Arshi FF #5: THE SEED OF PASSION, Chapters 34 to 44 - Page 66

Awesome...wonder what he has up his sleeve..

Great update. I feel so sorry for Khushi. She is trying so hard

It's a nice story. Finished reading all chapters just now. Do continue soon. Please pm me when you update next. I have sent the buddy request. Thank you.

Chapter 43

To Hit Back

An anxious Anjali hobbled out of the pooja room as fast as she could with Aakash's and Payal's support.

She looked around the corridor but her brother was nowhere. Only Khushi was standing in a corner a dazed look on her face.

With tears of pain and frustration in her eyes she asked Khushi, "Where did Chhotey go?"

Nani and the entire family also emerged out of the pooja room with dejected faces.

Manorama rolled her eyes and putting her hands on her waist inquired " Hello hi, bye bye! Bhat happening ? Bhy Arnav bitwa dropping the pooja thaal and running away! Inbhestigation karey ka pari!"

"Quiet Manorama!" Manohar Raizada reprimanded her.

Nani lashed out at her daughter in law,"Can't you understand that Ratna's picture in the pooja room must have shattered Arnav...brought him painful memories...especially now that he knows his maa was murdered!"

Anjali shook her head sadly as if to say, everyone sees Chhotey's hard faade and fails to understand how sensitive and vulnerable he is inside. Tears streamed down her face.

"Anjali di!" Khushi hugged her. Then turning to the family said,

"Yes every reminder of Ratna aunty hurts him so..."

"But I am terribly worried. Arnav was in a strange mood and he said..." Khushi said her voice trembling.

"What did he say Khushi? Please do tell..." Anjali cupped Khushi's face in her hands and stared into her large panic-stricken eyes with growing concern.

"He...he said..." she gulped her tears, "He said he would kill all those responsible for his maa's murder!"

"I am afraid he will do some thing foolish! We have to stop him Anjalidi! We have to!" Khushi's voice rose.

"Chhotey must be terribly distressed...he must be thinking of maa...I must go to him..." Anjali sobbed. She stretched her hand towards Aakash, gesturing to him to take her to Arnav.

Aakash obliged by taking Anjali's hand and tried to calm her down by saying, "Don't worry Di. All will be fine. Bhai will definitely understand."

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"Arnav should not be able to get in touch with our old servant, Rahim!!" Subhadra said holding her head between her hands.

"It is important to contact Rahim! To ensure he keeps his mouth shut about that night...!" Subhadra Mallik shuddered and groaned as her head throbbed in pain.

"What are you muttering to yourself, mother? Why do you want to contact Rahim chacha! Didn't we decide we would not keep in touch with him! Have you gone mad or are you senile?!" Ajit screamed at her, pacing up and down the prison cell.

"Is this the way to talk to your mother Ajit!? After all I have done for you?" Subhadra shrieked.

"I am your son. You only did your mother's duty! Big deal!" Ajit scowled at her. "Of course you were also able to serve your self interest by using me..." he smiled devilishly at her.

Tears welled up in Subhadra's eyes."Shut up Ajit!" she said in a strangled voice, "It is my fault you have turned out this way...my fault..."

Ajit scowled at his mother again. " Stop being melodramatic, mother! But you are not wrong! Yes it is all your fault! You let Aakash get away! You could not prevent Arnav and Anjali from going to Kolkata to meet their Nani! And now you can't even find Shyam! And I am stuck in this prison because you could not convince Arnav not to file a criminal case against me!"

"Have you forgotten you tried to shoot him! Murder Arnav Singh Raizada in cold blood?How do you even think he was going to let that pass by?!" Subhadra asked contemptuously.

"Yeh kya ho raha hai! (What is going on!)" An angry voice interrupted them. "What are you two doing creating a racket here!" the prison guard snarled, rattling the prison bars with his baton.

" Have you forgotten you are on our payroll, you b******!" Ajit drew himself to his full height and charged the guard.

The prison guard spit in Ajit's direction and said, " I forgot! Did I? My mistake! I think I should have struck a better deal with Arnav Singh Raizada! He would have surely paid me much more to beat you to pulp daily! !" he laughed through splintered teeth.

Ajit's face went pale and he clamped up immediately.

Subhadra placed a hand on the guard's dirty sleeve gingerly and begged, "No, no please...my son talks nonsense. Don't pay attention to him please..." she begged.

The prison guard brushed away her hand and walked away with a huff.

"Eeks! What has life come to,"Subhadra muttered, "I, the great Subhadra Mallik is having to plead before a third class man!"

Turning to Ajit furiously she whispered, "You understand now why I am tense about Rahim? Rahim is also on our pay roll, but what if Arnav approaches him, will he remain faithful to us!"

She continued feverishly, "We have to get in touch with Rahim! But for that I have to locate Shyam first! He takes the money to Rahim and only Shyam knows where Rahim resides! "

Ajit shouted after her, "Mother...don't do that...we shouldn't take a hasty step like that...mother...!"

But Subhadra had already left.

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"Chhotey! Chhotey!" Anjali knocked on the door of the terrace. But there was no answer.

She looked at Nani and Aakash anxiously. "Why isn't Chhotey answering? Is he okay?"

"The door isn't locked from inside Di!" Aakash pointed out. "Do you want to go in?" he asked her.

Anjali took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the terrace.

Arnav was standing at the railing his eyes closed tightly against the morning sun.

"Chhotey...!" Anjali called out to him in a broken voice.

Arnav opened his eyes but did not turn around.

Anjali let go Aakash's hand and limped towards her Chhotey.

Suddenly Anav turned towards her. His face was impassive.

"Chhotey are you okay? I was so worried..."

Arnav cut her short, "I am fine Di. Just leave me alone, will you?" he said coldly

"Arnav bitwa..." Nani's troubled voice floated in.

Anjali turned to see Nani standing on the threshold with Khushi.

Arnav clenched his fist and roared, "What is going on here! Is the entire house spying on me! Just leave me alone all of you..."

His scorching molten eyes clashed with Khushi's moist hazel ones. Khushi took an involuntary step backwards.

"No Bhai ..." Aakash started but one glance at Arnav's angry bloodshot eyes and he could not pick up the courage to speak again

Nani tried to make Arnav see sense. " Bitwa...It just that we want your well being. We need to know what you intend doing, bitwa? Are you going to resort to violence to get even with Ratna's murderers?! But if you do that what will be the difference between your upbringing and theirs!"

"Who told you I had any such plans?" Arnav charged Nani and glowered at Khushi who looked away guiltily.

Arnav gritted his teeth "And anyway why should I tell you anything about my plans, Nani? You were at the liberty to disappear from our lives and leave us at the mercy of the Malliks and now..."

Anjali stopped him gently, "Chhotey, there is no point harping over the past..."

Arnav laughed a short bitter laugh and said, "You might have forgotten the past Di but I have not!"

His eyes blazed like the firy sun behind him "Nor will I ever forget what the Malliks did to maa! Nor will I let them forget..." he sneered.

His face was dark with anger, his nostrils flared, his fists clenched. He was like an angry bull and no one dared question or calm him.

Khushi spoke up suddenly, "But Arnav we cannot charge the Malliks with anything unless we have sufficient proof ! And you really can't take up the law in your hand!"

Arnav's temper soared and he barked at Khushi. "Don't you tell me what I can or cannot do, samjhi tum! Who are you to interfere in the matters of my family?"

For a second no one spoke. Khushi stood rooted to her spot and then her face lost its colour...her lips trembled...tears came rushing into her hurt eyes as she stared at Arnav. Suddenly she became aware of Anjaldi, Nani and Aakash looking at her...she could bare no more of Arnav's rudeness. She stifled a sob.

And then turning around, sprinted to the door and bundled down the stairs in a mist.

She had almost reached the last step when a strong pair of arms turned her around and brought her crashing on a hard chest.

His warm breath burnt her heated raging senses. His touch made her shiver. And abruptly all her emotions tumbled down her eyes in a heavy shower and wet his shirt. She turned her face away, angry at herself for exposing her pain to him who had hurt her so.

"Shhh..." Arnav pulled her closer to his chest.

Khushi bit her lower lip and tried to push him away. "Let me go Arnav!" she said stiffly.

"Khushi..." he whispered softly into her soft hair, "look at me..."

Khushi closed her eyes tightly.

"Khushi please..."he thumbed her chin and lifted her tear smeared face to him, "I didn't mean to hurt...I...I am sorry Khushi...I really am..."

"Don't you believe me? Look into my eyes and tell me I am lying..." he begged.

Khushi opened her eyes slowly. His honest honeyed eyes bore down into her soul. She could not look away...

"But you hurt me every time..." Khushi's voice was a mere whisper

Arnav kissed her hair softly and whispered back, "I don't mean to...you know that...I guess I am just like that..."

He hugged her and brushed his stubble against her soft rosy cheeks.

"Aww! " Khushi yelped, slapping his chest. "That hurt! Why can't you shave?"

Arnav smiled sheepishly, loosening his hold over her.

His face clouded again. "So am I forgiven...? I know I don't deserve it but..."

"Wait! First let me try to understand how idiotic you are!" Khushi said holding her palm up to his face. "Am I to understand you don't want to hurt me but you can't help it because by nature you are a khadoos Laad Governor!" Khushi inquired.

" What the! What did you call me??!" Arnav's blasted angrily

"See! See! Typical you!" Khushi said pointing her finger at him. "And only a minute ago you were apologizing to me for hurting me!"

The anger on Arnav's face suddenly gave way to a slow smile. He snaked his arms round her waist and crashed her soft contours on his hard frame.

"I have no idea how to apologise properly, you teach me how..."he said tucking an errant strand of her hair behind her ears, his lips inches away from her...Khushi shivered as an electric current ran down her spine in anticipation...

Someone cleared his throat behind them.

"Bhai...Khushiji...".

Khushi hurriedly disentangled herself from Arnav, her cheeks red with embarrassment.

"Dammit! Why can't people leave us alone!" Arnav muttered as he felt bereft of Khushi's warm body that was pressed against him a second ago.

Nani and Anjali smiled at each other knowingly as they saw the state in which Arnav and Khushi were.

"Chhotey, you are asking us to leave you alone, once again?" Anjali reprimanded him, smiling inwardly.

"Oh! Sorry Di! Sorry Nani! I..." he mumbled raking his fingers through his hair.

"Sorry! Chhotey! You actually said sorry to us!" Anjali smiled teasingly at her brother

"Yes Anjali bitiya, he did!" Nani grinned.

"I wonder what changed his attitude," Anjali pondered, looking at Khushi.

Khushi shifted on her feet embarrassingly.

"Stop it Di!" Arnav barked. "Just tell me why you followed me! What did you want to say!"

"Chhotey!" Anjali said in a distressed voice moving towards her brother. She took his hand in hers and held it up to her cheek. She tried vainly to blink away her tears and pleaded, "Promise me, Chhotey. You will not do anything disastrous to get back at the Malliks!"

"Yes Chhotey we will all get together and think of a way out!" Nani tried to convince her grandson.

"Nani you know quite well what these Malliks are capable of! I hope you have a solid plan otherwise ...I will have to deal with this in my way!" Arnav's voice was very serious and determined.

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"There must be a way to deal with these Malliks!" Aakash said pacing up and down the living room where everyone except Arnav had gathered.

" Hello hi se bye bye!" Manorama cackled.

"Hit them where it hurts most!" Aakash continued with a thoughtful expression on his face.

Payal nodded in agreement.

"All they care about is money, riches, property..." Khushi added disdainfully.

Aakash suddenly stopped pacing and said excitedly, "Yes! That is right Khushi!"

He turned towards the elders and asked eagerly, "Isn't there a way by which we can deprive them of the huge Mallik property?"

"There must be a way!" Aakash said punching his palm.

"There is..." Manohar Singh Raizada said softly.

"Yes," Devyani Mallik nodded, "It was at the back of my mind but..."

"But...Chhotey will never agree..." Anjali said with a forlorn face.

"What? What is it?" Aakash inquired with a confused expression on his face. "You mean to say there is a solution to this entire problem and you haven't disclosed it to us so far?" he stared at the elders incredulously.

"Please tell us. Maybe we can help!" Khushi pleaded. She was willing to do anything to help Arnav!

"Yes..." Aakash looked at them expectantly

"Well..." Nani cleared her throat, "You have to convince Chhotey to get married! Can you do that?" she inquired.

The eager faces suddenly went dull.

"Bhai and marriage!" Aakash adjusted his spectacles over his nose nervously.

Khushi looked at the elders curiously, "Why marriage?" she asked in an affected voice.

"That is the clause of Arnav's grandfather's, Avinash Singh Mallik's will. The entire property will be Arnav's if he gets married and..." Nani paused.

"And what Nani?" Aakash asked.

"And has a child..." Nani said softly.

Manohar nodded his head, "Arnav's child will inherit the Mallik property, all of it!"

Anjali sighed and shrugged her shoulders, "Impossible dream!" she mumbled in a sad voice.

"Nothing is impossible Anjali bitiya! It might be difficult but not impossible!" Nani said hugging Anjali sideways.

"But Nani marriage, kid...that is a long drawn process...we need to stop the Malliks now!" Aakash cried frustratingly.

Nani cocked her head to one side and said, "But Aakash, let me finish bitwa! As per the will, Arnav's marriage will act as an immediate stopgag where Subhadra and Ajit will lose everything to Arnav temporarily. If the baby is born within two years Subhadra and Ajit will lose everything permanently..."

"Oh!" Aakash pondered over the fact.

Anjali said with a faraway look in her eyes, "I think Dadaji(paternal grandfather) knew he could not expect anything from his sons so he wanted his grandson, his beloved Arnav, to have a happy married life..."

"But the past events have turned Arnav bitter towards love and marriage," she sighed.

She smiled dreamily, "Will I ever see my Chhotey happily married, will I ever be able to play with my nephew and niece, will I ever..."

"No you will not!" a loud voice boomed and Arnav came marching into the room his eyes blazing with anger!

"Di...what is wrong with you?" he fired Anjali.

"Arnav bitwa...please listen to us..." Nani interjected.

"I have heard everything Nani! Is this the fabulous idea my great family has come out with!" he asked scornfully.

"Don't interfere in my life, I am warning you all! I will now deal with the Malliks as I think best!" And saying that he marched out of the room, leaving everyone staring helplessly after him.

Only one person felt a sense of relief wash over her...and that was Khushi... she had been holding her breath during this entire talk about Arnav's marriage and child. She had never thought that the idea of Arnav marrying and having a child with someone would leave her feeling so repugnant. Her heart was thudding in her ears. Hey Devi Maiyya everyone is looking so hurt and I am feeling so relieved! How can I be so mean!

"I need a glass of water..." she murmured and excused herself from the room quickly.

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Aman's phone rang. It was ASR! So early in the morning! Wonder what was up!

"Yes ASR?"

"Aman... make arrangements to bring Shyam out of the prison cell in Stockholm..." Arnav's commanding voice floated into the phone.

What! Aman almost fell off his chair! He couldn't believe what he had heard! Get that scoundrel released from jail!

"Sh...Shyam? Do you mean Shyam Manohar Jha?! Anjali ji's husband? Release hi...him..m from ja...jail " Aman stammered.

Arnav rolled his eyes, "How many Shyams do you know Aman who are imprisoned in Stockholm! Get our friends in Stockholm to do the job! Quick!"

"And I did not say get him released'.. but to ensure he escaped'! Arnav smirked.

"Oh!" Aman exclaimed flustered.

Arnav's tone was sarcastic. "What is wrong with you Aman? Are you having the stuff that advertises to improve brain power on the idiot box?"

But Aman missed the sarcasm because other thoughts were playing in his mind!

He said in a panic stricken voice,"But ASR if Shyam is released he will join hands with the Malliks again! He will try to harm Anjali ji...I mean your famiy and..."

"Enough!" Arnav shouted at the other end. "Don't tell me how to protect my family and my Di! That is what I have been doing for last so many years!"

Aman felt foolish for doubting his boss!

"Yes, ASR..." he murmured sheepishly

Arnav was quiet for a second then said in a steely voice, " You are aware Aman that at present I have personally arranged for my family in Kolkata to be guarded by the best security agency in the world. But I can't let them live in the shadow of fear forever! So I have to...have to... take a calculated risk now...a personal risk...to end this for once and all!"

Aman wiped the beads of perspiration gathering on his forehead! This was sounding dangerous! What did ASR mean... personal risk...!

"Anyway Aman, you have my long standing instructions don't you? You know what to do to keep my family safe...if something fatal happened to me..."

Aman gasped.

The line went dead at the other end.

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"Chhotey just barged in , listened to half of the conversation and walked out angrily without listening fully to what we had to say..." Anjali complained to Nani.

"But every cloud has a silver lining bitiya...naahi?" Nani smiled at her knowingly.

"Yes Nani," Anjali rubbed her hands in glee "By the way, did you see the million dollar expression on her face...?" she asked Nani excitedly.

Nani grinned broadly and nodded her head in the affirmative.

"I am sure he will change his mind once he knows our choice..." Nani smiled secretively at her granddaughter.

"Yes it's a foolproof plan!" Anjali beamed.

Manohar Raizada looked from one woman to another and rolled his eyes, "Now you two are talking in riddles! What do you have up your sleeves!"

"Hello hi bye bye! Too much! Another secretwa!" Manorama slapped her head.

Aakash scratched his head, " Di, Dadi..we are running out of time, and bhai is pretty mad! I am afraid he might not agree to your hackeneyed plans any more!"

"Don't worry Aakash , Chhotey will not be able to refuse..." Anjali winked at him.

"Nani, are you thinking what I am thinking!" Anjali grinned.

"Yes..." Nani smiled mischievously at her.

They hi fived and hugged each other laughing.

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I might be late but I am will be there hamesha friends.⭐️🤗

awesome update.
love it ..
waiting for next part eagerly(:

Wow awesome update! Absolutely loved it! The things Arnav says in his anger gosh! Poor Khushi... but I'm glad he realised his mistake the very next second, otherwise it could have turned out horrible.

Very nice update.

I hvnt read previous chapter so once i will complete reading them, will give u review:) thanks for pm

are they planing arnav /khushi wedding

Nani and Anjali planning for Arnav-Khushi marriage???