#2 Arshi FF - Sealed With Your Kiss/Chapter 41&42/(Pg-86&87)/U

Chapter 18

The Trapped Queen

~I will destroy you in the most beautiful way possible and when I leave you will finally understand, why storms are named after people~

"Why have you come now, you rotten girl"?, an old woman, wearing tattered clothes was screaming at the crying girl who was trying to hold a wriggling child of about one year under her arm. "Please, mother listen to me...I swear on this child that I did nothing wrong...I just followed my heart", she sobbed, tugging at the woman's sleeve with one hand and hitching up the squealing child high on her hip with the other hand. "Yes you followed your heart and broke ours in the process but listen to me girl If you have come to beg for forgiveness...then we have none to give you...I have got only one daughter and that is Manorama", her mother hissed, swatting irritably at the tears that were beginning to fall from her eyes. Garima's eyes turned to ice. Her hold slackened on her mother's sleeve and after a moment her pleading hand fell away...

"I haven't come to ask for your forgiveness...I only came to tell you that I am happy with Shashi and that I have a daughter now...I only wanted to show her to you...but I forgot you always preferred Manorama over me", she said venomously...

"Yes, I prefer Manorama, because she is my real daughter by blood", her tone was venomous, her face contorted with hatred. "And you on the other hand, proved that you would always be a bas***d's child", she added with bitterness.

"What?", there was a blank look on Garima's face. The baby took that moment to give a high pitched squeal, but Garima was too shocked to react.

"Yes, you were never my daughter by birth...but God knows, I looked after you like my own daughter...because I didn't want to hide my face from my best friend Mehek on the Day Of Judgement", she cried. Garima's face was frozen, feelings of disbelief, pain and shock could be seen clearly in the contorted lines of her face.

"Your b*****d of a father left my best friend, Mehak, after making her pregnant with his child and she died after giving birth to you", tiredness had crept inside Mrs. Kapoor's voice. "I promised her on her deathbed that I would take care of you, if anything happened to her", she added, lost in her memories, black shadows of exhaustion dancing over her face. "I didn't know", her numb voice dragged Mrs. Kapoor back from her past and anger replaced her tone again. "I shouldn't have taken you in", she pushed at Garima.

"I should have let you die...i should have let you rot...", she was becoming hysterical. "Mom", Garima whimpered. "Don't you dare call me mom...you are not my daughter...and after what you did to Manorama you still have the gall to take her name from your filthy tongue...just get out of my sight and take that bas***d's brat with you...I have no urge to see you anymore", her mother screamed pushing her forcibly out of the main door...

"Like mother...like daughter...i hate you...you w***e...if there is any God out there then I curse you to see your child's destruction with your own eyes...i curse you to be helpless in future...as we are helpless now", Mrs. Kapoor had started to scream. Her face had contorted into a demonic mask, her eyes were feverish and nerves were beginning to stand out at her neck and temples. Curtains twitched and curious faces began to appear behind doors as their voices reached the neighborhood. Her face suddenly burning with embarrassment and pain, Garima tightened her hold on her wriggling child and turned to go. Then thinking of something, she pursed her lips and turned back to face Mrs. Kapoor, the woman whom she had thought of her mother.But she was nothing to her, she thought suddenly feeling empty of every emotion save hatred. A burning consuming hatred against the whole Kapoor clan. "Before I should go...I want to tell you one thing...my dear mother", she taunted. "I regret nothing and you deserved what Sashi did to you", she added with venom. "Get out...I don't want to see your face anymore", Mrs Kapoor roared, pushing at her so forcibly, that she stumbled outside. The baby's sobs had turned to wails. "I hate you and I have no wish to see you as well", Garima turned to answer waspishly, her burning eyes moved to glance at the approaching form of Mr. Kapoor who was dragging himself out on a wheel chair, condemnation pouring out of his eyes...

"I am not your daughter anymore", she said with hatred and her mother winced. "Get out...just go...leave us alone for God's sake", she said hoarsely trying to close the door behind her, sweat suddenly popping out over her forehead...

"Nalini", Garima heard the voice of her father shouting her mother's name warningly as she swayed on her feet and then crumpled on the floor, clutching at her chest. Startled she took a hesitant step forward but halted at the threshold as her father threw a venomous gaze at her. Pursing her lips, she drew her hand back and turning on her heels swept away, never stopping for a second to glance at her back. The wailing baby clutched tightly in her arms and broken sobs coming out of her throat...

"Aunty Garima...Aunty Garima...", a lanky and haggard 13 year old boy was running after them in the street. But Garima paid no heed to his voice and getting inside the white car that was parked on the kerb she left Arnav still calling her name brokenly behind her...

On that day Garima Kapoor lost her identity, she didn't know who she was anymore...

"I have caught up on his weakness and soon he will be in our clutches", Arnav was addressing the fifteen men who were sitting at a long table in a darkened room where the only source of light was the flickering projector screen. "So Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada do you think that the plan of yours will work"?, an old portly man asked. He was sitting at the second last chair at right side of Arnav. His little button-like eyes were glinting with doubt and he was keenly eyeing the picture of a smiling Sashi Gupta being shown on the projector screen...

"Any doubt on my skills, Mr. Akash"..."Gupta", Arnav added with a flourish, leaning forward on his swiveling long-backed chair, his hands steepled together and his eyebrows rising in challenge. "No my son none", Akash smiled, his piggy eyes glinting and his countenance of a hungry wolf...

"Don't worry Mr. Gupta your brother will be delivered to your hands, soon", he smiled, a strange light entering his eyes. The other men sitting near Arnav shuddered, they knew what the ruthlessness in their boss's eyes meant...

"The meeting is dismissed, anyone wanting to know their next orders please contact Mr. Ramlal", he indicated the man sitting next to him. "Have a good day boss", nodding their head they got up from their seat with a swishing sound and silently headed outside. "Good luck son", Akash patted his back. "Got to have some flesh now", he winked conspiratorially at Arnav whose face was showing nothing of his thoughts...

"Going to join me", he snaked out a tongue over his thin lips. "Okay I guess you won't", he laughed nervously, seeing the rigid expressionless face of Arnav...

Then rubbing a hand over his quivering stomach he lurched outside in search of young flesh...

As the door closed behind Akash, the rigidity left Arnav's face and he relaxed back in his chair and pressed a hidden button beneath the table. With a little clicking sound that resonated inside the room the door got locked and with another swishing sound a heavy metal wall jutted out of the floor and slid across it. Now no one could come inside or listen to any activity going inside the room...

Arnav pressed another button beneath the table and the left side of the wall parted to reveal a showcase which was laden with books. He got up from his chair and after sliding it open took out a leather bound book. Then he headed back to the chair. The book was built like a box, a square pit was carved inside the pages, leaving it hollow from inside but for any onlooker it looked like a common book...

In the hollow there was a strange looking device, the message "Please enter the code" flashing on it's screen. Arnav pressed the green button on the device, punched some buttons to enter the secret code and at once the blinking screen vanished. "Please speak your name once for voice recognition test", a robotic voice filled the room...

"Captain Arnav Singh Raizada reporting"...

"Khushi", where were you?, Garima's sharp voice stopped Khushi in her tracks, who was trying to sneak inside her room after Arnav's driver had dropped her at her house. Biting her tongue she slowly turned on her heels to face a furious Garima, who was watching her keenly through narrowed eyes. Khushi you are done for life now, she thought watching her mother nervously.

Taking a breath she rushed towards her mother and enfolded her in a bear hug. "Hi, mom", she said cheerfully.

"Leave me Khushi, don't try to change the topic", her mother tried to dislodge her arms from around her waist but to no avail. "Mom I went with Josh for dinner and then later on he dropped me to Angie's place didn't he inform you?", she asked innocently, batting her eyelashes.

"But you should have informed me yourself na, I don't trust that boy", her mother had started to melt and that was a great achievement on her part. Yes, my charm is working, she thought triumphantly. "Thanks bappa", winking at the ceiling Khushi tightened her arms around her mother...

"Mom Josh won't harm me, even you know that, he is a gigolo", she giggled, burying her face in her mother's neck. "You never know Khushi...you never know...Men are like alligators, when they change their color and betray you, you can never imagine", bitterness had crept inside her mother's voice.

At her mother's words Arnav Singh Raizada's dangerous face floated in her mind's eye and she jerked her head up from her mother's shoulder. "Why are you saying that mom?", she asked fearfully. "Did her mother know about Shashi's escapades?", she thought nervously. "Nothing my child, go and freshen up, today I have cooked your favorite vegetable with my own hands", Garima looked away, suddenly avoiding her daughter's eyes. "Mom now you are the one who is changing the topic", Khushi tugged at her mother's sleeve but her mother shrugged her arm out of her hold. "Don't waste my time, go and freshen up", she pointed sternly towards Khushi's room...

"Mom I am not going without getting the answer to my question", she hitched up her stubborn chin, crossing her arms on her chest. "Khushi, what is that", suddenly her mother tugged at her arm. The slave bracelet, she thought suddenly. She had quite forgotten about it but now it was too late. Her mother had already seen it and from the way she was looking at it with horror-filled eyes she knew who had given it to her daughter...

"Where did you get that?...who gave you that?", Garima had started to stutter, such was the fear of of unknown that had started permeating her heart. Tugging at her daughter's arm, uncaring that her nails were beginning to dig in her wrist she almost threw her on the dining chair. "Mom, what's the matter...why are you behaving like that?",Khushi asked, bewildered. She had a suspicion that her mother might have seen that bracelet before, otherwise there was no reason for her to behave as if she was having a mental breakdown. Thank God that Arnav's initials were written on the underside of the bracelet, otherwise if her mother had somehow seen them, all hell would have broken loose, Khushi shuddered.

"Mom it's mine, Angie gave it to me on my birthday...I didn't wear it before", holding her shoulders she tried to tried to calm a harried looking Garima...

"You are not lying to me Khushi, are you?", she asked almost falling over the chair, a strained look turning her face to patsy yellow. "Mom, you can ask Angie if you want", Khushi said, her heart beating rapidly. What if her mother went on carrying her bluff, she thought chewing the corner of her lip with nervousness. "It's okay honey...just don't lie to me ever", she took a huge breath, pinching at the bridge of her nose.

"Mom, did I ever lie to you", Khushi slid her arms around her mother's neck, a weary look on her face. The thing that she hated the most in the world was lying to her mother. But she had no choice...

She couldn't reveal anything about Arnav Singh Raizada to her mother...

"Please sir give me ten rupees...my grandmother is very ill...I need to show her to a doctor", a scrawny child of 13 was begging from a horde of people. He was sitting on a piece of sack at a bus stop, where some people were boarding buses and some were arriving through them. Some were merciful enough to stop by and throw some coins at his feet, a pitying look on their faces while others passed by heedless of his call.

Only one hundred rupees more and he could take his grandmother to a doctor, the child thought licking at his dry lips with desperation. He was counting money when a huge shadow fell over him. Startled he looked above to see a strange looking man eyeing him weirdly. He had a black patch tied over his left eye, and his right eye was of a muddy green color. The man had a bushy mustache and his beard was overgrown, the dusty hairs sticking out at strange angles, as if he hadn't shaved or combed from a long time.

Arnav's sixth sense warned him, that the man wasn't nice at all, maybe he ate kids like him for lunch, he thought, his tiny heart beating like a tattoo in his chest. "Beautiful", the man leaned down and grabbed his face in stubby fingers, the nails broken at the ends. Insects seemed to crawl over Arnav's skin at his touch, and he shrugged his face out of the man's hold. "Stay still child", the man bared his yellow, chipped teeth, the breath of garlic strong on Arnav's face. "Leave me", he hissed, suddenly wanting to vomit because of his reeking breath. "I can give you a thousand rupees if you'll do something for me", The stranger said and Arnav sucked a huge breath of apprehension. A thousand rupees, he couldn't earn that much money even if he begged for two years. He couldn't begin to think of how many problems of his would be solved, if he got so much money...

He could show his grandmother to a good doctor, put food over the table for many months, he thought with awe, his hazel eyes beginning to sparkle with hope. Although he didn't like the stranger...but what harm would it do if he would be able to help the stranger and acquire one thousand rupees in the end, he thought...

"I'll do it", he nodded his head, a smile of nervous apprehension on his face. "Good boy", the man fondled his ears", baring his yellow teeth again...

Arnav shuddered...

"What's that?", Ramlal pointed at a bundle, which was quivering by the dumpster. "Maybe some sort of animal", Rajesh said. They were both passing through an alley, coming back from their night duty when they had heard a thin pitiful wail slitting the heart of night. It was so animalistic and filled with pain that they had stopped by to enquire. While Rajesh had stopped in his tracks, a frightened look on his chubby face. Ramlal had started to look around for it's source. In the bright light of the full moon, the bundle was easily recognizable, lying near an overflowing dumpster...

"Don't touch it", Rajesh moaned, his jowls quivering and sweat shining on his forehead. "Don't be stupid, it might be an animal, needing our help", Ramlal admonished, touching the bundle, which started to squeal and shake at once. "What are you, Mother Teresa", he hissed. His friend ignored him and went on opening the bundle, which looked to be a sack. "Holy shit", they both yelled as a human form toppled out of the sack...

It was covered in blood, the face horribly swelled and unrecognizable under several cuts and bruises. While Rajesh took a nervous step back, Ramlal bent down to lift the shock of black hair from the bruised face. The human form was masculine and from what he could see of his face that was not covered with bruises, definitely a child...

"What's your name son?", Ramla crouched down and gently moved the boy's face towards him. The child at once clutched at his ribs, moaning like an animal in pain. "I think he is assaulted by someone", Rajesh spoke apprehensively from behind Ramlal, trying to peer into the face of the child. "Can you shut up Rajesh, even I know that...i am trying to know something else...his name", Ramlal snapped, his teeth clenched. "W...ww...what's your name boy"?, Rajesh asked. "Yes, tell me your name son?", Ramlal asked. "A...a...a...",the boy had started to shake violently. "Yes...son", Ramlal insisted gently. "A...R...N...n...a...v...V", the child whispered shakily...

"Arnav", both Ramlal and Rajesh voiced at once...

"One...thousand...rupees...stranger", Arnav moaned..."Please my grandmother...ill...hurt", his voice started to trail away...

And before ramlal could ask more, his brain began to drown in blackness. I am free at last, it was his last thought before he lost consciousness...

Arnav woke up with a start, a shrill sound echoing inside his ear and his brain still fuzzy with the effects of the nightmare. He didn't know when he had fallen into the valley of deep sleep, where the game of chess was still spread on his study table. Lifting his head from the chair's headrest, he looked groggily around to locate the source of the noise. The shrill voice was coming out of his cellphone. Stretching lazily he tried to hold back a yawn with one hand while from his other hand he picked up his cell. Ramlal calling, the screen was flashing...

"Yes", Arnav asked sleepily, still rubbing at his eyes. Falling sleep often in his study was becoming quite a habit of now, he thought irritably. "Boss there is a good news", Ramlal was speaking excitedly. "You know what can make me happy Ramlal...so speak it out", he fell back on his chair and started to swivel casually. "Yes boss...i went and pulled some strings just as you asked and the result is that they are now going to transfer the power to you",he explained. "And Sashi...what about his position", he asked, dragging the chess board near him, to pick up the king from it. "He will be removed...as per your orders...he is a setting sun and they don't need him any longer", there was hatred ringing in Ramlal's voice as he spat out Sashi's name. "Good riddance to bad rubbish", bitterness had crept into Arnav's voice as well, his fingers opening to let the king fall on the table...

"See to it Ramlal...that they don't turn their backs on their promise". "Yes boss...they have assured me that you will be the head trustee in Sashi's place", Ramlal said obediently. "Good", he said curtly. After disconnecting the call Arnav went back to playing chess...

Smoothly he moved his knight across the board and captured the trapped queen. "Checkmate dear cousin", with a ruthless laugh he let the queen fall on the floor, crushing the plastic piece, mercilessly under the heel of his boot...

"Miss Khushi, the principal is asking for you". "Me",Khushi said in a high pitched tone. At her voice, the students sitting around them, started whipping their heads towards her, curiosity etched on their faces. She was sitting in the library with Angie, preparing her history assignment when the peon had barged inside, shocking her with the principal's request. It was said that the loose tempered old man, who was the principal of college was never seen in the periphery of the college till today.

Except for some times when he had to rusticate a student who had caused him impairable loss. So what could the old man want from her. Bewildered, she pointed towards her again. "Yes", the peon nodded. "Why", she moved her mouth silently. Students were beginning to turn their head to look at her and hushed whispers had started to break behind them...

"Don't know", the peon shrugged and left. "You are done, Khushi Kumari Gupta", Angie winked teasingly. "Hush...I wonder why he is calling", Khushi chewed at her lips. "Maybe the old man is fallen in love with you and now want to to adopt you as his third grand wife", Angie giggled earning a smack from her dear friend. "I am going...just make my assignment as well", she hissed. "Go...go...please go...your prince charming is waiting for you", Angie said in a sing song voice. "Just let me come back, then I will tell you who is prince charming and who is a black guard", Khushi threatened to which Angie answered by sticking out her tongue and making a slashing gesture with her hand...

"Angie", Khushi growled, flashing her eyes in warning then rushed outside leaving her friend sputtering with laughter behind her...

"Sir may I come in", Khushi asked hesitatingly, her surprised eyes locking on the lounging form of the man who was beginning to get up from sofa which was placed near the door of the office. Like a big cat stretching itself before pouncing on its prey, she thought, her breath hitching in her throat. "Yes you may Miss Gupta...meet our head trustee Arnav Singh Raizada", the principal's voice echoed unnaturally loud in the shocked silence...

Arnav uncurled himself from the sofa as Khusi entered in the office.

Today her hair were tied in a french plait, little golden hoops dangled from her ear holes, kohl glinted in her eyes and just a hint of pink was shining on her lips. She was wearing her ususal uniform of checked red and green skirt, stockings and a white shirt and red tie. She looked like a tiny girl playing adult and something tugged at Arnav's consciousness. But no, he was not going to question his motives again if he wanted to suceed, he thought. His resolve hardening again he put out a hand.

"Miss Gupta", he asked huskily, his eyes probing for some reaction towards his greeting.

The devil...how dare he mock me, Khushi fumed glaring at his mocking countenance. "Yes sir", putting on a smile she stretched out a hand and took his in her own. Instantly something zinged past their joined hands and she tried to tug it back. But he tightened his hold on her, one thumb caressing at the inner side of her wrist, causing her to swallow nervously. "Nice to meet you Miss Gupta", he shook her hand then dropped it at once, letting her arm swing to her side in an undignified move. The b*****d, Khushi sucked in an angry breath. He is doing it on purpose, humiliating me but why, she thought confused at his knowing smile...

"Mr. Raizada this is our best student here...straight A's", the principal, Mr. Prakash puffed up his chest. "She'll give you a tour of this college", he added with pride. Khushi's face showed a comical disbelief while Arnav's smile deepened. "Miss Gupta, please lead the way", he swept his hand, asking her to move forward. But Khushi stood rooted to the spot. Did he come here on purpose, but he had said he won't come, she thought, confusion furrowing her brows. "Miss Gupta", the principal urged, one brow arching in question.

"Y...ye...yes...yesss sirr", she stuttered in response. Why in the name of God do I loose all confidence infront of this man, why the hell does he effect me so much, she thought irritably. Taking a shaky breath she gathered up her courage and dragged her legs to stand infront of him. "This way sir", hitching up her stubborn chin she stared into his eyes without flinching. You won't win in whatever game you had planned for me, her eyes seem to be conveying this message. "Miss Gupta", he dipped his head to the side. I will win, his eyes replied confidently. "Let's see", her whisper was meant only for his ears. The corner of his mouth twitched in a cruel smile as Khushi turned on her heels and headed outside...

Yes let's see Khushi Kumari Gupta, how do you get out of my trap, he thought, his lips curling venomously...

"Sir, this is the library, here in the left hand side rack we have got political books and at the right...", her voice trailed away as Arnav brushed past her. The soft and fine wool of his arm brushed across her breasts as he stood on tiptoe to inspect the books placed on the top of the rack. Khushi sucked in a hasty breath. Was his rouch deliberate or was it accidental, she got no clue from the closed expression on his face.

From the past hour he was testing her patience by deliberately ignoring her and cutting her in mid talk. That's it, if he continued this weird behavior of his I won't stay quiet, she thought clenching her jaw. "Sir, this way please", she asked through clenched teeth, a fake smile stretched over her face. He chose to ignore her calling and went on looking closely at the books. He's doing it for revenge because I didn't fall under his charm like other women. "Why are you behaving like this?...is it because I didn't fall all over you like your other simpering w****s", she snapped at last. "Are you kidding?", his tone was clipped as he moved his head to the side, an expression of derision over his face. "Do I look like as if I am joking?...infact it's you who is behaving weirdly from the past hour", she hissed. "Miss Gupta I think you've got too much confidence in your charms...but I must tell you they are really overrated", his condescending tone, broke something fragile inside her. "You b*****", her voice broke, as she flew at him all gnashing teeth and sharp nails. He easily caught the ball of fury in his arms and dragged her to an isolated corner...

"I will kill...mmmphhh...mphhh", he clapped a hand over her mouth, halting her in mid diatribe. "Shhh...easy...take it easy...you don't want to make a laughing stock of yourself infront of the whole college...do you", he whispered, trying to calm the spitting and snarling hell cat in his arms. "I don't ..."she tried to shriek as he removed his hand. But as she opened her mouth he brought his head down, and crushed her lips with his own, forcing her curses back in her throat. The force of his kiss slamming her against the book rack...

Khushi instantly caught fire. Their kiss burned where their lips were moving, fuelled by the anger and the rush of adrenaline that was coursing through their veins...

"Not here", Arnav dragged his mouth away suddenly as Khushi attacked his tie, her fingers pulling it away to tug at his waistcoat. "Here", she commanded, breathing jerkily and fumbling through his shirt buttons. "No", he clamped a hand over her wrist, trapping her fingers against his chest, his breathing harsh in his throat. "Where then?", she rasped, leaning her forehead against his in defeat, her fingers curling over his chest, feeling his heart vibrating under them. She was tired of fighting against the desire that she had for him. It was time that she accepted her defeat...

It won't hurt me to take a chance...will it? ...it's not like I love him...it's only physical desire that I feel for him, she chanted in her heart...

"At my place tonight...i'll pick you up from the Taj Hotel", he whispered, his warm breath tickling the hair at her temples. Gathering her slender form in his arms, he hugged her tightly, one hand clasping her head to his chest...

Finally princess, Arnav thought, lifting his head to watch the secret eye of the cctv camera watching them from a shadowed corner...

An eerie smile of triumph breaking over his mouth...

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