Best foot forward (completed)

1. Mohabbat ki hain, Gulami nahi

Before you read: First half of this chapter is my old OS-'Bhaag gaye' which is already published in my book 'Meethe pal' but for the start of this story it's reused, except some part is modified. 

This SS is on demand from a dear reader Ushavijay5, hope you and everyone reading, likes it. There is already a ton of material written on this track but hopefully what you read below is still novel!

Title translation: I am in love, not slavery (its from lyrics of an old Hindi song)

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"You will have to marry me, for 6 months. Otherwise, I will not let your sister marry my brother."

Khushi kept staring at Arnav's face hoping he would start laughing and say it was a joke. He confused Valentines' Day with April fool's perhaps. But nothing of that sort happened. He was stone faced!

Then the enormity of the situation dawned on her, he was serious, asking for a contract marriage of 6 months, blackmailing her. She always doubted he was crazy, now, she was sure! It wasn't even a few hours ago when he is flirting with her and then this bizarre marriage proposal. Not to mention she was still reeling from the shock of how his jijaji almost molested her. She had enough.

"What did you decide? Marry me for 6 months otherwise –"he repeated his question

SLAP.

Khushi. Slapped. Arnav.

He stumbled back, trying to catch his breath and understand what just happened

"What the-?"

"Enough, Mr. Raizada. Not a word more. What do you think, my life is a joke? In fact, not just you your whole family thinks my life's a joke! Your di blackmailed me to train your live-in girlfriend, you keep giving me mixed signals and your psycho jijaji doesn't leave me alone. Hazaar baar I told him I am not in love with him nor will I ever be, still he doesn't understand! Why doesn't he leave your di dammit, if she is making his life so miserable? You know what? don't answer that. Just leave ME alone. Humein baksh do ab aap sab (spare me)!" she folded her hands in front of him and stormed out to leave the terrace.

Arnav's head was spinning. What was that he just heard? Did she say his jijaji was harassing her? But Shyam said something else to him. He saw her leaving and held her hand to stop her

"Khushi, wait. What do you mean by jijaji not leaving you alone?" he needed to know, but that incensed her more.

"why? why should I tell you? I will just give you an advice though, take him to a psychiatrist. In fact lage haath you should also consult one!! You need it, trust me. Pagal ho gaye hain aap!"

"Khushi, bakwas band karo and just tell me, what's between you and my jija-shyam?" he held on her hand rather too strongly, suddenly scared to lose her

"nahi batayenge! Kyun bataye (why should I tell you)?" she was still breathing fire

"Because he told me you and him are having an affair, dammit! That's why I wanted to marry you and keep you away from spoiling di's life!" there. he blurted out and that got a stronger reaction.

SLAP.

Another freaking slap! A stronger one! And before he could react, she thundered,

"HOW DARE YOU MR. RAIZADA? How could you even think like this? You thought I will go after a married man? When you proposed a while ago with that bizarre 6 moth condition, I still thought it was about your feelings for me. But this? Dont you remember my fiancé's name was Shyam? Don't you remember i cried that day telling you my fiancé cheated on me? well, newsflash Mr. Raizada that cheater is your di's husband. Lied to my family that he was bachelor and manipulated everyone to marry me. Even after I broke the engagement, that psycho man is trying to have me back. I should have just gone to police, without caring for you and your Di! You know what Mr. Raizada? Bhad me gaye aap, bhad me gaya wo shyam and bhad me gayi aap ki dhamkiyaan! (To hell with you, your threats and to hell with Shyam)! I am leaving. Do whatever you want to!" khushi kumari Gupta had indeed had enough.