A new story: yet Untitled. Renamed 'Second Chances' (Part 10 - Page 2

Arnav strode into NK's room ready to hear the rest of the events that might push him further into his guilt. But he has to bear it. NK had been waiting for Arnav ever since he saw Arnav's face once he let slip the words at the dining table. He knew he would come back to get to the bottom of the events and NK has more than happy to help bring his Nannav and Khushiji together. But he wanted to have a bit of fun at his expense.

"NK...woh... tum kuch keh rahe the..." Arnav started not knowing how to approach the subject. "What is it Nannav?" NK injected a bit of curiousness in his voice. Arnav knew NK was teasing him but he was not ASR for no reason and so he came straight to the point "You were saying something about Khushi?". "Yeah it is just that she tried a lot to save you" NK responded equally sombre. Arnav knew that NK had him where we wanted and decided to give up. "NK will you please tell me about it" he asked earnestly. Not able to see his usually upright cousin give up, NK came down "Nannav, mere bhai. You don't know how much I wanted to tell you about it. But the others..." and he stopped wondering whether to continue or not. "Don't worry about the others NK. Tell me everything and don't you dare leave out a thing NK. I am warning you" spoke ASR. NK's face lit up with a smile and so he started.

He started from when Khushiji found out about the blood on Shyam's shoes and how she took it to the lab to get it tested, followed by her enquiry with di and how she had tried to confront Shyam ending up revealing everything to NK. Arnav knew Khushi was smart even though she was a bit crazy, but she seems to have left no stone unturned to find him.

NK then went on about how Khushi had stolen into Shyam's room and pored over the contents of his briefcase coming across his passport and boarding pass and how they overheard shyam talking to the travel agency. Arnav was filled with disgust at the creature whom he had so far called his brother in law. "So we knew that it was Shyam who kidnapped you and Then..." started NK apprehensive about how to reveal the elaborate plan that he and khushi had crafted to outwit shyam knowing this would surely make Nannav rage at him for putting Khushi in such a precarious position.

"What is it NK?" queried Arnav knowing fully well that the difficult part was yet to come knowing some of the details about it from the confrontation. He took a look at NK's rattled face, sighed and added " I know NK. You could not have anything to stop Khushi form going ahead with her hare-brained schemes once she sets her mind on it. I assure you that I will not get mad at you. Go on."

To say NK was stunned would be an understatement. The old ASR would have skinned him alive if he had dared to utter the words he did not like to hear. Here he saw Arnav patiently telling him to go ahead and he remembered he was no longer ASR but Khushi's Arnav. Khushiji had painstakingly chipped away at the mask his cousin had taken years to construct to face the outside world. He also knew that his cousin was mellow only to Khushiji and wouldn't hesitate to tear down anybody else.

So he started by recounting how Khushi had gone to Di to ask for money and how they had staged the drama with guy about Khushi needing Shyam's signature and then how she conned Shyam by telling him that he wished to destroy Arnav followed by the lawyer and phone incident".

He then recounted Khushi waking up frightened of dark and her encounter with shyam. Talking of her fear took Arnav back to the hut where she had been delighted to look at the fireflies he had bought for her and her telling him she was not afraid of the dark as he was near her. Arnav vowed to himself never to let Khushi in the dark ever again.

NK then moved on to the locket and the pendrive and how Khushi had hoodwinked shyam to get the pendrive and how they had tried to open it. He then went on to explain how he had set the webcam up and they had come to know of the password. Arnav went still at this point realizing what the password was. NK too perceived Arnav going still and understood his plight and remained silent for some time. NK then went on about how she had gotten shyam to utter the words fr her to record and her utter breakdown after doing it.

Arnav had unshed tears in his eyes hearing this knowing how much pain she would have endured to do something so repulsive. He remembered her telling him how much she hated shyam. To know that she did it so that she could save him made his heart clench and swell at the same time.

When NK told him about the will, Arnav asked him why he did not save a copy of it in his laptop when he saw it. NK looked stumped for a moment and his mouth turned into a perfect "o". "Nannav, why did I not remember this that day. I did save a copy of the will in my laptop." he said and opened it for Arnav to look at it. NK then told him about how Khushi had started blaming herself for putting Arnav in danger.

"I did push her into doing it by not believing her and by believing the scumbag, didn't I?" Arnav spoke to himself and added "It was never your fault Khushi, never". NK could hear Arnav murmuring something to himself and wisely chose to remain silent.

"Then you found me when Khushi came across the bill in the gifts rite?" Arnav winded it up. "Yeah NK concluded" but added after a while 'Laad Governor'. Arnav looked up at him and smiled and then hugged NK and muttered a "Thank You NK.For being with Khushi". NK could not remember when Arnav had hugged him on his own before this and that too earning a thank you from Arnav was like winning a lottery. He smiled "Nannav, mere Bhai. You are very lucky to have gotten Khushiji as your wife". "That I truly am" responded Arnav with a radiant smile feeling truly happy for the best thing that happened to him in his life.

Arnav then voiced the most important thing he had to do. "NK will you help me find the evidence to prove to Di that whatever Khushi said was the truth?". "Sure".. Phat came the reply. "Anything for you and Khushiji".

Arnav stood up and felt the face of NK swim before him. The folly of not taking his medicines and food from yesterday hit him hard. NK took one look at him and held him by his shoulders. You should first be strong to help Khushiji Nannav, he admonished him. "Aur mujhe bhi bhook lag raha hai. Let's go an eat something before we start with our plans. And if Khushiji find out that I am making you skip your food and medicines she will kill me for sure." he added woefully. Arnav bit back a smile looking at NK's face when he was contemplating what Khushi might do to him.

Arnav and NK made their way to the dining table and noticed no one there. NK quickly asked HP to bring something for them and decided to cheer Arnav up. Soon the sound of gentle laughter from the dining table floated through shanthivan. Nani, Anjali, Mami, Akash and Payal who were in the living room catching up looked at each other and Mami wondered aloud "Ye NK babua hamse tho fight karat rahe. Aur Arnav bitwaa ke saath jokewa??".

Arnav and NK left RM a short while later with smiles on their faces oblivious to the strange looks from the others in the living room. Getting in the car, Arnav and NK decided to visit the place where Arnav was held last to find out clues that Khushi had lost in her tussle with Shyam.

Meanwhile, Shyam was furious at Arnav was throwing him out of RM but he was mad at Khushi for spurning his love and taking Arnav's side thereby exposing him and pushing him to current state. He would get his revenge whatever be the consequences for he had nothing to lose now.

--- to be continued ---

will update soon for those who do want to read it.

Khushi looked at the time and it was almost evening. 'She had to leave or God knows what that Rakshas might do to her sister's life', she thought to herself. But just then, some older kids entered Prakruti and looked at Khushi confused by the presence of an outsider at their home. Just then Shanthi notices them and introduces them to Khushi. Most of them then retreat to get fresh. However there were 2 boys, Samar and Rahul, 19 yrs and 18 yrs old respectively who came to her and kept looking at her with curious eyes. Khushi started feeling a bit self-conscious at the 2 young lads gazing at her. But being her own self, she gave them a radiant smile and said ' Hum Khushi Hain. Aapse milkar bahuth achcha laga'. Samar then broke the silence in a small voice 'Kya... Kya hum aapko di bhula sakthe hain?'. To say Khushi was taken aback would be an understatement. Yes she had lost a lot of relations. But her devi maiyya was kind enough to keep giving her new ones. Tears started pooling in her eyes and she just nodded with a small smile and hugged them. She then told Shanthi that she had to leave and started leaving. Samar interjected her politely ' Kya aap kal bhi aayengi di? Oh.. Kal humein chutti hai. Aur agar aap aayengi tho humein aapse baath karne ke liye thoda vaqt milega. Aur Nikhil Bhaiyya bhi honge.'At khushi's questioning glance, Shanthi clarified mentioning that he was the eldest here at 23 years and was working. She nodded with a smile. Meanwhile Rahul stood by him with a stern face. A cross lad, Khushi mused. Khushi then took her leave and left the place. Shanthi, Rahul and Samar looked at her retreating back each engrossed in their own thoughts.

Meanwhile, Arnav and NK had reached the place where he was held captive. The place brought a painful flash of memories for Arnav. Khushi struggling against Shyam and her lying motionless scaring the wits out of him. But then he shook himself reminding him of the bigger problem at hand. His sole objective now. He did not need proof to believe what Khushi said was true. But for the sake of others he would prove that his wife was the innocent soul here. Khushi might have given up but he would do it for her. NK saw the storm of emotions flit across his cousin's face and knew that Arnav was disturbed. He placed his hand on his shoulder to bring him out of his reverie. They searched the place where Arnav had spotted Khushi fighting Shyam. It was NK's sharp eyes which noticed Khushi's phone lying beneath the bush that Shyam had lost in the tussle. He alerted his nannav and in a flash, Arnav was by his side. Both of them pored over it and came across the picture of the will that Khushi had taken and also the recorded voice of shyam. Arnav grew mad with rage on hearing the snake trying to get close to his Khushi. Searching for some more time, they also came across the papers that Shyam had signed willing all his property to Arnav. What had she gone through to save him? He closed his eyes when grief threatened to engulf his whole being. Evening had fallen and Arnav wanted to get back to Khushi. They decided to call it a day and look after the rest tomorrow. They returned to the house to find everybody in the living room all Nani, Anjali, Mami, Payal and Akash except Khushi.

Arnav eyes kept searching for Khushi as soon as he entered which did not go unnoticed by all. Nani comforted him stating that she had not returned yet. He frowned thinking what was keeping Khushi this long. Just then, they heard the front door opening. Arnav wheeled around to find Khushi entering with a gentle smile on her face. As soon as she glanced at him, the smile vanished like a bulb being put off. She then glanced beyond him to see that everyone including Anjali sitting in the living room. She averted her eyes and silently made her way to their room. All looked at her astonished. Khushi had in their knowledge never given anyone the cold shoulder. But she had not even cared to look at any of them today. Arnav went right away following his wife.

As soon as he entered, he noticed that she had entered her safe haven, the poolside where she had forbidden him to come while she was there. He would respect that and he sat on the recliner glancing at her face. Both of them slept at the same place similar to previous day.

Arnav woke up the next day and noticed that Khushi was not at the poolside. He turned to look at the bed sure that he would find her sleeping peacefully. But he frowned looking at the unslept bed. His mind went into panic mode and he wandered all around the house like a madman trying to find his wife. He found payal in the kitchen looking at a note with tears in her eyes. His frantic mind started imagining all possibilities and he ran to her asking her what it was. It was a note form Khushi to payal telling her that she was going out and would return late. Payal slowly uttered "She does not even want to talk to me Arnavji that she left me a note". Arnav grimaced. Khushi had not even bothered to leave him a note but she had thought of informing her sister. Arnav could not understand why but he still wanted to console his sister in law. ' She might not have wanted to disturb you Payal' came his low reply. 'No Arnavji. She has not even spoken to me for days now. I don't even know what is going on in her mind' she replied wistfully and made her way to her room. Arnav kept looking at the place where she stood long after she had left. But Khushi would come back at night and he wondered if he would be given a chance to talk to her today. He sighed and then made his way out of the house without having breakfast for it was stifling to be in the house without Khushi.

Khushi made her way to Prakruti as soon as she got out of the house. She came there early with a bright smile on her face not wanting to shared her grief with the people at Prakruti who already needed someone to lean upon not someone who needed their support. As she was about to enter the orphanage, she came across a guy in his 20's sitting on a chair in the garden sipping some coffee. He glanced at her and gave her a scrutinizing look which made Khushi self conscious. Then after a while, his face transformed as he gave her a small smile. She smiled back and went in wondering who the stranger was. She went to the Kitchen to find shanthi cooking for the kids. Khushi being herself went out to help her. Soon, Rahul and Samar joined her and they had a fun time cooking with the boys being helpful too. She marveled at the how Shanthi had infused good manners and brought up the guys to be fine gentlemen. The day progressed as all of them had food, Khushi played with the kids, helped with the other work at Prakruti including tending to the garden which brought about painful memories to her. She closed her eyes and wiped the silent tears lest anyone notice it. But one person had seen it. Nikhil had been observing her all day from the sidelines. Though he did not interact with her a lot, he sensed that something was amiss with her and the tears confirmed it. He knew from Shanthi that Khushi was the wife of a rich tycoon but he had expected her to be a snob but she had surprised him being the kind hearted angel she was. Khushi took her leave in the late evening. Nikhil said he would drop her at home. She tried to refuse but he insisted stating 'Please Di'. This rang a bell in Khushi's head regarding a interaction between 2 other siblings. She just nodded unable to say anything and Nikhil dropped her in his bike before RM and left after wishing her a good night. Khushi entered the house silently and made her bed by the pool.

This kept happening for the next one week. Nobody had seen Khushi except for the notes she left stating that she was out. Arnav was getting agitated with the thought she was slipping away creating an irrational fear in his heart. He had not been given a chance to apologise and he started wondering if he would be given one. Today was Sunday and as usual Khushi has left before anyone had woken up. By now, everybody were in a state of panic realizing something was very wrong with Khushi. Nani brought this up at breakfast. 'Chotte, do you have any idea where Khushi bitiya goes to daily that she does not want to spend time with us', she queried looking at her grandson with her sharp eyes. She had noticed that all was not well between her grandson and his wife. Arnav was in a quandry. He could not explain it to anyone. ' I have a meeting Nani. I will talk to you in the evening'. With this short note, he made his way to his car ready to search the entire city for Khushi if that is what was required.

Meanwhile, Khushi had created a great bond with the kids at Prakruti and specially with the 3 boys who doted on their Di as if she was the most precious thing in the world. Shanthi was happy that the kids had somebody else to lean on apart from her. But she was also troubles with the fact that this should strain Khushi's ties with her family. Nikhil was happy that he had his 'Di' now whom he loved a lot even more than his 2 foster brothers whom he had grown up with. He did not understand what made him like Khushi. But 'maybe it is my Di's golden heart that captivates everyone' he thought smiling slightly. He had a good job in a bank and he wanted to suppot Shanthi ma as he called her and the other kids at Prakruti with whatever he could. But he knew that just his earnings from the bank would not be enough to support the close to 25 ppl who depended on him. He saved some and was involved in share trading. He was sharp and had a sharp business acumen too. But with the scarce funds he had and responsibilities he could not afford to take the risk. So with his sharp mind he had started reaping profits through trading providing him more than sufficient funds to look after everyone who depended on him. Even Samar and Rahul worked parttime at a library and computer center to support him. This along with Shanthi Ma's deposits had indeed taken care of their financial position but the warmth that was missing was now endowed by his Di, Khushi. He still could not understand the reason for her pain and he intended to find it today looking at her bringing his coffee. 'Di, we should go to the market today to get the groceries' he started as he found the opening. His incorrigible Di retorted 'only if you take me to the temple'. He knew when he was defeated at his own game. He was not a big fan of god but for his Di he would go anywhere. They agreed and left to the market.

Arnav had been driving for an hour scouring the city for Khushi but could not find her. He was waiting at a signal when he saw her. He did a double-take wondering if he was imagining things. She was sitting on a bike with a guy in his early 20's with a bright smile on his face and muching on some ber that she had. She popped a ber into the guy's mouth as he was watching and saw the guy smiling and muttering something to her with the ber in his mouth. Anger coursed through him thinking only he had the right on Khushi not any other guy. How could she do this to him? ' His mind immediately reminded him that he has always been wrong in judging Khushi'. This calmed him a bit and he decided he would get to the bottom of this and not take hasty decisions.

---- to be continued-----

Arnav followed them at a safe distance keen on not being discovered. In his mind, he knew that Khushi would never cheat on him. But his possessive side was in full force and her absence for the past once week had started to gnaw at him.

Meanwhile, Nani, Mami, Akash and Payal decide to tale Anjali to a temple to lift her spirits a bit.

Khushi and Nikhil first reach the market and proceed on foot engaged in a light chat. Engrossed in her chat, Khushi fails to recognize Arnav following her. Arnav overhears bits and pieces of the conversation floating from them and frowns at the easy interaction between the two. They finish their purchases and proceed to the temple. Meanwhile Khushi senses Arnav and tries to search for him in the crowd but does not notice him.

Then the duo proceed to the temple with Arnav in tow. Khushi prays at the temple eventhough she had lost faith in the deity. Entering the temple brings back the haunting memories of the night of her wedding and tears slide down her cheeks on their own accord. Sensing her anguish, Nikhil guides her to a silent corner in the temple. Meanwhile the Raizada family had also entered the same temple. Arnav sees Khushi in tears and moves in to comfort her but draws back as he sees Nikhil guiding her to the corner. Meanwhile, Payal also notices Khushi and tries to follow her. Khushi finally breaks into sobs and cries for everything she had had to go through. Payal and Arnav stops motionless seeing her break down. Both observe them from 2 different corners but hidden from each other.

Nikhil waits for Khushi's sobs to subside and softly asks "Di, won't you share your worries and sorrow with your brother?". Khushi could no longer hold it and she tells him everything from her lost parents till the latest accusation she had to face at the Raizada house. To Arnav, this was not news, but hearing it from her made him seem to himself as a monster. But Payal stood shell-shocked at the revelation of what her sister had to go through and that too for her. She remembered being angry with Khushi and she couldn't hate herself more. But the anger that rose in her for the Raizada family and her mother and buaji who put her through so much misery threatened to overwhelm her very being. Not able to face her sister, she moves from the place with a silent determination.

Meanwhile Khushi looks at the time and tell Nikhil that they better get back. Coming out, they come in face to face with Anjali. Anjali looks at Khushi curiously and the guy with her. Still in the smoke created by her husband, she looks at Khushi suspiciously and asks, " Who is this Khushiji? And what are you doing here with him?". Khushi just stands there looking at the entire family in shock. Nikhil meanwhile looks at the family and understands who each of them were. On seeing Mami open her mouth to taunt, he hits back "What she does is none of your business.". Khushi holds his hand to restrain him. Seeing this, Mami opens her mouth to taunt Khushi "Haan Phati saadi... ye" only to be cut by Payal with "Haan Khushi. You are not answerable to them. You go ahead and continue".She passes a severe look to Mami, who is astonished at the outburst from her usually meek daughter in law and shuts her mouth. Akash looks at her in surprise but does not say anything. He knew she would not speak without reason. But Anjali presses on with a "Khushiji?".. Nikhil answers her again not at liking her attitude in questioning his di in front of everyone "I guess that she being silent answers your question stating that she does not want to answer your question." Arnav bristles in anger looking at his sister being talked to impolitely by a complete stranger. He comes forward angrily states "I am her husband and I can ask her?". Khushi turns around in surprise and then realizes that he had been in here for quite a while. Nikhil rounds up on him and glares at the person who had brought upon such misery on his di. "No she is not. Still she is not your slave to tell you wherever she goes" he answers him blocking Khushi from his view. This further confuses and infuriates Arnav and he lashes out at him his nasty temper coming to the fore again"What do you mean? I do not need weirdoes and beggars telling me what I need to do". This does it for Khushi and she explodes "Enough!!!". Arnav then pushes his way forward to stand in front of Khushi eyeing her with a pleading look "Khushi...".She looks in the eye and uttered the words that shook Arnav's very foundation "The six months got over yesterday and I am not coming back to Raizada house". Hearing this everyone look confusedly at Arnav and Khushi not knowing where the conversation was heading. She then glares at everyone and answers only her Jiji "Hum ja rahe hein Jiji" to which Payal nods. She then pulls Nikhil out with her. He starts with a mild "Di..." which did not go unnoticed by Arnav and his eyes widens realizing his mistake too late. He drops down on his knees in tears, defeated no longer able to bear the burden that life was heaping on him.

Khushi teared up looking back at Arnav's defeated form not able to see the love of her life torn like this. But she had been torn to shreds and she needed time to heal herself before she could comfort others. Meanwhile Anjali came out of her trance looking at her broken brother understanding there was more to this than they knew. But Payal was in no mood to offer her sympathy to these people who had made her sister's life hell. She dropped the next bombshell. "I am leaving as well. I have no idea in living in the house which reminds me of the misery my sister had to go through", she said stonily. Akash could not believe his ears. He stuttered "Payal...". "Before you ask me any questions, hear me out Akash> I think it would be better if we talk this out in the silent corner of the temple.Eventhough we have been treated badly, I will not spoil the reputation of this family", she replied stonily, before walking off to the silent corner where Khushi had been sitting a short while back. Arnav was in a daze but her knew that the truth had to come out one day or the other. Whatever Payal left out, he was determined to tell their family. Payal then began telling everything starting from the day of her wedding from Khushi's stupid sacrifice to save her marriage till the day she had been blamed for Anjali taking the decision to harm her baby. She finished it and gave Anjali and Mami a scathing look clearly conveying how much she loathed both of them. Throughout the story, she kept glancing at Arnav, expecting him to refute or shout at her. But to her surprise, he did neither but instead chose to remain silent with this eyes glazed over with tears and his mind still on Khushi's hardened face and look as she told him that the contract was over.

Done with her story, she said "Now tell me Akash. Do you want me to build my life on the debris of my sister's life and live with the people who destroyed her. If you want to, I am really sorry but I am not ready to. I want to move out Raizada house." "I will leave the decision of joining me to you as I am not the one the force people against ther wishes" she added throwing dirty glances at Anjali and Arnav. Hearing that Payal wanted to leave RM brought back memories of Khushi to Arnav, her pleading with him not to create problems in Payal's life. He could not give her anything but he would be damned if he could not carry out this wish of hers aswell. "Payal... Please... Khushi never wanted..." he began pleading. " Don't even utter a word. Whatever you say will not change my decision" she spat venomously and left the place but not before muttering to Akash "I am leaving to Buaji's house. I have to settle scores with them as well. Meet me there if you want to."

Devyani Raizada had been tested a lot in her life. But nothing she had endured so far could have prepared her for the scene unfolding in front of her eyes and she was powerless to stop it. The life of her grandchildren was being torn asunder right in front of her eyes. She wept and sat down heavily, the years and emotional stress finally getting to her. Manorama could not see her stately mother in law crumble right in front of her eyes. Nani had seen her weather a lot of tragedies and she had taken it in her stride supporting them all throughout. So it wa now time for her to return the favour. She sat near her mother in law putting an arm out to comfort her. The only thing she was capable of doing now. Her sorrow will have to wait. She was now needed to guide the family. "Humein Ashram jaana hai manorama. Ye sab humein bardaasht nahin hota", Nani told wearily. Anjali and Arnav looked at her in alarm. Mami knew that Nani would not change her decision and nodded wearily. Akash then looked at the way Payal has left and made to follow her.

Arnav looked at his brother's retreating back and could not take it anymore. Everyone were leaving him again. History was repeating itself after 14 years. He knew that this time he would not survive it. He would crumble never to rise again. He had neither taken food nor medicines regularly in the past week as Khushi had been literally non-existent in his life. He began to sway and blanked out.

--- to be continued ---