ArhiFF:Destiny Games # thread 1 - Page 47

Originally posted by: abavi

From the author's desk: Sorry folks, I am not very happy with how the update has turned out to be' but I am in one of those crappy writing moods where nothing flows freely'

Thanks so much for the feedback, I feel so grateful to all of you Hope I don't disappoint you all much.. PMs later... Happy reading!

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Chapter 3: The First Impressions

Part 3: Tables turned

Before the family or Arnav could protest on the ingenious proposal, it was Kushi who reacted first to the proposed deal.

"No" she gasped as she went ner him "NO father, you can't do this- this is completely wrong- life is not a deal" She whispered in shock

But Shashi was not in a mood to pay heed. His eyes were fixed on Arnav who stood there stunned at the prospect of a wedding on those lines.

"If you make her your wife- the bahu of this family- I will give back the mansion to you" Shashi told again- very slowly as if the impact will be more then

"How dare you propose to us that this skinny skeleton girl is to become the bahu of this parivaar? What status has she got to become one? " Mami called out from somewhere behind Arnav, finally breaking the silence which seemed to stretch into infinitiy

Then everybody started speaking at the same time

"How can we believe that our father has signed this house for you?" NK asked him

"Do you even know the parampara of this family? There is an eminence required to become a bahu of this family- leave alone the elder bahu- Do you even know the magnitude of such a position? I can never accept her as the bahu of this house- never" Dadi told him bigheadedly

"What kind of person are you? First you openly accept that you won this house in a gamble, then you swap the deal for a girl- how can we even trust you?" Akaash asked him

"Don't you have any shame to make a deal with two young lives like this? Is she even of age to marry?" Nani asked angrily

Shashi looked at everyone and smiled wildly- Arnav was still didn't break his silence as he observed Shashi curiously.

"She is of marriageable age alright - you don't have to worry about it- and of course, I have this to prove that I am speaking the truth" Shashi told in a slurred tone as he pulled the document out of his shirt where he had secured it.

He tried to go towards Arnav but swayed a little loosing balance- Arnav didn't even flinch but Kushi let a gasp but he steadied himself again and waved the document in front of Arnav's eyes- who seemed to have adopted an unperturbed posture after his initial shock.

"your father's signature is right here" he slurred again.

He moved towards Dadi as the two girls scrunched their nose moving away hurriedly from his path

"and I don't care about status'if you care, she has enough of your royal blood to be a wife to your grandson" he told her as she too gave him a disgusted look

He seemed unruffled about the revolted glance that everyone where throwing at him.

"I want her married to him that's all " he said finally with a dramatic effect, his hands up in the air and circling around from where he stood.

"I think the document is Fake" NK challenged him

"see.. look look for yourself- I didn't even know your father was this wealthy- he was the one who signed this- in front of a notary- who sits in the club- its all legitimate.. I am not a fool- look" he said faltering towards NK

"I shall invalidate this once the wedding is over! Promise!"

"I wont agree to this marraige" Kushi told all of a sudden, surprising her father

"you wont?" he asked her as if perplexed what to do next as she shook her head.

"you dont like him?" he asked confused and then pointed to NK "this one? you will marry this one?" he asked her again as she glared at him impatiently while NK looked at Kushi with wide eyes

Arnav who had been observing him quietly, smiled at last. he has got the objective now... this was a child's game he thought.

"what nonsense is this?" Anjali muttered trying hard not to giggle.

"or this one?" he turned suddenly pointing to Akaash eliciting a scowl from Payal. Anjali giggled this time and then went quiet as the others threw her an unbelievable look.

"I didnt mean that way " Kushi stamped her foot as she sighed awkwardly, hoping against hope that it was all a dream and he would soon get up from this dream

"so you like him.. dont you? the elder son? " Shashi grinned at her stupidly...

Kushi decided enough was enough as she went forward in a lightening flash, pulled the document from her father's hand and tore it into two

Shashi looked at his daughter in shock as she clutched the two halves of the document in her hand and glared at him.

"What did you think? That you can buy me a Man? Is getting married a play? Like getting me an expensive doll? You can't force me on anyone, father -you are not in your senses- you don't even know what you are talking bout-stop this and come home with me"

"you tore it- you - you tore it? You tore the bond - all of my hard earned.. all of my dream..." Shashi screamed at her as he charged at her, not registering any of her words,

"It was not your hard earned treasure- you won it in a gamble... it is never yours..." Kushi shouted back at him as she stepped back

Shashi was already irrational and her act of tearing his bond had pushed him further into madness and in a rage of the moment his hands came in contact with her face, slapping her so hard that she lost balance on the impact. A general shock ensued following this retribution. Kushi who had been displaying quite displeasure till then- went very quiet as she slowly stood up, her eyes traumatized by this action of her father's.

Payal had let out a loud gasp and Anjali stood there shivering, both of the girls probably fortunate enough to not even been treated half this bad or reprimanded by their fathers, looked petrified at the scene in front of them

Arnav too had taken in a sharp breath, not expecting this outrage, but now he stood staring at the man with fury.

"oh my god.. I hit you.. oh my bad my bad- you shouldn't have tore it bitiya .. but never mind- never mind" Shashi assured himself more than he assured her "the one that you tore was just a copy- I.. I have the original secure and safe- you..you will marry him- wont you? you know my desire.. you my aim.. you wont spoil it... now be good girl.. tell me this marriage will happen" he went on blabbering more to himself almost swaying without control

"And If I don't agree to it?" Arnav's cold calculating voice was not very loud but it seemed to have an effect on Shashi.

Shashi turned to look at Arnav again

"If you don't agree to what?" he asked Arnav

"If I say No this proposal then?" Arnav cooly asked him with a smirk

"if you say No.." Shashi repeated what Arnav told blinking back at him, looking completely lost

"then.. then.. you have to vacate this place' I will make you vacate this place" he mumbled again " but you don't want to vacate this place? do you? "He asked Arnav earnestly

Arnav didn't bother to answer him but looked at him steadily and shrugged

Shashi turned to his daughter

"You don't worry- he will marry you- he will agree - I will make him agree - he has to" he kept burbling as he lost conscious and collapsed on the floor.

Hasnt Shashi done enough damage already? What do you all think? should the deal be on or off? let me know your thoughts

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Originally posted by: abavi

From the Author's desk: Thanks so so much for all of your lovely feedbacks- I am overwhemled seriously- I want to shout out to all of you

I had asked the question not to see which direction the story has to move- that I have already decided and it is not going to change even with threats 😆 - I asked the question- partly to encourage longer comments and partly to know my readers pulse about the story 😉 thanks for the response- you people are sweet!

Here is another update, Happy reading!

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Chapter 3- The First Impressions

Part 4- Receeding waves

Kushi watched her father lose conscious and letting out a shriek, she went near his collapsed form and called out to him. She was scared if he had only just lost conscious or if it was something more. Then Shashi mumbled something incoherently- calming down Kushi. The torn bond paper forgotten on the floor, Kushi tried to make him stand.

She chanced to look at the people surrounding her. Everyone watched her and her dad but were reluctant to approach her. Probably these people were thinking that we had come here to enact some drama and get some money- she thought sadly as she got up and tried to lift her father again- She struggled lifting him up wondering how heavy he was, then a hand came to help her- She raised her head to see who it was, she thought it could be the one- whom she had met outside first - because he was the one standing close by- but then she found herself staring at the tallest of the lot- the bespectacled man, who was smiling at her kindly.

"Let me help you" he said as she nodded her thanks

"Ramu Kakka, check if Mohan has already left for the day- if not tell him to take the car out." Akaash called out as Ramu kakka went out to carry out the orders

"No- no that is not required- I can manage to go home- I don't need a drop" Kushi didn't want to trouble them further- considering that she was already not very comfortable standing there knowing what kind of thought were running on their minds about her and her father.

"But are you sure? you are not even able to lift him- let alone going home alone with an unconscious man" Akaash asked her again

"I can get an auto rickshaw" Kushi reasoned her denial to the offer

"You wont get an auto rickshaw in this area at this hour" A crisp yet cold voice broke out again. Something about that voice gave her shudders.

She turned to look at the Man- the very same man she had seen outside first- the man her father had proposed the deal to - the very same man who had, with a cool tempo and a smirk had challenged her father a little while back about not accepting the deal. He looked back at her with curious and calculating eyes which gave her shudders again similar to the way she felt when she found him scanning her outside too. Kushi realized what he said was true. This area was posh- and there was no point for auto drivers to wait in stands at this area- no one would want an auto in this area-

"I can walk until two streets- I will get an auto rickshaw there" she stammered

"But the hour is late bitiya- You are young- it has rained outside and very dark- and it is not safe to manage everything alone- take the car" Nani who was always very kind advised her. Something in her kindness soothed Kushi's nerves as she smiled at the lady thankfully.

Ramu Kakka came back with the news that their driver had not left and was waiting outside. Akaash quickly asked Ramu kakka to help the girl take her father to the car.

"I am really sorry about my father's behavior- he was really not in his senses and and thanks for the drop." Kushi told them all before she walked out with her father lolling unconsciously between her and Ramu Kakka.

"How much hungama in a day- yesterday evening had one drama and now this" dadi muttered before she went back upstairs. Nani too retreated back after reminding her grandsons to drop Payal back safely at her house.

Akaash nodded to Payal to go with him, as Arnav went and picked up the unattended bond sheet which was lying on the floor.

"Don't even think about sacrificing your life for the house" NK told Arnav.

Arnav looked up at his younger brother with a raised eyebrow.

"No I am not thinking of sacrificing my life- I am not going to die or something" he smiled at him

"No I meant- agreeing to get married according to that Man's conditions " NK corrected his sentense

"No I am not thinking on those lines" Arnav assured him with a smirk.

"Good that you are not" Akaash told him "We can let go of this house- if need be- You don't have to marry a random girl for the house"

"yeah- yeah- all the time that man was asking you to marry that girl- I was thinking what are you going to say to Sheetal" Anjali quipped with importance

"Where does Sheetal come in here?" Arnav asked amused

"You are engaged to her aren't you?" Payal hooked her question at him.

Arnav rolled his eyes. Ever since Akaash had let out to them about Sheetal- his siblings were always looking at an opportunity to bring it up at every possible conversation. He decided to tell them all and get away with it.

"How does she look? Is she tall? beautiful? Akaash is the only one who has met her- is she talkative like us? Do you have a pic of hers? "Anjali listed her questions as Payal encouraged her with a nod- This was the juiciest topic by far and every time they tried to speak about Sheetal, Arnav would smile and change the topic tactically.

"No I don't have any of her pics- but why is this sudden interest on how Sheetal looks?" Arnav sighed.

"You haven't answered Payal yet" NK reminded Arnav, his ears pecking up straight like when he is curious about something'

"We are seeing eachother'for some time now" Arnav admitted at last

"And then?" NK prodded further

"Then what?"

"For how long are you both seeing eachother?" Anjali asked with importance

"Why are you blushing blushing Arnav?" Payal teased him

"So is the relationship anywhere near ' taking it to the next level?" NK asked shushing the girls' question

They all looked at Arnav curiously

"Is this the time to talk about my romantic interests?" Arnav sighed again "Akaash- I will get even with you on this!" he threatened him jokingly

Akaash shrugged his shoulders "Answer the question Bhai- see the eagerness in their eyes' such a juicy topic for gossips.."

"OK" Arnav waved his hand in a resigned gesture "We are seeing each other for now- that's all- there is nothing more to read in between the lines - she was my classmate back at Harvards- we were good friends and then we starting going out ' now it's just the same- Fine now?"

"Aren't you holding anything else from them?" Akaash nudged him as he grinned at his elder brother. It was not every often they cornered his elder brother like this and he was enjoying this- turn of tables for a change

"What else?" Arnav asked exasperated

"How about ' if she is going to be in India soon- for vacation or something"

"How did you know about it?" Arnav looked at his brother who was smirking back at him.

"I happened to pass by when you were cooing over the phone to some baby to whom you promised to go to the airport to receive her"

Arnav rolled his eyes again

"Really? " Anjali screamed "So she belongs to Delhi too? I want to meet her ' please please please" she jumped

"He calls her baby really? Oh how cute!" Payal chuckled "You have never called me baby at all Akaash'"

"Hey I would love to meet her too- I want to seriously ask her how she managed to make Arnav Raizada blush" NK also announced to his brother

"I am not blushing" Arnav told them all with dignity

"Ok- will you take us for meeting her? Say yes say yes say yes" Anjali kept chanting holding her elder brother's hand "I even promise to act very respectful and call her bhabhi or whatever you want me to call her"

"NO! you are not calling her Bhabhi and all that" Arnav instructed immediately feeling weird at the thought

"Ok- not yet then- not until you pop up THE question to her- But will you take us to meet her?"

"Ok- I will ask her if she can spend some time here with us- after visiting her parents at Mumbai"

"Yeh! We are going to meet Sheetal"

"yippee"

"That's the spirit bro!"

"hey wait- she is from Mumbai? Aren't there direct flights from England to Mumbai- Meri Bhai why is she taking the Delhi flight then? Something is fishy here" NK started teasing Arnav again

"Oh you lot- don't keep analyzing every single word out of me" Arnav chuckled as he turned to climb the stairs to his room still carrying the bond, he stopped midway

"Hey I forgot- Payal- keep your cool back at home- don't argue with your mom or dad- I will plan something very quickly- don't protest about anything unless they are decking you up with wedding costumes and dragging you to a mandap- ok? And stay safe- don't infuriate them" Arnav called out from where he was standing

Payal showed her thumbs up.

"You too take care- like Akaash and NK said- don't sacrifice your marital life for this property- it's not worth it" Payal called out in reply, as others too nodded their approval.

Arnav smiled assuringly

"I am neither going to sacrifice my marital life- nor this mansion" he smirked at them before he turned and climbed up, waving a lazy goodnight.

"You can take my mobile phone if you want- you parents took yours na?" Anjali volunteered

"No, that's alright Anji- they will confiscate this too if they come to know- no problem- I am quite calm now-I can manage well- thanks for the concern!" Payal brushed off the offer as she took Akaash's extended hand and walked out with him.

"Wow I am so excited' two down one to go" Anjali commented

"What two down?" Nk asked

"Nothing' I know about the other two's secret- I need to find out about your secret soon' your Australian pregnant girlfriend" she whispered as he looked petrified at her looking back at the retreating figures of Akaash and Payal and then upwards where his eldest brother had disappeared into before he glared back at his sister who was grinning at him from one ear to other'

"I told you my girlfriend is not pregnant"

"So you have a girlfriend then?"

NK realized it was better to keep mum than to answer his sister's probing questions- she had a knack to pull out the deep secrets if they gave her enough time'

"I am feeling sleepy- see you in the morning" he told her moving away from there hastily as she rubbed her hands in glee

***

Shashi was busy at the small kitchen at their small house next morning- he was cooking breakfast inspite of the bad headache that he seemed to have ever since he got up. He didn't know what had happened yesterday and Kushi was very very angry with him- that she was not even looking at him- leave alone talking to him. He quickly took a plate filled it with food and took it to his daughter who was sitting in the hall cross legged on the chair.

"Kushi, look you can be angry with me- But eat this" He said extending the plate to her.

She didn't budge but turned the other way, putting her legs down

"Kushi, I promise you, that I won't ever drink again- one time was bad enough for a life time- I seriously didn't realize what I did- Please Kushi forgive me bitiya- "

Kushi glared at him and stood up

"Ok let me feed you today" Shashi told her but she pushed his hand away

"Kushi- I told you that I won't touch liquor again in life- why are you so angry at me then? What did I do?"

Kushi remained quiet. Then Shashi noticed the reddish blotch on her right cheek with imprints of 3 fingers.

"Kushi?" Shashi called out in horrified tone "did I ...eh- did I beat you or something?"

Kushi lost it then

"Beat me? You did more than that- you actually dragged me to house and proposed to some three men- literally strangers in that house that one of them should marry me- on top of that you were bragging to them that the house belonged to you" she screamed at her father

"What? w-which h-house?" he stammered

"some mansion- at Vasant Vihar- The name plate outside read Raizada Mansion or something like that" Kushi gritted her teeth angrily and went out and sat by the steps as Shashi's eyes grew wide. Realization sinked into him- making him comprehend the extent of madness he had displayed the last night.

So the waves that hit the shore has started to receed back... receeding waves always come back to hit the shore again- dont they? tata until come back with another update

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