Chapter 16
From: Khushiguptahatesyou@gmail.com
To: arnavsinghraizada@gmail.com
Subject: Just an Update
I don’t know if you are even looking for me. I am not at my father’s residence, nor in India. I’m safe and happy without you or your hurtful words, without your judgements and without your commands. I am happy wherever I am, away from you. Don’t try to look for me anymore. Because even if you find me, I am never returning back to you, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada.
Regards,
Khushi
That’s it! She’s safe. Fine. Lavanya knows where she is and she won’t tell me. Fine! But I somehow can’t tolerate Khushi telling me she is never returning to me. I haven’t done anything either to give her any hopes of us together. But that doesn't mean I am letting our relationship hanging in between. I reply back to that email instantly.
From: arnavsinghraizada@gmail.com
To: Khushiguptahatesyou@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Just an Update
Just emailing me that you are fine is not going to ease my worries. Come back, Khushi. If you don’t, I am coming looking for you and it won’t end well. You want to do modelling, do it staying here in India with me. I don’t mind. Just come back or tell me where you are, I am coming to pick you up. Reply right away.
Regards,
Arnav Singh Raizada
I pace in the living room of Lavanya’s residence hoping Khushi would reply me instantly but almost an hour passes and she doesn't.
“She wouldn’t reply you, Arnav. As far as I know her now, she doesn't want you in her life and she has every right to push you away.”
I wish I had a counterreply to that. But she is right. Khushi has made her decision.
“She can’t make that decision alone..” I snap.
Lavanya laughs at my remark and I just glare at her to stop. She does stop laughing after a few seconds.
“She can’t make that decision alone? Seriously ASR? Then what were you doing so far? You took the decision to marry her without her consent… Alone!! You didn’t tell her exactly what you were avenging her and her father for.. You made that decision alone… You even denied having feelings for her despite consummating your marriage with her… Why isn’t she allowed to make some decisions for herself now?”
That’s it. I can’t take her accusations anymore.
“Tell me where she is, La..”
“never..” she refutes. “Until she wants me to tell you, I am never opening my mouth..”
I clench my jaw. Lavanya is my friend and she is backstabbing me? I should be angry and I am but a part of me is glad that she’s got Khushi’s back.
“Then promise me you will look after her wellbeing until I find her.”
Lavanya is blank now.
“I want her to be safe and away from any troubles. Make sure that’s taken care of because its not easy for anyone to survive in a foreign country alone without much support at least in the initial phases. Just give her that until I find her myself.”
I turn around to leave.
“What will you do when you find her?” she asks but I don’t reply to her and keep walking to the exit.
Wish I had the answer to this question.
*******************
Weekend – New York.
I shouldn’t be here again to meet Arnav’s mother but I had promised her and my heart didn’t want to break that promise. So, despite Shyam denying me to meet her, I convince him and he lets me see Aunty. She is too excited and drags me to her bed where she sits and begins to talk about me and Arnav.
“Why is Arnav not here??” she queries. “the kind of man he is, he would never let his wife go alone in a different country.”
I am confused what to reply but I give her my best answers, even if I have to make them up.
“He had work to handle in India and I am here for my training and work.”
“What training are you here for?”
“Modelling. I … I always wanted to become a model and…”
She palms my cheek.
“And you want to stand on your own feet. Earn yourself despite knowing your husband has money to feed you both?”
I nod.
“That’s such a great thought, Khushi. I really loved it.”
I am surprised she has no issues with my modelling. To be honest, two days ago when I emailed Arnav to not look for me and he replied back to my email asking me to return to him and that he would allow me to do modelling in India, I was shocked. Arnav was letting me take up modelling offers? Or did he say that so I could return to him?
“You miss him, don’t you?” his mother’s voice breaks my reverie.
I miss Arnav? I don’t know. Should I? I don’t think so.
“A bit..” I swallow. “But we talk daily”
Now that’s a pure lie. But I tell this only for her satisfaction. She smiles.
“He wouldn’t be able to stay without you much if he loves you. Mark my words, he will come here soon.”
My heart skips a beat. I don’t want Arnav here and complicate my life again. But I pretend to fake a smile for his mother who believes that her son has finally got his happily ever after. If only she knew this was never possible, at least not from my end.
*********************
One month Later
My modelling training is going on well. Pam and I go for a drink on weekend. It’s been a great month in New York. I have learnt so many new things about life. It’s really hard to survive in a country like this but all thanks to Lavanya whose penthouse I stay in, and friends like Pam who always make me smile, that I could still pass my days. I also don’t miss meeting Arnav’s mother almost twice every week. We have started bonding. It’s strange but I like talking to her. Whenever she palms my cheeks, kisses my forehead or even strokes my head, I feel like there is someone who still cares for me. I wish Dad could have done this too. I miss Dad even though he hadn’t even tried to look for me even now. I don’t think he did. I even asked Lavanya and she had no response to that which means Dad has no worry for me at all. How can he be so cool even knowing I am not even calling him up? Is he really so busy doing business? Black Business!! My shut my eyes and try to focus on Pam who brings our drinks. We toast the drinks.
“That’s for your new assignment, babes,” Pam cheers.
Yes. In one month of training I earned my debut modelling contract. It’s for a cosmetic company where they needed a model for an advertisement on lip gloss. They chose me and I am glad because that means I am also going to get paid for doing that ad.
“I am nervous,” I mean it.
“I know. First assignment is always like that but… you don’t have to be. You are too good and your lips are the ones who will have to work in the ad… not you…”
She makes fun of my remark but instead of laughing with her, I recall the moments when I actually had put my lips to work… While devouring Arnav’s body.. I had kissed him in such tender spots on his body which I always fantasized to do so. I shut my eyes to erase those memories from my head. But no matter what I do throughout the day, at the end of it, I am always thinking about me and him and what it could be if he hadnt denied having feelings for me the other day. Was this really some kind of payback that God was giving me this time? Like karma? Once I rejected Arnav’s love because I wasn’t serious about spending the rest of my life with him. I was just experimenting on him and this time he was probably doing the same. Arnav used me and literally scarred my heart like it didn’t mean a thing to him ever.
“One more?” Pam asks and I agree for one more shot. That’s all I would drink though because I want to be sober. Now I want my control over my life and nothing or no one can snatch that from me.
When she moves away to bring another drink for us, I surf on the internet about my father and Gupta industries. The news articles there stun me!! Dad’s black business is out and now he is suffering heavy losses. All people who had relied in him and the company are almost sitting on his neck to get their money back. When the hell did this happen? And wait… Does Arnav have to do anything with it? OMG!! Yes, who else? Only Arnav knew all these secrets about my father’s black business. If he did this, it only means that Arnav’s revenge mode is still on. But is it only restricted to my father or he is having those same intentions for me as well? I don’t care anymore. But I can’t let Dad be alone in this state. I quickly dial his number from my phone and despite innumerous rings he doesn't answer. How else can I contact him? Lavanya??
**********************
“Khushi calm down,” Lavanya speaks as I call her once I reach home. It’s a video call so she can literally see my confused state. “You look worried..”
“Of course I am worried. My father is facing so many issues in India because of Arnav and you want me to be normal?”
“This had to happen some day, Khushi. You know it. If not Arnav, someone else would have opened it up. And let me tell you he wasn’t doing any good Business. He was involved with people doing drug business too. Can you believe that? He was literally helping people supply drugs in pubs of almost every metro city in this country.”
My heart literally stops beating. Dad did all this?
“Khushi, he has many legal charges against him and there is no point you even trying to bail him out in any way because firstly you will fail because he is really wrong this time and lastly, that would mean you will have to come back here to stay by your father’s side despite knowing he is wrong. People have died because of him… because of the drugs he sold… Don’t you think he has to pay for that?"
Tears gush in my eyes and roll down my cheeks. Dad could do all that??
“For the first time in your life you are doing something right, Khushi.” Lavanya continues. “Don’t stand by the wrong again. You were unaware what business he did and thank God that you are not here or else the police and the authorities would have grilled you too for knowing details about his business.”
She is right.
“But he is my father…”
“Did he act like one when you needed him the most?” she snaps.
I swallow the painful fresh tears choking at the back of my throat.
“Focus on your career. And please cheer up. This is just another phase and it will pass. You wouldn’t believe he didn’t even ponder once where you are or with whom. Your father was a selfish man and the whole world is seeing his true side now. He has done too many crimes and you can’t even count those.”
I don’t know if I can ever do that. Seeing my father falling apart, my husband breaking me with his hatred and hurtful words, I don’t think I have much left to survive for except this little life here in New York which is completely new to me. Only if, things hadn’t turned so ugly in my life in the past.
“And one more thing,” Lavanya continues. “Arnav is still looking for you insanely. It won’t be long enough before he tracks you in New York and…”
“And if he does, I don’t care anymore.” I cut her statement. “No matter what Lavanya, I have shut every lane which can take me to him.”
Lavanya wants to tell me something more but after knowing my reply she probably changes her mind.
“Alright. You take care of yourself.”
I nod and disconnect the call. Arnav is still looking for me? What can he do if he comes here? Will he play with my modelling contracts here and make me lose them? Can he go that extent? I am still pondering when shyam’s call rings on my phone. He never calls me at such odd timings but I still answer the call.
“Hello..”
“Can you come to the hospital.?”
He sounds in stress.
“Yes. Why though? Is Aunty alright?”
“Just come here please… She’s got a Panic attack and is calling you. Please if you can come here and…”
“I am on my way..”
I wipe my tears and rush out of the house.
To be Continued.
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Don't forget to hear my Audio post on "The Story Behind the Story" for "The Forbidden Series. It's interesting. :)
It won't take long for arnav to track you down khushi.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Update. Khushi don't want to return to Arnav was expected after Arnav's rude behavior. Arnav though want Khushi to come back should apologize to Khushi. Arnav's feelings are very confusing. He loves her can't let go of Khushi yet behaved rudely. Lavanya is the most mature and understanding character. She showed Arnav the mirror. Arnav is happy for Khushi wants her safety and is so much concerned for Khushi . He though loves Khushi did a mistake so he didn't answered Lavanya's question. Atleast his realisation is there. Khushi and Arnav's mom relationship is shaping up well. Khushi got modelling offers for Arnav only. Khushi lied to Arnav's mom but she is right Arnav will come for her. Khushi wants to keep distance. Khushi finally found some solace in Arnav's mom which her dad couldn't give. Khushi recalled Arshi's intimate moments. Did Arnav really made Shashi Gupta suffered. Poor Khushi don't have any idea about her dad's profession. She is suffering because of Arnav and her dad. Arnav and Khushi will meet at the hospital . Waiting for Arshi's meeting😍😍 Thanks for the Update😍😍
ReplyDeleteShe is suffering because of her past did? so why blame other? wah. what a lame think
DeleteWhoever were saying khushi is heartless, brat, selfish, witch, wicked, arrogant, bitch and all sorts of nasty, dirty and negative objectives to describe her character and giving verdicts for the punishment, i wanna ask them that tell me from which angle she looks deserving of such beautiful objectives!!!??
ReplyDeleteThis girl here is pining, missing, worrying and crying for a man who was supposed to be her father, who had literally trade her intern of hiding and save his dirty business, who had kept her in a golden cage all her life, who had never for once asked her after trading her that how she is doing, who had literally THREW her out of her own house again just to save his dirty world and money, who never for once cared to look back for her and inquire about her wellbeing. Even after all this, even after being abundant by him she cares for him and look out for him.
This girl here has faced the same or worse fate in hands of her husband too. I have said about arnav enough before, not gonna repeat again.
Still, still, she never got resentful and hostile towards any of them. She never wished bad for them neither intended to do so. She just wanted a life, outside her golden cage. But still consider a villain and begrudged and i can't help but wonder.
Well said! Thats how the typical mindsets work! Always blame the women. On the otherhand, in the original series as well as many stories Arnav was very abusive. Despite that he was loved.
DeleteOf course man! Why wouldn't arnav be loved! He is a man, man! A man with a PAST. He is justified and allowed to do whatever the hell he wants because he had a past. As if others didn't lol.
DeleteNo offense to anyone neither wants to start a war. Just, wasn't able to control. Plz no words war now.
it was khushi all started? then why should not khushi punished?
DeleteI wonder if Arnav finds Khushi so soon what will be next.. cause like a cliche I was expecting some time gap between them before they meet again but looks like they gonna meet soon
ReplyDeleteOh 😳 why do I feel that shyam's telephone is just a trap for khushi and she will find arnav there with his mother ... waiting for next parts but I think that they will separate officially for some time because khushi is very hurt
ReplyDeleteWow. Awesome. I think this will be the turning point and Arnav and Kushi will be brought together by his mother because of whom they moved apart. It will be a tough journey I am sure but Madhu will make all the twists and turns exciting enough for us.
ReplyDeleteSo glad she's standing on her feet and fighting for her worth! Kudos
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to his mother now?there is more truth right... When that it will be out
ReplyDeleteKhushi got her first modelling project. Wish from now onwards everything success and happiness for Khushi.
ReplyDeleteArnav want Khushi to come back him but that's not easy. Khushi hurt too much bcz of him and her father. It will not easily healed with some times.
And this one month, Khushi become very close with arnav's mother. Khushi got the love and care which she didn't get from anyone from childhood. I really wish after arnav's mom got to know Khushi is the one who arnav love in past, also she won't hate Khushi.
After shashi choose his business and reputation over her daughter and abandoned her khushi's worrying too much for her father. No one deserved this Khushi.
Arshi can meet sometimes when arnav will come to meet his mom after this panic attack.Let's see how arshi going to meet......
Waiting for the next update dear...
Is Arnav with his Mother or on his way to meet(cause of panic attack)his Mother????
ReplyDeleteIt will be too soon if they have face off......
Ohhh God.....
I understand that this is not the page for this purpose, but idk any other blog or pages that are as active even today....but there's this particular story that has been on my mind since soooo looooooong and I am unable to find and re read it. In its epilogue/last chapter, Arshi's daughter has entered AR and wants to gift an important deal to her father on her parents 25th anniversary. Male opposite her is infatuated and intrigued by her and his name starts with V and she needs his sign/approval for the deal. Pls help me with the name of the story if anyone knows, Pls pls (before I lose my mind:))
ReplyDeleteAwesome written written…will Arnav find Khushi soon
ReplyDeleteAwesome written will Arnav find Khushi soon … amila
ReplyDeleteNeed some suggestions of madhu's published books to read. I prefer breakup and patch up stories.
ReplyDeleteMr and Mrs Kapoor is the best one in that case
Delete