Dear friends⭐️
Thanks a zillion for your beautiful comments and likes. I am happy you are enjoying the story. Here's another update. And yes Aakash and Payal meet finally as you wanted. And relax Pankaj is not coming back again! As regards Arnav's confession...read on!
Chapter 29
A couple of hearts❤️❤️
Arnav woke up with a start. This was not his room! Where was he! Why was there a throbbing pain in his right arm. He looked down... his hand was plastered. Oh yes the accident...he was in this damn hospital! He must give instructions to Aman to get him released soon. And where was Khushi dammit! Not with that nitwit of a Pankaj, i hope he gritted his teeth, grimacing in pain!
His phone vibrated under his pillow. He pulled it out with his good hand. It was Aman.
"Yes Aman, what is it? Get me out from this damn place will you?" Arnav barked
"Yes yes Sir. But Anjali ji wanted..." Aman stammmered at the other end.
" Are you my Man Friday or hers?" Arnav's said incredulously.
" Yours Sir..." Aman's voice dropped at the other end.
"That is why I thought i should inform you immediately..."Aman hesitated.
"What Aman?" Arnav knew that note in Aman's voice. Something was very wrong.
Arnav was now wide awake.
Aman's tone was very grim. "The accident was not your fault ASR! Someone had tampered with the breaks of the SUV. The wire was cut!"
Arnav thumped the hospital bed. "I knew it Aman!" he exclaimed
"Your uncle Mallik was behind this no doubt! How dangerous he is to be able to harm you from behind the bars!"
"Yes Aman his tentacles do spread beyond the prison. "Arnav said squinting his eyes. "But the more he tries to harm me the case against him will become stronger. Inform my lawyer immediately..."
"Good thinking sir, " Aman said appreciatively. "He will now be booked under criminal section! Let me see what political connections he can use to wriggle out now!
"We need evidence Aman..."Arnav said laying his head on the bed rest
" I was thinking since my SUV was parked inside RM so it has to be an inside job!
"You mean..."Aman stopped midway.
"Yes Aman you know who it can be...did you dig up more information on my Jij...Shyam?" Arnav inquired his eyes blazing.
Aman said sheepishly, "I had stopped the investigation for Anjaliji'ssake, she was so upset with me..."
Arnav was astounded. Aman had never defied him even for a second in his years of employment! What was the matter with him!
"I am terribly sorry ASR," Aman's guilty voice floated in. "But i will start where i left off ...from this very moment..."
...,...
Aakash blinked rapidly and adjusted his spectacles over his nose. Was he dreaming! No an angel was at his door no doubt! A vision in white lace! With beautiful big eyes, well shaped peach lips and a pure face glowing with serenity!
Payal fidgeted with her dupatta and pulled it down on her chest Why in Devi Maiyya's name was this stranger staring at her like this! She wished Khushi had been here with her. Khushi would have known how to react in such an awkward situation. But Khushi had rushed to the hospital immediately after learning of Arnav's accident and so had Anjali di. If Anjali di had not requested her she would havenever ventured out alone like this to this rundown hotel.
She clearedher throat and said in a rush, "Anjali di, I mean Anjali Jha has sent me..." She stopped to get a reaction from him.
Aakash came out of his reverie.
"Oh Di Has sent you! What happened to her ? Is she okay?" Aakash panicked.
Payal smiled at the man's concern. He is not as vague as he looks Payal thought.
"Actually that is why she sent me. Arnav has been injured in an accident and Anjalidi is with him in the hospital. That is why she will not be able to meet you before you leave Delhi."
"What!" Aakash eyes opened wide with shock and he then slapped his head in frustration.
"Are ...are you okay?" Payal was jittery.
Aakash nodded but all bloodseemed to have drained out of his face.
"Please drink some water, you will feel better," Payal was visibly worried now
"Why is everything going so wrong! First Di, now bhai.." Aakash mumbled feebly, running his fingers in his hair.
"I heard he has fractured his hand otherwise thanks to Devi Maiyya he is alright, just some bruises!" Payal said hoping to calm him down.
" Thank you so much...maybe some fresh air will do me good," Aakash shook his head gingerly.
"I was leaving anyway...maybe you should come down with me," Payal said gently.
"Thank you,"Aakash nodded and they stepped into the elevator.
Payal followed Aakash as he stepped out of the hotel, Aakash took a gulp of fresh air and smiled at Payal sheepishly, "I am sorry, i was just..."
"Its okay," Payal answered, relieved that he looked and sounded better. Payal knew she should leave but something stopped her.
They stood together in companionable silence for a few seconds, till Payal finally said, "I have to go..."
"Oh do you?" Aakash gave her a beseeching look.
...
As Arnav disconnected Aman's phone, a senior nurse, Nurse Suzy, walked in with a breezy smile. "Good Morning Mr. Raizada, hope you are using your phone sparingly, for important calls only,"
Arnav frowned.
"So how are you doing?" she inquired checking his pulse.
"I will be fine once I am home, " he muttered.
"So someone special is waiting for you back home is it?" Nurse Suzy grinned at him handing him a glass of water and his medicines. "The young pretty lady no doubt who refused to leave your side..."she remarked.
Arnav spluttered water as he gulped down his medicines.
"Khushi..." He murmured licking the water on his lips.
"Is that her name? Khushi? How sweet. Does she bring happiness into your life?"
Arnav thought for a moment and was amazed that the answer to her question came readily to him.
But all he said was, "Is she still here?"
"Yes of course. She is sitting right outside."
"Oh why didn't anyone tell me! Will you please call her in ?" Arnav asked anxiously.
"Sure..." the nurse turned to leave.
"She stayed here alone all night...?" Arnav asked, his face pale.
"No young man, don't worry, your elder sister was with her for some time," Nurse Suzy said patting his shoulder.
It suddenly occurred to Arnav if Pankaj was with her all night. His nostrils flared with rage at the mere thought.
" And no one else...?" he whispered fiercely.
Nurse gave him a knowing look.
"Do you mean a man...?" She winked at him and then laughed merrily.
"Yes she had come with a guy but he left ages ago... So I think she is all yours...I will send her in a minute."she said winking at him again and waltzing out of the room.
Arnav realized he was holding his breath and released it slowly...
Arnav could not wait to see her.
...
Aakash did not know why but he did not want to let her go. The news of bhai's (brother's) accident had rattled him and he did not want to be alone. Yes that was it.
"Yes I have to go," Payal hesitated, glancing at the auto standing at the corner and then suddenly remembering something, she took out two big boxes of sweet from her bag.
"Sorry I forgot ...Anjali ji sent this prasad for you..." she said handing the boxes to him
He had to stop her, somehow, say somethimg ...
He blurted, "I did not even ask you your name..."
She smiled coyly and said, "Ji...its Payal!"
And then Aakash did what he had promised his family he wouldnt. He revealed his identity. "I am Aakash...Aakash Singh Raizada!"
Payal stared at him! Raizada! He must be related to Anjali ji more closely than she had imagined! Yes, hadn't he referred to Arnav Singh Raizada as bhai upstairs! The only other Raizadas she had heard of from her Babuji were Devyani Raizada, her son Manohar and his family! But they had disappeared years ago and no one knew where they were or if they were alive!
She blurted,her eyes wide with shock,"Oh God! Are you one of the Raizadas who had vanished into thin air...! "
She stopped embarrassed as she saw him grinning
"Yes, i am one from the lost tribes..."he laughed.
"I did not mean to be rude," Payal said her eyes downcast.
"Well, I am terribly hurt," Aakash declared, putting on a sad face.
Payal giggled.
"But you can compensate by having a cup of coffee with me if you want to," Aakash said softly, looking into her eyes.
Okay," Payal answered immediately surprising herself.
She added embarrassedly, "But don't you have a flight to catch?"
"Yes, but I can't leave now, now that bhai is in hospital. ...
Maybe you can help me meet him..." Aakash replied thoughtfully adjusting his spectacles.
...
Their eyes locked as Khushi pushed open the door and her heart galloped at the soft warm look in his brown orbs. It took every iota of her control not to rush up to him, and throw herself in his arms with abandon.
She stared at the black bruises on his right temple and cheek and the big gash on the right side of his neck. Tears welled up in her eyes.
But otherwise he looked as ASRish as possible on the hospital bed she smiled inwardly...the same cocked eyebrow, the sharp nose, the strong jaw, the lopsided smirk and the same brown smouldering eyes that were scrutinising her from head to toe!
And then with an angry glint in his eyes, he reprimanded her. "What the Khushi! Look at yourself! You look like a creature from outer space! Go home now and get some sleep, samjhi tum? And dont worry about me, i am invincible!
Khushi did not know whether to laugh with relief to find him talking normally in his arrogant mode again or be angry with him for dismissing her again!
She couldn't believe she had prayed all night to Devi Maiyya for this egotistic Laad Governor's speedy recovery!
"I did not do it for you Mr. Arnav Singh Raizad, samjhe aap! I stayed the night because i promised Anjalidi I would! Only then was I able to send her home!
Nurse Suzy walked in with a chart at that moment and stopped in her tracks. She looked at them fighting like children and suppressed a smile!
She cleared her throat and said, "Dearies, the doctor will be here soon! So wrap it up fast!"
The door swung close and they were alone.
"Come here Khushi, " Arnav said huskily, stretching out his hand.
...
Anjali was getting ready to go to the hospital when Hari Prakash informed her that there was a call from the SUV workshop and the mechanic wanted to speak to Arnav immediately.
Anjali took the call out of curiosity and the information she received left her trembling and shatttered!
The man from the garage, told her in no uncertain terms that ASR should inform the police that the brake wire of the SUV was cut in a suspicious manner. It could not have been an accident. He was hinting at a sabotage Anjali realized!
The phone slipped out of her hand and she was unable to move. A pain ripped her heart and hot tears gushed out of her eyes.
Hari Prakash who had been hovering around Anjali jiji was frightened to his wits.
"I will wake up Shyam jijaji," he mumbled.
"No, there is need to call him, "Anjali said sternly.
Noticing the surprised look on HP's face she added in a softer tone," I mean you know your jijaji is not too well, he couldnt even attend the pooja yesterday evening..so let him be."
HP nodded reluctantly and stood behind her like a shadow while Anjali sobbed silently. Then she made up her mind and dialled a number.
"Hello,i am Anjali Jha. I hear Subhadra Mallik is in Delhi. Well tell her I am coming to see her in 10 minutes." There was a determination in Anjali's voice like never before. She had not been able to prevent her mother's plight or save her from death but she would protect her brother to her last breath. All these years in spite of being younger, he had taken care of her with full responsibility and utmost care. This time it was her turn.
She stood up and limped out of RM with HP following her silently.
...
Khushi stood still for a while and then she quickened her steps towards his outstretched hand.
His fingers were rough and warm, hers smooth and cold but when they interwined a tingling sensation ran down their spines and filled them with an unknown joy.
"Khushi, "Arnav said gently, nuzzling her palm with his nose. "What i meant was, you need to rest sweetheart...
Khushi's heart leapt at the endearment and she stopped breathing.
He murmured into her palm..."Its not that I am dead..
In a flash her fingers were on his lips, her head shaking vigorously.
"Don't say that...she whispered.
A tear emerged from the corner of her eye and rolled down a flushed cheek.
Arnav caught the tear on his thumb before it plummeted into oblivion and hid it in his palm as it were a precious pearl.
Khushi smiled at his gesture and was about to remove her fingers from his lips when he sucked them in...one by one.
Khushi gasped as her heartbeat raced a marathon. The sensation of his wet tongue on her fingers made her feel weak.
Arnav drew her closer with his good arm, his fingers brushing her exposed waist through the thin material of her red saree. Brown eyes sank into the depth of the hazel ones and a deep sigh escaped Arnav's lips.
"Khushi i want to say something...he said huskily tucking a strand of her errant hair behind her ear."
"Wh...what?" Khushi's lips quivered, her eyes wide, her heart pounding in her ribcage.
"Hello Mr. Raizada," the doctor's voice boomed at the doorway, "Ready to go home are we?"
Khushi jumped off the bed embarrassed and retreated as the doctor and nurse walked into the room.
"What the! " Arnav muttered as he saw her aanchal vanishing out of sight! "She can't escape me! I will talk to her today itself..." he smirked.
...
😃
Sorry...Did you really think i will let Arnav say whatever he wants to say to Khushi so easily?
But he might do so in the next update, if you leave your comment and like 😃this one!
Did you say blackmail! I agree.😆
Take care till we meet again.
New readers can buddy me for PMs.
All my love
wiwy
Edited by wiwy - 10 years ago
Ishaani
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