Everything was the same like those six months between them.

They shared relation in night and in the day time they were strangers.

The only difference was that Arnav was gentle towards her Khushi was indifferent while he was not.

He would stare at her with longing in the day time a longing stare which brought tears to even Anjali's eyes whenever she see him wistfully looking at Khushi and at night...at night he would love her like he has never loved anyone before pouring out all the emotions in his caresses .. kisses.. soft grazes all over her body especially her scars.

When she would fall asleep spent he  would apply ointment to every marks he has given her so far in those months and it proved fruitful as the following months her scars started healing that only a few faint one remained which he was sure would vanish in a few days.

Negative

It has turned out the same result since the last three months.

He has seen her drown into sadness every time the pregnancy test results turn out negative.

She would sob sitting at one corner of the poolside and he could do nothing but watch her as at every failed try she would shut him out for a few days before continuing their physical relationship at nights.

But now, she was at the end of her patience.

He can see that as she threw the strip angrily and marched up to him and grabbed his collars.

"Mr.Raizada, This is all happening because of you."

He stared at her with pain.

"Don't look at me like that." She shouted punching his chest.

He held his palm up to Anjali who has come running to his room hearing Khushi's shouts.

She stopped at the door itself and teared up when Arnav gestured her to leave through his eyes.Khushi's back was to the door.

Anjali turned and left praying for the well being of her brother and Bhabhi.

"Please devi maiyya make a way to heal them both." She whispered to herself coming back to her room as she heard the shouts coming from her Chote's room.

"I don't know how would you do that. But I WANT MY CHILD. Did you get it?" she howled.

"Khushi we're trying. I am trying. Just..just wait for a bit more." He said softly covering his hands over hers on his collars.

"NO. I can't wait anymore. I can't." She suddenly turned mournful after being angry.

He feared she might go into depression again.He has to do something to keep her out of the hopelessness.

"Khushi..." He started.

She shrugged his hands and gave him a rough push.

He stumbled back.

"You're doing this aren't you?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"W-What am I doing?" He asked composing himself from the hurt he felt at her indifference.

"Are you using some prevention techniques so that I don't get pregnant?" It was more of an accusation than a question.

"WHAT? God NO KHUSHI!" He exclaimed.

How in the fucking hell she got that notion?

"Don't lie. Do you want to enjoy me for long? That's why you're prolonging it aren't you? Did you mix contraceptive pills in any thing I drank or ate till now?"

He gripped her upper arms and shook her.

"Are you fudging serious Khushi? Why would I do that?"

"Not a new thing for me. You shouldn't have pretended that day that it is hurting you to touch me when you wanted this fucking relation all this time. You haven't changed. Only your manipulative ways have."

His eyes teared up at her disbelief on him. He can't blame her either because he hasn't given any reason to her to trust him.Ever. So its quite normal for her to feel like this.

But why was his heart clenching and ripping apart even after assurance of his logics?

Why he couldn't see her distrust on him?

Why he wants her to trust him when he hasn't done anything to build it ever?

He slackened his hold on her arms before taking a step back.

"I am not taking any measures to keep you from conceiving." He explained with sincerity in his eyes.

"Why do you think I'll believe you?" she crossed her arms on her chest.

"Because..because I am speaking the truth Khushi." He pleaded swallowing.

"Don't give me that look Mr.Raizada. Your acting that it is hurting you won't work on me.I know you better."

"I.." he felt choked with pain in his heart. Tears burned the corner of his eyes.

"You aren't doing it right." She stated.

He kept silent.Too torn to speak even a word.

"When you did me hard in initial six months of our marriage I got pregnant easily.Now you're being gentle to me." She glared at him.He looked away trying hard not to break down before her.

"This is the reason I am not conceiving. You need to fuck me without any care. Only then I'll get what i want." She stated simply making his eyes widen.

"I...Khushi..." He choked.

The way she was referring to his gentleness and love as fuck was chilling his insides making his heart shred into million pieces.

She ignored him.

"You want to enjoy me then don't pretend to be gentle. You don't have to Mr.Raizada. Just use me and give me my child back. I promise to stay and please you for however you'll want later on.Don't delay my pregnancy by your manipulative ways." She threw the words on his face and left the room.

He fell back on the bed and looked at the ceiling with blurred vision.A tear leaked from the corner of his eye.

Something told him that its just a start. Start of his payback for what he has done to her and what he has to bear further gave him shudders even though he didn't know what's in store for him.

If only he knew what was awaiting him!

He watched her hiding himself behind a pillar.She was smiling talking to her parents and sister on phone.It was the only time of the day he waited so desperately for when he'd see her smile genuinely.

He don't go in front of her at this time or her smile would vanish.He would look at her with a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes wishing he could freeze the time here only so that infectious smile never leave her face.

A hand was placed on his shoulder and he acknowledged it with a tear slipping down his eye.

Anjali was standing besides him lending him silent support.It's the least she could do for messing his life so much that he was on the verge of losing himself.

He has stopped pushing her away and blaming his sister for everything and would let her support him when he needed it. A drowning man catches at a last straw. Anjali turned out to be that string for him otherwise he didn't know what he'd had done seeing Khushi's hate increasing day by day for him.

Anjali was burning in her own hell made by herself.

Shyam hasn't contacted her yet and she was missing his love and care so much that it is eating her up slowly.

Arnav noticed it first that how her smile slipped as she listened something her Babuji said on the other side.

When she cut the phone and turned around, her eyes met him and the look which she gave him caused his heart to slow down in fear.

"Did you plan that accident to kill me?" She was furious.

He came out of his hiding and stood before her.He thought she knew it but...

"I..Actually Khushi..." He fumbled with words.

How can he deny the truth? He can't.

"Did you or did you not?" She gritted.

"Y...yes." He mumbled.

"You wanted to kill me?" She said aghast."You hated me that much?"

"I am sorry." He said quietly.

He didn't know what else to say.

"Didn't you for once think that I was pregnant at that time?" Her tears flew unchecked.

The worst part was that he did think that he was killing his own blood because deep down he knew it was his own. But the fog of avenging his beloved sister didn't let him think much about anything else. Nothing else.

"It was your child as well Arnavji.." She poked a finger at his chest.

He closed his eyes in pain.

"I know. I know."

"If not for me. At least you should have thought about YOUR baby." She sobbed. 

Arnav bowed his head down in shame feeling disgusted and rueful of his own deeds.

Anjali who was watching this silently cried covering her mouth with her palm.

It's all happening because of her.Because of her stupidity.

She and Khushi hasn't communicated much in these three months since Khushi stayed back.

Khushi never acknowledged her and Anjali was too much guilty to approach her.The three members of this mansion ate the breakfast, lunch and dinner separately.

Khushi's gaze fell on Anjali and her sad eyes turned angry.

Anjali gulped knowing very well what was going on in her mind.

Arnav noticed the exchange but kept silent as Khushi approached Anjali like a predator.He could do anything to let her lash out so that the burden within her could relieve somewhat.Even if it meant she would let it out on his sister and she would do it rightly so because she is responsible too for her ruined life.

"Are you happy now Anjali Jha?" Khushi screeched.

Anjali flinched.

"Is your revenge satisfied or something more is left? You lost your child and you didn't sleep in peace until you snatched mine too."

"Khushi ji. I am sorry. I was in coma. I didn't know that Chote would take that dreadful step." Anjali tried explaining herself but in vain.

It can't undone the damage caused by her few words she said before her accident which made Arnav believe the worst of Khushi and then destroy her.

"YOUR SORRY WON'T GIVE ME MY RAHUL BACK MRS.JHA!" She bellowed with her red eyes.

"I am so sorry Khushi ji." She folded her palms together and sobbed.

"I SAID IT WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING SO CUT IT DOWN!!" She gave her a push and Anjali's back hit the pillar behind.

"Just like I haven't had a moment of peace in my life you won't have it too. You will feel choked like I am dying every second every minute of my life. YOU and your brother won't ever be happy. This is a curse of a mother to her child killers."

"Don't say like that Khushi ji. I am sorry. We're sorry."

Arnav quickly went to Khushi's side as he noticed her face turning hysteric.

She was losing her senses and she could do anything in it.

He grabbed her waist tightly as she took a vase from the stand and tried to hit Anjali with it.

He stepped in between and it hit his forehead causing it to bleed.

Anjali cried out at that.

"I am fine Di." He took the wriggling Khushi in his steel hold as she tried to break free.He gave a nod to a worried Anjali who was hell scared for both him and Khushi.

Khushi was scratching her nails in his arms and chest trying to push him and he bore it all while carrying her in his arms took her upstairs.

By the time he placed her to the bed, she has lost her consciousness.

He caressed her hairs as she breathed rashly even in sleep too and continued to do it until her breathing went back to normal.

He then dialed her psychiatrist's number who told him that it is expected reaction out of her for knowing something disastrous which she was still unaware of.He advised him to keep Anjali away from her and tell her not to come before Khushi so that she don't react much. He doesn't want to take any chances with Khushi's health. Not a chance.

As she woke up he was sitting besides her with a bandage on his forehead.

"Its night Khushi." He reminded Khushi of their relationship.

He has left it upon her of when and how she wants the intimacy and painfully for him she has told him at night only.

He had to remind her because the last time a night was skipped because  of him turning up late from his office she has refused locked herself in room for days without having anything until he has broken the door with its hinges only to find  her lying unconscious on the floor. She had to be infused drips then. The memory gave him shudder. He don't want to go through that feeling of terror again so he has made sure to come home early at her specified time.

She gave him a hard push causing him to land on the floor.

"Don't you dare touch me. I can't believe I slept with the man who killed my child deliberately.Until now I thought I got into an accident due to which I lost the baby. I thought I can forget your betrayal for getting a baby.I didn't know that you never wanted a baby. You killed the life growing inside me knowingly.You disgust me. In fact i feel repulsed of myself that I allowed you to be that close after what you did!"

He got up and stood before her.

"I will do as you wish." He said feeling cut inside."If that's what you want you'll get it. I won't come near you ever again." He took a step back from her.

She gripped his collars.

"For the umpteenth time don't pretend!"

"I am not pretending. I am sorry Khushi for trying to kill you and--our baby." He choked as an invisible hand clawed at his heart.

"For everything I had done which I shouldn't have and for everything I hadn't done which i should've. I am so very---sorry."

"GO TO HELL WITH YOUR FUCKING SORRYS." She cried out covering her face with her hands and sobbed into it.

His tears fell down too as he cried with her standing many feet away from her.

He let out silent tears leaning against the wall while she wailed loudly.

His heart stopped beating for a moment as she announced.

"I am done here." Her tone held a hint of warning as if to say he'll pay for what he did to her especially her baby.

With a knife twisting in his gut he has watched her packing her luggage.

On her demand he has arranged her tickets to Lucknow and her flight was tonight after a few hours.

HP informed him that Shyam's Dadi Devyani Jha has come.

Khushi didn't even acknowledge the information and continued her task while he gave her one painful longing stare and left to meet her.

"Arnav, I have something to tell you. It's time you should know about it." Devyani said sitting on the couch with a file in her hand.

"This morning Anjali called and told me what all has happened here and also the reason for which Khushi bitiya has stayed. I was shocked. You should've told me earlier Bitwa."

"Dadi, I--"

He has lied to Devyani Jha as well in days when she was worried.A few months later after Anjali's accident when he was informed that Shyam was trying to reach Khushi on his instructions Shyam was abducted and brought to Delhi to be kept hostage at his farmhouse whilst he informed Devyani that he was gone out of town for an important work when in worry she has called him to get any information on her grandson who hasn't showed up at home for days.

But still Devyani hasn't said anything to him after the truth revelation. He wondered how can she behave so calm around him knowing what he did to her grandson without any fault of his?

She was talking while he was in his own guilt trip until she forwarded something to him.

"It's okay. I know there is already lots of tension going on between you and Khushi that you couldn't think about anything else.Let it be.Here see this." She extended the file to him.

He frowned taking it.

"These are Khushi's report during her stay at hospitals when she met the accident. We collected them when I and Shyam fetched her from there." She clarified.

His eyes widened and opening the file read it and it pulled the rug off his feet.

"It states she has had a miscarriage even before accident due to the shock.You very well can understand what shock it was.Due to the bad accident and her miscarriage her womb is too weak to support a fetus now.She isn't healthy any more Arnav to carry a child."

"So it means--" His heart stopped.

"It means she may never be able to conceive Arnav."

Arnav's eyes widened as Devyani unveiled a bitter truth before him.Earth beneath him slipped.He would've cried himself if he hadn't heard the sobs coming from the figure standing at a distance and by the looks of it seems she has listened as well.

He shook his head at her feeling broken himself because it was the result of his own twisted games which were giving him fruits now which tasted bitter...hell a lot.

She hasn't spoken much after the revelation.He didn't know what was going on in her mind as she hasn't said about leaving when they were supposed to leave to airport and has locked herself in their bedroom.

He has broken down in his study where he has smashed and broke everything even the window panes hitting them with chairs.He thought if he'd leave her she might find happiness but knowing the bitter truth that she can't be mother again has crushed that hope.

She can never be happy again and knowing about her infertility no other man would accept her in his life.

Her future is completely doomed.

Hats off to him to plan everything so perfectly that soul has no reason or way or hope to live and laugh again.

"Arnav bhaiyya. Police is here and the commissioner is asking for you." HP informed and left.

Wiping his eyes he composed himself before heading down.

"ASR, we have received a complaint against you and I am afraid I have to arrest you." Inspector revealed.

Arnav had an idea who had done this still asked for confirmation.

"Who complaint..against me?"

"I did." Khushi came down the stairs with a stony expression on her face.

Her swollen eyes told him the story of her major broke down she had but except that nothing gave away the torment inside her.

"Yeah. She said that she is your wife and you had planned an accident to kill her and her unborn and succeeded in killing her child.Also you sexually harassed her during the initial whole span of your marriage.Six months precisely." Inspector elaborated. "You captured her in this mansion for the same months and tortured her at nights."

"Inspector..." Anjali tried to say.

"She is right. I did all that. Do as you are ordered to." Arnav said calmly glancing at Khushi who gave him a long, piercing stare causing his inside to break.

If that's what will soothe her then he will do it.It's not that she did anything wrong.She deserves justice and she will get it.He will won't deny anything because all the allegations she put on him are true.

Anjali sobbed standing behind Khushi as the constable handcuffed Arnav.

Shyam and Devyani arrived right at the time and were shocked seeing the happening.

Anjali lurched forward towards Shyam and hugged him fiercely.

Khushi's eyes followed her movements and turned more cold at her cries.She felt repulsion to this woman who happened to be her so called husband's sister.

Shyam gave her a light push away from him and Khushi felt immense pleasure seeing her torn due to that.

As inspector took Arnav away Khushi gave one last glance to Anjali and Shyam and left upstairs.

The court room 

A week later

"Your honor, my client Mrs.Khushi Singh Raizada wants justice from the court. Her husband Mr.Arnav Singh Raizada firstly has married her hiding his identity.Later on when he took her from Lucknow to Delhi marrying her he ruined her day by day by ONLY having sexual relation at nights. He humiliated her at every given opportunity.He.."

"Objection Your honor.." The defense lawyer stood up.

"My friend lawyer here is revealing too much personal information. This hearing is not for the relation between my client and Mrs.Raizada but for an attempt to murder and a real murder case. Mrs.Raizada accused that her husband killed her child and tried to kill her too by planning an accident."

"I know your honor." The prosecutor stated calmly.

"But these details in this case are needed because if my friend lawyer is forgetting my client Mrs.Khushi Singh Raizada has applied for divorce too. She wants an out of this relation."

Arnav squirmed in his seat. He had been freed on a bail but he wasn't allowed to move out of town until this case won't finish.

He didn't want to hire any defense lawyer but when she filed the case of divorce too he didn't know what came over him that he refused to give it.

So he had to fight this case to win because he can go to jail but he won't divorce her.He can't.

"Objection overruled." The defense lawyer sat down.

"You may proceed." The judge announced.

The prosecutor continued.

"So as I was saying that he tortured her at every given opportunity. Didn't let her have any contact with her parents.Treated her like a servant.Even had an affair. He literally kissed a woman before his wife."

"What proof do you have regarding this Mr.Prosecutor?" Asked the judge.

"I have proofs your honor and for that I would like to call Miss Sheetal Kapoor in the witness box."

"Permission granted."

Arnav eyed Sheetal regretfully as she walked to the witness box and after taking an oath she spoke at the question of the lawyer.

"Yes he is right. ASR was my boss. I worked as the head of PR for an year in AR. That day he called me in his office and told me that I have to go with him to his home for some work and also I would have to call him Arnav not ASR there.I agreed because he was my boss and i have to do as he asks but when I went to his home and saw her." She pointed towards Khushi standing in the witness box in front of her.

"You saw Mrs.Raizada?" Prosecutor asked.She nodded.

"I started having doubts when he said she is his servant.He rudely commanded her to get some refreshments and when she left he blackmailed me that if I won't kiss him right away then he would fire my fiance NK I mean Nandkishore who works in another company bought by him. NK needed this job so much if he got fired then he'd not be able to support his family where he is the only bread earner.So I had to do that." Sheetal completed ashamed.

Shashi and Garima who were sitting with Payal felt immense rage towards Arnav who was sitting across them on the first row of the audience.

Devyani, Shyam and Anjali felt bad for Khushi while Arnav he was feeling torn seeing Khushi not reacting to anything.He can't let her go through that pain anymore.He can't.

No matter how much indifferent she looks he knew it must be cutting her insides to re-live it remember it again.

He let it go.He has to. She is better off without him.If she wants out then she will get it.

He can't ruin her more than he already had.

So he stood up from his seat.

"I want to say something your honor."

The defense lawyer gestured him to calm down and sit but he cared less.He has to end it.Once and for all.He can't hurt her more to keep her bound to him when she doesn't even want it.

He has promised Khushi's father that he would let her go if she herself will ask for it and now was the time he has to break her free to live her life like she wants. He has to uphold his words.

"Whatever it is say it in the witness box."

"I swear that the evidence that I shall give, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth." He took an oath.

Looking at Khushi he said.

"I accept all the allegations she has placed on me.I did do all that.I am ready to do whatever she asks me to do.I AM GUILTY. If she wants divorce then I am ready to give it too.It's true.I planned that accident to kill her.I have proofs too which I will present to the court myself.I married her for revenge.I humiliated her and her love day and night.While she loved me to the depth of her being I hated her to the core of mine." His eyes teared up as he held her gaze.

"I am sorry for each and everything. I will be for the rest of my life. I am sorry for killing your baby too. I am sorry Khushi. Because of me you couldn't...you can't conceive any more."

Garima, Payal, Devyani and Anjali sobbed while Shyam and Shashi had tears in their eyes.

Khushi looked through him as if it doesn't matter to her.

He turned his eyes to the judge and folded his palms together.

"I request the jury to announce their verdict now that I have accepted everything myself.Don't..don't ask or repeat what I did again and again.It must be hurting her." He pointed to Khushi with a tilt of his folded hands.

Evidences were presented before judge and after reading it he announced,

"The final decision of the court will be declared after the tea break in an hour." Saying this he stood up followed by everyone.

Arnav and Khushi gazed at each other.

While one pair of eyes had tears of guilt in them the other dry ones emanated nothing but emptiness.

She broke their eye lock and walked with her parents outside to get some fresh air before the verdict.

He leaned against the pillar with the tea in paper cup in his hand and fastened his gaze on her who was standing with her parents at the food stall where her sister were trying to make her smile or talk something.

She did acknowledge them by some fake smiles but her eyes gave away her sadness.Try as might he couldn't tear his gaze away from her.

His heart told him it might be the last few times he would see her so he would make most of it. Till the final verdict of the court, he would imprint her each and every feature in his mind so that every time he would miss her, he could turn over her features and face and expressions in his mind to go on to live further in hope to see her again.

She turned around and abruptly her glance fell on him.She bore her eyes into his with so much intensity that he tore his gaze away painfully when it became too much to withstand the emptiness in her eyes.

An hour later

Everyone took their seats back as the judge sat down.

"Taking into consideration of each facts, evidences and witnesses. Court accepts Mrs.Raizada's appeal for divorce.Now she is no longer Khushi Singh Raizada but only Khushi Kumari Gupta."

Arnav closed his eyes in pain while Guptas sighed in relief.

"About Khushi Kumari Gupta's accident case. As Mr.Raizada has himself accepted and has given proofs too of his crime.The court declare Mr.Arnav Singh Raizada guilty of attempt to murder case and also for killing a life growing inside his wife. An unborn baby."

Anjali held her breath and so did everyone except Arnav and Khushi.

"Mr.Raizada is subjected to 5 years of imprisonment for attempt to murder case and further 3 years for killing a fetus deliberately. 8 years imprisonment overall with penal servitude. The police should arrest Arnav Singh Raizada right away. The court is now adjourned." Everyone stood up as the judge did.

Anjali was too numb to react and the verdict did shock Guptas and Jhas too.

Arnav just stared at Khushi.The worry which nagged him was he won't be able to see her for the next 8 long years.The thought twisted knives in his gut that his breathing became shallow and tear filled up his eyes.

How will he live without seeing her for eight years? The thought of not seeing her gave him shudders.

The police handcuffed him he caught Khushi's wrist as she walked past him.

She looked sharply at him.

"Will you come to meet me? Once in a....week....Once in a month...Once...in an year? E..Eight years?" He choked causing Anjali to cry standing besides him.

Devyani teared up too.

Shyam shook his head feeling sad for them while Guptas were relieved as he got his well deserved punishment.

"Never." She jerked his hand away.

He didn't know what came over him as he pulled his cuffed hands above her head and clasped it at her back tucking her in the hollow of his arms.She was too shocked at his sudden move to react.He rested his head on her shoulder nuzzling her hairs hugging her tightly.

"Please do come to meet me at least once in a while.Even if its for a minute only.Please.Please.Please." He pleaded while she protested to get out of his arms.

"Let me go Mr.Raizada. What are you doing?"

Shashi tried to pry his hands off her but due to the cuffs and his steel hold he couldn't do much.

"Please Khushi.Please. Please.Please .I won't ask anything else."

"I am not your wife anymore." She stated looking up at him.

"I know.I know.But ...please? Even if its for reprimanding me, taunting me, do come to meet me. Will you?"

Khushi stared at him shocked.

This was not the Arnav Singh Raizada who ruined her.

What has gotten into him?

"LET ME GO." She wriggled more forcefully while he held on to her more desperately causing every eyes to tear up there.

Shashi gestured to the constable who unlocked the cuff from Arnav's hands making it easy for Shashi to remove his hands off Khushi's back.

He took his daughter in his arms while the policemen handcuffed a protesting Arnav again amidst his sister cries and sobs and took him away while Arnav all the time had his eyes fixed on Khushi only who was looking back at him with unfathomable emotion on her face.

"I love her Shyam. I really do love her." He cried out now inside the jail clasping his hand on the rods.

He glanced up at him and questioned quizzically.

"Won't you say it that I don't mean it today? That it is my guilt?"

"No. I won't." Shyam said calmly.

"Remember I said that the day I would see the love in your eyes would be the day I'll believe that you really have true feelings for her? Today right here, right now I am seeing nothing else but love shining in your eyes for her. Just love without any guilt. You have given her priority when you accepted your faults so that she won't have to feel uncomfortable if those past happenings would be stated again in the court. Her happiness and comfort has become your aim. And the way you stopped her when she was about to leave when you knew you won't be able to see her for years to come...removed all the other doubts. You do love her. Love her more than anything."

"I just wish. I wish I hadrealized it earlier.If I had I wouldn't have been here. Without her." He leanedhis head on the rods.

"If only you'd met her in different circumstances." Shyam said silently.

"If only I had met her in different circumstances." Arnav murmured.

PRECAP:

Leap of 7 years

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