Part 9

Headnote: Controlled burning, is the intentional use of fire to reduce wildfires in forests, preventing larger fires. It creates breaks to stop the spread of wildfires. You'll need to know this for below chapter :)

Also, ever heard of 'a twist in the tail- err- tale'? No? Ensure you read till the end :P

--*--

Of course, the room was filled with tension, so thick it could be cut with a knife! Arnav had been waiting for Mrs. Mehra to give her verdict; Khushi was still trying to process that Arnav- who was supposedly done with politics- demanded a CM post, while Rani Mehra, seating on the edge of her chair, was analyzing her thoughts.

She knew this was a dangerous gamble Arnav was playing.

But she was thinking before saying anything- something she had learned long ago during her youth which helped her survive as a lone woman amongst the political wolves!

However, Khushi finally seemed to have found her voice, as she asked in a barely controlled angry voice, "Ye sab kya hai, Arnav (What is all this, Arnav)? What do you mean by you want to be the CM? Suddenly? Where is all this coming from?"

Arnav met her gaze, unwavering, unrelenting, "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?"

Khushi was hurt that there was no hesitation in his tone, no crack in his resolve.

Rani Mehra still remained silent spectator.

Khushi not giving up, stepped closer to Arnav, trying once more, "Arnav, please. You know why I want to do this. Arvind Raizada- he- he was behind the accident where I lost Swayam. And my babuji... you've seen those scars, right? On his face, on his hands, his paralysis. You've seen how he's still not recovered from the trauma." Her voice trembled but she kept talking, he needed to understand her point, "I need to regain the position to make sure Arvind Raizada is punished for his crimes, Arnav, to make sure people like Dayal don't gain control of Delhi, to-"

"Stop it, Khushi." Arnav cut her off sharply and he too got up from his seat, "You can give these excuses to others, not to me." And then he turned his attention to Rani, his expression resolute. "Mrs. Mehra, the decision is up to you now, I have said what I wanted to."

By then Rani was ready and knew exactly what she wanted to do.

She drew in a deep breath, carefully masking the tornado of emotions within her.

The thing was, political strategist in her had assessed the situation. Khushi, already a well-recognized and popular figure, was a stronger candidate. Arnav, despite his calculated self (perhaps like her), carried the weight of his father's bad reputation- a liability she couldn't afford!

She straightened up, speaking with calm, "Arnav-" she began, "you are a Raizada, and that name carries influence, I know. But it also carries baggage. And in politics, perception is everything. Khushi is the face that resonates with people, the one who they see as a leader, as their savior. While you... you carry your father's shadow, and the public hasn't forgotten."

Arnav's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Khushi looked between them, not really surprised that Rani Ma took her side. She was oblivious to the blood relation Arnav shared with Rani ma, and thus only felt surer that Rani Ma will favor her as Swayam's ex-wife...

Meanwhile, Arnav took a step toward Rani, "Mrs. Mehra, you underestimate me. Khushi may be popular, but politics isn't just about who smiles at the cameras, right? It's about strategy. And I'm the strategist you need."

Khushi gasped in disbelief. What had happened to Arnav? Was what he showed in past 2 years the truth or had he never changed?

"Strategy doesn't win votes, Arnav. People do. And right now, these people don't want a Raizada. They want Khushi."

Arnav inhaled sharply, clearly displeased with this verdict.

And just when Khushi feared he would drop the idea to move back to Delhi altogether, he said, "Fine. Let's go to Delhi, we will see who is capable of what after a few days."

--*--

Swara Mehra had always lived with an easy, carefree attitude, never letting stress stick around in her life. She was like a sparkly sticker on a plain notebook, a rabbit born to a family of horses!

Maybe that's why, at just 17, she had been charmed by her school's basketball captain, the cute classmate who managed to sweep her off her feet...and ended up pregnant with his baby.

Or maybe that's why she found the strength to move on after her twin brother Swayam's murder, his untimely death and eventually accept Arnav as her big brother, her bhai.

And perhaps that same lighthearted nature was what made her trust Aman Mathur so easily. He had always been someone she admired, and when he showed up a few days ago, asking for her help to defeat the party her own mother supported and secure a win for his, she didn't think twice before hearing him out.

Until Arnav's call the previous morning... it changed a few things in her mind.

And that's how Aman found her face in stress when she came to meet him.

"Swara, is everything okay?" Aman asked her.

Swara quickly plastered a smile on her face. "Of course, Aman. Why wouldn't it be?"

"You sure? You seem distracted."

"It's nothing." she replied trying to be casual.

Aman smiled a little.

"Also, you'll probably hear about it soon anyway, but Arnav bhai and Khushi are separating."

Exactly what she was here to tell him...

Aman's brow furrowed slightly, "Oh? That's... unexpected."

"Delhi does strange things to people. You know how it is." She said, avoiding his eyes.

Aman nodded, though his thoughts were already racing...why did this make him disturbed?

.

.

After Swara left from there, Dayal instantly found Aman.

"That girl, what's her name again? Ah, Swara... what did she say?" Dayal asked, lighting his cigar.

Aman turned around, not entirely sure how he felt about arnav and khushi's separation yet. And thus, he said, "Nothing much that we didn't know. She said arnav and khushi are back in delhi."

"That's it? Hmm." Dayal asked, and then added as an afterthought, "By the way, tell me Mathur, you trust her, she trusts you. Then why are you wasting so much time?"

"What do you mean?" Aman frowned.

Dayal smirked, "You both are young, alone-"

Aman's jaw tightened, and he cut Dayal's talk in between, "She's already helping us by giving inside information. That's enough."

Dayal smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Enough? Aman don't be naïve. Information is useful, sure, but pictures, videos... something incriminating? That's leverage. Imagine the effect it would have."

"Swara Mehra is off-limits, Dayal. Your enmity is with National bharat party and whoever is their CM face. Swara isn't that. So, please, stop it there."

Dayal leaned back, flicking ash off the end of his cigar. "Fine."

"It's getting late, I am going home now." Aman said and left.

But once he left, Dayal spoke to himself, "Off-limits for you, maybe. But neither she, nor Khushi nor Arnav are off limit for me, Aman!"

--*--

In the three days since their arrival in Delhi, Khushi had thrown herself into preparations for the election campaign. The voting dates were soon to be announced, and the amount of work left her no room to breathe. Meetings with party members, preparing her speeches, and finalizing the roadmap occupied every waking hour. Yet, amidst all this, she knew she was missing something. Something about her personal life...her husband and kids. The gap between her and arnav was increasing day by day. Even when they slept in the same room, they barely got to speak with each other...

.

.

Meanwhile, Arvind Raizada was dealing with the humiliation of his forced resignation. The rebellion of 30 MLAs had cost him his majority, and with it, his grip on power. Public disgrace aside, his worry now was to salvage what remained of his political career. Over the last two years, he had managed to convince Rani Mehra that he was changed, he was reformed. She too had cautiously ignored his past betrayals, decided to be with him for the sake of the bigger picture.

However, with Khushi's return to Delhi and her decision to reopen the investigations into Shashi's accident and Swayam's death had begun uncovering evidence that pointed straight to Arvind.

And thus, finally realizing the walls were closing in on him, Arvind made a decision.

He would confess to Rani before the scandal erupted.

"Reema, please believe me-" he used her former name- the one he once called her by- "that accident was planned for Shashi! It was never intended for your son. He...Swayam died shashi's death. Please save me from this case, Reema. You know that it will only create problems for us" Arvind said, in front of a stone-frozen Rani!

And for the first time in years, there was no trace of usual confidence- in Arvind it was only fear, while Rani- she was shocked!

.

.

Amidst all this turmoil, Arnav had been quietly meeting people in his old office at Mehra Industries. The meetings weren't business-related though, something else was cooking there. And Khushi was aware of his activities, but she didn't get that chance to ask him. What would she ask anyway? It had become quite awkward after how Rani ma chose her over Arnav despite his clear wish to be the CM.

Had she made a mistake? Should she let go of her ambitions, her ability to gain the power and chose to be a wife and mother only? She didn't know...

That night, as she sat in their room, lost in thought, Arnav came to her. "Khushi," he said softly, this tone she hadn't heard in days, "I want my wife back."

She blinked, startled by his sudden changed demeanor. Or was she happy? Who was she kidding? She was overjoyed right now...she didn't even know how much she wanted this- this love from her husband!

"I miss you, Khushi." he continued, moving dangerously closer to her, "I miss our days in Kasauli, away from all of this. I miss us. And I don't want this distance between us anymore."

His words hit her heart, washing away all the doubts that had plagued her mind. He reached for her hand and gently pulled her into an embrace, the same familiar touch that had once made her put her everything on the line! And she melted in his loving arms.

That night, Arnav made her feel like the luckiest woman alive.

He showed her, not with words but through every action, how much he cherished her. For the first time since arriving in Delhi, Khushi felt at peace. The warmth of his love silencing the chaos in her head.

Sochu Tujhe Toh Hai Subah, Sochu Tujhe Toh Shaam Hai
Manzilon Pe Ab Toh Meri Ek Hi Tera Naam Hai
Tere Aag Me Hi Jalte, Koyle Se Heera Bante
Khwaabon Mein Aagey Chalte Hain Tujhe Batana

(When I think of You, it's morning When I think of You, it's night
On my destinations now, there is only Your name
I have burned in Your love and turned from Coal into Diamond
I want to go ahead in my dreams and show You)

She was happiest that night...

Only to have that fragile happiness shatter the next morning.

Because next morning, Arnav Singh Raizada announced that he was moving out of their house and was forming a new political party!

And just like that, Khushi's world tilted on its axis.

--*--

It had been a week since their arrival in Delhi.

And just a day since Arnav announced his new political party, the "Young-India Party". The media quickly picked up on his image as an estranged husband and a devoted father, and his idea started gaining traction. Social media was buzzing with hashtags like #WeStandWithArnav and #CoolDadAsPolitician, with many young boys and girls supporting him.

However, there was more than what meet the eye.

And it was only Swara- Rani Mehra's daughter and Arnav's half-sister- knew what it was!

She knew that Arnav wasn't truly trying to harm Khushi's chances. If anything, he was helping her.

What she couldn't figure out was why he was going to such lengths.

And that was why she decided to confront him that evening, going to his newly set office.

"Bhai! Free ho?"

Arnav, who was holding a pen in one hand, his iPad in front of him and a can of chilled beer in the other hand, looked up.

"Swara? What are YOU doing here? I told you; we can't meet openly like this."

"Don't worry, bhai, no one saw me."

And Arnav, although unconvinced, gave a curt nod.

"Bhai, will you at least tell me now, what you are trying to do?"

Arnav leaned back in his chair, and gave her a small smile. He could indulge her... after all, she was his main ally. So, he decided to answer truthfully, "I'm putting in a small fire to stop my entire world from burning down, Swar."

Swara frowned, confused. "I don't understand." she said, taking a seat across from him.

Arnav chuckled softly and set the can down. He gestured for her to sit closer, as though preparing to explain something important. She pulled her chair closer, going around the table, and he whispered, "I told you once that I was good at science back in school, right?" he asked, as if nostalgic.

Swara nodded, though she still couldn't see where this was going.

"Well, some things from physics and chemistry always stuck with me, even after all these years. And one of them is the concept of controlled burning."

"Controlled burning?" she repeated, tilting her head.

He nodded, "When there's a wildfire- something uncontrollable- there's a technique to deal with it. You set a smaller, controlled fire in its path. That small fire consumes the fuel, stopping the bigger fire from spreading any further."

Swara blinked, trying to piece it together. "And this has something to do with us?"

Arnav smiled, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. "Politics is its own kind of wildfire, Swara. And in our world, people like Dayal are the ones lighting it. By going against Khushi and Mrs. Mehra publicly, I've created a breaking point- a controlled burn, so to speak. Something that I'm controlling, to keep everything from spiraling out of control."

She stared at him, the pieces beginning to fall into place. "So, you've deliberately put yourself in the line of fire-"

"For my family-" he cut her off, "Yes. For my wife, my kids, my sister... and maybe even for an old friend. I'm doing what I believe a husband, a father, a brother, and a..." He hesitated briefly, then added, "friend should do."

Swara watched him, trying to process everything he was saying.

"Am I being selfish? Definitely." he admitted after a pause. "I'm thinking about my own people first. My family, my world. That's who I'm doing this for. Not the entire state, not the country. Just us. Maybe one day, people will look back and see me as the villain in all this. I'm okay with that." He shrugged lightly. "I have understood that there were rulers before us, and there will be kings after us. Hunger for power, the need to rule- it's never going to disappear."

Swara sat quietly, realizing what kind of a complex person her brother was...

Or was this called love? The matter of heart?

Saath-saath Chalte-chalte, Haath Choot Jayenge
Aisi Raahon Mein Milo Naa
Baatein-baatein Karte Karte Raat Kat Jaayegi
Aisi Raaton Mein Milo Naa

(When going hand-in-hand on a road, Our hands may get separated
Don't meet me on such roads
While talking on and on, the night will finish
Don't meet on such nights)

Kya Hum Hain, Kya Rab Hai
Jahan Tu Hai Wahin Sab Hai
Tere Lub Mile Mere Lub Khile
Ab Dur Kya Hai Jaana

(What am I, Who is God
Wherever You are, there is everything
My lips meet Yours, And they blossom
Why should I go any far)

Tere Waaste Mera Ishq Sufiyana
Mera Ishq Sufiyana

(For You, My Love is selfless
My Love is selfless)

--*-

A/N – Previous 2 chapters were about throne; this was about heart! I don't know how many of you had inkling or saw this coming, but Arnav going against Khushi was intentional on his part. Now how will that help or cause more problems, we'll see. About that forest fire thing -me being a STEM girl from engineering background, can't help but bring nerdy concepts into my stories, sorry. Ideally, I am supposed to be writing Python scripts but well, this is more interesting :D