PART 24
Complete silence in the car which he drove hastily on the roads. For some minutes Khushi didnt realise where he was taking her. But she remained quiet and didnt question him back. Whatever happened with her in his absence was still haunting her mind. She had never expected to land in such a situation where she would be called in a Police Station for enquiry that too for a Client Cheque bounce issue. She was sobbing softly ensuring he doesnt come to know but he was very well aware of every minute pain she was going through. His anger was reflected in the way he drove the Car rashly. Seemed like he was in a hurry. A lot was going within that brain of his but he tried not to speak to Khushi about this and handle this matter on his own henceforth.
She had expected him to talk to her , console her that he will take care of things now and she need not had to worry, but he didnt speak a word about it. Though she knew he will take this forward but she needed the support in terms of some soothing words for her. He roughly parked the car inside the Gates of Gupta House and she was shocked.
Arnav : Get down and stay here until I come back.!! He seethed in anger and the words sharply cut her ears.
Khushi: Here? Why here? I.. Her stammering words were immediately cut by his angry tone.
Arnav (Gritting his teeth looking at her angrily): Ek baar kahi hui baat samajhme nahi aati? I said stay here.
His reaction was a never expected one for Khushi. She could see the angry ASR like a roaoring lion back in action as his voice startled her in fear. He was definately upsetting her more with such reactions but why should she take such things from him? She had full rights to know what he was planning.
Khushi: Where are you going? I hope Arnav you will not take a hasty step in sorting this issue. We can do it together!!She tried to touch his hands but he shrugged it off in anger.
Now she was getting on his nerves by this nonsensical behavior of calming him down.Arnav didnt wait for taking her advises. He got down the Car and opened her side door and made her come out. She was still looking at his face in confusion.
Arnav; Just shut your mouth for advicing me.. I am not in a mood to take things lightly. This has gone past the limit. Mind you I can never tolerate my wife in a situation like today. I dont care whose mistake this was or what made the matter so worst, what I care for is to keep my wife's dignity and respect due in the society. If anyone plays with it, they will have to face me before reaching you. Now sit back home with your family and wait for me to return back settling things my way!! Is that clear to you? He pushed her towards her house and got into his car in anger.
Khushi was speechless. She had seen him in this much anger even before but today he looked extra frustrated and somewhere the Love he had for her was visible on his face once again!! She moved a step back as he drove the car speedily out of her house leaving her alone but she knew it won't be for long. Sometimes she wished to accept the mistake he committed in the past for the Love they had between them but then the moment she think about that Shalini's face all her control level vanishes and she ignores everything she has for Arnav and promises herself never to give a chance to their relationship. But after staying a week away from her husband, then facing such business issues, today she had realised no matter what wrong he did then, he had come over that past life and all he concentrated at the moment was his wife and the responsibilities he had to fulfil in their relationship. No doubt he was doing all this to his best.
*************
Shalini and Shravan toasted their drinks in joy and seated themselves on the Couch laughing over the condition of Mrs Khushi Singh Raizada.
Shalini: You have no idea Bro, how happy I am today seeing that Khushi landed in such a trouble. She was like pain in my neck. So bossy and so rude with me only because I was Arnav's Ex fiancee. (She chuckled again and then sipped her drink).. I showed her the right place.
Shravan: You are genious Shalini, you have created a havoc not just in her professional life but also in her personal life. She and Arnav Singh Raizada have no chance of being together again.
Shalini: I am just waiting for the day when she will send him the Divorce papers. And only then I can satisfy myself seeing how I took my revenge back from that couple. Arnav Singh Raizada thinks himself very smart, doesnt he? Now how is he going to sort his life? I doubt if he even got a chance to know what his wife is going through. Not seeing her husband coming back to help her, Khushi will realise how irresponsible and insensitive he is towards their relationship and then.. Boom... The misunderstanding between them will grow to this extent that the entire Raizada family will repent of getting them married.
Shravan: Waah Behna, you really have cunning brains just like me. Such a big plan and that too successful in so short time. No one will even spy on us that we are behind this Cheque bounce case!! How easily you made Khushi sign the Client Cheque from her company's dormant account which had no funds. She didnt even check with the finance to know if she had funds in that account or not? Or well she might not be aware of this dormant account existing itself.
Shalini: I bribed the Finance Dept of Gupta's Shravan; you know I am so good in that.
Shravan: Absolutely Genious!!
They laughed heartily but suddenly someone pulled Shalini behind and she got a hard slap on her left cheek whose intensity made her stumble and fall back on the Couch. Shravan angrily turned behind to see who did this and was shocked to see Arnav Singh Raizada standing there before them with red eyes and hardened jaw. Arnav had heard their entire conversation today as he already had guessed whose work it can be to defame Khushi and the Sinha Empire.
Arnav: How sick of you both to plan such a cheap horrible plan against my Wife!! Arnav Singh Raizada's wife? What did you both think that you will escape so easily? You have no idea how sharp my brain works extra fast when the matter is related to Khushi. I had expected Shalini to do such nasty acts to seperate me and Khushi but never did I expect it to be so worst. First you fed her ears regarding that night we spent together years back which was still acceptable Shalini because it was a truth and some day or the other I had to let my wife know this truth, but today what you did is out of patience level. You have done enough to make break my family, to hurt my wife and today I will put an end to all this.
Shalini got up angrily touching the cheek which was slapped by him.
Shalini: You raised a hand on me ? I will sue you for this Mr Arnav Singh Raizada!!
He didn't spare the other cheek which received a blow again from the lion's hand.
Arnav: (Gritting his teeth): Dreaming high Shalini!! You won't find time to sue me because tomorrow morning you will be leaving this country with your Brother forever!!
Shravan was very angry after seeing had listening all this. He tried holding Arnav's collar but Arnav caught his hands pinning it behind him while Shravan growled in pain.
Arnav: Don't you dare raise your filthy hands against me B******.. I won't take a second to show you your right place!! I know how to physically handicap you forever but now I won't do that... Inspector!! (He called out for the Police who came inside the house scaring Shravan and Shalini both)
Shalini: Police? Why.. Why are they here?
Arnav (Looking at her): Very scared, arent you? They are here to arrest you both on the grounds of cheating my wife and planning a fraud case against her to defame her..
Shravan was speechless but Shalini tried to cleverly divert him.
Shalini: Arrest? What proof do you have that we have done this?
Arnav immediately removed his mobile phone and played the Video which he just captured of Shalini and Shravan toasting the drink and confessing to each other how they had planned all this to defame Khushi and Sinha Empire!! Shalini immediately tried to snatch the phone from Arnav but the lady police held her hand in anger.
Arnav: Don't think you will be saved after this video will be leaked to the media and newspapers tomorrow morning. Imagine what your Father Mr.Sagar would go through? All his business will be at stake and not just that, he will miss his Son and daughter who will be behind the bars for not less than 2 years for doing all this.. You will be dragged to the streets without the money which you are enjoying now.
Shravan was sweating in fear and now even Shalini realised that everything was over.
Arnav: But know what? Knowing the ties that Sagar Uncle has with our family, I dont wish to do this. I am giving you both just 12 more hours. (He threw some tickets towards Shravan which he held in his hands).. These are your tickets back to London, pack your bags and leave India forever!! Do whatever you wish to do there, not here.. Even if you try to plan something there, you are being watched by the London Police too. Shravan, I won't dare to put you behind bars by bribing those girls to complaint for having used for your benefit till date. And again if I find any one among you trying to even plan something against my family here, I will ensure this Video will be handed over safely to the media which would tear your fake dignity and status apart!! Am I clear?
Shravan just nodded in agreement though he wasnt much happy about this. To be safe from Arnav and the Police, he thought this was the best option to leave the country with Shalini!!
Arnav gave a final cold look to Shalini and came towards her..
Arnav: I regret every minute I spent with you. Wish I never had taken the decision to get engaged to you, but everything happens for a reason. Every Bad day have an end. This was it.!! I hope we never cross our paths again and this time I really mean it!!
Shalini was fuming but she kept looking down as she didnt wanted to argue on this fact anymore because Arnav Singh Raizada was like an injured Lion today and even one small tickle from their end would make him pounce at them and ending their lives.
Arnav threw the tickets on the table and moved towards the exit with the police to leave their house. He stopped again turning back through his shoulders.
Arnav: Don't you dare think of skipping this travel tomorrow. My people would be coming here to take your things and drop you to the airport. And with my influence I have already made sure that you both got a travel ban to India henceforth. Good Bye!
*********
NK was pacing in his room with the unrestraint thoughts that was hitting his mind since the time Lavanya had reached London. He had obliged his brother to accommodate his wife in their house. But wasn't that too odd ? Irrespective of their differences isn't it rude on his part to listen to his brother rather than he himself providing shelter to his wife. Where has the old NK gone he thought for himself? He remembered those days when he used to meet Lavanya in between his short breaks from college, how he used to take her for small rides and those precious moments where he felt the entire bliss when spending time with her. Whats happening to their life? Has marriage become a stumbling block for their life? He had presumed that the relationship to next level would very well prove a good step in their life.. Though it was smooth till the first year it started to taste sour when the time passed by. Is that distortion caused from his end? Or his irreplaceable ego that wasn't ready to accept the flaws of his partner.
His thoughts were heading him to an unrealistic truth. Since the time she landed in London, she was behaving so formal with him which really irked him. Though he wasn't ready to accept her wifely duties still some part of his heart yearned for the love of his wife too which he won't get unless he tries from his end he thought. He hadn't brushed off her conviction but the way she mellowed down from her ego by leaving her career and following a middle ground path where she could get satisfaction and follow the house hold duties as a bahu was remarkable. He was blinded by the ego till date that he wasn't in a position to accept her sudden change which might traverse back to its previous stage. The ultimate solution should be a conversation on mutually agreeing to sort out the issues before it goes out of his hands.
He peeped into the kitchen where she was preparing dinner for them. Since her arrival she had been taking efforts in fulfilling her duties without any comments or over doing from her side. He hadn't expected her to ignore him and concentrate on her work in Arnav's office albeit some small help in asking him to drop her to the office which was purely communicated formally. The coldness in their relationship was reflected through his scorn while she remained unaffected. She hadn't even attempted to talk about their life which he thought was the ulterior motive behind her moving to London.
As he started to move towards her in asking for help, he found out that her duppata was slowly catching the fire from the gas table.
NK : Lavanya!!!!.. He screamed on the top of his voice and rushed towards her moving her duppata from the neck in putting off the fire.
Lavanya got scared at the scream from behind and saw how he pulled the duppata from her neck and put off the fire. She wasn't aware of the fire catching her cloth. Her face revealed the utter horror of what would have happened if NK hadn't reached on time. After putting off the fire NK turned behind to spot if she had got hurt in the process. He checked her fully with the worry creasing on his forehead.
NK : Are you ok? Did you get any bruises? Can't you just be cautious while doing this idiot! What if I hadn't come here now? How can you be so careless La?
It was after a real long time she saw the look of concern on his face. And above all he called her La after ages. She couldn't hold on to herself the emotions that had been cropping up. Soon she hugged him tight crying her heart out. NK was a moment stunned at her reaction but thought she was scared due to the fire and hugged her back caressing. He could hear her sobs & tears spreading over his shirt.
NK : Its ok.. Don't worry.. Good that I came on time.. Now don't do this again.. please be cautious. I cant afford to lose you at any cost.
He smoothed her hair and kissed unknowingly what he was uttering. The first time his heart spoke leaving aside the faade he was carrying through all these days. They were in each others' arms for a long time and he was the first one to realize their position. He slowly removed his hand from her body and she could understand that it was too much to digest for him. She herself pulled out from the hug and looked at his face which was stammering to give out any expressions. He looked at her eyes again and moved out of the kitchen to get some space where he could hide his expressions.
Lavanya smiled her heart out with tears flowing.. She knew her NK is still alive in his heart and would soon come out of the hiding expressing him. She wiped her tears and continued to cook for him after all the love she wants to express can be through the food she serves him.
*****
Anjali sat on the bed with Khushi who was looking firm on the floor thinking about the happenings. She had informed everyone at house how she was being tortured and Arnav's timely intervention to rescue her. Sashi was really furious to here about her incident and chose to remain quiet with Madhumati's advice as his one move against the police could lead to some sort of trouble for Khushi only. She was sure that Arnav would take care of the future as he knew better how to handle the criminals in their own way. Khushi was taken aback looking at the conviction of Madhumati for the support of Arnav. She stood up and rushed to the room getting irritated on how her mother had so much trust on him while she was fuming here for what will happen because of his anger.
Anjali : Khushi.. good that Arnav came on time. Otherwise we wouldn't have known what to do with this. But who can do such an heinous act? Did you check in the office who has dared to do that?
Khushi gulped thinking about how she had her doubts on Shalini. She knew the real culprit was her but the question would arise when this is informed to others where they will probe into Shalini Arnav past which she never wanted to disclose to anyone and disappoint them.
Khushi: Its my fault Di. I hadn't checked it properly.. I didn't expect that contractor to file a case. She shrugged off her shoulders looking aside.
Anjali :I don't know Khushi.. I feel you are getting lost somewhere these days.. I can't see that happy chirpy sister back.. Any problem between you and Arnav ??
Khushi stammered a bit when Anjali asked her about their relationship. She hadn't thought that she would be caught soon. Although she had no intention to reveal his past and paint a bad picture of him on their thoughts. But she can't entirely conceal the small misudnderstanding that was evident in them.
Khushi : nothing Di. Its just I am not in good terms with him after I came to know about your marriage and the situations leading to it. We haven't come to terms with it yet.
Anjali : Are you crazy Khsuhi ? I was worried only for your benefit.. I suspected him for his behavior since he broke the engagement with Shalini. I don't blame him entirely for this marriage. He might have been a part of it but not to get punished for someone else. If at all I would point a finger it would be on my husband who faked everything for money and deceived me. He is pretending to be good towards me now. I am sick of seeing that man even.
Madhumati : What are you both talking about ? You both are not happy with your husbands?
Madhumati who entered the room was astonished to hear their talks. She moved forward to her daughters turning them to answer her.
Khushi : Ma, don't even question us like that. You too are the reason behind this. How on earth could you think of getting Di married to Shyam after knowing how cheap and womanizer he was?
Madhumati : Hold your tongue Khushi.. he is your jeejaji now. And I don't think I did a biggest blunder of getting her married to Shyam.
Khushi : Oh.. how great? You think you acheieved big by getting Di married to him ? How can you think so Ma?
Madhumati scoffed at her hearing some hurting words.
Anjali : I didn't expect you to be a part of this Ma.
Madhumati : Wait.. now what you both think of me? I will be very much happy to throw my daughters into the cliff and wash off my responsibilities? I know I had much limitations being a widow. I hope you both didn't forget how I brought you both up after your father's demise! And regarding Shyam, do you both know what happened?
Khushi and Anjali looked at each other blinking their eyes.
Madhumati : Bitiya please trust them now atleast
Anjali : Ma. I dont want to talk about him anymore.. I am just surviving with that man only for my daughter..
Madhumati : Why not? Why can't you both forgive them?
Khushi : Do you expect me to easily forgive him for what he did to my sister's life? How easily you all risked her life ?
Madhumati : How easily you both blamed your husbands for all the wrong they did. You have no idea how worse situations I have faced in my life with my husband. Till date I never let you know what your father was. Do you think he was a good and responsible man? He was a typical casonova of those days. He didn't have any count on the number of girls he dated even after our marriage and even after he was a father of 2 daughters. He abused me when I tried to convince him to leave such a life. Have you both realised how I still stuck to my husband and fulfilled all my duties towards him? I did that for you both. And years later I got a fruit of my patience. As you both started growing, he changed. He became the best father and a good husband thereafter. Everyone faces odd days bitiya but that doesnt mean you will run away from such situations. You have to face them and correct them for your better future. Have some faith in your husband Anjali and Khushi, they may go wrong at some point but that doesn't mean they are wrong forever.
Anjali and Khushi were shocked to the core hearing about their father. They had found an ideal husband for their mother in all these years but never in their dreams did they think their father was such a jerk before.
Madhumati : And since my responsibilities of motherhood is put to question by my own daughters let me clarify. Anjali you are aware how many proposals came to you and how they got rejected everytime. Once your engagement was fixed and when we found out that the person and the whole family agreed to marry you inspite of your physical disability was just for monetary benefits they scared me that they won't dare to kill you for acquiring it even after we stopped the marriage. On the otherside what did you do? Didn't you attempt for suicide blaming yourself for this disability? Didn't I promise you to find someone who would accept you wholeheartedly? When we got proposal from Raizadas, I looked at the family not at Shyam, they were very nice people who loved you inspite of everything. You also seemed to love them more and you liked Shyam too. When I saw the happiness which seemed to be doomed in my daughter's life I decided that you would get married to him at any cost. It was Daadi and Arnav who revealed about his affairs with women. I was broken inside because I knew the moment this marriage breaks I would see my daughter shatter into pieces. Call me selfish I couldn't just think about it at that time. Then it was Daadi and Arnav who assured me that they would change Shyam at all way possible.. I saw a ray of light in their words. I trusted them and that trust didn't falter me. After your marriage I was being informed on each and every step they took to stop him from going away from you. You were just enjoying your life Anjali without knowing what was behind you, but each step I knew how Shyam was being chomped from all sides to make a good husband in you. Now I see a reviving man in him after your child was born.. Isnt it the fruits of a hope that I had in your life? What would you think I should have done? Risk my daughter's life by rejecting and waiting for a day when someone willingly accept you without any compromises and money who would think about your happiness? And you Khushi, on what source can you blame Arnav for this? He should be considered as the savior who helped me out in this.. If you can't see some good in your husbands then I would say you both are blind. If I had the conviction of changing my good for nothing husband into a gentleman why cant you both when the circumstances are in favour of you? And I hadn't taken this step hastily Khushi and Anjali.. Where on earth can you find a groom who is devoid of any relationships now a days? Think practically and believe in the goodness which they portray on you now. If you are hell bent in ruining your own life then you both can certainly take it forward as its your life. Please accept this apology of this old woman if you think I am the reason for ruining your happiness.
Madhumati knelt down asking forgiveness. Soon Khushi and Anjali made her stand up and hugged her tightly.
Anjali : Please Ma.. Please.. Don't do this...
They cried on her shoulders caressing her back. It was time to set things straight. It was time to think practically from their point of view.
Anjali closed her eyes gulping her tears and heaved a sigh of relief.. She had decided to give a chance to Shyam and this would be not only for her daughter's life but for her own life her own right, her love which she had in him. It's a test for her to give a chance to his Love to prove his worth now.
Khushi on the other hand sobbed hardly thinking about all those moments which pricked her. The way Arnav had blurted out about his engagement, his break up before marriage, his conviction of setting his di's life straight, his love for her, his one year of sacrifice due to the guilt and all the more his unended madness in love for which he can go to the extend of destroying the whole world for her. If she can't forgive him then she is commiting the biggest sin of her life. She was waiting for his return to take her back in his life where she could reciprocate the same madness for him.
To be continued..
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Edited by harith25 - 11 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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