Chapter 8

It was almost as if he felt his life come to standstill. What would he do if he lost her? He had only just found her and this was the moment he was going to lose her again. No! He wouldn’t let it happen. He couldn’t lose her, not this time, not now.

Arnav had just walked out the mall with shopping bags full of Sanjana’s stuff. He had just crossed the threshold of the door when he thought he had a glimpse of her. He changed direction walking towards the girl he thought was Khushi instead of his car. He could feel the tiny droplets of rain and knew it was going to pour soon. He was a few metres away from her when she stopped and seemed to be looking for something in her handbag. It took only a second. He heard the car rounding the corner and coming in their direction. He jumped out of the way throwing the shopping bags down realizing that the girl was standing in the car’s path and it wasn’t going to stop for anyone. She turned around upon hearing the car and that was when he saw her properly. It took him a split second. He ran towards her pulling her out of the way knowing she wouldn’t move herself from past experience. He felt her grip around him tighten and he did the same. Arnav had closed his eyes, relief washing over him. He had made it just in time, had he stalled any longer she would have been gone and he would have never survived. He felt her move and opened his eyes to make sure she was still there, make sure she was safe. He could see the fear and relief in her eyes but there was something else… something he was missing and just couldn’t lay a finger on it. They were drenched in the rain still not moving, still looking at each other as if it would satisfy that longing to see each other, as if it would make up for the 8 months they had been away from each other.

Even if she had hurt his Di, even if she did have an affair with his brother-in-law nothing was going to change the attraction he felt towards her. It was almost as if she was a magnetic force that always pulled him towards her and no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t repel. She was the first girl he had fallen for. He had dated Lavanya for so long and had never felt anything for her but Khushi… Khushi was different. His heart seemed to beat faster when he was with her, he could hear his heartbeats increasing but never really understood why. After Aakash’s wedding he seemed to be realizing and he could tell she was reciprocating. “Tumhare saansein ruk jayegi,” he had laughed at his sister when she told him that one day someone will come along whom he won’t be able to live without and when he’s away from her he’ll find it difficult to even breathe. That day he couldn’t believe his sister, he passed it off as her usual ramblings little did he think that he’d be in that situation one day, but he was…

It was when Khushi was still working in AR. At that point he had hated even looking at her so he sent her to work in the old guesthouse that was under reconstruction. She had been there the whole day while construction was going on and Arnav hadn’t known that the house was so dilapidated it was going to cave in. Khushi had been in the guest house all day and the workers had decided to stop the reconstruction because they could see it was going to cave in so they locked the exit doors and left not knowing Khushi was trapped inside. The building had started crumbling from the far side and Khushi was in danger. “Help!!! Is anyone there? Open the door!” Khushi screamed banging on the door. There was no one there and her pleas went unanswered. She was trapped in a dilapidated guesthouse with no phone signal and not a single soul knowing where she was besides Arnav Singh Raizada. Khushi sat against a pillar with tears streaming down her cheeks thinking about how worried her family would be. At nine o clock the phone rang in Shantivan. Anjali had picked up the call and everybody had gathered in the hall because of the panick stricken look on her face. “Di, what happened?” aksed Arnav worriedly. “Payalji phoned and said that Khushiji hasn’t reached home yet or called. Everyone is very worried because she never does this she always calls if she’s late. They wanted to know if she was still in the office,” Anjali said sounding very distressed. Everyone had tried calling everywhere they thought she could be including her house to check if maybe she had reached home since Payal called but they still hadn’t heard from her. Arnav tried her cell, “This number is not available at the moment. Please try again later.” It seemed at that moment Arnav had suddenly had a realization and sprinted out of Shantivan.

Arnav was driving at high speed trying to get to her as fast as he could. Had he known it was so dangerous he would have never sent her. He stopped the SUV inn front of the guesthouse and could see it crumbling slowly. He broke down the door and shouted for her but couldn’t find her. He was really hoping she was on this side of the house. He was about to open the door to the only room he hadn’t checked when a wooden beam fell in front of him pushing down the door. Arnav was crouched behind the fallen beam when he looked in the room and saw Khushi sitting against a pillar where the roof was going to cave in. Arnav ran to Khushi and pulled her up and holding her by the arm dragged her out of the room seconds before the roof caved in. Once they were out of danger in a safer part of the house Khushi stopped in her tracks and Arnav realizing stopped in front of her still holding her hand until she pulled out of his grip. He turned around to look at her and could see the anger in her eyes. “I didn’t know…” Arnav started explaining when she cut him off. “You didn’t know? How is that possible? You’re god, you know everything!” Arnav now turned to face her. “Listen to me…” Arnav said but was cut off again. “No Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. Khushi Kumari Gupta has heard enough! Now it’s your turn to listen and if you’re not in the habit of listening then get used to it. What do you think? I don’t feel hurt? I don’t have any self-respect? I don’t have a family? I DON’T HAVE LIFE? No you don’t! Because you don’t think about anyone besides yourself!” Khushi burst out and pushed Arnav away. Arnav’s anger was increasing by the second he grabbed her wrists and pinned her against the wall not realizing how hard he was holding her wrists until a tear escaped. He loosened his grip and moved his hand only to find pieces of broken bangles falling to the ground and blood dripping down from Khushi’s hand where the bangle had pierced her skin. Khushi’s hand fell limp and she slipped into unconsciousness. Arnav had carried her to the car and had taken home that day.  He didn’t want to leave but he knew she was with her family and they’d take care of her. Arnav couldn’t help but blame himself. He didn’t know what he would have done if anything had happened to her. He would’ve died that day. It was also the day he had finally realized what his sister meant and she was right.

They let go of each other and stepped backwards, all without breaking their eye lock. The rain was pouring down and everybody was either inside the mall or in their cars taking cover oblivious to the two souls standing outside drenched. Except for two people, Sanjana and Karan had arrived at the mall to find Arnav leaving. She breathed a sigh of relief knowing he hadn’t seen Khushi until she saw everything that followed. “This is exactly what I wanted to avoid,” Sanjana said flatly. “As long as they don’t say anything to each other it’ll all be fine,” she said taking a deep breath. Karan nodded his head in agreement, “Can we at least get home before they do? You know how inquisitive they both can be and I really don’t feel like being cross examined by my best friend after almost watching her get run over.” Sanjana knew he was right, “You’re right. We should leave now but I’ll call you later once I’ve thought of a fool proof plan. I need to test it first just to make sure the idea works.” Karan raised an eyebrow, “It better be good because if this backfires it’s both our lives on the line.” Sanjana nodded her head in agreement and set off for home.

Khushi looked at Arnav once more before she turned away from him. “Khushi! Khushi wait,” he called after her retreating figure. She didn’t stop to listen to him. She increased her pace as she walked away from him. How could this happen every time? Whenever she tried to stay away from him he always found her. She had worked so hard over the past 8 months to get over everything that happened and it seemed like slowly everything was going to get undone. Every time she saw him and looked into those honey coloured eyes she could only remember the hatred she had seen in them that day. The day that changed her life, no both their lives forever. Khushi got into the car and drove back home as fast as she could before anything else could happen. Half an hour later Khushi stormed through the house racing past Karan who had been waiting for her and headed straight for her room. She threw the keys on the bed and still in her rain drenched clothes huddled herself in the corner of the room wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her head on her knees. She had a lot of time to think about whatever had happened in the last few days and she couldn’t hold it back anymore. She just let the tears flow down her cheeks. It was almost as if there was no end and they would never dry up. It was the eight months worth of pain and suffering that she had hidden all this time but couldn’t anymore. Was it possible that she still felt something for him after everything he had done? Was it possible after hating him so much? Could he still have a place in her heart? Was he still there? Had he been there all along? Most importantly – Did she ever really forget him? Did she still love him?

Chapter 7

“Now you know what happened, well my side of the story at least. I don’t know what started in RM or how it even came up but it did. I vowed I’d never go back there and I won’t. Nothing is going to stop me from hating him. I gave up on the whole idea of love because of him. My heart broke into too many pieces that day and the hatred I have for him burnt whatever was left of it,” it was clear to Karan that Khushi had died that day. She wasn’t the same Khushi they knew when she came back to Lucknow, she was different almost void of any feelings. Karan didn’t know someone could love another person to such an extent that if their heart was broken it would stay that way forever. “Ok, but from what you told me it doesn’t seem like anyone from there would want to see or hear from you again. Then why did Sanjana come to Lucknow? Why does she still come see you all the time?” Kran asked out of confusion. Khushi smiled, “Because she’s the only one who knows the truth. Arnav and I had feelings for each other and somewhere deep down we knew it but Sanju was the first one to realize what was going on between us. She knew us better than we knew ourselves. While I was here in Delhi I spent most of my time at RM after jiji got married and Sanju became like a sister except for the fact that she kept calling me Bhabi all the time so I starte thinking of her as a sister-in-law because I guess I kind of knew I was in love with Arnav. That was the day I called you and everything happened. Sanjana wasn’t there. She had gone on a business trip to London and was only coming back the next day. Jiji told her everything that happened when she got back because everyone knows she’s the only one that can handle Arnav. She didn’t even bother talking to Arnav or ask him what happened she managed to track me down and I told her everything.” Karan had a look of satisfaction on his face, “At least someone in that family has brains.” Karan had something up his sleeve and knew exactly what to do now that he knew everything it was going to be a little easier. Khushi tapped him on the shoulder, “I’m going to finish the movie. You coming?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “After you,” Karan said cheerfully and they both settled themselves on the couch to finish their movie.

It was half past six when Arnav reached RM. He parked his car and sneaked in through the door. Di was always the first to wake up but she only woke up at seven on a Sunday. He climbed up the stairs stealthily and opened the door to his bedroom only to find his worst nightmare. There she was sitting on the recliner waiting for him. He thought it was so unbelievable that after everything that happened she was mad at him as if everything that happened was his fault. “Where were you all night? You obviously weren’t with Lavanya because she came her looking for you, so where were you?” she did this every time he stayed out without telling her and was used to it by now. “I told you before Sanju, I don’t have to answer to you. You’re not Di. You’re Aakash’s sister,” he said annoyed and angry. “And how many times do I have to tell you that it doesn’t make a difference to me because you’re both my brothers. Where were you last night?” Sanjana asked getting irritated. Arnav gave the ASR look. The one that scared all of his employees and anyone else that tried to mess with him. “Fine, if you don’t want to tell me I can’t force you. It’s your choice. There’s something else I want to ask you and if you answer it maybe you’ll know the reason I’m angry and annoyed with you all the time. Whether you’re going to answer me or not is another story.”

Arnav took off his waistcoat and undid his tie settling down on the bed, “What is it?” Sanju looked unsure of whether she should do it but after what happened last night she wouldn’t find a better opportunity, “What happened that day? How did it start?” Arnav looked up at her in shock. He couldn’t avoid it any longer so he might as well tell her what Payal didn’t, “Shyam brought it up. We going to throw a party for Aakash and Payal and I was discussing  the idea with Di when she suggested that maybe we should Khushi involved and between the two of us we could organize the party. I don’t know what happened to Shyam or why it took him so long but he came clean then saying he doesn’t want her to come and that she had been trying to seduce him and you know the rest.” Sanjana shook her head, “I can’t believe you. Just because he said something like that you took his word for it and didn’t even hear her out. What is wrong with you Arnav and don’t think I don’t know what happened here. Everyone else was scared because they were downstairs but I know you like the back of my hand Arnav. You are disgusting! Do you know that for five seconds she actually thought you were going to rape her? She of all people knew what you are capable of. She worked with you and after everything you did to her it wasn’t totally unexpected but it did come as shock. That’s why she got so angry Arnav. She was hurt. You hurt her!” Sanjana was pacing around the room shouting and screaming at him. Arnav stood up, ‘Enough,” he bellowed. “You have no right to judge me foe whatever I did. You won’t understand. Di is my life and I can do anything for her. Understand? I can’t stand it if someone tries to ruin her happiness.” Sanjana walked up to him and asked coolly, “Why are you getting so angry Arnav?” She could see the anger boiling in his eyes. “Why did you save her if you hate her so much? Why didn’t you just leave her there?” Arnav looked at her with surprise. “How do you know?” he asked softly. “I know everything that happens. You can’t hide anything from me. I have spies everywhere,” Sanju said with a small smile taking a step closer to him. “I… I couldn’t leave her there. They were going to… they were going to rape her Sanju,” Arnav said, his voice breaking. Sanjana wiped away the lone tear running down her face and placed a hand on his cheek. She could see it in his eyes. It was all a façade. He could deceive everybody else but not her. The hatred was only a show. It was the only way he could convince himself that whatever he had done was right and she was wrong. Hating her was the only way he could kick her out of his life, still it wasn’t strong enough. The love was still there. It was always there. She could see it in his eyes. He couldn’t stand the thought of someone else touching her. “It’s okay. I understand, I know why you did what you did but it was still wrong. You can’t hate her Arnav and you know that. You don’t have it in you. The hate you feel is because you think she cheated you. Because she tried to ruin Di’s happiness. Everything will fall into place eventually but I’m worried about you. I don’t know if you’ll be able to handle it, the regret for everything you did will kill you if she’s not here Arnav. No one knows you better than I do and I can’t see you like that.” Arnav looked at her confused. She gave him a small smile, “Don’t worry everything will be okay,” and she gave him a tight hug.

“We have to do something about this. I’ve never known she could be like this. She’s my best friend and I can’t stand the fact that she can hate him so much. She’s told me that he hates her, it’s the only reason he did what he did to her but I don’t think she knows. After what he did last night there is no way he hates her as much she thinks he does,” Karan blabbered over the phone. Sanjana knew he was right. If it wasn’t for Karan she would have never known what he did for Khushi. In a way she was grateful that someone saw. At least now she had some help otherwise this was never going to end. Now that they met it was going to be a waging war. She saw what had happened backstage and could see they clearly didn’t want to be near each other but now they had no choice. “You’re right he doesn’t hate her as much she thinks he does but I know for a fact that she hates the sight of him and doesn’t want to see him again. We have to find a way to clear all this up but first they need to meet a couple of times before everything gets sorted out otherwise it’s just going to make things very difficult,” Sanjana sighed. “Khushi’s gone to the mall so maybe you can come home and we can think about what we can do then…” Sanju cut him off, “Wait… Which mall?” The answer was exactly what Sanjana hoped wasn’t coming. “I’ll call you late. I have to get to the mall to see what’s going to happen because knowing their luck they’re probably going to find each other there too. I sent him to buy some stuff for Di but I guess he’s coming back empty handed. Meet me there if you can this is going to be interesting,” Sanju cut the call grabbed her bag and keys and got in her car. Karan followed suit and they both reached the mall.

Khushi was bored at home so decided to go shopping to kill time. She had been roaming around the mall for a couple of hours but couldn’t find anything she liked. Fifteen minutes later, after a very unsatisfactory shopping trip, she was walking out the mall to the parking lot. She was looking for the key to the car Karan had lent her and wasn’t looking where she was going when she heard a car speeding in her direction. She turned around and saw the car speeding towards her. She froze. She didn’t know what to do and the shock had taken control over body. She closed her eyes as the car neared her praying to her Devi Maaiya to save her. The car was three seconds away from hitting her when she felt a strong grip around her waist pulling her out of the way. She hugged him tight her eyes still closed, her head against his chest where she could hear his heartbeat. She could feel the warmth of his body against hers. He was holding her tight, both arms around her waist. She slowly recovered from the shock and felt the droplets of rain on her hands, her hair and then on her face as she slowly raised her head to look up at her saviour. For some reason she wasn’t surprised, she was thankful instead but when she looked at him his eyes were closed tight almost as if he was afraid. He opened his eyes and looked down to meet those hazel eyes that he loved. There they stood in the rain. Khushi in Arnav’s arms, drenched in the rain lost in each other.

Chapter 6

“What?” Karan turned around to face Khushi when he heard the shock in her voice. “Why are you so surprised?” Karan asked with a raised eyebrow. “After everything that happened I just didn’t think… He hates me, he blamed me for everything then why…” Khushi trailed off. “Look Khushi, you need to relax don’t stress about these things. I want to know what happened last night and don’t tell me it was nothing because from what you look like something definitely happened,” Karan asked with concern. Khushi looked at him helplessly as she reencountered the events of the previous night and how when she had prayed for help it was Arnav who had saved her. “Please don’t tell Priya anything. If she asks what happened I’ll come up with an excuse. I’m still in bed. She hasn’t seen my clothes yet and she only knows Arnav brought me here and is probably blaming him,” Karan shook his head in agreement with Khushi’s last statement. “Okay, I won’t tell her anything but then you need to shower and change your clothes so when she comes she doesn’t notice anything,” Karan ordered her as she got out of bed. She took off Arnav’s coat and looked at Karan, “Give it to me. I’ll return it to him.” Khushi breathed a sigh of relief. At least she didn’t have to come face to face with him again. She walked into the bathroom closing the door behind her as Karan made the bed. He took the coat and left in his room before he went downstairs to grab some breakfast.

An hour later Karan and Khushi were sitting in the lounge having coffee. They had planned to leave today but Priya insisted on staying so she could visit her niece. She had left after breakfast when she received a call from her brother and at that point they all decided that they would leave on Friday giving her three days to spend with her family. They were watching a movie when Khushi noticed Karan turning the volume down on the TV. “Karan, what are you doing?” Khushi asked confused. “I need to talk to you,” Khushi diverted her attention from the TV and turned towards Karan. “What happened, Khushi? What was it that made you come back to Lucknow? What could he have done that hurt you so much?” Karan needed answers. After everything he had seen and heard last night there was definitely something amiss. Khushi got up and walked to the kitchen with her mug but Karan wasn’t going to let it go that easily. She stopped at the sink, “I don’t want to talk about it, Karan. Whatever happened, happened. Nothing can change it and there’s no point in opening old wounds.” Karan folded his arms across his chest. “I’m not budging Khushi. We only have a vague idea. No one knows what happened and it’s possible it could have been a mistake or a misunderstanding,” Khushi turned around to face her friend and leaned against the sink. She knew he wasn’t going to let this go until all his questions were answered. “Fine. You want to know, I’ll tell you, Karan, but no one else is going to hear it. What everyone else knows is enough. They don’t need to know every detail,” Khushi said. “this stays between me and you,” Karan promised. “You’re one of my best friends and I always told you everything. You remember you were the one who told me that maybe I was falling for him. I had just spoken to you that day and you told me to tell him the truth about Shyam and the engagement before I told him how I felt,” Khushi looked lost in thought. “I remember. That was the last time I spoke to you over the phone because you were back in Lucknow two days later but you never told us why,” Karan said as he pulled out the chair from the table and sat down. “That was one day I want to forget and try to all the time but it’s almost like it’s stuck on repeat in my head. I just can’t forget…” Khushi whispered softly, just loud enough for Karan to hear.

**********************Flashback*******************

“You were right Karan. I’m going to visit Jiji anyway so I might as well do it now. Better late than never, right. Thanks Karan. I’ll call you later, I just reached.” Khushi put her phone back in her bag and adjusted her scarf as she walked up to the door. She had decided that today was going to be the day she was finally going to confess to him. She hadn’t realized when it happened and how it happened but it just did. Little did she know what awaited her inside. She opened the doors to the mansion and heard voices floating down from the hall, “No, Saale Sahib. I haven’t done anything. I could never imagine cheating Rani Sahiba. How could you think I would stoop so low. It was that Khushi, she was the one who was always trying to find a way to seduce me. I told her I was married to your sister but she said it didn’t make a difference to her whose sister she was.” Khushi couldn’t believe what she was hearing. How could anyone stoop so low to save themselves even if it meant tarnishing someone else’s reputation. She picked up her pace when she heard his voice, “You’ve been married to Di for two years and you’ve never done anything to hurt her so for your sake and hers I hope you’re telling the truth.” Khushi stood at the entrance to the hall far enough for them not to see her reaction to what was going on but close enough for them to see her. Arnav’s back was to her and she could see the smirk on Shyam’s face when he saw her standing there knowing she would have herad everything he had said before. “Exactly, you know me and I can’t hurt your sister especially not when she’s in this condition. If there is anyone you should be venting out your anger on it is Khushi because she is the cause of all of this and none of it would have happened had she stayed away when I begged her to. Why do you think she comes here all the time? She doesn’t come her to visit her sister she uses it as an excuse to try something every time,” Arnav fumed at what he was saying. He had seen them together on a few occasions but never had he thought she could be so cheap. How could she do that to him. Here he was thinking that for the first time in his life he felt something for someone. NO!

Khushi gasped and Arnav turned around. He looked at her with pure rage. She could see nothing but hatred in his eyes and she felt a stab in her heart. Arnav walked towards grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her to the centre of the hall where everyone was standing, “How could you? My family were never anything but nice to you. Your sister married my brother… how could you have stooped so low, dammit? I never would have thought you would do something like that but I guess I was wrong. You are low class and cheap and it’s just been proved. You’re not worth anything or anyone because you obviously just want money so you’re trapping any man you can find, married or not.” Khushi eyes were flooded with tears, they were pouring down at her cheeks while she listened to him degrading her in front of his family, in front of the people she thought of as her own family. “Arnav, just listen to me. He’s lying to you. He’s lying to all of you. I haven’t done anything like that and I never will. How could you…” he cut her off and grabbed her shoulders. “Because I hardly know you. You’re my sister-in-law’s sister. You’re nothing to me and I have no reason to trust or believe you whatsoever. He on the other hand has been married to my sister for two years. I can’t believe you’d even try again even after you knew the truth,” Arnav let go of her shoulders, grabbed her wrist again and dragged her up the stairs to his room while the rest of his family tried to stop him. Now it was between the two of them. What he said now only she needed to hear and no one else needed to see how ruthless he could really be. He shoved open the doors and flung her on the bed. He could see she was scared of him, almost as if she knew what he was going to do. He closed the door and edged towards the bed. “Why are you so scared now? Is it because we’re alone behind a closed door, Khushi? I thought this is what you like doing, being behind closed doors with a man,” he kneeled over the bed and pinned her arms down so she couldn’t move. Khushi was beneath him, she wanted to move but she just couldn’t. She was frozen. She couldn’t believe that even for a second she thought she loved him. If he was willing to try this on her, then all would be lost. He looked at her frozen body smirking, “Relax Khushi Kumari Gupta. I have self-respect, I’m not like you. I don’t have to tarnish your reputation anyway Ms Gupta. You’ve done that very well all by yourself.” He let go of her arms and stood up. What came next was something he would have never expected.

“What do you think of yourself Mr Arnav Singh Raizada?” Khushi screamed at him. He was caught by surprise. Everyone was panicking downstairs about what Arnav would have done to Khushi but now they could hear, loud and clear. “You think because one of your family members told you something I’ve done it’s true. Is that what you really think of me?” Khushi looked him in the eyes and could see the anger rising. “If you really want to know then yes, you are third grade and low class it doesn’t seem very unlikely,” Khushi could feel her heart breaking with every word he said. “I’m glad it all came out now. You know why? Because now I know you’re not who I thought you were. You’re a completely different person. You know something else, I’m going to do you a favour. Because I’m so low class, third grade and cheap you won’t ever have to see me again,” Khushi didn’t have any tears left. The only ones that were left were the ones that had dried. “Then let me help you find your way out,” he grabbed her by the wrist again but she wasn’t going to let it happen this time. “Let go of me!” she shouted. “I know where the door is and can find my own way out,” she said as she stormed down the stairs in RM making her way to the door. She stopped and turned around when she got to the door, “I’m glad you came down here because now everyone can hear me say it. I HATE YOU ARNAV! I hate you Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. I hate you.” Khushi walked out the doors of RM knowing there was no turning back now. She had to forget everything. All those moments they spent together all their unspoken I love you’s, everything. She’d go far away and start over. Somewhere she wouldn’t be haunted.

**********End of Flashback*************

That was the day both their hearts were ignited, burnt to flames and broken beyond repair. It was the very same day their love had died and their hatred was born.

Chapter 5

“Where is Khushi? What have you done?” Arnav could hear the worry and anger in Karan’s voice but right now what was important was Khushi. “Look I don’t have time to answer all your questions now. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know just tell me which god damn hotel you’re staying at,” Arnav’s voice was full of anger and Karan could hear it. “Okay, we’re not staying at a hotel. Khushi didn’t know where we were because we came without her. We’re staying at my cousin’s guest house. Here’s the address,” taking mental note of the address Arnav sped off. He couldn’t waste any more time. Khushi needed to get home and she needed to get there now.

The car came to a screeching halt outside the guest house. Karan and Priya had heard the car and opened the door. Arnav had Khushi in his arms and was bringing her inside. “Upstairs first room on the right,” he heard Karan say as he walked inside. He carried Khushi upstairs and couldn’t help looking at her. That sweet, innocent face that had taught him so much. She was mesmerising, beautiful. He didn’t need more than that to describe her. He put her down gently on the bed and pulled the covers over her. Not realising Karan had come up behind him and was standing at the door waiting for him he kneeled down next to the bed and took her hand in his and held it against his chest. He couldn’t stop himself. He had tried so hard to hate her but he just couldn’t. His head told him she was the one at fault but his heart just couldn’t. He stilled as much as he did before if not more. She meant everything to him. She was his world. “Khushi…” he whispered her name. “What were you thinking tonight when you decided to walk on your own?” he asked almost as if she was going to answer. “Don’t ever think of doing something like that ever again. What if something had happened to you? How would I have been able to live? You mean everything to me,” he said as a tear rolled down his cheek. “I can’t live without you. I know you think I hate you, I tried very hard but I just couldn’t. My heart wouldn’t let me because it kept telling me that you never did anything wrong. I still love you Khushi, I love you,” he whispered as his tear fell on his hand. He knew she was unconscious and wouldn’t remember anything maybe that’s why he told how he really felt. He didn’t want her to know he still loved her but he said it. There was a part of him, ASR, that hated her for what she had done. He wiped away the stray tears and put her hand down next to her gently. Karan had seen him getting up and went back downstairs.

Priya saw Arnav walking down the stairs and got up from the couch walking in his direction with anger. “What did you do to her this time? How low can you stoop Mr Raizada? What do you want from her? Haven’t you done enough?” Priya spat the questions. “Calm down Priya,” Karan said as he put a hand on her shoulder. “If Arnav did something to her he wouldn’t have brought her here. We shouldn’t be blaming him. It’s our fault, we let her walk alone.” Priya glared at Karan, “You know what he did to her and you know who he is. He’s capable of anything and I don’t trust him. I guess it doesn’t really matter what he did because Khushi is still going to be the one to suffer like she always has.” Priya ran upstairs to her room. She couldn’t see her best friend in this condition and it would just be best if she spoke to her when she was awake. “Her bag is in my car, I’ll go get it,” Arnav said as he walked outside. He was always vulnerable when she was in this condition, he couldn’t bear to see her hurt yet somehow that day he had forgotten everything he felt but now he knew that was ASR. I can’t leave her and go he thought to himself. Karan had waited by the door to get the bag from Arnav so he could leave but was shocked by what he heard, “I’ll stay with her tonight. I won’t get in your way and I’ll leave before she gets up in the morning.” Arnav said as he looked at Karan. He could see that of the two he was the more rational one and maybe he’d understand. Karan could see the pain in Arnav eyes, “Ok, there’s another room next to…” Arnav cut him off. “I don’t need a room.” Arnav said as he walked upstairs to Khushi’s room. All it took was that one moment for Karan to realize why he had done what he had. He didn’t know what happened to Khushi but Arnav had saved her. Even before everything happened he was always there when she needed him. If he hated her as much she said he did he wouldn’t be doing all this. There was only one reason. Arnav still loved Khushi, he heard him say it and he saw the pain in Arnav’s eyes because of Khushi’s condition.

Arnav walked into the room and put the bag down on the dresser. He spotted a chair next to the window and made his way towards it. He took out his phone before he sat down and called his Di to tell her he won’t be home tonight. He said it was late and they still had some things to finish up after the show so he is staying in a hotel near the hall. He looked at Khushi again after he had finished the call and leaned back in the chair. “Don’t worry Khushi, you’ll be safe tonight. I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered as he fell into a deep sleep. He felt the light shine on him as he opened his eyes. He looked at his watch. 6 o’ clock. He could see the sun starting to rise and decided it would be best to leave now before anyone got up. He got up and grabbed his phone and keys that he had left on the table next to the chair. He quietly closed the door behind him as he walked out and went downstairs. Everybody was still asleep so he let himself out. He got in the car and drove home. Nobody needed to know what had happened last night and where he was. He knew nobody would question him as to his whereabouts except for one person but he’d have to deal with her when he got home.

Khushi slowly opened her eyes. She looked around the room not recognizing anything until her eyes settled on her two best friends sitting at the edge of the bed. She smiled at them. “How are you feeling,” Priya asked as she and Karan helped Khushi up propping the pillow up against her back. “I’m a little shaken up but I think I’ll be alright. How did I get here?” she asked looking confused. Karan was about to answer Khushi’s question but Priya was faster, “What did he do to you last night? We should’ve never let you walk alone. God knows what he did. I’m not going to spare him just let me get my hands on him…” Karan walked to where Priya was sitting, “Calm down Priya. Relax. Why don’t you go make us some coffee while I help Khushi? It’ll take your mind of last night.” Priya got up, glared at Karan and stormed out the room as Khushi and karan laughed. “Who was she talking about?” Khushi asked as she shook her head at her friend. “Arnav,” Karan said as he looked at her. Khushi looked at him with shock as she suddenly recalled everything that had happened last night. She remembered how he had got there just in time. She looked at her clothes and noticed she still had his jacket on over her torn sari. She looked at Karan again. “He called me from your cell last night. You were unconscious I think. He asked for the address and brought you here. Look Khushi, I don’t know what happened last night but I do know that he didn’t do anything wrong otherwise he wouldn’t have cared so much. He wouldn’t have taken the trouble to find out where you’re staying and bring you all the way over here. He cares for you Khushi, he still worries about you. He wouldn’t have stayed here last night if he didn’t.” Karan said as he paced around the room. Khushi’s head shot up as she looked at Karan with surprise.

Chapter 4

The two men had cornered her.  There was a chance she could escape if she ran but it was slim. Why did it have to happen to her? Why tonight of all nights? The man with the cap took a step closer to her and she stepped back. The other, the one with the leather jacket, joined his friend. They kept walking towards her and she kept stepping back until she walked into the wall of the shop. “What is a pretty girl like you doing out so late at night alone? What if some goons attacked you and tried to hurt you?” asked the man with the cap. Khushi grabbed her sari holding tight closing her eyes as they crept nearer. “Don’t be scared. We’re not going to hurt you,” said the other with a laugh. Khushi started crying out of fear of what they were going to do to her. She had nowhere to go and was helpless. She prayed to her Devi Maiya hoping she would make it out okay, praying someone would save her. They grabbed the part of her sari that was pinned on her shoulder and pulled it away letting fall to the ground leaving her exposed. Khushi fought to try and grab it so she could cover herself but they had pinned her down, each holding one hand up against the wall.

 Arnav killed the engine, got out the car and ran across the road. The sight he saw when he reached the sidewalk disgusted him. As he got closer to the goons he noticed what they were doing. They were trying to force themselves onto a girl in a dark quiet street. They could’ve done anything they wanted and nobody would’ve known. She could’ve screamed as loud as she wanted to and nobody would’ve heard her. “Help, somebody help me!” he heard the cries of the girl but there was something in that voice that sounded familiar. He could hear the fear in her voice, he was sure he had heard it before. But where? “No, let go of me!” she screamed. Arnav broke into a run and stopped when he reached the spot they were standing. He grabbed the collar of the leather jacket and the man immediately turned around. “What do you want man? Can’t you see we’re busy? Get lost!” Arnav was fuming. He pushed him against the wall next to his friend. Arnav could tell he was drunk. “It’s not right to misbehave with a girl in a dark and quiet street, especially this late at night.” Arnav said through gritted teeth. He pushed Arnav and he stumbled back. Arnav heard more screams and cries from the girl. He looked towards her and saw her sari was trying to get pulled off. He looked at the goon that was moving the hair away from her face. That was when he lost all his self-control. Nobody touched Khushi. He didn’t care if she had left 8 months ago. She was still his and no one else’s. Blinded by rage Arnav punched the one against the wall in the gut and he buckled over falling to the ground crying in pain. Arnav kicked him breaking some of the bones in his arm. Realizing he wasn’t able to move Arnav turned his attention to the man harassing the girl. Arnav attempted to punch him in the rib as he was still facing the girl leaving his side open but he blocked the punch. He threw a punch at Arnav and the two ended up in a brawl with the goon landing a few punches but Arnav managed to beat him until he didn’t have any strength left and was bleeding from the nose and mouth. He looked over to where the girl was. She was hunched over on the ground with her head between legs. He could hear soft muffled sobs and saw her clothes were torn. He looked at her again and then turned towards the goons lying on the ground writhing in pain.

Khushi flinched when she felt someone touch her. She had seen someone come their way but couldn’t remember much of what had happened at that moment. She had been too scared and didn’t want to see anything so she closed her eyes and didn’t want to open them until everything was over. She could hear all the fighting but it was just adding to her fear. She felt so vulnerable. She couldn’t believe that she had almost been stripped of her dignity. She was frozen and couldn’t move. She didn’t want to. She just wished she had stayed and waited for Karan and Priya. If she had none of this would have ever happened. “Khushi…” she heard a soft whisper. She knew that voice. She could never make a mistake in recognizing it. She lifted her head up to see his face. She looked at him with blotchy, red eyes as he helped her get up. She was too much in a state of shock that she couldn’t even fix her sari, what was left of it at least. Arnav picked up the end of her sari that was lying on the ground and wrapped it around her. He took of his coat to put it around her and noticed her trembling. He couldn’t stand to see her in this state. She was slowly coming out of shock. She looked down at the two unconscious men lying on the ground then at the one standing in front of her. She was still scared and Arnav noticed. He knew Khushi and he knew how vulnerable she was right now. He took a step towards her and put his arms around her. Khushi didn’t try to stop him or push him away. His arms were her fortress. Her safe place where she knew no one could harm her and she didn’t have to worry. She leaned her head against his chest letting the tears fall. “Don’t worry, Khushi. Everything’s going to be okay. I’m here now.” She heard him whisper to her. She looked up at him into his eyes. That was the last thing she saw before she slipped away into the darkness.

Arnav felt Khushi’s weight against him. He picked up her bag he saw lying on the ground behind her and lifted her up in his arms and carried her towards the car. He put her in the passenger seat and got into the car behind the wheel. He looked at her thinking what they would have done to her had he not arrived. What if he had left earlier as he planned on doing? He pushed all the questions he had to the back of his mind thinking about Khushi. Right now he needed to get to where she was staying. She wasn’t hurt and didn’t need to go to the hospital. He reached for her bag that he had left on the backseat and took out her cellphone. He looked at the recently dialled numbers and redialled the last number. “Hello, Khushi where are you? I was just about to call you. It’s been over an hour.” Arnav braced himself as he heard another voice on the other end. It was probably Priya seeing as a guy had answered the phone. “Karan where is she?” he heard. Arnav braced himself, “Karan, it’s Arnav Singh Raizada speaking. Khushi is with me. Which hotel are you staying at?”

Chapter 3

It was almost as if it was the first time they had met. The only difference was that now he knew who she was and she knew exactly who he was. No matter how hard she tried she would never be able to forget. Every moment of her life that ever meant anything to her was a moment she had spent with him. What she was showing him wasn’t who she really was. It was only a part of her. The part that she wouldn’t have even known existed if it wasn’t for him. In a way she was grateful for what he did to her. It was thanks to him that she learnt how cruel the world really was, she learnt how to survive. She knew the wounds he left when he’d hurt her would never heal. She also knew she’d never open up to anyone again. She’d never make herself vulnerable. She was naïve then but she knew better now. The position he’d put her in, their surroundings, it surfaced the memories of their first meeting. The first time she had ever seen him. She didn’t know if it was fate or destiny. It was all an accident. She didn’t how it happened but it did. It was the day of her Jiji’s wedding and her future brother-in-law’s parents had demanded dowry. She was hoping to reach her Jijaji in time before the wedding because he was the only option they had. It just so happened that that was the day luck was against her. She had accidentally ended up walking down the ramp at his fashion show in Lucknow completely unaware of who he was hoping to find her Jijaji. Little did she know that this one incident would change her life forever, for better or for worse.

*****************************Flashback************************************

Khushi walked down the ramp not realising where she was and what she was doing. Everybody at the show mistook her for one of the models but she was out of place. All the models had been modelling dresses designed by AR and she had a green and gold lehnga. The show had come to standstill. She reached the end of the ramp and stood there scared and confused. Where had she come? What was she doing? She looked around at the crowd until she saw someone stand up. He was wearing a black suit and was sitting in the front row. She turned to look at him but the expression on his face made her more scared than she already was. He had started making his way towards the ramp when she turned around to walk back the way she came but stepped on her veil and fell of the ramp. She closed her eyes waiting to hit the ground when she felt two strong arms break her fall. She opened her eyes to look into those of the man who had stood up when she walked down the ramp, the eyes of Arnav Singh Raizada. He had a stern look on his face one of almost anger but not quite. It almost seemed as if both of them were unaware of the masses of people looking on. Event managers had been running around trying to figure out how all of this could have happened when security approached the front of the crowd. Arnav had finally come back to reality and realized he was still holding her. He had put her down and not knowing he was standing on her veil he pushed her towards the guards and her veil came off. Khushi turned around to look at her veil lying on the ground and then at Arnav. Little did she know he was the one person that was going to change her life.

The guards had thrown her in a dressing room. Khushi felt bare without her scarf and took the pink one she saw lying on the chair. She had put on and was just about to walk towards the door when it opened and in walked Arnav. He closed the door behind him so no one would hear their conversation. He kept walking towards her until he was two feet away and stopped. “Who are you? Who sent here? How much did they pay you to ruin my fashion show?” he asked with rage. It was the first time anything of this sort had ever happened. He was known for his image and perfection in the way he did things. He wasn’t going to let some girl ruin his image and his reputation. Khushi moved back scared because of the anger she saw on his face and heard in his voice. “Answer me god damn it!” Khushi was trembling with fear but didn’t want to make him any angrier. “I was looking for someone but I think I came to the wrong place. I needed to do something before my sister’s wedding and was looking for someone but I guess I got lost.” He walked towards her and she didn’t know if it was out of fear or natural instinct but she kept moving back. “Don’t lie to me. It’s in your best interest if you just speak the truth.” He kept moving forward as he spoke knowing there was nowhere for her to go. Khushi had taken one more step back when she hit the wall. She noticed Arnav still hadn’t stopped and was still coming towards her. “What’s your name?” He had cornered her in the dressing room and she had nowhere to go. “Please let me go. If I don’t my sister’s wedding won’t take place. I need to leave. Please.” Khushi pleaded as she tried to move past him but he was too quick. He grabbed the top of her arms and pushed her back against the wall. “I asked you a question. It doesn’t even look like you know who I am. I’m Arnav Singh Raizada. Nobody ruins my work and gets away with it.” Arnav tightened his grip on her arms as he spoke with outright rage. Khushi was hurting and her eyes started wellling up with tears. His grip was so tight that she felt like she was going to get bruises. She had had enough. Did he really expect her to just stand there and listen while he threw false accusation at her? Did he really think she was that weak? He was hurting her physically, that pain she could take but not being falsely accused of something she hadn’t done. “Look Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, I’m not going to stand here and listen to you accuse me of something I didn’t do. Let go of me. You have no right to touch me or talk to me this way.” Khushi pushed him back and he let go of her. She still had tears flowing down her cheek. From the pain he had caused her? No. From the fact that her sister’s wedding would cancelled because of her if she didn’t make it in time? Yes. Arnav’s just kept getting angrier. He couldn’t believe what had happened. Never before had anyone walked away from him. He had always been given answers when he wanted them… then why was she being so difficult. All he wanted was answers and the truth. He wanted to know who sabotaged his show. He wasn’t going to let her go that easily. If she thought she could just walk away from him then she thought wrong. She was an arm’s length way from him when he reached back and grabbed her wrist. He pulled her swinging her around and holding her hand behind her back pulling her towards him. His grip on her wrist was tight and she could feel the pain searing through her. “How did you even dare to walk away. I wasn’t finished.” His tone was harsh. More tears streamed down her cheeks. The fact that he was causing her pain seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever. It was almost as if he was heartless and couldn’t feel anything… or maybe he didn’t want to feel anything. “Let go of me. You’re hurting me.” Khushi cried out. He just looked at her with anger in his eyes. He didn’t seem to feel anything, almost as if he wasn’t even human. He didn’t even feel any remorse for the pain he was causing her. Nothing. “It’s no use. I’m not going to get anything out of you anyway. You’re not going to give me he answers I want.” He let go of her. “Just get lost.” He shouted at her and Khushi ran out of the dressing room far away from the fashion show, far away from the person who she never wanted to see again. She never wanted to feel that kind of pain again. She never wanted to feel that scared again.

***********************End of Flashback********************************

She remembered reaching home only to realize that it was too late. Nothing could be done. The groom’s family had called off the wedding. Her sister was shattered but there was nothing anyone could do now. It was too late. “If you knew it was my fashion show why did you take AR as a client. You should have known better.” Arnav said in a smug tone with a smug look on his face. “That’s the thing Mr Raizada, I didn’t even know it was yours until I saw the AR signs on either side of the stage. You see, this event would boost our business and my partners knew that but they also knew I’d never accept the event because it was yours. They decided to take up the project without informing and arrived in Delhi. I hate not handling any event personally so I decided to come to Delhi and look at my bad luck. I see my client for the first time and it’s you.” Khushi said with a smirk on her face. She knew she had pushed the right button. He was definitely going to react to this. “Look, Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta,” he said as he pulled her even closer holding her tighter. “I’m not happy about seeing you either but then again it’s not like we have a choice.” Khushi smiled at him. It wasn’t what she was expecting. She was expecting anger and that ruthlessness that she knew he was capable of but it never came. “Well, then I’d be glad to get out of your face if you would just let me go. I don’t even know why you tried doing this. Were you hoping that it would have the same effect it did all those months ago or were you expecting it to do more? I’m going to let you in on a little secret,” Khushi leaned forward and whispered into his ear, “I don’t feel pain anymore. I don’t feel anything anymore.” Arnav let go of her and stepped back. He looked at her knowing somewhere deep down that he was the reason for it, but he didn’t care. He hated her for what she did to his family and what she did to him. She could never be forgiven. Khushi walked past him to look for Karan and Priya hoping to find them soon so she could get out of there.

Khushi had finally found Karan and Priya when they were clearing up the stage and ramp taking down all the lighting and decorations. “Khushi, what happened? Why are looking so pale? Are you okay?” Priya asked concerned. Khushi looked at Priya and she immediately understood. Khushi didn’t need to say anything. “I’ll leave you alone for a while. Karan and I will finish up. When you’re ready to leave come find us and we’ll go back to the hotel. I’ll ask Karan to book the earliest flight back to Lucknow.” Priya went back to helping Karan finish up so that they could leave. She knew Khushi didn’t want to be there any longer and wasn’t going to make her wait any longer than she had to. Khushi was greatful for the friends she had. She didn’t even have to say anything and Priya knew what had happened. Not all of it. But she still knew. She went backstage to fetch her bag knowing he would have left. She knew him too well. If she was there, there was no way he was going to stay any longer than he had to. She grabbed her bag and walked towards the end of the ramp where Karan and Priya were taking off the fairy lights. “Just give us two minutes, Khushi. We’re almost done then we can leave,” Karan said as he untangled the lights. “Don’t worry. You two take your time and sort everything out. I need some fresh air so I’ll walk back to the hotel and get a taxi if I’m tired,” Khushi said. Priya dropped the lights she had in her hand and looked at Khushi, “Are you mad? After everything that happened you want to go alone. What if something happens to you?” Khushi could see the worry in Priya eyes. “Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to me. If I’m not at the hotel within an hour then look for me okay. I promise it won’t take longer than that,” Khushi gave both her friends a small smile and headed for the door.

She needed to be alone for a little while. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know Delhi. She’d lived there for 8 months. She needed to think about what had happened. What game was fate playing with her? Why was god doing this to her? She had tried so hard to forget everything that happened since she came to Delhi, every memory she had shared with him. She tried to forget HIM. She would have been successful to if only she hadn’t come to Delhi. Maybe she should have stayed behind and let Karan and Priya handle it. She thought back to what had happened backstage. Why is that despite hating him she still loved him. She had shown him how much she hated him when she told him she had only come for business and nothing else. She had shown him that he meant nothing to her. Then why, why did she still feel something for him. She tried to forget him but never could. Is it because she loved too much? Is it because she would have given up her life for him? Could she still love him even after everything he’s done? There were so many questions that she didn’t have the answer to. How could she be so confused? Nothing made sense anymore. The hatred was there but it wasn’t enough to kill her love for him. Her love for him was too strong. What she had shown him backstage was a façade. It wasn’t the real her. It was part of who she had become but not completely. She had killed all her feelings and vowed to never let anyone else in ever again but was it possible that he could revive everything she had killed. A part of her had also died. Her friends tried very hard to revive the happy-go-lucky Khushi they knew but somewhere along the line of trying to rebuild her life and forget him she forgot how to be happy. She still couldn’t forget what had happened backstage though. Why did her heart still beat faster when she was around him? he had broken her heart into so many pieces that she didn’t think it was possible she could ever love again but somehow when she saw him and when he pulled her closer towards him she could hear the dhak dhak that she hadn’t heard in over eight months. Was it possible? She shook her head. It couldn’t be. Tears streamed down Khushi’s face as realization had suddenly dawned her. Even after all this time. Even after all the effort she put into trying to forget him. She had the answer to all her questions. She still loved him. Her vision was blurred from the tears in her eyes and she couldn’t see properly. She was about half to the hotel when she heard the sound of glass breaking on the sidewalk behind her. She wiped away her tears and tried to clear her vision as she turned around. Fear had suddenly taken over and she froze. There were two drunk men walking towards her wolf whistling. The whistle rang in her ears bringing her back. Khushi turned on her heels and started running. She had heels on with her sari that she had worn for the show and was too tired to change before she left. She knew she wouldn’t be able to run very fast but was hoping to make it far enough away from them to stop and call for a taxi. She rounded the corner onto the next street and stopped when she didn’t see them. She didn’t want to turn around to see if they were chasing her so she didn’t know if they were behind her. She looked at her watch then down the street. It seemed as if she had lucked out. It was half past ten and there were no taxis in sight. She turned around to see if she was still safe but froze. They were running after her. There was a distance of two feet between them and there was no way she was going to be able to escape. Now all she could was pray.

After his encounter with Khushi backstage, Arnav knew he wouldn’t be able to stay any longer. He was walking towards the exit doors at the back of the hall when he was stopped by one of their clients who wanted to compliment him on the fashion show. Arnav had eventually ended up moving to one of the tables at the back of the hall and was discussing a business deal. He looked down at his watch and saw it was quarter past ten. “Thank you for the offer Mr Sharma but I think it’s getting quite late now. Maybe you could come by the office tomorrow and we could arrange a meeting to finalize the deal and sign the contract,” Arnav said as he stood up. “Sure no problem. I understand you’re a very busy man Mr Raizada but I will get my secretary to phone and set up a meeting at you r office. Goodnight then,” Mr Sharma greeted Arnav as he left. Arnav looked around the hall glad to know this show was a success unlike the previous one. He saw a few people packing away stuff and cleaning up the hall so he decided to leave and go home. He walked to the parking lot, got in his car and left for home. He couldn’t help thinking about Khushi. He had never expected to see her. He never wanted to see her after what she had done. For the first time in fifteen years he had opened himself up to someone. He allowed himself to get close to her. He fell in love with her. He protected her from everything. Why? Why did this have to happen to him? She had broken down the wall he had built around himself … and then she was the cause of him rebuilding that wall. He would never let anyone in again. Never. He was driving down the street noticing it was unusually quiet until he saw the time. This part of Delhi was always like this when it was this late. People were probably throwing parties elsewhere and other people would have been caught up in something else at half past ten at night. He was driving down the street when he suddenly hit the brakes jerking the car to a stop. Two men were interfering with a girl on the sidewalk.

Chapter 2

“Where are you guys?” Khushi was on the phone with Priya enquiring about their whereabouts so she could find them and give them a piece of her mind. “We’re in Delhi, Khushi.” Priya replied quickly. “I know you’re in Delhi but where exactly are you? Are you at the hotel that Meera booked are you organizing the fashion show?” Khushi asked angrily. “How did you know? We’re organizing the fashion show. We’re here at the hall.” Priya was curious. How could Khushi have possibly known they were in Delhi? “Don’t even think of leaving. I’ll be there in 15 minutes.” Khushi cut the call as she told the driver where she wanted to go. 15 minutes later the taxi stopped outside the banquet hall where they were hosting the fashion show. It was already 6 and the show was set to start at 7 according to the schedule that she had taken from Meera.

“Karan, we have a problem. Khushi found out that we came to Delhi and I think she is on her way. She might have left Lucknow after she called.” Priya was scared. She had never lied to Khushi before but this was for her own good. Karan was signaling to Priya to shut up but Priya was to pre occupied babbling on and on about what Khushi was going to do to her when she got there and didn’t realize she was standing right behind her. “Oh really, I can chop you up into pieces and feed you to Jai’s dogs if you want me too.” Priya froze. She recognized that voice. Only one person in the world sounded like that when they were angry. “Khushi?” Priya asked scared. “No, I’m your mother. Don’t you want to turn around and give me a hug. I’ve missed you.” Priya could hear the sarcasm in Khushi’s voice, that can’t be very good. Priya turned around slowly not wanting to look Khushi in the eye because she knew she was wrong. It should have been Khushi’s choice on whether or not she came to Delhi. “I’m sorry, I…” Khushi cut her off. “There’s no point apologizing now. It’s not going to change anything. Let’s just get this show organized, it starts in 45 minutes. I’ll deal with you later. That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, Karan.” Khushi said as she glared at Karan. Khushi was busy with Priya and Karan doing the last bit of work that needed to be done before the show started. When they were finally done Karan had gone off to change into his suit while Priya stuck around with Khushi. She was scared because Khushi still didn’t know whose fashion show she had been organizing. The AR signs were covered because they had been told by the manager that the signs were to be unveiled right at the beginning of the show.

“Khushi, don’t you want to go back to the hotel and spend the night there. Karan and I can take care of everything else here. Besides you probably don’t even have clothes to wear for the show.” Khushi stared at Priya. “You know me better than that Priya. I brought my bags with me. I haven’t even been to the hotel and I have a sari in my bag. I knew I was coming for a fashion show surely I would have packed clothes. I’m going to change. When the manager and the owner get here make sure everything is as they wanted and if there are any problems then come and find me if you can’t sort it out.” With that Khushi turned around and walked to the change room backstage for the models.

The fashion show had started and everybody in the audience had seemed pleased. Khushi had been watching from backstage in case there were any problems that needed to be dealt with. She hadn’t seen the catwalk or which company had done the fashion show and decided that seeing as the show was almost over she would go out front to see what it was like from the audience point of view. It had been a minute that Khushi had walked to the audience when Arnav walked backstage. It was time for them to draw the curtains. Khushi was watching the last few models walk down the ramp and admired the clothing that they wore. This company wasn’t like the others that designed clothes normal people would never wear, but something seemed familiar about the clothes. Almost like she had seen them before. She tried look at the company logo that was placed on either side of the catwalk but it was too dark. The only light was the spotlight that was shining on the models. Khushi was about to give up playing the guessing game when she heard the announcement, “It’s time for our designer and his beautiful models to take to the ramp for the last time tonight.” Khushi turned around and froze when she saw the AR on either side of the stage that were lit up. She held her breath as she heard the MC speak again. “Let’s give Mr. Raizada of Arnav Raizada Industries a big round of …” Khushi didn’t hear the rest. She was just shocked at what she saw. There he was walking onto the stage down the ramp like he did at every fashion show. She turned around and ran backstage to look for Karan and Priya before he walked off the stage. She searched everywhere backstage and couldn’t find them anywhere. She needed to get out of there. She wouldn’t be able to face him again. Only god knew what he would do this time. Khushi had walked around the entire hall and still couldn’t find them. “Where could they have gone?” Khushi thought to herself. She decided to check backstage one last time, praying to her Devi Maiya as she went up the stairs.

Khushi looked everywhere backstage and still couldn’t find them. She was walking towards the backstage door when she thought she heard Priya’s voice behind her. She turned while she was still walking not realizing what she was doing until she walked into a hard chest. She had taken a step back and was about to fall over when she felt a strong grip on her. She knew that feeling. Her hair had fallen across her face and he couldn’t see who she was but she knew all too well who she had walked into. She moved her hair from her face and looked up at the face she hadn’t seen in 8 months but was longing to see. Nothing had changed. He still looked the same, drop dead gorgeous with those chocolate brown eyes that always made her melt. Arnav was surprised. He had never expected to see her ever again. He thought she would never come back into his life. Still he couldn’t forget those honey eyes that he had stared into so many times in the past. He would never forget those memories, they were the best he had but the most painful too. The moment he realized what he had been doing and who he had been holding he let go immediately almost pushing her over. Khushi managed to catch her balance and not fall over. She knew he would do something like this. All he ever did was torture her. Khushi braced herself for what was coming next.

“What the… What are you doing here?” Arnav asked through gritted teeth as he was walking towards her. Every time he took a step forward she took a step back. “I told you to get lost didn’t I. Why did you come back?” She could tell he was getting angrier by the second. “I… You… Fashion” Khushi mumbled. She was scared. She remembered what he had done to her the first they had met when she accidentally ruined his fashion show. She remembered how he stopped her from leaving, how he had pulled her hand and held against the wall. How he had broken the doorie on her blouse. “Have you come to ruin another fashion show?” Arnav questioned her as he cornered her into a wall. Her heartbeat started racing. She could hear the dhak dhak despite being scared of him. Was this possible? Could it be? After everything that had happened. “I didn’t know it was your fashion show” Khushi said with a shaky voice. Arnav grabbed her arms tightening his grip as he spoke. “Don’t lie to me Khushi Kumari Gupta. You know very well what I’m capable of and what I can do to you.” Khushi eyes were welling up with tears. From the pain he was causing her or from what he was saying she couldn’t tell but it hurt. “I’m not lying to you and let go of me. What right do you have to talk to me like this. You are MY client Mr. Raizada. Your company hired us to organize YOUR fashion show. I still have work left to do before the assignment is complete.” Khushi pushed him away and walked towards the door.

She was an arm’s length away from him when he grabbed her hand and swung her around holding her hand behind her back and pulling her towards him with a look of satisfaction on his face. Khushi struggled trying to loosen his grip to no avail. It was no use. He could feel her struggling and saw the look of frustration on her face. She had tried loosening his grip on her before and she had never managed to do it. He didn’t know what made her think she would be able to now. “Stop trying, Khushi. You know I won’t let go.” Arnav said with a smirk on his face. It was nothing new to him. He knew how to manipulate her. He had done it in the past. “Some things and some people just never change Arnav. You’re one of them. A person would think you’d know how to behave with a girl, especially when she is doing your work. But you just never seem to care.” She could see the look on his face change. She got exactly what she wanted. “I can’t say I’m surprised. You’ve always been like this and asking you to change is like asking the sun to stop shining.” Arnav tightened his grip on her. “You obviously changed. You’re a lot braver now than you were when you left.” Khushi ignored the throbbing in her arm from him squeezing too tight. “What can I say? Circumstances were such that I had to change with time to survive. But I’m used to it now.” She smirked at Arnav because he knew exactly what she was talking about. The look on his face was worth the pain she was taking but something deep inside kept telling her that what she was doing was wrong. She shouldn’t hate someone so much but she couldn’t forget what he had done either.

Chapter 1

“Hurry up! We’re getting late. We can’t afford to lose these clients Priya. It’s one of our biggest projects, if we don’t leave now then we’re never going to reach and they’re going to give the project to someone else,” Khushi was getting very impatient. She hated to be late for meetings because she knew it would mean losing a client and with her business she just couldn’t afford it. She had decided to start a business when she moved back to Lucknow to distract and herself and her friends, Priya and Karan were all too willing to help. Little did any of them know that their small business would expand into such a huge one after only 8 months. AK Event Management was now one of the most reputed businesses in event management despite being new. People thought that the reason behind this was just hard work but Khushi knew better. She knew the real reason her business flourished. It was because she put all her determination and time into managing the business. It was the only thing that kept her going. The only thing she had to live for other than the people she loved. The most important person in her life she knew she would never see again. She had made that decision when she left for Lucknow but his thoughts always haunted her. No matter how hard she tried she just couldn’t forget. He was one thing she would never be able to forget.

Two hours later they were back home discussing the final details for the show. This show was the biggest event they’ve had since they had started their business and was now making a name for themselves outside Lucknow with other companies recommending them. They had taken the decision to move around and plan events outside their hometown. They had been in Mumbai for two weeks planning the show and were leaving for home in a couple of days.

“Khushi, you finish up the last bit of the details please. I’m going to Jia’s house for dinner tonight, Jai phoned earlier.”

“No problem, I’ve already eaten so I’ll finish it up and start working on the other events  lined up for next week, “ she was willing to do anything that would distract her especially when she was alone because she knew that if she broke no one would be there to put her back together. Everybody knew something had gone wrong when she came back to Lucknow but nobody asked. The reason she came back was still unknown to everybody. She couldn’t even tell Priya despite her being Khushi’s childhood friend. She knew she would understand but just couldn’t muster the courage to tell anybody. It was only a year, the wounds were still fresh. It wasn’t enough time to heal. If she said anything now it would hurt too much. She was lost in her thoughts when her phone rang.

“Hello, is this AK Event Management, “said a voice on the phone.

“Yes, how can I help?”’

“We would like you to handle a fashion show that we are planning for the 29^th.”

“Okay. It’s no problem. I’m a little busy right now with a current event but I will give you another number. Leave your details with my partner and we will get back to you as soon as we can.”

“Okay, thank you very much.”

Karan was catching up on some TV when his phone rang.

“Hello, this is Karan speaking.”

“Yes, Mr. Karan, we had phoned the head of your company a while ago and she had given us your number. We are having an event on the 29^th and we would like your company to plan the event as we have heard you do an excellent job.”

“Sure, that won’t be a problem. Can I just have the type of event we’re planning, your business location and name.”

“Yes, we are organizing a fashion show in Delhi and our company is Arnav Raizada Fashion House.”

“Ummm……… okay. We will get back to you with the rest of the details.”

Karan was shocked by what he had just heard. Khushi didn’t tell anyone why she had come back but over the year she was there they all took a pretty good guess of what the reason was but nobody wanted to ask or say anything because they couldn’t risk hurting their friend. They had seen how happy she was and how she would have loved her life if nothing had went wrong. He knew Khushi didn’t want to confide in any of them but they had waited too long. After 6 months they had to find the reason. It was Karan’s luck that Sanjana was marrying his cousin. If it wasn’t for her they would all still be playing the guessing game. Sanjana was the youngest of the Raizada Khandaan but was still more knowledgeable and mature than others. She had understood everything that had happened and knew who was in the wrong. Being the youngest she didn’t have a say despite being loved unconditionally by her brother. She had told Karan and Priya what had happened and why Khushi had left. They never confronted Khushi about it or spoke about it. They respected her and her decisions enough not to interfere. Still… how could Arnav Raizada Fashion House find them of all event managers to handle their event when they had always stuck to one company in the past. He had to inform Priya right now. They couldn’t let Khushi find out about this again. They wouldn’t be able to watch their friend shatter and break in front of them. They wouldn’t be able to take it.

“What?! You have got to be joking, Karan. How could this happen? We’re going to have to cancel the event and tell them to look for another company,” Priya had always considered Khushi her sister and couldn’t put her in a situation like this. She had to think of a solution.

“We can’t cancel. Are you mad?! She’ll find out then and then we’re really screwed. I think the best option is for the two of us to go and handle the fashion show without Khushi. I’ll find some excuse to keep her here with Jia and Jai.”

“It’s not going to work Karan. You know she likes being there personally when every job is being done. That way she has a guarantee that nothing is going wrong. We’re going to have to tell Jia. She’s the only one who’ll be able to find a solution to the problem. “Jia, could you please come over. We need to tell you something. It’s about Khushi.” Priya had phoned her because this was something that couldn’t be delayed. They couldn’t let Khushi find out about it. Two hours later Jia was sitting in Karan’s living room trying to think of a way out of the problem. She knew that Khushi kept no contact with any of the Raizada’s except for Sanjana because she was the only one who believed her and had never doubted her.” I have an idea. I’ll call Sanju and ask her to come to Lucknow tomorrow. She’ll probably find out about the fashion show by then and she can keep Khushi occupied while you guys handle the show and if you need help then I’ll come with.” After some careful thought everybody had agreed. It was the best and probably the only option they had until Khushi told them herself.

“Sanju?! What are you doing here?”  Khushi was startled when she opened the door. She was expecting her PA, Meera, but got a surprise when saw her sister-in-law. It had been 6 months since she’d seen her and asked about him, but she was still curious as to why she had decided to come there. “I came to meet you Bhabi. It’s been a very long time.” Sanjana didn’t sound as excited as she should have been, but then again who could blame her. If Arnav had found out she was here he would have definitely lost his temper. The fact that she knew where Khushi was and wasn’t telling him was eating her up inside, but she couldn’t break the promise she made to Khushi. She was missing her Bhabi but that wasn’t the real reason she came to Lucknow. Jia was lucky she was on her way to Lucknow when she called. It was good that they told her about the arrangements for the fashion show, at least she could try to do something about it. “Where are you lost? Come in.” Khushi was worried. Something seemed off about Sanju. “Huh… oh yeah… Thanks Bhabi.”

As Sanjana walked into the apartment her phone rang. It was the call she had been waiting for. “Aman, did you manage to find a new company? What?! He said it’s too late to change the company because he already sent the payment. Is there anything we can do? Ok, thanks Aman. Don’t stress, I’ll figure something out.” Once Arnav had made up his mind no one could change it. Not even her. “Sanju… what’s wrong? Is everything okay?” She couldn’t let Khushi find out about the fashion show. She had to keep her here somehow. “Nothing’s wrong. Everything is fine. Bhabi, do you mind if I stay here for a couple of days?” Staying with her was the only way she could stop her from going to Delhi. “Ya, sure. I’ll go and get the guest room sorted out for you.” Sanjana smiled as Khushi walked away. By God’s grace everything would be fine. “Sanju, could come here for a minute please” Sanjana was walking towards the guest room when her phone rang. She took her phone out her pocket and froze when she saw the screen. ARNAV BHAIYA calling. “Hello” Sanju was nervous and anxious. Why did he phone her? “Where are you Sanjana? You need to be back in Delhi tonight. I want you there for the show.” Arnav’s voice boomed on the other end. “Uhhh… Bhaiya I’m in Lucknow. I had some work here with Sameer. I was only planning on coming back after a couple of days.” This could not be happening to her. Not now. “Well, make a plan and rearrange your meetings or something. I need you here. Sort out whatever you have to and leave.” Arnav’s voice was stern almost like he was giving her an order and cut the call. What game was fate playing with them? Now what? She just hoped that Karan, Priya and Jia could keep her here tomorrow. “Bhabi, Aman just called and said that there’s an emergency at home and I need to be there. I’m really sorry. I wanted to stay.” She could see the look of disappointment on Khushi’s face but couldn’t do anything. “It’s ok. I understand. Maybe some other time” Sanjana left that morning leaving Khushi alone. No one else had come home that day because everyone else figured if they didn’t tell her anything or see her she wouldn’t question where they were going and what they were doing.

The next morning Khushi had a meeting with a few clients so she called Meera to bring her some files. “Where is everybody else? I haven’t seen them since yesterday.” Meera looked at her confused. “There is a fashion show that we were planning in Delhi. Everybody else left yesterday. I thought you knew about it.” Khushi stood up shocked. There was a fashion show and no one told her about it. “Meera, cancel all my meeting s for today and tomorrow. I’m leaving for Delhi right now.”