Silver Linings

Pain

Arnav Singh Raizada, was a well renowed businessman with a shrewd mind. A childhood tragedy had left him ruthless and untrusting of anyone.
He had literally risen from the ashes that his paternal uncle left him in. He saved himself along with his sister from his chacha's clutches and from the tender age of 15, he has been building up his life.
Now he owned the largest empire in the fashion world. In the process of building that empire, he had put up walls to protect his soft, delicate heart.

For 15 years, he had been very successful in not letting anyone get close to him, he never invested in anyone emotionaly and kept everyone at an arms distance, figuratively speaking. No soul had managed to break down those walls, to be honest, no one even bothered to try.

But she didnt even have to try.

Khushi Kumari Gupta

A sigh left his lips as his mind spelled out her name.

She came into his life like a literal toofaan, fell off the stage and right into his arms. He still remembered how he held her close to him and scanned her face. He had felt his heart skip a beat when she opened her eyes. Her moist eyes were filled with confusion and fear. At that moment, all he wanted to do was bundle her up and protect her from the cruelty of this world. Arnav was surprised at his own thoughts. He didnt even know who she was, and she managed to create a small dent in his wall, since then, nothing had ever been the same.

He had vowed to never let anyone have the strings to his hearts, but the moment his eyes fell on her, he felt a few strings being pulled, and she had those strings in a tight grip ever since, and she never even realised it.

Leaning his head against his SUV, he closed his eyes, his mind replaying memories. Memories that were filled with her. He was never normal when it came to her, His reactions were always extreme and he didnt know why...
Well he did have an idea... She made his heart feel things he never ever wanted to. So to keep her away from him, he behaved like a monster towards her. He usually was well behaved and always treated women with the utmost respect, but with her... It was as if he was purposely trying to make her hate him. His attitude towards her hadnt gone unnoticed. Infact, his Di had commented on it, hell! Even Lavanya had.

She was different from everyone else he met in his life. No one ever dared to question him or his principles.... Well Di and Naani did, but they were family, so they dont count. Every other person was just eager to agree with anything he decreed just to be on his good books, but she questioned everything and she didnt care if he was offended.

She challenged him to his face. Told him he was a monster! To his face! The harder he made life for her, the harder she fought back. To his unfortunate fate, his Naani and Di were absolutely taken with her. They loved her to bits.

He tried... He really did try to keep her at bay. Slowly but surely, she had smootly walked past all his strong defences and his heart was no longer protected, not from her.

Arnav swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat as he remembered the day he learned about her engagement, he almost had a panic attack that day. He usually was good at masking his emotions, but that day, he was sure she saw exactly how he felt.

Another lump started to form as he recollected the way he tried to punish her by making her organise his engagement with Lavanya.. He had been very cruel!

Arnav took in a deep breath pushing away the bad memories. Things had gotten better, He had stopped trying to push her away, instead he openly showed his concerns for her through his actions, though words still failed him. He shook his head as the memories of the last few days came rushing

Their dance...
The kisses...

He could almost hear her voice

"Hum kitne pareshaan the?... Haan aap ke liye" (I was so worried... Yes! for you!)

"humara naam mein bhi A hai" (My name has an 'a' too)

"yeh choodiyan aap ne laaye the?" (You brought these bangles?)

"par dhyaan tho.." (But my attention was..)

He was so sure that he was in love, and he was willing to bet that she returned his affections as well.

But was he mistaken?

An image of her in the arms of another man made him open his eyes, bloodshot and brimming with unshed tears. "Aap chod kyun nai dete Anjali Ji ko?" (Why don't you leave Anjaliji) her words reverberated in his ears.

The memory made him feel breathless, he unbuttoned his collar and forced himself to inhale and exhale. The voice in his head didn't stop, he kept hearing those words. He clenched his fists tight, his nails digging into the skin of his palms, hoping the physical pain would lessen the pain he felt in his heart. He stood up and banged his fist against the hood of his SUV.

Dammit Khushi! How could you do this to me?

His tears flowed down his cheeks. He wanted to scream out loud. He couldn't handle the ache in his chest.
Images of her dancing with him filled his mind... Was it all a lie? Her shyness, her smiles, her glances when she thought he wasn't looking. Did she play him? Did he make an error in judgement? Did he end up being a fool like his mother was?

Was she like the woman who spoilt his mother's life? As soon as the thought came to his head, his heart recoiled, he felt a physical recoil. Khushi is NOT like that... She could never!
Taking slow breaths he calmed himself down. Deep in his heart he knows that she isn't that sort of a girl.
He had been mistaken before when he had questioned her intentions, and maybe this time as well, there is more than what he can see on the surface?

But... He saw them with his own eyes. He heard her words , they were crystal clear, no room for misinterpretation...

The sound of thunder and a few drops of rain on his face brought him out of his thoughts. Great! The last thing I need now is to get soaked in the rain. He thought to himself before getting into the SUV.
His phone showed that he had multiple missed calls from Di, Maami and Akash

Shit!

He glanced at the time, it was getting late, Akash is getting married tonight and the auspicious time is getting closer.

He needs to get answers, but it could wait till the morning. Its not like Khushi is going any where, neither was his Jeejaji...

Dammit!!!

How did he forget about his sister.. She had just survived an accident.. And after what he saw on the terrace, he didn't trust his brother in law.. Not with his sisters life.
Nothing was more important than her.

His hurt heart can wait!