Arshi FF: Castle Of Glass l Ch 19 Pg 46 Note Pg 51 - Page 10

(B)

(Harshbardhan Kashyap pic pg 2 with intro)

"Bhabi ji aapke pitaji aaye hain," HP informed knocking the door.

Lavanya's hand halted in midair. Her grip on the hair brush tightened beyond necessity.

"Hmm. I am coming," she said as neutrally as she could and dispersed the house help.

She threw the brush on the dressing table before getting up and looking at her agitated reflection. Her scowl only deepened as she stared, her mind in a chaos. But she couldn't delay the inevitable more. So turning she stomped her way towards the living room.

She saw his father sitting with Anjali. As she neared she caught bits and pieces of their conversation with accompanying chuckles.

"So you say all is good with our country." Anjali quipped.

"Well, I am only allowed to say so," Mr Kashyap returned.

"Well, I would like to believe so," Anjali delivered spontaneously and both chuckled.

"So how is aunty doing?" Anjali enquired.

"She is good and right now busy with her NGO work." Mr Kashyap informed with a tinge of pride and fondness.

"But not so busy to visit us some time," Anjali complained sweetly.

"No beta. Soon she will come to meet you all. After all, it quite long since she had met Lavanya too." There was wistfulness in Mr Kashyap's voice Anjali noticed.

She knew for some reason Lavanya and her parents' relation were strained since last two years. She didn't visit them other than absolutely necessary. Well, even they were also not in very good terms but her parents need not know that. "Yeah, I know she is also busy with RH's work." So she defended.

"Yeah..." Lavanya's father dragged not believing for a single moment that his daughter didn't visit them for work. She couldn't be busier than him. But he could not and would not discuss that with Anjali and added, "I was passing so thought to meet her but I couldn't reach her mobile to confirm that she is home so I just hoped she would be."

"You did right uncle."

"My phone lost charge,"

came the simultaneous replies.

Anjali and Mr Kashyap both turned to see Lavanya standing behind in her casual shirt and pants. Her hair still wet from the shower and her face was unadorned giving her a soft homely look. Her face looked taut though without an iota of excitement that a daughter should feel after seeing her father after a long period of a gap.

Mr Kashyap's face lit up seeing his daughter and ignoring her stiffness he left his seat to walk up to her. He embraced her kissing her forehead in affection. Lavanya reciprocated the hug but didn't share the same fondness and soon she was out of his arms.

Anjali sensed the tension and decided to give them some time to talk in private. So she left the place in the pretext of checking on evening snacks as it was time for all the male members of the house to be back.

"Come with me," Lavanya asked her father to follow to talk in a more private setting.

"How are you beta," Mr Kashyap asked as soon as they reached the terrace garden between the rooms of the Raizada brothers.

"Why are you here dad?"

Both asked each other almost at the same time.

Hurt by his daughter's rudeness Mr Kashyap looked away but Lavanya gazed at him pointedly.

"If I say to see how are you would you believe me," Mr Kashyap whispered recovering.

"I would, but I also know that won't be your single agenda to take some precious time out of your busy schedule and come here all the way " Came Lavanya's wry reply.

"Right." All Mr Harshbardhan Kashyap managed before he lapsed into a contemplating silence.

Lavanya waited patiently knowing he was here for a reason.

What she had known of her father all her life was that he had been a good father to her but he was a more committed IPS officer throughout his life, who never gave anything more priority than his duty and never indulged in activities that cost him his time to serve his country. So when as the Director of Indian intelligence bureau he was supposed to be in his office working on confidential issues or travelling in cities for meetings he was here to meet her without any prior notice then that meant serious business.

"You know she is alive." She heard him. She closed her eyes berating herself for not guessing it before or she had but didn't want to think that his father would be so selfish to come to her even after their tensed relationship to seek out her help for this.

"I am sorry I had to keep this from you, but she was in coma and we also had to take care of the confidentiality of the matter." He tried to explain even after he knew it wouldn't work, at least not in his favour.

In a flash of a moment, Lavanya was before him shooting daggers through her eyes.

"You are sorry! You are?" She mocked. For what? To take a 15 years old girl, who hadn't thought twice before saving your daughter from getting ruined putting her life in danger , who had not known a life since she was 5, who had put her trust on you to give her better life when she had no other better choice."

"Or are you sorry because you could never be a father to that lost orphan girl even if you promised to be so"

"Or are sorry behalf of my mother who always treated her politely because she saved me but never mustered up enough affection to actually pull her out of her darkness."

"Lavanya there is no point talking about the past. Let's talk about the present situation and find a solution." Mr Kashyap tried to be stern to stop her daughter in her rant. He feared someone would hear them. He feared that she would lose control. He feared that finally his guilt would consume him.

But Lavanya didn't give a damn to his father's protest and continued, "Or are you sorry because you let me live my life because I shared your DNA but took her chance away even before she could have any hope of a normal life and sent her away for those awful training"

"Even then she could have had a dignified life after coming back but you did not let that happen too. Are you sorry for that?" And then suddenly her voice dipped dangerously, "or are you sorry because finally when she had her chance and wanted to embrace her life, you snatched that away too. You first sent her to die that day even when we were against your decision and then declared her dead when she was still alive and ultimately succeeded in completely destroying her life."

"Lavanya," his father whispered hoarsely to make her stop.

"So tell me, dad, for what are you exactly sorry?" Lavanya mocked again.

"Lavanya you can accuse me all you want and I admit I am guilty as charged except one," Mr Kashyap's voice gained the lost power and Lavanya's head turned in his direction, "I chose her not you not because I am selfish as you put it, but I knew she had the potential to achieve what was chosen for her. On the other hand, you were never made for such work so I let you work in the background never on the field."

"Yeah, she had the potential of being heartless because you never let that organ act any differently when you had the chance."

Lavanya's cutting words made the desired impact and Mr Kashyap looked away to hide his tortured expression.

Lavanya smiled humourlessly.

After an eery pause, Mr Kashyap cleared his throat to speak "When she had come out of her comatose state I had explained to her why we took the decision and also told her if she wants she can leave us and live her life...

"Away from us, away from Arnav. Alone." Lavanya completed what Mr Kashyap wanted to put in better words. At least he thought he could.

"That's the price she needs to pay for the life she wants." Mr Kashyap said defiantly.

Suddenly Lavanya burst into a mirthless laugh. She laughed till her eyes flooded and belly hurt,

"Stop it Lavanya. Don't pretend that I did it intentionally to her. She chose to serve us and she vowed to secrecy willingly. Nobody forced her. And then she had to go and put our mission in trouble for her personal issues. Now when she is facing consequences she blames us, and you too." He said agitatedly not liking his daughters loathing for him.

And Lavanya lost it completely, She clapped as she said, "Wow Dad wow."

"She chose to serve You because you wanted her to. Because she was indebted to you. She went willingly because she did not care if she lived or died because you gave her no reason to care. She was not needed to force because she had nothing to hold back other than me. But she knew Mom didn't like her around me. You did not take her out of the mission even when she wanted to leave because you knew she was one of the best and you chose to keep her even it was at the cost of destroying her. She is facing the consequences of your selfish deed dad, yours not her's. I wonder how are you different than those terrorists who used children same as you for their benefit training them to be human weapon." she spat on his face

"Lavanya," her father growled not liking the way she accused him again and again. But Lavanya cared less. She was way past caring as she recalled the injustice towards a helpless orphan child.

"I have not come all the way to hear your accusation." Mr Kashyap said angrily, "it was her who chose to work with us again but now I understand that she came back with her own set of agenda. She is again putting our team and our mission in danger for her own personal gain and I will not sit and watch her destroy everything we have put so much effort in building. So before we stop her our way ask her to back off."

"what made you think she would listen to me," Lavanya asked. One of her eyebrows went up as she asked.

"I know so." His father answered confidently.

"She won't," Lavanya said calmly.

"What?" It was hard for Mr Kashyap to believe that Khushi would not oblige Lavanya willingly.

"Because I won't ask her to stop. And you can't do a thing to her because I won't let you. Because I would blow all your hard work by putting it before all and sundry even if you try to touch her single hair. You have played enough with her life, no more." She threatened the DIB fearlessly because she was happened to be his daughter also and part of his odd team.

Mr Kashyap stared in disbelief but said nothing other than a single 'Lavanya'.

"You lost me, dad. You lost me that day when you selfishly took her away from me. You are a great officer dad but you are a very poor father to one of your daughters whom you promised to give a life. You are selfish to come here even after all this and ask for help." She turned away from his father wiping her eyes furiously.

Mr Kashyap stood there in a stupor for a few second before he chose to leave knowing there is no point waiting. He took two steps when Lavanya's words halted him, "Her contract to serve in the special team is long over and your tenure as DIB is about to be over in a week. Think cleverly how you plan to stop her Mr Harshbardhan Kashyap."

Mr Kashyap's head shot to her direction only to see her smiling smugly.

"I know why you have become so desperate to come here for my help in a last ditch attempt. You are afraid to keep her in the department when you are leaving yourself. Isn't it?"

Mr Kashyap looked away not wanting to accept she was right. Yes, he was afraid that if Khushi succeeds in concluding the mission that they had started two years back and brings out the truth it will cost a great deal to many people. He doesn't care that the team he had worked hard to build since he was a chief may break to never form again but yes he was selfish to want her to stay away from this case this family to save what is precious to him.

He looked back to his daughter's face one last time before walking out with the aura of power and confidence which was part of him.

As soon he left Lavanya dropped in the nearest chair and hid her face in her hands to compose her raging emotions.

**

Arnav stared at the amber liquid in his hand. The ice crinkled as his hand shook a little. The frosted glass did not feel cold enough as his fingers tightened around the crystal glass tumbler.

The room was scarcely illuminated by the dull light of the table lamp beside Arnav keeping his body and face partly in shadows. Only his eyes were ignited with an unnamed emotion.

His mind was a whirlwind. The little he heard of Lavanya and her father's conversation played on a loop in his head.

"You are sorry! You are?"

"For what? To take a 15 years old girl, who hadn't thought twice before saving your daughter from getting ruined putting her life in danger , who had not known a life since she was 5, who had put her trust on you to give her better life when she had no other better choice."

"Or are you sorry because you could never be a father to that lost orphan girl even if you promised to be so"

"Or are sorry behalf of my mother who always treated her politely because she saved me but never mustered up enough affection to actually pull her out of her darkness."

"Lavanya there is no point talking about the past. Let's talk about the present situation and find a solution.".

He had heard of Mr. Kashyap's arrival from HP as he had come back and thought of greeting the man before he went to freshen up, thinking he may leave by the time he was done. He didn't have any intention to eavesdrop their conversation but Lavanya's voice had gone a notch higher when he was near the entrance of the terrace and the words had hit him with the impact of a bullet piercing his heart. His good manners which told him to leave the place but he was stuck in a stupor as Lavanya continued to accuse her father. His legs felt too heavy to move as he heard a gloomy part of his beloved's life which she never opened up in their time together. So much she had hidden. So much she had bore. And so much was left for him to know about her.

He would have stood there like a statue without his knowledge and will, if not for the sound of a trolly rolling behind him.

He had snapped out of his reverie and stopped HP in time to walk in a very private conversation. He had dispersed him with a wave f his hand and left himself too not willing to hear more.

If only he had stayed and forgetting his good manners for a change had heard more of their conversation!

Suddenly the memory of that night when unable to resist the pull he had gone to her home finding her address from her resume after she had left from RM tired and insulted. He had so wanted to see her, make sure she was fine and not upset by his Di's behaviour though that would have been too much to ask for.

His raised hand dropped as he noticed that the door was not locked. He pushed it gently and the faint music that was coming from behind the door like a low humming fell on his ear stronger. He looked around him and the untidy room loaded with bare minimum modern furniture and ammunition with a little thought to the interior was a total contradiction with the music that floated in air from somewhere from inside the small apartment.

The scarcely lit space and the music that was melancholically soothing created a trance like a state for him, calling him towards its origin. He walked along knowing he was not misdirected.

He saw her rocking gently in a sparse rocking chair that was placed beside the music system from where Anna Murrey crooned.

Her eyes were closed. She looked like sleeping. He shook his head thinking of her carelessness, sleeping leaving the main door open.

This room too had nothing much other than a bed in the middle and a study table in a corner. A lean cupboard stood on the other corner, which looked too small to adjust a woman's belongings. The bedside table held a night lamp and a water bottle that's all. There was only a photograph of her and Lavanya's hung on one of the walls.

There was nothing else to say a woman lived here not even a dressing table. Other than the photo she did nothing to give the room any personal touch.

He then turned his attention back to the woman of hi interest and watched on as he traced every feature of hers taking the sweet opportunity. The little band-aid on her temple and dressing on her left hand reminded him of what he was here and he contemplated if he should wake her up when she looked so peacefully sleeping. He was about to turn when he heard her voice and halted in his track.

"It is rude to stare and not healthy when you stare a sleeping woman."

For a moment, Arnav was stunned but soon he composed. He swiftly remarked, "you weren't sleeping actually. Were you?"

This time, Khushi opened her eyes and slowly sat up, "No I wasn't but you thought so. Weren't you?"

Arnav smiled. This woman bit back like hell! He thought amusedly.

"Hmm. So Anna Murrey eh!" He remarked good-naturedly.

She smiled this time. "Hmm, my father's favourite as far I remember. I have grown five years of my life listening to her and few of her times including Beatles Elvis Presley in his tape recorder and the old Hindi songs in my mother's lullaby.

Arnav looked fondly at her reminiscing some personal memory before him. "You are missing them." He asked casually.

Khushi looked lost for words and smiled awkwardly.

"You're upset" Arnav pointed out.

Caught she licked her dry lips. Then seeing him standing Khushi offered him the chair near the study table. He dragged it before her and sat turning the backside front before her like college days. Somehow the atmosphere and she made him comfortable enough to repeat an old habit.

Khushi saw him sit like that and couldn't help but think when was the last time someone sat before her like this to have a chat other than Lav.

She shook her head to get rid of the wistful thought and welcomed this change of flavour in her life with a genuine smile.

Arnav smiled back. He suddenly asked in hope to lighten her mood which surely was sour after his Di's cutting words, "did his taste change after five years?"

Khushi couldn't catch his meaning so she looked on confused.

Arnav clarified, "I mean you said you have grown particularly five years of your life listening to this. So did your father's taste changed after all this time." He asked light-heartedly.

In answer, Khushi said offhandedly, "no he died."

Arnav sat speechless for some time before he could form any words.

"I am sorry he said regretfully" for ruining the moment for them again.

Khushi nodded accepting his genuine sorry and then changed the topic before he could probe more into the matter not because she would feel the loss all over again talking about her parents as it had already become a part of her life rather she feared he would feel more regret and uncomfortable if she told him how they died. He might pity her which she cannot accept for the life of her.

"So why are you here so late? I guess not for anything work related."

"No," Arnav agreed and then told her slowly his reason for coming, "I came here to say sorry behalf of my Di. It was me who started the argument but she only heard you and berated you on the basis of it."

"It's okay you don't need to. In a way she was right. I forgot who you are in the heat of the moment I shouldn't have." Khushi said deliberately to remind Arnav as well that how distant in their status they were. "And saying sorry on other's behalf doesn't suit you" she tried to make light of the conversation.

"Well, I also can say these songs don't suit you." Arnav returned.

"Hmm, maybe." She agreed. "I didn't know the names of the singers when I heard these songs I just happen to remember their voice. I when I hear them in a music shop I bought them. You know nostalgia and all. But later as I heard I found them good, soothing." She explained.

"They are." Arnav agreed wholeheartedly.

"You know something is very different about you tonight," Arnav told her thoughtfully.

Khushi's eyebrows rose as she asked, "meaning?"

"Meaning you are more in tune, homely and talkative err off course in a good way." He shrugged.

"You mean to say I am aloof and cold normally." Khushi put it straight in fewer words what he didn't say.

Arnav shrugged not wanting to agree.

Khushi left her seat and went to stop the music and then turned. There was an amused smile on her face as she said, "That's so presumptuous."

She shook her head as she elaborated to a curious Arnav "Well, I don't take part in all the discussion that doesn't mean I am not interested. I don't comment that doesn't mean I am not listening and I don't speak much that doesn't mean I am cold to people. It just takes me time to warm up to people, that's all." People, only I am interested in, she added mentally.

Arnav nodded understanding her point and also getting an idea of the nature of the woman of his interest.

"So... you don't hold anything... against me... for my behaviour earlier," Arnav asked hesitantly.

He knew she understood what he was talking about only he wasn't sure of her response.

Khushi smiled as she said, "well how could I blame you when I know I drive you up the wall almost all the time" Khushi quipped.

Arnav stared open mouthed for a moment before he burst out laughing. Khushi too chuckled seeing his mirth. She moved to sit on the chair again when the muscle of her stomach cramped up reminding her all was not well with her. An unintentional hiss left her alarming Arnav.

"What happened, he asked leaving his seat. Are you in pain? Do you need something? Shall I call the doctor?" Came his frantic queries.

In response Khushi only shook her head before she repeated , "see how I drive you crazy with just a sound." And seeing him scowling she rushed to put him at ease, "I am fine." And then lied swiftly "I just stuck my toe in the chair that's all."

Arnav took a breath of relief. Looking at the time he decided to leave but not before asking her to take rest and take a day off next day if she doesn't feel well.

That day when he had turned one last time before leaving he had seen her smiling at him warmly and today when he sat here he wondered how could she be so calm and composed when there was nothing right in her life even then.

He had talked about her parents that day but never said she was an orphan. She had never said in their small courtship that she was adopted by Mr Kashyap or what happened to them before she was adopted.

So many things were left unknown about her and here she was gone even before he had the chance to know everything about her.

He closed his eyes and the teardrops eventually found release.

**

A/N: I know you guys waiting for Arnav and Khushi to meet. But it will take a little more time as you can guess. Until then enjoy their togetherness and romance in past.

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PS: TSIR will be updated towmorrow. I have already written part 6B. but I want to write one epilogue before I put it up. So yeah as you can guess I am going to conclude TSIR tomrrow.

Jayee if you are reading this "the deal is on darl😉 "

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