Part 37:

Days are moving fast. Wedding came into two week. Along with wedding date, there comes Gupta's SIL - Abhinav. Immediately after coming home, he started his disgusting behaviour with Khushi and started irritating her. Khushi felt disgusted with him around, in their house.

Pandit told them how to start the rituals to each family. He told both Akshaya and Garima to make Arnav and Khushi as groom and bride just three days before the wedding. He also mentioned them that in south india there is no particular celebration like mehendi and Sangeet, he asked them to celebrate if they want to whenever they are comfortable. And he also mentioned that after making Arnav and Khushi as groom and bride they both shouldn't meet. So, families decided to make Sangeet a week before wedding and mehendi just before the day of making groom and bride.

One day, just 11 days before of the wedding

"I can't take him anymore Arnav ji. He is really irritating me with his disgusting words. Please take me from here... please..." Khushi cried in phone.

"Khushi... Sweetheart... please don't cry. Please..."Arnav felt helpless hearing her cries. He felt anger rising in his mind thinking about Abhinav. He remembered Khushi saying how Latha burst out her complete frustration before her husband letting him know about Arnav's threat. That made Abhinav mad, he began his dirty play. But this time, Khushi told everything to Arnav. Till Abhinav comes she was brave, but seeing Abhinav, her fears came out making her weak. Arnav clearly understand her fears. She is scared because she thinks Latha will be more worst when she has her husband beside her. And with Abhinav she can go to any extent to stop this marriage. Their madness towards becoming rich and jealousy, towards Khushi and Arnav, makes them do anything.

"WHY ARE YOU SILENT?" Khushi shouted on phone jerking Arnav

"Khushi, I was thinking..." he was cut by Khushi's words

"HERE I'M CRYING and you are thinking about god knows what? This is not fair Arnav ji?" Khushi sniffed making Arnav chuckle.

"No dear... I'm just thinking about how brave you were few days back. But, now... hmm.. I don't know what to say" Arnav tried to tease Khushi little but.

"What do you mean by few days back? I'm brave now too" Khushi said as a matter of fact

"Then why are you worrying about them?" Arnav asked in serious tone.

"What if they do something to stop this marriage as jiji did few days back by telling all things to Mami ji?" Khushi asked in sad and fearful tone "If they do anything like that, then I can't live Arnav ji. If our marriage wouldn't happen or you leaves me behind, then that will be my last day as I can't face this world again. Without you I don't have any life. I'm nothing without you. I can't live my life without you beside me." Khushi said sending shivers to Arnav

Arnav sat in shock hearing Khushi's words. That is the exact moment, he understood, till what extent khushi can go if she likes someone and how much hurt could she be in this matters. And also understood how much sensitive and scared she is. He felt worried and at the same time content after hearing her words, he felt lucky by having her in his life, felt lucky to get her love and felt elated to get place in her pure and innocent heart. He felt sudden possessiveness towards her. He took the car keys and came out from his Mahal and drove towards Khushi's house, while hearing her little sobs.

"Khushi... I love you, you know that right?" he asked

"Hmm..." Khushi said between her hiccups.

"I can't live without you, that too you know right?"

"..." Only Khushi's hiccups and increased sobs answered him

"Then how can you think that I will leave you Khushi? I know what you are, I already said that no one can stop this marriage, whatever happens. I need you in my life Khushi. Please trust me, I won't leave you" Arnav couldn't understood how to bring her out from her fears. He understood how badly she was hurt in past.

Khushi sat on bed hearing his words. After sometime, suddenly she heard knocks on the door and the window. She looked at both the sides. One side she know the person , but on the other side she doesn't have any idea who it can be at this late hour, but she can guess, in fact she is somewhat sure. She ignored the knocks and went to open the window. Arnav jumped inside and next second he engulfed Khushi in a tight hug. Khushi tried to come out of the hug hearing the knocks on the door again. But Arnav tightened his hug not letting her go away from her

"You are mine Khushi, no one can separate you from me, not even you. Do you understand that?" Arnav said in his serious low voice

Khushi hugged him back relaxing a bit. They again heard the knock on the door.

"Who is that? Ask?" Arnav said

"No need, it's one of them or both. Buaji and Amma will call me whenever they knock" Khushi said in irritation, frustration and fear

Arnav felt anger hearing the knock again.

"Khushi open the door, we know you are awake" Latha said from other side.

"I'm busy now" Khushi said

"But your jija ji wants to talk with you"

"I don't want to. Whatever he wants to talk ask him to wait till tomorrow" Khushi said completely annoyed by their behaviour.

But suddenly Abhinav started banging on the door shouting for Khushi. Khushi held Arnav tightly and looked at him with fear

"Arnav ji... I don't want to go" she is verge of crying

"Shh... I will go now..." before Arnav continues anything Khushi nodded her head rapidly looking at him with scared eyes. Arnav held Khushi's shoulders and said "I will leave now from here. But will come from that side, as I came there as you called me about this Abhinav. Okay? Close the window and open the door. Let me come from there then I will handle this man." Arnav said looking at the door.

"But Arnav ji..."

"Trust me Khushi. I will never leave you. I will be before you in few minutes, you have to trust me dear" it's getting difficult for Arnav to leave Khushi and go. But he can't risk Khushi's respect by letting others know that they both are meeting secretly at nights.

With tears in her eyes, Khushi nodded her head and left Arnav's hand. She opened the door after closing the window. She took few minutes to compose herself, she wiped the tears and took deep breath before opening the door. When she opened the door, she was surprised to be pushed by Abhinav and the door was closed by him closing both of them inside. Khushi looked at him confusedly and the door.

"What do you think? You and your so called fiance will give threats to us and we will stay silent? Don't you think you are crossing your limits going against us?"

The alcohol smell hit Khushi nostrils making her flinch "Open the door first, Abhinav. I don't want to talk with you now. You are drunk, just leave from here"

"Oh dear... I didn't come here to go away from you. I'm here to take what was mine. Someone comes in between and take my things? I will never accept that. I will take whatever is mine" with that he held Khushi's hand and pulled her towards him. Khushi looked horrified and tried to free her hand. "Don't try sweetheart, no one will come to save you. If you cooperate with me for few minutes, then everything will be fine. You are making me crazy with your beauty. Let's finish our 'work' then you can marry Arnav or his father. But let me first have you. I can't control anymore now Khushi. All I want is to taste you, kiss you madly and feel you around me. I want you... I want you Khushi..."

Abhinav thought, if he scare, irritate, threat or blackmail Khushi then she will stop stepping forward for this marriage. But when she didn't do that, he lost his control. Not having other thoughts or time for thinking new plans, he fixed to this disgusting deed, ignoring the consequences.

"Abhinav... what are you doing?" this time Latha asked, who came inside pushing the unlocked door. She didn't expect this. She thought her husband will scare Khushi to stop this marriage, but this? She couldn't believe that her husband is lusting over other woman after having her beside him. She couldn't believe that her husband can cheat her like this. She couldn't believe that her husband doesn't consider her feelings.

"Stay out of this Latha. This is my personal matter, you have nothing to do with this" Abhinav said pulling Khushi towards him.

"But how can you do this to me?" Latha asked holding his hand, she is not at all worried about her sister's life. She is selfish enough to think about her own life.

Abhinav pushed her out of the room and locked the room from inside and turned to Khushi. Khushi rushed to other side of her bed and held her phone to call Arnav. That is when she realised that she didn't even cut the call after Arnav came to her house. That means, he is listening everything happening there. Khushi looked at Abhinav and then to her phone and again at Abhinav. But took two steps backward seeing Abhinav just before her.

"Whom you are calling sweetheart? Your so called fiance? Before he comes here we can finish our 'work'. Now like a good girl, cooperate with me and give whatever is mine. Then I will see who will marry you. I will get you, at the same time I will get this house. I will go to any extent to get what I want. No one can stop me... ABSOLUTELY NO ONE CAN STOP ME. I will make you mine now, then will see what that stupid Arnav Singh Raizada does" he felt his cheek burned with a hard slap. He looked at Khushi who is looking at him with anger. This made Abhinav more angry he pulled Khushi by holding her hair to kiss her.

Few things happened at that same second; Khushi fell on bed with sudden pull making Abhinav hit his head to cot's mosquito net stand; Latha opened the main door hearing the banging and Arnav came inside followed by Aman and his men; Buaji and Garima came out hearing Latha's loud voice. Both the elders stood in their places not understanding what is happening. Arnav's men broke the door of Khushi's room

Arnav strode inside Khushi room to see, Abhinav holding Khushi by her hair and Khushi is trying her best to release herself from his painful grip. The sight woke up the worst in ASR. Whatever happened in next few minutes, is disaster. Aman pulled ASR from killing Abhinav roughly and pushed towards Khushi saying "ASR, Khushi bhabhi needs you" Aman's men held bleeding Abhinav, Aman led them to living room and asked them to tie Abhinav up.

Khushi looked at Arnav, and lost her conscious with the happenings. Arnav made her lie on bed comfortably and went to living room.

"Aman, I don't want this man to breath his next. Make today is his last" Arnav's words sent chills to Khushi's family.

"No sir... please... I'm sorry... I won't do that again... I'm sorry..." Abhinav pleaded in a hurry, getting panic. The effect of alcohol left long back when Arnav's fist landed on Abhinav's cheek for the first time.

"Aman, do as I say. I don't want to see him again. Finish him"

"Sir... please leave my husband. He was just drunk" Latha asked

Arnav rashly turned to Latha "Drunk? Just drunk? Don't you know what he was about to do inside? I already said to you to stay away from Khushi. You didn't listen to me, you didn't believe me when I said that your life would be worstest. Now, live the worstest. Get ready for the hell, Mrs. Latha Abhinav" Arnav gritted his teeth holding Latha's throat.

After hearing Arnav's orders Aman's men took Abhinav with them ignoring everyone's pleads.

"Arnav babua, please ask them to leave Abhinav Please ask them to not to kill him" Garima requested

"Do you have any idea what he was about to do with khushi? He forced himself on Khushi. He tried to rape MY KHUSHI..." Arnav shouted with his high volume. Both Buaji and Garima gasped loudly hearing the matter. They both looked at Latha, who gulped hard

"W...w...what are you looking at me...? May be Khu...Khushi did something to irritate him or se..." That's all she can say as a heavy slap landed on her cheek with loud sound of slap echoing in the room leaving Latha unconscious.

Arnav is about to hold Latha to pull her up, he heard a low 'Arnav ji'. In next second he stood hugging Khushi tightly

"Don't worry sweetheart. Our men took that man away from here. He won't come again. Relax... you are fine. I'm here with you... relax... sh..." Arnav said patting her head.

Khushi relaxed in Arnav's embrace. "I don't want them in our marriage" Khushi said in low voice

"Done, you won't see them till you want. I promise. Come you need sleep... let me make you sleep" Arnav took Khushi inside the room and made her lie on the bed. He caressed her hair till she drifted into peaceful sleep. Arnav came out closing the door to see both Buaji and Garima sat in living room, looking at unconscious Latha on the floor.

"My men will take Latha too. Khushi don't want them in our marriage. And they won't appear. Don't think about the relatives. I will handle them" saying that Arnav called Aman and asked him to take Latha too. After that he called his father and told him everything whatever happened with Khushi. He also took permission to stay with Khushi till morning.

After assuring Buaji and Garima, Arnav went to Khushi's room and sat on the chair near the table. In past midnight, he settled beside Khushi, hearing her panicked mumbles; taking her in his arms, giving her much needed support and strength.

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Next day, Khushi woke up feeling warmth around her. She slowly opened her eyes to see Arnav sleeping peacefully. A smile crept on her face. She slowly moved herself little upward and kissed his nose. Arnav's sleep got disturbed with that and he woke up to see the beautiful face

"I can't wait to wake up like this every morning. Good Morning sweetheart, I love you" Arnav too kissed Khushi on her forehead. He looked at her eyes and slowly leaned down towards her lips.

"What the!!!" he said in surprise feeling the push on his chest "Khushi come here NOW, or else" he threatened seeing Khushi moved out of bed. Khushi shook her head in no and told in actions, that she didn't brush yet.

"Khushi I'm warning you. You only woke me up, now you have to give me my morning kiss. Or else I'm not going to leave you" saying Arnav stepped out of the bed.

Khushi shrieked without opening her mouth and rushed to washroom. Arnav also went behind her, but before he reach she went inside and closed the door.

"Khushi opened the damn door" Arnav bangged the door. He can hear Khushi giggling inside the washroom. He kept his head on the door, feeling relaxed thinking that Khushi is not sad because of yesterday's horrible incident. He sighed and again lied on bed. he closed his eyes remembering their close times and kisses. a smile danced on his lips. He looked at washroom, hearing the door opening sound. He extended his hand towards Khushi asking her to come to him. Khushi readily came running into his arms. Arnav rolled on bed coming on top of her.

"Arnav ji..."

"How are you?"

"I'm perfectly fine and why wouldn't I be after having you with me? Thank you for everything. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't come at the right time. Love you..." Khushi kissed him on his cheek

"Don't worry, Aman handed both Abhinav and Latha to Rajesh's team. They will handle them from now. You will never see them. It's my promise" Arnav kissed Khushi on her forehead "Just a week more, and then the rituals will start and then the marriage. You will be mine in 'every' sense" Arnav winked at her, turning her into deep red. Both hugged each other tightly feeling each other closely.

Later, Arnav left to Sheesh Mahal bidding bye to Khushi and her family, to explain things to his family

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"How is she now?" Asked Dadi concernedly

"What is this Arnav? How can you trust Khushi in this matter and accuse Abhinav? Who knows, maybe Khushi did something which made him take that step?" Manorama's words surprised everyone in the room

" I know what happened. I heard everything what Abhinav said. He want Gupta mansion for himself. If khushi gets married to another person, then he can't get that. So, he thought if he make... make Khushi his, physically then no one will marry her. Without any other option, Buaji and Aunty will marry Khushi to him then he could enjoy the property. He or his wife are not the people you think mami. They are way far from your guess. Do you know why he joined in my company?" with that Arnav said everything he knew about Abhinav, Latha and their meeting with Pankaj.

Everyone looked at him aghast.

"Oh... so, this is what Khushi said to you about her sister and BIL? And you trusted her?" Mami is not ready to believe Arnav

"No, Khushi said nothing. All this information came from Rajesh and his team. Khushi has nothing to do with this. And if you still want to believe that Latha, then you are free to. But you aren't welcome to accuse Khushi for anything she never did or does. Remember everyone, I'm going to marry Khushi at any cost. She is the only girl who will stand beside me as my wife. I don't want any discussions about this and I don't want anyone to talk with Khushi about this, got it?"

Everyone nodded their heads.

"Good, then what is the first ritual?"

Everyone understood that Arnav wants to change the topic.

"Sangeet, Chote..." said Anjali "On Wednesday"

"Wednesday? why? If it's Sunday people can come" Arnav said in confusion

"Chote, Pandit ji said you and Khushi should not be allowed to see each other once we make your groom and bride. And that ritual will be on Sunday. So we decided that on Wednesday will be Sangeet then Saturday mehendi then Sunday will be haldi and making your both groom and bride. Then on wednesday wedding" Akshaya said looking at her son's eyes, noticing the love and care for khushi for the first time.

"So, four days to start the rituals?" asked Arnav

"YES..." said Anjali, Akash, NK at same time.

"Great then... let's start the preparations" with that Arnav stood and went to his room to call the decorators.

...to be contunued

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