Chapter 22

A/N: The readers have been warned that theupdate is highly melodramatic and can cause serious boredom

Chapter 22: Rolling the dice

Cradling the laptop on his legs, Arnav was perched upon the recliner, his eyes devoted to the screen while his fingers typed with vengeance.

His eyebrows were furrowed and lines of worry were clearly etched upon his forehead.

"I am not attending it, Aman..! Stop bugging me with your incessant questions!" He screamed in the Bluetooth, losing his calm.

"Then do so. Throw the amount on their faces and tell them that we aren't interested in trading with their company," commanded Arnav and disconnected.

"Arnavji..?" Khushi's voice interrupted him, and he looked up to find her standing in the room, looking all timorous.

Shit.!!

He bet he scared her with his shouting.

It had been quite some time since Khushi had last seen him this infuriated over something.

"Everything is fine, Khushi" He tried to reassure her with a smile but she knew him better.

"Is something bothering you?" She asked, walking to him and touching his arm.

He exhaled at her touch and closed his eyes for a moment.

Getting on his feet, he placed the laptop aside and hugged her, his arms tightening around her frame, and Khushi tried to hide her surprise at this gesture of his.

"Arnavji?" She breathed her worry in the form of a barely audible murmur while he inhaled her scent.

"Please do not leave me, Khushi" He pleaded in a slow, pained voice.

"Arnavji, I am not going anywh.." and Khushi stopped as the meaning of his words dawned upon her

He was referring to the marriage contract that was expiring in thirteen days.

He was finally voicing out the same concern that Khushi had spent the last few days thinking about.

However, she had mostly been scared for herself, confused as to what she was going to do once she will no longer be his wife.

Oblivion was all she could see for herself if she had to get out of Arnav’s life.

But, staying with him under one roof without being his wife was not an option either.

Her upbringing, her morals would never allow her to stay in this house knowing that she had lost the rights of being called his wife.

But no matter how concerned Khushi was about their future, she knew there were other important things to deal with first.

"I haven't thought about it, Arnavji" She lied, pulling back from the hug and forcing herself to meet his tormented gaze.

He was once again the same person she had seen him on the day he had learnt the truth about Shyam.

He was once again scared and timorous that he was about to lose her and the look in his eyes haunted Khushi's soul as well but she continued anyway,

"And I think for now we should think more about Di" she tried to force a convincing smile on her face but could not.

"As you say Khushi" replied Arnav, his eyes shutting down the view of turbulence in them as he tried to remind himself that Shyam should be the utmost concern for them at this time.

"The puja is tomorrow and most of the preparations are done yet I am worried, Khushi. Somehow I am not convinced that this is the safest way to reveal the dirty secrets of Shyam" said Arnav, his eyes looking into hers.

"This is the best way, Arnavji. You know you were the one to suggest this and I trust your decision" answered Khushi, taking his hand in hers.

"Don't, Khushi. You know this was not what I exactly suggested. I still think my original plan was safer. I cannot..."

"Don't think any more of it, Arnavji. Trust me, I can do this. We can do this, together!"

"Maybe, Khushi, maybe" He answered and embraced her in his arms again and Khushi let him. She too needed to be as close to him as she could.

~~***~~

The plan was designed, and Shyam Manohar Jha was too excited to put it into action. Finally, at last, his thoughts were going to come true, and the wait of a few hours seemed too long to him.

~~***~~

Arnav was in his room, getting ready to attend the Puja while Khushi had already left to help with the preparations.

Their plan to pull the mask of innocence off Shyam's face was all set and for the same reason Arnav wanted this day to be over as soon as possible.

He knew that once their plan was executed, the lives of people living in this house were going to change, especially of his Di and it was his job to make sure to get the truth out of the shadows with the least possible damage.

And for the very same reason, Arnav had invited Akash and Payal to his room but only to be surprised with what he discovered.

~~***~~

"Welcome" Anjali greeted the Gupta family with a generous smile and led them in the hall.

"I am very happy that you could attend the puja" continued Anjali as they took seats on the sofa.

"How could we not attend it, Anjali bitiya. After all you invited us with such affection, and besides Garima and I were missing our daughters," replied Buaji in her normal loud voice.

"Madhumatiji, you do not need to look for an opportunity to meet your daughters. You know this house is equally yours asours. After all, we are samdhi, aren't we?" Naniji's voice joined them, and the conversation was interrupted once the punditji arrived and everyone hurried with the final arrangements.

"Khushiji" Anjali addressed Khushi who was getting ghee from the kitchen for the hawan.

"Yes, Di?" asked Khushi turning on her heels and facing Anjali who held out a glass towards her.

"Have you stopped caring for your health, Khushiji? Since the morning you have been working and also making sure that I take proper rest. But what about you? Have you eaten anything since the morning? Here, have some juice" continued Anjali as she pushed the glass into Khushi's hands.

"But Di..."

"No ifs and buts, Khushiji. Chote asked me to make sureyou drink this"

"Arnavji?"

"Ji haan, Khushiji. Your Arnavji and my Chote. Now drinkthis and let us move to the hall"

"Okay, Di" smiled Khushi and emptied the glass in two large gulps, making Anjali chuckle.

“Let’s go, Di,” Khushi said, picking up the ghee container and Anjali followed after Khushi.

As everyone took seats on the white mattress spread on the floor in a circular fashion, the hawan (sacrificial fire) was lit and mantras started.

"Rani Sahiba, did Khushiji have her juice? She looks exhausted and tired with all the preparations" asked Shyam, leaning towards Anjali and softly enquiring.

"Ji, I told her Chote has asked her to drink it and she did and I am so happy that she did. She has been taking care of me and looking after me since the morning and the least we can do is to make sure that she does not neglect her health too"

"Exactly, Rani Sahiba. That is why I told you to take the glass to her and make her drink it" replied Shyam, his eyes dancing with secret joy as he recalled spiking the juice.

"That was really thoughtful of you, Shyamji. You think so much about this family" replied Anjali, hugging her husband close, unaware of the thoughts running in his head.

~~***~~

As the puja continued, Shyam and Anjali were made to sit in front of the fire while Khushi was seated next to Arnav, both of them waiting for the time to make their move, unaware that Shyam had already made his move.

"Now the eldest person of the house should offer oblations" the pundit stated and Shyam stepped back, and Naniji took the place next to Anjali.

It was the time to act.

Arnav looked in the general direction of Akash and Akash nodded in assurance.

Just as the little exchange between them was over, Shyam's phone vibrated and he excused himself out of the hall with a frown.

"All the best, Khushi" mouthed Arnav to Khushi and taking her hands in his, pressed it softly.

"Arnavji..I am scared"

"Don't be scared, Khushi. I will be there in fifteen minutes and by then make sure he has..."

"I know, Arnavji. But please do come soon" asked Khushi, her eyes looking into Arnav's.

"I will, Khushi. Trust me" replied Arnav and giving a last look at Arnav, Khushi too excused herself out of the hall.

As she walked towards her room, her head felt heavy and disoriented.

~~***~~

"Hello?" Shyam screamed into the phone for the third time but no one answered.

Disconnecting the call, Shyam hurried back to hall as it was time for him to make his next move.

He had to get Khushi out of the hall by some means and then the ball was going to be in his court.

As he was on his way to the hall, he noticed Khushi walking towards her room and he smiled his sickly smile.

"Seems like even the stars are in my favour" He murmured under his breath before following after Khushi.

As Khushi stepped in her room aware that she was being followed, she made an effort to lock the room after her but Shyam had already reached the entrance, blocking the doorway.

"What's the hurry, Khushiji?" He said, giving one of his leering smiles, and forced his way into the room.

"Get out, Shyamji" replied Khushi, bracing herself but at the same time wondering why her head felt dizzy.

"Not today, Khushiji" replied Shyam, taking another step in and locking the door after him.

"What are you doing, Shyamji? Please leave me alone" answered Khushi, stopping herself from stepping back. She needed to be strong.

"Khushiji, you know that is not possible. You know I have waited for you long enough and today, when I have the opportunity you think I would leave? How naive of you think that!" said Shyam, taking the last step and covering the small distance between them.

"You won't step back today, Khushiji?" asked Shyam, sweetly surprised by Khushi’s boldness.

"Arnavji would see us, Shyamji. Please stop it" she whispered, breathing heavily and further confusing Shyam.

"Khushiji, do you know how beautiful you look today? And do you know how long I have wanted to be close to you? To feel you? Touch you?" asked Shyam, his eyes dilating with desire and lust.

"This is wrong, Shyamji. You love Anjali Di. She is your wife. You are going to be a father soon. You should not think of me" answered Khushi, fisting her hands on her sides to avoid flinching as Shyam reached awfully close to her, his hands now touching her face, his fingers caressing her cheeks.

"That is wrong, Khushiji and you know it. I have never loved Anjali. She was a compromise that I had to make because I wanted money and she had it. All my life, I have pretended to love her because I needed money. And love? I found love in you!, Khushiji. Your innocence and beauty dazzled me and I only want you. I went to so many lengths for you, Khushiji. I had to pretend to be a bachelor, I lived in your house, I did everything to win you and your family’s trust. And I succeeded, didn’t I? We got engaged. I was so close to getting you in my life, Khushiji. But, you shattered my dreams, Khushiji. Why did you do it? Was my love not enough, Khushiji? You broke our engagement just because you found out that I was married to Anjali? And as if that was not enough heartbreak for me! You married Arnav Singh Raizada! You broke my heart all over again, Khushiji. But, I can understand. I am willing to forgive you, Khushiji. I know that money is an important thing. You too needed it, like I did. But that does not mean I will let you abandon me. You need to be mine, Khushiji.You belong to me. Only me!” finished Shyam, his eyes glowing with desperation and a madness Khushi had not seen before.

"What about the baby, Shyamji? How can you overlook the little life that is about to enter your and Anjaliji’s life?" asked Khushi as she tried to maintain a clear head but it was getting hard. Her eyes felt heavy and her head was spinning. What is happening, Khushi wondered.

"That is an unwanted child, Khushiji. I do not want it. It was a mistake. I even tried to get rid of it that day. I thought Anjali will slip down and my problems will be over. But, it did not work. Because of you, Khushiji. You were there! You pushed me down, didn’t you? You saved Anjali and hurt me? Why, Khushiji? What has this family ever given you except pain? You chose to save Anjali? You are too innocent, Khushiji. Or too smart? You have deprived me of so many things and for SO LONG, Khushiji. It is about time that you let me have what I want,” Shyam said, grabbing Khushi by her shoulders as he could see Khushi was barely able to hear him.

"You do not look well, Khushiji. You must be thinking what is wrong with you, right? That is because I mixed some pills in your juice, Khushiji. I made Raani Sahiba give it to you so that you would not doubt it. Do not worry, Khushiji. It is just a drug. You will be fine soon. You are not going to faint. You will be able to feel all the pleasure that I am going to bring to you" said Shyam and hoisted Khushi off the floor, carrying her to the bed. Khushi tried to fight off Shyam but she could not feel any strength in her limbs.

"Arnavji" she whispered, tears forming in her eyes before her eyes fluttered. It was taking too much energy for her to keep her eyes open.

She could not see anything as she felt Shyam drop her on the soft bed. She could hear him and feel him hovering near her.

"Nobody is coming here to save you, Khushiji. Everyone is busy downstairs, and this door is locked"

Shyam said when he heard Khushi murmur Arnav’s name once again.

Khushi tried to scream when she felt Shyam pinning her hands on the bed and lying down on top of her. But no voice sounded from her mouth and tears finally escaped her eyes.

~~***~~

Shyam spent one good minute staring at her face while Khushi writhed in a non-existent struggle to get him off her. As Shyam’s excitement grew watching a helpless Khushi under him, he finally leaned down, bringing his mouth to Khushi’s lips. But, before his mouth could reach Khushi, he heard the loud bang and the door of the poolside opened. Shyam watched as Arnav and Akash rushed inside the room from the poolside entrance.

Shyam did not get any time to respond as Arnav reached the bed in a second and dragged Shyam away by the collar. Before Shyam could do anything more, Arnav was punching him. Arnav had no idea how many punches landed on Shyam before Akash joined in as well, restraining Shyam as he tried to punch Arnav back.

"Arnavji" In the background, Khushi's faint voice drowned in the sound of Shyam's screaming and groaning and Payal rushed to her side.

Arnav too noticed Khushi’s dazed state and pushed Shyam towards Akash.

"Take him out of here, Akash. Keep him restrained" Khushi could hear Arnav’s cold and angry voice. She mumbled his name again and within seconds she felt warm, familiar hands embracing her.

“I am so sorry, Khushi. I should have reached earlier” she heard Arnav’s frantic voice, but she couldn’t find her own voice to tell him that he was on time and she was thankful to him.

~~***~~

Khushi did not know how long she slept but on opening her eyes, she found herself surrounded by the family.

No sooner than she opened her eyes, Arnav was beside her instantly.

"How are you feeling, Khushi?" He asked her, taking her hands into his; his eyes searching her face.

"I am fine, Arnavji. But my head is heavy” she managed to speak slowly and Arnav nodded.

“It is because of the pills that..” Arnav could not finish the sentence, his throat choking and he was also aware about his family standing behind.

"Khushi Bitiya, do you want something?" Naniji's concerned voice interrupted the silence and Khushi shook her head.

"Khushiji should rest. We should leave now" Akash said and the family nodded.

As the room slowly emptied, Khushi made a move to get up and Arnav helped her sit by arranging the pillows against the headboard of the bed.

"Arnavji, I am fine. You do not need to blame yourself. It was not your mistake" Khushi spoke as Arnav held her hand and caressed the back of it with his thumb, his eyes full of guilt and concern.

"It was my mistake, Khushi. I did not see it coming that he may his own plans. He drugged you and had you powerless. I should have been quicker. What if he had..I failed you, Khushi. Yet again!" Arnav said, his eyes shining with moisture.

"No, Arnavji. Yet again you saved me. You did not fail me. I knew you would find me soon. And it was not your mistake that he drugged me. You found me and saved me. And our plan worked. Shyam admitted everything.Our ‘reveal creepwa’ mission succeeded” Khushi tried to joke and smile but Arnav’s eyes were still haunted.

“It is not funny, Khushi. I put you at risk by agreeing to this plan. I am so….I keep thinking what if I had not reached you in time”

"But you did, Arnavji. Nothing else matters. I knew he would spill everything if I played along for a few minutes. We have Shyamji’s lies and his real face recorded. This is good” Khushi said, trying to focus on the bright side of their mission.

"Yes" replied Arnav, nodding his head once.

"The tape! Arnavji..where is it? Have you shown it to Di..does the family..?" Khushi asked.

"No, the tape is with me. Akash has locked Shyam in his room and the family is still confused. They do not know anything yet. They thought you fainted because of weakness and Di is downstairs, asking Akash why Shyam is locked in. I did not want to do this without you. This is the final part of our plan and I need you with me. We do it together” Arnav said, holding Khushi’s hands and Khushi could see that Arnav needed her support.

“Together” She replied.

The dice had been rolled and it was time to make the final move.

____________________________________________

Please have all the chappals and eggs delivered to Lucknow (my hometown)

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Pearl_Oyster2014-05-10 12:08:21