Khushi went in and had a merry time with all her friends. The girl gang danced and had fun in the wedding. They also pulled in Reshma, the bride, for a dance and generally helped around when needed. Finally the wedding got over after the pheras and all of them settled down to have the wedding feast.
Khushi checked her mobile since she didn't take it out for a long time. She saw 3 missed calls from Arnav and a message. The message was also from him. "Khushi. What time do you want me to come and pick you up?
He had sent that an hour ago. And she had failed to respond. Lard Governor will be in action soon she thought. Khushi decided not to trouble him and go back with one of her friends. She messaged him back saying Will come back with Tina in some time. No worries.
And Khushi went about having the dessert. She then took some gifts to take it back to the bride's room. The reception happened in the lawn and she had to walk back to the room that was a five minute walk away. She unlocked the room and put the gifts away. She locked the room again and was walking back when someone pulled her away. It was dark and she didn't know who it was.
"Who is it? Leave me." Khushi started struggling in earnest but the male arms were too strong for her. Khushi was just minutes away from the venue yet this place was dark and isolated. She really doubted if anyone could hear her shouts for help above the wedding noise.
Tears of frustration and helplessness seeped out. Obviously it was someone who had been watching her come out of the wedding hall. And the jerk had followed her all over the place. "Please...please leave me." She was trying to run but that man caught up with her and pulled her down.
He pushed her roughly over the grass and got over her. Khushi was stifled, afraid and she was crying continuously. "Please leave me. If someone finds you, you're dead."
The man whose face she could still not see clearly, laughed. "Who will come to find you at the back of the venue? No one is likely to come here. Today you are mine." He lunged forward but she bit his hand hard and got up to run.
She again ran but tripped over her lehenga and rolled down again. The man caught up with her and slapped her hard. He forcefully held her and tried to kiss her, when a pair of arms suddenly freed Khushi from that beast. Even before the man could realize, he received a huge blow on his face.
That man staggered back in force and tried to fight back. Arnav was too quick for him. Arnav slapped him and pushed him down. He crushed that man's balls with his shoes and left him collapsed in the grass.
A trembling and shaken Khushi was standing by the side watching all this. The minute Arnav got the man down, she ran to him. Arnav hugged her fiercely and both of them held each other for a few minutes. "Khushi are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Before she could reply, he held her at arm length and saw if she needed immediate medical help. Knowing there was nothing serious, he held her by the hand and led her to the car. Arnav had tried calling her seeing the message. Arnav had been worried when she didn't reply to his calls and message. He thought of coming over and had started. Only on almost reaching the venue, he saw her message.
Yet Arnav decided to come and give her a call. That's exactly what he had done. He guessed Khushi must have unknowingly pressed the answer button when she was fighting with that beast. Thank god for that. He had heard her cries and his heart had almost stopped functioning.
And then he had heard that bas***d say they were behind the venue. Arnav had not wasted a single second. He ran as if his life depended on that. And thank god, he had got her out relatively unscathed. He shuddered to think what would have happened had he not come, or had he not called.
For the first time he thanked god that he was able to save his Khushi on time. He would have been able to live with himself had something happened to her. Now when he took her to the car that was parked in the dark corner, he could see her clearly in the faint light coming from the car.
Arnav paled seeing her torn blouse, messy hair, tear streaked face and her sunken posture. She must have lost the dupatta while fighting for her honor. She tried covering herself to the extent she could. Arnav removed his jacket and gave it to her. He gently lifted her and put her in the car.
Arnav then got in and drove like a maniac back home. It was quite late and Nani had retired to bed. She was not worried since Arnav had gone to pick Khushi. Even Lavanya was nowhere to be seen. Arnav carried her to her room and shut the door with his foot. He then gently put her down.
Khushi went into the washroom without a word. The whole drive back she had a blank look on her face and she had not spoken one word. Arnav had been terribly worried. Even now he was waiting for her to come back to see if he could do something to make her feel better.
Arnav was still furious at that assole who had touched Khushi. He had called the inspector and had informed him what happened. Without harassing Khushi further, Arnav wanted to see if he could bring that man down. His first priority was however Khushi.
Khushi came out finally with a t shirt and her cotton pants. From the looks it seemed she had her shower. Khushi looked scrubbed and clean. But there was a faint bruise on her cheek where that man had slapped and some cuts and scratches due to her fall.
She saw Arnav and he came to her in three quick strides. "Khushi, do you need something? Wait let me get some ice and ointment for your bruises." He turned away but she stopped him.
"Don't leave me Arnie. I am scared." She sounded just like the 6 year old who had been huddled near the car. Arnav felt the same tenderness, love, and affection roll in waves. He held her in a warm, comforting hug and rubbed her back soothingly. "No Khushi, I won't leave you. I will take care of you."
And he lifted her towards the bed and tucked her in. Arnav briefly left to get a warm glass of milk and the medicines and ice. He urged her to finish the milk and applied the medicine over her bruises. Every time he saw a scratch or a bruise he felt his heart break into a million pieces. Had Arnav got hold of that man now, he was sure he would have killed that man with his bare hands.
Khushi felt a little better with Arnav next to her. She again lay down on the bed and caught his hand in hers. Khushi always did that when she had a nightmare or when she was scared. And Arnav very well understood she needed him. He too lay down next to her and both of them were asleep even before they knew it.
The sunlight came into the room bright and clear. Arnav suddenly heard the door open with a rush. He squinted his eyes and saw that it was Lavanya and her expression was furious. Arnav got up on the bed. He noted that Khushi was still sleeping by his side. Last night's events had taken its toll on her. Else she would never sleep this late. Her bruise was becoming purple and more pronounced.
When he turned back to Lavanya she started "What the hell is happening her Arnav? I searched the entire damn house for you and I find you here."
"La..it's not what you think."
"What I think?" Her voice was rising and Khushi opened her eyes at all the noise. When she saw Lavanya in the room and Arnav by her side, she panicked and got up immediately. And then last night's events rushed to her memory.
"Lavanya..." Khushi started tentatively.
"Don't start. You always wanted him and got him right? Do you think I didn't know you loved Arnav? God I was such a fool to stay back despite all the obvious signs in front of me."
"Lavanya will you bloody stop? Nothing happened here for Gods sake! Khushi had a bad experience last night with a man and I brought her here. That's all."
"That's not all Arnav. You slept with her on the same bed. Which friend does that? And its always Khushi this, Khushi that. I am just fed up! You wouldn't come back with me to the States, you wouldn't leave her. I think I deserve better. I am leaving."
"Lavanya. Wait. You're mistaken. There's nothing between us. Please. We will sort it out. Come." Arnav went towards Lavanya but she shrugged his outstretched hands.
"No. If you want me to stay back she has to leave from here. Anyways she is a grown woman and can take care of herself. How long will you keep supporting her? You people have been shelling out for her education, stay and every luxury of hers."
"Lavanya!" His voice roared above hers.
Khushi was confused. She had always thought that Nani had the money after her house was sold. So what was this?
Khushi interrupted. "But Lavanya. Nani has the money from our house that was sold in Mumbai."
"What a joke. That money was used to repay all the debts your father had. You are nothing but a gold digger." Arnav almost slapped hearing those words from Lavanya's mouth. Khushi held him back at the last moment.
"No. Please. Don't fight on my account. And even she knows all this about me but I don't?" Khushi's eyes watered at what she heard. She felt cheap and used. Khushi walked to the table and took out her acceptance letter from the Baroda University.
"See this. My acceptance letter for masters. I will be leaving for Baroda in a week's time. You both don't fight on my accord. Please. I will never come in your way and Lavanya, I swear I will repay every penny of his."
Before Lavanya could finish, Arnav caught Khushi's arms. "Don't you dare Khushi." He snatched the acceptance letter from Khushi's hand and tore it into pieces. He looked at Lavanya while he spoke. "Khushi is going nowhere. She is mine and she will stay here. As for repaying, I can never repay for her love, her warmth, the void that she filled in when I lost my parents. Just...just leave Lavanya. Nothing more to be said. When you don't even have basic trust in me and cannot live with my family, there's no point in this relationship."
Lavanya was shocked at his dismissal. She flounced to her room and started packing her things.
Arnav looked at Khushi, who was equally shocked. She stood at the same spot with a worried expression on her face. "Don't even think about leaving me, leaving this house. And you're most definitely not a gold digger. Remember that." With that parting shot, Arnav left Khushi's room without a backward glance.
CID
59