Arnav POV

Fifteen minutes had passed. And I was sitting with Aman in my house. He was quiet as a mouse and I was practically breathing fire. Our drinks were abandoned on the coffee table. I could see that Aman was not present here mentally. However right now whats more important is the fact that he has hurt someone. He has hurt Mehek. The woman to whom I owe my life. Its all because of her that I am breathing normally today. She gave me my happiness...my Khushi.

And now this guy has the audacity to hurt MY KHUSHIS FRIEND.
Damn you Aman. I wont spare him. How could he??
HOW COULD HE???

"DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU JUST DID??? YOU HURT THE WOMAN WHO GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK. She has done so much. So so much for me. Without even feeling bad about the fact that I insulted her badly the first time we met. You remember that dont you. FINALLY I AM TRYING TO GET BACK MY LIFE AND YOU ARE MAKING THINGS SO DIFFICULT FOR ME. DO NOT MESS WITH ME AMAN. I AM DAMN SERIOUS. You know how ugly your life can turn into right? I AM ASR AND NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CONTROL MY FUTURE!!"
I screamed at him. Taking out all my frustration on him.

"ASR you think I dont regret what I did? I just lost my cool. For the first time in my life my temper got the better of me. You tell me I have been working with you for so long now..have I ever reacted in such a way? I know this is not an excuse but I....what was I supposed to do?? For the first time in my life I feel like I want to live my life with that beautiful soul and she said..she said that we cannot be more than friends. Why??? WHY??? WHATS SO WRONG IN BEING WITH ME??"
He questioned with visible hopelessness.

I took a deep breath. I wanted to scream at him for being so desperate. For not remaining calm. But then to my surprise I found my own reflection in his words. His eagerness and madness was like a replica of my emotions towards Khushi. Even though our circumstances were very different still I tried to remind myself that love makes one helpless at times.
"What did you say to her Aman? Tell me your exact words..."

"I insulted her very badly ASR. I told her that...
...So all these days you were toying with me Mehek Sharma. How dare you? You cannot dismiss me from your life. You maybe an easy girl but I am not a plaything get it. So tell me Miss Sharma how many more men have you lured in the same way huh???....."
Aman informed me with a sad sigh.

In seconds I walked to him and held his collar in a tight grip. He gulped quickly realizing my intentions.
"I am warning you Aman. FIX THIS. Before I transfer you to a remote place with no signals and barren lands. OR ELSE MEHEKS SLAP WILL NOT BE THE ONLY THING THAT YOU WILL REMEMBER."
I said with rage filled eyes.

He nodded with a slight shiver and I let him go with a push.
With a deep sigh I sat on the sofa and started drinking the beer along with Aman who was now trying to compose himself.

"ASR..."
He asked.

"Yes.."
I replied sternly.

"Is it easy to move forward after being guilty of your deeds?"
He asked in a disappointed tone. But his question was very much valid. As I am in the same boat. His guilt is nothing in comparison to mine. Nothing. He does not lives in fear that Mehek will leave him one day due to his unforgivable crimes.

"No. Its not. Its painful. It hurts. And there is no solution for that."
I said in an attempt to make him realize that certain mistakes have no apologies. None.

Khushi POV

"Mehek...open the door yaar. Mehek just listen to me once."
I tried yet again but Mehek Sharma was adamant to not open her door. Its all because of that Aman. Ughhh. He is pathetic. How could he do this with my friend. I wont let him go so easily. He will have to pay for hurting Mehek.

"Just go away Jerry I am not in the mood to talk."
She stated in a teary voice.

"Ok. Alright. Do not open your door. Why is there a need to. You can clearly hear me out right? Listen I know he must have said some really nasty words or you would not have slapped him. Good for him. He deserves a few more punches and slaps for  hurting my best friend. And look how badly he hurt you. You are not even talking to me now."
I tried to blackmail her emotionally knowing well that this will make her open the door.

A second later I heard the click of her bedroom lock. I thanked Devi Maiyya and then walked inside. She was sitting on the rocking chair with a red face which still had tear stains. I almost gasped. Never have I seen her cry. You deserve a lot more slaps Aman. Much more. I sighed in sadness watching Mehek in such a state. With a new determination I kneeled down and took her hands in mine.

"He is a looser. A complete fool who is not worthy of your friendship. And you do not need to waste your precious tears on him Mehek. You are my best friend. My only savior. How can a guy like him make you weak huh?? And You know what?? I am really happy that you did not take his crap and slapped him. No man has the right to insult a woman. No matter how angry or sad he is. You are an inspiration to those woman who lack mental strength and always let people take advantage of them. Hats off to you."
My praises made her look up to me. A small smile replaced the earlier frown.

"Now you know why I consider you as my soul sister. Because you always stand by me. You are the backbone of this Mehek Sharma. When I have such a positive friend in life then who needs jerks like Aman Kirloskar. Right?"
She asked with a chirpy look which was fake. But I compromised understanding her condition.

"Definitely.  We are family. By the way why did you slap that moron. What comments did he pass?"
I asked in curiosity. If Mehek raised her hand on him it means his words were really nasty.

She told me her entire conversation with that good for nothing person. And this resulted in an unknown emotion within me. Something triggered inside me. I blinked twice...trying to understand this new found anger. And the blurry images and sounds.

An open area...

Maybe a terrace or a balcony...

Two people arguing with each other....

".....Because you dont have a character..."

Tears....continuous tears....were falling from one persons eyes. And the other one was throwing accusations.

"Jerry...are you alright??? Khushi....Khushi??"

Meheks calls brought me back to the present. I blinked my eyes. We were in her room. And I was standing near her rocking chair. Who were they?? WHO WERE THOSE TWO....why were they fighting??? One was in pain and the other was full of rage. Did I witness this fight..in my past??? Whats the meaning of such a memory??? OR WAS I ONE OF THE TWO???? But the anger was still encased within me. I need to get this out of my chest. THIS UNKNOWN HURT IS PAINFUL...

"Mehek I need to be somewhere right now...."
Saying so I walked out of the house without responding to Meheks continuous calls. AMAN! I need to find him....he needs to be punished for his words. HE NEEDS TO BE PUNISHED. He will be with Arnav for sure.

Without knowing that Arnav might be home or not I kept walking towards his house. This anger needs to be vented. I want to scream at someone. Right now!!!! I HAVE TO TAKE IT OUT ON SOMEONE. And who is better than Aman for this purpose at the moment.

Arnav POV

We were done with the drinks. And Aman was about to say his goodbyes when suddenly the doorbell rang. I stood up from the sofa and walked up to the door. Before I could open it someone started beating it vigorously. I shared a look with Aman and then opened the door wanting to know who was this fearless person to knock at ASRs house.

As soon as I opened the door. I saw Khushi crossing the distance and blurring before me. I turned around to see Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada boiling with anger. In seconds she punched Aman so hard that his nose started bleeding.

Damnnnnn....I need to stop this.

She now held the lapels of Amans coat and shook him furiously.
"HOW DARE YOU AMAN KIRLOSKAR???? HIMMAT KAISE HUI TUMHARI HUH...Meri Mehek koi laawaris nahi hai. Samjhe? Tumhein kya laga koi tumse kuch nai puchega. ABHI MEHEK KI FAMILY ZINDA HAI. Uski DOST ZINDA HAI. Tumhe kisne right dia uske CHARACTER PE UNGLI UTHANE KA HAAN?? Pehli baar aaj maine apne dost ki aankhon mein aansu aur dard dekha hai..."
(HOW AUDACIOUS OF YOU???...My Mehek is not alone got it? What did you think that no one will question you. MEHEKS FAMILY IS STILL ALIVE. Her FRIEND IS ALIVE. Who gave you the right TO POINT A FINGER ON HER CHARACTER??? For the first time today I saw tears of pain in my friends eyes..)

I interjected in between. Keeping a hand on her shoulders. Even though he fully deserved what Khushi said.
"Khushi let him go. I have already shouted and manhandled him. And its my promise to you that he will apologize to Mehek for his errors..."

"ERRORS??? ERRORS?? ARNAV you are saying the wrong term. Its called A SIN. ISS GHATIA AADMI KE GHATIYAPAN ko badhawa mat do by calling it an error on his part."
(DO NOT APPRECIATE THE CHEAPNESS OF THIS CHEAP PERSON)
I did not know how to reply her truthful words.

"Khushi Ma'am I am really shameful for my words. You are right I committed a sin. But please give me a chance to ask for Meheks forgiveness. I could not take her rejection and I..."
Aman tried to plead his case.

"REJECTION??? all those pathetic words about her morals were a reaction to her rejection??!? KYA EK BAAR YE JAANE KI KOSHISH NAI KI WOH AISA KYUN KAR RHI HAI? NAI NA. Let me bring it to the limelight then Mr. Kirloskar. Do you know why me and Mehek sahre such a good bond with each other. Because our circumstances are very similar. OUR PAST!!! Mine is locked away somewhere. And hers is so terrible that she wants to forget it. SOMEONE IN THE PAST HURT HER SO BADLY THAT NOW SHE IS TERRIFIED TO TRUST ANYONE. I thought you will be the light for her dark world. But I was wrong. So wrong. DONT SHOW YOUR PATHETIC FACE EVER AGAIN. LEAVE. I SAID LEAVE!!!!"
(Did you try to know for once what she went through in her past)
Khushi was very furious. So opposite to her personality. Something was bothering her. Something big. I could not really understand. Aman left my house within seconds. It seems my wife scared him to death.

I slowly walked up to her and hugged her. It took ages to calm her shallow breaths and erratic heartbeat. Finally after five long minutes I could see a somewhat calm Khushi. Her cheeks were still red with anger. I made her sit on the sofa and quickly brought a glass of a water for her.

She gulped it in a one go. Gawdddddd. I have never seen her like this. She was like a goddess...an angry goddess ready to defeat her enemy.
Holding her hand in mine I finally spoke to her.
"Tum theek ho?"
(Are you alright?)

She stared in my eyes for a while and then dropped to our interlocked fingers.
"Patani Arnav...Main...Mujhe kuch nai smajh aarha..."
(Dont know Arnav...I...I cannot understand whats happening..)
She said in a weak and defeated voice.

Her words shattered something within me. Why is she feeling like that? I am sure something triggered such a response. But what really happened??
"Mujhe batao Khushi. I know you are not reacting like this due to Mehek and Amans issue. Tell me whats really bothering you. Mujhe batao Khushi.."
(Tell me Khushi..tell me)
I persuaded her to answer me.

"Arnav when Mehek told me about her conversation with Aman something happened. I...I saw...something in my mind. It seems to be a memory..."
She replied. My heart trembled with fear and anticipation hearing her words.

Did she recall something about us??? Did this fight gave an outlet to her locked memories??? Did she remember something?
I stuttered comprehending what she said.
"What...what...did..you remember??"

"Do...do log hain. Woh kahin bahar hain. Aur unki ladai horhi hai. Ek ki aakhon mein gussa hai aur ek ki aakhon mein dard. Beintehaa dard. Aur phir woh baat..."
(There are 2..there are 2 people. They are somewhere outside. And they are arguing. One holds anger in his eyes and the other pain. Unbearable pain...).
She stated with tears in her eyes.

I finally found the courage to ask her properly.
"Kaunsi baat Khushi.."
(What did he say Khushi..)

"Unhone usse kaha ki...you dont have a character."
(The person said to the other...you dont have a character)
I closed my eyes understanding what she recalled from our painful past and why. Amans words were very similar to mine. And hence they clicked her mind.

Khushi ke dimag ne apne band darwaze kholne shuru kardiye hain. Achi yaadein to kam hi thi par agar woh yaad aati to kitna acha hota. But no I deserve this pain. I deserve her hate. I have to reveal everything to her. I can no longer hide our past. Khushi ke paas iss baar choice hogi.
(Khushis mind has started opening the closed gates of her memories. Good memories were very few but still if she had recalled them then it would have been nice.)

I opened my eyes and then started to reveal the details of our contract marriage..

But I stopped as soon as I began....

Todays stress made her so tired. She was sleeping with her head on my shoulder and our hands still interlocked. Tears started pooling in my eyes seeing the tear stains on her face.

Na main chup reh sakta hun
Na main sab khul kar keh sakta hun
Kyun hain fasley kyun na ye dil miley
Aise jude hain silsiley....
(Neither I can stay quiet
Nor I can reveal everything
Why this distance...why cannot our hearts meet
Such is our connection....)
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Note: Readers I just want to clarify that it was really important for Aman to feel angry which is so opposite to his character because this was a much needed trigger for Khushi's first flashback...