Arshi SS: Hamesha & Forever

Chapter 8

"So here we are" Khushi said hopping out of the train to Arnav who stood with bags. "We're reached Mumbai. Now what?" she asked.

"He is coming to pick us!" he said.

"Who?" she asked.

"Someone really special" he said with a smirk.

She frowned.

"Do we have water?" he asked and she nodded no. "I'll get some. Stay here, don't go anywhere!" he said and walked to the mineral water vendor.

Khushi stood gazing at the passengers and vendors around when she felt someone picking up their luggage.

"Hey who are...oh it's you?" she asked frowning seeing Arnav taking up the luggage.

"Where is the water?" she asked.

"What water?" he frowned.

"You went to get mineral water. Where is it?" she asked.

He smiled and said, "Khushi I'm..."

"Arrey when did you change your clothes?" she asked looking at him head to toe. The simple brown shirt and black pants he had worn was now a white full sleeved T-shirt rolled up to elbow and blue jeans.

"Khushi...err...." he began when Khushi heard a familiar voice, "Ah, you've met Aaron?"

Khushi turned to her left and to her shock saw a person dressed up in brown shirt and black pant looking exactly like her husband coming to her...holding a water bottle.

She looked at the man in white tee beside her and then at the man in brown shirt.

"Are you telling me that YOU HAVE A TWIN BROTHER?" NK shouted.

"Shhh!" Arnav hissed and NK calmed down and whispered, "What the hell is happening? Do you have a twin?"

Arnav nodded, "Aaron Payne. My twin brother."

"I don't understand!" NK said.

Arnav sighed and said, "It's complicated. Actually it started from a simple mistake of doctors! When my mother was having delivery another woman was also in labour. She was Karen Payne, a Mumbai Christian who had come to Lucknow for a trip. She had a son and my mother had twins. But her son and my twin had complications so both the babies were in incubator right after birth. The mothers weren't even allowed to see them once. And then doctors made a mistake. Babies got swapped. But the baby was not healthy and had some problems which I'm not sure of but the baby of Payne died just hours later birth. Doctors announced the news to my family that their second son is dead and gave my brother to Paynes."

"Oh my god! Swapped!" NK said.

"It happens. There are many cases in this world!" Arnav said, "And years back I joined Harvard and bingo! I crashed into another person who looks exactly like me during my visit to a mall!"

"Then?" NK asked with wide eyes.

"We both were like....who are you dude and why are you looking like me? And then we introduced ourselves and then dug into the matter. He was studying in another college there for journalism. Within days we found out the truth!" Arnav said, "I met Paynes. They're great people! But he didn't want to come to our family, be a Raizada or something because for him Paynes are his parents. I respect that. We still remains as brothers but he prevented me from telling this to my family! Just thought of not digging into the past!"

NK sighed and said, "So....Aarav is..."

"Aaron's son! There is something that you should know! At Harvard I was admitted for depression!" Arnav said.

"What?" NK asked shocked.

"I had never actually gone away from home and I was not over from my...past...you know mamma's death and...I used to have nightmares and many problems which I didn't want Nani or mama to know. Aaron took me to a rehab but just two days later mama ji called me to know if I'm okay. My teacher at Harvard was mama's friend and he had informed that I was on leave. So we could not took a risk. Aaron...."

"Got it! He took your place at Harvard!" NK completed, "No one suspected since you both look alike. You told him vital information he required to be Arnav Singh Raizada and then he got himself a girlfriend – Sheetal! Right?"

"Yeah. I returned and Aaron was back to his college. He told the truth to Sheetal and she was supportive. They both were like the best couple. So in order to convince her fronts I had to act as her boyfriend inside college premises. After graduation they both got married. Aarav was born. Aaron got a good job and they were well settled. But when Aarav was two years old Aaron lost his job and suddenly they faced a financial crisis. His dad, I mean Mr. Payne fell in debt. The whole family was at the verge of suicide and Sheetal showed true colours. She left him without a note and took Aarav with her. She then went to London I guess. I don't know about her life there but when Aarav was six years old she returned to India, this time to me. She made Aarav behave like me. Anyone would say that he is my son! She told Anjali the truth and got the witch's support! She wanted money and luxury and that's what she got!" Arnav said.

"And didn't Aaron try to get Aarav back?" NK asked.

"No because Aaron and family were still in financial crisis. I mean if Aaron had to get Aarav's custody he should've a settled life or else the court wouldn't allow. So the first step was getting Aaron and family out of debt and getting me and Khushi settled. Amma and Buaji's jewellery found new owners and we started our new venture Ocean of Happiness. We relocated to Canada making our company base there. Got ourselves successful and last year Aaron registered for custody." Arnav said.

"Really?" NK asked, "And then? What happened to that case and how come Sheetal didn't know about it?"

"Of course she knew! But she cooked up story at court that it was not Aaron, it was in fact Arnav who she was in relationship. You see there is no proof that it was Aaron because he used my identity in Harvard! She had her friends, my friends and even Anjali to support her. Anjali denied that she had another brother and that mattered the verdict. Of course they kept it away from you all!" Arnav said.

"And didn't you guys go to jail?" NK asked laughing, "I mean faking identity at institution!"

"We were almost to" Arnav said laughing, "God I had Aman run around for at least a month to get me and Aaron out of it!"

"Oh god!" NK said, "I can't handle this much shocks in a day. You have a twin....Aarav is your twin's son....of course the DNA test would be positive! God, I'm dead!"

Anyone alive there or did I just kill my readers by giving electric shocks? Do comment (if you're alive :P)