"What is going on?" Arnav demanded as all of them settled in the lounge.
He sat there gazing at the familiar faces, looking at them after years. NK, Lavanya, Shashi, Garima, Madhumati. Half of the people he was expecting to see soon but not NK and Lavanya.
While, Payal sat meekly at the corner of couch and Akash was holding her hand reassuringly. Although her way was wrong, but he could not stay angry with her anymore.
Silent resided in the house, since no one was speaking and Arnav was growing impatient. He had solely reserved all his patience for Khushi and Aryan. But, now, people in this hall were getting on his nerves.
He had been unaware till date as how silence could be a weapon to destroy someone, it indeed was one, because their silence was edging out his angry self, the one he didn't want anyone to become a target.
After the mishaps of his life, he had taken a pledge to reign over his anger, to think before act and strangerly, his vow, was being kept in test. Khushi. He sighed, controlling his anger.
Anger Management Class. He made a note in his mind. I should definitely consult one when financial situation gets stable.
"I am repeating. What is going on?" He said, keeping his tone in control but with stern tone. Going on right track was never promised to be easy.
"Nanav, that night, five years back, I had taken Khushi with me," NK had the courtesy to end his cousin's wait.
"But you had been away, then how?" Arnav was confused, his brows narrowed.
"I was coming back that day, I had informed Payal Bhabhi and wanted to keep it under wraps, since I didn't want to turn up at an empty house. I was planning to surprise you all. You know how I am. But I got a surprise." He shrugged, then, "It was Payal Bhabhi, who had called me to come urgently. She pleaded me to take Khushi away and never let any information of her reach the mansion, nor tell anyone that it was her who told me this, not even Khushi. I didn't understand much but I had obeyed." He took a painful sigh, "when I arrived at Raizada mansion, I had been stunned to see her state. She was... in a horrible state. She was lifeless. I had ushered her to hospital. Doctor had declared, it to be a miracle, had she been a few minutes late, forget about her baby, even she would not have been alive."
Arnav's tears rolled freely. He wanted to keep his anger under control but he didn't want to control his softer emotions. It had been long since he gave a free flow to them.
"Khushi told me everything. She told me, she wanted to go away, start over her life with her baby. I agreed. I wanted to see her happy. I took her to Australia with me." NK said.
He didn't know what gratification was until that moment, he felt gratitude toward NK, more than he would be able to express. "I don't know how to thank you," Arnav said.
"And you don't need to, because I did nothing for you, I did it for my friend, who had been nothing but amazing to everyone in this house," NK said nonchalantly.
"I know. But still, for all its worth, I want to thank you, thank you," He said it.
NK shrugged.
"Arnav, I don't think any of us can forgive you for this. When you broke our engagement, truth be told, I was broken and hurt. It took me a while to move on, or rather it took me NK to forget you. The day we got married was the best day. You don't mean even an ounce to me now. But, what the Raizada family has done to Khushi is unforgivable. I still remember seeing her about fouryears back, she was broken, the only person who kept her living was her baby," Lavanya said her share of heart. Arnav's heart pained, it ached deeply.
"True. If we are here, it is because Khushi wants us to get our share of respect." Shashi spoke. He had been operated and was back to life.
"You all troubled her a lot," Madhumati said.
Garima moved toward Payal, she said, "Although, you intention were not wrong but what you did resulted in something bad. But I am a mother, your mother, I can't hate you. Although, I expected you to have supported her that day instead." She patted her cheek.
"I thought about it Amma, but I could not, I was a coward. I wanted to keep Khushi away but at the same time, my own pregnancy weakened me. I have been so wrong," She flung her arms around her mother and wept. Shedding off the strong pretense, she had been carrying on since long.
Garima said and calmed her down.
"I know, no one us deserve forgiveness, but Khushi and Aryan deserve repentance from me. Because, that is the only thing that I will be allowed. I just wish, if there is something as afterlife or another life, that I will be a better human, because in this lifetime, I have failed badly." Arnav said, with remorse.
NK placed a hand on his shoulder, knowing well the way Arnav had chosen was far from being the easy one.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
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