Chapter 8

His gaze was lowered unable to meet hers. There was something wrong with this picture. Arnav Singh Raizada, the business tycoon that everyone feared, the man that everyone claimed was strong and stood tall, the man who never bowed down to anyone, was begging her, a middle class girl not to go, not to leave him alone. Khushi could feel his pain. Although she had stayed away from him all this time and tried to hate him for whatever he had done she never could. She loved as much, if not more, as she did when they were together. How could she turn and leave knowing how much it would hurt Arnav. She had so many mixed emotions, she didn’t know what to do. “Please,” she heard a soft voice coming from the door, “please don’t go,” Sanjana murmured. “I’m asking for the rest for my family,” she said moving away from the door exposing Nani, Anjali, Shyam, Aakash, Payal, Mama and Mami, their eyes pleading with Khushi. Khushi closed her eyes. Why? Why her? She couldn’t turn her back on an entire family, the family that made her one of their own. Her family. She took a deep breath and spoke, “I won’t go, but I can’t guarantee everything will be the same as it was before.” Anjali walked into the living room, “No one expects anything from you Khushi. It wasn’t only Arnav that wronged you. It was all of us. We just stood and watched, Sanju was the only one trying to make Arnav see sense but he was blinded by his anger. He’d still be today if it wasn’t for Sanjana. We all owe you an apology Khushi, not just Arnav alone.” Arnav had let go of Khushi while Anjali was speaking. Khushi took Anjali’s hand in hers, “You didn’t do anything, none of threw accusations at me and no one said anything so nobody needs to apologise.” Anjali knew Khushi was sincere. It was evident in her voice. Anjali smiled at Khushi and gave her tight hug followed by the rest of the family. “We’re glad that you’re here,” Nani said in tears, “it wasn’t the same without you.”

 

Sanjana had gone with Sameer to fetch Khushi’s belongings from the house she was staying at and had filled Shweta in on whatever had happened. She had sent it home with Sameer and went to Lucknow with Shweta and Adi to fetch everything in Khushi’s apartment and had been given an invitation for the wedding before she returned back to Delhi. Sanjana walked into the living room where everyone was chatting with Khushi – catching up on everything she had missed. She noticed that the whole family was there except for one person. She scanned the dining room and all the other rooms downstairs and then went upstairs. She opened the door but the room was empty. She walked in and saw a figure hunched over on the recliner next to the pool. She walked outside, “Arnav?” she asked. He looked up to see who it was. Sanjana felt her heart break when she saw him, he was a mess. His hair uncombed, his clothes creased and his eyes... his eyes were red. Sanjana immediately walked towards Arnav and sat down on the table in front of him. She put a hand on his cheek, “Arnav what happened? Are you okay? Why are you crying?” she asked all in one breath. Arnav took her hand and held it in his, “If it wasn’t for you I never would have known. If I got her back it’s only because of you Sanju,” his voice was soft barely audible, “You made me understand that she was innocent. You helped me get her back. God knows what I’ve done in my previous life to deserve a sister like you.” Sanjana couldn’t hold back her tears. How could someone love an orphan like her so much? She shook her head, “It’s not what you did, it’s what I did to get a family like this and a brother like you. You saw what happened. You were there that day. My brother, my own blood, left me for dead. He didn’t care whether I was living or not but you did. He left an eleven year old girl with no parents or any family to fend for herself but you begged Nani to bring me here. Not to leave me alone because you knew what it felt like. That’s why I know you so well. I know when you’re hurt and I know when you’re in pain but I can’t understand why you’re hurting now. She came back, she’s here with you then why...” she asked concerned. All she needed was one look to understand and Arnav knew that but he couldn’t hold it in anymore, “I hurt her. I broke her. I did everything I promised her I would never do and she still came back. Why would she Sanju? Why?” how could he not see it. Why did he always let his pain become more than anything else that he felt.

 

“Because she loves you,” Sanjana said with pride and admiration. Arnav’s head shot up and he looked at Sanjana shocked. “She tried a lot, she really did but she could never hate you or forget you. Her life had calmed down for a while until she saw you at the party. I used to go see her whenever I was in Lucknow but I didn’t want to tell anyone where she was because I knew they wouldn’t be able to hide it from you. I didn’t want to either but I had to. You wanted to find her and she didn’t want to be found. If you really loved her you would have found her without anyone’s help and you did,” she said smiling at her last sentence. She got up and stood at the edge of the pool, “I know she came back Arnav but it’s not going to be easy for her. She’s still wounded and it’ll only heal with time. Everything’s not going to back to what it was, not now at least. She needs time and space and hopefully with time you’ll be together like you were before,” she said grimly. “I know,” was Arnav’s response, “that’s what she needs and that’s what she’ll get. I’m not going to do anything that will hurt her. Never again.” Sanjana hugged Arnav and then left him to pull himself together before Khushi came upstairs.

 

Sanjana was going to her room when she bumped into Khushi in the passage, “Sorry,” they both said together then started laughing. “How did you get all my stuff here from Lucknow so quickly? It hasn’t even been a day,” she asked curiously. “Well... you were here early and it’s almost eleven thirty so technically it kinda is almost a day,” she winked at Khushi, “and it also helps when your brother has his own air transport,” she said smugly. “Ah, I see. Thank you anyway,” Khushi said smiling before heading off towards her room. Sanjana went to her closet and pulled out the suitcase she had put all Khushi’s stuff in and wheeled it to their room. Khushi just walked in the empty room when she heard a knock on the door and a thud. She turned around to see Sanjana with an apologetic smile on her face, “Sorry, it’s kind of heavy,” she said as she dragged the suitcase into the room. “It’s all your sarees, jewellery and other stuff that you didn’t take with you. I took it out of here and kept it,” she said apologetically. “It’s okay and thank you,” Khushi said hugging her. Sanjana smiled at her and was just about to leave when the bathroom door opened and Arnav walked out. Sanjana looked from Arnav to Khushi who were looking at each other as if there was no one else in the room. Sanjana cleared her throat, “Well this is awkward. I’ll just leave,” she said pointing towards the door. “Goodnight Arnav, goodnight Khushi,” she said mischievously and closed the door behind her.

 

There was an awkward silence after Sanjana had left. Arnav had a towel in his hand and was drying his hair when he noticed Khushi struggling to lift the suitcase up onto the bed. He walked to where she was standing with the suitcase and lifted it up onto the bed for her. He made his way to the side drawer next to the bed to get his phone when the contents of the bag caught his eye. Their wedding picture that Khushi had gotten blown up and framed to hang on the wall was right at the top. He had wondered where it had gone with the rest of Khushi’s stuff but then again he should have known better. Sanjana always did what she wanted whether anyone wanted her to or not.

 

Khushi froze seeing the picture when she opened the suitcase. It was her favourite picture of them that she had insisted on blowing up and framing and Arnav had happily agreed to do it. She had gotten so used to seeing the picture hanging on the wall that she thought the wall would look bland without it. She realized then that she hadn’t even looked around the room since she walked in. She turned to look at the wall where the picture used to be.

 

Her mouth had formed a perfect ‘o’ and her eyes were wide with shock.

Chapter 7

“This better be good. I cancelled a meeting for it and I’m seriously going to hurt you if I did it for nothing,” Sanju said casually as she leaned against the wall. He sat up and looked at her, “You won’t regret it. I promise. I need your help.” Sanjana stood upright stiffening. Her brother was never one to ask anyone for help but after everything he'd been through with the whole Khushi issue this was the last thing she expected. He had secluded himself and was totally isolated from the rest of the family. The only perason he actually spoke to or even interacted with were her, Nani and Di. She walked into the room taking one step at a time almost as if one wrong step would set off a bomb. "I'm listening," she said cautiously. Arnav stood up from where he was sitting and took a deep breath, " I saw Khushi today." He looked at her.  She sat down on the recliner and Arnav sat on the coffee table infront of her. Sanjana exhaled. She knew it was going to happen at sone point. They couldn't avoid each other for the rest of eternity. "It was bound to happen at some point Arnav, but you wanted to see her. Ever since you found out the truth all you've been doing is regretting everything you've done and said to her because you KNOW you were in the wrong and she didn't deserve any of it. You killed her Arnav, you killed her. How can you expect her to just accept you because you came along again? I've been keeping in contact with Shweta and Adi. They said she's not the same Khushi that left Lucknow three years ago to come to Delhi. Shweta knows everything Arnav, I had to tell. Her she needed to know why her friend changed but she also knows the reason behind it and understands your plight. She knows you were both just victims of a huge understanding," she took her brother's hand in hers. He looked up at her with red bloodshot eyes. "I... I need..."Arnav tried to speak. "Shh... You don't need to say anything. I know you better than anyone. I've been with you for twelve years Arnav. I know what you are going through. Everyone else thinks it's just because you can't control your anger and they're still mad at you for throwing her out, but after everything you've done for me how can I not do this for you Arnav. You mean everything to me and you’re the closest thing I have to family. We'll find a way to get Khushi back I promise,” she pulled him in for a hug securing her promise.

 

Khushi had been sitting in the temple with a million questions running through her mind and a thousand emotions flooding her. Understanding was beyond her. Why? Why after all this time does her heart still beat for him? No! She couldn’t open up again. She had healed but the scars were still there. If the wounds reopened they would never heal. She had to finish it once and for all. She stood up, wiped away her tears and walked down the stairs of the mandir determined and confident. She stopped a taxi outside the temple, “Where do you want to go ma’am?” asked the driver. Khushi got into the backseat of the taxi, “Shantivan,” she said and prepared herself for what she was going to do. Fifteen minutes later she stepped out onto the driveway of the Raizada mansion. She walked up to the doorstep and rang the doorbell, her other hand clutching her mangalsutra under her dupatta.

 

Arnav and Sanjana were sitting in the lounge watching tv when they heard the doorbell ring. Sanjana’s eyes were glued to the tv and Arnav was expecting Hariprakash to answer. “Sanju where’s HP?” he asked her trying to catch her attention. “Hmmm.... I sent him home because everyone else is gone for the party at the neighbours,” she replied brushing him off.  He huffed and walked towards the front door. The doorbell rang again. Arnav rolled his eyes and opened the door only to be taken aback, his eyes wide with shock as her name escaped his lips, “Khushi...” It was as if time was frozen and nothing else existed. He stared at her. He noticed she was fiddling with her dupatta – something she always did when she was nervous. A small smile crept up on his face. She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his with equal surprise. He gulped thinking why she would come here unable to come up with even one. “Would you like to come inside?” he asked her softly. She nodded and followed him into the living room where Sanjana was sitting with her eyes still stuck to the tv. Sanjana heard the familiar chime of Khushi’s anklets and immediately turned her attention from the tv to the two figures entering the room. “Well then...” Sanjana said with a this-is-awkward look on her face, “I’m supposed to meet Sameer just now so I’ll just go and get ready.” She smiled at Khushi then left the room with a mischievous smile on her face.

 

Khushi felt a little uneasy when Sanjana left the room. She sat down on the couch opposite Arnav not wanting to get too close. She stopped fiddling with her dupatta, took a deep breath and decided she would start, “Arnav... You’re probably wondering why I’m here after running away from you earlier but it took me some time and I decided I needed to talk to you. I was bound to run into you sometime or the other I guess I just didn’t think it would be this soon. We’ve met more than once Arnav but every time we meet I always seem to be reminded of something that happened between us earlier and I just...” her voice started breaking as tears started forming in her eyes. Arnav walked over to where she was sitting and kneeled down in front of her taking her hand in his. She was surprised because this was the last thing she expected Arnav to do. “I’m sorry Khushi. I know. You don’t have to tell me. It happens to me too but what makes it worse is that I’m responsible for it Khushi. If it wasn’t for me none of this would be happening and you’d be right here with me. Not coming to see me,” Arnav spoke but his tone was soft and he never once looked up at her. Khushi was taken aback by what Arnav had just said. She couldn’t understand any of it. She stood up, Arnav standing up with her but letting go of her hand, “What do you mean if it wasn’t for you? What did you do Arnav?” She had a strange kind of fear in her. She didn’t want to know what he did. It didn’t matter to her, she was nothing to him. But then again she wanted to know why he felt responsible for everything that had been happening recently. Arnav looked up at her for the first time since he spoke and she saw his eyes. Red. “It was my fault. I didn’t trust you. I should’ve listened to you but I didn’t. It was all just a huge misunderstanding Khushi and yet you got punished. You didn’t deserve any of it. Everything I said and did. It was a mistake, something I realised only when it was too late. When you were gone,” he said his voice full of regret and pain. Khushi was still, unmoving except for the tears flowing down her cheeks. Arnav spoke again, “It was Karan and Karan alone. When I found out I tried looking for you but I couldn’t find you anywhere. I know it’s not enough and it’ll never be able to compensate for everything I did Khushi but I’m sorry. I’m really sorry Khushi.”

 

Khushi had lost herself for a moment and wanted to forgive Arnav for everything. She just wanted to be in his arms again where she knew it was safe and nothing and no one could touch her but it wasn’t that easy. She wiped away her tears and stood her ground, “It’s too late Arnav. How do I forgive you for something you did so long ago? Something that ruined everything I had? I can’t and you were right. It was too late then and it’s too late now.” She started walking away from him when he caught hold of her wrist and stopped her. “I know it’s not easy but I’m willing to do anything Khushi. Anything. I can’t take it anymore. It hurts too much to know you’re right here but you’re not with me. Only I know how I’ve lived all this time without you,” Khushi felt her heart shatter with every word he said, “The only thing that kept me alive was the hope that I’d find you one day.” She turned back to look at him and she could see everything. All his pain, the hurt, the regret. “Please Khushi. Please don’t go,” he begged her.

Chapter 6

Arnav was walking around looking at the designs that were selected from AR and other new companies when he thought he caught a glimpse of her. He walked towards knowing he couldn’t be mistaken it had to be her. He still couldn’t see her face but she was walking towards him when she bumped into him and lost her balance. He grabbed her shoulders stopping her fall, then she looked up at him and he knew his heart didn’t lie to him. She was there in his arms, in front of his eyes.

Khushi was lost but only for a second. She couldn’t let it happen again, she wouldn’t. She averted his hot gaze she could feel burning her. She stood up and Arnav let go of her. “I’m sorry,” Khushi said turning around ready to walk away. “No, I’m sorry Khushi,” she stopped dead in her tracks and turned around to look at him. He was looking at the ground but almost as if he sensed her turn around, he looked up at her but the sight she saw stabbed at her heart. Pain. Pain was all she could see in his eyes and it was clear on his face that he regretted whatever he had. “No,” she thought to herself. She wasn’t going to give in so easily. Just because he was in pain didn’t mean she had to try and stop it, it didn’t mean she had to run into his arms and try to soothe his pain. What about all the pain he had given her? He hadn’t thought about what would happen to her when he dragged her and threw her out of the house, out of his life. She could feel anger flooding her, all those memories of what he had done to her and how he had hurt her. She stormed off in the opposite direction not turning around to look back.

It wasn’t unexpected, how could he expect her to do anything after what he had done to her. He wasn’t going to give up. He had found her after searching for so long but he knew she would only forgive him when she was ready but still he had to try. She was his life and he couldn’t live without her. Only he knows how he had survived all this time without her, cursing himself every day for causing her so much pain and not knowing how to make it right. He had found her now and he knew what he had to do the only decision he had to make was if he would try himself or let fate decide if she was his. He walked a couple laps of the showroom looking at designs and speaking to designers and decided to leave after an hour. He made his way out the showroom into daylight with the sunshine the first thing he saw when he opened the doors.

Khushi had been looking for Shweta for about an hour after she bolted from the showroom and was just about to give up when she heard her phone ring. She looked at the screen and answered the call, “Where are you? Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you?” Khushi had an annoyed look on her face until she heard Shweta’s answer, “I… uhhh… I’m with Adi. There was an emergency at his house and they needed me there so I left without telling you.” Khushi was silent for a few seconds, “You are so unbelievable Shweta! You could have phoned earlier! I’ll see you at home,” Shweta was scared from the anger she heard in Khushi’s voice but she knew it would only last five minutes and she’d get over it. “I can’t believe her. She left me here all alone and he’s here. I’ll sort her out,” Khushi was ranting on like a mad woman and didn’t realize the heavy gust of wind that came and blew her scarf away. “Just great,” she thought all that she needed was to chase a runaway scarf. She sighed and started running after scarf but slowed down when she saw it had already been stopped. She giggled watching the man trying to take the scarf off because the wind kept blowing it back. “Looks like you could use some help,” Khushi said stifling a laugh as she pulled her scarf. “Thanks,” Khushi looked up in shock. She knew that voice. She had heard it so many times and knew he was there. She had just seen him a while ago. “Ar… Arnav?” she managed to get her scarf off and was holding it when in her hands when Arnav opened his eyes.

He saw the girl holding the pink scarf that he had just been attacked by. He was just about to leave when he saw the mangalsutra around her neck and his eyes widened with shock. He didn’t even have to look at her face to know who she was. The mangalsutra was one of a kind, exquisite yet simple. He had gone to the jeweler to get it made just for her because there wasn’t a single one that she would have liked in the store. He looked at her and saw the shock on her face. “Khu…,” he trailed off watching her run away. He closed his eyes. Why? Why couldn’t she just listen to him even for a second? All he wanted to do was apologize. He would try and live without her if he had to as long as he knew she had forgiven him what he had done. He wiped away the runaway tear and went to the parking lot. He couldn’t stop thinking about her since he saw her. She was a part of him and even though he regretted what he did and didn’t realize what he did to her out of pure rage he also felt the pain. She was the only one he had ever loved and ever will. Nobody could ever take her place in his life and in the world. He put on his Bluetooth earpiece and dialed Sanjana, “Sanju, I need to talk to you. Get home now. It’s important.” He cut the call and took out his earpiece trying to get home as fast he could. He couldn’t wait any longer.

Sanjana couldn’t believe her brother. He always did this. “Ma’am, Mr Mehra is here. Should I send him up now?” Rosy, Sanjana’s secretary had been waiting for her to finish her call before telling her about the client. “No Rosy. I need to leave now. Tell Mr. Mehra that there’s an emergency and I can’t make it for the meeting so Aakash and Sameer will conduct the meeting as soon as they’re done with Mr. Oberoi. Sameer has the files so there shouldn’t be a problem okay. Give him my apologies and tell him that I’ll arrange another meeting with him as soon as I get back. Thanks Rosy,” Rosy had been working with her for three years and was a good friend. She was probably the only one who understood why she always ran to Arnav when he called her. Sanju grabbed her laptop, shoved it in the bag with a couple of files and raced down to the parking lot. She got in her car and drove to Shantivan as fast as she could.

“Sanju, are you okay? Did something happen in the office?” she could hear the concern in Di’s voice and didn’t want to trouble or worry her. It was her first trimester and she needed to take special care of herself. “No Di. I finished early so I thought I’d come home and relax a little,” Anjali smiled at her and walked into the kitchen. She lugged herself up the stairs having left the bag in the lounge and made her way towards Arnav’s room. She walked in shutting the door behind her to find the room deserted. She walked to the poolside and saw him lying down on the recliner. “This better be good. I cancelled a meeting for it and I’m seriously going to hurt you if I did it for nothing,” Sanju said casually as she leaned against the wall. He sat up and looked at her, “You won’t regret it. I promise. I need your help.”

She didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t handle it anymore so she turned around and ran away. She didn’t bother stopping a rickshaw. She just needed to get as far away as she could, as far as her legs could carry her. She had ended up in Devi Maaiya’s mandir and was sitting on the floor hugging her knees to her chest with tears pouring down her face. She turned and looked at her Devi Maaiya, “Why are you doing this to me now? I tried so hard to forget everything and was starting over. Everything was fine and I was doing okay. Why? Why did you have to bring me back to him? Why are you making relive it all again? You know I still love him despite trying to hate him so much.” The tears just wouldn’t stop. She could still feel the pain. She had loved him and only him with all her heart. She would’ve happily given up anything in the world for him. she would’ve happily left Shantivan that day if he had asked her as long as he listened to her. As long as he knew her side of the story. He was her world and he left her with nothing when he threw her out. Maybe he didn’t love her, maybe it was just a façade, but then how could he have kept it up for so long. Had he pretended that he loved for a year or was it real? It was eating Khushi up inside and she needed to know.

Chapter 5

Khushi and Shweta had reached Delhi late that evening. Shweta hadn’t booked a hotel because her sister lived in Delhi and had a little house there. She had to go to Mumbai for a month so she gave Shweta the keys and told her to stay there if she needed to. Shweta unlocked the door to her sister’s house and took their bags in. Khushi stood outside lost in thought, thinking about everything that had happened the night before. She was glad she had a friend like Shweta and even happier about the fact that Shweta knew what she had been through. She felt relieved of the burden she had been carrying and could now hopefully move on with her life, but still she couldn’t forget that face. The same face that she had run away from, the same face that had ruined her life, the one she didn’t want to see again. Why was her Devi Maaiya doing this to her. Why was she making go through everything again? Everything that had happened when she left was like a major earthquake and she would never be able to withstand another one, she wasn’t strong enough.

“Khushi, what are you thinking about? Is it last night?” Shweta asked with a worried look on her face. Khushi turned to look at Shweta, “ No, I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have a friend like you that is so concerned about me, but you have nothing to worry about I’m perfectly fine. Now stop worrying so much and tell me what we’re going to do. You are the one that brought me here.” Khushi said with a smile on her face as she strolled into the house. She looked around the house and immediately felt at home. It was nice to stay in a place that felt like home after such a long time. “Well… maybe we could go shopping. You need to buy some new clothes because I don’t exactly think you’re going to be wearing the saris you have for my wedding. Are you?” Shweta asked as she walked in behind her and closed the door. “Well no. You’re my best friend how can I wear one of those. Your wedding is still only two months away though...” Khushi trailed off as if she was deep in thought. “But I suppose I could buy it now but please can we go tomorrow morning before the conference. I’m a little tired and just want to rest for a while I’ll go freshen up then maybe we can watch a movie or something. ” Khushi turned around to walk towards the bathroom when she stopped in her tracks and turned towards Shweta, “Ummm… I haven’t been here before can you show me where the bathroom is?” Khushi asked with a sheepish grin on her face. Shweta laughed and shook her head at her friend’s childishness. “Follow me,” she said as she walked down the passage.

It had been a long day. Arnav had been sitting in meetings and conferences the whole day and just wanted to get home. He slammed on the brakes when he had reached RM. He grabbed his bag from the front seat and got out the car. He couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened last night. It had been so long since he’d seen her. He wanted to touch her, feel her in his arms again but he knew he couldn’t, not after what he had done to her. He remembered how she had run away from him. He should’ve known she would do something like that. It was a good thing Sanjana had called them and told them to come back. He wanted to talk to Khushi, he wanted to see her again but he knew that after the way she ran away from him, it was clear she didn’t want to see him. Arnav made his way up the stairs to the front door. He walked into an empty house, that’s the way it felt. Since Khushi left there was only silence. The rest of the family members hardly spoke. Nani hadn’t been very well since Khushi left. She was always worried about her. She didn’t know where she was and what condition she was in. Last night Nani’s BP had gone high and Sanjana had called the doctor home. Everybody had been worried about Nani but she had been like this for a while now. She wouldn’t talk to anyone and hardly came out of her room. Arnav knew why Sanju had phoned, it wasn’t because she was completely worried about Nani it was because she knew Arnav felt responsible for the condition Nani was in.

Arnav walked into his room put his bag on the table and walked towards Nani’s room. “She won’t speak to anyone. The doctor just left after doing a check-up. I spoke to her and she said she wants to be left alone.” He hadn’t seen Sanjana behind him and turned around when he heard her voice. “I still want to see her,” Arnav said with a stern voice. “You’re too stubborn, you know that. She doesn’t want to see anyone and you’ve got nothing to say to her anyways. I don’t see the point.” Sanjana stood in front of Arnav shaking her head. She couldn’t believe how stubborn her brother was. This was the reason they got into this mess in the first place. His stubbornness and the fact that he doesn’t like to listen to anyone always creates a problem. “I need to tell her Khushi is okay. Maybe then her health will improve because she’ll stop worrying so much. She has to get better because I can’t lose anybody else. I’ve lost enough already.” Arnav turned around to walk towards Nani’s room when he heard anger in Sanjana’s voice. “How do you know about Khushi? How do you know she’s okay?” Sanjana stormed towards Arnav as he turned around. “I’ll tell you later, I need to see Nani right now.” Arnav left Sanjana standing in the hall as he walked away. She was stunned at what her brother had just said. How did he know about Khushi? She was the only one that knew where she was because she made sure there was someone there to take care of her Bhabhi. She wanted answers and she wanted them now.”

Arnav had walked into Nani’s room and sat down on the bed next to her. She looked so fragile and weak almost as if she was going to break. “Nani…” Arnav said, his voice breaking. “What is it Chhote? I told Sanju that I don’t want to talk to anyone but I knew you were too stubborn to listen.” Arnav looked at his granny with tears in his eyes as he told her everything that happened the night before. He was on the verge of breaking down when he put his head in hos granny’s lap as he let the last stream of tears flow. “It’ll be ok Chhote. Everything will be alright. She’ll come back one day then everything will be as it was before.” Arnav sat up and looked at his granny. “Maybe you’re right Nani. Maybe she will come back one day.” Arnav got up and left Nani alone. He knew she felt better know and would worry less about Khushi.

“I want answers, Bhaiya and I want them now. You can’t make excuses anymore.” Arnav was sitting in the lounge chair next to the pool thinking about Khushi when he heard his sister behind him. “Answers to what Sanju?” he asked without moving or even looking at her. “How do you know where Khushi is? When did you see her?” Sanjana asked as she walked and stood in front him. He looked up at her, “I was in Lucknow with Sameer yesterday when you called. We were at a cocktail party that Arav was throwing.” Sanjana stood shocked. She had never expected this to happen. She sat down on the marble at the edge of the pool as she listened to her brother telling her what had happened. She couldn’t even imagine how he must be feeling. After everything he went through when he found out the truth she didn’t think it could get worse but it looked as if it could right now. By now Arnav had gotten of the chair and was sitting next to her on the edge of the pool. She put her arms around her brother and embraced him. She didn’t know what else to do but she couldn’t let him fall apart. She wouldn’t. She hadn’t realized that she also had tears streaming down her face. She wiped away her tears and got up. She needed to be alone for a while and think about everything that had happened. She was about to walk out the door when she remembered what she supposed to tell him earlier, “Arnav I forgot to tell you that I can’t make it for the designers conference tomorrow so you’re going to have to go. I asked Aakash but he said there were some meetings with Mr Oberoi and he and Sameer had to go.” Arnav looked at her with pain in his eyes. She could see that he didn’t want to do anything right now but it was the only distraction he had. “Okay, I’ll go. Make sure you tell Aman to cancel all meetings for tomorrow when you get to the office.” Sanjana nodded her head and left him alone. It was dark now and he could see the stars in the sky. He looked for the brightest star and whispered an apology to his mother. He wanted her to know that he was sorry for what he’d done and he’d never repeat the same mistake again.

Arnav woke up a little later the next morning because he didn’t have to go to the office. He got out the shower and put on his suit. He didn’t have much of an appetite and hadn’t eaten since last night and still left without having breakfast. He walked out the house and got into the car. He was still thinking about her and didn’t think he’d be able to concentrate on anything. He had to go back to Lucknow and find her. He had to tell her he was sorry. She had to know he felt guilty and knew everything was his fault. He had to tell her that he should’ve trusted her. He had to tell her that he loved her.

Khushi and Shweta had also slept in and forgot to set the alarm clock so they were running late. They were running around the house trying to get dressed and do their hair. When they were finally ready Shweta had called for taxi to take them to the conference centre. Khushi was walking out the door while she was putting her scarf around her neck and felt it bare. She turned around and ran back to her room and grabbed it off the dresser. How could she have forgotten it? She locked the door on her way out and got into the taxi. “What happened? Why did you run back inside?” Khushi opened her hand to reveal the string of black beads on her palm. She didn’t put sindoor (red powder worn in hair parting as symbol of matrimony) anymore but still wore her mangalsutra (wedding necklace worn by  hindu women). She had always managed to kepp it hidden beneath her scarf and no one had ever noticed. “You’ve been wearing it all this time and we haven’t noticed?” Khushi nodded her head, “It doesn’t matter what he did, Shweta. I’m still married to him.” Shweta smiled at Khushi but she knew there was another reason behind wearing it but she just couldn’t say it. She still loved him.

They had been in the conference for about an hour when it finished. When it was done they walked around the centre looking at the different designs from other companies. They were walking down the aisle when Khushi saw some of their designs and looked at Shweta questioningly. “What? They invited us for the conference and asked me to send a few designs.” Shweta said as she shrugged her shoulders. Khushi rolled her eyes and Shweta stuck her tongue out at her. Just then her phone rang. Khushi raised her eyebrows, “And now?” Shweta looked at the caller id on her phone and looked towards Khushi mouthing sorry as she picked up the call. “Hello, what Adi?” Shweta asked she walked away from Khushi. Khushi laughed softly and carried on looking at the other designs when she started feeling a bit uneasy. She turned around to see if Shweta had come back yet when she walked into someone. She was about to fall her when someone grabbed her by the arms. She knew that feeling. It had been a long time but she would never forget. She turned towards the one who stopped her from falling. She looked up to see those familiar honey brown eyes and the face that she could never forget.

Chapter 4

“Arnav? Where are you lost? What are you thinking about? Did you hear anything I said?” Arnav stopped outside their Lucknow Mansion. He got out the car ignoring Sameer and went straight upstairs to his room to get his bags. He heard Sameer call out after him but chose to ignore it. He needed to be alone for a little while. Arnav sunk down on his bed and just let the tears flow. He couldn’t stop them, he deserved the pain. He deserved the hatred.

“There is no truth, Khushi was a liar, there’s nothing else left to prove!”Arnav bellowed across the hall. “There’s a reason we brought him here Arnav. I wouldn’t just drag this piece of dirt into our house.” Sanjana was getting angry. She had had enough of her brother’s anger and the fact that he refused to believe anything was just getting to her. She couldn’t take it anymore. “What do you have to say, Sanjana? There is nothing left. You were there, you saw and heard everything. She didn’t deny anything I said. It proved that she only wanted my money and nothing else.” Sanjana couldn’t believe her brother. He had loved Khushi so much yet all it took was one lie to break that bond of trust and for him to hate her. “Fine, you may not want to hear it but I’m going to say it. YOU WERE WRONG!!! She didn’t deserve anything you did to her and you can hear the truth straight from the source of the lie. He thought if he could get you to leave Khushi then she would go running straight to him but what an illusion that was. He never saw her after you threw her out of here. Am I right Karan?” Sanjana turned and looked towards Karan. Sameer was holding him by the collar and it was clearly visible to anybody that looked at him that he had been beaten up several times by the bruises and blood on his face. Karan looked at Sameer and Sanjana then at Arnav. “She’s right. I was being selfish. I wanted what wasn’t mine and what could never be mine. I thought that after you’d hurt Khushi she’d have no one to go to and she would come to me… but she didn’t.” Arnav glared at Karan. If looks could kill Karan would have been dead by now. “Everything I told you was a lie. She never loved me. I was her best friend and nothing else. I had feelings for her but she only ever had feelings for you. I knew your temper and I knew if I told you all those things you would never believe her even if she denied because you had seen us together so many times. Part of the plan worked. I managed to separate the two of you but I never managed to get Khushi.”

Arnav stormed down the stairs and pushed Karan against the wall in the hall. Sameer was going to pull them apart but Sanjana stopped him. This time no one was going to interfere. Whatever had to be done Arnav will do and no one was going to stop him. “You… How dare you! You obviously didn’t think about who you were playing this game with did you. Perhaps you had forgotten that I am Arnav Singh Raizada.” Arnav’s grip was tightening around his collar. He had channeled all that anger in him to take out on person. He had let go of one side of Karan’s collar and was going to hit him when he felt someone stop him. “Please Arnav, don’t. I know what happens when you lose your temper and the last thing we need is for someone to die right now. Whatever has happened has happened and no one can change it. We’ll leave it to god to decide how he has to be punished.” Arnav backed away from Karan and turned to face the other way. He couldn’t stand the sight of that disgusting parasite. “It’s no use walking away, it’s not going to change anything and you know it. Whatever you did was wrong and you have to accept it, Arnav. Stop trying to convince yourself that everything is going to be okay because it won’t. You know that all too well.” Arnav couldn’t face his sister. He knew she was right this time.

He walked upstairs to the only place where he’d be able to think, the poolside. He hadn’t realized but Sanjana had followed him. “Arnav… I know how you must be feeling right now but there’s nothing we can do to change what happened. I told you that you were going to regret everything you did to her and you were going to feel twice as much pain as she did because you love her so much. It’s too late now. Even if you wanted to apologize you can’t because nobody knows where she is. She just left and I don’t think she is ever coming back.” Arnav looked at her and what she saw broke her heart. It was the first time she had ever seen tears in her brother’s eyes, the first time she had ever saw him cry. She ran back inside while Arnav just stood by the pool. He didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t believe what a big mistake he had made.

He hated himself for what he had done to her. She felt the pain of broken heart, of mistrust ad misunderstanding but he… he felt the pain he had caused her, the pain of betrayal. He had betrayed Khushi. The only thing that had ever meant the world to him, he threw out of his life with his own hands. He was a monster. No one deserved to have a husband like him. He didn’t deserve the love she had given him. He had thrown away what took a year to build in just a few minutes. “How could I have been so cruel?” Arnav thought to himself. “How could I do that to her? The only person who had ever truly loved me? The only person I have ever loved.” Arnav’s thoughts were disrupted by a tapping on the door. “Arnav, are you done packing? We need to leave now. Sanju called again to check if we were coming.” Arnav stood up and walked over to his cupboard to grab his bags. “Yeah, I’ll be right there in second. You go and put your stuff in the car, I’ll meet you outside.” Arnav wiped away the tears that were left and walked out of the room. He locked up the house and put the keys in his pocket. It was the first time anyone had ever stayed in that house. Arnav knew how much Khushi loved Lucknow because it was where she grew up so he bought a house there a couple months after they got married but never got a chance to tell her about it because she never came back.

Khushi woke up the next morning and looked at her tear stained pillow. It was the first time she had cried that much since she left Delhi. She didn’t want to leave the house because now that she knew he was Lucknow she didn’t want to risk coming face to face with him again. Shweta had come back last night after the cocktail party to stay with her because she didn’t want to leave her alone. All of the memories of that horrible day came flooding back and she couldn’t hold it in anymore. She had to tell someone. She couldn’t hold it back anymore. She had told Shweta everything, from the time she had met Arnav until they got married and what happened after they got married. Even Shweta couldn’t believe what Karan had done. They all knew him so well, they were all such good friends but apparently they didn’t know Karan as much as they thought they did. After Khushi had poured her heart out to Shweta she told Khushi that she had known all along, because when she first met Sanjana after Khushi came to Lucknow she told her what happened because she wanted to make sure that there was someone to take care of her and make sure she is okay, that’s why she tried to tell her at the party and stayed the night with her. She knew that if she was in the same situation, Khushi would have done the same for her.

“Good morning. How are you feeling now?” Shweta had stuck her head in the door to check if Khushi was still asleep. “A little better, now that I at least told someone I know I’m not alone anymore” Khushi felt relief wash over her. She had someone she could share her feelings with now. She didn’t have to be so alone anymore. “Well, that’s good to hear. We don’t have to go to the office today so what do you want to do? We could go shopping, watch a movie, have lunch. It’s your pick.” Shweta said with a small smile on her face. “Let me think about it and I’ll tell you while we’re having breakfast.” Khushi smiled at Shweta and walked into the bathroom.

When Khushi came out of her room an hour later she saw everybody having breakfast already without her. “I can’t believe you people. You call yourself friends and here you are eating without me.” Khushi said as she stood with her arms folded by the kitchen door. “You know we love you Khushi, but what can we do. We drove all the way from my house to here and we were starving so we decided to eat because you know I personally can’t survive without food for 2 hours and it’s been a whole 8 hours.” Adi was mumbling with a mouthful. Khushi burst out into laughter. “Okay, I’ll forgive you this time but don’t think I’ll do it again,” Khushi gave him a glare. After they all had finished up with their breakfast Kajal and Adi scrambled to the lounge for the remote leaving Khushi and Shweta to clear up the table. “Have you decided where you want to go and what you want to do today?” Shweta asked her as she was washing the last few plates. “I don’t want to go out. I know he’s in Lucknow and I don’t want to risk seeing him again. I can’t take a chance.” Khushi looked apologetically at Shweta. “Don’t worry, it’s fine. Wait a minute. There’s a young designers conference in Delhi tomorrow afternoon. I was going to take Kajal because I didn’t think you’d want to come to Delhi but now that he’s here you can come with me. We can leave today and go shopping there. There’s no chance of running into him there even at the conference because it’s for new companies and businesses. What do you think?” Khushi looked deep in thought. “It’s not a bad idea and he is here. Mmmmmmm…. Okay let’s go.”

Chapter 3

Khushi heard the door to the apartment open. Shweta walked in. “Khushi, what happened? Why did you leave so suddenly? Khushi, look at me.” Khushi looked up at Shweta with bloodshot eyes. Shweta stepped back. “Khushi, what happened? Why are you crying?” She sat down on the floor next to Khushi. “Did you see him there? I tried to tell you but Adi… Did he do anything to you?” Shweta didn’t know what to do or how to react. She had never seen her best friend in this condition before. The sight of Khushi just broke her heart. She looked so vulnerable and so… so broken. “Khushi speak to me. Say something, please.” Shweta stood up and was about to walk away when she felt Khushi pull on her dress. “Please don’t tell anyone. Don’t tell them you saw me like this.”Shweta helped Khushi stand up and took her to the sofa to sit down. “Don't worry. I won’t tell them. I’ll tell Kajal to stay with Adi’s sister tonight. I’ll come back just now.” Khushi looked at her friend. How did someone like her who had lost everything she loved still end up with a friend like Shweta who cared so much. “You don’t have to come back. You can go to Adi’s house with Shweta.” Khushi couldn’t make Shweta suffer too. It wasn’t right. This was her problem and her life. She couldn’t burden someone else with her problems. “No, I’m not leaving you alone. I’ll go back to the party, tell them the arrangements for tonight and be back within an hour. You’re not staying alone in this condition. You need someone.” Shweta turned and walked to the door. She tried to close the door gently but there was a heavy wind that blew the door shut with a slam.

                                                                                                  

Arnav slammed the door on her face. She couldn’t make sense of anything. Why would Arnav do that? He loved her… the how could he even suspect she was cheating him. How could he show such hatred towards her. She thought he loved her. She had never been happier in her life until she married him. He was everything to her. Khushi sat outside the doors to RM unsure of what to do and where to go. Tears streamed down her cheeks. He didn’t even give her a chance to speak. He just threw false accusations at her with no proof but how could Karan do this to her. He was her friend. He would never betray her like this. Still… nothing worse could happen to her now. She was broken and could never be fixed. This one game that fate had played with her would change her forever. Khushi stood up and dried her tears. She knew what she had to do now. It was then that she had decided to leave and come back to Lucknow. She had no family and her only friends were there in Lucknow. She had come to Lucknow the next day leaving behind the Raizada name and any memories attached to it, but still she couldn’t forget him. She didn’t know if she would ever be able to.

Arnav couldn’t move. He didn’t know what to do. She had run away from him. His Khushi had run away from him. He knew he deserved it. He never expected her to talk to him or even want to see him again but fate had brought them back together. Sameer, Arnav’s friend had found after he thought he had disappeared. “Arnav, where were you? Ive been looking for you. Sanjana phoned. She said we need to be back in Delhi tomorrow morning, there’s a problem at home.” Arnav looked at Sameer with pain in his eyes. Sameer wasn’t only his work collegue but his future brother-in-law too. They had developed a good friendship over the past year since Sameer’s engagement with Sanjana. Sameer knew something was up. “What’s wrong? Arnav did you hear what I said?” He put his hand on Arnav’s shoulder. “Yeah, I heard. Let’s go. Sanjana won’t call if it’s not important. I’ll go tell Arav that we need to leave.” Arnav turned around to go find Arav when Sameer stopped him. “I’ve already told him we’re leaving. He said he’ll meet us in Delhi next month for the conference.” Arnav walked towards the door with Sameer behind him and they both got into the jeep. Arnav couldn’t help but think of what he did to her and how hurt her. No matter how much she thought he hated her, he never could. The fact that he loved her so unconditionally left him in pain. He still remembered everything Karan had said to him. Every word that had made him doubt his love.

“You know she only married you for the money. She only loves me. If I had kept the truth hidden a little longer she would have divorced you and taken your money.” Arnav had Karan pinned against the wall. How could he speak like that about Khushi? “Deep down inside you know I’m telling the truth Arnav. Just think about it. You saw the other day when she was in my arms. You looked right at us and walked straight past.” Karan was enjoying instigating Arnav against Khushi. If he couldn’t have he no one could. Especially not Arnav. “Khushi would never do that. She’s not like you, you son of a b***h.” Karan burst into laughter and took Arnav by surprise. “If that makes you happy and convinces you your wife is innocent then by all means please do, but you’re lying to yourself.” Arnav had let go of him. “How much more proof do you need? We grew up together in Lucknow and we’ve been best friends since childhood. Of course we were going to fall in love with each other.” Arnav stormed out of his office. Karan had gone there to meet him because he said he wanted to discuss a surprise for Khushi’s birthday. Arnav would do anything for Khushi, Karan knew that. Arnav hadn’t realized when Karan had started talking about Khushi being his, maybe it slipped. Nonetheless it didn’t make a difference to Arnav. If this was the case Khushi had no right to stay in that house and she had no right to deceive all the people who loved her like family.

Arnav still hadn’t forgotten that day and never would, but he still can’t forget how he had hurt Khushi. The way he threw her out as if she meant nothing to him when everybody knew what she meant to him. He regretted everything he did to her. His own family hated him for what he did. His younger sister hated him for what he did to Khushi. Sanjana hated him. He still remembered what she told him and she was right. He was hurt the most.

“How could you do that to her Arnav? You don’t even know what the truth is. Karan told you something and you’re going to believe him over your wife. I always respected you because you were never made a decision irrationally. You always looked at both sides of the story before you came to a final decision but this time you were out of line. Your decision affects everybody in this house not only you. You didn’t even hear what she had to say. You just dragged her and threw her out of the house with nothing. Does this mean she meant nothing to you? Did you even love her?” Sanjana couldn’t believe what her brother had just done. He had changed when Khushi came into his life but now he had become the same Arnav Singh Raizada that didn’t care about anything. “Enough Sanjana. You have no right to question what I do. It’s my life and my house. I decide who stays here and who doesn’t. I’m not letting anybody that deceives me and my family stay in this house.” Arnav was shouting and blinded by anger. He couldn’t believe that his wife had lied to him every single day that they were married. Every time she had told him that she loves him she hadn’t really meant it. “No Arnav. I won’t listen to you because you didn’t listen to her. I tried to tell you that Karan was lying to you but you didn’t want to listen to me but now listen to what I have to say and listen carefully. The day you find out the truth, you’re going to regret everything you’ve done to her and that’s when you’re going to feel the most pain. You’re going to try to find her to say you’re sorry but you’re never going to find her. I’m not going to forgive you for what you’ve done until she does and if she doesn’t I won’t blame her, because you’re the one at fault. No one else.” Sanjana turned around and walked upstairs. She couldn’t be in the same room with her brother, not after what he’d done.

Everybody else that had gathered in the hall had nothing to say. They couldn’t say anything to Arnav because nobody had ever gone against him in this house. Arnav looked at his family and walked away. He walked into his bedroom and started throwing everything around. The picture frames he kept on the dresser, her bangles, her jewellery even her clothes. He didn’t want anything that reminded him of her. He wanted to forget her. She had betrayed him.

The next day Sanjana had taken all of Khushi’s belongings from his room and kept it with her. She noticed that his mother’s kangans weren’t there. She realized Khushi must have been wearing them when Arnav threw her out. At least she had something that belonged to the Raizada family, her family.

Two months later Sanjana walked into RM with Sameer behind her dragging Karan. “What the hell is he doing in my house?” The sight of Karan had driven Arnav mad with rage. “Why did you bring him in here, Sanjana?”Arnav was infuriated. “It’s time for the truth to come out, Arnav. It can’t stay hidden any longer.”

Chapter 2

Khushi stood still. She was frozen. The one person she was running away from, the one person who never wanted to see her face again had appeared in front of her. Was this possible? Could it really be him? She could never forget what had happened. The incident that had forced her to return to Lucknow, the reason she had to use her old name again. Everybody in Lucknow knew her as Khushi Kumari Gupta no one her knew what had happened after she had left to Delhi. No one knew why she came back and under what circumstances she came back. What had happened was too painful. She would never survive if she had to relive everything. It was this very incident that had changed her life. It had showed what the world truly was. Stone-hearted and merciless. She couldn’t feel anything now. She had cut herself off from everything she thought was right in this world, including love. She’d never be able to love again. This Khushi was different to the one he knew. She wasn’t the same anymore. “Hello Mr Raizada. I’m Khushi. One of the partners in K & A Designers.” Khushi’s tone was business-like almost as if it was a business meeting and she had never met Arnav before.

Arnav had sensed she was somewhere near when he had first walked into the hall but he didn’t think he would see her. He knew she would never want to see him again and he couldn’t blame her. She was right. He had wronged her. If only he had listened to her when she had tried to tell him. If only he had listened. If only… It was too late now, nothing could be changed but it was him that had to live with the regret. She was standing in front of him but she didn’t seem like the same Khushi he had once known. It was almost as if she had changed after she had left. The thing that shocked him the most was how she had introduced herself. It was as if she was meeting him for the first time, as if she had never known him before. “Hello,” was all Arnav could say. He had never expected that reaction from Khushi but still, he couldn’t blame her. “Yes yes, I’m coming. Excuse me Arnav, I have some other clients to attend to but you two can talk. I’ll be back just now.” Arav was walking towards the other end of the hall and had left Arnav and Khushi alone standing in front of each other.

It was as if in those few seconds all those moments they spent together came back. Khushi had killed all the feelings she had but the attraction they had towards each other was too strong. She couldn’t suppress the feelings she had for Arnav or the memories she kept locked up. She couldn’t take the chance the feelings were too strong. She just wanted to be embraced those strong arms that held her once a very long time ago. Khushi turned around and ran towards the door. Before Arnav could say anything she had disappeared out of sight. She called for a taxi to go back to the apartment she shared with Kajal and Shweta. She couldn’t stay at the party any longer knowing he was there and they would be alone. Her façade of being stone-hearted and uncaring didn’t work when it came to him. She loved him too much for her own good. Despite everything he had done to her she still couldn’t hate him. Khushi got out the taxi and paid the driver. She ran into the apartment and locked the door behind her. She needed to be alone. She needed to let it all out. She needed to cry. The last time she had shed any tears was in front of Arnav when she had left to come to Lucknow. She slid down the door. She was too weak, she couldn’t take another step. She sat on the floor thinking of everything that had happened. She could still remember it very clearly almost as if it had happened yesterday. Even after a year she couldn’t forget what had happened.

“Khushi! How could you? I can’t believe you could stoop this low!” Arnav had stormed through the doors of RM shouting. Khushi was sitting and talking to Anjali and Sanjana (Arnav’s younger cousin sister) but stood up when she heard Arnav’s voice. She knew that tone that he used but it was more what he said that had an impact on her rather than how he said it. “Arnav, why are you shouting and what are you saying? What have I done?” Anjali and Sanjana stood up from where they were sitting and were walking towards Arnav and Khushi. Everybody else had heard the shouting and had come downstairs to see what was going on. “I know everything you did. I thought you loved me Khushi. Despite everything I had done to you before, despite me hating you, you still fell in love with me. That’s what you told me right? It didn’t make a difference what had happened before, then why did you deceive me? Why did you play with my feelings? My life? Answer me Khushi. Arnav had grabbed Khushi’s arms and was hurting her. Khushi had tears in her eyes but Arnav was blinded by range and didn’t notice anything. Everybody had gathered around the two of them in the hall. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t deceived you Arnav. I’ve never lied to you.” Arnav was getting more furious, “Again Khushi, another lie. You don’t have to hide anything anymore. I know everything, Karan told me. There’s no use hiding it.” Khushi was shocked. Never before had she heard Arnav speak to her with such sarcasm. It was a side of him she had never seen before. “Karan…” Khushi didn’t understand what Karan could have said to him to put her in this situation. “Yes Khushi, Karan. Your childhood friend or should I call him your childhood love.” Khushi was stunned, “How could you even say something like that Arnav. You know he’s my friend and nothing more.” Arnav laughed, almost as if he knew she was going to say something like that. “That’s not what I heard. You had a very interesting relationship with him didn’t you? So why did you marry me then? Was your plan to marry me for six months then divorce me and take my money so you can go and live happily with him? Answer me Khushi. Why aren’t you saying anything?” Khushi couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Karan was her friend, then how could he do this to her. She knew he wasn’t happy with her choice when she got married but it had nothing to do with him.

“Enough, Arnav! How can you just throw accusations at Khushi without even hearing her out?” Sanjana couldn’t take the shouting anymore. It was driving her insane. How could her brother be so irrational? How could he only believe one side of the story? “I know very well what you’re talking about but you’re wrong. I’ve been friends with Karan for almost 5 years. I also know how he feels about Khushi but he’s feeding you false stories and you believe him.” Enough was enough. She wouldn’t hear her brother trying to degrade her Khushi anymore. “You know nothing. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. She hugged him in front of me. I ignored it thinking it was because they were good friends and she hadn’t seen him for a long time but the matter was something else.” Arnav was being irrational. He couldn’t think straight but nothing mattered to him more than the fact that the person he loved the most in the world had lied to him and deceived him. “Her silence says everything. She’s not denying anything which means I’m right. Look at me Khushi.” Arnav had grabbed her arm even tighter and was leaving a mark. “Look at me. You are a low class, immoral little slut. There is no place in this house for such people.” Arnav was dragging Khushi towards the door with everyone running behind them. He threw her over the doorstep. “Stay out and don’t even think of coming back. I never want to see your face again.”