The three men were busy discussing something when they heard a knock. Arnav looked up with the intention of scolding the hell out of the intruder for disturbing them, But the sight that met his eyes made his heart clench painfully in his chest.

"Khushi" He whispered taking in her distraught appearance. Arnav leapt up from his seat

The other two men turned around to see what caused the sudden movement.

"Aman.. Dhruv, We'll discuss everything else later. Aman I'd like to be left alone for a while" Arnav ordered in typical ASR tone.

Aman nodded and gestured Dhruv to follow him out of the cabin, Dhruv obliged and the two left the couple alone.

"Khushi.. What happened love?" Arnav asked softly taking her in his arms.

And that was it, She broke into fits of tears

"Arnav.." Khushi cried. Arnav guided her to the couch and made her sit on his lap. He pulled her closer

"I'm right here love. What happened?" Arnav asked

Khushi kept clutching his shirt and sobbed badly.

"I am scared Arnav" Khushi confessed between her sobs.

Arnav frowned and broke the hug, Cupping her face in his palms he asked "What happened Jaan? Why are you scared?"

She didn't answer, Arnav stroked her hair to ease her

"Jaan.. Look at me. Look at me Baby, What is wrong?" Arnav asked softly

"Arnav.. She is cruel. She.. She's cruel Arnav. Sheetal.. Sheetal is a.. She Arnav.. Sheetal" Khushi stuttered. Her frame shook vigorously.

Arnav tightened his hold on her whispering sweet nothings to her

"Jaan.. There's nothing to be scared of. My Khushi is a warrior. She isn't scared of anything Right? Sheetal is a no one! A no one. Don't be scared Jaan. I'm always there with you. Always!" Arnav said firmly.

Khushi looked up from his chest gazing intently into his ocean deep eyes.

"She killed our baby Arnav. She killed our princess." Khushi whispered making Arnav stiffen for a nano-second.

"She.. What?" Arnav asked bewildered

"She.. killed our princess. I tried.. I tried to protect her Arnav. I tried to protect our princess Arnav.. But I failed. I failed Arnav.. I failed!!" Khushi cried hysterically burying her face in his chest

Arnav felt defeated, His heart clenched painfully in his chest. At that moment He felt her pain.. Her longing for their child, Her sobs shook him to the core. Anger built inside him. Sheetal was going to pay for her sins. She killed their princess. He wanted to cry, Cry till there were no tears left, The mere thought of losing their unborn was enough to break him. He had been guilty all this while because he wasn't able to protect his wife. But now.. He failed even their child.

"Khushi.." Arnav whispered, Too broken to hold her together, But he knew what she was going through, And that he had to be there for her.

"What was her fault Arnav.. She wasn't even born. Why did sheetal do this to our baby?" Khushi asked whispering

And.. Arnav had nothing to say. "I don't know Khushi" He said

Khushi hiccuped

"I.. I wanted to protect her Arnav" She whispered

"I know baby. I know you tried your best" Arnav said finally pulling himself together for his better half

"She.. killed our baby Arnav, I failed our princess. I couldn't.. I couldn't do anything" She repeated

"Aisa nahi hai Khushi. Shona.. Hamaari princess bilkul safe hai. Apne Nana-Nani aur Dadi ke saath. Unke paas, Mumma aur Maa Papa usko bahut saara pamper kar rae honge. Uski aankhon mein ek aansu bhi nahi aane de rahe honge. You know what? Uske antics.. Uski cute si aankhein. Uski laal naak, Sab kuch bilkul tumhaare jaisa hoga. Aur tum toh jaanti ho tum Maa-Papa ki aur Mumma ki favourite ho. Isiliye Maa Papa ne usko apne paas wapis bula liya. Unka Pyaara sa paagal sa cute sa bahadur Khushi Beta jo unko hamaari princess ki shakal mein waapis mil gayaa tha. (It's not like that Khushi. Our princess is absolutely safe with her Nana-Nani and Dadi. Mumma and Ma-Papa must be pampering her a lot, So much that they mustn't have let even a single tear form in her eyes. You know what? Her antics, Her beautiful eyes.. Her Her red nose everything must be just like yours. And you know already that you are Mumma and Ma Papa's favorite. That's why Ma-Papa called her to them. Because they got their loving, crazy, cute, courageous Khushi beta back in the form of our Princess) said softly.

Khushi looked up from his chest, One of Arnav's hands securely wrapped around her waist while the other reached for her face tenderly wiping her tears away.

"Woh theek hogi? (She would've been fine?)" Khushi asked innocently

"Yes Baby. She's absolutely fine. And safe and Happy with our parents. And she'll surely come back to us in due course. Now don't cry. You know I hate your tears right. And as a part of me, I am pretty sure our princess too hates to see her strong mumma cry. Surely you don't want to make her upset?" Arnav explained patiently. Khushi shook her head attempting to put a smile on her face. In that moment Arnav fell for his innocent wife all over again. He kissed her forehead

"Sab theek hojayega na? (Everything will be fine Right?)" She asked

"Yes Khushi, Everything will be fine. I promise. And now, We'll punish Dadi Sheetal and her brother very very severely. She'll pay for hurting you and our princess. For hurting everyone related to us. Promise" Arnav said

"Thank You Arnav. Thank you so much for everything" Khushi said snuggling into him

Arnav smiled "Thank you? Is that where we've come now?" Arnav asked sternly

"No.." She panicked. "I.. I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.. Arnav."

Arnav sighed. What the hell is your problem Raizada. Can't you be a little more careful there? Now you've hurt her again!

Arnav cupped her face "I know. I was just messing around with you baby. It's.. I was just.. Just joking" He said

"You are not angry with me Right?" Khushi asked in a small voice.

"Nahi meri jaan. Mein tumse kabhi naraaz nahi ho sakta. Don't you know that? (No my life. I can never be angry with you)" Arnav asked

"I know." She responded cutely blinking her eyes

"I love you my cute little baby" Arnav cooed

"I love you too. I love you so much" Khushi confessed.

Arnav crushed her small frame in his arms. They stayed like that in their small bubble till god-knows how long. The trance broke only when Arnav heard her soft snores, He looked down only to find his Khushi sleeping peacefully with her head on his chest. In that moment, He vowed to protect her peace and innocence till his last breath. There wasn't going to be any Sheetal or Mrs Malik Or Advay Kapoor in their lives anymore. With that determination, He pecked her forehead lightly.

As I have already said. Most of the story is over. Only a few more updates left. Since only a couple suggestions about their punishment actually reached me. I am doing the drill again. Please drop in your suggestions about you want them to be punished. All three Sheetal Advay and Subhadra Devi Malik. So yeah. Please be a little more active. I just want you to engage with this story. Is it too much to ask?

Silent readers. Please make your presence felt. At least vote. And those who vote and Comment, Thank you so much everyone.

And Maybe You didn't notice, But I've published a new One shot on my Profile. It's NON Arshi But I think its still worth a try. Please do check it out. Everyone! Its called: In love with...

Do have a look.

Thank you everyone for bearing with my blabber.

Once again.

Do vote and Comment

Love
Vinny