FF-Darkness [Andhera] Page 86 IMP NOTE - Page 16

"Khushi, Get up for god's sake!" Arnav screamed as he put his hands over Khushi's shoulders shaking her to come out of her day-dream. "I'm speaking to you dammit." He grumbled as he stared hard at the woman in front of him. "Where am I? How am I here? I was with buaj., buaji?" Khushi questioned uncertainly. "Unbelievable. Don't dream so high.. You're here, trapped in this hell. With me forever" Arnav roared. "Don't test me Khushi. Act happy, act normal in front of the family members or I will destroy you. And that's a promise" Arnav growled as he picked up his brief-case and swiftly left through the door.

"Devi Maiya! Did I dream that? Did I day-dream about buaji and amma? Did i?" she wondered as if dazed. Did that mean they would believe her? They would love her? She had to know. She had too. She quickly ran down the stairs and met Anjali who was standing in front of her. "Di" "Khushi ji, Whats wrong, Why are you running?" "Di. I want to meet amma and babuji, Can I go?" "But Khushiji" Khushi's eyes begged for Anjali to give her consent, to give her permission.Anjali furrowed her eye-brows worriedly and nodded. She watched silently as Khushi ran out of the doors, almost as if a prisoner was tasting its last days of freedom. She stared confused. What had happened? She had noted Arnav's changed behavior towards Khushi, almost as if not caring about her anymore. And Khushi, what could she say? She could see the life drained out of her eyes, what had happened to 2 of the most important people in her life? She wondered as she sat down in a complete daze.

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Khushi knocked the door expectedly. She closed her eyes and smiled as she heard Buaji's mutterings and her big welcome.

"Hai re nandkishore! COMING" Buaji wailed as she flicked her pig-tail and stared at Khushi with a grim expression.

"Titalya. What are you doing here?" Khushi attempted to enter the house when Garima had stopped here. She stared at her mother in shock and was greeted with a frown.

"No Khushi. This house is no longer yours to step into. Not since the day you shamed me and this family." Khushi closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Amma, Just let me talk once"

"I just" "STOP! Didn't you hear what I said Khushi? I said stop. Get out of here; I can't even look at you right now?" Garima claimed as she turned around.

"Titalya. Not now" Khushi shook her head and stared at Buaji. "Buaji, You'll listen to me right? Your Titalya" Buaji gave a look of sympathy to Khushi and whispered a sorry before shaking her head and closing the door.

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Anjali Monahar Jha was a happy lady. She had a beloved family who she cherished deeply and she had an amazing and loving husband. Her world revolved around her family and she was thankful for her blessings. However as she came out of her wonderful world, she looked around to see the slight cracks that were beginning to develop in relationships. She had begun to notice the ice between her brother and her lovely sister-in-law. She watched Khushi enter the mansion cold and upset. She hated seeing her sister-in-law in such a state especially because she was used to seeing her laugh, her smile and her chatter. She watched as she walked motionlessly to her room slamming the door. Something was wrong. And she had to speak to Chotte about this.

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Arnav and Akash walked into Raizada mansion to be greeted with a smiling Payal serving water ever so sweetly. Arnav immediately scanned the room and groaned. She wasn't here. Where was she? He's been thinking about her al day, he tried hard to distract himself, keep himself busy with all the meetings and the assignments but it was all futile. He couldn't get the look of helplessness, the look of loneliness out of his mind. Her eyes, why was she being so difficult? It's a shame she had to be so conniving and deceitful. But is she? A small voice in his head squeaked before he pressed it down and stamped on it.

"Chotte" Arnav turned around to meet an anxious and worried Anjali. "Chotte, Please tell me. Whats wrong? Why is Khushiji looking so upset nowadays.. And even you, both of you have gone so distant. Is everything okay Chotte?" "Di, relax. Everything's okay" Arnav slightly smiled hoping to comfort his Di and received a nod on her behalf. Her eyes telling him she doesn't buy this 'Everything's okay' nonsense. "Di, relax" he assured and put his hands on her shoulder. "I'll get her" he spoke as he made his way upstairs to his room.

"Damn it Khushi" he groaned as he watched her sit peacefully with wistful eyes staring hard at the stars. "Amma, Babuji, I miss you" she whispered as she put her hands on her feet and cradled herself. She had reached a place where no one could reach her, the pain she felt, the words thrown at her, his words in particular broke her.. and she hated it."Why do his words affect me so much?" she whispered as she began to cry. Crying at her situation, crying at her fate. Crying for being so alone. "Khushi?" he whispered softly, not knowing what to say, he longed to stare at her face, the moon's light reflecting on her countenance. He wanted to touch her, to comfort her and tell her that no matter how much pain she's in, he'll be there for her. His hand reached out as she stared back at him, her eyes twinkled with a tinge of hope, he clenched his jaw and closed his eyes.

"Di" the pain she was going to suffer if she ever found out. Khushi and jeejaji. He groaned inwardly. He had to stop this; he wasn't supposed to feel sorry for her. After all, she was the enemy.

He shifted and left the room. She was on the corner near the pool-side staring at the stars. He sighed, knowing that she was staring at his retreating form, her penetrating gaze once again causing him to melt, to almost fall on his knees; he kept walking ignoring the unanswered pleas of the family until he was driving aimlessly in his white SUV. He got out just when it began to rain and banged his fist on the car window. "ARGHHH" he screamed. The scream reflecting all his jumbled emotions as he dropped onto the floor and grieved.