Arhi SS :OUT OF THE CAGE ch.7 pg.32 - Page 5

this is different and nice...will be waiting for the next update...

thankz for the pm...

Arnav is sooo sweet love him

poor khushi but l am glad that arnav will help her:)

Next update ready...

Thank you all for the wonderful comments. And as you all wanted, I'm here today with a long update. Enjoy.

Chapter 3

"Family?" Khushi asked with a newfound joy.

"Yeah. By the way do you know your name?" Arnav asked.

"Shabd used to call me Khushi beta. I think that is my name." Khushi replied with a confused mind.

"Khushi" Arnav repeated.

"And... you didn't tell me who this Shabd is." Arnav asked.

"Shabd is the person who used to give me food, clothes and other things. I think he is also a human. He told me why I was kept inside this when I cried loud one day. He has also taught me how to speak in Hindi and he used to tell me how world looks like. But I don't know why I haven't heard him for the last few days. He didn't come to give me food also." Khushi replied.

"Have you seen him?" Arnav asked.

"No. He used to knock at that window door and used to speak from outside. But he didn't come inside to see me." Khushi replied innocently.

Arnav felt a little gratitude for the person who taught Khushi how to speak. Or else it would have been very difficult for him. But he felt bad that the only person in Khushi's life never cared to come inside this place and see her.

"I'll look out for that Shabd. May be he will give me more information on Khushi." He thought.

"Do you want to see Shabd? We will look out for him" Arnav asked grabbing Khushi's wrist again. He led her out of that wretched place again and came out to open air.

"Shabd!! Shabd!!" Arnav called out. He made Khushi stand at one corner and went out to see Shabd. He felt that Khushi will be locked up again if Shabd sees her. After all he has never cared to free her all these years. He needed to know what kind of a person Shabd is before bringing Khushi in front of him.

Arnav walked through the place. There were many trees growing wild all around. Suddenly he saw a small room at one corner of that place. He went towards that room. It was a place smelling liquor. Walls were damaged at many places. There was a small cot inside and a small table. The table had many used bottles of liquor and few old newspapers scattered. There was a shawl on the bed and a few clothes on the bed. The clothes were of an old man.

Arnav heard water running in the room adjacent to it. Maybe there was a bathroom attached to the room. Arnav guessed.

Suddenly the bathroom door opened and a man of about sixty years came out. He was suddenly shocked to see a young man glaring at him.

"Who are you? What are you doing at my house" The man asked.

"Are you Shabd?" Arnav asked not caring to reply to the man's question.

Shabd! That was the name Khushi beta used to call. The man was afraid now. He knew that if a fight is going to be started, he won't be able to win it. He was too old for that.

"How do you know Khushi beta? Only she calls to me by this name." The man asked.

"That is not your concern. Tell me why that innocent soul was kept captive in that horror room for years" Arnav replied.

"No, I won't tell. Who are you to ask me all this?" Shabd retorted.

"From today I'm her family. So I need to know everything related to her. And I'll make you tell all the truth if you decide to keep your mouth shut. So speak!" Arnav replied in anger.

Shabd could easily realize that the young man's eyes were spilling anger. He saw his clenched fists trying to control the anger that was overpowering him. He knew that he won't be able to stand against this man for longer. But he had to. Or else his life will be in danger. Also, Khushi beta's.

"I can't tell you anything. I'll be killed if I speak anything against them." Shabd replied sadly.

"Why? Why are you supporting those people who kept their own daughter captive from birth? You have to tell me everything and I'll make sure that nothing happens to your life. If you don't tell me everything I'll be the one who will be killing you today."

Shabd saw the rage in Arnav's eyes and doubted if Arnav would actually kill him. Anyway what is the good in supporting the wrong people? He wanted to do at least one good thing in his life. So he is going to tell the truth. He liked Khushi beta so much and if this will help her, he will do it.

"Ok. I'll tell you everything. You please sit down." Shabd asked politely clearing the dirty clothes from the bed.

"One minute. I'll bring Khushi too. She also needs to know everything."

Arnav went out and came back with Khushi.

Shabd was happy to see Khushi. Though she was looking dirty, she still had a charm. He also hasn't seen her as he was not allowed to do that.

"Are you Shabd?" Khushi's melodious voice broke him from the trance.

"Yes Khushi beta. I'm the same person who used to talk to you all these years." Shabd replied excitedly. "Sit beta."

Khushi suddenly sat on the floor. Arnav was stunned at what Khushi did. Later he realized that there was no bed or chair in that prison and Khushi was used to sit and sleep only on the floor.

Arnav stood up and made Khushi also stand. He grabbed her shoulder and gently led her to the cot. He made her sit on it.

"You can sit on this like this. Floor is not a good place to sit." Arnav told her gently.

Khushi nodded her head in reply. Sitting on something like this was another new experience. It was not as hard as the floor. And she was more relaxed sitting in this than on the floor. Khushi liked this new knowledge.

"Tell us now. We want to know everything regarding Khushi's life." Arnav told to Shabd.

"Yes. I'll tell you everything." Shabd replied.

He continued, "Khushi's father is the great politician Rajvardhan Gupta. You may have heard of him. Rajvardhan loved his wife Padmini immensely. They were a rich family and the family believed much on a saint who was called as Kavi Baba. He was actually more of a black magician than a saint. When Padmini's pregnancy news broke off, Kavi Baba had warned that if it is a girl child, it will bring bad luck to the family. But Rajvardhan did not heed to the warning and waited for the arrival of his child, whether it is a boy or a girl. But when the child was born, it was a girl. After a few hours, Padmini died due to immense blood loss. Kavi Baba reminded everyone of the warning he had said before and claimed that the death of Padmini is only the start to the bad things that is yet to happen to the family. He implanted negative thoughts on Rajvardhan's mind against Khushi beta. Rajvardhan who was affected by Padmini's death and also all the words of Kavi Baba asked him for a remedy other than killing the child. Kavi Baba asked him to disown the child and keep her in a prison far away such that the world will never know that this child existed. Rajvardhan's brothers also supported Kavi Baba since they were worried that all the family wealth will go to Khushi if she existed. All the pressure made Rajvardhan hate the child and he gave me the newborn baby and asked me to keep her captive in his old house in Delhi. He also asked me not to see her or love her ever. I was threatened to be killed if I go against him. I knew his power well and did what he asked me to." Shabd told the story with tears in his eyes.

Both Arnav and Khushi were stunned to hear the story. They couldn't believe that anybody could hate a newborn so much.

"But if no one saw Khushi who took care of her when she was an infant?" Arnav asked.

"Rajvardhan had appointed a caretaker. She used to come here till Khushi beta can walk and eat alone. But I don't think Khushi beta remembers her." Shabd replied.

"One more question… Why did you not give her food for the last few days?" Arnav asked.

"Because I didn't have the money to give her food. Rajvardhan used to send a small amount of money for mine and Khushi beta's food and other necessities. But he died last month. He died of cancer and had a very painful death. So the money flow stopped. I adjusted last moth with the little amount I had but it was also over a few days back. So I couldn't buy her food. And I didn't have the courage to answer her when she asks me about food. She doesn't know what money is. Even I haven't eaten anything for four days. Sorry Khushi beta." He replied.

Arnav stood up suddenly. He thanked Shabd for giving him his answers and gave some money to him for his food.

"I forgot to ask, why did you open Khushi's prison?" Arnav asked suddenly.

"I didn't have the courage to see her die of hunger. Even Rajvardhan had died and I thought to let her free without anybody knowing about it. So I opened the door while she was sleeping. I thought she will get some food when she goes somewhere." Shabd told.

"It was a good thing you did that. She has suffered a lot and it is the time for her to enjoy. Shabd, do you know when Khushi was born?" Arnav asked Shabd with a smile.

"Yeah... I know, it was 21^st July 1989. How can I forget that most fateful day? Young man, please take care of Khushi. She should have been living as a princess, but due to her bad fate she lived the life of a prisoner. But now it should change." Shabd requested.

"Thank you. From now I'll take care of Khushi." Arnav told before leading Khushi out of Shabd's room. Khushi followed him like a good girl. She looked back and gave Shabd a smile before going out.

The old man felt contented to see the girl he has cared for all these years free. He felt happy for his Khushi beta and smiled back to her.

I think I could clear all your doubts with this update. Please comment and like. Please give your opinions and suggestions for the story too.😊

Hey beautiful strt, i nevr knew khushi cud go thru dis much i mean locked up in jail fr so long is smthng diffrnnt yaar nd thnk god asr took care of her. Keep updating.

Amazing update. So khushi finally saw shabd. Poor soul she didnt hav food 4 past few days. Good dat d old man unlocked her. Hope she wil live like a princesses from now on

really very emotional:) jus loved d update:) eagerly waiting for d next part:)

what her father and that black magician did to her was horrible...still i guess, her father made a good decision by not killing her...it is true that she lived in the dark for a really long time...but it is about to change...she was like a treasure waiting to be found by arnav...
i think she will have a great life with arnav...it was so nice of shabd to have opened the door...will be waiting for your next update...

thankz for the pm...😊