Always and Forever

Chapter 15

Morning my lovely readers, here's chapter 15 for you. Happy reading! 

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Arnav read the text message Khushi sent. Shyam's anger worked out favorably for them and he can't think of another perfect time than this to execute their plan. He must get married to Khushi before the end of the week. But how, was the million-dollar question? He took his phone out again and texted Akash, Payal, and Khushi,

"Meet me at Cafe Java at 11.00 am. Don't be late. This is important. Do not let anyone else know. The only people who should know about this meeting are me, Akash, Payal, and Khushi"

"Khushi, do you know why Arnav Ji wanted to meet us suddenly? Is it about Shyam? Has there been any progress? Sorry I was so busy with the wedding I didn't have time to sit and talk" Payal questioned on their way to the cafe.

"Di, relax, Arnav Ji will explain everything. We'll be there in less than a minute so relax"

"Bhai, why the sudden meeting? Has something happened? Is it something to do with my marriage with Payal? or is it Khushi Ji? I promise I will ask Payal to talk to her and she will not disturb you." Akash was worried.

"Akash, relax. Khushi and Payal will be here any minute and will explain everything once they are here".

All four of them were now sitting inside a private dining room in the cafe. Arnav asked the waiter to close the door and put a do not disturb note outside. Knowing Arnav and his anger waiter made sure no one come near the room where Arnav Singh Raizada is in.

"Akash, there is something you should know. Payal and Khushi already know this part. So you both feel free to correct me at any point." Said Arnav in a serious tone.

Akash has never seen his brother this seriously. Arnav was a very serious man but this tone was something else. He was worried and nervous. He took a sip from his coffee and singled Arnav to continue.

Arnav explained the incidents of that morning when Mr. Gupta found out about Shyam, how Shyam lied to the Gupta Family, and how Madhu planned on getting Khushi married to Shyam on the same day Akash got married to Payal. Khushi and Payal filled a few gaps in the middle and after what felt like a century, Akash stood. He started pacing around the room.

He respected Shyam so much. After Arnav, Shyam was his role model, and Akash always wished to be like a combination of Arnav and Shyam. He loved Anjali Di a lot, and he respected the whole Raizada family but that was all an act? He not only cheated on Anjali Ji but also lusted over his sister-in-law while having another mistress. How can someone be so cheap?

"Bhai, are you sure?" was all he could ask. He wished all these to be a misunderstanding but he knew his brother never lies. Then there is his wife who confirmed everything his brother said and Khushi, her eyes were filled with tears.

"Yes, Akash, all this is true. That's the true face of that Animal. But there's more. And Payal you should listen to this since you aren't aware of the thing I am about to share" saying that Arnav explained how Shyam tried to assault Khushi at her home when she was packing her stuff and how he again tried to assault her last night in the kitchen.

"OMG, Khushi, are you ok? Imagine if Arnav Ji wasn't been there that day, he could have killed you after taking what he want. And last night? Thank you Arnav Ji for saving my sister not once but twice" Said Payal hugging Khushi.

"But Bhai, what's the plan now? We can't just say all this to Di. Especially since she is pregnant now. We'll at least have to wait till the first trimester is completed" said Akash.

"We know Akash, that's why I called you all here. Khushi and I have a plan. Shyam will continue to assault Khushi until he gets what he wants. We can't always be there near her and one simple ignorance is all it takes him to win. That's why Khushi and I come up with this plan. And please let me finish sharing the whole plan before you comment ok?" by saying that Arnav shared the plan he and Khushi made.

Arnav and Khushi both sat next to each other without uttering a word. Both of them knew Akash and Payal needed to calm down first. After several minutes Akash sat down asking Payal to sit next to him.

"Look Bhai, I will be the happiest person if you and Khushi are getting married out of love, or at least if you plan on spending the rest of your lives together. But a contract marriage? This can go wrong in many ways Bhai. Even though I know this is the most viable option we have given the situation, I can't agree to this knowing this can end up in a bad way" said Akash.

"Khushi, you are my sister, and Arnav Ji, I trust you with my life. But a contract marriage? It's my sister's life we are talking about here. After 6 months or one year or 2 years when you decide to separate you will find it easier to return to your life. Because society won't point a single finger at you. But for Khushi, they will end up defaming her so badly that by the end of it there will not be a difference between Khushi and a Whore. That's how cruel this world is. But as Akash said, this is the most viable option we can think of right now so can I suggest you something?" Asked Payal.

"Yes please," said both Arnav and Khushi together.

"See, Arnav Ji, your family wants you to get married. My family wants Khushi to get married, but both of you have no intention of getting married. So you both know where you stand. She knows all about you and you know all about her. She won't expect anything from you and vice versa. What if you guys get married for real? no contract but just a normal real marriage. If after years you feel like no you cannot live with each other then we can decide what to do. At least the marriage will be real. Let's talk about reality. Akash and I got married for a lifetime. But can either of us give a guarantee that we'll be together for a lifetime? No. no one can. The marriage certificate itself is an open-ended contract. You get into the contract promising to live together forever. But sometimes circumstances will make you break it. But that does not mean you should insult the constitute of marriage by actually having a contract. I am more than happy for you two to get married if you agree on my terms"

Everyone in the room knew Payal spoke the reality. She was correct. No one can guarantee that marriage would work or fail. It's the couple who can decide it. You will see couples who are together until their last breath and couples who get divorced even less than a year of their marriage. It's all about the effort you put into the relationship. Arnav and Khushi can have a happy ending if they put some effort into it.

His Di might forcefully get him married to someone or Madhu can get Khushi married to another maniac like Shyam. But if they agreed to Payal's terms, both of them have a chance of a happy life. Because they get into it knowing where they stand. No expectations mean no heartbreak.

Will they ever fall in love? Don't know. Will this marriage ever become a real relationship? Don't know. But they know they respect each other's privacy, each other's way of living life, and each other's negatives and positives. Both of them never thought of loving someone. So if both of them are happy to live their life just out of respect and care, yes they should give it a try.

"Okay, we agree on the terms. Let's get married for real" Said both Arnav and Khushi together.