Chapter 22: Aadat

"I'm sorry. I'm just... I can't Rekha, I can't." His voice broke, emotion crackling through.

"Shh, Mahesh, please don't." Her own voice broke. Staggering in a deep breathe, she spoke again, more confidently. "You don't have to tell her the details. Just the basics."

"Rekha-"

"My decision has been made, Mahesh." She spoke slowly, enunciating each word.

Mahesh shut his eyes, refusing to let anymore emotions to shake him.

"Please get her to Mumbai as soon as possible." She whispered, the reality finally dawning on her. 

***

The line went dead, as is it were never used in the first place. Too quickly, too timed. But everything they ever had was like that. Too short, running out of time. Whether a meeting, a conversation, a memory, or much more...

Mahesh shut his eyes and breathed in slowly. The sunlight warmed his face, relaxing him in the littlest way it could. For a split second, Mahesh wondered if his life would be always like this. Always on the edge of something. Sometimes despair, sometimes happiness, sometimes loss, he literally lived his life on the edge- never in a good way, however.

Running a hand through the locks that disturbed his eyes, Mahesh stepped into the bathroom, letting a shower be his sanctuary to think and refresh. He had a decision to make and that would decide the rest. He needed to talk to Khushi, one last time, before he made a decision.

----

Arnav settled into the chair more comfortably, drinking his coffee. His meeting with the certain client was unavoidable, but everything else that could've been cancelled had been taken care of. He needed time for and with Khushi. He would do anything to have just that. But Arnav was never foolish... Impulsive and judgmental -yes, but never foolish.

Spending time with Khushi meant having to deal with Mahesh. As irritating as the thought was, he was not going to falter. He had to show Khushi what he once couldn't.

Collecting his suit and laptop, Arnav left the house for what he considered two dreadful hours. 

---

Mahesh knocked before entering the room, and smiled seeing an awake Khushi lulling her baby to sleep.

Khushi smiled. "He woke up, but went right back to sleep when I picked him up." She nuzzled Shiv's head with her nose and turned her attention to Mahesh.

"Baby missed his mother, I suppose." He smiled. Khushi's eyes sparkled in agreement.

"So, what news do you bring, Dr. Mahesh?" She asked, settling down onto the recliner.

Mahesh walked forward. "Actually, it a question," he whispered, kneeling before Khushi.

"Fire away." She smiled. But before he started she interrupted him. "I have had my medicine, I've drank chai, I'll eat breakfast in a bit, and I already have a light physical activity planned for the day." She beamed. "Now, you may ask!"

Mahesh shook his head with a slight smile. "No, it's something different..."

Khushi waited patiently for whatever Mahesh was trying to ask her. Finally, Mahesh looked up and focused on her eyes.

"Why did you not tell him?" He asked.

Khushi did not know what Mahesh was going to ask, but the sudden shift in atmosphere caught her by surprise. However, Khushi had known Mahesh would eventually ask her this question one day. Khushi took a deep breath and looked away before she turned back to face him. 

"Because I believed." She finally, spoke, her voice slow. Mahesh focused on Khushi had to say, waiting for an explanation. 

"I always knew, without a doubt, he loved me. I still know it. But... But Mahesh, he didn't know it. He thought he did, but at the first chance of proving himself wrong, he did. I know him."

She looked up, her eyes twinkling with unshed tears.

"I know that man, I understand him. I learned to understand the way he thinks very quickly. He has trouble accepting things like this... things like love. It's never easy for a man with the history he has to trust so easily. That's understood." Khushi stopped to gather her thoughts.

"Khushi, that doesn't answer my ques-" Mahesh tried but was stopped by Khushi.

"I know the way he works. I know I love him. He knows I love him. I knew he loves me. 

Except he didn't."

Khushi adjusted Shiv in her arms before continuing.

"When he called me that day to ask me to come back, after realizing he was wrong, he did so more out of guilt than out of love. Yes, you can say there was love involved. But guilt was the predominant emotion there."

Mahesh nodded, slowly seeing where Khushi was leading.

"If I had told him about Shiv, he would've came. He would've hunted me down, I know it. Again, it wouldn't have been for the right reasons. I wanted him to come, I wanted him to hunt me down, but not because he felt as if Shiv was his responsibility, but because he couldn't live without me. I guess you can say I was looking for a sign that he understood how much he loved me."

Khushi lowered her head in defeat, and Mahesh placed a hand under her chin, bringing her back to face him.

"What changed?" He asked softly.

Khushi let out a small chuckle. "I realized I was wrong... When I told him that day on the phone- when I told him I'd disappear forever if he tried to find me- and he didn't, I realized I was wrong. He gave up on me because he loved me, Mahesh."

Khushi let out a louder laugh, gently shaking into sobs. Mahesh quickly gathered Shiv into his arms and settled him on the bed. Moving again, he ushered Khushi into his arms where he held her tightly. 

"He- he loves me." She choked out. "And I was wrong, I was so wrong. He would've rather I stay happy and away from him rather than cease to be because he wanted to be with me. I was so wrong!" She cried clutching onto his shirt.

"Shh, Khushi, it's okay," Mahesh tried, smoothing her hair gently.

"And I hit epiphany too late, Mahesh! Now I have no choice, s the least I could do is give Shiv what he deserves." Khushi straightened up, wiping her tears. "Koi baat nahin, such is life afterall, right?"

Mahesh looked at Khushi. He didn't know how to label the emotions he felt towards her, but if he had believed in a God, he knew the reverence he felt towards Khushi would've matched that of one he gave a God. She was not perfect, but she was layers of imperfections that molded her into a perfect woman. And that she definitely was. 

"I should give Shiv a bath." She said, returning to her lively demeanor. 

Mahesh leaned in and placed a light kiss on top of Khushi's head, smiled, and left the room.

His decision had been made.

---

Arnav Singh Raizada couldn't control the fury that coursed through him when he stopped at the top of his stairs to see the man he loathed the most at the moment step out of his room. His anger reached unbearable heights at realizing who would've been inside that room.

Walking forward in steady, calculated strides, he stopped in front of Mahesh. Eyes cold as chips, he spoke to Mahesh between gritted teeth. "We need to talk."

Mahesh matched Arnav as a worthy opponent, yet mature enough to understand Arnav was facing the wrong enemy, Mahesh replied. "Indeed we do."

---

Arnav led Mahesh to a secluded study to talk. After closing the door, Arnav turned abruptly. 

"I don't know why youre here, but I'm sure there is nothing more you can do for Khushi." His voice was cold.

"If I may enlighten you, I'm here because Khushi asked me to be." Mahesh replied, his cool evaporating slowly at the way he was being treated.

"I'm sure her need for you to be here is over then. I realize you have other things to do in Mumbai. You're free to leave."

"I don't think you do!" Mahesh bit back at Arnav.

"Frankly, I do not care what you have to do with my wife, but I'm perfectly capable of taking care of her in ways you can't!" Arnav's voice raised as he stepped forward.

"Your ignorance is really something, isn't it? In fact, it leaves me baffled!"

"I have nothing more to hear or know or say!" Arnav cut in. "Leave."

Mahesh stood still, locking eyes with the devil his angel had fallen in love with. Yet somewhere in the back of his head, something whispered he was being a devil for what he saw as the right reasons. Mahesh stormed out of the room, and balked to his own. Picking up the file he had discarded on the floor, he walked back to where he had left Arnav.

Arnav stood next to the teak table, trying to fume out his fury before meeting Khushi and Shiv. It was then Mahesh entered the room again.

Walking up to Arnav, he tossed a file onto the table next to him. "You always wage war against the wrong enemy, Mr.Raizada." He stated, his tone clipped.

With that, Mahesh left the room, leaving Arnav with the truth he desperately deserved to know.

Chapter 21: Titanium

Lingering hints of a time she had tried desperately to hold onto was now bringing her out of her paradise. She held on, tighter, to prevent herself from having to leave. She didn't want to leave. Her current calm was pleasing. She was caged in protection, away from anything that could harm her, right where she belonged.

Khushi's eyes slowly opened and took in her surroundings. She was caged in protection indeed. Arnav's arms had wrapped around her body, holding her to him. His head was buried into the top of her head and the soft fall of his breath disrupted the otherwise silent surrounding every few seconds. It was too dark for it be really day, but she knew it was the early hours of the morning. She couldn't - shouldn't- move.

Lifting her head ever so slightly, Khushi traced his face with her eyes.

The cheekbones, sharp and dominating. The lips, relaxed from their usually firm set. The hair, free from the constraints of gel. The beauty that was his face, far from everything she had named Laad Governor. It was very much Arnav at this moment. Very much the man she had hopelessly fell in love with.

She had done that. Fallen in love with him. She had become the daredevil of all times and fallen in love with Arnav Singh Raizada. After all this time, she stayed in the pit that she had fallen into. There were so many chances, so many ladders, that were offered to her so that she could climb out. They came first in the form of Shiv, then Monisha and Rohan, yet again with Rekha, and Mahesh. They were all there to help her out of the pit of love for Arnav Singh Raizada she had fallen into. So what held her back?

It was herself.

She didn't want to climb out. She had gotten used to being there, in the state of hopeless love. But why was she there alone? Hadn't he fallen too? Hadn't he, in the four months they spend together, felt something? Of course he had. But he had climbed out the first chance he got.

And it all made clear sense. Love made men vulnerable, it gave them a weakness, it gave them something that they couldn't go against. Arnav Singh Raizada was neither vulnerable, nor weak. He was an established man, in terms of business and emotions. Love had scared the living soul out of him. He was not used to feeling so out of control. So when a little rope was extended into the pit, he had grabbed at it. Unknowingly, unconciously.

Khushi had accepted this. It had taken time, but time was all she had in the past year. She had known their love wouldn't be easy. So Khushi held on. She stayed in the pit she had fallen into, all though she was alone there, she stayed. And that's where Mahesh didn't understand her. That's where Monisha and Rohan had lost her. And that's where Rekha had slowly started to understand her.

Arnav knew this too, in a way. He had promised her to the best of his extend. He had told her he would never be Shaitan, but had warned her he would be far from a Rajkumar. He would only be himself. He can only be himself. 

But didn't he see? That was her Rajkumar! HE in his purest form was her Rajkumar. So of course, like most woman, Khushi had felt the urge to drag him back into the pit she was alone in. But she had resisted.

That's why she had left him. That's why she had threatened him from ever trying to meet or contact her. That's why when Shiv came along, she had kept to herself. Because Arnav had to fall in love. Not be dragged in. He had to get used to feeling vulnerable, sometimes weak, for the sake of her.

Until now.

Now she was vulnerable, she was weak, everything was against her. And not in a good way. He couldn't -shouldn't- fall in love with her. She had stayed away for the sake of Shiv. Now she was back for the sake of Shiv. So she had to leave as soon as possible too. Stay away from him.

Hadn't she tried? Hadn't Devi Maiya had a good laugh at her life? Weren't the weavers of fate tired for her? Hadn't she tried to make her hate him? Didn't she tell him she wanted to leave? Then why? Why did he hold on to her? Why now?

She needed for him to let go. Now was not the time to hold on. Yet he held on. Almost like he had fallen into the pit he once ran away from. So here he was, lying next to her, wrapping his arms around her in a cage like restraint. Never letting her go.

So she stayed still. For him, she laid unmoving. Only looking at the face that was the sake her being. In this moment, everything was perfect. If only Shiv were here too. then she wouldn't mind, right at this moment, leaving forever.

Khushi squeezed her eyes shut.

---

Arnav woke up in the peace he had only read about. He woke up in the peace he had only dreamed off. He woke up in the peace that was only his.

Because not everybody woke up cradling an angel. 

Khushi lay next to him, her body still tight in his grasp, her face pale, but breathing steady. Arnav frowned as he slowly moved her out of his arms, her absence already bothering him. Her face was too pale to be considered healthy. He had to get her some consultation. He also needed to talk.

He had to talk to her.

Trying not to wake her, he moved away from the bed, towards the bathroom. He had today to be with her. If she would listen, he had forever.

---

Payal rocked the body of the sleeping infant slowly. Shiv had noted the absence of his mother, waking her throughout the night. Akash had tried to help, but a mother needed its child. Shiv had finally fallen to the grasp of fatigue and fallen asleep in the wee hours of the morning.

She slowly opened the door of Arnav's room, wondering if Khushi was still there. Sure enough, Khushi lay sleeping, and she could hear the shower water indicating Arnav in the bathroom. Careful not to wake her sister, Payal slowly placed Shiv into the crook between Khushi's body and arm. And she watched as Khushi unconsciously wrapped an arm around her infant, ever the mother bear.

Smiling, Payal left the room.

---

Arnav noticed Shiv right before he was walking out, giving Khushi a parting look. When had the little one ended up here? Payal must have brought him in. Khushi's arm was wrapped around her infant protectively, and the little one snuggled comfortably into her warmth. Some may have called the moment picture perfect. And that is probably why Arnav absentmindedly pulled out his phone and captured the moment.

Then he slowly made his way to mother and child. Leaning down, he stroked the face of his son, and planted a kiss on the cheek that was visible, the rest of his body snuggled into Khushi. Arnav then brushed away a stray lock of hair bothering Khushi's cheek and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, careful not to wake her.

----

Mahesh sat up on the lounger he had fallen asleep on. Stretching tiredly, he looked at the file that lay open on the ground.

Khushi's file.

Khushi Kumari Gupta; 22; Congenital Heart Disease
Transplant Required; Donor Unavailable.

Mahesh read the second sentence over and over again. Transplant Required; Donor Unavailable. Breathing in slowly, he stood and walked towards the window, the morning sun warming him.

Transplant Required; Donor Unavailable.

Sighing, he picked up his phone. The phone was answered on the third ring, as per always. The voice on the other line, breathed life into him, bringing him out of his emotional tangle. But not for long.

"Good morning, Mahesh." The voice whispered.

"Rekha." He sighed, closing his eyes.

"I love you too." She whispered before muffling her giggles.

Mahesh smiled. "I love you."

"Then please be honest with Khushi." Was her quiet reply.

"Rekha, you can't-"

"It's my life!"

"No it's not! Not anymore!"

"Mahesh..."

"I'm sorry. I'm just... I can't Rekha, I can't." His voice broke, emotion crackling through.

"Shh, Mahesh, please don't." Her own voice broke. Staggering in a deep breathe, she spoke again, more confidently. "You don't have to tell her the details. Just the basics."

"Rekha-"

"My decision has been made, Mahesh." She spoke slowly, enunciating each word.

Mahesh shut his eyes, refusing to let anymore emotions to shake him.

"Please get her to Mumbai as soon as possible." She whispered, the reality finally dawning on her.

In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein : An OS/ Interlude to Consequences

His breathe. Warm and intoxicating, it fell along the valley of her neck, giving its own kiss to sooth her burning skin before his lips came lighting the exact spot back on fire.

Her breath. Ragged and enchanting, lured him down further, though he had wanted to respect her wishes about waiting till marriage. No he couldn't stop, not now. They were married, for all her cared. Bound together by strings of faith if not by the strings of the mangalsutra he had tied around her neck.

It was all material promises anyway. The ring, the mehendi, the sindoor, the mangalsutra. They meant nothing for him. He had already made her his, and she had already made him her's. He had promised her everything, especially more than anything that seven pheres would offer her. He had made her his in all ways which mattered to him. If not by the bonds of the Gods she believed in, they had united by bonds of love in which she - and now he- believed in.

That was all that was necessary. She was all that was necessary.

Her fingers curled around the sweater he wore, the sudden feeling of desire scaring her. Yet she wanted it. She wanted to take the risk, plunge into the ecstasy it offered, and lose herself to him. Not that she hadn't already, yet somehow every moment she spend with him gave him more of her. And he unknowingly took, feeding on the love she radiated, so she held her stance.

Moving her body up slowly, she kissed him on the cheek. Slow and lingering, she let herself enjoy the sensations that shook her to her core. He had given her so much, she had to return something. Mustering everything she had, her lips moved down to the ones they so desperately wished to meet. He made no move, held steady and let her make the decision. The confidence evaded her and she hid into the comforts of his chest, hiding herself.

Yet the fire had been lighted and the flames were only being fed. In a matter of minutes, they were back where they started. Drinking in each other's breaths as they moved closer and closer. He wanted all of her. She wanted all of him.

His hand moved slowly, snaking a blazing trail along her bare back. His fingers connected with her dori and he pulled it, slowly, letting her know what was waiting. The flames had consumed them, charring any thoughts of the virtues she so dearly held onto.

She brought herself as close as she could, her eyes resting on his lips in anticipation. He had to take the lead now and he so gladly did. Never breaking the gaze he moved in, decreasing the inches that kept them apart for so long.

The most beautiful things in life were not seen, but felt.

And he reached the oasis he so desperately seeked. She fell into the ecstasy of the feelings that only he could conjure. Their lips met, greeting each other with the warmth and affection only lovers shared.

They were lovers indeed. Bound by everything they held dear. She thanked her Devi for him, she thanked the weavers of faith. He thanked his Devi, the one that had so readily fought to be with him. He would worship her tonight, every night. For once in his life, he had found someone to have faith in.

As the fire turned into inferno, all coherent thoughts leaving them both, they functioned only on the raw sense of passion. As his hands removed everything that hid her from him, no objection or signs of hesitation visible from her side, she let herself receive what he had to offer. They both took as much as the other gave.

For in the folds of the moments that followed, only the intimacy of star crossed lovers resonated. The radiance of their affection, charring everything in its path.

Chapter 20: War

"I have a few questions." The fast moving figure stopped in his tracks and he turned, slowly.

Lunch had been quiet. Mahesh had opted to eat upstairs in the room- Arnav's, he had learned-  in which Khushi slept. She had awakened briefly to inhale her food and medicines and then had returned to her land of oblivion: sleeping. After that, he had met a few members of the family, including the infamous Shyam, and then spent some time with Shiv. He had passed on dinner and now after midnight, he had walked down to wait for the man he hadn't seen since the morning.

"Welcome to the club." Was Arnav's only response. Mahesh couldn't quite measure him nor decipher him. He momentarily zoned out as a memory lingered.

***

"So how did you figure him out? Solve the puzzle?"

"My husband is not a man to be measured, Mahesh." Khushi said, avoiding the question.

"You're interesting, you know?"

"Why do you say so?" She looked up to meet his eyes.

"You said your 'husband is' not was..." He watched her face as she processed what he had stated.

Nothing but the tick of the clock on the wall of the room spoke as Khushi remained fixed in her position, her eyes distant.

"Because he is." Was the silent reply that came from her side of the room after nearly three minutes. "He still is."

***

"I guess we have that in common, don't we?" Mahesh asked, standing to face Arnav Singh Raizada in all his angry young man glory.

"What's the need for us to find anything in common?" Arnav's reply was curt, slightly annoyed even.

"Similarities are what binds people together. It lays the basic foundation for understanding between people." Mahesh said coolly.

Arnav paused. Summing up the man before him, he spoke again. "I must say, your theory is flawed. Differences bind people just as strongly... sometimes more strongly than their similarities."

Mahesh smiled. "I guess that explains the case between you and Khushi, right? The case where differences overpower similarities to create some kind of unbreakable, everlasting bond?"

"Why are we having this conversation, Mahesh?"

"Khushi always strikes a cord with you doesn't it?" Mahesh said suddenly too calm for his own liking.

"That's not an answer to my question..."

"If I'm not mistaken, I too am overdue on an answer." Mahesh replied, facing Arnav and crossing his arms across his chest.

Arnav was composed. He tucked his hands into his pockets and faced Mahesh with a slight tilt to his head.

"Where's Khushi?" Arnav asked, knowing the answer to his question beforehand.

"Oh, so you care now? It didn't seem like it when you ran out the road this morning."

Arnav gritted his teeth. "I've always cared." His voice was low, a warning to Mahesh to not push it.

Little did Arnav Singh Raizada know, Mahesh was a daredevil. "Right... Was that before or after you forced her to leave the house? Oh yes, lets not forget she was pregnant!" Mahesh's tone was sarcastic, mocking the faults on Arnav's side.

"I asked her to come back! She didn't and I had to give up." Arnav's voice shot up two octaves before he squeezed his eyes shirt and clenched his fists in pockets.

"Ahh yes. The great Arnav Singh Raizada gave up without a fight." Mahesh slurred his words, teasing Arnav in ways he wasn't used to.

"I pleaded. Then she threatened me using the my only weakness: herself. I had to give up, do you understand? I had to!" Arnav's gaze bore into him, emotions that only a man who had been in similar circumstances could understand.

Mahesh's defiance slowly ebbed away. He dropped his hands and turned slowly away when Arnav's voice stopped him.

"You don't know anything. She may have told you everything, but you know nothing." Arnav's voice was slow, understanding one daresay. Almost as if he was compassionate towards Mahesh for not making sense of how they functioned..

"And here we are again, Raizada. This time I should welcome you into the club." Mahesh turned fully in the opposite direction, his back to Arnav. "Even you know nothing."

---

Arnav watched the retreating body of the man had suddenly earned respect for. Not many came and gave Arnav a fight worth fighting. And Mahesh knew how to fight. Suave in his manner, one except his opponent would never guess his defiance. Arnav shifted his head up before turning and heading in the direction of Khushi's room. He missed his wife and son.

---

Mahesh sat in the one of the many chairs that were placed in the room he was offered. Arnav was a tough shell to crack. No actually he wasn't a shell, but more a force field. A membrane even. He wasn't supposed to crack him, but gain an entry in.

He leaned forward and rested his forehead on his fingertips. Wrong again. He didn't need to gain an entry. No, Khushi had done that. Arnav wasn't Mahesh's force field to defy, but rather his force field to comprehend. Arnav's biggest problem wasn't that he held so much away from other people, Mahesh concluded, it was that he unknowingly held much away from himself too.

Mahesh sighed as he settled back into the chair. If anything was obvious, it was Arnav's love for Khushi. How the two worked would be something that Mahesh would never understand. Something he could do, however, was lead Arnav to the facts before him that he had overlooked.

But how would he do it...?

How did he tell him this? How did he tell this man that the woman he had been fighting for, for so long was losing her fight against fate? How did he tell a man to prepare for being the loser again in this game of life?

No, but Arnav Singh Raizada wouldn't go without a fight. He would wage a war. But would he wage war against the right enemy? There was no polite manners in the way Arnav regarded Mahesh and Mahesh knew that Arnav was once again misunderstanding. He had misunderstood Mahesh's role in the play. How was he going to do this without the help of Khushi?

Mahesh sighed. This was going to be a long night...

---

Arnav walked to the crib to find it empty. Looking around, he saw the bed was empty too. Panic rose in him and a familiar feeling unrest settled in his chest as he walked out of the room. Khushi couldn't have left.. Again? No... Arnav quickened his pace and almost banged into the sleepy figure of Payal in the hallway.

"Arnav-ji?"

"Payal! Where's Khushi? Shiv?" His voice was poorly hiding the panic.

Payal scrunched her eyes momentarily and relaxed them as a slow smile played on her lips. "Relax, Shiv is sleeping with Akashji and I today. And Khushi is where you left her this morning." Giving a parting smile, Payal continued on her way to her room. Arnav then noticed the bottle of milk in her hand and let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

It would be inappropriate to bug Payal now to see Shiv. Arnav smiled, almost victoriously, as he registered the latter part of Payal's message. Khushi was where he left her this morning, eh? He walked to his room with a new purpose in his movement.

Arnav opened the door to his room silently, not wanting to disturb the angel that was curled up on the side of his bed. Shutting the door, he turned to face the angel. His angel.

The full light of the moon from the poolside bathed the room in enough light for him to see her glowing complexion. Their conversation the past night, which had bothered him all day, lost all importance as it evaporated from his thoughts. She was confused. He would make her see sense. He wasn't letting her go this time.

Moving to his bathroom, Arnav dressed and showered for bed. Ever so silently, he moved under the covers and next to Khushi. He moved closer, gently scooping her up onto his chest. Obviously lost in the land of sleep, Khushi welcomed the warmth of Arnav's body and snuggled in, not forgetting to grab a fistful of his shirt in her hand.

Nirvana, at last. Arnav smiled. He was rejoined with his soul, free of hurt, free of suffering. Burying his nose into the tangled net of her hair, Arnav breathed in, rejoicing.

Khushi snuggled in deeper, her face tilting up and the bridge of her nose buried into the space where Arnav's neck and collarbone met. Arnav clutched her closer, her waist seeming smaller and more fragile in his grasp.

She wouldn't be pleased when she woke up, he knew. Or would she be? Would this remind her of the reason she came back? Would she care to give him, yet again, another chance? Arnav held her closer. Now wasn't the time to think of tomorrow. He had spent too much of his life looking forward or dwelling on the past, but never quite living in the moment. This was his time to live, because for once, his present was perfect and uninterrupted.

It had been a long year for them both. However this... This was nirvana indeed.

Suddenly, his path was clear. No doubts, no questions. Whoever this Mahesh was, he had to go. He wouldn't go without a fight, Arnav knew. They never did. But Arnav Singh Raizada was ready to wage war against anyone or anything that would take Khushi away from him.

Little did Arnav Singh Raizada know, Mahesh was hardly worthy of the blame.

Chapter 19: Inferno

"Payalji, have you seen Arnav?"

Payal smiled at Mahesh, pleased with the title of respect he had endeared her with. "He's gone out. I'm guessing he went to the office, he's a busy man." Payal had seen the way Arnav left the house. In the past year, the tornado like ways he left the house was a regular occurance, which usually happened when something angered him. However, she couldn't quite scare the guest with this info, so she offered a white lie.

"Hmm..." Mahesh's eyes looked far away.

"Would you like breakfast?" Payal offered.

"I was quite hungry, so I ate before I came here." Mahesh offered a sheepish grin. Payal smiled again, taking a liking to the gentle, honest man which stood before her.

"If you don't mind me asking, how do you know Khushi?" Payal asked the man. He raised his eyebrows ever so slightly before answering.

"My mother delivered Shiv. Khushi and we got to know each other like that." Mahesh watched as an expression of gratitude settled on Payal's face. He had lied, and he hated it, but he couldn't tell Payal how they had really met. Khushi had to do that. And before Payal could ask anymore questions from which he would be forced to lie again, Mahesh asked to be excused. "I'm going to keep Khushi some company. We need to catch up." Payal nodded, understanding the man wasn't ready for an interrogation.

---

Mahesh stepped into the room to find a Khushi that was fast asleep. He smiled at her childlike tendencies then frowned when he remembered that he hadn't seen Shiv. Another smile replaced his frown when he remembered that Shiv must be the center of attention at the household and that he was probably not going to see him till lunch.

Not knowing what to do with himself anymore, Mahesh walked out to the poolside.

---

The smell hit him just like the flood of memories did. It had been a while since he had let himself indulge on those memories, so he allowed himself to do so this time. Away from work, away from people, he let himself be carried away to a time almost ten years ago.

He breathed in the scent, smiling. Jasmine. Or as she had said: Mulla Poove.

---

His mother was always sending him out for things like this. No matter how many workers they had, she wanted him to take care of these "special things". Frowning, he looked at the list in his hands. Various names of flowers were scribbled upon the paper his mother had given him.

Walking to the flower vendor, he had been distracted by a quarrel between a vendor and a customer, when she happened.

Rekha.

Mahesh closed his eyes, slowly, remembering every moment. "Aiyoo!" She had screamed! Turning around from the flower vendor, she had collided with his body, sending the jasmine buds she held flying around them.

Her black eyes widened, her mouth opening in a sad frown, as she watched the flower buds go flying around them. Her beauty was exceptional. Black eyes lined with kajol, hair which was pinned back half way, and a slender body with pronounced curves. He couldn't help but smile at the way in which she reacted, resembling a child who had dropped its ice cream cone.

"Ente mulla poove muzhuvan kallanjanttu, nokki chirikkuvano than?" She blasted at him in an alien tongue, as her sad frown deepened.

He stared at her, still unable to remove the smile on his face. "Kya?" He said gently.

She bit her tongue, catching her mistake before speaking in Hindi. "I mean, you caused me to drop my flowers and you're standing here smiling?"

"Oh..." He was mesmerized by the way her accent changed, and how she spoke in fluent Hindi, her tongue speaking both languages in the most beautiful fashion.

She stared at him as if he was crazy before he quickly responded. "I'm sorry, really, that was my fault. Let me buy you some since its my mistake!"

"No, no, that's not necessary. The sorry was enough." She responded, her smile lighting up the space around her. It was magical.

"Please! I'll feel better if you allow me to do this..." Mahesh tried.

She hesitated but then smiled. "Okay."

He had bought her way more than she had dropped and again he watched as her eyes widened and she smiled, setting his world ablaze.

***

"YOU!" They both grinned at their unconventional greeting. "You're a doctor?" She asked suddenly, noticing Mahesh's attire.

"Yes, and are you a patient?" He smiled, replying.

Her eyes had lost their light then. "No, my father is..."

"What's your name?" It was impulsive and the wrong thing to say in reply, but Mahesh couldn't help it.

She looked taken back at his sudden outburst, but her eyes softened as she responded. "Rekha." She smiled. His world was burning now.

"Mahesh. Mahesh Sharma." He responded, mimicing her smile.

***

Jalte hain jiske liye... Teri aankhon ke diye...

She smiled at his mother before continuing.

Dhoond laya hoon wahi geet main tere liye... 

Their eyes met in a way it had never before met. Magnetic, exhilarating, explosive, there was simply no way to explain it. This time his world -he- was enveloped in an inferno.


Jalte hain jiske liye, teri aankhon ke diye
Dhoond laya hoon wahi geet main tere liya

His mother joined in with her, emitting a beautiful symphony. Their eyes never broke. His mother's eyes were rested on years far away. Yet, they continued.

Jab talak na yeh tere ras ke bhare hontoon se mile,
Yunhi awara phirega yeh teri zulfon ke tale...

Jab talak na yeh tere ras ke bhare hontoon se mile,
Yunhi awara phirega yeh teri zulfon ke tale...
 

Gaye jaunga yehi geet main tere liye...

---

Rekha.

Mahesh opened his eyes, smiling at the pot in which the jamine shrub stood, emitting her scent.  

Turning around he smiled at the sleeping figure inside.

Khushi.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

***The song mentioned in this chapter is this. 

Rekha

Rekha #2

Mahesh 

Please listen to the song! It's one of my all time favorites! I'm aware the original is by a male, 

but I liked the female version for this story. Also, the language spoken by Rekha is Malayalam.

I am half Malayalee, so I thought I would use it to my advantage. Eheheh :)  

Chapter 18: Road Not Taken

Arnav was awakened by the doorbell. Opening his eyes, he found himself exactly where he was last night. Right next to Khushi, with her hand still trapped in his, he had dozed to sleep. He was surprised Di hadn't bothered him about eating dinner.

Khushi's face looked more peaceful than it had last night Arnav noticed. Her sedative would wear off soon and she would be hungry, so he headed down to fix a tray of breakfast for her.

---

Payal looked at the man that stood before her. Dressed in a crisp black shirt and jeans, he looked like some bollywood actor that Payal couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Ji, Kaun?" Payal inquired.

The man smiled, definitely a very attractive smile, and replied. "I'm from Mumbai. My name is Mahesh and I'm here to meet Khushi."




Payal's face lit up at the mention of someone that knew Khushi, but fell as she remembered Khushi's predicament. Trying to remember her manners, Payal smiled. "Come in please."

"Thank you." The man stepped in and took a look around the house. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name." He directed to Payal.

"Payal. I'm Khushi's elder sister." She smiled.

Mahesh's face lit up almost as in recognition. "Oh you're Payal! Khushi's told me about you."

Payal's face fell again slightly at the mention of Khushi. "Would you like chai?" She asked.

"A glass of water is fine." Mahesh could tell something was off, as Payal's face fell ever so slightly at every mention of Khushi.

"Ji, please make yourself comfortable."

---

Khushi shifted slightly in bed, her head heavy from whatever drug had been put in her. She squeezed her eyes shut at the sudden intrusion of light before she slowly opened her eyes again. Her face visibly paled when she saw who had opened the curtains.

"Good morning. How are you feeling?" Arnav said, looking relieved. Khushi merely blinked in response.

"I'll go get breakfast. You look like you could use some food." Arnav tried again. Khushi dropped her eyes and nodded, glad that he wasn't expecting an answer. Silently, Arnav left the room.

Khushi watched him leave and her eyes welled up. What was going on? Why was he treating her like this after what she had sprung at him last night? Suddenly realization struck her. What had happened to her last night? She looked around her surroundings to find her in Arnav's room, lying in the middle of the bed. There was a band aid at the crease of her elbow where someone had injected something. Khushi's head ached as she tried to put together fragments of the previous night.

---

Mahesh saw the figure walk down the stairs it noticed him. He stood up to his full height, instantly recognizing the man as Arnav Singh Raizada.

 Arnav furrowed his brows in confusion before heading to the kitchen, clearly not bothered that there was a stranger in his living room. At that instant Payal came out with a glass of water for the guest.

"Oh Payal!" Arnav stopped in his tracks. "Could you put together a tray of food for Khushi? She's awake now."

Payal smiled, suddenly resembling Khushi in all her ecstatic glory. "Saach? I'll do it right now."

Arnav nodded with a slight smile before turning to head back up the stairs, but Payal stopped him.

"Arnavji?" Arnav turned. "This is Mahesh. He says he's from Mumbai and here to meet Khushi." Payal said as she handed the glass of water the the man.

Arnav's face suddenly registered the man before him, clearly interested in his connection to Khushi.

"Hi, Arnav Singh Raizada." He held his hand out which Mahesh took with a confident grasp and shook.

"Mahesh Sharma." He smiled.

That's when it hit Payal. He definitely had something about him that resembled Shah Rukh Kahn, yet he wasn't completely like that. Shaking her head at herself, Payal left the room, so the two men could talk.

"Payal says you're here to see Khushi? Do you know her from Mumbai?" Arnav asked as he took a seat across from Mahesh.

"Yes, we met there. Is she here?"

Arnav's face looked calculated as he took in the information. "Yes, well, Khushi is upstairs."

"Is something wrong?" The way Mahesh showed concern bothered Arnav. Who is this man?

"Khushi had a slight accident yesterday. Her blood pressure decreased and she fainted. She's fine now." Arnav said taking in Mahesh's expression's as he shared the information.

Mahesh was agitated, but he controlled his outward appearance. "Low blood pressure..." He murmured, almost to himself. Suddenly standing up, he looked at Arnav. "Do you mind if I meet her?"

The only way he was going to figure out who this man was, was though Khushi. Arnav nodded and led him upstairs. Just as he was about to enter the room, Payal called out from behind him.

"She's on the first door to your left." Arnav said to Mahesh, before he went to Payal to get the tray of breakfast she had brought. Not waiting for Arnav, Mahesh entered the room.

---

Khushi looked up as the door opened and relief enveloped her like a warm blanket. "Mahesh!" She beamed. There he stood in all his "Shah Rukh Kahn-meets-Farhan Akhtar" glory.

"Khushi!" He smiled, offering a smile just as Khushi had. In four long strides, he crossed the room and enveloped Khushi into his arms.

Khushi wrapped her arms around him and her eyes welled up slightly. "I guess you got my text." She said.

"And you clearly didn't get any of mine! Do you know how many times I tried you before I jumped on a plane to Delhi, thinking of all the possible worst? And then I hear that you fainted!"

Mahesh took a seat on the chair next to the bed as he questioned Khushi, letting his frustration of the past 17 hours finally flow free.

---

Arnav stood at the doorway of his room taking in the scene. Mahesh had taken wrapped his arms around Khushi to which she responded with just as much enthusiasm.

Clenching his fist around the the tray he held, he turned and ordered Hari Prakash to take food to Khushi, before he stalked out of the house.

"Its wrong! We need to talk before anything more happens."

So that's why. Why it was wrong. Why she needed to talk.

"I'm here to get a divorce. The faster I get it, the faster I can go back."

Go back to what he had asked her. Why the divorce? It was all so clear now. She was going to go back to Mahesh Sharma. Arnav hated him. With every fiber in his body, Arnav hated the man that Khushi had so lovingly embraced back.

---

"Khushi, you didn't take your tablets did you?" Mahesh asked, concealing his frustration.

"Well the night I got here, it was kind of the last thing on my mind and yesterday morning, I got distracted and then..." Khushi trailed off, looking guilty as charged.

"I've told you so many times, Khushi! Take care of yourself! Atleast when we were in Mumbai, I could do it, and I thought you would be responsible here!"

"Let's go back, Mahesh." Khushi suddenly said.

"What?"

"I don't want to stay here. Every second, it's too much. And yesterday, I asked him for a divorce and he said no. I just want it all to go away." Khushi hung her head, tears making their mark on her cheek.

Then it occurred to Mahesh. "You haven't told him the truth, have you Khushi?" Mahesh's face was grim.

Khushi sighed. "No..." Suddenly she looked up at Mahesh, her eyes glinting. "You won't either! Promise me!" She grasped his hands in hers.

Mahesh smiled and ruffled her hair, his eyes looking pained. "Khushi, I promise to keep your life in a way it's best for you. I promise to always do what's best for you."

Khushi smiled. "Thank you Doctor Sharma."

"My pleasure, Mrs. Raizada." Mahesh responded as Hari Prakash entered with food.

"Eat up, Khushi. I'll be right back." Mahesh ordered.

---

Seeing that Khushi began eating, Mahesh headed out the room. He had to talk to Arnav.

Chapter 17: Retrospect

It was easier to breathe now. Her thoughts were jumbled though. So she sorted through them.

The door bell rang through and echoed in her new flat. It was half empty because of the lack of furniture there was.

Khushi stood up from among the pile of clothes she was organizing, wondering who it could be. She walked to the door and opened the door to a lean, beautiful woman with a head of wild curls. Right behind her there was a rather handsome and heavily built man.

"Hi!" The lean woman smiled and put her hand out to Khushi. "You're new here, right? I'm Monisha and this is my husband, Rohan." The woman pointed to the man behind her. "We live in the flat next door and we wanted to welcome you."

Khushi smiled in response and shook her hand. It felt good to know there were still good people in the world. Khushi invited them in and Monisha presented her a box of sweets.

Thanking her, Khushi opened the box and her mouth opened. "Jalebi!" She exclaimed.

Monisha looked varily at her husband before looking back at Khushi. "You don't like them?" She asked, slightly disappointed. 

"No! I mean yes! I mean I love jalebis! They're my favorite!" Khushi corrected her.

"Really?!" Monisha exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. Behind her, Rohan rolled his eyes and went off to explore the new flat. "They're my favorite too!"

"Sach?!" Khushi was equally excited. "Do you make them?"

Monisha frowned. "No, I'm bad at cooking."

"You love jalebis and you don't know how to make them?" Khushi exclaimed.

"No." Monisha looked crestfallen. 

"No problem! Khushi Kumari Gupta Sigh Raizada will teach you how to make the perfect jalebis!"

Their friendship had started there. An entire day spent baking batches and batches of jalebis, while Rohan sat at table giving his commentary on each batch.

***

"Khushi?" Monisha sat next to her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"

Khushi remained silent and a lone tear fell from her eye. Rohan came and sat on the other side of Khushi.

"Khushi? Where is your husband? Did he leave you Khushi? Does he know you're pregnant?"

Khushi broke down then. That night was the night for stories and Khushi's story weaved a stronger bond between Monisha, Rohan, and her.

***

"What is this?" Khushi frowned at the green in front of her. 

"A salad." Monisha beamed.

"Salad matlaab?"

"Matlaab, from now on you'll be eating healthy!"

"But-"

"No buts! Now eat."

"You should try some, Khushi. It's the only thing she cooks well." Rohan winked at Khushi before a flying wooden spoon hit him in the chest.
 
***

"Call me Mahesh, please. You can drop the 'Ji'." Khushi smiled and agreed. His presence was so comforting.

"Alright then Mahesh. Your wish." Khushi replied.

***

"Khushi?" Mahesh called from outside the door.

She opened it and beamed. "I'm ready."

"Good, get Shiv." He replied. "And please hurry! Mom is cooking tonight and she'll have a lot to feed us, so the earlier we get there, the more time we have to eat her 101 dishes." He joked.

***

"Oh so you're THE Mahesh." Monisha eyed him up and down jokingly.

"Yes, that will be me." He replied, completely at ease.

Monisha turned to Khushi. "Alright you two go ahead, Shiv will be safe with me."

***

"Khushi, I know that I'm supposed to be the one putting positivity into you, but we can't wait anymore." Mahesh sounded frustrated.

"I know..." Khushi whispered.

"You have to make a choice..." He replied, his voice softer now.

"I'll go to Delhi." Her reply was confident, her spirit unwavering."

***

Khushi's head felt heavy, but she let it sink into the soft pillow beneath her. Her eyes refused to open and she was fine with that. She wasn't ready to face things just yet.

---

Arnav watched her slowly sink her head into the pillow more comfortably. He stroked her hand which he held tight in his own and shut his eyes.

I'm here to get a divorce!

The words echoed in his mind over and over again. She didn't mean it, he told himself. There was no way.

The faster I get, the faster I can go back!

Back to what? Why would she return to him if it was to leave him. He had made a promise to himself that he'll never let her go, and he was going to follow through with it. She wasn't ever leaving him. Not anymore.

You can have Shiv.

Why? She was hiding something. Khushi would never leave Shiv. He had seen the way she held him, the way she looked at her baby. No, she wasn't that type of a mother.

"Is she prone to fainting?" The doctor asked. Arnav nodded. Only he knew how many times Khushi had fainted before him.

"Well, in some situations nose bleeds could occur from stress or some natural cause. I'm injected some sedatives into her system so she'll stay calm while her blood pressure comes to a steady rate.Don't worry, Mr. Raizada, she'll be fine." The doctor concluded.

The family couldn't put their finger on what situation would cause Khushi so much stress to faint. They were contemplating that downstairs, while Arnav stroked Khushi's hand over and over again. He was contemplating something else.

How could he get her to stay? Or was it too late?