Chapter Four

Khushi gaped at the man. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked at him, then Ichchha Baai, then back at him.

Ichchha Baai smiled and she took a seat on the lounger behind her. "So, I have finally been graced with the presence of Arnav Singh Raizada in my brothel. How lucky am I," she smirked lightly.

Khushi moved towards her and stood behind her, holding onto the lounger.

"I wouldn't say it's luck," Arnav replied. "I am here to simply buy the girl."

Khushi's eyes flew up to his. He was very serious.

"To buy?" Ichchha Baai chuckled. "Raizada Saab, my girls aren't for sale."

Arnav opened the briefcase and held it out. "Not even for ten million?"

Khushi's eyes widened at the briefcase. There was nothing but bills upon bills in the case. Ichchha Baai leaned closer to get a better glimpse.

"There's five million in here and a check for five million in my pocket. However if a check is an issue, I have men standing by with the remaining five million by my car outside this brothel."

Khushi couldn't believe what she was hearing and continued to stare at the man.

Ichchha Baai leaned back and draped her arm over the lounger. "And why should I let you buy my girls?"

"Wrong. Girl."

Ichchha Baai's eyebrows shot up. "Ten million for just one girl? Why is that," she smirked lightly.

"I have an interest."

Arnav looked at Khushi and Khushi froze. The feeling she had within her was now gone and she felt scared. She glanced down Ichchha Baai, who was now looking up at her.

Ichchha Baai held her hand out to Khushi. "Come around dear."

Khushi took her hand and came forward. She knelt down to the ground and looked down at the floor.

"If I'm not mistaken Raizada Saab, you wish to purchase my newest jewel for ten million? A girl who has never been touched by a man nor penetrated by one."

"Yes," Arnav simply replied, his face expressionless.

"And why is that?"

"That's for me to know," he said with full authority in his voice.

Ichchha Baai simply nodded and hummed. "But are my girls to your standards?"

Arnav opened his mouth, but Ichchha Baai cut him off.

"I've heard rumors about you Raizada Saab. While your brother comes here to my brothel to play with my girls, you toy with, as I heard, fancier types of girls. Girls who are much more modern rather than our traditional girls. What is it that now has you taking a liking for them?"

"As I have said woman, that is for me to know."

Ichchha Baai laughed, tossing her head back. "Oh Raizada Saab, you truly are something else, much different than your drunken brother."

"That I'm well aware of."

She smirked lightly. "Well, are you absolutely sure?"

Khushi looked up at her wide eyes. What?

"Yes," Arnav replied.

"Really? Take a good look." Ichchha Baai held Khushi's chin and had her look at Arnav. "Such fair skin as if the moon were shining down upon her. Such beautiful eyes that change with the color of her surroundings. Such luscious lips that beacon you to kiss them. And of course no man has penetrated her, simply the toys she loves to play with, as well as the girls that have trained with her. Are you sure you want her?"

"Yes. However if the money is not enough for you-"

"Oh no, it's more than enough. You may have her, though I do prefer all cash."

Khushi looked at Ichchha Baai with disbelief. She couldn't believe the woman she thought of as a mother was now selling her away to a rich stranger. As Ichchha Baai had her stand up, the world became numb to Khushi. She saw Ichchha Baai opening the doors and her two ladies-in-waiting turn to her. She saw Arnav hand Ichchha Baai the briefcase and her say saying something to her ladies as she handed one of them the case. The other came forward and took Khushi, while the other one left. Arnav and Ichchha Baai exchanged a few more words as she left the room.

Khushi didn't know what to think. Was this what her life would be? Just being sold away from one person to another? First her drunken father, which she no longer cared about, but Ichchha Baai? The one who helped raise her and become everything she is today? How could she do that to her?

Khushi looked around and saw some of the other girls. As she went downstairs, she saw Payal, Seema, and Sheetal huddled together, and when they saw Khushi, they looked at her in confusion.

"Where is she being taken," Sheetal wondered aloud.

They watched as Khushi was taken away and followed not far behind.

Khushi was taken outside where a bunch of men stood by three cars.

"Who came over tonight, and why is Khushi being taken to those cars," Payal questioned.

Khushi stood numbly as Ichchha Baai's woman held her by her arm. Pretty soon, Ichchha Baai, Rita Baai, and Ichchha Baai's other woman came down and the woman came forward with Khushi's belongings. Arnav came out and Payal, Seema, and Sheetal gawked at him.

"Is it really him," Seema questioned.

"Do my eyes deceive me," Payal gasped.

"It's really him. It's Raizada Saab," Sheetal gaped.

Arnav went towards his car and stood by it, holding his hands in front of him. Khushi still couldn't believe this was happening and looked at Ichchha Baai.

"A fair trade, please, Raizada Saab," Ichchha Bai said.

"Of course."

With a snap of his fingers, one of Arnav's men came forward and held out a briefcase. Arnav took it and stepped forward, and Ichchha Baai came forward, taking a hold of Khushi as she walked forward. Khushi looked at her in disbelief as they walked towards Arnav. When the two stood before each other, Arnav held out the briefcase.

"Count it all if you wish," he said.

"I've heard enough about you to know that Arnav Singh Raizada is no cheat. Here," she said, holding out Khushi's hand.

Khushi looked up at Arnav and as Ichchha Baai took the briefcase, he took hold of her.

In that second, Khushi's brain kicked into gear. "Malkeen, please, don't! Rita Baai!"

Rita held her hand to her chest as her tears flowed down her cheeks. She wanted to stop Arnav from taking Khushi, but no one would ever dare to go against Ichchha Baai's words.

Ichchha Baai waved her hand and the worker brought Khushi's belongings forward.

"All of her clothes and belongings are in here," Ichchha Baai confirmed.

Without a word, Arnav took Khushi towards the car, even though Khushi pulled and tried to free herself. She cried out to the others, but to no avail did anyone come forward. Arnav's workers came forward and took hold of Khushi. They took her to the car and seated her inside, Arnav going around and sitting down. His driver shut the door and all of Arnav's men went into their cars. Soon, they began to pull away.

Rita Baai watched as the man took away her Khushi. When the cars disappeared, Rita Baai looked down and cried. The other workers looked in shock, whispering to each other.

"Oh my gosh," Payal breathed.

"I can't believe she did that," Seema muttered.

"But why," Sheetal wondered.

Ichchha Baai turned back around and went towards Rita Baai. She placed her hand on Rita Baai's shoulder, and she looked up at her.

"Why did you give her away," Rita Baai said through her tears.

"Because we all must face our destiny someday."

With that, Ichchha Baai turned back towards her home and went inside. Rita Baai looked up to the heavens above and prayed for Khushi's well being.