FF: And it's payback time... Chapter 7 - Page 34 - Page 11

Hey! I'm so glad Arav is so perceptive you your FF..and sweet too :)

Thanks for the PM. Very nice. Happy that she told him the truth.

If only this could have happened lol. Great update!

Originally posted by: farfar319

If only this could have happened lol. Great update!

wow!!!

i love this arnav - every bit sensible, shrewd and hiding beneath it all the love and affection of a gentle soul... unlike the stupid guy on the show

GOOD ONE...THANKS FOR PM ing me

HE KNOWS! HE FREAKIN KNOWS!!!! Can't wait for the next update, this update was just tooo amazing!

Plot and the story so far:

Khushi is flustered by the feelings Arnav stirs in her, and he is relentless in his pursuit of her since The Bet (Shart) they set before the Sangeet. They're discovering their feelings, still testing the waters...

Chapter 1: Khushi asks Arnav to stay away from her, in an effort to bring some sanity. Arnav is in no way pleased but knows she'll be back asking for more. He stays away as asked, getting her all worked up. And finds her by the poolside... practising her apology

Chapter 2: Arnav confronts Khushi and in her surprise, she nearly falls but Arnav comes to her rescue. He notices the "A" on her henna'd hand... and Khushi in her embarrassment runs up the stairs. Arnav stops her... and they kiss by the stairs. But the fear in Khushi's eyes bothers Arnav...

Chapter 3: Khushi breaks free and run away, leaving Arnav frustrated. She collides into Shyam, who doesn't miss the opportunity to taunt her, knowing she can't expose him. Khushi head butts him in self defence. She escapes to Arnav's room, and Arnav who is inside, confronts her about her running off, and on seeing the bruises on her arms, questions her about them. Unable to contain her fear, she lets go.

Chapter 4: Khushi's tears bring out Arnav's softer side... He tries to get her to tell him what happened but Khushi is understandably hesitant because this is about Shyam. Arnav senses it and in the course of the conversation, when Khushi is mumbling incoherently about how she tried to tell Anjali earlier, he deduces that his Jija ji, Shyam, is the culprit and was Khushi' fianc! He promises her that she's not alone.

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Chapter V: Deliverance in togetherness

Arnav's comforting words and gentle actions were just what Khushi's frayed nerves needed. The last few months had been traumatic for her. Since that fateful day, when the baaraat had returned in Lucknow, leaving her Jiji behind broken, life had dealt her a pack of losing cards!

Her humiliation when the video tape was released, the forced move to Delhi, her early days working at AR, the constant worries about their financial situation, then Bau ji's stroke... it had started with that fateful confrontation at the fashion show...

The very arms that had held her captive against her will that night were comforting her now, the hand that wiped her tears had once ripped her pearl dori, and the eyes that now looked at her protectively had raked her bare back in blatant loathing.

She would never forget that night... despite that, she found solace in his arms. For she could never forget how he'd defended her at the dhaba, or that he'd cleared the hospital expenses when Bauji was unwell. In fact, without him, Payal wouldn't be here getting her bridal mehendi done. Arnav was the one who'd convinced Mami ji to accept Payal as Aakash's bride.

She'd battled alone, feeling responsible for her family... for Payal's broken wedding, for not being there when Bau ji's stroke took place, and at some level, for what had happened with Shyam! She knew it was not her fault, heck... if Bua ji hadn't pressurized her so much, and she hadn't worried about Bauji, she would've never been engaged to the jerk!

A sense of relief washed over her... she felt less weighed down by the unpleasant memories. It was only now she realized how much she had missed Bau ji's strength and calm thinking, in the recent times.

Arnav looked down at Khushi's pensive face resting on his shoulder... her arms wrapped around his neck. She was huddled like a little girl... and he didn't have the heart to disturb her thoughts. So he continued to hold her gently while his mind focused on the next course of action. Strangely, her presence brought a sense of calmness that allowed him to assess the situation clinically.

Shyam, his charming, saccharine, ever-caring Jija ji had turned out to be a two-faced b*****d! Never had he imagined that the man who claimed to love Di and showered her with so much affection, who called her Rani Sahiba lovingly, was capable of betraying his beloved Di.

The betrayal was so severe... at one end, it was his Di, his reason for being... and on the other, it was Khushi... the girl he'd come to care about... yes, he couldn't deny that she mattered to him. Even worse, it was the betrayal of two families that were to be united by a fast approaching marriage. To call it an ugly situation was putting it mildly!

He'd have to play this very carefully... the Guptas had probably fallen for Shyam's charms and believed he would reform. But today, his manhandling of Khushi had proved otherwise. Not a soul at home had an inkling of Shyam's reality, and given his sister's unwavering faith in that jerk, he knew he'd be breaking her heart, killing her spirit! He couldn't blame Khushi for hesitating to tell Anjali... but then he couldn't hide it from Di... not for long, he owed her that much at least!

As they sat huddled as one, drawing comfort and strength from the other, came an epiphany... together, they should be able to tackle this, and sort out this mess.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Chhote..." called out Anjali.

They sprung apart, guiltily on hearing her voice. Arnav yelled back... "One minute Di... we're.. I mean I'm just... hang on, I'm coming."

Khushi looked at him confused... Arnav ji fumbling for words?! Was it intentional?

As if he'd read her mind, he looked at her with a "I-know-what-I'm-doing" expression on his face. She trusted his judgement, and stayed quiet, watching his lithe form heading towards the door.

"Chhote... we're all waiting for you downstairs... what's taking you so long? Don't tell me you're working... as... " Anjali questioned impatiently, as the door opened. She stopped mid-sentence as she noticed Khushi over his shoulder sitting on the recliner.

"Khushi... you're here? Payal's been looking for you," she said. Then a smile crept on her face. She'd sensed a strange tension between these two on and off, for a while now. That night of the Sangeet, when Arnav come to Khushi's rescue and they'd danced, oblivious to the world around, lost in each other... that had got her thinking. Khushi had brought a smile to Arnav's face... with her 'Jiji tera jeth' act! Aakash and she had been rather surprised when they found Arnav amused by her antics, rather than fuming and furious... something was afoot!

Before Khushi could answer, Arnav cut in on her behalf. "Yeah Di... Khushi was tired... so I brought her here to relax for a bit."

Huh?! Chhote was concerned about Khushi? Hmmm... this was interesting to say the very least!

Khushi nodded and hurried towards them, fidgeting with her dupatta. Anjali looked down at her hands, and happened to notice the faint bruising on her arms... How did that happen? The plot was getting thicker! What were these two up to?! Hope Chhote was not...

"Khushi... all ok? What happened?" Anjali asked, and stretched her hand to draw Khushi closer.

Arnav and Khushi exchanged glances... before Khushi replied," Nothing Anjali ji... like Arnav ji said, I was feeling tired and a little faint. I nearly fell into the pool.. and Arnav ji thankfully rescued me in time. He brought me so I could rest a bit... I didn't want to bother anyone as it's a busy day, and a wonderful occasion for Jiji."

"Chhote... why didn't you tell me?" Anjali turned towards Arnav and scolded him. "I'll send Hari Prakash with some juice and munchies. She looked at Khushi, "have you eaten properly ' I know you got your mehendi done before lunch, oh my wait... you haven't eaten! You poor thing... no wonder you're feeling faint!" she fussed over Khushi like a mother hen.

Arnav, for some reason, liked that Di was protective of Khushi. "Di... didn't want you worried... I think it's time she ate something. Come to think of it, I haven't eaten either... could you send some lunch upstairs? I doubt munchies will do."

"Oh god!! You know you should be more careful with your diabetes!" he heard two voices in unison. Anjali and Khushi looked at him and then at each other, concern writ over their faces. Anjali looked surprised, even amused and Khushi was well, embarrassed.

Arnav smirked, while Anjali smiled. She was so tempted to tease Khushi about her concern for Arnav but thought the better of it. The girl was blushing so much, she didn't want her to fluster her even more!

"Two hot thalis coming your way," Anjali spoke, breaking the awkward silence.

"Make that one, Di... Khushi's got mehendi on her hands," Arnav replied as he held Khushi's hands, and stretched open her palms, careful not to ruin the mehendi. "I might as well help her eat."

All rights reserved.

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And it's payback time

Chapter 1:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/52377401

Chapter 2:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/52427812

Chapter 3:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53558451

Chapter 4:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/53735360

Chapter 6:

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2753098&PID=53997452&#53997452

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His to take? (Arhi Marriage FF)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2793839&PID=53266234�

Tum theek ho na? (2-part SS)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2758856&PID=52566862�

And then he shut the door (OS)

https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2749279&PID=52266803�