Chapter 40
Arnav’s POV
I sip some water whilst seeing Khushi speaking to my family over the lunch table. She looks calm, happy and so much enjoying the mood of this day. We took our marriage vows again in the temple few hours ago. More than our real wedding, it is this day which has left a deep impact in my heart. I am contented to have taken those vows again with Khushi and this time I am going to abide by each one of them.
“Saale Sahab, you are hardly eating anything,” Shyam’s voice breaks my thoughts.
From the temple, we all had drove to this nearest Indian restaurant for a family lunch. The moment Jeeju teases me, Khushi and Maa both stare at me as if wanting to know if its true.
“Shyam,” Di strokes my arm. “Don't tease my brother. His appetite will be satiated not by food today but the love of his wife.”
The moment she says this, everyone laughs except me and Khushi. We are sitting at a round table and Khushi is exactly opposite to me. Our gazes keep glued on each other as if reading each other’s mind. I really want to make love to Khushi, only if she lets me show her how much she means for the survival of my heart.
“I think its time to leave them alone,” Maa interrupts.
“Maa, no. We don’t mind spending time with you all.” Khushi replies.
Maa pats her cheek.
“We know that, Khushi but today is your day. You and Arnav should spend quality time with each other. We are going nowhere. Whenever you two want, you can come and visit us at Anjali’s home.”
“She is right,” Di adds cuddling her daughter Sara. “Sara is also tired. She sleeps in the afternoon. We should go home.”
I quickly settle the bill as this was my treat to my family today. Khushi and I see off the family as Shyam drives them away, leaving us for each other. The moment they are gone, Khushi slides her fingers around my neck, drawing me to her and latches her lips with mine. Thank God she did it because I was on the edge of doing the same to her. We are in the middle of the road, during a weekday where hundreds of people are passing by us and instead of being sensible and take this ahead once we reach home, Khushi and I are publicly kissing like we can’t survive without this. She threads her fingers in my hair with one hand while her other smoothe over my shoulder making it harder for me to stop. I wanted her. So bad. That I had to groan when she pulled away by the sound of a car horn.
We were almost blocking the little road. Feeling embarrassed, Khushi drags me towards our car, letting other vehicles to pass freely again.
“Where to?” I ask her, holding my breath as we reach her car. I want her to tell me to take her home because there is nowhere else I would want to go at this moment. Home is where she’ll be all mine..
“Shopping..”
Her reply confuses me.
“Shopping? Now?”
Khushi holds her grin.
“Yes, hubby. Shopping and now. I’ve to buy a few things. And lets not forget we are still going slow. Only because we took our marriage vows again today doesn't mean we are hitting the bed straight.”
I exhale audibly before opening the car door for her.
“I hate being this slow,” I mutter as she stops by me to get inside the car.
Khushi bites her lip, holding her blush before pecking my chin this time.
“Today is the best day of my life,” she murmurs against my neck before giving me a wet kiss there. “You have no clue how much taking the vows again, surrounded by your family meant to me.”
“I know.” I curl my arms around her waist drawing her to me and kiss her forehead. “It’s the best day of my life too. Now before I change my mind and take you home, get in the car. We are going shopping.”
Khushi chuckles before getting inside. I hope she is a quick shopper.
*****************
Khushi’s POV
We shopped for nearly three hours and got gifts for everyone in the family. Having a candle light dinner at an Italian restaurant, we finally reached home and I started segregating the bags.
“I still don't understand why have we shopped for everyone?” Arnav asks, flopping on the couch exhausted by our whole day out.
“We never gifted them anything together, Arnav. That's why. As a couple on this auspicious day of we retaking the marriage vows, I wanted to buy gifts for everyone who have always supported us. Who else I have other than your family now? Shyam, Anjali, Sara and Maa have really done a lot for us, haven’t they.”
Arnav smiles agreeing to my words.
“Oh, wait.” I pause looking at him. “What about your Uncle? We didn’t buy anything for him.”
The smile that adorned his face is suddenly off.
“I am so sorry, Arnav. I completely forgot about him. In fact, you should have reminded me. Anyways, the first thing we will do tomorrow is buy a gift for him as well. Okay?”
“Not needed” Arnav whispers.
“Not needed? Why? He is a family too, Arnav. So what if he stays in India? Whenever we go back, I am going to meet him personally and gift him.”
Arnav looks away and the sad expressions on his face tell me he wants to tell me something.
“Arnav?” I sit next to him, holding his hand. “What happened? I hope your uncle is okay..”
Arnav takes a deep breath before shrugging.
“He is no more.”
My heart skips a beat. No more? I didn’t know that.
“I… I am sorry.. I… I didn’t know..”
“You don't know..” Arnav interrupts.. “Not your fault because I am yet to tell you the final part of my tragic past which involves him.”
Oh god! Was his uncle tortured by Shashi Gupta too? I think he was and I already have a bitter feeling about it.
“You can tell me this some other day…” I say, not wanting to spoil Arnav’s mood tonight.
“No, Khushi. Its high time you know everything. It’s better I share it all in one go and not in installments, because telling you in parts makes it even more painful.”
He is right. So I let him complete that chapter of his past which I am yet to know.
“Di was in love with a guy from her college and suddenly one day she found out she was pregnant from him.” Arnav says, his tone wavering.
I am no one to judge Anjali’s past but now that Arnav is slowly revealing the final chapters of his past which led him to revenge my father, I can’t wait to know how this all connects to Shashi Gupta.
“She was obviously worried what to do about it considering Maa was already sick and, in the hospital, having no much memories of us because of the accident. My Uncle gave her the support she needed and took her to the clinic for the check-up and confirmed the news. She was too emotional and worried how her life was going to be changed suddenly and at that point when even I was unable to shift my focus from Maa and her hospitalization. Uncle was still standing strong for us as a family and I…. I appreciated that. Our finances were getting depleted because of the hospital bills.”
I can only imagine all of this and Arnav’s helpless state in the past. How did he cope up with it? No wonder he lost his cool and turned so bitter.
“When Di told me about her four-week pregnancy, I was hell annoyed but only because I wanted to see Di happy, we decided mutually to speak to her boyfriend and his family about it and get them married to the soonest.”
I nod. That was the only option any family would think of in such situations.
“But then..” He exhales.
I see the lines of rage on his forehead which Arnav tries to soothe down by rubbing his palms over his face.
“When we met that family, they didn’t give us any warm welcome despite being equally responsible of Di’s state.”
“Why?” I choke unable to connect the dots.
Arnav stares in my eyes. His anger intensifies but its not for me, but recalling that situation.
“Because Shashi Gupta had spread the news with fake proofs to that family that Di was pregnant.. but she didn’t carry her boyfriend’s baby in her womb.. but…” Tears of anguish rolls down his eyes. “But my uncle’s.”
I shut my mouth in horror. What the hell!! How could my father do that? He literally left nothing undone to ensure Arnav’s life becomes miserable and he breaks down and walks away from my life. And he didn’t do it for me or to save me from a stalker that Arnav was during those days or to keep me away from the man I didn’t love, Shashi Gupta did this because he knew Arnav knew his dark secrets and had also challenged my father to spill them out.
“Arnav….” I hold his hand to give him all of my strength. Arnav’s body is too cold at the moment but he continues to narrate that incident.
“Shashi Gupta.. had clicked pictures of Di hugging uncle before the maternity clinic where she had done the checkup and Shashi Gupta framed an entire fake story to Di’s boyfriend and his family. My uncle and I tried to explain them it was all false and if they needed, they could even do the paternity test but they didn’t hear us out.”
I am speechless as I hear further.
“Di couldn’t bear that news nor my uncle. Both were not that strong enough anymore to handle this Khushi..”
Tears moist my eyes, blurring my vision as I continue to hear him.
“In a week, Uncle took the harsh step of suicide and ended his life as this fake news had spread like fire in our neighborhood.” Arnav swallowed painfully, gripping my hand tight for some strength. “We had to shift from there. There was nothing left for us in Delhi anymore. Uncle’s sudden death, Maa’s hospitalization and Di’s uncalled pregnancy had left me alone and distressed. No one came to help and I’d no effing clue what to do next. Moving on from that place was the only choice left. That's when I met Dhiraj Kshyap, my uncle’s boss.”
I keep listening.
“He was also a close childhood friend to my Uncle because somewhere Mr. Kshyap had started his business from scratch once. It was my uncle who had helped him morally during those days. After he set up his business and flourished, he had appointed my uncle under him. My uncle’s death was a shocking news for Dhiraj Kshyap and when he heard the entire background of why it happened and how Shashi Gupta’s sins and cruelty had ruined my entire family, he promised to help me out. I didn’t know how much it would work but he was my only choice that time. He shifted us to New York where his core business was set up. Maa was admitted in the hospital where Shyam practiced and thats how Shyam got attached to our family. Di stayed with Maa here and I joined the Kyshap’s business to implement my ideologies and whatever experience I had gained from working with Shashi Gupta. One such idea of mine saved his millions of dollars over a project and in return, he helped me set up my own business, letting me lead that project through my newly formed company.”
Oh! That's how Arnav became suddenly rich in a span of 6 years. It wasn’t that he had robbed anyone or did anything wrong, like I used to think earlier. He had worked hard with his ideas and knowledge to achieve all this and of course, if Dhiraj Kshyap had not been his backbone that time, it wouldn’t have been possible in such less time.
“Then I met Dhiraj Kshyap’s daughter Lavanya.” Arnav’s face lits up with a weak smile. “She became the friend I needed who heard all my frustration, the ups and downs of my life. She heard from me about the woman I loved who didn’t love me back.”
I swallow nervously not wanting to go to that chapter of my life. So I lean closer to him and look into his eyes with wanting.
“I was heavily confused about my feelings for you during that phase of my life, Arnav but God knows, you have been the only man I’ve always wanted.”
Arnav smiles again and pulls me in his embrace.
“I know.. Now I Know Khushi. But I didn’t know it then..” he pulls me tighter to his chest as he continues. “With each passing day, my hatred for you and the urge to revenge your father was growing tenfold. But I couldn’t do anything at that time. I needed more time.. to play the cards wisely. All I could do that time was plan my revenge and wait for the right time to hit it hard on you and Shashi Gupta.”
Tears flood in my eyes but I don't let them fall. I wipe them off and pulling away met his gaze as he continues.
“Whilst I was becoming stronger day by day to face life, Di was getting weaker emotionally. She lost her baby five months later because of all the mental trauma she had to bear for being single and pregnant plus the guilt that our innocent uncle ended his life because of her.”
I have no words! I could literally visualize and feel their pain. Arnav and his family had gone through so much..
“The doctors had to operate Di and due to some complications, they had to remove her uterus which meant she could never become a mother again. That hit her hard again. Those were the hardest days of her life. Shyam was the one who gave her new hope, made her smile again and they bonded over the next few years. She was motivated to be a doctor like Shyam and he helped her study for it. Di cleared the exams and then soon, started her training. Things were finally sorting out for Di and Maa. A year and half ago Shyam proposed Di for marriage, despite knowing everything about her life and that she could never give him children of their own. He was okay with it. That's true love Khushi. To accept your partners flaws and still help your partner smile and shine in life.”
I sob! That's true. It’s love.. Love is magical. It’s powerful than we think it is. I am learning its worth slowly.
“Rest you know.. Once they got married, and Maa was a bit better than before, I decided it was time to finally hit Shashi Gupta where I thought would hit him bad.. You… I targeted you Khushi.. And I won’t lie I didn’t want to see you hurt. Of course I did. But I was so damn wrong.. Thank God that despite all that we both faced in our lives, we are still together..”
The moment he says this, I hug Arnav tight, curling my arms around his neck. We both stay like that, drowning our pain with our tears. Shashi Gupta was a monster and he played with so many people’s lives. I can only imagine how weak and miserable Arnav might have been facing all of these situations one by one in his life. I’d no clue so much was happening in his life because I rejected him and told Shashi Gupta to keep him away from me. Of course, Shashi Gupta had his own agenda too here but if I hadn’t involved with Arnav or given him any hopes, none of this would have escalated to such an extent. But I am glad this is over… It’s all over and finally, we all are slowly towards the path of happiness forever..
To be Continued.
NEXT PART
Note: Sorry for the delayed update. Again, just like it keeps happening with my Amazon publishing account every two weeks, my account is temporarily suspended again. This on and off of my account and my books on Amazon has brought down my morale to keep writing consistently. Apologies for all delays friends but I’m seriously drowned head to toe in fighting tooth and nail with the Amazon team for my books. I hope you understand and not be disappointed or angry over my fewer updates every week. Thank you.
Forbidden, Fallen and Feel My Love books - Wide distribution
_______________________________________________________________
Note: Sorry for the delayed update. Again, just like it keeps happening with my Amazon publishing account every two weeks, my account is temporarily suspended again. This on and off of my account and my books on Amazon has brought down my morale to keep writing consistently. Apologies for all delays friends but I’m seriously drowned head to toe in fighting tooth and nail with the Amazon team for my books. I hope you understand and not be disappointed or angry over my fewer updates every week. Thank you.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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FORBIDDEN (The Forbidden Series Book 1)
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FALLEN (The Forbidden Series Book 2)
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________________________________________________________________
EBOOK LINKS
INDIAN READERS
1. Amazon - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - Amazon Kindle App
2. Instamojo (PDF COPY ON EMAIL) - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - PDF copy will be sent on email upon purchase which can be read on any electronic device like phones, laptop or tablets.
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4. Google Play Books - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - Google Play Books App on Android phones
INTERNATIONAL READERS
1. Amazon - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - Amazon Kindle App
2. Gumroad (PDF COPY ON EMAIL) - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - PDF copy will be sent on email upon purchase which can be read on any electronic device like phones, laptop or tablets.
3. Apple Books - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - iTunes (On your iPhones and Tablets)
4. Barnes N Noble - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - NOOK ebook reader (Download from your Android Playstore)
Where to Read - NOOK ebook reader (Download from your Android Playstore)
5. Kobo - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - Kobo ebook reader App (Download from your Android Playstore)
6. Google Play Books - CLICK HERE
Where to Read - Google Play Books App on Android phones
Sorry to say but all of what happened in the past still doesn't justify arnav's action and motives. Tbh arnav did tit for tat. What was done to him he did it to someone's else and in return turn into his enemy. He became an other shashi gupta. In a thirst for revenge, just like Shashi gupta, he spoiled another girl's life too.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree dear.
DeleteOh glad someone said it
DeleteAwesome Update. Arshi again got married. Arnav loves Khushi so much. Both Arshi are so romantic. Specially Khushi who kissed Arnav in the middle of the road. Arshi blocked the roads by their romance. Arnav finally shared his painful past. Arnav's family suffered a lot due to Shashi Gupta.Arnav's uncle and Anjali both suffered. Shashi Gupta is disgusting.Arnav's uncle boss helped Arnav to establish the business Arnav too worked hard. Arnav mentioned about Lavanya too. Anjali found Shyam who cured her up and Loved her truly. Finally Arshi are at peace and living happily. Khushi shouldn't blame herself Shashi Gupta is a bad man and Khushi has no fault. But Arnav shouldn't have involved Khushi in his revenge. Thanks for the wonderful Update.😍😍
ReplyDeleteHope your problems get solved soon ☺️ .
ReplyDeleteBoth the girls(anjali and khushi) got crushed brutally in games of their family men. Wishing now they will live peacefully and happily.
ReplyDeletealthough shashi in jail now, but I feel that he should be punished in another ways too coz he has hurt so many people
ReplyDeleteIt was an Emotional Chapter and The Past Truths Are All Out.......
ReplyDeleteHopefully your issues with Amazon will sorted out Soon......
Awesome update madhu
ReplyDeleteAwesome update
ReplyDeleteTake your time
The pain and anguish are for both of them and the way they share is beautiful and the moment so poignant. Somewhere though the niggling feeling that the villians (Shashi and Sheetal) are not completely out of the picture tells me the happily ever after is not here yet. 👏👏Fiddy
ReplyDeleteAwesome update.
ReplyDeleteAny chance of any update today.....
ReplyDelete