Hello dearies...

I am back with the next update...

But before that I would like to heartily thank each one of you who voted & commented on the previous update 🙏🙏

Though I couldn't reply to any of the comments & I apologize for the same but I have read every single word of every single comment & I was extremely overwhelmed seeing the extra ordinary indulgence of all u lovely readers in this story & only because of ur tremendous love & support this book has reached 11k views & 1.2k likes in just 3 updates.

I can't thank u all enough.... You people are just incredible so I would like to dedicate this update to each one of you who felt Khushi's pain & have cried with her while reading her sufferings 😥😥

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Mumbai. The financial capital of India. The city of dreams. The city that never sleeps. Where people lead a fast-paced life with very little time to live & enjoy life as per their choice owing to a significant amount of time spent on daily commuting.

Amidst the hustle bustle of the big city & late night traffic, the car entered into AR apartments premise & stopped near the multi-storey building.

Arnav hadn't interacted much with Sheetal since they left Delhi for Mumbai.

Arnav always keeps a bagpack with his two pair of clothes & other necessities in his office to be used in time of emergencies.

So he had that bag but Sheetal was so desperate to go with Arnav that she refused to go home to fetch clothes for herself. Lest her plan fails due to anything or anybody. She didn't want this chance to slip from her hands at any cost.

So she bought some new clothes & necessary things from AR outlet itself. She just wanted to use this opportunity at the fullest.

But much to Sheetal's displeasure they had got seperate seats in the flight whereas it didn't matter to Arnav at all.

He was busy on his lappy alongside on constant call with Aman, trying to find a solution for the problem occured.

Sheetal was annoyed for not getting any chance to be close to Arnav.

Driver with car was waiting outside the airport to take Arnav & Sheetal to AR apartments.

Arnav kept limited interaction with her in the car too.

As the car reached its destination Sheetal's eyes brightened at the thought that now there won't be any hindrance in her plans as now it would be just her & Arnav in the flat.

But Arnav's next words poured cold water on all her nasty plans.

Sheetal take your luggage & go to the flat on 14th floor. Maya, the helper is already there. If u need anything or any help, ask her. I will send the car to pick you in the morning for the meeting & I will meet you straightaway there only. He told her in an expressionless tone.

Sheetal didn't understand what he was exactly implying.

Ok Arnav but why are you telling me this here?? You can tell me once we reach in the flat itself. She asked frowning in confusion.

I have some work. So I am going there right now. You go to the flat. See you in the meeting. He replied typing something in his mobile.

But Arnav what work you have at this late hours?? Whatever it is do it tomorrow. Come to the flat right now. You must be tired. You need rest. She tried to cajole him holding his hand. Scared of her plans to fail.

He at once withdrew his hand from hers.

Sheetal you don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. You please get down. I am getting late. He said sternly this time making her retreat from the car.

The driver handed Sheetal her luggage from the car boot.

But you will return to the flat, right Arnav?? She asked him peeping through the window, trying her luck one more time.

Sheetal its quite late. Go to the flat & take rest. Arnav replied irritated. Not wanting to continue any more he ordered the driver to start the car & the driver obeyed him.

Sheetal stood there looking at Arnav's car leaving the premises. She was dissappointed for loosing today's chance. But still she has 2-3 days & she is confident to execute her plans. Just the issue shouldn't get resolved in tomorrow's meeting. Rest she will take care.

Sighing she took her luggage & moved towards the lift to go to the flat on 14th floor.
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Arnav's car stopped near THE TAJ HOTEL. He got down & moved towards the entrance of the hotel with his driver in his tow carrying his luggage.

He had already booked an executive suit when they were dropping Sheetal at the apartments.

So he went to the reception & fetched his key card from the receptionist.

After instructing him for next days arrival Arnav dismissed his driver.

The bell-boy appeared to escort him to his suit carrying his luggage.

After reaching his suit the bell-boy asked for the dinner order but Arnav had already had his dinner in the flight so he refused & dismissed the bell-boy after giving him a good tip.

As soon as the bell-boy left, shutting the door Arnav fished out his mobile from his pocket & dialled Khushi's number.

Even after the full ring she didn't receive & the ring went off. He dialled again & got the same result. He dialled again & again but the result was zilch.

He threw his phone on the bed, frustrated & angry on Khushi & himself as well.

Opening the balcony door he stood holding the cold railings.

If it was some other day then he would have enjoyed the panaromic view of THE ARABIAN SEA & the lighted city scape across the bay, visible infront of his eyes. But right now his heart is restless for some known & some unknown reasons.

Rubbing his palms on his face he took a deep breath inhaling the cold, moist breeze floating from over the sea which smelt so much like....

His Khushi.

Refreshing, soothing & intoxicating.

He remembered once Khushi telling him her wish of walking on a beach with him holding hands, feets deeped in sea water, enjoying cold breeze, watching the waves dancing, splashing water on each other, drinking coconut water with two straws in the same coconut, eating hot roasted corn, riding a camel sitting together on it, taking pics in different poses & then at last watching the sun setting in the salty water calling it a day.

He chuckled remembering the way she had licked her lips while saying about having hot roasted corn with salt, chilly powder & lemon juice rubbed on it generously making it all the more delectable.

How happy & enthusiastic her face was while narrating her wish list!!

Khushi & her antics never seize to amaze him.

Khushi. The name rolled out of his tongue on its own accord alongwith a lone tear from his brown orbs.

Its been days he has seen his Khushi happy & smiling like that.

He gulped hard as he knows that he himself is the reason behind Khushi's sadness & anxiety.

He is not that unaware to his wife's pain.

Late though but he had learnt about his wife's insecurities & had assured her about his love & loyalty then & now as well.

Even after his words of assurance she went for DNA proving him disloyal, bigamous, betrayer & a cheat.

By taking this step she not only doubted him but his love for her as well.

Her one mistake, one doubt, one distrust has placed him in the same category as of his father whom he hates, disgusts, abhores with every fibre of his body which is unbearable for him.

When he can't bear that man's name & surname attatched with his name how can he bear to be categorised with him in the same category??

He was hurt beyond limits when he learnt about the DNA reports.

Why couldn't Khushi beleive him, his words, his assurance??

Didn't she think once about him before taking such a drastic step??

Didn't she feel the pain, the hurt it would cause him knowing she doubted on him & his love even after him clearing his relation with Sheetal back in Havard??

DNA. He shares the DNA of that person whom he loaths to the limit of not even wanting to get his name & surname attatched with his & he did drop both detaching that man's complete existence from his own accept....

His blood. His DNA.

If he could he would have drained every single drop of that despicable  man's blood from his body but that was not possible.

So he had to console himself with the fact that he has his mother's milk & love too running in his veins which is way more precious to live his life with.

That man cheated on his mother by having an illicit affair with other woman giving his mother the most abhorent betrayel pushing her to end her life.

Since then he never beleived in love or commitments but also beleived not to betray in either ever.

Then how could he give the same pain to his Khushi??

The moment she fell in his arms in Sheeshmahal it was her & only her in his mind, heart & soul & she herself knows that. Then how can she doubt him with other woman?? How can she feel insecure regarding their relation, their marriage which is the most beautiful relation for him he has ever got??

Agreed he had been more carefree & joyous around Arav & Sheetal, unlike his formal & reserved self but the reason behind was only & only Arav. Nowhere to be Sheetal.

Like his family members he too used to see himself in that boy due to his arrogance, rudeness & maturity beyond age. He used to see ASR in Arav & he didn't want that boy to actually turn into THE ASR whose childhood got crushed under the burden of sudden unexpected responsibilities of his & his sister, their education, their future & above all the thirst of taking revenge on his uncle.

So alongwith Arav he wanted to live his own childhood which he missed & cannot get back.

So unintentionally though he started spending more time with Arav. But Sheetal voluntarily was always present there with them which led him to remember his college days with her.

He was just trying to relive his childhood & college days with them but he didn't knew that unintentionally he was developing insecurities in his wife.

When he had understood he had assured her of his love & loyalty towards her.

Still she went for DNA & that was it.

He couldn't hold himself from blasting on her. For not trusting him, his words, his love.

She had then tore the reports without reading giving some solace to his burning heart but couldn't help much as she had inflicted the doubt in him that is he like his unfaithful father??

That one doubt in himself was enough for him to not acknowledge all her attempts for asking forgiveness.

Upon that the second copy of the DNA reports found in their room was like fuel to not so dampened fire.

Though she denied of getting another copy but he couldn't believe her as apart from both of them nobody knew about it so it has to be her.

The hurt was back & somehow he wanted to give it back to her for not trusting him & his love.

So he started spending more time with Arav & Sheetal just to see the same hurt on her face & he succeeded too.

He just wanted her to accept about getting the DNA reports second copy & apologize for the same.

But she didn't budge from her denial which created huge distance between both of them to the limit of both not talking to each other for days.

She stopped cajoling him & he stopped acknowledging her presence but couldn't miss the hurt & pain on her face which he used to witness after reaching in their room late night when she would be asleep.

Yes he could see the tear streaks on her cheeks & pale face which pierced daggers in his heart.

He knew she was crying herself to sleep every night due to his ignorance & distant behaviour & that brought tears in his eyes too every night but he couldn't bring himself to forgive her because he wanted her to accept her mistake so that he could get rid of the doubt by the person herself who had inflicted it in him.

But his anger & stubborness for making her accept her mistake was melting when he felt her slipping far away from him when she had stopped defending herself.

She had stopped interacting with him. Stopped doing his work. Stopped helping him. Stopped waiting for him for meals & during bed time.

He felt as if she was tired & exhausted of waiting for him.

As if she has accepted defeat & given up on him. On them. On their love. On their relationship.

How can he let that happen??

Yes he wanted to hurt her for not trusting him but not at the cost of losing her.

She had become silent, aloof & careless.

Careless not for him but herself.

She had stopped eating properly specially her favourite jalebies.

Stopped looking after the means of her interest like watching tv, dancing on her favourite Salman Khan songs, making jalebies, talking to her devi maiyya, fluttering around the house like a butterfly.

Overall she had stopped enjoying her life like she loved to do.

She was withering away. His Khushi was going into a shell.

He can't let that happen.

His ego & stubborness are not greater then his Khushi.

Moreover even after his ignorance for days, her sticking to her words of not getting the another copy of DNA reports was enough of a proof for him to beleive her words.

So he had decided to clear every misunderstandings , every doubts, all the distance between him & his Khushi & get their life back on track.

But before that he needed to get rid of the reason behind his wife's distress & insecurities.

Sheetal & Arav.

True Sheetal was a good friend of his in Harvard. But not an important part of his life. Neither then nor now.

The day he left Harvard he cut all possible contacts with her & all his other friends for that matter.

Sheetal was just friend zoned for him in Harvard & now as well. Nothing more beyond that. Yes, his friends would tease them as a couple but he was least bothered as he didn't had an iota of any such feelings for her or any other girl for that matter. So he didn't try to right his friends regarding the same.

But her sudden arrival was obvious to remember & recreate their friendship back in Harvard.

On top of that She & her son were staying in his house only on Khushi's insistence & then Sheetal joined AR as well. So maximum interaction was suppose to happen.

Yes, he was liking their company as it brought back all the memories of the only somewhat carefree time he has had alongwith his passion of studying & conquering greater heights.

But the main reason was Arav. He was not like usual children.

Whining, crying & throwing tantrums for every small thing.

His knowledge in basketball, chess & other games amazed him & he enjoyed playing with him.

His mature talks beyond limit compelled him to converse with him(Arav) for hours.

Amidst all these he didn't realise he was distancing himself from his love.

It wasn't intentional at all.

But neither Khushi voiced out the same nor he could understand on his own & he regrets for that.

But now no more regrets because nothing & nobody is important for him then his Khushi.

Sheetal is a good friend & she will always stay so. But if their friendship is causing despair, distress to his wife then he is good without such friendship.

May be a bit late but he has realised & decided as well and that was the main reason behind bringing Sheetal here with him today.

Since a week he is pondering over possibilities to get her & Arav away from his & Khushi's life.

Precisely away from Delhi itself.

But he had to have a concrete reason for that.

She is very good in her work & she had proved it working in his office. So he can't just fire her due to his personal reasons. She is in financial need for her son & herself. So he had to think on those options for getting her away.

The sudden emergency occured here is a perfect chance for him to shift her here stating his need for a more reliable & trustworthy person here in Mumbai branch.

When Akash & Aman had insisted on taking her with him he had denied immediately. But then on thinking further & taking this as an opportunity to get her rooted in Mumbai branch, away from his Khushi he got her here with him.

He knows that Khushi must be more upset by this action of his that too without informing her. But if he would have gone home to have a word with her regarding this then he was sure that it would have turned into bitter conversation as the bottled up emotions in both would have come to the fore.

Also this isn't a small issue which would be resolved within minutes. It will take good time for them to express their feelings & confront the other.

So he decided to call her & inform her after reaching here.

Also the decision of staying in a hotel & not in AR apartments, under the same roof as Sheetal was because he didn't want to hurt his Khushi more & add to the already huge pile of misunderstandings.

But to his disappointment she isn't answering any of his calls.

Is she that upset with him that she doesn't even want to hear his voice??

Has she gone that far from him that he would not be able to pull her back to him??

No. Its not possible because he knows that his Khushi loves him too much. Just like he loves her the most. No reason, no problem can create such distance between them which cannot be bridged by their love.

Just two more days Khushi & I will make everything alright between us. He thought

Inhaling deeply the cool breeze for one last time he moved back inside the room.

Taking the mobile from the bed he again dialled Khushi's number but the result was the same as before.

Throwing his mobile back on the bed, removing his jacket he threw it on the couch placed in the corner of the room. Soon the jacket was accompanied by his tie, waistcoat, shirt & vest.

Taking the towel from the closet provided by the hotel he moved towards the bathroom to get rid of the dust & exhaustion.

Discarding his remaining clothes he stood under the shower. The cold water sliding down his body was cleaning all the dust & dirt but was not helping to get rid of the pain & longing he was feeling now for HIS KHUSHI.

How he misses her smile, her laughter, her antics, her care, her concern, her warm hugs, her shy kisses!!

How he is yearning for her silky, smooth, warm figure shaking under his sweaty exhausted body due to the aftereffects of their passionate lovemaking!!

Rubbing his body vigorously with the cold water he turned off the shower.

Wiping himself with the towel & wearing his night wear he laid on the bed taking his mobile.

He tried one last time calling Khushi but when the ring went off again he thought she might be asleep & that's why she isn't responding & nothing else. He consoled himself.

The screensaver of his phone was giving some solace to his burning heart.

It was his Khushi's pic in the crimson saree from the calender shoot.

Caressing her face in the pic he kissed her.

I love you Khushi. I love you so much. I will set everything ok between us. Please stay put for two more days. Please sweetheart. He whispered.

He again kissed her pic & slept keeping the mobile on his heart & thoughts of soon having everything fine as before with his Khushi.

Only if he knew!!

To be continued....

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So this was Arnav's pov.. Rest of the clearifications will be done during Arshi confrontation...

Sorry for late updating then the mentioned date...... I can't tell the reason as it would b very embarrassing for me 🙈🙊

Do leave ur votes & feedback on the update...

Further updates will be :-

~ Love at first bite (almost ready)

~ Bardasht ki hadd

~ Love conquers all