Arhi FF: Destiny Games T6 (Chapter 23.2 Updated 3rd Mar 2025) - Page 26

How badly things unraveled! Guilt and anger combined with jealousy and frustration. Arnav is not in a condition to see sense.

Originally posted by: coderlady

Oh my goodness. I had given up on seeing the next chapter. So glad that you came back and gave it to us.

Originally posted by: coderlady

How badly things unraveled! Guilt and anger combined with jealousy and frustration. Arnav is not in a condition to see sense.

Oh yes, There were a lot of emotions running high between the three of them. Helplessness, anger, frustration, guilt, possessiveness, insecurity, anguish, desperation, Jealousy and on top of it, even smaller things got misunderstood.

Yup, Arnav's self control was already running thin with Anjali's condition, so he lashed at the other two at the first trigger. He will come around... he has to :)

From the author's desk: Hello people, Though I am not sure if my readers are still interested in this story, I am updating this story as many of you left me messages asking me to complete it. So, pardon me if I am posting it back to back. I have completed it, so here is the next part, Happy reading!

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Chapter 21: Whirlwind of emotions

Part 4: The healing trail

The three of them stood staring at each other. It was already a month after the fight at the hospital lobby. A month of not speaking to each other. A month of Abhi and Arnav avoiding each other. A month of awkwardness between Arnav and Khushi. This was perhaps the first time the three have met after the angry outburst from Arnav at Abhi and Khushi at the hospital.

Arnav's emotions had been on the edge that day. When he saw Khushi being comforted by Abhi, his friend, he had lashed out at them. The accusations, the hurtful words, and the mistrust had left deep wounds. Only minutes after he lashed out at them, he had regretted it, but the words had already been said. But the damage was done. They all carried the scars from that day. The friendship between Abhi and Arnav was pushed to the limit.

Khushi had been experiencing sleepless nights due to Arnav’s words. She was not only left puzzled but deeply hurt by Arnav's behavior. She had found it difficult to believe that he would misunderstand the situation. Did he did understand that she liked him? Or did she read this all wrong? Right, they had not been so vocal about their feelings, at the least she had not been. She thought that he shared similar sentiments toward her. Arnav faced difficulties in asking her out, and she found his efforts quite entertaining and endearing. But everything changed with Arnav's angry outburst at the hospital. If he cannot trust her, where did they stand?

Abhi was very angry and upset by Arnav’s accusations. He genuinely felt sorry that he couldn’t act before Anjali got hurt. He had felt sorry for what Arnav was going through. That was the emotion he had felt when he called out for Arnav when he saw him in the hospital. Truly concerned, wanting to offer comfort and seek Arnav’s forgiveness. But then Arnav got Angry with him for a different reason altogether!

And today, he was not ready to confront Arnav yet and wanted to leave before he arrived. He did not want to allow Arnav to continue misunderstanding his intentions with Khushi any further. Khushi was like a sister to him, nothing more. He never imagined that comforting her at the hospital could be misinterpreted by Arnav. He had always been aware of Arnav's feelings for Khushi, but the notion that Arnav could perceive him as a competition for Khushi’s affection was beyond his comprehension. He can ask Arnav for forgiveness for Anjali’s mishap but this, he felt insulted with the other accusation. They were friends for a very long time. They had a bro code. How did Arnav think he was capable of breaking it?

Abhi felt the tension in the air weigh heavily upon him, making it almost unbearable to stay. He wanted to leave, to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

“I am leaving” Abhi said to no one in particular. “Riya, let’s go”

“Daddy please, some more time, Khushi Maasi will drop me at home, right Khushi Maasi?”

“Yes, Khushi didi will drop at home later, please sir?” Tanu requested too.

“We are leaving right now” there was finality in Abhi’s voice. Riya stood up to leave with Abhi.

Payal could no longer keep quiet. She came to talk to Khushi but unexpectedly encountered all three of them. Caught in their tense standoff, she decided to intervene, enough of this awkwardness.

"Wait, Abhi," Payal interjected, her voice gentle yet firm. "Leaving now isn't going to solve anything. I don’t know what happened between the three of you, but this has gone on long enough. You three need to talk and clear the air."

Arnav shifted uncomfortably, but Payal's steady gaze held him in place. He knew she was right. They had to face this, no matter how painful it might be.

Khushi glanced at Payal; her eyes filled with uncertainty.

Abhi paused on his way to the door. He also knew Payal was right, but he wasn’t sure of whether he was ready for the confrontation, also the sting of Arnav's accusations still lingered.

“I have a meeting in 10 minutes” he tried.

“You have been suspended. At least try to give a convincing reason for not staying” Payal joked.

Abhi paused, turning to face her. “Fine, you want my honest opinion? I am not ready yet to talk.”

“Abhi please”

“What is there to talk about, Payal? Arnav clearly doesn’t trust me, and Khushi is caught in the middle of this mess. I don’t want to cause any more trouble”

Payal sighed, her patience thinning. "Abhi, you are running away. Please sit down and sort this out like an adult "

“And pretend that everything is just peachy between us." Abhi scoffed, his frustration bubbling over.

Just as Abhi turned to leave again, Arnav unexpectedly spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Stay."

Abhi, caught off guard, stopped in his tracks and turned to face Arnav, a mixture of surprise and skepticism in his eyes. "Why? So, you can accuse me some more?"

Arnav shook his head, his expression earnest. "No. So, we can sort this out."

Payal's eyes softened at Arnav's words, sensing a breakthrough. Khushi looked between the two men, hope flickering in her eyes.

Abhi glanced at Khushi, then at Arnav. The tension in the room was palpable, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—a willingness to try.

Khushi nodded hesitantly, her eyes pleading for resolution. Abhi, though still visibly upset, sighed at them. He took a deep breath and reluctantly agreed.

"Alright," he conceded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's talk."

Payal sent the children to another room to resume their game. They all gathered in the living room, the tension palpable. Payal took the lead, her voice gentle but resolute.

"Guys, sit down and start talking” Payal began, "It's time to clear the air once and for all. I am making hot chocolate for all of us" she scurried off to the kitchen intending to give the three some space to start talking.

Reluctantly, Arnav and Abhi moved toward the seating area, taking their places around the coffee table, a tense silence filling the air as they took their seats. Khushi stood watching Abhi and Arnav, still wondering if she should leave and let the friends make it up.

Abhi hesitated to start, with the weight of his emotions. Khushi looked down, her hands feeling cold as she clutched her dupatta. Arnav sat silently, his face a mask of conflicting feelings.

“Khushi, where is the chocolate powder?”

With a quiet nod, she excused herself. "I'll help Payal with the hot chocolate," she said softly and walked to the kitchen, leaving Abhi and Arnav to their conversation, the silence heavy with unspoken words.

In the kitchen, Payal looked up as Khushi entered, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Thank you for coming to help," she said gently, as Khushi handed her the chocolate powder. "I think they need this time alone to sort things out."

***

Once they were alone, Abhi took a deep breath, steeling himself to speak first. "Arnav, before we start speaking about anything I need you to understand something," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Khushi is like a sister to me. I see her as your person, I never meant to intrude on your relationship. When I comforted her at the hospital, it was out of concern and nothing else. I would never do anything to hurt you or Khushi. It pains me to think that you could misunderstand my actions in such a way."

“I know” Arnav's eyes flickered with regret.

“What?”

“I know that you were trying to comfort her and I…” Arnav looked at him with a regretful sigh while Abhi looked at him with a mild contempt.

“Then why the hell did you...”

“I felt insecure and jealous," Arnav admitted. "I'm not proud of it, but I acted that way because I felt inadequate..."

Abhi's expression softened. "Then do something about it. What's stopping you from telling her? Nothing has stopped you before. Are you going to lash out at everyone who is friendly to her?"

The room fell silent as Arnav turned his attention towards the kitchen, where Khushi was engaged in a conversation with Payal. He was lost in thoughts, his hands clenched into fists.

Abhi sighed and quietly asked, "You like her, don't you?" regaining Arnav's attention.

"Yes," Arnav whispered, the admission weighed with vulnerability. ‘

The friends shared a meaningful look, and Arnav didn't need to respond. Abhi gave a knowing smile. "That's what I thought."

***

In the kitchen, Payal turned to Khushi with a curious expression.

"Khushi, earlier Abhi mentioned something about Arnav not trusting him. What did he mean by that?" she asked, her voice low to avoid drawing attention.

Khushi sighed, glancing toward the living room where Arnav and Abhi were engaged in their intense conversation.

"Arnav saw us together the other day, and he misunderstood the situation. I was devastated about Tara’s death. Abhi had just told me about Anjali’s critical condition and then Rajesh told me about Abhi’s suspension. I couldn’t control myself. I was crying. Abhi comforted me. Arnav saw us together. He thought there was something going on between us and lashed out at both of us. It was... it was awful."

Payal raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You think he thought you and Abhi...?" She shook her head in disbelief. “You really think Arnav would misunderstand both of you that way? Do you even know him?”

Khushi contemplated for a moment before responding.

"I am confused about his actions. I thought I knew him. But he was so angry and so hurt, throwing around words. I couldn't understand why he would think that way."

Payal nodded, absorbing Khushi's words with a thoughtful expression.

"Khushi, I don't think Arnav acted that way because he didn't trust you.”

Khushi looked confused as she processed Payal's perspective.

“Do you remember the day of my reception when you were supposed to dance with NK or my cousin Suraj? And Arnav arrived at the dance floor out of nowhere and pulled you into a dance?”

Khushi nodded at Payal as she placed four mugs with chocolate powder and sugar into the tray.

"Why do you think he did that?" Payal asked while pouring hot milk into the mugs.

Khushi bit her lips. She thought he did that because of their earlier conversation about dancing together.

Payal observed Khushi's conflicted emotions and decided to offer her more clarity. "It was a spontaneous reaction. He saw you with someone else, and in that moment, his feelings overrode his logic."

Khushi looked at Payal, the confusion slowly giving way to understanding. "You mean, he was feeling jealous?"

Payal smiled gently. "Yes, exactly. That idiot feels possessive about you.” Payal told her “And that is a first for him."

Khushi blinked, confusion mingling with realization. "Possessive?”

"Yes," Payal continued gently. "He probably felt threatened seeing you with Abhi. His outburst was likely driven by his fear of losing you, not a lack of trust."

“I never thought of it that way. I just...I don’t know what to say about it”

Payal squeezed Khushi's hand reassuringly. "But if you look at it from his point of view, his reaction makes sense. It doesn't justify his actions, but it helps us understand where he's coming from."

Khushi's mind began piecing together the moments at the hospital, memories of Arnav's anger and frustration. It dawned on her that his outburst wasn't borne out of doubt or suspicion. The realization hit her like a wave; Arnav's possessiveness had driven his reaction. As much as it had troubled her then, it now seemed to be rooted in his deeper feelings for her.

Payal continued, "You know, Khushi, I've never seen Arnav behave like this in any of his previous relationships. He’s not the kind of person to get possessive. But with you, it’s different."

Khushi's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean to say he's never been this way with anyone else?"

Payal nodded. "Exactly."

Khushi shook her head slightly. "But Payal, Arnav and I... we're not in a relationship."

Payal's smile grew wider.

"Not yet, Khushi. But I bet it will change soon. The way he feels about you, it's only a matter of time before he admits it to himself and to you."

Khushi's heart raced at Payal's words, a mixture of excitement and fear bubbling within her. Could it be true? Is this a sign of something deeper, something more profound than she had ever dared to imagine?

“I don’t know how I am feeling about this” Khushi said, she was reminded of the other day, when Anjali was also saying a similar thing

Payal's smile softened, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding.

"Khushi, don’t overthink it. When the time comes, please just let your heart guide you. Sometimes the best decisions are made when we listen to what we truly feel inside."

***

“I am sorry I lashed out at you on that day” Arnav took a deep breath "I regretted accusing you and Khushi the moment I stepped out that day. I didn't mean any of it. I was feeling helpless and devastated about Anjali's accident, and I unfairly took it out on you both."

He paused, looking down at his hands, then back up at Abhi. "I was consumed by my own pain and fear, and I lashed out at the two people who mean a lot to me. I'm truly sorry for the hurt my words caused."

The sincerity in Arnav's voice was undeniable, and it was clear that he was genuinely remorseful. Abhi took another deep breath, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of regret.

Abhi shifted slightly, his eyes meeting Arnav's with a mixture of concern and hesitation. "How is Anjali doing now?" he asked softly, the question hanging in the air.

Arnav's gaze softened, a flicker of pain crossing his face. "She's recovering, but it's been tough. The doctors say she needs more time and support to heal completely," he replied, his voice tinged with worry.

Abhi nodded, absorbing the weight of Arnav's words.

"Arnav, there's something else I need to apologize for. I promised you I would protect Anjali, that I would always be there to keep her safe. But I failed and I can't forgive myself for that." His voice cracked slightly as he continued, "I'm sorry, Arnav. I'm sorry for not being able to keep my promise to you and for letting Anjali get hurt."

Don’t be so hard on yourself. You must have done everything you could” Arnav told him. "We can't change the past, and blaming yourself won't help her."

A sense of understanding passed between them, and Abhi nodded, feeling a semblance of comfort in Arnav's words.

Arnav's expression shifted, as he nodded at his friend. The room was heavy with emotion between the two friends, feeling the raw honesty and pain in each other’s apology.

Arnav glanced at Abhi, his eyes conveying a tentative hope. "I know it won't be easy to forget what happened, but I want to try to make things right," he said, his voice soft but resolute.

Abhi nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. "Yeah, we need to move past this" he replied.

The room was silent for a moment, both Arnav and Abhi sat there, feeling a mixture of awkwardness and relief. They had taken the first steps toward mending their fractured friendship.

"What about your suspension? Have they resolved anything yet?" Arnav asked, his voice filled with concern.

Abhi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's still under review. They said it might take a few more weeks before they come to a decision," he replied, the frustration evident in his tone.

Arnav frowned, the news clearly troubling him. "I'm sorry you're going through this. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know," he offered earnestly.

Abhi gave a small smile, appreciating Arnav's support.

“There is nothing much that we can do. Unless I can substantiate my reason for taking the girls with me”

***

When Payal and Khushi came in, the friends had reconciled and were quietly chatting. Khushi felt a wave of relief wash over her as she saw the two friends beginning to bridge the chasm that had formed between them.

“Here we are” Payal came in, placing a tray of 4 steaming mugs of hot chocolate on the table.

Abhi gave a small nod, taking one of the mugs, savoring the warmth in his hands before speaking up. “Thanks”

“So where are we?” she asked looking at three of them.

"We spoke" he said, gesturing at Arnav and himself.

“I am proud of both of you” Payal said “so now is your turn” she told Khushi and Arnav

Both Khushi and Arnav exchanged a quick, awkward glance, each trying to gauge the other's feelings. The room felt smaller, the air thicker with unsaid words and unresolved tension.

Khushi picked up a mug of hot chocolate, choosing to remain silent. Arnav, equally uneasy, cleared his throat but said nothing, his eyes fixed on the mug in his hands. Again, an awkward silence fell between them.

Abhi looked at Khushi and Arnav and sighed aloud putting his finished cup down.

Abhi cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. "Listen, you two," he began, his tone a blend of firmness and playfulness. "You really need to break this silence and start talking. It's high time you address whatever it is that's causing all this tension."

He leaned back slightly, giving Khushi and Arnav a pointed look. "Believe me, it will end the torture for the rest of us," he added with a light-hearted chuckle.

Payal took a moment, observing the palpable tension between Khushi and Arnav. With a sly smile, she broke the silence. "Do I need to lock you two in a room until whatever tension you guys need to sort out is taken care of?" she teased, her voice laced with a playful yet suggestive tone.

"Well, that's one way to handle it," he said with a laugh, looking at Khushi and Arnav expectantly.

Khushi’s eyes widened slightly at her innuendo, and a faint blush crept up Khushi's cheeks. She shifted uncomfortably, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Arnav on the other hand mock glared at Payal with his tongue in cheek. The innuendo hung in the air, making the silence even more pronounced.

"What? It's not as if we don’t know you two spending time alone in Arnav’s room late into the night at RM” Payal quipped, her eyes twinkling with jest.

Arnav finally broke the silence, his voice steady but earnest. "Alright, everyone," he said, standing up. "Khushi and I will talk, but we need a bit of space. Can you both give us a moment?"

Payal's eyes sparkled mischievously as she couldn't resist adding, "Are you sure no locking in the room is required this time, Arnav?" Her tone was light-hearted, yet the playful tease was evident.

Arnav rolled his eyes good-naturedly, "Yes, Payal, I'm sure. Just some privacy will do."

Just then, little Riya, who had been quietly observing the conversation from a corner of the room, tilted her head and asked innocently, "But why would you lock them in a room?"

The adults' tension broke as they looked at the curious child, and a collective chuckle filled the space.

Abhi, noticing Riya making her way back to him, laughed and said, "Let’s keep this child friendly discussion." He said, ruffling Riya's hair affectionately as she reached his side.

Payal chuckled softly, bending down to meet Riya's gaze. "It's just a way of speaking, sweety" she explained gently.

"But why can't they just talk here?" Riya persisted, her brow furrowing slightly.

Abhi smiled, ruffling her hair. "Sometimes it's easier for people to talk about their feelings when they're alone," he said. "It helps them understand each other better."

"You know, sometimes grown-ups need a bit of privacy to talk about their feelings and sort things out. It's like when you and your friends have a little secret chat to make up after a disagreement."

Riya nodded thoughtfully, understanding the comparison. "Oh, like when I talk to Tanu didi sharing secrets?"

"Hmm something like that," Payal affirmed, giving Riya a reassuring smile.

Riya seemed to ponder this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Okay, but no locking up," she declared firmly, making everyone laugh and easing the tension in the room.

"Agreed, no locking up!” he said, guiding Riya towards the door. "Come on, sweetheart, let's go check out that new video game."

“Daddy, can Tanu didi come with us too? She wants to see the new video game that you got us” Riya asked him

“Of course, we can take her with us” Abhi said as he stood up

“I will come later to pick her up” Khushi informed.

“It’s no problem, Tanu can stay at my place if she wants to” Abhi assured her.

“I feel lonely to stay here all by myself”

"Khushi, you're welcome to stay at my place too," Abhi offered quickly. "It's only a walkable distance." He paused quickly, glancing at Arnav. The memory of their recent argument was still fresh, "But only if you feel comfortable with it," he added quickly.

Arnav's expression shifted subtly, a flicker of hurt crossing his features. But before he could respond, Khushi raised an eyebrow, with an incredulous expression.

"And why exactly do I need Arnav's permission to stay at your place?" she quipped, looking between Abhi and Arnav with mock seriousness. "Last I checked, I was perfectly capable of making my own decisions."

Abhi chuckled, he knew something like this was coming and he was happy that his plan worked in breaking the ice, while Arnav's ears turned slightly pink.

"Yeah, why indeed?" Payal wondered

“Stop it guys” Arnav mumbled, a small, embarrassed smile forming despite himself. “Now leave, all of you!”

"Don't worry, we'll give you the entire house." Payal teased lightly glancing between Khushi and Arnav.

Her comment drew a brief chuckle from Abhi and an eye roll from Khushi and a groan from Arnav, the latter two clearly growing more impatient by the minute.

“Give them a break, Payal” Abhi interjected with a chuckle. “I will call you later” he said to Arnav, who nodded at him.

Payal grinned, not entirely unrepentant, but nodded. "Hey, you two, behave yourselves, okay? And try not to make a huge mess while you're at it," she called out playfully, winking at Khushi.

“There is nothing like that,” Khushi protested, her voice a tad defensive.

"Oh really?” Payal chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Only, that someone is a possessive ass and is asking us to leave you both alone" she teased, glancing at Arnav with a knowing look.

Arnav sighed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Payal, that's enough," he muttered, though there was no real anger in his tone. “Now, get out”

Payal conceded, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I'll leave you two to figure out your 'nothing' then." She winked at Khushi, who rolled her eyes at her, and then turned to follow Abhi.

As Arnav closed the door behind Payal and Abhi, leaving them both alone in the suddenly quiet room. Khushi's heart pounded as she tried to find the right words, while Arnav's mind raced with things he wanted to say but couldn't bring himself to voice.

An awkward silence enveloped Khushi and Arnav, both unsure of how to break the thick tension that remained.

Arnav came back to the coffee table, unsure of how to begin. The weight of unspoken words pressed on his chest, making it hard to breathe. He glanced at Khushi, her nervous demeanor mirroring his own internal turmoil.

"Khushi," he finally managed, his voice low and hesitant, "I want to apologize for my behavior at the hospital. It was out of line, and I'm really sorry for the way I acted."

Khushi's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by his admission. She had expected many things, but not an apology.

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her recent realization. "Arnav," she began softly, "Your outburst at the hospital" she asked "Was it because you were feeling possessive... about me?"

Arnav's eyes widened in surprise, her words cutting through his own internal struggle.

"What if I were?" he inquired back.

"Why?" Khushi responded. "What makes you feel possessive about me?"

Arnav looked at her with raw emotions as he gathered his thoughts. His heart raced, and he felt an overwhelming urge to express everything he had kept bottled up inside. Every fiber of his being wanted her to understand the depth of his feelings, the turmoil that had consumed him since the moment he realized his true emotions for her.

To be continued.

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So that's all for this update. We are nearing a confession and I wanted to give it a fresh chapter. So, meet you all in the next chapter, until then, leave me some nice comments about the recent updates.

Cheers, Vi.

Thank you for back to back updates Abavi! Loved them.

Tara lost her life and Anjali was fighting for life. I sympathize with Arnav. He was torn between staying in the hospital for Anjali and visiting a devasted Khushi in the other hospital. When he finally got a moment to see Khushi, he just took off. His reaction was not out of place. Yes, he doesn't know what exactly happened between Abhi and Khushi and even without knowing anything, he regretted his outburst and rightly so.

Payal always leads from the front. I like her for that. Her efforts paid off and all three are moving towards improving their respective relationships.

Nice updates.

Cheers..

Originally posted by: Savera84

Thank you for back to back updates Abavi! Loved them.

Tara lost her life and Anjali was fighting for life. I sympathize with Arnav. He was torn between staying in the hospital for Anjali and visiting a devasted Khushi in the other hospital. When he finally got a moment to see Khushi, he just took off. His reaction was not out of place. Yes, he doesn't know what exactly happened between Abhi and Khushi and even without knowing anything, he regretted his outburst and rightly so.

Payal always leads from the front. I like her for that. Her efforts paid off and all three are moving towards improving their respective relationships.

Nice updates.

Cheers..

Yeah, the original Payal character in the show was so feisty at first but then turned so meek. So while characterizing this one, I tried to make her a bit feisty but she turned out to be a pataka and I am so glad that it happened.

Yayeee .... Thank you for updating!! ❤️❤️❤️

From the author's desk: hello peeps, here is another brand new chapter, part 1. I know you must be expecting the confession, but the story is about all the 4, so, you gotta wait a bit for that update.

Happy reading, and let me know your thoughts in comments

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Chapter 22: The Home coming

Part 1: The secret quest

The atmosphere in the conference room was tense, a palpable silence hanging in the air as Shyam paced back and forth, his face contorted with anger. Samar and his father sat quietly at the table, their expressions a mix of fear and resignation.

Shyam whipped around, his eyes blazing with fury. "How could you fail, Samar? We had an elaborate plan, every detail meticulously arranged, and yet you still couldn't secure Anjali's signature. Do you have any idea what this means for us?"

Samar shifted uncomfortably in his chair, unable to meet Shyam's piercing gaze. His father, equally silent, placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture of support that went unnoticed by Shyam.

"I don't understand how you could be so stupid," Shyam continued, his voice rising with each word. "We had everything in place. The timing was perfect. And yet, you let her slip through our fingers."

Samar's father finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Shyam, berating Sam isn't going to change what happened. We need to focus on our next steps."

Shyam's eyes narrowed, his anger not yet spent. "Oh, I know exactly what our next steps are. It's high time that I get involved directly. Clearly, I can't rely on you to handle something as simple as this."

He turned to leave the room, his final words ringing in the air. "Prepare everything. We're not going to let this slip away again."

"I have already spoken to father about asking Subadra to give her grand daughter for Samar"

"It will be a miracle if Arnav will let it happen" Shyam said bitterly

"then what are we going to do now?"

"Plan N"

Sam and his father exchanged a look, both understanding the gravity of Shyam's decision. The stakes had just been raised, and there was no room for further mistakes.

***

NK sat brooding on the couch when La noticed his unusual silence. She approached him quietly, her face full of concern. "NK, what's wrong? You seem very disturbed. Please, tell me what's troubling you."

NK shook his head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing, La. Just a tough day, that's all."

La wasn't convinced. She sat down beside him and gently placed her hand on his arm. "NK, Molly gave birth to five pups, and even that didn't seem to cheer you up. You seem very disturbed, more than usual."

NK sighed, the weight of the day's revelations pressing heavily on his shoulders. "I'm just tired, La. Really, it's nothing."

La's eyes searched his face, her concern deepening. "Is it because of Anjali's head injury? Are you worried about her?" She knew how much Anjali's well-being meant to him, and it seemed like a plausible reason for his distress.

La sighed, deciding to change her approach. She gently took NK's hand in hers and said, "I spoke to Anjali today. We had a video call, and she seemed to be recovering well. She even managed to smile and joke a little.”

NK's eyes softened at the mention of Anjali, but he remained silent, his thoughts still tangled.

“If it helps, we can go visit her,” La offered softly. “I know how much you care about her. Maybe seeing her in person will ease your mind a bit.”

NK looked away, his heart aching with the secrets he was trying to process. "No, it's not that," he said quietly, unwilling to burden her with the complexities of what he had learned.

La took a deep breath, her determination unwavering. "NK, please. I can see that something is deeply troubling you. You don't have to carry this burden alone. Let me in, let me help you."

NK hesitated, his eyes reflecting the internal struggle he was facing. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's... it's about something I learned yesterday evening. Something about my past."

La's grip on his hand tightened, her eyes silently urging him to continue. "What is it, NK? Please, tell me."

NK looked up, the turmoil in his eyes evident. He gave her the envelope that Ben had given him

La carefully examined the contents of the envelope, her eyes scanning the medical record and the pictures within. She looked back at NK, her expression one of deep concern and curiosity.

"NK, where did you get this?" she asked gently.

NK took a deep breath, his eyes focused on a distant point as he recalled the day's events. "I met someone called Ben yesterday at the mall. He claims to have information about my father and my parentage. He wants to meet me today evening and tell me everything."

“what?”

Then NK went on to tell La about everything that happened in the mall the previous day evening.

*Flashback*

Around the bustling streets of Sydney’s Pitt street mall, NK was approached by a stranger with an enigmatic glint in his eye. The stranger's words were laden with mystery and intrigue, claiming to hold a secret that NK might find interesting.

The man, lean with a mediocre build and shrewd eyes that seemed to pierce through NK’s facade, approached with a deliberate calmness. His presence was both unsettling and captivating, as if he held the key to a long-forgotten secret.

“Nandakishore Singh Raizada?” the man had asked

NK’s his curiosity piqued despite himself. Nodding that it was indeed him, NK tried to place the man, wondering if they had crossed paths before.

“I am Ben” The man introduced himself, his voice smooth but edged with an urgency that belied his calm demeanor. “I have something that you might find extremely interesting.”

NK, accustomed to the bustling chaos of the mall, barely glanced at the stranger, his mind occupied with mundane thoughts. However, there was something in the man’s shrewd eyes that made NK pause, if only for a moment.

“Sorry, I am not sure, if we met before”

“No, we haven’t.” The man said. “I know your family back in India”

NK dismissed the man, brushing off his advances with indifference. However, the stranger's persistence paid off when he posed a question that struck a chord deep within NK. "You may want to take a look at this.” his voice now tinged with a hint of desperation as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a worn envelope, thrusting it into NK’s hand with a look of grave importance.

“Look, I don't have time for all this,” he said, turning to walk away. But Ben was relentless.

“Please, just look at this,” Ben urged, his voice mysterious. “It will explain everything.”

At first NK tried to laugh it off, shaking his head dismissively. “You are looking for Donation?” he asked

Ben shook his head in negative. “It's not a request for donation,” Ben replied, his voice carrying a tone of urgency mixed with frustration. “It’s about your family. Your real family.”

NK paused, his steps faltering as he glanced back at the stranger. “My real family?” he echoed, skepticism lacing his words.

“Yes,” Ben affirmed, eyes locking onto NK’s. “Don’t you want to know who your real parents are?”

NK felt a jolt as the question hit him. He hesitated, curiosity mingling with caution.

“What kind of scam is this?” he laughed

Ben, sensing the shift, pressed on. “This isn’t a scam. Look at what’s in the envelope, and you’ll understand.”

NK sighed, irritated. Reluctantly, he took the envelope and opened it, his heart pounding as he examined the contents.

Inside were a couple of photographs and a document. The pics showed a young woman cradling a baby that looked remarkably like him, next to her was another boy around 3 years old who looked very familiar to him.

“That’s your real mother and your brother” Ben told him.

The woman in the picture looked like she was in her teens.

The document was an old medical record. NK’s eyes widened as he read the details: it was a birth certificate, dated just two months before his actual birthday. It stated that his mother, Mrs.Raizada, had given birth to a stillborn baby. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

His hands trembled as he clutched the paper, the pieces of a long-buried puzzle starting to come together. Could it be that he was adopted, a replacement for the child his parents had lost?

As NK scanned the contents, his heart pounded. The evidence was compelling. But what was its source? How can he trust this?

He looked up at Ben, his mind racing with the implications of what he had just read. “What AIML tool did you use?”

“No AIML tool, NK,” he said softly. “This is all real, every bit of it. I know it’s hard to process, but it’s up to you to believe it or not.”

NK’s grip tightened around the letter, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. “This is funny! Even if it is true, why would you come searching for me now?”

Ben took a deep breath, his expression growing more serious. “Because it’s time. Your real father wanted you to know, and circumstances have finally allowed it. There’s a lot more to this story, and you need to hear it.”

“What kind of prank is this?” NK's voice was tinged with skepticism.

Ben met his gaze steadily, unflinching. “I promise you, it’s not. You have my word.”

NK's mind raced as he grappled with the implications of the documents in his hands. He couldn't help but wonder if this was some elaborate hoax, a cruel joke designed to get money from him. But the evidence was too compelling to ignore.

NK looked down at the medical record again. His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and doubt. Could he trust Ben? Was any of this real? Or was it just a cruel prank?

“I know you still won’t believe me,” Ben called after him, his voice steady and calm. “There’s more where that came from. Meet me tomorrow evening at this place and I’ll tell you everything.” Ben placed a visiting card at NK’s hand

*End of flashback*

La listened intently, her eyes never leaving NK’s face as he recounted Ben’s story. She took a deep breath before responding, her tone calm and measured.

“NK, let’s break this down. Ben shows up out of nowhere, with a letter and some medical records, claiming to have earth-shattering news about your past. Yet, he offers no concrete proof other than these documents. Why now? Why not years ago?”

NK nodded reluctantly, acknowledging the logic in her words. La continued, her voice gentle but firm. “And think about the medical record. It’s possible to forge such documents. We live in a digital age where creating convincing forgeries isn’t all that difficult. And the visiting card? It’s as if he’s playing on your curiosity, drawing you into a web without giving you solid answers.”

She paused, letting her words sink in. “If Ben’s story were true, wouldn’t there be more official channels for delivering such important information? A lawyer, perhaps, or a government agency? The fact that he approached you in such a clandestine manner raises red flags.”

NK’s expression softened as he considered her points. “But what if there’s a kernel of truth in all of this? “

“NK, even if this is you in the pic, this could be someone who came to visit your family and took a pic.”

“The medical record says that my mom gave birth to a still born 2 months before I was born”

“I told you this could be forged or may be this was a different Ratna Raizada”

"Maybe you're right," NK murmured, his mind racing with a myriad of thoughts. "But what if he's telling the truth? What if there's something about my past that I need to know?"

"NK, you cannot be serious," La said, her voice filled with a mix of concern and frustration. "This man, Ben, could be anyone. We have no idea what his intentions are. What if he's dangerous?"

NK shook his head, his eyes still distant. "But La, if there's a chance he's telling the truth, I need to know”

La grabbed NK's hand, her grip firm and steady. "I understand, NK. But think about it. If this was really important, why did he choose such a mysterious and roundabout way to contact you? It doesn't add up."

NK's resolve wavered as he looked into La's worried eyes. "But the medical record… I can't just ignore that."

“Please, NK, don't put yourself at risk. If this guy troubles you again, I will go to the authorities. But meeting this man alone is not safe."

NK sighed, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. "Ok”

La looked at him with a mixture of frustration and compassion. "NK, remember how everyone always says you resemble your grandfather so much? They even gave you his name. There is no way that your family isn't your biological family. This stranger's claims just don't add up."

NK took a deep breath. "Okay, La," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "I won't meet him. You're right, it's not worth the danger."

La's face softened with relief, and she squeezed his hand gently. "Thank you, NK. I'm just looking out for you."

NK nodded, feeling a mixture of disappointment and relief. He knew he still needed answers, but he also knew that La’s concerns were valid.

***

La was making a sleeping basket for the new pups when NK came to her.

“I want to go to India”

“NK if this is about whatever that Ben told you…”

“I want to go see Anjali. Ever since I heard about her head injury and surgery, I feel very unsettled”

La's eyes widened with surprise, then softened with understanding. "Of course, NK. We'll go together. You're not doing this alone."

“You don’t have to do this” NK said “And Molly just had pups…I can understand if you don’t want to come”

“Don’t be silly. I will ask my sister to look after Molly and the pups for a few days”

NK felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. "Thanks La. This means a lot”

***

As NK and La settled into their seats on the flight to India, NK's phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. With a sense of foreboding, he unlocked his phone and read the text.

"You didn’t come to meet me, I know you don’t believe me. But you can take a DNA test to find out yourself. – Ben."

NK's heart raced as he showed the message to La. "It's him again," he whispered, his voice fraught with tension.

La's eyes narrowed as she read the message. "NK, this is exactly what I was worried about. He's trying to manipulate you. Did you give him your number?"

NK shook his head. "No, I didn't give him my number. He must have found it somehow.”

La took the phone from his hand and deleted the message. She blocked the number as well and gave it to him

NK sighed and put his phone away, staring out the window as the plane took off. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts, but he knew that he wouldn’t feel calm if he doesn’t get to the bottom of this.

As the plane soared through the skies, NK turned to La, his face etched with determination. "La, I know you're worried, but I need to do this. I want to take the DNA test," he said, his voice unwavering.

La looked at him, her eyes filled with concern. "NK, this is ridiculous"

"I have to know the truth," NK replied softly. "I can't live with this doubt hanging over me. I need to find out who I really am, for my own peace of mind."

La sighed deeply, sensing the resolve in his words. "Alright, NK. If this is what you truly want, then I'm with you. We'll figure this out."

NK nodded, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thank you, La. Your support means everything to me."

As they sat in their seat through the journey to India, NK resolved to take a different approach. He would focus on the DNA test and with La by his side, he felt a renewed sense of determination and hope.

***

The flight was long, but NK's resolve only grew stronger with each passing hour. His thoughts were a turbulent mix of fear and hope, but above all, there was an unyielding determination to find the answers he sought. La sat beside him, her presence a constant source of comfort.

When the plane landed in India, NK's heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. La stayed close, sensing his nerves. They had planned this, hoping to both surprise and uplift Anjali, who was going through a tough time.

They drove straight home. The warmth of his family's welcome momentarily eased the turmoil in his heart. Anjali's eyes sparkled with surprise and joy as she saw him, her frailty evident but her spirit undimmed.

Anjali screamed in joy as she saw her brother standing in person. "NK!" she cried out, her voice filled with delight and disbelief.

“Oh my God” She said as he rushed towards her and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace, Anjali had tears of happiness streaming down her face.

NK held her close, feeling the warmth and love in her hug. "I've missed you so much, Anjali," he whispered, his heart swelling with emotion.

Finally, Anjali pulled back, her eyes shining with tears and a wide smile on her face. "I can't believe you're here! This is the best surprise ever," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

NK smiled back at her, his own eyes misty. "I had to come, Anjali. I couldn't stay away any longer after hearing about your injury."

Mama and Mami too joined in the joyful reunion, their faces alight with happiness.

Anjali then turned to La, her eyes still glistening with joy. "And you, La," she said warmly, reaching out to embrace her. "Thank you for being here and for taking care of my brother."

“NK Babua, La Bitiya belcomes Belcomes” Mami said hugging them both with warmth.

However, as the initial excitement waned and the family settled into the living room, NK's expression became more serious. He turned to Anjali, his voice tinged with concern. “How are you now?”

Anjali gave a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting a newfound strength. "I'm on the path to recovery, NK. The doctors say I'm healing well, and I'm doing everything I can to get better. I won't let this setback define me."

"Your kidnappers, did you recognize any of them?"

She shook her head. "No, they were masked. But I could tell they were professionals, well-organized. They were after my signature of some documents."

“What documents?”

“Some empty bond papers.”

“You signed them?” NK asked terrified

“Yeah, the one who got my signature was dumb. I put in the wrong signature, he didn’t even verify. It wouldn’t be valid anyway."

"The criminals got caught?"

"Not yet, The ACP is looking into it”

"Abhi Bhai?"

Anjali nodded.

La placed a comforting hand on Anjali's shoulder. "Thank goodness you're safe now. We're here for you."

“Thank you! yeah, for now, my complete focus on my recovery."

“Good for you” NK told her.

***

Meanwhile, at the office, Akaash was deep in work when Payal walked in, her face glowing with excitement. He looked up, sensing something significant had happened.

"Akaash, you won't believe what just happened at Shantivan," she started, her voice tinged with a mix of relief and joy. "I was there when Arnav, Abhi, and Khushi had an encounter. Arnav and Abhi had a heart-to-heart talk and finally resolved their differences."

Akaash's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Really? That's wonderful news," he replied, a smile spreading across his face.

"Yes, it was so touching to see them finally put their past behind them," Payal continued. "And I left Arnav and Khushi alone to talk about their feelings. They needed that moment together."

Akaash nodded thoughtfully. "I was hoping for something like that when Arnav left to meet Khushi earlier today. It's about time they told each other about their feelings”

Payal's excitement was palpable as she continued, "I just know that Arnav is going to finally tell Khushi how he feels, and Khushi will do the same! I could see it in their eyes—they've been holding back for too long." She clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I've always believed they were meant to be together, and this could be the moment we've all been waiting for."

“You are super excited, I see”

"I can almost picture it. Arnav will probably start by apologizing for all the misunderstandings, and Khushi will then pour her heart out. It's going to be such a beautiful moment."

Akaash shared in her enthusiasm, nodding fervently and then chuckled softly and added, "And when everything is finally out in the open, I'll have my turn to tease Arnav. He's always had that serious facade, but I can't wait to see him flustered in love."

Payal grinned mischievously and quipped, "Well, if Arnav gets too flustered, maybe we should have a camera ready to capture the moment! It could be our next viral video—'The great Arnav Singh Raizada, brought to his knees by love.'"

Akaash laughed heartily, "Oh, believe me, Payal, if we catch that on camera, it will be the highlight of the decade. But let’s make sure he doesn’t find out who’s behind the lens. Otherwise, we might not live to see the viral fame!"

“Don’t worry, I will protect you with my life” Payal chuckled, "Akaash I am so happy that finally, all the tension and unspoken words between them will be resolved. They deserve happiness after everything they've been through."

Akaash smiled warmly at her. "I couldn't agree more, Payal. Let's hope everything goes as we wish. It would be the perfect ending to their long wait"

Just as Akaash and Payal were basking in the warmth of their hopes for Arnav and Khushi, Akaash's phone buzzed with an incoming video call. He glanced at the screen and saw Anjali’s name flashing.

"Hey, look who's calling," Akaash said, showing the screen to Payal before answering the call with a smile. "Hi Anji" Payal called out happily

Anjali's face appeared on the screen

"Anji, you won't believe what happened between Arnav and Khushi!" Payal exclaimed eagerly.

Anjali’s eyes widened with curiosity. "What? Tell me everything!"

"Arnav and Abhi was finally speaking to each other" Payal began, her voice filled with emotion. "And Arnav and Khushi spoke too."

Anjali's face lit up with joy. "Oh my goodness, that’s incredible news! I am so happy for them."

"And you know what, Anji? When everything was laid out in the open, Arnav was so flustered. It was a sight to behold." Payal chuckled, "We were just saying we should have had a camera ready to capture it. It would have gone viral in no time."

Anjali laughed, "I can only imagine! This is the best news I've heard in a long time. They really deserve all the happiness after everything they’ve been through."

Akaash nodded. "Absolutely."

"Hey Akaash, guess who's just arrived and is dying to see you both?" Anjali said, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

Akaash and Payal exchanged curious glances. "Who?" Akaash asked eagerly.

"Surprise! " Anjali revealed with a grin as NK’s face appeared on the screen

“Wassup bro!” NK called out with a big smile

“NK!” Akaash exclaimed

Payal's eyes lit up. "NK is here?"

“La is here too” Anjali announced showing La to them

“Oh my! Hi gal!” Payal exclaimed happily

NK's face beamed with warmth. "I couldn’t stay away once I heard Anjali had a little mishap," he said with a playful smirk.

Anjali rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Oh please, NK! You couldn’t stay away from Dadi’s love"

“I am coming home, lets catch up” Payal told them

“I will wrap up early too” Akaash told them before they closed the call.

As soon as the call ended, Akaash couldn't contain his excitement. He quickly picked up his phone to send a message to Arnav. His fingers flew over the keys as he typed, "Hey Arnav, wanted to let you know that NK has just arrived from Aus along with La. Anjali called now, and we're all planning to catch up at home. Payal and I are wrapping up early, it would be great if you could come home early too."

He paused for a moment, a playful grin spreading across his face. "No pressure though if you want to spend some more time with Khushi. Hope your talks with Khushi went smoothly! 😉" he added.

Feeling satisfied with his message, Akaash hit send and leaned back, genuinely feeling happy. The house was going to be bustling with energy tonight, and he couldn't wait for everyone to be together again.

Oh, if only Khushi could also join them! He thought as he packed his laptop and left with an excited Payal.

To be continued

***

Alright, it seems like things are getting settled between the Raizada siblings and their partners or partners to be, but the opposition have started to make their move. How will this pan? Wait for the next updates, and do leave your thoughts as comments.

Until then, take care.

Cheers, Vi

Payal got them all to stay and talk. If she was not there, they would have gone their way and the wounds would have continued to fester.

Arnav still can't get the words out though for Khushi. At least he apologized and made up.

NK doesn't know what to believe any more. Ben is suspicious but he does pose many questions that he doesn't have the answers to.