Hi guys!
Here is the first chapter of my SS called - Mehbooba. Read and leave honest reviews.

Payal Sharma paced back and forth in fear. The loud noise of the engagement function did not help at all. No matter how hard she tried to calm her racing heart, Payal could not come up with any idea to rescue her best friend. This is not what she had planned a few weeks ago when Akaash had proposed to her for marriage. Why? Why did things turn out to be this way? She questioned her mind a thousand times. But never received a satisfying response. Her thoughts came to a halt when a hand cupped her shoulder.

"What's wrong beautiful?"

"Oh, gawd Akaash! I screwed up."

He held me against his chest in hopes to calm me down. But unlike all other times, his touch did not help me. My hyperventilating form only wanted one thing. But that will be an impossible wish. Something that even my beloved cannot make it happen for me. Clutching his shoulders I felt like a bird who chose to hide in the sand in hopes to get away from danger.

"Relax! It's ok Payal. Everything will be alright."

"Kaise? Khushi is my wedding planner. SHE IS HANDLING EVERYTHING! I cannot uninvite her! Or can I? IT IS NOT POSSIBLE!!"
(How?)

"SHHHHHHH! Shushhh. Chup. We will manage somehow. Don't let such issues spoil our special event."
(Calm down).

"But...Akaash...I..."

"Leave everything to me."

He murmured in a soothing tone. For a moment I believed him. For just a single second I imagined that he was not here to ruin things for Khushi. For once I fantasized about a happy wedding with my best friend. A dream wedding that did not involve Arnav Singh Raizada. But this is not my reality. That man is here. After everything he is here. Damn. Agar Khushi ko pata chal gaya toh? Oh dear lord. What am I going to do? Trying to find a solution I tightened my arms around Akaash. He is my only solace right now.
(What if Khushi gets to know about him?)

###

"I knew it! I knew Arnav would create huge trouble for all of us."

"Stop putting all the blame on him NK."

"Oh shut up Aman! Tum bhi jaante ho ki uss din..."
(You know what happened that day...)

Before NK could finish his words the cold-hearted beast, joined his friends with a smirk on his face. Arnav Singh Raizada had lost weight, grown a beard, and needed a haircut. However, there was a gleam in his eyes. A shine that had been absent for months. The darkness around him had somehow vanished in thin air. One look at Arnav and Aman knew the reason behind the colossal change.

"Hello there! What are you guys doing here? Chalo we need to go inside and find..."

NK knew where this was going. He rolled his eyes at his friend's enthusiastic command. Seems like Arnav needs to refresh his memory. The man has forgotten what made Khushi Kumari Gupta disappear from Dehradun. Aman tried to gesticulate, he wanted the two of his friends to talk this out in peace. But NK was in no mood for chitchat. This was not a dinner conversation. So to open his friend's eyes NK pushed the great ASR with all his strength. The unexpected attack made Arnav fall to the ground.

Aman grabbed NK. Violence is not the solution to this problem. But at the same time, he understood NKs reasons for hitting Arnav. Maybe the guy needed a punch or two to wake up. Aman had seen an angry and depressive side of Arnav Singh Raizada in the past few months. He wanted Arnav to heal. But he did not like Arnav's way of tackling his problems. Confronting Khushi after so long at her best friend's wedding would only invite trouble for everyone. Aman's thoughts came to a halt when he felt Arnav pulling NK into a headlock.

Aman did not choose to participate and stepped away from the two men who were acting so juvenile at the moment. In the meantime, he checked his messages. It was Akaash. He wanted help keeping Arnav away from Khushi. Aman shook his head in disbelief. Why do people always pull him from both sides? Aman was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He formed a quick excuse and sent a response. By this time the men in front of him began a screaming match.

"Stop it NK! Aakhri baar keh rha hoon do not try to keep me away from her!"
(This is my last warning to you..)

"Oh really? What are you planning to do Arnav?  Mind you Khushi will not welcome you with open arms!!"

"I will explain everything to her! Woh meri baat zarur samjhegi. I am sure..."
(She will understand my reasons).

"YOU ARE A FOOL RAIZADA! What if she is not alone? What if she is with someone?"

Aman eyes widened as Arnav pushed NK against the wall more roughly. A look of borderline possessiveness crossed Arnav's features. Aman knew that NK had touched the wrong nerve, so he tried to intervene. Rushing towards his friends Aman held Arnav from punching NK.

"WOH SIRF MERI HAI! MERI! AMAN ISKO BOL APNI BAKWAS BAND KRDE!!"
(SHE IS MINE! MINE! AMAN TELL THIS GUY TO SHUT HIS MOUTH!!)

"Calm Down. Please calm down guys. This is not our hostel. Andar Payal ki engagement party horhi hai. Do not create a scene."

Arnav frowned upon Aman's words. But he understood the need to act civil and pushed NK once more before retreating from him. Arnav Singh Raizada was no longer the jock of Doon College. The popular brat who enjoyed attention and drama was nowhere to be found. And the cause of this drastic change is none other than Khushi Kumari Gupta. The woman left a hole in Arnav's heart. He felt lost. For the first time in his life, the great ASR felt vulnerable and alone amongst the crowd. If only he could clutch that girl in his arms for the rest of eternity.

Well, he would do that now. So what if circumstances are not in his favor? Arnav Singh Raizada can win any battle without blinking an eye if the results are worth it. He did it earlier. He would do it again. But he won't leave. He won't give up on Khushi so easily. The detectives he had hired had failed miserably. In the end, his money, and his power were unable to find Khushi. However, like Khushi once said, fate had planned something different for them.

Mohabbat pehli, ya doosri, ya teesri nahi hoti,
Mohabbat woh hoti hai jiske baad mohabbat na ho!

Smirking at his thoughts Arnav promised himself that he would not only see her but will shackle the woman to himself. NKs next words halted his train of thought.

"It has been six months Arnav. You will only torture her with your presence. Let us not do this."

"No NK. Mera ilaaj therapy nahi hai. Khushi is my medicine. I know it. And you will know it too once she agrees to be with me."
(My treatment is not therapy).

###

Three men whose thoughts revolved around Khushi Kumari Gupta slowly walked inside the farmhouse where a huge board of 'Akaash belongs to Payal' welcomed them. Loud music, drums, and laughter surrounded them. Aman and NK tried to mingle with the crowd while Arnav eyed the guests like a hawk. His need to find Khushi overwhelmed him. It is now or never, he mused.
A few people tried to force Arnav to join the dance squad. However, the man did not move an inch from his position. With only one agenda in mind, he looked in every direction, every corner of the farmhouse. This circus was irritating him now.

As he tried to look around for the woman who changed his life, Arnav recalled the words which had given life to his dead heart. That one confession brought only trouble for Arnav Singh Raizada.

"I love you, Arnav. You are my world."

Damn it. If only he had understood and confessed the truth earlier than that unfateful day. Then his life would have been a lot easier. Maybe he would have attended this wedding as Khushi's plus one. Shaking his head he almost banged into one of the waiters. Somehow he managed not to stumble and make a fool of himself when a sound reached him.

Amidst the loud music and hooting Arnav Singh Raizada heard a familiar jingling. Of course. How could he forget? The anklets. They were neon sign for Khushi Kumari Gupta. He tried to follow the sound when a group of workers began dragging wooden boards and curtains, one after the other, obstructing his view. His heartbeat escalated as a gust of wind blew his hair over his forehead.

She is around. She is somewhere near. His heart echoed the same thing again and again. A minute later the workers disappeared and his view was crystal clear. However, he only saw the silhouette of Akaash Oberoi, who slowly vanished inside the farmhouse. Hmmm. Perhaps Oberoi is trying to hide Khushi from him? Yup. He and Payal would try everything under the sun to keep 'Arshi' separated. Huh. That's a lost cause.

Khushi's words reverberated in his mind as he picked up a jaljeera from the waiter's tray. Her statement had managed to cause a flutter inside his dead heart before. It did too now.

"Koi 'Arshi' ko juda krsake itni himmat kisi mein kaha Raizadaji?!"
(Who has the guts to separate 'Arshi' Raizadaji?!)

You were right Khushi Kumari Gupta. And I will prove the same to you if needed. Nobody has the guts to separate us. I tried but failed epically. And now you might be doing the same. Itna aasan nahi hai Arshi ka juda hona. Not possible damn it.
(Not so easy to keep Arshi apart).

Arnav was about to follow Akaash when a familiar figure caused him to halt his steps. He was surprised to see the little guy. The young man who once worked in the cafeteria of Doon College. Hari Prakash? What is he doing here? Wondered Arnav Raizada. But it did not take him too long to figure out the reason behind his presence. Of course. Khushi always spoke about this guy's potential and how good training can brush up his skills.

The man briefly glanced towards Arnav and then retreated into the farmhouse. Huh? Seems like HP is not fond of me anymore. Thought the confused Raizada.
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Thank you.