#4 Arhi FF : Limerence [ Completed ] - Page 64

Limerence : Part 28

The car came to a smooth halt in front of the huge ARD quarters that was deserted at this time of the night. Arnav looked around with caution, trying to spot some movement or disruption. Khushi sat restless in her seat, knowing that something was definitely wrong and Arnav was not telling her the information he had received a few minutes ago. Feeding them an ice cream in this chilly weather, was just another excuse to delay them. She had kept on asking him the reason for the sudden shift in his mood. However, he had simply kept mum and tried to distract her with something or the other. It was only after he had received a message, that he had urged both Khushi and Garima to get into the car quickly to drop them home.

"Khushi... aunty... please stay in the car. I am just getting off to check if it is safe to go home," Arnav warned both the women grimly, making them now extremely worried for whatever they were about to face. Khushi could not keep away the panic from her voice as she asked, "What has happened Arnavji? Please tell me. Is something wrong? And no... please don't get out of the car until its safe. Let us call the police if you think there is going to be some trouble for us."

Arnav turned towards Khushi, and cupped her face in his hands, his heart clenching at the thought of anything happening to this innocent woman. "Listen carefully Khushi. I got information from my detectives that Shyam has been waiting here since nightfall, with a gang of his thugs. I want to be sure that he is nowhere around, before quickly transferring you'll into the building. I have an inkling that they have managed to either buy off or overpower the security here. Hence, let me just check if everything is all right, before I can take you guys home. So, please please please promise me Khushi, that you will wait with aunty in the car, till I tell you to come out."

"No Arnavji! Please don't go out before we get some help. Call the police, Arnavji. Shyam is a dangerous man and he has a really bad reputation. He can stoop to any level. Please Arnavji..." Khushi pleaded, trying to make him see sense. However, she was unaware of the plan forming in Arnav's head. This was his only chance to catch Shyam in action. While finding proofs against the man, they were repeatedly bumping into dead ends. Arnav was hoping that Shyam would foolishly create a blunder today, giving him an opportunity to corner him.

"Khushi please don't argue and just listen to me. You trust me right? I will be fine... I promise. Just stay in the car. Aunty, will you make sure to keep Khushi in the car till I come back?" Arnav turned towards a worried Garima, who despite her own fears, managed to nod at him. Her trust in Arnav was too strong for her to oppose his ideas. She knew that if Shyam was truly lurking around in the dark, it was only Arnav who could tackle this problem. Arnav quickly got out of the car, making sure to lock it once he was outside. His eyes scanned the bushes opposite the huge towers, which seem to rustle in the wind. The cold sneakily crept up around him, a shiver of anticipation running down his stiff spine.

The unnerving laughter of Shyam Jha, resonated in the silence as he turned swiftly in the direction of the sound. Before he could spot Shyam in the darkness, he heard his vile voice, dripping with venom, "Arnav Singh Raizada... finally we meet again." It took a moment for Arnav to adjust to the dim yellow street light and spot Shyam, tagged by about a dozen young boys. They held sticks and chains in their hands. He realized that Shyam was here with intention to harm, and that might just work in his favor. All Arnav had to do was play his cards right. He looked at the car, spotting a nervous Khushi looking through the tinted window of the car, at the scene unfolding on the deserted road.

"Shyam Jha, what are you doing here with these bunch of acrobats from your circus?" Arnav said icily, seeing them gather all around him. Shyam laughed again and replied menacingly, "Well, it is all your fault Raizada. I tried to charm my soon-to-be sasuma and instigate her against you... but look at you... the great Arnav Singh Raizada, never seems to lose, does he? Not only did you manage to charm her, but you also managed to introduce her and my soon-to-be wife to your family? You think I, Shyam Jha would take this lightly? It is good that you have made sure to keep Khushi and sasuma in the car... because I have nothing against them. Once you are out of my way, there is nothing than can stop me from marrying Khushi."

Arnav surprised Shyam with his loud, bitter laughter as he asked, "Really Shyam? Are you really that disillusioned that you think I would let you even come near my Khushi? She loves me and I her. That is a truth you will eventually have to accept Shyam. And the sooner you do... it is better for you." Shyam sniggered and said, "You don't know me at all Arnav Singh Raizada! Shyam Jha gets what he wants. Even if he has to go to any extremes for it."

"Khushi is not some trophy that you can win, Shyam. Stop being a fool and open your eyes. See the love she has for me. We are getting engaged next week Shyam and soon she will be mine to claim... only because no one can love her more than I do... and the best part is, she loves me just as much," Arnav gloated, instigating Shyam further. He knew the spoilt child in Shyam, lacked patience and also had low tolerance when things went against his wishes. For his plan to work, he had to rile him up further and so he said mockingly, "You think you can scare me off with this chillar party of yours, Shyam? Really? I thought you were better than that. Did you forget the punch that had you bruising a broken nose for weeks?"

Shyam flared his nostrils and gave a nod of his head to a couple of boys from his gang, to attack Arnav. They rushed towards him, as he swiftly knocked them down with punches and kicks flying in the air. Sitting in the car, Khushi squirmed in her seat. It seemed so surreal to her... a scene from a movie. How had her life become so filmy? She despised such movies and it seemed her reality was far worse. She wanted to rush out and hug her Arnavji, trying to protect him from all harm. The fear in her heart had leapt up, choking her throat with unshed tears. It was only because of her promise to him that she sat tight in the car, clutching onto her weaning patience dearly.

Shyam looked shocked at the way, Arnav tackled two of his best henchmen. He signaled the rest of them to attack Arnav, at the same time. As the rushed towards Arnav, attacking him from all directions with their rods and chains, he gave them a good fight, punching and hitting a few, knocking them out completely. However, the entire lot somehow managed to overpower him and held his arms to control him. Arnav struggled to get out of their hold but to no avail. They were much stronger then he, and the sheer number of them, gave him no chance to escape.

Shyam sniggered once again and said, "Tch tch tch Raizada, I thought it would be more difficult to fight you. But seems like you give up pretty quick, don't you? Now that I have you exactly where I want, I want to show Khushi, who is the tougher man in the two of us." With that he punched Arnav in the stomach, making him topple in pain. Another punch was aimed at his face. The huge gash on Arnav's bruised lip started bleeding profusely. Shyam laughed like a lunatic and yelled, "How weak are you Raizada!! And your weakness is my strength... I am going to make Khushi mine! She is mine! Do you get that in your thick skull Raizada??" With that he removed a gun from the inner pocket of his jacket and aimed it at Arnav.

A distraught Khushi, who had been held onto by Garima with great difficulty until now, leapt out of the car. "Arnavji," she screamed looking at the blood dripping from his face. That cleared Arnav's head, as panic seared through his heart. "Khushi, get back into the car! Why the hell did you come out dammit! Get in!" he warned, trying to pull away from the binding clutches of Shyam's men. "No! I will not get in the car, Arnavji. Not when this mad man is holding you at gunpoint," she replied back, with more power than she felt.

Tearing her gaze away from the man she loved, Khushi turned to look at a stunned Shyam and said calmly, "This fight is between you and me Shyam. Let Arnavji go. It is me who you want right? Then let me tell you one thing... once again! I hate you... and even if you were the last man on this planet, I would rather kill myself than marry you. Do you get that Shyam Jha?" Shyam shook his head, stumbling at the onslaught of her words. "No! You are lying, Khushi. You don't have to worry about this Raizada. Don't be scared of him. I am going to kill him right now, so that he never comes in between you and me, Khushi. I know you love me... only me," he whispered like a lunatic.

Arnav saw the deranged look in his eyes and terror like never before seized him. He did not care about himself, but if anything ever happened to Khushi... he would not be able to survive. He never realized when, but her heart was tied to his own now. If one succumbed to death, the other would gladly follow. "Khushi, please get back into the car... please Khushi," he pleaded, twisting and turning to tear himself apart from the men and rush to his love, to hold her in his protective arms and safeguard her from this despicable world.

However, Khushi seemed lost into a battle of glares with Shyam. Her angry, piercing look made him doubt his own words. "You think I love you Shyam? Do you really think so? What have you ever done that is worthy of anyone's love? Steal, cheat, threaten, kill!! Are any of these traits worthy of anyone's love... forget mine!" she asked bitterly, bile rising in her throat, to even utter the words Shyam and love in one sentence. When he refused to respond she continued boldly, "I love Arnavji and we are going to get engaged Shyam. Get that straight in your twisted head! I love him more than my life."

Arnav noticed Shyam being struck hard by her words and his fear to protect Khushi rose in multiples. He twisted and kicked to get away from the shackles of strong hands and chains. He saw Shyam giving Khushi a twisted smile, and his heart skipped a few beats seeing Shyam turn completely in her direction, pointing the gun right at her. "Shyam no!!" he howled, losing all semblance of his surroundings. Khushi stood stunned and a bit relieved that Shyam had turned towards her. In that moment she realized that her words had been so true. She would give up her life to save Arnav's in a heartbeat. She loved him immensely and to see him in harms way, killed her.

"Fine Khushi, if you want to have it your way. I live by what I said earlier. I get what I want... and if I don't... then I wont let anyone else get it either! So Khushi Gupta, you can never be Arnav Singh Raizada's," Shyam said icily and aimed right at Khushi. A loud gunshot resonated through the dark silence followed by a flurry of activity.

Arnav broke loose from the goons and rushed towards a shocked Khushi. Shyam fell to the ground, howling in pain, as his bruised arm bled with the bullet wound. The other goons simply scattered around, seeing a large group of cops rushing forward to catch them. NK and Akash rushed along with the DCP, to grab hold of Shyam, knocking punches in the as***le, who actually thought he could get away with his crimes. The reporters of NDTV News had got exclusive and live telecast of Shyam Jha, one of the top politician's son, attempting to murder. Finally good had won over evil and there was no chance that Shyam could get out of this situation... neither with his father's power nor his money.

"Oh God, Khushi!! You fool!" Arnav shouted, pulling a visibly shaking Khushi into his arms, crushing her to himself. He ran his hand through her long hair, breathing her in, appeasing his fragile heart that she was safe... his Khushi was safe. The agonizing terror from a while ago, seemed to slowly and steadily recede. His breathing returned to normal. As his head cleared the chaos, anger like never before returned and he immediately pulled away. Holding her firmly by the arms, he almost lifted her off her feet and pulled her closer... looking right into the hazel eyes that always unmanned him, "What the hell were you thinking Khushi? I clearly told you to sit inside the car... didn't I? Didn't you trust me to handle the situation? What if something would have happened to you dammit!!"

Pushing her away angrily, he ran a trembling hand through his hair. The thought of losing Khushi was driving him insane, when he heard her feeble voice, "Aur agar aap ko kuch ho jaata toh? You think I could just sit silently and watch them beat you up, Arnavji? What if Shyam would have ki..." Her voice broke; unable to form the words she dreaded to even think of... and to actually live them a few moments ago had almost killed her. Understanding her fear and reveling in her selfless love, he crushed her to himself again, forgetting the audience they had. Love seemed to overpower every other emotion in this moment, threatening to burst forth through his entire being.

"I love you crazy woman!" he whispered in her ears, rubbing her back to soothe her torment. It was a sob behind him that alerted him of others presence as Garima stood at a distance, watching the drama unfolding in front of her eyes. Arnav saw Garima stumble in her steps and he rushed towards her, dragging Khushi along with him. The old, fragile woman almost crumbled into his arms, as the trio simply hugged each other in tears of relief. Arnav pulled these two women closer to himself, vowing to keep them away from harms way, always. Wasn't that the exact reason why he hadn't involved them in his plan? But seemed that his plan had backfired for a moment, when Khushi had involved herself in this entire episode.

"Arnav, the police have arrested Shyam with multiple charges and all of his goons have been put under arrest as well. NDTV would have begun airing this sensational news already and the DCP has promised that this time Shyam Jha cannot escape," NK said happily, looking over at Khushi once, to check if she was doing fine. Arnav nodded and pulled away from Khushi and Garima, hugging his brothers for their timely arrival. The detectives were loitering around too and moved forward to shake hands with their client.

"Thank you for this information tonight. It helped us nab Shyam and that too with proof," Arnav thanked them with genuine warmth. "We really did nothing much Mr. Raizada. It was your quick thinking that gained us success. Had you not informed the Mittals to come in along with the police and media, we would have been still struggling to find evidence against this notorious Shyam Jha. We would like to take your leave now and get onto with the Lucknow investigation. Goodnight everyone," one of the detectives said as they made a move towards their parked car.

"Arnav... NK and me are going to the police station, to lodge a legal complaint. After you make sure Khushi and aunty are ok, give me a call so that I can update you regarding our plans. And please clean up, your split lip is going to look ugly next week in your engagement," Akash said lightly, patting his older brother with affection. Arnav nodded, and held Khushi with one arm, while with the other; he pulled Garima closer, taking them along with him towards their current home. NK saw the beauty of this small little family and smiled to himself. Happy ending did really happen to good people, and he hoped some day, he would find his own.

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As the Gupta women reached home, they suddenly transformed into the ones being in charge. One ushered Arnav onto the sofa, while the other hurried into the kitchen to warm some water. One used Dettol to clean his wound, while the other ran through her medicine kit to find an ointment and a painkiller. Arnav looked at the two adoringly brave women, who despite all they had suffered in life so far, always managed to look out for others over their own gloom.

"Does it hurt?" Khushi asked squishing her eyes as she cleaned his wound. He did not even flinch at the pain, lost in her intoxicating scent. Her closeness affected him as much as it did to her. He saw the beautiful blush marring her pale cheeks and thanked god once again for keeping her safe. "If you keep on blowing warm air on my lip, after each time you dab the wound Khushi, you really think I will be bothered about the hurt? I am feeling the exact opposite of that... and that hurts even more!" he whispered and winked at her, easing the stifling atmosphere surrounding them.

"Arnav beta, have this haldi wala milk... it is medicinal and helps in healing wounds quicker," Garima said, deliberately ignoring the intimacy that surrounded Arnav and Khushi. Arnav straightened himself and took the glass from her hand silently. He scrunched his face like a child, seeing the yellow liquid. "Close your eyes and gulp it down. Don't make me come there and help you with it," threatened Garima. Khushi giggled, and just the sound of her laughter cured Arnav's entire bodyache. He gulped the liquid in one go, as Garima ran her fingers through his hair lovingly. How fortunate had she been to get such a son-in-law? Was this God's delayed blessing to Khushi and her? She hoped so... with all her heart.

"Amma, I will take your leave now. It is extremely late and you need to get some sleep. I also need to check with NK and Akash and see if I am required at the police station," Arnav said casually, unaware of the moisture pooling in the eyes of his two beloved women. "Kya kaha tumne? What did you just call me?" Garima asked in a quivering voice, as she took a couple of steps towards him. That is when it registered to Arnav what he had said... something that had been at the back of his mind for a few days now. Raising her wrinkled hands to his face, he whispered, "Amma..." a term he had been unable to use for his maasi until now, even though his heart had considered her a mother, a long ago.

Garima burst into tears and hugged her son... a son she had always wished she had... to protect her daughter, a son... she could pamper and spoil all she could. Khushi could not control her own tears and for the second time in the night, the trio hugged each other for their life. From fear, to relief, to immense love... they had felt a tumult of emotions in a matter of few hours and it truly was exhausting to have been on this unexpected emotional roller coaster.

Pulling away from the hug, Arnav teased, "Well, Khushi gets two mothers today, so it's only fair that I get them as well." All of them smiled through their tears. Despite the darkness of the night, all they could feel was the warmth and affection of a bright and beautiful future. What were the odds, that three people who had suffered at the hands of fate, were destined to not only heal each other, but to reinstate love, hope and happiness into their lives.

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Part 29