IPKKND FF:The Final Decision (Ch.8, p.37) UPD:8/21 - Page 15

Originally posted by: risat

Everyone seems to know what is better for Khushi. Be it Arnav or NK or Buaji. No one bothered to ask her even for once. I feel so sorry for Khushi. Buaji and NK are repeating the same mistake that Arnav did. I hope Khushi gets her share of happiness soon. It was a nice update. Thanks for updating.

dont worry. the final decision will be khushis.

loved how Arnav defended Khushi.. waiting for their meeting now..

hey! i just loved the ff..plz continue and pm me thanks!

Absolutely gripping. I wonder how Khushi will react when it all unfolds. Dying to know what happened leading up to that suicide attempt. Will b waiting for your update!

Was discreetly reading the updates during school' taking advantage of a cover teacher and loved it so much it made me exclaim out loud! Surprised I didn't get caught seen as though were supposed to be working in silent. As much as I love NK he should not be with Khushi. She's Arnav's Khushi no matter what he's done. I can't wait till Khushi meets Arnav for the 'first' time! Update soon please xx

Waiting!! Pls update soon!!

Really looking forward to the beautiful way you will make them meet!!

⭐️

amazing this story is just amazing

Sorry I haven't updated in so long! Been busy with exams.. but I'll update on a more regular basis now that my schedule has cleared up. Also, if you would like PM's, please buddy me!

Chapter 6

She hurried down the sweeping corridors of Shantivan, nearly tripping over the heavy folds of the intricate sari she wore. As it was, she did not notice her husband until she walked straight into his waiting arms. Akash looked down at his wife's flushed face even as she struggled to extricate herself from his grasp.

"Payal?"

"Hmm?" she responded without halting her stride.

"Payal!" At the sharpness of his tone, she finally stopped walking, looking up at him with her brow quirked in inquiry. "Where are you off to in such a rush this morning?"

"Oh... um... I.. uh.. I'm going to visit Buaji and my parents," she finally managed to stutter out.

"But why the rush? You didn't even see me until you ran right into me!"

"No, it's nothing like that; there's no rush. It's just' it's been a while since I visited Lakshminagar and I miss my family."

Akash laughed, and nodded. "Alright then, I'll drop you off on my way to work."

"No, it's ok Akash. I can take a taxi. There's no need for you to go out of your way."

"Doing something for my wife is not going out of the way Payal. Now, let's go, you were in such a hurry earlier, weren't you?"

"No Akash, it's fine really. I'll be perfectly alright in a taxi."

"I said I would drop you, Payal! Now stop arguing with me and let's go!" It was normally his Bhai who spoke with such finality but Akash was a Raizada too. He was determined to take Payal to her aunt's home, a determination that was further cemented at her obvious attempts to dissuade him. She was hiding something, he was sure of it. And he would find out what it was if he had to prise it out of her tightly clenched jaws.

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As Akash pulled up in front of Buaji's quaint little home, situated in one of the many narrow streets of Lakshminagar, Payal got out of the car in silence, resolutely refusing to even look in his direction, let alone say goodbye to him. The ride had passed by in utter silence, with Payal turned away from him while he shot furtive glances at her, mulling over her sudden secrecy. She had never hidden anything from him before. No, that wasn't true. She had once kept a truth from him, a truth that had destroyed their family. A truth that had taken the happiness out of their lives and killed what little joy his brother had found. It was a truth that wasn't really hers to tell. It was her sister's secret, a secret Khushi had forbidden Payal to tell. It was the one thing she had kept from him, because Khushi had extracted a promise from her to never tell anyone that dreadful truth. And now, months later, Payal was once again hiding something from him. Was it something related to Khushi? Had Khushi contacted her?" It was as he came to this conclusion that he heard her voice, a voice he had sorely missed for six months. A voice he had last heard screaming in denial, in innocence. She was back.

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"JIJI!!" As soon as Khushi saw Payal, she launched herself at her sister. Payal too ran towards her sister, tears streaming down her face as she muttered fervent prayers to Khushi's Devi Maiyya. Thank you for returning her back to me. Thank you so much. Despite the bandages plastered all over her body and the crutch she leaned against for support, there was an aura of happiness emanating from her sister. When Buaji had called with the news that Khushi was returning, Payal had been ecstatic, so overwhelmed with joy she had been unable to speak. And then came the shock and the fear as Buaji had explained Khushi's fragile mental condition. But the overpowering happiness was back now, tinged with gratitude, as Payal drank in the sight of her sister's glowing face. Perhaps she was selfish, but Payal was glad that Khushi had lost her memory, for the girl standing before Payal was Khushi again, not the shadow she had faded away into.

"Jiji, I can't believe you got married without me! But, it's ok, I'm so happy for you! Nanheji told me how you met Akash Jeejaji and how you two got married. It's so romantic! Where is Jeejaji anyway? I want to meet him!"

Before any of them could fabricate a plausible excuse to cover for Akash's absence, another voice spoke. "I'm right here Khushiji."

Khushi turned around abruptly, nearly falling flat on her face in the process. Four pairs of hands reached out to steady her, but it was Akash who caught her in his arms, preventing her from hurting herself. Khushi quickly righted herself, examining Akash from head to toe, as if he were a mannequin on display.

"Wow, Jiji!" she exclaimed. "You picked yourself a very handsome husband!" She turned back to Akash, her eyes twinkling, and introduced herself. "I'm Khushi, your saali." Before Akash could respond, she continued excitedly, "So Jeejaji, Nanheji, oh did I introduce you to Nanheji?" She turned once again and dragged NK over to Akash. The two men silently appraised each other, NK's eyes pleading with Akash as Khushi introduced the two cousins to each other, cousins who now pretended to be strangers meeting for the first time for the sake of the woman they both loved.

The ride home was as quiet as the ride to Lakshminagar had been, the tension in the air almost palpable. When Akash finally halted the car on the rolling driveway in front of Shantivan, Payal took a deep breath. But before she could break the silence, Akash spoke.

"I understand Payal. You didn't tell me because you were afraid I would tell Bhai. And you haven't forgiven him."

It was not a question and she did not need to answer. He could see the affirmation in her clear, brown eyes.

"But you're wrong Payal. I have no intention of telling Bhai anything."

As this assertion, Payal finally spoke, the surprise evident in her tone of voice. "You won't tell Arnavji? But why?"

"Because I owe this to her." He did not need to elaborate. That simple statement was enough for her and she placed her hand on his in a gesture of comfort.

"I'm sorry." He nodded, accepting her apology, and clasped her hand in his own. They both sat there for several moments, hands entwined, their hearts filled with hope after months of emptiness. They had been granted with a second chance and this time, it would not be fate that dictated their lives but their own decisions.