Part 8

Character intro - I have actors Shaheer Shaikh as Aman Mathur and Erica Fernandes as Swara Mehra in mind (mishbir fans, sorry but I feel Erica suits the CS of Swara more here). For Babu Dayal- I've Prakash Raj in mind. And Narayani Shastri as Rani Ma.

--*--

To Arnav, that night felt too long, theoretically and figuratively. After waking up from that nightmare of having his family broken due to Rani mehra's greed, Arnav couldn't sleep a wink.

He had been away from the political scene entirely in the past 2 years. Even if he saw any news, it wouldn't be more than a cursory glance. He had done it with single-minded focus- as he had promised khushi- to take her and their kids away from that chaos... away from the vicious power game that they both were born into.

However, it looked like the throne, the influence of power was not something they could entirely escape. Rani Mehra's arrival at their doorstep clearly told him so...

And if that was the case, then he would also have to bring back the old Arnav! The one who knew how to twist every situation to his benefit.

The shrewd, calculating, clever prince Arnav Singh Raizada back!

With that decided, Arnav opened his laptop and started with some research.

Some basics, some fundamentals, some trivia...

On each and everything he could find on every big and small player in Delhi's political circle, his own old acquaintances and his old enemies. And then few key players who controlled the electoral scene in Delhi, Rani Mehra, Arvind Raizada, Shashi Gupta, Babu Dayal...and Aman Mathur!

He dug up every small, big, insignificant information he found available.

And by the end of it, Arnav felt he was ready.

Ready with a plan.

And to start it, he needed to speak with a person who he knew would be his key companion in it.

His half-sister, Rani Mehra's daughter, Swara.

.

.

Khushi hadn't had a proper sleep last night. There was one thought ruling her mind. Her crown.

Her homeland, her state, Delhi, needed her. True, she had not grown up with the mindset of being a ruler but once she did become a ruler, she did love her kingdom like her child. Her first child. That meant, she had to also think of it as much as she was prioritizing her children-Vanshika and Veer. She couldn't just turn her back when there was a chance that she could take control of her homeland once again.

Then again, she had never gotten justice to Swayam's murderers or her babuji's culprits. Wasn't that also a reason she had gotten involved in all this?

But what will Arnav say? She had imagined that conversation a thousand times in her head and every time, it scared her more to imagine how it will go-

"I have decided to return to Delhi." Khushi said and Arnav fumed in anger,

"I knew it, you can't live without your throne! But you can't decide that alone." his answer and tone would hurt her.

Khushi shook her head to dismiss that scary imaginary conversation.

This was a good opportunity for her. She had a chance again. To regain control. True, it may mean some inconvenience to Arnav and their kids, but perhaps, she could do some balancing? It's not like politicians don't raise their kids, right? Arnav would understand.

In short, her mind had already been leaning towards the crown, and she was finding excuses to convince herself...

By morning though, she felt sure that she wanted to talk to Arnav and tell him she wished to agree with Rani Ma's idea...

And with that, her decision was made. It was time for the emergence of Khushi- the rightful owner of Delhi's throne!

.

.

The trouble with powerful people is that they believe they control everything yet often miss the small things right under their nose. They get so used to things going their way, they fail to see the fire burning right in their backyard.

Something similar happened with Rani Mehra. And not for the first time.

She had missed the signs to detect Swayam was becoming drug addict, she had missed the shy Swara's teenage fantasies that had led to her pregnancy and now as well, she had missed to notice that Swara was once again being manipulated by someone.

Someone who was once their close aide.

Someone who now was a part of the opposition party.

And that was none other than Aman Mathur.

Aman had been in touch with Swara and on Dayal's orders, he had been cleverly planning to use her as a pawn.

And Rani Mehra remained blissfully unaware.

Her focus had always been controlling the power of India's capital, and sadly, her focus still remained there.

And for that, she needed Khushi to agree to return with her.

--*--

"Let's go back to Delhi." Arnav's words that morning shocked more than surprised Khushi. She had thought she would need some convincing to do. After all, she knew how much invested he was in this quiet life. Sure, they lacked all the comfort and luxuries they were used to but they both had decided to make efforts to make this work.

This life, away from all the toxicity. Just with their kids. Just for their kids...

Rani Mehra's visit and subsequent appeal to Khushi had made her change her mind and she was worried about how to convince Arnav.

But here, Arnav was himself agreeing to go back.

"But before we talk to Rani Mehra, I need you to tell me one thing, Khushi. With honesty."

"I have always been honest with you, Arnav." Khushi replied, earnestly. Curious to know what was on his mind.

"Two years ago, when you had asked me to take you and our kids away, did you trust me?"

Khushi nodded, "I did." It was an easy answer.

Arnav smiled. "And will you continue to trust me even when we go back to- to that world again? Even when things will threaten to make you think otherwise?"

Khushi frowned. She was put on spot. Because she knew arnav's question meant much more than just those words. He was trying to tell her something, almost warning her about something.

And she wanted to ask him about it before answering.

That was when they heard a knock on the door. Followed by Rani Mehra's voice, "May I come in?"

Arnav sighed. As did Khushi. Their conversation would have to wait. Or scrapped...

"Sure. Please come in Mrs. Mehra." he murmured, in a calm tone unlike how he rudely talked with her yesterday.

But as Rani Ma stepped into the room, Arnav exchanged one fleeting glance with Khushi.

Meanwhile, Rani was pleased that Arnav welcomed her. Her son... Perhaps, she could hit another goal with this move? Have her long lost son back to her?

Once everyone sat, Arnav cleared his throat, "So. Mrs. Mehra, Khushi and I...we have decided we will come to Delhi." He said looking at Khushi who smiled at him, as it was what they had already agreed. Rani too got pleased. This didnt take as much convincing as she had feared it would.

But then Arnav turned his gaze back to Rani, "But there will be slight change in the plan."

Khushi looked at him in confusion. What was he talking about?

"Go on, Arnav." Rani said.

"You want a strong candidate to stand opposite Dayal's party who will also appease our rebel MLAs, right?" he asked, making Rani ma nod. "So, it will be that way. We would pitch a strong candidate. But the CM face of our party would not be Khushi Mehra-Raizada." Arnav said, taking a brief pause making both Khushi and Rani look at him in puzzle, "It will be Arnav Singh Raizada."

They heard the otherwise in-control Rani Mehra gasp in shock.

Khushi too looked at him in shock. She couldn't process what he just said.

Rani recovered first as she asked, getting up from her seat, "What are you saying Arnav? How is it possible?"

"Why not? You need the CM post to remain in the family. And I am also your family, right?" he asked with a smirk. There was no way Rani Mehra would not get the meaning behind his words...

Meanwhile, Khushi sat frozen, trying to make sense of everything. She couldn't help but wonder, what exactly was Arnav playing at?

--*--

He had wanted to make a big difference in politics, wanted to revolutionize the infamous political scenario, and wanted to make a big name out of himself. And that was why Aman Mathur had initially been drawn to Arnav. They both attended the same college, and Aman was eager to befriend the son of former Chief Minister Arvind Raizada. However, Arnav rarely treated him as an equal friend. Instead, he often made him feel more like an unpaid servant and kept him far from the inner circle of Delhi's political elite. And thus, Aman shifted sides and became the then-CM Shashi Gupta's protégé. Gupta not only recognized his value but also treated him like a family and he too became Shashi's loyal supporter.

That was why when Shashi's daughter Khushi became involved in a scandal orchestrated by none other than Arnav, Aman was the one who handled it, pulled her out of it, became a protective shield for her and convinced her to marry Rani Mehra's son Swayam as a clever dogmatic move. It was a win for the Guptas, and above all, it protected his sworn sister, Khushi. Aman was also happy when Khushi eventually became the CM., he had faith in her and he trusted that now he also had a position in her cabinet where he could take decisions as he wished.

Albeit he was proven wrong.

Khushi not only dismissed his opinions but also never openly supported him.

The last nail in the coffin was when he was passionate about a school project, but Khushi went ahead to support the other MLAs who wanted to sell the land to a builder and demolish the school.

That was the first time Aman had thought of going against Guptas and joining the opposition, headed by infamous, cunning politician Babu Dayal.

However the thought of going against the Guptas, his guru Shashi and his sister Khushi stopped him, as well as the entire journey had made him disenchanted for a bit and he decided to quit it all and become a professor in Delhi University!

That was 2 years ago.

In those two years, despite convincing himself that he was happy, that he had made the right choice, Aman's mind refused to let him rest. As they say, dreams aren't easy to take out of your system, they aren't the ones you get while sleeping but real dreams don't let you sleep*.

He had been following the news of Arvind Raizada's return as CM and how his incompetence was leading to chaos. So, when Babu Dayal approached him with a lucrative offer, one that granted him the authority to make his own decisions, Aman found himself drawn back into the political arena.

Although now, the goal of "changing the electoral scenario" was left behind by him and his sole focus was on building an undeniable, unshakable reputation. On making himself an inconvincible big name!

And one key part of that was breaking his opposition. He knew that if he targeted the 'Gupta-Raizada-Mehra' families, his rivals would be nothing.

So, he selected his first pawn.

Swara.

He already knew her, so gaining her confidence was no big task. And once he gained her trust, his further task was easy. To get every small and big information about his opposition party.

Which is how he got to know about Rani Mehra's new move, to bring back Khushi and Arnav.

He wasn't happy when he heard it. Not happy at all. Arnav and Khushi were too influential, if people heard they were coming back, he would stand no chance.

This would ruin his plans.

That is why he had to crush those attempts before they became a threat to him.

And hence, he had already begun targeting Khushi, though a small part of him winced at the thought. But he knew that to fuel his ambitions, he had to eliminate his opposition.

So, her marriage to Arnav, which had been forged through a major contract between two families, was one dark secret he held, and he had been waiting for the right moment to use it.

As for Arnav... he had his own set of secrets. He and Arnav went way back, which gave Aman an advantage: he knew the things about Arnav that no one else did. Things Arnav had often asked him to "take care of."

Like that particular girl named Sheetal, who had been obsessed with Arnav, and whom he had asked Aman to "handle."

There would be a right time to strike, and Aman was currently thinking when would it be. Of course, Dayal was there to give him all the help needed!

--*--

Precap: "What is all this, Arnav? What do you mean by you want to be the CM? Where is all this coming from?" Khushi asked, in a quivering but barely-controlled angry voice.

"Kyun, Khushi? Why are you so shocked hearing it? Or only you can be the one who is ambitious? Why is this so surprising if I am also thinking about myself?" Arnav's voice didn't falter a bit, showing he had thought this through.

--*--

A/N – I am sorry for making your blue-eyed Amie-boy a grey-shaded, more like villain here. But come on, how long do we want him to be just a sidekick to ASR? Time for him to get meaty roles, ya? :P Also, I wouldn't blame you if by the end of this, you are on Arnav's team more than Khushi's.

*- Quote by the late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam