IPKKND FF | Broken Strings (ON HOLD) - Page 32

Originally posted by: Madafterarhi

Catching all that held in breath.

Okay, WOW. A long update and so magnetically done, you have me hooked! Arnav woith his unwavering persistance and Hushi's staunch stand. These stubborn lovebirds, i tell you😉

And Akash, I can't help but love him, hes naughty ad cute😆

So well written and the long update is like a double treat😳

I loved it soso so so so much, I cant express it well now...

And oh God, whos this disgusting man whos eye Khushi has caught?

Im kinda scared for her now!

Please update soon, shay,

Love you❤️

Disha

Originally posted by: smdosi

Heya that was awesome...loved it...plz pm me weneva u update...

Originally posted by: ForeverArhi

Such a LooonnnGGg!!! Update!

Khushi and Akash???I could smell jealousy brewing in that Raizada lad!!!😆

Awesome di... I am in love with this😳!!! Both Arnav and Khushi's pain was so beautifully shown!!! And the pendant!! Aaawww... That was beautiful as well!!

Naniji...I love you yaar...🤗

And my favourite part was this....

'So I spoke to Khushi last night! She was telling me about how she's really enjoying working with you Akash'

Arnav stopped in his tracks as he passed the kitchen, rubbing his head as he struggled to come to terms with what he had just heard

'Di she's so pretty na?'

He felt his fists clench and his jaw tighten as he heard the compliment thrown about so casually by his cousin

'I think I might ask her out' What do you think?'

That was it.

He burst through the kitchen doors, reaching his cousins in less then 3 strides ' grabbing him by the collar, nearly lifting him off the ground

'You stay the hell away from her Akash!'

'Bhai, calm down' Why are you getting so angry?' Akash managed to choke out between his breathy coughs. 'Maybe I should re-think this jealousy plan,' he thought to himself begrudgingly as he massaged his already bruising throat ' leaning on the kitchen counter in a bid to compose himself.

'Chote? What's wrong in that? I think they'd make a cute couple!'

He opened his mouth, glaring at his sister before closing it again and letting out a growl of frustration.

'Unbelievable'

I've always wanted Akash to be portrayed as what he never has been... I loved the teasing session. 😆

And yes... Arru is a cute nick name!!!

DO i need to say that this update was Fabulous!!!

This was fantastic Di...

Waiting for the Redemption track and then The much awaited confessions and Romance

Lots of Love...

Yash❤️

Originally posted by: AllSmiles86

Even today, underneath her cotton blouse, the warming pendant sat comfortably above her chest - a constant reminder of their everlasting companionship... Apparently.

I love the fight that Khushi is putting up! I admire that about her. You dont go waltzing into the man, whom you waited for 6 years, thinking he was dead! No Freaking Way! Even he is your love, your best friend. You just dont do that. Keep the fight up! He needs to open up to her.

Originally posted by: blablabla_mo7

Hey I found your story through recommended FF page. Guess what, read the whole in a go. Mind blowing! Written so well and Akash is hilarious here. Really cute. Can't wait for next. By any chance you can pm me?

Originally posted by: DropofDew

Res

Omg! Long update!!

I'm so tempted to just read it now but then I won't be able to wake up tomorrow morning :( humph. So I'll read tomorrow as soon as I get to uni 😉 x

Edit*

Okay I'll start from the bottom too! Because OMFG Shay! What just happened? Khushi's in danger! Nahiii! I don't like this tattooed man! Get him away! Get him away! Arnav better come to the rescue!

Okay now that I've calmed down with that one I will start commenting on the rest of the chapter 😆.

Aaah Shay what can I say this chapter was f**king brilliant! Every single aspect of it! I love how you are able to weave such a fantastic story utilising all of the characters!

This chapter had me going through such a roller-coaster of emotions! It was fantastic! From humour, to sorrow, to pain to effing fear!

So starting off with Khushi my love just grows and grows for her! Her character is so realistic and that is one of the main things that I love about this story. I love her humour and her sarcastic comments and that factor of how unashamedly she admits to the fact that one of the main reasons she can't keep herself away from Arnav is because he's so f**king handsome! Which is so true and I love how you've put that in there because let's face it if he was standing in front of me I'd probably faint a couple of times before reality strikes me 😆.

I love how you write about her torn mind, her need to just forgive him and get it over with but her sheer determination to not because she knows that he doesn't deserve it (not before the stupid fool has realised the extent of what he's actually done!). I feel so bad for her, honestly, how in the end she just really wants to forgive him and even attempts to understand his plight, tries to reason all that he has done even when he doesn't deserve that.

Some of her comments are actually hilarious! My flatmate kept on giving me this look for laughing randomly at the computer screen lol. But these comments especially,

"like he was some sort of don"

"pretentious bas***d"

and omg! Lol "he-who-must-not-be-named" 😆 these had me giggling!

And then of course NK falling into a heap of wires after La admits that Arnav is sexy lmao! Bechara NK! 😆

Omg! Have I mentioned that I love Anjali after this chapter? I've taken a sort of turn where you know at first I liked her and then I didn't and then I wasn't sure and now I like her again 😆. Aakash and Anjali's scheming is fantastic! And the way you have written it out! Love it!

And of course I love Aakash now more than anyone else in this fic! Lol I just love him! You just continue to torture Arnav in your little ways and I will love you forever Aakash! 😆 And it's really nice to read about Aakash's character being portrayed in this way, it's different. You either get the non-existent, why is he even there wala Aakash or you get the super evil one, I tend to not have him at all or he's just evil 😆. So all the more reasons to love Aakash in this fic!

Now onto Arnav, poor thing. I do now feel pretty bad for him but I still want him to suffer. He just does not have a freaking clue does he? Dude! Get into your head what has happened and maybe just maybe you'll arrive upon how to actually fix this pile of shit that you have gotten yourself into!

Now this pendant scene had me practically aw-ing at the screen. It held within it so many emotions, so much of what they felt for each other that no matter what, how desperately they refused to let go, the immense depth to their relationship that still exists. Their emotions were so completely tangible at this point, even Arnav's which he doesn't show. Despite everything, despite his decision to never think of her again, he continued to wear their pendant and despite her decision to not forgive him she still wears it too. That in itself speaks volumes. And I felt so utterly and completely sorry for Khushi here, how it must feel to have that precious memory dragged back out whilst she's fighting her battle of trying to not give into him, how completely at a lost she must have felt.

I feel so bad for her and Arnav better get on his knees and beg for forgiveness instead of offer her jalebis!

Shay Shay Shay! I will stop here because well as you know I could go on for days 😆. And I'm still so behind on my lectures! :(

Thank you so much for this amazing long update! Of course I'll end this comment off too with my immense respect for your fabulous writing! How it never fails to just grab my attention and hold it there till the very last word and how much I look forward to the next one! I still can't get over how amazingly you just make everything flow together, from one scene to the next, it just transitions so perfectly that I end up lost for words!

Now this tattooed man! He better keep his paws off! And this time round I'm going to request you to actually update quickly 😆 because I just can't wait! And Arnav's redemption next chapter? Yasss! Cannot wait!

Aaah I love you! But you know that of course 😆.

🤗 ❤️ and more ❤️ for this quick and extra long update!

xxx

Originally posted by: shay1990

This update goes out to ALL of you who are following me through this... Just because i felt like it and i love you all for your amazingness. 😆 🤗

Chapter Nine - Ain't No Way

'Samajhte kya hai woh apne aap ko?!'

'How dare he come in here and ask me what my problem is'

'ARGH I'm so angry right now guys!'

Khushi had spent the past 2 hours pacing the length of the living room muttering profusely to herself - Lavanya had by now, started to paint her nails, whilst NK had been playing video games for the past hour unbeknown to an unaware Khushi. They had long since stopped listening - timing their gasps of shock and grunting the occasional 'hmmm' or 'that rat bas***d' in a bid to appease her raving conundrum every so often.

As she slumped down on to the sofa next to Lavanya, she sighed audibly - thinking about why she had to make this so hard on herself. Feeling the ever-present doubt slowly creep up on her once again, she wondered whether or not she was actually doing the right thing. He did after all, have his own reasons. So as his best friend, why couldn't she just forgive him? She couldn't kid herself for much longer, all she had been thinking about for the past few weeks was the now handsome man from her past, and how she wished she could just hide herself in his strong arms... They always did feel like home to her.

'Maybe I'm being too hard on him?' she said - her voice barely above a whisper as her eyes bore in to the carpet beneath her.

Lavanya whipped her head round so fast at Khushi, stopping mid brush stroke and nearly toppling over the nail varnish bottle in the process.

'Khushi Kumari Gupta! Snap out of it! Don't fall in to his trap... The guy left you thinking he was dead for 6 years for gods' sakes! There is absolutely no excuse for doing something like that'

Khushi tried to reason with her friend - the doubt seeping further in to her mind

'But... His parents? He must have b-'

Lavanya held her manicured hand out towards her - forbidding her to say anything further as she just glared at her.

'Chup! Don't you even dare say that Khushi! He's not the only one to have lost his parents Khushi... Take yourself for example; you lost everything in your life - But you didn't take it out on everyone else did you?'

Khushi took a moment to consider her friends words... She was right. She knew just how it felt to lose someone so close to you. But to completely cut her out of his life? To not even bother to tell her he was alive? Out of order wasn't even the word. She felt her anger push back the leaking doubts; taking over as she felt a fresh wave of confidence flow through her - Nodding at Lavanya to let her know her moment of madness had passed. She wasn't about to let him get the better of her... Not now that she had come so far.

There was a moment of silence; followed shortly by the sound of Lavanya's almost apologetic voice.

'But I have to be honest... He is really sexy Khushi'

There was crash from the other end of the room as NK tumbled out of his seat and in to a wired heap on the floor - looking up at the both of them in devastation - the PS3 controller frozen in midair

'WHAT?!'

Lavanya instantly realised her mistake - her eyes wide as she shook her head wordlessly at NK, rushing over to help him up whilst he attempted to make himself look more 'manly'

'Hey listen, I'm just as hot as Nanav ok!'

Lavanya strove to pacify him as he mumbled a string of profanities, aimed at Arnav, under his breath

'Yes baby I know... I was just joking'

Lavanya glanced at Khushi guiltily and then saw that she had a hand over her mouth trying to suppress the laugh that was threatening to bubble out from her expanding mouth.

'Good!' she thought to herself. Lavanya wasn't about to leave her friend without a smile on her face

~

Anjali peeked round the kitchen door - running back towards the room as she saw her younger brother enter the house in an aggravated huff. She almost tumbled over Akash as they raced to get themselves in to position. Raising her voice slightly, she peered over her shoulder one last time before turning back round to wink at her cousin.

'So I spoke to Khushi last night! She was telling me about how she's really enjoying working with you Akash'

Arnav stopped in his tracks as he passed the kitchen, rubbing his head as he struggled to come to terms with what he had just heard

'Di she's so pretty na?'

He felt his fists clench and his jaw tighten as he heard the compliment thrown about so casually by his cousin

'I think I might ask her out... What do you think?'

That was it.

He burst through the kitchen doors, reaching his cousin in less then 3 strides - grabbing him by the collar, nearly lifting him off the ground

'You stay the hell away from her Akash!'

'Bhai, calm down... Why are you getting so angry?' Akash managed to choke out between his breathy coughs. 'Maybe I should re-think this jealousy plan,' he thought to himself begrudgingly as he massaged his already bruising throat - leaning on the kitchen counter in a bid to compose himself.

'Chote? What's wrong in that? I think they'd make a cute couple!'

He opened his mouth, glaring at his sister before closing it again and letting out a growl of frustration.

'Unbelievable'

He stalked off, only just missing the hushed hi-5 being exchanged by his siblings. Even though making him even more jealous wasn't really necessary at this stage... It didn't mean they couldn't take pleasure in teasing their ever-grumpy brother.

Walking up towards the stairs, still annoyed at the thought of Akash and Khushi together, he did a double take as he caught a glimpse of something on the mantle piece - something that had been returned to its rightful place; something that he hadn't laid eyes on in a very long time.

He smiled lightly as he laid eyes on a picture of himself and Khushi as a cheeky 6 and 7 year old - careless to the world; oblivious to their surroundings with only themselves to blame... It had always been just the two of them above all others. Khushi and Arnav

His smiled widened as he thought about all the fun they used to have - Khushi had never been much of a girls' girl. No. She was a guys' girl... she was Arnavs girl.

'I'm definitely getting you back Khush,' he thought with finality as he felt he anger ebb away

Unbeknown to Arnav, his grandmother silently looked upon him, her eyes welling up at she witnessed his smile. A genuine smile she hadn't seen in a very long time. She thought back to Anjali and Akashs' scheming and wondered whether it was for the best after all as she sent out a unspoken plea

'Maybe there is hope... Please give him a chance Khushi bitiya.'

~

'Akash, we need to go over the business plan for tomorrows sketch'

Arnav walked towards the sofas - his eyes trained on the folder at hand as he made his way towards where his cousin was sat, idly watching some casual Sunday TV.

'Sorry Bhai, I'm not going to the Office tomorrow... Doctors appointment'

Arnav stopped mid stride, looking up from the file whilst he hovered over the sofa for a second before seating himself down and eying his cousin carefully - scrutinising his every expression

'Really?' he said, his voice thick with skepticism

Akash smirked inwardly, knowing that his cousin didn't believe him. He gave Arnav an innocent smile as he spoke with light-hearted humour.

'Uh huh. Yes. Really'

Arnav rolled his eyes at his cousin, thinking it better to leave him to his antics as he got up off the sofa and walked off in the other direction shaking his head as Nani made an appearance in the room

She waited till Arnav was out of view before turning towards her grandson

'Akash...' Nani said warningly

'Your doctors' appointment isn't until next week... Toh yeh day off kis liye?

She shook her head as Akashs' smile transformed in to a fully fledged smirk as he leant back on the sofa

'Bas... Aise hi'

He sighed complacently; a contented grin adorned upon his glee filled face as his grandmother eyed him knowingly - Stretching out his arms dramatically behind him as he lay back on the sofa with his feet resting on the table beneath.

'Get ready for phase two Miss Gupta'

~

Khushi was still reeling in the after effects of Fridays' catastrophe as she walked in to the ARD building on Monday morning. A whole weekend had passed and she had yet to rid herself of the irritated pang at the back of her mind.

She attempted to clear her mind as she entered the office with a cheery 'Good morning Akash!'

She was grateful that she had been working under Akash, and that she would continue to do so for the foreseeable future - it had made working there a whole lot more easier; only bumping in to he-who-must-not-be-named on the odd occasion during the day. And even then, it was easy for her to just walk past without acknowledging him - there wasn't any need for conversing.

In her thoughts, she hadn't realised that Akash had failed to give her any sort of reply. Confused, she walked further in to the office just as the chair behind the desk swivelled round to reveal none other then Arnav - currently sat with arms resting on the desk, a slight smirk etched upon that arrogant face of his - like he was some sort of don

'Pretentious bas***d' she muttered under her breath as he raised his eyebrows at her well-mannered choice of vocabulary.

'Akash isn't here today, so you'll be working with me'

She looked at him blankly

Just great

~

Lunch time

It was lunch time, and already Khushi felt like crumbling in to a heap of limbs and fabric.

'Yeh Arnav bhi na... Why can't he just leave me alone?' she thought to herself frantically

She plonked herself down on the hard seat of the cafeteria chairs, resting her arms on the table as she kneaded her throbbing forehead - her agitation clearly evident through the constant shake of her chino clad leg.

He'd been making extra effort to talk to her; to remind her of old memories from their youthful past - constantly making jokes and teasing her about old habits. She was fed up of giving him that same blank stare and answering in that same monotonous tone - she could feel herself become almost robotic around him.

Not that she wanted to.

But she didn't think she had a choice... How else would she keep her distance from him? She needed to be strong.

Those particular thoughts were thrown out of the window; a heady scent sifting through her senses as the Adonis himself sat down beside her. She mentally screamed at the top of her lungs as she saw that godforsaken smirk in her peripheral

'What the f**k is he doing here now?! He usually has lunch in his office? Of course, he's probably come to piss me off again!'

She covered the side of her face in attempt to shield herself from his prying eyes, shuffling herself in the other direction as she felt him come nearer.

Arnav chuckled to himself as he took note of the way she was so blatantly trying to avoid eye contact with him - Even he knew she would only last for so long before giving in. But still... She'd be needing a few more extra pushes in the right direction.

With this is mind, he brandished a box from behind his back and slid it towards Khushi's side of the table - an eager glint in his searching eyes as he awaited her reaction.

Intrigued, Khushi tentatively glanced at him, and then back down at the box as she lifted open the lid - a wave of her favourite sweet scent wafting up towards her filling her with a warming happiness. She quickly composed herself, realising he was probably watching her every move as she looked up at him - staring right in to those beautiful eyes. She saw his smile slowly forming, knowing that he had made a good move

But that was enough to knock khushi back to reality as she gave an angry huff and reached for her own bag.

She brought out her own box of jalebi's, took a sticky swirl and shoved it in to her mouth in front of his face - watching his stunned reaction as she enjoyed every single morsel of it before grabbing her things and storming off, leaving Arnav sat on his own and wondering what the hell had just happened.

~

Khushi treaded carefully up the stairs; sneaking a peek in to the office to make sure he wasn't in there. Seeing that the coast was clear, she breathed out a sigh of relief and pushed open the doors - slumping down on the chair as she got to the desk. Finally she could have a moment's peace

Today had been a long day to say the least.

He had been testing her patience, of that she knew well enough. She cursed herself for almost laughing at one of his ridiculous attempts to make her remember their old antics. 'You're not going to last long at this rate!' she chided herself.

She was about to get up to pour herself a glass of water, when a flash of silver caught her attention. She swiftly turned around, almost burning a hole through the desk as she just stared at the familiar item perched so delicately on top of Arnavs files.

She could sense his presence behind her - making out a distant 'do you remember that?' as the memory that came with it drowned out his voice and the present scene surrounding her

ooo

Arnav? Arnav? Arru where are you? Come and have a look what Jiji got for us. Arnav kahan ho tum?

An 11 year old Khushi was searching the Raizada house excitedly - awaiting his appraisal for the two keepsakes clasped tightly in her hand. Peeping through his bedroom door with eager eyes, she arched her neck round to get a better view.

'RAWWWRRR'

Khushi screamed as she stumbled back a few steps before being dragged in to the room by a very smug looking Arnav who was laughing loudly at his best friend

'ARNAV!! You know I hate it when you do that!'

Khushi, a hand over her chest, was still trying to calm her thumping heart as she scowled at him - her face red with embarrassment. He laughed all more at the sight of her flustered features.

'Achha Khush... Sorry.' He managed to choke out between bouts of broken chuckles, holding his hands to his ears in a bid to keep her from pulling his hair out.

'Like that's going to stop you' she muttered scathingly to him, knowing full well this was in no way the last time he would attempt to scare her.

'So what did you want to show me then?'

He smiled lightly to himself as he saw the instant change in her demeanour - her warm smile lighting up her whole face. Just like he preferred.

'Look what Jiji got us! We can both wear one each!'

She held out the two pendants in her hand, shoving them under his nose so he could get a better look. He looked at her perplexed, then down at the necklaces with an undeniable distaste.

'Do I look like I'm going to wear a necklace Khush?'

She sighed in exasperation at her oblivious friend

'It's not just any necklace Arru... it's a pendant, that we can put pictures in.'

'That's not making it sound any better Khush'

She waved off his resentment and opened up one of the enclosed frames

'Look I've already put pictures in it!'

She stood proudly next to him, taking pride in their pictures, tucked neatly within the pendant, side by side... Just like them. Looking back up at him, she silently pleaded him with those big eyes she knew he couldn't resist - squealing in excitement when she saw him roll his eyes in defeat.

She handed him over his, watching as he reluctantly pulled it out of her hand and struggled to put it on.

'Happy?'

She waggled her eyebrows at him smugly and put on her own, happily holding it in her hand as she grinned brightly up at him

'Khushi's khush!'

ooo

Arnav Singh Raizada had failed to go a day without that very pendant since then. Even as they had gotten older and Khushi had insisted that he didn't have to wear it.

'Dude... We're not kids anymore, I'm not going to force you to wear it you know' she would say, chuckling as she glimpsed the flash of silver through his t shirt. But deep down it had touched her knowing that the sentiment behind the year's old keepsake meant every bit as much to him as it did to her - For she too had never been without her own. Even today, underneath her cotton blouse, the warming pendant sat comfortably above her chest - a constant reminder of their everlasting companionship... Apparently.

She could feel the tears blurring her vision as she stared at the pendant for a few more moments - willing them not to fall as she thought about just how much of that sentiment had been lost.

Khushi could hear his lazy drawl still thrashing through her mind as it washed away in to the backdrop - her senses taking over her vision as she tried so hard to drain him out. His words, his jokes; his every comment was tearing her apart. She couldn't take it anymore. The whole day he had been acting as if nothing had happened between the two of them - looking at her in exasperation when she refused to cooperate... Making her feel ridiculous for keeping her distance. She clenched her fist as his joking voice thudded through her ears - his husky accent drilling through her confusion.

This had to stop.

Arnav stumbled back a little at the sheer force at which the petite girl had whipped her head around - the rage in her eyes burning through his eyes as another resentful image of her was carved deep in to his memory. She spoke with such venom he almost felt his heart racing - a genuine fear wracking his whole being as he watched her sneer at him in repulsion.

'Do you think this is funny huh? Is this some kind of a sick joke to you?'

His faltered smile had by now, completely disappeared. His plan seemed to have back-fired completely

'Khushi... I was just-'

Unable to finish his sentence - he let his confusion wash over him as he just stood there waiting for something to happen

Oddly however, her face softened slightly, giving Arnav a glimpse of his old Khushi - The one who was always relaxed around him. She sighed, looking up at him with unsteady, questioning eyes

'You really don't understand do you Arru?'

It took a moment for him to fully comprehend just what she was implying - and he didn't quite know how to answer her. He wanted to give her what she was asking for, but he was somewhat ashamed that he, in actual fact, could not give her the answers she was so undeniably anxious to hear.

So when he didn't answer, she smiled sadly at him, looking down at floor as she walked past him and through glass doors - her heavy heart sinking further with every step she took away from him.

Khushi was tired... She was tired of that endless hope in the back of her mind. She'd been willing him for days to come back to her; to understand. For no one could change the fact that she so badly needed him in her life. She was tired of life without him - But he hadn't come back fully yet. And there was little doubt in her mind that he ever would. She felt her heart close up completely as she walked away from him yet again. This time, the feeling of emptiness stinging her heart as she felt it clench with sorrow. And yet the silent prayer deep within her soul went out to the skies above her, just like it always had...

'Bring him back to me Devi Maiyya'

~

Her mind still infested with disordered thoughts on her journey home, Khushi failed to take note of where she was going - not realising she was walking the wrong way; she bumped in to a shadowy figure, seemingly cloaked under the night sky. She tripped up slightly - a tattooed arm coming out to support her, making her shudder at the contact as she looked up to a pair of detached lustrous eyes. Her skin went cold as an unfamiliar drawl hit the walls of serenity around her - his pungent breath seeping through her heightened senses as she watched his mouth smirk at her through a lustful leer.

'You should really watch where you're going little lady'

_________________________________

LOONNGGG update Redemption to begin from the next chapter!

Hope you all liked it!

Shay X