But can I stop thinking of him ?
No .
Can I forget what he did ?
No .
I opened the door of the room .
I collapsed on the floor and cried my heart out . I heard a knock on the door . I opened it .
Jiji is standing in front of the door . I moved a side and she entered inside .
We both sat on the bed . I hugged her and cried my heart out .
We broke our hug and she cupped my cheeks .
Payal : Khushi , tell me what happened .. I'm your sister and best friend right ? So come on be a good girl and tell me what actually had happened .
Khushi : Jiji ..
I started crying more harder .
Khushi : Jiji he tried to .. He .. He tried to force me . I pushed him away at the right time . He lost it and he called Aman for a girl ..
I started to sob . She hugged me .
Payal : Everything will be fine Khush . I'm there with you . May be he didn't even realise he was forcing you , may be he
Bhabhi entered the room .
Anjali : May be he thought it was mutual .
Khushi : Bhabhi !!
Anjali : I heard everything Khushi .
She came and sat beside me .
Anjali : But why did he suddenly thought of doing all this ?
Khushi : We saw the three couples romancing and he too expected the same from me . I said that we are not in any relation and all that stuff .. He lost it .
Payal : Khush , you have to stop crying for everything . Fight him Khushi . Show him that you are not weak that he will be plating with your feelings always ! Show him that he may be very powerful but not that powerful that he can suppress your feelings . Show him that you are not going to accept this side of his .
Anjali : Payal is right Khushi . Show him that you are very strong .
Khushi : But it isn't that easy Bhabhi . He is very strong . I can't fight him.
Payal : Start believing yourself Khushi . Have confidence in your self and you can fight anyone .
It is not that easy . It is not easy to fight him .
Payal : Khushi whatever it may be we are there with you Khushi .
Anjali : Yes Khush . You will always have four of us with you .
I know that they are always with me .
I just simply nodded my head .
Khushi : Jiji , Bhabhi it's really late now . You both go and sleep . I'm fine
They both are examining me closely .
Anjali : Are you sure ?
Payal : Khushi , I'm your sister and you cannot lie to me . I know you need us now .
Khushi : Jiji , I'm the one who loved Arnav . So I have to face all this . You are here now , but what if I have to face this situation when you are not in Delhi ? I have to fight alone right !
They nodded and left the room .
**********NEXT DAY
I couldn't sleep properly last night . I wore my regular churidar and wore a sweater on top of it to cover those bruises which Arnav gave me . I will have to change as soon as I reach home .
Again today I got up early . I heard a knock on the door .
I opened the door . I saw Arnav sweating like yesterday . I moved aside and he entered .
I locked the door . And turned back he is standing there observing me closely . I retarded to the kitchen and and drank a glass full of water .
I turned around only to see Arnav standing in front of me .
I will not talk to him at any cost . I don't want to . And moreover I can't talk to him .
He is standing rooted and still having that so called observing face .
I walked across him .
Arnav : Khushi , I need to talk to you .
I started walking again . He caught hold of my wrist .
Arnav : I have to talk to you .
I wriggled to get free of his tight hold . Why does he give me so much of pain ? Can't he see those bruises which he gave me last night ? I turned teary .
I didn't turn . I don't want to face him .
Arnav : Look at me when I'm talking to you and stop struggling goddamn it .
He sounded angry .
I turned with full force .
Khushi : Why should I look at you ? And why should I stop struggling ? Huh ? Now I have to get more pain form you ? Weren't your acts enough ? Should I have to face more ? What is your problem ? Just leave me . I don't want you . I hate you . Leave me now .
I shouted back with the same anger .
Arnav : Stop talking to me like that . No one has the guts to raise their voice in front of me .
Khushi : You know what ? I don't care ! All I care is my safety . I don't want it to get manipulated .
Arnav : Seriously Khushi ! You don't feel safe around me ?
Khushi : No I don't . Because you are a monster .
I started to squirm again .
Arnav : Forget it and stop crying . I want to say something .
Khushi : What will you say ? That you are sorry for last night ! You weren't in your senses and all .. If so I'm not interested .
Arnav : Shut up . I'm not sorry for anything . And for last night , not at all . Because it should happen between us some or the other day . So why would I feel sorry !
I am out if words . He isn't sorry when he almost forced me ! And all the bruises on my body didn't show him that it isn't mutual !
Arnav : Stop crying Khushi . You are not a kid . Grow up ! And all I want to say is that you shouldn't go to work . Or else the consequences will be deadly .
Khushi : Oh well ! Then I will surely go ! I'm not scared of you . Not anymore .
He left me .
Arnav : You will regret . Wait for few more hours . You will get a call which will make you sorry for raising your voice against me .
Saying this he stormed out of the kitchen .
I went back to my room and checked if I packed all my belongings . I laid on the bed . It is just 5 am now .
The family will wake up after a half hour and assemble for daily prayers .
I closed my eyes . All the flashes of last night haunted my memories .
" Let it pain dammit . You take me for granted . Don't you ? "
" I'm not sorry for anything . And for last night , not at all . "
His words ringed in my ears .
How can he say that ? I tossed to the other side .
" You know what ? When you hugged me in the rain , I felt something . I loved that feeling . Maybe it happened because even you willingly hugged me . "
" I know .. You still don't have the strength to love me the way you did before . "
" Because I love you . "
One minute he is a prince and the next minute he is a monster . How can I understand him ?
He cannot be understood . He was like this even when we were small . I never understood him .
I act as if I hate him . But I know I don't hate him . I like him . Like is not the word actually . But it cannot be termed as ' Love ' too .
Because love is a big term . And my feelings are very weak as compared to Arnav . He feels so much for me . His feelings are really high . But I'm confused .
I myself have no clarity . What do I feel for him ?
I know I thought to say a yes to his proposal . But it wasn't because I loved him . It was because I wanted to see him happy . I wanted to give him immense happiness .
But I thought he will not be ASR . But he is .
I again turned towards the clock .
5.25 am .
I got up . I washed me face and dried it .
I went down stairs and all the women gathered their .
Jiji pulled me away and
Payal : Hari Prakash ji keh rahe the ki tum Sade char baje hi need he agayi . Kyun ? Sab kuch teekh hai na ? [ HP was telling that you came down at 4.30 . Why ? Everything is fine right ? ]
Khushi : It is just that I couldn't sleep .
Then I saw Arnav getting down along with the other men .
We performed the morning ritual .
Sudha : No beta , at least have your breakfast .
Khushi : No Aunty we have to go . It's very late now .
Sudha : Khushi beta , aren't you hiding something ?
I nodded a no .
Khushi : Nothing Aunty . I just don't want be here . I mean ..
Sudha : Arnav ne kuch kiya ? [ Did Arnav do something ? ]
Khushi : Nahi toh [No he didn't . ] Aunty please don't ask me anything , let me go .
I hugged her and we bursted out crying . We both were sobbing against each other's shoulders .
We broke the hug . I cleared my tears.
Khushi : Aunty now I have to leave .
I exited the kitchen . Amma and bua ji are ready too .
We bid bye to the whole family . I looked at Arnav and he is busy passing out angry glares at me . But I cannot help . I don't want to face him after last night .
We got inside the car . And my mobile beeped .
A message from Arnav .
Arnav : Just 2 more hours .. And you will be out of Arman's office .. Remember , you yourself will resign .
Khushi : I will not .
Arnav : Wait and watch sweet heart :)
What is he upto ? Why will I resign from there ?
I closed my eyes . And all I could see was Arnav . I opened my eyes and started the car .
*******GUPTA HOUSE
I had my breakfast . I then changed into a white salwar . I waved to my family and got inside the car .
My phone started to ring . " Rupa Aunty " .
Arman ji's mom ? Why is she calling me ?
Khushi : Hello ! Aunty ?
Rupa : Hello , Khushi bitiya !! Arman bitwa ka accident hua . Woh Tumhe milna chahta hai . [ Hello , Khushi ! Arman went through an accident . He wants to meet you .] Please come as soon as possible .. To City Hospital .
Khushi : Ok Aunty , I will be there .
I cut the call . Hey devimaya ! What just happened ?
I drove as fast as I could to the hospital . I parked my car .
Uncle was waiting for me in the entrance . He led me to Arman ji's room .
I entered inside and his family remained outside .
The door is closed . Arman ji is lying there injured on the bed . He is pale . Very pale . His arm is wrapped up in a bandage . And a bandage wrapped on his right leg . A small cotton ball is plastered on the forehead .
My eyes became moist automatically . I went near him . I sat on the stool beside the table .
Khushi : Arman ji ..
My was very low . Just as a whisper .
He opened his eyes and looked at me . All I could do was cry after looking into his eyes .
He raised his trembling hand and placed on my mine .
Arman ji : I love you Khushi .
He managed to say .
Arman ji : Will you marry me ?
How can I say him a " no " now ? In this situation ? And I don't want to give him any false hopes .
Khushi : How did this happen ?
Arman ji : A car came and crashed with my car . It isn't by mistake for sure . I think some of my rivals did that .
' Rivals ' ? Is it Arnav ?
No not at all . Arnav can never stoop so low .
My phone beeped .
Arnav : I'm in the parking area .
So Arnav did this . How could he ?
I stormed out of the room and barged into the empty parking lot .
I then saw Arnav standing there with a smirk
Khushi : How could you ?
Arnav : You didn't listen to me ! And so you have to see what I can actually do !
Khushi : He could have lost his life !
Arnav : I warned them not to . I payed them for a minor accident . Don't worry he will be cured within a week . But only if you resign .
Khushi : And what if don't ?
Arnav : He will have to pay for his life !
Khushi : You will kill him ?
Arnav : If you don't resign , then I'm left with no other option !
I always call him a monster , a beast . And today he proved me right ! How can he think of killing someone ?
Khushi : Arnav , if this is between us then let's sort it out ! Don't involve someone else in this ! Please and don't bet someone else's life ! Please .
I was trembling ! Why wouldn't I ? Now I'm very scared of him . Standing in front of him is also horrible .
Arnav : So resign .
Khushi : Okay . I will .
Arnav : Go and inform him now .
Khushi : I'm not going to tell him but I will inform uncle .
He nodded .
I was going back to the room .
Arnav : Your appointment letter is typed .
I closed my eyes . I'm not going to work under him . Not again .
Arnav : You will have to Khushi .
I found uncle in the medical shop . I informed him about my resignation .
Khushi : Uncle hum aapko letter kal de denge . [ Uncle , I will give the letter tomorrow ]
He simply nodded .
Uncle : Aren't you marrying Arman ?
Khushi : No uncle . I'm not interested in marrying him . Please make him understand .
I went to the parking lot again .
Arnav : Bahot der kardi Tumne . [ You took a lot of time ] so when are you planning to join AR ?
Khushi : Never ! I'm not going to work under you in my life . I can find another job . And this time you cant do anything .
Arnav : Mujhse sharat lagoage tho pachtoage . [ If you challenge me , you are going to regret it ]
Khushi : Dekh lenge . [ We will see ].
Arnav : See you soon in AR .
Khushi : Why are you doing all this ? What do you want ?
Arnav : You . I want marry you .
Khushi : Do you even know the meaning of marriage Arnav ? First prove yourself to be fit for wedding . Then start talking about marriage . And my family will never accept you .
Arnav : What if they already know about all this ?
Khushi : What ?
Arnav : Your family knows about our love since the second day you joined AR . I personally went to your house and proposed your hand for marriage . Your mother checked our horoscopes too . She said they matched perfectly . Anyways I don't believe in horoscopes and god . You know .
I stormed into my car and drove with full speed .
Amma and bua ji knows all this very well . And still they never planned to tell anyone . Not even jiji .
I reached home in no time .
Khushi : Amma !! How can you do this to me ? Aur app bua ji ? Even you couldn't tell me that You both know about this since then !
Bua ji : Arnav bitwa wanted us to keep quiet and so we did .
Khushi : And you both were helping him . What about my feelings bua ji ? Amma , you love him so much right ! You never could see what your da other feels for him ? And you even failed to know how he is ! He is a monster Amma ! He always breaks my heart ! He is not faithful enough for me to marry him !
Amma : He is the perfect match for you Khushi .
I stepped inside my room . I collapsed on the floor and started to cry . Why is he doing this to me ? Now I have to find a job . Or else how can I manage my family needs ?
But my job will never last long . He will do something to get me back in his so called office .
Just then an offer struck me . I took my mobile and called Rakesh uncle .
Khushi : Hello uncle , hum Khushi Bol rahe hai [ Hello , uncle . This is Khushi ]
Rakesh : Haan , Haan bitiya ! How are you ?
Khushi : I'm fine uncle . How is your family ?
Rakesh : We all are doing well beta . Acha beta , why did you call me so suddenly ?
Khushi : Uncle , remember you offered me a project ? I want to do it now ! Is the project still pending ?
Rakesh : Of course beta ! Didn't I tell you ? That you are the only person who can play that role . We can never imagine to cast someone else in this !
Khushi : Uncle but I have a problem . There's a guy falling back of me . He is very powerful . He already made all the companies reject me .
Rakesh : He can never do anything to you in this profession beta . Even if it is someone as big as Arnav . You know him ? He is the king of fashion industry ! Even if it is him whose falling back of you , he can't do anything because media is involved !
That's it . I got a job .
Khushi : Uncle I will do it . I will sign the project on a good day .
_______________
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Kumkum Bhagya
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