Part 7

The cameo appearances in this and the next part are for my dear Reneeshah

--*--

Arnav drove towards the central police station in Delhi late that night, with Aman and Kashish accompanying him. The police commissioner had requested an in person meeting rather than a phone call, hinting at the gravity of the matter. This gave Arnav an uneasy feeling, sensing something unpleasant was imminent.

Kashish glanced at Aman, who had insisted on coming along with Arnav. He didn't like leaving his boss alone, especially when it involved Shyam Manohar Jha. Kashish found Aman's concern quite sweet, as it went beyond the formal boss-employee relationship. Aman wasn't just Arnav's right-hand man; he was like a brother. Wait, like a brother? No, Kashish, if Aman becomes ASR's brother, then you two would be siblings. Stop it! She mentally chastised herself, giving the back of her head a light slap, which made Aman look at her in question. She shook her head, indicating it was nothing important. Aman nodded and looked ahead as ASR pulled the car in front of the police station.

.

Inspector Sameer gulped in fear and nervousness as Arnav Singh Raizada walked into the police station. The formidable man and his personality speaking of power and authority was enough to make the opposite person nervous. And in this case, the inspector had every reason to be nervous. He had let a criminal slip away. The said criminal being the one who was behind ASR's and his wife's lives!

He had informed his boss, the commissioner of police, who then took it upon himself to deliver this news to ASR.

"Mr. Raizada, please have a seat," the commissioner said politely.

Arnav glanced around at the pale faces in the station, his frown deepening. Reluctantly, he took a seat opposite the commissioner. Only the two of them sat, while the rest stood in tense anticipation.

"Mr. Raizada, there is no easy way to say this, but Shyam Jha has escaped from prison."

Hearing those unholy words, Arnav inhaled sharply, a mix of anger and shock crossing his face. His eyes blazed with fury as he stood abruptly. "How long ago?"

"Three days. I was informed just an hour ago. My team is working around the clock to catch him, and I will personally oversee the search. That's why I chose to inform you directly, despite protocol."

"With all due respect, do you think I care about protocols right now? That bast*rd is on the loose, a threat to my family, my wife, and I'm only being informed after three days?"

Aman immediately stepped up beside Arnav. "ASR, there's no point in arguing." He turned to the commissioner, who maintained a composed expression. "Thank you for informing us, Sir. Please keep us updated as soon as you have any leads."

"We will. I apologize on behalf of my team—"

Sameer stepped forward. "It was my mistake, Mr. Raizada, and I promise you, I won't rest until your culprit is back behind bars."

Arnav closed his eyes in frustration. He knew further argument was pointless. Shyam was a cunning man, capable of such escapes.

But this meant Arnav would have to delay his plans to leave Delhi for a few more days.

--*--

Early in the morning, Khushi noticed her Vikrant jiju, arriving at their home. She wondered if he had stopped by on his way to the airport, where he was going to pick up his cousin, who was arriving from Mumbai. Vikrant had mentioned that his cousin, Manik, was a singer in Mumbai, known for his national and international concerts. Manik had missed the engagement function due to personal reasons.

She later got to know from Anjali di that Manik and his girlfriend, nandini had a breakup recently. And he was still recovering from the heartbreak. Apparently, his girlfriend who was an astrophysicist, had demanded they give a formal name to their relationship, and he had developed cold feet. Khushi strangely felt that she could relate to their situation. Because as she had started to realize firsthand, sometimes, you wish you could give a name to a bond, but you simply can't...

Vikrant joined them at the breakfast table for a cup of tea, while Anjali emerged from her room, ready to leave with him.

"Khushi, why don't you come with us? I'll introduce you to Manik. He's a very friendly guy, and he shares your love for music." Vikrant suggested.

Khushi hesitated to give an answer to him. She never mentioned to Dr. Vikrant about her fear of airports. It wasn't the flights that scared her, but the airports themselves were a problem. A strange sense of dread enveloped her whenever she set foot on those premises.
What she herself did not know was that it was her subconscious mind that retained a bitter feeling associated with a memory from her past when Arnav had left her alone at the airport, without heeding to her pleadings and requests to not go, to trust her that she was telling the truth, that she was not involved in an illicit affair with Shyam...

"Khushi does not go to airports." Anjali replied on her behalf, smiling warmly at Khushi.

Vikrant frowned. He didn't remember Khushi mentioning anything like that, "Do you have fear of flying, Khushi?"

"No jiju, not fear of flying. I mean, I have been on the chopper with Di when we went to Lucknow last year. It is just that I don't like going to airports." Khushi explained softly.

"Khushi is just like me, then," Kashish said, entering from the hall. "I also hate airports. The endless formalities and frequent flight schedule changes get on my nerves."

Vikrant and Anjali turned their heads to see Kashish and Arnav walking towards them. Arnav had come early in the morning to inform his erstwhile family about Shyam's escape and the necessary change of plans. As he entered his former home, he overheard Khushi mentioning her aversion to airports. A pit formed in his stomach, knowing the reason behind her fear. But before he could wallow in guilt, Kashish's comment lightened the atmosphere, announcing their arrival.

Arnav felt Khushi's gaze on him and couldn't help looking at her and admire her morning beauty. She looked ethereal and vulnerable. He had to protect her from every bitter thing in this world, but first and foremost, from Shyam. She gave him a tentative smile and he responded with a small one of his own.

Arnav then cleared his throat and addressed Anjali. "Sorry to come unannounced, but I need to have a word with Aakash and you."

A confused Anjali followed Arnav to the study as he simultaneously informed HP to call Aakash there.

And 15 minutes later, Shyam Manohar Jha became a reason to bring Arnav back to his home, to Shantivan!

After hearing that Shyam had escaped from prison, Anjali and Aakash both agreed that it was best for Arnav to return home, to stay with them. They were going to deploy more security of course, around their house and specifically around Khushi. And although Anjali didn't explicitly say it, Arnav sensed that her concern extended beyond Khushi's safety to his own as well. She even asked him to ensure his personal security was heightened as well. Arnav smiled, realizing that despite the distance between them, his Di still cared for him, even if she didn't show it entirely.

Now the question was how to relay this information to Khushi. They had to inform her about Shyam's escape, that was sure. But given how she had reacted the last time Shyam was mentioned, it had to be done with utmost sensitivity...

At the same time, Khushi did feel curious about the secret conversation Arnav was having with her Di and Aakash, but soon, Kashish included her in some hilarious discussion about how she struggled to eat desi food without using spoon and fork and Khushi found herself doubling over in laughter, forgetting her initial chain of thoughts.

And that is exactly how Arnav found her when he emerged from the study. The sight of a happy, laughing Khushi warmed his heart.

Kashish's words from the previous evening echoed in his mind. She had spoken about how people long for a metaphorical clean slate, and here he was, literally gifted with one! He should use it. About how he always felt if he could change his and Khushi's past and do things differently. This was his chance to do so.

But did he trust himself enough to seize that chance?

He was set to get an answer soon.

--*--

That afternoon, Khushi was sitting in the elegant hall of the Raizada mansion, chatting with Manik, who had just arrived from the airport with her brother-in-law, Vikrant. Manik's presence was refreshing; she could already say that he was an interesting person with a sensitive heart, something Khushi found endearing.

"So, you perform concerts all over the world? That must be very exciting," Khushi said, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Manik smiled warmly. "It is, but it can also be exhausting. The travel, the rehearsals, the constant pressure to deliver a perfect performance. But then, when I'm on stage, and I see the audience enjoying the music, it makes everything worth it."

Khushi nodded, feeling a deep connection with his words. "I understand. Music and dance have always been my escape, my way of expressing what words sometimes fail to convey."

Manik's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful, Khushi. Maybe someday we can collaborate."

Khushi smiled at the thought, but before she could respond, she felt a familiar presence in the room. Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced up towards the staircase. Sure enough, there was Arnav, descending the stairs with his gaze fixed on their direction. His expression seemed less than pleased, almost as if he was unhappy about something.

Khushi wondered if she was imagining it. Why would Arnav be unhappy? She quickly dismissed the thought and turned her attention back to Manik, but a part of her couldn't shake the feeling of Arnav's intense gaze lingering in the background.

Now a little-known secret was, even though Khushi had not let it show on her face, but she had felt quite elated when Anjali mentioned that Arnav and Kashish were going to live in Raizada mansion for the next few days. Apparently, Arnav needed Aakash's assistance for a project, and Anjali had suggested they stay at Shantivan to facilitate their collaboration. The details were a bit hazy to Khushi, but she chose not to overthink them.

What mattered to her was that her Di, who usually kept Arnav at arm's length, was now extending a welcoming hand. This was enough for Khushi to feel hopeful about getting a chance to know Arnav better. What she intended to do with that opportunity, however, was a question she didn't dare ask herself just yet.

Manik noticed her distraction "Is everything okay?" he asked softly.

Khushi quickly composed herself and smiled. "Yes, everything's fine."

Arnav reached the bottom of the stairs by then and approached them. "I don't believe we have met before. I am Arnav."

Manik got up and extended his hand, "I am Manik. Vikrant's cousin."

Arnav shook Manik's hand politely, but he couldn't ignore the pang of jealousy he felt toward this new man who had managed to make Khushi smile during their very first meeting.

--*--

A/N - A filler chapter, I guess, but as I already told you, the pace of this story will be slow. And yeah, if it wasn't clear, Manik is a cameo, more like a catalyst for the push Arnav bitwa needs :)