Real life has a knack of catching up on us when we least expect it to. Same happened with me the last few days due to which I couldn't think of anything else. Anyways, its my headache and I am dealing with it. I won't burden you all with the details but could only ask a heartiest apology from you all for the delay. I hope you'd understand and forgive me.

Finally PLAD is here. Happy reading :)

(Ignore the typos)

He entered Gomti Sadan along with Akash. Shashi, Garima and Madhumati welcomed them warmly. Arnav was dressed in dark blue Armani suit while Akash has worn traditional dress, a white kurta along with black waistcoat and they both were looking too handsome that Garima stopped them at the door only and ran to the kitchen and came out with necessary things to ward off evil eyes from them.

Akash smiled at that while Arnav frowned as he saw Garima circling her hand full of a bunch of red chillies around his head for full seven times. He looked at Akash in question who blinked his eyes at him to just relax and he inwardly shrugged.

Okay, whatever!

If it had been Di at her place he would've argued her and has frustrated her too much before agreeing for something like this but here, there was little he could do. Upon that he also knew how much these stupid rituals meant to his wife.

Wife?

His Adam's apple bobbed.

Mrs. Khushi Singh Raizada!

He liked the sound of it.

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

"Two months till my sister settles in life. After that we won't have any business with each other. I'll be free."

His mouth turned bitter so did his heart. He clenched his jaws. All of his good mood got burned into ashes right within him. It became difficult for him to control himself so,

Once Garima was done Arnav quickly spoke lest she try some other weird traditions on him and he looses his cool completely.

"Auntie if you are all ready then we should leave I think?" It was meant to be a question but from his mouth it came out as an order. Akash could only shake his head. Garima nodded with a smile. Seems like she didn't notice his commanding demeanor.

"Sure beta. I will just call Khushi and Payal." Hearing what he wanted to since the very start he stepped in made Arnav's shoulders relax. Garima left upstairs while Madhumati with Shashi escorted their to-be-sons-in-law to the chairs arranged for the guests.

A few Guptas' relatives has come already at Gomti Sadan to leave to the venue from here only while it was decided by Arnav strictly that he would be the one arranging transport for everyone all throughout the wedding not only for Raizadas but for Guptas as well. And he didn't let anyone argue on that.

So here he was making full use of the opportunity to spend some time with his few hours newly wedded bride.

By the time Garima came down with Khushi and Payal the hall was empty. Arnav, Akash and Shashi were gone out to settle the guests in the cars. Once done they came back in. Arnav gestured to Akash and he nodded back at him looking quite conflicted but one glare from Arnav shut him down and he turned to Shashi

"Bua ji has already set off in one of the cars. Why don't you, Auntie and Payal join me in my car while Khushi ji could come with Bhai. Will that be okay with you?" Akash spoke fluently without any hesitation because he knew he has to give away nothing or his brother could create scene anywhere. The way he did at Sheesh Mahal firstly by behaving like a beast with Khushi in front of his family and then threatening them with his life later on not to interfere in between him and Khushi. Now, there was little they could do.

Shashi glanced fell on his daughters looking too gorgeous in their all decked up avatar. Khushi was wearing designer violet color chudidar with tinge of dark blue along the borders the color of which was matching Arnav's dress while Payal has adorned traditional off white embroidered lehenga choli obviously matching up to the color of Kurta Akash was wearing.

Following his line of vision the grooms turned and looked at the base of the stairs where Garima was hugging and kissing both Khushi and Payal's head teary eyed while applying kajal behind their ears. Khushi and Payal's eyes weren't dry either.

Akash and Arnav froze. There wasn't even a twitch of muscle in their stance. Seeing which Shashi bit back a smile and calling out for Payal and Garima went out of the door shaking Akash out of his stupor without even bothering to glance or give even a tender look to his other daughter. Khushi.

Payal kept looking back at her sister who seemed off ever since she came back from the work she was told she went to with Arnav. She asked her various times but Khushi brushed it off as regular office work. She could feel something fishy but when even her sister wouldn't open up how would she be able to help her?

Payal even tried to drag Khushi along not wanting her to travel with Arnav alone but one look from Shashi shut her up and she silently walked out leaving the couple alone and deadly silence in their wake in the empty house with two people standing many steps away from each other with their eyes locked conveying their conflicted emotions.

They were so lost that they didn't notice when the others left. Especially Arnav because one thing Khushi didn't miss out was her Babu ji walking out without hugging or blessing her which he very generously showered on her sister before stepping out of the door.

And it, it jerked her out of the daze he was sucking her in with his sharp, dark, full of intense emotions honey colored eyes.

Bitterness seeped like waves within her. But like previous days she didn't beg her father to get his attention. Instead she accepted his given punishment. There, standing feet away from her. Arnav Singh Raizada!

She averted her eyes and walking gracefully came up to him and as soon as she did he yanked her closer and crushed her in his arms so tightly and so passionately that she felt like if he put even a bit more pressure her bones would crack. A startled gasp left her.

"Blue doesn't look that bad on you." He said huskily close to her ears resting his chin on her shoulder.

He grunted when he couldn't bury his fingers in her hairs in the pinned up styled bun so he whirled her around, held her back to his front, keeping his one hand around her stomach the other reached up to free her hairs from the clutches of various pins. Once done he leaned and burying his nose in her hairs inhaled a lungful closing his eyes while Khushi felt shivers running through her spine as his breath fanned at her bare skin at the nape.

She placed her hand on his arm and tried to take if off her but he growled,

"Stay still."

Her whole body froze as if it has a mind of his own which followed only his commands.

"W-We are getting late." She got the words out with great difficulty. Reality wasn't lost on her that he has now forcibly made her sign up all of her rights to him. He owns her now like he said he would. Didn't he say he always gets what he wants?

He did, Khushi Kumari Gupta!

Nah, Khushi Singh Raizada,

It plunged knives in her gut and she made another mistake in that vulnerability. She moved despite his warning and he.. he made her regret it. Like his tone warned he would.

She didn't know it until they didn't settle in the car. She didn't had any idea that her disobeying him on just a minute reason would anger him so much. In the house he did move back and released her only to grasp her wrist in a vice like grip causing her to wince before he dragged her out and stopped only when they were in front of his car and he had yanked open the door and shoving her inside stormed to the driving seat. Sitting in he zoomed off with dangerous look on his face.

All this while Khushi had her hand pressed to her heart and face morphed in horror. He gave a peripheral glance at her while driving and muttered "Shit!" seeing her eyes full of pain looking at him in disbelief.

"You married me to rule me didn't you?" She choked out in a whisper. He clenched his jaws. His foot hit the brakes and the car stopped with a jerk.

"Kya farak padhta hai k kis liye tumse shaadi ki? (Why does it matter for why I married you?)" He snapped. Her eyes filled up as she pursed her lips suffering in sheer torture from within.

What does he want she would never understand!

"Wasn't it you who said you'd do everything I said for the next two months? What happened to that?" He gritted. Her face changed colors in moments as it turned horror struck. He shook his head looking away for a moment before glancing back at her.

"Anyways, whatever. The fact is that we are married and now you're obliged to listen to everything I say!"

She screamed in her mind. Only that she could do before him because yet again he has her trapped. From all sides. While Arnav,

He himself didn't know what triggered this rage in him. Either her insistence on the contract or the fear that maybe she does succeed in breaking this marriage in two months, her increasing sadness which kept on showing on her face or her eyes which kept sending accusation after accusation to him without her even saying anything or maybe, just maybe it was his own never ending guilt which was coming out in the form of anger. Otherwise it wasn't the first time she defied him.

"Fine. I did a mistake. So? What would you do, your honor? Punish me?" She raised the white flag because she knew he won't. Also she didn't have time nor the energy to hit her head with a stone right now. This day already exerts a heavy toll on her. So much has happened that she still was trying to come to terms with it.

"Yeah. I would. You need to keep your petty mouth shut or I know other ways to do the honors." He was getting cruel by every second and Khushi didn't know what has gotten into him.

"What's my punishment?" She gritted out wiping her face with her trembling fingers. She knew better to argue. She just needed to go to the function to enjoy at least her Jiji's sangeet as from her own life this kind of happiness has been destroyed already by a certain monster sitting right next to her still hell bent on stepping on her broken pieces.

"You will know." He said with his dark eyes penetrating to her soul and cutting her from within.

She felt like screaming her lungs out in frustration but unfortunately she couldn't or else she didn't know how would he react. So she turned her head to the window and zipped her lips but she couldn't stop the drop of tears falling from her eyes to her hands.

"This is not the way to Sheesh Mahal." She suddenly realized and exclaimed looking around panicked before her head whipped to him.

"I know." He spoke solemnly.

"Where are you taking me?" She completely turned to him and asked frightened.

"Wherever I want." His calmness didn't waver.

"Why are you doing this?" She cried out punching his shoulder several times.

"Because you deserve it." Pat came the reply.

"What did I do this time? I did everything you asked me to just to attend this function. You can't do this to me now at the last minute. You promised you'd take me to my Jiji's sangeet." She bellowed clenching her fists hard.

"I will keep my every promise. You will go to the function but only when I'd want you to. Until then you'd spend some time with me." He was dead serious. Even her tears this time seemed to have no affect on him.

He didn't know whether he was punishing her or himself. All he knew was that they were married now but still she cringed away from him back at her home as if she doesn't desire to be close to him ever. It rubbed him in the very wrong way. Snapped something in him. Broke everything in him. The pieces of which were now cutting his emotions and in that pain he made sure to engulf her, too. And he did. Successfully!

Khushi looked at him helplessly whimpering while he looked ahead driving as if he was alone in the car.

"You're coming tonight for sleep over anyway, aren't you? We would have whole night to spend with each other." She wiped her tears and bargained reminding him of his order of just hours ago. She could see nothing else was affecting him so she has to tread carefully. It clearly seems something has happened to him which triggered such behavior.

It didn't work though.

She looked around the unknown route frantically before turning her gaze back to him.

"Humein hamari galti toh btaiye? Iss tarah chup ki maar mat maariye! (At least tell me what's my fault? Don't kill me with your silence now)" She croaked pleadingly. And it worked somewhat as she saw him releasing a breath.

For the second time he put his foot on brakes and the car screeched to a abrupt halt. Khushi closed her eyes to gather strength to face his wrath because she has seen his nostrils flaring and his hands clutching the wheel tightly till his knuckles turned white.

For several moments only his heavy breathing and Khushi's sniffles reverberated in the closed space of the car.

"You detest me don't you?" His tone betrayed the turmoil showing on his face. She swallowed in sheer angst.

"You won't like the answer." She said silently. Inwardly she was already feeling her heart clenching and unclenching in her chest.

"I want the truth." He emphasized as if it was the only thing in the world that he wanted to know.

"Yes and.. no." She croaked.

"What is that supposed to mean?" He already was going through plethora of emotions and upon that she wasn't helping either.

"When we first met and you broke my dori, you terrified me. I detested you then. When you released that video with cheap commentary, I detested you some more." She paused sniffling.

He swallowed. Guilt was the weapon she was using to kill him and she wasn't done yet.

"In the office, at RM you never left the chance to humiliate me and you didn't stop your tortures until you put my life at stake. There, you almost broke me so I detested you even more." She choked.

"But there was a time when I didn't detest you at all. I couldn't. That was when you bought a whole pack of pigeons just to put a smile on a little girl's face. When," She stopped to let out a breath.

His eyes flashed with surprise. How does she know? Of course she would be at the temple. Back in Delhi where else she was found the most other than in Laxmi Nagar or at RM?

"..when you'd be with Anjali ji. When you'd do everything she asked just because you can't see tears in her eyes. When you agreed to let me work in RM to train Lavanya ji just because your Di wanted you to. When you stopped Lavanya ji from going to London and got her back to RM not for yourself but for Lavanya ji, for everyone at your home. When you announced your engagement to Lavanya ji," She was speaking in the trance as if she was reliving everything but jerked back to present hearing a loud,

"WHAT? Don't you fucking lie to me, Khushi. You were as restless with my announcement of engagement to Lavanya as much as I was. Don't you dare say that you were happy back then." His anger which was melting hearing such confessions from her returned back with full force at the end.

How dare she say that she liked it when he announced his alliance with Lavanya?

"I wa-"

"Do you want me to spell it out for you that it was before that very announcement you were in my arms in that red saree and we were about to kiss?" He growled punching his hand on the wheel.

"How couldn't I be happy when I was working for that only?" Khushi blurted out and shrieked in the next moment as he started pulling at the wheel maniacally punching it once, twice, thrice until it yanked off in his hands whilst he grunted and she sat stock still with her eyes wide as saucers.

"Are you trying to say that you trapped me in your beauty to force me to agree to marry Lavanya just to complete your work?" He burst out. Khushi paled.

"I didn't mean that." She stuttered. She really didn't. But who would make this stone-head understand who loved assuming things his so-called sharp mind fills him with.

Throwing the wheel at the back seat vengefully ignoring her squeal of fear he pulled out his cellphone and glared at her before she could produce another word. She cowered back.

"Aman, send me a car at-" He told the address and pocketed back his cell mechanically and leaned back in his seat as if he has all the time in the world crossing his arms over his chest.

"I am sorry if I made you angry. But just, please, let me go-" He didn't let her complete and yanked her closer unbuckling her seat belt simultaneously. Blood rushed to his eyes. She winced at his rough hold a he grabbed her upper arms and glared fiercely in her eyes killing her there and then. As if she wasn't already!

"I asked you a simple question. Whether you detest me or not? I wanted a simple answer. I WANT A SIMPLE ANSWER. THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN. SO I AM ASKING YOU AGAIN BUT FOR THE LAST TIME, KHUSHI. YES OR NO?"

"YES. YES. YES!" She cried out in pain. "I DETEST YOU. I HATE YOU. I ALWAYS DID. I'D ALWAYS DO." She erupted. He released her right then and breathed out looking ahead. While Khushi was trembling now of what would be his reaction. He was too mysterious a man to predict what would he do next?

"Thank you for the honest answer." When he spoke his anger seemed to have left him. All of it.

And all Khushi could do was stare at him stunned.

"Fine. Okay." He muttered. She swallowed thickly. She waited for the volcano to erupt. She could feel it would and she wasn't wrong.

"I will give you all the more reasons to detest me, Mrs. Raizada!" He addressed her so for the first time during their conversation and it chilled Khushi because she could see his eyes. They were flashing. With menace. Darkness. And it formed knots in her stomach.

He turned his head fully to her. Trailed his eyes on her broken face and announced the verdict.

"Now you are not allowed to attend any of your sister's wedding function. Good luck!" He saluted looking maniacally at her."Keep detesting me for the next three more days!" It weren't just the words but the bullets which he shot at her all. At once.

"NO!" Her eyes shot to him dumbfounded. "Please?" She cried. Wounds bled in her. Eyes brimmed all over again.

"Yes!" He emphasized as if she didn't say anything. "We would be spending this time together and would return only on the day of our wedding!" He declared mercilessly and she burst into helpless whimpers because even after various pleads he paid no heed to it. Instead he dragged her out once the other car arrived and ordering her to sit took the seat besides his silently sobbing wife.

Her cries came to an abrupt halt as the car started and he addressed the driver to utter her punishment.

"Take us to the airport."

His men were spread everywhere in the Lucknow. On bus stops, every railway station and to be on the safer side, on airport as well with all of them having a certain picture. He has asked for commissioner help there in Delhi as well. All were alert. Looking for only one person.

Khushi Singh Raizada!

And here in Sheesh Mahal Arnav was pacing in the lawns like a caged bird. To and fro. Left and right. But nothing soothed him. Nothing occurred to him. For the first time in his life he didn't know what to do. How to bring her back because for that he first has to find her. And to find her he has to have at least a clue about her whereabouts which right now seemed far way off.

Since the morning so much has happened. So much that he still couldn't come to terms with it. He has read her letter several times that now he remember every syllable by heart. He clearly doesn't have to open the paper to remind himself that she has left him. Practically broke her forced relation with him as well. Her words were now imprinted in his soul. Those few lines were encarved in his heart. And till the day he was alive he would never forget them,

Nor would he let her!

Garima and Madhumati couldn't stop crying reading the letter Khushi left for them while the letter addressed to Arnav stayed in his fisted hand turned into a crumpled ball. There, on his knees, in Khushi's room he sat for heaven knows how much time and when he got some whiff of the surrounding sitting at the floor with his shoulders sagged he vaguely registered Garima and Madhumati's sobs pleading with Shashi to search for Khushi and bring her back.

At that Arnav snapped and shot up to stand silencing the trio. He didn't stop a minute more there. He couldn't.

With sinking heart and heavy breaths he reached his car. Sitting in he was about to start it when he felt a presence besides him on the passenger seat. His lips trembled. His hands shook as he slowly turned his misty eyes to his side.

"Humein hamari galti toh btaiye? Iss tarah chup ki maar mat maariye! (At least tell me what's my fault? Don't kill me with your silence now)" She pleaded sitting fully turned to him.

"Please?" She cried.

He shut his eyes tight turning his head to the window. Anguish hit him hard. Just three days ago she was with him. Sitting in this very car. Besides him. Pleading him. Sobbing for mercy. While he, he was so into his own emotions and hurt that he didn't pay heed to it. Instead burned her in the same hell he himself was suffering in. Hell of his own making. Anguish of his own creation.

Forget three days, she was there in front of his eyes, with him, just.. yesterday night. Means just few hours ago. Just at night. LAST NIGHT.

DAMMIT!

If he had known that she was planning something like this then he wouldn't have listened to anyone at night and has dragged her with him to the palace right there and then uncaring of anyone or anything else. Uncaring of proving their marriage legality either.

If only he knew!

"Didn't you already defeat me by proving me a liar, Khushi?" He whispered to himself opening his eyes leaning his head back with his stomach twisting in knots making waves of pain to shoot through him.

"Then why this? Why?" His vision blurred. He clutched the steering wheel hard before punching it several times until he couldn't feel any sensation in his hand. At last he growled and dropped his head to the wheel breathing harshly.

"This is," He choked. "This is more than I could bear dammit. Come back. Please come back before I lose it and DO SOMETHING DRASTIC!" In the end he raised his bloodshot eyes and bellowed. Running his fingers in his hairs he gritted his teeth and looked around frantically to do something which would settle down this excruciating pain somewhat. Just a little bit. Before he could do something rash he heard someone knocking his side of the window. He frowned groaning out loud.

Cursing under his breath he turned his head and glared at Ronit standing there outside gesturing him that he was leaving. He turned to leave.

The frown on Arnav's forehead smoothed as a thought struck him and he felt the energy returning to him to fight it all with new vigor. Guilt or hurt or anger wouldn't help him at this time. Instead it would be his shrewd brain which would turn out to be his biggest strength. So as master as he was in masking his tender feelings he did it in moments and shutting down his mind alerted his mind and pictured a strategy in his mind.

He opened the door and jumped out shouting for Ronit who has reached his car parked behind his. He stopped and turned to look at Arnav in question.

"Leave your car. I'd ask someone to drop it in your office. Right now you're coming with me to AR."

Without any argument Ronit Raichand did as he asked and dropping his bag at the backseat quietly took the passenger seat besides Arnav who ignited the engine with determination shining on his face which somewhat puzzled Ronit owing to his condition in Gomti Sadan where he was going berserk not finding Khushi.

What is going on in his head?

The people says right,

It's difficult reading the mind of tycoon, ASR. Even more difficult then any algebra equation in the world!

And he daresay, they were on the spot describing this taciturn man!

Ronit wouldn't say it to ASR because let's say he loves his life too much to instigate the lion to eat him up but he couldn't help but admit that he was relieved that Khushi Mam has managed to escape him. On time.

Agreed he has been loyal to ASR for years but never has he ever seen this kind of madness in him even for his biggest projects. He has always managed his work with cold exterior but this woman, Khushi Kuma- Scratch that- Khushi Singh Raizada bring out the worst in him. That too in abundance. If she has had stayed with him he would have crushed the poor girl into pieces with his hot and cold behavior providing whatever was left of her.

He still couldn't forget how he made Khushi sign the wedding papers. Whenever he remembers it he feels goosebumps erupting on his skin. He could only imagine what must it had done to Khushi. A barely 19 year old girl. Gosh!

"You must be thinking that its good she escaped me isn't it?" Arnav laughed dryly seeing Ronit looking at him surprised but didn't say anything. Arnav didn't need any answer either.

"I know you are. Everyone must be. Especially her family. I am sure they are quite shaken right now but soon they will think on the same line as you. Not only them but also my family. But you know what," He stopped taking a turn. Ronit felt the danger emanating from him. From his stance.

"I will prove everyone wrong." All of a sudden he smirked evilly. "I will prove it to them that it isn't good for any of them if she is not with me." He chuckled darkly.

"ASR," Ronit tried to interfere to bring him out of the madness he could clearly see on his face yet his words came out deprived of any turbulence.

"Do you know what is my Khushi's weakness?" Arnav's lips quirked up devilishly while Ronit could feel he was beyond reasoning now. No one could stop him from finding Khushi Singh Raizada and then making sure she stays there with him. Forever. No one means NO ONE. Not even Khushi herself.

"Her family!" Arnav laughed hard with maniac expressions on his face. Ronit even being a calm and cool person felt the chills running down his spine at his laugh. It smelled evil. Gave vibes of darkness. Destruction perhaps.

"Wherever she is she won't be able to stay hidden when her family would be in trouble. Now I won't have to do much. She would herself come to me!" He declared fiercely.

"Forget about two months she would be found in a few hours only. Just wait and watch!" Arnav said defiantly completely missing that Ronit has typed and sent a text to someone through his cell hidden on his left side held in the short space between his leg and the door.

"Airport?" Khushi whispered to herself. "Airport?" She then turned her head and tried to decipher his expressions in the darkness of the car. The flash of the street lights would fall every other moment but she still his face wasn't much clear. Nor was his stance.

She knew better to shout or argue or make a scene because it would be futile in front of this man. This beast. Monster. Rakshash. Laad Governor!

She closed her eyes to reign in her anger. She didn't know what else to do except for pleading at him to take her to the venue. She tried that earlier. Didn't work much. Instead it only instigated him more to make her do his bid.

She jerked back in her seat when she saw him leaning to her. He grabbed her arm and stopped her from doing so.

"I know I am looking too good but be careful Khushi when you gawk at me like that." He said bending to her ear. Shivers ran down her spine.

"Back off or I'd lose it. Don't make me use my rights on you." He touched his lips to her earlobe. She shuddered.

"D-Driver." She stuttered hoping he would back off. He chuckled against her skin.

"He minds his own business." Arnav said huskily bending to press his lips at the side of her neck. She gripped his arm involuntarily whilst a gasp left her.

"Please, Arnav ji." She cried silently touching her head to his shoulder. She felt him take a sharp intake of breath. Dropping an open mouthed kiss at her shoulder he pulled back much to her relief.

Before she could remove her hand from his arm he gripped it and wounded it around his elbow whilst entwining his fingers with hers. Her heart clenched but she was too afraid to resist him. Bringing their joined hands up close he pecked the back of her hand. She tightened her jaws.

Seeing him mellowing down a bit she opted to try her luck again hoping he would relent.

"Mr. Raizada,"

"Arnav," He interrupted her sharply. Her breath hitched. She gulped.

"A-Arnav ji," She stammered.

"Drop the ji." Came his next order.

"Arna-v j-ji," She murmured helplessly.

"Arnav," He gritted.

"Arn--avjii," She choked blinking back the tears which though he couldn't see but feel in her voice.

"Dammit why is it so hard for you to say JUST my name without the stupid JI?" He exclaimed frustrated.

"Because you are elder to me." She snapped having had enough.

"What the?" Left his mouth. "Where is the logic, Khushi?" He ground his teeth.

"Amma says we shouldn't call the elders by their names." She blurted out innocently lest he again get back to his angry mode and he.. he burst into laughter much to her disbelief. Hearing him laugh made the breaths stuck in her throat and heart to flutter so loudly that she could feel it buzz in her ears.

"Are you for real? Grow up Khushi Kumari Gupta!" He said in between guffaws. Suddenly laughter died in his throat as he realized an important fact.

She wasn't Khushi Kumari Gupta anymore. She IS Khushi Singh Raizada, now!

And that realization brought back everything. Everything that it was him who had to force her to marry him otherwise she would have done anything to escape it. Anything whatsoever. And he.. he would never let her get away with it anytime soon. She would have to regret to say NO to marrying him willingly. She will HAVE to.

"You are a married woman now Khushi. Not a 13 year old kid anymore who listen to everything their parents say." He mocked.

"My parents weren't even alive when I was 13." She countered silencing him. He shut up quickly realizing he has touched a sensitive nerve.

"It was Amma only whom I had close to being a mother so if it proves me a kid to follow her teaching blindly then I am sorry. Forgive me!" She gritted out and got the vigor to twist her hand still entwined in his. His hold only tightened while her eyes were on the verge of pouring out.

"Please," She rasped. "Let go." She pleaded in a teary voice. He cursed under his breath. They were sitting too close that her shoulder was touching his with her arm already linked with his it was next to impossible for her to move away to take a peaceful breath.

Her protests weren't helping her neither her cause. Instead it was only making the monster more wounded and eventually raged.

"Dekhiye hum aap k aage haath jodte hain humein Sheesh Mahal le chaliye. Aap jo kahein gay hum karein gay. Ab kabhi koi behas koi galti nahi karein gay. Bas humein le chaliye. Devi maiyya k liye! (I am begging you take me to Sheesh Mahal. I'd do whatever you say. Never would I ever argue with you. Just take me there. For god's sake)" She sobbed.

"I didn't know you were so eager to go to your REAL home that you'd beg me for it." He said flatly causing the cries to catch up in her throat at his heartlessness.

"Yes. Yes. I am eager. Take me home. Not to the airport." She was ready to do anything to get out of his capture.

"I," Her sobs has turned into hiccups. "I am," The rest of her words died in her throat as she felt his hand leaving hers and going around her waist and came to rest on her stomach. She breathed as chills ran down her spine because he didn't stop there. He leaned close to her ear.

"If I heard even a little more whimper out of you then I'd forbid you to attend the main wedding event as well. Think about it, misses. You'd have to say goodbye to have the privilege to see your sister marry for which you sacrificed so much." He whispered just for her ears mindful of the driver. She stilled.

Dumbstruck she sat stiffened and swallowed all her sobs down her throat and covered her mouth with her palm lest involuntarily any sound escape and he turn his threat into reality. She knew he would. He could.

Feeling suffocated she rasped for breaths and thankfully the car screeched to a halt just a minute later and she released a long breath when her side of the door opened and fresh air wafted in her nose. She looked up to find him holding the door for her extending his upturned palm.

Swallowing she placed her trembling hand in his and came out too preoccupied to notice the surrounding. But soon she did as her gaze accidentally landed on front and her eyes widened first before shooting back to him who was looking back at her triumphantly causing her nerves to burst.

Sheesh Mahal

The news of Khushi's disappearance has reached Raizadas as well including Payal. It left everyone dumbstruck. Anjali was continuously trying Arnav's number who as per the guards has left the palace very early in the morning itself. Upon that this news now?

Is Arnav behind this or Khushi has actually gone missing? Anjali and Devyani's thoughts were lingering in between as they glanced at each other. Guptas were too shaken to answer their worries and Anjali didn't probe them much either on the call.

While Payal was sobbing sitting at the couch testing Akash's patience who was himself trying to reach his brother anxiously. Shashi Uncle said he paid them a visit early in the morning with lawyer and proofs before demanding to meet Khushi and possibly take her with him. That's when they noticed Khushi's absence along with two notes she left. One for Guptas and the other for Arnav.

But Akash could sniff something in between the lines. There was definitely something missing. What? He didn't know. But he doubted the authenticity of the proofs Arnav presented Shashi Gupta and he wouldn't believe it until or unless he wouldn't see them himself. Ever since he has been trying both Arnav as well as Ronit's numbers but no luck till now.

Like Anjali and Nani, Akash couldn't believe Bhai let Khushi slip through his hands this, THIS easily. There has to be something in between the lines. It HAS to be.

Either it was another one of Arnav Singh Raizada's ploy to fake Khushi's absence in front of everyone to make her pay for negating him OR this time Khushi Kumari Gupta actually stepped on him by being one step ahead of him!

In either case they were doomed. So was ASR. Both of them. Either Arnav or Akash!

If Bhai has had god forbid kidnapped Khushi then what would he answer the Guptas? Especially Payal? His one day bride!

Last night wasn't easy on them either. Payal refused to acknowledge him after Arnav left to his room asking Payal to pass a threatening message for Khushi. He had been there when Payal has frantically called her parents and has begged them to do something, anything to save Khushi from the beast's wrath. Akash even went to his brother to talk but he didn't open the door let alone listen him.

Payal spent the last night on egg shells thinking of only her sister. She tried Khushi's number several times but she wouldn't pick up before she switched it at the end causing Payal to sob. She would've called Gomti Sadan every other hour if only her Amma hasn't stopped her sternly to concentrate on her husband and in-laws now that she has made a decision to go with them.

She brushed off Akash's apologies as well which he kept saying over and over again the whole night as sleep eluded the occupant of Sheesh Mahal due to the thick tension lurking in the air making the atmosphere of even the grandeur palace, suffocating. It must be in the wee hours of the morning they couldn't keep their eyes open when the elder son of the house departed and now not only him but also Khushi was missing.

Can this get any more messy or complicated?

"He is not even in the office. Nani, where must be he?" Anjali cried pacing around the hall trying his number frantically and it snapped Payal who was already hanging on the brim of her patience that she shot up from her seat causing Akash to close his eyes as he could feel the vengeance emanating from her.

"Wow!" Payal clapped loudly bringing everyone's attention to her as she stood strong glaring at Anjali who quickly averted her eyes seeing the accusation written in Payal's.

"She is STILL thinking about her brother!" She hollered. "SHE IS STILL THINKING OF THE WELL BEING OF THE MONSTER OF A BROTHER!" Her eyes were red and wide spitting fire at her.

Akash flinched and so did Devyani. Anjali whimpered with her shoulders sagged. While Manorama and Manohar looked at her shocked. This wasn't the docile Payal they thought they married their son with.

"It is not your brother who needs protection Ms. Raizada. Rather it's my sister." She yelled pointing to herself with her already shaking hands. Blinking back the angry tears she breathed hard to contain her emotions but she couldn't. There was a limit to everything. And today, Raizadas including that ASR has crossed it.

"Payal," Akash stood up to calm her down but she shrugged him off before she faced him with red rimmed eyes. The volcano erupted on him. All of it.

"You know what. I have never, ever met a family as selfish as yours!" She cried out. "No, don't come near me." She stepped back when he moved a step to her looking pleadingly at her.

"One brother ruined a girl to the point of no return to get what he wants. The other followed his footsteps. And the rest of the family," She laughed dryly. "The rest of the family supported them blindly without any ounce of guilt. Without any shame. Without any conscience. Even knowing everything. They knew every single lie the elder one brewed up here but no, why would they correct him because their two dear sons wanted two toys to play with. They got them that. And here we are!" She bellowed spreading her arms glaring up at him.

Akash swallowed looking away. He didn't had anything to defend himself. She was right. Her every accusation was.

Putting him on his place she turned to the rest of them who has already stood up from their place dumbfounded.

"I swear if it's Arnav Singh Raizada who is behind my Khushi's disappearance then I'd turn this whole palace upside down." She growled pointing to each one of them indicating to all of them that she wasn't that naive after all. She too thought of this possibility which was nagging each one of them as well.

"I swear if he hurt my sister one more time then I'd kill him and I won't regret it ever." She yelled but ended up sobbing.

"What if he is not? What if he didn't kidnap her? What if leaving him was her own decision?" Anjali spoke. Payal's eyes shot to her vengefully. Anjali looked away gulping.

"You tell me Mrs. Jha," She mocked. Everyone stilled. Payal has touched a sensitive chord of Anjali's heart. She looked at her hurt.

"Payal!" Akash gritted from behind.

"Shut up Mr. Raizada!" Payal hissed out without turning to him. "You couldn't hear a word being said which hurt your sister and yet you watched silently while your brother destroyed my sister in front of your very eyes!" She cried out tilting her head to him and it shut Akash up.

"Payal ji," Anjali started but was cut rudely by Payal.

"Even if he isn't behind my Khushi's absence but he still IS her culprit in either case. And I swear I would make him pay for everything my sister went through. Him and," She turned to Akash. "--his brother both. And everyone of you!" She pointed to each one of them.

"Bitiya," Devyani spoke for the first time to which Payal's face morphed in sheer torture before her knees gave away hearing the kind voice. As the lava burst out, the shattered self resurfaced, the guilt took birth because Payal Singh Raizada could never forget this fact that because of her, her sister sold herself to the monster. Just because of her. For her!

And it, it made Payal Singh Raizada loath herself. Loath herself and this one day relation she has tied with Akash Singh Raizada under which someone has crashed her sister's dreams and ambitions and eventually her true self.

What followed were Payal's heart wrenching sobs which shook everyone there as she sat at the floor with her face buried in her hands. Anjali sobbed along with her and so did Devyani. Even Manohar and Manorama's eyes weren't dry either.

Akash swallowed thickly with moisture gathering behind his eyelids coupled with guilt before kneeling before her.

"I will find her for you." He choked removing her hands from her face to which she looked up at him through her wet lashes.

"I swear I will even if it's Bhai behind all this." He promised earnestly hoping to earn a bit of trust.

She scoffed shrugging off his hand.

"You are just like your brother. Using other's weakness to get what you want. But let me tell you Mr. Akash Singh Raizada my sister fell into that trap I won't." Saying this she got up and ran upstairs leaving a dejected and guilty Akash behind sitting right there at the ground on his knees.

And an equally stumped and concerned family in her wake.

In all that Akash missed his phone buzzing which has dropped from his hand and has landed on the carpet behind him the moment Payal broke down and it lay there lightening up before blackening after a few minutes.

Their stupor wouldn't have broken if the front door hasn't burst open with a bang forcing them all to jerk and turn to the sound.

Seems like their quota for shocks wasn't over yet for the day as they all saw who was standing there in the middle of the door.

She looked in between the two buildings on either sides of the road. One across the other. In front of which they were standing it was an airport and across, it was that. The Sheesh Mahal. Decorated like a bride with lights and flowers for the wedding.

"If you are done checking them out shall we head to the Palace. Everyone must be waiting for us." He said and without waiting for her reply dragged her along with him and crossed the road while Khushi couldn't help but fume. Once they crossed the road she jerked her hand out of his hold and moved back.

He turned to her at her sudden act and found her looking at him accusingly with her whole body shaking with anger. Her red nose and cheeks colored some more. In rage.

He sighed.

"If we were coming here only then why did you torture me like that?' She cried.

"Why? Only you have the right to trouble others?"

"You got everything you wanted from me and yet you are doing all this. WHY?" She gave him a rough push. He gritted his teeth.

"I will explain that in detail. Tonight." He emphasized gulping his anger. "Now, shall we?" He gestured to the decorated entrance.

"I hate you!" She spat with big fat tears in her eyes. He swallowed tearing his gaze from her broken self.

"You told that to me a million times. I get it. Now, come!" He offered her his hand looking back at her.

"I despise you more than I despise anything else in this world. More than that bear who has fur on it." She wouldn't stop. As much as the word despise set him off her last words said which so much innocence softened him up.

"What's the story behind the bear WITH a fur?" He asked curiously totally amused. Only she knew how to change his mood from angry to amused in a split of a second. She has that power and she herself doesn't know it.

"I won't tell you!" She said more like whined turning her head to the other side sniffling crossing her arms under her breasts.

"Okay. Don't." He cautiously took a step to her lest she move back or get herself crashed to the cars passing by on the road. One step more and she would be standing in the line of it.

Reaching her close enough he softly tugged her closer and engulfed her in his embrace running his hand up and down her hairs with her head pressed to his chest.

Khushi held her breath. Stilled. But didn't resist nor did push him but stood in his arm like a statue. It was a miracle in itself he has brought her here and she didn't want to instigate him to do the exact opposite or worse ban her to attend her Jiji's wedding. Where unfortunately hers own was held, too.

"We are going to enter through back entrance. You'd touch up your makeover and make yourself presentable and then we would enter the hall. Okay?" He like always ordered. She could do nothing but nod feeling helpless like never before. She felt like a puppet whose strings were tightly held in between his fingers. And it made her feel so low of herself. Cut her into pieces.

Nevertheless she did as he asked. Not that she had a choice. And they both entered the hall hand in hand silencing everyone there when Anjali spotted them and exclaimed.

"Oh there they are!"

She along with Madhumati escorted them in and made them sit besides Akash and Payal in front of the set stage in the front row. The brides were sitting in between while Arnav and Akash on either sides of their brides respectively.

As soon as Khushi sat besides her sister, Payal turned her face to hers and cupped the side of her cheek.

"What took you so long?" Payal asked and it stiffened not only Khushi but Arnav as well who heard it. Unnoticed by Payal he held Khushi's left hand and squeezed it not to blurt out anything. Khushi swallowed past a lump seeing the concern shining in her Jiji's eyes for her and it weighed her down.

"Traffic, Jiji." She lied through her teeth.

"But we came through the same route. There wasn't much," Payal frowned.

"Actually Arnav ji took the short cut but due to traffic it took longer than usual otherwise we would have been here even before you." Khushi conveniently said that it surprised even herself.

"Not bad, Mrs. Raizada." Arnav whispered just for her ears. "Your husband's influence is rubbing on you finally isn't it?"

Yeah, she doesn't know about other things but she definitely has learnt lying from the best. Khushi scoffed in mind.

She didn't bother replying. He loved self flaunting. There wasn't anything she could do about it. Not only that in fact she could do nothing about the whole of him at all. Either. He was a lost cause and she was caught in between the tangle this man create around her!

The two grooms Akash and Arnav looked content at the least if not happy. Arnav, on the top. There was certain some other kind of twinkle in his eyes which Anjali has been noticing when he came back to Sheesh Mahal just to get ready only to leave urgently with Akash to get Guptas here as soon as possible. His demeanor screamed of it as if he has won something big. Really, big.

What?

And the glow only seemed to be increasing on his face. Agreed the marriage was just three days away now but still, he couldn't possibly sit back and relax till then because they all know not only Khushi but also Payal was in too to go to any length to stop the weddings just like Arnav and Akash were keen on making sure their brides don't win but they, themselves.

Now she was beginning to think that this wasn't a wedding but a competition going on between the four of them of who would make the other lose as if they are going to get some trophy at the end.

If only they could understand that there was more at stake then just their thoughts of winning or making the other bow down or loose.

On one side grooms looked quite satisfied with the happenings and on the other brides aura screamed of seriousness as well as helplessness. Especially of Khushi.

As compared to Arnav, Khushi looked equally silent and dull. Not that it reduced her charm or beauty but only added to her allure. She knew that too Khushi didn't smile more often while with Arnav and ever since he had been back in Khushi's life she has only gained sadness from his part but there was something else which raised goosebumps on Anjali's skin. As if there was something everyone was missing today. Even the Raizadas. Even her who knows everything Arnav has ever done to Khushi.

Again what?

There must be some other reason for their late arrival at the sangeet. It couldn't possibly be what Khushi told Payal. Though Payal's attention wasn't on Arnav but Anjali's whole attention was on her Chote only. And his expression looked dark. Too manipulative. And mysterious. Not to mention Khushi looked more closed up to him than ever. Not only that Khushi wasn't protesting much either. In fact she wasn't protesting at all as if she has surrendered to her fate. To him!

It didn't sit well with Anjali because she knew Khushi. She wouldn't just sit back and let someone else take the reign of her life. Instead she would fight heads on. The question was,

Why wasn't she?

Anjali just hoped he hadn't done anything drastic that all of their effort of days to hide the real truth go down in drain due to his impatience and rash decisions. She really needed to have a word with him and she did pulling him aside to the quiet corner in the hall. Anjali saw Khushi visibly relaxing once Arnav stood up to tag along with her. It confirmed her suspicion some more.

"I got to know Khushi ji was with you for most of the day. During which she didn't contact Payal even once. Not only that she was with you even when I called you to inform that Nani ji was going to Gomti Sadan to reveal everything." Anjali asked directly crossing her arms under her chest while Arnav clenched his jaws.

"Akash!" Arnav gritted realizing who must have given his Di the update.

"Yeah, him. Drop the attitude already. Would you tell me what did you do to Khushi ji that she is sitting with you as if not with a human being she is sitting with a freaking time bomb which if burst would turn her into ashes?"

He rubbed his fingers on the forehead.

"Not again, Di." He said. "Not today!" He added exasperated.

"Chote, I want to know what did you do now?" She repeated more sternly.

"I made sure this marriage happens at any cost. That's it." He said in a low menacing voice.

"It IS happening, Mr. Raizada!" Anjali lost her calm. "But if you kept losing your temper on the poor girl then it all can blow up on your face, too."

"Blow up on my face?" He said shaking his head half smiling. "Trust me Di. Nothing or no one could stop me from making Khushi mine, now. Not even Khushi herself." He said smugly so confidently that Anjali could only gape at him who turned his head to give Khushi an intense glance who was sitting silently gazing at her hand nervously.

"What have you done to her?" Anjali couldn't help but whisper aghast.

"The girl who talked nineteen to dozen, who couldn't stop talking nor could stop smiling ear to ear every second of her life, who loved mingling around with everyone known or unknown people didn't matter because she spread happiness everywhere around.. is now sitting there all silently without a word. She isn't even looking around let alone talk or smile." Anjali croaked.

His Adam's apple bobbed. He didn't need anyone telling him because he knew what he had done to her. Giving her dull form another look he looked back at his sister.

"She forced me to do that. But don't worry, this is temporary. She just have to accept her fate and her smiles would return so would her nature." He said conveniently giving away nothing.

"Change your attitude or you'd lose her." Anjali couldn't help but say.

"On the contrary Di, if I changed then I'd lose her." He replied defiantly and without waiting for her reply made his way back to her whilst the function has already started half an hour back.

"I hope this over-confidence of yours itself doesn't take you down. I just.. wish!" Anjali whispered with her eyes following him as he sat besides Khushi who stiffened visibly turning Anjali's doubts to confirmation.

He has done something drastic unmistakably which has literally sucked all the strength off Khushi eventually making her surrender to his whim and bear it all with her lips sealed.

What exactly?

The question itself sent chills down her spine but instead of rubbing it out of him she chose to stay silent. Not knowing what would it cost not only her but also her whole family in future!

Very near future!

"Where were you all you incompetent losers when she escaped from her goddamn house?" He shouted at his men who were appointed by him to keep an eye on Gomti Sadan 24/7. Ronit flinched sitting on the passenger seat while ASR drove rashly across the roads while talking through Bluetooth.

"Nani ji told us that it were your orders that I leave from there with my team." Arnav heard his answer and it blew his nerves. He took a sharp turn pursing his lips in rage.

"WHAT THE HELL? Anyone would say anything taking MY name and you'd believe him WITHOUT confirming it from me? Were you named the best spy in the country by the fucked up men like you?" Arnav growled tightening his hold on the steering wheel, changing the gears vengefully. The man on the other side of the phone wanted the earth to open up and swallow him up.

"She is your grandmother." He reasoned weakly. Even the confident man like him was stuttering before the ASR. Such was the power and dread of an angry lion.

"Shut the fuck up and go find her." Arnav hissed snatching the Bluetooth off his ear and throwing it on the dashboard muttering profanities under his breath.

"Nani." He muttered under his breath. If only she hadn't removed his men around Gomti Sadan area then Khushi wouldn't have even stepped out of her house let alone the damn street. Or even if she has tried his men would've informed him right away and he would've had her with him by now. Gah. But thanks to Nani he has no lead whatsoever on his wife. But not for long. He wouldn't sit quietly until he don't find her. He promised himself whilst his heart galloped in pain and stomach twisted in knots.

Ronit prayed in mind to get them both safely wherever ASR intended to take them which seemed impossible the way Arnav was driving breaking every traffic rule.

Taking a deep breath Arnav took out his cell phone and driving through his one hand dialed a number from the other.

"I need you to do something for me and I want it done as soon as fucking possible!" As he talked into the phone Ronit paled but before he could type another message or at least give a call Arnav ordered him to either switch off his phone or put it on silent. Sighing he did as he was asked.

Arnav put his phone on silent after making a few urgent calls as well. Ronit just hoped his message he managed to send reach the respective person on time.

Rubbing his temples ASR entered AR like a hurricane silencing every chatter in there and straight away went to his cabin up through the escalator ignoring everyone's greeting with Ronit closely following behind scared for what ASR has planned. It would complicate things more for him and Khushi Mam. Can't he understand this simple thing? Ronit so wanted to put some sense into him but Arnav looked unapproachable. Also Ronit knew his place and the job.

Arnav stopped only when he was in the middle of his spacious cabin. Ronit closed the door behind and waited patiently for him to gather his bearing to say for what he has brought him along. After taking a few rash breaths Arnav turned to him with his eyes red.

Arnav took long strides to the intercom and snatching the cradle pressed a button and barked into the phone authoritatively.

"Do not transfer any calls nor should anyone be told that I am in the office not even my family if by chance they inquired. Am I clear?" Hearing the positive reply he smashed the cradle back and pinched the bridge of the nose coming to the center of his cabin.

In all the mess ASR's sharp mind has thought of every pros and cons of his present situation and he has come to one deadly realization that now only thing which could now make him helpless was the 'contract' which his three days bride has so cleverly forced him to make by emotionally blackmailing him.

Well then, well played Mrs. Raizada. You tried my own ways against me.

Wow!

Bravo!

How easily she made a fool out of THE ASR and made sure to give him what he wants but WITH an ending duration!

Temporarily!

If the contract would end so would his all the chances to be with her. To win her. Eventually he would lose everything. Most importantly, her. And that sent him into panic mode so he urgently asked Ronit.

"Is there any way to annul the contract without dissolving the marriage?"

He was now entangled himself in the web he created for Khushi. To make her his. Now the same tangle he would have to resolve if he wanted to save his marriage. His relation with her. Because without it she would never accept him let alone give him a chance to rectify everything between them. He shuddered to even think of that scenario where he would have to give up on her. No. He would never!

"Yes," Ronit said and hope brimmed in Arnav's eyes.

"How?" Arnav rushed to ask with pain and helplessness evident in his stance now.

"If you and Khushi Mam both annul it willingly." Ronit replied truthfully. "You both signed it. Only both of your signature could dissolve it."

Arnav's shoulders slumped when he saw that Ronit meant it. If there was a way he would have told him so.

"And ASR," Ronit said cautiously. "Your marriage is linked with this contract. If one ended the other automatically would. That's how the documents were made as per your say." Ronit finished explaining and flinched as Arnav took the chair across his desk with a growl and threw it against the wall and hit the other with his foot in vengeance.

"If you meant to say that I cut off the nose to spite MY OWN face only then well done Raichand I understood it even before your so called explanation!" He bit out harshly.

Yes. Ronit wanted to say but he held it back.

"Can't I just put all these papers to flames and be done with this fucking contract thing once and for all?" An idea struck Arnav.

"ASR, Khushi Mam has original wedding documents and you have original contract ones. You can't destroy the one without the other. Otherwise it would be useless. What we showed Shashi Gupta were court's copy of legal documents. Destroying which would cost you heavy penalty and punishment as well."

"I am ready for any punishment. Destroy the proofs. Destroy the wedding as well as contract papers. Once I'd find her I'd marry her again and that would be forever!" He felt the energy returning him.

"I am afraid I can't do that, ASR because I am not only your family but also AR's official lawyer. It can tarnish ASR's image if it came out which can result in bad consequences for the company if the news leaked by any chance."

"Who would leak the news may I ask?" Arnav narrowed his eyes.

"The only one who could to get out of this marriage at any cost. Khushi Singh Raizada!" Ronit said and the courage seeping into Arnav dimmed there and then. He was right. Absolutely!

He walked around his desk and fell on his chair feeling defeated like never before.

"Close the door on your way out, Raichand." Arnav said. That was Ronit's cue to leave and he did.

A minute more and he saw the light turning on his cell. He hoped it was not them again. He has ignored the various missed calls from both his Di and Akash. He wasn't in any condition for any pity or consoling words. He was way past that. He needed her. Just her. Which he knew they can't get him.

He leaned back on the chair picking the mobile casually before straightening up seeing the caller ID. Quickly attending it he brought it to his ear.

"Really? It is done?" Hearing the other side he pumped his fist on the desk thrilled.

"Good job." He said with a smirk adorning his face which lit up his otherwise sullen eyes. Hope bounced back so did the vigor as he relaxed into the seat, leaned back and breathed out.

It won't take long now!

He was sure. Cent percent. His heart thudded in anticipation as he counted every second in his mind. He took slow exaggerated breaths as it took all of him to keep waiting. Waiting was never his forte. But here he was caught in between painful moments doing exactly that.

Waiting. Waiting. And waiting.

He don't know how much time passed in this same torturous lapse.

Minutes?

Hours?

Days?

The door of his cabin flew open with a bang and someone entered. His eyes shot open to look at the sound only to see the fuming figure standing in front of him spitting fire not only from the eyes but also her whole stance screamed the fire igniting in her. Directed all at him.

His lips quirked up into a smile. A triumph one!

"Oh my. Look who we have here. Finally." The last word came out of him in a rasp. The victory was visible in his voice as well as in his demeanor.

"Stay the hell away from my family!" She took long strides to his desk and thumped her hands leaning forward looking fiercely at him. He breathed capturing her every feature behind his eyes and locking it in his mind and heart both. Forever!

He leaned back in a trance and leisurely gazed at her. Hungrily.

"You won't touch either of them. Did you get me, Mr. Raizada?" She glared.

He was too overwhelmed seeing her before him that he couldn't help but just gawk at her ignoring her fierce avatar for the time being but not for long as she growled again,

"DID YOU GET ME?" She slapped her hand on his table. He let out a long sigh.

"You want me to spare your family? I will but for that you will have to make a family with ME." His eyes glinted. Now that he has her in front of him where he wanted her he has to tread to the path which would lead to their togetherness. At any cost.

"NEVER!" She hollered. He chuckled darkly shaking his head before getting up from his chair. Coming around the desk he stood before her just a step away but she stood unfazed not at all intimidated. Maybe defeating him in his own game gave her the unbound courage to fight back.

"I knew it you'd not agree so easily. Fortunately for you I know all the tactics to make you relent." He reached out, gripped her upper arms and yanked her closer. It still didn't startle her. Instead she looked up at him confidently without showing any weakness.

His gaze landed on her lips pressed together hard due to the onslaught of emotions. They were enough to distract him off his motive. How much time has passed did he last had the taste of her sweet luscious lips?

His mind stopped functioning as he couldn't even recall anything else except for her soft body pressed to his. He leaned aiming to her lips but she turned her face to the other side defiantly.

"Not again. Ever again." She said determined. "Try as you might you'd never be able to succeed this time. In anything. Nothing!" She smirked looking daringly up at him to which his arrogance left him all of a sudden and in its place pain took over. Sadness joined it later on as he looked down at her.

"Itna aasan tha tumhare liye? Mujhe chodna? (Was it that easy for you? To leave me?)" He croaked caressing the side of her cheek with his thumb in a trance. When he didn't get any reply for many moments he looked back in her eyes and found them blank. He trailed his gaze all over her face and found it poker giving away nothing.

"Bolo Khushi? (Speak up Khushi)" He cupped the sides of her neck desperately. "Aise kaise tum mujhe chod k ja sakti ho? Kaise gayi? KYUN? (How could you leave me just like that? Just how? WHY?)"

She stayed silent with her eyes glued to him as if she was deaf and dumb. He shook her hard.

"Look at me, Khushi. Look at me honey. I'd have made it alright after our official marriage. I would have, baby. Are you hearing me? I would have. Before that I didn't want to take any chances and... also I-" He released her and ran his hands on his face walking around in circles clearly in angst.

"I was pissed. Angry. I still am. Dammit. No, I am not. I won't ever be that harsh again. I mean I-" He said incoherent words not making any sense frantically running his fingers one moment in his hairs and in the other he would be rubbing his hands on his face, on his forehead.

"I will change for you. I mean I know it'd be hard but I will try. For you."

He came back to her and this time locking his arms around her waist tugged her closer and leaned down till the tip of their noses were touching. He was now getting desperate because she wasn't saying anything. Nor reacting. She was looking at him as if she was watching a movie.

"I would have made it alright only if you hadn't left. I mean, I still can right? I will. Oh, I mean will you let me?" He rasped at the end with a mountain of pain in his voice touching his head with hers threading his fingers in her hairs drowning in the dam of emotions whilst he kept walking to her until her back hit the wall behind with his body pressed to hers and he breathed in and out not wanting to part from her ever again.

"What am I even saying?" He raised his head a bit and looked in her eyes with a nervous smile adorning his lips. "Now that you are here I will make it up to you. I am here. Even you are now. We would make it work. Together." He was saying whatever came to his mind. Wayward mind. Not even knowing he was repeating same thing over and over again without making any sense.

Hope glinted in his eyes as he looked in hers but they remained empty despite seeing his vulnerability.

"Are you with me, Mrs. Raizada?" He cupped the side of her face tucking the wayward fringes at the back of her ear holding her so tenderly that he hasn't done before. Ever.

As he looked at her with all the emotions shining in his eyes for her he saw her looking at him confused before frowning. Now when she looked back at him her eyes were more icy than ever.

"No." One monosyllable reply and earth crashed upon his head.

"Why not?" He hissed. Softness became the thing of the past. He was at that stage of his emotions where he himself didn't know what would he do next to make her understand.

"Because you don't deserve it." She spat. He clenched his jaws and squinted his eyes whilst the lava burned in him. She was rejecting him. Again. On his face.

Thumping his arms on either sides of her on the wall he gazed at her with his face turning red every passing second. Nerves at his throat standing out. She managed to bring out the worst in him all over again. Successfully.

"You left me. You lied. And now even when I am ready to call it a truce and start afresh you want to continue this winning and losing game huh?" He said with sheer rage bubbling in him. Vulnerability be damned. His eyes turned red with restraint. He pursed his lips when instead of soothing his hurt she huffed.

"I am forgiving you for escaping. Did you get it?" He shook her.

She scoffed and it burned him.

He was ready to pounce on her like a raging lion when he heard the knock. Glaring at her he bellowed without taking his eyes off her.

"WHO IS IT?"

No one spoke but the knock only grew louder and louder and louder that he turned his head and shouted,

"Whoever it is GET OUT."

Before he could turn back to her he heard it again.

"I said GET LOST." He growled. He looked back at her and found her holding her laughter.

"Don't you dare laugh." He warned her.

"Whatever you are feeling right now and whatever you will feel in future, remember that YOU DESERVE IT ALL the same way you DON'T deserve me!" The mischievous was gone from her face and in its place seriousness and vengeance took over which for a moment made him stock still.

"ASR?" Someone shook him from behind.

"WHAT?" He turned with a start.

"WHAT?" His eyes shot open and he bolted upright startling Aman and forcing him to step back who was standing over his head to wake him up. The man was talking in the sleep. No wonder Khushi Mam's absence was making him lose his senses.

"ASR?" Aman called again to bring him back to present. Arnav was now massaging his temples. His head hurts as if something was hammering it. Closing his eyes he let out a few curses causing Aman to flinch.

"Water?" Aman extended it in front of him to which Arnav opened his eyes and snatching it from him drank it in one go. Thumping the glass back he glared up at Aman who frowned not knowing what did he do to earn such welcome?

Arnav did a good look around. At the door from where she has barged in. At the place across the desk where she was spitting fire at him. At the wall where he has had her pinned before his gaze fell on the place he was sitting at right now.

"Whatever you are feeling right now and whatever you will feel in future, remember that YOU DESERVE IT the same way you DON'T deserve me!"

Tremors were still racking through him. The emotions were too overwhelming that he felt like screaming which he held back with great difficulty.

Realizing what had happened to him he punched his fist on the table muttering 'dammit'. It was a dream. A freaking fudging dream. Even in which she managed to shatter him some more. The sleepless night must have gotten in to him and he must have slept on the chair itself. He just don't know when and for how much time he had nodded off after his conversation with Ronit.

"What's the time?" He muttered to himself and looked at the wall clock before leaning back tiredly at his seat. It hadn't been even an hour since he has come to office and not only did he have an important discussion with Ronit who left later on but also had slept in which he had a dream of her coming back as well.

You wish!

Someone sneered in him to which he gritted his teeth. He vaguely registered Aman walking around the desk to stand across him. Pinching the bridge of his nose he finally turned his attention to his PA whom he has called to Lucknow on urgent basis. Aman couldn't attend the wedding due to some official business AR had in Delhi which required immediate attention but had to leave it in the middle on ASR's command because something more important has come up. Not something rather say someone!

"When did you land in Lucknow?" He asked flatly.

"Just a few minutes ago. Came here right away." Aman answered looking at him anxiously.

"Don't give me that look." Arnav warned clearly reading worry on his face and he hated when someone unnecessarily look out for him when he was himself very much capable of doing so much better alone. He doesn't need anyone's help until or unless he doesn't think so otherwise.

"Are you okay?" Aman asked cautiously.

"Aman!" Arnav warned again.

"Sorry, ASR." Aman sobered up raising his hands in surrender. Nodding Arnav gestured for him to sit. Aman obliged. Arnav checked his phone and emails in a hope of finding something about her but in vain.

Aman was surprised when he heard what ASR said next,

"Do you how much time passed since I last saw her?" Arnav released a sigh and he didn't look okay to Aman at all but he kept silence. And Arnav himself answered his own question.

"It was at 10 last night when I saw her the last time hiding behind her father to escape from me." He scoffed. "As if he could have saved her." He said more to himself than Aman. Aman could only gape at him.

"And now it's 10 in the morning." He gritted. "Do you know how many hours has passed in between?"

Aman could see it wasn't a question directed to him but he was rather asking himself.

"12 fudging hours. And you don't even know how many minutes and seconds are there in it." He pressed his lips together and Aman felt like he was being privy to something really private his boss was going through right now.

"The last time I heard her voice was 10 hours ago. That too on phone." He hissed out punching his fist on the desk clenching his jaws. "And do you know what she was saying to me?" Arnav raised his eyes to Aman who shook his head cautiously lest he looses his cool for still sitting here when he was so vulnerable. Arnav's ears buzzed with her voice.

"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."

He closed his eyes in helplessness and rubbing his forehead dropped his head on his fisted hands. Slowly hitting his fists on his forehead in agitation he tried to gather his bearing while Aman was too shocked to react. He never knew that ASR would fall hard for someone and that too, like that. Like this. Above all for the girl named Khushi Kumari Gupta whom he despised from the very day he met her.

"Are you okay, ASR?" Aman asked genuinely and a bit scared he would again tell him off but he didn't this time.

"No I am not. I am NOT okay at all. And I won't be until I don't get her back!" He burst out with his eyes prickling. Aman was getting shocks after shocks today. He never knew there would be a day when he would find moisture in ASR's eyes. But the man was quick to gulp down his emotions and he did much to Aman's disbelief.

"I have already played my trump card and now waiting for its result. But still can you do something for me?" Arnav started leaning back looking quite defeated.

"Yeah, I can find her. And I will even if your plan failed." Aman promised even before Arnav could say it.

Arnav let out a resigned sigh running a hand in his hairs looking around his office disoriented as his eyes prickled. His heart clawed. Nothing of which showed on his face.

"Yeah Aman. Find her. Find her before this facade of calmness leave me!"

"I will do my best." Aman said loyally.

"You better." He gritted out. Before he could say anything else the door of his cabin flew open and his heart thudded loudly in his ears whilst his head whipped up to it with air around him suddenly charging with unbridled tension as a feeling of deja vu hit him. Hard!

Both the couples were dragged by the family to the dance floor after the initial hullabaloo of the Sangeet in which not only from Raizadas but also all the Guptas has performed on one dance number or the other. Hoots, claps and cheers reverberated in the hall.

It was the only time of the function even Khushi enjoyed with a light smile on her lips completely ignoring the presence of the monster sitting besides her lost in seeing the glow on her face because of just slight lift of her lips. After all it was after like ages he saw her smiling genuinely and it made him guilty. Somewhat. Di's words rung in his ears increasing his restlessness.

"The girl who talked nineteen to dozen, who couldn't stop talking nor could stop smiling ear to ear every second of her life is now sitting there all silently without a word. She isn't even looking around let alone talk or smile."

So when he was told it was time for the couple dance he let his Di drag him with Khushi to the centre of the stage and saw the little bit smile that was adorning her face increasing his heartbeat, was gone now. In its place rigidness took over coupled with coldness which rubbed on him.

Locking his arms around her waist he pulled her closer with a jerk. Her eyes shot up to him in surprise and she huffed a sigh seeing him glaring at her vengefully.

"Why is it so difficult for you to smile being with me?" He looked at her with his gaze piercing. Two steps away Akash and Payal were lightly swaying to the music with tension lurking in between them as well.

Anjali could see her brother was getting angry now so in order to divert the guests attention off them she called all the couples on the dance floor and successfully mingled everyone taking the spotlight off her brother whose expressions were darkening every passing second.

"I asked you something!" He gripped her hand placed on his shoulder and pressed it. She winced.

"Because of this!" She pointed to his rough hold on her hand. "Who could smile around you when you torture people around you?"

He swallowed gritting his teeth and looking into her eyes brought her hand up close and kissed her palm.

"Now, smile." He ordered. She could only gape at him.

Does he think he could make up for every torture by just a peck on her hand?

Is he serious?

She felt the moisture prickling like sand in her eyes as she realized he was dead serious. She averted her eyes but he has already noticed her eyes brimming. He brought his hands up and cupped her cheeks in between his palms and wiped the corner of her eyes with his thumbs softly.

"Please smile." He whispered with a catch in his voice.

"Firstly kill someone with your own hands and then ask them to be cold to everything they suffered and smile as if nothing happened. It's great, no?" She scoffed looking away.

"Yeah it is. Now smile, Mrs. Raizada!" He gritted out pressing his palms to her face in vengeance. She looked up at him in disbelief blinking back the tears.

"My life is in your hands. You married me secretly, forcibly. My Babu ji isn't looking at me let alone talk and you are saying that I should smile it all off?" She cried out bunching the front of his shirt brokenly.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

Removing his hands from her face he gripped her arm and twirled her around stunning her before yanking her back in his arms causing her to forget everything and look at him in shock. He trailed his arms down her arms and hooked them around her waist before pulling her closer lightly swaying to the music.

A tear rolled down her cheek. Unmindful of everything else he leaned and kissed the drop causing her to gasp. Her eyes widened. She stopped moving and so did he. Except for Anjali no one noticed this exchange in the dim light and she was glad they hadn't otherwise they all would've been standing with their jaws dropped the way Anjali was at the moment.

"None can bear this intensity except for you." He whispered huskily with his lips against her cheek. His lips trailed down slowly to stop at the corner of her lips. By now Khushi has turned statue in his hold too scared that if anyone saw especially her Babu ji he would think she forced him to show this public display of affection because of her obsession with him. She couldn't afford that so she lightly pushed him gathering her bearing just when his lips lightly touched hers.

"We are in the middle of a ceremony." She stuttered hoping he don't get hyper due to her push. She avoided looking in his eyes because she didn't want to turn into puddles seeing his dangerous angry avatar.

In reply he folded one of her arm at her waist causing a low squeal to leave her before pulling her up close till his nose touched hers.

"Never push me away like that EVER again or you'd see the worst of me. Get that?"

She gulped with her heart pinching in her chest before nodding as she could see he was turning into his beastly avatar. If he did then he could do anything to tarnish her image before her father more than it already was. Above all, it could jeopardize and ruin all the function which wasn't just hers but also was of her Jiji.

With her nod she did feel him relaxing. His anger cooled off too much to her relief. The relief was so much that she breathed out loud and dropped her head down. Just that she was standing pressed up to him that her head touched his shoulder which made Arnav so glad that he tightened his hold around her with her hands sandwiched in between them. His nose buried in her hairs.

One by one tears dripped from her eyes and soaked his blazer. She didn't raise her head up even when she realized her position because she didn't want anyone to see her in this condition. So she clutched his collars in fists and sobbed silently embraced in his hold. He wiped the corner of his eye running his fingers in her hairs.

"Shh." He cooed in her ear. "I will make it alright." He dropped a kiss on her hairs. It only made her cry more.

"Y-You can't." She cried. "You won't even if you can." She gritted punching her fist weakly on his chest. And that zipped his lips altogether. In order to distract himself he looked around and he froze for a moment.

Shit!

The lights were on and no one else was on the dance floor. Except for them. And every single eye was on them. Guests were looking at them with teasing glances. Some were cheering as well. The only one silent were his family and hers. He looked down at her.

Khushi was at her most vulnerable moment right now.

What if she blurted out everything in front of her family in her emotional state?

He shuddered to even think of it.

He has to handle her now carefully. He was thinking what to do when his eyes caught the sight of Shashi glaring at Khushi clutching onto him. He just realized his one hand was at the back of her head and the other was cupping her right shoulder giving it an impression that it was altogether Khushi who was clinging to him while he was consoling her. The situation itself has turned into his favor. He didn't even have to do anything. So he lightly separated Khushi from him and wiped her face cupping her tears. Taking out the handkerchief from his blazer he handed it over to her. She took it sniffling not knowing that situation has turned more bad for her nor did she know everyone was watching. She was too preoccupied and broken.

It was when he turned to the guests did she notice that the lights were on and she, they were the centre of attention.

"The wedding is in three days only and she got emotional thinking of Bidaai already." Arnav put all the speculations to rest because some were getting suspicious seeing Khushi crying profusely when she pulled away from him.

"Aww!" Was said in chorus. While Khushi has gone rigid looking at her father who in anger was spitting fire at her. She quickly stepped away from Arnav and ran down the stage to where Garima and Madhumati were standing equally surprised. Arnav didn't stop her but silently came down the stage with relief visible in his stance for not getting his cover blow up. He has to be more careful now in public with her.

Dinner was served and the guests took their seats to eat in midst the chatters. Shashi sat on the table reserved for the Guptas and looked angrily at Khushi who already wasn't eating anything and his gaze only lowered her mood some more.

"Do you have any shame or not?" Shashi asked in a low rageful tone. Payal, Garima and Madhumati tensed up.

"Babu ji, I-" Khushi started with her throat drying.

"Shut up. We are giving you what you want already. Can't you show a little bit of patience now? Whatever you're demanding to him again while crying all over him you could have done it after the wedding. Stop pestering the man. Already he is doing a huge favor to us accepting an immature like you as his bride even though he deserve someone as sensible as he himself is."

Dumbstruck Khushi glanced at her father who just injured her with arrows of words without any mercy. Just like Arnav has had not so long ago.

Does he even know what she was going through?

That how she went through hell and back today?

That she wasn't his daughter anymore?

The monster owns her now!

Even if its for two months but he does!

No. He doesn't know anything and he was continuing to believe the worst of her. It cracked everything in her. So this time she didn't defend herself. Instead accepted his accusation without battling the eyelid.

"Whatever I want from him I'd get it before the marriage itself." Khushi snapped with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"Keep your tone low Khushi or I will forget we are in a hall full of guests." Shashi warned while a terrified Garima placed a hand on his arm to calm him down while Payal did the same to Khushi.

This exchange didn't go unnoticed by Arnav whose whole attention was on this table only a few steps away from his at which his wife was sitting who has had broke down not so long ago in his arms devastating him along with her. All because of his own doing. He couldn't help but not leave her like that when it was his own fault her father was this angry on her. 

He could see that Shashi Guptas said something really awful to her angrily due to which her face lost all colors and when he saw his anger only increasing he stood up from his chair bringing his family's attention to him.

"Chote?" Anjali called out.

"Di, ask one of the waiters to add two more chairs on this table. Khushi and Payal are going to eat with us." He said buttoning up his blazer before heading to her table without waiting for Anjali's reply.

Seeing Arnav approaching the table Shashi stopped speaking and passed him a tight smile.

"Uncle if you don't mind then can Khushi and Payal eat with us all? In fact why don't you all join us and we can all eat together. After all we are a family now aren't we?" Arnav said with an encouraging smile eyeing Khushi from the corner of his eye who was sitting rigidly without touching anything on her plate.

"We would love that but not today bitwa. You can take Payal and Khush though. I won't mind. After all they are going to be a part of your family only." He said and nodded at Payal through his eyes who nodded back biting back her tears as she could feel her sister was going through a tough time already and her Babu ji wasn't helping either. So it's best Khushi gets a break from it all.

As if Arnav Singh Raizada has ever given her respite!

Someone sneered in Payal.

Wouldn't it be like, out of the frying pan into the fire?

But what could she do in it when she herself was trapped in this all. Neither could she negate her father nor did she want Khushi any where near the man who despite various assurances from Khushi didn't give her good vibes. She just wanted to save her sister from any more harm. She just didn't know how to. She will figure it out soon. She promised herself.

Raizadas welcomed Khushi and Payal warmly. Khushi was made to sit besides Arnav. Courtesy, Arnav himself. And Anjali shifted to the other seat waiter placed around the table to make place for Payal.

"If you didn't eat properly then I'd arrange your Bidaai today itself." He whispered just for her ears when he saw her not touching anything he himself served her much to his family's astonishment. Even Payal was shocked. 

It was beyond Payal to understand the elder Raizada. As if she could understand the younger one either who was sitting besides her sometimes in guilt and some times all silent as if she didn't matter. 

Before she could think further she saw Khushi throwing the spoon on the plate noisily and turning to Arnav gripped his shirt yanked him closer stunning each one of them around the table because she didn't stop there only.

Instead she yanked him closer gripping his collars and growled,

"I won't. Did you hear me I won't touch a thing. Do whatever the hell you want to!" She was loud enough for everyone to listen out loud bringing silence around the hall as well as every head turned to their table.

Her stubbornness rubbed off on him which the Raizadas could clearly see and they waited with bated breath because Khushi Kumari Gupta managed to unleash the monster without much of a precaution and they were afraid only she would have to bear the brunt of it.

Alone!    

_______________________

Phew!

That was one difficult part to write considering that mostly it was from Arnav's POV. I just hope you liked it :)

Q/A:

1. Where is Khushi?

2. Why Khushi has the original wedding documents and not Arnav? (Billion dollar question which would be answered in the next part for sure but let's see what's your perception regarding it)

3. What Arnav has planned regarding Khushi's family that he seems sure would drag her back?

4. Arnav and Khushi's POV without being biased?

5. About Payal's outburst? To what extent was she right?

6. Will Arnav be able to find Khushi before the completion of two months?

7. If yes, what would he do?

8. If no, even then what would he do?

9. Your favorite part of this update?

10. Favorite dialogue?

11. Any confusions? Queries?

(Target: 550+ VOTES)

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