FF - Plot twist

Chapter 12 - The Confrontation

She understood his anger. “I thought if I stayed away from him, he will eventually forget me and won’t be a danger to anyone anymore.”

“Oh, so, that was the reason you were hell bent on leaving Delhi! For your kind information, he is still obsessed with you. You keeping distance from us didn’t help one bit, thank you.” He said sarcastically. “And yesterday he devised another dangerous trap for di. I don’t know if I should be happy that di is safe or feel remorse that payal had been his victim this time.”

“What?” came a dumbfounded whisper from Khushi.

“Yes.” Then he explained her what took place in RM the previous night.

Dropping down to her knees, she broke down into tears. Seeing her weeping like that, his heart bled. Kneeling down, he placed an arm on her shoulder. She leaned against his chest and wept more bitterly.

“I am such an imprudent person, right, Arnavji? Really foolish of me to think everything would be okay with the passing time. I have put our families in danger. I am such a bad omen in everyone’s life. You are right, that was a cowardice on my part to having chosen to run away instead of facing it.” She whimpered.

Taking her in an embrace, “No, Khushi. You are not a bad omen neither you are a coward. You are a person who gives importance to people’s emotions, where as I am straight forward. You cannot see anyone suffer, and I, never care about anything.” He consoled her. His anger melted when Khushi started cursing herself.

“But see what happened. You unconsciously gave him a chance to change but he didn’t. Top to that, he had hurt Payal. I got to know about his true face just hours ago and I believe he is a vicious man who will harm anyone. But you have known him for months and yet you decided to remain ignorant.” He chided her.

“I’m sorry…..I can never forgive myself if…. if anything happens to anyone.” she said, still sobbing.

“Tell me one thing, Khushi.” He said raising her face towards him. “You told NK everything. But why not me?”

“Because I was afraid to see you in pain. I know, if a matter concerns di, you will be the one who gets affected the most.” She said, her eyes all filled with love which brought a small smile to his lips. “Besides….” She trailed off.

“Besides, what?” he asked in confusion.

“I was sure that you would not believe me. You always hated me, never listened to me, right? So, why would you believe me,? A middle class girl I am.” She expressed in a low tone.

Arnav closed his eyes in anguish for hurting her so much in the past. He could​ never forgive himself for making her go through all that pain. Now it’s time for her to know how much she meant to him. How much he loved her. How much he regretted for saying all those things to her. How much he wanted her in his life. How much he was looking forward for their future together.

Now’s the time!!

Khushi swayed in his arms a bit which alarmed him.

Maybe now’s not the time!!

He gently shook her asking, “Khushi?Khushi, what happened? Are you okay?”

“I..feel light headed.”

He lifted her in his arms as it began to drizzle. Only then he noticed how much weak and pale she looked, and how weight-less she felt.

“How many days has it been since you ate properly?” he asked irated as he made her seated.

“I don’t know.” Came a feeble reply.

“Damn! She has been suffering for many months all alone. I shouldn’t have shouted at her that much. As usual, I failed to understand her selfless thinking.” He thought.

Even though he knew this dose was nothing compared what he used to be. Old ASR would have skinned her alive.

“Now that’s a change!”

He drove off to Laxmi nagar, placing Khushi’s head on his shoulder who dozed off due to all the mental exhaustion.

Pulling over the car at the deserted lane, he turned to wake Khushi up. Seeing dark circles and pale face, his heart twisted.

“I now got a clear picture why you kept rejecting me, to save me from that creep. *Smiling lightly* I love you, Khushi.” he thought as he bent and gave a loving kiss on her forehead.

She shifted in sleep with a small smile feeling the kiss. He patted her cheek which woke her up completely.

“Khushi, you go now and first eat something.” She tried to ask something but he cupped her face and said, “Don’t over think even now. I will think what should be done. You take care.”

“Thanks for trusting me, Arnavji.” She mumbled and stepped out of the car. Waving her hand, she left.

~*~*~

At the same time in GH, Shyam took steps menacingly and sat in front of Shashi. Shashi’s eyes were shooting daggers at Shyam but he just shrugged them off. He could literally feel the cursings under Shashi’s loathful gaze.

“How are you feeling? Are you recovering well?” Shyam asked placing an arm roughly on Shashi’s hand.

“I don’t care now, because in a few moments you will be going up to God.” He tightened his hold.

Shashi wasn’t able to feel his paralyzed hand but he could feel the pressure building up and the thudding of his heart.

Letting go of the hand he grabbed a pillow and said, “Forgive me for doing this. But this is needed to get Khushiji. After your death, she will be mourning you, I will then get close to her again, then I will kill my dear Rani Sahiba, and later Khushiji will marry me.”

He slowly revealed his stupid plan and held pillow over Shashi’s face tightly. Shashi was unable to do anything and after a minute of struggle, he felt giddy due to lack of oxygen. Still not giving up, Shashi stayed strong thinking about his daughter’s life, Anjali’s life and his determination to let out how vicious Shyam was to everyone.

“One minute more!” That was all he kept on repeating.

“Just die already!!” Shyam muttered hoarsely, applying more pressure on the pillow.

Suddenly he heard someone entering the house. Throwing the pillow aside, he hid himself in the room. Realising it was Khushi, his heart leapt with joy. She searched for Buaji in the house and finally went to her room to find her. Seeking the chance he slipped out of GH.  

Arnav stayed there till he saw Khushi entering her house safely. At the same time, the drizzle turned into heavy rain. He could barely see the road. So, decided to wait till the rain lessened. But even in that dense rain, he could see a man exiting GH. Upon recognising who the man was, he was shell shocked.

Shyam galloped while staggering in the opposite direction. So, he did not see Arnav.

Sensing something fishy, Arnav stepped out of the car and quickly reached GH. He was about to enter when he heard Khushi’s piercing scream. He rushed to where the cry came from. Bursting into the room he was thunderstruck seeing Khushi crying over Shashi while shaking him.

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To be continued...