ARSHI FF: Meant to be...

Chapter 5: Gori tere pyaar mein...

GUPTA HAVELI, 08:00 PM













Lavanya stood smilingly in front of mirror in her room dressed up in a white-red anarkali with red duppata and her hair open as she put on her jhumkas and satisfied with herself smiled looking at her reflection . She turned around and happily asked Anjali who came out from washroom changing into a white simple salwar: “Di, how am I looking?”

Anjali looked at her said in mock seriousness: “Hmmm it’s good....I think you’ll pass”




Lavanya whined: “Diiii...”

Anjali smiled and replied: “Ok, seriously you look beautiful and Arnav won’t be able to take eyes off you...”

Lavanya: “Hopefully Di...”




Anjali came to her and held her hand and said affectionately: “Don’t worry; Dad said that he’ll talk to him and everything would be sort out.... After that you and Arnav happily married...”

Lavanya blushed looking down shyly: “I’m just waiting for it Di... And once everything clears I’ll make sure that Khushi is out of picture...I can’t see her 
Arnav...” turning hateful mentioning Khushi.

Anjali nodded: “Of course, that Khushi’s time is finished from Arnav’s life...come on let’s go down, he is about to arrive and you’ve to be there to receive him, right?”

Lavanya nodded smiling and already in her heart she was dreaming about a happy future with Arnav, knowing her Dad would sort everything after which Arnav would be to her again. Happy Lavanya knowing that by the end of this evening she would get her love back went downstairs with Anjali.

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A black Ferrari entered the gates of Gupta Haveli and came to stop at driveway, opening the door Arnav in light greyish-blue jeans with white t-shirt and dark-blue jacket, his hair ruffled. He went to other side and opened the door held hand out for Khushi, helping her get down. They both walked the few steps to main door and standing in front of the door he rang the bell which was answered quickly as a grinning Lavanya, whose smile flattered seeing Arnav at doorstep with smiling Khushi wearing a cute baby-pink dress with her hair in French bun, holding her hand.

ARNAV'S OUTFIT & LOOK

KHUSHI'S DRESS

KHUSHI'S HAIRSTYLE

Lavanya somehow managed to smile at them greeted: “Hey guys, come in...” move aside to let them in.

Arnav gave a polite nod at her with stern look and Khushi cheerfully said: “Hello Lavanya...” as both stepped inside and Arnav guided Khushi to living room and closing the door Lavanya followed them.

Seeing Arnav-Khushi, Garima-Sashi-Nani-Anjali got up to greet them who were in living room waiting for Arnav’s arrival and Lavanya went to stand beside Anjali. The Guptas’ were surprised to see Arnav not alone, but hid it quickly and Sashi smilingly greeted the guests: “Hello Arnav, pleasant surprise that you brought Khushi too... Hello Khushi...”

Khushi innocently asked: “Hello Uncle, why is surprising about my coming with him?” than as if it clicked and she turned Arnav open mouth exclaimed: “Hawww, OMG! Arnie, I told you I wasn’t invited... And you dragged me here along with you, Crap it’s so embarrassing...I’m going home, bye!” turned around to make a run, but Arnav held her by the elbow to stop her.

Khushi tried wiggling but he just held her more firmly, pulling her to him and she gave up struggling and covered her face with her palm, feeling embarrassed about turning up as uninvited guest. Arnav tried pulling her hands down but she won’t let him and he frustrated said: “What is this Mahi...show your face...”

But she just shook her head in negative and Arnav turned to look at Guptas’ with agitation questioned Sashi: “Uncle, what is this? And how could you just simply invite me for dinner without inviting her? How could you all think I would have accepted it? She is in India with me and she is my responsibility and I can’t leave her alone like that...” shook his head disappointingly.




Garima immediately said: “Arre, Arnav we didn’t mean like that... Sorry Khushi if you both felt like that, what SashiJi was meaning to say we didn’t expect Khushi to accept the invitation...”

Sashi too nodded said: “Yeah, that is what I meant... Sorry Khushi, if you felt offended...”




Khushi peeked from between her fingers asked innocently: “So, I didn’t turn up uninvited?”




Sashi smiled at innocence, shook his head replying: “No, you’re always welcomed here...”

Garima too added: “Yeah Khushi, you asked me Aloo-Paneer recipe right... Now if you didn’t turn up for invitation at our house, how would I give it to you?”





Khushi thought for a moment and brought her hand down and rewarded the Guptas’ a bright smile saying: “Yeah, you’re right aunty... Sorry, I over reacted...”

Garima, Sashi and Nani smiled at her innocence, internally feeling relieved that situation got under control. Arnav pulled Khushi in side hug wrapping an arm around her waist and apologized too: “Sorry, if I offended you...”




Nani smilingly brushed off: “Happened what happened let it go now...”

Smilingly Sashi, Garima, Nani, Arnav and Khushi took a seat while Anjali and Lavanya made went to kitchen to bring coffee and snacks for the guests.









Entering kitchen Lavanya made face as she said disapprovingly: “Di, that Khushi came here also... And have you seen her drama...I hate her!”

Anjali: “Calm down, Lav... And in a way, it is good if you see” seeing the confused look on Lavanya’s face she continued: “I mean, when everything sorts out with Arnav and he will be back o you...while Khushi could only stand at one side watching...”

Lavanya gets happy at the thought and said: “Yeah Di, she is glued to Arnav all the time...now I can show off to her that Arnav is rightfully mine...”

Both sisters smiled at each other, feeling happy at the thought of Khushi soon coming exit from Arnav’s life. They quickly took the trays of coffee and snacks, made way to living room with them and sat down keeping it on table serving everyone a cup of coffee, joining the conversation.


























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After the delicious dinner, the servant brought ‘Rasmalai’ for desert which he served everyone a bowl and Khushi happily complimented: “Mmmm Rasmalai, My favourite.... Aunty, it was awesome dinner... And now I get it why Arnav loves your Aloo-Paneer, it was damn good and you’ll have to give me the recipe today...” eating a spoonful of sweet.

Garima smilingly replied: “Of course...”





Arnav took a spoonful of the sweet said: “Yeah, the dinner was awesome...thank you for inviting us.”





Garima asked Arnav: “How is the desert, Arnav? It is your favorite...”





Arnav: “It is good...but you should taste Khushi’s made Rasmalai...she makes the best Rasmalai...” looked at Khushi with adorning eyes who rewarded him with cute dimple smile and fed him a spoonful of Rasmalai from her bowl.

All the while Lavanya looked at them with envious eyes; she tried so much to engage Arnav in conversation with herself... Get his attention but was unsuccessful and he was so attentive towards Khushi whole time. She even made his favorite desert but here also he is complimenting Khushi...as if the foreigner-only-for-name-sake-Indian girl would know how to cook any Indian food, he was just trying to make her jealous she thought and Anjali pressed her hand under the table gesturing, everything would be fine.

As everyone came back to living room finishing dinner, Sashi said to Arnav: “Come on Arnav, let us go to study room and let the ladies gossip here...”





Arnav nodded and looked at Khushi who silently gestured him to while again went on chatting with Garima and Nani while Lavanya-Anjali sat down silently but inside were buzzing with excitement knowing finally the conversation is going to happen.





















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On other side Sashi and Arnav entered the study room, as Sashi took his seat behind the desk and Arnav on a chair other side facing Sashi. Starting the conversation Sashi asked casually: “So Arnav we never got time to talk about life... How is life going on for you?”

Arnav smilingly: “All good, Uncle...”





Sashi: “So, any plans to settle down in India permanently after the project?”





Arnav shook his head: “Nope, I’m off well and good in England. Anyways, England is more of my homeland than India...but you can say that travelling to India once-in-a-while would be there after the Indian branch of AKR Corp. is set up...”

Sashi asked: “What about settling in life? Have you thought about it?”




Arnav confused: “I didn’t understand...”




Sashi calmly explained: “Arnav I won’t beat around the bush.... I meant have you thought about settling in life...marriage and commitment sense?”




Arnav was taken back: “Excuse me...”





Sashi: “Look Arnav, I know what happened 6 yrs back and when you had left you were hurt...but now it is all changed. I know you’re still angry with Lavanya and you’ve right to be which is why you avoid her... but we all know you still love her and Lavanya too loves you, that is why she divorced Samar and waiting for you for last 2 yrs. I think now it is enough of these anger games...get over it now, so I wanna propose Lavanya’s marriage with you?”

Arnav was shocked, 6 yrs back he would have jumped in joy but now it doesn’t mean anything...his priorities and needs have changed. So he politely answered: "Uncle I’m sorry but I can’t accept this marriage proposal...”




Sashi started to say: “But Arnav, we know you love Lav--” but cut off by him.





Arnav: “Uncle, I LOVED Lavanya...I don’t love her anymore, in fact to think I never loved her... she was different and I was just stubborn to win her, just an infatuation, that’s it...”

Sashi tried arguing: “It’s your anger Arnav, just listen to me...”





Arnav: “No Uncle, please you hear me out first... I used to love Lavanya or to say I use to think I loved Lavanya, but now I know I didn’t and I’ve moved in life. In this 6 yrs my life has changed, my priorities and my needs have changed...and in those changes Lavanya isn’t there anywhere anymore. 6 yrs back I would have happily said yes to this proposal but now it is not possible... What do you think I didn’t know about Lavanya and Samar’s divorce? I knew everything happening here from starting with troubles between Lavanya-Samar to their divorce 2 yrs back, but I didn’t want to be with Lavanya that’s why I never contacted in these 2 years.”

Sashi felt sort of angry hearing him and demanded: “How can you say like this, Arnav? You knew everything happening here...you knew about the divorce but you didn’t feel necessary to contact? If you didn’t want to be part of Lavanya’s life, you should have stopped the divorce... You can’t simply abandon her!!!”

Arnav calmly replied: “I didn’t abandoned Lavanya, whatever we had it was over 6 yrs back...and she did it herself and after that whatever she did with her life wasn’t my concern. Lavanya ended everything between us and I left India to move on in life.... I never contacted her or instigated her to divorce Samar or promised Lavanya about anything after divorcing Samar, it was her decision. So, don’t blame me for it...when 6 yrs back she choose Samar over it was over between us and I’ve nothing to do with her anymore... If she divorced Samar because she wants me, than it’s not my fault and because of her confused mind she can’t ever decide one time is also not my fault... I had done that one time but not anymore, I’m sorry and thank you for inviting tonight but guess now I should take a leave, it’s getting late...”

Arnav got up and Sashi too stood up, Arnav forwarded his hand and shaking hand with Sashi formally he made way out of study with Sashi behind and both men had grave expression on their faces. Anjali-Lavanya who had their eyes glued expectantly to study room way corridor and Lavanya had a bright smile seeing Arnav with her Dad knowing everything got right, but soon her illusion shattered.





















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Same time in living room Garima was telling Khushi the recipe who was listening attentively and as she finished, Khushi smilingly said: “Thank you Auntie, I’ll definitely make this for Arnav soon...”

Garima and Nani smile at her innocence while Anjali and Lavanya rolled their eyes but didn’t say anything Garima asked: “Khushi, you too resigned the same time Arnav did and you both came back together.... You both met in England again after leaving India?”

Khushi shook her head replying: “No, I resigned for Arnav and we both together returned to England...”





This got Anjali-Lavanya’s attention too and Anjali questioned: “Meaning?”

Khushi looked at her and replied: “The night we gave resignation Arnav had a... what to say, confrontation with Lavanya and he was quite upset in basketball court I found him... We talked and he wanted to go away from here, so overnight plan of resignation and immediately we left India next day. So, I was with him in last 6 yrs and you know the funny thing...”

Lavanya impatiently asked: “What?”

Khushi smiled excitedly telling: “It turns out Arnav knows my brother, in fact they are all best friends...”






Nani: “Brothers...?”

Khushi nodded smilingly replied: “Yeah, I’ve 2 Big brothers and they all know each other... Actually thing is, they were all in same University in different year and department, though my brothers were his senior they all were in same Rugby team where they met and became friends ... co-incidentally I never met Arnav during that time he was in team and after returning England, when my brothers came to receive us at the Airport they saw Arnav with me...it was nice...”

Anjali-Lavanya shared a look, they weren’t happy with this information of Khushi been close to Arnav in last 6 yrs and Garima-Nani simply smiled. Khushi felt Arnav returning and looked up his way as her eyes clashed with silver grey eyes, which were mirror to her making her lips lift in cute smile.













Arnav’s eyes went towards Khushi who sat there on couch animatedly explaining Garima and Nani something, as he stepped in the room she looked his way giving him a cute smile got up and flattering like a butterfly made her way to him which got a sweet smile on his face as he asked her: “Let’s go home, it’s getting late and it’s Monday tomorrow...”

Khushi smilingly nodded and turned to Gupta ladies said: “Thank you so much for the dinner, we’ll take leave now..."

Nani smiled as she asked: “Okay, Arnav would drop you home right? It’s too late for a girl to travel alone..."

Khushi innocently said confused: “Why would he drop me home, we leave in same house... Kya Nani...” giggles cutely.

Khushi didn’t understand what her innocently revealed fact put impression on Guptas’; Lavanya was horrified knowing Khushi lived with Arnav in same house and scenarios played in her head weren’t good while Anjali, Garima, Nani and Sashi were equally shocked.






Arnav dismissed their looks; he just wanted to get out of this house as soon as possible, it was suffocating him and he said: “Good night all, we’ll leave now....”

Wrapped his arm around Khushi’s waist, who smilingly waved saying: “Good night Uncle, Aunty, Nani. Lavanya and Anjali.... the dinner was lovely, thank you...”

Arnav and Khushi walked out bidding Guptas’ good night and Lavanya turned to her father asked: “Dad, what was this? Arnav aise kyun chala gaya? You talked to him, right?”

Sashi signed replying: “Yes, I talked to him...”

Lavanya desperately demanded: “Than why did he left like that?”

Sashi didn’t know what to answer and Lavanya getting impatient asked: “Dad, what happened? Arnav said yes to the proposal, right? He said that he still loves me? Dad reply me!”




Sashi replied: “He said no... He said he doesn’t love you or wants you back because he moved on....”

Lavanya stepped back feeling disbelieved: “No... No, this can’t be true... Arnav can’t forget me... This can’t happen...” as tears filled her eyes.

Sashi tried to touch her but Lavanya stepped back and ran upstairs to her room, closing the door behind her and ran to her balcony. But the scene she saw from there down at driveway shattered her further and made her paralyze in shock witnessing Arnav kissing Khushi who was wrapped up in his arms and reciprocating it.






















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The same time other side, Arnav walked out with Khushi to their car and Arnav held the door open for her while Khushi looked at his face than asked: “Is everything okay, Arnav?”

Arnav nodded giving a fake smile: “I’m fine...”





Khushi frowned not believing his lie and folded her arms asked: “It’s me you’re replying and I know you inside out... What happened?” tapping her heels impatiently.





Arnav shut the door, pulled her in his arms and took her lips in a passionate kiss which Khushi reciprocated wrapping her arms around his neck, giving all her love. As pulling back he moved back the lock behind her ear, cupping her face looked in her eyes said: “I love you, Mahiya...”

Khushi replied smiling sweetly: “I love you too, Arnu”

Arnav softly said: “Just don’t ever leave me...I can’t live without you, Titli...”





Khushi brought her hand to his which cupping her said: “I won’t leave you ever... where you got such silly thought?”

Arnav shook his head said: “Nothing, let’s go home..."










Arnav held the door open again and helped her with the seat belt, went around to driver’s side and got in the car, reversing drove out of Gupta Haveli gates. What they both missed was Lavanya standing in the balcony who witnessed it all stood shocked which slowly wore off making tears roll down her eyes. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Anjali whom she immediately hugged braking into wails and heartbreaking sobs at witnessing her dreams shattered, while Anjali tried consoling her broke sister.

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NEXT DAY, G.K. CONSTRUCTION, CANTEEN, 02:00 PM














The gang sat on their usual table with upset face as a very depressed Lavanya told them everything about last night ready to breakdown again and Anjali supported her, even Tuli, Samar and NK were present who just looked at every ones face not knowing what to say to others comment and simply sat quite listening.









Payal sadly said: “I never expected this from Arnav...”

Aman: “Don’t worry Lav everything will be fine....”

Mayuri angrily: “This all because of that Khushi... She is root of all this, uski toh main!!” tried getting up and Yuvi held her down.

He tried to calm his wife: “Mayu, calm down.... we need to think not act violently...”

Mayuri angrily: “You’re asking me to calm down... That Khushi took Arnav away from us and she manipulated him well in these 6 yrs against us that witch! I won’t leave her...!”




Anjali also: “Yeah Mayu calm down, Yuvi is right...”




Yuvi: “I never expected things to turn like this...”




Akash taking a deep breath said: “We’ve to do something guys...”








Now all agreed to it and started making plans of getting Arnav back and throwing Khushi out from Arnav’s life permanently. It was Tuli, Samar and NK who looked warily with everything.
























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Arnav-Khushi were in Khushi’s cabin going over project files and Khushi slammed her file shut as he looked up at her to see her make cute baby face complaining: “Arnav come on, let’s go an eat something... I’m so hungry it feels like elephants are playing rugby in my tummy, I need food NOW!” pouting holding her tummy like a kid.

Arnav chuckled: “Hmmmm that’s a serious matter... Now how can we let elephants play rugby in your tummy...?”

Khushi whined at his teasing: “Arnav!” irritated.





He laughed saying: “Okay stop making baby-faces, let’s go to canteen for lunch...”





Khushi smiled happily and held his bicep smilingly as both came out of cabin to go to canteen for lunch. But an peon came there said: “Sir, Sashi sir is calling you for something...”





Arnav dismissed the peon and turned to look at Khushi making a face as he said: “Okay, so you go to canteen... I’ll join you in few min...”

Khushi nodded and he kissed her forehead as the lift door opened, Khushi got in pressed the 2nd floor button to go to canteen waved at him as the door closed which Arnav returned with sweet smile and made way to Sashi’s cabin and to finish up quickly as he knocked on Sashi’s cabin door and entered getting a ‘Come in’ from inside.










Arnav stepped inside the cabin asked: “You called?”






Sashi looked up from his file gesturing him to take a seat and as Arnav sat down, he said: “Arnav, I wanted to talk about yesterday night conversation...”

Arnav tried to say something but Sashi didn’t let him and continued: “Arnav please...after you left, I told Lavanya your decision she was shattered.... And I can’t see my daughter like that, look Arnav I understand that you’re angry with Lavanya because whatever happened... But you loved her once, just for old times’ sake give her another chance and I know you’ll fall in love with her again...”






Arnav calmly tried make Sashi understand: “Mr. Gupta this conversation is futile, at this point of my life Lavanya doesn’t have any chance to be with me again... If you wanna make understand than try and make her understand that I moved on, so better she too accepts it and move on in her life.”

Sashi getting frustrated: “Please Arnav at least give her a chance before you reject.... Why can’t you give a try?”

Arnav: “It’s you who needs to try and understa--” but was interrupted as his phone beeped with incoming message and he pulled his phone out, checked the message while Sashi looked at him with frown.








Arnav smiled a bit reading the message and send a quick reply and pocketed his mobile back and looked up at Sashi said seriously: “You wanted to know why can’t I give Lavanya even one chance, come with me...”

Sashi frowned at the oddness but having no choice got up and followed Arnav, they went to the elevators, as the doors opened and they stepped inside, Arnav pressed 2nd floor. Both men stood in silence inside the lift but the tension between them was so thick that it could be cut with knife.






















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The gang saw a smiling Khushi in cream and cheetah print short dress with her hair in fishtail braid enter the canteen alone, she went to the counter and ordering her lunch after which she gave her credit card for payment and stood waiting to be done.

KHUSHI'S DRESS

KHUSHI'S HAIRSTYLE

Mayuri made a face said: “Ah! Here she comes...”

Payal: “But why is she alone.... Where is Arnav? Let’s ask her...” waved back at Khushi with fake smile who seeing them sitting smilingly waved a ‘Hi’.

Khushi walked to their table with a sweet smile and seeing her approaching Mayuri whisperingly commented: “Dekha, kaise Chamak Challo jaose aa rahi hai... Dayaan!” (See, how she’s coming like Chamak Challo... Witch!)

Payal too remarked in low voice: “Look at her face... so innocent but such crafty she is...”




Khushi smiled at them all waving a little as she greeted them: “Hello everyone...”

All excepted Samar-Tuli-NK faked a smile greeting her and Payal asked with fake sweetness: “Khushi, where is Arnav?”

Khushi smilingly replied: “Mr. Gupta called him, so he went there...will come here in few minutes...”

Payal nodded giving her a fake smile and Khushi saw Lavanya sitting with pale face and red eyes, so genuinely concerned asked: “Lavanya, you’re okay?”






Lavanya averted her eyes not wanting say anything and Mayuri rudely said: “Show this fake concern in front Arnav to impress him, not us...”

Khushi felt bad at Mayuri’s remake tried saying: “But I was just--” was cut in mid...







Yuvi sarcastically: “Oh please, let it be Ms. Khushi...drop it now, as if we don’t know your intentions.”

Payal accusingly: “And why do you keep glued to Arnav like stuck with fevicol... He doesn’t even acknowledge us because of you!”

Anjali angrily: “I know what your intentions are Khushi... I know your type of girl who traps rich men for money. But listen to me carefully Arnav is Lavanya’s and he loves her... you better back off! I’m war--”

Cut off with a loud roaring: “ENOUGH!!!”

Khushi stood their stunted with the accusations hurled on her and tears filled her eyes at the harsh words, but couldn’t say anything. 

All turned to look in the direction to see a very angry Arnav who marched with fury towards them and behind him was serious Sashi. He came besides Khushi, whom he took in his protective embrace and look at the gang with murderous fury... He patted Khushi’s head in smoothing way because she was sobbing, trying to comfort her while cursing in his head to leave her alone...the thing he feared had happened, his Baby-doll got hurt and he was ready to burn the culprits who brought tears in her eyes.

He looked at his so-called friends with murderous glare said in low threatening voice: “How dare you! How dare you accuse Mahi?! Who gave you the right to misbehave with her?!”

Payal: “You’re asking us Arnav? Since you’ve returned, you’re giving us cold shoulder all because of her...” looking at Khushi with hateful eyes and turned her eyes back to Arnav who glared at her so hard which made her flinch.

Aman: “Yeah dude, you don’t even talk to us now... Tu toh mera Bhai tha na...”

Akash: “We all missed you Arnav in last 6 yrs... but you treat us like strangers, never talk unless it is professional...”

Mayuri: “And she is always glued to you like fevicol and always brain-washing you and turning against us...” giving a hateful glare at Khushi.

Yuvi: “Mayu is right; you’ve changed so much Arnav... You weren’t like this, you weren’t so distant from us and now you’re, all because of her...”

Anjali angrily spoke: “You broke and rejected Lav because of her...”

Lavanya bitterly said: “I guess now she is very happy knowing she succeeded in taking you away from us... And you sang for like in party ‘Tu mera humdard hai...’ this girl isn’t medicine to wounds, she is the pain of my life... She snatched you from me!”

Arnav felt murderous rage which was somehow increasing by minute hearing his once-upon-a-time-friends and angrily exploded making all shut up and cringed at his loud tone: “SHUT UP ALL OF YOU! How dare you accuse Mahi and put blame of something you all did? Who gave you the right to interfere in MY LIFE! Who are you to me? Did I interfere in your life that you all are being so nosy about mine?!”

Payal tried to say something but next words from Arnav was shock for all and he continued with all but roaring at all in anger: “Shut the fuck up! I don’t want a word from you... And what you say Payal that I was ignoring you all since I returned, well where you when I needed someone to share my pain... Oh! I remember too busy in honeymoon to worry or even remember a friend who might have needed you...” with underline fury in his words which hit Payal and Akash below the belt.

He looked at Anjali said: “I thought you were been polite to her at least... But you too showed your true colours! You were also sitting in Australia never bothering to know how I was coping...” making Anjali look slight guilty and Arnav turned to Aman said: “You say consider me brother but you too abandoned me and went off Mumbai mourning over Anjali’s rejection, not even once you thought how I was coping..at least call once to ask if I was fine or not. But no you were too busy for that... And you Mayuri, what did you say she keeps gluing with me... Humph! News for you it’s not her, it is me always glued to her... ”

The heated argument had the who canteen burning with the tension and all looked wide-eyed, even Epshita and Kunal came rushing getting to know about huge argument going on.










Furious Arnav continued looking at Mayuri and all of them with angry eyes: “Where were you all when I needed you the most? When I needed a shoulder to cry on... And you Yuvi, we were friends since such a long time, what didn’t I do for you and to save you sinking love-life but you too ran away when I needed someone beside me the most and sat there in New York, never even bother to know if I was dead or alive!” making Yuvi flitch at the words.

Arnav continued furiously: “And you Mayuri, I knew and expected this from this bastard but never from you... You too followed after him and never bothered to even know about me....and here you accuse Khushi, how could you?” making Mayuri lower her eyes looking away not knowing what to say.

Arnav finally turned to Lavanya with cold fury: “And you Ms. Lavanya Gupta, I sing for Khushi, dance or jump off a building is none of your concern...you don’t have a right to question me, it’s my life and I’ll do whatever I want and be with whom I want... The sudden interest you’re showing in my life, rather than showing in me if you had shown one-forth (1/4th) of it in your married life and husband, than you wouldn’t have been a divorcee right now...” taunting Lavanya and continued pointing them: “You are saying that I’ve changed... It is YOU PEOPLE who changed me and the biggest credit goes to you, Ms. Lavanya Gupta!”

Lavanya was hurt by Arnav’s words and taunts, she was jealous and her ego was wounded as she angrily shouted: “Mahi, Mahi, Mahi... do just keep uttering that name all time, you don’t even care about your friends anymore...you couldn’t see anything beyond her... Who is she! Just because she was with you for a while, tum toh iske deewane hoye ja rahe ho... I accept I had hurt you a lot in past but can’t you see she is using you and made you her slave! Because of her you started bike racing and wild partying, I’m pretty sure you’ve also started boxing again...when you had promised me not to do boxing, racing and wild parties anymore. She just pulled the strings and you started dancing on her tunes like a puppet... And such a shameless girl, she lives in same house with you and I’m pretty sure she would be sharing same bed with you...girls like her, god knows how many men’s bed she has warmed.. Disgusting, characterless--”

Lavanya was rudely cut off by a tight slap on cheek which almost thrown her, shocked holding her right cheek she looked at the face of murderously angry Arnav who was looking like he would kill her was been held back by Khushi and Arnav tried getting out of her grip: “Leave me Mahi, I’ll kill her...how dare she!!!” then looked down at Khushi’s face to see her shake head in ‘No’ with tears pouring from her eyes which made his eyes soften as he wiped her tears and hugged her. All were stunned with shock witnessing Arnav slapped Lavanya.

Arnav looked at Lavanya with murderous rage and lashed upon her: “If it wasn’t her (Khushi) in my arms right now, I would have killed you for saying such thing about her! And you’re absolutely right, she was the one who supported me... who had seen me broken into pieces and bothered to gather those pieces, and mend me. True I started racing, boxing and partying, she never put restrictions on me as long as I’m safe...unlike you, who wants to turn me into something I’m not. I don’t need to pretend to be something else or change for her because she knows me better than me, but you never understood me...understanding me is far thing, you don’t know what you want yourself...you just know blaming and imposing yourself on others! You’re absolutely right that we live in same house, that we share same room and same bed...that is because only she has the right, sirf uska haq hai! You were the reason of my pain; you shattered my life and broke me into pieces... She is the reason of my life, my strength, my pillar, my guide, my best friend and my love. Remember Lavanya what I told you before I left, I hate you...I hate every moment I had spend with you, I hate whatever we had and one day you would want me but I reject you...”

Lavanya feeling hurt asked:”So, you’re taking revenge..?”

Arnav just gave her a pitiful glance said: “Revenge? For what? You take revenge from those you hate...but I don’t have any feeling for you Lavanya, not hate and definitely no love. I just feel pity for you Lavanya...”

Lavanya just stared at Arnav, searchingly looking in his eyes hoping to see the lost love but all she got to witness was pity, and seeing how he held Khushi in his arms which once used to wrap around her and made tears roll down her eyes and it broke her heart some more that her tears too didn’t affect him anymore...there was once a time when her one frown use with made him go restless, today that same person didn’t care anymore.

Arnav looked at all with hard cold graze as he threatened: “I’m warning you, better stay away from her especially you, Ms. Lavanya Gupta... don’t even dare to say a word against her... Because I don’t let people get away hurting MY WIFE!” stressed on the last two words making it loud and clear.

Lavanya stammering: “You...your wi...wife?”

Arnav confidently: “Yes, my wife Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada...” with pride clearly evident in his voice.

All were stunned at this revelation and looking wide eyed between Arnav-Khushi, while Lavanya felt like sky fell on her head... Here she was from last 2 yrs after divorcing Samar dreaming of a married life with Arnav which got shattered in cruelest way. But they all weren’t fully recovered from the shock came an unexpected cute little voice which startling all: “DADDAAAAA!!!!!”