Thank you so much for waiting for my updates. And sorry for making you wait. Hope you guys will like the update. 

One important note here I want to mention, that is, I made changes in the original kidnapping track and the following days of Khushi and Co investigation and all.  If you have any doubts then please let me know.

Part 2:

"Not again" groaned Dadi, looking at Khushi who was coming down to the puja room.

"Subhadra," said Nani in a warning tone.

"You will regret, Devyani. Remember my words. You are keeping a snake in the form of that girl. She is a curse. She was the reason for our loss, and I'm sure she must be the reason for her parents' demise. You will regret it." said Dadi in her venom-filled voice.

"Sasuma, are you going to stop her or should I do that?" asked Manorama, looking at the old lady.

"Mano" called Manohar to control his wife not wanting to create a scene.

"What? Why should I control myself when someone is insulting my family?" asked Manorama.

"Oh! Look who is talking! She, herself is an insult to this family, and she is talking about others insulting? Wow!" said Dadi.

"Subhadra... enough. Not one more word about my daughter in law. She was never an insult to this family. She is a respectful member of this family. Don't even try to open your mouth about my DIL, when your son was a cheater and a killer." said Nani, leaving everyone in the room shocked.

"Nani JI, please. I don't want you all to argue because of me" pleaded Khushi. She is trying hard to control her cries.

"Oh... acting queen, you don't need to pretend to be a good girl because these people believe you blindly. So, you better stop your involvement in our talks. You don't have any right, not any more. You are not a member of this family anymore," declared Dadi, making Khushi cry.

"And who are you to say that? Sasuma is taking care of Arnav and Anjali from long where you left them to their fate. So Sasuam is the only person who has the right to decide about Khushi. I'm sure Arnav beta also says the same, if he is," Mami couldn't continue as a sob left from her throat, making everyone close their eyes in pain. "We know what Khushi is, we know how she is feeling now, we know her enough. So, you better stop saying things to my bahu," said Mami hugging Khushi tightly. She knew, and she understands what Arnav means to Khushi. She saw how tortured Khushi became when they were searching for Arnav. She saw it with her own eyes. She understood Khushi's love for Arnav. She can never allow anyone to insult such pure love.

"Sh, Khushi. You better learn to answer back to people who point out your pure and sincere love. You should stop crying, for everything and you should stop being a good girl. If you can answer back to ASR, then you can answer anyone. Don't do this. I'm sure Arnav wouldn't have accepted you, being this fragile. He always wanted you to be ferocious. Please Khushi if not for yourself at least for Arnav you should stay strong," pleaded Mami.

"Mami Ji," Khushi hugged Mami "I'm trying, Mami. But couldn't, it's hurting Mami. I can't live like this, Please," cried Khushi. Khushi doesn't know what she is pleading for, but she couldn't help.

"Khushi bitiya, meri bachi. Don't cry everything will be fine," Nani tried assuring herself than Khushi. She faced a lot in her life - losing her husband at a very young age and losing her lovely daughter, still, she survived. But losing her dearest grandchild and seeing his love this broken, is not helping her health. "Think about me, bachi. If you breakdown like this, how can I bear it? I don't have the strength to see more losses. Chote already betrayed me, leaving me at this age, and you too don't do that. I can't take it. I can understand what and how you are feeling. But we need to come out of this grief for ourselves and others. You are a brave girl beta, and you should remain the same. You shouldn't let others hurt you more. Please Khushi bitiya, control yourself. Don't cry my bacha," Nani consoled Khushi.

"Oh, God! I can't see this anymore," saying Dadi left from there.

"HP, arrange the breakfast," said Manohar to their house helper and continued to his mother "We should eat something Ma, it's already time. I, along with Akash, need to go to the office."

Nani nodded her head and ushered Khushi and all to the dining table.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Khushi sat at the poolside, thinking about her life before and after Arnav happened to her. She was living her life for sure before Arnav entered her life. But after she met Arnav, her life changed completely. Even though it wasn't what she expected and craved, she lived her life to her heart's content. She enjoyed their fight's, their secret looks, their banter, their teasings, their untold love, everything. And not to forget, Arnav's confession of his love through the phone, when he got kidnapped. She can never forget about his confession, which made her understand that something is not right with him. She remembers how she tried to find him with the help of Mami and NK, how she made Shyam believe her to know about Arnav. And last and final, the devastating truth of their life. She closed her eyes, remembering those days which left her alone in this world, without her dearest husband, without her powerful and dominating Arnav Ji.

Flashback

It's been more than a week since Arnav got kidnapped. Khushi, along with Mami and Nanhe, is trying to find him. She is sure this is all done by Shyam. They had proof too. But she can't tell anybody as she knew, no one would believe her. Only NK believed her when she said about Shyam and her doubts. NK helped her to find out the truth about Shyam. She doesn't know what to do. She wanted to inform the police, but Mami said to wait for some more days, as there is no call from the kidnappers. But Khushi doesn't want to wait. What if something happens to him. So she decided to tell Mami about Shyam and their past excluding her horrendous marriage with Arnav.

Mami was shocked to know the truth of their beloved Shyam. She bluntly refused to believe whatever Khushi is saying. But, with Khushi and NK's constant explaining, she asked them to show the proofs they have. After seeing the proofs they collected against Shyam, she became furious and wanted to tell everyone.

"No Masi, please, we can't tell anyone about this. Because we know whatever proofs we have, are not enough to prove him wrong. You are ignoring the fact that he is a criminal lawyer, and he is best at his work, Masi. We need proofs against him, to throw him out of our lives and to prove him guilty. Please, Masi, we need your support in this. We don't want you to lose your patience and make him alert. We should be more careful with him because Nannav is with him, Masi. Please try to understand the situation." Pleaded NK, holding Manorama's hands.

Manorama looked at the two young people before her eyes. Her eyes stayed on Khushi, who is looking at her with fear and hope. She asked Khushi to come to her, which Khushi obliged silently.

"You love Arnav, a lot, don't you?" asked Mami leaving both Khushi and NK surprised.

"Yes, Mami. I love him, more than anything in this world!" declared Khushi.

Mami kissed Khushi's forehead with affection. She is seeing this young girl from a few days since Arnav left to London. The way she panicked when she didn't receive a call from Arnav, the way she became restless in his absence. Mami might behave like an idiot. But she can understand people by observing them. She knows, Khushi is a good and pure-hearted girl just like her sister - Payal. But what she never guessed was, the way Khushi is working by her own to find out about Arnav. She knew Khushi is an energetic and understanding girl. But the way she is working without any help, impressed Mami to the extent. So she held out a helping hand to Khushi, to find out about her niece.

The three of them sat discussing Shyam's involvement in Arnav's kidnap. They understood that when they got worried and terrified about Arnav not calling them, they got a message/call as if Arnav knows about their worry. And they also realised that both the times, Shyam was not there in the room. And after getting a message/call, he was back to the room. They discussed a few more things like what to do and how to proceed to rescue Arnav.

::::::::::

"Payal, what's wrong? Why are you looking so worried?" asked Akash taking her hands in his.

"Akash JI! Nothing, I'm fine. Just thinking about random things." said Payal.

"Payal, I know about you. Just tell me, what is making you worried?" said Akash.

"Hmm, I'm worried about Khushi. Arnav Ji is not around, and that evil man is roaming freely, I don't know how she will going to deal with this situation. He is a very vicious person, Akash Ji. I don't know what to do. I don't want to leave my sister alone. She is young to face all these hardships of life. Till now, I never worried about her, having Arnav Ji around her. I know he will take care of her. Somewhere I have this inkling feeling about Shyam being the reason for their sudden marriage." said Payal.

"And I hope you understand by now, that Bhai is not a person who will marry one normal girl, for any sake. I'm sure he is interested in Khushi, that's why he took the drastic step to elope with her. I'm sure if another girl was in Khushi's place, then, he wouldn't have taken such step marrying her. He would have punished that girl by himself. He loves us Payal, and he will do anything for us. But in all these, I think he didn't want to miss Khushi. That's why he married her." concluded Akash.

"I hope you are right, Akash JI. But this uneasy feeling is eating my mind up. I couldn't ignore or avoid this. I just..., don't know how to express my fear." said Payal feeling restless.

"Sh..., Payal, relax. Everything will be fine," said Akash.

"Did you get contact with Arnav Ji? Did you talk with him? Are you able to get him on the phone?" asked Payal.

"No... I'm not able to talk with him. Bhai never did this, Payal. He was always in contact with us, even with Aman too. I don't know why his phone is not available. I called the clients in London, but they were saying Bhai didn't come to the meeting. I asked Aman also, but he was as clueless as me. I don't know what's happening with Bhai. I hope he is doing fine." said Akash.

"Why don't you ask Khushi, whether she got any message or call from Arnav Ji?" asked Payal, feeling the same restlessness coming back in the pit of her stomach.

"I don't know, Payal. I just don't want to make her worried," said Akash.

"But, Akash Ji, think about this. If she didn't get any message, she would have asked you. And she would have taken the house on her head with worry. She didn't do anything like that. And if she did get any message or call, she will tell us. I don't think there will be the harm in asking her." said Payal.

Akash sat there in silence, thinking about what to do. He is already worried not getting to talk with Arnav. He couldn't understand what's the problem with Arnav that he is not in contact with them. He wanted to talk with Arnav, urgently, about something related to one of the deals. Upon that he was lying to his grandmother and sister about getting calls and telling them that his brother is busy with meetings. On the other side, he is worried about this Shyam guy. And Khushi being alone without his Bhai, he needs to be more careful about Khushi's safety. After whatever he heard about this Shyam and whatever he found about this man through his investigation, he can't stay relaxed.

He was so shocked when he heard about Shyam through Payal on the havan day. He couldn't believe or trust Payal when she said. He still remembers the small argument they have on that day.

Havan day flashback

"I don't want to talk with you, Akash Ji," said Payal feeling betrayed. She never wanted to start a relationship hiding things.

"Do you know Payal, Di has decorated all these things with so much effort, just for us? She knew, with all these you will feel happy, and a smile will come on your face. I'm so sorry for whatever happened today. I wanted to tell my mother, but couldn't. I want to see you happy always, Payal. And I will always try to bring the smile and happiness on your lovely face. Can't you forgive me for my one mistake? Just one, first and last...." asked Akash.

Payal looked at him to see the sincerity in his eyes.

"I promise," whispered Akash.

Payal smiles and nods her head. Smiling at her acceptance, Akash continues holding her hand.

"Payal, I will not hide anything from you, how big the matter is," promises Akash.

Payal smiles at him and remembers her determination to tell him about Shyam. So, without caring about the consequences, she told him everything about Shyam, Khushi, their engagement and everything leaving Akash shocked, terrified and angry.

"What are you saying, Payal? Do you know, you are accusing my brother in law for cheating and treachery? Do you have any idea what this accusation will bring in our lives?"

"I know, Akash. But I don't want to start my life with you, hiding things. I wanted to tell you all this, but my mother and buaji didn't want to. They are afraid of my marriage getting broken again. Khushi wanted to tell Anjali Ji, but couldn't, seeing her so into her husband. Khushi is always sceptical about telling the truth to you guys. But my mother and buaji stopped her. They also warned me to not to say anything to you. But I couldn't hide this matter form you."

"Damn it! I can't believe this," said Akash pacing beside the pool.

"Akash, I don't want my life to start with doubts and distrust. I know whatever I said is a shocking and devastating truth for you. We also felt that betrayal, in all of us, Khushi is the most affected by that man. She faced so much mental torture with that man. She was never ready to get married to him. But with my father's deteriorating health, buaji forced her for the engagement. I couldn't hide this from you Akash. I just wanted to come out of this restless feeling. And I know, making you aware of this, will only remove my restlessness. So, here I'm. I told you whatever I want to tell. Now, Akash, the decision will be yours about us. I will accept whatever you decide. If you want to stop this wedding also, I respect your decision." said Payal with a quiver in her voice.

Akash looked at her, surprised at her words. He can see the truth and honesty in her eyes, as well as he can sense the sincerity in her voice and words. He sat on the chair and held his head in his palms.

"But it's unbelievable Payal." he murmured.

"I know Akash. We too were not able to believe when Khushi said after seeing him as Anjali Ji's husband on Satyanarayana Puja. We were so shocked and scared about hearing the news. We are worried thinking if he can betray and cheat Arnav Ji, then what can he do with us. And that too when we were about to start a relationship with you. My family doesn't want any bad to happen this time. They are worried about me, as much as they are for Anjali Ji. That's why they made Khushi to hid this from you guys. We were afraid of thinking what if Shyam does something to Khushi or Anjali Ji if we reveal his truth. We couldn't bear that fear. So we kept quiet. But I couldn't, Akash Ji. I needed to tell you about this. I'm sorry for your pain. I never wanted to but please trust me, whatever I'm telling, is true about your Jijaji. If you want, you can investigate about him." said Payal with a thudding heart.

"I will do that for sure, not because I don't trust you, but because I want to know what else he does and capable of doing. I just want to make sure about his crimes before I tell Bhai about him," said Akash deep in thought.

"That will be good," said Payal. She stood there, not knowing what to say or what to do. Akash didn't say anything about their wedding. Maybe he will cancel the wedding, she thought with sadness filling in her heart. "So, shall we leave, Akash Ji?" she asked, not able to hold her fear.

Akash looked at her, not understanding what's her word actually mean.

"I mean, shall we - me and my family, leave? Our presence might irritate you with the truth," she said in a low voice. Tears were forming in her eyes.

Understanding her fears, Akash walked to her side and hugged her ever so softly and ribbed her back.

"I didn't ask you to marry me to leave you in between when a problem arises. I love you, Payal. I can not leave you, and I can not live without you. I'm not going to stop this marriage. Don't worry, we both will stay together till end and face all ups and downs live throws at us." said Akash, with a serene smile on his lips.

Payal hugged him tightly, while a bright smile adores her face. She felt relax and home. She sighed in content to have this man in her life.

Havan day flashback ends.

Akash's hold tightened on Payal's hands, and he pulled her in a tight hug.

"Don't worry, Payal. We will work on this. And don't worry about Khushi, she is my responsibility till Bhai comes. Let's talk with Khushi about Bhai first. Then we will think what to do, hmm?" asked Akash.

Payal nodded her head, and both left to Khush's room.

...to be continued

1. How do you want Anjali to be? Rude? Understanding? Or brainless idiot?

2. How do you feel about Payal telling Akash about Shyam?

3. Do you want any particular thing to read?

I will see the answers and will add if they fit my story.

Flashback will continue in the next part(s). I'm writing the Flashback concept for the first time, so, please be with me and support me. I hope you guys will not get confused with the flashback(s). 

Once again thank you for your support and Love. 

Sri