Part 1

Quoting '500 Days of Summer', I should tell you upfront that this is not a typical romance story. In this story hero, heroine and villain are only 1 thing – "politics"!

Disclaimer: All characters and plots in this story are figments of my imagination, any resemblance to any person living or dead or any event should only be assumed as a coincidence.

--*--

Newsflash: "HOT news in Delhi's hot summer! Delhi's current chief minister Shrimati (Mrs.) Khushi Mehra née Gupta is rumored to be marrying Arnav Singh Raizada. For our viewers knowledge, this is second marriage for Shrimati(Mrs.) Mehra whose first husband was killed in a suicide attack few months back. Mrs. Mehra is the youngest chief minister this state has ever seen and we also want to remind you that Arnav Singh Raizada is the only son of Arvind Raizada, ex-chief minister of Delhi. Mrs. Khushi Mehra herself belongs to Gupta family, who has given 2 chief misters to our state. It will be interesting to see if this is a political move for-"

Khushi turned the TV off at that point. Today was yet another time she was taking a step as an ambitious politician, and not as naïve ex-lover. It was ironic enough that once averse to politics, Khushi Gupta had now become one the most revered politicians Khushi Mehra in this state within a span of 2 years! And the person responsible for her transformation was standing in her house today, as her to-be-fiancé. The Khushi from 2-3 years ago would probably dance at this occasion, but this khushi only looked at the benefit this alliance was going to bring for her and her THRONE!

She took a deep breath and glanced at her image in the full-length mirror. Today there was a small engagement ceremony arranged at their home and no matter how small, given the stature of the families involved, it was still extravagant. Decked up as a bride from head till toe, she was looking breathtaking. There was no known jewelry in this world that was missing from her today. Everything was there except a natural blush of a new bride. Instead, there was fierce glint in her eyes, and firmness in her steps.

Just then her mother-in-law Reema Mehra aka Rani Ma and sister-in-law Swara walked in,

"You look very pretty beta." Reema complimented her daughter-in-law, who was more like her own daughter to her

"Shukirya Rani ma" khushi said and half contemplated telling her that she didn't want to do this, she didn't want to get married again, least to Arnav! But her mother-in-law was adamant on this match and like always, she made Khushi see the reason. Marrying Arnav would mean a lot for her own position, successfully eliminating any chance of any treachery again for the CM chair.

It was a perfect political move, if only their pasts weren't intertwined, if only Arnav hadn't been the one to break her trust in love, if he hadn't wronged her back then.

And then again, forgetting her ex-husband Swayam who had been nothing but a blessing in disguise for her, was not easy. They started out as friends, and he had become her life partner. And just when she started accepting their marriage, when they were going to start a family, he was gone, snatched away rather...Maybe love wasn't in her fate, maybe she was meant to be a ruler, that's it!

Flashback from 3 years ago:

For the second consecutive time, Shashi Gupta, also known as angutha-chaap (illiterate) chief minister was chosen as chief minister by their party lead much to his political rival's-Arvind Raizada's dislike. From last 10 years, he also wanted to be chief minister, but their party had chosen Shashi to lead both the terms. Amongst the crowd of corrupt politicians, Shashi was still relatively clean man and had goodwill of people, while Arvind was corrupted, morally, and otherwise. And it didn't help Arvind that his every wrong move was brought to light by none other Shashi Gupta! And now he was losing patience...

Shashi had always kept Khushi away from politics and from Delhi. After his wife Garima's death 10 years ago, he sent his only child Khushi to his sister Madhu's house in Lucknow. Another reason was to keep her away from his political rivals. In his ambition to become a leader he had already lost his wife; he didn't want to lose his only child too now!

But as they say, who can stop destiny? Unknown to Shashi Gupta, despite his numerous attempts to keep her safe, his daughter had caught fancy of none other than Arvind Raizada's only son, an equally spoilt brat, Arnav!

Arnav had succeeded in wooing Khushi

"Oh God, you're even more beautiful from this close." Arnav used to whisper in Khushi's ears, every time they met, and a blushing Khushi would push him away, telling him to stop it as they weren't married yet...

"We will get married Khushi, but your father will not agree easily. He hates my family." Arnav used to say in a low tone, and she would feel upset at her dad. Why couldn't her babuji see beyond political rivalry?

"Don't worry Arnav, if he doesn't agree, I will run away with you." she would say like a bold tigress, after all she WAS having blood of a mighty politician in her veins too!

But unknown to her naïve self, Arnav was enjoying every time she declared going against her father, after all this was a trap for Khushi who was innocent and oblivious to his vicious plan.

Unfortunately, she had to lose a lot to learn that lesson!

End of flashback

The then-23-years-old Khushi had believed whatever he told her, walked whichever path he led her and that only caused her doom.

But that was Khushi Gupta, this is Khushi Mehra who has ascended in the last few years and how!

--*--

Khushi was still contemplating whether she wanted to go downstairs and proceed with Arnav or not. He had broken her beyond repair, and it had taken her a long time to gather herself and climb up to where she was today. She had promised herself to never trust him again after the way he had ended her beautiful innocent dreams...

Flashback from 2 years ago:

It was just a month that Khushi had moved to Delhi from Lucknow, to be with her father, and she was liking it. But more so, she was glad to be near to Arnav. He too had shifted back to Delhi recently.

And then somehow her babuji got to know about her 'closeness' with the 'Raizada boy' and he grounded her! His most trusted man, and her soul-brother, Aman was given a responsibility of keeping an eye on her. Her Aman bhai was more like her brother than her babuji's PA and she took advantage of that when she made an excuse of feeling sick and went to see a doctor and eloped!

When an excited Khushi stood in front of 'her Arnav's' house, she was in for a big shock! He not only refused to acknowledge her but also threw her out. And somehow media was already present to capture this circus on camera...

"Why are you here and who told you I will marry you? I don't even know you that well." Arnav coolly said while his few friends, including a scantily clothed girl, gave her weird looks. Khushi had tears in her eyes at his refusal to acknowledge her, especially when he was the one who had assured her of his love.

"Arnav please, why are you saying this? WE made this plan, right? Tumhi ne kaha tha ki bhag aao (You only told me I can run away and come here). You said your family already accepts us. Why are you doing this?" she was desperately trying to convince him,

"Why would I say all that when I can't even look at you? I don't want to associate myself with a gawar beti (unsophisticated girl) of an unpadh (illiterate) father." his words stung her heart like a venomous needle.

Finally, when media people had their fill and started to disperse, she asked him one last question,

"Will you at least tell me why you did this?" she asked in tearful voice. Now that he had ended things, she at least needed to know why he did this,

"Huh! of course jaan." he said sarcastically which now disgusted her, "I did this only for the chief minister's chair! It belongs to me and my family. Samjhi tum (did you get it)?" and gestured to the media, “this will help in that”

By then her Aman bhai reached there and escorted her from the gathered crowd of news-hungry media.

And when she reached the official residence of Chief Minister, i.e., her home, Shashi Gupta was anxiously waiting for her and as soon as she stepped out, he slapped her!

That became another breaking news and this whole thing a huge scandal.

End of flashback

With that memory, Khushi’s decision still hung loose on whether to marry him or leave him at the altar...but then she couldn't forget that he was instrumental in putting Swayam's killer behind the bars, he was an important part of this game. This was another reason why she agreed to Rani ma's suggestion. She could never understand how Rani ma easily accepted Arnav though, after all, he was a Raizada!

But finally, she was doing this for her own sake, to safeguard her own position, 'the chair' for which all this was going on...

"I never wanted to be a part of this vicious power game, you know right, Swayam? I hate the way it makes me do things I never want to. And now it's too late for me to back down." Khushi spoke to a star in the sky, which she assumed was her ex-husband...

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A/N – I don't know how many of you know ancient queen Cleopatra, but she is my favorite figure when it comes to women in politics. You may also see me quoting things from political movies and books, Godfather, Rajneeti etc.

This story's plot went through several revisions especially where to begin chapter 1 and finally I froze it on this point. It's neither start nor end, it's the midpoint of this story. The first 3 chapters will be flashbacks from the last few years and the remaining chapters will be present and future. Hope the flow won't confuse you. Next will be Arnav's POV and then Rani ma's (she's an important character).