Warning: This chapter contains scenes NOT suitable for all readers. Reader discretion is advised.
Author Notes: Many had questions about the concept and the characters..I will be providing my views in the post right after the update. Please check it out and feel to express your opinion. If I think I could answer, I would definitely but if I dont do, that means the story will eventually answer your questions.
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Khushi happened to look at Arnav ogling at her, not paying any attention to an old man standing with him. Arnav took a sip of his mocktail (for all those who thought its alcohol - its not - mocktail is virgin version of cocktails, non alcoholic) and kept the glass back on the tray looking at Khushi meaningfully and gestured the waiter to pass it Khushi.
Khushi tucked her flowing strands behind her ear acknowledging him and looked away not wanting to look desperate as many ladies surrounded her. And in next few moments, waiter politely handed over the drink to Khushi as her eyes wandered around to find Arnav nowhere in sight.
Her spying eyes shifted focus to Mrs. Govern who was curiously enquiring about the black diamond jewellery set which she wore gifted by Nani. The conversation led from one topic to another and before she realized Khushi finished the drink and handed over the empty glass to the waiter. Have you seen Mr. Raizada? She asked the waiter, feeling little loaded in her brain.
As the waiter responded in negative, Khushi walked into the crowd with glee smile looking for him and greeting guests along the way. She decided to call him from her phone which she left it in their room and happened to stumble across Nani waving at her.
Nani, Have you seen him anywhere?
Nani looked around and didnt find neither Aman nor Arnav, Must be talking to their associates in private beta. They do that often. As Nani shifted her gaze back to Khushi, she found her pressing the heels of her palm against her temples.
Kya Hua beta? Sab teekh hain? [Whats wrong beta? Everything alright?]
Pata nahin Nani [I dont know Nani]. My head is aching badly. Never happened like this before.
This is what happens if you dont sleep at nights. Nani chuckled as Khushi blushed. Go and rest for sometime, he will be back by then.
Nai..
No excuses..Its my command, go to your room and rest.
Khushi smiled thankingly and as she took a step forward, her knees felt heavy and her head reeled.
Khushi beta?
I am fine Nani, its just that saree got in the way...I can manage. You should handle it here.
With that Khushi walked away. With each step she took, her knees felt weak and she stumbled after them, her head reeled unable to register, her vision started getting blurry while people's voices drawled in distant.
Unable to register surroundings & losing her senses rapidly, Arnav..She whispered as she clamped her palm to the handrails and dragged her feet down the stairs from the loft leading to the abandoned living room. At the final step of the stairs, her knees almost gave away and her saree bunched at her feet, getting under her heels. She gasped as her mind vaguely expected a fall when a rough arm grabbed her waist and crashed her onto his chest.
Arnav...Where..we..were..you? Her subconscious mind assumed it as Arnav as he was the only man in her life who held her by her waist. She was sure no one will dare to touch her...She belonging to Arnav...Her mouth gone dry and feeble as her hands clutched onto the broad shoulders. Her head wobbled in hammering pain, as she leaned lifelessly against the man holding her but part of her brain worked hard to look for any familiarity in the man, though her limbs started giving away...
She felt her feet being dragged and heard a door being locked at distant. Her eyes flapped down feeling heavy and failing to lift but her fingers tried every attempt to clutch onto the man. In a swift move, she was shoved onto the bed. Due to the sudden impact, she was able to gain little bit of composure and opened her eyes to look at the man in front removing his shirt. Her eyes blurred and she murmured with giggle...Loong Nig....Her words trailed off as she put extra effort to raise her hand to call him.
The next moment she found her saree being pulled away and she made strenuous attempt to hide herself crossing her arms, an unknown feeling creeping up her drowsed state. Well thats what her mind thought but her hands splayed on the bed lifelessly, no strength and no motivation to even lift her limbs...
How was your special drink, Honey? The man took her neck in brutal assault applauding himself for the revenge to the perfection. She squirmed in pain, the sharp pain on her neck encouraged her to gather all her strength and so she did. She pushed the man...Arnav..what...You..You..smell..diff..
Her eyes leaden with the weight her aching head pumped on her nerves, her mouth as dry as deserted sand, her heart beating faster in inexplicable agony, her mind half-dead unable to reason out. She tried every bit of her strength to open her eyes but the vision only got blurred and worse in the darkness.
Eventually worn out, her body gave away and the man thrusted in a violent push into her dry core...
Arnav...She screamed in excruciating pain her body failing to support her muscles to withstand the assault.
Stop taking that name...The man yelled in low whisper...Else he will reach the same destiny as your father...
Plea...Khushi deeply buried in pain and inebriated, couldnt register what the man is saying...
The only way I could get to that bas*ard is through you Bh.a.bhi...I tried emotional distress sending your father but the as* threatened to spill the beans to your husband for more money...And I sent him to very peaceful place never to return...
Arn...Smoot...please...her voice trailed off as the man lunged one more time..
You didnt tell me how your drink is Sweetheart? Maine khud banaya by diverting your husband's attention, and exchanged the glasses...Oh the waiter..never seen fool like him..All I had to do was to keep him engage in stupid middle class fantasy talks...What your husband did today is never pardonable...He took away my Di and you are going to pay price for it...HE IS DESTROYED...
Arnaaav...Please...Sto..Hurtsss...
With every brutal thrust he broke the only possession of Arnav Singh Raizada into zillion pieces, with her every yelp he took vengeance on the man he loathed most...
This is for entering into my house...
This is for taking away my father...
This is for taking away my empire...
This is for taking away my Di...
This is for beating me in everything I did...
This is for taking away my life...
With his every absurd statement, he pushed harder and harder brutally and mercilessly.
Khushi held onto the Adarsh Singh Raizada's shoulders in feeble cries to push him away...the cries that repeated relentlessly filled with the name Arnav and only Arnav...
As Adi was on the edge of filling her in..he heard the door opened...and he knew who could that be. Sporting roguish smile, he lunged into her, filling her with force & revulsion shuddering her already staggered & helpless senses as she lurched in pain & held onto him for her dear life digging her nails on his back which looked like drawing him closer to the third pair of eyes, but in reality she tried every bit of her sense to punish him to leave her. Adi noted her face turning involuntarily towards the door as if she sensed Arnav's presence. He instantly ducked his face into her neck blocking the view and in the process his broad shoulder covered her mouth which didnt stop taking Arnav's name all night...but unfortunately her muffled voice came out as moan against the shoulder mass and to the ears listening to them in shock...
Adi heard the door being closed and let out boisterous laugh whispering in her ears The doomsday of Arnav Singh Raizada...and found her lifeless and unconscious under him.
If..if only had she opened her eyes, he would have seen the torment her lifeless body tried to tell him at that moment...
If..if only had he not picked the drink, she would not be flying in the air with the needles aiming at her soul...
If..if only had she had her phone with her, he would have been next to her the moment her speech slurred...
If..if only had he not left without saying a word, her subconscious mind would have fought to the last breath even if she had to die saving herself for her, for him and for them...
The lives of Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Singh Raizada would have been different at this moment had not there been an animal named Adarsh Singh Raizada.
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Aman stood aghast witnessing the withdrawal stance of his buddy that he had never seen before in their history of friendship until this moment.
When Arnav threw the keys of his convertible to Aman and requested him if he could drive...Aman felt as if the man standing in front of him was not Arnav at all..He cannot be so vulnerable.
Arnav's pleading voice which otherwise had always been known for authoritative, his eyes juggling everywhere on the floor as if searching something, as if he is denying himself to look into someone's eyes...sounded very alarming to Aman. And before he could say Yes or No, Arnav glided his feet into the backseat, rested his back against the door, feet splayed on the seat, his head rolled back looking at the invisible sky...
Where?
Keep driving away from here...
Arnie, aisa kya hua..[ What happened?]
Arnav remained silent and sat like a bump on a log.
Aman gave one worried look at Arnav before taking the wheel and striding the car to the outskirts away from lights, away from people, away from noise...
Aman knew something happened in that room the moment his friend walked away silently and when Arnav refused to answer anything related to Khushi..
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Denial...
is probably the best word to describe Arnav's present state of mind. His mind devastated unable to admit the obvious truth his eyes have seen. His heart scrunched in pain unable to face the reality his eyes shown.
As the car breezed into the midnight roads, staring at the sky blankly, he sat in the same position in an outright refusal to admit or recognize that he lost everything he gained. His ego took backseat unable to cope up with the tears his eyes shed making their own streams down to the ears, in effort to drown her moans drumming in the atmosphere. His jaw vibrated in tremors to swallow the painful lump formed in his throat...
If there is anything Arnav believes in him, thats his eyes which play his mind and thats how it had always been ever since. He never believed in rumors, he never believed in conspiracies, which is why it is very difficult to deal with him personally or professionally because he doesnt trust anyone but his own eyes. Whether to love or hate, he needs proof and no body can talk him through any emotion unless he sees himself. Unfortunately, today his eyes showed him more than he could handle in life.
Looking at the sky filled with sparkles, all he could see is the sparkle in her eyes. Slowly his mind connected the dots in the sky and drew her eyes, then her smile, her face and finally her. He smiled for a moment looking at her image his mind flickered in the dark sky.
I thought you said you are mine! Finally, he put words to his tears visualizing her in delusion.
I am only YOURS and can never be anyone else's...
I am here waiting for you...
I miss you...
Please dont say those words..You dont mean it..His lips involuntarily mouthed those words as his mind flashed the horrific images of her on the bed with someone else.
I am only YOURS and can never be anyone else's...
I am here waiting for you...
I miss you...
STOP saying those words...You played me...He fisted his palm biting the solitaire into his rugged skin. You betrayed me...You destroyed me...Dont say a word...Dont you dare say a word...The solitaire cut through his skin bleeding in drops onto the leather...
I am only YOURS and can never be anyone else's...
I am here waiting for you...
I miss you...
I said ENOUGH....He screamed hallucinating her presence and threw his hand in the air that is holding the ring...
Aman brought the car to abrupt halt and worriedly hopped onto the backseat...Arnie..Arnie...
Arnav clutched onto his head and screamed..Ask her to go away...Push her away...Goo...Arnav reached onto the other end of the backseat and shoved his hands towards the door as if pushing someone out...
Arnie...There is no one here...No one Arniee...
Arnav looked around and his eyes turned blank staring into the darkness, the only light coming from the headlights...He turned to rear end and all he could see is the abandoned road that flashed the images of her with smile walking away with clanking sound of mangalsutra...
Dont do this...Dont do this to me...please dont do this...He whispered, frenzied, lept onto the trunk and extended his hand as if reaching out to her...
Please come back to me...You are all I got...Please...Please is the word, right...Please Khushi...
Arnie...Aman grabbed him from behind...You are scaring me, what the f*ck happened between you both...
Woh..Khushi..woh..Arnav absentmindedly looked at Aman and back at the road that this time flashed the images of her on his bed with someone else...Arnav craned his neck and puked out on the road as unpleasant feelings crept in.
Aman quickly grabbed water bottle and tissue and forced it down his throat but Arnav ended up spitting it out unable to take in anything inside just the like way his mind is acting in mental anguish...
While Arnav hurled around restlessly, Aman reached for Arnav's hand to stop the bleeding..
Ring? Where is the ring? Arnav jumped out of the car and searched the other side of the road like maniac.
Aman instantly followed him out, You have to stop and tell me whats going on? Aman screamed but Arnav incapable of registering any of his words, lurched on the ground searching for the sparkle in the darkness just like searching himself in her heart.
Ring, my ring, it has the sparkle of her eyes...Aman ring doondo yaar..I need to give it to her tonight...She will be waiting for me...Mujhe woh chahiye..Help me..Please help me...
Aman gave up to get any information from his buddy and tears silently made their way unable to see his friend breaking down like never before. God knows how long they spent searching for the needle in haystack...and to their bad luck Arnav didnt find it...Arnav was about to trip into a puddle of water when Aman stopped him...
Bas kar...there are so many out there, you can get one more...
But there is only one Khushi, there has to be only one ring for her...Arnav's eyes wandered and finally fell on the puddle of water reflecting the full moon. He slumped on his knees and looked at it intently as he saw the same dream again, Khushi, Rahul, Ashu running to him, cuddling with him...He chuckled involuntarily while tears made their way.. As he leaned closer, tear from his eyes disrupted the puddle creating ripples...
No..no..no...He spread his hands frantically trying to fix the water...as if trying to gather the broken pieces of his dream, his heart...No no, please dont do this..Khushi fix it...
Arnie? Aman dragged him away but Arnav did not relent. His arms spread to the water...continuously mumbling...Please fix it Khushi... Khushi fix it dammit..Its going away...
Arnie...Aman pulled him to hug arresting his arms that restlessly swept on the mud...But Arnav became unmanageable.
You promised me...You cant do this to me...It hurts..it hurts so bad to see you like...Aman please usko bolo yaar...bahuth dard ho raha hai yaar...Please Khushi, please get back to me the way I left you, Please...
Arnie...Get a grip...Aman tried to punch him to put senses but Arnav started turning powerful, his knuckles became rigid, he started losing his temper as his body trembled in pain.
Shoving Aman aside, he came near to the water again, he determinedly muttered, If you dont, I will fix it. I wont let you ruin all this...can fix it...Yes, I can fix it...Arnav got on his knees violently patting his palms on the water...He tried and tried and tried until his fingers turned blue due to cold which is when he realized everything is over beyond repair.
Reality blew him hard as he couldnt fix the damage...He walked away in disbelief and stood in deafening silence staring into darkness tears trickled to an extent that there none left to shed. Anger rapidly crept up his nerves and in frustration threw his arms in the air coming in terms to reality to what he saw and how he was betrayed, while Aman stood at distant helplessly.
This is exactly why I say there is no f*cking thing called Love...Sab jooth...Her smile, her concern, her priniciple, her every promise is a lie... Every single thing is a lie, pre-planned cold blooded murder of my heart...How did I let myself into this? I am not supposed to love. Why did I forget that I am born to be abandoned. A mistake a big mistake of my life...
By now Aman clearly understood something really bad happened otherwise his friend is not so weak not to recognize his actions and losing control over his thoughts. Aman was also damn positive his friend is not going to share anything even in his unconscious state as it is something related to Khushi and the way he changed from denial to angry, he knew storm is just about to hit waiting for the right moment.
Arnav furiously kicked his feet to the ground, breathing raged... and he knew what he is going to do. With that he stomped his feet and headed to the car leaving Aman in concern.
Arnav took the wheel and waited for Aman to get in. The man who was so vulnerable a min ago turned into the beast with every breath he took. As Aman was about to sit, he found the ring on the passenger seat.
Ring!
Arnav glared at him in shock, after few seconds of burning it into ashes with his deadly stare, he shoved it into pocket and drove away.
There was no battle between his heart and his mind, not any more as both felt and seen trusting his eyes.
Her eyes he thought showed every emotion, today betrayed him telling that he had been wrong all along..
Her lips he thought promised limitless dreams, today skillfully guiled him mocking that he is a fool to even think of dreaming a dream..
Her heart he thought had a place only for him, today cruelly deceited him jeering that he dont deserve to be loved..
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The phone shrilled nearby startling Khushi. She tried to open her eyes but felt hefty and drowsed. She tried to raise on her elbows but her hips gave away in sharp pain as her mouth mimicked exactly what she felt. With much needed pressure, she opened her eyes and her face scrunched as evening sun rays pierced her burning skin. She looked around confused and grabbed the phone that listed private number..
Hello...came a feeble greeting...
Khushi... Thank God, How are you? I have been trying to reach you for an hour..
Bua?
Haan...Why are you sounding pale? Are you alright?
Haan Bua..I must be tired, I slept for soo long...You tell me, how is dallas treating you? Khushi rolled her head back and her palms pressed her head that is bursting in excruciating pain.
Khushi closed her eyes languidly as she felt her body sapless...and listened to the tales of Bua...
- - -
yeah...You too take care.
Khushi checked the phone 5PM and gasped in shock...How could I sleep for an entire day?
She dumped the phone on the bed and tried to get up flapping the sheet off of her. As the cold air hit her naked skin, she pulled the sheets back in place covering herself. She looked at herself and around the room terrified and confused.
Her saree is carelessly thrown around the corner. She panicked, shivered in fear and squeezed her eyes tightly trying to recollect what must have happened...
I left Nani to come here...then...
She pressed the heels of her palms to her temples...Then..think Khushi..think Khushi...
Khushi eyes's fell on Arnav's towel and bunch of clothes spread neatly on the chaise - the same clothes and the towel Arnav strewed after taking shower and before going out to the party, the fact Khushi is unaware assuming that they were his clothes discarded last night as she blushed remembering him taking off his shirt when she raised her hand to call him...again unaware that him was not the man she wanted it to be...
And the next few mins she sat there wondering what happened next but nothing ringed in her brain. She grabbed her phone and found no messages from him. She called him but it went straight to his voicemail, which usually happens when he is travelling in his chopper to meet clients. She thought convincing herself but disappointed that he didnt leave any note for her.
He must be on his way home then I will ask him...Are you nuts? What will you ask, Stupid? ... She smiled looking at his shirt splayed on the chaise. She lifted her feet to get off the bed and she felt numbing pain between her thighs. She hissed and made few more attempts wondering why it is hurting so much. She managed to step down and weakly dragged her feet to the hot shower...Her entire body burned as the first drops of hot water pierced her skin. She turned the water to cold to alleviate the pain which seemed to help little better.
You were supposed to make it smooth Mr. She giggled realizing that they must have made love many times last night which is why she is so sore.
Later after few mins, she toweled her skin to dry and as the turkey towel came in contact with her sensitive skin, it pricked her and she couldnt help but let out another aching hiss. She moved to the mirror in the bathroom to check herself and she gasped finding blue black bruises on her neck and her swells, pretty much every part of the skin visible. She slowly unveiled herself from the towel and found the bruises on her entire body more disturbing. She knew what goes into the physical relation but she had no idea this is how it is supposed to be. She looked at herself confused for a moment her sane part throwing irrational questions. But then her eyes fell on her wrists that still has bruises from the incident in Tirupati and she assumed he might have gone little farther last night. She looked at herself unhappy, disturbed and thought she cant let this happen next time, not to this extent. She decided to speak to Arnav to convey the same but then she convinced herself it was Arnav so he is allowed. Because she trusted him more than in herself...She giggled at thought applying moisturizer.
Wall clock ticked to 7PM by the time she is done cooking, as she stopped Stella from coming home in the evenings since Khushi decided to take charge of cooking especially when he will be home. Something the couple had agreed upon ever since they started on truce. She tried his phone one more time as it is time for him to be home, hearing no response she did what she usually does in wait.
Where are you? I am waiting for you! left a voice message.
She turned on the TV but the entire time, she couldnt help think why she dont remember anything but assumed that probably Arnav's drink contained alcohol and got to do something with it. She tried to imagine many ways what they would have done last night..sometimes she pouted unable to remember and sometimes she giggled to herself taking her imagination to next level...
Before she knew it, exhaustion gave in and she slept on the couch weakly still sore and bruised.
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The next morning Khushi woke up to the entry of Stella. She squinted her eyes to the morning light to check time as it clocked 7AM.
After exchanging morning greetings, Khushi rushed to their bedroom and found the bed and room empty the way she left it last night.
Khushi called him again but it kept going to Voicemail. She called security..
When did Mr. Raizada leave?
We havent seen him since yesterday Ma'm.
Khushi panicked worrying if something happened to him. Fear raked her body and her fingers meddled with the numbers as she called Nani...
Khushi bitiya, I was just about to call you as I am unable to reach your busy husband since yesterday. Anjali wants to invite you both to lunch when they...
Nani doesnt know where he is. She thought to herself and cut her off abruptly...Nani I will inform him..I am getting another call Nani. Let me call you back.
She frantically punched the numbers to Aman and after many rings, his phone went into voicemail as well...She called Anjali who thankfully picked up and informed that the men are in delhi and she is not sure when they are returning.
You should have informed me, disappointment thoroughly filled in her voice.
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Few hours later, She called AR office curious to know his return so that she could prepare his favorites...and what she heard his PA Natasha at the other end, it shocked her..
He called in sick Ma'm. He didnt come to office since yesterday.
What? I thought he had gone to Delhi on business trip. Khushi stuttered as she started to feel something bad about to happen.
No Ma'm. He has no appointments in Delhi, I would have known if there were any.
Are you sure?
I will be fired if I am not sure Ma'm...Natasha said politely.
Thank You Natasha.
She paced across the room feeling restless, her intuition screaming something bad had happened. What happened to him? Has he really fallen sick or is he ignoring me?
But why will he ignore me? No stop thinking stupid Khushi... Where are you?
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Arnie, you cant possibly do this. She is your wife dammit.
Apparently, she forgot that fact.
Arnie, I cant be in this with you if you dont tell me what went wrong.
Since when I needed to give you justification? And what went wrong between me and her is going to stay between me and her. If you need anything more than that, be my guest and leave.
Whats gotten into you?
What ever has gotten into me is now down the drain...And seriously I have no expectations from anyone now, not even you either.. If you want to step away, feel free. I am well accustomed to people walking over me. Arnav said in brusque tone leaning his elbows on the railing along the edge of the balcony in Aman's beachside Condo.
I would have, had you stepped away from me 10years ago leaving me to rot in the jail. You are hurt Arnie. I clearly see that. Whatever you are doing is wrong. But I also know that you dont do anything without a reason. I never interfered in your personal space and never will. So you do what you have to do and I wont stop you because its between you and her. I hope you are sure what you are doing.
Arnav's eyes stilled for a moment and Aman knew Arnav is not sure of what he is going to do. Arnav can never hurt her but he might be wrong. Being beaten up repeatedly, you never know what and when it ticks your brain on wrong note.
You deny all you want but you still love her...Whatever you are going to do, is going to hurt you most more than to her..Take my word on that...And yeah, Natasha called me, Khushi is looking for you. You better call her soon, as I cant keep Anjali under the dark that we are in Delhi.
Arnav tilted his head surprised to hear Aman addressing Khushi with her name. And as if Aman heard his confusion...She will not be my Bhabhi until you accept her. You are my buddy first, remember!
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