IPKKND FF | Broken Strings (ON HOLD) - Page 62

Originally posted by: shay1990

So before we begin, i owe each and every single one of you a HUGE apology for such a delay in the update. I have been stupidly busy, and that coupled with lack of motivation just shitted everything up lol

Sorry guys!

I LOVE YOU!

Chapter Twelve - Begin Again

'That Payal is a f**king fireball Bhai!'

They were sat in the lounge area; both sprawled on the sofa, hugging their respective cushions as they immersed themselves in tireless thoughts over the upheaval that had just occurred a few hours back - the comfortable silence being disturbed by Akashs' unnecessary remarks of course. Arnav looked towards his cousin, only to guffaw at the manic expression etched on his face; deformed in a state of awe and amusement - Wide eyes staring off in to the distance. 'Trust him to find something good in such a dull situation,' he thought to himself.

'I have honestly never seen her like that before Akash... Ever!'

Arnav too was struggling to comprehend what had just happened. To think about it, Payal had never had a reason to get that angry before when it came to Khushi... He had never let anything happen for her to reach that point. 'But I guess that went out the window when I abandoned them all.' He concluded to himself, with a disheartened sigh.

'She sure put you in your place though' he said with a satisfied chuckle, remembering the way in which Akash had cowered under Payal's warning tones.

Akash on the other hand was positively horrified, his odd trance shattering around him as he snapped his head round to Arnav - mustering up the dirtiest look he could manage whilst he struggled to gulp back the tell-tale lump in his throat

'Shutup Bhai, she didn't know what she was on about. If you and Khushi hadn't have come down I would have put her in her place!'

This just made Arnav laugh even more, throwing his head back as he buried himself further back in to the sofa.

'Yea right! You would have gone and cried in the corner,' he managed to push out through his endless laughter.

'Right that's it!'

Akash grabbed the cushion next to him and whacked an oblivious Arnav across the face with it.

It was silent for a moment, Akashs' eyes wavering slightly as he debated whether to run while he had the chance. But he was too late. Arnav pounced on his before he had a chance to even move an inch - grabbing him in a headlock as he shoved his face in to the mound of cushions beneath them. It was a wonder how Akash actually managed to notice that his cousin was slowly coming out of his shell... Khushi had worked her magic after all.

By this point, Anjali had reappeared in to the room after readying herself - ambling towards the childish antics of her younger brothers, lost in deep thought. She was brought back to reality by their strangled cries as they tumbled off the sofa and landed in a tangled heap on the floor - making them aware of her presence.

She looked at them both for a moment, her gaze unfaltering and stern as she watched them both half-smile at her guiltily. She rolled her eyes and spoke only to Arnav - this was no time for stupid games.

'Luckily Nani didn't wake up, so you won't need to explain yourself to her' she said somewhat accusingly. She knew Arnav wouldn't approve of her reminder - but she was more concerned about Khushi at this present moment.

She felt the anger bubble inside of her when Arnav merely gave her a grave nod. 'Does he not have anything else to say for himself!' she thought in complete disbelief.

'Chote! You do realise it was you! It was all you! You put her in that disgusting position yesterday!' she nearly choked on her own words, remembering the disastrous state she had just witnessed her baby sister in. And to know that it was in some way caused by the person who claimed to care the most about her. She was far from disgusted.

Arnav felt his jaw clench as his teeth ground together causing the skin to tighten across the sides of his face. He closed his eyes momentarily, blocking out the throbbing thuds at the back of his head as Anjali's words weaved through them. He got up, throwing a fallen cushion back on to the sofa and faced her - his face twitching slightly as he fought to keep his anger at bay, his voice coming out in a husky rasp before he turned away from them both.

'I know Di... I know'

Anjali watched her brother as he stalked off up the stairs, shaking her head slightly as she turned her attention to Akash, who was still somewhat in a daze from the stormy new entry in his life.

'Look alive Akash!' she snapped at him before turning around herself and stomping back to her bedroom, muttering under her breath at her ignorant brother - Leaving behind an ever-perplexed Akash in her wake.

'Why do I always end up between the two of them?'

~

'Jiji... Please don't blame them too much. I mean, it's pretty much my fault anyway. You know how stubborn I am when it comes to taxis as well... Ironic isn't it?' she said shamefacedly, trying to lighten up the mood.

The tension had been sullen in the Gupta household ever since that day. And Payal had yet to calm down - her frosty expressions softening every now and then as she tended to her sisters' wounds.

'Don't try and stick up for them Khushi! If Arnav would have listened to you and kept his distance and stopped harassing you then you wouldn't be in this position! Lekin nahi, woh toh hamesha ki tarha idiot hi rahenga!'

Payal sat dabbing furiously at the healing gashes on Khushi's back - Her anger reaching surprising new heights as she thought about how selfish Arnav actually was. She herself considered Arnav to be like a brother - And a long with Khushi, he had left her in the lurch as well. And not only that, he hadn't thought twice about the consequences - and it was clear to her that even today, he had yet to rectify his faults.

Payal stopped mid-dab as she heard Khushi hiss out in pain, apologising as she realised that she had been applying a little bit too much pressure in her wayward thoughts.

'Haan haan hum jaante hain! But you can at least stop being so harsh on Akash! It's not his fault! He wasn't even there! In fact, he's probably the reason they actually got to me when they did!' Khushi said, trying to reason with her disgruntled sister. She felt bad that Akash was caught in the middle of this all. Afterall, he had been nothing but helpful since she had started working at AR Designs.

'I suppose you have a point... I should apologise to him shouldn't I?' She said guiltily

Payal hadn't intended on taking her anger out on Akash, she had just been so frustrated that Khushi was having to work such late nights. She looked at Khushi who was nodding her head eagerly at her - encouraging her to follow through with her latest revelation. Sighing, she got up off the bed and made a move to put away the variety of bandages and ointments splayed across the sheets. Before she walked out however, a thought occurred to her. She hovered around on the spot for a while before turning back to face a confused looking Khushi.

'But just think about this before you back Arnav up so much Khushi... How much do you actually mean to him?'

As Payal walked out of the bedroom, Khushi pondered further over what her sister had just said. And in all honestly, she knew Payal was right. This same thought had been tirelessly assaulting her since the day Arnav had left six years ago. Sighing, she took out her phone, scrolling through her messages aimlessly till she reached Arnavs name.

It had been a few days since Payal had dragged her out of the Raizada house. Having been ordered by everyone around her to take the week off week, she had received a text from Arnav twice a day, without fail. If she was honest, it felt nice. Really nice.

But nice wasn't enough

She had been pleasant enough, replying with a simple 'yes' or 'I'm fine' but nothing more. She didn't feel the need to cosy up to him too much. Just because he had said sorry, she in no way felt obliged to be so friendly - not when she, in Payals words, still had no idea what she in actual fact meant to Arnav Singh Raizada.

He had left - fair enough. He had said he was sorry - fair enough. But the fact of the matter was that for all those years, he didn't feel the need to even look back just once.

This constant thought had been gnawing at her for the past six years. In Khushi's eyes, she had clearly not meant enough to him for him to stay away from her for this long, without so much as uttering a single word to her; to put her through so much torment and to let her think the worst. She knew he had his reasons, but it all came down to this - She didn't mean enough to him.

And she had to learn to live with that

So why such an easy forgiveness? No. As much as she wanted to just collapse in his arms, Khushi couldn't help it... She just couldn't forgive him.

They needed to begin again. Right from the start.

But before they could even come close to being what they were when they were younger, Khushi needed to know. She needed to know just what had caused him to take such a drastic step. But she knew Arnav, and she knew she couldn't just force it out of him. But she also knew that she wouldn't be able to see him in the same light until she got her answers.

So for now, she'd have to take slow steps in the dark till she came up in that light... If she ever did.

And with that final thought, she switched off her bedside lamp and buried herself under the bedcovers.

She needed sleep.

~

The sleek black iphone was knocking against the polished wood of the desk every other second as it fell prey to the constant swivel between the impatient fingers of a certain troubled young man. He caught the phone mid-swing, bringing it to life for the tenth time that minute - his eyes hungry for a glimpse of her name.

He had text her. Of course he had. He had text her twice everyday for the past week. Once in the morning, and once at night. He didn't want to bother her too much after all. He was quite content with her menial replies, but Arnav couldn't help but yearn for more; to open up a message to one of her quirky jokes or a stream of pictures letting him know what she had just eaten.

He honestly didn't know what to expect now. Everything had changed... that was for sure. But that look she had given him before she walked out of the house with Payal - It had thrown him completely. She had given him that small smile, giving him so much hope. Yet her eyes had been glazed with a sheen of sadness, as if she was somehow apologising to him. In that moment, he had known that they would make it work. But in that moment, he also knew her heart was still full of contempt.

A faint 'click click' of heels captured his attention, ridding him of the ever-present doubts in his mind; transforming peacefully in to a picture of perfection as she came in to view. He saw her walking up the stairs towards Akashs' office, her bruises blackening and sickly upon her milky skin - taunting Arnav as he cursed himself. 'They shouldn't be there' he thought, clenching his fist - his remorse pulsating through his veins as he fist grew tighter still.

He realised he was staring when he saw her glance towards his office, debating her next move. His anger dilapidated, feeling himself become hot under the collar as she hesitated one last time before decisively walking the distance between his and Akashs' office. She stood at his doors for a moment before apprehensively looking down and pushing through the glass and entering the office

'Khushi?'

Khushi took a deep breath, closing her eyes momentarily before looking back up at him and giving him a small smile. 'Just do what feels natural Khushi. You'll never move forward otherwise' she said encouragingly to herself.

'Hi Arnav'

Arnav wasn't expecting this. He gave himself a moment to take in her presence - the way she was being so strong, standing there with her hands clasped behind her back conservatively at the door. She was so respectful all the time... And Arnav had so much respect for her in that moment as he realised she had composed herself so magnificently throughout everything that had happened between them. He mentally slapped himself as he saw her getting a little impatient, figuring he should say something to her before she left again

'H- How are you?'

That seemed to break the ice a little, causing Khushi to take a few more slow steps towards him as she chose her words carefully

'I'm fine I guess. I just...'

Before she knew it however, Arnav had launched himself out of his chair, the words exploding out of his mouth after days of holding it all in.

'Khushi I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to push you that day, or any other day. I just couldn't take it anymore. And I realise I'm being selfish but I just... Missed you'

Khushi had by now reached his desk, holding a hand up at him in a bid to stop his explosive rant. She would have laughed at his stumbling explanations had she not been so shocked.

'Arnav you don't need to apologise anymore. I know you regret it. But you have to understand that I can't forget what you did that easily. Even though I want to... those memories, and those feelings that came with your ridiculousness... They won't let me forgive you.'

They both sat down in the chairs as Arnav felt his chest constrict slightly upon hearing those words - the remaining specs of hope dispersing in to the air surrounding them. He had been kidding himself. He chided himself for even thinking for a moment that she was opening up to him. He stared at her intently as she carried on further. His eyes boring in to hers as he watched her lips move effortlessly along with her soft voice.

'Just... All I'm saying is that it'll take time. I won't lie, I miss you too. In fact I don't even need to say this because you blatantly know that already. You never know, we might never be the same again. But it's something that'll happen naturally, because if I try and act normal now... I'm going to want to punch you in face'

Arnav breathed out a nervous laugh, glad that she at least still felt comfortable enough to joke around with him. He felt somewhat elated that she was giving them a chance. Those shards of hope were slowly being slotted back together as he straightened up in his chair - a refreshing calm hurtling through him. It wasn't the world, but it was enough for now. He wasn't about to mess anything up anymore.

'There's something else I need from you though... But I know you'll give me my answers when you're ready. But until then, I have no reason to even try to forgive you'

Arnav did a double take at her words - looking right at her, attempting to decipher the mysterious glint in those big eyes of hers. Mysterious? Arnav wasn't about to kid himself anymore either. He knew exactly what Khushi was after. And he felt the fear slowly creep up on him; he felt his shirt stick to his back as the air in the room started to stifle him.

'I'll see you around Arru'

He looked at her again before she made a move. He saw her eyes twinkling slightly as he watched her give him that small heart-felt smile. And that was it.

He felt his breathing constrict in the slightest motion. He felt a swift breeze whisper around him as it fluttered across his heated skin. He fought against the feelings as he focused on Khushi's words. She needed time, she needed space and she needed small steps. Even as he wrestled with her needs, he felt the faint thud in his chest drawing him in to her.

It was happening again.

And as he breathed her in, watching as she slowly lifted herself off the chair and straightened out her top giving him an enticing slight view of her cleavage - and their pendant, he could safely say it was happening again... And even more so then the last time.

He gulped

Uh oh

ooo

So there's chapter 12!

Once again, very sorry for such a delayed update! And sorry once again if it's all over the place. Serious case of writers-block over here 😆

Hope you guys all liked it though!

Shay X

Originally posted by: shay1990

Chapter Thirteen - What Hurts The Most

The pencil was loose in her hand, lazily sketching out the draft designs of AR Designs newest collection. Apparently.

'Summer of Love'

Asides from the fact that it was nearing the end of November, he thought this was a very apt name as he watched her let out an audible sigh, her eyes focused on the unassuming bottle of water propped upon the desk in the furthest corner of the office - the faintest of smiles adorning her rosy lips, just about visible to him.

'Maybe she's just really thirsty?' he wondered to himself, chuckling at the absurdity of it. He knew exactly what she was thirsty for.

He observed her again as she sat with her chin resting on her free hand; as she now casually scribbled on the once fresh sheet of cartridge paper on the desk. He glanced down at it, then back to her face, then back down at the paper again - watching carefully as she expertly glided the pencil over it, elegantly forming what could only be assumed as an exquisite 'A.'

Before the 'R' could even appear, he watched her again as her distant eyes darted to the sheet in front of her, proficiently disguising her wayward doodles in to a cute little flower.

'Smooth... Very smooth Miss Gupta' he thought all too knowingly to himself, unable to prevent the sly smile that was making its way upon his glee-filled face.

Khushi cleared her throat as she sat up in her chair and made herself look a little bit more presentable - and aware. She grimaced when she saw Akash grinning at her.

She cleared her throat once more and looked down at the now, inappropriately covered piece of paper in front of her - unwilling to look back up at Akash.

'Snap out of it Khushi!' she scolded herself quietly, cringing inwardly at her ridiculous behaviour.

But she wasn't going to lie to herself. She was feeling a little wistful after her conversation with Arnav a few moments back. It wasn't a lot, but that one, simple 'I missed you' had sent her reeling in a zealous haze - his husky voice crawling through her extremities as it twisted her stomach, clenching till she felt her heart thump viciously. She couldn't help it. She really couldn't help it.

Akash on the other hand was still observing her intently. He saw a light blush creeping on to her heated cheeks, a hand going up towards her neck as she rubbed it, causing her to pull back the top of her blouse slightly. That's when he saw it. The wide scar running the length of her collar bone, tainting her perfect skin. He felt himself go rigid at the thought of that incident. He thought of that horrific moment he and Arnav had seen her. And then he thought about just what could have possibly caused Arnav to let her leave the office in that way without even so much as thinking about her well-being. He needed to know what reason his cousin had for acting like such a heartless bas***d. Because in Akashs' eyes... There was none. It was now or never.

'Khushi, I have to ask... What actually happened between you and Bhai?'

She was shocked to say the least. 'Wasn't he grinning to himself a moment a go!' She thought to herself, confused at the sudden change in her boss' demeanour. She looked at him for a second before glancing away, a sarcastic smile contorting her soft features - a short breathy laugh slicing through her dreamy state.

'I don't think you'd want to hear my dukh bhari kahaani' she said half seriously and half in jest

Akash wasn't joking now however. He was fully serious. He needed to get to the bottom of their problem. He needed answers.

'Khushi I have spent the last 4 years of my life watching my cousin become detached and so unlike himself. I think it's safe to say I have all the time in the world for your dukh bhari kahaani' he said as his hands went up to quote her words.

Sighing, she racked her mind for a time in her past when she had recited her loss. But she couldn't. She had never spoken of this before. Not properly anyway. She looked at Akash. His face was full of concern and intrigue - she didn't know what it was, but she felt her heart open up to him; she felt like she had to. 'Here goes nothing,' she thought to herself, her remaining doubts ebbing away at the sight of his unadulterated worry.

'Me and Arnav were friends. Best friends. It sounds stupid I know, but that's exactly what we were. It was uncanny how in sync we were...'

Khushi glanced at Akash to make sure he was still following. She nearly laughed out loud at the eagerness that was emanating from him.

'Imagine having one person you see without fail; who you talk to everyday. Imagine being able to tell them anything. Imagine not having to even say anything, and yet this person understands exactly what you're feeling. That's what Arnav was to me.'

Akash was mesmerised. His eyes were focused on her serene features as she spoke out with such sincerity. How she managed to stay so calm all the time, he'd never know. He mentally bowed down to her as she carried on with her story, scrunching his eyebrows at the mention of the dreaded 'was' in the midst of it all.

'His family were literally my own... Lata Aunty raised me just as much as she had Arnav. And so had my own Amma and Babuji vice versa. They were always there for me... Especially Arnav. He was always there. He was there whenever I was in trouble. He was there when my parents died. He was there when I went through my adoption. He was there throughout it all'

Khushi smiled lightly, remembering the way in which he had refused to eat until Khushi was brought out of care and back to their house, where she belonged. He had only been 9... But he had never let go of her hand.

'And then Lata Aunty and Anil Uncle passed away in 2006, as you know.' She paused, looking at Akash as if seeking his permission to carry on.

He nodded and gave her a reassuring smile, not trusting himself to speak as he saw her eyes shimmering with unspoken tears - He now understood completely that it must have been hard on her as well. Not only did she herself lose two people she considered to be her parents, but she had apparently lost her pillar, of that being Arnav, at the same time as well.

'Arnav took the news badly. And by bad... I mean not a single word was said by him. Not even to me. To this day, I have yet to find out what was going through his mind. To this day, I don't think he's broken down once. I can tell'

She paused for a moment, looking at Akash. A cold breeze whipped at her as her mind fell back to her darkest hour - A moment she would never ever be able to wipe from her memory.

ooo

"Arnav! Arnav ruk jaaye na please!"

A 16 year old Khushi grabbed a hold of his hand in an attempt to get him to look at her just once. She felt it roughly slip out of her hold as she struggled to keep up with his brisk pace.

"Arru listen to me, can you at least talk to everyone about this first!"

She was hot on his trail, wiping away her tears furiously as they entered the train station.

"You've barely said a thing in the past week."

Arnav hoisted his bag further on to his shoulder, shrugging her hand off his arm at the same time

"Go back home Khushi"

Khushi ignored his remark and stood impatiently as he received his tickets. His face lifeless; every last drop of her Arnav was slowly draining out from his every pore.

"No one is telling you not to go... Just please, aise mat jaaye Arru. Think about it properly!"

He came to an abrupt halt, whipping his head round to face her - his eyes staring straight in to her own which were trembling frantically. He spoke low, growling through his snarl.

"Just f**k off Khushi!"

She stood there, momentarily shocked, confronted by his blazing eyes. Never before had she seen them look so empty; so full of resentment. She cowered slightly, underneath his unfamiliar glare as he swiftly turned around and walked away from her.

She regained her composure, realising he was quite further on from where she was. He had already gone through the barriers and round the corner - She had no means of getting through, but that was in no way going to stop her as she readied her foot on the barrier and began hoisting herself up. She could vaguely see the attendant hurtling towards her, losing her footing as an earth-shattering explosion blinded her senses and threw her back in to the attendants awaiting arms, both collapsing on the concrete floor in an unceremonious heap.

She could feel a slight sting in her right elbow, twinging as she scrambled up from the floor, rushing forward as she saw the flames flicker mockingly in front of her - screaming as they ripped apart her whole world.

"ARNAV!!!"

ooo

Khushi fell silent, shuddering slightly as her fears were brought back to life once more. But this time, as she glanced towards Arnavs' office to see him hastily typing away on his laptop - eyes trained on the screen in front of him, she felt those fears finally fade away. Looking back towards Akash, she realised. She realised that she didn't have to be scared anymore.

'And that was it... That was the last I heard of him. And well as you know, he went in to a coma after that.'

Khushi stumbled over her next words, trying to find the right ones to sensitise the awful reality of it all... More for her own sake then Akashs'

The thing is, when you guys finally came to know he was alive...'

Akash found himself unknowingly holding his breath as Khushi inhaled deeply herself - pacifying her own feelings.

'He didn't tell me.'

His mind went blank. Completely blank as Khushi dropped the pencil that was in her hand and looked down in to her lap dejectedly.

'Khushi...'

He understood completely. He pieced it all together as he recounted the past couple of months. Her anguish, his guilt, Payals anger, Anjali's doubts... He now understood perfectly.

There was so much Akash wanted to say. There was so much he needed to tell her. His arms were itching to embrace her, his mind thumping at the sudden rush of emotions he was feeling towards the bundle of tranquillity in front of him. He was proud to be able to call her his friend.

But all these emotions were slammed behind closed doors as a sudden knock was heard on his own glass ones, throwing both Khushi and Akash out of their reveries, swivelling round to see who it was.

~

He was trying hard not to look in the direction of his cousins' office. So hard that he hadn't taken his eyes off the laptop screen for almost 15 minutes - unwilling to look at anything but. He could still feel that dratted organ beating boisterously within his chest; he could still feel the tingle running right down his spine... He could still feel her.

He hadn't even touched her, and yet her presence was forming all around him. He felt almost suffocated as he fought against picturing her every feature. His tireless hands stopped in their place, resting above the keys as he glanced towards the glass of water next to him. He grabbed it, letting the water roll straight through him as he drank greedily in an attempt to cool down the heat pooling within him.

It didn't work.

This had happened to him before. Of course it had. Being around Khushi Kumari Gupta for most of his life, of course it had to have happened at some point. But he could feel it coming back with a vengeance today - as if torturing him for his misdeeds

Arnav let out a ragged sigh as he massaged his aching head with his thumb and forefingers, applying enough pressure to squeeze the pain out for a mere few seconds. Figuring he should probably go down and get some food, he grabbed a file and made a move towards the door.

He was about to open the door, when a particular being caused him to stop right in his tracks - his eyes wide with shock as he saw Payal Gupta walking up the stairs, scanning the area inquisitively for a sign of her little sister.

He hovered on the spot for a moment, hand clasped around the door handle while he raided his mind for some sort of escape route. Seeing that there was none, he turned around, frantically looking around the office 'Shit. Shit. Shit. What the hell is Payal doing here?!'

He didn't think he had the strength to face her wrath today, and if he was quite honest, she frightened him. He mentally noted not to make her even angrier - meaning he didn't think it was a good idea for her to lay eyes on him at the moment.

He turned in all directions, looking back outside to see Payals progress before staring at his desk for a quick moment, calculating his only option.

'f**k this!' he thought as he broke in to an awkward run, scuttling forward almost throwing himself on the floor before scrambling under his desk. He stayed still for a few minutes, his eyes darting everywhere, listening intently for any sign of disturbance.

'For f**ks sake Arnav. This has got to be your lowest moment' he said derisively to himself, dragging a hand down the side of his exhausted face as he slumped down the inner side of the desk making himself comfortable, knowing full well he wasn't about to move from underneath the table for a while now.

~

Payal looked around as she reached the top of the stairs, glancing at the only two offices that resided on that level. 'Well one of them must be his,' she said decisively to herself.

She moved closer, seeing that the one to her right was empty 'Clever idea to have glass walls... Those Raizada brothers are good for something after all' she said approvingly, mentally scolding herself straight the way for inadvertently reminding herself that she was being too hard on the newest addition to the Raizada Parivaar.

Walking towards her left, she chanced upon the second office in which Khushi and Akash sitting at opposite sides of the desk, seemingly working effortlessly in unison. She approached the doors, slightly confused as to why neither of them had yet to notice she was standing there through the glass walls. Thinking better of it, she took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing her apology as she knocked confidently on the glass.

Both Akash and Khushi were stunned by her sudden arrival, both still revelling in the aftermath of their deep conversation. Akash was struggling to keep his emotions at bay by this point as well. He was still so shocked from Khushi's revelation, yet seeing her sister in his office was sending his mind in to overdrive. He had clearly underestimated his imagination as he scanned her over once, and then a further second time. 'She looks even better then I remember,' he thought to himself, still in awe from their previous encounter.

Khushi was the first to break the silence, shaking Akash out of his marvel.

'Jiji?! Aap yahaan?'

Payal looked at Khushi, forcing out a strained smile as she wrung her hands together, her nervousness increasing by the second. 'Why is this so hard' she thought to herself frantically.

'I err... I just wanted to err...'

Payal struggled to form her sentence, all her rehearsed words going to waste as she stood rooted to the spot, swaying slightly under the expectant looks of Khushi and Akash. Shaking her head finally, she looked boldly towards Akash, speaking in a dignified manner, gaining a new found confidence.

'I wanted to apologise for last week. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. Main bas Khushi ko lekar pareshaan thi.'

Akash felt himself melting a little at her words. Her soft side was just as admirable as her anger and it wasn't doing anything to help the constant thud in his ears as the blood rushed straight to them. He stood up and moved towards her a little sensing that she was quite tense.

'Hey it's ok... Payal right?'

Payal gave him a little smile before nodding her head slowly, allowing for him to carry on.

'It's ok... You don't need to apologise. I should have been at the office with her, but I wasn't. So I should be saying sorry to you!'

Payal shook her head vigorously, taking a few extra steps towards him as she felt herself relax a little more. She felt bad for accusing him of so much now. Khushi was right... He really was nice.

'No. Please... It really wasn't your fault'

She stared at him for a while, her eyes examining his weathered face; that cute little smile as he pushed up his glasses, blinking several times whilst he scratched the back of his head nervously. She really felt like giving him a hug in that moment. But she didn't. Instead she opted for another apology, looking at him with hopeful eyes as she gave him another small smile

'I'm sorry?'

His face broke out in to a fully-fledged grin, looking straight in to her eyes before looking down at the floor, his hand still rubbing the back of his neck as he laughed lightly.

'Apology accepted!'

Khushi had now leapt up, clapping her hands - a contented smile of her own appearing on her face as she embraced her sister, thankful that they had sorted out their differences. Payal ruffled her sisters' hair lovingly before looking back at Akash - a sly smile making her eyes glint mischievously

'You were pretty funny though... Bechara, you looked so scared when I was shouting at you,' she said, giving him a mock-pout.

Akash stood, gaping at the two sisters as they burst in to fit of laughter, clearing his throat before composing himself and straightening out his tie authoritatively.

'Nahi toh... I was just in pain after you jabbed me with your nails!' he exclaimed, trying to convince them otherwise.

This just seemed to make Payal laugh even more - moving closer to him as she continued to tease him whilst he towered over her trying to defend himself

Khushi looked at the both of them, joking and laughing together, all her prior thoughts ebbing away at the sight of her elder sister blushing slightly under the watchful eyes of her boss. 'This is going to be so good,' she thought to herself evilly, her mind ticking away deviously as she made a list of jibes she could later direct at her smitten sister.

~

He heard a familiar laugh echoing though the building, bubbling through the air vent. Sneaking a peak, he craned his neck round the edge of the desk to get a better view, still ashamed of himself for resorting to such pathetic measures.

What he saw made his stomach drop.

He saw them all, laughing together. He watched as Payal pulled Akashs cheeks. He watched as Akash swivelled her around against him and grabbed her arms in attempt to end her assault on him. He observed Khushi as she just stood and laughed at the both of them.

Khushi

He looked at her intently from his hiding place. Her eyes were lit up, her laughter protruding from within her as she threw her head back and closed her eyes. She looked truly happy.

He thought for a moment and remembered the times when they were younger. The times when Arnav was in Akashs' place. The times when he was the one to make Khushi laugh like that.

He was jealous. Extremely jealous. But it was no ones fault but his.

He closed his eyes tight, her laughter still ringing in his ears as he envisioned a younger Khushi smiling at him, her teeth bared completely in pure happiness. He snapped his eyes open and looked back in to Akashs' office. He looked at Khushi again, his eyes burning as he willed the inevitable blink to stay put a few seconds longer so he could just watch her.

She was happy. She was truly happy in this moment. And in that moment, Arnav realised that this was probably the happiest she had been in years. He himself knew that he was the one to have taken that away from her. He was the one to cause her fake smile. And now, seeing her completely let go, he vowed himself to do everything in his power to keep her surrounded by this happiness, because Khushi deserved nothing less.

And as he looked at them once more - he understood completely that he deserved this. He deserved this distance and he deserved to be on the outside, looking in.

He remembered her words - she needed time, and she needed space. He nodded to himself conclusively.

'Whatever you want Khush... Whatever you want. I'm not leaving you. Ever again'

ooo

Still feel bad about the delayed update last time, so i updated a bit quicker this time round 😆

Hope you all liked this one! I really wanted Arnav to realise a little more how much he destroyed all the relationships surrounding him.

Also, just wanted to say another quick THANK YOU to all of you who like and comment on my work. And even to those silent readers who follow me throughout this as well lol.

All my love goes out to every single one of you!

Shay X