Arshi FF | Arshi's Saviour; Lavanya | Chap 24 p 128 May 9th - Page 51

Khushi walked into the garden and sat on the swing. She sniffled as all of the memories of the past clouded her mind, nothing could really ever make her forget what and how everything happened. A few minutes later, she heard footsteps coming her way, she looked up to see Anjali and Manorama.

Anjali and Manorama sat on either side of Khushi on the swing. Manorama spoke first, "I don't know how to start, because of me Arnav took that step and threw... I'm so sorry... he didn't even know you were pregnant." She lowered her gaze, "Since you woke up, I had not gotten a chance to speak with you and now with Payal's pregnancy and everything, I had to apologise, the guilt was consuming me. I know nothing can make it better but I'm really sorry... I was hurt, we all were..."

Anjali pressed her hand on Khushi's, she bit back a sob, "When I found out what Chotte did I was livid. I couldn't believe he would hurt you, do something like that. I do not blame you for anything that happened. I lost my baby, it hurt a lot, even though she was Shyam's, she was also mine, I wove so many dreams but I believe whatever happened was God's wish. Despite everything I underwent, I am in a happier place today."

Flashback; (The unfaithful night)

Anjali opened her eyes, still slightly droopy from sleep, she reached for the glass of water on the nightstand. She sipped the water and got up from the bed. She held her head as she began feeling a bit lightheaded. She wearily began walking down the stairs, unaware of the twine that was placed across the staircase, which was the reason for her fall. Her foot got tangled and her bad foot could not help brace her weight. She tumbled down the staircase, as she hit the ground she was barely unconscious, she could not even call out for help. The next thing she saw was darkness as she pooled in her own blood.

She woke up to the bright lights of the hospital room. Just one look at her nani's dried up tears and her mami's hysterical state, she knew, she knew her baby was gone. Her voice stammered just above a whisper, "Nani..." Her nani hugged her and she sobbed until she fell asleep.

Later in the day Arnav had visited her at the hospital, he was alone. He was pale, he refused to look into her eyes. She held his chin and made him look at her, "What's wrong Chotte?" Arnav hugged his sister, "I failed, I failed you, I failed my niece and I failed Khushi." Anjali waited for him to continue, and he did. "She's gone, I threw her out because I held her responsible for what happened to you. I'm a monster, I just hurt people." Anjali widened her eyes, "You did what? Chotte I did not expect this from you, what happened was an accident. Where is she?"

He gulped, "I checked Buaji's, she didn't even go there... I'm scared Di, what if something happens to her, I won't be able to live with myself."

After his visit to the hospital, Arnav returned home and went through the security footages. After countless hours, Arnav found something, a few seconds clip of Shyam lurking in the vicinity of Shantivan on the night the accident occurred. He checked the time which indicted it was a whole hour before Arnav had found Anjali. Arnav walked out of his bedroom and started inspecting the staircase, this was where he found the clear twine hanging to the side of the stairs. It all made sense, Anjali did not have an accident, it was Shyam. It was all done on purpose.

He immediately called the police inspector, the police found Shyam and arrested him. When Arnav went to the station, Shyam confessed the entire crime.

When Shyam realised only Khushi and Anjali were going to be home that night, he managed to get into the house and from then onwards his plan began. He checked Anjali's room and found her asleep, he moved towards Khushi's room and saw her also asleep. He locked Khushi's door from the outside, he could not risk her getting hurt. He then fixed the twine onto the stairs, he went back up to Anjali's room and waited, he knew her schedule well, she would be up soon to take her medication and eat.

When he saw her stirring, he hid in the room, as soon as she had gotten up and left the room, he peeked at her descending the stairs, making sure his plan was running smoothly. He grinned as he saw her fall down the stairs with a thud. Finally his rani sahiba chapter came to an end, she would bleed to her death.

He ran over to Khushi's room and unlocked her door. He sighed in relief as he saw Khushi still asleep. He had her all to himself. He had all the time on his hand, knowing the family would return late. He need not rush things, he moved towards Khushi and just as he was about to touch her, he heard the horn of a vehicle. He peeked through the window to see his damn saale sahib exiting the car, sadly Shyam did not cater for Arnav's return that night. He gave Khushi one last look and escaped through the window.

A few days passed in the silent and sombre Shantivan. Arnav has been relentlessly searching for Khushi, but every day he would return home with drooped shoulders disappointed by no trace of Khushi. Arnav was behaving like a machine, no one spoke to him until one day Manorama could not bear seeing her nephew like son in that state.

She entered his dark room, as she switched on the lights she saw the actual state of the room, totally distraught and cluttered. In the midst of it all, Arnav huddled in a corner clutching Khushi's photograph.

Manorama hurried over to him and cradled him in her arms. He wound his arms around her tightly as he often used to do when he was younger. He mumbled, "Mami I lost her, its all... I can't survive."

She ran her hand through his messy hair, "I'm sorry beta, this all happened because of me."

He shook his head, "No, I'm responsible for my own actions."

She helped him get onto the bed and she pulled the covers over him. "Sleep beta."

End of flashback

Manorama held her hands pleaded in front of Khushi, "I'm really sorry...Arnav beta only began living again when Lavanya brought Sakshi... and when he saw you in the hospital, he broke down all over again. When you woke up, he wanted to make things right, you both suffered enough."

Khushi finally spoke after processing everything in her head. "Mamiji, Di... whatever happened, I stopped blaming anyone a long time ago, I can't stay mad at the people who gave me so much love, welcomed me and my sister, took care of my baby with so much affection. I know there was fault and I should still be angry, but I'm in a better place in my life, I have my baby, Arnav and my family. That's all I wanted and I have that."

Anjali looked at Khushi, "I'm so lucky to have you as my sister in law. Thank you." When Anjali pulled away from the hug, Manorama cupped Khushi's face, "Thank you for everything, Arnav could not have gotten a better life partner. He has something precious and he never wants to lose it."

Khushi smiled, "I'm lucky to have him, he just wants me happy and healthy. Moreover because of him I got this amazing sasural, it is home. I've gained a sweet di and a fiery Mamiji!" They all laughed and hugged each other.

Khushi walked into her room only to be surrounded by darkness, the only light was coming from the poolside through the curtains. She locked the bedroom door and walked into Sakshi's room. She laid Sakshi in her crib as she was already asleep.

After kissing her forehead, Khushi put the monitor on and shut the door. Seeing a glimmer of light, Khushi moved closer to the poolside doors. She stood frozen as she entered the poolside, she saw fairy lights draped over the plants and trees, while there were rose petals inside the pool. She smiled seeing her favourite dcor, she wound her arms around herself and looked up at the shimmering moon above. After a few seconds, the sound of the strumming of a guitar and humming filled the otherwise silent area. She turned around to see Arnav standing before her and the mp3 player on the side table.

{Jeena Jeena introduction}

Before she could say a word, he began speaking, "I'm sorry about earlier, I do want another child, I do but I can't put you at risk to get that. I can't lose you, I've already lost you once, I won't survive if anything happens to you again. I love you so much."

She cupped his face, "Nothing is going to happen, I love you too...we're okay, we'll be okay. Trust me." He nodded and pulled her into his arms. With her head nestled on his shoulder and his hands around her waist, they began swaying, letting the music speak for each other.

Dehleez pe mere dil ki
Jo rakhe hain tune kadam
Tere naam pe meri zindagi
Likh di mere humdum

As you have stepped
on the threshold of my heart
O my beloved,
I've written my life in your name

Haan seekha maine jeena jeena kaise jeena
Haan seekha maine jeena mere humdum
Na seekha kabhi jeena jeena kaise jeena
Na seekha jeena tere bina humdum

I learned how to live life,
I learned to live my beloved.
But I didn't learn how to live
without you, O my beloved.

Arnav spun her around the poolside, then he pulled her back into his arms, with her back against his front, he encircled his arms around her waist and nibbled at her neck as they moved side to side.

Dehleez pe mere dil ki
Jo rakhe hain tune kadam
Tere naam pe meri zindagi
Likh di mere humdum

As you have stepped
on the threshold of my heart
O my beloved,
I've written my life in your name

Haan sikha maine jeena jeena kaise jeena
Haan sikha maine jeena, mere humdum
Na sikha kabhi jeena jeena kaise jeena
Na sikha jeena tere bina humdum

I learned how to live life,
I learned to live my beloved.
But I didn't learn how to live
without you, O my beloved.

*Guitar strumming and humming*

She turned around in his arms and stepped her bare feet onto his feet. He pulled her closer, so that their noses touched. She rested her hands on his shoulders, looking into his eyes.

Sachchi si hain ye taareefein
Dil se jo maine kari hain...

These praises that I have said from the heart
they are true...

As they stared at each other, a tear escaped Khushi's eyes. Arnav leaned forward and kissed the teardrop away. She sniffled and smiled through her glossy eyes.

Sachchi si hain ye taareefein
Dil se jo maine kari hain...

These praises that I have said from the heart
they are true..

She sat on the edge of the poolside and played with the rose petals in the water. As he sat next to her, she gathered some water in her hands and splashed it onto him. He jerked back, with mischief written all over his face, he wrapped his hand around her waist and shook his hair, getting her wet in the process. As she struggled, he took water from the pool and splashed it onto her.

Jo tu mila to saji hain
Duniya meri humdum
O aasma mila zameen ko meri
Aadhe aadhe poore hain hum
Tere naam pe meri zindagi
Likh di mere humdum

now that you are there,
my world is adorned
my earth has found its sky,
we, halves put together, are complete.
O my beloved,
I've written my life in your name..

Still holding her firm with one arm, he reached for some rose petals with his other arm. He placed them along her neck spanning all the way to her palms. He bent down and kissed the petal on her palm, he removed the petal, then he blew on the spot and placed a kiss on feathery kiss on it. He moved onto the next petal and repeated the action.

By the time he had reached her neck, she was frustrated; she tugged on his hair and squirmed in his hold to show her annoyance. He looked up to see her pouting, he smirked at her and flicked at her nose. He cupped her face and placed a kiss at the corner of her mouth. Her lips voluntarily parted as his breath fanned hers. He kissed her gently and lifted her into his arms.

Haan seekha maine jeena jeena, kaise jeena
Haan seekha maine jeena, mere humdum
Na seekha kabhi jeena jeena kaise jeena
Na seekha jeena tere bina humdum

He walked into the bedroom with her, shutting the poolside door with his foot. He pulled the curtains, completely darkening the room now. He found his way to the bed and laid Khushi onto it. He pulled off his wet t shirt and sat on the bed next to her.

She pulled at his belt and he removed her hands, "I'm tired." Just as he was about to get up, she rose to her knees and held his shoulder.

She exclaimed, "Arnav Singh Raizada don't you dare! First you rile me up and now you just wanna sleep!"

He burst out into laughter, not able to hold back his facade, "Sorry I was just fooling around." He air quoted his fingers, "I'm tired... remember when you pulled that line on me?"

Khushi's lips thinned into a huge smile, "Well that was that night in Tobago..." She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "I'm definitely not tired tonight."

He kissed her earlobe and whispered into her ear, "Well I think I'll take you up on that offer." She kissed the crook of his neck as he lowered them onto the bed.

❤️⭐️❤️

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