Khushi knew the fact that life surprises us when we expect it the least. She loved those moments always. Whatever came her way she always accepted it whole-heartedly, loving it just the way it has been gifted to her.
But this particular moment for the first time, she hated this fact with all her heart. The earth beneath her feet shook once she realized that the man following Anjali was none other than Shyam Jha, the guy she met 2 years ago.
While living with Payal, she worked in a Fashion House for 2 years and had met Shyam for a project. In a span of 2 weeks, Khushi realized that there was something that was not letting Shyam live in peace.
And today while standing in front of him made her realize that what it is - Anjali.
After recovering from the shock that the stalker of Anjali was none other than Shyam Jha, she asked him to explain everything to her. They went to a cafe nearby the college and ordered a cup of coffee to shoo away the waiter from hovering around them.
"Arnav won't be very happy if he got to know that his wife met me." Shyam said looking concerned making Khushi snort and roll her eyes.
"So you know that. What is your relation with Anjali Didi?" With her piercing gaze on him, Khushi asked sternly.
"She is my wife." Shyam answered, looking down guiltily.
"WHAT!!!! Are you serious?" Khushi asked yelling and glowering at Shyam at the same time.
Shyam continued looking at her without blinking his eyes as if to show he was telling the truth making Khushi let out a tired sigh while hiding her face with her palms. Not looking up at him at all, she mumbled "Tell me the whole story."
The waiter came to their table, placing two cups of coffee and smiled at them. Shyam looked on as Khushi was busy in staring at him.
As the waiter went away, Shyam started speaking hesitantly "Anjali and I got married five years ago. "
Shyam continued, sighing tiredly as Khushi didn't said anything while looking lost in his memories.
Memories that defined him.
Memories that kept him alive, burning every second of his life in repentance, guilty of hurting the person he loved the most.
"Six years ago, I met Anjali during a college seminar where she was invited to speak as an ex-student. I ran an event management agency. The college had hired my agency to arrange everything for the seminar. In the seminar, I was stunned to see her speaking English literature like it ran in her blood. She was the girl who not only read books but lived a life along with them. Somehow, I managed to impress her.
In 6 months, we both fell in love with each other and realized that we cannot live without each other. My parents visited Shantivan with a marriage proposal for Anjali on my insistence. Her parents happily accepted our relationship and we got married in 3 months.
The first 15 months of our marriage was like a dream for both of us. Every day, we fell in love with each other more and more. But after that everything started going downhill. My company was sued by one of our clients and that affected our market reputation. My company suffered through a huge loss because of it. I started spending much more time in my office and became edgy, rude with everyone.
The thought that the company I had built with so much care is going through so much loss and troubles shattered me. Anjali tried to support me but I started fighting with her on every small matter.
I started distancing myself from Anjali, snapping at her every time but she'd not said anything.
She suggested taking help from Arnav but I refused not wanting to take help from anyone. I was working hard to get a big project but at the end some other company got it and that was the time I lost control on my anger. That day when I came home, Anjali started enquiring about it and I refused to answer her, walking away. She came after me, concerned about me. In haze of anger, I pushed her away not seeing that we were at the top of stairs. I went inside the room ignoring everything. Half an hour later, I heard Arnav shouting downstairs and came out to see Arnav carrying Anjali in his arms and walking out of the door.
Seeing Anjali howling in pain, I rushed towards her but was stopped by Arnav's guards. Later, I got to know that Anjali was pregnant and had a miscarriage. I knew that it all happened because of me. I tried to meet her but Arnav made sure that I won't. He destroyed everything I had- my company, my house everything. I wanted to bring Anjali back but I knew that first I need to gather all the shattered pieces of my life.
I started everything from scratch. It took me 2 years to get back all what I had. Every day, I tried to meet Anjali and apologize to her but it looked like my apologies didn't affect her a bit. She acted like I never existed in her life but still I pursued her and will keep begging for forgiveness till she doesn't forgive me and agree to give me another chance."
"Are you freaking insane? Can't you see that she doesn't want to give you another chance? Just leave her alone." Khushi growled at him, her blood boiling after knowing the whole story. Her fists clenched as she barely stopped herself from slapping the man in front of her. Her heart silently wept for Anjali after knowing from what she has went through.
Shyam shook his head smiling sadly "You don't understand. Because of me, she has stopped living her life. Have you seen her lately? All those pale colors, all those blank expressions- it's not Anjali. She loved bright colors, always had been a chirpy girl. I just want her to be happy and I am willing to do anything to get her back."
"I don't know anything about that but I am warning you to stay away from my sister-in-law unless you want me to file a stalking case against you and get you arrested. Even If I don't do anything, Arnavji won't leave you alive if he got a whiff that you are following Anjali Didi." Khushi warned fuming, her eyes flashing at him.
Chuckling, Shyam replied "Nothing can affect me. I am as good as a dead man, Khushi. I want to see her as the real, chirpy Anjali. She is just living her life not enjoying it and this is not what I want for her. I want to get back with her so that I can do right by her. I just want to give her all the happiness she deserved always and this is the only aim of my life."
Khushi stood up, pointing her finger at him warning him again "Stay away from Anjali Didi. I don't want you around her. I will kill you if I see you near her."
Not hearing anything more from him, Khushi stormed out of the cafe, her hands shaking in anger. The nerve of that man, after doing all this how can he even expect anyone to forgive him?
For the rest of the evening, Khushi kept thinking about it. She wanted to tell Arnav everything before he gets to know about it from others. But is it right to tell him everything? Is it right to not give Shyam another chance?
She had seen that guilt, remorse in his eyes for doing everything he had done with Anjali but was it enough to forgive him?
Her head spun with all the questions arising to which she didn't have any answers. She wanted Anjali to be happy but for that, trusting the man who has been the cause of pain in Anjali's life didn't seem right to her.
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Next day, Khushi was starting on arrangements to be made for the fashion show when Aman showed up in her cabin, briefing her about the previous fashion shows that AR took part in, giving her an idea about everything.
Before leaving, Aman informed her of the appointments he had made with various sponsors, fashion designers and cloth manufacturers for next few days. Khushi frowned, confused about why Aman was doing all this when she looked up and saw Aman in Arnav's cabin, both talking seriously.
Then it struck making her stare at Arnav in awe. He was helping her silently.
"Come in." Arnav said, his eyes trained on the file in his hands. He was tired after working continuously since morning. His fingers massaged his forehead gently.
He felt someone walking in and looked up to see the office peon keeping a cup of coffee on the table.
"But I didn't ask for it." Arnav said, frowning as the peon looked at him, scared and pointed to the opposite cabin before leaving his cabin.
He gulped some air, taking in the fresh aroma of coffee which wore off some of his tiredness. His eyes fell on a small chit kept near the cup. Out of curiosity, he picked it up and opened it. It read
"Thanks for the help and I make good coffee too."
Instinctively, He looked up to see Khushi in the opposite cabin, standing near the glass window and looking at him, her eyes twinkling.
She smiled brightly at him before walking back to her desk and concentrating on the work.
Taking a sip he looked back at the file in his hand, a smile tugging on his lips. His heart warmed up after seeing this gesture of Khushi.
He felt something.
Something Unusual.
Something close to happiness.
But he didn't know what it was.
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"That's all for now, Aman. Inform Mr Sahni about it ASAP." Arnav concluded, closing the file and handing it to Aman. Nodding, Aman took the file.
"Do I have any meetings left, Aman?"
"Yes, ASR. I have shifted all the meetings after 2 pm." Aman informed apprehensively.
"After 2 pm? Why?"
"Err, Mrs Raizada threatened me to keep an hour free of your schedule so that you can have your lunch and can take some rest." Aman informed, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"I didn't know you were so scared of her." Arnav said amusedly.
Laughing nervously, Aman replied "ASR, she doesn't threaten me like you. She emotionally blackmails me every time and before I can even realize, I agree with her."
"Interesting." Arnav murmured, rubbing his finger against his chin thoughtfully, looking highly amused. He stood up and walked to look towards Khushi's cabin and smiled seeing her engrossed in work.
It was very interesting to know more and more about her.
_______________________________________________________
Khushi was confused, very very confused to be precise. After seeing Arnav making efforts to involve her in his life, she didn't want to do anything that may destroy all his attempts to be happy.
Today, she tried to talk to Anjali but she didn't know what she was supposed to say about something that she wasn't fully aware of.
She wanted to tell Arnav everything about Shyam following Anjali but she didn't want to ruin the normalcy she has managed to bring in Arnav's life. What if he got angry on her?
But she didn't want to hide anything from Arnav either. Throughout the day, she kept thinking about it.
Eventually, she decided to tell Arnav everything. She hoped that Arnav will look into this matter calmly than doing something in his anger.
Arnav was working on his laptop when Khushi entered in the room, lost in her own thoughts and stopped near him. Her eyes traced over Arnav dressed in casuals, seeing his hands busy in typing something on his laptop hurriedly.
Preparing herself for the talk, she whispered "Arnavji."
"Hmm." Arnav hummed, still focusing on his work.
"I met Shyam Jha yesterday." Khushi said, hesitating a bit.
His hands stilled as his mind processed the words spoken by her. Slowly he turned towards her. Khushi was stunned to see Arnav looking relieved.
For the first time, she saw trust in his eyes for her.
"I was hoping that you would tell me about it." Arnav said softly.
And just like that, they had taken a major step in their relationship without even realizing it.
Not satisfied with the update but still posting.
Well i just want to say - thank you everyone for reading, loving this story.
Hadn't I been this sad since 17th November, I would have wrote a big thank you note for everyone.
Well, I am sad because you know Sachin Tendulkar retired. He is my inspiration, my idol.
And I am taking a short break- college related you see. I am not sure if i will update this friday, next tuesday due to this. I might update once before 29th november.
I will update on 29th november for sure. And then I will be completing this story in 2-3 weeks as soon as I can.
Aditi
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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