From the moment she exited her old workplace, her mind had been diverged into ideas and places to work. She had an idea it's going to be difficult. She had arrogantly blabbered in the heat of the moment but it wasn't easy to find a well-paid job in an overpopulated city with cheap labor all lined up in a row behind you.

She could give up, work at AR Group and pay off her family's debts. They would be financially stable again and she could marry the man she loves. Simple. Life would blossom.

If it weren't for her fears, the consequences of working with him. The simplicity will turn into complications in the blink of an eye. There were risks. And in the meanwhile, it was also a matter of self-respect. She won't give up and let that Laad Governor win. She won't let him play god and boost his ego.

No. Not at all.

Ever since he came into her life, she managed to stand against him and often win too. And that's what she will be doing again. She will go her own way. She will ask around for work and help herself from ashes again. Her DM was there to guide her. She had full faith in her best friend.

Khushi - You will help me na, DM? That Laad Governor, he thinks he can get whatever he want. But he won't break me. I know you won't let him. As long you're on my side, I fear nothing.

She touched the forever smiling idol and joined her hand once before getting up from the chair and moving to her bed. She took a deep breath trying to clear her mind before laying down to sleep.

It was difficult falling asleep with that Laad Governor ruling over her heart and mind. If he wasn't troubling her in person then his thoughts were enough to keep her on the edge. She wished she were able to just switch her brain off. This way she will fall asleep finally. But that wasn't possible.

And to her dismay her phone too decided to disturb her at that exact moment. It was none other than her Laad Governor.

She stared at his name flashing on the display before attending it finally. A simple hello wouldn't do. He had called her and should have prepared himself for the follow-ups.

Khushi - Even after hearing so much from me in the afternoon, you still dare to call me back?

He heard the pride in her voice, in that tone. And he could only mock at that. She spoke the last word, not because he didn't have any comeback. He had his reasons. His actions will speak for him. It was just the matter of a day. He'll have her right where he wants to. And there's nothing stopping him from that.

Arnav - Khushi Kumari Gupta, don't you think you're flying too high above the ground?

Khushi - I'm a middle class person, Arnavji. I prefer to stay on the ground. Flying is for rich people like you. Just like falling hard on the face.

He thinned his lips, amused at her forever armor of wits and punchlines. She was a cute fellow, his Khushi. Talking to her like this, it was fun. But he wanted more. More than her time over the phone. He wanted to be able to see her whenever he wants. He wants to be able to see her smile whenever he wants. And he wants to hold her in his arms, forever.

But he can't admit all this for now. He wouldn't be able to even. He's never been a man of words. His actions spoke louder than his mouth. But that was just in matters concerning love and positive feelings towards a person. Lectures about winning and losing? No probs, man!

Arnav - We'll see who falls hard on the face. You know, Arnav Singh Raizada-

She rolled her eyes breathing a sigh of exhaustion. There he goes again. But she knew how to hit his nerves.

Khushi - I'm sorry but I don't have time to hear your self appraisals right now. So can I sleep if you permit?

She interrupted with sheer intentions of annoying him but he surprised her by not reacting accordingly.

Instead, much to her own annoyance he got hold of her rhetoric question in return.

Arnav - No. Keep this Khushi Kumari Gupta on hold and let me talk to my Khushi, my fianceé before.

She fumed at his audacity to demand from her. Even after everything he did, he expected everything be alright between them. He was sooo wrong. Nothing was alright between them.

Khushi - There is no fianceé. You can come and get your ring. Keep it for someone who doesn't fly too much above the ground.

He suppressed a grin. She mustn't have realized what she just said. But he wasn't one to let go of an opportunity.

Arnav - Ok then, I'll be there in ten minutes.

Khushi frowned and widened her eyes in the next minute as her eyes fell on the piece in her hand. She panicked, immediately responded in negative.

Khushi - NO!

Arnav - Why? Thought you wanted to return the ring.

Her orbs were glued to the ring. Yes, she wanted to return it. Yes, it was getting difficult to hide it from her family. Yes, it would be probably wise to get rid of it before her Amma or Buaji see it. But somehow, she wasn't able to. Deep in her heart she didn't want to return it. She wanted to keep it. It was binding him to her and vice versa. It was just what she wanted. It was not easy to give up on the ring.

Khushi - I'...y'yes, but, it's night and everyone is sleeping. You can't just barge in at midnight.

She closed her eyes, relieved for having an excuse. If he came over right now, she'd have have to give back the ring for she so open mouthed stated it.

Khushi, sometimes think before you speak.

Arnav - Then I'll-

Khushi - I don't want to talk to you anymore. Good night.

She disconnected the call and let out a deep breath holding her heart. The more she talks to him, the weaker she gets. He caused an acidity and a risen dhak dhak in her heart. It was worst when she was away from him. Ultimately he's her only problem but unfortunately he himself is the only solution too. It's a curse.

*

The night had been quite an unpleasant affair for Khushi. Sleep had been deprived from her eyes. That Laad Governor seemed to have done some Jadoo tona on her. He was all over mind, keeping her wake. Tossing and turning hadn't helped much. Only time. She fell asleep somewhere later after three in the morning. And though it had been six hours now, to her it seemed as if she fell asleep just now and Amma was already disturbing her sleep.

Garima - Khusi, ey Khusi.

She walked into her daughter's room and pulled the curtains apart. Before, the light was just penetrating lightly through the cloth, now the room was lit and disturbing Khushi to the fullest. She let her mother know the same with a sleepy groan.

Garima - Wake up now. Are you going to work today?

Khushi laid on her stomach and kept her eyes closed. She shook her head in answer.

Garima - Jiji and me are taking your Babuji to doctor. We'll be back soon. I've made your Breakfast already but keep dal for lunch.

Garima walked to her bed and properly put the sheet which had been hanging half from the bed.

When there was no answer from her sleeping daughter, she nodded in denial shaking her lightly.

Garima - Khusiii

She turned lazily in response and pulled the sheet above her head.

Khushi - I heard, Amma!

Garima - Sleepyhead.

Garima just walked out smiling and let her  sleep. She works outside, does household chores at home too and the least she deserves is some sleep on a leave day.

*

Some foreign, unusual yet not unknown noises disturbed her peaceful slumber. It were loudly spoken and multiple voices. They were unclear yet clear enough to have her jump on her feet.

The neighbourhood was loud, no doubt. But today, as she peered out of her window there seem to be having a crowd formed outside the house. The faces were all alien to her, except for one. Their landlord was clearly leading the group of people.

She rubbed her eyes, suddenly wide awake. He may have come to collect his rent though that didn't explain the presence of all those people. It was not the most important thing in her mind currently.

She didn't have any job and there was no money to pay as rent. She joined her hands in front of her DM once, sending a silent prayer before grabbing her dupatta and storming off.

Khushi - Shukla ji?

She vaguely viewed the few people before averting her eyes back to him. From her window they appeared to be more but it were just four men excluding their landlord.

Khushi - I had asked for time. I'll pay off your rent as soon I-

Shukla - What have I been doing? I've been giving you time only! Yet, I stand here and not even a single rupee has been paid off.

She gulped as his true words hit her hard. The sooner you pay off a loan the less of a burden it becomes. And she realized she had been playing till now. She hadn't earned anything. She had been doing a lot. Lying, playing, fighting, talking big. Everything except of earning.

And currently she didn't even have a job to hold him back with. She couldn't say even few words of assurance. She wasn't working currently. There was no security at all. Yet he was standing there in front of her door and she had to say something.

Khushi - I, I'm trying. I-

Shukla - That won't be enough. I respect Madhumati ji. But now I can't be anymore considerate. I want the house vacant right now. This man here is here to help you in that.

Her pupils jumped out at the revelation. As much nice he put it forward, that man was there to throw their things out of the house.

She looked up and around at all the people on the street. Her eyes filled up with shame. Everyone had stopped their work mid-way to watch the drama happening at Gupta House.

It was only Happy ji who came ahead to offer his help.

Happy - Khushi ji, I only have 10,000 currently. Please accept this and throw it on his face.

She wiped her cheeks and looked at the money. Even if she accepts the amount, it's too less. That wouldn't solve her problem. From where will she get the rest? Even if, that's just loan exchanged for loan. Their financial problems won't be stopped like that. It'll become a black hole and suck all the money in it. There's only one way to put a full stop to this.

She inhaled sharply once before smiling at Happy for his help. At least he proved he's one of the people they can count on in hard times.

Khushi - Thank you so much Happy ji. But this isn't enough. I know how do I pay off the rent.

She swallowed the lump in her throat as she fisted on the ring she'd been hiding inside her palm.

Khushi - Please Shukla ji, just one last time I'm asking you to give me time. I'll pay off the rent till today afternoon. If not, you can come in the evening and...vacate the house.

Shukla - Theek hai. I'll give you time till 4pm. I want my rent then.

She joined her hands as he turned and left with the man. Khushi threw a look at the onlookers and retired inside her house. She closed the door and held her hand up in the air. She stared at the diamond as the person who'd given it to her popped in her mind.

There's only one solution left now. And she'll grab it. Their financial problems will find an end finally.
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So what do you people think will Khushi do now? 🤔