A surprise Bonus Update for all of my PLAD lovers. For waiting patiently and always supporting me :)

Happy Reading!

She was making the bed with Payal when she received the message on her cellphone. The phone which he broke in the penthouse and he himself got it back to her after getting it repaired. She could barely understand the logic in that man's mind.

Reading the message she sighed. She who was heartbroken and hurt and in sheer pain after everything that happened in just a day, was now feeling numb of all the feelings. Maybe it has become too much for her to handle that she herself doesn't know how to react anymore.

When Akash ji dropped her home and Jiji saw the band-aid on the back of her hand once she entered the room Payal panicked asking her what happened. She had a hard time consoling her sister making excuses after excuses that it was just a small scratch that happened accidentally.

Now that she was calm she would have to make up another lie that even though that beast gave her some space to breath without him but he wasn't backing off from his words at all. He wants to spend the night with her only and he would. The message boasted just that.

"Jiji, Sarita will stay here with you tonight. I will use the guest room." As Khushi said without meeting her eyes Payal frowned.

"You don't seem well to me, Khushi. Let Sarita stay in the guest room. Anyways there are only few days left for us to stay together in one room. I don't want to loose this time we can spend together. Okay?"

"Oh come on Jiji, we are going to the same house anyways. We will get plenty of time to spend with each other. Don't worry." Saying this she grabbed a spare blanket and scurried off kissing Payal's cheeks before she could even protest.

Coming to the guest room she sent Sarita to her Jiji and cleaned the room.

'I will be there at midnight.'

His text was one liner but she wasn't a fool not to understand the meaning behind it. She looked at the time. Ten minutes to midnight. Her heart dropped. Thankfully everyone was off to their bed. Some guests were also staying here so she has to be careful.

Letting out a breath she sat on the bed trying to understand that why suddenly she was all cool about it. Why wasn't she panicking spending the whole night with him?

"I had had plenty of opportunities to claim you but I didn't. Did you ever wonder why?"

"If you think I am lusting over your body then you couldn't be more wrong. I told you a million times already that you don't know me at all."

She snorted.

"Yeah right." She scoffed. Shaking her head she rubbed her hands which suddenly has started shaking. Here she thought he might have been feeling guilty after seeing her getting a migraine attack. That maybe, maybe he would spare her for at least a day but no, he proved her wrong again. Altogether. Told her that he was selfish before, he would stay so forever no matter what.

Her phone beeped with a message and with that the numb feeling in her body disappeared as she walked to the window and saw him parking the car at the same spot she told him to in order to hide it from prying eyes.

Taking a deep breath she went to the back door of the Gomti Sadan and pulled it open. Without sparing him a glance she murmured to him 'Follow me'.

When he asked her 'how is she feeling now?' She whirled around abruptly and placed her palm on his mouth looking around frantically.

Glaring at him she whispered to him to keep low while his heart thudded violently in his ribcage as after she took her hand off his mouth she grabbed his wrist before pulling him along with her. Without a word he let her drag him wherever she wants to.

They tiptoed into the house before she stopped in front of a door to which he frowned.

"This is not your room." Arnav exclaimed as they entered in the room far from other ones. She left his hand and turned to close the door.

"This is the guest room." She replied sternly.

"And why aren't we in yours may I ask?" He looked pissed.

"Because I couldn't kick my sister out of the room just because you want it." She snapped.

He pursed his lips in anger.

He grabbed her elbow and pulled her back to her earlier position when she tried to leave from his side.

"I came here to stay with you tonight. Where do you think you're going?" He glared.

"I was going to go get the water jug." She gritted.

"Oh. Okay go." He mellowed down. "But come back soon or I'll come get you myself." He warned.

"Yeah, I know." She scoffed.

He closed his eyes to reign in his emotions.

What are you doing, Arnav?

Doctor told you not to stress her and you are doing the exact opposite!

Calm down. Calm down!

He would have dropped the idea of coming here tonight but the blinding concern for her made him stick to his decision. He was regretting coming here now. He should have known how his emotions overrule him whenever she is in front of him.

He sat more like fell on the bed and it creaked with his weight. Rubbing his forehead he patiently waited for her. And she didn't take long to come back.

He swallowed looking at her dressed in blue dress with her hairs tied in a bun. She placed the jug and glass on the bedside table before turning without sparing him a glance.

"Ab toh bta do k kaisi ho? (Will you tell me now how are you?)" He asked holding her wrist. She turned to him and replied softly much to his surprise.

"Hum theek hain. (I am okay)"

"I have talked to the doctor. I will make sure you get rid of these attacks permanently." He said standing up cupping her shoulders. She nodded looking up at him blankly.

Spreading his arms around her he embraced her hiding her in the cocoon of his arms.

"I will make it alright." He whispered with his cheek resting against her hairs whilst he caressed her back softly making her frown at his gentle behavior.

"We are one of a kind aren't we?" He said pulling back to cut the tension lurking around them. "We must be the first couple who are doing the wedding rituals after marriage. As a husband and wife." He chuckled dryly.

It had an opposite effect on her. Her face paled remembering how he made her sign those wedding documents.

"Jaanti ho k mai hi tumhari saari problems solve kar sakta toh pehle hi maan jaati. Mujhe ye sab karna hi na padhta toh iss sab k liye mujhe nahi khud ko ilzaam do! (When you do know only I could solve all of your problems then why the fuss. If only you'd had agreed before I wouldn't have to do this so not me blame yourself for all of this)" He said suddenly making her eyes shot to him in vengeance.

"Till now you have only gave me troubles. You solved nothing but messed up everything in my life." She wanted to shout but words came out of her mouth in a choke.

His face twisted in pain. He didn't say anything for many moments but when she walked past him he grabbed her elbow and pulled her back to face him.

"I know I have hurt you so much. I wanted to win you over but instead pushed you away. So here it is. The last challenge and deal between us which will mark the foundation of our relationship."

She scoffed.

"One more deal." She mocked shaking her head. "Fine. Let's find out. What is it?" She shrugged his hand and crossed her arms over her chest.

He took out some papers from his blazer's pocket before extending it to her.

She gritted her teeth recognizing them. She has signed them few hours ago hasn't she? Her death sentence. Her submission to him.

"Are you trying to rub it in, Mr. Raizada?" She felt her eyes prickle.

"Our marriage is my wish and the contract is yours. You want to annul the former while I want to break the latter one. So my promise would stay with you and yours with mine." He gripped her hand and placed the wedding document in her hand making her lips tremble she curled her fingers around it feeling helpless.

"Let's see who will win in breaking whom first. Although I have a fair idea but still. I am always ready to win an exciting challenge and this is by far the topmost in my priority list right now. Because in return of it I'd get you in my life. Forever. And ever. And ever."

"Also it will keep reminding you with whom do you belong." He winked gesturing to the papers in her hands before yawning leisurely. She averted her misty eyes feeling excruciating ache in her heart like never before. He was still into games. He would never learn would he? He just wants to own her like she is some property.

"How's that? You keep what I forced you to do. While I will keep what you wanted me to do. Lets see who will succeed in keeping what we want from each other." He finished dropping a kiss on her cheek before taking off his blazer. She gasped and turned her back to him.

"It's time to sleep." He said and she felt herself being pulled back. Her eyes widened when she fell on the bed right on the top of him.

"I married you because I know you wouldn't let me do this without it." He gripped her waist when she tried to move back.

"What?" She gulped.

"This." He said huskily before rolling them on the bed until she was beneath him and he on the top of her taking her breaths away.

*

"The rumor is false. Shashi Uncle is fine." Anjali informed everyone standing worriedly in the living room while Akash has barely held a sobbing Payal to run to her home while media was camping outside the palace waiting to catch anyone on the camera about the latest news about their in-laws. One set of their teams was busy interrogating in the City Hospital. And the other outside Gomti Sadan.

"Who would spread such a rumor hello hi bye bye?" Manorama spoke.

"Your nephew who else." Payal cried out. "When he dropped the idea of blackmailing Khushi with our house and shop he thought to use her biggest weakness. Babu ji. He knows that she will run back home if she saw this news!" She gritted out with hate in the end.

"But I won't let him succeed in his mission." She said determined and shrugging Akash's hands stormed off before anyone could stop her.

And then she was standing outside the palace gates before the various reporters who stood up and rushed to her with the mike held in their hands and cameras clicking pictures after pictures along with live video coverage.

"My father is absolutely fine. He is not in any hospital but at home having his breakfast in peace. After that like everyday routine he will open his sweet shop and work there!" She announced confidently before crossing her arms over her chest.

"I suggest you guys shouldn't show any news on the channels before validating it if you don't want to be sued for spreading false rumors!" She said with such a tone that silenced every reporter there who took a step back in fear seeing her feisty attitude.

Akash was standing a feet away just behind her in case she needs him. He knew she needed to do this or else she would have lost it. And he let her because it was the right thing to do.

Ignoring their stupefied expressions she turned and barged back in the palace and the gates were closed immediately while Akash followed her before coming to walk besides her.

"Khushi will not believe this false rumor anymore when she will see this statement from me. I won't let her fall prey to your brother's game ever again!" Payal said firmly taking long strides forward while Akash kept his silence as he preferred this fighting strong avatar of his wife rather than the broken one which he witnessed not so long ago.

"Dammit!" Arnav smashed the paper weight against the wall standing up from his chair in his study after seeing Payal on the news.

"Everyone is hell bent on ruining my plans!" He rasped throwing his head in his hands falling back on the chair feeling defeated like never before.

"I take my words back. I will spare Gomti Sadan but Satwik Mishtan Bhindar will be auctioned. And Khushi will see this news on every newspaper. Let's see till when she could turn her back to her family who would be penniless soon without any work to lean on for their daily income!"

He growled out loud before grabbing his cell to text someone.

'Change of plans. Make up a story and spread this news that Guptas wants to sell their sweet shop to pay some of their debts. As they have quite high esteem and morals they refused to take help from their sons-in-law and decided to sell their shop to pay back their loan. Add that Satwik Mishtan Bhindaar will be auctioned the day after tomorrow.'

"You want to outrun me huh Mrs. Payal Singh Raizada? But you don't know I am a master at these games. No one will be able to stop Khushi from coming back now. Not even you!" He whispered to himself with his eyes glinting dangerously.

He knew that Khushi has to come out of her hiding in order to save the sweet shop which means the world to her and her family for which she fought heads-on to save it from Vikrant Oberoi as well. She knows this too that the false rumor about his heart attack could turn out true if her Babu ji lost their only source of income.

What will Khushi do now?

An hour later he leaned back on the chair satisfied seeing the article regarding the same. The back to back news regarding his in-laws has become trend on the internet and social media.

He heard the bang of the door on his study before hearing a familiar voice.

"I will kill you, Raizada!" It was Payal screaming her lungs out banging her fists on the door.

He pulled it open looking as calm as the surface of the ocean whilst she pounced on him and slapped him left, right before Akash pulled her back seeing the rage emanating from his brother's eyes.

"LEAVE ME. I will not spare him today. Let me go, Akash!" She struggled in his arms spitting fire at Arnav who has composed himself in seconds and was now standing with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Oh why? Do you want to make your sister a widow?" He scoffed.

"Yes. I will. I will. She will be better off without you!" She yelled.

Arnav's eyes darted away from her to his sister, Nani, Mama and Mami standing behind her before Devyani stepped forward and did something which she has never done till now.

She faced him and looking in his eyes slapped him right across his face stunning everyone including Payal. Anjali sobbed out.

"N-Nani," He choked looking at her brokenly dropping all the façade.

"I am listening, Arnav!" It was the first time ever that his grandmother was calling him by his name with such contempt. It tore him apart seeing the iciness in her eyes.

"Try and understand me." His eyes filled up. "I am dying here. I will die without her." He rasped. Devyani looked away as her eyes prickled with hurt as well.

"Go back to what you were before." She looked up after a moment and said confidently.

He frowned.

"What do you mean?" He dreaded her answer.

"It was I who gave you my surname when you refused to own to yours!" Devyani said sternly. "Now that you have decided to move on from the past as you have shifted back to Sheesh Mahal on your own will why don't you change back to your original name as well, Arnav Malik?"

Arnav balled his hands into fists as he looked at her dumbfounded while Anjali gasped. Payal looked on unaffected other than the fact that this thing dug like a knife in the monster's heart. Only if he possess one obviously!

He detested the Malik' tag as much as he detested his father.

"Don't." Arnav croaked blinking back the tears. "Don't do it, Nani."

"You forced me to. Why did you save their shop if you had to do this only eventually? Why didn't you let that Oberoi take it then?" She exclaimed.

"I did it for HER. To make a soft corner in her heart but now that she is not even here then why should I care what her so called family think of me?"

"Get their shop sold and I will get you registered back to your old name because then you'd prove that you're Arvind Malik's son!" Devyani announced out loud making him go berserk listening the name of the man he abhor with all his being.

"I AM NOT. I AM NOT HIM!" He lost it and gripped the sides of his head and hairs in fists in sheer pain that Anjali cried out horrified seeing him staggering back until his legs hit the chair behind and he fell on it feeling emptiness enveloping her.

"Prove it then." Nani held Anjali's hand who was about to approach him worriedly. Anjali whimpered looking at her pleadingly.

"Let her go. Let Khushi go. Stop it already!" Devyani spoke firmly and saw him raising his head to her with a start before looking down with his shoulders slumped.

Covering his nose with his hands he blinked his eyes as more moisture seeped in them.

"I-I can't." He choked. "I can't let her go, Nani. I could never. NEVER. NEVER. NEVER." He yelled at the end standing up on his feet while his whole body trembled. His demeanor scared the shits out of them.

"You need a break, Chote. You need to get a grip over yourself." Devyani spoke seeing his condition. "Anjali bitiya, get him tickets to go to Swati as soon as possible. He isn't listening to us but I will see how would he refuse her when she will say the same things I said." She said and everyone saw his posture changing visibly as he looked at his grandmother stunned.

"I am not going anywhere until I get my wife back!" He growled yet they all saw that he didn't seem that confident anymore. Neither of Khushi's comeback nor of his resolve to withstand it.

"Fine. I will get her here then!" Nani told her verdict.

"Don't trouble her, Nani. I am fine. I will be fine." Arnav spoke not so confidently.

"We will see about that." Devyani said and left the room with everyone following behind.

"Who is Swati, Akash?" Payal asked perplexed because she saw that all the arrogance on Arnav's face withered away with this one name.

"Someone very important for Bhai." Akash said silently.

"If she is this much important why wasn't she in the wedding? If she could have had handled him why didn't you tell her at the first place when it all started?" She asked offended.

"We are trying to contact her for a while now. Trust me. But couldn't get in touch with her as due to family business she travels from one place to the other with her family. We sent the wedding invitation on her old foreign address. Emailed it too. Left text messages. Maybe she changed her address, email and the phone number. Otherwise she would have definitely come." He explained to her calmly.

"Why didn't she contact you herself? If she is this much important to you and vice versa then she should have informed you how to contact her if in case she couldn't."

"She has such an influence on Bhai that he avoids contacting her himself. And she never pushes him. Whenever Bhai feels like talking to her he finds her contact himself. It's not difficult for him you see."

"If he can find the contact why can't you?"

"I told you I found it and sent the wedding invitation on the same address and contact but seems like they moved again as they didn't come despite it. I will look into their latest information now. Don't worry. I will find it. Now that Nani wants Bhai to spend some time with her I will have to do it sooner." He said quietly and felt somewhat calm seeing the trust building in Payal's eyes for him.

It was a minute yet significant change in their relationship. Gradually he will earn her faith in him fully before winning her back along with her love.

*

"This." He said huskily before rolling them on the bed until she was beneath him and he on the top of her taking her breaths away.

"What are you doing?" She wriggled beneath him as he entwined her fingers with his pinning her hands on either sides of her head. Breath whooshed out of her.

"Shh. Relax. Will you?" He touched his forehead to hers. "Just stay still for a minute. Please." He whispered hoarsely nuzzling his nose with hers. She stilled yet her heart trembled in her ribcage. His breath fanned on her skin sending jolts of electricity down her spine. There goes her plan to give this man no power over her or her feelings. She screamed in her mind.

Her frustration spilled out of her in the form of tears from her eyes. He who was reveling in her presence seeing her all fine after the scare she gave him a few hours ago heard her sniffle. He raised his head and swallowed hard seeing her sobbing.

"Get the negative thoughts out of your mind for heaven's sake." He exclaimed on her face. She hiccupped averting her eyes. He cursed under his breath.

"I just want to hold you for a bit. Am I not allowed to do even that?" He asked silently.

"I didn't say anything." She said coldly.

"Your tears did." He retorted in hurt.

"Am I not allowed to even cry?" She countered shooting her eyes to him.

"If you'd ask me then no. You are not." He growled maniacally tightening his hold on her wrist making her whimper.

"Your sobs break me apart. Don't you know that? You purposely do this don't you? To make me pay in your own way." He loosened his grip on her hands before glaring at her.

"You can think whatever you want for all I care." She said nonchalantly.

He gritted his teeth and considering the doctor's advice let it be or he would have only stressed her more by reacting violently. He doesn't want to see her in that condition again. Never again!

He silently rolled to the right side of the bed before spooning her closer embracing her from the back murmured.

"Now sleep. Less than three days and you will be mine. In front of the world too."

It took away all of her protests. Defeated she laid unarmed in his arms with the light of fight dousing from her eyes. She didn't protest even when he dropped a kiss on the side of her neck before whispering,

"Goodnight, Mrs. Raizada."

Then he was asleep in moments while she laid wide awake thinking of her life which has been controlled by the people around her. Especially by the man in whose hold she was lying down. Calmly. Without any protests.

He at last took away her ability to fight him as well. She was exhausted. She was broken. She was in tatters. She doesn't know how will she stand back on her feet with the same self-respect and pride ever again.

A lone tear leaked from the corner of her eye which opened the floodgates of pain. She couldn't hold it anymore and broke down sobbing silently with her hand covering her mouth not wanting to wake the beast.

There was a point she couldn't control her voice and a loud whimper of helplessness escaped from her lips and she felt his arms tightening around her which sucked off her voice.

She turned her head in fear and heaved a sigh seeing him sleeping before she quickly wiped her face and closed her eyes. Then she doesn't know how but the sleep invaded her and she was snoring softly in moments not knowing that he woke up the moment he heard her loud whimper.

Opening his misty eyes he rubbed them to ward of the moisture before burying his nose in her hairs from behind closing his eyes.

"I am sorry." He choked sniffling but try as might he couldn't let her go out of his arms. He let out a long sigh before closing his eyes trying to get some sleep but couldn't the rest of the night while she slept soundly in his arms after throwing him in the darkest pit of hell.

*

She was looking outside the window with her hollow eyes. Touching her head with the glass she closed her eyes.

"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 but stopped as she noticed the place in front before looking around confused. She turned to look at him with a frown. He took long strides to her and came to stand before her.

"What game are you playing now? Why did you bring me here not Sheesh Mahal directly? I signed the wedding documents already. Then why?"

"Because you yourself said that you don't want to go there. Remember?"

"You know I didn't mean that." She protested.

"Relax." He cupped her cheeks. She looked at him weirdly.

What's gotten into him again?

He brought her to Gomti Sadan when she should be at the venue at this time. In Sheesh mahal.

"You promised you'd take me there on time if I did everything you said." She cried. "Fine." She shrugged his hand off. "I'd go myself." She was about to leave when he grabbed her elbow and pulled her back.

"Will you listen to me? I made a promise I know. I'd keep it, too. But I know this as well that you need time to process everything. When you left this house this morning you were Khushi Kumari Gupta but now you'd be entering it as Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada." He stopped seeing her pained expressions at the obvious bitter truth. It cracked her insides.

"You look like a ghost despite all the preparation you did. Take your time and I will be picking you up soon. And no excuses Khushi. I postponed the function for an hour for you." He finished looking at her face expecting some emotions for him but except for hate and disappointment he saw none.

"Thanks for so much care." She gripped her lehenga and giving him one last reprimanding look ran off while while he kept standing until she disappeared from his sight.

"Tea or coffee?" Someone extended a tray with two cups in front of her causing her to jerk out of her thoughts. She glanced at the cup before raising her eyes to the person standing in front of her. A Pandora box opened up in her mind making her feel suffocated.

"No thanks." She managed to say shaking her head and leaned back to the window looking outside.

Holding the lehenga a little up she went around her house and entered through the back door and straight away went to the room. Thankfully Jiji wasn't in the room.

Rushing to the bathroom grabbing the change she changed into her informal wears and slid against the wall after gazing at the mirror for several moments.

"Congratulations on your wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada."

"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 hurting yourself and me. Accept the truth. That you're my wife now.)"

It brewed screams inside her causing it to be difficult for her to contain them inside and she didn't try. Placing her palm into her mouth she screamed into it. Hard. Putting the other hand over her mouth too she cried profusely washing away all the make up she did with her tears.

"Why me?" She looked up with her shoulders shaking. Her breath got stuck along with her sobs as she heard someone pushing at the door.

"Who's in there?" Hearing Payal's voice Khushi quickly splashed water on her face and taking a breath answered

"It's me Jiji."

"Oh Khushi!" Payal voice had a palpable relief in it.

"Come on. Out, dear." Payal knocked lightly.

"Jiji, I need to get ready for the function. Will be out soon." She barely said it without stuttering and showing her emotions.

"But your dress for the sangeet is with me."

"Which dress?" Khushi asked confused.

"The one which Raizadas sent to our parents." Payal's voice turned small at that as if she herself didn't like the situation.

Khushi closed her eyes to gather her patience.

"Pass it to me, Jiji!" Khushi opened the door a bit and held out a hand. Payal handed it over to her.

"Call me if you need anything." Payal said from outside.

Khushi couldn't reply as she looked at the dress, its texture, the color and realized instantly whose doing was it and what he was trying to do here.

"What happened to your bright colored Anarkalis and pompoms? Don't tell me you gave up on colours since the Diwali last year?"

"Mairi yaad mai rango ko hi nikal diya zindagi se? Ab mai aa gaya hun.. Toh ab ye pale colours pehnana chod do! Tum shokh rangon mai zyada achi lagti ho. Khas kar k laal rang mai!

(In my wake, you snatched the colors from your life. Now that I am here stop wearing pale ones. You look more radiant in bright colors most of all red)"

Not only did he force his way back into her life but also was trying to bring the colors back in her life. But that too in his own way. By dominating. By blackmailing. By making sure she has no other choice but to obey him.

And it.. it made it all the more unbearable and torturous!

"Earth to Khushi." She was being shook again out of her thoughts which were a reality in itself.

"Please leave me alone for some time?" She pleaded.

A shake of head she got as an answer telling her that she wasn't getting rid of this 'interruption' anytime soon. She let out a sigh and turned giving the the other person her full attention just in order to distract herself.

"So coffee or-"

"Tea. You know that I hate coffee. I hate all the 'bitter' things." Khushi scowled.

"Yeah. Your taste is same in people too." Pat came the reply.

Khushi pursed her lips taking the cup of tea and bringing it to her lips.

"Should I turn on the TV?" Came another question.

"Isn't it your place? Do whatever you want."

"I am asking it for you, idiot. Don't try to act smart with me."

"Can't you just shut up then? 'For me'?" Khushi quirked her eyebrows.

"Fine. I will go. Go back to your sulking. And when you have done enough grieving come out and eat something."

Khushi turned her head back to the window raising her legs up on the chair wrapping her arms around her knees.

"Khushi!" Came a reprimanding voice before a sigh. "Are you regretting it?"

"Of course not!" Khushi stood up abruptly and charged forward.

"Then why do you look so torn?"

"I am sad because I let someone destroy my life." Khushi burst out after silence of days.

"I made it happen because I let my emotions rule me. I thought about everyone else but me. I didn't give myself any importance. My self-respect, my pride is badly crushed. I can't look at myself in the mirror. I am ashamed of myself. That's why! You get it now?"

"Khushi-"

"I let everyone else make decisions for me. Especially that freaking, dumbass, beast, bastard- ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA!" She pointed to the wall with her whole body shaking and eyes pouring out.

"Your husband, you mean!" An arrow landed straight at Khushi's heart whilst she let out a whimper.

"Not for long though!" Khushi snapped her red-rimmed eyes up at the person before her.

"I will have to bear this self-exile for two months then I will go back to my city. To my 'old' life. Then everyone will meet the 'new' Khushi who will not sacrifice anything for anyone anymore!" She announced with vengeance before walking to the bed and sat on it grabbing the blanket into her fist. Thickening silence followed her outburst.

Both of them jerked at their places because suddenly the noise filled the air as accidently Khushi has touched the button of the remote lying under the blanket.

Khushi's face changed colors in moments as she saw the headlines.

'Shashi Gupta the father of ASR's wife has suffered heart attack recently. Apparently he couldn't bear being apart from his precious daughters. He is in City Hospital getting the necessary treatment in a very critical condition.'

"Babu ji-" Khushi whispered with her vision blurring. She couldn't move for many moments due to the shock until she heard a voice coming from-- afar?

"Yeah let's see if you will stay firm on your decision to give a fuck!" The person said knowingly.

Khushi looked up at her savior with incredulous look on her face. Her heart thumping loudly in her ribcage in sheer fear. Her nerves burst with worry.

"While you were in mourning phase so much has happened. Congratulations Khushi. You along with your family and Raizadas are trending in media world now-a-days."

"T-Trending?" Khushi choked.

"Here." It would be better to get her distracted before Khushi could panic or take any rash decision. The person thought concerned.

Khushi took the cellphone extended to her and scrolled down reading one article after the other until she heard a familiar voice on the television making her whip her head up to it with her eyes blearing.

'My father is absolutely fine. He is not in any hospital but at home having his breakfast in peace. After that like everyday routine he will open his sweet shop and work there!'

'I suggest you guys shouldn't show any news on the channels before validating it if you don't want to be sued for spreading false rumors!'

"Jiji!" Khushi whimpered out in relief. "You saved me. Thank you Jiji. Thank you so much!" She cried out clutching the phone in her hand.

"Want to eat something sweet to get rid of after-effects of the shock?"

Khushi nodded despite herself and then she was left alone. For the next many minutes she sat staring blankly at nothing in particular sliding down from the bed onto the floor.

"Look what we have here." Khushi jerked at her place hearing the chirpy voice.

"Your favorite Jalebis. Tada!"

Khushi couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you."

"Dig in, dear. It's all yours!"

Khushi snorted despite herself. Picking up one she took a bite and tasting its sweetness for those moments she became the same old chirpy bubbly girl as she gobbed down and savored every bite of it till the last piece.

"Wow. You are fast." Laughter reverberated in the room.

"I can never resist them. Like never!" Khushi spoke with her mouth full of the dessert.

"Yeah. Yeah. I can see that." Khushi got the roll of eyes in response which made her laugh shortly until their moment was interrupted with the beep on the phone Khushi has placed on the bed on which she has seen the articles before.

She wouldn't have checked anyone's else phone but when she saw that it was the news article from the same website she was reading the news on she snatched it off the bed before the phone's owner and touched the icon which loaded the page in moments.

'Another hot news of today. Just now a powerful source revealed that Guptas(Raizadas in-laws) wants to sell their sweet shop to pay their debts.'

'Having quite high esteem and morals they refused to take help from their sons-in-law and decided to sell their shop to pay back their loan. Satwik Mishtan Bhindaar will be auctioned the day after tomorrow. Also--'

"What happened, Khushi?" The concern was evident in the tone seeing Khushi's face twisting with mixture of hurt, rage and hate.

"Arnav Singh Raizada has waged a war against me. It's on, my friend." She gritted out.

"What?" Phone was snatched from her followed by a gasp and exclaim. "What will you do now? You don't have much time. And by the way, how do you know it's him? His name isn't even mentioned here."

"Yeah it isn't but his intentions are pretty clearly mentioned here. It's his indirect message to me to return the day after tomorrow or he will destroy everything I ever held dear." Khushi growled in vengeance.

"Still how can you be so sure it's him only?"

"Because I owe him 1 crore 13 lacs and that's the debt my family could have had nothing else could be the reason because Babu ji, me and Jiji made sure to pay back all our debts months back."

"That's huge amount."

"I know but I have to find a way to pay it back in two days. Anyhow." Khushi stood up determined.

"If you couldn't, then?" Obvious question was asked.

"We will see, then."

"You will see. How? By returning back to him? Will you accept defeat? In just a few days?"

"Should I?" A certain glint shone in Khushi's eyes confusing her savior.

"Will you go by my opinion?"

"I am asking for your advise."

"If you'd ask me I'd say that fuck it all. Close your eyes to everything else and enjoy your life. That's all."

"Should I?" Khushi couldn't help but smirk at the advice.

"Khushi!"

"I need to make a phone call, my dear. The one which couldn't be traced back no matter what." Khushi finally came to a decision and squared her shoulders.

"To whom? Arnav?"

"Nah. To our spy in that city." Khushi said seriously.

"That's more like it." A knowing smirk appeared on the face.

In a few minutes Khushi was dialing a memorized number from a burner phone before putting the phone to her ear with all her goal set in her mind.

Pick up. Pick up. Pick u- The phone was picked up at third ring.

"Hello?"

Khushi's breath got stuck in some region of her throat and her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach hearing the voice of her tormentor on the other side.

"Hello?" She heard again. This time with confusion apparent in his voice.

"Who is it?" He asked gruffly this time.

"Speak up dammit!"

"HELLO!"

Khushi held back the squeal of fear closing her mouth with her palm. Her whole body trembled. Then her face went dead pale as she heard him say.

"Who- Khushi is that you?"

________________________

I know cliffhanger. I should post Q/A quickly and better run before you guys beat me up. LOL

Q/A:

1. Did you like the surprise? How's the update by the way?

2. Your favorite scene/Dialogue of PLAD till now?

3. Who is Swati? Can she really help Arnav? Will Arnav allow her? Will he give up on Khushi?

4. Who is helping Khushi? How did Arnav happen to pick up the phone she called on?

5. Who will win this battle or say the war?

6. What's gonna happen next?

Waiting eagerly for your feedback. Next Update depends on your response ;)

SILENT READERS: At least Vote? It'd hardly take a second for you but it'd make my day.

Stay safe!

Cheers!