyam always felt she did it only superficially .Her anger on God had still not faded away.

Hari Prakash came to Shyam, hindering his thoughts.

HP: Bhaiyaa.. Arnav Sir's room is cleaned and everything is arranged as per his needs.
Shyam: Let me have a look. Because even if he needs anything, he wont say it out.

Hari Prakash noded in confusion. Shyam was right, Arnav will never ask if he needs anything. He would either end up continuing his life without that thing or if he really needed that, he will buy/achieve it himself.

The car parked inside the gates of Shantivan and Khushi quickly made her way to the Living room. Chanda, the same lady servant who had been taking care of Khushi since her childhood, in this house was walking with a Thali full of Ladoo's. Khushi blocked her way.

Khushi: Mausi.. No one told me that we are going to make Ladoo's today? I would have helped.

She was about to pick one when Chanda replied.

Chanda: It's for Arnav Raizada..

Khushi immediately withdrew her hand. Her eyes raged fire. This name managed to pierce her heart everytime she hears it from someone.

Chanda: His flight must have landed by now. Everyone is preparing for his visit only. ( she replied smiling)

Suddenly Chanda remembered what connection Khushi and Arnav shared. She had seen how Khushi felt emotionally high and conscious after hearing anything about that man. She placed her hand on Khushi's cheek.

Chanda: Dont boil your blood now. It's his house afterall. And this had to happen some day or the other, right?

Right !! Some day or the other but not now.. Not when she is bound to stay in this family. Not when she is not allowed to step out of this house and stay seperate. She felt breathless for few seconds and to avoid this conversation further she ran inside her room. After exactly 10 minutes when Shyam got to know from Chanda that Khushi was back home and she was also aware who was coming, he became worried for her. He immediately resumed to see Khushi. The room was kept dark and even though he gave a voice to her, she didnt respond. He turned the lights On slowly and what he saw next bruised his heart. Khushi was sitting down on the floor, hugging her knees, her back supported by the bed edge but she was not weeping. It was just that her eyes were moist. Only she knew how she was controlling herself from crying. He had seen this state of hers almost 11 years back. He sat down next to her.

Shyam: I am helpless Khushi.. I cant stop him neither can I do anything to make you feel better.

Khushi didnt speak a word.

Shyam: I had prepared you for this day from quite a long time. You remember that, dont you ?

He raised her chin and met her teary eyes.

Shyam: Treat this as the most difficult challenge of your life. Dont let weakness overpower you.

He had always been saying that to her. Until today it did give her moral support, made her rise again positively but today somehow it felt difficult to practically implement it. After almost few more minutes she managed to say what her heart felt.

Khushi: Ask him to stay away from me. It will be for his own good. If he faces me, I dont know what harm I will cause to him.

Shyam gulped in fear. This woman was not weak, he had full hopes she can do what she said. She hated Arnav so much.

The flight had landed and Arnav and Lavanya were in the Car. He was going to drop her first at her residence and then head for Shantivan. Her house "Kshyap's Paradise" was just 2 Kms away from Shantivan. Lavanya was super excited.

Lavanya: Amazing .. I cant believe I am here. You know its been such a long gap seeing Mom and Dad.

He remained silent. Now that he was so close to his house, he was unable to concentrate on anything. How would be his stay here? Will she be comfortable? She must have grown at least 24 now. Will she understand that it was never by his will that he killed her father? Will she forgive him for that accident? Why was her forgiveness so much needed? Somehow he had tried to ask this question to himself from many years ago. Whatever tragedy took place 11 years ago has created a vaccum in his heart and it will go away only after she forgives him.

Lavanya shook him.

Lavanya: ASR.. I am talking to you. Say something..
Arnav: We are almost reaching your place.
Lavanya frowned. This man was so unique. She got down the car and the driver unloaded her bags. Arnav got down too.

Lavanya: Okay.. See you then. I will come tomorrow in Shantivan.
Arnav: Call me before you come there. I might be away for a while.
Lavanya: AWAY? Why? I hope you remember tomorrow is our first meet with the Client ASR..
Arnav: Mentally away La.. That's what I meant.. Bye..

He quickly gave her a side hug and then got inside the car again. From here on his heart started beating frantically. Somehow he wished he could turn the car again to Airport and take the next flight to Paris. He felt so unprepared.

After almost 10 minutes the Car parked before Shantivan. Daadi was already standing out with Shyam and Anjali to welcome him. Anjali seemed excited. She was going to meet her Brother-in-law afterall. She had actually been to her Mayka for some function related to her maternal side but the moment Shyam told her about Arnav's visit to India she left all of that and returned back home. She had to be present here at this biggest occassion in her family's life. The return of their Youngest Heir. She was very well aware of that mishap 11 years ago and she was just being neutral about it.

Arnav felt his feet weak as he got down the car, he plasted a fake smile towards Daadi whose eyes filled with tears almost immediately after seeing him. She came forward and he leaned down to take her blessings. She raised his head and kissed his forehead.

Daadi: My Chotte( she murmured )

Shyam quickly hugged Arnav and patted his back.

Shyam: Daadi.. Hasnt he grown little taller again? And handsome too?

Everyone chuckled. Anjali then came forward and circled the Puja thali. Arnav smiled at her .

Anjali: Finally Shantivan is going to breathe again. ( she happily said)

Yes Shantivan will breathe again but there will still be two souls who would be suffocating internally. His eyes searched for the 4th important person of this family.. that girl.. Khushi.. But it was so obvious she wouldnt join the family here. She hated him, he will have to keep feeding his mind that. They all then entered inside .Arnav was emotional as he stepped in the house. Everything had changed here. He remembered how he always kept this house filled with laughters and his naughtiness. He cycled around making the servants run behind him, that couch where he and Shyam kept playing Video games, that kitchen where he used to sit on the Slab and Daadi used to feed him hot cooked paratha's, the lobby where he practiced Skating. There was so much liveliness those days and now it was replaced by his hesitation in even reminscing those memories.

Daadi: Chotte.. Your room is still the same.
Shyam: Hari Prakash.. Load his bags in the room. Come Chotte I will show you the room.
Arnav: I know where it is Bhai.. I remember. I will change and come back. Excuse me.

His formal behaviour worried them but they knew he must be feeling little disturbed returning in this house again. Once he left, Daadi asked Shyam.

Daadi: Where is She ?
Shyam: In her room. She needs time Daadi.
Daadi: She can take as long as she wants. I am not concerned about that. But tell her not to create unnecessary drama before Chotte. I dont want him to be more upset.

Shyam sighed. He was literally been crushed between Daadi, Arnav and Khushi. He hoped the coming months will help him balance all of them.

Arnav stood under the shower, his body slightly bent , supported by his arms placed on the glass walls of the Shower cubicle. As the hot water ran down his body, he felt his fear being washed away. He can do this. He cannot let his fear overpower his mind. If he lets that happen, his family will only show more pity on him and he already had enough of it all these years. But where is she? Was she trying to hide from him? He could feel her presence in the house, he had seen Shyam nervously glancing again and again at the first floor lobby, towards the guest room. That's where she stayed probably. Her anger and hatred for him might be still intact which is why she chose to ignore him. It was better. Neither he would cross his boundary, nor she would enter his den. This was the only way they both could pass these 4 months without much mess.

___________________________________________________

Part 4

"I am not hungry" Khushi exclaimed in frustration to Chanda Mausi who was here to call her for Dinner.

Chanda: Khushi, if you dont come down, Subhadraji wont like it. You know her rules.

Yes. She was aware of the so called rules of this house. With Lunch as an exception, Dinner's always should be together, with the family.

Khushi: I am not a part of this family Chanda Mausi. You know that. ( she kept drawing the Design Sketch on the chart)
Chanda sighed. Though she had treated Khushi like her own, she knew at times Khushi's temperament was something she can never control alone. This girl can become as solid as a rock to get convinced.
Chanda: Fine. I will send your food here then, in the room.

Khushi: I still wont eat. Dont waste the food Mausi and please shut the door after you leave.

Chanda gave up. She shut the room door and hurried back down. While Anjali and Subhadra were busy getting the food arranged on the table, Shyam thought of escorting Arnav down, just like old times. He had always been that concerned elder brother who doted on Arnav. Right from packing his school bag, arranging his favourite meal packed in the lunch box and helping him doing the homework, Shyam had done everything in his capabilities to be his helping hand. Though the past 11 years had changed their relationship dynamics, Shyam was still on a mission to utilize the coming 4 months to get that bonding back between him and Arnav.

He knocked Arnav's room and came inside. Arnav was not around, but his bag was lying half unpacked on the bed. What caught Shyam's attention was a diary whose pages kept flipping due to the breeze coming from the French Doors. Shyam could read a few lines from one of the page. It was Arnav's handwritting.

"Tanha bhi the hum, kuch iss tarah, ki unki yaadon ka dard bhi meetha laga" (Even the pain of her memories felt sweet in my lonliness)

Shyam was bewildered. Did Arnav maintain a dairy? When did he start that from? And whose memories was he mentioning here ? Before he could flip the next pages, Arnav was back in the room and he snatched the diary from his brother's hand.

Arnav: It's bad manners to read someone's personal diary..

His voice was harsh and cold. Arnav kept the diary back in his bag and zipped it. He should be cautious with his things. He doesnt like anyone peeping into his life and this diary was the only way for any person to know the depth of his pain.

Shyam:(smiling): Toh humaare Chotte shayari bhi karte hai? (So my Chotte even writes Poetry?)

Arnav didnt respond. He simply walked back to the Dressing mirror and gelled his hair. Shyam missed that little brother of his who never used to hide a single incident of his life. Arnav had always been an open book in his childhood and now there was nothing Shyam knew about him. This huge gap between Arnav and him had to be filled somehow.

Shyam: The Dinner is ready. Should we go?

A strange restlessness filled Arnav's mind.

Arnav: I will have dinner in my room.
Shyam: Not allowed. You know Daadi's rules, dont you?
Arnav: They are no longer applicable on me Bhai.. I make my own rules now. ( his voice was still very rough)
Shyam: Chotte, what is it ?

Arnav didnt respond.

Shyam: (turning Arnav and clutching his shoulders): I know something is bothering you here. Since the time you have come home, there is this unusual coldness in your behaviour. Look Chote, we all have missed you like hell all these years. Fortunately, we all are together again, under one roof, though it is for a specific time period, I want each one of us to make an attempt to make these 4 months beautiful. Please... If not for me, at least for Daadi.

Arnav had never been a follower of anyone's thoughts and verdicts, yet he chose to accept this one demand from his brother, only for his Daadi, the woman who had slogged for their happiness, her entire life. When he and Shyam came down, Daadi and Anjali were already seated at the Dining table. Obviously the 5th person was missing. Arnav chose not to make anyone realise of his uneasiness, though his rational mind kept on poking him to ask where she was? It was Chanda Mausi whose actions gave Arnav the answer he was looking for.

Chanda started serving in an additional plate.

Subhadra: Chanda.. Whose plate is that?
Chanda: Khushi's.

That name itself was enough for Arnav to feel edgy and restive.

Shyam: Why? She wont come down?
Chanda: She said she is not hungry. It is me who thought of at least serving her in the room.
Shyam was about to get up and call Khushi downstairs but Subhadra gestured him not to leave.

Subhadra: It is her choice Shyam. Let's us not force anyone.
Anjali equally felt bad but she was helpless just like her husband. Chanda left with the plate for Khushi's room.
Subhadra: Chotte.. You didnt start yet.. I would say start with the Paratha and Pudina chutney. It's your favourite, isnt it?

Arnav pushed his chair and got up.

Arnav: Bhook nahi hai Daadi. Thanks !! (I am not hungry Daadi. .Thanks )

He left back to his room despite of hearing his Daadi and Bhai calling him back at the table. He somehow couldnt make this effort to ignore situations around him. There was this woman who was totally their responsibility and her present was disturbed only because of his arrival. She was making him feel more guilty. She was reminding him about the pain he had given her all these years. How could he live normal in this house amidst such circumstances?

To the world, Arnav Singh Raizada was a brutal businessman, though a man of few words but all he knew was to deliver the best in his capabilities. It was this attitude which had always grabbed the attention of the media and rich girls of the society, towards him. Somewhere at late night, he was reading the terms of the contract with his new client, for which he had specially come to India, with utmost concentration, but his empty stomach was not supporting him much. He was hungry. He rose to his feet and came down to fetch something in the Kitchen. It was already 11:30pm and everyone were off to sleep. He could see a shadow of someone in the kitchen. It was dark but there was still sufficient light for him to see a woman was busy cutting something from the knife. Probably she was Chanda Mausi..

Arnav: Kuch milega? I am hungry.

His tone was sharp and enough for the woman in the Kitchen to grip the knife even tighter than before. This voice was unfamiliar but she didnt had to guess whom it belonged. The air around her suddenly started getting thicker. Khushi was equally hungry and feeling totally uneasy for skipping her dinner. Considering some fruits will reduce some of this uneasiness, she had strode in the kitchen, only after making sure everyone else were in their respective rooms and there was no chance that she will have to face the man whom she hated the most. But looked like destiny was purposely teasing her spirits and forcing her to meet him, unwantedly.

Arnav was suspicious when the woman neither turned nor responded to his request. He switched the lights On and was dumbfounded seeing the woman before him. Though she had not turned around he could clearly define her identity. It was HER.. She was slim, tall, fair, she had left her hair open, which hung loose till her waist. He could see her toe fingers curled in anger and her grip on the knife sharpened as if one more step if he plans closer, she will stab him to death. It required a lot of will power for her to turn around and face him. SHe had to do this because the way out of this Kitchen passed through him. Their eyes met for a brief moment. There was a pin drop silence, it felt like the whole kitchen was burning on fire. Arnav felt the same burning rage in her eyes which he had seen 11 years ago when she hit him with a Stone, outside the Court Hall. Flashes of their first round of introduction 11 years ago stormed in her mind as well and it gave her the same feelings even now. She felt like bruising him with the same knife she was holding in her hand. Had she been the same 13 year old girl, she would not have cared to do this, because at that age she had no understanding or regards to any law, but today she was much more aware of what its repercussions can be.

Arnav was unable to think anything at this instant. Should he leave or wait? Should he say something to her or wait for her to speak? If she was the only woman responsible for his broken life, he knew only she could cure him, by her forgiveness. All these years, his worst nightmare was to face Khushi Gupta some day, and that day was here. But after meeting those hazel eyes, it didnt look like he had the guts to apolozise. How awkward was this getting? His pupils dialted as his eyes automatically dropped on her lips. He had tried to figure the features of her face many a times, but she was beyond his imagination.. she was breathtakingly beautiful, a woman who could give complex to all those high class models in the society. When his gaze strolled back on her eyes, she dropped the knife from her hand and walked right by, ignoring him completely.

For a split of second Arnav felt his whole world which was standstill for few seconds had finally started running again with the ticking of the clock. So she was Khushi Gupta, the woman who had gatecrashed his dreams many a times, hurting him, bruising him, stabbing him, until he felt that pain real even in his imaginations. She was strong, he had managed to read her eyes 11 years ago and somehow felt that same strength in her even now. And the way she totally ignored him confirmed one thing for sure. She was going to give him a very tough time here. It is better he winds up his work soon and leaves back to Paris.

After Khushi reached back to her bedroom, she threw the pillows from the bed on the floor, she was that angry and frustrated.

"He was so close to me and I couldnt do anything.. !!"

She kept kicking her feet on the bed edge, hurting herself for being so cold to the man who destroyed her life. 2 years of remand cannot make him any wiser. He deserved a lot more than that. A lot more.. All these years she had imagined what the day would be like when she will see him again before her. She planned to stab him with the sharpest knife in the house. But that would be still less. SHe then had decided to crash him by a speedy car, just the way he crashed her father that night. All of these plans looked so well implemented in her dreams. But what happened today when she should have actually initiated them? She just ignored him and walked away? That's it? Where did all her strength and guts go?
She sat on the bed and closed her eyes. What was she doing? Why was she getting so vulnerable because of his presence in this house? No.. This is it. She was no longer a kid to plan ways of revenging the man who took her father's life. It is said that
ignorance is the best medicine for people who dont deserve your attention. He was one of them. For the next 4 months, she will prefer not to pay heed to his presence. For her, he never existed and she will continue behaving the same. Shyam was right, if she breaks down, she will be the one to suffer more. She had taken time to put back her father's death. Though she can still never forgive the man behind all this, she will not let herself drown in solitude again. Ever.

*****************

Just like Khushi skipped to have Dinner with the entire family, she repeated the same for breakfast even, with the only difference that she had it earlier than usual, to avoid any kind of contact with that man. But despite of that, she couldnt miss the Morning Puja which Daadi and Anjali did in the Temple room. She somehow had a feeling that man will not attend it. She removed her Slippers and got inside the temple room. Daadi lighted the Diya and gave her a scorned look. Khushi didnt bother. She was as cold to her as always. She knew Daadi loved her Grandson very much and she will ensure that he is comfortable fully in his own house. So obviously yesterday, her absence during Dinner might not have affected her much, Daadi expects the same from her, to stay away from her Grandson as much as possible. Khushi came forward and joined her palms for prayers.

Subhadra: Where is Chotte and Shyam, Anjali?
Anjali: Shyam has gone to get Arnav from his room.

Khushi felt her breath hitching. No..!! He shouldnt come here. That's when she saw Shyam coming alone inside the tenple room.

Shyam: He said he wont make it for Puja today. He was in the shower.
Subhadra: We can wait.
Shyam: No use Daadi. You know how arrogant he gets sometimes. Let us carry on. You can explain him later. Okay?

Daadi didnt argue much. She was little particular about the Puja timings in the house. They started the Puja.

Arnav Singh Raizada came down after 15 minutes, he could hear the bells ringing and that sound came from the temple room. His eyes fell on the number of Slippers withdrawn outside that room. There were 4 of them, which means Khushi was inside too. He shouldnt join them. It was better he leaves the house before the Puja stops. He turned around to leave but thats when the bells stopped ringing and Daadi called out his name from behind.

Subhadra: Chotte? Take the blessings.

He simply couldnt deny her because that's what the whole motto was, to keep his Daadi happy. He stopped. It was always Anjali who got the Puja thali individually towards each of them so that they can take the blessings and the Prasad was always served by Khushi. The same was repeated even today. Khushi hadnt known yet that Arnav was outside, stopped by Daadi. She was busy arranging the Ladoo's to distribute as Prasad. Arnav, outside the temple room took the blessings once Anjali reached him with the Puja Thali. That's when Khushi came out with the Prasad. She gripped the thali realising his presence..SHe had to control her anger. Arnav Singh Raizada, on the other hand, who had full plans to flea, couldnt move an inch after seeing her. A plain white Kurta, pyjama and a Red color Dupatta over it. She looked enthral. All the other three pair of eyes glued on Arnav-Khushi to see how they react in each others presence. Khushi pretended to be unaffected. She distributed the Prasad to Daadi, then Anjali and then Shyam but she didnt come to Arnav at all. She turned herself to leave. Arnav somehow curbed his reactions. Daadi was furious.

Subhadra: Khushi? You forgot to give Prasad to Chotte.

Khushi was losing her control on her anger. She tried not to speak and hurt Daadi more in that matter.

Shyam: (whispered to Khushi): It's a Prasad Khushi, everyone has a right to have it.
She still didnt turn back to Arnav, infact she kept the plate on the side table and walked away. Arnav fisted his fingers. Though he immensely felt hurt by her actions, he still could do nothing about it. He knew such gestures from her was all that he had to welcome. She was never in the intention of forgiving him. Somehow he will have to live with that fact, his entire life.

___________________________________________________


Part 5

Whatever just happened few minutes ago, killed the essence of the moment. Khushi not considering to give the Prasad to Arnav made him leave the house, even though Daadi tried to stop him. Shyam assured Daadi that he will take care of Arnav and followed his brother to Office. Where Daadi and Anjali were feeling helpless of this situation, Khushi felt more satisfied and confident. By ignoring his presence twice, since last night, she had made it clear to him that they both can never be around each other, forget the talking terms. At last she had learned the way to live in this house, even in his presence.

Arnav Singh Raizada was in the car, drove by Mohan, towards AR office. He was trying to set his mood right after that morning's incident. He was not very surprised when she didnt turn to him for the Prasad, this was expected out of her. The hate in her eyes was easily noticable and it will take ages to settle down, unless he does something to expedite it. His phone was constantly ringing as Shyam tried to get in touch with him. After few rings, Arnav finally answered.

Shyam: Chotte?
Arnav: I am fine Bhai. I am onway to the Office.
Shyam was little relaxed to hear back from him but there was another thing that worried him right now.
Shyam: Are you driving ?

Whenever he was asked this, it pricked his conscience. As if people had stopped believing that he could drive "safe" too. After that terrible accident when he was 16, he had given up the thought of driving again for his entire life. Plus the 2 years in child remand had invoked more fear in him. He never wanted to return back there, that place was no less than a hell to him. He had to bear a lot of torterous days during the course of that punishment and this had demotivated him to a very large extent. He always feared, if the next time he holds the wheels in his hand and kills some innocent again, he will be kept here in this remand and may be this time, forever, which he never wanted. Thus , even after his punishment was over and Daadi shifted him to Paris, he never touched the wheels. He was always at the backseat, keeping a strict eye on the driver, to see if he was driving within the appropriate speed limit or not.

It was only after he grew more older, some 24 years, when he was forced to hold the wheels in his hands. This was no less than a miracle for him, that even after 8 years of no driving practice, he still managed to save a life.

Flashback Starts

He was in the car, with his driver Steve who suddenly felt an immense pain in his chest. Steve managed to halt the car at the corner of the road. Arnav who was at the backseat immediately came out and opening the driver seat door of the car he tried to analyse the situation. Steve was in extreme pain and Arnav could easily understand Steve was undergoing a severe Heart attack. He called up the emergency services and informed them about their location but seemed like Steve wouldnt make it until they come. This was the moment when Arnav Singh Raizada fought all his fears and moving Steve at the passenger seat, took wheels in his hands. He drove towards the nearest hospital. Fortunately it was just 4 miles away from there. He even contacted the hospital beforehand and informed them about this emergency. When he halted the car at the Hospital premises, the emergency services were ready with the stretcher and they rushed Steve in the ICU. Completing all the necessary formalities, when Arnav came back to check the health of Steve, the Doctors told him Steve wouldnt have been alive if Arnav had waited for the emergency services or Ambulance to come for help. That night Arnav felt immensely proud of himself for taking the right decision on time and saving a life.

Flashback Ends

After that day, Arnav slowly got used to driving again. But he was always cautious. He didnt drive in crowded areas. He was strict when it came to follow the Driving rules, Seat belts was must and he never crossed the speed limits anymore. But even after being a professional now in driving, he thought of avoiding it in India, especially in the same city where he once took a life.

Shyam Raizada had still not got the reply from Arnav.

Shyam: Chotte? Are you able to hear me?

Arnav came out of his thoughts and answered to Shyam that he was not driving , Mohan was. Though Shyam was relieved to know that, he could still feel a sorrow in Arnav's voice. The phone call ended there and Arnav reached the AR Office. This was the first time he was stepping here, though he already knew many faces , all thanks to the frequent video conferencing calls which kept happening between him and his team who worked from this location. Aman Mathur was one among the leads whose work style he adored. Aman was the Delivery Manager, having responsibility of managing seamless delivery of Fashion Designs to their respective clients. He was another face of AR after Arnav and Shyam who managed to control all the AR operations in India.

Aman came forward and greeted him with pride. After a quick introduction of the rest of the staff, Aman lead Arnav to his cabin. A place where he was supposed to work for the next 4 months. The cabin was classy and very well suited his needs.

Arnav: It looks very similar to my Paris Office.
Aman: We tried to make a replica of that, but settled down with this look. Did you like it or you need any changes in the decor?

Arnav was impressed by this man already.

Arnav: I can sustain with this look for the next 4 months, dont bother.

He took his chair and started looking at the details of their new Client. Lavanya Kshyap reached the AR office after few minutes and headed straight to the Conference room where the meeting was held. The Client hadnt arrived yet and she was busy preparing her set of presentations. She looked closely to the Designs which the Client had showed interest in.

Lavanya: These designs are really good Aman. Who is the Designer?
Aman: Khushi Gupta. ( he proudly replied)
Lavanya: I see. Ask Khushi to meet me after this meeting. I want to see what else she has got in her collections.
Before Aman could retort, Shyam responded.

Shyam: Khushi is not a full time employee of AR Designs.
Lavanya: Is it? But that still doesnt stop us from reaching her. This girl has potential in her designs which can attract our clients. We can offer her something better if she is ready to be a part of AR designs, full time.
Shyam could understand Lavanya's point but he still denied..
Shyam: That cannot happen Lavanya. We have gone through this before. There is nothing which can bribe Khushi to be a part of this empire full time.

Lavanya leaned back flauting her dimple as she smiled.

Lavanya: Then I must say you havnt bribed her well. Leave it on me to do this. I will talk to her.

"You wont" came a sharp response from the door. Arnav Singh Raizada was here and he came forward to take his seat at the round table.

Lavanya: ASR please. Give me one chance to do this. Look at these designs (she moved some designs towards Arnav).. Such an impressive work. We cannot let a resource like her, slip from our hands.
Arnav (interrupted): She is NOT a resource Lavanya. So cut this topic right here.

Arnav Singh Raizada was always aware of Khushi remotely working for AR Designs from the past few years. Initially he himself was proud seeing her designs, when Shyam emailed a few to him in Paris. He knew a potential which she carried is not worth losing of. But convincing her to join AR officially was like trying to break a stone from your teeth. She will never agree. And it was better that way. The less she involves herself here, the more he can avoid her presence. Now shrugging off that topic and the unease, Arnav started the meeting. Lavanya was not very happy by his decision but she could sense there was a huge baggage behind his words and denial. That he was somehow avoiding that woman in his vicinity. But why?

****************

It had been two days for Arnav's return in this house and after that Prasad incident, Khushi and Arnav never came face to face. Khushi was showing the difference in her behaviour almost at every instant, ever since Arnav had returned. She was used to do some cooking herself most of the times, especially dinner, but she stopped even entering the kitchen. Her breakfast started restricting only in her bedroom, she was an aspiring designer who was always into sketching her designs. She had a huge collection, all of it saved in her personal laptop. She never felt satisfied until she completed the sketch of her design. She was passionate about her work. There were many occassions when Shyam asked her to join their Company rather than just contributing few designs for them but everytime all he received was a strict denial. If it had been any other company, she would never rethink on her decision but this Company belonged to the same man who destroyed her life, she can never be part of it.

The management team of "Talaash Boutique", AR's new client, were here to finalise their contract with AR designs. Today they were supposed to final which designer from AR will they be selecting for designing their new collections of Women apparells. The head of the team, Tanuja Mehra, kept looking for the designs which Aman presented to her team. Arnav, Shyam and Lavanya were also seated there, waiting for Tanuja to finalise.

Tanuja didnt look very impressed with what she saw. Arnav Singh Raizada was told earlier that it was hard to convince Tanuja. She was running her chain of Boutiques, in various metro cities in India and UAE. All their collections had to be unique. She had never worked with one Designer more than twice. She was very peculiar about the designs.

Tanuja: I am not very impressed with these. ( she said looking at Arnav).. Mr Raizada, when I joined the treaty with your Company, I had lot of hopes from your Designers. I wont say the Designs are bad, they are good, but not something I am looking for. They are just mere fabrics, I want to see the soul in these works.

Arnav was about to say something when Lavanya forwarded few other design sketches to Tanuja.

Lavanya: What about these Tanuja?

Tanuja scanned the designs through her eyes and a smile broke on her lips.

Tanuja: Fantastic.. See, this is what I meant. The Designer has not just drawn anything, she knows what the real beauty in woman is. These are perfect blend of ethnic + western work. I am impressed. I need this designer to work on my Project.

Lavanya sighed in relief as she was able to satisfy the Client's need. But Shyam Raizada was totally shocked about this decision from Tanuja because the designs belonged to Khushi who would never accept this offer, not at any cost. Arnav realised it too.

Arnav: Tanuja would you please allow us a minute? ( she nodded ) Thanks. Aman please take them to Shyam Bhai's Cabin.

Aman followed the orders and when only Shyam , Arnav and Lavanya were in the Conference room, Arnav came to Lavanya and clutched her arms in anger.

Arnav: I told you she is NOT a resource here. Why did you forward her designs to Tanuja?
Lavanya had never seen this side of Arnav Singh Raizada. It looked as if someone had touched his aching nerve. He had always been that sweet and quiet man all these years, for the first time he was behaving so wildly.

Lavanya: ASR.. You are hurting me.

Hurt!! This was not just another word for him, he knew the intensity of it. He had been living that from past 11 years. Arnav left her arms and looked at Shyam.

Arnav: Inform Tanuja that the Designer is unavailable. If she doesnt find the soul in the other designers work, then she can take the contract back from us.
Shyam and Lavanya both were looked at each other in aghast.

Shyam: Chotte wait. Dont take such huge decisions. Tanuja is just not a client for us, she has her networks everywhere, she is a strong and powerful business woman. We have to maintain good ties with her professionally. Let us handle this situation very carefully.
Lavanya: Give her what she wants Shyam, why is that designer so arrogant ? She can send her designs here, but she cannot work for us ? That's ridiculous.
Arnav (pointing a finger at Lavanya): Not a word more La.. You have already hampered this situation enough, now let us handle it.

Lavanya instead of becoming angry, was curious what was Arnav trying to do? Was he protecting that designer or himself from coming in front of the world ?

Shyam tried to cover up the matter with Tanuja but she insisted on having the same Designer. She gave Raizada's a week to try convincing the Designer or else the Project will be taken back. A lot had already been invested by AR on this Contract, they simply couldnt afford to lose it.

That night, Khushi was in her room when Shyam and Anjali both came to see her. The papers of her designs were all over the bed. She moved some of the mess created in the room and welcomed them inside.

Khushi: Dont mind all this.. I am just working on something that is in my brain, and all these papers lying here are the proof of my imperfection ( she let out a soft chuckle)
Anjali: I trust you and your works. I am sure whatever design is disturbing you will soon be ready as a sketch.
Khushi: Thanks Anju. ( she quickly passed a hug to her and then concentrated on Shyam).. Hey ? What is wrong with you?
Shyam: How can you do this? From past 2 days you didnt come out of your room, breakfast, lunch ,dinner, everything is confined only between these 4 walls. Why?
Khushi : I just told you, I am working on some design .. that is keeping me busy.
Shyam: Dont lie to me Khushi. I have known you better than anyone else in this family. You are hiding.
Khushi didnt utter a word , infact she lowered her head.
Shyam: You are hiding to avoid any contact with Arnav.

That name itself invoked anger in her body but she tried controlling it.

Shyam: Ignore karna hai toh usse karo Khushi.. Hum sab ko nahi... What is our fault in all this? (If you want to ignore, ignore him, not us. What is our fault in all this?)

Khushi was understanding his point.

Shyam: And by the way these designs, they are a waste if you dont channelize your future.
Anjali: Shyam, calm down.
Shyam: Anju please. I am not her enemy. I have always guided Khushi ever since we have met. I want her to walk the right path, not hide like this.
Khushi: Shyam I understand what you mean but
Shyam: I am sorry, I went overboard I guess.

He left her room without even caring to explain the reason for his distress. This never happened before. Khushi asked Anjali what was bothering him and thats when she told what happened in the AR office today.. Khushi was shocked to know the famous Businesswoman from "Talaash Boutique", wanted her to design the Woman's apparells collection for the new season. However appealing it looked, she couldnt channelize her future through the AR Fashions. Never.

Anjali: Shyam is getting grinded between his brother, office and you. He wants to keep everyone happy and he knows he cannot do it without hurting one of it. He doesnt want to take sides Khushi, you know him, he has always been very selfless.

Khushi noded. Yes, who better than her knows that? Shyam has always been standing as a protective cover between her and the world. Such people dont really exist and if you meet someone like him, you shouldnt let him get hurt.

Anjali: Anyways, I will look after him. You get back to your sketches and I am sure till morning, you will be able to design the one which is scribbled in your head.

Anjali warm palm on her cheek made Khushi relax. Once Anjali left, Khushi was about to close the door of her room and that's when she heard a soft guitar sound playing. That sound came from the corner room of the Lobby, which was that Devil's room, Arnav Singh Raizada's room. However soothing he played it, she felt every note of it pricking her heart. That man if touches anything can poison it. Thats what she felt about him. She shut the door close with a loud sound, trying to keep all his music notes outside her room. She cannot even breathe the same air which keeps him alive.
___________________________________________________


Part 6

Arnav Singh Raizada had learnt to play guitar when he was 11. He was good at playing drums too. Music had always fascinated him. If there hadnt been this huge empire to run, he would have made his career in Music. He scribbled a few notes of this new tune in his diary and continued playing it again to make it perfect. A message from Lavanya beeped on his phone.

"Sorry ASR. You know I mean it"

He tilted his phone and kept practicing the tune. This sorry was not going to work. There had been very rare times when Lavanya did something against his wishes. Or else, most of the time their views and opinions always match. Today, by showing Khushi's sketches to Tanuja, she had crossed the boundary of their understanding. Another message beeped on his phone and even though he wanted to ignore it, he couldnt. He read the next message from her.

"I will meet her and say Sorry too"

Hell No!! This matter shouldnt reach Khushi's ears. He dialed Lavanya's number.

Arnav: Dont do anything like that La. ( he warned the very instant she answered his call)
Lavanya took a pause to understand what he implicated.
Lavanya: Okay. I wont.

There was another short pause after which she couldnt hold herself from telling him this.

Lavanya: You are being quite protective towards her. I think, she is the first woman ever to receive this honor from you.

Protective? It is such an irony that he couldnt protect her from becoming an Orphan. His body shuddered in response to her comment. He controlled the tremor running in his heart and somehow managed to speak further.

Arnav: I will check with Tanuja tomorrow and sort this matter. You or Bhai need not worry.
Lavanya: (smiling): You like being center of attraction always? Why cant you just sit back calm and let me and Shyam handle the situation. I have already talked to few designers whom I know from past few years. They are good. May be Tanuja likes their work and forgets about Khushi.
Arnav: You talk too much La ( he reminded )
Lavanya: That's because being your friend, I do your talking part too.
Arnav: I dont like people doing favours on me. ( his voice was almost like a groan)
Lavanya: Friends dont do favours.
Arnav: We are not discussing any friendly matter here. It's purely business and I want to move it forward my way.
Lavanya gave up.
Lavanya: Okay your wish.
Arnav: I will see you tomorrow afternoon at Office.
Lavanya: You will see me before that ( she chuckled)
Arnav: You know I dont like surprises La.
Lavanya; That's why I told you Idiot. Daadi has invited me for breakfast. Though the invitation should have come from you.
Arnav: Dare you open up my secrets to her.

Lavanya gigled aloud. She exactly knew which poor secrets he was talking about.

Lavanya: I know what to share and what to Hide. Now good night, give your Guitar some rest.

She was quite intelligent to catch up that he was playing the guitar at this odd time. She was not very fan of music but when he played it, she never wanted him to stop. Disconnecting the call, Arnav again continued to play his notes.

***************

It was a hard time for Khushi to take some decision about joining AR Designs or not. She would have still thought about it had he (Arnav) not have returned back. Tanuja Mehra, this name itself was enough for any new comer designers like her who wanted to make a great start in the Fashion world. To work for "Talaash Boutique" had been a dream of so many fashion designers. But this part of her career will have to go through AR designs and that is why she was afraid to take it up. She had no intentions to use AR as a ladder towards her success. But this time it was not only about her, Shyam was equally involved and there might be implications if she denies it, Shyam will have to face the consequences too. Shyam had supported her in every walks of life in the past 11 years, now it was her turn to help him where needed.

The next morning, Khushi came down for Puja, as usual. Arnav Singh Raizada had stopped showing his presence, during this hour of the day, considering he didnt wanted to repeat the Prasad sequence which happened during his second day of stay here. He made sure he came down from his room, only after the Puja was over. Today, he followed the same and to his surprise he was honored to have Khushi Gupta's presence in the living room. Now this was awkward for him. He had started fearing the moments when she was around. It would either hurt him or her and he seemed unprepared for both.
Khushi had yet not acknowledged his presence around.

Anjali: Today Daadi has invited Lavanya for Breakfast which is why you can see some extra dishes cooked.
Khushi: Lavanya, isnt she the one who liked my designs and showed it to Tanuja?
Anjali noded.
Khushi: Phir toh unse milna padega ( Then I have to meet her)
Anjali was glad that Khushi was trying to come out of her cocoon.

Anjali: You will love her, Shyam says. I havnt met Lavanya either but have heard a lot about her from him.
Khushi: ( helping Anjali to arrange the dishes): She stays in Paris right?
Anjali: Yes, she works with Arnav in his other Projects there.

There was a coldness in the atmosphere when Khushi heard his name again. Seemed like she would have to face a tough time dealing with this name and his presence, for the next 4 months.

Anjali: There she comes.

Khushi turned behind and she saw Arnav Singh Raizada giving Lavanya a formal hug. Lavanya looked stylish in a Red Palazo, with long cream top. That dimpled smile could sweep any man off his feet. She looked no less than an AR model.

Lavanya: Hi.. ( to Arnav) Am I looking okay?
Arnav: You are looking great ( he replied with a warm smile and got her inside)
Anjali(to Khushi): Lavanya and Arnav know each other from 6 years.

Now that irked Khushi. Friend of an enemy is no less than an enemy. But should she treat Lavanya as one? It will be wrong on her part to do so. Arnav walked inside with Lavanya, he tried his best to keep his eyes off Khushi and she did the same. They both behaved like they were not present there, for each other. Lavanya came forward and touched Daadi's feet.

Lavanya: Namaste Daadi. And thanks for inviting. It would have taken months otherwise for Arnav to invite me here. ( she giggled looking at him)
Arnav: Or may be years ( he declared using his little sense of humour)

Everyone laughed heartily, except Khushi who was not very interested in him or his talks. Lavanya met Shyam, then got introduced to Anjali and then she came face to face with Khushi. There was very less Lavanya knew about this girl except her reason of staying here. All thanks to Shyam that he revealed a part of it to her, last night over the call. She couldnt sleep last night, thinking what misery Arnav might have gone through because of that one mistake. And since then she was waiting for morning to come. She wanted to meet Khushi.

Lavanya: And you must be Khushi.. Right?

Khushi noded extending her arm for a handshake.

Lavanya: I want to hug you ( saying that she quickly hugged Khushi and impressed her a bit).. Your designs can rock in the Fashion world, I hope you know that.

Arnav was little disturbed by Lavanya's open talks about Khushi's works. He did not want Khushi to feel offended and walk away from there. It was very hard to get a sight of her, even after staying in the same house. However hard he tries to ignore her presence, he craved equally to see her before his eyes. Why?? His throat parched as he managed to gaze Khushi's face from closer. She and Lavanya were talking, smiling and it didnt look like Khushi was affected by the fact that he and Lavanya were best friends. She was befriending with his best friend, isnt that great? He had never seen Khushi, from this close. Her dove shaped eyes looked more deep and attractive by the Kohl she was wearing. The way she smiled, made his heart bang in his chest. Wish for once in this lifetime he becomes the reason of that smile on her face. Khushi Gupta was aware of Arnav's charcoal gaze on her. She felt it totally wierd to be admired so intensely by her enemy. May be he was using this gaze to seek some kind of forgiveness from her. But this was never going to happen.

Daadi: The Breakfast is served Lavanya, come.

She took Lavanya along and Khushi followed them with Anjali and Shyam. Arnav was the last one to follow this group. As expected, not even once she had met eyes with him. She was clearly ignoring even his presence, like always. But the good part was that she was going to have the breakfast with them, and not in her room, like she tried doing past few days. Everyone got seated at the Dinning table.

Daadi: Lavanya, how is the work going in Paris?
Lavanya: Whatever your Grandson Arnav touches , turns to Gold Daadi. The Business in Paris is touching the sky.

Khushi tried not to react to that. It was such a conflict of thoughts. For her, whatever that man touches, poisons. And for Lavanya it turns to gold!!

Arnav: Not everyone gets a support like Lavanya to touch the skies, Daadi.
Lavanya: Thank you. I am honoured. You know Daadi, girls in Paris are a huge fan of your Grandson. But this man never shows interest in anyone.

Shyam laughed and so did Daadi. Was she listening to this, Arnav thought while catching a quick glance of Khushi, whose eyes were fixed to her plate.

Daadi: Why Chotte? Why is that? I thought staying abroad will at least get you out of your nutshell.

Arnav didnt respond. He never felt attracted to any woman ever, be it in Paris, or any other Country where he travelled. The only woman who haunted his days and nights was the one sitting right before him, eating pancakes. Slowly, Arnav was getting the confidence of admiring her openly, unlike before where he even feared to face her. They all finished the breakfast and Lavanya insisted on seeing more of Khushi's designs.

Lavanya: Will you mind showing me all your works?
Arnav was again not very pleased with the idea but when Khushi didnt deny he did not intrude either. The girls left for Khushi's bedroom while Arnav kept staring at them. Shyam came to him and placed his arm on Arnav's shoulder.

Shyam: There is a good news. Khushi has agreed to work for us, at least for this one client, Tanuja Mehra.

Arnav's jaw dropped. Did he hear it right? Khushi will work with them? Where there was a joy in his heart that she was finally thinking of her career, fear clouded equally.

Arnav: Does she know she will have to face me almost every day for the next 4 months, if she works for this?
Shyam's smiled faded.
Shyam: She is fine with it.

Hell No..!! She cannot be fine with it, Arnav knew.

Shyam: Do you have a problem if she works for us?

He didnt respond to that. His mind was juggling to understand how adventurous the coming days would be.

Shyam: Or do you want me to handle your part so that she reports only to me and not you.
Arnav: No ( he hurried with that response) I .. I will handle it. ( he still lacked that confidence in his voice)
Shyam (patting his shoulder): I think she is trying to move on finally from all of her past, you should do that too Chotte.. Let us hope this new Client is going to change our lives and our situations from here on, for good.

He hopes the same. But it takes ages for people to move on from their past. And considering the type of girl Khushi is, she can never easily forget it. She must have agreed to do this only for Shyam. But whatever the reasons of her accepting this offer may be, he will have to ensure that she gets to experiment a lot in her work and it makes her happy. Afterall, that is the only agenda he will always have in his mind for her.

___________________________________________________


Part 7

Khushi was standing alone, on the Terrace, covering herself with a Shawl to avoid the cool breeze from making her sick later. Lavanya had been an interesting personality. The woman had that charm to make friends easily. And even if she was related to "Arnav", Khushi didnt ignore her. She had always made a point to accept people because of what they are, and not judge them by the people they are with. Lavanya had never stopped appreciating her works, her sketches of some Indo-Western costumes which she had planned of. Tomorrow was going to be a very important day of her life. She will step her foot in AR Office, not a visitor but as an Employee. She will be working for "Talaash Boutique".. For Tanuja Mehra. She had full confidence in her work and she would drive all her efforts in the right direction to make the client happy. What bothered her, was the presence of that man there. She will have to face him a lot many times, and she will have to ensure her ignorance doesnt catch eyes of other people working there. She was not ready for any kind of gossips to take birth because of her. That company also belongs to Shyam and she will have to take that into consideration.

She had no clue that a pair of eyes were watching her from a long time. Though the man had no intentions to intrude her personal space, even without her knowledge, he still couldnt leave from there. Arnav Singh Raizada was unable to sleep so early, though he was bone tired and needed some rest. So he decided to get some fresh air and hence made his way to the Terrace. The moment he saw Khushi already present there and watching the dark sky, he hide behind the shadows of the small plants which were placed at the corners. Initially he thought she was trying to make some connection with God or her father, to share her grief, most probably, her anger for facing him again today. But she looked calm, as steady as an ocean, making some agenda for her coming future days.

His brother, Shyam Raizada came there at the same time.

Shyam: Khushi??

She turned around, passing a sweet smile to him.

Shyam (heading towards her): I searched everywhere for you. Lagta hai bachpan ki aadat gayi nahi tumhari... Jab bhi sabse naraaz hoti, toh yahan aati, apne babuji se shikayat karne. ( I suppose your childhood habits are still prominent. Whenever you used to get upset, you would come here, to complain your father )

Arnav's heart sank at that little secret. It was so true, he didnt knew anything about her. THe woman who had haunted his days and nights from the past 11 years, he was even unaware how she looked like. It was always a blur image of hers which he had of that 13 year old Khushi whom he met just once, outside the court hall, 11 years ago. He didnt know what made her sad, he didnt know what can get a smile on her face.

Khushi: Today I have no complaints to make Shyam. I came here because I wanted to Thank myself, amidst these stars..

Shyam got intrigued.

Khushi: I am excited to shape my career finally. If it hadnt been for you and Anju, I would never have taken such a drastic step of my life.
Shyam: (smiled): That all is fine. But are you prepared to work with Arnav?

She stiffened, Arnav saw that too. It was obvious whenever he was been discussed, all that people could see on her face was coldness.

Shyam: There will be innumerous times, your path will be crossed with his. Are you ready to even meet eyes with him? As far as I have noticed in the past few days, you dont seem to even acknowledge his presence around you, how will you handle things at workplace then?

Khushi looked back at the stars unwilling to answer these questions from Shyam. He gently patted her back.

Shyam: Find these answers yourself. Now go back to your room and sleep. Tomorrow we will leave together for Office.
Khushi: Just we two? ( she paused ) I dont want the third person to accompany us.

Shyam frowned but he knew what she was going through.

Shyam: I cannot deny Chotte from coming with me.
Khushi: Then I will take a Cab.
Shyam: See.. Again I am being crushed between you and him.
Khushi: You can never have me and him on the same side Shyam. You will always have to choose one of us. And I prefer you choose him, because I dont want to be the reason for any kind of rift between two brothers. Daadi already blames me enough for this.

Shyam: Shut up.. Arnav and I might be seperated by time and distances, but we are bonded by blood. There can never be any rift between us.

Khushi didnt seem to be convinced.

Shyam: The Arnav I knew is hidden somewhere inside him. I hope in the coming months, I get my younger brother back.

Khushi tried avoiding any comment. They both talked for a while and then made their way back to their respective rooms. Arnav Singh Raizada came out of the shadows and then stood at the same place where she was standing a while ago. Her fragrance was still lingering there. He looked at the stars, questioning them, if she will ever talk to him in this birth?? Why did it make difference to her, he didnt know. He had always kept her thoughts, her blur images, hidden deep inside his heart. But since the time he had met her personally, in this house, the hidden feelings were errupting slowly like fire and burning his soul. That woman who had got into his head was now slowly complicating his feelings for her.


*************

Daadi was not very happy to know that Khushi was ready to join AR Designs. She talked to Shyam over this matter and he explained how their Client Tanuja was impressed by Khushi's designs. Somehow Shyam could convince Daadi that he will ensure Arnav will not be hurt in this process. Daadi couldnt do much about it though the next morning after the Puja, when Khushi gave her the Prasad, she warned her.

Daadi: I have no qualms if you work in our office but... ( she paused to meet Khushi's eyes sharply).. But drop your Hatred here and step out. I dont want you to unknowingly show the entire world how you hate my Grandson.

Khushi gave her a daggered look and kept the Prasad thali aside.

Khushi: I am surprised, even after 11 long years, you underestimated my Hatred towards your grandson. It is not something I can drop and wear whenever I want. THis will never go from within me, at least in this birth.

Daadi fumed. But she was speechless what to say further. This girl was her responsibility but she was waiting desperately for her to turn 25 so that as per the Court's orders Khushi can leave this house and stay much away from this family.

****************

Arnav purposely chose to leave early for office today. He texted the same to Shyam though he never mentioned to his brother that he was aware Khushi will be least interested in sharing the vehicle with him, hence the change of plans. Khushi and Shyam left together in the Car. She seemed nervous and was constantly checking the files of her sketches. Shyam was noticing that too.

Shyam: Khushi.. Tanuja will not be asking for your designs today. Relax.
Khushi: Is it obvious to be so nervous? I mean, this is my first Job and..
Shyam (placing his hand on hers): It's common. Everyone faces it.
Khushi: (feeling better): But I am lucky to have you guide me through this.

Shyam smiled brightly at that appreciation and quickly described Khushi about her agenda of the week.

Shyam: First one week you will have to go through induction and some skill development sessions as per the AR policy for every new joinee.
Khushi: Will it throughout the day?
Shyam: Yes, but you wont be alone. We have a new batch of fresh designers recruited, fortunately their joining date is the same. So you all will be trained together. Though you are still very much experienced that those, its just a formality which every new employee of AR designs have to go through. It's like polishing a diamond so that it glows more bright.

Khushi chuckled.

Khushi: You and your Idioms.. Seriously..
Shyam: Dont say anything about my Idioms.. Rani Saheba ko aise hi toh pataaya hai maine. (I have impressed Rani Saheba using such idioms only)
Khushi: (giggled): I know..

They reached the office and Shyam introduced Khushi to the induction manager of AR designs who trains the new employees for the first week, making them aware of AR working policies, norms and rest of the skill development. Khushi then joined the new group who would be part of this one week training. Shyam got engrossed in his own meetings.

Arnav Singh Raizada was standing at the Glass walls of his Personal cabin, looking down at the Conference room where the induction was being held. He could easily see Khushi who was sitting inside. She looked calm and composed. He was so much engrossed in admiring her that the presence of his elder brother, right next to him, didnt bother him at all. Shyam looked at the direction he was staring and was little surprised. The way his Chotte looked at that woman, didnt feel like it was only to earn her forgiveness. This was something else, something more intense. He placed his arm on Arnav's shoulder which finally got the man out of his stance.

Shyam: What's keeping you so lost?

Arnav didnt budge over that question. He simply changed it.

Arnav: Tanuja is meeting us today afternoon. We need to formally introduce her to the Designer she is so impressed with.
Shyam: Hmm.. I will prepare Khushi for that.

Arnav hurried back to his desk and then resumed work.

Shyam: How about a coffee with your brother? Like old days? At the Tappari? (small stall outside the office building)
Arnav: I dont need one right now.

That Tappari (tea/Coffee Stall) had its own memories hidden for Arnav. He and his elder brother loved the coffee / tea prepared there by a very old man called Ramu. He always gave them an extra cream bun for free because they two were his regular customers after school hours.

Shyam: (dragging Arnav's arm): Come on Chotte, be a sport. I know you want one.
Arnav: Bhai we are grown ups now. Stop behaving like kids.
Shyam became serious to that comment.

Shyam: What am I supposed to do? My childhood with my Chotte got cut off unexpectedly. And I could never relieve those same refreshing moments with him. Is it that wrong to recall it again?

Arnav felt torn. The more he wanted to erase all his childhood memories, be good or bad, the more he was dragged into the same, since the time he had returned back to India.

Arnav: Okay fine. Lets go.
He picked his suit and then both the gentleman walked outside the office building to enjoy the Coffee there. Ramu was no longer alive, his little Tappari business was taken over by Ramu's son Tipu who made the same quality Tea / Coffee like his father. Arnav was enjoying his Coffee when a call buzzed on his phone. He excused from his brother to answer the call. That's when the batch of employees who were attending the induction, got a tea break. Khushi came out with a small wallet in her hand and seeing Shyam alone at the Tea Stall, she couldnt resist joining him.

Shyam: Hey.. ( he was obviously little nervous as Khushi joined him. Only he knew Arnav was around and Khushi might not like his presence as usual)

Khushi: I want one Tea too. Tipu.. One tea please..
Shyam tried to hurry up. Today was the first day of they three working together and he did not want to hurt either of them.
Shyam: How long is the break?
Khushi: 30 minutes.
Shyam: We should hurry up then. ( he was just trying to avoid Arnav-Khushi meet)

Khushi innocently hurried drinking the tea and then both turned to leave back to the Office building. That's when the anklet of her left leg opened and fell on the road. She didnt realise it but the person who had been silently observing her, purposely distancing himself when she was enjoying her tea, picked it up. Should he give it to her? She hadnt gone too far yet. Or should he give this to this Bhai who would then pass it on to her? He somehow wanted a chance to talk to this woman, though his insides churned with its mere thought. But he had to start somewhere. Fate had given him this chance which he better utilizes and not waste.
Arnav: Khushi ( he screamed her name to stop her)

Khushi's heart skipped a beat.. Did she hear him? How dare he took her name from his mouth? Shyam was equally shocked. Khushi turned around with Shyam, though she felt it unnecessary to even care of his presence, forget knowing why he called her. Their eyes met. She saw the Anklet he was holding in his fingers. He came forward. She fisted her fingers. His heart was thumping, warning him to make this very short and quick. He still felt sympathetic to meet her raged eyes. He extended his arm to hand over the Anklet back to her.

Arnav: That's yours!! ( his voice turned husky as he felt short of breath and words)

She gave one quick glance to the silver anklet and then her eyes met his , with the same cold expressions, again.

Khushi: Anything which you possess, can never be mine. Not even this Anklet.

Saying that she turned back and walked to the building, alone. Arnav fisted his fingers around the Anklet , his eyes not leaving her sight even for a second. Shyam gulped nervously. He tried to explain Arnav to forget it but seemed like his Chotte was not in a mood to take this much of hatred from anyone. He walked away from the Office building. Shyam tried to stop him but to no luck.
___________________________________________________


Part 8

"Anything which you possess, can never be mine"

Damn!! These words ran in his mind, threatening him, weakening him. He was never affected by anyone to this extent. She was the same little girl who had hit him that day, with a stone. She had the same level of anger, raging inside her which had the intensity to even burn his shadow if he anytime chooses to come near her. This was insane!! Does she even realise how badly she had insulted him before the crowd? Though none of his office staff had witnessed this scene, there were still enough eyes who were noticing their flamed conversation. He heard a door knock and tried to suck in his breath, to appear normal.

"Come in"

It was Shyam.

"Bhai I dont want to discuss anything about what happened few minutes ago" he warned before Shyam could start his usual lectures of giving Khushi some time to get adjusted in his zone.

Shyam watched the irritated scowl on his Chotte's face. He tried to handle the situation with ease.

Shyam: Okay, let me brighten up your mood then. Daadi has kept a welcome party for you, tomorrow evening.

Unexpectedly, Arnav did not ease but his mood worsened all the more.

Arnav: She knows I dont like such welcome parties. I am not interested in meeting our relatives here. Ask her to cancel it.
Shyam: Chotte? Please. We both agreed to keep her happy, isnt it?
Arnav: Apart from this one thing, I am not denying to any of her demands Bhai.
Shyam: What is wrong with this one? It's just a get together.
Arnav: (fisting his fingers): I am not prepared.

Shyam knew this reply would come.

Shyam: It's been 11 years Chotte.. Everyone have forgot that incident. I assure you, no one will point fingers at you, in fact our relatives are enchanted with the kind of success you have made in such a short span. You are only going to hear their appreciations.
Arnav: I am not bothered of their critisims either. It's just that I dont want to face unnecessary people who might instigate me to remember my childhood deeds.
Shyam: Will you ever get convinced ? People are not interested in your past anymore.
Arnav: Thats what you think. The moment they see my face, they will be unable to stop their minds from feeling apologetic towards me. I am not interested in giving them this opportunity. Ask Daadi to cancel it before its too late. Excuse me.

He left the cabin and Shyam could only sigh in disappointment. He was really going to have a tough time handling two immatured kids - Arnav and Khushi.

**********************

Khushi looked at her bare ankle while removing the anklet from her other feet. They were her mother's . Out of the few things which she had collected from her house, in Lakshmi nagar, before joining the Raizada family, 11 years ago, was this pair of Anklets. Her father had told her to keep them safe and that they were the only peice of ornament which she could cherish for being her mother's. How could she let that man Have it? Damn!! She should have snatched it from him instead of using such heavy dialogues. Why does she act so foolish sometimes? It was not her fault. Whenever he comes before her, her mind stops thinking. Now, the most prized piece of her life, the anklet, was in his possession. How sick!!
No.. She cant let him touch it. She cannot let him keep it or destroy it. It belonged to her. She had to get it back somehow.
She walked in Shyam's cabin, at evening, during a short break.

Shyam: Hi.. How was your

Khushi (interrupting): I need it back.
Shya
m: What? ( he looked confused)
Khushi: That .. that anklet.

Shyam tried to understand what she was talking about and then got her point.

Shyam: Why did you throw so much attitude then ,when he was offering it to you?
Khushi: (in anger): That's not a point now.
Shyam: It is. ( he said getting up from his chair)... Do you have any clue how hurtful it might get when a woman barks at a man who was trying to help her? That too in public ?
Khushi: Shyam please.. ( she tried to refrain discussing what good or bad she did out there)
Shyam: No Khushi. When you act, you need to have that patience to even understand whether that act was necessary or not.
Khushi: Okay, I accept its my fault, considering I want that Anklet badly. Now help me get it, please.

Shyam thought for a while and rejected her pleads.

Shyam: Sorry, its between you and him now. I cant take sides. You lost it to him, now you have to chase it back.

The mere feeling of going to that man's cabin and asking for it, made her insides churn.

Khushi: I am not going to ask him ever. I cant even stand him before me then how can I just walk in his cabin? No way.
Shyam: Great. Then forget that Anklet. You can buy another one.
Khushi: It's my mother's ( she yelled)
Shyam: Then go and get it from him. Simple.
Khushi: Fine.. Dont help. I will ask Anju to do it for me.

Shyam didnt reply to that. If Anjali does it for her or not will be Anju's choice, not his.

*******************

Anjali: What? Me? No Khushi, it wont look good if I ask it.

Khushi tried convincing Anjali in the evening , after returning back home. Anjali seemed to be engrossed in organizing the welcome Party. Arnav had no plans to attend it, even though he had made it very clear to Daadi to cancel the party. Daadi denied considering how wrong it would look if she cancels it like this at the end moment. She pleaded Arnav on the call and he somehow had to agree to come, once again sacrificing his own choice.

Khushi: Anju... At least you understand why I need it back. It's my mothers. Thats her only peice of ornament I have.
Anjali: (sighed in disappointment): Okay.. I will get it back from Arnav, but only this time. Okay? So please, act wisely hereon.
Khushi felt happy.
Khushi: My wiseness loses its charm when he is around, cant help. Anyways, nice saree.
Anjali:(smiling):Shyam got this for me last month. Remember?
Khushi noded.
Anjali: What are you wearing tomorrow? I suggest you wear that Maroon dress which
Khushi (interrupted): I am not coming for the party.
Anjali was not very surprised by her sharp denial.
Anjali: Khushi we stay in the same house, same family.
Khushi: But this is not my house.. not my family.. Apart from you and Shyam I dont want to treat anyone else to be part of my life Anju.. And besides, I dont want to WELCOME him, for which this party is organized.

Anjali sighed again. Both were tough nuts to crack.

Anjali: Okay, I will try to get the anklet from him, once he returns. Do you also want me to wash it in boiled water, to free it from his touch? ( she purposely asked this mockingly)

Khushi glared at Anjali.

Khushi: No thanks. I will do that myself. (She replied back and then paused ) It's not funny Anju..
Anjali: Sorry... I know. I will get it for you .

Khushi smiled weakly and then left back to her room. She had to ensure she doesnt engross herself in anything related to tomorrow's party.

******************

Arnav Singh Raizada was back home, in his room, about to lay down on bed when Anjali knocked the door and came inside. He was initially surprised seeing her alone. His Bhabhi and he always had a minimum conversations so far.

Anjali: Uhh.. hope I didnt disturb you.
Arnav: Not at all. What is it that got you here?
Anjali: Yes... Uhh ( she was little afraid how to ask). That anklet.. Khushi's anklet, which is with you. She .. she needs it back. She has sent me to get it. So... Uhh.. Can I have it?

Her words were quite simple and genuine too. That anklet belonged to Khushi, he had to return it. He headed straight to the closet and then took it out from one of the drawer. He remembered her harsh words that day when he tried to return it back, himself.

"Anything which you possess, can never be mine"

He fisted his fingers around the Anklet and then turned around. Anjali was still waiting to get it.

Arnav: Ask her to come and take it.

Anjali was stunned at his demands. Did he just say that or were here ears ringing? Anjali had known how Arnav preferred ignoring Khushi, just like she ignores him all the time. But what was it with him today? Shyam had narrated the whole incident related to this Anklet to Anjali. Seemed like Khushi had gone too far in hurting this man's ego.

Anjali: Okay.

She left the room and hurried to see Khushi at once.

Khushi: What? ( she almost jumped in anger)
Anjali: Yes you heard it right. He wants you to take it back from him.
Khushi's blood boiled.
Anjali: Khushi, its fine. I think he is right in that sense. Why will he give it to me? You insulted him in public, so only if you want it back from him, you will have to ask yourself.

Khushi didnt wait there. She marched towards the room of that Devil. Yes, she felt her body responding in a very unusual way to this incident. He even had that audacity to start a conversation with her? She had guessed it, he was trying to build a formal bond between them. But she was not ready for anything that relates her to him. Does he think she will let that happen? Never. She reached the door of Arnav's room. It was open and the man himself was sitting on the recliner, with his laptop on the little table before him, his fingers were busy typing on that laptop. She saw her Anklet been kept on that same table at display. That's it. She knew what to do. She stormed inside. He had analysed her presence, he still maintained his eyes on the laptop screen. She came forward and picked the Anklet in her fingers. The moment she picked it, he caught her hand.

Time froze.. The man who had never shown the guts to even raise his eyes and meet hers had touched her. The feeling was immensely painful for his insides. He had visualised from the past few years, how it would be to touch her, to hold her for the first time, the reactions on her face, everything was similar what he had expected. She looked at him with furious black eyes as if he had committed yet another sin by touching her. He was still sitting calmly on the recliner, their eyes were doing the talking, meanwhile.
A terror sliced through their bodies which were turning hotter at every second that passed.


Arnav: Doesnt look like you are aware of the ethics to be followed in office, with the Staff and your Boss's. ( her breath hitched at his commanding tone).. Next time you raise your voice like that, you will be fired.

His eyes never left hers. He could read the turmoil she was undergoing. She hadnt expected him to warn her like this. She had all rights to be mad at him for what he did to her father, years ago. But she cannot take if off anywhere she likes. He was not the one who forced her to join his office, it was her decision. And she will have to abide by its terms and conditions, because he was very particular about it. He got up from the recliner, he was still holding her wrist.

"Sazaa deni hai, toh yahan do ( he made her finger touch his heart ), yahan nahi.. (He moved it to his brain)" [If you wish to punish me, punish me here ( he made her finger touch his heart), not here ( he moved it to his brain)]

Khushi felt the air around her thickening. He left her hand, his eyes still not left hers. She jerked back fisting the Anklet in her palm and then strode outside his room.

___________________________________________________

Part 9

"Sazaa deni hai toh yahan do (pointing at his heart), yahan nahi ( pointing at his brain)"

That one statement had taken her breath away, made her heart pound. It was something else, his expressions, his tone, his eyes carrried a deep mixed feeling inside it; anger and pain. Can two strong emotions be alive at the same instant in a man? Yes, it can. She had seen a live example today.

Anjali who was asking Khushi how she managed to get the Anklet back from Arnav, finally, shook her with some force to get Khushi out of her thoughts.

Anjali: Khushi? I am asking you something.
Khushi composed her thoughts.
Khushi: I got it back Anju. What else do you want to listen?
Anjali didnt push her for further revealations. She could easily read from Khushi's expressions that she had to face some kind of an unplanned situation there in Arnav's room which had made her so lost right now. They both dispersed back to their respective rooms, shutting the topic here, once for all.

That night Arnav Singh Raizada was hardly able to sleep. He kept tossing on the bed, trying to erase off the image of Khushi from the back of his mind. Did he hurt her by saying those lines? It was just a piece of Anklet that he had to return. Why make such a huge drama? Did he fuel up the already existing fire of vengenance in her? But this was necessary. She needs to know that there are certain codes and ethics they need to follow at work. She just cannot insult him anywhere and anyhow she liked. Whatever it is, he had to be cautious around her. Considering how revengeful she is, she can put this kind of stunt anytime again in future.

****************

The next morning Arnav saw few Organisers of the party running around to decorate the living room. Seemed like his Daadi was very serious about the Welcome Party.

Daadi: Chotte.. Look at this Suit. I want you to wear this tonight.
Arnav looked at the Dark Black Suit, it matched his taste.
Arnav: You didnt had to take these efforts Daadi.
Daadi: Why not? You are my grandson. I missed doing all this for you in the past few years.

There it came again..!! The past few years.. The years when he was totally secluded from his own family. He was hiding from his own self and from facing his own people. Daadi read his underlying pain and diverted the topic.

Daadi: Shyam has ordered your favourite Vanila Fruit cake.
Arnav started striding ahead. All this sounded childish to him. Subhadra kept following him.
Daadi: Will you be on time or should I send my men to pick you up from wherever you are.
Arnav saw Khushi at the Dining table, serving juice to herself and hurrying up with the breakfast. The way she laughed amidst Shyam Bhai and Anjali ached his heart. He can never make her feel the same, around him.

Daadi: Do you have any special people to invite for the party?

Yes, thats her. He wanted to scream out, ensuring Khushi hears it too. But it was a dangerous request to make. Khushi Gupta can spoil his Daadi's plans of a peaceful party. Fortunately the next call saved him from answering further to Daadi's innocent questions. Daadi returned to the Table, mouthing some words to herself.

Anjali: Daadi. What happened?
Khushi pretended to be all busy, eating.
Daadi: I hope he makes it for the party tonight. I dont see him interested.
Shyam: Daadi, you worry too much. He said he will come. He has no reasons to deny attending it.

To that, Daadi immediately looked at Khushi. If Arnav refrains himself from attending tonight's party, it will only be to stay away from facing Khushi.

Khushi: I am going to stay out throughout the length of this party. Be assured. ( she met Daadi's eyes while clearing her doubts and then got up) I should leave, getting late.
Shyam: Wait, we are going together.

Khushi hoped, by together, he meant only him and her. Obviously, why would Shyam voluntarily invite Arnav and spoil their day? Both reached the car only to find it punctured. Flat tyres. That too two of them.

Khushi: That's impossible. One flat tyre is understood. But two?
Shyam was suspicious too.
Shyam: Yea. I had recently serviced this car. Anyways, lets take the other one..

He was about to call out for Mohan, their driver , to get the other car ready, when an SUV halted with a loud shriek. No way. She can never get into this car. It was Arnav's. Though Arnav was at the backseat, it still meant they will be together, all their way. She will suffocate.

Shyam: Chotte? Going office?
Arnav: Yea.. Get in, BOTH of you. ( That Both sounded more like a command)

Arnav closed the window shields again but his eyes were stuck to Khushi's reactions. She looked uncomfortable. She held Shyam's hand.

Khushi: I will get a cab. You go ahead.
Shyam: Dont. You will get late. It's your second day at work, will not look good.
Khushi: I cannot travel with him.
Shyam: Matter of 30 minutes.
Khushi: But...

Arnav asked the driver to blow the horn. It was an indication that they should take the decision fast.

Khushi sighed in frustration. Arnav was at the backseat, she cannot sit there, beside him. Arnav read her expressions, too fast. He got down from the Car and opening the front door, he sat next to the Driver, leaving the entire backseat vaccant for Shyam and Khushi. Shyam appreciated this gesture of his little brother.

Shyam: Do you still have a problem? ( he pleadingly looked at Khushi who couldnt delay their travel much)

She got inside the car and Shyam followed her. The car drove out of Shantivan, speedily. Arnav was mostly over few calls during their entire drive but he could see her from the rear mirror. He tried not to make it obvious to anyone that he was stealing her glances.

Shyam: Tanuja wants to see you today. We will get one hour window for you, after the training. So you can meet her and discuss what exactly she is expecting in her designs. I hope this is not too much.
Khushi: Not at all. I am excited to meet her.

Khushi felt his eyes on her. Can't be. Why will he see her? She was probably thinking too much. She concentrated on Shyam's talks again.

***************

The evening was finally Up and Arnav Singh Raizada had to attend the Welcome Party. His Daadi had spent lavishly and everything was Perfect, right from the decoration, catering, costumes, drinks, everything. Arnav was introduced to his relatives again, one by one by his Daadi. He hated that part. He could feel their questioning gaze upon him. As if each one of them wanted to ask him what had actually happened in the past, why did he chose to drive without a guidance, how did it feel when he hit that man with his car, was it really unknowingly or on purpose, was he drunk? Arnav's head juggled to set his thoughts back in the right direction. He excused himself and after distancing from the crowd, he shut his eyes to ease off these thoughts.

"No one is interested to know your Past anymore Arnav.. Calm down"

He tried to self help. He was weak at expressing people what he was going through, so obviously no one would ever know his mental state right now. When he opened his eyes he saw the woman who had clouded his dreams from long. Khushi Gupta. She seemed to be in the lobby of her room, talking to someone over the phone and even scanning down where the party was going on, as if looking restlessly for someone. He was about to draw his own conclusions when suddenly an arm rested on his shoulder. It was Shyam.

Shyam: Chotte.. what are you doing here? You need to Pop the Champagne. Come..

Arnav unwillingly walked back with Shyam and rejoined the party. Lavanya was here too. She passed him the Champagne bottle and he popped it open, only to gather a loud cheer from the guests. He finally felt it true. No one was interested in his past anymore. He shouldnt be running away from these people. He gulped the Champagne and then got involved with some of his guests. After few minutes when the dance floor was occupied by few couples, Lavanya asked Arnav for a dance with her. He couldnt deny her. Soon the partners exchanged and the woman who came in his arms was totally unknown. She smiled sheepishly at him. SHe looked drunk.

"Hi Handsome"

Arnav Singh Raizada was not new to such type of situations. Girls had tried to lay their hands on him, many a times. This woman, whoever she was, looked one of them. It would be rude enough to leave her just like that and walk out from the dance floor.

"Hi" he calmly answered.
"I cant believe this.. I am in THE Arnav Singh Raizada's arms? Wow. How cool.."

Arnav tried not to react. But the woman seemed to touch him everywhere on his arms and chest. She was trying to come closer.

"Do we know each other? I dont remember seeing you ever" he tried to know who she was.
"Doesnt matter if you know me or not, I have known you from a few months. You haunt in my nights Sexy" she said lingering her finger lazily on his lip"
Arnav pushed her away. He cannot go beyond this. He hated women who touched him unnecessarily. Even Lavanya who was his only close friend never dared to do that.

"Stay away" he barked at her.
She chuckled and came forward, her fingers now trying to juggle with his shirt buttons.
"I cant"

That's it, he shrugged her arms and pushed her with a force. She fell down grabbing enough attention from the crowd. The music stopped. Arnav was still glaring at her with anger. The girl felt embarrassed . She got up herself and blurted out.

"I thought all these years after that accident you might have become tough .. but you are a coward Mr Arnav Singh Raizada.. You are not worth any woman.. I have never met such an insensitive man ever. Or you know what? I think you were always insenstive towards people. That's the reason you crashed your car upon an innocent man. Poor you. !!"

There was a pin drop silence. Subhadra was shocked that someone just insulted her Grandson. Arnav stood hard as rock. How could a woman insult him to this extent only because he didnt allow her to come close to him? The woman left out, from the party. Subhadra was too confused who she was. But that was not important right now, she had to console her Grandson. But it didnt look like he needed anyone around him right now. Arnav made his way back to his room, Subhadra tried stopping him but to no use. Shyam and Anjali asked for an apology from the guests and the Party came to an end. This was not what anyone of them had expected. They were not bothered of the insult which they had to go through amidst the guests. All they were worried off is if Arnav will push himself away, once again, from the outsiders and may be even his family.

****************

The next day Arnav left early for work, and Shyam was equally surprised that Khushi was also not at home. She had dropped him a message saying she had some work outside after which she will resume back to office, on time. When Arnav's car dropped him near the Entrance of the building, he saw a familiar face getting down from another car and hurrying outside the parking lot. He recollected in few seconds she was the same woman who had insulted him in the party last night. What was she doing here? He followed her. He had come to know from his Daadi today morning that she was Sheetal Sinha, daughter of their very old competitor. Why was she here?

The next instant he got all his answers when Sheetal hugged another woman dressed in a pink white anarkali dress.. Khushi?? Khushi and Sheetal knew each other? He tried to hear their conversation and to some extent was successful.

Khushi: Thanks Sheetal. All that drama you did was mind blowing.
Sheetal: Oh come on. Dont thank me. I am always with you, you know that. That's what friends are for. You should have seen his face when I reminded him about his past.
Khushi passed a weak smile.
Khushi: I was there Sheetal. When I called on your number last night, and saw you entering the house, I came down. I was there to watch his expressions when that scene happened. You wont understand how deeply satisfied I am to see him being insulted before everyone.
Sheetal: Yea..
Khushi: But I hope this is not going to get you or your father into trouble.
Sheetal: Never.. That's the perk of being Rich. We might not be as rich as Raizada's but we have enough name and power in the society, Raizada's cannot touch even our hair.
Khushi was happy. She once again hugged Sheetal and the moment they pulled back from the hug, both saw the shadow of the man appearing towards them.. Sheetal was shocked seeing Arnav Singh Raizada but Khushi didnt care. She did what she wanted to do. Now if he knows she did it, so be it.

Sheetal: ASR.. Look I ..
Khushi: Sheetal... You dont have to give any explanations. You leave.
Sheetal: No Khushi.. I .. Let me be here..
Khushi: No.. Just leave.. I will handle this..
Khushi gave Sheetal an assuring look after which Sheetal left back to the parking lot. Khushi met his eyes with pride coming forward.

Khushi: Sazaa deni hai toh yahan do (pointing at her heart), yahan nahi ( pointing at her brain) . Yehi kahan tha naa? Toh de di.. (You had told me to hurt your heart... not brain. I did.)

Arnav fisted his fingers. He was highly surprised at the audacity of this woman. He always knew she was one fiery and revengeful woman who will never leave a chance to hurt him. She proved him right today.

___________________________________________________


Part 10

There was utmost satisfaction on Khushi's face, as if she was relishing the ectasy of winning the battle from her only enemy, Arnav Singh Raizada. He was rooted to the parking lot whereas Khushi strode back to the elevator, to resume her training. This act from her, was beyond his imagination. She had cultivated a lot more hatred for him, all these years. His body tensed up and to control it, he fisted his fingers and shut his eyes inhaling deep. She can be the end of him, if thats what she wants. The sound of the car horn made him aware of the surroundings. He walked back to the Office, trying to divert all his energy and focus on work. He tried to focus on the meetings as much as possible, but everytime he did that, her face kept appearing before him, that devilish smirk she gave him while confessing that entire party act was her idea, to hurt him, to insult him before the world. He didnt know that the past which he was running away from, she will drag him into it, again and again. He was at this turn of his life, where hurt, pain and hatred were his only companions. He crumpled the piece of paper and threw it aside. Lavanya, who was giving the presentation, noticed it. She had guessed what the root cause of his anger and unattentiveness was. The Organisers put forth their views and raised queries. Shyam and Lavanya handed it all, without letting these concerns reach Arnav, who was still in his own world. Once the meeting ended and the attendees had left the room, Lavanya pointed Shyam towards Arnav who was still in a thinking mode.

Shyam: Chotte?

Arnav felt his brother's arm on his shoulder and came out of his stance.

Shyam: The meeting is over..

Arnav noded and hurried out.

Shyam: He is very disturbed with what happened in the party last night.
Lavanya: Even after being his friend from such a long time, I didnt know his past. Accident? And he was convicted for it? ASR was in remand? For 2 years? That's such a pity.

Shyam was quiet. As Lavanya was present in the party when that incident took place, she had come to know bits of his past and the reason why he had secluded himself from his own family.

Shyam: I dont understand how to take him out of this grief Lavanya. He has shut me down completely. Not just me, but everyone from our family. He is not willing to talk to anyone about what he feels. Then how can we sort his issues?
Lavanya: Let me talk to him, dont worry.

Lavanya was Shyam's last hope in getting Arnav out of his pain, but least did he know that the person reason for Arnav's grief, is the only one who can ease it forever.

Lavanya followed Arnav in his cabin.

Lavanya: ASR.. Wait...
Arnav: Lavanya contact the marketing team and handle the evening media conference. (that's all he remembered related to work right now)
Lavanya: But you were supposed to attend the conference with me.
Arnav: I have some other work lined up. ( he tried escaping from further explanations)
Lavanya: Other work?? May I know what that is? ( she took a pause and then continued) Sitting and lamenting over the past?

Arnav's sharp gaze made her speechless.

Arnav: That's none of your Business La..
Lavanya gulped.
Lavanya: I thought we are friends. And friends are always there for sharing each others sorrow and pain Arnav.
Arnav banged his fist on the table and got up from his chair.

Arnav: I am not in grief. Did you hear that?

She jolted back in shock. This was not the ASR she had known.. He sounded much more cruel and heartless right now, than he actually was.

Arnav: And do tell the same to others as well who think so about me. It's their misconception Lavanya.. I dont want to talk about it anytime, to anyone. Is that understood?

Lavanya gently noded and picking up the file from his desk, she left him alone. Arnav raked his fingers in hair in frustration. He shouldnt have screamed at her. She was not at fault. But he would still do that to everyone who keeps fingering him about his past.. He was not prepared to discuss it openly.. Not even with himself..

*****************

Khushi had spent her half day in the training and then she was introduced to Tanuja, their new client, who had loved her designs. Tanuja was impressed by the confidence Khushi showed and no doubt her works would attract the fashion markets pretty soon. After a tiresome day, she and Shyam returned back home. The punctured car was serviced and they did not had to take Arnav Singh Raizada's help. Subhadra Raizada was standing in the Living room, when they entered, looking ferosciously at Khushi. Khushi could sense something wrong.

Daadi: Stay right there.. ( she commanded in an angry tone)

Shyam and Khushi both stopped. Anjali came out from the Kitchen to see what the matter was. Daadi's expressions spoke volumes about the anger that was bubbling inside her.

Daadi: So all that drama was your plan. (it was more of a statement than a question)
Khushi didnt deny, neither was she afraid of what the consequences would be if Daadi and others get to know this truth.
Shyam: Daadi what is this? Why are you accusing her?
Daadi: These are not false allegations Shyam... I have traced it all myself. You think I will remain quiet after such a huge drama in this house?

Now Shyam became curious to know the whole part. He looked at Khushi to get some clarity on this subject.

Daadi: Ask her Shyam.. Sinha's are our Competitor's. None of us invited them. So ask her what Sheetal Sinha was doing here ? Ask her if she had invited Sheetal Sinha in the party or not?
Shyam couldnt be suspicious on Daadi but he also knew that Sheetal was Khushi's friend. They studied in the same college for a year or two.
Shyam: Daadi, so what if she invited her ? Khushi and Sheetal are good friends. That doesnt prove Khushi as a culprit. Sheetal was drunk and ..

Khushi: She is right Shyam.. I did all of this.. (that confession came in as a thunderstorm )

Shyam and Anjali were shocked, their mood tampered beyond repair whereas Daadi was fuming all the more.

Khushi: I called her to do all this drama because I wanted that man to be insulted before his family, before everyone who knew him .. And I am not guilty for doing any of this. If you wish to punish me, you can.
Daadi: You heard that Shyam? Did you hear what she said ? I was always suspicious about her.
Shyam: (Holding Khushi's elbow and turning her around): Khushi what are you saying? You cant do this.. You cannot be the reason to break the harmony of this house, this family.

Khushi felt a pang in her heart because she really had no plans to hurt the family, whilst taking her revenge on Arnav. She loved Shyam and Anjali very much and looked like today they were hurt only because of her actions. She didnt wanted to lose their trust on her.

Daadi: I always knew we are growing a thorn between us Shyam. It was you who always backed up her, took her side, thought of her comfort. (she angrily glared at Khushi) Who ? Who gave you the right to play with my Chotte's emotions? He never stepped in this house from past 11 years, because of you and now when he has, why dont you let him live in peace at least for few days with us?

"ENOUGH" came a harsh response from behind them. There was a Pin drop silence instantly as Arnav Singh Raizada marched ahead to reach the group. Arnav came and stood between Khushi and Daadi, facing the later and looking deeply in his grandmother's eyes.

Arnav: Khushi is part of this family and she has every right to turn against me.

Daadi's jaw dropped. What the hell was he saying?
Arnav: I gave her that right to hurt me, the very next moment I made her life hollow.

Khushi was speechless just like the others. Though Arnav Singh Raizada was not facing her, but his Daadi, she could still hear everything very clear and loud, just like she was guessing enough his expressions and the guilt that he carried in his heart, from all these years..

Arnav: From now on.. No one.. And I mean.. NO ONE.. will ever point at her for my problems..I am old enough to deal with it and she is matured enough to take her own decisions.
Daadi was in tears seeing the selflessness in her Grandson. Was he the same 16 year boy who always wanted to be given priority?
Daadi:Chotte .. what are you saying?
Arnav: I want this family to stay liberal in their thoughts, be it for me, or her. I wont let anyone come between the hatred she has for me... Let her take it out, the way she likes, if thats what makes her feel better and EVEN.

Khushi raised her eyebrows in disbelief and then clapped her hands.

Khushi: Wow.. I thought only I am good at creating drama's. But looks like we have someone here who is more specialised in this category.

She met Arnav's eyes briefly because she couldnt say this without meeting his eyes.

Khushi: I dont need your comforting words to absorb my grief. This is not going to lessen my hatred for you. And sabse important baat... I am NOT a part of this family.. I NEVER WAS.. I NEVER WILL..

His eyes turned pale as a ghost.. empty of any emotions and thinking capabilities right now. Khushi hurried back to her room. She had said enough and the entire family were still recovering from her actions and words. But there was only one person (Arnav) whose lips curved for a smile as he stared at her retreating back. She had grown strong and confident. Sure her father would have wanted her to become that way some day. He was sure she had made him proud today.

That night once again, Khushi heard the Guitar tune which he played in his bedroom. She shut her ears and tried to handle her anger. How could he act so normal ? She hit his ego, she was successful in hurting him, insulting him before such a huge crowd but he was still taking her side before his family? Why ? He cannot be that good by heart. He was a monster for her. A blood sucking monster..Why was fate being so unfair to her again? She had tolerated to stay in this house from the past 11 years. She was waiting for this moment.. One chance to spoil the reputation and ego that this man had earned in his life. And when she just thought she had taken her vengeance, he won the situation again by not reacting to it. She was so desperate to see his guilt, his tears and finally he breaking down in such a way that no other person can get him back to normal. But it failed.. She failed.. But she will not stop.. until she see's him totally devastated.

****************

The next day Khushi chose to leave for office early. She did not even attend the morning Puja, she had already infuriated the family and she wanted no more drama from Daadi, if she comes face-to-face with her again. Their wounds were fresh and it will heal only with time. She avoided seeking Shyam's ride to Office and back home. All this were just favours from the same family whose Grandson she was still planning to take revenge from. The routine was normal, half day would go in training and the rest half day she had to start with the Design sketches, as per Tanuja's demands. She was going to be assigned a small cabin of her own, where she can make her set up and work independently.

Aman showed her the Cabin, it was very much adjacent to the Cabin of Arnav Singh Raizada, with only one glass wall seperating the two. She was uncomfortable.

Khushi: Aman, is there no other Cabin where I can work from ?
Aman: Why? What's wrong with this one?

'I dont wish to see HIS face every second' her rational mind yelled out but she could not say that openly to Aman, considering she had to maintain work ethics.
Aman: This is the best cabin of the floor. Good ventilation, broad space and of course the Design team will be available anytime considering they sit on the same floor.
Khushi: Yes but.. (she mentally reminded she cannot argue at her workplace.) Okay.. I accept it. Thanks Aman.
Aman (smiling): Great. The stationary is there and if you need anything, do let me know.
Khushi: I will.

Aman left her alone in the cabin and she immediately settled to start working on the designs.. But before doing all that, she didnt forget to slide the curtains which could hide her from the prying eyes of that man (Arnav)

It was 06:00pm and she was still busy sketching, unaware of the time, Shyam knocked her cabin and asked her to wind up the work, so that they can leave together.

Khushi: No Shyam.. I have some more work to do. You go ahead.
Shyam: Continue it from home Khushi.
Khushi: I will lose the touch.. So no thanks. I will finish them and return home.
Shyam: Are you trying to avoid riding back with me? Like you did today morning?
Khushi: I dont need more favours. Thats all. I dont want Daadi to think ..
Shyam: (interrupting): What daadi thinks doesnt mean is true and we are not that narrow minded Khushi. Come on.
Khushi smiled weakly.
Khushi: Thanks for understanding but no thanks, I will still come after you.. only once I finish the sketches. You go.
Shyam sighed.
Shyam: Okay.. Bye.. I will send the car for you.
Khushi: No.. I will manage..
Shyam: But.
Khushi: Shyam I am not a kid anymore. I can travel back on my own.
Shyam: Fine fine.. Bye.

He locked her cabin door behind him and left.

After an hour, Arnav Singh Raizada was about to leave for home, when he realised the cabin lights of Khushi were still On. He called Aman to check what was she doing so late here.

Aman: Boss. I have told her twice, even Shyam Sir asked her to join him, but she is busy sketching.. She will leave later once thats done.
Arnav noded.
Aman: Should I ask the driver to get your car out ? You leaving right?
Arnav: No.. I... I remembered some other work. I will go later.

Aman didnt connect any dots. He just agreed and saying a Good bye to his Boss, he left the office too.

It was 08:15 pm now, when Khushi finally finished her work, she could hear the thundering outside, which means it would rain anytime. She had to hurry up. She kept the sketches in the drawers and hurried outside picking her purse. She had to book a Cab.. She was out, standing in the middle of the road, trying to book the cab, when suddenly it started raining, heavily.

Khushi: Shit... It cant rain... Not until my cab picks me..

There was no place where she could take any shelter as she was already outside the Office gate, going back inside would not make any difference, she was already drenched. She saw how long would the Cab take to pick her up.. 15 minutes ? No way, she thought and kept wiping off the rain water from her face, her legs shiverring, she toes curled feeling extreme cold. That's when suddenly she felt the rain was no longer pouring on her body. She turned around to see why. Arnav Singh Raizada was holding an Umbrella for her, he himself was totally drenched in the rain.

RAIN!! They both had a connection with it, in their own ways.. A connection which was hurting.. painful and devastating.. After that accident, Arnav had started disliking Rain, which had blurred his vision on the road that night which led to that accident. The 16 year old boy who used to run outside in the ground, to play football when it rained, had started hating the season to a very huge extent. But today, when he saw Khushi Gupta drenched, he couldnt hold himself back there in the Office Lobby. He took an Umbrella and himself rushed to protect her. Water droplets rolled down their cheeks and nose. Her body burned in anger for the unwelcomed help which he offered her that instant. She planned to uncover herself from the shield he provided. He read her intentions and instantly made her hold the Umbrella rod in her fist.

Arnav: Baarish hum dono ke liye acchi nahi hai... Bimaar pad jaogi... Mujhe hurt karne ke liye, tumhe fit rehna zaroori hai.. So take it.. ( Rains have never been good for both of us.. You may fall ill.. And to revenge me, you will have to be strong first. Take it)

Once he was sure she was holding the Umbrella, he turned back to leave for the Office, drenching in the rain, completely. She was so astound by his gestures, his words and his behaviour that until she thought of dropping the Umbrella, her Cab arrived. She folded the umbrella and got inside the cab, to reach back home, her mind filled with a lot of emotions right now.. HELP, was the last thing she needed from that man who made her childhood so helpless.

___________________________________________________

Part 11
A week later, Chaturvedi, the same court personnel who had dropped Khushi in the Raizada family, as per the court orders, was back in Shantivan. It was his monthly routine to come in Shantivan and check on Khushi Gupta, take the signatures of someone from the Raizada family and then leave. Initially, 11 years ago, when Chaturvedi kept coming here, Khushi would keep bugging him to request the court to take her away from this family, this house. But as days passed, she got used to this procedure. Chaturvedi had seen this girl grow here, and he was happy with the way Raizada family had taken care of this little girl. Hari Prakash escorted Chaturvedi till the Living room and then hurried to call Daadi. Arnav was just back from Office when he met Chaturvedi, who introduced himself to him.

Arnav: I am sorry, I didnt recognise you.
Chaturvedi was highly surprised to meet the boy who was the sole reason for Khushi to stay in this house.

Chaturvedi: I am a Court personnel. Have come to meet Khushi and get signatures of Subhadraji on the papers. The usual monthly routine ( he added )

Arnav slowly realised who he must be and what his role was. It was like his past was once again, before him. The man's cold look towards him clearly stated how much unhappy he was, meeting Arnav Singh Raizada.

Arnav: Ohh..!!
Hari Prakash came down.
HP: Chaturvediji.. Daadiji is not at home. She is gone to the temple.
Chaturvedi: And what about Shyam Sir or his wife?
HP: They have gone along with Daadi. No one is at home.
Chaturvedi: I didnt know.. Actually I come every last day of the month, but tomorrow I am off to my village, so I came today. No problem, I will send someone else tomorrow.

Arnav: Wait.. I will sign. .

Chaturvedi was not very sure if he could do that.

Chaturvedi: You?? But.. you are..
Arnav clenched his jaw. Did people forget that the Court had already sentenced him with a 2 years remand which he had successfully completed 9 years ago? May be people will always keep looking him in that way.. As a culprit. No one will ever forgive him.. People are too judgemental..

Chaturvedi thought for a while and then agreed to get his signatures. He passed the papers to Arnav who was about to sign when someone snatched the papers from him forcefully. Khushi Gupta was here and giving him annoying look.

Khushi: (to Chaturvedi): Chaturvediji.. How can you accept his signatures?
Chaturvedi: Beta.. he is afterall a part of this family and there is no one else.
Khushi: So what? I dont give authority to this man for signing anything related to me. (she then handed the papers to HP).. Hari Prakash will sign it..

HP was shocked and dumbfound. Arnav fisted his fingers..

Khushi: Hari Prakash has been working here from past few years, ever since I have been here. He is no less than a family now. He can sign in others absence.

Hari Prakash looked at Arnav to see what say he had in this matter. Arnav gestured from his eyes to go ahead and sign. Chaturvedi handed the pen to Hari Prakash. Khushi was fuming still. HP shiverred while signing the papers and the moment he was done, he hurried back inside the kitchen.

Chaturvedi then did his usual formailty by asking Khushi if there were any concerns that she had, related to this family, lately. Arnav decided to leave back to his room. He didnt wanted to invade their personal talks.

Khushi: (purposely replied seeing him leaving): Lately I do have some issues staying here Chaturvediji.. There is a Bug here who keeps sucking my blood every now and then..

Arnav stopped in his tracks. BUG!! Did she just call him a BUG?? But what he appreciated right now was that she didnt pretend to be happy, she said what she felt was happening to her. She was disturbed by his presence in this house, which he knew even before stepping here. Chaturvedi understood the hidden meaning behind her complaints.

Khushi: But dont worry Chaturvediji.. I have already started irritating that Bug..
Chaturvedi reset his spectacles on his eyes.
Chaturvedi: If there is nothing apart from this, then I should leave Beta.
Khushi smiled and gently touched his feet. He was the only elder whose feet she ever touched. Her father would have been of his age, had he been alive. Chaturvedi blessed her and then giving one pained look to Arnav, he left out with his bag.

Khushi turned around to leave and the very next instant, Arnav blocked her way. She wondered how did he get the guts to stop her? She ignored him and tried to move from the other side, but he blocked her way again. Now that infuriated her. She raised her arms to push him away and that's exactly when he caught both her wrists and pulled her closer. Her eyes spitted fire when she met his. How dare he touched her? She was about to throw some words at him, when he suddenly shifted his one palm over her mouth, to stop her from speaking, whereas his other hand still gripped both her wrists. So now she was totally under his mercy. Her eyes grew wider in shock. Arnav wanted to warn her, to stop bad mouthing him at every occassion, but the way she looked in his eyes, somehow mellowed down all his anger. These eyes had always captivated him, even in his dreams. If there was a fierceness in them, they also were hollow, giving him direct access to look into her soul... her troubled soul.. When Khushi's struggles didnt work on him, she finally bit the corner of his palm. The pain was worse and even though he did not want to let her go, he had to. She withdrew from his clutches and ran towards the stairs. Arnav kept looking at her, while trying to shove off the bruise she gave him, just now. Her teeth marks were clearly visible at the backside of his palm, over his fist. The rawness of that pain added more to his attraction for her. He brought his palm closer to his lips and kissed her teeth marks, shutting his eyes. His body never felt that ache before.. the ache of wanting this woman in his arms, forever..

Shyam and Anjali Raizada who were just back from the temple with Daadi, had witnessed this scene from the door. Both were shocked to see Arnav reacting that way. What was that supposed to mean? Was he.. was he falling for Khushi? Holy Lord.. This was going to make their lives all the more difficult. Arnav had no clue he was been watched. He resumed back to his bedroom. Fortunately Daadi was talking outside to the gardener about watering the plants that she had recently bought. If she had witnessed this scene, it would have been a disaster.

Once Shyam and Anjali reached their own room, Shyam sat on the bed, pressing his head. Anjali stood next to him.

Shyam: No... this.. this aint right Rani Saheba.. Chotte cannot think of her.. Not in that sense..
Anjali: I know Shyam.. I am equally surprised. I had witnessed the way Arnav looks at Khushi, many a times. But I thought I am noticing too much. Today, however, I know I am right.
Shyam: If Khushi knows this, she will kill him. And she will be right..She sees him only as her father's killer. Though all that was an accident, no woman can ever think of falling for a man who is responsible for her father's death, Rani Saheba..
Anjali: (sighed): I understand..

Shyam closed his eyes, trying to find a solution.

Shyam: We will have to stop Chotte before his attraction for Khushi exceeds.
Anjali: How ?
Shyam: I dont know.. I will have to think about it.. Give me some time.

He got up from the bed and left from there. Anjali could understand what her husband was going through. No matter what, Shyam will always be crushed between two of his favourite people.

*****************

Though Arnav was back in his den, his bedroom, he couldnt help admire her teeth marks on his skin. She had small teeth but well shaped, without any gaps. Their fight had taken a different turn today. He who was never able to meet her eyes before, today just didnt meet her eyes for the longest period, but also held her close to his body. What was she doing to him? Was he getting addicted to that woman? If yes, he was sinfully wrong. She hated him from the bottom of her heart. All she could offer him back was that hatred and much more fights in the process of avenging her father's death. It will be he who would have to suffer if he choses to accept his growing feelings, his desires for her. He cannot let that happen. He should wind up his work here, and head back to Paris.. Away from this woman.. Away from the pain of staying around her.

*****************

Khushi still felt his arms all over her skin. His breath fanning her face. She was that close to the man whom she hated with all her soul. How could he touch her like that? Hold her like that? Could he not see the anger in her eyes? She punched the boxing bag harder with her fists. Boxing was something Khushi had learnt since her childhood. When she was admitted in a new school, after she started staying with the Raizada family, she was ragged by her seniors. One of the boy had tried to touch her face. She had slapped him hard only to increase the frustration in the eyes of her seniors. She was hardly 14 then. Fortunately her seniors couldnt harm her as a group of teachers came in their direction. That evening, Khushi had come back Shantivan with tears in her eyes. Shyam had spotted it instantly and she narrated him the entire incident. Shyam took care of it by filing a complaint to the school principal. It was strange when Daadi showed equal interest in ensuring that the issue of ragging should be taken seriously by the school authorities and anyone seen practicing it should be restricated from the school. But all these efforts from Raizada family didnt stop her from feeling unsafe, especially in those years of her life when she had just started understanding the hormonal changes in every child which turns him/her into an adult. She wanted to self protect in case if such things happens again in her future. That's when she insisted on learning Boxing. Shyam supported her. She took the course of self defense too. But why could she not apply it today when HE touched her?

Another sigh of frustration and she let it out by punching the bag harder, this time bruising her fingers. She winced in pain, stared at her bruises and then continued hitting the bag, as if she saw Arnav Singh Raizada in it and hurting him was her only motto. This surely helped her from shedding that touch of his from her body.. Next time, even if he tries, she promised to kick him the same way.

She had no clue, the man she was planning to implement it on, was watching her silently from outside the Gym room. The Gym was situated at the corner of the ground floor area of Shantivan. The room had a huge glass wall which made this visibility to anyone, in and out of the room. Arnav was leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed across his chest, his eyes glowing with pride that the tiny girl whom he had so much affection for, had turn out to be so strong and protective. She had taken her life very seriously. Whenever she punched the bag hard and groaned aloud if the bag didnt move much, he felt her need of winning the battle, she was fighting against him. How he wished they were on the same side!!

He stood there, quietly until she gave up boxing and removed the band she had tied on her fist. She could see the band red with stains of blood, her blood. How she wished, one day, it would have his blood over it. Arnav hide behind the pillar when she came out to resume back to her bedroom. After a clean shower, when she was busy sketching, HP knocked the door and came inside.

HP: Khushi Didi.. Apply this Paste on your fingers. It will heal those bruises.

Khushi was surprised that HP even made that kind of medicinal paste for her.

Khushi: How did you know I am bruised ?
HP gulped nervously and lied.
HP: I had seen you in the gym. Please apply this and it will heal.

Khushi smiled weakly and got up to take the bowl from him.

Khushi: Thanks Hari Prakash..
HP noded and hurried out of the room before she guesses that it was not him who had made the paste for her, it was someone else, someone she didnt like to even stand before... Arnav Singh Raizada.

___________________________________________________

Part 12

Distance makes heart grow fonder. That's what had happened with Arnav Singh Raizada. The 11 years that he was isolated from his own self, from his own people, he dwelled in his grief to a huge extent and the only solace he could find amidst all this, was that 13 year old girl face, Khushi's face. Day by day, month by month, year by year, he got attracted to her unknowingly, even without meeting her again. He knew the consequences will never be in his favour. He will have to return back the same path, heartbroken and dejected. But he never turned back, he kept walking and he will do that until the rest of his life. This was the only feeling inside him, which kept him alive. If he stops breathing her, he might have to leave his soul.

Arnav flipped the pages of the file which covered the contract with the "Talaash Boutique". Shyam and Daadi knocked his bedroom door and got inside.
Now that was a 'Danger' combination, he thought.

Arnav: I can see some questions rolling in your eyes, all good?
Subhadra slowly sat next to Arnav, whereas Shyam took a seat on the Recliner, opposite to them.

Subhadra: What is your age Chotte?
Arnav: You know it better than me, Daadi. Why are you asking me?

He could sense something brewing here. But what?

Subhadra: Because I want you to remember that as well. Soon you are going to turn 29.
Arnav: That's how nature works.. We all grow, get aged with time and die.

Arnav was still not understanding what their point was. Daadi immediately shouted at him for bringing that 'Death' part.

Arnav: Okay, let's not play guesses here. What is this all about?
Subhadra: Have you thought about marriage, Chotte?

Arnav's eyes rolled high and then he fixes his gaze on Daadi.

Subhadra: I have some good proposals for you. Me and Shyam think, this is the right time for you to get settled down as a family.

'Family', means wife, children, love, bonding and much more. His heart is filled with sudden panic.

Arnav: I am not going to bargain here. So here is my reply, I am not ready for marriage yet.
Shyam: No one is actually ready, until they give a try Arnav. And besides, if we slip you this moment, you are not coming to come back to India, so soon again.

He was right. He will never return back here, not even if Khushi leaves this family, this house. Khushi will leave the family? Yes she will. As per the court orders, she has to complete 25 to take that step. But where will she go? She has just started earning. How can she afford a good life? More than the topic which Daadi and Shyam wanted to discuss, Arnav was more concerned about Khushi's future.

Subhadra: Chotte? Are you listening?
Arnav doesnt give an appreciative look to them.
Arnav: Daadi, lets break this discussion here. I have some important calls to make.
Subhadra: Always adamant, arent you? (disappointment filled in her eyes which Arnav notices)
Arnav: I am in a mess right now, Daadi. We can talk about this next week.

Her eyes glitters with hope, again.

Subhadra: Is that a Promise?
Arnav: It is. But just a talk. I am still not prepared for marriage, and this thought stays for some more time with me.

Subhadra knew how to convince him. She agreed to whatever he had to give. She happily left the room. Shyam disappointedly was going to follow her, until Arnav stopped him.

Arnav: Did you feed that in her head?

'Sharp', Shyam thought. This was one of Arnav's trait, right from his childhood. How easily he picked it up, that it was his idea.

Shyam: Yes, it was my thought, I wont lie.
Arnav: Why? ( his jaw clenches)
Shyam sighed briefly.
Shyam: You are opening your heart for Khushi, I have seen it myself. I fear the consequences. I am not going to let you fall and get hurt again, Chotte.

Arnav's eyes burned in uncertain anger.
Arnav: I am not a teen who needs help Bhai.. I take my own decisions.
Shyam was still being polite because he really wanted to help Arnav out of his self created mess.
Shyam: Chotte, she hates you. She always has. You cannot even measure her hatred for you. But it's enough to keep her away from you, at least in this birth. There is no point in waiting.
Arnav: Who said I am waiting?
Shyam was surprised.
Arnav: I dont want to engage in this conversation beyond this. But, hooking me to some other woman will not end anything which I have for Khushi.

Shyam had no clue how to react? Arnav picked the file, he was earlier browsing through and handed it to Shyam.

Arnav: I have signed the contract, you take a look.

Shyam was bewildered at the cool revealation which had kind of burnt his head, right now. Having feelings for someone was okay, but Arnav was not the one who would stop there, as far as Shyam knew. Arnav had always been curious, and soon enough his feelings can turn into an obsession, considering how speedily he was falling for her.

***************

Shyam met Khushi, at office, today. She hadnt waited for him to drive her to work. She had hired a cab instead as she wanted to sketch few more designs. Her cabin was the only place where she could get some peace of mind to do this.

Shyam: What happened to your knuckles? Dont tell me you again practiced Boxing.
Khushi: Just a bit.
Shyam: Doesnt look like. The bruises looks worse.
Khushi: Better than what it was, last night. Thanks to Hari Prakash, who made a Haldi paste for me.
Shyam: Haldi paste? And HP? When did that happen? He has never been familiar to such medicinal receipes .

That doubt of Shyam, induced enough questions in Khushi's head too.

Shyam: Anyways, you need help with those sketches?
Khushi chuckled, ignoring the other stuff.
Khushi: You will help me drawing? Do you remember , when I was in 8th standard, and needed help for my drawing competition??
Shyam recollected those memories and laughed.
Shyam: You asked me to draw a mickey and it turned out to be the worst mouse ever.

They shared a laugh. She had a brilliant time with Shyam, in her childhood, who became her mentor at every stage of her life, past 11 years. Even if she had her own brother, he would never support her, this much. As soon as Shyam left, all the doubts about HP making that Haldi paste, surfaced again in Khushi's brain. That evening, after returning back from Work, she headed straight to the kitchen where HP was seen making Coffee.

Khushi: Hari Prakash, did you really make that Haldi paste for me, last night?

HP was startled. His shivering hands and speechless expressions cleared Khushi's doubts. She had felt someone observing her, last night, while boxing. Someone was staring at her deeply, for a long time. Though initially she had skipped that thought from her mind, thinking the servants must be moving around. But now she knows who might have been that Man..

HP: Khushiji.. I.. I..
Khushi: Was it HIM? ( she angrily asked)
HP was in a fix. He was strictly told by Arnav, not to reveal it to her, because otherwise she might not apply the medicine on her brusies. But now, can he tell her? Because her bruises looked healed ??

HP: Yes.. He made it for you.

That's it. Her eyes burned as she stormed out of the Kitchen, looking for 'HIM'.

*****************

Arnav Singh Raizada was in his room, talking to someone, over his bluetooth, when she made her entry.

Khushi: How dare you ?

He immediately extended his arm, gesturing her to 'Hold on' until he finishes this important call. For an unknown reason, she actually obeyed it.

Arnav: What's the Event date? ( his eyes fixed on Khushi while he really looks in a hurry to end this conversation and concentrate on the important subject - Khushi) OKay, I will ask Aman to send you the quotes and we can then take it forward. Thanks.

He disconnected the call and threw his phone on the bed, then placed his arms in both pockets of his Track pants, showing his total interest in the argument she was about to open up.

Khushi: Dont you understand when I say 'Stay away from me'?
Arnav: There is a difference between 'Understanding' and 'Following'. ( his smirk just gets wider which she hates to admit)
Khushi: I dont give any right to you, not even to think about me.
Arnav: You cant control it.
Khushi: Dare you get beyond this.
Arnav: Drawing limits have never been my strategy.

Khushi was getting more furious by his back answers.

Khushi: You know what, I always knew you will be very complicated.
Arnav: Glad you at least thought about me.
Khushi (clenching her jaw): Of course.. My father's murderer is the only one in my head, right now and forever.

Now this, stopped him from back answering. May be because, he had no reply to that. Or he had a reply, but didnt had that courage to speak up for himself, to defend himself, to stand up and tell her that it was not on purpose what happened that night. Khushi felt powerful seeing him blank and expressionless. At least that smirk of his, finally faded. But before she could enjoy her little win, she saw him coming towards her, unexpectedly. She didnt retreat, neither she took her eyes off his.

Arnav: Why dont you punish me once for all? Why in installments?

Khushi: Punish is a small term for you. It cannot suffice the unlimited torture I want to give you, for ruining my life.

So much Venom, so much hatred that it killed his heart, even before she could touch it. His smouldering gaze at Khushi didnt change her expressions, at all. She still looked at him with full rage.

Arnav: I agree and acknowledge all the procedures of torture you want to give me, Miss Khushi Gupta, if that eases off the pain I have rendered to you.
(Every word he uttered was utterly slow and clear )

Any other woman would have been horrified with that kind of tone and look from him, but she didnt.

Arnav: But one truth still prevails.. It was an Accident Khushi.. I didnt mean to hurt anyone.. And if had that power to rewind our pasts, I would have never drove Car that night.

She had not come prepared to hear this confession, yet she couldnt help avoid it. Their gazes were still locked with each others and whatever experience she had in reading people's faces, she could say that he really meant it. But does that change anything? Does that make her feel better ?Does that make her pain less?

Khushi (giving a sarcastic laugh): Huh!! That still changes nothing.. You screwed my life since that night.
Arnav: My life hasnt been very interesting either, after that. ( he added his justification) I lost my family too, though not in physical terms.
Khushi: You deserved that.. In fact you deserved MORE. And what is not interesting in your life? Tell me? You still got educated in the best college, you bathed in luxury, you had strong supporters for you in the form of Daadi, you turned out to be a successful billionaire. What out of this is not interesting? What is missing in your life Mr Arnav Singh Raizada? ( she yelled in anger)

Arnav: YOU.. !!

She stared at him like she just saw a ghost..

Arnav: AND YOUR APOLOGY. !! ( he intensely added)

Her sub conscious mind started explaining her it was her apology ONLY , what he meant. But why did he said 'YOU' AND 'YOUR APOLOGY'. Arent they supposed to mean different? It sounded insane and irrational. Can it mean something else? Was he even in his senses? She gives him an offending look and then hurries out of his room. She felt suffocated by his gaze and words. What did he mean ? what did he mean by all that?? This was something she will have to dig out before its too late.

___________________________________________________


Part 13

Arnav Singh Raizada was not control freak but he still liked to have control over everything he is involved in. Being unpredictable had been his trait and giving total attention on all subjects concerning him, was what he focussed on. But today, during the meeting with his most important client, none of this worked. He was unusually silent, lacked focus and hardly made contact with the huge screen where the presentation was discussed by Shyam and everyone else in the conference room. Did he share a lot with her, last night? How would she react if she knows what he meant? That conversation was not supposed to end like this. He had exposed his sensitive side to her, and if she realises that, she will use it against him, at every opportunity. This isnt the sort of mess he ever envisaged getting into. The lights in the Conference room were switched on and everyone started winding up. Arnav was still sitting on his chair, all lost. Shyam had noted his state, right from beginning of the Conference. Once everyone were out, he shook Arnav.

Shyam: You need to rest for a while, Chotte.
Arnav blinked his eyes and got up.
Arnav: I had a good sleep last night, thank you.
Shyam: When will you stop lying to me?

Arnav sighed heavily.

Arnav: Look Bhai, I know we used to share a very good bond few years ago but that's not what I forsee in our future. I dont want people to enter my head, analyse my state of mind and then give any sort of lecture about it. I want to stay away from all this unnecessary pain. I dont really like to lie. It's better you stop showing interest in my life, so that I will be saved from lying further.

His straight forward reply pricked Shyam but afterall Arnav was still his younger brother, and he will always be there for him, again, whenever Arnav needed him. Arnav was leaving out, when he suddenly halted and turned back to Shyam.

Arnav: I want to meet the entire team working for Tanuja's project, in my cabin, in (he looked at his watch and then back to Shyam).. in 10 minutes.

While he left the room, Shyam stared at him bewildered. There is something going in his head. But what?

Khushi was nervously fidgeting with her pencil, trying hard to concentrate back on the sketches. It had been 3 hours since she was at work, but she could not even draw a line. The conversation between her and that Man (Arnav) had been haunting her since last night. He needed 'Her apology' was understood. Why did he say he needed 'Her and Her Apology'. Was she thinking beyond his imagination? She banged her fist on the desk and got up. Her mind wandered thinking the various possibilities why he said that. She had to focus. Not every uttered word needs to have a meaning. Especially if those come from that man's mouth. How can she even waste her time thinking so much about him? She comforted herself and then looked back at the blank sheets. It reminded Khushi of her life, 11 years ago. Blank. She had no clue where she was heading to, after her father's accident. Her relatives backed off taking her responsibility, neither she wanted to go and stay with them. And the court handed her to the same family who was responsible for that tragedy. It was only after few months of her stay in Shantivan, that she sketched her life, slowly and steadily. She had got a huge opportunity to shape her future, she wont waste it by such confused thoughts.

The door knocked and one of her team member, Pallavi, told her about this unplanned meeting with 'The Arnav Singh Raizada'. Though it did surprise her too, but she couldnt break the office protocol. Just few minutes back she had planned not to waste time in analysing that man's words. She hoped to stick to it. Grabing her phone, she headed with Pallavi to ASR's cabin. This was the first time she was entering his den. Few of her team members had already assembled here and stood before his desk. She chose to stand behind. But not everything she thought to do, happened that way. She heard his next commands.

Arnav: I want the lead Designer of the Project to come ahead.

Biting her teeth, she came forward, meeting his eyes. That anger within her was very much noticable, especially to him.

Arnav: All here?
Pallavi: Yes Sir.
Arnav: Good.. Tanuja, our Client has a very sharp taste for deadlines. So in order to fulfil her demands, we need to expedite the work, ensuring we dont play with the quality of the designs. So I want every design sketch to be specifically approved by me, before it goes to the Factory for production.

Everyone agreed to this by their nods, except Khushi. He noted that down.

Arnav: Miss Gupta doesnt seem to agree..

She hated to talk to him, but this was purely business, so she acted like one. But getting each sketch approved from him, everytime, is going to make her see him almost everyday, she was not willing to do that.

Khushi: This is like wasting time, considering the deadlines are so stringent. If we keep running behind you, (she paused.. not the right choice of words for a Boss) ..I mean.. considering your schedules, I think we will take a lot of time getting the design sketches approved from you. And if you dont seem to like it, we will have to re-sketch which is again costing time.
Arnav: You are the lead Miss Gupta, not everyone needs to run behind me, but YOU..

Damn!! Does she have a knife around? She wanted to stab this man for his guts.. The way he said 'YOU' sounded so much familiar.. Was he purposely doing all this? He cannot rule her at home, because there he was the culprit of all her hatred, but here, he was her Boss. May be thats why he was using all his rights to make her dance on his moves.

Arnav: Did I make it clear enough Miss Gupta?
Khushi: Yes.. Sir.. ( that 'Sir' came automatically)
Arnav: Good.. You all may leave now.

She turned around with the group and came out of his cabin. Sanjay, one of the designer, took a deep sigh coming out.

Sanjay: I always get nervous around him. That man has a typical aura of intimidating people, dont you think so?
Khushi crushed her phone, between her palm, to suppress her anger.
Pallavi: But he is so dashing.. ( she giggled) I was always waiting for this kind of meeting with him. Did you notice that scar above his eye? Woww!! That's so very intense.

Khushi recalled which SCAR they were talking about.. 'I GAVE HIM THAT SCAR, 11 years ago' she wanted to announce happily. It might have hurt him when she hit that stone on his eye. The pain might have eased off with time, but that Scar, will always remind him what he did with her father. .

Sanjay: You find a Scar sexy? Dont tell me.. ( he mocked at Pallavi)
Pallavi: I am sure there must be a reasonable explanation behind that Scar. It's definately not his birth mark.

Khushi saw Arnav leaving from his cabin. Only she could see him there. Sanjay and Pallavi had their back facing him. Khushi used this opportunity to prick that man again.

Khushi: I heard he was hit by a girl, badly, during his childhood. That explains the SCAR. ( she said it a bit loudly)

Hearing her voice, and the word 'Scar' from her, Arnav stopped. He gazed at her. So she started again?

Pallavi: A girl hit him? Why? That's so cruel. Why would anyone want to hurt that handsome face?
Khushi clenched her jaw.
Khushi: There is a devil behind that handsome face, Pallavi.. Not everyone can see what that girl saw.

His face darkened as he fisted his fingers. DEVIL!! Yeah. She still thinks him as a Devil. Sanjay and Pallavi hardly understood what Khushi said. Arnav strode to this group in no time and barked.

Arnav: This company doesnt appreciate gossiping within the campus... So either Sign your resignation letters or get back to work.

Pallavi almost jumped in fear and hurried to her cubicle, followed by Sanjay.. Khushi knew he was affected. And she loved that look on his face. The look of a deadly wounded man.

Khushi: And the DEMON re-surfaces.. ( she mocked )

He watched her dangerously, before holding her elbow and dragging her into the adjacent cabin, her cabin. Once they were inside, he left her arm and warned her.

Arnav: This STUNT of yours is unacceptable . You have to learn ethics.. And that is why I chose you to run behind me, everyday. I am very strict about my people at work. No loose ends for you either. Take this as my last warning.. If I find you speaking negative about me here, I am not going to tolerate that. You have been given a task.. Compelete it and achieve something, rather than bickering my past..

His eyes had turned frosty. He was mad.. Very mad. Khushi's mouth almost dried as she digested each of his words. She didnt back down either.

Khushi: PAST? That Past changed my entire future ( she snapped back)
Arnav: It changed MY future too.

Did it? They both realised their conversation was going in the same direction, as last night. So he straightly came to the point.

Arnav: I dont like discussing personal issues at work. So if you want to continue this, lets do it at home. Now get back to work ..

She scorned at his commands as she watched him leave the room. What the hell was she doing? What was wrong with her? Khushi went back to her chair and pushed it away, instead of sitting and starting her work. Her reflexes will never allow her work sensibly, when HE was around. And what did he say? She needs to learn ethics of working? It was not that she liked showing such immature behaviour at work, but she was helpless. Whenever HE was near her, she hardly could concentrate on anything apart from disrespecting him. She will have to control her reactions and start taking her work seriously, or else she might lose the best opportunity that can shape her future.

*****************

Khushi was back home and so was Shyam, they came together and she looked very messed up during their drive back. He gave her some time, thinking she would tell him what was so wrong with her, but when that didnt happen, he asked her out of curiousity. She couldnt hold it more, she blurted out about their last night's conversation and also the one which they had today morning at Office.

Khushi: He wants me to run after him? ( she growls looking at Shyam who looked completely dissatisfied with that idea) I thought he will have some shame to even meet my eyes, but that man is openly challenging me at every possible situation.
Shyam: You dont challenge him?

That one question shut her mouth. Yes, she initiates it, always.

Khushi: I do.. I agree but ..
Shyam (clutching her arms): Khushi, look.. I dont know how to make you understand this, but as far as I remember how Arnav was in childhood, he was always attracted to situations which tingled his brains. But in all these years, he has changed, he is observing patience. Trust me, you dont want to provoke that mastermind hyperactive kid, inside him. It might backfire on you. He is here for 4 months, let it go in peace, for you as well as him.

Khushi observed silence for some seconds, until then all her anger was slowly mellowing down.

Khushi: I am not afraid of him, Shyam. He took away my father away, so he cannot harm me beyond this. But I will think on your lines. I will try to be patient.
Shyam: Good. Now, let me see if Rani Saheba has finished cooking, I am very hungry.
Khushi: I wont come down for Dinner, all my work is almost pending, I couldnt concentrate today.
Shyam: Health comes first, Khushi. I want you at the table. ( he warned )

Khushi sometimes became speechless before his demands. She agreed for Dinner with the family, which means she will have to bear that man's presence.
___________________________________________________


Part 14

Khushi Gupta, in the kitchen, making Jalebi’s. It was a treat to watch. He never knew she had such a big sweet tooth. Arnav Singh Raizada, was sitting on the Couch, facing the Kitchen, so that he could get his much-needed view. Khushi was filling the Jalebi dough in a thick cloth to roll it in the Kadhai later for deep frying. His gaze on her was intruded by his Bhai, Shyam, who sat next to him.
“Whenever she is angry, she makes Jalebi’s” he opens up her secret. He always felt jealous knowing facts of Khushi Gupta from others.
Why did he reveal that? Arnav keeps his eyes glued on his Brother, trying to find out his motives.
“I thought you should know” Shyam tries making a point here.
“I thought you won’t appreciate me eyeing her” Arnav scoffed.
“I still think the same, Chotte. I am just pointing out the differences between you two. You are two like poles of a magnet, which can only repel. There can never be any sort of attraction, it’s against the law of magnetism” Shyam preached in his usual style.
Arnav grinned sarcastically.
“I know. But is it wrong to stare at someone, if you feel like?” he questions back.
Shyam was very confused at the moment.
“Yes, it is wrong, especially if it gives you any kind of hope in return”
Arnav tried to get up but Shyam held his arm, making him sit back on the Couch.
“I want to discuss this dark side of your feelings for her”
“I don’t want to”
He tried getting up again, but Shyam repeated the same.
“I want to help you Chotte, before it’s late”
“You are late, Bhai” he snaps back. “By 11 years”
He shrugs the hold of his brother’s arm and walks to the Drawing room, to make few calls. Shyam sighs in disappointment, this won’t work. He will have to find other ways to make his brother understand that he was walking on bed of thorns. His heart was going to bleed very soon, if he doesn’t stop.
888
The next morning, while Khushi was busy in sketching the designs, in her cabin, an email popped up in her official mailbox. It was straight from the Boss himself.
‘Where are we with the deadlines?’
Oh right. She recalled what set of orders he had given her, yesterday. She will have to keep him posted with every update related to the Project, being Designer head of the Team. Unwantedly, she typed back.
‘We are working on them, I have scheduled a meet with the team. By end of today, all designs will be ready’
She minimizes the screen and continues sketching, though her mood vanishes. She was communicating with that man? It’s so outrageous. Her fingers shivered as she drew, yet she continued working. The next email popped up on her screen.
‘Don’t forget to get them approved before you leave’
Khushi rolled her eyes and continued working. After an hour, she called the team, discussed the designs, shortlisted a few and then headed to Arnav’s cabin for getting them approved. He was not in his Cabin. She entered inside and using his Intercom, asked Aman about his whereabouts. That’s when she got to know, he was attending a Conference, in the other room. But since the meeting was going to end in few minutes, she decided to wait for him, in his cabin. She kept the sketches on the table and in the process dropped few envelopes. She immediately kneeled to pick them up. A lot many letters come up, every day, to their Office. A specific envelope caught her attention. The envelope was plain brown and didn’t look official types. It was sealed, which meant it wasn’t read yet. It was directed to Arnav Singh Raizada. Obviously, that’s why it was in his cabin. The peon must have kept all the letters related to him, here and since he was busy in the conference, all these letters were yet to be opened and read. She flipped this envelope and found an address over it, an address which belonged to Lakshmi Nagar, Post office. What relation did Arnav Singh Raizada had with Lakshmi Nagar, Post office? What was it in this envelope? This is the same locality where she used to live with her father, earlier. Was Arnav planning something, at her back? Or was he trying to hide something more gruesome? She will have to find it out. She immediately hides the envelope in one of her file and hurriedly arranged the other envelopes, back on the table. That’s when she heard his voice.
“What are you doing in my cabin?”
She jerked but managed to compose herself the next instant and face him.
“It’s not a place I would like to enter with my will. The designs are ready, I need you to look at them and approve”
She carefully forwarded the file which had the sketches, keeping the other one in her hand, which had the hidden envelope. He came forward and sat on his chair. His eyes fixed onto the sketches. This was art. Every design she made was epitome of perfection. If these designs were really brought into reality, they will be adored like none others.
“I approve them all. We will have a meeting with Tanuja tomorrow, and see what she has to say. If she likes it too, we can go ahead with the production”
He approved all of her designs? Unbelievable. Either he was trying to impress her for a so-called ‘Apology’ or he might have chosen to be lenient, considering the timelines. She took the file from his desk and then turned to leave.
“Khushi, Wait”
No. Not again. She wanted to leave from here, so that she could open the envelope and read its contents. He got up from his chair as she turned around. Without breaking their eye lock, he strolls towards her. Did he caught her, hiding his envelope? She nervously gulped, fiddling with the edge of the file she was holding. She was not going to let this information slip from her hand. Though she hated reading other’s material, yet, she will take this chance. Because she felt it was related to her, somehow.
He leaned down and picked up the envelope which had fallen at her feet. She curled her toes as she saw him leaning down. He observed her toe curling, he raised his head to see her. She looked afraid. That was new. She can be this afraid, only if she was hiding anything. He stood up, holding the envelope, trying to analyse her reactions. She saw the envelope in her hand and immediately retrieved it.
“Don’t touch my stuff”
His jaw stiffened. He just helped her get her stuff, and she had the audacity to warn him?
“First learn to keep your stuff safe, then open that big mouth of yours”
That sentence took away her breath for some time. She didn’t wait longer, allowing him to stare in her eyes. She hurried out with the envelope. She was fortunate enough that he didn’t realise that envelope belonged to him. She locked her cabin door and sat on her chair, tearing the seal of the envelope. To her surprise it was empty. What? So much efforts, for an empty envelope? Why would someone from Lakshmi Nagar Post office, send an empty envelope to Arnav Singh Raizada? Was this some kind of mistake or a full proof planning? What is this supposed to mean? She banged her palms on the desk in frustration. Dead end. That is what she will call it. But she won’t back off so easily, if this has anything to do with him, she will find it out.
It’s 08:00 pm, when Arnav returns back home. He scans the living room, finds Shyam and Anjali talking over the couch. He heads towards his bedroom, Hari Prakash was hurriedly walking ahead of him, with this laptop bag. He finds the door of Khushi’s room open and the maid was cleaning it. Isn’t she home yet? He asks Hari Prakash.
“Khushiji will be late today, Shyamji said” HP managed to address his query.
Late? Why? Where was she? When he had left the office premises, he had seen her cabin, it was vacant and the lights duly switched off. She left as per her usual timing but why was she not home? Where had she been? His stalking skills were poking his mind to make some serious decisions about using them. But he chose to ignore. He did not want to make that woman uncomfortable, if she gets to know this at some point of time.
He showered, checked his emails, made few quick calls, one of which was an International call, getting disconnected frequently, due to the bad signal. Arnav came out of the house, at the entrance lobby as the signal was better here. He was about to dial again, when he heard a sound of Motorbike. He forgets to dial the number, seeing Khushi getting down from Sanjay’s bike. She had draped a shawl over her shoulder. What was Sanjay doing with Khushi? His rational mind fetched some explanation to that. Khushi and Sanjay were colleagues. There was no harm if Sanjay drops her home, but somehow, he didn’t like her getting so close to any other man.
“Thanks for the ride, Sanjay”
“Anytime Lead” he winked.
Khushi chuckled when he addressed her based on the designation she carried at work.
“See you tomorrow, Sanjay. Good night” she softly uttered
“Good night. Don’t be up till late. We can finish the rest of the designs, together, tomorrow” he replied starting his motorbike engine. Khushi waited until he was out of the gates. Arnav was disturbed by her openness to the colleague, especially, a male colleague.
When she stepped in, he was already blocking her way. She rolled her eyes trying to pass from the other end.
“Where had you been?” his voice was rough.
She was baffled at his temperament to ask her whereabouts. But she chooses to ignore his question and tries moving past him. Exactly that same instance, her heel twists and she falls on the floor, hurt. Arnav immediately panics at her state and reaches towards her for help. She strictly gestures her arm to stop him. He fists his fingers. Touching her was never going to be cherished by that woman.
“Ouuchh” she screams in pain, trying to palm her heel and twisted ankle.
He waits there, giving her time to self-heal. But looks like, this was not her forte. She needed help and he was more than generous to offer one, but she won’t like it from him.
“You need help” he tries to offer his hand, so that she holds him and gets up.
She denies. His brow furrows.
“I can manage” she retorts
“I am thrilled to watch a woman with twisted Ankle walk” he snaps back.
She clenches her jaw and tries getting up again, taking support of the pillar but fails. She ends up hurting her leg again and also her bottom. It’s all because of him. Had he not been standing in her way, she would have been resting in her room by now.
“If you don’t let me heal it at the right time, you might worsen the pain” he suggests
“You already have a very negative effect on my life. What else can worsen it?” she scoffs.
A low groan follows that scoff as she feels the pain worsening. Arnav Singh Raizada doesn’t hold up after this. He bends down, picks Khushi in his arms. Fury rages within her for being in Arnav Singh Raizada’s arms but he puts a very determined look on his face and carries her inside.
“You are going to pay for this. Oucchh” she screams again as she feels something shooting inside her ankle. The pain was indeed worsening.
He quickens his pace and takes her to the bedroom. Khushi is lost in her pain that she doesn’t recalls when he puts her on the bed edge. He kneels down before her and places her hurt foot over his thigh. Her eyes widen and she tries to withdraw her feet, he holds it still, giving her a raw look.
“I prefer to cut my leg than YOU healing it” she tries again to take her feet off his thigh.
He didn’t waste his time in replying that. He held her ankle in his hand and then looked at her for a warning.
“Thoda dard hoga (It will pain a little)”
Before she could register that in her head, he twisted the ankle. She winced in pain, holding the hem of his V-neck T shirt. It really hurt, but just for few seconds. Later the pain faded and soon she felt like she never got a twisted ankle. Their eyes met. What was he doing, she thought? Or maybe, she knows it. She withdrew her feet from his hold and got up.
“I know what this is, you are trying to gain my Apology, aren’t you? But get it straight in your head, I am not going to forgive you ever” she roared in anger.
Arnav blanches at her words but this was not anything new she told him. Forgiving him, was like forgiving Satan for Khushi. He hoped that before he takes his last breath, he is able to earn it from her. But he doesn’t let his mind reroute in that direction. He folds his arms across his chest, his eyes fixed on hers.
“So, where had you been with Sanjay?”
Her mouth drops. Was he giving her a doubted look?

___________________________________________________


Part 15


“So, where had you been with Sanjay?” Khushi’s mouth drops. Was he giving her a doubted look?
“Why should I tell you?” she folds her arms across her chest, getting up. Her twisted ankle is fine now, thanks to him. Oh hell, No. She can’t thank him.
Arnav looks at her, cold and with a dissatisfying look.
“Okay, I will ask Him, then. Not so politely though” he snarls, turning to leave.

Khushi feels horrified. What will he do to Sanjay? She immediately stops him.

“Café. Our entire team had been for Café, after work” she replies, unwillingly.

He gives her another cold stare and then leaves the room. She doesn’t give a damn how he will process this information. Because she is not liable to him. It’s her life, she can live it the way she wants. She can choose people, she wants. He is no one to point at her.

Arnav returns back to his room. He stares at his laptop. If the entire team was out for Café and not just Sanjay and Khushi, it’s fine with him. He checks his emails and continues working. He is a busy man, he has to wind up things here, within 3 months and leave to Paris. He cannot extend his stay. It will complicate things more. But will he be able to stay without her, there? Why not? He did that before too. All these 11 years he didn’t even realize what she looked like. He only kept portraying her image in the background of his mind. That itself soothed him. But things will never remain the same again. Now, he knows how she looked, he recognized her voice, he had seen her gestures, the way she dresses, the smile on her face when she is around Shyam Bhai and Anjali Bhabhi, he knows a lot about her, then earlier. Will he be able to leave all of this, all of her, and settle back in Paris? His subconscious mind denied accepting it. But he means nothing to her, though she means a world to him. How will this work? Till when will he make this work? She will soon be 25 and without a second thought she will pack to leave this house. What will happen then? She is never going to be around him, even if he finds any number of excuses. He will have to go back to Paris then, facing all that odds if he chooses to stay here. He better goes and never return, never. The chapter of Khushi Gupta will close forever for him and for her.

He shuts his laptop in anger. This feeling is killing his body. It aches to know she will never be around. He gets up and walks to the poolside.

“Calm down, Arnav” he keeps whispering this mantra inside his head but it does not work.
What is this feeling? Why is it so hurting? Is all that pain which he lived for 11 long years not enough that his soul is being tormented again? He has seen worst in his life, especially during his two-year stay in the Child remand. He has met all sorts of people there. People who kept pushing him off-limits, people who tried to take advantage of him, people who befriended with him only to hurt him later, people who tortured him, people who dominated him, everyone, whom he wanted to run away from, but he had no place to go. Nowhere to run.

The door knocks, diverting all his mind. He walks back inside the room. Lavanya is standing at the door, waiting to get inside.

“Hi” she smiles.
“Hi. What are you doing here?”
“You were not answering the phone” she steps in.

Arnav removes his phone from the pant pocket. It has 5 missed calls from Lavanya. He was so disturbed from few minutes that he forgot everything, even to check his phone.

“I was pre-occupied” he says sitting on the Recliner, his head bowed down.
“I thought so. You know Arnav, sometimes I am jealous of your inner mind. You are so much busy with your own self that you forget the world” she complains genuinely.
“Are you here to scold me for that?”
Lavanya sits next to him.
“No, I have an invitation, from Tanuja and her Company. It’s her birthday tomorrow and she has invited the CEO’s of AR Designs, along with few of the staff who is working on her Project. We should go. I wanted to know from you, what should we gift her?”
Arnav smirks.
“You. Lavanya Kshyap. Short of gifting ideas?”
Lavanya chuckles and nods positively at his comment.
“Well, I have some ideas, wanted to discuss with you”
“I am not in a mood, really. Why don’t you check with Shyam Bhai?”
“I did, but he is same like you, all clueless. Are all Raizada men the same?”
“Maybe? So? Big Deal?” he scoffs”

Lavanya gets up from the Recliner.

“Fine. I will ask someone who is my type. I will ask Khushi. She might help me in this. Bye”
She heads out of his room. Arnav feels jealous. Khushi is so easily available for everyone, but him. If that accident had never happened, if he had not been responsible for her father’s death and Khushi Gupta had entered his life, how would he approach her? He would have won her heart with his decency, seriousness and will power, a long ago. If only, he could wipe off that one incident from his life, the dark night of his fate.


888888888888


Everyone in AR designs, working for Tanuja’s Project, is excited knowing the Birthday Party invitation. This is going to be a blast. Pallavi knocks Khushi’s cabin with Sanjay, intruding her work.

“Do you have few minutes to spare for us?” she asks Khushi who is busy doing the sketches.
Khushi welcomes them inside.
“Had a good sleep, last night, Khushi?” Sanjay flirtingly asks.
“Yes. What’s up guys? She asks them to get seated.
“We want to discuss the travel arrangements for tonight’s party” Pallavi replies with excitement. “The CEO’s and other head staff are going by their own Posh cars. We have to manage on our own”

Khushi nods. That’s true. She is also one of them, employee of this company, and not in a very senior level. She cannot always ask Shyam to drive her everywhere though he has given her that option. She has denied him already stating she will come with the team. Besides, she does not own a car.

“Okay, what are the options?” Khushi curiously asks.
Sanjay quickly intervened.
“I have got my Bike, as usual. I will take you along.” he insisted.
“Ok, but what about the others?” Khushi questions.

Pallavi quickly jots down who all are attending the party and the two-wheeler options which some of them have got. They map everyone. Just 4 of the girls were remaining, who were ready to hire a Cab to and fro.

“Sounds like a good plan. Thanks, Pallavi. Just inform the others about this”
Pallavi and Sanjay leaves the cabin, happily. Khushi continues working on the design.


888888888888

It’s 07:00pm and everyone is already off for Tanuja’s party. Arnav finishes his Video conferencing and comes out of the cabin. He has asked Shyam to go ahead. Lavanya joined Shyam, so technically he is all alone to drive at the Party Venue. He waits for the elevator to arrive. That’s when he hears the footsteps of someone else. He turns behind. Khushi is coming to him. She is wearing a Yellow frock, knee length, thin straps with her hair bouncing on her shoulders. She sees him too and is equally surprised. She didn’t expect him to be at office, at this hour, either. She expected him to go with Shyam and Lavanya. His gaze stays on her for some seconds until she stops for the same elevator, in hesitation.

“Why are you still here?” he asks in concern.

She doesn’t respond which makes him mad, slowly.
“I am your Boss here, Khushi. Answer me” his tone roughens.

Yes, that is the only excuse he will keep using to make her talk to him. She is forced to respond.
“I had extra work to finish”
“Where’s your team?”
“They are gone”

He grits his teeth. She is working all alone? He does not doubt his security to protect the employees who work till late, but whenever it’s about Khushi, he wants an extra layer of security for her.

“You are a lead, make your team work than slogging alone”

She glances at him. She does not need his concern, neither his advice.
“My work was pending, not theirs’s” she retaliates.
The lift doors open and they head inside. Khushi is uncomfortable, the dress is making her that way. Arnav notices that. Her awkwardness is pasted on her face. In the morning she was wearing something more official. She might have changed for the party. As far as he is aware, she has never worn such dresses before. She prefers a simple clothing. Why didn’t she stick to that mindset tonight?

“I am heading for the Party, come with me” he commands.
Khushi laughs in sarcasm and she is even shocked at his openness in asking her this. They are not friends, they are enemies, why does he forget that, always?
“Stop day dreaming. You may be my Boss, but you have no rights over me outside this Office premises. Sanjay is riding me on his bike. I don’t want your lift”

Every muscle in Arnav twitches at those words from her.

“Don’t assess my mood, Khushi. You are not going on a Bike in that dress” he warns dangerously.
Khushi is stunned at his orders. Who is he to tell her what she needs to wear and what not?
“You can’t stop me”

The lift doors open again. Khushi heads out to the exit. Arnav clenches his jaw. How can she act so immature? When he comes out, he sees Khushi sit behind Sanjay. She ensures her dress doesn’t really fly when the bike starts. She tucks the extra frills of the dress, underneath her. She knows he is watching her. But she hardly cares. Sanjay, grins at himself in the mirror and then rides out of the Office premise. Arnav’s driver parks the car before him and opens the Passenger seat door. Arnav gets in.

“Follow that Bike, ensure they don’t see us. Don’t be that close” he commands to the driver who nods and drives out.

Following the bike is only to ensure Khushi reaches safely in the Party. He does not want her in any kind of trouble. Khushi and Sanjay has no idea they are been followed. Arnav can see them from his Car. Sanjay is talking something, making her laugh. That LAUGH!! Will it ever come out from her lips because of him? Just once? It’s like a mission impossible for Arnav Singh Raizada. He realizes that Khushi is very conscious of her dress and she keeps tucking it properly, every time she feels it necessary. She better be that cautious.

The drive to the Party Venue takes hardly 30 minutes. Khushi and Sanjay get inside together. Arnav follows them inside. He is stopped by Lavanya who asks him why he got late. Shyam joins them too and takes him along to introduce him to some of their known Business People. In short, he gets busy. Though he is around many people, his eyes don’t stop glancing at Khushi, from time to time. She is with her team and they are talking to Tanuja right now, wishing her on her Birthday. Tanuja hugs Khushi and compliments her for the dress she is wearing.

“That’s one of my creation” Khushi shares.
“Wow, I liked it Khushi. You have a genius mind. Where were you hiding all these days? Or maybe Arnav wanted you all for himself.” She smiles teasingly.

Khushi hates that comment. What is that supposed to mean? Arnav hears that too and the look on his face changes. He looks more vulnerable right now. Can he ever have Khushi Gupta all for himself?
“He has nothing to do with me, Tanuja” Khushi’s voice modulation is quite alarming.
Before Tanuja could sense something wrong, Shyam comes to rescue.
“Exactly, Raizada’s have nothing to do with hiding Khushi all these days. In fact, I kept pushing her for trying her luck but she was not very confident to take up such huge projects”

Tanuja nods.
“I am lucky that she chose mine. Anyways, I will have to attend my other guests. Please enjoy the party” Tanuja leaves. Khushi looks at Shyam.
“Khushi, she is our client, don’t let your problems surface in your talk. It can spoil our relations with her” Shyam advises. Khushi nods.
“I didn’t mean to Shyam. Sorry”
“That’s okay. You need a drink? You should try some mocktails” he insisted.
“I will try those, you join your Big Shots Group” she pushed him a bit.
“Don’t be alone, I am just around. Okay?” he was always worried for her. She nods positively and Shyam leaves again.

888888888888

Sanjay gets a drink for Khushi. She is talking to Pallavi right now and very much engrossed that she doesn’t even ask Sanjay if it’s a mocktail or cocktail. She sips some of it. Arnav fists his fingers. He had seen Sanjay picking the glass from the cocktail section. He might have not done this deliberately, maybe he doesn’t know that Khushi has never consumed any hard drinks. Well, now she has. Arnav knows he will have to keep an eye on the woman, or else, she might go missing, anytime. The sight of Sanjay standing close to her, infuriates him. He could have stopped Sanjay from passing that drink to her, but he cannot babysit that girl, every time. Because even if he does, all she has for him is hatred and she doesn’t mind taking it out before any audience.

Khushi sips the cocktail a little more and keeps talking. Tanuja cuts the cake, everyone cheers. Tanuja asks Arnav to open the Champagne bottle, as a token of their newly signed Deal. He does the honors. That is the only few minutes he skips watching Khushi. When he serves the Champagne to Tanuja and few others, he again scans the people around. Where is she? She is right here few minutes ago. With an uncertain expression he hands the bottle to Shyam and excuses from the group, looking for Khushi. He just hopes she is not in any trouble. Even Sanjay is missing. He is not seen with his group. Heaven knows where she is and if they both are together, he will tear apart the Sky tonight.

After a 5 minute of search, he finds her standing towards a bush. She is at the backside lawn of the Venue, alone and throwing out. She looks pale and totally exhausted. The Cocktail has shown its aftereffects. He takes a deep breath, feeling relaxed of finding her, ALONE especially, and then hurries to her.

___________________________________________________

Part 16

After a 5 minute of search, Arnav finds Khushi standing towards a bush. She is at the backside lawn of the Venue, alone and throwing out. She looks pale and totally exhausted. The Cocktail has shown its aftereffects. He takes a deep breath, feeling relaxed for finding her, ALONE especially, and then hurries to her. He holds his arm around her shoulders, to calm her down. She is still bent and throwing up.

“Sshhh” he caresses her.

That little tone of his makes her aware who is holding her like that. She immediately stands straight and meets his eyes. The moment she sees him, she shrugs his arms.

“Get off me” she stumbles in the process of pushing him away.

Arnav grits his teeth. She will never understand that all he wants is, to see her safe. He removes a kerchief from his pocket and hands it to her.

“Wipe your face” he commands.

Khushi feels awkward at his behavior and uncalled help. Even if she is over drunk she tries to analyze few things. He can see she is thinking something. She takes few minutes and then looks at him with utmost rage.

“What did you mix in my drink?” she barks

Arnav’s patience is at stake. He fists his fingers and inhales deep.

“I will never do that to you” he yells.
“Is it? Then.. then why the hell am I drowsy?” she retaliates.
“Because you are drunk, dammit. It was a bloody cocktail that you gulped down. Did you even bother to check what someone is offering you?” he scolds.

She takes few seconds to understand what he said.

“Cocktail? It was a cocktail? I thought. I… Shit” she slaps her own cheeks in disgust. They become red instantly. Something burns inside Arnav seeing her reddened cheeks. He gulps that tension and tries to concentrate again.

“Take it” he hands her the kerchief again and this time she does not defend. She wipes her lips. Arnav hurries somewhere. He left? Thank God. She tries to rub her forehead. It’s aching badly. She finds him returning again and this time with a Water bottle. He passes it to her.

“Drink it” he commands again.

She shows some hesitation and then gulps the water. Her stomach feels empty. She remembers she has not eaten much since morning. Obviously, the alcohol will make her throw out again and again. She holds the side brick wall for support and swallows hard. She looks at Arnav who is making a call but looks like the person on the other end does not answer. He curses something while disconnecting the call and looks at her.

“I will take you home. Come” he offers his arm but she moves back.
“No” she screams. “I won’t go with you”
“You don’t have a choice, lady. We are at the Client’s location and this is their party. I don’t want a scene happening here. We need to get out of this place NOW” he roars and holding her arm, he drags her towards the Parking.

Khushi resists but fails.

“You are walking too fast, my sandals, ouuchh” she screams. One of her Sandal Heal break and she is now imbalanced to walk. He stops.

“That was my favorite Sandal” she almost starts crying.

The alcohol is really making her talk senseless. He tries to drag her again, but she denies putting her effort. He realizes she is not going to leave this place at all if he gives her time. So, without even taking her permission, he leans down and carries her over his shoulder. She swims her feet in the air, in self-defense, but to no use.

“This is ridiculous. You can’t touch me” she pats on his back.
“You left me no choice” he holds her tighter and carries her all the way to the Parking. His driver becomes alert and opens the passenger seat door. Arnav puts Khushi inside and sits next to her. She tries to leave from the other door, but he holds her hand.
“Stop misbehaving” he scolds her again.
“You stop intimidating me” she scoffs back.
“Take us home” Arnav orders the driver who pulls the engine and they are soon out of the Venue.

Khushi’s head spins. She leans back on the seat and closes her eyes. Arnav watches her with some anger first which slowly turns into an admiration as she dozes off, peacefully. Her hair keeps tickling her face, he gently tucks them behind her ear and looks forward. Whatever stunt she has pulled today, he could safeguard her at the right time. Though she will never acknowledge it, never appreciate it, he doesn’t care. The next instant, her head falls on his shoulder blade as the car takes a sharp turn. He gulps. Her cheeks become pale again. He wants to touch them, see if that changes their color back to red. But he refrains from doing so. It is not right. But one day, he will do that to her, one day, when she is fully conscious.

He controls the urge of touching the woman who is securely sleeping on his shoulder. In next 20 minutes, they reach Shantivan. The driver gets down and opens the car door for them. Arnav knows she is in deep sleep and might not have that much energy to walk on her own. He will have to carry her to the room. He picks her up and leads her inside. To his luck, no one sees them. He puts her on the bed, removes her shoes and then covers her with the Duvet. She cuddles the pillow and murmurs something.

“I hate you” she murmurs a bit loud this time. “I hate you Arnav Singh Raizada”

Arnav feels an ache in his throat. Yes, he knows she hates him. Whatever he does for her can never fade the bruises he has left in his mind and heart. He shuts the lamp off and heads for his bedroom.
888
Khushi wakes up with a jolt. It is chilling cold, she rubs her body and that’s when she realizes that she is still wearing that Yellow frock which she wore during the Party, last night. But when did she come back home? She recalls slowly giving some pressure to her brain. She was throwing up, Arnav Singh Raizada comes for help, gives her his kerchief, then water, picks her up and puts her in the car. She remembers everything. But how did she reach the room? Did he place her on bed? Holy Shit. How dare he touch her?

She checks the time, it’s 08:00. She has to get ready for work. She leans to pick her mobile phone from the side table and finds a pill there. She is again surprised. It’s for her hangover. That means he has kept it here. Who asks him to do so much favors on her? She tries to get down the bed without taking the pill but the moment she steps down, her head spins badly. She cannot take that ache for the rest of the day. It is better to take the pill and start her routine. She gulps the pill and rushes to shower.
When she comes down for breakfast, getting ready for work, she sees Shyam and Anjali at the table.

“Good Morning” she wishes them both and hugs Anjali.
“Morning. When did you come home last night?” Anjali asks with concern
“And who dropped you home?” Shyam adds.
Khushi tries to find some answers. She doesn’t know how will they react about that entire cocktail incident. She really had put herself to risk last night.

She hears Arnav’s voice suddenly. He is coming downstairs, busy talking over his Bluetooth. When his eyes shift on hers, she feels suffocated. Can she believe he had picked her in arms, last night, and even put her to bed? This dark knight protected her? Fortunately, Shyam and Anjali’s attention now shifts on Arnav. He sits next to Shyam and starts serving himself. He never waits for anyone to serve him, he always does it himself.

“Chotte, even you left suddenly from the party. Sorry, I missed your calls. My phone was in silent mode” Shyam apologizes.

Now Khushi knows whom Arnav had tried calling last night, when he was with her. So that means he didn’t tell anyone what happened in the party. Arnav’s bright eyes gaze at Khushi and then he replies Shyam with ease.

“I had called you to inform the same. I had to leave. Got an emergency” he started buttering his toast, looking at her. It made her feel more conscious.
“Emergency? I hope that is resolved now” Shyam shows some concern.
“Yes. Hopefully, it won’t be repeated again” Arnav’s eyes are back on Khushi and she gulps. Is he warning her?
“I will leave” Khushi gets up finishing the Juice. “I have a lot of work pending” she adds.
“But Khushi eat the Sandwich at least” Anjali insists.
“No thanks Anju. I will pick something on the way”
“How are you going?” Shyam asks
“I will take a Cab, don’t worry” she picks her purse and rushes out.

Shyam sighs and looks at Arnav whose eyes are on Khushi while she is leaving urgently. Arnav then continues to eat.

“We will have to fix this issue with Khushi’s transport. May be a fixed Cab service which can pick and drop her according to her schedule should work” he proposes to Shyam.
Shyam likes the idea and he is not surprised that Arnav is thinking about her comfort, so deeply. He waits for Arnav to finish his ideas.
“She will not like me doing favors on her neither she will allow you to drive her daily to work. So, this is the best solution, she can even pay the Cab service from her Salary” Arnav adds.
“Good thought, Chotte. I will talk to her today about this”

Arnav nods and continues eating. One thing resolved. But there are few more issues related to that woman which he will have to take care of.
888
Khushi comes at Sanjay’s desk. He is busy working. Luckily, he is alone.

“Did you give me a Cocktail last night?” she asks.
“Hey.. hi .. Yes” he doesn’t understand how to react. “Why?” he asks
“I don’t drink alcohol” she replies nervously, feeling guilty.
“Oh, I am sorry Khushi. I didn’t know that” he gets up to apologize.
“That’s okay. It’s not really your fault. I should have checked it too” she replies in disappointment.
“Hmm. So, is that why you suddenly went missing from the party? I even tried to call you many a times, but no luck”
“My phone battery drained. I charged it today morning”

That’s when Aman Mathur comes to them.
“Sanjay, ASR is calling you in his cabin” he says and leaves
Sanjay is surprised and so is Khushi.
“ASR has called me? I hope it’s nothing serious. I fear that man so much” he gulps wiping off the sweat beads from his forehead and then quickly makes his way to Arnav’s cabin.

Khushi becomes thoughtful. Why has he called Sanjay? She hopes it has nothing to do with that Cocktail thing. After 15 minutes, Sanjay returns. Khushi is still around, talking to Pallavi.

“Sanjay, what happened. Why were you called?” Khushi asks curiously.
Sanjay sighs in disappointment.
“I have been moved in the other team. Akshay’s team needs one resource. So, ASR has moved me in Akshay’s team” he sits and gulps some water.
Khushi is grounded. This is surely one of his ways to keep Sanjay away from her. What does he think of himself? Pallavi intervenes her thoughts.
“Sanjay, it’s fine. The management has full rights to move us anywhere, internally. And Akshay’s team has all senior resources. I am sure you will get more experience there” Pallavi appreciates.
“Yes, I know. But, I will miss you guys. Especially my team leader, Khushi” Sanjay winks at Khushi.
Khushi tries to act normal. She knows Sanjay flirts with her but she never gives him any kind of positive signal.
“Sanjay, we all are still in the same office. So, we will keep meeting. Now get back to work guys, we are wasting time” Khushi replies and walks back to her cabin.
She cannot believe Arnav Singh Raizada did this. She stops at her cabin door. Should she go and check why he did that? Why not? If he can poke in her life, she can poke in his cabin for sure. She headed to his cabin and barged in. Aman Mathur and Arnav Singh Raizada are discussing something. Shit. She didn’t know he had a company. She thought he is alone. Aman gets serious when Khushi walks in the Boss’s cabin, without knocking or taking permission. He gets up to warn her but Arnav intervenes.

“Aman, I will take it from here. You may leave”

Aman gets confused when ASR instead of howling for the misconduct from his employee was taking this so lightly. Aman took the file and left the cabin.

“You broke the rule, again!!” he glances angrily at her. “Barging into the Boss’s cabin is not allowed here”

She folds her arms across her chest.
“Transferring an employee to other Project only because the Boss is insecure, is allowed here?” she backfires.

Arnav gets up from the chair, comes forward and leans his back on the desk. His hands automatically get in his pant pockets.

“My Company, my rules” he utters with a lot of attitude.
She is speechless.
“Next time you be careless to yourself, I am going to go out of my way to make things fine. Be glad that Sanjay is still in this Office. I didn’t fire him. Next time he approaches you, he will be fired”

Khushi’s jaw drops.

“Who are you to decide who can approach me and who can’t?” she roars in anger. Thanks to the voice proof glasses of this Cabin that no outsider can hear them fight. She continues arguing. “You are so frustrating”
How he wished to tell her what she means to him. But that will enrage her more. So, he chooses to end the discussion here.
“Get back to work, Khushi” he turns and walks back to his Chair, sits and continues typing on his Laptop. Khushi becomes mad at his reactions. He is testing her spirits. She promised to herself not to let him win. She opens the cabin door and leaves, fuming.

___________________________________________________

Part 17

“You killed someone?” the 15-year old boy, Nilesh asks loudly. “Amol, Tushar, Ram come here, look who has joined the Rehab?” the boys come running to him. The 16-year old Arnav tries to leave, but the boys circle him. They are giving him mocking looks.

“How did you kill him?” Amol asks.
“Did you stab him?” Tushar curiously enquires.
“Or did you shoot a bullet?” Ram queries.
“No no, he smashed him below his car”, Nilesh answers.

Arnav feels ridiculous to hear all that.

“Leave my way” Arnav looks angrily at the boys who were digging for more details. How can they even talk about it? Don’t they have a heart? They are of his age, not more than 17 for sure. They are so openly discussing about someone’s death as if it means nothing to them. They are mocking at him. Arnav tries to move Amol out of his way, but Amol pushes him back. Arnav falls down. Everyone laughs.

“This boy has guts.” Amol roars.
“Beat him” Nilesh orders.

Amol, Tushar, Ram and Nilesh start kicking Arnav. The pain is worse. He wants to punch them back. But he is holding up. He deserves this. He is a killer, he is just getting paid for his own sins.

“Don’t beat me. Get off me. Don’t beat me” he keeps screaming until a security guard of the Rehab intervenes and drags the boys away from the bleeding Arnav, who falls unconscious due to the pain.

Arnav wakes up. Jesus! He is drenched in sweat. His heart is pounding. He can still feel the pain of those kicks on his body, the flashback felt so real. He sits upright on the bed and hides his face in his palms. These memories will never fade. Almost every night he lives the memories of those 2 years he spent in the Child remand. His Psychologist had tried all his ways to get him forget these horrible moments, but nothing succeeded. Maybe it will end only when his life ends. It’s 02:00 am. Everyone is sleeping peacefully in the house, it’s only him, who cannot even think of sleep. He opens his laptop to work, at least that can divert his mind for some time.

8888888888

It’s last day of the month, the pay day. Khushi gets her first salary credited in her account. She is overjoyed. She makes Jalebi’s, her favorite and is distributing it to everyone, all maids of Shantivan and the family members too. She feeds Shyam and Anjali, who congratulate her. Shyam places his palm over Khushi’s head to bless her.

“May you achieve every success you deserve” Shyam says.
“Thanks, Shyam” she hugs him.

Arnav is watching all this from the Living room. She is so happy for just a 5-digit salary figure. She deserves more. Considering the hard work and dedication she shows in her work, she will soon earn better than this. He is talking on the phone to Aman, but his eyes are strictly on her. The way she jumps in excitement, kisses Anjali’s cheek, and eats those self-made Jalebi’s in between sharing her happiness. She is a bliss to watch.

“Did you give Daadi” Anjali asks.
“I had been to her room but she was reciting some prayers. So, I came back” Khushi has no remorse that Daadi didn’t take her sweet yet. She knows that woman will never appreciate her hard work.
“And Arnav? Did you give him?”
Khushi looks shockingly at Shyam. How can he ask this? He knows everything, how much she hates even his sight, then why will she share her happiness with that man?
“Don’t take me wrong. But he is also your Boss. If you can give sweets to everyone related to your personal and professional life, I feel he deserves it too” he explains his point of view.

Khushi looks at Arnav who is busy over the call again. She takes the plate of Jalebi’s and makes her way to Arnav Singh Raizada. Anjali stares at Shyam.

“You shouldn’t have done that. You know what Arnav feels about her, you should avoid him falling more for her. Such small meet ups between them is going to break his heart later” she raises her concern which Shyam agrees with a nod.
“I know. But I want his heart to break sooner than later. Khushi herself should make him understand that he is dreaming something unachievable. He will only take in her words seriously, not ours”

Shyam has a point but he also knows that once this happens, Arnav will be pushed more away from this family. He will again walk the dreaded paths of loneliness and there might be no chance of pulling him back to sunshine. Wish he could change this somehow.

Khushi stops before Arnav and extends the Plate of Jalebi’s towards him. Arnav is baffled. He hangs up and watches her intently.

“Shyam thinks you owe your share of this sweet” she exclaims with no expressions.
“And you? What do you think?” he asks, almost amusing her. She becomes speechless as he continues. “If you don’t want to share this joy with me, I won’t take it either”

She gulps and then sighs deeply.

“You want to know what I think?” she asks. He nods. “I think sharing your joy with your enemies, almost doubles it”
Her eyes light up with wicked grin.
“Now I don’t need to tell you, who my enemy is. You know it, don’t you? So, take it” she requests sarcastically.
Arnav’s heart is racing. She will always consider him as her enemy. Well, ‘Enemy’ a better word than being termed as ‘Her father’s murderer’. He still picks the Jalebi from the plate and looks at her. She waits. He bites a piece of it, swallows its sweetness, without shifting his gaze from her.
“Congratulations Miss Gupta. I wish you climb all stairs of success and make your Father proud”

He realizes what he just said. But he really meant it. Her father was her only family, and she will never consider this family as hers. So ultimately, he is the only one she will like to make Proud by her work. He gazes into her impatient eyes which fills with tears, almost instantly.

“Don’t you dare talk about my father. You never had that right. Never”

Before Arnav can articulate some response, she rushes to her room, keeping the plate of Jalebi’s on the table. Arnav grits his teeth. He made her upset. He should not have said that. Shyam and Anjali are equally shocked with what just happened. Arnav inhales sharply once and heads out. He turned this joy sharing session into a disaster, hurting her unintentionally. How many times will he hurt that woman? He will have to keep a tab on his tongue and thoughts. Hurting her, making her cry, is the last thing he will like to see in this birth and the next seven.

*****************

The next day, Arnav is just prepared to leave for work when Hari Prakash knocks his door and gets in.

“Bhaiyaa, these are few letters for you”

Arnav takes the letters from him and HP leaves. Arnav quickly checks the senders of these Letters. Two of these letters were expected by him, so he casually flips for the third one. It’s sent from Lakshmi Nagar Post office. What is this? And isn’t Lakshmi Nagar the same place where Khushi stayed in her childhood? He opens the envelope and takes out the letter, reading it out to himself.

Arnav Raizada, 

I have to talk to you about some unsettled business with Shashi Gupta. If you don’t have time, I can talk to his daughter. She is not very far from my sight. 

If you have time, meet me today sharp at 10:00 am, outside the Post office of Lakshmi Nagar. You will not recognize me, but I do. That’s weakness of Rich people, they can easily be traced. 

Uday Khatri.

Arnav crumples the paper in his fist. Who is this man? What unsettled business is he talking about? He knows Khushi too? How? He immediately walks out of his room. Hari Prakash is serving over the Breakfast table.

“Hari Prakash, where is Khushi?”
“Khushi Jeeji has left early morning” he informs.
It’s Sunday. She cannot go to Office.
“Where?” his eyes are wide and serious.
“I. I don’t know Bhaiyaa. She didn’t tell me.”

That doesn’t seem right. He is worried for her. He hopes she is safe. He dials Khushi’s number which obviously she has not saved in her mobile. She ignores the first two rings which infuriates him even more. The third time luckily, she answers. The moment he hears her voice, he barks in anger.

“Where the hell are you?”

She does not need introduction to this voice. She knows who is on the other end but what she does not know is why has he called her for?

“I don’t need to give my attendance to you, outside working hours” she yells from the other end.
He tries to be patient in handling this matter.
“Khushi, I asked, where are you? What location? Are you alone?” though he has lowered his tone, she can feel the rage in it, the curiosity in tracing her, for whatever reasons. But why will she bother?
“Stop wasting my time” she disconnects the call, pissing him more.
He knows she will not answer. He dials Aman.
“Aman, trace a number for me. I am messaging you”

Aman doesn’t get any opportunity to ask further questions as Arnav hangs up immediately. In few seconds, Aman gets the number. He quickly uses their resources and gets the location of the number traced in high priority. He calls up Arnav who is waiting desperately to know her whereabouts. As soon as he gets it from Aman, he immediately leaves for that place.

The location Aman gave is of Lakshmi Nagar. Why did Khushi go there? Has Uday Khatri called her there? Does she know him? If Khushi reaches there, it will be a very easy trap if she does not pay attention of her surroundings. He asks the Driver to drive speedily. Whoever this Uday Khatri is he will deal with him separately. Right now, ensuring Khushi’s safety is his priority. Shyam has joined his wife to her Mayka today. Anjali’s long relatives have come to Delhi, they didn’t want to leave without meeting the couple.

Arnav’s driver parks the car at Lakshmi Nagar. Arnav gets down and scans the area. He starts looking for her. Suddenly, he sees Khushi standing at a huge Banyan tree and looking at a house, from far. He calms down. She is safe. He feels his heart beating again. This woman literally had killed him few minutes ago. Why was she looking so intently at that house? Does she know anyone there? His heart raced again. Is it, is it her house? Pain resurfaced again on his face. He remembers Shyam had told her once. Khushi has not stepped in her own house from past 11 years. She has so many memories there, with her father.

Khushi wipes the corner of her eye and takes a turn to leave. She is shocked to find Arnav Singh Raizada standing there, looking at her. A sudden rage bursts inside her and she strides towards him.

“How did you step in here? Don’t you have some shame? Or wait, did you come here to reminisce the memories of that dreadful night? When you smashed my father under your car?” she shouts.

Arnav then recollects. Yes, this is the same place where that accident took place. The Banyan tree, this was the same tree where he had hit his car that night. He felt shivers run down his spine. He is standing exactly at that same place where he had killed Khushi’s father. He stumbles. He steps back. The look on his face confuses Khushi. Her anger has not mellowed down, but the way he is reacting to her words, surprises her. He is about to fall but he manages to hold the scooter that is parked there. He is not yet ready to be at this place, to face this. His head starts spinning. Khushi just waits there looking at him. He must be feeling giddy, she knows. Arnav tries to focus but fails. This is the place where everything started. His ill fate and hers too. She lost her father and he lost everything, his childhood, his self-confidence, his dignity and the courage to look in his own eyes.

Arnav’s driver, Mohan, reaches the spot. He had been looking for Khushi too based on Arnav’s orders. Mohan quickly comes to Arnav’s rescue.
“Sir? Are you okay?” he asks in worry.
“Yeah” he holds the pillar, trying to ease off that giddy feeling.
Khushi has no clue why is Arnav here first of all? But, she knows what’s happening to him. His guilt and the past memories of that accident are haunting his mind.
“Khushi Madam, what are you doing there? Come here and help me take Sir Home” Mohan screams at her.

Khushi clenches her jaw. Why will she help him? But somehow the way Arnav is gasping for some breath mellows some of her anger. There exists something called Humanity. She removes a water bottle from her purse and reaches Arnav. She extends it to him. He denies. Mohan snatches it from her and forcibly makes Arnav drink the water. He feels better.

“Let me get the car. Please wait here. Khushi Madam, please take care of him” Mohan says.
“No. I am fine. You take her home” he commands.
“I don’t want to go home” she scowls.
“Get the car, Mohan” he does not care if she wants to leave this place or not.

Mohan hurries to get the car. Khushi plans to walk out from there but Arnav grips her arm. She struggles but to no use. Mohan halts the car towards them. He opens the door, pushes Khushi inside and closes the door. He then looks at Mohan.

“Don’t stop the car anywhere” he warns “Not even if she orders to”

Khushi gets confused. What is happening? Why is he acting like a maniac? Mohan drives the car out of Lakshmi Nagar with Khushi seated inside.
___________________________________________________


Part 18

Khushi is shocked by the way Arnav Singh Raizada behaved with her, at Lakshmi Nagar. Why did he come there? Why did he ask the driver to take her back home? Though she has no single clue of why he exactly did that, one thing she was very contended with; to watch him helpless and shattered when she told him that was the same place where 11 years ago that accident took place. The way he broke down, she can tell it very clearly, he was repenting for that night even today. But if his repentance could get her father back, she would have forgiven him long ago. Tears pool in her eyes as Mohan parks the car inside the gates of Shantivan. She gets down and hurries inside the house.
***************
It’s sharp 10:00 am. Uday Khatri has called Arnav outside the post office at this time. Arnav is restless. He wants to know who this man is and what connection does he have with Khushi or her father. Someone suddenly pats his back and he turns around. A tall and sturdy man is standing before him wearing a hooded jacket. He is wearing a thick gold chain in his neck and almost a ring on every finger.

“Arnav Raizada, I knew you will come” his voice echoes in his ears. The man has a very sharp voice, like a goon.
“Who are you?” Arnav asks politely.
“I am the one who called you, I am Uday Khatri. Rest of the talks, we will do elsewhere” he scans the area to see if Arnav had got any of his guards with him.
“I am alone. But I am not going to move out of this place. If you want to talk to me, you will have to talk here Uday”

Seeing Arnav’s adamancy from leaving this place, Uday agrees to talk right here.

“Fine, the listen. I want my money”
“Which money?” Arnav carefully asks.
“The money which Shashi Gupta took from my father”

Now that’s a news for Arnav.

“What is the proof that Shashi Gupta took money from your father?” he comes straight to the point.
“We have a signed agreement from him. He had taken a loan of 30 lacs from us for a period of 1 year and before he could return it, he passed away. Now we want to recover that money. Either you give it back to us or we will contact that girl. Khushi.. In our Business, we have our own ways to extract money from a woman.” Uday tries to threaten.

The moment Uday utters this, Arnav pulls his collar in anger.

“Don’t you dare go near her or else forget money, I will ensure that next time you are not even stable to give any further loans to people” he scowls, gritting his teeth.
Uday tries to shrug Arnav’s arm away but fails.
“Show your anger to someone else. You don’t know who I am. We had given that loan to Shashi Gupta and you killed him. Do you think, we don’t know anything?” Uday taunts.
Arnav’s grip on Uday loosens. This is one thing which he does not want to remember. That fateful night. Uday then shrugs off Arnav’s arms from his collar and dusts his shirt.
“How did you provide such a big loan to him? What was the guarantee they Gupta’s would pay it back?” Arnav tries to dig more.
“Shashi Gupta kept his house in mortgage for that loan amount” Uday replies. “We can sell that house and try to settle our amount but the house is old, we won’t get a good buyer, neither the selling amount will be enough to recover the full loan amount. Thus, we have not tried that option yet”

Arnav is shocked. Why will Khushi’s father take such a big loan? Did he use the loan money? If yes, on what? And if no, then where is that money?

Uday’s next words get him out of his stance.

“Look Raizada, we don’t have anything to do with you or your family. Just give us the money back and we will no longer contact you. As it is, we are tired contacting your family from years” Uday adds.

Arnav is baffled to know this. Uday has earlier made contacts to his family? To whom?

“Whom did you contact about this, apart from me?” he asks.
“Subhadra Raizada. She is the only one we have been contacting from past few years but she is not ready to give the money. That’s why this time we contacted you”

Arnav is shocked. Daadi knows about all this? Why didn’t she settle this score earlier?
“So, tell me, when are we getting the money back?” Uday asks curiously.
“Not so easy Uday. First, you will have to get the papers which Shashi Gupta signed regarding this loan. I will verify them through my sources. And the money will only be disbursed when you sign another agreement with us stating that you will no longer threaten us or Khushi Gupta henceforth” Arnav replies confidently.
Uday is perplexed at his intelligence. No wonder he is a typical Businessman. He will close all ends of the deal securely.

“Okay, when and where should I come with the Agreement of Shashi Gupta?”

Arnav removes his sunglasses from the pocket and wears it.

“My man will contact you”
Saying that he turns to leave. Uday is confused.
“Contact me? But you don’t have my number or any other details yet” he raises the concern.
Arnav stops and turns around to him, smirking.
“If people like us can be easily tracked, we can also trace others easily” Arnav responds.

Uday is impressed. He nods and walks away.
***************
Arnav returns back home and heads straight to Daadi’s room. She has just finished reading some mythological book. She gets up from the chair and keeps the books in the Closet. That’s when Arnav enters.

“Arnav, where had you been early morning? Hari Prakash told me you got some urgent work outside”

Arnav shuts the door of that room. He does not want Khushi or anyone else in the house to hear this conversation. Daadi reads the expressions on his face and senses that he is angry. But why?

“You know Uday Khatri?” Arnav directly hits the target. Daadi is amused how come Arnav knows this name. But she takes a chance and denies.
“No. I don’t know any person by that name”

She tries to move away. But Arnav blocks her way.

“It was you who taught me to always speak the truth. Why are you lying today, Daadi?” his voice is still stern.
Daadi understands that he somehow has got to know the connection between Khushi, Uday and herself.

“I lied because I don’t want you to get into all this. You have come back after such a long time, Chotte. You have served enough remorse. I want you to be happy and stay out of this”
Her worry, concern is acceptable but that does not sort things.
“Why didn’t you give the money and settle the matter?” he asks uncertainly.
Daadi gives an amused expression to him.
“Why should we pay? It is their loan, we are nowhere connected. It’s better we stay out of it”

He didn’t expect much from his Daadi in this matter. But it is necessary that he tells her what he is planning to do.

“Her house is mortgaged with them. That’s Khushi’s only asset from her family side. You can’t expect her to lose it Daadi”





Daadi gets furious.
“What they do with her house, it’s their problem. You stop getting involved in this, Chotte. She is not your responsibility”
“SHE IS MY RESPONSIBILITY” he roars in anger. Daadi is shaken by his tone and thoughts. “She lost her father because of me. I won’t let her lose anything beyond this. Good you didn’t settle this matter earlier, because I got this opportunity to deal with it now, in my own way”

He turns around to leave, Daadi holds his arm.

“Chotte, why are you showing so much favor for that woman? Don’t you see how much she hates you? Even if you turn the whole world upside down, she is not going to see the genuineness in your deeds. She is so bitter”
“I am not doing any favor on her Daadi. Whatever I am doing for her, you or no one else will ever understand” he shrugs her arms and leaves the room.

Subhadra senses what his words meant. Arnav will always be there for that Khushi Gupta, doesn’t matter how much she hates him. But being his Daadi, she will not let her Grandson face more disgust from that woman. She will have to do something quick to ensure Khushi is out of Arnav’s life, forever.

Arnav walks through the lobby to get back to his bedroom. He is already pissed off with the conversation he had with Daadi. Khushi blocks his way. She had been waiting for him to return back. And when she saw him getting in the house, before she could reach him, he had locked himself in Daadi’s room. That’s when she understood, this has something to do with her. Arnav’s brow creases. She doesn’t care.

“Kya chupa rahe ho mujhse?” (What are you hiding from me?) she tries hard not to lose her control because she was not here to fight with him, but to know the real matter.

He stays quiet and unaffected as rock.
“Look, I know this has something to do with me, and that’s why I need to know. What were you doing there in Lakshmi Nagar? Why did you get me out of that place so hurriedly? Why?” She scowls again.

Fury is emanating from every look of hers.

“When it’s really needed, I will tell you everything. Not now” he maintains a low tone, not to scare her, or worsen her anger. He strides again to his bedroom. She follows him.
“That means its related to me. What is it? I have a right to know. I don’t trust you with regards to any of my personal matters” she screams again.

Arnav has entered his bedroom and he does not want to shut the door on her face. He stops inside and turns to face her. She is in his room, probably for the first time. Did she ever step in her, in his absence?
Arnav is still quiet and showing patience to her bickering. He does not want to share the Uday Khatri matter to Khushi and scare her. He knows if he tells her, she will never let him pay the due amount of the loan. She will not allow him to do this favor for him.

Khushi becomes cautious where she has stepped in. It is his bedroom, the most hateful room in the entire house, because the person she hates so much, stays in here. Reality intrudes when she sees a painting board placed at the poolside. It has a sketch of some woman drawn on it, but she cannot see it clearly as its wrapped by a thin translucent paper above. Does he sketch? That’s another pass time of his apart from playing Guitar then. What does she have to do? She should better concentrate on the topic and get out the details from him. But something catches her eye about this painting, it feels so natural and that face which he has drawn, seems known. Her jaw drops. Is that her face? Something strikes deep in her heart.

Arnav gets an idea where she is looking at. He comes in between her sight.

“Get out of my room”
“What have you drawn?” her topic shifts. Now she is more interested in whose face he has sketched than the incident which happened in Lakshmi Nagar.

Arnav swallows hard. It’s his mistake that he left the drawing board in the poolside.

“I said GET OUT” this time his voice gets stern.

Khushi knows he will not tell her anything. Neither the face which he has sketched or the matter that he is hiding related to her. She tries to push him from her way and get to the poolside. Arnav holds her arm. He cannot let her see her own sketch and get shocked. He knows what this will end up in. Firstly, she will accuse him for drawing her sketch, then she will tear off that sketch from her own tiny hands and at the end, she will question his intentions for her. That’s the last thing he wants her to do. He drags her to the door and gently pushes her out of his room.

“Next time when I say GET OUT, leave the room immediately” he warns closing the door on her face.

Khushi’s jaw drops. What the hell is happening in this house? Earlier she just had a suspicion that the face on the sketch was hers, now by his actions she can confirm she is right. But why has he sketched her face? That should be last face in his mind. Or may be her face always haunts him. Yes, it can be that way. He is trying to earn her forgiveness and hence it’s the only face he remembers so much. She gulps. She really hopes she is thinking in the right direction. But what if this is wrong and he has any other type of interest in her? She will kill him for sure. Is he insane? He killed her father, how can he think of her in that way?

She closes her eyes to shrug these ill thoughts from her mind. Maybe she is thinking too hard and fast. She leaves from there. Arnav is still leaning with his back on the door. Did she get suspicious seeing the sketch? Hell No!!!

___________________________________________________

Part 19

“How can I be calm after seeing my sketch in his room, Anju?” Khushi scowls in frustration. She has been the same from yesterday evening, when she had entered Arnav’s bedroom and saw her sketch.
“I don’t understand what to infer from that?” she adds.

Khushi didn’t wanted to share this matter with anyone, but she couldn’t hide her frustration. Anjali was quick enough to pick something is bothering her and after much pleads she was able to know why.

“I hate it when he does anything related to me. And drawing my sketch is heights, Anju” she screams.
“Yes, it is. But why are you so boiling your blood. There is nothing you can do about it” Anjali replies trying to end this conversation.

Khushi stresses her mind to think what she can do. She devises a plan and she promises not to calm down until she succeeds in it.

Arnav Singh Raizada has gone to work when Khushi enters his room, secretly. She wants to look for that Sketch and destroy it. There is no point in keeping that sketch with her because it is he who drew it and she hates him. She opens the bedside drawers but finds nothing in them. She then heads for the closet. Fortunately, the closet is not locked by any passwords, though it’s the main function of such classy closet which was specially designed for Arnav Singh Raizada’s bedroom. Daadi respects her Grandson’s privacy and love for digital world which is why she had specifically chosen this type of unique closet for him. But simply waste. The closet is not locked today and Khushi finds herself lucky for that. She slides the closet door. He has a massive collection of Suits and formal shirts. She feels ridiculous to move them aside. It’s like she is touching him. She shuts her eyes. No Khushi, don’t fall weak now. She opens her eyes again and moves his suits to the other side. There is a hidden drawer, almost like a safe and this one needs a password to open. Arnav is not that foolish like she thought he will be. But why will he keep a simple sketch in a password protected safe like this? No way. She must be looking it elsewhere. She opens the other drawer and finds all ties neatly placed. She closes it again and kneels down to check the lower section of the closet. It has his shoes and socks. She gets up again and at the right side sees few files. Maybe the sketch is in one of these files. She starts flipping the pages of the files but doesn’t find the sketch. She gives up. She cannot look more than this. She keeps the files back and is about to close the closet again when she finds an envelope fallen on the floor. It might have come out from one of those files. She picks it up and somehow gets curious to read the contents. She opens it and takes out the paper It is the same letter which Uday Khatri had written to Arnav about some unfinished business with Shashi Gupta. Her eyes widen in shock. So, this is why Arnav was there in Lakshmi Nagar yesterday? To meet Uday Khatri? Who is this man? Did Arnav meet him? What did they talk? She hears some whispers from outside the room. Damn!! It’s Arnav’s voice. What is he doing back home? He had gone to Office. Shit. She immediately starts searching for a place to hide. At any cost, he should not know she checked his room, in his absence. She hides behind the long curtains of the French doors. This is the best place to hide. He cannot find her.

Arnav gets in the room, he is talking over his Bluetooth to someone.

“No Aman, I don’t want this matter to leak outside. What else did we find about Uday from our sources?”

He removes his tie and throws it on the bed. He is not aware that she is inside his room. Khushi can see him from the corner of the curtain. She gulps. This is so weird. Hiding in a man’s bedroom, that too the same man she hates so much. So, he has asked Aman to get details on Uday Khatri? What sort of details? And why? What did they talk?

“If he makes any move against Khushi, we are going to put an extortion case on him. I know he will not do any of that because all he wants is his money” Arnav continues unbuttoning his shirt and within second he takes it off from his upper body.

She feels totally out of place. Why she has to bear this torture of seeing her enemy undressing?

Arnav is about to unzip his pant when she gasps. It’s loud enough for Arnav to hear. He stops and turns around. He sees the curtains moving. How can they move when the door is closed? There is no breeze coming inside. He sees a portion of Khushi’s toe fingers curling. And he gets alert. He disconnects the call and comes forward. Khushi curses herself for landing in this terrible situation. Arnav slides the curtains aside, unleashing her presence.

Khushi meets his eye and she can say he is pissed off very naturally by her existence in his bedroom. She won’t run away from this situation. She is not a loser. She gulps the uneasiness and folds her arms across her chest.

“Who is Uday Khatri? What does he want?” she straightly asks.
“What are you doing in my bedroom?” he questions back.

She feels intimidated by his question. Get a grip Khushi. 
“What business does that Khatri have with my father?” she asks again maintaining the same tone.

Arnav calculates her curiosity in getting the answers from him and then holds her wrist, dragging her to the door. She struggles to be freed.
“You can’t keep me away from this information. If this is related to my father, I should be the first person to know” she scowls and he stops right then, freeing her arm.
“We are not on the same side, we can never be on the same side. So, sharing this information with you will only mean hurting you and allowing you to fuss with me which I am not going to let happen. Stay away from this until I sort it out. You get that?” he snaps back at her.

The level of anger in his tone forces a shiver run in her body.

“Who gave you the right to sort my problems? Because, I didn’t.”
“That’s right, you didn’t. So, I stole it from you. For your own good. Now leave my room at once”

He opens the door for her. She is perplexed. How is she supposed to know if he doesn’t speak up? She closes the door again and stands between him and the door.

“If you don’t tell me, I will find it myself. I have enough contacts in Lakshmi Nagar. I will trace this man” she replies.
Arnav fists his fingers.
“No, you won’t. He is dangerous.”
“I don’t care” she turns around but before she could leave the room, he pins her between him and the door.
“You will not do anything like that, Khushi. Wait, until I sort this matter. It is for your own good” he explains again maintaining a softer tone so that she understands.

She pushes him away and turns around.

“By hiding this matter, you are not doing any good with me, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. And stop protecting me because I am not your property” she scowls again.

There is a pin drop silence for some seconds, they are still gazing at each other. Finally, Arnav drops this argument. She is right. She should know about Uday Khatri so that she personally can stay alert.

“Your father had taken a hand loan from Uday Khatri’s father. Do you know anything about it?” he asks.
Khushi is stunned. Hand loan?
“No, why will he take a loan? I don’t remember we had any such expenses which can lead him towards this”
“Maybe he hide it from you”
“I was his daughter and matured enough to understand what’s happening around me. We were happy with whatever wages he used to get from his private job.”

This is the first decent conversation that they both were having, together.
“Fine, I have asked Uday Khatri to get the agreement papers which your father signed while taking this loan. We will get it reviewed thoroughly.”

Khushi becomes pale. What is this sudden new thing which has come up? Her father took a hand loan? Arnav observed her passive features and his over concern for Khushi started resurfacing.

“You don’t have worry. I am not going to leave this matter open for long” he assures.
“No, just back out of this” she interrupts. “This has nothing to do with you. I will take care of it” she adds.

Arnav clenches his jaw.

“Really? How will you take care of it, Khushi? Do you even know what that man has as mortgage against that loan? Your house in Lakshmi Nagar”
Khushi’s jaw drops. Her house?
“If that loan is genuine and Uday has all the required paperwork related to that hand loan, and if we don’t agree to settle, he will seize your property, your house. And I won’t let that happen”

Tears burst out from her eyes but she stills tries showing herself unaffected by his help.

“You are no one to decide that. It is my house, and if my father has mortgaged it against the loan, I will not stop Uday Khatri from selling it, if that gives him his money back” she replies.

Arnav is not shocked. He had expected that from her. She will never take his assistance for any of her issues.
“That’s the only asset your father has left for you, don’t waste it for people like Uday” he explains.

Khushi sighs sarcastically.

“If you would have spared my father’s life, me and my father would have built some more assets like this. So now don’t lecture me what I should do to resolve this matter”

Once again, her words pricked his heart. But Arnav is not going to let this situation slip from his hand, so easily.

“I am responsible for his absence in your life, so I am the only one who has all rights to ensure you don’t lose anything or anyone else. That house will never get sold. It will remain yours, forever. And that’s my word to you” he responds back catching her gaze.

She remains speechless while he walks to the bathroom, hoping to end this conversation here. Khushi screams at him.
“You cannot compensate my father’s life by paying back the hand loan”

Arnav stops. His fingers curl in a fist. He turns around.

“You are right. Money can’t be compensated for life. So, lets make some fair decisions now”

It takes a moment for Khushi to understand what he meant by taking fair decisions NOW. Arnav walks to the bed side table which has a plate holding fruits and a knife. He picks the knife and comes to Khushi, again. She is still amused what he intends to do with it? He extends the knife towards her but she doesn’t hold it. He forcefully makes her hold the knife and he himself holds her hands so that she doesn’t throw the knife away. While performing all of this, he doesn’t take off his eyes from hers, even for one second. He wants to see all her reactions to this stunt.

“What are you doing?” she asks in fear and frustration.
“I am doing what is right, Khushi. You think I murdered your father and I am done explaining you that it was an accident. A terrible mistake of a 16-year-old boy who was not aware that his one silly act of driving the car speedily will take an innocent man’s life. I cannot do anything to compensate for your father’s life, except this. A LIFE FOR A LIFE!! KILL ME..”

What the hell? KILL HIM? She struggles to set the knife off her hands but his hold is too tight on her.

“Arnav, stop this nonsense” she yells in anger.
“This is not nonsense. I am giving you an opportunity to make things fair again. I killed your father, you kill me, matter closed” he snaps.
“This is not a joke, Arnav”
“What is scaring you? This is what you always intended to do to me, all these years. I am giving you this chance. Don’t lose it, Khushi. Kill me” he steps towards her and she marches behind, finally hitting her back to the door. She has no other way to escape. Yes, she wanted to kill him for what he did with her father but she can’t really do that. She can hurt him, bruise him, but not kill. She will never take law in her hands.

Arnav manages to pierce half inch of the knife on his chest, close to his heart. It starts bleeding immediately. Khushi gets scared. Arnav doesn’t even flinch at that pain. He is only staring at Khushi. Tears starts flooding out from her eyes.
“Stop” she screams again and this time manages to shrug his hold from her hands. She throws the knife away and looks angrily at him.
“Just stop it Dammit. I can’t take your life. I just can’t take anyone’s life”

She drops herself on the floor and starts crying bitterly. Arnav kneels on the floor, before her.

“Just like you cannot take anyone’s life, I also cannot think of killing someone, Khushi. But it happened. And I paid a heavy price for that one mistake. You lost your father, I lost my family’s trust, my self esteem. I don’t like to look myself in the mirror. All I see in myself is that 16-year-old boy whom people treated like a trash, during his child remand of 2 years.”

Khushi painfully raises her head and meets his eyes. Her tears stop flowing from her eyes.

“Whenever I meet someone new, I look at them suspiciously, feeling scared that they might know about that accident. When someone touches me, I feel molested, because that is what someone tried to do when I was in child remand”

Khushi gapes at him with horror. MOLESTED?

“Whenever I eat, I remember the times when I was starving in child remand because the food there was spoiling my stomach, affecting my health”

Khushi’s tears dry on her cheeks. She is lost in listening to his side of the story.
“My punishment didn’t end after that 2 years Khushi, I am living its remains, even now. Free me from this pain. Free me from this disgust life. Free me”

Khushi feels that regret in his voice, in his eyes and in his actions. Arnav’s vision starts blurring. His eyes start closing, slowly and in no time, he falls on his back, on the ground. Khushi is horrified. Did he die? How can she forget, his chest is still bleeding? He need medic. He needs attention.

___________________________________________________

Part 20

“Hari Prakash” Khushi screams while holding Arnav Singh Raizada’s head in her palms. He is unconscious. His chest is continuously bleeding. She is scared. HP comes running inside the room.
“Arnav Bhaiya? What happened to him?”
“Call the Doctor. Just call the doctor” Khushi yells.

HP quickly dials the number of their Family Doctor, Dr. Sen and tells him about this emergency. After he disconnects the call, Khushi and HP both place Arnav on the bed. Khushi tears her Dupatta and HP assists her to tie it on Arnav’s chest to hold the bleeding until the Doctor arrives.

“Where is everyone?” Khushi asks HP.
“Daadiji has gone to Satsang and Shyam Bhaiya and Anjali Bhabhi have not come back from her Mayka”

Khushi is reluctant to let anyone else know about Arnav’s condition yet. She wants the Doctor to diagnose him first. She is so scared. The knife is still lying on the floor. HP is nervous because he has seen the knife and he is unable to conclude what happened between Arnav and Khushi that lead Arnav bleed and unconscious?

“That… that knife. What should I do with it?” HP asks to Khushi almost shivering.

Khushi then gazes at the knife, it still has Arnav’s blood over it. She feels sick. Was he mad? What if that knife had pierced his heart? He would have been dead by now. Khushi’s body is sweating with tension and fear. Before she could ask HP to throw the knife or hide it, Daadi enters the room. She has just returned back from Satsang and wanted to give the Prasad to Arnav. But when she witnesses Arnav unconscious and bleeding on the bed, with Khushi’s dupatta tied on his chest, she drops the Puja plate from her hand and rushes to him.

“Chotte? What happened to him? What happened?” she roars.

HP is silent and Khushi is speechless. How can she explain what happened here? Will Daadi understand that she really didn’t mean to hurt Arnav Singh Raizada so ruthlessly?

“Call the doctor” Daadi yells at HP.
“I have called the Doctor Daadiji. He is on way” HP replies.

Daadi sees the knife at the corner of the room. She fumes. She tries to analyses the situation and guesses that Khushi must have stabbed him. Her blood ignites the anger within her. She immediately looks at Khushi.

“You.. you stabbed him?”
Khushi is perplexed. STABBED? That is such a wrong word. Can she explain her side? Will Daadi understand?
“Daadi I didn’t” she nervously replies.

Daadi slaps Khushi hard on her cheeks.

“Call the Police, Hari Prakash. Call the police right now. This girl has tried to murder my Grandson”

HP has no idea what has happened in this room. Like others, he also knows how much Khushi hates Arnav but will she stab him? No, Khushi is not like that. But he cannot ignore Daadi’s commands. He gets panicked and dials the police.

Khushi is stunned. The sting of the slap is still fresh on her skin and its killing her optimism and blocking her mind from thinking beyond her capacity.

“Daadi listen to me. I didn’t stab him. That knife was in my hand but”

Daadi gestures her to stop.
“Don’t even utter a word. I know what must have happed. You knew Arnav was alone in the house. So, you took this opportunity to kill him. Don’t I know how much you hate him? Your hatred is so worst that you won’t even mind killing him” Daadi argues.

The police and the Doctor almost reach the same time. The doctor examines Arnav and starts giving him the needed medical help. Daadi tells about her suspicion to the police who confiscates the knife which has Arnav’s blood all over it. Khushi is in tears. She feels like her entire life is changing in a fraction of second.

“Daadi, I really didn’t stab him on purpose. Please don’t do this” she pleads again
“Purpose? You think I will give a damn to what purpose you had in doing this or not? My Grandson is lying unconscious there, bleeding profusely. Isn’t that an enough proof?”
“I didn’t do this” Khushi screams again but Daadi gives no ear to her. She runs inside Arnav’s bedroom to be next to her grandson while he is treated. The police take Khushi away from there.
888
“Chotte?” Shyam rushes inside the room after 2 hours of this incident. Arnav is still unconscious but his bleeding has stopped and the Doctors have bandaged his wound. Daadi immediately gets up and hugs Shyam. Anjali also follows, inside the room.
“Shyam, see what happened to our Chotte? See what that girl did to him? She stabbed him in our absence. I shouldn’t have left her alone with him” she keeps crying.

Shyam is unable to believe this. Khushi cannot stab Arnav. No way.

“Khushi? Khushi cannot do all this Daadi, I am sure there is some misunderstanding” he tries to defend Khushi.
Daadi is angered.
“Arnav’s condition is not enough for you to believe that this is not a misunderstanding, Shyam? She deserves punishment.”

Anjali tries to calm Daadi.

“Daadi, please sit here. You will fall sick otherwise. Please come”

Anjali makes Daadi sit on the recliner. Shyam rushes to Dr. Sen.

“Doctor, is he alright? Has the bleeding stopped?”
“Yes. Fortunately, the bleeding has stopped. I was called at the right time. If I would have been delayed even by 10 more minutes, Arnav would have been more serious.”

Shyam nods in relief.

“When will he regain consciousness?” Shyam asks.
“He is under heavy sedatives, until tomorrow morning, he should be conscious”

Shyam is comforted to know this but then his next question is where is Khushi? He comes to Daadi again.

“Daadi, where is Khushi?”
“She is exactly where she has to be. All these years we have been nurturing a poisonous snake, like her. She didn’t care how much efforts this family has put in giving her a better life. She should not have done this”

Anjali and Shyam are seriously worried for Khushi now.

“Daadi, where is Khushi? Please” Shyam asks again.
“Where will she be? Khushi is in Police custody. I handed her to them” Daadi reveals.

Anjali and Shyam are shocked to know this. Without any delay, Shyam rushed to the Police station.
888
Khushi is silent. She is sitting on a small bench, surrounded by the Police officials who are asking her innumerous questions, blaming her for attempting to murder Arnav Singh Raizada. Tears keep flowing down her eyes continuously and her throat aches with an unknown pain. All the flashes of her conversation with Arnav are endlessly playing in the back of her mind. The way he had tried to depict his pain, his remorse, his anger, his desperation to end his life if that gives her solace, everything started haunting Khushi’s mind. One of the senior Inspector Kadam sits opposite to her and asks his others subordinates to leave.

“Miss Gupta, unless you talk, we will go nowhere with this case. Subhadra Raizada has filed a complaint against you for stabbing Arnav Singh Raizada. Now we have the Knife which was used during this crime and we have already sent it to the Forensics for tracing the finger prints. If they happen to be yours, an official complaint will be filed against you. Do you understand the repercussions of that?” Kadam asks.

Khushi still replies nothing. She is just staring lifelessly at one point. Inspector Kadam sighs in disappointment.

“Fine. Now we will speak to you only when we get report from the forensics” he says and goes away.

Khushi feels numb. Her whole body is shivering. She cannot bear all these accusations on her. The only person who knows she didn’t stab Arnav Singh Raizada is Arnav himself. But he is unconscious. He can do nothing about it.

Suddenly she hears Shyam’s voice. He is here in the Police station, talking to the officials. He somehow convinces them to meet Khushi and comes to her. He is very upset seeing Khushi’s state.

“Khushi? Oh God, how can they get you here? I know you didn’t do this. We all know you can never hurt anyone physically.”

Khushi does not say a word. She keeps being cold to everyone. Her mind is busy processing all the words which Arnav had confessed to her today. He must have faced all of this, the police station, the accusations of killing someone on purpose, but molestation, that’s too bad for anyone, and he was hardly 16 then. He must have cried helplessly to go back to his family. She swallows hard the pain formed in her throat.

Shyam shook Khushi’s arm.

“Khushi, talk something. Please tell me exactly what happened there? How did Arnav end up hurting so badly?”
Khushi continues being cold and unaffected.
888
“Don’t hate me, don’t” Arnav Singh Raizada whimpers in his sleep. Daadi who is next to him starts caressing him, trying to wake him up from whatever tragic dream he was watching.

“Chotte, its okay, you are safe. Arnav is still not fully awake. He is unable to escape his own dream. Daadi manages to shake him hard, finally turning his eyes open. His body shudders with the aftereffects of the dream. It was one of his nightmare which continued troubling him from years. He always saw that 12-year-old girl, Khushi, who hit him hard by a stone. She kept yelling at him how much he hates him. And her image is going away slowly from his sight. Arnav chases her every time in his nightmare, asking her not to hate him, but she is never reachable. She manages to escape every single time.

“Chotte, I am here for you Chotte.” Daadi strokes his cheeks.

Arnav slowly analyzes the situation. He sees the Doctors standing next to his bed and Daadi and Anjali almost weeping at his condition. He remembers why is in this state. There is a sharp ache in his chest, where the bandage is done. His heart almost skips a beat thinking about Khushi. He must have scared the hell out of her. He didn’t even realize while confessing his pain to her, when he passed out.

“Khushi? Where is Khushi?” he asks looking at Daadi.
“She is being taken care of. You need rest. Lie down”
“Taken care of? What do you mean?” he raises his voice.

The doctors and nurses meanwhile start checking his pulse, but he shrugs them off.

“Where is Khushi, Daadi? I want to see her, right now” he argues.

Anjali couldn’t stop from revealing it to him.

“The police have taken her for attempting your murder” Anjali replies.
Arnav shudders.
“MURDER? She .. she didn’t do anything”

He pushes the duvet off his body and tries getting up. Daadi stops him.

“Chotte, please lie down. Your wounds are still fresh”
“Why Daadi? Why did you let the Police take her? She is innocent” he felt guilty. It was his mistake that he made her hold that knife. He shouldn’t have done that. “I have to get her”

He gets down from the bed. His body is unable to support his actions. He is weak. The Doctors and nurses try to hold him but he pushes everyone away and keeps walking down, not forgetting to carry his mobile phone from the bedside. Daadi follows him down.

“Chotte, you cannot hurt yourself anymore. Just come back”

Arnav doesn’t listen. He gestures his driver to get the car. The driver, Mohan, rushes out. Anjali quickly makes a call to Shyam who has already left from the Police station to come back home. Even Shyam is shocked that Arnav has left for Khushi even though he himself is not in a good state of mind and body.

Even after Daadi’s innumerous attempts and forced promises for Arnav to stop, he doesn’t. He sits inside the car and Mohan drives him to the Police Station.

He reaches there in 15 minutes and gets down. His Lawyer Roy joins him there at the same time. Both enter the station. Roy immediately walks to the Senior police officials and starts discussing the issue which Arnav has already explained him on way on the phone call. Arnav scans the place. His heart again skips a beat seeing Khushi alone in the other room where the investigating officers are trying to harass her with questions. She seems all quiet and unaffected. Arnav gets in.

“Khushi” he calls her with a weak voice. That’s the first time in all these hours that she raises her eyes and meets his. He is here? The senior officials don’t stop him as they know who he is, plus they are also gestured by their Boss not to intrude. Khushi stands up, her eyes never leaving his. Arnav comes forward. His eyes are filled with mixed feelings. It is because of him that she had to go through all of this. Her sins are already infinite in her eyes and now one more has been added. He holds her arm and drags her out with him, she doesn’t struggle. She keeps walking.

The senior police officer stops them.

“Mr Raizada, you cannot take her away. She is being charged for attempting your murder”
“She didn’t do anything” Arnav grits his teeth.

Now this seems like a news to them.

“But we have got the forensics report. The knife has her fingerprints” the officer continues.
“That knife must have my finger prints too. And What other proof you need when I am telling you that she didn’t hurt me?”
“But Subhadra Raizada filed a complaint”
“Shred it. My lawyer will complete the remaining procedures. I am taking her out of here.” Arnav replies.

Saying that, Arnav Singh Raizada drags Khushi out of the Police station, towards his car. She becomes rigid and immovable once he opens the car door for her.

“Get in” Arnav barks at Khushi.

She keeps staring in his eyes, her expressions, Arnav is unable to decipher. Arnav holds her arm and makes her get inside the car. He then sits next to her and asks Mohan to take them back home.

___________________________________________________

Part 21

Khushi is shivering in the car. Arnav who is next to her feels terrible seeing her state. This is all again because of him.

“Mohan, start the heater”

Mohan nods and turns the AC off. He switches the heater in the car. Khushi is still silent and looking outside. There is a lot going in her head right now. It’s like a silence before the storm, he knows. He breathes sharply turning his gaze on the road. Daadi should not have blamed her. She should have waited for him to come back to consciousness to know the entire truth of this Knife scene. Why did she hurry in putting Khushi behind the bars? Fortunately, Khushi did not have to spend the night in the lock up or else he would not have forgiven himself for a lifetime. It was just now that he was trying to create a positivity in her heart that this incident happened. It is his mistake too. Why did he play with that knife? He didn’t want to scare her, neither he was pretending all that. He was genuinely done with this hatred that she keeps showering upon him, he wanted to put an end to it, an end to his own life, but never at the cost of Khushi to be blamed. He rakes his finger in hair with frustration. He has messed it up even more now.

The car parks at Shantivan. Mohan opens Khushi’s side door. Both Arnav and Khushi get down. Arnav has almost forgotten the pain in his chest. His stitches are little open due to the stress that he has been putting on his body. His shirt is soaking that stains of blood and he doesn’t even care to treat it. All he is worried now is for Khushi.

The moment they both step inside, Daadi stops him.

“You got her back? Chotte why can’t you understand?” Daadi shouts.

Arnav extends his arm to stop her from speaking beyond this.

“Not now, Daadi”

Anjali rushes to Khushi and hugs her. Khushi does not embrace her. She is cold to everyone. Arnav gestures Anjali to take Khushi to her room. Anjali nods and slowly takes Khushi along. Shyam reaches there.

“Chotte, are you alright? Oh God. You are bleeding again. The stitches are open” Shyam worries and forcefully takes Arnav back to his room. The Doctor does the stitches again and bandages his chest firmly.
“Mr. Raizada, you need ample of rest. Any movement and you are going to increase the pain. Please understand”

Arnav is quiet. He is not even giving a ear to the Doctor’s advice. He takes out his phone and dials. Daadi tries to stop him but he doesn’t.

“Roy? Is the situation handled there?”

Roy, his lawyer, gives him some inputs which gets a satisfactory look on his face.

“Keep me posted, Roy. Send someone here to take my statement if needed.”

He hangs up and then looks at his Daadi.
“Why didn’t you wait for me to wake up? Have you seen her? She is shivering Daadi. All this has impacted her so much” he angrily blurts.

Daadi is infuriated.

“Have YOU seen yourself? You just got stabbed by a knife and you want me to think about her? She is just shivering but you were bleeding Chotte. My heart stopped beating seeing you in that condition.”

Arnav sighs in rage. Anjali comes in the room. Arnav becomes curious to know Khushi’s state.

“How is she now?” he asks Anjali.
“She is cold. I have asked HP to serve some food but she is not willing to eat. I don’t understand what is going inside her. She has to talk otherwise I am afraid her health will be affected.”

Arnav feels that pain more inside him.

“Can you check Khushi, Doctor?”

The Doctor nods and quickly walks out with Anjali in Khushi’s room. After 5 minutes they come back.
“Khushi is not allowing him to check. She is not letting anyone of us to even sit next to her” Anjali informs.

Arnav gets up and leaves the room. Daadi is very disappointed by his frequent moves towards Khushi. Shyam tries to console her.

“Daadi, you know how adamant he is. Anything related to Khushi, he will never stay quiet.” Shyam tries to explain. “This matter is really not in our hands now. Only Chotte and Khushi knows what happened in our absence. So please, trust Chotte in this matter and let us get it sorted” he adds.

Daadi fumes but she has no other way to sort this mess. If she tries to keep Arnav away from Khushi there might be chances that Arnav will go away from her, which she cannot bear.

Arnav steps in Khushi’s room, she is sitting at the corner of the bed, with her head resting on her knees. Anjali and Shyam follows him. Even Khushi comes to know that the family is again in her room but she remains cold and silent. Arnav swallows seeing her in this state.

“Leave us alone for some time” he says looking at Shyam and Anjali.

That’s when Khushi realizes its him. She raises her head slowly. Shyam and Anjali leaves the room. They don’t know if it’s a good decision but it is better to do what Arnav wants otherwise he is going to get himself more. Arnav heads to the bed and sits opposite to her. Khushi’s eyes are red. Her breath hitches.

“Did they hurt you?” there is a rage in his tone.

She tries to get down from the bed but he holds her arm and drags her back.

“You have to talk to me, Khushi” he roars. “You can ignore the family, not me”
She doesn’t know what gets that courage in him to claim such rights on her. She shrugs his arms off her.
“What do you want me to tell? How your Daadi framed me? How the Lady police dragged me to the Station? How they kept cross questioning me? Everyone present there were watching me with suspicion”

Her eyes start tearing.

“You know what they said? They said I was waiting for this one moment in my life.. To Kill Arnav Singh Raizada. Do you know how it feels when people blame you for something you never did?”

Arnav remembers the time when he was facing the same situation, the only difference is that, in his case, he was responsible for that accident, but Khushi is innocent here. She didn’t stab him, not even accidentally.

“But you know what surprises me? When everything was happening against me there, the only thought that came in my mind is how you might have felt 11 years ago, after that accident”

Her response knocks him off. Khushi takes a deep breath. Her tone softens. She is not meeting his eyes but looking elsewhere.

“Shyam always kept explaining me your side of the story, all these years, that you didn’t do anything on purpose, that it was an accident, but nothing could change my thoughts about you. I always saw what I thought is right. The only image about you that I had in my head is of my father’s murderer. But this one incident changed everything. It transformed everything Arnav.”

Arnav gets speechless as she turns to meet his eyes.

“All I could think in that Station were your last words. I don’t know why? I wanted to concentrate on my problem. I wanted to convince the officials there, that I was framed. That I didn’t stab you. But I couldn’t utter a word. I was just imagining that 16-year-old Arnav Singh Raizada in my place who had been treated the same way, 11 years ago”

STOP!! He does not want to remember those days. Those memories have always managed to make him weak, cold and lifeless. But she continues sharing what she felt in the past few hours.

“You lost your family’s trust, your self-esteem, you were treated like a trash in the child remand, someone tried to molest you, all of this kept haunting my mind and heart though I was not responsible for any of it.” She adds in the same angered tone.
“For the first time in my life, I felt an emotion for you, other than hatred. I felt Pity for you. And I hate that feeling. I am not supposed to feel anything for you apart from hatred then how can I pity you?” she continues venting out her anger.

She comes forward and clutches his collar in anger.

“Since when did you start controlling my mind? When?” she roars in anger.

Arnav has no reply, he is unable to understand what he is supposed to infer from what she is saying.
“But this is enough now. I can’t bear it anymore. I don’t want my heart to forgive you because if I forgive you, I will be doing injustice to my father’s soul. I will never do that Arnav Singh Raizada. Never” she blurts again

Arnav is disheartened. She will never forgive him? His heart skips a beat.

“If I stay here, I will start softening for you, I can’t let that happen” she wipes her eyes. Arnav’s heart skips a beat. What is this new decision from her, now?
“I will go away. I cannot stay under the same roof as you are because my own mind is failing me from being firm on my hatred for you. I can’t see that happening. I will go away from this house, this family and from you.”

She turns around and rushes to the closet. She starts removing her dresses and throws them on the bed to pack. Arnav is horrified at her behavior. She is running away from him so that her heart doesn’t soften for him. Once again, he is responsible for her tragic condition. His presence around her is not going to irk her anymore, but she will pity him because of the horrors of his past that he has shared with her. One thing is confirmed, she now knows and believes that it was an accident, a dreadful accident which he didn’t do intentionally. She knows he has suffered but she does not want to forgive him because she thinks it will be a betrayal towards her father’s soul. She wants to hate him for lifetime and under no circumstances she will let that hatred soften and fade away. He has always respected whatever little or extreme he has got from her. Today she is losing and this is one thing he cannot see. He wants her to be happy doesn’t matter if it is on the cost of she hating him for lifetime. He heads speedily towards her and turns her around with rage. She struggles to come out of his hold but fails by his strength.

Her teary eyes met his stormed ones.

“The only person who deserves to leave this house is ME, not you Khushi. I will leave this house tomorrow so that you keep cultivating the same hatred for me, for lifetime, if that’s what makes you feel better. If that’s what gives peace to your father’s soul.”

Anger flashes in her eyes again.

“This is your family, your house. I don’t want to isolate you from them. And stop taking decisions for me. I know what I have to do, I know where I have to go”
“The Court has beckoned you to stay in this house, with my family until you are 25, which you are not at present. So lawfully, you cannot step out of this house and disobey the Orders of court. I will leave tomorrow morning”

No, he doesn’t want to go away from her. He knows he will stop breathing if this happens. Khushi Gupta has always been his life supporter, so what if she doesn’t know it? He has always lived in the hope of being forgiven by her. But today he has lost that faith forever. If that one forgiveness is going to hurt her so much, then he will never even dream of earning forgiveness from her. He always belonged to darkness and he will once again dive in it. His entry in the family had brought a little hope within him, a ray of light in his dark life but it was temporary. He doesn’t deserve this shine, he is not worthy of any kind of happiness.

He leaves her arm, opens the door and gets out of the room. Khushi sits on the floor, weeping. Is he doing another favor on her by leaving his own family and this house for her? How can he agree for it so easily? He has binded her hands by law, she cannot leave the house even if she wants to. Is she becoming selfish by asking the Son of this house to leave this place only because she cannot face him in the fear of softening her hatred? What is she supposed to do? Why is this getting so complicated? Why cannot God show some mercy on them? When will all this stop? She continues to weep on the floor, amidst the pool of clothes which has fallen from her hands, the ones she was going to pack and leave Shantivan, forever.

Arnav locks himself in the room and leans at the door. No, he cannot fall weak now. He has promised himself to sort everything in her life. He will do that and leave this house. Moving away from her does not mean he will let her sort her problems alone. He will always be there for her when she needs someone. He knows she will never want him to intrude in her life. He respects her thoughts and will ensure that whatever he does for her will always be restricted only to his knowledge, never hers.

___________________________________________________

Part 22

Shyam steps inside Khushi’s bedroom. He finds her sitting on the bed, looking blankly at one point. He comes ahead and sits next to her.
“You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. Please drink this”

He passes the glass of Orange Juice to her but she denies taking it.

“Khushi, I know Daadi should not have taken such a rash decision of handing you to the Police, without knowing exactly what happened here. But please understand, she loves Arnav too much and he was bleeding. What else is she supposed to do at such condition?”

“I am not blaming her Shyam. Not anymore” she murmurs.

Shyam is surprised.

“If you don’t have any grudge against her then why are you not mending your mood?”

Khushi swallows hard. The entire night she had been thinking about the incidents of past 24 hours. Right from Arnav’s confession and pleading forgiveness from her, the knife stab, his bleeding heart, the police officials interrogating her, Arnav rescuing her from their clutches, Daadi’s fury on seeing her back in the house, Khushi’s confrontation to Arnav that she has now accepted that whatever happened 11 years ago was an accident and he didn’t mean to kill her father intentionally, her decision of leaving the house and finally, his declaration of not letting her leave instead proclaiming to her that he is going to go away if that’s what can set her free from her miseries, from her resolve of not forgiving him, because she thinks by doing that she will do injustice to her father’s soul. She recollects everything and tears gush out from her eyes.

The moment Shyam tries to wipe her tears she pushes him away and gets up. It’s so selfish. This is his house; his family and he have all rights to stay here. She cannot force him to leave. Why he has to be so selfless? She curses herself for thinking so much about him. STOP!! Shyam gets worried seeing her so much sensitive over this matter. But anyone in her place will react the same way. He just wants to soothe her down.

“Khushi, don’t stress yourself so much. You are playing with your health” Shyam tries to catch hold of her. She feels dizzy and he makes her sit on the bed again.
“Leave me alone, Shyam. Please”
“Only on one condition. Drink this.”
Khushi looks at the other side not to even glance at the Juice. Shyam sighs in disappointment.

“Fine. There is only one person who can make you drink that then. ARNAV!!” he replies.

She immediately diverts her gaze and meets Shyam’s eyes. Why did he say that? Arnav is not important to her. He never was.

“Don’t look at me like that. If he can make you talk, he can make you eat. So, what if his stitches, his wounds are still fresh? He has never given anything importance, over you. I will call him”

He gets up to leave but Khushi holds his hand. She takes the juice from him and gulps it down, slowly. Shyam smiles. He manipulated the situation a bit and Khushi agreed to drink. The moment she finishes drinking the juice she looks at him.

“He means nothing to me, Shyam. Please don’t use this excuse again”

Shyam nods his head and then leaves her alone, as she has requested.

**************

Arnav is packing his bags. He had not brought much while coming from Paris. He owns a villa there and most of his belongings are secured in that villa. Whenever he bends to pack the stuff, the stitches on his chest pains. He doesn’t care. All that he has in his mind right now is leaving this place. There is a knock at his door and Daadi comes inside in fury, noticing his actions.

“What do you think you are doing, Chotte? Why are you packing your bags?”
“Because I am going to Paris” he replies softly.

His reply rages her even more.
“Paris? So soon? You were supposed to go back after 2 more months”
“Something urgent has come up there. I have to go”

He does not meet her eyes and it is enough to confirm that he is just providing excuses to leave. The real reason why he is leaving has to be ‘Khushi’.

“Since when did your life start revolving only around that one girl?” Daadi asks.

He stops packing and looks at her with a calm expression.

“This is not about her. And stop getting her in every conversation we have, Daadi”
“Why shouldn’t I get her in between? She is the one responsible for my Grandson’s fate”
“Is she?” he steps forward in rage. “She has her own reasons to hate me and I have my own reasons to look after her well-being. Don’t corelate them”

Shyam gets inside the room. He wanted to check on Arnav’s health but even he is shocked to witness this conversation between Daadi and Arnav.

“Saw Shyam, now he wants to leave the house. That too when his wounds have not even healed” Daadi complains to her elder Grandson.
“I have my own reasons, Daadi. Please do not interfere” his voice is stern.
“Chotte, this is not the right time for you to leave. You need ample of rest. You forcefully sent the Doctors back and we agreed only on this condition that you will be resting and taking care of your health. So, you cannot leave. What is so important that you have to go to Paris? Tell me that, I will go instead of you”

None of Shyam’s words changed his idea of leaving. He zipped the bags and made a quick call to Aman.

“Ask the Pilot to keep the Jet ready by 08:00 pm, Aman. I will be there” he informs and hangs up.

Daadi sobs and leaves the room. Shyam feels helpless for her but Arnav is unmoved. Before he plans to escape from the room, Shyam blocks his way out.

“I know this is because of Khushi. But what is Daadi’s fault in all this? From past 11 years she was just waiting for you to come in this house, take your place in the family. You cannot kill her wishes so brutally Arnav. Please rethink on your decision. I want my brother to stay with us. If not for me, at least for Daadi”

Shyam pats Arnav’s back and then leaves him alone. Arnav inhales sharply and shuts his eyes. Why is everyone just expecting things from him? Khushi wants him to leave, his family wants him to stay. He is being sandwiched between their needs. Crap. In all this he forgot to settle the most important matter. Uday Khatri.

**************

Arnav has got the mortgage papers of Khushi’s house, thoroughly verified. It has Shashi Gupta’s signatures and the papers are real, which means the loan amount has to be returned back to Uday Khatri with interest in order to take the House papers back from him. Arnav had already informed their lawyer, Roy, to make a contract ready between them and the Khatri’s, wherein the terms strictly restricted the Khatri family to contact Khushi Gupta or Raizada’s again after the Loan amount is settled.

Arnav decides to meet Uday in the presence of his lawyer. That’s the only way he will settle this deal with him. He quickly wears a T Shirt over his Track pant and leaves the room. Fortunately, Daadi or Shyam does not see him leave. And Anjali has taken Khushi to temple, so that she gets some change in her mood. He sits inside the car and asks Mohan to take him to Lakshmi Nagar where the deal has to be made.

Mohan parks the car and opens the passenger seat door for Arnav Singh Raizada to get down. Roy, his lawyer, quickly rushes towards the car and starts walking with Arnav at the little office of the Khatri’s.

“Sir, the agreement is ready. And as you had informed, I have made such terms wherein the involvement of Khushi Gupta is not necessary while signing this agreement today”

Arnav briefly nods and keeps walking.

“Let me remind you Sir, the property value is not equivalent to the amount you are paying to the Khatri’s. It is a Big Loss for you”
Arnav gives Roy a powerful look. Roy realizes that his Boss is not worried for any losses right now. All he wants to do is save Khushi Gupta’s house. They reach the Office of Khatri’s. Uday welcomes them and is very anxious to finish the deal and get the money. Roy shows the agreement papers which Uday Khatri signs on behalf of his father. All the Khatri’s want, is money. They never had any interest in the Gupta Property.

After the agreement is duly signed by both the parties and Uday gives the Gupta house papers to Arnav Singh Raizada, Roy then hands the briefcase of money. Uday opens and happily acknowledges it.

“Raizada Sahab, aap toh bade dil waale nikale. Ek ladki ke liye aap apna nuksaan kar rahe hai. Maan gaye aap ko.. Aisa bhi kya hai uss ladki mein joh hum ne kabhi nahi dekha? Lagta hai uss ladki se ek baar milna hi padega” (Raizada Sir, I didn’t know you are so good at heart. For one girl you did your own loss? I must ask you, what is it in that girl which none of us saw before? I suppose even I should meet that girl once and check) Uday laughs aloud with few of his guards. He has no intentions to meet Khushi Gupta, he just said this in fun but Arnav takes it very seriously.

Anger flares in his chest as he grits his teeth and the next instant he clutches the collar of Uday Khatri and pushes him to the wall behind.

“Khushi se milna toh door, uska naam bhi dobaara tumhare zubaan pe aaya toh acha nahi hoga.” (Forget meeting her, even if you take her name, I will make sure you repent)

Uday fears Arnav’s large and luminous eyes. He nods gently as if to assure Arnav that he will follow his orders. Roy swallows hard. He has never seen ASR so much possessive for anyone. He clears the throat to get Arnav’s attention. Arnav leaves Uday’s collar and steps out with the Gupta house papers.

**************

Khushi is praying in the temple. Anjali has forcefully got her out of Shantivan so that her mood changes. But is it really changing? No!! She is still thinking a lot about what happened with her and what can be done to ease things up in her life. Will it get better if Arnav leaves the house? Will it get better if she will never have to face him again? But all of this is going to cost the happiness of Raizada family. Daadi needs her Youngest Grandson before her eyes, Shyam wants his brother too. Isn’t she being selfish?

She opens her eyes slowly and finds Anjali talking over the phone at the other corner of the temple. She looks worried. Khushi finishes her prayer and comes to Anjali who has dropped the call.

“What happened Anju?”
Anjali presses her lips as if to make efforts to tell her the matter but then she gives up.
“Nothing. You need not have to worry about this. Let’s go”

Khushi stops her. Somehow, she feels that the matter is related to her and Arnav.

“Stop hiding things from me. Please tell me what has happened?”
“Arnav is leaving tonight”

Hearing that one statement feels like someone just punched her heart. That means he is doing exactly what he had promised her. He is leaving the house, his own family because she cannot find peace around him.

“What? Where?” she asks with an ugly emotion. She herself does not know why she is feeling so bitter about this news?
“Paris, Khushi. Where else? He is not even ready to wait until his wounds heal. I don’t understand what is wrong with him? Why is he hell bent in punishing himself to this extent?”

Khushi gets speechless.

“Let’s get back home. Since the time he has arrived, we all are undergoing so much of stress.”
Anjali’s tone and choice of words irks Khushi. Anjali notices that weird expression Khushi gives her on hearing her last statement.
“Sorry Khushi, but I just said what I felt. Since the time Arnav has arrived, Shyam is just unable to concentrate on anything except planning efforts to make his brother happy. I know this is never going to happen. That man is quite unpredictable. I understand he has underwent a horrible past but then he is enjoying his remorse. He does not want to come out of it. He cares for no one, or else why would he take such a decision to leave all of a sudden and hurt his own Daadi and Brother?”

“He is doing this for me” Khushi angrily blurts out.

Anjali’s lips zip at her confession.
“What?” she asks in exasperation.
Khushi lowers her eyes.
“I was supposed to leave the house because I cannot tolerate his presence around. That’s when he offered to leave, reminding me that I cannot step out of this family until the court mentioned date”
“And he agreed to leave?” Anjali’s tone is completely shocked and shaken.

Khushi nods.

“God, this man is really foolish. Why is he wasting his life in favoring people who have no feelings for him? This has to stop some day. He has to control his feelings for you Khushi or else he will end his life mercilessly” Anjali blurts out in anger again.

Khushi immediately picks up her words and analyses them. She stares at Anjali with muddle expressions.

“What do you mean by he has to control his feelings for me?” Khushi asks. “What feelings does he have for me?” Khushi adds.

Anjali gets speechless. Should she tell Khushi that she and Shyam knows that Arnav is deeply in love with her? What will be her reaction? No!! It might worsen everything. Khushi clutches Anjali’s arms and shakes her.

“Say it Anju. What feelings does he have for me?”
Anjali shrugs her arms
“Forget it Khushi. It’s not important”

She tries to look elsewhere but Khushi forces Anjali to meet her eyes

“I will decide if it is important or not. Just tell me what you meant by those words?”

Anjali bites her lip. She is in a fix now. Should she reveal or not? Khushi keeps Anjali’s palm on her head.

“You have my promise Anju, tell me”

Anjali shuts her eyes. She cannot stay quiet anymore. She removes her palm slowly from Khushi’s head and replies.

“Arnav loves you.”

Khushi feels like someone just pushed her off a cliff. LOVE?? How can he love her? Khushi gets annoyed and Anjali is embarrassed that she had to open up this matter in such a way.

“Yes Khushi, this is true. He has confessed that to Shyam. But we know him. He will never confront you the same. He knows you hate him immensely. He might have want to change that and earn your forgiveness but he will never allow you to know what he feels for you. And it is better that way. We all know how complicated things already are between you and him. What he thinks, can never happen. It is wrong, it is foolish and at the end all he will be rewarded with is pain.”

Khushi steps back. Her body hits the pillar behind which she failed to notice. Arnav loves her? No!! This explains why every time he was so possessive about her, why every time when she hurt him by her words, he never retaliated back. Whenever she met his eyes, she had seen a compassion for her in them but that was not the complete truth. It had hidden love too. The mere thought of Arnav Singh Raizada in love with her made her feel nauseous.

___________________________________________________

Part 23

“What?” Shyam screams at Anjali in anger. “How could you disclose such an important matter to Khushi?”

Anjali was equally restless like her husband. She had returned back from the Temple just few minutes ago and the first thing she did was inform Shyam about her conversation with Khushi in the temple.

“Shyam I didn’t want to tell her. It happened. I tried to refrain myself but”

Shyam looks at her with disappointment and then clutches her arms.
“We already have such a critical situation to handle. Arnav is leaving for Paris tonight and we have to do something to stop him. By telling Khushi what Arnav feels for her, you have given her another reason to hurt him.”
Anjali realizes what a grave mistake she did but she is likewise worried of the consequences.

“Anyways, where is Khushi now?” he asks.
“In her room. She didn’t talk to me at all after that revelation”
“I thought so. She was already trying to compose herself from recent issues related to the Police custody and now this. I don’t understand whose side to take, whom to support Anju. Is there any way we can set both of them at peace?”

Shyam’s thoughtfulness got tears in Anjali’s eyes. She was in the same dilemma. She wanted to stop Arnav from leaving to Paris but now that Khushi knows what his feelings for her are, will she let anyone stop him? No!!

****************

Hari Prakash gets the bags down. Arnav follows him. He is all set to leave for Paris. Aman Mathur is here to lead him till the Airport where his Private jet is waiting for him to board.

Arnav hands the envelope to Aman.

“Give this to Khushi after I board my flight”

Aman nods though he has no clue what this envelope contains.

“ASR, I still feel you should rethink on your decision. We still have some formalities to complete for Talaash Boutique.”
“Shyam Bhai will complete those”

Aman could not argue beyond this. If his Boss’s family could not stop him from leaving, his attempts will also fail. Shyam and Anjali were waiting down in the living room. Arnav hugged his brother.

“Where is Daadi?” Arnav asks.
“In her room. She cannot see you going away”
“I will go check her”

Shyam stops him.
“Don’t. If you are so firm in your decision to leave, without our consent, then there is no point in meeting her and worsening her mood. Please.”

Arnav agrees to Shyam’s orders. He smiles weakly at Anjali and then scans the house. He wants to see Khushi once. Is that possible? He swallows hard ignoring that thought. Shyam pats Arnav’s shoulder.

“Take care of yourself and keep calling us. Don’t forget you have a family here who loves you and will miss you”

Arnav shakes his head in agreement and heads out for his car. Shyam and Anjali look at each other with disappointment. Is there nothing they can do to stop him? Arnav gets inside the car with Aman and drive out of the Mansion. Arnav already feels his heart beat slowing down, as if he is losing his breath, his life. What a fate he has got. Every time he wanted to be around his family, he is made to go away from them. He wears sunglasses to avoid Aman or his driver Mohan to notice his moist eyes. Parting away from Khushi Gupta can never be easy. He will miss her. Humesha.

****************

“Arnav loves you. He will never confront you the same. He knows you hate him immensely. He might have want to change that and earn your forgiveness but he will never allow you to know what he feels for you”

Anjali’s words echoed in Khushi’s ears. The mere thought of Arnav Singh Raizada having those feelings for her made Khushi hate herself. He has definitely lost his mind. How can he even imagine all that? This is why even after all the hatred she kept showering on him, he never defended himself. That is why he kept protecting her from people like Uday Khatri. What did he do with Khatri? What is the status of her house? She does not want him to pay the loan which her father took. She gets up from the bed and hurries out. Today she will have to clear this mess. She will have to make him realize that by having feelings for her, he is once again complicating their lives. She knocks his room door nervously. But the door is already open. She pushes it and enters in. The room looks vacant. Where is he? That’s when she is reminded of his decision to leave the house. Did he go?

Can he take her words so seriously? Can a man give so much importance to her demand that he even agrees to sacrifice his family’s wishes? She hears Anjali’s scream from downstairs. What happened? She rushes out of the room and comes down. She realizes the commotion is from daadi’s room. Is everything okay with Daadi? She never bothered of thinking about that woman, mostly because Daadi always disliked her. She gets inside Daadi’s room and finds her on the floor, almost semiconscious. Anjali and Shyam are helping her to get up. Khushi immediately rushes to help them but the moment she nears, Daadi gestures her to stop.

“Stay away from me” Daadi shouts. “You took my grandson away again. This is all because of you” she adds.

Khushi stops herself. Shyam looks disturbed at her but then he concentrates back on his Daadi. He and Anjali manage to get Daadi back on the bed.

“My Chotte left me again. He left this house, his own family. Why is God so partial to him? Why does he have to suffer always?” Daadi keeps murmuring in distress.
“Daadi, please calm down. You will fall sick” Anjali tries to calm her.
“Let me fall sick, let me die. If Chotte goes back to Paris, I will hardly be able to live here. Let me die” she cries.

Khushi becomes emotional. She clutches the ends of her dupatta tight in her fist. That means he has gone. That’s why Daadi is in so much of agony. She leaves outside the room and immediately dials Arnav’s number. His phone rings but he doesn’t receive the call. Hari Prakash is in the Kitchen. Khushi decides to ask him.

“Hari Prakash, where is Arnav?”
“Bhaiyaa has gone to Airport”
Khushi swallows hard.
“When? How much time back?”
“30 minutes have passed Khushi Didi” he replies.

Khushi checks her watch and then hurries out. She asks the driver to take her to the Airport. She keeps dialing Arnav’s number meanwhile. She does not know why she is so desperate to stop him. Is it because Daadi needs him here or she has realized that she is hurting a man unnecessarily again by separating him from his family. All she knows is that, her only attempt right now should be stopping Arnav Singh Raizada from boarding the flight.

****************

Arnav gets down the car at the Airport. Aman follows him out. Mohan removes the bags from the Car.

“Mohan will drop you back, Aman” Arnav says.
“I can wait for some time. We reached early. The pilot and the Airplane security still haven’t finished their final checks.” Aman responds.

Arnav checks his phone. Khushi Gupta is calling him again. He wants to answer the call, listen her voice, talk to her, but his inner conscience stops him from doing so. He knows, if he listens her voice, he might fall weak and this decision of going to Paris will be affected. He cannot let that happen. Whatever urgent matter Khushi has to convey him, she can do that to Shyam or Anjali. Aman realizes he has been avoiding some calls on his phone but he doesn’t ask about it.

After 5 minutes Aman’s phone rings. He excuses from Arnav and answers the call.

“Yes Khushi, tell me” he replies.
“Is he with you?”
“HE?” Aman gives a glance to Arnav. He knows whom she is asking for.

Khushi clenches her jaw. She hates taking his name.

“Arnav. Is he with you?” she avoids bringing her hatred at this point of time.
“Uh.. umm. Yes but he is getting inside the Airport now in few minutes. Why?”
“Stop him” she yells.
“STOP? Why??” Aman asks back in shock.
“Just stop him Aman. Tell him he doesn’t need to be so generous all the time.”
“I didn’t understand. Whom is he showing his generosity?” Aman questions.
“Aman, I have no time to explain. Tell him this and send him back home”

Aman chuckles.

“Khushi, you are asking me to convince my Boss and I disobey to do so. I don’t want to spoil my reputation. He is very firm in his decision and if his family is not stopping him from going, why are you?”

Khushi feels like strangling Aman.

“Fine.. Don’t convince him. But don’t let him go till I reach there. Understood?”

Aman is amused.

“What? You are coming here? At the airport?”
“Yes. Don’t let him go”

She says that and disconnects the call. Aman is tensed. What is happening? How is he supposed to stop THE ASR?

Aman returns back to Arnav.

“ASR.. Can I get you a Coffee?”
“No Aman. I should leave now. Just got a message from the Pilot. They are all set to fly”

Aman gulps nervously. Should he let him go or obey Khushi?

“Just wait for few minutes ASR.. Please” he tries to convince.

Arnav does not understand why Aman said that.
“Excuse me?” he asks in confusion.
“I mean I had to ask you about that Nainital deal. Are we really going by the bid values which the Mehta’s quoted?” Aman tries to divert the subject and keep him engrossed.

Arnav starts recollecting what Aman is asking him and advises Aman to email the quotes and that he will check them the first thing after he reaches to Paris. Another 15 minutes pass in this conversation. Aman keeps scanning the surrounding to see if Khushi is seen but she is not here still. Arnav gets a call from the Pilot again.

“Yes Peter, I will be there in few minutes” he replies on the call and disconnects.
“Okay Aman, take care of Shyam Bhai and keep me posted on every update of Talaash Boutique project.”

Aman relates why ASR is all interested in this one project only. Is it because of Khushi Gupta? But isn’t she the one whose father’s accident he is responsible for?

“Yes.. yes I will” he responds back. His body is shivering. He knows he cannot stop Arnav for long. Arnav is about to drag his bag but Aman stops him again.
“ASR.. one .. one more doubt. I was just wondering if the pay scale hike matters have to be addressed this month or should we ask HR to look into it at the end of quarter?”

Arnav’s doubts now turn into a proper suspicion. He grits his teeth.

“What’s happening Aman? Why are you not letting me go?”
Aman feels like hiding under a bush.
“Sorry ASR.. But Khushi had called me some minutes back and she asked me to stop you”

An anxiety returns back in Arnav’s body with full force. Khushi wants him to stop? Why? After all, it is her decision which he is abiding by. His brooding eyes make Aman clear that his efforts are in vain and they are not going to work on his boss.

“Get back home Aman and give her that envelope without fail” he commands.

Aman nods silently and steps back. Arnav then turns to leave. Aman gets in the same car he came with Arnav and heads out of the Airport premises. Arnav sighs fleetingly. The time has come when he has to say good bye to this place and head back to the world of loneliness. That is where he belongs. He turns and tries to drag his bag when suddenly he hears Khushi’s voice.

“Arnav wait”

Arnav stops. She came here? All the way to stop him? Why? He turns around. Khushi is standing there, short of breath. She must have run all the way from the Parking to reach the departures. She looks exhausted, tired and totally on a mission. Once she regains her normal breath, she heads to him. His eyes are scorching fire at her. What does she want? Why is she doing this? Just when he thought he can handle this distance from her, she came all the way to stop him?

“You.. you don’t have to do this” she mutters.
“Do what?”
“Leave. You don’t have to leave to Paris.”

Arnav gets raged now. He glares at her with fury. His blood boiling.

“First, you have lost the right of stopping me when you ordered me to get out of your sight, forever.”

She feels choked.
“And lastly, let me remind you Miss. Khushi Gupta, you are stopping the man who is responsible for your father’s absence in your life. You hate me and you don’t want that hatred to fade ever. So, whatever you have thought of doing right now, just stop doing it and head back home”

He turns around and starts dragging his bag. Khushi clenches her jaw and follows him.

“I was being selfish. I have realized that”
Arnav gulps but he doesn’t stop. She keeps walking beside him.
“You have your family, they need you more than my need to keep you out of my sight” she adds.

He reaches the security at the entrance of the airport and before he can give his passport for them to check, she snatches his passport away.

“Are you even listening to me?”

The security gets alarmed by her behavior but Arnav gestures them to calm down as this is a family matter. He moves aside from the queue and drags her to the side.

“What’s your problem? I am not your pet who will keep dancing on your fingers. I have taken my decision to leave and I will do it at the sake of anything” he scowls.
“Even at the sake of Daadi’s health?” she asks.

He gets confused. She explains him finally.

“Daadi is unwell because you are leaving her again. She needs you. She has blamed me enough all these years, I don’t want to give her another reason to blame me this time. Please come back. Don’t go”

He shuts his eyes for few seconds to decide what has to be done. He then dials Shyam’s number and confirms if Daadi is really unwell. Khushi frowns.

“Got the proof?” she angrily asks. Arnav stares at her feeling shudders inside his body. He has to get back home and ensure Daadi recovers. Khushi calls up the driver and asks him to get the vehicle here. They both then head back home. She keeps looking at Arnav but he is very cold and ignorant towards her. Who will believe that he has some feelings for her? She hopes Shyam and Anjali have misunderstood the whole scenario.

___________________________________________________


Part 24

“It’s been 2 hours Shyam, why haven’t they returned back home? I hope she has convinced him.” Daadi mutters, pacing in the room.

Shyam and Anjali are equally anxious for Arnav’s re-entry in the house.

“Daadi, calm down. I am very sure Khushi will be getting him back. She will not let him go to Paris”
Shyam replies.
“On that basis only, I became ready to do all this drama before that girl. I hope your presumptions are right Shyam or else I will never forgive myself. I have never lied to this extent. I had to fake becoming unconscious and seriously ill. That is not right.” She argues.

Shyam and Anjali try to convince her again that they can never go wrong on this matter. They had planned it all sharply to persuade Khushi for stopping Arnav. Everyone here knows that Arnav can be stopped only by Khushi and no one else. And it did happen. Khushi felt she was crossing the lines by asking him to leave his own house, his own family. And Daadi’s health issues fueled her guilt. She ran to the Airport to stop Arnav.

“Why don’t you call Khushi once and check?” Anjali asks Shyam.
“No Anjali. She should not be suspicious on us. Let us wait for few more minutes”

Hari Prakash hurries inside the room.

“Daadiji, Arnav Bhaiya and Khushi Didi are back home”

This news brings a smile on everyone’s face. They had even involved Hari Prakash in this act.
“Okay, everybody calm down. Daadi please rest on the bed. They should feel you are still ill. Anjali, you sit with Daadi. I will check them and come back.” Shyam says and leaves out. Anjali and Daadi follows his orders.

Arnav throws his laptop bag on the couch and is about to hurry in Daadi’s room, when Shyam reaches him, faking a surprise.

“Chotte? You are back? How did it happen?”
“Bhai, how is Daadi? Did the Doctor arrive? What did the Doctor say?”
“Relax. She is fine now. But who told you all this?”
“I told” Khushi intervenes.

Shyam maintains the same confusion on his face. Arnav doesn’t wait there, he leaves for Daadi’s room. Khushi looks at Shyam.

“I hope now Daadi will be alright.” Khushi says dryly.
“Yes Khushi but why did you do this favor on us?”
Khushi glances nervously at Shyam.
“How could you say this, Shyam? It is not a favor. Do you think I am so much selfish? I could see how much you and Daadi were affected by Arnav’s departure. How could I let him go?” she exclaims.

Her answer is exactly what Shyam and others had expected. She didn’t let her hatred for Arnav come in between the love and affection which this family has for Arnav.

“Thank you, Khushi” Shyam utters. He really is thankful that she stopped him from going away.

Khushi passes him a weak smile but her subconscious inhales sharply. Now that she has got Arnav back home, she is restless. If whatever Anjali told her about Arnav’s feelings is true, then she is going to face a tough time with him around, in the same house.

There Arnav meets Daadi and hugs her.

“Why didn’t anyone call me to inform about Daadi’s health?” he asks angrily. Anjali remains silent whereas Daadi gives him a pale smile.
“Would you come for me?” she asks.
Arnav gulps and kisses Daadi on forehead.
“Khushi must have stopped me from going to Paris but I agreed to her only because she told me about your sudden ill health. Of course, you are important to me Daadi. Why did you hide this from me? Never do that again. Please” he snaps.

Daadi is overjoyed hearing that from him. She hugs him again. Though she disliked the idea of pretending a poor health, she is happy that it could get her Grandson back.

“I am already feeling better now.” She replies.
Arnav pulls back from the hug.
“It is my fault. I should have given personal attention to you. But not anymore, I am calling Dr Banerjee tomorrow, she will collect all your blood samples and send it for testing. I will get your thorough check up done before I head back to Paris”

Shyam gets in the room and is he happy to see Arnav mingling with their family so much. His little interest in them is giving them some hope that he will get bonded again in this family life.

“Saw Daadi, your youngest grandson things that me and Anjali don’t take good care of you” Shyam teases.
“Bhai, it’s not what I meant”
Shyam happily pats Arnav’s back.
“I know Chotte. But I am so glad that you came back. Now, we again look like a complete family. Promise us that you will never leave us for anyone.”

Arnav feels disheartened. He was really a fool to get ready to leave his own country, his family only because Khushi cannot sort her hatred issues. He keeps his palm over Daadi’s hand and replies.

“I will never leave you all stranded. It’s a promise”

Shyam, Daadi and Anjali are overjoyed with his promise. They all surround Arnav and hug him. Khushi, who is standing at the door, witnesses all of this and thank God that he saved her from doing such a big sin of separating a person from his family who love him so much.

****************

The was the first night when Khushi felt so much relieved and lighter. It is all because for the first time she had kept her hatred aside and thought selflessly. That man has a family, his own relationships and commitments towards them, she is no one to keep him away from them. Khushi Gupta had realized her mistake and she promised herself never to upset the family who gave her shelter and so much love, by snatching their family member from them. Few more months and she will leave this family forever, at that time, she doesn’t want to repent for hurting them.

With that thought, Khushi wakes up and gets ready for Office. She has ignored her work from past few days, since the time that knife stabbing incident happened. She will have to concentrate back now. But what about the complaint that was raised against her by Daadi? Did she take it back? Though she cannot trust on Daadi in those regards, she is sure Arnav Singh Raizada won’t leave it open at any cost. The way he came to the Police Station that night, along with his lawyer and took her away amidst all those officials, she can guarantee that he will not let anyone from that matter even come close to her, forget any more investigations.

This same thought somehow reminds her of what Anjali had told her about Arnav’s feelings for her. Is he really homing those feelings in his heart? Is that why when she started becoming friendly with one of her male colleague at AR office, he immediately relocated that guy to some other team? Is that why when she was mistakenly drunk in the party, he came to assist her and lead her back home? Is that why she has found him glancing at her many a times, be at home or work? A lump of uneasiness forms in her throat. This is too much to digest. Maybe she is overthinking. He knows the dynamics of their relationship, he knows how much he is responsible for her father’s death, he has measured the hatred she has for him, even after all this, how can he even have those type of feelings for her? That’s ridiculous.

She comes down and joins Shyam and Anjali at the breakfast table. Arnav gets Daadi out of her bedroom and they are heading for breakfast too. Khushi gets uncomfortable but she manages to serve her dish. Daadi does not bother her presence either.

“Arnav, I still have to do my Puja. Without that I can’t eat” Daadi says.
“Drink juice at least or else no Puja at home today” he warns her passing the glass of juice.

Daadi is so overwhelmed by Arnav’s caring attitude for her. He was the same till 16. He always used to take care of her. It’s like his childhood habits have returned back and she is so glad that she is able to witness it because of that woman (Khushi) who stopped him from going to Paris.

Arnav sits next to Daadi and serves his own plate. Everyone starts eating. Khushi realizes she is the only one who has not asked Daadi about her health. Being in the same house, amidst the same family, she cannot be so rude.

“How are you feeling today?” she asks.

Daadi gives a half smile at her.
“Better than before”
“Good. I hope you don’t hold me responsible for snatching away your grandson from this family then” Khushi asks.

Shyam and Anjali stiffen. Was this topic even necessary over the table now? Arnav tries to concentrate on the only subject before him now. EATING.

“One help doesn’t wash away the coldness of past 11 years. Though you might not be fully responsible for all of this, you have accelerated it enough, unknowingly”

Daadi’s reply fumes Khushi by her words. Arnav choses to be silent over this exchange of words between them. He will not save Khushi here because she herself started it and considering Daadi’s health, he will have to ignore her too.

“Few more months you will have to tolerate me in this house. In fact, I was even ready to leave the same night when Arnav brought me back from the Police station. But he didn’t let me go” she snaps.
Daadi smiles with sarcasm.
“That is the problem, doesn’t matter how much you complicate things for him, he is always the first person to protect you” Daadi replies.

Complicate? Daadi thinks she is complicating things for everyone? How can she think like that? Khushi gets pissed off.

“Why don’t you find a suitable proposal for your Grandson and get him married? That’s the only way things will not complicate further” Khushi suggests.

Everyone present at the dining table pause eating and look at Khushi, except Arnav Singh Raizada, who is still swallowing the food very normally. He has been hearing her banter with Daadi about getting a bride for him. But he didn’t even flinch with that thought. He knows what and how much he has to react to this matter. He knows Khushi has been purposely provoking him but he is going to deal with it, in his own way.

“Now you will advise me what decisions I should take for my Grandson?” Daadi argues.
“Yes, because your very own Grandson is” she suddenly takes a pause because Arnav Singh Raizada raises his head and gives her an annoyed glare.

Everyone is aware that she stopped because of him. Daadi gets curious what was Khushi going to say about Arnav? The moment Arnav realizes she is silent, he wipes his lips with the towel and gets up to leave, but he doesn’t go alone. He comes straight to Khushi’s chair, pulls it out and drags her out with him. She is too cold and shocked to speak anything right now. Shyam and Anjali just stares at the two leaving the house. What is happening here? Will someone please enlighten them?

Arnav drags Khushi till his car and leaves her arm roughly.

“Is arguing over every simple topic becoming your hobby these days?” he asks. His tone dangerously hoarse. “Daadi is old and unwell. I am trying my best to help her recover, if you can’t help in that, doesn’t matter. Just refrain yourself from communicating to her, it’s for your own good and hers.”

Her jaw drops. Did he just scold her? Before she can even decide how to defend herself, he opens the backseat door of the car and gets inside. Mohan, drives him out of the Mansion. Khushi stamps her feet in anger. Just when she thought he might have feelings for her, he is proving her wrong. The way he thrashed her today is simply intolerable. Anjali must have misinterpreted his behavior towards her and communicated the same to her.

****************

Khushi is back to work. Fortunately, no one here knows about the incident which took place 2 – 3 days back between her and Arnav so none of them is questioning her. She is glad that she still maintains the same dignity here, which she had before. She finishes the designs, gets it verified with the Client, conducts a team meeting and is finally back to the cabin. Aman Mathur follows her quickly.

“Hey, ASR had asked me to give this.” He extends the envelope to her which she takes. “Though he cancelled his trip, the envelope is still with me”

Aman observes the expressions on Khushi’s face as if she has understood that Aman got to know it was she who convinced Arnav not to leave for Paris.

“Thanks” she murmurs.
“You are welcome. By the way, Valentine’s day is coming and we are raising a small fund for a Valentine Party.”
“Oh, okay, I will contribute too”
“Great. I will send you the details then. Excuse me”

Aman leaves and Khushi does not delay to open the envelope and checks the contents. It’s the agreement papers of her House. Another notarized document which clearly mentions that Khatri’s have got their loan amount back with interest and hence they are releasing the house from mortgage. Khushi keeps the papers on her desk. Why? Why did he do this favor? As if he would have agreed if she had denied. How is she supposed to accept this favor from him? This man is continuously clearing every thorn from her path, and she has no idea if she has to return this kindness or just warn him not to continue curtesy in future.

___________________________________________________

Part 25

Arnav Singh Raizada is back in his cabin after a tiresome meeting. He loosens the tie and sits on his luxury chair to check his emails on the laptop. One email grabs his attention, especially the Subject. He clicks it open.

From: Khushi Kumari Gupta
To: Arnav Singh Raizada
Subject: Gratitude

Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada,
I just received the envelope from Aman Mathur and I am not very delighted to read its contents. Solving my personal life issues should not be your concern anymore. But since you have done a big favor on me by paying off the Mortgage amount of my House, I owe you that sum now.

I cannot pay off that entire amount in one shot, I will stick to the EMI policies, which I am sure you are least interested to discuss. I have transferred my first installment (INR 25000) to your personal account; it will take me 8 years 3 months to complete this due.

Kindly refrain yourself from offering any more favors.

Regards,
Khushi Gupta

Arnav shuts his eyes. This is beyond his imagination, Khushi paying off that amount in installments. How did she manage to transfer the first installment though? He checks the date and realizes she has received her salary just few days ago. So, she used that money. But this is not what he wants her to do. She needs to save, for herself. He leans back on his chair and tries to think of some alternate solution. Even after 10 minutes of constant thinking, he fails to find a key to this problem. He gets up from his seat and walks to the glass wall which isolates his cabin from hers. He slides the curtain slowly to peep in her cabin. She is there inside but with her team. She looks quite busy and totally into working mood. He shuts the curtain again and gets back to his desk. He better ignores this email and focus on his company matters. This highs and lows between them will keep going forever.

***************

Khushi finishes the meeting with her team and immediately checks the Inbox. There is no reply from him. Did he not read her email? It is impossible that he will skip it. Then why didn’t he react? Not that she wants him to react. But she was expecting him to fuss over it, which he didn’t. Does that concern her? Why is she reacting so weird then? She does not want his attention over her or any of her belongings. And when he is doing exactly the same, she feels bothered and restless. This is insane.

That evening, Tanuja, their Client, insisted on meeting the entire team who was working for her Project in AR. She wanted to congratulate them as their first set of designs were ready for the market. Once the meeting was over, Arnav Singh Raizada entered the conference room. He heads straight to Tanuja. He was busy elsewhere and hence couldn’t attend the meeting like others. But his brother Shyam was there to lead it.

“Tanuja, Congratulations” Arnav shakes hand with her.
“Thank You ASR. Your team has done a good job”

Shyam and Khushi make their way to Tanuja again to give her the copy of the presentation which is on the Pen drive. Tanuja takes it. Arnav keeps his eyes away from Khushi as much as possible and this is again new for her. He is either overreacting or he has really decided to stay away from her, just like she has warned him to.

Tanuja quickly pats Khushi’s shoulder and continues praising her.

“Khushi, I am really thankful to you. All of your designs are masterpiece”

Khushi smiles with pride but there is a nervousness bubbling inside her, considering this appreciation is right before the Raizada men. Arnav definitely feels proud to hear that too but he never shows it off on his face.

“Thanks, Tanuja. I got to be lucky for working on your Project first” Khushi replies.
“No no darling. You can work wonders anywhere. You can manage anything, trust me” Tanuja responds.
Khushi picks that statement to poke a bit.

“Oh, EVERYONE here thinks I cannot manage on my own” she gives a clear glance towards Arnav who immediately looks at her and comments back.
“I am not EVERYONE” his eyes gawk at her with similar expressions.

The air between them thickens and though Shyam is used to this type of misleading conversations, Tanuja is new. She feels some sort of spark between the two which probably might change into a dynamite soon. Shyam intervenes.

“Tanuja, you need to sign the other agreement we were discussing this morning. So, shall we?” Shyam asks.

She nods in agreement and leaves with Shyam. Arnav and Khushi who were still gazing at each other come out of their stance, Arnav first. He knows why she taunted that. Since he sorted the house loan matter for her, she feels underrated. But he did this not to make her feel low or herself or to raise his dignity in her eyes, he did this to ease her from more problems and most importantly from financial crises. But he does not want to argue with her. She wants to be left alone, he will oblige to that.

He is about to take a turn and leave the room but Khushi seems to be very interested in knowing if he had read her email. So, she picks that topic here, stopping him from escaping.

“You got my email?” she asks.

He swallows hard and she is aware of his hesitation in discussing this topic. He looks at her with a stern expression.

“Get back to work Miss Gupta”

His voice is cold and she shallow. Khushi clenches her jaw while he leaves the room. Why is he doing this now? Can’t he just talk and finish the matter? Or maybe he doesn’t want to discuss their personal matters here at work. Yes, that can be a possibility. She sighs in frustration and gets back to her cabin.

Arnav feels a lot more controlled now. He had ignored his sense of morality all this while and allowed people to hurt him and in turn hurt people who loved him. He will have to get back to his principles and try to handle the situation here for the next 2 months. After he goes back to Paris, ending the contract here, things will be fine.

***************

In the evening, at home, Anjali witnesses the discomfort Khushi is going through since she has returned back from work. As if something is disturbing her. They are both in the kitchen when she decides to speak to Khushi and try to sort it out.

“Anything happened at work today? Why are you so distressed Khushi?”
“Who do you think is responsible?” Khushi asks beating the eggs.

Anjali silences for few seconds and then speaks up.
“What did he do today?”
Khushi stops beating the eggs and looks at her.

“He didn’t do anything. That’s what is pinching me.”
Anjali chuckles sarcastically.
“I really don’t understand you both. When he does something for you, you hate it. When he doesn’t show any interest on you, you don’t like it either. What exactly do you want Khushi?”

“Husband” Arnav’s voice hits their ears.

Both Khushi and Anjali jerk at his sudden intrusion. Arnav is looking at both of them, standing at the kitchen door. Khushi’s eyes dart an amusing look at him. She wants a Husband? How can he say that? Arnav kind of reads her mind and steps inside to clear the air. He looks at Anjali.

“I mean, your husband is calling you out. He is ready to leave. Looking for you”

Anjali relaxes but Khushi isn’t convinced yet. Did he really mean that or was he playing with words now?
“Oh yes, sorry. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting” Anjali replies. She immediately hugs Khushi and then pulls back. “We are invited today for Dinner at one of my friend’s house. We will be late. And Don’t worry about Daadi, I have told Hari Prakash what to serve her and when.”

Khushi smiles nodding a yes.
“Enjoy your dinner”
“Bye” Anjali smiles at Khushi and then at Arnav and leaves the kitchen. Arnav does not want to stay back here. But Khushi takes this opportunity to talk to him.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” she asks.
He stops but doesn’t answer her. She washes her hands and then wipes them.
“This is home. And we need to communicate” she adds.

He raises his head and gives her a cold stare.

“I don’t see why we need to communicate” he answers.
She fists her fingers.
“This is what I hate about you.”
“Which is good” he instantly replies “At least this behavior of mine is going to sustain that hate you have for me. As far as I remember our last argument, you wanted that hate to remain in your heart forever, or else it would be an injustice towards your father.”

His response makes her jaw drop. Yes, she had told him that. And she literally felt it from her heart. So, is this why he is ignoring her? Purposely doing things to irritate her? So, that she keeps cultivating hatred for him? Isn’t that wrong? She grits her teeth.

“Another favor huhh? I don’t need your favors and I have made it quite clear in the email I sent you today morning” she declares.
Arnav folds his arms.
“I got that payment which I have reversed back in your account. I don’t need that sum in installments” he states.

Now this increases her curiosity. He reversed the payment? Hell No. Why did he do that? She does not want that money back.
“You reversed it? Why? It is your money? Look, nothing really changed for me since you repaid that loan. First my house was mortgaged with the Khatri’s and now it’s more or less belonging to you. What I had to pay to Khatri’s, now I have to pay to you. So, you better accept that installment without much argument” she snarls.

Arnav is still patiently listening to her. His silence irks her.
“You can’t change my decision” she further adds.
“Too bad, I just did” he replies with the same attitude.

Khushi grits her teeth. Why is he doing this to her?

“Why? Why can’t you just accept the money and end this conversation here?”
“I said the decision is made Khushi.” He says nothing new. It starts annoying her now.

“You can’t decide that. And if you want to change the mode of payment, or anything else, then we need to discuss this together and agree on terms. You cannot decide everything alone” she screams.
“Awaz neeche Khushi” (Lower your tone, Khushi) he commands.

She gulps nervously. He keeps staring at her. So, she wants to discuss this together with him, convince him to take her money. This is never going to happen.

“This is how you plan to have a discussion? By raising your voice? By Arguing?” his choice of words really instigates her but she chooses to calm down.
“Fine. I will be cool then so that we can discuss how I repay you back” she folds her arms too.
Arnav shakes his head.
“I am in no mood of discussing this today. Good night”

He leaves the kitchen and she is left staring at him with a dropped jaw. How can he be so arrogant?

***************

Hari Prakash is serving Daadi’s plate. Anjali had asked him to serve dinner to Daadi.

“Khushi Didi, should the rice be served on the left of the plate or right?” HP asks.

Khushi knows Daadi is very peculiar about all this. Khushi takes the spatula from him and asks him to finish the other work, and that she will serve the food in Daadi’s plate. HP readily agreed. In two minutes, Khushi was done but HP seemed to be missing now. Where did he go? The served food will get cold otherwise. She decides to go and hand over the Dinner plate to Daadi on his behalf. She pushes the trolley of food and takes it to Daadi’s room. When she knocks and gets inside, she finds Daadi sitting on the bed, alone, lost in deep thoughts. But the moment Khushi steps in, she becomes conscious. Daadi is startled to find her getting the dinner plate.

“Where is Hari Prakash?” Daadi asks.
“He is doing some other work.”

Khushi keeps the food trolley and is about to leave when Daadi stops her.

“I need a help” Daadi states with authority.

Khushi looks at her with bewilderment.

“Help? From me?” she pauses “what sort of help?” Khushi asks.
“Today morning when you suggested over the table about getting Arnav married, it somehow seemed to convince me”
Khushi freezes. Okay, so what next then? Daadi continues explaining.
“If Arnav gets married, all his attention will be diverted towards his wife. And you and I want the same, don’t we?”

Khushi gets the hint in Daadi’s words. Yes, she wants him to stop poking into her personal life and Daadi also wants him to stay away from her, which is genuine.
“Even if we want the same, what I am supposed to do here?” Khushi asks.

Daadi gets up from the bed and reaches Khushi.
“You have to convince him to get married”

Khushi’s jaw drops and she gets annoyed too.
“What? Why will I do that? And why me? He has you, Shyam and Anjali to do this”
“But we all know that if he listens to anyone, it is you” Daadi clarifies.

Khushi’s heart starts pounding. Wish this was true. Considering the way he is giving her a cold shoulder these days, forget listening to her talks, he will not even entertain her before him. And most importantly, what if Anjali’s words about Arnav’s feelings for her were true? How can he even allow the same woman he has feelings for, asking him to get married to someone whom his Daadi has chosen? This is a royal mess and she is least interested to butcher herself.

“That’s not going to work. You please find some other way to convince him” Khushi hurried back to the door.
“Khushi think again. I know only you can do this. If I had a choice, you would be the last person I would ask this favor from” Daadi screams at her.

Khushi closes the door behind her and rushes to the bedroom. However hard she wants Arnav Singh Raizada to mind his own business and stop interfering in her life, she will never take this task of convincing him for marriage. Never.

___________________________________________________

Part 26


“Secret Valentine?” Khushi curiously asks. “Isn’t that called Secret Santa?” she adds.

Aman Mathur nods in agreement but he is not the one who decided this. The idea came up after a quick brainstorming session with the staff here.
“What’s in the name, Khushi? And Christmas is gone, Valentine is here. It will be fun” he replies.

Khushi rolls her eyes at his explanation.
“Okay, so whats the plan?”
“We will keep a pot having names of everyone written in it, including the staff, housekeeping and of course even the Bosses. We will assemble in some time and every one will pick one chit. We will have to buy a Valentine Gift for that person whose chit we have picked. And we have to keep that name confidential. I will be collecting all the gifts and keep them secure. On Valentine’s day, we have a small party at Office wherein each one of us will get their gifts which their secret Valentine has bought for them.” Aman describes.

Khushi likes the idea though she is not really very interested in Valentine’s day celebration. She has no special person in her life whom she considers as her Valentine. She has always kept herself aloof from being social, growing friendships and mingling with colleagues. Plus, since Shyam has got married, he and Anjali have their own Valentine days plans every year which she will never want to screw up. Looks like this year she might have some fun with her office staff on that day, which sounded cool.

“Okay, when are we assembling for picking the chit?” she asks.
“Sharp at 03:00pm. Our Bosses will be free that time”

Now that somehow interests her. Bosses!!! Means Arnav Singh Raizada is also going to participate in this? Crazy!! He doesn’t have time to discuss how he would like her to pay for the house mortgage amount that he cleared on her behalf, instead the man has all time in playing such childish games with his staff!! She knows he is doing this on purpose!!

**************

It’s sharp 03:00pm. All the staff start assemble in the huge auditorium where Aman Mathur and few of their other colleagues have finished filling a transparent pot with chits, having names of each one of them. Khushi watches Shyam who enters with Arnav Singh Raizada and Lavanya Kshyap. The chaos that was filled in the room now suddenly turns into a cold silence after their entry. Lavanya seems pretty excited. Whenever Khushi sees Arnav and Lavanya together, she just assumes they might have had a relationship before because they look so much like a couple, matching styles, aura and most importantly Lavanya has been his only friend from past 5 – 6 years. They can get hitched, can’t they? Maybe she should suggest this to Daadi. But again, she does not want to dig her own grave. What if Daadi makes her ask Arnav Singh Raizada is he is interested in Lavanya? She is so not going to do that.

“OMG ASR. You know this has always been my favorite game since childhood” Lavanya giggles. “We used to play this during our College days too”

Arnav just smirks at her and quickly scans the area once. It is obvious his eyes are searching for Khushi, whom he finds talking to one of her colleague. He diverts his stare from her and gestures Aman Mathur to start. Aman takes the Mike to address the staff.

“Thanks everyone for being a part of this fun activity. As we all know Valentine Day is just a week ahead. We all might have our individual plans to celebrate this day, but there might be few singles like me (everyone chuckles) who have to rely on such fun activities to spend that day and earn a gift. We all know the rules already, so just come forward and pick a chit. Be someone’s secret Valentine and make their Valentine day special”

Everyone claps at his speech and start coming forward one by one to pick one chit from the pot. It is Khushi’s turn now. She comes ahead and inserts her hand in the pot. After few seconds of rolling the chits, she picks one. Arnav’s gaze on her sharpens as she gets back to her place and reads the name on the chit. Her jaw drops and she swallows hard. The next look is straight towards him. But he quickly looks elsewhere. He doesn’t want to show her that he is noticing her.

Khushi crushes the chit in her palms with shock and tries to compose herself. She got HIS name? That means she will have to buy him a gift? Out of all the chits there, it is his name that she had to pick? What kind of coincidence is this? She breathes hard and focusses on others as they continue picking the chits one by one. Soon, it is Arnav Singh Raizada’s turn. He picks one chit and steps back, allowing Shyam to pick the next one. Khushi’s eyes are glued at him. He reads the name on the chit. But he doesn’t react further. He keeps the chit in his pocket and keeps his gaze fixed on others. Khushi does not get any idea whose name he must have got. Whose Secret Valentine he will be? But that’s the last thing she should worry about. Because she is definitely not prepared to be HIS SECRET VALENTINE

**************

When Khushi returns back home from work, Daadi is already in the living room, as if waiting for her. Khushi had thought of relaxing a bit in the living room, having a tea but now seeing Daadi there she changes her plans. She knows what topic Daadi will open up again. She tries to slip from Daadi’s attention but fails. Daadi calls her name and she stops.

“Why do I think you are escaping from me?” Daadi asks.
Khushi frowns.
“Because I am escaping” she bluntly replies.
Daadi sighs in disappointment. Her equation with this girl will never change. God knows what Arnav sees in her that he is so grateful towards her always?

“Did you think on my proposal?” Daadi comes to the point. “I hope you have changed your mind”

Khushi sighs heavily. She is not sure why Daadi is doing this with her? She has clearly denied her last night, didn’t she? Then why is she still under the belief that she might change her mind?

“I have already told you, I am not interested in doing this. Please ask someone else” Khushi replies.

“What are you making her do Daadi?” comes the question from the man himself. Arnav Singh Raizada and Shyam are back home. They were just entering the house when they hear this little conversation between the two women. Khushi stiffens. Whenever she sees him now, she is remembering that she is his secret valentine. She has to buy a gift for him? What can she buy for the man who already has everything?

Arnav comes forward and gives a quick glance to both of them.

“Chotte, its nothing. You both came early today” Daadi diverts the topic.
“Haan Daadi. Today we fortunately had less work” Shyam responds.

Arnav is still not convinced that the conversation he just heard meant nothing. Daadi and Khushi are not very much in talking terms so if they were talking, it cannot be just like that. It doesn’t make sense. While Daadi and Shyam start talking more, Arnav makes his way towards a confused Khushi.

“What’s happening?” he asks her in a stern voice.
She folds her hands and sighs.
“Now you got time to talk to me?” she asks with an aggressive tone.
Arnav clenches his jaw. She looks quite impressive when she is angry. He has always seen her pouring hatred and ignorance for him, but this is the first instance when she is so desperate to communicate with him, even though the matter is strictly related to the repayment of favors he has done for her.
Khushi suddenly gets an idea in her head and she smirk at him.
“You know what? Let’s do it this way. I will tell you what Daadi has asked from me only on the condition that you will discuss about the repayment stuff.”

That smile can be counted as a winning smile. He knows that she and Daadi are definitely up to something. But what can they have in common? These two women are like two opposite poles. None of them can make effort to soften for the other.

“Is this how you think Deals are made?” he roughly asks.
“It’s not a deal. It’s called ancient Barter system. Get an answer in return of giving an answer. Think about it. Good night”

She leaves hurriedly to her bedroom while he keeps staring at her. Did she just wish him a Good night? Now that’s a first. She has never even wished him for anything before. Tonight, has to be different then.

**************

That night Khushi is in her room, sketching some designs when she hears the sound of Guitar. So, Mr. Music lover is practicing again? She tries to ignore it and keeps drawing her sketches. The music note is sad, just like always. Can’t he play something happy? Well, what is she expecting from a man who doesn’t know the meaning of happiness? All he can do is snatch others happiness, like he snatched hers!! She shuts her eyes. Why is she thinking all of this now? She had decided to put it behind her, didn’t she? She again focusses on the sketches but fails when the note of the guitar changes again. She feels a pull towards that note. She stops all her work and gets up.

She walks to his room, slowly, unsure if she has to really go there. She stops at the door of his bedroom. It is slightly open. Can’t he close the door when he is playing? Why to disturb others? But again, this is his house. He can do anything he wants here. She slowly peeps inside and there he is, sitting down, his back leaned on the bed edge. He is rehearsing the music, as if he is trying to fine tune it. His expression is sad as if he is lamenting over something, as if he is missing someone. Can it be one of his Ex? He is completely lost in the music but he sees her little shadow, all thanks to the small yellow light which is the only one light glowing in the room. This man must be fond of darkness too. He stops playing and raises his head to see her.

She retreats by one step, her eyes still fixed on him. She didn’t realize when she pushed the door open and got inside. But now that he is aware she is here, she has to give some excuse. She clears her throat.

“Uh. You.. you are disturbing others” she utters.

No, this is not what she meant to tell him. But she will not take her words back. He gives her the same cold stare.
“I don’t see others in the room to complain, but you.” He replies.
She swallows hard.
“Whatever!! I know this is your room, your house. You can do anything but please close the door. I was sketching. I can’t concentrate”
“Focus Khushi Gupta. Focus on your work. You will find all sorts of disturbing jerks in your life, you can’t give importance to each of them. Keep ignoring. And I don’t have to teach you how to ignore people because I have learnt that from you”

His answer blows her mind. Why has he become like this? Initially, he never taunted her. Now he does that in surplus. She cannot fathom his mind. It’s beyond her capacity. But now that she is here, she decides to divert the subject.

“Have you decided about my Barter system deal?” she asks.

He sighs shaking his head and stands on his feet. She moves a step back again. He keeps the guitar back in the closet and comes to her.

“Keep that deal to yourself. I don’t need to know that anymore.”

She gets astonished. He doesn’t want to know? Hell No!!! It was the only way she could get to discuss the repayment matter with him. She crosses her arms across her chest.

“I haven’t seen a pigheaded man like you” she growls.
Arnav clenches his jaw.
“Pigheaded?” he steps forward and she feels intimidated. Did she use a very obscene word? She narrows her eyes and nods a yes.
“You behave like one with me at least. Or are you the same with every woman?”

Now she starts crossing the line. Arnav keeps staring at her in anger.
“Whom was that sad note for? One of your Ex? Did she leave you for your adamancy which you never stop to flaunt?” She instigates him beyond repair.
“Who are you to judge my relationships?” he snaps.
“I am no one to you. But your Daadi thinks I can be the one who can get you hitched to someone. Isn’t that strange?” she scowls with a similar rage.

Oh… This is a news for him. So, this is what the conversation between Khushi and his Daadi was. Khushi has no clue that stepping back from him, she has almost reached the dead end. Her back hits the wall beside the door and she cannot even slip out of this room because he is blocking her way out. She also suddenly realizes she has put the cat out of the box. She just told him what he wanted to know. How can she be so idiot? This was the only one way she could have made him discuss the repayment stuff and here she just failed all her plans.

“I am glad you denied her” his voice is suggestive. “Don’t get into something you can never fulfil” he adds.
Her jaw drops. Now who is instigating whom?
“Don’t judge my capabilities. If I really make up my mind, I can actually get you hitched to some woman of your kind”

He leans over her. She has no attention to that. All she knows is that she has to win this conversation.

“You don’t know my kind” he whispers.
Khushi laughs in sarcasm.
“Oh really? Then why don’t you shed some light on what kind you prefer?” she mocks.
There is a sudden spark in his eyes. Should he let her know or should he keep it hidden?
“Forget it. Tum seh nahi paogi” (Forget it. You cannot handle it) he replies.

This is a poor insult to her. Now she is totally determined to agree to Daadi’s words and ensure that this man marries the woman she chooses for him. Until then she will not be satisfied.

“Stop fussing and just tell me your kind” she pokes him again and this time he doesn’t give up. He holds her shoulders and she feels different, it’s not a hateful feeling she has for him anymore, she can read that for sure. He makes her turn towards the mirror which is just next to the door, at her right.

She looks at herself in the mirror, all perplexed. He is still standing behind her. She is waiting for him to educate her on what he means by showing her own face in the mirror?

“That’s my kind” he murmurs, leaving her shoulders.

Khushi’s heart leaps into her mouth. He walks out of the door. A lump forms in her throat. What was that? Did he really mean it? Or was it only to change the subject and make her forget helping Daadi over this matter? The words of Anjali dread her mind. Is this what Anjali was telling her about? That means he really has those feelings for her? Dammit!!

___________________________________________________

Part 27

“This is my kind” he murmurs softly, staring at her eyes in the mirror.

Arnav Singh Raizada’s voice keeps echoing in her ears, the whole night. Khushi wakes up with a jerk. She is sweating. She cannot believe that he even dared to say that to her? She picks the water jug to drink but finds it empty. It’s 5:30am. She gets down the bed, wears her slippers and walks out of the room. Her mind is busy trying to ignore the flashes of that moment when she had been to his room last night. The more she plans to ignore him, the more he unbearable it is getting to avoid him. Why?

She reaches the kitchen and scowls finding the same man, responsible for all her troubles, making a black coffee for himself. He woke up so early? Or did he not get sleep like her? Why does she care? She is here to collect water and she will do that, quietly. She walks inside the kitchen, not very quietly though. He hears her footsteps and turns around. Their eyes meet for a brief period but before her, he is the one to divert back to his coffee. She fiddles with the refrigerator knob and manages to open it. There is hardly any light in the room. He has not made any attempt to turn the lights on and neither the glass windows of the Kitchen help because there is still dark outside.

Khushi pours the water in the jug and keeps the bottle again in the refrigerator. Arnav is also done with his Coffee making by now. He is about to leave out with the mug when suddenly he hears her voice.

“I am going to agree to your Daadi’s demand”

He stops and turns to her. She comes forward. She knows this is not the right time to have a conversation with him but he hardly has free time especially for her, these days. So, any time is the best time to pour her anger on him.

“What demand?” he murmurs.
“To find a bride for you” she replies without taking her eyes off his.
Arnav stiffens but she acts cool.
“Now that you have told me what your kind is, it will be easy” she adds.
Arnav sips the coffee once, without breaking their eye-lock. His expression impassive.

“You will be wasting your time, Khushi”
“Wasting time now to save my future is not really that bad” she taunts.

Arnav comprehends that Khushi has learned about his feelings for her, by his one gesture from last night. And maybe that is why she is so much interested in seeing him tied to another woman. But does she thing it is that easy?

“Try your luck” he wishes her arrogantly and walks away with the coffee. Khushi gazes at him as he enters the Gym room. The glass walls of the Gym make everything quite visible though. He keeps the mug aside and pulls out his T Shirt. Khushi looks away. Where does he get all this arrogance from? Looks like he has that in surplus within him. She heads back to her room and shuts the door in anger. Whatever happens, she is going to speed up the process of hooking him with some woman as per his Daadi’s demands. Until then she will not be at ease. With that thought, Khushi jumps on the bed and tries to get some sleep, she has just an hour left to wake up for work though.

****************

After the breakfast, she manages to meet Daadi who has just finished reading a holy book. Khushi knocks and steps inside the room. She is in a hurry yet she finds time to meet her.

“Have you seen a Bride for him, already? Or is the search still On?” Khushi asks directly.

Daadi feels happy that she has taken her demand seriously.
“You think you can convince him?” Daadi asks.
“I don’t know. It’s you, who think I can convince him and that’s why you offered me to do this, didn’t you?” Khushi cross questions.
Daadi sighs.
“But why did you agree to do this?”

Now that gets Khushi in a fix. What is she supposed to tell Daadi? That her grandson is interested in her and she is not, in fact, she can never be. Hence, she is doing a favor on herself by expediting his ‘Find a Bride’ task? That too with the same woman whom she has never tried to be cordial with since the time she has started staying in this house?

Daadi looks suspiciously at her, waiting for Khushi to answer her question.

“I am just hoping to repay all the favors this family has done on me” Khushi replies, though this is not the complete truth.
Daadi stands up in pride.

“Are you ready to put the worst between us, behind?”
“Just for this one job?” She pauses “Yes”

Daadi shakes her head in acknowledgement.
“Fine, I have one of my friend’s grand daughter who is interested in this relationship.” Daadi informs.
“Great. Share her details with me. I will see if I can arrange a meet of her and him any time soon” Khushi replies.

Daadi gets impressed by her ideas and the way she has taken this task seriously.

“I will share”
“Okay”

Khushi walks out of Daadi’s room and to her surprise finds Arnav Singh Raizada sitting at the table hurrying with his breakfast. He gives her a quick glance and eats again. Khushi comes there.

“Anju, I am heading for work. And I might be late today” Khushi informs.
Arnav, who is eating silently, gets alarmed. Why will she be late home? What work does she have out?
“Khushi, anything important?” Anjali asks.

Khushi gives a quick peek to Arnav and replies.
“Have to buy a gift for the person whose secret Valentine I am”

Arnav puts the fork in his mouth and chews the fruit. By that he remembers he too has to buy gift. Anjali nods and since her phone rings at the same time, she quickly walks away answering the call. Khushi is about to leave when she hears Arnav asking her.

“I hope you won’t gift a bride, being my secret valentine” he mutters swallowing the food.
She is stunned. How did he know that she is his Secret Valentine?
“You saw my chit?” she angrily asks.
Arnav wipes his lips and gets up.
“I don’t need to see that chit to know. I read it on your face. That displeasure on reading my name the other day revealed much” he replies. That was an unexpected twist in the tale for her. Khushi feels choked. What is this? He knows it. What now?

“You don’t hate anyone to that extent like you hate me. You can never be displeased to that level for anyone. It’s the easiest way to read you Miss Khushi Gupta.” He snarls.

Khushi feels caged in his words. Why does he have to remind her how much she hates him. Does she really hate him to that extent even now? Probably No. Because if she had, then she might never have talked to him so much. She realizes that she has started communicating with this man, though very formally, still it’s a big turn in her attitude towards him. Arnav doesn’t wait there to catch all her reactions. It’s time for him to leave for work. He heads for his car which Mohan might have got ready outside. Suddenly he stops and turns around.

“I am heading to Office. I can drop you” he offers.

She comes out of her thoughts and sternly nods her head.

“I prefer to go walking than riding with you” she angrily replies.
Arnav smirks. Sometimes he just doesn’t understand what makes him fall for this woman so much? She has never been docile towards him. Arnav checks his watch and then looks at her again.

“You have just 20 minutes to walk then. I hope you will manage to reach on time and not break any of the rules of that place where you work”

Her jaw drops. She is late? So late? She should have taken the talks with Daadi for evening. Shit!! What now? Arnav is still there

“Good Luck” he wishes her and heads back to the car. He knows she won’t take his offered lift. She is too stringent to accept any of his favors.

****************

After one hour, Khushi manages to reach office. She knows she is hell late. But she had no choice. She booked a cab for herself which arrived 10 minutes late than expected and then the usual Delhi traffic. She couldn’t avoid any of this. When she steps out of the elevator on the floor, she finds Arnav Singh Raizada talking to Aman Mathur. But as soon as he sees her, he shows her his watch. She knows why he is doing that. She is late. And he is making fun of her for not accepting his lift to office. She frowns and tries to walk past him but he stops her.

“Khushi one minute” he utters.

She unwillingly stops because here, HE IS THE BOSS. Arnav then asks Aman to leave and continue his work. Aman goes away and Arnav concentrates on Khushi.
“Why are you late?” he questions in a serious tone.
She grits her teeth.
“Why do you ask me things you already know?”
“You are talking to your Boss Khushi, watch your tone” he reminds.

She swallows the uneasiness for being in this situation and replies calmly.

“I didn’t realize I was late until someone reminded me at home and then when that same man offered me to drop me here, I didn’t accept his lift either. That’s why I am late.” She answers but without any remorse. That infuriates her. He would have liked to see her showing a little bit of guilt that she didn’t accept his offer of lift.
“Take this as a last warning.” he scolds and leaves back to his cabin.

Khushi mutters something clenching her teeth for his indifferent behavior and walks back to her desk. She starts her work and very soon gets totally engrossed in it. During the lunch time she hears some of her colleagues discussing about the Valentine gifts to be purchased. That’s how even she is reminded of the gift which she needs to buy. But before that she will have to talk to someone who knows him better. She knocks Lavanya’s cabin door and gets inside.

“Hey Khushi. Come inside” Lavanya welcomes her. “I must say, you got so much busy these days that you don’t even have time for me”
Khushi chuckles.
“You know the deadlines. They suck. Anyways, I needed a bit of your help.” Khushi replies.
“My help? Sure. What is it? Any work issue”
“No, nothing related to work. Actually, you know the Secret Valentine names that we have got. I want to buy a gift for that person and needed your help to decide what to buy” Khushi answers.

Lavanya is confused.

“Okay, but how will I know what that person might like as a gift?”
“Because you have known him from past 5 -6 years” Khushi gives her the hint.
Lavanya thinks for a second and then she smiles.
“Oh, you mean you got ASR’s name?”

Khushi nods.
“Oh Lord. You will be your enemy’s secret Valentine?” she shouts in horror but Khushi remains calm. Enemy? Does she still consider him as her Enemy? May be that enmity has taken a backseat now.
Lavanya realizes she has to play safe in this matter. She cannot hurt anyone’s sentiments.
“Now I get it. Okay, I will help you with it. But then it’s going to be tedious job. It’s very hard to please that man” Lavanya replies.
Lavanya starts laughing and picks the receiver.
“Maria, get two coffees please” she tells the person on the other end and drops the call. “You know Khushi, even after knowing him from so many years, I think I don’t know him yet. He is so unpredictable and uncertain. Just like a closed book. And you definitely cannot judge that book by its cover” she adds.

Khushi feels strange to even discuss about him with someone else. She just wants to get a gift and end this phase. The coffees are served. Khushi and Lavanya share a little more talk and decide to meet after the office hours today. They would together go in a gift shop and buy something for Arnav.

****************

Khushi and Lavanya are both in the store, looking for some gift.

“How about a watch?” Khushi asks.
“His brand of watch will make you spend lakhs of rupees, so NO watch”
Khushi sighs. Yes, he is so expensive.
“Pen?”
“He hardly writes. He knows only to type. You can gift him fingers” Lavanya teases.

Khushi chuckles at that thought and continues searching.

“A keychain?” Khushi suggests again.
“He doesn’t drive Khushi. Not after that accident”

Both Khushi and Lavanya get serious and keep walking the store. Lavanya realizes she has just touched the wrong nerve of this woman.
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you that”
Khushi nods. Lavanya feels like talking a bit over this topic, now that she has removed it.
“I don’t mean to hurt your sentiments Khushi but can I ask you something?” she urges.
Khushi inhales deep. She is never prepared to discuss this past with anyone yet. But she cannot entangle herself all the time in the web of her past. Some day she will have to face this world and get people acquainted with her life. So, she decides to allow Lavanya ask her what she wants to know.

“Yes” she murmurs softly.
“Will you ever forgive him?” Lavanya asks.

Khushi feels choked. Why everyone is so much eager on making her forgive him? Khushi stops and stares at Lavanya.

“Do you think his sin is even forgivable? Would any other girl in my place do that so easily?” Khushi cross questions.
Lavanya is quiet.
“He took my only family, my father, away. Though he gave me his own family, but that’s not enough. They can’t replace the love of my father” she further adds.

Lavanya nods in agreement.

“I know what you are saying Khushi. It’s tough. It’s a non-forgivable sin. But I can guarantee you one thing. ASR would give his life if that meant to satisfy your thirst of revenge”

Oh yes, she knows that too. She has seen a demo of it one night when he stabbed himself, holding her hand. Lavanya continues to share her thoughts upon this matter.

“I feel this is the greatest thing one could ever think of doing in the name of punishing himself.”

Khushi looks away. Yes, maybe she believes the same, after that night when Arnav injured himself. But she is not going to let the world know she has accepted that fact and started living with it too. Lavanya continues her advises.

“And look at the ways life has punished him. He had to serve 2 years in Child remand where all that torture he had to go through. I feel he is still loitering there, he has never moved from that phase of his life. All those nightmares, fear of being molested, he just covers it up by fake smiles and confidence. But internally, he is still that same 16-year-old boy who only wanted to go back to his family, safe and sound. I really pity him. You might move on in life, get a partner, start a family. But ASR, he can never do that. He will always be scared of a woman’s touch on him, so thinking of starting a family of his own is way too far”

Khushi suddenly becomes blank. What was that last sentence? Arnav Singh Raizada is scared of a woman’s touch?

“What? He is ..afraid of what?” Khushi asks being confused.
“Oh, I .. I didn’t mean to share It. I thought you knew that”
“i.. I know a part of it. He . he once told. But I didn’t know he is dragging that fear within him from such a long time” Khushi admits.

Lavanya sighs in disappointment.

“Yes, He has Haphephobia, the feeling of being touched. In his case, touch by a woman. Any woman who advances him for intimate reasons, he cannot tolerate that. He repels. I even suggested him to visit a Psychiatrist, but I know he won’t. I hope there will be some woman who enters his life and heals that part of his fear too”

Oh Hell!! What is she hearing? She didn’t know he is such a deep shit!! And here she was planning with his Daadi to get him married. Damn!!

___________________________________________________

Part 28


He has Haphephobia!! He is afraid of being touched. But it doesn’t seem like. He is so normal every time. How is that possible? Khushi shuts her eyes. She is back home. She couldn’t buy anything for Arnav Singh Raizada as a gift. Lavanya still gave her options but she was too cold to even decide which one to finalize. Her mind was not prepared to focus anywhere else. Being molested at that tender age, is really something. He must be in a state of shock, that time. How did he cope up to come out of it? Oh wait, he never came out of that shock. That is why he still fears if any woman advances him with wrong reasons. Khushi suddenly remembers how she had used her friend Sheetal in the party that night, to advance towards Arnav and then insult him before everyone. Now she realizes why he pushed away Sheetal when she tried to touch him.

Khushi places her palm over her mouth. This is so disgusting of her. Had she known he was afraid, she would never have used his weak point to crush his image before public. What has she done? He must have felt terrible. She shuts her eyes again feeling the pain which he underwent. Who else knows about this molestation? If Daadi knew about it, she would have turned the world upside down for giving justice to her grandson. Or maybe they kept it under wraps only to protect him from further disgust? Then who told Lavanya? Arnav is not someone who will open up his feelings before anyone. She at least knows this by staying with him from so many weeks. He is a closed book for sure. Never lets people read his eyes, his mind, his heart. That one incident and the punishment which he had to serve has made him like that. He will never be normal. Yet, he poses to be one strong individual before his family, to keep them happy.

Khushi feels wetness on her cheek. She touches her cheek and realizes she has been crying. For him? His pain? His grief? That same man who has wronged her life, is himself fighting all the odds alone. Will he ever get solace? Why is she so much affected by his pain? Why does she feel part of that pain in her heart, to this extent that she couldn’t control her tears? Why is this happening to her? She hugs the pillow on the bed, hiding her face slowly below it. She hated him all these years, but his little presence in this house has turned her feelings upside down for him. She doesn’t know if she has forgiven him or not. But she cannot feel that hatred for him any longer. In fact, his state of mind and whatever he has gone through in his past, is making her feel pitiful for him, and it is this new-found emotion which is creating its own space in her heart for this man. Fate has played a nasty game not just with her, but also with him. She still managed to come out of her grief by the support of this family. But his grief seems never ending.
****************
The next morning, Khushi enters the Puja room of the house, where Daadi is busy praying. Every day she has hated this tradition of the family to do the Prayers together, worship the idol and take blessings of it. She had stopped having faith in the existence of God ever since her father’s tragic death. And after knowing the grief of Arnav Singh Raizada, she holds this same God responsible for it. Has he lost hope in the existence of this super power, just like her? Is he also offering prayers only to keep his family happy by his actions?

‘Stop it Khushi, you have been thinking about him since yesterday. Give your mind a break.’ Her inner conscience tries to get her focused again. Daadi finishes her prayers. Khushi doesn’t realize when Shyam and Anjali got in the room and started praying. She looks at them and smiles weakly. Shyam is suspicious seeing her gloomy but he doesn’t react now. Daadi offers the holy fire to everyone. And Khushi picks the plate of the Prasad to offer. When she finishes giving everyone, she finds Arnav coming down from the stairs, all set to leave for work. She swallows hard. He is on call with Aman and seems so composed. Khushi feels powerless suddenly. Daadi sees him too and once he disconnects the call, she calls him inside. He quickly glances at everyone and then for Daadi’s sake, he steps in the Puja room. He takes the blessing of the holy fire and is about to leave when Khushi blocks his way. She is holding the plate of Ladoos in her hand. Arnav is fuddled when she extends the plate towards him, so that he can take the prasad. Shyam leaves the room for quickly finishing the breakfast and Anjali follows him.

Arnav peeks at the plate and then his eyes fix on Khushi.

“Where did the sun rise from, today?” he asks her.
Khushi comes back to herself and rolls her eyes.
“You wake up early, didn’t you see from where the sunrise happened?”
“Smart mouth” he picks the ladoo and pops it in his mouth.

Daadi who had been keeping the Puja thali back down, sees him eating the ladoo and she angrily comes back to them.

“You are not supposed to eat that ladoo. It is not sugar free” she scowls and then snatches the plate from Khushi. “Why did you offer him?”
Khushi is speechless. For a change, she had tried to show a humanitarian approach towards Arnav Singh Raizada by not forbidding him from offering the Prasad and even then, she is being blamed? How is she supposed to know if these ladoos are sugar free or not?
“Daadi, a little sugar is not going to kill me” Arnav interrupts.
Daadi gets angry on his choice of words.

“Never talk about dying. You are precious to me Chotte” she angrily yells.
Arnav smirks. Khushi is back to observing mode.
“Only because you care for me, doesn’t mean I am immortal.”
“Chotte, stop it”

Arnav shrugs and shakes his head. Khushi feels pain in his voice. Is he a pessimist? He has his own fears, he just masks them somehow. Arnav takes Daadi out for breakfast. Khushi keeps the plate of ladoos and follows them. After a quick breakfast, Shyam hurries to leave for meeting some client. He won’t be coming to office now, but afternoon. Anjali heads out to see him off. Typical husband-wife!! Khushi smiles at their bonding and continues eating. It is so silent at the table, Daadi has finished eating her fruits and she decides to start this topic of Arnav’s marriage.

“Chotte, I have given you a lot of time to think of marriage. Have you decided anything?”

Arnav stops eating and so does Khushi. He gives Khushi a warning look not to extend this conversation and then focuses on Daadi.

“I haven’t decided anything yet” he replies.
Khushi feels like interrupting, not to go against him but to speak in his favor, now that she knows how he fears of being touched, but she remains quiet.
“Not decided yet? Chotte, why is it taking so long for you? Marriage is not going to screw your life, it is a boon for you. I want to see your marriage, your wife, your kids”
“Daadi, please. When I am ready for this, I will let you know myself” he cuts her words again.

Daadi gets frustrated.
“You will never be ready. You like locking people away. You cannot live your life on these terms, Chotte”
Khushi nods. This is right, he has to change his ways of dealing with his problems.
“You cannot hide from happiness. Embrace it rather than running away”

Arnav gets agitated. He wipes his face and gets up.

“I don’t want unnecessary attachments in my life. I like to live in my own terms”
“Your terms are not always right” Khushi interrupts. Arnav looks at her warningly.
“Stay quiet” he almost threatens her.
She gets up too.
“This is home, you are not my Boss here. Stop threatening me.”

His eyebrows twitch high. Daadi is dumbfound at their argument.
“What difference does it make if we are at Office or home? Your tone is always high and you don’t seem to obey me a bit.” He scowls.
“Get a wife, she will obey you” Khushi snaps back.

Arnav clenches his jaw.

“Enough!! One more word about my marriage and I am going back to Paris, forever” he exclaims in anger.

Daadi is speechless. Khushi still defends.
“This is pure blackmail”
“I haven’t even started blackmailing yet. Don’t coax me further”
He heads out. Khushi glances at Daadi with remorse.
“I will talk to him again on this. Don’t worry”

She quickly grabs her purse and follows him out. Arnav has just entered the backseat of the car and Mohan is about to drive when Khushi blocks their way out. Arnav stares at her in anger. She opens the backseat door of the other side.

“Will you drop me to work? I don’t want to be late again today. My Boss doesn’t leave a chance to humiliate me, so”
All that anger he had, rushes off the window. She is asking a lift from him. This is a major change. Khushi gets inside the car and shuts the door. When she turns back at him, their heads collide. She groans in pain and starts rubbing her head. Arnav feels the pain too but he doesn’t react much.

“Sorry” she mumbles. He doesn’t take his eyes off hers. She is still rubbing her forehead, maybe she really got hurt. Mohan starts the car and takes them out from here. Arnav looks out of the window.
“I know why you are denying for marriage” she mutters.

Arnav stares at her again, his gaze speculative this time.

“You are Haphephobic.” She blurts out.
Arnav clenches his jaw. Who told her? Of course, Lavanya!!!
“You dislike when a woman touches you so I completely understand”
“It has nothing to do with marriage” he cuts her words, shocking her a bit. She continues to stare at his face. Khushi finds her answers in his gaze.
“Oh, I got it. You mean you don’t mind touching a woman but she shouldn’t touch you?”

What the hell are they discussing? Arnav feels awkward and then looks out of the window again. He is not prepared to talk all this with her. Khushi being Khushi tries to dig more. She kind of feels satisfied that he is not totally in a mess. He can have a life partner. He can be normal, maybe.
“Holy Lord. I am so pleased to know this. It feels like someone just removed me from under a heavy rock. I was under the impression that you will never sleep with any woman”

She herself doesn’t know how freely she utters this. Arnav does not respond to any of her statements. She stops and stares at his face.
“Does the family know about that incident?” she softly asks.
Arnav takes few seconds to decide if he has to answer to that.
“No”
Khushi gulps.
“Then how did Lavanya know?”
“I confided in her, but I was wrong. She revealed it to you”
“She didn’t do it on purpose. And she thought I would know it too, which I did. Just a part of it. The night when you told me how horrific your days were during child remand, and that molestation.”
“STOP” he clenches his jaw. “I don’t want to discuss this again” he warns her.

She appreciates his warning. It must be painful. And she has no rights to dig his pain.

“I got what I deserved” he mutters. His voice is full of grief. She immediately retaliates.
“No, this is wrong. No one deserves to be molested. That’s a crime, not a punishment against any sin you do. Such people should be behind the bars for spoiling the life of innocents.” She snaps back.

Arnav remains quiet. She cuts the direction this topic is leading and tries to shift her focus on some productive approach.

“You should see a psychiatrist. It will heal you.”
“I don’t want to be healed”
Khushi gets angry.
“Why are you so adamant? Let people touch your heart Arnav, before it’s too late”
“I don’t have a heart” he scowls. He is tired of being preached by others.
“Oh, you do. Here it is.”

She tries to touch his heart when he instantly catches hold of her wrist. It is then she realizes that he doesn’t like to be touched. His grip is so strong that she feels the ache in the pit of her stomach. She watches him with horrid.

“Never do that again” he warns her.
Khushi retreats her fingers and when he is sure enough she will not do that again, his grip loosens. Mohan parks the car. They reached office? So soon? She didn’t even realize in their talks. Arnav gets down and strides inside.
Khushi slowly follows him. This man is hollowed from inside. He will take years to come back to normal. Will any woman have that much of patience to bear his fears? She shuts her eyes once.
‘Not again Khushi, enough of thinking about him. He is getting under your skin now which is not what you want’ her inner rationale mind snaps at her. She inhales deep and walks to the elevator. This is her workplace and she better focus on the productivity here.
****************
Khushi is off for Lunch with her team, almost finishing it when Aman makes his way to them.

“Guys, don’t forget to submit your gifts to me by day after tomorrow.”

Everyone agrees and start gossiping who have purchased the gifts and who haven’t. Suddenly Pam puts a serious question at desk.
“Whom do you guys think is Boss’s secret valentine?”

That’s ME. Khushi feels like disclosing but she doesn’t. Let the surprise forever be in their minds.

“Forget that, I am thinking whom is Boss gifting? I hope its me” Sim adds a hopeful smile at the end of her statement.
Now that’s a curious thought. Whose name did he get in his chit? Khushi also feels restless to know. But is it worth? She hopes the name is not any woman’s. He hates being touched by women. That thought reverberates in her head again. But he is not going to buy the gift. He has his men to it for him. He is participating only because he cannot ignore such ideas of bonding with his staff. Whatever!! She will have to think of buying a suitable gift for him today evening. She has got some ideas from Lavanya, she will use those.

She washes her hands and comes out of the washroom, to get back at her desk, when a message beeps on her phone. It’s from Daadi. She has sent photo of a beautiful woman with a caption.

‘She is Ruchi, my friend’s granddaughter. I want you to convince Arnav for thinking seriously about her.’

Khushi gazes impassively at the photo and tries to picture this woman with Arnav Singh Raizada. Fair pair. But what about the fear that he is living with? Will she be able to sort that? Well, this is not a matter of concern right now.

****************

Khushi is at the store in Laxmi Nagar, to buy a gift for Arnav Singh Raizada. She remembers a new store opened here few months back. So, she decides to check if it has anything special at reasonable prices. She finds the housekeeping old man mopping the floor with a huge stick. Khushi feels like she knows him. She has seen him somewhere and then suddenly she recognizes this man.

“Veeru kaka?” she calls him out.

The old man raises his head and looks at her with confusion. How does she know his name? She comes to him and smiles.

“Kaka this is me, Khushi. You used to be my father’s friend.”
“your father?” he asks.
“Yes, Shashi Gupta. I am his daughter, Khushi”

The old man smiles happily and blesses her.

“Khushi, you have grown so big. I didn’t recognize you. You were so small when I last met you.”
“Yes, But I recognized you by your moustaches” she chuckles.

When she was small, Veeru kaka used to visit their home as he was her father’s best friend. Veeru suddenly becomes serious.

“I will never forget your father. He was a great man. He loved you very much. Wish he had not died”
Khushi’s face becomes pale.
“Are you still staying with those Raizadas?” Veeru asks.

Khushi nods.
“Yes. For few more months. Once I Am 25, I will no longer have the need to stay there”
Veeru nods and scans her face.
“Do they take care of you?”
“They have to. They are abiding the court’s orders. What else!!”
Veeru swallows.
“I am glad my decision was right” he mumbles.
Khushi gets astonished at that statement.
“Decision? Which Decision Kaaka?” she asks.

The old man gets tensed and tries to divert the topic.

“Nothing. Nothing. I will do my work or else the manager will shout at me.”

Khushi nods in agreement.

“But Kaaka, you have met me after such a long time. I will not let you go away so easily. Where do you stay? Still the same house?” she asks.
“No, we shifted. My kids are now in college. They don’t stay with me and my wife.”
“Oh, give me your address, I want to meet Kaaki (Veeru’s wife) too”

Veeru quickly gives the address to Khushi and she then bids him bye and leaves the shop, once again, not buying anything for Arnav Singh Raizada. Seems like the right moment to buy a gift for him, is yet to come.


___________________________________________________

Part 29

Khushi enters Shantivan and relaxes on the couch, feeling tired and drowsy. The day at work had already been hectic, plus she also had to put efforts in looking for a gift for Arnav Singh Raizada. She has no energy left in her body to even get up and walk to the kitchen for water. She has shut her eyes and she is breathing hard. The cabs seemed costly due to the peak hours which is why she chose a public transport to get back home. All of this has driven all her liveliness today. She hears someone pouring water in a glass. She opens her eyes. It is Arnav Singh Raizada who is standing before her, pouring the cold water from the bottle in a glass, which he then extends towards her. She doesn’t deny his gesture. She snatches the glass from him and gulps the water down her throat. He measures her exhaustion. She keeps the empty glass down and wipes her lips.

“Thanks” she murmurs.
“Where had you been?”

His tone doesn’t sound cordial.
“It should not concern you, where I go” she replies and gets up to leave. He blocks her way and she gives him a cold stare and when he still doesn’t move away, she sighs. “Why should I report my daily schedule to you?”
“That’s not the answer I am looking for” he scorns.

She clenches her jaw. Does he think she had been to escalate finding the bride for him? Maybe, that’s why he is so frustrated. It feels great to see the same person who tortures her so much at work, getting mad because of her delay in reaching home. She decides to takes this opportunity and exaggerate the situation a bit.

“I have got a part-time job” she replies, holding her laugh.
Arnav squeezes his brows. What the hell is she talking?
“Yes, really. It’s a cool one actually.” She adds. “It’s for the role of a matchmaker.” She finally lets out a laugh and he is still very serious, though he understands what kind of matchmaking she is pointing about.
“Khushi enough!!” he scoffs.
She stops laughing and nods in agreement, becoming serious.

“You know I won’t do that role yet. Not because I don’t want to help Daadi. I seriously do, but before that I need to fix you”

Arnav once again gazes at her with anger.

“Fix me?”
“Hmm. Fix your phobia’s!!” she replies giving a quick glance to his heart. She remembers how he denied letting her touch him, when they were heading to office in his car today morning. He will never allow any woman touch him which might pose a problem when he marries. Can a woman actually live with a man who has so many flaws?

Arnav shakes his head after understanding what she is pointing him for.
“You can’t fix it” he warns dangerously.
“May be not. But I will find a way to fix it. You very well know, if I decide something, I never back off.”
She removes a card from her purse. Arnav is staring at her impassively. What is she doing? Since when did she start getting involved in easing his pain, his flaws? She flashes the business card to him.

“Dr. Akash Dixit” she exclaims.
“Who the hell is he?”
“Psychiatrist. He is one of the best in this country. It took me hours to find his details. I will take an appointment for you.”

What the hell!! He tries to snatch the card from her but she backs off. She knows he will either tear it or scare her for not taking any such leads.
“Don’t worry, I will ensure your business schedule is not disturbed by this one appointment. I will take care of that.”

She walks to her room, feeling satisfied of this little conversation with Arnav Singh Raizada. He keeps staring at her, feeling numb, disapproving the thoughts that she has planned for him. He does not want to open up to anyone. He does not want to share his grief, his past and gain sympathy from anyone. This is one reason why he never consulted a psychiatrist. But why is Khushi doing all this for him? Where did her motive of hating him forever, go? Does she realize that she is unnecessarily getting into his life and complicating things more between them?

*****************

Khushi takes a shower, freshens and sits on the bed, holding the business card of Dr. Akash Dixit. After great research she found this name and she will not waste it just like that. It is such a poor thing that the family doesn’t know anything about this. Why Arnav hide this fact from them? What will they go through if they get to know? And that woman who tried to molest him? What happened to her? Is she punished? A sudden rage rises in her body. One such tragedy can change the whole life of a person.

Khushi stares at the Business card. Even if she takes the appointment, will Arnav go there? What if he doesn’t? Who will keep a tab of it? No..!! She cannot take this so lightly. She will have to ensure that he pays a visit to this Doctor and starts taking some healing sessions. And all this should happen before he flies back to Paris. Khushi feels stressed suddenly. She has so much to do and everything revolves around this one man. She cannot waste time, she has to start somewhere. She dials Lavanya’s number who answers the call in three rings.

“Hello Khushi” Lavanya exclaims.
“Hi Lavanya. Is this the right time to talk to you?”
“Yes, of course. Tell me”
“Uh. Okay.. I don’t know where to start.. umm.. okay..I am going to take an appointment for Arnav, to a Psychiatrist. I am not sure if he will go there by himself, so will you please accompany him and ensure that he actually visits this Doctor?”

Lavanya is stunned and unable to process so much of information at one time.

“Hold on. .. hold on. Did you just say you are taking an appointment for Arnav? That too for a psychiatrist?”
“Yes.” Khushi bites her lips. Why is Lavanya so shocked? Is this not a good idea? It is, isn’t it?
“I can’t believe this. Did you talk to him about it? What did he say? Is he ready to do this?”
“No, I mean, Yes I talked to him but he is not very happy about it. And that is why I want someone to accompany him there. He won’t go otherwise. This matter is not known to anyone else apart from we two, so I thought you can be the best choice to take him there”

Lavanya gets serious. Though the idea sounds cool, she feels curious to ask this to Khushi.

“Can I ask you something Khushi? And I need an honest reply” Lavanya urges.
“Ask me” Khushi rolls her eyes. She knows what Lavanya might want to know.
“Why are you taking a lead? I mean, I know your relationship dynamics with him. You hate him, don’t you? Then why want to cure him?”
“My hate is at one end Lavanya and this matter is something else. Plus, I have promised his Daadi to help him get hitched to some girl and marry, like she wants. I cannot let all this slip from my hands so easily. This family has given me a lot and I want to repay them before I leave this house forever”

Khushi’s response strikes a chord in Lavanya’s heart. Does Khushi understand that she has already forgiven Arnav in her heart? If she hadn’t, she would never do so much for him or his family. Lavanya decides not to argue over this topic now and keep herself focused on Khushi’s request.

“It’s a nice cause, Khushi. But beware, it might all fall back on you. ASR is not going to tail walk wherever you lead him. He has that capabilities to block people out” Lavanya warns.
“He won’t block me out” Khushi confidently replies, though she herself doesn’t know where she got that sudden confidence from?

Lavanya raises her brows.
“I like that confidence. And that makes me say a Yes to your request. You book his appointment and I will ensure he goes there.”

Khushi sighs in relief.
“Thank you Lavanya. Really appreciate this help. I will give you the details tomorrow once I book”
“Sure. By the way, tomorrow you need to submit the gift to Aman. Did you happen to buy anything for your secret Valentine, I mean for ASR?” Lavanya asks.
Khushi rolls her eyes.
“Nothing yet. Will definitely buy something tomorrow before I reach office”
“Okay, sounds great. Bye for now” Lavanya replies and hangs up.

Khushi keeps her phone down and then gets an idea what she has to buy for Arnav. But for that, she will need his measurements. How can she get that?

*****************

The next morning, Khushi tells Anjali about this secret Valentine thing which the staff is going to play on the Valentine’s day and how she has got Arnav’s name in her chit. She tells Anjali how she failed to buy him anything and now at the end moment has only one option left.

“Measurement? But how will I know what size shirt he wears?” Anjali asks while beating the eggs for making Omelets.
“Shyam might know. Can you ask him?” Khushi requests.
“I don’t think Shyam has ever paid so much attention on Arnav’s shirt size. But I will still ask him and check”
“Please do. I need to buy him a shirt at least and pack it up. Today is the last day of submitting the gifts” Khushi pleads.
“Okay.. Okay.. let me ask Shyam.”

Leaving the kitchen work, Anjali gets back in her room to ask Shyam and she returns down in few minutes.
“Sorry Khushi, he has no idea. You will have to change the idea of gifting him a shirt or go and get his measurements yourself” Anjali proposes.
“No ways” Khushi angrily mutters. “He is in his bedroom already, what excuse will I make to enter his room and check the size of his shirt?”
Anjali tries to think of an excuse but fails.
“I think by this hour, he must be bathing. You can give a try” she suggests again.

Khushi sighs in disappointment and thinks again if she really has other options.

“Okay, let me see” Khushi rushes upstairs and tries to push the door of his room which is fortunately not locked. She gives a quick scan and realizes that he is not around. She hurries inside and picks the shirt which is placed neatly on the bed, probably that’s the one he is going to wear today for work. She checks the size of the shirt and the brand name. Making a mental note of both, she is about to leave when the bathroom door knob clicks and Arnav Singh Raizada comes out in a Satin bathrobe. He is shocked to find Khushi in his room. He doesn’t realize she was here for checking the shirt size though, as she had kept the shirt back on bed. But that doesn’t ease the problem. Khushi knows she will have to give some excuse to him, why she is here. Before she can think of an excuse, she finds him ignoring her presence and walking to the dressing mirror to dry his hair. What is that supposed to mean? Won’t he ask what she is doing in his bedroom? He notices she is puzzled at his ignorance but he still doesn’t care to ask her the reason why she is here. He behaves as if she is part of this room, his room. Wish this was true!! Khushi gets irked.

“Am I not visible to you?” she mutters staring at his face in the mirror. “You passed as if I am not here” she complains.

He finally glances at her once, from the mirror and then brushes his hair.

“I don’t give unnecessary attention to people” he mocks.
Khushi clenches her jaw and comes forward.
“I don’t need your attention either”
“Then what are you doing in my room? This is the last place you should be” he reminds arrogantly.
She swallows. So much of arrogance? Where does he save it? Which corner of his brain? Because she just wishes to hit him there.
“I know you are the last person I should be bothered about, but I am still being considerate towards you for this family. I want to do this little favor on them before I leave this house permanently.” She replies in a harsh tone.

Arnav feels a prick in his heart. She will leave this house permanently some day? Can he let that happen? How will she live all alone? He knows she wants people around her, she likes talking and she likes a good company of her own cherished people. He turns around to face her directly.

“You know you don’t have to leave this house. You can stay here with everyone.” His expressions are grave, raw and very determined.

Anger rises on her face slowly but he doesn’t let her respond.
“I know how hard it has been for you to stay in this family, because I am part of this family. But you know I will be gone from here in 2 months. You will never have to see my face again. No one is doing a favor on you by letting you stay, in fact, if you stay back, you will be giving this family a most valued asset whom they will miss if you leave.”

His thoughts startle her. She can see similarities in their thinking for each other now. Arnav has always been offering the positive side of life for her, without any hopes, without any demands, just like she has started doing for him by taking the responsibility of treating his phobias and allowing him to start living his life again, rather than dwelling in the past guilts.

“Think about it.” He urges and she is left speechless. She knows she can never stay back in this house even if God himself comes down and asks her to. But somehow, she is unable to retaliate now. There is a knock at the door. Both get alarmed and look at Daadi who gets inside the room. She is surprised to see Khushi in Arnav’s bedroom and that too when her grandson is half clothed. Khushi breathes hard and heads out. Daadi gives a scorching look to her and then once she is gone, she stares at Arnav.

“What was she here for?”
“Just a talk. Why did you come? Anything urgent?”
“Yes. I am going to Haridwar with my friends. They have asked me to join them and I couldn’t deny”
“Daadi, you are still not well. How can you go?”
“It’s a matter of 4 days Chotte.”

Arnav sighs. He knows his Daadi can never deny going for pilgrimage.

“Fine. I will ask Aman to get the charter ready. You won’t be travelling by road then”

He picks his phone and dials Aman for giving him the instructions regarding this trip of Daadi.

___________________________________________________


Part 30

Daadi leaves for Haridwar the next day. But before leaving, she has asked Khushi to make some move with respect to the proposal she has for Arnav. Khushi though agrees to do this, she knows it might not happen until Arnav Singh Raizada starts healing his Phobias somehow. After Daadi leaves, Khushi heads to shop a Formal shirt for Arnav Singh Raizada. That’s the only choice of gift she can think for him. She gives the measurement to the Store guy for fetching a decent formal shirt.

“Which color Ma’am?” the guy asks.

Khushi doesn’t take long to think over the color. Arnav Singh Raizada is a colorless man. He prefers to wear White a lot.

“White” she replies.

The guy shows her various shades and patterns in white. She gets confused initially but picks up the best of them. These days hasn’t she been thinking a lot about him unknowingly? Her inner mind pokes her every time, warning her this can be some kind of a weird sign but she ignores her own voice. All of this is temporary. Once the Valentine day celebration is over, once Arnav Singh Raizada starts consulting the Psychiatrist and once she settles him with the woman of his Daadi’s choice, her role will be over. This will be enough to repay all the kindness that the family has done over her.

She pays the bill and gifts pack the shirt box. She then heads to work. Aman is already collecting the gifts from the other staff. Most of the people are submitting the gifts today, as it’s the last day to do so. Tomorrow is Valentine Day and everyone is very excited for the party which is supposed to be at a posh Hotel after the office working hours. Khushi has no plans to go. The Secret Valentine gifts will be shared at the same Venue and she cannot miss this event which is why she will have to attend it, no choice.

Khushi comes back to her desk and starts working. She suddenly remembers the appointment that she has taken for Arnav Singh Raizada at Dr Akash Dixit’s clinic. She quickly opens the messenger of the company and informs Lavanya the same. She gives her the address of the clinic and the time when Arnav and Lavanya have to be there. Lavanya replies that she will take him there. With that assurance, Khushi closes the chat and gets back to work.

After exactly an hour, Lavanya knocks the cabin door and gets inside. She looks depressed.

“Khushi, I am so sorry. I can’t go with Arnav today”

Khushi gets up and comes to her.
“What? Why? You said you are free at that time, didn’t you?”
“I was. But ASR has given me a task. I have to go meet some reporters and brief the about the next event. I don’t know how he scheduled this at exactly the same time? I mean, this had to happen after a week”

Khushi feels disappointed. Lavanya checks her watch.

“I shouldn’t be late. Got to go. Can you re-schedule the appointment?” La asks.
“No. I cant. I mean, after a lot of request, I could arrange it for today.”

Lavanya sighs and then thinks of the other option.

“Then you will have to take him there, this time. I will surely join him for the next sessions”

Khushi’s jaw drops.
“No. That’s impossible. I cant take him there” Khushi turns around, trying to avoid meeting Lavanya’s eyes. Lavanya turns her back.
“Why not? You have initiated this matter and no one better than you can lead him there.”
“I can’t Lavanya. I don’t understand why you guys feel he will listen to me and not any one of you.”

Lavanya sighs.
“Wish I could convince you to do this, Khushi. But I have to go or else I will be late. I will see you tomorrow. If you can’t take him to the Psychiatrist today, then we might have to re-schedule it for now. There is no other choice. Bye for now”

Lavanya hurries out. Khushi feels discouraged. She was so sure about taking this initiative. But her plans failed. How did it fail? Everything was perfectly organized. Did Arnav himself intervene to spoil her idea? But how? Only he can tell her that. She checks the watch. It’s 12:00 noon. The appointment is sharp at 16:00. And the clinic is half an hour drive from office. This means she has only 3 and half hours to convince Arnav to go.

****************

“Come in” Arnav shouts while typing something on his laptop. Khushi gets inside his cabin and clears her throat.

He quickly glances at her and continues typing.

“Speak Miss. Gupta”
Khushi comes forward.
“I am here to make a request”
Arnav stops his work and gives her a heated glance.
“If that request is related to visiting Dr. Akash Dixit today at 16:00 then please leave my cabin” he scowls.

Khushi panics. How does he know so much of details about it? All she remembers is sharing this to one person, Lavanya, and that too over the office communicator.

“Puzzled? How did I get to know?” he asks while getting up from his chair and walking to her.

She tries to decipher this herself and finds the answer.
“You have been intercepting my chats?” she angrily asks.
Arnav doesn’t deny. He crosses arms across his chest, without breaking their eye lock.
“How dare you do that? And why would you do that?”
“Because this is my Company. I can do anything without your consent. Personal chats are not allowed in my office, don’t use the communicator for public welfare” he warns her.
Khushi grits her teeth. She feels like pulling his hair. Now she knows why Lavanya was sent out for work all of a sudden. It is his trick to avoid her from taking him to the Psychiatrist.
“Public welfare? That’s a very broad term. I am just interested in healing your life” she retaliates.

Arnav steps forward.
“Who gave you the right to do that? I didn’t come to you for help and neither I need anyone to invade my personal space and tell me what I need to do”

She steps behind.
“So now you will threaten me?”
“If that makes you back off” he replies.
“What if I don’t back off” she asks putting some courage within herself.
Arnav stops. His brow furrows.
“Get back to work Khushi” he threatens her again. But she is too adamant to accept his commands.
“I wont. Not until you agree to visit the Doctor today. I have been struggling last night to schedule this. You cannot waste my efforts” she pleads.
“You asked you to put efforts on me?” he shouts.
“Fine, who asked you to settle my problems with Uday Khatri? Who asked you take me back home safely from the party where I was unknowingly drunk?” she questions back making him speechless. “You don’t have answers now, do you? So just like you put efforts in sorting my life, I am putting efforts in healing yours. And I don’t think I am wrong”

Her argument makes him flabbergasted.

“I will wait down sharp at 15:30 for you. I am going to accompany you to the Doctor. Please do come” she makes an appeal and then heads back to her cabin. Arnav fists his fingers. She is going too far with this now. She has to stop.

****************

It’s sharp 15:30. Khushi has winded up her work and she is waiting down for Arnav Singh Raizada to come. She keeps looking at her watch while pacing in the lobby. Why is he not coming? Somewhere she has faith that he will not break her words, not fail her efforts. She herself does not know from where she gets this confidence that he will listen to her? Is this because she knows he has feelings for her? Is that even true? She doesn’t feel it so. The way he argues with her, gets angry on her shows no signs of him being interested in her. Then why does Anjali feel like that?

Khushi checks her watch again. It is 15:45 now. She cannot wait longer. She rushes back in the elevator and heads for his cabin. She knocks the cabin and gets inside but there is no one there. She comes out and asks Aman about his whereabouts .

“ASR? Oh, he has gone out for some work”
“Work? Which work? I mean, I had checked his schedule, he didn’t had anything in the calender for evening”
Aman chuckles.
“He is the CEO of this company Khushi. Anything can come up at the last moment for him. He has left an hour ago. I don’t think he is going to come back to office today”

Khushi sighs in disappointment. So, he fled? Arnav Singh Raizada fled from the plans she had made for him. How could he?

****************

Khushi comes back home, disheartened. She heads back to her room and lies on the bed thinking how she had tried to convince him to meet the Psychiatrist. Why don’t he understand that she is doing this for his own good, to cure him. Or is it that he doesn’t want to get cured. He is becoming selfish now. Any woman who wants to spend a life with him will want him to get over this phobia. Is it too hard to understand? Or is it too hard to open up his horrors to an unknown person?

Even during Dinner, Arnav Singh Raizada is absent. Shyam has no idea where he has been. He watches Khushi fiddling with the spoon, showing no interest in eating.

“Khushi, your food is becoming cold.” He says.

Khushi nods and eats one small spoon of dal.
“Why are you so lost today? And why are you looking at the door again and again? Whom are you waiting for?” he asks.
“Arnav” she replies with a heavy heart and continues eating. She feels two pair of eyes staring at her in bewilderment. She realizes they are confused at her behavior and the worst thing is that she cannot even tell them why she is waiting for Arnav because they have no clue of his Phobias. All this is so jumbled. She meets their eyes and finds an excuse.

“I mean, I had to discuss some designs with him. You know I am strictly asked to report him every day. Today he left early so I didn’t get a chance.” She lies.

Shyam knows she is lying. It can’t be that easy. He can see how desperate she is for Arnav to return. What is happening between the two.

“Do you realize one thing Khushi?” he mutters.
Khushi gives him a quick glance to know what he has to say.
“You have softened for him”
Anjali nods in agreement.
“Maybe” Khushi mumbles and continues eating. All that rage and anger that she used to carry for Arnav Singh Raizada is nowhere seen in her behavior these days. She herself accepts this and is cool with it.

Arnav Singh Raizada makes an entry at the same time. He is tired and it can be seen on his face.

“Hari Prakash.. Get me some water” Arnav shouts and sits on the couch.

Khushi gets up, leaving her own food and hurries to him. She has so much to vent on him right now. She doesn’t even care what Shyam and Anjali might think of her gesture. Fortunately, the living room is far from the dining room and whatever she speaks to Arnav, Shyam and Anjali cannot listen.

“You fled on purpose, didn’t you?” she hisses.

Arnav who had just leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes, opens them again and looks at her.
“You know what people who run away from reality are called?” she asks in anger. “Losers” she adds.

Arnav grits his teeth and gets up from the couch. Her anger is justified and he is not going to give any explanation to her, on this situation, no matter what. He gets up to leave, but she blocks his way.

“Stop running away from reality” she orders.
“Reality? Which reality are you talking about?” he argues. “Whatever phobias I have within me are none of your concerns. That’s the reality. I mean nothing to you so you shouldn’t bother of me or my problems. And this is the last time I am warning you.”

He moves her aside and hurries to his room. Khushi angrily keeps watching him leave. Hari Prakash comes out with a glass of water and starts looking for Arnav. Khushi takes the glass from him and heads to Arnav’s room. Shyam and Anjali are beyond shocked to see the level of bonding developing slowly between Arnav and Khushi.

“What is wrong with these two?” Shyam mutters to Anjali who smiles and responds to her husband.
“Or maybe it’s all right now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you see the change? Khushi has taken a step towards Arnav. She is bonding with him. I don’t know if she is doing this knowingly or unknowingly. I only know that this is good for the peace of this family and most importantly this is good for both of them”

Shyam is little apprehensive of his wife’s point of view but if this is true that Khushi and Arnav are slowly bonding for good, then he is fine with it too. He wants the two to find peace in their life but never did he thought that these two will become cordial with each other.

Khushi pushes the door of Arnav’s bedroom and gets inside with the glass of water. Arnav who is standing by the closet, turns around and his expression darkens seeing her back. She keeps the water glass on the table and then meets his eyes.

“I know why you are doing this” she pauses as she finds him crossing his arms on chest “You are scared to heal yourself. You are scared of making your own life better”

Arnav clenches his jaw. She does not want to discuss this further. This is the last she could tell him over this matter. She turns around and walks to the door again. Before she can open it and leave, he comes behind her and closes the door, pinning Khushi to the wall beside it.

“Yes, I am scared. I am scared of healing myself just like you are scared to forgive me for my sins” he snaps.
She glares back at him. He is comparing his state of mind with hers?
“Don’t give me that excuse” she chokes.
“Why not? You wanted to know the reality, then this is the reality. Our lives are merged Khushi, so is our pain. You cannot forgive me ever and I prefer to live with my horrors for the rest of my life. This is how we balance our paths”

Khushi stares frigidly at him. Why does he always have to be this intense? And his eyes, are they always so full of pain? Or is it that she is noticing them so deeply, so closely for the first time? Suddenly he leaves her and presses his head, as if to stop it from aching badly. Khushi gets concerned.

“You.. you okay?” she mumbles.
“Get out” he snaps, opening the door for her to leave. She stops him from doing so.
“What is happening to you?”

Arnav holds her elbow and drags her out of his room and shuts the door on her face. He does not want her to see him getting a panic attack. It is a very rare symptom he has been showing since the very time that accident happened. The last one he recalls was during his stay in the child remand after that elderly woman tried to molest him.

Khushi bangs the door.

“Arnav?? Arnav open the door” she shouts.

He pushes the flower vase down from the bedside table, trying to find a suitable medicine to ease his headache which is intensifying every second.

“Arnav let me inside.. Please” she shouts again but no luck.

Khushi keeps banging the door again, in fear hearing the sound of the flower vase falling down. She has no idea when tears start rolling down her cheeks. Did she invade his personal space and fears today? Is that why he suffered from a kind of panic stroke? Is there any horrible pain left out which this man isn’t suffering from? How many of those has she to ease off from his life? Is she even doing the right thing by taking this initiative?

___________________________________________________


Part 31

After 15 minutes, Arnav finally opens the door because Khushi Gupta had been constantly banging it since he got that panic attack. The moment he opens it, she raises her head and looks at him. He looks exhausted and very much in stress. He might have taken some sedative though to ease his attack.

“Just get back to your room and leave me alone. Which of these words you don’t understand?” he scowls at her.

Khushi clenches her jaw.
“All of them.” She replies with the same anger.
“Khushi.. listen” he grits his teeth.
“No… you listen to me.” She points a finger at him which he quickly glances at and then meets her eyes again “Stop blocking people when they offer help. You need to sort yourself before it’s too late.”

Arnav gazes at her warily.
“I don’t need your wakeup call to sort my life.”
“You do. It is just that you will never admit it yourself” she shouts and walks out. There is no point in extending this conversation. She can help him only if he wants to help himself. Otherwise all her attempts are a waste. But is this it? Is this the end of her efforts? Is she going to give up so easily? Khushi stops at the lobby and looks back at his room door. He is still standing there, watching her leave. She sighs in disappointment and returns back to him.

“I don’t usually blackmail people, but with you I always tend to do more than expected. So, this is the deal. If you don’t visit Dr. Akash Dixit when I reschedule your appointment again, I am going to leave this house the same day, never to return back. And I am bloody serious about it” she clenches her jaw again and walks back giving him a direct warning.

Arnav is speechless. She is going to blackmail him now? On these grounds? She has really lost her mind if she thinks he will be threatened.
***************
“Happy Valentine’s day” Khushi wishes Anjali and Shyam and gives them a quick hug, the next morning. She is wearing a red churidar, as per the color code decided in her office today. Red for women, black for Men.
“Same to you Khushi” Anjali chuckles and then looks at her husband.
“So? You guys are having a party tonight. Which means I will have to sit home alone and celebrate my Valentine day?” Anjali asks.
“Aww” Khushi murmurs.
“I am never going to let you be alone Anju, I will not be staying long at the party, once the gifts are exchanged, I will come back home. I have something special for us tonight” Shyam declares.

Anjali blushes and Khushi is just awed at this couple. How she wishes to have someone in her life just to make her feel the same way. That mere thought has not even left her mind yet, that she sees Arnav Singh Raizada getting down the stairs. This cant be any kind of indication for sure. She folds her hands as he nears them. There is no sign of acceptance on his face for whatever deal she made last night. This man needs some serious mentoring to keep him in control.

“We should leave” Arnav says to Shyam.
“Yes, by the way Chotte. Happy Valentine’s day” Shyam wishes him.
Arnav just fakes a smile. He doesn’t wish him back neither shows himself to be affected by this day.
“I am in the car” Arnav heads out.

Khushi frowns staring at him leave.

“What is this man? Such a stone he is” she comments.
Anjali and Shyam look at her. Khushi continues.
“He doesn’t have a heart for sure” she adds.
Anjali chuckles.
“Sure, he doesn’t. Because he has given to someone else” Anjali exclaims.

Khushi gazes at Anjali in anger. Shyam is equally uncomfortable to discuss this matter openly with Khushi. But Anjali is being frank.

“People usually give a portion of their heart to the ones they love but this man has given his entire heart to that woman. People get back a portion of heart at least from the ones who love them, but poor Arnav, he is never going to get that ever. So what do you expect him to be? He will be a lifeless stone obviously” Anjali continues.

Khushi swallows hard.
“What is all this Anju? Some kind of brain washing session?” Khushi snaps. “He shows no signs of liking me in those terms. I have felt it myself. So, please don’t exaggerate this topic the way you want”
“That’s because he is a good actor. He knows how to hide his feelings” Anjali replies.

Shyam intervenes.

“Okay, stop it now. We are getting late. We should leave. I will see you later in the evening” Shyam kisses his wife and then drags Khushi out of the house. Shyam realizes that Khushi has taken Anjali’s words very seriously. They stop at the door.

“Don’t take her words to heart. She might not be always right.” He advises Khushi who just shakes her head.

Can this be true? Arnav is hiding his feelings perfectly which is why she never realized what is in his heart for her!!

“Khushi, today join us in the car. We have to finish work early as well.” Shyam further proposes.
Khushi doesn’t utter a word. She follows Shyam to the car where Arnav is already occupying the backseat. The moment he sees Khushi and Shyam coming, he understands they all are travelling together. He assesses the options of their seating arrangements. Shyam will not allow Khushi to sit ahead with the driver which means she will join next to him, at the backseat. He chooses to get down. Khushi sees him getting down the car and sitting at the front seat, beside Mohan. What the hell does he intend to do? Does he want to show his discomfort towards her only because she is now poking too much in his personal space?

Shyam and Khushi get in the car and Mohan drives them out. Arnav remains silent or over his Bluetooth, busy talking to someone. Shyam keeps talking to Khushi in between during their short journey to work.
***************
Khushi is in her cabin when she gets the call from Veeru Kaaka, her father’s friend whom she had met in the store, the other day. She instantly answers the call.

“Khushi bitya?”
“Yes Kaaka, its Khushi. How did you call?”
“Nothing, your Kaaki wanted to call you for a meal with us, if you available”

Khushi happily smiles.
“I will surely come but today there is a party at my workplace. Can I come tomorrow for dinner, if you and Kaaki are okay?” she asks.
“No problem bitiya. I will inform your Kaaki likewise. And there is something I have to give you, it belongs to your father and he wanted you to have it.”

Khushi suddenly becomes serious and cold.

“What is it Kaaka?”
“You come here tomorrow, you will know” he replies.
“Okay. Bye”

Khushi hangs up. Her body suddenly convulses at the thought of receiving something which her father wanted her to have. What can that be? And how did that thing reach Veeru Kaaka’s hands? Did her father had a premonition that he was going to die? She presses her head which suddenly starts aching. Maybe she is thinking too much. She will get her answers tomorrow when she meets Veeru Kaaka again. For today, she will have to concentrate on the work and then the party afterwards.
***************
The office hours end and everyone gets busy in hurrying up for the Hotel where the party is organized. Khushi joins her team and leaves with them. At the hotel, where the party is organized, everyone surrounds Aman and a few other leads who ae going to distribute the gifts which their secret Santas have purchased. Arnav and Shyam are the ones standing right beside Aman. Though Shyam is quite enthusiastic about receiving the gift, Arnav is very standing very cold and botherless. His eyes are fixed to Lavanya who is talking to him, probably business again.

“ASR.. That’s yours” Aman passes him the gift.

Arnav receives it with a smile and then his eyes fixes on Khushi Gupta who is suddenly all embarrassed that he finally has received the gift which she purchased. Khushi tries to mix up with others and then collects her gift too from Aman. It is a small box but beautifully wrapped. Her Secret Santa has surely taken care of packing the gift to perfection. Once everyone receives their gifts, they all start opening it and showing it to their colleagues. Khushi starts unwrapping hers but her eyes are fixed on Arnav who has finished tearing the cover and is now opening the box. He smiles seeing the White shirt, which is all-time favorite in his wardrobe collections. He then gazes at Khushi again, as if mouthing some kind of thank you to her, though his lips never move. She finishes unwrapping her own gift and she opens the box, only to be stunned to find a pair of Silver Anklets inside. They are the same ones which she had added in cart in one of the shopping site to buy it some day when she might be able to afford. They cost nearly 20,000 rupees and it is something which no normal employee of AR companies will think of affording for her. Can he gift her those? She immediately looks at Arnav but he is missing from the group. Where did he go? She scans the room and finds him leaving out, talking over the phone. She quickly follows him but her team members stop her.

“Khushi, where are you going? The party is here, not down. What did you get? Show us”

She sighs in disappointment to be stopped like that but then starts showing the gift.

“Anklets? Wow, Khushi. These are so cute. I am sure your secret Santa has a crush on you” one of her colleague comments.
“Yes, it looks very expensive. Did we have any budget limit? I don’t think so” the other colleague passes another comment.

“Will you guys please excuse me? I have to make an urgent call” Khushi tries to give them an excuse. She is already frustrated over this gift. If this is from Arnav Singh Raizada then he has had it today. He knew she would have to open it before everyone and it would give people like them to taunt her why she received such expensive gift. How can he behave so obnoxious?
“Phone call? You can make later. Right now, lets party. It is Valentine’s day Khushi and singles like us have to celebrate it with each other. Come on”

The girls drag her back inside and she is left with no other choice but to sideline this topic for a while. The music suddenly becomes loud and everyone starts drinking and dancing. Khushi feels restless. She finds Shyam and Lavanya together but where did Arnav Singh Raizada go? Oh wait, she knows why he is not here. He might be afraid that he will have to dance, that’s the last thing he would want to do considering he doesn’t like a woman to touch him. It is so depressing.!!

Khushi suddenly finds Shyam getting down the dance floor and dragging Arnav from somewhere. She can see Arnav screaming at his brother of not being interested in this dance but Shyam might not understand him, as Arnav has never shared his phobias with anyone. Khushi looks at Lavanya to see if she can gesture her to save Arnav from this mess but Lavanya is very far, dancing with Aman Mathur. They make a good pair, by the way. Khushi quickly concentrates back on Arnav who is in the middle of the dance floor, totally pissed. Khushi hears the conversation of one of their top role employee, Dimple.

“Now that ASR is on the dance floor, I will ask him for a dance, he cannot deny. He has to. It is like a dream come true for me to dance with him” Dimple speaks.

Khushi grits her teeth. Dimple has no idea she will piss the man and maybe even scare him, if she tries to touch him during the dance. Dimple heads to Arnav who is just standing frustrated at this gesture of his brother of being dragged on the dance floor. Dimple stands before Arnav and flaunts her smile. She is about to ask him for a dance when Khushi comes in between them, facing Arnav Singh Raizada.

“Can I dance with you?” Khushi instantly asks Arnav.
Arnav’s brows arch high. Did he really hear that from Khushi or are his ears ringing? Dimple grits his teeth as Khushi smiles cheekily at her, as if asking her to excuse them. Dimple leaves and Khushi turns back to Arnav, taking a sigh of relief.

“Before you thrash me, let me tell you I did this for your own benefit” Khushi speaks.
Arnav looks at her frustrated.
“I know you don’t want to dance and are forced to be here. Girls here don’t know you don’t like to be touched” she gulps and takes a pause. “You might threaten them by your reactions if they happen to touch you, like you did with Sheetal, that night in the party. I am just saving that from happening”

Arnav is bounced by her concern. Does she even know she is going out of the box to make him feel safe? His look softens.

“Sheetal had tried to over touch me that night, all thanks to the commands you gave her to ruin that party, to decay my impression before the guests.” He responds making her feel more guilty.
“I didn’t knew you had a phobia”
“So what is this? A way to repent?” he mutters. “You don’t need to do that”

Khushi feels like she is overbearing him now. She was here to help, not to hear him groan at her.

“Fine, I will leave then”

She is about to go when Arnav watches Dimple observing them. That lady is just waiting for an opportunity to dance with him and he finds her very desirous type. Khushi turns and is about to step away when he holds her hand and whirls her around. Khushi’s hands are about to land on his chest but he catches her wrists and places her arms on his shoulder. She realizes that he finally understood her intention of helping him.

She places her palms very gently on his shoulder, her eyes never leaving his, as if she is trying to read the various reactions going inside him, as they dance. They start moving with the music. Khushi takes this opportunity to clear her doubts.

“So, you were my secret Santa?” she puts a straight question. He had expected her to guess this soon as she opened the gift.
“I am not allowed to reveal that. And the game is over. So, get over it Miss Khushi Gupta”
She frowns.
“Those anklets where in my shopping cart, you even hack the web pages I go through?” she angrily asks.
Arnav grits his teeth. This is so not true.
“I don’t”
“Then how did you buy exactly the same anklets I wanted to buy?”

He doesn’t reply. Khushi stops dancing. Her hands are about to move on his chest, unknowingly, when he catches her wrists again and gives her a sharp look. She realizes her fault. She has to be cautious.

“Sorry, I .. I didn’t do it intentionally”
Arnav shakes his head. They start dancing again. Arnav decides to answer her.
“You left your web page open once on the laptop when I had come to your cabin. I saw it then and purchased it from my login”

Khushi is glad that she didn’t miss the target. She knew it was he who gifted her. But she is also mad at him.

“It is so damn expensive”
“Not to me. I can afford it” he snaps.
“I can’t accept it” she retaliates
“It’s a gift, already given and taken. You have no choice” he strikes back.

Khushi stops dancing.

“I really don’t understand you. You care for me, understood. That’s why you paid off my fathers mortgages, you safeguarded me from unnecessary harm. But then you leave no chance to shout at me, to ignore me either. And then suddenly you gift me something so expensive. What exactly is going in your mind Arnav Singh Raizada” she shouts.

Fortunately, the loud music doesn’t allow her words to fall on any other ears.

“You can never comprehend what’s going in my head, neither you should bother about. Focus on your work, your loved ones and ignore the rest, including me, my problems”

He leaves her on the dance floor and gets down. Khushi angrily keeps looking at him. That’s not the answer she deserves. Her brain will burst some day if she happens to think all by herself what exactly he feels for her. But why suddenly she wants to know this from him? Why should she care?

The music goes on and her team quickly surrounds her and starts dancing. Khushi gets no chance to leave.

Shyam, as promised heads back home to his wife, to celebrate he rest of the evening with her. For almost 2 more hours, Khushi enjoys the party and then decides to leave. She reaches the parking area at the ground level. She has booked a cab but she is unable to get proper GPS update on her phone, considering the network is fluctuating. She keeps moving across the lane in the process of getting the network back. A speedy car is coming in her direction, whose head lights are turned off and thus she has no clue about its nearing her. She is busy looking for the network tower to come back on her smartphone. The driver of the car realizes her blocking his way and horns hard. That sound startles Khushi first and then shocks her as she finds the car so near to her own self. She feels this is it. Like this is the end of her but suddenly someone drags her away from the direction of the speedy car and she whirls around and ends up in the arms of that same man!! In the arms of her savior. In the arms of Arnav Singh Raizada. She breathes hard in fear. She had never seen death so near to her, like today. She inhales his scent and finds it known. This was the same fragrance when she was dancing with Arnav some hours back.


___________________________________________________

Part 32


Fear stirs deep in Arnav Singh Raizada’s body as he realizes what would have happened if he hadn’t saved Khushi Gupta on time, from the speedy car. She would have killed herself tonight, crushing his whole world into ashes. He can feel her breathing hard across his chest, somewhere near to his own thudding heart. She is still in his arms and for a few seconds he can even feel their hearts beating in sync.

Khushi, who has been terribly shocked of this entire moment, isn’t very far from feeling the sync in their heartbeats. She has never really believed in the concept of two souls one heartbeat. She is new to this feeling, to this touch. She is aware who has saved her. But that doesn’t startle her. Whenever she was in need or help, he has always been around to offer support. What she is shocked currently is their position, their closeness and the fear in Arnav Singh Raizada’s mind, which has made him forget how he gets affected if any woman comes this close to him, touches him where he doesn’t like to be touched.

She gently raises her chin, trying to meet his dark eyes and the next moment he pushes her away.

“What is wrong with you Khushi? You couldn’t see a speedy car coming in your direction?” he screams at the top of his voice, it almost sends shivers in her spine. He steps forward again and clutches her arms, pulling her closer. “What if that car had hit you? What if I had lost you?” he yells again.

This sudden transformation in him is exposing his vulnerable side to her. She has never seen him so afraid of losing her. Somewhere at the back of her mind, she recollects Anjali’s words. “He loves you.. He loves you Khushi. But he will never confront you the same”

Khushi uses all her strength to shrug his arms but fails. She decides to ignore this step and move to the point.

“So? If that car had hit me, if you had lost me forever Arnav Singh Raizada, so what? Aap ko kya faraq padta hai? (Why do you care?)”
And there comes his instant, agitated response, almost gripping her shoulders with double the intensity.
“Faraq Padta hai!! Because I love you Dammit!! I can’t lose you .. not now.. not until I exist!!” (It does concern me Dammit!! Because I love you. I can’t lose you.. not now. Not until I exist)

Time halts. Khushi is speechless. There is a loud sound of the crackers bursting in the sky. It is the Valentine day celebrations still going on in the city. And here she received the most tragic and shocking proposal from the man she never expected to fall for her. The crackers burning in the sky throws a light on their faces. She watches him with an unbelievable expression. There is no disappointment on his face that he spelt the weakest point to her neither he is delighted of confronting his feelings for her. He is mad and it is difficult to comprehend where their lives will lead them from here on. She can feel his raging nerves under the touch of her palms, which are still instilling fear inside him, of losing her forever.
This is insane.!! The moment his grip loosens, she shrugs his arms and steps away.

“You.. you can’t love me..” she murmurs.

These few jumbled whispers gets Arnav Singh Raizada back to reality. Did he just.. did he just confess his feelings for her? Damm!! He swallows hard, breaking their eye lock. The moment itself was so instant and scary that he couldn’t hold up anything… not even his words.. She means a world to him and if that was at stake, how could he hide his feelings at that crucial moment? He rubs the center of his forehead, shutting his eyes for some seconds and then opens them again. Khushi is still in a state of shock and adamant to accept the meaning behind the words he just showered on her. A cab halts right before them. Khushi realizes it is the same cab which she had booked a while ago to get back home. Giving Arnav Singh Raizada, a last horrified look, she gets in the cab and leaves the spot. Arnav brushes fingers in his hair. This isn’t going to go well with her. She has just got to know his sensitive nerve which is nothing, but his love for her. She might not misuse it against him, but she their little growing interactions might halt forever after this one act. What if she leaves their home? She has already warned him to do so if he doesn’t accept to visit the Psychiatrist. No!! He is not prepared to let her go

*****************

Khushi is back in Shantivan. Fortunately, Shyam and Anjali are out, celebrating the Valentine’s night and Daadi is in Haridwar engrossed in praying for the wellbeing of this family. She is alone and this is what she needs at this hour of time. She throws the purse away and jumps on the bed, hiding her face under the cushion. His voice still echoes in her ears.

“Faraq Padta hai!! Because I love you Dammit!! I can’t lose you .. not now.. not until I exist!!”

She presses the cushion harder on her ears so that these echoes stop torturing her. This is not meant to happen. He has been responsible for tearing her world apart. He has killed her father, made her an orphan at a very young age. Though she now realizes that he did none of this on purpose. It was an accident yet she cannot even think in her dreams that the same man who has snatched her father away, will fall for her, will have those type of feelings for her. How is this possible? This is beyond her acceptance. This is beyond anyone’s capabilities of approval. This is foolish. He has lost his mind. He has lost his ability to think practically.

She feels frantic and helpless. She throws the pillow away and cries hard. What the hell is happening in her life? Whenever she thinks she is beyond any pain, another tragedy snatches away her joy. She has still become successful in reliving but todays confession from Arnav Singh Raizada has broken her in pieces. She feels disabled of doing anything. She closes her eyes, trying to avoid these thoughts from crippling her mind but whenever she shuts her eyes, she sees his face, his eyes and his voice starts echoing in her ears again and again, confessing his love for her.

*****************

Arnav is back home, in his bedroom. He has learnt from Hari Prakash that Khushi has returned too and is in her room. He stands below the cold shower, trying to erase off that cumbersome thoughts of Khushi distancing herself again from him. But these thoughts keep coming back, haunting him again and again. He does realize that she is the first woman who has touched his heart after that cruel incident which took place while he was in the child remand. When he had spun Khushi around to save her from the speedy car, she had landed hard on his chest, almost taking away the fear of being touched there. No other fear can be greater than the fear of losing her forever. He stares at his own image formed on the glass cubicle surrounding the shower. He has to face Khushi Gupta and make her believe that though he meant every word he confessed to her tonight, he is never going to let any of his feelings block her way. She has full rights to crush his proposal, neither he expects an answer from her. He knows he is dreaming beyond his reach. Khushi Gupta is like a dream and he can see it only in the dark, never in reality.

*****************

The next morning when Arnav comes down, he sees Anjali performing the Aarti and Shyam is next to her. Khushi has always ensured to be present here, during this hour of the morning, but she is not today. Arnav stops Hari Prakash who is just passing by.

“Hari Prakash, where is Khushi?”
“Khushi Jeeji is in her room”

Arnav is doubtful if she is present in the house why didn’t she come down? Anjali comes to him and offers him the Prasad. She witnesses the confusion in Arnav’s eyes and she also hears him asking Khushi’s whereabouts to HP.

“Khushi is not going to office today. She wants to stay home” Anjali updates.
“Is she alright?” Arnav instantly asks.
“Why? Is there anything that can bother her?”
Arnav shakes his head in denial. He does not want to give any kind of hints to his sister-in-law. His phone rings and he excuses to pick that call. Anjali gets suspicious. She feels like Arnav is responsible for Khushi’s sudden loss of mood and even appetite. Khushi has denied to come down and eat her morning breakfast when asked. Maybe something happened in the party last night. But why didn’t Shyam notice anything? Or it could have happened in his absence. She has to check on Khushi.

Anjali knocks the door and gets inside Khushi’s bedroom. She is still lying on the bed, cold and disoriented. Khushi doesn’t even realize that Anjali is in the room until she comes and sits next to her.

“Khushi, what is wrong with you? Why did you deny for breakfast? Aren’t you feeling well?” Anjali touches Khushi’s forehead to check if Khushi has fever.
Khushi sits on the bed, hugging the pillow on her lap.
“I am fine Anju. Just need a bit change today, so decided to take a leave”
“Change? What kind of change are you getting in sitting alone here? Come down. Maybe we could go to shopping.” Anjali suggests.
“Not today Anju. I want to be alone” Khushi’s voice is pale.
Anjali is about to dig further, when Arnav steps inside knocking the door. Khushi feels his presence already and hence she doesn’t even look in his direction. Anjali gets up. Arnav realizes Khushi’s coldness towards him. He looks at Anjali.

“I need to have a word with Khushi” he states.
Anjali is amused and gets even more suspicious when Khushi instantly denies his request.
“I don’t wish to talk to him Anju, please ask him to leave”
Anjali gulps. Whom is she supposed to support now?
“I am not giving you a choice to decide that Khushi” he argues giving an intense look to her.

Anjali clears her throat. She realizes that it is high time she leaves the room for them to sort whatever issues have awakened between them.

“Uh.. I will be downstairs”
Anjali leaves the room and Arnav shuts the door, after getting inside. Khushi feels uncomfortable. She does not want to face him. She gets down the bed and decides to hide herself in the shower. He at least cannot follow her there. But Arnav blocks her way.
“When I am talking to you, never leave” his eyes turn dark.
“There is nothing left to talk now” she argues.
“Why?”

She meets his eyes and stares at him dumbfounded. He shows no signs of the aftereffects of yesterday’s confession.
“You know why”
Arnav suppresses his groan. But now that the topic has been raised, Khushi is in full swing to argue over this. She couldn’t do that last night because she was highly shocked that time.

“Do you even realize what you said to me last night?” she pauses.
“Nothing you didn’t know already” he claims.
Khushi grits her teeth. Oh, so he has an idea that she was already aware of his feelings for her. But that’s not the point. She continues reasoning.
“How can you even think about it? Only because I have been showing some gentleness towards you does not mean I will accept anything that you offer to me.” She continues defending.
“I didn’t offer anything, Khushi”

Khushi gets more raged. Is he even in his senses? Does he realize how lightly he is taking the matter?

“You proposed me last night..” she angrily blurts.
There is total silence for few seconds between them. They just gaze in each other’s eyes.
“I confessed what I feel for you. It was not a proposal”
His words confuse her.
“Not a proposal? Then what was that? Just an FYI (For your information)?” she shrugs in anger. “Why are you so mysterious Arnav? Or you like being one?”
Arnav inhales deep and then stares at her again.
“At least this confession is going to stop you from looking brides for me, I hope!!” he pauses. She gives him a scorned look while he watches her intently to know how she is going to process this comment.
“Wrong!! It is going to speed up my process now because I want to shrug you off from me forever, especially because of your so-called Confession” she declares.

Arnav clenches his jaw and steps forward.
“You still don’t get this, do you? What I have for you, can never be replaced for another woman, Khushi.”
She feels intimidated. “You mean the world to me. And this is not any recent development, I have felt this for you since the time you started hating me. Now you acknowledge it or not, doesn’t matter. That feeling exists inside me and no one can take it away even after I die.”

Khushi doesn’t realize when he managed to corner her to the wall behind. She looks in his eyes giving a sarcastic look. Today’s argument was supposed to derail him from the feelings he has for her. But she failed. He in fact spilled few more details of how strongly he feels for her and looks like he will not even let her to snatch that feeling away from him. Arnav Singh Raizada gazes at her flustered face for few more seconds before leaving out of the room. He himself does not comprehend where he got that strength to open his heart to her. But for some strange reasons he feels light now.

*****************

Khushi’s head has been spinning since last night and Arnav’s additional confrontation has made her more restless today. But that doesn’t stop her from visiting Veeru Kaaka’s house for Dinner tonight. She had no plans to step out of her room but she had promised Veeru Kaaka that she will pay a visit to him and his wife which is why she is here, standing before their door and ringing the bell.

Veeru Kaaki opens the door. She has the same looks she had few years ago, just that she has gained a bit of weight. Khushi smiles and joins her palms.

“Namaste Kaaki, I am Khushi..”

The lady happily recognizes her and welcomes her inside. Veeru Kaaka joins them and they have a long chat served with tea and snacks. Khushi feels delighted to meet someone related to her father’s side.

“So bitiya, how did you manage to stay in that family for so many years? I heard their killer grandson is back” veeru Kaaki asks.

Khushi feels a prick in her heart. For some strange reason, she does not like the way Veeru Kaaki addresses Arnav.

“Yes… he.. he is back and we stay in the same house. You know I cannot leave that family until the court specified time elapses. But they are good people. Their elder grandson Shyam has been a constant support and his wife Anju is a friend now.”
“And Subhadra Raizada? I heard she is a very strict woman. Did she ever hurt you?” Veeru Kaaka asks.
“No.. We never talked much. But even that has changed now. She is not bad, it is just that she dotes on her grandsons, especially the younger one”

Before they could dig more into her life with the Raizadas, Khushi intervenes with her doubts.

“Kaaka, you said there is something you have to give me, which belongs to my father?” Khushi asks.

Veeru Kaaka nods and then immediately gets up.

“I am sorry for keeping it all the while with me. But he had told me not to give this to you until you grow up into a fine woman, to understand his sacrifice” Veeru Kaaka explains.

Khushi’s heart starts beating fast. Sacrifice? What kind of sacrifice? She has her finger crossed hoping that whatever this new phase of her life she is going to learn from today doesn’t change the foundation of all these years she has spent with the Raizadas.

___________________________________________________



Part 33

“I am sorry for keeping it all the while with me. But he had told me not to give this to you until you grow up into a fine woman, to understand his sacrifice” Veeru Kaaka explains.

Khushi’s heart starts beating fast. Sacrifice? What kind of sacrifice? She has her finger crossed hoping that whatever this new phase of her life she is going to learn from today doesn’t change the foundation of all these years she has spent with the Raizadas. Veeru Kaaka heads inside to get that thing. Khushi keeps staring at that door from where he left. He comes out in a while with a small box.

“This is it” he hands it to Khushi.

Khushi looks at the box with confused eyes. What can this box contain?
“I have never opened this box. It belongs to you”
Khushi trusts the man because looking at the condition of the wrapper covering the box, she can tell that it was never opened or torn. She unwraps the covering and then opens that little wooden box. It has a small key inside.

“Key? Which key is this?” Khushi murmurs.
Veeru and his wife both stare at each other blankly.
“We have no clue bitiya.”
Khushi finds a small note with the key which she opens and reads. It is her father’s handwriting. She remembers it very well. She reads the note.

“This key belongs to the same trunk where you hide your doll bitiya”

Khushi’s eyes become moist with tears. She feels like she is connecting back with her lost father through this note and his last belonging. She bursts out in tears. Veeru Kaaki sits next to her and caresses her back.

“Bitiya, please compose yourself. Your father loved you very much and he would never like to see you cry.”

Khushi takes a minute to compose herself again and wipes her tears.
“I have never stepped that house since his accident. I am scared to reminisce those memories which that house contains Kaaki.” Khushi mutters. Going back there and .. and finding this trunk will invoke all that moments again. It hurts to miss him.. I miss him sooo much.” Tears start rolling down her cheeks again.

Veeru Kaaka tries to console her.

“Khushi bitiya, you have to regain your state of mind. It’s been years since that accident happened and Shashi left us. Maybe he wants to tell you something which is why he has left this key with me. I think you should go back there and check yourself.”

His suggestion seems compelling. But she still needs time to show that guts. Shyam had always tried to take her back to her home in Lakshmi Nagar but Khushi never let that happen. She would admire that house, that locality from far only. But looks like she will have to step in there and unravel the matter which her father wanted to tell her. She shakes her head in agreement.

“I will go there.”
“Good” Veeru’s wife compliments. “Now let us first have dinner. It is getting cold. You liked Aloo Puri in your childhood, I have made the same. Let me serve”

Khushi is no longer hungry. There is so much she had to process today. First Arnav Singh Raizada’s sudden proposal.. ooppps!! Confession .. Not proposal, as he said. And now this secret key from her father. How is she going to digest all of this?

Khushi returns back to Raizada Mansion that night, after having dinner with Veeru Kaaka’s family. She gets the key along with her and is thinking when to go to her home and check what her father wanted to show her or maybe tell her. She lies down on the bed and within minutes she falls asleep, with the key still pressed in between her palms. That’s the only connection which she feels with her father now.

*****************

The next morning, Arnav comes out from his room, all dressed up to leave for work. He is buttoning his suit, while talking to Aman over his Bluetooth.

“Aman, what do you mean Daadi is no more in Haridawar? It was a four-day trip, that’s what she told me” Arnav barks on the call.
Khushi comes out from her room at the same time. She hurriedly shuts the door and turns around to head for the stairs when suddenly she collides with Arnav who was passing by the same lobby at that same time. She is about to fall but Arnav manages to hold her. Their eyes lock for few seconds. Arnav forgets he was on call and Khushi recollects how he had proposed her yesterday. He might have successfully hidden his feelings from her for such a long time but since he has confessed it openly, she can now see them clearly in his eyes. His arms have tightly held her waist while hers clutching his shirt almost spoiling the ironing of it.

“I don’t like it when people close to me don’t inform me about their whereabouts” he snaps.

Khushi comes out of the stance and gives him a cold stare. Arnav pulls his arms away from her waist once she stands on her feet. Khushi clenches her jaw. Is he taunting her for not telling him where she had been at night? Arnav doesn’t break their eye lock yet. She is about to argue when Arnav points out at his Bluetooth, as if gesturing her that the dialogue was meant for someone else, not her. She feels embarrassed though she knows it was meant for her as well. He is over smart these days.

“No, you don’t have to do anything Aman. I will call her myself and confirm.” Arnav starts getting down the stairs. Khushi follows him. The moment they reach the living room, Daadi enters the house. Arnav is surprised to see her back. Daadi also happily smiles at him. Arnav comes ahead and takes her blessings and then shoots his doubts.

“Where had you been from Haridwar, Daadi?” he asks. “And even if you had such plans of visiting other places, why didn’t you inform me first?”
Daadi smiles and touches his cheek lovingly.
“Chotte, if I had told you where I wanted to go from Haridwar, you wouldn’t let me go”
“What do you mean?” his tone softens.

Before Daadi could reply, they hear a new voice from behind.

“Hello Handsome”

Khushi who was heading to the kitchen to assist Anjali with the breakfast, stops and turns to them. A girl in her mid-twenties, removes her sunglasses and winks at Arnav. He shifts and gazes back at his Daadi who immediately gives the woman’s introduction.

“Chotte, she is Ruchi, my friend’s granddaughter” Daadi warmly announces.

Shyam and Anjali comes out and are surprised at Daadi’s arrival that too with her friend’s granddaughter. Everyone here knows what Daadi’s intentions is behind getting Ruchi here. Khushi’s jaw drops. She is the one whom Daadi wants Arnav to marry? Ruchi is a rich class girl and no wonder it is evident from her clothing and style. Will she be able to impress a man like Arnav Singh Raizada and most importantly will she be able to heal all his pain?

“Chotte, Ruchi will be staying here with us for a week.” Daadi informs.

Shyam and Anjali welcomes her. But Arnav gives a scorned look to Daadi and then heads out. Ruchi pouts in disappointment.
“Daadi, he didn’t even speak to me. Why?” Ruchi asks.
Daadi is highly upset by Arnav’s cold behavior. But she cannot show that displeasure to Ruchi.

“He must have something really important at work which is why he left. You meet my elder Grandson Shyam and his wife”
“Hi Ruchi, nice meeting you. I suppose we have met years ago. You were too small then, some 5 years” Shyam replies.
Ruchi chuckles.
“Oh really, I don’t remember.”
“This is Anjali, my wife”
Ruchi hugs Anjali.
“You are beautiful Bhabhi” Ruchi compliments her.
“So are you.”

Ruchi then looks at Khushi who is still digesting the fact that Daadi has taken such a huge step without Arnav’s approval.

“And let me guess, you must be Khushi?” Ruchi angrily questions.
Khushi has no clue how much Ruchi or her family knows about Arnav’s tragic childhood because if they know it, then they have to know her as well. But seems like Ruchi is aware of it.
“Hi” Khushi gently murmurs and heads back to the Kitchen. She has limited time to eat and start for office.
Daadi asks Anjali to show Ruchi the guest room. Anjali takes her along. Shyam stops Daadi.
“Daadi you should have told us before”
“You didn’t like me getting Ruchi here?”
“That’s not what I meant, Daadi. You know Arnav, he is not going to accept this so easily. Plus, what if this time he really flees to Paris? Who will be responsible for it then? Last time we stopped him through Khushi but if he makes up his mind now, no one can stop him.” Shyam explains.
“He won’t go anywhere. I am not going to force him to marry. But I want him to spend some time with Ruchi and I am very sure this one week will help him realize he should have a life partner now”

Daadi’s explanations seem good but Shyam knows that this can never happen. Arnav has already chosen his life partner.. Khushi .. Though she is never going to accept Arnav in that role in her life.

*****************

Khushi is back to work and currently sitting with Lavanya in her cabin.

“So, what was your Valentine gift?” Lavanya asks.
Khushi smiles weakly.
“Silver Anklets”
“Oh my God. That’s a very cute gift. Who do you think was your secret Santa?”
Khushi shrugs.
“What’s the point in guessing that now? We have other important matters to discuss. Like the next appointment with Dr. Akash Dixit.”
“Hmm. Right. You think Arnav will agree this time?”
“He will because this time I am myself going to accompany him there.”

Khushi’s determination startles Lavanya.

“You are on a roll to see his progress. I must say, he is lucky to have you”
Khushi feels uneasy. Is she really doing too much for him which she shouldn’t? He is responsible for ruining her life, but unintentionally. Now that she has learnt what horrid moments he has lived all these years, she just wants to support him come out of it, forever.

“So, when are you taking the next appointment?” Lavanya interrupts her chain of thoughts.
“Tomorrow. But do not inform him about it. I will implement some other way to get him there” Khushi warns her.
“Cool. Keep me posted then.”

Khushi nods and heads back to her cabin. Daadi has escalated the process of Arnav’s marriage which means she has to expedite her motto of treating his phobias and getting him back to normal. She has so much to do in so less time. Plus, tonight she will have to go to her home and see what message her father has left for her in that trunk where she was used to keep her doll safe in childhood. She removes that key from her wallet and stares at it while walking through the lobby. She doesn’t see Arnav Singh Raizada coming from the other end. She keeps walking, gazing at the key, lost in her own world. She is about to hit the pillar but Arnav pulls her to him, saving her from the invited pain. She takes few seconds to realize what happened and who saved her. His arm is resting on her back, holding her against him.

“What is wrong with you? Where are all your senses gone?” he snaps.

Khushi gulps.
“You don’t seem to be noticing any danger coming your way. First that speedy car, today morning you bumped into me and now you had almost toppled because of the pillar” he screams.
She pushes him away.
“The most dangerous stunt in all this is bumping onto you. Because you first save me and then don’t leave a chance to shout at the top of your voice. What is wrong with you Arnav Singh Raizada?” she raises her voice too.
Arnav watches her intently. Khushi takes this opportunity to tackle Daadi’s new motive of getting Ruchi home.
“If you have so much free time to argue here with me, why don’t you go home and spend some of it with our guest? You didn’t even greet her today morning, forget giving her a look.”
Arnav clenches his jaw and steps forward. She steps behind. Her subconscious cursing her for initiating this debate.
“You want me to spend time with her?” he asks dryly.
She stares at him surprised.
“Ye…ss..Yes.. Two people who are going to spend the rest of their lives together, should spend as much time as possible with each other. It helps them to know each other well... It gets them close” she herself is mortified by the way she is preparing him for his future life. Is she the same woman who once wanted to kill him?

Arnav stops striding towards her.

“In that case, lets start with a Coffee break for today. We can plan a lunch or dinner from tomorrow.”

His reply drops her jaws.
“What happened? You just said two people should spend as much time as possible together, to know each other well. Until you know me better, how will you draw my phobias away?” he asks.

Khushi knows this is not what he meant. He knows very well to play with words. She grits her teeth.
“Stop diverting the subject and go home and talk with Ruchi. She is here for a week at least” she commands.
Arnav shakes his head smartly.
“I can make her go away in an hour after I meet her.” he replies. She stares at him coldly. “I just have to tell her what I told you on Valentine’s night. That she is 11 years 3 months and 17 days late to meet me and make me fall in love with her. I hope she understands and gives up the thought of marrying me, forever”

Khushi gulps hard. He remembers the first time they had met, so accurately? This is getting more embarrassing. He has started openly confessing it without any fear or remorse.
“You won’t do anything like that” she tries to stop his way.
Arnav rolls his eyes.
“That’s exactly what I will do. I will not let any other woman take that place in my life which I have already given to someone else.”
“You.. you have gone insane.. This is foolishness.” She feels her blood racing inside her body and he is the only man who has been able to make her feel so restless and edgy.

Arnav angrily draws her closer, clutching both her arms.

“Forcing me to tie a knot with someone I don’t love, is foolishness. Stop it before everything turns ugly Khushi. You have no rights to do match fixing for the person who loves you. You cant love me, that’s fine. But don’t be in the hopes that I will ever feel the same for anyone else. The earlier you realize this, the more number of hearts you will be saving from heartbreak”

Khushi feels guilty. She tries to intercept his words as he leaves back to his cabin.

___________________________________________________


Part 34


Khushi gets out of the office elevator and waits for the cab to arrive. She has plans to go to Lakshmi Nagar and find that trunk where she used to keep her favorite doll. She cannot wait to know the message her father wishes to give her. Though it might need a lot of courage for her to step inside that house, she will still have to do it for her own good.

Khushi’s phone buzzes and she doesn’t avoid it because it is Daadi’s call.

“Hello”
“Where is Arnav?” Daadi asks.
Khushi rolls her eyes.
“I am not here to spy on his whereabouts. How would I know where he is?” her nose flares in anger.
“Not his whereabouts, but you had promised to help me fix his marriage. Now when Ruchi is here, you should be assisting us. Your real responsibility starts now.”

Daadi is right but Khushi recollects Arnav and her conversation which happened few hours ago.

“Forcing me to tie a knot with someone I don’t love, is foolishness. Stop it before everything turns ugly Khushi. You have no rights to do match fixing for the person who loves you. You cant love me, that’s fine. But don’t be in the hopes that I will ever feel the same for anyone else. The earlier you realize this, the more number of hearts you will be saving from heartbreak”

Daadi calls her name out sensing her silent on the other end. Khushi comes back to reality.
“Yes, I .. I am listening”
“Fine.. Then come home and draw a plan to unite Arnav and Ruchi”

Khushi drops the call. The cab arrives. She postpones all her other plans and heads to Shantivan. Her requirement there is equally important.

Anjali sees Khushi entering the house and she immediately joins her.
“Glad you are back home. This Ruchi has eaten my head.” Anjali whispers.
“Why? What did she do?”
“She is making innumerous plans to get Arnav’s attention.”
“Is he back home?”
“Just returned back and as expected, he headed to his room without even talking to the guest. He is totally frustrated with Daadi’s decision of getting Ruchi here.”

Who better than her knows his frustration? Khushi thinks at the back of her mind. She freshens up and meets Daadi. Ruchi is also present there so Khushi doesn’t get the opportunity to talk to Daadi again and explain her that they cannot force Arnav to like Ruchi. After her conversation with Arnav today evening, she too has realized that this is not going to work.

“Is she with us?” Ruchi asks Daadi.
“Yes. She is helping us out”
“Why her? Daadi, I am capable enough to win Arnav’s heart. I don’t need a mediator”

Khushi frowns. Anjali was right, this woman is irritating.
“Ruchi, Arnav has a special consideration for Khushi in this house.” Daadi explains.
“Why? In fact, he should be hating her. He must be remembering that old bad memories whenever she is around.”
Khushi grits her teeth. Yes, he should be hating her just like she hated him earlier. But there is no control over fate. It works independently without the intervention of human lives and their choices.
“Daadi, if she doesn’t need my help, I am happy to back off” Khushi interrupts.
“No.. You cannot back off.” Daadi retaliates and immediately convinces Ruchi to take Khushi’s help.

“Fine Daadi, it is only for you and Arnav that I am ready to tolerate Khushi” Ruchi replies.
Khushi is staggered by her lack of sensitivity. She has already started disliking Ruchi, how will she convince Arnav to like her then?

“Shall we start?” Khushi asks.
“I will start” Ruchi intrudes. “I have a fantastic plan. Men like Arnav are very sensitive to woman’s tears and pitiful state. I just need to shed some tears first in order to get his attention.”

Khushi rolls her eyes again. Such a waste plan this is.
“I don’t think it will work.”
“Who cares what you think girl?” Ruchi argues.
Khushi presses her lips hard to hold bad mouthing this woman. She is insulting her again and again but she was quiet only because of Daadi. But not anymore. She comes to Ruchi and stands before her.
“If no one cared what I think, Daadi wouldn’t have taken my help Ruchi. So now you listen to me. Do as I say or else forget winning Arnav. Understood?”

Khushi’s direct statement creates panic in Ruchi’s heart. She immediately nods and agrees to her.

“Good. Now come with me”

Khushi drags Ruchi out and they head to the kitchen where Hari Prakash is making black coffee for Arnav.

“Hari Prakash, is this coffee for Arnav?” Khushi asks.
“Yes Didi”
“Okay leave it. Ruchi will serve him in his room”
Hari Prakash prepares the coffee and leaves.
“Why will I serve? There are servants to this” Ruchi interrupts.
“You need one chance to start a conversation with him Ruchi and this is the one. Don’t lose this opportunity.”

Khushi makes her hold the tray.

“Now go, he doesn’t like to wait”
Ruchi gulps.
“Are you scaring me?”
“Warning you. Now GO!!” Khushi shouts.

Ruchi shivers but she rushes to Arnav’s bedroom and Khushi just follows her to ensure everything goes smooth and this idiot girl doesn’t create some nuisance while talking to Arnav. She herself cannot believe that leaving all her important work, she is actually participating in such baseless idea of being a match maker to the person who has feelings for her. How ridiculous.!!

Arnav is sitting on the recliner, typing something on his laptop when Ruchi steps inside with the Tray.
He doesn’t realize it is her.

“Keep the mug and leave” his voice is stern.
Ruchi shivers all the more. She marches inside and keeps the tray before him. He realizes its someone else and not Hari Prakash and raises his head. Ruchi passes a weak smile.
“Tum?” (You?)
“Yes.. Me!!”
Arnav stands up. Khushi is watching everything from outside. She is glad that he didn’t shout at her yet.
“Why did you get the coffee?”
“Khushi asked me to..” she immediately shuts her mouth realizing she just spilled the beans. Khushi closes her eyes in frustration. Arnav quickly glances at the door and sees Khushi’s shadow. So even after the warning which he gave, Khushi is still trying to fix Ruchi in this house.
“I mean.. Hari Prakash is doing some other work for Khushi so I felt like getting it here. Someone just told me you don’t like to be kept waiting” Ruchi covers up her fault.
Arnav smirks.

“Strange!! Whoever told you that are the same people who disobey me” he says glancing at the door again. Khushi clutches the sides of her Dupatta. Is he aware she is eavesdropping?
Ruchi stands clueless of his hints.
“Arnav, we didn’t have a proper introduction yet, I am Ruchi. My Daadi and yours are good friends. So don’t you think we can be great friends too?”

Khushi likes the way Ruchi is starting to build this rapport. Maybe she is not that bad. Ruchi extends her arm towards Arnav for a handshake but he retreats.

“I don’t make friends Ruchi.”
Ruchi’s face drops and Khushi knows he is only avoiding her.
“You don’t? Why?”
“Not every WHY has an answer”
Ruchi chuckles but she gives him an appreciative look.
“Wow Arnav.. Your words are so intense. I wish you and I could become friends and share each other’s secrets someday.”
Arnav thinks something and then smirks.
“For sharing secrets, we don’t need to be friends. In fact, I feel like sharing the most critical secret of my life with you” he replies.

Khushi’s jaw drops. Is he going to tell Ruchi about his love interest? No ways!! Khushi immediately peeps in. Arnav knows that one statement has captured and muddled all her plans.
“Really? You want to share it? I am all ears.” Ruchi responds in excitement.
“Cool. Sit” Arnav offers her to sit on the recliner. She readily sits and Arnav sips the coffee. He is maintaining enough distance from her.

Khushi’s heartbeat quickens. Will he really confront that he loves her? He can!! He is mad.!! He can do anything. Just today evening he had challenged her of letting Ruchi know that he loves Khushi and is not interested to give that place in his heart to any other girl. What if he says it to her?

“So Ruchi, I .” Arnav glances at the door again and realizes Khushi is totally nervous. “I love ..”

Khushi barges inside.
“Ruchi” she screams
Ruchi jerks. She was so keen in listening to Arnav but Khushi’s sudden intrusion spoiled everything.
“Khushi? What are you doing here?” Ruchi asks.
“Uh.. I..” Khushi tries to find some excuse.. Arnav is loving this entire sequence. “Haan.. You are getting an important call on your phone.”
“Call?” Ruchi tries to find her phone and realizes she has left it in her room. “That’s okay. I will check it later. Me and Arnav are talking something very important” Ruchi adds.
“Yes.. She is right. Our talks are more important than that phone call” Arnav backs up her words on purpose. Khushi grits her teeth.
“Ruchi, Arnav is not running anywhere. You can talk to him later. First check your phone. Go”

She almost drags Ruchi from the recliner till the door. Ruchi angrily leaves and Khushi then takes a sigh of relief. She then turns around and gives a heated glance to Arnav who is not very far from her.

“She is a nice girl.” Arnav comments. “I am sure she will understand and leave this house”
“Why are you doing this?” Khushi mutters in anger. “Give her a chance to prove”
He is disgusted by her thoughts.
“Even if she proves to be the best wife in this world, I don’t need her Khushi. And you know, why?”
“And what you need Arnav Singh Raizada, can never be yours” she snaps.
Arnav clenches his jaw while Khushi looks away disheartened.
“You think I don’t know that? The day I realized what I feel for you, I enlightened myself that it is never going to happen. But that still doesn’t change anything Khushi.”

There is a pin drop silence for few seconds and then she meets his gaze again.

“You cannot live with all griefs for your entire life” she complains. “Someday you might need that love from someone”
He steps forward.
“YOU!!” he screams “Whatever I will ever need someday will be from YOU.. Don’t generalize it”

Khushi swallows hard and steps behind. Their eyes are locked like forever now. Her face flames with embarrassment when he roams his eyes on her cheeks and then glance back into her eyes. Had it been her earlier self, when she hated him the most, she might have smacked his face but today she doesn’t feel like that. Things are getting complicated, but why is she losing her stand? Why does she have to remind herself that he is the same man who is responsible for her father’s death. She tries to leave from there but he grabs her arm and pins her to the wall behind. She struggles for few seconds and then gives up and meets his eyes again.

“The more you try to get me closer to Ruchi, I will get you closer to me Khushi. Thank your stars that I haven’t yet decided to make you mine forever, because if I do, no strength on this earth can stop it from happening”

His remark stuns her. What does he mean by that? But she keeps her face straight as if accepting the challenge.

“That’s the last thing which can happen on this earth Arnav. Even if my father travels all the way down from heaven and asks me to accept your feelings, I won’t.”

He loosens his grip on her arm to set her free. The moment she realizes it and tries to leave. The pendant in her chain gets stuck to his shirt button. She is pulled back to him. Their heads collide. Arnav hold her still so that she doesn’t make a move again and hurt herself.
“WAIT” he shouts..
She sees the pendant stuck to his shirt. It is the same pendant which she has been wearing since her childhood. Her father has made it for her. Why it had to entangle today that too into Arnav’s shirt?

Arnav smiles weakly.

“I think your father wants you to take back your words” he whispers.

Khushi gazes away from him and is about to touch his shirt button to free herself but he clasps her wrists on time, reminding her that she cannot touch him like that. His expressions darken and there is a hint of fear clouding in his mind. She drops her hands. Arnav slowly unhooks her pendant from his shirt. His fingers brush her neck in the process and she shuts her eyes. She feels paralyzed whereas his expressions stiffen. He never thought that her mere touch can create such a deep impact in his body. He frees her pendant and she doesn’t take a second more to leave his room. She rushes out and Arnav leans against the same wall where he had pinned her a moment ago!!

___________________________________________________

Part 35

“He is mad.. He is totally mad.” Khushi angrily mutters as she leaves Arnav’s room. All of his words echo’s in her mind, creating a deep impact in her heart.

‘Even if Ruchi proves to be the best wife in the world, I don’t need her Khushi. And you know, Why?’
‘Whatever I will ever need someday will be from YOU.. Don’t generalize it’

Khushi stops and shuts her eyes. Does he even know what he is doing? He is almost blackmailing her. If he thinks she bothers if he confesses his love for her to Ruchi and drive that girl out of this house and his life, then he is wrong. She doesn’t care even if the whole world knows about his feelings for her. Because those feelings don’t matter to her.

Ruchi blocks her way. She looks angrily at Khushi as if asking explanation from her why she was thrown out of Arnav’s room?

“What is going on Khushi?” Ruchi asks. “You said I got a call but I didn’t. What is wrong with you? One side you are trying to fix me with Arnav and the other side you are spoiling everything.” She groans in anger.
Khushi presses her forehead, trying to find some reply.
“I don’t have an answer to this yet. But believe me I didn’t do anything on purpose. It was for your own good”
“Oh really? I don’t think so.” Ruchi folds her arms. “You know what I think Khushi? You are doing all of this to show the family that you care about them and want to repay their kindness. But in reality, you are still very selfish and have revengeful attitude. You cannot see anything good happening in Arnav’s life. That is why you don’t want him to settle down.”

Khushi gets raged at Ruchi’s thoughts. This girl has no idea how much she is striving to save Arnav Singh Raizada from his own phobias. But who cares if anyone understands her or not. She is not going to certify it to anyone.

“What happened? No reply? Or should I say you agree to my blames?”

Khushi sighs in disappointment. People judge others so easily.
“I don’t care what you think about me Ruchi. I know what I am doing and that’s enough. Excuse me”

Khushi heads back to her room while Ruchi keeps staring at her in bewilderment. The first thing Khushi does after that is call Aman and check Arnav’s next days appointment schedule. Though Aman asks her why, she doesn’t give him any accurate reply. She realizes that Arnav is free for two hours in the afternoon which means she can utilize it for booking his appointment with Dr. Akash. It is very important that he actually meets that Doctor once and starts the treatment.

The next morning, Arnav finishes a quick call with Aman who informs him how Khushi was enquiring about his work schedule for today. Arnav guesses the reason and becomes prepared to answer Khushi on this. He does not want to be treated for his phobias. While he is thinking all of this, he sees an envelope being pushed inside the door. He heads to the door and picks the envelope to read its contents. It is a handwritten note with the appointment details with Dr. Akash for today. He crushes the paper and is about to throw it in the bin when the door opens and Khushi gets inside.

“The appointment won’t get cancelled if you crush that note” she comments.

Arnav still crushes it and throws away.
“You are wasting time Khushi. I have already told you to use it for other productive purposes”
“I know where I have to invest my time. I am not going to let you avoid this appointment today. You have to make it possible.”
“For whom?” he snarls. “You want to treat me so that you can fix me with Ruchi, right?
Khushi is speechless.
“I don’t want to be treated if all this is for Ruchi” he repeats but this time with a smirk on his face as he comes forward. “Whom are you treating me for, Khushi?” he purposely asks.

Khushi is still blank. Sometimes this man lands her up in such a puzzle that she herself has no answers. By the time she is still thinking, he reaches her and meets her eyes.

“I live happily or die because of my fears, shouldn’t bother you”

Khushi swallows hard. Why does he have to take their conversations always to the extremes? She finally speaks.

“You matter to this family and they matter to me. It is for them that I am taking this lead. Don’t ditch me this time. Please” she requests and waits for few seconds, gazing in his eyes, though she knows he is not going to respond. “I will see you at the clinic at the mentioned time. Do come there”
“I won’t”
“I will wait” she argues.
“That wait will have no end” he warns.
Khushi smiles.
“I don’t think so. You will come, Arnav Singh Raizada and you will prove me right today”

With that confidence, she leaves his room and Arnav is left dumb and surprised.

*****************

@CLINIC

“Ma’am, it’s your turn now. Please take left for the Doctor’s cabin” the receptionist guides Khushi.

Khushi gets up disappointed, giving one last glance at the entrance of the clinic. Arnav Singh Raizada is nowhere seen. That means he ditched her again. She booked this appointment for him and he didn’t turn up. She should have known he would do the same. But she will not go back without meeting Dr. Akash. She will highlight the issue to him and see if he can assist her without the need of Arnav’s presence. She walks through the lobby and takes a left turn. She holds the knob of the Doctor’s cabin and someone holds her hand in the process of holding that same door knob. She immediately raises her head and a smile of contentment appears automatically on her face. He is here!! Arnav Singh Raizada is here. But he seems to be very disoriented, just like a child feels while visiting a Doctor. He is still holding her hand above the door knob.

“Glad you could make it” she mutters.

Arnav rolls his eyes and turns the knob, leading them both inside.

“Please come” Dr. Akash Dixit greets them both as they get in. Akash seems to be a nice jovial personality. There is a constant smile on his face. Arnav pulls a chair first for Khushi and then gets seated next to her.
Akash meanwhile looks at the patient form which has been duly filed by Khushi and then turns back to them.
“Based on the issues and the brief symptoms that have been mentioned in the file, we can conclude he is haphephobic. It is one of the rarest types of fear but it is curable.”

Arnav turns to Khushi.
“What symptoms?” he asks her.
“Just a few which I noticed staying with you. I know they are not all. So, you can add the ones which you think are relevant” Khushi replies.
“She is right” Akash interrupts. “Being your family member, she might have noted a few which you didn’t recognize. It is a good point actually. But I need to know the patient’s history and after that I will be able to start with the relevant therapy” Akash explains.

Arnav flinches with the thought of narrating his past again which was the reason of his phobia.

“I don’t have to share anything. When you know what the issue is, why can’t you just treat it?” he angrily asks.
Khushi sighs in disappointment. She knows it will be tough for him but he has to open up now.
“Arnav, as a Doctor it is important for me to know where this all began and based on that we can decide what sort of therapy is needed to cure you. Look, you have to give me something to help you buddy”

Khushi nods and it seems Arnav has got convinced too. So Khushi decides to wait out. She doesn’t want to be involved here when Arnav is narrating his issues to the Doctor.
“I will wait out until Arnav and you talk about it then”
Akash doesn’t mind.
“Yes. Because usually the patients don’t open up completely in other’s presence. I will call you back when we are done with this stage”
“Okay” Khushi smiles and is about to get up when Arnav holds her hand and stops her. He gives her a cold stare.
“Stay” he commands in a dangerous tone.
Khushi looks at Akash and then Arnav.
“Arnav” Akash tries to explain. “There is no need to be worried. In fact, you will feel better if there is no one else when you share it with me”
“There is nothing that I want to hide from HER Dr. Akash.”

Khushi feels totally embarrassed. Every time he gives her so much importance, it makes her feel restless. Is he doing this on purpose? Maybe!!
“Sit” Arnav pulls her back and makes her sit on the chair next to him. She reluctantly listens to him and keeps her purse aside. Akash smiles again.
“Well.!! So where did this start?” he asks. “Please go slow while you talk about this so that I can note as many points as needed. And none of us will question you until you are done with your part. At any point if you feel terrible to explain further, you can stop. There is no compulsion. Okay?”

Arnav leaves Khushi’s hand and places it on the table before them. His face turns red as he tries to reach the roots of his pain, his fears.

“I was 17 then and in child remand for 2 years” he swallows hard and Khushi feels his body stiffening. No!! She doesn’t want to hear all that. She is equally scared and nervous, just like he is at the moment.
“It was a weekend and most of the boys were busy in playing basketball. It was specially arranged for our recreation. I never mingled with others.” Arnav continues. “I was gardening alone. Suddenly an elderly woman came to me. She was almost double my age.”

Khushi feels sweat beads formed on her skin. Akash keeps listening intently.
“She started praising me. I didn’t know her but she was one of the woman who used to come regularly on weekends, arranging such activities for us. I just knew her by face. I tried to walk off because I sensed something strange in her company. I didn’t like her”

Khushi notices how Arnav’s ears and cheeks turn red in fear, goosebumps appear on his skin which he tries to wipe off by brushing his palm over that area.

“She stopped me and…” he shuts his eyes. Khushi is about to touch his arm, to interrupt him but Akash denies by gesturing Khushi not to intervene. Her eyes become moist and this is not the first time she has felt so poor for Arnav Singh Raizada. That night when he had stabbed himself by that knife, she had felt the same compassion for him.

“She started touching me” he swallows hard. His eyes still shut and his voice cracking in between, as if he is taking a lot of efforts to narrate this incident. “She tried to assault me…” His eyes shot open as he feels breathless. Khushi places her arm on his shoulder, trying to ease him down. Akash sighs and leans back on his chair. Khushi passes Arnav a glass of water. He denies but she forces him to drink. He takes a sip and looks elsewhere. He feels suddenly all impure and unwanted.

“Hmm.. It is not right what happened Arnav. Most of such cases are only the root cause of this phobia. This trauma itself has triggered that reaction in you. How did you save yourself then?”
Khushi intervenes.
“Shouldn’t we give him some time to relax Doctor? He is still shivering”
Arnav gently stares at Khushi. It felt warm to see her caring for his present state.
“If Arnav wants to stop here, I have no issues. But the more we dig in the first session, it will be easier to start.” Akash replies.

Before Khushi can argue over it, Arnav continues narrating.

“I managed to smack her face. I . I used all my energy to run away” Arnav answers.
“Good. You did good. What then?” Akash asks.
“I stumbled with the head of that remand house and he analyzed the whole situation.”
“Did that woman get caught?”
Arnav grits his teeth.
“I was traumatized to even give a statement against her for the next few days and then when I wanted to, I got to know she was caught again in a similar situation and when she tried to escape, she faced a bullet and died on the spot”
Khushi had no clue about any of this. Here when she was staying with the Raizadas during those days and adjusting her life, Arnav Singh Raizada was going through so much!!!
“I see.. So why didn’t you tell any of this to your family?” Akash questions again.

Arnav rubs his fingers on forehead.

“I didn’t want Daadi to feel more powerless. She was already going through a lot those days”
“Hmm.. But the lack of right counselling that time and the lack of your family’s support is what have accelerated this trauma, this fear within you. If you had been given a right counselling then, I am sure you wouldn’t have suffered by this phobia any longer. But not to worry. This is enough for today. I just have few more questions but not related to your past, but your present. Are you in a relationship Arnav?”

This one question pricks Arnav’s heart somewhere and Khushi feels that uneasiness within him, in his actions.

“No. I am not” he slowly replies.
“Why not?” Akash questions back. “I mean, is it the fear that the woman whom you will date will demand more than you can give her?”

Arnav passes a soft chuckle and denies by shaking his head.

“I want to give her the world Dr. Akash. It is just that she doesn’t want me”
Khushi feels uncomfortable. Why does he have to start with this topic now? Is this even related to the therapy? Akash chuckles.

“I am glad that you are not totally against the idea of wanting any woman in your life because of that tragedy. Good. I will ensure that we start the right therapy for you from our next sessions. Don’t miss them. Do you see the flashes of that tragedy again and again when you sleep?”
“Sometimes”
“Okay. Let my assistant know your next week’s schedule and till then I will write some medicines for you. They are only for times when you get tremors in your sleep remembering that incident. Not regularly. Okay?”

Arnav shakes his head while Khushi gets normal again because the session did go well. She will not have to escort Arnav every time for this session. Hopefully from next time he will self-drop here. Taking the medicine’s prescription Arnav and Khushi then head out of the clinic. Arnav keeps the paper in his pocket while Khushi follows him out. None of the two speak to each other until they reach the parking. Khushi is the first one to talk.

“I have to go to Lakshmi Nagar. I have some work there”
Arnav stops.
“What work?”
Khushi frowns.
“You don’t need to know everything.”

Arnav glares at her in anger. She can take such a huge step for him but she will not allow him to peep in her life. Why? As if he doesn’t know!!

“Fine. I will ask Mohan to drop you there. Come”

They both head to the car and then Mohan drops Khushi to Lakshmi Nagar. She gets down a little away from her home. After so many years, she is finally going to step in her house again. She has not been here since her father’s death. But the mysterious key which her father left for her in Veeru Kaaka’s house has finally lead her back here. She has to find out what her father wanted her to know. She has skipped this matter for long considering her commitments towards the promise which she has made to Daadi. But not anymore. She has finally stolen some time for herself and without knowing the truth she is not going to return back to Shantivan tonight. As soon as she gets down, Arnav gets down from the car too.

“I can wait for you here” he utters.
“No… I will take some time”
“I can still wait” he reconfirms.

She frowns at him.
“I don’t want you to wait. I will be fine”

Arnav presses his lips into a hard line. Why does she have to argue so much? For some strange reason, he doesn’t want to do that either.

“Come back soon. Or else I am coming here to find you”
His warning almost threatens her but she doesn’t care. He sits back in the car and Mohan drives him to Shantivan while Khushi takes a turn to step in Gupta house.

___________________________________________________

Continued in the next Blog Post. Click HERE