#2Arshi FF:- 'KTTR' Epilogue page 106 10/30/213 - Page 46

The scene caused many eyes tear up while few people snorted with disgust. La hugged NK and started weeping for her friend even NK had tears in his eyes. Finally their friend was getting what she was craving for years. But Khushi wasn't paying attention to anyone after running into the open arms of her babu ji. She was just weeping in his arms earnestly saying again and again '' babu ji I didn't do anything I was innocent babu ji''.

Shashi Gupta couldn't be more happy. He never told anything to anyone neither did he accuse anyone but in his heart he was never happy since last 5 years not even when Payal gave birth to his grandson. He only blamed himself for not protecting his daughter. He thought that he failed both as a father and as a guardian. And now after seeing Khushi looking at him with those emotion filled eyes he couldn't help but to open his arms for the girl whom he adopted almost 16 years ago. He kissed her head and tilted her face upwards and said looking into her tear filled eye,'' I know bitiya I always knew my Khushi can never degrade me as a father.'' Hearing this Khushi started weeping more bitterly.
''Shh... Chup... Shh'' Shashi kept on patting her head.
'' what are you doing she almost destroyed our payalia's married life and you are wipping her tear. She doesn't...
'' You stay out of this. I know what I m doing and I know who was right and who was wrong'' Shasi cut Garima mid sentence.
Arnav felt relief after seeing and hearing this. Finally Khushi found one ray of happiness. He wanted to apologize to her since the time he came to NY and after hearing everything from Khushi's own mouth he couldn't found courage to see her let alone talk. But he had hoped that may be after today he might be able to face her to apologize to her.

Flash Back

"Hello Aman, I need a favor." Arnav said as soon as the phone call was picked. "I want Shashi Uncle,Garima Auntie and buaji to be here in Sydney for NK's engagement arrange everything necessary. Talk to Di or Mami whatever you needed to do but make sure they are here."

Flash Back ends

He smiled while remembering his conversation with Shashi uncle

Flash Back

"Namastay Uncle," Arnav greeted Shashi ji after entering the room. He had asked Garima and Buaji to leave them alone.

"Uncle I need to tell you something," He kneeled down beside Shashi ji, "Uncle 5 years back when I.. when we' Khushi hasn't done anything wrong uncle . She was innocent may be more innocent than any other girl. I have seen proves and also have met the witness." He said with his eyes downcast with shame and he told him all the story from the point of seeing her in Shyaam's arms to the night when he threw her out of RM. He told him everything that Shonali and Shyam told him.

"Did you think I had believed what you all were hell bound to make me believe?"Shashi ji's anger filled voice asked him and he moved his gaze to the old man eyes, "I know my Khushi can never think about such low act let alone doing it herself. I have taught her and she can never let down my teachings. What you all don't know is I knew from the very 1^st day of your forceful marriage that my Khushi is innocent. I was sure she can never do that. It is I who brought her up with these hands. It was her bauji's and mine teachings she's been brought up. She was much sensible even at the age of 8 years. But still she was a child. But her habbits always

shocked me to the core. She was never a child who complains. Whatever comes in her way be it Garima's anger or jiji's taunts. She might not be my daughter but she's been not less than that. I may not swear on Payal but I can swear on Khushi that she can't do anything to let us
down. Normaly its the parents who adopted a child to prove to world that they are treating the child as their own but in case of Khushi my poor girl had to prove all her life that she considered us as her real parents.''
It seemed like Shashi ji's pent up emotions were let lose. He was never the one to lose his control but he couldn't do it anymore. Tears were rolling down his cheeks and he seemed much older than his real age.

Arnav felt more terrible than before.

'' Uncle I promise I will make everything fine. I will make her life full of happiness''
'' Will it remove the pain which she suffered, which you all made her suffer?''
Flash Back Ends
Arnav let out a sigh. He didnt have the answer to that question neither then nor now. But he was going to try for Khushi and for himself.

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It took some time to make Khushi stop crying.

That was when Mrs. Sharuf spoke in Mami's ear though it was loud enough for lots of people to hear "Now see this girl is doing the upshagun on a very important day for my Son. She chose this day to do all the drama

Khushi wiped her tears abruptly and NK and La rushed towards her.

"Maa" NK looked in anger towards his mother.

"What did I do I just told the truth," His mother just shrugged and replied

"Wait till you all see the real truth," He said in a hush voice just for his mom and mami and then turned towards Khushi "I am sorry Khushi wo.."

"No need to say sorry NK I know she is your mother she definitely doesn't want any apshagun in your engagement. I am sorry Auntie"

She told his mother who just huffed in return and composed herself. NK and La started a light conversation making her smile lightly

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Soon the engagement time came. Both the bride and groom joked with each other causing the guests to burst out laughing. Truth was it was La' witty replies and NK's poor hindi and bad replies which prompted this laughter. Khushi was standing beside La as per her demand and Akash was standing beside NK but not as per his demand. He wanted Khushi by his side but his mother was the biggest hurdle in it plus La practically shut all his protest up by kissing him (not in front of guests off course) and saying she had found the sister in Khushi And it will give her satisfaction as well as protect khushi from his mothers ruthless taunts. NK had no choice left but to agree. After pushing the ring inside La's ring finger he saw the most beautiful sight, one which he wasn't sure he can ever see. La was smiling shyly looking at her ring with a blush on her cheeks. Khushi hugged both her friends and was very happy. Today was the most happy day after a long time for her. The guests begin to congratulate the couple and handing over the gifts. When everyone congratulated them NK and La were pushed towards dance floor to dance. The lights were dimmed and light romantic music was causing a soothing effect on all. Khushi was watching her best friends dancing together both having their dimpled smile entact. A lone tear of happiness rolled down her eyes which she wiped away.

'' May I have the pleasure to dance with this beautiful lady''

A hand appeared in front of her and she saw NK looking at her with smiling eyes. And it happened. Something which had never happened in last 5 years at least not the
genuine one. Khushi smiled the beautiful and charming smile she once had which soon followed by her tinkling laughter. The sight made four hearts to soar with happiness. La came running towards her and hugged her. Then she said, '' Come on Khushi this duffer is standing like a joker. Meri izat ki khatir na mat krna go now.''
Khushi nodded smiling at her and place her tiny hand in NK's who took her to dance floor. Soon many couples joined them too. La was watching Khushi laughing at something NK said and she averted her eyes to the man who literally won her heart with his immense love for the one girl they both cared about so much. She looked at NK with so much pride in her eyes knowing very well that he must have said something in his bad hindi, which was not the fact as his hindi was no more bad, to make Khushi laugh. She was feeling proud of him. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she couldnt see the person approaching her.

''Hey charming lady care to have a dance with this old man as his old wife is busy gossiping with her friend''
She saw her father holding his hand out and smilling warmingly.
''Oh papa'' she hugged him and went to dance floor.
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The engagement party was still on but Khushi felt like going to the front garden. She walked outside. The weather was pleasant. Some children were playing outside. She saw a kid pushed a girl who seemed
older than him to ground. ''Go away you are ruining our play'' he shouted at her. Khushi briskly walked towards them and helped the girl to stand on her feet.

'' Why did you do that haan? What if she got hurt? Apologize to her.'' She scolded the boy when she felt someone grabbed her elbow and forcefully turned her.
''How dare you scold my son and that too for this girl."

Payal Gupta Singh Raizada was fuming fire.

"You still have feelings for Shyaam ji haan? Thats why?''

''Jiji'' Khushi tried to speak.

''I am not your jiji. You are no one to me you get that. First you stole my parents from me and when it was the time to enjoy my married life you ruined it with your selfishness. Then you did the last act to ruine my everything in my sasural. I thank to god that everything came in front of all otherwise I have no idea how much u can stoop low. Babuji has forgiven you it doesnt mean that you are again acceptable in our house. You are deeply hatred.''

Payal spoke loudly. She was fuming like hell since the time she saw Babuji hugging and loving
Khushi and weeping with her. She was failed to get that warm touch in past 5 years and here Khushi got that all in just few seconds. Jealousy and hatred had burned her insides. She couldnt see the pale
face of Khushi.

'' I am sorry Mrs. Raizada that I called you jiji but I am not sorry for scolding your son for what he did was wrong.
''Mom'' the little girl ran beside the talking ladies to the open arms of her mother. Khushi and Payal both turned at the same time.

''Mom Abhi pushed me hard and when that aunty scolded him Maami scolded her for doing so.''

She complained weeping in the warmth of her mother. Anjali looked at Khushi and Payal. Payal hurriedly walked towards her and said ''No di I was not scolding Khushi for scolding Abhi for what he did. I don't want her around our children. You know the kind of girl she is'' Payal said
hurriedly.

kind of girl Khushi's heart broke several times again and she was feeling it hard to breath with the tears choking her throat.

'' I am sorry Mrs. Raizada and Mrs. Jha for casting my shadow on your children. It won't happen again.''
With that she again walked inside. How happy she was moments ago and now every memory came back hurting her all over again. Once she came inside she came face to face with the hatred glare of her mother and buaji. No not her mother and buaji. Mrs. Gupta and Madhumati ji. Her mind corrected her which made her heart bleed again. She went towards stairs and climbed it. She ran inside the room given to La, sat down on bed and started weeping. That's when she heard
it.

''Khushi''

Her name being called in the voice of man she once loved with all her heart. Now what does he wanted to say?
'' Yes Mr. Raizada what you want to say? If you came here to tell me how low class I am that you have told me many time. It's now written in my blood. If you want to say I am cheap and characterless girl even that you have told and shown me many times. If you are here to say that you want to make me pay for what I did let me assure you that I am paying since last 5 years for things I know I did and for things I
don't know I ever did. Nevertheless I am paying but if you still want me to pay then tell me
how I can pay to finally escape this world because now it's getting too much for my bearing. Now tell me what I can do. If you want me to leave this country and go to some far, far away I will do that. I am sorry that my father still loves me. May be I have done some charm or

so you all will believe. But please let know how to escape all the hate I am receiving from you all."
She broke down completely.
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Arnav was feeling restless. He just received a call from Juhi that everything was ready. He told NK the same to which he nodded and rechecked his own settings. He had very limited time left to talk to her. That's when he saw her climbing the stairs and running inside a room he came towards it too. He needed to speak to her. He came inside and saw her weeping earnestly.
He called her out and that when she burst out. He was left frozen in his spot. What had they done to her? A girl full of life and always optimistic about everything in life was talking like

this. He closed his eyes.
'' I am sorry Khushi'' he spoke the words loud and clear.

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"I am sorry Khushi."

These were the words which penetrated her ears and made her stop crying. He was sorry.

She looked towards him standing a few feet away from her with his head bent low and her anger came rushing back making her walk briskly towards him.

"Nahi Mr. Raizada why are YOU sorry? Ap to bhagwan hai na aur bhagwan to kuch galat nahi kr sakta to phi rap bhi kuch galat nahi kr saktay. Aur maafi to wo mangtay hain jo galti pr hotay hain jaisay main. Then why are you sorry? You shouldn't be sorry."

She said in low voice

"No Khushi I was wrong. I was always wrong with you. The only time when I treated you rightly was those few weeks after our marriage. I am sorry for hurting you before our marriage. I am sorry for giving the footage of you falling in my arms in Lakhnow. I am sorry for making you handle the parking lot in rain. I am sorry for sending you to the guest house when it was about to demolish and hence endangering your life. I am sorry for shouting at you at every possible opportunity. I am sorry for every time I asked you to get out of my car. I am sorry for ruining the auspicious occasion of your sisters marriage by forcefully marrying you. I am sorry for not believing you and accusing you for things you could never do. I am sorry for' for' our baby Khushi. I am sorry for everything. I am so sorry."

He said pleadingly.

"Sorry is not enough Mr. Raizada. Its not just enough.

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