Chapter 12

The rest of the journey was excruciatingly silent. Khushi was too depressed to speak while Arnav was too angry to utter a word. He was planning this confession since the last night, repeating it in his mind over and over again but what he never paid any heed to was his past arrogant attitude. He should've known that Khushi was no other ordinary girl who would do anything just for a glimpse by him. She was not like others, who could bear all his rude remarks, just because he at least acknowledged their presence. She was entirely the other way round. It was he who would do anything, just to have a glimpse of her and it was her I-don't-give-a-damn-to-your-anger attitude which made him acknowledge her presence.

No wonder she was the only girl who had been to taken down all the curtains, exposing him to the world. It was she who stirred all the desires of love, passion and possessiveness within him. But what did he do in return? Debase and degrade her just like he has always done. And now it was time to repay not to repent.

**~~~**

"I love you Khushi" These three words had caused a tumult of emotions within Khushi. Her feelings were contradictory; she was feeling happy and was wretched, was excited and dispairing at the same time. The person, who was known for not believing in the sentiment of love, had now declared his love for her. Her! Khushi Kumari Gupta! The girl who had always been disparaged as something of no worth, who was always on the target of the caprice mood was now the lady love of Mr. Raizada. But his past behavior had made it impossible for her to rejoice over the fact.

Her house had now arrived in sight.

"Shall I call you tonight?" He asked as the car came to a halt and Khushi heaved a sigh.

"I don't think so" Khushi said as she undid her seat belt. He was try to make up for his yearlong presumptuous behavior by giving her mere hours to thing about? Wonderful!

"Then?" He asked, his fingers crossed for some time soon.

"I'll call you myself." She said and got down from his SUV

"Khushi"

"Ji?"

"I really do love you"

A crimson red crept from her ear and extended on all over her face and she meekly nodded her head.

"Take care" He called her as she entered her heart, his heart leaping of joy seeing that blush.

He resumed his driving recalling the events occurred earlier in the day. Even though, he was down that she didn't forgive him, he was elated at the same time that she wasn't going to marry him.

Wait a minute.

Who said he was going to marry some model? Anjali

Who said she was going to marry NK? Payal

Payal was so excited when she Arnav called her.

So does that mean?

His mouth fell open as he perceived the truth. The pieces of the puzzle had fit as they should've.

"Di"

**~~~**

"Chote should be here by now" Anjali said as she paced by her window. It's been half an hour since Khushi ji was dropped at her place by Arnav and apparently, she didn't seem so glad as she should've. According to Garima, they might have again gone into a dissension. These two, Anjali had shaken her head.

"Arguably it seems that Khushi was unappeased by Chote's confession. He ought to calm himself down from such refusal. Don't worry bitya, he'll come" Nani's word turned out to be true, Arnav had just arrived, but unlike her words, he seemed perfectly calm.

Strange, Anjali thought.

**~~~**

"And she plainly refused?" Disappointment was quite palpable in Payal's voice

"Yes"

"Without putting forward any reason"

"Umm she did as a matter of fact" Arnav replied, adjusting himself on the recliner comfortably and smiled to himself. Payal was hell bent to pretend as if she unaware of everything.

"What did she say?"

"Leave it Payal, it's of no use"

"But Arn"

"Payal I said forget this

"I don't get why Khushi refused. I thought"?" Payal's perturbed tone forced Arnav to sit up and the smile to vanish.

"What do you mean?"

"Khushi never acts so obdurate, I thought simply uttering " I love you" would erase all the differences, but she..."

"She what? Arnav asked, desperate for her to complete her sentence.

"It seems she's a little too hurt. Arnav ji, I hate to say this, but this is not as easy as I anticipated" Payal said, dejected.

**~~~**

"Oh so finally got the answers did you? Well it's better late than never"

"I hated you more than I ever loved you"

You've always repented your deeds and words

You always do something or another and then feel remorse. What am I supposed to? Wait until the moment you really acknowledge your poignant deeds? If yes, I don't I'll able to survive till then."

you've no idea how glad I am now that I know that you are not getting married and that you love me too but you know... I just... can't... take a risk..."

"I hated you more than I ever loved you"

Her words were echoing in his ears, and with each passing dialogue, Payal's word kept on turning to true. She had accused him of being a heartless presumptious beast in the past too, but this time, there was a new flame flickering in her eyes and repugnance in her voice. Did she hate him WAY MORE THAN she loved him? If yes, then it seemed it will take more than one life to make up to Khushi.

"Dammit" He groaned. Couldn't he just fall in love with a girl who would've said yes even before he opened his mouth.

"Chote"

"Ah.. here comes the conspirator" He thought and smirked.

"Come in Di"

"What's happening over here?"

"Nothing much"

If Anjali wanted answers, she had to initiate the conversation herself, unveil their plan which was being brewing beneath his nose. He had alluded nothing to Payal and Anjali would die out of curiosity as to why Khushi refused. Why didn't he appease her? Why didn't he go on his knees.. Arnav smirked, this reaction was inevitable.

"So... where have you been today Chote?"

"Di I was at office.. Remember?"

"Oh haan... what happened at office?

"Which always happens at office; work"

Anjali laughed meekly and Arnav smiled.

"You need to work harder than this Di" He thought.

"So..."

"Di you really want to say something? Because I am very tired"

"That's it?"

"What do you want Di? Do you want me to be something more?"

"Chote?"

"Di?" Arnav said in a frustrated tone.

"Oh common tell me already"

"Ask me already?"

"Why did Khushi ji refuse? Why didn't you tried to placate her? Why didn't you go on your knees? She would've said yes"

See!

"Di since when is this going on?"

Anjali sighed.

"Since hawan. I mean, we thought of how you too looked perfect and then... we began our plotting since reception"

"We?" Arnav asked, his brow rose in suspicion.

"We means Nani, Akaash, Payal, Garima aunty and I"

"WHAT THE HELL DI?" Arnav roared as he stood up. So many people planned for him to fall in love, what a shame.

"What happened Chote?"

"What happened? You are asking what happened. You dragged me into mire. So many people plotted to make me fall in love? 5 people? You got to be kidding me and Garima aunty... You involved her too?"

"Well Chote, she's going to be your mother-in-law and we can't do anything without someone from their side"

"But Payal was there"

"Chote Payal doesn't see to who's coming and going. If Garima aunty wouldn't have been with us Khushi ji would've never been able to go out with you. You know Buaji, Garima aunty is the most crucial"

"Why leave Mama and Mami?" Arnav asked.

"Chote you are being irrational now. We did nothing which would debase you, we are all family and there's no such thing among family. But if you really find it shameful then trust me it would be more shameful if Khushi ji went out of hands because you never found out that you loved her."

"How do you know that I love her?"

Anjali laughed.

"You are asking me this? I know it before you did, in fact it was us who made you realize that you love her. You are a jerk when it comes to knowing that you are in love"

"I still can't believe this Di... You all... Akaash and Payal devoted their week to me and not to themselves"

"Not that this should make you feel shameful, but thinking that it would make should feel"

"I guess you are right"

"So spit it out Chote"

Arnav began narrating her the entire story, being amused by her Oos and Awws when the I love you part arrived.

"And then she said that I've hurt her immense time in past and that she needs time to think whether I can be trusted or not"

"Oh God Chote... why are you so harsh. Payal was right, Khushi ji was too angry"

"I know that already Di, suggest me something."

"Well, you ruined the things, you make them up too"

"But I thought you were all at my side?"

"When I did ever say that? We planned you to confess your love, who knew things would mess up like this, so as they say; "You make the mess, you clean it""

Anjali winked and left a thoughtful Arnav behind.

**~~~**

"You and him were in this together?" Khushi said, her eyes going wide.

"Umm yes"

"Since when?"

"Arnav ji and I? Well since today. He called me and asked for my help and I said yes"

"What do you mean Jiji? What do you mean by Arnav ji and I? I am getting the idea that there is more to it and I know you are a part of it"

"Umm why?" Payal asked, her lips in a straight line preventing herself to burst into laughing. Her sister was getting nearer to the truth.

"Because Amma told me that Arnav ji was getting married and he said that you told him that I was getting married."

"Haan to?"

"Haan to kia Jiji? Sach sach batao kia chakkar bazi hai ye?"

"Okay then brace yourself Khushi. You are about to get the shock of your life"

"Hey DM sub theek to haina Jiji?"

"Khushi, Nani ji, Anjali bhabhi, Akaash, Amma and I have been planning to bring you and Arnav ji together since the wedding"

"Wha?" Her sentence wasn't even completed, owing to the amount of the shock she had received. This was planned.

"He knew?"

"No... not uptil now. I don't know whether Di told him or not. I'll call her after this"

"Oh... so then there's a bad news" Khushi replied, furiously

"What?"

"You all have failed badly. There's no way I am marrying that man who's as changeable as the weather. I don't want jump in the hell myself." She cut the call, not believing she actually said that.

**~~~**

NO PRECAP

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Just few chapters more to go readers.

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