Ever since she had known him, she always saw hatred and anger in his eyes for her whenever he glanced at her, whenever he talked to her.
And Khushi was used to it now.
But seeing trust in his eyes for her for the first time, took her by surprise. Before their marriage, she knew what she was signing herself up for. She knew everything about Arnav and also the possibilities that their marriage may never work.
But she signed herself for it willingly.
When Arnav had explained everything to her and asked her to leave the house for the last time, she knew what she is going to choose without any doubt. The more she got to know Arnav, the more reasons she had to stay back and make this marriage work, consequences be damned.
What she didn't expect that she will manage to win Arnav's trust that soon. Tears pricked her eyes as she realized that her repeated attempts to make Arnav see the real 'her' were finally working.
Tears of joy.
Tears of success.
A warm, bright feeling spread through her heart as she stared down, looking in molten brown eyes which no longer looked cold and distant to her.
Her happiness looked so near to her, as if waiting for her to raise her hand and grab it quickly before pages of past washed it away with the tide of emotions that Arnav has managed to bury.
She smiled and was about to say something when the meaning of the words last spoken by Arnav, finally sunk in her head making her still.
"What do you mean?" She whispered hoarsely, her heart galloping as she prayed frantically for Arnav to contradict what she was thinking.
Arnav sighed, closing his laptop and standing up in front of her, "I have hired a private detective to keep a close watch on Shyam and he reported that you met him yesterday."
She exhaled, not realizing that she was holding her breath while waiting for his answer. Thanking her deity for proving her wrong, she looked at Arnav gratefully before another doubt surfaced in her mind.
"Wait, that means you know that Shyam meets Anjali Didi every day?" She frowned not really understanding everything.
Slipping his hand in the pockets of his trouser, Arnav strode towards the French window and looked out while replying in a defeated voice "Yes, I know. I know this all along from past 2 years. I know everything that Shyam did in past 2 years."
Fury ran through her body making her clench her jaw and walk towards him, before grabbing his forearm forcing him to turn towards her "What the hell Arnavji? Shyam is the guy who caused Anjali Didi so much pain and you are letting him meet her so that the past can be repeated again."
"It's not that simple to understand dammit." Arnav raised his voice, the fury lighting in his eyes matching hers.
"Then make me." Khushi demanded stubbornly, crossing her arms under her breasts. Her stance showed nothing but the love she have for Anjali, the instinct to protect her loved one from every pain.
"Shyam is a nice guy. Four years ago when everything was falling apart, he was the only support we had. He supported me during my initial days of handling AR Designs. He has helped me many times. He loved Di always." Arnav explained patiently.
His eyes turned sad, looking tormented as ever as he continued "But then everything changed."
A silence fell around them as Arnav glanced down, lost in old-bitter memories while Khushi kept looking at him bewildered.
He looked up, fixing his gaze on her face as he said in a determined voice "I want Di to decide whether she want to reunite with Shyam or not. I won't interfere in her decision."
"I can't understand you, Arnavji. How can you..." She stopped abruptly as anger coursed through her veins once again, making her fume at Arnav's answers.
"I am not happy with it as well, okay. Stop looking at me like it's all my fault. I want to destroy Shyam again for doing what he has done with my sister, but I can't. If he can bring my Anjali Di back, then I am willing to take this risk."
Turning away from her, Arnav closed his eye "Di and I always longed for happiness. If her happiness lies with Shyam, then I won't stop her. She is strong enough to make decision for herself."
Khushi calmed down realizing the helpless situation that Arnav is in. He didn't want Shyam near his sister but still was letting him meet Anjali if that's what brought his sister's happiness back.
She raised her hand, hovering over Arnav's shoulder before finally keeping it there with a sigh "I can understand Arnavji."
Arnav turned, looking back at her. Their gaze held their mutual love for the one person they considered as family.
They finally understood each other.
_____________________________________________
Her fingers shook, running through the smile that always captured her heart. Tears rolled down on her cheeks falling on the photograph that she held close to her heart.
"I can't hate you, Shyam. I wish everything would have been that simple as you think. You can't have your Anjali back. She died with her child. Your Anjali wouldn't have ever attempted to end her life. We can't be together when I know that I won't be able to pick myself up if you failed this time. I have a responsibility Shyam. I can't pick you over my Chotte. My Chotte has me only. I can't leave him alone in this world. I won't be a selfish sister."
Silent sobs shook her body as she lay curled up in her bed, hidden in her territory where she always broke, emerging strong every time she stepped out of it.
_______________________________________________
Next afternoon, Khushi fell on her chair finally managing to gather all the designs that she wanted to showcase in the upcoming show.
Gathering them in a file, she picked up the snippets she had selected according to her taste for fashion show background. Happy at finally completing the task, she looked at the watch hoping to have a quick lunch before rushing to meet the sponsors.
She squealed, gathering files before rushing out of her cabin realizing that she is running late for her meeting.
She stopped in front of Arnav's cabin entering in a hurry and saw that it was empty. Keeping the files she has arranged just few minutes ago on his desk, she rushed out while typing a message and sending to Arnav.
Smiling at having accomplished the task successfully, she entered in the elevator to leave for the meeting.
The elevator stopped in the middle, making her frown and look up. Darkness fell around her as the lights went off few minutes later.
She staggered back a bit as a chill ran down her spine, making her palm clammy and cold. Her hands rose, feeling the metallic walls which enclosed her.
She closed her eyes, a similar incident flashing in front of her eyes. Like that moment, she felt too weak to protest, to shout.
She felt like her hands were tied again.
She chocked, unable to breathe properly.
She shouted meekly, before the darkness engulfed her. ONCE AGAIN.
____________________________________________________
"Kept some files on your desk. Have a look at them and then you can tell me how good I am at everything." Arnav smiled while reading the text Khushi has sent, looking amused.
Pressing the button, he waited for the elevator to reach to the ground level. He frowned, hearing some strange noises emanating from it.
Just then, a security guard rushed towards him and informed "Sir, the elevator isn't working properly. Someone is stuck in there."
"Are you waiting for my orders so that you can call an electrician? Make it quick. Someone is stuck in there and must be scared." Arnav said in a stern voice, glaring down at the security guard.
He waited there patiently while the guard called an electrician. After 15 minutes the lift finally started working again. He pressed the down button and waited for a few seconds.
With a ping, the doors of the elevator opened revealing Khushi lying there unconscious, looking white as a ghost.
"KHUSHI!!!"
He rushed towards her, panicking a bit after seeing her like this. Resting her head in the crook of his arm, he shouted for a glass of water while patting her cheeks.
He sprinkled water on her face but she didn't open her eyes at all. Gathering her in his arms, he rushed towards the hospital.
His heart chanted again and again "I won't let anything happen to you, Khushi. Never."
________________________________________________________
"She had an anxiety attack." The doctor informed after checking Khushi, now lying on the hospital bed still unconscious.
"Is she okay doctor?" Arnav queried, his gaze never wavering from Khushi's face.
"She is absolutely fine. Like you told, she was stuck in elevator and some bad memory flashed in her mind making her panic and faint. Judging by your wife's state, it was pretty bad and something she is extremely scared of. She will regain her consciousness in few hours but make sure that she doesn't get stressed like this again. You can take her home. "
Arnav nodded, looking at the doctor gratefully before scooping Khushi in his arms and taking her home. His eyes softened, trailing on Khushi's paled face.
He realized that he was not the only one who was stuck by past. Khushi was affected by it in worst way possible.
______________________________________________
She shouted seeing Aruna and Avinash falling on the ground, blooding soaking their clothes. She shook her hands, trying to break free to run to them.
She winced feeling a sudden, sharp pain at the back of her head. Feeling the energy draining out of her, she fell on the ground crawling towards her Maa and Papa.
She sobbed finding it difficult to reach to them. Her hand rose as tears slipped from Aruna and Avinash's eyes after seeing her state.
She closed her eyes as the darkness descended around her, her attempts to run away from it failing.
"Khushi!!! Khushi wake up."
She heard a familiar voice, whispering the words in her ear pulling her out of darkness. She opened her eyes, sitting up suddenly.
She looked up and saw Arnav sitting beside her, looking at her with concern.
Averting her eyes, she tried to wipe sweat of her face when she realised that they were tears actually.
"Khushi are you okay?" Arnav asked in a concerned voice, making her look up and hug him tightly, like her life was depended on it.
She sobbed loudly, taking solace in Arnav's arms not realizing that someone was finally by her side, comforting her.
Allowing her to shed tears on the painful memories of her life.
So this is it for now. Are you all feeling like I am hurrying the development happening in ArHi's relationship or is it okay the way I am taking it?
I have updated today so no update on 29th as I am still on my break and next chapter needs a lot more focus. It's a very important chapter, you see.
And sadly the break I am taking is a work-related one so I am all tired and busy. I don't want to mess up my story because of it.
Will see you all on Tuesday next week when I will be resuming my usual routine of updating on every Tuesday and Friday.
hit 'like' button and do comment
p.s : I am starting an SS soon, a romantic one. Can you believe that?
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