Special Note: For those who don't understand hindi, english translations are in the comment section right next to the hindi lines. Thank you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once Devyani arrived, Khushi placed her bag, filled with a few articles of clothing and necessities, in the trunk of Arnav's car. She leaned over and took a deep breath. Every time her tears threatened to spill, she would stop to catch her breath. 'Was she insane for leaving tonight?' Arnav has told her multiple times that he loved her, and she planned on telling him she loved him back. But after he handed her the divorce papers...she didn't know how to react. It just hurt...it simply hurt. If she left...then Arnav won't try to bring her back. Would it be so easy for him? To just see her walk away? He would just be ok with it?

Khushi tried to understand Arnav's point of view and that he was giving her an out if she wanted...but it bothered her that Arnav would just let her go. Can she build a life with him knowing this? Knowing that he wouldn't try to bring her back? Khushi didn't know...and needed time to herself to figure this out. After she took a few moments to compose herself, Khushi closed the hood of the trunk and walked over the passenger side of the car. Arnav was already seated on the driver's seat waiting for her. Khushi didn't delay further...she opened the car door and sat inside.

Once she secured her seat belt, Arnav turned the ignition and drove out of the driveway. They sat quietly in the car, but the air around them remained heavy. They stole glances at each other while the other wasn't paying attention. Khushi opened her mouth to say something...anything...but nothing came out. What can she say in this situation? And it didn't look like Arnav wanted to strike up a conversation either...and for that reason...the ache in her chest doubled.

The silence getting too much for her, Khushi reached over and turned on the radio. "Good evening Mumbai!" RJ Shyam's voice boomed from the car speakers. "It's so good to be back to work my friends! Lekin ek raaz ki baath bathaye...biwi ko chor kar kaam pe aane ka dil hi nahin karta." RJ Shyam said, his voice clear and booming inside the car, "Yeh shaadi badi hi koobsurat cheez hoti hai doston...kabhi yeh nahin socha tha ke shaadi ke baadh...usse aur pyaar karne lagunga..."

Arnav and Khushi turned to look at each other when Shyam said that. As soon as their eyes connected, they both turned away quickly.

RJ Shyam continued, "Doh log zindagi bhar saath nibhane ke kasme kaathe hai. Kabhi kabhi jadge bhi hote hain...lekin jab biwi gusse mein jaa rahi hai...toh jaan nikhal jaati hai...aur bas...yahi gaana yaad aata hai...." RJ Shyam said and cued the music.

~Abhi na jao chhodh kar
ke dil abhi bhara nahi...~

Arnav's heart lurched as the beginning words of this song started to play. He glanced over at Khushi and saw that she was facing ahead. He wanted to say something to her...anything...but he didn't trust his own voice. She wants this...Arnav kept reminding himself that Khushi wants this. He can't stop her...no matter how much he wanted to. But...he didn't want to let her go...kyun ki...dil abhi bhara nahin...

~tumhaare pyaar ki kasam
tumhaara gham hai mera gham
na yoon bujhe bujhe raho
jo dil ki baat hai kaho...~

Please stop me...Khushi silently prayed. Please say something...tell me what's wrong. She looked over and saw that Arnav was focused on the road. She couldn't understand why he did this. Was it so easy for him? To simply draft divorce papers and hand it to her? Yes...he didn't sign them...but he is not even trying to stop her. Khushi quickly brushed the tear that escaped as she looked out the window.

~Jo mujhse bhi chhupaaoge
to phir kisse bataaoge
main koi gair to nahin
dilaaun kiss tarah yakin...~

It's as if the air around them was fighting. There was this push and pull between them...but neither were giving in. They wanted the same thing...but both were testing the other person...they were testing their relationship.

Arnav pulled up to Gupta mansion. He looked over to Khushi and when she opened the car door, he almost reached out to stop her.

Khushi thought she saw Arnav reach out from the corner of her eye. She turned...hoping that he will ask her to stay. She waited a beat...hoping...praying...wishing...but he did no such thing. He simply looked at her...his gaze intense...trying to say something she couldn't read.

~Ki tum se main judaa nahin
mujhse tum judaa nahin...~

Not knowing what else to do, Khushi stepped out of the car and went to the back to get her bag. Arnav remained in the car as she slowly walked away. He looked over at Khushi's retreating back...and the open wound in his heart bled more. His hands clenched on the steering wheel in reflex...the pain in his chest becoming unbearable.

Khushi's tears freely fell as she walked away from the car. She didn't look back because she didn't want Arnav to see her crying. It was hard to believe that the man who did so many wonderful things for her...was now sitting back and letting her walk away. Khushi continued to walk until she reached the main door...and she slowly went inside...closing the door behind her.

~Abhi na jaao chhodkar
ke dil abhi bhara nahin...~

Khushi entered the empty living room of her parents' house. It was dark and quiet...indicating that her parents were upstairs sleeping. She walked further into the room and dropped her bag next to her feet. Khushi then sunk to the floor...and she cried....

It felt as if her heart was bleeding. There was an open wound that was trying to heal...but every time the wound would try to close...it would only open back up and continue to bleed. She sobbed as she sat on the floor...trying to understand what went wrong between her and Arnav.

Did he do this just because she pushed him away on the night of the mehndi? This was her fault...she shouldn't have pulled back like that. But then why would he draft divorce papers? Was he just tired of waiting for her?

All these questions circled Khushi's mind and she didn't know what to do. She put a hand over her mouth when her sobs got too loud. She didn't want to wake her parents and tried to take deep breaths to calm herself.

It hurt...when Arnav handed her those divorce papers...Khushi couldn't even begin to describe how much it hurt. It felt like...he gave up on her...gave up on them...and Khushi didn't know what to do.

A soft wind entered the living room and brushed across the wind chimes hanging on the other end of the room. The soft sound of the wind chimes tingled as the wind flirting around it, catching Khushi's attention. Khushi looked over and Payal's picture was hanging on the wall next to the wind chimes.

Khushi brushed away her tears and stood up. She walked over to Payal's picture and gave her an angry look. "Kitni bhaar hum pooche aapse...ke hum kya kare? Aap kabse inte khudgarz ho gaye hai appi? Aapko humara takleef dikhayi nahin deta?" There was silence. Payal's smiling face simply gazed back at Khushi and Khushi felt herself breaking again, "Hum kabhi Arnav se mohabbat nahin karna chaate teh appi... lekin ho gaya" Khushi said, her voice cracking as she felt fresh tears threaten to fall, "...bas ho gaya...lekin hum poore dil se usske nahin ho paa rahe hai appi. Kya usse mohabat karne itni buri baath hai? Kya hum itne burre hai?"

Khushi then connected her hands in front of her, divorce papers crunched between them, as she plead in front of her dead sister's picture, "Please appi...kuch toh kahiye...hum kya karre...sahi raasta kya hai appi?" Khushi lowered her head and sobbed, "Please bathaiye...sahi raasta kya hai..." Khushi closed her eyes as her heart wrenching sobs filled the quiet room, feeling completely defeated.

*FLASHBACK*

Payal was standing in the living room of her parents' house and she was heavily pregnant. Her parents went to a dinner party, but because Payal's doctor advised her to stay home and rest as much as possible, she stayed back and Khushi stayed back with her.

Payal looked at a picture hanging on the wall and smiled. It was her and Arnav's wedding day picture and both were smiling widely into the camera. Her heart ached seeing the happiness in the picture. She didn't tell anyone of the complications to her pregnancy. They all wanted this baby so much...that she didn't have the heart to tell them. Payal's smile then faded...what would happen after her? What would happen to her family? How will her baby be raised without a mother?

Payal then gazed at Arnav's smiling face and her eyes filled. She was scared for Arnav the most...he tended to lose himself when in pain. How would he find himself again? Who would bring him back?

"Appi why are you not sitting down!? The doctor said to rest. This is not good for my niece at all...sit down right now!" Khushi scolded as she walked into the room with some tea and cookies.

Payal quickly wiped away her tears and turned to face her younger sister. Payal chuckled at Khushi's annoyed face and walked over to the couch and took a seat. "Fine...fine...happy now?" she said. Khushi added 1 teaspoon of sugar to a cup and handed Payal her tea. Payal accepted the cup gratefully and leaned back on the cushions, sighing as the pillows eased the pain on her lower back from the pregnancy.

Khushi noticed this and frowned. "Are you ok appi? Should I call the doctor?" Khushi asked, concerned as she watched her sister.

Payal casually brushed it off, "I'm fine Khushi...back ache during pregnancies are common." Khushi didn't look convinced but Payal sipped her tea as if all was good in the world, so Khushi didn't pry.

When Payal felt that Khushi let go of the subject, she looked over to see Khushi making her own cup of tea. Khushi really stepped up in her responsibilities when Payal came to stay with them. Khushi not only managed AMORE, but she also helped Payal during her pregnancy, and help her parents with household chores.

As Payal looked at her younger sister, her baby kicked inside her womb. Payal automatically placed a hand on her bulging stomach. Payal looked back at her picture with Arnav...and then looked back at Khushi. The baby kicked again.

"What were you thinking earlier appi?" Khushi asked, completely oblivious to Payal's thoughts.

Payal didn't want to say anything about her pregnancy dangers, so she lied. "I was just remembering the time when I first started dating Arnav." Payal replied.

"Oh yea?" Khushi asked, putting her legs up on the couch and getting comfortable, "What about it?" she asked.

Payal smiled and recalled fondly, "You remember...when I met Arnav I was dating another guy."

Khushi giggled, "I do remember...you were a player." She joked and laughed when Payal threw a pillow at her.

"Badmash..." Payal said, no heat behind her insult, "Anyways...I was just remembering how Arnav and I suddenly became very close. But I was so confused about my feelings about which guy I liked more. One day...Arnav told me to go with the other guy. He told me he would never stop me and will never force me into any decision. Uss din patha chala ke Arnav mein ek zamzori hai..." Payal said, remember that moment like it was yesterday.

"Kya?" Khushi asked, completely immersed in the story.

"Ke jab woh pyaar karta hai...toh jaan laga ke karta hai..." Payal said fondly. "I realized...that when he loves...he loves selflessly. That moment stayed with me...that Adi let me go with this other guy and didn't try to stop me. He was so...well...selfless. That's when I realized that I loved Adi too." Payal recalled, smiling at the memory.

Khushi smiled, "That's a really sweet story. I can only hope my future husband will love me half as much as that." Payal smiled when Khushi said that. "He will...don't worry" Payal replied, as if speaking that into existence.

Khushi reached for a cookie and bit into it happily. "Appi...I have been working on a few dresses for the baby...I can't wait till she is born!" Khushi then gushed about a few ideas and happily chatted away. Payal smiled and saw how much Khushi was already in love with the baby in her womb. She listened intently and noticed how happy Khushi looked. She was so full of life...intelligent...beautiful...and she had a heart of gold.

Payal continued to listen to Khushi's chatter and happen to glance at Arnav's picture again. The teacup she was lifting to her lips stopped mid-air. Payal then looked back at Khushi and she felt her baby kick her again. Payal's eyes widened a little as the realization hit her. This was the solution to her dilemma. She didn't know if it was right...but one thing she learned from Arnav...is to love selflessly.

"Khushi..." Payal said. She placed her cup down and reached over to take Khushi's hand, "If anything happens to me..."

"What nonsense Appi!" Khushi cut in, but Payal shushed her.

"Please...Khushi...listen to me...if something happens to me. Promise me...that YOU will take care of everything." Payal said, her expression extremely serious.

Khushi saw how serious Payal, "Appi...why are you talking like this? Aap ko kya ho sakta hai?" she innocently asked.

Payal tightened her grip on Khushi's hand, "Please Khushi...just promise me. I can only trust you to make things right." Payal said cryptically.

Not knowing what to do, Khushi placed her other hand over Payal's, "Of course appi. You know I am always here for you. I promise." Khushi said, and she saw Payal relax and smile back at her.

*FLASHBACK END*

Khushi's eyes shot open and she gazed back at Payal's smiling picture. Her jaw dropped as the realization hit her. Payal knew...that day...Payal knew that she wouldn't make it out alive from her pregnancy. And she asked Khushi to take care of everything.

Payal knew that Arnav would struggle to move on...and she wanted Khushi to be with him. That's what she meant by wanting Khushi to "makes things right."

Khushi's jaw dropped as she looked at Payal's picture. Payal gave her blessings to Khushi long before she even married Arnav. Payal foreshadowed this even before anyone knew. She wanted Arnav to move on...but not with just anyone....she wanted Arnav to move on with Khushi. Because Payal knew Khushi would take care of everything. She entrusted the two most precious things in the world, Arnav and Ahaana...to Khushi...because Payal knew Khushi would take care of everything.

Khushi felt it then...that immense pressure she had inside her since she married Arnav...that guilt for wanting him...that insecurity of replacing Payal...it lifted...that terrible pressure she felt all this time...finally lifted off her shoulders.

Khushi breathed in...like she finally breathed in air after staying under water for far too long. Her heart pounded in her chest...she felt...free. She finally felt free.

Khushi continued to gaze at her sister, shocked that she didn't understand this before. Payal helped her realize one more thing tonight...and that is that Arnav, indeed, loved selflessly. He gave her those divorce papers because he wanted to tell her she was free to make her own choices. He wanted her to CHOOSE him. Not because of Ahaana...and not because of family. He wanted her to choose him on her own, without any hesitations.

And after what felt like ages...Khushi smiled as she gazed at Payal's picture...and her smile reached her eyes. Khushi wiped her tear stained face and gave Payal an adoring look. She reached over and touched Payal's face, "Love you appi..." Khushi said softly, and without thinking any further, Khushi turned and ran out the door.

It started to slightly rain outside but Khushi didn't care. She clutched onto the divorce papers and ran towards the driveway. It was stupid because Arnav probably already left, but Khushi didn't care...she simply ran. When she reached her destination, she halted, and she let out a watery laugh. Her tears mixing with the rain. There was Arnav, standing outside...leaning against his car. He was waiting for her.

Arnav kicked a rock on the floor as he waited. For some reason...he couldn't get himself to get inside the car and drive away. It was stupid of him...but he felt like something was holding him back. He felt in then...this flutter in his heart...and that's when he turned to see Khushi run down the driveway and come to a halt several feet away from him.

Their eyes connected...like they always do...warm hazel against mermaid green. Arnav pushed away from the car and faced Khushi. He held his breath as Khushi gazed at him and he tried to read her.

Khushi looked at Arnav...his eyes holding so much emotion as he patiently waited for her. She waited a beat...she then let out a sob and ran to him. She dropped the divorce papers as the adrenaline rushed through her...she forgot everything around her...and only focused on her destination.

~ Teri saanson mein mujhe, guzaara mil gaya

Ho gaya mujh pe tera asar...~

Arnav let out the breath he was holding and he took a step forward. He opened his arms just in time for Khushi to run straight into them. Arnav took a step back from the force, balancing him and Khushi...and his heart soared with joy.

Khushi sobbed as she buried her face in Arnav's neck. "Humhe aapse alag nahin rehna...please..." she sobbed as she held on tight, "'please...humhe dur mat bhejiye...humhe apse alag nahin rehna..." she said over and over.

~ Yeh mohobbat teri lage rab ki koi mehar

Khatam na ho chahtein umrabhar...~

Arnav pulled back and cupped Khushi's face as she pleaded again. He shushed her...trying to calm her down. He wiped some of her tears...but she continued to sob as she repeated those words. His own eyes watery, he showered kisses over Khushi's face. But she kept on sobbing, "Please....please....humhe..." this time, Arnav shushed Khushi by kissing her. The kiss wasn't long...but it held immense emotion...and it held promise.

Arnav pulled back and rested his forehead on Khushi's. She took a deep breath...Arnav's cologne filling her nostrils...and she found comfort in that. She pulled back slightly and looked at Arnav.

~ Tere bina mera laage na jiyaa...~

"Humhe maaf kar dijiye Arnav...hum samaj nahin paye ke aap aisa kyun kar rahe teh..." Khushi said, her voice quivering.

Arnav tried to shush her again, but Khushi would not have it. "Humhe bhol ne dijiye Arnav...."

~Tere liye hi dhadke jiyaa...~

When Arnav didn't make any moves to stop her, Khushi continued, "Humne humesha socha ke ek rishta ko nibahne ke liye pyaar aur dosti kaafi hai. Lekin aapse seeka...ke jab rishtey mein zaroorat aa jati hai...toh woh rishta sirf nibbhaya nahin jaata...uss rishtey ko har pal jiya jaata hai." Arnav remained still as he heard her say those words. He was speechless...because she was finally admitting to what they shared. What they had between them wasn't any ordinary relationship...it was so much more...

Khushi gazed into Arnav's eyes and continued, "Shaadi ke badh...hum bhool gaye teh ke humare khud ke armaan hai...khud ke sapne hai...jiss mein humara bhi haq hai. Humhe humesha laga ke hum Payal ki jagga lene ki galthi kar rahe hai...lekin aaj ehsaas hua...ke aap par humara bhi haq hai. Jab hum apne aap ko aap ke nazar se dekha...tab ehsaas hua humhe ek dusre ki zaroorat hai."

"Apke saath purane gaane gaana zaroorat hai. Aap ke liye Chinese noodles bana na bhi zaroorat hai. Ahaana ki dekh bhal karna aur aapke saath raath bar jaagna bhi zaroorat hai...aapke saath jagdar na bhi zaroorat hai...aur phir manana bhi zaroorat hai..."

~ Mere dil ko tere dil ki zaroorat hai...~

"Yeh zaroorat...kab mohabbat ban gayi patha hi nahin chala..."

Khushi saw Arnav's eyes change as she finally said those words. She placed her hand on his chest, right over his heart. "Aapse hum mohabat kaise na karre? Aap ki har baath...humari jaan le lethi hai..." she whispered.

~ Mere dil ko tere dil ki zaroorat hai...~

"Aapse yeh baath humhe bahut pehle hi bathana chahiye tha...I love you too Arnav...I love you too..." she said softly as she looked into his warm eyes.

Arnav didn't say anything in return. He simply picked Khushi up and spun her around. Khushi laughed and wrapped her arms around Arnav's neck. He grinned has he placed her back on her feet. Nothing else needed to be said. They found their way to each other...nothing else needed to be said. The divorce papers lay on the floor, the rain soaking it and completely destroying it.

~ Mere dil ko tere dil ki zaroorat hai...~

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*The next day*

Khushi felt someone nudge her in her sleep and she stirred awake. Khushi opened her eyes to see Arnav leaning over her. Her first thought was Ahaana.

"Is Ahaana ok?" Khushi asked, automatically removing the blanket from her legs.

"Yes..Yes...Ahaana is fine" Arnav said, he then held out his hand and helped Khushi stand up from the bed, "I wanted to show you something."

Confused as to what Arnav wanted to show her at this part of the night, Khushi let Arnav pull her out of their bedroom. As they walked down the dark hallway of their home, Khushi couldn't help but remember the night before. After confessing her love, Arnav and Khushi came back home...high on emotions. As soon as they relieved Devyani for the night and closed the front door...they dove for each other. Somehow, Arnav and Khushi made their way into their bedroom, where they made passionate love to each other. And they kept loving each other until the early hours of the morning. It felt wonderful...to completely be with him now...without any doubts or insecurities.

Khushi couldn't help but smile at the memory as Arnav lead her downstairs. "Arnav...where are we going?" Khushi asked, confused as he continued to lead her down the stairs and towards the back yard. Arnav pulled Khushi outside where the lights were turned off and yard remained dark.

Arnav pulled Khushi so they now stood in the middle of the yard and all Khushi saw was the outline of Arnav's body. "Wait right here." Arnav simply instructed and stepped back.

"But Arnav..." Khushi began to say, utterly confused as to what Arnav was up to.

"Shhh..." Arnav said, "Just trust me ok?" He said.

That she did, Khushi thought. So she remained quiet and saw Arnav fade into the dark as she patiently waited. Khushi took this moment to look up at the night sky. She saw that it was a crescent moon tonight...which only explained why she couldn't see much around her. But the stars were bright and sparkling tonight, usually a rare sight to see when living in a bustling city like Mumbai.

Khushi admired the night sky when she saw lights turn on around her. But these were not the usual lights they used in the back yard. They were delicate fairy lights hanging all around...and when she took a closer look...she saw the place was surrounded with white calle lilies.

Khushi's jaw dropped as she turned, her eyes getting wide in shock. Their yard was completely transformed to a place of fairy tales. The fairy lights were adding a soft glow around her...and the white lilies caught the light and shined brighter. This was her dream wedding...this exact place is what she dreamed of since she was a little girl.

Khushi then turned to see Arnav emerge from the shadows and her heartbeat increased. He was gazing at her lovingly...the soft lights adding gold flecks to his hazel eyes.

"Arnav..." Khushi breathed, completely speechless.

He stopped when he stood only a few inches away from Khushi, "You like it?" he asked, softly.

Khushi looked around her, stunned, "What...? When?...How did you even do this?" She asked, a little breathlessly.

Arnav chuckled, "Well...Anjali told me some time ago that this was a childhood dream of yours...I did this when you were sleeping...and how...well...I snuck in Akash, Anjali, and Shyam and they helped me put this together." He responded humorously.

Khushi looked at Arnav, the look of shock still on her face. "Arnav...this...is..." Khushi tried to form words...anything, "You...you didn't have to do this..." she finally said, her heart bursting with love for this man standing in front of her. Her eyes welled up a little at how beautiful this gesture was.

"Don't..." Arnav said softly, and cupped Khushi's face in his hands. "I wanted to do this...for us...." He said, "Our wedding was something neither of us cared for or wanted. I just...I want to do this right. I wanted to do something that was just ours...I wanted to give you what you always wanted..." he murmured.

A few tears escaped from the corner of Khushi's eyes, "I have everything I always wanted...I have you and Ahaana..." she whispered back. Arnav smiled at that, his heart soaring at those words. He was still getting used to finally having Khushi without any reservations...and it was a wonderful feeling. Arnav wiped away the few tears from Khushi's face and stepped back.

He then got down on one knee. "Mein Arnav Singh Raizada...apne poora hosh o hawaas mein...tumhe apna humsafar manta hoon...tumhe apna saathi, dost, sukoon, mohabbat...apni zaroorat mantha hoon." Khushi looked down at Arnav, a soft smile adorning her face as she watched him.

Arnav gazed at her with nothing but love in his eyes. He then held out his hand, "Mrs. Khushi Gupta Raizada...kya aapko yeh nikka qubool hai?"

Khushi sighed...if she could fall any deeper in love with Arnav...she did in that moment. And right there...in the middle of their backyard...surrounded by fairy lights and white calle lilies...surrounded by sparkling stars and soft moonlight...she said those sacred words.

"Qubool Hai..." Khushi replied softly.

~Mere dil ko tere dil ki zaroorat hai...~

Khushi then took a step towards Arnav and placed her hand in his.

"Qubool Hai..." She said again. Arnav stood up and pulled Khushi to him.

"Qubool Hai..." Khushi said a third time. She then went up on her tip toes and kissed Arnav. Sealing the promise with a kiss.

~Mere dil ko tere dil ki zaroorat hai...~

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THE END!

But wait! Stay tuned for the epilogue! In the meantime, please tell me what you thought of this story? I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Thank you for taking the time to read my work! It truly means alot!

Copy Right:

The song used in this chapter is "Abhi naa jao chor kar" (see around 4:30 to find this particular sad version of the song in the link below) and "Mere dil ko tere dil ki zaroorat". I take no credit for this songs or the lyrics. I also take no credit for Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon and the characters or the concept of  the movie Bewafa. This story and the lines written, however, are my writing and my work. If I feel that any portion of this story was inspired by something else, I gave credit to those folks. Thank you!

https://youtu.be/h2VJMg_nPOo

Love,

Jc