Smitar's: Saving Khushi#1 Part 7 Pg 122 Link to # 2 on Pg 1 - Page 26

Panic...yeah thats it...Khushi...Arnav...even Shyam...in panic indeed...beautiful interpretation Rashmi...

New story.. Yayyy!!! I so wish Khushi wud meet Arnav before that monstrous snake Shyam got to her.. Hope Khushi is fine & safe.. Let Arnav find her soon...

i guess a direct confrontation with shyam is on the cards...please update soon...hope arnav gets to know where khushi is as soon as possible...

Loved it.

Fab update! I hope that arnav finds khushi!

another concept and another twist by smita dii

wow such a nice interpretation di!! and apt name give "panic" even i was panicked when shyam kept chloroform to kushi and took her in his car!! Hehehehe:)

Originally posted by: deepa.e

wow such a nice interpretation di!! and apt name give "panic" even i was panicked when shyam kept chloroform to kushi and took her in his car!! Hehehehe:)

But am serious i was panicked!! then later on thought it woulb be interesting the way smitar will carry forward the story so relaxed!!

One thing for sure is there will be more panic too as the story go forward!!

Seri next update epo??

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation for Part 3.

This update is about an intrigue, the act of devising plots or schemes, and a crafty plot to achieve your ends, in a word, MACHINATION.

Shyam was like a cat on hot bricks. He was pacing his room and was breaking out in cold sweat as he thought how the day had proceeded. His intention was to trick Khushi and relieve her of the file and had never been to kidnap Khushi. The chloroform was meant to disorient her, just enough to get his hands on the file without any resistance from her. But how was he to know that she would be out like a light with just a whiff of few seconds! What he had thought to be a simple maneuver turned all his plans upside down and had to think quickly on his feet. Once she became unconscious how could he leave her in the car park amidst heat and expose her to the danger of being run over by other cars. He could not put her on the side walk without attracting attention towards him and all knew him at Arnav's office and if seen it would definitely intrigue the bystander. He had been forced to drive away with Khushi and it had been necessary to save his skin. A necessary but a dangerous step and as a result of an impulsive reaction to seeing Khushi approach Arnav's office with the dangerous file, he had got his knickers in a twist!! Like a rat with its back against the wall he had reacted wildly! Nothing seemed to be under control or as per the plan. He had neither planned it nor was prepared for it! But he had been lucky to be able to escape without being noticed. It was a day when the office premises were crowded and with the traffic heavy at that particular moment in Arnav's building he was able to camouflage the kidnapping of Khushi. The lax security as well as car park having many exits had helped him dodge any prying eyes. Taking a deep breath he thought now onwards he needed to be careful and he needed a proper game plan. Shyam mussed his hair with his fingers as his nose twitched nervously.

He thought now that the papers were part of cooling cinders he was safe. He was safe from discovery, but what about Khushi? What was he to do with her now? What were his options? He stopped pacing and caught hold of the back of his chair. He thought would Khushi abandon Arnav and go away with him? Would she listen to him? That was highly improbable. Leaving Delhi with Khushi meant living without the pot of gold and his personal ATM in RM, Anjali. That would be like he himself shooting his two feet. A sure way for financial ruin and to live without the luxuries and the good life, that was unpalatable... He wondered what if he released Khushi. She would definitely not keep her mouth shut. She was one blabber mouth. She would prattle around that he had tried to kidnap her, that he has his eyes on Arnav's wealth. Then he would not only lose his money and Khushi but also Rani Sahiba. He could neither afford to get into the wrong books of his wife as she was his goose that laid the golden eggs nor could he awaken the sleeping tigress in her to keep an eye on the debits of their joint account! He wondered was there not a way to keep Rani Sahiba and Khushi with him? Khushi could not be persuaded. So force was the only option. He would have to physically force Khushi to accept him as her husband. For that he needed time, to think and plan carefully, a foolproof plan that would let him keep both Anjali and Khushi. One for his purse and other for his heart. One to adore him and the other for him to adore! With a smile that he patted his own back, wah! Shyam, wah! What an idea! After all he possessed a legal brain and was intelligent, more intelligent that all the idiots in RM. He was the one who had the ability to maneuver unfavourable situations in his favour. All he needed was some time to think and plan to have cake and eat it too... those nincompoops in RM would start missing Khushi soon and making enquiries would be set in motion. Shyam smiling like a cat that got its fill of cream smiled thinking that they could enquire all they wanted, but he was safe. There was nothing to link him with Khushi's disappearance nor could anyone be privy to his secret plans as there was no proof. He called Rocky to ensure that Khushi was unconscious. As he cut the call, came floating in the air, the whine, Shyamji. Asking him to come downstairs she said all had assembled there and were very worried for Khushiji. Shyam was cheesed off. She was driving him up the wall with her whining and he wondered if ever he could get rid of this whining hag without losing out on the money! If he succeeded then he would be on cloud nine without taking the flak for the situation!

When Arnav returned home that night, after making a detour to Laxmi Nagar reassuring the Guptas' that he would find Khushi soon, the whole family was wide awake, gathered in the living room. Payal looked exhausted after weeping for hours together wondering what her sister would be going through. Shyam sat in a chair behind Nani with his arms crossed, his eyes observing each and everyone, but his face displayed a false concern, a ruse he resorted to that easily hoodwinked the family. Seeing Arnav, Mami exclaimed, Arnav Bitwaa, did you get any news? All the members of the family sans Shyam flocked around Arnav. Arnav observing Shyam from the corner of his eyes, in a soft voice said, that the Police Commissioner thinks Khushi has been kidnapped. As he saw Shyam's face ashen, Arnav was a relieved man and heaved a sigh of relief. His ploy to catch Shyam unaware by mentioning the Police Commissioner confirmed that Shyam was behind the kidnap. Arnav now focused his attention towards the tearful faces looking at him with a feeling of doom written on them. Continuing to gauge Shyam's reaction, Arnav said that, the Commissioner was of thought that a ransom note could be expected soon and she must have been kidnapped as she was Arnav Singh Raizada's wife. Arnav's strategy to feed Shyam with information and egg him to react was succeeding beyond belief.

Hearing this note of caution given by the Police Commissioner, Shyam who was quaking in his boots, jumped up and questioned his Saale Sahib, why did he have to bring in the Commissioner. The words came out of him with unconscious volition taking the family by surprise. He strove to gain control of the situation by explaining his artifice and outright fakery of concern under the guise of Khushi's safety, what if the kidnappers kill Khushiji just because he had approached the police for help. Shyam tried to look like a very concerned member of the family but one with utmost common sense and concern for the safety of Khushi. Anjali who was confused with the conflicting statements asked Shyam what else could Chotey do otherwise. When he would not be able to do house to house search, seeking police help as reasonable approach. Mami too added her bit saying, that is the job of the police force to find the missing people. Nani nodded. NK and Akash sided with Arnav. Arnav calmly explained to Shyam, that he had neither received any call from the kidnappers nor had been asked not to seek the help of the police to trace his missing wife, and added, so far. All nodded and Shyam's was the lone voice against the step taken. Arnav had dropped the first of his hints of what he needed Shyam to adopt on his own volition. To make Shyam commit mistakes unknowingly was a part of his secret plan.

Arnav sat on the recliner with his face buried in his hands. He wondered where was Khushi. Was she safe? Was she scared? Was she hungry? His heart called out to Khushi and asked her not to be scared and he would reach her as quickly as humanly possible. He would leave no stone unturned to trace out and reach her. He felt helpless at being tied up with unknown facts while not knowing how she was. He had to wait patiently for The Commissioner and the sleuth he had hired privately to give him her location and information on what had happened that day. While he was wallowing in the misery, Laxmi who was missing Khushi, walked in and sat down at his feet. He promised her that he would bring her back. As he was saying so, his phone rang and it was from the sleuth he had hired. As he barked out Arnav Singh Raizada, the low voice of the PI (Private Investigator) informed that a cloth and a bottle with chloroform was found in the car belonging to Shyam Manohar Jha parked in his drive. Arnav shut his eyes feeling every nerve, every sinew stretch in alertness, ready to squeeze the life out of Shyam Manohar Jha, the worm. He was baying for Shyam's blood and would have gladly had Shyam's head in a platter if it had not any repercussion on the captive Khushi. He now realized that Khushi's intention was to meet him, and Shyam had used force on her to carry her off. Why did Shyam have to use chloroform on Khushi to make her accompany him if they were lovers as he had time and again insinuated? The sharp Harvard trained mind of Arnav set to work. Shyam had lied to him on his relationship with Khushi on Payal and Akash's wedding night. He had taken advantage of the situation and an overwrought Arnav had fallen for his tricks. Arnav clenched his jaw hard realizing Shyam had a twisted him around with his act of subterfuge so far and swore that he would make Shyam pay for hurting Khushi, for cheating his Di, for lying about Khushi and making him shed tears of blood. Filled with pain, with the knowledge of putting an innocent on the guillotine he whispered, Khushi... and with a cry from his heart he swore, that he would reach her soon and asked her not to lose her courage. Hearing his cry of pain, Laxmi turned her head and her beady eyes giving him the much needed assurance that he could find her Khushiji.

Shyam, who was proud of his ability to twist situations to his advantage, strutted across his room jubilant thinking Arnav had solved his problem. He thought Arnav with his logical reasoning had unwittingly shown him the way ahead, the path to tread. He was shown many options and all were profitable. Arnav's thoughts intrigued him. All that was necessary now was to make a ransom call and then he could rip crores off Arnav and take away Khushi too! Or he could take the ransom off Arnav and dupe him to sign a document making Shyam the beneficiary of his property on his death. He could then finish Arnav, and carry Khushi off. It was a win-win situation all the way. He was like a dog with two tails. Feeling as happy as a flea in a doghouse, he laughed and his madness reflected in his wild guffaws. He thought now Arnav was trapped. He and he alone held all the aces. He would make Arnav jump through the hoops, dance like a puppet to his tune. No one else would be privy to the skullduggery behind his actions. Thrilled to bits at that very thought Shyam patted himself on his back. With the thought that he deserved a good night's sleep so that his brilliant brain could come up with a plan that would help him swindle Arnav's of his money and his girl, he retired for the night!

A few minutes after midnight, Arnav received another call. It was the call he had tempted and prompted Shyam to arrange. The gloating peacock had fallen into the trap. As he announced, Arnav Singh Raizada here, he heard a voice saying that, they had his wife with them as captive and if he wishes to see her alive, he needed to bring five crores in a box that day in the evening. It was Rocky, Shyam's right hand man who was doing Shyam's bidding. As Arnav stuttered, what, how, he was told, that the details would be given later as to where he had to bring the money. Arnav countered how was he to know that the call was genuine and Khushi was with him? Rocky gave a boisterous laugh and asked him to check his cell as he would receive a picture soon. Arnav swallowed hard wondering in what state Khushi would be. He was further instructed that if he wanted to see her alive, he better not involve the police and he needed to go alone. And if he tried any dirty tricks his wife would pay for his smartness. Threatening Arnav so, Rocky cut the call without giving him a chance to talk anymore. When Arnav checked his phone, there was a photo of Khushi who lay crumpled in a heap in one corner of some dingy room, unconscious, gagged, with her hands were tied behind, and her feet were tied together. Seeing her state his heart missed its beat. His pain filled whisper, Khushi... made Laxmi turn her head to look at him. Soon, the Police Commissioner contacted Arnav with what they believed was Khushi's location traced from the call made by Rocky. They also had Shyam's phone records to substantiate their claim. The trickster was tricked to take a false step. Shyam had fallen prey to Arnav's well-planned scheme.

Next, Arnav called Akash and NK to his room. He made them sit down and told everything, right from seeing Shyam hug Khushi on the terrace to the information that the Police Commissioner had given him. He told them that he wanted this episode to be kept under wraps as he did not want the media to get wind of it. He was going to fetch Khushi. After she was rescued they could tackle Shyam with the help of the police. Akash and NK could not believe their ears. They just could not comprehend that their Jeejaji was a scoundrel and had an eye on Khushiji. He had even resorted to kidnapping her and extort a ransom was too much for them to digest. They just could not believe that they had a fox in sheepskin amidst them and their Di was not only married to him but was also besotted with him. She worshipped him and he was strutting around like a peacock trying to attract other women! But both knew that if Bhai/Nannav said so, then it would be nothing but the truth and they need not question it as he would not make such allegations against Di's husband without proof. Arnav asked them to stay there at RM and take care of Di and the rest and also keep a close watch on Shyam and his activities. Akash catching hold of Arnav's arm told him that he will not let him go alone. He would accompany him as they will have guns and he would be in danger. NK who was always goofing was for once serious when he told he too would join them and it was not really safe to go alone. But Arnav shook his head and asked them to stay there. He told them the strategy was to keep Shyam is under the impression that he has no idea of what was going on and he could easily be taken for a ride. It would be of advantage to let him feel that he had the upper hand. He instructed that when others wake up and ask after him, to tell them that he had got a ransom call, and has gone to arrange the cash. They agreed to do as per his bidding. He asked both to keep a close eye on Shyam and once he has something substantial to tell he would call them. They nodded. Finally Arnav asked Akash to go to Gupta House in the morning and ask them not to come to RM as he doesn't want anyone to know that Happy Singh had driven Khushi to Laxmi Nagar before dropping her at his office. He didn't want it to be slipped out in conversation lest Shyam be alarmed. He wanted Shyam to be complacent and laid back. Stringing Shyam along would enable them to easily trap him. Akash assured him that would be done first thing in the morning.

When Arnav drove his rental car to the outskirts of Delhi to the location that had been zeroed in on, dawn was breaking and the dark sky was lightening with the diffused light, the twilight between night and sunrise. Leaving the car in a secluded spot a bit away from the warehouse where Khushi was being held captive, he stealthily walked towards the building. It was located in an isolated patch of land away from the town. The building though huge was in a dilapidated condition. It looked unoccupied and walking on soft foot he started to inspect the exits, the door and dirty windows, some with missing panels and some panels hanging by just one hinge. A decrepit shack placed a bit away looked like a washroom. He peeked through one window of the main building and found broken chairs and tables with cartons and other packaging material strewn about in the room. As he peeked through another, he found two men dozing, their heads resting on their arms on the table, where two guns, three empty bottle of alcohol, and 5 used glasses littered. When Arnav moved to the next window, three men were slumped in their chairs with their heads lolling, while a lone woman was sitting away from them and only a part of her body was visible. Leaning forward a bit and straining his neck he tried to assess how many were guarding Khushi. He found six, five men and a woman on guard. As he tried the next window, he saw Khushi laying the same way as she had been in the picture that was sent to him. She was trussed up tightly, gagged with a bind but was alive and safe! His heart thumped with joy, while his limbs trembled with relief. As he watched moving closer to see her clearly, she stirred.

When Khushi opened her eyes, her head was hurting as though someone had slammed it with a boulder. She was disoriented and wondered where was she? Where was Arnavji? This was neither their room nor RM... As she looked around confused in the dim light, all she was conscious was that her head and her body hurt. She tried to move her arms, but they were tied behind her back. Her legs were bound together and her mouth gagged! Then she remembered Shyamji! The blackguard! He had caught her before she could enter Arnavji's office. He had hurt her arm and pushed her in to the car... She looked around. And realized that must have brought her here. As her eyes became accustomed to the light she saw the five men and the woman guarding her asleep. As she squirmed to wriggle out of the bind she realized that her limbs were tied tight and the gag was cutting into her mouth. She twisted and turned on the ground to loosen them. Her attempts woke the female guard who looking at the helpless girl, came near her and bit out maliciously, so the sleeping beauty has finally come out of her stupor. As Khushi tried to speak her gag choked her words and the woman asked does she need to answer the call of nature? As Khushi bobbed her head in answer, the woman picked up her gun and aimed it at Khushi. Arnav who was watching had his heart in his mouth. The woman warned Khushi not to try to be smart and attempt an escape as she would not hesitate to shoot. As a wide-eyed Khushi nodded, she emphasized her point saying that they were far away from Delhi and no one would be able to rescue her. If she tries to high tail it out of there she would shoot her mercilessly like a dog or she would die of thirst and hunger in the adjoining jungles and she would never reach the city alive. Did she follow what was being said, Khushi was asked. The tactic was to scare the daylight out of Khushi. Khushi nodded all through her warning. She was tired, weak and hungry. The woman untied the ropes that bound her legs and wrists and seeing Khushi sag against the wall writhing in pain at the feel of blood flowing through the numb parts, Arnav who was watching silently, winced. The woman dragged Khushi up, and led her to the door of the building. She opened it and pushed Khushi out. Held up by the strong woman, Khushi made her way to the rest room. The door was pushed open and Khushi was nudged inside and locked in. She was told to knock when ready to come out. Though Khushi agreed to comply the female guard was not the one to believe her and kept a vigil.

The woman waited a while and then she stretched her arms flexing her muscles. As she dropped her arms and relaxed, Arnav decided that now was the right time, caught her from behind in a wrestler's tackle. As she tried to grapple he trapped her neck in his strong arms and twisted it, leaving her unconscious on the ground. It was a silent move with just a gasp that could be heard. When Khushi tapped the door, Arnav unlocked it and both stood staring at each other for a moment, unable to believe their eyes. Khushi threw herself in to his open arms and he hugged her tight for a long moment before he held her a bit away from him to remove the gag. Her stuttering raspy whisper through a dry throat Arnavji, you came had him cup her face and tell her that they needed to move fast and there was no time to waste. The plan was to get away before the rest of the kidnapping gang woke up and the sunlight filtered through.

In this update we saw how Shyam was unable to keep up to his original plan and had to change the strategy and play by the ear. Nothing seemed to be as per his chalked out plan.

We saw Arnav cleverly able to check every move of Shyam's and under the guise of ignorance he cleverly manipulated Shyam to commit the mistakes that he had not done till now. He made him call Rocky and instruct to make a ransom call while through Shyam's call they traced the number and when Rocky called Arnav through that number they were able to locate the place where Khushi was held captive. Arnav seeking the help of the Police Commissioner was strategic and gained access to Shyam's call sheet. He even enlisted his brothers' help to tackle the issue. Keeping Shyam under scrutiny, under the cover of darkness he was able to reach out to Khushi and try to make a getaway. It was indeed a crafty and an involved plot to achieve his end by Arnav Singh Raizada, hoodwinking the con man Shyam Manohar Jha.

That is why this is titled MACHINATION.

"It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him"

~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.