#2 Arshi FF - Sealed With Your Kiss/Chapter 41&42/(Pg-86&87)/U - Page 4

Chapter 19

The Day Of Reckoning

I, Arnav Singh Raizada took birth from the womb of destruction, when my enemies thought I would never be resurrected. I crawled, I limped, I begged, I bowed and scraped. I wished to die every everyday but I lived each and every miserable second, hoping that someday somehow I would turn back the time on my nemesis. Watch him crawl and beg for mercy as I did, blow his most precious thing to smithereens as he blew my childhood. I was broken, and then I rose from my ashes like a phoenix. I survived because I had to survive...

I was resurrected...

It's true that you cannot hope to spend all your life on someone's share of happiness. One day you've got to give it back to the one who deserved it in the first place. That day of reckoning has come...

When the stakes are high and winner takes all...

"Sir, are you sure that this man, Arnav, is reliable?", a young and uniformed man was asking in a hesitant tone, his brows furrowed with mistrust. "Yes, Rakesh, I believe so", the other man replied in a heavy voice. He was a heavy, broad shouldered man, his square jaw firmly set and covered with a months growth of beard. A heavy black moustache curled upwards at corners, while a thick pink scar of burnt flesh covered his right cheek, the skin shrunk at the corner of his lips and right eye. It stood out on his otherwise unscarred face, giving him the look of an injured lion.

"But sir, we don't know who he is? what is his identity? How could we select him for this mission? it's too dangerous and too complicated?", Rakesh protested vehemently. "Silence", the other man roared suddenly, slamming a huge paw over the desk. Rakesh flinched as several pens fell from their holders and rolled down on the floor, together with the nameplate of the heavy man, which indicated that he was a colonel.

"Don't forget that Ramlal gave that young man's name to us, when we were loosing hope of ever accomplishing this mission", he growled, his topaz eyes, glinting in the light of the setting sun, whose rays were filtering inside the room through the open window.

"Yeess...yesss...sir", Rakesh ran a tongue over his lips in a nervous move. "Then what's the problem...you don't trust Ramlal, is that what you are saying", he frowned. "No...sir...i didn't say that...it's just", his voice trailed away as his boss raised one brow in query. "What is it...tell me clearly", Colonel Patel asked encouragingly.

"Yes sir...it's just that sometimes I have an uneasy feeling that this is not just a mission for Arnav...his motives are far different from what he is letting us believe", Rakesh said jerkily. "What do you mean?", Patel clicked his tongue with disapproval. "Sir, I believe Arnav is using us to get a powerful position inside the underworld", he paused to take a huge breath then continued; "Behind this mission his motive is to combine the mafia groups and become their sole head".

"And why do you think that...pray tell me young man?", Patel had straightened in his chair, a look of interest beginning to replace the frown on his face. A mean hungry look appeared in Rakesh's eyes and taking a confident breath he said, "That's because I have seen the look that appear in his eyes whenever Sashi's name is mentioned in the meetings. From outside he looks quite calm and untouched, but I know that everytime he hears his name, it gets quite difficult for him to control his rage", he said with triumph, a vicious look in his eyes.

"Get out", Patel's sudden hiss wiped the smile off Rakesh's face. "What?", he looked flabbergasted. "I said get out Rakesh, and take your theory of psychoanalysis with you", Patel growled, pointing towards the door. "But sir...",he began but only to shut his mouth with a snap at seeing Patel's furious expressions. "Get out at once...before I lose my cool and do something that we'll both regret later", his moustache quivered with controlled rage, eyes flashing golden fire. "Yes sir", Rakesh said through tight lips, disappointment at his failed attempt written clearly across his face...

He clicked his heels together, raised a hand in salute, then turning on his heels hurried outside as if the hounds of hell were following him...

"Is Khushi at home?", Sashi asked, entering the TV lounge where Garima was leaning against the love settee, completely engrossed in her favorite drama. "Ummm...no...she went to her friend Angie's house", she replied carelessly. "What...again to Angie's...I don't believe it", he frowned, pulling the cuffs of his business shirt over his arms. "Which part you don't believe...that she has gone to Angie...or me saying that she has gone to Angie", she said sharply, turning her head to glare at her husband.

"I didn't mean that Garima, you know that...i just wanted to make sure that she hasn't gone out with that loser boyfriend of hers", he said tiredly, tugging at the knot of his tie, a brown overcoat thrown casually over his left arm. "Josh...then it's even better...atleast he is not mean like Angie", she said tightly. "I know you are against Angie because she is my brother's daughter...but atleast have the decency to not mention her in name in such a demeaning tone", his jaw working to control his anger.

"Hah...you show such love for your brother's daughter...but for your own daughter, it's only suspicion...suspicion and more suspicion", she spat. "It's not that Garima...how should I explain to you that Khushi is a girl", Sashi held his hands out in plea. "Why because you wanted a son...but instead you got a daughter", Garima had got to her feet and was now facing Sashi. Her face twisted with a bitter smile.

"No...it's not that...i am just saying that she is a girl and she should be extra careful of the men out there", he shook his head vehemently. "Ah I get it...i know why the advice...you don't want her to meet a womanizer like you", she rolled her eyes in mockery. Sashi's face had paled to a deathly yellow. Shock was written clearly in his widened eyes and white lips.

"Don't worry...no man could be worse then you Sashi Gupta", she jeered. Then seeing the devastated look on his face, she mellowed down a little. "What are you hiding from me Sashi, why don't you share it with me?", she pleaded."I don't want to answer to your suspicions woman...keep them with you...they'll make a cozy bed partner at night", he had recovered faster than Garima had expected. "I am leaving for an important business meeting...will come tomorrow", avoiding her accusing eyes he headed outside, his gait hasty.

"Run...Sashi...run...that's the only thing that you can do", the cold still form of Garima whispered behind him, icy tears glittering over her cheeks, like diamonds...

"Is he coming", Arnav was asking from Ramlal. They both were sitting outside the Taj hotel in Arnav's black BMW. "Yes, the last time I checked he left his house with his driver and that's me...poor man", Ramlal aka Ramu Kaka snorted with laughter. "That's good", Arnav gave a gruff laugh in return, patting him on his back. "Did he get suspicious about you?",he asked. "No boss, never", he nodded his head in triumph.

"Khushi will be waiting for you...won't she get impatient", Ramlal added on a serious note. "Let her stew a little...i just lov...",he broke off in mid sentence, as it dawned on him what he was going to say. Suddenly finding the warm interior of the car, suffocating. "Okay then...get's rolling we've got to put the final part of the plan into motion", he said on a serious tone, his face wearing a masked expression. "Best of luck boss...I will be waiting for you", Ramlal made a thumbs up sign. "Just make sure to hide your face...Khushi recognizes you", Arnav warned, getting out of the car. Instantly cold biting wind hit his face, and he turned the collar of his black overcoat. Putting his gloved hands inside his pockets he strode towards the main entrance of the hotel...

Khushi had chosen to sit in a secluded corner of the main hall. Here she was hidden from any onlookers, but she could herself see everyone entering inside the main hall...

She was getting bored waiting for him, when she saw the tall form of Arnav Singh Raizada entering inside the hall. Although she could only see his eyes, the rest of his face was covered beneath the collar, she recognized him instantly. Only a fool could miss those lion-colored eyes? And Khushi Kumari Gupta wasn't a fool at all. After all she had tossed away all her qualms about him and had found the courage to take a chance at physical love again. Not on emotional love, never that...

She confidently got up on her feet and waved a hand to grab the attention of his searching eyes. Instantly his topaz eyes zoomed on her black clothed figure. Tonight Khushi had rejected her usual red in favor of a black dress. Choosing a black anarkali frock, with a ruched up bodice covered with silver sequins. It had long black sleeves with silver lace glittering at the cuffs. She had teemed the frock with silver hoops, black and silver shadowed eyes and a coral lipstick. She looked completely in her element, a lady of the night, a mysterious vamp.

A predator soon going to be a prey, he thought a hard smile curling his mouth...

Khushi sucked in an appreciative breath as Arnav removed his overcoat and draped it across the back of the chair. Today he too had chosen to wear a black business suit. The only splash of color on his otherwise black visage was the neatly folded red handkerchief peaking inside from his breast pocket...

"A little overdressed for a date aren't we", she raised her eyebrows mockingly as he settled at the chair placed infront of her. "I've got to attend a meeting first", he replied casually. "Wow...the ever busy business man...i got it...business comes first", she made a face, holding her palms up. "What happened princess?...you are in a strange mood tonight", he arched an eyebrow in query.

"I am always in a strange mood...did you notice just now?", she bared her teeth in a cold smile. "Don't worry princess, I am not going to start the meeting without you...it's at my place", he answered calmly, placing an arm over the back of his chair to lean casually. "You are joking right", she narrowed her eyes, mistrust etched on her face. "I never joke, princess", his face had hardened into a cold mask. "But...but", she began. "And now we are leaving", glancing at his watch he cut her through her stammering.

"Where are we going?", she followed him, suddenly stumbling over her pencil heel. "At my place, I just mentioned it princess...did you forget?", he snorted. Khushi hurried outside, trying to match his long strides. As she stumbled again, he gave an impatient noise and swept her slender form off her feet, right into his arms. "What the heck?...leave me...", she squealed, wriggling in his arms. "Stop it princess, otherwise I'll drop you on the roadside and leave", he gave a disapproving smack over her bottom and she stopped struggling at once, her face suddenly burning with embarrassment as passersby chuckled at her humiliation.

His BMW was parked on the kerb and its uniformed driver was leaning against the door, smoking casually. As he saw them approaching he dropped the cigarette at once, crushing it beneath his heel. Then he opened the back seat door and stood aside obediently, his face covered with a muffler and the driver's white cap shadowing his eyes. Arnav almost threw Khushi inside. She wriggled and moved to the other side of the seat as he got inside as well. The fine cloth of his trousers brushed against her thigh and something sizzled inside her. She felt suffocated with it's power. It didn't feel right...something was not right...It wasn't a simple bolt of lust that she felt for him right now...it felt twisted...demonic...something that was yearning to take control of her...

As if she was getting out of a deep slumber, Khushi thought, What am I doing? I need to go back. "I want to go back", she whispered, looking wildly around. "Why?", he asked calmly, as if he was somehow expecting this reaction of hers. "I just need to get out", she was beginning to panic. "Already getting cold feet princess...it's only the beginning", he said sarcastically, his head cocked to the side, surveying her through the corner of his eyes.

"Let me go", she was getting hysterical. "It's alright princess", he grabbed her arm, which she was beginning to slam against the window pane in her desperate need to get away from him. Her heart fell to her stomach as he dragged her struggling form in his arms. "Leave me", she shouted beating at his chest. Something monstrous had a choke hold on her throat and it was squeezing the life out of her.

"Shhh, it's okay princess", he whispered in her ear smoothing the strands of hair away from her face. Khushi felt something cold and wet touch her nose and froze instantly with fear. The next second, her mind started to nosedive into darkness. "No", she fought the dizziness spreading over her mind like a giant cobweb, wriggling like an eel in his arms, but his grip was like iron, not letting her move even an inch. "I am sorry princess", wait a moment, did she hear a hint of regret in his voice. "Whadd...y...yo...", these were the last words that she uttered before her mind lost it's hold on consciousness...

Arnav loosened his hold on an unconscious Khushi letting her slump form fall back into his arms, the drugged handkerchief still clutched over her nose, the crumpled silk of her hair like a waterfall over his chest. Ramlal turned his head to stare surreptitiously at the motionless form of his boss, who was staring above Khushi's head, looking like a cold emotionless statue. Ramlal sighed heavily and shaking his head in remorse turned it back to the front. He knew very well, why and when Arnav behaved like that. It was when he was trying his best to block out every human emotion possible from his heart...

"You love her", he declared, his voice sounding high in the numbing silence. "No, I don't", Arnav denied coldly. Ramlal threw another surreptitious glance at Arnav, who was now looking outside from the window, his profile brooding. "It's not late son, we can still turn back", he advised gently. Arnav pushed Khushi's unconscious form off his chest and she landed on the seat in a heap. "It's already too late Ramlal...this hurricane is unstoppable...it had to come sooner or later...so the sooner the better", he said emotionlessly...

"What's my next order boss?", Ramlal asked dejectedly. The car was beginning to enter the electric gates, which were guarding Arnav's state. On the left side of the thin winding drive, there was a huge parking lot where a long line of cars were parked neatly in a row. Amidst them Sashi's huge and gleaming white BMW could be seen clearly...

"Boss", Ramlal clicked his tongue impatiently. "Take her to the truth room", he ordered, sliding out of the car. The sounds of laughter, feminine chuckles and tinkling of fine crockery could be heard clearly outside. Someone made a ribald joke and all men roared with laughter. Sashi's guffaws were the loudest...

Arnav's lips curled in a satisfied smile. "Welcome, said the spider to the fly", he murmured beneath his lips...

"So, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada what do you think of our plan of smuggling arms inside India?", Akash Gupta addressed Arnav. There were fifteen of them, in the meeting room, all sitting in the chairs arranged neatly around a long oak table. Arnav's swivel chair was placed at the head of the table, from where he could survey all of the mafia heads and their ongoing activities. A projector screen was hanging from the wall, which was controlled by the laptop placed infront of Arnav...

"It's risky...but still accomplishable", he answered thoughtfully. "Risky, but how?", Akash said, his round pasty face wearing an expression of annoyance. "Ask your brother...how he had to remove so many roadblocks to reach here", Arnav arched a brow towards Sashi, whose face had turned sallow at the thought of giving explanation to his brother.

The other mafia heads had started to smile surreptitiously at the growing tension between two brothers. All of them knew about the constant rivalry that kept sparking between them from time to time between like wildfire. They left no chance to take bites out of each other, throw derogatory comments or reveal one another's secret, whenever they were thrown together. So it was the effort of almost every mafia head not to invite those two brothers together in his meeting...

"Hah, what advice can he give me...he had been a coward from the very first, it was me who had always cleared the roadblocks from his path as well as mine", Akash snorted The mafia heads had started to snigger while Arnav was watching them calmly, his chin placed between his steepled fingers, a bold hint of a smirk twitching at the corners of his lips. "Watch your tongue young man, everyone knows I was the one who saved your neck from that SHO Gaurav Kumar who was hot on our heels and was just this far from grabbing your neck", Sashi made a swiping motion in the air to emphasize his point.

"But who was the one, who couldn't keep his lecherous hands off the man's wife", Akash had stood up from his chair and was now facing Sashi. His neck was bulging like an enraged bull, his bullish face was turning an ugly red with anger and sweat was beginning to pop on his forehead.

Arnav's face remained a blank mask, he didn't even bat an eyelash nor move any muscle to indicate his inner turmoil. The other people had fallen silent and were now listening curiously...

"Bravo, brother", Sashi clapped jeeringly, expressions of contempt and scorn twisting his face. "And who was the one who went straight for the man's daughter and took her right infront of him." The people in the room sucked in a shocked breath while Arnav clenched his fist, the nails digging inside the palm to leave half crescent marks. "But atleast I left them alive, whereas you brutally murdered then mutilated the corpses", Akash growled...

""Don't you dare patronize me, I left the child alive", Sashi shouted in return, his facial muscles quivering with controlled rage...

"Daddy what have you done?", the shocked voice coming from the doorway froze Sashi in his tracks...

Khushi moved her head from side to side to clear her tunnel vision. She was trapped in some sort of a sterile room, which had no door and no furniture, except a wooden chair on which she was tied with ropes. A tiny rectangular glass window covered the whole wall infront of her. It was probably transparent because her hazy vision could see the room and the people sitting at a meeting table. As her vision focused her gaze widened at seeing Arnav sitting at the head of the table, her jaw almost dropping with shock as she also located her father and her uncle Akash sitting beside him...

"What is going on?", she said completely flabbergasted. She felt alien, lost, as if a film was running infront of her eyes. "It couldn't be true, could it", she ran a nervous tongue over her drying lips. The last time she remembered, she was travelling with Arnav and had started to feel a premonition that something dangerous was about to happen. The next second she had began to act wildly, totally out of control. But Arnav had caught her in his arms, soothing her in a hushed voice. When she had shown no indication of ceasing her struggles, he had made her unconscious by placing a chlorofoam dipped handkerchief over her nose...

And here she was now, kidnapped, tied to a chair, trapped in a sterile room and watching the most bewildering sight of her father and uncle sitting beside Arnav Singh Raizada in a board meeting...

What was happening? What were they doing with Arnav? Could they see her through the transparent wall? she had no clue whatsoever. But no they couldn't see me, I think it's only me who can see them, but what's the purpose of making me watch them?, she thought frustrated, her head beginning to ache with the strain...

She was so engrossed in trying to discern their conversation from their moving lips that it was a complete shock to her system when Arnav's voice boomed inside the room. Khushi almost jumped out of her skin, her heart beating rapidly she looked wildly around, trying to locate the hidden speaker inside the room. But to no avail...

"Hah...what advice can he give me, he had been a coward from the very first, it was me who had always cleared the roadblocks from his path as well as mine", her uncle's voice filtered inside the room...

"What were they talking about?", she frowned. Her father's voice boomed in reply...

Khushi began listening attentively, her face turning a sickly pale as the conversation proceeded further...

What had he done, she thought feeling nauseous. She knew that he was a sworn womanizer and that's why had held no qualms about his faithfulness to her mother. But she didn't know that he could be the worst kind of monster in the world. She shuddered even to think that he could rape some unknown woman, kill a man and destroy his family. Come to think of it, he was a mafioso after all. He and his brother Akash...

Who had been an accomplice of Sashi Gupta...

They both were criminals...

And they both had no conscience...

Compared to them she was a saint...

Now Khushi knew why Arnav had brought her here, why he had been following her from the very beginning...

It had never been a simple physical attraction, but his plan for revenge. The worst kind of revenge that someone could take on a person...

To able to break your trust on your parents, whom you love more than your soul...

To kill the hope that there is always a turning point in a person's life...

She had disapproved of her father's ways before, but was still harboring a little hope in her heart that one day he would change for the best. But now there was no hope and no love, her heart felt ransacked, empty of all emotions that she was still nurturing inside it...

If Arnav had broken her in little pieces, the pain would have been less compared to the emotional agony that she was feeling now, consuming her mind...

He had once told her that he would never rest, until he broke her spirit...

He had stood true to his words...

She was broken...

For the first time in life, Khushi Kumari Gupta felt such an indescribable pain that she burst into heart wrenching tears...

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