Chapter 4
Khushi saw him, Shyam Manohar Jha enter the house with his saccharine sweet smile plastered on his face which he reserved to con people but the air of arrogance and his evil glint couldn't be missed not the least by Khushi an innocent girl of mere 22 years who he managed to get his evil claws into by conniving with her step mother. Khushi was terrified and numbed until she heard laughter coming through the drawing room. Khushi snapped out of her shocked state and decided to flee. There was no way she could save herself if Shyam got as much as a glimpse of her. She couldn't hide from him if she stayed a minute longer. She didn't have the time to dwell on the past or think of the repercussions of future. So, she escaped through the kitchen window into the garden and ran past the vast lawns of the mansion towards the gate mindless of her injuries. She was running frantically when she felt a hand on her arm from behind.
Arnav had a good sleep after a long time. Painting always brought calm and peace to his turbulent mind. He knew the girl was Khushi as only HP and the other house help lived in the outhouse. Arnav had decided to thank her the next morning and if need be, check on her story to see if he can help her in any way. He left for this morning jog feeling better.
Akash and Payal were chatting with Anjali and her husband Shyam. Shyam got up to answer a phone and Payal decided to leave the siblings to catch up and went to get to some snacks from the kitchen where she found a hurriedly scribbled note.
"Please don't reveal my name or identity to your family and please destroy this note".
Payal was confused and worried but took a pic of the note and destroyed it. She was scared for Khushi's safety. There was more to her story than some random stalker. She prayed for Khushi's safety and thought to find Khushi and help her as soon as Shyam and Anjali left. This man was trouble.
Khushi woke up with a gut wrenching scream in unknown surroundings. She was trembling and sweat beads had formed on her face. She found a glass of water on the side table next to the bed. However she wasn't sure if she should drink it. She looked around a huge wall to ceiling windows overlooking a huge pool. The room reeked of opulence with its minimalist but chic decor. She was slightly disoriented and wondered how she got there. Just then she heard some footsteps and hid behind one of the curtains.
Arnav had been on a call with Aman when he heard a loud scream and rushed towards the room to find Khushi missing. He found some movement near the curtain and moved it aside to find Khushi literally trembling in fear with her eyes closed and hands folded tightly and murmuring,
"Devi Maiya Raksha Karna".
(Devi Maiya Protect me)
"Khushi, it's me Arnav. You are safe here." He reassured her in a calm voice.
Khushi opened her one eye to see if it was indeed him and Arnav was slightly amused by her. Khushi had seen him at Payal's house. Payal had told her about her brother-in-law the Business Tycoon Arnav Singh Raizada. He carefully led her towards the bed and made her sit down while he sat on the small sofa opposite to the bed. Khushi was still scared and looked around the room.
"You are safe. We are in Nainital. No one knows about this house not even my family so relax. You had fainted a couple of hours ago due to stress. You need to eat and take medicines". Arnav asked the house help on the intercom to get some food up to his room.
Khushi still seemed confused so Arnav decided to fill her in but he'd have to help her relax first so he continued.
"The Doctor said you are weak and need to rest. You seemed a little restless at home so I brought you here.”
Meanwhile the house help knocked the door. Arnav asked him to come in. The house help who Arnav referred to as Kaka entered the room with a tray laden with food. Khushi was feeling hungry but she looked that there was only one plate.
"There is only one plate what about you?'. Khushi asked Arnav. He looked up surprised that she thought about his food so he dismissed her saying that he'd already had his meal.
Khushi started having her food and Arnav was watching her. She was still trembling while eating. He felt something clench inside him seeing this young girl so broken and left all alone in this big world with no one to turn to.
Flashback - Earlier in the morning the same day
He was returning from the morning jog when he saw Khushi running towards the gate frantically from the other side. He ran after her. He caught her right outside the gate. Khushi felt a hand grip her arm and she froze. She was too scared but she had to fight. She couldn't let Shyam get his hands on her.
"Don't you dare touch me. If you dare to come near me again I'll kill you or kill myself than live with a monster like you.” Khushi yelled and hit him with her left elbow, on a reflex.
"What the! ". Arnav muttered as he didn't know what hit him.
He lost the grip on Khushi's hand. Khushi turned to see it was Arnav but she didn't have time to think about him even though she was sorry that she hit a wrong person. Arnav figured she had reacted in fear and anger and mistaken him to be someone else.
"Relax. I am Payal's brother-in-law, Arnav. I am not trying to harm you. Why are you running like this? " Arnav said, as he saw she was about to flee.
Khushi had several thoughts running through her mind. She was trembling with fear mumbling that he's here run Khushi run.
"I won't harm you I promise. I can help you if you let me. How long will you run and hide? Let me help. Can we talk? ". Arnav reassured her.
Arnav didn't know why he said that but he felt the urge to stop her. She came out of her stupor and realized the predicament she found herself in. She was in a dilemma whether to accept his offer of help or make a run for it. She also knew she couldn't run and hide with no place to go or money. And even if she shared her story would Arnav be able to help her let alone believe her if she told him about Shyam who was his family.
Arnav saw the pain, the fear, the anguish and helplessness in Khushi's eyes. He was an astute businessman and a painter and he could read all the emotions fleeting across her face. He could feel her stance relax. In those few seconds, he observed the bruises on Khushi. It was evident the girl was abused and he'd be damned if he let an innocent young girl suffer like this if Khushi was innocent that is and not some con artist trying to get some money out of them
“Please I beg you, I need to get away from here right now. I can't take any risk. I'd rather die than go back to that life. Let me go.” Khushi sighed and pleaded.
Arnav was confused about who'll see her, however he didn't have time to ponder over it now and couldn't leave her hapless.
"Fine, if you don't feel safe here, I'll arrange for a safe house for you. Give me a minute okay?" He assured her.
Khushi had no option but to accept his offer of help. He seemed empathetic the other night when she had a nightmare and what could be worse than being with that monster so she nodded in acceptance
He called his driver and asked him to get the car to the gate. Once the car was at the gate he took over from the driver and made Khushi sit in the passenger seat. Given that it was a sensitive matter he decided to handle this without involving too many people. He called Aman, his trusted PA to get the Chopper ready and arrange to have his Nainital home ready, and asked him to inform his family that he was out. On the way, he observed Khushi who was deep in thought. She was staring at her hands trying to control her tears, her lips were quivering and her body shaking with fear. They reached the private entrance of AR Designs and took off for Nainital. Khushi was scared of flying but Arnav hesitantly held her hand and gave her a comforting smile. She smiled ruefully thinking about what her life had come to due to her innocence and the goodness to see the good in everyone and be optimistic even in the most difficult times. Her naivete had been her undoing and brought destruction not just to her but everyone and everything that was dear to her.
Arnav had called Payal on the way because he knew she cared for her and would be worried for Khushi but just as he was about to mention Khushi she nodded a no frantically as if scared. He understood her fear and blinked his eyes in a gesture. He realized he couldn't let anyone have a whiff of this. He heard the pilot who informed them that they'd be landing in a few mins.
Arnav saw Khushi had dozed off leaning on his shoulder with tears streaming down her face. He could see the pain etched over her face up close. He decided not to wake her up so he carried her into the house. However, Khushi started shaking violently throwing her hands and legs in air as if she was fighting and reliving the trauma. He quickly settled her into one of bedrooms upstairs and tried to wake her up. She opened her eyes slightly and said, "Get your hands off me." and fainted. He called a doctor to check on Khushi and the doctor informed that she was suffering from trauma and her body was extremely weak with injuries and she was sleep deprived. Khushi would need a good diet ample rest and remain stress free to heal.
Khushi had been administered with a sedative and had drifted off to sleep. Arnav looked on Khushi seemed so vulnerable and fragile. He knew some scars are too deep and how difficult it is to fight the battle of life all alone. It reminded him of his younger self when he too had been in a similar state and although he had siblings, he had the responsibility to fend for himself and them. He observed her delicate porcelain skin marred with bruises all over, the dark circles below her eyes, her dried lips and her damaged hair. She seemed a far cry from the vision she'd seemed from a distance exuding peace and serenity, perhaps it was melancholy. This wasn't a fate anyone deserved least of all a young girl who looked barely in her early 20s.
Flashback ends.
"Thank you so much Arnav ji for helping me. I don't know what would I have done if you didn't get me here. He would have found me and then ...” Khushi said in a soft voice, bringing Arnav out of stupor.
Arnav merely nodded and asked her to rest and left the room. He couldn’t get the image of her scared face out of his mind. His heart said she was innocent but his survival instinct and his mind said he couldn’t trust until he found out more about her.
Edited by renee.bee - 4 years ago
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