One Step Closer (IPKKND FF | Complete)

Chapter Three

Anjali only caught the briefest of glimpses of what appeared to be extremely close proximity between her brother and the girl he had fallen for, sitting on the lounge in his room.

The next second both had sprung apart, Arnav jumping to his feet. Of course, Anjali wasn't particularly shocked to see them together. After all she had been closely watching her brother for the past few days, and had already decided that it was just a matter of time until these two headstrong, beautiful, stubborn people realised the true extent of their feelings for each other.

In fact, she was pretty sure that Chhote had already figured it out. In light of the past few days Anjali had realised that Arnav must have fallen for Khushi a long, long time ago.

Despite all her teasing and lecturing, Anjali knew her brother's heart was capable of deep, all-encompassing love, and if he chose to scoff at the subject and avoid the matter, it was only because he was protecting himself from becoming vulnerable.

She understood now that he'd kept trying to convince himself otherwise, trying to stay away from Khushi, yelling his head off at her for months, but not because he hated her as they had all assumed, but because he was scared of his feelings.

Yes, it all made so much sense now!

But after Arnav had spent so much time running away from his love and hot-headedly making all the wrong decisions, including that whole hurried engagement to Lavanya... this newly developing relationship was sure to be a fragile thing, it would need to be handled delicately and it would most certainly need help to blossom.

So, not wanting to embarrass the lovebirds, Anjali stifled a grin and did her best to pretend that finding Khushi in Arnav's room was not strange at all.

"Perfect! Khushi-ji, you are here, that's great! I was looking for you, we need to help Payal-ji with her jewellery and outfit! And you need to get dressed, too, the first rituals are about to begin," Anjali said.

Arnav gulped, completely thrown off track by the appearance of his sister, and even more by her cheerful spirit.

Just moments ago, he'd learned the most horrible things about Di's husband, and yet there she stood now, radiant despite the recent near-death experience in the car accident.

And so blissfully... oblivious.

He felt a sharp pang of guilt that he couldn't protect her, and he felt betrayed by Shyam, and confused, and mixed in with all that were these feelings for Khushi, a whole sea of emotions threatening to engulf him and swallow him whole...

Arnav was at a complete loss and just stared at Anjali, dumbfounded.

Meanwhile Khushi had surreptitiously draped her dupatta around the shoulders to hide the bruises on her arms, and quickly straightened herself out to hide that she'd been crying. She stole a quick sideways glance at Arnav's face. The pain was so visible in his features, he'd be no help right now, she could tell.

Khushi cleared her throat and steadied her voice.

"Y- yes, Anjali-ji, of course... I'll come right away! Jiji must be feeling so nervous..." Khushi nervously fidgeted with her dupatta as she half-succeeded in sounding convincingly enthusiastic. She stole another sideways glance at Arnav.

Anjali nodded and made a show of turning away and leaving, to give the two a chance to quickly finish what had, without a doubt, been a really interesting conversation - judging by Khushi's flushed cheeks at least. She couldn't help it and quietly giggled to herself as she paused in the hallway. My grumpy little brother... finally!

"Arnav-ji," Khushi whispered. "Please, please don't do anything, n- not right now. Jiji and Akash-ji... their wedding... she couldn't bear if, if anything happened today," she pleaded, glancing at the door.

Of course, the wedding! Arnav balled up his fists, his role in breaking up Payal's first wedding still fresh in his memory. Dammit!

He could only muster a silent nod, but that had to be enough for Khushi, who hurried away to follow Anjali. She glanced at him once more as she left the room, still with a silent plea in her eyes.

Arnav clenched and unclenched his fists, steadying his breath, his mind whirring into action. He exhaled deeply.

Khushi was right, of course, the wedding had to happen without a hitch. And maybe the distraction of the celebrations would give him some time to think, to formulate a plan, to find a way to protect his sister and his... and Khushi. He would not make another mistake and hurt her again. Not ever.

Although that thought had never materialised in words, deep down Arnav felt that Khushi would never choose to do anything to hurt him or his family, not unless it could be avoided at all costs. It was clear from her story, as shocking as it was, that the only reason he was only hearing about it now was because she had been trying to protect them all... and gotten way in over her head.

As much as his mind reeled at the thought of Shyam being a double-faced, predatory cheat, his heart told him to take Khushi's word for it.

But her word would not be enough for anyone else.

Which meant that he needed to act, and quickly. Arnav threw off his blazer, loosened the tie and found his cell phone while firing up the laptop.

"Aman, I have some personal matters I need to entrust you with. Yes... Highly confidential, I know I can trust you with this... I'm sending you some information. I'll need you to look into these bank statements for me, and email the reports tonight... Yes... And first thing tomorrow you will need to hire a private investigator..."

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