#3SS|TheContract+HerConditions| Update-135, Lnk136 - Page 2

Week 2

Day 1

While Arnav was at office, all he could think about was the sad look on Khushi's face as she sobbed her heart out to Payal that she couldn't have kids.

He wished he could tell her he felt rueful about it too….

*

As Akash and Payal prepared for bed, Payal took a deep breath. "Akash, we need to talk…"

"Yes Payal. I have to talk to you too…" Akash said, removing his glasses.

*

"Hello, Shyamji?"

Sigh. "Yes RS?"

"Poor Babli! She was kidnapped it seems…"

"Is it?"

"But unfortunately, she doesn't remember their faces…" Anjali said slowly.

"Oh? Hmm… Then I HAVE to meet the poor child!"

Anjali grinned with satisfaction. "Okay, come soon!"

*

Akash and Payal sat in silence, trying to process what each one of them had told the other.

"Akash, I-"

"Don't worry Payal. I will find out all that I can…" Akash said seriously.

"Akash, could it be because Arnavji wanted to protect Khushi from Shyam?"

Akash nodded thoughtfully. "Could be, but why threaten her?"

"Well yes…" Payal said angrily.

"And I have often heard them say 'six months'… What could it mean?"

"Six months… Di's delivery is in six months…"

"Well, maybe after Di's delivery they will kick Shyam out…"

"Yes, but there is still something amiss…" Payal said.

Akash nodded. "We'll figure it out…"

Day 2, 3, 4

These days were what one could call days of failure for everybody.

Anjali didn't manage to corner Arnav and talk to him.

Akash and Payal were still unsuccessful at finding something useful.

Arnav was frustrated, because Khushi had created a little bubble for herself which included Dee and no one else.

Amit had failed to obtain any information about the Raizadas out of fear of the Raizada heir Arnav Raizada. He decided to stay for few more days before leaving.

Day 5

Akash was sitting in his room and sorting files.

There was small knock on the door.

Akash looked up. "Come in?"

Khushi peeped in. "Am I disturbing you Jiju?"

Akash straightened his glasses. "Of course not Khushiji!"

Khushi walked in silently and sat down. "I want to know how you found Dee…."

"Of course Khushiji….

…. I was on my way to Delhi from Nainital after a meeting on behalf of Bhai. Bhai was in London. This was nearly two years back. My tire went flat half way through and I was looking for help… I decided to take a walk through forests…"

Khushi remembered how her and Arnav had gotten lost in the forests the other day. "And…?"

"I was passing by an old house that was almost on the verge of collapsing. I wasn't hundred percent sure, but I thought I heard faint screaming from there. As I tried to move further away, I felt the screams to be that of a child. I decided that there was no harm in checking, and when I did I found her… She was just four at the time. She didn't know her full name… Only that her name is Dee. She called her parents Pops and Muski Mamma and of course, Badi Bui and Chhoti Bui…" he smiled wryly.

Khushi sighed. "I was TELLING bhaiyya to atleast teach her our phone number, but she was not able to. He asked us not to pressurize her…"

"Why didn't you lodge a complaint Khushiji?"

"We wanted to, but the kidnapper threatened us that if the news of her being kidnapped spread, she would be killed. We all knew that as long as we didn't complain, she'd be alive…" she sniffled.

"What exactly was the problem…?"

"We filed a case against someone. It was a threat from the opposition…"

Akash nodded.

"Well, thank you Jiju. See you around…" Khushi said and left the room,

Day 6

Payal and Anjali stood in the kitchen, silently making lunch.

Payal sighed. "I'm bored…"

Anjali nodded. "Me too…"

"Di, Khushi has an MP3 player. I will connect it to the stereo and we can listen to music?"

"Okay Payalji… I will come with you…"

*

Few minutes later, Payal and ANjali were standing infront o f the music system and had connected the player to the TV.

The display showed one voice recording.

"Voice recording?" Payal asked thoughtfully.

"Play it Payalji! Let's see what Khushi told her MP3 player…" Anjali giggled.

Payal smiled and pressed play.

"If you're here to scold me again and accuse me of being a cheat, please leave?"

Both Anjali and Payal froze. Anjali was surprised because she had never heard Khushi being so harsh and bitter.

"Look, you know Shyam and-"

Payal blanched. He knew about Shyam!?

"Drop it Mr Raizada. Don't take the snake's name and...I'm sorry..."

'MR RAIZADA'?! They were married for god's sake!

"For what?"

"For making you uncomfortable yesterday...I shouldn't have said anything yesterday. I am sorry for being a burden to you..."

Burden? Sorry?! What the hell was going on!

Payal and Anjali stood frozen in shock.

Payal's eyes were filled with tears of fury. Anjali stood shocked.

"She lied to me!" Anjali whispered.

Anjali and Payal exchanged a glance. Anjali looked away guiltily… It wasn't her fault, but she was looking into the eyes of a woman whose sister was being tortured by her brother.

Payal set aside the chopping board roughly and stormed out of the kitchen, while Anjali's shock built into anger.

What now?

She looked at the calendar…

It was Holi the next day and there was one way to find out…

*
Payal wanted to tell Akash when he came back, but she fell asleep by then.

Day 7

Arnav was in his office, while the rest of the family played Holi outside.

Anjali and Payal were home as they were both pregnant.

As Khushi worked in the kitchen, Anjali walked in. "Khushiji, you look tired. Have some thandai…"

"OH, thanks Di…" Khushi smiled and grabbed the glass from Anjali's hand and gulped it down.

Anjali watched calmly, as Khushi began to hiccough and giggle.

Anjali lead Khushi to her bedroom, and made her sit down.

She hurried down to Payal.

"Payalji, come with me…" she plead.

Payal looked up and refused politely.

"It's Khushi…" Anjali said.

Payal got up. "What did your brother do!" she asked furiously.

Anjali took Payal's hand and took her to her own room.

Payal's eyes widened when she saw Khushi playing like a child. "Sh-She's drunk…!"

"It's just bhang Payalji!" Anjali said worriedly.

"I-I am sorry! I did it just to know exactly-" ANjali started.

"-what was wrong? I was trying to find out too…" Payal finished.

"Khushiji!" Anjali called.

"Hmmm?!" She whirled around.

"Do you love Chhote.."

Khushi giggled. "Ji bilkul…."

"Khushi, does Arnavji love you…"

Khushi smiled faded and she began to cry. "N-No…" she wailed.

"Then why did you marry…." Anjali asked, in a soft tone.

"H-He thought I loved Shyamji… *hiccup* That I was ruining your life…" she said innocently, pointing at Anjali.

Payal hissed with fury. "That explains it!"

Anjali gasped. "Why didn't you tell me!"

Khushi sniffled. "How dare he think like that Di, when I love him? I wanted to show him… And then leave…. Leave after six months…"

She took hold of Anjali's hands and looked at Anjali. "But…. I-I don't think I can leave him Di…"

"Six months? Why?"

"Jiji, i-it is a contract marriage! Arnavji bhi na… Very strange deal hai na?"

Anjali backed away in shock. "CONTRACT MARRIAGE?!"

Khushi blinked. "Haaannn? How did you know? And yes… After your princess is born… I am out of his life…" she sniffled.

Payal caught Khushi's shoulder and shook her. "Why did you agree! Why didn't you leave the house when he threatened you!"

"H-He said he will ask Jiju to leave you…" Khushi whispered and began to cry.

Both Anjali and Payal sat down in shock.

"Oh My God!"

Anjali looked up. "KHushiji-" but stopped when she didn't see her.

"Khushiji!" Anjali sprang up.

*

Arnav cut the call and began to walk to his room when someone bumped into him.

"What the-"

Khushi looked up groggily. "Aaappp?"

He held her arm to steady her. "What is wrong with you!"

"W-Wo Di was asking about wedding and Jiji and Jijuuu…. And that pathetic…*hiccup*"

"Shit, you're drunk!"

"Drunk? Aur hum…? Nahiii…. Drunk hongey aap!" she retorted.

She held her head. "Dizzy…." She muttered.

He held her close, just in time as she fainted.

"KHushijI!" Anjali rushed out of her room, and sighed in relief when she saw Arnav holding her.

Payal followed too.

"What is happening!" he yelled.

Suddenly, she remembered what Khushi had told her. "You just take her to your room…" she muttered and walked away, taking time to compose herself before she gave him a good thrashing.

Payal glared at Arnav and walked away.

*

That night, Payal told everything to Akash.

After waking up, Khushi couldn't recollect a thing, and went back to ignoring Arnav for the rest of the day.