It is dark........dark......dark......everywhere she looked it is dark.......where is she?.......why is the whole place plunged in dark......she does not like darkness......she fears darkness........don't they know.......what is happening.......where am I?........why I could not find light.......only darkness......she is surrounded by darkness........No!!!

No!!!! she did not like it.......she hates it.....she has to come out of it.....she has to reach the light......but where is the light.......light.....yes light......search the light......it will be here......she knew it.....she can feel it......but it is hidden from her......search......search it soon......she cannot stay in this dark place.....she has to leave......her eyes darted around in the search of light.....at least a tiny light so she could grasp it.....her feet ran around the place waiting to reach the hidden light.

There......there at the end.......at the last she can see tiny light which seems it may extinguish anytime now.......her feet took speed as she ran forward to catch the light but.......but.......it started to become too tiny.....too little.....and too distance......with each step of hers.....the light is becoming far in distance and started fading away......No.....no please......please don't......she pleaded to whoever it is she can't fathom hoping her plead will make the light stay.......but it just faded......faded like a thin air in vapor before her eyes not even giving her chance to reach it.

With a Shrill cry she fell on her knees.........No!!!!

"Khushi!!!! Khushi!!! Jaan Wake Up!!! Shhh.....it is okay. Jaan I'm here.....open your eyes.....baby look it is alright. Everything is fine."

And she did open her eyes for few seconds, her glazed vision trying to capture the lifeline of her life while she seeking his warmth clawing at him holding him tight in embrace as she assured herself.She is not alone......he is here with her. The darkness cannot touch her now. No, it will not hurt her, he is here. Listening to his heartbeat she closed her eyes which felt like burden to keep them open, basking in the knowledge of his presence with her to hold her from getting lost in the dangerously dark abyss.

His shivering fingers did poor job at wiping her tears running down her cheek from her closed eyes. The last night evening incident had affected her more than he had assumed. Now hearing her screaming he sees the effect it had on her. He had been in pain more than one could explain when she broke down in his arm last night crying her heart for their child who would have been alive breathing inside her womb if they had left to it live but......he sighed as he rocked the woman of his life as her body racked with sob in her sleep. Cooing at her simultaneously assuring her his mind took him few hours ago.....

Reaching their room they had sought to the poolside needing the fresh air under the night sky wanting to cool their burning heart. Cuddling in his lap, her mind refused to come out of the incident, even though one part of her mind acknowledging the warm hand stroking her reddened cheek by her buaji but other part is too lost in grief. His anger eminent is radiant through his harsh breathing, in his clenched jaw, and in his stiffness.

"Even before they told me of the baby I felt the loss. The strangeness I felt within me as if I was suddenly bereft." Arnav looked down at her, hugging her close, rubbing her arms "Khushi......"

She did not listen as if lost somewhere far, maybe the day when she lost her child.....

The pungent smell which one would always associate with hospital flared her senses even before she woke to stare at the white walls. Even in the grogginess her senses came alert......something is wrong.....her heart could tell.

And as she has already felt the bad news which later was informed by her sister as she explained to Khushi about her abortion and reason.

She retailed not believing what she is hearing. Tried to get out of the bed screaming for her child wanting to run from the place, but had been outlasted as the nurse and help boy pulled her down on the bed and then she felt sharp twinge of injection given by doctor.

Few hours later, it was again Payal who was sitting beside her. She held Khushi's hand scared of the blankness she witnessed there in her eyes. It was that one word with no emotion she asked to her sister "Why?" which made Payal shed tears of grief buried in heart for because she could read the accusation in it.

Payal "I'm sorry Khushi. I could not go against her" Khushi just closed her eyes as if even looking at her hurt her. That broke her to see her sister who had always looked for her turning away from her.

"When no one was around I would cry for our child. I would cry for what would I say to you. It was ours and they did not think a minute before killing our child. How could she do this Arnav ji? What was our child's fault in this? She should have punished me and not our child. My baby Arnav ji, He is gone!!!"

"No....don't jaan.....our child is safe. What if he is not with us? He is safe with your DeviMaya. She will take better care of our child. And when time comes she will return our child to us. Just think it is not our time yet."

"Yes she will return our child to us"

"See you believe her right. Then don't cry....don't cry for our child. She knows what is best for us. And she will do her best when it is time. For now we should live and be happy rest she will take care"

"You believe her?"

Cupping her face, his thumb wiping her tears, his teary eyes looking at her glazed one "As I said before I believe in your belief in her"

Coming out of the trance he looked down at her to see she is already asleep, sighing he laid her head on her pillow, kissing her forehead praying she sleeps rest of the night without any dreadful dreams.

Garima knocked Khushi and Arnav's room the next day, she knew Arnav bitwa will not welcome her presence but it is something she needs to do before leaving.

Arnav was the one who opened the door to their room and stood silent before her making no move to welcome her inside.

"I....I've to see Khushi once before I leave"

He did not move, his eyes cold making her flinch.

"Please......" the plea in her eyes made him to give way for her to enter inside even though he did not like for anyone of them near his wife but knowing his Khushi well he knew she would wish to see her mother.

Garima entered inside the room and looked at Khushi who stood silently, her eyes anxiously darting towards her husband. Smiling at her feebly Garima moved forward close to Khushi "I came to give you your amanath. It is yours and it should be with you."

Only then Khushi and Arnav's eye landed on the box she is holding in her hand. Forwarding her hand "Take it Khushi, I'm returning what is yours" opening the box she said softly "This is your amma's. She had wanted to give it to you when you get married. If jiji was alive today she would have gifted you this but she....." gulping her throat she looked at Khushi tearfully. Khushi held the box in one hand and other hand running affectionately over the beautiful set inside it.

Smiling softly, her tone held the affectionate note "Your papa gifted her when you were born. He was so happy when you came in their life and he had specially ordered for your amma thanking her for giving you. They were so happy. Jiji was crying holding you in her arms. You really were gift to them. It was after long years of nearly eight, they had a child, you."

Wiping her tears she held Khushi's hand over the box "and jiji wished to give you this and when you have your child........" Garima gulped her tears, but sob wrecked her small body, feeling weak she sat on the bed, her face in her hands crying "I'm worse mother Khushi. I failed in my promise. I had promised her I'll keep you happy and safe, give all the love including your parents but I failed terribly"

Raising her head she looked at Khushi "What sort of mother I'm? I could not protect you or your baby. I failed my jiji. She will never forgive me for what I let happen to you." Khushi sat down beside her "Amma...." Putting a hand on her as she looked at her husband worriedly, Garima held her hand in hers "but what could I do Khushi? I got scared....scared when I came to know of your pregnancy......it was like I've gone back to the time I found out I got pregnant and it is all my fault. Like I failed then and I failed now"

She looked at Khushi's confused eye "I never shared this with anyone Khushi except with Shashi ji. I was eighteen when I fell in love with a guy in my village, near Lucknow. That time I lived with my babuji. And jiji was happily married for seven years living in Lucknow with jija ji. I had no one to tell what is wrong......no one to share the new feelings I'm experiencing if I'm right or not. I really loved him and thought he did too. I lost it Khushi. In my blind love I gave myself to him believing his every lie. Later what happened was worse and nightmare I had ever known. He refused to accept me. Babu ji got to know about it and when he came to know I was pregnant out of wed lock he was broken by my deed. He stopped talking to me.....stopped looking at my side. I was alone. And I deserved it. But then Babu ji died and it is all because of me. He was worried for me, for my future. Even though he did not forgive me for what I did neither I forgave myself but he worried for me, at the end it was father's heart. His worry took hold of him and his health, and he passed away in heart attack. I was left all alone in true means. In less than a month I lost everything. Jiji and Jija ji took me with them to Lucknow. Jiji and jija ji decided to adopt the baby as theirs and I was more than willing knowing what I cannot give to the baby they will. If the baby lived under the shadow of them it will have blessed life, no one can be good parent then them. They are world's wonderful people I've ever blessed with. But God must have decided to punish me for my sins because then in few months I lost my baby too. I had miscarriage. It was jiji and jija ji who held me when I broke down. They were my support. And You....*cupping her face* you became my lifeline when you came in our world. Jiji got pregnant with you; it was surprise for all and was like dream. It was happy days after lot of sorrows. I got something to look for. You were like sunshine for us."

Shaking her head in remorse "Our life was perfect and we were perfect happy family living in our perfect little world, the eight years that followed were wonderful but alas it did not last and shattered around our feet when we lost your mother and father. I was the last one to speak to jiji. I promised her to look after you as my daughter and do my best for you. And I promised myself I'll give you the love of your father and mother and try to fulfill the dreams they dreamed for you. I could not have done what little I did if not for Shashi ji. He was jijaji's friend and was widower with little Payal. And we compromised for you both. He became your father and I Payal's mother. I know jiji was not okay with you. But how I let you go Khushi. She would never realize what you are to me. I tried to compensate for her displeasure in you by giving Payal attention and love, that placated her, and Shashi ji like silent agreement showered his love and attention on you. What more, we were happy when Payal and You got along well like long lost sisters. Khushi I tried to instill whatever I got from jiji into you and Payal. For I never wanted any of you both to fall prey like I had been, but in the end it was what happened. You got pregnant and my worst fear came alive again. The past I so had put behind seemed to run in front of me again. I could not believe I failed my jiji and did not look at you carefully. I blamed myself and my upbringing *shaking her head at Khushi* and there must have something lacking in my values I taught that my daughter had forgot her morals and got pregnant without wed lock. With that came fear for your future. I got scared Khushi what type of man is he, the father of your child. I had taken the bite of the poison once and I did not want it for you. I should have talked with you, should have tried to know who is he but I was so distressed and worried, my fear took hold upon me. And that Shyam, he had brainwashed jiji so much promising her he will marry you if the child is aborted. She convinced us all. I should have known isn't it? I should have known what is like losing a child. I suffered and had lived with it, seen my jiji (her sister) living the barren life for eight years longing for child but even then, I convinced myself jiji's decision to go along with Shyam is good for you and your future. He looked so promising for you. In my haste to do the rightful thing I turned blind eye to the truth which was all along in front of my eye. I should have given a chance to you.....to the man whose child you were carrying. I should have known all men are not same just because one had used me and discarded like tissue paper. I should have talked with you but nahiin, I just closed my eyes to the happening convincing myself whatever they are doing is right. But I was so wrong. I was so wrong because I can see my jiji looking at me with disapproval, her eyes looking at me with pain and sorrow. I had let them snatch her daughter's child."

Wiping her tears which only rolled some more "I will never ask for your forgiveness Khushi. As a daughter I know you may forgive me but I know a mother's heart will never forgive me. And I know it too neither jiji nor I will forgive myself."

Shaking her head at Khushi from speaking, she smiled feebly "I told you all this not because I wish for your or Arnav bitwa's forgiveness but because I wanted you both to know where I come from." Looking at Arnav as he stood stiff leaning against the poolside door, only flicker of emotion which was almost near to sympathy crossed in his eyes before it shuttered down and gone blank "I know I have no rights to ask but as a mother I will say I'm glad you are with her and she is happy, just request you to make sure she always is." Running a hand over Khushi's head "I and your babu ji will pray for you, always. Be happy and safe." Pressing Khushi's hand gently "When you have your next child, if she is girl give it to her or if you have a son give it to the girl he marries. It is heirloom passed to you by your mother and she wanted it to have you and so on to the generation follows you."

Getting up "Jaate Jaate ek aur baat batana chahungi. Bitiya,Payal loves you and she will never hurt you. She was always there for you even when I was not able to be with you. I know she could not go against jiji but you know her. She is meek and had hardly a chance without your father, if your babu ji was well he would have stood against jiji and drilled my mind with sense but......" shaking her head she kissed her forehead lightly "She never had a chance against jiji. Please forgive her for not saving your child. And we did not know, not even jiji that the medicine we were giving you is harmful and dangerous. It was Shyam who bought it and we believed him. Our fault entirely, be safe and careful"

As Garima walked out, Arnav reached Khushi's side and side hugged her "Don't worry Khushi. Abhay had made arrangements for your amma and babu ji in the sidda medical hospital outside Delhi. They will have cottage to live there and your babu ji will be treated well."

"She is right I can forgive her as a daughter but I can never forgive her as a mother. If only she or jiji had once.....at least once tried to tell me what buaji had planned for me with Shyam. There would have chance I tried to contact you and saved our child. For this alone I can never forgive them. I'll try to forget. Because the rest of what she told is true. They loved me, and jiji not only loved me truly but also had shared her father's love with me. For that I'm grateful to them. *kissing his chin* thank you Arnav ji for making arrangement for amma and babu ji."

"How could I turn blind eye to the fact they had nurtured and loved you even though they had hand in killing our child. I cannot close to the eye for all the goodness they did for you and count only the one thing they did against you. I can never forgive them Khushi because I would have lost you forever and had lost our unborn baby but I could be grateful to them for the years of love and security they have given you. And if we come to Buaji that woman have no regret for her deeds and I don't give a damn about her, all she had given is pain. But I'll not stop Abhay from putting that woman in old age sheltered home. I would love to kill her after last night but I'll leave that to your Devi Maya, for God forbid I don't want to kill her and lose the chance of living with you."

"And I love you too.....Bahuth Jyada.....Sabse Jyada" snuggling in his embrace, clutching the box containing her mother's jewelry to her heart.

Nani accompanied by Maami came inside Arnav and Khushi's room. Both the women took seat beside Khushi. Nani running her hand over her hair "Kaisi ho betiya"

"I'm fine Nani ji" the older woman looked at Arnav who assured her blinking his eyes. Nani "good betiya we were worried for you"

Maami "hello hi bye bye I wanted to come to look at you last night itself but your mama ji and my sasuma did not allow me. Kehet rahe Arnav bitwa will take care of her"

Khushi "they are right Maami Arnav ji was there with me, chinthaki baat nahiin thi"

Nani "Bitwa we know it is not the right time to ask all this but after what we heard and everything happened before eyes I could not keep silent any longer. Why did you hide all this from us?"

Khushi looked down, Maami held her hand in his patting in assurance, while Nani looked at Arnav severely waiting for her answer. Arnav kneeling before her took her fragile hand in "First it was all shock for me Nani seeing the state of Khushi when I found her. Second, I could not decide what to do, it is no small thing. There was Khushi fighting for her life and then I get to know my dead child even before it could come into this world. It was too much for me. I did what I thought would be right, at that safe guarding Khushi from her family was foremost and I did. But before that there was Lavanya and I talked to her. She did not know the reason then but she understood me and agreed to part without any grudge. I'm so thankful for her Nani, that poor girl suffered because of me but she did free me from unwanted relation so I could move forward. I could not share with you all what is happening when everyone was angry and hurt by the decision I took to break the engagement with Lavanya. I could not stay back and make you all understand because Khushi needed me with her every minute and I went to her, for another reason is I needed her as much to be with her for every minute of my life. Because I've already learned she is my life. My whole focus was to mend her, heal her, not only physically but mentally too. Fighting the grief together I healed her as much as she healed me and still we are. At the end we decided it would be better if no one knows what happened. It will only hurt and upset everyone"

Khushi "I'm sorry Nani ji but I could not bring it in me to let you know. I was scared and stopped Arnav ji from saying anything to the family"

Arnav "She is not at fault Nani ji. Whatever happened was....."

Khushi "No I too was at fault. Hum logon ko apni maryada nahiin ulangan karna chahiyetha but we did not cross our limit and at the end it blow up. I'm so sorry Nani ji humse nafrat math kijiye hum sah nahiin payenge"

Nani hugged her patting her back "Pagal ho tum, why will I hate you? I agree I'm upset to hear the events occurred but I'll not hold that to you. As you said it is as much your mistake as it Chotte's. And you had got more than you people deserved punishment. Your family should not have done what they did?"

Maami "aur nahiin toh ka...how could Payal too support them?'

Khushi "Nahiin Maami Jiji se kuch mat kahiye she was just too scared to go against bua ji. She is already guilty and repenting badly. Aap kuch math kahiye unse aur jiji ko samajhneki koshishkijiye, please"

Patting her head Maami marveled at the selflessness this girl shows towards everyone, only a pure heart would look past the sin to see the reason of the behavior.

Maami "hmmm you two decided to hide all this from us but Damaad ji and Akash bitwa knows and did not even let us know"

Arnav "that too because of us, you see Maami when I needed help I could only remember jija ji at that time who will understand the situation we were in and everyone else were still angry he was the only reasonable person with whom we could at that time share. Then Nani came to know our marriage and she came brought us to RM."

Khushi "and Akash ji he came to know all this by chance, we did not tell him but when he had overheard the conversation between Arnav ji and Jiji he confronted us and we had to tell him"

Nani taking deep breathe "that tells why he is carrying the crossface all these days"

Arnav "he is still trying to come to terms with the events happened."

Maami muttered loudly sighing "Payal" knowing well what is going through him after coming to know Payal did nothing to stop the unjust happening to Khushi.

The two ladies after assuring Arnav and Khushi left them alone and gone to look Gupta family as they are all ready to leave, however their actions hurt them they are still under their roof as a guest and it is their good morals they will not send them without proper bidding.

Do let me know how this part came out. Please do not forgot to vote and comment.

Thank you guys!!!