Hi friends!
After a long delay, I finally found the opportunity to publish the next chapter of my story titled Mehbooba.  Amidst the wedding, a lot of equations will change. What's in store for Khushi? Is Rajeev enjoying Khushi's company? How is Arnav handling the new changes in his life? All the questions will be answered soon.

Khushi Kumari Gupta had seen so many sides of the great ASR that now she desired a little peace. As if the heartbreak was not enough the man was hellbent on destroying her spirit. First, he successfully smashed her heart into thousands of shards and now he wanted to put those pieces back together. He had plans. Grand plans of healing each other. Together. He wanted her to take another chance with him. The woman was in a dilemma. Six months ago Arnav Singh Raizada had declared in a nonchalant tone that whatever they shared was nothing but the success of an ugly bet between him and his friends.

When darkness prevailed in her world the snob was busy celebrating his victory. And now when she finally got over the pain and heartbreak he again slithered across her world like a serpent ready to spread his poison in her. Khushi was tired of this toxicity between them. Her thoughts came to a halt when her device on the nightstand vibrated twice. A text in her inbox from a new number? She opened the text only to chuckle out loud. Payal's cousin has a weird sense of humor.

"How is the winner of the laddoo-making contest doing? This is the runner-up looking for an update."

"The winner is doing well loser. How can you be the runner-up when it was just the two of us competing buddy?"

"Buddy? Don't break my heart, Khushi. Call me sweety, loverboy, darling, anything but that. Please."

Grinning at his flirtatious texts she got comfortable in bed. Her previous sadness was forgotten. The man knew how to brighten up her mood. With a twinkle in her eye, she typed a quick response. This would hurt his sentiments. As expected he replied within a few seconds. The long sequence of sad and wailing emojis made her guffaw. Her sweet revenge was a success.

Why? Why would you call me 'bro' Khushi?
I can only hmmm this song right now...
Dard mein bhi ye labh muskura jaate hain
Beetein lamhe jab bhi yaad aate hain...

Shaking her head Khushi placed her hand on her mouth trying to hide the laughter that bubbled within her. It was close to midnight and she did not want to disturb the others around her. The song was meant for a terrible breakup and the way Rajeev used it in their conversation made her laugh. Rolling her eyes she put her cell on silent mode and prepared to sleep when her screen lit up again. Assuming it was Rajeev messing with her she opened the text with a smile. However, as soon as she opened the text her smile faded away. Pushing the blankets away she looked around for her slippers and dashed out of her room. It was a text from Payal asking for help. She got locked in the outhouse. Without a second thought, in the middle of the night, Khushi rushed outside the farmhouse. Worried for her best friend the girl forgot to carry her phone with her.

The lamp outside the outhouse glowed brightly, convincing Khushi that her friend was indeed stuck inside. She knocked on the door twice and screamed Payal's name. However, there was no response from the other side. She tried banging the door and then twisted the handle only to see it open smoothly in one go. Huh? Payals SOS stated that she was stuck inside the outhouse then how did the door open on its own? Perplexed she walked inside and looked around for her BFF. Khushi warily checked the area only to hear the sound of a door being locked. She rushed near the main door and banged while screaming like a hyena.

"HELLO! I AM IN HERE! PAYAL?? ANYONE THERE? I AM LOCKED IN HERE? HELLO? DON'T LEAVE ME HERE.."

"Relax Khushi. I am here."

She swirled around with a hand on her galloping heart only to notice Arnav Singh Raizada standing a few feet away from her, leaning against the wall, with his hands in his pockets, as if this was a daily occurrence. A patent smirk plastered on his face. Wait! Hold the phone! Payal never messaged me. This is a hoax. Khushi palmed her forehead as comprehension dawned upon her. He deceived her. Yet again.

"You understood huh? Good. That's why I fell for you. You are a beauty with brains Khushi Singh Raizada..."

"SHUT UP. Don't you dare call me that Raizada! It's Khushi Kumari Gupta."

Slowly as she uttered the words the man sauntered towards her and circled her figure. As if this one gesture declared his possessive hold on her. Stomping her foot Khushi stepped around him and banged the door again and again screaming at the top of her voice. But no one responded to her calls for help. Sensing movement nearby she twirled around only to see Arnav getting comfortable on the recliner in the small-sized living room.

"Thak jao toh aake baithjana. We need to talk Khushi."
(When you are tired sit down).

"Huh? Main? Tumse baat krungi? I don't talk with deceivers, Raizada."
(I? I would talk to You?)

###

"Huh? Main? Tumse baat krungi? I don't talk with deceivers, Raizada."

Arnav's blood boiled when he heard her retort. He swallowed the bile that rose within him. The hurt of the past 6 months flooded his senses. With a rigid jaw, he cocked his head to the side drawing Khushi's attention. He tried to sound calm and collected. But he knew that Khushi Gupta could judge the iciness in his tone.

"Deceivers also feel the excruciating pain of hurting someone, when the walls around their heart shatter unexpectedly."

For a while, Khushi did not say a word. She stood motionless at the door with her hand in the air. The banging halted to the immense relief of Arnav. He knew that Khushi was confused by his way of handling things. But he was the opposite of her in every manner. Arnav did not know how to tackle things properly. For him success meant victory. And he had successfully dragged the girl from her room to this small outhouse. Aman's suggestion of being locked in a room meant spending more time with Khushi. So he agreed wholeheartedly.

However, watching the worried stance of his girl the idea did not sound appealing to him. Not at all. Sighing at his thoughts the man held out the phone in his hand towards Khushi. This made her glance his way with a perplexed look on her beautiful face. Yet again ASR did something unlike him. He prioritized her feelings. Choosing the moment to break the silence he gestured towards the door.

"Look, Aman has the keys to the door. Thodi der yahan baithke mujhse baat krlo. I promise to you that you will be back in your room safe and sound."
(Sit here and talk to me please).

"Fine. We will talk. Khush?"

As soon as Khushi agreed to his terms, Arnav controlled himself from punching his hand in the air out of sheer excitement. He knew that this was his only opportunity to sort out things with Khushi. During the day she is busy with her job and Payal or that stupid cousin of his keeps her occupied. Jealousy coursed through his veins as thoughts of Rajeev Sharma plagued his mind. Trying to ignore the green monster he shifted his focus to more important matters. Suddenly he felt her sitting on the other end of the couch.

"Bolo kya baat karni hai Raizada?"
(What do you want to talk about Raizada?)

Khushi did not meet his eyes. She chose to stare ahead at the giant painting on the other end of the outhouse. Her semi-ignorance irked him. But beggars cannot be choosers, so he accepted her reluctant company and tried to compose his thoughts. There was so much to be said, and he had this only chance to bare his heart. So he began by admitting his mistake.

"Doon College gave me wings to fly. It boosted my popularity which eventually inflated my ego. Success and victory became my best buddies. No one dared to challenge me, Khushi. And one fine day NK declared that you, Khushi Kumari Gupta, are the diamond of Doon College. A rare jewel that does not appreciates bad boys like me."

Deafening silence echoed around us. I did not utter another word for fear that my honest confession would hurt her beyond repair. As it is my record is not good when it comes to Khushi. From the corner of my eye, I noticed the way she held a cushion. Her bunched-up fist and white knuckles were not a good sign. Damn it. When my girl did not acknowledge my words I started again. This time I whispered feeling the weight of my errors.

"Back then you were this faceless girl who dared to defy my popularity. NK's words pricked me. That day...that day you became an exciting bet for me that I desired to win anyhow."

"Wow. You executed it all very well. And now your guilt is hurting your conscience right?"

I knew that she won't forgive me so easily. Still her response felt heartwrenching to me. Her assumptions would have been correct if I was still possessed by my ego. But, alas, times have changed. I have changed. The brutal pain of my soul washed away the toxic ego, that made me break Khushi's heart. I need to make her understand that now I am a different person. I need to let her know that the reason for this explanation is not some guilt. Rather it is my dead heart which desires Khushi Kumari Gupta's love.

###

Rajeev Sharma knew all about Khushi Kumari Gupta. his cousin Payal had informed him about the bet fiasco at Doon College which had hardened Khushi. The man was intrigued by her. Slowly and gradually the girl was making a home in his heart. Today he felt so happy when Khushi and he exchanged numbers. He kept texting her the entire evening. Sometime in the night, he stopped with the messages. He planned to visit her room on the pretext of sharing a cup of coffee. However, when he knocked on Khushi's door, she did not answer. Assuming that she was asleep the man chose to return to his room. But something caught his eye. From the floor-to-ceiling high windows of the living room, he noticed the lamp beside the outhouse flickering brightly and a hooded man standing nearby, as if he were meant to guard the door. Huh? The suspicious activity alerted Rajeev. Choosing not to disturb the other family members he sauntered towards the outhouse.

As soon as Rajeev reached the outhouse, the strange man pushed back his hoodie. Rajeev Sharma was surprised to see Aman Mathur, who stood near the door, with a look that resembled nervousness, before he composed his expression, looking more suspicious if possible. Rajeev could not help but question him.

"Hey! What are doing here at midnight? Is everything alright Aman?"

"Uhhhh...yes..yes. All is well. I was just out for some...fresh air."

"I see. Nice. The weather is good huh? Let me give you company."

Rajeev was an expert in criminal psychology and he could easily identify that something was wrong with Aman's body language. Rajeev's sixth sense did not allow him to let this go. So instead of leaving he chose to stand next to him. Mathur might not be a criminal but the man was trying to hide something vital. Trusting his instincts, Rajeev chose to join him. And as soon as he did that, he could sense a shift in Aman Mathur's stance. The nervous man in front of him became more anxious if possible.

"No...no. I don't need...I mean you don't need to...do this. I am...alright? Why don't you....go back and sleep? It...uh...yes it is midnight."

Fluttering eyes.

Stammering voice.

Quick hand gestures.

His instincts were right. There is something wrong. Rajeev glanced at the outhouse behind Aman. He did not miss how Aman Mathur's eyes touched his hairline in response. Crossing his hands over his chest Rajeev Sharma raised an eyebrow in wonder.
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To be continued.