He had debated the whole day if Khushi and Aanaya were the same. Apart from the physical similarity, there was nothing in common between them.
But the biggest proof was his heart. It could not lie. He knew it was her. He had never noticed how his beats accelerated when she was around, as much as he did now.
But why was she scared of him? Or was she angry? And what If she really wasn't Khushi?
He had found some clue after ages. If this wasn't Khushi, he wasn't sure he could live with it.
He wanted so much for her. He wanted her to reunite with her parents. He wanted her to be given the dignity she did not get from her parents, during her marriage.
He wanted to give her the life of a queen. He wanted to shower her with love. He wanted to make amends for every harm he had done to her.
But would she let him?
If she was Khushi then why was she pretending to be Ananya?
Was she scared of Shyam and Rohan? Of course! That must be it. That was the reason she had left. She had no way of knowing they were dead. He had to tell her.
May be she would admit to being Khushi then?
A new hope began to bud in his heart. He would catch her again on her way back home.
Having made up his mind, he wasted no time Arnav hired a cab and directed him to Camac street where the office was located.
He was surprised to see how small and run down the office was. Khushi was a talented copywriter. She had worked for him long enough for him to know how brilliant she was.
So what was she doing in this pathetic office that had not seen a coat of paint for ages?
Why would Khushi work here? He began to have doubts again if the girl he was pursuing was indeed Khushi.
He waited in the shadows of an opposite building, in the cab, while constantly keeping track her office.
It was around 6.45 pm that he saw her step out.
Darting a look here and there, she started walking. Arnav dashed across the street and began following her.
After some time, she turned into a quiet street. Seeing his opportunity, Arnav called out Khushi----.
Again he saw her back stiffen. But she did not stop.
Not giving up he pursued her and kept talking, 'Khushi Shyam and Rohan are dead. You have nothing to fear from them. Not now, not ever!'
He held his breath in hope. Khushi would turn around and look at him now---
He sensed, rather than saw her stop for a fraction of a second. But her walk picked up more pace and she continued to walk.
Hurt, angry and frustrated, he quickened his pace and grabbed her arm and whirled her around. Roughly he pulled out her hideous specs. She was too surprised to react at first. But, recollecting herself she began to struggle to free herself saying.
'How dare you touch me! Who the hell are you? I told you I am not Khushi. I am Ananya. Didn't you get it into your thick head?'
'No you are lying. You are Khushi. Don't lie to me. Even if you do, your body won't lie' he said, as he placed his thumb at the base of her throat and gently caressed it, making sure that no one in the secluded dark street was paying attention to them.
This was Khushi all right, Arnav observed as she closed her eyes and gulped. If he was a stranger she should have slapped him for his behavior. But Khushi stood transfixed. The pulse at the base of her throat began to throb and her whole body began to tremble.
But the next instant she freed herself and pushed him away.
'How dare you touch me? I am going to call the police right now,' she said, picking out her cell phone from her bag.
Though her reaction had convinced him it was indeed Khushi, perhaps it was time for him to give the acid test too. He would have to see if she really called the police. If she was Khushi, she would not. If not, she would.
'Go ahead. Make the call,' Arnav said and waited patiently, crossing his arms.
She fidgeted with her phone for a couple of minutes, before saying 'I don't meddle with rogues. Bye and don't follow me again.'
She literally ran from him, but Arnav smiled, Run where you want to Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. I will make you admit who you are,' he told himself.
But how? ----He had no clue. And why was she avoiding him? Did she hate him so much? His heart plummeted with fear.
Reaching home, she greeted her parents quietly, not answering their queries. Quickly she went to her room and closed the door.
She washed her hands and neck, as if to wash off his touch,
She quickly discarded her work clothes to change into something more comfortable.
As she did so, her eyes fell on her stomach"on the stretch marks---reminding her that she was once going to be a mother---of his child---and would probably never be in this life time---the baby who would have been hers and hers alone, unlike all relationships that had turned their back to her---the baby who had died due to the circumstances they had caused and her own inability to save it----
With her baby, Khushi had died ---she was just Ananya now---a girl who had nothing to do with the vulnerable Khushi---
No Arnav. You can never make me admit I am Khushi. I am Ananya and happy to be Ananya.
I don't want anything in my life other than to live it alone.
I will never return to your world ----never ever!'
CID
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