Chapter-48 (PART-1)
Dil Se Dil Tak
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NOTE: I know all want to see what happens when the Aman truth comes out , and so much more.., but again i want to say shamelessly, when its ARSHI...i like to slow down........so please beer with my imagination lovely readers...
And i have few things pending in PART 2. So updating just part 1 as of now to avoid further delay..
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10:30 AM
Khushi kept seeing Arnav till the point he went out of sight. She pondered over his words about lying to Aman. No one can understand my situation, she mentally thought. Her thoughts were broken, when the driver seating in front seat enquired if she will get down. She opened the door and was above to get down when she saw the same group of men who tried to rape her. Her eyes zoomed out in shock, and she closed the door immediately being in the car. She pressed her fingers hard. She was brave enough yesterday night, but suddenly she was fearful at the moment. She somehow escaped from them, but what if they see her and try to follow her today, was her sudden constant distress. It is ok to be sometime fearful right.? Nothing wrong. Every person at some point would be. Those cruel me, their rough hands, that pressure of their body on her, , as she imagined. She could not just peep outside. Even though Arnav was there, right at few distances, the whole shooting crew, but again, there was already so much happening in her life. She doesnât wanted to create more scene.
âMadam, Should I drop you somewhere else?â Driver asked seeing her still seated.
âNo. Why?â
âMadam, need to go to fill the petrol.â
Khushi eyes widened as she heard him. She did not want to obviously get down. She had planned to wait in the car.
âKitna hai abhi petrol? Few kms to run karega na?â
âHaan madam, but abhi bharwana hai. Aaj ful on duty hai arnav sir ke liyeâ
â thori der baad jana bhayyaâ
âMadam, you are not understanding, âDriver talked through mirror and conveyed. Khushi was on hell bent and had made her decision that she would not get down.
Why I donât have convincing power? How does Arnav commands his decision so easily? She looked at the mirror towards the driver and replied back.
âDo you know who I am? I am his ..Iam his.. Khushi suddenly staggered. âIam his distant relative. I am not going to get down at any cost! Got it? If Arnav comes to know, you had made to wait down here, things would not look cool. I hope you got it. â
Driver was highly irritated with the way rudely Khushi replied. He was in surprise that, this was not intimated to him by actor Arnav.
âWaise madam, aap kisi angle sai Arnav Singh Raijyada ki relative to nahi dikh rahi.â
Khushi brushed her eyebrows giving him furious look. How rude it was for his part to speak like that, she thought. âPlease you can wait outâ Khushi spoke. She saw the driver getting down and going away.
She closed her fist tightly and then looked out the windows. Previous night, she was in same location running away from few men. The streets were all gloomy, dark, shabby, men smoking and women standing out. But now with bright sunlight, the view was something different. The women were roaming, but they all looked like normal women, no makeup, no deep necklines dresses. The building next to her car, looked like cage. Grills outside. She could see women combing other ones hairs,. . Red light area what she observed at night was hell opposite to what she was seeing now. Many people were peeping out and curiously looking out. The obvious , towards shooting location-to get glimpses of actor Arnav. She equally turned now to her right. She could see Equipment trucks, lightening instruments, folks roaming, sound machines , ,trolley track for the camera to roll up in Air. She peeped through sharp lens of her retina, if she could spot Arnav somewhere in. But she could not find him. Many crew members had surrounded.
She thought if she should ask the driver and get one sim and new phone, but the constant thought of constable searching in that area for sheetal was breaking her nerves. What if sheetal akka would be found. She did not dare to leave the place.
On the other hand, Arnav pepped himself with costume and makeup changes in his vanity van. He worked with director on his dialogues and then they entered inside a specific building for shooting specific scene. After few takes Arnav came out. He was not able to breath in that environment. He looked for Khushi , but she was not seen anywhere. He called his spot boy helper.
âDidnât you do any seating arrangement?â
âSir, I asked madam, she told she would sit in the car itself.â
âWhat?.â Arnav was disappointed. He looked towards his car standing at few distance away. Due to black window pane, he could not spot her. But it made him highly irritated. Why she has to sit inside? Cant she come out and sit herewith crew members. He remembered how she had told him, that she would waiting shooting location near his crew itself and that she would keep cover her face so that she would not get identified. What made her to sit inside. Donât she feels safe coming out, is she scared? She canât trust my presence? Or she is sitting inside of not getting identified. How foolish. How long!. Question pinched him.
âI love to see your shooting Live...âŚI donât know when I could ever see youâŚYou know I googled many times , about the places where you shoot, ..how it works..how you act and make it look perfect on the screenâŚ, why donât iam lucky enough to see you acting live..â The words of Khushi from first few pages of her diary whispered inside his tiny headâŚ.. She is not bothered now?..Things have changed for her? Or she donât want to express the excitement? He drank the whole bottle of specialized mineral water in one shot
11:30 AM
Ăvery minute felt like an hour, Khushi was clutching her fingers worriedly, what news the police man could bring. Itâs been 3 hours , the policeman assured and went from hotel, but ,still there was no news. As the time lapsed, she was getting more tensed. If akka is not here, then where would she? Arnav was being away for shooting from last one and half hour. She was worried, upset, tensed, confused. No news from Arnav, what if Policeman had tried to call him and he would be too busy to receive the call? She finally decided to come out from car..
As she stepped out of car, driver came running.
âMadam, car lock karde? You are going?ââ
âjust nearbyââ
âShall I fill up the petrol and come?â
âNo, No, I would come . Donât worry I will speak to ARnavâ . She politely replied this time and made her way towards the shooting zone. She could not spot Ărnav.She finally sat near one bench arranged for crew members. She removed her dupatta to tie it properly on her face. Though she was not able to catch his glimpse, but she was able to still feel his presence. What if nothing would have happened like this, what if everything was all like before, her happy family and her well settled job, she was fan of still Same Arnav singh raijydaâs acting, she always wished to see him doing shooting, and now today , at that moment, he was shooting just few distance away and there she was sitting least interested. Least interested to walk few meters and just look at him acting live.
âIsnt she same girl, who yesterday hugged Arnav!â Khushi heard someone speaking sideways..
âI would say, damm lucky..who is she btw. Kya chakkar hai..â
âF**K, is she same ,about whom there was gossip running around paper?â
âBut Arnav cleared that, there was nothing going between them.. but look she is hereâ
âAll actors speak the same, they enjoy life to fullest. F**k and leaveâ crewmember of documentary film made jokes and laughed.
âShe is good, but wont suit for Actor like Arnav.. I mean look at him yarâŚ..â the third one said ,
It should not matter to Khushi, but it pinched her somewhere. Any number of arguments, fights, bitterness ,bad memories could not stop you from feeling equally gloomy when you hear someone saying you are not fit for them. Why itâs bothering me? Let them talk, Ok!, fine, they are right, he is an Actor, koi actress, model hi suit hogi,. Sach hi to keh rahe hai. But he almost came to kiss me that night..what is that not attraction? what did they say F**K and leave?. Will he sleep over with many such whom he meetâŚDoes he has any thing such in mindâŚIS he helping me because something was left undone..does he want to sleep âŚNo no..khushi , he is not like someone else .I trust him.
Before her thoughts could ponder more, a teenage boy came with juice in his hands.
âNo thank you. I donât want anythingâ
Half and hour passed, she was still clueless on not getting any update. She should go and talk to Arnav. But he must be busy in shooting. Donât they have breaks? He might be what shooting continuously. She wondered what makes him choose this career, when he has such a good masters degree ,and upon that has such a big business empire to run. She thought, probably someday she would get convincing answer from him.
A same teenage boy came again with fruit bowl in his hands. âHey , I have told you, I donât want anything. This is the 4th time you are comingâ, she replied being bit irritated.
âSorry mam. Arnav sir ka order tha, aapko every half n hour kuch chai cold drink puchne ke liyeâ
Khsuhi was left speechless. She plainly denied that she is not in need of anything and then with sudden hush hush sound, she turned towards shooting site. Khushi finally got a glimpse of him, when he came out from shabby building. His hairs had ben jelled neatly. White shirt and open coat trouser set. ..He looked damm handsome for anyone to just ignore. A star status. He was with the famous director. Khushi couldnât stop her eyes from looking at both of them. She observed how people would hold big umbrella , roam in and around. Arnav and few other people sat in neatly arranged chairs in round fashion. Khushi got up and tried to wave her hand, but Arnav looked still busy.
âcommon, do look here at my side..â
She sat again on chair. âpch pchâ She kept waving her hand
âpcchhh pcchhh. He is not even looking. Should I directly go and meet him to enquire on whether police had called or not.? âWhere is that boy who was coming and asking for juice. I can convey him to call Arnavâ she looked for spot boy helper.
And to her surprise, Arnav suddenly lifted his head from laptop screen and looked in her direction. Khushi waved something , showing something at her watch. Clearly she was asking update, when you will be free etc etc in her yanky donki style. Arnav looked towards her for a moment, and then turned towards the director again and then got up and went back inside the building again.
âWhat does he think of himself?. Iam sitting for watching a movie, or happily waiting to see his shooting? Doesnât he realize why iam here, how worried I might be..â
She wanted to go and talk to him directly, but she did not get that sufficient courage. He is into shooting, I should not create a scene or disturb. Frustrated she got up and walked towards the car again.
Driver who was standing outside the car, immediately unlocked the car.
âMadam, should we wait? Sir is coming?â
âHe is busyâ
âAgar late hoga to, petrol bharwake aa jaata â
âBring some petrol for me also!â
Before her brain could trigger and release more anxiety hormones, the spot boy came again., but this time there was no juice glass in his hand. Khushi raised her eyebrows to ask in question. She was clearly angry.
âMadam, aapko Arnav sir bula rahe hai. There,, near his vanity vanâ He extended his hand to show in the direction where his vanity van has been positioned.
She was suddenly so much nervous, if there was any news about sheetal. She rushed along with spot boy. Walking few distance, she could see a big black bus, a customized one in design. She would have never seen otherwise any such for normal public. And then her eyes caught in the direction where she could see Arnav standing with few police person. There was one police jeep also adjacent to them. . Her heart beat were now faster. She walked as fast as she could, and reached near to them. She could see 2 police men, one was the constable she met in the morning, other one looked more junior to him
Arnav sensed her presence, .and looked in her direction.
âWhat happened? Any news about my sister? âShe asked breathing heavily.
Arnav asked the police person if they can have discussion inside the vanity van for the sake of privacy. Khushi was clueless, she lumped hard, but followed the policeman and Arnav. Vanity van was itself sort of one luxurious sort 1 bhk , room with private kitchen, a rest area. There was sofa set immediately at left.
âWhat happened Sir?. â She enquired this time to police person whom she met in the morning. â Iam waiting from 3 hoursâ As she spoke she glanced at Arnav.
ââmadam, your sister is not here in kamaptipuraâ police person shot his words.. Khushi showed a mixed of emotions. She did not understand whether to sigh a relief that her sister is not at such a place or she should feel upset that her last hope of finding sheetal to be here went in vain.
âYour brother-in-law had come here at this location, with your sister photoâ
Khushi swallowed internally. She held her hands tightly. , praying internally there should not be any bad news. Every moment, Arnav looked at her. Police officer continued-â He wanted to sell his wife. I mean, your sister. Look like, the deal did not go well between him and the agent. He left the place after certain argument.â
âTo sell her here? For money?ââ Khushi knew this might be case, but now listening as something in reality from policeperson , killed her internally. She closed her mouth with her palm.
âRight. He was even a regular customer when he was in town hereâ
Khushiâs eyes were left in shock. What it feels when you hear that your sisterâs husband was someone who would come to prostitutes. Arnav eyes equally narrowed down towards Khushi. He would have held Khushi hand assuring her to be strong, but he just couldnot. He rather closed his fist tightly.
But the question is, where did he go after this? . He has disappeared some say. Some say he left to Mangalore or may be dubai.â
Khushi crushed her fingers hardly, hearing the cities name.
âBut my sister ? Did he take her along ?â
âWe donât know anythingâ ,Well, the good news is, we have got the address of shyam home, in his local town where he was staying. Heard, his parents were staying. Let see if we can get any information. They stayed here for few months itseems.â
âYeah.Akka, had come here.. That rascal my jiju had bought her hereâ
âYou have to travel to his place and sign up in police station to file a missing complaintâ
âSir,please request Sir. I would accompany with you. I want to meet his parents .Please sirâ Khushi always wanted to go to shyam home, but fearing if anyone attack her, she didnot dare. But now with police staff, she did not wanted to miss this chance. But again, police politely rejected telling her to accompany in their private car and that the journey is of 1 hour from kamaptipura area.. Khushi looked towards Arnav , he knew what she wanted to ask. He checked the time, it was midday and that he felt safe for Khushi to travel , he mentally calculated she would return by evening.
âI will ask my PA to accompany you. He will talk with driverâ
âI can go alone , just want to hire your carâ She blurted in high tone and then analyzed the situation when policemen looked at her in succession. Arnav never liked sometime the way she stubbornly argues.
âMadam,it is better you accompany with someoneâ Police constable replied back. Khsuhi made a face and kept quiet. Arnav received a call from police station
As policeperson gotup, , followed by some second constable, Khushi was gazing surprisingly towards constable hands. Arnav looked at her reaction not able to guess why she was peeking in.
âSir, ye mobile?â Khushi asked finally. Constable stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Khushi and then to mobile which he was holding. âSir I had lost similar one yesterday.I mean this phone is mine..â
Oh..Constable was bit in shock. But he managed to say-âI found near the corner dustbin. Is it yours.â
âyeah its mine!.Yesterday night I guess dropped it somewhere â Constable handed her the phone and then got down the vanity van.
âDonât you have the courtesy of first asking the person, whether this is your phone.sort of?â Arnav asked Khushi with the way she shad spoken with constable claiming it to be hers. Khsuhi shifted her gaze angrily towards him. She shifted her phone back cover towards him. And waved infront of him.
âWhat theâ
âAble tos ee the phone cover? She marked her hand towards the image of back cover, ye rasgulla ye jelibi, ye jamun, ye moti choor wala laddo..kabhi aisa phone cover dekha hai..I have customizedâŚâŚ.â
Arnavraised his eyebrows..âCrazy!â
âAnyway, good thing. You got your phone back!.â
âHmm. I should charge it soon. Need to inform my familyâ
âYeah.To your friend specially. Oh Damm, I did not know, my voice is so sexy, that people ring me so earlyâ
Khushi wasl eft open mouth. âwo. WoâŚHow did you know she called just plainlyâ
Arnav simply brushed his shoulders and went to get down from van. âShitt âpayalâ Khushi muttered.
As they came out of vanity van,, a women came from opposite side and then politely asked for Arnav autograph. Khushi eyes left in aghast, that he would blast her, or may be give lecture âŚ, but his actions surprised herâŚ.Arnav was in normal shelf, he smiled at that women and then took the note from her hand . Arnav looked towards Khushi from his eyes corner, khuhsi eyes had zoomed, but she quickly turned away. He signed his autograph.
âWhat happened? You ok?ââ Arnav asked , as they were left alone
âânothingââ
âshall we make a move?â
âhmmâ
âBy the way, why you were inside a car for such a long???â
âJust like thatâ
âI understand- may be watching films and shooting does not excite you much ..â Arnav came towards car and then stopped to look at her.
âYou donât like to watch is it?â He fired .Meanwhile, Driver came running towards them.
âPolice station-â Arnav spoke. Khsuhi looked towards him in surprise.
âI had a call with officer at station few minutes before.. It is important for me to be in his presence. I will accompany you till station, and then I will back here.â
And he was above to go at the back seat, when he asked the driver to hand the keys. âI will takeâ . Driver handed the keys politely. âI will be back here in hourââ Arnav spoke seeing the driver. Before driver could notify him anything, arnav phone ringed and he went inside a car speaking on phone.
âWhat happened you look lost?â Arnav asked as he kept the call and had accelerated his engine.
âIam confused. I should be happy or sad about akka being not in kamaptipuraâ
âLook at the positive side, she must be at somewhere better place than kamatipura. Here it looks hellââ
âHmm..hope so..â
âWell, lets see if police can get some information from his parents.â
âHis parents! yeah,, I have so much to ask them..i hope they tell the truth.â
âhmm.. Relax , you will get to know about your sister soon, in a day or two..or who knows by end of the day..Keep the faith aliveâ
Khsuhi looked towards him . His words of positivity. Is he in real..she wondered.?
âYou have changed lot Mr raijyadaâ
âChanged in sense?â Arnav looked towards Khushi with that statement coming from her.
âLot of positivity. I mean before you spoke rudely..â
âis it?â He questioned giving a sly smile. âMay be your perception of seeing the things have changed..â He looked again at herâŚâIs it not?â He questioned her back
âNo.. You look more cool now. See for example,f ew minutes before you gave an autograph to your fan..I mean , as far as I know you never liked right? You hated to entertain them.â
Arnav again looked towards her , and then back at road.
âI am still same, I donât like to entertain when iam in my personal zoneâŚbut yeah , may be I guess, it all depends on timing â He gaped at her again..and then spoke in his sexiest tone..âsocha ki, itni khubsurat fan ko disappoint kaise karuâŚ??â
Khushi suddenly turned to look at him.
âAfter all, they pour so much love on me..â..âHe replied in his slow pitch voiceâŚâŚâŚâŚâWont they?â he questioned her back in husky tone
âI donât know..â She replied and then turned away..
A moment later, he applied break infront of the police station.
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1.00
As they reached the police station, while Khushi was filing an FIR against shyam, Arnav had a word with local officer about the case.
âWe didnot knew MR Raijyada that the case is related to someone from your FAMILY. â Both Arnav and Khushi looked at each other with the word Family again popping, before Khushi could correct soon, officer continued ââOtherwise we would have initiated this yesterday night itself/Strangely, we have got the fax photos yesterday night itself.â Police officer said. Arnav and Khushi looked at them in confusion this time..
Khushi looked at the photographs in his hand. âYes,it of my sister. But sir, iam confused, who faxed youâ
âWe had got orders up from Bangalore ,.Looks like the pressure is from NGO activist Shanti Deviââ
âShantidevi? I know her. I have taken the case with herâ Khushi was quick to reply as she heard her name. She explained that how from bangalore she has been dealing on finding her sister. Arnav suddenly looked at Khushi with the word ringing SHANTI DEVI. Why it seems so familiar, why it seems so connected⌠SHANTI devi? He registered the word.
Arnav later told Khushi, that he would have to go to shooting location and that his trusted PA would come and would accompany her to SHyamâs parents home. Police constable took the register from her hand and asked if she was present there yesterday night at kamatipura..
âMadam,You were the one who kept enquiring yesterday night there?â
âYes.What happened?â Khushi asked in being surprise.
âkuch nahi, it seems you had a tough time. It seems Rape attempt had happened many times. You were the one?â
Khsuhi suddenly was silent. She gazed at Arnav, whose eyes widened in shock.
âCan we go at shyamâs place?. How far is that place?â Khushi changed the subject matter.
âKhushi, you did not mention me this.â Arnav spoke to her in shocking tone , and then turned towards constable suggesting Khushi will file now even a complaint on those bast**ds. Khushi was left in shock, the way Arnav statement came out. She politely conveyed him to ignore the matter.
âWhy you have to back off? Those should not be left roam freely. You understand that?â
âPlease, Lets leave that?â
âSeriously. People like you ignore the matter. Yesterday it was you, Tomorrow someone else. What if someone else suffers badly? They should be behind bars!â Arnav fired. Khushi made a face and turned away.
âCommon,.Why you have to be fearful. ?â He questioned her again
âIam NOT. It is just that ,I donât want to waste my time in station now for all that thing, which Is not that important to ME right now.â She turned towards constable and requested them to start soon.
As constable left in his bike, Arnav made a statement that he would come to shyamâs native place.
âYou have shooting . It is fine. â
âIam coming with you. Thatâs itââ Arnav muttered.
For the first time, Arnav cancelled all his shooting related activities for sake of some women. If he would not had heard about multiple rape attempt on Khushi, he had planned to send Khushi along with his PA to accompany her to shyamâs native home, considering it was mid day. But the word rape attempt, disturb him so much. A strange of concern for not leaving her here alone enveloped him. Even though Khushi insisted that , she would take his car and can travel since it was just afternoon day, Arnav didnot even second to what she was saying. He had made up his mind.
âMr Raijyada, is it really not necessary for you to accompany. Its not midnight. I will be safe.â
â It is fine. Just 1 hour drive. â Arnav replied unlocking his car.
Khushi was still not convinced to what extent Arnavis helping her. Is he genuinely concerned or some other motive? It really doesnot go up with his star status. But she kept quiet and sat inside.
As he accelerated the car speed, he gazed towards Khushi who had rested her head on window pane being gloomy. She was lost in her own worry hearing about the trafficking case and cities involved where her jiju could have been possibly fled.. She held her gods locket which she had tied across her neck.
âYou want to call to your home and inform?ââ
âNo its fine. Iam really now tired of convincing them that akka should be somewhere safe, when she may be nOT.. Maybe at the end of the day I will call themâ Her voice was so much low.
Next 15mins she did not bother to talk. She remained silent, she was feeling uncomfortable all of sudden.
âPLZZZZZZZZZZZ stop the carâ
Arnav looked at her and applied the brake at sudden taking the car to the side. Khushi immediately got down , walked bit left and puked.
Arnav was looking at the way she got down and bent. He could hear vomiting sound. He grabbed a bottle of water and got down.
âKhushi. You ok?â
Khushi was suddenly so over cautious about being puking.
âI am sorryâ
âYou need not Be!. Take thisâ He forwarded the bottle of water.
â5 mins I will just get in.â
âSure. I will wait in.â.
Khushi shaked her head in return. And then washed her face with water.
As they settled in car and Arnav started the engine, he turned to look at her again, she had rested her head on window glass.
âYou ok? You need anything?â
âNo thank you. May be just that I thinkâ She was pressing her head.
âYou missed your periods?â
ââwhaat?ââ Khushi took the hands away from her head and looked in his direction with that comment coming in.
âI am sorry. I mean sudden vomiting?â
âIt is because of PITTA, VATA DOSHA.â Khushi spoke in high pitch
âhuh?â He looked at her in surprise not clearly understanding what she told.
âCombination of energy where your body needs fuel , but you donât supply, the acid builds up in stomach, , food pipe gives an eary discomfort feeling when it mixes with airc onditioning of your car and potentially lead to nausea ..Vomiting! â
âWhat the âhe curved his eyebrows, confused with her statement. .. ââĂcidityâ?â he finally asked.
âMay be because I did not had anything from morning. proper foodââ
âBut, What does this has to do with the car ?â
âI mean, AC effect. Iam not able to tolerate. I think I will take an auto. Fresh air you seeâ She told staring at him.
âhuh. I will pull the windows down. See if it helps.â Arnav switched off the AC seeing her condition.
âThankuâ
Arnav remembered how spot boy mentioned that Khushi did not take anything.
âYou should eat something. You look weakâ He finally said after she settled down.
Khsuhi did not look towards Arnav, but she wasstill gazing outside. âNo. It is fineââ She answered in low voice.
âKhushi, think practically. The day is long and you may have to deal with many things. Fasting is not just an option and just the solution. If you have to get any news about your sister today, you would get today anyway, if not, then no amount of prayer or fast can help you.
She did not reply.
â If not today, even tomorrow you will fast? Donât be a kid. Just have something. You need to think, need to walk , need to plan, and the only thing wat your brain requires to do all the task is justfood as energy. Its not request, itâs a warning!. Donât fall sick.â
She did not bother to reply still.
A moment later she turned towards him and questioned suddenly.âBy the way, how did you even think of something related to pregnancy.? .I mean seriously. DO you think ..I mean you know how much iam going through?â
âI just asked casually.. Whatâs big deal in that.!â He looked surprised.
âIts big deal for me..â
âOh yeah..you did mention me, you never ever had a sex. I remember now!. But still the same âŚoh so sorry I feelâ
âNone of your business.â
âChill. It is just so common in our circle, iam so used to all these wordsâ
âI know!. I have seen in movies, and some webseries. I think you people wont talk without that F word. But it is not necessary everyone should be sameâ
âWhat is that F word?â He turned to look towards her curving his brows. âFamily? Friends? Fashion? Ferrari?
âYou know what iam tellingâ
âNo. Iam really confused. Iam so used to all the F words..â
He smiled mischievously at her, but she was looking at other side of window trying to avoid his gaze.
âYou know, you are such an old school types..World has moved on. People like you still think these words as taboo. I mean, why shame on speaking something when itâs all biological topic.. â
âIam not an old school type. We do speak, but just iam not comfortable infront of youâ Khushi fired her sentence , very much in sharp tone.
âRelax. I was just changing your mood from those chemicals dancing in your stomachâŚ.what is that..vata, pit..what was the term u used?â
âVATA PITTA doshaâ
âNoted.â
â How long is the town?â She asked looking at her watch and changing the subject again.
âmap is showing 15 mins more. Police jeep is ahead of us.â
âDo you have charger which can suit my mobileâ
Arnav looked towards her phone. âNO. Donât have type C. We can purchase once we enter in village. Look for the shops.â
âNo, it is fine. I have in hotel anyway. Will charge at nightâ
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3pm:
It was mid afternoon when they reached shyams village and then to his home. Arnav opted to remain seated inside the car. He did not feel any need to follow them and enquire. Police were there to do that job he thought. Khushi accompanied police constable and went to shyamâs parents home . SHyam had sued all fake information and had sold his house. The neighbors did mention about sheetal being staying few months before and that she was not happy and that rarely she used to come out. But one day, we saw them together leaving for some place. Oneof village person mentioned.
âWhere are my sisters belongings then? Did he sell ? clothes and everything? Even in Bangalore he had vacated the house..â Khushi enquired interrupting the police enquiry
âWe donât know, one day he came and vacated all things.This was his parents home. They cried when he got to know he has sold their house. Aur kuch nahi jaante..âŚâ One of the neighbor in village replied.
Policeman finally found that shyam had put his parents in some age old home and fled from the place selling his house. Khushiâs eyes widened in shock., Policeperson then mentioned about age home been near to village and it is bit internally located few more hours drive from village..
Khushi came back along with police near the place they had parked the vehicle. Arnav was inside the car. He was busy in some call. As he saw Khushi coming in, he came out of the car and enquired if they got to know something more. Khushi explained the things.
âI think police is going for that age old home . Shall we follow them pleaseâ Khsuhi pleaded them.
âI will inform police.â He went to their car where they were just busy discussing something. He had a quick word with them and came back.
âIt is 2 hours from hereâ Arnav spoke to Khushi starting his engine.
âoh. It must be so much late for you. Can you please arrange some driver. Trust me I will manageâ
âIt is fine. I have cancelled my appointments.â
âBut even the journey must be stressful now, why donât you call a driver . Local drivers might understand the routeâ
âSome time these local drivers wonât keep the news. I mean media and all they get news from these people. Iam trying to avoidâ
âoh. â Khushi responded.
A ride went in silence for few minutesâŚIt was Khushi who looked at Arnav and was suddenly feeling so lucky to get help from him. She would have definitely not manage all this she wondered and then something hit her, that it was already close to 4 and he hasnât seen him having his food.
âMr raijyada. Lunch?â
Arnav whose eyes were fixed on the highway road, suddenly looked towards Khushi as she questioned.
âGood to know you want to have. Lets checkf or some take away or something?â
âNo. I meant about you. You did not have right?â
Arnav was suddenly silent hearing her reply. This woman wants to still continue her fast. Crazy women. âNo fine for me.âHe replied being direct.
âBut why? I mean I am ok if you have infront of me, donât think that since iam not having, it would be odd to have infront of me..â
âWaat? Absolutely not the case. You are not having and thatâs your wish. I am not used to eating here in small hotels. Hygiene issue. Donât want to go unwellâ He looked at highway dhabas and replied. And continued âThatâs the nly thing. I would prefer to have early dinner back at hotel then to have hereâ He shot back now gazing at Khushi.
Khushi did not reply. She checked the time. It was 4. She was mentally calculating the time that to reach age old home, it would be 5:30 and next they may return back to hotel by 8 or may be 9 worst.
â I have got my train tickets booked to bangaloreâ Khushi spoke in her low volume âto Bangaloreâ she finished. She slowly looked towards Arnav who immediately gaped at her.
âToday? Bangalore?â he asked in surprise tone.
âMy akka is not there in kamaptipura. I donât know where she is, I mean here the complaint is raised, even the Bangalore police is investigating. what is the point staying me here?â
âhmmâ He replied not understanding what should he respond. It was a valid point she made. But heart simply just does not expects suddenly departure note. âwhat if they find your sister in mangalore. You would again travel all the way from bangalore?. I suggest to wait and see for tomorrow. I have talked to Mangalore PSI few minutes back.â
âI donât know. I am just so tired. Its 2days I have been away from my parents. My friend payal she is being with the min my absence. I mean I told right that my bro in law had his goons behind me. We have escaped twice. Now I fear more what if he tries to attack.â
âDo you think he is such a foolish to plan any attack when police case is filed and he on hunt?â
âIf he kils me, its end na. No one would be left to enquire about my sister.â
âWhat nonsense.â Arnav said sharply hearing the word kill. His heard jumped and skipped a beat. Why that attachment increases as you spend more and more time, is it with everyone or only with them with whom our heart approves. âYou should have requested for police securityâ
âAs if everything is so easy. We are not lucky like youâ
âWe hire and keep private body guards. Not the service police peopleâ
âWhateverâ
âBtw , you want me to arrange any private gaurds, like around your house, seriously give a thought, if is that risky, you shouldâ Arnav asked in a serious concerning tone.
âNo no fine. I will manage. As of now I donât think so he has got any idea of where we might have been staying up. He wonâât even guess I think. So it is fine.â
âoh. Good to know that you are staying safe, but still.. be carefull. . â The mere news of departing again bought some unknown internal hiccups deep inside both of them.
âhmm. You might not know about Bangalore much na.â
âYeah, donât know much about Bangalore locality. Just that some few famous streets. He paused suddenly and continued â we have our ancestor house thereâ Arnav was careful not to mention his house in name of his mother.
âoh in Bangalore? Really. Which place?â
âIts in â âmy heart goes swirlingâŚâŚ..before he could tell his house location his phone started ringing..He looked upto see ,unknown number ..
âLooks like..your friendâŚisnât her number ending with 724â
â Payal? Yes â Khushi took her name in surprise âShit..âmuttered under her breath. She extended her hand if she can take the call.
âWait a minâ Arnav gave a lopsided smile and received the ring. It was on speaker. âHeyâ
âSo sorry Mr raijyada to call you againâ
âNot a problem. All good?â
Payal hesistated. âIs Khushi around? I tried to call the hotel number, but she was not availableâ
âAh. Yeah, she is here right beside me in Car. You want to talk?ââ Arnav replied in his husky, sexiest tone. Khushi could sense the payal excitement in call. Khsuhi kept her hand on her head toavoid the situation. Arnav passed the phone to her.
âPayal. Whats now?â
âYar Arnav singh Raijyada ki voiceâŚuff. What are you doing in his car. ? Btw any update on akka?â
Khushi hesitated and looked towards Arnav. Arnav gave an lopsided smile and then switched off the Bluetooth speaker.
âSo late you asked on what you were supposed to ask first. Anyway kya hua? All fine?ââ
âArey Khushi, shanti devi was trying to contact you. She called me few seconds before. Bangalore police wanted to have discussion with you regarding the case. Some casual questionsâ
âoh is it. Did you tell her iam here?â
âShantidevi was upset with your move. Shec alled it so silly. â
âhmm. Iam happy she fast tracked my case in bangalore. Here the police is already on huntâ
âwhat should I tell herâŚ? She wants to talk to you.â
âjust tell her I will be leaving here today nightâ she replied and looked at Arnav who equally gazed at her same time âmost probably ââ she finished.
âYou want me to tel, you know you are with actor Arnav singh raijyada and even he is there to help you. She was really concernedâ
âwhat should that matter to her. Just tell her iam now safe.â She looked towards Arnav again, but Arnav looked straight ahead. He could sense, Khushi might have turned to look at him.
âArey. She forced me to give your alternate contact number. Shall I pass Arnav number?â
âNo!.. I will contact her in evening as soon as I reach hotel.â
Khushi cut the call, after brief talk on what happened from morning on sheetalâs finding.
She turned to Arnav and gave the news âBangalore police wants to meet me in person itseems. Need to record my statementâ
âoh.ââArnav replied
âYou know I told about meeting one female NGO activists. She is such a gem. She is doing her every bit there to talk with police in Bangalore. â
âShanti devi? That constable mentioned rightâ Arnav asked in confused tone.
âhmmâ
âName sound such a familiar, , but anyway surprised how a NGO women can help you at this level.â
âwhat do u mean by thatâŚâ
âI mean, all this non profit organization, they would do not do anything in return. Charity and all name sakeâŚ.I have been giving donations in Mumbai. I see most of their work for publicityâ
âNo. Not with her. She is down to earth and she truly working towards womenââs rightâ
âNO one does anything without any profit and that such a speedy work. Even she should have something to gain from youâ
âYou always have a problem with women. Stop judging everyoneâ
âIam rightâ
âNot always..â
Khushi made a face and turned away. Even Arnav curved his lips seeing her getting fury and looked towards map ,. 20mins more to reach destination.
He looked at roadside fruit vendors who were selling on highway..
âYou want to grab some fruits. You have literally not eaten anythingâ
âIf I purchase , you will eat?â
âwhatâs that stupid question. I donâtâ
âthen I wont eat aloneâ
âah!. Too much..why soo?â He looked curving eyebrows
âeven you did not had your lunch!â
âgood for my dietâ
âeven iam on fastâ
âoffo Khushi. Stop being nerd. You had bananas in morning right, why so adamant now?â
âNahi. I have decided I wont eat anything till I wont get any news about akka todayâ
âSuch a pressure on so called your GOD!.â
âpressure sai kaam ho jayegaâ
âConfuse ho jayegaâ
âShutupâ She stared back at himâŚâHow much time more?â Khushi questioned backâŚ
â30km moreâŚâŚ..â
Confusions created by those numerous emotions and care,-, is it a other definition of Love? A tamed force which when we try to understand it, it does nothing but leaves us feeling lost and even more confusedâŚâŚ
PART 1 end
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To be continuedâŚ..PART 2 by sunday...i hope so...
Bore to nahi hue?:)
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