Mirage #3 Check note on pg 149 for next thread! - Page 81

"Is Aman at home?" Arnav asked, standing at the doorstep of the house, at the elder lady who opened the door. He had managed to locate Aman and found out that he had been staying in one of the gang member's house for the past two weeks. And Khushi had decided to accompany him to mediate the talks between the two friends.

"Yes, he is. Second room on the left upstairs." She said, moving aside to let in Arnav and Khushi into the house. They climbed the stairs and reaching the room described by the lady, Arnav knocked on the closed door.

"Come in!" he heard Aman's hoarse voice from inside and they pushed open the door and stepped in.

Two empty bottles of liquor strewn on the floor, welcomed them, a testimony to the turbulence that he was experiencing in his life. Arnav found him sitting on the bed, lost in his own thoughts and his eyes didn't miss out on the sudden change of expression on his friend's face.

Aman could only stare at both of them at his door as if he had been visited by the ghosts themselves.

"What are you staring at me like that?" Arnav asked, raising his eyebrow. "I've come to ask you to return back home." He said, looking at the floor, unable to face him remembering about their last outburst at each other.

Atleast a whole of two minutes passed with absolute silence in which no one spoke, and Khushi felt the silence would definitely deafen her if she didn't say something.

"Aman, Arnav wants to apologise to you." She finally broke the silence.

"What?" Arnav whispered, glaring at her. He was here to ask Aman to return back home, not apologise! Afterall, Aman was the one who was at fault. Why should he apologise?

"Yes, Arnav is going to apologise to you." She said, staring at Arnav with big wide eyes. "Listen Aman." She said, approaching the man who was sitting on the bed. "I don't know what happened that night but you both are best friends. Arnav has told me everything about you, your past. So atleast for that friendship's sake, forgive each other, forget whatever happened and come back to your house."

"I know Arnav would never admit it." Khushi whispered into Aman's ears so that Arnav wouldn't hear her. "But he misses you a lot." She flashed a warm assuring smile at him.

"Aman Singh! Get your ass off that bed and come back home! It's an order!" Arnav exclaimed walking towards him.

All this while, Aman could only stare at the duo dumbfounded, his eyes stinging with tears.

And then, finish him off!

Shyam's words reverberated in his mind as he stared the man who was about to be mercilessly slaughtered in a matter of few days.

"Enough of your drama. You are watching too much of tv and becoming so melodramatic. Stop fussing like a woman and come back home, right now!" Arnav said. "And I'm... mmm... s... sorry!" he stammered as he apologised. Somehow, it always felt awkward for him to apologise to anyone with the exception of Khushi.

Aman didn't know how to react to this. Maybe this was God's indication that he should go ahead with his plans. Otherwise, why would Arnav himself come walking to his lair? Anyhow, hadn't Shyam himself instructed him to return back to Arnav? Maybe God was helping him out to save his family.

"I'm sorry too." Aman whispered of his own accord, involuntarily, as he stood up, the words applying more to the storm he was about to unleash in his friend's life rather than what had happened in the past between them.

"See, I told you he would agree." Khushi exclaimed out to Arnav, while Arnav frowned at her, followed by a sheepish smile the next second.

"Whatever, Khushi Gupta!" he said rolling his eyes. "I'll wait for you downstairs. I got the car. We can go home by it."

"No. I have my bike." Aman said. "You both go home. I'll come later. I have some unfinished work on the way."

"Ok, I'll see you later." Arnav waved at him and walked out of the door. But somehow, Khushi felt uneasy seeing Aman. There was definitely something wrong with him, but she couldn't put a finger to what it was. He seemed even more sad or depressed from the last time she had seen him. After making sure that Arnav left the room, Khushi walked back to Aman and held his shoulder.

"Aman, is something wrong? Look, don't deny it. Arnav may not be able to see it but I definitely do. I know you have been drinking a lot. I can tell by the look on your face. I know about what work you do too. Arnav told me everything about your mafia gang. Yes, I know the whole truth. Look if you are in some trouble, you better talk to Arnav. I'm sure he will help you out. But he can only help you if you tell him your problem. If you can't tell him directly, atleast tell me. I'll talk to him about it." She tried to reassure him.

"No, Khushi. Everything's fine." He lied, a bit surprised to find Khushi asking him this question.

"Okay. Take care of yourself and I'll see you soon." Khushi replied and walked away, still not convinced that everything was fine as he had said. But there was nothing else she could do. She had tried taking him into assurance and talk to him, but he still hadn't revealed anything. Atleast, she had tried or maybe she was just over imagining things.

"Where were you?" Arnav asked waiting outside near the car.

"Nothing. I was just talking to Aman." She said, still trying to figure out what was wrong with Arnav's best friend.

"So where are we going next?" he asked, starting the car.

"Drop me to Akash's clinic. I have work for today afternoon." She said, pulling the seatbelt across her.

"You started working for him once again?" he asked in a super annoyed tone.

"Yeah. Why are you getting annoyed?" Khushi asked, detecting the instant change in his voice. "What was I supposed to do after I walked out of your life? Who was going to give me money? Akash was the only one who I could turn too. He has been such a helpful friend to me."

"But why are you working now? I'm back now. I'll take care of you." Arnav tried to counter argue with her.

"Arnav, it doesn't work that way. What will he think? He helped me in my most needy time and so how can I abandon his job just like that in between? And I don't want to sit at home the whole day and do nothing. I'll be bored. I want to work." She argued, determined to make him see her point of view.

Arnav was visibly unhappy about her choice, but he remained tight-lipped. The whole idea about seeing Khushi near a man who was clearly pursuing her made him utterly uncomfortable about it. But then, he knew that she would be upset if he dragged the matter forward and he didn't want to initiate a fight between them, especially after a fresh new start just a couple of hours ago.

He decided that he needed to come up with some solution for it. But he had no clue about what would convince her.

"Okay, if that makes you happy." He said smiling at her and drove off to Akash's clinic.

In a matter of few minutes, they reached the clinic and Khushi got ready to step out of the car. "Bye, I'll see you in the evening." She said, putting her hand bag over her shoulder.

"I'll come to pick you up. And then, maybe later we could go to meet the Raizadas." He replied.

"Take care of yourself." She said, giving a quick peck on his stubble and got down from the car. Somehow, after she had come to know about his criminal life, she couldn't stop worrying about him. Her fears seemed magnified, but she managed to put them aside knowing that Arnav would never want her to live in any sort of fear. She turned back to see the car roar forward and she looked back at the clinic door that awaited her and most importantly, her friend inside it.

o0o

"Oh you came? I thought you wouldn't report for work today." Akash asked in a surprised tone to see Khushi walk into his cabin. He had managed to get some free time in between his busy schedule with his patients and Khushi had efficiently utilised that opportunity to get a word with him.

"I had to come." She said taking the chair in front of him and saw Akash smile at her affectionately.

"Khushi, is everything alright? Did Arnav disturb you in any way?" he asked completely oblivious to the fact that the two had reached an understanding between them and patched up.

"I wanted to talk about Arnav." She said, while he instantly reached out to hold her hand to comfort her, a worry growing inside him thinking about her safety.

"What happened? Did you hurt you once again? I swear I'll won't spare him if he does anything to hurt you." He growled with fury.

"No, not that. Did you tell the truth about him to your Dadi?" she asked curiously, wondering what was awaiting Arnav at night.

"Yes, I did. Khushi, you should already know our reactions. Dadi was terrified and upset hearing about him. I mean why shouldn't she be? He's a criminal! And ours is a reputed family. We wouldn't want someone like Arnav getting associated with our family, even if he's the family's son. What would people around us think? They don't even know that Bua was pregnant with an illegitimate child. They just know she died under mysterious circumstance and my mother said, even during her death, my family had to face lots of shame and criticism coz she remained away from her house for nine years. They have taken years to come out of it, to lead a normal life. And if anyone comes to know that her son has turned out to be a criminal, we will have to face an even greater shame."

"And anyways, he's not a Raizada. He never was. He is the son of the man who Bua eloped with. If he has lived alone for all these years, I'm sure he can continue to do so in future too. He doesn't need a family. He's a monster who doesn't care about anything or anyone Khushi. He just needs money. You of all people should know what he did to you, your best friend. He only knows to ruin other people's lives." Akash explained.

"But Akash, you were his friend right? Didn't he save your life? How can you say something like that? And what is his fault if life was so cruel to him? What was he supposed to do when he had no one around him? His mother was murdered in front of his eyes. Have you ever paused to think what he must have gone through?" Khushi tried to defend Arnav.

"Khushi, why are you defending him? Did you forget you were the one who came crying to me two weeks ago telling he had betrayed you and broken your trust? You know everything about him. Everyone has a choice Khushi. He chose the wrong path and he now has to pay the price for it, for his mother's actions. And I hope you do remember the fact that if the Delhi Police ever manage to get evidence against him, he can be sentenced to life time imprisonment for all the crimes he has committed. Do you really want to be associated with a man like that?" Akash retorted back, hoping that she would be able to understand his point of view.

Khushi couldn't argue back, for she knew that whatever he was saying was absolutely correct. But she was sure she wasn't wrong either. The dilemma about choosing the right and the wrong about Arnav would always knock at every step of her life ahead, with him.

"So, don't they want back Arnav?" she asked quietly, already knowing the obvious answer to it beforehand.

"No. We don't want to have any ties with him." He replied sternly, refusing to budge away from his firm decision.

"He's your cousin brother Akash! He's your blood." she tried to convince him.

"I have lived my whole life without the existence of that relationship. I'm sure I can continue ahead in the future without it." He said, going back to the files on his table.

"Fine." She said getting up from the table with utter disappointment on her face. She had expected that maybe finally Arnav would have a family that he always longed for. But instead, he would be even more heartbroken and dejected when he comes to know about it.

"Khushi, I hope you understand me and I wish you do the same. Just let go of him as if he was just a bad dream. You deserve more than him." Akash spoke to her retreating back.

But she simply walked away with just a silent nod. She knew she had made her decision and was never going to look back at it. She knew Akash would be very disappointed with her. But it didn't matter. If he was really her friend, maybe he would one day understand her decision.

But in testing times like these, one could never really differentiate between your friend and your foe. The line between them was just a blur and with one incident, suddenly your loved ones seemed distant and enemies, closer.

o0o

"I got the news that you did a good job in the mission. All three men were shot down. Actually, I heard a fourth one was shot too. Who was that?" Khalid Bhai asked, busy reading the newspaper held in his hand.

"He was the one who had shot me at the bar two months ago. I couldn't let go of the opportunity. No one dares to mess with me. So I killed him too." Arnav replied back, sitting opposite to the elder man.

"Very well. All the bodies are disposed in some other place. They would have a hard time tracing them. Arnav, we don't have much time. There is a high probability that Ramcharan Das would trace the attacks to us and he might plan a counter attack on us. I want you to be extremely vigilant. Carry a pistol with you, just in case they launch an attack on you. I've increased the security to your house. There will be men constantly patrolling near your house." Khalid explained.

"And I've got to hear some rumours that you have been spotted with a girl recently. Is anything serious going on between you two or is it just a fling?" the elder man asked, carefully observing Arnav's face.

"Actually Bhai, about that, I wanted to talk to you..." Arnav stammered, like always whenever he spoke to Khalid Malik.

"Oh! So it is serious." Khalid replied amusedly, grinning at his favourite man. "Don't forget to invite me for your wedding." He added.

"What?" Arnav asked in an absolutely shocked tone. As far as he had heard, there were rumours that Khalid Malik was against marriage. Atleast that was what his younger brother, Abbas Malik preached about, never to mix women and work. Although he had never spoken to the elder man about this topic, but that had been his general impression all throughout his time with him. For a man who had never married all his life, what else would one naturally infer about?

"Surprised Arnav?" Khalid asked even more amused. "If you are really serious about the girl, then why not? Listen boy, you have been alone all your life. I have no idea about your life before you joined my gang, but I don't think anyone deserves to live a life all alone. It's sad and painful especially when you reach my age. Just because we are the bad guys, doesn't mean we cannot have a woman in our life. I say go for it. But remember one thing, don't let your personal life interfere your profession." He said getting up and going towards Arnav, holding his shoulder. "It can destroy your life. Learn to balance both of them."

What could Arnav say to the advice of the man who was no less than a father figure to him? How could he ask for freedom when he knew he would violate that same advice?

As usual, Arnav remained tongue tied when it was time to ask for something. He simply didn't have the guts to ask the man.

"And I will need you for the coming weeks." Khalid said.

And there, his opportunity to ask for shift in his ranks was gone. How could he ask for shifting to Bangkok when his mentor needed him?

"Hmm.. that reminds me, what do you want for completing this mission? I know I promised you a reward." Khalid asked, resuming his place back on the sofa.

"I'll think about it and ask later." Arnav replied, trying to keep the offer open. He had to ask the man carefully. Otherwise, his request was definitely bound to be rejected. "Okay Bhai. I'll see you later." He said and walked out, trying to get away from there as quick as possible. He needed time to think about it, maybe discuss it with Khushi and maybe get some advice from Aman.

o0o

It was 7:00 pm and already dark outside. Stepping out of the clinic, she was greeted by the sight of Arnav waiting for her, sitting on his bike. Looking back, she saw Akash closing the door of the clinic and walking towards her. He came and stood beside her and his eyes followed her gaze that ended up on Arnav.

"What's he doing here?" he grumbled, inching protectively towards Khushi.

"I'm sorry Akash. I've made my choice." She replied looking at him. "He needs me. However a bad person he might be, but I cannot convince my heart. He has already suffered a lot. For a change, I'm going to stand beside him when he fights his cruel fate and world." She said proudly and without turning back, she walked towards Arnav and sat on the bike, leaving a completely dumbstruck Akash behind on the steps, his hopes of being with her completely dashed and destroyed by her one gesture.

Arnav stared at Akash clenching his fists but was interrupted when Khushi came and sat behind him. "Let's go." She said, looking at Akash who dejectedly went towards his car.

"So are we going to follow him to the Raizada's house?" Arnav asked turning back to look at her.

"Actually, I was thinking let's go somewhere on a long ride, just like old times. I miss it. And you have to make up for the two weeks you were away from me." She replied, hugging him from behind. How could she reveal to him that his mother's family were no more interested in keeping touch with the son of their family?

"Okay." He agreed. Afterall, he was ready to do anything for her. He knew he had been a jerk to her, breaking her trust and was ready to make it up for her in whichever way she demanded.

Minutes ticked by as he drove aimlessly towards the outskirts of the city. He knew she was enjoying it when he felt her fingers clutch the front of his shirt wildly. He could feel her entire soft form pressed to his back and he enjoyed every feel of her, relaxing back on her arms, just like the old times.

Cool breeze whipped her face as she rested her chin on his left shoulder, closing her eyes, letting all the tension in their life subside for some moments. She let her lips trace the nape of his neck, inhaling the woody smoky scent emanating from his shirt. A lone tear escaped from her eye, ending up on his shirt as she thought about the fate of Arnav. Why did he really have to go through so much agony in his life? Did a person really deserve all this?

Looking around her, she realised they had come pretty far away from the city. But she didn't worry about where he took her. As long as she was with him, she felt safe, even if it was quite the opposite of it.

The bike finally stopped at an isolated place located on a hilltop that was overlooking the entire city.

Arnav looked down to find her arms still wrapped around him and placing his hands on top of hers, he pulled them up over his chest, entwining his fingers with hers.

"What happened, Khushi?" he asked concernedly, finding her still clinging to him. Not that he bothered but Khushi had never really clung to him for such a long time.

"Nothing. Can't I hug you just like that?" she asked, closing her eyes.

"I guess you can." He said. "But why are you crying?"

Khushi suddenly realised that her cheeks were wet with tears and saw that the back of his shirt stained with it too.

"No, nothing." She said, wiping away her tears, thanking God that it was dark around her and he couldn't see her tears. "I was missing Buaji." She said, not knowing what else to say.

"Get down." He ordered and she agreed, a bit surprised at his order. He too followed her and holding her arm, he went to the edge of the hilltop. She saw him sitting down on the grass, spreading out his legs while he pulled her down to make her sit in between them.

Khushi settled herself comfortably, resting her head backwards on his shoulder, while he put his arms around her, cradling her. "I come here sometimes when I'm sad or lonely." He said, placing a warm kiss on her head. "You can get a good view of the stars from here. In the city, sometimes due to pollution you can't get a clear night sky. Your parents must be watching you right now, even Buaji." He whispered, as both of them fixed their gazes on the twinkling sky. "See, Buaji is right there, above you. And my Mumma is telling me that Buaji told her that I should take good care of you and make sure you don't cry. If you cry, Mumma will be angry with me and she gets nasty when he is angry." He added, laughing at the last bit and Khushi also joined him.

She tilted her head to meet his face and with their gazes unwavering and fixed, she met her lips with his, capturing it in a slow enticing heated kiss, letting her tongue taste him as he allowed her to take full control of him, their breaths intermingled with each other. She could hear his heart beating erratically as she let her fingers glide into his hair in slow alluring movements and she felt his own hands mimicking hers as they slid over her thighs in an enticing pattern.

"Thanks." She murmured against his lips, smiling at him.

"For what?" he asked, smiling back at her.

"For bringing me here." She said. Suddenly, she felt guilty of holding back the truth about the Raizadas. He had to know, otherwise, his false hopes would devastate him.

"I spoke to Akash today." she said and felt him once again stiffen himself. "He told everything about you to Nani and the family. They were quite upset and shocked and..." she paused unable to continue.

"They don't want to keep any relationship with me right?" he asked completing it for her. "Were you upset for this? It's alright Khushi. I guess I already knew it." He said and she was sure, she heard his voice drop with dejection and hurt. But he fought hardly to put on a brave indifferent face.

"I tried to convince him." She said, stroking his back comfortingly.

"Not all are brave like you Khushi." He replied, resting his head on top of hers.

"But you were finally getting a chance to have a family which you always longed for." She said, holding his hand tightly.

"You don't become a family just by being related by blood. You have to work for it. You have to be there in times of need, in joys and sorrows. And for me, you are my only family. Maybe one day, we would have our own additions to our little family." He said, tracing his thumb over her fingers. The whole idea seemed farfetched, yet he could always dream about it, couldn't he?

"May all that you wish for come true." She replied, swinging her arms around his neck.

"Shall we go home now? Why don't you stay at my house today? I'll drop you to your house tomorrow morning if you want to." He suggested, standing up, holding out a hand to help her up too.

"Ok. We'll stay at your house tonight. And anyways, isn't Aman going to be there?" she asked, while walking towards the bike.

"I think he is already at home." He said, sitting on the bike. And together, they drove back in the dark night towards his house.

o0o

It was nearly 11:00 pm and yet there was no sign of Aman. By now they had already eaten their dinner and were ready to go to bed.

"Call him up and see where he is." Khushi told Arnav, as she lay down on the bed.

"Uff Khushi! You worry too much about him. He's not a kid. He'll come home whenever he wants to. And he did say he'll return back. Maybe he's busy with some work." Arnav replied, as he slid beside her, spooning her body.

His head was in a mess right now. There were so many things he had to take care of. First of all, he had to convince Khalid Bhai and secondly, Khalid Bhai had propped up the question of marriage. Was it the right time for them to get married? Ofcourse, he had always planned to marry her. But he didn't think it would be this soon. And what would her reaction be? Would she be ready for it?

And amidst all this, he had to find a way out to stop Khushi from working at Akash's place

Suddenly, his eyes lit up excitedly as a brilliant idea flashed his mind.

"Animation. Yes! Why don't you try animation? You are interested in sketching cartoons right?" he suggested out of the blue.

"What are you talking about?" Khushi asked, turning around to face him.

"You want to work right? Why don't you do some animation course?" he clarified once again.

"I don't know. I have to think about it." She replied, clutching his arm closer to her chest. "A career in animation? Sounds interesting."

"Wait! You are hell bent on me not working at Akash's clinic right?" she asked, giving him a tight smack on his shoulder. "Why?"

"Coz that man is after you Khushi. He is convinced that he is in love with you. And I don't want such men around you." He confessed.

"What rubbish! Akash and I are just friends. He treats me just like a friend. Nothing more. You are over imagining things now. I'm already taken by Arnav Singh." She said, grabbing his mouth to plant a kiss on his lips. "But if you really don't want me to work there, especially after what he told me today, then fine. I'll only work till the end of the month." She added, inching closer to him.

"Okay, let's think about this tomorrow. Good night." He whispered, feeling his eyes droop with tiredness of the day.

"Ha ha! You felt jealous." She teased him, laughing out loudly. "You are unbelievable Arnav!" she grinned at him, unable to grasp that all this while, Arnav had been jealous about Akash. The whole idea itself seemed preposterous.

"I love you!" she whispered, giggling in between as he buried his head in the crook of her neck and slumbered and she joined him.

o0o

"You are one of the most valuable men in the gang and yet, you are treated like a piece of dirt."

"Arnav never wanted you to rise above him."

"You're the best Bhaiyya in the whole world!"

"Arnav Singh. Aman Singh. Sounds nice right?"

"And then, finish him off!"

The silent night roared with the laughter of a mad man who had been reduced to this state by his tragic fate and crying out aloud the next minute, he threw the empty glass bottle on the rocks, the noise of the glass shattering, echoing the entire span of darkness.

"Arnav Singh!" Aman screamed out tearing his lungs at the open air. "You are finished!" he shouted and started laughing uncontrollably, as he made his way to Arnav's house, while his own fate cried at what it had reduced a man like him to.

CHAPTER 53