Chasing Dreams- Thd7 CHP42, PG 130, Link to THD8 & CHP43, PG143 - Page 92

god its going to take another turn ? nobody was helping arnav .i was surprised with akash .but the thing is these men were complaining but enjoying life with their wives at the same time. given a choice they would stick with their wives.arnav was not in a state to decipher things. hes hell lot confused

nice chapter.. i hope arnav wont change his mind.. waiting for next.

Well Arnav's learnt his lesson, he had a condom with him! I hope he does not bolt. Not after giving Khushi so much hope.

Chapter 42-

The next day, Arnav had a video chat with Khushi using the Skype application on his iPad. Arnav had looked exhausted after the previous night and the stress associated with the wedding preparations.

Khushi asked him about his party and whether he had fun. She had been feeling guilt about being a spoilt-sport.

It was alright.' His reply was curt.

Arnav, please lets just drop it now. Shall we?' Khushi pleaded with him. she didn't want to be the reason for Arnav's unhappiness.

Khushi you have to learn to trust me. You know how much I value my personal space and freedom. I don't like being told what to do and even more what not to do.'

Khushi who initially apologetic was starting to get irritated by Arnav's high-handedness.

If you don't want your wife to share any opinions, I don't know why we are getting married in the first place.' Khushi snapped.

Nor do I.' Arnav thought to himself but then decided against saying anything.

Do you ever find me telling you what you should do? Why cant I expect the same from you?'

The last time I recall you asking me...ordering me to abort the foetus, Arnav. So don't pretend as if you never tell me what to do.' Khushi had lost her temper due to Arnav's holier-than-thou attitude. She was trying to make things easier for him, but if this is how he was going to behave, she wasn't going to be the only one accommodating of his frequent mood swings.

Arnav closed his eyes. This discussion was slowly getting out of hands. Fine I get your point. But is it necessary to keep bringing it up all the time? No one likes being reminded about their lowest point in life time and again Khushi.'

Khushi remained silent.

Khushi I'm sorry.'

When she still hadn't replied, he added, I just want to be done with this wedding. I hate this constant quarrelling and misunderstandings. Its difficult having a relationship via a phone and a tablet. I wish I could make these seven days disappear.' Arnav sounded desperate.

Khushi realised there was more to Arnav's desperation than he was letting on.

Arnav tell me what is bothering you, speak to me please.' She pleaded with him.

Arnav remained silent and then an idea stuck his mind. 'Shall we just get married today in a court or a temple? I'm happy to fly to Lucknow right away. Just the two of us without any of the pomp and splendour. We can then announce it our families, they will understand eventually. I want this marriage to be done with Khushi.'

Arnav I really would love that, but...'

And here comes the but.'

But our families have been planning and preparing for the wedding for so long. Its just a week to go. Can we please wait until then?'

Sure.' Arnav changed his tone sounding assured. I understand.'

After the video chat, Khushi was starting to feel nervous. Was Arnav developing a cold-feet? Would he call off the wedding? Should she have agreed to marry him today?' But how much more could she bend to whims and fancies?

She was feeling scared and wanted to share her apprehensions with someone. But with whom? She didn't want to scare her parents if it was nothing. Payal was pregnant and could do without any unwanted stress. She closed her eyes and prayed to her Goddess Devi Mayya and asked her to set things right.

""""""""""

Arnav went to Shantivan to meet with his sister, grandmother and Payal before they left for Lucknow. Akaash and he would be joining them in a couple of days. Anjali seemed a little more cheerful than usual. On being asked to come out with the the reason for her cheer, Anajali announced, After the wedding I will be going back home with the boys. Shyam and I have reconciled.' The announcement made everyone in the room very happy.

Arnav managed to catch Anjali alone. Can you at least tell me now the reason for the initial separation.'

Anjali smiled at her brother. Though he wasn't overtly expressive of his love for his siblings, Arnav always found other ways to show his concern That's in the past Arnav. Now let it go. The important thing is that Shyam and I have reconciled.'

Not convinced by Anjlai's reply Arnav did what he had stopped himself from doing all this while. He placed a call to one of his business confidant's; Aman Mathur who would help him whenever Arnav wanted some information. He asked Aman to find out what had caused the initial separation and report back to him. He could trust Aman with this personal investigation.

A little later Devyani asked Arnav to speak to her in a separate room.

Arnav, Khushi's parents had called. They have requested me and you to approve of them hosting a reception in Lucknow. Khushi's family have lived their all their lives in Lucknow. They cant invite everyone for the wedding, so they would like to host a small reception.'

How small is the reception, five hundred guests?' Arnav asked sarcastically and then he added, Fine they can do as they please. As the days go by I feel like nothing but a sacrificial goat. No one really cares about what I really want.'

Dont say that Arnav. For the parents of a girl her wedding is the important occasion of their lives. So I can empathise with the Gupta's.'

Do you have anything more to say Nani?' Arnav asked his grandmother.

Devyani cupped his cheeks. Are you alright Arnav? You look very stressed.'

I'm fine, I just want to be done with the sham this wedding is becoming.'

Devyani knew better than not to retaliate. Arnav it is normal to feel stressed and sometimes unhappy during the run up to a wedding, especially when its someone who has strong views on marriage like you do. Just remember at the end of this whole thing you will have the most precious person beside you for the rest of your life. Khushi. She will make all of this worth the effort.' Arnav cloesd his eyes and imagined Khushi in his home, in his life, living together. You are right Nani. Im doing this only for her.'

After Arnav left Devyani seemed a little worried. Arnav looked very stressed. She was sure he wouldn't do anything stupid, but still she was worried. She closed her eyes and prayed to her God to guide Arnav to do the right thing.'

"""""""""

The following day Khusi called Arnav to thank him for agreeing to the reception. Her parents had approached Nani without telling her after she had refused the reception in Lucknow. She had been worried about how Arnav would react, but Devyani who had just arrived, had dispersed all of her fears by telling her that Arnav had agreed instantaneously.

When Khushi thanked him, he had replied, Did I have an option Khushi?' He had sounded irritated.

You do, you could have refused Nani.' Khushi replied.

And then your parents would have found another way to emotionally blackmail me into agreeing.' Arnav retaliated.

Why are you dragging my parents into this?'

Why? Did you also have a part to play in this? Did you tell your parents to speak to Nani so that I would agree. Was it your idea?' Arnav was starting to lose his sense of rational.

Screw you Arnav. I'm done dealing with your mood swings. Remember one things, if you feel you are doing me a favour by getting married to me, you are wrong.' She bit out and ended the call.

Arnav decided to call her again and apologise. He screamed at himself for having a go at Khushi. Truth to be told he was anxious and stressed and he just found an excuse to take it all out on Khushi who had been nothing but understanding and patient. When Khushi hadn't picked up her phone in spite of repeated attempts, he gave deciding to apologise to her in person in Lucknow.

'What was going wrong with him?

Why was he so unhappy when within a few days Khushi would be his forever?

Why was he feeling apprehensive and restless to go ahead with the wedding?

Did he make the right decision?

Should he go ahead with the marriage or call it off when there was still time?'

Many such uncomfortable questions plagued his mind; Questions he didn't have an answer for, well except the last one. If he called off the wedding, he would lose Khushi forever and he couldn't afford that. He was going ahead with the wedding solely for her and he would somehow get by the next few days as getting married to her would be the right thing to do. It was he who begged khushi to agree to the wedding, so he would do everything to keep his word.

"""""""""-

Later that evening, more unexpected bad news made its way. Aman had called Arnav to report his findings. Aman took less than a day to find out that Shyam had slept with a colleague during a conference under the influence of alcohol. And what made matters worse was that the woman was pregnant with his child. When Anjali found out she was extremely furious with Shyam and walked out with her two sons. Meanwhile the woman had decided to go ahead and abort the pregnancy. Since then Shyam had been doing just about everything to make Anjali accept his apology so that she would return home.

Arnav's head was spinning by the end of the briefing. Shyam was a honourable man, who love Anjali very dearly. He was a man of integrity. How could he do this to his wife and two sons? He experienced insane amount of fury against Shyam.

Shyam was kidding himself if he thought that Arnav would let his sister go back and live with him after everything he had done. But why was his sister willing to go back to him after all of this? Did Nani force her? He was not going to let his sister sacrifice her dignity and self respect. Never!

"""""""""

After reaching their ancestral home in Lucknow the next day the first thing Arnav did was to gather his Grandmother and Anjali. He told them that he had found everything about what Shyam had done. Devyani had been kept in the dark about their issues until a week ago when Anjali told her the entire truth but then asked her not to discuss this with anyone until the wedding was over. She knew about her brother's issues with marriage and didn't want to give him an opportunity to change his mind again.

How did you find out Arnav? Anjali asked.

I have my sources.'

I'm not happy that you have hired someone to investigate Shyam and my marriage. I dont appreciate it one bit.'

I dont care if you are unhappy with me, I can live with that. Can you explain why you are willing to go back to Shyam after what he had done. He has cheated on you Anjali.' He stepped forward and held Anjali's shoulders. He has slept with another woman while he was married to you. Not only did he cheat on you as a husband, but he also let down his children as a father.'

When Anjali hadn't replied, Arnav turned to hus grandmother to unleash his fury on her. Did you force you into reconciling with Shyam, Nani? Because if thats the sole reason, I will convince Anjali against it and ask her to break this marriage.'

Arnav to you its that easy right? Breaking up marriages and relationships? I had thought with your own wedding just a few days away you would have changed a little bit. Looks like thats not the case. I dont want to be a part of this conversation anymore.' And with that Devyani walked out of the toom. Devyani felt she had done a big mistake by asking Arnav to marry Khushi. It was becoming obvious that Arnav didn't believe in marriage and was not prepared to embrace it with both its ups and downs.

What had she done?

Did she put Khushi's future on the line?'

No. Nani didnt know about any of this until I told her a few days ago.' Anjali told Arnav once her grandmother has left the room.

Then why Anjali,You have Akaash, me and Nani. You were a successful lawyer before you gave up your career. You can take care of yourself financially. You dont need Shyam, not when he has treated you so badly.'

You dont get it, do you? I'm doing this for Shaan and Ansh. They dont deserve to grow up in a broken family.'

What nonsense. So many children grow up with divorced parents. They are all doing just fine.'

Arnav why are we even having this discussion. This is my decision to make, not yours. You can think whatever you want of me- gutless, coward, someone who lack self-respect or dignity. But I did what I thought was best for me, my family and my marriage. I'm not going to walk away from my marriage just like that.'

Anjali then added, Shyam has been extremely guilty of what he had done, and over the last few months I have been convinced that he and our marriage deserve another chance.'

All of this happened and you still sold me the idea of a successful marriage, why?' Arnav asked his sister with hurt in his eyes.

You cant equate my marriage with yours. Shyam has done a mistake but overall he has been a good husband and a great father, with this indiscretion nonwithstanding. The very fact that Im willing to give him another chase is only because we have had a good marriage until this thing happened.'

Arnav had heard enough, This is exactly why he didn't want a marriage. To him marriage was something that bound people together forever and made them do things which they didn't want to.

If Anjali wasn't married to Shyam, would she still give him another chance? No she wouldnt.

Anjali's marital issues was the final nail in the coffin, which reaffirmed that Arnav's reservations about marriage were true and not unfounded.

He wasn't going to allow this to happen to his life. He was better off, happier without a marriage so far. And since the discussion of marriage came up in his life with Khushi's pregnancy, his life had been nothing short of a disaster. He couldn't even remember the last time he went home without feeling stressed or worried.

Arnav decided to meet Khushi and speak to her, he had to put an end to this soon.

Just when Arnav was about to walk away Anjali stopped him. 'Don't do anything stupid Arnav. This is why I didn't want to tell you anything about Shyam. Khushi loves you a lot. Don't play with her future.' Anjali warned him, making it amply clear that his own family would break their ties should he call-off off this marriage.

Arnav shrugged her arms and walked away.

""""""""

Arnav was waiting in a car not too far from Khushi's home.

Khushi opened the door and got into the car.

Whatever you want to say, say it quick. My parents will come looking for me in a short while. They are very clear that I don't see you this close to the wedding.' Khushi spoke in a stern voice. Khushi was still unhappy with Arnav after how their last discussion ended. When she got his text a short while ago, she had assumed that he was there to apologise in person, unknowing of the the bigger deadlier storm that awaited her.

Shyam had cheated on Anjali with another woman and had gotten her pregnant.' Khushi looked shocked as the news sank in. She felt very sorry for Anjali who was more than a sister in law to her.. And Anjali has decided to reconcile with him and move back after the wedding, because she believes that their marriage deserves another chance.' Arnav spoke without looking at Khushi.

But why? Di will do just fine without him.'

Then as an afterthought she added, But I understand why Di might have done this. Its not easy to see your marriage and family break apart.'

Exactly! She did it to save her marriage. Thats what marriage does to people. It forces them to stay together when they shouldn't.' Arnav grabbed Khushi's hand as he made his point desperately.

Where are you going with this Arnav?' A slow fear of something going wrong terribly started at the pit of Khushi's stomach.

Arnav didn't reply.

Arnav look at me, tell me what is happening, You are freaking me out. The wedding celebrations will begin in another two days Arnav.' She pleaded with him.

Arnav held the steering wheels more forcefully and closed his eyes. Khushi tell me that my fears are unfounded, tell me that our marriage would be worth it because at this moment I cant help but feel that this is not something I want. I dont want to do this to us Khushi.'

Khushi leaned back on her seat too shocked to react. Arnav...' She said in a trembling voice. Do you think I will cheat on you?' He nodded his head to say no. And I believe you wont cheat on me. Then why do you want to equate someone else's marriage with ours?' Khushi asked clutching at straws, hoping to reach out to Arnav's reasonable side.

Arnav held Khushi's hands. I'm sorry Khushi. I dont think I can do this. i dont know what I was thinking when I begged you to agree to this marriage. Can we put off the wedding by a few months so that I can figure out if this is something I really want. Please?'

Khushi slapped his hands away. I knew it, I knew you would do this to me. I knew you will abandon me. You are such a coward Arnav. I should have never given you another chance.' She cried as an utter feeling of helplessness set in. A small part of her always knew he would do this to her. Why did she ignore that part of my heart and give him another chance?

Khushi, all Im asking for is some time. I feel messed up. I cant go through with the marriage in a few days, when Im this confused. Would you want that?'

How much more time do you want? When I left you the first time, you didn't change your mind. When you had an accident, you didn't change your mind. When I got pregnant you didn't change your mind. When I left you again to move to Lucknow you didn't change your mind. What's the guarantee that in a few months time you will change your mind?'

Please Khushi trust me. Marriage isn't something I...' he left the sentence incomplete. I was under a lot of pressure. With you losing the child and walking away like that, your parents finding out and then my family finding out, I had no choice but to ask you to marry me.' Arnav blabbered away the entire truth.

Screw you Arnav. I never wanted your pity. Let me make this easier on you. lets call off the wedding for good. When you cant be a man and even keep up the first promise you made, why would it be any different in the future? I don't want to be married to coward like you. You didn't take responsibility for your child and now you don't want to take responsibilities for the promise you made.'

Arnav remained silent for a short while and then spoke up. I think you are right. Its best if we call off the wedding. You are right, I don't think I will change my mind.'

And at that moment Khushi felt that her life had been sucked out of her body.

I was just speaking hypothetically.' Khushi whispered. I thought if I said all of that you might change your mind.'

No Khushi I think this is for the best. I cant do this. I lied, I lied to myself and to you, but no more. Its better for us to end this charade now instead of getting married. I will make a terrible husband Khushi. You deserve better.'

Khushi closed her eyes. Tears continued to fall from her eyes as she saw them washing away the remnants of her life, happiness and dreams forever.

She wiped away her tears furiously. I will tell my parents to call off the wedding. But you have to promise me something.'

You will never ever try to reach me again. You will never eve try to enter my life again. You will never ever have anything to do with me or my family again.'

I'm sorry Khushi.' Arnav apologised as tears fell from his own eyes for the first time. He felt a multitude of emotions; guilt, remorse, anger, helplessness. But in spite of all of that he felt that he was doing the right thing. He was filled with so many doubts and reservations it was better to call off the wedding than go through it and make each other's life miserable. it was better to set Khushi free so that she would find her happiness some day in the future with someone else. He knew she would be angry, upset and even hate him for the rest of their lives but someday in the future she would understand that what he had done was for the best.

I'm sorry Khushi. I love you. Trust me this is for the best.' Arnav held her hands and placed kisses on Khushi knuckles. Khushi slapped his face. I hate you Arnav, I hate you with all my life. But you know whom I hate even more than I hate you? ME!' Khushi felt a strong sense of hatred an disgust upon herself for falling in love with a man like Arnav and for repeatedly giving him chances and trusting him.

With that Khushi got out of the car.

Arnav followed her out.

Let me come with you and announce this to your family. I dont want you to do this on your own.'

When you can abandon me like this and humiliate me in front of the rest of the society, I dont think speaking to my parents will make any difference. Just go away Arnav, You have done enough. Go away before I do something stupid and end up killing your or even myself.' Her shoulder slumped as she cried again.

Dont say that.' Arnav walked to her and closed her lips with his hands.

Dont. You. f**king. Touch. Me!' She pushed Arnav away. Just go away Arnav. While I showered your life with unconditional love you have given me nothing but pain, hurt and humiliation. Maybe you were right in the beginning when you told me that here was no true love in this world. Love is just an illusion.' Khushi's shoulders slumped as she broke into another round of tears.

Khushi started walking away as she heard Arnav continuously apologising to her from a distance. She didn't turn back, she would never turn back. She whispered to herself. 'I hate you. I will hate you forever.'

Khushi walked away from Arnav, from his life, from the remains of the dreams she had foolishly chased, that now laid shattered and buried along with her heart.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H21fj0hQRM[/YOUTUBE]

that was quite stupid and irresponsible of arnav to call off the wedding, without giving a thought about the repercussions it could have on khushi and her family...he has ruined her with his cowardly act😡

Just as is thought..Im furious at Arnav..He doesnt deserve anyone's love..Arggh i havnt felt this frustrated at a character in a looong tym..Though a sucker for happy endings, im expecting somehting else here

Omg what happened, why????? Kripa where is the happy beginning????? Felt so bad for Khushi!!!!

Read all the chapters in one go.. Loved it

Chapter 42 has now been updated.\