Making Her Mine- An IPKKND story.

Chapter 37 - Devastation

"We need to tell Akash about Shyam," Arnav said when Khushi emerged from the bathroom. "We have to tell everyone at some point. And we need Akash—he has always been the voice of reason. Besides, Aman has told him I have been investigating Shyam, so he knows something is going on."

She came over to help him out of bed. "What if he tells Jiji? What if they fight because she kept this a secret?"

"It will have to come out someday, Khushi," Arnav said, placing his feet gingerly on the floor. "I'm fine, just no exercise lately," seeing her put her arms around him to hold him up. It was ridiculous, the idea of tiny scrawny Khushi supporting his six-foot frame, except he didn't feel all that strong himself.

When Akash arrived with their breakfast, Arnav was sitting up and feeling a lot better.

"Khushi-ji, you should go home with Mohan and send him back. I'll stay with Bhai," Akash said. Khushi opened her mouth to protest.

"There's enough breakfast for both of us," Arnav said, looking at the containers of food in the basket Akash was carrying. "Let Khushi stay. Maybe I'll get discharged today – we can all go home together."

"As you say, Bhai," Akash said, and began to set the bed table in front of Arnav.

"I'll sit at the table," Arnav said, pointing to the coffee table by the sofa.

They helped him up and walked him to the sofa, where Akash brought out all the food. It was gobi parathas today, thank goodness.

Over breakfast, Arnav told Akash about Shyam—how he had tricked his way into Khushi's family, how he had gotten engaged with her, how Arnav had confronted Shyam, his lies and duplicity, and how he suspected Shyam to be behind this attack.

Akash listened with shock but didn't interrupt until Arnav was finished.

"Bhai..." Akash said, at last, when Arnav was done, the shock seemingly overwhelming. "But–but–Jijaji?"

Khushi sat next to Arnav, glancing between them anxiously.

"Bhai," Akash said again. "How–but– when did you find out? How come you didn't tell anyone?"

"I found out on your wedding day," Arnav said. "Then, Di announced she was pregnant. I couldn't bring myself to–I thought I had handled the situation. Or at least, I thought I had it under control, without tearing our family apart. I wanted time, until the baby was born. But I underestimated how evil Shyam could be."

"But Bhai, you don't know that he did this to you."

Arnav glanced darkly at Khushi. "I suspect him. But I can't tell Di right now. That's why I'm telling you. I need help."

"Is that why you married Khushiji so suddenly?" Akash asked. "And did Payal know, this whole time?"

"She knows about Shyam. Khushi's whole family knows, obviously. But Payal doesn't know I know. And she doesn't know why I married Khushi, either," Arnav said. They were skating into territory that Arnav wasn't sure he should talk to Akash about.

"But she didn't tell me," Akash said, in a hollow voice.

"We forced her to keep it secret Jijaji," Khushi said quickly. "Amma made her promise. She wanted to let you know everything. But we made her not tell–for your marriage, and also for Di's because we hoped Sha-Shyam-ji would change."

Akash looked distraught.

"Khushi ji... I–I trusted Payal. She's my wife! We promised each other we wouldn't keep any secrets between us. And this... Bhai... I don't know... I need some time."

He placed his face in his hands.

"Sorry, Akash," Arnav said finally. "We are not going to tell you what to do, it's between you and Payal–"

"What?" Khushi interrupted. "It wasn't Payal's fault, Arnav Ji! Jijaji, please–"

"Khushi, this is between them. Akash, I'm sorry, but I need your help. Are you with me?"

"You know I am, Bhai," Akash said, but he sounded dazed. "I just need some time. I need to talk to Payal. I'll do whatever you need me to do, you just have to tell me. But right now... I just..."

"Okay," Arnav said. "I don't need you to do anything right now. Just keep your eyes on Shyam. I'm thinking of what to do next. How to expose him. There has been no progress in finding the man who attacked me."

Akash nodded absently. He looked lost.

"But Jijaji," Khushi said. "Please don't blame Jiji for this. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. I didn't tell Di when I meant to, and I made Jiji–"

"Khushi," Arnav interrupted. "I told you, this is between Akash and Payal. She's his wife. You know Akash – trust him, he knows how to deal with this without us getting involved."

"She's my Jiji! I have the right–"

"No, Khushi. You don't. I am sorry. If Akash wants any advice, he will ask. Leave it alone."

He was being stern, but as much as he loved his wife, she had a problem with interfering. Akash gave him a grateful look. Khushi looked furious.

The doctor came in just then, thankfully, and Arnav was finally discharged, with advice to rest as much as possible.

Khushi pounced on Arnav the first chance she got, when Akash went out carrying their luggage to the car.

"How could you do this? You aren't going to do anything about Jiji and Jijaji having a fight because of us?"

"Khushi, relax. Akash is not some hothead, he will handle it. They have to sort this on their own. How would you feel if they decided to tell us how to solve our issues? And, I love you, but you know you are too interfering. You get involved in other people's business. You did the same thing with me and Lavanya–"

"Jiji is not other people! And how can you say things like that about me!"

"I know she's your sister, but you're not responsible for her relationship. They are husband and wife, Khushi. And I'm not trying to insult you. You know you need to be less interfering. People can handle their own lives–they don't want you to take over."

"You're not insulting me?" she exclaimed. "That sounds like an insult! If you think I'm so bad–"

"Khushi! That's not what I said. Akash is my brother and I care about his happiness too, as much as you care about Payal's. I know that he loves her, and that she makes him happy. I would never let them get separated, but I know–"

"You threatened to separate them!"

"It was only to get you to marry me. You wouldn't have listened otherwise. It was a bluff. I would never threaten my bro–" Arnav stopped abruptly at the sight of Akash at the door.

"You threatened to separate Payal and me?" Akash said, staring at his brother.

"Only to get Khushi to marry me, Akash. But I wouldn't have done it. I would never do anything to hurt you or make you unhappy–"

"You forced Khushi ji to marry you?" Akash said in a monotone.

Arnav and Khushi exchanged glances.

"It was a misunderstanding," Arnav began. "I thought Khushi was–Shyam lied to me–when I found out about him, he told me–I mean–" he faltered at the expression on his brother's face. Akash had never looked at him like that before–with such disappointment. Arnav had always been the big brother who could do no wrong.

"You forced Khushi ji to marry you. To elope. And you threatened to separate me and Payal if she refused? Bhai..."

He entered the room and sat down on the sofa, shock writ large on his face. "What will I tell Payal?"

"Jijaji," Khushi said, timidly. "Please don't tell her. She will not–I don't want her to–it's not Arnav ji's–I mean, I don't blame him for what happened anymore. And I believe him," she looked at Arnav as she said this. "He would never hurt you. He did what he thought was right. He was wrong, but I understand."

Somehow, Khushi's forgiveness ached him more than Akash's disappointment. Arnav found that he had no words. He stood looking at his brother and his wife, letting waves of regret course through him.