Chapter 25: Khushi in danger

Silently taking heavy and alert steps, Payal was following Arnav without making any noise. Surprisingly, he did not choose his private vehicle to meet that unknown person. This creates more doubts in her mind. She is curious to know who that girl is. Definitely it was Mishti.

Payal maintains a few inches distance between Arnav and her' so that he doesn't suspect she is following him. Otherwise she has no idea what he would do knowing she is following him.

The roads are dark and silent. Only dogs barking were audible on roads. She is hell scared to walk on this lonely road. But to save Khushi's married life, Payal is ready to risk her own life. She still can't believe there is another girl in his life. The question is why he married Khushi if he loves Mishti. There are many puzzles that need to be solved. It is not easy to understand Arnav and his actions.

After following him a few distance, his legs halted for a while. She gulped and immediately hid behind a tree as soon as he turned back. She began to get nervous. No matter what he shouldn't know about her presence around him else she will never be able to find out why he married Khushi.

After walking a few steps, he took a turn toward a street. She walked behind him and saw him going inside one apartment. She went behind him and saw one woman open the door and locked it up.

"So, my doubt was right. She is that another woman in Arnav's life"

Payal hissed angrily. "I won't let you spoil my innocent sister's life, Arnav." She stands outside the door and tries to hear, but nothing is audible. Her heart says to go and directly bang the door and punch that Mishti. But she needs to handle the situation patiently.

"If I ask Arnav directly about Mishti, he would never spill the beans. Before taking any further step, I need to find out what is his motto" Moving back, she began to search for an entry from the backside.

"DeviMaiya, please help me and show me the correct path. It's about my sister's life. Love is a beautiful feeling that was experienced only once. That manav never loved Khushi. But Arnav. He is genuine and I feel he loves Khushi. They both are meant for each other. But I don't know why Arnav wants Khushi to hate him. Who is Mishti? Why did Arnav save her life from that man?" There are many questions that are left unanswered. Help me so that I can find out the entire truth and save Khushi's life." Praying from the depth of her heart, Payal atlast found entry from the back window. She smiles thanking her god and enters one room that leads her toward the drawing room where she saw Arnav sitting with that girl.

"Thank you so much"

"Your always welcome Arnie"

Arnie? How dare she? Payal wanted to punch her right on her face for trapping a married man. But she somehow consoled her anger and waited for him to leave. By overhearing their talks, she understood nothing.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine, It is normal in this state" That girl touched his shoulder and blinked her eyes.

"In this state? What does she mean? About whom are they talking about?"

After a moment, he took leave. Once he left, Payal dashed toward her at a fast pace. She grabbed her and turned her back. Furiously, Payal slapped her face causing that girl to step back.

"How dare you Mishti. Don't you feel ashamed? Behind Khushi, you are having an affair with her husband.

"Excuse me? What?" The girl was taken aback hearing her accusation.

"Don't act innocent. I knew everything about you and Arnav. This is my last warning to you. If you ever tried to meet or call Arnav, I would kill you with my bare hands." Payal grab her neck frowning deeply

"You are misunderstanding me. I am not mishti..I am.." The girl was about to reveal her identity when in sudden Arnav came back and began to pull Payal away from hurting her.

"Leave her." With an immediate force, Arnav pulled her apart and angrily grabbed her hand. "How many times have I told you not to interfere in my personal life. You were following me? How dare you!"

"Arnav tum yeh." (What are you..)

"Wait a second Meera"

Meera? Payal looked surprised. Isn't she Mishti?" She asked Arnav but he remained silent.

"Tum Payal ho na?" (You are Payal, Right?) Meera asked with a glowing smile.

"How do you know my name? Who are you?" Payal asked Meera. Arnav signed Meera not to tell her anything.

"Come on Arnav. How long will you hurt yourself by keeping all those secrets by yourself. Dard batne se kaam hota hai.. (Pain gets reduced by sharing it.)

"Let's go Payal. It's very late" Arnav came forward and grabbed her hand, but she just snatched her hand off.

"I would not go anywhere until you tell me everything about Mishti." She walked toward Meera and begged her to tell her the truth.

"Enough Payal. This is the last warning to you. Are you going back home or not?" Arnav is losing his patience.

"Do whatever you want. Your threats don't affect me."

"Fine" He took out a gun from his jacket and targeted her.

"No one stops me today from reaching the truth" Payal smiles widely and is ready to embrace death for her sister, Khushi. She held Meera's hand and asked her about Mishti one last time.

"You are just like Mishti- Stubborn and protective for your loved ones"

"Where is she? Most importantly, who are you and what is Arnav doing with you at this time? How do you know so much about me?"

"Meera No. You will not say a word to her." Arnav's hand began to tremble. He didn't want to harm Payal, but she made a grave mistake digging into his past.

"Every question has only one answer- Your dearest sister, Khushi."Meera revealed.

Helplessly, Arnav shot the gun leading Payal to fall on the ground.

~~~

"Thank you so much for arriving, khushi"

"Khushi Gupta never broke promises" Nikhil thanked her and then his curious eyes were searching for Nisha. There he saw her coming inside the cafeteria with her eyes looking at her surroundings in an unusual way. This scares Nikhil like hell. He has no idea how Nisha will react seeing him. After her accident, this is the first time he saw her. His eyes clouded with tears seeing her. Nisha walked past him and reached near Khushi and asked her where they were. This breaks Nikhil's heart.

"Doesn't she recognize me?" They had spent so many beautiful moments in this cafeteria. But she remembers nothing. His facial expression shows that he may break down anytime. Khushi signed him to control himself when suddenly Nisha grabbed her attention..

"Why did you bring me at this time? Bhai is not at home. Why did you allow him to go out? Don't you know he is unwell?" Nisha insisted that she wanted to go back home. But how will she agree to Nisha 's demands? She took an oath to reunite Nisha and Nikhil. Anyhow she will not let Arnav win this time. She forcefully made Nisha sit on a reserved table peacefully and then look at Nikhil who was standing a few distance away.

"Nisha, I want to introduce you to someone special." Khushi signed Nikhil to come and sit on their table with them but he resisted and denied. "I will be back"

"Where are you going?" Nisha grabs her hand. She doesn't want to stay alone. "At Least we should inform Bhai that we are here" Nisha took out her mobile and was going to ring Arnav, but Khushi immediately stopped her.

"I already told him that we will come late," Khushi lied and said. "Nisha to be here for a moment." Till then she took Nikhil to the corner and consoled him to be brave.

"Don't get disheartened Nikhil. Nisha may not identify you now but sooner or later she will recognize you."

"But Khushi. Arnav would never permit me to meet her. After Nisha's accident, several times I went and requested him, beg him but that stone hearted man never allowed me to Meet Nishu once. So why do you.."

"What can anyone expect from that monster? That man will never realize how much it hurt losing the one we loved. Because he never loved anyone. I wish one day he will love someone and that girl should leave him"

That's when they heard Nisha calling Khushi. "Come Nikhil. This is the only opportunity we got. That monster was not at home. Somehow I fool those security guards and take her out from that Mansion Go and talk to her."

"No I can't."

"You have to. Be a sport. Just go." Khushi almost pushed him toward her table. Slowly taking hesitant steps he walked toward her. Suddenly a gun shot was heard and a few goons entered the cafeteria with guns in their hands. A black mask covered their

faces. A huge commotion gathered around them. People started running here and there in order to save themself. Nisha tried to reach Khushi. But one goon came forward and warned her to be at her spot. Nisha began to shake with fear.

Nikhil ran toward her and tried to pacify her. But Nisha's eyes were only fixed on Khushi. She does not see Nikhil. Not even once. Then out of nowhere those goons surrounded Khushi and attacked her.

Khushiiiii!!!!!!!!

~~~

"Are you mad, Arnav? Why did you shoot Payal?"

"You really think I will do that even after knowing what relation we shared. Well, She fainted due to shock. Not due to my bullet" He explains. She heaved.

Meera and Arnav laid her on the sofa..

She tried to make him understand one last time. "She deserves to know the truth. Don't do any stupidity and mess up everything..

He looked at Meera with a sad chuckle, "There is nothing left for me to lose." Arnav was going to pick up Payal so that he can take her back to Raizada mansion. But he got an urgent message from his private investigator.

After reading the message, he completely lost his mind. Phone slipped from his hand.

"Is everything okay" Seeing him shaken and paralysed, she understood it was related to the girl he loves the most. She pulls Arnav and makes him look at her.

"I am your friend first then your doctor. Tell me what's the matter."

"Meera, That man kidnapped Khushi. He will do what he failed to do 6 months ago."

From the past 6 months, he has protected Khushi from that evil person and become a villain. For that, he becomes a rapist in front of her eyes. But now it seems his biggest fear would come to reality. That bastard can go to any extent to hurt Khushi.

"I trust you Arnav. You won't let anything happen to your Mishti. Go and save her." He looked at Meera and regained his lost strength. He rose on his feet and immediately ran off. But before leaving, he turned toward Payal who was unconscious.

"Don't worry I will safely send her back to Raizada mansion." Meera assured.

"Thanks" Saying this, he ran off from there. A fraction of delay is injurious for Khushi's well being.

"You are a very kind hearted Arnav. I wish I could do something to reduce your pain." Meera saw him running away like a mad person.

To be continued

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