ARHI SS: Trapped Thread 3 Link to New Thread - Page 58

Grief and anger alternated Arnav's mind when he finished the letter. She had suffered so much at the hands of those scoundrels? How dare they hurt her! He wanted to kill those two b*****.

But his immediate concern was for Khushi. Where was she? He knew she had nowhere to go. Her parents had not even made a single call in the past months since her marriage. They had refuted all her attempts to bridge the gap. So, he knew she couldn't be with them. Still, he would have to check. She did not have much money. And she was all alone out there. His heart gripped with fear for her.

Putting aside his anguish and anger, he quickly picked up his phone with determination in his eyes---

As he was rushing out, he met his mother and sister in the living room. Both of them blocked his exit.

'Arnav we have been looking for Khushi from the morning? Where is she? Risheek has been crying non stop. We looked for her all around the house. We called her. She is not answering. Can you tell me what is wrong?'

Arnav did not have the patience or inclination or time for his family's interrogation. 'I will explain later,' he said trying to make his way to the door.

'No. We want to know right now,' came his mother's commanding voice.

'Ma I promise to get back and explain. I don't have the time now,' Arnav said quickly sidestepping both women and walking out.

When he reached the Gupta household, he was wary. He had not paid a visit to them since the fatal day of his marriage. They were not in good terms and he had always hated his father-in-law for his role in forcing the marriage and contract.

But today, his heart was filled with anxiety. If Khushi was with them and they knew the truth, how would they react? He was almost sure she wouldn't be with them as Shyam and Rohit would be back to harassing her if she was within reach.

Still he had to know for sure. He had to talk to them and tell them the truth. He needed their help in finding Khushi.

At present his entire focus was on finding Khushi. In parallel he had asked his trusted HR executive NK to find all the details about tax evasion and the people involved.

He had also given instructions to Aaron to track Khushi and keep an eye on Shyam and Rohan. He had asked Aaron to find all the proofs that could implicate them in blackmailing.

When he rang the bell to the Gupta residence, it was opened by Khushi's mother. She looked at her son in law in shock at first and then fearfully her eyes darted back to the house.

'Damadji why are you here? If your Uncleji sees you, there will be an ugly fight,' she whispered.

'Never mind Auntyji. Let us have a fight. But this is important. Is Khushi here?' he asked.

'Khushi---No! Why are you asking? Isn't she with you?' Garima asked, quite alarmed.

'No. She is missing since morning and her phone is not reachable and I thought---- ' Arnav's voice trailed off as the last shreds of his hope died and despair replaced it.

At that moment Sashi Gupta stepped out and as soon as he saw Arnav rage filled his eyes.

'How dare you come here. Haven't you done enough damage to this family and its reputation?' he asked.

'Uncleji this is not the time for arguments. Khushi is missing,' Arnav said.

All the colour drained from Sashi's face as he heard the worlds. At that moment, Arnav saw the vulnerable father that he had never seen before.

Sashi Gupta's eyes turned vacant for a few moments as if he had lost all life. But soon, it was replaced by further anger as he stepped forward and took Arnav by collar.

'What did you do to my daughter? Kill her so that you are free before even a year runs out? I should have known,' he said.

Despite his anger and hurt at his accusations, Arnav decided not to react to the anger. He said calmly,

'It is your friend's son Rohan who has always tried to harm her. I wish you knew how badly you have harmed Khushi by making her get engaged to that scoundrel.'

Sashi Gupta recoiled from him in shock whispering 'What do you mean?'

'Can we go inside? I have a lot to talk to you both,' he said. Khushi's parents relented and all three of them went inside.

When Arnav finished telling the details of Khushi's letter, trying his best to censor some bits of it for the sake of her parents, both Garima and Sashi were in tears.

After a long silence, Sashi spoke first.'I did this to her. I blindly believed Rohan was the man for her. I never knew he was such a scoundrel. I am the one who is supposed to protect her. But I am the one who has pushed her into this trap. I am the worst father on earth,' he said with fresh tears rolling down his cheeks.

'We all are guilty Uncle. And her only crime was that she loved us all unconditionally, enough to put herself at risk for us. Now, we have to find her. All of us have to pay for what we did to her.

As a husband I too failed to know her and protect her. I never understood her intentions because I was prejudiced.

Now I need your help. Tell me the names of all your relatives and friends just in case Khushi has taken refuge with any of them.

Also please give me the details of Rohan's business operations and his financial standing. I am sure you have common friends who can get us proof that Rohan's business was not doing well and yet he lived beyond his means.

We need to gather all evidences to nail him. I will take care of evidences against Shyam. He is an old enemy and I have enough sources that can help me against him.'

Sashi Gupta nodded. He had lost all life in him. His anger and ego had cost his daughter's happiness, honor and probably her life, if they did not save and protect her.

Garima was angry at herself for being too weak to protect her daughter and stand up to her husband. She had been equally guilty of pushing her into the hell that her life had become. But looking at Arnav, she realized that he loved their daughter.

There was no doubt he was at fault, but there was no way she could doubt how much he cared for their daughter. Pain and love for Khushi had brought them all together in a bond that normal times able to. Garima was not immune to the irony of the situation. When Khushi had been with them, she had been hated and shunned by them and probably by Arnav too. But now that she had gone, all three of them yearned for her---

As he drove towards his house, something he had to do to explain things to his mother and Anjali, he called Aaron.

'Aaron, what is the news? Have you tracked all train information till now? All flights too? And the buses?' Arnav asked anxiously.

'We have checked all trains that have left from morning. There is no record of your wife sir. May be she used an alias. I also tried all flights. Again, I could find no details about her. Buses are more difficult as there are many private operators.

We have also started tracing her path from your house. From your security to guard to the road side vendors, we are asking everyone. Your guard said she left home early morning. When he asked her where she was going and if he should call the car, she said she is going to her parents place. We stalked her house and found out she is not there,' Aaron said.

'Yes she is not there. Aaron, keep at it. I want Khushi traced by the end of the day. Employ all the men you have. And even if you find her, don't bring her back here. It is not safe right now. Keep her safe and let me know. Meanwhile, have you found anything about Shyam and Rohan? I need minute to minute details of their whereabouts,' Arnav said.

'Yes sir. We are keeping track. Today, both of them were in a mall shopping. We are keeping a check on them,' Aaron said.

Arnav rubbed his tired eyes as he entered his home. He had been without sleep for more than 24 hours, but he could not even think of sleeping.

He did not care what happened to him. He did not want to eat or sleep----Khushi----he had to find her. Her memories had haunted him from the morning. Her smiles, her tears, her laughter, her pain---everything burned into his soul.

What a fool he had been! He hadn't recognized love. Now that it was too late, he realized that life had no purpose without her.

He could die tomorrow and he wouldn't care. But is she was in his life, he would want to live forever. Why hadn't he recognized that this was love? But would she ever forgive him?

The moment he entered home he was hijacked by his mother and sister with a barrage of questions. Slowly Arnav explained the sordid details of his marriage and Khushi's plight, again omitting some details which would hurt them a lot.

Anjali was sobbing by the end of his narration, whispering time and again

'Poor Khushiji. She was living through hell. Yet she never showed any of it to any of us. She loved Risheek unconditionally. Loved me like an elder sister. It has just been a few days and she already cares so much for Ma---'

'I wouldn't be here if not for Khushi,' Nandini Raizada interrupted.

Shocked, Arnav and Anjali looked at her. Solemnly, Nandini Raizada nodded. She explained how Khushi had come in search of her, pleaded and fought with her to come back.

'She had only one aim Arnav---your happiness. She felt if I came back, you would get over your childhood scars and be a normal happy person.

She wanted your happiness at all costs Arnav. It does not surprise me that she put her happiness at stake for you. And she did not even want the credit for it. She made me promise I wouldn't tell you.

Part of the reason I came here was to help her be with you, as I knew your marriage was not normal.

I have lost the chance Arnav. My mistakes have been costly for that girl. Because of the way I have brought you up, you have not been able to trust or love people. Had I given you a normal upbringing, you would have been a normal husband to Khushi. You wouldn't have suspected her every move.

I have failed Khushi and you,' Nandini wept.

His mother's revelations gnawed at his heart. Oh God, what had he done! He had hurt someone who loved him unconditionally. What a fool he had been!

If she had wanted she could have left him long back, he realized. But she had lived through hell to protect him just in case Shyam would carry out his threats. She had taken so much pain and humiliation from both sides to make sure he and his business was safe.

Pain and guilt gave force to his thoughts as he said

'Shyam and Rohan you are so dead! And Khushi, till I find you, bring you home and make amends, I will not rest! I promise you that ASR's love and redemption will be far greater than his hatred and anger---But I hope you let me Khushi---'