Chapter 21

The streets around the gargantuan resort was finally quite, people occupying the rooms and suites possibly already succumbed to deep sleep, however a storm was brewing in the room housing Khushi.

The desire, passion and deep supressed love had finally broken free and spun out of control.

When Arnav placed his lips on her, his intention was just to show her how truly deep his feelings ran. Hopefully make her understand her own feelings for him. It was suppose to be a chaste brush of lips.

He would have laughed at himself if he was not otherwise occupied with her scent and touch.

Laughed at the absurdity of how he could even think that their first kiss would stop at anything less than a bomb detonating. Every single time they had even hovered around each other, their bodies managed to catch fire. Every single time he touched her in past, he had to use every single molecule of strength in his body to not consume her. And so why and how did he think that touching her lips for the very first time would be as simple as he imagined in his head.

That first touch was soft at first. A simple brush of lips as their breaths mingled together. He withdrew slightly only to come back. His lips teased hers with soft, sweet nips - so feather-light that it barely qualified to be called a kiss. Few seconds ticked by, when he heard her whimper and he untangled his fingers from her hair and stepped away with a matching groan. Immediately taking few steps back.

Her chest heaved as she looked up at him. Her entire world reduced to that one single moment and place. Her lips trembled. Her hands moving up to touch where he was just a second ago.

"Fuck". Series of expletive tore out of Arnav's throat as his eyes followed her movement.

They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, neither one of them speaking. Electricity zapping between them.

The chant to get a grip running in his mind on repeat. And then she moved again. This time her arms coming around her like an armour. "Arnav", a soft whisper left her lips snapping the last thread of his control.

His eyes blazed. And like mirrors colliding together, they moved toward each other at the same time.

She moaned the moment their lips touched again, but Arnav swallowed her sound with his mouth. Her hands threaded through his hair and his weaved around her bare, lehenga-clad waist to hold her tight against him.

Another loud gasp escaped her lips as he sank his teeth into her lower lips.

"Arnav", she whispered again and with another curse, he slipped his tongue into her mouth.

All his reasoning and restraint gone, he devoured her like a starving man. His hands moved down to curl around her thighs, and he lifted her in one swift movement. Guiding her legs around his hips he backed her into the wall right next to the open balcony door.

Khushi wrapped her hands around his neck tight, her fingers biting into his shoulder blades, as she held on tight. His hands once again thrust into her hair as he angled her head to drive the kiss even deeper. His tongue plunging again and again, tangling with hers - stealing her breath, stealing her sanity.

He had to stop, he knew that. At the back of his mind, he was painfully aware that he was so close to crossing the line of no return. And in no way in hell he wanted their first time to be in a hotel room full of their family and extended family, especially when he still had no clue of her reaction to his declaration before.

Breathing hard, he tilted his head back slightly to look at her but immediately decided what a bad idea it was. With her lips parted, glistening from their kiss, and her hooded eyes she gazed at him, and then did something that managed to knock all air out his lungs.

Her shivering fingers curled around his neck and with a gasp she pulled him back to her waiting lips - almost as if surprised by her own action.

He took her lips in a fiery kiss again. His mouth opening against hers wide, his tongue entwining hers in a sensual dance.

His hands splaying wide on her almost bare back, bringing her even closer to him that didn't seemed possible few seconds ago.

"Goddammit Khushi", he hissed as he pulled back once again. His lips moving all over her face, neck and the exposed part of her cleavage.

"We need to stop", he murmured with a groan.

"Arnav", she cried in response. Unable to think or form any coherent words. And then she moved. It was only to adjust herself in his arms. But all it did was to place her right above his hard length and they both froze.

Her breath hitched. And his fingers dug into her skin. The way her eyes went wide, he knew she felt him too.

Sharp wave of shiver shot up her body and since they still hadn't move away from each other, he felt it too, all the way up his spine.

And their lips slammed back together yet again, as he moved against her. A deep rumble escaping his lips.

What the fuck was he doing? He needed to detach himself from her. But that just made him move his mouth on her deeper. His hips pushed into her again, their fingers suddenly moving everywhere.

Her nails dug into his back as she fisted his shirt tight into her fist, and her other hand pulled his hair. One of his palm now rested warm and heavy on top of her chest, feeling the hard thudding behind. His another arms wound around her waist to keep her fused between the wall and himself.

He almost moved to push into her again, when faint sound of horn swept into their room. Followed by people talking.

"Fuckkk". He groaned. All their movement coming to an screeching halt. The white noise of their desire finally clearing, letting the world outside in.

It took them a while to remember how to make their brain and limbs work. Few seconds later, he finally lowered her back to ground and unglued his lower body from hers. He then leaned his forehead against hers, their breaths still ragged and eyes closed, as they both stumbled to find some balance to their off-axis world.

"Are you ok?". His voice so husky that it sent another wave of shiver up and down her body.

She nodded her head.

He moved his hands to cup her face, and tilted it up slightly. His eyes bored into hers as he repeated, "Are you sure?"

She swallowed thickly. Her fingers wrapping around his wrists tight. "I...am. Are you?"

He let out a long exhale, the voices from outside now stronger and much clearer. Was it morning already? How long were they lost in each other?

Giving a small smile he pulled her back to him, this time placing a small kiss on her forehead. "I am, gorgeous. I am"

Returning his smile, she gingerly placed her right palm over his heart, mimicking his earlier action - almost as if trying to find out if his heart was too trying to break free out his chest, much like hers. Which he covered with his immediately and squeezed.

"Try to get some sleep, ok?"

"Yeah. You too Arnav"

He bent down to place another kiss on her temple and say his good bye, but instead, before he could stop himself, he placed a small kiss on her lips. "Good night sweetheart. See you in few hours"

And with that he walked out of her room.

---

See you in few hours.

Arnav's fingertips pinched the bridge of his nose as his mind once again decided to relay the memories of that night and those parting words he said to her before walking back into his room. Something that never came to fruition.

After spending few hours of restless sleep, when he finally dragged himself out of his room, half the people had already left the resort, including Madhumati and Khushi.

He remembered his body going rigid with tension when Anjali told him that Madhumati had fallen sick late at night, and Khushi decided to take her to doctor. His mind automatically drawing up the worse case scenario. Was she gone because of what transpired between them? Was she regretting those hours together? Questions after questions slammed through him, especially when his call to her went unanswered.

He was almost at the verge of loosing it, when she finally called - apologising for not calling him sooner. Telling all about Madhumati's ulcer acting up. He so badly wanted to be with her. Help her with whatever she needed, but AR needed his attention. And so, it was Akash who ended up assisting Khushi. Three days of working from home, she was finally set to come back to office. They were finally suppose to have their face to face. There was so much he wanted to ask her. So much he wanted to say. But as if the universe was conspiring to keep them away - their newly acquired boutique in London had an emergency. And with Arnav and Akash tied up completely, Khushi was chosen to go to London.

And so, one and a half weeks later - since the night he bared his soul to her - they were yet to acknowledge that night. Even though they spoke every single night since Khushi arrived in London, not once did they spoke about the marriage, resort or the kiss that had turned his world upside down.

His head fell heavily on the backrest of his chair, letting out a long sigh.

She was set to travel from London in two days. And now after these many days, he was no longer sure about how he was going to bring up that night with her. He did however knew that in no way was he going to allow her to retrace her steps - something he had a strong inkling was what she was planning on doing. He now had two days to figure out how and when to bring up that night with her. To get her to understand that there was nothing in the world that he wouldn't do for her That she was it for him.

---

"Anything?"

"Nope, nothing yet"

"Fuck!"

"I know. But the level of encryption these files have, we have no choice but to be patient and let my algorithm do its thing"

"It has been a week Jai, one whole bloody week!"

"Yes NK and I am trying. I am trying my level best. But, this is some of most complex coding I have ever seen in my life. One wrong command and the self destruct part of the code will trigger. I need time NK"

Sighing NK sat down. His head in his palms as he huffed a breath. Jai was right, they had no other choice but to be patient. If only he could explain this to his brain which was too angry and irritated with the whole situation. He was about to ask Jai again about the progress, when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Giving an apologetic look to Jai, he fished out his phone as he made his way out into the balcony.

"Hello"

"Any luck?

Taking another deep breath, he leaned against the hand railing, answering that one question that had become a constant in his life from last week.

"Nope. Nothing yet"

"Fuck"

He almost smiled as he heard his exact same reaction mirrored in her voice.

"Jai's algorithm is taking time. And to quote him, we need to be patient"

"I am sorry, this is all my fault"

"No its not"

"Yes it is. If I would have given you some more time, we would have had some more data to work with. Now, we are stuck with these encrypted files that just won't crack"

"Lavanya, enough. And for the last time, you did wonderfully well. I know, we didn't get everything, but we got plenty"

"How can you say that NK? What if these files are related to his usual day-to-day work?"

"No, they are not. Because no one, and I mean no one adds such high-end encryption to usual day-to-day work files. There is something huge in these files and it's just the matter of time before we crack it. So, I want you stop blaming yourself for this. Ok?"

A deep exhale pinged off the line. "Yea. I guess. Ok fine just let me know if something comes up please"

"Will do. I will talk to you later La!"

"Of course. Bye NK!"

Sighing again NK hit the red button on the mobile screen as he looked up at the sky, his mind wandering back to that eventful night. Night, which as he was hoping with all his might had given them the breakthrough they were all looking for.

After Khushi and Arnav disappeared following Aparna's barrage of questions, all of them finally realized how late it was and how dead tired they all were.

Quickly and quietly, all of them retired to their respective rooms.

It had been barely half hour since NK managed to hit the bed, when his vibrating phone woke him up with a jolt.

With series of curses on his lips, NK blindly reached for his phone, only to turn it up-side down and then turn his back toward it. But then within seconds it vibrated once again - this time breaking through the haze of his sleep.

Curse still intact on his lips, NK answered his phone, just to hear the hushed voice of Lavanya on the other side, "Did you see my messages? We don't have much time"

Sleep completely gone, he lurched up straight and with a frown flipped open his message list - still unsure if the call from Lavanya was real or just a figment of his hopeful imagination - only to find back to back messages from Lavanya.

Breath hitching with what he was reading, he got on his feet and getting got hold of his car keys, he ran.

Lavanya

I am in. Just be ready for my next instructions.

Sent: 12:30 am

Lavanya

Everything is out and inside a briefcase now - which is inside the black shelf right next to the tv cabinet in his drawing room in the penthouse of Acme. Duplicate key card for the room will be below the welcome mat. Code for the briefcase: #0835

Sent: 3:15 am

He drove like a mad man, hoping that he wasn't too late. On the way he called Jai, asking him to be there with his laptop and all the important stuff they talked about when they planned for this near-impossible situation.

His car came to a grinding stop in front of Acme's building. Within seconds he jumped and ran towards the building, meeting Jai on the way. They entered the building easily, as Naveen whom they planted as Suraj's assistant gave standing instructions to the night guards to expect IT maintenance personnel and to let NK and Jai in.

Slowly and cautiously, they opened the main door of the penthouse and with equal silence, they drew the briefcase out the shelf. They then used the code from Lavanya's message to pull open the briefcase only to reveal bunch of hard-drives, stack of files, a thick packet with several memory cards and a black coloured leather folder - all thrown carelessly inside.

Almost at a hysterical pace, Jai connected the external devices to his laptop trying to copy as much of its data as possible. But after copying few of the files their progress came to a sudden stop. Most of the files on the hard drive and memory cards turned out to be copy-protected. Jai tried to crack the security around this protected data, while NK scanned as much of the physical documents as he could.

They were almost through sixty percent of the files and devices, when they heard loud shuffling from a nearby room. They froze and stared at each other. NK quickly scanned some more documents only to realise the voices from the next room getting louder by seconds.

"Shit!", he shook his head in disappointment as they hurried to get everything back into the briefcase. Tip toeing across the room he placed the case back into the shelf and sweeping his eyes one last time across the room they slipped out.

Since that day, they had been constantly, day and night trying to piece together the information they now had. Plethora of random pictures, old bank statements and nonsensical company logos - they had them all. But, everything they could access so far still seemed too disconnected to each other to make any real sense.

As he told Lavanya, they did manage to get their hands on lot of files, but since most of the data they did manage to copy was encrypted in such a way that it made even someone like Jai's mind spin, they were still no where close to solving the Acme shaped problem.

Lavanya had called everyday since that night, every time apologising for not giving them enough time with the briefcase. NK did wonder what exactly happened that night though. When they originally planned for the possibility of Lavanya helping them, they hoped to get almost the entire night with Suraj's documents. And although he was partly at fault for missing Lavanya's messages and arriving at Acme almost three hours late, they still could have had more than couple of hours and not forty five minutes that they actually managed.

He never voiced these questions, but few night back, Lavanya finally cracked. Almost as if she sensed these questions in NK's voice.

That night, after the so-called celebration that Suraj was so eager to have, she hoped that Suraj would be drunk enough to pass out. But brimming with the excitement that he had once again outmanoeuvred AR, that passing out never came. He wanted sex and in no way in hell, Lavanya could take her acting that far. Not after she knew who he really was. She tried to stop him, but when her soft but subtle decline didn't work, she bolted out the bedroom. Too late to realise her blunder that NK and Jai were still working in the living room. And Suraj who was furious with her lack of response pulled the bedroom door wide open to walk into the living room, with NK and Jai escaping with the barest of margin.

NK knew what Lavanya did was what anyone in her situation would have done. In fact he was amazed how she could stand that man's presence at all.

His fist clenched automatically as everything that Suraj had done so far swished past his mind again. He almost let out another curse when Jai's voice boomed from inside. "Think I got something. You better come and have a look NK"

---

She had been attempting to finalise the proposal for launching an additional branch for their boutique in London from almost half a day, but so far she was not even midway through it. The pilot's voice sailed through the cabin announcing that they will start the descent in few minutes, and dejectedly, Khushi pulled the laptop cover shut and closed her eyes.

Sleep had eluded her from almost ten days now. Since the night that still held the power to send thunderbolts of desire, need and something close to ache, all through her body.

She still didn't know if the fact that they never got a chance to meet again after those hours was a blessing or a curse. Or may be her uncertainty stemmed from the fact that she still didn't know what do to with what Arnav confessed to her that night right before he kissed, no actually, made love to her mouth.

Every single nights that followed since then, her mind had managed to do a play-by-play reruns of every single moments of what transpired between them, again and again, in slow motion.

Khushi I love you. God! I am so in love with you

Her eyes flew open. Her fingers working their way up to her throat as she unsuccessfully tried to clamp down the warmth rapidly spreading everywhere. How could she still remember his voice so clearly that it felt like he was next to her. How could she still feel his touch on her skin. How could she still taste him on her lips.

After taking care of Madhumati for those first few hours, she had called him. And since then, they had spoken to each other every day. Every single phone calls they had, every video conference they were part of with their team - she noticed a strange huskiness in his voice. The way his eyes travelled over her through the lens of the camera - she felt it like a physical touch.

"Shit". She groaned softly, shaking her head, begging her mind to stop thinking about him.

Saying that she was petrified felt like an understatement. She didn't feel even an ounce of courage to accept the reason why was she unable to get him out of her mind. It wasn't about how he kissed her. Problem was how incapable she was in stopping herself that night. She had never allowed herself to want or need anything or anyone in life. But that night, surrounded by him, she experienced such a bone-crunching need for him, that she had no idea how to handle.

She was also acutely aware that he still had no idea about her past. Past that she was ashamed of. Past that if he knew of would change his views about her. Will he pity her, the way Payal and Madhumati or even her therapist sometimes did? Will he finally see that the real her was so far disconnected to the woman he claimed to love? Or will he just simply abandon her, the way every single person in her life did?

And so she decided that she never wanted him to know about her past. And living a lie with someone who was so deep inside her mind, was in no way an option. May be she needed to let him go. Only question was how?

And so, even though her return was set for day after, she had decided to change her booking to today. She needed to see him. Somehow she knew that being near him would give her the answers she was so desperately looking for. But, almost on the verge of landing, she had not yet told a soul that she on the way. If this wasn't cowardice, she didn't know what else was.

---

"Ready to go?"

Akaash looked up from his chair and smiled. He then nodded his head, and collecting his jacket and laptop he strode towards Payal who stood near his cabin door.

"I am yes, and so glad you are here". He placed a quick kiss on her lips and smiled some more as she rested her head on his chest and sighed.

"Want to grab dinner outside?"

She pulled back then, her eyes twinkling. "You mean date night? In the middle of the week. Wow I am impressed"

He chuckled in response. His fingers tightening around her hips, pulling her closer. "I live to impress you my darling. How about we go to that Italian place you love so much"

"Mmmm, I love their tiramisu"

Tucking her hair behind her ear, he dipped down. "I was thinking we do a takeout of dessert. I have some ideas on how to enjoy it more behind closed doors"

Another string of chuckle escaped her. "Think we should leave now then"

He let out an answering laugh and shook his head. "Come on, lets say bye to Bhai and NK, and we will be on our way"

---

"Payal! This is a nice surprise". Arnav got up from his chair and moved toward her to drop a quick kiss on her temple. He then pointed at Akaash who strode behind her. "Please tell me you are taking him away from here. I cannot see him in the office for another night"

"Says the man who sleeps in office, literally". Akaash rolled his eyes, plopping down on one of the couch in Arnav's office

"I don't sleep in office. I sleep in my penthouse"

"Which is in the office building"

Arnav, who just then picked up his cordless Bluetooth mouse to turn it off, stopped and then threw it toward Akaash, which he caught with ease and let out a loud laugh.

"Now, if you want that dessert, we better get moving". Akaash winked at Payal

Arnav raised his eyebrows and looked back and forth between Akaash and Payal and then groaned as understanding dawned on him. "Can you not, for the love of god, talk about desserts in front of me"

"What, it is just dessert"

"Nope! no more mention of that in front of me"

Akaash barked out a laugh and was about to get up, when wide-eyed NK pushed open Arnav's door without knocking.

"Holy crap. Dude are you trying to give us a stroke". Akaash exclaimed but immediately sobered up as he took in his face

"NK, what's wrong?"

"You found something?". This time it was Arnav who too straightened up.

"Jai's code is still running, but I have found some more files that may provide us with some link between the photos and documents we found. Here." He attached his laptop to the dock on the long table inside Arnav's office to project his laptop content on to the bigger screen hanging on one of the wall.

Akaash, Arnav and Payal - all circled around the table - as they took in the pictures after pictures pop up on the screen.

"Passports??". Akaash frowned

"No, fake passports. Looks like Suraj is the citizen of at least six countries"

"Fuck". Arnav ran his fingers through his hair.

"Yep! I also found some pictures taken at some weird locations and some really run down buildings. Jai will run a check on these later. Hopefully tell us where and when were they taken"

"Lets run through them once. May be we can figure something out until then". Arnav pulled back one of the chair and sat down.

NK nodded his head and hit the enter key on his laptop to start the slideshow of the pictures.

The pictures kept running. Sometimes they paused at some to comment on something they recognised, and sometimes just to throw another curse or two at it. They were on tenth picture, when a sharp intake of breath from Payal broke through there grumbling.

Akaash turned toward her, who looked pale like she had seen a ghost. Her eyes wide and trained toward the big screen, her hands splayed on her chest in prayer position. Her lips parted as she struggled to inhale.

"Payal, what's wrong?"

"No". Came a very soft reply when Payal stood up. She didn't think about her shaky legs when she did though, because almost immediately they buckled. Akaash jumped out his chair, taking hold of her body that was near collapse.

"Payal, you are scaring me, what's wrong?"

Eyes still wide, she first looked at Akaash. She then turned to look at Arnav who too was standing now and was looking at her with concern etched across his face. She finally drew her eyes to NK and whispered. "Can you go back on the slide show NK?"

Frowning, he looked at Akaash and Arnav. Too stunned to see Payal react the way she was.

"Can you? Go back?"

Her voice sharper this time broke though whatever unsaid conversation the three brothers were having, and with a nod, NK hit the back key on his laptop. "Once more", came another whisper from Payal, and he nodded again and hit the back key once again.

"No. Oh my god. No. When... when was this picture taken NK? Can you tell?"

"Umm. Sure. One sec". His fingers moved over the keyboard with the urgency matching Payal's tone. All the while Akaash held her shaking body tight.

"This one was taken a year back"

Streams of tears now leaked out her eyes and she shook her head violently. Almost as if the denial would negate what she was hearing.

"You need to talk to me Payal. What is going on? What's wrong?". Akaash muttered, his heart beat picking up in pace with Payal reaction.

"Who... Why is he in the picture?"

NK frowned at the screen once more and replied in confusion-laced voice, "That is Shashank Khanna. Suraj's father. So, it kind of makes sense for him to be there. I found few more random shots of him from over the years. Why?"

"God". Gasp of breath sputtered past her lips and her eyes jumped to Arnav.

"What.. what is it Payal?". It was Arnav this time. Still unable to guess what was wrong.

Her hands moved up in their own accord, her fingers pointing toward the screen. "That...oh my god. Bhai, that is not Shashank Khanna"

"What. Yes he is. He is elusive. Never really met us but we have seen him few times in some of our corporate gathering"

"This cannot be happening", she wailed her voice getting louder and shakier, "That...Bhai, that is Shashi Gupta. That is my father"

*Gasp*

Before Arnav could react to the statement which had managed to pull the ground from beneath him, his and every eye in the room turned towards the source of that unexpected sound, only to find Khushi standing at the half-open door.

"Khushi", Arnav whispered in a broken voice, as he rushed by her side. And the moment his arms came around her - she fainted.

---

It had been two hours - the longest two hours of Arnav's life so far. He couldn't think. He couldn't breath. His entire focus zeroed in on the person lying on his bed. Still unconscious.

He tore his fingers through his hair, his legs halting for just a second, before resuming the incessant pacing he had been doing since an hour. His mind still finding it difficult to wrap itself around the information they uncovered in last couple of hours. How did they not find this out sooner.

It was a known and somewhat accepted fact that out of the father-son Khanna duo, the senior Khanna always avoided the limelight. Some guessed that was because he wanted to do the work but didn't care for the recognition. And some thought this avoidance technique was built to garner more intrigue about Acme, not less.

But how the hell did they not question it at all. Multi-million bucks deal and the chairman of Acme didn't bother showing his face - why did they not find it suspicious. Shashi Gupta was Shashank Khanna. How did that even happen? How was it even possible?

This whole time Khushi's past was right there, under their noses, and they knew nothing about it. The whole damn time when he was so desperately trying to scale those walls around her heart so he could some how help her find closure for her past. But one of the most horrific chapter of that past was now standing and glaring at her again.

He felt chill run down his spine. Thoughts after thoughts hitting him. What would happen if Shashi even got a whiff of who the CIO of AR really was. Arnav was surprised how he hadn't yet put it together given she never changed her name. Or, the way they all thought he was dead, Shashi just assumed that the little girl he so badly hurt wouldn't have survived too?

"Bhai!!"

His pacing and wild thoughts once again came to a stop with Payal's soft voice.

He took a deep breath and turned toward her. Shashi Gupta had to wait for now, his family, his Khushi needed him.

"How is she?"

Payal closed the door of his bedroom softly behind her and then walked up to one his long couches and slumped down on it tiredly. She then wiped the remnants of tears and whispered in a broken voice.

"Doctor said that it was definitely a panic attack. He has given her the necessary shots. She should wake up in sometime"

Arnav's heart twisted with pain for the woman in front of him, who in very little time had come to mean like a real sister to him. He knew how difficult this was for Payal. On one hand was her sister and on the other was a father who betrayed.

When Khushi collapsed, as if on autopilot Arnav picked her unconscious body up and walked straight into the elevator to bring her to his penthouse. All the while barking orders to his family around him to get a doctor to AR as soon as possible. Even though they already were doing exactly that, no one dared to interrupt Arnav. Finally, after depositing her on his bed, her hands tightly clasped in his, he threw another command at everyone. Khushi was to stay there with him until he was sure that she was ok. Payal, who was torn with the news of Shashi Gupta and the dilemma of how to share this news now with Madhumati agreed instantly. Khushi's panic attack was one of the most severe one she had ever seen before, and in that moment nothing mattered more than getting her to open her eyes again. And so they all agreed to concoct a story of night long meetings and work to explain away the absence of Khushi. In reality though they all, especially Payal was just biding her time until she dropped this bomb on Madhumati.

Letting out another exhale, Arnav lifted his hands to place his palm on top of Payal's head and replied in as strong and as positive voice that he could muster in that moment.

"She will be fine Payal. She has to be. Khushi is strong and I know she will get through this"

"I know Bhai. But...", small tear rolled down her cheeks as her eyes closed. "She was not suppose to deal with this again. This wasn't suppose to happen. How is this even possible? We all knew he was dead. He... God, there was this accident. The police had proof. It was all suppose to be over. How can he be alive and well. And he has another family? My mother died because of him. Our small family was destroyed because of him. My little sister is lying unconscious in that room because of him",. Payal was shouting now, her face red and wet with tears. She stood up, too agitated to sit still. Words of aguish still spilling past her lips, making her throat raw with pain. "After doing all that, he is still alive. He is happy. He is rich and well. And he is still playing with people's lives. How is this fair. How the fuck is this fair"

"Shhh". Arnav stood up too. His arms going around her. "Calm down Payal please. It is not fair. I know it is not. But Payal this is not it. I promise you that Shashi Gupta will rue the day he decided to come back from his grave as Shashank Khanna. I will get to the bottom of this Payal. But for now you need to be strong. I cannot even imagine what you might be going through but, please, for Khushi, you need to be strong"

A soft sob tore through her, as Payal nodded her head.

"Bhai... Payal"

Akaash and NK finally walked out of Arnav's study, where they were holed up from last two hours. Arnav closed his eyes shut to stop his own tears from falling as he moved still shaking Payal into Akaash's waiting arms.

While Khushi was being looked at by the doctor, Payal decided to give both Akaash and NK a cliff note version of the truth about Shashi Gupta and Khushi. By the end of her story the need and desperation to bring down the entire Khanna Clan became as personal as breathing for everyone.

After making several calls to Jai, NK and Akaash decided to start digging on their own with only one agenda in mind - they wanted this father and son, and this time by their throats.

"Akaash, anything?"

"We managed to crack some more data and got hold of some of Suraj's and Shashi's old business associates. In fact we are going to Jai's house right now. He has better software to get this information at a much faster rate"

Arnav nodded his head. Specks of relief easing the tension in his shoulders. "Also Nani called few times. We have told the story about a crisis in AR. But, Payal I think it will be better if you show your face at least. May be talk to Buaji little bit. We can drop you home on our way to Jai's home?"

"But, what about Ku?"

"Its ok Payal, go. I am here. If I need anything, I will call you"

"Ok. I will tell everyone about an emergency surgery later through and come back. I don't think I will be able to relax with Ku still unconscious"

Sighing Arnav nodded in response, following everyone to the door to bid them good bye.

---

He gingerly sat down next to her on the bed. His eyes trailing over her pale face. His fingers moved the strands of hair that had fallen out to tuck them behind her ear. He then traced his fingers gently over her cheeks, dried tears in place of her usual pink.

His other hand tightened around hers, but all he felt was coldness seeping through them rather than the warmth he was so use to.

Her chest heaved up and down in synchronized pattern, but some how he knew that her heart was nowhere near calm.

He took her palm in both his hands now. His mind clogging up with blind rage. Rage against her parents who were suppose to love and protect her but instead created a situation for her that she had to leave her home. Rage against those vile people who then stumbled into her life because of that move. And then finally against Shashi Gupta who hit the final nail in the coffin of her trust on people.

Arnav knew one thing by now. He would destroy that man. He was serious with her promise to Payal. If Shashi thought that rising from dead was a smart move, Arnav will make him repent that mistake. He will...

Suddenly her fingers moved, just barely but all his thoughts stilled.

"Khushi!!!"

Her eye balls flickered against her still closed eyes.

"Sweetheart"

Her throat went up and down as she tried to swallow, her mouth like cotton.

"Water"

His eyes widened as he heard her faint squeak.

"Yes. Here"

Pulling her up slowly, he held a small glass with a bendy straw near her lips. His hand cradled her head as he helped her take few sips.

She finally blinked opened her eyes and with a wail of relief Arnav's arms closed around her tight.

She clutched his shirt, clinging to him with matching desperation. His presence acting as the blanket of calmness she was missing from last ten days.

He withdrew a little and with one hand still cupping the back of her neck, his other hand moving all over face - almost as if looking for an actual physical injury.

He finally pulled her back toward him, his forehead resting against hers, letting go of a long breath.

"Doctor instructed for you to eat something as soon as you woke up. I made some soup earlier. That ok?"

She nodded against his forehead. Eyes still closed.

Swallowing visibly, he took a shuddering breath and with a nod of his own, placing his lips on her temple he got out of the bed.

Few minutes later, he was back with a bowl of steaming soup that he fed her quietly.

With every morsel making its way into her, the colour on her face returned to normal. And almost like the web of clouds clearing up, her eyes that were hollow few minutes back, now looked clearer. By the time the last spoon of soup went into her, she had gone eerily quite. Her face and eyes hardening.

Worry that she might be remembering why and how she was where she was gripped his mind. "Let me make you some coffee. I will be back in a bit".

They needed to talk. And to do that, he needed her in right state of mind. And so placing another kiss on her cheek he walked out the room.

Khushi's eyes followed his retreating figure. Her mind now running several miles an hour. And she gasped in horror.

That is Shashi Gupta. That is my father

After she landed and caught the taxi, her mouth automatically gave out AR's address to the taxi driver. She felt this compelling need to see Arnav after ten days of staying apart. Her entire body strung tight with anticipation, she blindly walked toward Arnav's cabin but frowned in confusion to find his door ajar. Although he did believe in open door policy, he rarely kept his door open especially after hours. She took another step toward his office when Payal's frantic voice greeted her. Worried for her sister, she quickly closed the space to Arnav's door only to come to a dead stop.

She could barely hear what Payal or others were talking. Her attention centred at the face filling the large screen. It couldn't be him. There was no way she was seeing that devil-like eyes again. Her chest tightened, her body shook, sweat broke out of her limbs. She could feel her panic attack coming and then she saw it. Payal turning toward Arnav and saying those words. That is Shashi Gupta. That is my father.

Why did she say that with so much familiarity to him? And why did he react with such an intensity to it? What did he know about Shashi Gupta? Was his knowledge just restricted to the fact that the man was Payal's father? Or was there something more?

She removed the soft blanket covering her body and slowly stood up on her wobbly feet. Too agitated and scared to keep sitting on bed. She needed to know. She needed to understand if all her worst nightmares were once again coming true.

---

He placed a cup below his fancy bean-to-cup coffee machine and pressed the on button. Deciding to get her decaf instead. The hiss of the pouring coffee and its smell permeated the kitchen when he heard footsteps behind him.

"Khushi. I was just getting you a cup. Why don't you take a seat?"

Silence greeted him at the end of his sentence and he turned back with a frown.

"Khushi?"

"What do know about Shashi Gupta?"

He froze. In all the chaos, he forgot he wasn't suppose to know about that asshole.

He sighed and nodded his head. "We need to talk Khushi. But before that you need to sit down. You are still weak"

"Isn't that the popular opinion about me anyways"

"What?"

She shook her head. And instead of sitting down like Arnav suggested she took a step back. "Please. Just answer my question Arnav"

"I will. But, can we sit and talk"

"I'd rather stand"

"Ok". He placed the coffee mug down now and moved his fingers though his hair. "I...". He thought about how to start this topic, his mind though unable to produce any legible words in the moment. "I...", he tried again, "I just know who he is". He almost flinched at how lame he sounded.

"You just know". She repeated, disbelief evident in her voice. "I don't recall Shashi as successful, noble, charitable or any other adjective you can think of that usually makes a person famous and talks of parties and events"

"Khushi"

Taking a deep breath, Khushi held the back of the couch just behind her, fragments of dizziness still lingering somewhere in the background.

"Arnav, I don't really have the energy to keep going in circles about this. Please, just answer my question"

Arnav inhaled painfully. Wishing this conversation was taking place at a different circumstance. But he also knew that he could no longer delay the inevitable.

"Before we get into this, I want to, no, I need you to understand that this was all because I care. I always did. And although we spent lot of time at AR, there was still some thing that I knew held you back. Your past seemed to be that unknown between us that I figured would help me understand you"

"And?"

"And", another deep exhale, "I... I asked Payal"

Khushi felt something sink inside her.

"No! She didn't..."

"She didn't want to. But after your panic attack in the basement that night, I knew it was her last straw. She needed to find some way to help"

"And she came to you?"

"No...I went to her. Khushi, I was worried about you and this was the only way for me to help you"

Her eyes narrowed into slits. "Help me?"

"No, I didn't mean it in the literal way. Khushi, I just needed to understand you so..."

"So, the best thing you could come up with was to go behind my back"

This time it was Arnav whose eyes narrowed.

"Go behind your back??? Khushi for heaven sake, it is not that I wanted to hurt you. It's just"

"Feel pity on me"

"What!!"

"You didn't even know me back then. So, I am sorry if I am unable to understand these reasons your are giving me"

"Come on Khushi"

He took a step toward her but she raised her palm up effectively bringing his advances to stop as her voice grew stronger and sharper.

"And Jiji, how can she tell you. Why will she do that. You are not family. You don't even know me"

"You are getting it all wrong. Payal, was concerned about you. And why are you speaking as if this is all in present. Yes I didn't know you back then, but my concern for you was always true"

A shrill laugh cut though the atmosphere then and in that moment Arnav knew that this was going way out of his hands.

"Think I am understanding this little bit now. What is wrong with me. Of course you are family. Not mine, but Jiji's. In fact....".

Another incredulous laugh rang out. Her body now leaving the safety of the couch she was leaning on to pace. Adrenaline pumping through her veins.

"What am I even saying. I am the one who is not family. I am an outsider. Did...", she turned toward him. Her eyes red and face so tight, that the sight made him recoil.

"Did she tell you about my father? My mother? Do you have any idea how it feels to be that young and not be wanted by the people who birthed you? How it feels to be a burden on the very same people who are suppose to love you unconditionally? And then when finally a family did want me, turned out the person I considered a father. My second chance of being a daughter, actually wanted me for my body".

Tears now streamed down her face, while her lips once more curved into a sarcastic smile.

"And I ended up disappointing him too, isn't it? Did Jiji tell you that part of the story? You know how many times I have thought about where I would be now if I didn't run that night. May be it would have been better if I would have just surrendered that day. May be I wouldn't have lived this long to feel the way I am feeling right now"

"KHUSHI!!!"

Arnav's eyes went fiery red. His knuckles so tightly closed that they turned white. The self-pity and dejection that he saw snapped something inside him. And despite her earlier gesture for him to stay away, in two long strides he was in front of her.

His fingers curled around her neck in a painful grip and he hauled her toward him.

Her eyes went wide. Just for a moment. And then placing both her palms on his chest she pushed him away with all the strength she could muster.

"Let. Me. Go"

"No". His fingers tightened around her further. "You need to calm the fuck down. You have no idea what you are talking. This is not you"

"Aren't I though? Let me go"

"No. I said no"

Tears still dropping freely, she pulled back as far as she could in his arms. "Why? Why is it so difficult to honour someone's trust? Why is it so difficult to keep your words? I trusted Jiji. I trusted her to be that one person who would never betray me. But, I was wrong. So so wrong. For her too it was more important to appease you. And you, why would you do this to me Arnav. I thought you would never hurt me. I knew you had the power to, but you never would. But you still did"

His eyes closed in pain. His forehead touching hers in defeat. "Come on Khushi. You know what I did was out of my feelings for you"

"Was this some kind of chase for you? Women keep throwing themselves at you and I never did when we met, so you decided to take matters into your own hands? Since, you couldn't get me the normal way, you decided to take the pity route? Why not do some charity. You had the whole world to fuck around, but why not fuck this one woman who just won't behave the way she should?"

And that was it. Every shred of patience and understanding splintered off. His voice finally booming at a dangerous pitch.

"ENOUGH!! How dare you Khushi. You doubt your sister, you doubt my motives behind your well being but now, you are doubting, no actually, you are insulting my feelings for you. Fuck this woman? Dammit Khushi!!!! Do you even know what you are saying anymore? Pity you? You think this was all pity. When I was going crazy thinking about you being all alone in that basement was pity ? When being away from you killed me was pity? When your words were the only thing that got through to me was pity? When I kissed you, it was pity? When I told you that I LOVE YOU, you think that was goddamn pity? You are twisting everything to fit it into that box you stuff everything in. But you have no courage to talk about what happened between us that night"

"No!!". She twisted in his arms again. This time managing to free herself, she immediately took several steps back. "You know nothing about me Arnav. And you know what".

Her voice rose with each word until she was yelling too.

"I am tired of this. I cannot do this anymore. I am through. I am through with this country, I am through with Jiji and Buaji. Through with this job and I am damn well through with you. I never, ever want to see you again. I was coping before you. In whatever pathetic way, but at least I was coping. Now thanks to you, I am back to where I started. These last few months, that night ten days back, those three little words - they mean nothing. I am done Arnav. I am done. I wish I never ever met you"

"What. Did. You. Just. Say?"

Like a sucker punch to his guts, her words finally manage to sever whatever thread of hope Arnav still was holding on to. His throat closed tight. He inhaled sharply, but couldn't find any air. He could see her entire body shaking with pain and anger equally. But in that moment he just couldn't bring himself to cross the deepening void between them.

"Go on. Repeat those words Khushi. Say it one more time"

Screaming Arnav was scary. But the soft dangerous tone that he spoke in now was so disarming that Khushi swallowed hard.

With a shuddering intensity, her eyes fell shut. "I am done. I cannot do this anymore"

With a withering, artic look, he nodded then. His voice still on that low simmering intensity.

"Ok Khushi, you win. Even I am tired of all this. I am tired of how badly you want to be alone. And how much ever I try to prove myself to you I don't think it will ever work. You wanted to be proven right isn't it. You needed me to be this person. So there you go Khushi. You have what you wanted. I am through as well. I am done. And Khushi...". He took a wide step, coming to a stop with barely any air between them, and thundered like a storm, "I expect your resignation on my table first thing in the morning"

And with that he walked away.

In his blind rage, he stumbled onto one of the expensive vase that adorned the hallway between the living room and door, making it crash unceremoniously on the hardwood floor - broken pieces of glass spattering everywhere. Almost like his heart in that moment. He cursed darkly. His hands pulled open the door with such an alarming force that the brackets holding the door trembled and then shut with a bang behind him.

Khushi stood there, unmoving, her back still toward the door. Her mind reeling from the last few minutes. But before she could even think of reacting or contemplating what just happened, familiar voice hit her from behind. Only this time devoid any of its usual warmth or love.

"How dare you Ku!"

---

He turned the key in the ignition and revved the engine so hard that the RPMs turned to red. And with a screech his car teared down the street.

He felt bone-crunchingly tired. Everything around him swishing past like a blur. The buildings, trees, vehicles - all fading away like nothing along with his sanity.

Every single word she spoke echoing in his ear again and again. The last few hours almost laughing and mocking him. How was it possible that the existence of one man had managed to rip the foundation of their world. Was his love, their connection this fragile? His feet pressed down the accelerator hard, sarcastic laugh ringing past his mouth - why was he kidding himself still. There was never any viable connection between them. It was all a fiction concocted by his silly heart.

Tears swam past his sockets and fogged his sight. He blinked angrily, pressure from his feet increasing further on the accelerator.

He understood her vulnerability. God did he understand the pain she had gone through her entire life. He was prepared to give his everything to make sure she never felt what she had her whole existence. But she didn't even give him a chance. She didn't give them a chance.

"These last few months, that night ten days back, those three little words - they mean nothing. I am done Arnav. I am done. I wish I never ever met you"

His eyes dropped shut. Unbearable pain gaping hole in his chest as her last few words made another round of appearance in his mind.

Their time together. His love for her meant nothing to her. After all the ups and downs they went through together, how did it all finally came down to this?

His feet thrusted the accelerator with full force again as every single moment they spent together coursed through him.

Her hazel sad eyes

Her rare but beautiful smile

Their first fight

Their first kind words to each other

Her brilliant mind

The way she cared for people

The first time he dreamt about her

The first time he touched her

The first time he saw his own feelings mirrored in her eyes

The first time they hugged

The first time he realized that letting her go was impossible for him

The first time he spoke his deepest secrets to her

The first time they kissed

The first time they...

"...those three little words - they mean nothing. I am done Arnav. I am done. I wish I never ever met you"

---

"How dare you Ku. What is wrong with you?"

After lying to her entire family, Payal hurried back to Arnav's penthouse hoping and praying for Khushi to be ok. Trying to think of ways to make this new found information bearable for her.

But the moment she stepped out the elevator, she knew something had gone terrible wrong. She could hear faint noises coming out Arnav's main door. With a blind urgency she rushed toward the door, the voices from inside getting sharper. And then everything went dead quite.

She fished out the spare key card to open the door. The panic for what exactly was happening behind the closed door making it impossible for her to get the key card into the slot. Before she could give it another try, loud noise of glass crashing echoed through the silent lobby and she froze.

And few seconds later, Arnav emerged out the door. Payal knew she would never ever forget the look that Arnav had on his face. Someone who was synonymous to calm, strength and poise looked beyond dishevelled. His eyes bloodshot and face constricted in so much pain that it made her gasp out in horror.

"Everything"

Payal's eyes narrowed. Her mind swinging back to present as Khushi, who had yet to turn toward Payal whispered.

"Excuse me?"

Khushi turned then. Her face unrecognisable. "I said everything is wrong with me. In fact, I am a wrong person. Always have been. Wrong and never good enough. My being here, in all of your lives is wrong too. I...."

She breathed in her last words. Her hands flailing to catch hold of something, anything around her.

Payal took a step forward. Her heart bleeding to see this version of Khushi.

"Ku. Come on. You know that makes no sense. You are part of me. Part of this family"

"Which family Jiji? I have no family"

Deep cringe snaked up Payal's spine. "You don't mean that Ku. I know you don't. I love you so much. We all do. And Bhai. Ku, he is crazy about you. He...."

"No". Khushi's voice once again took off

"I do not want to talk about Arnav. You don't get to do that. You told him everything Jiji. You didn't even think for once that may be I didn't want to show my ugly side to him. Not once did you think that may be I wanted to keep some of my dignity intact in front of him. Every one who knows me either hates me or pities me. Well, you made sure that he pities me. And now I have made sure that he hates me. So there you go, the circle is complete"

"Khushi", Payal cried out, but as if in daze Khushi continued.

"I should have never come here. I made a mistake. In fact, I made a mistake the day I agreed to follow Garima Ma. I will now spend my life correcting those mistakes". She then looked up. Her eyes vacant. "Jiji I will never be able to repay what you and Buaji had done for me. But I will make your lives easier by staying away. I am resigning from AR tomorrow. And I will call my travel agent to get me on the next fight to New York. It will be like these last few months never happened"

And with those last words, Khushi finally collapsed. An excruciating sob tearing through her throat.

Payal's palms flew to her mouth, muffling an answering cry. She had never seen Khushi this broken before. Not even when they found her in that hospital years back.

"You can't Ku. I... Oh god! I just wanted what was best for you. You deserve so much Ku. Can't you see how many people love you? And the only reason I told Arnav everything was because I thought that would help. I could see how strong his feelings were for you. In fact I saw how strongly you felt for him too. I know Ku, it is easier to do the leaving, than facing the fear of being left. You are doing that right now. But please don't go. Stay and fight Khushi. Don't let your past keep you from love once again. Please..."

"I can't Jiji. Please I can't"

"You don't mean that Khushi"

Taking a deep sobering breath, Khushi wiped her face and stood up then. And with one last look at Payal, she walked back into the bedroom she was in to start making necessary arrangement to leave this life she had no right living.

Payal gave out a silent wail. Tears streaming down her face non stop. Where did she go wrong? How did her desire to see two of the important people in her life happy lead to this? May be it was all her fault. It was because of her two people who mattered to her so much were so heart broken and shattered. She gave out another cry as she remembered her baby sister's words. She was leaving again. And Payal knew that this time Khushi would never come back.

How was she supposed to cope knowing that she lost her only sister? How was she supposed to live with herself now?

She knew it was time. She had to involve that one person whom she knew would surely know some way out of this whole mess.

And so wiping her tears, she decided to call Akaash and recount these last few horrible minutes. But, as she fished out her phone and unlocked her screen to dial, her phone rang - an unknown number glowing on her screen.

Frowning she hit the red button, as she scrolled through her favourites list to dial Akaash. But once again her phone rang with the same unknown number.

Confused she picked up. "Hello?"

"Payal"

"Akaash? I was just going to call you. What is this number you are calling from?"

Silence greeted her.

"Akaash..."

Still no reply

"Akaash, You there"

"Payal..."

Akaash's wrecked voice made her heart hammer across her chest. Hair on the back of her neck rising. Somehow sensing that the trouble of tonight were far from over.

"What's wrong Akaash?"

"Payal... I... Fuck! Payal...I need you to come to the City hospital right now"

Her breath caught in her throat.

"What, why???"

And finally Akaash's voice shook with unrestrained pain.

"It's Bhai.. He had been admitted to the ER. He, he was involved in an accident. It... oh god Payal, it was a head-on collision"

---

Notes from Author:

Hello my dear readers! First of all, I am so sorry for being so late with this update and second of all your access then being messed up in my blog. I have reset this chapter and republished it, so it can reach you all. It is a loooong one, so hopefully that would make up for my super lateness.

As always, a huge thank you to everyone who took time to comment on my previous chapters.🧡

Until next time, take care all you lovely people😍