Chapter 20 - The Fire Beneath

Okay so I know all of you don't want a misunderstanding between Arhi, but it must be done. Sorry :(. This FF was conceived with this twist in place, I started off at the terrace scene and formed my plot outwards from that. Plus I need to move this story back to chapter 4 and it wouldn't make sense without this misunderstanding, I can't change the story now :/. Though it isn't like the one in the show, I've added my little twists ;). So bear with me through these few chapters :).

Khushi froze immediately as a heavy hand came and rested on her shoulder, one which she knew was not Arnavs. She turned round slowly, every hair standing up on her body, only to be faced with the overly sweet smile that belonged to Shyam Jha. She almost jumped back, her heart beating a thousand times faster than it had been only minutes before. She stood up immediately, hurriedly shoving away his hand and faced him glaring at him pointedly. He made a grab for her hand, squeezing it in his grasp and she recoiled in disgust, attempting to pull it away. "Khushi ji, aren't you happy?" He snared, the hideous grin not disappearing for a second. She gritted her teeth, trying with all her might to remove his dirty hand from hers, "what are you talking about?!" She growled. "Arrey Khushi ji, Buaji just told me that you agreed for our marriage," he announced, placing his free hand on her other one. "WHAT?!" She screamed, flinging his hand off immediately. "Arrey Khushi ji why are you acting so surprised?" He moved forward, causing her to take a cautious step back, her heel banging into the raised edge of the roof in the process. "What the hell are you talking about?!" "Our marriage Khushiji." She glared back at him in disbelief, "don't you have any shame! You are a married man!" She exclaimed, managing to break her hand free and pointing her finger accusingly at him. He broke into a sneer, grabbing out once more for her hand. "So what's wrong with that? All that matters is that I love you right?" He said, bringing her hand clasped in his to his heart. Khushi attempted to yank her hand back as angry tears moved into her eyes and she stood shocked at the mans audacity. "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you SICK?!" He flinched slightly but recovered almost instantly, twisting her wrist in his grip. "Why don't you understand Khushi ji that I love you?" She felt bile rise in her stomach, "How sick are you?! Why don't you divorce your so called wife first! Let go of me!" She screamed, "You..." She began just as something came and struck Shyams head and he collapsed to the side, holding onto the side of his face. Khushi turned round to face a murderous Arnav.

Arnav took two quick steps, anger flaring out of the very core of his being. He crouched down, grabbing Shyam by the collar and pulled him up, his face a mere few centimeters away from Shyams. "How dare you!" He gritted through his teeth, shaking with anger. Shyam sneered back, no sense of regret whatsoever evident on his face. "How dare you play with my di's life!" Arnav screamed, tightening his grip around Shyams collar. Shyam sneered back indifferently, angering Arnav even more, every muscle in his body tensed up as he made a grab for Shyams neck, holding it in a death grip, choking him as he gasped for breath. Arnav continued to tighten his grip, blind with rage.

Khushi finally broke out of her trance, rapidly coming to terms with what was going on. That's how Lavanya knew Shyam, he was Arnavs di's husband? She wiped the tears hastily off of her face, attempting to clear her mind. Things were happening too fast, she moved on auto-pilot. "Arnav stop! STOP! PLEASE!" She screamed, trying to push his rigid body back as he glared on further tightening his hold on Shyam. "Please Arnav," she begged, tears spilling out of her eyes. "Please Arnav leave him! LEAVE HIM! ARNAV! PLEASE!" And suddenly he broke out of his glare, focusing his eyes on Khushi, his body still convulsing with the anger that was coursing through him. "Leave him? LEAVE HIM!" He screamed, grabbing her arm whilst still choking Shyam with the other. She squirmed in pain as his features contorted to one of animalistic rage. "Fine. You want me to leave him?" Khushi stared with her eyes widened in shock as he took another threatening step towards Shyam. "You want me to leave him right?" She tried to nod but she seemed to be physically incapable of moving. "There, I'll leave him." She watched as Arnav broke his grip away from her arm and moved it onto Shyams chest, then pushed him off of the roof. She felt her whole body freeze in shock as Shyams body flayed then fell back off of the roof, she was unable to move.

He looked on seething with rage for a moment then grabbed her arm, she looked up at him, tears of shock and disbelief dripping out of her eyes. The skies suddenly darkened, making way for heavy clouds and let break as the heavy drops of rain fell on them. She writhed in pain as his hold tightened around her arm and he commenced to dragging her with him. "Arnav! What are you doing? Arnav you're hurting me, please," she begged finally having managed to re-awaken her voice. But Arnav continued to drag her down the stairs as she stumbled over her steps, his face a picture of blind rage.

He came to an abrupt halt in front of the car, bringing her round to face him and slammed her back into the side of the car. He opened the door, his features unflinching even for a second. "Get into the car!" He growled. "A... Arnav," she pleaded. He grabbed her hand once more, a look of pure loathing to his face, "get into the bloody car!" Her eyes were pleading but the look of hatred in his eyes frightened her, she wasn't sure if she even knew him anymore. "I said GET IN!" He screamed and she scrambled in immediately, not knowing what else to do.

She gripped onto the seat as he slammed on the break, her body yanking forward against the restraining belt. She watched in fear as he yanked the hand break up, then got out of his side, slamming his door. He was at her side within seconds. "Get out!" He growled, she looked at him in disbelief, tears choking her as she attempted to speak. "GET OUT!" He screamed then grabbing her arms once more yanked her out. "Wh...Where are we going? Arnav! Tell me where we are going!" She managed to choke out. "WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!" He screamed with a finality that filled every inch of her being with fear. She stood refusing to believe what he had just said, refusing to see the ferocious rage that hardened the contours of his face, she stood facing the man she loved more than anything in the world as he screamed out words she had many a times dreamed of in a way that instilled nothing but fear in her...

P.S. Sorry for the late & short update :(. Lots going on right now and I just haven't had the time to sit down and update properly xx

Chapter 19 - The Calm Before The Storm

Khushi turned around on her bed, at the sound of her phone beeping, announcing the arrival of a new text. She quickly wiped the tears that had streaked her face and pressed the message into view.

"Are you okay?"

Her pout instantly transformed into a tiny smile. She cursed his ability to always fill her heart up with joy. She thumbed the keypad, smiling to herself some more and propped herself up on her elbows, getting ready to textback when another text flashed on screen.

"Do you want me to come over? Take you out somewhere? Please don't be upset. It's all sorted :) x"

She rolled her eyes at his growing concern, her face irrupting into a full blown smile. His calls had persisted since the incident the day before and after several missed calls she had finally picked his call up, letting him know that she was okay, asking him not to keep on calling her as she wanted some time for herself. It was now early morning and he had started all over again. She basked in the joy of having his love back all to herself again. Her thumbs started moving swiftly on the keypad as she typed out a response only to be cut short by yet another text message. She really should not have given him her mobile number.

"Sorry jaan. I'm being a pain. Just making sure you are okay. Can I call you?"

"Hai Devi Mayya! What will I do with this idiot!" She said aloud, deciding to just call him herself. "He probably won't let me finish my text anyway," she mumbled to herself whilst pressing down the call button. He picked up on the first ring.

"Hello!" His urgent, worried voice came through and she instantly wanted to go and engulf him in a hug, brush his worries away.

"Hi!" She chirped down the phone.

Arnav broke into a slight smile acknowledging the brighter tinge to her voice and breathed a sigh of relief. "Someone sounds happy today!"

She grinned, staring at a random spot on the wall, hearing his more jovial voice. "And why wouldn't I be?"

"No no, no reason at all. Just checking," he smiled to no one in particular. "So... Are you okay now?" His voice was serious again, confirming for himself that she actually was fine.

"Hai Devi Maiyya! I'm fine!" She shouted into the phone. "You are such a pest!" She laughed and hearing him laugh back made her heart flutter with happiness.

"You know you should drop this serious act of yours. It really doesn't suit you," she commented then, lightening the mood of their conversation.

"Oh damn! And here I thought it made me more attractive," and he grinned to himself as her tinkling laugh vibrated through the speaker.

"Oye thithlia! Why are you laughing so loud? Who are you talking to so early in the morning?" Khushis buaji suddenly came crashing into the room, her face squinting in annoyance as she tied the band of cloth she constantly had around her head round tighter. Khushi made a face hurriedly whispering, "will call you later," and cut off the call.

"No one buaji, just a friend from Glasgow," she smiled brightly and skipped off of the bed, twirling around Madhumati then whizzed out of the room. Madhumati smiled a satisfied smile to herself at having seeing her neice so happy after a long time. "It must be the marriage proposal that I told Garima to talk to her about. I always knew Khushi had a thing for Shyam bitwa!" She smiled to herself as she walked back towards the hall.

----

Arnav ignored the phone call for what would be the umpteenth time. He did not understand such women. What was the need? Hadn't he made it clear enough that he didn't want to talk to her, that he wanted nothing more to do with her?

The next buzz infuriated him. He slammed the file he had been reading shut on the desk and grabbed his phone, the anger taking over once more.

"What the fuck is it?!" He shouted into the phone.

"ASR! I'm sorry I don't mean to disturb you. I know things didn't end well between us and to be honest they weren't in the best of places to start off with. I don't even know what I was thinking," she trailed on, her words coming out in a flurry.

Arnav listened in more intently now, his anger slowly fading away. But he didn't like people beating about the bush, she obviously wanted something. "Get to the point Lavanya," he said through gritted teeth.

"Yes I'm sorry. Oh god ASR I don't even know how to phrase this," she breathed out a heavy sigh, not quite sure where to begin. Too many thoughts whirling through her mind and a cold fear slowly sinking her heart. She gulped loudly, suddenly feeling too hot in an air-conditioned room and wiped off a bead of sweat from her brown before awakening her dry throat again to continue. "ASR your brother-in-law is a cheat! He wants to destroy you and he wants Khushi! I don't know what's happening ASR but he seems like a dangerous man. I don't want anything to do with this! You can find out the details. I don't know. I just... Just do something," she finished hurriedly then shut the phone off, not wanting to talk anymore, not knowing any answers to questions he could ask and then turned off the phone. Lavanya hastily moved the hair away from her face, wiping off the sweat that had now gathered on her forehead and sniffing as she closed the zip on her bag. She took her other phone out, "taxi? I need to go to the airport."

Arnav stood at the window, dumbfounded, not quite sure if he could move his limbs. Slowly turning Lavanyas words over in his mind trying to make sense of it all. Shyam? Khushi? None of it was making any sense. Did Khushi then know Shyam?

"What the hell is going on?!" He screamed out to an empty room, slamming his fist against the glass, another ripple of rage flashing through his body.

It was time he talked to Khushi, he had had enough. All those unanswered questions and now even more! Enough of the waiting, he would ask her for the answers today and she would have to give them. Their relationship shouldn't restart with unfilled cracks.

----

 Shyam got into a taxi, a sneer already plastered to his face. "Follow that taxi."

He watched as Lavanya Kashyap got out of the taxi in front, took her bags, glanced around twice then entered the airport. She hadn't agreed to his plan but plans could be changed and Shyam Jha was a man that didn't need to stick to just one. So what if she had told Arnav the truth, it was bound to come out one day anyway, he laughed to himself, shrugging his shoulder. The stupid woman had thought she was smart but instead given him the footing for the next part of his plan. He laughed out louder this time, flinging his head back whilst combing his hair back off of his face with his fingers, startling the taxi driver in the process.

----

"Khushi!"

Khushis eyes bulged out of her sockets at hearing Lavanyas urgent voice. "Ye... Yes Lavanya?" She managed to let out.

"Khushi! Shyam! I don't know how you know him," she glanced around looking to see if anyone was looking, "but he's a married man and he's after you." She suddenly felt someones eyes on her, as if she was being followed. "I... I gotta go Khushi. If you need any help at all one day then you have my London number.  Take care." She cut the call off, hurrying into the airport, not wanting to spend anymore time in this godforsaken country. Shyam Jha had instilled the fear of god in her.

"Lavanya ji if you breathe even so much as a syllable of this conversation to anyone then I won't think twice before taking your life and everyone elses that's  dear to you."

His threat still echoed in her ears, she had told them and now she was running away. It wasn't her fight and she would bare no part in it.

----

Arnav closed his eyes briefly, thumbing the handle of his car, his mind fighting against the storm of emotions racing through him. Needing to take everything one step at a time but not sure anymore if that was an option.

He strapped on the seatbelt, untensing his muscles and drove out of the car park, an unusual calm taking over.

----

Khushi sat on the edge of the flat roof, her feet dangling off of the side, completely lost in her own thoughts. Arnav had called again, wanted to meet up with her, insisted it was urgent. In fact he was probably heading over right now. She felt happy after a very long time. Sure Lavanyas call had flustered her a little and frankly she had been quite taken back by it.  How did Lavanya even know Shyam? She then quickly shrugged the whole conversation out of her mind. She didn't care about that stupid man anymore, he was just a paying guest, nothing more than that. 
She started humming a slow song to herself, moving her feet to the rhythm when she suddenly felt a heavy hand on her shoulder, a hand which was not Arnavs...

Chapter 18 - Chained Links

Okay so first off answers to some of the question. No she didn't answer his questions ;) she just assumed he would understand that she simply didn't have an answer to that. That's the catch, you'll see where it leads in the next chapter ;).


And yes they are back together, not entirely continuing from where they left off but letting their relationship take its own course. He didn't want to hurt her and buried his question, because his need to have her back was greater. 


Do remember that the story has to twist back round and end back up at chapter 4. This is still Khushis flashback ;). 


Their glares locked as Arnavs fingers dug into Lavanyas skin. "Let go of me ASR! How dare you?! You think you can dump me for this low class girl?!" "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" He bellowed as his fingers tightened around her arm, he moved closer to her, a fire blazing in his eyes. She squirmed in pain, "ASR you're hurting me!" She exclaimed, squeezing her eyes shut, unable to bear the pain of his vice like grip. "And you're pissing me off!" His voice was like rust. Khushi watched finding it almost impossible to believe that her Arnav had this side to him. He looked like he would kill her at any moment. Tears sprang out of Lavanyas eyes, "remember ASR you are about to get engaged to me! My fathers entered into a deal with you!" She shouted through the pain, angry tears falling down her face. "And I break this relationship," his voice was bland, to the point, not a hint of emotion in it, "it was never supposed to get to this point!" He spoke through gritted teeth, "it's not my fault that you got emotionally attached! You are the one that dragged my sister into this! Forced me to agree to a marriage I didn't care about! And I would've gone through with it as well but I would've never loved you! Doesn't it bother you to want to live your life with a man who doesn't love you back?!" He spat out, letting her arm go. She stumbled back, finding it almost impossible to believe what had just come out of his mouth and new tears welled up in her eyes. "YOU! You're putting me down in front of this worthless whore?! Who the hell do you think you are?!" She screamed shaking with anger. He took a further dangerous step towards her, every muscle on his face tense, the tendons on his neck standing out his eyes murderous and boring into her when Khushi who had up till now been watching jumped in front of Lavanya pushing her out of the way. "No Arnav! Stop it! STOP THIS!" She shouted, needing to calm the situation down. At that same time Anjali came running out, panicking at the commosion. "What's wrong?" Lavanya jumped into her arms, weeping, Anjali supported her whilst turning an accusing eye towards Arnav who was now looking away, his face still taunt with anger. Then she looked towards Khushi who was still standing in between Lavanya and Arnav, creating a barrier. "What's going on chotte?" She questioned. He looked at her once, anger still flaring through his face then stomped away, depicting to everyone that the conversation was now over, he head spoken his final word.

----

The phone rang for the fourth time, she let it. She lay on the couch unable to console herself anymore. Three boxes of tissue lay at the floor of her couch, she snuffed another tissue at her eyes attempting to stop the tears. She had loved him, despite knowing the fact that he hadn't she had continued to love him and now that he had turned around and ruined her life for the second time, she didn't know what to make of it.

The phone rang again, "Hi this is Lavanya, can't take your call at the moment, leave a message. Thanks." "beep". "Lavanyaji, I believe I have a deal that may be of interest to you."

Her head snapped up, wasn't that Anjali di's husbands voice? And what deal could he possibly have. Rubbing at her eyes she quickly grabbed the phone off of its cradle and re-dialled, her fingers still shaking from too many emotions coursing through her at the one time.

"Lavanyaji?"

"Who is this?"

"Shyam. I believe I have a plan which will be of benefit for the both of us," his cunning voice came through the phone. Lavanyas forehead creased as she attempted to decode what he was upto.

"What plan? What are you talking about?" She questioned him.

"I believe we both have a problem now Lavanyaji, yours being Khushi and you'll know mines soon enough. And I think it's time we did something about it."

"I'm listening," the strength was back in her voice, the need for revenge clear.

"Good. Meet me at 6 this afternoon. I'll text you the place." And with that he cut the call off.

She stared into the phone, unable to fathom what that had been about exactly. Shyam was Arnavs brother-in-law, so why was he talking about making a deal with her?

"Whatever it was about. That stupid bitch doesn't deserve ASR over me!" She shouted aloud to herself. "He's mine only mine!" She screamed. "And she'll pay!" Her eyes widened in fury, her breaths came out loud and constricted as she struggled to keep her anger at bay.

5o'clock! Lavanya quickly slid her feet into her polished, 6 inch blue heels, grabbed her handbag and made her way towards the door. She turned the door knob and pulled the door open only to slightly lose balance at seeing who stood in front of her. Her eyes widened and nearly shot out of her sockets as she looked on at a drenched Khushi standing in front of her. She flickered a look down to Khushis toes, taking in the tiny puddle of water she had created from the water dripping off of her.

"Can I come in?" Khushis voice was timid, maybe scared. Lavanya glared, her look cold but moved aside, holding the door open. Khushi scuffled in, her feet making a noise every time they moved and leaving puddles of water in her gait. Lavanya let a loud breath out, trying to control her anger and closed the door shut behind her.

She didn't ask Khushi to sit and instead went and stood in front of her, with her arms crossed at her chest, using her height to her advantage. "What do you want?" She demanded, the distaste clear in her voice. "I just... I just," she stuttered, finding it difficult to form the correct words. "What is it? I don't have all day!" Khushi looked back up at Lavanyas eyes, a little annoyed now. "I came to apologise," she admitted with a sigh. "I don't know what kind of relationship you two shared and I don't know how I eventually ended up coming into the middle of it. But Lavanya believe me when I say I would've stayed away if I could." Her eyes flickered up to Lavanyas face, exhibiting nothing but the truth and Lavanyas composure began to waver. "I honestly don't know what to do anymore," she continued, her voice breaking slightly, "and if it's going to effect Arnav in anyway, you just have to tell me and I'll step away," tears now made their way down her face and she spoke in between sobs. Lavanya felt her eyes well up too in response, too many emotions playing on her already battered heart. Khushi continued her story, in between sobs with large in takes of breath in between. "I was the one that left him and I had never intended to come back into his life. Although I never got over him, I don't believe for one second that I deserve him back. I wanted to spend one precious moment with him before I left and that's when my mother called, telling me that my father had been fighting between life and death throughout the night, that he was paralyzed, and it broke me!" Her sobs were louder, her words coming out fast in a jumble. "I didn't know what to do, I didn't know if I could face Arnav before I left because my heart was so heavy with guilt!" I shouldn't have left him, I should have gone about things a lot more differently. And I'm sorry now I've ruined too many people lives. I'm so sorry!" She sobbed into her hands, her shoulders shaking with the effort. Lavanya quickly enclosed her in a hug, supporting her trembling body, completely understanding her plight.

----

Arnav walked over to the large french doors, taking a deep breathe inwards. He moved the ice inside it's glass, the blocks of ice clinking against the glass within the brown liquid. He took it to his mouth and took a swig, swallowing whilst focusing his eyes into the horizons. He rarely retorted to drinking on his own, but this was one of those days, only it could provide him with a little oblivion. She still hadn't told him why she had left so abruptly, why she hadn't attempted to make any contact over all of those years. But his need to have her back in his life was stronger and he would have plenty more opportunities to ask her. No matter what now however, she was back in his life and it made him feel a lot more complete.

His phone vibrated inside his pocket and he slid it on without checking to see who it was.

"Hello ASR," Lavanyas voice came through the speaker, sounding slightly troubled.

His eyes opened wider and then darkened, a grimness taking over his face.

"ASR are you listening?" There was panic in her voice but he wasn't thinking straight, the rage consuming him.

"I don't feel the need to talk to you Lavanya!" He cut the call off.

Shyam watched the woman he had met only five minutes ago, sneering at her stupidity. She would be the perfect pawn. He cackled to himself loudly, already knowing his next step.

Chapter 17 - Two Hearts. One Soul.

He drove into a parking spot, Khushi felt at ease, she had watched him stealing glances at her all throughout the journey. He looked much more comfortable now than all those other times she had seen him, more like what she remembered him as being. Bringing the car to a slow stop, he slowly turned his head to look her way and her eyes widened slightly as their eyes locked. He gave her another one of those small smiles and she looked down, away from his gaze. His smile widened at that and he kept looking at her for a few more seconds, "Shall we go then?" He asked, his voice light. She nodded in response looking back up at his face. He turned the engine off, took his key out then clicked the door open, Khushi did the same. They walked towards the lift of the hotel together, each footstep echoing across the silent chamber, and their heart beats increasing with each step.

Arnav pressed the button for the lift his fingers trembling slightly whilst Khushi fidgeted with the strap of her bag, gnawing at the edges, trying to keep her calm. Khushi stood, hesitating slightly, now suddenly unsure if she should have come, not sure she had the answers to his questions. He pressed the lift button several times again, irritated, "urgh looks like this lift has something against us. Pretty sure it's not coming today," he ranted, annoyed, looking towards her jokingly. She attempted to smile back but he caught onto the worry on her face immediately. "What's wrong Khushi?" His eyes looked at her with concern. "Nothing," she smiled back. He inspected her face for a few more seconds, and sighed heavily " you're not sure you should be here anymore are you?" She looked up at his face instantly, it had gone blank, as if he hadn't expected anything less from her. "No," she shook her head, slightly flustered. "Yes Khushi," he looked down at her accusingly, "you are having second thoughts and to be honest I'm not surprised, I don't even know what I was thinking putting my expectations so high." He sounded disappointed in a sense, his words more to the point. She looked down, knowing there was no point in trying to deny it. The lift chimed open, but he didn't move, instead the light from inside hovered across his face, clearly exhibiting his pain. "Khushi, don't you think I deserve to know why you left so abruptly? Don't you think you should have told me when you left?" He continued, the hurt clear in his voice. "And now that we've met after all of these year, all you want to do is keep running away," his tone accusing again. Her head snapped up at that, how dare he just continue to accuse her. "Excuse me, I'm just trying to save relationships?" Save relationships, what the hell are you talking about?" Anger was flaring out of his face, she was surprised at how abruptly his emotions seemed to change, almost scared at the sudden erruption of anger. "I'm talking about you! The person who seems to have moved on! The person who's supposed to be getting married! Why the hell are you after me?!" She shouted and started to turn around, to get away, when she felt a strong hand grab her arm with a grip that was sure to leave a mark. She squirmed in pain as he turned her back round to face him, his hot breath on her face. "Why the hell do you think it's appropriate for you to treat me like I have no feelings?! Move on? What else was I supposed to do? Did you leave me any other choice?" The words stung her, tears sprang to her eyes but he continued. "Do you know how much I tried to forget you? To actually move on? And then you come back, out of nowhere and I'm supposed to act normal? Do you think this is fair Khushi? Do you think it's fair that I'm suffering even when I don't know what my mistake was? Why are you doing this to me Khushi?!" He tightened his grip around her arm, his voice had changed from stern and hard to pained, pleading. She looked into his molten brown eyes, as pain seeped out of them, tears trailed down her face as she attempted to release herself from his grip. It hit him all of a sudden that she was crying, that he was hurting her and he let go, turned around and looked down. He turned his face round, slightly, "I'm sorry," he whispered, regret clear in his voice. That was enough to bring more tears to her eyes, she didn't know what she was doing anymore, her sobs came out louder as she completely broke down. He turned around completely, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he repeated, taking her arms once more, "I didn't mean to hurt you," he whispered. She threw his hands away and moved back, still crying, "don't touch me!" She shouted in between sobs. He glared at her, anger once again building up inside him, he grabbed her arms once more, pulling her closer to him, and she almost lost balance in the impact as his lips crushed into hers. She tried to release herself but his hold was too tight, his lips harsh against hers but she felt her heart slowly stutter then give into the desire, her lips moulded into his, more inviting as his lips softened, becoming gentler as his hands held her back. She let her hands linger towards his hair, their breaths ragged, their hearts both beating at the same break bone speed. Her lips then trembled, gave way to another sob as she broke down into his arms. "I'm sorry Arnav. I'm so sorry," she whispered, hoping that he would understand that she had no explanation for any of her actions. She had left him out of guilt, out of her own selfish need to put aside what she had done that night whilst her father had been fighting between life and death. Sometimes people made irrational decisions and that had been one such decision. Her cries were louder, but he held her, "it's okay Khushi, it's okay," he whispered back, hugging her tighter, her arms tightened around him too, yearning for the protection he offered more than ever. They didn't know how long they stood like that for, just lost in each others memories, that anticipation of a better future slowly seeping it's way back into their thoughts. After a few more minutes of silence, Khushi lifted her head up looking into his deep brown eyes, that emoted nothing but love, "what about Lavanya?" She questioned, her voice still broken from the tears. He gave a tiny laugh in return, almost relieved that they were back on normal terms. "I'm standing here hugging you like a maniac and all you can think of is Lavanya?" He feigned a disappointed face, looking down at her smirking. She smacked him lightly at his joking nature in the midst of any serious conversation. "What a way to ruin a moment Khushi," he continued to joke. "That's not an answer to my question," she frowned, the tears fading away. "Fuck Lavanya," he dismissed, rolling his eyes, she opened her mouth to reply when he silenced it with a kiss. She drowned in the passion as his tongue searched out for hers as he kissed her almost feverishly, letting his hands roam over her.


Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone
Or anything
I can hear your thoughts, I can see your dreams

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby I'm amazed by you.


She pulled away for a second, looking back at a very cheeky smile playing on his lips. "You are aware we are snogging away in the middle of a car park?" "And? It's a free country, I can snog anywhere I please," he retorted bringing his hand to her face. She rolled her eyes, "you rich men, think you can do whatever whenever." "That's right baby, glad you've caught on," he winked. "Someones become a bit too arrogant lately I see." "Haven't I always been like that?" He laughed lightly, gripping her waist. She rolled her eyes looking away, when she saw the lift chime down for what must have been the umpteenth time. "Arnav." "Hmmm," he moaned kissing her hair. "You are aware the lifts chimed down about a million times since we got here?" She said pushing him back slightly. "Oh," he looked back and smirked, "and we've missed a reservation by about an hour," he said pulling her into the lift with him and taking her in yet another embrace as he leaned against a corner of the lift and she lost herself in his scent...

The smell of your skin,
The taste of your kiss,
The way you whisper in the dark.
You hair all around me
Baby you surround me
Touch every place in my heart
And it feels like the first time
Every time.
I want to spend the whole night
In your eyes.

----

Khushi leaned back against the small bench in front of her house that night revelling in a calm and joy that she hadn't experience in many years. The thought of his smirk, his words, his actions brought a smile to her face. She hadn't been able to contain her smile during dinner, not once but twice her buaji and mother had inquired what was wrong with her. Despite being fully aware that she was randomly grinning like an idiot, she hadn't let the smile fade once. She felt his embrace still around her, and in that warmth she knew she was once again complete.

----

Khushi slowly made her way towards Raizada Mansion, her steps slower than usual, not sure if she should have just called in sick. She entered the house a little flustered, looking into an empty lounge. Where was Tina? She took her phone out to text when she felt a strong hand grab her and pull her back. She crashed into a solid chest to look up at a beaming Arnav. "Do you always grab your wedding organisers like this?" She laughed pushing him back. "No but my girlfriend thinks it's appropriate for her to organise her boyfriends wedding?" He questioned raising an eyebrow, still smiling. "And who is this jerk that's getting married to someone else, whilst he's going out with another?" She asked scrunching her face at him, making him laugh. He trailed his arms down to her waist, pulling her in closer as he brought his lips to hers. She quickly shoved him away, "Arnav go away I have work to do." "Oh god," he rolled his eyes and he yanked her towards him again. He slowly moved her hair back, his fingers brushing against her jaw as he moved his face into kiss her neck. She felt her face flush as his lips trailed her jaw line down to her neck. She was lost in her desire as she felt nails dig in to her shoulder and turn her around.

Lavanyas nostrils flared as she growled down at the audacity of the low class girl who had dared to make out with her to be fiance in front of her. Her hand lifted almost automatically, only to be stopped mid-strike by a strong hand. He turned her round towards him, anger flaring in his face. Khushi looked on with horror as Arnavs eyes darkened, turning to chips of black, every muscle visibly tensing in front of her, as he murderously glared down at Lavanya.

Lyrics credit: Amazed by Lonestar

Chapter 16 - Of Fire & Rain

Arnav stepped out of the house, a light spring to his step, an unusually calm aura to him. He had dressed in tan chinos and a midnight blue t-shirt, a lot simpler than what he had been used to for the past year. He felt vulnerable in a sense, his clothing was like his armour; the crisply ironed shirt, the waistcoat then his coat, it turned him into ASR and now stripped down from it, back in clothes that he used to wear in uni, he felt more like his old self. And it sort of felt good. He took a deep breath in and opened the garage door and walked towards his Porsche Boxster, unlocking it on his way. This car was for special occassions, it was one of those things in life that gave him great pleasure and he had yet not used it and today was the day, it was a special day. He glided his hand through the top, taking in the smooth black polish and smiled, admiring it's beauty. Today would be a good day.

It was sunny outside, he put on his aviators and let the car crawl out of the driveway, enjoying the smoothness of the engine. He drove, sticking to all the speed limits, his foot easy on the accelerator, and smoothed into a parking spot in AR. He would finally get to speak to Khushi.

----

Khushi looked up at the skies as she walked and prayed to Devi Mayya to look after her. "Please Devi Mayya let everything go well today. I'm going to leave it upto you. Whatever happens I will let my life take its own course from now one." Her footsteps were gentler, there was a trepidation to them. Her foot had went into a puddle earlier and her feet still squelched inside them with every step, creating slight squeaking sounds. She didn't know what he would ask, what she would say, all she knew was that it was time. Things had been put off for far too long and it was better to let the world take its own course sometimes. Her mind had been wandering for a while and out of practice her eyes immediately went to her watch, where she noticed that she was 15 minutes late. She cursed herself at the that, she had been too immersed in her own thoughts and calming the nervousness inside her, that she'd ended up completely losing track of time. She quickened her steps, the constant squeak of her slightly wet feet against the plastic sole of her shoe irritating her further.

She was slightly out of breath when she reached AR. She rested against a lamp post, she'd ran part of the way, not wanting to be even more later than she was. She didn't want him to think she wasn't going to turn up, she had been able to tell from his phone call yesterday how anxious he had been. He had been scared that she would have said no and she didn't blame him, she hadn't given him a choice to think anything but that.

Suddenly she looked around, remembering she hadn't had the sense in her to ask him where in AR she wanted to meet him. She looked up at the large solid gold capital letters, glinting off of the sun, remembering her first meeting with him after all those years. The day that had started the rollercoaster ride of emotions she was once again experiencing. "Urgh! At times I'm surprised how stupid you can be Khushi!" she mumbled to herself, furious at yet another mistake. She frowned at herself, attempting to figure out what to do next.

"I see your habit of talking to yourself still hasn't worn off," came the husky voice from behind her, she immediately turned around to face a smirking Arnav. A corner of his mouth slightly turned up, just the way she liked it, instantly taking her back to one such meeting in the past, bringing a slight smile to her lips. He stood arms folded, leaning against a gleaming, black polished car, the handsomeness of his features enhanced through the midnight blue shirt. She watched his slight smirk slowly change into a small smile, it reached his eyes and they glinted in the sunlight. He moved his arms back, resting his hands on the car, then letting his hands take his weight, leaned forwards. She stood rooted to the spot, her smile fading out of nervousness as he slowly advanced towards her. He came to a stop in front of her, his eyes still inspecting her face, not quite sure how to proceed, when all of a sudden a slow drizzle began to fall from the sky. They both looked up in unison, the rays of the sun still piercing through the clouds amid the tiny droplets of rain, with a hint of a slight rainbow setting in the horizon. And in an instant they both looked at each other with slight smiles playing on both of their faces, forgetting everything for a second, squinting through the rain and the sun at each other. His hands automatically, searched and grasped hers in a tight hold. Then he broke one of his hands away from hers and started to turn back towards his car, one hand still holding on, pulling her with him, leading the way. She followed almost blindly, not letting her eyes wonder away even for a split second. He stopped in front of the car, "ride?" He turned back and asked, she nodded silently, loosing herself slightly, in those gorgeous brown eyes. He clicked the door open and gently helped her in, then took the seat belt, swiftly taking it across her body and clicking it in place, she felt intoxicated as his smell lingered around her. There was a stronger edge to it now, but it was the same fragrance and it took her down memory lane once more. He looked back at her face, the slight smile still playing on his lips, his eyes twinkling with that old passion, before he ducked out and closed the car door then reached his side of the car in three quick strides and sat himself down. She watched him lost in a sort of trance as he checked all three mirrors, indicated then pulled out, the small purr of the engine numbing her mind.

I want you with me
When the ground starts to shake
I want you with me
Each day when I wake

And I hope you forgive me
All my mistakes
And yes I'll be with you
To the last mile of the way

He glanced back at her, taking her smiling form, watching him the way he was used to and reveled in the moment sensing a change he had longed for.

Like day turns to night
Stone turns to dust
Life becomes memories
Steel becomes rust

Pain's just a lesson learned
We'll look back one day
And I'll take you with me
To the last mile of the way...

The rest of the journey continued in silence, both lost in their memories, both seeing the glimpses of a better future ahead.

----

Lavanya stood at the large glass windows of ASRs office, looking down at two lovers loosing themselves in each other. Their thoughts unsaid, flowing out with each action. She watched him take the other womans hand gently, a passion to his face that she had never seen towards herself before and the pain and anger scorched through her. He had betrayed her, he was betraying her and she was watching it all in silence. Well he hadn't seen Lavanyas game yet and nor had the silly woman! She walked away from the window, arms folded, her blood throbbing with rage through her veins.

----

Shyam watched from behind a pillar on the sidewalk, his face twitching with Arnavs every look, the way his eyes lingered over her face, the way her eyes smiled back at him and he seethed with hatred towards him and disgust at her. She was his! Only his! How dare she let someone else so much as look at her. He had followed her that morning, she had been dressed differently, more chic than usual, even put on a bit of make up and did up her hair. It wasn't for an interview so it had had to be for something else and this was it. He clenched his fists, already forming a plan and watched them slowly drive off, his mouth slowly forming a snarl, thinking that he for once had the upper hand over his brother-in-law...

Lyrics credit: Last Mile of The Way by Westlife

Chapter 15 - A Battle of Hearts

So why such a late update you ask? Blame blogger for deleting what I had written TWICE! -_- I spent about a day sulking over that :P


Why does Shyam have to be there? Because what's a story without a villain? ;) mwaha!
But always remember that I love my Arnav a bit too much ;).

Arnavs face immediately changed to one of shock as he stood frozen to the spot. Khushi on the other hand was in no mood to back down. "No YOU watch where you are going! Learn to be respective of the people around you Mr Arnav Singh Raizada! Just because you have a car doesn't mean you have a priority over pedestrians!" She was standing inches away from him now, her words searing through him one by one. Even after all of that consoling he failed to understand her. Her words took him back on to a route of nostalgia, his mind automatically reminisced on that fateful meeting many years ago and his heart warmed. He scrutinised her face as she continued to shout, her arms flying around. Something was wrong, he knew, he could read her like an open book. "Shh shh Khushi, what's wrong?" His husky voice broke through, as he slowly grabbed her arms and held them down, bringing her closer to himself in the process. She looked into his chocolate brown eyes her heart slowly melting in to them, they held the passion of so many years ago, she didn't know what to make of it. A crowd had gathered now, Khushi looked around not wanting to attract more attention. His eyes followed hers and understood her trepidation.

"What the fuck is wrong with people? Is there some sort of drama going on here?" He growled moving away from her. She immediately picked up the change in his tone how his eyes had instantly darkened, how the ASR within had resurfaced in a second. People quickly dispersed, noticing his threatening stance and a look which showed no defiance. He looked back at her, his features once again softening, confusing her even more. She had moved away now and was standing nearer her mother. He walked over slowly "I'm sorry," he whispered, even though he was only partly at fault, but Khushi seemed to constantly turn him back into the man he used to be. "Are you hurt? Do you want me to take you to a hospital?" He almost whispered his eyes displaying genuine concern.

Garima watched the young man incredulously, firstly Khushi knew him and now after all that shouting he was volunteering to take her to the hospital. There was a connection between the two, she could sense it and yet Khushi had never mentioned him before. She would have to investigate.

Khushi narrowed her eyes, still enraged. "No we can take care of ourselves thank you very much!" She shouted and grabbed Garimas hand, turning around to walk away. Arnav watched once more as she walked off, with not even so much as a glance backwards and it pained him, hurt his heart in the deepest of corners. He quickly strode back to his car and yanked the door open. He gunned the engine, fury rising up inside him and sped off much faster than before, almost disgusted at himself for loosing control over and over in front of her. He had went on for years learning to forget her, letting her go. Whatever took him away from her, he had done it all, but it had only took her a second to break all of that. All he seemed to be doing these days was re-learning how to not let her get to him but whenever she came in front of him all he wanted to do was have her back in his life. But every time she had walked away and his strength was failing.

He swerved into the car park, missing a wall by a bare few inches and slammed down his breaks. He was out of the car and in the office within a few seconds, he was up the stairs in a few strides and was shutting the door, needing to just take a deep breath and calm himself down when Lavanya crashed into him, trailing her hands around his neck. "What the?!" He growled regaining his balance. "I'm sorry ASR. I shouldn't have accused you so blindly. I'm sure you had a reason for whatever I saw yesterday." She moved back and smiled at him, looking into his eyes with an adoring passion. He watched her face, both angry and confused what was wrong with this woman? She looked at him for a few more seconds and then stepped back. "Sorry you look tired. You take some rest and I'll get someone to bring in your coffee," she smiled and walked away, leaving him to look on with even more confusion. Was he the only sane person on this planet?

----

Khushi walked back home, still holding her mothers hand in a sort of daze at all of the events of that morning. Maybe she shouldn't have been so harsh with Arnav. Sure he had stepped out of the car screaming but on seeing her he had calmed down, behaved decently and even requested to take her mother to hospital.  But her mind had been clouded by the decision of that morning, she hadn't been thinking straight and had possibly thrown that anger at the only person that she knew deep inside would not retaliate and that's exactly what had happened. He had not said one word back, let her go on and in return only asked her if she was okay. She scrunched her face as she processed this fact. Had he really moved on? Or was it all just a show? Was he still her Arnav?

"Khushiji, you are home. I was just about to go look for you" Shyams voice pierced through her thoughts, as he stood in front of her, that broad fake grin pasted on his face. She looked at his face, arching her eyebrows, he had been getting on her nerves since that morning. She didn't like him, too much sweet talk and they didn't even properly know who he was. Buaji had been adamant on letting him stay, but she did not like it one bit, he was odd in someway, there was something that wasn't right about him. "No there's no need to do that. I'm able to take care of myself," she responded annoyed. Irritation quickly flashed across Shyams face but he was quick to hide it, he smiled back, needing to win her over. "No no Khushi I asked him to go check, Shyam babua was just being nice and helpful," buaji cut in and Shyam felt thankful, that woman was really so easy to fool. Khushi glared at her buaji for a few seconds then stormed past them into her room. She didn't feel like she had the time or the patience to deal with them anymore. That morning buaji had suggested that it was time they looked for someone for Khushi to marry. Khushi had laughingly dismissed it, thinking it was something Buaji would speak about then quickly forget. But then she had walked past the kitchen and stopped abruptly on hearing her mother and buaji talk about her. She had overheard buaji telling Garima that Shyam would be a perfect choice, immediately worrying Khushi. Ever since, she had not been able to get those words out of her head.

She was pondering through too many things in her mind when Arnavs face came back to her, how her heart had let go looking into those deep brown eyes that still offered protection. A great sense of guilt took over her. She should not have shouted at him. Was it finally time to talk to him? Isn't that what he wanted? Why did she fear that thought so much? But then there was Lavanya, wasn't he going to get married soon? Why would she interfere? Hadn't he moved on.

"Khushi bitiya!" Buajis voice broke the silence, breaking her out of her reverie.

"Khushi bitiya there's a call for you!" Buaji scuttled into the room, holding the phone out. She took the phone slowly coming back to reality and put it to her ear as Buaji walked off.

"Hello?" There was silence at the other end of the phone. "Hello?" She repeated.

"Khushi?" Her eyes instantly widened and her heart thudded then started to beat faster than she had thought possible. "Khushi?" His husky voice broke through her flustered mind once more. "Khushi are you listening?" His voice was low, gentle but she could sense the apprehension in it. Her throat was dry, she wasn't able to form words.

He listened to her ragged breathing, his forehead creasing with worry. Had this really been the right decision? Should he have called her? "Khushi?" He tried again. "Hmm," she finally replied, slowing his fast heart beat by the smallest of fractions. He sighed with relief, closing his eyes for a brief second, trying to figure out how to proceed. The time had come, he could not put it off any longer. They needed to talk. "Khushi would I be able to meet you?"

She had anticipated the question and yet did not know how to reply. "Please?" He added and that one word melted her heart. Tears sprung to her eyes and trailed down her face. "Hmm," was all she was able to form once again, she was breaking down. "Thanks, tomorrow? AR? 1pm?" "Hmmm" and with that she cut the call off, knowing she couldn't hold the sobs in any longer. She hugged her phone to her chest, completely breaking down. She wanted him in her life again and her mind had never before faced such a dilemma...

Sabki prem kahaniyan
Dil ke bechainiyaan
Tu hi shuru karwaaye
Khud hi dil ka rog lagaye
Khud hi baitha roye
Naina re naina
Tujhese bura na koi...

Chapter 14 - A Thousand Broken Pieces

Going to start off the chapter by saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISS PYAR KO! Wooh! Can't believe it's completed one year! Dunno where the heck my time has flew to either ha! And going to use up one sentence to rant about how much the show has pretty much stolen all of my revision time. No wonder I don't seem to have anymore motivation, my mind is too motivated towards being devoted to IPK! :P


Anyhow now to actually continue with the chapter! 

Arnav sat listening to his heart beat, letting his mind wonder to that afternoon. Why did he always end up giving into her, years of control and she had broken it in a split second, he had known it the minute she had re-entered his life. And then after that of course she did what she knew best, left it all behind and walked away, leaving him to pick up the broken pieces.

He slowly stood up and walked into the bathroom, undressed and got into the shower, he turned the knob to hot and let the steaming water seep through his pores, let it burn his skin to the point it went numb and leaned his head against the tiles, not knowing for the first time in years what to do with himself. He had constantly attempted to move on ever since she had left him but her memories had never seized to thrive in his every dream, his every nightmare. He let the hot water flow down his face, his skin ablaze from the sensation and let his mind wonder back to the events of that afternoon...

....

"So that's why you walked out on her! Are you sleeping with her behind my back then? Is that it?" Lavanya was screaming, her face red with fury.

"Think of it whatever you want to Lavanya," his voice was uninterested, he didn't have time for an argument, in fact he didn't want Lavanya altogether, he wanted his Khushi back, even if it meant forgetting four years of his life. He wanted an explanation from her, anything would do and Lavanya was quite simply getting in the way! "What the hell is that supposed to mean? You're standing there with this other woman and I'm supposed to thing whatever of it? ASR remember you are getting engaged to me! We are getting married goddamn it!" She was errupting with anger and that had hit a little too close to home. His eyes widened as he processed what she had just said. There he was trying to mend his broken relationship with Khushi and at the same time he was getting engaged to Lavanya. Thinking about it again however, he didn't even care. All he wanted was to talk to Khushi, she was the only thing that mattered. "Lavanya I don't have time for your shit! Just do whatever you want to do and get out of my face!" His tone was angry but controlled, his eyes dark with that anger which instilled fear within the strongest of men and Lavanya knew that was the end of that conversation. She stormed off with tears falling out of her eyes. He watched her walk away, his body rigid with rage.

He took hurried steps back to the room, he had broke away from Khushi abruptly, needing to deal with the situation at that moment in time. He quickly calmed his mind, allowing himself to be patient with the one person he spent too much of his life yearning to be with but by the time he had reached the room she was gone. He quickly ran down the steps, thinking she may have just went downstairs, only to find Tina chatting away with Anjali. "Where's your assistant?" He almost shouted. "Oh she wasn't feeling too well, so she left, is something wrong?" Tina asked indifferently but he just turned around and walked away. She had proved him wrong yet again.

....

He slowly stepped out of the shower, tied his towel around his waist and walked out of the bathroom. He walked over to the window and looked up at the starry sky, now letting the cold breeze of the AC close his pores and cool down his mind. That would be the last time he would let Khushi get to him, he loved her true but she weakened him and turned him into a person he shouldn't be anymore. He would not let her break him again.

Raaston mein kho gaya hai mitra
Ajnabi kyon ho gaya hai mitra


Kuch to kami hai saawan
saawan sa kyon na laage mitra
shaamo sehar kyon mann ka
aangan yeh soona laage mitra


dhoop leke jo gaya hai mitra
ajnabi kyon ho gaya hai mitra
----

Khushi sat looking into a sky full of shimmering stars, nature always baffled her, even when it changed it was beautiful. Her heart felt a lot lighter, she had made her decision and she was going to stick through it. He was getting married to someone else, he was now someone else's. He had moved on just like she had wanted him to. Sure her heart had leaped a thousand fences when she had felt his embrace that afternoon, when she had experienced the old Arnav once again as he had gently wiped away her tear but she didn't belong in his life any more. It had been a sudden reaction on his part, one he had possibly taken on the emotional stress of seeing her once again, but that was no longer him. He now loved someone else, enough to marry her. It was different now, they were different people, people who had moved on in life and interfere was the last thing she wanted to do. She had chosen her path all those years ago, giving everything else but him first place, so shouldn't he now have the right to choose his own path? Yes it would be painful to let him go, but was it really anything new to her? Hadn't she let him go for good all those years ago? She would have to let him be, life was good to him and her being there or not surely would not make a difference.

Dil ke taaron mein, kyon hazaaron mein
Dard jaage hain
Humne baandhe jo, reshami saare
Toote dhaage hain


Haale dil jo ho gaya hai mitra
Ajnabi kyon ho gaya hai mitra
Kuch tho kami hai saawan
Saawan sa kyon na laage mitra
Shaamo sehar kyon mann ka
Aangan yeh soona laage mitra...
----

He sat in front of the older woman, the fake smile plastered on his face as he pretended to disagree. "No no babua! This is the only way. Don't think of it as a hassle. It'll bring a bit more money in for us and you'll be comfortable," her concern was genuine, her face frowning with concern. They had known him since he had fought her friends case in Lucknow and she felt it was her duty to look after him now that he had shifted to Delhi. "Really buaji I don't want to trouble you," his voice a gentle facade, "even though it is the closest place I have found to work," he added a bit later, slyly trying to assure her that her convincing would be the only reason he would move. "Babua! I've told you already, you are staying here and that is final!" She finally chided and turned around taking his suitcase with her, walking towards the guestroom. Shyam smirked to himself, satisfied with the fact that part of his plan was already complete.

----

Arnav woke up, still groggy from a restless night of minimal sleep. He squinted at the rays of sunlight as it pierced through the closed blinds and slowly made his way over to the window to open them, with too many thoughts still occupying his mind. It would be yet another monotonous day, work, meetings, more work, oh and maybe a little argument with Lavanya, but that would soon pass, she always came back round. Even if she didn't it wouldn't make a difference to him. After Khushi had left he had tried to put his life back into pace, his mind had roamed around in her memories, he had felt incomplete without her and he had seeked escape, any escape and Lavanya had given him that. At first their relationship had been purely physical. One night he had been too drunk to walk straight and had woke up on her bed. From then on they had maintained that relationship where they had both got what they wanted without any emotional attachments in return. But then one night things had got a bit out of hand,one thing led to another and Lavanya had fallen pregnant, she had had an abortion but her parents had found out. His Di had got involved and fate had led them on to this path. She was now emotionally attached, craving his attention and he wanted nothing to do with her. Yes he was being selfish but he had never promised her love in return. The world was a funny place, he smiled to himself as he thought of this, amused at his own misfortune, things never panned out the way they were supposed to. He slowly put on his coat, his tie and then shoes, every move controlled with a common rhythm. He slowly sipped his coffee, letting every drip of caffeine flow through his body, then stepped out of his room, hoping for no surprises...

"I'll drive today!" He called out to the driver, opening the car door and getting in. Driving gave him a different sense of comfort. He put the car into gear, already processing his journey, preparing himself for the challenge of driving in Delhi. Arnav Singh Raizada always welcomed the feeling of a challenge. Checking all three mirrors, he slowly eased his foot off of the clutch letting the car move before adding speed then racing off. As the car built up speed he changed the gears, in perfect sync, the low click of each one falling into place giving him a sense of calm. After a whole day of feeling lost, he finally felt in control, just the way he liked it. He was relishing in the calmness, the satisfaction when suddenly a woman appeared on the road, he slammed his foot down on the break, the car swerved almost loosing control.

It came to a stop, slightly bumping off of her. He growled at her with fury as she toppled and fell to the side, hastily clicking off and removing his belt, he opened the door. "What the hell! Can't you watch where you're going?!" He screamed as he got out of the car, taking two long strides towards the woman who was now being helped up by a younger one. The younger one looked up rage scorching out of her eyes, her eyebrows arched ready for battle. He stopped in his track as he stood face to face with Khushi Kumari Gupta yet again...

Chapter 13 - Beams of Light & A Tinge of Green

Tina threw an angry glare at Khushi whilst Arnav quickly composed himself and looked towards his sister, questioningly. "Chotte, this is your wedding planner Tina," Anjali introduced, her eyes crinkling with the smile. He shook Tina's hand acknowledging her as she continued to stare at his face but he was used to that, he knew women were smitten by his looks and it only added to his ego. "And that's her assistant Khushi," he heard di then add but he didn't want to look at her. "Di I have some urgent work to do," he cut her off, "you guys carry on," and with that he quickly went up the stairs, leaving a fairly surprised Anjali behind.

Khushi felt tears prickle her eyes, that was the second time fate had brought them closer to each other and both times he had walked away, this time he had refused to so much as look at her and now she knew she could never have him again. He would soon be someone elses, her Arnav would only remain in her memories. "Excuse me may I use the washroom?" Her voice came out a bare whisper as she attempted to hide the tears that were threatening to fall out any moment.

She leaned over the sink for support as tears flooded her eyes and branched out. Her mind flashbacked to memories of him, of them together. His gentle touch, the way he moved her hair back out of her face, all those times when he had been there, when he had been her only support and they were soon replaced by images of his now cold, distant eyes, how he clenched his jaw at her sight, his arms around another woman, replaced by Ajalis introduction of him as the groom. Things would never be the same and she couldn't even blame him, it hadn't been his fault! She broke down now her cries coming out loud and ragged and she slid down along the sink onto the floor, her mind now numb, no sense of where she was or what she was supposed to do. She sat there on the tiled floor letting the cold surface seep through her...

When she came out her face was swollen and red, her eyes sunken.

"Khushi! Khushi!" Tina's voice came out as if in a dream, everything around her hazy as she battled to compose herself. "Urgh!" Tina exclaimed now fed up of Khushis unusual behaviour. "Just go and take the grooms measurements!" she barked thrusting a measuring tape into Khushis hand and stomped off. Khushi stood in that same spot frozen, not sure if she could do the job that she was given, not sure if she had, if she would ever have the strength to face him but then slowly started to move on. Her steps slow and timid. Her family depended on this job and she had no choice.

----

Unknown to everyone he snuck around the house watching her every move agitated at the fact that she was in his house. He would have to present a different job opening to her to get her out of the house. His face twitched as he formed a new plan.

----

Khushi stopped in front of Arnavs door, mustering up the courage to knock, to carry out the job she had been given when she saw him lying on his recliner. He looked so calm and in his cream jeans and blue cardigan a lot like the boyish Arnav she was used to. Seeing him like that she just wanted to go and hug him, take the arm he had over his head away and kiss his forehead and all his demons away.

She slowly lifted her hand to the door, her hand forming a tight fist and shaking beyond belief. She gulped once, attempting to calm herself down and knocked once, it came out a lot softer than she had expected. She was scared for a minute that he hadn't even heard her but then he began to move, first acknowledging the sound then slowly moving his arm around as his head turned towards her and gradually opened his eyes then froze on her. In a split second the calmness on his face had disappeared and been replaced by a storm of emotions, he slowly stood up and fixed his cardigan and began to walk towards her. Her mind immediately flashed back to the past when he had fixed his shirt, getting up off the bed and then fell down on it again, his soft lips touching her neck, sending little ripples of electricity down her spine, she closed her eyes reliving that moment and tears streaked out of the corners of her eyes, she could feel herself losing control again when suddenly she felt a finger lightly graze the corner of her eye. She gradually opened her eyes to look into the gentle face of the man she had never stopped loving inches away from hers, that old concern replacing and softening the contours of his face, the chocolate brown tenderness back in his eyes.

Abhi mujh mein kahin
Baaki thodi si hai zindagi
Jagi Dadhkan nayi 
Jaana zinda hoon mein tho abhi

He took her face into his hand, unable to stop himself, feeling the same pain that she did, looking into those hazel eyes, letting his guard down. She rested her face against his hand, letting the sobs come out faster now, letting the tears she'd held back all these years erupt out of her as he held her closer, their bodies colliding in their need to comfort each other.

Kuch aisi lagan
Is lamhe mein hain
Yeh lamha kahaan tha mera


Her arms enveloped around his neck, breathing in his fragrance, letting it linger around her body, kissing his neck. She felt his arms tighten around her waist as his mind re-visited the cherished memories of the past, what they had had, what they had lost, allowing her to shed her tears, holding back his own heavy heart, wanting to protect that fragile girl he would've given his life up for all over again.

Ab hai saamne, ise choon loon zara
Mar jaaun yan jee loon zara
Khushiyan choom loon
Ya ro loon zara
Mar jaaun ya jee loon zara...

They stood like that for god knows how long, breaking down their facades, letting themselves go to the moment, no need for a single word, their feelings perfectly in sync. Then she felt his arms loosen around her. He needed to talk to her, he needed an explanation, he moved back letting her out of his embrace and opened his eyes to see a glaring Lavanya at the doorway...

Lyrics credit: Abhi Mujhme Kahin from Agneepath

Chapter 12 - Stormy Skies

"ASR!" She shrieked, her face beaming and ran into his arms. "God I missed you so much ASR!" Her voice was full of excitement. "We've only been away for a week," his voice was insipid. "I know but can't I miss you?!" Her large dove eyes now looked into his cold brown ones, the smile not once leaving her face. She stayed in the awkward embrace whilst he turned around to once again look out of the large window, his mind elsewhere.

Khushi knocked on the door for the second time, she could hear a womans animated voice inside but she had an interview and she was on time and she did not appreciate people who weren't punctual. "Khushi just enter, you know he's inside," she muttered to herself, more annoyed than was good for her, especially right before a job interview. She turned the knob, her hands already sweating, her fingers trembling and slowly stepped into face a gorgeous face lift up and glare at her. She had obviously ruined a private moment. Her eyes widened then lowered, "sorry," she mumbled, her voice almost inaudible. The woman continued to glare. "Who is it Lavanya?" Khushi looked up in shock, the voice was gruff but she could recognise it anywhere. She took in the broad shoulders, the rigid back, the familiar stance of the man standing in an embrace, facing the other way and she wanted to run back, run away and never turn around. Her heart started beating a hundred times faster than it had been and her feet started to move back of their own accord.

Arnav let out a sigh of impatience, he didn't have time for Lavanyas enthusiasm and seeing as neither Lavanya or the person that had just entered seemed to have any interest in an introduction he would have to make the effort himself. Moving Lavanya out of the embrace he turned around only to freeze as soon as he laid eyes on her. He felt a jolt of lightening hit his whole being as his mind went numb. She looked into those dark brown eyes, now clouded with an unknown emotion and their eyes held, the pain of what they had lost seeping through them, the hurt clearly evident in his eyes. His eyes slowly moved down, taking in every inch of her and then he slowly closed them, allowing himself composure and looked away clenching his jaw, clenching his fists. The pang of guilt hit her like a storm and her eyes welled up with tears. She stepped forward, she wanted to touch him, see if he was real but he was too fast for her and she looked on as he strode out of the room, breaking down from the inside as the memories hit her one by one.

She didn't even know when she had walked out of the room and the hotel onto the main road. The past always comes back and it always comes back when you least expect it to.

----

Khushi sat looking up at the open sky, full of stars and looked to the two brightest ones - her mum and dad. She closed her eyes only to replay the images of that day over and over again across her mind. Her Arnav in another womans arms, her large dove-like eyes, the hurt clear on his face, his deep dark brown eyes that had now lost the softness they had once contained and finally how he had walked away. No that wasn't her Arnav, her Arnav understood her unsaid words, her every emotion, this was someone elses Arnav it was someone she did not know.

Lafzon se jo tha pare
Khaalipan ko jo bhare
Kuch tho tha tere mere darmiyaan
Rishte ko kya mod doon
Naata yeh ab thod doon
Ya phir yun hi chod doon, darmiyaan
Benaam rishta woh...
Bechain karta jo
Ho naa... sake jo bayaan, darmiyaan
----

Anav lay back on his recliner lost in his thoughts. Di had all but strangled him to death with her death grip of a hug, everyone was happy, overjoyed even, at seeing him, knowing that this time he was going to stay but his mind was lost in the depths of a pit he had closed long ago. She had walked into his life so unexpectedly. These days there was very little that bothered him, after his sister nothing held importance in his life, but the events of that morning had shook him to the core. His mind was crumbling inside, he desired to be with her, to absorb and stand by her every problem, every little thing that dared to so much as scathe her but he wouldn't, he couldn't. He had killed that Arnav long back, she didn't deserve to put him through it again. No matter how much his mind craved to be with her he wouldn't commit the same mistake twice.

Aankhon mein tere saaye
Chahoon tho ho na paaye
Yaadon se teri faasla
Jaake bhi tu na jaaye
Tehri tu dil mein haaye
Hasrat si banke kyun bhala
Kyun yaad karta hoon 
Mit.ta hoon banta hoon
Mujhko tho laayi yeh kahaan
Benaam rishta woh... bechain karta jo
Ho na sake jo bayaan darmiyaan...

----

"ASR!" Why was Lavanya so enthusiastic all of the time? How could anyone be so enthusiastic all of the time? Arnav thought to himself annoyed. "ASR! What are we going to do with the applicant you walk out on yesterday?" In the world of ASR Lavanya had learned not to ask too many questions. The man did what he pleased when he pleased and questioning him was pretty much futile. But then again maybe that was what drew her to him. "Bin it!" His words came out hard, his eyes darkening, he didn't need Khushi around, he wasn't that man anymore.


----

"Khushi bitiya, what happened to yesterdays interview?" Khushis buaji inquired breaking Khushi out of yesterdays flashback, she quickly wiped away the tears that she had unknowingly been shedding. "No buaji I don't think it'll work out, it's not my kind of place," she replied quieter than usual, the sorrow still held in her voice. "Aw that's okay then," her Buaji replied sensing her nieces unhappiness. Khushi looked up surprised at her buajis response, "it's okay?" "Yes because my friends daughter is a wedding planner and her assistant has just fell sick, you've helped organise a couple in our community and she asked if you would be willing to take up the job till the assistant comes back". "But buaji how can I do the work of a professional wedding-planner?" "No bitiya you are going to be working as the assistant and she'll pay you very well besides we are very short on money right now." Her buaji was right, she had had so many hopes on the job at AR but that was not going to happen, she knew it couldn't. The way he had looked away and walked straight out of the room still hurt like an open wound, she had hurt him and his walls were now back up and this time round the walls were thicker more layered and difficult to breakdown. "Okay buaji I'll take it," she replied arranging a smile on her face, she had to stay strong for the rest of them.

----

"I want everything to be perfect!" Anjali cried out with glee, smiling to herself. She was walking around the house trying to imagine the lounge in all sorts of different colours and then randomly shouting them out to the wedding planners assistant who was quietly noting each and every single one of them down.

"Blue and green! No there has to be red! It's chotes favourite colour! What goes with red? Oh it has to be perfect! So much to do and so little time!" "Ma'am we have two months to go," came the calm reply from Tina, the wedding planner. "I know but I can't leave it too late, we are just on colours, there's so much more to go!" But even with so much lying ahead to be done Anjali felt no irritation she was too ecstatic. Her chote had finally agreed to marriage, the engagement would be two months from now and then the wedding! She was over the moon, she was happy for him, happy that he was moving on, that slowly but surely everyone was able to move on.

"When do I see the groom? I've seen the bride but if I saw him too it would be even easier for me to help you decide," Tina mentioned for the fifth time since entering. As lovely as Anjali was she didn't seem to understand the importance of her actually meeting the couple and the man getting married didn't seem to have the least bit of interest in any of the arrangements.

"He will be here today. Don't worry," Anjali assured Tina with a smile and then stopped suddenly, "in fact I think that's him now," her smiled widened, hearing the door close behind her and she moved aside to reveal the shocked expression of an extremely handsome man, his eyes hard and pained as Tinas assistant abruptly stood up, dropping her notepad and pen in her haste, his expression mirrored in her face.

Aan... chalte the jinpe hum-tum
Raaste woh saare hain gum
Ab kaise dhoonde manzilein
Raatein hain jaise maatam
Ab tho hain din bhi gumsum
Roothi hain saari mehfilien
Itna sataon na yun yaad aaona
Banjaye aansoon bhi zubaan


Benaam rishta woh...
Bechain karta jo
Ho na sake jo bayaan darmiyaan
Kuch tho tha tere mere darmiyaan...


Lyrics credit: Darmiyaan out of Jodi Breakers.

Chapter 10 - A Sea of Emptiness, A Change of Mind

Arnav sat on the floor of his flat, leaning against the wall, eyes closed. A million calls and as many texts later there was nothing from the other side. Her phone was now switched off, not a single reply to his texts. It had been two weeks since Khushi had left. He kept on hoping that if he tried one more time, just one more time, that would be when she'd finally pick up...

----

Khushi sat on a chair in the hospital, in front of the room her father was kept in. He was still under observation. Her clothes were drenched in her tears, her face swollen from the crying. She had had very little sleep, too many things were playing on her mind. She wanted to forget him, erase all thoughts of Arnav from her mind and focus on the present that she had to fix...

----

He walked over and leaned against the window, placing his forehead against the cool glass, letting the coolness seep through his skin, attempting to sort out his now muddled thoughts. He lifted his head to rays of sunshine piercing through the glass as the warm beams created patterns on his face. It was a cold winters day and the winter sun was out but it reminded him of her, of her love for the sun, her need to find happiness in everything...

Choti choti baatein
Yun hi aate jaate
Yaadein sehlaake
Jaati hain

Raaton ko sihraane
Baasi muskaane
Mujhko sulaake 
Jaati hain


Milna nahin hain mumkin
Itna batao lekin
Hum phir mile kyun hain
Tujhko bhulana paaon
Tujhko bhulaana paaon
Yeh silsilein kyun hain

Sab kuch wahi hain
Par kuch kami hain
Teri aahatein nahin hain


She needed to forget him, to move on, there was no point in dwelling in the past. He would soon forget her and everything would remain a memory.

Maine nahin jaana
Tune nahin jaana
Jaane anjaane jo hua
Kuch to hua jo
Mujhko hua na
Tujhko magar kyun hua
Galti nahin hai teri
Galti nahin hai meri
Phir bhi ghilein khyun hain
Tujhko bhulaana paaon
Tujhko bhulaana paaon
Yeh silsilein kyun hai


They both closed each others eyes, tears flowing out, a mixture of emotions, of loss, of sorrow, of anger, of fear, letting it all flow out, remembering each others memories one last time...

Sab kuch wahi hain
Par kuch kami hain
Teri aahatein nahin hain
Nahin hai...

He suddenly stood up, his muscles tensed, his mind made up. It was time for him to forget her and move on. She had left him go and it was now time for him to leave her as a painful memory. He had allowed her to weaken him and never again would he let that happen.

And in that moment he left the old Arnav behind and became ASR and vowed to never let emotions break him again...


P.S. In the next few chapters when you feel bad for Khushi remember she had other choices but her guilt forced her to take this one. It won't in anyway justify a lot of Arnavs actions but remember that she had a huge, in fact the biggest hand in turning him into ASR.
And remember that a mans emotions are never expressed as much as a woman's ;) x

P.S.S I'm giving two updates in the one. This chapter is way too small and only stands to portray the turning point in their lives. xx

Lyrics Credit: Aahatein from Ek Main Aur Ek Tu.
- do listen to it, I found it perfect for the chapter! 

Picture credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wilmarkabaquin/5724231402/lightbox/

Chapter 11 - Raindrops Ablaze On My Skin

4 years later...


Khushi stepped out of her house, they had recently moved to Delhi. She had been presented with a few job offers and Delhi would be easier for medical care too. All her fathers savings were now finished, her small jobs were not enough, she needed something bigger, she deserved something better.

There was a slow drizzle, she felt the first few drops of it on her face and smiled, rain still carried the memory of someone dear, still carried with it the smell of an old but pleasant memory. She twirled around once, bathing in its soft touch, then continued along the path. She was different now and yet the same, a spring to her step, the optimism back. Life had taught her a lot and she had learnt well.

----

He stepped out of the airport, rain pelting down, the fat drops of water disgusted him. One sideways glance and an umbrella was over his head, a slight glare and the car came to an abrupt halt in front of him.

He rested his head against the expensive leather seat, inhaling the scent of luxury. He closed his eyes and untensed his muscles. His phone rang breaking him out of his reverie, irritation flashed across his face. He put the phone to his ear.

"Mr Raizada I hope you are pleased with all the arrangements so far,"

"Yes Aman everything is fine. Meet me in the office."

"But sir, aren't you going home first?"

"No Aman that won't be necessary, they can see me when all my work is done," Arnavs Singh Raizadas voice was to the point, commanding, cold.

Arnav had had no choice but to move to India permanently to settle there. He wanted to be there for his sister and take responsibility for the family he couldn't abandon anymore, for his sister who he craved to see. It was a good move however, it would allow him to further expand his hotel chain. It was all about profitable decisions and climbing up the ladder of success and the sooner, the better!

----

Khushi stepped into AR, the slight touch of her feet sending an echo through the vast, lavish lobby. Her eyes traveled around in amazement, taking in every little detail. It had been designed to impeccable taste. A golden sheer emanating from every corner. Irregular spirals of gold spanning up to its top where a crystal cut glass rested, spreading in spears of light. She took slow steps across the marble floor, frightened it would break with even the tiniest amount of pressure. It was a new built hotel by an overseas hotelier and she had an interview!

-----

Arnav crossed over to the large window and looked down from the top floor of his new hotel in Delhi. The gloomy skies had now gave way to rays of sunshine. Suddenly he felt his heart beat increase, even after all of these years he thought he could feel her presence. "No Arnav, don't be stupid!" He warned himself and brushed off the thought. Somethings just had to be left buried in the past.

Khushi stopped in front of Mr ASRs office, her heart beat racing, her hands trembling. She closed her eyes in prayer, "Hai Devi Mayya, this time please." She took in a deep breath and knocked on the door.


Mwaha! I'm going to leave it at that ;).