Part 54 Disappointment

Arnav walked to his room full of disappointment. He was angry with no one but with himself. He never felt bad for being a Mafia. This was the first time he felt bad about it. He sat on the couch, closing his eyes. NK who followed him sat in front of him.

"I think we should not hide the truth from Payal Bhabi. This will lead us to the wrong place, Nannav" he warned.

"No NK... she completely lost her mind, it seems. It's not advisable to tell her the truth right away. We should find a good way to handle this"

"Didn't you see Khushi Bhabi... she is dejected. She is your wife and no one has the right to get her away from you... not even Payal bhabi"

"Of course, no one has the rights... I'm not going to let her go away from me but understand the reality. We can't blame Payal. Her fear is justified. She met with a big attack. She was hit brutally. Just think, even Khushi would have reacted the same way if she had been in Payal's place. We should not forget, she too hated us in the beginning. Payal needs some time to understand the reality. I feel bad for not myself but for Akash. I don't know how he is going to stand her hatred" Arnav felt bad.

"That's what I'm saying, Nananv... the only solution is THE TRUTH..."

"Let's Khushi handle her. I hope she will take it further because only she knows about Payal. Let's wait and watch"

NK had no choice other than accepting it.

............

Payal's room got changed completely. All the medical types of equipment were removed from the room. Only a nurse stayed there.

Khushi was fed up hearing Payal's unfaithful words about Arnav. It was noon. Yet, Payal was singing the same song. Khushi was gazing at Payal who started explaining how she was attacked on her birthday.

"You have no idea what I went through, Khushi. A few men who looked like buffalo rushed to me with logs. I was horrified, seeing their scary look. My body started shivering. I didn't know what to do. Akash saw them advancing me. He ran towards me, throwing the ice creams away but they surrounded me and started hitting me"

"Why did they advance you leaving Akash behind? Did not they come to attack Akash?" Khushi asked.

"I don't know..."

"They knew only Akash... they came to attack him... but, instead of attacking him, why would they attack you?" Khushi tried to seed suspiciousness in her heart.

"Because I'm his girlfriend"

"But, he was not with you when they came there. He was buying ice cream a little away from you. Then, how did they know you are his girlfriend? Did you guys often meet?"

Payal nodded no.

"We rarely met... we almost talked on the phone. Akash was so cautious when it came to his and my safety"

"Then how did it happen if you didn't give his enemy a chance to follow you?"

Payal was thoughtful. Khushi smiled inwardly. She should put some brains in Payal's head. Otherwise, she won't come out of the illusion.

Suddenly, Payal's facial expression changed.

"Whatever, Khushi, we should go from here" she said nervously.

"No, Jeeji... if we go from here, we won't be safe. This is the safest place in Mumbai"

"Do you like to be in the shade of a Mafia? Are you ready to accept his favor? How could you change your mind, Khushi?" Payal's face was full of disappointment.

"It's because I understand the reality. This is true. We can't survive peacefully if we go out because there are vultures waiting outside to tear our flesh. I experienced a lot when I searched for you. Even policemen are not loyal here. There is nothing called safety outside"

"In the fear of facing vultures, would you accept the shelter from a hunter?"

"Hunter would hunt animals, not humans"

"I can't understand what made you take his side," Payal said irritatingly.

"I can't understand what made you forget Akash to the fullest. How could you do that, Jeeji?"

"Because I faced the worst due to him"

"Love means what? Life or death... all together... right?"

"This dialogue will be apt to movies, not in real life. Without doing any mistakes, why should I die? I loved Akash without knowing the truth. After that, I thought he was ASR. And then, one day, he said he was not ASR but his brother... there was full of confusion"

"What will you answer Akash? Do you have the guts to tell him on his face that you don't want to marry him?"

"I have no choice, Khushi... But, I will be happy if I get a chance to leave this place without meeting him. Please, find a way to leave this place, Khushi"

"Ok... let me talk to him"

"With whom? ASR?"

"Mmm"

"Be careful, Khushi... Don't trust him. You don't know about him."

*You don't trust him because you don't know about him* Khushi thought in her mind. Yet, she nodded ok.

"Don't go to his room alone"

"He won't be alone but with his men"

"Then, keep distance with him"

Khushi sighed.

"Take rest... I will come" Khushi left the room, gesturing something for the nurse who nodded ok.

Khushi came to Arnav's room, looking behind again and again cautiously. She saw Arnav standing at the window and staring outside blankly. In no time, she rushed to him and hugged him from behind. Arnav was jolted by the sudden impact. He pulled her before him and found her eyes teary.

"Khushiiii... what happened? Why are you crying?"

Khushi hugged him and cried.

"I don't like all this. I'm going to tell Jeeji about our marriage"

"What did she say?"

"She has no trust in you. She wants to leave this place. She asked me to do it for her"

"She would be like this. What's a big deal? Did you trust me in the beginning? Only I know how hard it was to get your trust" he chuckled not showing his grief.

"I feel like crying"

He pulled her back.

"Relax Khushi... I will get Akash to India as soon as possible. Till then, hold on to Payal here. Don't tell her anything about Akash's arrival"

"She may hurt him"

"But, only he can make her understand. He will take care of her. Just be patient"

"How could I be away from you?"

"Do you think it's easy for me? We have to do this for Akash. Hope for good. Akash will make it right"

She nodded ok.

That was when they heard an ambulance sound. Khushi looked at Arnav contently. Arnav got a call from Aman. He attended it.

"Haan, Aman..."

"I reached RC"

"Yeah, coming..." he disconnected the call.

"I have to go... go to Payal's room. Be with her..."

Khushi nodded ok. Arnav left the room. NK was waiting for him outside. They headed to the RC to make an important decision.

To be continued...