Before you read this update, I must say this story is neither painted in black or white. It's grey with everyone having that selfish streak in their heart at some point of their life.
ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi
Chapter 16
Running a hand over his face, Akash Raizada sighed as he climbed inside his car parked near the back exit of the hotel, to save himself from getting captured by the reporters.
Resting his forehead on the steering wheel, he closed his eyes and finally allowed his heart to feel sorry for being the object of hatred for the person he loved truly- Arnav.
Arnav meant the world to him, along with Anjali. From the moment they were born till now, there wasn't a single moment he didn't love them.
And why wouldn't he?
The twin siblings were the only one who had accepted him in their life without any condition or any hidden grudge in their heart unlike Anuj Raizada and his wife.
Not that he ever blamed them for it. No couple would ever like to consider someone's kid as their own. Society never accepts orphan kids truly. They will be sympathetic to their condition but won't be courageous enough to give their love to them.
But things like this never matter for children. Their innocent heart and mind only demands love and attention from others.
A child's love for other people can never be filtered and barred through social barriers. Because they don't feel these barriers in first place.
Same thing happened with Arnav and Anjali.
Along with Anjali, Arnav considered and respected him as his brother and paid heed to what he wished for them. Agreed, Arnav strayed in the beginning but he came back to him. And that was what mattered to him. Always.
They were inseparable at home and in school, college. Akash enjoyed being with Anjali and Arnav and he knew his feelings were being reciprocated by them as well.
Akash played the role of elder for them, always cooling things between the always arguing twins.
He never considered the possibility of living separately from them. Now he wished, he should have thought about it earlier.
Maybe, thinking about it might have made living away from them a bit...easy, bearable.
He missed them like hell, without a doubt. If given a chance, he would do anything to bring back the days when he used to be flanked by Arnav and Anjali whenever he went out.
Being without them is like life has sucked the soul out of his body. No amount of tears, anger and sadness lessened the pain in his heart.
And he carried it proudly. Considering himself lucky for even feeling it.
Because whenever he looks back to the almost three year old kid whose parents suddenly disappeared one day, he knew that he was lucky to be with two people who considered him as family.
He was lucky to be looked after by his Uncle and aunt and to live with them, although all they wanted was his inheritance money and applause from others for their generosity, not him.
As a kid, he was glad to have a roof over his head. For an orphan boy like him, even that was more than enough he could have ever managed to get hadn't it been for the money that his parents left for him.
Akash still remembered the day when his parents died in a car crash that changed his life. He remembered that icky, numb feeling in his heart when he had to change his room, his home and his parents.
Being only 3 year old didn't make the changes easy either. He struggled every day. Making efforts every day tired him out so much that he lost his childhood, his innocence and his excitement for life. His life was written in his silence, his mind always working.
He was 18 years old when he took his first part time job. He never gave a damn about his parent's money. He was determined to make a ground for himself on which he can stand proudly without anyone's help. He worked harder. He never got used to living an easy, comfortable life that Raizada kids have always been entitled to.
He was content with his life because of Arnav and Anjali. Still, he was determined to find his way, as soon as he can.
Because some things never change.
He hated seeing pity in everyone's eyes when they got to know that he is the adopted son of Anuj Raizada.
He loathed every moment when Anuj Raizada reminded what a liability he has been to him and how he should be grateful to him.
Akash knew he had to get away before he lost his mind.
Even though he knew that Anuj Raizada won't let him out of his grip ever, he tried to get away. He couldn't ignore his basic survival instincts could he?
And he could have managed to get away 6 years ago hadn't it been for Anjali and Arnav. His only family needed him that moment.
He couldn't let his family down. He couldn't ignore his love for them which ran deep in his vein than blood.
And he paid for every moment he cherished by his freedom. He struck a deal with the Devil. A life time deal with Anuj Raizada.
By giving him the reins of his life without any hesitation. By concentrating on the emotion that defined the reason he sacrificed everything in his life, love.
And he never regretted it till now. Akash knew that he won't regret it ever because he knew despite all the hatred that he now glimpsed in Arnav's eyes, he loved his bhai a lot. Akash was happy that he managed to save Arnav from everything.
Without giving Arnav any whiff about the fact that he is still watching out for him, Akash was glad that he accepted Shyam's party invitation tonight. Seeing Arnav and Khushi together looking happy gave Akash a sense of peace as if what he heard from Shyam wasn't enough for once.
Atleast, he will be able to assure his wife that her sister is happy with Arnav. Payal will be happy to hear about it.
Shaking his head, Akash looked up as he heard some noise and looked out. He froze the moment his eyes landed on the scene unfolding in front of him.
Quickly snapping out of the shock, Akash turned to open the door of his car when his gaze fell on something very very familiar.
With his hand stuck on the door, he shook his head as if neglecting to accept what his eyes were witnessing.
He almost growled in outrage as the next moment, another noise echoed in the deadly silence of the night.
Not noticing his almost white knuckles gripping the steering wheel tightly, Akash sat there watching everything intently while his insides seethed in anger or betrayal to be precise.
The moment everything around him fell in biting, bitter silence again, Akash swore. Quickly starting his car, he dialed a number and instructed his security detail to follow the car while his own car moved to the opposite direction.
He might have played the role of a puppet perfectly but it didn't mean that he didn't have enough power for being the honest man that he is. He might not be powerful like Anuj Raizada but the years he spent in the dirty and tangled webs of politics taught him well.
He knew it's time to use that power and for once, he won't care about the destruction that his anger will evoke.
Still only one thing mattered to him, love.
"Shyam!!"
Excusing himself from the group of his fans, Shyam turned to Khushi and was about to compliment her happily about how beautiful she was looking tonight when he noticed her distraught expressions.
His brow drawing together in confusion, Shyam steered her away from everyone else "What's the matter, Khushi?"
"I can't find, Arnav. He isn't here." Khushi informed him quickly, looking worried.
"What do you mean by he isn't here?" Looking confused, Shyam questioned wrapping his hand around her shoulders in comfort.
"We were talking in the balcony around an hour ago. When I left from there, he just disappeared. His phone is switched off now. Our car is still in the parking lot. No one saw him leaving with someone else either. Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" Keeping a hand on her forehead, Khushi tried to not sound as panicked as she felt.
As the sudden realization dawned on Shyam, he silently asked Khushi to wait. Taking his phone out, he conversed with someone in hushed tone.
Slowly, he turned towards her, his face not showing any trace of worry and concern. He spoke with a calm that shook Khushi "Don't worry about him, Khushi. He is fine."
Baffled, she stuttered "You...how...Shyam, he is missing from an hour, dammit. And you don't want me to worry?"
"Trust me, Khushi. He is fine." Shyam assured her again.
Frustrated and not being able to understand anything, Khushi was about to snap at Shyam when something, the missing piece of the whole mess clicked in her mind, surrendering her speechless.
Something akin to hurt, hit her hard in her gut making her eyes water. But she didn't cry neither did she shout in protest.
Her eyes looked icy, totally void of emotions as she composed herself and stared directly at Shyam. Her voice laced with a bitter edge spoke only one sentence "Did Arnav told you about it?"
Shyam flinched but answered nonetheless "Actually, he had a hunch about it and he shared it with me earlier."
Nodding her head frantically, Khushi replied bitterly "No wonder you look so calm about everything."
"It's not like that, Khushi. He must have forgotten to tell you about it. He trusts you." Shyam replied sympathetically.
Raising her hand as if neglecting his composed explanation, Khushi retorted "Leave it, Shyam. I am well aware of the games being played by your friend. The only reason I went along with them is I wanted to trust him."
"Khushi..."
"It's getting late, Shyam. I must go home. I really enjoyed the party and I will definitely read your book. Good night." Kissing his cheek, Khushi smiled not letting Shyam say anything.
Khushi turned to walk away from the party not listening to Shyam's repeated attempts to make her stay. She smiled cheerfully at the paparazzi as if she was really happy.
The moment she sat inside the car, she scowled and threw her purse away. Instructing the driver to start the car and take her to Manyata Niwas, she collapsed on her seat, throwing her head back in exhaustion.
Letting out a long sigh, Khushi laughed humorlessly ignoring the concerned look the driver was throwing her way.
She is such a fool. Once again, she allowed a man to make a fool out of her. She once again allowed a man to tangle her in a web of smooth lies. When is she going to learn from her mistakes?
She thought that Arnav genuinely liked her. She had started convincing her mind that he is a good man.
But what happened? Arnav was just using her in destroying Vikrant for personal reasons. He wanted to take revenge from Vikrant for hurting his sister, nothing more.
And here she thought, he genuinely wanted to help Niya and other women who have been abused by him.
Or maybe it was all about money and power.
Who know Arnav might have been playing with her while working for Vikrant? It must be their plan. Arnav must have worked all along to win her trust while destroying evidences against Vikrant that she has managed to collect.
Arnav has managed to prove that she is still the same stupid fool that she was ten years ago by making her trust him in days.
The whole ordeal looked like a cheap and pathetic plan to her ears. God, she is such a pathetic woman, easily manipulated by a businessman who threw her pieces of love and affection and she crumbled like an attention seeking, love sick person.
She felt sick to her bones and defeated as well. Her first mistake like this has resulted in Lavanya's death. Now what her second mistake is going to cost her?
Niya's life?
Her career?
No, she shouted silently. She won't let Arnav win this game. He might have managed to deceive her but she won't accept her defeat by giving him a good fight.
Never, she swore with her fingers tracing the delicate chain of her pendant. With a hard tug, she wrenched it away from her neck, dangling the broken chain in front of her eyes.
Fisting it tightly in her palm, she picked up her purse to take her phone out when she looked ahead. A massive truck was driving fast in the wrong lane, coming straight towards her car.
Her eyes widened as her mouth opened in a panicked, heart wrenching cry. Alarmed, the driver tried to avoid the car from getting hit but it was too late.
Khushi raised her hand over her face as if to save herself from the inevitable.
Death.
Dark.
It was dark everywhere the moment Arnav opened his eyes with his head pounding in pain making him groan. He shook his head as everything looked blurry to him.
Blinking his eyes again and again to adjust them against the harsh light falling straight on his face, he looked around disoriented feeling dizzy.
He tried to raise his hand to brush his hairs away from his eyes when he realized that his hands were tied back with a strong rope.
As someone splashed icy cold water on his face, he snapped his eyes opened and looked up in alarm, his mind waking up.
Only to find himself surrounded by dangerous looking, armed men. Their eyes were fixed on him intently, keeping a watch on him.
As if he was capable enough to fight all of them together, after being kidnapped by them.
He chuckled at his own thoughts before his eyes fell on someone sitting in front of him, smirking.
It was Anuj Raizada.
I know it's a short update but trust me, the thoughts running through my mind aren't pleasant. Why do I feel that I am not getting enough appreciation for the story? Or is something wrong with the way I write?
Please do tell me,
Aditi.
CID
Ishaani
330