Safe in Your Arms: Unyielding love

Chapter 2

Khushi's sobs grew louder as she tried to find the words to explain, but they stuck in her throat, strangled by the pain of knowing that everything she held dear was collapsing around her. She could see the rage in Arnav's eyes, and she knew it would destroy everything.

"So, Khushi, tell me, when did it start?" His voice thickened with emotion, his control slipping.

She had no answer, no clear moment to point to when this nightmare began. When could she say it started? Did it even start the way Arnav was imagining it?

"When did you start changing? When did you start becoming like me? When did you start writing others' destinies like I do, Khushi?" Arnav's voice was laced with bitterness. "Di's husband has been cheating on her, yet you didn't think of telling any of us?"

Khushi was taken aback by his words. She had expected accusations, maybe even condemnation, but not these questions. She had prepared herself to be labeled a homewrecker, the other woman, but not this.

"Why did you decide what should happen in my Di's life? Who were you to decide for her, Khushi?" Arnav roared, his voice echoing off the walls.

Khushi jumped at the sudden outburst. "Please..." She hiccupped between sobs. "Arnav ji, I didn't want to hurt Anjali ji, and most importantly, I didn't want to hurt you."

Arnav let out a strangled chuckle at her words, the sound devoid of humor. "Oh, you didn't want to hurt my sister? Me? Is your love for me that deep, Khushi?"

Khushi was shocked. He knew. He knew that she loved him, but what shocked her more was that he still hadn't outright blamed her.

"Tell me. Do you love me so much?" Arnav asked, his voice tight with emotion. "So much that you decided to endure a lifetime of pain at the hands of that leech, always lusting after you, instead of throwing him out of your life? Out of my Di's life?" Arnav cried, his voice breaking as he took a step forward and grabbed her by the arms, his hands clutching her tightly. "You love me. But does not love also mean honesty and trust Khushi? You love me, but why didn't you trust me enough to fight with you? Why weren't you honest with me?" He accused.

"What if he had done something TO YOU, DAMN IT?" he barked, his anger and fear spilling over.

Khushi could feel his nails digging into her skin, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the agony she felt seeing the vulnerability in his eyes, the anger and pain that mirrored her own. His wet eyes, filled with unshed tears, pierced her heart. She was startled when he suddenly pushed her away, the force of it almost making her stumble.

"Of course! How could you trust me after all the things I've done to you?" he whispered, his voice raw with regret.

All she could do was shake her head, unable to meet his gaze. She was ashamed, too ashamed to look at the ruthless and arrogant ASR who now stood before her as a broken man. A sharp, ripping pain shot through her chest as she realized that she was the one who had turned ASR into this dejected and defeated man. She had told herself that she had hidden the truth about Shyam to protect Anjaliji and Arnavji from pain. But in truth, she hadn't been saving them—she had been bidding time, avoiding the inevitable.

She loved Arnavji, she couldn't deny that. But the real reason she had hidden the truth was because she hadn't trusted Arnavji to do right by her. She had feared that he wouldn't believe her over his brother-in-law; that he would, as always, accuse her and look down on her for her class and upbringing.

"Or was it your revenge on me?" Arnav's voice, now quiet and pained, made her look up at his tired form. "Was it revenge, Khushi? For destroying your life? Of course, you decided to let that leech remain in our lives because of what I've done to you since we met, didn't you?" All she could do was shake her head in denial, her sobs racking her body.

"But my Khushi can't be so harsh, right?" Arnav wondered aloud, his eyes lost and distant. "She might play pranks, but she can't be vengeful. She considers marriage a sacred bond, something beautiful. So how could she think that my Di would thrive in such a bond made of lies?"

He turned toward her, his expression one of deep hurt and confusion. "What did you want, Khushi? ASR weak and bending before you? Look, you've done it. I'm weak and vulnerable, just in front of you. Rula diya tumne the great ASR ko." He sat heavily at the end of the recliner, the tears he had been holding back finally sliding down his cheeks.

Khushi hurried to him, her steps unsteady, and knelt before him, holding his hands in hers. "Arnavji, please... I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I just thought I was protecting you and Anjaliji from pain. I realize now how wrong I was. Please, Arnavji, trust me... I'm sorry..." She sobbed, lowering her head onto their joined hands, resting on his lap.

They sat there for what felt like an eternity, crying for each other, for their lives, for the fear and circumstances that had plagued them since the day they met.

"I didn't realize that I was betraying you, Arnavji," Khushi mumbled into his hands. "Betraying your trust."

"Ab kya karu, Khushi?" Arnav whispered after a long silence, his throat thick with emotion. "Kaise thik karu sab? Tell me, Khushi. What should I do to make it all right?"

"This is all my fault," Arnav chuckled humorlessly, making Khushi look up at him, her eyes wide with worry. "You always talked about karma, right? You shouldn't trust me, not after what I've done to you in the past. I guess it's time I paid for my actions."

Khushi shook her head vehemently and cupped his face in her hands, her heart breaking at the thought of him blaming himself. "No, Arnavji... please don't say that. I'm sorry. It's not your fault. I'll do anything, please don't blame yourself," she cried, relieved when he didn't pull away from her touch. They looked into each other's eyes, the unspoken emotions swirling between them.

"Will you do anything, Khushi?" Arnav's voice cut through the silence, deep and intense, carrying the weight of his emotions.

"Anything," Khushi replied, her voice trembling with a mix of determination and fear.

How is the chapter guys?