ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi -Link to next thread on page 1 - Page 7

Really really nicen intresting concept!!

I feel Arnav too was pushed into this marriage as much as khushi...very tough situation ahead for both of them...interesting prologue...thanks for the PM

lovely concept continue soon 👍🏼

awsum story line...

Sound very interesting !! Love it, looking forward to read more

O M G !!! Seriously I got goosebumps...

interesting prologue

Clarifications:

1. Yeh Saali Zindagi means 'This Damned Life'. Saali is a slang in hindi which generally is used in frustration, anger towards anything. And here it is directed to life. There is no love triangle and past love for ArHi in this story for sure.

2. I intend to update this story twice a week if I get good response. The only reason why I didn't took my intended break after ATCM was because I am running behind schedule. I was supposed to start this story in February but I couldn't. I want to explore this story before I get busy which I will in May and June.

3. This story is a bit shocking to start with but nothing I am writing is not close to reality. Before I start a story, I plan it somehow connected to reality.

4. Someone asked me that if this is ATCM Season 2. That's left for you all to decide. I won't answer this question at all.

5. If you are really willing to find why I planned to start this story, then you will have to be patient because I prefer a slow start.

6. This story will have more than 30-35 chapters. This is not a short story.

7. If I was sensitive about ATCM, I am down right possessive about this story. This is my dream story and I won't take any comment lightly so feel free to criticize but don't cross the line ever. I mean it. I would rather be honest about it from start.

8. If you are reading it to find some mature and intimate stuff, please don't go further this post. Intimate scenes will be included when needed but won't be necessary for every other update.

9. Everything in this story will happen on a bigger scale, you will see that soon.

10. This story will keep travelling in past and present in every update. Dates will be mentioned so that you won't get confused. Plus, I will use red color to refer to past scenes in every update.

ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi

Chapter 1

20^th June, 2014

Sapna Bar, Delhi

Dressed in a shimmery golden sleeveless dress which ended above her knees, a girl danced enthusiastically moving her body with such a grace that attracted unwanted attention. Her kohl-rimmed eyed were closed in bliss while her hips swayed in an unspoken invitation, grabbing the eyes of a leery man sitting in the VIP section surrounded by tall, heavy built men who were clearly employed with the purpose of not letting anyone get close to him without his permission.

His eyes were glued to the girl, not paying any heed to the girls hanging off his arms. As the girl suddenly spun around and caught him watching her, she smiled slyly.

He smirked enjoying the silent conversation between them. When the girl started dancing with her eyes riveting to his body, he stood up.

His men walked closer to him making the girl frown in disapproval. He raised his hand, silently asking them to back away and letting him go on his own.

The moment he reached to her, she wound her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. They checked out each other's bodies for few moments, eliminating the distance between them slowly.

As he bent his head towards her, a sudden darkness fell around making most of them shriek in panic. The darkness prolonged for few moments as everyone around wondered what went wrong suddenly.

The moment the lights and the ear-blasting music were switched back on, he looked around to spot the girl.

She was gone.

"Thank you Aman for helping me." Khushi said gratefully now wearing a long black coat over her dress, her hairs neatly tied in a ponytail with all the makeup wiped off. She was now sitting in a private booth in the bar, accessible to owners only.

A man in his late-thirties, dressed in a formal suit with his hairs gelled back, looked up and smiled "It's the least I can do for you Khushi."

Taking out a phone from the pocket of the coat, Khushi handed it to Aman and said "This mobile contains all the MMS and pictures that the son of a bitch has took of Meher. I hope that now we can send him to jail for a long time."

Aman smirked and nodded "He is going down definitely."

Khushi stood up and smiled in relief "I guess that makes it worth of all the efforts I have took in alluring him to me so that I can steal his phone. God I hate dressing up like this. It's so cheap. But nothing matters more than bringing justice to a girl who he was harassing for money from a long time. I guess I will see you in court tomorrow then."

She waved her hand and was about to leave when Aman stood and asked hesitantly "Khushi don't mind me asking this but why you have to do this? We could have approached any escort who would have done the same for money. Why do you risk your life for peoples you don't even know?"

Khushi smiled, her eyes taking a forlorn look "Because if anything happens to the daughter of politician Shashi Gupta, people will notice and worry. Why put any girl's life in danger for our use Aman? It's not even like I care for my life. If I die while helping anyone to seek justice, I will be happy."

Khushi quickly faked a smile and asked enthusiastically "Anyway, how is your wife?"

"Kavya is happy and very much in with her husband, thank you very much. But you don't need to change topic like this you know. You do realize that it's not your fault that Lavanya died. You had put everything at stake to get her killer guilty and punished in the court. It's a shame that it didn't happen." Aman explained for the hundredth time, praying that may be this time she stops blaming herself but after seeing the impassive look on her face, he knew his advice has fell on deaf ears.

He sighed in defeat as Khushi refused to speak up "I guess I will meet you tomorrow. I will win the case definitely."

Khushi smiled and waved her hand in farewell before taking a hidden exit to the bar. Her eyes misted while her smile fell as she got in her car.

She rolled her eyes as she saw two cars pulling up behind hers. Her bodyguards would never leave her alone for even a minute though she was grateful for the distraction.

The moment the engine of the car hummed in life, her feet pressed on the accelerator not removing it for once as the car sped up at the neck breaking speed. It was her only way to deal with the pain in her heart.

She lost her mind in it, her eyes concentrating on the road to drive the car to home safely not giving the pain any chance to overtake her mind, her heart.

She refused to crumble.

She refused to break.

Because it was the only way she knew she can make herself useful. And she refused to be a liability on the power she had access to thanks to the sorry excuse of her father.

Because still her conscience was alive.

20^th June, 2014

Hyatt Hotel, New Delhi

"This year's industrial growth has taken a significant rise in terms of infrastructure. India is still far from being the best country in this aspect but we really..."

As the speaker droned on, the peoples present there stifled a yawn. It was clear with the way the speaker refused to end his speech that he was brought to kill the time but for what?

The function was being held to honor the businessman who yielded the best profit in last year, being efficient and effective in minimizing the market cost and doubling the profit while not compromising with the environmental aspects that a business gets started on. The businessman helping the trusts and funds set up for peoples aids was a plus factor.

Men dressed in tuxedos and women in gowns mingled around not caring of what the speaker was saying when a commotion was heard at the entrance.

Halting in the middle of their conversation, heads turned towards the entrance only to spot Arnav Singh Raizada, CEO of Anjali Constructions walking in surrounded by his associates, looking dapper in a casual white shirt and black trouser coupled with a black blazer. As peoples moved to talk to him, the other businessmen sneered.

Everyone looked on in surprise when the speaker ended his speech quickly making way for the host to take the stage, "And now it's time to announce 'the Businessman of the Year'. It's been very tough to pick one out of so many good businessmen who has taken their firm to the new heights of success. But going by the social works of this particular businessman, we all knew that it had to be him. In 6 years, he has not only managed to revive the firm that his sister has started but has also been the founder of many trusts for abused married women, young girls and widows. He has made him mark by adopting a new born baby girl 6 years ago and naming her as the sole owner of all the money the firm has earned till now."

Almost everyone looked defeated after this, knowing very well whom the host was talking about. Arnav who was still walking by, looked up and glared at the host making him halt for a moment.

"Last year, his firm yielded a 200% turnover in terms of profit. Umm so ladies and gentleman, the 'Businessman of the Year 2013' award goes to Arnav Singh Raizada. Please give him a big round of applause."

The auditorium filled with claps as Arnav made his way to the stage, looking ahead. As the President of All India Business Council shook hand with him, Arnav nodded. The President smiled while handing him the award which Arnav took still not smiling.

They stood together to pose for the paparazzi. As the host started speaking again of his achievements and invited him to say few words, Arnav turned and walked out of the ceremony making everyone gape at his rudeness.

Arnav smirked before quickly walking back to his car outside the hotel. He urged the driver to drive quickly to home, knowing very well that his daughter will be waiting for him and will only eat dinner with his hands.

He will make to the front page tomorrow, he mused with a smug grin on his face. Bade Sahab won't be pleased to see it but it was only what he wanted. If he was burning in hell, then how could his father live in peace?

He snapped out of his thoughts as a car zoomed past his, his eyes looking out only to catch a pair of hazel eyes- full of pain and torment. He recognized the pain only because he had been familiar with it. For a moment, he forgot all about his family and father and concentrated on the figure.

He traced the enticing outline of the woman dressed in a flattering golden dress, driving the car and wondered.

Who is she? Why her eyes contained so much pain?

21^st June, 2014

Manyata Niwas, New Delhi

With a steaming cup of coffee in his hands, Arnav picked up the newspaper and read the front headline. He almost spilled the coffee on himself as his eyes fell on the big headline taunting him 'Akash Raizada takes over the leadership of AVP Party'.

He threw his cup on the floor, shattering it into pieces as his eyes moved lower to see his own picture along with an article just below it. Damn it, his father has done it again.

Announcing Akash as his successor in the party yesterday, Anuj Raizada made sure to show that he can never go above him. He still is lacking in taking over the fame and money that he has earned in everyone's eyes.

Even when he knew that Akash had no interest in politics just like him.

He had let out only a string of curses under his breath, determined to curse his father with all his might when his phone rang.

Storming towards the coffee table, he picked up his phone, his tirade halting abruptly the moment he read the caller id.

Bhai.' It read.

Arnav was tempted to reject the call and turn off his phone but he knew he won't do that. Because no matter whatever has happened between him and his father, his brother had no hand in it.

Though, it has managed to change the dimension of his relationship with his beloved brother. From being Bhai' to him, Akash has become a stranger to his new life. Not to mention, it had been 6 years since they had their last conversation which held only love, not bitterness.

"Akash." Arnav whispered the moment he picked up the call and cradled the phone against his ear.

He heard a tired sigh at the other end before a deep, serious voice belonging to his brother spoke "Congratulations Arnie for winning the award."

"It's Arnav for you, Akash Raizada. Besides why are you congratulating me? I should be the one congratulating you for taking over the leadership of our father's party or should I berate you for being a mere puppet of my father and doing everything he says? Oh, what happened to your dreams of becoming an architect and being partners with Anjali whenever you two start your business? I can clearly remember Anjali asking you about it." Arnav said sarcastically not caring how rude he sounds to his dear brother.

His eyes hardened the moment he felt silence descending on the other end, "Cat got your tongue, Akash?"

"You have to let it go, Arnie. You know the real deal." Akash replied softly which infuriated Arnav further,

"Let it go, Akash? I am living someone else's life for last 6 years DAMMIT. I am handling the responsibilities that I haven't meant to be known to. I quit my dream job at NYU, gave up my apartment and my wish to never settle down in India just because you don't have a backbone. Just because I am Anuj Raizada's son, I have never been happy. Still I considered you as my big brother, my bhai and what have you done, Akash? The only time I asked you to support me, you backed away."

"Arnav, please give me a chance..."

"It's too late for it, Akash. You lost your chance." Arnav sighed, disconnecting the call at once. Pressing the phone against his forehead, Arnav closed his eyes when he heard soft feet padding softly in his room.

"Daddy!!!"

27^th June, 2014

Anuj Niwas, Delhi

Anuj Raizada smirked victoriously as he watched his son storming away without even entering in the house. His son has played right into the plan by marrying Khushi and then leaving her. His party needed someone like Khushi to attract the voters for the upcoming elections.

He wasn't unaware of the reputation that Khushi has managed to earn by working for people belonging to middle and lower class of society.

He intended to make good use of her reputation. All he needed was to keep Arnav and Khushi away. He can do it, he was sure.

Only if he knew what's going on in his new bahu's mind.

So this is it for now. Confusing? Oh I know that. 😆

Do let me know,

Aditi

Awesome update !! love it ! looking forward to read more