(14700 words)

(Not proofread)

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"KHUSHI. KHUSHI. NO." Arnav kept chanting her name extending his hand forward while the men held him back. There Shashi saw who was obsessed with whom and who wanted to marry whom so desperately. He shuddered to even think of the consequences if he has had married his daughter to this mad man.

Khushi has walked out of the room several moments ago and after a minute he managed to free himself. He opted to the door only for his way to be blocked by his Nani this time.

"Nani. Please?" He choked blinking back the tears. "How could you do this to me? How could you? You know what she means to me. You know everything then why? WHY?" He started shouting maniacally then. He turned around in circles while saying,

"Whether you all believe me or not, the truth won't change. Khushi is my wife." He pointed to himself.

"I WILL FILE A CASE AGAINST YOU. I WILL TAKE MY WIFE WITH ME. THAT'S MY RIGHT."

His menacing voices sent chills down everyone's spine especially Khushi's who heard it clearly even sitting in other room except Shashi stayed calm neither scared nor intimidated by him. He has fought with his daughter for this deceitful man now he will fight for her with him.

That way Khushi Kumari Gupta made Arnav Singh Raizada get the taste of his own medicine.

It was the same like that day in the penthouse just that there Khushi was the one trying and failing miserably to explain herself while here it was him shouting, yelling, going berserk to prove himself right which he was.. at least this time he was but there was no proof. No one to prove him right. Nothing to support his words. Nothing at all.

Not even his shrewd mind helped him while he stood there breathing hard with his eyes red and nostrils flaring and then his raging wounded eyes met hers. She was peeking in the room hiding behind the wall outside the door. Putting a stone on her heart she stared back fiercely.

Two weeks ago on this very day Arnav Singh Raizada has shattered her beyond repair and exactly two weeks later she did the same without even doing anything but by just keeping mum.

By silence!

He may have won many battles before this but today she won the war and got even with him by all means!

"I may marry you. Yes. You may get rights on me after that. Yeah. But know one thing Arnav Singh Raizada, there will come a day when I will crush all of your dreams right infront of your eyes. You made one promise didn't you? Here is mine. I will defeat you in your own game. If I didn't then I--I will kill myself."

He lurched forward and made a run for the door making them all dumbstruck including Khushi that neither could she react nor run. Before she knew it he was before her and she was in his seize with steel grip of his arms around her waist.

Everyone came running out while Arnav looked down at Khushi smugly while she looked at him terrified as the daze of the winning left her and fear took over as she saw that despite her Babu ji, Akash jiju and Manohar Mama ji's attempts no one could release his hold on her.

"You said 'meeting me was the most beautiful thing' ever happened to you!" He gritted holding her captive while she struggled to get free.

"That's because you forced me to say it. You said you won't let me attend my Jiji's sangeet if I didn't admit it." She snapped blinking back the tears as she couldn't breath due to his rough hold which started suffocating her.

"Let go. You're hurting me!" She cried out. Shashi, Akash and Manohar's attempt doubled hearing her hissing and seeing her face contorting in pain while Arnav's expressions were darkening every passing second. Anjali, Manorama, Devyani, Garima, Madhumati and Payal tried too but in vain. It was like he has made a stone wall around him in which he caged Khushi there as well that try as might she couldn't get out.

"I am hurting you? Am I? It's you who are doing this. To us!" He gritted. "Tell me where have you hidden the marriage certificate I gave you? Tell them all the truth, Mrs. Raizada. FUCKING SPEAK UP!" He bellowed at the last chilling her bones but she stayed silent not paying heed to neither his warning nor her own pain, the physical one which she was enduring right now.

"Mai tumhe khud ko dhoka dene nahi dun ga. (I will not let you betray me)" He growled on her face.

Just then a punch landed on his jaws which loosened his hold on Khushi and he staggered back. Shashi quickly pulled Khushi behind him and everyone sighed in relief. Khushi gripped her father's shirt from behind touching her head to his shoulder scared to the hilt.

"LEAVE." Shashi ordered spitting fire at him. Arnav glared back with full intensity. Devyani and Anjali were holding him from either sides pleading at him to calm down and leave from here but he seemed not to be listening at all. His eyes seeked for the woman who was hiding behind her father.

"Kitna bhi chupna hai chup lo, Khushi kyun k akhir pe tumhe maire sath hi jana ho ga. Samjhi tum, Mrs. Raizada? (Hide all you want Khushi but at the end you'll have to come with me. Did you get it, Mrs. Raizada?)" He said out loud while Khushi shuddered clutching to her Babu ji more tightly.

"I'll be back tomorrow with proofs. Phir dekhta hun kon rokta hai mujhe! (Then I will see who will stop me!)" He pointed his finger at the Guptas standing across him looking back at him without fear. Saying that he turned and stormed off leaving behind his guilty family who looked apologetically at Guptas who were sending accusing glares their way.

"Payal bitiya? Shall we?" Devyani said silently while Payal's eyes brimmed all over again as she looked at Khushi who came around her Babu ji and hugged her sister.

"Be happy, Jiji." Khushi whispered in her ear. Embracing her back tightly Payal sobbed closing her eyes causing every eye to tear up. Payal met with her Amma, Bua ji and then headed to her Babu ji who was standing leaning against the wall with his head lowered.

"Babu ji?" Payal choked. He looked up with misty eyes and Payal threw her arms around him.

"You don't have to do this." Shashi mumbled hugging her back. "Because of me, you and Kh-" He trailed off closing his eyes pain remembering every hurtful words and accusation he threw at his beloved daughter.

Payal shook her head crying in his arms.

"You could have done nothing. He made us all his puppets. Especially our Khushi. Please take care of her for me. Please?"

"Of course I will. Don't worry. No one would dare harm my Khushi ever from now on. I-I'd trust her more than anyone. Blindly." His eyes met Khushi's when he said that and seeing the pained expressions on her face his heart cut into pieces. Letting out a whimper Khushi ran in her room and shut it behind causing everyone to look at each other worriedly.

"I will go look at-" Payal stepped back from her father and moved to the door but Shashi held her wrist and shook his head.

"I will take care of her. You'd go with your in-laws now that you have made a decision." Shashi said composing himself a bit.

"But Babu ji, Khushi?" Payal whimpered.

"Your father is right bitiya. We are here for her. She would be just fine if she would see you happy in your home." Garima came forward and cupped the side of her cheek. Payal looked unsure but giving her reassurances Shashi, Garima and Madhumati sent her off with the Raizadas.

Guests were told that no other wedding was happening tonight and after Payal's bidaai, dinner was served. Eating which they all left gossiping about the cancellation of the second marriage and the possible reason behind it.

For the time being Guptas has left Khushi alone until the guests left. Once the house turned back to a tension filled silence Shashi made his way upstairs to his daughter's room while Garima and Madhumati saw him ascending the stairs hoping against hope that the father-daughter duo make peace which was long overdue.

There in the room, Khushi was sitting on the carpet looking at the curtains draped at the windows sternly. It has been hours since she locked herself in the four walls. Her tears has dried yet she didn't move from one place and kept gawking at the blue curtains as if they held all the answers. In a way, they did.

"SHE IS MY WIFE."

"Mrs. Raizada, tell them. Tell them you are 'Mrs. Raizada'. Tell them Khushi. KHUSHI." He bellowed on her face.

"You always fight for truth don't you? How can you lie about such a big thing now? Khushi, Khushi." He pressed his palms on her cheeks desperately.

"Khushi please? I am sorry. Just, just tell them the truth honey. PLEASE." He shouted.

Swallowing once she stood up holding the heavy lehenga, walked to the curtains, pulled them apart and turned the right one and there it was.

The folded papers were pinned up with such delicacy that no one could suspect it. With trembling hands she unpinned it, opened its folds and her eyes fell on the heading before it stopped at the end of the page where both her and his signs were there.

"Mrs. Raizada," She croaked falling back on her knees with their marriage certificate now lying there on the floor as she sobbed throwing her face in between her palms.

Today she realized what was the real meaning of 'revenge'.

It not only destroys the person you take vengeance from but also yourself. Whole of you,

Completely and absolutely!

Khawahish meri aatish bani

Kya kya magar sazish bani

"Just for once, will you do something without me having to force you?"

She took a sharp intake of breath, swallowed but the heaviness in her chest won't settle at all.

"Will you?" He pressed her hands. She grimaced.

Not having any other choice she nodded briskly blinking back the tears.

"Go inside that room," He pointed to one of the rooms. "--and get yourself ready to sign our marriage certificate while I go get an important thing done. Your dress is in the cupboard. It's green and red combo. Both of our favorite colors."

She snatched back her hands.

He gripped them back more tightly. The rough hold made her flinch audibly to the point that she couldn't hold herself for more than a minute and dropped her head on their joined hands on her lap and sobbed silently.

Arnav's nostrils flared while his eyes prickled. His Adam's apple bobbed.

"You see," He cleared his throat to ward off the lump."You won't have to be dressed twice. You can wear our wedding dress for our sangeet tonight. That way you won't be late for the ceremony as well."

Slipping his hands out he cupped the sides of her head and tilted her face up to face him.

"Okay?" He asked warning her through his eyes not to say no.

"O-Okay." She choked out. Her voice was hoarse and heavy with tears.

In reply he leaned forward and kissed the corner of her lips.

"Good." He whispered against her skin. "I will be back before you know it." He said and then he was gone.

Despite knowing he would lock the door on his way out she still ran to the sliding doors and with all of her efforts tried to pull it open but to no avail.

At last when she realized there was no escape she slipped inch by inch against the same door and fell on the floor, her legs folded with her eyes now dry and heart frozen and so were her emotions.

With no zeal or interest she got ready in his said dress and wore the jewelry and applied light makeup as per his commands. Maybe, no- not maybe, of course .. of course he must have forgotten to complete his list of 'orders' so as soon as he walked out locking her in his penthouse, she has received a call on the cordless. A hope brewed in her hearing the bell somewhere near.

She ran towards the sound. But when she picked it up she was left disappointed like always. She should have known he never leaves any loopholes. Never. Especially when it comes to her. When it comes to torture her.

"There is jewelry matching your dress in the same cupboard. Make sure to wear it. Also, in the next almirah, there is a makeup kit. Use it well Khushi. And use it, for sure. No arguments. And yeah, don't bother trying to call your sister from this phone because I'd be cutting its connection the minute I'd cut this call."

The call was cut and so was the connection as did he said. That was an hour ago. Like a robot she prepared herself to be slaughtered.

She looked at herself in the mirror with unseen eyes.

"Either you would take your words back or you'd be going back to Gomti sadan tomorrow morning only."

"Say that meeting me was the most beautiful thing ever happened to you."

"You want me to lie?"

"No. You will be allowed to go home only when you'd say it with all of your heart. Not a second before that."

"Lawyer would be here soon with our marriage documents. Sign them. Then I will drop you back myself."

Her face morphed in pain so much that it became difficult for her to control her tears. Her vision blurred. She took deep breaths to calm herself and not to cry. Her misty eyes widened as she heard the glass door opening and closing meaning that he was back. Soon, it became difficult for her to breath even when she heard his footsteps nearing the room and then he entered and she didn't know what came over her that she stood up and hid herself behind the door with her eyes shut tight.

"Fuck!" He cursed out loudly while entering. Khushi placed both her palms over her mouth to stop the scream from erupting out. By his voice only she could tell how much angry he was.

"KHUSHI?" He shouted looking around the room. Khushi's eyes shot open at his growl. She looked at his back visible to her as now he has walked two steps ahead from the door. Two more long strides inside the room and he was standing in the middle of the room and she got the chance she needed.

"KHU-" He stopped and like a flash of lightening someone ran out of the door.

Cursing colorfully he followed her. Dragging her back inside he cornered her against the same wall besides the door where she was hiding with his hands on either sides of her head on the wall. She closed her eyes tightly waiting for him to lash out.

"P-Please?" It was that only which left her when she felt rage emanating from his stance yet he spoke nothing. Did nothing.

Arnav was already neck deep in anger after his encounter with Nani. He couldn't believe she was going to go after his back to Shashi Gupta to blurt out the truth. He handled the situation at time but it has hurt him as well as made him angry and upon reaching back in penthouse he found the room where he asked her to get ready, deprived of her presence which only fueled his rage.

If that wasn't enough she tried to run at the given opportunity making him more mad and he was in full mood to take it all on her when he pinned her to the wall but then his gaze fell on her face and time stood still for him as she closed her eyes and shook before him from head to toe with her eyes closed.

His eyes traveled from her face down to her dress and his breath got stuck in some region of his throat.

Red lehenga, green blouse with a heavy red choli which she has draped around elegantly on her left shoulder. She has taken his orders well and has worn the jewelry as well with adequate make-over. He swallowed thickly as his gaze fell on her trembling lips adorned with dark red lipstick.

Anger left him and soon helplessness took over his stance as he realized what has he become for this woman. While standing before him the lady of his thoughts had a completely different opinion regarding the situation.

Gulping she opened her eyes slowly when even after many moments she didn't feel him move from his place nor saying anything. And found him looking at her with so much intensity that her throat turned dry and her heart prickled in her chest. Despite herself she felt her cheeks warming up to his stare.

"Tell me something?" His Adam's apple bobbed as he asked bringing one of his hand closer to her face and caressed it with the back of his fingers. It took all of her self strength not to fall on her knees. She shivered whilst her toes curled.

"What are you doing to me?" He murmured both in accusation as well as helplessness.

"Really, what do you want to do to me? I-I was the one who was never this selfish. Never. Whatever I did I always did for others. Either for my sister, my brother, my grandmother, Mama or Mami but ever since you came I became so .. so selfish that today I am fighting with them just because they don't want me to be with you. They think I will destruct you. Shatter you." He breathed.

"But .. they don't know do they? It is you who is breaking me piece by piece. It is you who is killing me by running away from me. It is YOU who is hell bent on making me do things I wouldn't have done in normal circumstances." He touched his forehead with hers. She took a sharp intake of breath which came out of her as a whimper.

"I didn't force you for anything. It is you who is doing everything.. to me." She managed to croak turning her head to the other side causing his nose to touch her cheek. He ran the tip of his nose alongside her cheek giving her the strength to fight back. She gave him a strong push. He staggered back.

"Don't put all the blame on me!" She snapped.

Flexing his jaws he gathered some patience which was already wearing thin. Exhaling and inhaling a few times he looked back at her when he composed himself.

"Anyways, do you remember which one of the lipsticks you used?" He asked eyeing the mess on the dressing table.

She nodded confused.

"Good." He was before her in seconds, pinning her hands at her back crashed his lips to hers without a warning.

Having his fill he pulled back looking at her trembling moist, swollen lips thorougly kissed satisfied. While Khushi pounced on him like a wounded animal. He gripped her arms to hinder her in vain attempts to hurt him even knowing that it was going to exhaust her only. Nothing affected him. Neither her harmless punches nor her slaps.

"Calm down. Gather yourself up. Apply the lipstick back and come out." He ordered clenching his jaws and holding his desires. He has to stay away and hold him back unil he don't make her fall for him which seemed next to impossible considering his oh-so-great history with her.

He stepped back but much to his disbelief and joy she held his wrist. He turned to her surprised. She was breathing heavily. Her eyes were a picture of misery and so was her face.

"I will do the court marriage but only if you'd agree to my condition."

"And what is that?" He frowned not having any good feeling about it.

"I'll marry you but only if you'd make it a contract of two months."

"What rubbish!" He shrugged off her hand angrily.

"Two months till my sister settles in life. After that we won't have any business with each other. I'll be free." She added as if she didn't see his reaction.

"And I'll let you go that easily huh? Are you an idiot really or you enjoy pretending to be so?" He grabbed her upper arms and shook her.

"If you didn't agree then forget wedding you in the court I'd not marry you in front of our families either. None of it would happen!" She said confidently.

His blood boiled.

"Oh so you'd jeopardize your sister's happiness in your stubbornness?" He reverted to his old way to blackmail her by her family as he could see the defiance in her eyes.

"Jiji's marriage is already fixed. Today is her sangeet. You can't do anything now."

One more tug and he was breathing on her face standing nose to nose to her. Khushi looked back fiercely.

"It was I who made your father agree for her alliance with Akash. If it weren't for me you do know he wasn't ready to listen to anything after Mami insulted your family. So you better shut up and do as I am saying or else you will yourself be responsible for the consequences of defying me!" He glared.

"Fine. Do it. Be more selfish and destroy both my sister's and your brother's life. In that way you'd be left with nothing but remorse. Neither would you be able to get me. If you are okay with it then all right. Drop me back home. I'd tell the truth in detail to Babu ji and then you can say bye to both the weddings."

"Khushi, don't drive me crazy!" He left her with a jerk and bellowed causing her insides to shudder.

"You understand this language so well don't you? The deal and all. Profit and loss." Khushi was now talking without showing her weakness even though she was hell scared from inside of his reaction knowing that he could do anything for she was all alone with him but one thing she was sure of. He could do anything to complete his obstinacy to marry her. Make her his. And this, she has to take advantage of to get some security for herself for she don't trust this man. She can't.

He narrowed his eyes spitting fire at her.

"So here is the deal. I will marry you. I will sign the court marriage documents today as well. But for that you'd have to make a two month contract marriage agreement with me. And I want it written and signed by both of us."

"FUCK YOUR DEAL." He reached her in two long strides and pinning both her hands at her back pulled her flush against him causing all of her confidence to puff into thin air as her eyes widened and face went pale seeing his red rimmed eyes and face turned a darker shade of red in rage. Nerves at his temples and neck stood out. He looked a perfect example of a wounded lion.

She winced and her eyes teared up when instead of loosening his hold he only tightened it more causing the whimpers to erupt out of her in helplessness.

"Who the fuck do you think am I? Right now you're standing under MY roof, in MY room, on MY property and you have the audacity to blackmail me? ME? Arnav Singh Raizada?"

She cried out loud as he pressed her more closer.

"Look at me and listen it well and clear, Ms. Gupta. Lawyer is coming in a few minutes with documents. You'd sign them without throwing any tantrums or forget about going home or seeing your family. Ever."

Her eyes turned wide as saucers.

"W-What?" She choked with her face turned red with pain. His eyes prickled.

"You heard me. Don't fucking instigate me more!"

Swallowing he pushed her away and ran his fingers in his hairs praying for patience. Khushi rubbed her wrists where his fingers has left the marks. Tears were already flowing down her cheeks unchecked. His eyes fell on her wrists and he cursed loudly making her flinch.

She stepped back alarmed when he took a step to her but stopped seeing her reaction. He raised his hands in surrender as she shuddered before him in fear. Still when he took another step to her, with a cry she moved back until her back hit the wall behind. He clenched his jaws while heading to the bedside table and opening one drawer took out the first-aid box. Opening it up he took out a cream and extended it to her.

By now, he has calmed down a bit and so had his rage upon hearing such a 'condition' from her. Like hell he would agree to that.

"Take it and apply or else I will." He kept his tone stern. She jumped into action and snatching it from him opened the cap clumsily before applying some on both the wrists. She massaged them a bit until the cream absorbed in the skin and passed it back to him who was keeping an eye on her.

"Apni haalat theek karo aur bahar ao! (Compose yourself and come out)" He commanded seeing her messed up stance and turned to leave.

"Please?" She pleaded from behind. He closed his eyes in pain. The same pain which he felt in her voice.

"Please? PLEASE WHAT DAMMIT?" He turned to her exasperated. His heart clenched seeing her looking at him with so much hurt.

"Please don't get angry and listen to me? Please?" She said showing her vulnerability before the man who has always broken her into pieces. Today was no different.

He swallowed thickly averting his eyes from her broken demeanor.

"If you're going to repeat your 'terms and conditions' for the marriage then don't even try Khushi. I have no plans of ever letting you go." He said loud and clear.

Her lips trembled as she requested him through her hazel orbs which were already melting his heart. That 'stupid fucking organ' which was the problem of everything!

"Please just listen to me once?" She was still adamant but her tone was nothing but pleading.

"Okay. Let's hear you out." He placed his hands in his pockets and gave her his full attention.

She wiped her tears, breathed and opened her mouth.

"If you'd make the two months contract," She broke her eye contact from his as he glared at her. Exhaling she continued. "Then for those two months I'd be your 'wife'. In every sense. I'd do whatever you asked me to."

"Why don't you simply say it Khushi? That you'd accept me as your husband if I made a fucking two months contract to fucking leave you when the duration ended?" He barely held himself back not to yank her in his arms to tell her in actions that he was never, ever going to leave her.

She flinched at his use of profanities telling her how much riled up he was.

"What do you think of me, Khushi? That I am marrying you for your body? That you'd tempt me with indirectly giving me the permission to have sex with you and I'd agree for it as if I am so desperate to fuck you?" His voice notched higher with his every word while Khushi has stopped breathing moments ago seeing his face changing color.

She squealed as he reached her in one long stride, backed her against the wall and leaned close to her face.

"Don't you dare compare yourself with the women with whom I once had just a 'physical' relation. You are not like them neither would you ever be. And if you broached up this subject ever again then I swear you'd regret it. I'D. MAKE. YOU. REGRET. IT." He gritted at the end breathing on her face. Her chest heaved up and down brushing against his and her toes curled when he moved more closer as if was even possible. Producing a sound has never been this difficult for Khushi Kumari Gupta.

"Look at me, Khushi." His tone mellowed down so did his stance which made her raise her wet lashes to him. He exhaled sharply.

"If I wanted you on my bed then I had had plenty of opportunities. I still have it. Right here. Right now. Can't you see? You're here alone with me, in my penthouse looking ravishing in my designed dress but still I am holding back. For whom?"

She blinked her eyes at him causing two tears to roll down her cheeks. He brushed them off cupping her cheeks.

"For you." He whispered brushing his nose with hers. She closed her eyes swallowing past her cries.

What was this man?

One moment, an arrogant beast and on another, a completely different person as if the beast never existed in him.

He saw the confusion on her face and pursed his lips wrapping his arms around her while placing his chin over her head.

"You can do anything for me?" Came her scared murmur as she stood rigid in his arms.

"Except for letting you go, yes!" He tightened his hold around her.

"Then just for my happiness make the contract, please?"

All of the softness left him and he pulled back harshly shoving her away.

"You are still stuck on the same thing? Didn't I tell you that I want you. YOU. Not your body. I am not making or signing any contract with which you want to sell off your body to me. Disgusting!" He growled losing it.

"No. No. I am not offering anything. Let it be just a piece of paper. A paper. Please? Apki har zid humne maani. Hamari aik baat kya aap nahi maan sakte? (I did everything you asked for. Can't you agree for just a single thing I am saying?)" She sniffled.

He felt like pulling his hairs out.

"Why are you hell bent on making a contract? What's on your mind?" He interrogated with his features hardening.

"Nothing. Nothing." She shook her head. "I know you won't let me go. You know that too. Just make it and sign. It's not that a contract can make you leave me. Can it?" She asked making her tone challenging and to her relief it worked.

"No!" He gritted. "Nothing can take you away from me." He pinched the bridge of his nose.

Khushi looked at him expectantly.

"Okay. Consider it done. But it will just be a formality because you are so naive that you think that a contract could save you from me. Like hell it will." He scoffed. His cell phone rang bringing his attention to it due to which he failed to notice the visible relief on her face. Her shoulders relaxed and so did her stance for finally getting to him which was so, so tough.

She pitied that woman who would have to spend her life with him because making him agree to do the thing he doesn't like was one hell of a task and she was glad she won't have to be that woman because she has no intention of living with this monster her whole life.

'God forbid' She said in her mind while looking at his back as he talked over the phone. Probably the lawyer was here in AR because he was asking him to make another documents of the two months contract and call him back.

Inwardly she has thanked her favorite deity a thousand times.

Cutting the call he turned to her with a sigh and Khushi schooled her expressions.

"There, your work is done. Happy now?" He raised his eyebrow.

She nodded faking a smile.

"Arnav ji?" She hesitated.

"Now what?" He asked pissed. "Let me tell you Khushi. If you tried to double cross me then it would not be good for you."

"No. No. I just wanted to ask something."

His eyebrow shot higher. Khushi figdeted.

"I'd get the lawyer and our marriage documents here. You'd sign it and we would go to RM right away. Tonight."

"We are not going to RM after signing the documents are we?" She was looking too nervous. He took pity on her and said,

"No. Not tonight but,"

She gulped.

"We are definitely going after our official wedding." He winked. Anger bubbled up inside her but she curbed it and passed him a weak smile.

"So until the lawyer comes lets order something from,"

"No. There is no need. I can cook." She cut him softly much to his surprise.

"But in this dress? Your make-over will be ruined."

'It is already ruined you idiot' She wanted to say but held it back.

"I have to re-do it anyways so no problem." She insisted.

He shrugged.

"Okay. Do as you please. You own the place along with its master anyways, honey." His tone turned mischief but it prickled her heart with needles.

Did he really mean what he just said? She wondered.

She really doesn't know which of his words to believe and which not to. Didn't he himself confess that he loves her and then it turned out it was all a lie he brewed up while playing a freaking game?

She shook her head leaving the room asking herself not to dwell on it much or it would only turn torturous for her more than it already was.

"Khushi?" He came to the kitchen as she took out necessary things from fridge.

"Huh?" She turned but before she could say anything her lips were sealed with his wrapping his arms around her so passionately that gasps escaped her.

This time neither did she wriggle nor protested. She let him kiss her without her reciprocating. She was already so relieved that she got to him. In his huge victory she has snatched a little bit of a part at least. She would marry him but it would be a contract marriage. Of two months.

That's enough time to strip open his reality in front of her father right?

So she would bear him for the two months and collect the proofs of her innocence living with the devil himself. After that her father would handle him himself and she would be free of him.

But was it that easy? Something screamed from inside and she opened her eyes which she has closed the minute she felt his lips against hers.

"Thank you." He rasped pulling back.

She frowned.

For what?

"For kissing me back willingly for the first time." He answered her unsaid question to which her eyes widened.

Cheeney koi sansein meri

Lootey mera chaina

Soona lagey manwa maira

Bhujne lage naina

"Konse papers? (Which papers?)"

"Khushi this is not funny. Show them the papers. Tell them we are already legally married." He gritted.

"Babu ji, hum nahi jaante ye kin papers ki baat kar rahe hain. (I don't know which papers is he groveling about)"

"Aap ko yakeen hai na hum pe? Hum kyun jhoot bolein gay itni badi baat ko le k? Agar humein inse aise shaadi kar li hoti toh aaj in sab rasmo mai kyun padte? Aaj phir se ye dhong kyun karte? (You believe me don't you? Why would I lie about something like this? If I had to marry him that way then why would I have grind myself in these rituals? Why would I have done this drama to get married to him again?)"

"Humse baat karo. Yahan pe ab sab jaan hi gaye honge k sacha kon hai aur jhoota kon. Tumri kisi bhi baat pe ab bharosa kar k apni bitiya ki zindagi barbaad naahi karein gay hum. Behter hoga chale jao yahan se. (Talk to ME. Here, now, everyone knows who is a liar and who is not. I won't ruin my daughter's life anymore believing anything you say. It will be good for you if you will just leave from here!)" Shashi Gupta said sternly.

"KHUSHI!!!" He yelled out there in the empty deserted road full of darkness. Deprived of light. Just like his life at the moment.

"Bas itna hi sach bol sakte hain apse k apse milne ka koi pachtawa nahi hai humein. Jo kuch humne aap k ghar pe aur phir bank mai kaha wo sab gusse mai kaha(I can speak this much truth only that I don't regret meeting you. Whatever I said at your home and in the bank were just because of anger)"

"You're not the mistake of my life but a lesson."

"Yeah. A beautiful one. Most beautiful."

Turning to his car he punched the bonnet several times as if possessed with his eyes turning bloodshot until the dent formed on the metal but his helplessness didn't waver. Anger didn't peel off. Hurt didn't ebbed away. Longing didn't taper down. In fact it only increased. Manifold.

Tears threatened to escape from his eyes yet he didn't let them. His eyes burned with restraint he was putting up not to break down.

His cell phone was continuously ringing in his pocket which he royally ignored leaning forward while clutching the bonnet with his head hung low.

"You like winning, no? Guess what, I know the feeling of loss and trust me at the end of our relation I would make sure that you feel it too.You would regret the day you asked me to marry you when I will be done with you!"

He clenched his jaws so hard that the nerves at his neck stood up on the verge of bursting out.

"You are going to be mine whether you want it or not." He whispered in her ear.

"In that way, you are only going to get my body not my soul. You can never reach there.Because you don't deserve it."

"I will tell you what exactly either of us deserve!" He gritted punching his fist on the bonnet one last time before hopping in the car with his eyes full of determination and vengeance.

His cell rang again and this time he picked up.

"Yes, Di?"

"Chote, where are you? I am worried here. Please come home and we can talk to sort it out. Please." Came Anjali's frantic voice from the other side.

"Sure Di. I am coming home and surely we will sort it out." He said with his tone flat before cutting the call. Earlier anger as well as hurt became the thing of the past. He swiped the hand on his eyes to remove all the traces of his vulnerability. Soon he roared the engine to life and headed to the direction of Sheesh Mahal.

Parking the car he took long strides inside the mansion and stopped in the middle of the front door as the sight that greeted him brought back all of his unbridled rage.

Anjali was urging Payal and Akash to play post wedding rituals with a smile on her face while Nani was siding with her along with Mami and Mama ji. No one has noticed him yet. And he couldn't stay silent when a decorated thaal with milk and flower petals was placed before Akash and Payal on the table before Anjali instructed them what they have to do.

The commotion silenced as they heard someone clapping. They all looked at the source of sound and seeing him standing there at the door their smiles which they had plastered on their faces for the sake of Payal withered off. In place of it, fear took over as he took dangerous steps inside while clapping hard with a mocking smirk on his face. He didn't look normal to any of them.

Payal was already feeling worn out with the pretense Raizadas were showing as if everything was normal couldn't help but give Akash an accusing glare who looked back at her apologetically.

"Celebrating huh?" He came to stand across the table behind which Payal and Akash were sitting on the couch together. The former spitted fire at him while the latter pleaded with his eyes not to create a scene at this moment.

Arnav stood unfazed crossing his arms over his chest giving the couple a piercing look. Devyani gestured to Anjali who nodded. Walking to Arnav she tried to drag him out of the hall but he didn't move a bit.

"Chote, let's go to your room. We can talk there." Anjali urged him softly placing her hand on his elbow. Everyone looked with bated breath the change of expressions on his face. All which pointed at his patience almost wearing thin.

He shrugged her off and continued looking at the couple with his jaws flexed.

"Sure. I will go but after celebrating the post wedding rituals with my brother and sister-in-law." He gave a devilish smile and sat royally on the couch across them with his one leg perched over the other.

Everyone looked at each other worried.

"What are you waiting for? Continue." He said out loud. Devyani nodded at a worried Anjali who looked on the verge of crying seeing her brother's condition. Blinking her eyes reassuringly at Anjali, Nani asked her to proceed. Anjali walked and put the ring in the bowl and mixed it. Conspicious silence followed as Manorama urged Akash and Payal to go on and find the ring. Whoever did would dominate the other in their relationship.

It was Anjali who noticed Arnav clenching his fists at the arm-rest while Akash and Payal brought their hands to the bowl but before they could dip in Arnav cursed out loud and kicked the table so hard that it turned over and the bowel went flying in air along with the milk that all shrieked in horror. Milk spilled all over the floor and also on both Akash and Payal's clothes.

Payal and Akash stood up along with others with their eyes widened and jaws dropped while Anjali placed a hand over her heart as it thudded violently in fear. Arnav turned around in circles agitated with his hand threaded in his hairs. None of them could produce a sound for many moments.

"What is this behavior Chote?" Devyani found her voice. "Come to your senses!" She commanded.

Arnav scoffed turning to her.

"I will come to my senses when my wife would be here besides me!" He bellowed sending chills down everyone's spine.

"You all know how that Guptas deceived us. How they didn't let me bring my Khushi with me and still, STILL here you all are. Celebrating the post wedding rituals as if nothing happened." He clapped throwing sarcastic looks at them all.

"She is not your wife. You don't have any proofs either."

"SHE IS. SHE IS MY WIFE DAMMIT!" He yelled at the top of his lungs causing all of them to shiver.

"If only. IF ONLY you have sided with me then I'd also have been completing this rituals along with her. But no, you didn't believe me and deprived me of the only happiness I could've ever had in my life." He kicked the table again and it would have fell on Payal's foot if Akash hadn't immediately pulled her to him.

"Chote, what could we have done? Khushi herself said that you-" Anjali started crying.

"Now you believe Khushi more than your brother? Don't you know me?" He said with his eyes full of hurt.

"Anjali bitiya is right. You lied so much to get Khushi in your life. How could we believe that you were't again?" Devyani said blinking back the tears. No matter what she couldn't see him in this condition.

Arnav scoffed.

"Forget it. You won't understand me ever. None of you can!" He chuckled dryly pinching the bridge of his nose.

"It's not like that, Chote." Anjali stepped in his way when he made to leave. "We care for you. All of us do."

"NO YOU DON'T." He shouted. Anjali flinched and so did Devyani.

"I gave all of my life to you all." He pointed to them."I worked my ass off for each and everyone of you to the point of forgetting myself." He choked. "But when the time came for you to do something for me. Just a thing. To stand by my side. To give me happiness you all backed off. Wow. If that's your definition of care then thank you very much. I don't need any of it." He said with so much hurt that each pair of eyes teared up with remorse there except for Payal who remained unfazed with all of it.

"Chote. Chote. CHOTE!" Anjali kept calling out to him sobbing but he walked around her and stormed off upstairs but stopped thinking something and gripped the the railings and called out.

"Mrs. Payal Singh Raizada!"

Everyone looked up to find him royally standing upstairs holding the railings with his arms widely paced.

It was to Payal only he addressed.

"As far as your sister is concerned, tell her. Tell her that she made it even and now it's my turn." He said with blood rushing to his eyes while Payal couldn't breath for many moments after he left.

Shutting the door behind with a bang he took off his blazer and threw it across the room before dialing a number. Her number. Even though he knew she won't pick up. That's why he asked Payal to pass his message. But still he tried.

All of his anger vanished and soon helplessness took over when the phone was picked up at the first ring and he heard,

"Hello, Mr. Raizada."

Jaise sitara, taqdeer hara

Karta raha iltija

Koi chand rakh meri shaam par

Mera dil jale tere naam par

"Thank you." He rasped pulling back.

She frowned.

For what?

"For kissing me back willingly for the first time." He answered her unsaid question to which her eyes widened.

When did she reciprocate? She didn't know but the man before her did who was smirking all the way with victory.

Then she staggered back electrocuted realizing that her fingers were still buried in his hairs with her arms snaked around his neck and he was looking down at her intensely.

When did she do that?

"I didn't know. I am sorry." She mumbled embarrassed.

How the heck could she kiss him back?

And why?

He laughed seeing her flustered.

"I am definitely not." He smirked devilishly while she turned to the counter to hide the crimson on her cheeks.

"Please let me work." She added firmness in her tone. "Alone." She added.

Though he didn't like the tone she used with him yet he didn't protest for he was overwhelmed seeing that subconsciously she still have feelings for him on which she has no control over and that was all he could ask for at this moment when there was so much distance and differences between them.

With time he would change her indifference as well. Soon she would be as crazy for him as he himself was for her. He promised himself and decided to get dressed for their impending court marriage till she prepare them lunch with a victorious smirk forming on his lips.

Khushi prepared food absentmindedly.

"Thank you."

"For kissing me back willingly for the first time."

She closed her eyes in regret as tears brimmed in her eyes. How could she become so vulnerable before the man who destroyed everything in her life?

How could she?

Cursing herself in mind she arranged the dishes on the table curbing the urge to destroy everything in the world just like she was from within.

Two familiar arms wrapped around her from behind bringing her back from self-contempt. She swallowed all of the rage she so wanted to show him. He nudged his head with hers trying to relax her for he has felt her going stiff at his touch.

He knew he went overboard earlier by losing his temper at her like that but what could he have done when she wanted to make their relationship a contract which he wanted to build genuinely with all his heart. But for her to realize that he has to mellow down a bit because his impatient and impulsive behavior could ruin everything for him and them.

"Relax." He whispered leaning to her ear as he still could feel her muscle tensed. Didn't work though. Neither did she move nor relaxed. Tension emanated from her stance.

"I-I can't." She croaked. "Please let go." She shivered and it was definitely not because of shyness he knew.

"I won't move back until you won't calm down!" He kept his stone stern and it got the desired result out of her much to his relief.

Slowly she let her muscles loosen up and in a few minutes she was standing in his arms all relaxed breathing normally. As promised he removed his arms from around her and dragging a chair sat on the dining table casually.

"Wow. You are fast." He couldn't help but say seeing such a great preparation for lunch. She has made three dishes in such a short span he saw removing the lids of the bowls. She fidgeted standing behind him but didn't say anything. Suddenly she was feeling so tired that she couldn't argue nor fight with him anymore. She felt empty. Drained. Of everything.

"What are you waiting for? Come and eat." He said tilting his head to her with his mouth full of a morsel.

"Trust me. It tastes awesome!" He bragged as if not her someone else made it. All of a sudden emptiness inside her thinned into air and she felt like punching the arrogant man before her. Only he could do it. Only he. Make her feel empty in one moment and then like pulling his hairs out in the next.

Upon that he had an audacity to smirk seeing her face turning red with anger and restraint.

"God. You will kill me one day with that attitude of yours!" He sighed with his smirk vanishing and something else appeared in his eyes. What? She didn't know. But it was so strong and magnatic that she found herself obeying him.

Leaving a gap of one chair she sat and served herself. Satisfied for getting to her he turned to his plate and ate until his stomach was full while she ate slowly with a mountain of pain in her heart. Swallowing even a morsel down was too difficult for her but he ate with no care of the world as if it was the only thing left for him to do in this world.

"I am telling you. After marriage only you are going to cook for me." He said as if they were a normal couple making plans for their future.

"Why?" She snapped. "Am I your servant or all of a sudden there is some shortage of maids in this world? Your world?" She threw the spoon in the plate exasperated.

Instead of getting angry he chuckled seeing her getting all worked up.

"When did I say that? Chill Khushi." He half smiled as she flared her nostrils at him. "All I meant was that after marriage I won't let anyone else do my work. It'd you only who would have all the say in it." He said with a genuine smile while Khushi stared at him without blinking her eyes.

What the hell was he?

Does he even know what was he saying?

"Why don't you clearly say that you want a maid without salary?" She said annoyed even though an unexplained feeling washed through her for a moment taking away all of her sadness as 'you'd have all the say in it' rang through her ears.

He shook his head letting out a breath.

"Come on. Don't judge me all the time Khushi. I said that because I am in love," He paused as he saw her eyes widening. "With your cooking I mean." He added cleverly while the corner of her eyes prickled with moisture. Her heart cried at his games.

Why he had to bring 'love' into everything?

Maybe he get some kind of pleasure torturing her like that?

And why the hell she had to tell him that she 'was' once in love with him?

How stupid of her!

"Weren't you too damaged to love anything?" She mocked trying to give it back to him. But he was also one of a kind. He laughed and didn't take it seriously. She pursed her lips in rage.

"That was for humans. Not food." He said amused while she turned her face to the other side.

He snickered.

"I hate it when you laugh." She hissed looking at him fiercely.

"Oh really? But your eyes say otherwise." He locked his gaze with hers. "I can see how they lit up every time I smile or laugh."

She averted her eyes. He smirked devilishly seeing her doing that.

"You're giving yourself too much importance." She said keeping her tone firm looking ahead avoiding his gaze.

"Why don't you give me the same?" All of sudden the playfulness left his stance and seriousness took over.

She couldn't help but look back at him at the change of his tone. For a few moments they stared into each other's eyes with all the emotions bare. Most potent of which was helplessness. The shrill ring of his cell phone broke their trance.

It was her who broke their eye-lock first. She stood up picking up their plates straight to the kitchen.

Clenching his jaws he picked up the call while keeping his gaze fixed on her while she took turns from kitchen to the dining to clear the table.

"Okay. Come up to my penthouse in fifteen minutes. Yeah, 15 means fifteen not a second before it."

Listening to him growl in to the phone she shivered while putting the last plate into the sink. She has made all the plan to wash the dishes to kill the time so that she don't have to face him but when has he let her have her way?

"Everything is ready. Lawyer is here. He will be up in fifteen minutes. So go and get ready." He was back to his business mode.

She looked at him bleary eyed trying for the last time hoping to melt him but he raised his eyebrow unfazed.

"Hurry up. The more you'd delay it the more we would be late for the sangeet."

She understood the underline warning in his tone. Her shoulders sagged in defeat. Her face fell. She slowly walked out of the kitchen and passed around him to leave when he caught her elbow, bent and kissed her cheek. She looked at him with so much hurt that he retreated back. She swallowed before running to the room.

He heard the bang of the door as she shut it loudly in anger and sighed as his own shoulders dropped.

Running his fingers in his gelled hairs he messed them up before taking long strides to the living room and dropped himself on the couch.

He felt her cell phone vibrating in his blazer's pocket. Taking it out he looked at the caller ID before cutting the call. It was from Payal again. Soon, a message popped up on the screen.

Khushi, where are you? Pick up my call. I am worried here. Is he treating you fine? Are you okay?

Gritting his teeth, he typed a reply.

I am fine. What could happen to me? I am with my fiance, sister. Will be back home in an hour. Don't worry.

Sending it he switched off her cell and pocketed it back.

After exact ten minutes Khushi was out of the room looking ever so beautiful.

Were it his eyes or every time he look at her he finds her more exquisite than the last time?

He saw that even though traces of tears and her struggle to evade this wedding were gone from her face but not the eyes. Hazel orbs told him the pain she was holding within and it made him avert his eyes not being able to look much into its depth. For if he had had he wouldn't be able to do what he intended to.

He stood up curbing his emotions while walking to her. She moved back putting a fringe back in her ear when he reached her. He could see how fidgety was she becoming and it didn't sit well with him for that moment.

"Calm down will you?" He commanded firmly.

"I-I am calm." She said silently.

"Yeah I can see that." He mocked.

There was the knock at the glass door and Arnav went to check it gesturing her to go sit on the couch. She did as told while turning her eyes to the floor dejected. This was it. There was no way out now.

"Hi!" A voice jerked her out of the thoughts which was definitely wasn't Arnav's.

Her head shot up in confusion as she saw the suited man before her dressed in his formal wear giving a typical picture of a lawyer. She nodded in reply.

"Remember me?" He smiled taking a seat on the opposite couch. She frowned.

Then it clicked her as Arnav came to sit besides her with his one hand on the headrest behind her.

It was Ronit Raichand. AR's official lawyer. Who has got them back their sweet shop 'Satwik Mishtan Bhandar'from the clutches of Vikrant Oberoi. Not only that all of it came back. Everything which she has put at the back of her mind due to the catastrophe Arnav brought in her life.

"You tell me how much that lawyer of yours costed you for this hearing. I would pay you back each and every penny!" Khushi has blasted.

"Tell this idiotic woman how much I paid you for this case!" Arnav addressed Ronit.

"1 crore and as I have won the case I would be getting additional one million rupees allowance as per AR's rules." Ronit stated making Khushi's breath stuck up in her throat.

"Even if you worked your ass off for days and nights your ENTIRE life, you would never be able to return it to me.Ever!

"Now you owe me 1 crore and 13 lacs!"

"You are indebted to me not the other way around so you should stay in your limits because if I can get back your sweet shop I surely can snatch it away by getting some other builder interested in it in minutes. So keep your mouth shut before me before I do something I might NOT regret."

Khushi's throat turned parched.

Arnav and Raichand were engrossed in the discussion as Ronit passed him all the documents including the contract he was asked to make. While Khushi has gone in her own oblivion. Now not only she has to get the proof of her innocence but also give him back every penny he spent on her family or the case before leaving him. And that too in the duration of the contract she asked from him to make.

Unaware of her chain of thoughts Arnav called her while extending a file to her with a pen in his other hand. Seeing her preoccupied he nudged her lightly bringing her out of the reverie.

"Huh?" She blinked her eyes turning her head to him.

"Sign, Khushi."

Her heart thudded in her chest as he placed the file in her lap and gestured through his eyes to it. She gulped before slowly turning her head to the documents in her lap.

He handed her the pen while Khushi's hands shivered as she gripped it in between her fingers.

"What are you waiting for? Sign." His tone held so much authority that her stomach twisted and turned. Breathing rasped while eyes turned wide. The pen slipped from her hand and she stood up abruptly causing the file to drop down to the floor scattering the pages on the carpet.

A firm grip of his hand on her wrist didn't let her take any step to flee while Raichand who has been observing it now silently couldn't keep quiet anymore.

"The contract is ready too." Ronit said calmly seeing Arnav's dangerous expressions so before he could do something drastic he intervened while Arnav tugged at her wrist and she fell back on the couch besides him.

Khushi's lips trembled and eyes filled up as she looked at Raichand for help while twisting and turning her hand in Arnav's hold who despite being hell angry kept quiet with his jaws set tight. Because if he has spoken he would have killed her with the 'words' which were right now brewing up in his mind to make her do what he wants.

"You want a two months contract. It's been made. Relax. Read it. Satisfy yourself and then sign. There is no pressure." Raichand said cautiously and with his eyes warned Arnav not to blow it off with his anger and let him handle it. Otherwise Arnav looked ready to explode.

At the name of contract, Khushi somewhat calmed down. Picking up the papers with the trembling hand she placed them in the file and straightened up. Arnav loosened his grip on her other hand and then released it when she started turning pages with tears rolling down her cheeks every now and then.

She went through each and every line of the wedding document as well as the contract before looking up bleary eyed at Ronit.

"If you want me to add a clause or two then-" Ronit started.

"ENOUGH OF THE STALLING." Arnav lost it and Khushi felt her heart stopping as she jerked in her seat and didn't dare meet her eyes with him even though he was sitting right besides her with anger emanating from his body.

"SIGN!" His voice boomed around the penthouse sending chills down her spine which scared her so much that she kept signing pages after pages before shutting the file hard. Throwing it at the table in the middle she threw her face in between her palms and sobbed causing Ronit to avert his eyes guiltily for being a part of this while Arnav's rage vanished the moment she signed. All of the anger he has ever had for her thinned into air and in its place, peace took over while he signed the documents on the needed place before passing it over to Ronit who checked it and nodded seriously.

"Congratulations on your wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada." Ronit said while Khushi's head whipped up in vengeance hearing it.

"CONGRATULATIONS MY FOOT." She bellowed. "HOW DARE YOU? YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CONGRATULATE ME EVEN AFTER SEEING THAT IT WAS ALL FORCED? WHAT TYPE OF A LAWYER ARE YOU?" Khushi took out all of her anger on him while Ronit stared dumbfounded.

"I am just-"

"DOING YOUR WORK HUH?" She scoffed standing up spitting fire at him. "You did it. NOW LEAVE. GET OUT. GET LOST." She said hysterically breathing hard.

Ronit looked worriedly at Arnav who gestured through his hand asking him to do as she was saying.

"I will send you the official documents in a bit." Ronit said after picking up his things.

Arnav nodded with his jaws set tights as her cries tore through him. Ronit left.

Khushi fell back on the couch feeling emptiness gathering within her.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada

Ronit's words kept on ringing in her ears crunching her insides. Plunged knives in her gut, in her heart, in every pore of her being that she ached all over. The pain was too much that she screamed. Hard.

And Arnav who was trying to act nonchalant letting her take it all out couldn't say aloof anymore. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back to his front placing his face on the side of her neck.

"Ab rone ka koi faida nahi hai, Khushi. Isse bas tum khud ko aur mujhe aur takleef de rahi ho. Sach ko maan lo k ab tum mairi biwi ho. (There is no use crying over it now. By doing this you're only hurtng yourself and me. Accept the truth. That you're my wife now.)" He said softly.

She sniffled but didn't protest in his hold.

"Hum apki biwi hain (I am your wife)" He couldn't decipher whether she asked or told.

"Han. Tum mairi yani Arnav Singh Raizada ki patni ho. (Yes. You're my, I mean Arnav Singh Raizada's wife)" He confirmed it running his nose along her hairs. Much to his disbelief she didn't push him back or struggled. Not even when he turned her and embraced her close in his arms. Not only that she stopped crying altogether as well as if she couldn't fight anymore.

"Patni (Wife)" She murmured against his chest.

"Yes, Mrs. Raizada." He pressed his lips to her hairs, her forehead.

"Mrs. Raizada." She repeated silently.

Rookhy rookhy se lamhe awara pan ka sila

Sookhy sookhy se rishtey

Bheega bheega gila

Shashi came back downstairs dejected. His sister and wife looked at him hopefully which died in their eyes when he uttered.

"She isn't opening up." He choked falling on the couch in the living room. Garima and Madhumati blinked back the tears.

"Give her some time. She just passed a very rough phase of her life. She will come around. Right now she is too hurt to talk to anyone." Garima said silently.

"How will I ever make it up to her?" Shashi cried out as his every word, the awful treatment he persistently kept with his daughter ate him up from inside.

Garima and Madhumati couldn't hold back their tears either when they saw Shashi finally breaking down with his face in his hands. He didn't look up but his shoulders shook indicating that he was crying.

"How could I doubt my own Khushi? Didn't I always know her?" His voice cracked. Garima sat besides him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He kept his head hung low even after removing his hands from his face.

"How will I ever face her or even look at her in the eye?" He cried pressing his fingers to his eyes.

"Babua, our titaliya has a big heart. She will forgive you. She will never be able to see you like this." Madhumati consoled.

"I know that." Shashi said wiping his eyes. "That's what make it all the more unbearable. I don't want her to forgive me until I atone for all the injustice I did to her. In fact she shouldn't forgive me at all because I won't be able to forgive myself ever." He said ashamed.

"What would you do about Arnav Singh Raizada? He left angrily from here. I am sure he would try something again."

Shashi's head whipped to Garima in sheer anger.

"If I saw him even a mile near my daughter then I will kill him with my bare hands." He gritted standing up.

"He is an influential and a powerful man, babua. Do we stand a chance against him?"Madhumati said worriedly.

"He could be whatever the hell he must be but in no way I'd back off from fighting for my daughter." He said determined.

"What if what he said turn out true? What if our Khushi is married to him?" Garima asked scared.

"NO WAY!" He growled with his eyes spitting fire. "I won't do the mistake of believing him ever again. He was lying. He will always be a liar. How easily he mixed truths with lies to make me against my Khushi. Not anymore." He hissed.

Landline rang cutting some of the tension and bringing their attention to it. Madhumati picked up while Shashi sat with his head in his hands.

Madhumati's face changed colors in seconds as it was Payal on the other side who was crying continuously and saying something. Garima noticed it first.

"What's wrong Jiji? Who's at the phone?"

"P-Payaliya," Madhumati whispered with shaking hands.

Shashi took the receiver from her as she couldn't produce the word even after they frantically asked her what was Payal saying.

Shashi listened to the other side. He clenched his hand around the phone and barked when she finished telling him everything that happened at Sheesh Mahal.

"You tell that Raizada, Payaliya that Khushi's father is very much alive. Let's see what can he do. Because as long as I am alive I won't let him even see her let alone get even with her." Thumping the receiver back he rubbed his hands on his face as even though he has said he would protect Khushi from Arnav he also knew deep inside that it won't be easy. Rather it would be difficult or say impossible.

What if he came up with some fake marriage documents or something like that to prove his point?

What would he do then?

Upon that media knew about Arnav and Khushi's engagement. Their marriage was the talk of the town. Even though the wedding was a private affair minus the press but for how long could they hide it from the world that the wedding didn't happen?

Speculation will arise and so would the pressure of ASR. And he knew ASR was the master of turning any situation to his advantage.

What if he used it to get Khushi?

What if that Raizada gave those 'fake' papers to the press he was shouting that he would get in the morning and asked police or court help because he knew he can. He has shouted the same before leaving. ASR has connections which could prove any of his false claims right.

How would he save his daughter from his clutches then?

Agitated he stood up while Garima and Madhumati were sitting silently. Few minutes after composing herself Buaji has told Garima everything of what Payal said and how Arnav threatened them especially Khushi by giving Payal a chilling message with innuendo clear behind his words.

"Shashi Babua?" Madhumati called looking drained. "What would we do?"

"I need to talk to Khushi before making any decision." Shashi said and headed upstairs with determination shining in his eyes.

His guilt and forgiveness could wait because right now his main goal was to save his daughter from the destruction named Arnav Singh Raizada.

Shab-o-roz ka milna tha kya

Murjha ke youn khilna tha kya

Dil tha mera toota hua

Kehta tha bhujta hua

He kept holding her in his embrace until she stopped shivering and sniffling. Immense adoration filled him the moment when she pulled back, looked him in the eye with her swollen hazel ones and asked,

"You got what you wanted. Now drop me back home. Please?"

"There is still one thing left for you to say." He said keeping his tone teasing not wanting to rub it in. He knew what she was going through. It's not easy being on the loosing side and she was there. He has won all the battles and he was just a step closer to win the war while she has got only loss in all of this.

"What?" She asked briskly. It was as if everything has frozen inside of her including her emotions and words.

"You know what." He emphasized.

"Say that meeting me was the most beautiful thing ever happened to you."

She closed her eyes exhaling a breath as it struck her.

"Can't you drop it?"

"I can but for that you will have to skip your Jiji's sangeet and spend the rest of the day with me including the night. Will you Mrs. Raizada?" He leaned to her with a hopeful look on his fac. She didn't move back. Instead stared at his face with a frown marring her brows as 'Mrs. Raizada' from his mouth clenched her heart into a fist. The 'frozen' emotions were melting all over again.

"Why do you want to hear it so bad?" She whispered.

"I don't know. I just do." He said huskily breathing on her face.

"I can't lie." She rasped due to his proximity. She so wanted to push him but the fear didn't let her. The fear that he would retaliate and would not let her go home ever.

"I am giving you the permission, Khushi. Say it even if its a lie." He nuzzled his nose against her cheek. Her breath hitched in her throat. She swallowed hard. He moved back just a bit to look in her eyes. She clenched her jaws before parting her lips to utter something which would shatter him into pieces a few days later but he didn't know that. Neither of them did.

"Let me say the truth for a record instead of playing your 'lie' game." She murmured.

"I am listening." He smiled genuinely and Khushi couldn't take her eyes off him.

"Bas itna hi sach bol sakte hain apse k apse milne ka koi pachtawa nahi hai humein. Jo kuch humne aap k ghar pe aur phir bank mai kaha wo sab gusse mai kaha (I can speak this much truth only that I don't regret meeting you. Whatever I said at your home and in the bank were just because of anger)" Her eyes teared up.

The chocolate brown orbs lit up.

"Really?" He moved back in disbelief. He never in his wildest dream could think that she would say something like that to him and that too genuinely. He could see she wasn't lying.

"You're not the mistake of my life but a lesson." She added with her voice cracking.

His eyes prickled.

"Yeah. A beautiful one. Most beautiful." She choked at the last and he yanked her closer and crushed her in his arms overwhelmed with emotions.

With her hands at her sides her head lay on his shoulder while he hugged her tightly whilst intense emotions raged through him which she felt being in his arms. A lone tear rolled down her cheek. Her nostrils flared as some more of the ice melted in her.

He pulled back and wiped her eyes before cupping the sides of her neck. A hand clawed at her heart. Fluctuating between hating and lov-liking him she was losing herself. She didn't know till when she could let it go on. She didn't know till when she could resist him even though she knew she couldn't forgive him for what he made her go through by turning her father against her.

Half an hour later they were back in his car while Khushi has touched up her make-over and composed herself that now she looked 'normal' and as pretty as ever.

Arnav kept stealing peripheral glances while driving while she sat as if she has lost all the will to live. To fight. To get her understood.

He swallowed past a lump.

"So what are your plans after the sangeet?" He asked casually as if they were best buddies and it was their usual routine to make plans to hang out in their free time.

She looked at him with frown.

"What plans?" She asked in confusion turning her head back to the road.

"Forget it." He shook his head. "Will you be sleeping in your room tonight?"

Her head whipped to him as if he has grown two heads.

"W-Why did you ask that?" She felt alarm bells ringing in her head.

"Because it's going to be our first night together as husband and wife." His eyes shone some magical spark as he said that.

"So?" She said as if it was no big deal. He didn't feel offended this time because he was too happy with her recent confession and also with their wedding.

"So that means I won't be staying alone tonight. You will be with me."

All of her nonchalance puffed into air as she shrieked hard.

"WHAT?"

He smirked mysteriously.

"Please don't take me to RM." She pleaded looking in between the road and him.

"Relax. We are not going to Delhi and I didn't mean it that way."

"I am not coming with you to Sheesh Mahal either." She choked.

"That's not what I meant either."

"Then what?" She was on the verge of crying.

"Make sure Payal isn't sleeping in your room tonight because I'd be coming to stay over."

"No way!" She hollered.

"If you didn't abide by my words then I'd tell everyone you married me in the court because you couldn't wait." He turned serious in moments and it silenced her.

Blinking back the tears she turned her head to the window as her vision blurred.

"Khushi I want an answer. Say yes or no." He kept his tone rigid.

"Y-Yes." She said icily. As if he gave her a choice to refuse.

"Great." His mood turned bright all over again. The rest of the drive passed in silence with thick tension lingering there in the closed space of the car.

"We are here." He announced and Khushi jumped out after opening the door without sparing him a glance and ran into him while coming around the car who has also come out.

"What's the hurry? We have to go to the same place. So why not go together?" He offered her his hand. Looking at which she raised her eyes to him and cried out.

"Whatever you wanted happened. Now will you let me have a moment of peace at least?"

Big fat tears formed in her eyes and he backed off raising his hands in surrender.

"Okay. Okay. Go." He stepped aside.

Sniffling she grabbed her lehenga and ran off while he kept standing until she didn't disappear from his sight. His phone beeped with a message. Reading which he smirked.

It was from Ronit Raichand telling him that he has the official documents ready.

"I will collect them myself." Arnav said before cutting the call feeling light after ages. He sat back in the car with a satisfied look on his face before zooming off to get the legal documents claiming his rights on her. Then he has to come back here only.

After all it was their 'sangeet' tonight.

It was another thing they were married already.

Officially!

Soona soona wo rasta kab meri manzil hua

Khoya khoya wo milna kitna mushkil hua

"Hello, Mr. Raizada."

"Why did you tell everyone such a big lie?" He blasted hearing her. His tone a mixture of anger, hurt and helplessness.

"Aik jhoot apne bola, aik maine. Hisaab barabar. (You told a lie and in return I did the same. We are even now)" She was crisp and to the point.

"EVEN MY FOOT MRS. RAIZADA." He barked into the phone. "No matter how much you lie, the truth won't change that now you are my wife. MINE!"

"I told it to you before and I am telling you again that I am NOT your property. Did you get it?" Even though her voice was hoarse yet her words were confident. Determined. Showing him his place.

"You cried?" He asked an abrupt question not retorting to her icy words.

"As if you care!" She scoffed.

"You don't know how much I do. I'd have told you tonight if only you hadn't backed off." He sat on the edge of the bed rubbing his forehead with his eyes glistening.

"I don't want to hear any more of your lies."

"WHAT ABOUT YOURS?" He lost it before exhaling a breath. "Khushi, Mrs. Raizada," He mellowed down knowing that now the ball was in her court. "Say the word. Take it back. Ask me to come get you. Please?"

He heard her whimper and it cut through him.

"N-No." She choked.

He took a sharp intake of breath.

"I know you have suffered too much because of me. You still are. Let me make it up to you. Will you?"

"No." She cried out.

He swallowed thickly.

"You need me Khushi. And I need you. Don't do this to us." He whispered in a plea.

"I. DON'T. NEED. YOU." She gritted out loud.

"Your father got to know the truth and he doesn't hate you anymore. You proved me a liar. Okay. Fine. You got what you wanted. Please let's put it all behind us and start afresh now. Okay?" He said helplessly. Hopefully.

"Never!" Came her stubborn voice full of defiance.

He gripped the bedsheet from his free hand in order to reign in his emotions not knowing how to get through her.

"When you can forgive your father for what he did then why not me?" His tone turned accusing at the end.

"Who said I have forgiven him? Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, keep it mind. Neither would I forgive you nor my father ever. For a moment even if I overlook the venomous words he threw at me but never would I ever be able to forgive him for the fact that because of his mistrust I had to marry you." She snapped and the line went dead the next second.

Arnav stared at the screen dumbfounded. The determination in her tone terrified him but he was a man on the mission. He made up his mind that he would one day make her understand why he did what he did but for that to happen he has to convince her to come with him because that won't be a one day process. It would take time. And a lot of it.

He won't give up on her. Ever. Either.

He hasn't learnt to accept defeat ever in his life and he didn't this time too. So the next day he was sitting in front of Shashi Gupta in Gomti Sadan living room again with all the evidence. He didn't even wait for his family to wake up and left the palace early in the morning straight to Ronit Raichand's home. Got him in the court where he collected his copy of the documents and here they were.

Shashi looked at the papers with a blank face and the lawyer who explained everything in detail that ASR was right.

"Now would you call Khushi or should I?" He was already at the edge of his patience. His puffy eyes were a window to his soul. With all the tension and upon that sleepless night without her in his arms was taking a toll on him. He, at any cost, wanted her besides him so that he could hug her close and get some relief. Otherwise he would go insane.

"Come with me." Shashi didn't pounce on him like he did yesterday but there was defeat clearly written in his stance.

Confused by his calm demeanor Arnav followed him. Shashi took him directly to Khushi's room and pushed open the door. An eager Arnav stormed in and switched on the lights before he glared at Shashi for playing such sick jokes with him.

"Where is she?" He demanded feeling restlessness seeping more and more into him.

"She left." Shashi croaked falling on the bed with his head in his hands.

Arnav frowned as his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach.

"Left?" He couldn't understand. Or rather say he didn't want to.

"We both are her culprits and she left us both to rot in guilt. In hell."

Arnav's frown deepened.

"I-I don't understand Mr. Gupta. You are saying she left, right?" He asked a stupid question before laughing. "She left? For heaven's sake, don't pass jokes on me because I don't think we have such kind of a casual relationship. Do we?" He laughed rubbing his chest moving around the room. The laughter didn't match the fear in his eyes.

He ran to check the bathroom and from there he ran out and checked every corner of Gomti Sadan. Hearing the noise Garima and Madhumati woke up too and seeing him in the house they fumed in anger but before they could lash out at him they saw his frantic condition. Ronit stood up confused who was waiting for him in the living room.

"You all are lying to me, aren't you?" He came up to them spotting them. "You have hidden her somewhere, right?"

"Hidden whom?" Garima asked scared.

"KHUSHI. WHO ELSE?" He bellowed as his vision blurred. "I KNOW I DID MISTAKES. BIG MISTAKES. BUT DON'T PUNISH ME LIKE THIS. TELL ME WHERE IS SHE? WHERE IS MY WIFE?" He yelled at the top of his voice while the Gupta ladies were shaken themselves at the revelation from his mouth because they have just woken up and don't know anything.

"Jiji, mairi Khushi! (My Khushi!)" Garima cried and made a run upstairs while an equally worried Madhumati followed her. Their reaction told him that they don't anything about her either and it terrified him. His breaths left him in whoosh and he would have fallen down on his knees if Ronit hadn't caught him and helped him to sit on the couch.

Shrugging him off Arnav made a dash back to her room upstairs where Garima and Madhumati were sobbing now with a piece of paper clutched in Garima's hand which caught Arnav's attention.

He strode to them and snatched it before unfolding the paper frantically. Just that he couldn't bring himself to read it and crumpling it in his hand threw it across the room before running his fingers in his hairs.

It landed at Shashi's feet who stood up picking up something from the side table and came to stand before Arnav who looked ready to breakdown any moment. Who didn't know what to do or how to react. Tension emanated from his every feature. His vision blurred as he saw Shashi extended a paper to him. Not the one he crumpled but another one. Neat. Folded.

Then Shashi turned it over and it took all of Arnav's restraint not to fall on his knees and sob harder just like Gupta ladies were doing right now as his gaze fell reading the familiar letters written on the paper with black ink.

'Arnav ji'

With trembling hands he took it and unfolded the paper before bringing it up close to his eyes. The blurred vision didn't let him focus so he swiped a hand on his eyes swallowing and the words became clear.

'We had a two months of marriage agreement. Don't try to find me because after completion of our agreement I'd be back when you won't have any rights on me whatsoever. Now that my Babuji is with me you're powerless and back to square one Mr. Raizada. So quit this game between us because I am done with it and you, too.

--Khushi

The paper slipped from his hands and fell noiselessly on the floor.

And so did he.

Do jism they roohein na thi

Milna agar mumkin nahi

Tu chor de is haal per

Sun le magar ye dua,

Koi chand rakh meri shaam par

Mera dil jale tere naam par!

_______________________

Thank you so much guys for so much love and also for waiting both patiently as well as impatiently. LOVE YOU ALL <3

It is a very crucial part of PLAD and I am happy the way it turned out. I hope you liked it :)

Q/A:

1. How was the update?

2. Whose side are you in? Arnav or Khushi's?

3. Which was your favorite most part of this chapter?

4. Your favorite dialogue?

5. Did Khushi do right by leaving Arnav?

6. A neutral review regarding both Arnav and Khushi's situation?

7. Where would it lead now? Any idea?

Any questions or queries? Feel free to ask.

Waiting eagerly for your feedback.

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Silent readers kindly hit the star button at least?

Stay blessed.

Cheers!

(Pics credit: Google/Uploader)