||||| Hope you guys won't be disappointed with the way this story going... This is what I thought about this story. Let me know how and what you liked... |||||

It's almost two months, since Khushi started living separately from Raizada-s and Gupta-s. Arnav and all tried their best to take her to their homes, but she didn't change her decision. She took help from NK asking him to rent a flat for her, which he obliged happily on one condition that she should allow him to stay with her. She accepted with a smile and they both started living in same house.

Arnav almost killed NK when he rented the flat for Khushi and himself. Arnav made a big ruckus about this issue. When he was about to punch NK, Khushi came in between and stood silent looking at Arnav. The question her eyes held - 'don't you trust me still?' - killed Arnav one more time. He closed his eyes controlling his emotions, left from there saying sorry to both Khushi and NK.

In these two months Khushi recovered lot better. Her voice is almost back. But doctor suggested her not to talk much like before. Physically she became healthy. As she never knew about her attacks, she thought she was weak. It helped her greatly to come to normal state. NK took her to hospital daily for her sessions with psychiatrist, which helped her to become normal. She thanked NK for being there for her.

"NO thank you NO sorry between friends Khushi ji" NK said in Salman style making Khushi laugh whole heartedly.

Payal helped her financially, telling it's not Arnav's money but Akash's. With so much explanation from Akash's side, Khushi agreed to take their help. She knew, if she let her ego to control her, there won't be any survival for her now. So, she accepted their help much to both the families relief. For every three days everyone of her families, came to visit her. But still she maintained her distance from them knowing if she behave normal with the families, it will hurt Arnav.

For Arnav it took one month to gather courage to come and stand before Khushi to ask forgiveness, knowing she preferred his absence in her life. Arnav was shocked to know that Khushi preferred to stay away from him. He was terribly hurt knowing she preferred her mind than her heart, knowing she preferred her hatred and fear than her love towards him. He know how much difficult that's for her to choose.

He can clearly understand how confused she was to take that decision and how much painful for her to choose to stay away, knowing how she can never be able to stay away from her loved ones. He can understand how much she must have struggled or still struggling to stay away, knowing her selfless love towards her families. Isn't that quality which made him take that drastic step of their marriage? But still, she chose to stay away from her love, not because it will do good to HER loved one... but because she is scared, she is scared of the monster named Arnav Singh Raizada and his anger. She felt tired of being insulted by the monster, she felt tired to be heartbroken every time she hopes. She felt tired of becoming orphan again and again. She felt tired making others understand. So, she chose to leave, she chose to stay away from the monster and everyone. She chose to stop living and loving again. She chose to be lost rather than living in a hell with a devil... what she calls him? Yeah... rakshas...

After asking forgiveness from her once, Arnav used to come daily to see her and to know her well being. He asked her forgiveness and waiting for her acceptance. But she never gave any response to him, fearing about another heartbreak. Arnav, who understood her fears well, didn't push her much. But never stopped coming to visit or asking forgiveness. After spending little bit time in her apartment along with her and NK, he understood why she took that decision. He can clearly understand how scared she became around him and how free she stays around others. He can clearly understand how badly he shattered her heart. How can clearly understand how much he lost in his anger and fears...

One day, When khushi taking afternoon nap

NK looked at his ringing mobile. Seeing the name he answered the call.

"NK, How are you?" Arnav asked with low voice

"I'm fine Arnav" NK asked dryly

Arnav closed his eyes in pain not hearing the endearment 'Nannav' from NK.

"Please NK... I know I did mistakes... but please... don't punish me more. I can't take this..." Arnav whispered into his phone

NK held his mobile in tight grip to control his emotions. He couldn't see his best brother and his best friend in this situation.

"What made you call now?" NK asked

"I just want to know about how Khushi is doing. I can't come today to see her. I hope she is doing well"

"Yes, Khushi ji is doing good. Today her session went well. Her pronunciation became more clear. Doctor said she is showing great development. But suggested not to talk more"

After that no one talked, but stayed on line.

"NK... thank you and sorry..." suddenly Arnav said. Not getting any response for the other side, Arnav continued "Thanks for being with Khushi when she needed. Thanks for supporting her in every second. Thanks for taking care of her when I failed miserably. Thanks for everything NK... I can never thank you enough for whatever you did to me and my Khushi... thanks a lot my brother... and... and... I'm really really sorry for my behaviour whenever I talked with you. I'm really sorry for not understanding your love and feelings towards our family. I'm really sorry for each and every second of our life and each and every word I spoke with you, each and every insult I threw at your face... I'm sorry NK... I'm really sorry..."

NK can clearly hear the shiver in his brother's voice. He can never see his brother in weak situation. He knew how much strong Arnav is. NK saw Arnav behaving so strong in worstest conditions. When Arnav and Anjali came to Nani's house after their loss of parents, NK saw the strong Arnav, who consoled everyone and became a man over night. NK always admired him as his own big brother. He can never accept Arnav in weak condition. He knew whatever Arnav did to Khushi is not at all acceptable. So, he kept the distance between them. But how much bad, sad and loss he is feeling because of this distance, only he knew, only Khushi can understand. No one else...

"Nannav..." NK whispered in phone

Arnav gasped in happiness and whispered back "NK..."

"You are too precious for both of us to just let you go... We both miss you... a lot... Nannav..." that's all he said and cut the call unable to control his emotions. He closed his eyes to stop the tears not to roll on his cheeks. He jerked his head feeling a hand on his shoulder and looked at Khushi, who is looking at him with tearful eyes.

"I'm sorry for separating you from your brother. I'm really sorry... I... I... don't know what I thought when I asked you to stay with me. Hume maaf kar dijiye Nanhe ji. Hum aisa nahi karna chahiye tha... maaf kijiye... aap please... go to him. He needs you..."

"First of all, you never asked me to stay with you. It's MY condition. I never wanted to leave you alone. Do you think nannav will appreciate if I left you alone? Never... I know him and his anger better than you. And what did you say? He needs me? Then what about you Khushi ji? Don't you need me? Nannav has our family with him, but you didn't have anyone. Then how can you expect me to leave you like this?" NK asked with calm yet firm voice

Khushi looked at him with expressionless face

"He is repenting Khushi ji. He is dying every second not able to get your forgiveness. I know whatever he did was never acceptable. But don't you think he need a chance in his life to get your forgiveness? He loves you Khushi ji"

"No he don't. He is just guilty for doing all those things and saying all those words to me. Nothing else... he never loved me... he doesn't love me... he will never either. He always hated me. He himself admitted that. The differences between our families and social status are always bothered him. He always hated my presence in Shantivan. He always hated the way his family treated me. When days going, I understood he have problem with only me, not with my family. So, he accepted jiji's alliance. I think, after knowing I would spoil his sister's life, he hated me more never like before. He never worried about my life or my reputation. That is the only reason he came up with this contract marriage. He always had problem with me "

"To whom you are lying Khushi ji? To me? To yourself? To your heart? We both know how much you both loved each other. We both know how much you two miss each other. If you want to fool me or this world, then it's fine. But at least don't try to fool yourself Khushi ji. I know how much you need him... I know how much you are craving for him. I know how much you are longing for him."

"I never said that I don't love him... I never said I don't need him. I love him more than myself... I need him more than anything or anyone else in this world. Do you know how I felt when he walked away after telling why he married me? Do you know how I felt when I came to know the person I loved most, was doubting me? Do you have any idea how I felt when I came to know that my love never reciprocated? Do you know how I felt Nanhe ji? Do you have any idea..." Khushi stopped feeling exhausted. She leaned on the back of her couch panting. NK got alerted seeing her in that condition. He ran to kitchen and brought water and gave it to her

"Relax Khushi ji... relax... don't get exhausted... it's okay, we can talk about this later. Don't stress yourself much... relax... it's not good for your health. I don't want you to get ill again... please relax..."

"It's okay Nanhe ji... I'm fine, don't worry. I was just... forget it. How much ever we discuss or argue... the truth will never change. Arnav ji can never love me. My pain will never go. I'm getting used to live alone in life. Once I become completely healthy, I will leave. Then no one will have any problem. Arnav ji also no need to be in this guilt. He can live his life as he wanted"

"What? So, are you trying to run away? Is that what you are going to do? Is that how you deal with problems in life Khushi ji? I never guessed you will do this! The Khushi I knew never runs away... this is not my friend... she is a fighter. You disappointed me today Khushi ji. No one wants you to walk away from our lives. No one... including Nannav will accept this"

"But"

NK can hear so many confusions and questions in that single word

"I'm not saying to forget everything immediately or forgive him immediately. I know that will be easy to say than doing. But Khushi ji give him a chance. Give YOURSELF a chance. Here I'm not talking about him, I'm talking about you. I'm thinking about you. Stop being self pitied. Stop thinking that you are unwanted. Stop thinking about others... think about YOU... think about YOUR life... think about your HAPPINESS. At least for once Khushi. Think about yourself..."

Khushi looked at him confused

Sighing deeply NK asked "Tell me onething Khushi ji. Can you live without him? Will you be able to forget him in your life? Can you move on in your life without Nannav in that?"

"NK ji?" Khushi's eyes widened in fear.

"Then?"

"NK ji..." Khushi whispered

NK held Khushi's palms in his and said "Think about it Khushi ji. You have every right to live your life as how YOU wanted. Didn't you say, life is very small, we shouldn't waste it on hate and all? Please Khushi ji... all I want is your happiness, Both of yours. Think about it... but please don't stress yourself much. Relax and think about it with cool mind. Hmm?"

Khushi looked at him with tearful eyes and nodded her head. "Thank you so much NK ji... thanks for being with me, when I needed. Thanks a lot..." with that she hugged him, which he reciprocated with small smile while patting her back.

...to be continued

Thank you