It was another lovely day in the generous city of Bhubaneswar, also known as the temple city of India and Khushi would rather wish it wasn't.

She would rather have the stormy clouds and thunderstorms over this lovely Summer weather anytime about now. She didn't know why she was all fussy and full of anxiety right now? She didn't know why she was feeling like breaking every single thing in her sight. She really didn't know what was happening to her.

Her nerves were all frazzled. Her heart racing a marathon. She could literally feel her heart jolt then stop abruptly then again jolt and let's not forget the fact that she was precipitating heavily. Her whole being was coiled and stretched like a spring, a little more strain and she'll be done forever.

And her senses on an override, she could literally feel the whole house coming alive under her fingers. Every sound, every presence magnified. It felt like someone was breathing down her neck every breathing moment. Shadows coming alive ready to jump on her any moment. Her breaths getting lost somewhere. She was breathing yet she couldn't feel herself breathing.

Everything was closing in.

Everything was suffocating.

Everything was fading.

She...She can't stay in the house. She can't stay indoors. She'll go mad.

God, she can't breathe. She can't.

She needs to go out. She needs to escape with these thoughts in her mind. She slipped on her wedges not caring much of her attire— a plain Anarkali or her appearance as she grabbed her purse and left the house.

Not caring much about where she went or what she did? She didn't even care she was totally new to this city and not aware of things around. Yeah, it has been more than six months since they shifted here but she hadn't been out. She isn't familiar with the landscape.

But staying at home wasn't an option for her too, anymore. She would go mad. She would really if she stayed inside. Walking in circles around the known area so she won't get lost. She spotted a small red-bricked building with green vines and hanging tubs decorating it. A cafe called "Felu's Friendly Bean" and with nothing else to do.

And no way, she was going back home now. She entered the cafe. It was a spacious thing with rustic vibes and polished hardwood floors. The whole interior was forest themed with log designed stools and tables, a green lounge at the back near a round stairwell leading to the loft where she could spy some more sitting arrangements. There seemed to be a rotating tree-shaped bookcase in the back of the room beside the stairwell and counter. The cafe was almost empty now. It being office hour and all.

Khushi couldn't help but be drawn to the slowly revolving bookcase like a moth to fire. She didn't know why she was doing this to herself? Did she like to torment herself? Was she really a sucker for pain?

You must be thinking why she is thinking like this, right? What's tormenting about going near a bookcase? A book doesn't hurl or insults anyone, does it? But in her situation it does. She knows a posh cafe's bookcase must have just English novels and not just any English novels but the likes of Shakespeare, Rabindranath Tagore and all. The likes it will take her ages to understand and each word will remind her of the insults she had to bear for favoring the Hindi language. For her limited English vocabulary and wrong pronunciation.

Every insult will come alive and she'll feel worthless and stupid. Why was she tormenting herself with this? Why was she nearing the bookcase? But you can't stop a train on the path of a train wreck ? You can just salvage what remains and she was going to do the same.

Reaching the case, her eyes took all the English titled books arranged on the top shelf and as her eyes raked the case from top to bottom. Her eyes stopped at the middle surprised. It wasn't just English novels there. There were some regional novels, the dialect totally unaware to her. But what caught her attention was the line of Hindi novels. Novels, she could read and understand.

Books that generally doesn't make her stupid.

Her eyes skimmed through the titles;

"Mitro Marjani,"

"Pacchpan Khambe Laal Deewarein,"

"Chaudhah Phere,"

"Aap ka Bunty,"

"Devi,"

"Uske hisse ki dhoop,"

"Havva ki betiyon ki dastan dardja,"

"Ab Na banegi Dehari,"

Each titled seemed as intriguing as the other to her and while she was deciding which one to choose. She heard a loud mean yell ring in the still empty cafe.

"Gosh, woman couldn't you just cover your face? Ruined my day."

She turned around to investigate what all this commotion was about and gasped slightly, watching the woman on the counter. She was a young beautiful lady maybe her age. There doesn't seem anything wrong with her beside the burning, burn mark on the left side of her neck covering a little potion of her left cheek and chin contrasting against her otherwise dusky skin.

"Mam, what can I get you?" The female still asked the rude woman calmly not showing any reaction on her stinging comment.

"A dozen blueberry muffins, Cannoli, and hot cross bun," The lady ordered snobbishly clearly looking down on the other woman.

"Sure, mam" The counter lady still politely replied handing the rich mean lady whatever she wanted.

"That's 1,365 Rupees, mam" The counter lady spoke again and the snobbish lady handed the counter lady the cash adding a rude "Keep the change," before leaving the cafe with her purchases.

She watched as the counter lady finally exhaled. She didn't look angry just resigned like she was used to such occurrences. It seemed the counter lady hadn't noticed her till she felt Khushi's eyes on her.

Stiffening again, She asked, "What can I get you, Mam?"

"Umm...What's special here?" Khushi felt herself ask the lady stupidly. She generally doesn't order stuff. Well to be truthful, she was never given the choice growing up her adoptive parents ordered for her and after marriage Aryamaan ordered whenever they were out dining in some posh restaurants. So, she doesn't know what to choose or what the right choice is anyway?

"Tea or coffee," The counter lady asked thoughtfully

"None actually," Khushi said not really in the mood to consume either of those

"Umm...you should try our chocolate Martini," the girl advised

"Okay," Khushi affirmed feeling experimental and asked for several cupcakes to try too. She was rich. She could spend something on food, can't she? After all, her husband is a billionaire.

Picking "Uske Hisse ki Dhoop" from the shelf. Khushi took the almost hidden seat at the back of the room. Ignoring everything else, she read the first few lines of the book and then got lost again in her own misery.

Everything was perfect between Aryaman and her. They were happy. They were so in love and she was happy to bear with Aryaman's family's taunt and all as long as they were together and happy. You could say they had what they call love at first sight. The first time she met him. They were in Lucknow. His car had broken down in a not so favorable place near her ancestral village and he was about to be robbed.

And she had dropped down and saved the day like a hero. She never understood why but the villagers seemed to respect her more than her family.

The second time they met. He had come to her home with his whole family seeking an alliance with her sister. His brother liked her sister. Their marriage alliance was fixed.

Aryaman and her had gotten very close in the duration of the wedding preparation. Bickering, bantering, flirting, and enjoying themselves within the limits. There was something between them. Not just a spark, something more, something like a fire. Something both of them felt. But couldn't act on those feelings for both of them were held back by their respective alliances.

The wedding finished. Her sister was happy and sent to the Capital of India, Delhi. Khushi was sent with her to try and help her settle in the new environment. In the beginning, everything seemed fine. She was getting on spectacularly with everyone.

Even going as far as tutoring Aryaman's chosen bride on ethics and Indian lifestyle and culture on Nani's instance. No matter, how hard it was for her?

During these days, she felt the repeated advances of Anjali di's husband on her. She brushed it aside in the beginning but couldn't for long when the advances became more aggressive with time.

Helpless, she confided in Aryaman. She didn't know why? But she knew she could trust him and it was fruitful. Aryaman kept tight surveillance on his peverted brother-in-law.

Everything was going fine.

It was the Aryaman's engagement day with Lavanya when everything tipped for the worse. She was kidnapped by that preveted man from the home. Taken to an unknown place, only she knows how hard it had been for her to call Aryaman for help.

He came and saved her from the evil clutches of Shyam. Shyam who was forcefully marrying her instead she ended up being married to Aryaman.

When both of them reached back at the Raizada Mansion. Most of the guests were gone, Lavanya was waiting. The family members didn't let them say their piece. They accused both of them, hurled insults at them. Nani was so angry. Dadi was angrier when Aryaman told them that Shyam was thrown in prison.

Her family ceased talking to her. Breaking all their relationship with her.

Aryaman's family also didn't talk with them for months. But Aryaman cared for her. They were falling in love more with each second, being each other's solace, and then they had confessed on the day Shyam got sentenced.

Everything was going fine. The family had started talking to them again. They were behaving well with her in the presence of Arya and as soon as he was gone. They were back to hating and blaming her. They called her home wrecker and seductress, tortured her by making her slave her around. The days Aryaman wasn't around. They didn't let her enter his room. They made her sleep outside in the balcony and she never had the heart to tell Aryaman about it all.

He seemed so happy with the fact that his family had finally accepted them back and she didn't have the heart to break it. She kept mum for his happiness.

She was happy when they shifter to Bhubneshwar from Delhi. The place where Aryaman's new business venture begins. Both his powerplant and hotel were successful and he gave her the whole credit, called her his lady luck.

She was happy and in love.

They were really happy and he was there with her. So, even the family couldn't torture or trouble her. Plus, NK's presence around stopped the verbal abuse too.

But everything changed suddenly when a few months back Dadi Ji brought Sheetal home. Claiming, her live-in boyfriend of years threw her out with her son, and now, she is all vulnerable pregnant and alone.

Taking pity on her condition and for the sake of their friendship, Aryaman let her stay in the house. But now because of that Sheetal, their relationship had deteriorated. She can clearly remember the incident that was the turning point and the incident that distant Aryaman from her.

.Flashback.

"Khushi!" Sheetal walked up to their bedroom and rapped on the door lightly.

The door opened.

Khushi looked wearily at the woman in front of her. The woman who had done nothing but invite trouble for her. But still being the hostess, she invited her in.

"Come in, "

Khushi gestured at the leather chair and motioned for Sheetal to sit.

Sheetal entered the room but did not sit. Instead, she stood beside Khushi looking at her with a dazzling look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Khushi. I know what I am doing is wrong, but I really love ASR, I truly do. ASR loves me too, so...I hope you will give us your blessings." Sheetal said not beating around the bush. She wanted Khushi out of ASR's life by any means necessary.

Khushi was just a hindrance in her path of happiness. And She will be kept waiting on pins and needles with every second that Khushi did not sign on the divorce paper.

Khushi looked absolutely shocked. She never thought his family will stoop so low to get rid of her. No doubt, Dadi brought her to this place.

She shook her head, her face resolute.

"I won't, Sheetal."

She called this woman by her name, even as her eyes could not help but imagine how low can this family stoop to separate them. Her heart bled at those thoughts. They must be giving her money to behave like this. That must be it. She thought determinedly

"Tell me, how much money do you want?" She asked Sheetal struggling to control the hatred reflected in her eyes.

Sheetal's eyes suddenly widened and tears spilled out immediately from her beautiful eyes. She cried like Khushi had just greatly insulted her, her tears even more believable than any actress.

"What are you talking about? Khushi, what do you mean by 'how much money?" Sheetal pretended not to understand what she had just heard. "I don't want money. I just want to be together with Aryaman. I don't need his money."

She did not want money, all she wanted was this man. Once this man was hers, money would naturally follow!

Khushi stood there not knowing what to do with this woman? This woman needed to be thrown out of the house before she rips apart her marriage.

She blinked her eyes to press down her emotions and bit her lips hard enough for it to bleed.

She then stepped forward and suddenly grasped Sheetal on her shoulder, without much pressure, though.

"Name it, how much is enough for you to leave Sheetal?" she demanded with a hint of anger.

Sheetal ducked a little like she was intimidated but failed to bite down the scorn off her lip.

"I'm sorry, Khushi but I'm not leaving ASR. I won't allow my child to be born out of wedlock, "

Hearing Sheetal's words Khushi had to bit on her tongue before the poisonous words on her lips could unleash on the woman in front of her.

Shouldn't she have thought about this before getting pregnant? How snatching someone else husband is a good point here? And she knew the word child was uttered to hurt her. This family can't be that desperate for a child to accept someone else's as their own? Can it be?

It took her a long time before she said, "Aryaman and I will take care of the child after it's born, and we'll even pay you for it."

Sheetal gasped.

Her words infuriated Sheetal immediately, who didn't bother to play the vulnerable role anymore.

"KHUSHI!!!"

She clenched her slender fingers so hard that they showed an intimidating cyan color. She was trying to do this easy way. She was giving this bitch an option to run when there was time.

But no, she has to make it hard for her. She'll pay and suffer. Sheetal decided then cursing inwardly, she then thought of something.

Her lips were pursed to form a cattish arch.

She then swiped Khushi's hand off her shoulder and took two steps back.

And then -

Bang, she sat on the floor with her arms bracing from behind.

Something more was needed to complete the scene. She lifted her right hand and slapped herself on the left cheek. Her face soon started to burn with a red mark.

Khushi witnessed the woman finish the series of movements astonished.

"What are you doing?" She shook her head, her eyes enlarged in shock. She couldn't believe what she just saw.

She tried to drag Sheetal up but was beaten by her scream.

Ahh!

A high octave shriek pierced through the quiet house.

Sharp and grating.

Aryaman and the whole family lounging downstairs were shocked.

They immediately sprinted upstairs.

Dadi rushed into the room first to find Sheetal blubbering on the floor with her hand on her stomach and a slap mark on her face.

"Sheetal!" Dadi dashed over to hold her up.

"Dadi..." Sheetal cried even louder at the sight of Dadi.

Dadi was so concerned with Sheetal, that she looked ready to cry herself.

"Dadi," Sheetal whimpered, holding tightly onto Dadi's arm, "I just wanted to invite Khushi Ji to lunch. I said I was sorry for imposing and burdening her, I apologized to her, but she..."

Sheetal told the story, sobbing, her hand on her left cheek where marked five fingers.

Dadi had glared vengefully at Khushi's direction as she ordered Aryamaan to take Sheetal to the hospital. She could just watch shocked as Aryamaan carried Sheetal bridal style out of their room.

End of flashback

After that nothing had remained the same. No one trusted her. After all which mother will willingly try to hurt their baby. From that day to today, Sheetal had exceeded in snatching Aryamaan away from her. There has been so much distance between them now and she doesn't know how to fill the gaps.

How not to lose?

But she has been losing all the battles with Sheetal till now.

After all, Sheetal has the family's support. She doesn't.

"Mam, "

"Mam, "

The insistent calls her name brought her back to the present and face to face with the counter lady.

"Huh, " she asked her confused.

"It's time to close the shop, "

"Oh!!!" Khushi gasped in surprise not realizing how much time had passed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize it. I'll pay now. How much should I?" She asked hurriedly looking at the twilight hues outside.

"It's fine, Mam. It's on the house, " the girl beamed back at her. She had a beautiful smile. Even the burn marks couldn't diminish it.

"No, I should. Your boss will be angry, " she insisted

"You seem new here, Mam. Think of this as a welcoming treat. You can pay the next time. I won't stop you then, " the girl smiled again.

"Yeah, I'm new" Khushi admitted getting up but she had trouble finding her balance.

And the girl steadied her before she could fall flat on the ground.

"You okay, Mam," she asked concerned

"Yeah...yeah, " Khushi admitted dazed. Everything felt blurry.

"I... I think I should drop you home, " the girl said worriedly.

And Khushi tried to push aside her concerns but failed. So, after the girl who later introduced herself as "Saesha, " locked the cafe and dropped her at her home on her scooty.

Denying her invitation of coming in. It was the moment, Khushi was walking back inside the house that she realized, she had been out all day.

Yet, no one came to search for her. They must have missed the cafe, she decided. Fetching out her phone and her hope came crashing down when there had been not a single call or message for her.

She was really losing everything.

~To be continued~

So, what's up guys?

What do you think?

What's really happening with Khushi?

And do remember Saesha. What do you think about her?

Things are about to turn for the worse.

And Saesha is being played by Alisha Panwar.