Regarding all the confusion about ArHi in the last chapter, the only reason Arnav was astonished at the end was because he didn't feel himself worthy and attractive enough for a woman like Khushi to start loving him. There is no misunderstanding or rift at play.
Oh and yes, those who are waiting for last stage chaos (Vikrant's evil plan), you all need to wait for a bit!!!
ArHi FF: Yeh Saali Zindagi
Chapter 32-A
11th August, 2014
As the sunshine poured inside the room through the open windows, Arnav groaned rolling away to press his face against the pillow, not wanting to open his eyes soon.
He wasn't ready to face the new day. Yet.
An insistent knocking at his temple added to his suffering, reminding him of the four vodka shots he had downed quickly last night. Bursting through the dull pain came a question that quickly made him open his eyes.
"Ever fallen in love?"
Sitting up quickly, Arnav pressed his forehead against his closed fists, hitting himself repeatedly and quite hard, knowing that he deserved it. Damn it. What the hell had crawled into his mind, making him ask absurd questions like that with Khushi?
As he focused hard on the events that had happened yesterday, he realized the answer pretty soon. He knew what had happened.
Unexpected and bubbling emotions and feelings in his heart is what had happened to him.
Yesterday, he had encountered a totally different Khushi Raizada. Vulnerable, sad and guilty of things for whom she wasn't even responsible. She looked and behaved like a child, desperately in need of love and support.
Every time she leaned against him for support, he felt protective of her.
Every time she cried, he wanted to gather her in his arms and hide her away from the whole world.
Every time she blamed herself, he wanted to shake and possess her, so that she could see the truth.
In a short span of 24 hours, Arnav Raizada realized that his wife not merely wants him but needed him in her life. He couldn't spend another moment of his life without her by his side. He wanted her around so that he can make sure she is safe and sound. Because, who was he kidding, he needed her as well.
Hell, he wanted to be around so that she can lean on him on days like one they had yesterday as well the days they spent laughing and kissing each other.
That was when everything clicked into his mind, pieces coming together to form the big, overwhelming picture of truth.
Love.
When he had married her, falling in love with her was the last thing he had in his mind. Back then, he thought it was impossible. Boy, he couldn't have been more wrong.
Yes, the impossible had happened.
Rising above their mutual dislike for politics and their similar pasts, they felt something powerful and unnerving for each other that couldn't be simply explained in words.
And he was quite sure, they both deserve each other, for the rest of their lives. It was all about them not anyone else. Not even their daughter.
Standing by her side, Arnav had felt this unexpected wave of emotion and love for her as he looked after her and shared stories of his childhood with her.
He has fallen in love. With her.
Sitting with her at the banks of Triveni sangam, the realization hit him hard, knocking air out of his lungs, as his eyes stared at the wide expanse of water in front of him, waves rippling and gathering around their feet.
He realized that he wanted everything from her. Her tears, fears, love, affection, lust, desire and happiness- he wanted everything.
And he will have it. But not now.
First, he wanted to win her heart. Knowing her past, he knew he had his work cut out for him to make her believe that love isn't a bad thing.
He wanted forever with her. He wanted to make her believe that this marriage will not always be based on adjustments and friendship.
Love will rule their heart, making it beat for each other. And their marriage as well.
He wanted to spend some more time with her, take her out on dates and romantic outings, doing everything fun together as well spend time knowing her inner heart desires and fears.
He wanted a future where his feelings will be reciprocated by her without any hesitation and baggage from their past. He dreamt of a day when they will not able to contain their feelings, blurting out how much they loved each other.
He didn't want to leave any stone unturned in wooing and seducing her, making her fall in love.
Therefore, like an idiot, he interrogated her trying to figure out from where to start his plans, mixing alcohol with his questions, acting nonchalantly so that she won't suspect anything amiss.
And he couldn't help himself at last, blurting out the word love.
He had realized his mistake next instant and prepared himself for anger.
But never in his mind, Arnav expected her to react like the way she did. Staring at him with gleaming eyes, she had wrapped her lips around the glass, throwing her head back to down the shot.
As much as sexy the move looked to his eyes, his heart froze at the answer it gave.
He wrong once again. Damn it. She is already in love.
But with whom? Arnav had thought for a moment. It couldn't be him, right. He couldn't expect her to fall in love with him in only two months no matter it was what had happened to him.
He was still debating over the answer when his eyes found her anxious, eager ones across the table. As the alcohol worked efficiently in making her loose the ever present intelligence and sharpness in her eyes, he found everything he needed to know.
It is him.
No matter how hard it is to believe. Staring at her in wonder, he found the love he felt being reciprocated in her eyes along with the wild challenge.
About what?
Stunned, he pondered over it as they walked out of the restaurant and went home. He realized that she was waiting for him to confess. She was challenging him, teasing and goading him into losing control first and blurting out everything.
Maybe she wasn't sure whether he loves her.
Knowing how strong and stubborn his wife is, Arnav expected nothing less from her. Shaking his head, he snapped out of his thoughts and looked down watching her eyes flutter open slowly.
Throwing the comforter back, Arnav stood walking quickly inside the bathroom as his lips stretched in an evil smirk.
The game is on, Mrs Raizada.
"Good morning, Mumma." Khushi looked up, smiling widely as she heard her daughter's voice, watching her rush around the kitchen to get to her, throwing her arms around her waist and hugging her tightly as she stopped in front of her.
Beaming down at her, Khushi replied affectionately "Good morning sweetheart."
"I was waiting for you and Daddy to come home last night but I fell asleep in the guest bedroom. Aman Uncle was sleeping in a chair nearby so I wasn't scared. Anyway, how was your trip yesterday? Daddy said that you were going out to help a friend." Manyata questioned anxiously, stepping back to jump on the side stool and watch her mother slice fruits into a bowl.
Stiffening for a moment, Khushi regained her smile, said enthusiastically "It was good. I was very worried for my friend but your father assured me. He made everything bearable."
Manyata's face brightened in excitement "Oh did he?"
"Yeah, he did." Khushi confirmed, shaking her head in affirmation.
Clasping her hands together against her chest, Manyata exclaimed "Great. That means you and Daddy spent the whole day together?"
"Of course." Khushi murmured, her brows knit together in confusion.
Feeling giddy, Manyata wondered out aloud "That's great. That means you two are in love."
Khushi gasped, dropping the knife from her hands with a loud clatter. Bewildered, she turned to look at her daughter, sputtering in astonishment "What...what did you say?"
Realizing her mistake, Manyata bit her tongue, looking too innocent all of a sudden "What? I didn't say anything."
"You did." Khushi argued softly, focusing on her completely.
They stared at each other hard, willing the other to accept defeat. While Khushi felt surprised by the way Manyata concluded everything as if assuring her little heart of something, Manyata felt the need to make sure that everything is right between her parents. Shyam Uncle did say that if she wants her parents to live with her, they must love each other, right?
Suddenly they heard someone chuckle nearby and turned to the direction of the noise and sucked in a breath sharply at the sight of the person.
Leaning against the kitchen counter, Arnav smirked "Good morning."
Turning to her bowl of fruits at once, Khushi avoided making eye contact with her husband while Manyata hopped off the counter, running to her father at once and hugging him tightly.
"Good morning Daddy." Manyata greeted cheerfully as Arnav picked her up in his arms, his eyes on his wife as he leaned beside her.
Looking down at his daughter, he said nonchalantly "You were right Princess. Your Mumma and Daddy love each other."
"Really?" Manyata asked earnestly, looking dazed. Khushi tensed, her hands gripping the granite counter hard.
Nodding at once, Arnav murmured "Really. Ask your Mumma if you must."
Raising her head, Khushi looked at him and glared hard, watching his eyes glint in mischief. Manyata squeaked "Really, Mumma?"
Giving her a smile, Khushi blushed "Really, beta. We are in love."
Looking down at her hands, Khushi avoided her husband completely, knowing that he must be smiling triumphantly. The arrogant man had manipulated their daughter's innocent words, to win the challenge and make her accept the truth. But it wasn't over yet, she knew.
Feeling her heart galloping, she shyly waited for him to remark about it when someone else strolled inside the kitchen.
Sliding down from her father's embrace, Manyata shouted jovially "Aman Uncle!!! There you are!!!!"
"We played hide and seek, then we organized a tea party in the garden and we watched cartoons. Aman Uncle makes delicious dinner, Mumma. We ate apple pie. He made it, you know. He also told me that he liked spending time with me. He called me princess just like Daddy. He also told me a new bedtime story. Oh it was such a fun day. Wasn't it, Uncle?" Manyata asked anxiously, after chattering continuously about how much fun she had yesterday, gushing and staring at the man sitting across the table in adoration.
Chewing the piece of toast in his mouth and swallowing quickly, Aman replied, smiling sweetly down at her "Of course, Princess."
Arnav and Khushi looked on amusedly, as Manyata shrieked in excitement at his reply. Since the moment their daughter saw him, she took the task of trailing after an agitated Aman like a lost puppy, clearly impressed with the man. She kept talking and talking about how awesome and cool her new friend is and how they spent the day yesterday, revealing all the details in a loud voice. Her parents were forgotten for now as she totally focused all her energy in impressing her new friend. She loved making new friends.
Their daughter's adoration for Aman amused both of them to no end, watching Aman flush in embarrassment as they came to know how he played like a child with Manyata yesterday. Knowing the events of yesterday, no one could ever admit that he is a hot shot lawyer who always won his cases and possessed a very sharp mind, ruthless in his approach of winning.
No wonder, Manyata was behaving like this.
The moment she looked down at her plate, Aman rolled his eyes at them in exasperation, making them chuckle quietly. But he couldn't hide his pleased smile either. He loved the attention and the bundle of joy in front of him simultaneously.
"Aman Uncle, you got yourself an admirer." Khushi sang under her breath, nudging her shoulder against his, making him choke between bites and glare at her as he helped himself to some water.
"Don't." Aman warned, narrowing his eyes at her.
Staring back at him innocently, Khushi asked sweetly "Why not Aman Uncle? I never knew you were such a sweetie." Raising her voice, she said "He is very sweet, right Manyata?"
Looking up quickly, Manyata answered eagerly, bouncing in her seat excitedly "Of course, Mumma."
"Even more than me?" Arnav asked, feigning worry and hurt on his face.
Panicking slightly, Manyata rushed "No, not more than you Daddy. You are my Daddy and he is my friend. Right, Uncle?"
"Right." Aman bit out, glaring at Arnav and Khushi as they grinned unabashedly.
Folding her hands together in her lap, Manyata asked anxiously "You will come to play with me again, right?"
Looking back at her in affection, Aman smiled "Of course, princess."
Clapping her hands together, Manyata announced "Great. It would be so much fun when we will play again. Oh I will call Shyam Uncle as well. It will be so much fun."
"Absolutely." Arnav agreed at once, his smile disappearing at the mention of his best friend. In the past two weeks, he had only met them once or twice, choosing to stay away.
Aman smiled, watching the little girl's enthusiasm over small things. It was refreshing to see the world from the point of view of a child. Things were much easier in their eyes always.
"Thank you." He turned his head, watching Khushi stare at him in gratitude. Giving him a smile, she continued "It was very nice of you to look after her yesterday. I can't tell how thankful I am to you for doing all this for me."
Shaking his head, Aman smiled not saying anything as they turned to look at Manyata together, watching her chatter nonstop.
They both knew the girl is special to everyone, their hearts won by her innocence and unbound love.
"I feel sick."
Sitting comfortably in a chair with his legs thrown carelessly over the hospital bed, Vikrant's eyes ran over the front page of the newspaper, his hands shaking in agitation, muttering under his breath.
After spending the last two weeks trapped inside the hospital's private ward, he felt restless and frustrated, wanting to just leave. The smell of medicines made him feel nauseated while the sight of sick people around disgusted him to no end.
Throwing the newspaper on the bed, he exhaled in frustration, burrowing further in the chair as his hands ran over his face roughly.
Closing his eyes, he cursed his fate at being trapped here.
As the door to his room opened noisily, he tensed, knowing that it'll be one of the nurse or doctor, checking on him as usual. Slowly, he turned his head towards door, hissing through his clenched teeth "I told you to leave me..."
The moment his eyes fell on the open door, the voice in his throat died abruptly, his eyes staring as Anuj Raizada walked in, looking confident and arrogant as always.
He stared dumbly as Anuj perched on the bed, meeting his gaze at once.
Anuj sneered, looking around "Well isn't it cozy around here? I never expected you to fall to these cheap tricks, Vikrant."
Snapping out of his stupor, Vikrant composed himself at once and snorted "Spare me the drama, Bade Sahab. We both know the things you have done to get what you want. You are no better than me in this matter."
Shaking his head vehemently, Anuj bit out "At least my methods never reeked of helplessness."
Not taking the bait, Vikrant stared back, speaking in a bored voice "Cut the greetings short, Bade Sahab. Why are you here?"
Narrowing his eyes, Anuj retorted "You tell me."
Vikrant smirked, stretching his body languidly before resting his hands behind his head "The preparations are done for the party, I gather. By the way, how is my ex-wife? I never had the opportunity to see her after her return."
Anuj blinked, his eyes turning blank at once "So you know?"
"Know what? That you have planned to give your precious political party to your daughter after introducing her in the political world in a grand way? That you intend to make her win the elections? I know everything." Grinning widely, Vikrant replied.
Making a voice at the back of his throat, Anuj remarked lightly "I see you are still behaving like an arrogant bas***d."
Winking at him rakishly, Vikrant answered "Old habits die hard, Bade Sahab. But what I truly don't understand is what happened to you? How can you give everything you worked for to a woman? You know politics never had been a woman's forte. She is going to lose very, very badly."
"And you will be playing a very important part in it, I gather." Anuj replied dryly.
Clapping his hands together, Vikrant exclaimed cheerfully "You read my mind like always, Bade Sahab. I will win the elections and when that happens, she will be in grave danger. Trust me. Despite everything you said to me earlier, I know that she is here to destroy me."
Anuj stood up, clasping his hands behind his back together, still calm and composed "She didn't do anything to you till now. You don't matter to her at all. Stop giving yourself so much importance. It's embarrassing."
Vikrant laughed darkly, leaning back in his chair "Maybe she didn't. But your son and his wife certainly did. He forced me to stay in this hideous place. I need to make him regret messing with me ever. Your son has always loved his sister very much. So your daughter will be dead soon either way no matter whatever she did or did not."
Taking a step forward, Anuj towered over him, looking down his nose at him "Maybe or maybe not. It's what that makes difference isn't it? Well, if you even looked at her, maybe I will make your life hell or maybe not. If anything happened to my family, then maybe I will torture you every day and will grant you death when you will beg for it in front of me or maybe not. Who knows? But let me just remind you something. Come around my family and I will make you burn. There is no maybe in it."
Shrugging his shoulders, Vikrant smirked "Suit yourself, Bade Sahab. Let's see what happens in the future."
Not sparing him another glance, Anuj moved toward the door as Vikrant commented dryly "Well it was nice seeing you again. You certainly brightened my day."
Resting his hand on the doorknob, Anuj looked back, his lips stretched in a smirk "Don't. You will have plenty to thank me for later. See you soon."
The moment he stepped outside the door, he scowled, knowing very well what he need to do. Walking towards the elevator, he caught the eye of a ward boy standing there and tapped his watch twice, looking at him meaningfully.
Stepping inside the open elevator, he pressed a button for the ground floor and glanced up in time to see the ward boy nod back at him.
His work was already done.
"So has our company already bagged the contract? Our quote prices were the lowest in the bid." Arnav murmured, looking through the papers of the file in his hands.
Pushing her glasses back, his secretary replied apprehensively "No Sir, they have delayed the decision till tomorrow."
Snapping the file shut, Arnav stood up, placing his hands on his waist as he barked "Call them immediately and tell them I want their final decision in an hour. Otherwise our company will be withdrawing our proposal from the bid. I haven't built this company only to be bull dozed by some newbies in the market. Got it?"
"Yes." His secretary stammered the answer out, pulling herself together finally to move toward the door, knowing that she had just been dismissed.
Before she could reach the doorknob, Arnav asked softly "Have you done everything I asked you for my evening plans?"
His secretary smiled, a telling blush spreading across her face "Yes, Sir."
Arnav relaxed visibly, a hint of smile hovering over his lips "Good."
Suddenly the door burst open making her squeak as a livid and determined Anuj Raizada strolled inside, ignoring her altogether on the way to his son and said without missing a beat "We need to talk, Arnav."
Arnav scowled "About what?"
Ignoring his son's hostile gaze, Anuj picked up the phone on his desk and offered it to him "Call everyone. I have a plan to discuss with you all."
Hearing his father's firm words, Arnav shook his head before looking up at his secretary "Clear my schedule and don't let anyone other than my family enter in my cabin unless I tell you to. Now get back to work."
His secretary fled from his cabin, watching as her boss started calling someone looking grim as ever.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Sports
Current Affairs
Sadda Haq Season 2
CID
Jhanak
330