Chapter 2

First published on 08/Apr/2022

When Khushi agreed for an elopement marriage with Arnav, she had two thoughts, one was of course marrying the man who had been living in her heart despite his high headedness and second reason was keeping Shyam away from her. That psycho man's daring was increasing day by day and when Arnav proposed tonight, it felt like a good opportunity to use for her. Who knows if and when he would have said that again? So she tried to hit 2 birds in 1 stone!

But in all this, she was still upset that Arnav believed she had an affair with Shyam! Shyam, of all men! Isse accha zeher na de de usse (wouldn't it have been better to just kill her than this)?

"then why do shyam's words mean more to you than our married life? What are that man's vicious lies doing between us on our marriage night? Why do you want to have distances between us?" her questions were clear, she hoped.

But Arnav didn't know what to reply to her. Was she saying, what he thought she was?

"No I was just... thought to wait, for you, I mean, I know I haven't.." he stammered. He needed to apologize to her, make it up to her but she was also right, this was like Shyam was still there lurking between them...

"I want to know." she asked breaking his chain of thoughts

"what?" he frowned. What did she want to know now?

"I want to know what he told you." she said folding her hands on her chest. She needed to know this, even if it killed her inside, it was needed to know what exactly that snake told Arnav and how could he believe it. If she wanted to move forward, she had to close the door of past.

"No, Khushi! We don't have to go through it again!" he vigorously shook his head in denial. " I now know that it were all lies." he added. Those were the toughest moments of his life when Shyam had proclaimed his love for Khushi and then went on to claim she also reciprocated it. He had felt like someone had chocked him to death, when he heard that.

But now, when he knew the truth, he knew how evilly Shyam had set a trap, and used the opportunity to create misunderstanding between them, Arnav felt like kicking himself, for ever believing Shyam, for even thinking of accusing Khushi of adultery, for blackballing her-

Thank goodness his Khushi was much more levelheaded, much smarter, as she ended up telling him everything, about shyam's real face, his dirty motives for her and -

"I am still waiting." she said, reminding him and he decided to tell her everything. She had a right to know. And then he will face whatever penalty she had for him, he hoped.

Khushi listened as he bent his head down while telling her everything and her blood boiled hearing how Shyam had maniacally told Arnav that Khushi too wanted shyam- disgusting! Arnav wasn't able to meet her eyes, he couldn't imagine how it will feel like to hear all this, for her.

Khushi found it much more difficult to hear than she had thought, and most hurtful was, Arnav had bought those lies, at one point. He had thought she was really involved with..

"How could you, Arnavji? Why? Was it so easy to trust something like that against me? You know, you are making me doubt my decision of marrying you, a man who believes any random person's claims without verification over the woman he claims to love." she said with accusatory gaze and he couldn't stand there watching himself fall in her eyes like that

"Please Khushi, punish me any way you want, hit me, make me sleep on the floor, make me beg you for forgiveness but please, don't look at me with accusing eyes, I cant bear that. You really mean everything to me, please trust me." he pleaded to her as she had turned her face away, as if not trusting him, or his words.

And he realized how she must have felt when he accused her that evening. How it felt to be in her shoes, to be accused of something when you were not guilty, and here, he WAS guilty. He had trusted someone's claims against her, believed a half heard version of the truth

But he would be dammed if he let her go, if he let himself fall further. He is ASR and nothing is impossible for him, especially winning the only woman that mattered to him! He WILL redeem himself at any cost! He dropped on his knees in front of her and as she made a turn to move away, he hugged her midriff,

"I am so sorry Khushi, I am so so sorry. I will keep saying this as long as it takes for you to forgive me, but please don't stay mad at me, please." he begged for forgiveness from her as he hugged her tight, not letting her move an inch

For a long time, the couple stayed like that. Him crying wetting her pallu over her stomach and she didn't finding in her to forgive him.

.

.

And then a new dawn rose with new beginnings for the couple!

--*--

The next day morning, Khushi was finding it difficult to tie the clasp of her mangalsutra and Arnav who was watching from behind, hesitantly asked if he can help her? When she nodded allowing him to do so, he felt some relief in that small act.

At least she was still in his life, as his wife...

"Ready?" Arnav asked mustering all the courage he had, as he extended his hand for her to go downstairs for breakfast and she gave a small but assuring smile as she kept her soft hand in his. He clasped it tight, with a determination to never leave it!

And finally it was the time to do what they decided last night..

.

.

Everyone at Raizada mansion had somewhat warmed up to their hasty marriage and hence greeted them with warm smiles as Arnav and Khushi took their places on the breakfast table

HP served everyone their breakfasts, coffee, tea and Arnav-Khushi exchanged a knowing look

"Di, I never told you about my fiancé right?" khushi suddenly asked and Shyam spit on his tea, coughing uncontrollably

"khushiji, you don't have to." Anjali tried to stop her, as she didn't want Khushi to feel awkward. Least she knew, it was someone else getting uncomfortable! Someone she called husband.

"I have to Di. Now you all are my family. I already told Arnavji last night" she said enjoying Shyam's face losing it's color while Arnav was clenching his fist. Khushi quickly held his hand in her hand, under the table. They had got this. Khushi continued,

"So Di, you already know my fiancé's name was Shyam right? He was a paying guest at our house and had been very friendly with my family and me. I was not even aware he had some other thoughts behind his friendliness towards me and then one day, he proposed for me and my buaji pressurized me to say yes." Here she took a dramatic pause and Shyam got to his feet. He wouldn't sit there and watch Khushiji make a debacle of his life. It didnt help that she had already told Arnav all this, now whole Raizada family too would know the truth, from her mouth, firsthand! There went his chance to ever manipulate them again! He got up to leave from there.

But Anjali stopped him, "Shyamji, wait na, let Khushiji complete what she is saying" she held his hand and everyone too looked him in such a way that he couldnt leave. Shyam had to sit back. Khushi and Arnav smiled in victory.

"Thanks Di, jijjaji is needed to be here as Khushi tells this story you know?" Arnav said and Shyam twisted his face in anger. Damm you sale sahab!

khushi resumed her story,

"So as I was saying, buaji coaxed me to say yes and then I had to give in as babuji's health was deteriorating too. I agreed only for my babuji. However, one day after our engagement I got to know that he was already married!" She went on to drop the bomb and hearing this everyone on the dining table gasped, expect Payal who looked at Khushi shocked as she was divulging the most kept secret while Arnav wanted to punch Shyam. If only they hadn't discussed this last night...

"khushiji, that's terrible!" Anjali said after a minute, feeling sorry for khushi and angered at that man who cheated her.

"I know Di. He was indeed a horrible man! So I broke the engagement. But he still didn't back off and kept telling me he doesn't love his wife." There was no stopping Khushi!!! And now Arnav too started enjoying Shyam's miserable state as he squirmed on his chair. Oh, how, just how, did not see through Shyam's lies last night? And for the umpteenth time, he thanked his stars that Khushi showed presence of mind the way she did!

"Have you met his wife, phati sari, matbal, khushi bitiya?" mamiji asked and shyam wanted to get up from the table the second time. He knew if she went on reveal his identity, he would be lynched here, chocked to death, by this Raizada family!

"yes mamiji, she is a sweet lady, loves him too much. But I couldn't tell her yet, especially as she is pregnant now." Khushi said smiling at Anjali who was feeling sorry for that lady!

"that's too sad khushiji. That man is disgusting. He should be punished. Don't you agree shyamji?" Anjali naively asked shyam.

"huh? Ye-yes" he nodded, wiping the perspiration on his forehead.

"I know di, he is disgusting indeed. But how to punish him?" Khushi asked in most sincere tone she could use. If what she and Arnav had expected, they would have Shyam where they needed him!

"Shyamji will help you. He is a lawyer. Right Shyamji?" and Anjali said exactly what they wanted.

"Are you sure, Di? I mean, he might have sympathy for that man" Arnav said in a disgusted tone, and Anjali looked at him in confusion.

--*--

A/n - Shyam's life's countdown starts 😈 I am also open for any specific ideas (i already shared what I find ideal for him i.e. hanging or castration but I can't write dark themes so not that.)

Second, shall we forgive Arnav now? Actually, I was in dual minds about their wedding night as they wasted their suhagraat bed 3 times in the show, once on the contract marriage day, second during dadi track and third when Shyam had installed cameras. So I wanted them to 'use' the bed here the way it should be but then Arnav needs to redeem too so dropped it. Hope no consummation didn't disappoint you. It will come at a right time here, and then they will not ignore the ' suhagraat bed', I promise :P

What they discussed on their wedding night will come in flashbacks.

(remaining chapters will be a week apart, likely tuesday evenings ET)