Chapter Thirty Nine

The first thing Khushi did the next day was prepare for Arnav's return. It was important to her that everything went perfectly. She called up caterers and decorators, having them come to the house stat to discuss and prepare. Khushi also called the family and invited them to come over the day after.

"This is quite a preparation you've got going on."

Khushi looked up from her phone and turned to Divya. She would have said something, but Aryan was coming to join them.

"I don't mind," Aryan said, having overheard what Divya had said. "It's been a while since we've had a party," he grinned.

Khushi smiled. "It has. I thought that doing something big would be worth it."

"And why is that," Divya asked.

Khushi looked at her slyly. "It's a big occasion."

"That I agree with," Aryan smiled. "I'm so proud of Chote."

"We all are," Khushi smiled genuinely.

Divya looked at her curiously but Khushi held herself perfectly together, giving nothing away. Aryan's phone rang and he excused himself. Khushi turned to put her attention back on the decorators to make sure they were doing their job, when Divya spoke.

"What are you up to?"

Khushi looked back at her with her eyebrow cocked. "Nothing."

Divya smirked lightly and tilted her head. "Do you take me as a fool?"

Khushi turned her body towards her and crossed her arms. "Absolutely not. You're devious."

Divya chuckled. "Why thank you very much girl."

"Hmm," was all Khushi could say.

Divya looked at the decorators. "Well get on back to work," she said, waving her hand at her as if she were a fly. "Go on, shoo."

Khushi shook her head and deciding not to waste her breath, she resumed her work. She heard Divya walk away and a small smirk grew on her face.

I wouldn't be so arrogant if I were you Divya.

*~*

Arnav was to arrive in the morning, so Khushi got up extra early just to make sure everything was perfect. She was heading towards the kitchen when she heard footsteps. Turning around, she saw Aryan rushing down the stairs.

"Papa?"

Aryan looked up at her. "Oh Khushi good, you're awake. Listen I have an urgent meeting down at town hall, but I'll try to get home as quick as possible, okay?"

"Oh, okay."

Aryan kissed the top of her head and dashed out. "Bye dear."

"Bye," and Aryan shut the door behind him.

Khushi looked out the window and saw Aryan get driven away. Needing to get back to work, Khushi focused on anything that needed to be fixed or perfected. A few hours later, everything was ready. She was in the main hall, fixing the pillows on the couches, when Divya came into the room. Khushi didn't pay any attention to her but when she turned to check on the food, her eyes went travelling down on Divya.

"You didn't," Khushi breathed.

Khushi looked at Divya with wide eyes as she took in the woman. Divya was wearing Shalini's sari, one of the saris that were in the room with Shalini's belongings.

"Do you like it," Divya asked, rotating to give Khushi a full glimpse. "It's lovely isn't it?"

"It belongs to Ammu," Khushi gritted out.

"Well she's dead."

Khushi's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "I can't believe you said that."

Divya broke into laughter and cocked her eyebrow. "Oh girl, you really are stupid aren't you," she cackled.

Khushi looked at her in horror, as well as anger.

"Oh fix that face of yours girl, it's even more horrible than it normally is."

Khushi took no offense of her words, too angry to even let them sink in.

"However, if you choose to keep that expression, you just might do me a favor."

"And how's that?"

"Well, if I'm not mistaken..." Divya looked at the clock, "Chote should be arriving right about... now."

And right on cue, the doorbell rang. Khushi looked at the door and then at Divya.

"You should really keep your phone on you. Helps you time things correctly," she smirked before stepping forward. "Game on."

Khushi looked at her confusedly as the woman began to tear up.

"What the hell are you doing," Khushi asked.

Divya gave her a quick smirk before going towards the door. Her smirk disappeared and tears began to stream down her face. She quickly opened the door, revealing Arnav.

"Hey- Dai Ma?"

Divya began to sob.

"Dai Ma? Dai Ma what's wrong? Khushi-?"

Arnav looked up at Khushi, who was looking at Divya with hate, her chest expanding as she huffed.

Arnav led Divya inside and he set his suitcase aside. "Dai Ma, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Chote," she sobbed.

Arnav looked at her curiously and glanced at Khushi. "Dai Ma what's wrong? Are you crying because I was away for so long? I'm back now aren't I? There's no need to cry," he smiled softly.

Divya continued to sob.

"Dai Ma, come on - even Khushi isn't crying like this. In fact she's..." Arnav looked at his wife, "she's looking at you... with hatred?" Arnav turned his attention back on her. "What's going on?"

"Chote she... she," and Divya sobbed harder, pulling Arnav into a hug.

Arnav held her in confusion and looked up at Khushi. "Khushi, what's going on?"

Khushi didn't say anything and continued to throw daggers at Divya with her eyes. Her blood was boiling with anger.

Divya pulled back. "Chote she... oh Chote, she said such horrible things!"

Arnav looked at her, completely confused. "What do you mean?"

"I don't understand Chote, I mean what did I ever do," she sobbed. "Oh it was horrible, I had never seen her so... so... so-"

"So what?"

"So cruel," she cried, and she buried her face in his chest.

Arnav was shocked. My Khushi? Cruel, he wondered.

Divya pulled back. "In all my years in this home I have never been so insulted! I understand that I'm not your mother by blood, but have I ever done any less than a mother does for her own son?"

Arnav was indeed shocked.

"She told me I was a nobody to you and Aryan. That she was the only one who mattered, not me. That I was simply a servant," she sobbed harder.

"What," Arnav exclaimed.

He looked up at Khushi but Khushi continued to stare the woman down.

Arnav went in front of Khushi. "Is this true?"

Khushi didn't look at him and continued to glare at Divya, who was now smirking at her slyly.

"Khushi, I asked you a question."

Khushi looked up at Arnav.

"Is this true? Because by the looks of things, it seems true."

Khushi looked back at Divya.

Arnav held Khushi's arm. "Khushi I'm asking you a question. Did you say that to her? Why? What do you have against her?"

Khushi looked back up at him. "I didn't do anything," she simply said.

Divya began to sob harder and Arnav went to her.

"I didn't do anything," Khushi repeated plainly. "However that wretched woman has."

Divya sobbed even louder and buried her face in Arnav's chest again, while Arnav looked at Khushi in shock.

"Khushi, I can't believe you're behaving like this," Arnav said, completely appalled. "I can't believe you would say such a thing."

Khushi turned her attention to Arnav.

"Why are you behaving like this," Arnav asked. "What did she ever do to you? She's been nothing but good to you."

Now Khushi was angry at Arnav.

"Why are you so mad at her?"

"Forget her, because I'm angry at you right now. I'm so angry at you for not believing in me and for not being by my side when you promised to do so for the rest of your life! You're absolutely blinded by that wretched woman! So blinded that you don't even see the fact that she's been trying to steal Ammu's place! For heaven's sake she's wearing Ammu's sari!!!"

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows and looked at Divya. The second he did, he realized that Khushi was right. In the blur of Divya's emotions, he hadn't even noticed. Immediately, Arnav stepped back, completely shocked.

Divya wiped her tears away. "No I'm not! I have the same sari as Shalini, we bought it together. You see what I mean Chote," she sobbed. "She's being delusional-"

"That's Ammu's sari," Arnav muttered, his eyes glued to it. "It's hers. I know that sari, it's hers. It's Ammu's sari. It smells like her, it's hers." Arnav finally looked up at her. "How did you get that?"

"She stole it from the room with all of Ammu's belongings," Khushi said.

Arnav didn't bother to question Khushi on how she knew about that room because there were other important matters at hand right now.

"No one is supposed to go in that room," he said. "Why do you have Ammu's sari and why are you wearing it?"

"Because she's trying to steal Ammu's place," Khushi answered for her. "But there's only one person who can do that, and that's Ammu herself!"

"What on earth is that supposed to me," Divya yelled. "Shalini is dead and there is nothing you can do about it!"

"Is that so?"

Arnav and Divya froze. It wasn't him, nor her, nor Khushi that had spoken. It was someone else. This voice was a voice they both knew very well. Arnav couldn't believe he was hearing it. For a moment he thought it was all in his head, but his body said otherwise. There was a warmth that spread through him, a very familiar warmth that he hadn't felt in a very long time. Stunned, Arnav quickly looked up to the owner of the voice and stilled.

"Ammu," he whispered.

There at the top of the stairs before the family portraits, stood Shalini. She was in a red sari, one of her old saris that were put away in the room with her other belongings. Arnav knew this sari very well. It was on of his and his father's favorites. He even remembered the day him and his father had chosen it for her.

Shalini looked down at her son and her eyes filled with tears, as well as Arnav's. She slowly walked down the stairs and as much as Arnav wanted to run towards her, he was rooted to the ground in shock. Shalini made her way over to her son and stood before him, her tears streaming down her cheeks. Arnav continued to look at her in shock, still unable to believe that his mother was truly standing before him. He couldn't believe that she was real nor that any of this was real.

Shalini reached up and caressed Arnav's face. At her touch, he gasped.

"Chote," she finally said.

Arnav sagged slightly and let his tears free. He immediately hugged his mother, burying his face into the crook if her neck.

Khushi couldn't help herself but to cry, while Divya stood there in complete shock.

Arnav hugged his mother tightly and Shalini held onto her son, a gesture she had been wanting to do for oh so many years.

Arnav pulled back and held his mother's face in his hands. "Ammu, where have you been all these years? Why didn't you come back, why did you leave me? Don't you care about me? Don't you love me?"

"Of course I love you," she said through her tears. "All these years have been nothing but torture for me. There wasn't a moment where I wasn't thinking of you."

"Then why were you away from me for so long?"

"I think Divya can give you the answer to that," Khushi said.

Arnav looked at his wife in confusion. "What?"

"Aren't I correct Divya," Khushi asked, turning towards her.

Divya was deep into shock, unable to make single sound, still staring at Shalini.

Khushi moved towards Divya and stood behind her. "Oh? Have you gone into shock?"

Divya finally turned away from Shalini and looked at Khushi, the shock still on her face.

Khushi placed her hands on Divya's shoulders and turned back around to Shalini. "Don't be scared Divya, she's not a ghost. She's real. Don't you see Arnav holding her in his arms," she pointed. "Holding onto her with so much love?" She turned to look at Divya. "Something he's never done for you, only his mother?"

Divya's eyes snapped back up to Khushi's.

"I told you from the start Divya that there's only one person who could ever be Ammu, and that's her, not you!" Khushi began to circle her. "You tried and tried for all there years, yet you never understood! You'd think a person as clever as you would learn, but then again you're nothing but selfish and a jealous bitch."

Divya's eyes filled with rage as Khushi paused in front of her.

"Looks like your plan failed Div-ya."

"Plan, Arnav finally said. "What plan?"

"A very clever plan." Khushi turned to look at Shalini. "You might want to hold on to your son before he loses his temper."

Shalini couldn't help herself but to break a small smile as she held onto Arnav.

"My temper? What do you mean," Arnav questioned. "What plan? What happened?"

Khushi looked at Divya. "I'll tell you - it's the sad tale of Ammu's and the glory tale of Div- no, Dai Ma."

*~*

"Oh... my... god."

Khushi couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Is this a dream? 

Khushi rubbed her eyes, but what she was true. She even pinched herself hard, but nothing changed.

"You... I... Ma?"

Shalini stepped forward and Khushi's eyes widened. It definitely was her, only she wasn't like the beautiful woman in all of the photographs. This woman looked tired, weak, and stripped of happiness. She had dark circles beneath her eyes and the rosy color in her cheeks were flat gone. She didn't look anything like the woman in the portrait behind her.

"Ma you're... you're alive," Khushi breathed.

Shalini looked at her with tears in her eyes. Khushi couldn't believe the miracle that was playing before her and needed it all to be true, so she quickly reached out and hugged her. When she did, Khushi felt a warmth she had never felt in her life. It was loving, warm, and filled her up with joy.

It felt like a mother's love.

Khushi pulled back and held Shalini's face. "Ma what are you doing here, where have you been?"

Shalini continued to shed tears and held Khushi's wrists. She ran them along her arms, unable to believe that she was actually holding her Chote's wife.

"I can't believe how lucky I am," she finally spoke.

Khushi sighed. The woman's voice was soft and lyrical, just as she had imagined.

Shalini held her hands together and looked up. "Thank you for making my prayers come true DM." She looked back at Khushi. "Gosh, you're so beautiful."

Khushi blushed and looked down.

"Absolutely perfect," Shalini smiled.

Khushi couldn't help herself but to shed some more tears. Everything had seemed right in the family, but there was always something missing. Now it was complete.

And it needed to stay that way.

"Ma, what are you doing here? Where have you been?"

Shalini froze for a moment, then looked away. She sat down in one of the covered chairs and continued to look away. Khushi bent down and sat before her, and took her hands in hers.

"Ma, you can tell me," Khushi said softly. "Do you have any idea how much everyone misses you?"

Shalini couldn't help herself but to scoff. "Why would they? They have someone else to take care of them. She has been for so many years."

Khushi knew instantly who she was talking about. "That conniving bitch," she said before she could think.

Shalini cocked her eyebrow and Khushi blushed.

"Sorry," Khushi muttered.

Shalini couldn't help but to chuckle. "You're absolutely correct."

Khushi pursed her lips and stroked her thumb over Shalini's hands.

"That bitch ruined my life," Shalini said with a low voice.

"What happened?"

Shalini shook her head. "I never would have known... until that day, I never would have known."

"What day?"

"The day of the 'accident'."

~

"Aryan, I am not having this conversation with you," Shalini fumed.

"Jaaneman be reasonable-"

"Reasonable? Aryan she's my best friend and I don't care how long it's been or how much longer it'll last, Divya is staying here!"

For a few days now, Aryan and Shalini had been bickering on Divya's staying here at Raizada Mansion. It was apparent to Shalini that Divya seemed perturbed and was thinking about leaving to leave her and Aryan in peace. However Shalini saw this as nonsense and told her best friend to stay as long as she'd like.

"Jaaneman-"

"Don't you 'jaaneman' me Aryan Singh Raizada because it won't work!"

"But-"

The door to their room opened and in came running a seven year old Arnav. He went running to his mom and hugged her.

"Ammu, why are you two arguing again," he asked.

"Because your father is impossible," Shalini said, twitching her mouth.

"Daddy, you're bad," Arnav said, sticking his tongue at him.

Aryan frowned. "Mama's boy," he muttered.

"Aryan," Shalini scolded.

Aryan tossed his hands up in the air, as if questioning what had he done. Shalini rolled her eyes and sat down on the bed, pulling her son into her lap.

"Did you finish studying Chote," she asked.

"Mm hmm, I learned all of the vocabulary words for the spelling test tomorrow."

"Good! Did you get the ones you made a mistake on last time?"

"Yes Ammu I did," he grinned proudly. "Telescope: T-E-L-E-S-C-O-P-E. Astronomy: A-S-T-R-O-N-O-M-Y. Frighten: F-R-I-T-E-N. See," he grinned.

Aryan chuckled. "So close Chote, so close. 'Frighten' is spelled F-R-I-G-H-T-E-N."

"No it's not," he said stubbornly, crossing his arms.

This time, Shalini chuckled. "Unfortunately yes Chote. It's spelled F-R-I-G-H-T-E-N."

"Oh... okay," he smiled.

"What- but I just said that," Aryan exclaimed.

Arnav threw his arms around his mother's neck. "It's only right if Ammu says so."

"Oh, is that so?"

Aryan reached out to his son, but Arnav shrieked and ran away, running out the room, leaving his mother laughing at her son's and husband's antics.

Aryan looked at her. "You're spoiling him."

"I most certainly am not," she laughed.

Aryan frowned and Shalini got up and stood before him.

"I can't believe he's seven," she smiled.

"Me neither," he sighed, and then he wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her closer to him. "Maybe we should have another child."

Shalini's eyes widened as she blushed. "What the-"

"Oh don't you 'what the' me, Jaaneman. Besides, I know very well that you want another child."

"And how is that?"

"Let's see, there was the walk from the other day when we passed by the baby store in town. There was the other day at the park when you were cooing at those twins. And.. ah! When we were in the bookstore last week and you were reading 'How to Get Pregnant'," he smirked.

Shalini's face dropped. "You saw that?"

"And the fact that you made little pink booties as well? Yes."

Shalini crimsoned and looked down.

Aryan chuckled softly and cupped his wife's face so she would look at him. "I would love to have another child."

"Really," she blushed.

Aryan nodded. "Though this time, I'd prefer a little princess than another 'mama's boy'."

"Aryan," she scolded, hitting his chest.

Aryan chuckled and pulled his wife back to him though she fussed. "I'm only joking, I love the little guy. We both keep you on your toes," he smirked.

"That you both do," she frowned. "Maybe we do need a little princess to help me pull all of your hair out," she smirked.

"Please, you know you love my hair. That's why you tug on it when you're screaming my name," he smirked.

Shalini turned as red as a tomato as her jaw dropped. "I can't believe you just said that."

Aryan moved closer to her ear as he chuckled, it vibrating through Shalini. "I could tell you so much more, but you already know what a naughty minx you are Jaaneman," and he nibbled on her earlobe.

"Aryan," she whispered.

"Stay, don't go to the temple," he said, dropping soft kisses below her ear.

"I can't," she panted.

"Why?"

"Because."

Aryan chuckled, causing Shalini to shudder. "Because why?"

"Because... because... because I have to go," and she pushed him and dashed towards the door.

"Hey! Jaaneman get back here!"

Shalini stood with the door open. "Nope," she grinned, shaking her head.

"You can't stay away from me forever," he grinned obnoxiously.

"Oh yeah? Try me."

Aryan cocked his eyebrow and dashed towards his wife, Shalini letting out a squeal and ran away. The two ran through the house, interrupting the workers in the middle of their duties and causing them to laugh and whoop; and causing little Arnav to look up from his cartoons, and watched with his head tilted as his mother dashed out the front door and his father running behind.

"Are we playing tag," Arnav hollered behind them.

Aryan got outside and saw his wife in the car.

"Beat you," Shalini grinned.

"Hmm, for now. Wait till you get home."

"What if I don't come home?"

Aryan's face went cold. "Don't say that."

Shalini chuckled. "Oh Aryan, I'm only messing-"

Aryan stepped forward and bent down so that they were at eye level. "I don't care. Never say that again."

Shalini sighed. "I'll always come back to you, no matter what."

Aryan smiled softly. "You used to run away from me, remember?"

"Only because I didn't understand then that I love you with all my heart."

Aryan smiled softly and Shalini kissed him softly on his lips.

"I'll be home soon," she smiled.

"I'll be waiting."

Aryan stepped back and the driver drove away. Shalini waved and Aryan waved back. 

Arnav came running and groaned. "I didn't even get to say goodbye!"

Aryan chuckled and picked his son up. "Don''t worry, Ammu will be home soon."

"Really? Yay!"

Aryan chuckled. "Now come on, let's get those vocabulary words correct."

"Aww," and Arnav continued to fuss as they went back into the house, but Aryan wasn't going to have any of it.

Meanwhile, a person was standing on the side, hiding and watching everything that had been going on. It was none other than Divya, and she stepped out.

"Sorry dear, but soon will never happen," she smirked.

*~*

The biggest temple in town was on top of the biggest hill, right next to the outskirts of town. It was believed that anything you wished for there, would come true. Shalini really wanted to go there to wish for her family's well-being, as well as to pray for having a little girl of her own.

They were driving up the steep hill, when the driver stepped on the breaks, coming to an abrupt halt. 

"What the? Mohan, why did you-?"

Shalini looked up and saw a man standing only a few inches away from the car. He was dressed in all black, his hands at his waist, and his face was covered in scruff, his eyes dangerous. Immediately, Shalini got a very bad feeling.

The man stepped forward and came towards the car. He went to the driver and pulled out a gun at him.

"Unlock the doors," he said.

Mohan did as he said and the man went to the back door, opened it, and pulled Shalini out. Shalini yelled and tried to free herself, but the man was just too strong.

"Madam," Mohan yelled, and he went after them.

The man turned around and tossed Shalini to the ground. She hit her head hard and cried out in pain. The last thing she saw was the man snapping Mohan's neck and putting him back in the car, before everything went to to black.

*~*

Everything hurt when Shalini woke up. There was a bright harsh light and it hurt to open her eyes. Suddenly someone threw cold water at her and her eyes shot open with a yelp. As things cleared, she realized she was trapped in a chair with a bright light bulb shining above her head. She made out two men standing at each side with their arms crossed, the man to her left the same man from before.

"Rise and shine bitch," a familiar voice said.

"What the..." Shalini breathed.

The person tsked. "You really should stop that..."

The voice dawned on Shalini and she immediately recognized it.

Divya stepped out of the darkness and stood before her with her arms crossed. "... it's spreading onto Chote."

"Divya... Divya you-"

"Yes me. I'm the one who had you kidnapped," she smiled sweetly.

"What? Why-"

"Don't ask such stupid questions Shalini. You know very well why."

"Why... why-?"

Divya bent forward and met her at eye level while pulling her back by her hair. "You took everything that belonged to me bitch," she sneered. "I'm only taking what's mine."

"Divya-"

"Shut up! Aryan was mine and you stole him! You don't deserve him, you never even liked him! You hated him! And yet you still took him! He's mine and you took him!"

"Divya-"

"He. is. MINE. Is that understood?! Aryan is MINE! He's mine, he should be my husband, and Chote should be my son! I am taking back everything that rightfully belongs to me, including your precious son."

"Chote-"

"Hush," she hissed. "You no longer need to worry about him. He's my son now, I'll take really good care of him" she smiled sweetly.

"No-"

"No?! Chote is MY son! Mine! Mine! MINE!!! Just like Aryan is mine!"

"Aryan-"

"He's MINE! Don't you dare say his name! I don't like hearing other women saying MY husband's name," and she tossed her head back, turning away.

Shalini grunted and looked back up. "Aryan is MY husband and Arnav is MY son. Our blood runs through him, NOT yours. It NEVER will."

Divya laughed and turned back to her. "Oh my stupid best friend, you are a complete idiot," she spat. "Who cares if he has your blood? I'll be the one raising him and he will grow as my son. NOT yours. Ta ta," and she turned away.

"DIVYA!!!"

Divya ignored her and the two henchmen followed behind her. When she got to the door, she spoke.

"I'll call in a few hours. When I say so, kill her. In the meantime, lock her up like the other one," and she left.

Other one, Shalini wondered.

The two men came back and untied her. They grabbed her by the arms and as hard as Shalini tried, she couldn't free herself. They took her down some stairs and entered a dungeon. Unlocking one of the cells, they tossed her inside and locked it before leaving. 

Shalini banged on the cell. "Let me go! Let me go!! Let me go back to my family! Divya!!! Let me go! LET ME GO!!! Let me-"

"They won't let you go."

Shalini's eyes snapped to the cell in front of hers. At first she couldn't see the person, but when they crawled forward, Shalini gasped.

"Abhimanyu," she whispered.

The man held onto the rods of the cell and forced himself to stand up. "Hi," he croaked.

"Oh my god," she breathed, her eyes wide. "But you... you... you're supposed to be dead."

The man croaked as he chuckled. "Unfortunately my wife wanted me to suffer."

Shalini blinked. "Divya.. she did this to you? But she said you were dead!"

"Huh, is that what my wife is saying," he croaked.

Shalini covered her mouth. "I can't believe she... how could she do this?"

Abhimanyu shook his head with another croaky laugh. "If I knew she was the devil herself, I never would've married her."

Shalini couldn't help herself but to break a sob.

"Don't feel bad for me, I've stopped feeling for a while now."

"What has she done to you?"

"Vent. Whenever she gets angry, she releases it on me. Some days its whipping, other days its cutting. She broke my legs when she discovered you were pregnant."

Shalini gasped. "She did that to you?"

"I've been disabled ever since."

"But you're-"

"Seven years of practice sis. You're bound to get it eventually."

"Oh my god," she breathed.

"I hate to say this, but I'm surprised you're still in one piece even though it's been..." he looked at the wall of his cell. "More than two weeks."

Shalini's eyes widened. "Two weeks?!"

"More than."

"What- how-?"

"They've been drugging you."

Shalini's eyes widened in horror.

"Yup, it starts like that. And then slowly you'll crave for it, but you can't have it."

"What the?"

Abhimanyu chuckled and let himself drop to the floor. "Not like it matters; she plans on killing you today, so no craze for you."

Shalini looked at him in horror. "I have to get out! I have to save my family-"

"You can't. Divya gets whatever she wants-"

"NO! No she will not! Aryan and Arnav are my life, and I will not let her have it! Not over my dead body."

"Uh, I think that's exactly when she'll take them."

Shalini frowned and looked around her cell. "There has to be a way out."

"Forget it-"

"No! No I won't just forget about it! That's my family, that's my life! I will not let anyone steal those that I love away from me! Ever! She must be stopped!"

Abhimanyu just looked at her.

Shalini continued to look around her cell. "There must be a way out! And what are these marks- are these tallies?"

The three walls of the cells were covered in tally marks. Shailni ran her fingers over them, feeling the carvings.

"I used to be in that cell," Abhimanyu said. "That was my home for... for... I don't know, years. I got tired of counting the tallies and it was annoying to start counting again after messing up."

Shalini looked at him. "We have to get you out-"

"No, I'm done," he sighed. "I'm all done for.

"Abhimanyu, you can't give up! You can fight this-"

"No. I have no reason to fight for. But you..." He looked up at her. "You do. So I'm going to help you escape."

"You are? How?"

"You see that pile of hay in the back of your cell?"

Shalini turned to it.

"There's a few loose floorboards. Under it is a manhole."

Shalini tossed the hay aside and saw the loose floorboards. She carefully removed them and found the manhole.

"You're right! ... but if you knew all along, then why-"

"I told you - I have no reason to. I once did but... anyways, go. Save yourself, save your family."

"But Abhi-"

"Go! You need to leave as fast as you can. The quicker you leave, the quicker you can start to treat yourself."

"Treat myself? What do you mean?"

"The drugs - you'll relapse from not getting anymore."

"But I'm not an addict-"

"It doesn't matter! For more than 14 days now, they've been injecting you with drugs in high dosage and you don't even have a clue! Get out as quick as you can and get help!"

"But-" 

"I know someone who can help you. When you get out, go immediately to the next town over by following the stream. DO NOT go home Shalini, or it will do your family worse and you will not be able to save them nor yourself from Divya. Your Chote will be dead-"

"No! No, no, he won't-"

"Then DO NOT go home! Follow the stream as I say and look for the single house by the stream in the outskirts of town. There, someone named Ahana will help you. Now go!"

"But what about you-"

"JUST GO! Save your child while I couldn't save mine!"

Shalini gasped. "I'm so sorry."

"There's no time for that! GO!"

Shalini did as he said, removing the manhole. She saw the small bars jutting out as steps, and quickly went in. Grabbing some of the hay bails, she quickly covered everything up, as well as the entrance. She went all the way down and got to the bottom. It was mostly dark, a few lights hanging, making the place dim. Instantly, she felt scared, but she knew she didn't have time to be scared; she needed to save her family, as well as herself. 

Shalini followed the direction the water was streaming. Luckily the water wasn't too high and there was enough space for her to walk. Shalini didn't know how long she had been walking and she was tired, but she wouldn't be giving up. She continued to walk, holding herself together at the sight of the big rats that would scurry away to the sloshing of the water whenever she stepped forward. It was disgusting, nothing but filth, but Shalini didn't have time to focus on that.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Shalini saw light up ahead. She walked out and saw the dirty stream. She jumped out and made her way to land. She was covered in filth and cold from the water, but she needed to get to the woman named Ahana. So after catching her breath, she walked.

Meanwhile, Abhimanyu prayed for the best, hoping Shalini would make it safely back to her family, even if it took her some time. Recovering from drugs was never easy, and with the dosage they gave her, it would take quite a long time for someone like her to recover.

Abhimanyu heard footsteps and leaned back against the wall.

"Okay ma'am," he heard one of the goons say into his phone as they went in front of Shalini's cell before disconnecting the call.

"Where is she," the other one said.

The first one looked up and gripped the bars of Shalini's cell. "Where the fuck is she?!" He shook the bars of the cell then whipped around to Abhimanyu. "Where is she?"

Abhimanyu shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know."

He held his gun out to him. "Where. Is. She?"

"I. Don't. Know."

The guy came forward and grabbed him by his hair before yanking him forward. "Don't act smart with me dead man. Now tell me!"

"I told you, I don't know."

The man growled and let him go.

"What do we do," the other asked.

Abhimanyu chuckled. "If you tell my wife you lost her, she'll have you dead and your heads served on a platter. Then again you two knew that, after all that's what happened with your third comrade when he got the wrong flavored smoothie for her."

The two men gulped at the memory. Suddenly the first henchman's phone rang.

"It must be her," he said. "What do we do?"

"Lie," the other said. "That's the only way."

"Oh sure, that'll work," Abhimanyu chuckled.

The first one raised his gun at him again. "I'll kill you."

Abhiamnyu looked him straight in the eyes. "Go ahead. I'm already a dead man. Shoot me; I have no reason for living."

The man smirked. "That's where you're wrong," and he shot him right between his eyes, ending him right there.

The man picked up his ringing phone as his henchman opened up Abhimanyu's cell.

"What took you so fucking long," Divya yelled.

"Sorry ma'am, we just killed her," the first one lied. "We're now dragging her body to throw her into the stream."

"Good idea. She'll be eaten up by an alligator or some shit for all I care. Good work. To celebrate, kill my adorable husband as well."

The man smirked and shot his gun at a pile of hay inside Abhimanyu's cell.

"Good. You shall definitely be rewarded," she said seductively. "And toss his body into the river as well love."

"Yes ma'am," he grinned.

"Now quickly come over to me - I need you and your partner buried deep inside me."

"Yes ma'am," he smirked, and they both hung up.

His henchman came back into the room. "Are we safe?"

The man smirked. "More than safe."

*~*

Shalini had no idea what time it was, but it was late and it was dark. The moon was her only source of lighting, and everything seemed much louder now - the water flowing, the animals crying. But Shalini didn't care, even though her body felt heavy. Anxiety was beginning to kick in and her body quivered.

No don't let go now, Shalini thought. Keep it together, you have to! You have to do it for them!

Shalini pushed herself forward when she saw a small light up ahead. As she walked forward, she made out the outline of a house. She began to run, or at least attempted to run. Her body shook and got heavier and heavier as moved closer to the house, though it seemed like it was moving farther and farther away.

Finally, she got to the house and knocked on the door before tripping. She landed with a thud and saw the door open. The world around her moved and swirled as if it were made of water. Before she blacked out, Shalini saw a woman come down to her knees and speak, but she had absolutely no clue as to what she said. She saw the woman reach out to her, but she never felt her, and blacked out.

*~*

"What happened afterwards," Khushi asked.

"Ahana took me in and helped me. I never thought I'd become an addict but those first few months... it was absolute torture. The need that I had, the urge... it was absolutely horrible."

Khushi held her hands and gave it a tight squeeze. "How long did it take to recover?"

"More than a year. Ahana said I could have recovered quicker, had I not tried to escape so many times. How could I not? I needed to save my family, but I couldn't! I was stuck!"

Khushi felt really bad for her.

"Eventually I did and took some more time to become strong again. Then we began to plan, however it had to be held on pause."

"Why?"

"I had gone into her town to get some groceries when one of Divya's goons had spotted me. At first he wasn't sure, so I quickly tried to escape him. I found Ahana and we had to hide for some time. We thought we were safe and went back to her house, but he followed us back. He tried to attack us, but..."

"But?"

Shalini pursed her lips. "He was trying to force himself onto Ahana... she killed him though."

"How?"

"She managed to push him off and ran into the kitchen and held a knife behind her. When he struck, she stabbed him immediately.... I tried to help, but he hit me on the head and had knocked me out cold. When I woke up, I found Ahana cleaning the blood off the floor."

"The poor woman," Khushi breathed.

"I couldn't help myself anymore at that moment. It was all my fault she was in danger in the first place. If I hadn't gone to her home, she would've been safe. If I had stayed and they had just killed me-"

"Khushi covered her mouth. "Don't you dare say that!"

Shalini just looked at her.

"Your husband and son have been miserable without you. No matter how hard that Divya has tried, she has never been able to fill that space in their hearts. You are the only one who can and they need you! So don't ever say such a thing, is that understood?"

Shalini simply blinked.

Khushi removed her hand. "Is that understood, Ammu?"

Shalini smiled instead and kissed Khushi's forehead. "You sound exactly like Ahana."

"Good," Khushi muttered, and Shalini chuckled.

"We resumed our planning after that. It had been almost three years since I had been taken away from Aryan and Arnav. Finally, we could set the plan into motion and I sneaked my way back into town."

"What happened?"

Shalini sighed. "The plan was to reveal Divya's true colors. Unfortunately, by the time I came back, Divya had everyone wrapped around her fingers. While I hid in the many secret rooms of this house, I watched her raise my son and take care of my husband. I watched her wake my son up, feed him, send him to school, see him run home to show the hundred he got on his test. Whenever he needed help with homework, she was there to help him, She would feed him again at night and would tuck him into bed, leaving a kiss on his forehead. Some nights she would even read to him," she cried.

Khushi held her hand tightly, giving it a squeeze once more.

"Everything... everything I was supposed to experience with my son was stolen from me. Celebrating his graduations, him getting older, those odd questions every parent has to face when their child gets older, such as what sex is and where babies came from, or when he began to notice the opposite sex - I missed all those moments!

"I missed watching him grow before my eyes and I missed growing old with my husband. I even missed the chance to expand my family and couldn't even marry off my only son or greet my bahu into my home."

Khushi was in tears as well and hugged Shalini tightly as Shalini sobbed into her shoulder.

"It's okay," Khushi whispered. "Those moments may have been stolen from you, but you can now create new memories," and she pulled back and cupped her cheeks. "Okay? We'll create new memories and we'll show Divya's true colors to everyone in the family. I promise you that Ammu, I promise you with all my heart."

Shalini just looked her for a moment. "For years I wandered around this house, as if I really were a ghost. I watched everything happen, never getting to experience them myself. When you and Chote first got together, I wondered how you would be. And then Chote went on strike and became my dramatic little boy, "she chuckled. "And then Aryan brought you home and you made my boy happy once more."

Khushis eyes widened. "You saw that?"

"All of it."

Khushi thought back to that day. It almost seemed like it was yesterday when the two had that fight. The two didn't see each other for days, and Arnav had even stopped going to school, causing Aryan to get very curious. She remembered him coming to her parent's home and taking her back here. She remembered seeing how sick Arnav had gotten, and how it tore her apart. She remembered scolding him; feeding him; telling him everything that had happened; telling him to shave, which he only did after threatening him by telling him he couldn't kiss her if he didn't; and how he kissed her once he had done so and how she was pinned beneath him on his bed, right before he had asked her to marry him.

The second she remembered that part, her eyes snapped up to Shalini's and then she quickly looked away, blushing hard.

Shalini chuckled. "As I watched the way you took care of my Chote and the way you loved him, I knew instantly that you would become my Chote's wife."

Khushi looked up at her.

"You were the answer to my prayers, not to mention the only one who could keep my son's sanity," she winked.

Khushi couldn't help herself but to laugh and Shalini joined along. When they stopped, the two sighed and Shalini caressed her face.

"Come back, "Khushi said. "We need you."

Shalini shook her head. "I don't know.... For years I've been living this way, too scared to do anything. Then you came along and I saw that you were different. I knew that if I could tell someone, then it would be you."

"Why me?"

"Because only you know Divya's true colors."

Remembering that made Khushi's blood boil. "That... that... that-"

"Bitch?"

"Coniving bitch, "Khushi sneered before looking back up to her. "You're coming back, and that's final."

"How?"

"Arnav comes home on Saturday morning. I'll throw a party and invite the others. That way the entire family will be together and Divya's true face will be revealed.

"Are you sure this will work?"

"Do you trust me?"

Shalini sighed and smiled softly. "Of course I do."

"Then just leave it to me. I'll prepare for the party and in the meantime, prepare to go into battle. It's time we end Divya's reign once and for all. This is your house and your family, and nothing anyone says or does can change that."

Shalini looked at her proudly and nodded. Both of them stood up and Khushi moved to the wardrobe with Shalini's clothes.

"Choose whatever you'd like to wear and join us Saturday morning. Okay?"

Shalini nodded with tears in her eyes. "Okay."

Khushi held both her hands and gave them a tight squeeze. "It's time for you to come home Ma."

"Ammu."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows. "What?"

"Chote calls me Ammu, and I want you to as well. Understood?"

Khushi's eyes swelled up with tears. "Yes Ammu."

And they hugged each other, prepared to go to war.

*~*

"And that's what happened," Khushi said.

Arnav couldn't believe what he had just heard. It made him blood-boiling angry and he glared at Divya with angry eyes as he held onto his mother tightly.

Divya opened her mouth. "Chote-"

"Enough," Arnav shouted, causing Divya to flinch. "Don't you dare call me that, don't you ever call me that again!"

Divya opened her mouth again, but Arnav cut her off once more.

"How could you do something like that? How could you do that to your best friend?! What kind of person does something like that?!"

"Someone that is selfish, jealous, and will do anything to destroy what others around her have," Khushi said, joining her husband at his side.

"Chote, please-"

"I said you can not call me that," Arnav said through his gritted teeth.

"But-"

"Get out."

"What-?"

"I said GET OUT!"

Divya flinched once more, looking at him with wide, horrid eyes.

"Get out of this house and don't ever come here again," Arnav said really calmly.

"But Aryan-"

"We'll tell Papa everything," Khushi said.

"You won't have to," Shalini finally said.

The three of them looked at her confusedly but saw that her eyes were focused elsewhere. They looked in her line of direction and saw Aryan, as well as the rest of the Raizada clan standing behind him, all of them in complete shock, many of them in tears.

Shalini had known the moment her husband had arrived, as her heart would always know when he was around. Shalini knew when he had entered, which was when Arnav was questioning her. Her eyes had been on him ever since, watching his face sweep with many emotions and expressions as Khushi told the story of what had happened.

The family had come in just as Khushi began the story, hearing it all as well, and she had seen the emotions and expressions play out on their faces as well, especially on her niece and two nephews, who were currently blood-boiling angry, just as her son.

Shalini felt her heart beat like crazy and Aryan felt his beat as crazy as well. Arnav finally let go of his protective hold on his mother, and let her go. She slowly walked towards Aryan, and he walked towards her until they were only a few inches apart. They gazed away at each other, unable to believe that they were finally standing before each other.

"Aryan-"

But Shalini got off as her husband had kissed her.

Khushi couldn't help herself and she shed some more tears. Arnav held onto her, beyond happy for his old man and his loving mother. The family was in tears, all the while Divya watched as she fumed, her eyes wide with anger.

Aryan pulled back and smothered his wife's face with kisses and then held her to him. Shalini cried into his chest and held onto him tightly.

"I will never let you out of my sight again," Aryan finally said. "Not even for a moment."

Shalini can't help herself but to laugh. "Not even to let me breathe?"

"You can breathe just fine, I'm not holding you that tightly!"

"Aryan, be reasonable."

"I am," he defended.

Arnav and the family chuckled.

"They're still the same," Arnav smiled softly.

Khushi held his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

Shalini pulled back as little as she could, as that was what her husband would allow. "You'll have me attached to your hip," she accused.

"And I will happily do that!"

"Aryan," she scolded.

"Jaaneman-"

"Say that again."

Aryan scrunches his eyebrows. "What?"

"Say that again," she says, tears in her eyes, once more.

Aryan smiled softly. "Jaaneman."

Shalini let out a sob and pulled her husband back in, and kissed him.

Khushi sighed and rested her head on Arnav's shoulder, and Arnav rested his head atop of hers.

Shalini pulled back. "I missed hearing you call me that."

"I'll never stop calling you that."

"Good."

They leaned their forehead on the others while holding hands.

Khushi noticed Divya still in shock and fuming. She went over to her and crossed her arms. "See Divya, you never had a chance. Ever."

Divya glared at Khushi and everyone turned and looked at them.

"What was it you said? That men are men and they can be 'adjusted'? Well look around you," Khushi said, holding her hands out. "Everyone in this room is with their significant other. All the women by their men and all the men rightfully by their woman. You on the other hand, are all alone."

Divya clenched her fists.

"You tried so hard to get this, but hopefully you've learned now that you can never steal this. Only a loser-"

"Shut up," Divya shrieked and she swung her hand at her.

"Khushi," Arnav hollered and went to defend her, but Khushi has grabbed Divya's wrist.

Khushi held Divya's wrist, just centimeters away from her face. Her eyes were fierce and she wasn't struggling, nor was she going to back down. Divya looked at her in shock, her eyes wide as they traveled from Khushi, to her hand, and back at Khushi.

"Raising your hand at me won't do anything Divya," Khushi said fiercely, her eyes throwing daggers at her. "It won't change the truth," and she threw Divya's hand back at her.

Divya recoiled and stepped back a bit by the force. She looked at Khushi with wide eyes and then a smile grew on her face. Everyone looked at her confusedly as she began to laugh. She went into a fit of laughter, cackling away.

"Well look whose all mighty and strong now," Divya hollered. She began to clap. "I must say, bravo girl, bravo," she spat.

Khushi looked at her curiously.

"Are you proud of yourself, huh? You proud of yourself? So what you figured out what I did? Huh," she chuckled. "So what if I love Aryan with all my life? So what if I kidnapped and locked Shalini away? So what that I tried to get her KILLED?!"

Aryan held his wife to him as everyone looked at Divya with horror, while Khushi looked at her with disgust.

"I. Don't. CARE! I did what I did to get what I WANT! I wanted this family, this love - I wanted it all and I wanted it for MYSELF!" Divya looked at Shalini. "I wanted everything that bitch had," she sneered.

Divya turned her attention back to Khushi. "I had it all. I had everything. Everything was going just fine until you came into the picture."

Khushi crossed her arms and tilted her head.

"Had you just been the weak, quiet villager girl I had expected, everything would've been just fine. But no, you girl had to be more than that! You began to steal everyone right out of my grasp. I hated you more than ever, with a passion." She held her finger up at Khushi. "Mark my words girl, I will destroy you."

While everyone glared at Divya, Khushi simply smirked and looked down at the floor.

"I don't regret what I've done."

Khushi looked back up at her.

"I am proud of what I've done. And I won't hesitate for a moment to destroy you."

In the blink of an eye, Divya was on the floor, holding her abused cheek. Khushi's head shot up from her to see Shalini standing beside her, looking blood-boiling angry.

"Threaten me all you want, I won't say anything, but don't you dare threaten my family, especially my daughter," Shalini said through her gritted teeth.

Khushi felt tears form in her eyes as the woman who was her mother in- no, her mother, defended her and claimed her as her own.

Aryan joined his wife by his side. "I cannot believe you've been the one behind my wife's disappearance. After everything she's done for you! I am absolutely disgusted! I never want to see your wretched face again," he said, turning away.

"Aryan-"

"Don't you dare say my name," Aryan yelled, causing the woman to flinch. "I want you to get up and get out of my house, and get out of this town. If I ever see you anywhere in this town again, then there will be no one worse than me."

"But-"

"You heard him," Arnav said, joining his wife at her side. "Leave."

Divya looked up at them: from Arnav, to Khushi, to Shalini, and finally to Aryan, all of them glaring down at her.

"Leave," Khushi demanded.

"Now," Shalini stated.

"But I-"

"GET OUT," all four Raizada's yelled, causing everyone else to recoil.

"Guards," Aryan hollered.

Security came running into the house.

"Take her and get her out of my house right now," he demanded. "Get her out of this town and make sure she never comes back."

"Yes Sir," the head of security said as his team picked Divya up.

"Unhand me," Divya yelled. "Don't you know who I am," she shrieked as they pulled her away.

"A nobody," Khushi stated.

Divya's head whipped around to Khushi and she stopped struggling. "Mark my words girl, I will be back."

Khushi looked her straight in the eyes. "Then I'll be waiting."

Khushi felt someone take hold of her hand and saw that it was Shalini. "We'll all be waiting," she stated.

Divya fumed and security took her away.

Chapter Thirty Eight

"There really is no way for you to come back early, is there," Khushi pouted.

"Unfortunately no," Arnav sighed.

It was early in the evening when Arnav had called Khushi and they had been talking for hours.

"I miss you," Khushi sighed.

"I miss you too, babe. I really miss you."

Khushi could tell by the sound of his voice that Arnav must have had another situation, only causing her to laugh.

Arnav frowned. "Khushi it's not funny."

Khushi couldn't help herself. "I'm sorry, I can't help it," she laughed.

"Khushi...."

Khushi calmed herself. "Okay, okay, I'm not going to laugh, I'll stop. But what happened this time?"

"I had to sit down the rest of a meeting because during my presentation, I was thinking of you and I got hard!"

Khushi bit on her lower lip hard to stop herself from laughing.

"Before you make those luscious lips bleed, laugh," Arnav frowned.

Khushi couldn't contain herself any longer and broke into a fit of laughter. The entire time Arnav frowned and stabbed at the keys of his laptop.

"Okay, okay, stop abusing your poor laptop," Khushi said, calming down. "It didn't do anything."

"No it didn't. However the one who did is far away from me."

"Oh? Whatever did I do?"

"Be sexy."

Khushi blushed. "Arnav...."

Arnav groaned and leaned back in the recliner he was sitting on. "Khushi don't do that, it only makes me hard and I can't even have you," he whined.

"But you do in your mind," Khushi nearly whispered.

"I most certainly do. It can't be helped - because you aren't here with me, I constantly think about being with you. But because I can't, I think of you even more, which is why while I was giving a presentation on future plans of the company, my mind was thinking burying my face between your thighs."

Khushi gasped and clenched her legs. "Arnav," she blushed.

"Help me Khushi, I'm dying out here, but these morons are driving me fucking insane!!!"

Khushi bit her lip.

Arnav sighed. "I can't stop thinking about that now. I need you, I need to see you. I want to feel you."

Khushi blushed harder. "Then come home."

"Trust me baby, I want to, I really truly want to."

Khushi smiled sadly. I really want you home too Arnav, she thought. I need you right now, more than ever.

"I love you Khushi."

"I love you too-"

Khushi paused. The door to their room was open and Khushi had seen a figure dash down the hall, dashing past their door.

"Khushi? What's wrong?"

Khushi turned her attention back to the phone. "Nothing, I thought... I thought I saw something."

"Ah, the Raizada Mansion Ghost: Return of the Ghost," he teased.

Khushi scoffed. "Oh yeah? Well how about this: Arnav Singh Raizada: The Return of His Wife's Phone Being Shut Off?!"

And with that, Khushi disconnected the call and turned off her phone. She tossed it back on the bed and got up to the door.

I saw something, and I know my eyes weren't deceiving me, and I'm going to find out just what it is!

Khushi exited the room and went in the direction she saw the shadow go. She got to the end of the hall and paused. There were three different paths and Khushi had absolutely no idea where the shadow had gone.

"Lurking around again, I see."

Khushi straightened and scowled at sound of Divya's voice. She turned to face her, her scowl not going anywhere. "Can I help you?"

"No."

"Great," and Khushi turned away.

"You're being rather brave," Divya noted.

She's right, I am, Khushi thought. "So?"

"Hmm.... Carry on," and she turned away.

Khushi scoffed and faced her. "Like I need your permission."

Divya stopped and laughed, facing back to her. "Of course you do girl-"

"No I don't. You're a nobody in this family."

"Really? Is that so?" Divya walked back and stood before Khushi. "I'd think otherwise."

"Oh?"

"Indeed. I've been here for many years girl, so don't push it. One word to Aryan, or even Arnav, and that's it," she said, snapping her fingers.

"I doubt that."

"Do you now? We'll just have to see, won't we."

Khushi squinted her eyes. "Arnav loves me and will forever be by my side. Papa loves me too, and no offense- or actually, take full offense, he'd be on my side instead of yours."

"That's quite a daring statement you made. But don't worry girl, I'll prove you wrong."

"Doubt it."

Divya broke into a cackle and Khushi scowled.

"Oh you are so foolish girl. I've been playing the cards with Aryan for years. It takes time and patience for this, so don't make a comment on that, because you wouldn't know how to play it."

"I would never need to because the man I love actually loves me back," Khushi smiled very sweetly.

Divya's widened. "Why you little bitch," she sneered.

"Oh, does the truth hurt Divya," she asked innocently.

Divya looked at her for a moment before pulling back. "All men, as I say, can be adjusted. You just have to know how," and she walked away.

Khushi watched as Divya walked away and disappeared at the corner.

Adjusted? How dare she?!

Khushi turned back forward and looked at her three options. After a quick fail of eenie-meenie-minie-moe, she spun with her eyes closed to choose a hall, and Khushi finally went right. This mansion was quite big and even though she had been here for more than a year, Khushi still didn't know this place as well. She came across a few doors and when she looked inside, she saw that they were spare bedrooms, all the furniture covered up in sheets. Khushi came to another fork, unsure of which of the three paths to take. However, for some unknown reason, Khushi felt urged to go forward. The hallway ahead was short and contained a simple door at the end of it. Curious, she went towards it.

When she turned the doorknob, she found it unlocked and opened the door. The room was dark and dust floated in the air. Khushi quickly flicked the light switch on and the bulb came to life, though it was quite dim. She shut the door behind her and looked around. There were old furniture in here, several items covered up in sheets. She pulled one of them off to reveal a wardrobe. Opening it, she found numerous saris inside.

What the?

Khushi looked at them, all of them very beautiful.

But whose are these?

Khushi pulled out a red one and the second she looked at it, familiarity struck her immediately. It was the very sari Shalini was wearing in the old family portrait on the staircase-landing.

These are all of Ma's stuff?

Khushi looked in the drawers and found boxes of jewelry, make up boxes, and more clothes.

But why are they all-?

Before Khushi could finish the question, she knew the answer. Of course they'd be put away. Looking at these only brought pain, especially for Arnav. It made sense to put it away somewhere he'd never see them. However by the looks of things, it was obvious people came in here now and then as it wasn't too dusty in here.

My guess is Papa and Arnav come in here now and then for closure, Khushi smiled sadly.

Khushi looked around a bit more and found several photo albums. Beside them she found a plain cardboard box. Curious, she opened it up and found articles from many years ago.

What the? Why are there so many... oh my gosh... Ma was in an accident?!

All of the headlines of the articles related to something among the lines of Shalini passing away in a car accident. As Khushi read through the article, she discovered that Shalini was alone in the car, besides the driver. It is assumed that the driver made a sharp curve when driving along the hillside near the big temple, and when he tried to straighten the car, it went off the cliff. The dead body of the driver was found, however Shalini's was never recovered.

Khushi had tears streaming down her cheeks. It's no wonder Papa or Arnav can't talk about it. It's absolutely horrible!

Khushi wiped her tears away and quickly put the articles back in the box. She noticed the edge of a portrait peeking out from the sheet covering it, and she pulled it off. It was a portrait of Shalini alone, dressed in her bridal wear.

"Oh my... god, you look so beautiful," Khushi said, and she bit her quivering lip.

She couldn't help herself and released a sob. She went down to her knees and sobbed, running her hand over the golden frame.

"Ammu," she whispered, the pain taking over heart.

Suddenly Khushi froze. A shadow had crept over her, blocking the little light that shone, making everything in front of her dark.

There was someone else in the room.

At first Khushi was scared, but then she thought better.

"Divya," Khushi sneered.

Instantly, Khushi stood up to give the woman a piece of her mind, when she froze, her eyes widening immediately.

"Oh... my... god."

*~*

Khushi went back to her room and shut the door behind her. She quickly walked to the middle of the room and ran her hand through her hair.

This must be done, she thought.

Khushi noticed her phone and turned it back on. She waited for it to start up and the second it did, Arnav called.

"Khushi-"

"Are you coming back Saturday for sure?"

"Khushi-"

"Are you or are you not?"

"Khushi-"

"Answer the damn question!"

Arnav didn't say anything. He was in complete shock.

"Well," Khushi pushed on, tapping her foot.

"...I am but-"

"You better," and she hung up.

Without another thought, Khushi walked out of the room and headed downstairs. She found Divya in the dining room, helping the workers to set up dinner. Aryan came walking in then and took his seat.

Aryan looked at Khushi curiously. "Is everything okay, Khushi?"

Khushi glanced at Divya who simply smirked at her cunningly.

She looked back at Aryan. "Just a little tensed because Arnav is coming back on Saturday and I want to do something for him."

"Oh? What did you have in mind?"

"A party. We'll invite Akash and NK and the rest of the family."

"That sounds like a great idea! After all it is a big success for Chote, not to mention the company."

"Indeed," Khushi said, looking at Divya. "It'll be a day to remember."

Divya cocked her eyebrow at her.

"A day to forever remember, indeed."

Chapter Thirty Seven

Khushi couldn't help but to look at Divya with distaste the next morning. The woman only looked at her cunningly and it only angered Khushi. Lucky for them, Aryan was completely oblivious. When they were all seated at the table for breakfast, Aryan was reading the paper while the two women stared each other down, the display blocked by his newspaper, keeping him in oblivion.

"Khushi, when is Chote coming back," Aryan asked behind his paper.

"Saturday unfortunately," she said with a pout, turning her attention to her father.

Aryan peeked up over his paper. "Seriously? I would've expected him to try to come sooner."

"Unfortunately he can't. Trying to expand the company is being more difficult than anything right now."

"That's understandable... the poor boy," he chuckled lightly before looking at Khushi. "And poor you."

Khushi blushed and looked down.

"Yes, poor Chote," Divya said, causing Khushi to look up at her. "But then again, the way these two bicker, there's one plus side."

While to Aryan it seemed like an innocent tease, Khushi knew the woman was trying to throw a dagger at her.

"Bickering only makes our love grow, don't you agree Papa," Khushi said daringly, turning to face Aryan.

"I absolutely, 100% agree," Aryan chuckled.

Khushi grinned. "I knew you would. After all you and Ma did bicker quite a lot, hmm," she teased playfully.

While it was playful, it was also meant to be a dagger thrown back at Divya.

I'm sure feeling quite brave of myself, Khushi thought. But oh well!

While Aryan sighed at the memories, Divya stared Khushi down, but Khushi totally ignored her.

"Bicker we did indeed," Aryan smiled humbly, thinking back to his younger days.

*~*

It was about 3 in the afternoon and Aryan was walking down the hall, goofing off with his friends. They had just finished class and were going to head to town to grab a bite, when a certain someone came into view, causing him to halt in his tracks, as well as his fellow comrades.

One of his friends hissed. "Isn't that her?"

Aryan gave him a glare and his friend straightened up.

"Yes, it's her," he simply replied, and looked back at the beauty that filled him up with life.

"Are you gonna go talk to her," another friend asked.

Without responding, Aryan made his way to the lovely lady dressed in a green selwar kameez.

She had her back faced towards him, completely unknown of the fact that he was just a matter of feet away from him. She only became aware when Aryan came around and stood in front of her.

Immediately at the sight of him, her face scrunched up. "You!"

Aryan grinned roguishly. "Hi."

The woman fumed and looked away.

"Don't look away; I love that pretty face of yours."

Her eyes snapped right back up to his.

"Ah, now don't do that, those pretty eyes of yours will fall out."

Her jaw dropped and she fumed. "Why you- I- you- ugh," and she stomped off.

Aryan chuckled and then he hollered out to her. "At least tell me your name jaaneman!"

The woman turned back to look at him with fierce eyes as she continued to walk away. Aryan winked and her jaw dropped once more before she shut it and turned back around. The moment she was gone, Aryan was rejoined by his friends.

"Wow boss, she's something else," one of his friends said.

"For sure," the other said.

Aryan grinned, crossing his arms and cocking his head to the side. "She's a firecracker alright... my firecracker, my Jaaneman."

*~*

"Papa?"

Aryan snapped out of his memories and looked at a confused Khushi.

He shook his head. "Nothing, just... reminiscing."

Khushi smiled sadly and held his hand, giving it a light squeeze.

Aryan did the same. "Well, off I go now; lots of work to do and a town to run."

Khushi and Divya nodded with a smile and Aryan stood up, and left. The moment he was out of earshot, Divya spoke.

"You truly must enjoy hurting Aryan like that, don't you," she smirked, crossing her arms.

Khushi looked back at her. "Wrong; I enjoy seeing the small smile that forms on Papa's face that only forms when he thinks of Ma. It's a sign of his love - the love he's only had for one person and will forever have for one person."

With that, Khushi left the room.

*~*

Aryan was seated at his desk, working on some documents to help keep the town park clean, when his eyes landed on a photo of his wife's. His desk at the office was covered with picture frames, many of them of his family, but a majority of them of his late wife.

For a while now, he would keep peeking at the photo, but he would try to focus on his work. However this time he couldn't, so he put his pen down and picked up the picture frame. In this picture, it was a portrait shot of her, back in their younger days. They had just gotten married which meant nothing but taking many pictures to keep the moment permanently memorable, which meant dozens and dozens of photos!

Aryan sighed. I miss you Jaaneman. I miss you a lot.

Aryan put the picture back and looked at the one beside it. It was the one Shalini's sister had taken the day Shalini had her presentation, the same picture Aryan had shown Khushi. With a sigh, Aryan held the picture frame to his heart and leaned back in his chair, shutting his eyes, as he went back down memory lane.

*~*

Aryan and his pals were once again goofing off as they walked across the campus. Aryan was walking backwards as he faced his friends while waking, when he bumped into a beautiful someone, who nearly went crashing down to the floor but was caught and brought into Aryan's arms. The woman's hair was in her face and she quickly moved it out of the way to see which fool wasn't watching where he was going and when she met his eyes, hers turned into wide disks.

"Good morning Jaaneman," Aryan grinned roguishly.

She gaped at him and forced herself free, standing up on her own. Aryan took note of her red selwar kameez and it was doing too many things to him, especially the scowl on her face.

"I see you're wearing makeup," Aryan noted. "Special day?"

She didn't say a word and fixed her dupatta.

"Special day it is."

She simply rolled her eyes and made sure that the papers she was gripping onto tightly were in good condition.

Aryan bent forward, meeting her at eye level, causing his 'Jaaneman' to widen her eyes at him while clutching her papers tightly to her.

"Don't you think its odd," he began, looking from her eyes to her lips, then back at her eyes, "that we keep bumping into each other like this repeatedly?"

"Odd," she questioned irritably. "I'd say you do it on purpose!"

"Hmm, that's quite a smart idea. I'll do just that."

She gaped at him then huffed off, stomping as she did.

Aryan couldn't help but to grin. It was just this that would make his days perfect.

"Jaaneman, I love you," he declared.

The woman froze and Aryan's friends' eyes shot up to him. All of them looked at him with wide eyes, especially her. Aryan simply grinned and his Jaaneman made a face and huffed away.

~

Later that day, Aryan was walking down the hall, having just finished a class. He was on his way to meet up with his friends, when he saw his Jaaneman walking from the opposite direction. However the second she spotted him, she quickly turned back around and went the other way. Aryan couldn't help himself but to grin and he quickly dashed towards her, startling her when he did.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," Aryan grinned sheepishly.

She looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

Aryan tilted his head. "Well it can't be helped; you'd think I'd know your name after the number of times you've bumped into me, yet here I am clueless on the fact. I mean not that I'm entirely complaining since I do call you Jaaneman, and you do respond to it..."

Her eyes widened.

"... but I'd still like to know the name behind my Jaaneman."

"Well you won't," she huffed, and she tried to walk around him, but Aryan stopped her.

"Oh don't be like that Jaaneman, tell me your name."

"No," and she tried to escape once more, but Aryan stopped her. "Move!"

"Not until I know your name."

"I won't tell you my name!"

"Why not?"

"Why should I?"

"Because I deserve to know the name behind my Jaaneman."

"Stop calling me that!"

"I won't Jaaneman."

"That's not my name!"

"Then what is it?"

"It's Shalini-! Oops," and she smacked her hand over her mouth.

Aryan grinned roguishly. "Ah... Shalini."

The name rolled off his tongue, feeling velvet as he said it.

"I... I... ugh," Shalini groaned in frustration before stomping off.

Aryan couldn't help himself but to chuckle and then straightened. "Shalini," he called out.

She froze the instant he said her name.

Aryan crossed his arms and moved closer to her until he was about six inches away from her. "Every time so far, you've always bumped into me and have always walked away from me. But one day, you'll come running towards me, right into my arms."

Shalini's eyes widened and she turned back around and faced him. Aryan simply smiled at her as she continued to gaze at him.

"Never," she finally said.

Aryan looked down with a smile and then back up at her. Shalini gasped, seeing the confidence that had formed in his eyes.

Aryan began to step back. "We'll see," and he turned away, leaving a very confused Shalini behind.

*~*

Aryan couldn't help himself but to chuckle. My stubborn Jaaneman.

He picked up the photo and looked at it for a moment. He glanced at all of the other pictures of her, then back at the one in his hands.

"By some miracle, please come back Shalini, whatever it takes."

Chapter Thirty Six

Khushi pondered on what the meaning of the ripped photograph could be. It bothered her the rest of the day, and when she spoke to Arnav - being distracted and having turned her phone back on - Arnav had picked it up. Khushi had shrugged it off, though not so easily as she had hoped, but eventually got him convinced. Their little fight was tossed aside, and the couple ended the night happily.

Khushi was walking around the house to make sure everything was locked up tight, feeling paranoid due to the night before. She went to Aryan's study last, since that was the 'scene of the crime' the night before. All seemed well and Khushi didn't get the feeling that there was someone there. She eventually went to bed, tossing her fear away and hoped for her husband to arrive soon.

But little did Khushi know that the figure knew every secret of Raizada Mansion, and it was only hiding in one of the many secret rooms, this time in the secret room behind the fireplace in the living room. The secret panel opened quietly and it came out into the open. It lurked through the halls, once again its goals repeating in their head.

For as long as the shadow had lurked in these halls, it never had any problems. It roamed around freely and did as it pleased. Never once had it been caught and it enjoyed the few moments it had in Raizada Mansion.

This night was different.

Khushi was having a bad dream, the images too blurry to see. It made absolutely no sense and she woke up with a start. She quickly reached out to get a drink of water, but the jar was empty. Resting her head back against the headboard, Khushi calmed herself. Once her breathing resumed to normal, Khushi got up and took her empty jar with her, down to the kitchen.

The dream no longer bothered Khushi as she no longer could remember what it was about. So she decided not to push herself and no longer thought about it. Khushi went down to the kitchen and filled up the jug with water, as well as a glass. She gulped it down, sighed, and leaned back against the counter.

Her mind now could only think of Arnav. Khushi really missed him and she wanted him home immediately.

I should do something for him, she thought. Surprise him maybe. But what should I do?

Khushi pushed away from the counter and walked out of the kitchen, forgetting the jug of water. She kept wondering on what she could do for Arnav's arrival, when she saw something from the corner of her eyes. Khushi turned towards that direction but she didn't see anything. She thought she had seen something in the main hallway, but when she got there, no one was there.

What the-?

But before she could finish that thought, Khushi saw a little light coming from the prayer room. Curious, she went there and was surprised when she saw a dia lit.

Who lit this?

Khushi was about to observe it, when she felt a presence. She quickly turned around, but she didn't see anyone. However she felt it nearby, so she followed her instinct and went towards the stairs. No one could be seen, but she saw a shadow move by the top of the left staircase. Khushi quickly went upstairs and went down the hall. She turned at the corner, but she didn't see anything.

"Khushi?"

Khushi yelped and turned around to see Divya.

"What are you doing here?"

Khushi looked left and right. "I-I was going down to get water."

"But why are you here? Your room is that way," she said, pointing in the opposite direction.

"I know, I thought I saw something."

"Huh... is that so?"

From the edge in Divya's voice, Khushi could tell something was on the woman's mind. What it was, was a mystery.

Divya looked Khushi up and down and Khushi saw the distaste on her face, not happy with what she was wearing: gray sweatpants and Arnav's black t-shirt.

"Is this the type of clothes you wear every night," she asked.

"Yes," Khushi simply replied.

"Huh," was all the woman said, but the distaste was still evident on her face.

Khushi looked the woman up and down, noting the light pink sari she was wearing. "Do you wear this stuff every night?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. After all Aryan likes... decency."

And this isn't? I knew it! I told Arnav- wait, Arnav knows his father better than anyone else!

"Huh," was all Khushi said this time.

Khushi observed the woman more carefully. Something about her style was familiar, but she couldn't put her finger quite on it.

"Wait, why are you awake," Khushi asked.

"Couldn't sleep," she smiled too cheerfully.

Okay....

"I hope you're not putting Arnav on his toes anymore. My son needs a sane mind," Divya said.

Khushi couldn't help herself. "Your son," she blurted.

Divya cocked an eyebrow.

Khushi scoffed lightly. "I'm sorry about my outburst, but... what?"

Divya crossed her arms. "He's my son. Is that a problem?"

Khushi crossed her arms and tilted her head. "I was right," she said, though more to herself.

"About...?"

Khushi decided it was time to confront the woman. "You love Papa."

Divya's eyes slightly widened, but she quickly recovered. However, not fast enough for Khushi to not notice.

"You love him. You always have and do."

Divya said nothing and Khushi began to walk around her.

"You love him. You fell in love with him the day Papa bumped into you back when you both were in school. However, Papa loved Ma, who happened to be your best friend."

Divya remained quiet, looking forward, while Khushi continued to slowly circle the woman.

"You got married, but I highly doubt you got over your feelings for Papa. And when your husband passed away, Ma brought you here because she loved you. You're her best friend, so of course she'd look after you."

Divya glanced at Khushi from the corner of her eyes.

Khushi paused. "It all worked out for you though, didn't it? Ma passed away, and now here we all are today, you living in the home of the man you love."

Divya turned to face her. "And when did you figure this out?"

"It took some time. But it really began when you were smack talking about me and Ma in the kitchen the other day."

"So you heard," and though she said that calmly, her eyes gave her away.

"Yes."

For a moment, Divya was quiet and looked down. But when she met her eyes back with Khushi's, the woman had transformed. It was as if a mask had been removed from her face.

"So now you know. So? Is that supposed to do something," Divya smirked.

To say that Khushi was surprised, was a joke. It just didn't seem surprising for the woman to just flip a switch within her.

Divya scoffed and began to circle Khushi slowly. "You're right, girl. I do love Aryan. I have since that day. I always did, I do, and I always will."

Khushi looked up at her.

"I'm not someone who gives up so easily, girl. Aryan was mine the moment we met. I loved him first, not Shalini."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows.

"Oh? Confused? Well let me clear it. When Shalini first moved here, I became her friend. She was the new neighbor so the other girls and I decided to check her out. She was a city girl and she seemed okay, so the other girls and I became her friend. She wanted to see the town, but that day I had to go to my Kala's so I wasn't there when she went to the plaza with the others."

Khushi's eyes widened. That's when Papa met Ma.

"When I got home later that night, I saw the others with Shalini and she looked irritated. At the time I had no idea which guy in town she was talking about. When classes started and she saw him again, she was irritated once more. However before she could show me his face, Aryan and I had our little bump in."

"Making you first..." Khushi muttered.

"Correct. Shalini hated him. Hated! Aryan, one of the most gorgeous men ever!"

Khushi looked at her with wide eyes.

"Don't look at me like that. Where do you think Arnav gets his looks from?"

He also looks like Ma, she defended in her mind.

"I always wanted to tell Aryan how I felt. But him? He never even acknowledged me! All he ever cared about was Shalini and she wouldn't even give him the time of day! Yet I....

"Later that day, Shalini was telling me how she saw him again. She broke off because she saw him again and tried to hide from his sight, but he caught sight of her and came our way. That was when I learned that she was talking about Aryan.

"The entire time, I was looking at him. But Aryan? Aryan was busy teasing Shalini while she wouldn't even look at him! This happened every time-!"

"Well that's not surprising," Khushi said.

Divya's eyes snapped to hers as she stilled.

Khushi shrugged nonchalantly. "To tell you the truth, Papa said he barely acknowledged you. It took a while before he understood that you were Ma's best friend."

Divya fumed.

Khushi shrugged again. "Just telling you what he said."

Divya stepped forward, moving up to Khushi's face. "Listen girl..."

Khushi looked her right into the eyes, daring not to look away, surprised by her own fierceness.

"... what happened back then, happened. But now? Now he's mine. I've been taking care of him for years. I've lived in this house for a long time, making it my own. I raised Arnav like he was my own. I love Aryan-"

"But he doesn't love you."

Divya looked at her with wide eyes.

"No matter what Divya," she said daringly, "Papa will always - always - love Ma. And there's nothing you can do about it."

Divya cracked a smirk. "Oh please honey, all men are alike, no matter what. It's just a matter of time and patience. I'm Aryan's everything, just without a title to our relationship."

"If there's no love, then you can't give it a title."

"We'll see about that."

Divya stepped back and turned away, leaving to go back to her room. Khushi just stood there, however, her body began to boil with anger.

How dare she?! Just who does she think she is?!

Chapter Thirty Five

As quick as she could, Khushi tidied up the room and left to her bedroom. The second she got in, she shut and locked the door, and leaned up against it.

What the hell was that, she wondered.

Khushi's phone rang off, scaring her and causing her to yelp with a jump. She quickly ran to her phone and picked it up without looking at who was calling her.

"Who is it," she asked immediately.

"Salman Khan."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows. "What-?"

"Really Khushi? It's me, Arnav. You know, the number one husband in the world."

Khushi gasped and sighed in relief. "Oh thank heavens."

Arnav chuckled. "Khushi are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine," she lied. "Why are you calling at this hour?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I know it's late but I didn't hear your voice all day. I planned on calling earlier but I was so busy - honestly I can't wait for this week to end."

Arnav expected a response from Khushi, but she only hummed.

"Khushi, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm totally fine. Just thinking about you," she played off.

Arnav was quiet for a moment. "Lies," he eventually said.

Khushi's eyes widened. "Is not," she defended.

"Yes it is. You're not playing with your mangalsutra."

Khushi glanced down and saw that she wasn't. "Yes I am," she lied.

"Khushi don't lie to me. Especially about this."

Khushi bit on her fingernail.

"Now tell me what's bothering you," he demanded softly.

Should I tell him?

"Well?"

Khushi sighed. "Promise you won't laugh?"

"Promise, now tell me!"

Khushi slouched her shoulders to the tone of his voice. "I thought there was a ghost," she muttered.

"A what," Arnav asked, not hearing her clearly.

"I thought there was a ghost. In Papa's study."

For a moment, Arnav was quiet. However when Khushi heard him break a snicker, she blew up.

"You said you wouldn't laugh!"

And Arnav could no longer hold it in.

"Arnav!"

"I'm sorry," he laughed, "but a ghost? Really? Khushi that's the most ridiculous-"

But before he could finish, Khushi hung up on him.

"What the? Khushi?" Arnav looked at his phone confusedly.

Khushi pouted and fumed, angry at Arnav.

I'm not being ridiculous! How dare he!

Irritated, Khushi turned her phone off.

Ridiculous huh? How about this?!

Khushi tossed her phone aside and got ready for bed, repeatedly huffing until she fell asleep.

"Ridiculous? I'll show you ridiculous," she muttered, and she fell asleep.

*~*

The Raizada Mansion was quiet. All the workers had gone home and everyone in the household were sound asleep, no one aware of the shadow that lurked in the darkness.

It had some work that needed to be done. All was going well up until Khushi had entered Aryan's study. But the figure had known this place very well by now, as it wasn't the first time they had been in Raizada Mansion. When Khushi came in, it had only hidden in one of the many secret rooms of the mansion. As soon as it heard Khushi leave and was far of a distance, it came out of the hiding spot and took a picture from the album.

The figure lurked in the halls, it's mind repeating it's one goal over and over again.

The figure was now in the main hall. It was intending on going to the prayer room, when it caught sight of the family portraits. Before when the figure would come into Raizada mansion, there was one portrait, showing Aryan Singh Raizada, Shalini Aryan Singh Raizada, and Arnav Singh Raizada. Mrs. Raizada was sitting in a chair, holding baby Raizada in her lap, while Mr. Raizada stood behind his wife, one hand on his wife's shoulder, while she placed hers above his, representing their love.

This new portrait however, contained a group of four. One was Aryan Singh Raizada, looking much more aged than the old portrait. Arnav Singh Raizada was no longer an infant, but a grown man in the portrait, looking mighty handsome. There was a woman sitting in a chair, however it wasn't Shalini Aryan Singh Raizada, but the latest addition to the family: Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada. Her husband had his hand on her shoulder, just as Aryan Singh Raizada had in the old portrait. Like the old portrait, Khushi had her hand over her husband's, just like Shalini had. The fourth person in the portrait wasn't a Raizada but is the best friend of the late Shalini Aryan Singh Raizada, Divya Param Chaterjee.

Whenever the figure would sneak into the Raizada household, it would always look at these two portraits. It's mission would echo louder in its mind, only encouraging them more. And like every other time, the figure ended it's moment with one last look at Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada, and would descend the stairs.

I'm coming.

*~*

When Khushi woke up the next morning, she remembered her conversation with Arnav.

Hmph! What does he think of himself?

Khushi got up and prepared for the day. The thought of the 'ghost' entered her mind and she wondered what it could've been.

The wind? No that can't be it.... Then what?

Before Khushi went downstairs for breakfast, she headed towards Aryan's study. Just as she was about to go in, however, Divya caught sight of her.

"Khushi, could you come and help me in the kitchen? Thank you," she said sweetly.

Khushi pursed her lips and looked at the doors of the study. 

Okay, maybe later then.

Khushi joined Divya in the kitchen and helped her make the parathas. Aryan came down soon enough and Khushi served him breakfast.

"Thank you dear."

Khushi smiled softly and sat down beside him.

Divya sat down in her seat. "Khushi?"

"Yes Dai Ma," she replied.

"Would you care to explain why Chote has been calling nonstop?"

For a moment, Khushi's eyes had widened, but she quickly recovered. 

Aryan looked at Khushi curiously. "What happened, Khushi?"

Khushi frowned while she looked at her parathas. 

"Did you two fight again," Divya asked.

Maybe Aryan couldn't tell, but Khushi could hear the accusation in her voice, that too towards Khushi.

"Perhaps, " Khushi simply said. 

Aryan chuckled. "What now?"

"Your son breaks promises, that's what."

While Aryan chuckled, Divya frowned. 

"Are you always going to keep him on his toes," she slyly accused. "Aryan-"

"Oh its alright," Aryan chuckled. "Fighting only increases the amount of love." He looked at Khushi. "What do you say dear," he winked.

Khushi couldn't help but to laugh.

"But Aryan-"

"If they didn't fight, I'd be worried. I mean Shalu and I-"

Aryan stopped himself. Khushi and Divya both looked at him while he toyed with the bit of paratha between his fingers. Eventually he excused himself and left the room. Khushi felt bad and was about to go after him, when Divya dramatically sighed.

"It seems that these days, you just keep reminding Aryan of Shalini."

Again, Khushi could hear the tinge of accusation in her sentence. As if she was trying to guilt Khushi. But Divya didn't understand that Khushi knew her better now and that she would not play weak against her.

"Maybe, but that's a good thing. After all Ma is the only person he loves."

Khushi could see the curiosity in her eyes, trying to figure out if Khushi's words had more meaning to it than it seemed.

Not waiting for her to figure it out, Khushi got up and went to check on Aryan. She didn't have to go far, however, because Aryan was standing in front of the old family portrait in the main hall. She joined him by his side and looked at the old portrait.

"Ma looks very beautiful," Khushi said softly.

Aryan nodded with a sigh, then moved closer to the portrait. He ran his hand along the frame and sighed once more.

"I don't know what it is, but these days I seem to think of her more," he said. "Every waking moment, all I do is think of her. I think of her so much, I can't get any work done."

Khushi went to his side and placed her hand on his shoulder.

Aryan sighed. "I don't know if it's my age catching up to me, but sometimes I can feel her. As if she were right here!"

"Sometimes when we love someone very much, you feel them when they're not even here," Khushi said softly.

"I know, but it's more than that. Remember how I told you my heart would react whenever she was nearby? My heart acted up just like that when I was going up the stairs. That's the reason why stopped and stood here."

"Our hearts toy with us sometimes," Khushi smiled sadly. "It teases us sometimes."

Aryan looked at her sadly. "It does, doesn't it?"

Khushi nodded, feeling her throat threatening to close.

Aryan looked up at the portrait and placed his hand over where Shalini held his. Khushi bit the inside of her lip to hold back her tears. Holding herself together, Khushi went over to him.

"Why don't we go to the prayer room and pray for her. Perhaps that would help?"

Aryan sighed. "Yes, let's do that."

Khushi linked her arm with his and they went to the prayer room. They prayed for Shalini and Khushi caught sight of her father crying. She felt really bad and prayed for happiness to come into her father's life, unable to see the dear old man in such pain.

*~*

Aryan had decided that he'd get some work done down at Town Hall, so he left. Khushi was going to join Divya in the kitchen, but she decided to make a quick trip to Aryan's study. This time she made it in fine, and she didn't feel that spooky feeling she had felt the night before. Everything was just as it was when she had left it the night before.

Well, almost.

Khushi went to check the photo album to see if the photo was still missing, feeling a bit paranoid, when she saw something underneath Aryan's desk. Pulling his chair back, she saw pieces of paper on the floor. As soon as she picked it up, she realized it wasn't just pieces of paper, but four quarters of a photograph. Putting the pieces together and facing it to her, Khushi saw that it was a photo of Aryan, Arnav, and Divya, Arnav standing in the middle of them.

Khushi gasped. Who did this? Was this here the night before? Did I just miss this or did it...?

Khushi panicked.

Is someone after Arnav? The family? But why?

Khushi shut her eyes and prayed.

Please don't harm my family, please protect us from whatever it is about to happen.