Always and Forever

Chapter 10

Another weekend update for all my lovely readers. Happy reading <3

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"Thank you, god, for helping me out in this. I am sure Arnav Ji will want to wait until Anjali Ji's first 3 months are completed before he exposes Shyam. God please help Anjali Ji and protect her. This will turn her life upside down but hope you understand, we have to do this. Just because she is pregnant we cannot keep her in the Dark and waiting 9 months will make it worse." Thought Khushi.

She knew they'll have to at least wait 3 months. But in a way it's good. Now they have enough time to find more solid proof. They may be able to find that other woman. Khushi continued packing while planning how to expose Shyam.

They did kick him out of the house that morning but all of them forgot he already had a spare key to the house. Her Aunt gave that spare key to Shyam one day in case something happened he can come and help them. That's how deep they trusted him.

Because her mind was planning Shyam's expose she didn't hear the front door open. She suddenly remembered her Jalebi's. She knew she needed them tonight as she has lots of thinking to do. She quickly rushed to the kitchen but failed to see the figure following her.

Lakshmi Nagar is a good place to live apart from the power cuts and water cuts. Her colony had water cut for 2 hours in the morning and power cut for 2 hours at night, Well planned council. As soon as she reached the kitchen electricity went off.

"Omg! I totally forgot about the power cut. I should have asked Di to come with me. Well, what happened has happened, you are a strong girl." But as always darkness bought back that hidden guilt, that fatal night she lost her parents. Tears started flowing and she whispered, "I miss you mom and dad. Wish you were here, Wish I can go back in time and change the events that night. God, I am ready to give up my life anytime if you can bring my parents back".

"Shhh Khushi, I am here for you. Come with me. Spend the night with me and you will forget everything and will remember one thing - Shyam" said Shyam coming in front of her.

Though it was dark, moonlight in the kitchen revealed the face Khushi dread the most. Shyam was walking towards her and she didn't know what to do. Suddenly she saw the knife on the kitchen counter and quickly grabbed it. "Do not come near me, if you take another step I swear I will stab myself."

Shyam was hoping she will say she is going to stab him because he knew she can never do that but she is planning on killing herself. No, he can't let that happen. At least not until he gets what he wants.

"If you are planning on Killing yourself, at least give me what I want first Khushi. That will benefit both of us. Because I am going to take you tonight either way so it will be less painful if you offer yourself to me"

"Offer me?" she spat on him. "I would kill myself thousand times before I offer myself to you. Believe me when I say this, YOU WILL NEVER TOUCH ME ALIVE".

"See Khushi, I don't want any trouble. Actually, your rejection made me want you more. I can't wait much longer. Since your sister is married now your family will make sure you get married soon too. Especially now they know my real intention, they will hurry the marriage. Once you are married you will no longer be a virgin and you are no use to me. This has now come to my ego. You hurt my ego with your constant rejection and I am not going to lose. I am the one you will lose your virginity to" said Shyam and Khushi looked at him with a disgusting face.

Can someone stoop this low? He has no dignity or respect. She realized he is a maniac and she now know he should be handled properly. She was sure if she killed herself he would end up raping her dead body. He seriously needed help. He should be locked in an asylum. She was praying to god to help her. She didn't know what to do now. He will have her dead or alive.

That's when another dark shadow came out from nowhere. He was wearing a cap covering the top part of his face and as he was facing the floor no one couldn't see his face.

"Sweetheart, why are you taking so long? Pack your stuff, I will drop you off at Raizada's house and leave, and don't worry, I will come back with my parents soon to ask for your hand in marriage. I can't wait much longer. I only agreed to hide our relationship until Payal gets married. As she is married now I can't wait. I want to make you mine as soon as possible" The man spoke. Khushi knew she knows this voice and she felt something positive about this unknown man. At this point, she needs saving from Shyam and she'll deal with this man later.

He came towards her, put his left arm around her, and pulled her towards him. That gesture was enough for Khushi to understand who is under this cap. She felt secure, she felt protected and without realizing she hugged him tight and whispered "Arnav Ji, you came". Arnav didn't know how she figured out it was him but the way she said "Arnav Ji, you came" was so soft that all he could do was hug her back.

Shyam on the other hand was shocked. Who the hell is this guy and why is Khushi hugging him? From where does this guy come? But he knew, he should leave now. Whoever this guy is, he must not see his face. Guptas will be silent but not a stranger. Shyam quickly sneaked out and ran out of the house.

"Khushi, he is gone. You can open your eyes now. Shhh, don't cry. I will take care of everything" said Arnav cupping her face.

"He was about to hurt me. I am glad you came. I don't even want to think what would have happened if you didn't come"

"Listen Khushi, I will never let him or anyone harm you ok. Now please stop crying. I actually came here to speak to you alone. But before that, there are a few things I want to clarify. I heard your prayers to god and why do I feel like you are holding on to some secret?."

Khushi knew it was high time she share the incidents of that dark night. She has a bigger problem now - Shyam and as long as she is holding on to her past she cannot face Shyam properly. Therefore, she decided she is going to tell Arnav all about that night.

"Khushi, look at me. You were only 10 years. You were a kid. You didn't know what was right and wrong. You didn't kill your parents. It was an accident. Blaming yourself for something you have no control over won't do you any good"

"But, papa got distracted because I was stubborn"

"No, you were being a kid. Believe me when I say this, if something is bound to happen it will happen one way or the other. But we tend to blame ourselves for the things we can't control. Because deep down we know this was bound to happen, but knowing we have no control over it makes us blame ourselves. When my parents killed themselves I blamed myself for not supporting my mom. But the reality was, it was out of my control." Said Arnav shocking Khushi. She never knew this part of his life.

"Your parents killed themselves?"

"Yes Khushi, my dad had an extramarital affair, and when my mom got to know it she couldn't take it, so she killed herself. My dad couldn't take the guilt and killed himself. So believe me when I tell you this, I know what you feel and I don't want to give you false hope saying it gets better, because it does not. But blaming yourself for it makes it worse" Said Arnav. Although he was reassuring Khushi, in a way this was a reassurance for himself as well. Arnav never had a heart-to-heart with anyone because he knew no one will understand. But knowing Khushi is in the same situation as he made it easier for him to share this.

Khushi gave it a thought, he is correct. What happened has happened. She has no guarantee if it was not for her toy her parents will still be alive. Maybe the accident is meant to be. Blaming her for the rest of her life will only hurt her and she knew her parents wanted her to be happy.

After a hell of 13 years, both Arnav and Khushi are finally ready to let go of their demons. The process will be slow but both of them knew it was high time.