"Aap the.. Haina? Wahaan the aap. Kaheen aas paas (You were there right? You were there. Somewhere near)" Khushi asked coming out of the hug. Looking at him hopefully

"Khushi.." Arnav breathed shocked.

"You were there Right?" She asked

Arnav couldn't help but smile. How could he forget their connection. She obviously sensed him!

"Yes Khushi I was there, For a short while though.. But yes, I was. You had felt it right, When in the past have our instincts betrayed us about each-others' presence and absence?" Arnav asked softly cupping her face

Khushi looked at him with an unfanthomable expression

"I am too confusing ain't I? One minute that Ruthless Raizada.. The other a loving husband." Arnav asked

"Husband?" She chuckled humourlessly

Arnav's heart dropped at that. He reached for her face, Half expecting her to back away but that never happened instead he found her eyes brimming with tears. "Khushi.. Please" He whispered

"Aisa kya ho gayaa.. Ki wahaan hokar bhi.. Aap mandap tak nahi aaye.. Aisa kya ho gaya.. Ki mujhe til-til martaa dekhkar bhi.. Aapka dil nahi pighla mere liye.. Aap toh kehte the ki aap mere aansoon nahi dekh sakte? Toh fir.. Aisa kya badal gayaa ki aapko mere aansoon.. Aansoon bhi affect nahi kar paaye Arnavji? (What had happened that inspite of being there.. You didn't come to the altar. What had happened.. That even after you saw me dying bit by bit.. Your heart didn't soften towards me? You had told me you can't bear my tears.. Then what changed that even my tears didn't affect you?)" She asked breaking down into fits of tears right in front of Arnav

Arnav's heart contorted in boundless pain as he held her close to himself.

"I died.. Khushi every minute that you suffered... I suffered. Your tears do affect me Khushi.. Your pain.. Your suffering affects me like.. Nothing else in this world. I am.. I am very sorry Khushi. Please listen to me.." Arnav pleaded

"You didn't believe that story Arnav-ji. Aapne toh kaha tha ki.. Aap jaante hai Amma kusurvaar nahi hai! Aap toh.. (You had told me you know Amma was not the culprit.. You had)" Khushi asked confused.

"I will still say that Khushi. I know Amma is not the culprit. I did not back out Khushi... I did not back out from the marriage. Whatever happened was not because of Amma." Arnav said making her all the more confused.

"I know I should have told you.. I know I should have confronted you myself. I should have told you everything.. On my own. I really regret not doing that Khushi.. I really.. Really do." Arnav apologized sincerely.

"Told.. Told me what?" She stuttered confused

Arnav extracted a file out of his coat.

Khushi took the file from his hand and started reading it's contents.

A few minutes passed in silence as Arnav watched Khushi keenly for any signs of discomfort or shock. But her face showed no expressions at all.

"Th-This is not.. Possible.. Not possible Arnavji. Why would.. Why would they?" Khushi asked looking up from the file

"I had intended to make you aware of this.. On the day of our wedding.. You remember.. NK had brought you some papers to sign?" Arnav tried to remind her

"I.. Didn't even read those papers.. Nanheji was in too much hurry" Khushi said

"They were.. Marriage registration papers. I had told him to get them signed by you without anyone's notice. I had sent a letter too.. But it didn't reach you. I thought it did.. I thought you knew.. I thought you were... You were fine... I am sorry Khushi.. I am really sorry. I should've.. Stayed back.. I should have.. I am sorry" Arnav apologized.

"Marriage Registration.." She breathed

"I had intended for you to.. Have the best wedding day ever Khushi.. I had never even imagined three hours before the wedding.. I'd get to know about.. This! I just wanted to have the legal right to stand beside you if the things got ugly. I legalised the marriage cuz I just didn't want you to feel that you didn't belong to me anymore. So that whenever you'd want.. You could.. And so that your family remains aware of whatever was happening. I didn't mean to abandon you Khushi. I would never even dream to dream about it." Arnav said sadly

Khushi blinked.

"I am trying my best to deal with this Khushi.. But it's not easy. Ateet ki jadein bahut gehri hain Khushi.. Waqt chahiye mujhe.. Bas thoda saa waqt. I promise mein sab theek kar dunga. (The roots of the past are very deep Khushi.. I need time.. Just a little time. I promise I'll make everything right)" Arnav said holding her hand. Khushi blinked again.

"Khushi.. Are you okay?"

"Papa.. This is.. Not possible Arnavji. That's my father.. Sumit Vardhaan. This.. Cannot be.. Possible" She whispered as a tear ran down her cheek.

Arnav wiped her tear. "I know it's not easy, But Khushi.. There are official police evidences. I don't believe in that stuff Khushi. But everyone else does. Dadi hates you. I can't endanger you Khushi. Dadi can go to any goddamn extent to avenge Arvind Malliks death." He said

"Please.. Don't hate me" Khushi pleaded. Her voice cracked

Arnav looked at her shocked. "Tum biwi ho meri.. Legally shaadi ho gayi hai hamaari uss din khushi.. Tum soch bhi kaise sakti ho Khushi ki mein tumse kissi bhi haalat mein nafrat kar sakta hun? (You are my wife.. We had legalized our marriage that day Khushi.. How can you even think that I'll hate in any circumstances?)" Arnav asked

"You don't?"

"Of course I.. Don't Khushi.. I can't. Because I love you.. Way too much" Arnav said softly

"This" She breathed gesturing the still open file.

Arnav chuckled lightly. "This.. Doesn't prove anything Baby. The involvement of Vardhan men in that incident isn't even clear. I don't believe in all this Khushi. I know there's more to the story and I'm just trying to find that out." He said softly.

Khushi looked at him innocently, His heart went out to her. Arnav positioned himself comfortably close to her. "Mein hun Khushi.. Hamesha. Hamesha tumhaare saath.. Tumhaare paas. Humein koi sach koi jhooth.. Kabhi ek doosre se alag nahin kar sakta. Humaare rishte ne ek bahut badaa imtehaan dia hai. Aaj hum uss sab se nikal kar aaye hai.. Toh mein ek aur misunderstanding ko.. ek aur jhoot ko.. Humaare beech nahi aane dunga!(I'm there Khushi.. Forever. Forever with you. No truth.. No lies.. Nothing can saperate us anymore. Our relationship has been through so much lately. And still we're here.. and I'll not let another lie.. another misunderstanding come between us.)" Arnav cooed to her. Khushi kept her head on his shoulder.

"Where is your Mangalsutra? (nuptial chain?)" He asked

"Dadi.. Snatched it.. from me. Along with Mumma's jewellery and Bangles" Khushi said

"I've hurt you a lot. Haven't I?" Arnav asked tracing her neck which was still a little red.

Khushi nodded innocently.

"I'm so sorry baby. I really had no other option" Arnav explained

Khushi sighed.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked

"Of course."

"Pehle contract marriage, Fir registered marriage. Humaare naseeb mein aapke Saath phere likhe bhi hain?(First it was a contract marriage.. then a registered marriage. Will I ever get to have the nuptial rounds with you?)" Khushi asked

"I never wanted this to happen Khushi. If the nuptial rounds with you bind us together for seven lives, Then this is what I had always wanted. I want you to be mine for another hundred lives to come Khushi. I would never want you to leave. You know I'm very possessive about you. I want you this close to me. Always by my side." Arnav said

"I know, Now. And I don't regret anything to do with you. I can never. Just that, I was shaken.. not being able to see you.. confront you about anything. I'm sorry for reacting like this. It's crazy.. I know, But I didn't mean it Arnavji. I am sorry" Khushi said

"You have nothing to be sorry about. Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada. Absolutely nothing." Arnav said firmly

Khushi nodded like an obedient child

"Baaki baatein baad mein.. Pehle kuch khaa lo. Inn kuch dinn se pareshaan kar diya na meine tumhe.. Subaah se kuch nahi khaaya hai tumne. (Rest of the talks can wait, First eat something. I've troubled you a lot in these few days didn't I? You haven't eaten anything since morning)" Arnav said

Khushi nodded

"I.. I'll get your dinner" Arnav said standing up from her bed

"Aap jaiye.. Babua. Hum khilaa dete hain (You go.. son. I'll feed her)" Madhumati entered the room with a tray of food.

"Arnav.. Ji" Khushi held his hand stopping him. Arnav looked at her and she was looking at him with a pleading face.

"Mein hun Khushi.. Hamesha (I am there Khushi.. Forever)" Arnav assured her

Bua ji glared at him accusingly. Arnav sighed deeply and moved out.

2nd update as promised. Of the same story though.

Hope the story... is keeping you hooked.

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Again.

Those who haven't check out the teaser I've posted on my OS book please do.

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Love
Vinny