Taken For Granted

Chapter 51

Karan's POV

I glance at Sam, who is looking at Khushi with an emotion I know all too well—love. My chest tightens. I have to stop this before he gets hurt.

Khushi loves Arnav. She may deny it, she may fight it, but the truth is written all over her face. And Sam... Sam is setting himself up for heartbreak. I can't let that happen.

Me (worried): "Sam... can we talk for a minute?"

Sam (smiling): "Sure."

I don't waste a second, quickly dragging him to his room and shutting the door behind us.

Me (serious, worried): "Sam... don't get too close to Khushi. This... this is only going to lead to heartbreak."

Sam (upset): "I know... but I can't stop myself. I'm falling more and more in love with her."

I exhale sharply, knowing I have to be cruel to be kind.

Me (angry, firm): "SAM, STOP DREAMING! You and I both know that Khushi loves Arnav. It's clear in the way she looks at him. And Arnav? He'll never let her go. He will win her back, and you will get hurt."

Sam (defiant, frustrated): "No! I can see that Khushi is starting to develop feelings for me. I won't force her to love me... but the least I can do is try. I have to at least try to win her."

I shake my head, my jaw tightening.

Me (stern, almost pleading): "Sam, Khushi isn't some prize to be won. Love isn't a competition." I take a deep breath, calming myself before continuing. "We are going back to Mumbai to pick up Aru and Vivu, and we will discuss this on the way. No more arguments."

Sam opens his mouth to protest, but I hold up a hand to stop him

Me (softening, yet still firm): "I know, Sam. I know you love Khushi. But just like me... you need to let her go." My voice lowers as I let my own pain seep into my words. "It's not easy. It will never be easy. But setting your heart on 'winning' her... it's only going to end in heartbreak." I pause, meeting his conflicted gaze. "Someone once said, 'Letting go doesn't mean you don't care about someone anymore. It just means you realise that the only person you truly have control over is yourself.' I still love Payal... but I'm giving her space. I don't want to lose a friend, and I don't want to be shattered in the end. I'm not saying to stop loving Khushi... but don't keep forcing yourself into something that will only cause you pain. I hope you understand."

Sam's face is carefully blank, but I can see the pain in his eyes. He won't admit it, but he knows I'm right.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair.

Me (quietly): "Let's go see Khushi."

Without waiting for his response, I grab his arm and lead him back. I know he's hurting, but I'm doing this for his own good. I've been through this before—first with Krystal, then with Payal. I know what it's like to love someone who won't ever be yours. And I don't want Sam to go through the same.

As soon as we step inside, we're met with an unexpected sight—Khushi, beaming with excitement.

Khushi (grinning): "Guess what, guys?! We can finally torture Sheetal!"

I raise an eyebrow, taken aback by her enthusiasm.

Me (confused): "What are you talking about?"

Khushi pulls away, practically bouncing with excitement.

Khushi (excited, yet serious): "I just got a call from someone... They said that Sheetal killed her own brother, Shyam, six years ago." She pauses, shaking her head. "I know I shouldn't be happy about that, but the thing that does make me happy? They recently discovered that there's a man named Rahul who looks exactly like Shyam!"

My jaw drops.

Me (shocked): "What?! How is that even possible?"

Khushi smirks, pulling out her phone.

Khushi: "That's exactly what I asked! But apparently, he's alive and living in Delhi with his girlfriend. Here—look at this."

She hands me her phone, showing me a photo of a man who is the spitting image of Shyam. And then another photo... of his girlfriend.

The breath leaves my lungs. My hands tighten around the phone.

No... No...This isn't possible.

Because the woman in the second photo...

She's supposed to be dead.

Who is Krystal?

Why does Karan think Krystal died?

Did Shyam really die?

How did Khushi get all this information?

Precap - Arshi scene and Khushi and Payal meet Rahul/Shyam