Jalebi ~ Part 30

As the weeks went on, Akash carried on struggling with the businesses. He had thought that as time went on, it would get easier, but it wasn’t. The files were piling up and he found it harder and harder to get through the workload. Everyone expected him to have the answers, to know what to do, but he didn’t know! It was too much! And Arnav had completely washed his hands on the businesses. He couldn’t deal with it any more…

 

*****

 

Initially Rohan had gone for a couple of days, but he extended his trip and so Khushi had been alone at home. She hasn’t spoken to Arnav since that day when she’d invited him over to her house, but she had wanted to reach out to him. But it didn’t feel right. He still wanted to be in a relationship with her but she was now committed to someone else. It felt wrong to reach out to him, maybe give him hope when she knew that there was no hope. Not any more.

 

*****

 

“Yes Aman, perfect! Let’s see if he finally breaks this time. I think he will. He’s been struggling since the beginning and the last couple of days… Well done Aman, you’ve done me proud brother. If our plan works, you can be guaranteed a promotion.”

 

Ending the call, Arnav put his phone down and grinned to himself. If Akash thought that he was smart, then he underestimated his brother. Did Akash really think that Arnav was going to let him win? That he was going to let him sail smoothly?

 

Akash had been struggling from the beginning, Arnav took advantage of that. He got Aman to manipulate Akash’s workload to overwhelm him. Arnav hoped that Akash would break, that he would ask Arnav to take the businesses back. So far Akash had been resilient, but Arnav was certain that he would break, and he could tell his breaking point was near.

 

*****

 

“Aman, where is that god damn file? I have a major meeting with investors and I haven’t got the file!”

“I checked it for you and I gave it back to you tomorrow. You’ve probably put it into your briefcase sir.”

“I have checked everywhere a million times! I don’t have it. You must still have.”

 

Aman shook his head, trying to suppress his smile. He knew exactly where the papers were, but he wasn’t about to tell Akash. He could tell Akash was very stressed about the meeting with the investors and if they wanted him to break, today was the best day to do it.

 

“Aman, please go and check again. If I don’t have that file then we’re going to be in big trouble.”

“Yes sir.”

 

Exiting the room, Aman dialled Arnav’s number, he was sure it was almost show time.

 

*****

 

There was ten minutes to go, and Aman hadn’t returned with the file. Akash felt like pulling his hair out. If he didn’t have the file, then they would lose out on a major investment.

With just five minutes to go, Akash was pacing the office, sweating profusely.

Knocking on the door, Arnav walked straight in.

 

“Bhai, what are you doing here?”

“I just came to see how you were doing. Big day today. This meeting has been booked for over three months. I just wanted to check that you were okay.”

“I can’t do it. Aman has lost the file and I don’t have all the information. Please… Please bhai, you go in and speak to them. You’ve been preparing for this for almost a year, you know all the details from top to bottom.”

“I’d love to. But this meeting can’t be taken on by anyone other than the owner of the business and that’s you.”

“But I can’t do this meeting! I’m not prepared! If I go in there, we will lose a million dollar investment guaranteed. And we need this investment!”

 

Sitting down opposite Akash, Arnav put his feet up on the desk and smiled.

 

“If you can’t do it, quit.”

“Wh… What?”

“You heard me. If you can’t do this simple meeting, then quit. Hand me everything back and I might even be gracious as to let you keep your old job.”

 

Looking at his cousin and then looking at the clock, Akash realised that he was now late for the meeting. Either he had to get himself to that meeting pronto and make himself look like a fool, or he could have a clean shave and put it all back on Arnav.

It was a hard decision for Akash. He had been planning this takeover for the longest time, and to now even think about giving everything back.

 

“Tick tock Akash.”

 

Looking between the files of papers that he needed to get through and the clock, Akash realised he was way out of his depth. He couldn’t manage it all. The longer he left it , the further the businesses would sink. There was no use being the owner of a sinking business, he’d make less money than he was when he was working alongside Arnav.

 

“Come on, decide. The investors are waiting.”

“Okay! Fine! I’ll hand the businesses back over. Please just go to the meeting.”

“Nuh uh, I’m not going anywhere until all paperwork is signed back over. Aman!”

 

Walking into the office, Aman handed Arnav a file. Opening it up, Arnav had a quick skim of the papers, making sure all his clauses were in place and everything was just as it was meant to be. Once he was satisfied, he put his signature on the papers and then handed it all over to Akash who looked wary.

 

“Don’t worry, there’s no foul play. These papers just state that you are giving back what is rightfully mine and you are handing back rights for me to have ultimate power to with anything off.”

 

Passing the file across the table, Arnav handed Akash the pen and all. Looking completely defeated, Akash looked between his cousin and the papers. Reading through them thoroughly, Akash finally signed the papers grudgingly. As soon as it was done, Arnav snatched back the papers and handed them over to Aman to have filed immediately.

Getting to his feet, Arnav walked round to Akash side of the table.

 

“Right. I think it’s time for you to get off my chair. I have businesses to get back into order.”

 

Getting to his feet, Akash packed up his things as Arnav took his seat and rearranged his desk.

 

“Meeting…”

“If you had stayed on top of things, you would have known that that meeting was rescheduled and it isn’t until next week.”

 

If Akash had looked defeated before, he was now completely shattered. He’d been played.

 

*****

 

A rapid knock on the door brought Khushi to her senses. Looking up at the clock she saw it was almost 8pm. Who would be coming at this time of evening?

Grabbing her dupatta, she made her way over to the door and opened it.

 

“Surprise!”

“Arnav…”

 

Smiling, Arnav showed Khushi the food and the champagne that he had brought with himself as he entered her apartment.

 

“Arnav you can’t be here…”

“I think I can. We need to celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?”

 

Putting the food down, Arnav handed Khushi a file over. Taking it, she opened it up warily. The moment she saw “Khushiyan” at the top of the papers, she shut the file again, handing it back over to Arnav.

 

“I can’t look at this.”

“Khushi, look at it.”

 

Shaking her head, Khushi pushed the papers away but Arnav took her hands in his own.

 

“Look at them.”

 

Taking the papers, Khushi took a deep breath before opening the file again.

 

*I, Arnav Singh Raizada, hereby sign all rights of ownership to Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta…*

 

Arnav watched expression as she read the whole document. Tears welled up in her eyes. Once she read through all the papers, she looked up to Arnav.

 

“You…”

“I told you I would sort it.”

“I can’t believe…”

“Sign the papers and we can have them filed. Aman’s waiting outside so he can get them to the courthouse.”

“But they’re closed now…”

“Arnav Singh Raizada has connections. We can get them filed tonight and by tomorrow afternoon, everything will be back to how it should be.”

 

Wiping away her tears, Khushi quickly checked everything over once more and then signed the papers and handed them back to Arnav. Getting up, he went over to the door and handed Aman the papers and told him to get it all sorted as soon as possible.

When Arnav returned, he found Khushi coming back from the kitchen, two champagne flutes in her hand. Putting them down, she gestured to Arnav to open the bottle of champagne.

 

“No, you open it.”

“No you should, after all you are responsible for sorting it all.”

 

They went back and forth but ultimately Khushi won and Arnav proceeded to open the bottle. The poured then both a glass and raised his glass for a toast and Khushi did the same.

 

“To the successful futures of AR and Khushiyan. Whether together or apart, may they always prosper.”

 

Clinking their glasses together, Khushi took a little sip before putting her glass back down.

 

“I still can’t believe… Khushiyan…”

“I promised you I would sort it. I couldn’t let you down.”

 

Arnav put his glass down as Khushi shuffled closer to her. She placed her hand on his cheek, letting her fingers graze over his slightly unkept beard.

 

“Thank you.”

 

She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, letting her lips linger, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her lips.

As she began to pull away, Arnav grabbed hold of her hand, keeping her close to himself.

As they looked into each other’s eyes, their need and desire for each other was evident. Arnav’s darkening hooded eyes met Khushi’s soft hazel ones as he cupped her face, brushing his lips against hers.

 

“I love you Khushi… Come back to me.”

“I… I love you too…”

 

All thoughts of the businesses and the fact that this was no longer appropriate, were completely forgotten about as their lips met for the first time in a long time. Initially, it was a brief meeting of the lips, gentle, light… But then Arnav pressed his against hers with more force, pulling her further into himself as he kissed her like a man starved. Khushi reciprocated with the same amount of intensity and heat as her hand trailed down from his face down to his neck.

Pushing her back, Arnav lay Khushi back against the sofa as his hand moved from her face to her neck and then further down to her breast. Her kameez was a light cotton one and so he could feel the little bump of where her bra was. He moved his hand, continuing over her breast until he felt one of her erect nipples. Brushing at it, Khushi felt herself go a little breathless and she hooked her leg onto his.

Her hands found their way to his tie and she pulled it off before proceeding to take the buttons of his shirt off. Arnav broke the kiss and moved off of Khushi, who groaned in protest.

He got up, and then lifted Khushi into his arms. Khushi wrapped her arms around his neck, and placed little kisses on his exposed chest. Walking into the bedroom, Arnav placed Khushi down on the centre of the bed and sat beside her on his knees. Khushi too got onto her knees and moved towards him, taking off the rest of his shirt buttons and then sliding his jacket and his shirt off. Once his shirt was off, she moved towards him once more, pressing her lips onto his and placing her hands on his ass, pulling him closer to herself. Arnav’s hands found the dori of her kameez, pulled it undone and then pulled her kameez off.

 

“Arnav…”

“Are you are sure?”

“Yes.”

 

Lying her back, he pulled her shelwar off and freed himself of his own trousers. He left their underwear on and lay her back against the bed, moving between her legs.
His hand trailed down her body, tracing every curve in slow motion, while his lips travelled down the column of her neck, and then went further still until he found one of her pebbled nipples. Pulling her bra away from her breast, he took it between his lips, his tongue grazing the sensitive tip. Khushi’s hand tightened in his hair and her leg brushed against his.

His hand carried on its travel, feeling the inside of her thighs before resting on her panties. He stroked her over her pants, running his hands along the front, putting slight more pressure on the finger that traced her entrance.

 

“Complete me…”

 

He looked into her eyes, which now were much darker than what they had been a little while ago, her need mirroring his.

Arnav wanted to play with her, prolong this moment, but he too wanted to be within her, feel her warmth around his length.

Unclipping her bra, Arnav pulled it away and tossed it aside. He pressed a quick kiss on both breasts, before lightly suckling on each nipple. He then carried on to pulling her panties away and made light work of his own underwear.

Coming back over her, Arnav gentle pushed a finger into her, to check if she was ready and was glad to find she was. Her body was wet with need, ready for the taking.

 

“Baby are you sure?”

“Yes.”

 

Lips pressed between each other’s, hands locked above Khushi’s head, Arnav carefully lowered himself into her, a little at a time. Even before pushing his entire length in, he could feel her body adjust around him, squeezing him as he made his way in.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, Khushi melted into the bed, a content sigh leaving her lips. Arnav held himself still for a moment before slowly moving, taking long strokes, making her feel her full length, pushing all the way in before pulling all the way out again.

He went excruciating slowly, savouring the feeling because up until a short while ago, he’d believed he wouldn’t experience this level of intimacy with her again. Khushi lifted her hips to meet his each thrust, her legs tightening around his waist.

 

“Faster…”

 

He had known that he’d been moving to slowly for her liking, but hearing her verbalise what she wanted turned him on, making him up his speed, move faster and harder. But he made sure that he didn’t hurt her by moving too aggressively.

Once they’d established a speed and intensity that they were both happy with, Arnav kept going, holding Khushi to himself, placing kisses on her neck.

They were both getting close and Arnav moved faster. A moan of intense pleasure left Khushi’s lips and Arnav smiled against her neck. He loved knowing that he provided this much pleasure to her.

 

“Ah… Arnav… I…”

“Sh, I know.”

 

Her muscles clenched around his length tightly, she was so close. He could feel his release coming too and moved faster, lifting her hips so he was guaranteed to hit her most sensitive spot each time.

Her head turned from on side to the other, her hands clenching the sheets below her. He could feel it, it was far more intense than anything they’d ever experienced before.

With one last thrust, they both came undone. Breathing heavy, Arnav held himself still as his length emptied its content into her body. Khushi body went slack under his and Arnav gathered her into his arms, tucking her into his chest.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Hiding her face in his chest, Khushi gave a little nod, placing light kisses on his chest.
Arnav felt his body get heavy with sleep and Khushi too felt herself becoming light.
Soon enough, they both drifted off into the world of sleep, content for the first time in a long time…

Jalebi ~ Part 29

Khushi lay in the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Rohan was still out of town and so Khushi had been spending a lot of time around the house. She’d been tempted to take the calls of the Raizada’s but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to speak to them just yet. All her thoughts, all her feelings were troubling her the more time she spent alone. When she closed her eyes, she could feel Arnav’s hands and his lips on her body. When she opened her eyes in the morning, she thought Arnav was lying beside her. It was driving her insane and she couldn’t deal with it.

As time passed and Khushi remained idle, she got more and more angry at Akash. How could he take everything away from her like that? The business, fine, his greed got the better of him, but he should have realised that taking the business would lead to her losing the love of her life, her soulmate. The more Khushi thought about it, the more she realised that she couldn’t stay mad at Arnav. But how could she not? If he hadn’t accommodated the idea in the first place then this wouldn’t have happened.

Sitting up, Khushi ran her hand through her hair, tugging on the ends. This was all driving her insane! She couldn’t deal with this any more. She needed to do something to get it sorted.

Looking at the clock, Khushi realised it was only 2pm. Jumping out of bed, Khushi got dressed. It was finally time to sort this.

 

*****

 

“Khushi? What are you… Who let you in?”

“Hi jijaji. I’m guessing you weren’t expecting me.”

 

Looking around, it was obvious that Khushi had caught Akash off guard. He hadn’t been expecting for her to come to see him and it showed on his face.

Waling into the office, she shut the door slightly, and sat in the seat opposite him.

 

“Listen…”

“No. You’re going to listen. Why would you do this to me jijaji? I respected you so much, I thought you were such a nice person and you… You conspired against me the whole time.”

“I didn’t…”

“You stole my business. The one I put my heart and soul into for five years. How could you? And then Arnav… I thought he… I believed he did this to me, I thought the worst of him… How could you mess with my love and my life like that?”

 

Looking at him, Khushi waited for an answer. Akash opened his mouth and then shut it again as he felt something snap within him.

 

“You want to know why and how?”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“You deserved it. You deserved to have everything you held important taken from you. Call it revenge.”

“Revenge for what?”

 

She looked at him quizzically, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

 

“Revenge for what Akash? What have I ever done to you that’s so bad that you felt the need to ruin my life in this manner?”

 

Remaining silent, Akash played up his options. Either he could remain silent and maybe she’d leave, or he could tell her exactly how she ruined his life. Akash decided to go for the latter.

 

“I ruined your life, because you made a mess of mine.”

“Excuse me?”

“Remember when I asked you on a date in high school?”

“No? When did you ever do that?”

“It was just before I started dating Payal. I asked you out first and you completely ignored me. You said no and then left.”

 

Her forehead creased and Akash watched as she took in the what he was saying. He could tell she was confused, really thinking hard and then her expression softened.

 

“It was a dare though?”

“Yes it had been a dare, but I was generally interested in you and I actually wanted to date you. But you shot me down in an instant, you didn’t think anything of it.”

“I didn’t realise you were being serious. How was I supposed to know?”

“Would it have made a difference to your decision?”

“No. Probably not.”

“Then you deserved what you got.”

 

Looking up, Khushi tried to understand Akash and his actions.

 

“Are you… Are you actually insane?That was in high school! And besides, you got with jiji after and now you’re married to her. It all worked out for you. Why did you need to ruin my life?”

“You don’t get it do you? I was in love with you and you turned me away. I went to Payal to make you jealous. But it never worked.”

“I don’t… Why did you feel so strongly about me back then? I was so basic, so… I was invisible.”

 

Khushi felt genuinely super confused. This was insane! So Akash had been in love with her and went to Payal to make her jealous?

 

“You may have been invisible to everyone else, but I noticed you in classes. I saw how smart you were and I found that attractive. Boys back then only cared about boobs and butts. I cared about brains.”

“But you’re with jiji now! You’re married to her! How could you do this to me and to her?”

“I couldn’t just let you get away with it Khushi. And then you got with bhai. Do you know how hard that was? Maybe if you and bhai didn’t get that close, maybe I wouldn’t have done anything. But knowing you were sleeping with him when I…”

“Don’t.”

 

She wanted him to stop. This was crazy. Akash wasn’t right in the head, there was definitely something wrong with him.

 

“Okay so I screwed up when we were kids, but Akash, you’re married to my jiji now and you’re happy! Why would you…”

“Because we needed your business! AR was sinking…”

“And I could have helped you! There was no need for you to steal my business from me.”

 

Waiting, Khushi watched as the cogs in Akash’s brain spun and he tried to think of something to say, but nothing came. Letting out a sigh of exasperation, Khushi threw her arms in the air and turned away.

 

“This was a waste of my time. You aren’t worth it. You can have Khushiyan and you can shove it up your ass. I hope jiji sees what kind of trash you are. She deserves so much better.”

 

Turning to look at Akash one last time, Khushi took in his slumped figure and just shook her head and made her way to leave. Reaching the door, she was shocked to find Arnav stood in the doorway.

 

“Arnav…”

 

Akash looked up from his desk, his eyes wide as he took his brother in.

 

“How long have you been here?”

 

Walking into the room, Arnav walked over to Akash.

 

“You did all this for revenge? You used me as a pawn so you could get revenge?”

“Bhai…”

“How could you Akash! Does my happiness mean that little to you? At the beginning, okay fine, I didn’t know Khushi, she didn’t mean anything to me. But when you realised I was falling in love with Khushi and you knew that I didn’t approve, you still went ahead for the sake of your revenge?”

 

Khushi looked between the two brothers. Akash had his head down, and Arnav was seething with anger but it was evident that he was hurting.

 

“Arnav leave it…”

“No! You may be able to leave it because you’ve moved on, but I haven’t! And so I can’t leave it.”

 

He marched over to Akash and pulled him out of the chair by his collar. Khushi rushed in after him.

 

“How could you do that to me? I’ve always loved you and treated you like my own little brother and you.”

“Arnav let him go!”

“If I was as low as you, I’d probably beat you up now, but I respect family.”

 

Letting go of his collar, Arnav threw Akash back into the chair and stormed out of the office.

 

*****

 

“Arnav! Arnav wait!”

Running after Arnav, Khushi needed to make sure that he was okay. Akash had looked drained and slightly mortified when she had left but he didn’t matter. But Arnav did.

 

“Arnav!”

 

Finally catching up with him, Khushi caught Arnav by the elbow, turning him to face her.
She saw the tears that had gathered in his eyes.

 

“He used me and my feelings for you to achieve his own twisted schemes…”

“Let’s go somewhere and talk.”

 

As much as Khushi didn’t want to be alone with Arnav, she knew that she needed to talk to him, he seemed a mess at this moment.

 

“Let’s go back to mine.”

“No thanks. I don’t want to get beaten up by your fiancé.”

 

Turning away, Arnav was prepared to make his way back over to his car when Khushi stopped him again.

 

“Rohan is out of town.”

“Why are you insisting we talk? Aren’t you the one who wanted to cut me out of your life for good?”

“A lot has happened and we found out a lot today, I know you’re feeling confused, so am I. So I think it would be us both good to sit and talk about it.”

 

Turning his attention to Khushi, he saw her outstretched hand, her caring look in her eyes. It was evident that no matter what happened between them, she still cared and maybe, just maybe, he had a chance of winning her back.

Nodding, Arnav led Khushi to the car and they made their way back to Khushi’s apartment.

 

*****

 

“Take a seat, I’ll get you some coffee.”

 

Putting her keys down, Khushi went into the little kitchen while Arnav took a seat on the sofa. He looked around and he couldn’t help but feel nervous. The last time that he’d been here, he left finding out that she was engaged to her arsehole of a childhood friend.
She reemerged moments later, much faster than she had done the other day and handed Arnav his coffee cup and took a seat beside him. Arnav noticed how when she initially sat down, she was relatively close to him, and then she scooted away from him. She took a sip of her own tea before turning to Arnav.

 

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m not as mad as I was initially. But I’m still mad. How could he… I can’t even begin to comprehend.”

“I can’t either. I can’t believe something that happened so long ago fuelled so much hate and anger in him. If I knew this was to happen, I would have just gone on that date with him.”

“He’s insane. And forget about us, he played Payal too.”

“Don’t tell jiji anything. She’d break down if she found out what he was doing and her reasoning behind it all.”

“Well she already knows he’s the reason why you haven’t got Khushiyan any more. I told Di any way but I got drunk the other day and told Nani who took it up with mama and Mami.”

“You got drunk?”

 

Khushi’s eyes widened as she turned to him fully.

 

“You don’t get drunk?”

“That was the old Arnav. This Arnav drinks to drown his sorrows. Although, I’ve promised Nani I won’t get drunk again.”

“But why were you so drunk that you told Nani something like that?”

 

Arnav took a sip of his coffee and put the mug down, turning to Khushi.

 

“Why do you think I was so drunk?”

“I don’t…”

“I handed my business over out of anger, the only woman I’ve ever wanted to be with is engaged to someone else and my brother is a piece of shit. Is it hard to see why I’ve been getting drunk?”

 

Turning away, Khushi looked down.

 

“You act like you’re the only one that’s hurting.”

“It seems like I am.”

 

Unable to contain herself, Khushi looked Arnav in the eye, and he could see the anger in her.

 

“Just because I’m not getting drunk and I’m not lashing out doesn’t mean I’m not hurting. You chose to give your business up, mine was taken away from me! Yes, I may not be with you any more, but you’re not with me either any more. You act like you were the only one in love in our relationship, but I was too. I had to let you go… Do you think that was easy for me?”

“You went and got engaged to someone else.”

 

Shaking her head, Khushi realised there was no point talking to him about this. He wouldn’t understand. He couldn’t see.

 

“You don’t get it Arnav. I gave myself to you and I thought you betrayed me.”

“I didn’t…”

“I know that now! But at the time I was hurting and confused and Rohan was there for me. I thought that maybe our parents knew what they were doing when they had fixed our rishta…”

“But Khushi, you know now that I didn’t play you, or cheat you. Take me back.”

 

He’d put the cup down and leaned closer to her, taking her hands in his own. He looked into her eyes, searching for an answer, pleading almost for another chance.

 

“I love you and I know you still love me. Take me back Khushi.”

 

He leaned closer, his lips almost touching hers, waiting for a response. She looked into his eyes, and could see the sincerity, the need, the desperation almost.

 

“I can’t…”

 

He leaned closer, wanting to close the gap.

 

“You can…”

“Rohan…”

 

She moved back, pulling her hands out of Arnav’s and looked away.

 

“I can’t! I can’t do that to Rohan. Not after the way he supported me at my time of need. I can’t…”

 

Getting to her feet, she turned away. Arnav too got up, his hand reaching her shoulder.

 

“We’re in love. Rohan will understand…”

“I can’t do that Arnav! Please, don’t make this harder for me.”

“So what, that’s it? Despite knowing I never wanted to hurt you, you’re still willing to turn your back on me? Does what we shared mean that little to you?”

“Please leave.”

 

Tears rolled down Khushi’s face. She wanted to be with Arnav, of course she did! But how could she just go back? How could she do that to Rohan? She couldn’t. Her bed was made and she had to lie in it now. Without Arnav…

Jalebi ~ Part 28

As days pass, it became abundantly clear that Arnav was struggling to come to terms with the events that had taken place. By 5pm every day, Arnav is completely drunk. Anjali had thrown out all the alcohol in the house, but despite that, he still managed to get drunk.

 

“Anjali bitya, what are we to do? Chote can’t carry on like this. He was hurting so at first I didn’t say anything despite being completely against his actions. But now. This is too much.”

“I know Nani. I’m trying, but I don’t know what to do.”

“Have you been able to get through to Khushi?”

“No. But I know Payal has been talking to her.”

 

Nani nodded and then sat down. She was stressed. Seeing her grandson like this was really hurting her. Arnav was always so strong, so kept together. And now all of a sudden he was a complete and utter mess and there seemed to be no way to help him.

 

*****

 

“But Khushi…”

“Jiji please. How about you come round and meet Rohan? He’s really nice, I’m sure you’ll really like him.”

“Khushi, I told you Akash doesn’t want me to contact you. He’s holding you responsible for Bhai being such a mess.”

 

Gritting her teeth, Khushi stopped herself from telling Payal that Akash was the cause of the condition Arnav was in, not her.

 

“There’s nothing I can do jiji. I’ve moved on and he will too. Any way, I have to go now.”

 

Before Payal could say anything more, Khushi put the phone down. She didn’t want to speak about Arnav any more or hear how much he was struggling. She had received a number of calls from the Raizada household and a tonne of messages from Anjali. She understood their concern for Arnav, but at the same time there really wasn’t much she could do. She’d made her bed and now she had to lie in it. It was hurting her, knowing Arnav was a mess and that’s she was the cause of his state, but she just couldn’t bring herself to face him.

Sitting down on the edge of her bed, Khushi scrolled through her camera roll and found a picture of Arnav. It was one she had taken of him while he was asleep in bed. His hair was over his eyes and his bare chest was on show. Looking at the picture, it hurt Khushi’s heart as she realised just how much she actually missed him. How she wanted to lie beside him again, to be able to push his hair out of his eyes and cuddle into his chest. But she couldn’t. That phase of their life was over and she was trying to move on with Rohan.

Locking the screen of her phone, Khushi put it down and got to her feet before turning to fix the bed. As she leaned down to fix the pillow, a strong pair of arms came to hold her, their body pressed against hers.

 

“Hi.”

“Rohan let me go please.”

“Nope…”

 

Pushing her hair over to one shoulder, Rohan pushed Khushi’s kameez off her shoulder and attempted to kiss her exposed skin.

 

“No!”

 

Moving out of his grip, Khushi fixed her clothes and moved away from him.

 

“I can’t… I’m sorry. I can’t.”

“We’re getting married soon, we don’t need to worry.”

“It’s not that. I just can’t do this… With you… I…”

 

Clenching his jaw shut, Rohan looked to Khushi. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes said it all. He wasn’t impressed.

 

“Right. Okay. Whatever. I just came to tell you I’m going out of town for a few days. I need to get some work related stuff sorted. I was going to ask if you wanted to come with me, but I think it’d be better if you stayed here and tried to get your head sorted.”

“I’m sorry…”

“I’m being patient with you Khushi, you know I am, but you’re starting to test my limits. I get that you’re not ready to get intimate with me, but I need you to at least start trying to accept me.”

“I am… I will…”

 

Grabbing his things, Rohan said goodbye to Khushi and then left her room. Sitting down, Khushi realised that she really needed to find closure, if she didn’t, she’d never be able to move forward. She realised with Rohan out of town, now was probably the best time to get anything done.

 

*****

 

“Sir, do you know where the file is?”

“If I knew where it was, I wouldn’t be asking you! Find that god damn file! I have a meeting with the Mehta’s in less than an hour.”

“Maybe you should ask ASR…”

“I am ASR.”

“I mean Arnav sir…”

“No. I can do this myself. I don’t need his help.”

 

Akash dismissed Aman who shook his head and walked away. Ever since Akash had taken over, the whole company was a shambles. Even though all the employees were slightly scared of Arnav, at least they knew that he was fair and that if he got angry, there was a reason behind it. But Akash… If was unable to do something, he’d take it out on everyone else. And he never was able to do anything. If Arnav was a natural born charismatic businessman, then Akash was the complete opposite. He couldn’t lead a business when he didn’t even have business knowledge. No matter what his qualification stated, his business’s acumen was zeeo and he couldn’t control his temper at all.

Aman had never minded having Arnav as a boss, but right now, he prayed for Arnav to return so they wouldn’t have to deal with Akash any more.

Akash was struggling. Nothing was going right for him. Since his time here as the owner, he had failed to close any deals successfully and he was constantly messing up at meetings because he seemed to always have the wrong files on him.

He had never struggled this much when he was working alongside Arnav but now, nothing was going right. But he wasn’t going to admit defeat and go to Arnav. He would manage this. How hard could it be to manage two businesses that were fully equipped with more than capable staff. If Arnav and Khushi were able to do it, then surely he would be able to do it too.

 

*****

 

Arnav was sat by his bar, drinking his sorrows away. Nani walked in and wrinkled up her nose. Arnav was just attempting to reach out for the bottle and was about to pour himself another glass when Nani stopped him.

 

“Enough is enough Chote. This isn’t you! You aren’t a drunk. You need to start coming to terms with what had happened in your life and you need to start working through your issues.”

“I’ve tried Nani, but I can’t get anything sorted and I can’t make things right. I’ve failed Khushi and I’ve failed myself.”

“Chote you can’t blame yourself.”

“Oh I don’t. I mean I do, but I blame my brother too. How did I ever trust that scum?”

 

Devyani Raizada looked at her drunk grandson, her eyes wide. What was he saying?

 

“Chote, what do you mean?”

“I mean, I didn’t steal Khushi’s business, Akash did. He took advantage of the fact we were both distracted from the night before and used that against us. I trusted him despite knowing he had bad intentions and now I’m suffering while he’s living the life.”

 

Devyani knew that she should be angry at Arnav. She didn’t miss what he meant when he said they were distracted from the night before. And she knew exactly what he was insinuating happened between him and Khushi the night before. But she wasn’t angry. If anything it hurt her more because she realised that Arnav’s feelings for Khushi were very much real, otherwise he would never have slept with her. He knew what their families rules were and he wouldn’t go against his Nani for the sake of any old woman.

But more than that, she was concerned about what Arnav was saying about Akash.

 

“Chote, are you sure about what you are saying about Akash?”

”It’s the only thing I’m sure about any more. He went against my wishes, stole my girlfriends business and ruined my relationship with the woman I worked so hard to win over.”

“Arnav, I will sort this. I’ll sort it all for you, but you need to stop drinking.”

”There’s nothing that can be done Nani. To give Khushi her business back, Akash needs to sign off the papers and he’ll never do that. And even if he did, she’s getting married to someone else. My life is destroyed.”

”We will sort this Chote. Just please stop drinking.”

 

Arnav looked into his nani’s eyes. It was evident that his behaviour was hurting her and he couldn’t bare to see that hurt in her eyes. He put down his glass and pushed it aside.

 

“I’ll try Nani. Only for you.”

 

Thanking Arnav, Nani turned around. She needed to go and speak to Anjali. If there was any kind of funny business going in, Anjali would know. Arnav wouldn’t be able to hide anything from his Di.

 

*****

 

Slumped over on the Anjali’s bed, Devyani couldn’t believe what she was being told. How could one brother do that to another brother?

 

“Anjali bitya, we need to get this sorted.”

“But what can we do Nani. Akash won’t hand the business back over and Khushi is about to take Chote back.”

“We need to talk to Mamorama and Mahendar”

“I don’t know Nani… Chote wouldn’t want to cause problems within the family.”

“I know he wouldn’t, but this needs to get sorted. Chote is a mess and I’m worried… I’m worried that if he can’t pull out of this, he’ll do something stupid.”

“He wouldn’t do that Nani.”

”At this moment I don’t know what he’d do. He’s hurting so much.”

“Maybe if you spoke to Khushi…”

”I’ve called her as you have, but she isn’t taking our calls. No Anjali, I think we need to sort our house first before trying to contact Khushi.”

 

Getting to her feet, Nani walked out of Anjali room and made her way over to mama and Mami’s room. Anjali knew this probably wasn’t the best thing to do, but maybe Nani was right, maybe this was the only thing left to do. Getting to her feet, Anjali went after Nani, but made sure she stopped by Arnav’s bedroom first. His door was open and so Anjali could see him lying on his bed, facing the ceiling.

She’d never imagined her brother would fall in love to this extent. But then she never expected her other brother to stoop to such an extent. Sighing, Anjali left Arnav and made her way over to mama and Mami’s room to find Nani already there, speaking to them.

As Devyani and Anjali explained what was happening, the colour fell from both Manorama and Mahender’s faces.

 

“Sasuma… Are you sure? Our Akash bitwa… But he never goes against anything Arnav bitwa says. Why would he do something like this?”

“That’s what I don’t understand Manorama. If Akash wanted a share of the business or if he wanted more responsibility, then Chote would have given it to him, but why… I don’t understand.”

“Anjali bitya, you tell us, Arnav bitwa tells you everything.”

 

Explaining everything she knew, Anjali talked them through everything Arnav had told her. Both Akash’s parents were in disbelief, but they didn’t disbelieve what was happening. They had senses the tension between the two brothers and seeing how Arnav had been, all the stories fit together.

Manorama turned to her husband.

 

“Call Akash home now! We are going to sort this.”

 

As Akash’s father dialled his sons number, Anjali turned and found a pale looking Payal stood at the door.

 

“Payal…”

”He… He’s the reason…”

“We didn’t want you to find out like this.”

“He’s caused this? My sister’s life is a shambles because of…”.

 

Payal felt her world come crashing down around her as she turned away. How could Akash do that? How could he do that to Khushi? How could he do that to Payal!? Did he not for a moment think that he was hurting her if he hurt her sister? How could he?

 

*****

 

“Okay yes! I am responsible for everything that’s been happening between Arnav and Khushi and with the changing ownership of the business, but I had a good reason for it.”

“What reason could you possibly have for cheating your brother like that and ruining his life? Akash, have you seen Arnav bitwa recently? Have you seen the state he’s in? If you wanted more share of the business or more responsibility, why didn’t you just ask him? Why…”

”Ma please. I did what I needed to do to protect myself and secure myself a future.”

 

Anjali and Nani remained quiet as they watched the face off between Akash and his parents. Admittedly, they had been worried that Manorama would react badly, that should would side with her son and refuse to believe what was going on. But if Manorama loved her son, she loved her nephew equally.

 

“Akash bitwa, he’s your own brother!”

“He’s not my own brother! He’s my cousin! Everyone acts like…”

“Don’t! Don’t you dare say anything against my Arnav bitwa. He has always loved you like a brother, always cared for you. He would do anything for you.”

 

Turning away from his mother, Akash was fuming. How dare his own parents tell him he was making the wrong decisions and that his actions were wrong? Shouldn’t they be telling him that he did a good job, he secured their family a stable future?

Turning to leave the room, Akash saw his wife standing in the doorway and she looked livid.

 

“Payal…”

 

Walking towards her, Akash stretched his hand out, urging her to take it. She didn’t. Coming up to her, Akash stood before Payal, waiting for her to say something. Remaining unmoving for a moment, Payal thought about everything she’d learnt that day. Pulling her hand back, she slapped Akash across the face, hard.

Everyone in the room gasped as they took the seething Payal in.

 

“Payal…”

“How could you? How could you do that to my sister? You may not accept bhai as your own brother and may not care for what you do to him, but Khushi is my sister and I love her! Did you not think…”

“I did it for us! So we’d have a better future!”

“Right. So for our happy future, you destroyed my sister’s life?”

“She seems fine to me, she’s getting married…”

“Are you stupid? You know as well as I do that it took Khushi so long to accept her feelings for bhai, to give their relationship a go. It took her so long to admit that she loved him, she was ready to spend her life with him and you… You took that happiness away from her.”

“Again, she seems fine, she’s getting married…”

”She’s only doing that because she’s trying to run away from all this! She’s never been good at dealing with her problems and this… I can’t believe you…”

 

Shaking her head in disgust, Payal realised that there was no point arguing or trying to explain anything to Akash. Entering the room, she approached both Nani and Manorama.

 

“Dadiji, ma ji, I would like to go home for a couple of days.”

 

Akash turned around to protest, but he saw his mother and grandmother had already given her permission to go. Turning away, Payal left the room, throwing one angry glance at Akash before she left.

Did he do the wrong thing? Had he made a mess? Why was everyone so angry when all he was trying to do was make a future for himself?

 

Jalebi ~ Part 27

By the time Arnav arrived home, he was a wreck. His eyes were bloodshot and he was in a foul mood. The moment he stepped through the door, Anjali came rushing over to him.

 

“Chote! Where on earth have you been? You went out hours ago, saying you just needed to pick up a new laptop charger and there’s been no news from you since. Do you know how many times I’ve called you? Do you know how worried I was?”

 

Arnav listened to everything his sister had to say, not entirely taking in a word she was saying. Anjali realised that Arnav’s attention was somewhere else. Taking a good look at him, she saw his red, puffy eyes.

Taking his arm, Anjali led Arnav into the living room, sat him down on the sofa and then sat down beside him.

 

“Chote, what’s the matter?”

 

Arnav remained stoic for a moment before responding by laying down on the sofa, his head on his sisters lap and his arms around her.

 

“My life is over Di”.

 

Completely breaking down, Anjali looked down at Arnav completely alarmed. She couldn’t remember the last time her brother broke down in this manner. Arnav usually always hid his emotions from her, tried to be tough for her, but right now…

Anjali stroked his hair as he cried. Nani came outside, hearing the commotion followed by Shyam and Manorama.

 

Mami came over to Arnav and sat on the sofa by his feet, her hand on his back.

 

“Arnav bitwa, what happens?”

 

Calming down slightly, Arnav wiped his eyes and sat up.

 

“I saw Khushi…”

 

The Raizada women and Shyam all looked between each other, not entirely sure how they should proceed with the conversation.

 

“Kya? Khushi’s back? Did you speak to her? What did she say? Chote, did she say anything to you?”

 

Shaking his head, Arnav looked at his Di and took her hands in his own.

 

“She’s engaged.”

 

Mami gasped as did Anjali. Nani turned to Shyam, her eyes wide as she realised what was happening here.

 

“She’s engaged? But how Saale Saab? Only a few weeks ago you and her were talking about marriage. How in this short time has she managed to go and get herself engaged?”

“She’s engaged to her childhood friend jijaji. The man her parents had initially picked for her. I met him when we went to London and you don’t understand how smug he was. I want to kill him!”

 

Anger irrupted within Arnav. How could she actually do that to him? How could she move on just like that? Did their relationship really mean that little to her? Turning back to his sister, Anjali could see the anger in his eyes.

 

“Did she not tell you as well Di that she wanted to spend her life with me? Then how could she do this? She says I’ve deceived her, but what has she done? She promised herself to me and now she’s with another man. How could she do that to me?”

 

Getting to his feet, Arnav stormed off towards his bedroom. The Raizada’s all looked between each other, unsure of how they needed to deal with this issue.

 

“Maybe I should go and speak to Khushi. Tell her that whatever happened wasn’t down to Chote.”

”She won’t believe you Rani Sahiba. I’m sure Saale Saab would have tried his best to make her listen to him. But she like him is also hard headed. I don’t think any of us getting involved will have any benefit.”

“But Chote… He’s so broken. We have to do something before he does something stupid. I’ve never seen him this upset, or this angry.”

”I think we just need to give him some time to cool down and come to terms with everything.”

“He’s never loved anyone the way he loves Khushi and I don’t think he’ll ever love anyone else as much as he loves her. I don’t think he’ll ever fully come to terms with what has happened…”

 

*****

 

Pacing his bedroom, Arnav tried to come up with a plan. He needed to do something. Anything! He couldn’t just sit and wait for her to go and get married to someone else. He needed to fight for her. But his options were limited and he didn’t know what to do. He had thought that by telling her the truth about Akash, she would maybe reconsider, but she hadn’t. There had to be something! Running his hand through his hair, Arnav yanked the ends of his hair in frustration. Why was this happening!?

 

*****

 

Dinner was served and ready. The Raizada family all sat around waiting for Arnav to come down before they could start eating. Hari Prakash emerged from Arnav’s bedroom and made his way down to the dining room.

 

“Arnav Bhaiya has said that he doesn’t want to eat now, you all should continue.”

“Has Chote had something to eat at least? If he doesn’t eat he’s going to fall ill?”

“I took him some coffee and some toast a little while ago.”

”Okay. Leave him gor now, I’ll take some food to him later.”

 

Leaving the dining area, Anjali turned to her husband and sighed.

 

“Shyam ji, we have to do something, I can’t see Chote like this.”

 

Akash, who had been absent when Arnav had returned home, looked up from his food.

 

“What happened to bhai now?”

 

Turning her attention to Akash, Anjali couldn’t believe that Akash was asking this question. After all, he was the main reason why Arnav was in this condition. She wanted to say something, make it known to the family that Akash was the cause of Arnav’s plight, but she stopped herself. Her Chote didn’t want the family to know about Akash and she was going to respect his wishes.

 

“Chote saw Khushi earlier and it didn’t go well.”

 

Looking up from her food, Payal’s eyes widened.

 

“Khushi’s back?”

”Yes. Chote didn’t say when she returned, but yes she’s back and she’s engaged. Did you know about that?”

”What? She’s engaged? To who? How could she get engaged and not tell me about it?”

 

Anjali felt sorry for Payal, she looked genuinely hurt and stressed about the fact that Khushi was engaged to someone and she didn’t know about it. Telling Payal everything Arnav had told her, Anjali watched as her expression fell.

 

“I can’t believe… But she loves Arnav ji so much. I can’t believe she… Why would she do this to herself?”

“I don’t know Payal. I really don’t know.”

”Di, do you think I should talk to her? Explain to her about bhai’s condition? If she knows how much he is hurting, surely she’d…”

 

Intervening, Akash looked up from his food and stopped Payal in her tracks.

 

“Don’t you dare! You are not to say anything to Khushi. She’s made her decision and it seems as though she is sticking to it. If she cared for bhai at all, she never would have gotten engaged to someone else in the first place. If she’s can do that’s to bhai, she doesn’t deserve him. Besides, with which right do you want to go and talk to her? The both of you shared everything and she didn’t even tell you about her engagement, that should tell you how she sees you. You are to say nothing to her Payal, I forbid it.”

 

Payal looked slightly taken aback. Akash had never spoken to her like that and she didn’t understand why he was speaking like that now.

 

Anjali watched Payal and Akash’s exchange closely and her heart went out for Payal who looked hurt and confused. On one hand she’d just found out that her cousin had made a huge decision regarding what she was going to do with her life without telling her, and on the other hand, her husband was giving her a hard time.

 

“Why are you being like this? She’s my sister and despite her decision not to tell me, I still love her. I’m sorry Akash, but I can’t just turn my back to her, I know she’s going through a hard time too.”

“Payal Bitya is absolutely correct. Khushi is hurting too and she can’t just get upset with her and turn her back from her. Payal, I think you should calm Khushi and see what she has to say.”

 

“Ji Dadiji.”

 

Leaving the table, Payal went upstairs to make her call. Akash remained at the table, his hands fidgeting under the table. What if Arnav had told Khushi that he was the one who had caused the hand over of the business? What if Khushi told Payal? It could cause problems in their relationship. But seeing how Dadi had spoken, he didn’t think he would be able to stop Payal. He just had to hope for the best that Arnav hadn’t told Khushi anything.

 

*****

 

Both Arnav’s bedroom and the study were a mess. Papers had been thrown across both rooms, a couple of vases had been broken… Arnav had been through the papers over and over and over again to the point where he had almost memories the whole file. There was nothing in there that was going to help him give Khushi her business back without involving Akash.

Arnav was now sat in their little bar, with a glass of vodka. Anjali had followed the trail of mess and saw her brother downing the glass of alcohol in one go.

 

“Chote! What are you doing?”

 

Turning around, he saw Anjali walk in, her eyes wide with shock.

 

“I’m drinking Di. What does it look like?”

“But you don’t drink like this. Chote come on, stop.”

 

Taking the bottle of vodka away from Arnav, Anjali took her brothers face in. He looked tired and angry and confused and broken.

 

“You can’t do this to yourself Chote.”

“What’s the point Di? What am I living for right now? My brother who I’ve always loved had taken the one thing I loved most in my life. My business isn’t mine any more and the woman I love… She’s someone else’s. I have nothing Di. Just this bottle of vodka.”

 

He made to take the bottle from Anjali but she had it away from him.

 

“Chote, I know your hurting, but this behaviour needs to stop right now. We will find a way to get this sorted…”

“But I won’t get Khushi back.”

 

It was evident that he was really struggling to deal with what was happening to him. Anjali felt broken herself. She didn’t know how to help her brother.

 

“You know Di, back in high school, I never really noticed her. But when I saw her at the reunion last year, I was completely blown away by her. And then I started to get to know her and I started to fall in love with her. It took me ages and ages to make her accept my feelings and give our relationship and chance but… It was all for nothing.”

 

Resting his head against the bar, Anjali pat her brother on the shoulder. She didn’t know how to comfort him, didn’t know what the right thing was to say. As much as she felt her brothers pain, she did understand what was going through Khushi’s head. She’d taken a chance on Arnav and subsequently had lost everything she had ever worked for. As much as Anjali wanted to go and talk to her, to try and get her to reconsider, she knew that Khushi’s feelings right now and the way she was behaving, were completely justified.

 

“Chote, go to bed. It’s been a long day for you.”

 

Nodding, Arnav got to his feet, stumbling slightly as he got up. Anjali took hold of his arm and he held onto her for dear life as she guided him towards his bedroom.

Upon arriving at his room, Arnav crashed onto his bed the moment he saw it. Moments later he was fast asleep. Taking his shoes off and tucking his in, Anjali looked at her brother who was completely exhausted and completely heart broken. She needed to do something to help his sort all this, but what and how? How could she get Khushi to reconsider, especially now when she was engaged to someone else. Making sure Arnav was asleep, Anjali backed out of his bedroom and made her way towards Payal’s.

Knocking on Payal’s door, she waited to be let inside.

 

“Come in.”

 

Pushing the door open, Anjali saw Payal quickly wipe her tears away and she sat up a little straighter on the edge of the bed.

 

“Di? Did you need something?”

”Were you able to get hold of Khushi?”

 

Anjali watched as Payal’s shoulders slumped slightly but she nodded.

 

“She didn’t say much, but she’s invited me round to her apartment so that I can meet Rohan. Di, this isn’t right! Nothing about any of this feels right. We need to do something! Khushi can’t marry Rohan, I know her, her heart belong to and with Bhai. If we don’t do something, she’ll go on to making the biggest mistake of her life.”

”I know Payal, but I don’t know what we can do.”

“Anything Di. We can do anything but we need to do it soon. I’m worried Khushi is going to speed up the wedding process now that she knows we all know. I know what she thinks like, she’s going to try to run further away.”

 

Sitting down beside Payal, Anjali took Payal’s hand into her own.

 

“We’re going to sort this mess, and we’re going to get Khushi back for Chote. I can’t see my brother like this.”

 

Anjali felt a new power within her. Akash had messed with her Chote’s life and had ruined everything for him. But she wasn’t going to let him win. She was going to get Khushi her business back and Khushi back for Arnav, even if it was the last thing she ever did.

Jalebi ~ Part 26

 

“I’m engaged Arnav.”

 

Looking at the ring on Khushi’s finger and then looking between her and Rohan, it took Arnav a few minutes to process it all.

 

“Wait what?”

“I should’ve told you as soon as I saw you…

“Yes, yes you should have! How could you leave like that and come back engaged? Did you not think about me for even a moment? Did you not remember the fact that I wanted to marry you? How did you forget about everything we’d been through? How could you?”

“How could I? How could I?!”

 

Khushi felt her patience slipping away from her, her anger rising. Rohan took hold of her arm, whispered how she needed to calm down. But she wasn’t having it.

 

“I could do this because you deceived me! You stole my business from me! And you have the audacity to ask me how dare I?”

“Khushi…”

“I gave myself to you after trying to stay away from you. It took me ages to open myself up to you and that’s how you repaid me…”

“I didn’t do anything! It was Akash!”

 

Khushi stopped for a moment. What did he say?

“Jijaji?”

“Yes. It was all his master plan. Right from the moment he called you back for the reunion he had this plan. I knew about it from the start but I never thought it was a good idea. But initially I went with him, but only to an extent. Then I started to work with you, got to know you, and I couldn’t do it, I told him I wanted out. And then things really started changing between us and I…”

“Why didn’t you say no from the start?”

“I didn’t think much of it, I didn’t think Akash was being serious. And then I realised he was and that’s when I said no.”

 

Raising her hand to head, Khushi tried to take in everything that she’d just learnt. How could Akash do that to her? How could he even think about doing something like that?

 

“But Payal…”

“He loves Payal truly…”

“How could he do that to me when he’s always been trying to get into bed with my cousin. Did he not think…”

“I don’t know Khushi. I don’t know his logic behind it all. But I need you to know it wasn’t me. I didn’t even know when he created the papers. I’d already made it clear to him long before that we needed to put a stop to the plan. And he agreed. I honestly thought he was going to back off…”

 

Rohan who had been standing beside Khushi patiently finally started to lose his cool. He’d had enough of this.

 

“Okay. Right, you’ve said you’re bit, you’ve done what you needed to do, but it doesn’t change what’s happened. Whether it was your plan or someone else’s, Khushi no longer has her business. I don’t think there’s much else to be said.”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t come between us.”

“I’m afraid I have to be between you. Khushi’s my fiancé and I need to make sure you’re not saying anything to trouble her.”

 

Arnav moved up to Rohan. Who the hell did he think he was? Khushi sensed the tension between the two men and moved between them.

 

“Look, I don’t need you two to start arguing. Arnav, I appreciate your attempts to sort things, but… There’s nothing that can be done. You can’t give me Khushiyan back… As for us… I can’t trust you Arnav, I’m sorry. I know it sounds harsh, given everything that you’ve told me, but I can’t… I’m sorry. I’ve moved on with me life, I’ve moved on with Rohan, and I want you to respect my decision.”

“So what? That’s it for us?”

“I told you before I left, it was over between us.”

 

Tears pricked in both Arnav and Khushi’s eyes. She blinked them away as Rohan wrapped an arm around her. Arnav took a step closer to Khushi.

 

“I love you… I can’t live without you.”

 

She looked at him, wanting to move closer to him and wipe his tears away. But she was aware of Rohan holding her close. In her heart she knew she still loved him but…

 

“I’m sorry Arnav… We spent some beautiful moments together and I guess they and you will always be special. But it was always meant to be me and Rohan. I guess I got confused along the way. I’m not confused now and Rohan has accepted my past with you…”

 

Rohan and Khushi both watched as Arnav’s body deflated, he looked completely defeated. It pulled at Khushi’s heart. She’d never seen him like this. He looked so broken, so lost. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

 

“I’m sorry… But you will find someone for yourself, someone who will love you and care for you the way Rohan loves and cares for me.”

“I can’t be here…”

 

Holding back the tears that were threatening to fall, Arnav tried to hold himself together. He didn’t want to cry in front of her any more, and definitely not in front of Rohan.

 

“I’m sorry I came here.”

“Arnav…”

 

He brushed past both Khushi and Rohan and made his way over to the door. One hand on the door handle, he turned around and took one last look at Khushi.

 

“Goodbye Khushi.”

 

And with that, he was gone. Khushi wanted to go after Arnav, to stop him, to tell him she still cared for him and that she still wanted to be with him. But she knew she couldn’t do that.

Tears started falling, and Rohan pulled Khushi into a hug, holding her close to himself. Brushing him off, Khushi moved away from him and rushed into her bedroom, shutting the door behind herself. Throwing herself onto the bed, Khushi cried. Let it all out. This wasn’t fair. She had met someone she truly loved and who truly loved her too, but she couldn’t be with him. It wasn’t fair, this wasn’t how t was meant to be.

Khushi lay in bed, and she recalled all the moments she and Arnav had shared. She remembered all the kisses they had shared, the moment they had stolen during Payal and Akash’s wedding. She remembered their first night together, how gentle he’d been with her, how he kept making sure that she was okay, that this was still what she wanted.

Then she remembered their second night together. She remembered how she’d felt, being there below his body while he moved over her, kissing every inch of her body, touching her naked skin… She remembered how it had felt being so close to him, being one with him, having his body in hers…

Wiping her tears away, she forced herself to remember why they couldn’t be together, why she had made the decision to leave him. Yes it did change things, knowing that this was Akash’s plan and not Arnav’s. But Arnav should have said no from the start, he should have put his foot down because he knew it was wrong, morally, to do that to someone.

No, she couldn’t cry over not having Arnav any more. She wasn’t being fair on herself or Rohan. Rohan had accepted her, knowing everything about hers and Arnav’s relationship.

Wiping her tears away, Khushi sat up in bed and recalled everything that had happened when she arrived back in London.

 

*Flashback*

 

Arriving at Heathrow airport, Khushi pulled her sunglasses over her eyes to cover her puffy eyes. She had cried almost the entire flight, unable to understand how and why this was happening.

Once she collected her luggage and was ready to leave, she called for a taxi and went straight to her office.

The security team at the entrance of her office was the ones she was used to and they recognised her the moment they saw her and let her in.

Walking into the office, her assistant came rushing over to her.

 

“Ma’am! What are you doing here all of a sudden? But more importantly what’s happening with ownership? Apparently you have signed over all rights?”

“I need to talk to everyone from legal. Find out if they’re free and even if they aren’t arrange a meeting now.”

“Yes ma’am, but do you want to maybe freshen up first, you look exhausted.”

“Please just do as I’ve asked you to do.”

 

The assistant rushed off and Khushi made her way up to her office, greeting everyone politely as she passed them. Getting to her office, Khushi shut the door behind her before taking a look at herself in the mirror. She looked a wreck. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face dry and tired looking.

 

Sorting herself out a bit, she looked through the papers that Mohit had sent over to her, trying to find a loophole, something, anything that would help her get her business back. But she couldn’t find anything.

After waiting about half an hour, Khushi’s assistant reappeared, telling Khushi that he had managed to get a meeting sorted with the legal team and that it would take place in half an hours time.

Thanking him, Khushi dismissed him once more. Picking her phone up, she noticed that she had a tonne of missed calls and text messages from Arnav. She read the previews, but didn’t bother to open the messages. She didn’t have anything to say to him.

Sitting through the meeting with legal, it became clear very early on that nothing much could be done. They had gone through the papers in detail, trying to find anything that could help them, but it was clear that there wasn’t a lot that could be done.

When Khushi left the office, she felt completely deflated. She had hoped with all her heart that her legal time would be able to find something, anything. But it seemed as though if Arnav didn’t sign things over, she wouldn’t be able to get her business back.
Leaving the office, Khushi got another taxi to take her home. Getting to her house, she couldn’t help but feel broke. She hadn’t been home alone for years and now to come back home to an empty house, when she really needed her family was not ideal.

Once Khushi was home and she’d had some time to freshen up, she called the only person she could think of at that point. Rohan.

As soon as Khushi put the phone down from Rohan, he arrived. He came with food and some flowers. The moment he walked in through the door, Khushi embraced him.

 

“Khushi? What’s going on?”

 

Explaining everything that had happened, Khushi couldn’t contain her tears. She told Rohan everything, telling him everything that had happened from the start to the end.

 

“Wait, so you were in a relationship with him? Were you together when I met you guys at the conference?”

“No we got together right after.”

“I can’t believe he’d do that to you.”

“I’m sorry Rohan. I know… Us… We always said we’d get married. And I went and…”

“Sh, it’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with exploring your options. But I think it’s clear now that our Jodi was predetermined for a reason. We were meant to be Khushi. I know you’ve just got out of a serious relationship, but I want you to know, I still want to marry you… Maybe one day when you’re ready…”

“I can’t even think about that right now Rohan. It’s too soon.”

“I know, I know.”

 

Rohan dropped the topic of their marriage and Khushi too attempted to cheer herself up so she wouldn’t have to discuss the matter any further. It was too soon to even think about spending her life with someone else. Up until yesterday, she had felt her future with Arnav was set and now to have that taken away… It was too much at one time.

 

*****

 

Time flew by faster than Khushi realised. She’d been back in the U.K. for over 2 weeks and her parents were back too. She had received a number of calls and messages from the Raizada’s. She knew that she should probably call them back and talk to them, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Rohan had been a dream and had paid Khushi a number of visits to make sure that she was settling back okay.

It was one afternoon when she was scrolling through the news app when she saw the news about the management of AR and Khushiyan was changing. Tapping on the headline, Khushi opened up the full article and read that both business which had previously been under Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, was now being passed over to Mr Akash Singh Raizada. No formal statement about the change had yet been made.

When Khushi read this, she felt like the ground beneath her had been pulled away. She couldn’t understand why Arnav would do that. Why would he take her business from her, only to hand it, and his own business, over to his brother?

It didn’t make any sense, none of it made any sense. Throwing her phone onto the bed, Khushi realised that enough was enough. She was done with Arnav. He’d deceived her and used her love for his own personal gains and his own motives. She was done with him. It was then she made the most rash decision of her life…

 

*****

 

A couple of days later, Khushi and Rohan were engaged. It was a small affair, with just their parents and their immediate family present. They didn’t want anyone else.
Rohan had asked Khushi over and over again if she was sure, if this is what she really wanted and she had assured him that it was.

 

“Why avoid the inevitable, let’s just get it done.”

 

Rohan had been confused but he didn’t want to question it. He wanted to be with Khushi and if she had finally decided it was time to make their relationship official, then he wasn’t going to question her. Rohan could tell that Khushi’s heart hadn’t been in the right place on their engagement day, and he had asked her over and over to make sure she was okay. She said she was.

Their engagement went on without a hitch, and it wasn’t until late that night when she was back in her own bedroom did she realise what she had really done. She’d given herself to someone else, promised someone else that she would be their wife… But in her heart, she knew she belonged with Arnav…

 

*Flashback end*

 

Looking at the diamond ring on her finger, Khushi realised that she couldn’t allow herself to bask in the past. She had made the decision to marry Rohan, and she knew it was a decision that her parents supported her on. She couldn’t back down or fall weak now. She owed it to herself, her parents and Rohan to make this work. Brushing away her tears, Khushi decided that enough really was enough. It was time to move on. To close the Arnav related chapter of her life and to proceed with her new journey with Rohan.

It was time for a new beginning.

Jalebi ~ Part 25

It had been weeks since anyone had last heard from Khushi. Arnav had given her time and space and had hoped that by this point she would have cooled down a little and would’ve spoken to him, but she hadn’t.

After handing over all business responsibility to Akash, Arnav found for the first time in a long time, he had time for himself. Legally, nothing had been signed over yet, but it was well known now that there had been a change in ownership and that Arnav was no longer in charge.

Arnav received a lot of phone calls, people he had previously worked with asking why he made such an abrupt decision. Many told him that he had made the wrong decision, but Arnav just stated that he had his reasons and for now, he was taking a step back.

To begin with, Akash had been more than happy to be the new owner of two successful fashion houses. He finally felt as though he got everything he deserved. He’d got his revenge on Khushi for rejecting him, and he’d punished Arnav for always having one up on him. Now he felt content with life. He also found that he was actually happy with Payal, glad that he had picked Payal in the end. She was understanding and supportive, he kind of woman one needed beside themselves when trying to be successful.

However, as time went on, Akash found that he was beginning to struggle to keep up. There were always so many files to check, so many meetings to attend, he barely had time for himself. He and Payal had been unable to go on honeymoon, and by the time he got home in the evening, he had no time for Payal because he was so tired.

He’d hoped that once he got into a routine with things and once he started getting on top of things, then it would be okay, but as time went on, he fell more and more behind. At one point he wanted to ask Arnav to step in and help, but he didn’t. He didn’t want Arnav to think he was incapable. No, he was going to make this work, no matter what happened.

 

*****

 

As Arnav walked into the kitchen, he saw Payal was pouring some juice. They were alone in the kitchen and Arnav took this opportunity to speak to her.

 

“Payal, can I speak to you for a moment?”

“Of course.”

“Payal… Have you heard from Khushi recently?”

“No I’m sorry, I haven’t. I’ve called her and left her messages, but she hasn’t been responding to anything.”

“Have you maybe spoken to her parents?”

“I spoke to Maasi the other day, but it seemed as though they had people at their house, there was so much noise. She said she’d call back but she never did. And every time that I’ve called since, no one has picked up.”

 

Running his hand through his hair, Arnav realised that maybe it was time to just go back to England. Maybe that was the best way to find her and speak to her.

 

“I’m going to try and get a flight out by the end of this week. It’s been over a month. I can’t wait any longer, I need to sort things with Khushi.”

“But bhai… Khushiyan.”

“I don’t know Payal, I’ve tried everything but you know I can’t get that sorted. I just need to make Khushi believe that I love her.”

“I’m sure she knows that but I don’t think that’s the issue here.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to work this out Payal, but I need to be near her. Not hearing from her is driving me insane.”

 

Nodding, Payal showed that she understood, because she did. Arnav didn’t tell her the truth about Akash because he didn’t want to cause any issues between them. He had been tempted, to be spiteful and to get back at Akash, but then he realised, he couldn’t do that because it would make him as bad as him.

Arnav headed back to his bedroom at pulled his phone out to call Aman.

 

“Hi Aman, find me a flight out to London… Any time before the end of the week… Okay, thank you.”

 

Ending the call Arnav realised that he was making the right decision. It had been well over a month. He couldn’t leave it any longer, he needed to work things out with Khushi.

 

*****

 

It was Thursday afternoon, Arnav was due to fly out the next morning. He had called both Khushi and her parents, tried to get an address, but no one answered. He had asked Payal for their details, which she provided, but even she wasn’t sure if Khushi would be living with her parents or not. Arnav wasn’t sure what to expect when he got back to England, but he knew he wouldn’t come back without Khushi by his side.

Walking out of one of the shops in the mall, Arnav bumped straight into a woman, making her drop the bags that was carrying.

 

“I’m so sor…”

 

Actually taking a look at the woman, Arnav realised that it was Khushi!

 

“Khushi? When did you…”

 

Gathering her things together, Khushi sorted herself out and turned away. Arnav took hold of her hand, pulling her back to himself.

 

“Arnav please…”

“Don’t make a scene Khushi. Let’s go somewhere and talk.”

“I’m not the one making a scene.”

“Khushi come on.”

 

Debating whether or not she should go with him, Khushi decided she may as well. If she didn’t speak to him, he would just keep trying and she needed to set him straight.
Arnav led Khushi out of the mall and towards his car. He moved over to open the door for her, but Khushi brushed his hand away and opened the door herself and got in. The moment she sat inside, all she could think about was that one time they had got intimate in the backseat. The first time they had given into their desires. If she could turn back time, Khushi knew she would take that day back. That’s when she really started developing feelings for him. If she hadn’t given into him that day, hadn’t lost control, then now, she would still have her business.

Getting settled Arnav got the car going, making their way out of the car park.

 

“Where should we go?”

“We can go and talk at my apartment?”

“Where are you staying?”

“I’m staying at the apartment I had bought before moving here.”

“Oh it’s done?”

“Yes, the work was complete last week, that’s why I came back.”

“When did you come back? Why didn’t you call me?”

 

Turning to face him, Khushi raised her eyebrow.

 

“Why would I call you? Why would I speak to you? Actually, what am I doing here right now?”

“Khushi please…”

“I got back 3 days ago. And honestly Arnav, I don’t think there’s anything left to talk about.”

 

Arnav said nothing. He didn’t want to start talking about anything in the car.
They drove in silence, Arnav keeping his focus on the road. Khushi sat beside him, her hands fidgeting constantly. When she was sure that Arnav wasn’t paying any attention to her, she turned to look at him. It seemed as though he’d lost some weight in the last month. His face looked a lot less full than the last time she saw him, and under his eyes he had dark circles. But other than that, he was still the most handsome man she’d ever seen in her life. Shaking the thought away, Khushi turned away. She couldn’t be thinking about Arnav that was any more.

The drive to Khushi’s apartment wasn’t a long one, but for Arnav, it felt endless. He felt as though they had been driving forever. As soon as he got the car parked, Khushi was out of the car, leading the way. Arnav followed her, watching her hips sway slightly, her butt swaying ever so slightly as she walked. How he wanted to grab hold of her hips and pull her back against himself. But he stopped himself from acting in such a manner. There would be plenty of time for all of that once they got everything sorted.

Getting into the lift, Khushi pushed the button for her floor and they began making their way up. Her apartment was only on the third floor, so before they knew it, they had already arrived.

Getting out of the lift, Khushi made her way over to her door and unlocked it. She stepped inside and held the door as Arnav followed her in.

 

“It’s quite a nice little place.”

“Thanks, take a seat. Let me just go and put this stuff in my room.”

 

Nodding, Arnav sat down at the sofa, taking in his surroundings while he waited for Khushi to reemerge from her bedroom. Would they be able to sort things out today? Would they be able to clear up their misunderstandings? He wondered if she’d let him make love to her, to let him show her how much she actually met to him.

Moments later, Khushi came out of her room and went into the kitchen area and put the kettle on. Arnav waited patiently as he listened to her pottering around. Maybe she was just nervous and was killing some time, he didn’t want to rush her.

A little bit of time passed and Khushi came out of the kitchen with tea, coffee and some snacks.

 

“Please help yourself.”

“I’m not hungry Khushi, I just want to talk to you.”

“Honestly Arnav, I really don’t think there is anything to talk about. Whatever happened, has happened. I saw on the news about how you handed everything over to Akash. I would ask you about that, but honestly, I am exhausted with all this. I want my business back, but more than anything I just want peace. I spoke to my team in England about what can be done. They looked at everything closely and told me that nothing much can be done. I can file a lawsuit against you, but it would be lengthy and intense and at the end of it I may not even get anything out of it considering I actually signed those papers. Moreover, if I took this to court, it could cause our relationship to come to light and I just…”

“You just what?”

“I know you were probably using me. That you probably got close to me so you could make me trust you. But what we shared… It was special to me even if it wasn’t for you. So I want to keep it between us. I don’t want some lawyer or some judge telling me I was an idiot for getting into a relationship with you. For being foolish and sleeping with you. I don’t need anyone to tell me that if I had hold of my feelings, then I would still have my business.”

 

She looked away and Arnav could tell thoughts of everything that they had shared was troubling her. Sliding off the sofa, Arnav moved towards Khushi before dropping onto his knees before her. Taking her hands into his own, he rested his head in her lap.

 

“Khushi, I need you. I’m incomplete without you. Khushi I love you!”

 

They remained in this position for a long time, Khushi running her fingers through Arnav’s hair, tears streaming down her face into his hair. Why was this happening? Why had their lives become so difficult?

Tears ran down Arnav’s cheeks and onto Khushi’s lap. He’d never let himself become this weak in front of anyone before, but he couldn’t hold his tears back. He needed to get Khushi back, he needed her.

Playing all their intimate moments back, Khushi remembered the intensity of their relationship, the feelings she’d felt for him, how she had felt when she was with him.

Coming to her senses first, Khushi wiped her tears away and started pulling Arnav away from herself.

 

“Sh, stop crying Arnav, please.”

“You need to trust me Khushi, I didn’t do anything to deceive you…”

“Whatever has happened, has happened. We can’t do anything to change what has happened.”

“Forgive me… Take me back.”

“I can’t Arnav.”

“Khushi I love you… I can’t live without you. The last month… You don’t know how it’s been. I hadn’t been able to focus on anything, I’ve been waiting for my phone to ring and for it to be you. I’ve been dying to hear your voice…”

“We have to move on.”

 

He pulled back, his eyes filled with tears.

 

“Does that mean you’ll take me back?”

 

He moved towards her again, hugging her tightly before placing kisses on her face.

 

“Arnav…”

“I love you so much.”

 

Khushi felt his hands move along her body, rushing from her hips up to her breasts all the while kissing every inch of her face.

Coming to her senses, Khushi pushed at Arnav, moving him away from herself before getting to her feet.

 

“Stop Arnav! Listen to me!”

 

He looked up at her, the smile that had started creeping onto his face, fell away. He got up, tried to reach out for her, but she took a step back, maintaining a distance between them.

 

“What’s wrong?”

“Just because I said that we need to move on doesn’t mean I want you back. I don’t trust you Arnav! As much as I want to believe you, I can’t.”

“What did you mean by moving in then?”

“I meant we’re over and we both need to accept that and move on with our lives. Start afresh.”

“Did our relationship mean nothing to you? Is it that easy for you to walk away? To forget about everything that was between us. That still is between us.”

“I’m trying to forget, please just let me.”

 

Arnav walked right up to Khushi, closing any distance between them.

 

“Are you telling me that if I’m this close to you, you don’t feel anything?”

“Arnav…”

 

He placed his hand on her cheek and Khushi’s eyes fluttered shut.

 

“Are you trying to tell me that when I’m this close and touching you like this, you don’t want me to kiss you?”

 

Her eyes remained shut, almost as though she didn’t hear what he had to say. Arnav moved in, closing his eyes, their lips a nail widths apart when the door opened behind them. Khushi came to her senses first and pushed Arnav away and moved away from him.

 

“Babe you home?”

“I… I’m here.”

 

Arnav’s eyes snapped open. Babe?

Someone called Khushi babe? Turning on the spot Arnav came face to face with Rohan.

 

“What is he doing here?”

“I could ask you the same Raizada. What are you doing here?”

 

Sensing the tension brewing between the two men, Khushi rushed between them, her back to Rohan, facing Arnav.

 

“Arnav… I should’ve told you as soon as I saw you…”

“Why is he here?”

“Listen. Arnav… I…”

 

She looked down before turning to Rohan who simply placed his arm around her waist, holding her close to himself. Taking a deep breath, Khushi looked up at Arnav again before holding her left hand out.

How had he missed it? How did he not notice…

 

“I’m engaged Arnav.”

Jalebi ~ Part 24

Somehow the night had passed for Arnav. He spent most of the night consulting with his legal team and in between, called Khushi whenever he got a free moment.

For the first part of the night, Khushi’s phone just rang for a long time before going to voicemail. During the second part of the night, her phone just went straight to voicemail.

 

According to the legal team, he could sign her business back over to her, however, he had to pass his decision past Akash first and make sure he also signed the papers. This was a new clause that Akash must have added, because Arnav had never had to ask Akash to sign anything off before. And considering how Akash had been acting, there was no way he was about to sign the papers for Arnav to hand his business back over to her. He’d have to find a way to sort this without bringing Akash in between.

 

Getting out of bed, Arnav reached out for his phone and saw that there were no messages or calls from Khushi. He attempted to call her once more, but again, her phone went straight to voicemail. He left her another text, asking her to please call him and that he loved her.

He decided to call the house, maybe she’d answer that phone. After only two rings, the phone was answered.

 

“Hello? Khushi?”

“Arnav? It’s me, her papa.”

“Oh, namaste uncle. How are you? Is Khushi there? Can I speak to her please?”

“Arnav…”

“Uncle please, please ask her to speak to me once.”

“She isn’t here.”

“Uncle if she’s refusing to come to the phone, please tell her…”

“No Arnav. She’s not here. She got the last flight out to England last night.”

“What?!”

 

Arnav felt his head spin. Khushi had left? She’d gone back to England? Without even saying anything?

 

“She explained in a rush what happened between you two. I can’t exactly say I tried to stop her.”

“Uncle, I know what it seems like, but you have to believe me, I didn’t do it! I wouldn’t! Sir, I love your daughter more than I love anything else in this world.”

“I understand all this, but at the same time, this has happened. Khushi has worked for so long to get to where she was and now to lose it all…”

“I’ll sort it, I’ll have it all signed back to her.”

“I’m hoping I wasn’t completely wrong about you and that you will give her back what’s hers, but I don’t know if she’ll ever trust you again Arnav. I know my daughter, I think it will take a lot for her to accept you again and for you to get your relationship back on track.”

“Uncle, I love her truly and deeply. Even if it means waiting a lifetime for her, I am willing to do it.”

“I don’t know Arnav… I really don’t know what to say to you.”

“When is she coming back from England?”

“I don’t know. But me and her mother are flying out by the end of this week as well. Anyway, I have to go, take care of yourself son and try and get all this fixed.”

 

Saying goodbye, Arnav disconnected the call. Khushi had gone back to England? This complicated things. How was he going to try and sort things out with her if she was all the way on the other side of the world? And it didn’t help that she wasn’t taking his calls or replying to his messages. He could go after her, but then it would be harder to deal with the business side of things. But he needed to explain the truth to her.

Arnav came to the conclusion that he would let her be for a couple of days and then he would try and contact her again. This way she would have some time to cool down.

 

*****

 

At the breakfast table, everyone was sat around, waiting for the new bride to emerge with breakfast.

 

“Good morning bhai.”

 

Arnav completely disregarded Akash as he took his seat. This didn’t go unnoticed by the members of the Raizada family. They all looked to one another, confused as to what had transpired between the two brothers. Ever since they had been children, their morning would begin with a fist bump or a pat on the others back as they walked past. Today for the first time ever, Arnav didn’t respond to Akash.

Nani raised her eyebrow and looked to Anjali who just nodded, trying to signify that she would explain all later. Payal emerged from the kitchen with the help of Hari Prakash and placed all the food on the table.

 

“Payal, before you serve the food, could you sit down please. I want to talk to everyone about something.”

 

Arnav gestured Payal to sit down.

 

“Chote what’s the matter?”

“Nani I…”

 

Taking a deep breath, Arnav got to his feet.

 

“I’m in love with someone. And I want to marry her.”

 

Manorama dropped her spoon and gasped.

 

“Arnav bitwa? Shaadi? We aren’t even finished with one marriage yet and you already want us to start planning the next one.”

“Haan mamiji. Nani, I’m in love with Khushi and she loves me too and I want to marry her.”

 

The elders all told Arnav that they had no objections, that they were happy that Arnav found someone he wanted to marry.

Anjali sat and watched.

 

“Chote, this is all good and well, but…”

 

Arnav nodded and turned his attention back to Nani.

 

“Something happened yesterday, and I’m trying to get it resolved as soon as possible but Khushi’s left me…”

 

Now Devyani was confused.

 

“I don’t understand Chote.”

 

Arnav explained what had happened, the fact that he was now the sole owner of both the businesses. He explained that he didn’t know how it happened and that he was going to get it sorted as soon as possible.

 

“But she’s left, she’s gone back to London and she won’t answer me calls, I don’t know what to do now.”

 

At this point Payal, who had remained quiet throughout the whole ordeal looked up.

 

“Wait? She’s gone back to London? When did this happen?”

“She took the last flight out last night.”

 

Payal stood there stunned, completely unable to understand what was going on. When had all this happened and when had Khushi left? And why hadn’t she said anything before leaving?

 

“Look, I just wanted everyone to know what the deal was, but I also want to reassure that I am going to get this all sorted and I am going to get Khushi back even if it’s the last thing I do. I love her and she means the world to me. I’m not going to let all this come between us and ruin what we have. I won’t stand for it.”

 

He aimed all this at Akash, making him know that no matter what happened, he wasn’t going to let this slide, that he wasn’t just going to let him win like this.

If Akash wanted to play dirty, then he was going to fight back. And he was going to win.

 

*****

 

A few weeks had passed and there was still no word from Khushi. Every call that was made to her went unanswered and every text message was unread.

Arnav had been checking with Payal if she knew anything but she didn’t. Khushi’s parents had gone back to England now and so Arnav couldn’t even speak to them to see what they had to say.

In terms of the business, Arnav had been working his hardest to get things sorted, but without Akash authorising anything, Arnav couldn’t do anything himself. It was starting to stress him out, and he was starting to feel like he couldn’t handle it all any more.

Sat in his office, Arnav was reading through some files when Akash walked in.

 

“Bhai, you have a meeting with Singhania’s. Have you got the file that they asked for?”

 

Arnav looked down at his desk and located the file that he was looking for. Opening it up, he realised that he hadn’t read over it and made the changes that were necessary.

 

“I haven’t had the changes done. But come on.”

 

Getting to his feet, Arnav slipped his jacket back on. But Akash stood there, annoyed.

 

“You had one job bhai! Where is your mind these days? You’re not getting anything done at all. Come on you need to focus.”

“Don’t tell me how to run my own damn business Akash.”

“No, I need to tell you. If you carry on at this rate, were not going to have a business, forget two. You’re responsible for two very successful business and at the moment they’re both starting to suffer due to your incompetence.”

 

This angered Arnav. How dare Akash walk in and tell him he was incompetent.

 

“I wonder why I’m so incompetent? Maybe it’s because you ruined my relationship with my girlfriend and I’ve been trying to sort it.”

“A woman should never be more important than your business.”

“Well she is Akash! And you ruined that for me.”

“You need to forget about her and you need to get your shit together.”

 

Anger bubbled though Arnav’s body. How dare Akash speak to him like that after everything he’d put him through.

 

“You know what Akash. You do it. I’m done.”

 

Grabbing his suit jacket and his laptop bag, Arnav made his way over to his office door.

 

“What do you mean you’re done?”

“I mean I’m going to speak to my lawyers and I’m signing everything over to you. I’m done with all of this. If you think you can do better than go for it. I’m done.”

 

Arnav walked over to the door and walked out of the office. He was speaking the truth and he was being serious. He really was done. All this wealth, all this name and respect, it was all great but what did it matter if he didn’t have the woman he loved in his life? Well he was done. Akash could have it all. He didn’t want any of this.

Akash watched as Arnav descended the stairs and made his way out of the office building. Once he was actually gone, Akash looked around. This office… It was now his? He walked round to the chair that was his brothers and touched the top before pulling it out. Sitting down, Akash felt all his happiness erupt out of him. This was all his! He owned it all!

Like a child, Akash spun in Arnav’s large chair before putting his feet up on the desk. Finally. Things as they should be.

 

*****

 

Staring out at the night sky, looking up at the stars, Arnav recalled his passionate night with Khushi at the farmhouse. The night they’d made love under the stars, with the rain coming down around them.

 

“How could you just leave Khushi? After everything we went through to get together?”

 

But Arnav wasn’t determined to get her back. Their story wasn’t over yet.

 

Jalebi ~ Part 23

 

Rushing out of the wedding venue, Khushi avoided bumping into anyone. She couldn’t face anyone now, she couldn’t explain what had happened.

Arnav rushed after Khushi but someone caught hold of his sleeve and pulled him back.
Turning, he saw that the person holding him was his Di.

 

“Di let me go, I really need to go to Khushi.”

“Chote, what the hell is going on? I heard the back end of your argument with Khushi and it sounded… Chote what the hell have you done?”

“I swear Di, I haven’t done anything, something has gone seriously wrong and if I don’t sort it, I could lose her.”

“Look, I understand, but I can’t have you leave now. It’s our brother’s wedding.”

 

Dragging Arnav back, he protested, tried to explain to Anjali that he needed to leave. When he realised that his protests were going completely unnoticed, he watched as Payal and Akash prepared to start doing the holy rounds. He looked at Akash who looked so happy. So content with life. How could he be so calm when Arnav’s life was being flipped over completely?

Akash looked down from the mandap and he watched as Di brought Arnav back into the main hall. As he saw Arnav’s face, he smirked. The deed had been done, the arrow had hit the target. He had planned his move carefully. He had gotten both Arnav and Khushi to sign the papers ages back, but hadn’t filed them. He knew that if he had filed them earlier, it may have caused issues with his wedding. So he waited. And he only had the papers filed this morning. This way, the proceedings would happen during the day, and by the time it came to Arnav and Khushi’s knowledge, it would be time for his wedding. He knew that Arnav wouldn’t cause a scene and confront him while he was getting married.

Mentally Akash pat himself on the back. Stage one was complete, now for stage two…

 

*****

 

“Mohit I need to see those papers.”

 

Handing over the papers, Khushi sat down at his desk and went through them.
These papers were detailed, they covered everything. But the main point was that she had given up all her rights to her business to Arnav.

Tears streaming down her face, Khushi shut the file and threw it at the wall.

 

“I don’t understand Mohit! I’m always so careful about what I’m signing! How did this happen?”

 

Taking a seat opposite Khushi, he placed his hand over hers.

 

“Khushi, I know this is hard. As your friend, not as your lawyer, I would recommend you go back to England for a while. I know all you want to do is get this sorted, but right now I don’t see what we can do. You go to London, take some time out and I’ll stay and see what I can do. I’ll try and get to the bottom of everything.”

“I can go to London but I won’t get any peace.”

“I know, but at least you won’t have to face Arnav all the time.”

“I don’t understand Mohit, I really don’t…”

 

Covering her face with her hands, Khushi let herself cry. How could this happen, why was this happening. She had loved Arnav with all  her heart. How could he possibly have done this?

 

 

*****

 

It was much later and the wedding was done. Payal had been welcomed into the home as the Raizada bride and the little post wedding games had been played. Di had taken Payal up to Akash’s bedroom, and Arnav used this opportunity to pull Akash away and speak to him.

 

“Bhai, what’s up? I don’t really have time to discuss anything now, need to get upstairs and get busy, if you know what I mean.”

“I think you’ve already been busy.”

“No I haven’t. That’s only you.”

 

Laughing at the suggestive joke that he just made, Akash attempted to side step Arnav and leave. But Arnav wasn’t having it today. Placing his hand on Akash’s shoulder, he pulled him back.

 

“What the hell are you playing at Akash.”

“I don’t know what you mean?”

“Don’t act dumb. Akash, how the hell am I sole owner of AR Designs and Khushiyan?”

“What? You are? I didn’t know that!”

“Don’t lie Akash! No one else knew the plan other than you. Why the hell did you do it?”

 

Dropping the pretence, Arnav watched as Akash’s expression changed from his easy going one to a much more sinister one.

 

“Okay, fine, yes I went through with the plan. I made both you and Khushi sign those papers. It’s thanks to me you own 2 successful businesses.”

“But you knew I didn’t want this!”

“You didn’t want it, but you needed it and you knew that! AR may still be floating, but we both know that without the backing of Khushiyan, AR is going to sink completely.”

“We had the backing of Khushiyan!”

“But it’s not the same when it’s owned by someone else! We needed 100% power to make sure that everything went the way we wanted it to.”

“You’re crazy! The whole point of the partnership was so that we would be able to make things better for AR. We knew we had Khushiyan’s backing.”

“Why are you reacting so badly bhai? You own two businesses now!”

“I may have gained a business, but I’ve lost the most important person in my life.”

“There was nothing special about Khushi any way, you’ll get over her.”

“I love her Akash! I was going to marry her! She means more to me than these businesses do!”

“You may love her that much, but she obviously doesn’t feel the same. If she did, she wouldn’t have cared about the business.”

“You don’t get it Akash! She thinks I cheated her!”

 

Beginning to get impatient, Akash looked at his watch before turning back to Arnav.

 

“Look, it’s my wedding night, my wife is waiting for me. We’ll talk about this tomorrow.”

“How are you going to be able to look Payal in the eye and get close to her when you know you’re the reason her sisters heart is broken right now.”

“We’ll deal with that when she finds out.”

 

With that, Akash turned away. Arnav felt anger coursing through his body. This wasn’t meant to happen, this couldn’t be happening!

He walked into his room, picked up a vase and threw it against the floor, making it shatter into a million pieces.

 

“AGH!”

“Chote?”

 

Turning around, Arnav realised Di was stood at the entrance of his door, her eyes wide. Walking into the room, Anjali observed the broken case, but stepped around it and placed her hands on her brothers shoulders.

 

“Chote what’s the matter? What’s going on? What I saw between you and Khushi and now… All this anger? I haven’t seen you like this in such a long time, what happened?”

“Di…”

 

Finally the anger subsided and Arnav felt like crap. His heart hurt, his head hurt… Tears rolled down his face as he hugged his sister.

 

“Chote…”

“Everything is ruined Di.”

 

Anjali hugged her brother. She hadn’t seen him this upset in a long, long time. Breaking the hug, she led Arnav to the recliner and sat him down, before sitting down beside him. Laying down in her lap, he wrapped his arms around her and cried. Anjali stroked his hair, he hadn’t cried to her in this manner since they had been children.

She let him cry, let him get it all out of his system. When Arnav finally calmed down, he sat up.

 

“She ended it.”

“What? But why Chote?”

 

Arnav explained about the business, about how he was now the only owner of both business. He skipped the part about it all being down to Akash.

 

“I don’t understand how this just happened though.”

 

He realised he couldn’t hide the truth, and also realised he didn’t really care about trying to protect Akash. He ruined his life, made Khushi walk away from him, while he was still living happily. He couldn’t defend him.

Arnav explained everything, from the beginning. He explained the original plan, about Akash’s insistence, about the fact that he thought that Akash would back off now that Arnav and Khushi were serious about each other.

 

“I can’t believe Akash would do that! Chote, I know he’s our brother, but I’m sure there’s more to the story. Otherwise I don’t see why he’d go through with it, especially when he knew there was no need. It’s almost as though he did it to make a mess between you and Khushi. I don’t know Chote, you need to find out what Akash’s game plan is.”

“I really can’t deal with him now Di. I need to focus on Khushi, I can’t lose her Di! But she’s not been picking up my calls or responding to my messages. She hasn’t even opened my WhatsApp messages. Di, it can’t be over between us. I love her.”

“She’s angry, and she’s confused. Give her some time, she’ll come round.”

“I’ll sign her business back over to her, I’ll even give her half of mine on top of all of hers, anything. I just need her to give me a chance.”

“She will, don’t worry. You both love each other. She won’t let this end.”

 

Getting off the recliner, Arnav opened his wardrobe and took a little box out before coming back to Di.

 

“I brought this the other day, I was going to talk to Nani while Akash and Payal went back to Payal’s maternal home tomorrow. And then after that, within the next few days I was going to propose to Khushi.”

 

Anjali took the box from Arnav and opened it up. She gasped at the ring inside.

It was in the shape of a flower, a large diamond in the middle with lots and lots of little diamonds around it.

 

“Chote this is beautiful!”

“I wanted it to be something different, something extra special, like she is… But now…”

 

Tears gathered in his eyes once more. Anjali wiped them away with her hand and she shook her head.

 

“Give her some time. In the meantime you need to get this sorted, you need to fix this stuff with the businesses. I’ve seen the way you look at each other, she loves you as much as you do her. She won’t just end things with you like this.”

“Her business is her life. She’s worked so, so hard to get it to where it is…”

“And we will give back what’s her. Don’t worry Chote, we will fix this!”

 

Hugging his sister once again, Arnav prayed that Di was right and that they would be able to sort this out. If they can’t… He didn’t want to think what would happen if he couldn’t get her back.

 

*****

 

The clock struck 2am and Akash was stood by his window, looking out at the moonless sky. He turned around, looked at the sleeping, naked Payal in the bed and turned away again. How had his life come to this, how had he settled for his second choice?

Akash had been in love with Khushi for as long as he could remember. Back in high school, before he began dating Payal, his heart was set on trying to win Khushi over. When everyone else saw her as Jalebi, he saw her as Khushi. She was smart, talented, and beneath all the nerd, he could see a beauty. Maybe his friends had realised his attraction towards her, maybe that’s why they dared him to ask her out…

 

*Flashback*

 

“Go on Akash, we dare you! Go and ask Jalebi out on a date! She’ll never say no to you.”

 

Laughing, Akash fixed his collar and marched over to her. They were right, she’d never say no to him.

He looked at Khushi who was sat at a table, busy working away.

 

“Hi.”

 

Looking up, Khushi smiled and regarded him before she went back to her work.
Taking a seat at her table, Akash waited for her to notice him again. She didn’t.

 

“Ahem.”

 

Looking up once again, Khushi shut her book.

 

“Can I help you?”

“I was wondering if you’d like to go out on a date with me?”

 

Looking taken aback, Khushi tried to make sense of what Akash was saying to her.

 

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“Yes. So will you?”

“Look Akash, I’m flattered but… No. I’m sorry.”

 

Gathering her books up, Khushi got to her feet and then left. Akash watched as she walked away, not being able to comprehend what just happened. She rejected him? She rejected him! Everyone wanted to go out on a date with her and here she was, rejecting him! How dare she?

He watched her walk away, she didn’t even look back at him.

It was then he decided that he had to have her. He needed to find a way to catch her attention and make her realise that she wanted him. Akash’s eyes feel on a table of girls and he saw the girl he was looking for, Payal Gupta. Khushi’s cousin.
Smiling, Akash decided on what he was going to do…

 

*Flashback end*

Slamming his fist against the wall, Akash cursed himself. How had trying to make Khushi jealous end up with him marrying Payal? He should’ve realised that it wasn’t going to make a difference to her, that she didn’t want him. But he had hoped, somewhere along the line she would have realised that she had feelings for him too, but she didn’t.

This plan, to take her business, that was his punishment for her rejecting him all those years back. He couldn’t let that go. And now thinking about it all, he realised she deserved this. She deserved to have everything taken from her. She had rejected him, yet she ended up sleeping with his brother. His no good, good for nothing brother. What did Arnav have that he didn’t? Why was she willing to jump into Arnav’s bed but not his?

Thinking about it, he guessed Arnav deserved this too. He deserved to have Khushi hate him and think the worst of him. Arnav always had everything handed to him on a plate. He never had to work for anything, he always got what he wanted. Well not any more. He lost Khushi and that was good enough for Akash. If he couldn’t have Khushi, then Arnav couldn’t have her either.

Jalebi ~ Part 22

 

The big day had finally arrived. Weeks and weeks of preparation has led up to this very day.

There were only a mere few hours left until the wedding. Everyone was rushing around, making sure that everything was in place and ready to go. Khushi was doing last minute checks on all of Payal’s things, making sure that her stuff was all packed and ready to go and Arnav was making sure that all things surrounding the actual marriage ceremony were set.

 

*****

 

“Khushi, make sure that all my dresses have been put in, the new ones.”

“Yes jiji, they’re all in.”

“I honestly can’t believe that this is happening. I’m getting married!”

“I’m so excited for you! You’re marrying the love of your life!”

“I know!”

 

Both Payal and Khushi hugged each other and squealed out of joy. In a way, it still all felt surreal to them. Payal had never thought she would find Akash again and even if she did, she didn’t think that they would end up together.

 

“Khushi, can you believe that as soon my wedding is done, were all going to have to start organising yours.”

 

Looking away, Khushi blushed. She was very much aware that Arnav had already started making little plans regarding their marriage. She couldn’t wait until it all started becoming official.

 

“Aw look at you blushing! It’s my wedding, but you’re the one blushing like crazy.”

“Jiji leave me alone.”

“Khushi, on a serious note, there’s something I need to ask you.”

“Anything, what’s up?”

“Woh, I’m nervous about tonight.”

“Don’t be, you’ve been looking forward to your wedding for months and besides, it’s not like you’re getting married to someone you don’t know.”

“No no, I’m not nervous about that. I’m nervous about… The Suhaag Raat.”

“OH.”

“Khushi, I know this is personal, but seeing as you’ve done it… What can I expect? Will it really hurt?”

“You and jiju haven’t…?”

“No, we both wanted to wait until after marriage.”

“Oh I see. Well I guess there isn’t a lot to tell, I’m sure it’s different for everyone. As far as it hurting goes, it does hurt initially, but you forget about the pain because of the immense amount of pleasure.”

“I know this is personal as hell, but do you enjoy it?”

 

Blushing, Khushi looked away. Thoughts of her passionate nights with Arnav came back to her and it was almost as though she could feel his hands and his lips on her body.

 

“Very much. It’s the most enjoyable and amazing feeling in the world. You think that the best feeling is when you have your arms wrapped around your love and when you’re kissing them, but once you’ve done it, once you’ve been one with your love like that, you realise there’s no better feeling in the world. When you can’t actually tell where your body ends and where theirs starts, that’s the best feeling.”

 

Looking away, Khushi felt the heat spread all over her body. Shaking her head, she made an excuse and left the room.

Rushing out of the room, Khushi felt her heart thumping. Leaning against the nearest wall, she took a moment to breathe. Why was she getting so turned on and breathless just thinking about that?

Almost as if he knew she was thinking about him, Arnav texted Khushi.

 

*I can’t stop thinking about you. Bet you can’t stop thinking about me either.*

 

How did he know? How did he know that she was thinking about him? Shaking her head, Khushi went back to what she was doing before.

 

*****

 

Everyone was ready and waiting for the grooms party to arrive. Khushi and all of Payal’s friends were hanging over the balcony, trying to see if they could see the groom arriving. When finally they could hear the music and see the fireworks, they all cheered, the groom had arrived. As much as Khushi was glad to see the groom, her eyes sought out Arnav. There he was, right at the front, leading the procession almost. He was wearing a gold sherwani, not as fancy as Akash’s obviously, but still beautiful. Khushi looked down at herself in her pale pink and gold sari. Their pictures were going to look amazing.

While Payal’s friends made sure that Payal looked perfect, Khushi did a last check to make sure that all of Payal’s things were in order. As she was checking Payal’s suitcase, she could hear her phone ringing.

Walking over to her phone, she saw that it was her lawyer calling. Khushi was about to take the call, but decided against it. It was Payal’s wedding, she didn’t have time to think about work. For one day, work wasn’t her priority.

 

*****

 

The grooms family had been welcomed and Akash was taken over to the mandap.

Busy ushering guests, Khushi hadn’t had time yet to actually stop and speak to Arnav. Arnav had tried to stop Khushi a number of times, but she told him she’d be back in a minute.

After waiting for almost 20 minutes, Arnav had enough. The next time he saw Khushi walk past, he grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her to himself.

 

“Arnav! Let go someone will see us.”

 

Dropping hold of Khushi’s hand, he smiled.

 

“Let them see, we don’t need to hide any more because as soon as this wedding is done, I’m telling my family about us.”

 

Biting her lip, Khushi blushed. She still couldn’t believe this was happening.

 

“You look beautiful, the way you’ve draped this sari, it really compliments your body shape.”

“Thank you, you look great too.”

“We should take a picture.”

 

Nodding, Khushi followed Arnav as he led them towards the photographer.
Catching the attention of the photographer, Arnav wrapped his arm around Khushi’s waist. The photographer asked if they were a couple. Khushi was about to say no, but Arnav said yes.

 

“Could ma’am place her hand on sirs chest then.”

 

Looking around, Khushi saw that no one was watching them and so listened to what the photographer was asking of her. Placing her hand on his chest, the photographer clicked away.

 

“Beautiful pictures and a beautiful couple!”

“Thanks.”

 

Moving away from each other, Khushi blushed.

 

“It’s nearly time for the garland exchange and stuff, I need to go and get jiji.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in a bit then.”

 

Smiling Khushi turned away from Arnav and made her way up the stairs. Reaching Payal’s room, she saw that she was sat on her own, waiting.

 

“Come on jiji, jijaji is waiting for you!”

“Is it time for the garland exchange?”

 

Nodding, Khushi took hold of Payal’s hand and helped her up.

 

“Oh by the way Khushi, you should really call your lawyer. Your phone kept ringing over and over again. And I thought it was important so answered it. He said that you needed to call him back right now, it’s urgent.”

“It’s okay, I’ll call him tomorrow, he knows I’m busy with you’re wedding today.”

“No Khushi, I think you should really call him. He sounded very tense.”

“Okay, but first let’s get you downstairs.”

 

Getting Payal downstairs and at the mandap, she waited until the garland exchange was done before pulling her phone out of her bag and finding a quiet room to make her call.

 

“Mohit, I told you I couldn’t take any calls today.”

“I know and I’m really sorry but something’s come up and it can’t wait.”

“Okay, tell me, what’s happened.”

 

Listening to what Mohit had to say, Khushi’s smile slid off her face.

 

“What are you saying? Surely there’s been a mistake?”

“Khushi I’ve got the papers in my hand right now. And I’m comparing your signature against other papers that you have signed for me. They’re identical and it’s your pen, the one you always sign with.”

“But why would I sign such papers, it doesn’t make sense. Have you tried calling the legal team?”

“That’s the thing, because the legal team were under the business name and not under just you like I am, they no longer belong to you.”

“Wait! Are you saying…”

“I’m all you have.”

“Look let me speak to Arnav and then I’ll call you back. This has to be a big mistake.”

 

Her head was spinning. How could this be happening? Surely there had to be some mistake, Arnav wouldn’t…

Going back to where the rituals for the wedding were taking place. Locating Arnav, she walked over to him, grabbed him by the hand and dragged him back to the quiet room that she had been in.

 

“Hey, what’s up? Someone’s impatient.”

 

Looping his arms around her waist, Arnav pulling Khushi into himself and started kissing her neck.

 

“I was getting bored of the wedding, I’d much rather be here alone with you.”

 

Pushing Arnav away with all her might, Khushi folded her arms over her chest. Arnav was confused. She’d never pushed him away like that.

 

“Baby, what’s the matter?”

“You tell me what the matter is.”

“Khushi, if I knew, I wouldn’t be asking.”

“Have you received any work related calls today?”

“Work related? No I haven’t. Why?”

“Well I received a call from Mohit.”

“Mohit? As in your lawyer?”

“Yes. My lawyer, who also happens to be my only employee at the moment.”

“You’re only employee? What do you mean? You have a whole team of people working behind you.”

“That’s what I thought too.”

“Khushi what are you saying? I don’t understand what’s going on.”

 

Taking her phone back out again, Khushi opened up the documents that Mohit had sent her.

 

“Look! Just look at these papers!”

 

Arnav took the phone from her and started looking at the documents, his eyes wide as he realised what they were. He kept reading, not understanding how this could be happening. At the bottom of each page, he saw his signature alongside Khushi’s. But he didn’t sign these papers? But they were in his handwriting!

Getting to the final page, Arnav looked at Khushi who now had tears streaming down her face. He took a step towards her, only to have her step away from him.

 

“Don’t come near me!”

“Khushi I swear, I swear I don’t know what these papers are, I’ve never seen them before! I’d never do this to you!”

“So these papers signed themselves did they Arnav? I don’t understand how I could’ve signed them but I’ve looked at the dates and backtracked. The day these papers were signed, it was the day after we spent the night at the farmhouse.”

“I really don’t know…”

“Stop saying you don’t know! These papers didn’t produce themselves! You must have got me to sign these alongside other papers so I didn’t read what it was saying. And you picked a day when you knew I was distracted. You had to have known something about it, it didn’t just happen.”

 

Running his hand through his hair and yanking his hair. How could this have happened?

 

“Khushi… I swear I said no, this wasn’t meant to happen, when I started falling in love with you I put a stop to…”

“Wait! You actually planned… There was an actual plan to take my business from me?”

“I didn’t…”

“At one point, was there a plan to steal my business from me, yes or no?”

“Yes but…”

“Oh my god!”

 

Turning around, Khushi raised her hand to her head. She couldn’t believe this.

 

“So you actually… You had a plan to steal my business from me? How could you? Wait… Our relationship… Everything between us…”

 

He took a step towards her, he needed to explain, he couldn’t let her believe something that wasn’t true.

 

“I’ll admit, there was a plan, but I swear, I never wanted to go through with it, I never had a single intention of going through with it. And when things started happening between us…”

“Did you try to woo me so it would be easier for you to steal my business from me?”

“No! No! Not at all! I genuinely fell in love with you, Khushi you need to believe me.”

“Did you sleep with me that night in the farmhouse so that I’d be distracted the next day?”

“You know I didn’t. You know this isn’t true.”

“Did you sleep with me so you can steal my business?!”

 

He could tell she was getting angrier as the moment went on. She was angry and didn’t want to listen to what he saying and he couldn’t blame her. He probably would be this angry too.

 

“Baby… Please, believe me…”

“Should I tell you the truth Arnav. I don’t give a crap that you’ve taken my business. I mean I do, but what’s hurting me is that in order to steal my business from me, you stole my heart. I gave you my everything. I trusted you, I loved you, I gave you my heart, my soul, my body, my everything and you…”

 

Tears now streamed down Arnav’s face. How could he make her see that he didn’t do this to her?

 

“Did you ever love me? Everything that happened between us, was that you being tactical or did you actually do it because you cared for me?”

“Khushi, you know the answer to that.”

“I don’t know anything right now. I have never felt so confused.”

 

Wiping her tears, Khushi turned away. Arnav grabbed hold of her hand.

 

“Khushi please, don’t leave like this. You have to believe me, I didn’t do this to you.”

 

Pulling her hand out of his grip, she could really feel her temper bubbling up now.

 

“You keep saying you didn’t do this to me but you also admitted that there was a plan! How do you expect me to trust you?”

 

She turned away again. She couldn’t stay here.

 

“I need to go and talk to Mohit.”

“But the wedding…”

“To hell with the wedding!”

 

She turned away and was about to leave the room, but stopped and turned round one last time.

 

“It’s over Arnav. We’re done.”

 

She left the room and Arnav watched as she walked straight out of the front door. He should’ve gone after her, but her words had left him paralysed.

 

“It’s over Arnav.”

 

Was she going to end their relationship just like that? How could she do that? They had spoken about marriage! Their wedding was as good as planned! How could she end things and walk away now? Couldn’t she see that he loved her, that he wouldn’t do that to her? How could she think so low of him? Then his mind changed directions as he began thinking about the logistics of what had just happened.

How did this happen? Akash had said he wouldn’t do anything? He’d said he was happy that Arnav was happy with Khushi… But Akash also knew what happened that night when he and Khushi had gone to the farmhouse. Had he used that knowledge and acted on it? Did he go to Khushi because he knew she would be distracted? Arnav needed to find out and he needed to find out now. But how could he do anything with a wedding going on?

Jalebi ~ Part 21

Devyani Raizada was a very smart woman. What her son and her grandsons refused to admit to her, she already knew. Before her son got married, he had been adamant in making her believe that there was no woman in his life. A few months later, he told her there was someone whom he wanted to marry. Akash had been acting coy for months before finally revealing that he had proposed to someone. And now Arnav… She could read Arnav most clearly because the woman that he wanted was right in front of them all.

For weeks during the wedding preparations, Devyani observed the way Arnav interacted with Khushi. She watched how at every moment, Arnav would find opportunities to speak to Khushi, she watched how their hands brushed against the others. She watched as Khushi blushed when he stepped to close to her. Devyani was certain that there was something there between Arnav and Khushi, but it didn’t seem that anyone was about to tell her about it just yet.

It was then decided by Devyani that as soon as Akash’s wedding was out of the way, she would sit Arnav and Khushi down and speak to them about what was going on between them and what their intentions were regarding each other.

 

*****

 

Knocking on the door to Khushi’s apartment, Arnav took a deep breath, made sure his tie was straight, and then waited.

 

Throwing the door open, Khushi smiled and ushered him in.

 

“Mama, papa, Arnav’s here.”

 

After much planning and discussing, Arnav and Khushi found an available evening when Arnav could come round and have dinner with Khushi and her parents.

After a full afternoon of cooking and cleaning, Lalita was finally prepared to meet Arnav.

Coming out of the bedroom, Khushi’s father smiled and walked over to Arnav.

 

“What a gentleman, he rings on the doorbell of his own apartment.”

“Namaste uncle. And I do have a key but I couldn’t use it, after all I have rented this place to Khushi and considering she is insistent on paying me, I can hardly just walk in.”

“Fair enough my boy, fair enough. Any way, these beautiful roses, are they for my beautiful daughter?”

“Erm…”

 

Arnav looked between Khushi and her father before shaking his head. He saw Khushi’s mother emerging from the kitchen and walked over to her and handed her the flowers.

 

“These were actually for aunty.”

 

Lalita took the roses that Arnav was handing to her and smiled. They were a beautiful shade of deep red.

 

“Why thank you so much, you really didn’t need to. Let me just go and put these in water.”

 

As Khushi’s mother walked back into the kitchen, Khushi raised her eyebrow at Arnav.

 

“Anyway, why are we stood here? Come on through my boy, let’s sit before dinner is ready.”

 

Leading Arnav into the living area, Khushi’s father sat down and then Arnav took a seat opposite him. Khushi watched as the two men bonded instantly, talking about business and sport.

A little later, dinner was served. Khushi’s parents sat on one side of the table, while Arnav and Khushi sat opposite them.

 

“So Arnav, what really are your intentions regarding our daughter?”

 

Arnav put down his fork and turned to Khushi, who placed a hand on his knee under the table.

 

“Woh… Uncle… I didn’t want to say anything until after Akash and Payal wedding, but seeing as you’re asking. I want to marry your daughter. And I was going to ask for her hand properly once Akash and Payal’s wedding was done. But yeah…”

 

Gasping, Lalita raised her hand to her mouth, her eyes wide. Khushi looked down, smiling to herself.

 

“You want… You’ve thought about marrying Khushi.”

“Jee uncle. I have thought about marrying Khushi for a while now. I’m serious about your daughter and I really do love her. So with your permission, I would like to marry Khushi in the near future.”

 

Turning his attention away from Arnav, Karan looked to Khushi who kept her gaze down, blushing furiously.

 

“Khushi, do you want to marry Arnav too.”

 

Not looking up, Khushi nodded slightly.

 

“I mean, it is very obvious that you care about our daughter and she cares about you. But Arnav, I will really need to speak to your family. More formality than anything else, but I need to.”

“I completely understand. And I would like to speak to my elders first anyway. Nani won’t be pleased if I don’t tell her myself.”

“That sounds like quite a good plan. Well I’m glad we have an understanding. Maybe once Payal’s wedding is done we will be able to start planning yours and Khushi’s soon.”

 

Everyone content with what had been discussed went back to enjoying their food.

Whilst still talking to her parents, Arnav dropped his hand under the table and placed it on Khushi’s knee. For a while, his hand had remained stationary, not budging from her knee. However now, his hand was moving up, and was resting on her thigh. Catching his hand, she stopped him in his tracks, but his fingers continued to caress her thigh. Even through her shelwar, she could feel the heat of his hand on her skin.

Arnav kept her hand on her leg, no longer moving it up, but he refused to move it. They all carried on eating, making small talk.

Once dinner was done, Khushi and her mother cleared up.

 

“Any way, Shashi and Garima called us round, they want to discuss some wedding related stuff. So we’re going to head off now.”

“When are you going to be back?”

“Were going to stay the night over there because we have to go with them to see some family early tomorrow morning.”

“Is it okay if I stay at home, I have work tomorrow and there’s some stuff I need to go through.”

“Of course. Arnav beta, you stay for a while too.”

 

Nodding, Arnav thanked his lucky stars that her parents were leaving them alone. He couldn’t wait to have some alone time with her.

A little while later, Khushi’s parents left.

 

“So…”

“So.”

“Looks like we have the whole place to ourselves.”

 

He moved closer to Khushi, closing the gap between them. Placing his hands on her waist, he pulled her into himself before lifting her off her feet and making their way towards the bedroom.

 

“Arnav we can’t…”

 

She couldn’t finish her words because he placed her down onto the bed and covered her lips with his own. Placing his hands on her waist, he held her down on the bed, touching her through her clothes.

Coming up for air, Arnav unbuttoned his suit jacket and put it aside before loosening his tie.

 

“Smart Singh Raizada’s done for the day?”

“Smart Singh Raizada was for your parents. For you, I’m Sexually Frustrated Singh Raizada.”

“Horny Singh Raizada.”

“You know it baby. Now, do you want to take your clothes off or shall I?”

“Arnav we can’t…”

“I know, I know, but surely we can make out.”

“Clothes don’t need to come off to make out.”

“They do, because I need to see your sexy body and be able to feel your soft skin.”

“But will you be able to control yourself?”

“I promise, I will.”

 

Laughing, Khushi pulled back and undid the dori of her kameez and pulled it off over her head. She moved back in, cupping Arnav’s face, ready to kiss him when he stopped her.

 

“Shelwar and let me get my clothes off too.”

“Arnav are you sure you’ll be able to control yourself?”

“I need to feel your skin against mine even if we aren’t making love.”

 

Blushing, Khushi tentatively pulled at the strings of her shelwar, but Arnav stopped her. He undid the stings himself and then hooked his fingers into her waist band, pulling her shelwar away from her every so slowly, giving her time to say no if she wanted. She didn’t.

Moving back, he took her in. She was wearing a lacy light blue pair of panties and bra. He then turned his attention back to his clothes. Moving his hands away, Khushi unbuttoned his shirt for him while he made light work of his trousers.

Once clothes were off and they remained just in their underwear, Arnav pushed Khushi down onto the bed, moving over her, taking her lips between his once more. His hands rested on her exposed waist, holding her down while his lips caused havoc on her neck. One hand in his hair, the other on the back of his neck, Khushi hooked her leg around his waist, rubbing herself against him.

Gone were the days when she would shy away. When they made out, she was bold, demanding, showed him exactly what she wanted from him.

Arnav could feel himself harden and it frustrated him knowing that they couldn’t, whereas Khushi still found it amusing that she had such an effect on him.

 

“Oh look, someone’s jumped up for attention.”

 

Pushing Arnav onto his back, Khushi moved over him, sitting over his hardness, rubbing it gently with her bottom as she leaned back in to kiss him. Arnav’s hands were on Khushi’s back as she continued to kiss him while she ground her body against his.

Arnav groaned as the friction she was creating got too much for him. He needed to rip her clothes away and bury himself deep in her body. He needed her so bad and it was evident from the way she was moving over him that she too really needed him.

How were they going to be able to hold off until after marriage?

 

*****

 

Much, much later, Arnav walked out of the bathroom after a cold shower and saw Khushi get into her pyjamas after her shower. He’d got dressed again, much to his dismay, and was now ready to set off for home.

Coming over to Khushi, he pressed a kiss on her cheek.

 

“Told you I could control myself.”

“I’m impressed, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“I’m promising you now. I won’t make love to you again til our wedding night.”

 

The idea of their wedding night sent a shiver of excitement through her body. It’s not like they’d be doing anything that they hadn’t done before. But it was the thought of doing it as Mr and Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada for the first time that excited her. Mrs Khushi Singh Raizada… Mrs Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada. Mrs Khushi Raizada… She played with all the variations that she could choose from.

 

“What are you thinking about?”

“Mrs Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada or Mrs Khushi Raizada?”

“What?”

“My name after marriage. There’s so many options.”

 

Arnav wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

 

“I was thinking Mrs Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.”

“That’s so long though!”

“I know, but I don’t think a woman should have to drop her maiden name after marriage. Personally, I don’t mind how you choose to name yourself, if you choose not to take my name at all, I don’t mind. It won’t change the fact that you will be mine.”

 

He had a point. A name was a name. However she chose to be known after marriage, it wouldn’t change the fact that she was Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada at heart. Khushi placed her hand over Arnav’s heart and rested her head on Arnav’s chest.

 

“What did I do to get such an understanding and sensible person in my life?”

 

Wrapping his arms around her, Arnav placed a kiss on her head.

 

“I like it. Mrs Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. KKGSR. Wife of ASR. I like it.”

“Then that’s who you will be. I can’t wait to make you KKGSR.”

“I can’t either.”

 

*****

 

“Arnav… Let me go…”

“I haven’t held onto you to let you go.”

“What is it with you and pulling me away when there’s a houseful of people?”

“The sneaking around is what makes our relationship more fun don’t you think?”

 

Khushi couldn’t disagree, he did have a point. Something about sneaking around when everyone was around was exciting. It caused adrenaline to run through her body.

Today was Payal and Akash’s sangeet and they should be out there cheering for everyone who was performing, instead they were locked away in the kitchen again. But Khushi wasn’t going to allow this again not after they got caught last time. Pushing him away, Khushi moved across to the other side of the kitchen.

 

“Khushi…”

“No no no.”

 

Moving towards her again, Arnav pulled Khushi into his arms and attempted to kiss her once more.

 

“Arnav Singh Raizada.”

“Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.”

“That’s not me yet.”

“In my head that’s who you are.”

“If you keep behaving like this I’ll only ever be KKGSR in your head.”

 

And with that, Khushi turned away. Arnav watched her go. She was annoyed. God he loved it when she was annoyed. She looked so sexy when she was angry with him. But he knew something needed to be done to make her happy again.

 

*****

 

After running around and getting everyone on board with his plan, Arnav was ready to make Khushi happy with him again.

When the time was right, Arnav signalled everyone to get started and he turned his attention to Khushi who was sat beside Payal.

 

 

As Arnav started signing and dancing like SRK, Khushi couldn’t help but feel a smile spread across her face. No way was he doing this for her. Payal nudged Khushi and raised her eyebrow as Khushi got to her feet.

 

“Babul ki galliyan na chad ke jaane.”

 

And so it began. The fight Anjali and Rahul had all those years ago became Arnav and Khushi’s argument. Khushi loved how fitting the song was. Of course she wasn’t being serious about what she said in the kitchen. But she loved this any way and really got into the music.

When their performance ended, Arnav pulled Khushi aside, trapping her between his arms.

 

“So… Will you leave your fathers home and come and live with me.”

“We’ll have to see Raizada, only time will tell if our relationship really was formed many many many years ago.”

 

And with that, Khushi ducked under Arnav arm and ran away. Laughing, Arnav watched her rush away.

 

“Pagal.”