ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi #2 Link to next thread on pg 1 - Page 15

Just so you all know, when Arnav asked Khushi to let him handle everything, he knew what he was doing and when Khushi asked Arnav to step back and let her take over the case from him, she knew the demand of the situation. They knew that they will have to work like a team and that's what I wanted to show.

Arnav helping her and Khushi just standing there not doing anything, wasn't the scenario ever. Again, this is a love story of two powerful people, who know what their life entitles.

ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi

Chapter 13

Sitting alone in the study, Anuj Raizada swept his gaze on the newspaper in his hands. As his lips twisted in disapproval, he threw it away and barked on the phone stuck to his ear "So?"

"Your son and his wife are wandering in the forbidden territory, Bade Sahab. I have warned them earlier and I won't hesitate while killing them." Vikrant replied bitterly, not hiding his frustration at all.

Letting out a hollow laugh, Anuj sneered "Are you threatening me, Vikrant? Don't forget I am the one who introduced you in this world. Just because I didn't manage to save my daughter from your cunning plans doesn't mean I will sit back and let you do what you want to do this time. You won't touch them."

"Try me." Vikrant spat, his body trembling with rage.

Standing up slowly, Anuj wandered around "I committed a big mistake by believing you 6 years ago but not anymore. I won't hesitate in pulling the plug of your life Vikrant. I will not tolerate the same thing happening again to my son and my daughter in law."

"Why the hell do you care? Arnav hates you. You should be happy that I am eager enough to finish him off when he does nothing to please you." Vikrant growled.

"He is my heir, Vikrant. Don't even think about hurting him or I will crush you and your sorry excuse of a political party. Now I don't think there is anything else we need to discuss." Anuj concluded, making it apparent that he doesn't want to speak further.

"Don't take it lightly, Bade Sahab. I will do as I please when the situation comes." Vikrant warned before disconnecting the call.

Blowing out an impatient sigh, Anuj flung the phone across the room, letting it crash against the wall and fall on the floor, shattering it into pieces.

He needed to do something soon to stop Arnav.

As Shyam finished retelling a particular incident happened during his and Arnav's college days, laughter echoed in Manyata Niwas.

Wiping tears from the corners of her eyes, Khushi spoke with her voice full of mirth "did you really put firecrackers under your teacher's seat?"

"Of course we did. And when that teacher came into class, they started bursting with loud noise. Then we all ran away from the class" Shyam answered smugly, his eyes twinkling in merriment.

Khushi started laughing again, not really noticing how Arnav was staring at her with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Wow, Uncle. That's so cool." Manyata exclaimed, her eyes looking dazed.

"If you want then I can give you some tips, Princess. You and your friends will enjoy a lot. " Shyam winked. At his reply, Khushi smiled while Manyata giggled enthusiastically and Arnav tore his gaze away from his wife at last.

"There is no way you are teaching my daughter to how to get in trouble, Shyam." Arnav growled, startling everyone around him.

Rolling his eyes, Shyam said sarcastically "Yes boss. I had totally forgotten how possessive you are about your daughter."

"You better remember it then."

"Dude, you seriously need to lay back and let Manyata do whatever she wants to do. She is a kid only." Narrowing his eyes on his best friend, Shyam retorted.

"Not a chance, Shyam. She is my responsibility." Arnav argued.

"She is just a kid, Arnav. Kids play pranks. They love pranks. And don't forget, you were one of those kids." Shyam replied heatedly.

"That's why I don't her to be the one. I know how difficult it is to stop doing everything that makes you feel superior and powerful." His eyes taking a lost look, Arnav whispered in a low tone.

Suddenly the atmosphere around the table changed, with tension crackling every light moment they had shared together till now.

Manyata kept looking at her Daddy, not liking the look on his face. He looked sad. And Manyata never liked him sad.

She quickly jumped in Arnav's arms and said quickly "Okay Daddy, I won't do anything you don't like."

Looking down at her, Arnav smiled sadly and hugged his daughter. His daughter has always been his source of strength.

Khushi silently observed everything, identifying the look on Arnav's face very well. It was regret from some stage of his life. His past.

Silence fell around the table as Shyam realized what was going on in Arnav's mind. He'd not wanted him to remember any of those memories but unknowingly, he had taken him to the same place. Arnav had told him how his father used to encourage him for everything when he was a kid. How he used to get in trouble, attracting attention of fellow students in his class.

He knew how Arnav used to feel special whenever others used to follow him and how girls used to swoon at the very sight of him. And how, one day he understood that he was ruining his own life.

Shyam recalled the inner turmoil that Arnav went through after this. How Arnav had to control himself from getting involved in any fight or pranks and he very well remembered the pain on Arnav's face when he revealed how his classmates then used to pick fight with him knowing that he won't retaliate.

It was one of the most horrible time of Arnav's life, Shyam realized it after seeing the pain, helplessness and regret on Arnav's face whenever he talked about it.

And he had once again made Arnav remember all of it.

Cursing himself silently, Shyam smiled and said cheerfully "Okay then, I will teach her how to play the role of a perfect daughter. Is it okay?"

Arnav's lips twitched "Much better."

Gulping the last spoon of his dessert, Shyam stood up took his jacket from the back of his chair and smiled "Okay everybody, I am off for a late night meeting with the sponsors of my book. The dinner was delicious, Khushi. Good night all."

Khushi smiled, bidding him goodnight. Arnav stood up and walked Shyam to the door "Sorry about that little relapse on the dining table."

"It's fine, Arnav. You don't need to apologize to me for it. In fact I should be the one apologizing for steering the topic in that direction." Shaking his head, Shyam replied gently.

"It's just difficult to forget everything, Shyam." Arnav admitted, hesitating a bit. Halting just outside the main door, Shyam turned towards him. Keeping a hand on his shoulder, he commanded gently "Just forget about what happened in past, Arnav. You managed to survive through all of that is the bottom line of it. Waise bhi, you have more than enough in your plate than to deal about this now."

Arnav sighed "I think you are right."

"A writer can never say wrong words, my dear friend." Shyam teased, managing to bring a smile on Arnav's face.

"I guess so. Good night, Shyam."

"Good night." As Arnav turned to walk back in the house, Shyam looked inside catching Manyata's eyes. Giving her a mean look, he winked at her. The moment Manyata smiled at him, he sauntered out of the house whistling.

His angel will take care of making his friend live in present, not in past.

"Daddy I am tired." Manyata announced the moment Khushi came to sit beside her on the sofa, after instructing the housekeeper to clear the table and dishes.

Tearing his eyes away from the document he was reading, Arnav kept it aside and stood up to take Manyata in his room with a smile.

The moment he started walking towards his room, Manyata spoke up once again "Mumma won't you come with us?"

Arnav froze in shock as he heard it while Khushi jerked her head up, her mouth open looking baffled. Quickly recovering from the shock, Arnav started moving again and mumbled "Manyata your Mumma sleeps in a different room."

"But my friend Trisha's parents sleep together in a room." Manyata pointed out innocently.

Arnav felt his face heating up in embarrassment. How was he supposed to explain his 6 years old daughter about why her Mumma and Daddy sleep in different rooms?

"Manyata beta, it isn't necessary that we should do what your friend's parents do, right?" Khushi butted in, panic rising in her heart.

"But I want to sleep with you and Daddy like my friends sleeps with their parents." Manyata demanded, her lips quivering in anxiety.

"Manyata stop it. Your Mumma won't sleep with us." Arnav replied sternly.

"But I want her to sleep with us." Manyata persisted stubbornly.

Pursing his lips together in irritation, Arnav bit out "Manyata behave."

Changing her tactic of persuasion, Manyata lowered her eyes and bit her lower lip as her body shook in Arnav's arms. The moment Arnav felt her trembling, he looked down and only then Manyata looked up with her eyes filled with tears.

With a grimace, Arnav watched tears falling from his daughter's eyes but he didn't say anything. He has always fulfilled Manyata's every wish but this time, it was something he knew he shouldn't pursue. As much as he loved Manyata, he'd not want to make Khushi uncomfortable in the house.

"Please Daddy." Manyata wailed, hiding her face in Arnav's neck realizing that she could no longer stop herself from laughing.

While Manyata laughed silently knowing very well that her parents won't be able to see her face, Arnav exchanged a worried look with Khushi who looked troubled.

They weren't able to think what they should do to pacify their daughter or rather make her stop demanding to sleep with her parents.

Just then, Manyata made a sound like she was sobbing and instinctively, Arnav closed his hands around her. Shooting a pleading look at him, Khushi moved forward and stroked Manyata's hairs, leaning into Arnav.

"Stop crying Beta." Khushi cooed soothingly.

Raising her head, Manyata looked at Khushi hopefully "Does that mean you will sleep with me and Daddy?"

Hesitating a bit, Khushi glanced up at Arnav and silently warned him to not say anything. Then she smiled down at her daughter "Of course."'

Manyata mentally danced in victory.

While Arnav shook his head as if he couldn't believe Khushi succumbed to his daughter's pleadings, a smiling Manyata grabbed Khushi's hands and tried to pull her down to her unknowingly moving Khushi closer to Arnav.

The moment Khushi bent forward to hear what Manyata wanted to say, Arnav stopped breathing altogether realizing his closeness with her. Clutching his daughter tightly in his hands, Arnav watched Khushi with bated breath and prayed silently for her to move back.

But it didn't happen. Manyata waited for Khushi to move closer and when she was within her reach, she jumped to brush her lips against her cheek and squealed "Thank you Mumma."

Feeling pleased about being able to stop her daughter from crying, Khushi smiled when she felt it. She felt something against her cheek, beating loud and fast rhythmically.

Like a melody. It felt so soothing to her ears that she closed her eyes when her face scrunched in a frown. Feeling curious, Khushi turned her head and looked up.

She gasped realizing at once what it is. With her face resting against Arnav's chest, she was hearing his heartbeat, her hand splayed just above his heart.

How her hand got there, she had no idea. With the sudden realization, Khushi jumped back violently as if she was electrocuted.

Everything around them felt charged and sensuous.

Clasping her hands together to hide how badly they were trembling, Khushi avoided Arnav's intense gaze knowing very well that she won't be able to handle it.

Because just standing there while looking around, she felt as if she was burning. Something dangerous was shimmering between them. It was something deep, warning to torment her with passion.

Running her hand over her hairs nervously, Khushi asked "Shall we go then?"

Watching Arnav nodding from the corner of her eyes, Khushi waited for him to move and followed him silently wondering what it was actually. She never felt like it before.

Not even when she firmly believed in falling in love and star crossed lovers who were bound to cross each other's path again and again.

As she saw Arnav placing a sleepy Manyata in the middle of his king sized bed, Khushi quickly settled to right side of the bed while Arnav occupied the left.

The moment Arnav switched off the lights of the room, Khushi placed her hand on Manyata's forehead and started patting it lightly to help her sleep. She never averted her gaze from Manyata not wanting to think about the other person in the room.

Soon, her eyelids started dropping in sleep making her rest her hand on Manyata's stomach at last. With sleep engulfing her, Khushi looked up and faintly registered meeting eyes which were studying, staring at her. With everything stripped bare for him to look in her soul, as she wasn't awake enough to mask her feelings.

Not knowing her fingers were latched on his where their entwined hand was resting on Manyata's stomach, Khushi closed her eyes.

Not knowing that something has changed drastically in that glance.

Akash Raizada never loved his life. He knew how it felt to be a toy of someone's hand. He was living a life which was nothing but a lie.

For the world, he was the leader of the biggest political party of India. In his own eyes, he was just a puppet of Anuj Raizada.

Despite knowing that Anuj Raizada is a selfish, cunning man, he was bound to follow his orders without raising any objections or questions.

While his heart ached to just quit everything and go to his brother Arnav, he knew that his hands were tied with duty, with his own vow of always standing behind Anuj.

Because it was his Karma. It was his payment for being able to breathe and live every moment of his life.

A payment he was bound to pay to the man who looked after him when he was an orphan. Anuj Raizada wasn't his father.

Just because Akash Raizada is the son of dead Arjun Raizada, the elder brother of Anuj, he was living the life of an outsider, who never had the right to say anything in any matter.

He was expected to follow orders of Anuj. Like a loyal dog.