Chapter 45: Meeting him

Anjali: ''What are you saying dhruv..Bhabhi had file divorce papers?..'' He hold her head perplexed and then look back at dhruv with hurt.

''How could you let this happen...'' She scrunched his collar angrily. He touched her hand lightly which was gripping his collar but she waved him, not wanted to hear any justification. If he tried he can convince khushi but no..! 

''I havn't expect this from you..?'' It was her who seen his drastic condition every passing day and she never wanted to imagine his state once he learnt about this divorce file. Her body was shaking remembering the day when he slit his veins in front of her eyes. Nothing can be more miserable than this. Dhruv already guess her reaction by this news  but can't help without telling her. Sooner or later she might be known and he not wanted to hide anything from her.

Dhruv: ''I m helpless Anjali..i can't pressurize her in this matter..this time she is adamant in her decision..'' He retorted and anjali snarled.

Anjali: ''And what about my bhaiya..was his life not important for you? Didn't you seen how much he loved her? How many time he came to you and ask about khushi whereabouts but did you tell him once? It was indeed your fault and for that I will not forgive you..'' She got up pulling her tears off. He immediately held her shoulder and made her sit to calm her.

Dhruv: ''I can't broke the promise by khushi! Like the way you can't see your brother in pain in the same way I can't see my sister like that..''

Anjali: ''Just Shut up! Don't gave me stupid reasons..She will never get happiness marrying arjun because I know she still loved bhai..you are ruining your sister life by supporting her..Why you can't see her one wrong decision ruining 3 lives?'' She exhales few breathe to calm her nerves and then held his hand and tried to make him understand the gravity of situation.

''Dhruv please help me I really need your support..We both have to try to bring them closer before its too late.. will you be with me?'' She stare at him with lot of hope. He look unsure and then smiled back. She hugged him happily.

Anjali: ''I love you dhruv..thank you so much..'' He broke the hug and took her into his lap.

Dhruv: ''You don't need to ask me..I am always there for you, always! He peck her lips and she blushed.

Anjali: ''And what about our marriage? I want to be yours as soon as possible..'' She asked while playing with his shirt buttons. He smiled looking at her curious eyes.

Dhruv: ''I guess I would marry you once our siblings settle down..'' She cheerfully nodded. ''But anju its not that easy how we..'' Been interrupted.

Anjali: ''I have one plan!!'' She whispered smiling brightly at him.

                              ******
Arnav was sitting near the poolside sitting in front of laptop when he heard anjali call out for him.

''Bhaiya..you still not ready we are getting late..'' She growled. He remain silent with his eyes glued at laptop.

''And why are you working..today is holiday?'' She annoyingly shut it off.

Anjali: ''I m talking to you not any ghost! Come on bhaiya..Its shagun wedding, my childhood friend and your loyal employee..you promised her you would come..''

Arnav: ''I m not sure if I want to come..'' He said uninterested and open his files.

Anjali: ''This is not fair bhaiya entire AR staff were coming..shagun will feel so bad..she consider you like her brother..If you won't come I also won't go!'' She snatched his file and folded her hands and continue to press the matter. Anyhow she had to make him ready to come otherwise everything went in vain.

Arnav: ''As you wish..'' He gave her 'I don't care' look and took the file back from her hand. Her mouth turned o-shape.

''Anju you know I never go out..don't force me!'' She bite her nails wondering what to do?

Anjali: ''Please bhaiya..'' She argued.

Arnav: ''Forget it anju..'' He getting irritated. She suddenly had a idea.

Anjali: ''You know bhai other day dhruv and I went to sargun's sangeet..everyone was there even I met khushi bhabhi.''

His head snapped up to look at anjali.
''Khushi? What she doing there? How is she? What did she say?'' She smiled by his desperation.

Anjali: ''Take it easy..so many questions! She grinned. ''Dhruv told me she is back to India and you know what I meet aditi as well..i felt so happy seeing her normal..'' He looked unbelievably.

Arnav: ''Is she going to be there today?'' He asked hesitantly. Anjali can't help but smile by seeing his curiosity to meet her.

Anjali: ''May be..not sure..'' He breathed. ''Anyways bhai since you are not interested to come..i will go by my own..'' She started walking out with a wide smirk on her face knowing well he is going to stop her.

Arnav: ''Anju wait..'' She looked back innocently.

Anjali: ''What happen bhai..I m getting late..'' She tried to sound serious but there was a hint of mischievous on her voice.

Arnav: ''I think you are right..sargun will feel bad and it wouldn't look good if I didn't turn up..'' She raised her eyebrow cunningly.

Anjali: ''Are you sure?'' He nodded. '' '' ''Alright then be ready within 10 minutes..i will be waiting down..'' saying that, she got down exited to rang dhruv and gave this news to him.

''Khushi..'' He closed his eyes. It was so relieving to know she is back. Her smile, her eyes, her care and above all her love for me it was so contagious. He had missed her like hell. Love!such a strange feeling one should have which he realized in these 6 months. He smiled and carried his gaze to looked up the sky.

'I LOVED HER DADI.. I LOVE HER AND THE TIME HAD COME WHEN YOUR WISH GOING TO BE FULFILLED TO SEE US TOGETHER..I PROMISE YOU DADI I WILL DO EVERYTHING TO BRING HER BACK..''

                                   *******

Aditi was sitting in the bed staring at nothing particular. She started to feel a bit uneasy knowing about arjun and khushi alliance. She wasn't realized when arjun sneak inside and stare at her with his nervous eyes.

''Aditi..'' She turned to find him looking at her indifferently. She instantly composed herself and forced a smile. He reluctantly took the seat next to her and looked here and there, searching words to say. She noticed he is hiding something behind his back.

Aditi: ''Arjun what is in your hand..?'' She tried to look up and he quickly hide it moved away.

Arjun: ''No..nothing..it.was just..aditi you still not ready?'' He blunt in a stammering voice trying to divert her attention.

Aditi: ''I m not feeling well you guys may go..i will stay at home!'' She spoke in an unpleasant tone. He sighed.  ''And don't you dare hide anything from me..show me what is it..'' She caught his wrist but he is not sure how she would react by this.

Arjun: ''Firstly you promise me you won't get angry?'' She irritatingly nodded and he slowly showed what he brought for her. Her eyes sparkled seeing red rose in his hand. She looked unsure. He breathed in and out as she left his wrist.

''I love you..''  He knelled and gave a rose to her.

''What?'' She almost jumped on her heels and stood up startled.

Aditi: ''What are you saying?'' She can't believe her ears and looked at him with narrowing eyes.

Arjun: ''You heard it right I really love you! Will you be mine for rest of your life..'' She smiled widely and took rose from his hand gracefully.

''Arjun I lo..'' Her words stuck in her throat hearing his next statement.

''I love you khushi..i love you a lot..'' His last word was enough to cut her nerve. ''Uff its so tough to propose a girl..i really hope khushi accept my rose when I proposed her like that!'' She looked back into his eyes in disbelief.

''Thank you aditi for helping me..'' He smiled.

Aditi: ''You mean..its for kh.u..shi..'' She momentarily shut her eyes. Her heart was aching in pain.

Arjun: ''Obviously! You know nah how much I got nervous when she came in front of me so I thought to rehearse!'' That create buzz in her mind. Even arjun disclosed about his feelings yet it was indigestible for her. He held her hand anxiously and made her look at him.

''Aditi I m very nervous..i really don't know what would be her reaction even she wanted to marry me yet there is a hesitation and I wanted to start fresh with her..'' he said it out everything.

Aditi: ''Don't worry arjun everything will be alright..best of luck..'' She patted his back in assurance before he walked out. 

It didn't take a second for aditi to shed tears. The pain in her chest was unbearable. She held karan's photo and clutched it near her heart and cried to bury her emotions.

                                       *******

The hall has been decorated with different color of roses. People crisped in happiness when bride and groom started taking vows in front of holy fire except one who was standing in a corner, remembering her marriage day when she had been named as bride of Arnav singh raizada. Khushi felt the same emotion lingering within her. His painful eyes and those accusing words. She don't know what hurt more.

Arjun voice caught her off from the trace and she looked around the surrounding.  She had not supposed to be think about him. Arjun came near her with a plate in his hand but she refused to have anything and went near the window to breathe some fresh air alone from everyone gaze.

''Khushi..'' Her eyes grew widen hearing his voice. Arnav eager eyes getting impatient by a second. Both exchange glance from a distance and then everything else faded out. He wanted to ask her how is she..if she alright? But she quickly turned around.

''No this can't be true..i must be hallucinating him!'' From past 6 months there wasn't a single moment she hadn't feel him close to heart but what she feeling currently was  something different. She shook her head and gulp some water to normal her breathe. She felt the pain increasing by every passing second. She slightly turned and saw him standing in the same position. He had tears in his eyes seeing her after ages while khushi condition was not different. She felt her heart lurched and throbbed violently as she started breathing heavily due to unknown fear.

''Hey devimaiya what is happening to me? Is he real? What he was doing here?'' She hide herself behind the walls and squeezed her eyes shut it up as she tried to quicken her heartbeat. Baffled she stepped back and knot on her dupatta in the process she dumped to anjali who was standing with her few colligues. She went along with the group to avoid him.

Anjali: ''Careful bhabhi..'' She didn't realize what anjali was saying and stealing glances at him which is not go unnoticed by her. She winked at dhruv from far and signal him to go ahead.

''Bhabhi?  is she your bhabhi?'' One girl asked. Anjali was tongue tied. Khushi felt awkward as arnav continue looking at her. He realized she was certainly looking different. Her face lost its color and she looking more thinner like earlier. Her eyes looked like she didn't sleep for many days. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

Dhruv: ''Arnav what a pleasant surprise..what you doing here alone..I think you getting bore..lets go there..'' he dragged her toward anjali where khushi and other AR staff was standing. As he walked up the group, khushi immediately excused herself and ran out of the premise. Reaching near the canopy, she keep her eyes downcast and prayed to devimaiya for strength.

Arnav: ''Khushi I want to talk to you..''  A sudden jolt ran through her as soon as she realized he is near her. She slowly looked around to face him and turned. She had barely raised her foot to walked past him when he held her hand.

''Khushi please listen to me once!'' She was fidgeting in his grip as he was not letting her go. She was looking down. She wanted to shout. His presence repulsed her to the core. Her eyes flared in anger when she lifted her gaze.

Khushi: ''Never Mr Arnav singh raizada..Get out from my face..'' she seethed with greeted teeth. Her mind was so much stress and after seeing him she lost all her self control.

Arnav: ''Khushi please I m sorry..i don't meant to hurt you..'' His eyes sting with tears.

Khushi: ''Sorry? Does it cover everything you did? Do you have any idea what I felt when you..'' She stopped not wanted to remind his words.

"Leave me alone..you already damage me enough and now let me rest in peace! He cupped her cheeks and looked into her eyes deeply. She lashed out and pushed him away not wanted to feel anything. Her eyes flared in anger.

''Don't touch me..you lost all such rights..!'' She turned to walked away and he grabbed her waist and pulled her into tight hug.

Arnav: ''I missed you khushi, I realized what a fool I had been..i treat you really bad..But not anymore I can't stay without you..'' She looked at him. He looked tired, heavy dark circles adore his eyelids. He brushed her cheeks and she closed her eyes in utter bliss. Remembering everything, She shook her head and remove her hand from his clutches.

Khushi: ''Sorry Mr raizada..As you said to me, i have moved on into my life and now Its impossible to look back into past..the scars you left on my heart will be there forever. I will never ever forgive you no matter how many times you ask apology..''

Arnav: ''I love you khushi and I wanted you in my life..'' His few words was enough to held her breathe but she remain unaffected.

Khushi: ''Love and you?'' She laughed mockingly. ''When you didn't care for my feelings then why should I gave damn to your stupid love things and for your kind information I'm getting married to Arjun..'' she started walking out when he again pulled her and pinned her against the wall.

Arnav: ''Don't you dare khushi kumari gupta singh raizada...You are only mine..my wife..my love and I knew you also love me!'' He spat.

Khushi: ''That was my mistake that I fall in love with my rapist..but now I won't repeat the same mistake..I hate you from the bottom of my heart..'' She said with her voice trembling with anger and rage.

Arnav: ''Oh really? Then why you didn't tell anyone what I did? Why you didn't punish me for my deeds and never let your brother knew That its me who killed your soul..'' She looked away.
''Tell me khushi..if you don't love me then why you hide my real name from your brother..''

Khushi: ''You think I did because I love you...I stay quiet because of my brother's happiness and love for anjali..Yes i admit i had some feelings for you but the moment you said i meant nothing to me, my feelings literally died and my love fell from my eyes in the form of tears..Did you hear what I just said..i stay quiet for my family not because I have any feelings for you..'' Saying that she started to walked out.
''And yes divorce paper will be send to Raizada mansion within an hour..signed it and freed me from this nameless relation..'' she turned around and ran out before he say anything else to stop her.

Until today he only knew that he hurt her but now he had seen the extent of damage he had done. For that he would die thousand death. He sank down on his knees. Tears flowing from his eyes. He recalled what khushi said, She is going to marry arjun. No!! I will never let this happen.
                                        ******

Arjun was scanning his eyes in entire premise but there is no sign of her. He panicky went toward  dhruv who was standing with anjali.

Arjun: ''Did you saw khushi..she is nowhere around? ..'' Dhruv exchange glance with anjali briefly.

Dhruv: ''Relax..She must be reached home!'' He said with politeness.

Arjun: ''Without Informing me?'' He felt dejected. Dhruv placed a hand on his shoulder.

Dhruv: ''I don't know if I should say this or not but I think khushi still not moved on from her past. He looked at him perplexed.

Anjali: ''Yes arjun..Didn't you saw her expression when she saw Arnav bhaiya!'' They tried to convince him so that he dropped the idea of marrying her. He remain numb and walked out without exchanging any word.

Dhruv: ''Anjali I don't think he would refuse to marry khushi after-all he loved khushi and in no way he agree to drop this marriage..'' She was listening but still wasn't looking at him.

Anjali: ''Then what shall we should do next?''

                                       ********

Khushi was laying in her bed against her stomach thinking about their encounter when she felt a vice like grip on her shoulder. Without looking, she knew who it was.

Khushi: ''Arnav what are you doing here?'' She asked recovering from shock.

Arnav: ''To take back my wife home..you can't leave me like that..'' He said impatiently and bumped her into his shoulder to walk out.

Khushi: ''Leave me arnav..'' She hit him on his chest in restrain but he don't care. After seeing divorce papers, he can't hold himself of meeting her.

Arnav: ''Let's go..'' he said and trying hard to ignore her before he loose his temper. He never thought the day would come when he would do something like that..''

Khushi: ''Arnav stop it..I m not your wife anymore..do you understand..'' she shouted. He clenched his fist to swallowed his pain and put her down on the floor.

Arnav: ''I accept its my fault I accept I am bad..i hurt you numerous times..i destroy your life..i won't deny anything..'' She stared back at him.
But don't I have the right to love someone? You can't snatched the right..i love you dammit why don't you understand! Couldn't she see his love for her. But then how could she believe that a man like him who had lots of ego and arrogance was confessing his love. Instead khushi turned her face toward him. She wouldn't trust him anymore. It wasn't easy to accept him. It was hard to believe he was same Arnav singh raizada who accused her once was saying something like that. May be its too early to knew. He loved her more than anyone could ever do but her mind blinded with hatred. Her confusion filled eyes couldn't let her to look at him. Just then she hear knock on the door, startling her. His blood boil hearing Arjun voice from other end.

''I won't let you marry him..'' She arched her eyebrow sarcastically.

Khushi: ''Why? Its you who wanted me to marry him and now you only stopping me..i m not your puppet..i m also a human! Its hurts like any other human beings...''

Arnav: ''Khushi..'' He wanted to hold her into his arms and sooth her but she waved him away.

Khushi: ''Stop me if you can..i will marry him in front of your eyes but you won't able to do anything..Mr raizada..'' She challenged him with determination.

Arnav: ''We will see..''  Quietly he left her and Khushi gasped as she sat on the bed and closed her eyes to gather strength.

''Few more days!'' She chanted. ''Few more day and then I will be over him. He would not matter me anymore..''
Arnav while moving out watch her through window.

''Kitni bhi koshish karlo mujhse dur janeki..main tumhe apna zindagi ka hissa banake rahunga hamesha hamesha ke liye.. ' (Try as much you want to go away from me..i will bring you back into my life forever till eternity..'')

To be continued!!

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