Humdard | ✔

Chapter four - Revelation

Anjali brought Arnav back near the OT right after his cries subsided and he sat there, again with his blank and hollow eyes.

She inhaled, her brother's anguish searing her heart and she seated herself besides him, silently giving him the comfort that he needs.

That was the maximum she could do.

A familiar voice brought them both, back to earth.

Anjali glanced up to see her husband, panting and asking about Khushi. She then looked at Arnav who at once went stiff. 

The words of Shyam seemed like lava being poured into his ears and he clenched his fists. His eyes blazed as he heard Khushi's name rolling out of his foul mouth and without thinking about anything, he stood up, but Anjali held his hand before he lashes out.

He stared at his wrist then at his sister's face. 

His heart did click at the thought of her heart breaking but he can't do it anymore. He can't just act as if nothing happened for any longer.

It's him and Shyam who are responsible for Khushi's condition today and he will deal with himself later on, but for now, it's important to tackle Shyam.

With that thought, he wriggled his hand out of his sister's hold, his fist itching to have contact with Shyam's jaw.

"Chotte, it's not needed." Anjali whispered, softly but sternly as she held him back, then looked over his shoulder and breathed out.

Arnav stared at her confused and followed her line of vision to see NK coming with the police. His frown deepened.

"Police?" Akash stood up, eyeing NK and the police with narrowed eyes, like the rest of the family.

"I called them." Anjali said.

She looked at Arnav then at Shyam and finally went and stood in front of the officers. "I called them, yeah."

"But why?" Asked Shyam from behind her, sweat beads already breaking on his forehead.

He was already in panic since he was informed about Khushi's attempted suicide. He knew he was the reason she did all this and if she dies or anyone finds out about his involvement, he will be doomed.

And now this police?

Why did she call them? To investigate?

Then he's actually over. If once his name comes out, no one will be able to shut the Gupta family from spilling out his entire truth.

Anjali glanced at him over her shoulder then turned her head back towards the waiting officer, her eyes briefly catching the sight of her confounded family in the process.

"Khushiji didn't attempt suicide. She was forced to do so." She finally said and continued despite the spasm of gasps she heard. "She was being blackmailed by someone. She was told, either she marry him willingly or she will have to be ready to witness her family's destruction and then he will make her his wife forcefully. In every sense." She said slowly, articulating every word with vehemence.

Shyam and Arnav stared at her back, wide-eyed as she quoted the exact same thing Shyam had said to Khushi. 

"Di?" Escaped Arnav's dry throat.

Anjali turned around, her soft eyes turning rigid as they wandered from Arnav to Shyam, who backed away seeing her eyes, the anger that resided in them.

"Di?" Akash spoke, recovering from the shock, his jaw clenching at once. "Who?"

He walked to her. "Who did it? And-and how did you know?"