CHAPTER 31

THE TRILLION BROKEN PEICES OF MY HEART

I broke your heart,

I broke Mine too.

I know, I tore everything apart.

Everything that tied us.

We have a wound,a scar that runs so deep,

Only you can fix it,

Only you can help me heal.

For I have no clue what to do or say anymore

I have no idea how to fix this.

You will help me will you??

You will give another chance wont you??

Or will I be left with just the Trillion Broken pieces of My heart??

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

Barkat - 11.00 PM

Khushi stepped out of the washroom,and she saw her mother adjusting herself in the bed,and she heard her say- " Khushi, cmon in, lets go to sleep..."

Khushi smiled as she said picking up her medical file from the side table- " yes ammi, just let me put your file away, why did you take it out anyway??"

Dilshaad smiled - "well, just to recheck foe how many days am i to continue with the medicines, anyway you can put it back in that cabinet, all my files are there..."

Khushi nodded, and she opened the cabinet and put the file inside, and while she was adjusting it she dropped, a few other files, she quickly started picking up the files when she saw that one file was names - " Ammi's Cardio Records", of course the name suggested that her bhaijaan had all their mothers media records filed systematically, but what caught her eye was the name of this one, Cardio Records, she didn't know that her mother had any heart problems, maybe this file had some general check up details from time to time, and she started to put it away, but the curiosity got the better of her as she opened it, and as she scanned the pages, and the papers and the discharge summaries, she was in shock, because she realised there was a lot she hadn't known,and she closed the file, as her mind started to get jitters and she walked back to the bed and sat next to her mother and held her hand as she asked softly - " why didn't you or bhaijaan ever tell me that you'v had an heart attack in the past ammi???"

Dilshaad looked at her daughter surprised and the hurt in her eyes was evident and she brushed her hair softly as she asked - " did you spot my file??"

Khushi nodded,as tears filled her eyes.

Dilshaas asked softly - " did you notice the date and the year, Khushi??"

Khushi nodded,and she heard her mother say - " you were so small back then, Khushi, and so much had happened already, your little mind had , had too much to cope up with already, and then over years i took really good care, you know Asad made sure of that, and look at me, I'm as fit as anyone else..."

Khushi rolled her eyes as she said - " yeah right...you do remember you spent a night at the hospital not very long ago..."

Dilshaad gave her a small smile as she said - " well thats just a minor issue, doesn't matter....ok...come lets go to sleep..."

Khushi didn't move as she asked - " what happened??i mean, how did you???"

Dilshaad sighed, maybe it was time to share these deep hidden feelings with her daughter and she saw that Khushi had hugged her and she started to speak softly - " Khushi, i had always heard all of my life,that all it took was minute for your world to come crashing down, and i experienced the very same emotion, on that day, that fateful day, when everything happened.Your abbu, i knew him from my college days, we were all friends, so so close, me , your father, Zoya's father, and we had Fatima and Firoz.."

Khushi asked confused - " Fatima and Firoz, why have i never heard their names before??"

Dilshhad brushed her hair tenderly as she said - " well, because they both had left the country to get settled in the US, even before we finished college...anyway,we were all so close, me and your abbu had been together ever since high school, you could call us childhood sweethearts, in one way, but apart from your fathers and Zoya's fathers unbrekable friendship, i was always very very good friends too with Zoya's father, and then he met KKusum,and we became a part of happy family,we were so happy, all of us, together, they did everything together, built the business empires together, both your father and Zoya's father were different yet so similar, Kkusum was very special to me, we had bond just like you and Zoya,and in one second, in all of few seconds, I lost everything, your father, najma, and my besets friends too, i mean the three of them wouldn't return, they were in a place from where they couldn't return,and Kkusum was so injured, that she slipped into Coma,at first when i got to know, I couldn't believe it, i couldn't believe it at all, when Asad called,and asked me to rush to the hospital,his voice sounded as if a tragedy had struck, he hadn't informed me anything over the phone, and i had rushed to the hospital,and when I reached, I had realised that a tragedy had indeed struck ,because both your father, Zoya's father and najma, had been declared dead on arrival, and KKusum had slipped into coma,I had reached before the Raizada's, and the broken look on Asad and Arnav's face was something i could never forget maybe even till today, because they were the ones who had brought the dead bodies in their arms to the hospital, they were what, all of just 18....we all had lost so so much that day, anyway, I knew from Arnav, that he had heard gunshots on the phone when his mother had called, and i knew he wanted to investigate and probe in to the matter, and although a part of me wanted to know too, my heart warned me otherwise..."

Khushi was listening carefully, and her heart went out to the 18 year old Asad and also Arnav, and she asked softly - " what do you mean ammi?

Dilshaad let out a long breathe as she spoke - " well, you know, i knew they were having differences for over some time,your father and Zoy'as father, mostly involving the business matters, but i still never interfered because i thought their friendship went way back before any business was ever there in the picture, then remember i mentioned Firoz and Fatima earlier,so Fatima had already settled down, and Firoz wanted to return back to India for good, and he wanted your father to help him, but Alok didn't want that, i mean your father did tell me that Zoyas father had some serious trust issues with Firoz,and that was news to me, because back in college days we were all good friends, and i had tried to ask Alok myself that what was the issue that bothered him greatly but he wouldn't tell me,he would just tell me that Firoz wasn't to be trusted, and he wanted me to convince your father for the same,because they were having fights over this and some business deal Firoz had brought,so all i knew was that your father wouldn't budge from his point and Alok wouldn't budge from his.Rashid had always been like this you know,wanting to trust, value his friendship,and even Alok was like that ,so i had no idea why the rift was happening.Anyway, in the end Firoz left the country again because Alok wouldn't let Rashid go ahead with the deal or help Firoz in any way.And then they had been fighting, fighting a lot after that incident,I knew Rashid was still mad at Alok for having his way, and Alok was mad at him because he knew that Rashid wasn't letting this go,and their fighting and differences had reached a point where they wanted to separate the businesses even,when finally me and Kkusum stepped in,and we counselled them that nothing was worth,destroying their bond over,finally things started to get a little better,and that was when the tragedy struck.I didn't want Asad or Arnav to probe into the matter and let all of us just think of it as an accident, we all had lost so so so much that day,and also because i was aware that Alok and rashid had been having so many fights and differences, and each had been doing thing sto hurt the other, they both were short tempered too, i was so scared, that if they probed in, and discovered anything ugly, everything would be destroyed..."

Khushi wiped her mothers tears as she finally said - " but...they retrieved the CCTV footage nonetheless..."

Dilshaad nodded,as she continued - " exactly, and when Asad told me about what he saw,and the news that Alok and Rashid had actually taken shots at each other, and that my Najma was killed in the process,it broke me Khushi, it broke me completey,and not just that the deep anguish i had seen on Asad's face as he wept in my lap,that was when i had the attack....and the first thing i asked of your brother as i woke up in the hospital, was to make me a promise, that he wouldn't probe into the matter any further, because Khushi i was so scared, I know him and Arnav, if they had discovered anything more ugly in the process, they would destroy each other completely for revenge,and the hatred would consume them, they'd both loose themselves in the process,and they were so young,had their entire life in front of them,lucky Asad agreed, and i know he got the crime scene as in the farmhouse cleared ,before Arnav could probe in further, and i know thats also one of the reasons why Arnav hates Asad, because he didn't support him when he wanted him too, Arnav wanted to trust his gut, he couldn't believe that Rashid and Alok could actually kill each other, and deep down, even i didn't, but still I asked Asad for this, because even if there was one percent chance of discovering anything else, it was a chance i didn't want to take, too much damage had been done already,and actually Asad agreed also because, he couldn't undo what he saw, it broke him deeply. I do feel guilty so many times, Khushi, because i know i am responsible for Asad backing out of wanting to investigate the tragedy further,and that was strongly a part of a reason, he lost his best friend too,ofcourse the tragedy too, but Arnav was ready to look past it, for the sake of our family bond, but Asad wouldn't budge, he couldn't forget what he saw,and the accusations the two hauled at each other after, it was insane Khushi, and finally it was me who suggested Asad to just silently separate everything for the sake of the name and word both Alok and Rashid had built over the years and move on.And thats what happened, during the separation, the design facility went to Arnav and the Constructions facility came to us, and Arnav and Asad were successful in framing their death and Najmas as a car accident to the world, that was the idea they both had come up with together,and the rest as you know off already.But Khushi, I know Asad thats what happens to him, when the darkness inside of him surfaces, the darkness consumed him that day, and he refused to look at any other emotion that day,and i know that was what hurt Arnav the most,but its ironic isn't it, it did take a raizada after all, to dim that darkness inside of him, i love that Zoya's love has turned him into the man i always believed he could be, i just hope nothing ever happens that unleashes his darkness and anger ever again, for i know he will destroy himself all over again.....its funny you know, deep down I still cant believe that they could just shoot each other, and nor do the rest of the Raizada's,but that doesn't matter, because our sons strongly beleive,and Asad and Arnav have laid certain boundaries for us all,that although none of us believe in our hearts, none of us have ever spoken since, because of Arnav and Asad obviously, but the heart still believes Khushi, i still hope that maybe one day they can forget the past , let it go ,and truly move on,because the heart can see and fee beyond what the mind can read Khushi, thats just always how it is..."

Khushi wiped the tears out of her mothers eyes as she said - " ammi,im so sorry, i made you revisit, it all....you are exhausted...", and she bent forward and kissed her forehead and she said - "ammi, why dont you sleep now..."

Dilshaad nodded - " yes, Khushi...i will, come..."

Khushi nodded - "ammi, i feel like having tea, ill be back soon, you sleep...", and she tucked her mother in, and walked out the room, deep in thought, desperately praying that Zoya's actions hadn't unleashed the darkness inside of her brother,the darkness that her mother just told her about,didnt deserve to see the light of the day ever again.

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

Barkat - 11.30 PM

Arnav pulled his car outside Barkat, it had been forever, since he had last been here, in front of these gates, in front of the house, that held so many memories.He closed his eyes for a second as good old memories started to flood back in,but he brushed everything aside, and drove towards the road end,and stopped the engine, and finally he took out his phone, he knew he had killed everything this time, but he seriously hoped, Khushi agreed to see him, right now.

He took a deep breathe,and finally texted her -

"Khushi...."

.......

Khushi was sipping her tea, sitting on the stool of the island in the kitchen,and she was deep in thought,everything that her mother had just told her,was ringing in her ears,and she didn't know why she found herself thinking off him,again.Something didn't feel right,she felt uncomfortable and nervous, and maybe because of the engagement, every girl got jitters she was sure, it was just that.

Or maybe, it was the fact,that she had just realised.That Arnav had no clue,as to why her brother didn't support him all those years ago.And a part of her wanted him to know this, because it could probably make things better for Asad and Zoya, if Arnav knew this and made an effort to talk to her brother.

But then,she reminded herself, she was thinking of the devil, himself,ofcourse she couldn't expect anything from him.

And right then her phone beeped, and she checked it, and she felt her heartbeats stop,as she realised it was from him,and she re-read what he had written-

"Khushi...."

What did that even mean??

She sipped her tea,as she finally wrote -

"I know my name, thank you Mr.Raizada..."

She got a quick reply -

"Khushi,I want to see you, and it has to be now, im outside your house towards that dead end bend in the road,please come..."

Khushi felt her breathe shorten as she re-read,he wanted to see her?? Why?????

She quickly wrote -

"Welcome back, Mr Raizada, i hope you had a successful business trip,and im sorry, but i dont think we have anything left to say to each other..."

Her phone beeped in a second -

"You may not have anything to say to me anymore, Khushi, but I do, I have a lot to say,please meet me probably for one last time, you are getting engaged tomorrow, im probably never going to see you again...please just this once..."

So he knew, well good he knew,but as she re-read that message again,something in her heart told her that she should see him, and then her mind told her that maybe she could tell him about the past too,and so she took a deep breathe as she typed -

"Fine, ill see you in five minutes..."

.......

Arnav leaned back against the headrest,and a various thoughts ran through his mind, he had so much to say, so much to convey,and he really was confused about where to begin,and he instructed himself to calm down,he had this one chance to atlas make sure that the woman he loved wouldn't hate him for the rest of her life,and he had to listen to everything his heart was telling him right now.

Right then he heard a knock on the window, and he looked to see Khushi standing there,and she gestured him to roll down the window,and he did,and she didn't look at him in the face as she said looking backward - "the guard had probably left to freshen up, anyway, what do you want??"

Arnav's heart burst with so many emotions in that one second, as he realised that he had lost this beautiful girl once again,and he spoke softly - " get in, Khushi, I promise, im not going to eat you up, and i promise to not take much of your time,its risky for you to be standing out anyway..."

Khushi finally looked at him , in the eye,and just like that everything flipped in her mind,because his eyes were filled with so much anguish, regret, and pain,and his face was taut,not with anger this time,but with heartbreak,and she recognised the look because she had seen it on her face in the mirror so many times,this wasn't Arnav-the devil in front of her, this was a face of Arnav,she had never seen, not even when he had come to her in London, not even when she had asked him to leave,this was a different,because he had heartbreak written all over him,and the anguish was very much evident in his eyes.

She took a deep breathe,and opened the door,and got in,and he started to drive,and he drove to that cafe near their house again, then walked out,without saying anything,and she could only wonder what was up with him, even his silence was heartbreaking,she instructed her freaking heart to just shut up,and she shut down the guilt her heart was shoving in her face, she had done this to him,and she reminded herself that he hadn't left her with another choice.She was still in that thought, when she spotted him come back,and he got in, and handed her a take away cup as he said - " here, its your tea, the way you like it, i just thought, it would be better to talk here, no one is inside too, its quite late, do you want to go in??"

Khushi looked at the cup he had handed her , and then she looked at him, what the hell was up with him?? She didn't feel angry anymore, because she had been over-exploited that emotion in her being, she was just plain exhausted, and she took a deep breath as she said, looking around the deserted parking lot - " no, its fine here...look i have to be back, before anyone figures im not there...what do you want Arnav??why are we here??"

Arnav finally looked at her in the eye,and he spoke softly - " Khushi, i will not make any excuses or try to justify or cover up for the blunder i have committed, i mean, i do not want to ruin this apology with an excuse, because what i did, was totally uncalled for, and no anger, no situation can be used to justify it, because I have wronged you again,and probably in way even worse than before, and I truly am sorry Khushi, i'm sorry for i didn't trust you,when you told me that you didn't know about Asad and Zoya's marriage, I'm sorry for shoving conditions in your face, for us to be together,Im sorry for I brought up the talk of walking out on you again, even though i promised not to, I'm sorry to shatter the hopes i gave you, I'm sorry for everything,and most of all, I'm sorry for the way I treated you at the Hotel,the thing I said, were horrible and way below the belt,and no matter how angry i was, i was shocked myself for the words that left my mouth, it was jealousy, it was anger, it was frustration,t was wrath,all build up,and once again , I unleashed it all out on you.....Khushi, i met Arhaan by chance this evening,he told me everything as in about what happened,and he knew from Asad that you really didn't know about the marriage,and even about how he asked you to marry him....Khushi, i know I hurt you so much all over again,and I promise to stay out of your way, but dont do this Khushi, you are being reckless,and impulsive, and you are so so young,dont punish yourself for the mistakes and blunders i have committed Khushi,you do deserve better, you really do deserve better, dont do this to yourself, please...."

Khushi listened carefully,his every word etching in her brain,and the heartbreaking anguish in his voice, on his face, in his voice, reflected everything,and she knew it was the truth,and she sighed as she finally spoke - " Just so you know, Im not angry with you anymore Arnav...and im not doing this because i want to punish myself or you, for any of what has happened, I'm marrying Arhaan because, for once i want to trust someone else emotions for me, and also because i know, that in the future, if i can fall in love with anyone ever again, it can only be him....and im being completely honest with you right now, i mean it when i say, im not angry, Arnav....i can clearly see, i mean deep down i knew it that you would realise, but Arnav, you had no idea what your words did to me that day, everything inside of me that you had promised to build again, you ripped apart with your hands,it was as if you scarred my soul forever,and honestly, i did agree to marry Arhaan for a reason that was to run away from your reach,but over a few days iv been thinking a lot,and it isn't just about that anymore,Arnav, you do see what has happened, you and me have such staunch differences, such different beliefs, I can never be with anyone, to whom i have to keep proving things to make him believe I'm innocent, i cant be with someone who trusts everything else over me, believes everyone else's words over me, I mean it was easy for you to believe Arhaan, but not me, you do realise, we are not good for each other,and thats what the base issue is, its like we are injurious to each others mental health,and you broke me once, you broke me again, and now my decision to move on, is breaking you,look iv thought a lot about this and I'm sure its the most sensible thing I'm doing,for myself, and even for you, the only way we both can truly move on Arnav,so incase just incase if theres any guilt you are feeling, don't, get rid of it, it isn't about you, or because of you, its just something i want for myself...."

Arnav listened carefully,and he knew she meant everything from the heart,her eyes conveyed every emotion right now and he asked softly - " you really aren't angry?? not mad at me at all??will you forgive me Khushi?? I know its too much to ask, after all that iv done, but i cant live with the thought that you'll be out there hating me forever, you really are the only one i have ever loved, in my own disastrous way maybe, but I have only loved you,and I will always love you, i know you are laying this boundary around yourself, which i will never cross, and after all that iv done to you, i have lost every right to even question your decision,do you have it in your heart Khushi to forgive me?? your forgiveness will lessen the burden and guilt in my heart..."

Khushi looked at him straight in the eye,as she said - " I was mad at you ofcourse, i really was,but not anymore,because i know holding a grudge isn't going to help me in anyway Arnav, its only going to make me weak,and im starting afresh tomorrow,a new chapter of my life, i dont want to walk into with , with any more emotional baggage,thats also why i came to see you, it was important for me,maybe for both of us, will give us both the final closure on this,and honestly i know what you are saying is the truth,there was love,but it couldn't work, it wasn't enough the sooner we accept that the better, and also, to answer to honestly, holding grudges against you is only going to make me bitter Arnav, and forgiving you will set me free,so yes, to answer you honestly, i do forgive you, I forgive you for everything in the past,and everything now,and not just for you,i forgive you for its important for my peace mind...and also just so you know, i dont think i have it in my heart to hate you,even after everything that happened, i did feel that way when i was angry, but now I'm just calmer,and you should know, that I don't hate you Arnav, i know there were reasons that drove you to behave the way you did,even though those reasons were unacceptable to me,i now see them clearly, maybe understand them even, however this is for the best Arnav, trust me, maybe its just how its meant to be,I do forgive you,and i don't hate you ", she finally finished taking it all out, and she felt so so light,she felt Free.

Arnav couldn't believe what he was hearing,he hadn't expected any of this at all, anything but this,and he was taken aback by that kindness inside of her, even after he been nothing but a beast to her when he should have treated her like his very own princess,she still was forgiving him,and he said softly - " thank you Khushi, i have no words, i just don't know what to say anymore,but now, I'm going to spend the rest of my life cursing myself for the things i have done,cursing myself for not listening to my heart, cursing myself for what i did ,for my anger ,my mind cost me the most precious thing to my heart this time around,and i did end up loosing the only girl i have ever loved..."

Khushi looked away, because the pain in his eyes was boring into her soul and she spoke softly - " im sure, you will move on, give yourself time....you'll meet someone...im sure you will..."

Arnav - " I dont know about that, i can never move on from you Khushi, because Love was just a meaningless word for me until you came along and gave it meaning, I will always love you,in my own twisted disastrous way maybe but i will and know that, i want you to be truly happy, because i couldn't give you any of that Khushi,i don't even trust myself to make you smile,and you truly deserve better, so so sso much better,Arhaan,maybe you are right, he will really keep you happy...its heartbreaking for me, but i do wish you all the best Khushi,"

Khushi looked back at him as she whispered - " thanks...."

Arnav - " also Khushi, im glad that you asked di for help for sorting out the misunderstanding between Asad and Zoya..."

Khushi - " you are??"

Arnav nodded - " yes, i am,i can't deny it for the rest of my life that Asad and Zoya have found love in each other, and that they want to spend the rest of their life together,i am still mad at Zoya for how things happened, but I'm not mad at her for finding love, and nor am i mad about her choice, it just was too much off a shock for me, but it all has sunk in now...no matter what has happened in the past, or between him and me, all those years ago, does not change the fact that your brother, is a good man Khushi,and Im happy that Zoya has him in her life..."

Khushi looked at him in surprise,she hadn't expected him to say any of this,but the fact that he was, did reflect that the days and the time out to himself,had helped him realise a lot of things, maybe he had been doing a lot of thinking on his own,and although in her heart she knew it was too late for them,she was happy for Asad-Zoya, this development could really help them cross the bump that had come in their way and she answered softly - " Im happy to hear that Arnav...and anything for bhaijaan and Zoya, i love them both to bits..."

Arnav asked softly,although every bit inside of him was breaking - " so engaged tomorrow for real huh??"

Khushi nodded - " yes, and married by the end of the week..."

Arnav nodded - " so, I guess back to London after??"

Khushi spoke softly - " no,not London, we will be settling down in Germany, i mean he did move to London temprorily.."

Arnav - " yes i know, he did move to be with you..."

Khushi asked surprised - " what??"

Arnav - " yeah, he told me he did, he does love you Khushi,he really is the better man for you...."

Khushi nodded,but she stayed silent,and she thought of what to say,because right now in this very moment she was experiencing the most heart wrenching and heartbreaking and soul shakening moment of her life,and she finally spoke softly - " can i ask you something??"

Arnav looked at her - "yes sure ,anything...."

Khushi - " I always thought why are you like this?? i mean trusting your mind, seeking proofs and logics and reason,and neglecting your emotions letting darkness take over you,and your heart and letting it destroy you , rip you apart, why do you do this to yourself again and again?? and something in my mind started to click,and i need to ask you,were you like this even before that fateful day??"

Arnav knew what she was referring too, and he took a deep breathe as he said honestly - " no, i wasn't, i wasn't like this before that, that day and its after affects changed everything inside of me Khushi, in way so strong thats its drilled in my subconscious and my consciousness..."

Khushi asked softly - " is it also because, your best friend,as in bhaijaan didn't support you when you asked him too, when he didn't trust your emotions,and only went with what he saw??"

Arnav looked at her surprised,but he asked softly - " Asad?? why are you ?? I mean, did Zoya tell you any of this..??"

Khushi looked at him as she asked - " yes, or no??? is it because you felt so betrayed at the hands of my brother, that its so difficult for you to trust again??"

Arnav looked at her in the eye and he said honestly - " well to be honest, yes, that and also a lot of what had happened that day between our fathers....there are times i wished I hadn't asked Asad to retrieve the CCTV Footage...but anyway...why are you bringing this up..."

Khushi sighed - " because i want you to know what bhaijaan never told you, something you dont know, he only didn't support you for th investigation further, because of ammi,because ammi,asked him too, she had a heart attack that night Arnav,and the only thing she asked bhaijaan was for a promise, that he would just not support you for looking into the matter..."

Arnav asked shocked - " what????? what did you just say????"

Khushi sighed,and she started to tell him everything,about her conversation with her mother, a while ago.And once she had finished, she saw the stunned look on his face and she said softly - " pplease dont judge bhaijaan,he had his reasons Arnav..."

Arnav asked ,sure the sudden shock was evident in his voice- " why didn't he tell me??"

Khushi - " could he really?? maybe yes he could and maybe not Arnav, i mean after everything that happened, thats only a answer he has to give...for i don't know why he didn't...anyway i just thought you should know,i mean, i know you do feel he betrayed you by not supporting you for the investigation all those years ago,and even for clearing the crime scene before you could go ahead with anything on your own,maybe now that you know why he did it, it will help in bring down the hatred you feel for him,you have held on to that hate for too long inside of you....also itll be good for him and Zoya too,are you planning to talk Zoya now that you are back?? I'm sorry if you mind me asking, just that,she has been miserable..."

Arnav looked at her in awe, his sister was right,Khushi really was the most selfless person he had ever come across,and he had been an idiot of the highest order to not see it ever before and be blinded by rage,and his distrust and he asked - " I need time Khushi,but why are you telling me any of this now,as in about Asad,??"

Khushi looked at him in the eye as she said - " for two reasons to be honest, like i said for bhaijaan and Zoya ,and second, i know you,you do miss bhaijaan,he was an important part of your life, just like you were a part of his, if this can maybe help you look at things differently, it can help you heal over that wound,and maybe also because iv loved you so much, that i do really wish for your problems to get sorted Arnav..."

Arnav didn't miss the - " Iv loved you",ofcourse it was past sentence now,and he asked softly - " just what have i done?? i can't believe im loosing you all over again, and i dont have anyone to blame but myself..."

Khushi - " will you do something, if i say its for your own good??"

Arnav nodded.

Khushi - " talk to bhaijaan if you can Arnav,maybe ask him what you want,get your answers, theres no point in living with the pain of the past,you both have punished yourself for a decade now, for no fault of yours...."

Arnav replied softly - " ill think about it, Khushi..."

Khushi - " thanks, now if you can please drive me back..."

Arnav nodded,and he started to drive, and within a few minutes, he was at the spot he had picked her up and he stopped the engine as he said - "so this is it then,Khushi??"

Khushi - " yes....",and she started to get out.

Arnav watched her step out and he said instantly - " Khushi...."

Khushi had gotten off, but she looked at him as she turned - " huh??"

Arnav spoke softly - " I want you to know, im only letting you go,because i love you way too muchhhh,and i cant trust myself to keep you happy,and somehow i feel Arhaan probably can,its only for your happiness,and only because i love you so damm much, that im letting you go...."

Khushi looked at him straight in the eye as she whispered - " goodbye Arnav...."

He watched her shut the door, and he closed his eyes and wiped a tear off his eye,he knew he had done the right thing,but he had also ripped apart his heart and soul in the process all over again.

When he had left his home,he had thought off doing things differently, he had thought off doing everything to talk her out of this, but then he had realised that over time, he had given Khushi only pain,and she deserved so much better, he didn't deserve to be with her when he couldn't even trust himself to make her smile,and so he had decided in his head, that he would apologise, seek forgiveness,and then let her go, as much as it ripped him apart,he would let go of the only one he had ever loved, only because he loved her,it was twisted,it was heartbreaking,maybe it was his fate. But in his heart he knew,he would always, always love only Khushi, no one could take her place ever.He felt few more tears leave his eyes,as every moment he had spent with Khushi started to flash in front of his eyes,he almost smiled through the tears as he recalled how he met her, then about the time the three weeks of pure bliss that he had spent with her in London, before he had destroyed everything,he had been happy, so so happy, for the first time his heart had dared to dream for love,and he would now focus on these memories, for these memories off her were all that was left with him,and they were enough to last him for this lifetime.He wasn't a part of her life anymore,yes, but he had been in the most beautiful way,the things that he had felt,and probably made her feel too, were beautiful in their own way,they had been close,and the memories of this very closeness would now be the balm to his heart,and he knew he would be spending his ever night basking in these memories.He had lost her even before, he had spent months without her,but even then she was the only one he had thought off,and she would still be the only when inside his heart,she wasn't with him but that wouldn't stop him from loving her, nothing could ever stop him from loving her.Arhaan was lucky,lucky very lucky,and he envied him for sure, but this time around he had let him win, only because he knew probably he could give Khushi the happiness she deserved.

But he prayed, silently prayed, that if there was some other world out there,some other life after this,maybe then he and Khushi would be together,because he knew he would love her forever , till the end of time.She was a part of his soul,and he couldn't get her apart from his being,from his his heart ever.

He knew he had done the right thing by letting her go, but the way everything inside of him was breaking over and over again,it gave him such mental agony, that he hadn't known he was capable of feeling.

He finally started the engine and drove to the hospital,where his mother was admitted monthly for routine follow ups,and he decided to send his mami/nani back home, even though it was late,he would stay tonight instead,because all he wanted to do right now, was cry , he wanted to cry it all out, and he knew he needed his mothers hand on his head,as he wept in the pain of his heartbreak.

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

Khushi walked back inside, and she knew in her mind, that what had just happened was the right thing.She had done the right thing but what she hadn't even expected in her dreams had just happened.She had known for sure that he would know off her engagement once he was back,and she had also known that he would get in touch with her about it,because deep down in her heart somewhere, some part of her had still known, that he would realise everything on his own and that he would come around,and that was exactly what had happened.She had taken this step not just because of the heat of the moment, but because she had known in her head, that it was best for the two of them to stay out of each others lives, the constant misunderstandings, and the constant heartache,the constant pain that bound them was getting too much too handle for her, and a part of her believed that for him too for he was probably miserable too,because he had destroyed everything again.And after all that happened, she strongly believed that the two of them were strongly injurious to each others mental health,so the best way to give them both a closure would be if one of them marked a boundary the other would never cross.

But what had happened just now, she hadn't expected at all,she had thought he was going lash out at her again for doing so, say hurtful things,misunderstand again,but she hadn't thought of coming face to face with a calmer and yet heartbroken him.

She remembered his words - " just so you know Khushi, I'm only letting you go because i love you so damm much and i don't trust myself to keep you happy Khushi..."

"He really is the better man for you, Khushi..."

"i wish you all the best..."

She closed her eyes,after she finished gulping down a glass of water, she hadn't ever thought that Arnav would have been capable of doing what he had just done.

Right then she heard footsteps,and she walked out of the kitchen to see Zoya climbing up the stairs, and she followed her silently as she entered her room behind her and she asked closing the door - " Zoya, why are you up?? at this time, shouldn't you be sleeping??"

Zoya looked back in surprise as she said - " why didn't i see you coming behind me??"

Khushi rolled her eyes - "because you are so lost...youv been crying your heart out, Zoya, why dont you just go and talk to bhaijaan..."

Zoya sat down dejected on the bed - "as if I havent tried Khushi, he wont even look at me, or even say a word to me, talking is like a dream which will never happen, im sure, that look on this face, that taut pain, hurt on his face and eyes, i know he isn't going to be forgiving me Khushi, and i dont blame him, ok, i really dont, for the things iv blamed him off, the things that i said, maybe they were buried deep inside of me to come out in the way they did , but in all my anger, in all my logic hunting, i forgot that there was a heavy price to pay in return, because i shattered everything in between us, and now i must pay for it...", she finished as she wiped her tears.

Khushi pulled her in a hug as she brushed her hair - " relax, it will be ok, give him time ok, just give him that, were you in the back garden??"

Zoya nodded - " yes, i needed fresh air...khushi, i cant sleep, im feeling so guilty,i just wont get any sleep...but why are you up?? i saw you go to the room with ammi,..?"

Khushi nodded - "yes,i did, but..."

Zoya asked - "but what??


Khushi sighed as she said- " Arnav was here...i mean i just saw him for a while...was important, the closure was needed"

Zoya asked in shock - " bhai came to see you?? what did he say?? what did you say????Khushi?? tell me, please...."

Khushi slowly filled her in about whatever happened,and once she finished, Zoya had pulled her in an instant hug and then she asked - " Khushi are you sure?? i mean, you still want to get engaged to Arhaan..?? you know he is really sorry..."

Khushi sighed - " yes i do Zoya, i mean i will get engaged tomorrow, i understand he is sorry and i get his point, but what has happened, is still not acceptable to my heart, i cannot function like this, every time having to prove things,accompalish his terms and conditions, its just the best this way Zoya, we have nothing more to give each other, other than pain, its sad, its heartbreaking but its true...anyway apart from this, i got to know something else too tonight..."

Zoya asked - " what??"

Khushi started to tell her about her mothers heart attack,and everything that her mother had shared with her in the room,and once she had finished she said - " i told Arnav about it, i mean not everything but the reason why bhaijaan didn't support him all those years ago..."

Zoya asked in surprise - " you did?? Khushi to be honest, Asad had confided in me about this a while ago, but he made me promise, he didn't want me to tell you about ammi's condition,and i couldn't tell bhai, because he would only wonder from where did i know any of this, so...but did he say anything??whats on his mind??"

Khushi - " well, i did tell him to talk to bhaijaan for his own good,and although he accepts that you and bhaijaan have found love in each other,he did say he will take some more time, i mean, i dont know what's on his mind clearly, wasn't able to look past the pain in his eyes...i feel sorry Zoya for this to have happened, but maybe just this is how its meant to be...anyway im going to seep now,ok, why don't you go talk to bhaijaan, im sure he will be awake twisting and turning in bed..."

Zoya- " i was thinking the same...."

Khushi gave her a small smile - "good...", and she walked down the stairs, and saw Zoya walking towards her brothers room,and she silently prayed,that her brother would break the ice and talk to Zoya now.

..........

Asad bent back on his chair of his study, in his room,he had dimmed every other light in the room expect for his study lamp,and he stared at the papers he had asked his lawyers to prepare,he re-read the title - Annulment of Marriage

Ever since those words , had left her mouth, those haunting words, about how deeply she regretted everything.He recalled her hurtful brutal words that had broken everything inside of him -

" i regret that i married you in the way i did, i regret that i trusted you so much, i regret that i loved you so damm much, that i was so blind,that i didn't realise that all the while,i was letting down the people who brought me up, i regret being such a fool, in the name of your love..."

And everything that she had done and said had whipped his soul right, left and centre.Never in his wildest dreams, he had ever imagined that Zoya, his Zoya could hurt him the way she had, after all that had happened,and after only love he had given her.She had broken everything inside of him, it was as if she had ripped apart his soul, he was that hurt.

If she had deeply regretted everything so badly, then he would give her what she had wanted,he would set her free, he would break apart,because he couldn't be with someone who didn't trust him, he couldn't be.Love and trust went hand in hand in his mind, in his beliefs, and she had broken every bit of the trust,and rocked the foundation of everything,and not just that he now greatly doubted that whether deep in her heart , did she ever trust him in the first place?? maybe not,maybe she never really completely did,because that was the only way she could doubt him the way she had.

This morning, he had read the literature on annulment of marriage,he was aware of the law a little, thanks to his love for reading, he knew that the law in India, did allow two legal ways of terminating marriages, Divorce and Annulment. Divorce was out of question because they hadn't even been married for like more than a month, the law wouldn't be in their favour,and so he had looked up at annulment.Although a unusual remedy, annulment was a legal procedure for declaring the marriage null and void,and there were various loopholes through which one could declare a marriage null and void,like if certain legal requirements were not met , then the marriage is considered to have never existed in the eyes of the law, this process was different from divorce because while divorce dissolves a marriage that has existed,a marriage that is annulled never existed at all, thus unlike divorce it is retroactive: an annulled marriage is considered to have never existed.

He had spoken to his lawyers this morning,and they had explained to him that the grounds for a marriage annulment may vary according to different legal instructions,but maybe there was a loophole in their case, that if both him and Zoya, gave written consent that they were both not in the right frame of mind, when they entered into marriage,by agreeing that they were both under the influence of alcohol,and that their capacity to think had been compromised, it could serve as the grounds for annulment.It was a long shot, but just as annulment was an unusual remedy on its own, if sought by both parties, his lawyer was confident that they would succeed.

He closed his eyes, as tears threatened to fall,never in his worst of a nightmare had he thought that he would be seeking ,cancellation of his marriage with Zoya.But after all the pain he had been subjected too, with a broken and a ripped soul,that had unleashed the darkness inside of him, he knew this was a decision he was going to take.

Zoya regretted everything so deeply,she even doubted his love for her,then what were they really doing together??

And all this was before he had been called by Khushi, and the truth had come out, and Rajeev and Shukla had confessed that they were behind it all.And the look on Zoya's face as she tried to get him to look at her and talk to her,did shake him, for he knew she was feeling really guilty, but he couldn't help it, because the damage had been done,the fact that she had believed a strangers testimony over his words, had only broken him further, in a way he was glad that she got a proof of his innocence,but he was also broken, because in his eyes,everything had been shattered,already. It really was too late.

He couldn't go back to erasing what he had heard,what she had said, and it was ironical in a way because a decade ago, because he couldn't go back to erasing what he had witnessed in the CCTV footage, he had cut all ties with her brother,and now history was just repeating itself,because that broken soul of his, and the trillion broken pieces of his heart,were going to make him cut all ties with Zoya.

He had genuinely evolved through it all and he couldn't beehive that he had slipped back into that dark abyss, but he knew he had.

He could never forgive Zoya, for breaking him, he could never forgive her for ripping apart his soul,and he would be dammed if he let her get away with this,he would break her for sure, he would hurt her, he would torture her, just like she had done to him,and he knew this would do that to her.Annuling their marriage would break her in every accord,for it would mean that their marriage never existed in the first place.

The pain, the anger, and the darkness took over him,as he finally took his pen and signed the papers,and now there was only one thing left to do, get Zoya to sign them,and then he would file this first thing,but he would wait until after Khushi's engagement to get Zoya's signature and to tell her about what he wanted,and he would only revealthr truth to his family after Khushi's wedding,because he didn't want to ruin things for Khushi, even though his own life was now ruined.

He finally put the papers back in the drawer,and drank a glass of water, and it was right then he heard constant knocks on his door, and he walked over to see who it was.

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

Zoya waited for him to open the door,and she knocked again,and she was about to turn back, right when she saw him open the door,and the minute he registered in the sight of her,he was about to shut it back, but she stepped in the middle blocking his way,and she said, knowing that her face was already tear stricken - "Asad, please, just let me in, please....."

Her tear stricken face, still managed to pull a string at his broken heart and soul,and it was only because of that,did he allow her in,and she stepped in and shut the door behind him and she watched him sit on the bed,as he stared into nowhere.

Zoya took small steps,as she walked and sat in front of him,as she asked softly - " will you never look at me again??"

Something about that voice, pained him again,and he found himself looking at her, and the guilt, the pain, the anguish on her face was evident and he heard her speak - " I am sorry, Asad, i am so so so sorry, for everything i have said, and for all the hurt iv caused you, i really am, Asad, i have no idea what came over me, although a part of my heart was wanting to stop me, from saying those things the rage, the anger,got the better of me, i dont know what happened, what fury blinded me....im sorry...i really am..."

Asad felt his anger rise as he caught her hair in a fist as he spat - " you are sorry?? for what?? for breaking me?? for breaking every bit of this love, the trust, between us?? what are you sorry for dammit huh?? for breaking Asad Ahemed Khan, for sending him back into the darkness i had come over with so much difficulty, well here is some news, Zoya, i dont want your sorry, its not acceptable to me, and I dont want it because no matter what you say or do, can ever undo what you done to me, that you broken me, after all i gave you was pure love,i feel like a fool, i feel like a freaking idiot Zoya,and you'v done that to me, I begged you, to listen to me, to trust me, to believe me, but you didn't,and it was so easy to believe someone else testimony over the words of the man you claim to love, over your husbands words....so easy wasn't it?? well congratulations you had your way,but you broke everything inside of me in the process...and now just makes me wonder if you ever did really love me Zoya?? did you ever from your heart like did?? did you ever trust me?? like i did??? of course not,and i have been fooled enough, but not anymore, i want you to get out of here, get out of my room Zoya, i don't want you here, and im only keeping silent because of Khushi's engagemnt, i do not want her to suffer because of her, i don't want to ruin things for her,even though you have ruined me and my life....",and with that he finally let go of her, as she fell back.

Zoya got up immediately as she said walking up to him and she held his hand and made him turn around as she said, crying - " Asad, please , i know , i ruined everything, i know i hurt you so bad, i broke you, but i hurt myself too, in the process, im hurting too, cant you see it, i was as miserable as you, Asad, please just look at me, pleaseee.....look into my eyes, im Zoya, your Zoya, please cant you forgive me just this once?? give me one chance, tell me how can i fix this, and i will, i will do everything that i can, i promise...you know, i love you, i love you so so damm much"

Those words, and the emotion that it was riling inside of him,made him turn as he finally looked at her his own tears threatening to leave his eye as he asked, sure his voice was loaded with wrenched pain and emotion - " what kind of love is this Zoya??what kind of love that couldn't even make you trust me for a second, or even give me the benefit of doubt, i can't do this Zoya, i cant ,trust and love are hand in hand in my belief systen,why did you have to break it all....just why dammit????? I cant undo anything, i cant undo what i felt, what i heard, how you made me feel, i can't....Zoya...I can't...."

Zoya knew he was vulnerable right now, just like she was, she had this one emotional window for a few minutes maybe,and she cupped his face tenderly as she asked stepping closer into him - " why cant you?? i know you love me, i know you have it in your heart to forgive me, i know you do...", and she kissed his cheeks and eyes as she whispered - " im sorry, im so so so sorry....im sorry Asad, please....please forgive me",and then she pulled him towards her as she started to kiss him.

Asad felt her kiss his cheeks and eyes and the minute he felt her lips on his and her kiss,he was shaken and frozen at the same time, he wanted to pull away,for a part of him he didn't want to touch her,or be touched by her, but a part of him wanted it to bad, probably one last time, his heart wanted to store in the memories of her forvever, because he knew once he would reveal about the annulment, he would be finishing everything, calling it all off,and the realisation that came along with it was immense,and extremely overwhelming,and it was only out of that little emotion that was left in his broken soul,did he finally get himself to start kissing her back.

Zoya finally felt his lips move on hers as he started to kiss her back,and she felt his hands go around her waist,and soon the kiss turned intense, very intense, for she was pouring all the love, the pain, the guilt, of how sorry she really was into it, and he was poring a lot of pain into it too, the pain she had caused him,and she finally broke apart as she looked into his eyes as she whispered - " i just want you to know , that i truly am sorry Asad, i regret everything that i said, i do, i know i cant go back and undo it, because those words did leave my mouth and cause all this damage between us, and iv broken myself too, but still i know we can get past this, i know we can, remember all that we been through, we can get past this, if you are willing to give me one chance...thats all, one chance,and ill make everything ok..."

Asad listened to her, and every word,she was saying and with the conviction and the emotion,every bit of it, he wanted to believe her, he did want to beleive, but his mind wouldn't allow him,it wouldn't, she was a beautiful trap he had fallen so badly for, and he had been blinded by love, so blinded, that it wasn't until he had everything inside of him had broken had he realised that probably falling in love with her ironically was at the same time the best and the worst to have happened to him.

It was strange, very strange because there was something extremely uniquely heartbreaking about this moment in his life.He wanted to still hold her,make love to her for one last time, before he shut himself out to her forever,and a part of him argued that he shouldn't just make any move and ask her to leave, because of he made love to her right now, he would give her a hope, a hope that would shatter very soon,because in his mind he was still sure that he wanted to go ahead with the annullment,and so he stool silent torn between his mind,and whatever was left of his emotion.He closed his eyes for a second, and let the emotion over rule him as she stepped towards her,and she stepped back,and he continued to do so, until her legs hit his bed.

Zoya looked at him, and that intensity in his eyes, on his face was something she had never seen before,but she couldn't read it, she couldn't understand as to what it was,and she asked - " Asad, will you give me one chance?? are you willing to??", but he kept a finger on her lips and gestured her to stay silent and she felt him pull her by the waist,as he bent forward and started to trail a line of kisses on the side of her neck,and before she could say anything,he had pulled her for a deep kiss.

She wanted to talk, she wanted to understand what was on his mind, but as she felt him caress her , touch her, and hold her close,she understood that he didn't want to talk right now,he had something else on his mind totally,as she felt him starting to undress her.

She didn't know what to make of this, was he doing this because he was willing to give her a chance but didn't know how to say it, maybe yes, that was what this was about,and because of that emotion that came over her at the thought the happiness, the hope that everything would be alright with time, made her heart finally beat again,and she finally gave in as she found herself started to respond to his touches.

He picked up her in his arms,as he lay her on the bed,and she finally opened her eyes and that same intensity in his eyes shook her being, because she couldn't read him, something was different in the way he had started to kiss her everywhere, caress her in the most intimate of places,but the affect his touches were having on her was the same,and she was sure she was going to loose every ability to think further,as she felt him enter her.She wrapped her legs around him,as she felt him move inside of her,in a way that was similar, yet so different,but she couldn't comprehend further,because she found herself getting lost,as Asad made love to her.

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

7 am

Asad woke up,and he turned to see Zoya next to him, and reality came crashing back into him.She was next to him, in his room, in his bed,yet he had never felt so apart from her ever,he knew she was guilty and sorry, but he couldn't help it, she had inflicted a wound that just wouldn't heal, a damage that she couldn't repair, just no one could.

He had made love to her last night over and over again,until the wee hours of the morning because that traitor of his broken heart and soul had wanted to store up everything it could collect,because he knew very soon, very very soon, everything would be over.He hadn't let her talk,or speak anything,even though she had tried,he had just silenced her everytime,because he knew there was nothing left to say.There was nothing she could say anymore,because no matter what,he couldn't forgive her, he couldn't be with her in the way same as before ever again and now very soon they were both going to be left with a trillion broken pieces of their hearts.

He walked to his washroom,and dressed up in his tracks, and he knew he wanted to go out and run.He need the air,he needed it greatly.

He stepped out the bathroom,and cast one last look at Zoya in his bed, he knew he would be seeing her like this, for one last time.He stayed back for a few minutes, watching her asleep ,and the emotion, the heartbreaking emotion made him finally tear away his eyes,as he made his way out.

.......

8.30 AM

Dilshaad sipped her tea,and she smiled, today was a big day, a very big day, her daughter was getting engaged.

Ruksaar had told her that Asad had gone out for a run,and she thought that Khushi and Zoya would be still sleeping and she thought she would vile time by reading the newspaper,and she said- " Ruksaar, where are the newspapers?? iv been so busy over the past couple days, i haven't had anytime to read the paper..."

Ruksaar smiled - " khala, its right there, i just kept it in the stack along with the old ones, who reads the paper now anyway khala...its all on the phone..."

Dilshaad nodded as she walked over to the cabinet where they kept the stack of newspapers - " but you cant get over the charm a newspaper has, ruksaar...",and while picking up the papers,she dropped a few others,and she picked up to put them back,right when she thought a picture caught her eye, and it looked like Asad and Zoya.

She quickly picked up the paper,and started to read, and she felt shock, go through her,as she read what was written, why hadn't she known any of this, did her children know??

Right then Khushi walked in yawning in the kitchen - " Ruksaar, my tea, please....", but the minute she saw the expression on her mothers face ,she knew something was wrong ,and so she was by her side in a jiff, and she saw what she as reading, and she groaned, she should have thrown the paper out that day itself.

Dilshaad finally put the paper aside on the table,and she noticed Khushi and she asked - " you all knew about this??"

Khushi nodded silently, and right then she saw her brother enter the kitchen and their mother picked up the paper and put it front of him surprising him as she asked - " Asad, why didn't you tell me?? Khushi?? my poor Zoya....thats why the two of you have been so edgy, you think i wouldn't notice, oh god...."

Asad picked up the paper and threw it in the dustbin, after all ot was the piece of paper that had caused such great damage,and he said - " ammi, relax, its all ok...we didn't want to tell you, because we dont want to cause you any stress..."

Khushi finally spoke - "ammi,bhaijaan is right, we didn't tell you because we didn't want you to stress, and its all sorted, i mean we do know someone who hated Zoya was behind this, its really all sorted, relax...", and she gestured her brother to keep silent about the rest that had happened in between.

Asad understood what Khushi wanted,and he nodded,because obviously he knew the truth about what had happened between him and Zoya,was going to disturb her greatly.

Dilshaad looked at her kids as she said - " ok, fine, now i want the truth,khushi tell me,what exactly happened, how did you figure out who did this??"

Asad nodded as he gave Khushi the consent to filter the happenings to her mother,and he just sat silently as he heard his sister fill in his mother.

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

Zoya woke up, and she felt her hand reach out for Asad, and she didn't find him next to her and so she finally shot up in bed, and looked around the room, the washroom for him, but he wasn't there.

She looked at the time, he was probably downstairs,and so she quickly made her way to Khushi's room,because thats where she had shifted her things, and went into the shower,and started to get ready,as she smiled to herself,as the thoughts of last night came back to her, Asad had made love to her over and over again, until wee hours of the morning,and although he hadn't let her talk, she did have hope, that things would get better with time, because if he didn't want to give her another chance,he wouldn't even have touched her.She still didn't understand what was on his mind, but atlas what had happened was enough to ignite that flicker of hope inside of her, that he did have it in his heart to forgive her.

She quickly got ready and made her way down, today was Khushi's engagement and they all had to be at the Hotel, by Noon.For she wanted to be there,in the hall to oversee the decorations, she knew Khushi had to be at lunch with Arhaan's uncle and aunt.And then at 4, the make up artist would be at the Hotel to get Khushi ready for the evening.God there was so so so much to do, and so little time.

........

As soon as she stepped down the last stair, and she saw Asad, Khushi's serious expression as they spoke to ammi,and she heard what Khushi was telling her, she realised that she had seen the paper.God,just why was this happening??

Dilshaad saw Zoya and she walked over and she pulled her into a hug,and she was suprised, because if she had known the complete truth wouldn't she be mad at her for doubting Asad, and she looked at Khushi confused and both Khushi and Asad gestured to her that she didn't know the complete truth.She thanked them silently and she heard her say -" Zoya, i am so sorry, for this to have happened, no matter what, the public humiliation that you and your family have been subjected too,was totally uncalled for, im so sorry, and if only Asad hadn't behaved recklessly that day, this wouldn't have happened....",and Zoya saw her give her son a glare as he turned to him as she said -" Asad you do realise,that no matter what the past, no matter what happened, the Raizada's didn't deserve this, this humiliation, and im sure they have known this from the day it happened, unlike me, and i can obviously sense that they have kept silent and dealt with this humiliation because they didn't see any other way out,they are mad at Zoya obviously, but i will not stay silent, I will have no daughter of mine humiliated like this,and Zoya is your wife and my daughter, and that by default makes the Raizada's family...and I'm going to make amends..."

Asad looked at his mother in disbelief - " what the hell ammi?? did i just hear you right?? raizada's family?? make amends, what are you saying?????you'v got to be kidding me."

Khushi and Zoya stood silent as they watched Dilshaad walk up to Asad and she took him by the arm as she said - " Asad, my son, don't let the hatred of the past ruin your present, do you think Zoya deserves this kind of humiliation,she and her family have been made into a laughing stock,she chose you, she came with you no matter what, cant you see, how much she loves you??"

Asad looked at Zoya,and their eyes locked for a few seconds and he looked away how could he tell his mother that everything was ruined in the present and so he just stood silent and he heard her speak - " for ten years iv abided by the boundary you laid for me for not talking to anyone from their family, but you do realise that you went ahead and tresspassed that boundaryy yourself, by falling in love and marrying Zoya, and no matter what you say, you cant always have your way,and now, i wont let you have your way..."

Asad started to speak - " Ammi,..."

Dilshaad raised her hand to stop him ,and in a voice she knew her son couldn't argue with- " enough, now you will listen to me,we are going to Shantivan right now,you and Zoya will come with me, You dont want to say anything, dont but i will apologise for this mess, and i will seek to make amends, I am going to respectfully invite them for Khushi's engagement tonight,and request them to come, for Zoya's sake,and you will call the media, and this shall be covered, and known that our families have reconciled for the two of your's sake, it cannot undo the damage that has been done, but atlas thats the only way i can see us covering up for it...."

Asad looked at his mother in disbelief - "ammi, no way...and what makes you think they will listen to you anyway??"

Dilshaad looked at him in the eye as she said - " i know they will, no one expect for you and Arnav, live with this hatred in their hearts....not even me, not even them, because we all know, that we all lost so so so much that day,what face am i going to show to Kkusum if she woke up one day and asked me, that her daughter had been subjected to this kind of humiliation,Asad, imagine if anyone did this to Khushi...."

Asad felt his blood boil as he spat - " then i would have brought the hell down ammi,..."

Dilshaad nodded - " i know, you would have, now im giving you thirty minutes, get ready and see me here, Zoya already is ready...and Khushiyou have Anjali's number right? inform her that we would be coming...."

Khushi nodded,as she watched her brother stomp up the stairs and her mother made her way to the room and she finally looked at Zoya, who stood stunned and shocked and she walked over to her as she said hugging her - " itl be ok, dont worry..."

Zoya - " god, hes so angry again, Asad, and what am i going to say at home?? i don't even know if they want to see me..."

Khushi hugged her, she had her own worry creeping up, she didn't know how was Arnav going to react,she desperately hoped he didn't say anything to her mother in anger,god this was crazy,it was as if their life had become like a roller coaster,too much happening, too much adrenaline rush, too fast,or rather at the speed of light,she instructed herself to relax as she told Zoya - " relax, im sure,ammi will handle it, ill just message Anjali di...."

Zoya nodded,and she waited silently for the two of them.

..........

A few Minutes Later -

Khushi watched them leave, as her brothers car left the gates, and she sent a silent prayer ,that everything should be in control.

Right then her phone rang,and she saw Arhaans name flashing on the screen and she picked it up as she heard him - " khushi good morning...."

Khushi walked in as she sighed - " it should be Arhaan , since its the day we are getting engaged but i wish i could say that..."

She heard Arhaan's worried voice on the other end - "what happened Khushi??"

Khushi sighed as she filled him about the events of what had just happened and she said - " and i dont even know if bhaijaan spoke to Zoya and if they had sorted things out, just pray things dont get worse..."

Arhaan - " they won't Khushi relax, do you want me to come over right now?? i don't want you to be alone when you are so worried, and you were going to be here by Noon anyway, we can come together..."

Khushi - " yes, i would like that Arhaan, you are the best..."

Arhaan - " ok, ill be there soon, you dont worry much ok..."

Khushi - " yeah, i won't....",and she hung up,and she tried to calm her nerves,but her heartbeat wouldn't come in control,and she found her thoughts wandering to Arnav and his reaction, at seeing her family in his house again.

She didn't know, what would happen, a part of her told her that hell would break loose, whereas a part of her told her that everything would be in control.

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

Hate grinned as he said - " well who cares what happens, atlas i dont, because i finally got what i wanted anyway, i just broke all your lovebirds apart..."

Fate scowled at Hate as he said - " i officialy Hate you..."

Hate grinned - " tell me something i dont already know...aha im so proud of myself..."

Fate - " you plotted this sick idea in his idea in his head didn't you?? annulment of marriage....seriously Zoya is going to be heart beyond repair,because this is bad really, Zoya is going to be broken....so broken"

Hate grinned - " if you ask me she deserves it ,thats why i did it, she broke him, he will break her...perfect recipe for the perfect revenge...and Arnav deserves it too,although Khushi didn't operate out of Hate, she's strange that girl, no matter how hard i try, i cannot enter her head,but iv succeeded in entering her brother's and once Zoya knows of what he has done, i will rule her as well.....ahaaa i couldn't be more proud",and he walked away putting on his earphones.

Fate finally looked at Destiny and Love who had been sitting silently and listening to him and Hate and he asked - " seriously?? just going to sit silently you two?? none of you have anything to say?? Destiny, you tell me what kind of love is this??because i know if I'm going to Love, she's going to be cryptic..."

Destiny sighed as she said - " all i can say, its the people who love with that intensity,can actually hate with the same intensity too, and hurt with an intensity even higher too, and thats just how it will turn out, i guess...its my script, but I'm pained as well...."

Fate looked at Love and he asked - " what about the other two??"

Love finally spoke - " well, you know what to be honest, im kind of proud of what Arnav did, he did take me by suprise, but letting her go, for her happiness,was the most selfless thing he has ever done, i didn't think he was capable of it at all, but he suprised, looks like he has finally evolved and reached the point i wanted him too..."

Fate - " but whats the point?? i know she is going to get engaged for sure...right??"

Destiny nodded - " yes she will...."

Fate groaned - " then what??? tsk tsk...such a mess , such a mess..."

Love nodded - "and a mess it shall remain,until they all realise, that they aren't on different stands, that people who love each other,often fall for this trap of differences, and they have to realise that they are on the same side, they always were..."

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