Shock

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Arnav's phone rang, he looked at the name and answered "I'm on my way Akash" he said without even giving the person on the other end a chance to say hello.

During his journey back home, he thought back to an occasion when he was driving Khushi home, and they had gotten into an argument. She had called him a 'Rakshash' (Devil) because he refused to give Lavanya the dignity of being called his wife.

She held such strong views on marriage, surely she wouldn't become the 'other woman', her morals wouldn't allow her to.
The only logical conclusion was that there was a whole lot he didn't know about this situation.

The memory of her being in another man's arm ripped his heart to shreds everytime, and her words felt like a stab to his gut, BUT there have been many occasions where he had misunderstood her and punished her mercilessly without giving her a chance to explain herself.

After Akash's and Payal's weddi g had been finalised , he and Khushi had moved past their hatred for each other and managed to come to a good place, so he wasn't going to destroy that progress by reacting impulsively on something he didn't have the complete details of. He would speak to her directly, but not now... He would need sometime to get over what he had seen.

He didn't suspect she had any ill will towards his sister, but he was human after all. It still hurt everytime he remembered what he saw in the terrace, and right now he didn't trust himself to not lash out.

As he aproached the main door, he felt the familiar skip in his heart beat before it went into overdrive... He took a deep breath.. She was close, he couldnt face her yet.. So he pretended to be occupied with his phone and opened the door.

Through his lashes he could see that she was standing in the hallway, looking towards the door, almost as if she knew he was coming through.

There is definitely some sort of cosmic connection he has with this girl!

He walked past her and headed straight into Di's room, and she followed on his heels. He had observed Khushi's behavior in the room, though he kept his eye trained on his Di. She had been very uncomfortable and fidgety.

What boggled his mind more was the Gupta family's reaction to his Di's news, and the clear disgust in their eyes when they looked at Shyam. So the whole family knew what ever the issue is... And judging by their looks, they weren't happy with Shyam. Momentarily forgetting his decision, He was about to follow Khushi when...

"Arnav Bitwa, idhar aayiye zara" (Arnav, please come here) Naani's voice stopped him. Dammit! This will have to wait till the wedding gets over He thought to himself as he changed course and walked towards his Naani.

"Ji Naani?" (Yes Naani?) Arnav said walking close to her, she handed him some items to be given to the priest, he obliged and did the needful. The guests had started to arrive, and the families got busy greeting them.

"Ey Garima, jaake Khushi aur Sashi babua ko bulaake laana, muhurat ka waqt ho raha hai, Payal ko woh Sanka Devi hi neeche layegi na" (Garima, go get Khushi and Sashi, the auspicious time is nearing, that sanka Devi will be the one to bring Payal downstairs right) he heard Madhumati say,

Garima nodded and was about to go when Arnav stopped her "Aap rukiye Aunty, mei jaake bulaaleta hun" (Wait Aunty, I will go get them) Garima smiled gratefully as she turned her attention back the guests she was attending.

Arnav knew he couldn't have any conversation about Shyam with Khushi right now, that wasn't why he volunteered to go get her.. He wanted to check if she was okay, she clearly looked disturbed after the family meeting in Di's room

As he neared the door, he heard her voice "hum yeh risk nai le sakte.... Aur woh aadmi yeh baat ka fayda utaake khulle aam hamare saat...." (I can't take that risk, that man would take advantage of this fact and openly..) He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but her words made him curious, so he stepped closer to the door

"Agar Arnav Ji hume ghalat samjhe tho.." (what if Arnav Ji misunderstands me..) His heart started to pound as he heard her cry. It took all his strength to stop himself from barging into the room and taking her into his arms.
Dammit! Why does her tears always effect him so much? Because you love her!
He was trying to calm himself down, when her next words made his blood run cold "Agar unhone hume ghalat samjhe tho hum marjaayenge babuji" (If he misunderstands me, I will die Babuji)

He stumbled back, knocking over a wooden ornament, he quickly placed it properly and hid himself behind a pillar as he heard the door open. He saw her peak out, and then open the door wide before walking back into the room.

He took the opportunity to make his escape back to the hall. He can't let her know that he heard her. He needed to be alone now. He has no idea of what was happening between Shyam and the Gupta familybut he would definitely get to the bottom of it, soon!

"Woh dono aarahehai bitwa?" (Are the two of them coming son?) Garima's voice pulled him out of his stupor "huh?.. Ohh.. Haan aunty" (huh?.. Ohh.. Yes aunty) he fibbed and tried to move away when he heard his sister's voice and turned in that direction, his face contorted in anger as he saw Shyam walk next to her holding her around her shoulders. He needed to busy himself, or he might just go wring that man's neck.

"Arnav bitwa , jaake Akash ko le aayiye" (Arnav, go get Akash) Naani called out and Arnav was thankful for the distraction, and took long steps towards the poolside. When the two men walked into the hall, Arnav was asked to stand alongside Akash on the mandap.

He felt his heart pick up a beat again, she's coming, he kept his head bent down. He had heard her heart wrenching cries, which in itself was enough to scramble his brains, but her words... "hum marjaayenge" (I will die) he gulped as he remembered them... He couldn't risk looking at her now, he won't be able to control his actions.

He watched from under his lashes as she aproached the mandap, Garima whispered something in her ears, Khushi nodded and slowly made her way to the stairs. She hadnt even for a second looked at anyone, her eyes were fixed on to the floor.

It was only after she had gone up the stairs that Arnav dared to look up. He noticed that Shyam's eyes kept darting towards the stairs, Arnav clenched his fists. If that creep dared to go upstairs right now, Arnav was going to beat him to a pulp, no matter the consequences.

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