Hi friends!
I just published the next chapter of my fanfiction titled Mehbooba. The story is about to take a sudden turn. Arnav, Khushi, and Rajeev will have to face some tough times before coming to a solid decision.

The sun rose from the sky illuminating a wonderful illustration, full of colors and positive energy. A sight for which Akaash Oberoi was waiting desperately. This morning was extra special since in a matter of a few hours he would become a married man. Finally after so many months this day arrived. The man could not sleep for a second last night. Akaash felt a roller coaster of emotions bouncing within him. Happiness. Joy. Nervousness. Fear. So he chose to wake up early and watch the sunrise in the backyard of his farmhouse. As he was sipping coffee taking in the beautiful vision before him, he felt a presence beside him. He cocked his head to the side and shook his head in exasperation. NK stood next to him staring ahead at the rising sun. Akaash was about to leave when something made him stop. Finishing his beverage Akaash Oberoi fished out his phone from his pocket and tapped a few times on the screen. When Akaash found what he was looking for, the man thrust his device in NK's face, surprising the guy who probably did not expect any conversation from Akaash.

"That's Dr. Geeta Swami.  A counseling expert."

"Um...what? Why are you...?"

"Why am I introducing you to this woman NK?"

The guy nodded in response. Sighing involuntarily Akaash held NK's shoulder with his other hand to emphasize his point. As Nandkishore Khurrana stood beside him with a perplexed look, Akaash raised his eyebrow and spoke slowly as if he were speaking to a little boy.

"She is Khushi's counselor NK. After that bet fiasco, Khushi was catatonic. Payal and I...we watched her suffer for months. Do you and your friends have any idea what that poor girl went through?"

"I...I did not...this is not what..."

Pulling his hair in an attempt to calm himself Akaash began to pace back and forth. He had seen Khushi in her worst moments. The man felt bad for his girl's best friend. He wanted to have a word with Arnav Singh Raizada about it all. However, the man never allowed him to have a civil conversation. Akaash wanted to close the chapter of the mighty ASR forever. He only desired peace for the beautiful soul of Khushi Gupta. And Arnav was not helping the case. Halting his movements, Akaash swirled to face NK who still seemed to be grasping his words.

"NK I don't want Khushi to have a nervous breakdown. This is the reason why we are trying so hard to keep ASR away from Khushi. But that man keeps bothering her. Do you want your friend to be the reason for Khushi's....well god forbid I don't even want to say those words."

Huffing in irritation Akaash Oberoi walked away from Nandkishore Khurrana. He did not desire to watch the sun anymore. The conversation about Khushi Gupta had switched his mood drastically. Now he felt only anger and frustration bubbling inside him. As he trudged inside the farmhouse, NK's whisper made him stop. He was not expecting the next words that came out of Nandkishore's mouth.

"Arnav was wrong. I agree. But he too suffered the consequences of that silly bet. He fell into depression. Aman and I too watched our friend battle with episodes of depression and aggression."

"Then I have some advice for your buddy, NK. Before things turn toxic for both Arnav and Khushi, ask your friend to leave."

###

Rajeev Sharma did not wish to rush Khushi Kumari Gupta. He was fond of his new friend and wanted their relationship to progress organically. However, it is a well-known fact that the exes love to create chaos in the lives of the people who are trying to bond after a broken heart. The same holds for Arnav Singh Raizada. That guy was trying to pull Khushi back in his clutches. Payal had described once in great detail what kind of a toxic man he is. So now Rajeev had no choice but to give Khushi a chance to make her own choice. A choice that would only result in happiness. Henceforth the man advanced towards Khushi with a determined expression on his face.

The woman stood next to her assistant HP in the hall, it seemed like the two were busy discussing something important. Of course. Today is the big day. Her sister would finally tie the knot with Akaash Oberoi. That is also a reason why Rajeev chose today of all the days to confess his feelings. So that Khushi can take her sweet time and give him a positive answer after two days. Post the reception party. When it would be time for everyone to leave this place. By then Arnav Singh Raizada would also stop stalking Khushi. Shaking his head, Rajeev tapped Khushi's shoulder with a smile on his face.

###

NK tried to speak with his buddy who was busy staring at his wounded hand. Arnav seemed to be lost in a fantasy world. The idiotic smile plastered across his face was proof enough. Rolling his eyes NK shook the man by the shoulders to get his attention. Thankfully that did it. The great ASR finally met NK's eyes as if he woke up from a trance. His mood changed drastically to NK's relief. It only meant one thing. Now Nandkishore had Arnav's complete attention.

"Arnav, we need to talk."

"I am not interested in your talks NK. Always telling me not to approach Khushi..."

"No ASR. This is not about you. It is about Khushi. She...I...Arnav, do you know she was catatonic after that disastrous incident at Doon College?"

"WHAT?!? What do you mean?!? Catatonic? Khushi?? How? What?....EXPLAIN. NOW."

NK noticed how within seconds Arnav Singh Raizada's arrogance crumbled into nothingness. Pain. Hurt. Guilt. And love swam in the coal brown eyes which usually held a coldness within them.

Slowly, NK revealed what he heard from Akaash Oberoi. After every few seconds, he paused, knowing that every revelation about Khushi's state would break the man who always pretended to withstand any kind of storm. But as expected Arnav's eyes spoke volumes. NK observed how his words stabbed his friend's heart.

###

"Pardon?!?"

"I like you, Khushi. More than a friend. And I understand this is a surprise for you. So, please. Just think about my proposal. No pressure. After the reception party, we will leave this farmhouse. Take your time. I will wait for your answer."

Rajeev observed the change in Khushi Gupta's expressions. She was startled in the beginning. Of course. The woman did not expect such kind of a confession from his new friend. Slowly, he noted, how the shock and surprise morphed into a look of realization. He understood what her mind did at that very moment. It did not take a genius to know that all this was executed by his cousin, Payal.

When Khushi tried to verbalize her doubts Rajeev nonchalantly handled the matter, because even though Payal had staged their friendship it was Rajeev himself, who wanted a girl like Khushi in his life. A breath of fresh air, Khushi Kumari Gupta deserved to be worshipped.

So instead of creating any more confusion, Rajeev tried his best to clarify the depth of his feelings to Khushi. Yes, Payal desperately hoped that her bestie would give her brother a chance. However, none had the power to manipulate Rajeev Sharma. He had always made his own choices. Controlling a guy like him was next to impossible.

"Payal?!? She coaxed you..."

"That's not it. I am an adult with a mind of my own. Yes, I admit Payal introduced me to the idea of romancing you. But I wanted to be friends first. And now I think dating you would be a good change for me."

Before Rajeev could explain his point in detail to Khushi a loud thud made the two of them aware that a third person had heard their conversation. Both of them, swirled around startled by the intrusion. Rajeev did not miss the audible gasp from beside him. Damn it. Not again. He thought. The man pulled his hair, frustrated by the mere presence. Arnav Singh Raizada stood in the flesh a mere 4 feet away from Rajeev Sharma. Arnav's rigid jaw spoke volumes in the deafening silence surrounding Khushi and Rajeev. As the mighty ASR clenched and unclenched his hands, Rajeev prepared himself for a physical confrontation.

It is useless to deal with the guy in any other manner. An egoistic hooligan like him deserves several hits. Especially on that stupid face of his. Rajeev mused. The psycho Raizada did not waste time and charged toward him. However, what happened next, astonished every person in the farmhouse.

Screams.

Smoke.

A burning feeling behind the throat.

Acrid.

Curtains lit with orange flames.

###

Retribution. That's all Arnav Singh Raizada desired. He had come to speak with Khushi after NK informed him about her breakdown. Consumed by guilt Arnav wished to apologize. He had suffered a lot after that bet incident. The episodes of anger and depression had left him, traumatized. He empathized with Khushi. For the first time keeping everything aside the shrewd man chose to have a word with Khushi about something that he wished to hide from others. However, his attempt to reach Khushi failed miserably. The man stood a few feet away from a bewildered Khushi Kumari Gupta. Rajeev Sharma, a thorn in Arnav's side had done the unthinkable. Arnav Singh Raizada smashed the nearest object in his vicinity drawing the attention of both, Khushi and Rajeev.

Enraged by the turn of events Arnav only fisted his hands prepared to punch the daylights out of Rajeev Sharma when unexpected screams reached his ears. Startled all three of them eyed each other and then turned around. A lot of things registered Arnav Singh Raizada's mind. His nose flared as he sensed the acrid. And then Khushi exclaimed in a loud voice at the same time as he witnessed the curtains in a far corner of the hall lit up in flames.

"HEY DEVI MAIYYA! AAG?!?"
(OH LORD! FIRE?!?)

"GO OUTSIDE NOW!!!"

Arnav screamed as he practically pushed Khushi towards the main door. She kept glancing in his direction till her feet touched the threshold, but he had switched to a manual mode, only focussed on one thing. Evacuation. Arnav rushed inside and tried to calm to people around him. He directed everyone towards the backyard, as it seemed to be a closer exit. Coughing now and then, Arnav looked around in every room and corner to ensure that no one was inside the house.

He was passing by the storeroom when he stepped on something. Uprighting himself Arnav's eyes widened in disbelief when he understood that he had stepped on a person's feet. A pair filled with henna designs. He swore out loud as realization dawned upon him. A fainted Payal Sharma was lying on the floor. The sight of burn marks on her elbow made him pull his hair. Rubbing his face he quickly composed himself and through a lot of difficulty picked her up in his arms.

On his way towards the hall, it became very difficult for him to breathe. The heat around him made him restless, everything around him appeared to be yellow and red. Sweating nervously, the man tried to find his way to the backyard. After what seemed like hours but were only minutes Arnav finally found the exit he was so desperately looking for. As he clutched an unconscious Payal, his eyes met the hopeful faces of Akaash, the Sharma family, and Khushi. Nobody spoke a word for a few seconds.

He crossed the little distance and laid Payal on the ground. That move was enough to alert the others. Everyone dashed towards the woman who was now coughing brutally. But one man did not bother to see her. Rather he chose to grab Arnav in a firm hold, thanking him profusely. Arnav blinked his eyes as he heard the familiar voice. Coughing a little Arnav patted Akaash Oberoi on the shoulder. While doing so he felt goosebumps behind his neck. He had not felt this sensation for ages. The last time he had sensed this tingle was when....letting haphazardly go of Akaash he swirled behind to see Khushi Kumari Gupta.

Her eyes were locked on him. Or rather on his hands? Confused by her gaze he stared down to see burn marks on the back of his hands. He looked up to see dark eyes which continued to pierce his soul. Without waving his gaze he crossed the little distance between them. While everyone else seemed busy dealing with Payal. Unable to help himself Arnav uttered the first thing that crossed his mind.

"Tum theek ho?"
(Are you alright?)

Tiny crackled of electricity hummed to life, beneath the weight of her gaze and it took every ounce of willpower not to step back and shake off the strange sensation. Khushi Gupta flushed. Her fingers traced the lines of her throat. The awkwardness of the moment was obvious. It was then that he noticed the glass of water in her other hand. Walking with unsure steps she offered the glass to Arnav and then answered in a breathless voice.

"Theek hoon...aur...tum?"
(I am fine...and...you?)

Taking the glass of water Raizada chucked it in one go. The dryness in his throat seemed to ease a little. He could see a pattern in Khushi Kumari Gupta's behavior. Her care and concern only came into sight when he suffered. Last time the man had hurt his arm while trying to break her fall. And this time Arnav had burned his hands in the process of saving Payal. Does this mean that Khushi still loves him? Or is this her humanity peeking from the curtains only when the circumstances demand? The dark clouds of confusion surrounded him immediately.

Read and review. Would love to read your opinion ff lovers!