Part 2
Arnav stepped out of his car and stared up at the mansion that loomed infront of him. Loud music blared from inside and as he rounded the stairs he could hear laughter and loud voices. He entered the crowded home and frowned. Truthfully the scene was like one straight out of one of his clubs. Something he'd normally not have a problem with. Music blaring, people dancing, drinking, making out...but this time it was different, because amongst these people, was Khushi and she was in all likelihood doing all those things too. That he had a problem with. His gaze drifted over the crowds of people as he pushed some aside and moved forward. If she was in here, he was going to find her. But as he searched through the house, he found no sign of her. Coming back downstairs he started to move outside when he heard "Hi good looking." Arnav glanced at the tall attractive woman that had just spoken to him. "I don't remember seeing you at one of these parties before." she added, giving him a once over and then smiling. Arnav ignored her remark and instead said "I'm looking for someone." That earned him a husky laugh. "Baby, we're all looking for someone." Arnav's lip's thinned as he glowered at her. "I'm looking for a young girl that came through here about 45 minutes ago." "Medium height, very attractive, hazel eyes, long brown hair." he added. "So, you're taken?" the woman replied. Arnav glared at her and with an angry shake of his head, started to move forward. "Was she wearing a gold dress by any chance?" asked the woman. Arnav stopping and turning back to her. "Yeah, I think she might have been." Arnav replied. "I saw her, but I think she's gone now." replied the girl, stumbling a little in her intoxicated state. "I think she left with some guy." she added. Arnav swore as he raked an agitated hand through his hair. But then his gaze shifted back to the girl. She looked oddly familiar for some reason he thought to himself. As he narrowed his eyes he saw a glimmer of fear go through the girls. "When did you see her leave?" he asked suddenly. "Um, awhile ago." she replied. Arnav's eyes grew cold. He'd learned very early on to read people. To look for telltale signs if he was being lied to. He noticed now that the girl had lost some of her bravado under his intense stare... and then he remembered. He remembered that this was the girl that had been standing next to Khushi when she left the club. All that time he spent staring at Khushi's freeze frame, this girl had been in the background. Grabbing her arm, he dragged her along to a quiet corner. "Let go of me you bast*ard!" she yelled as he let go of her arm. "I'm going to ask you one last time where she is." he threatened "And if I don't hear what I want to hear, things are going to get very ugly for you!" he said in a menacing tone. The girl stared back at him, all bravado gone now, replaced by fear. "She's upstairs, they're having a private party up there!" she said. "Private party?" "Where?" "I was just up there!" Arnav demanded. "It's a room within a room. In the west wing, you would miss it if you didn't know it was there." "It's where Ryan takes all his girls." the girl replied. Arnav felt a shiver go down his spine. "You are taking me to this room!" he ordered, as he grabbed her arm and dragged her to the stairs. They raced up and the girl led him down a long hallway and pointed at a door. "That one." she said, shaking in fear as she looked at the fierce look on Arnav's face. Arnav whipped open the door and stalked in, pulling her along. "Where's this hidden room?" he demanded looking around. The girl who was about to make a run for it yelped as she felt his vise like grip on her arm again. "Don't even think about it!" he said in a deceptively soft voice. The girl cringed in fear and quickly showed him a hidden side panel that led to a door. The next instant, Arnav was wrenching open the door and coming to a stop. The room was engulfed with cigarette smoke, and the strong smell of liquor. And in the corner was Khushi, passed out drunk, a man kissing her neck. Arnav felt instant rage, and in moments he was pulling the man away from Khushi. Ryan had no chance as Arnav beat on him. The few guys that were in the room were quickly thrown across the room as Arnav in a blind rage kept on pummeling Ryan. It took close to a dozen guys to get Arnav off an unconscious bloody Ryan. Arnav shrugged them away in anger and turned to Khushi who was still unconscious. Lifting her into his arms he had just to toss a glare at the now crowds of people surrounding them, for the people to quickly scurry out his way. He stalked out of the room and down the stairs. His face tense as he walked out the front door.
Khushi awoke to the feeling of a freight train making it's way through her head. As she opened her eyes she quickly closed them. Daylight had suddenly become her enemy, she thought with a wince. "Good morning Khushi!" came a happy chirpy voice making her flinch and cover her face with her duvet. "You can't hide from me forever." said the incessantly chirpy voice. Khushi groaned and then raised the duvet. "Can't you let me die in peace?" she asked. A soft chuckle escaped Anjali's lips as she said "Do you think bhai would ever let you die?" she asked. Khushi stiffened as she heard the word bhai. "Your bhai should no better then to make me do anything." Khushi answered. Anjali bit her lip worriedly at the brittle tone of Khushi's voice. "Okay sleepy head, you've been asleep for way too long, now it's time to get up, give me a big hug and then get ready." Anjali answered. Khushi slowly sat up. "In that order huh?" she asked with a soft smile. Anjali nodded, giving her a watery smile as she rushed over and pulled Khushi into a bear hug. "I missed you." she said softly. Khushi hugged her back. "I missed you too Anjali." "More then you'll ever know." she said. "Is that why you wrote me so many letters and returned so many of my calls?" Anjali mocked. Khushi looked away. "I'm sorry Anjali, I just couldn't." she replied softly. Anjali nodded, knowing now was not the time to bring up anything from the past. "Okay, get up now, Mrs. Silva has made all your favorites for brunch." Khushi nodded and slowly got up and then suddenly turned to Anjali. "How did I get here?" she asked in a confused voice. Funny that her whereabouts had just hit her now. Anjali fidgeted uncomfortably and then with an overly bright smile said, "Bhai brought you home late last night." Khushi's eyes flashed with anger. "How dare your brother bring me here, here is not where I was planning on coming!" she said furiously, as she got out of bed too quickly. "Oh my god my head!" Khushi said as she sat back down. Vowing never to drink again, or never to drink this much again! "Khushi, are you okay?" Anjali asked rushing over. "I'm fine, I just need a couple of tylenols and some quiet." Khushi whispered. Anjali shook her head. "I'll get you the tylenol, but I can't promise you the quiet." she said softly, as she headed for the door. Anjali had so many questions to ask her friend, but she knew she would have to wait. Last night when she'd seen bhai bringing Khushi into the house she could barely believe that this was the same Khushi she'd know for so many years. Her short dress, or intoxicated state. This was a Khushi she didn't know. She'd heard a lot of rumors through the years of Khush's escapades in London. Rumors that she'd tried to ignore, but seeing Khushi now, she had a feeling that most of those rumors were infact the truth. But it didn't matter, because in her heart Anjali knew that this was still the same Khushi. The same girl that she loved like a sister. They'd lost 4 years but Anjali was sure they could pick up where they left off.
Khushi stopped at the foot of the stairs. She could hear Anjali and Aman's voices, but not his. She didn't want to see HIM just yet, infact she never wanted to seem him again, she thought to herself. But then a little voice in her head interrupted those thoughts with the question "Why did you end up at his club last night if you didn't want to see him ever again?" She quickly supressed that little voice. "You are not that Khushi anymore!" she reminded herself as she forced herself to walk into the dining room. Two pairs of eyes looked up at her. And she hated that her own eyes landed on him, him who didn't even bother to look up when she walked in. When he finally did look up at her, she quickly looked away, but not without seeing the flash of anger in his eyes. "Good morning Khushi, welcome home." Aman said happily. "This is not my home." Khushi replied, as she sat down. "But thank you, it's good to be back in Mumbai and good to see SOME old faces." she said turning towards Anjali. Anjali smiled worriedly as she stole a look at her brother, who seemed to be completely engrossed in his newspaper. Ignoring Khushi altogether. "You must be starving." Anjali began. "I'll just have a coffee." Khushi interrupted. "Just coffee?" "But why?" "We have all your favorites for brunch." Anjali replied. "No, I don't eat this kind of stuff anymore." "Just coffee." Khushi said. "Oh...you didn't even like coffee before." Anjali said feeling a little confused. Khushi looked up as Arnav folded his newspaper and set it on to the table. "My tastes have changed Anjali." she replied, hating the bitterness that edged her voice. "Things that I used to love, I find I hate them now, infact they make me sick!" she added, softly looking back at Anjali. "And things that I never thought to try before, those are the things that I feel suit me best." she added, giving Anjali a smile. "Yeah, like almost getting yourself raped." Anjali's gasp filled the room and Khushi's eyes flew to Arnav's as she registered what he had just said. "Still a bast**d aren't you?" she remarked casually, as she sipped on her coffee. Arnav slowly got up and rounded the table, not stopping until he was next to Khushi. "Anjali, Aman..excuse us." he said, his eyes on Khushi. "Bhai, I don't think...Anjali began but was quickly cut off by Aman grabbing her hand. "Anjali, I think we should go." Anjali frowned, but let herself be pulled out of the room. Khushi stared straight ahead, still slowly sipping her coffee. "What the hell do you have to say for yourself?" Arnav began. "Have you lost your freakin mind that you would go off alone with some guy and then get so drunk that he could do whatever he wanted with you." Arnav snapped. Khushi's hand trembled slightly as she placed her cup onto the table. "Whatever happened or didn't happen is my responsibility, I don't need you to be my saviour.""I am not your concern!" Khushi snapped in return. And in the next instant she was being pulled out of her chair and against Arnav. "You're wrong Khushi!" "Everything you do, is my concern!" "Every stupid, idiotic, foolish move you make is my concern!" Khushi glared at him as she struggled out of his grasp. "Don't you dare touch me ever again!" "You lost that right a long time ago!" she snapped. At the mention of the past Arnav took a step back, his face suddenly devoid of any emotion.
"I am your guardian, I am responsible for you." he began. "No, you are not!" she began but was swiftly cut off by one look from him. "I am responsible for you as per your father's dying wishes!" "And just because I've let your past four years of stupidity go doesn't mean I haven't been keeping a close eye on everything you do." "I think in giving you so much freedom you've taken full advantage and have forgotten who really makes the decisions around here and who can make this easy or very difficult for you. "You need a reminder, so here it is." "You pull any more of this bullsh*t and I'll cut you off so fast your head will spin." "Everything you pulled in London, every class you flunked out of, every party you threw, all your exorbitant spending, don't even for one second think I don't know about it." "I know everything and I've been letting it go but this, what happened last night that was the final straw." "Either bring the old Khushi back or consider this the end to your lavish lifestyle." Arnav threatened. Khush's face registered shock. "My lifestyle is being paid for by my father's money, not yours!" "You have no bloody right to try to hold that over me." "Besides I'll be 24 this year, I should have legal rights to what's rightfully mine." she snapped. "And what did you say about the old Khushi?" she asked with a mocking laugh. "How can you bring back some one who's dead?" she asked. Seeing him tense she smiled coldly. "You should know, you killed her." "Khushi!" Arnav began angrily. Khushi burst out laughing. "Look at your face, you should see it." "Don't worry I'm happy that Khushi is gone, infact I owe you for dispensing with that naive, stupid girl." "I like who I am now." she replied. "Do you hear yourself, you're talking about yourself in the past tense!" "Are you still drunk?" he barked. Khushi glared at him. "What other logical reason could there be for you to be saying such illogical things?" he demanded. "I'm done with this conversation!" Khushi snapped, as she turned away only to be whipped back and against Arnav. "You're done when I say you're done!" he said softly, his eyes dark with anger. "What's left to say?" she asked. "Why are you back?" Arnav asked suddenly. Khushi stiffened and then shrugged her shoulders, pushing his hands away. "I needed a change." she replied, moving away from him. "A change from your crazy lifestyle?" he asked. "Because last night didn't look like anything had changed?" he added, folding his arms across his chest and staring at her. "Not that I need to explain myself to you, BUT Ryan is an old friend, obviously not anymore, but I had no reason to believe anything out of the ordinary would take place last night." Khushi replied. "Out of the ordinary?!" Arnav roared taking a menacing step towards her and stopping. "Getting drunk and ending up in a strange man's bedroom is not out of the ordinary for you?" he asked. "You haven't changed a damn bit have you?" "Still the self righteous basta*d, still that I know best, only my way is the right way mentality you've always had." she said angrily. She had promised herself that she wouldn't let this man ever get to her again, and here he was getting right under her skin again. Making her powerless.
"Kissing your friends in clubs something not out of the ordinary for you either?" he questioned meanly. "No, I kiss men all the time. "Some of them friends and some completely random." "I don't need to explain myself to you." she repeated stubbornly. "That's where you're wrong Khushi, that is where you are bloody well wrong!" he said in a clipped tone. "I'm not staying here!" Khushi suddenly interrupted, his tirade as she walked out of the dining room. Arnav followed close behind. "I'm not done speaking with you yet." he said angrily as he followed her up the stairs. "Too bad, because I'm done speaking to you." "My lawyer will contacting you now about my inheritance." As she walked into her room and tried to close the door, Arnav pushed it open and then slammed it shut. "Get out of my room!" Khushi yelled. "I believe this is my house, so that would mean all the rooms in this house are mine too!" he replied. "Well it's a good thing I'm leaving YOUR house then." she replied, turning to where her suitcase lay. As she opened it, Arnav came around her and slammed it shut. "You're not going anywhere!" he barked. If looks could kill, Arnav would be dead on the ground. "I am a grown woman, you can't stop me!" she snapped as she reopened her suitcase. "You want to talk to your lawyer, go ahead talk to him, talk until you're blue in the face." "Nothing is going to change the fact that I am your guardian and that I will the one that makes the decision about your inheritance." "I have ALL the power Khushi." he said with a smug smile. Khushi stared at him, hating him intensely. "You are going no where!" "After last nights little escapade I don't trust you to make it on your own." "I thought London would be good for you but now I see that was a mistake." he added. "No, London was good for you!" "It was the best way to rid yourself of your guilt!" she snapped as she hit his chest with her fists. Arnav let her hit him and then finally took a hold of her wrists and stilled them. She could say she had changed all she wanted, she could yell and scream that she didn't care. But the hurt still evident in her eyes said that the old Khushi wasn't dead, but she was wounded. As she pushed away from him she moved back. "You know that if you force me to stay here I will make your life a living hell?" she said furiously. Arnav bit back a sigh. "I have no doubt that you'll try to do just that." he replied. "Not try, will and will succeed." "By the time I'm done with you, you're going to not only hand over my money to me, but be begging me to leave!" she threatened. Arnav's watched her, his brow raised and a smirk now evident on his lips. His eyes boring into her. "Khushi, are you threatening me?" he asked softly, too softly.. Khushi felt her heart rate accelerate as he circled her. His arms now folded across his chest. "It seems like you've forgotten a few things in the last 4 years." "One of them being that I don't take well to threats and that I definitely don't back off from a challenge." Coming to stand in front of her he noticed her hand clench to her side. "Don't hold back Khushi." he said arrogantly. "Give it your best shot." And with that she watched him turn, open the door and stride out. Closing the door she leaned back against it. Shaking as she slid to the ground. Tears sliding down her face. She thought four years ago, she had taken all the power away from him, but she had been wrong, he still had the power to make her cry.
So there's the next part. I know there's lots of unanswered questions but they will be answered as the story progresses. Please do let me know what you think and if I should continue. Take care.
Edited by salmankh1 - 13 years ago
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