Lawful Sins - Season 2 - Part 22

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Chapter 22

Arnav was engrossed on phone calls. Today was a big day for his sister. She was getting married to the man she loved. She would be gone with NK to Gupta Villa and he will miss her presence around. But unlike the past few years, at least she would be still in the same city and he would meet her whenever he missed her. Since morning the guests had started coming. Nani was busy with the Priest, checking everything on the ritual side. Lavanya’s hair dresser reached him.

“Is she ready?” he asked.

“Yes, but she wants to talk to you”

“Talk? Now?”

“Yes Sir. And she has also called Naniji with you”

Arnav was amused what his sister wanted to speak at this hour? The Guptas would be here any moment. He informed Nani and the two headed to Lavanya’s room.
“La.. what’s going on?” Arnav asked as soon as he saw her weeping before the mirror. Nani pushed the door closed but forgot to lock. “Are you okay? Is the baby fine?”

Arnav embraced her but she gently pushed him away.

“This marriage cannot happen” Her voice was clear and words loud enough for Arnav Singh Raizada to grasp.

“Are you out of your mind?” he snapped. “Lavanya, you love Nandakishore. For God’s sake you are carrying his baby even. What the hell has happened to you to say something so tragic?”

Tears rolled down her cheeks but she wouldn’t let them weaken her.

“I love NK. I am even having his baby but for a future with him, I will not ruin my brother’s dignity”

Arnav couldn’t understand. What did she come to know? Was it the 6-month deal? It was impossible that Lavanya would know about the deal because those papers were secretly kept in their respective offices, in a place where only Arnav and Khushi had access to.

“Lavanya..” Nani came forward. “What are you talking about?”

“I am talking about this..” she showed him the legal papers of Khushi Gupta owning 50% of AR Group shares. Arnav was taken back seeing those papers with Lavanya. What the hell!! But it wasn’t the complete set, just two pages of the entire 23-page deal. Lavanya had read only these two pages which confirmed that he had transferred 50% of his AR group shares to Khushi Gupta. What she didn’t know was that it was only for the next 6 months and there was still a story behind it.

“What are these papers doing with you?” he snatched them without any delay.

“They came for you this morning. Seems you forgot to sign in one page”

Arnav clenched his jaw. This shouldn’t have been disclosed.

“It’s not what you think” he tried to explain.

“What is this? Tell me somebody” Nani shouted.

“Nani” Lavanya walked to Nani. “ASR has shared 50% of our company rights with Khushi Gupta”

“What?” Nani gasped in shock. “Why?”

“I will tell you why” Nandakishore Gupta stormed in the room.

Now his presence, at this moment shook the Raizadas. NK passed a cold stare towards Arnav who had no clue how was he involved in this conversation? Did he know too? Damn!!

“He wants to clear his image, wash up the act that has screwed my sister’s life” he muttered.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Arnav groaned.

“Don’t be so innocent ASR. I am talking about this picture” he showed Khushi’s mobile screen to Arnav whose body heated up seeing the same photo which was clicked to frame him when Khushi and he had spent a night together, in Prem Nivas, the night when he saved Khushi from her false attempts of suicide. Lavanya reached Arnav’s side and saw the picture too. Khushi was almost lying on the bed, whereas Arnav’s strong hands had cupped her face, he had almost leaned over her and it didn’t look they had any clothes on. Lavanya covered her mouth with her palm and stumbled behind.

“Lavanya.. what was it?” Nani came forward.

Arnav snatched the phone from NK’s hand before letting Nani watch it too.

“What is Khushi’s phone doing with you?” Arnav growled. And though that was still an important question to ask, he wanted to know why Khushi Gupta lied to him? Why didn’t she delete each one of those pictures when she had promised to do so when he agreed for their deal.

“I have seen the bruises ASR.. The ones my sister gave to herself after that night. I didn’t know a man like you would ever do that to my sister and then pay her half of his Company Shares to keep her mouth shut?”

The moment he said this, someone turned him around and slapped him hard. Before anyone could realize what happened, Khushi Gupta stood there frozen, for slapping her brother. She had never hurt him, but right now, he deserved it.

“Khush” NK stuttered in a low tone, touching his hurt cheek.

“Apologize to him Kishu.. Right now” Khushi muttered.

“Apologize?” NK snapped. “Never. He has hurt you”

“He hasn’t” she shouted. Arnav watched her with confused eyes. Did she really slap her little brother whom she loved more than her life? Only because he misunderstood the entire scenario and blamed him for things, he hadnt done?

“Stop lying Khush. The photo isn’t a lie”

“It could be morphed” Lavanya argued. “Your sister could do it. I know she is torturing my brother and this 50% shares were a dowry she might have asked from him.”

“Shut up” NK growled at Lavanya. “You cannot point at my sister.”

“Then you stop pointing at my brother” she yelled.

“Enough, both of you” Nani interrupted. “Its your marriage today and how are you both behaving with each other? I didn’t see the photo but I trust my grandson. He would never hurt any woman. Never”

“You mean, we are framing this, Nani?” NK asked but in a lowered tone. He didn’t want to disrespect the old woman.

“No one has lied.. No one framed anything” Khushi muttered unable to meet Arnav Singh Raizada’s eyes. She knew the moment this was over, he would pounce at her for not deleting this photo but it wasn’t her fault. That intensity they both had in this picture was her only solace these days. It strengthened her from something she was not prepared. It consumed her yet soothed her down in her most vulnerable times.

“Then what is the truth?” NK asked. “Come on Khush… we all want to know why are you supporting this man despite of what he did to you?”

“You want to know what that picture is all about and why he gave me 50% of his company shares?” Khushi scowled. “Then listen. We are deeply attracted to each other.. We are exploring the options of our relationship and he gave me this 50% of his company shares only to stabilize Gupta Industry’s financial credibility in the market which any man would do for the woman he was interested in having a future with”

Everyone was shocked. There was complete silence in the room. Arnav felt blood gushing in his brains and though she was half right about the shares part, why the hell was she linking it all to a relationship between them which they never had?

“Relationship?” Lavanya breathed hard. “ASR and you are in a.. relationship?” she turned too look at her brother who had the same confused look on his face.

“You heard it right Lavanya, so don’t make me repeat it. We didn’t want to disclose anything yet because its still very raw to both of us. We..”

“Khushi” Arnav strongly interjected. “We need to talk”

She realized by his tone that he wanted to bury her alive for all the lies she had been weaving.

“Of course” she gave a rigid look to both NK and Lavanya before walking out of the room, followed by Arnav Singh Raizada.

Nani slouched on the chair. What was she hearing? Her grandson and Khushi Gupta? This was next to impossible.

“I don’t believe them” Lavanya fumed.

“My sister wouldn’t lie. She has nothing to lie. Why will she cover up for your brother unless they are dating each other?”

“They are not dating.. ASR was with Tara last night”

“Did he tell you that?” NK scowled. “Because that’s not true. He was with Khush.. at Gupta Villa.. In her room and he left this morning. I have seen the video footage”

Lavanya felt like she would collapse any moment.

“You are lying” she cried.

“I have the footage home” NK replied confidently. “He kneeled before her and took her hands in his. “Believe me La, when I saw that video I wanted to call him up and ask him straight away what was happening. When Khushi was busy this morning, I checked her phone and that’s when I saw that picture. I had no problem if they both were dating or wanted to explore their feelings for each other. But I wouldn’t let it go until your brother assured me that he was serious about Khush. That’s why when I came here, I headed straight to meet him. I heard you asking him about the 50% shares and my blood boiled. If he was going to pay my sister instead and push her out of his life, I would never leave him.

Lavanya frowned. She wasn’t able to connect the dots anymore. She was so stressed.

“But how could you deny our marriage?” NK muttered angrily. “This day… this bond between us is so important La. Whatever happens between ASR and Khush, I don’t want to lose you”

“I cannot marry you because I know your sister is threatening ASR with something. He wouldn’t have any relationship with her. She is not his type”

“And you think ASR is my sister’s type?” NK growled. “No, he is not”

“Enough you both. Stop fighting” Nani intervened. “Let us wait for them to return. Do not take any hasty decisions which can ruin everything between these two families now. You both have already crossed many lines. It is time we set this right instead of arguing”

Lavanya remained quiet and so did Nandakishore. Now they all waited for Arnav and Khushi to come back in the room.

Arnav locked the door of the guest room where he had taken her to talk. The moment they were alone, he snapped.

“Our deal is off” he growled. “I had told you specifically to delete every single photo of that night and you clearly didn’t”

“Read the contract again Arnav. The deal would have been Off if Lavanya had got to know about this 6-month contract between us which she hasn’t so far. You are still mine.. you will be mine.. and you will do exactly what I say.. during this tenure.”

“This is over Khushi Gupta” he shouted. “And the story you framed is disgusting. I have nothing to do with you”

It hurt her. But she didn’t let it affect her pride.

“You think I want anything physical from you? No, Mr. Raizada. I have better options in men than you.”

“Then why did you lie?”

“Because that was the only way to sort this matter. Look around. The marriage mahurat is almost up. I didn’t know Kishu had a camera installed in the living room to record the footage of Lavanya’s griha pravesh tonight in a different angle. He saw you going out of my room this morning and probably that’s why he checked my phone and saw that picture. I had deleted it”

Now that was a lie. She could never delete that picture.

“The deleted pictures on my phone get stored in a trash folder for 30 days until I clear my trash too which I clearly didn’t realize to do.”

Arnav groaned in frustration. The story which she told his family would create more fuss and his Nani and Lavanya would never believe it.

“If you want to see your sister start a family with Kishu then you will have to accept what I said and proceed with the marriage”

Arnav didn’t speak a word. He kept looking elsewhere, trying to focus what decision to be taken.

“You don’t want to see Lavanya happy? She is breaking off this marriage. Is that what you want?”

“Don’t blackmail me with my sister”

“I am not blackmailing you Arnav Singh Raizada. I am asking you to think from every angle. The whole world knows they are marrying today and if this doesn’t happen, none of the two families could bear the humiliation. You think Kishu and La will be happy if they separate? I had to lie.. to save their relationship.. I have learnt this from you. And now you cannot back off”

“Learnt from me? I never lie”

“But you save relations from breaking. That’s what you did with La and Kishu. You agreed to do anything to see them together and happy”

Arnav was in fix.

“This.. this is totally wrong. They are linking us for no reason”

“We will break it officially when required” she answered. “I never said we are going to marry. We are just exploring the possibilities of our togetherness. Everyone knows we are two people with different goals and choices. We will tell them this didn’t work and we will part ways”

Arnav’s eyes bore into her.

“You have no limits Miss Gupta. This a big lie and it will not just ruin my image but also yours”

“I don’t care” she shrugged. “I just want this marriage to happen because breaking it because of us is the last thing I wish now”

Arnav fisted and unfisted his fingers, unable to take a decision. The hardest part was convincing Lavanya.

They returned back in the other room and three pair of eyes were watching them anxiously, waiting for some words which could sort this situation.


“Lavanya” Arnav reached his sister. “I want you and NK together. Living a happily married life”

“No ASR. I wont let you bear the burns of my marriage”

“You still don’t believe it? Whatever Khushi said is partly right. We… we have started to like each other. I should have told you but I wanted to be sure before I confess it to Nani and you”

“Chotte… are you in any kind of pressure. Please tell me”

“He is dating an independent businesswoman Naniji” Khushi interrupted. “Not any smuggler or Don who can blackmail him for getting things done her way. Trust him when he says we are together and like each other’s company”

“I don’t believe this” Lavanya cried.

“Hey…” Arnav cupped her jaw. “You have to trust me. Please. And don’t stress so much, it is not good for your baby”

NK pressed Lavanya’s shoulder.

“La.. if that’s what they want, we shouldn’t poke. I am glad this is not how I thought it was. I will be more than happy if my sister gets a life partner like ASR”

Khushi’s body tickled at the approval. But one thing was still pending.

“Time is up. We should get the rituals going. Kishu.. come on” Khushi gave a final stare to Arnav. NK was ready to leave down when Khushi stopped him.

“Arent you forgetting something Kishu?” she asked.

Nandakishore read her unsaid words. He knew how particular his sister was when she demanded. She had asked him to apologize to Arnav which he hadnt done yet. He nodded and looked remorsely at Arnav Singh Raizada.

“Sorrry ASR. I shouldn’t have said all that. As a brother, I was just worried if Khush is safe and.. I said all that.. Please forgive me”

Arnav swallowed and gave a gentle nod as if accepting his apology. Once Khushi and NK left the room, Arnav focused back on Lavanya and Nani. He knew whatever happened, none of two believed him that he would choose Khushi Gupta to be that woman in his life.


To be Continued.


NEXT PART

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The sequel to Bride Lost and Found (The Bride Series Book 1) is finally HERE to all those who wanted to read about Niyati and Jahaan Singh's after married life - His Destined Bride (The Bride Series Book 2)

Jahaan Singh and Niyati's marriage was accidental but there was a spark in their relationship from the moment they had seen each other at the marriage canopy. While Niyati was not interested in marriage or relationships, Jahaan couldnt lose her to maintain his Royal Tag and family status. Sorting a middle way was their only option left. But what would happen if his Ex Bride returned?

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EXCERPT

“Mrs. Singh. No one is going to cut your leg. It’s a hairline fracture. You will be alright in a week or two. But until then no walking”

“Oh” she sighed in relief.

He wrote some medicines which Durga immediately asked the servant to get.

“Complete bed rest, am I clear?” Durga warned her once the Doctors left. “I will check upon Jahaan”

“You don’t have to tell him this, Daayima”

“I already have. And he has started for home”

It sounded like an alarm. Jahaan Singh, leaving all his work aside and rushing home to check upon her injured leg? Is that a good sign? She hoped so. The sedatives started kicking and she preferred resting for a while before the real hurricane named Jahaan Singh returned and gave her an earful.

∞∞∞

Hairline Fracture? The term was a combination of both relief and panic. Jahaan Singh analyzed the plaster of his wife’s leg while she snored peacefully on the bed under sedation. There was a bandage on her forehead too but just an inch longer. She really had a bad fall off Misty. He sipped his coffee which Daayima prepared the moment he reached home.

“What else did the Doctor’s say?” he asked Durga who was standing next to him.

“She can walk once the plaster is removed in 2 weeks”

“Diet restrictions?”

“None”

“Hmm” he sipped his coffee again, without moving his gaze from Niyati’s face. Even in a condition like this, she looked gorgeous. Damn! What was he thinking?

“You must be tired. I will sleep with her in this room and you can get your share of sleep in the other” Durga insisted.

“No, I will be fine here”

“But Jahaan?”

He didn’t argue and neither did she. There were streaks of worry all over his face for his wife which Durga knew would fade only when he stays in the same room and looks after her. She had always loved that quality in Jahaan. He had been a perfect gentleman in taking care of people he loved. She left the room quietly.


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