ARSHI FF: PAYBACK ~ THREAD 3 ~ Part 19 (12/03) - Page 19

Part 16

Shantivan

Prachi and Khushi were sitting together holding hands. Prachi was been called back here by Arnav since Khushi was desperate to see her sister back. Prachi couldnt ignore this call from Khushi back to Shantivan as somewhere even she needed answers from her. They met, hugged and finally were sitting next to each other waiting for Arnav to leave them alone for sometime.

Prachi: We need some privacy Arnav. Will you mind leaving us alone to talk?

Arnav turned to see Khushi who eyes conveyed him the same. He didnt wish to walk out of this room but situation demanded so.

Arnav: You have stressed my Wife Enough in your last meet Prachi so this time I expect some healthy behaviour from you .

Prachi didnt look at him, she fixed her eyes on Khushi only who was staring at Arnav with pleading eyes to let them be alone for sometime. Arnav left the room and Prachi didnt wait to start her questions.

Prachi: Why Khushi? Why did you this ?

Khushi: That was the only way Prachi to get Paapa what he lost due to Arnav.

Prachi: You think Paapa is happy now? Accepting his defeat was much better than seeing his own daughter carrying the child of his enemy.

Khushi: I dont know what I did was right or wrong Prachi but definately I am relieved with the fact that now after this, Arnav Singh Raizada will never harm us again. You will be happy with Jeejaji and Paapa will be getting his business, his name and fame back.

Prachi's eyes teared as she heard all this. She looked down feeling bad.

Prachi : Nandakishore and I are no longer sharing that same love Khushi. Everything has changed.

Khushi was shocked.

Khushi: What ? But why ? What is wrong with him?

Prachi: I had told him initially before marriage about me and Arnav. But Paapa asked me not to reveal the fact of my pregnancy which he came to know the other day I was talking to Paapa over the phone. He heard everything. He left the house in anger, fighting with his 5 months pregnant wife and I didnt wanted him to leave me alone. I followed his car and didnt realise when I accelerated the speed instead of stopping the vehicle at the Signal. My Car hit a huge rock at the side and I.. I lost my baby again.

Khushi was very much hurt with this truth. SO this is how she lost the child ? She tried to calm Prachi.

Khushi: Prachi please dont cry. I am sure everything will be fine again. I will talk to Jeejaji. I will make him understand.

Prachi: Its too late Khushi. He is not in a mood to listen to anyone. I didnt tell Paapa about me and Nandakishore relationship problems. He only thinks it was an accident I met which made me lose the child. You know until I spoke to Arnav yesterday I didnt realise why all this happened with me but now I do. I know this is just the payback from my end to what I did with my first baby.

She cried again making Khsuhi cry too.

Khushi: Prachi did Arnav mistalked with you ? Dont take his words to heart Prachi. He is just concerned for the baby inside me and he doesnt wish to see it getting harmed because of anything or anyone. Just ignore what he said.

Prachi: No Khushi. He was not wrong. He is right. I took away his child from him and God punished me again this time. I lost my husband's love and my second child too . What is left for me now?

Khushi: Earn back the love and trust from Jeejaji Prachi. He is a nice man and I am sure he will forgive you one day. I will pray for you.

Prachi : You amaze me Khushi. Even after what all you had to do because of my and Paapa's fault you are still thinking about us? You had to lose so many things because of me and Paapa. Ypu left Karan, you had to carry ASR's child in your womb, you had to hear all those ill words from everyone in the society regarding yours and Arnav's relationship, so what if he married you legally, you still lost everything that was precious for you and still you are praying for me ?

Khushi: Because we are sisters Prachi (she said holding her hand) and if we dont think about each other who else will ?

Prachi: I cant believe you are still saying this. Must be I have done some good things in this birth which lead me have you as my younger sister. But Khushi have you thought what will happen once the baby is born? Are you really sure of handing the child to him and leaving him?

Khushi: This marriage , this payback has its terms Prachi. I am bound to do this for the benefit of everyone of us. I know his strength, his power which can hurt us again if I ever deny to break any one of his condition.

Prachi was hurt but she knew this was the truth

Prachi: So typical ASR he is, he was always like that. I dont know how I could love someone like him? Such a selfish man he is. You know Khushi, he never thought about my likes, my wishes in that relationship. I always regreted what I shared with him in the past because he is not worth it.

Khushi: Ek minute Prachi. Dont you think you too were at fault in all this?

Prachi: My fault was that I killed the baby. I am repenting for it . Thats all.

Khushi: So you have no remorse of not letting Arnav know about the baby before you could abort? A man who can think so much about an unknown girl who is carying his child aand can marry her legally for saving her dignity, then why couldnt he marry you then in the past when he liked you, shared a proper relationship with you and give his name to your baby ?

Prachi was tongue tied .

Khushi: You have stayed with him for a year Prachi unlike me who know him hardly from few months. Still I think I have known him better than you. I know he hates our family which includes me and you, but he never misses to secure me before the society, he gave a name to this relationship of ours only to protect me from the blames of other people who can never understand what I did and why ?

Prachi: May be Khushi. May be what you saying is all true. But I would say the same again. You have a place in his life as his wife only because of this child. He can never have feelings for anyone without a cause . When he will get this child , he will not care for you at all. Write my words.

Khushi was very emtional on these words but she knew what Prachi was advising her was not wrong. The sisters talked for some more time and Prachi finally was leaving back.

Khushi: Where are you staying here ?

Prachi: In the Hotel. I came alone here Khushi. Just to see you and open your eyes. I will be leaving next week. I have to sort things with Nandakishore too.

Khushi: Why dont you stay here?

Prachi: No way. I wont be comfortable with this family here.

Khushi: I understand. Its okay. But please come to see me here everyday. The Dr's have asked me not to travel and.

Prachi: You dont have to tell me that. I will come.

Khushi was happy. She finally felt she has a family. Though she knew Prachi was wrong in what she did years back, she wanted her sister to be beside her atleast till the time she leaves back to her husband.

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Night

Khushi was sitting on the bed and knitting a small baby sweater. She was lost in her own world of knitting when her husband Arnav came inside talking over the bluetooth to someone. He looked tired and the first thing he did coming in was checking what she was doing. Seeing her knitting, he was bewildered but he continued his official talks for some more minutes and finally cut the call unbuttoning his shirt.

Arnav: Dont waste your eye sight and time in doing this. Arnav Singh Raizada's baby will have hundreds of best Sweaters designed specially from the best designers.

Khushi: All those 100s of sweaters wont replace the warmth and love of a mother which she adds in every stitch while making it.

Arnav had removed his shirt but without breaking his eye lock with her, he walked to the bed and leaned over her making her shiver at this sudden closeness. She turned her gaze towards the other side though.

Arnav: So this is some kind of gift for the baby from the mother ?

She didnt reply but continued showing her disinterest in seeing him like that. He stared at her face for some more seconds. Her hesitation in facing him when he so close to her, her heavy breathes when she is uncomfortable with their position was so unique. He never felt or noticed all this with anyone . She was the first one who made him realise the defination of Uncomfortness. He moved back standing on the floor.

Arnav: Di had told me once not to buy gifts for the baby to be born. Its inauspicious.

Khushi: I am not buying , I am making it myself and it can never be inauspicious.

Arnav sighed and allowed her to continue as he was in no mood of arguement. He left for the bathroom for his night cold shower.

When he was back in the room wrapped in a towel he saw her dozzed off in that sitting position with the knitting kit lying on her lap. He came back to her and moved the kit aside making some space for her to sleep. Picking her in his arms he made her lay on the bed in a comfortable position. He scanned her belly once where their baby was resting just like its mother. How he wished sometimes to touch her belly and sleep the whole night feeling his baby beside him but he didnt wanted to scare Khushi. He softly covered her with the sheets and turned the lamps off. She was snoring and hopefully this meant the baby is sleeping peacefully too.

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Next Day

He seemed to be very active today making some quick calls inviting people for some party. She was out having her bath and was thinking what this party was all about. Thats when she heard him responding to the same question over the call to someone.

Arnav : Its my Wife's birthday Roy. And it has to be celeberated in a special way. I hope to see you tomorrow evening with your entire family. Bye.

She was speechless. He knew it was her birthday tomorrow? How?

Khushi: How did you know my birth date?

Arnav : You think I cannot find the birth date of my Baby's mother?

Khushi: If you so much interested in celeberating then do it, but I wont be a part of it.

She was trying to arrange the Pillow behind her for some support on the bed to sit comfortably but her 5 months tummy wasnt allowing her to do this swiftly. Arnav saw her struggling and without wasting time came there and assisted her.

Arnav: I have invited some close friends of yours in the party tomorrow. You will feel better seeing them. And the invitation has gone out to Shashi Gupta too but I am not sure if he can make up from Germany to India in such a short time span. I wont mind arranging his Flight tickets to and fro.

Khushi: Why? What you wish to prove Mr Raizada? My father cannot afford to see his daughter on her birthday?

Arnav: Would you mind lowering your voice? My baby's eardrums are not thicker like his father. I dont wish him or her to get scared.

Khushi turned her gaze away from him but he pulled her chin making him look at his face again.

Arnav: Even Karan is invited. I was not much interested in this person but Di forced me to. The last meet of yours with him was a mess because of me, and I wish to sort it out for you.

Khushi smiled sarcastically.

Khushi: For me? Really? Or is it for the baby that you have even agreed to entertain your wife's Ex Fiancee?

Arnav's anger was rising up slowly by her comments.

Arnav: Shut up Khushi. Until he stays in his limits with Mrs Khushi Singh Raizada, I wont mind seeing him around you. But the moment he tries to re-create your old memories, he will have to face your husband before reaching you. Eat your medicines on time. I will be back in the evening.

Picking his suit from the Recliner he left the room closing the door behind.

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Anjali was deciding Khushi's Saree which she would wear on the birthday but Khushi was least interested in it.

Anjali: Khushi how is this one? Its black and you will look slim in it.

Khushi: Di you think I am worried of looking beautiful only because I have put on weight ? I just dont want to attend this party. I dont wish to celeberate anything.

Anjali: But why Khushi? THis is the first time Chotte is actually showing so much interest in hosting a party . I have never seen him so busy in preparing for it.

Khushi: Thats what is bothering me. He has invited people who are close to me, including my ex fiancee Karan. How can he do that ? How does he want me to react seeing Karan there ? I was engaged to him Di and we really were happily planning our future after marriage. If this payback wouldnt have come in between I would have been Karan's wife today. How am I supposed to face that man whom I ditched because of my family reasons.

Anjali could understand her situation and wished to help her but she was blank at the moment seeing her Chotte listening all this standing at the door. She could see an anger mixed with guilt expressions on his face and all she wanted is that he sorts this invitation matter of Karan with Khushi himself. She left the room giving Arnav some serious looks gesturing to handle the situation.

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