A new story: yet Untitled. Renamed 'Second Chances' (Part 10 - Page 3

Akash took back his distraught family back to Shantivan and he escorted Arnav back to his room making him lie down. It tore at his heart to look at Arnav in this state. He asked his mother to escort to Nani back to her room. Di went to make something for Arnav to eat. He sat back looking at his brother, concern in his eyes. Arnav opened his eyes to look at Akash sitting beside him, his eyes closed weariness etched on his eyes. The magnitude of his folly and the number of people he had hurt stared right at him and he could do nothing about it. "Why did you come back Akash?" he asked him worried if his presence might further anger Payal that she might leave Akash. Payal woke up from his daze and focussed on his brother who looked weak as if he had been into a storm. He knew he could not put it off any further. "Why did you do it Bhai? Why did you use my life as a bait in our game? He asked the question that he had been yearning to ask from the moment he heard the story. "Do you think I would have stopped your wedding if Khushi had not agreed to my condition Akash?" he answered his question with a question on his own. Akash knew the answer to that question. Though his brother was ruthless to the outside world, he would not cause even a slight hurt to his family. In fact, he protected them with his life. "But still that is what has brought us to this juncture Bhai. You have told me what to do for a very long time now Bhai and I have not questioned you. But now, I am torn between two responsibilities and I cannot shirk one for another Bhai" he voiced his inner thoughts. He knew that his bhai was hurt by his words but he could not do anything for he himself was hurt now. Though he had made up his mind on what he was about to do, he wondered if he could bring himself to hurt his bhai more. It was him and Khushiji who had brought him and Payal together in the first place.

Arnav's heart went out to the boy who stood at this crossroads just because of his impulsive behavior. He had made Khushi choose but he would be damned if he repeat his mistakes. Khushi had taught him that. She had always apologized and tried to set right her mistakes. He would do it too whatever it takes. His mind set, he started slowly wondering how Akash would react "Akash, I know my actions have taken a toll on you life. I also know that how much ever I apologize, it would not be enough and I am not in a position to advise you but there are some things I have learnt ever since I got Khushi in my life. I did not believe in her or support her when she needed it the most. Please do not repeat my mistake. The only thing Khushi asked of me in these six months is that I not create problems between you and Payal, though she did not know I would not have done it even if she had not agreed to my condition that day. The least I could do for her is to make sure I respect her wishes. So, Please be with her Akash. Do not let her go at this moment. If you want, I will move out of this house if you guys want. I will shift somewhere else so that Payal does not feel uncomfortable". Akash looked at his Bhai aghast at what he had suggested. "Bhai, what makes you think I will want you out of this house?" he countered. He knew it would take some time for Payal to understand his Bhai but he would not make Arnav move out of his house. "Bhai, Please try to understand. Payal does not hate you. She is angry at what you did to Khushiji. In fact, she brought the Jalebis that I fed you at the temple. All of us including ma and Nani have hurt Khushiji and Payal will never agree to set foot in this Khushi unless and until Khushi herself comes here and asks Payal to come. I will shift to another house for a short while before we sort all this out." he rushed trying to make his brother understand. Arnav nodded trying to take in the miseries life had no trouble doling out to him wherever he went. "Will it ever be fine again Akash?" he queried miserably. "Bhai, Has there been a time when Khushiji had not forgiven you? Be it your harsh words or your actions? Has she ever held it against you?. She cannot stay away from you as you cannot from her Bhai. You must know it now from how she saved you from Shyam. You should have seen her during that time. She was the first one to realize that you were in danger and that too it was her mind. She was full of misery and the only thing that kept her going was her determination to save you". Arnav knew that Akash was right. Khushi had a heart of gold and it was big enough to hold his entire family. He had taken her forgiveness for granted. But this time, he would earn it and cherish her for what she truly was. He smiled imagining himself pampering a pouting Khushi like the kid she was. Akash was surprised at the rare smile that graced his bhai's face and he knew who he was thinking of. Now he had to return his bhai the favour. He went to pack and leave with a determination to do his part.

Anjali stood stirring the pot of soup her mind deep in thought. A storm called Khushi had blown and torn her Chotte's and her life asunder. For good or bad, she did not know. But she had to escort her brother through this safely. She knew he was in lot of pain. She also had her own child to care for. The other mystery was her husband whom her chotte had thrown out unceremoniously. Where had he gone to? How was he? She will have to set things right and she would do whatever it takes, he decided.

NK and Payal reached her home at Lakshmi Nagar, determined to dole out the first set of pain they had planned for the people who had hurt Khushi. Payal knocked on the door and waited with bated breadth. She had forever been gentle but now she knew that the world was not so kind to such people and she would rot in hell if she let her sister suffer while she enjoyed the comforts of life. Everyone had to pay for what Khushi had gone through. Buaji opened the door with her signature remark 'Hai Re Nankishore' and asked "Itni subah yahaan aayi ho? Kaa hua Payaliyaa? Oh titliyaa ne kuch gadbad kar di ka?. Hearing Khushi being blamed again made Payal bristle with anger and she just brushed past her into the hall where her mother sat looking at her curiously. She sat on the chair and motioned her buaji to take the other chair. "Humein aap logon se baath karni hai" she spat out coldly taking both the women by surprise. NK joined them to see the first scene unfold in front of his eyes. Payal started recounting Khushi' story again wondering how much times will she have to recount this. She went through the same pain everytime she did this but it was nothing to what Khushi went through,she chanted in her mind. She saw the expressions on both their faces change from bewilderment to regret to pain. But she could not get weak now and pity them. She hardened her tone and decided to deal the final blow. "You are also the reason Khushi had to go through all this alone. You deserted her when she needed you the most. You impulsive actions were the ones that allowed Shyam to enter the house, forced Khushi to get engaged to him that is the root cause for all this including bauji being unwell." She lashed out at her buaji and amma without any remorse. Both of them looked as if they had been slapped by her. Buaji for once in her life could not find words to defend herself. "Paayaliyaa.." her amma started but she was in no mood to forgive. "I am moving out of RM. Even Akashji is coming with me. And... I am taking Bauji with me. I cannot bring myself to trust you to care for bauji." she finally hit them with the worst. Buaji finally found her voice " Nahin Paayaliyaa..." she stammered. "Don't try to tell me what I can and cannot do. Don't force me to do something that I will regret. I am taking bauji with me until he gets well and that is final" she threatened. She looked up at her Bauji who was in tears hearing the suffering his younger daughter had to endure while he was here bound helpless to this chair.

Akash came in a short while later. Buaji was relieved seeing him thinking if he would be able to convince Payal. Payal had noticed the hope in her buaji's eyes and she would not let her get her hopes up. "Akash, where do we move to now?" she enquired. "We have another house a short distance from here Payal. I have asked the servants to have it ready in some time. We can move in right away.". He told her. Buaji and Garima felt their last hope fade as this Akash seems to be driven by Payal. Not noticing their distress, Payal continued "I am thinking... of taking Bauji with us. Hope you are ok with it?". She was a bit uncomfortable for having decided without his consent. If Akash felt something odd, he neither showed it nor questioned her. "He is your father Payal. You need not even ask me" he gave a non-committal reply. She gave a grateful look that conveyed for gratitude for him to him for understanding her and accepting without question. He just sat by her, pressing her hands assuring her of his support.

Khushi and Nikihil entered Prakruti silently, exhausted by the day's events. Shanthi. Rahul and Samar who were sitting iin the garden sensed that something was amiss looking at their sombre faces. They came up to them, with Samar asking "Kya hua Bhaiyya?". Nikhil just shok his head warning them not to ask anything more and added "Khushi di will be staying with us". They hid their confusion and just nodded. Shanthi and Rahul left immediately telling them that they would get the room ready for her and asked Samar and Nikhil to stay with her till then.

It was a tiring day for everyone and all had retired to their rooms at Prakruti except Nikhil who could not go to sleep thinking about the countless lonely hours Khushi had to endure being rejected by everyone for no mistake of hers. He would get his revenge he decided.

Meanwhile Akash and Payal moved to a nearby house that he owned along with her Bauji, Payal having turned a blind eye to all the pleading requests her mother and buaji made. Buaji and Garima could not believe now that they have been left all alone and helpless with them alienating one daughter and the other returned by the favour by doing the same to them.

Arnav tossed around in his bed with sleep being a distant dream. His life had been torn asunder. His Nani was leaving to the ashram the next day. His brother had left him for his wife. His Khushi had left him to rot in his own personal hell. But where had Khushi gone to? He frowned wondering if she was safe wherever she was. He remembered the guy who has been with her at the temple. "Does she stay with him?" he pondered. He had to find out. He also noticed that he had not seen NK all day. He was about to call him when he saw NK entering his room looking drawn. "Are you ok Nannav?", he queried, concerned about his cousin's health. Arnav nodded slowly wondering how to broach the subject though he was pretty sure NK would understand that he did have the answers to his question. Determined, he looked up and asked "Where is she now NK?". NK knew that this was coming. His cousin was shrewd enough to have guessed it. "Why do you want to know Nannav? I think you should give her some time. Think about her feeling atleast now." NK could not stop himself from voicing out his thoughts. Arnav slumped, but he could not stop himself "I just need to make sure that she is safe NK. I will not disturb her. Please tell me." he pleaded. NK gave in and told him all about Khushi and Prakruti.

Nikhil glanced outside the window after a short while with a coffee in his hand and noticed a white four-wheeler parked hidden beyond the line of sight but in such a way that the occupant of the car had a full view of Prakruti. He knew who it was. He strode outside with a purposeful gait. Arnav saw the guy walking towards him, anger writ on his face. He knew he had to talk to this guy. He got out of the car. "I guess introductions are in order Mr.Raizada. I am Nikhil" he said sarcastically. Arnav made a gesture to shake hands, but Nikhil just folded his hands and leaned on the car. Arnav swallowed the insult and stood mute. "So what brings you here at this time of the night?" Nikhil added. "I wanted to see Kh... see if Khushi was safe", he spoke it all out. "Why do you care? For all I know, you did not even love her." Having someone speak about his love kindled the old fury in Arnav "She is my wife" he bit out. Nikhil who was waiting for a chance to hit back and hurt him took it up with glee. "Your wife??" he made a mock thinking gesture and added "Can you prove it?". Arnav stood as if struck but then pulled himself together. " I need not prove my marriage with her to mere strangers". Nikhil hurt at the tone that indicated Khushi was in way related to him lashed equally furious. "She is an adult Mr.Raizada. And if she stays here of her own free will. Who are you to question it? If you insist on disturbing her, I will call the police and I guess they will anyway ask you to furnish the details of your wedding when I question your wedding."

He let the words sink into Arnav hurting him and then started again "So ASR, that is what you are known as rite?. Let me tell you. What did you think? You can do anything, hurt anybody to protect or avenge your di and I cannot. She is my di and you will have to contend with me. I will not rest until I get her justice. You made her life hell and I will make yours hell now. I will lay out my plan in open and see how you fight it, though I am pretty sure you will lose it. I will not let you near my di from now on. Since she is not legally married to you, I guess there is no need for a divorce." Arnav's breath hitched at the word divorce. If Nikhil saw the anguish in the face of the man in front on him, he did not care about it and continued. "I will make sure she finds happiness in her life again far away from you or right in front of you while you remain trapped in the web of your sins. She lost her family and I will make sure you will lose yours. Now that you have realized her value, I will make sure you lose her too even if it is the last thing I do". Nikhil breathed deeply trying to rein in his temper that was running amok. Arnav stared at the guy in front of him who was spelling out how he was going to destroy him. He knew that the guy had Khushi's best interests in heart and he would be happy to justify himself to the guy but looking at the guy he knew he was in no mood to hear anybody now and least of all him. He shook his head and drove off still haunted at the prospects of what would happen if what the guy acts on it. He needed to plan to counter him and he was not one to be cowed down.

---- To be continued ------

I know this part is small and has not moved much with the storyline but could not bring myself to write for the past few days. So whoever is reading this piece do bear with it. I am trying my level best to give you the best I can.