Chapter 49 - Disclosure

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Arnav entered Shantivan before the others, and met Di right at the door.

"Chotay?" She said, staring at him with wide eyes. "What happened? Why are you back so soon? Where's Khushiji?"

"Khushi is at her Buaji's, Di," he said. "I have to talk to you. It's very important. Can we please go up to your room?"

"Chotay...? Is everything okay? You're scaring me."

"I'll tell you everything, Di," he said, and held her hands as he led her upstairs.

"Chotay...?" Arnav sighed, and closed his eyes. It was Nani, walking briskly towards them, a frown creasing her brow. "What happened? Why are you back so soon? Where's Khushi bitya?"

"Nani..." he said, trying to keep the agitation out of his voice. "Akash and Payal are coming, they'll tell you. I have to speak to Di."

They met Mami on the stairs. "Hello hi bye-"

"Mami, I have to talk to Di, Akash and Payal are downstairs, they'll tell you everything," he said, cutting her off.

"Fine, Arnav Bitwa!" Mami said, touching her necklaces sulkily. "No need to be so rude."

Finally, they were in Di's room. Arnav sat her down on the sofa, and kneeled before her.

"Di, Khushi and I lied about going to Mussoorie. We went to Buaji's house instead."

"What? Chotay...?"

He took a deep breath. "I have something very important to tell you. I have wanted to tell you for months now, and never had the courage. But now I have no choice. Please... please –" he paused, and closed his eyes.

"Cho–"

"Di, you trust me, right? More than anyone else in the world? You know I'll always look out for you, I'll do anything for you. I'm doing this for your happiness. To keep you safe."

"Chotay, please just tell me what's going on. You're really worrying me now."

"Di. Shyam is deceiving you. He doesn't love you. He has always been a liar and a cheat. And he's a murderer. He tried to kill – he tried to kill Khushi's Babuji, and maybe he's the one behind my attack."

Di stared at Arnav. "Is this some joke, Chotay, because..."

"Di, I would never make a joke like that," he said. "It's the truth. He's not what he appears to be. He has been fooling us – you, me, our whole family. And Khushi's family too."

"Khushiji's family?"

Arnav took another deep breath. "Di, remember how I met Khushi in Lucknow? She fell into my arms. I thought she was some sort of spy, and I asked the local TV channels to broadcast the footage, and malign her..."

Di shook her head, unable to register whatever he was saying. "She was harassed by goons in the streets because of that footage. And – Shyam fought off those goons. That's when he met her."

"No, Chotay, that's not true," Anjali said, shaking her head. "He wasn't in Lucknow at that time. I remember, I was there."

Arnav shook his head. "No, Di. He was there. I hired private detectives to look into him, and they have confirmed this."

"You hired detectives to investigate Shyamji...?"

"Di. He was lying to you the whole time. I don't know why, we are going to find out. But he was in Lucknow, he met Khushi, and he followed her when she came to Delhi."

"H – he followed.. what are you saying, Chotay!"

"He found her a job at AR – using his  connections to us, no doubt – and he began living in Buaji's house as a paying guest."

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