About Arnav-Khushi: The current twist in our ArHi's story was mandatory. Why? Because I wanted to show the effort they are taking for each other, stepping out of their comfort zone. The word separation was like the final push/hurdle in their relationship before they fully accept what they share. Still, they have a long way to go.
ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi
Chapter 27-C
Embarrassed and tongue-tied.
Arnav didn't know when was the last time he felt those things, when he needed someone else to make him see the mirror, the truth. And certainly, he hadn't expected his best friend to be the one. Shyam never disagreed with him over anything.
Whenever he said anything or took any decision, Shyam had always been the one who supported him blindly without asking any questions, whatsoever. His best friend had faith in him. And that's why they had always been inseparable.
But today, Shyam had asked questions, demanded answers and mocked him. It should have made Arnav feel insulted and angry.
It should have created a wedge in their friendship.
But it didn't.
At the moment, Arnav felt respect and admiration for his best friend. He felt proud of the day he had made him his friend years ago. His best friend wasn't scared of him unlike others.
And just like that, Arnav knew he will always value his friendship with Shyam Jha above the bond he shared with his siblings. Shyam Jha is the only person who stayed by his side not for any blood relation or money, but because he wanted to.
Feeling a grateful smile stretching across his lips, he followed Khushi as she tip-toed inside the room. Together, they looked at the small figure curled in the bed sleeping while clutching a soft toy in her arms. They cringed feeling guilty as their eyes spotted dried tears on her cheeks.
Glancing at each other, they walked out quietly, realizing the grave mistake they were about to commit. The words spoken by Shyam rang in their ears as they turned to each other.
Making them realize that they were kicking their only chance of happiness because of their own fears and apprehensions.
"Your honor, Vikrant Chaudhary is just not a politician. He is very famous among the young generation for his supposed beliefs and thoughts. Nia Sharma, a student of Political Science at Delhi University was one of them. She was the main student speaker at the seminar in which Vikrant was invited as the chief guest. Many students assembled there saw how he kept talking to her once the seminar got over and later, they left together. Her parents claim that she never reached home that night..."
"Objection, your honor..."
"No one saw Nia Sharma again. After a week, she was found unconscious outside politician Khushi Gupta's house. She took her to the hospital where doctors told her that the girl has been raped again and again after being brutally beaten. I have already submitted the doctor's medical report. And when she was eventually recovering from everything, she was nowhere to be found. Considering the evidences I have submitted to you, she didn't disappear. She was kidnapped by none other than Vikrant Chaudhary just the same day Khushi Gupta filed a case against him. He got desperate and..."
"These are all lies, your honor. My client didn't kidnap Nia Sharma."
"Kidnapped her so that he can escape from being convicted. Torturing the girl, who had once believed in in his ideal words, Vikrant Chaudhary has committed a horrendous crime just to keep his public image intact. Your honor, I request you to not take this case lightly because not only this man ruined the life of a girl, he has broken the trust of many. Being a famous public figure, his actions affect the morals and peace of the society, misleading many people."
"Your honor, Aman Mathur is forgetting the fact that not one proof he has submitted in the court today proves that Vikrant Chaudhary is guilty."
"Oh tell me Mr Avasthi, do I need to show you a recorded video in the court to prove that your client has raped Nia Sharma? Doesn't the world already know what he is capable of? If I am not wrong, only 40 hours ago, he had graced the front page of every newspaper while dancing and being intimate with two strippers of a VIP club."
Gasps erupted in the court room. Sahil Avasthi cleared his throat "That's totally different from the direction and focus of this case, Mr Mathur."
Unfazed, Aman continued "Oh it's not. Vikrant Chaudhary leads a very secretive private life. When he is not attending campaigns and parliament sessions, he is being spotted in stripping clubs partying. Not only that, Vikrant Chaudhary had been accused of inappropriate behavior on many occasions in the past. Having said that, doesn't all of this prove that he is a womanizer and can possibly rape a girl against her will if the circumstances arise to that?"
Striking the hammer against the wood, the judge announced "I think that's enough for today, Mr Mathur."
Watching as everyone fell silent and sat down, he continued loudly "The court has come to the conclusion that while it's not exactly clear that Vikrant Chaudhary is the person responsible for Nia Sharma's rape and kidnapping case, his role in it cannot be fully denied. The next hearing of this case will happen after three days. Meanwhile, the court orders him to not leave the country during the duration of this case. His passport will be confiscated. Also, he needs to report in Delhi Police headquarters every morning and sign his attendance. If he fails to do so, he will be arrested and punished for the same. The court is adjourned for today."
While everyone stood up in respect as the Judge made an exit from the court room, Aman smirked slipping his hands inside the pocket of his pants casually. After gathering his stuff, he turned around and winked at a furious and livid looking Vikrant Chaudhary.
Ignoring the deathly glare he received in return, he left feeling glad that he had managed to take the case till this point. It was a very small victory he knew.
But it was a significant progress nonetheless after wandering into dark for so long when it came to Vikrant Chaudhary.
Aman smiled.
Idiot. Khushi cursed herself, hiding her face in her hands as she collapsed in the chair after checking on Manyata. She didn't look up to see where Arnav was but then she didn't need to.
She knew his condition will be no different from her. God, they both were so messed up, so similar, carrying so much baggage from the past that they can't even f**king move on in their life. Together.
Their future looked so promising but their fears didn't let them take a step ahead. God, she was a fool to think she has changed. Even a bit.
She realized that the decision to stay back was not mostly based on her work. She was focusing on saving herself from a bigger heartbreak later. Damn it, she was trying to distance herself emotionally from everyone unconsciously even now.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, Khushi decided to let go of her fears and apprehensions. It won't hurt her more than she had in the past, could it?
"Hey, are you okay?" Snapping her eyes open, Khushi looked up. Standing in front of her, Arnav was staring down in concern. She didn't try to hide her fears from him. She has had enough of this f**king pretense of acting unaffected to everything.
Wincing, she whispered "She was crying, Arnav. We hurt her."
Taking a step back, Arnav looked away as his shoulders slumped in defeat. Just like her, he was looking so guilty.
Biting back a sob, Khushi continued "I didn't know she would be so distraught with this news Arnav. I thought that she will be able to handle herself. I am staying with her for only last 14 days or more. But today, I realized that she loves me and will do anything to be with me."
"I know. You matter a lot to her, Khushi. She always missed her mother and when you came in, she thought she got everything. We broke her heart today." Arnav whispered, his voice filled with regret and pain.
Shaking her head, Khushi hid her face in her palms once again, crying softly "God, I won't be able to forgive myself for what happened today."
Squatting down in front of her finally, he grabbed her hands and tried pull them away from her face, whispering softly "Hey, it's not your fault entirely. If I hadn't acted like a jerk, you wouldn't have been forced to make a choice you know."
Pulling away, Khushi gripped his elbows as she pleaded "We need to stay together, Arnav. Please. For Manyata's sake atleast."
"I know. And that's what we need to talk about, Khushi." Trailing the back of his hands over her cheek softly, Arnav wiped her tears away, whispering in assurance.
Khushi froze, hope shining in her wet eyes at his words. Enchanted, she kept staring as he continued "I know now that we can't just go separate ways. We need to look after Manyata. But what worried me earlier is, we don't agree on anything except when it comes to Manyata. To continue living together, we need to find some common ground, stability and understanding for each other, Khushi. We need to merge our private lives as well. What you and I do outside this house is a different matter. We need to be a couple for Manyata to accept us like one. Otherwise, if she witnessed any tension between us, it will haunt her. It'll affect her badly."
Giving her a strange look full of longing, he concluded "I have watched many couple living together who don't get along. It makes a child hate everything you know. A child needs something real and simple which he/she can accept happily."
Khushi frowned, trying to make sense of everything Arnav had said, watching as Arnav shrugged out of her grip and stood up. Eventually her eyes widened in horror, realizing that it was true. She hadn't thought about it at all. It wasn't as simple as it has looked.
Getting on her feet, she shuffled closer to him and exclaimed "You are right, Arnav. I didn't think about it."
Arnav smiled sadly "I know."
Clasping her hands together, Khushi asked nervously "So what do you think we should do?"
Taking a step forward, Arnav placed his hands on her shoulder and answered cautiously "I think we should start dating each other."
Stiffening as she heard the word 'date', Khushi bit out "What do you mean?"
Arnav noticed that Khushi was suddenly trembling, a sudden fear and dread emanating from her every movement. Considering the change, he said with feigned carelessness "I think we should talk to each other for an hour or more every day. We should try to know each other as a person."
Khushi blinked in surprise at his answer, tension leaving her body and mind. Giving him a relieved smile, she answered honestly "I think that it's a good idea."
Shaking his head in agreement, Arnav returned her smile with his own full of relief and hope "I am glad you think so."
But he could see that Khushi's doubts were still there as she hesitated for a moment.
"So..." Meeting his gaze, she asked bravely "Are you really sure about this? Do you even like me to consider this whole dating thing? I don't even know what you feel about me."
Arnav smirked "What do you think about it?"
Feeling her heart thudding loudly in anticipation, she answered breathlessly "I don't know."
Shrugging his shoulders in a strained way, Arnav took a few steps ahead tentatively. Awarding her with a smile which reached his eyes surprisingly, he held out his hand.
"I don't know what I am doing right now, Khushi but I guess I want you to be with me even when I am not sure of anything else in my life. I want you with me even when I am scared that I might hurt you or push you away. I want you with me because I need you. And I am talking about myself only, not Manyata or anyone and anything else. So..."
Looking down as his voice trailed away, Arnav stood there looking up quickly at his wife again, his palm outstretched in front of her in hope.
And he waited.
Khushi blushed at his words, looking down. Smiling softly, she slid her hand in his and watched in amazement the moment his fingers curled over the back of her palm tightly.
Finally meeting his inquiring eyes, she answered with a sob "I was so afraid that I was going to lose you two."
Khushi hugged Arnav, tears rolling down her face again, feeling happy and at peace at last. Hiding her face in the crook of his neck, she closed her eyes enjoying the exhilarating sensations occupying her soul as Arnav ran his hands over her back.
Everything is so quiet.
Manyata mused, curled in her bed and bored out of her wits. Her hands clutched Tweety closer to her chest as she once again thought about running out of the room to see what her Mumma and Daddy were doing.
They didn't even try talking to her after she woke up, Manyata thought feeling irritated.
Sniffing softly, she closed her eyes, thinking if they actually don't care about her. She felt scared. She didn't want to lose her Daddy and Mumma. They love her very much, Manyata knew.
But today, everything was looking wrong. What if they sent her to boarding school?
Hiding her face in the pillow, Manyata was about to cry again when she heard a knock on the door. She looked up, frowning as the door remained close.
Then, she heard a faint knock again and sat up in time to see the door open slowly. Her Daddy's face appeared in the doorway "Princess?"
Don't look. Manyata thought turning her face away and sitting up straight. You are angry. You will not answer at all.
Manyata instructed herself, frowning. She kept looking down, waiting as her Daddy looked at her for a long time. She knew when he walked in and stood in front of her though.
Then, a single white rose appeared in front of her. It was her favorite flower.
Don't smile. Manyata shouted in her mind. Your Daddy is trying to buy your forgiveness. She didn't look up neither did she say anything.
"I am sorry, Princess."
Manyata hid her smile. She knew what her Daddy was trying to do but she is his daughter. She won't give in so easily.
"We are not going anywhere and we all will stay together." Her Daddy said, trying to cajole her.
Barely stopping herself from jumping in happiness and victory, Manyata looked down at Tweety and hide her smile behind it. They do love me, she thought.
She sensed some more movement around and then a freshly baked, mouth-watering chocolate cake crowded her vision.
Don't look at it. Don't try to sniff. Don't do anything. Manyata thought again, sitting still as her Mumma's sweet voice rang in her ears "Sorry beta for hurting you. I will always stay with you and your Daddy. Now please forgive us."
No.
"Princess I am sorry." Her Daddy said again. Manyata realized that they were sad like her. She didn't like that at all. But she can't speak so soon. Oh god, she was so confused.
"Sorry, Beta." Mumma said again.
Now, she can't keep quiet. Good girls never upset their parents.
Okay, enough. Manyata looked up, meeting her parent's anxious gaze. She watched the way they looked down at her hopefully. Her eyes landed on the balloons in her Daddy's hand. Oh she has always loved balloons.
Her heart was melting. She loved them so much.
Manyata whispered meekly "Promise?"
"Pakka promise. We all will stay together always. We love you so much." Her Daddy and Mumma said together, smiling hesitantly.
"Yay." Manyata exclaimed, snatching the rose and balloons from her Daddy's hands at once. Turning to her Mumma, she pointed at the cake "I want a big, big piece of it. And one for Tweety too."
"Of course, beta."
Jumping up on the bed, Manyata curled her hands around her Daddy and Mumma's neck sideways and pulled them close for a group hug "I love you too, Daddy and Mumma."
Okay, again, I know I am late but this is the longest gap I would ever take for this story. I will try my best to update regularly. But readers do understand that it's the final year of my graduation and I get busy because of it.
Next update will be up soon. Do tell me your opinions,
Aditi
Edited by uv-crazyfan - 10 years ago
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