ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi -Link to next thread on page 1 - Page 13

27^th June, 2014

Anuj Niwas, Delhi

The moment her husband disappeared from their view, her mother-in-law, Divya Raizada appeared to her side looking apologetic and saddened by what her son has done minutes ago.

"I am so sorry, Beta. My Arnav has never been like this ever. I don't know what has happened to him that he's behaving this way. I will convince him into returning here tomorrow. Come, we must get you inside." She assured Khushi grasping her elbow gently to steer her inside, talking as if it was no big deal.

But Khushi certainly didn't felt the same way as her mother-in-law judging by the stubborn expression she had witnessed on her husband's face before he stormed away. She kept quiet as she was taken upstairs and then inside a room by her mother-in-law and her sister but she didn't dare to look up at her sister.

She was uncertain about what she was going to see in her sister's eyes after everything has happened. If she knew Payal well, then she was sure of seeing her distressed but what if she was wrong?

What if her sister was not she has presumed her to be, she might look satisfied at the prospect that her new husband has left her after just an hour of marriage. That she has done the same even after berating her 5 years ago when Payal was married to Akash. It was obvious that both the sisters have been the victims of alliances formed on political career of their father and family.

She complied obediently as her mother-in-law urged her to sit on the bed and left to see the dinner preparations, leaving her alone with her sister.

She was faintly aware of her sister moving around to sit beside her with a safe distance between them. She stiffened visibly the moment Payal kept her hand on her shoulder and spoke hesitantly "Khushi???"

Khushi didn't say anything and neither was willing to break the silence that has descended on her since yesterday. She felt her sister struggling to not break down and sigh.

"Khushi, he isn't going to come back at all. As much as angry I am on Arnav for punishing you for something you don't even know, he is right at his place. Akash told me that he hasn't entered in the house for last 6 years and has apparently broken all his ties with the family. I won't give you false assurances about anything other than saying that it would be better if you return to Dad's place." Payal explained quietly.

Now how Khushi was supposed to tell Payal that her father had literally thrown her out of their house in his haste of getting her married to Arnav Raizada?

Khushi clasped her hands in her lap tightly, her lips pursing in anger building inside her and then she stood up, grabbed Payal's hand.

At first Payal looked confused but when Khushi began to drag her towards the door, she understood at once and dug her heels on the floor to halt abruptly, "Khushi listen to me once..."

"I don't want to Payal. Can you please just leave me alone?" Khushi snapped at once, making Payal stagger back from her looking hurt.

"For how long do you intend to punish me, Khushi? Is it wrong to do what your parents expect from you? And I don't regret marrying Akash at all. We have come to love each other in the span of 5 years of our marriage. You refused to talk to me in past, that's fine but it's about your life right now. Grow up, Khushi. There is more to life than love, dreams and happiness." Payal replied heatedly, rushing out at once but not before Khushi saw sheen of moisture in her eyes.

The moment Payal left, Khushi walked and closed the door from inside at once. She leaned against the closed door before falling down on the floor as if every ounce of strength in her body was wiped out at once.

Once again, she had come to the same wind whirl of emotions she was at 10 years ago.

21^st June, 2014

Manyata Niwas, Delhi

"Daddy!!!!"

Arnav turned around at once, after keeping the phone on the table. A smile tugged at his lips as he saw her 6 years old daughter walking towards him slowly, rubbing sleep out of her mesmerizing, shiny black eyes with her small hands. Her lips opened in a small yawn as she stretched groggily and bent to pick her favorite soft toy, a yellow medium sized Tweety from his recliner where she had dropped it in her sleep while hearing a bedtime story from him.

He bent on his knees in front of her and picked her up in a warm embrace before spinning her around in his arms, making her squeak in delight.

"Good morning, Princess." Arnav cooed in her ear, dropping a kiss on her small forehead with utmost love shining in his eyes- something he had reserved for her only.

Giving him sloppy kisses on his cheek, his daughter hid her face in his neck and muttered sleepily "Good morning, Daddy."

"Hmm, so my princess is feeling quite sleepy today." Arnav announced, moving to sit on the bed while cradling her in his arms.

He felt her nod against his neck before he heard her "Yes. Daddy, can we not just take a holiday today? I am so tired and I don't want to go school today."

"You know we cannot take a holiday just like that, sweetheart. However if you are tired, you can stay at home." Arnav suggested gently. Raising her head, she looked in his eyes and asked hopefully "Will you be here with me today, Daddy? We can play."

"I cannot stay at home, Princess. I need to go to office." Arnav explained apologetically.

"What? No, Daddy. Please stay at home with me. I need to prepare for a play and only you can help me."

"Manyata, listen to me. I really need to go to work. You can ask the maids to help you." Arnav offered, looking torn.

Getting off from his lap, Manyata jumped on the bed looking furious "No, no. No, Daddy. You always do this. You never spend time with me. You don't even tell me where my Mumma is."

"Manyata don't act like this. Good girls always listen to their elders, right?" Arnav tried to take her in his arms again but she slipped away, running towards the door. She turned at the threshold, her cute wide eyes filled with tears. Her lower lip trembled as she tried to not cry "You always do this, Daddy. You said you will spend time with me if I never asked about Mumma. But you lied. You are busy always. And mumma is not here. You said I can meet her soon but you lied."

"Manyata!!!!" Arnav called out as his daughter ran out. He sighed, dragging his feet out to see her sitting on stairs, clutching her toy closer to her chest as she sobbed loudly. His heart tore after seeing her like this. It doesn't matter if he wasn't her real father, he loved her more than anything and she is Raizada blood after all.

He quickly called his assistant to cancel his meeting for the first half and then sat beside her on stairs "Okay I will spent the day with you Princess. What you want to do, tell me?"

Her eyes lightened up at once as she turned towards him "Really, Daddy?"

"Really." Arnav smiled, wiping tears from her chubby pink cheeks at once.

"I Love you, Daddy." She cried out, jumping on his lap to hug him at once making him chuckle. He patted her head once as she started chattering again, his thoughts drifting to Manyata's biological mother. Like every day, he wished her to come back and see what a gem her daughter is.

It had taken a lot to make it appear like she was born in a hospital and her mother left after that but the truth was different.

A lot of hard work, a month's sleepless nights and days made the adoption possible, but it was all worth and more in last 6 years.

Manyata barged into his life and taught him to live the present moment, making him a much better person. If earlier he was at his best behavior always, he got better when he had the responsibility of looking after a life.

The life of a cute baby girl at that, related to him by blood.

In a life that doesn't belong to him, she is his only consolation. His only salvage. The more time he spent with her, the more doubtful he became on his ability to be away from her once her mother comes back.

Delhi High Court

"Congratulations, we won."

Aman smiled as Khushi turned around to face him, grinning. She jumped to hug him like every time he won a case for her.

As he encircled his hands around her waist to prolong their hug, he heard her sniffing and rolled his eyes "Come on, Khushi. We won and there is no need to shed tears for it."

Stepping back, Khushi rubbed her eyes and chuckled "Well done, Aman Mathur. You really fought well. Seriously, if I would have considered being a lawyer for the rest of my life, you would have beaten my ass in it every time."

"Still it doesn't change the fact that you have scored much better marks than me for finals." Aman teased cheekily, making Khushi snort.

"Come on Aman, you completed your degree 3 years before than me. There wasn't any competition between us ever because I became lawyer only so that I can understand all sections and punishments for every crime when I start working as a social worker. If it hadn't been for my father, I would have never entered politics. I was content with being a social worker."

Aman was about to retort when Khushi's phone started ringing loudly making her look down and frown, "It's my secretary. I need to take this call. A new case has arrived I think."

Picking up the call, Khushi silently listened to what her secretary was saying with rapt attention. By the time she finished her call, she looked grim again.

This is not good, Aman thought before he said "Is anything wrong?"

Meeting his gaze, Khushi nodded "It is. I think you will need to work hard for this one, Aman. Section 375 and 354, it is."

"Rape and death threats, is it?"

Khushi nodded, her eyes fired up with anger.

"Who is he?"

Khushi looked away, her fist clenched tight as a pulse throbbed wildly near her forehead "Vikrant Chaudhary, head of KSP Party."

28^th June, 2014

Anuj Niwas, Delhi

A girl ran through the woods, looking scared. She glanced back to see if she was being followed. Tears streaked her face but she was too scared to realize that.

A shriek rang in her ears making her halt and look back. Without any second thought, she started running back looking concerned.

She was already half way through it when she heard another shout "Run Khushi!!! Save your life. Don't come back. RUN!!!!"

Khushi woke up panting, feeling depressed. Her hands pressed against her forehead before sliding down to her eyes. She had been crying in her sleep, she realized as her hands found wetness around her eyes. Shaking her head, she tried to not remember the dream she has just seen.

It was already bad without remembering the past, she winced before realizing that she was sprawled on the hard, clean floor of the room.

She sat up quickly looking around to realize that it was nearly dawn and she was alone. Standing up quickly, she walked to the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror to brush her teeth.

Her eyes widened as she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair parting filled with vermillion while a black beaded mangalsutra hung around her neck.

Oh yes, she got married yesterday and her husband has already left her. Khushi remembered scowling.

Half an hour later, Khushi stepped out of the room to see the maids hurrying around the house, busy in chores while the members of the house except her, slept peacefully.

After politely asking for a cup of tea from one of the maids, Khushi settled down in the living room with the morning newspaper in her hands.

When she glanced at the newspaper, the cup of tea she was holding in her hands fell down with a loud clatter much to her horror.

She needs to meet her husband, she decided standing up and making up her mind.

And after an hour, she was standing in front of her husband meeting his gaze proudly. The battle has just begun.

I won't say anything except have patience my readers.

Aditi