ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi #3, Link to next thread @pg1 - Page 57

ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi

Chapter 26-B

"Wohoo!!!!"

Shyam chuckled, sparing a glance at the over excited bundle of joy bouncing up and down in the passenger seat of the car. Checking once again that the seat belt was strapped safely across her front, he grinned turning his attention back on the road instantly knowing very well that if anything happened to his angel, two people will bury him alive in case he survived from his own conscience.

"This was the best day ever, Shyam Uncle." Manyata exclaimed, happily gorging on the big, pink candy floss, gripping the stick tightly in her hands.

Smirking, Shyam raised his hand to brush her hairs and agreed cheerfully "Of course it was Angel."

Suddenly sitting straight, she leaned against his body and hauled herself up gripping his upper arms, staining his shirt unintentionally with the sticky, pink liquid stuck in her fingers and raised the stick towards his mouth, offering him some candy floss innocently.

Shaking his head, Shyam bit some of the candy floss and instructed sternly "Now sit down in your seat."

Looking satisfied after sharing what she was eating with him, Manyata plopped down in her seat and moaned in dismay again "I wish Mumma and Daddy would have come with us."

"They were busy, Angel." Shyam explained, not wanting the six year old kid to feel sad.

"But they could have done the work some other day." She complained, pouting stubbornly.

"Now Angel, that's not fair. First you complain that I was gone for a long time, and now when I took you out you are not happy. Clearly, you don't like spending time with your Shyam Uncle." Shyam complained in a child-like voice, pouting back at her.

Biting her lower lip, Manyata smacked her forehead not caring about the candy floss stuck on it and exclaimed "No. I love spending time with you Shyam Uncle."

"No you don't."

"I do." Manyata protested, jumping again and managing to slide out from the seat belt to land on Shyam's lap. Jumping up again, she ignored his yelp and dropping a sloppy kiss on his cheek, declared "I love you, Shyam Uncle."

"Okay, okay." Shyam agreed chuckling, his left hand moving to make her sit back and buckle the seat belt around her once again. He smiled, watching as Manyata started licking her fingers having finished eating the candy floss. Taking out his handkerchief, he started wiping her face clean while driving carefully, steering the car towards the house.

The moment Shyam looked up after putting the handkerchief back, he was startled to find Arnav's security detail standing around the front metal gate along with some other bodyguards he never saw before, barring the entry of anyone inside.

Something has happened, he realized.

Stopping the car quickly outside the gate, Shyam turned to Manyata "Angel, don't come out okay. I will just come back in few minutes."

"But why Uncle?" Manyata protested having realized that they have arrived home.

"Please listen to me, Angel. Let me see if your Mumma and Daddy are inside the house and if not, then we can go out again and have more fun till they come back, okay?" Shyam offered, knowing very well that nothing like that was going to happen at all.

Tapping her finger against her lips thoughtfully, Manyata agreed readily with her eyes already sparkling in mischief and excitement at the prospect of having fun. Shyam smiled in relief.

Locking the car doors to make sure that Manyata doesn't come out, he turned and jogged inside the gate gesturing impatiently to one of the bodyguards to look after his car.

And stopped short the moment his eyes met the scene unfolding in front of him.

Pressing her lips together, Anjali sighed deeply barely managing to restrain herself from bursting into tears. This is not what she had expected.

This is not what she had wished to happen and was willing to witness. Tormenting the only person who had helped her when no one did, Anjali Raizada wasn't that heartless.

Her dreams, her identity and her world had shattered cruelly, that's true, but still she was sensible and sane enough to see that her supposed start of the revenge mission on her father and Vikrant Chaudhary is troubling her twin very much.

To be precise, to the point of losing control, Anjali acknowledged with a grimace watching as Arnav shouted his decision and turned away from them only to melt into the arms of his supposed wife.

Khushi Raizada, the woman forced upon him by their father. Oh, she knew all about her alright, having hired enough people to relay every piece of information to her.

On her way to home, she had decided to know about the woman enough than deciding her response to her. But not anymore.

Watching them hug had forced her to fast forward her decision.

And right then, Anjali decided that she hated her. Not because Anuj Raizada was the man behind this marriage. Not because right now, Arnav was choosing to seek comfort from her than resolving their fight. Not because, Khushi Raizada had already started on the destruction of Vikrant Chaudhary rather than her initiating it.

But because the hug between Khushi and Arnav reminded her of the reckless, stupid decision she had made 8 years ago.

Of falling in love with the man her father chose for her when she should have run away in the opposite direction had she possessed any sense at all.

Vikrant Chaudhary not only broke her heart, her life and her beliefs. He broke her soul, making her cynical of everything around her for the rest of her days.

And the telling softness of Arnav's posture and facial expressions when he hugged Khushi Raizada told her that her brother was heading to same path of heart break.

Stupid Arnav. Hadn't he learned enough to know that love is nothing but an illusion? Twisting her lips together, Anjali shook her head crossing her hands across her front.

Determined to not let her brother stray further into the same direction, Anjali took few steps forward and was about to speak when someone moved in front of her, stopping her in mid stride.

Someone, who always have been close to her and knew her.

Shyam.

Blinking her eyes in surprise, Anjali was about to smile up at him while taking a step ahead when Shyam stopped her, raising his hand in front of her.

Looking down at her with such coldness that wiped her smile away, making her feel as if he is nothing more than a stranger, he ordered curtly "Leave Anjali."

Stepping back as if he had just slapped her, Anjali looked baffled "Shyam??!!"

Moving his raised hand and curling it around her wrist, Shyam pulled her closer and hissed "You heard what he just said right? Now leave."

"How dare you ask me to leave, Shyam? He is my brother." Raising her voice, Anjali retorted panicked at the way the situation was getting out of her hands. She never expected anything like this to happen.

"And he is my friend. Best friend, Anjali. My loyalty lies with him not you. I am in no way liable to you for anything. I don't know exactly what you have done but you have managed to hurt him a lot. I suggest you just leave from here." Shyam snapped, looking livid.

"I know. I was just trying to talk to him. I don't want him suffering like this either." Annoyed, Anjali shouted back trying to look at Arnav to see if he was still there and listening to their argument.

Taking deep breaths while trying to calm himself down, Shyam said evenly "Look whatever it is, you know Arnav is not in the mood to talk about it. So, why don't you leave with Akash and stay with him? I will talk to Arnav and will try to make things reach to a compromise between you two, whatever it is. Okay?"

"No." Anjali refused, looking stubborn.

Feeling someone come up behind her, she looked back only to see Akash standing behind her looking calm and composed. Giving her a final look, he stated "Let's go, Anjali."

"But Bhai..."

Having dismissed her already, Akash turned towards Shyam and said tentatively "Please make sure that Arnav doesn't do anything stupid and meet with us as soon as possible."

Shyam nodded, crossing his arms behind his back stiffly looking unyielding and cold. He met her eyes without any hesitation as she continued to look at him.

There was no guilt or regret over the way he had just behaved with her. Neither was there sign of the man she knew since a long time.

Anjali looked down, realizing that he has made him choice. Where Arnav was concerned, Anjali was no one to him despite their friendship and the moments they spent together.

Emotions clogging her throat, she turned away swiftly, running away at once. Once again, she didn't realize how much he was hurting choosing his best friend over his love.

She didn't realize that unknowingly, she has broken Shyam Jha's heart again.

She never understood the man. Had she known what he always did was for her good only, she would have made the right choice years ago.

She would have married Shyam Jha than tying herself to Vikrant Chaudhary.

Khushi watched Arnav silently, noticing how he kept muttering to himself and running his hand through his hairs in frustration.

Agreed, he didn't look out of control right now neither was his hands trembling like they were when she had hugged him.

But there was something about him right now that made Khushi apprehensive.

Sitting in his chair in the study, he looked vulnerable. Extremely vulnerable. Like if anything wrong happened right now, it'll break him apart further.

He sat still in shock, as if everything happening around him is a bad dream from which he will wake up soon.

Since the day she had met him, Khushi never expected to see the moment when she will manage to see Arnav Singh Raizada out of control.

But today, she did. And she wished instantly to never witness it again, ever.

Because a very much in control Arnav Raizada acting aloof and cool was something she could endure than laying her eyes upon on a shattered, out of control Arnav Raizada who looked more like a lifeless baby abandoned by his parents.

"Didn't you hear what she said? She wants revenge. She wants to ruin everything I have put right in her life so that she can live happily whenever she comes back." Arnav croaked, looking helplessly at Khushi.

"I know." Khushi agreed, keeping a hand on his shoulder as she offered him a glass of water.

"How could she do that to me?" Arnav questioned sadly, looking lost. He felt weak and broken. He felt that the efforts he had made in last 6 years were ruined today.

"She won't do anything, Arnav. Now calm down." Khushi said in a soothing voice, urging him to gulp some water.

Thrusting the glass away with a violent movement of his hand, Arnav stood up and roared "How could you ask me to calm down, Khushi? Can't you see that everything is going to change?"

Putting the glass down on the desk, Khushi stared at him silently making him groan in agony and regret. Smacking his fist down on the desk loudly, Arnav started pacing to and fro agitatedly.

Turning around to face her again, he strode towards her and grabbed her upper arms tightly "All I ever wanted was happiness for my family, Khushi. But I have realized that I can't have that. I can't have the life I wished for. I wanted peace not wars of ego and power. I never wanted any of this. I never wanted to be involved in all these mind games being played by my father and everyone else. I just wanted to live a happy life with the people I love. With the things taking shape like the way they are, I can never be happy neither my family. Is it too wrong to hope for happiness, Khushi?"

Resting her hands on his shoulder, Khushi looked up at his ashen face and bright eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Not feeling pain from the tight grip he had on her arms, she looked around desperately wishing to do something that might help him.

Something or anything that may help her in bringing the life and color back in his face and his soul. But nothing came to her rescue.

She felt helpless, hope fading out of her heart and mind.

Khushi sighed, closing her eyes and cursing herself mentally. She knew that she couldn't console Arnav right now.

But she could try to calm him down. Gathering every ounce of courage in her body, she looked up at him again.

Moving her hands to cradle his face, she assured him "We can handle the situation, Arnav. It hasn't progressed much, right? We can convince Anjali to step back from joining your father's party."

Arnav stiffened, pressing his lips together in displeasure "She won't back out now, Khushi. I know her. She is too stubborn."

"Then we can make sure that she is alright while she does everything she wishes to do." Khushi offered.

Shaking his head, Arnav countered holding her gently now "You don't understand, Khushi. With Anjali being here, there are fair chances that everything I have tried to keep secret might come out in open. Hell, I am afraid that someone will find out about her being the biological mother of Manyata. Secrets are never old and buried when it comes to politics."

"But you said that you have destroyed evidences leading to it." Khushi pointed out.

"Yeah I did, but you never know. I have to take Manyata out of here before something like this happens." Arnav replied thoughtfully, his eyes stuck on her face, watching.

Gulping with difficulty, Khushi agreed meekly "I know."

"Will you come with me?" Arnav asked huskily, looking hopeful.

Moistening her suddenly dry lips, Khushi shrugged out of his grip walking to stand in front of the window and looked out, speaking after a long pause "You know my parents gave me a sparrow on my 8^th birthday. The sparrow was just a baby, small and red looking extremely fragile. I kept her in the cage all the time, feeding her everything I could. I tried to keep her happy. But she looked sad. She used to look at sky and fluff her wings as if trying to fly. One day, I took her out of the cage and watched her fly and fall down before once again trying to fly high in the sky. Eventually, she took off flying perfectly. I had lost the bird to her freedom but I was happy because I knew I did the right thing."

Turning to stare in his eyes, she continued "Just like I know I am doing right by trying to help people. I cannot leave with you all of a sudden, Arnav. It'll betray the promise I had done to the memories of Lavanya. Manyata has you but there are people who don't have anyone to rely on. I want to be that person always."

"You can do that in New York as well, Khushi." Arnav amended, knowing that it won't be of any use.

Shaking her head, Khushi smiled sadly "I want to change the situation in India, Arnav. Things are worse here. I want what happened wirh Lavanya to never happen again to any girl here. I have to stay here."

"You know, Manyata needs you." Arnav stated, looking sad.

Smiling brightly suddenly, she continued with false enthusiasm "It doesn't have to be the end, Arnav. I can always visit you and Manyata when you shift to New York. We will always be a family."

Dropping back in his chair as if strength and hope has been wiped away from his body suddenly, Arnav whispered painfully "I never wanted it to come to this, Khushi. I don't how to say this, but I want you a lot. In my life. In Manyata's life. I have long ago accepted you as someone I want to spend my life with. I need you in my life. But I guess, I am not worthy of it. I..."

"Please don't do it, Arnav. Don't beg. You will lose your self-respect. I don't want to do that to you." Khushi whispered brokenly, keeping her hands on the window in support.

Smiling tightly, Arnv stood up "Then I guess, I will accept your decision."

He turned prepared to walk away when Khushi called out, making him look back at her. Biting down on her lips hard, she whispered "Will you kiss me now?"

Looking up, she allowed him to glimpse her teary eyes and sobbed the last word "Please?"

Cursing softly at the realization that her own decision was breaking her apart, he moved ahead fiercely meeting Khushi in the halfway. Grabbing her chin, he tilted her face up slamming his lips down on her hard and unyielding, love pouring through his veins at every sob that erupted again his mouth.

Crushing her in his arms, he kissed her long as if trying to imprint his touch on her.

Accepting with difficulty that this particular decision of his is the most difficult decision he ever took in his life.

And he is going to suffer a lot for it.

"Uncle?"

Shyam shushed her down, taking her in his arms and moving towards the house. Manyata settled comfortably in his arms, pouting cutely "You took so long, Uncle."

"Sorry, Angel. I got busy." Shyam whispered apologetically.

"What happened?" Manyata asked, looking concerned.

"Nothing. But I want a promise from you Manyata." Shyam said lightly.

"What promise?" Manyata asked suspiciously.

Shyam smiled, speaking gently ""I want you to promise that you will make your Mumma and Daddy realize that you need both of them in your life. You love them and want to see them together always."

"Uncle, that already happened right? Mumma and Daddy stay with me. They love me a lot. We live together in a house. Relax." She answered cheerfully, settling her face in the crook of his neck.

Shyam could only hope that she was right in assumption, having known Arnav's decision was final. Maybe this little kid can change his mind.

He could only pray.

Sorry for the delay. With every update, I am finding it difficult to type further. I am extremely nervous. Please do tell me your opinions,

Aditi