Chapter 1

Promised myself that I would keep this Shyam out of my head. So I am trying to do so by writing an OS on the traumatic past of Arnav and Khushi which left both of them orphaned. Its revelation happens on the eve of Arhi engagement.

 It was the most beautiful evening I could ever remember. Everything in place, all the wealth and splendor of the Raizadas sprang to life in that beautiful hall which looked like another heaven on earth.

I was eagerly waiting for this day when there would be no more restrictions or barriers between us. Nothing on this earth could ever separate us united as were by ties thicker than blood: ties of the heart which united soul with soul. I was wearing a blue sherwani which she had chosen.

I had teased her that I would wear a business suit for the occasion.  She had been miffed about it the whole day. "Hey Devi Maiyya, koi tho is Laad Governor ko samjadhe ke kya kis maukepe pehenthe hai" she complained. She was not even answering my calls. I had just her "Chalo maiya ke bhavan, bhavan, bhavan" to entertain me the whole day and not her sweet voice which was always like nectar to my ears. 

Nani and Di were very happy and bustling with activity on this occasion. Nani seemed to be beaming with smiles. "Chalo acho hua. Us Kashyap ko hamare ghar ki bahu banana ka nahi socha apne, Chote" she said, expressing her relief regarding my marriage, when I expressed my intention of marrying Khushi.

Khushi was wearing a beautiful pink and green lehenga choli, similar to the one in which we first met each other. She was looking ethereal, almost like a fairy descended upon earth in that dress. Though we were a bit apprehensive about the reaction of Khushi's family to our relationship, everything went on smoothly.

Khushi's father said that Khushi's happiness was his, and nothing was bigger or greater than that, not even his ego or self-respect. Thanks to Khushi, I had realized that there is only a thin dividing line between ego and self-respect long back, though it took a hell- lot of time for me to confess this to her.

I never used to believe in God as he had always taken away from me my most precious possessions and relationships. But not so any more. After all hadn't he given me my best gift, my life, my Khushi to atone for all that he had ever taken away from me. I knew that I was the happiest man on earth this evening. I had everything I ever wished for: money, power, prized familial relationships, and above all, the love of my life Khushi.

For some reason Shashi and Garima seemed to be very upset and disturbed, very much unlike the parents of a girl who was getting engaged to the love of her life. Shashi was whispering in a muffled voice to Garima "Cheer up! We are doing the right thing. Everything will be all right. We will talk to them after the marriage is over." Garima's voice trailed "But what if before that '" I thought that I would talk to them about it after the engagement was over. But that opportunity never came.

Just when we were about to exchange the rings, a loud voice was heard telling "Stop the engagement". I looked up in anger at who had the guts to spoil the most beautiful day of my life. I saw that Shyam along with another elderly and majestic person whom I was not able to recognize. How dare that Shyam even show his face again after all that had happened? The old man just came and started dragging Khushi from the hall. I was respecting the person for his age but that did not give him the right to mess with Arnav Singh Raizada. I was still ASR for the rest of the world.

"Who are you? Stop! Arnav, who is he? And where is he taking me? Amma, babuji, do something." Khushi shouted. Garima looked very scared "What we had feared'" Shashi tried to smoothen things by saying "Ji, hum apko batane hi walethe'" The man said in a ruthless tone "Chup! Hum kuch bhi nahi sunna chahthe hain"

The man said "He is Malik's son, isn't he?" I barged in roaring with anger "SO WHAT IF I AM! You have no right to take Khushi from here." He shouted "I have every right over her. She is my grand-daughter. I would rather marry her to a beggar than to you, the son of the murderer of my son and daughter-in-law."

How could it be possible? I racked my brains. Khushi's parents were still alive. Shashi stammered "We 'adopted Khushi when she was young. She 'is 'Garima's sister's daughter. Shekhawat Saab had disinherited is son when he married her against his wishes. But on that day they received a call asking them to come as he was very ill. They left in a great hurry to see him leaving Khushi at home. But they never returned'"

Khushi's grandfather said "I was waiting for my long-lost son and daughter-in-law. I had just faked my illness so that I could see them again, and apologize to them. But they never came'it was the news of their death which reached me. I left India heart-broken. I just came to know from him, indicating that viper, Shyam, that my grand-daughter was alive. But what do I see, my flesh and blood getting engaged to the son of my enemy!" 

The truth came crashing upon me. It was my sister's wedding. The bride-groom's family was demanding an exorbitant amount of money as dowry. Father was consoling mother telling that he would arrange for the money somehow, and to manage things till he came back. It had been a while since he was gone. Mother was waiting for him with apprehension written all over her face. He came back, but he seemed to be greatly disturbed.

In his hurry from the bank, his car had hit a scooter. He wanted to get down and help them. But no! His daughter's marriage would be cancelled if he did not reach in time. He drove off. He told himself, I will come as soon as the marriage is over. But both of them had died before that itself. Had my father helped them immediately, perhaps' But there is no place for ifs and buts when thinking about the past.

The police came and arrested him. My mother could not bear the shock and shame of this incident and committed suicide. The marriage was called off and our Chachaji threw Di and me out of the house telling that he did not want to keep the children of a murderer. I never knew that my past would come upon us in this manner.

As they say the past never dies just like love never dies. But what is my fault in all of this? What is her mistake? Why are we being punished for something over which we had no control? I had no answers. If it were meant to be like this, why did we meet? WHY DID WE LOVE?        

shailusri19832011-08-01 00:45:54