Part 76 The killer

Arnav's facial expression changed into a shocking one.

"What happened, ASR? I expected relief on your face... Your enemy is dead, Man..." Aman said excitedly.

"He is killed..." Arnav corrected his sentence.

"Yeah... A man like Tiwari would get such an ending. What wonder in that..." Aman said.

Arnav nodded yes.

"I have to tell that to Khushi. She will be happy." Aman said curiously.

"Don't tell her anything about the killer especially his name," Arnav said.

"But why ASR?" Aman asked frowning.

"I will tell you the reason later..." Arnav uttered thoughtfully.

"Is there anything emotional?" Aman caught the point.

"Maybe..."

"Can I do anything about it?" Aman sensed something must be there.

Arnav nodded NO.

"Ok then, you tell her about Tiwari's murder."

Arnav nodded ok. Aman left his cabin not nagging him more.

Arun Tiwari is killed in jail and the person named Vikram killed him. It was not hard for Arnav to connect the dots. He wondered about Vikram's planning method and the way he made it possible. This is why he voluntarily went to jail, getting involved in a pickpocket case. He wanted to confirm whether the killer is Vikram. He called the commissioner.

"Hello, ASR, I'm expecting your call since morning. I know you will call me to know about Arun Tiwaris's murder. Am I right?" The commissioner asked him thinking himself proud.

"Have you got to know anything about the man who killed Tiwari?" Arnav questioned him not answering his question.

"No, ASR... he has not opened his mouth... no matter how much he is getting beaten up. He didn't even utter a single word..." The commissioner said with disappointment.

"In what case he got arrested?" Arnav asked him to check whether he is his father-in-law or not.

"He just got arrest in a simple pickpocket case yesterday evening. As the next three days are Saturday, Sunday and Monday is also a government holiday, the court will not be working. So he was sent to the Sub-jail. As per his previous records, he just got released from jail after spending ten years a week ago. It seems he killed his wife...."

Cutting him,

"No, Sir. He didn't kill his wife. It was an accident." Arnav said calmly.

The commissioner was surprised by his answer.

"How do you know about him?" He asked and his voice sounded shocking.

"He is none other than my father-in-law." Arnav didn't hesitate to tell the truth.

"Oh really?" he was more shocked.

"Yes, Sir..."

"I think he should have known about the rivalry between you and Tiwari" The commissioner guessed it right.

"I don't know sir..."

Though Arnav knew it he didn't let him know it. Without knowing the exact truth he doesn't want to tell the commissioner about it.

"What can I do for you in this case?" The commissioner came straight to the point.

"I would like to meet him. Can I?" he requested him.

"Sure... why not? I will arrange your meeting." He assured him.

"And I have one more obligation, sir," Arnav asked.

"Anything for you ASR..." The friendly commissioner was ready to help ASR in this matter.

Arnav told him his obligation.

"Ok... I will do it"

The commissioner disconnected the call and Arnav sighed in relief.

Arnav called Khushi.

"Come to my cabin."

He disconnected the call not giving her a chance to say anything. Khushi frowned, looking at the phone. His voice neither sounded urgent nor did harshly. Then why did he call her? What would be the matter? Shrugging her shoulders off, she went to Arnav's cabin. She knocked on the door and peeped in smilingly. Seeing him sitting on the couch, Khushi understood that he is going to discuss something serious. Arnav nodded his head like COME IN with a smile. Khushi got inside.

"Lock the door and come," Arnav commanded.

"Why, Arnavji?" She asked looking at him shrinking her eyes suspiciously.

Arnav chuckled.

"Nothing like what you are a thing. I want to talk to you. That's all. I don't want anyone to interrupt us." He said with his trademark lopsided smile.

"Have you forgotten the rule you made, Mr Raizada?" she folded her hands.

"What rule?" he raised his eyebrows without changing the smile.

"No one could enter your cabin without your PA's permission... Remember?" she asked him sarcastically.

"Three idiots in this office won't come in that list. They will enter anytime. Remember?" Arnav cornered her.

He is right. Aman, Akash and NK have the special permission of Arnav. They can enter his cabin anytime for anything. Khushi nodded yes and locked his cabin door from inside.

"Come..." Arnav extended his hand.

"What's so important, Arnavji?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah... it's very important." Arnav looked at his extended hand.

Khushi clutched his hand and sat next to him.

"What's the matter Arnavji?"

"Answer my question..." he started the matter slowly.

"Yeah... ask me..." She was ready.

Arnav pulled her closed to him and circled her shoulders.

"You said you liked me even after knowing that I'm a haughty head. Then how did you love me?" He asked.

The question was bait to get something from her but Khushi doesn't know about it though she spoke casually.

"Did you call me to ask this question?" She asked pinching his cheek.

"Answer me..." he was firm in his point.

"I started liking you. It's because I felt a change in you..." she said the real reason.

"Oh...will you forget the old deeds if you feel the genuine change?" Arnav got the point for what he waited for.

"If it is genuine..." she stressed.

"Will you forget your father's old deed if his feeling is genuine?" Arnav asked reading her facial expression.

A constant smile that was dominating Khushi's face faded hearing his stance. She tried to remove his hand from her shoulder but Arnav didn't let her do it. His hold on her shoulder tightened.

"Do you know who attacked us?" Arnav questioned her and Khushi looked at him fearfully. Her eyes were wandering on Arnav's face with expectation.

"Arun Tiwari..."

Khushi gulped hard in relief.

"How do you know?" she asked restlessly.

"I know...(he paused for a second) Do you know Arun Tiwari got killed in jail today morning..."

Khushi widened her eyes shockingly.

"Someone killed him." He broke the egg.

Khushi somehow guessed what comes next. She parted her lips in agitation. Arnav nodded yes as he read her mind.

"Vikram Singh..."

Khushi gulped down.

"Your father..."

Khushi sat straight looking down. Arnav continued.

"I no need to say why he killed Arun Tiwari... you would have understood the reason by now."

Khushi bit her lip closing her eyes.

"It's only for you, Khushi... he wants you to live your life peacefully. He is the guilt of being the reason for your mother's death. I do not doubt that. You saw your mother dying in front of your eyes... at the same time, you also would have seen that your father didn't kill your mother intentionally and it was an accident. Neither I'm saying him right nor am I supporting him. I didn't deny that he was wrong... but not now. He spent ten years in jail... he had already got punishment for his deed...and he is going to be in jail for a few more years for killing Tiwari. Your forgiveness will give him solace, Khushi. I was none to you... yet you understood me. He is your father after all..."

Tears spilt from Khushi's eyes.

"Take your time, it's not urgent..."

She looked at him with tears emotionally. Arnav wiped her tears off. In no time, Khushi hugged him and burst out. Arnav caressed her hair in a consoling manner.

"I don't know what to do Arnavji...I can't think of anything with a clear mind. Guide me, Arnavji. Please..." she said while crying on his chest.

"Khushi don't cry... no compulsion... I just want you to think about him. Without thinking about himself, he had done something no one could imagine... only for your betterment and happiness... he needs nothing but forgiveness, Khushi. We don't know what will happen next. Anything can happen in a second... just like a farmhouse attack. Forgive him Khushi..." Arnav advocated for his father-in-law.

"I have been kept on hating him in the last ten years Arnavji... I don't know whether I could forgive him..." her answer sounded true.

Arnav kissed her hair smilingly. It needs trust to give such a responsibility to him. He knew how much she hated her father. If she is ready to find a solution to forgive her father then it's only because of Arnav. Only he could make it possible. Arnav felt proud of himself.

"Ok... let me help you..." Arnav took responsibility.

She broke the hug.

"How? How will you help me?" curiosity was visible in her eyes.

"Let me think...I will find a good solution to this issue. Ok?"

Khushi nodded ok and again hugged him tightly. No need to say, Arnav also hugged her back with the same zeal.

To be continued...