ArHi SS-Full Measure (Chapter 3, pg 6) 30thMay - Page 3

Well we cant insist but surely demand more updates!!!!

Thanks for updating dear...


I loved the update...

So Khushi is not at all into politics...

Sparks are there between Arnav & Khushi but just waiting to know how you plan to take their relationship further...

Hi dear, it was a lovely update as always! Loved it!
Waiting for the next update! :')

Thanks for reposting this story. I have never read it previously and I was looking forward to reading it after reading your other story Sunshine after Rain. I am enjoying this story written in a political backdrop. Waiting for the next update.

Chapter 3 next page😊

Chapter 3

There were very few things Khushi loved about this house in India. The 200 Million bungalow was once inhabited by her ancestors, built in the year 1937. Her blue bloodline had enjoyed a life with all the benefits the luxury money and power could buy. It was ironic, though, that none of them had a peaceful death. She belonged to a prominent political dynasty recognized not just in India but worldwide. Members of her family had led the People's Party, generation by generation right from the Independence. And before that, they were prominent people a King's court. However, she wondered had their spouses played any roles in their extinction? Like her father's spouse had?

The six story building had a living room, guests rooms, offices, a massive library that stored books dated from pervious centuries, rarest editions and all; a gym, an entertainment room, and a basement car park with a capacity to fill in a few hundred at the time. The high-tech enlistments were the ones her mother had insisted upon. But the best part was its massive garden which was almost as big as the house itself. The lovely parterres of flowers meticulously manicured lawns in criss cross arrays, a sculpture of a pair of beautiful swans surrounded by little faucets that created a fountain of water. A blooming morning in this garden, fresh as the dew was enough to bring a large smile on her face. Khushi sighed as she sat by a white oak garden dining table and gently sipped her coffee. It was only this time of day that could bring any piece to her. There was no hassle of party members coming and going, prying eyes of media persons - who were invited frequently for interviews. Though she knew the peace would be short lived as her little escape would soon be invaded by her mother and her obsessively demanding behavior. The thought was cut short by the woman in question herself, as she came with a pleasant smile already ready to deceive and debauch the world. She was wearing a dressing gown in pale pink, her messy graying hair piled on top of her head, her one hand carrying the mug of tea and other a newspaper. Khushi knew her mother never colored her hair. In fact, she loved the growing silver in them. Needless to say, it was believed her grays contributed directly to her chances in the general election.

"Good morning, my sweets. Ah, your undying love for this garden! Whenever I miss you, I make sure to have my morning coffee here" Aradhya patted her gently as she rounded the table to take the chair next to her. At the brief contact of her mother's palm on her head, Khushi closed her eyes seeking a reassurance and warmth that any child would covet. However, her warm hazel eyes chilled to dark chips when she opened them and remembered who her mother really was.

"Sure" Khushi murmured and turned back to her own newspaper that she'd abandoned in her hypnotic perusal of morning beauty.

"Ah" she heard from beside her "You are mentioned here, Khushi. Yesterday's rally sure was successful in bringing you to notice"

Khushi's heart stopped for a second as her mother's words hit her and then it hammered against her chest as she slowly turned to look at her "You coerced NK into asking me to join you guys, didn't you?" her voice was chipping calm not at all showing the force she put behind saying those words. Her teeth clenched tight as did her fists as she waited for her mother to confirm only what she already knew.

Aradhya took her own sweet time lowering the newspaper, her offhanded behavior fueling Khushi's temper even more. She took a sip of her tea before she answered Khushi "Don't be such a baby, Khushi. It's okay. You'll eventually have to accept that this is your ultimate fate. You are almost twenty four; it's high time you muscle in. And as it is, you want to save the world, so do it this way"

Khushi felt sudden violence slashing through her entire system. Hypocrisy and deceit dripped from her mother's lips and yet her eyes and expression were of an indulgent parent. She felt so enraged, she had to draw in few breaths before she could talk back coherently "I am very clear in my mind, mother and you know that. Politics is not a pull, nor are the people" she gritted out as she looked at Aradhya. "And I never had the misconception I could save the world. I can just save myself"

But the older woman's face didn't change. In fact, she was still smiling at her "People are no pull? But you admire your Shashi uncle, don't you? Even if he is one of the biggest threats to us right now"

"Yes, I admire Shashi uncle. More for the reason that he is your biggest opponent and threat than anything else. So quit with you manipulating games" and this time, Khushi didn't stop her voice from pitching high. So much for a peaceful morning, she thought bitterly.

Aradhya stared at her, her face closing into a tight muscle as she directed at Khushi "I want you to work

on the ten seats in the Chitrakoo region. Spend two weeks there and try to quell the infighting within the party workers over seat allocations. They'll listen to you... I bet only you"

Khushi stared at her before letting out a derisive laughter "You aren't listening to me are you, mother? Or are you delusional? I have enough morals to not let myself get involved with a nasty woman like you. Now leave me the hell alone"

And then she saw it. Aradhya Swarankar Gupta loses her precious control. Her eyes flared with fire and her movements' wild as she pointed at Khushi "Listen to me, Khushi. Don't fool yourself into thinking that your behavior will be entertained by me. For all the flailing you do, it will only take a single attempt from my end and your pride will take a hit so powerful not even your precious Shashi Uncle will be able to-"

"Oh clam down mother." Khushi sneered, not in the least affected by her threat "You are in no position to be firing threats. You have long since not been. So quit deluding yourself and the world that you have anything consequently monumental except for this stupid charade. And if you are that desperate I won't mind showing you mirror or rather Shashi uncle wouldn't"

That had all the effects she wanted to see. Aradhya visibly deflated, her moments ago anger puffing into the air and now she was a helpless old woman "I...I... I'm sorry, beta. You know I lo-love you. I was just asking"

Khushi pointed a finger at her "Don't ask me mother and quit trying to manipulate me. You have no power over me"

Crocodile tears leaked from her eyes as she meekly stared down at her lap "I'm sorry. I really am. And I love you Khushi. My only daughter. After Payal ..."

"Don't mother" Khushi gritted, even as her heart twisted with pain at the mention of her deceased older sister. And to hear this vile woman - who unfortunately was their mother - made her want to break something. "You aren't helping this. And don't ever take Payal's name from that filthy mouth again"

Aradhya stared at her with wide eyes swimming with tears "How can you say that? She was my daughter?"

Khushi let out a maniac laughter again "The daughter whom you married off to an animal just for your political benefit? The same one mother, who was raped every day, by different men, until she succumbed to the unfairness, inhumanity, and ruthlessness that she was subjected to every bloody second she spent with her husband? The same daughter mother, who you turned a blind eye towards despite knowing everything she was going through because you didn't want her rapist and murders to pull back their support?"

Aradhya's horrified gasp was drowned by brother's voice "What's going on here Khushi? Why is mother crying?"

And hearing NK's confused and concerned voice was the last straw for her. She jumped back from her chair and turned to look at him. Her voice was injured and scathing at she glared at him with a thin film of tears "NK you manipulating bas***d! I accompanied you to that stupid rally just because I thought you would want some moral support from your only sister. Oh, how wrong I was. I'm a fool to believe that a son of this woman would be anything but like her. You don't see anything beyond yourself, do you NK? You like to keep your eyes shut. See only what you want to, don't you? Well, then live in this picture perfect, fantasy world of yours. And NK, just because are only one person in my family left who I actually care about , I'll tell you one thing. When the time comes you must decide what is right, what is wrong. Take the position that the conscience tells you is correct. Don't go for safe; don't go for power or politics. You failed me NK. Don't fail yourself"

With that Khushi turned to give one demeaning glare to Aradhya and then stormed towards the house. It slashed her to see her brother's sympathies directed at their mother. Not that NK was unconscious to all the events pertaining to their lives; he simply chose to ignore them. Never looking too deep. Never probing, never asking, and always believing in the superficial. Maybe subconsciously he knew if he dug even a little the whole act would collapse. And he was too selfish to let it. His career, these elections were too important to him.

Khushi wiped her tears miserably with the back of her hands, uncaring of anything as she ran through the large foyer and towards her room. So, when she heard the startled and concerned shout of her best friend calling from behind she didn't go to him but just turned knowing he won't see her distress from the distance and asked "What are you doing here, Aman?" her voice sounding shaky to her own ears.

As a confused Aman started to walk to her he replied "I came to deliver this file to Aradhya aunty for Dad. But why are you - "

Before he could reach her or complete the question she cut him "Mother she's in the garden. I'll talk to you later"

With that, she turned and ran again, this time towards the exit of the bungalow. As she was nearing the exit she slammed straight into a hard chest and air left her lungs in a hard gasp. Strong hands supported her from shoulders as the he supported her "Khushi" she knew that voice "Where are you running off to this time?" there was humor in his voice and Khushi couldn't help but return it back "To hell. Want to come along?"

Arnav paused, the laughter immediately dying on his lips and eyes to be replaced by concern and question, as he met her eyes in her upturned face. "You are crying"

Khushi grimaced as she looked down and back at him "Just something..." she said vaguely stepping back from his hold "Give me a moment will you?"

And then without waiting for his reply she walked out of the exit and down the few steps. She heard him follow as she slowly paved her way to the west of the house, where there was a small grove of wild vegetation meant solely for the security purpose. As a kid, she'd hidden here on the most occasions when the going got tougher for her young heart. The path was blunt and treacherous with sharp thorny stems poking from all directions. But she'd made herself pro finding her way through. Her only thought was, would Arnav be able to follow her without hurting himself? She walked deep inside, stopping only when she knew she was hidden from all prying eyes but one.

He didn't speak but continued to stand a few steps away, giving her time to settle down. And then Khushi realized she hadn't really wanted to be left alone. She'd done alone a lot back in the US. And for once she'd needed a human presence. She turned around with a little smile, though her eyes still felt misty

"You never called," she said teasingly

It took him a moment to absorb what she was talking about and then he slowly closed the distance between them before he answered "I didn't know you were waiting" he teased back, his brown eyes warm and mischievous even with all the worry that reflected from them as he lightly slipped his hands into the pocket of his jeans. Khushi stared at his handsome profile for a second, letting her eyes appraise the one thing that captivated her vision and a part of her heart at the moment. His muscular built was strong but lean. He wore a black polo with washed jeans and black sneakers. It was his presence - the easy way he conducted himself, the natural way confidence and assurance flowed around him that left her breathless.

Khushi grinned back at him as she slowly leaned in towards him "Well, now that you know will you?"

He chuckled at that, the sound causing a slight flutter in her tummy "Damn well I will"

There was silence for a short stretch as they looked at each other. Arnav slowly raised a hesitant hand and gently brushed away the lose hair that fell over and around her face and held them at her nape "Are you okay?" he asked, his question tender yet carefully spoken, his warm eyes meeting hers head-on

Khushi nodded looking down and felt him step a little closer "You want to talk about it?" he asked again in his husky, whispery voice, his warm hand still pressed against her nape as he urged her to look up.

She did and wrinkled her nose at him "I hate to sound so ambiguous but I really don't want to talk about heavy stuff right now"

Arnav looked at her as a slow smirk stretched on his face and then he laughed "Oh you perceptive beauty" Khushi laughed throwing head back, knowing he was looking. Yes, she wanted him to find her beautiful. Was it so wrong, when he was standing there spoiling for everyone good-looking in future that wasn't him?

His eyes sobered then "I got busy with my brother yesterday, so wasn't able to call. He doesn't keep well and I was at his bedside the whole night"

Sympathy assailed her she looked his suddenly forlorn eyes "Is he fine now?"

Arnav smiled gently and nodded "Yes. He's better"

Before she could ask further he raised a finger of one hand as he pulled out his phone with the other. It must have been vibrating because Khushi didn't hear it ring. He threw her an apologetic glance before connecting the call "In a sec, Aman" he responded after hearing him talk.

He slipped it back into his pocket "I'll have you go. Aman's done there. Are you really fine?"

Khushi smiled "I'm good. You go. I don't want to see Boo. He'll freak out"

"Okay," Arnav shrugged "Good bye then" With one last brush of his fingers on her cheek and small yet intimate smile at her, he retraced his path back to the front of the house where Aman's car was parked.

Khushi waited for a few seconds, letting the impact of their encounter wash over her. However, she didn't know what inspiration incited the realignment, but, she was following him in a full blown sprint. She emerged just in time to see Aman and Arnav climb into Aman's massive Hummer and before her best friend could crank the engine up, she rounded to stand in front of the jeep.

Aman raised a questioning eyebrow as he honked but she shook her head at him, giving him a small mischievous grin before walking to the passenger side of the car. She ignored Aman's low whistle as she corned Arnav against the door of the jeep just as he stepped down again. Without waiting for him to speak, she gazed straight into his questioning eyes for few seconds, her eyes flickering once to his handsome features and then bracing her hands on his chest, she stretched on her toes and pressed her lips, softly against his. She stood there for a few seconds pushed against his stunned form, their lips just touching for a few seconds before she pulled his lower lip between hers and gave him a deep kiss. Pulling back she smirked up at him "You, Arnav Singh Raizada, need to psych yourself up" and with a last peck on his lips she turned and walked back inside the house, hi-fiving Aman in her way, who was still hooting with laughter at his friend's stunned form

A/N: Okay, so here goes the next chapter. I am glad to see so many old readers of this story. Welcome back. This time around, I aim to complete this story, you guys😆😛

Alright, let me hear from you'll. All kind of feedback is welcomed here. So, fire away.

Next update comes on Wednesday, after 10PM IST

Powerful stuff .. Or you can say bleakness of our political system

Nice one. Looking forward to reading further updates

Politics is a dirty game .what goes behind no one knows .
Coz of Khushi's no nonsense attitude she can survive in between such vultures.
N.K may be that kind of guy who prefers to live in bubble until reality hits them .

Lovely...and the last part...wow just wowww!!