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Part 12

Arnav was ashamed of himself, because of his mistake Shyam entered in her life if not for him she would not have faced so much in her life because of Shyam and his family members. How could he face her, how could he rectify his mistakes. He sat in front of her but he was unable to raise his head to look at her and said "I am sorry really so sorry, because of me, that wrenched man entered in your life otherwise..."

Khushi cut him and said "What you are saying Arnavji, you were, are and will be my destiny then how can I stay in Lucknow, when you are Delhi. Even if I have to face him, I will do with brave face because you are my destiny, I don't mind. No, never think like that OK, even though our meet was not that pleasant but still our journey is still epic don't you think so." Said Khushi with a small laugh.

"What the" was only he could utter.

Both saw each other face for a moment and both laughed.

Calming down himself Arnav took her hand in his said "I promise you Khushi, I would fulfil all you have said and all you have dreamt about starting today."

Khushi didn't get exactly what Arnav was about to tell but when he started to talk about his past, she understood that he was opening up to her and felt happy.

"We used to live in Lucknow, me, Di, Ma(Ratna Singh Raizada Malik) and ....my father(Arvind Malik), (with a clenched jaw and fisted hand and seeing her face and touch of her hand on his fisted hand he became calm) and Dadi, there is arranged marriage as Dadi and Nani were childhood friends. Every thing was going good in front of our eyes and to the world. I was 14 yrs when Di's marriage was fixed with one of that man's friend's son. Nani and mamaji were about to come before, but were delayed for some reason and couldn't come before they were about to come on her marriage day, but all that happened on her mehndi day, Ma found out he was having extra marital affair with his secretary and many other and she couldn't take it and I ran after them saw all these and begged her not to and think about me and Di, but she did give heed to my words, before shooting herself she took a promise to always take care of Di who was 19yrs, shot herself and he don't know how to face the society and shot himself.

Groom's mother was present there, when their dead bodies bought outside and final ritual were done in a hurry as there is suicide and don't want to deal with the law and didn't wait for nani's family. But on the same day our fate change from having a family to becoming orphans and thrown out on streets by our Chacha, Sirish Malik and Dadi, seeing all these fainted and later she was hospitalised. Di and I wondered on the streets for two days for food and took shelter in the temple nearby, where nani found us and bought to Delhi. All of them were busy consoling Di for her broken marriage and loss of her parents that they forgot a 14yr child who even lost his parents. I grew up in one day from a carefree child to a grown-up and took responsibility of her. That day I thought, we faced all these because I don't have power and to gain power, I should have money and for that I studied well, done part time jobs and went to Harvard University with scholarship, where I met an amazing friend Aman Mathur who was also like me. You know Khushi, when nani took us in, Mami and Mamaji didn't support her but they couldn't raise their voice also so they kept quiet but they want me to stop studies and work in mamaji's company but I told them that I will work in his company if he gives me salary for which they got angry and later see Nani's face they agreed.

When I was studying in Harvard, I done part time jobs and stayed there to earn enough money with participating in different competitions and gained knowledge in fashion.

When I returned to India, I started AR and the first rivals were non other than mami and mamaji, who didn't want me to build my own company instead want me to join is company as a employe, but I was adamant and didn't car what they say and I went against them all, including Di, who supported them. And the only support I got was from my friend Aman, it was him who gave me ASR name. Within a year it started to flourish and we shifted to Shantivan. And all in the Family started to respect me because I earned more than Mamaji, and Akash who just joined Mamaji gave some lame excuses and joined in AR. I didn't oppose because according to them, they provided food and shelter to Di and me in time of need.

Situation which I have faced after the death of my parents, I learnt that every one have double face so we I met a hazel eyed beauty with pure soul, I couldn't accept it and done mistake after mistake to keep her away so that I cannot come under her control." To which Khushi blushed even when her heart and eyes were crying for all that Arnav have gone through.

"Khushi, you know, Di came to know I was diabetic after 2yrs of my medication..."

"What, but Anjaliji always tell me that it was her who took care of you after the death of your parents, then how come...." Asked Khushi.

"She became a hour glass figure to all, she hardly took care of herself and became selfish and manipulative, I saw all these but brushed it off. When she came to know of my diabetics she just said "Oh Chote, you should have told me," That's all. I don't want to jeopardise my promise I gave to my ma.

I didn't voice out my feelings to anyone, but with you I always felt different. I am feel that I have person in my life I can call my own and share my feelings and even I can show my vulnerability." With lot of emotions, he was going through Arnav told her about his past.

Khushi just hugged him for all he went through in the past and present and promised herself to keep him happy.

Arnav broke the hug after a while and sat facing each other no one to disturb their eye-lock.

And we know very well who will disturb it Yes, Aman Mathur his untimely Phone call.

Aman called Arnav to say to him that he got the back ground reports of the family members and has been sent to his email. And he will come in the evening will bring the hard copy of it.

It was past lunch hour and NK came to the ward and gave them their lunch. And left the couple alone not before saying he would come in the evening along with Aman for further course of action.

After having Lunch Arnav and Khushi took some rest.

After taking rest Khushi asked "Arnavji, why Naniji show this much difference between Anjaliji and you, when you both are her daughter's children, you are not adopted right?"

"What the... No I am not adopted, even if I am adopted she would have treated me better than this because I look more like Arvind malik where as Di look like her daughter" said Arnav with a horrified look.

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