Hi friends!
Here is the second chapter of my story Mehbooba. Slowly and gradually all the clues will clasp together. That's when you will figure out what happened between Arnav and Khushi.

Arabic-style decorations in the backyard. Vivid and colorful desi vibes for the interior of the farmhouse. Fairy lights. Marigold flowers. And aromatic Indian meals with mouthwatering desserts. Khushi examined the venue once more. She felt proud of her work. When months ago Payal had declared Khushi as her wedding planner, she could not have anticipated that the outcome would be so beautiful. This was Khushi's first official job. Thankfully the girl had managed to impress Payal's mother-in-law, Mrs. Manorma from the first meeting itself.

"No no HP. These red cushions will look could in the gazebo. Don't take them away."

Khushi's assistant followed her commands without any arguments. Thankfully they shared a good rapport. Or else this wedding would end up being quite messy. The guests were mingling with happy smiles on their faces. She heard many compliments from Mrs. Manorma's high society friends. One of them even asked her to give her a call next week. Khushi felt like walking on the clouds. This was a big jump in her career.

Amidst the noise of the loud drums and music Khushi could not help but feel excruciating pain in her non-existing heart. Even after Khushi put a distance of thousand miles between them he still kept tormenting her. Rubbing a hand over her now cold heart she tried to breathe normally. Why? Why did he do this to her? What kind of a sick monster acts in the manner that he did? Kaash uss din sab alag hota. Shutting her eyes Khushi tried not to remember the good times. Keyword being tried. Flashes of the past whirled around her.
(I wish things were a lot more different than they were, that day).

The smiles.

The hugs.

That one time when she fell sick.

The day he confessed.

The picnic where their equation changed.

And then...

"Khushi! Khushi!"

She turned around to see a worried Akaash asking her to come inside. Before Khushi could question him the man uttered one word. Payal. That was enough of a reason for following the fiance of her bestie. These days Payal had turned into a bridezilla. Rolling her eyes she followed Akaash but not before turning around one last time. Her heart rate escalated. A gust of wind blew her hair to the side. A strange aura pulled her towards the main gate. Khushi wanted to forget everything and rush toward that magnetic pull. But then another call from Akaash and she retreated inside the farmhouse. Somewhere in her heart, she heard the chants of a familiar tune.

###

"Payal relax. Calm down. You drink this juice first."

"No. No no, I did not ask for you to join me for a drink. You don't get it, do you? Khushi all of this is my fault. Mujhe tumhe wedding planner choose hi nahi krna chahiye tha." Now you are in trouble and I...
(I should not have chosen you as my planner).

"Shushhhh. The hustle and bustle of the wedding is getting to you. Chill. I am having good fun being your wedding planner. No worries."

Before Payal could explain in detail the cause of her worries Mrs. Manorma walked inside Payal's room with three outfits and a look of pride. This would hinder her plans. Payal knew it. Khushi greeted Mrs. Manorma and sat with them for an hour as the two discussed the fittings and appropriate jewelry. After some time Khushi felt tired and excused herself. The engagement would start at sharp 6pm as per the pandits suggestion. So Khushi sauntered towards the backyard to check everything one last time. Not knowing who and what awaited her presence.

Khushi Kumari Gupta smiled into her cup of tea as she eyed her work. The colorful lamps on the tree branches and the rose petals on the cobbled path looked beautiful as the evening approached. The full moon and the stars created a perfect atmosphere for her best friend's engagement. Another few minutes and then the guests will be here she mused. The woman was so lost in her admiration that she did not see someone approaching from behind. However, her ears were on high alert when she heard a familiar tone.

Mehfil mein jab tu na rha
To main main na rha
Na bole tum na bole hum
Faaslon se bada ye gham
Hum paas aahi gaye hain
Dooriyan bhi mit hi jayengi

Khushi's heartbeat escalated. Her body trembled. She knew who stood behind her. Involuntarily the cup slipped from her grasp. Taking a deep breath Khushi Kumari Gupta turned around to face the man who she had managed to avoid for the last 6 months.

A gasp escaped her lips as her eyes met his. Arnav Singh Raizada. The man who changed her life. Her curious eyes noticed every little detail. Dark circles. The beard.  Longer than normal hair. A slimmer body. He had changed. Unwanted memories flashed in her mind. The pain which she had buried after so many months surfaced again. Unable to bear the hurt Khushi chose to walk away. She took a few steps forward only to be halted by a wall of flesh and blood.

"Wait. We need to talk."

Khushi chose to ignore his statement and skirted around him. She began to walk faster but the echo of footsteps made her sigh in disbelief. She was stuck. The woman did not wish to be trapped in another vicious cycle of disappointment.  However, the serpent called ASR was hellbent on shackling her.

"Khushi mujhse baat kro. Look I know you don't deserve what I did to you..."
(Khushi talk to me).

"Let me go..."

"Just once. Just listen to me once. I promise main sab theek, krdunga Khushi."
(I promise to make everything alright again).

"Leave my way..."

Khushi tried to escape but seems like the man was prepared for her move. Why? Because in seconds he clutched her by the elbow and pulled her closer. She shut her eyes not wanting to witness their proximity. But his musky scent reached her senses making her heart gallop. No matter how much she distanced herself, Khushi's heartbeats keenly responded to Arnav Singh Raizada's proximity. He touched their foreheads making Khushi weak in the knees. Though she tried to act all nonchalant about it.

"Bola na baat karni hai."
(I said I wish to talk with you).

"Par humein aapse koi baat nai karni hai Mr. Raizada."
(But I don't have any desire to speak with you Mr. Raizada).

"What the?! What did you just call me? It's Arnav Khushi. Tumhara Arnav."
(Your Arnav).

When the man uttered the phrase she could not stop the tear that slowly cascaded down her cheek. The familiar words felt like a punch in the gut. She often called him that. Mera Arnav. But that was before he shattered her heart into millions of pieces. Pushing the man away she put some distance between them. Khushi could not understand why he was acting in this manner. Is this another one of his sick jokes? Passing him a bitter smile she stated.

"Stay away from me. Tum jaise makkar aadmi se mera koi vasta nai hai."
(I don't want to associate with a fraudster like you).

"Ek galati maaf nahi krsakti Khushi?"
(Cannot you forgive a mistake, Khushi?)

"Galati?!? Gunaah! You sinned Raizada. A sin."
(Mistake?!? Sin!)

"Maafi liye bina nahi jaunga Khushi."

"Phir to aapko puri zindagi yahin bitani padegi Mr. Raizada."
(In that case, you will have to spend the rest of your life here).

Swallowing her tears Khushi Kumari Gupta walked away from the man who did not try to stop her this time. He does not deserve her tears.

It was sharp 6pm. The guests settled themselves in the backyard. Payal and Akaash walked towards the small makeshift podium. The rest of the family and friends stood nearby. Khushi stood near Mrs. Manorma with a fake smile plastered on her face. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Arnav, Aman, and NK standing on the other end. Payal raised her eyebrows wanting to know whether she was fine or not. Khushi gave her bestie a small smile which did not provide much assurance.

Once the rings were exchanged the couple danced to a romantic song. The rest of the night was spent mingling, eating dinner, and dancing with the crowd. Throughout the party, Khushi Kumari Gupta deliberately kept herself busy so as not to cross paths with a certain Raizada. Thankfully the man did not approach her again. However, his hawk-like eyes followed her every move.

As soon as the party ended Khushi retreated to the guest room. It was a shock to see Arnav Singh Raizada in the flesh after so many months. Her heartbeat resembled a hummingbird's wings. His sudden presence felt like a shock to her system.

She tried to focus on her breathing, just like her shrink had suggested once.

Deep breaths.

One at a time.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Khushi repeated the exercise for the next forty minutes. And then she had to stop when her phone began to vibrate like a fish out of the sea. She knew the caller. Payal Sharmas would not leave her alone easily. So to avoid further communication Khushi simply typed her wish of wanting to be left alone tonight.

Thankfully for once, Payal respected her desire for solitude.

###

The next morning Akaash tried to stop his fiance from getting loud. Although no one could hear the lot talking anyone could come into the kitchen since it was their haldi ceremony.

The man did not like the struggle between his mates at such a crucial stage of his life. However, who has ever been able to deal with the storm called ASR? The cold-hearted monster had single-handedly broken his beloved's best friend.

Aman and NK indulged in a heated argument with Payal Sharma. The lady was super protective after the episode in Dehra. Doon College now would have a bad memory associated with it. Akaash stood next to Payal just in case the woman lost control. Aman and NK were not in the mood to listen. They were in a world of their own. No matter how much Payal tried the guys denied her orders.

"What do you mean you cannot take Arnav Singh Raizada away from our wedding? We never invited him. Why should Khushi suffer because you guys could not keep a secret?"

"Look Payal he is our best friend. It is impossible to hide things from him. And you have no idea how much ASR suffered in these last few months..."

"Shut up Aman! Just shut up. Don't you dare support that liar. And what did you say huh? He suffered? Meri dost ka dil dukhaya hai usne and you think he is the one who suffered?"
(He hurt my friend and you think he is the one who suffered?)

NK tried to shush Aman. Well tried to. But like always Mathur supported that crook. These guys are clueless about Khushi's mental health. The girl has seen such hard days after the famous Doon college Fiasco. Now when she is trying to build a future for herself Arnav Singh Raizada has returned. Har baar isko zakhmon ko kuredne ka copyright kyun miljata hai? Damn it. Thankfully NK was on our side.
(Who gave this man the copyright to ruin the happiness of others?)

"For once I agree with Payal. Arnav should just leave."

"Then take him away NK. Meri aur Payal ki shaadi spoil mat Karo. And please don't ruin things for Khushi."
(Don't spoil our wedding).

"I think this is a second chance for Khushi and ASR. Maybe we all could team up and..."

Pissed off by Aman Mathur's statement my fiance picked up a glass of water from the counter and threw it all over his white kurta. Uh oh. And then like a queen, she sauntered out of the kitchen as if Payal owned it. Chuckling at the act I shook my head and followed my beloved while the two musketeers stared at us in shock.

Well, Aman Mathur deserves all of it for even coming up with such ridiculous ideas!
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Thanks a lot. So what's your response? Honest reviews are appreciated.