Part 10

Khushi caressed the innocent, tiny faces of her 3-year-old kids, Veer and Vanshika, sleeping cuddling with each other. Today once again she couldn't make it before their bedtime. Their nanny whom they had brought with them from Kasauli had been the one taking care of them as Khushi busied herself in election campaign. With the polling dates announced now, only a month away, she was only expecting that her days would become busier. Meaning little to no time for her kids. They will have to get used to it for some time...

'Then why did you give birth to them? Why bring them into this world if you knew you have something else as your priority? Just to fulfil your wish to be a mother?' her conscience asked her. And she had no answer...

How she wished she had arnav with her at this time. She would have made him sit by her side, kept her head on his shoulder, and let his words soothe her. What would he say to her? He was good with words, she smiled. Wasn't that how she had fallen for him years ago...anyway. He would perhaps tell her she was being a pessimist, that this time too shall pass, that once the campaign was over, she would have more time for her children.

But alas. He was not here to tell her so.

He was busy planning his own election campaign.

She took a deep breath. This was no time to cry over what was not in her hands. She had to come up with her own strong strategies. One of which had always been her past record as the youngest chief minister with a clean image. Her hardworking and sincere image had earned her a lot of followers back then. But after she suddenly resigned from her post and left her state in Arvind Raizada's hands, a lot of people were hurt.

So, now she had to reverse that and gain their support back.

With the reopening of the investigation against Arvind, she had already managed to gain some of the trust back. Subsequently, the court also had granted permission for the case to be fast-tracked, which would likely benefit her further.

Now her next objective was to defeat her main opponents, Aman and Dayal. And to achieve this, she planned to announce the establishment of ten new schools in those areas of Delhi that were populated by underprivileged communities. This move would effectively deflate the bubble of Aman's narrative that she and her party opposed the construction of schools or supported their demolition.

.

.

Rani Mehra stood by the slightly ajar door to her grandkids' bedroom where khushi sat by her sleeping kids. Albeit working on her notepad. Rani smiled in satisfaction.

This was the reason she favored khushi. She saw her reflection in khushi. Same ambitious, similar dedication towards her goals!

Especially in the wake of the plethora of personal problems that seem to be surrounding her. Arnav had left her and not just that, he even formed a new party to stand opposite her. Although rani wasn't too worried about it. Her political experience told her, at most, his party would secure single-digit seats and eat some of the opposition party's votes. So, in a way, it would benefit khushi. She didn't realize she had in a way decoded her (illegitimate) son Arnav's thinking process. Albeit partially. This was surely one of the main motives of arnav's behind forming that party- it would divide the voters that would otherwise want to oppose khushi and instead of dayal or aman, they had a good option in the form of arnav to vote now. Resultantly, Aman wouldn't get more seats. But Arnav's second motive, she wouldn't guess...

Anyhow.

There was also this parasite called Arvind Raizada that she had been sheltering for the last 2 years. Years ago when he made a deal with her to give her an entry into the political elite in exchange of a child, she had naively believed him. And his subsequent betrayal made her what she became later. Yet, despite everything, it seemed she had never truly understood the depths of this man's deceit... So, after khushi's resignation when the CM post was empty, she supported him to take it up. She had believed him to be just another shrewd politician, who had skeletons in his closet, but the truth was far darker. Arvind was the man responsible for her son Swayam's death.

From the day he confessed his role in the accident that claimed Swayam's life, Rani had used all her resources within judicial circle to make it a fast-track case. To her surprise, even Swara seemed to have gotten her own resources, helping to uncover critical evidence, including statements from the key handlers who orchestrated the tragic incident.

And now, Arvind would surely get a life imprisonment, which would further help her and khushi as people who ensure justice, irrespective of whether that man was from their family or their party.

--*--

Arnav ended the call after talking to swara. She confirmed that she handed over the last key file with all remaining evidence to Rani Maa who in turn gave it to her lawyer against Arvind.

She had been proving to be perfect for handling all the responsibilities he gave to her!

He still remembered that call he made to her 3 weeks ago, from Kasauli. After Mrs. Mehra's sudden arrival at his doorstep, asking him and khushi to return to delhi.

He had sensed khushi would sway towards going back.

Not that he would oppose her ambitions, he knew she made a powerful ruler, but he also had to ensure his little world, khushi as his wife and their kids didn't lose themselves in that whirlwind!

For that, he had to ensure that all those who would target her would face him first! All the attacks that were directed at her would get a distraction in his form.

And that wouldn't be possible unless he created the illusion of opposing her and becoming her competition.

He had then spent an entire night planning his move, analyzing the cards he had versus the cards Aman or Dayal had.

Sure, he didn't have all aces but sometimes even a jack proves to be effective to win a move!

Convincing Swara had been tricky, but he had done it. He had to use their real relation, one which he had kept hidden until now. That they had formed a close bond not just due to circumstances but because they had same blood flowing in their veins. That they both were born out of same womb!

But once he revealed to her, he was her half-brother, Swara promised she would stand by him. She had lost one brother already; she wouldn't lose another.

She then told him everything, how Aman approached her a few weeks ago, how she saw him as her good friend, how he would ask her about various things happening in their house and so on.

It didn't take long for Arnav to deduce that Aman had been using Swara to extract inside information about their party, using it to form strategies of his own.

Arnav then decided to turn the tables and use the same tactic against Aman.

And so, he sent Swara to Aman with a message: that he and Khushi were on the brink of separating. It was surprise that Aman hadn't used it though. Perhaps, there was still hope for Aman? Or was it time to drop another bomb, the biggest secret about him- that he was an illegitimate child of Mrs. Mehra?

But how will Khushi react to it? She was also unaware of it...

His mind went to Khushi. It had been 2 weeks since he left her- or pretended as if he did. But every single day, he was yearning to be with her, and their kids. As he stood guard, protecting them from a distance, keeping an eye on every single voice that was getting raised against Khushi- sometimes those voices from her own party which he couldn't have known unless he staged going against her...but some times he also wished she knew...she knew that he still loved her. That this whole thing was a drama to protect her. To protect them...

Somebody wants you, somebody needs you
Somebody dreams about you every single night
Somebody can't breathe, without you it's lonely
Somebody hopes that one day you will see
That somebody's me

--*--

Arnav had been so busy ensuring to deflate all attacks on Khushi and her party that he forgot to keep an eye on his enemies!

He was sure he was controlling the game.

But there was one slip.

Something that even swara couldn't find out in time.

And it was something related to his past.

Sheetal. The girl he had casually dated in college but later asked Aman to send her off somewhere when she became too obsessed with and stingy with him!

.

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Aman looked at the gorgeous model standing in front of him and couldn't believe it was the same girl he had given money to, to leave Delhi and go to Mumbai. It was the same sheetal who had cried being forcefully sent away and had now become one of the most sought-after models...

And she was the one going to help him today.

To take down Arnav.

"You got what you have to do, right?" Aman asked her.

Sheetal crossed her legs and had a sly smile playing on her lips as she answered, "Of course. I'll go to Arnav, make sure the press gets tipped off and is following me. But when I meet him, I'll act like it's just a casual, friendly visit. Nothing suspicious."

Dayal, who was seated in the corner of the room, intervened with a cold smile, "And before you step out of his house, you'll have bruises on your hands and neck."

Sheetal chuckled, brushing a strand of hair off her face. "Naturally. What's the point of being a model if I don't know how to use makeup to my advantage?"

Aman, although he had been the one to suggest Sheetal's name, now felt as if something was not right with this approach... but it was too late now.

Dayal's smirk deepened, "Don't forget the strangulation marks. They'll make the story even more convincing."

"Consider it done."

"Excuse me. I have some other work; I will catch you later." Aman said, leaving from there.

After Aman left, Dayal turned to his desk, pulled out a hefty bundle of cash, and handed it to Sheetal. "This is for the other task. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

"Of course not." Sheetal replied with a sly smirk. "Money always boosts my memory."

"Good. Now, remember, it's not just Arnav I need taken down-"

"-but also a scandal for Swara Mehra." Sheetal interrupted, "Don't worry. I'll get you some spicy photos of Swara in Aman's arms. That should be enough to shatter the Mehras' holier-than-thou image and Khushi's too, since she still carries that surname."

"Exactly." Dayal said, with a satisfied glint in his eyes.

.

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The next day:

Khushi couldn't believe what the news channels were showing since morning. Even Rani Maa seemed to be shocked.

'Mashhoor model Sheetal Kapoor ka sansanikhez khulasa. Arnav Singh Raizada par lagaye gaye molestation ke aarop, jo na ki unhe sirf jail bhej sakte hain balki unka political career aur public life bhi khatam kar sakte hain. Ms. Kapoor has officially filed charges, making this a case that could shake the political landscape.'
('Famous model Sheetal Kapoor has made a sensational revelation. She has accused Arnav Singh Raizada of molestation, charges that could not only land him in jail but also destroy his political career and public life. Ms. Kapoor has officially filed charges, making this a case that could shake the political landscape.')

Khushi didn't realize when her eyes filled with tears, and they started flowing freely.

Was this true?

Was Arnav capable of doing this? The answer was yes. After all she herself had experienced his evil side. A few years ago, he had systematically humiliated her in front of the world.

But she also had seen his regret, him changing in the last 3-4 years.

However, his recent behavior had once again puzzled her.

What was true? If sheetal was indeed speaking the truth, then there was no way arnav would get a free pass.

But if she wasn't...

Khushi decided on something in her mind and asked her secretary to get her car ready. She had to go somewhere urgently.

She had to meet someone urgently.

--*--

A/N - Who did Khushi go to meet, Arnav, sheetal or someone else? Any guesses? And before you go all guns blazing on Sheetal, you may want to wait till finale :P. Anyway. As I said, this story (both season 1 & 2) is inspired from ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra. The thought that there existed a woman some 2000 years ago who was so politically ambitious that she cleverly retained her throne and managed to make 2 of most powerful Roman men fall in her love, is so astonishing! While her life ended with venom- quite literally- we always have positive endings here. So, stay assured. And please, never double-guess before commenting, especially if you have been an old reader of mine, whatever it is, good/bad/ugly, do let me know 😊