AJHS - 22

Part - 22

Khushi POV

Prepared to deal with the snake, Shyam Mallik, I walked inside the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Delhi. My smartphone GPS beeped as soon as I reached the spot. Hiding the small earpiece with my thick hair I tried to take deep breaths. However, Arnavji's intrusion in my ears made me jump.

Relax Khushi. I can hear your uneven breaths. Calm down, sweetheart.

I am calm.

Good. Don't worry we are nearby. Nothing will go wrong. Now walk inside.

Ok, Arnavji.

Faking confidence I crossed the threshold of the warehouse. The interiors resembled a semi-constructed area. I could hear the sound of a leaking tap somewhere. Gulping away I strode ahead towards a room at the end of the warehouse. A bright light flickered through the slightly ajar door. 

There is room at the end. The door is open.

Walk inside Khushi. Two of my men have entered the warehouse. They are behind the pillars. On guard. Do not fear. And yes do not forget to press the button on your neckpiece. I need to see and hear everything.

Hmmm.

Taking a deep breath I twisted the door knob and crossed the threshold. My vision was instantly greeted with a carpeted room, a big desk and an office chair turned away from me. A few men with guns stood around the room as if their absence would mean death for a certain someone. My train of thoughts came to a halt when the chair swirled around to face me. I gasped as a man on the very chair passed me an evil smile. He has to be Shyam Mallik.

Welcome, Khushiji. It is so nice to see you in person.

Khushi keep talking to him. Divert his attention. The police are here.

Arnavji's voice in my ear startled me. I tried to maintain the facade of a victim. It was important for me to divert his mind. He should not realise that my fiance and his enemy ASR, is in the vicinity. My instincts to protect Arnavji kicked in.

I am here to ensure that you keep your promise.

And I certainly will. If you keep your end of the deal.

He stood up from his seat and skirted around the desk that acted as a barrier between us. I did not show any discomfort in his nearness. I tried to behave nonchalantly. But I am sure my fiance was turning red and blue out of jealousy right this second.

I will. I will stay away from Arnavji.

That is what I like about you. A beauty with brains.

Arnav POV

Although I stood just outside the warehouse my heart thundered like a machinegun. The police convinced me that sending Khushi inside as bait will help them catch Shyam Mallik red-handed. I watched the footage of Khushi making conversation with Shyam, feeling thankful that I had made her wear the neckpiece at the last minute. Through the earpiece, I could hear every word being exchanged between the two.

I glared at the unknown man who was responsible for this mess. I kept speaking to my fiance to make this much easier for her. She heard me and made small talks with Shyam.

I will. I will stay away from Arnavji.

That is what I like about you. A beauty with brains.

The compliment awakened the green monster inside me. And soon the creep entered her personal space. This act of his made my blood boil. If he even dares to touch my girl then I will cut off that arm from his body. Gritting my teeth I waited for the right moment to pounce on him. However, Khushi's voice stopped my musings.

What will you gain from hurting him like that Shyamji?

Everything. He destroyed my peace. He took away my reason for living and his pain satisfies me Khushi.

What did he ever do to you?

Once he answers this question the police will have enough evidence to put him behind the bars. I desperately wished for Shyam Mallik to take the bait. And that's what he did. He answered my girl's query passing her an oily smile.

He took away my ancestral property. And because of that huge loss, my father succumbed to death. So, you have to understand Khushiji, torturing him provides me with immense relief.

So you could have done this earlier? Why did you hurt him physically?

Khushiji your ASR snatched my happiness from me. I have every right to murder that man. So I staged an accident, then attempted to shoot him and when things did not work out I caused that chandelier mishap.

I shared a glance with the police who gave me a nod. Finally, I had what they wanted. Shyam Mallik's confession. He admitted the sins he committed. Prepared to hurt him I dashed inside the warehouse along with policemen. With rushed footsteps, I pushed open the door startling Shyam Mallik and his men. He was unprepared for my presence.

With an evil grin, I grabbed him by the collar and thrashed him left and right.

Khushi was pushed behind by the policemen. I witnessed the scene from the corner of my eye. But my focus remained on Shyam. He was responsible for so everything negative in my life. 

I punched him twice in the gut recalling how the accident had made me weak and vulnerable. I beat him black and blue as I remembered how Khushi had kept her distance from me. Shyam Mallik was responsible for my Amnesia. He stole a chunk of my life because of his thirst for revenge.

I pushed him to the ground and impaled my foot on his collar. This man had threatened my girl to the point that she agreed to cancel our marriage for my life. I saw red. Nothing made me halt. I could hear the police pleading with me to let go. But my bleeding heart demanded justice on the spot. I banged his forehead on the floor when a soft hand on my shoulder made me stop.

Usse jaane do please. Marr jaega woh.

(Let him go, please. He will Die otherwise).

TO MARNE DO. ISSNE TUMHE MUJHSE CHEENE KI KOSHISH KARI. EK BAAR NAI BAAR BAAR.

(THEN LET HIM DIE. HE TRIED TO TAKE ME AWAY FROM YOU. MULTIPLE TIMES).

Please let the police take care of this matter. Mere liye? Arnavji, please.

(For me?)

I slapped him one final time and reluctantly let him go. Khushi wrapped her arms around me providing me with instant relief. I allowed the police to arrest the vicious excuse of a man. 

Aman was waiting for us outside the warehouse with a doctor if any medical assistance was needed. Khushi pushed me towards the doctor as I had a few scrapes on my elbow and knuckles after hitting that stupid Shyam. 

After a thorough check-up, we both were allowed to leave the warehouse. I made Khushi sit behind the wheel and was about to open the driver's side of the car when a commotion behind me caught my attention. From the side view mirror, I noticed an out-of-control Shyam running in my direction while a group of policemen tried to stop him.

I turned around to act in defence when suddenly everything blurred before my eyes. A sharp pain shot through my head. I heard Khushi's screaming voice somewhere in the background. Darkness surrounded me. I lost my footing. Someone was clutching my head.

 A plea of staying awake reached me. I gained consciousness for a few seconds. From my cloaked vision, I noticed a teary-eyed Khushi gripping my palm in her own. The alarming sound of the ambulance reached my ears. 

Suddenly the excruciating pain in my head became too much to bear. A wave of darkness took over me. And then it happened. Like a reel of a film, my entire life began to float before my eyes. 

My past. My dead parents. Sheesh-Mahal. Harvard. The fashion show. Humiliating Khushi from our first meet. Dargah. Office. Shantivan. Lavanya. And finally the night of Diwali.

 Every word. Every insult. Every emotion. Like a broken record. My memories kept flashing before me.

Ek din aapko bhagwan pe vishwaas hoga aur uss din hum waha nahi honge...

Hum aapke bina nahi balki aapke bawajood bhi theek hain...

Hum aapko jalana nahi chahte the. Aaj tak humne kisi ko nahi jalaya...

Baat sach ya jhoot ki nai hai. Baat vishwaas ki hai...

Bas itna sa dhakka hi to dia aur aapne usse itna maara...

Asli dunia mein sirf dil toothte hain...

Aapne humari payal apne paas kyun rakhi...

Koi matlab nahi hai...

Khushi POV

Arnavji was being treated in the ICU when both our families arrived in the waiting room. Jeeji and Amma held me as I broke down completely. Throughout the ride to the hospital, I tried to be strong. But here amidst my family, I could no longer control my feelings.

The pain was unbearable. After having gone through so many trials. One emotional gauntlet after another, I wished for a break. Why Devi Maiyya? Why are you punishing us like that? Please don't test us anymore. Please make sure that my Arnavji is alright.

Hum unke bina jee nai payenge Devi Maiyya. Humare Arnavji ko theek krdijiye. Please. Tears kept rolling down my eyes. Suddenly a small hand wiped my cheeks. My head shot up to notice Dhruv Singh Raizada holding a glass of water before me.

(I won't be able to live without him Devi Maiyya. Please make Arnavji alright).

Khushi Ma'am. Paani pi lijiye. I promise Nannav Chachu will be perfectly alright.

(Drink some water).

Pakka Dhruv?

(Sure Dhruv?)

I sounded like a two-year-old looking for assurance from his mother. The kid smiled in my direction and then continued in a soothing voice.

Love makes you do crazy things. He loves you, my soon-to-be Chachi. So Chachu will do a deal with god and will gain consciousness soon. I know it.

Chugging down the glass of water I hugged the little boy to myself. Sometimes little kids make you understand so much about life that you begin to wonder who is the older one between you both.

An hour later the doctor announced that my fiance is out of danger. I heaved a sigh of relief. Even the Raizadas and Guptas shared a smile full of life and happiness. I thanked Devi Maiyya profusely. 

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Precap: Arnav is cured from Retrograde Amnesia; Khushi meets Arnav; Is marriage on the cards for Arshi?