The Wrong Start - Arshi FF - Ch17 Page 24 - Page 16

So, Khushi opening up to Arnav and Arnav sharing his view so frankly shout bring in some trust to Khushi, a light at this dark phase of her life .. Will there be a revisit of Shyam and Anjali into their lives again ?

Arnav is trying his best to get khushi back to her own self n out from this gloominess n by her side so that she can have a shoulder to cry n take out her frustration.

Arnav is being such a sweetheart lifting up her spirits.

A great start to the evening with lots of laughs, tummy filling parathas, and still there's room for Bhel by the beach side. I'm never too full for Bhel - that's a must eat during a trip to the seaside😊.

I think it won't be too much to say that Arnav is a gem of a person. The way he understands Khushi and his attitude towards her speaks for itself.

Khushi is seeking answers and her doubts are arrested with Arnav's frustration. Doesn't talking makes things so much easier to understand and accept? Beautiful update - looking forward to reading more now.

Had been seeing this story popping niw n then and finally started reading oyt of curiosity but once started could not keep it awide.. Wondeful stoey.. Love your analogies and an ezcellent way to deal with heartbreak... Looking forward to more

wow.. wat a story and clearly the title justifies the content..

after along time.. i am reading something very good..

all the best and plz do continue...

It has been a fantastic read so far. Keep writing.😊

Hi, i just started reading your story. It promises to be interesting. Please update soon. Take care .

Chapter 17 - Catalyst

Arnav felt around for his phone in his bed out of sheer habit - he couldn't remember going without checking his emails for more than six hours at any given point in time. His head felt like somebody had pounded every inch with an iron rod and his eyeballs threatened to explode. Fleeting memories of last night mixed with his dreams until his head was spinning.

He knew he had screwed up something but couldn't process exactly how right then. Something had definitely shifted, and he'd have to sit down without the headache and put together last night's events. But before that, he needed to check his emails.

He finally found the phone and squinted at the screen, the light hurting him physically. He had eleven missed calls from... Anjali. He sat up in an instant and rubbed the sleep away from his eyes. She had left him a single text message asking him to call whenever he could. Even for Anjali, this was a little too much. He knew of her calling spree when she did it simply to piss him off, but that usually stopped at five calls and always included a barrage of text messages telling him off for being a "neglectful brother." He tried to shake off the feeling of dread that was slowly creeping up his body - did she have another panic attack? She had not had one in a long time now, close to years. And Shyam would have definitely tried to reach out if there was an emergency. He emptied a bottle of water and downed an Asprin before reading the single text message she had sent him.

"I'm coming back to Mumbai, Arnav. I'm at the airport and will see you in about ten hours. My flight lands at four. Please don't contact Shyam - I mean it"

They probably had a fight, a tiny voice in his head tried to reason with the blood he could hear rushing in his ears. When it came to Anjali, it was easy for things to go south. Well, he only needed to wait a few hours to find out. His hands trembled slightly as he read her text, again and again, looking for some kind of clue. She would land in a few hours anyway, he told himself. He could keep himself busy till then. Perhaps she'd appreciate a hot meal upon her welcome, he decided finally and headed to the kitchen. So he started cooking - it always fascinated him how rudimentary and complex cooking could be. He patiently washed the vegetables and cut them into perfect little cubes and slices. He arranged all the spices in the right order for him to use. He then switched on the flame - the catalyst to transformation.

Suddenly, the memory of hot tears gushing down his neck hit him with full force. The heat penetrated his skin like a dagger, worming its way into his chest. His heart responded immediately by accelerating. A strange, sweet fragrance, came back to him. He could still feel himself being rocked by the frail arms that had wrapped themselves around him. He squeezed his eyes and held on to the kitchen counter - apparently the alcohol had still not left his system completely. He emptied another water bottle and went back to the pan and the vegetables.

When the doorbell rang, it startled him even though he had been expecting it. He opened the door to find Anjali standing there, looking worse than he had hoped. Her hair was disheveled and her mascara and kohl had streaked down her face. Her expression, however, was grim instead of sad, lips pursed together in a thin line. He pulled her into a tight embrace, which she returned with equal force briefly before breaking up and walking down to the sofa. She threw down her handbag and flopped down, her face in her hands. Arnav waited with his arms crossed across his chest.

He and Anjali had always had a very close relationship. They had gone through the usual complications of disapproving of each other's life choices, forgetting to check-in on each other, and vying for the favorite child spot. But in the end, they both knew that they could always rely on each other. It was a rare comfort, a hidden trump card, for when life threw them lemons.

Anjali finally straightened up, leaned back, and let out a long sigh.

"Shyam has a girlfriend - he has been cheating on me all this while", she said finally, in a toneless voice.

Arnav felt his arms undo themselves as he processed what she had just said. Shyam, their Shyam? The most devoted husband he had ever seen was cheating?

"Are... Are you sure?", he asked tentatively. He truly had no words to say to her. He could feel the anger simmer inside him, but right now it was below disbelief and... just numbness.

"Yes", she said and looked into his eyes. "I... I have proof", she added, her eyes pleading with him to believe her.

He closed his eyes and pinched his eyebrows before walking to her and kneeling beside where she sat.

"Are you alright? You shouldn't have traveled alone... like this", he said, clasping her hands in his own. She covered it with her own.

"I took my medication. Strangely, I'm pretty calm. I know it will get worse later, so I wanted to be here", she said simply. He nodded and hugged her again.

Arnav will soon see who the snake is when Anjali discloses the proof. Hope Anjali can forgive Khushi since she was just as much a victim as her.