(13k+words)

Not proofread.

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"ASR, I think you have had enough." Aman placed a hand on his arm when he picked up the fresh bottle of champagne. Bloodshot eyes shot to him fiercely before his hand was rudely shrugged off.

"Your family is worried." Aman tried again.

"Does that include her, too?" He croaked as a hiccup left him.

Aman sighed.

"ASR, you know she is already-"

"Yeah. Yeah. I do." He scoffed.

"Then why? Why?"

"She gave me the will to live again. She gave me hope. And then she snatched it all away in one swipe crushing me into tiny pieces." He gritted out. Pain of betrayal visible in his eyes.

"It's not her-"

"Hmm. Of course. Like everyone you'd say it's not her fault. It's mine. I drove her to that point. But didn't I realize my mistakes? Didn't I beg for her forgiveness? Didn't I confess my love? Didn't I propose her? Didn't I grovel for her to marry me? I did it all. She threw it all back on my face." He burst out.

Instead of filling the glass this time he drank the huge gulps of wine from the bottle itself. A throbbing ache made his head spun. His vision blurred with unshed tears as emotions overruled him.

"It's no use crying over spilt milk." His Friday man reasoned.

"You are right." He bobbed his head whilst a tear rolled down his cheek which he swiped off with the back of his hand vengefully.

"Can't you forget what happened and start anew?" Aman advised silently.

At that Arnav laughed mirthlessly thumping the bottle on the table in front.

"Even if I did, will she?" He said brokenly leaning back on the couch looking up at the ceiling.

"It's been months already. For how long will you be like this?"

"Maybe, forever." He whispered more to himself than him before closing his eyes and there, his heart clawed seeing a pair of hazel orbs staring at him with misty eyes. With all the accusation, anger, hate and hurt, anguish twisting knives in his gut making his insides scream with unbridled agony.

Maybe he was destined to burn in this consuming love forever!

*

They was there. Everyone of her new family except him surrounded her while she could barely feel her hands and feet let alone her whole body sitting on the flowery decorated king-sized bed.

The room scented of fresh roses of almost all kinds. Despite of that she felt nothing except for despair and anguish. She didn't dare raise her head to show her weakness to any of them. But,

Her hands started shaking suddenly seeing which the commotion around her silenced for a bit before an unsuccessful attempt was made to cheer her up which only added to her torment and a lone tear escaped her eye turning all of them mute.

This time pin drop silence followed before everyone started exiting the room until only her sister-in-law remained seated with her on the bed where she was seated in the middle all decked up as a bride with her hand wounded around her knees which she has had bent up to her chest.

"Don't think too much. Please?" She whispered to her Bhabhi who didn't even raise her head let alone acknowledge her words. She seemed in her own world. Preoccupied and terribly lost.

"You know I was also hell scared on my first ni-" She started cheerfully when a raspy voice cut her in the middle.

"Where is the bathroom?" She spoke silently.

"Oh sure. I am so sorry. There. Go and freshen up." With a light nervous smile she gestured to her left.

She nodded and holding her heavy lehenga got down the bed, wore her sandals before disappearing into the bathroom.

Sighing her sister-in-law left silently after gazing at the closed door for a few moments.

In the bathroom after shutting the door she touched her forehead to the wooden pane and took deep breaths to calm herself.

'You were supposed to endure Khushi. Don't forget for your whom you did it. You will not breakdown. You will not. YOU WILL NOT.' She shouted in her mind at the end but it didn't help a bit. Turning around she spotted the lavish wash basin before taking long strides to it she opened the tap urgently with shaky hands.

Splashing cold water on her face she breathed harshly to calm the raging storm inside of her whilst she looked at the wall length mirror and saw her red-rimmed eyes staring back at her on the verge of giving into the lava burning inside of her.

"You won't, Khushi. Don't you dare!" She gritted to herself with red hue increasing in her eyes. Water dripped from her face but the makeover was stubborn as it was water proof so neither did the Kajal spread nor did the base melted.

She was looking 'breathtaking' today as per her mother. Fresh tears formed in her eyes at her thought who said goodbye to her after hugging her close to herself for good one minute. Her Babu ji, Jiji and Buaji weren't behind either. She has cried buckets during her Bidaai as if it was not her wedding but funeral.

Leaning against the wall she touched her temples closing her eyes as her head burst with splitting pain. Not only because of everything that happened but also,

She needed to eat she knew as her stomach was aching badly now for starving it for consecutive two days. More so she needed to drink water first of all of which she barely had had for one and a half day. But she wanted to do neither anyways stubbornly.

Her mind still wasn't ready to accept the new relation while her heart was already bleeding in her chest for a while now.

A loud whimper finally escaped her which reached the man entering the room. Frown marred his brows as he walked into the room whilst he swallowed hard.

His eyes scanned every corner, terrace, walk-in wardrobe, changing room before finally landing on the closed washroom door which creaked open from where she came out right that moment devoid of the veil she has had wrapped around her head and front elegantly throughout the ceremony. His Adam's apple bobbed.

Hazel eyes raised up and clashed with his. The time stopped right there for just a few seconds before rage burned her insides. Contempt showed on her face while on the other side there was nothing but calmness. No anger, no anguish, no hate, no hurt, no pain.. just.. plain peace. Tranquility.

"What are you doing here?" She snapped out loud.

"Where else would I be?" Pat came the reply.

His answer broke the chain of restraint she has put around herself.

Then there was no stopping her.

She took anything or everything she could get her hands on and threw it at him vengefully throwing curses at him at the top of her lungs.

The noise of things echoed in the room hitting either walls, floor or the man who either caught or dodged them standing many steps away from her until only a heavy vase remained unbroken and she grabbed it upside down in her hand as well before raising it up to throw it at him when her hand stopped in the middle as if having a mind of its own.

At that his lips quirked up into a knowing smile seeing which she growled and threw it at him anyway which hit his shoulder before falling on the ground breaking into pieces.

"Remove that smirk off your face!" She spat with her chest heaving up and down. He quickly sobered up but didn't remove his gaze off her.

Without the veil, with red face full of adorned makeup, crimson red lipstick, half sleeves of maroon colored lehenga, embroidered blouse of the same shade covering only her breasts showing her milky white stomach presented a seductive picture to the man in front who despite having all the rights on this woman was just content with only having her in front of him, with his name attached to hers. Even if she continued to abhor him for life.

"Don't you dare think you have won, you moron!" She said pointing a finger at him only to hear an involuntary chuckle leaving him. "I won't let you be happy for long!" She warned him.

"Ab toh maan jao k sab kuch khatam ho gaya hai Khushi. Itna sab kuch hone k baad toh tumhe samajh mai aa jana chahiye tha k hum dono hi aik dosre k liye baney hain!

(Agree to it already Khushi that the vicious cycle is over. After everything that happened you should have understood it by now that we both are meant for each other only)"

"Aap ki kisi bhi philosophy ka humpe koi asar nahi hone wala. Aj k din beshak jeet apki hui par-

(I don't give a damn to what philosophy you have made up in your mind. Today you have won but-)"

"Jeet hamare pyaar ki hui hai! (Our love has won!)" He cut her sternly.

"Hum apko pehle bhi keh chuke hain. HUM APSE PYAAR NAHI KARTE. (I have told you before. I DON'T LOVE YOU)" She shrieked out.

"Na karo. Hum ab aise hi saari zindagi guzare gay jahan mai hamesha tumse pyaar karta rahun ga aur tum mujhse nafrat karti rehna. Yakeen maano mujhe apne pyaar k badle mai tumse kuch chahiye hai bhi nahi!

(Don't. We would spend our remaining life this way only where I will love you while you'll hate me. Trust me I don't want anything from you in return of my emotions either)"

"Ab aur chahiye ho bhi kya sakta hai jab tumne- (Yeah what else would you want after YOU-)" She dropped the honorifics suddenly to which he raised his eyebrow amused.

"Chup kyun ho gayi? Bolo na. Acha laga tumne mujhe 'tum' bulaya. Aisa laga mujhe thoda sa hi sahi par apna toh maana!

(Why did you stop? I liked it when you called me 'tum'. It felt as if not completely but still, just a little you accepted me as yours)"

"Zyada khush hone ki zaroorat nahi hai. Hum apko-(There is no need to fly in the air. I will-)" She added the honorifics again. "--itna majboor kar dein gay k aap khud humein iss ghar se bahir nikal k phenk dein gay, Mister- (--bring you to the point where you will be forced to throw me out of your life yourself, Mister-)"

"Yes, Misses?" He caught her words in the middle making her furious.

"Hum iss rishte ko nahi maante. Na kabhi maanein gay!

(I don't accept this relation. I would never!)"

He turned serious then.

"Khushi, maire liye itna hi kaafi hai k ab tum mairi biwi ho. Tum ab jitne bhi inkar karo, cheekho, chillao, mujhe bura bhala kaho, iss sab se ye haqiqat nahi badal jaye gi. Mairi zindagi mai sakoon ussi ghari aa gaya tha jab maine tumhare sath saath phere liye the. Ab koi bhi cheez mujhe dukh aur takleef nahi de sakti mai yakeen k sath ye keh sakta-

(Khushi, it's more than enough for me that now you are my wife. Even if you struggle, deny, shout at me or even curse me, nothing would change this fact. Peace descended on me the moment I took the nuptial rounds with you. Now nothing else could break my peace I could guarantee th-)"

She proved him wrong. The very next moment. He said nothing could shatter his peace but she did. By bursting into helpless sobs falling on her knees right in front of him.

There, she disrupted his peaceful, content, happy demeanor.

"Paas mat aiye ga!

(Don't come closer)" She yelled from her place when she saw him taking a step forward.

His face contorted in pain and bending his knees he sat on the floor right there. Obeying her wish.

"Khushi, maine tumse zabardasti- (Khushi, with you I forcibly-)"

"Humein apse koi baat nahi karni. Jaiye yahan se. Hum akela rehna chahte hain,

(I don't want to talk to you. Leave from here. I want to be alone)"

"Mai kahin nahi ja raha. Yahin hoon. Yahin rahon ga. Humein ab saari zindagi saath guzarni hai aur ye baat jitna jaldi tum samajh jao tumhare khud k liye acha hoga. Kyun k ab tum kuch bhi karo main tumhe kabhi bhi khud se door nahi jaane doon ga, chahe mujhe roz khud hi kyun na marna pade,

(I am not going anywhere. I am right here. Will stay so. We have to live together forever now and this reality, the sooner you will accept the better it will be for you, yourself. Because no matter what you do from here on I won't let you go even if I had to kill myself everyday)"

"Nafrat karte hain hum apse. Kabhi bhi maaf nahi karein gay jo kuch aapne kiya uss sab k liye. Samjhe aap?

(I hate you. I won't forgive you for everything you had done ever. Did you get it?)" She said with vengeance.

"Samajh gaya. Yaad bhi rakhon ga. Aur kuch?

(I did. I will keep it in mind, too. Anything else?)"

"Aur ye k humpe aapka koi haq na kabhi tha na hoga,

(And neither did you had any rights on me before nor you do now)"

"Theek hai. Aur kuch?(Fine. Anything else?)" He swallowed hard while saying that.

"Aur ye k humein ghin aa rahi hai k naam ki sahi hum apki biwi hain,

(And this, I feel disgusted of myself to be bearing the title of your wife even if it's just for the namesake)"

"Toh kya uski biwi ban k tum khush rehti? (Would being his wife had pleased you?)" He growled as green eyed monster rose to the fore.

Despite saying that he didn't want anything from her he was questioning her anyway.

"Kam se kam itne dard mai na hoti jitni k ab hoon,

(I wouldn't have been suffering at least the way I am now)"

"Usne haath lagaya tumhe?

(Did he touch you?)" He gritted out suddenly with wild look.

She scoffed wiping her cheeks sniffling.

"Agar lagaya bhi toh?

(What if he did?)" She challenged.

He chuckled darkly in response. A chill ran down her spine.

"Kuch khas nahi, Khushi. Bas hospital jaon ga aur jin haathon se usne tumhe chooa unhe kaat doon ga. Bas!

(Nothing much, Khushi. I will just go to the hospital and will cut off his hands which he laid on you. That's all!)" He shrugged while she paled.

"Aap aisa kuch nahi karein gay,

(You'd do no such thing!)" She stood up shivering from head to toe. He followed suit looking at her expressionlessly.

"Kya matlab hua iss baat ka? K usne tumhe choo'a huh? Bolo?(What does that mean? That he touched you huh? Answer me!)" He was before her in a moment grabbing her elbow yanking her closer until tip of their noses were touching.

She spitted fire at him but kept her silence igniting his madness.

"Khushi, maire sabar ko aur mat azmao. BTAO MUJHE. USNE HAATH LAGAYA TUMHE K NAHI? (Khushi, don't test my patience more than you already had. SPEAK UP. DID HE TOUCH YOU OR NOT?)"

"Nahi toh kya kar lein gay aap?(Or what would you do?)" She was not the one to back off without a fight.

"Mujhe uksao mat, Mrs. RAIZADA! (Don't provoke me, Mrs. Raizada!)"

She clenched her jaws at the name he used attached to her which she despised with all of her.

"Humein apse bilkul bhi dar nahi lagta. Jo karna hai kar guzariye!

(I am not afraid of you. Do whatever the hell you want to!)"

"Khud k liye na sahi. Uss samrat ki bhi koi fikar nahi tumhe?

(Fine you are not worried about yourself. Don't you give a damn to that Samrat, too?)"

He noted her reaction and it boiled his insides seeing the concern visible in her eyes for that man who would have snatched his only hope to live if 'fate' hasn't intervened at the right time.

"Pasand karti ho usse? Pyaar karti ho? (Do you have feelings for him? Do you love him?)" He growled in a low maniac voice this time cupping her chin hard whilst the fingers of his other hand buried in her hairs titling her face up to him.

Her lips trembled but she stood her ground. Not uttering even a word. That did the trick. Not only it destroyed his peace but also burned the lava of jealousy in him.

"Mai usse khatam kar doon ga, (I will kill him!)" He chewed each word sucking all the blood off her face before he pushed her away and turned furiously towards the door.

The next moment all of his rage cooled down in a millisecond and calmness seeped back into him when a hand grabbed his elbow and a head rested on his shoulder from behind ever so lightly.

A minute passed like that before she opened her mouth gulping a lump down her throat.

"Hum bas unse do baar mile the. Aik baar Buaji k ghar jab wo humein dekhne aye apni family k saath. Dosri baar jab un ki amma ne humein angoothi pehnayi. Dono bar hum dono k saath hamari puri family thi,

(I met him only twice. The first time when he came with his family for my alliance. And the second one when his mother made me wear the engagement ring. Both the times our families were with us)" She whispered whilst her grip on his elbow tightened involuntarily.

"Aap humse pyaar karte hain toh apko uss pyaar ki qasam unhe aur takleef na dein. Warna hum khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar payen gay,

(If you love me then I swear you on it, don't harm him more than you already had. Otherwise I won't be able to forgive myself ever)"

He who was listening to her with his misty eyes felt alarm bells ringing in his head at what she said at the end.

He slowly turned to her and asked looking into her eyes,

"Kya matlab mai usse aur takleef na doon? Maine kya- (What do you mean that I should not hurt him more? What did I-)" His eyes widened then.

"Tum samajhti ho Samrat ko wo goli maine maari?(Do you think that I shot that bullet at Samrat?)" He hollered at the end grabbing her shoulders pulling her up against him.

Trust her to ruin his calmness in a single snap.

"Toh aur kon kar sakta hai ye? Apko kya lagta hai k humne chup chaap ap k saath phere kyun liye? Kyun k hum apni wajah se kisi aur ki zindagi khatam hote nahi dekh sakte the. Aap ka kya hai. Aap toh Arnav Singh Raizada hain jo apni mann pasand cheez paane k liye kisi bhi hadd tak ja sakte hain.

(Who else could do this? Why do you think I married you without any protest? Because I couldn't see anyone dying because of me. It may not be a big deal for you as you are Arnav Singh Raizada who could go to any length to get what he wants either by hook or by crook)" She said harshly without any fear.

"Tum- (You-)" He started off fiercely before breathing on her face rashly. A moment passed in which only their heavy breathing could be heard then he hissed out cupping her cheeks hard threading his fingers in her hairs on either sides forced her to look at him,

"Theek samjhi tum. Maine kiya wo sab. Maine usse apne admiyon se keh kar pehle aghwa karwaya taakay wo mandap tak na ponch sake, phir usse goli marwayi jab usne waqt se pehle bhagne ki koshish ki,

(You have got it right. I did it all. I asked my men to kidnap him so that he couldn't reach the altar and then got him shot when he tried to escape before time)"

He was gritting out every word bleary eyed while angry and helpless tears formed in her eyes until they fell down on her pink cheeks. Heat emanated from their bodies. Of strong, unbridled emotions.

"Ab usse jaan se maar doon ga agar tumne uss k baare mai socha ya uski thodi si bhi fikar ki. Samjhi tum? (Now I will kill him if he crossed your mind even a little bit or I saw you worrying for him. Understood?)"

He glared at her with his wide eyes while she was looking fearfully up in his maniac expressions before he leaned to her ear rubbing his cheek with hers. Her breaths got stuck in some region of her throat.

"Mujhse ladna hai lado, marna hai maro, galiyan deni hain wo bhi de do, hamare rishte ko nahi manana mat maano, mai sab kuch bardasht kar loon ga Khushi par aik cheez mai kabhi sehen nahi kar paon ga aur wo ye k tum kisi aur ko socho. Mai nahi na sahi. Par koi aur bhi nahi hona chahiye tumhare dil mai warna mai khud ko, uss insan ko aur tumhe, sab ko barbaad kar doon ga,

(If you want to fight me, beat me up, curse me, don't want to accept our relation, do so with all of you, I'd endure it all Khushi but there is only one thing I won't be able to tolerate at all. That's you thinking about someone else. It's alright I am not in your heart but there should be no one else in there either or else I will ruin myself, that person and you, too)"

He felt it then. The strength leaving her body as she swayed in his arms. He leaned back to look in her eyes only to see them drooping until she couldn't keep them open and her head fell on his chest right under his chin while he clenched his jaws with red hue increasing in his chocolate brown eyes.

"Insaan ko apne uper utna hi boojh lena chahiye jitna wo bardasht kar sakta hai. Par tum toh, (A person should take it upon himself only that much burden which he could withstand. But you,)" He left his sentence incomplete cupping the back of her head, kissing her temple before bending to pick her up effortlessly.

After adjusting the blanket over her on the bed he turned to the intercom and dialed a number.

"Di, send the doctor up. It's time some nutrition gets into her system."

A minute later he opened the door to a middle aged woman who raised her eyebrow seeing the room's condition but didn't comment on it.

Arnav directed her to the bed and no sooner than that she started her work smoothly.

"Encourage her for oral diet Mr. Raizada. It can't go on forever. You know that don't you?" She didn't ask him why was his newly wedded decked up bride in this condition on their very first night. If she has had it would have been more logical.

"Why else do you think did I bring her here despite her strong objection? For her only. To stop her from destroying herself." He stared at her sleeping form muttering to himself once the doctor left.

*

It was three months after he said goodbye to Khushi in that store, that he got to know at the very night her wedding was to be held. At the same exact minute she was supposed to become someone else's.

He wouldn't have known it even then if that hadn't happened what actually did. Destiny played it's part well and left Guptas especially Khushi in a fix, impossible situation.

His informer was unexpected just as the news was like a bomb exploding on his head, heart, his whole being.

Only he knew how he reached the venue breaking every damn traffic rule dressed in his casuals and seeing the scene in front of him gave him chills.

A commotion was running in the air. Or should he say a taunting gossip, whispers competition was going on among the guests. In midst it all Guptas were standing close to the mandap while her, she was sitting in the altar with her gaze fixed on the fire burning in front with her knees bent up to her chest.

"Enough." He roared silencing everyone.

Shashi, Garima, Madhumati and Payal looked at him surprised while Khushi raised her eyes blankly at him before averting them. That one look in her eyes battered him badly.

"If you are done blaming her for the condition of your son then you can leave."

He turned to the woman whom he guessed must be the so-called mother of the groom.

"Now who are you?" she taunted instead looking at him suspiciously.

"I'd have told you if you had had even an ounce of brain in you to understand that." He retorted. Her face turned red with humiliation.

"Shouldn't you be with your son in the hospital instead of playing this blame game Mrs.whatever. " He gritted out. It embarrassed her to no extent.

Furiously she glared at him before gesturing to her family she left arrogantly with all the guests from groom side while Guptas looked aghast seeing the procession leaving their door.

The remaining guests looked between Arnav and the bride's family whilst whispering among each other.

"Mr. Gupta, can I talk to you?" He asked politely and right that moment they heard cars stopping outside the gate. No sooner than that whole of the Raizada clan was present there. Anjali and Devyani went to stand by the Guptas while Manohar caught up with Arnav and Shashi.

Payal was already sitting besides her sister. Manorama and Akash stood silently by their sides as well.

As Arnav and Shashi Gupta went outside in the garden, Devyani and Sameer followed them too anxiously. Few minutes later Payal's phone rung hearing which she looked at her silently sitting sister before murmuring into the phone,

"Ji Babuji, (Okay, Babu ji)"

"Chal Khushi ander chal. (Let's go inside, Khushi)" She helped her up and took her to the bridal room.

After making her sit on the couch she left closing the door behind. Khushi was too lost to ask her anything. She just couldn't decipher what exactly happened to her, her family. And why?

Just then the door to her right creaked open and someone stepped inside. She heard a familiar voice speaking softly to her but it buzzed in her ears like a drum.

"Mujhse door jaane ka itna shoq tha k kisi bhi aere ghere se shaadi k liye haan kar di tumne? Nateja kya nikla huh? Apni halat dekho , apne ghar walon ki jhuki nazre dekho, aur kuch nahi toh mujhe hi dekh lo jis k sar se aasman aur paidon tale se kuch minute pehle zameen tak khench li thi tumne.

(You were so eager to get away from me that you agreed to marry the first person you met? Where did that get you huh? Look at your own condition, at your family's downcast eyes, and if not anything else then just look at me, at the man whose world you turned into ashes just few minutes ago by sweeping away the ground beneath his feet in a snap)"

"What do you want?" She asked coldly not at all fazed by his heart wrenching words laced with too much emotions.

"What I confessed to you already!" He gritted out. "Marry me dammit!"

"For what? To punish me for not abiding by my words that I'd wait for you for five years? For betrayal you must be feeling when you heard the news of my marriage?" She scoffed.

"Khushi I am in no position to punish you when I am so crazily in love with you!" He said helplessly yet his eyes conveyed his feelings that yes, he was totally, absolutely feeling cheated yet he couldn't do anything about it. He could never question her decision for it was him who brought her, them to this point.

"You want to marry the girl who was abandoned on her wedding day? The one whose fiance got shot right that moment he was supposed to arrive at the altar? What a big heart you have huh!" She clenched her jaws as she said that. Red hue in her eyes made his stomach knot.

He rushed to sit besides her on the couch while she scooted to the corner in order to create some distance between them.

"I don't have a big heart. You know that better than anyone else. I am being the most selfish here because I don't want you to go through any suffering anymore. It's for my own peace." He reasoned.

"If I married you I'd suffer more than anything else. Despite that how could you ask something like that from me?" She burst out.

A shriek left her as she found herself being pulled to his lap the next moment with his hand sprawled on her bare stomach, his arm wrapped around her waist firmly.

"You know that you'd have to marry me tonight despite everything, if not for me than for your family don't you? Then why are you fighting this?" His fingers drew invisible patterns on her smooth skin around her navel causing her to suck in sharp breaths as something struck her suddenly and she announced.

"I am ready," She stood up and faced him while he stared at her dumbstruck. He who was expecting a long dragging argument between them including her shouting, punching, cursing or beating him black and blue before agreeing, didn't expect her to relent so easily and so quickly without much of a fight.

"What did you just say?" He yanked her closer locking his arms on her waist. Her nose touched his chin while he didn't take his eyes off her in case he miss something.

"I said I am ready to marry you. Are you deaf?" She shoved against him but he held on searching her eyes for answers.

"Why?" He whispered. She stilled. Her eyes misted up. She averted them.

"Does it matter? You will get what you want. The other things shouldn't matter to you now." She retorted.

"You matter the most to me dammit. Tell me what's going on in your head? What are you thinking? I want to know everything." He countered.

She chuckled dryly.

"Right now all I want is to save my family from being the laughing stock. That's all." She replied calmly.

He sighed touching his head to hers.

"Why? What happened? Regretting your decision already?" She taunted leaning back. He smiled sadly cupping the back of her head before bending to press a kiss to her hairs.

"I am going to marry you any moment from now. You'd be my wife. How can I ever regret that?"

His eyes were so full of emotions as he said that she couldn't help but stare at them for several moments before she realized what she was doing and fresh tears sprung in her eyes as her juggled, conflicted mind and heart went through a tough violent battle within her for that split second before everything burst inside of her making her whole being churn with unbearable pain that came out as a whimper from her mouth.

Everything happened so quickly that she could barely focus on her surrounding. She was feeling so lost and so torn that she didn't realize when they finished all the rituals and soon she was wearing the black beaded chain around her neck and red vermilion of his name on the crown of her head.

After that what happened, who congratulated her, who hugged her she had no freaking idea until she heard someone say,

"I think it's time for us to leave," It was Devyani Singh Raizada.

Panic made her eyes widen and hands shiver as she whipped her head up to her who was asking the permission from her father to take her away. She looked around and realized that the commotion has silenced long ago, the guests have left after the dinner, only Raizada and Gupta family were remaining in the hall now.

As Shashi Gupta nodded his head to Devyani greeting her politely giving her the consent with sadness as well as helplessness in his eyes she yelled out loud,

"NO!"

Everyone turned to look at her stunned only to rush forward seeing her on the verge of losing it. She was trembling badly. She showed her hand to them all in a warning stopping them three steps away from her.

"He did a very good deed marrying an abandoned, humiliated girl in front of everyone. He restored my family's reputation, shut people's mouth. And for that, I am very thankful to you Mr. Raizada. Now, the show is over. The guests have left. Only my family and yours are here so there is no need of this pretense anymore."

"What do you mean?" Arnav asked dreading her answer. Pin drop silence followed his question.

She squared her shoulders, composed herself and looked into his eyes.

"I don't think we need to go through the procedure of getting our wedding documents made. Nor do we have to carry on the charade."

"What the hell do you mean?" He hollered despite seeing the answer in her eyes.

"I mean to get divorce from you but I don't have to because our marriage isn't legalized yet. We just took some rounds around fire, and played a few rituals." No one could believe that Khushi was the one saying this for whom traditions and customs mattered the most.

"All I have to do is," She stopped whilst she raised her hand towards her head only for her hand to get caught firmly by him as everyone gasped dumbfounded.

"I get it." He gritted out spitting fire hovering over her holding her wrist up before touching their hands to his chest as she closed her fist to restrain herself.

"I get it you need time to accept this relation. Fine, I am going to give it to you but separation is out of the table, Mrs. Raizada." He announced it loud and clear.

His nostrils flared before he opened his mouth to tell the verdict which wounded like a noose around his neck.

"For you, I am going to complete my end of the deal even though you broke it already. I will wait for you. Will that be okay with you?"

"No!" She said stubbornly.

He clenched his jaws before jerking her forward. She crashed to his chest bleary eyed.

"You married me for your family dammit. To save their honor. What do you think people will say when tomorrow they will get to know that you got back home the very next morning? What do you think will they speculate? Will your family be able to live through the cruel hurting words? What about you? Didn't you had had enough of suffering that you want to invite trouble to yourself with your own hands?"

"I haven't seen anyone as cruel as you in this world." She hissed out. "If people will talk I will take my family and settle back to Lucknow." She has had it planned. Looks like she was thinking about it for all the time she was silent during the rituals.

"You think I can't follow you to Lucknow? You are truly a fool then." He snapped.

"You broke your promise. You weren't supposed to show up till the next five years. But you're here in just three months." She gritted out.

"What else would I have done? See you becoming someone else's from afar? No, dear. I can't do that. Never." He grabbed her shoulders shaking her hard.

"This marriage was just for the show and the moment I will walk out of this hall, that act will be over. That's all there is to it." She told it loud and clear before shoving him off and marching out leaving everyone stunned and Arnav devastated.

"Don't follow us." He barked to no one in particular following Khushi out of the hall.

He caught her right on time and dragging her to the parking lot was about to give her a push inside his car when she beat him into it and ran away.

"Khushi! Khushi! Khushi!" He chanted her name stopping her hugging her from behind locking their entwined arms on her stomach whilst she protested hard making it impossible for him to restrain her.

"Mrs. Raizada!" He yelled at the end and it sucked off all of her strength as she slumped against him. Her back to his front. He closed his eyes in pain resting his cheek against hers as her body shook with sobs.

"You are hurting me," She said hoarsely trying weakly to get out of his hold but he didn't budge.

"Khushi, I am not asking you to come stay with me or be my wife. I just don't want you or your family to suffer. So please don't ask for separation because I cannot give you that."

"I cannot give you what you want either. I can't stand being called by your name." She snapped shrugging off his arms and whirling around to face him fiercely with her red tear-stained cheeks.

"Then don't change your name. I don't want you to change either. I love you so damn much already. I just want you to be happy. That's all." He cried out.

"I will be happy as long as I don't see you." She told her verdict crushing his world all over again.

"I told you I'd wait for you. Take your time. But tomorrow we will be registering our marriage officially. For that you'll come with me. That's all I am asking. If not for yourself then for your family, do come." His tone changed at the end.

She scoffed.

"What a love you have for me huh Mr. Raizada that you are threatening me with my family in order to get your way." Her nostrils flared.

"Because I know no other way to make you listen!" He growled grabbing her upper arms looking at her enhanced beauty due to all the makeover. He barely restrained himself to kiss her luscious lips adorned with dark red lipstick. His favorite color. She was testing him to his limits without doing anything.

Mixed feeling of bitterness and angst seeped into him soon enough realizing that all of it wasn't for him. She was prepared to become someone else while she accidentally became his.

"Even if I signed the wedding documents I won't come to stay with you." She was firm. Rigid.

"Doesn't matter as long as you are away from harm's way." He swallowed the words that stuck like a bone in his throat taking away his ability to speak.

He could have easily thrown her over his shoulder to bring her to RM but he couldn't. He won't. He would have had if he was the old ASR who liked to bend her before him but this ASR, this Arnav, this Chote was devoid of any arrogance before this woman whom he loves too much to force her for anything.

"Now let me go." She pointed to his hands on her shoulders. He reluctantly let her go before stepping back. She made a run back to the hall without looking back while he stood there like a lost man. Despite getting what he wanted he felt like he just lost everything, her, all over again.

"When will you forgive me?" He muttered to himself whilst his hands shook as an answer came from his heart.

'Never!'

*

It has become a daily occurrence for either of Raizada members to visit Gupta family in Laxmi Nagar which wiped off the doubts from neighbors' minds who were asking questions about Khushi staying with her maternal family despite being married for the last two months.

Not only that, an official statement about ASR's married status has broken records of sharing on social media breaking several hearts when Arnav himself confessed to it in one of his business parties where reporters gathered around him that he married the love of his life in private.

Pictures were released blurring Khushi's face because Arnav knew Khushi won't like being publicized. Everyone were truly curious about his faceless wife whom he married with love.

Sameer has got a genuine reason to meet his sister every other day apart from SR. Their bond grew stronger over two months to the point that Khushi has stopped calling him Sir' and has started calling him Bhai' as per his wish much to his pleasure.

He has cried in Anjali's arm the day Khushi called him 'Bhai' for the first time. Anjali smiled through tears thanking her favorite deity for sending Khushi in their lives who completed the life of her brother and husband that there was nothing lacking in their lives now. If only Khushi would forgive Arnav, everything would become perfect then. She often thought selfishly before she discarded that thought knowing that she was asking for way too much.

In these two months Arnav didn't show his face to Khushi at all and kept his promise. For him, it was enough that she was bound to him in a most sacred way and he didn't want more honestly.

Though the urge to see her every other day grew up in him. He wanted to gaze at her even from afar but he stopped himself for he didn't want to give her any reason to be more angry on him. He already had had a long pile of sins to be forgiven. He didn't want to add more to it.

Despite being heart-sick and anguished he continued his daily life as if nothing was out of order. He was ASR for his employees and Arnav/Chote for his family.

Life was going on in a mundane routine where his family often took pity on him and informed him about Khushi's health and routine, too. He was satisfied with it as long as she stays healthy and fine.

Every night it became his habit to gaze at their wedding picture until he couldn't keep his eyes open. Same way, he used to write texts everyday which he deleted without sending her. He didn't want to pressurize her for anything. He was being patient way beyond his limits.

He couldn't do anything which would remind her that fateful day of their wedding when she went through another big trauma, worst nightmare any girl could face. As if what he made her go through wasn't enough other people were also hell bent on ruining her life as well. He often went crazy thinking of 'what if's'

What if she has gotten married into that superstitious family?

What if that fiasco had happened after that bastard's marriage with her?

What if he wasn't on time to save her reputation?

This heartless world would have wounded his already battered love!

He shuddered to even think of it. Her counselling session barely ended before wedding as per her doctor with whom he stayed in contact. Her mind was still in a fragile state. If that had happened it would have made her brain explode. It could have lead to nervous breakdown. He could have lost her forever. It chilled his insides.

He thanked heavens he didn't believe in often in these sixty one days for taking pity on him and giving him the chance to rectify his mistakes by making him reach the altar on time to save her from nerve wrecking mess. Apart from that, he had another person to thank whom he didn't expect to be on his side owing to their growing differences because of Khushi's matter.

"I don't want my sister to have the same fate her mother had. Save her from that torment of being abandoned Arnav. Save my sister. Or the way she is looking right now, she will kill herself. She won't be able to take it, Arnav. Please." Sameer has cried out on the phone sucking off all the blood from Arnav's body.

Shashi Gupta has informed Sameer about Khushi's marriage just a day before the event on a condition that he would come alone without letting anyone know. Sameer was dumbfounded and heartbroken but he didn't want to miss at least this important phase of his sister's life.

So he kept his mouth shut guiltily and went to the wedding but he couldn't bring himself to go before Khushi until that fiasco happened which only notched higher instead of dampening.

When he realized the gravity of the situation he called the first person who came to his mind, who could handle the situation and that was only Arnav. It was him only who convinced Shashi for Arnav and Khushi's marriage despite having inhibitions about it.

For a few moments Shashi himself doubted Arnav regarding Samrat's predicament but Sameer very conveniently convinced him of otherwise.

On Sameer's guarantee Shashi agreed reluctantly when Devyani and Manohar also intervened along with Arnav promising him that no one would force Khushi for anything.

Despite everything Arnav had to indirectly force Khushi to legalize their marriage for he had no other option when he knew what would be the bigger picture people would assume if she got divorced right after the night of her wedding. It wasn't for him but her.

She has agreed and they got officially wedded in court the next day itself before he dropped her to Laxmi Nagar. She left without looking back boiling his insides with angst and increasing the gaping void in him.

How he managed two months without her, only he knew. Just him. No one could guess the pain and heart wrenching longing he go through every day and night for her but the seal he put on his emotions remembering his evil deeds to her stopped him from taking any rash step. Yet,

The restrain he put on himself broke a month later on the day he got to know that Sameer's truth came out in open in front of Khushi and she has disappeared from the office since then.

Apparently she has heard Sameer talking on phone with Shashi thanking him for helping him bond with his sister and keeping it veiled.

"I couldn't thank you enough for trusting me and listening to my advise of getting Arnav married to my Choti. I swear I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if same thing had happened to her because of some undeserving man which happened to her mother in the past because of my father's selfishness."

While talking emotionally Sameer turned only to freeze on the spot seeing Khushi standing in the middle of the door dumbfounded, all wan.

A hoarse cry of 'Choti' left him and it jolted her before she ran out and as dumbstruck as he was, instead of following her he kept standing at the same place stock still for good five minutes.

By the time he got his bearing it was too late. She was gone. Neither did she go to Laxmi Nagar nor to any temples where she usually go.

Panicked Sameer has called Arnav for help who stormed out of his office leaving his board meeting in the middle hell terrified.

"Couldn't you find a better place to show your gratitude? You should have refrained yourself from talking about her mother, past, your father dammit at least in the office where she works right under your nose you fool." Arnav barked in the phone. Sameer was on the verge of breakdown on the other side.

"Arnav," Sameer's voice cracked. Arnav closed his eyes to reign in his anger and blinding concern for Khushi.

Just three months back she had gone through a major trauma on their wedding day, now this. Is there no end to her suffering? The more he try to keep her from pain the more she gets hurt.

"Dammit!" He punched the steering wheel while driving rashly to the place his GPS indicated on his cellphone. Unknown to her, he has inserted a chip in her phone on the day they went to legalize their wedding. He doesn't know why but he did as his sixth sense didn't allow him to leave her unprotected. Now he was glad he has had.

As the destination was approaching his eyes widened and heart thudded in his chest, hands trembled as he realized where was it headed him to.

His bones chilled as he saw her back from afar once he reached and his screams caught up in some region of his throat as he screeched the car to a halt and jumped out at once before making a run to her.

"DON'T COME. LEAVE!"

She whirled around hearing the noise and screamed at the top of her lungs seeing him running towards her until he was only few steps away from her.

"No, Khushi. Get away from there. Please. Please, sweetheart. I beg you." He gestured through his hands frantically. His eyes were widened and horrified.

"Raj Singh Rathode it was, wasn't it? I was such a fool. You mentioned it once but I brushed it off thinking it to be too big of a coincidence for him to be your relative who snatched everything from me." Her loud whimpers tore through him as she hollered at the top of her lungs standing at the edge of a cliff taking his breaths away with terror.

"Khushi, we will talk it out. Come here. Come to me. No. NO. Don't move back. D-Don't. P-Please." He choked at the end seeing her taking a step back despite his pleading.

She looked too wounded and shattered that nothing he said reached her. With her shoulders slumped, eyes puffy, body shaking with sobs, she didn't look normal to him at all. Worry for her wrapped around his neck like a noose suffocating him. His insides shivered uncontrollably. His heart clawed.

Was she back to square one? Again? How would he ever be able to pick her pieces and put them back together when she won't allow him to be near her at all? When she won't even accept their relation let alone Sameer's history with her? Just how? He cried inside.

"No. NO. I don't want to talk. To anyone. You betrayed me. That man who I called 'B-Bhai' betrayed me." She choked. He blinked back the tears. "Above all, my babu ji who knew the truth all along betrayed me, too." She screamed at the end.

"And I-" She pointed to herself. "I am married to the man who is related to the family who abandoned and killed my mother!" She glared at him fiercely. Goosebumps erupted on his skin. His throat turned dry. Moistening his dry lips he opened his mouth to speak when she beat him to it.

"Father killed my mother and the son got me married to his beloved brother-in-law to atone for his father's sins out of pity. He made me trust him as a brother and then cheated on me in the worst possible way!" She rubbed the back of her hand on her nose whilst tears rolled down her cheeks unchecked. She looked like she would collapse any moment.

"I never imposed any rights on you!" He reasoned looking at her and then behind her where the distance between her and the deep cliff was narrowing. "I would never. I told you."

"I don't believe you. You said you won't show me your face for five years yet you came just after three months and married me. You said you'd wait for me to forgive you yet you are right here breaking your words the second time!" She yelled taking another step back and her foot slipped causing him to scream out her name before making a run to her. He caught her elbow at the exact moment she was about to fall before yanking her closer harshly.

She crashed to his chest and wriggled sobbing out loud crushing his insides whilst he clutched onto her as the after shocks of what could have happened if he hadn't caught her on time, made him tremble for several moments before he could control himself. And when he managed to gather his bearing she went limp in his arms much to his disbelief and horror.

Then the nightmare for Arnav Singh Raizada and both Raizada, Gupta's family started as Khushi has had a nervous breakdown which kept her unconscious for a whole week in an intensive care unit.

In that span everyone got to know the truth regarding Khushi being Sameer's step sister and their whole past which made them all cry blood tears wondering how much shocks, heartbreaks, anguish and pain would that girl face until the fate would let her be in peace?

Arnav Singh Raizada has once put Khushi's life in danger by punishing her for no mistake of hers and now he has snatched her back from the death's hands literally and saved her life. It has made Guptas almost accept him as their son-in-law. Almost because the rest of the reluctance would only fade when Khushi herself would forgive him. They have stopped reprimanding him, stopped yelling at him, stopped asking him to leave as well much to his disbelief. Yet,

In that one week, where at one side everyone prayed and begged for Khushi's quick recovery, on the other Arnav Singh Raizada has turned into a volcano who erupted on anyone or everyone who gets in his way. the calmness that has had seeped in him ever since he realized his love for Khushi puffed into nothingness. Restless took birth in him worse than what he felt in last 14 years trapped in his past.

He has become a nightmare for the fashion world. He worked non-stop at day time and stayed in the hospital by her side at night. He got hospitalized right besides her for three times in that one week. Seeing his condition, Guptas softened a bit towards him. Shashi stopped blasting on him every chance he came in front of him or asked to let him meet Khushi.

Sameer's condition wasn't any better. He barely ate in these 7 days and engrossed himself in work when Shashi Gupta refused to let him stay in the hospital for more than a few minutes saying that the doctor has said Khushi could hear and feel things despite being in unconscious state and his presence might worsen her condition.

He broke down locking himself in the room while Anjali stood outside sobbing. In order to keep him sane she got Sanjana home getting her leave signed for a week from boarding school. It helped a bit but she saw her husband going into depression slowly despite of it.

On the other side was her brother, whose condition was worse than Sameer's. She prayed for Khushi's wellbeing more than anyone else for her husband's and brother's life depended on her.

Three days later, their prayers were answered as Khushi opened her eyes and was declared out of danger. Everyone cried out in happiness. Arnav and Sameer hugged each other bleary eyed.

"From the moment I started understanding relations you were my mother and Babu ji, my father. Until one day you both told me the half truth when you admitted me to the school and in my mother's column some Adhira Sharma was written and in my father's, some Raj Singh Rathode that I was the daughter of your sister who died after I was born." She sobbed out silently to Garima who was the first one who entered her room and everyone waited outside.

Arnav has told them all about his last conversation with Khushi on the cliff so neither Shashi, Arnav nor Sameer approached her. They wanted the storm inside of her to calm down before going before her as doctor has warned them about her weak psychological state.

"Bitiya, I-"

"You should have told me everything at once instead of killing me by slowly, gradually poisoning me with pieces of the whole truth at different turns of my life." She complained whimpering.

Garima sobbed along with her. Everyone standing outside heard her with misty eyes.

"It took me years to get used to the fact that I am not your real daughter. When I did at the age of eleven I got to know that my mother didn't die a natural death. My real father never married my mother." She choked. "It ruined me, Amma." Her shoulders shook. Outside Arnav's heart tore at her broken tone.

"And now, I got to know that I have a step brother too who in order to relieve his conscience married me to the man who sent me to prison?" She breathed.

"Fate has played very cruel games with me. Despite it all I tried to live anyway by taking refuge in either jalebis, by being a chatter box, smiling at every little thing but now I am exhausted. I can't do it anymore. Amma, why did Babu ji not tell me? Why did he hide it from me? Why did he let me marry the man who sent me to jail where I almost got killed? How could he allow me to be close to the son of the man who ruined my mother? Does he not love me anymore? Has he become tired of taking care of me? Am I only a burden to him now?"

She rasped out brokenly shattering Arnav who fell against the wall touching his fist to his mouth. Sameer blinked back the tears. Shashi sat on the chair slowly feeling his legs turning numb whilst emotions, brokenness got to him hard.

"I never dared to ask you this but I will today. Did she hang herself because people humiliated her for I was her child born out of wedlock? Because I was illegitimate?" She whimpered hard. Garima shook her head vigorously.

"Bitiya, don't say that. Don't. It's not like that." Garima cupped her cheeks firmly before kissing her forehead.

"Then why did she? Bhai-" She closed her eyes in pain and so did Sameer outside. "Sir said he married me to his brother-in-law because he didn't want me to have the same faith my mother had. What kind of fate? Did my father abandon my mother at the altar just like I was? Is that why she committed suicide? But why wait till I was born? Why didn't she take me along with her when I was in her womb?" She hiccupped bursting out crying covering her face with her palms whilst her heartbeat paced up and machine attached to her started making loud noise. Garima panicked.

"Bitiya, calm down. I will tell you everything. Please calm down." She repeated running her fingers in her hairs softly while caressing her face lovingly.

Sameer grabbed Arnav's hand who looked ready to barge in.

"She needs to let it all out," He shook his head at him while Arnav looked devastated and torn between doing the right thing and running inside throwing cautions to wind to grab her in his arms and never let go until she confides in him for everything.

Garima narrated her everything. Whole of the past without leaving anything out. Khushi continued to cry for next several minutes until she stopped at once before wiping her face clean. Sitting up on the bed she made a determined face.

"Everyone has dictated my life enough. From now on, I will take its reign in my hands. I have made a decision. I will go back to Lucknow."

"No, you are not!"

"No, you are not!"

"No, you are not!"

Three people said in unison barging in hearing her.

Khushi's face hardened seeing Arnav, Shashi and Sameer in the room.

"I have made another decision. I will be getting a divorce as soon as possible no matter what." She announced it looking sternly at Arnav who paled.

"Khushi-" Arnav was cut harshly.

"I have made up my mind about one more thing. I'd be sending my resignation to SR from the post of catering manager first thing after getting out of the hospital."

Sameer looked devastated.

"Now, I want to be alone." She turned her head to the window after telling her verdicts. Garima blinked back the tears before turning her head to her husband, son-in-law and Sameer and nodded at them to listen to her for now. She was already going through a major breakdown. It will not be good to push her more.

Dejected they left with slumped shoulders. Except for Payal, Madhumati and Garima she refused to meet anyone in the hospital. Arnav used to come everyday and left after gazing her from outside of the door.

She was discharged from hospital five days later. But,

Except for resigning from SR no other demands of her were fulfilled and it made her cranky, silent, snappy, rude, harsh, all at once. Exactly opposite of her nature.

Doctor has advised them to keep her stress free but she was often getting headaches and it made Shashi concerned like hell. Khushi barely talked to him. She behaved like a stranger to him ever since she got to know the truth, secondly from the day he refused her return to Lucknow sternly.

"He isn't demanding anything from you. He doesn't even ask you to stay with him then why do you need divorce, bitiya?" Shashi reasoned.

"Beti kaha na aapne toh usse sabit bhi karen. Talaq dilwayen humein uss Raizada se. Hum uss ghar mai hargiz nahe rahein gay jahan humein uss Rakshas aur uss k jijaji ki shakal puri zindagi dekhni pade. Aur agar aap phir bhi hamari baat nahi maanein gay toh humein hamesha k liye kho dein gay. Hum keh dete hain hum yahan se bhaag jayen gay. Aisi jagah jahan aap kabhi humein dhoond bhi nahi payen gay!

(You called me daughter, right then prove it. Get me divorced from that Raizada. I'd never be able to live under the roof where I'd have to see the faces of that beast and his brother-in-law forever my life. And even if you still forced me then I'd leave from here to some place you'd never be able to find me. Period)"

Not only that she stopped taking the proper food or water in order to force him to listen. She was deliberately draining off her energy worrying them all to bits.

She was hospitalized to get nutrition in her system for four times in the next month as despite family's pleading she didn't touch anything all day and despite that she'd work nonstop in the kitchen, at home, even did most of neighbors outdoor chores.

Raizadas or Rathode's didn't visit in this month including Arnav knowing that their presence might not be taken well but they kept in touch on phone with Guptas regarding Khushi's condition. Shashi didn't tell them about Khushi's hunger strike until he couldn't bear it anymore.

One day, Shashi lost control on himself and decided something before calling Arnav.

"I can't loose her. I listened to you and gave her time, waited patiently for her to calm down to gain her sanity but she is withering away in front of my eyes. I can't see her dying." He narrated him everything silently. Arnav's heart dropped to his stomach hearing it all. And it totally stopped when he heard his father-in-law say.

"I will be filing for divorce. Just so you know."

"Will you give me a week more?" He choked.

"No. I can't take more risk. You haven't seen her in person. She has become bones and skeleton in this one month. She is dehydrated, malnourished. I don't see color on either her eyes or cheeks anymore."

"Okay, don't give me time then. Just prepare for our proper wedding reception. I'd bring a grand procession and trust me despite everything she will not let your head down. She will quietly come with me when every eye will be on us."

"That'd drive her crazy. What if she blasted at you in front of everyone and refused anyway? What if she has had another nervous breakdown?"

"Worse has passed already. Trust me. None of that would happen. We would not give her that chance. Kindly just do as I say. Please trust me for once. I love her too much to hurt her."

Two days passed as both the families secretly prepared for the reception of ArShi while Shashi told Khushi that he was getting Payal engaged to his friend's son when she saw the house being decorated on the third day in her weak voice.

In the joy, she hugged Payal and ate a whole piece of jalebi much to their relief. Payal made her have a glass of fresh juice as well making the same excuse.

"You have to start eating normal or else how'd you prepare for your sister's wedding? I am telling you are going to arrange everything for your Jiji won't you?" Payal cajoled her and Khushi eagerly nodded with tears of happiness.

"What have you decided regarding my divorce?" Khushi asked Shashi the next day while keeping her gaze fixed on the wall.

"We will submit it after Payal's engagement. Till then we can't handle any mishap. What if Payal's in-laws opposed the marriage when they got to know you got divorced without living with your husband? I am requesting for too much I know but could you start wearing vermilion and mangalsutra till the function? After that you are going to take it off anyway."

He patted her head whilst her lower lip trembled as sobs caught up in her throat. She didn't oppose like Arnav has presumed.

That night she cried herself to sleep after placing a pinch of vermilion on her parting and adorning the black beaded chain around her neck. Payal hugged her from back hearing her cries.

"She is the bride. Why do I need to dress up like one?" Khushi reasoned when Payal suggested that they both wear the same dress and bought as such as well.

"It's my wish. Can't you fulfill this simple thing? I am going to leave anyway." Payal made a sad face and Khushi melted there and then.

Guiltily Payal hugged her and thanked her multiple times. Though Khushi has started eating a little but two days before the apparent 'engagement' she went back to her strike mood when she got to know that Raizadas as well as Rathode's would be attending the wedding.

She tried tooth and nail to avoid it but Shashi reasoned that it would raise speculation if her in-laws won't be there in this big event. All of the enthusiasm Khushi had for her sister's wedding puffed into air. Despite their pestering she refused to eat a thing or say her loss of appetite was back.

The girl who used to love eating any type of food was now-a-days running from the same on the contrary to her nature. Payal forcefully made her drink something or the other in order to keep her hydrated.

Finally the D-day came. Payal and Khushi left for the parlor while the anxious Gupta family left for the venue dreading what was to come. They were more scared for Khushi's reaction for she wasn't herself these days anyways.

"You will get ready here while me in the next room. Here your dress-" Payal handed her the bridal dress. "-go and change. Don't worry I will be in the next room."

"Jiji, I will be fine. You are behaving as if not you I am the bride." Khushi shook her head. Payal swallowed passing her a weak smile kissing her forehead.

"You still haven't shown me your groom's picture. I mean what's so secretive huh?" Khushi complained.

"Come on. You will see him today anyway." Payal said and left to the other room while the makeup artist waited arranging her things on the counter before a wall length mirror. Khushi came out changing into the bridal wear.

"Too much for me." Holding the heavy lehenga she muttered. "But for Jiji I have to bear it for the night." She sighed and took the seat in front of the mirror.

(Khushi's dress)

"Look, don't overdo it. It's not like I am the bride okay? I am just doing it for my sister." Khushi told the artist who smiled nodding at her as she was already informed that there would be surprise for the bride by her husband so don't spill the beans in front of her.

Khushi closed her eyes and rested her head back on the chair feeling drained already. Her stomach was aching badly due to lack of food but she didn't feel like eating anything yet.

'I will eat once I reach the hall. I don't want to faint and spoil Jiji's big day because of myself the second time' She thought to herself and went into a deep slumber due to weakness.

"Khushi, bitiya. Get up." Someone shook her and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Amma," She brought her hand up to rub her eyes but Garima stopped her.

"Oh don't. You will spoil your makeup."

"Huh," Khushi frowned blinking her eyes before her gaze went to the mirror and she gasped looking at herself. She was decked up from head to toe as a bride with heavy jewelry on her neck, ears and wrists. Her vermilion was hidden under the maangtika whilst her mangalsutra stood out among other jewelry.

"You are looking breathtaking." Garima kissed the top of her head. "Now get up and let the lady adjust your veil before we leave."

"Amma, she has gone crazy. She has made me a bride. It would not look good when it's Jiji's day." Khushi whined reaching for her neck to take off the jewelry when her mother stopped her again.

"It was your sister's wish. Won't you fulfill it?"

"But Amma,"

"No ifs and buts. We are already late because you slept. Payal had to leave before you and I came to pick you up. Now hurry up. Let her adjust your dupatta." She pointed to the artist waiting for her.

After getting her veil pinned Garima warded off evil eyes from her and cracked her knuckles on her temples. Khushi's eyes teared up.

"Here, drink it." Garima made her drink a big glass of fresh juice before exiting the salon. Khushi didn't protest much to her relief and drank it whole eagerly. Looks like her appetite would soon be coming back. Khushi thought to herself already tired of being the shadow of her former self.

Her Jiji was getting engaged today. She herself would be getting rid of an unwanted relation. What else could she ask for?

"I can't wait to see how Jiji is looking." Khushi said excited while Garima couldn't even smile which Khushi couldn't see in the darkness of the night whilst they drove to the venue.

"Wow, Amma. Looks like Jiji's in-laws are quite well off. Not like that leecher Abhishek who left my sister for a bunch of notes. This soon-to-be-Jijaji is so sweet that he sent this amazing car to pick us up as well. Wah!" Khushi looked genuinely happy and enthralled noticing the grandeur venue which according to her parents groom has insisted to arrange himself despite their protests. She was satisfied so didn't probe more as long as her Jiji was happy.

"Jiji is very lucky," Khushi giggled while Garima was feeling anxious like hell about her reaction as the car stopped outside the red carpet.

Khushi frowned seeing the line of people standing holding the cameras. Some of them were holding flowers as well. 

Her attention went to her left as someone opened her side of the door and the hooting, cheers, flashes made her eyes blind and ear drums almost burst.

A hand appeared in front of her. Her eyes went from the lines of the palms to the blue cladded arm before it landed on the face and she turned into a stone seeing the smirk engraved on the familiar face. Of her nightmare.

"A-Amma," A gasping whisper left her in stupor.

A shadow covered her reaction whilst the man stood between her and the people waiting for her entry. She frantically looked behind her and saw her mother looking pleadingly at her.

"You didn't leave us any other choice bitiya. We can't see you destroying yourself. We can't lose you." Garima cupped her cheeks.

Khushi shrugged it looking away. She could never in her wildest dream even think that her own family would do something like this to her.

She turned to her side of the door to get out when she found the way hindered by none other Arnav Singh Raizada dressed in blue color Sherwani with his perfectly gelled hairs. His beard was thin whilst his eyes looked peaceful.

(Arnav's dress)

"Before ruining everything keep it in mind that media, reporters from across the globe are here. If you want to create a drama go ahead and be my guest but one thing is for sure. I have come today to take you with me. Whether you go with the flow and keep silence or create a ruckus humiliating our families in front of the press. Choice is yours!"

He whispered everything to her in her leaning close to her. Horror struck she peeked from behind his shoulder and saw hordes of people standing in the line. She even spotted her father, their families standing at the entrance waiting with bated breath. Her father folded his hand from afar in front of her. Sameer touched his ears standing besides him and as Payal emerged dressed in an embroidered green color saree not any bridal dress Khushi knew she was trapped. From all sides.

Final nail in the coffin were the reporters covering the whole event which Arnav has already told her in a whisper seeing her on the verge of bursting out and looking ready to run. She would never do something which would humiliate her family in front of whole world. Never.

So when Arnav extended his hand to her this time she clenched her jaws and slipped her hand into his silently before coming out of the car. Flashes of the cameras blinded her whilst her hand involuntarily tightened around his to which he took off her fingers and wrapped it around his elbow.

Many shots were taken of their moment as she looked up at him with such emotion that anguish flowed like waves in his being. The intensity of their emotions made the reporters go crazy as they walked on the red carpet. The bride looked down walking holding the lehenga from her free hand while the groom couldn't take his eyes off her.

It was a wedding reception which was every girl's dream. Everyone was gushing over the preparations and unique exterior and interior of the venue. The decoration was out of the world, the dinner was grand and lavish containing ten course meal. Everyone envied the luck of the girl who married with the most eligible bachelor of the fashion world. But the girl itself was oblivious to it all.

She who has decided to eat in the hall felt her appetite lost in a whole new way that she didn't know how the rest of the function proceeded. Who sat besides her, who took pictures with her, who hugged her, who whispered apologies to her.

She knew only one thing that she has been made to fall hard on her knees by her own family. By her loved ones whom she trusted with her life. Her Babu ji did it all over again, this time along with her Jiji, Bua ji and Amma were in it too.

The poison of betrayal made her cry blood tears in her heart and those came out in the form of actual tears when her Amma hugged her during her sending off ceremony.

She didn't complain, didn't yell, didn't curse anyone. Instead she cried hugging her Amma, Jiji, Bua ji and even Babu ji.

"She hasn't had anything for two days except for a glass of juice." Shashi told Arnav before their departure. Arnav pursed his lips before nodding and assuring him that it was his responsibility now.

"I promise you I will bring back the real Khushi Kumari Gupta. If I failed you can punish me any way you want." Arnav's words made Shashi relax.

Khushi was already made to sit on the backseat of the black colored decorated Prado. Anjali took the backseat besides her while Arnav sat on the passenger seat. Sameer sat behind the wheel. Air of the car thickened with tension as he started the car.

Sameer stole glances at his sister from the rear view mirror while Arnav sat rigid on his place thinking of ways to bring her back to life.

"Di," Arnav called out to Anjali after Khushi's grand welcome in RM. As per tradition Arnav carried Khushi inside and made her sit on the couch in the living room whilst the family surrounded her. He called Anjali to the side seriously.

"Get her to the bedroom as soon as possible. She needs to eat food and drink water but she won't. I am calling the doctor. Just stop all these stupid rituals and get her upstairs."

Anjali nodded and went to do her bid while Arnav called the doctor before turning to look at his four months old wife Khushi Singh Raizada. Her father was right. She has become so weak and skinny. Yet nothing dampened her beauty. She was still the most beautiful girl in his eyes. Now it was up to him back the chirpy, fiery, chatterbox, the one and only jalebi girl, the real Khushi Kumari Gupta, now Singh Raizada back.

He was so determined he would be able to succeed but hours later as he sat besides her on the bed gazing at her unconscious form whilst the drips attached to her body prickling him in his heart. Her outburst, his frustration, her anger, his anguish, her hate, his love has become too entangled now that he doesn't know how to untie these messy knots to bring some normalcy back in their lives.

He thought he managed to convince her to marry him using her family but she told him she took nuptial rounds with him months back just to save Samrat's life as she thinks he got him shot which made him go into coma from which he hasn't woken up till date.

"Hum apko pehle bhi keh chuke hain. HUM APSE PYAAR NAHI KARTE. (I have told you before. I DON'T LOVE YOU)"

.

.

"Hum iss rishte ko nahi maante. Na kabhi maanein gay! (I don't accept this relation. I would never!)"

.

.

"Nafrat karte hain hum apse. Kabhi bhi maaf nahi karein gay jo kuch aapne kiya uss sab k liye. Samjhe aap? (I hate you. I won't forgive you for everything you had done ever. Did you get it?)"

.

.

"Aur ye k humpe aapka koi haq na kabhi tha na hoga, (And neither did you had any rights on me before nor you do now)"

.

.

"Aap humse pyaar karte hain toh apko uss pyaar ki qasam unhe aur takleef na dein. Warna hum khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar payen gay, (If you love me then I swear you on it, don't harm him more than you already had. Otherwise I won't be able to forgive myself ever)"

"Toh aur kon kar sakta hai ye? Apko kya lagta hai k humne chup chaap ap k saath phere kyun liye? Kyun k hum apni wajah se kisi aur ki zindagi khatam hote nahi dekh sakte the. Aap ka kya hai. Aap toh Arnav Singh Raizada hain jo apni mann pasand cheez paane k liye kisi bhi hadd tak ja sakte hain.

(Who else could do this? Why do you think I married you without any protest? Because I couldn't see anyone dying because of me. It may not be a big deal for you as you are Arnav Singh Raizada who could go to any length to get what he wants either by hook or by crook)" She said harshly without any fear.

"I am an asshole I know but I am not a murderer Khushi. I will prove it to you." He whispered to her sleeping form before leaning to press a kiss on her forehead feeling his heart clawing.

"I don't know how much time it will take but I will heal you. I promise you." He adjusted the blanket over her and standing up walked to the other side of the bed.

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PREVIEW OF FINAL PART:

"You have taken care of my bride so very well and now I am back to take what's mine."

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Q/A:

1. What do you think about the update?

2. What about the twist and turns in the story?

3. Who's right and who's wrong? (Tricky question I know)

4. Have Arnav done enough? Or he needs to repent more?

5. Is Khushi right? Or she is becoming egoistic like Arnav?

6. About Sameer and Khushi?

7. About Shashi' decision to marry Khushi to Arnav and Sameer supporting it?

8. Any unbiased review on both Arnav and Khushi's views?

9. What about the Precap?

10. Any queries? Suggestion?

11. Should I write and post its Part 2 or leave it as it is to your imagination?

Waiting eagerly for your precious feedback.

Kindly don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT. It will hardly take a minute but would make my whole day.

SILENT READERS: AT LEAST VOTE? 

Stay safe and healthy :)

Cheers!

(P.S. Pics and videos credit google/uploaders)