Khushi's eyes filled with unshed tears as her cheeks stung with the hard slap. Payal gasped seeing Khushi's cheeks take a shade of red forming an imprint of Buaji's hand.

"Buaji!" Khushi croaked, her voice gagged with tears.

"Shut up! Don't you dare call me Buaji." Buaji shouted at Khushi, anger bubbling inside her.

"How dare you do such a shameful act? Is this what we have taught you? Are these the manners we have instilled in you?" Garima yelled at Khushi, tears flowing from both their eyes - one in pain and another in anger.

"Hadn't I said in the past not to adopt this girl? See now, she has brought nothing but shame on our family. Chi! It feels disgusting to even think of what all you might have been doing behind our backs till now." Buaji exclaimed shocking the ladies in the room along with Shashi who had entered the room hearing the commotion in the start.

Shashi was too shocked to think wisely. He had never imagined his Khushi Bitiya to ever commit such a mistake.

"Buaji, at least listen to Khushi, once." Payal argued trying to defend her sister.

Khushi will never willingly do anything wrong.

Payal trusted her and just that thought made Khushi feel relieved a bit.

Thanks for trusting me, jiji.

Khushi's tears spilled as she heard Buaji and Amma scold her and show their distaste towards her. What broke her heart more was her Babuji's silence. His silence and bowed head spoke louder than his words.

I disappointed my family.

Khushi broke out of her thought as she felt someone drag her. She looked at an angry Buaji dragging her out of the house.

Buaji jerked Khushi out of the house and closed the door on her face warning her to never show her face to them.

Khushi's cries and Payal's requests to allow Khushi explain herself fell onto deaf ears. The elders were too blinded in rage to have a rational thinking.

Khushi sunk to the floor with her head supported against the door. She cried over her fate. She once again lost her parents.

Khushi did not know for how long she sat against the door wishing for someone to open the door. The onset of monsoon brought along the chilly wind nights and Khushi felt herself shiver. She did not know where to move.

Where will I go in the middle of the night?

After a few minutes, the door opened and Khushi looked up to see Payal standing there with a shawl in her hand.

"Jiji, believe me I did not-"

"Shh! Khushi, I know. I know you would never take a wrong step." Payal consoled Khushi in a hushed voice not wanting to wake up the family.

"You trust me, Jiji?" Khushi asked, unsure of Payal's words.

Payal nodded her head silently trying to stop her sob.

Controlling herself, Payal wrapped the shawl around Khushi and said, "Khushi, everyone is very angry on you. I will try to talk to them as soon as the anger subsides, I promise. But till then you need to take care of yourself. You want the baby, right?"

Khushi looked at Payal and wrapped her arms protectively around her unborn baby and nodded her head, too tired to say anything.

"Then, you'll have to take care of yourself and this little one. For now, go to Preeto's house, Khushi. I have talked to her and said that Buaji is angry on you for another mischief of yours. So like in childhood, you are going to have a night stay at her house, okay? Go on! You should not stay in cold for long." Payal explained Khushi and ushered her to Preeto's house handing Khushi, her purse and her Devi Maiyaa's idol.

"Khushi!" Khushi turned around to see Payal coming towards her.

"Khushi, you should talk to Arnav-ji once." Payal stated waiting to gauge Khushi's reaction.

"What's the use, jiji? For him, it was nothing but a mistake. What if he calls my child a mistake too?" Khushi said, her voice devoid of any emotion.

"I know he called that night a mistake but he is the father of your child, Khushi. He deserves to know. Just let him know and then if he doesn't want the child then we are already there for our little one. The baby would come into this world with happiness with or without father doesn't matter. But promise me, you'll talk to Arnav-ji, once." Payal assured Khushi of her child's safety and that relieved Khushi's heart to a great extent.

My child is not unwanted. I will give birth to my child with all the love and care.

Khushi promised Payal and walked to Preeto's house, the next door.

*

The first thing Khushi did the next day was inform Anjali that she would be late for work. She, then, found herself a small 1BHK house with the help of one of her friends and shifted there.

Payal had informed Khushi that everyone was still angry and so Khushi took a few belongings of her and shifted to her mew house.

Khushi asked Payal to give some time to everyone and then they'll talk to them. Though hurt, Khushi kept herself positive and decided to let the life go and it is.

Khushi walked inside Shaantivan determined to talk to Arnav as promised to Payal.

Does he deserve to know? Yes - maybe.

Khushi gulped down and looked around for others. Everyone seemed to be in their respective rooms.

"Hari Prakash-ji!" Khushi called out for Hari Prakash seeing him walk towards the kitchen.

"Yes, Khushi-ji."

"Is Arnav-ji at home?" Khushi asked hesitantly.

"Yes, Khushi-ji. He is in his room. I just gave him his coffee." Hari Prakash informed.

"Thank you!" Khushi thanked and walked up the stairs towards Arnav's room.

Devi Maiyaa raksha karna.

Khushi knocked the door only for it to push open. Khushi felt her heart race but ignoring it, Khushi looked around the room in search of Arnav.

Khushi saw Arnav pacing at the poolside barking orders at Aman.

Poor Aman-ji!

Khushi looked at the worry lines on Arnav's forehead and a sudden urge to wipe them off filled her.

Focus Khushi!

Khushi stood near the door waiting for Arnav to complete his call. Arnav, unaware of Khushi's presence, took his laptop bag and started walking out of the office still talking to Aman.

Shocked at his ignorance, Khushi stood between the door and Arnav which made Arnav look at Khushi in anger.

Dropping the call, Arnav glared at Khushi.

"What?" Arnav yelled.

"I need to talk to you." Khushi said in a feeble voice looking at the floor.

"I don't have time for your stupid talk, Ms. Gupta. I have got a business to run. Keep your talks with yourself and go and tell someone else. 'Coz I am literally not interested in your so-called talks." Arnav shouted and pushed Khushi to the side before walking out of his room.

Khushi took hold of the door and steadied herself, her hand going around her waist scared for her child.

Khushi's eyes filled with tears at the thought of Arnav pushing her away.

How could he just push me away when I am pregnant?

Khushi thought furiously trying to control her tears.

He doesn't yet know that you are pregnant - with his child.

Khushi mused at her inner voice. Khushi wondered why her inner self always found ways to defend Arnav even for his worst behavior.

Hey Devi Maiyaa! Arnav-ji went to office without listening to me. Should I go to his office to talk to him?

"Khushi-ji!" Khushi heard Shyam call her and she turned around wiping her tears.

"Yes, jijaji." Khushi faked a smile at Shyam.

"Khushi-ji, I need to go to the crime scene, urgently and Rani Saheba is down with slight fever. Can you please stay with her and make sure she doesn't run around the house? Please?" Shyam pleaded, worry for Anjali evident in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Jijaji. I will take care of Anjali-ji." Khushi smiled at Shyam as he walked off.

She really admired this couple. They were the relationship goal.

Khushi dropped the idea of going to Arnav's office. Still a little angry at Arnav's jerkiness, Khushi just left him a message stating,

"I am pregnant, Arnav-ji."

She knew! She knew for a fact that Arnav-ji won't need more words to explain the details.

Putting her mobile back in her purse, Khushi walked to Anjali's room to take care of her.

Khushi was fusing over Anjali to take rest when her mobile beeped indicating an incoming message.

Khushi rushed to check the message when she heard Anjali's teasing voice, "Oye hoye, so much desperation to check a message? Who is this lucky guy, Khushi-ji?"

Khushi blushed slightly before pain took over her happy eyes.

Wish I were lucky enough to receive a loving message from the one I love, Anjali-ji.

"There's nothing of that sort, Anjali-ji." Khushi dismissed Anjali's comment and opened the inbox to read the reply from Arnav-ji.

"Get an abortion, Khushi. I don't give a damn about the child. It was a mistake and that's all."

Khushi's eyes filled with angry tears as she re-read the message. Tears flowed down freely from her eyes.

How dare he? Who does he think he is? Get an abortion! Is he fucking serious? So what if he doesn't want the child, I will give birth to my baby. It was a mistake for him, isn't it? I or the baby means nothing to him, right? I'll show him how he means nothing to us. Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, you shouldn't have talked about killing my child.

"Khushi-ji?" Khushi broke out of her reverie on Anjali's call.

"Yes, Anjali-ji? Do you need anything? Are you fine?" Khushi asked hastily wiping off her tears.

"Khushi-ji what happened? Why are you crying?" Asked Anjali cupping Khushi's face.

"Nothing Anjali-ji, j-ust like-that." Khushi stammered.

"Khushi-ji, it's alright if you don't want to share. But I guess you should take some rest. You look pale. Why don't you take some rest in the guest room - the one beside Lavanya's. You'll feel better, Khushi-ji." Anjali suggested, concerned for Khushi's health.

"I am fine, Anjali-ji."

"No, you are not. Look at your face. It has lost all the colors. Take some rest and then if you feel better, help if needed, okay? Till then just go and rest." Anjali said in a stern yet soft voice making Khushi agree to her.

Khushi knew Anjali was right. She felt exhausted. She had been to the doctor yesterday for her pregnancy confirmation and the doctor had clearly asked her to be extra careful with the baby as she is too young to bear one.

Khushi closed the door behind her and laid on the comfy bed. She closed her eyes wishing for some sleep to take over her but it seemed the sleep wasn't written in her fate. Each time she closed her eyes, the message from Arnav flashed in front of her eyes making her sleep fly out of the window.

Why do you always prove me wrong, Arnav-ji? Each time I think that you cannot be more heartless, the very next instance you break my conclusion and prove to be more arrogant and heartless than before.

Khushi's eyes dropped and exhaustion over took her as she fell into a deep slumber.

"Chamkili!" Khushi opened her eyes hearing Lavanya call her.

Getting up groggily, Khushi wore her shoes and walked to open the door. No sooner did Khushi open the door than she was taken in for a bear hug.

"Chamkili, I am so happy today!" Lavanya squealed in happiness.

"Nani had talked to the pandit and he said that engagement would take place in the next five days. Oh My God! I can't believe I am gonna get engaged to ASR." Lavanya added happily.

Khushi smiled at Lavanya and congratulated her. Asking Lavanya to wait outside for her, Khushi walked inside the washroom to freshen herself and hide her painful tears that seem to have no end.

I'll show you, we don't need you, Mr. Raizada.

Determined, Khushi moved to the living room to see everyone present there.

"Khushi-ji, how are you feeling now?" Anjali inquired of Khushi making others confused.

"I am fine, Anjali-ji." Khushi smiled at Anjali's concern.

You are so like my jiji, Anjali-ji.

"What happened, Khushi Bitiya?" Asked Nani

"Nothing Nani, just felt a bit down and exhausted." Khushi replied with the same smile.

Khushi's gaze kept wandering to Arnav's face wanting to gauge any kind of reaction, only to meet with disappointment.

Stop waiting for his reaction, Khushi. He doesn't care for you or the baby.

Khushi brushed off her thoughts and dived her attention to the discussion for engagement.

Khushi felt a strong gaze on her and she tilted her head to see Arnav looking at her.

His face was emotionless but she could easily read his eyes which held confusion in them.

Khushi smirked to herself and turned back to participate in the conversation.

Wait and watch, Mr. Raizada. I'll show you how to really ignore a person.

~

Oh My God! Guys, you don't even know how much happy you guys make us with your support.

Thank you so so soooooooooo very much for being so supportive. We are so glad to get readers like you.

And about the update - We guys will try our best to give updates every day. We will surely try our best.

Thank you!
Love,
Kid_Katt❤️