#2 SS|TheContract+HerConditions|Link to New thread - Page 23

love the update plzzz pace it u a bit

BTW, made a few changes in the itinerary. Please check in Day 4

DAY 6- Mykonos

There was nothing else to see in Mykonos. The ship would leave for Santorini the next day's after noon and the passengers could roam about Mykonos. Minos had showed them a spot where pelicans often gathered, and pelican was important to Mykonos, being their symbolic representation.

Payal and Khushi sat in the sand, with their feet buried in it. Akash was standing behind Payal, with his hands in the pocket, looking at the two sisters. As he watched, Khushi put her head on Payal's shoulder.

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/27/2b/31/pelican-bay-art-hotel.jpg
(IMAGINE THIS PLACE DURING EVENING :P )

Was she happy with this marriage? Akash wondered, as he saw his brother brooding, sitting on a chair. Despite his brother's best acts, there was no trace of the happiness of newly-weds between them, and that troubled him.

He would talk to Khushi, and talk to her tonight.

Arnav watched Khushi's profile view as she stared at the setting sun and looked at the waves with a distant look. She wasn't as readable as she had once been…. Not as carefree as she once was with him…

Could he be wrong about her? Was this really a sham like she claimed to be? But he had seen it with his own eyes….!

As he watched, Khushi suddenly stood up as a pelican landed on the sands near the water. She gestured Payal to 'Shush' and wearing her camera around her neck, she tiptoed behind the pelican. The pelican spread its wings, and grazed its beak inside. It was a beautiful sight against the sun.

Khushi crouched near the pelican and brought the camera to her eye and clicked the picture.

http://efcollegebreak.typepad.com/.a/6a01156f958746970b0120a8b30673970b-800wi

The sound startled the bird and it jumped and turned around at Khushi, who in turn fell on to the sand from her crouch. The bird howled, fluttering its wings and advancing at Khushi. She screamed and got up and ran, one hand clutching the straw hat on her head to keep from falling off.

"KHUSHI!" Payal and Arnav stood up at the same time as Akash shouted "Khushiji!"

As they saw her run, they realized she was laughing and stared at the comical scene in front of them. Khushi would turn around once in a while, and yell "Shoo! You donkey bird! ShooO!" and finally, tired of laughing, she collapsed on the sand and picked up a pebble. She didn't intend to hit the bird of course, but the bird didn't know did it? And so it flew off.

As soon as it left, the three of them hurried to her. She was laughing still and stopped when she saw their worried faces. "Chill people! It was fun!"

Just then, another bird landed on the beach. She got up hurriedly and dusted herself off. "Let's do it again!" she said giggling and heading to the bird.

"KHUSHI!" Payal shrieked and hit Khushi on the head.

Arnav caught her arm. "We are going back to the Louis."

And so went a struggling bunch of three, trying to hold a humanoid pelican who was pissed off, and using variety of words like 'Laad Governor'… 'Buzz Kill'… 'Laad Governess'… 'Kill joys'… 'Boring people' etc.

Night

Khushi slept on her side on the couch, and looked at Arnav sleeping. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the feelings she had for him.

He's not worth a heartbreak… He's not worth a heartbreak… She kept telling herself.

She looked at the clock. Half-past ten; she was nowhere close to sleep.

Past few days she had had a good sleep due to sheer exhaustion, but today, they hadn't done anything much except chase a pelican and sit on Grecian sands.

She got up quietly and put on her slip-ins. In her night salwar, Khushi quietly went to the door and pocketing her Cruise Entry Card, she headed out of the suite.

There weren't many people awake, but the corridors were dimly lit, and Khushi shuddered as it reminded her of the aisles in Titanic. She walked faster to the elevator and headed for the sun deck.

*

The minute she stepped onto the Sun Deck, she felt out of place. There weren't many people, but the few that were there were all couples. Some holding hands and looking out at the black waters of the Aegean, some were kissing under the moonlight and some just cuddled in each other's arms on the chaises.

Hugging herself tightly, she walked to the most isolated corner of the deck and sat down beside a chaise on floor with her head buried in her knees. Not a moment too soon, tears began to flow and she cried silently at her fate.

She looked up at the sky. Were her mother and father really watching her like she had always believed? Was there really a God up there who set unfair things right and provided justice to those who needed it?

She wiped her tears, shaking her head. Who was she kidding? Everyone knew that stars were burning gas…. And God? What God? How can there be a God when she was suffering for having been selfless…When Anjaliji had been deprived of all the love she deserved in the world… When the most heinous person was right now, enjoying all the luxury and love of a wife that he didn't deserve… And when soon, a child would be deprived of her father when Di finally gives birth…

She shook her head. There was no God… Her parents were not watching over her… Her brother was somewhere far away… The man she loved hated her… And she was all alone.

"Khushiji?"

She looked up to see the kindly face of her Jijaji, standing next to her Jiji.

"Khushi, are you alright? Why are you sitting here?" Payal asked anxiously, leaning next to her sister.

"Where is Bhai?" Akash asked.

"H-He is sleeping…" Khushi muttered.

"Khushi, you didn't answer me…" Payal said.

"Jiji wo… I wasn't able to sleep so I came up here to um, be with the stars…"

The way Payal was looking at Khushi, Khushi immediately realized that Payal knew Khushi was lying.

"Payal, wait here for five minutes. I will escort her back to the suite…" Akash said.

Payal nodded, still eyeing Khushi, but Khushi refused. "Arey, I came alone and I will go alone…!"

Payal frowned. "With you there is no telling what'll happen… I don't want you to fall asleep in the corridor or sneak up here again. Akash, make sure she-"

"Yes Payal… I will…" Akash smiled.

Khushi looked at the two of them, and felt a prick in her heart. Few months back, even she and Arnavji could communicate without speaking until Shyam happened… she thought bitterly.

*

As Akash walked Khushi back to the suite, he could see her pale and bloodshot face under the dimlight. He wanted to talk to her, but didn't understand how he should start…

He sighed as they finally reached the suite. So much for resolving to talk to her…. BUT there was one thing he could assure her of.

As Khushi swiped her card to enter the suite, Akash called. "Khushiji?"

She turned around. "Yes Jijaji…"

"I-I just wanted you to know th-that.."

"Yes…?" she asked tilting her head.

Gathering more resolve, Akash looked straight at her and said "Khushiji, no matter what happens, I will never ever leave Payal. I love her more than life itself. So I'd rather die than let her go…. No matter what happens…" He said.

Khushi looked at him bewildered, not understanding what brought this on.

"And no matter who tells me to, I won't leave her…. You understand what I am saying Khushiji?" he said seriously.

Khushi slowly nodded…

One step out of this house, and I will make sure Akash leaves Payal…

The words echoed in her head, making her shudder and she looked at Akash and nodded simply, wondering whether he actually knew something or if it was just a co-incidence.

She watched him leave, and wondered dazedly if she was free. Whether she could pack up and leave just now….. The confidence with with Jijaji had said the words was reassuring…

Maybe she should leave she thought, and entered the suite to find the lights on.

"Where the heck were you!"

She looked around, and was startled to see Arnav sitting cross-legged on the couch.

She inhaled deeply. "I went to the sun-deck…" she said calmly.

"Aah, finally found lone-time to talk to Shyam did you?" he sneered.

Khushi stared at Arnav in disbelief.

"Oh, save the innocent look for someone else Khushi. I am not going to fall for it…" he snarled.

Feeling anger seeping through hurt, she bit out "Well, you have already fallen so deep into deception that nothing can pull you out. You have refused to see the truth, and you are falling deeper and deeper. And who pushed you? That kameena Jijaji of yours… Think what you want. I won't justify myself… I don't need to."

And Khushi decided that she won't leave right away and give him the satisfaction of being right. The minute she proved herself innocent, she would walk away from him and out of his life.

DAY 7- Mykonos

They had 6 hours before the ship set out from Mykonos to Kusadasi.

Khushi strolled around the streets of Mykonos, walking by Arnav's side. She ignored him completely, like he didn't exist at all.

She slipped into small shops once in a while and clicked pictures, and Arnav followed her silently

There was a shop which had brilliantly carved wax statues of athletes. Michael Phelps seemed to be swimming out of a wall, and beads of water were stuck onto his athletic body.

"Amazing Work!" Khushi murmured, fingering the wax folds of Phelps' swimming cap.

"Don't you want to buy anything?" Arnav asked.

"I don't have money'" she said, clicking a picture of Phelps.

"Well I can pay'" he said, as if it was the most obvious solution.

Khushi snorted. "Ha! And have you reminding me of how much I owe you for the next six months? No way!" she said, continuing to click pictures.

"Look at me when I am talking to you dammit!" Arnav said, grabbing her arm.

She smiled at him. "Arey Arnavji. Aap bhi na' Why do you need to get so angry for such small things? Fine, I will buy something okay?"

Arnav blinked at her, confused at the sudden change in her demeanor.

"Erm, Bhai?"

Arnav let go, and turned around to see Akash with an expressionless face. "Yes Akash?"

"Payal is feeling nauseous. We are at the small caf by the corner. I am getting her a Coke."

Khushi frowned. "What, is Jiji okay?"

Akash smiled. "Don't worry Khushiji. She didn't have breakfast today morning that is all. And I cannot leave her in such a state can I?" he asked, looking pointedly at Khushi, his eyes darting to Arnav once.

Khushi blinked again, at the choice of Akash's words. Khushi began to feel uneasy under his piercing gaze and looked away. "Okay Jiju'"

After Akash left, Arnav asked "So what do you want to buy?"

"Huh, nothing! I just said that cuz Jiju was there'" Khushi shrugged and turned back to the statues.

*

Akash walked back to the caf where Payal was waiting.

"Ha! And have you reminding me of how much I owe you for the next six months? No way!" Khushiji had said.

What had she meant? Six months? And the way she had instantly changed the tone of her voice as soon as she saw him.

Something was going on' Something big' And bad.

As Anjali saw Akshay and NK talking, the memory of her conversation with Amit played in her mind.

They had both sat in silence for a few moments.

"How do you know Anjaliji?"

"It wasn't hard to figure out really' My husband maybe a lawyer, but he made too foolish a mistake. Two rings of the same type? One belonged to Khushiji' And then her fianc and my husband had the same name. And the fact that after I introduced them to each other, Khushiji's engagement broke and she would always avoid Shyamji' And then I heard him say it'"

"He told you?!" Amit asked incredulously.

"Oh no no. I heard him tell Khushiji, on the night of Payal and Akash's sangeet. He was threatening her'. I didn't react because I realized Chhote was falling in love with Khushiji and sooner or later, she would be protected by him'"

"Does Khushi know that you know'?"
"Oh yes. On the day of her sangeet, she was in tears and had rushed to the poolside. I went after her, and for a moment feared that Shyam might have done something. So I asked her' She was shocked I knew, so I told her everything. She told me Chhote didn't know, and that she wouldn't tell him any time soon. This struck me as odd, because Chhote is quite sharp and-"

"Sharp indeed!" Amit snorted "The guy was probably dreaming of work when that creep was harassing my princess'"

He told Anjali what he had seen.

Anjali was in tears. "Why is the poor girl bearing so much? Why doesn't she tell Chhote?"

"Something is wrong Anjaliji. That is what struck me as odd too' Something wrong is going on between them'" Amit fretted. "I think I should just call Ashish'"

"Ashish?" Anjali asked, curiously.

"Khushi's elder brother'" Amit said quietly.

Anjali gasped. "Khushiji never told us'!"

"That's because she doesn't know where he is' She has been trying to contact him for two years'."

"Why, what happened?"

"Anjaliji, that is not my story to tell. I am sorry. All I wanted to tell you, was that Shyam had destroyed her family'"

Truth was, Amit couldn't bear talking about the death of his darling Muskaan Di.

"What, how'?"

"You probably know her parents died in a car crash?"

"Yes'."

"Well, it was murder."

"What!" Anjali whispered in shock.

"Well, yes. Ashish had been trying to track the murderers down, and when he did they escaped using their power and of course the cunning attorney of Shyam Jha. Shyam destroyed Ashish and Khushi's family, and Khushi doesn't know it. The hatred she has for that unknown lawyer could make her kill him. In fact, I won't be surprised if you knew the murderers. They were business tycoons and your brother being a business man, must have come across their names'"

"Oh? Who are they'?

"Aniket and Anish Mallik." Amit said coldly.

Anjali's body grew stiff, and she could feel sweat trickling down her face. Her father? Not only had he driven her mother to death, but was also a murderer' She was filled with self-loathing' The fact that his blood ran in her veins disgusted her' And her uncle? She knew he was a B*st*rd the day they were kicked out of the house after her father's death.

She looked carefully at Amit, who seemed distant and sad.

Apparently, he didn't know. And she would make sure no one would' But Chhote would have to know. Yes. Once he comes back, she will tell him this terrible secret.

She wouldn't tell about Shyam's involvement, owing to a promise to Khushiji. Khushiji had said that when the time is right, she would tell him herself.

But he HAD to know that their father had killed Khushiji's parents.

Khushi sat on the bed, facing the window in the suite at night. Arnav had already changed.

"Sleep on the bed for today'" Arnav said, preparing to go to the couch.

Khushi jumped to her feet and grabbed a pillow. "Spare your charity for someone who wants it!" she snapped and went to the couch and closed her eyes.

PRECAP BELOW!

PRECAPS:

After reading your updates I feel like you have been there in Greece. It was a nice description of the place. And Arnav should Know the real history of Khushi.

waitng fr d day arnav wud knw abt khushi

Originally posted by: suparnasetu

After reading your updates I feel like you have been there in Greece. It was a nice description of the place. And Arnav should Know the real history of Khushi.