"You heard it right. I am proud of killing my husband." Anjali declared with her head held high looking directly at the two.

Ragini cocked her brows "I pity you."

Anjali crooked a smile "I pity you girl. You're judging the book by it's cover. Don't follow that, you'll end up regretting it."

Ragini didn't buy her words "Waah... You know to lecture apart from killing your husband."

Seeing them speaking something from far, a constable ran towards them "Stop it Ragini. You don't know with whom you're showing your cheap talks."

"I know, I am speaking with a murderer." Ragini replied arrogantly.

"Shut up Ragini.." The constable eyed her to shut her damn mouth & turned towards Anjali "Mam, we've to go to court. Shall we?"

Anjali smirked wryly "Do you treat every accused like this? I assume money speaks louder than anything."

"Mam..." The constable gave a bewildered stare and gulped at the utter truth behind her words.

Anjali ignored the stare and ready to move out "Shall we?"

The constable bewildered by the coldness beneath her voice and ran behind her following outside.

*

Aakash followed Arnav and stopped him from climbing on driver seat "Bhai... Let Mohan drive you both. We'll follow you behind in another car."

Arnav nodded somewhat guessing his try to break the ice between him and Khushi. Mohan came running to them & Arnav handed the keys.

Arnav frowned seeing Aakash weird signal. He followed his vision and saw Khushi coming towards them in fully covered salwar. He stride long steps & held her palm earning a shocked expression.

'Atleast she's reacting.' Arnav mused dragging her gently towards his car safely leaving the others.

When she continued to be in trance, he pushed her on back seat taking his place next to her.

"Where are others?" Asked she realising the surroundings.

"They're coming on another car." He answered and eyed Mohan to start the car before, Khushi can change her mind to shift on Aakash car.

As the car moved out of the premises, Khushi shifted her gaze to outside of the window. Arnav noticed her aloofness and felt himself drowning into it along with her. Whatever happened two days before shouldn't be happened. He was in illusion that his house was highly secured, when it is not or better say he should've concentrated on keeping another circle of high level security without anyone's knowing even his own family. Everything was his fault. If only he didn't left them alone that day. If only he alerted police about Shyam mishaps & made sure of his stay inside prison. He expelled a displeased sigh at the realisation of his blunder.

But sighing and regretting on our previous failure is not going to make anything better. If he wants everything to be normal, he should  strike a move. ASR brain took control of broken Arnav. He slowly slid his left palm on Khushi's right which rested in between them.

Khushi startled at the sudden contact and wiggled her arm out of his hold. If it was broken Arnav he would've probably released his hold but determined ASR shifted close to her and entwined his fingers with her's & kept their entwined hands on his thigh. She attempted two more times and as she failed, she let him hold her.

"We can get her out in bail Khushi."

She nodded simply keeping her vision nothing at particular.

"If only she accepts our efforts unlike her rejection to meet us." He added. Khushi didn't reacted like he expected but her mind started to think on his words.

The remaining distance passed in silence. The moment car halted with a screech on court, Khushi get down as first person before anyone. Her eyes instantly searched for the presence of Anjali.

Arnav got down & stood beside her, joining her in search of Anjali. He roamed his eyes and took his mobile to call his lawyer whereas Khushi  lurched forward seeing Anjali limping form.

She panted slightly and held Anjali hand "Di..."

Both their lips broke into a painful smile. They're happy to see each other all fit and fine but terrible to see each other state.

Anjali palmed Khushi cheeks "Khushiji what had you done to yourself? Are you even eating?"

"I can ask you the same. What had you done to yourself di? And why did you refused to meet anyone? Everyone is feeling bad." Khushi throws question for her question.

Anjali closed her eyes for a brief time. A lone tear trailed down her cheeks breaking her resolution.

Khushi frightened "Di?"

"It's my punishment for going behind their back. I betrayed them... I... I've no strength within me to meet their eyes. Because of me you've to go through a lot khushiji & top of it I broke my chotte trust. I don't deserve his unconditional love khushiji... I wish I can go back & reverse the time and correct my wrongings... But alas! It's too late. Crying over spilt milk is waste. I prefer seeing you and chotte leading a euphoric life." Anjali's determined and rational speech surprised Khushi.

She can't believe she's the same women who took the whole house on her head even if a small issue popped up. She's the same women who's not seen without Pooja thaali on normal days. She's the same women who tames ASR but puts blind trust on her husband. She's the same women who didn't think twice before calling her husband behind her family's back. And, in all that she found a different shade of Anjali. A porcelain doll with little amount of selfish on her part. But now...

Situations can change anyone and will reduce to anything. It's all about how we took upon the issue and emerge from that.

Further Anjali cupped Khushi cheeks "Leave everything. How are you? Does chotte looking after you well?"

Khushi lowered her lashes and bit her lips. How can she say, she's not responding to anyone? How can she be normal knowing Anjali di is in prison? How can she be when she's also a...

Her silence scared Anjali out of her wits "Khushiji... Does... Are you scared?"

Khushi raised her eyes. Stream of tears brimmed on her eyes ready to flow down.

"It's not easy to forget di..." She said through quivering lips. Her palms shivered by the mere reminder.

Anjali hugged her immediately to calm her down inturn she herself mended her treacherous heart. Khushi bit her lower lips to control her erupting sob. The comfort Anjali providing reminded her of struggles she went through to come out from the monster who robbed her soul and moral. A chill run down her spine as the flashes strike through her memory. Her grip on Anjali strengthened expressing her grief. Anjali sensed the change in her posture and cursed her blindness & stupidity for umpteenth time. Both Sister-in-law's unwillingly travelled back in their memory which caused them enough grief to mourn for lifetime.

"Shyamji... I want to see you." Anjali cried gripping the phone close to her ear.

"Me too Raanisahiba... I am nothing but a living corpse without you and our Rajkumari. But you don't worry Raanisahiba, Salesahib is under illusion. There's some misunderstandings on his part. We'll clear them out & it's our duty to show him the right truth." Shyam played his good card which hit the arrow.

"I can't believe chotte did something like this." Anjali wailed out her displeasure.

"I am saying na, he's under some misconception. Leave that, did you take your breakfast? What my Rajkumari is doing?" Shyam changed the topic. He's not going to miss the golden egg for anything.

"No... How can I, without you? Did you eat anything? Where are you now?"

"Er... You first eat Raanisahiba."

His way of dodging did bring the desired reaction out of her "Don't change the topic shyamji. Where are you now?"

"Raanisahiba... I am at railway station." He sounded as low as possible.

Undoubtedly that created enough ruckus on her mind & she begin to panic "What? Why? Are you going somewhere?"

"Er... I thought.. leave that Raanisahiba."

"Come here shyamji. I want to see you. Yes, I'll not unless you came here. There's no one at home." She answered remembering her conversation with Nani who informed about her visit to temple with Mami. Arnav already left the house defeated on making her eat.

"But..."

"I am waiting." Anjali end the call & called Payal to clear the way.

"Di, do you need anything?" Payal asked hesitantly.

"Payalji... My medicines are finished. Can you buy it for me?" If Payal is surprised by her request, she didn't showed it outside. She's happy that Anjali is speaking to her unlike her mother-in-law and husband. So she readily accepted without fuss.

"Yeah, sure di. I'll go after cooking lunch."

However Anjali didn't encouraged that.

"Payalji, I am not taking medicines from yesterday. I fear something might happens to my baby. Will you please buy it asap? Let HP cook today."

Payal thought for a second and accepted it. Anjali smiled and sighed inwardly. She hid behind the door & waited for Payal to move outside through the main entrance. Once she was sure of her absence she called HP.

"Hariprakashji bring some fresh fruits from our farmhouse."

"But didi, I've to cook for lunch. Moreover farmhouse is located at outskirts, it'll take time to bring fruits from there. Shall I give you fruits from fridge? I bought it today only. It's fresh."

Anjali gritted her teeth at continuous question "I did not ask your opinion, I ordered you to bring it from our farm. Is it hard to understand?"

HP bewildered by her anger. He has no option but to bob his head taking her order. He's a mere servant what can he do?

She limped all the way to the entrance and closed the main door.

"Shyamji come through back door. If anyone caught you, then they'll inform it to chotte & he'll misunderstand it again." She informed through phone in addition.

She thought she planned everything without loopholes, if only she knew Khushi was still in the house and she's keeping herself away from coming infront of anjali.

Hurried towards her room, anjali didn't forget to take a plate of breakfast before walking upstairs.

On the other side, Khushi sat dipping her feet on the pool water. Her lips stretched wide & her eyes settled it's vision on the photo rested on her palm. Her fingers continuously stroking  Arnav's figure on the photo which is taken during Aakash, Payal wedding. Her eyes twinkled seeing him looking at her on that picture when everyone was looking ahead posing for camera. She clearly remembered how she flaunted her bangles which he bought for her specially but he refused to acknowledge the same.

'Laadgovernor...' She cooed ever lovingly. After that words he uttered to her about moving forward & matching his steps henceforth, his thoughts are never leaving her. She blushed remenscing his stare.

Unaware of the bloodshot eyes which is burning her with his eyes, Khushi busied herself on daydreaming about her arnavji and their new formed dimension in their relationship.

He stood at the steps with fisted hands seeing her blushing, talking to a photo. The rejection and her betrayal during Arnav kidnapping hit him hard. His knuckles turned white & breathing laboured by the sight of her kissing the photo which confirms his assumption. His anger & fury reached beyond limits. Her giggles, talks, blushes to the mere photo intrigued him against her. His mind replayed how she rejected his love and went ahead to love his Salesahib.

His mind begin to compare him and Arnav. What's lack in him that she went ahead to love Arnav, who knows nothing but to hurt her? She even kept her life at stake to rescue Arnav. Arnav didn't even knows to speak politely but she chose him, why?

Instead of searching for answers, he grew a sense of hate. Instead of looking at his own mistakes, he counted Khushi mistakes according to him. Instead of correcting his sin, he went ahead to create new ones.

"Shyamji..." A feeble voice brought him to reality.

He looked up at the source and found Anjali looking at him from upstairs which connects guest room of RM.

Quickly devising a plan, he took two steps at once and reached Anjali who hugged him instantly. His mind reminded him of the scene which happened few minutes before. Khushi kept the photo against her chest as if hugging the person in real. His fury instantly manifolded. Suddenly he find answers for all questions. Everything started only after Khushi came to know about him marrying to anjali. Now the anger directed towards Anjali. He raised his fisted hand & hit it hard against her head.

Anjali who didn't expected this kind of treatment, slumped on his chest holding her head. She didn't lose her consciousness nor she's in the state to think anything. He used her shocked dazing state & dragged her to her room.

"Sh..y..amji..." She uttered hoping that she was dreaming and it would go away once Shyam took her in his arms and coo sweet nothings. He pushed her harshly on the bed & looked around for something.

His eyes instantly caught a plastic carry bag which contains newly bought medicines. Emptying the content, he fettered it on Anjali face.

Anjali dangled her arms in uncertain. Her subconscious mind registered some danger but her conscious mind was not in the state to protest or fight against the danger. She tried to wiggle her legs which went futile as he tied it with a rope & he tied her hands too. At once oxygen for her lungs declined drastically. She started to took sharp breaths. Her eyes flickered more than required. Her reaction alarmed the little time he have. Hastily he deposited her on poolside & locked it. Taking her mobile he dialled Khushi number. After two rings she attended it.

"Come to Anjali room if you respect your precious Sister-in-law's life." He ended the call abruptly.

A wicked grin formed on his lips. Finally, he's getting what he wanted. His one sided love is going to give him fruits. His desire for one women, he yearned is coming to end.

"Di..." Khushi frantically called her running inside the room. The moment she steps in, the door locked with a click.

Khushi desperate eyes caught the sight of anjali. She ran towards poolside door and tried to open it. When she can't open it, she started to bang it.

"Tsk... Tsk... Khushiji. I didn't throw her out for you to rescue easily."

Khushi eyes rounded in shock & she whipped around to see the sick man leaning on the wall with his arm crossed against his chest.

"What are you doing here? How did you come?" She questioned coming out of her shock.

"Your precious Sister-in-law called me here." He said with sly smile.

Khushi felt herself surrounded by danger seeing his smile. Nonetheless, she mustered courage and tried to open the poolside door. Her heart thudded vigorously against her ribcage. The realisation of breathing the same air with that man itself disgusts her.

"Don't waste your energy on that Khushiji. You see, I locked it with key and see here's the key." He showed a key and pocketed it on his trousers.

Khushi steps forward hurriedly "Give that to me."

"Wahhh... Rewind your memory khushiji. I didn't throw her for nothing."

Khushi got furious by his irresponsible answer "Will you stop playing around for once? Give that to me. She's struggling." Her voice ended on serious note. If looked upon seriously, anyone can find fear under her last sentence.

"I'll stop if you give me what I want." He initiated his conditions knowing he have little time in his hand.

"What do you want?" She asked nonchalantly running her eyes around the room to get an alternative way to open the door.

"YOU."

Her head snapped at him in terror "What?"

"You heard it right. I want you. Accept it or see her die infront of your eyes." He sneered with dangerous glint in his eyes.

"SHUT UP YOU BASTARD. You'll never get what you want & for your information I know how to save her." Furiously challenging him, she walked towards the door only to lean against the door in horror. The door was also locked.

Her determination began to cascade. Her eyes instantly caught the struggling anjali who's taking sharp breaths and her chest moving up and down speedily. She realised she has little time in her hand. Swallowing the fear, she roamed her eyes again & searched for something to break the glass.

"Searching for tool to break the glass... Poor khushiji.. Do you think, I will do the same mistake again? You already fooled me and this time there's no way you can escape from me. Didn't you see, night lamp, wires, cd stand, tables everything is taken off..." He announced proudly.

Khushi found his words true seeing every possible thing which could help her in this situation was safely placed outside beside di.

"Why are you doing this? Please open it." Her lips quivered for first time revealing her fear.

"Khushiji... Khushiji... I thought you're brilliant. Did you forget it's not only about your di, it's about her baby too? Who knows it might be dead by now."

Next moment, Shyam cheeks stung with pain caused by Khushi slap.

"YOU'RE A MONSTER. It's Your Child dammit. ARE YOU EVEN HUMAN?" Her tears rolled down beyond her control.

Unfortunately her words didn't brought the humanity inside him but his ego got bruised.

He held her shoulders under his tight grip "You're going to pay heavy for slapping me khushiji..."

He didn't give time for Khushi to fathom, he pushed her front to the glass door and held her neck from behind keeping her face firm on glass "See her losing her precious life along with her baby."

"Leave me... Leave me you bastard..." Khushi wiggled on his hold.

Her words fuelled his rage. He pushed more into the glass and pressed himself on her back.

"Wow... What a sight! Haaina khushiji..." He scoffed.

Khushi eyes widen at the sight of anjali whose struggles started to mellow down.

"She's losing shyamji.. Please leave me..." Khushi cried trailing her palm on the glass.

Her female instinct woke up in alert. She gripped his hair in her fingers and pulled it with all her strength.

He hissed and left her at the unexpected attack. Khushi ran towards the door forgetting the major fact of him standing in all glory. He hopped forward & pulled her by arms.

"You didn't done right thing."

He pushed her harshly on the bed. Frightened Khushi was about to stand up but Shyam towered her pinning her down to the bed. She hit him on his chest and pushed him but he didn't budge. He held her arms in single hand with malicious way. Her mind was clogged with Anjali state that she didn't worried about her safety which is under question now.

"Leave me..."

She kicked her legs on his abdomen.

His eyes turned dangerous and the struggling Khushi allured him. Her struggle to free herself from him encouraged him to take one step further. And next moment, the black beads around her neck scattered on the bed. Khushi breath stuck at throat. 

He laughed like a maniac seeing her paralysed form "You're MINE khushiji... You already did a sin by wearing this on Arnav name, more than required."

She came back to earth by his monstrous laugh. Sensing the danger, she raised her leg to kick him again. But this time he alerted and put his legs over hers applying enough pressure which leaves no space for her to move. All the hairs on her body stood straight in fear. She felt powerless and defeated. Her courage declined drastically. She cried at her own state. She tossed and twisted her body hoping to find a way.

"This spirit... This is what I like in you." He whispered leaning down to her face.

She turned her face other side in disgust and continued with her efforts which went futile everytime.

He smelled her hair "Arnav doesn't deserve you khushiji."

A sob escaped from her mouth. She felt a truck full of caterpillars crawling on her body. Her body trembled under his frame.

He further trailed his index finger on her cheeks which was damped with her tears.

"STAY AWAY YOU BASTARD... Arnavji will skin you alive if he come to know. Move away.."

"For god sake, stop your dirtiness... Let me save di and YOUR CHILD."

He cupped her jaws tightly "I don't consider that as my child khushiji... Only OUR child is mine."

"SHUT THE FUCK UP..." She used all her strength to push him off her body.

Her petite frame hadn't have the strength to fight against his well built frame.

Outside, Anjali breath quickened. She took fast and rasp breaths. She tossed on the hard floor. Her eyes had difficulty to keep both the lids open.

Khushi tussles on the bed. Her vision blurred by tears. She is unarmed. Nothing made sense to her. But she kept her determination alive somehow.

'I should not lose. I can fight. I cannot let him win. I should save di and her child. I can..' She chanted this on her mind again and again.

Swiftly turning her head, she bit his arm hard. She expected him to release his hold like earlier but...

"You're again and again doing the same mistake Khushiji... You need a punishment...."

Before her mind could comprehend anything, an ear piercing scream echoed inside the walls of shantivan breaking it's Shanti.

Anjali eyes snapped open and she felt all blood rushed to her veins.

_____

Phew! Finished the hardest chapter.

3500+ words.

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