Chapter No # 7

FLASHBACK

SOME DAYS AGO

Location: Picasso’s Artistry Centre (Headquarters: Delhi)

Khushi Gupta stood outside of the Huge building after paying off the Fare of Uber cab. She didn’t want to face the persons of her past anymore but due to bad luck, somehow and almost daily since she has landed on the Land of India after Years, She has been seeing the persons from her past. She tried very hard to avoid the meeting and tried to delay the meeting as much as she could but there are some things which are not in her hands and can’t be controlled. After seeing the *Last Message* sent by the sender at first she was stunned seeing the image picture in the message. She pondered over it which eventually made her agree to come here as no matter what she felt, she had to abide by certain things.

Wandering her eyes here & there to know did she reach the correct location. Taking out her Gadget she opened her WhatsApp Inbox to check the location.

Reading a new-message,

“Have you reached?”

In reply to the message she typed and sent. 

“Seems like.”

After that, she received another reply from the sender to wait for him and as he is going to pick her up. Now waiting for the person to arrive so that she could get done with the work as soon as possible. After receiving the reply from the Sender though she wants it to be over ASAP but how can she control her fear, her raising heartbeats. She didn’t know facing the past would be so tortuous when the person who had been once close to her, whom she had given the place of her brother, who is her blood-relative. Throughout the whole ordeal, She expected him, at least to get his support but like everyone in the family he too turned his back on her and everyone accused her and blamed her of driving her parents to death.

Sometimes she really wanted to laugh on her destiny and sometimes she wanted to cry on it. Every person to whom she considered very close to her heart had been snatched, pushed, ridiculed and hated by them. Years ago, she had been very soft, care-free in every relationship and put her whole heart & soul into every relationship, but what she got in return, nothing so now she will not be soft on anyone or the softness & love wasn’t left in her anymore so how will she express, she is just soulless girl now. Years in America had taught her well that she shouldn’t rely on anyone. The person comes alone in the world and they would leave the world alone.

As she was busy in her thoughts that suddenly she saw a Young Man with handsome alluring features approached her and was about to hug her that on reflex she immediately took a back step and brought her hand in air to halt the person from coming close to her. With her gesture she made it clear that,

“He should only mean business with her, nothing more.”

Understanding the gesture, the person took a few steps away from her and guided her towards his Sound-proof cabin. While they both walked from there, suddenly a cold breeze flows.

In Building
In CEO’s Cabin
The CEO of Picasso Artistry Centre was the person who picked up from Khushi and took her to his Cabin. 

Once they both reached the Cabin, the CEO maintaining his mannerism asked her what she would like to have, water, tea, coffee or anything else to which at first Khushi kept silent then says.

“Nothing, just a few minutes Conversation would be enough and nothing else.”

Straight-forward answer from Khushi stunned him. Earlier her appearance and now her gesture. As far as he had known she was never like this person as the person he is seeing right now. He didn’t know to what extend she had suffered but he had known after Uncle & Aunty or Khushi’s parent’s death from an Accident, everyone in the family had literally hold Khushi responsible, they had literally blamed her for their accident, the accident was so fatal that they died instantly on the spot. After that, the family, Khushi’s parental family had turned blind Eye on her and closed all access from contacting her to the point that they also closed all access of her returning back. It was only some time ago, when Khushi’s parent Accident case came to Light and it was found out that Khushi was never the reason behind the accident. Khushi’s Parents were driving to Airport to catch a flight for Los Angelee to bring her back to India after apologizing to her but due to some business issues, the business Rival of her Father’s business attacked Khushi’s parents on their way to Airport and that caused the Fatal accident, it was simply Cold-blooded Murder or Hit-And-Run Case, and the Culprit was never found after that. After the whole situation came to Light, the family wanted to have reconciliation with her after knowing she was never at fault in the first place but they could never have because of their Own misunderstanding. She couldn’t see her Parents for the last time and bid them farewell. Because of that She could never forgive them or be the same with them. And moreover she still holds herself responsible for her parent’s death.

On the other hand, the CEO looked carefully at the serious face of Khushi. She was not the same old Chubby, carefree Bubbly girl Khushi and how can she ever be the same Girl, from Six years ago. It was a Miracle that after facing such harsh realities of Life, She was alive. She looked like a more of a Zombie-Person as she didn’t have life inside her, her eyes didn’t shine anymore nor sparkle, her lips didn’t curve into smile. She doesn’t have Chubby Cheeks anymore. She looked like instead of gaining weight, she had lost plenty of weight. In short she looked more like a diseased person. 

Side-lining everything, the CEO asked her.

“Kaisi ho Khushi?”

[How are you, Khushi?]

She literally wanted to sarcastically smile on the question as both the question and question asked by the same person seemed to be alien to her as no one had bothered to ask how was she or what she has been doing from the past Six years? So it kinda looked strange, weird and alien to her. She couldn’t smile nor could she remain silent so she simply replied with a one word answer.

“Alive.”

The word “Alive” from her mouth sounds so much like Dead. Indeed, she had breath last when she left India years ago and after that she never had time to smile from her Heart. It was due to a little Miracle named Aarushi who never let her cease to exist and managed to make her stand on her foot again.

Before the CEO could ask anything else. Khushi forwarded her hand towards him to which at first the CEO looked at her confused then realization dawned on him and he nodded.

Getting up from the place, he walked ahead and then opened a locker and took out a huge brown Envelope which contained many things in it and most importantly a Letter from her parents.

It was the very same Letter which her parents wrote for her just before they left for a Airport. Maybe they had somewhere felt that they wouldn’t have a chance or wouldn’t be able to talk with their Precious daughter whom they had wronged so much. If only they had thought with a clear mind then today things might have been different but nothing goes as we think. The CEO clicked the Letter of her parents and sent the image to her which made her to contact him.

Now opening the Letter of her Parents, touching the curvy handwriting of her father soon her eyes filled with tears. With teary eyes, she read the Letter from Start to the End. Bringing the same Letter to her Heart, she cried for the wrong timing, for wronging them.

In her heart she replied to their Letter and apologized to them for being bad Daughter to them and telling them they were never at fault in the first place. It was their Love for her which blinded them and which parent might not have been affected and reacted like this after knowing their Un-wed daughter had been wronged so much to that point that she was pregnant and the Father of the Child was not there to take the responsibility.

Khushi was crying her heart out while the CEO, who was none other than her Cousin - Brother, seeing his few years Younger sister breaking like this, brought tears to his eyes. He wanted to console her, calm her down but knowing he couldn’t. He was somewhere guilty too for pushing her when the whole family had abandoned her, he didn’t contact her too and somewhere blamed her too as her Pregnancy had been known by the whole family so they added two & two and took Khushi guilty.

He spoke some time later, not able to hold himself back.

“I’m sorry too Khushi. Jab sab ne tumhe door kardiya aur tumhe zimedar mana toh mein bhi kahai na kahai un logo main shamil tha. Nahi samj paya keh tum par kya guzar rahi hogi. Yahan par Hum sab saath they yeh dukh share karne keh liye aur bhul gaye humara itna barha dukh nahi hai jitna tumara hai. Agar Hum logo ne behen bhai, uncle aunty ko khoya toh tumne apne parents ko khoya aur kaise tum reh rahi hogi ek alag country main jahan koi bhi apna nahi hai.”

[I’m sorry too Khushi. Everyone had pushed you and held you responsible so somewhere I had sided with them too. I wasn’t able to think with a straight mind what you might have been suffering from. Here we were all together to share our grief and forget our grief is nothing compared to yours. If we lose Brother, Sister, Uncle, Aunty so You have lost your Parent and how would you have been coping up with your loss in foreign country where there is no one to whom you can call as yours.]

At this Khushi announced boldly and confidently.

“Koi bhi nahi hai jisey mein apna kahoon. Maa Baba hain nahi. Kehne ko mera bas ek hi apna hai aur woh hai meri Beti Aarushi. Na koi dost hai mera, na koi bhai, na koi family aur khas torh se woh. Jaise sab ne mujhe apni Zindagi se nikal bhar pheka theek waise hi mein kaisi ko nahi chahati ab apni life main. Mere liye sab Chatam hai. Na koi log aur na hi koi Rishta. Sab keh sab mere liye chatam hai.”

[There is no one to whom I can call as Mine. Nor do I have my parents beside me. There is only one person to whom I can rightfully call as Mine and that is My Daughter, Aarushi. Other than her, I have no one, nor Friends, nor Brother, nor Family and certainly nor him. Like how everyone had thrown me out from their Lives in the same way NOW I don’t want anyone in my life. Everything has ENDED for me. There is no place for anyone and no place for Relations in my life. For Me, everything has been finished.]

At this CEO’s eyes became more teary. He was feeling so guilty and helpless at that time. He wanted to apologize to her for wronging her but with what mouth he should apologize and with what relation he should apologize to her. But still he asked forgiveness from all his heart.

“I’m so sorry little Sister. Please forgive me.”

At this Khushi smiled sadly. And next she told.

“Mene aap sab ko maaf kardiya. Apko, apki puri family ko, Aarushi keh Papa ko aur jo koi bhi they log mere Past main, un sab ko Mene maaf kardiya. Kyuke apno se shikayat hoti hai, Gile Shikwe hote hain strangers se nahi. Aur aap sab mere liye strangers se kam nahi hain so maaf kardiya aap sab ko mene.”

[I have forgiven everyone of you. You, your whole family, so does Aarushi’s father and who had been part of my Past once, I have forgiven everyone of you all. Because we do have complaints, disappointments from our loved ones, not from Strangers. And all of you are nothing more than a Strangers to me so I have forgiven each one of you.]

At this statement of Khushi, he realized he had totally lost his little Sister. The Guptas had lost their Khushi and it broke his heart. Then taking a few breaths, he managed to hide his inner pain and told her valuable Information after Side-lining His hurt.

“Khushi shayid tumhe ek baat nahi pta keh Shashi Uncle ne tumari Artistry skills ko dekh kar ek hamesha yeh socha keh jab tum barhi hojahogi toh tumare 20th birthday par woh Tumhe ek Art Gallery gift karna chahatay they jis main tum apne Paintings se decorate karho aur jaise chaho usey use karho. Art Gallery. Aur Picasso Artistry Centre bhi Shashi Uncle ne tumare liye socha tha aur unhone kuch shares pehle se hi buy karliye they tumare liye. Unhe pta tha keh tumhe kitna pasand hai Art isliye woh hamesha se chahatay they keh tum Art ko hi apna as a Career use karho.”

[Khushi might, you have been unaware of this that Shashi Uncle had always known about Your Artistry skills and he thought when you would grow up so on the day you will turn 20 he would Gift you an Art Gallery which you would decorate it with your Paintings and use the Gallery as how you wished. And even Picasso Artistry Centre was also Shashi Uncle had thought for you and beforehand he purchased some shares of it in your Name. He knew how much you liked and how much talented You are in Art so he had always wanted you to adopt Art as your Career.] 

Listening to what her Father had thought about her seemed alien to her. She had always thought she had pretty much concealed her passion of Art from her father but to whom she is kidding, her Parents might have known about it. More than she knew herself, they had known about her.

“Khushi, Shashi Uncle ko beshak moqa nahi mila tumhe kehne ka lakin mein tumhe btata hoon Shashi Uncle ne hamesha chaha hai keh tum jaise chaho apni life spend karho aur apne Passion ko kabhi waste nahi hone dena.”

[Khushi, Shashi Uncle might not have got an opportunity to tell you but let me tell you Shashi Uncle had always wanted You to enjoy your life as how you wanted and desired and never let Your Passion fade.]

Next, he showed different sets of Official papers along with Affidavit which states Shashi had bought 30% shares of Picasso in her name. Also the Legal Papers of her Gallery Studio where she could showcast  her Talent in Art. And there were many other Papers too which which had original sign of Shashi Gupta or else she might have thought the person sitting in front of her has made Duplicate papers to make her agree but she understands her Father’s sign very well.

And what else was left. If not for herself, she would be willing to join hands with the CEO of Picasso for her Father’s last wish but on her own terms & conditions. She knew if her Father would have been alive he would have told her same to conceal her identity so that she couldn’t attract any trouble and she promised to herself that no matter what she will never reveal her identities because she couldn’t let any danger or harm attract to her only Miracle, her Daughter, Her Aarushi.

Next she joined hands with the CEO on a professional level. She joined hands with the CEO not with her Cousin-Brother. And after that soon it was in News K.G has joined in hands with Picasso Artistry Centre and about their Collab Auction.

FLASHBACK ENDS

In Regent Plaza
In Ballroom
Khushi had came to the Ballroom of Regent Plaza where her Auction of Her Paintings in Collab with her Cousin-Brother “Raheel Gupta” or Professionally with CEO of Picasso Artistry Centre is being displayed to VVVIPs, VVIPs & VIPs. She knew she had drawn all her paintings by putting heart & soul in it which made her Painting far more than perfect and that’s why her each painting doesn’t sell less than a Million. No matter how much poor or rich she is, she didn’t take a single penny from the Auction and donate all the money to all the needy people. From a young age, she didn’t want anyone to know about her helping nature so she did everything secretly. From a young age till Six years ago, She had been actively volunteering in Social gatherings for Organization and even fought for several cases to help elderly people or for the people who have faced injustice. If she didn’t love to be a Doctor so definitely she would choose herself as a Lawyer profession but atlas.

Hiding herself behind lenses, fake get-up, she managed to come to the Auction and now seeing from far away how much her each Painting was worth selling at the Auction. Different people raised different prices for her different paintings. Seeing her paintings were sold at a high bidder price, still it didn’t manage to make her smile. And soon her most favourite painting which held so much for her vulnerable heart, was brought on the Stage and that painting was “Warmness”. In the painting, she drew herself when she had been pregnant with Her Aarushi so naturally it was very close to her. And soon she heard the bidding for the painting starts. She heard the bidders started to bid highly. And now it has reached 50 Million. Her first ever painting that has reached to 50 Million. The bidding price didn’t make her smile or happy but the painting did. She was curious who had bid 50 Million.

Whereas the highest bidding price *50 Millions* it made everyone in the audience astonished as it was the double price of the last bid. Everyone turned around to know who had just bid 50 million for this painting, and all were left stunned to see the person as the person was no one but a Newbie in the Business World of India and many of the successful Indian Businessmen hasn’t known him or seen him. Because he was just an Assistant who had bid the highest on his Boss’s order. Soon, everyone heard the Miss. Isha announcing the name of the person who had bid 50 million for this painting as there were further no bids. She talks about the painting this time in detail before she announces the name of the person.

“The Warmness painting of K.G holds importance to her. It has Paramount importance. As in this painting, the K.G painted herself when she was pregnant, so naturally, this painting means too much for her. The bidder who had actually bid the highest, is none other than Karan Marwa.”

As Miss. Isha announced the name of the person she politely requested the person to come on the Stage to say a few words that why did he chose this Painting and why did he bid the biggest price. After this, soon everyone saw a young gentleman stood up from his Seat and started walking towards the Podium.

A gentleman dressed in a 3 piece Suit looks absolutely dashing plus his Muscles were highlighting from his 3 piece Suit Coat. Taking the Collar Mike from Miss Isha, Karan says a few words.

“The reason I had bid the highest was because of my Boss’s orders who had bought it. This painting holds importance for my Boss so I had to immediately take action. That’s it.”

After saying this Karwa Marwa signed a Cheque of 50 Millions and handed it to Miss Isha and without saying anything or without waiting for any response, he just walked from the Ballroom. Well this looks strange but many Businessmen knew this strategy so they didn’t probe further. Soon Miss. Isha in her politest way thanked everyone for gracing this event with their presence and also told them the Dinner is going to be served.

Next many Waiters & Waitress were seen pushing the Food trolley towards the tables. And many same Food dishes were also served on the main table, which is set after every corner with a huge Salad and Sweet Bar like every 7 Star hotel. Soon everyone was seen having different Cuisines with Cutlery sets.

As everyone were busy eating Food, Khushi, who was a little surprised by her thoughts thinking why this “Karan Marwa” seems familiar to her. Does she know him? Several questions popped in her mind and surprisingly she can’t seem to remember him. Next ignoring her thoughts she didn’t think any further more on it. Not only has her outer appearance changed but her thinking has changed too. Everything that had occurred in Past had left a great impact on her Psychological thinking. If she had been an old Khushi from Six years ago then by now somehow she would have bothered the person till she didn’t know why that person seems familiar. She had been a cute Curious Cat years ago but now she isn’t the same as years ago as Khushi Gupta from Six years ago has not been lost from the face of Earth but has been dead years ago.

Khushi Gupta, coming to the Venue has only one reason that she wanted to see from her Own Eyes that how Auction in Evening would be and She wasn’t upset that how the Evening was. Infact she was little happy seeing the wonderful evening. It had been long gone when she used to cherish the slightest % of today’s events in the Past but now she couldn’t as She had completely forgotten how to be happy. She had only one reason of her coming and now when she had seen it, without having a bite of Cuisines, holding the Purse she left the Venue.

Near The Valet Counter
The Valet Counter was just near the Entrance of the Hotel. Removing the mask from her face, Khushi breathed in relief and was about to walk towards her ordered cab that she heard someone calling her from behind.

“Excuse Me, Madam.”

Turning around, She was shocked to see a young man, who was wearing a uniform, calling her, who seemed to work in the same hotel. She wondered, why is the person calling her? Then suddenly she thought, did she mistakenly leave something behind and then thinking about it, She realized maybe that could not be the reason as she didn’t leave anything behind. So is the person from the venue? Before she could ask him anything.

“Excuse me, Madam, I have been following you from the ballroom venue. I had called you several times but I guess my voice was not enough to reach you.”

Hearing the person speaking in English surprised her, but what surprised her more was that the person was following her from the ballroom.

“Madam, I am the Manager of the Regent Plaza Hotel. Today, I have been especially assigned to look after Our Elite Guests for today’s auction.”

At this, Khushi didn’t say anything or didn’t ask any questions as she wanted to know why the manager was following her. Has her Cousin- Brother Raheel Gupta oops CEO of Picasso Artistry Centre, asked him to follow her to exchange some words or something. But be it what it might be, she wouldn’t accept any pleasantries from the CEO.

Next, she heard the person saying.

 “I have been following you from the ballroom to ask you did you lose something valuable just sometime ago? I believe this Wallet belongs to you. If I am not wrong Madam the person in the photo is you, right?”

After saying this the Manager handed over the Wallet to her without hearing her response. Thinking he has given the Wallet to the rightful person, he walked inside to resume his duty. Meanwhile, whole this is quite shocking for Khushi. She didn’t know what made the Manager think that this Gent’s Wallet actually belongs to her. Before she could speculate the Wallet or ask anything She saw the Manager going from there and her Cab driver called her to inform her that he has reached the given Location. Taking the Wallet in her Hand, she sat inside in the Cab.

After Few Hours
In Laxmi Nagar
In Khushi’s House
It has been quite a few hours, Khushi was back from the Auction. After coming back to House, she got herself so busy in her impending works that she forgot about the Wallet matter. Now when she was free from talking with Her Angel on Video call and working on a Project of Magazine, she closed the Laptop and was about to take a Pill from a Bedside Table that she sees the same Wallet from the Evening. Remembering it, she again thought from what angle the Manager thought this Wallet belongs to her. 

Then after carefully examining the Wallet, her Eyes widened and thought,

“Could it be…?”

Before she could complete her question she stopped herself and thought this can never be true. And there might be many similar Custom-made Wallets. If this Wallet looks identical so it doesn’t mean it would be His. And how this Wallet can be his when she herself has seen him, throwing her gift *The Custom-made Wallet for him* in Bin like he had thrown all her gifts so this was not exceptional. His every gesture towards her years ago, had proved crystal clear to her even Gold-digger or beggar would hold more importance to him than her. He never wrote her name in his Mental Dictionary because he never felt she was worthy so why would he carry her Gift, the same Gift which he had thrown years ago. And his last words from their Last Meet from Six Years ago reverberated in her ears.

“I don’t want to see you again. I would rather never know you. I regretted meeting you and making you part of my life. Meeting you was the gravest mistake of my life I had ever committed. He had chosen Lavanya in front of her.”

“He said to her She was nobody to him while Lavanya was important to him. Basically he chose Lavanya over her.”

Then answering her previous question or rather she answered in such a way that it sounded like another question.

“How could it be him?”

And looking at the Wallet condition, it only screamed that it was nothing but a precious possessed gift and had been well-kept like a treasure. And sadly this well-kept Wallet would not be her gift. Feeling nothing for the Owner of the Wallet or who is the Purchaser, she opened a Wallet so that she could find any whereabouts of the owner so that she could send it or return it to the Owner. Opening a Wallet, even though she didn’t find any cash or any ID Cards or Bank cards but she found something. Thinking it might have details of the whereabouts of the person, so she pulled out. When she pulled out, in next seconds her hold on the Wallet became loosened which made it fall on the ground. She could not believe what she was seeing from her eyes.

Holding it the Image, in her hand, she questioned herself.

“Was it from some Credentials or was it from her Library Card?”

Tracing the picture, especially the corners, she recognised it immediately and a distant memory of the past flashed in front of her eyes. Yes, it was the same steel seal from Years ago. It was the same picture of hers which she attached to her Library ID card of Delhi University. Seeing the picture, in which she was smiling to the fullest, she was not looking less than a fool. At that time, she was used to smiling fully 24/7 and strangely her Cheeks never hurt while smiling fully all the time. So her every picture from Years ago, she had clicked held her smiling face.

And now, she forgot to smile. Looking once again at the Picture, she looked so young, except looking young, what made her every picture shots perfect was due to her sparkling eyes, Chubby Cheeks and her never ending Smile.

She turned her Picture and saw a very beautiful joining handwriting in which it was written “My Heart” . Off-course she knew whose beautiful handwriting this is. And as if on the Cue, a name escaped from her lips.

“Arnav”

As Arnav’s name escaped from her lips, she remembered many Bittersweet moments associated with his handwriting. Her nagging towards him. With this she also remembered their first-ever Meeting face-to-face on her first day of her MBBS class. He thought she was being bullied so he came to save her as if she was some damsel in distress when she was not. 

Remembering those Past days memories, no expression came on her face. Her face was just neutral. Neither she was happy nor she was sad remembering the Past. Maybe she had moved on from him or maybe their accidental meeting in the Carrefour and seeing him shopping with Lavanya and his response towards her after meeting her Six years later, was the last nail in the Coffin.

Or maybe she had known crystal clear what she meant to him, many times she had entrusted him with her feelings but each time she had to listen to the heartbreaking voice of her heart. Even though her face remain emotionless but her heart suddenly felt something, after years even though it was a light twitch in her heart.

She knew whatever he meant, the thrown Gift, the Picture of her in his Wallet or “My Heart” written in his handwriting wouldn’t mean anything and certainly it wouldn’t change anything. In Past, she had cared so much about his Opinions and had changed herself entirely so that now he would look at her or feel a little bit of interest in her but nothing. And now the Times had changed. Even if the Owner of the Wallet, akka Arnav Singh Raizada would claim that He loves Her so still it wouldn’t mean anything for Her because the Past had made her fully assured what may comes in future, a World may change, Sun may rise from the West and Dawn at the East, Night would come before Morning, even everything would be reversed but Arnav Singh Raizada’s feeling for Khushi Gupta would never change. It was a Universal truth. She may have become weak on the Airport, or on the Carrefour while meeting him or daily she gets weak and remembers her vulnerable Love but She was no fool like Six years ago. Moreover if by any chance Arnav Singh Raizada indeed Loves Khushi Gupta then still nothing would change because the Khushi Gupta with whom he had fallen in Love was no longer alive. And this Khushi Gupta is just a Body without a Soul and what a Body would feel without a Soul?

Picking up the Wallet from the ground, she thought something and did something then placed the Wallet on the Sidetable. She had thought clearly, the first thing she would do in the Morning was to return his Wallet. At first she thought, it was the gift given by her to him and since she holds no importance to him so she should discard the Wallet after tearing it to pieces. And secondly she thought it wouldn’t mean anything to him if she didn’t return the Wallet. When she never meant anything to him so what does this piece would mean to him? But she was no person who holds Grudge. She thought for whatsoever reason he is keeping the wallet is it’s matter and she shouldn’t poke her nose into it. But there was one thing which was her concern.

*

*

*

*

In The Morning
Soon Morning came and her Eyes opened by listening to the melodious voice of birds. As soon as she opened her eyes, her eyes fell on the Wallet on the side table. Then taking her Dress she walked into the Washroom. After eating her breakfast, she resumed her Morning journey.

Nearby AR Designz
For a long while she kept thinking how she should return his Wallet to him. She didn’t know where he was right now. Then she thought she should post his Wallet to his Workplace akka AR Designz. But then thinking and stopped herself from thinking more on this irrelevant thing, she decided to handover it to the Reception of AR Designz and then her work will be finished. And where his Wallet would reach would be her least concern.

In AR Designz
In Reception Area
Seeing the tight security and splendid infrastructure of AR, it didn’t bring a smile on her face because except Aarushi there is no one or nothing which could make her smile. She stopped enjoying seeing the Infrastructure. If she was old Khushi then by now She would have acted like a Rabbit who would have jumped up & down in happiness to see Her Annav’s success. But she was not that Old Khushi.

Coming to Reception area, she stood silent for sometime thinking how she should initiate it without letting the opposite person misunderstand her. As Khushi was silent, the Receptionist who was already in a happy mood like everyone else in AR Designz because their Company AR Designz bagged a worth Billion Pounds deal and due to this CEO has given a bonus to every working staff in AR Designz. The Receptionist saw the unknown silent Girl who face portrays the innocence so she voiced out in an extra polite & soft tone.

“Hi. Do you have an appointment, please?”

At this Khushi nodded her head in no and the Receptionist, understanding the situation, thought to help her by not getting out of the way. She continued asking her in the same soft tone.

“If you have something, I can pass it on for you, or you can go and sit over there for a little while. Right now all Higher Authorities are busy so without asking their permission I can’t allow you.”

Thinking of Receptionist words, Khushi smiled slightly as accepting and thanking for her sweet gesture. She politely refused for waiting there to return the Wallet. Moreover for whom she should wait, there was no one who had been waiting for her. Infact she was the only person who had ever waited. Plus by waiting here she didn’t want to run into the CEO of AR Designz. Years ago, he was bound to her by her forceful relationship and before leaving the Delhi years ago, she freed him from herself physically as well as mentally. And now she doesn’t have anything to do with him and there was not any kind of Relationship between them so why should she wait for him. After Carrefour’s accidental meet, it was pretty obvious even after years what place she holds in his heart or should say, she was no more than a Stranger to him. After their accidental meet, she wanted to avoid meeting him or never wanted to run into him because she knew in their every meet he was capable enough to hurt her through verbally, actions or through silence. So making an excuse, Khushi replied to the Receptionist’s sweet gesture.

“It’s okay. I will come back another time. And can you please do some favour, as for this I have come from a long distance. Could you please pass it on to Arnav, I mean Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada?”

Hearing this though the Receptionist was stunned seeing the thing and listening to her words but nevertheless nodded. Several questions appeared in her mind. Though she wanted so hard to ask but keeping her manners in check she remained silent. But she wasn’t disappointed when she heard the answers of her unasked questions from her.

Khushi keeping it simple, she spoke something which was kind of true.

“Actually I have attended the same Banquet as Mr. Raizada last night, K.G Collab auction, so I saw him mistakenly forgetting his Wallet in on the table. So I picked it up and thought of returning it to him as the first thing in the morning.”

Hearing this Receptionist’s Eyes widened. Off-course she was aware of K.G’s last night Auction and him attending the Banquet. Like him, all the Elite members were only invited. What surprised her more, the person standing in front of her could return it to CEO by herself so surely she would get brownie points but no with this gesture of hers, she knew she doesn’t have any ill intentions or else by now she would have utilized this opportunity in her favour. With this realization, suddenly the Receptionist’s heart became more soft towards her and she asked her.

“Could you please tell me Your name, Young Lady?”

As Receptionist asked this, Khushi passed a slight smile towards her and in her politest way, Khushi thanked her then walked from there. Off-course Khushi never intended to let him know that she was the person who returned his personal thing to him or who might know again that this Wallet might let them meet each other and he would once again hurt her. So taking Precautions is the best thing for her, till she is in India or in Delhi, the fewer she meets him the better it would be for her mental health. With much difficulty she tried to forget him or move on from him. She didn’t want to meet him again & again and make all her efforts go down the drain. If God forbid, they once again enters in Relationship or they would get more familiar than strangers then she would not be able to leave him. And how would she live here when she knew, this city is not her Home, the Home is where she built the place with so many lovely memories with her Daughter Aarushi in the U.S. In India, She was just a *Musafir* or she was just a Traveller, passenger or a Tourist.

Whereas seeing Khushi go from there, it made the Receptionist spell-bound on Khushi’s behaviour.

Meanwhile
In Melbrew Coffee Shop
Just like Starbucks, Melbrew is an international Coffee shop name. Though the taste of the Coffee is not the same as in the Foreign countries but still the taste was not bad. It was passable.

Right now, Alizeh or Liza and Arnav are seated in Melbrew’s private booth so that their Privacy wouldn’t be disturbed. Liza has given the orders of the Coffees and now looked at the usual face of Arnav which was now more intense. Though she wasn’t able to attend yesterday’s Banquet due to her professional commitments, but she was already given a detailed report of Banquet’s happening and post-Banquet happenings in Manik’s house. She was already notified after the Banquet had ended and they had come back to Manik’s home, they had seen Arnav acting crazily or madly searching for something which was so important to him but had lost somewhere. Seeing his crazy gesture, everyone knew maybe the thing was precious for him, and it might be that thing was given by her akka Khushi. Everyone knew Arnav loved her more than anything else, but his hatred for her wasn’t any less too. And due to his hatred, he wasn’t able to accept that “He indeed is still crazily in Love with her.” If he was never in Love with her so he would have already moved on from her years ago, his Verbal fights would not have hurted him, her abandoning him hadn’t left a great impact on him and certainly the differences between their Hearts wouldn’t have crushed him, pained him and certainly wouldn’t be heart wrenching.

Seeing him crazily searching for that precious thing, everyone volunteered to help him to find it, but he refused to let anyone know.

Liza, who had enough of his craziness for a day, had pulled him to his favourite coffee shop. She never knew why this coffee shop was his favourite, and whenever he wanted to drink and taste the coffee or wanted to sit idle, he came to this coffee shop from the last Six Years. But dragging him to his favourite coffee shop didn’t make him at ease. So she whisper shouted.

“Enough of this Arnav. It's enough for a day. Stop behaving like a Kid whose favourite candy or toffee was snatched.”

Hearing this, Arnav looked at Liza and raised his one Eye-brow and mentally thought it was far more precious than a candy. It was His Wallet, which years ago he had thrown in a Bin because he knew She had gifted him and she wanted to know about his Opinions. In front of her he always behaved rough tough, but he had no idea about it why her upset face always bothered him, hurted him and in absence of her he would fetch every gifts of her which he Ruthlessly threw away. He was a Coward or a Fool or whatever but he couldn’t accept her gifts from her and would always insulted her but in secret he would search for it, like He searched for a Gifted Wallet of hers in a Bin and till now he had secretly kept all her Gifts in Locker as they were too precious and was not less than any treasure for him. Six years ago, he wasn’t able to stop Her from taking exit from his Life so all her Gifts for him were the only way to keep her close to him and brought a Warmness in his Cold-Stone body. From yesterday, when he found his Wallet was missing, he has gone berserk. Not only Wallet but her the thing which made him to take breaths is also missing, and that was a picture of her which he stole from her Library Card after she left Delhi in memory of seeing her picture everyday and would humiliate Her, scold her or anyway he could let his Hatred out but deep down he knew, he had kept her Photo close to him so that he could feel she is near to him or close to him. So why not missing of his wallet and her Picture, would not make behave crazily. He was feeling like as if he was finding difficulty in breathing.

Then the door of their private booth was knocked twice, then thrice and waiter came in bringing their order. Once Waiter left from there, Liza remained silent for a while, thinking should she open up Khushi’s matter to him when he was already vulnerable. Then, thinking it might change his mood for a time being or who knows, maybe bringing up a topic about hers would give her more hindsights of him.

“What happened, Arnie? Did you receive my MESSAGE?”

At this, he remembered her message some time ago when she messaged him on WhatsApp, notifying him about that Editor of Magazine is none other than *Khushi Gupta*.

Thinking about it, deep down he wanted Liza to take her Case back against Her. And on the other hand, He doesn’t want as due to this, he might could see her secretly. So forgetting the Wallet thing behind, he asked her.

“Liza about your Case, do you want to keep suing them?”

Hearing Arnav’s straightforward question, she was a little shocked, but she didn’t let it appear on her face. Taking a sip of her coffee, she asked him in a little teasing voice.

“What’s the matter, Arnie? When you find out who the Editor is or who is the wrongdoer, do you feel sorry?”

At this for a few seconds, Arnav remained silent and then took sips of Coffee, he told her she was wrong when deep down he knew she was right. But had or has Arnav Singh Raizada ever accepted the reality or his feelings, especially from the last Six Years.

“Liza, you are being delusional. Stop thinking too much. I just wanted to double check plus I have been in contact with your assigned lawyer, Mayank. He was asking about it, what’s your Stance now on this case?”

Arnav’s words made her silent, and she made a face. She was behaving just like Arnav. Like Arnav, too, she had missed Khushi every single day, had thought about every worsening situation from her point.of.view. Just like Arnav, she too didn’t want to accept how much she missed her best friend in Past. Somewhere She did blame Khushi too for becoming Liza from Alizeh because if Khushi would have been beside her, then she would have never turned into Heartless Model, Liza. She was not just a Friend to her but she was far more than a Friend to her, she had been her Guide, her bodyguard and her like a Mother who would always protect, safeguard her children from every harm so in the same way Khushi had saved her from every harm. Khushi had made her dependent on her, and when She had left Delhi, Alizeh was no more, she became Liza. And at the time, there was Arnav who had supported her when she was at her lowest. Just like Arnav, she too hated Khushi but only from top and deep down she was like Arnav, finding ways to see her. How much she tried to ignore but Khushi’s changed appearance & her behaviour was unsettling something in her. Though she wanted to ask Khushi but still she kept her questions to herself and deeply prayed all should be good for her.

Then they both remained silent for quite a time, as she waited to him say something while he waited to hear something from her. But even after sometime when none of them spoke something, she sighed and accepted her fault.

“Ahhh. I didn’t want to Sue her. Infact Suing her was something I never wanted in the first place.”

There she goes, she says it. Whereas hearing this Arnav suddenly Coughed and now he was getting the picture clear that why she was so keen for a Lawsuit some time ago. Why was she insisting him to look after this Case? And once she told him about the name of the Guilty person, she has been very easy on the Lawsuit. Then Arnav heard her, laughing. He looked at her curiously that what made her to react like that in this serious situation. For a while he was feeling furious on her for staging all this even after she knew him what his stance would be and will always be.  Still she.  Then he heard her next.

“I just think it was fun.”

Without beating around the bush, she directly asked him.

“What was her expression, when she found out you were supporting me? Was she shocked after seeing you?”

All this was making him more and more furious on her. He literally wanted to shout on her. Breathing in & out, when he was able to lessen his anger, he managed to answer directly at her direct question.

“She never gets to see. Or should I say, I didn’t let her see me. I let Mayank handle the matter without my interference?”

At this Liza made a Face and asked him questioning that Why to which taking another sips of Coffee, he replied to her seriously.

“Liza, did you seriously think I will interfere or will take care of such a tiny case? Moreover I’m a Designer not a lawyer.”

Hearing his answer, she sighed and let out her fake Realization.

“So, it turns out after so many years, you have really changed. I thought you couldn’t wait to see her after seeing my message and would instantly contact her either to shout out your sufferings or pain at her or you would have run to her to see is she really back?”

Liza knew what she was saying. She was sure to some extent that Arnav would have done exactly the same as she had pointed out. And true to her Arnav did same, he had reached her Working Office to see her, to make himself believe that seeing her in Carrefour wasn’t one of his Illusions. She was indeed back.

As soon as Arnav heard Liza’s words, he suddenly Coughed. Then hearing Liza’s further Words.

“It seems You have really GIVEN UP on Her. And you might find a new Partner to share your life. As all these years you had only waited for her. And now when you had given up on her so you…”

Liza intentionally didn’t complete her sentence and left it midway. Whereas just the words spoken by Liza about choosing someone else not his Khushi, His Khush, didn’t settle with him. Neither he was in position to confront or to agree, so simply he told.

“I don’t think we are here to talk about something which is irrelevant to us.”

Though Arnav tried to avoid or ignore the topic but Liza couldn’t let him slide the topic. She wanted both of her friends to be reconciled and start a Fresh start after let go of their Past. Liza might have become become angry-bird now towards Khushi but She wasn’t a fool to notice something terrible might have happened with her in Past which made her like this. How much time she had spent in “Elite Magazine” was all because she actually wanted to know why Khushi was back. Though she couldn’t find out why she was back nor she could let her anger or disappointment slipped but she wouldn’t let a chance to miss especially knowing both of her friends were still in Love with each other. She was very much assured about Arnav but even though she didn’t know much about Khushi’s feelings for Arnav but based on the Past, she wanted them to give a chance to actually meet each other. If they don’t want to get reconciled then they could end their Relationship on a Good note rather than how they ended up years Ago.

Though Liza staged the whole thing, keeping in mind that Arnav would reach up to something but every time he was making her think she was thinking too much. 

So in her displeased and upset tone, she asked him directly.

“Do you think it is good to leave something unclear forever? None of us had ever known what had actually happened years ago. The person who literally kissed the floor on which you have walked, that person would abandon you? Arnie there is nothing we knew about except what her Father told us years ago.”

At this, once again Arnav remembered the bitterest day of his life, when he get to hear something from His Khush’s father. For the very first time he listened to his voice and for the very first time he regretted hearing him. If he hadn’t managed to find her Telephone number than by now He wouldn’t have hated her that much.

Remembering the bitterest day and Liza’s words, once again he became Furious and now he couldn’t able to stop himself from punching his hands on the table, frightening Liza by his action. She knew he had always been sensitive in Khushi’s matter but this was too intense.

Arnav couldn’t help but shout at her in Sound-proof private booth.

“What do you think Liza, I had accepted just because by listening to Uncle? No. Everything was Crystal clear. The fact, was she didn’t have the anymore Patience to deal with me, with my anger. I had fought with her, insulted her and taunted her Day & Night. I had never been an ideal boyfriend. Forget being adopting a Role of Boyfriend, I had never been a Good person to her. And this thing made me a Monster to her and no Insane person would want to live a Life with the Monstrous person.”

“I had been worst with Khushi and she had taken everything with a Smile. Because of her and/or due to her undying Love for me, I didn’t know when I began to feel something for her. I was trying my best to work on my Lackings but it was not like overnight I would become from Monster to Khushi’s Prince Charming, Ideal person. I was slowly slowly changing myself. Before I could actually realize My feelings she left without a word. One fight at the Hospital and after that she just left. She just left without letting me tell her my point of view. She didn’t let me tell her, I am only HERS. And there is no one other than her.”

“I don’t hold her responsible for Abandoning me just because of Uncle said some things. At first I used to believe that but with time I realized she left because her Love for me just came with a Deadline. Whatever might be the situation, she would have just showed one ounce of Trust in her Love. She should have trusted on her Love for me, not on me. Agreed our fight at the hospital would have been major thing for her to leave Me but you tell me Liza didn’t I had always been worst with her at the start. When She could handle me my Monstrous behaviour then when I was beginning to change for her, she just left me.”

“I don’t hate her for leaving me to accomplish her dreams. We were still young and we tended to fulfill our Dreams so that we didn’t have any regrets. She wanted to go to America to complete her dream then she could have told me, we would have a Long-distance Relationship. And I was also planning to pursue my Masters from Foreign country. I didn’t hate her for continuing her Dreams. But I hate her for Abandoning me. I hate her that she never actually told me anything about herself. She had always lied about herself. She hid the fact that she belonged from an influential family, she hid the fact that she was too talented. And many things. After listening to Our Director in the Auditorium, I felt I had never known this real Khushi Gupta. The person Khushi Gupta I have known or seen was just an Illusion or just a Facade. I hate her for never thinking about Me. I hate her for leaving me after making me fall in Love with her. I hate her for becoming my Light then making Darkness my friend. I hate her for never fighting back  with me or saying something after Hospital fight just like after our usual fight. I hate her for not understanding my feelings towards her. I hate her for blocking all my ways to reconnect with her. I hate her for not reaching out to me in these Six years. She was the one who is more out-spoken and more extroverted between us, but she…

And last but not the least I Hate her most because in these years I had craved her, missed her, begged for her more than anything else. And she was no where to listen. I hate her most because she had made ASR from Arnav, an emotionless person. I hate her from my every Being.”

Arnav’s shout was now lessened to an emotional tone. Meanwhile, today for the first time, Liza had actually known the real reason behind his Hatred for her. She had not long know about his Monstrous behaviour towards Khushi, when he was high oh Alcohol and revealed about his Past with Khushi, and it made Liza so angry that she literally punched him for been a Monster with her. And Arnav’s friends were just guilty sitting there listening to Arnav’s words and Liza’s actions.

It took long time for Liza to come in terms that it was not in Arnav’s intention to hurt her best friend. She knew her best friend had provoked him so much. So they both were at faults.

As per Newton’s third Law.

“There is an opposite and equal reaction to an every action.”

Khushi provoked him and in turn Arnav hurted her. It was their matter that’s why Khushi never let her know about her difficulties. At that time, her disappointment in her increased that why did she hide everything from her. When she was suffering from the Flu so Khushi had to be there becoming a Mother hen and when it came to her, so Khushi hid everything from her. For a long time, she couldn’t remain upset with Arnav as she had seen everything from her eyes how Arnav had reduced himself after Khushi had left.

At one-point she blamed Khushi for leaving everything and didn’t fought back for her pride and self-respect just like she had taught her to. And another point she blamed her for not considering her friend as she was used to consider her. She was her friend and why did she hide about herself from her too.

There were so many things, which made her disappointed and hatred at her.

Listening to Arnav’s pain and his teary eyes which speaks everything that how vulnerable She had left him, made her teary too. Then she heard him asking, after calming himself.

“What do you intend to do Liza, to let all the couples get reconciled? Liza whatever you wanted to do so do, but just know that it’s just your wasteful thinking. I don’t know about your Friend but for me it’s completely NOOOOO. Last time I was forced to be in Relationship with her because I was not familiar with her. But now I am. I don’t want to entangle myself anymore with her.”

Hearing this, She sighed and tried one last time.

“Can’t you talk with her like a normal people would do? According to me there is obviously a big misunderstanding between you two. Why can’t you clear it?”

Hearing this, Arnav was speechless. Even after saying so much, she was still sticked to the same point. And this time, he looked at her with a pained face and asked her.

“Tell me Liza honestly, what is the misunderstanding and where is it? Even if there was one, why didn’t she ask me anything or confront me if she was misunderstanding something. Didn’t I give her that much surety that she can ask me anything? And moreover when Khushi Gupta needed permission to ask or to get too personal with me?”

He thought he knew but the fact was there was a big one misunderstanding which didn’t let Khushi asked him and their Hospital fight was the last Nail in the Coffin. No matter how worst he had been with her, been Monster with her but he was always trueful to her when he told her there was no other girl, who is close to his Heart except His Elder Sister Anjali. Even he told her, Lavanya was just like a Sister to him, in fact she was his Cousin-Sister nothing more or nothing less than it. No matter how much verbal fight he used to have with her or make her less important to her, but he had always been faithful to her. When he told he had never loved anyone. When he was beginning to realize he started to feel something for her, so not only he used to have less fights with her but also make sure that somehow he was making her learn about his secrets. He used to give her more time than usual. He used to listen to her more. He used to hold her hand often when they were alone. He used to expect more & more from her and even let her know. He still remembered when she failed to bring a Birthday present for him, he was upset. Then somehow later, he closed the gap between their lips and Khushi becoming Shy from him, pushed him and ran from there.

Before that Unfortunate Day, he was trying to become a Perfect Boyfriend but as he said he can't change from a Monster to Prince Charming overnight and it needs time. But that too was not given to him.

Meanwhile hearing everything from him, Liza accepted defeat finally that after trying She couldn’t let him to change his perspective for even a short time.

“Okay. Fine. I became an evil person for nothing. It's my fault. I thought too much when I was already aware of the result beforehand.”

Listening to her, Arnav looked sideways as he has no answer to her. But when he heard her, suddenly unsettling feeling started to wander in him.

“I wonder till when Khushi Gupta would go back to States to her Life. From my Contacts I get to know, She is here temporarily in India. And one day she has to go back. Could it be that she leaves tomorrow? Tell me Arnav if Khushi leaves tomorrow would it not make any slightest difference to you? And will you spend your whole life with the Business? Earlier you couldn’t get a chance but now you could try stopping her back.”

Liza’s words caught him off-guard and a very disturbing feeling settled in his Heart. Liza’s words didn’t let him think about anything else. So making an excuse of work, he walked from there while Liza stayed there and smiled.

“My disappointments and hatred for you Khushi is on one-side. And on other side there is my Love for you. Earlier I couldn’t help you. But now I will help you. I don’t know what made you leave or abandoned Arnav. And in the same way, no matter how much Arnie tries to deny his feelings for you but one day he will trully accept it. The only thing he needed is push. Earlier I wasn’t hopeful while staging it but now I know it's the right thing to do.”

Making her fingers crossed, she deeply wished to see her both Friends together.

On ABC Road
Arnav was driving his Mercedes on the Road but his Mind was busy in remembering what Liza had told him. Could he accept it, if once again Khushi left India leaving him behind, could he? And suddenly a voice echoed from his Brain “Indeed he could.” He had lived a long Six years away from her, in hating her. With a One accidental meet what it would bring change in him, nothing.

If he could, take Khushi’s leaving lightly then why he is feeling disturbed, why he is feeling strange pain in his Heart.

With confusion in and a Pain in his Heart, he took strange turns and strange route.

Not long ago, he applied emergency brake when he saw a familiar Gate. Rising his eyes from front to above, in his own Thoughts, he didn’t know how he reached Delhi University. Coming out from his Car, he walked towards Entrance gate of University, touching the Gate, he pushed the Gate and entered in University and next seconds a Familiar shoutings of a Person

Echoed. And that shoutings was from none other than Khusi Gupta. Back in University days, Khushi Gupta used to shout his name in every corner of the University and every happening related to her Shoutings was faded from his mind but not her shouting his Name. At that time, he was irritated and scolded her alot for her this habit of hers but now that old same habit of her brought tears to his Eyes. He wished he could travel back in time. But atlas.

He was remembering a beautiful memory that suddenly His phone beeped with an incoming Call. Seeing a number “Lavanya” he as usual ignored it. Then a Notification popped up on his Mobile, it was a Notification about the Conference Call with Foreign Delegates and that can not be missed at all.

Thinking of a Conference at AR Designz, he walked to his Car. Then turning around, he looked at the University for the last time or saw the old memory of her in University. Only he knew how much he wished that he could travel back in time, and set everything right. But atlas. Sitting in his Car and driving from there.

Chapter Ends

*****

Precap:

“Miss. Gupta, I need it to remember it as proof of my stupid past.”

“Mr. Raizada, you should let go of the past. If something is lost, there is no need to search for it again. If you miss out on someone, there is no need to go back. Just don’t live in the past as a person or as proof of your stupid past. You need to let go of your past.”

********

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