There will never be another you : Chapter 15

 "Let me hear that recording Aman"  

Arnav asked Aman to play the audio which he was mentioning . Aman had messaged Arnav to meet him urgently in the office room to show the proof of the conversation of the real culprit with the journalist.

"I told you stop calling me all the time. I will send you the pictures as soon as I have it. " It was Khushi's buaji's voice. 

"If I am not going to get it first, you are going to have serious problem Madhumatiji. Remember that. " Tina threatened her. 

"Listen.. Stop being over smart. If I refuses to give you pictures, you do not have any other source here so better shut up and wait. " Madhumati replied in anger. 

The recording stopped and when Arnav did not react much. Aman asked him.

"What next sir?" 

"Wait for my call. Until then do nothing. And Aman without her noticing take that phone away. No pictures should leak furthermore " Arnav walked away instructing Aman.

Arnav was somehow sure it was Buaji but he still couldn't figure out why.. Why was she doing all these? What was her profit in this?

When he came back to place where he was sitting with Khushi, he couldn't find her. Later Payal told her that she went to the courtyard for some work. 

He searched for Khushi in the courtyard but couldn't find her anywhere. It was then he heard some hushed conversation from somewhere. He followed the noise which led him to the corner of the backyard.

Then he saw her, she was facing away from him it was Buaji who was talking to her. Her mother was also standing there. Slowly the words were clearer.

"You are responsible for all these. I had to do all these because of you.. And who are you to question me? You think I am afraid of your husband? Go.. Go and tell him that I am the one who is responsible for the scandal.. I will tell him you were already aware of everything and you were intentionally hiding it. He is not going to believe an orphan. "

How dare she threaten his wife? Arnav went into a blind rage listening to the threat given by Madhumati to his wife. Before he jumped at them his logical brain kicked in which made him stop. He need to understand what is the true colour of these so called family of his wife. He took deep breath to calm himself down. As much as Khushi's state was not letting him calm down, he need to get into the bottom of this. 

"Khushi.. You have to clear this mess now. You just tell your husband that you are the one who was leaking the photos. He might get angry be you at first but it will be fine after sometime. If he comes to know that your Buaji was behind all this it will create big problem between both families. "

Garima as usual tried to manipulate Khushi. When Khushi looked at her with a helpless expression she continued to emotionally manipulate her. 

"We took you in when you were orphaned Khushi. We took care of you all these years. We gave you food and shelter. You have to protect your family. See you are married to Arnav Singh Raizada. Your life is set. But your sister is still struggling. Your father fought everyday with us for you Khushi. How much shame this will bring him, please think and take the responsibility for all this. Nothing will happen. Arnav won't let anyone know as you are his wife, it will bring his own reputation to mud so he will only clear all these mess."

"What about me Amma? Did I mean anything to you? Do you have any idea how it is going to make me look in front of my husband? I know you never loved me but for once why can't you show little compassion to the girl who called you mother ?"

His heart broke a little when he heard his wife pleading voice. How can they be so cruel to her?

"What are you saying Khushi? I am still your mother.. All I am asking you is a favour.."

"Leave it Garima.. What we could expect from this ungrateful girl? Let her do whatever she wants. I knew that we were feeding her for nothing.. Come .. don't waste more time talking to her.."

That's it. He lost his patience.. Before he barged into the scene, Madhumati walked away pulling Garima with her leaving a sobbing Khushi behind.

Looking at his wife's shaking form he realized something. Whatever happens, wherever she go, She is not gonna do it alone. She will always have him by her side. 

"Khushi.."  His soft voice made her life her gaze and look at him with red and puffy eyes.

When she looked into his eyes she understood he heard the entire conversation. Suddenly he saw her panicking. Maybe she think he is going to blame her for everything. Before she could say anything he closed the distance between them and hugged her. 

He felt her relaxing slowly after the initial tension she felt and then she started sobbing against his chest. He hugged her small form to himself so tight, he feared she would break. In between he kissed the top of her head and whispered "I got you Khushi.." and he hoped she understood he will never blame her for anything.

After almost 5 minutes of crying her heart out, Khushi relaxed against her husband's warm body.

"Arnavji.. I.. "

"I heard everything Khushi.. I will never blame you for anything Khushi.. I am never going to leave you alone. I promise you no one will hurt you again. I don't know if you count me as one but I want you to know that we are family. You are my wife Khushi and we will be together always. I wish if I could learn about all these little earlier. "

Khushi broke the hug and looked at him like a lost child. He wiped her tears with his thumb and cupped her face softly.

"Khushi.. I know you have gone through a lot. I know maybe you won't believe me when I say this but its the truth. The most important people in my life is you and my Di. I don't know when it happened but you are the integral part of my life Khushi. I can't see you sad. I will fix everything. Please don't be sad.. I can't see you sad.. "

"Really ?" Khushi asked like a cute kid. It was the first time she is getting such warmth from someone after her father and sister. Did he have any idea she had fallen for him even before they were married? These words from his mouth means the world to her. She felt she has everything at this moment. That time she realized he has given the right to her as a husband. She smiled a little after that realization and hugged her husband tightly. He is her man.. Nothing else matters.

"Khushi.. someone will come, If you are ok can we go inside?"

He gently broke the hug gently and asked her. She nodded and he held her hand and both of them went inside the house.

When they entered, everyone were busy in dancing so they sneaked into their room for Khushi to freshen up. He waited patiently on their bed when she went to the bathroom and later came out and fixed her makeup.

When she was satisfied with her look she looked at Arnav who was observing her silently. That is when she saw the stains of her Mehndi on his Sherwani. She spoiled his Sherwani.

"Oh.. I am so sorry Arnavji.. I didn't realize I spoiled your Sherwani. Maybe you can change before we go down ?"

"Forget about it Khushi. Its not important. We can stay here little longer if you want.. " He said extending his hands towards her as an invitation to sit beside him.

Hearing him she sighed and took his hand to sit beside him and rested her head on his shoulder. 

They sat in silence for few minutes. 

"I always thought I will win their love one day.. I was wrong.. I know there is no point in expecting love from them as they made it clear for me many times in the past that I will always be an orphan. Still it hurts. "

His heart ached listening to her words. 

"I totally understand your pain Khushi.. Please don't say that ever again. You have me.. I don't know if I have given enough reasons to make you believe but please believe me Khushi.. "

He took her small hand in his big one and looked at the deep red Mehndi with an 'A' and kissed it with so much love which was enough to lift the heaviness off her chest.

"I believe you Arnavji.. I know I have you now.  Nothing else matters. And I know you will fix everything.. "

Exhausted by the events happened she let her body to fall back on the bed which made Arnav also join her as they were holding hands.   

He lost the track of time as he admired the angelic face of his wife who drifted into sleep in between. He covered her with blanket and kissed her forehead. He left the room after changing his clothes.

He made few calls and went downstairs to see his sister. She was sitting in the middle of the stage waiting for her Mehndi to dry. She will leave after marriage tomorrow. He is not going to discuss this with her now. Once he sort everything he will tell her himself.  

Anjali lovingly smiled at her little brother and gestured him to sit beside her. He sat beside her as his sister showed her Mehndi to him.

"Di.. Can you promise me something?"

Anjali looked at his brother who was looking at her with a serious expression.

"What is it Chote?"

"If you feel anything is not right.. I meaning how trivial it might be promise me you will reach out to me. I know Shivaay is not Shyam. Still if something is bothering you please .. please let me know. Your brother will be there with you in the blink of an eye. "

"I know Chote and I promise you .. An don't worry Shivaay is not gay.. I already asked him. She winked and gave him a bright smile." 

He smiled back at her shaking his head. His just want his sister and Khushi to be happy. That is all he need. 

"Where is Khushi..? I did not see her in a while. " 

"She slept Di. She was so tired , she just lied down before coming down after washing her mehndi but due to tiredness she slept. I thought let her sleep as its going to be long day tomorrow. "

"Poor girl she was very tired of running here and there personally making sure everything is perfect. Its good that you did not wake her up. Let her take rest. Come let's dance. " 

"You know I don't dance Di.. "

Ignoring his protest Anjali pulled his brother with her to the dance floor. 

Love,

ST