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Not Proof Read... Ignore the mistakes..

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41 ~ Behind The Shadow : 1 ~

Late Night..

Ray Mansion..

Arshi Room..

Khushi was sitting in front of the mirror after wiping her face.. She smiled through her tears, thinking about the last few hours of her life... Khushi still could not believe that she and Arnav had consumatted their marriage, that Arnav was her " chocolate boy" from childhood.. It's seems like a dream come true.. Khushi looked at her wrist where a beautiful bangel was adorning in her hand..It was a gift from Manorama and Devyani..

Khushi still remember the welcome she and Arnav got when they came back at RM from the farmhouse.. The family members were literally hovered over them, all smiling, with few teasing remarks but one thing was common.. That everyone, every single family member was very happy for their togetherness.. Devyani even expressed in her words, " We are so happy Khushi bitiya that you and Arnav dissolved your differences and are now TRULY a couple.. you are a blessing for my Chote and this family Khushi.."

Manorama had kissed her forehead while gifting her with the new bangel, "It's my blessing for you two bitiya.. Never leave my Chotey's side ever.. He may be sometimes act irrational, but he loves you unconditionally.."

Khushi sigh looking at her reflection once again.. Today she has no doubt in Arnav's love or about their relationship anymore.. She has accepted Arnav as her husband way before but was scared to admit, but now onwards, Khushi knew that there is no uncertainty in their relationship anymore..

They are truly for each other..

Arnav is her and She is only Arnav's..

Khushi's face broke in a beautiful smile when a pair of arms encircled her from behind..

" Thinking about me, sweetheart?" Arnav nuzzled her cheek.. He had just came out from the shower.. Water is still dripping from his hair making Khushi wet a little..

" Arnav, you will catch cold..." Khushi tried to get out from his hold but Arnav holds only get stronger..

" Just remain like that for few moment.. Let me drive in your intoxicating presence Khushi.." Arnav whispered while placing a soft, ligering kiss on Khushi's swan like neck..

They both stayed like this for a while when Arnav broke the silence, " Are you alright Khushi? Are you still in pain.. I am.. so.." Arnav could not complete his sentence as Khushi put a finger on his lips and simply smile, "It was the MOST beautiful moment of my life Arnav... I am the luckiest woman to have you as my husband.."

Arnav broke the embrace and looked into Khushi's hazel doe eyes which were depicting nothing but honesty.. Suddenly Arnav's eyes fell on the sleeping figure of Advay on the bed and he whispered, " all thanks to this little man, that I got you in my life back Khushi.."

" It's true Advay is a major reason but Arnav, I feel that it was because of your unconditional LOVE that finally bring us together back after so many years..." Khushi said while cupping his husband's cheek softly..

" Let's sleep now.. you are looking so tired.." Arnav lift up Khushi in bridal stule who just hide her face in Arnav's neck and murmur, " and who made me tired yesterday?"

" Of course me.. and be ready to get tired in upcoming nights too mery jaan.." Arnav wink making Khushi go all red.. then he flicker her nose playfully..

" You are so shameless Arnav.." Khushi said while Arnav gently placed her on the bed and lye down besides her..

" I am... only with you and only for you..." Arnav drew Khushi closer while he kissed her forehead, " but now let's just cuddle and sleep... and Khushi please wake me up at 6, I have two pending meeting at office early morning tomorrow.." Arnav said while Khushi placed her head on his chest..

" Sure, Mr Tycoon...Good night.."

" Good Night, Tycoon ki Jaan.."

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Morning 11 a.m...

Ray Fashion House..

Arnav's cabin..

Arnav was finally having his food send by Khushi after two back to back meetings.. Khushi had already messaged him numerously reminding him about his food and medicines.. Arnav smile broadly remembering today's morning incident..

Flashback...

Arnav was passionately kissing Khushi, who just came to wake him up and then was pinned under him on the bed...Suddenly Arnav felt someone was slapping him on back.. in a daze he looked back and saw Advay was looking at them with his innocent eyes..

" Wht( what ) are you dolin ( doing ) dada? Is Antel ( Angel) sick?" Advay asked while tears were ready to spill from his little eyes..

" Ohhh.. No.. NO.. my baby.. there was something on my face and dada was cleaning it.." Khushi was quick in action.. She embraced Advay while glaring at her shameless husband..

" okay.. Adu lobes Angel.." Advay smiled broadly and chanted his mantras..

Arnav sigh in relief but promised himself to be more careful near Advay.. He is a very sharp observer but most importantly his angel is his life..

Flashback ends..

Arnav came back to reality when someone clears his throat.. Here comes the pain in ass, Arnav thought himself looking at his best friend Aman who was standing in front on him with a teasing smile on his face..

" care to explain? Why the great AR was smiling like a fool?" Aman asked cheekily while taking a handful of food from Arnav's plate..

" you.. moron... This is my food.. Khushi has send it for me.." Arnav fake angered..

" So.. dear husband is finally getting pampered.." Aman laughed aloud.. "you can thank me.." he added after a while..

" Thank you? For what exactly?" Arnav said mock thinking mode, though he very well knew Aman deserve much more than just a mere thank you...

" Dost dost na raha.." Aman acted while Arnav laughed aloud..

" you know, you are a dramebaaz... Who will tell that you are a father..But Aman, really man, without you, may be..." Arnav stop suddenly unable to form further words..

" Shut up.. I am just happy that finally you overcome your fear and accepted Khushi in your life.." Aman said and then the two best friend chatted for a while when suddenly Aman became all serious..

" hei.. What happened? Aman Majumder looks serious?" Arnav said in a playful modes..

Aman looked at Arnav and wanted to tell the information which he got from Veer few days before.. That Shyam Manohor Khanna is probably in this city.. Veer had seen him the day of Lisa and Neel's engagement day near the farmhouse.. Still then Both Aman and Veer kept their man searching for Shyam but it went in vain.. Till now, no fruitful news came.. Aman had thought to inform Arnav the same but now looking at Arnav's cheerful, carefree mood after so so long, he decided to hide it..

" Nothing... just work stuff... well, Buddy, I have to go.. the Verma project file needs some correction and I will send it to you after final checking.. Till then enjoy your food.." Aman said and hurriedly left the cabin..

Arnav felt there is something Aman is hiding but he immediately shrug it off.. Arnav is in love and now nothing he can think beyond Khushi and her intoxicating presence.. For now, Arnav's sharp observation and his shrewd AR mind took a backseat..

Thus the mighty AR missed the first sign of dark cloud in his castle..

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Ray Fashion House..

Outside Arnav's cabin..

Aman immediately called a person after coming out from Arnav's cabin..

" Hei.. any news??"

" Sorry BRO... but my men are still clueless.. Don't worry.. We have our men all around and Shyam will surely get caught.." the man opposite the call replied confidently..

" I am scared Veer Bhai.. Arnav is too happy and every time his happiness had been snatched away brutally.. I tried to tell him about Shyam but today looking at him, I could not.. I did not want him to be worry but..." Aman was cut off by Veer,

" You did right Aman.. We are here for Arnav and Khushi.. I once failed Anjalidi, could not save my sister.. But I will not let any harm touch my little brother.." Veer's determined voice calm Aman's worry a little bit..

Finally discussing about their other ways to search for Shyam, they both end the call..

But Aman missed the "newly joined peon" who was hiding behind the pillar and had listen his conversation.. The moment Aman left from there, the peon send a message to someone and immediately got a replied message from the same person, " Collect the Gift from downwards and send it to AR at evening..." and he secretly looked at ASR cabin...

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Evening 5: 30 p.m....

Ray Fashion House..

Arnav's cabin..

Arnav finally sigh after closing his computer.. It's already evening and his mind and body is craving for his Khushi.. He wanted to rush to home and cuddle her to his heart content.. A soft smile appeared in Arnav's face remembering Khushi..

His thought was broken when someone knock his cabin door.

" Come in.." Arnav said while packing his laptop bag..

" Sir, a parcel has come for you.." the meek voice of the peon reached to Arnav's ear. Without looking at the person Arnav said, " Keep it on the side table.. did Aman is still in office?" instead he asked..

" No Sir, Aman sir left 1 hour ago with Akash Sir.." with that the peon left the cabin hurriedly..

After 15 minutes Arnav was all ready to leave for home but his eyes suddenly landed on the parcel..

" Who send the parcel for me?" A frown appeared in his face but soon disappeared.. " may be some client wishing for my marriage.. let's see.." Arnav thought and immediately took the parcel on hand..

Arnav looked at the big parcel covered with decorative papers.. There is no name or address written over there..

" Strange... who send this? I have to ask that peon.. How it reached here.." Arnav mumbled while unwrapping the first cover..

Inside the first decorative cover there is another decorative cover with different color and there is a sticky notes on that.. Arnav pulled the notes but his face became clouded with confusion reading after the note..

"No one can love a dead girl", it said.

What did that even mean?

Arnav stood still for few minutes thinking is it really send for him? Is it a kind of joke ? Is someone trying to scare him? Is it someone from his rival? Different thought cpmes running into his mind but he shakes his head and opened the next wrapper and then a box appeared..

Arnav lost his breath as he opened the box. It had a doll with a knife stuck in it's stomach. The doll was covered in blood, it was completely destroyed, like someone had been stabbing it with the same knife for a long time. Everything about it screamed creepy. It looked like a prop from a horror movie.

Arnav looked at the doll blankly.. A chill run down his spine when he found a torn picture inside the box..

It was one of the picture of their marriage...

Arnav felt his breath hitched.. He looked at the picture, it was the time of their saat phere.. Someone has very neatly cut his portion out from the picture and stabbed continuously of Khushi's part.. Her face is damaged and there is a cross mark on her face too.. Arnav's hand tremble and the box dropped down..

" this is a joke.. It might be a joke.." Arnav tried to control his raging heartbeat..

" But what if someone is behind Khushi's life? Who can harm my Khushi?" Arnav felt his blood is becoming cold in thinking about the person who is behind the shadow and had sent the parcel for him..

Arnav looks again at the floor where currently the box is shattered along with the stabbed doll.. He opened his cabin door and shouted for the security.. His security head came when Arnav asked, " call the peon right now.."

"Which peon sir ? Everyone left the premises as office time already over.." the security person replied..

" I don't know his name.. but.. he... anyways, I am leaving, you please make clean my cabin before tomorrow morning and throw those things faraway.." Arnav mentioned those material shattered on the floor and left hurriedly with thousands of thoughts running in his head while the security was shocked after keenly observing the things..

******

Ray Mansion..

Arshi's room..

After 3 hours...

Advay was cuddling Khushi while she was looking at Arnav's face... Arnav was present here with them physically but he is actually thinking something else.. Something very deep...

It's been almost 3 hours Arnav had came back from office and Khushi is observing Arnav's worried face since then.. When Arnav came back from office Advay was with Manorama and Khushi was folding the clothes while humming some songs.. Arnav stormed into their room while almost shouting her name and when his eyes landed on Khushi, a relief was visibly seen in his face..

Khushi was about to ask Arnav how was his days but was taken aback when Arnav hugged her tightly.. literally Arnav crushed Khushi in his tight embrace and before Khushi knew , Arnav was kissing her madly.. within few moment, passion consumed them and they were making sweet love..

In between the heated, passionate love making, Khushi could sense that Arnav was restless.. the way Arnav was holding her in his embrace, kissing her, whispering thousand times " I love you", Khushi felt strange..

And now after dinner when Khushi was busy patting Advay to sleep, she is sure Arnav is hiding something from her.. Khushi was about to ask Arnav the reason but his phone rang and Arnav went to the poolside..

It was from Aman... Khushi had catch the glimpse of caller ID and thought, may be something happened in office..

She waited for Arnav to finish his call but unknowingly her eyes drop and she fell asleep before confronting her husband for his restlessness..

Same time ..

At poolside...

" There is a news..." Aman said with a long breath..

" And I assume it's something serious.." Arnav said looking at the poolside water.. Now he can clearly remember that Aman was trying to hide something from him in the office.. May be he can get his answer now..

" Sheetal suddenly got vanished from the hospital and your dadi is in Coma..." Aman said and Arnav looked at him through the screen.. They are in video call.. Arnav was actually surprised when Aman insisted him for the video conference..

" How is that possible? Our man was there.. So.." Arnav asked all irritated..

" I don't know Arnav.. our men are searching for her but it was clear that someone from the hospital had helped her get away from there..Even police are searching for her.. Inspector Dubey is working hard but..." Aman trailed off..

Arnav felt a creepy feeling engulfing him..

" Besides Arnav.. Look at the paper.. The hospital report says Sheetal was mentally unstable.. I had personally talked with the attending Doctor and he told me that Sheetal's behaviour made him suspect about her mental health.." Aman informed..

Arnav frowned a little, " What do you mean?"

" I mean.. Dr Mishra suspected that Sheetal is OBSESSED with you...he even suggested about a counselling session for her.." Aman informed and Arnav became numb..

" Yes Arnav... and looked at the piece of paper.. Dr Mishra handed me this today.. It was on the bed where Sheetal was admitted..." Aman showed the paper to Arnav..

Arnav looked at the printed paper over the screen.. " You are MINE Arnav.. and I will REMOVE all barrier to get you.."

Arnav looked at the screen and helplessly listen to Aman when he described how he left the office premises today after getting a call from Inspector Dubey and met with Dr Mishra..

" Arnav... Are you listening?" Aman asked sensing Arnav is zoning out..

" I am.. but I .. I... she is behind my Khushi Aman... today I got a parcel.. There was something very creepy.. I ..just.." Arnav briefly tell Aman about the content and written note.. Aman was speechless..

" You should inform the police.. At least Inspector Dubey.. he is a very efficient police officer.. Tomorrow we will definitely report this matter.." Aman made the conclusion and finally they cut the call with different thoughts running in their head..

When Arnav entered in the room he found Khushi asleep.. He slowly lye down beside her holding her hands and pecked her lips..

" I promise Khushi, I will not allow any harm to touch you.. ever again.." Arnav promised and closed his eyes before getting into a disturbed sleep..

But little did Arnav Ray knew that "Promises are meant to be broken..."

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Same time..

Secluded Area of Delhi..

An old building..

A woman was lying on a bed while caressing Arnav's picture in her hands.. She had a crazy glint in her eyes, " Forgive me Darling.. I did not realize how much I had fallen for you.. I love you dearly ...and I know you too loves me.. that's why you had agreed to marry me previously.. just because of my little silly betrayal, you married that ugly woman.. But I am coming darling...Coming back to you... Soon you will accept me as your LOVE and forget about that Bitch..."

With that she kissed Arnav's picture while started to pleasure herself imagining Arnav's presence ....

A shadow observed her every move and smirk devilishly.. " your this craziness will help me to get Khushi... my little sister, finally you are doing some good work..."

He laughed evilly while making some phone calls for HIS TOMORROW'S DEADLY STEP.....

To be contd.....

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Author note:

Hello, lovely people over here...Hope You all are doing well..

I was busy with wrapping up " Another Chance".. and now my main focus will be on this story.. I am really very excited to write down the next chapters.. SO, hold on your breath and wait for the next part..

Till then, share your thought about this part...

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Be safe...keep everybody safe...

Pray for all...

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Love,

Your Story teller

Mamree

21.02.2021