Chapter 22 - Go the Distance

Two Days Later

Delhi

Wednesday - 9.00 AM

Zoya looked at her watch,as she got ready.She took a deep breath, today was the day.Her wedding Day.She was going to become, Asad Ahemed Khan's legally wedded wife.She looked at her reflection in the mirror,she had never thought that she would be getting married like this, all secretively. No ceremonies,no family banter.But she knew it was indeed the only way out.

Right then her phone beeped - It was Asad.

She opened the text message -

"Zoya, excited much? I am, I couldn't sleep last night, cant believe you are going to be officialy mine in two hours.."

She smiled.She immediately wrote -

" I am already yours, but yes officially it is..."

She got a quick reply

"Zoya, are you ok? I know you didn't dream it like this,but for me..."

She wrote back instantly -

"And for you, id jump through fire Asad, if I have to, to be with you,i'd do anything,and everything, im ok, just nervous, I guess, it is my wedding day after all...relax, i am fine..."

She got a quick reply -

"I love you, Zoya..."

She quickly typed - " I love you too..."

"See you in court at 11.00 am, sharp,ill be waiting Zoya..."

Asad really was her life, her everything.And it was strange,because thats what love had done to her, made her go behind her family's back,made her choose him over everything else,and she had really given it all.They loved each other too much, and this indeed was the only way out, once her family found out they would be angry, but they would never separate husband and wife,no one would, everyone believed too much in the sacred institution of marriage.Even her brother wouldn't do anything to separate them,because, deep down she knew, his heart wouldn't let him.He loved her way too much for that,and she felt really guilty for that,but there wasn't any other way out.

She finally picked up her business bag,and looked at her reflection in the mirror finally,before stepping out.Life was full of suprises, it made you do things you had never expected.She always knew, Asad was at this distance, the distance they had both equally to meet each other, and now it was time, she finally took the leap of faith.

She smiled at herself, out of all the things Zoya Singh Raizada had ever thought off, she had never thought of getting married in a business suit.

....

Zoya walked in to her mother's room,and she asked the nurse, about if her vitals were fine.She asked her to leave the room for a few minutes,and she walked and sat on the stool next to her bed,and put her head down on the bed,and took her mothers hand and put it on her head, as if to seek her blessings.She felt tears fill up her eyes, if she were here today present physically and emotionally,she would have been the happiest,her daughter was getting married after all. She felt her emotions rise, at that thought,for the last ten years, all she had had, was memories of her mother,to live with, she had been small,but not too small to not remember her,she had a lot of memories,which were close to her heart.She knew, if her mother were here today out of coma, then probably the situation would have been very different.

She stayed like that for a few more minutes as she spoke - " Maa, I really wish you were here, I am going to do something that is against Bhai, but i have no other way out, bhai wouldn't understand, atlas not now...but i know if you were here, you would understand, I love you maa..."

She wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes,and walked out her mother's room,and instructed the nurse to go back in.

................

Kkusum Raizada had been in the vegetative state for the longest time,but her mind was alive, even though her body wasn't.She could mostly hear and understand everything that was being said around her.Expect the times she was sleeping,and when she was awake, she could see, hear,and understand everything.She could open her eyes,and close them,that was the only movement her body had been able to make, the only one she could control.

There were so many times, she had heard her elder daughter Anjali cry in front of her, so many times,she had wanted to react, say something,reach out to her daughter and love her, but she couldn't move,she couldn't say, she felt helpless being caught in this coma.Her son would come see her everyday, he had grown and something in him had changed over the years, she could see that her Chotte had hardened,there were so many times, he would just next to her holding her hand,just like that in silence,but he never said anything,he just sat in silence.And right now, her youngest daughter had just spoken to her,she could sense her turmoil,something about going against her brother she had said.She loved all her children so so much,and she really hoped, this torture ended soon.She prayed silently, for the day she would be back with her family.She noticed the nurse come in, and she guessed they were going to start with the physiotherapy again,and she was glad, she didn't want her body to give up on her, when she finally could get herself to move, one day.

..............

Asad parked his car in the parking lot,and he was glad, his trusted lawyer had reached before time.He had been able to arrange two witnesses,one his lawyer and second his assistant, because he knew , he couldn't trust anybody else with this.He took a deep breath, for a second he felt himself thinking of Zoya's turmoil.He knew she loved him way too much, but getting married this way he knew was the last thing she would have dreamed off.And just for her, he for the first time hated the fact that the situation was not in their favour, maybe if fate permitted,maybe one day he could give the woman he loved, her dream wedding,maybe, but he knew it was a dream ,that was far beyond his reach,because Khan- Raizada reunion wasn't happening in his Life.But he knew, this was worth it, because he would be right where he belonged,with Zoya, officialky and forever, no one on this planet could keep him away from his wife, he would always find a way, no matter who tried what.He had walked the distance for her, because he loved her, and now,as much as he hated her family, he embraced his hate,and but it on the backseat, for the love of his woman,and he couldn't look back,because he loved her so much,and he couldn't let his love accept defeat no matter how uphill the road was. Zoya was his destination,and it was finally time to take that leap of faith, for only then his journey of love, would be deemed complete.

Right then he saw Zoya pull in next to her and he got off,and he saw her getting off,and he smiled as he asked - " I know it wasn't something you must have dreamt off, but im quite loving the fact of getting married, to you dressed like that, in your business suit...."

She smiled - " yeah, actually not bad no, you see, you and me do things differently, just nothing is normal about us..."

Asad grinned - " you mean, how we go on switching in between all our modes,strangers, to lovers, to business rivals..."

Zoya winked - " thats exactly what I meant, you know me well..."

Asad finally let out his hand to her as he asked - " so are you ready to add, another mode to this....Mrs Khan to be..."

Zoya gave him her hand, and she smiled,and they walked in.It was 11.00 am,and in a few minutes they would be husband and wife.

...............

An Hour Later -

Zoya looked at Asad as he drove ,and she asked - " oh cmon, tell me, why did you make me cancel my meetings...??"

Asad held her hand and kissed it briefly - " it is our wedding day, Zoya , so what if it is a secret one, there is something that I have planned, now if you dont mind , please sit back and wait patiently, Mrs Khan..."

Zoya grinned,she was loving the sound of that ,she was now Mrs Asad Ahemed Khan, his legally wedded wife.

She smiled - " alright Mr.Khan, you know im not very good with patience..."

Asad smiled - " Its time, you started Mrs Khan..."

Zoya grinned - " can't stop saying it, can you?"

Asad grinned - "Nope, never..."

Zoya smiled - " id like that too....ok now drive...and take me to whatever surprise you have planned...."

Asad nodded,and he drove,towards his home, he knew Zoya was in for the biggest surprise of her Life.

Zoya watched, looking out the window,and suddenly,she felt Asad stop the car on the side, and she looked at him as she asked - " what?? why did you stop ?? we are in the middle of nowhere.."

Asad quickly bent back,and took a cloth,as he said bending towards Zoya, and putting the blindfold, on her eyes.

Zoya felt him blindfold her, and she groaned - " Asad, what are you doing...", and she felt him briefly kiss her lips,as he said - " trust me, Zoya..."

Zoya smiled and she sat back in the seat as she said - " oh you know that i do, ok fine, ill just try to be patient,altho you know its killing me...."

Asad grinned - " oh, that I know...", and he started to drive again.

......

A Few Minutes Later

Asad pulled in to his home,and he was glad he had given all his staff a day off.Ammi was in jaipur, visiting Amreen Khala,so he had ,had the exact scenario he had wanted.He had wanted to bring Zoya, to his home, since forever, and what could have been a better moment than today.She was his wife, Mrs Asad Ahemed Khan, it was now their home.

He finally got off, and opened the door to Zoya, and helped her step to as he heard her ask - " Asad, please, tell me where are we??"

Asad held her hand,and made her walk a little in the front

towards the porch, so that she was now right in front of the door of his house,and he finally opened her blindfold,as he whispered in her ear - " Welcome Home, Zoya...."

The minute he took the blindfold off, and Zoya registered in the sight in front of her, she was standing right in the premises of Barkat,(Khan Mansion).He had brought her to his home.She had never expected any of this,this man surprised her at every turn, she should now officially never doubt his ability to surprise the living daylights out of her.

She looked at him with tears in her eyes as she asked - " Asad...??"

He held her hand, and kissed it briefly as he said - " welcome home Zoya, our home....", and he started to walk in,and as much as she wanted to go in, she halted in her tracks, which made him look back at her and she said - " Asad, how can we, i mean, this is a secret remember...??"

Asad understood what it was about and so he said - " And like i promised a secret it indeed is, ammi, isn't home, she is in Jaipur,and i gave all my staff a day off, its just us..."

Zoya felt releived,and she smiled,and walked behind him, as he finally let the door to his house open,and she stood there for a second,as memories of the last time she had been here, came back flooding to her mind,she was so young back then only 13,she had been here just a day before that fated day,she and Khushi had been playing in the gardens, in the tree house in the backyard, which uncle had got built for them.

So many memories, this house held,so many of them.

Asad watched a play of emotions on her face, as she stood next to him and he knew she was getting a flashback of her memories, of when she had last been there,and today,she was standing here, after all these years,as his wife.He knew if he let her stand there for a second longer the pain of the past would come to surface and he didn't want any of that to ruin their moment,and so he immediately picked her up in his arms,and she looked at him in surprise - " Asad...."

Asad smiled as he stepped in with his wife in his arms,and immediately took the stairs to take her to his room and he opened the door,and finally put her down,as he said - "Mrs.Khan, I thought you'd like to see your room..."

Zoya looked around, this was the first time she was in his room,it suited him, everything about it reflected him.She smiled,as she felt him hold her hand,as he made her sit on the bed,and he whispered - "Mrs Khan, why dont you say something?? anything??"

Zoya smiled as she cupped his face tenderly,and made him next to her,and she leaned her head on his shoulder - " Asad, I love you so so much, thank you, this feels wonderful,it truly does...."

Asad held her hand as he finally said - " its our home now, Zoya,and I know when the time comes, you will be here, living with me by my side, every day, every night...."

Zoya kissed him on the cheek as she said - " I desperately wish the time is soon Asad, I love you so so much...."

Asad smiled - " You know what I had always heard, that when the times are easy, there are a lot of people who will always be by your side, but when its the tough times, the dark ones, there are few, very few who walk with you, but you Zoya, as dark as the past maybe , today in the present, you have not only held my hand, but also guided me through it all, with the light of your love, Zoya , I cant believe how I happy i am,today, you are here, with me as my wife,I don't have the words to thank you for this....I love you so so much..."

Zoya looked into his eyes, so much emotion, so much love and she was sure her eyes reflected the same as she said - " Its for us, Asad,and Mr.Khan just so you know, for all those promises we made for our love, for our future, I would do anything, you know I love you so so much,and you know sometimes i think, this was how destiny had written this, you and me,go way long back in time, im sure..."

Asad grinned - " Im sure...wifey...."

Zoya grinned - " Oh , i love the sound of that, husband...say it again...will you please..."

Asad felt so much emotion take over him,as he pushed her back into his bed instantly,and was on top of her in an instant,as he said looking into her eyes - "my wife....",and he bent forward and kissed on the base of her throat.

He flung his coat apart and she helped him unbutton his shirt,and he stripped her off her clothing, throwing it all over his room,for he knew his passion was started to take over and all he wanted was,to make love to his wife, right now.

In his house, in his room,and in his bed, where she rightly belonged.

He felt her pull him closer as she kissed him on his shoulder,and now there was no clothing in between them,and he quickly pulled her by her hair, and she leaned up on her elbows,as he claimed her lips with his.He had made love to her before,but just the knowledge that now he was making love to his wife, his Zoya, the woman whom he loved with all his heart, was now finally his wife, and she was here in his arms,heightened every emotion,he had never wanted her so badly as he'd wanted her in that one moment,and he broke the kiss, and he pushed her back into his pillow,as he whispered - " Zoya....I..."

Zoya felt as if she was drowning in that moment, Asad was now her husband, hers to love forever, and that knowledge made her want to love him,in every way she could,and she bit a smile,as he trailed a chain of kisses down her neck, her shoulders,and she finally flipped him back and got onto him as she said, looking deeply into his eyes, as she asked him the one question he always did - " Mr.Khan, if you dont mind, id like to make love to my husband, now...",and she claimed his lip for a deep kiss,and the electricity in between of them heightened greatly, as they kissed each other, each fighting for dominance, desperate to pour in all th love they felt for each other.Before she knew it, Asad had taken control,as he held both her hands captive, in his grip,and he spoke huskily - " as much I love that you want to be in control here, but sorry, not today, not now,because as much as you might want, you cant possibily be as desperate as I am, to make love to my wife....",and right then she felt his one hand go around her waist,as he tilted her a little,and she wrapped her legs around him,giving him access, she heard herself moan his name,as he finally entered her,and the minute he started moving within her, ,she opened her eyes, and looked into his,as she said - " I love you so so much Husband...."

Asad burried his face, in the crook of her neck,and she started to move along with him, he felt himself loose every thought of being gentle with her,and he started to make wild passionate love to his wife.

...........

One Hour Later

Asad watched Zoya put on her clothes, and he said, from his bed - " oh cmon, can't you cancel??"

Zoya put on her skirt and then started to button her shirt,and she walked across and sat next to him , he looked so amazing in that very moment,he was finally Her husband,and she said - " i wish I could, as much as I want to stay, I can't cancel this board meeting, you know bhai isnt there,and so di will be coming too, i cant be missing..."and she kissed him softly on his lips, as she said - " but thank you,for getting me here, to your home..."

Asad gave her a small smile as he said - " our home..."

Zoya smiled - " yeah...our home...",and she watched him put on his trousers,as he took out the legal papers of their marriage, and placed them safely in his locker, in the cupboard,and he pulled her immediately to himself,by her hand and he said - " now that iv seen you in my room, i never want you to leave, im not going to get any sleep in here,...", he watched her blush,and he smirked as he said - " and specially not in my bed...you know after..."

Zoya immediately hit him on his arm playfully - " shut up, now, im getting late...", and right then her phone rang,and she saw her brothers name flashing on the screen,and she immediately signalled Asad to be quiet as she took the call and she heard what her brother had to say ,and she said - " yeah, bhai, I'v got everything ready for the meeting, yeah di will be there, filling in for you, and ill let you know after, for sure...ok bye...."

Asad watched her put the phone down,and he saw a various emotions flash through her eyes, which she immediately hid from him, because she didn't want to probably hurt him, by telling him that as much as she loved him, she was guilty about going behind her family's back.He watched her give him a small smil,as she turned to leave, but he caught her hand, and made her sit on the sofa, and he filled her a glass of water, and sat next to her, handing it to her, as he said - " you are my wife Zoya, i know this hasn't been easy for you, and th last thing i want is for you to hide your emotions from me, please talk to me..."

Zoya took the glass of water, and she drank it,and she just held hid hand,and she said - " Bhai loves me and he has absolutely no clue,and I...I feel so...torn and as much as i dont want to feel guilty, because its all for love, our love, but the fact that hes going to be so hurt, gets to me sometimes...you aren't angry are you??", she asked watching his expressions.

Asad - " no, im not Zoya, I understand..."

Zoya looked at him - " you do??"

"Yes, as much as I understand that all you want to do right now is cry, you know you can...in my arms....im here to hold you...", he said, and before he could say anything further, Zoya had immediately leaned into his arms,and she placed her hand over his heart,as she sobbed her heart out. He didn't know, what to say, or what to do, for the first time, he wasn't angry with her, for thinking about her family,because he knew, that when the time had come, she had taken the leap of faith, with him, and for him,and now it was just his turn to be as supportive as he could be.And so he just held on to her,for a while longer and then she let go a few minutes later as she said - " thanks, i feel so much better...", and she started to leave.

Asad smiled - " anything for you Mrs.khan...", and he started to walk her to the door.

Zoya turned to him at the door as she said - " ok now, I'm going to go, get a cab to the court, pick up my car,and head straight to work, ill call you later, ok at night...",and she kissed him on his cheek.

"yeah...ok....", he said.

He smiled, to himself as he watched her walk out his gate,Zoya was finally Mrs.Khan, his wife, and he couldn't stop smiling,because it really made him very happy to think that the woman he loved, now totally belonged to him, in every possible way, no one , just no one could now ever come in between them.No one could ever come inn between husband and wife.

.................

WEDNESDAY

AR - London

Noon

Khushi walked into the boardroom,for the meeting,she looked at Mark, who seems a little lost to her,and so she asked - " hey is everything alright??"

Mark smiled - " yes, just that i was up all night,working on this, I cant wait for it to be Saturday and we are finally done with this campaign..."

Khushi smiled - "yeah just three more days to go after today, so relax....",and she mentally reminded herself the same that just three more days and she wouldn't have to see Tornado Singh raizada again. Ever since their conversation on Sunday,and after him stating that its best they be cordial,for Zoya, on Monday morning, all she had done was that. They were working together,and so she had been courteous to him,and they were talking but only for work.It was making her really uneasy, because he was being nice, like really nice to her, as he had been in the beginning, all those months ago, and as much as she knew it was because they had decided to be cordial with each other, it still really bugged the hell out of her, because she had absolutely no idea, what the hell was on his mind.Just why did he have to come here in the first place.

It had been so much easier to not have him around, in all these months,and especially now that they had finally had the confrontation that had been long due, and he had gone back to being nice,she had no idea, how that made her feel,definetly uneasy and restless.She hadn't spoken to him much in the last two days,because she didn't want to,oh he had tried,but she had been curt and too the point and then simply walked away.No one , ever talked about this.Why? Why didn't they ever talk about how uneasy all this was,of having the one who broke your heart,in your face all the time,their very presence pricking up old memories in your head.And this is specially more uneasy, after you have actually moved on.She took a deep breath, she wanted to scold herself,but she knew she would just be being harsh, she had to cut herself some slack,she had truly loved him,once upon a time, in the past.All she wanted was him to leave, as soon as possible, so that she could go back to living her life, as she had been before he showed up, four days ago.

Right then her phone beeped,and she smiled.It was Arhaan, he was just confirming their lunch plans,and she quickly confirmed,that she would meet him as planned.

Right then the door opened, and lavanya ,Andy and Arnav entered, along with their marketing team,this meeting was to discuss the final leg of the campaign.She gave Lavanya a smile,as she took a seat next to her, and Andy sat across of her, next to Mark,and everyone took their seats,and Arnav walked and sat on the chair,and said - " ok, so im ready to see the presentation...."

Khushi gestured to Mark to begin,and so he did.

........

Arnav watched Khushi, as she finished the presentation,and he was really impressed,bu both her and Mark.They were really good at their job,and he made a mental note to give a letter of appreciation on his companies letterhead for the same,to the two of them.Only three more days after this, and Khushi would not be at AR London anymore.Things weren't going according to his plan, and he had thought that he had finally gotten her to speak to him, and speak to him she did, but only for work,and overtime she did so, there was so much indifference, so much casualness in her voice, that it butchered his heart greatly, and every single time in the past two days, when he had tried to get her alone to speak to him, she had just walked away.He didn't want to do anything to hurt her more, so he was taking this easy and slow, as much as it annoyed him, he knew he had to be patient this time around.

He finally said - " ok, this is good work guys, I hope everyone's clear about what they have to do..."

His marketing team, slowly left the room,and then he turned to Andy as he said - " I want a small photoshoot, again,with the latest outfits that have come in today, Lavanya is here,she will shoot,and I guess Lisa would do to, she did our last campaign well, and then I want you Mark to use them on social media , we are getting a good response, people are interested to know when will our collection finally hit the stores,so i like the buzz,and with another good shoot to show off, we will hit the mark,i want everything to be perfect...and when the collection hits the stores on saturday, we should have an immediate result...ok so i guess this meeting is over..." , and he started to leave,right when Andy mentioned, that he wanted to discuss about the photoshoot,and Lavanya immediately went out to get ready for the same.

Khushi listened carefully,she was happy about how this was going, and she was more happy that once this was finished, she wouldn't have to see him anymore,and that uneasy feeling that was creeping up when he was being nice to her would finally vanish too.It felt good to think , she just few hours to go until that.Right then she looked up,and she caught him looking at her, their eyes locked briefly and she looked away immediately and focused her attention to what Andy was saying.

...........

1.00 PM

Khushi saw Mark deep in thought , and she finally shut her laptop,as she said - " ok, something is seriously up with you, you aren't here...."

Mark looked at her - " what do you mean, i am...."

Khushi - " I mean physically yes, mentally no, whats wrong with you...."

Mark finally sighed - " we just broke up last night, and now I just cant stop thinking about her...."

Arnav needed to discuss something with Mark and Khushi and so he was just about to go into the meeting room that had been assigned to them, for the campaign, when he heard Khushi's voice - " oh Im sorry, you want to talk about it, you will feel better..."

He smiled,trust Khushi to always want to make others feel better, she always wanted to put a smile on everyone's face.She had put it on his too, all those months ago.He didn't immediately enter,and as much as he knew it was really bad manners to eavesdrop, he just stood there, wanting to listen to listen to her voice, because other than that, she wasn't talking to him much.He took out his phone, and pretended to be busy in it, and right then he heard Mark say - " well, she broke up with me,last night, just like that, i mean who does that? I loved her,and she just threw me out of her life like that...and guess what to top it all, just found out, she's already met someone else, not even 24 hours khushi,and snap, she's with someone else,and here, i have nothing left but my broken heart, I cant concentrate on anything...."

Right then he heard Khushi say - " Mark, im sorry, i truly am, I understand...."

Mark - " you can't, no one can , until they have been in it,and i know you are with this amazing man, Arhaan ,its his name, he would never hurt you...."

Arnav flinched.This Arhaan, he just always came up, but he listened up, waiting to see what Khushi was going to say.

Khushi immeditaely said - " yeah, i know Arhaan wouldn't ever hurt me, but I understand, because guess what I was in the exact similar situation like you are in now, I was in love with someone, trust me iv been there done that, had my heart shattered into a million or make it zillion peices, but trust me it'll get better, with time it will..."

Arnav felt his insides churn.he had broken her heart into a zillion peices,he wanted to slap himself for being the jerk of the highest order.

he heard mark ask - " does it? get better with time? did it get better for you....?"

Khushi - " yeah, it did, it took time, a lot of it, but you see I'm with Arhaan now, you'll find someone too, who appreciates who you are,someone who will prioritise you...."

mark - " but it hurts so much, she just said, its over like that, so easy, no emotion nothing..."

Khushi - " oh trust me , iv heard worse..."

"You have...."

Khushi sighed as she said - " yeah, although i was at fault, but then I realised that it wasn't just that..."

Mark - " oh really what could be more worse than, i don't love you , its over..."

Khushi - " how about something like you disgust me, everything that happened between us disgusts me,I wish I hadn't ever met you, in all of my Life, you were the biggest mistake of my life,get yourself out of my life...."

Arnav felt guilt pierce him through.

Mark asked in a shocked voice - " someone said that too you?"

Khushi - " yeah, the one i loved did,and believe it or not,was also back with his ex girlfriend, in a jiffy...and made sure he shoved it in my face, that there was no place for me in his life...but like I said, its ok...itll get better..."

Mark - " so how did you deal with it...?"

Khushi - " Honestly, initially it will be difficult, it pains so much as good as being burned,but then one fine day it'll just stop,and thats because your defence mechanism will come up with the strength to deal with it,and it wont hurt anymore, you will be able to move on, cmon we aren't the only ones to have our hearts broken, there all loads like us..."

Mark - " ok so out of curiosity, have you forgiven him?"

Khushi sighed - " like i said, doesn't matter anymore, but yes i may have forgiven him, but I havent forgotten the pain..."

Mark - "exactly, how will i forget, thats the point..."

Khushi - " you can't no matter how hard you try, so its better to accept it as a part of you , easier to deal with..."

Mark - " so , you mean, if you had an opportunity to go back in time, and undo all of that, your love for that guy, your heartbreak, you wouldn't change it??"

Khushi smiled,almost sadly - " honestly, might sound crazy,but I wouldn't, I wouldn't change a thing, I mean i do cherish what I had with him, it was special to me, maybe always will be, i did love him, can't just erase that out ,you know when i was with him, i was happy really happy and in love, how can i regret something that ever once made me so happy, so i dont regret it, have accepted it as apart of me, a part of life, and moved on,like i said, forgiven...but not forgotten..."

Arnav felt something break inside of him, as he realised he really had damaged their bond, beyond repair.he had ruined, everything, what did he think, he could just walk in like that, and khushi would listen to him? it wasn't easy,and after what he had just heard,he knew it was next to impossible.But how could she not regret any of it, if he had hurt her so so much,had she really loved him like that so selflessly, so truly??

He remembered her last message to him - Arnav, all i want is for you to be happy,even if its with someone else,i truly wish happiness for you.He closed his eyes, as the pain started to seep in ,torturing his mind, heart and soul.

Mark - "wow...thats deep, you make it sound so so easy..."

Khushi - " oh trust me it isn't easy, but time is all you need give yourself that, you'll be fine....just relax, ill see you after lunch"

And right then he heard footsteps,and he immediately hid behind the pillar and he watched Khushi,he almost reached out her, he longed for her so damm much.Right then her phone rang,and she picked it up and smiled as she said - " Arhaan, yeah, you there already, ok see you in five, just leaving...", and she walked out.

He finally made his way to his cabin, deep in thought, he felt disturbed,and guilty,and he felt really really miserable.

..........

AR Studio - 7.30 PM

Khushi watched Lavanya and Lisa finish their last shot and she smiled as she saw lavanya wave at her, and she did,and right then she heard a voice behind her,his voice - " I didn't think the two of you , would ever get along, Khushi....but i guess i was wrong..."

Khushi looked at him, standing right behind her with his arms folded, only if he could stop looking at her like that, making her uneasy, she said - " excuse me??"

Arnav said - " you and Lavanya, i mean last i remembered, you weren't even fond of her name..."

Khushi looked ahead as she said - " yeah, things change with time Arnav, its only wise, to move on with time, theres no point in being stuck...."

And before he could say anything, she walked away, to help everyone pack up.

Arnav watched her, his heart pained,all he wanted to do was pull her in his arms,and never let go, and tell her atlas that he loved her, and then the ball was in her court.

He looked at her longingly,She seemed so far away, so distant, she was in front of him, yet so far out of his reach,and he idea how was he going to close this distance between them,he knew he didn't have much time but he didn't know what to do, for the first time in his life, Arnav Singh Raizada had no clue about what to do.He gave her a last look and then made his way out the studio,it had been a long long day.

.......

9.00 PM

AR STudio - Green ROOM

Khushi finally shut her laptop,and put it in her bag, she had to use the photos from the photoshoot immediately,and edit them with some wordings because they had to put it first thing on social media tomorrow, morning, and so she had started to work in the green room, itself, not wanting to waste time, by going to the meeting room, actually she didn't want to run into Arnav again.And so she had stayed her to finish her work.She finally walked to the studio door, it had been a long day, and Arhaan had a dinner meeting with a a client,but she had messaged him that she would get late working.She tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge, it wouldn't budge at all. Panic started to set in,and she tried again and again, and she realised that she had been locked out.

She felt like kicking herself, how could she be so so stupid, this was all his fault.Tornado Singh raizada, only if he hadn't been getting in her way, she wouldn't have hidden in the green room to work.And now, she was locked out.She checked her phone, it was 9.00 PM.No one worked that late at AR London, and she knew there was no point in yelling because this studio was sound proof.She took out her phone, and there was no signal,at all, she just sat down in despair, and figuring out what to do , right when the lights went out, ofcourse, they would switch off the mains,off the studio, when not in use, otherwise the studio, utilised too much power.She instructed her self to be strong, but panic started to set in, she had always been scared of darkness.She clutched her knees to herself,and she looked at her phone, there was no signal,and her battery was very low.Dammit.

She took a deep breath,and waited for some signal to come,as she shot up and roamed around the studio, with her phone, there had to be someplace that a signal came.

And right then she saw a some signal come in,and she immediately dialled his number.

............

Arnav was in the cab, deep in thought, he was almost reaching his flat, and he was planing to get Khushi to talk to him, he hadn't seen her as he had left, and so he had just assumed, maybe she had already left for home.He had to tell her how he felt, he couldn't keep it inside of him any longer. Right then he heard his phone ring,and he saw her name flashing on the screen and he picked it up instantly to hear her panicked voice on the other end - " Arnav, can you hear me, its me Khushi...Arnav, hello, hello...."

He felt panic rise as he heard her voice, something wasn't right, and he said - " khushi, hello, hello, yeah, i can, can you hear me..."

"Arnav, iv been locked in,hello, can u hear me??"

Locked in? he felt himself panic, as he asked - " where are you? Khushi? tell me where are you....im coming..."

He heard her panicked voice on the other end - " Arnav, im so scared, i am at AR...", and before she could say anything the line went blank.

He quickly instructed the cab driver to take him to AR immediately. He tried to call Khushi, but he couldn't get through,he called her again and again , but he didn't get through.But it would still take him 25 minutes to reach.Dammit!! he hit the seat in distress,how could Khushi get locked in? He was the last one to leave, and he quickly called the security , so that he could unlock the office, but he didn't pick up.he called again, but he didn't pick up.

...........

Arnav reached AR,and he entered the building, and quickly took the elevator,up to the floor,and he looked for the security,but he wasn't there,and he immediately started to kick the door, It had taken him 30 minutes,to reach here.30 minutes since Khushi had been locked,and where the freaking hell was the security ,he couldn't wait anymore,and he continued to kick the door, right when he saw James,the guard step out the elevator,and he rushed to him and spat in anger - " where the hell do you think you were? I called you, someone has been locked inside...now hurry open the freaking door..."

james said immediately - " sorry sir, i just went out for dinner, but how is it possible, i checked....before I locked...there was no one in there.."

Arnav - " open the door dammit....fast...", and he watched as James quickly flashed his card and he said - " i had the card too, unlock the lock at the bottom, dammit...", and he saw James finally unlock the lock at the bottom of the door,and he walked in worried, as he yelled - " Khushi....khushiiii"

He looked every where , every room, his cabin,boardroom, washroom, but he couldn't find her anywhere, he brushed his hand through his hair, in panic, she did say she was at AR, didn't she?

James - " sir like i said, i checked everywhere, no one was here, I wouldn't do such a mistake...."

Arnav - " are you sure??"

James - " yes sir, you looked for yourself, no one is here..."

Right then it struck him, and he had last seen Khushi in the studio,and he asked - " did you check the studio??"

James - " yes sir, i didn't see anyone..."

Arnav banged his fist in the wall as he said - " dammit,where are you Khushi??"

And right then he heard James - " sir, wait, I didn't check the green rooms,in the studio..."

Arnav - " what the ?? lets go, cmon...",and they made their way up towards the studio,and he desperately hoped, Khushi was there.

............

Khushi clutched her knees,as she sat in the corner, she wiped her tears, her stupid phone had died out at the last moment,beofre she could tell him that she was in the studio,how was he going to find her now.She looked at her watch it had been more than 40 minutes,maybe she would have to spend the night here,until the morning came,and she was starting to feel really dizzy, because she hadn't eaten anything after lunch,and hadn't had water, in a long time, and the stress of being locked in was finally starting to get to her.And right then she heard a click on the door,and some light from the outside flashed in and she finally heard his voice calling out to her - " Khushi....are you here....why did you have to off the freaking mains, on the light James....", he yelled.

She heard James say - "sir, we do so everyday....wait...", but she could see him , the light from the outside was enough, and she heard his voice again - " Khushi.....khushi.....dammit,she isn't here...."

He had come for her.

Khushi acted on impulse,as she finally got up from where she had been sitting, and started to walk towards him, she had been so scared ,she finally called out - "Arnav......."

She heard his voice - " Khushi,.."

And right then the lights came on and she finally saw him and the look of relief that flashed through his face as he finally saw her, and he said walking towards her - " Khushi, thank God....tum theek ho??"

She didn't know what came over her, and she ran towards him and hugged him in an instant,and the minute she felt his arms go around her,she knew she was safe now.

She just held on to him tightly as she heard him whisper - " Khushi...its ok...im here...."

She felt dizzy but she whispered - " it was so dark, i was so scared....", and right then she blanked out.

............

Hate scowled at Fate as he asked - " seriously , you think thats going to work??"

Fate grinned - " as much as i was getting a lot of sadistic pleasure,watching him suffer, I wanted to get some more, watching your reaction,as I spoilt your move...in your face dammit"

hate rolled his eyes - " its still not going to work...",and he stomped off, glaring at Love and Destiny.

Destiny smiled - " would still give them a vulnerable moment, wouldn't it?"

Love - " and thats all i need, thank you fate..."

fate grinned - " anytime, Love...and I need to thank you too, for letting me make it happen for my lovebirds Asad- Zoya..."

Love smiled - " Anytime, Fate.."

Destiny smiled - "just like he wished, maybe if you would have it your way one day he would be able to give him her dream wedding..."

fate said deep in thought - " maybe, but thats not anytime soon, you both know that, don't you?"

Destiny and Love nodded as they said in unison - " yeah, we do...."

..............