Chapter 41: A fresh start

Nani open her arms for Anjali but she inch backward. She stood at the entrance silently staring her with invisible tears. After ages, The old lady meet her grand daughter. Everytime she just pray for her and Chotte happiness from DM. Seeing her indifference, it do hurt her but somewhere she had guess the reason. Whenever these siblings had a tiff, both separately come to her complaining about each other.

Nani: So you again fight with chotte? You and chotte never change..still fight like kids. (She brought her in and made her seat beside her.

Where is Damadji? What is this Anjali? For the first time you came after marriage and did not bring your husband? Anjali look away. Why you are quiet? Although she avoid meeting her eyes, Nani can clearly read her eyes. It bewilderered her to sense the intensity of anger filled inside her.

Anjali: I hate him, Nani. I hate him. He spoil everything..

Nani: Galti insaan se hi hoti hain.. (Human do make mistake..)

Anjali: Mistake? He had committed a sin and there is no forgiveness for that.

Nani: And what about you? When you know his temper, why you did not come out in open all these years and tell him what is right or wrong. You are equally responsible.

Anjali: I admit I make mistake? But he..Why the hell he did not trust his own love?

MY BROTHER IS DEAD FOR ME..

Nani: Enough Anjali. He is your brother. You have forgotten but i still remember the promise you have given to your mother that you will always take care of chotte and now when he need you the most, you leaving him?

Anjali: Great. So it's his terrific plan to again brainwash me using you as a pawn. Amazing, isn't it? But sadly, Your lovely dovely talks not going to melt me, Nani. I have taken my decision. (She get up and walk few steps away) I will send him to jail and don't you dare try to defend him, he is a bloody criminal..your emotional drama not going to affect me.

Nani: What's wrong with you. You become so bitter.

Anjali: (She let out a sarcastic laugh) Your chotte changed me. He make me realize not to trust anyone so blindly to let the person used your love as a weapon.

Nani: You know Anjali life is very short and we must always cherish it wholeheartedly. We don't know what is our fate. So instead of holding grudges, live with fully forgetting the bitter memories of past. Forgive him.

Anjali: Forgive him? Really-[she shot a glare] Do you even know what he has done? She get up and turn to other side pushing back her tears roughly. A hand came and made her to look back at her.

I had enough of it. Due to your plead I agree to meet you thinking you might understand me. But i guess i made mistake coming here. Being a women, i thought you understand how i'm feeling. I never let any injustice to happen with an innocent who don't even know she is carrying his sins in her womb. He again trying to play with her feelings and emotions. Go and make your not so innocent grandson understand to leave Khushi and hand over her to me otherwise..

Nani: What are you saying?

Anjali: Oh so your chotte keep you in dark. What can I except from a cheater.

Nani: I don't know anything nor i wanted to know. All i know is that the anjali I admire, for her chotte meant world and she cannot live without him. When you knew you cannot survive without your chotte..why punishing yourself and him like this. I never saw him so much broken, not that fateful night when he saw the dead body of his father. But that night, for the first time, he pour out his pain in front of me.

Anjali: His pain is nothing comparable to what Khushi had been suffered.

Nani: He is regretting, Anjali. I am pleading you last time to forgive him.

Anjali: Nani please..I cannot forgive that jerk. I am ashamed to think i share the blood relation with a rap.. (She stopped to say furthur and gukp down her tears. Her nani will not digest the ugly truth of her grandson?

Nani: Is that women..what's her name, Haan khushi..is she pregnant? (She nodded weakly. Nani become so happy getting this news. She express her wish to met her but Anjali deny plainly.

Nani: Oh lord. What can i do to both these siblings. Always fight, fight and fight..It's a time for celebration..You are going to become bua..

Anjali: Nani..woh..ma..n..

Nani: Not a single word..Come to me. (She grab her hand)

Anjali: Where?

Nani: Won't you trust your nani.

Anjali(In her mind): I wish I can but your chotte taught me to never trust anyone blindly. Because he love playing emotional games with girls. It's his hobby to show dreams and crushed it under his feet.

Anjali is lost in her thoughts while Nani lead to a room where they hold the memories of their childhood days.

Her legs halted at the door with her eyes welled up in painful tears. All the memories came alive in front of her. Her knees weaken as her heart making her weaken. A sudden twinkle shine to her face looking at their childhood pictures and the things they used to do. Then she look outside the corridor where they come to summer vacations spending times with nani. She reminiscing each and every moment before the harsh reality of Arnav haunted her.

Her jaws harden. Within a fraction of second, she dash forward and trash every memory that belong to him.

What are you doing, Anjali. Nani try to stop her by seeing her spilling kerosene to their belongings, she get stunned.

Anjali: I will destroy everything that is connected to him.

Nani: (She stop her hand) What's is wrong with you. It meant a lot for chotte..

Anjali: This is what he deserves.. (She jerk off her hand off and carried the match box near the large box where she had keep all the photographs and toys.

Anjali: A man who never thought twice before crushing someone's dreams and ambition why would i care for him. By next moment, she burnt it making it into ashes.

Nani: Anjali stop this..don't do this to him..he will be very hurt knowing this..

Anjali: That's what i want.. (She pass a bitter smile and left the room.)

Nani followed her behind and turned her after coming in the living room.

Nani: Enough is enough Anjali. You are no one to punish chotte..He is your brother. I know you are angry with him but that doesn't mean you will behave so ruthless and mean to him.

Anjali: Stop defending him, Nani..because of him, an innocent girl is suffering. Do you have any idea how much she had been tortured and tormented by him. She is just a toy for him, he just used her for his selfish needs, he had never loved her. Anyways with whom i am telling you, you won't understand how does it felt being betrayed by.. She stopped when realization dawn upon her.

Nani: I won't understand..really? You are forgetting Anjali what your nanaji did to me. He also left me for another women Still i had forgiven him, only for you and Chotte happiness.

Anjali: You have a big heart Nani. But Khushi never forgive him for what he had done. You were a wife but she..That poor soul have got no sindoor, mangalsutra, no rights in the society. She had been tainted as a mistress. All because of your saint grandson.

Nani look at her with astonishment. While she spat out in anger.

Anjali: He had left her during a stage when she need the most..he make her pregnant and now she become mad in his love. I never forgive his sins..because of him, i lost my best friend. He had raped her..it is not his love that is growing inside her..your chotte had destroyed her completely.

Till now Nani only know half truth but knowing everything, her hands started to tremble. She get imbalance and fell on the ground.

I will destroy him just like he destroy her.. She dashed off without looking behind. The revelation tore her. The harsh truth of her grandson caused several pains to her heart. She never imagine he can become a beast in his revenge.

~~~

Arnav, khushi and Ananya was on the way back to raizada mansion. From past few moments, he is trying to gather courage to tell her the truth, but Ananya interrupted him everytime, he open his mouth. This really frustrating him. But then seeing the cheerful face of Khushi, it sooth his heart and he forget everything.

Khushi(With a puzzle look) : Kya hua Arnavji..ap hame aise kyu ghur rahe hain.. (Why are you staring me like this?)

Covering her face with palm, she demanded peeping her one eye. Getting caught, he look at the front and began driving.

Ananya who is sitting in back seat smiling looking at her mischievous acts. For time being, she get relaxed to think Arnav did not tell her the truth but in some corner of her heart, a fear of losing her always trouble her. She felt guilty to separate two lovers, but now she has realized her happiness lies with him.

~~~

At midnight, Arnav shut down his laptop and prepare to lay down on the bed when suddenly, out of somewhere, Khushi made her entry and jumped to his bed. He get completely taken aback by her quick stunt.

What are you doing here..?

Khushi: Of fo..my Arnavji is so dumb...don't you know what people do at bed in night..(His eyes widen in surprise while she yawn while settling her favorite teddy bear in the middle)

She grinned capturing almost entire bed giving him no place to sleep. He stood there staring her with wide eye.

Why are you looking at me like ghost? Hehe don't worry Ananya didi is sleeping so i quitely came to my Arnavji. Saying this, she open her arms indicating him to hold her. His heart melted by her cute gesture. She has no idea what she is asking in her childishness.

What are you doing here..come to me na..You know i am afraid of dark..please hold me..She came close to him and took him to the bed. She laid him down and gave him good night kiss before hugging him closer.

Khushi..what are you doing..? He try to pull himself apart but she did not allow him. Her act drown him to another world. Her soft breathe touched his skin evoking unknown desire. His hand automatically reached behind her to embrace her into but then his mind alerted him and he come back to his senses.

He close his eyes painfully remembering all the moments spend in this room and then lifted his gaze to her. He removed his hold from her and get up in an instant.

Arnav: Go back to your room!

Khushi: But why..?

Arnav: I said go, Khushi. Don't argue (He raised his voice that brought tears in her eyes)

Her tears wound his heart and he cursed himself inwardly. He came close to her but she pushed him angrily sobbing in between.

You *sob* don't..like me * sob* You love that * sob* chu* sob* chudail..I become* fat..I am *ugly..ugly..ugly..

You are very beautiful, Khushi..just like princess..

Khushi: Sachi? I am beautiful? She asked with twinkling eyes. His one nod brought a hundred watt smile on her face.

Arnav: I am sorry..I won't hurt you again.. (He said holding a huge burden within him)

It's okay..(He wipe her tears with tenderness and she smiled) Mumma say it's bad manner to enter in someone's room..

You don't need my permission. It is..[paused] it is your room.. But right now you have to go back to your Didi..she will be worried if she did not see you there..

Khushi: But i wanted to be with my Arnavji.. Can I sleep with you..please..please ..please.. She asked so adorably he cannot able to say no' to her. But how he let her sleep at this room where they had tortured and used her for his so called revenge. He felt angry on himself and stood there while Khushi is eagerly waiting for his one approval.

Arnav: Okay.. She clapped her hands. His eyes fixed at her capturing each and every moment of her in his mind.

What happen..come here na.. When he did not move, she grab his hand and pull him. The force made him to fell on top of her. She started laughing but he was still lost in admiring her, do not realize she is calling him.

For the first time, Arnav singh raizada is trapped at the situation when he have no place to go. Being close to his lady love evoke many feelings that were hidden in some corner. To hide himself from usual situation, he decided to sleep on recliner but she did not permit her. Without any option, he just lay there and pretend to asleep. khushi put her head over his chest and close her eyes. Hearing his ragged heartbeat, a question popped to her innocent mind. She shake him a bit.

Khushi: Why your heart is beating so fast fast..? Boliye na? She carried her head and saw him sleeping. She pinch him letting him to jump.

Arnav: What the! What you're doing Khushi...sleep quickly.

Khushi: Answer me first! He gave her unbelievable look and patted her back before spreading duvet to her. Somethime it's really difficult to understand her. At one time she fear from him and now triggering him at a place where she already capture a space.

Stop staring me and answer me otherwise whole night i will pester you..

Arnav: Khushi, it's nothing like that.. (He reply by avoiding eye contact.)

Really? She again check it out but putting her head to his chest. Her queries is not coming to an end. All he did just keep admiring her entire night hearing her talks patiently. Later he tell her one story and she drifted her to sleep.

Next few days passed quickly with Arnav being with her, handling her with care. At some point, it was very difficult to control her immature behaviour. But Arnav control her patiently. He do everything to bring smile on her face which he failed in the past. Starting from brushing her teeth, feeding her breakfast, playing with her, he did everything for her.

At one point, it became quite impossible to make her understand as her new demand really shock him. She ask him to give her bath, because ananya was not at home. When he enter her room, she was struggling with the zip of her frock. He deny her to wear that and hand over her a decent dress, but she made a face showing tantrum saying she is not a big girl. Then suddenly she started to cry as all her dresses get tight to fit.

Khushi: I get so fat and ugly..my stomach become so big..That's why you don't like me na..You don't play with me..always runaway from me..

No kiddo..(He bend down and touch her swell)How can you think like that..my doll is the most beautiful girl in the universe.. His compliment touch her heart and she fly high in sky. Later, she lead him to bathroom and demand him to give her bath. He stop near the door with narrowed eyes.

Arnav: Go and tell your didi to give you bath..

Khushi: But didi is not at home..

Arnav: Kiddo.. Try to understand..I can't. (He turn sideways noticing the zip of her frock is half open.

His denial anger her. She put her entire house to her head by her screaming, crying and shouting.

Arnav: Shhh don't cry..

He try to pacify her by giving her chocolates but nothing work on her. Thankfully, Ananya came on the right moment and saved him from facing the embarrassing situation else he never able to forgive himself. No way he is going to cross the line. Once she get ready, he tied her hair in two tiny ponytail as per her likes and then took her for doctor's clinic. On reaching there, nurse came and laid her down to the stretcher. Nervously, she held his hand tight. Doctor came inside and monitor her condition. During entire session, she never left her hand for a single second.

Arnav: Doctor, is everything fine? How is my Khushi? When she will be alright? Doctor observed her, who is engrossed in playing with a doll in her lap and then look back at Arnav seriously.

Doctor: I can understand your worry. You have to be patient. During such cases, all we can do is just hope for the best.

Arnav: What do you mean? Don't round me and tell me straight. When my khushi get back to normal? It's been almost 6 months for that incident. But her condition is still the same. You told me my presence will help her to..

Doctor: Yes i do told you that and she is looking much better now. But when and how she get rid of her mental instability, only time will tell till then you have to patient. I have studied her entire case. She require your attention and love. Your presence makes her happy. She find a comfort zone only being near you.

Arnav: So what can i do next? As you said, i erase fear from her heart. Now she don't afraid of me infact she is comfortable around me. But sometimes, she do stare at me like my khushi used to do in past. At times during sleep, she murmer my name and.. (He stop with remorse filled his senses) I heard her saying why did i cheated her..

Doctor: That's a great sign. That mean slowly she is recollecting past incidences. Mr raizada, She had receive a tremendous shock by you. That's why all the time she only take your name and wanted to be with you. Her life start at you and end at you. Currently, it is very important to let her realize about her pregnancy. As the time of her delivery coming closer, her complications are increasing. Her baby is at risk. (He get panic in a sudden)

Arnav: I will do everything to safeguard her. What i have to do next..?

Doctor: Start to develop feelings inside her and made her realize the meaning of love as love is the only reason of her mental instability and there are high chances it can become key success for her recovery.

Arnav listen to his words keenly absorbing each and every of him. He let out a sigh before moving to khushi who is boringly moving her eyes here and there. The moment she feel his presence, she turn to him and ran and hugged him with a broad smile on her face. Doctor came to her and ask her few questions.

Khushi: Doctor uncle..doctor uncle..i will be a good girl..please don't give me injection..that nurse told me she will inject me. (She complained with pouted face)

Arnav: No one will give you injection.. now come..let's go..

Khushi: Where?

Arnav: To our home!

Khushi: Home? But i have no home.. he disowned me..i don't deserve to have a family.. (His eyes widen in shock) Her words bruised him. At one side, he is happy she is slowly regaining herself but it does hurt him to realize he is the reason of her every pain.

Arnav: Until I'm alive no one can disowned you..

He drove her to Raizada mansion and lifted her up into his arms before taking her inside.

Arnav: This home is yours..only yours.. She smiled clapping her hands, jumped to her feet and enter inside in the search of her didi. But the moment she saw a familiar figure, she move backward and went behind Arnav.

Inspector: Mr Raizada, you are under arrest!

To be continued!

Precap: A dead body came to Raizada mansion.

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