Hello everyone..here i came back with next update. Thanks for the wonderful response. I didn't expected so much love. Because of you, I am giving next one quick.

One thing I wanted to tell you about this story that it is going to be a happy ending. Once Arnav and Khushi reunite there has been lot of romance and love going to take place. But for that you have to wait a little more. Even I am dying to write their reunion. Just wait for their proper meet. I can't reveal more. Just wait and watch.

____________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 45: Silent scream

Khushi: You might be thinking what I am doing here..actually umm..Arnav..I know I made many mistakes in my life and the worst thing happen when I left you 5 years back leaving behind our little daughter and then disgrace your love not once but many times thinking you and Ananya Di..Arnav I am sorry..I started living with you pretending to be a good wife just to destroy you because I wanted to give you pain because I thought you.. (Her words left incomplete when she felt a sudden push from other end)

I look on shocked and motionless seeing Khushi in place of Arnav with thousands of emotions crossing her features.

Oh god what I have done? Did she hear me? Hope not. But seeing her expression I feel she hears something what she shouldn't. I have no idea how much she had heard and what she had assumed. Her little brain must be in a mess. Upon seeing her wet face, I feel a pang of pain within my heart. I want to hug her tight, I want to console her. I want to tell her everything will go alright. I want to erase her pain but I fear her soft heart may break. I cannot endure her pain. She is too tiny..too innocent. My baby. How she had lived without me. My heart tear up with this thought.

''Be..ta...'' I move a little toward her but she move back.

She is breathing harshly and her tears are dropping down. She is unable to speak as more tears are shedding from her cheeks. She is hiccuping.

''No baby don't cry..This is not what you are thinking..let me..'' She push me back as I try to hold her in my arms. My baby is in pain. How stupid I am. I shouldn't say this.

Her little heart had broken into million pieces hearing all that from her mother. No sooner her hurt tranformed into hate thinking the person she consider her mother to be reason her papa commited suicide.

Khushi: Beta aap..ro kyu rahe..ho..mumma ke pas ao..kya hua apko..? (Why are you crying, come to your mom..what happen?) I wanted to touch her but she again inch backward not allowing me to do.

Chahat: YOU ALLE NOT MY MUMMA...YOU HURT MY PAPA..YOU FORCED MY PAPA TO.. (She couldn't say further as anger filled her eyes. She tightened her clench fuming.)

While her venom filled words wrench my heart. My knees feel weak seeing so much hate in those red eyes but I somehow balance myself holding the support. Tears prick my eyes but I hold back.

Chahat: You cheated my papa..? You mally that villan uncle haina?

Khushi: No Beta what you are thinking is not true..I.. (I kneel before her to hug her)

Chahat: DON'T TOUCH ME..YOU ARE NO-ONE TO ME..I BHILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU..NEVER. I HATE YOU FOREVER..

At this moment I lost everything. The feeling to get abandonment is same as what I felt when Arnav humiliated me. But that hurt is nothing compared to what I am getting from my own daughter.

Khushi: Beta, I am your mumma..bas ek baar mumma ke gale lag jao..(Just once give me a hug)I love you a lot.. (I open my arms craving to hold my baby just once.)

How much I yearn all my life for my baby and when she is right in front of me, standing so close I can't reach her..

Khushi: Don't trouble your mumma..please beta..please come to me.. (I try to be near her. But more I try to come near, more she moving away)

Chahat: NO..You are very ebhil (evil)..more ebhil I ever emagined..My DM will punish you..You don't deserve to be anyone mumma..I hate you..I hate you..I hate you

She angrily screamed at me, shove off my hand by which I lose her balance. Her words were more like acid to me.

Anjali came inside hearing Chahat shout. To her astonishment, she saw me on the floor and came to help me. She made me stand and blast at Chahat for being so mean to her mother. But Chahat is hell mad. She is in no term to hear anything and continuously shotting daggers at me. Nothing in the world is bigger torture than seeing your child to hate you and putting wrong alligation on you.

Anjali got shocked to heard her accusation for Khushi. She thinks her mother, khushi, left them for another man. But reality is far more cruel than her imagination.

Khushi: Beta you are misunderstanding me..let me..exxxpl..

Chahat: Don't you dalle call me beta? I am no-one to you. You no lobe papa if you do you never leave us all those years. If you love another uncle why you cheated my papa..why you give me birth..you should have let me die na.. Do you have any idea how much me and papa misses you..ebery night my papa cry for you hiding from me. He talk with stars daily in a hope one day he phill find you..eberyone says you die but my papa always believed you are alibe..he always told me my mumma is so beautiphool..mumma lobe him and me so so much and one day she phill come back and then we live like a happy phamily. He make me believe you are best mumma in the world and that day when badi diama revealed you alive papa were in cloud 9..he were so happy..That day for the first time I saw my papa smiling. He was so happy and told me we are going to meet you. How stupid I was to think you are part of our family. But in reality you are not. YOU ARE NOT OUR FAMILY..FROM NOW I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR dillty PHACE..

Some of her accusation were right but some were completely wrong. But how will I tell her what had actually happened? Why did I left them? Her little heart would never be able to digest the truth.

Little Khushi looks at the drawing she made with teary red eyes.

Chahat: This picture I made to sulprlise you and Papa- My pherfect family picture..You and papa together forever and after. But now it meant nothing to me..nothing..

Khushi: No beta don't say like that.. I..I really really love your papa..Trust me..''

I get emotional seeing her efforts. I extend my hand to touch it but she aggressively snatches them away.

Chahat: Don't touch my family picture..You are not a part of my perfect phamily..Only me and papa should be there, not you. So, I am removing you from my family picture..undershood!

My heart craved to hug my daughter just once and remove all the fears and insecurity from her heart. But I am too scared and shattered to see her like that.

Beta what are you doing..nooo..don't do this..please listen..to..

Chahat: Shut up you bad devil.. (Said little one angrily hugging her picture in a way protecting it from her mother bad omen. )

I feel unwanted. It hurts me like hell. I can't see hate in her eyes. It pricked me. My chest is constricted with pain.

Chahat: I hate this picture..I hate it..My family always remain incomplete..I would never get a perfect phamily. My mumma Papa don't lobe each other..All because of you..I am unlucky because you are my mother. But I am very proud to have the world's best papa who only love me. He did not leave me for another aunty..like you did..you are the worst..

I shake my head in denial. I wanted to tell her a lot of things but it is getting harder to face her. Hurtfully Chahat tore my picture from her drawing into million pieces and throw it on the floor under her feet.

Chahat: You left me and papa for that Neev uncle haina.. And now I am leaving you for my Papa. You reject my papa for other uncle. Exactly the same way I am leaving you. GET OUT FROM OUR LIVES! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR PHACE EBBER! GET OUTTT!!!!!!

Anjali can't see a daughter to treat her mother like this as she knows how much Khushi yarned for her. She came forward in between us and scolded her before telling her the truth what her father did to her mother but I immediately stopped her pressing her hand signaling her No.

Chahat: Get out from here..Bua tell her to get out. I don't want to see her bad shight near my phamily..

Anjali: Behave! Is this the way to talk to elders?

Khushi: Anjali..please..

Anjali: Par Khushi yeh.. (But Khushi..)

Chahat sternly shut the bedroom door on my face. My entire world started crumbling again. Once again I left alone. Neev was right..It is not in my fate to have a family.

Putting stone in my heart, I make my way toward the exit. My hands shaking, legs whimpered and limp shivered as every step away from them making it difficult for me. There was a time when my daughter craved my love and all I gave her back was only dejection and hatred and now when I understood the importance of them, my own daughter reject me. What an irony! But I can't blame her. Whatever I did with her and her father I should deserve it.

While walking, I recall each and every moment spend in this house with Arnav and my daughter, Khushi. When first entered this house during grahpravesh, I bang kalash on Khushi's head. That was the worst thing any mother can do. Her madness, my irritation. My first confession to Arnav. Our first kiss. Those moments were so precious but I lose them. Once again I lost my family. I lost them..I lost them forever. I lost my love..I lost my only daughter..I lost my Arnavji..

Drawing a heavy breath, I walk out from the exit door when I heard Anjali's voice from behind. I ignored it and continued walking away as fast as I could. If I turned back I wouldn't be able to leave my family.

She ran behind me and grabbed my hand.

Anjali: Where do you think you are going?

Khushi: Let me go..

Anjali: It becomes your habit to run away from your responsibilities, from the people who love you but not this time. I won't let you do this stupidity again.

Khushi: Anju please.. (I shrug her hand off me and continue moving away.)

Anjali: Wait what? What do you call me..? (Her smile widened in surprise) Oh my god. You call me Anju..? You call me by the name after 5 damn years. Only my best friend Khushi used to call me. Not Meera. That means you..

Khushi: No! (I shouted back.) You are no one to me. I hate you as much as your brother so behave.

But seeing her smiling face, all my pretend drain away. She catches my lie and glare me with folded arms as I fail to hold my emotions. She pulls me for a warm hug and I starts to sob in her embrace. The burden of pain is too much to bear. I can't take this anymore.

Anjali: You have no idea how much I missed you Khushi..how much I craved to hear this from you.. I missed my best friend so much. I missed you dumbo..

Khushi: I missed you too. (I break the hug and move back) I have to go now. (I prepare to run speedily this time without looking behind as I can't hold my emotions anymore)

Anjali: Khushi wait! You can't go like this. Chotte needs you.

My legs halted hearing his name. But I couldn't manage to turn back. Tears made it way down my cheeks but I somehow gulped it down.

Khushi: Dono ka khayal rakhna..aur meri chinta mat karna..I am fine (Do take care of both of them and don't think about me..)

Anjali: Don't you want to meet Arnav? Do you know he...

Khushi: No..I don't want to know anything about him. Please don't take his name and make me weak. My little one won't like it. For the first time my daughter asked me to.. let me fulfill her wish. She hates me and wants me to stay away from her father. She is not wrong either. I am a bad person..it's better my awful shadow to ruin their happiness, I should go away..far away from them.

Anjali: Stupid woman! And what about your wishes? Your love? Will you ever be able to stay without Arnav? (I turn around and see her) Don't look at me like that. I know you love arnav and he..he is mad for you. I haven't seen him so crazy for any woman. He is crazily in love with you..you have no clue how badly he waited for you all those years.

Controlling my emotions, I try to be strong.

Khushi: It doesn't matter anymore. Everything has changed now and so does my feelings for him.

Anjali: Oh really? Then say it looking into my eyes. (She raised my chin up forcing me to speak up. )

I gripped my palm so tightly it is paining me.

Khushi: Stop it Anju. Don't make it difficult for me. My daughter wanted me to stay away from Arnav and I will do that. This is my punishment for hurting them. Not only Arnav and Chahat, I hurt you too. I treated you so ill, made you work in my company like a servant. It is your kind nature you are being so nice to me even after knowing how much I..

Anjali: You fool. You know nothing of what happened to Arnav. He needs you the most. Don't repeat the mistake you already did 5 years ago. You both suffered enough. This family needs you..Arnav needs you. And about Chahat. Once she knows about her father's deeds she will looth him for the rest of her life. You won't deserve this kind of treatment from your daughter. It wasn't your fault. Everything was done by Arnav but still you are blaming yourself. You are suffering for his deeds.

Khushi: No Anju..You won't tell her the truth..Promise me?

Anjali: Khushi I can't lie her..Not after what stupid things she told you. Jaisa baap vaisi beti.. (Like father, like daughter)

Khushi: Anjuuuu!!!!!!!! Dare to speak a word about them..I won't spare you..

Anjali: Why you are so good Khushi...

Khushi: Please..promise me you won't say anything to her..neither will tell him what she told me...

Anjali: But..

Khushi: For our friendship..please..

I carry her hand and place it on mine making a promise to never let this secret out in the open.

Anjali: Why you are defending him? Your daughter deserves to know what her so called idle father did to you when she was inside your womb.

Khushi: She loves Arnav the most. Her Papa is her world..She worships him as much as she worship her Devimaiya..I will bear her hatred but cannot see her hating her Papa. Promise me you never let the trust on her father go away. I know how much it hurt when someone broke your trust. I never want my daughter to face the same pain I went through. She is too small..This truth will kill her innocence. Please Anju! Save my daughter..

Anjali: My chotte is such a jerk to make you cry while you think so much about him in spite of knowing what a worst animal he was in the past. No woman ever forgives a man who treated her like a slut but you are such a gem, Khushi.

Khushi: No he is not. He is my life. Please forgive my Arnavji. He is not a bad person. He just got impulsive sometimes and circumstances made him do what he never wanted to do.

Anjali smiles hearing praises from her brother. Her chotte is so lucky to have this girl. It makes her wonder how anyone selflessly loves someone to this extent. After a long time she saw the glimpse of her best friend, Khushi in her. She is feeling really happy to get her best friend back after ages.

Khushi: Okay if you say I will think about giving another chance to my brother.

Khushi: Thanks Anju..

Anjali smiles back but seeing Khushi's anger filled expression, she get snapped back. Only praying that heartless Meera would never take over her again otherwise she would be dead. But her praying has opposite effects on her. Once again she caught the glimpse of ruthless and arrogant Meera.

Khushi: How dare you to hurt my Arnavji...

Anjali looked puzzled and bewildered wondering what she has done now.

Khushi: Why did you shoot a bullet on my Arnavji..? How could you hurt him?

Anjali: How did you know?

Khushi: That doesn't matter...Why did you do that..If anything had happened to him..

Anjali: Okay Relax..I was hell angry that night all I did only to take revenge for my best friend whose life he had spoiled and on top of that he was going to marry Ananya yaar how I had let that happen..They were about to marry. If I wouldn't have reached on time that day, your so called Arnavji had married that girl and spoiled her life too as he did yours. How would I have left him? Leave it..we will talk about it later but firstly you need to know about your Arnav..

My eyes sparkled hearing his name. I am dying to meet him. I had so much to say to him but words were constantly playing war in me. Whether to go in front of him or not. And if I go what I would say to him.

Anjali: Do you know why your daughter is so upset on you..? It is not only the reason she thinks you left him but there is something else..

Khushi: What do you mean..?

Anjali: Umm actually she thinks you are responsible for Chotte current state. (Blood drain from my face)

Khushi: You are scaring me now? Where is he? Is he okay?

Anjali: Aman told me not to tell you but now I can't hide it from you anymore.

Khushi: Please tell me what is that..Is Arnav okay? He is not at home, right? I hadn't found him anywhere.

Anjali: I am here to take care of your Khushi as we cannot take her to him right now. Aman, Ananya and Ishita are in hospital..

Khushi: Hospital?

I get panic all of a sudden. My heartbeat went erratic. I am in huge shock. Fear started making me insane.

Khushi: My Arnav is okay na Anju? Tell me please?

She held my both hands and the look on her face made me shiver.

Anjali: Khushi, woh..umm..Arnav is very critical.. He is in ICU.

Khushi: Whhhattt? (I become numb..)

Anjali: He cut his wrist and later stabbed himself with a knife. He is crazy for you.

A huge burden of pain coarse through my veins. This news shattered me with everything. My head began spinning and then everything became light.

''Arn...nnavvvv...''

~~~

''Arnav...Arnav...kaha ho tum...'' (Where are you)

I began searching for him everywhere restlessly. There is smoke all around. I wave my hand in air trying to clear my view. But I cannot see anything clearly. Everything is faded.

''Don't play this stupid game..I am in no mood to play hide and seek. Come out. I know you are around me. I can feel you. Arnav I am warning you last time..If you wouldn't come now I would never talk to you..''

Suddenly I felt his presence approaching me. I close my eyes and inhale his aroma near me as he caresses my neck very gently with his finger. Giving a peck on my neck, he hugged me from the back making me blush.

''Where were you I missed you so much..'' Before he says anything, I turn and jumped into his irresistible arms. He held me tight from my back and we shared an intense hug. Being near him is more like heaven. It feels a soothing sensation.

''You stupid idiot dumb..you scare the hell out of me..I thought something happened to you.'' He struggle to let go off me but I didn't allow him to move an inch.

''Don't you dare leave me..You are mine..''

''I have to go, Khushi'' Said Arnav. There was a pain in his voice.

''Shut up..'' I press him more closely, snuggling against his chest warmly and held him obsessively.

''You are my jaan..you can't get rid off me in this birth even if you try I steal you from god..''

''Ab tum mujhe mil gaye ho..main tumhe apne se dur kahi nahi jane dungi..'' (Since I got you back I never permit you to go away)

Suddenly I felt someone pushing him away. Our hands began slipping. While he smiles bitterly saying last goodbye to me.

No!!!!!!!!!!

I woke up with a huge thud. My head began throbbing and I am short of breath. Tears automatically started dropping thinking about that horrible dream. I am restlessly looking out for him. It is then I realized he is nowhere near me. To my astonishment I am laying in a hospital bed. I look around my room, wide eyed trying to recollect the recent set of events

Suicide? Hospital? I pressed my mouth and saw saline wire on my nerves. Quickly I removed it off and dropped on my feet. My head began spinning.

Someone came into the room and held me. My eyes shine.

Khushi: ''Mujhe pata tha tum jarur aoge..'' (I knew you will come back)

But my happiness faded. to see Aman.

Aman: You need rest. Come. (He took me toward bed but I stayed rooted.)

Khushi: I want to meet him RIGHT NOW. (I almost yelled) Ishita came inside and pleaded with me to take a rest.

Ishita: Khushi, you have been unconscious for 3 days. Doctor advised you to rest.

Khushi: 3 days? 3 days I was asleep and there was Arnav in the ICU because of me.

They exchanged a glance but not ready to spat anything.

Khushi: Why are you guys not telling me anything? I just want to see him once. Is he in this hospital? (I got no response from them. They are standing like a statue. This pissed me off.)

Khushi: Dammit why guys are really testing my patience.. (Angrily I push their hand off me.) I don't need anyone's help. I will find my Arnavji myself..NOW MOVE!

Aman: Khushi wait!

Khushi: No need. I can manage. I will find ICU. (I pulled his hand but his grip tightened around my wrist.)

After a plain silence, he spoke.

Aman: He isn't in ICU.

Khushi: Then where is he?

Aman: Just today he is shifted to ward. (I breathe a sigh of relief)

Khushi: Really? Thank god he is fine. Can I meet him just once..please please..I want to see him.. (I jump like a child. Butterflies fluttered inside my stomach by the thought to greet him.)

Aman: Not now..Firstly you take rest. Due to weakness and empty stomach, you fainted and the doctor told me you hadn't had anything. You are very weak, Khushi. You cannot even walk properly..see..

Khushi: But Arnav..

Aman: He is still unconscious. Do you want to welcome him with this ill state. No right. (I shook my head in no) Good girl. Now come and have rest. Till then I will arrange food for you. Okay?

Khushi: Lekin mujhe arnavji ke haath se khana hain.. (But I want to eat it from my Arnavji)

Seeing her friend's over excitement and happiness, Ishita couldn't control her sorrow and ran from there.

Khushi: Arre isse kya hua..? (What happen to her?)

Aman: Kuch nahi..I will bring something for you and dare you step out from bed.

Khushi: Okay! (I said joyfully and he lead me to bed, helping me to lay down.)

Before moving out, he signal something to the nurse and walk off.

Khushi(To her Devimaiya): Because of Arnav, I boycotted you. I am sorry, DM( Holding my both ears) Can we become friends again? I promise I never katti you. Pakka wala promise. Thank you for saving my Arnavji. Thank you very very much. Thank god he is fine. Okay now I will stop my chatter session. I have to take my nape and get well as early as possible otherwise my Arnavji will scream seeing me in a ghost avtar.

I close my eyes and began to daydream about him. There is a smile adoring my lips imagining my present and future with my Arnav and our kids. These feelings make me blush.

Seeing smiling Khushi after such a long time, both Aman and Ishita eyes get wet.

Ishita: We should tell her.

Aman: Not now..

Ishita: But why?

Aman: Can't you see how happy she is..? How I vanish this smile? I have no courage. Arnav waited desperately to get this khushi back and today when he is not there, his old happy going Khushi came back. Why destiny playing this game with them.

Ishita: I don't think we could hide it for long. She is very desperate to meet him. Use Arnav ka sach bata do.. (Tell her the truth of Arnav)

Aman: I have told the nurse to inject her sedatives. At least for a day she wouldn't wake up. Till then we get time to..

Ishita: Are you serious? This is wrong. She won't spare you.

Aman: All I am doing for her betterment.

To be continued!

Precap: Khushi meet Arnav!

___________________________

Please give votes and comments. Will update next one sooner.