Hey guys, another update! they cant meet so soon, Arnav should go through enough agony before he hears about khushi so chillax :)
Part 8
Simran banged her fists on the table while Arnav clenched his fists, his face was taut with clenched jaws as he barely tried to contain his anger. They had just heard Priya's story, how a boy had fooled her into eloping with him and had actually sold her to people who were involved in human trafficking. On her insistence he had first married her for she wasn't ready to spend a single night with him, even on the road, without the wedding rituals. From the mandir they were supposed to go to Kolkata in his friend's car. However, after making her sit in it he hadn't done the same but had walked away. It was only a miracle that had enabled her to run away from them.
"There are laws that protect you priya, don't worry, we'll fight for you! We'll make sure the guy is put behind bars" Simran consoled Priya who was crying bitterly, her whole body in uncontrollable convulsions.
"Simran will you be able to get her a place to stay while we find her family and convince them to take her back?" Arnav asked earnestly. Simran nodded and they both shook hands as a goodbye for they were at a loss of words. Arnave headed home.
Khushi was having a hard time sleeping. Armaan's story had opened her wounds once again. She couldn't believe that only a few days before he had given her bangles, gone crazy when he thought she had been hurt and then that kiss. How can all that take a backseat in front of that conversation he had half listened to. The despair and frustration she had felt that night came back again, the helplessness and loneliness that she had faced that night haunted her again and that night she cried to sleep.
Arnav entered a silent house, everyone had gone to sleep, the same silence had filled him. He had no idea how he had driven back home, his mind had been numb, unable to think, his heart was beating ever so slowly, all his senses were working at their lowest level, his whole body tense. Like a programmed robot, he took off his shoes, socks, tie, threw his waistcoat on the bed and slumped down on it. Running his fingers through his hair he felt desperation rise inside him, he felt as if someone was slowly and painfully pulling out his spirit from inside him. Turning on the shower at full blast, Arnav stood under the cold water in his clothes. Then silently he let the tears flow, tears of sorrow, of anxiety, for her. Priya's predicament had made him think about Khushi, he kept on remembering the night she had walked out, he could remember nothing but darkness. How had she spent that night? The night after that? The mere thought was like a dagger through his heart. Slowly, he went down on his knees and looked up, "please god, please keep her safe," he prayed after a very long time. The first thing he did after leaving the shower was to call his friend and ask him about the progress at tracking down the IP of the emailer. They were expecting some answer in two days. Arnav kept on pacing his room, insomnia seemed to have taken over. That night he didn't even take the sleeping pills.
"Hey, Armaan! My friend, merai bhai! How are you?" Khushi gave a more-cheerful-than-usual greeting to Armaan as she hugged him next morning. Dr. Atul looked at Ridhimma and raised one questioning eyebrow. Ridhimma looked away as if she didn't care.
"Wow! From where did the sun rise today? Some people are over the top cheerful, although their eyes tell a different story!" Armaan said whispering the last part and looking at Khushi with concern.
Khushi could just smile at him, all of a sudden overcome with emotions at his genuine care. She had missed this for so long now that it felt new. "Dr. Riddhimaa, you have a guest waiting for you in the conference room, can you kindly proceed to that room." Khushi informed her.
Armaan looked questioningly at Khushi who simply ignored his look and went behind her desk to hand them their files. As soon as everybody had gone for their duties, she rushed to the conference room to meet Riddhimma.
"Ms. Khushi there is no one here!" Ridhimma told khushi who just smiled and shut the door to take a seat next to her.
"Dr. Ridhimma, I wanted to talk to you about Dr. Armaan. If I ask you what kind of a person is he, what will your answer be?" Khushi asked.
"He is a good doctor, he has a caring heart, takes good care of his patients, can build up rapport with just about anyone, intelligent, '''." Ridhimma continued, "but his ideas on life are too adventurous, he thinks nothing before doing anything, loves to bet!" she said the last words chewing on each and every one of them.
"If I tell you he loves you, what will you say?" Khushi almost blasted a bomb on Ridhimma's head. "yes I know you most probably think the two of us have something going on, but no, we are just friends. Love is what he feels for you only!" Khushi completed quickly.
"No he doesn't," she began to get up and leave.
"Don't ever make judgment on what you happen to eavesdrop on, so much is said before and after you eavesdrop. It is neither intelligent nor fair!" Khushi said in dead seriousness, "I am not asking you to love him back, but what I will really like you to do is give him a fair chance, talk to him, confront him, and then judge him. After that whatever you do, I am sure he will accept it." Khushi finished and left the room leaving behind Ridhimma with a lot to think about.
Priya's problem had become Arnav's problem overnight and he did whatever was in his hands to help her get out of it. Using the picture she had on her cell of her boyfriend, he got him tracked down and arrested where he was made to tell about his partners in crime. They too were caught easily since Arnav had many good connections so getting people to go on about their jobs wasn't a problem. He made Simran go on air with the story so that the viewers can be educated about the laws that existed for women. Throughout they made sure that the paparazzi didn't get a whiff that Arnav was involved and they kept Priya's identity hidden, they didn't want any negative attention on her plus it was important for her family as well. Throughout he kept thinking about khushi, in place of priya he kept seeing her. Finally he got some news about the anonymous emails, they had all been sent from Mumbai but from different cafes. The person had not sent a single reply to all the desperate emails Arnav had sent him begging him to tell who he was and where khushi was but to no avail.
Debate Mansion
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