Her sleep was broken by the incessant knocking on the door. She looked at the clock which showed it was 2'o clock. It was pouring heavily outside and the raindrops clattered on the windows. She slowly moved towards the door with trepidation. She opened the door and the sight in front of her staggered her. Arnav Singh Raizada stood at her door completely drenched form head to toe; shoulders slumped in defeat and eyes bloodshot. She saw him lift his eyes and the moment his brown eyes met her hazel ones, he lurched forward and pulled her into a bone crushing hug. The water from his wet form seeped into her clothes making her shiver involuntarily. Both of them stood still, one trying to find an anchor to save himself from drowning and the other trying to comprehend the sudden turn of events.
"Everything is over Khushi. Arnav said, pulling away from her after what felt like eternity.
"What are you saying Arnavji? Khushi looked at him perplexed.
"She doesn't believe me Khushi, she doesn't believe her Chotte. I tried to explain everything to her but her love for that man is just too insane. Arnav muttered.
"Arnavji give her some time to accept the fact. I am sure Anjaliji would understand once she has calmed down. She is your sister after all, right now she is blinded by his fake love but once she realizes how vile he is, she will come to you. Khushi said cupping his cheeks.
"She won't. Arnav stated in a dead tone.
Khushi was having a hard time understanding what exactly had happened at Shantivan and neither was Arnav telling her anything clearly.
Arnav had confessed his feelings to Khushi on the night of Akash and Payal's wedding. Khushi was ecstatic knowing her khadoos Laad Governor loved her. But one thought wouldn't leave her mind; she couldn't start her relationship until she comes clean about her past. She knew Arnav would be devastated after hearing the truth about his brother-in-law but she had to tell him and hence she had spilled the entire truth, hoping he would understand. Arnav stood stunned when Khushi told him the truth. He couldn't believe that his ever-so sweet Jijaji was a two timing snake. But he couldn't deny that he had his own doubts about the man and with Khushi's story he knew something was definitely wrong. So, he had hugged Khushi and told her that he would make everything alright. They had decided to gather proofs and reveal his true face when the time is right.
Looking at Arnav, she could guess he had revealed everything but then why was he in such a miserable state. The ASR she knew would never crumble just because his sister didn't believe him. She knew he would go to the end of the world to ensure his Di would be out of harm's way. Then what had destroyed him to such an extent. She helped him stand up and took him to her room. He had turned utterly silent after his outburst earlier. She took a towel from her cupboard and started drying his hair, gently massaging the scalp to relax his rigid form. She felt him relax and he wrapped his arms around her waist, clutching onto her as if his life depended on it.
"Arnavji please tell me what is bothering you. I cannot see you like this. Khushi pleaded looking into his eyes, cupping his face.
Khushi was desperately hoping he would draw some strength from her proximity and tell her what was wrong. She could deal with his anger, his taunts even his teasing but this silent Arnav was something which she was not familiar with. As she was looking at his face, she could see his eyes fluttering and that is when she realized he was sweating even in such cold weather. All these symptoms alerted her that his sugar levels were going down, she wondered if he even had his dinner. She rushed to the kitchen to fetch the jalebis she had made for dinner and started feeding him. She released her breath which didn't know she was holding as Arnav's breathing regulated and he slowly opened his eyes. She took him to her bedroom and made him lie down on the bed. She rested his back on the headboard and brought a plate of food from the kitchen and started feeding him. He took every morsel she fed him quietly, his mind playing all the events of the evening again and again.
"She said I am doing this because of you, that my love for you is the reason that I am blaming her husband and I have stopped caring about my family. Arnav murmured.
Khushi gasped hearing his statement. She couldn't believe that Anjaliji could ever say something so hurtful to her own brother who only lived for the well-being of his family.
That night when Arnav and Khushi had confessed one more person was present there. He was none other than Shyam Manohar Jha. After witnessing their entire conversation, Shyam knew it wouldn't be possible to get Khushi now that Arnav was with her. So, in the following days, he slowly started poisoning Anjali and the others' minds against Khushi and pointed out Arnav's changed behaviour at every instance. He told them Khushi was trying to trap Arnav and would eventually take over everything right from his property to his house and would estrange Arnav from them.
Flashback: Same day evening
Everyone was sitting in the hall sipping their evening tea when Arnav walked downstairs. He was about to leave to surprise Khushi by taking her to dinner. Everyone looked up and saw him walking out with a smile on his face.
"Look at him, Rani Saheba nowadays he doesn't even tell you where he is going these days Shyam drawled. Anjali looked at her husband and stood up and walked up to her brother.
"Where are you going Chotte? Anjali questioned.
"Umm... yeah Di about that, I won't be home for dinner tonight. I am meeting a client.
"But Bhai I don't recall any dinner meeting with any client. Akash asked looking at his brother suspiciously.
"Hello Hi Bye Bye, he must be going to meet that good for nothing Phatti Sari. Mami uttered.
Arnav was shocked to hear such words from his Mami. He hadn't mentioned anything about his and Khushi's relationship to anyone. Nobody knew that they had confessed and were seeing each other. He had thought they should spend some time trying to know each other before letting the families know.
"Did you think we wouldn't come to know about your secret little affair if you didn't tell us? What is there to hide Chotte? This must have been Khushi's idea, always trying to snatch you away. Anjali spat, her eyes spewing venom while mentioning Khushi.
Arnav looked at his family members who were looking at him as if he had committed some sin. His Di who had always talked about the girl who would fill his life with love, was now insulting the same girl who has turned his life around.
"Di, what are you saying, why would Khushi snatch me away when she loves you all so much. And as far as our relationship is concerned, we were waiting for the right time Di. Arnav explained trying to stay calm.
"And you think we will believe you Chotte. Shyamji was right, Khushi has really influenced you a lot, he told us you might say something on these lines. Anjali said with a sad smile.
Arnav looked at Shyam who had a smirk on his face. His fury rose and Arnav lunged towards Shyam and caught his throat.
"How dare you plot against me in my own house you b****d? Arnav roared.
"What are you doing Arnav, leave him. He is your Jijaji. Arnav stilled hearing his Di call him by his name.
"Di you don't know what he has been doing behind your back. He has been cheating on you. He got engaged to Khushi, lying to the entire Gupta family that he was unmarried and stayed with them as their paying guest.
Anjali looked at her brother in disbelief, trying to process this new information. But she was jerked out of her thoughts as her husband tugged at her arm.
"Rani Saheba, he is lying. Khushi was trying to trap me with her innocent looks but when I opposed her advances, she threatened me that she will tell you that I am cheating on you. I love only you my Rani Saheba. She must have fed this story to Saale Sahab by innocently shedding tears. Shyam said in a sickly sweet tone.
A slap echoed in Shantivan. Anjali stood fuming in front of her brother who was holding his cheek which was stinging with the effect of the slap.
"How dare you blame Shyamji of such a thing Arnav? Has that girl brainwashed you to the extent that you have stopped realizing what is right or wrong. When she couldn't get my husband she has decided to trap you. Anjali said, disgust dripping from her every word.
"Enough Di, you don't even know the truth and you are blaming Khushi. She is the victim here and your dear husband is the one trying to ruin our lives. Arnav shouted.
"Bhai, when will you stop defending that girl. You are doubting Jijaji because she conjured up a story? Had all this been true, Payal would have told me but she never mentioned it. Akash said, trying to get his brother to understand.
"Akash they hid it because they decided to give him a chance so that Di can have a happy life. We were going to reveal this after Payal and her family came back from Lucknow. Arnav tried to convince his little brother.
"Bas Chotte, I have heard enough of your nonsense. You are going to apologize to Shyamji and we will end this matter here and no one from this family will ever mention Khushi nor will try to meet her. I won't even let her shadow touch my family. Anjali roared.
"Di, I am not going to do anything that you said. You have to believe me. I am not lying. Arnav pleaded to his sister. She was blinded by her husband and his treacherous web of lies.
"Rani Saheba, the papers. Shyam whispered into her ear, to which Anjali nodded.
"Arnav if you really love me and care for this family then you have to sign these papers. Anjali said with an expressionless face. Arnav realized something even more devastating was about to happen.
"What are these papers Di? Arnav said, gulping the lump in his throat.
"These papers state that you have transferred every property and AR to me and Di. Akash said in an equally dead tone.
"These papers will ensure that Khushi will not be able to manipulate you and get hold of your wealth. I am doing this to safeguard the family, Arnav Anjali said.
To say Arnav was shocked would be an understatement. His siblings for whom he had built all of this were asking him to give away everything just because they trusted that vile man over him. All of these properties, power and luxury were the result of the hard work he had put in for the last ten years.
"Di, what are you doing, please don't do this. You all have to understand that he is trying to fool all of you. Khushi and I are just trying to save Di from him. Arnav shouted, he couldn't believe his own family was standing against him on the words of an outsider. His eyes filled up with tears looking at his Di who stood with an expressionless face waiting for him to sign the papers.
"Arnav we cannot let you waste away everything we have earned for a mere slip of a girl. Just sign the papers and let's end this here.
"Di if this is what you want then let me tell you one thing. Either you take these papers back and accept Khushi with the respect she deserves or I leave this house the minute I sign these papers and you lose your brother forever. Arnav decided to switch to his ASR mode and he knew he had hit a raw nerve. He did this to buy himself some time to sort this mess.
"Just sign the papers Arnav. Anjali said with no emotion looking straight into her brother's eyes.
Those five words shattered Arnav's life. His Di, his second mother was telling him to leave and the people he called his family stood like mere spectators doing nothing to stop her. Arnav knew he had lost the battle the moment those papers came into picture but he still wanted to fight till the end. Looking at his sister and cousin brother, he picked up the papers and signed them, knowing anything he would say was going to go in vain. He looked at them one last time and saw Shyam smirking standing behind Anjali. He walked out of his own house without looking back. Arnav Singh Raizada was back to where he started fourteen long years ago.3
Flashback Ends
As soon as he finished, Khushi hugged Arnav as tight as she could tears continuously rolling down her face. She couldn't believe that his own family could do this to him. The mere thought of what he must have gone through made a shiver run down her spine. She stroked his back trying to reduce his tremors. Her soothing action broke the dam that held his emotions and he sobbed resting his head on her shoulder letting out all his grief, longing and pain. For the first time she let him cry as she knew he has a habit of swallowing up his pain and she didn't want to lose him to the pain.
"I have nothing left Khushi, no family, no relations. He said.
"You have me Arnavji. Nobody can take me away from you. Khushi declared lifting up his face and looking confidently into his tear-filled eyes.
Arnav looked at her, trying to find any sign of malice, deceit or betrayal but found none. All he could see was unconditional love for him. This girl whom he hated once was now the only person he could call his own. He pulled her into a tight embrace, drawing strength from her presence. In that moment he saw a ray of hope that he could get over this and start a new life with his Khushi, his angel.1
"We will start a new life Arnavji and this time you won't be alone. I will always be there to catch you when you fall. Nothing and no one can ever do anything wrong with you till I am here. Khushi assured him. She made him lay down on the bed and got in next to him. She caressed his head till he fell asleep. After ensuring he was sound asleep, she let herself be consumed by slumber. Tomorrow was going to be a new day.
Seven years later: New York
A black Audi halted before a grand multi-storied building, a man wearing a black Armani suit stepped out and went to the passenger side. A woman wearing a stunning black gown stepped down from the car. The man put his arm around her waist and they walked into the building.
"We made it Khush, we have fulfilled our dream. Arnav said hugging his wife.
"We were bound to make it Arnav. I had told you we would start a new life and here we are at the inauguration of our 10th hotel and I know you wouldn't stop here. We still have a lot to achieve.Khushi said proudly looking at her husband.
Khushi was already working at a renowned hotel as a chef when Arnav started living with her. Initially Khushi prohibited him from working as she knew he needed to come out of his grief. Khushi spent all her free time trying to bring Arnav out of his shell, it was difficult but she managed to break him out within a week. Arnav then insisted that he was feeling useless at home so he started hunting for a job but in the beginning all he got were rejections and every day he would come home dejected but Khushi assured him that he would definitely find a job soon. As if Devi Maiyya heard her daily prayers, a job for a manager opened up at her restaurant and she instantly recommended Arnav. The owner instantly hired Arnav looking at his accolades. With Arnav's business acumen, the owner was able to expand his business and after a year of working the owner offered a partnership to Arnav. Being a former business man Arnav grabbed the opportunity and that started his career as a hotelier. He worked day and night to start up his own hotel with the capital he had saved from his previous stint. Khushi was the one who motivated him to get back into business. She completed her studies and did her hotel management degree to help ensure Arnav had an inside view of how the hospitality industry worked. After the opening of their first hotel, almost three years later, Arnav proposed to Khushi and they got married in a simple ceremony in the presence of the Gupta's and Payal.
The downfall of the Raizadas began the moment Arnav left. Initially Shyam was very polite and continued his facade. But soon his true colours were revealed by a very shocked Payal and the Gupta's. Shashi Gupta was fit and had revealed how Shyam tried to murder him. Payal immediately divorced Akash as she couldn't stay with a man who had disrespected his sister but also had banished his elder brother. Anjali went into denial and kept clinging to Shyam but he shrugged her and declared that the papers Arnav signed gave everything to him and not Akash and Anjali. This broke the Raizadas but Payal couldn't let the snake win. She informed the police and got him arrested. She transferred all the properties to Nani and Mama's name and left them for good. Anjali was depressed beyond measure. Her life had been uprooted and she had lost her only support, her Chotte to her own follies. All of them tried to contact Arnav but couldn't reach him. Payal once visited them as Nani wanted to see her and warned them to stay away from Arnav as well as Khushi. The Raizadas agreed as they couldn't risk hurting him again.
Khushi and Arnav walked out to the banquet hall of the newly constructed hotel of the AK Group of Hotels. All the media was present to cover the latest opening of the 5th International hotel of the AK Group.
"Good Evening everyone thank you for joining us today. We are delighted to announce that AK Imperial is now at your service. We really thank you for being a part of this joyous day. Arnav gave his signature statement to the media.
"Also we would like to share that today's day is doubly special as it is Mr. and Mrs. Raizada's 4th wedding anniversary. Payal announced taking the mike from Arnav's hand. The banquet hall erupted in cheers and Arnav hugged Khushi, placing a kiss on her forehead.
The party continued till late night. After the party, Arnav and Khushi went back to their apartment. Khushi went to freshen up and when she came out she saw a packet on the bed and a note attached to it.
Wear this and come to the balcony' it read.
The packet contained a red sari similar to the one she had worn for their wedding. She changed and went straight to the balcony. The balcony was decorated with fairy lights and her favourite red roses and amidst them stood Arnav Singh Raizada looking dashing in his white shirt and jeans.
"I know we just came from a party but a personal celebration is required right? Arnav said cocking his eyebrow.
"Of course Mr. Raizada, the gift you are about to receive would have evoked a reaction potent enough to destroy your ASR facade. She chuckled; loving to see her husband's confused face.
"Well then I can't wait. Arnav drawled.
"Well Mr. Raizada be ready for a round of tantrums, mood swings and a lot of jalebis for the next few months because you are going to be super busy. Khushi said with mock seriousness.
"What? Don't tell me we are again getting a cribby wedding client like last time. Arnav whined.
"Arnav you can never think beyond hotels and clients. Here I am trying to tell him in a romantic way that I am pregnant and all that khadoos Laad Governor can deduce is I am talking about a client.Khushi muttered out loud.
Arnav stood gaping at his wife who just uttered the most important words of his life.
"Khush, are you serious? I mean are you sure? Arnav said baffled.
"Of course I am sure you stupid man. You are going to be a father.Khushi blushed uttering the second sentence.
Arnav picked her up in his arms and twirled her around. Putting her down he kissed her, conveying how elated he was.
"This is the best anniversary gift Khush. I love you.
"I love you too Arnav.
Life moving forward was going to be blissful with their little angel. Arnav and Khushi's love overcame all the obstacles and emerged stronger than before. It is true when they say All's well that ends well.
Writer: Loquacious_Soul
