The Forbidden Past (ArHi FanFic) - [Chapter 3 updated]

Originally posted by: punnaanchal

Nice prologue

Interesting. Would love to read more . Plz do continue.

interesting prologue:)
waiting to read more:))

Chapter 1

Dear D,

WUUH! Today was a hectic day! Poo had forced me to join her girlfriends for some shopping spree. It was fun albeit the constant "Oohh's" and "Aaahs" of the girls at every damn shop we entered.

Moreover I got J's letter today. He had specifically asked me to think about my editorial column's next entry and inform him by tomorrow morning sharp at 8 and if approved I would have to hand it over to Mia by tomorrow evening.

And guess what ?!!??!

I read the mail just few minutes back and its 10 already!

Duuhh! 1 more sleepless night!

Now I hope I do stumble upon an interesting topic for the article! Pray for me D!

Love,

- K :)

[ 28^th March 2014, 10:04 pm]

Closing her diary on whose cover was engraved an arresting D, she tucked her bangs behind her right ear. Yawning, she carefully kept the diary on the side table, wore her pink fluffy slippers and thought about a plan. She had an agenda to accomplish.

As she started walking towards the window, her bedroom's door was pushed open. Just as she turned behind to look, she heard Poo before she could locate her, " Not sleeping, Sleepy head? " .

"Nahh, Have work to do", she said, pouting at the end.

"Oh! Need company? ", Poo asked, moving towards the floor length mirror and tying her hair in a messy bun.

"You don't have to sleep?", she asked, her left eyebrow raising on its own accord.

"Anything for you darling", Poo said, grinning too much to arouse suspicion.

Gauging for any hanky-panky and finding none, she shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Why not".

Still grinning, Poo moved towards the bed and only after settling down comfortably did she ask, "So? What work hun? Your editorial column days are only Mondays and Thursdays and you did got your article printed today, today's Monday right?", after checking her phone; she continued, "Yea! It's Monday! So, your next article should be up on Thursday and knowing you, you don't really need to worry about that K.", Poo ended her analysis with a satisfactory smile.

Plugging her laptop charger into the switch board near the bed, she settled on the bean bag beside it, least she falls asleep while working on the bed, she responded "Kriya's on leave. Her Wednesday's article is handed over to me and I have to get it approved, edited, handed over to Mia by tomorrow itself, you know the drill, right?".

"J and 8 a.m", said Poo; now, half lying and half sitting on the bed.

"So thought a topic yet? ", Poo asked, flipping pages of Vogue.

"Naah!", came a feeble reply. Poo turned towards her side to see what took her interest and all she saw was K scribbling away at jet's speed in a book - her journal maybe, Poo thought.

"Morning J", K said, walking inside J's cabin who was busy typing away furiously. Jay Kapoor or J - as he likes everyone to address him - is the owner of the leading newspaper Rise & Shine'. Though not much in age, J is very punctual - reason why every employee of his is square - bashed.

"Oh, Khushi you are on time!", J said with a beaming smile.

"Morning to you too", he added when he saw Khushi settling in the chair placed in front of him.

"Here, the article is planned out. Once you give me a head start I would hand over the final output to Mia for tomorrow" , said Khushi, shuffling papers in the file, smiling only when she found the required sheet.

"Here, you need to drink the tonic Poo", she heard Monica aunty, their landlady, standing with a syrup bottle in her one hand while the other on her hip, chiding Poo who was lying on her bed wrapped up in blankets. Poo, in response, said nothing but kept shaking her head, refusing the bitter liquid vehemently.

"What happened Poo?", Khushi rushed towards her best friend - cum- sister and stood between Monica aunty and Poo, waiting for anyone of them to speak up.

"Ah, Nothing K!", said Poo, grinning; hardly knowing that her grin look forced. One look at her face and even a madman would deduce she wasn't well.

"So, you submitted your article?", Poo asked , trying to mask her voice with curiousness but failing miserably.

"She has fever and she won't take the medicine, K. Nothing big, Right Poo?", they heard Monica aunty say who gloated with pride, sauntering to the kitchen, knowing Khushi would handle Poo well, even after being two years younger to the latter.

After a few minutes when Poo still not budged to open her lips even after coaxing, Khushi fetched out her mobile from the bag and said, "Payal Sharma if you refuse anymore, I will call up Akash", her voice stern and resolved.

"NOO, DON'T", shouted Payal, quickly gulping down the bitter syrup while giving a miffed look to Khushi where on the latter showed her tongue and ran before she gets an ear-full from Poo.

CHAPTER 2

Dear D,

He is here.

- K

[ 29^th March 2014, 8 :30 pm]

Placing the diary inside her Valentino Garavani's metallic black fringed shoulder bag paired with a white midi filled with sequins from Dolce & Gabbana while her hair where swooped up in a ponytail, the colour matching with her black stilettos she looked every inch of an exquisite and elegant lady. As she walked in, her eyes took in the surroundings which screamed of opulence and grandeur. Also, she noticed a few glances thrown her way and few people who wouldn't stop staring.

At the entrance gate of the party, she handed over her I - card from 'Rise and Shine' to the guard keepers -dressed in coats and loafers. While the keepers did their work, Khushi berated Poo, for falling ill on such a day, in her mind but then let it go and took a deep breath in. Berating Poo or thinking of worst case scenarios wouldn't help, thought Khushi and with this lingering in her mind she stepped inside, after collected her I - card from the guards and receiving a head - in nod from them. It was time, time to face her worst nightmare.

It was hard to say whether she was a guest or a media person because of the poise and staid gait- turning heads - with which she walked in. If not it, then the scent of her Exotic' perfume by Jimmy Choo was sure to turn a few more heads. But did she falter? No, under so much scrutiny she knew how to walk heads - on; smiling at few who recognized her.

Searching for Lavanya Kashyap, birthday girl, was not much of an effort because she stood just below the mammoth chandelier - in an aqua - multicoloured full length one shoulder gown while her hair were done in a side bun with loop earrings presenting a glamorous and alluring picture.

"My! My! And if this isn't our birthday girl", Khushi said, standing just behind Lavanya.

Even before Lavanya could shift her focus to who said it; Khushi hugged her.

"K? Oh My God! So our dear journalist gets time to attend some boring birthday party", exclaimed Lavanya happily.

Giggling, Khushi withdrew from the hug and said, "You should be happy. Not every birthday party is graced by me".

"Happy? I am flattered, girl", Lavanya exclaimed; mock - saluting Khushi.

" By the way, Payal ain't here? Or is she busy hoarding juicy news huh ? ", asked Lavanya knowing that K would never come in a party to collect gossips for tomorrow's entertainment section, a section of which Payal was the head writer.

"No, Payal's ill, fever and all. So..", taking a deep breath in Khushi continued, " I am here as replacement".

Lavanya's eyes widened in surprise; unable to digest that K was here, not for party sake but for duty but then slowly her expressions changed to sincere concern and for helping K she said, " Check out the Raizada's. The younger son is back and well it is said that he is going to handle ARD from now on an.." after a pause she continued, " Oh but you might know this right? Payal and Akash?", Layanya raised her eyebrow at the end.

Khushi's body had gone still. Check out the Raizada's' were the last words she heard before her toes had curled in her stilettos and her hands had started sweating.

'Younger son' back' Raizada's' - these words kept reverberating in her mind repeatedly and she stood there in daze where Lavanya's words couldn't reach her ear.

'Younger son'

'back'

'Younger son'

'Raizada's'

"K", Lavanya shook Khushi, her own hands sweat seeing Khushi in such a state. She hadn't realized what had happened; only when her question was left unanswered had she paid any attention to Khushi - who had gone completely still and her eyes bore a faraway look - which had scared Lavanya to no wits.

"Huh?", came a feeble voice and Lavanya hurriedly passed over a tissue paper to Khushi and took her to the washroom.

"What the hell happened there K?", Lavanya voiced her question when they were alone in the washroom only to be shrugged at.

"You scared me and what this ha?", Lavanya asked imitating K's shrug.

"I.. I.. ", quickly turning against Lavanya, Khushi continued, "Nothing La. Relax". She closed her eyes whereas her hands fisted on their own accord while she tried to reinforce the rush of emotions - flawed and scared - she had no tome for. Steeling her emotions, she turned to face a perturbed Lavanya who gauged for reactions or expressions or anything from K, but Khushi remained as impassive as she could.

"Are you alright?, asked Lavanya hoping for a change in her demeanor or anything but she was up for a lost - cause.

"I am good", Khushi said, twirling around to defend her answer. Sporting a huge' smile, Khushi asked, "Can I go? News?".

Khushi moved out shortly after procuring a nod from Lavanya, least Lavanya probes her for further catechism. Once out, Khushi s phone beeped.

Met Akash? - Poo [8:50pm]

No. :( - Just as she clicked the send button, a hand tapped on her right shoulder. Turning around she met a bespectacled man smiling down at her.

"Akaaash. God, where have you been?", asked Khushi, playfully punching Akash on his right elbow.

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"Arnav", called out Akash, while Khushi stood holding on to Akash's arm. This time, Khushi excruciatingly tried to numb all the emotions she felt on hearing that name. She did not wanted to react - much worse - turn hysterical - when he stood a few feet away. It was time, finally, to face him.

"Oh, Bhaa..", Arnav emerged from the crowd holding a cocktail glass in his hand but one look to the girl who had held Akash's arm, all his cocktail and words were forgotten. He was going to call Akash to try that cocktail but well none of it was more inviting that the girl dressed in her little white dress.

His eyes maneuvered over Khushi from head to toe admiring her whereas Khushi -she felt nothing but disgust seeing the younger Raizada strip her off her clothes in his mind unaware of his admiration; her skin burnt at every place he stopped and gazed hoping fervently for Akash to bash his own brother, younger brother.

"Tell me she ain't my Bhabhi, Bhai", Arnav asked turning towards Akash who in turn guffawed.

" What? Is she?" Arnav asked; his face of that broken heart.

"No, Arn..", even before Akash could complete who Khushi was or anything for that matter, Arnav jumped at the news and seized Khushi's attention.

"Hey", stretching his left palm out; he continued "Arnav Singh Raizada" , with a dazzling smile.

Not wanting to disappoint Akash who watched his younger brother, bemusedly; Khushi handed her hand to Arnav's stretched hand in turn to be kissed at it which left Khushi wide eyed.

"Has anybody told you that you look divine today?", he stated in his husky voice which made Khushi's insides to churn while she turned into a mass of emotions and even before anybody could catch her fumbling, she straightened herself and said, rather nonchalantly, "I have been told better".

Lavanya's Dress -

Khushi's Dress -

Originally posted by: sarahjac

I am intrigued and want to know more...

Who is the girl in the prologue? Is it Khushi?

Khushi knows Arnav but he doesn't remember her?

Keep writing... 😊

a confusing and interesting start. and what a reply!! that was something which needs to be appreciated taking the fact that she has a bad past with the younger Raizada. waiting for the next update.

I know I have been very late with the update and even a sorry can not compensate for it. So, without wasting anymore time; I present you with the third chapter of The Forbidden Past.

Happy Reading! 😊

CHAPTER 3

"Anshi!!! Listen to me sweetheart. Anshika... Don't run! I will tell mumma", a deep voice resonated through the walls of the house. A man dressed in a black track pant matched with a white - collared T - shirt with full sleeves; languidly ran behind a little girl , full with vigour ,who ran towards the staircase; giggling at the man's attempt at stopping her from meeting her most favourite person at the house.

So what if it was twelve at the night, she thought; still running away from that man whose voice and shouts were heard all around the mansion, to which no member of the house paid any heed because they knew little Anshika's little ploys. Still giggling and dodging the man; she collided with a tall, lean, athletic figure draped in a tuxedo. Her face turned radiant and bright on perceiving his face in the dim - lit corridor. She squealed, "Maaammuuu"; exuberantly; clinging on to his legs.

"Darling..", the man started, kneeing down to Anshika's height, he continued, with those surprised expressions intact on his face, " Why haven't you slept yet?", with a rise of an eyebrow.

"I.. I..",

What now??? Think Anshi!! Think!!, Anshika berated herself for not being ready for such a simple question. This question was so obvious you idiot!, a voice rumbled in her mind. "I..umm..I..", she tried again, but looking at her dear maternal uncle's smirk, her anger rose. "Oh, why do you even care Mister Arnav Singh Raizada?".she asked, her eyes accusingly narrowing at Arnav's face.

Surprise, was an understatement for what Arnav felt at that moment. But this, he knew, wasn't the moment to ponder over her niece's statement. So, before any damage could be done, he rummaged his trouser's pocket and took out Temptations - a chocolate Anshika loved - and looked ardently at her niece's face.

Anshika, on the other hand was a different case. She loved that her Chotte Mamu knew all tricks to mollify her, but then he hadn't brought her a chocolate yesterday and he did promise - no, he pinky promised - he did bring two today and now only one chocolate? But not wanting to ask for one more, she hmphed and looked away from the chocolate her Mammu held.

"And don't you give her another Chotte", came a sweet, pleasant voice of a willowy woman who did walked in when Anshika was clinging on to her Mamu.

"An.." and even before she could continue she was interrupted by Anshika, "But Mamu didn't gave me any yesterday, Mumma", she said, giving her a puppy dog face, hoping that her mother gets dissuaded.

"Yes! Because from now on we are going to make sure you get only one chocolate per week", her mother stated, rather blasely.

"DII??!!"

"ANJALI??!!"

The word, loud and clear, of the elders reverberated in the mansion whereas Anshika stood there, her eyes wide and condemning, her lips a bit parted shocked and exasperated at her mother's words.

Arnav stood amazed at Anjali's conviction and Anshika's expressions; he resented these moments because both of them were the apples of his eye and choosing between the two was something he didn't liked.

But he had to do something and so he did.

"Di, Anshi is getting her chocolates all the time and well I don't find anything wrong in that ? Right, Jiju?" Arnav, turned towards Aditya, who agreed with Anjali but his eyes held the accusation, this wasn't how Anshika was to be told so.

"Yes, I th..", even before he could complete his half - said words Anjali stormed out of the area into her room whereas Anshika broke out into tears, clinging on to her dear Mamu, who understood her more than her own mother.

Dressed in her pink - flowered jumpsuit sitting on her bed, Khushi ruminated about the event she had been to. She could still feel the goose bumps of viewing that man in front of her, the hair at her back stood straight and she felt the chill settling down on her; all over again.

Payal Sharma or K's Poo stood in front of the door which suddenly looked humongous than it actually was. She bit her nails and walked hastily in the little space in front of the door. At a thought, she stopped and wondered "What if... if she goes back to her room?", for a second that idea seemed perfect but then she chided herself - this was K, she always understands.

Finally, taking a deep breath in she opened the door but the sight in front shocked her; Khushi sat there clutching her shorts while her face bore expressions of pain and suffering - the sight itself was so unsettling that Payal's panic knew no bound.

Covering Anshika with the blanket, while she clutched her teddy, Mr. Bunny to herself; Arnav relaxed on his side of the bed and even before he could close his eyes to catch up on some sleep, the images of the enchanting hazel eyes came into his view, enticing yet disturbing. Just when his eyes had fallen on her, he had loved the view. But, the look in her eyes, the change in her demeanor, and the haughtiness in her tone was what confused him. The widening of those eyes - did she recognize him? But he definitely didn't; she wasn't a beauty you could forget even when you were drunk.

Those vivid images fleeted through his mind like a video shoot; each successoral scene was more confusing than its predecessor. He could still feel the pang in his heart when she had gone off to talk to other people and he couldn't have helped but had noticed that she was friendly with everyone - even men - polite and smiling all the time. Even when he had joined the group she was standing with; he had felt her going stiff, the reasons of which eluded him.

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