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Please ignore typos
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Raizada Mansion
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Arnav opened his eyes, sensing a movement beside him. He puts on the table lamp to see Khushi shivering and mumbling in her sleep. She is drenched in her sweat. Suddenly, she stood up, calling his name. He hugged her instantly and whispered sweet nothings in her ears to calm her down. When he was sure that she was a little calmer, he took the bottle from the side table and helped her drink the water. Khushi came out of that fear and looked at Arnav, and called, "Arnav Ji, you're here. You are safe," she asked, gently touching his face to confirm his presence.

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Arnav: I am here, Khushi. It was a nightmare. Don't worry, he said, caressing her cheeks.

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Khushi: Arnavji, never leave me ever, Arnavji. I won't survive. She said, holding his t-shirt tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

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Arnav: Shhh. I will never leave you, sweetheart. Don't cry. He said hugging her.

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Khushi: I was so... so scared when they... She started hyperventilating. 

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Arnav: Hey hey... Easy, Khushi, easy... I am safe; we are safe, Sweetie. There is nothing to be scared of now. I will never leave you. I never told you this before, but I won't survive without you, baby. I love you so much, he said, kissing her hair and wiping her tears with his thumb.

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Khushi felt like a huge burden was lifted off her. Arnav sensed her body relaxing a bit. He tried to make her lie down on the bed, but she was not ready to leave him. Arnav hugged her close to him and laid on the bed with Khushi in his embrace.

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Arnav: Don't think about anything now. Sleep. You're not well, Khushi. Is it painful? he asked, touching her head where she had a bandage.

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Khushi nodded. Arnav took the painkiller and gave it to her. She took it without any fuss. She lay down on Arnav’s chest and slept under the effect of the medicine.

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Arnav couldn't sleep at all. The incidents that happened since he was kidnapped came to his mind. His thoughts drifted to the events that occurred a few hours ago after he was rescued from the goons by Khushi.
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Flashback 
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After a lot of commotion and arguments, Shyam was thrown out of RM, and Anjali, the fragile doll, starts her wailing. As usual, family members couldn't bear to see their beloved Anjali Bitiya in distress. Anjali isolated herself in her room, refusing even to let Arnav talk to her.

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Night
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Arshi's Room
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Arnav entered his room to find Khushi sleeping. He went near her and kissed her forehead. He sat beside her, caressing her hair. He looked at the girl who had suffered a lot for him and his family. He would be damned if he allow her to suffer again. He loves her. He realised it late, but he's happy that they both know that they love each other. Khushi was overjoyed to learn that he loves her. He could see the happiness in her eyes when he trusted her over Shyam. He would make sure she is safe and happy throughout her life. His train of thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Khushi opened her eyes upon hearing it. She was about to get up, but Arnav made her lie down and went to open the door, finding Nani there with a serious look.

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Arnav: Nani, you're here, at this time?

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Nani: Let me in, Chotte. I want clarity about what all happened today in my family. She said sternly. 

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Arnav moved back to let her enter the room. Khushi looked at Arnav with a worried expression, but he softened his gaze and blinked his eyes to ease her tension.

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Arnav: Let's sit in our garden, Nani, saying this, he led her towards the garden bench and made her sit comfortably. Khushi followed them, and Arnav seated her next to him.

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Nani: What's happening here, Chotte? I can't believe Damadji would do such things. He was too good. He loved us a lot, and Anjali Bitiya, he loved her to the core. Please tell me the truth, Chotte. She said tears welling in her eyes. 

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Arnav held Nani's hands to ease her tension.

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Arnav: Nani, I knew about Shyam already. Precisely, since Payesh's wedding, since our wedding, he said, looking at Khushi with pain in his eyes.

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Nani: What? Then why...

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Arnav: Let me explain, Nani. Saying this, he explained everything he saw on the terrace and what followed. He even told her about the conversation he had with Shyam, where Shyam declared his love for Khushi and stated that Anjali is the hindrance.

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Nani: Oh my God! All these happened in my family and I didn't even know? How could he cheat my Anjali Bitiya? She loves him a lot. She said tears, streaming down her cheeks.

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Arnav: Shyam was here with a motive, Nani. Everything was his acting. He wanted to act as a good person to gain the trust of our family to betray us later. 

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Nani nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation

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Nani: I don't know how to deal with Anjali Bitiya, Chotte. She wasn't even ready to have food. I somehow made her eat a few morsels. She is pregnant and needs extra care, she said, looking worried.

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Arnav: We will take care of Di, Nani. Don't worry. She will be okay. Nani nodded, wiping her tears, and looked at Khushi.

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Nani: Khushi Bitiya, I have a request to you. Khushi, whenever Anjali Bitiya sees you, she will recall memories of the incidents that happened today. So, I want you to stay away from Anjali Bitiya. I suggest you go and stay at your Buaji's house for a while.

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Arnav: No! Stop right there, Nani! Khushi will not go anywhere, he firmly exclaimed. 

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Nani and Khushi were taken aback by Arnav's unexpected outburst. He calmed down while observing Khushi's worried face and then turned to Nani.

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Arnav: So where were we, Nani? Yes. Khushi will not hide from Di or anyone for that matter. As my wife, she has all the rights to stay here, Nani. If Khushi needs to hide in her own house, then we are moving out. If Di has a problem with Khushi being here, then fine, for the sake of her baby, we will shift from here for the time being.

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Nani was taken aback by Arnav's declaration. She never expected this from him. 

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Nani: What are you saying, Chotte? If you go, then who will take care of Anjali Bitiya? Khushi can go and stay at her Buaji's house for a while, right?

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Arnav: Enough, Nani. How can you talk like this? Khushi isn't going anywhere. She's as much a victim as Di if not more. Just because Khushi doesn't express it doesn't mean she's unaffected. Khushi is my wife. Remember that, he cautioned. 

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Khushi: But, Arnavji... Naniji... 

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Arnav: Khushi, you don't interfere. Stay out of this. You're not well. Just stay quiet for now, he said sternly, knowing that, being selfless, Khushi would do anything for other's happiness. However, he would be doomed if he allowed that to happen. He would never let Khushi be a scapegoat. She had suffered a lot because of everyone, including him - her biggest culprit. But now, he acknowledged his mistakes, and he is going to rectify everything he has done to her with his undivided love and care. He will make sure that she believes in the importance of Khushi in Arnav's life. In fact, she is his life. He will ensure, she never doubts it.

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Khushi nodded silently, choosing to remain quiet.

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Nani: But, Anjali bitiya is becoming sad seeing Khushi in this house, Chotte. 

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Khushi's face fell upon hearing it. 

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Arnav side-hugged her and said: Fine, we will shift to our penthouse, tomorrow then, Nani.

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Nani: No, Chotte. Anjali Bitiya will be alone if you leave her. She will feel bad. How can you even think of leaving her in this situation? Can't you see her suffering?

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Arnav: Nani, Di isn't alone; she has all of you. But Khushi has only me. She is equally or more a victim than Di. Di willingly ruined her life, and Khushi's life would have been ruined if she hadn't caught that slime red-handed. Anyway, Nani, Khushi has a head injury and needs rest. We're going to sleep, saying this, he stood up.

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Nani: Let's discuss everything with a calm mind, tomorrow, Chotte. Saying this she left the garden. Arnav held Khushi's hands, and they both walked into their room.
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Arshi Room
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Khushi: Arnavji, Nani is sad because of me. In fact, everyone is sad because of me.

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Arnav: No one is sad because of you, Khushi. Everyone, except you, is sad only because of their deeds. Di is sad for trusting a slime and not allowing me to do his background check. Nani is sad for bringing up Di as a fragile doll. Even me, for the same. Her wish was my command, and see the result. She is not even ready to accept the reality. Her expectations toward me are high. She believes that her Chotte will always keep her fairy tale life intact. That's why she is not ready to listen to any one of us and keeps on chanting 'Bring Shyam back.' It needs to stop, and she should realise the truth about her husband. She should know that things don't always go the way she wants. 

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Khushi: What will we do now? I can't be the reason... 

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Arnav: You are not the reason, Khushi. Firstly, please stop blaming yourself. You are not at fault. In fact, you came as a blessing because of whom we got to know about his atrocities. Now, that's it. You sleep. You need a lot of rest. Saying this, he made her lie on the bed, tucked her in, and then lay down beside her. 

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Flashback Ended.

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Present Time
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Next Day
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Dining Room
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Mami: Where were you, Phati Sadi? Don't you know we want breakfast before 8 am? She taunted.

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Arnav: She was with me, Mami. She knows that 8 am is the breakfast time here. That's why we are here. Khushi, come and sit. HP, serve us breakfast. We need to leave early.

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Nani: Where are you going, Chotte?

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Arnav: Hospital. We both have appointments.

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Nani: What happened to you?

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Arnav: Really, Nani? He smirked. Are you asking me what happened to me? Didn't you see me yesterday? I wasn't given enough food, water, or medicines there. Khushi is adamant about consulting a doctor to make sure that all my vitals are normal.

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Nani: We didn't know, Chotte. In all the chaos… She stammered.

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Arnav: You forgot that I survived the abduction and came back after 15 days. I know. I can understand, he said sarcastically.

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Nani: It's not like that, Bitwa…

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Arnav: It's ok Nani. I can understand. It's not a big deal. Khushi squeezed his arms to comfort him. He glanced at her and gave a faint smile and started eating his breakfast. 

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After a while, Mami brought a sad Anjali to the dining room. When Anjali saw Khushi, she became angry, and turned to go back to her room.

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Arnav: Where are you going, Di? Come and have your breakfast.

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Anjali: I am not hungry, Chotte, she said, glaring at Khushi. Arnav noticed it. 

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Arnav: Fine then. You go and take a rest. HP, make something for Di afterward, okay? Saying this, he started serving more food on his and Khushi's plates. Everyone gasped, seeing him without any remorse for their dear Anjali Bitiya's sufferings.

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After breakfast, Arnav took Khushi to the hospital, and afterward, he dropped her home and headed to AR. He had some urgent work to complete in the office. At lunchtime, Arnav ordered food from the restaurant. He had lunch and was about to head back home when he received a call.
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Phone Conversation
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Arnav: Hello, Doctor...

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Arnav: What? I am coming. He ended the call and dialled Khushi's number.
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Phone Conversation

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Khushi: Hello, Arnavji. Are you done with your urgent work?

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Arnav: Khushi, I will be a little late.

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Khushi: What happened, Arnavji? You sound tense. What happened?

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Arnav: Nothing happened, Khushi. Di is in the hospital with Dr. Priya. The doctor wanted to see me. I have to go there. I'll be back soon. Don't worry.

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Khushi: Di? Di is not at home? But she was here a while ago.

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Arnav: No. She went to the hospital. I will pick her up and reach home soon, Ok. Did you have your food and medicines?

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Khushi: Haan baba I had. You don't worry. Did you have lunch and medicines?

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Arnav: Haan. I had. 

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Khushi: Drive safely, Arnavji. Come soon. I am waiting.

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Arnav: Sure, Take care.

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Khushi ended the call, even though she wasn't satisfied with the reason for Arnav's visit to hospital, she decided not to push it further. She will wait for him to share it with her.

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City Hospital
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Arnav entered the doctor's room to find Anjali arguing with the doctor.

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Arnav: What's happening here, Doctor? He asked the doctor and gave a sharp, angry look to Anjali.

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Dr.Priya: Arnav! Thank God you are here. I don't know how to make Anjali understand.

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Arnav: What's it, doctor? He knew what it was, as he heard the arguments between his so-called Di and the doctor.

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Dr.Priya: Anjali wants to abort her baby. I don't know what she's saying.

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Arnav: What? What the hell is wrong with you, Di? He asked, turning towards Anjali who was sitting. 

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Anjali: I... I don't want this baby, Chotte. Saying this, she started crying. The doctor left the room to give them privacy. As Arnav is here, she knows that he will make Anjali understand and solve the issue.

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Arnav: Di, what you are doing is wrong. How can you even think of it? Abortion! Really? Are you out of your mind? He asked, frustrated.

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Anjali: I don't want this baby, Chotte. No one will love a baby who doesn't have a father. Every moment, she will remind me of Shyamji. What will I answer her when she asks me where her father is?

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Arnav: Di, you are thinking too much. Nothing will happen. We all will love your baby. She will get all our love. Why are you punishing the little soul for that slick person?

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Anjali: Nobody loves me. Nobody cares for my happiness. Even you, who cannot see his Di sad, threw my Shyamji out of his house, just trusting a few lies of Khushi, she screamed.

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Arnav clenched his palms to control his anger. He felt like strangling his Di for the nonsense she was spitting.

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Arnav: Anyway you come home. Let's discuss it at home. This is not the right place. He said calmly.

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Anjali: No Chotte. I don't want this child if Shyamji is not in my life.

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Arnav: Di, I said let's go home now. This is consulting time and unlike you there are mothers out there who are eager to know the well-being of their kids. So stop your tantrums and come with me right now. Saying this he held her hand and literally dragged her out of the hospital. He made her sit in the car, he took the wheels and they headed back to Raizada Mansion, where nothing will be the same anymore.
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Next Chapter in TWO DAYS. 😇
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How did you all find it?

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Enjoyed?

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A heartfelt thank you to all my wonderful readers who took the time to read, vote, and comment on my stories. Your support means the world to me🥰.

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With lots of Love♥️

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🌈AksArshi⚘

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