Posted on June 07th, 2017 | Edited on November 7th, 2018

| . . . C H A P T E R - 2.15.1 : A - H A N D F U L . . . |

Armaan opened the door to the apartment after two minutes of me waiting outside. After Anjali helped me come to some realizations, I decided I needed to start by repairing my relationship with Armaan. He meant everything to me, and I couldn't go another day with leaving things the way we did.

He crossed his arms over his chest, "Did you forget something? His face may be grim, but I could see in his eyes that he was happy to see me.

"Yeah." I answered, figuring to play out this scenario.

"And what would that be?"

I took a step towards him with a smile on my face. "You." I whispered and before he could blink, I threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tight. He didn't respond right away – probably his pride getting in the way. I counted till three. Before I could reach four, his arms wrapped around my back and he returned the hug with a rib-cracking one.

"I'm sorry." I said, pulling away slightly.

"I missed you." He admitted like a Doofus, staring at the ground in embarrassment. We both know he had calmed down earlier in the day but held too much pride to be the first one to admit it.

"What was that? I don't think I heard you over your gigantic ego." I teased him.

And just like that, he rolled his eyes at my exaggeration. "Get in, you idiot." I chuckled and stepped inside. "Where's your stuff?"

I realized I had left in a hurry. "I forgot?" I sheepishly admitted.

He shook his head while he draped an arm around my shoulder as we walked towards the living room, "So, we should probably talk."

I nodded, sitting on the couch and taking off my shoes. "You first."

"Really?" He asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I mean I already know you won't see my way for a while longer. And that is okay with me." I expressed, giving him the chance to ask me the questions first. If I told him why, he may not understand right away. Perhaps, if he asked me and I answered, he could form his own opinion. "Just, no yelling at each other, okay? I don't like it when we fight."

He agreed instantly, "I hate it too. No yelling." After I nodded, he started, "Doll, you know what I feel about babies."

"You have a soft spot for them, yes." I confirmed.

"So you understand why finding out my own sister got an abortion didn't settle well with me?" I nodded. "Why did you hide it?"

"You were the only one who could have talked me out of it, Armaan. You know that. I couldn't risk that." I answered with the truth. "Also, if you had found out, it would have hurt you."

"I am still hurt." He pointed out. If the intention was to not hurt him, it didn't work.

"I know."

"It makes me want to kill him." Armaan admitting, his palms fisting as he must have been thinking about it. "Those bastards took everything from you, and they roam free, and I couldn't do anything to protect you. I failed as a brother."

I inched closer to him and gently held his hands in mine, uncurling his palms from the fists. "Hey, don't say that. You are the best brother in the world anyone could ask for. I am so very lucky to have you in my life. I can't think of one person who could have loved me unconditionally the way you do."

He still continued to beat himself up over it, "And what did that unconditional love get you? A life-long worth of memories that resulted in PTSD?"

I smiled and shook my head, begging to differ. "No." I lifted his chin to get him to look at me, "They give me immense courage and strength to fight for every day of my life. I would have been ten times worse if not for you and Riddhima. So, don't ever hold yourself responsible for any of it, Armaan. If anything, I brought this on myself. I should have known better than to think Vivek was a nice guy or that I could use him to make you jealous."

His head snapped up in confusion, "What?"

I meekly admitted, "Yeah... this is another reason I didn't tell you this part of the story. I didn't want you to feel responsible in any way, because trust me. You are not. It's all my doing."

"Khushi, stop beating around the bush and tell me what the hell you are talking about." He instructed, the softness fading from his voice.

"I noticed Vivek taking an interest in Riddhima. Ofcourse, Riddhima wasn't interested, but I thought if I invited him to her birthday party, you would feel jealous or something and realize your feelings for Riddhima. When I invited him, I didn't know he had already tried to misbehave with her, or about you beating him up for it. If I had known, I would have never invited him. He wouldn't have gotten a chance to take his revenge then."

"Revenge?" His voice echoed even as his mind was probably playing catch up.

"He told me when he kidnapped me. He planned it with Shyam and was there to kidnap Riddhima, to get back at us. But when Shyam switched off the lights from the main switch board, Riddhima moved from her place to go check. I was standing there instead and they ended up taking me. They didn't realize until we got to that abandoned house. Shyam suggested it didn't make a difference, since they could still get back at both of you through me."

He inhaled sharply learning this piece of information. Armaan and Riddhima had assumed the reason Vivek and Shyam had kidnapped me and then raped me was because of the kind of guys they were, the way Vivek had tried to misbehave with Riddhima. They did not think there was a motive behind it, and I couldn't tell them that. They would blame themselves.

Just as I caught him open his mouth, I quickly reminded him. "No yelling."

He let out a frustrated groan and stood up to start pacing. "Khushi, you just... I don't even... why would you... you are just... You are a handful." He finally completed one coherent statement.

I should be worried, but it made me smile. I knew I wasn't an easy person to love. I frustrated him to no end, but he still put up with me always. If that doesn't speak in itself for how much he loves me, then I don't know what would.

"Quit smiling. I am serious here." He snapped at me, forcing me to bite the inside of my cheek to stop smiling. "Is there anything else?"

I shake my head in answer.

He comments, "Good."

"Oh wait." I bring up, remembering. "I do have something to tell you... about Arnav."

I even ended up telling him about Arnav, Amanda, his uncles threats simply because I felt the need to talk about it with someone. I'd usually pick Riddhima's brain with talks about Arnav, but while we were sharing, might as well tell him, right? No. Let's just say... he did not take that information too well.

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| . . . C H A P T E R - 2.15.2 : ... A L L - T H E - R E A S O N S . . . |

Armaan and I arrived at Raizada mansion around 9 at night so we could get my stuff, and also so we could have dinner. When Riddhima was done with her shift at the hospital, even she had said she would come by there. She had ended up getting there before us. Arnav, Anjali and Riddhima were around the living room couches talking when Hari Prakash let us in.

Riddhima pleasantly asked, "Did you two sort everything out? I don't see any one bleeding."

I rolled my eyes at her drama. Reaching them, I was about to take a seat when I gasped. Armaan punched Arnav in the gut. "Armaan!" I scolded him, but he didn't seem to be paying attention to that.

Arnav was hunched over, stunned at the sudden violence. "What the...!" He muttered.

Armaan casually informed as he went on to sit, "That was for hurting my sister by kissing her friend."

At that, Arnav caught on the reason behind getting punched, and that I must have just told Armaan about it. I gave Arnav a sympathized look. Riddhima asked, "What did I miss?"

Armaan said, "I'll fill you in later."

Riddhima accepted that answer and Arnav commented, straightening up, "I guess I deserved that."

"You did." Armaan pointed out and that commented, "Now don't think about whining about it, or doing anything similar along the lines in the future else the next punch will be on that pretty face of yours."

Arnav gushed. "Aw, you think I have a pretty face? See, sweet pea, you should learn something from your brother."

I gaped while replying without a thought, "I never said you didn't have a pretty face!"

When they all snickered, I realized the trap I fell for. I grabbed a cushion from behind me and threw it at him. Arnav caught it before it would hit him with a smirk plastered on his face. I swear, he gets a thrill out of embarrassing me.

Once everyone's laughter subsided, he asked, "So I take it you're going back with them?"

"Actually, I think I'll stay. If you don't mind, di." I quickly added, looking at her.

She smiled as she answered, "Not at all. Another female in the house is always welcoming."

A throat cleared behind us and Anjali turned around to reveal a middle-aged person walking inside the house, with Kripa. She mouthed 'hi' to us while her father spoke, "So, this is what is going on here behind our backs."

Anjali greeted him, "Manohar Uncle, namaste. You're... uh, early."

Instead of responding to her sweet tone, he scolded. "It's a good thing I came early. Anjali, is this what you allow? It is not in our culture to live together before marriage."

I've never met him before but he definitely made me feel intimidated as I figured I was about to get a taste of all the reasons Arnav hates him and Kripa always looks for reason to get away from home.

He blinked to Arnav, a cold, blank look on his face. "Isn't it time you stop humiliating us? I can only imagine how hurt my sister is up there with everything you keep on doing." Then, he glanced at me for a brief second, "First getting someone else knocked up and then not even marrying her. Now you want to flaunt this around?"

Arnav said through gritted teeth, his face turning a slight shade of red with anger. "Uncle, this is my house, my family, my life. I will live it however I want. I don't need your permission."

He scoffed, speaking to Anjali to taunt her, "Anjali, are these the manners you have taught your brother? I am so glad my sister is dead and doesn't have to see you both bringing shame to this family."

Arnav made a move to step towards him but Anjali grabbed his wrist, speaking to him softly yet with concern laced in her voice, "Chote, he is our elder. Please, show some respect."

"You know, di, I remember very well what his sister taught us. She's taught us that respect is earned... and this man? He has never done a thing in his life that would make me respect him."

"Chote..." she tried to get through him but he interrupted her.

"Di, tell him that I am asking him very kindly to keep his thoughts to himself and if he can't, he knows where the door is."

His uncle raised his voice, speaking sharply. "Boy, watch your words. I am your Uncle. If you are forgetting, remember I can still take Aarav's custody."

Arnav jerked his hand out of Anjali's hold and took a dangerous step towards him, "Do not make the same threats again. I will not fall for them. And, if you are forgetting, let me remind you of the deal we made. I help you and in return, I marry whoever I want to without your interference."

His uncle scoffed again, looking at me and I unconsciously leaned towards Armaan for I did not like that man at all. Threatening Aarav. But this deal Arnav mentions... "If this is your choice, I am disappointed. I don't know what I was thinking falling for Anjali's words and allowing Kripa to come here, but after seeing this? Never. Who knows what you will turn my daughter into."

Arnav chuckled without humor, "You can't even trust your own daughter? Now that is sad."

He rolled his eyes, "Don't chastise me. I know very well what she was doing in Australia behind my back with that boy."

Next to me, Kripa froze at the mention of Aaron.

He continued, "Kripa you're coming back to Nainital with me."

Arnav asked Kripa keeping his eyes on her father, "Kripa, do you want to stay here or go back to Nainital?" When she struggled to answer, fearing the glare her father was sending her way warning her to not defy him. Arnav added, "Don't be afraid. Whatever you want, say it honestly."

Choosing to believe Arnav will protect her, she expressed not meeting her father's eyes, "S-stay."

Arnav announced, "Then you'll stay. You're an adult. No one is going to make you leave."

His uncle snapped his eyes back at him, warning. "This is my family, Arnav. I am her father. You don't take decisions for her."

"I do. You lost the right to call her your daughter when you used her name to get me to give up half my property to you before letting her go to Australia for studies." When his uncle returned a surprised look, Arnav smirked. "What? Did you think you could bring up our recent deal and I'd forget about the older one? Now listen, Mr. Sharma, because I won't repeat myself. Di, Aarav, Lavanya, Kripa, and Khushi - these five are my family and most important people in my life. Make another ill-comment towards any one of them and I will forget that you are my mom's brother."

"You will stoop so low, and for who? This girl?"

Arnav got up to his face, seething in anger. "This girl is my fiancé. If you won't respect her, get out. Last I checked, you are standing under my roof and you are no longer welcome here."

He was spoiling his relationship with his uncle and as much as I thought of staying back, I noticed the perplexed look on Kripa's face. I imagine she may not idolize her father but he was still her father at the end of the day, the same way she had once told me that despite all her whining about Arnav, he was her brother. Over the years of knowing her, I had seen her relationship with Arnav improve drastically. I wanted to believe that was possible with her father as well - no matter what kind of a conservative and manipulative person he was.

I walked up to Arnav, wrapping my hand around his wrist. He finally blinked away from his uncle at the touch of my fingers, "Arnav, please. Don't do this on my account. It's not a big deal, anyway. Armaan and Riddhima are back. I'll go back with them." I spoke to his uncle, "Uncle, honestly. It's not what you think. I was only here since Friday because my brother..."

Arnav stopped me, "Khushi, no need to give him any explanations. We don't owe him anything. And, this was long overdue." He spoke directly to him next, "I let you manipulate me back then because I was thinking of Aarav only, but I realized since that I also have others to think about. So, don't push me. If so much as even a single person is hurt because of you, I will drag you to court and leave you penniless and I will do it without an ounce of remorse."

His uncle warned, "You will regret this."

Arnav answered, "Oh, trust me. I do regret a lot of things I've done but this? I don't think so," standing his ground and determined to pull the plug on their relationship.

Furious, his uncle left, sending one last comment to Kripa. "I am ashamed to call you my daughter."

It was this philosophy and narrow-mindedness of people that would annoy me. For adults to not look past their burnt pride when children try to follow their wishes which happen to be against their parents'.

Arnav exhaled, turning to Kripa, and walked up to her. He placed his hand lovingly on her cheek, "I'm sorry I didn't do this for you earlier."

Kripa shook her head, hugging him trying to fight back her tears at the hurtful parting words of her father, "No, Arnie. Against him, you've always sided with me." After a brief pause where she wiped her lashes and composed herself, she asked. "Did he really make you do that just so I could study in Australia?"

He admitted, "Yes, but it's all yours so I didn't mind."

She protested, "But, Arnav. That's wrong. Your parents left it for you and di."

He argued, "No, Kripa. They left it for their children and you are my sister too." When he saw she would continue to counter, he ended the matter there. "It's in the past and already done. Forget about it now and just follow your heart, okay? You don't ever have to make compromises worrying about what your dad will say or if he'll approve. Your own approval is all that matters."

This Arnav, he had evolved a lot compared to the one I first met roughly three years back. My heart felt like it was soaring, and I realized it was a feeling of pride.

Kripa smiled up at him, hugging him tightly once again lovingly. "Thank you." They were two mere words but we all could understand what they must have meant to her.

Patting her back before parting, he turned to face me and apologized, "I'm sorry about all of this. He was wrong to humiliate you."

I shook my head, assuring him. "It's fine, Arnav. I wasn't humiliated. We both know what this is. We haven't done anything he tried to imply."

He sighed, blaming himself. "Still... my reputation keeps coming back to hurt you. Even back then with the rumors..."

"Nothing happened then either, Arnav. You know... you once told me you don't make the same mistakes twice. I'm going to follow that and not let this come between us again because I know... you've never once treated me as any of the other girls you've been with. So..." I trailed off, letting him fill in the blanks and get my message of acknowledgement.

He nodded in response after the longest few seconds of looking at me.

Armaan cleared his throat to confirm, "So, uh... coming or staying?"

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| . . . A U T H O R - N O T E . . . |

Hello everyone! Wishing everyone a happy Diwali & a prosperous New Year <3

So, I added the later scene. I felt I needed to do more than just hint that Kripa's father was strict/orthodox. I am going to try to take this somewhere so let's see how it is received! Plus, I think it shows Arnav's character development on how he is not just thinking of Khushi as family but also actively taking her to be a part of it - whereby his first instinct isn't just to protect her silently but to also stand up for her.

PS: For those on tapas, yes, updates this week were slow but hoping to resume them tomorrow onwards :D