FF: And it's payback time... Chapter 7 - Page 34 - Page 7

all 3 parts were amaing...cud u plz PM me wen u update??..thanks

awesome update pls continue soon

Great story so far...pls no misunderstanding...show ASR has brain as he should be...

-Sona

Plot and the story so far:

Khushi is flustered by the feelings Arnav stirs in her, and he is relentless in his pursuit of her since The Bet (Shart) they set before the Sangeet. They're discovering their feelings, still testing the waters...

Chapter 1: Khushi asks Arnav to stay away from her, in an effort to bring some sanity. Arnav is in no way pleased but knows she'll be back asking for more. He stays away as asked, getting her all worked up. And finds her by the poolside... practising her apology

Chapter 2: Arnav confronts Khushi and in her surprise, she nearly falls but Arnav comes to her rescue. He notices the "A" on her henna'd hand... and Khushi in her embarrassment runs up the stairs. Arnav stops her... and they kiss by the stairs. But the fear in Khushi's eyes bothers Arnav...

Chapter 3: Khushi breaks free and run away, leaving Arnav frustrated. She collides into Shyam, who doesn't miss the opportunity to taunt her, knowing she can't expose him. Khushi head butts him in self defence. She escapes to Arnav's room, and Arnav who is inside, confronts her about her running off, and on seeing the bruises on her arms, questions her about them. Unable to contain her fear, she lets go.

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Chapter IV: No more tears

His soothing voice and gentle hands were just the balm her injured body and mind needed. She felt safe in the comfort of his arms. Hugging him harder, she didn't let go of him. Her tears flowed, wetting his vest. Her quivering lips touched the hollow of his neck...

"Khushi... sweetheart, I'm sorry I hurt you!" he apologized again.

She looked up to find him staring down at her, his eyes brimming with concern. Sweetheart?! She'd never heard him use endearments before, and what more, apologize twice in a row! Was this her Laad Governor? Oops... he's not yours, Khushi, a little voice in her mind reminded her.

Suddenly she released him, and realised he was standing there in his vest with a bath towel wrapped around his waist. He let her move away, understanding that it would take her time to get used to this intimacy between them.

"Khushi... please don't go anywhere, let me just get changed, and then we'll talk. Can you do that for me please?" he asked politely.

She didn't look at him, but nodded her head in agreement.

"Sit by the recliner or even the pool if you..." he suggested.

"No! Not the pool... I'll wait here if you don't mind," she jumped in, fear writ all over her face, not letting him finish his sentence.

What had happened at the pool that she was so scared to go out there? He'd have to get to the bottom of this.

"Ok, no worries... stay here then," he said, tempted to tease her about wanting to watch him get dressed, but deciding that now wasn't the best of times to flirt.

He turned, and pulled on his trousers, zipping them up, flinging the towel towards the laundry bag concealed in the corner. His fingers worked faster on the buttons of his shirt, but he'd already turned towards her, and was ready to listen.

She sat on the edge of the recliner, fidgeting with her dupatta.

"Khushi... want to tell me why you're so scared? I promise not to hurt you again," he asked, in a calm voice, as he pointed to her bruises. He moved towards her slowly, and then knelt at her feet, unraveled her hands from her dupatta and held them in his.

"It wasn't you... it was...," she stopped, unable to tell him.

"Damn! Khushi, who did this to you?!" his hands gripped hers firmly, but not in a hurtful way. The very thought that someone could dare to hurt her like that made him want to scream!

"Trust me... you can tell me... whoever it is, I'll make sure it never happens again," he reassured her.

"Arnav ji... I'm scared... I'm not sure how I can... what he will do if... whether you will understand... it's so complicated!!" she mumbled, looking at him searching for a sign that it was ok to trust him.

He lifted his right hand and placed it on her head, and caressed it gently. His eyes were kind, and concerned. She couldn't bother Amma, Payal or Bua ji with this... but then, Shyam was Arnav's jiju... how would he react?

Her mumbling got him thinking... Was it someone from his family that was responsible for this? Who would stoop to such a level?! One of the staff, no they wouldn't dare! A member of his family? He hoped not!

"Khushi... are you scared to talk because it's someone I know?" he prodded again.

Her head jerked up, her jaw dropped, and she looked at him in disbelief. Had he guessed?! Maybe it was better she told him.

"Umm... Arnav ji... please, please promise me that you will listen to all that I have to say, before jumping to any conclusions," she implored.

"Ok... you have my word. Go on..." he reassured her, again.

"I'm sorry I should've come to you with this much earlier... but everything happened so fast... we discovered late, and then jiji's shaadi... and he even apologised to my family and repented, asking for forgiveness. I wanted to tell Anjali ji but that day she was so upset...and then everybody also felt we needed to him a second..." she rattled on, just wanting to get the load off her chest.

"Whoa... wait Khushi, hang on! You wanted to tell Di? He... who?!" he stopped her, all the while his thumbs gently caressing her knuckles, soothing her. Could it be... no!! Wait... Khushi had said her fianc's name was Shyam... and the first time she'd met Jija ji at the pooja, she'd run away...

The hurt in her eyes was evident. "Arnav ji... please don't be mad at me...I'm telling the truth."

He looked at her, careful not to betray any emotion, "Is it Jija ji, Khushi? He did this to you?"

She bent her head down, ashamed by the very thought and nodded slowly, the tears welling up in her eyes again. Her hands held onto his for comfort.

"He was your fianc and tenant? He disappeared when we came visiting... How could I have not figured this out earlier... him being away so much on work... Dammit!"

He felt her hot tears fall on his knuckles, and for the first time in many years, felt defeated.

Gathering her hands in his left palm, he moved his right arm around her back and pulled her towards him in a fierce hug. His eyes prickled with tears... feeling her pain.

"Khushi... I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone," was all he said, after a long time. He loosened his embrace and then gazed at her, a resolute look on his face. "I promise you... you're not alone anymore."

He wiped the tears off her cheeks slowly... "Khushi... sshh... don't... I can't bear to see you cry... please, no more tears!"

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Index: And it's payback time...

Chapter 1:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/52377401

Chapter 2:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/52427812

Chapter 3:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53558451

Chapter 5:

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2753098&PID=53914579�

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Index ' My other work:

Tum theek ho na? (2-part SS)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2758856&PID=52566862�

And then he shut the door (OS)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2749279&PID=52266803�

His to take? (Arhi Marriage FF)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2793839&PID=53266234�

Awww... There both so cute! I'm glad atleast in your story ASR has a funtional brain. Please update another brilliant chapter quickly and this time make it longer!

SEE! This is the kind of Arnav we need in the show--understanding sweet and adorable and one who can make khushi feel better. :)
Great update!
Update soon!

Loved the update - but too numb from today's episode to write anything more... God, how I wish the serial was showing something like this too...