After meeting Mr Roy, Arnav went for a long drive. He roamed around the city aimlessly trying to understand how to handle the situation. He didn't want to loose Khushi at any cost. He went to his mother's garden, sat there sometime, thinking about everything.

When the sun set, Arnav started driving back home. He knew Khushi would be late as usual. While driving, he felt weakness. Then only, he realized he hadn't eaten anything since morning. First in his anxiety to meet Mr Roy and then the matter totally skipped his mind.

He slowly drove the car and stopped it when he noticed a restaurant almost 5 km away from Shantivan. The restaurant was not too posh one as his usual taste, but a decent, clean, cozy and comfortable one. He parked his car and entered inside the restaurant.

It was late evening, half past seven. There wasn't much crowd. Only few customers here and there. Arnav ran his eyes around the restaurant looking for a place to sit. Then his eyes caught a very familiar figure, sitting at a corner table, doing something on her phone and sipping some juice. His wife.

He stood there few minutes, thinking what to do. Should he join her or take another seat. Was she here with someone. Is it anything work related. Would it be right to intervene. He stood there few minutes, waiting to see if anyone is approaching her.

Seeing her alone, he went to her and stood in front of her. Khushi looked up feeling a shadow on her. She saw him standing there. A look of surprise crossed her eyes for a moment. Then she ignored him and started looking at her phone.

"Shall I sit here? Are you here with someone?" Arnav asked hesitantly.

Khushi looked up at him and then shrugged. Arnav sighed and sat in front of her. Khushi didn't looked at him and continued looking at her phone. A waiter came to take orders. Arnav looked at Khushi waiting for her to place her order, then realised that she might have already ordered. Arnav placed his order and dismissed the waiter.

Khushi continued to ignore him while Arnav started observing her keenly. It was after so many days, he was seeing his wife properly. He doesn't remember when he had paid attention to her appearance last. The realisation made him guilty.

He looked at Khushi and started noticing the changes in her. She has changed so much from what he remember of her. She has become more thin. Her collar bones are so prominent and her skin looked attached to her bones. Her face was pale. It has lost it's natural glow and rosiness.

Her eyes are sunken and red. There were dark circles under her eyes. She looked tired and worn out. She has lost a lot of weight. Not that she was bulky earlier but still he could see that she has become paper thin.

He kept looking at her and Khushi completely ignored him. After few minutes, a waiter brought her orders. She slowly started eating without sparing even a glance at Arnav. She behaved as if he is a complete stranger or rather he doesn't exist at all.

After sometime, Arnav's order came. He also started having his food silently. He noticed that Khushi was eating healthy food unlike her usual taste of oily and junk foods. He didn't comment on it. He somewhere felt satisfied that she is taking care of herself though she looked thin and pale.

Soon both finished their dinner and the waiter came with bill. Since they both ordered separately, there were two bills. Arnav was about to pay both the bills when Khushi took her bill, and after keeping the money, left from there.

Arnav quickly paid his bill and ran behind Khushi. But just when he came outside, he saw Khushi entering inside an auto rickshaw and leaving from there. He felt sad. He too immediately started his car and went behind the auto.

Khushi reached Shantivan and behind her Arnav too came. Khushi paid the wage and walked inside. Arnav after parking his car, went behind her. Khushi straightaway went to her room ignoring the Raizadas sitting in the living room.

But as soon as Arnav entered, all of them surrounded him. He was frustrated. He wanted to talk to Khushi about the divorce and convince her to drop the case, and here his family is busy in their own drama. In restaurant, he didn't say anything as he didn't wanted to discuss their private matters in public place. But now he badly wants to talk to her and his dramatic family won't allow him.

"Chote, where were you till now? You didn't even pick up your phone. We were so worried." Anjali said almost crying.

"Yes, ASR. Where were you till now? We were all worried. You didn't even tell me before leaving office. I was waiting for you." Sheetal said with fake concern.

Arnav gritted his teeth hearing her. "Why? Why should I inform you before going somewhere? Are you my wife or secretary that I should give my minute to minute details to you. And why were you waiting for me. I already told you I am neither your and your son's driver, nor I am interested in becoming one for you. By the way who the hell are you to me that I am obliged to inform you wherever I go or take you wherever you wish to go. You're just an employee in my company, nothing else. Just stay in your limits." Arnav shouted frustrated.

"Chote, why are you shouting at Sheetalji. What wrong did she say. We were all worried for you. You went without informing anyone. We were concerned." Anjali said feeling bad for Sheetal.

"You don't have to worry about me. I am not a small kid. I can take care of myself." Arnav said in irritation.

"Chote, we..." Anjali tried to say something.

But without listening to her, Arnav stormed inside. He went to his room. Already he was worried about the divorce case. On top of that his family's nonsense. And Sheetal. He was getting irritated even by the sight of that woman. The realisation that all this is due to that woman, is not letting him be considerate or cordial to her.

Arnav entered the room and saw Khushi taking clothes from the wardrobe to change. Seeing her acting so casual and not at all bothered about anything, he felt angry and something breaking inside him. Isn't she even a little bit bothered about their relationship. Is it so easy for her to forget him and their love? Doesn't their relationship means nothing to her?

As soon as that thought hit his mind, he shook his head. No. What was he thinking. It is Khushi for crying out loud. She values love and relationships above everything. Then why? Why did she took such a step? What happened? Does she really believe that he is having an affair with Sheetal? Is she doubting me?

"Khushi..." Arnav called her name. Today, he has to talk to her. He can't let this misunderstanding between them go on like this. He has to clear everything with her today. Divorce is not an option for them. He has to sort out everything between them. Today itself. He has let this fight between them go on for too long. That has brought them to the stage of Khushi wanting a divorce. No. He can't let it go on anymore. Even if he has to apologise to Khushi, he will. But he will sort out this matter, today and now. Arnav was determined.

Khushi stopped hearing him call her name but didn't turn back to look at him.

"Khushi, I want to talk to you." Arnav said after getting her attention.

"I don't have anything to talk to you." Khushi said shrugging and continued going to washroom to freshen up.

Arnav felt his anger raising feeling her ignoring him. He tried to calm his anger. He can't afford to get angry now and ruin things. Taking deep breaths, he tried to calm himself.

"Khushi..." Arnav called her to stop her. But Khushi continued moving towards washroom.

Just as she was about to step inside the washroom, Arnav caught her hand and pulled her onto his chest. Looking into her eyes, he gritted out. "I said I want to talk to you."

Khushi looked at him shocked by the sudden pull. But stayed silent. She wriggled her hands trying to loosen Arnav's tight grip. Arnav noticed it and left her hand, not wanting to rile her up and make things worse. Realising he had Khushi's attention, Arnav started.

"Khushi, what's this? Why are you doing all this? Why, Dammit? What's all this divorce papers and all? What are you trying to do? I know we are having a lot of problems between us. But this divorce and everything? Why? Just stop it. But please, please stop all this? Khushi, let's do one thing, let's talk about all this. OK. We will talk about all this and we will sort all this. OK.

"Yeah, That's right. Let's talk and then everything will be fine. We won't be needing this divorce also. Yeah, that's right. Khushi, this is just a misunderstanding between us. If we talk, then it will be all over. I know I did a mistake. I shouldn't have ignored you like that. I know I went a little overboard with everything. But you know how I am. When I am angry, I loose my thinking power and act rashly without thinking.

"I know it doesn't justify anything. This time I really messed up everything. But Khushi. It was because I was hurt. When you did the DNA test, I felt like you are accusing me of cheating. I felt like you are thinking that I am like my father. A cheat. It didn't sit down well with me.

"When you doubted that Arav is my son. I felt... I felt you are doubting my integrity. And it didn't sit down well with me. I lost my cool. And you know how I am when I Ioose my cool. I do things rashly without thinking. I couldn't bear you thinking that Arav is my son. I was hurt. So I did all this. And last month, whatever that happened between us. I know I went overboard with my words. But I was really worried about some office work and in tension lashed out at you. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't meant anything that I said.

"Please, Khushi. I know I messed up. But I am apologising to you. I am really sorry. I am really sorry for my behaviour of past few months. I am really sorry for ignoring you and hurting you. I am sorry for saying all nonsense in anger. I am sorry for everything. I am really sorry.

"Please, Khushi. I know I did a mistake. A big mistake. But I promise I will apologise and make it upto you for the rest of my life. Just give me one chance. One last chance to make it upto you. I promise I will prove to be a good husband and give you all the happiness in the world. Just give me one chance. I will set everything fine. But please, please stop this divorce process. I am really sorry. Trust me I am really guilty. I am apologising from the bottom of my heart. I am really sorry. I love you and I will always love you. Only you. There was only you in my life and there will be only you in my life. Nobody else. No Sheetal. No other girl. Trust me, I am really sorry. Just give one last chance to make everything fine between us. Please Khushi." Arnav said pleading.

Khushi just kept staring at Arnav throughout the time he was talking. There was no expression on her face. She looked like a stone. Just as he finished talking, Khushi turned to walk towards the washroom. Seeing that, Arnav caught her hands.

"Khushi, please. Say something. I know I did a mistake. When you did that DNA test and compared Arav and me. I just lost my cool and did all this. But please, please forgive me. I am really guilty and apologising genuinely. If you want, I will send Sheetal and Arav away. I will never meet them. Will never have any contact with them. I will send them far, far away from us that even their shadows won't fall on us. But please forgive me and stop this divorce. I am really sorry for my mistake." Arnav said again hoping to convince Khushi.

Khushi gritted her teeth hearing him. She turned to Arnav with bloodshot red eyes. Seeing her like that, Arnav gulped scared and worried. "Khushi..." Arnav again tried to talk. But Khushi stopped him with a glare.

She threw the clothes in her hands away. Harshly pulling her hand out of Arnav's hold, she caught his hand in her tight grip. After throwing an angry glare at Arnav, Khushi started pulling him out of the room.

Arnav was shocked seeing Khushi so furious. He tried to calm her down but in vain. Khushi pulled him towards the living room. The Raizadas who were sitting in the living room, stood up shocked seeing Khushi pulling Arnav. Reaching living room, she left Arnav's hand and stood in front of everyone breathing heavily. Her anger was clearly seen in her eyes. Truth to be told all were really scared.

Khushi closed her eyes to control herself. No, she can't loose her composure like this. They are not worth it. They are not worth anything. Least of all her anger. Her anger means she feels something for them. For him. No. The only feeling she has for them right now is disgust and loathe. They can't affect her. They means nothing to her.

For these worthless people, she can't jeopardize her and her Babies's health. She need to keep calm. Taking deep breaths, Khushi tried to control her anger and regain her composure. The thought of her Babies helped. She felt better.

Khushi looked at everyone after some moments. Her eyes finally landed on Arnav. "Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, that was an amazing speech up there. Wow (clapping her hands), wow. For a man who finds it difficult to express his feelings, you really gave an amazing speech regarding what you felt. But with deep regret, I would like to inform you that none of your heavy words filled with promises of love did anything to mend my broken heart. You see when you hurt someone, sometimes the word sorry becomes too small to make amends.

"For you, sorry might be a precious word, which you will be only using in rare situations. But sometimes that word can't heal the wounds you create in someone's heart. You might have thought Khushi is only a stupid, innocent girl who always forgives me even without me apologising to her for my mistakes. So what if I hurt her so much and broken her beyond repair, I will say some words of love and for compensation will say a word sorry, then everything will be fine. Isn't Mr Raizada. How easy was it, isn't?

"Weren't you trying to do this for the past week? Bringing me gifts, planning surprises for me, booking dinner dates for me. So that you can console me and convince me to back out from taking divorce. My feelings, my hurt, my pain, everything is so insignificant for you that you think you can convince me with expensive gifts and some sorry filled and love filled words.

"You don't even want to understand how much you have hurt me. Me and my feelings means nothing to you. All you care about is yourself. You want me to stay with you and fulfill your and your family's demands as an ideal doll or rather an unpaid servant. So right now you are on the mission to convince me. And for that you are trying to bribe with your luxurious gifts and precious love filled words and sorrys. Neither you feel guilty nor you mean any of the promises you have given me few minutes back. All that's just to convince me to not take divorce.

"But you know what now it's too late. Once, there was a Khushi who used to forgive you for your n number of mistakes with just some sorry and few love filled words. For that Khushi, her world revolved you. She loved you so much that she even forgot to love herself. For her, only you mattered. So much that, even when you hurt her and made her cry, her heart still found reasons to justify you.

"But you yourself killed that Khushi. In the last six months, each day a little bit of that Khushi kept dying. But you weren't bothered. After all you were punishing her to satisfy your ego, right. No, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. You weren't punishing her. You were killing her. And now she is no more. That Khushi has died. I maybe alive. But I don't think I can ever love you or be that Khushi for you anymore." Khushi said with an expressionless face.

Arnav looked at Khushi stunned. His heart gripped with fear. He kept looking at Khushi's eyes searching for even an ounce of love. But her dead eyes scared him. Her eyes reminded him of his mother's eyes before her death. He felt panicked. No. No. No. He can't do this. He couldn't have brought Khushi to such a situation.

"No!!!" Arnav screamed breathing heavily. He immediately reached Khushi and clutched her shoulders. "Khushi... Khushi, listen. I love you. I love only you. OK. Khushi, I know.... I know I did a big mistake but... I... I am sorry, Khushi. I am really sorry. I was angry. I was hurt. So I did all that. I... I didn't mean to hurt you. I am really sorry. I love you..." Arnav said in panick. He tried to hug her but Khushi moved back making Arnav shocked and scared.

She looked at Arnav with blank face. "Shall I ask you something, Mr Raizada?" Khushi asked.

Arnav's heart gripped with fear. Still, he nodded his head slowly.

"Today. In one day, you have told me that you love me for atleast five time. Still you hurt me like I am not even a human being. If it was any of the people you truly love in my place, like your family, would you have still hurt them like you did to me." Khushi asked with a curious look.

Arnav felt his heart stop beating hearing that.

Unbothered, Khushi continued, "You hurt me so much because you felt I am doubting on you. You felt hurt when I asked whether Arav is your son or not, right. You felt I don't believe you. You felt I am comparing you to your cheater father. So you started hurting me, right? Then let's put it this way, if it was your family who would have questioned you if Arav was your son, then would you have behaved with them like you behaved with me. Would you have hurt them like you hurt me. Tell me, Mr Raizada. Would you have done the same if your family members were in my place?" Khushi asked with a sarcastic smile.

"Khushi..." Arnav called in anguish.

"Let's face the truth. I brought your ex girlfriend and her son home feeling pity on their homeless situation. But I didn't knew that she was your ex-girlfriend when I asked her to stay here. But You knew still you didn't say anything.

"Even then I tried to be a good host and tried to be cordial with them. But what happened? At every instance, I was humiliated, ridiculed, made fun of, and was called names. I was reduced to the status of an unpaid servant of this house especially to our precious guests with them ordering me like I am their personal punching bag. Still nobody bothered. OK. Let's leave how you all behaved with me. I mean nothing to you people more than an unpaid servant. So there is no point in discussing how you all behave with me.

"Let's come to our current situation. At every instance, everyone in this house kept saying that that boy looks like you, walks like you, talks like you, eats like you, etc, etc, etc. As if he is a clone of you. Even to the extent that if you had a child then that child would be like him. Still I tried to believe that all this is a coincidence. Your family and ex girlfriend kept saying that Arav is like you. Him being diabetic. His mannerism, everything pointed towards you being his father, I tried to ignore that and keep my faith intact on you.

"But when you didn't corrected them nor felt offended when they compared you with an outsider's son, I started feeling insecure. I tried to ask you about it directly and indirectly but you ignored it and never gave any satisfying answer. So I was forced to do something to end my doubts once and for all.

"That DNA test was for nothing but my own peace of mind. I don't regret it then and I don't regret it now. I am your wife. I should believe you. I tried to do it. But I am also a human. A human with emotions like jealousy, insecurity, fear, hurt everything. Just because I only show my happy face to everyone, doesn't mean I don't get hurt or I don't feel pain.

"Like every woman, I am also possessive and territorial regarding my husband. I can't tolerate anybody comparing some outsider's child with my husband. Least of all my husband's ex girlfriend's child. That too when my husband's own family compares him with his ex girlfriend's child. It hurt me. I did have insecurities. I am not ashamed to admit it. I am a human. I have emotions and feelings. I tried to end it in a way that doesn't affect anyone. But it took a worse turn. I tried to apologise for my mistake. But I never knew it was such a big sin that I will be punished so mercilessly." Khushi said with a forlorn look.

Arnav gulped hearing that. He knew Khushi was feeling insecurity. He had sensed it when she kept asking him about his and Sheetal's relationship. So he told her that he loved only her. He thought that was enough. He didn't realise that Arav being like him, could create insecurities and misunderstandings in her mind. He didn't clear his stance or gave details of his relationship with Sheetal to end her insecurities. He was never comfortable discussing his relationships.

The little bit he talked about them was with Khushi. But talking to Khushi regarding his past girlfriends, even though they were only platonic, he was never comfortable. So he avoided talking about it. Even after knowing the extent of her insecurities, he avoided discussing that. If only, he had tried to talk to Khushi about it and ended her insecurities then and there, they wouldn't have reached to this point. Arnav sighed feeling guilty and sad.

"So, back to my question. Would you have punished them if it was your family members in my place. You got hurt with me just thinking that Arav was your son and hurt me so much. Will you do the same if it was your family in my place.

"Even your family says day and night that Arav is just like you. If you have a son, then he will be like Arav. Will you punish your family members. OK. Forget everyone else, take your sister for instance whom you love the most in this world. Will you hurt or punish your sister if she says Arav is your son.

"Day and night she keeps saying Arav is like you, Arav is like your son. Tell me Mr Raizada, do you have courage to punish your sister. Even she compares Arav and you. Will you punish your sister also. OK. Forget everything else. Can you stop talking to your sister for one week and pretend like she doesn't exist. Can you do that. If you do it, I will stop this divorce.

"Trust me, if you have the courage to punish your sister and not talk to her for one week and pretend like she doesn't exist, come what may, I myself will stop this divorce and live the rest of my life as your and your family's servant. I will do anything you say. Can you do it. I will stop this divorce. I promise." Khushi asked smirking.

Arnav and everyone looked at Khushi shocked. What type of a demand is that. Arnav gulped understanding what Khushi was indicating. He felt his heart stop beating, he felt difficult to breath.

"Khushi. I..." Arnav couldn't speak.

"So tell me, Mr Raizada. Can you do it? Can you behave the same with your sister? You love me also like you love her, right. When you can punish me. Then you can punish her also, right. You gave me this punishment when I doubted you once if Arav was your son.

"Your sister literally keeps saying indirectly that Arav is your son. She behaves like Arav is your son. She treats Arav like your son. She has given all rights of being your son to Arav. Then can you punish her like you punished me. Can you stop talking to her and behave like she doesn't exist. Just for one week. Can you do it?" Khushi asked Arnav in a challenging tone.

Arnav felt lost and helpless. Finally he could understand the extend of damage he had done to their relationship. He had literally ruined everything. Their relationship. Their love. Their life. Everything.

"Khushi...." An anguished cry left Arnav. His eyes filled with tears realising he ruined everything.

But Khushi was beyond the level of feeling hurt or pity seeing Arnav's pain. She came in front of Arnav and looking straight into his eyes, asked sternly. "Tell me, Mr Raizada. Can you do it? Can you punish your sister like you punished me? Can you stop talking to her? Can you pretend like she doesn't exist? Can you hurt her like you hurt me? Tell me. Why are you silent? Tell me."

"Khushi..." Arnav looked down with tears and shook his head.

Khushi scoffed at him. "Few minutes back, you were professing your unbound love to me. And now everything is over, huh? You were telling me how much you love me. How much you were hurt because of which you have to hurt me. Me, your apparent love. But now, when it came to the people you truly love, you can't even imagine making them go through the same pain that you made me go through for months.

"You can't even imagine hurting them like you hurt me? You can't even imagine saying a single hurtful word to them like you have been verbally abusing me since the start. Why? Why this differentiation between me and them. Don't you say that you love me so much. Then when you can hurt me, why can't you hurt them.

"Why??? Let me answer you. It is because they are your loved ones. You truly love them. So their hurt hurt you. You could feel their pain. You can't bear to see them in pain. While I am just a nobody for you. A crazy, middle class orphan for you who you married just to fulfill your needs and your family's whims and fancies. I am nothing but a machine who fulfills your needs. That's why when you were hurting me for months, you didn't even felt a slight remorse. Truth is you never loved me truly. I was never important to you. I never meant anything for you." Khushi said tired. The tears started flowing out of her eyes.

"Khushi, no. That's not true. I really love you. Please it was a mistake. I am really sorry. But please, please don't doubt my love. I really love you with all of me. I always loved you and I will always love you." Arnav said desperately.

"Oh really, Mr Raizada. Then come..." Khushi pulled and made Arnav stand in front of Anjali.

"This is your sister, right. Your beloved Anjali Di. You love her so much. She daily keeps saying Arav is like you, he is like your son. Now how can you tolerate that. So shout at her." Khushi demanded crossing her arm under her chest.

Arnav looked at her with wide eyes. The other Raizadas were looking at Arnav and Khushi with bated breaths. They were scared seeing this new avatar of Khushi. Anjali looked ready to cry. Nani, NK and Payal had sad looks. While Mami and Akash had worried looks. Sheetal also looked scared.

"Why are you silent. Shout at her. Shout at her, dammit." Khushi shouted. Arnav flinched hearing her. He looked at her shocked. The Raizadas jumped back in fear.

"OK. You can't shout at your sister. Fine, come with me." She dragged him in front of Nani. "She is your Nani, right. She daily says that Arav reminds her of your childhood version. He is just like a mini you. He is just like your child has come in front of her. Now, he can you tolerate that. So shout at her. Shout, no. Why are you silent, shout?" Khushi said shaking him. But Arnav kept looking at Khushi numb.

Hearing Khushi say that, Arnav finally understood the source of Khushi's insecurities. When his own family members say all this. Then it will only be a miracle if Khushi doesn't suspect him. He felt remorse for ignoring this behaviour of his family before.

Nani looked down ashamed when Khushi recounted how she and others had sowed seeds of doubts in her mind with their words and actions. She was the oldest and the most experienced. She should have been more careful. Especially when her own daughter had died while encountering such a treachery from her husband. What if Khushi had also chosen to do something like her daughter did, because of their words and actions. What would have they done? She shuddered at the thought.

"OK. Leave her. She is old." Dragging him to Mami, Khushi continued. "Well, your Mami loves you like a mother, right. So that's why she loves your junior version the most in this house. After all he is her Chote Arnav Bitwa. Junior ASR. Mini version of her beloved Arnav Bitwa. So how can she fall back in showing her love towards her Arnav Bitwa's apparent son. She has given all the rights of being her grandson to her dear Arav Bitwa and the rights of being the eldest daughter of law of the house to her Arav Bitwa's mother, her sweet Sheetal Bitiya.

"So Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, what are you going to do about this? Do you agree with your dear Mamiji and accept Arav as your son and Sheetal as your wife. Or you have something to say about this?" Khushi asked sarcastically.

Mami looked down ashamed hearing Khushi say that. She couldn't even look at anyone especially Arnav. Yes, she had went overboard with her affection towards Arav and Sheetal. She liked the young, sophisticated, modern girl so much and went out of her ways to make them feel like a part of the family. She didn't think about the consequences of her actions. But now seeing everything, she realized her mistakes. She realized how much she hurt Khushi directly and indirectly.

"What happened? You didn't answer me. Tell me, can you punish your family like you did to me. Can you hurt them like you did to me?" Khushi asked with fire in her eyes.

"Tell me, Mr Raizada. Can you do it?" Khushi shouted.

Arnav looked down ashamed and shook his head. Seeing that Khushi scoffed at him mocking. For some moments, nobody said anything.

"You asked me right, why I am doing all this? The answer is I am done. I am done with this relationship. I am done with this marriage. I am done with this love. I am done with you. I don't have it in me to go on with this relationship anymore. You asked me for a last chance, right? For the last six months, I have been giving you that only. Chance.

"Everyday, every moment, I kept hoping now everything will be over. Everything will be fine. We will sort out everything. But it never happened. Not even for one moment, you tried to mend things between us. All that you were thinking was how you could hurt me more. How you could play with my emotions.

"Even that day morning, before you received the divorce papers, I tried to talk to you. But what you did. You simply ignored me and lashed out on me. Only after you received the divorce papers, you bothered to talk with me. Because it hurt your ego. It made you realise that even I can leave you. You can't afford to loose me because it will hurt your ego. So you are trying to convince me.

"But, Mr. Raizada. You know what I am done. I can't do this anymore. I can't handle this marriage anymore. Every moment from the past six months, a part of me is dying. It's killing me. This pain, this hurt. It is destroying me. It is suffocating me. I am loosing myself. I have lost myself. And I am afraid if it goes like this, one day I will cease to exist. So I want an out. I want to get out of this relationship before it completely kills me." Khushi said in an exhausted voice.

"Khushi, what are you saying? You..." Arnav felt it difficult to breath realising what she was indicating. He started breathing heavily. His heartbeat increased. He felt fear and panick engulf his entire being. The other Raizadas also were scared realising what her words were insinuating.

"Nowadays I don't even recognize myself. When I look at the mirror, I see an entirely different woman looking at me. From childhood, I have faced many hardships, but I never lost the will to live. To be happy. I tried to overcome all my pain and be happy. Nothing had ever broken me so much that I wanted to give up. But you brought me to that state.

"You look at me and tell me. Do you see that old Khushi in me anymore. Because I don't. I don't feel like myself. I feel like a shadow of my old self. That Khushi had goals, ambitions, dreams, will to live. She was happy. She never tolerated any shit thrown at her.

"But nowadays I don't even have the strength to fight. I felt like something has broken inside me. Like I was shattered into a million pieces which I couldn't even gather even after trying. Mending them is far off. I can't go on like this. Otherwise I am afraid I will cease to exist even for myself.

"I want to get out of this suffocation. I want to get out of this pain. I want a divorce. I don't have the strength left in me to love you. I don't want to be with you." Khushi said with a faraway look.

Arnav kept looking at Khushi with a numb look. His knees buckled and he fell to his knees. The hall got engulfed in pin drop silence. Everyone looked at the couple in pain and sadness. Even Sheetal felt a bit guilty but soon shrugged it off.

"I never wanted to drag the details of our married life to court and make it difficult. So I filed for a divorce on mutual consent. In some corner of my heart, I even felt that you would agree for it seeing your behaviour for past six months." Khushi said in an impassive tone.

Arnav's head snapped at her hearing that. Did she thought he would give upon them so easily. Did she thought he wanted to end their marriage. That he didn't wanted her. That he would let go of her.

"But as usual, your ego and stubbornness is above everything. You denied. And now without any choice, I have to file for a contested divorce. I think you have already received the papers. But as I am saying, we can still go for a divorce on mutual consent. We will be done and over with it without making it ugly. I don't want to make it messy and hurt anyone. So let's just get divorce without creating problems." Khushi said her decision once again.

Hearing about divorce, Arnav stood up with a new vigor. "I am sorry, Khushi. You name anything, I will fulfill all your wishes without asking anything. But this one thing, I can't give you. I can't give you divorce. You call me egoistic, stubborn, heartless monster. Anything you want, but I can't give you divorce. I can't let go of you.

"You, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada is my life. My reason of existence. I won't survive without you. If you think I am selfish. Then maybe I am. I will fight till end to not let you go. Till now, you were fighting to keep this relation, right. Now I will do.

"I will not let us break apart. I will do anything and everything to save our relationship. But I will not let you go. I will prove to be best husband for you. I will keep you happy. I will make everything fine between us. I will save us. Our relation. Our love. I will save our love. I will not let our love end.

"From this moment, my only mission in life is to keep you happy and be the best husband for you. Let anything happen, I will not let our love and relation end. We will never separate. Even if I have to die a thousand deaths for that, I am ready. But I am not going to let Arnav and Khushi to end." Arnav said determinedly.

Khushi looked at him shocked. Arnav came near Khushi, kissed her forehead and hugged her. Khushi stood numb. Soon anger coursed through her. She pushed him away and slapped him hard.

The Raizadas jerked with the slap. But Khushi was beyond angry. She kept hitting him calling him rakshas, monster, etc. Tears flew out of her eyes. Arnav stood silently letting her assault him. Finally after beating him for some more time, she stopped and started crying uncontrollably.

Arnav held her and pulled into his chest, tightly hugging her. Khushi struggled to get out of his grip. But Arnav held firm. Then exhausted, she started crying on his chest. Arnav hugged her tightly letting her cry. His own tears rolling down.

After few minutes, Khushi pushed him away in anger. "Don't think that you won, Mr Raizada. I will not let it happen. I will get this divorce at any cost. I will not let you hurt me anymore. You can't manipulate me anymore. I will get out of this house and this relationship soon. Even if I have to do anything to get this divorce granted." Khushi said stubbornly.

"I will not hurt you anymore, Khushi. But I will not let this divorce happen. I will not let us separate. And I will also do anything to save our relationship." Arnav also said firmly.

Khushi glared at him showing her anger. Arnav smiled at her. Fuming, Khushi went upstairs to their room. Arnav sighed.

So here is the next chapter. Sorry guys I got a bit late with the update. I was busy with something.

Well back to story. This chapter is a face-off between Arnav and Khushi. Arnav tried his best to convince Khushi but as you can see, it didn't go as planned. So how do you think Arnav should proceed after this. What's your opinion regarding Arnav's stand. What about Khushi? How do you want Khushi to be?

In this chapter, I have tried to give a glimpse to Khushi's pain. I didn't know how it came out. The whole story is too much emotionally charged, it's becoming so difficult to write. The chapters are so packed with high end drama and emotions, sometimes it feels like if I write even a wrong word. The entire story will be ruined. It takes a lot of effort to write this.

So please please please vote and comment. And give your valuable opinion regarding how this story is coming out.