Maire liye pyaar koi mayini nahi rakhta!

Apni zindagi k aik aik pal mai main kya kar raha hun,

ye mai achi tarah se janta hun!

_____________________________

"Di!"

He came back furiously and went straight to his sister's room who was arranging her cupboard lost in thoughts from which she jerked hearing him.

"What is it?" She turned to him sternly.

"Where are the Guptas?" He asked straight forwardly with his jaws clenched tight.

Anjali scoffed.

"Whoa there Arnav. Are you concerned about the family who-"

"I am not concerned. I am furious Di. WHERE. ARE. THEY?"

"And why are you asking me this?"

"Because it was only to you I confessed that I'd finish it all once and for all and you knew if I had said then I would at any cost. Now that I could think of it, you asked me to think to gain some time to send them away didn't you?"

She shrugged boiling his nerves.

"Di!" He warned.

"It's late. Go and sleep."

"I am asking you to tell me where are they?" He yelled taking the vase from the bedside table and smashing it against the wall.

Anjali didn't even flinch.

"To whom are you showing this anger huh? Your sister first of all. Elder sister. I have seen these showdowns many a times for years from now. Do you seriously think it would work on me?"

Arnav walked to her with his anger subsiding a bit seeing her not budging.

"Di. Please." He gritted."Please tell me where that woman is? So that I can finish my score with her and start afresh with my Khushi."

"How would you start afresh with Khushi may I ask?"

"I will make up for everything I ever did to her?" He said as a matter of fact as if it was that easy.

"Does that include bringing back her mother too if she committed suicide after your revelation?"

He looked at her tongue tied.

"Listen to me very carefully Arnav Singh Raizada. If you hurt her mother then no matter how much you make up for the things you made her go through, nothing would suffice. Nothing at all."

He opened his mouth to argue but she didn't let him.

"And why are you even thinking of the possibility of her ever forgiving you at all?"

"Because I love her. And she.. she loves me too." He burst out exasperated.

"That's not enough. Not at all. Even Maa loved Papa. You very well know where it led her. If she had been alive you wouldn't have let her be near Papa at all and you are expecting Khushi to be with you, near you after putting her through hell? Why the diplomacy Arnav? Give yourself the same punishment you'd have given our father if you'd gotten a chance to make him pay for his sins."

"I. DON'T. CARE. I DON'T CARE IF I DON'T DESERVE HER FORGIVENESS BECAUSE TOO BAD I am going to get it by any means possible. And Di--" He faced her head on. "Do not compare me with that man ever again. I could be anyone but him. I didn't had any affair behind my wife's back. I didn't betray her. And certainly I didn't had an illegitimate child behind her back either."

"Having an affair or a child behind her back is not the only way to betray your partner Arnav let me tell you. There are many other ways which do count as a cheating same way."

He clenched his hands into fists.

"You made some vows to her during the wedding. You completed neither of them. You claimed to love her yet you hated her ardently. You promised to cherish her yet you brought her to the point that she almost killed herself. If that isn't betrayal then I don't know what else is?" Anjali shuddered as she gritted out the words while Arnav didn't know how to defend himself anymore. So, he did the only thing that was left to make his sister listen and consider his predicament.

Manipulate!

If manipulating her would get him complete his revenge then he was all game for it because he was hell tired of being torn between loving and hating Khushi, his wife.

Correction. Ex-Wife.

Sharp needles plunged in his heart at that word. A stamp. A realization that she wasn't officially his anymore.

"Please Di." He swallowed. "For me? For your Chote?"

"Just because I consoled you when you were broken Arnav, doesn't mean I have forgiven you for forcing yourself on Khushi ji.Aur ab.. ab toh tumne had kar di Chote unhe divorce de k!(And now.. now you have crossed your limits by divorcing her!)"

He turned around breathing harshly and Anjali was praying in her heart that she win this verbal battle from her brother. This was necessary for him to see sense.

When Arnav Singh Raizada, a shrewd businessman would lose words to defend himself then he would definitely think of bargaining. Like he does in business deals. That was why she was talking in a language her brother understands. Very well. And like a good opponent, this time she has to win at any cost.

She thought as she saw her brother pacing around in the room restlessly. Restlessness was not only of not finding Guptas but also of letting go of his rights on Khushi. Because she knew, he knew, everyone did too that after today Khushi would never let him near her considering her strong reaction to his cruelty.

And that has made him more desperate to finish it all so that he could concentrate solely on Khushi as the damage he has done to the poor soul would take ages to mend. But that is only if Khushi would ever let him at the first place which she doubted would ever happen.

"I won't hurt her again. Just- just tell me where that Garima Gupta is?" He punched his hand against the wall with his eyes spitting fire at her as his pleading didn't work. So, he reverted back to his angry avatar.

"What if I don't?" Anjali crossed her arms over her chest looking at him sharply. Indirectly, she accepted that yes, she has a hand in sending them afar.

Arnav could do nothing but stare at her.

"You do know how important it is for me Di and still you.. you let that woman slip out of my hands when I was this-" He raised his finger pointing to an inch."--This close to avenging Maa. How could you Di? Just how could you?" He accused with a glare.

"I did it so that you don't throw away all of your chances of being with Khush ji once and for all." She gritted.

He closed his eyes.

"If I didn't finish my revenge then I won't be able to give Khushi anything, anything but pain. Do you want that? I don't think so."

Anjali let out an exasperated sigh seeing him still not relenting.

Now only one option was left to make him listen. She was well prepared for this conversation she knew she would've when he would find Guptas missing.

She silently walked to her cupboard and retrieved a red file.

"Tum jaante ho ye kya hai Arnav?(Do you know what this is Arnav?)" Anjali said waving the file before his face.

He frowned before his eyes caught the headings on the file. Written in his hand writing.

The property papers of Gupta house, Laxmi Nagar

He stilled for a second and then said.

"From where did you get that?" His expressions turned brisk. Anjali saw his ASR mask on when he hide his true feelings from the world. Too bad, she was used to read him so well that with or without mask she knew what was going on inside him.

"Doesn't matter. But what really matters is, what's inside it."

To hide the shiver of his hands, he clenched them into fists.

"Khushi's Buaji was lagging behind the rent of that house and Khushi was very worried about it so I bought it taking the bull by the horns and finishing their problem all at once." He stated. By now, he has overcome the shock of his sister finding that file while his mind replayed back everything.

"These are the papers of your Buaji's house in Laxmi Nagar that are now on my name.Yes I have bought it.I will throw their luggage out of MY property and will make sure they are on roads when I'll be done with them..So if you don't want me to do any of this than just abide by my orders and don't pester me with your whining like you wanna meet her and all!"

"From tomorrow onward whenever you will go outside you'll go with ME. You won't ever step out without informing me. And one more thing, don't you ever switch off your phone.Did you hear me well and good?"

"I won't do anything as you said. Not anymore." She pulled back to spat the words on his face.

"Fine then!" He smirked loosening his grip around her before putting her down.

She breathed hard before wiping her face with the back of her hands when his next words stumped her.

"Tomorrow first thing in the morning I'll send a notice to Guptas to vacate the Gupta house within two hours."

Her eyes widened.

"Or better I'll get a court notice and send police there so that they would throw them along with their luggage out of MY property.What say?"

"You want to keep hurting me, keep torturing me. Fine. I am tolerating all that because of my family. Otherwise I wouldn't have seen your face ever after that night when you belittled me and our love in front of everyone just for your so called revenge."

"Don't instigate me like this again Khushi or your family will suffer." He said caressing her cheek with the back of his hand making her split into silent sobs.

No way in hell his Di could guess what he made Khushi do showing these papers.

"So? That's it? You bought Buaji's home and that's all? No other details?" Anjali was shivering with rage.

"Di." He was rudely cut.

"Don't 'Di' me Arnav." Anjali said through gritted teeth and Arnav's blood chilled.

He knew in that moment that she was aware of the lies he said to Khushi.

But still, no way in hell could she get her hands on the-

"These are the real papers Arnav. Now did you get what I mean?" She gave him a smug look. His mask slipped for a split second before he put it back on.

"So what?" He appeared nonchalant even though his heart was thudding violently.

She chuckled dryly.

"If you aren't worried of me finding the real stamp papers of Gupta House then I am sure you won't mind Khushi ji finding about them either. So-"

"No. No.Don't." He stepped in her way shedding all of his brisk stance and pat came his pleading demeanor.

"Gupta house Khushiji k naam pe liya tumne. Aur..aur..Khushiji ko dhamki di fake papers bana k apne naam pe huh. Itne jhoot bol k tumne humein bohat chot ponchayi hai Arnav aur khas tor se Khushiji ko.(You bought Gupta House on Khushi's name. And...and..you blackmailed Khushi by showing her the fake papers and made her believe that you own her family's residence. By all these lies you have hurt me a lot Arnav but more than me you've shattered Khushi)"

He gulped hard.

"Di please. Iss bare mai main koi baat nahi karna chahta.(I don't want to talk about this!)"

Anjali's face hardened.

"Fine. Nahi baat karte iss bare mai Arnav Singh Raizada. Hum bas abhi jayen gay Khushiji k pass, unhen ye papers dikhayen gay aur unhen uss dhamki se aazad kar dein gay jisse apne unhen abhi tak apne saath baandha hua hai. Huh bolo Arnav. Achi planning hai na hamari?(Fine. We won't talk about it at all Arnav Singh Raizada. I will just go to Khushi, show her these papers and will free her of the clauses you put in order to save her family, to keep her with you. Huh tell me Arnav? Isn't my planning too brilliant?)"

"Di you won't do anything like that!" He said through gritted teeth trying to snatch the file from her but Anjali didn't let him.

"I will do it only.Watch me. If you can manipulate others being ASR then i swear Mr.Raizada. I too was once an ASR. ANJALI SINGH RAIZADA!"

His eyes widened when she added.

"Not only that I'd also tell her that her parents, her family is in safe place now and she don't have to worry about them anymore. I wonder how would you stop her from leaving you then?"

"DI please wo mujhe chod k chali jaye gi.(Di please, she will leave me.)" He pleaded knowing that he was cornered and Anjali sighed in relief inwardly for finally winning this battle.

"It'll be really good for her.Waise bhi unhe konsa sukh mil raha hai tumhare saath reh k!(As if she is getting any peace being with you!)" Anjali said sarcastically not melting by her brother's broken demeanor.

"What about me Di? Am I not your brother? You very well know what she means to me." He said with hurt written all over his face.

Anjali averted her eyes feeling her eyes prickle.

If she wanted him to come out of this mess then she will have to put up a brave front not emotional one. Emotions would get her nothing because her brother has known well to bury them to his advantage whenever he want to.

Taking a deep breath, she looked back into his eyes and not showing any relenting she shrugged saying.

"Yes you are but here you are wrong and I have promised myself that I will do anything, anything to make you do the right thing even if it means using your own twisted, manipulative ways to get to you."

He pressed his fingers on his eyes swallowing back his emotions as they were now all over the place seeing his own sister standing against him.

"Di, I can't go on without her. Don't tell this to her please. I will lose her forever if you did." He croaked.

"Fine. I won't tell her."

"Thank--" He was cut by her.

"But I have a condition."

"I agree Di whatever it is."

"First listen and then decide!"

Arnav's eyes widened at what she asked next.

"You will have to forget about your revenge and you will not drag Khushi anymore in this mess. You will not hurt her anymore. You will show her your true feelings. You'll not try to search for Guptas either. There it is the deal Arnav. Agree to it and I won't tell Khushi anything. But if you didn't then forget about getting even a glimpse of her. I swear Arnav. Khushi ko aisi jagah bhej dun gi jahan tum kabhi usse dhoond bhi nahi pao gay. (I swear I will send Khushi to the place where you won't be able to find her ever.)"

"Mujhe Khushi se koi door nahi kar sakta. Na wo khud, na mai aur na hi koi aur. Koi bhi nahi!(No one can separate me from Khush. Neither her, nor me and certainly no one else either. No one!)" He growled sharply looking at her as every nerve on his face stood out with the pressure he put to shout.

Anjali walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder which he shrugged off angrily, too hurt at his sister not choosing his side. After Khushi, now his Di also was doing the same.

She exhaled.

"I know this is a very hard decision for you to make. That's why I am giving you time. Take a week and think about it. Think of all the pros and cons and then decide. Decide whether living with Khushi is more important for you or having a whole life without her in it at all?"

"Pandra saalon k dard aur takleef ka faisla sirf aik hi hafte, saat dinon mai kaise ho sakta hai? Uss k liye toh agle pandra saal bhi kam pad jayen gay!(How can I decide for the fifteen years of pain in just one week? Seven days? For that even the next fifteen years would not be sufficient.)" He choked blinking back the tears but the hardness, sharpness in his features didn't relax.

For that moment Anjali allowed herself to be emotional and let her eyes fill up. She cupped his cheeks and wiped the corner of his eyes.

"Hand over your next fifteen years to Khushi ji. You have hurt her so much. I am afraid thinking every moment that would she ever find it in her forgive you? Forget about the next fifteen years, I am even more afraid that maybe your whole remaining life you'd have to atone for the sins you committed towards her."

Removing her hands from his cheeks, he walked around her to the door with hurt written all over his face but stopped when she reminded him from behind.

"A week Arnav. 7 days."

He turned and saw a warning in her eyes as she waved the file in front of him. He clenched his jaws.

Anjali knew her brother. He liked keeping things under his control but now when he knew things weren't going as per his likes, it was bound to frustrate him which was now showing on his face.

"I heard you!" He gritted.

"Good. And it would be of great help if you'd cancel your orders to search for the Guptas as well."

Arnav punched his fist against the door realizing that his sister knew him way too much.

"Yeah. I know you must have already delivered your orders before coming to confront me. So call whoever your source or agent is and cancel them right away."

With his eyes turning red with restraint he turned to leave.

"One second." Anjali called from behind once again.

"What now?" He turned exasperated and extremely angry feeling like a noose tightening around his neck.

"Were the divorce papers genuine that you showed to Khushi ji or you have some real documents hidden somewhere like these?" She pointed towards the Gupta house papers.

His gaze turned sharper.

"Divorce papers are as real as all the other wounds I gave Khushi." He said firmly.

"I don't believe you." Anjali stated.

"Then why don't you go ahead and get them scanned?" He gritted out."Khushi has those papers. Fetch them from her and get them checked from whoever the hell you want to."

"Mind your language Arnav."

"Whatever!" He whisper yelled and stormed off.

Anjali fell back on the bed with a sigh.

Even though she won a battle and has put a stop to his revenge for the time being but the knowledge that in this quest, he has genuinely divorced Khushi made her inside clench with pain.

"What have you done Chote? How would I entangle the mess you have created for yourself, now?"

After an hour he was back outside her door.

Anjali opened the door and found his eyes bloodshot , heavy with sleep with his head still held high.

Arrogant fool!

"I have cancelled my orders for the time being. I will think about it. Now can I be with khushi? Please give me the keys to her room Di?"

"You are not her husband anymore. You can't stay in the same room. Neither would she let you." She said sternly.

"Please."

"She almost killed herself because of you. I can't take the risk again now that-"

"Now that.. what?" He became super alert.

"Have you ever thought that what stopped Khushi from taking her life? If that reason hadn't been there then you'd have been mourning over her dead body by now."

He paled.

"Don't say that. Not you too Di." He choked before inhaling sharply. "It's about that secret isn't it"

She shrugged.

"Figure it out soon before it's too late. You don't have much time for that too."

"What is it? Please tell me?" The walls were closing in on him.

"I am sleepy. Leave me alone." She banged the door shut on his face while he stood there feeling deranged, upset and frustrated all at the same time.

It had been hours since he has last seen her. Not only was their last meeting painful but also was a warning sign for him. The ever so dominant and potent fear of losing her surrounded him from every corner engulfing him in its case, squeezing him, crushing him, cutting him with every passing second with no way out.

In the next minute like a flash of lightening he was before her with his arms gripping her tightly pulling her closer till the tips of their noses were touching.

"Dammit Khushi Singh Raizada. If you didn't leave right now, right this moment then I will make love to you right here at this floor of this terrace and I swear I won't hear anything and i won't even care if you are ready for this intimacy or not and certainly I won't care we aren't married anymore either. I MEAN IT MRS.RAIZADA and trust me I won't be that gentle and caring which I was on that night." He growled against her face with gritted teeth and then stopped when he saw tears pooling in her eyes.

He closed his eyes in sheer helplessness.

"Please Khushi. I am at my worst mood. Don't push me too much at this time.Go. Jao yahan se(Leave me)" He pleaded releasing her.

Why he always end up asking her something which he really don't want. In fact he wanted the exact opposite.

He wanted her to understand him even if he didn't give an iota of thought to her feelings while crushing her.

He wanted her to surrender even if he won't do it at all.

He wanted her to stop fighting him and do as he said even if he asked her impossible things to do.

He wanted her to stay even if he had divorced her so mercilessly. Heartlessly.

He wanted her to listen to her heart even if he has crushed his own and had never listened to it.

"Good for you. What better punishment could be for a control freak like you that you can't even control yourself before a weak, powerless woman!"

"KHUSHI"

"Chillaiye mat. Hum aise bhi apko achi tarah sun aur samajh sakte hain. Aur aik baat kan khon k sun lijiye Humein divorce dene k baad ye baat apne dimagh se nikal dijiye k hum aap k sath aik kamde ya aik chatt k neeche rahen gay! (Don't shout. I can hear you well alright. And listen this with all your ears. Forget about living with me in the same room, under the same roof with me after divorcing me!)"

"Don't you dare Khushi. Don't you dare."

"I know that you won't let me go nor can I go to my mother. So I have chosen a middle ground. I would go to the same mansion where you have kept me caged for a whole month away from everyone. But this time I will willingly accept that prison but you will stay away from that place. You won't try to meet me nor would you talk to me."

"Aur agar maine aisa na kiya toh?(What if I didn't do any of it?)" He glared.

"Then I still have that scissor with me Mr.Raizada. Aap k sath shaadi k bina rehne se behter hum khud ko khatam karna pasand karein gay lekin hargiz hargiz hum khud ko aur nahi gira sakte khud ki nazron mai. bilkul bhi nahi(Killing myself would be the better option for me rather than living with you without marriage but I won't lower myself in my eyes anymore. Enough is enough!)"

"Argh!" He growled pacing the length of the corridor before his patience withered and he banged his sister's door again.

"Di. Please." He cried out at last when she didn't open after his several attempts.

"You can't meet her tonight even if you want to." Anjali said exasperated now.

"Why?" He gritted.

"There are many reasons that you know very well." She said meaningfully."But right now, she is in Nani's room. She has chosen to sleep there today. Maybe she knew you would definitely try to barge in her room like you own her." She said firmly.

Arnav let out an exasperated sigh.

"You aren't lying are you?" He asked running his fingers in his hairs.

"I am not." She stated.

He groaned.

Obviously he couldn't go into Nani's room who was recovering well now a days and a little bit stress could jeopardize her health. He knew if he went there and tried to meet Khushi then Khushi won't be able to stay quiet for long when he would insist. Not only would it reveal everything to Nani but might as well cause her another heart attack too of which she might never recover as doctor has warned.

If only he had given that much thought to his own wife!

"Di. I really, really need to see her. Once." He said helplessly melting Anjali's heart but just for a moment before she composed herself.

"Do you want her to go hysteric again."

"No. No. You aren't understanding. It was her, her who herself came up to me a few hours ago as if.. as if she wanted to say something but I was so angry that time that I told her off. Now I want to-"

"She came to you. Willingly?"

He nodded. Anjali gave him an inquiring look.

"If you don't believe me, ask her." He suggested. Finally he found something that would give him the leverage to talk to her. See her.

"She wanted to say something?" A hope stirred inside Anjali. After everything why did Khushi go to talk to him and what would she want to tell him other than about their child, right?

"I told you. Yes." He was getting impatient now.

"Still, it's late. For a few more hours you have to curb your impatience Arnav because I am not going to disturb her at this time of the night. No." She cut him when he opened his mouth to argue.

"If you want to talk to her, meet her then do as I say otherwise I won't help you. Aur haan jo faisla maine karne ko kaha hai uss k baare mai sochna shuru kar do. Zyada waqt nahi hai tumhare pass.(And yes, start thinking about the decision I asked you to make. You aren't left with much of a time.)" Anjali said briskly.

Arnav had no other option but to turn on his feet and leave dejected knowing that he really needed his sister's support so he had to listen her obediently as well. For the time being!

"I wish what you're talking is true. I really hope Khushi ji has changed her mind of hiding about her pregnancy from you. I wish now she is literally considering of telling it to you. Who knows that might help you make the right decision." Anjali whispered and was about to close the door when someone barged right in her room startling her for a moment.

"Do you know how much I-I m-missed you all these days?" He croaked caressing her cheeks with his thumb reaching over closer to her before dropping his head on hers.

"I wish I-I could..show you, make you feel how much I actually craved for you." He choked.

She opened her eyes taking a sharp intake of breath. A tear leaked from the corner of her eye. She sniffled turning her back to the sleeping Devyani.

"Here." He raised her palm and placed the papers on it holding it upturned.

"You are not a Raizada anymore." He whispered secretly to her.

Clutching the pillow under her head she gritted her teeth as her inside burned with pain and hurt.

You are not a Raizada anymore!

You are not a Raizada anymore!

You are not a Raizada anymore!

A scream brew up inside her. She sat up rubbing her throat feeling parched. Turning to the bedside table she grabbed the glass full of water throwing its lid and drank it all in one go.

"I am not a Raizada anymore." She whispered in the dark room caressing her midriff. Her heart crushed into more pieces. Nothing of her outburst elated her. It was like everything was piling up inside her more and more with each of her cries. It is said that letting out your pain helps you survive but in her case it was exact opposite. The more she cries, the more she feels anguished.

"I-I am not a R-Raizada anymore." She choked throwing her head back against the headboard with corner of her eyes welling up before she straightened up again.

"When I am not a Raizada anymore then what am I doing here still?" She murmured before getting down the bed quietly and walked out of the room.

"I will marry you again Khushi once all this will be over if that is so important to you." He gritted.

Her steps faltered in the corridor. Feeling heaviness increasing in her chest she rubbed it with her palm.

"You can't live without me either. Don't you remember your condition when I wasn't here for 14 days." He reminded her ruthlessly.

"At least I didn't die. That means I can live without you." She spat out the words.

That pushed her to take a step forward. Yes, she can live without him. She would prove him that she can.

"Soon it will be over. Very soon. In fact in a day or two then we will go to the court and marry as soon as possible. Listen to me." He shouted.

She shivered feeling her heart beating irregularly in fear of her mother and family's safety. Arnav Singh Raizada, her ex-husband-

"Ex?" She croaked and staggered a step back holding the pillar for support before leaning against it as her feet felt heavier all over again.

"I love you. I love you so much. Please. Forgive me. Please." He murmured hoarsely against her ear.

Sliding against the pillar she sat down on the ground touching her head to the hard surface neither caring of the coldness of the floor nor of the surrounding.

She swallowed. Now that her ex-husband has found the perfect opportunity to get what he wanted so desperately. His revenge along with her. She has no doubt that he would leave no stone unturned to achieve that.

Consciously her hand reached her abdomen and a huge lump formed in her throat.

"Do you want him in your life baby? Am I doing right by thinking of departing from him? But it's...it's so painful that I can't.. I can't do it anymore. Forgive me if I am sounding selfish." She said looking at her stomach as her eyes misted up. "I can't bear living with your father. I can't." She choked.

"Please forgive me. You won't hate me would you for separating you from your father?" She asked quietly as silent tears rolled down her cheeks and fell on her lap.

"Please don't hate me. Not you too." She cried out wrapping her arms around her belly lowering her head.

Her head shot up the next moment. She swear she felt something moving inside her.

Was that.. was that her baby?

Breathing sharply she caressed her midriff as a light teary smile broke out on her lips.

"Hey?" She stuttered. "Are you okay in there? I know I-" She wiped the flowing tears from the back of her hand before sniffling.

"I know I have been a very bad mother as I kept neglecting my health by stressing over everything. But you never complained. You are there with me, supporting me, giving me strength. Thank you for being there. Thank you more for coming in my life. I don't know how would I have bore all this without you."

Her smile widened as she felt little movements again. Her baby was responding to her. Gulping she asked the question which was nagging her ever since she took the decision of moving out of RM and his reach.

"You aren't angry with my decision are you?" She whispered. Not feeling any movement for several moments her heart dropped. Feeling anxious she asked again.

"Will you be by my side?" She asked but it sounded like a plea from her mouth. She waited for the response and let out a cry upon feeling her child move inside her as if giving her an affirmative answer.

Her baby was with her. Neither was he or she angry nor disappointed but supported her decision.

"Thank you." She said lovingly.

Feeling a new form of strength seeping inside her she stood up determined caressing her midriff. Taking long strides she reached Anjali's room who was about to close the door. She stopped her and barged in before turning to her.

"Khushi ji?"

"Give me the keys to my cage?" Khushi demanded.

Anjali couldn't reply in confusion and her sudden question. There was something in her eyes that scared her as if she has made up her mind about something. Her heart jumped up her throat.

What?

"W-What?" Anjali preferred being oblivious rather than getting confirmation of her doubts.

"I mean the keys to the room next to Jiji's." She elaborated.

"Weren't you going to stay with Nani?"

"Di, please. Give me the keys." She looked at the edge of her patience so Anjali handed her the keys silently knowing that making her worry in this condition could turn out disastrous as the doctor said.

Anjali followed her once she barged out the same way she came in and her worry knew no bounds as Khushi packed before turning to her again.

"You do have the keys to the mansion he kept me in don't you?"

"Khushi ji, I am trying to make him understand. Give me sometime. Don't do this right now." Anjali said frantically grabbing her hands.

"I am not going because of me. I am leaving for my baby."

"But Khushi ji.."

"What would you have done if you were in my position Di?" Khushi asked and Anjali stepped back swallowing with her eyes moist.

"He will go mad without you." Anjali croaked from behind as she walked past her dragging the suitcase.

Khushi stopped feeling like a boulder has been placed on her heart.

"So would I." She gulped past the lump. "But I can't be weak because now I have to think like a mother not like a wife who would've bore everything he threw her way trying desperately to find a way out even when she was trapped from all sides."

"What about your family? Aren't you afraid of what he would do to them?" Anjali hated using the card her brother pulled with Khushi many a times but what could she do when she was out of the excuses to keep her occupied till the dawn hoping that the morning conversation might help Khushi change her mind.

"I have told him that I'd go to that mansion. Not that I am going to Gupta house so he shouldn't have a problem." Khushi said defiantly.

"Please Khushi ji. Don't do this right now." Anjali tried again feeling her heart cutting. If it had been any other day then she would've pampered her sister-in-law during this phase but now, everything was so messed up and entangled that she don't know what to do or feel anymore.

"Don't stop me Di because I can't stay. I had had enough."

"Arnav told me that you went to him to tell him something. It was about your pregnancy wasn't it?" Anjali tried one last time and it froze Khushi on her steps.

"How could you give up on just one attempt Khushi ji? He has the right to know. Please tell him or allow me to disclose it to him if you can't." Anjali felt a headache coming feeling her nerves throbbing. She has had a very hard conversation with Arnav not so long ago and now she has to handle this one too. His other half who was as stubborn as he himself was.

"Let me make at least one decision by myself Di. Just one. Would you?" Khushi denied straight away the way that silenced Anjali.

She handed Khushi the keys to the mansion before seeing her off and forced her to go in one of the cars with Mohan.

Mohan placed the luggage in the trunk before taking the driving seat. Khushi hugged Anjali once before sitting in the car. Anjali walked inside the house dejected and bumped into Arnav who was coming from the front.

"You let her escape? How could you?" He yelled at the top of his voice breathing harshly.

Anjali's eyes widened whilst her heart galloped in fear not only for Khushi but her niece/nephew too.

"You gave me a week. There is still time for that to complete isn't it? Then how could you do something like that to me?" He ran his fingers in his hairs before running out despite Anjali's calls. Her brother must have been on the terrace and might have caught Khushi's glimpse while looking down from the roof up there. Great. As if there was a shortage of problems anyways.

"Arnav! Arnav!" She limped out of the house as faster as she could.

The car was nowhere to be seen as he came out.

Where was she going?

He frantically tried to connect to that car's GPS but even before that it struck him.

"I know that you won't let me go nor can I go to my mother. So I have chosen a middle ground. I would go to the same mansion where you have kept me caged for a whole month away from everyone. But this time I will willingly accept that prison but you will stay away from that place. You won't try to meet me nor would you talk to me."

Cursing under his breath, he ran back inside to his room. Grabbing the keys vengefully he was gone the way he came while Anjali stood shocked with her head in her hands. Neither could she stop him nor could she inform anyone knowing that a serious conversation between the too was much needed.

But she can't let him meet Khushi alone in this condition. No . She can't.

Prior precautions were must too!

He caught the sight of the the car she was in right from the end of street.

Mohan had already opened the gates of the mansion taking keys from Khushi before handing it over back to her and walked in with her with her luggage.

Khushi's heart jumped up her throat as she heard the familiar screech of the car whilst she entered from the front door and thanked Mohan a he placed the luggage and walked out. When Arnav barged in through the gates she was standing at the door with her gaze falling straight on him. She saw him exhale before he took long strides to reach her but this time she was prepared but Arnav Singh Raizada wasn't for what she had in store for him.

*BANG*

Mohan jumped in his position who was going out of the gates while Arnav stood stumped with his nose inches away from the door which she has just shut on his face. He also heard her locking the doors from inside.

"Let me in Khushi. We need to talk." He demanded banging the door.

"From what relation are you asking that?" Pat came the serious, tricky question.

"As your husband dammit." His was a quick reply as well.

"Not anymore. You can't impose your rights on me because you ain't got any left whatsoever." She wasn't less than him in settling scores.

"Naraz ho toh raho par aik bar mujhe hug karne do khud ko Khushi. Mai thak gaya hun Mrs. Raizada. Please? (If you are upset you can stay so but just let me hug you Khushi. I am tired Mrs. Raizada. Please?)"

"It's Khushi Kum-"

"NO!" Came back his hardness. "That was just a fucking piece of paper to get back at your mother. It has no relation with you or me. Did you get it Khushi? You were Mrs. Raizada. You still are and you will stay so. Forever." He growled kicking the door with his foot angrily.

There was a silence for several moments which formed knots in his stomach while on the other side of the door Khushi barely was able to hold her cries as her tears just won't stop from brimming in her eyes. Her throat felt too clogged to produce a sound or retaliate with a strong retort.

"You came to talk to me Khushi. You yourself did. I am here to listen. Tell me what was it?" He probed touching his head to the door.

Out there in the sky a thunder roared in the background which broke the serenity and silence of the night but it couldn't break the silence of the woman who had been crushed mercilessly by the very same man who claimed to love her madly.

Is this love?

Does he even love her?

Wasn't love what she thought it was?

Selfless. Giving. Sacrificing. Compromising. Beautiful. A sweet agony that wasn't unpleasant but exhilarating. This was her definition of love.

What was his?

Dominance? Selfishness? Manipulation? Coercion?

"Khushi. Please. Talk to me." His voice was hoarse now. The continuous banging has stopped but the thunder was roaring with all its glory. Strong winds starting blowing while Mohan who was watching their exchange till now took out his phone and dialed a number.

"Anjali Didi. Yes. I am still here. No. He isn't with her. Khushi Didi has closed the door while ASR is standing outside trying to talk to her to get in." He listened to the other side before speaking.

"Sure Didi. As you say." He closed the call before walking outside and drove off.

There Arnav tried every tactic to hear her say even a word or reply but no. She didn't budge. Looks like she has gotten some kind of invisible strength to resist him.

Did divorce paper do that?

He kicked his thigh this time on the door and staggered back grabbing his knee while walking on one feet as pain shot through his leg. No sooner than he came out of the shade the rain started drenching him from head to toe within moments.

"Have you ever thought that what stopped Khushi from taking her life? If that reason hadn't been there then you'd have been mourning over her dead body by now."

His eyes widened. Taking a sharp breath he gritted his teeth. Divorce wasn't the reason. Something else was which has given her the push to leave him despite all his threats.

What could that be?

What could be more important than her family and him for her?

What?

He growled in the next moment as a disturbing thought passed through his mind.

Has she fallen in love with someone else?

OH SHUT UP!

His own heart silenced him before his subconscious rebuked him.

How could she fall in love with someone else when he didn't let her out of his sight for even a moment?

Use your shrewd brain sometimes in case of your wife too Mr.ASR!

Stop being pathetically silly!

The rebuke settled his mind and stopped him from going to absurd directions.

Then what else could be the reason that was related to him as well as Akash said?

What was it that Di wanted him to know before its too late?

If that could go in his favor then why was Khushi hell bent on leaving him?

"Khushi. SAY SOMETHING." He ran back to the door and banged it as water dripped from his clothes feeling wrecked having so much conflicted questions with no answers. It was making him more mad.

Control.

It was slipping from his hands with every passing day and ASR wasn't used to live without having all the strings of the lives associated with him in his own hands. Tightly bound. Never to let go.

Defiance seeped into him too when neither she spoke nor he heard any other sound from inside.

"Fine. Don't talk. Don't let me in. But I am Arnav Singh Raizada only. I won't leave either. I will stay here under this fucking rain and won't care whether I develop cold, fever, pneumonia or whatever the hell other sickness are!"

With that he sat on the stairs in front of the door with his elbows on his knees. Running his fingers in his hairs he groaned when he didn't get any response even after a very solid threat from him as he knew that no matter what she won't let him drench in rain in this cold and get sick. His safety matters the most for her.

But his assumptions proved wrong the very first time as an hour passed but she didn't relent at all while he sat there under the pouring rain with his jaws clenched and lips pursed. His eyes turned red with restraint. Another hour passed and his patience level starting notching down.

Another hour and it reached the score zero and he let out a blood chilling bellow of frustration.

"KHUSHI!"

_____________________

PRECAP:

"I think you have forgotten what it's like to be loved by me, Mrs. Raizada."

.

.

"This is the perfect opportunity and time to refresh your memory!"

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Do not jump to conclusions right away like Arnav in this story does. Try to think a scenario and action of every character by analyzing from every aspect. That would not only make the reading for you more interesting but also would make the discussion more productive :)

Q/A

1. Anjali has cornered Arnav this time. What would be his decision now?

2. Where are the Guptas?

3. What's next?

4. How was the update?

5. Your favorite most scene and dialogue of KMT till now?

Don't forget to leave a VOTE and COMMENT because it is only because of your constant motivation and demand that I am still writing.

Cheers!