ArHi SS: A Strange Encounter *Complete* - Page 38

"Jiji why are you so angry with me?" Khushi asked while packing her stuff in a bag. With only a day remaining in Payal and Akash's engagement, they were trying to pack everything soon and leave for the farmhouse that Gupta's owned in the outskirts of Delhi where the engagement and weddings is supposed to take place without attracting media's attention very much as it is bound to be considering the fact that Khushi and Arnav both were popular among them.

Payal who was checking if she kept all the stuff she needed, stilled for a moment before resuming her work again. Still not looking at her sister, she replied "I am not angry with you Khushi. But I am disappointed that my own sister had hurt a man who is responsible for bringing happiness in my life. He was the one who made me meet Akash. He was the one always considered me as a very good friend. You may have said something just to maintain the fact that you don't like him but unintentionally you have made him remember something very unpleasant."

"What is it exactly Jiji?" Khushi asked curiously.

Payal turned towards her and held her gaze for a moment before replying "I don't think I am the right person to tell you all this and besides this I love you too much to get angry with you."

Khushi hugged Payal tightly as she broke down while chanting 'I am sorry' again and again. Payal patted her head lovingly before replying "If there is anyone to whom you should apologize then its Arnavji only."

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"Chotte just keep your phone down and get down otherwise I swear I am going to break it in two pieces." Anjali yelled as Hari Prakash started keeping all the bags inside the car.

"Coming Di." Arnav shouted back stepping downstairs and smiled wickedly as he laid his eyes on Anjali who looked very very furious. Anjali narrowed her eyes as she noticed his I-know-something-that-you-don't-know look.

"What's up with you Haan?"

"Well I don't think you need me to come with you since your darling husband is back."

"Shyamji came back???? But where is he???? You better don't lie to me; otherwise I am going to kill you."

"Jeez Di just go outside and see with your own eyes that he came back." Arnav drawled smoothly as he saw Anjali running towards the door and closed his ears with his palms. Soon he heard Anjali shrieking loudly startling everyone around and smirked. His sister is definitely a very crazy woman.

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Arnav's mobile buzzed as he stepped inside his SUV after a hectic day at AR. Anjali's name flashed on screen making him sigh. His sister is really going to drive him crazy someday. He pressed the green button and took the call.

"Yeah Di??"

"Chotte can you pick up Khushiji from Aurangzeb road before heading towards the farmhouse?"

"What!!! No Di. I am NOT going to pick her up." Arnav stressed on word 'not' a bit to make his point clear.

"Chotte!!! Everyone is here except you and Khushiji. Apparently, her car went for servicing today and no taxi is available as well. Please pick her up from there, for your Di."

"Fine Di." Arnav spat before disconnecting the call and threw his phone on the passenger seat. Anjali smirked as she kept down her phone. Well well not only you can play games, Chotte.

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As Arnav kept on driving, he took deep breaths to calm his mind. Ever since he asked Khushi out on a date, he didn't felt peaceful even for a moment. Yes he considered the possibility of Khushi saying no for the date but never did he expected her to call him a womanizer. As expected a made rage took over his senses and he tried to stay aloof from everyone not wanting to lash out on anyone.

He knew that Khushi regretted what she said and wanted to apologize to him that's why she kept calling him and even ran after him after the fashion show but a mere sorry wasn't going to heal the old wounds that resurfaced again all thanks to her. He forgave her a long time ago as she didn't knew anything but his thoughts kept him occupied. Exactly when is he going to face his past bravely without getting angry or hurt in the process? It's almost been a decade.

He slowed down the car as he saw Khushi standing near a bus stand and stopped the car in front of her. Not looking up at her, he opened the door and said in a hoarse voice "Get in."

When he didn't sense any movement from her side, he looked up and met her eyes for the first time in past couple of days. His heart skipped a beat to see hurt and pain in her beautiful hazel eyes as she looked down at him.

"Get inside the car Khushi." He repeated again still looking at her.

"Do you have any idea how much I am trying to just have a talk with you? I won't get inside the car till you hear me out." Khushi replied in a stubborn voice folding her hands across her front looking determined.

Arnav sighed as he took off his seat belt and stepped outside the car. He walked towards Khushi as she refused to budge even a bit from her place. He stood in front of her and said "Look I know what you want to say to me but it's getting late and we must not forget that we have a long journey plus we need to get the farmhouse ready for Payal and Akash's engagement. So you can say what you want to say on our way. Okay?"

Khushi nodded as she knew what Arnav said is more sensible thing to do and stepped inside the car. Tucking her scarf inside the car safely, Arnav closed the door and ran towards the driver's seat. He started the car soon as an uncomfortable silence fell between them.

When Khushi didn't said anything for a long time and kept looking out of the window, Arnav shifted all his attention on driving till he heard someone sniffing. His head jerked towards Khushi who had her back turned to him and was wiping her tears with her hand probably.

"Khushi are you crying?" Arnav asked cautiously not knowing what else to say. He really hated seeing anyone crying.

Khushi turned her head towards him then, letting him see her eyes brimming with unshed tears, her red nose and her flushed face. Arnav was flabbergast at first seeing her like that but kept quiet waiting for her to say anything.

"I am sorry Arnav. I am really sorry. I shouldn't have said all that." Khushi whispered softly making him listen to her intently.

Arnav sighed and offered her some tissue papers to wipe her tears. Taking it hesitantly, Khushi wiped her tears. The way Arnav ignored her really affected her very much thus making her break down. Khushi was lost in her thoughts when she heard Arnav speaking "It's not your fault Khushi and I am not angry with you."

As Khushi continued looking at him with disbelief, he continued while looking ahead "I was in my first year of graduation when Shyam Jiju proposed Di and our families fixed a date for their wedding. My family was very happy. My parents were excited very much. On Di's wedding day, we were waiting for the baraat to arrive when a women in her mid 40's appeared on our door claiming that she is my father's second wife. My mother shot herself without even giving my father a chance to explain himself. My father too committed suicide not wanting to live without his wife. Later we got to know that it was all farce. That lady was paid to do all this just to ruin my father's reputation. We lost our parents just because of a mere misunderstanding. My father loved my mother only but after this everyone started calling my father a womanizer. That was the reason I got angry that day. Before pointing finger at anyone's character, people should think twice. It ruins others life. As much as I love my parents, it pains a lot to see people saying crap about my father's character."

"What happened after that?" Khushi asked feeling really bad for Anjali and Arnav for losing their parents like that. Khushi noticed a sad look on Arnav's face while saying all this making it visible to her that how much hurt he was to lose his parents like that. Placing her hand on Arnav's shoulder, she squeezed it lightly making Arnav relax a bit at her soothing touch.

"Di broke her marriage with Shyam and set him free to marry any other girl. Despite my repeated refusals, she took up a job to look after me while I completed my graduation. We didn't had anyone elder to look after us. We both became the source of strength for each other. Only when she felt that now I can manage everything on my own, she married Shyam who waited for her patiently till then. When I was on the verge of becoming a heartless man, she saved me always looking out for me. I owe my life to her."

"I am sorry Arnav. I really don't know what made me…." Khushi started apologizing again as her heart sympathized with Arnav when he spoke stopping her from saying anything more "Don't say sorry again and again, Khushi. I know while trying to tease you, I did things I shouldn't have done. You are right in thinking like that about me." Arnav replied with a sad smile playing on his lips.

"Then why you avoided me till now?"

"I……I ……I like you a lot Khushi. That's why I asked you out a date. But since you don't feel the same for me, I should stay away from you. I don't want to force you into feeling anything for me." Arnav stammered.

Khushi was about to say something when Arnav stopped the car and Khushi looked out. The farmhouse which was half decorated with strings of flowers and red and golden drapes came into view. Arnav stepped out of the car and took his luggage out. Keeping it on the ground, he turned to face Khushi who was standing behind him and whispered "We should stay away from each other Khushi. You are Payal's sister and in no way I want to hurt you. I like you or maybe I feel much more than that, but you are not forced to reciprocate the same for me in any case."

Nodding at her, he turned to walk inside the farmhouse not looking back at all. Khushi stood there watching him walk away once again. Tears rolled down on her cheeks as she sighed. Just for once, she wanted to tell him that she too liked him a lot but first she needed to clear her own mind regarding Arnav. She misunderstood him a lot.