Chapter 35

Chapter 35: An Encounter With Evil

I am ever so grateful for your overwhelming love for this story. I know I am late and hope that this long update makes up for it...😳 Oh and yes... I know the Title is a little scary... But I know you all trust me...😉 Hope I don't disappoint...😳

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"Arnav, what are you still doing in front of the laptop? We're getting late. Get up." Khushi said annoyed while wearing her earrings.

"Mmm..." was the only response she got.

She turned around and stood in front of him with her hands on her hips. He looked up at her glaring form. "You know I have a meeting with the new clients that are coming with Rohan today."

He held up his hands in surrender. "Yes, yes I know. Okay let's leave." He said and she turned away to get her bag. Arnav smiled at her back and wondered how their relationship had changed over the last few weeks. He couldn't believe that this was the same Khushi who used to hate it that he insisted on taking her to work and today she was glaring at him because he wasn't getting up. He felt amazed how they had become so friendly towards each other. He could slowly see Khushi returning back to her former self. He would feel immense satisfaction, whenever he saw her sitting with Nani, sharing old tales or having fun with Payal or sharing a joke with Akash. Yes he still did feel a little jealous when she spoke about Rohan but it didn't bother him that much these days as her talks about him would be generally work related. Whenever she would be sitting beside him in the car there was no longer the awkward silence that used to be there earlier. They talked to each other about their day or even discuss work or home matters. All in all it was quite clear that Khushi had become relaxed and comfortable around Arnav to a level that even she had never imagined.

As they drove towards Khushi's studio, Arnav kept glancing at her occasionally. She was busy going through a file which had the details of her meeting. They were waiting at a traffic signal when, Khushi spoke without taking her eyes off the file, "Arnav make sure you pick me up by 5:30 ' 6:00 this evening."

"So early?" He asked looking at her.

She looked at him shocked. "I can't believe you forgot. Don't you remember today is Friday, we promised Jiji and Jijaji that we'll go out with them."

"Oh yes, Akash did remind me last night. Okay, I'll pick you up on time." He replied.

Payal had sensed how the storms between Arnav and Khushi were calming and she and Akash had made it a mission to make them spend more time with each other whenever possible. At least once every two weeks, they would plan something together and go out and make sure that Arnav and Khushi were left alone for at least some time.

"So did Payal say anything about where we are going?" Arnav asked casually as he started driving again.

"Not really but Jijaji said that we'll be back late, so it can't be just dinner." Khushi replied. "You know Jiji was saying something about a movie she was interested in watching last week. So maybe it is that."

"Quite possible." Arnav agreed. "I wonder why Akash always insists that we go with them. I mean they should go alone if they want to spend time with each other."

Khushi just shrugged. She had a fair idea why Payal and Akash made them to go out with them. Payal felt strongly that Arnav never took Khushi out and their relationship would never progress unless Khushi and Arnav took some extra efforts from their end. Whenever Khushi had tried to protest that Akash and Payal should go out alone, Payal would shut her up saying that Akash took her out at least twice a week and they liked when Arnav and Khushi joined them once in a while.

When they reached her studio, Khushi once again reminded Arnav to pick her up on time before Arnav drove off. Not that he needed reminders, though he would never accept it, he was grateful to Akash to make them go out with them. He actually looked forward to the outings only to see the sparkle in Khushi's eyes and listen to her carefree tinkling laughter.

~~~~~~

As expected Khushi's meeting went very well and she and Rohan sat chatting about various ongoing projects in the coffee room.

"Gosh Rohan, my head is spinning. Once this new project is over I think I'll take a break for at least 2-3 weeks." Khushi said leaning back on the sofa.

"Go for it. You totally deserve it." Rohan smiled. "You hardly took a break after your wedding. I'd say ask Mr. Raizada to take a break too and go for a honeymoon. It's long overdue I think." He winked at her and Khushi blushed.

"So what's up with you these days?" Khushi asked changing the topic. "I thought you dad was pretty much in a rush to get you married."

"Yeah he was." Rohan started to laugh.

"What's so funny in that?" Khushi asked confused.

"Oh nothing. You know he was so sure that he'll find the right girl and get me married in a month but he's nowhere near his goal and mind you it's been a lot of months that he had told me that he'll get me married." Rohan explained amused.

"Why don't YOU find a girl for yourself? You know I can't wait to start designing outfits for you and your would-be wife for your wedding. I hope you'll not take away that opportunity from me." Khushi smiled.

"Yeah I have my eyes and ears open for the right girl. And of course you'll be designing the wedding outfits. Why would I go elsewhere when I have the best bridal designer in-house?"

"You better not." Khushi warned him playfully.

"Ya anyways before I forget, that Chandigarh project is coming to a close and I'm going on a business tour to UK for a month with Dad, so you'll have to go to Chandigarh to ensure the proper closure of the project. I hope that's alright?" Rohan told her. "You'll have to be there for a week."

"You mean in Chandigarh?" Khushi asked and he nodded. "No, not a problem but I'll have to just talk to Arnav once."

"Okay talk to him and let me know so that I make the arrangements for your travel." Rohan said.

"But Rohan, I'll have to go alone. With this new project starting I can't take Shaan and Susie with me." Khushi said a bit worried.

"Yeah I know. But there's no other option, you'll have to manage it alone mostly and maybe Susie can join you later for the last two days. He suggested.

"Hmmm..." She nodded. "Alright I'll work it out with Susie."

~~~~~~

When Arnav and Khushi returned home, Arnav was held up by Mamaji for a few minutes to discuss something work related. Khushi proceeded to their room to get ready to go out. She got ready in a purple to lavender shaded net saree and went to check on Payal while Arnav was freshening up.

Khushi entered Payal's room to find her debating with Akash whether or not they should cancel the plan.

"What's wrong Jijaji?" Khushi asked curiously.

"Khushi, Payal is feeling a little off today. So I was thinking that maybe we could go tomorrow." Akash explained.

"Yes definitely." Khushi agreed sitting next to Payal on the bed. "What happened Jiji?"

"It's nothing serious Khushi, I was just feeling some shivering in the afternoon but it's gone now and I'll carry a shawl with me just in case." Payal said waving off their protests. "Besides, Akash has already got the tickets for the movie I wanted to see and I don't want to postpone it." She said pouting.

"But Jiji..." Khushi touched her forehead but couldn't sense a temperature.

"No. We are going and that's final." Payal got up and started brushing her hair.

Akash sighed giving up. Khushi too got up shaking her head "Alright Arnav and I will be waiting downstairs." She said and left their room.

~~~~~~

It was a late night movie so the two couples first had dinner in a Thai restaurant and then proceeded for the movie. As she took her seat next to Payal with Arnav and Akash on either side of them, Khushi could sense that Payal's smile was strained. She asked her about it but Payal just shook her head, saying that it was nothing. She and Payal were enjoying the movie along with popcorn and cold drinks. During the interval Arnav and Akash went to get some more popcorn and Khushi and Payal waited for them.

Khushi just casually held her sister's hand and was shocked to find it trembling. "Jiji?" She looked at her concerned and slid her hand up her arm and then checked her forehead. Payal's temperature had surely risen by now. "Jiji you have fever. We should leave."

"No Khushi, it's just another hour for the movie to end, I can manage." Payal replied.

Just then Arnav and Akash returned and the lights dimmed, indicating the end of the interval. Khushi leaned forward and whispered to Akash, "Jijaji, Jiji has fever, I think we should leave."

Akash checked Payal and nodded. "Yes I agree. It's not good for her to sit in this condition."

Payal tried to protest but when Arnav declared with authority that they were leaving, she couldn't argue any further. They came out of the movie hall and proceeded towards the parking.

"Uh... It will take at least another half an hour for us to reach home, well I needed to use the washroom." Khushi said.

Payal was in no state to wait. Arnav turned to Akash, "I'll wait with Khushi you get the car out, we'll meet you at the exit."

Since the movie was still running, it was deserted outside and Khushi didn't argue when Arnav said he would wait for her. He waited in the corridor outside and she walked alone through the deserted passage that led to the washrooms.

Khushi was coming out of the washroom when she felt someone's presence around her. She decided to move quickly when she heard a voice that chilled her bone marrow.

"Khushiji..." His sickly sweet voice that Khushi had always hated trailed from behind her.

Slowly she turned around and her eyes widened in horror. She realised she was in a lonely passage which only got her scared further, she wanted to scream but her voice got stuck somewhere in her throat.

"Still as beautiful as ever you are Khushiji." Shyam said a sick smile plastered on his face. He started to take slow steps towards her and she instinctively started moving back. "I see you are married, now that's not very nice, is it?" He sneered while moving towards her. "So lucky of me to have decided to visit the washroom at this time. You see I work here as an accountant. Can you believe it? The Product Manager of AR Group working late hours as an accountant in a movie theatre and all because of you Khushiji... and this job too I managed to get because I lied about my past work experience." Khushi cringed hearing him take her name. Her back hit a wall and he was still moving closer. She felt her limbs freeze "It's unfair that I suffer the consequences of that day and you bask in marital bliss." He continued in his slow dragging voice.

He was right in front of her but not yet touching her. Her eyes went even wider as she saw his hands approaching to hold her face. He was about to touch her when Khushi saw him being hauled away from her and thrown against the opposite wall. He crumpled down on the floor.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY WIFE!!!!!!" Arnav's thunderous voice reverberated around the corridor. Khushi just watched the whole scene unblinkingly.

Shyam's shock knew no bounds, "You... Your w-wife?"

Arnav moved forward like a predator and pounced on Shyam, grabbing him by the neck and pushed him against the wall. "Yes... MY wife."

"How dare you come near her?"

"How dare you talk to her?"

"How dare you try to touch her?"

"After turning her life into living hell, how dare you try to intimidate her again?"

"You b*****d how dare you?"

With every word he spoke he hit every inch of Shyam's face, gut and chest. Hearing Arnav's loud voice and the commotion, a couple of security guards and some staff of the Multiplex came running towards them, one of them was the manager of the place, who instantly recognised Arnav.

Arnav gave one last punch in his chest with a force that must surely crack a rib and let go of Shyam and he immediately fell on the floor almost unconscious.

"What's the matter Mr. Raizada?" The manager asked Arnav.

Arnav's raised his rage filled eyes to the manager and softened his expression when he recognised him.

"Mr. Mehra, this disgusting man misbehaved with my wife." Arnav said, his voice dripping with hatred. The manager looked shocked from Arnav to Khushi to Shyam. "How can you hire such people to work in your Multiplex? He was an ex-employee of AR and was fired when all the female employees had complained against him for his conduct."

Mr. Mehra's jaw clenched, "I'm sorry Mr. Raizada, he seemed to have hidden this fact from us or we would have never hired him in the first place." He turned to the security guards, "Security, throw this man out of our premises and hand him over to the police." Shyam looked terrified at Mr. Mehra. "You are fired Mr. Jha. We don't hire perverts."

Everyone left and Khushi was still standing frozen against the wall. Arnav turned to face her and what he saw made his heart stop for a moment and all colour drained from his face. The raw fear that he couldn't bear to see in her eyes was back. The pain, hatred that he had thought he would never again see in her eyes were again dripping in the form of tears. All the progress that they seemed to have made in their relationship seemed to have gone down the drain because of this one evil encounter with their past. Her entire form was trembling with terror.

He slowly took steps towards her, his hands held up in a gesture indicating that he was not going to touch her.

"Khushi... it's alright he is gone. No one's going to harm you. No one's going to touch you. I-I am not going to hurt you." He was just a feet away from her. "Relax. Let's just go home." His voice was very soothing and reassuring but he was looking at her face that was a mask of horror. "Khushi? Are you Okay?" He asked gently.

And the next thing he knew was, Khushi had thrown her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly and was crying uncontrollably in his chest. Arnav still had his hands raised in a defensive gesture. A small part of his brain was telling him that he should hold her and say something comforting but he was incapable of it.

When Arnav saw the terror in Khushi's eyes he had expected that she would again withdraw herself into the shell that she had locked herself for almost the past 2 years. But instead she was holding on to him as if her life depended on it, looking for comfort. After her sobs had subsided a little, she looked up at his face, shock still evident in her eyes. "Arnav... Arnav... h-he came back... Arnav I didn't know he was here. I swear I didn't. Please believe me Arnav I-I didn't do anything. Please don't trust him again Arnav... please..." She frantically begged, her face wet with fresh tears.

Arnav couldn't bear to see her begging and pleading like this, he put his arms around her and held her against his chest, "Shhh... Khushi calm down. He's gone. He'll never hurt you. I'll never let him come near you again." Arnav promised in a soothing voice.

"I didn't do anything." She sobbed.

"I know, I trust you. I don't believe him one bit. I will never ever mistrust you Khushi. I love you. I trust you." It killed him to say all this, to reassure her that HE trusted HER when actually he himself didn't deserve her trust. But he knew that at this moment she needed this reassurance from him so he just held her as close as possible and whispered soothing words in her ear and Khushi tightened her arms around him.

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Akash and Payal had started to get worried as to why Arnav and Khushi hadn't returned yet. Akash was about to call Arnav when he saw them walking towards their car with their arms around each other. As they came closer, Akash and Payal were even more worried to see Khushi's terrified face. Payal tried to come out of the car but Akash stopped her and came out.

"Bhai what happened to Khushi?" He asked concerned.

Arnav made Khushi sit in the backseat of the car and she reluctantly let him go. He closed the door and turned to Akash.

"Shyam" Arnav said and Akash's eyes went wide and his muscles instantly tensed in anger.

"What? How?" He asked shocked.

Arnav narrated him what happened near the washroom. Akash's face turned red with rage with every word Arnav spoke. "How dare he? How dare he face her again?" Arnav looked at the car and made sure that the windows were up and both the sisters couldn't hear anything.

"Relax Akash, Mr. Mehra handed him over to the police and right now Khushi is more important. She is very shaken up by the incident."

Akash nodded and turned. Payal was already sitting in the passenger seat so Arnav got in next to Khushi in the back seat. The moment he settled next to her she hugged him and he wrapped his arms around her, making her feel protected.

By the time they reached home, Khushi had fallen asleep on Arnav's shoulder. He gently picked her up in his arms and took her to their room and placed her on the bed carefully. He was about to move away to get changed but she was holding on to his collar tightly. He smiled, brushing off a strand of hair from her face and lied down next to her. Her face had a disturbed expression even in sleep, she immediately snuggled against him and as Arnav held her close he couldn't believe that they were actually sleeping in each other's arms after everything that had happened.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Chapter 36: Arrangements

Now before you guys throw Jootas at me and demand why I brought back Shyamu when I had promised the end of him, let me tell you this was just a guest appearance...😉 and let's not worry about him anymore... and this time I swear I won't bring him back... He's gone for good...😆

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