Dark Night Dawning

Chapter 11

He remembered the day he had accidentally stumbled against Anjali in the temple so many years ago. He had helped her regain her balance when he realized that she walked with a limp and had helped her to her car. He had figured out right then that she came from a well to do family. He had been right. He had dug out her entire bio-data in couple of days. The only girl of the Raizada family, had no parents and lived with her younger brother, a grandmother and uncle's family. It had not been difficult to beguile her with his charm. Even then, Arnav had his reservations but had bowed down to the wishes of his sister. After that the other members of the Raizada family had welcomed him with open arms.

He hated them. These condescending, overbearing rich people who thought the world revolved around them. Especially, Arnav Singh Raizada!

He had seen the way he had treated Khushi in the beginning. He had made her life hell. But that had soon changed. He was sure that it was her beauty that had mesmerised him. He only wanted to use her until his needs were satisfied. And it was his duty to protect Khushi from people like him. She and he were one of a kind- meant for each other.

Today, Arnav had threatened him that he would be kicked out of RM once the baby arrived. That could mean only one thing -that he had made a will. He must have left the entire property in the name of his darling sister. How dare he put an end to his best laid plans? He had worked years for this.

The root cause of all his problems- Arnav Singh Raizada. It would be so convenient if this root cause were to vanish from the face of the earth. With him gone, Anjali would inherit all his property. After that it would just be a cake walk for him. Then Khushi and he would live happily ever after.

Lost in his thoughts, Shyam almost missed seeing the object of his hatred walk right past, along the path heading for the cliff side. He was on his phone completely oblivious of the world around him. A sudden breeze had picked up, dust and leaves flying in all directions. Shyam watched as Arnav walked dangerously close to the edge. He began to walk toward him.

As the wind continued its wild objection, Naniji suggested that they should move into their rooms as the weather seemed to be getting worse. As Khushi walked next to Anjali she felt a stab of anxiety. Where was Arnav? He had left half an hour ago when he got a call on his phone. He should have been back. Khushi felt a steadily escalating sense of foreboding which she couldn't understand. The trio went into the hotel's lobby, moving towards the elevator which would take them to their rooms.

Arnav couldn't think. One moment he was talking on his phone and the next moment he was flying. He felt himself falling, it was probably just seconds and then suddenly he stopped just as suddenly. He opened his eyes to see that he was stuck on a tree that had grown in the side of a cliff. He carefully balanced himself and tried to find a grip using his hand so that his entire body weight did not rest on the flimsy branch. It was very tricky. How had this happened? Had he been so close to the edge that a gust of wind had pushed over the edge? Right now all he could think was to keep himself alive. He had so much to do. What would happen to hi Di? Who would take care of her? And Khushi. There was so much he had to tell her.

Khushi! he whispered in anguish.

Khushi suddenly turned her head toward the entrance expecting to see ------ he wasn't there.

'Did you hear that Di?' she asked Anjali.

'Hear what Khushiji?' asked Anjali perplexed at the way Khushi was looking back at the door.

'I heard ...... someone calling out for me.' Anjali saw anxiety in Khushi's eyes.

'Looks like the story about this hotel had scared you Khushiji,' she said softly, 'Don't worry it is just an old wives tale made up by the hotel staff to entertain the guests.'