FF: PAYBACK ~ Season 2 ~ Thread 5 ~ Part 25 (15/02) - Pg 126

INDEX

Part 19

Khushi was back in Shantivan and the very first person she met on her way to the room was Aarav. He was waiting for her to come home probably and thats why he was so excited seeing her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her tight.

Khushi: Aarav ? You didnt sleep yet?

He didnt utter a word. He just kept clinging to her body which made Khushi worried now. She immediately kneeled down and then cupped his face. His eyes were moist.

Khushi: Aarav? What happened? Why are you crying? Did anyone shout you?

Aarav noded in denial.

Khushi: Then?

Aarav: I am missing Maa

That one sentence made Khushi's knees weak. This boy really loved his mother though he didnt even have any proper memories of her. He needed a mother's love just like any other kid would deserve. She pulled him for a hug and started caressing his back.

Khushi: She is just around Aarav. You got to feel her presence.

Aarav: Why did she leave me? Did I trouble her? Wont she come back? I promise I will never be naughty with her again. I will be a good boy. I will obey everything she says.

Khushi's eyes were moist now. She kissed Aarav's cheeks.

Aarav: No one in this house ever tells me if she will come back or not. They say she is at God's home. Why did she go there leaving me here?

Khushi: God called her for some important work.

Aarav: Didnt God think about me ?

Khushi: He knew you have so many people to take care of you in this house. So he left you with us. You have Bua, Badi Nani, Chachu and me. Hai naa?

Aarav was getting convinced now.

Aarav: You will never leave me naa Chachi. ?

That was such a tough question to answer .

Aarav: Bolo Chachi. You will not go away from me ever. Promise me.

He extended his palm for getting her promise which she willingly gave him. SHe knew that was the only way to make him feel better and to be honest, she was so much attached to this child now that she too cannot stay away from him no matter what.

Khushi: I wont go anywhere leaving you Aarav. Now smile.

She stretched his lips so that he smiles. He hugged her back with love.

________________

Next morning Anjali walked in to Arnav's room. He seemed busy reading some file. She came there and placed his tea cup.

Anjali:Chotte busy early morning?

Arnav: Haan Di.

He kept himself glued to the papers which surprised Anjali a bit more.

Anjali: Any important work?

Arnav took a deep sigh.

Arnav: Gupta Company Shares.

Anjali was amused.

Anjali: These are the same 50% ownership shares which is on your name, isnt it?

Arnav: They were on my name but not anymore.

Anjali: What do you mean?

Arnav: I am returning them to Khushi Gupta.

Anjali was very much surprised.

Anjali: What are you saying Chotte?

Arnav: Haan Di. You know why I wanted to conquer her Company. Those days I was blinded by rage and I was in the impression that she has wronged with our family. Now that I know she is innocent, there is no point in me keeping these shares anymore. She has spent years of efforts in getting her Company in a position where it is today. I am no one to snatch it from her.

Anjali could understand his point.

Anjali: But its these Shares only that kept her in this house with us. If you return them back to her, she might.

Anjali didnt speak further. She was little emotional thinking that.

Arnav: She might what? LEAVE?

He clarified and stood up to reach his Di.

Arnav: I know what these papers mean to her. Now after getting them back, she is free to choose her way. We are no one to stop her.

Anjali was shocked.

Anjali: We may not be anyone for her but YOU? You are her husband Chotte. So what if the marriage was only on papers, only for revenge. She is still your wife, her every decision is related to you even if you both want it or not.

Arnav was quiet and little uncomfortable to discuss it further.

Anjali: Chotte should I say something?

Arnav didnt give her permission because he knew if she wants to advise something, she will say it as it is.

Anjali: Whatever happened is past, we have learnt from our mistakes. We know who was the real culprit but we do not want to discuss all this further in the house. Why not lets forget everything and start a new life from here? I was going to speak to Khushi also about it but didnt get that courage. And you know how she is .She is very rude at times though I know her heart is soft. But she still hates us. So I didnt go to her directly. Thats why I am advising you to do something about it. Dont waste a relationship like this. You both entered into this wedding for some purpose which was wrong. Now its time to make things right. Please think about it.

Arnav once again sighed deeply.

Arnav: I will talk to her.

That one sentence was enough for Anjali to feel good. She caressed his cheek and then left the room .

___________________

Khushi was at Gupta Office working when she got a message from her Secretary who came inside

Secretary: Maam, Mr Raizada is here.

Khushi almost dropped the pen she used to sign some legal papers hearing that.

Secretary: Should I send him in Maam?

Arnav Singh Raizada is here? Why? She composed herself gesturing the secretary to send him in. Within few minutes he entered her cabin. This was the first time he had seen her office, her cabin and most importantly first time he had seen her working like that.

Khushi: I guess AR has less work these days, their chairman looks free most of the times.

She was very good at taunting but he didnt comment over it.

Arnav: Nice Cabin.

She raised her eyebrows seeing him admiring her cabin like that.

Khushi: You came all the way to say that?

Arnav smirked while she got up from her chair and stood at the desk.

Arnav: For you.

He handed the papers to her. Initially she was not sure what they might contain but the moment she read the first page of it, her eyes went wide. She gazed at the legal papers carefully. She had never expected Arnav Singh Raizada to return her Company Shares so easily.

Arnav: My Lawyer have verified these papers already, you might want to get your lawyer involved, I wont mind.

Both shared a quick glance at each other and then she closed the file.

Khushi: I know what I have to do. I dont need you to advise me that.

Arnav: Fair enough. Now that we have talked business, lets finish sorting the personal matters too.

She looked at him almost blankly. So much frankness in his talks made her uncomfortable. He came a step forward. She watched his feet nearing her and then looked again in his eyes. He stood close but not that close like the other day in the Pub.

Arnav: Our marriage, Mrs Khushi Singh Raizada. How are you going to deal with it ?

He literally spoke in the most huskiest tone she ever heard from him. It was so natural, he was being so natural. And did he just call her by his surname? Khushi Singh Raizada?

Khushi folded her arms. Now she was enjoying this conversation very much.

Khushi: What do YOU want?

She didnt need to give him a chance to speak about it. Why was she asking his opinion now? But he didnt question her back. He had a reply to give and he really meant it.

Arnav: Your happiness, in whichever way you choose. Staying married to me for the rest of the life or getting seperated.

This man will always remain a surprise package for her. Will she ever be able to read what he has in his mind? He was leaving everything on her ?Even the decision of their marriage?

Arnav: Look Khushi, I dont want to take any lead or command in deciding about our marriage. You know on what grounds we got married. Though Di wants us to re-think about it, I solely leave it on you to determine.

Khushi: DIVORCE ( she uttered the very next second)

Arnav was stunned that she took the decision so readily.

Arnav: What?

Khushi: I want a Divorce Mr Raizada. I got my Company shares, there is no other reason why I should stick to you to your family. And I dont need time to think about it either. Its a waste of time. Lets go ahead for a Mutual Divorce and dont worry, I wont even take a penny from the Raizada's in Allimony. You have my word on that.

She was really being rude for Arnav Singh Raizada to bear but he was the one on the weak side, so he shouldnt just blurt his anger at her. He was the one who asked her to decide then now when she has taken the decision why interrupt?

Arnav: Okay. I will ask my Lawyer to make the necessary papers ready.

She didnt even flinch at those words. Why would she? Who was this man for her? No one. He gave her a final stare and left the cabin.

_________________

Garima screamed at the top of her voice on her daughter Khushi later at that evening when she was been told what talks happened between Arnav and Khushi.

Garima: Are you nuts Khushi? He just left such an important decision on you and instead of taking time in thinking, you abruptly decided to Divorce ?

Khushi was busy eating the spaghetti as she was very hungry.

Garima: Khushi I am talking something, show respect.

Khushi: Mom I am damm hungry. I didnt eat from morning, I was that busy. Please give me few minutes. We shall talk over it. Okay?

Garima was furious.

Garima: No need. You dont have to talk anything. Keep eating, keep satisfying your ego that you have finally succeeded in Crushing Down Arnav SIngh Raizada's attitude and made him bend before your commands. You can only do that, nothing else.

She got up to leave but Khushi held her hands and made GArima sit again.

Khushi: Okay. Sorry. You want me to talk, then fine. Lets talk.

Garima was quiet and little disturbed by her daughter's decision.

Khushi: You think I am a Fool Mumma to take such a decision? I know that I have asked ASR to make the Divorce papers ready, but I am NOT Divorcing him at all.

Garima was surprised.

Khushi: Yes, you heard it right. There is no Divorce happening. Not because I want to stay with that man. No . Never. I dont give a damm to him and his husband status. I only care for one person in that family which is Aarav. He needs a mother, he misses her. And I want to give him utmost love which he deserved. For doing that, I will have to stay in that house which I am ready for.

Garima was 50% happy. Atleast she wasnt breaking her marriage.

Khushi: And just imagine, what will Arnav Singh Raizada go through when he will have his beautiful, sexy wife lieing just around the corner of his house, flaunting her attitude, but he still cant touch her? It will be fun to see that. I know these men. They just want one thing when they marry. Earlier he hated me, which is why he never wanted me. But today, he doesnt hate me, so there are chances he might want to ,you know, touch me and all that?

She laughed for few seconds looking at her mother's reactions at her direct talks.

Khushi: I am going to enjoy his desperation and mock at him. Thats my second agenda apart from taking care of Aarav in that house. Okay?

She kissed Garima and then wiped her face to leave the hotel. She had to go back to Shantivan now.

___________________