Taken For Granted

Chapter 18

ASR's POV (Flashback)

Next Day!

The next day, I get ready to head to AR, not even caring that Khushi has left me. I know her; she will come back. She needs me. I've realized how wrong I was. Khushi can never do anything wrong. Just because she did the test doesn't mean she doesn't trust me. I decide to stop by Khushi's house on my way to AR.

Suddenly, a call snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Hello, is this Mr. Raizada?" the caller asks.

"Yes, it is. May I ask who is speaking?" I reply.

"Sir, I am Dr. Arjun from City Hospital. I would like to suggest that you stop your wife from continuing with the pregnancy. She has a lot of complications, as you may know, and I strongly advise against it."

Before I can ask what kind of complications, the call disconnects, I'm left alone in my guilt. Then it strikes me—Khushi fainting, her nausea, the way she told me not to worry. She even said she would tell me yesterday, but in my anger, I ruined those happy moments.

I rush out of my room, ignoring Sheetal and Di's calls for me to stop. I race to the Gupta house and see Amma and Bauji leaving, leaving an upset Buaji behind.

Out of breath, I ask, "Amma... Bauji... where are you going?"

"Arnav beta... ummm," Amma stammers, looking shocked.

"Where is Khushi?" I demand, suspicion creeping into my voice.

"She called us from the hospital yesterday but then told us she is leaving the city forever with Payal," Bauji replies.

I dash to my car and call the one person I can rely on.

"Aman, if you don't find Khushi in 24 hours, you're fired," I bark.

"ASR, chill. I will find Bhabhi, but I can't promise anything," Aman responds.

Not having the energy to argue, I rush to train stations and bus stops.

After 5 hours

Unable to find them anywhere, I return home. As I enter, I hear Di's voice.

"Thank God Khushi left the house with her baby. If I can't have a child, then she shouldn't either. And soon, Chotte will marry you, Sheetal. You and Aarav will officially stay with us. I know you're worried about Khushi coming back, but don't worry. That b**** is leaving town. I heard it from Shashiji. And Sheetal, you should tell Chotte that Aarav is his child..."

I start clapping, causing Di and Sheetal to look at me, shocked.

"Chotte..." Di starts.

I hold up my hand to stop her. "That's enough. Not a word from you. How dare you not tell me Khushi was pregnant? Who gave you the right to decide my future, Di? Because of your stupid blackmailing, I have lost my wife. Do you understand? YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO SEPARATE TWO LOVED ONES BECAUSE NO ONE... I MEAN NO ONE LOVED YOU LIKE I LOVE KHUSHI. YOU DON'T DESERVE LOVE, DI! THANK GOD SHYAM LEFT YOU, BECAUSE IF I HAD A WIFE LIKE YOU, DI, I WOULD DO THE SAME THING. Di, I have always loved you the most, but from now on, you will be the person I hate the most. And as for you, Ms. Liar, GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! Yes, Miss Jha, I did a background search on you and found out about your lies. Leave the house, but not with Aarav. He will be adopted by Anjali legally. Your new house is with your so-called brother, Shyam."

"Chotte..." Anjali cries.

"Your Chotte died the day you conspired to separate me from my wife. From now on, I don't have a sister."

I rush up to my room, ignoring Di's cries.

As soon as I reach my room, I collapse onto my bed, and the full weight of my actions crushes me. The only person who truly loved me was Khushi. No one, I mean no one, can love me as much as she did. Even though I never trusted her, she always showed trust in me. Whenever I showed her hatred, she responded with love. I remember the countless times I questioned her intentions, accused her of things she never did, and pushed her away with my anger and ego. Despite all that, she stayed by my side, her love unwavering. How could I have been so blind?

I think about Di, my sister, whom I have always loved and protected. Yet, her love for me was conditional. She manipulated me, used my love for her to control my decisions, and drove a wedge between Khushi and me. It's clear now that her actions were never about my happiness but about her own selfish needs. She didn't truly love me. If she did, she wouldn't have conspired against the one person who made me genuinely happy.

Khushi, on the other hand, despite all the hardships I put her through, never gave up on me. She endured my harsh words, my mistrust, and my anger, always hoping that I would see the truth and realise her love for me. And what did I do in return? I let my ego and anger cloud my judgment, pushing her away when all she wanted was to be close to me.

I feel a lump in my throat as tears blur my vision. I took Khushi for granted, believing she would always be there, no matter how I treated her. I was wrong. My actions, my words, and my mistrust drove her away. And now, she's gone. The realisation hits me like a punch to the gut. I may have lost her forever, and it's all my fault.

I have never felt this kind of pain before. It's a gnawing, aching emptiness that consumes me from within. I can't rest, I can't think, I can't breathe without her. The memories of our moments together—her laughter, her tears, her unwavering support—haunt me. I can't lose her. I won't lose her.

"I am so sorry, Khushi," I whisper to the empty room. "I will not rest in peace until I find you."

Just then, Nani's voice calls from downstairs. "Chotte, come down."

I wipe my tears and go down to see Akash crying while reading a letter, and Nani looking at me with an accusing face.

"Read this and tell me what's happening. I was away from this house for two days with your Mama, and this happens? WHAT'S THIS?" Nani yells.

I read the paper, feeling a mix of shock and anger. How could I do this? How could I make her feel that I don't love her? I know I've taken her for granted, but I didn't realize I have now lost her forever.

After signing the divorce papers, not wanting her to feel caged in an unwanted relationship, I rushed out of the house, unable to bear the looks of sympathy or anger from everyone. I start driving fast and recklessly. My car veers near a cliff. As I try to brake, the car skids out of control and jumps off the edge.

As the car plummets, my last thoughts are of Khushi—her smiling face, her loving eyes, and the warmth of her touch. I silently promise her that if I survive this, I will find her, no matter what it takes.

I will find her and make things right.

I will find her and beg for her forgiveness.

What will happen to Arnav now?