"No one can hate you with more intensity than someone who used to love you." ~ Rick Riordan

_______________________

Her eyes fluttered open and she looked around disoriented before her gaze fell on the clock.

Half past 2

She jolted up awake and found herself sitting on his bed. In his bedroom.

Her eyes widened.

She slept for whole six hours and that too at the place which was prohibited by her husband.

"You will sleep in the kitchen from now on."

She was out of the bed the next moment as she remembered his warning. But it was him who made her lay down on the bed in the morning after his monstrosity there on the floor. And the way he took care of her after that. What was his true face? What should she believe of him or what she shouldn't?

"You see, Khushi. I have a different notion of love and I will make you see each and every shade of my love till I will be done with you." He smirked evilly. He leaned more closer to which she turned her head to the other side sobbing silently.

"Let me teach you my very first notion of love. I hate it when you cringe away from me and I think it's time I should let you know what would you have to endure every time you tried to scoot away."

After that he has made her thoroughly learn what she would get if she defied him right there on the floor of his room and then he was back to being soft when he was done. He made her lie back down on the bed and,

"Rest for a bit. I will send breakfast up for you and you will eat." He emphasized. "Won't you?" He raised his eyebrow challengingly.

She shuddered and nodded vigorously.

"I will." She answered verbally.

"Good." He leaned and pecked her lips with such tenderness that she cried out in sheer helplessness.

She whimpered. He has himself made her eat breakfast with his own hands and only she knew how she gobbled down each morsel because she knew and was afraid if she refused he could revert back to his beastly nature in a matter of seconds.

After that she remember him telling her to sleep. Not telling, he ordered. And she had to lie down and close her eyes. Exhaustion must have took over for she hasn't slept properly for days or say he didn't let her since the day he wed her.

Gulping down the saliva she looked at the poolside and then the rest of the mansion. He was nowhere to be found. Seeing which she heaved a sigh of relief.

She was still in that saree which she has worn yesterday that costed 20000 which he has arrogantly told her and made her pay back the price with interest. She didn't dare use any other clothes hanged in his cupboard for her as she knew she would have to pay for them too.

She has rejected the idea of contacting her parents because if she did, not only would it instigate Arnav but also hurt her Amma, Babu ji as well who has warned and at one time pleaded with her to look in between the lines that why such a wealthy man was interested in the middle class girl like her who came out of nowhere in her life and now owned not only her heart but her mind too that she wasn't ready to listen to any of the logical inhibitions her loved ones presented her.

If only she had had listened to them!

If only!

When her family sent her off she did see the worry on their faces while they bid her bye but she shrugged it off by saying,

"Amma, babuji, Buaji, Jiji.You all know na how much Arnavji loves me. I am sure he won't let me even miss you and if I did he would surely book your tickets and call you there in Delhi to meet me.That's much he cares for me."

Now with what face would she go and tell them that yes, you were right. I got trapped. And trapped I got from all the corners that neither could I leave him nor could stay with him because in both cases only she would be at the loosing end.

She hiccuped and wrapped the pallu around her shoulders to hide the torn saree while entering the kitchen where servants were working.

"Yes Mam? How can I help you?" A man of around 25-30 years of age asked politely. She raised her head and saw him wearing an apron over the blue shirt and black pants. He didn't look like a servant from any angle.

"No, thank you." She stuttered. "I can help myself." She turned her back to him and opened the fridge. Fetching the bottle she was about to head to the counter to get the glass when the same man appeared before her with a glass extended to her. She frowned looking at it before raising her head to him.

Without arguing she took it and filling it up gulped the whole glass in one go. Then another, another. That way she drank five glasses and that's when she felt somewhat better not noticing that the man before her was keenly observing her every move.

"Feeling better?" It was as if he read her thoughts. Both the glass and water slipped from her hands at his sudden voice as she was too engrossed in her own oblivion. She ignored him and sat down on the floor looking at the broken glass pieces with horror.

"For as long as you're here you'd pay for everything you'd use in this mansion."

"How much does this glass cost?" Khushi asked looking up at him with terror written on her face.

The man knelt before her and called for a servant who then cleaned the mess while Khushi sat there with her head in her hands.

"Tell me how much that costs?" She asked frantically.

"Doesn't matter. Cheezon ki keemat insaan se zyada nahi hoti. (Non-living things are not worth more than living human beings)" He answered solemnly. She looked around and saw that now the kitchen was empty and only her and this man was now present there.

She stood up abruptly as his words rubbed her in the wrong way.

"Par un k liye hai. Wo insaan se zyada cheezon ko ahmiyet dete hain.(But for him, they are. He give more importance to things than humans!)" Khushi sobbed.

"By the way, I am Arham. I am a chef here." He extended his hand for her to shake as if she wasn't sobbing before him.

Khushi looked at his hand and then in his kind eyes before a certain chocolate brown orbs filled with contempt flashed in her eyes and she stepped back alarmed.

She doesn't know for what Arnav ji was punishing her but if he saw her talking about her, their personal life to his servant and that too a male one then god knows what would he do?

So she turned and ran without looking back until her head hit the wall. Just that it wasn't the real wall but the chest of her nightmare. Her husband. Who was standing at the kitchen door with his jaws set tight.

Khushi's breath left her in a whoosh when she saw him eyeing the man behind her with unbridled rage which sent chills down her spine.

"Go to my room and wait for me upstairs!" It was an order directed for her which she took seriously and ran away while Arnav kept looking at her back until she didn't go out of his sight before turning to the man before her.

Before he could speak, Arham did.

"What the fuck did you do to her?"

Her heart thudded in her chest while she received the call and brought the phone to her ear. After days he has finally decided to contact her. Despite herself she couldn't help but feel better already and all of her anger and hurt was almost gone until she heard the very first thing he said without greeting or even asking her how has she been?

"Pack your bags Anjali and I want you back in Jha Mansion before I get there!"

"What if I didn't come?" Defiance seeped into her too coupled with hurt. Though her tone came out confident but the tears involuntarily brimmed in her eyes and dropped down her cheeks..

"You don't want to know Anjali. Trust me."

Though his tone scared her but still she didn't relent.

"What would you do?" She snapped rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"These days you must have learnt to live without me then I guess that would come in handy in the future for you because if you didn't come back then consider this my final goodbye to you and our marriage!"

Anjali's hands and feet turned cold. Her lips trembled. She sucked in a sharp breath.

"You can't do that." She choked despite not wanting to sound weak but she was, she was weak when it comes to this man who was her everything. Because of whom she was still trying.

"Funny isn't it, Mrs. Jha? You ran away behind my back and now you are sounding hurt for me giving you what you want don't you?"

"When did I say I want that?" She gritted.

"Then why did you leave our home and upon that you took away MY son with you?" He growled.

"He is MY son, too." She composed herself and answered back firmly.

"Never mind. After our marriage annulment I'd get his custody then you can go wherever you wanna go with that attitude of yours!"

"And you think any court will prefer a father over a mother for a school going child?"

"Why not? If you are forgetting then let me remind you that you have a husband who is one of the topmost lawyer in this country and manipulating facts to my advantage is my job so what the hell I dare you to try me, Rani Sahiba."

Rani Sahiba?

He hasn't called her that in ages. Now that he did, it broke her altogether. Crushed all of her self-defense into pieces. Made her weak in her knees.

Anjali gasped and no sooner than that she burst into sobs with hiccups and heard Shyam take a sharp intake of breath.

"Anjali, please? Don't test me more." Came his resigned voice after many moments of silence in which only Anjali's sobs could be heard.

"You called our son a mistake!" She accused as her knees buckled up and she sat more like fell on her knees on the floor besides the couch.

"Not our son, I called your stupidness a mistake. Dhruv is as much important to me as you are." He whispered the last words but it echoed in Anjali's ear from every corner of the room.

"What did you say?" Anjali croaked with her heart in her mouth.

"Anjali, are you coming home or not?" He was back to his stern mood.

"You could've simply said sorry and I'd have come back without any questions but no, your ego is much bigger than what I or Dhruv are to you!" Anjali hissed hurt.

"Rani Sahiba!" He tried his other tactic and it worked wonders as there in her hotel suite her shoulders sagged and she let out a shaky,

"O-Okay."

She could hear him sigh in relief on the other end. For a moment it relieved her too that at least he cared enough to himself ask her to come back. This was what she wanted. For him to give her if not much but some importance. And he did. But her bubble of joy burst in the next second.

"I have arranged everything for your and Dhruv's flight that is tomorrow evening. Till then stay calm and spend your day tension free with our son. And.. and stay away from Arnav and Khushi." His voice held a warning at the end and she who was smiling hearing his instructions clenched her hands on her saree with her eyes turning bloodshot and her heart crushing into pieces.

"Sure." Her voice betrayed her inner turmoil and then she cut the call without another word. She wasn't a fool not to get the hint that it must be all Arnav's courtesy who must have talked to Shyam to get her out of Lucknow. And here she was thinking maybe Shyam finally realized her importance and called her willingly.

Wiping her tears which flowed down without break she sat there on the floor and felt really exhausted and aged in those moments. Turning her head up to the skies she shed few silent drops until she heard her cell ring again. She gave a curt glance to her cellphone and found 'Shyam' calling again.

She cut it furiously.

In a minute, a message popped up on her screen then.

Pick up my call, Anjali and let me talk to Dhruv at least. It's been days.

She grabbed her cell and typed the reply.

Itne din reh liye apne bete k bina. Aik din aur sahi Mr. Shyam Manohar Jha!

(You've stayed without your son for days already. Why not bear it for one more day Mr. Shyam Manohar Jha!)

She gritted her teeth while sending the text and then put her phone on silent mode.

Yes, she would go back to Delhi as per his so called commands which weren't his but her own brother, Arnav's orders actually but she would surely meet Arnav and Khushi once before leaving. She thought determined wiping her face with stern expressions on her face.

After all she wanted to see the place her brother lives now. Of course Dhruv would love to see his Arnav Mamu's place too.

Finally the day came for Niti's case first hearing. Khushi was right Sunit didn't dare break in the place which was owned by ASR. Upon that Arnav has had a close watch and tight security all around the mansion so in the last four days Niti had been here she didn't had to face her so called husband pestering her which was a great relief for her for which she was thankful to both Arnav and Khushi.

And she would express her gratitude every day to which Khushi would make a face complaining to her that Niti still don't consider her a friend while Arnav would just smile because he knew there was no use asking Niti for stopping her thank yous because she won't considering the fact she must be thinking herself as an extra baggage.

If only she knew that how much her presence has affected and helped Khushi to just think of Niti's comfort all the time which made her forget her own worries for the time being and he was grateful to Niti for that.

After Khushi's warning not to show his care in front of Niti he has stopped showing his affection at least in front of her which was already his second nature but it was his wife's, his life's command so how could he deny it. Upon that he has received Shyam's message that Anjali would be leaving today's evening back to Delhi. That means he won't have to worry about Anjali and Khushi's face-off for the time being and he could concentrate on building and securing his marriage to last for a lifetime.

"Arnav?" Khushi called hurriedly coming in the room dressed in her professional attire and without waiting for his reply came to stand in front of the mirror and him, who was already standing before the dressing table.

He hid back a smile and didn't bother replying her because he knew she would call again. For some reason, the way she called him with all the rights combined in her voice thrilled him.

Khushi who was adjusting her earrings looked up in the mirror and found him wearing the cufflinks with a light smile on his lips standing behind her. She swallowed once before clearing her throat to get his attention. He still didn't look up. She gritted her teeth.

"Arnav?" She chewed his name stressing on every syllable. And it got the desired result. He looked up, their eyes met in the mirror and his smile widened.

"Yes, Arnav's wife?"

Khushi's heart skipped a beat before she averted her eyes from intense gaze exhaling a breath.

"My name is Khushi Kumari Gupta,"

"Singh Raizada!" He cut her in the middle to correct her.

She clenched her jaws in frustration.

"Call me Khushi, Arnav or just don't call me at all." She turned to him and leaning against the dressing table looked up in his eyes defiantly.

"Trust me I so wanted to say 'Yes, Arnav ki jaan(Arnav's life)' but I held back as I thought maybe that turn out too much for you. See, how much of a gentleman type of husband you got who think twice before addressing you."

Khushi's face has colored the minute 'Arnav ki jaan' left his lips and she lowered her lashes and looked at the floor standing before him unarmed for that moment with all of her emotions written on her face. Arnav smiled swallowing past a lump.

"Kabhi toh flirt karna band kar diya karo. Aur hello mister biwi hoon tumhari koi girlfriend nahi, (When would you stop flirting with me at every opportunity? Oh hello Mister, I am your wife not your girlfriend)" As usual she gathered herself in moments and looked up at him square in his eyes with firmness.

"Oh finally." He exhaled a breath throwing his head back before straightened it to look at her with a genuine happiness on his face. Khushi couldn't understand what did she say that gave him so much joy. His next words gave her the answers.

"Finally, you realized and accepted that you are my wife."

Khushi gasped at how he picked words and used them to his advantage.

"You are such a ... such a ..." She couldn't find exact words to describe this man in front of her while Arnav was smirking all the way seeing one color showing on her face and the other leaving making her look so beautiful.

"Such a, such a handsome man, right? I know." He teased her seeing her at short of words. Her heart fluttered seeing the laughing lines besides his eyes.

"Get out of my head!" Khushi blurted out in her nervousness. Even though she wanted to say,

"I-I mean get out of my face!" She tried to cover it up but Arnav didn't buy it at all. He has heard what his heart desired the most.

He was getting into her head that means its about time she would listen to her heart only when her mind too would give the verdict in his favor.

"I am getting late." She mumbled clearing her throat when she tried to escape from the side he stepped closer hindering her escape.

"You were here to say something." He asked huskily placing his hands in his pockets standing just an inch away from her face.

"I-I forgot." She ran her tongue on her lips without meeting his eyes. Arnav tightened his jaws seeing her doing that.

"I am a human being Khushi. A mere human being." His whisper tugged at her heartstrings. Swallowing thickly she dared to meet his eyes and her heart clenched in her chest seeing the naked pining for her written all over his face.

"Mr. Human being, I have a court hearing to attend to. I am leaving now to see the last minute preparations. I came here just to ask you that would your security team make sure Niti reach the court safely without any hurdle?" In seconds she turned professional.

Arnav closed his eyes for a moment to ward off the hurt before opening them.

"She will. Don't worry about that." When he spoke his tone was firm and devoid of any emotion as well.

"Thank you." She said and moved aside to leave when he caught her elbow.

"In future if you want me to do something then just demand it Khushi. Never ask." He wasn't asking but his tone held a command with which she was so familiar. He has used that tone with her many a times in the past.

She shrugged his hand and turned to him sharply. Her eyes blazing fire. Her nostrils flared.

"Never use that tone with me ever again or I'd make you regret it." She hissed.

Her words sent chills down his spine. The familiar fear of loosing her due to his unintentional mistakes came back to haunt him.

"Zyada nahi thoda haq hi de do khud pe mujhe? (If not all give me some rights on you Khushi)" He pleaded holding back her elbow and pulling her to his side. His nose touching the side of her head in her hairs. Her eyes looking ahead sternly.

"Maine ye shaadi apko haq dene k liye nahi badla lene k liye ki hai. Aur badla lena kya hota hai ye aap se behtar kon jan sakta hai? (I didn't marry you to give you the rights. I did it for revenge. And what's revenge, who better than you knows about it?)" She scoffed. He closed his eyes in pain and touched his head to hers.

"Iss badle ki aag ne mujhe kahan se kahan poncha diya Khushi. Aasman se utha k zameen k kahi bohat neeche patakh diya hai. Zindagi bhar ka pachtawa de diya. Mai nahi chahta tum bhi ussi guilt se guzro jisse mai guzarta aya hun. Guzar raha hun,

(The flames of revenge has burned my entire world and brought me from sky to a darkest pit of hell. It has given me nothing but lifelong regret. I don't want you to go through the same guilt with which I have lived my life till now. In fact I am still living in the same remorse for ever hurting you)"

"I said I am getting late. Let go of me, Mr. Raizada." She spat twisting her arm in his hold.

"That's what I am saying Khushi. Realize it before it's too late." He said hoarsely before releasing her and turning his back to her. She raised her stumped misty eyes to him and stared at his back as his words punched her in her gut. Her throat clogged with unshed tears.

Holding back her emotions she turned blinking back the tears and left without looking back.

"Dammit!" He growled in a low voice punching his fist on the wall. Just when he thinks they are moving a step forward she brings them two steps back.

"Aisa kya karun, kya karun k wo phirse mujhse pyaar karne lage? (What, what should I do to make her love me the same way again?)"

"I have fallen in love with you irreversibly, Arnav ji. I don't know if I can ever 'not' love you."

His eyes widened. Those were Khushi's exact words. As far as he know her she never lied and she didn't then, either.

The questions remain,

What should he do to make her believe in her love again?

What should he do to rest her inhibitions and make her accept her feelings?

What should he do that he could reduce some of her, their pain that linger in the air every time they look at each other, be with each other?

What should he do that she believe in him and his love?

What should he do that her fear of loving him unconditionally wither off and never bother her ever again?

"WHAT DAMMIT?" He bellowed to the empty walls because by now he has tried everything.

He has tried begging. He has tried to do everything as per her likes. Hell, he has even tried manipulating, commanding and what not. Nothing worked much. And now he didn't know what would get him through her. In her heart.

"Saab ji?" Anila's voice broke his chain of painful thoughts.

He swallowed hard and said without turning to her.

"What is it? And how many times do I have to tell you not to call me 'Saab'? Have you sworn not to listen to me like your mam?" There was so much pain in his voice that her eyes brimmed with moisture.

"Sorry Baba. Don't be mad. It won't happen again." Anila said genuinely.

It had been almost a month she and her husband were working here but this man has treated them with so much respect that the couple feel like the member of this family not servants at all. Upon that they weren't oblivious to the tension between Arnav and Khushi either. In fact they have been eye witness to some of the incidents of Khushi's outburst and Arnav's helplessness.

"Hmm" Arnav still didn't turn because he didn't want her to see him in his vulnerable state not knowing that she could see his bloodshot bleary eyes through the mirror on the side of which he was standing with his back to her.

"Breakfast is ready. Come and-"

His head shot up as it struck him and he whirled around without caring of his condition.

"Did she eat before leaving?" He asked concerned.

"No." Anila said sadly. "I asked her too many a times but she left quite angrily."

"Shit!" He punched his fist on his other palm before running his fingers in his hairs. He hasn't got to say bye to her properly due to their argument.

"By any means, I repeat by any means breakfast should reach her and she should eat before court hearing. Could you do that for me because if I asked her she would definitely not eat in order to hurt me?"

"Yeah I know." Anila admitted. "Niti bibi has to leave in about an hour for the court. With her, I will be sending her breakfast. I am sure Niti mam would convince her all right."

"Yeah. Yeah. Good idea. Please do that." He rubbed his hand over his face. Anila felt really bad for him at that moment. She never got the courage to ask either Khushi or Arnav of what was it that was stopping them both from accepting each other even though she could see how much they both love each other and were pining for being together with all their might.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, Di." He released a sigh. Anila accepted his gratitude with a light smile.

"Breakfast?" Anila asked again.

"No." He shook his head. "I won't be able to eat until she won't." He said with helplessness written on his face.

"What is it with you two?" Anila blurted out suddenly and regretted her slip of tongue when Arnav frowned at her unexpected question.

"I-I am sorry. I- It just slipped my tongue. I didn't mean to pry." She turned to leave reprimanding herself for interfering in their privacy.

"All you need to know is that,"

Anila stopped and turned surprised that he was answering her.

"Once I had been worse than a monster to her. Now its all coming back to me. She wasn't at fault then nor she is now." His eyes filled up some more as he said that.

"Are your mistakes too big to be forgiven?"

"They weren't mistakes." He shook his head. "They were sins."

Anila took a step back as she saw something in his eyes which gave her the idea how much bad he must have been to Khushi that despite his desperate efforts she wasn't ready to overlook his past.. sins.

"Will she ever forgive you?"

"I don't know." He said quietly.

"How could you both live like this your whole life then? It would kill you both slowly like a poison." Anila exclaimed worriedly.

"If this is her choice to keep us both apart then whatever she wants would happen." Arnav mumbled aghast before disappearing in the bathroom.

Anila blinked back the tears and looked up at the sky.

"Please. Please. Make way for them." She prayed with all of her heart.

Arham took off the apron and threw it on the nearby chair spitting fire at Arnav.

Arnav gestured to follow him which he did boring holes in his back. Once they were in his study Arnav locked the door behind and went to sit behind his desk while Arham kept standing shuffling restlessly on his feet.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Don't ask me questions, Arham. Now that you have met her tell me would you take the case?"

"Not until you tell me everything!" Arham gritted.

"That I can't and won't." Arnav leaned back on his chair and asked arrogantly. Arham punched his hand on his table leaning forward.

"Are you keeping her hostage? Did you kidnap her? I didn't expect that from you, you douchebag!"

"For a record, I didn't kidnap her. She came with me willingly."

"What about the sindoor and mangalsutra she is wearing?" Arham's questions weren't stopping. Even being in this profession for years he has seen many cases of depression, mania and what not but still that girl condition has shaken him to the core and more so because his friend was the reason behind it.

"That's because she is married." Arnav said as if he was talking about the weather.

"You kidnapped a married girl, you bastard!"

"One more time Arham, I didn't kidnap her. She came with me by herself. In fact she went against her family to marry me!" Arnav blurted out angrily.

"You married her? Why didn't you announce your marriage to the media? Why doesn't anyone know about it?" Arham couldn't believe his ears. "And you got married when your sister is in coma? What rubbish!"

"I married Khushi for Di only. Di is in this condition because of her and she would pay for it."

"And who are you to decide that? Even if she is Anjali's culprit only Anjali has the right to punish her not you, you fool." Arham was feeling his head bursting with anger.

"That's the point. She couldn't punish her so I would." Arnav was as calm as an ocean.

"Fuck you!" Arham growled before turning around to leave.

"So you won't help me?"

Arham turned to him sharply with his nostrils flared.

"Why arranging a shrink for her when all you want is to make her suffer?" Arham scoffed.

"I don't want her to go mad even before I am done with her. And I can see she is losing it in just two days!" Arnav made the best excuse possible for him while his answer burst Arham's nerves.

"But you want her to go mad after all? Just not now!" He gritted.

"Arham are you helping or not?"

"NO! I won't participate in any of your dark plans!"

"Fine. I can arrange some other psychiatrist for her. You may leave!"

Arham closed his eyes exhaling a breath.

"Arnav, you will regret it. Why don't you wait for Anjali to recover before doing more damage than you already had?" Arham tried again.

Arnav didn't bother replying as he rolled the paper weight on the desk apparently non-chalant.

"Wait a minute, does she know why are you doing this to her?"

Arnav raised his eyes to him for a moment before averting them. That was enough for Arham to get his answer.

"Oh My God. At least tell her and give her a chance to say her side of the story. Will you?"

"Oh so she could manipulate me and get away with it? A big no." He said frustrated as her terrified face came back to haunt him. He could see how she was losing herself which for some reason didn't set well with him. So he has called Arham after leaving her sleeping on his bed.

He has stared at her for several moments and kept his ears perked to hear her regular breathing. Then, he has leaned in a trance and pecked her forehead. His own action broke his stupor and he sprang up from the bed as if electrocuted.

"Not only her, you need a shrink as well Arnav. So hire one for yourself too." Arham advised.

"If you think that I and she need help then help us. Why don't you?" There Arnav added final nail in the coffin and the Arham Malik he knew could never negate a chance to help someone especially when that someone was his own friend and his(Arnav's) wife.

"I will help but on my own terms! If you are ready to accept them then I am in. So are you?"

"Yes." Arnav said without listening the conditions and Arham didn't bother telling them either.

Satisfied by Arham agreeing to stay and help, he went up to his room and what he saw burst the flames of anger in him.

He strode to her and snatched the black file which she was about to open.

"Who the fuck told you to touch my cupboard, MY things? How dare you?" He shook her grabbing her upper arms.

"I-I was just cleaning up."

"From where did you get the password to my private locker?" He dug his fingers in her skin. She whimpered.

"I didn't touch your locker I swear." She sobbed out.

"Then from where did you get this file?" He raised the file to her eyes.

"It was there in that drawer. I was just about to dust it." She cried out feeling sharp pain shooting through her arms.

Arnav closed his eyes and pushed her away. Turning around he pinched the bridge of his nose as he remembered it was he, himself who has placed it there while reading it yesterday.

What if he hadn't come on time and she has had opened or worse read it?

Anger got the better of him and he was about to strode to her when a knock stopped him in his tracks. Khushi shuddered and in mind thanked whoever interrupted them.

"WHAT?"

"Your lunch is ready, Sir." Door was pulled open and Arham entered with a stern expression on his face. Khushi quickly covered her torn dress by draping the pallu around her shoulders but too late for her because she didn't know how much sharp an observation Dr. Arham Malik had. He caught it in milliseconds.

Arnav breathed to gather his anger eyeing Arham's warning looks.

"Send it up. We would have it in the room." Now when he spoke his voice was devoid of the turmoil he was going through.

"Sure, Sir. But if you don't mind I have something important to talk to you. Can you come outside?" Arham said professionally to which Arnav rubbed his forehead and nodded giving a curt glance to the shivering Khushi.

Khushi dropped on her knees no sooner than they left the room and exhaled in and out to get a hold of herself. Unlike last days he hasn't gone to his office either which means not only at night, the days won't be easy either.

"What is it?" Arnav exclaimed coming at a safer distance from his room.

What Arham said next blowed his mind and Arnav growled.

"NEVER."

"Viewers, we are here for the high profile case which was made against Sunit Kapoor's by wife Mrs. Nitika Kapoor of being the victim of domestic violence. Yes, a shocker for not only Mr. Kapoor fans but also for us all that how could always a calm looking Sunit Kapoor do something like that? Anyways, today we would find out." One reporter was shouting in front of the camera over the commotion outside the court.

"Not only the big name of media sensation Mr. Kapoor but also another known name is attached to this case which made it more big. Miss Khushi Gupta. Yes, the famous NGO worker who has fought case to get the victimized women their rights and their culprits their punishment. Now, as she is involved in this case too, we are on a doubt that maybe all allegations on Sunit Kapoor may be right because as far as we all know Ms. Gupta she never fought a false case." At some distance another reporter was going live on another news channel.

"Not to forget, a few months ago, the same Ms. Gupta was found in a bridal dress crying over Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada who tried to commit suicide apparently which was later proved out to be an accident. Not only that there were speculations that Mr. Raizada spent seven years in jail because of Ms. Gupta who was once his wife. A lot of revelations are expected during this case. So stay tuned. OH!" The media personnel shouted seeing a Prado entering the court premises and out came Nitika and Khushi who were soon covered by guards from either sides.

The media went berserk trying to get a statement from them but the guards didn't let any of them enter the circle they made around Khushi and Nitika. They safely reached inside the court room and took their seats.

Outside the crowd of the media and cameramen were now gathered around Sunit Kapoor's car who drove in no sooner than Khushi and Niti went inside.

On one question, Sunit gave a sad smile to the camera and turned to answer.

"It was a regular rift between a husband and wife which my wife took to another level and came to the court. I will still say which I always do. I love my wife. She is my life. And I will do anything to make her believe that and come back to me." His voice held so much genuineness that every reporter extending their mikes to him got affected by his confession. Then he walked around them without another word and as soon as he entered the court and spotted Nitika, his guilt ridden face turned to a crooked smile.

"Ah, sweetheart. Long time, no see?"

Nitika looked at Khushi for help but Khushi was already in action even without her asking.

"Dare you come even a step more to her and I'd make the full use of restraining order I have right here with me!" Khushi spoke confidently.

"So you are THE KHUSHI GUPTA?" He smirked. "I swear I wanted to meet you desperately the moment I found out you filled my wife ears against me to bring her and I to this point." He glared at her at the end while Khushi crossed her arms over her chest unfazed.

"Yeah, that's me. So?"

In answer Sunit threw his head back and laughed.

"You are threatening me by a restraining order huh? Did that stop me from meeting her when she was in that women shelter under tight security? No, right. But I must say," He clapped his hands. "Taking her to your husband's property was a very big move and an appreciating one at that. You got brains lady. I am impressed." He winked and it made Khushi cringe inwardly but nothing showed on her face. He indirectly told her that he knew about her and ASR's true relation which hasn't come out in open yet. But Khushi didn't show any reaction much to his frustration.

"Congratulations. You added the final nail in the coffin. Made me believe I made the perfect decision to fight this case." Khushi said ever so calmly. Nitika couldn't help but stare at Khushi agape. No one has ever talked back to Sunit like that and that too this confidently without any fear. But the way Khushi was doing was commendable. Her confidence seeped in Niti too as when Sunit took a step to her ignoring Khushi's warning, she shouted.

"You heard her didn't you, Sunit? I swear if you didn't listen I'd be the one handling you over to the police!"

On one hand Nitika's confidence made Khushi happy but on the other it ignited vengeance in Sunit's eyes. He spitted fire at Khushi who raised her eyebrow at him smirking that burned him some more.

"I'd get back to you on that. And I swear, I will." Sunit gritted and right then the bell rang. The people took their seats. Soon, the judge arrived and the hearing started.

A middle aged well built man dressed in black tux who was standing uptil now behind a door buttoned up his blazer and moved a step away wearing his shades but still he could hear the voices coming from the court room indicating that the hearing session has started.

"ASR, your wife is playing with fire. Just before the hearing she has had a heated argument with Sunit. In return Kapoor has warned to get back at her. And you know very well how much of a wicked and dangerous he is." The same man spoke who was especially hired by Arnav to make sure Khushi is safe.

"He can't do anything as long as you are there. Right?" Came Arnav's authoritative voice. Pacing in his cabin he combed his hairs agitated.

"Of course. You can count on me."

Arnav exhaled.

"Raghu," Arnav trailed off. "She is my life." The words came out scattered telling about his inner turmoil.

"I know, ASR. I know. And don't you worry. I'd protect her with my life. You have my words on it."

"Thank you. Just make sure to keep a safer distance from her because being a lawyer her observation and intuitions are very strong." Arnav smiled fondly as he talked of her.

Raghu couldn't help but smile too.

"I have been keeping an eye on her for a while now ASR and she didn't get a whisk of it ever. Do you really think she would now?"

Arnav couldn't help but agree. He has been appointed by Arnav ever since he married Khushi the second time and without being present with her he knew all about her activities.

"You never know. Just be careful." Arnav advised.

"I will be. Anything else?"

"When would the hearing end?"

"That depends on proofs and witnesses."

"Okay. Just give me a message when it does."

"Sure."

"And Raghu?"

"Yes?"

"You'd ask me if you need anything won't you?"

"Right now I don't but still," Raghu sighed. "Thank you." He mumbled. "I owe you so much that,"

"Oh come on don't get started again."

"No. You always stop me but let me say it today please?"

When he heard Arnav sigh he knew he had his consent.

"Whatever I am today its because of you. Only a great man like you could turn a street thug's life to this decent one. I still couldn't get out of the guilt of ever trying to harm you for money. That used to haunt me day and night how I pointed a gun at you and even shot-"

"Enough Raghu. You fired that shot because I asked you to. Never ever mention it again. I don't want to remember the time when I had been nothing but a coward. And I didn't do you any favor. I just saw myself in you and did what I had to so that you don't end up like me."

"Okay. Okay. Relax, ASR. I won't mention it again."

"Good." Arnav was about to cut the call when he heard shouting on the other side of the phone.

"What's happening Raghu?" He asked concerned. Raghu turned and silently entered the court room from the back door and sat quietly with his phone now held at his lap so Arnav could hear everything.

Arnav clenched his jaws and cursed colorfully hearing Sunit's lawyer pointing allegations at not only Nitika but also on Khushi.

"Miss Gupta has brainwashed Mrs. Nitika Kapoor because she is interested in Mr. Kapoor and want him to leave his wife and accept her."

"When he refused her on her face she stooped so low and is putting false accusations on a gentleman like Sunit Kapoor who has never hurt anyone even unintentionally, ever."

It stunned him to the core, burned his insides and he made a run out of his office grabbing his car keys.

For a moment or two, the defense lawyer's words made Khushi speechless but for those moments only and when she spoke not only the lawyer but the whole court room turned silent and when she stopped speaking, there was pin drop silence as she presented one proof after the other which proved her allegations right and Sunit Kapoor a liar.

That was a slap in itself for Sunit. He gestured through his eyes to his lawyer who asked some time from the court to present more proofs and witnesses. The reason which he gave were valid and much to Sunit's relief and Khushi's disappointment judge agreed.

She wanted the verdict on the first hearing itself because she knew how much painful it must be for Niti but no, that bastard didn't care about his wife but his own winning and loosing. He didn't even care when his lawyer put false accusations on Niti which made Niti sob silently. In fact she saw him giving Niti a warning look to stop all this drama and go with him.

As the judge announced the next date of a week later, everyone dispersed including Sunit glaring at both Khushi and his wife.

That's when Khushi went to Nitika and silently hugged her. Shedding tears for good five minutes, Niti pulled back and passed her a weak smile mumbling that she was fine now.

Khushi nodded and helped her outside where the guards were waiting to escort them to the car.

As they climbed the stairs down, media gathered in front that taking even a step forward became difficult. Not only for them but Sunit and his men too who was standing at a few distance trying to ward off the media's difficult questions. Spotting them, Sunit glared at them in vengeance. Khushi squeezed Niti's hand who was trembling while leaning on her stick.

Khushi could see Niti's face contorted in pain and gestured to the guards and one of them who had Niti's wheel folded wheel chair placed it in front of her and Khushi made her sit on it. Exhausted, Niti didn't protest.

Guards were able to make some space for them to walk ahead when a voice spoke in through one of the reporters' mike stopped Khushi dead on her tracks.

"You can't separate my wife from me calling me an abuser when you yourself are living with one Mrs. Khushi Singh Raizada."

Not only Khushi everyone present there gasped at the way Sunit addressed Ms. Khushi Gupta.

Khushi turned sharply to him as if he struck her with bullets.

"You advise other women to fight against abuse while you are tolerating a scumbag as your husband who tortured and abused you like no one else. What a hypocrite you are." Sunit yelled outside the court in amidst of many people surrounding them.

Khushi stilled with her hand on Niti's wheel chair while Niti looked at her husband angrily. She very well knew how much influential person he himself was and he wouldn't come without the background check on the lawyer who has convinced her to fight against him.

Seeing the arrow hitting straight at its target Sunit made way through the people and came to stand before Khushi looking smugly at her. Shock turned into anger and anger into unbridled rage.

"So tell me. Is that why you're hiding your marriage from the world so that your so called image of being a social worker don't break?"

Khushi's eyes spitted fire at him. Sunit thought that he has got through her but the man didn't know that she wasn't angry because he announced her relation with Arnav before everyone else but for a completely different reason.

"So that you could protect your reputation of being the wife of the man who spent seven years in jail?"

Khushi clenched her hands and gritted her teeth.

"To get out of the guilt of marrying an abuser she is trying to ruin other people's life did you all see? That's why she isn't wearing any symbols of marriage either." Sunit addressed the media who were recording everything and taking pictures after pictures as Khushi's silence increased the doubts in their minds and made speculations rise that whether what Sunit Kapoor said was true or not?

"However you deny it but the truth won't change that you are living a farce life not my wife. That not I your Arnav Singh Raizada is an abuser!" And that did it. Khushi raised her hand and hit him square on his face earning gasps from everyone. Conspicuous silence followed.

Then Khushi didn't know what came over her. She removed the distance between them and grabbed a shocked Sunit's collars vengefully with her eyes spitting fire at him.

"DON'T YOU DARE TAKE MY HUSBAND'S NAME WITH THAT PATHETIC MOUTH OF YOURS!" Her voice was so shrill that everyone present there heard it well and clear. When Sunit's guards tried to reach her, Arnav's men stepped in their way creating a wall in between.

"However he is. He isn't like you at all. DON'T YOU DARE COMPARE MY ARNAV WITH YOU because you are a scumbag not him, you bastard. Whatever he did he owned it. He took all the punishments but you.. you are anything but guilty after abusing your wife!"

The crowd and media around watched dumbstruck while Niti sat terrified for Khushi because she knew what type of man her husband was but soon her eyes widened when she saw an astonishing scene a moment later.

Khushi slapped him left, right without break not giving him the chance to recover at all before pushing him off and grabbed Niti's iron stick. No it won't work. She looked around frantically and found a wooden stick lying at a distance in front of a tree. She strode to it and grabbing it came back. Sunit who was still trying to get the hold of what the hell happened to him cried out loud as she hit him right on his leg. The impact was so strong that he bent and held his paining leg grimacing.

Then there was no stopping Khushi. She didn't care that everyone were watching or that media were present there at all or that Sunit's guards were now trying to reach her but Arnav's guards were keeping them in hold by fighting heads on. The crowd moved back seeing the fight getting intense. While Sunit who tried to defend himself couldn't because Khushi seemed like she was possessed. She didn't give him the chance to counter attack.

"Did you see how it felt? Being beaten?" She grabbed his collars leaning down when she hit his head and fell on the ground with his hand on his bleeding forehead.

"That's how your wife felt you bastard." She kicked him in his stomach causing him to shriek hard in pain but she wasn't done yet. She raised the stick to hit him again when someone caught it from behind. She turned all ready to shove whoever stopped her but seeing him standing there her hold on the stick loosened and he easily extracted it out of her before shaking his head disposing off the stick.

"He isn't worth it that you go to jail killing a man like him." He murmured cupping her cheeks firmly. Media went mad seeing ASR there who approved what Sunit said that Khushi Gupta was now Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada.

Flashes of camera and their questions rung in air but Arnav and Khushi were lost in one another. Khushi blinked back her tears which she didn't know when brimmed in her eyes as he bent her head and pressed his lips to forehead.

Her breaths hitched in her throat as he embraced her close to ward off the tremors shooting through her due to so much rage she just went through.

How long has he been here?

How much has he heard and seen?

Why the hell he pops up out of nowhere always whenever she is vulnerable?

She raised her head to him for the answers and found his expressions neutral.

"How long have you been here?" She asked straightforwardly.

"For a while." Came a vague reply.

"Don't play Mr.Raizada."

"I am not playing Mrs.Raizada." He reduced the distance between them. "What are you afraid of?"

"I am not afraid of you!" She snapped.

"When did I refer to myself in it? I just asked about the fear I am seeing in your eyes." He quirked his eyebrow. "Are you are afraid of me getting to know something?"

She gulped.

"Some of your darkest secret huh?" He smiled cupping the side of her cheek before bending to her ear brushing his nose to her earlobe oblivious to every commotion around him, them.

"Just so you know you don't have to fear anything. Opening up to me would make things lot more easier for both of us don't you think?"

Khushi swallowed hard before moving away and looked around. Sunit was nowhere to be seen but the blood on the ground where she left him proved her that she has beaten a grown up man with a stick more because he badmouthed about Arnav than Sunit being an abuser. It all shook her to the core about the way she reacted in Arnav's defense. She shook her head to get out of the disturbing conficts.

"Niti?" Khushi looked around worriedly seeing the guards now has made a circle around them in the middle of which she was standing with Arnav.

"She will reach KM safely don't worry. Now come." He offered her his hand upon reporters non-stop questions and the click of cameras.

"I can't go home right now. I need to prepare for the next hearing."

"That's a week away. There will be plenty of time." He reasoned.

"I can't waste even a moment more." She hissed.

"Khushi, you really want to argue here?"

"I can ask you the same thing." She wasn't the one to back off either.

He sighed before closing the distance between them. She tried to step back but he stopped her by wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. Khushi's eyes widened as she looked around and found the media going mad taking pictures and recording of the scene.

"What are you doing?" She tried to wriggle. "Everyone is watching. Let go!"

"Exactly Khushi. Everyone is watching. If you don't want me to create an even more thrilling breaking news for them then come with me silently."

"What would you do?" She challenged not relenting.

"I'd carry you up in my arms but you're coming home with me right now. Right away!"

"Zabardasti karein gay maire saath? (Will you force me?)" She grabbed his lapels with her hands sandwiched in between them.

"Kar bhi sakta hun! (I can!)" He shrugged.

Her stance changed to defiance.

"Kar k dikhayen! (Try it)" She challenged.

He gulped seeing the warning in her eyes.

"Khushi, you just have beaten up a very influential person in front of the media which must have gone live all over the news channels. Do you think Sunit will sit calmly after such humiliation?"

"I am not afraid of anyone!" She glared.

"Neither am I. I am just afraid for you. Tumhe kuch bhi hone nahi de sakta. (I can't let anything happen to you)"

"Kaafi sakht jaan hain hum. Humein kuch nahi ho ga. Kam se kam iss zindagi mai toh nahi! (I am got quiet tough nature. Nothing will happen to me in this life)"

"Jaan?(Life?)" He picked up one word from her talk and used it to his advantage.

"Han jaan toh tum ho. Mairi. (Yes, you have got life. My life!)" His serious expressions soon turned to mischief to which she shoved him off muttering under her breath and walked past him to leave angrily.

Then the next moment everyone witnessed Arnav walking to his car carrying a stumped Khushi up in his arms with his guards following behind and behind them, the reporters were running to take at least their snaps if not any clarification.

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TEASER:

"Kya zaroorat thi itna hyper hone ki? Jo wo keh raha tha maire baare mai tha. Kya farak padhta hai? (What was the need to get so hyper? Whatever he was saying he was saying about me. It doesn't matter)"

"Par humein farak padhta hai! (But it does matter to me!)" She yelled turning sharply to him stumping not only him but herself too.

.

.

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"Chote?" They heard and sprang apart shocked seeing Anjali standing at the door with a teary smile on her face.

.

.

"Is she saying the truth, Arnav?"

For the first time since their marriage Arnav withdrew from Khushi and without answering her stormed upstairs clearly upset while Anjali turned around sobbing herself.    

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.

"ASR, Sunit's lawyer has filed an FIR against Khushi mam and the police is on the way to arrest her."

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(Target: 460+ Votes)

Phew! This was a very difficult chapter to write but I am happy the way it turned out. I hope you like it too :)

And yes, there are a few things which are yet under wraps. Some in Arnav's and some in Khushi''s life. A few hints are in this chapter. Any guesses what are they?

Any questions? Queries? Feel free to ask.

Please don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT. I will be eagerly waiting for your feedback :)

Cheers!