Khushi Raichand, The youngest businesswoman of the country had faced way too much in the short span of life.

A dysfunctional family, Constant fights, Divorce proceedings, Custody Battle, And finally... Both their deaths.

In each other's arms.

FLASHBACK- ONE

"Varunji... How much time will it take?" Harshita asked the tenth time

"Stop it Harshita... I won't repeat anymore, For the last time. I am not sure how much time it will take" Varun snapped

Harshita closed her eyes and leaned on the comfortable leather seat of the car

"What is his problem?" Harshita muttered

"He's trying to figure out something isn't he? He's not a Superhero that he'll just get us out of here in a minute. Along with us.. He too is stuck in the middle of the highway" Khushi explained softly

"You two father-daughter will never listen to me. I am sick of both of you" Harshita said irritated

"Ma.." Khushi snapped

"I heard that Harshita. If you're so sick of us both, Why are you even travelling with us?" Varun asked

"Only if I had a choice" Harshita sighed

"Now don't start with another fight please guys. I don't want to have a headache in the middle of the road" Khushi said

Harshita sighed audibly

"I'll just go and check if we can get some help nearby" Harshita said getting out of the car.

Harshita was absent-mindedly crossing the road when a truck came at an uncontrolled speed

"HARSHITA..... HATTTTOOOOOO WAAHHAAAANNNN SEEEEEE (HARSHITA GET AWAY FROM THERE)" Varun screamed terrorized and made a dash for her.

"VARUNJI!!!!!" Harshita screamed

"Mom!!!! Dad!!!" Khushi yelled

And BOOM!!!!

Both their bodies were soaked in blood.

Khushi sat in the car, Scared out of her wits

The biggest lesson she had learnt from life.. Was to never judge a book by it's cover.

Khushi knew by the way their lives ended that her parents were too much in love with each other. That they'd lived for each other. And they'd died trying to protect each other.

The only thing.. She never understood was that why despite of being so much in love had they lived like strangers all their life.

She never had the courage to probe much into the matter.

Khushi always wanted to have someone she could share all her fears, Anxities, Worries with.

Someone who was there with her to share her happiness... Her success with her.

Someone she could call her own.

But her past experience with love and relationships had never allowed her to give herself... Her heart a chance.

She had restricted herself from falling in love with anyone.

And then...

Arnav Singh Raizada entered her life like a tornado. Breaking all the walls around her almost non-existant heart

From

"Morning Ms. Raichand"

To

"Morning Mam"

To

"Morning Khushi Mam"

To

"Morning Khushi"

Arnav and Khushi had certainly come a long way from being strangers to best friends and from best-friends to soulmates. While one had accepted his feelings long back, The other was acting stubborn.

FLASHBACK- TWO

"Yeh... Sirf isiliye ho raha hai Mr. Raizada kyunki aap mere Personal Assistant hain. Iss dosti ko.. Kuch aur smajhne ki galati mat kariyega. (This is only because you are my personal assistant Mr Raizada. Don't mistake this friendship for anything else)" Khushi had offered these words as an explanation to Arnav before saying yes to accompany him on a coffee outing

"Kya meine aapse explanation maangi? Nahi na Toh fir kyu de rahi hain? Kisse samjha rahi hain? Mujhe? Yaa khud ko? (Did I ask for an explanation? No right. Then why are you giving me one? To whom are you explaining? Me? Or yourself?)" Arnav asked

"Mein bass tumhe agaah kar rahi huin (I am just warning you)" Khushi said flatly

"Yes Mam" Arnav obeyed.

FLASHBACK- THREE

"Khushi... Tumhe relationship se itna darr kyu lagta hai? (Khushi.. Why are you so scared of relationships?)" Arnav asked

"Tumhe kyu jaanna hai achanak? (Why do you suddenly want to know)" Khushi asked

"Tumhare koi sapne nahi hain... Ki tumhaare andheron se tumhe koi kheench kar ujaalon mein le aaye? Koi ho jo tumhara saath kabhi naa chode? (Don't you have dreams... That someone pulls you out of your darkness and leads you to the light? That someone comes who never leaves your side?) Arnav asked

"Inn andheron ko... Iss akelepan ko chuna hai meine Arnav. Mujhe aadat ho gayi hai iss taraah jeene ki. (I've chosen this darkness... This loneliness Arnav. I've been habitual to this life)" Khushi said

"Tum andhere se darti ho Khushi.. Aur insaan jiss cheez se darta hai, Usse apni zindagi nahi banata (You're scared of darkness Khushi.. And one doesn't make the things one is scared of a part of his life)" Arnav reminded her

Silence.

&

Darkness.

Two of the biggest fears of the lady in question, But that's what surrounded her in that moment

Khushi was sitting on the couch of her cabin curled up in a ball. Tears were trickling down her face in an endless stream

Suddenly, She felt someone wiping her tears softly

"T-Tum..?? (Y-You??)" Khushi gasped seeing him sitting right in front of her

"Haan... Mein, Tum itne andhere mein akele kya kar rahi ho? (Yeah... Me, What are you doing alone in this darkness?)" Arnav asked

"Tum ab tak office mein kya kar rahe ho? Working hours are over (What are you doing in the office till now?)" Khushi asked

"My work is to be with you. I am your Personal Assistant Khushi." Arnav reminded her

"You are free to go. Please go home" Khushi said

"My job profile doesn't allow me to leave you alone Mam. Iss tarah.. Iss halat mein akela nahi chod sakta mein tumhe (I can't leave you alone like this.. In this situation.)"

"Arnav.. Please leave me alone" Khushi pleaded

"Tum kyu nahi samajhti khushi.. Mein nahi jaa sakta. Tum meri priority ho. Aur mein jaanta huin tum theek nahi ho. (Why don't you understand Khushi.. I can't go. You are my priority, And I know you're not fine)"

"Mein... Theek huin. Kuch nahi hua hai mujhe. Tum please mujhe akela chod do (I.. am fine. Nothing is wrong with me. You please leave me alone)" Khushi said

"You don't have to remind me about your talents Khushi. I know you're an effortless liar. But you know what? Your doe eyes don't lie. The strong girl facade that you're putting up in front of me. I can see right through that. So stop trying to lie to me.. And to yourself. Please" Arnav said

Khushi looked at Arnav like a lost child. Arnav's insides churned seeing her vulnerability. He pulled her in a hug and kept his hand on his head

"Kyu? (Why?)" Khushi asked like a confused child

"Sab theek ho jayega Khushi (Everything will be fine Khushi)" Arnav assured caressing her hair.

FLASHBACK-FOUR

"How do you feel being called the richest businesswoman in the Asian Fashion Industry?" A reporter asked. It was the success PC of Raichand Fashion's worldwide Silk fashion Week

"I am sure it feels amazing. Seeing your hardwork and passion bearing fruit." Khushi answered

"You have been nominated as the Woman of the year by TIMES NOW. How do you feel?" Reporter asked

"It's satisfying. It's not easy for a girl of Indian origin to get international limelight. So yeah, I'm happy" Khushi answered

"Raichand Fashion has seen unimaginable heights in your tenure Ms Raichand. What's the secret?" A reporter asked

"Good businessmen don't tell their secrets to anyone. Haha, Jokes apart. My father has always been my inspiration, He was my mentor. And I can comfortably say that whatever I've achieved, I've achieved because of his suggestions and teachings. He always used to say that whatever you do.. Do it with your heart and soul. Give it your Hundred Percent and there's nothing in this world which can stop you from achieving whatever you wish for" Khushi answered with a small smile

"So.. Miss Raichand, Your father is your inspiration?" Reporter asked

Arnav, who was sitting right next to Khushi sent her a warning by squeezing her hand. He felt strange and had an intuition that this was not going to end any good. Khushi nodded in acknowledgement.

"It's okay Arnav.. Just a question" Khushi whispered to him

Arnav sighed

"Yes.. My Father Mr. Varun Raichand is my inspiration, My role-model. I look up to him in whatever I do" Khushi said

"Is that why you're still single? I mean, Like your father.. Maybe you too are scared of commitments" Said a reporter

"Reportedly, Mr and Mrs Raichand had parted ways when you were Sixteen. Was your father not loyal to your mother?" Asked another

"Or was it the other way round?" Added the third

Khushi sat rooted to her place, Not being able to decipher the sudden change in situations.

"Have you also been in a secret relationship with someone?" The questions seemed to have no end.

Arnav saw Khushi sitting like a statue, She had never faced such a situation in the three years of her working in RF. Everyone in the office knew this topic was Khushi's soft spot and had avoided talking about it even in her absence. Almost everytime such a situation arised, It was handled either by Arnav himself or The PR head of RF.

"Neeti.. Take Mam inside" Arnav instructed as he set to work clearing the mess

The reporters weren't going to get away easily after what they had triggered.

"Sab theek ho jayega Khushi (Everything will be fine Khushi)" Arnav assured

"Yeh.. Iss se bacha rahe the na tum mujhe.. All this while. Teen saal se? (This.. This is what you were protecting me from. All this while. For three years?)" Khushi asked

"Hum.. Sab tumse bahut pyaar karte hain Khushi. Hum mein se koi bhi.. Tumhe taqleef mein nahi dekh sakta. Mein.. Tumhe rote huye nahi dekh sakta Khushi. Jinse hum pyaar karte hain.. Jinki hum parwaah karte hain... Unhe protect karna chaahte hain. Iss mein kuch galat hai? (We all love you alot Khushi. None of us.. Can see you in pain. I can't see you crying. We want to protect the ones we love... The ones we care for. Is it wrong?)" Arnav asked

"Tum.. Mujhse..? (You.. Me?)" Khushi asked innocently

"Bahut... Bahut pyaar karta huin tumse Khushi. (I love you so.. So much)" Arnav confessed sincerely

"Mein thak gayi huin Arnav.. Bhaagte Bhaagte.. Thak gayi huin (I'm tired Arnav.. Tired of running)" Khushi sobbed in his chest

"Toh mat bhaago Khushi.. Ruk jao (Then don't run Khushi.. Just stop)" Arnav said softly

"Ruk jauin? (Just Stop?)" Khushi asked. Her big doe eyes overflowing with confusion

"Haan.. Bas ek jagah ruk jao. Bhaagne se kuch haasil nahi hota Khushi. Bas insaan thak jaata hai. Aur koi bhi.. saari zindagi apne aap se nahi bhaag sakta (Yes.. Just stop at a place. There's no use of running Khushi. A being just gets tired. And no one.. Can run from himself for a lifetime)" Arnav said

"Mein.. Nahi ruk sakti. Rukna chahti huin.. Par nahi ruk paati Arnav. Mera ateet mera peecha kar raha hai Arnav. Aur mein kabhi apne ateet se roobaroo nahi hona chahti. Nahi.. Hona chahti Arnav. (I.. can't stop. I want to stop.. But I can't Arnav my past is following me Arnav.. And I don't want to face my past ever. I don't want to Arnav)" Khushi pleaded.

Arnav tightened his hold on Khushi's sobbing form.

"Shh Khushi. Khushi.. Darr ko haraane ka sabse acha tareeqa yeh hota hai.. Ki uss darr ka saamna kiya jaaye. Tumhara ateet tumhara darr hai Khushi. Jab tak tum uss dard ka saamna nahi karogi, Tab tak uss darr se jeet nahi paogi Khushi. (Khushi... The best way to get rid of fear is to face that fear. Your past is your fear Khushi. If you won't face your fear, You won't be able to get rid of that fear.)" Arnav explained softly

"Arnav.." Khushi sobbed

"Khushi.. Tum saari zindagi iss darr ke saath nahi jee sakti ho. You have to move on. Apne andheron se lado khushi.. Kyunki yeh sirf tum kar sakti ho. Aur mein toh huin hi.. Tumhare saath, Tumhaari har ladai mein. Hamesha! (Khushi.. You can't live with this fear all your life. You have to move on. Fight this darkness Khushi. Because only you can do that! And I am there with you. To be with you in every battle. Forever!)" Arnav said

"Tum.. Mumma papa ki tarah.. Mujhe kabhi chodkar nahi jaoge na? (You.. Won't leave me alone like Mumma and Papa right?)" Khushi asked with childlike innocent eyes and Arnav couldn't help getting lost in the hazel eyed beauty.

"Kabhi nahi.. Sapne mein bhi nahi Khushi (Never.. Not even in my dreams) I will never leave you alone. You'll always have me" Arnav said softly

"I love you" Khushi confessed

"I love you too" Arnav confessed

Finally, A step towards pulling her out of the darkness and leading her to light

The end!

Hi guys.. So I am back with another update.

So.. This was also a prompt.

suryakavi0912 Di. Remember you had given me a prompt. It's been ages. The plot was suggested by her when I had just started this book.

I couldn't come up with anything at that time. But now I just wrote something in which Arnav is Khushi's PA. So I hope I didn't disappoint you.

Also guys!! I've started a edits book. Do have a look. I would love to see your comments in there.

Shower me with votes please!!!! 😀😀

And do comment your thoughts pretty please.

Do let me know what you think of this one.

Love
Vinny