ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi #2 Link to next thread on pg 1 - Page 37

update the next chapter soon..eagerly waiting for it

yayyy u r back and glad that every thing vnt well on ur side... i was reading rereading... this stroy dont ask me how many time (cant help) will be waiting for the new uipdate

we will be waiting 4ur update

I hope you update soon.

Loveee the story so far!!!! Cant wait for the next one.

Great - look forward to next update. Glad you enjoyed your break and all went well

Sorry for the delay readers. Sometimes I overestimate few things including my writing skills. This update was a bit difficult to write.

ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi

Chapter 15-B

In 32 years of his life, Arnav Singh Raizada went through many different and surprising moments. He hated most of them downright, loved some of them and only a few moments were the ones he held close to his heart.

So that whenever he felt alone and defeated, he can look at them and assure himself that people love him. That some people need him in their life.

He never faced any difficulty in determining the people who deserve seeing him as a person not as the heir of Anuj Raizada and the CEO of Anjali Constructions.

Except one- Akash Raizada.

His bhai. The one who always watched out for him. The one who made sure to never let trouble get to him ever. The one who always consoled Arnav at every low point of his life.

His bhai was the only human being who came to him once Arnav realized how much his father was spoiling him for power and patting his head, said "you are not wrong, Arnie."

His bhai was the one who stood by him while he struggled to become a better human being. His bhai was the one who helped him in realizing the thin line between being right or wrong.

His bhai who is not related to him by blood but by the most powerful emotion in this world- love.

His bhai who right now is living the fate designed specifically for him- serving as a loyal dog to Anuj Raizada.

But WHY????

Arnav wanted to shake his bhai and shout this one word on his face, in hope of getting any answer. But he knew that he won't be able to succeed in this task, no matter how much clever he is.

The reason why Akash chose Anuj Raizada over him six years ago was the only secret he never managed to unravel.

The only thing he knew that Bhai chose to be with his father not to pay for being the one who adopted an orphan boy as his son but for something which was much, much more valuable than that.

He spent every day of the last six years in thinking the whys, how's and whens but he never got his answer.

And it frustrated him. Very much. So much that he hated his bhai for it. So much that despite seeing the defeated, tired expression on his bhai's face, his heart refused to sympathize with him.

And tonight, nothing was different.

The moment Arnav glanced at Akash Raizada, his face hardened in a strange helplessness wiping any trace of happiness and eagerness on it.

Even though his heart jumped at seeing the twinkle of joy in his bhai's eyes, Arnav pressed his lips in a thin straight line indicating his displeasure.

His inner conscience screamed at him not to hurt the person who always loved him the most but Arnav clenched his fist tight, knowing that no matter what his bhai is going to say, he will not melt till the moment he reveals everything to him.

Forgetting that Khushi was standing by his side, noting every change in his demeanor and feeling puzzled as to why her husband was reacting like he doesn't like his brother, knowing very well that Akash Raizada is the most honest politician she ever met.

But how Akash Raizada reacted totally baffled her.

Smiling as if understanding the inner turmoil going through Arnav's mind and noticing yet how his kid brother's eyes hungrily took in the pale yellow shirt and black denim jeans that he was dressed in, Akash whispered "Hi."

Titling his side to the right as if assessing him, Arnav spoke curtly "Hello Mr Akash Singh Raizada. I am surprised to see the head of the biggest Indian political party here. If I am not wrong, this is a simple book launch party. Or had we unknowingly gatecrashed some political get-together going on here?"

Khushi looked at him in shock knowing very well that everyone in the party was attuned to what was going on here. Still why Arnav was behaving this rudely?

Akash shook his head as if he was expecting Arnav to behave the way he did. He was about to reply when just then, a very familiar voice boomed in their ears making them turn and look at the direction of the voice.

"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen." Shyam spoke through the microphone cheerfully, making Arnav narrow his eyes at the oh-so-perfect timing of his speech while everyone else looked relaxed, clearly not intending to turn things sour for the party.

"Well as much pleased I am to see you all here for the launch of my new book, I better get to it before you all get too content with the drinks and food to care about it." Maintaining a straight face, Shyam continued making people chuckle around him.

Winking rakishly, Shyam grinned "Okay well, it's just not about that. I have had met too many people tonight who are rather impatient to get their hands on my book. While I wish no more than simply granting them access to it, there is one person I was waiting for. Well, he is finally here so let's get it started."

Shyam quickly grabbed a chair and sat on it backwards, a book held in his hands. Raising his head to look at everyone, he smiled "Unlike usual, I would like to speak few words which were the only thing I had in mind when I started this book. The words may not rhyme or make sense to most of you, but few of you may recognize them. And I think that's enough."

Everyone present in the party shifted closer to Shyam, their attention totally focused on him. Clearing his throat, Shyam started speaking while staring ahead not sparing a glance at the book in his hands

"It happened one day during winter,

I was sitting alone when you came,

Remember the bittersweet smile you gave?

Remember the book you held?

Remember the moment you thought was funny?

Everything was unreal.

Making me want to talk to you, to smile at you.

Like always.

But you disappeared. I couldn't find you.

I closed my eyes, seeing you.

Full of tears, your eyes gave me your secret.

Still I couldn't sense you.

Years passed, I still couldn't find you.

While you were standing right there.

Waiting for me.

Making me realize that,

I was searching something dead.

When you, my dear, killed it with your tears.

It was my heart, I found."

"Bloody hell." Arnav muttered quietly under his breath, apparently having understood everything. Akash sighed while Khushi stood there, looking confused.

Few people sniffed noisily while some wiped their tears away quietly.

Not actually concentrating on anything, Shyam looked up. Khushi inhaled sharply, feeling overwhelmed seeing the intensity of pain in his eyes.

He was talking about his life, Khushi thought looking concerned. Instantly her mind started working, realizing that the person who always looked cheerful has lost the love of his life. Quite drastically.

And going by his words, it still pained him.

Khushi almost walked forward when Shyam chuckled "It's not in the book, I must warn you all. The first person I read this to looked so appalled that I had to re assure her again and again that she is not talking to a ghost."

Laughter rose around, wiping the air of sadness from the party.

Quickly getting up and managing to pick himself up before emotions could overtake his senses, Shyam held the book in his hands "My new book is about a love story born out of pain. Pain is an emotion which everyone hates but must suffer through it to understand the value of happiness. You can buy the book soon but before that, I would like to thank my friend and book editor, Arnav Raizada for helping me in writing my book like always. I wouldn't have been a writer without his support."

As Shyam gestured Arnav to join him while everyone looked at them, Arnav smiled before walking to his friend. They posed together for pictures while holding book in their hands before raising toast to Shyam's success, being each copy of the first print of his book already been ordered in advance by the fans before the launch.

Khushi looked on with a pleased smile as her husband laughed with his best friend, forgetting about the people around them. Her eyes misted, remembering very well the person with whom she shared the similar bond.

Even when she considered Aman as her best friend, nobody ever managed to fill the void in her life that Lavanya's death has left.

Her heart felt heavy all of a sudden while her throat choked with emotions. Startled, she looked up when Akash spoke up out of nowhere "How are you, Khushi?"

Khushi stared at him, realizing that he hadn't left her side since she entered in the party with Arnav. Nodding curtly, Khushi replied "I am fine, thank you."

Hesitating for a moment, Akash spoke again "I didn't mean to force my company on you or Arnav, but I just wanted to make sure you both are okay."

"We are fine." Khushi snapped feeling annoyed.

Embarrassed, Akash stammered "I don't know why you always look at me with so much hatred but I wanted to say that Payal is worried about you. The only reason I came here is that I wanted to request you to talk to your sister. Maybe I am not the ideal husband for your sister but we are married. You cannot change anything about it. Keeping grudge with your sister for things happened in past won't make anything better. You both are suffering."

Hearing this, Khushi looked down feeling ashamed of her rude behavior. Since his marriage to her sister, she has never talked to Akash humbly, snapping at him during their interactions every single time. But Akash never snapped back at her. Never spoke rudely to her.

Mistaking her guilty silence for her unwillingness to speak to him, Akash quickly left from there.

Not giving Khushi a chance to amend things which she has willing ruined because of her stubbornness.

Knowing very well that her own mistakes have once again made her lose something precious.

The unconditional love of her sister. Just like her best friend.

The only difference was that her sister is alive while her best friend isn't.

It was time to make amends. But could she forsake her stubbornness and ego for it? Khushi knew the answer very well.

______________________________________________

After interacting with everyone present in the party, Khushi quietly walked out in the balcony adjoined to the party hall, smiling politely at everyone who looked at her. She glanced back for the last moment to see Shyam still signing books while Arnav sat beside him, talking to him.

The moment she stepped out, cool breeze ruffled past her making her sigh in contentment. Rubbing her forearms while leaning against the railing to peer down at the fantastic view of the Central Delhi that the balcony presented to her, Khushi smiled.

The nightlife of Delhi has always delighted her, reminding her of the naughty things that she has once read in the books of Mills n Boons.

Once the same darkness mixed with fun and surprise has called out to her, but now her nights consisted of collecting evidences to support the cases she took to help others.

But she never regretted it. She marveled in the thrill of danger always lurking around her while visiting clubs and places where everyone present has committed crime at some point of the life.

The hair at the back of her neck rose, notifying her that she was no more alone. She stiffened in alarm before turning around and slumping against the railing in relief once she saw who it was "Arnav?"

Thrusting a drink in her hands, Arnav smiled "Can I join you?"

"Sure." Khushi replied, instantly taking a sip from her glass. It was wine. Raising her glass, she continued "Thanks, I was getting thirsty."

"No problem. Sorry for leaving you alone in the party earlier but Shyam felt a bit nervous. Apparently he has some stage fright. I had to stand with him." Arnav explained, leaning against the railing while looking sideways at her.

Turning towards him, Khushi studied him, noting how he quickly looked away. She knew that Arnav has knowingly left saying something about Akash "I can see that."

"Look can we just leave difficult topics for some other day? I don't want to ruin tonight" Arnav looked directly in her eyes, hopeful.

"Sure." Arnav smiled, relieved.

Smirking mischievously, Khushi continued "What's special about tonight, might I ask?"

To Khushi's wonder, Arnav looked flustered for a moment. Then he noticed her smirk along with her eyes which were laughing at him. Excited, Arnav decided to play along.

"Well it's nothing special unless you want it to be." Raising his eyebrows at her suggestively, Arnav replied making sure to wander his eyes on her so that she didn't misunderstand anything.

Khushi's breath caught in her throat at the look in his eyes, suddenly feeling naked under the heat emanating from his body. Her mouth turned dry as Arnav turned, keeping his hands on the railing on the either side of her body, trapping her effectively.

Everything around her suddenly felt too silent, suffocating her. But she liked it.

"Well what way you suggest should I presume tonight to be? It is our first appearance in the public together. " Khushi patter her back mentally, managing to keep her voice steady and strong.

"It is much more than just an appearance, Khushi." Arnav admitted calmly.

"Hmm. Since you bought me such a lovely dress and pendant, I can't deny what you just said. Why don't you tell me what it is actually?" Khushi replied weakly, trying to maintain distance from him.

"It's a date." Arnav declared, bridging the gap between him and Khushi much to her irritation.

"It's NOT a date." Khushi squeaked, keeping her hands on his chest instinctively.

"It is, Khushi. You are wearing the dress I chose for you. We appeared together in this party. We smiled at each other, we held each other's hand. I even bought you a drink and now your hands are on me." Arnav said smugly making Khushi gasp and jerk her hands away from his chest.

But he quickly held them.

"As much I like the dress you chose for me and know that everything else is true, I don't think it's a date. You left me alone at the party." Khushi pointed out desperately.

"But my eyes didn't. I must say Khushi, I am glad that I made the effort to gift you this dress otherwise I wouldn't have ever found out that...uhh never mind." Biting his lower lips, Arnav stopped abruptly.

"Found out what?" Khushi asked immediately.

"That you have such a sexy body hiding behind all those cotton sarees." Arnav grinned wickedly.

Khushi's eyes widened incredulously as her mouth dropped open in shock. Feeling her cheek getting warm while her heart galloped wildly, she sputtered "You didn't just say that."

"Oh I did. And I think I deserve a peck for being a gentleman on our date." Arnav declared looking serious, tilting her chin up with his fingers.

Pushing him away abruptly, Khushi protested "No you don't."

Sending him an icy glare, Khushi was about to walk away when Arnav started laughing loudly, his body shaking with its intensity.

"Haha, very funny." Keeping her hands on her hips, Khushi replied sarcastically.

Not trying to stop himself from laughing, Arnav moved forward lightly putting his hands around Khushi's waist. Annoyed, Khushi started to break free from it when Arnav started moving slowly, rubbing his hands on her spine rhythmically.

At first, Khushi froze not being able to understand anything before her body started relaxing. With a sigh, she placed her hands on his shoulders, returning the hug.

Never once, did they stop moving as if their mind understood something under the sheet of shining stars and calm moonlight.

There was no voice to their acknowledgment but their feelings were involved in that slow dance, if you can name it that.

"So you are going to kiss me, right?" Arnav asked quietly the moment Khushi rested her head on his chest, stroking her hairs in a loving gesture.

Jerking her head up, Khushi swatted her hands on his chest and huffed "You are impossible, Arnav Singh Raizada."

Arnav grinned down at her mischievously in reply.

Quickly stepping away, she turned and walked inside the party, shaking her head as Arnav's laughter rang in her ears once again. Even then, she couldn't stop herself from smiling.

She turned to look back at him but he wasn't there.

He was gone.

Okay everyone, don't throw chappals at me for that totally crap I wrote as Shyam's introduction to his book.

See you all soon with the next update,

Aditi

awesome update

Very interesting but the ending - makes me think - did something happen to Arnav ?