Arhi FF: Destiny Games T6 (Chapter 23.2 Updated 3rd Mar 2025) - Page 29

Suraj and Anjali? That is so not happening. Payal and Akash have no idea where she is focused.

Was almost expecting that NK would be learning about being adopted. Turned out to be Dhruv. NK probably is too, based on his questions.

Mind blowing update.. thanks for coming back abavi … I re read this ff a lot

From the Author's desk: Hello everyone, So glad to see my readers commenting on the story, and very excited to see new readers commenting too.

thank you, It makes me so happy!

Here is the next update, hope you enjoy it...

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Chapter 22: The home coming

Part 4: The compelling revelation

Arnav’s car glided smoothly to a halt in front of Shantivan, the warm glow of the house lights reflecting in Khushi’s eyes. The evening had been magical, filled with laughter and shared conversations under the starlit sky. As the night came to a close, Khushi unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Arnav with a soft smile.

“Thank you for tonight, Arnav. It was wonderful,” she said, reaching for the door handle.

Arnav’s hand gently caught hers, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Khushi, you’re not seriously going to end our date night with just a ‘thank you’ and ‘goodbye,’ are you?”

Khushi blinked, feigning innocence. “What do you mean, Arnav? Isn’t that how a date night ends?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “You know exactly what I mean.”

Khushi's heart fluttered at his playful tease.

She looked into his eyes, “What is in your mind, Mr. Raizada?”

Despite the playful tone, there was a tenderness in his gaze. He knew Khushi’s traditional values, and he respected them deeply. “Relax, I was just kidding.”

Relieved and touched by his understanding, Khushi’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Gathering her courage, Khushi looked down for a moment, then met his eyes again. “Arnav, I... I want to plan our next date night,” she said hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arnav’s eyes widened in delighted surprise, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Oh? Are you suggesting there’s going to be another date?”

Khushi’s cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink, and she bit her lip, half-embarrassed, half-determined. “Yes, there is. If you’re up for it, that is.”

Arnav chuckled warmly, his heart swelling with affection for her. “Khushi, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Khushi then hesitated, looking down again as she gathered her thoughts. Arnav noticed the shift in her demeanor and gently nudged her. “Khushi, what’s on your mind? You can tell me anything.”

She sighed softly and looked up, meeting his eyes with a mixture of uncertainty and sincerity. “Arnav, if your standard for date nights is as high as it was today, I may not be able to afford it,” she admitted, her voice tinged with concern.

Arnav's expression softened, and he reached out to take her hand in his. “Khushi, all I need is to spend time in your company. I would willingly come even if we just take a walk in the park.” His words were sincere, his smile reassuring.

Khushi felt a wave of relief wash over her. She smiled back at him, feeling more confident in her plans for their next date.

“Ok”

“Ok”

Khushi took a deep breath and glanced at her watch. “Arnav, it’s really late and I have to go,” she said reluctantly, not wanting the evening to end.

Arnav’s brows furrowed with concern. “Will you be alright staying alone? Tanu is at Abhi’s place tonight.”

Khushi smiled gently and shrugged. “What else can I do, Arnav? I’ll be fine.”

Arnav hesitated for a moment, then asked softly, “Should I stay at Shantivan for the night? Just to make sure you’re safe?”

Khushi's heart fluttered at his offer, but she shook her head with a grateful smile. “You don’t have to, Arnav. I’ll be alright, really.”

Arnav reluctantly agreed, still not entirely convinced. “I can stay in a different room”

“Of course! what else did you think?”

“That we can take a walk in the garden and talk all night”

“That’s a good plan, don’t tempt me”

“Is it working?”

Khushi chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and gratitude. “Arnav, as tempting as that sounds, it wouldn't be appropriate. Besides, if the elders in the family come to know...”

Arnav sighed, knowing she was right.

“Alright, message me?”

“yes” Khushi said, her eyes shining with affection.

Arnav's expression turned serious, though the warmth in his eyes remained. "Khushi," he said softly, "it wouldn’t be right if we part ways without a kiss, don’t you think?”

Khushi’s breath hitched. Before she could respond, he gently pulled her hand towards him, his warm lips brushing tenderly against her fingertips.

Her heart raced, and for a moment, the world around them ceased to exist.

“Good night!”

“Good night!”

***

The words hung in the air, heavy and profound. Dhruv's eyes widened in shock, a myriad of emotions crossing his face. He sat down slowly, processing the revelation. "Adopted? Why... why didn’t you tell me this before?"

Kiran’s eyes filled with tears. "We wanted to tell you, but the right moment never seemed to come. We were afraid of how you might react, afraid that you might feel different about us."

Dhruv’s initial shock gave way to a whirlwind of feelings—confusion, hurt, and a deep sense of questioning his identity. "All these years... I had no idea. Why now?"

Vishy leaned forward; his voice filled with sincerity. "Because you deserve to know the truth, Dhruv. You have always been our son, in every way that matters. We love you more than anything, and that will never change."

The family went through a series of emotions. Dhruv struggled with the news, the realization that his life was built on a secret he never knew existed. Kiran and Vishy watched anxiously, their hearts breaking at his pain, but hopeful for understanding and acceptance.

Dhruv felt overwhelmed, the weight of the revelations pressing heavily on his chest. "It's just too much to process," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Kiran reached out to him, her hand gentle on his shoulder. "Dhruv, we understand. This is a lot for anyone to take in. But please remember, you are our son. We love you more than anything in this world."

Vishy joined in, his voice steady and comforting. "No matter where you come from or what your past holds, you are, and always will be, our son."

Eventually, Dhruv looked at his parents, his eyes filled with a new understanding. "I need some time to process this," he said quietly. "But I know one thing for sure. You raised me, loved me, and made me who I am. That’s what matters."

Kiran's tears flowed freely now, but they were tears of relief and gratitude. She reached out, enveloping Dhruv in a hug. "Thank you, Dhruv. We love you so much."

Vishy joined them, wrapping his arms around his wife and son. "We’re a family. That's something no secret can change."

As the evening wore on, the initial shock gave way to more questions and conversations surrounding Dhruv’s parentage.

Dhruv’s curiosity grew, and he couldn’t hold back his questions. "What about my biological parents? Do you know them? Are they... are they still alive?"

Kiran hesitated, her eyes averting Dhruv’s intense gaze. "Dhruv, this isn’t the right time. I promise, when the moment is right, I will tell you everything."

Desperation colored Dhruv's voice. "Please, Mom. I just need to know who they are. I need some closure."

Taking a deep breath, Kiran finally spoke, her voice trembling. "Your birth mother... she passed away. But your father, Dhruv... he was a criminal. He was in jail when we adopted you. You were three years old then."

Dhruv’s mind raced, trying to absorb this new information. "And now? What about now?"

A shadow crossed Kiran’s face.

Kiran sighed deeply, her shoulders drooping under the weight of the truth. "Dhruv, he's out of prison now. He's been trying to reach us, but we have been cautious. We didn't want to disrupt your life with his sudden reappearance."

Dhruv’s mind swirled with conflicting emotions—fear, curiosity, and a yearning for answers. "I need to see him," he said resolutely. "I need to understand who he is, and what he wants from me."

Kiran's face tightened with worry, she grew hysterical. "No Dhruv, I forbid you to try anything like that. I really don't think it's a good idea for you to meet him right now.”

“Mom!”

“There are things... things that could hurt you even more. Please… please stay away from him"

“I don’t even know who he is”

Vishy, who had been silently observing the intense exchange, finally spoke. "Dhruv, your mother is right. There’s a reason we are asking you to not probe further."

Dhruv turned to face his father, his eyes filled with a mix of admiration and confusion.

Dhruv’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, his voice rising with a mix of frustration and desperation. "What are you hiding from me, Mom? What else is there that I don’t know?"

Kiran placed a hand on Dhruv’s cheek, her eyes pleading. "Dhruv, I need you to trust me. There's a lot more to this story, and I promise I will tell you everything when the time is right. But for now, please, don’t probe further."

Dhruv looked into his mother's eyes, seeing the depth of her concern and love. He nodded slowly, the questions still burning within him, but he chose to honor her request. "Okay, Mom. I trust you. I won't push for more right now."

“Thank you, Dhruv!”

Dhruv took a shaky breath, his mind still swirling with emotions. "Why did you take so long to tell me this?” he asked, his voice tinged with confusion and hurt.

Kiran looked at him with tear-filled eyes. "We wanted to protect you, Dhruv. You were so young, and we thought it was best for you to grow up without the burden of this knowledge."

Vishy nodded in agreement. "It was never our intention to keep it from you forever. We planned to tell you when we felt you were ready to understand and handle the truth. But the right moment... it just never seemed to come."

Dhruv bit his lip, processing their words. "I get it, but it still feels like a part of me was hidden all this time. I need to understand my past to move forward."

Kiran's heart ached with a new worry. "Dhruv," she began hesitantly, "I fear that in your quest to uncover your past, you might distance yourself from us. We are your family, and we don't want to lose you."

Dhruv looked at Kiran, understanding the depth of her concern. "I promise, Mom, my search for the truth won't change how I feel about you and Dad. You’ve been my parents all my life, and nothing can take that away."

Tears welled up in Kiran's eyes, a mix of relief and lingering apprehension. "Just promise us that you will let us help you through this journey. We want to be there for you, every step of the way."

Dhruv nodded firmly. "I promise, I’ll never shut you out. We’ll go through this together." Dhruv looked at them, his eyes glistening with tears, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. "and thank you," he whispered, "for being my family, for loving me despite everything."

Vishy smiled gently and shook his head. "Dhruv, you don't need to thank us," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "You brought us together as a family. Your presence in our lives has been a gift, and we are grateful for you every single day."

Dhruv felt a surge of emotion, a blend of love and belonging, as he realized the meaning behind those words

Kiran and Vishy pulled him into a warm embrace, their hearts pouring out love and reassurance. "You are our son, Dhruv," Vishy said softly. "And nothing will ever change that."

***

NK paced the room, his thoughts in turmoil. He was just back from Dadi’s room. La watched him, her eyes filled with concern.

"Nandy!” La called out, “Babe, do you really think Dadi is lying to you?" she asked, her voice soft yet probing.

He paused, meeting her gaze. "Maybe, La. And she's not telling me everything either. For instance," he took a deep breath, "I know for a fact that I was already an infant when my mama got married."

La frowned, considering his words. "Maybe she's mixing things up with Anjali's birth. You know how memories can get tangled over time."

NK shook his head slowly. "That might be true, but it doesn't explain everything. The DNA results should show us something concreate."

La's worry deepened. "Babe, don't take it so seriously. This whole situation is stressing you out. I don't want to see you get hurt."

NK walked over to her, holding her hand in his "Don't worry, La. I'm handling it. Just trust me on this."

La sighed, squeezing his hand gently. "But Nandy, all these factors so far are not concrete proof. They are just pieces of the puzzle, and we need to see the whole picture before jumping to conclusions."

NK nodded, his expression softening as he took in her words. "That might be true, but it doesn't explain everything. Anyway, I'm waiting for the DNA results. They should be coming in two days' time," NK said, his voice tinged with anticipation.

La's worry deepened. "I hope it’s not another puzzle to solve."

NK smiled reassuringly at La, though inside, his mind was a whirlwind of questions and doubts. "I know, La. You're right. Sometimes I feel like I'm grasping at straws."

La looked into his eyes filled with concern. "Just promise me you'll take care of yourself, okay? We'll figure this out together."

NK nodded, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "I promise, La. Thank you for being my rock."

He took a deep breath and felt a small sense of calm return. He knew that no matter what the DNA results revealed, he would be facing a storm.

"How about we leave this for now and try to relax a bit? Let's watch a movie or something."

Nandy smiled, his eyes lighting up. "I'd like that, La."

As they settled down for a quiet evening, NK couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. He put on a strong face for La, but the thoughts that swirled in his mind never seemed to stop.

***

Arnav knocked gently on Nani's door before entering. The room was bathed in the soft glow of a bedside lamp, and Nani looked up from her knitting with a warm smile.

“Nani!”

“Arnav beta!”

As he approached Nani, Arnav noticed a familiar figure curled up on Nani’s lap beside her, wrapped in a shawl—Anjali.

“Hi Bhai”

Arnav bent down slightly, peering at his sister's face. "Anjali, what are you doing here?"

Anjali looked up at him with a playful smile. "Just chilling with my old lady," she said, nodding towards Nani.

Arnav chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Of course you are."

"How are you, Nani? How was your trip to Lucknow?" Arnav inquired

Nani set aside her knitting and patted the seat beside her. "I'm fine, Arnav. The trip was good and I think it was a good break for Manohar and Manorama to recover."

Arnav sat down and took her hand in his. "I missed you so much, Nani."

Anjali hugged Nani gently. "I also missed you so much, Nani. It feels like ages since you were here."

Nani's eyes softened with affection. "I missed all of you too, my dear. There's nothing like being back home with my family."

Arnav settled down on the couch next to Nani’s bed, feeling the warmth of her presence. He looked at her, his eyes reflecting the depth of his emotions.

Nani's gaze shifted to Anjali, her brow furrowing slightly with concern. "Arnav, Anjali has been recounting the terrible events that happened to her. It must have been very terrifying for both of you to face it all alone."

Arnav’s eyes flickered quickly to Anjali. He was not sure if Anjali told Nani about her suicide attempt before the kidnapping happened. No one in the family knew about it.

He took a deep breath, his voice lowering as he spoke. "Nani, Anjali has been through so much. More than anyone can truly understand.” He looked at Anjali “I hope I've done enough for you to trust we are here for you."

Arnav’s words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his emotions. Anjali moved closer, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Bhai, you are the best brother anyone could ever ask for," she assured him, her voice filled with sincerity and gratitude. "I don't know what I would have done without you by my side. You have been my rock through everything, and I am so thankful for having you."

Nani looked between Arnav and Anjali, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you still talking about the kidnapping?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

Arnav and Anjali exchanged hurried glances before nodding in unison. "Yes, Nani," they chimed together, their voices a little too quick, a little too synchronized.

Nani's brow furrowed, sensing that there was more beneath the surface, but she chose not to press further. Instead, she sighed softly and redirected her focus. "And about the kidnapping…”

Anjali’s voice quivered with emotion, "Nani, please, let's not revisit the details of that horrible time. It was terrifying, Nani. The entire ordeal was a nightmare, and there were moments when I thought I will not get you see you all again"

Nani nodded, holding Anjali's hand gently. "Alright, my dear. We won't dwell on the past. But," she turned to Arnav with a determined look, "I do want to know about the investigations. What have you found so far? What am I hearing Arnav… is this the work of rivalry from business? Anjali says she was asked to sign papers"

Arnav took a deep breath, his expression shifting to one of seriousness. "Yes Nani, looks like it. Our investigation reports are pointing towards that. I can’t believe that we are still fighting with unknown faces wanting to bring us down. We are still figuring out who and why!”⁷

Nani's eyes widened with concern. "Arnav, dear, you mustn't let this weigh so heavily on you."

Arnav nodded, attempting to offer reassurance. "I know, Nani. But don't worry, we're handling it. Anjali is safe now, and that's what matters most." He squeezed her hand gently, offering a comforting smile.

Nani's eyes filled with relief. "Thank God she is safe now. You were brave, Arnav, and so were you Anjali. You both did well”

He nodded, appreciating her words of comfort. "But I am not going to rest until I get to the bottom of this and find out who dared to cause so much pain to my sister."

Nani's face softened with understanding and pride. "That’s what is worrying me”

Arnav looked at Nani, his eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and tenderness. His voice softened as he spoke, "Nani, I know you're worried, but trust me, I will do everything in my power to protect our family."

Nani's expression turned more serious. "And what about you Arnav? I know you are determined, but you must be careful. When I heard about the tragic end of one of the girls who were rescued, it broke my heart to hear that she was killed. Imagining our Anjali could have been also… I am not able to digest the fact. I cannot stop worrying about the safety of my children"

Arnav's face darkened at the mention. "Yes, Nani. It was devastating. But that's precisely why I can't back down. We need to ensure that such horrors never happen again."

Nani sighed, her worry palpable. "Arnav, they even removed Abhi from his position. He was suspended for being negligent or for getting too involved. We don’t know yet. This path you're on is fraught with danger. I need you to promise me you won't put yourself at risk."

Arnav looked into her eyes, seeing the depth of her concern. "I promise, Nani. I will be cautious. But I have to follow this through. For Anjali, for the other victims. I cannot back down if anyone dares to touch my family”

“Arnav, please don’t do anything reckless” Nani pleaded with him “If anything happens to you or any one…”

“I'll make sure nothing happens to me or anyone Nani, I assure you that."

Nani looked at him thoughtfully. "And how are you handling the pressure at work?"

A small smile tugged at the corners of Arnav's lips. "I'm managing well. What did you think, Nani? That your grandson couldn’t handle a little bit of pressure?" he asked jokingly.

Nani sighed, a shadow of concern still lingering in her eyes. "I can't say that I'm not worried, Arnav. This whole situation has been so overwhelming."

Arnav reached out and gently took Nani's hands in his. "Nani, please don't worry. I have everything under control. Your faith in me is what keeps me going."

Nani's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart swelling with pride and love for her grandson.

"You have grown into a remarkable young man, Arnav. Sometimes I look at you and wonder where is that little chotte who would hold my pallu all day and followed me everywhere. Despite everything that happened, you have been holding up so well. I am incredibly proud of you. You have shown such strength and resilience. And I am confident you will succeed in whatever you set your mind to."

Arnav smiled warmly at his Nani “Nani, that so kind of you! I do have a strong support system”

"Ah, Nani! As long as bhai has his loving support system" she emphasized the word 'loving', casting a meaningful glance at him, "I'm sure he can handle challenges ten times more daunting than this."

Nani's eyebrows raised slightly, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "Anjali, are you hinting at something? Perhaps there's more to this “love” than you're letting on?"

Anjali stepped forward; her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Nani, haven't you noticed how Arnav has been glowing with happiness these days?" she interjected, casting another meaningful look at her brother.

Arnav rolled his eyes warningly at his sister. "Anjali, really?"

Nani looked at Arnav more closely, a bright smile spreading across her face. "Now that you mention it, Anjali, there must be something keeping you happy these days. You were even humming a song on your way here."

“Not something Nani, it could be someone too” Anjali nudged her Nani

Arnav shook his head with a good-natured laugh. "Nani, there's really nothing going on. Anjali is just being her dramatic self."

Anjali chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Really, bhai?"

Nani, not convinced and sensing the truth, lightly patted Arnav's hand. "If there is someone who gives you the strength and happiness to face these difficult times, I would be too happy to know.”

Arnav chuckled, the sound light and reassuring. "Nani, you know me better than anyone, When I am troubled, I come to you! You are my support system"

Nani's eyes softened as she looked at Arnav. "My dear, nothing wrong in having more than one support system… so is there someone else that you have found to turn to when I'm not around?" she asked lovingly, her voice filled with warmth and gentle curiosity.

Arnav hesitated, his smile turning a shade more tender. "Nani, now I know where Anjali gets her inquisitiveness” he replied softly.

Nani's laughter was soft and knowing. "Well, you can't blame an old woman for wanting to see her grandson happy, can you?"

Anjali, sensing his escapade, nudged her brother playfully. "Come on, bhai, are you going to keep Nani in suspense forever?"

Arnav's smile softened. "All in good time, Nani. All in good time."

She patted his hand. "I look forward to it, dear."

***

The next day at Shantivan, the soft glow of the evening sun filtered through the large windows, casting a warm light on the elegantly furnished space.

Abhi, Geethu, Arnav, and Khushi were seated comfortably on the plush sofas, their faces reflecting the ease of camaraderie and the anticipation of shared stories. It became kind of a ritual for them to get together at Shantivan or at Geethu’s apartment during the evenings for the young girls to play.

As they sat sipping some frothy mocktail that Khushi had invented recently, Geethu and Abhi exchanged knowing glances, their smiles widening with each detail. The warmth of the setting sun bathed the room in a golden hue, making the atmosphere feel even more intimate.

Abhi leaned back, his gaze darting between Arnav and Khushi. "You know, Geethu, I think we might just be witnessing the blooming of a classic love story" he said with a playful smirk.

Geethu nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Absolutely, Abhi. It's like one of those epic tales where the hero and heroine finally get the courage to confess to eachother"

Arnav rolled his eyes good-naturedly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You two are incorrigible," he said, though there was no mistaking the affection in his voice.

Khushi, her cheeks still flushed, laughed softly.

Abhi leaned forward, his expression turning mock-serious. "Come on, Arnav, put us out of our misery. Are you finally going to let us in on the secret? Are you two finally together?"

Arnav, his gaze tender as it met Khushi's, took a deep breath. "Well, since you all seem so invested," he began, his voice carrying a note of fond exasperation. “Maybe Yes”

“Maybe?” Khushi asked him indignantly

Arnav, his eyes never leaving Khushi's, smiled softly. "Okay, Yes, we're together," he admitted, his voice filled with a blend of relief and happiness. "It's been a whirlwind, but I couldn't be happier."

The room erupted in cheers and applause, Geethu and Abhi practically bouncing in their seats with excitement.

Geethu clasped her hands together, her smile radiant. "Finally! You two were driving us crazy with all the tension.”

Khushi, her cheeks still rosy from the excitement, glanced at her friends and then back at Arnav. "Honestly, I was more tensed about the fight between Arnav and Abhi," she said playfully. "I wasn’t even thinking that you all were so worried about us."

Geethu chuckled, looking between Arnav and Abhi. "Khushi, these two are like the most dramatic on-off couple I've ever seen," she teased, her eyes dancing with mischief. "I swear, every time they fight, it's like watching a soap opera. But let's be honest, these two can't stay away from each other for long."

Arnav and Abhi both rolled their eyes, but there was a shared smile of camaraderie between them.

Khushi, with an exasperated yet fond tone, exclaimed, "Of course they are!”

Abhi grinned widely, leaning back in his chair with a mock-offended gesture. "Jealous, Khushi? Really? Just because Arnav and I have this bromance, doesn't mean there's no room for you," he said, winking at her. "Besides, I think the real question is, are you ready to share Arnav with me?"

Khushi rolled her eyes, laughing. “No thanks, keep him”

“Khushi, put a stop to this, or you will end up third wheeling them” Geethu suggested.

Arnav chuckled softly, shaking his head. "hey, let's not make this a competition. There's plenty of me to go around."

The group burst into laughter, nodding in agreement.

Geethu leaned forward with a curious smile. "So, let’s get back to the main point of discussion, tell us about the date night” she asked, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

Arnav glanced at Khushi, an affectionate smile playing on his lips, before turning to Geethu. "It went well," he replied, his voice carrying the understated elegance that was his trademark.

Geethu gave him a bored expression “We need more details!”

Arnav dodged the question with a quick, "It was a good evening, good food, good company!" but his evasive answer only piqued Geethu's curiosity further.

"Come on, Arnav, you can't be that boring," she teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Khushi, you have to give us the juicy details!"

Khushi laughed, her cheeks tinting pink as she leaned forward. "Well, it was my first time at a five-star hotel, and the place was incredible. The restaurant was next to an infinity pool, and from the terrace garden where we dined, we could see the stars. It was magical."

Arnav chuckled. "They didn’t ask for a review of the place Khushi!”

Khushi mock-glared at Arnav while Abhi and Geethu chuckled at the couple's banter.

"If you know exactly what they want to hear," Khushi insisted, her eyes sparkling with playful indignation “Tell them then”

Arnav smirked, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "A gentleman never kisses and tells," he replied, his tone light but teasing.

Khushi's eyes widened in shock, her mouth forming a perfect O. "Arnav!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink.

Abhi and Geethu burst into laughter, their reactions a mix of surprise and amusement. "Oh my God, Arnav! Did you really just say that?" Geethu managed between giggles.

Abhi shook his head, still chuckling. “Geethu, this is our cue to leave,” he said, giving Arnav a knowing look.

“And he calls me the drama queen” Khushi huffed in mock annoyance.

"Did you mean to say that I was like the protagonist of all those classic English romance novels." Arnav asked eyes sparkled with amusement

"Is that all the romance you guys had?" Geethu asked, her eyes glinting with playful mischief.

Arnav chuckled, his gaze meeting Khushi’s before responding, "That’s all the romance we can share with friends."

As the laughter subsided, the conversation took a more serious turn.

Arnav turned to Geethu, his expression serious. "Were you able to trace anything further about the exploit in Anjali’s laptop?" he asked.

Geethu shook her head, her brows furrowed in frustration. "No, I haven’t made much progress. The trail goes cold after a few steps. Whoever did this was very careful."

Arnav sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Anjali mentioned something about her kidnappers wanting her to sign some bond papers. She didn't do a legitimate sign, but she managed to send a mail to herself from the kidnapper's ID."

Geethu's eyes widened at the revelation. "She managed to send a mail? That’s impressive under the circumstances. Do you have the ID?"

Arnav nodded and quickly scribbled down the email ID, handing it to Geethu. "Here it is. See if you can find anything useful."

Geethu took the note, her determination renewed. "I'll look into it right away. We need to get to the bottom of this."

Abhi, who had been listening intently, nodded in agreement. "Anything that can help clear up Anjali's situation and provide evidence would be invaluable."

As Geethu pocketed the note with the email ID, the group felt a renewed sense of purpose. Abhi then spoke up, his voice steady but filled with resolve, "If we can find out who the kidnapper is, it might help us understand their motive. It could be the key to unraveling this whole mess."

Arnav turned to Abhi, his expression concerned. "Have you been able to convince your superiors about your actions?" he asked, his voice low but steady.

Abhi sighed, his shoulders drooping a little. "It's been really tough trying to justify my decision to keep the girls in my house for their safety. The higher-ups don't seem to understand, and I don't have any concrete evidence to support my case."

A heavy silence settled over the room as the gravity of Abhi's situation sank in.

Khushi's heart ached as she watched Abhi struggle with the weight of their predicament. She couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at her, knowing that it was her plea for help that had put him in this difficult position. Taking a deep breath, she moved closer to him, her voice soft but laden with remorse. "Abhi, I am so sorry you had to go through all of this because of me. If I hadn't asked you to do that, none of this would have happened."

Abhi looked at her, surprised by her words, and shook his head. "Khushi, you did that because you cared for the girls, and I would never blame you for that. We did what we thought was right to protect Tanu and Tara. And to be honest, I believe the girls would have been traced regardless of where they were. We need to focus on finding a way to prove it."

Geethu reached out and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We'll find a way to prove your decision was the right one, Abhi. You did it for the right reasons."

Arnav nodded in agreement. "There has to be something we can do. Some piece of evidence that can clear your name."

Just then, from across the room, they heard hesitant footsteps. Tanu, who had been standing by the doorway, had overheard the conversation. She approached the group, her expression a mix of nervousness and determination.

"Abhi sir," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I overheard what you were saying, and I think I might have something that can help."

Abhi looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean, Tanu?"

Tanu took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Tara jiji had given me a phone recording before she... before the night we were kidnapped. She told me to give it to you if anything happened to her. I didn't know if it was important or not, but maybe it can help prove your case."

The room was suddenly charged with a sense of urgency and hope. Abhi's eyes widened with a glimmer of hope. "Do you have the recording with you?"

Tanu nodded. "Yes, I kept it safe. Let me get it for you."

As Tanu hurried to retrieve the recording, the others exchanged hopeful glances. Abhi's heart pounded with anticipation. This could be the break he needed to clear his name and prove his actions were justified.

When Tanu returned with the phone, she handed it to Abhi. "Here it is. I hope it helps."

With trembling hands, Abhi tried to power on the Nokia phone that Tanu had given him. As the screen lit up, their hopes surged, only to be dashed an instant later by a prompt asking for a password.

Tanu shook her head, her face reflecting her frustration. "I don't know the password," she admitted.

They huddled together, brainstorming possible words. They tried Tara's name, different combinations of numbers, and even common passwords, but each attempt was met with the same rejection.

Khushi, who had been silently pondering, suddenly looked up with a glimmer of realization in her eyes. "Wait," she said, her voice tinged with hope. "I remember my last conversation with Tara before she... before she passed away. She mentioned something that meant 'debt' in passing."

They tried various words relating to debt: "loan," "borrow," and "credit," but nothing worked. The tension in the room grew palpable as each attempt failed.

Khushi closed her eyes, replaying the conversation in her mind. Then, as if a lightbulb had switched on, she opened her eyes wide. "Karz," she whispered, the Hindi word for debt.

Abhi typed in the word, and the phone unlocked with a soft chime. Relief washed over the group as they realized they were one step closer to uncovering the truth.

Before they listened to the recording, they exchanged worried glances, realizing the content might not be suitable for young ears. Khushi quickly suggested, "Maybe we should listen to this in another room."

Everyone agreed, and they quietly moved to a more private space, ensuring the ten-year-old and the six year old playing in the hall wouldn't overhear anything distressing. Once settled, Abhi, with trembling hands, played the recording.

The room fell silent as Tara's voice filled the air, recounting the events that led her to seek refuge at Abhi's house and the threats she had faced. Her voice wavered as she detailed her life at the brothel, the harsh conditions, and the fear that enveloped her every day. She spoke about the various men who frequented the brothel, including some members of the police department who were regular visitors. Tara's revelations painted a grim picture of corruption and exploitation.

She provided crucial information that could help in nabbing the mafia gang operating the cartel, pointing out key places and names.

Tara named some very influential people who were also part of the corrupt system, including high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen who frequented the brothel. She talked about the life of the very young girls who were often forced to take drugs to handle more clients. Their cries for help were ignored, and their attempts to escape were futile. The gravity of her words weighed heavily on everyone present, realizing the depth of the criminal network they were up against.

Tara also said it was not just a brothel, the main man who ran it, Jagga, was also a drug peddler. He was responsible for distributing narcotics throughout the city, using the brothel as a front for his illegal activities. Tara's voice grew more urgent as she described Jagga's ruthless nature and his extensive network, which included not only local criminals but also international contacts.

She detailed how Jagga and his gang coerced vulnerable women into the drug trade, often forcing them to transport substances under threat of violence. The brothel was a hub of illicit activity, with drugs and money constantly changing hands. Tara's testimony painted a chilling picture of the dangers that lurked within the walls of the establishment.

Tara also expressed her immense fear during the rescue, trembling at the thought of being caught and taken back. However, she spoke with gratitude and admiration for the ACP saab, Arnav Bhaiya and Khushi Jiji, who had offered them a safe place and a semblance of family, allowing them to feel secure for the first time in a long while.

As the recording ended, the four looked at each other in shock.

Arnav, Khushi, and Geethu gathered around Abhi.

Khushi was in tears as the video ended. Tara had kept her side of the promise. She helped them with information.

“This is bigger than we thought” Geethu exclaimed.

“I never had a clue that this is connected to the other drug case I was working on” Abhi whispered.

"We need to get this to the authorities as soon as possible," Arnav said decisively.

Abhi nodded.

"Yes, I'll do that first thing tomorrow. But before that, I need to make a copy of this."

The evening had taken an unexpected turn, but amidst the challenges, there was a renewed sense of hope and determination.

As they four came out, Abhi went to thank Tanu.

“Did you find clues that my sister left for you?”

"Thank you, Tanu. This recording not only gives important clues to nab the criminals, but it could also save my career."

It was clear and compelling evidence that Abhi had acted out of necessity and concern for the girls' safety.

Tanu smiled, a sense of relief washing over her as well. "I'm just glad I could help."

To be continued.

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Ok, we are at the end of this update. There is so much happening now. We are pivoting into serious stuff.

So until next update, stay cheerful and happy! will meet you all soon with another update!

Thanks a lot for the update...lovely update..with a lot of things happening in this update can't wait to read more...

Min blowing update I don’t want nk to be adopted. I want to see more of Arshi too with Arnav’s siblings

I was just clearing my bookmarks and stumbled upon this was curious to see if you are updating… and what a wonderful surprise i got…

I dont know how to express this…but sooo soo happy to see you back.. really like aaaah..

Thank you so much for not leaving us and this story in the middle..

Coming to the updates wonderful as always…

Loving that arshi are officially dating.. can wait to read more..❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

When will we get the next update yaar..can't wait..