Khushi put her head in her Babuji's lap as she saw his helpless tears. She felt equally helpless. This man, who had killed so many times before, was a maniac and he was capable of doing anything if provoked. She tried to clear her mind and think calmly. She could not get agitated. She had to handle this delicately and smartly.
'What do you want me to do?' she asked him as she stood up wiping her tears and looked him squarely in the eye.
'Nothing! Just stay normal. Don't breathe a word about me to anyone. I want to make it very,. very clear. I'll be watching. Like I said I have cameras, mics and people everywhere. If you try to act smart, I will know! And someone will be seriously hurt or even dead! Maybe your precious Arnav Ji will be the first to go. I'm getting mighty tired of him and his tyranny around Shantivan. With him out of the way, my life will get a lot easier' he smiled a sinister smile.
Khushi felt a chill go down her spine.
'I told you I'll do as you say. There is no need to talk like that. Leave him alone!' she blinked back her tears.
'Tch, tch, Khushi! You love him, don't you?' he snickered
Khushi looked down, not wanting to rile him up any further.
'Well, stop that!' he bellowed suddenly, making Khushi jump in fright. 'You are only mine, do you understand? And I don't want to bring unnecessary attention to ourselves right now with your sister's wedding around the corner. But as soon as the wedding is over...' he let that sentence hang making Khushi shiver again.
Khushi soon found out that Shyam had meant every word he had said threateningly and he was as dangerous as he had told her he was. She walked towards the temple. She needed to be in the presence of her Devi Mayya to think calmly and think this through. She had gone to a cyber cafe near her house and she had googled all the names of those unfortunate women again and done more research. She was shocked all over again. She felt more and more afraid of the man. She took a deep breath. She could not give up so easily without a fight! She was braver than this! She thought about what she could do. She had 2 more weeks to devise a plan before her Jiji's wedding. Just 2 more weeks! She didn't know what he would do after the wedding. That man was capable of doing anything. But what would he do to Arnav and Anjali? He had to get them out of the way if he were to take her or force her to marry him, wouldn't he? Fresh tears rolled down Khushi's cheeks. She wiped them away furiously and shook her head. She would lay down her life before she let anything happen to her Arnavji or Di.
But what could she do? He had already hurt all those poor women and he had also hurt her Babuji. Khushi put her face in her palms as she sobbed uncontrollably! Her poor Babuji! He didn't deserve to be in this condition at his age. He was just being the amazing father he always was and was just looking out for her! Why did everyone she loved had to get hurt because of her?
Would it help if she ran away somewhere? Far away where no one could find her? She had some money in her bank and she had some of her Amma's jewelry she could sell. She could choose any big city and change her name and vanish into thin air! No one would ever be able to find her! She cried out in frustration! That would probably just drive that nutcase crazy and he would probably go on a rampage thinking her family and also Arnav Ji had something to do with it. No! That could probably cause more damage than good.
What if she died? Killed herself? Would that solve all the problems? She groaned. She would rather die fighting that evil man than kill herself like a coward. And what would that accomplish anyway? He will still roam around free and doing what he had always set out to do...take AR! And then what would he do to Arnav Ji? No, no!
Khushi stood up abruptly. She was the only one who knew his true face and she was the only one who could do something. Khushi Kumari Gupta will not accept defeat that easily. She looked at Devi Mayya and prayed for strength. She rushed out of the temple, determined to take the matter in her own hands. As she walked briskly, she came to a halt in front of the police station. She looked up at the huge sign and took a deep breath. What was she going to say in her complaint? Would they believe her? Of course they would! She was an ordinary citizen lodging a complain against another ordinary citizen. There was no reason for them not to at least hear her out. She would give them the names of all Shyam's victims and tell them what she knew. And ask them to launch an investigation quietly. Yes! That would work!
And then tonight, both families were gathering in Shantivan for Sangeet practice and she would close the doors and tell them all the truth. They will believe her. Shyam can watch or listen or whatever. She didn't care! Arnav, Akash, NK and Mamaji will take over from there and ensure everyone's safety. Arnav Ji will probably arrange for security immediately. Yes! This was a great plan! Khushi instantly felt better. She smiled a little at having finally figured out a plan.
As she was just about to step into the police station, her phone rang. She picked it up and before she could even say hello, she heard the worried voice of Arnav. 'Khushi? Where are you? Why aren't you here yet? I just spoke to your Buaji and she said it's been two hours since you left home!'
'Arnav Ji!' Khushi whispered, relieved to hear his voice after all the inner turmoil she had gone through. 'It feels so nice to hear your grumpy voice!' she tried to make light.
Arnav smiled, also relieved. Her behavior from the past few days had put him on edge and he was anxious to see her. 'Khushi, where are you?' he asked again.
'I am at the police station...' Khushi trailed off as she realized what she had just blurted out.
'What?! Police station? Why?' Arnav all but screamed
'No, no! I meant I'm in front of the police station. I had gone to the mandir Arnav Ji. I'll be there soon' Khushi covered up hastily.
'Alright. But I need to go to the office for an important meeting Khushi. I'll try to be back around tea time, okay? Tum rahogi na tab tak?' he asked her doubtfully.
(You will be there till then, right?)
'Yes, I will be there' Khushi tried to smile, a tad bit disappointed that he wont be home. 'Akash jiju will be bringing everyone from my house on his way home from work. So I'll be there for a while'
As Khushi hung up, she felt a strange trepidation. Her steps faltered. She didn't know if she was doing the right thing. As she adjusted the strap of her jhola, her hands shook. Just as she was about to step into the police station, she saw a man step in front of her blocking her way. She looked up to see a strange man, looking at her angrily. As Khushi was just about to step aside, she saw him holding up a cell phone in front her.
'Take it. It's for you!' he said calmly.
Khushi's eyes widened as she realized the implications of it. She nodded her head as she took the phone with slightly trembling hands. As she brought it up to her ears, she heard him!
'What part of don't tell anyone did you not understand? And what part of the news clips I showed you did you not get? And what were you going to do there? Lodge a complaint against me?' he laughed loudly at the other end making Khushi flinch in distaste.
'Karlo jo bhi karna hai! Main tumse nahin darthi' Khushi grit her teeth as she glared at the man in front of her, mustering all the courage she had.
(Do what you want to do! I am not scared of you)
'Acha? Tho theek hai! You'll regret not listening to me. You have underestimated what I'm capable of'
(Really? Ok then!)
Khushi heard a click. She handed the phone back to the guy in front of her and turned around angrily as she walked away with her head held high. She would be damned if she let anyone intimidate her. She felt afraid the next moment and berated herself. What was she thinking, trying to go to the police in broad daylight? Shyam did tell her he had men following her and he had men everywhere and cameras everywhere. He was right. She did underestimate him. He could go to any extent to harm the people she loved and she needed to be careful. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought about her Father again. She shuddered!
Just as Khushi was getting ready to make tea for everyone in Shantivan, she looked at the clock. It was 4 pm. Akash had gone to her house in Laxmi Nagar to bring everyone over. Khushi smiled. Arnav Ji would be coming back soon. She looked around the kitchen and then turned on the coffee machine. She started finely slicing onions. She would make some pakoras for him too. As she heard the car in the driveway, she quickly washed her hands and stepped out of the kitchen drying her hands in a towel. She saw her entire family come in with Akash. Where was Arnav Ji? She picked up her phone and called him and it went straight to voicemail. She frowned. He never turned off his phone or ran out of battery! She sighed! It was just her impatience to see him that was making her jittery, she concluded as she smiled at everyone and got busy making tea and pakoras.
It was now 6:30 pm and there was still no sign of Arnav. Khushi started to get a little anxious and so did Anjali. They had called him multiple times and his phone was still off. Anjali called Aman and his phone rang and rang but he did not answer the call. The two women looked at each other worriedly. 'Don't worry Di. He must be stuck in a meeting or a conference call or something. And Aman ji must be with him only right? Aa jayenge' she tried to convince herself more than she did Anjali.
(He'll be here soon)
Khushi locked herself in the bathroom as tears flowed freely and she started hyperventilating. As she struggled to breathe, her mind conjured up all kinds of scenarios. She shook her head vigorously. She cannot lose her composure right now. Wherever he is, he has to be okay! There is no doubt about it. Her Devi Mayya will never let bad things happen to good people like Arnav Ji...that too from the likes of a evil person like Shyam. No! She had to keep her belief intact. She looked at her cell phone. It was now close to 10 pm!! Her family had gone back an hour ago. She had told them she would stay with Anjali as she was sick with worry. Her Amma and Buaji, had of course, instantly agreed.
As Khushi stepped out of the bathroom, her phone rang. She picked it up as she walked briskly outside to the garden, seeing who was calling.
'Hello?'
'Khushi! Kya hua? You sound worried!' he asked sweetly.
(Khushi! What happened?)
Khushi stayed silent not giving him the satisfaction of a reply. But that seemed to make him mad.
'Maine kahan tha na? Kahan tha ke mujhse panga mat lena! Ke mere bhurayi se panga mat lena! Jo main chahtha hoon usse haasil karke chodtha hoon. Aur jo bhi mere raaste main aata hai...well, usko tho main yoon hata deta hoon' he snapped his fingers as he chuckled.
(I had told you right? I had told you not to mess with me! Not to mess with my evilness! I always get what I want. And those who come in my way...well, I will move them away like this)
Khushi felt her palms get sweaty and her phone almost slip from her hands. She scrambled to get a grip. Just as she was about to ask him what was on her mind from the past few hours, she heard him again. He was laughing disgustingly and Khushi flinched at his vileness.
'Kya...'
(What...)
'Jao Khushi. Jaake dekhlo! Go see the consequence of not listening to me, of not giving me enough credit! And oh, remember! Next time it won't be like this. Agli baar, agli baar, Khushi...sab khatam ho jayega!'
(Go Khsuhi. Go and see for yourself!) (Next time, next time, Khushi...everything will come to an end!)
As the call disconnected, she heard Anjali's loud cry. Khushi rushed inside, her heart in her mouth, to see Arnav walk in...his head bandaged and his arm in a sling. He had bruises on his jaw and he had a slight limp. There were blood stains on his trousers and on the collar of his white shirt. Khushi felt her head spin as nausea hit her in waves. She held onto the nearest chair tightly as she gulped in lungfuls of air, trying to get a grip, as she saw Anjali fuss over Arnav.
Arnav caught Khushi's eyes and looked shocked. She was as white as a sheet and he observed her death grip on the chair, her knuckles bloodless and white too. He blinked twice telling her not to worry. Khushi rushed to him as she saw his saddened face. Something was wrong, very wrong!! As she went to help Anjali settle him down on the couch, she saw Aman for the first time. He looked like hell. His clothes and hair disheveled and his eyes bloodshot.
'Aman Ji! Kya baat hai?' Khushi asked slowly turning to him after making sure Arnav is not in pain. Aman looked dazed and didn't look like he heard her. So Khushi stepped closer and shook him by the arm. 'Aman Ji?'
(Aman Ji, what's the matter?)
Aman looked up at Khushi and Anjali and then Arnav, silently asking him for permission to speak. Arnav nodded reluctantly. They had to know sometime. Just then Nani, Akash, Mami, Mama and NK came rushing. After they had fussed over Arnav enough, they all turned to Aman.
'The client we were supposed to meet with...their Director is old and his health is not too good right now. So ASR said we will go to their office for the meeting. So he and I drove together in my car. Our secretary Nidhi and Mohan drove separately in ASR's car. After we finished the meeting, I left as I had to meet one of our vendors and the three of them headed back. A huge truck hurtled out of nowhere and hit them head on at full speed. Nid...Nidhi...was...in the front seat as ASR was in a conference call at the back. She...she didn't...make it' he said as he shook his head sadly, his eyes burning with tears.
Everyone gasped as Anjali whispered 'And...Mohan?'
'He's very critical Di. He's still in surgery' Arnav said. 'They're doing everything to save him. But it's not looking good'
Aman continued. 'ASR was lucky he was not driving as always and he was lucky to be in the back seat. We have lodged a complaint. And we also informed Mohan's wife. She's with him right now'
'Make sure the hospital bill is covered Aman, of course. Also, make sure his family is taken care of' Arnav instructed as Aman nodded his head.
As Anjali, Nani and Mami started crying and the horror of what could have happened began to settle in, Khushi took a step back.She needed to step away...now! She needed to get away from this man and his family. She turned to walk out when she heard him call out to her softly.
He didn't care! He didn't care if his family found out...they would have soon, anyway. He just wanted her by his side. As he had felt the impact of the truck hitting the car, his entire life had flashed before his eyes and the only face that he saw was Khushi's. In that instant, he had thought that he would never be able to see her again, he'd never be able to kiss her again or take her in his arms again. he would never be able to have a happy life with her. He had regretted that he hadn't spoken to her properly in 3 days and he hadn't kissed her in 3 days! Now when he had laid eyes on her after spending hours in the hospital, she had felt like an oasis to his starved heart.
'Khushi?' he called out.
Khushi turned to see him as tears flowed from her eyes, like a dam that had burst. She rushed to him as she dropped to her knees in front of him and cupped his face gently. 'Aap theek tho hain na?' she whispered, oblivious of the surprised look on everyone's faces which turned into a gentle, understanding smile.He leaned his cheek deeper into her palms as he turned slightly and kissed it and nodded.
(You're okay, right?)
NK, Anjali and Mamaji helped Arnav up to his room as Akash made a call to the hospital to check on Mohan and also talk to the doctor. Khushi went into the kitchen to make some haldi milk for Arnav. As she took it up to him, she saw him leaning his head back on his pillow after he had sent everyone to their bed. Khushi stepped inside and helped him drink the milk, trying hard not to break down in front of him. He cupped her face and wiped her tears and sighed.
'She was a hard working girl Khushi. She was only 24. Her parents are in Jharkhand. She doesn't even have any family here' he said emotionally as his eyes filled with tears. He pulled her into his arms as she rested her cheek against his chest. 'Life is so unfair, hai na?'
Khushi nodded as fresh tears made their way out thinking about that innocent girl. She jerked up instantly and stood up, shock written all over her face!
'Khushi, sweetheart, what's wrong?' Arnav tried to get up but flinched in pain. But Khushi didn't even notice it which surprised Arnav even more. He stood up with difficulty and went to her as he shook her.
'I...she...died!!!' Khushi blabbered. 'She...Nidhi...she died and...and...Mohan Ji! Oh my god!! He's going to die too. What is this? What is happening?' she looked up at him then and gasped. 'And you were going to...I mean...you almost...and all this is because I...oh my god! She died!!'
Arnav looked at her worriedly as she put her face in her palms and started sobbing uncontrollably.
'Ssh...sshh...Khushi, stop crying, please! I can't see you like this'
Khushi looked up at him, her heart awash with love for this man who had turned her world upside down. She cupped his cheeks tenderly.
'I won't be able to survive if something happens to you'
'What? Why would anything happen to me? Khushi, what's happening? Why are you behaving strangely from the past couple of days? Tell me what's wrong and I promise you, I'll fix it! You know I will'
Khushi shook her head. She stepped closer to him as he took her in his arms. For a minute, she tried to forget everything and just sighed in his embrace, cocooned in his warmth and in his love. Fresh tears poured out of her eyes, drenching his shirt. She pulled away slowly as she looked around the room.
'I...I...have to go. I can't let...I won't...I just won't...nothing can ever...no one can...I need to go' she whispered, almost blabbering and rushed out of the pool side.
Arnav called after her, worried out of his mind. What was happening? Why was she acting like this? And why was she afraid something would happen to him? What was bothering her? Something was very wrong and he would be damned if he didn't find out!
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