Chapter 12

“Khushi!!!!! Guddiya!!!!!!” Maan and Arnav rushed to Khushi and caught her in time before she fell.

Arnav held Khushi and picked her up and marched to his room and Maan followed. Arnav lowered Khushi on the bed and just then Maan’s phone rang. It was Geet.

G: Maan, where are you??

M: Geet, just wait I’ll come to you.

Maan just looked at Arnav and saw that he was literally shaken. He was stroking her hair lovingly. Maan left to get Geet. He needed her now.

Arnav looked down at Khushi. She lay like a rag doll. Tired and exhausted from all the days events. Arnav felt like kicking his own self. The moment he knew that Shyam was not anywhere around he knew something was wrong.  He had marched to the pool side and there he saw Shyam holding Khushi, she struggling and Maan telling him to leave her alone. The moment he heard that snake spill venom, he had lost his calm. That moment he saw none but just Khushi looking scandalized by his words.

Arnav could’nt take it anymore. Oh god!!! How much has he hurt this girl. She was not even a woman, just a girl of 19. A small, sweet, innocent girl, bubbling with life, full of love, hope and happiness and unnerving courage. What has he reduced her to by his actions? Into a lifeless shell. The moment she confessed the other day that she loved him, he needed no other proof to her innocence. Her confession of love had lighted a flame into his soul that had been extinguished the moment his mother had died. There was no Di, there was no Nani, there was no one else. But only her.

He looked at her closed eyes and tears brimmed in his eyes. He couldn’t take it anymore. He blurted out.

“Khushi, please don’t do this to me. I love you and please don’t kill me. I’ve died once when my mom left me. I thought I got her back today and please don’t go away from me. I’ve wronged you. I know I’m the sole reason for all your troubles. But trust me when I say I die every time I see you in pain. I’m not as brave as you Khushi, to say what I feel. I’m a coward, a dirty bastard who had taken up an innocent girl and turned her into a dead shell. I’m Sorry. I’m Sorry. Please!!!!!! I Love You”

Arnav cried out.

Maan reached down and found Geet near the stairs moving to and fro. The moment she saw Maan, she was relieved. She rushed to him.

G: Where were u??? I was scared when u left long and I cannot find both Jalebi and Arnavji as well.

M: they are in their room. You come with me I need to tell you something important.

G: Maan what is it.

Maan rushed her to the poolside and checked if they were alone. Once he was sure, he started telling her.

M: Geet, how can I say this. OMG!!!! I’ve got my Guddiya….

G: What???? Maan???? REALLLY?????

Maan looked into her eyes and tears started streaming in his eyes. Geet was shocked to see him cry and sink into the floor. Geet held him and cradled his head to her chest.

Maan sobbed on her chest and slowly regained composure and narrated everything to Geet.

Maan was looking at Khushi as she went about helping in all the preparations. Looking at her moving around he was strongly reminded of his mother. Those eyes, filled with love and concern for Arnav’s family, caught him off guard. His thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. He looked at the id and he smiled. A much needed one though.

He just walked out searching for a silent corner. He found a place strangely surrounded by plants. Maan picked up the call.

M: Hi Arman, whats up man?

Arm: Maan, I need to ask you something. Do you know anyone called Shashi Gupta?

M: No y?

Arm: Brace yourself Maan. Ur in for a surprise today. Atlast I get to surprise MSK.

Maan smiled at his friend’s antics. This was a silent bet they two always played. Whenever Maan employed Armaan, he was always quick to guess what Arman had to say.

M: Ha ha No way. I already know that u have located Guddiya.

Arm: Damn u MSK!!!! Right man. I think u are with her????

M: Waise Armaan, You are going to tell me its Khushi Singh Raizada.

Arm: Yes. Yes. Yes. She is. Its Shashi who had picked her up and he had given her a home. I should say a lovely one. She was so happy until she met ASR. They met at his launch and she fell in his arms that night by accident. Arnav mistook her for a girl who was sent to ruin his show. He questioned her and as a result she was late for her sister’s wedding and the wedding broke due to dowry.

Maan started fuming while Armaan continued.

Arm : Following that, the video footage housing this fall was released in Lucknow and she was teased by some goons. Someone saved her from them. After that she left to Delhi.

The Name Shyam, rung a bell in Maan’s mind.

Arm: She then worked for ASR first in his office and then in his house to tutor his fiancé. But then the engagement broke and Khushi’s  jiji married his brother. But these two eloped at the night of her jiji’s wedding.

M: But why did they??

Arm: There are a lot of unsettling things about all this. There is a strange fact that I need more time to unearth. ASR’s jijaji stayed at khushi’s house as a PG and was engaged to her. His name is Shyaam Manohar Jha. She then broke the engagement once she knew the truth she kicked him from her house. And I think this might interest you MSK.

M: What is it Armaan

Arm: Maan, do you remember a Shyam Patel whom we tracked long time back in a legal suit your ancestral property???

M: Haan .

Arm: I’m surprised. I understand that he was a lawyer but how did he land up here?

M: What do you mean land up here??

Arm: He is none other than the same guy who is married to ASR’s sister and the one who stayed as PG in your sister’s place and got engaged to her.

Maan was shocked

M: But Why is he calling him Jha?

Arm: Just give me some time, I will tell you everything on him.

M: Armaan, thank you so much. Just get it fast.

Maan was really disturbed after that call. Is it just a co-incidence or was it planned?? Maan then heard a scream and rushed near the pool and the sight that greeted him shocked him. He saw Khushi struggling to get out of that creep’s grip. He then acted and all hell broke loose.

Geet looked at him and saw that he looked tired and exhausted.

G: Maan, where is khushi??? She should be really scared after all this. I want to see her and be with her.

M: She is in her room. Come we will go.

Just as he was about to enter, he heard Arnav’s confession. Raw fury blinded Maan. He could not take in all that he had known. How his little guddiya’s world had turned topsy turvy because of this man and here he was talking as though nothing had happened and confessing his love. Maan could’nt stop himself. He rushed to Arnav and before he could punch him, he saw Khushi gain conscience.

Khushi looked at Arnav. She saw his tear filled eyes, his love, shining through those expressive orbs. She saw that he was holding her hand. He slowly caught her face and kissed her fore head. He then gathered her up in his arms and hugged her tightly and cried on her shoulders.

Ar: “Khushi!!!! Please, don’t you ever do this to me.. Please!!!! I cant live without you”

He then moved her a little to face her and said “ Khushi, fight with me, hurt me, slap me, kick me, irritate me, annoy me with your innate chatter, drive me crazy to the point of explosion but please don’t leave me. I’ve never felt so shaken not even when my mother died. Please Khushi. Never..”

His voice broke.

Khushi looked at him in wonder. Was this her LAAD GOVERNOR?? She could not believe herself. The moment his voice broke she felt a tug at her heart. As he lowered his head, she caught his head and lifted it. She then silenty kissed his tears away. She saw his eyes that were red and puffed and gently ran her fingers over his hair. “I Love you Laad Governor.”

Arnav was on cloud none. He pulled her towards him and crushed his lips with hers and kissed her. But as he was about to sink deep into the kiss, they heard someone clear their throat.

Khushi and Arnav sprang apart.

They looked everywhere except the couple standing before them.

Maan was so angry when he entered. But listening to all what both of them said, he understood that they loved each other deeply. And that it was situations which had played a part in all their sufferings. He could easily understand Arnav as he himself had faced such situations in his life. He knew that every moment khushi suffered Arnav had suffered double.

Looking at both of them kissing, he had no intentions of hurting Arnav. Therefore he just cleared his throat.

Arnav and Khushi just looked at each other embarrassed and then at Maan and Geet. Geet was giggling and was looking at Maan who was looking at Khushi and Arnav with a very stern expression.

M: Geet, what can I do to this guy? Tell me??

G: Maan, I think you should give him a good punch.

M: Oh really. Honestly Geet, ur not just a better half, but I tell you, u r the best.

Arnav was confused by all this. He looked at Khushi who was giggling at her Bhai and Bhabhi.

Ar: But why should I be punched??

G: For kissing her. How dare you kiss her, without our permission, that too in front of us. Cha!!! Ur shameless Arnavji.

Arnav: I just kissed my wife bhabhi.

M: Hey, you, she is not just your wife man, she is my sister. My sweet Guddiya.

Khushi was shocked hearing the word Guddiya from Maan. She looked at him mesmerized and silent tears ran down her face. She was too over-whelmed by surprise to even move a limb. It was Maan who came to her.

Looking at Khushi, he said “Guddiya!!! Wont u come to your Bade Bahadur?”

It was enough for Khushi. She cried out Bhai and hugged him tight and both of them started crying. Geet was so happy. Atlast her Maan’s happiness, his Khuhsi has returned to him.

She then saw Arnav looking at them shocked. Geet went to Arnav and said

G: Arnavji, I know you are confused, let me tell you everything. Maan is Khushi’s brother. When Khushi lost her parents in an accident she was taken by Shashi Gupta. Before she returned to her home in Lucknow, Maan and Dadima had to leave because they were threatened by Maan’s father’s business partner. Maan and dadima thought that khushi was dead and so they never tried searching for her. Recently we met Maan’s old watchman in Lucknow who told us about his sister being alive and coming in search for her brother and dadi. Maan was shattered and since then he wanted to search her. But as he had no lead how to go about, we were stranded. It was then I met Khushi in the temple and we became friends. She called me Di until she spoke to Maan. Maan always felt Khushi was like his own sister and insisted on calling him Bhai. He then asked his friend to search details about her and then we found out that she was indeed his real sister.

He was very angry with you for the way you have treated her but seeing how much she loves you and how much you regret for putting her into this mess, he had calmed down.

Arnav was too shocked for words. He could not believe his ears. Khushi was Kushi Khurana, sister of MSK. He just said “unbelievable!!!!!”

G: Arnavji!!!! Can I ask you something??

Ar: Haan Bhabhi tell me. U can ask me anything.

G” Arnavji. Can we take Guddiya home with us. She is terribly shaken and she will be happier to be with her family. Also, Maan has found his sister today and I want them to be happy with each other for all those years they have missed. Also, she needs protection from that creep. It would be a welcome change for her. Shall we Arnavji????

Geet knew that Maan will want this. Moreover, Khushi should also need some change to come out of the trauma caused by that guy.

Ar: I understand Bhabhi. Look at them. How happy they are. Take her bhabhi. And call me just Arnav. U r like my Di. Choti Di though.

Both Arnav and Geet laughed as they heard their partners laughing happily on the other side of the room.