When I Met You - Chapter Forty (Last Chapter)

Mature Content Ahead...You are warned!

"Khushi?" arnav was the first one to react seeing her standing nervously at the door "What are you doing here? I told you not to come here..." he said as he walked swiftly towards the door, he wanted her as far away as possible from Shyam and her being here at this time was worrying him to no end "Why did you come here Khushi? You shouldn't have come..." he said as he cupped her face and turned her away from shyam's gaze.

"No." Khushi said as she turned around and faced Shyam , she held tightly onto arnav's hand and looked him in the eyes "This man has been the cause of my nightmares...he is the reason why i could not trust anyone for a long time, he took away my faith, my belief everything...everything when he...he..." she stopped as her voice choked up, tears running freely from her hazel eyes "I need closure arnav...i need to see him being punished for everything that he has done to hurt us.." she said as arnav held her in a tight embrace,running his hands over her back.

"Its ok babe, its ok...he won't hurt us anymore...your nightmares are over now...its time for a new chapter in your life...shh..." he said consoling her, he kissed her softly on her forehead as he faced Shyam once again, holding khushi by her shoulders close to his body "I wish i could rip you limb to limb you B*****d for all the pain and terror you have put her through...i wish i could kill you with my bare hands for planning to plot against my sister, to even think that you'd blackmail khushi to come to you..." arnav said slowly, his voice icy cold..but eyes blazing hot.

"But i will not give you the satisfaction of feeling for even one second that you won...for thinking that beating you to a pulp will satisfy my hunger for your total ruination...no Shyam Jha...your punishment is knowing that I trapped you in your own game...it is knowing that Khushi will never be yours..it is knowing that you are alone and your pathetic life has no meaning...you will reflect

upon everything i say as you rot in jail for the rest of your miserable life...i'll make sure you do!" arnav said as he fisted his hands trying to control his anger.

Shyam felt the cold metal against his palm, his insides were twisting as he saw arnav and khushi together, his breathing shallowed out as he saw khushi look at him straight in his eyes, hatred and disgust clearly visible in her eyes, he slid the revolver slowly into his back pocket and looked up "I'm sorry Katya...i really am sorry for everything i did...i was too much in love with you...i could not see you with anyone else...i needed you...wanted you for my own..." he said as his voice broke.

His eyes misted as he saw Khushi step away from arnav "Sorry is not enough for what you did Shyam...i can never forgive you for all that you did and all that you have done now...I was never yours! Not then, not now...not ever! So don't expect me to even acknowledge your apology...you are a pathetic excuse of a man..." she said as she walked slowly towards him "I rue the day i met you in the park..and i pity you, you know why? Because arnav is right...you will always be alone..because you are not worthy of even an animal...let alone a human being. I pity you Shyam Jha..." khushi said as she faced a fallen and defeated shyam, kneeling in front of her.

"I understand Katya...i know you can never forgive me...but please believe me when is say that i truly loved you...i did this only.." shyam said his eyes streaming with tears, but stopped as she saw Khushi put her palm up "Stop! Don't insult love by naming this unhealthy obsession of yours with such a pure emotion...you don't know what love is...you will never know because you need to possess a heart to feel it...and you Shyam are heartless...even animals are better than...aaahhh" Khushi screamed as shyam pulled her down on him.

He was waiting for the perfect time when he could trap her and when Arnav and Lavanya were too busy watching her, he quickly pulled her leg and was prepared when she came crashing against him. He quickly got up and held her roughly by her waist, her back digging into his front as she frantically tried to free herself from him.

It took a second for arnav to realize what had happened, his anger knew no bounds as he leapt forward towards shyam but the shiny metallic object trained on her forehead made him stop, it made Lavanya halt in her tracks as she tried to get near them, and it made a struggling khushi gasp, the cold metal felt like ice against her warm skin "Nah..ah...don't even think about it ASR...if you so much as take a step towards her, i'll blow her brains up" Shyam said smiling menacingly at the duo.

"Don't be stupid Shyam...let her go...and I know you won't pull the trigger...you love her too don't you? Just...just lower the gun and let khushi go" arnav said, his voice trembling with barely concealed fear "Hahaha..." shyam laughed loudly as he moved backwards towards the stairs dragging khushi along with him "Yes arnav...i do love her...but i can't see her with anyone else...if I can't have her...no one can...i'll kill her...i'll live with her memories...but i refuse to see her with you or anyone else..you get that!" shyam shouted as khushi whimpered against his tightening hold...it was making it difficult for her to breath.

"No..no...listen...i won't say anything to the police...you can go scots free...we won't bother you...just let her go Shyam...i..please just let her go..." arnav said as his voice broke, he was too scared to think what a maniac like him would do "Listen...i'll back off from every deal that your company and mine are fighting for...i'll give you whatever you want! Just please..." arnav said as his eyes begged him to leave her.

Khushi closed her eyes as she saw the helplessness in arnav's eyes, one thing she could never bear was seeing defeat in his eyes...she could never see him begging...she heard Shyam's laughter as his clammy hands pressed into her, his nails digging into her soft flesh, while the other held steadily held onto the loaded revolver, she closed her eyes and prayed to God for strength as she mustered all the courage she could and jabbed him in his jaw with an upward cut of her elbow.

As Shyam got momentarily stunned with the sharp pain, his hands fell loose, his gun slipping onto the floor...skittering to a spot right between arnav and shyam, both men looked at the fallen gun leaping onto the floor to claim it, khushi tried to hold Shyam back but he was too big for her as he shoved her aside, making her fall down and hit her head onto the couch. Lavanya came running towards her to help her up as both girls saw the two men struggle for the gun.

Khushi screamed as she saw shyam push arnav to reach the gun, but arnav was very quick for him as he held shyam's legs in a tight grip making him lose his balance and fall, he then punched him in his side as he leaned over him to grab the gun, but shyam tried to hit arnav with his fist which arnav stopped by holding him off with one hand while he pinned him down on the floor with the other "Don't even think about it SJ" arnav said as he elbowed him in his solar plexus making him curl up and hold his stomach.

"Leave right now.." arnav rasped to both Lavanya and Khushi who seemed to have frozen with fear, "Arnav...take the gun..." khushi said she rose out of her stupor and ran forward to push the gun towards him, arnav picked it up and turned towards Shyam who by now had risen once again, he screamed as he lurched once again towards arnav while khushi threw herself on him "Khushi...NO!!!" arnav screamed as the gun went off, a scream followed...as a crimson lake made its way beneath the three bodies lying on the floor.

...

"That will be all Mr Raizada...thanks for all you help" ACP Khurana said as he shook hands with arnav who nodded in thanks. Arnav looked out to see the two police jeeps and an ambulance that was parked outside. He stepped out to watch the three vehicles leave the vicinity. It had been an hour since the time the police and ambulance had come. It all seemed so surreal, arnav thought as he sat down on the bench outside in the garden and held his head in his hands sighing deeply.

"Arnav...i think we should go now...its pretty late.." Lavanya said as she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulders, he looked up and smiled at her "Thanks Lavanya...without your help all this would not have been possible..." he said as he placed his hand over hers "What thanks arnav..! don't be all formal now...get up now!...i'm going ahead in the car which khushi got here" she said as she gave him a dimpled smile and walked away.

Arnav walked slowly to his SUV that was parked a little bit away from the main gate of the house, he walked towards the passenger door instead of the drivers and opened the door to hear a quick gasp from her, he pulled her out as he banged the door shut and pinned her against the car door, "Don't ever do that again Khushi! I can't live without you...i was so close to loosing you today..." he said as he rested his forehead against, his hands going around her slim waist, holding her tightly against him.

"And I can't live without you arnav...so i'm not sorry for what i did in there" she said she held his face in her soft palms, her heart constricted as she saw tears running down his cheeks, she kissed them away as he spoke hoarsely "you should not have come between us Khushi...what if the gun would have fired on you instead of his leg? What then? How..h.." he stopped as khushi placed her finger against his lips "But it didn't...he got what he deserved...the bullet went through his leg...not you, not me...i'm too stubborn and even God can't make me go away from you or take you from me..." she said as she moved her finger and kissed him slowly on his lips.

Arnav sighed as he felt her soft lips over his, their tears intermingled..the salty taste lingering on their lips...she parted her mouth to take him in slowly, both savoring the feel and taste of each other as if they were exploring for the first time..the kiss went on for a few moments more as khushi suddenly pushed him away as realization dawned on her "Arnav! What's the time?" she said loudly as panic set in

"Relax khushi...its only 6:30...whaa?" arnav said as khushi pushed him towards the drivers side "Drive!" she screamed as she sat on the passenger side and belted herself up, she looked at arnav who was staring at her as if she had grown two horns "What? Arnav! Drive...its our wedding in 4 hours! The Jaimala is at 10:30 tonight...and i need to go home and get ready! Move!" she screamed as arnav jumped up scared at his fiancee's this avatar "Ok..ok...i'm driving!" he said as he shook his head a muttered 'Unbelievable!' under his breath!

"What? You think 4 hours is enough to get ready? Do you know that the hair dresser and the make-up lady are already there? They wanted to try out some stuff on me earlier...but i refused saying i needed my sleep...so apparently I'm still sleeping in my room!" she huffed as she took deep breaths, she had not wanted anyone in the house to know that she had left the house...so she had dressed up in an old pair of jeans and kurta, taken a shawl over her head and stepped out

"Oh...so that's the reason you gave for coming here...but if anyone goes into the room to check then? Won't they find the bed empty?" arnav asked concern lacing his voice, "Oh no...that's what i have anji for...poor thing must be sleeping since the past three hours now!" khushi chucked as arnav joined in the laughter, their stress and worries easing out with their laughs as the events of the day faded away with the promise of an unforgettable night.

...

His eyes were glued to the ethereal beauty in front of him as she floated towards him in her designer blue peacock style dress which he had designed himself for her. The stone studded bodice moulding her gorgeous curves while her slim waist was left bare, only to me marred by a gold waist chain. He hair was done up in masses of curls with an emerald jadau maang tika resting in its folds with matching necklace and earrings adorning her neck and ears. Lots of tinkling green and blue bangles were interspersed with kundan jadua kangans.

His breath caught at the sheer perfection in front of him, his khushi. She smiled shyly as she stepped forward to place the garland around his neck, he could hear his friends egging him on to raise his head, some even tried to pick him up, but Arnav Singh Raizada, with all the love and respect which he had for her, bowed down his head in complete surrender and humility. The family and friends marveled at the change this one girl had bought about in him and blessed the couple for a happy married life...for many life's to come.

...

Khushi yawned as she was led into their room at 5am in the morning. The bidaai had just taken place and the grah pravesh was also done. Khushi smiled as she remembered the way maya, dadiji, mamaji and anji had welcomed her back into their house, her house now...it felt like it was only yesterday that she had stepped in from the same threshold for the first time, nervous as hell..pretending to be arnav's fiancee...and today she was his wife...she kissed anji and lavanya on their cheeks as they teased her for a few minutes before leaving her alone in the gorgeously decorated room.

Khushi went and stood by the french windows as she heard the door open and shut, she heard the quick snap of the lock and the loud boisterous voices from outside shouting encouragements and teases at him...as if he needed it she thought smiling widely. She closed her eyes and waited as he stepped closer to her, his hands going around her waist, his head resting on her shoulder as he whispered into her ears "Good morning Mrs Raizada..."

Khushi shivered as his hands traced a lazy path along her flat stomach, she sucked her tummy in as she felt goosebumps along her skin while arnav rained light kisses across her neck..he turned her around to gaze into her eyes "You look so beautiful tonight khushi...i can't believe your mine.." he said as slowly removed her maang tika, kissing her gently on her forehead. He then kissed her on her eyes and cheeks before divesting off her earrings and necklace, dropping kisses on parts they left bare.

"Arrnaavv..." khushi moaned as he slowly took off all her bangles out and let them fall to the floor "We'll clean up tomorrow babe" he said as he unpinned her dupatta and let it float down as well "You forgot my waist chain.." khushi said softly as arnav's hands went to her back "Nope...i left it on, on purpose" he said hoarsely as khushi crept her hands under his sherwani...it was easy to undo the buttons..she pulled it off him before kissing him on his hard chest..her teeth nipping the taut skin as arnav groaned.

He undid the three strings holding back her heavy choli and khushi breathed a sigh of relief as it fell away "I feel so much lighter now" she said breezily as arnav feasted his eyes on her magnificent breasts, he latched his mouth onto them as her straining nipples stood proud before him "Hmm...khushi...i missed this so much...God I love you..." he said as his mouth now traveled to hers, taking her lips in a savage hungry kiss, the slow tempo they started with vanished as need and desire took over their senses.

Arnav's hands deftly undid her lehenga and picked up her left leg as the gorgeous fabric slid down, he wrapped her leg around his waist as he kissed her senseless, his tongue probing her soft mouth, plundering it as she gave in kind. Khushi groaned as she lifted herself up and wrapped her other leg around him as well as he supported her frame along his strong body, he walked them to the bed and dropped her on it as he joined her, his body pressing her slender form down on the soft mattress, his lips kissing her belly button over the gold chain.

Khushi writhed restlessly under him waiting for him to take her, she pulled him up for a passionate kiss as he took off the remainder of their clothes before getting himself settled between her, he looked into her eyes which shone with love and thrust into her as she cried out in pleasure, their bodies joined in an ancient rhythm known to man and woman, as they both reached their crescendo together, their love soaring as high as they slept peacefully as man and wife leaving the bleak past behind, dreaming about the bright future.

...

"Arnav...not again...i'm too tired!" khushi groaned as arnav snaked an arm around her waist bringing her flush against his naked body "No chance...you just lie down...let me pleasure you..." he said naughtily as his hands started traveling along her thighs.. "Umm...Mr Raizada...where are you planning on taking me for our honeymoon?" she gasped as he found her core, she closed her eyes as he continued his assault.

"Where ever you want o go sweetheart..." he said as her body heated up once again from the pleasure her husband was giving her "Re...ally?" she asked as her body got ready to reach its climax.. "A..aar..arnav..." she moaned as arnav increased his tempo, his experienced fingers creating havoc "H..how...abb..about we..gg..go again to Neemmrana.a.." she screamed out the last part as her body crashed down form an amazing climax.

Arnav looked at her flushed face "I'll book it tomorrow.." he smiled down and kissed her soundly as she returned it with equal fervor "Thank you my love,..." she said as she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his warm chest "Can i ask you something?" she said as she ran her fingers over him , "Hmm..." arnav said as khushi looked up "When did you know it was love? When did you know that I was the one for you?" she asked as arnav caressed her head and kissed her gently on her forehead "I think it was when you walked into that restaurant..with your little black dress...the first time...When I Met You"

Might post an Epilogue soon! 

xx

When I Met You! - Chapter 39

"Wha..y..you? h...how...?..." Shyam stammered as Lavanya walked inside the house with a flourish, making sure she had kept the door slightly ajar. She smiled at his bewildered face and replied "Yes, its me...if you still remember me...La.Van.Ya!" she said making sure she pronounced her name very slowly.

"I know who you are! My question is...what are you doing here! And where is katya?" shyam said menacingly getting his bearings, he was shocked to find Katya's friend here but he knew she must have confided in her or something...'Stupid girl!' he thought tightening his fists in anger, Lavanya seemed least bothered as she sauntered into his house "Nice place...love what you've done with it!" she said smiling at him again.

Shyam looked at her as if she'd lost her mind "What the hell do you think your'e doing here! Don't you know what i'm capable of! If Katya has sent you here...she'll be surprised to find your and anjali's broken bodies sent back!" he said coming closer to Lavanya who looked him straight in his eyes and shook her forefinger "Na...nah...don't even think of coming near me!...who knows...maybe I have the police with me?" she said smirking at the sudden fear his face showed.

"You wouldn't dare! Katya knows that if she contacted the police or that ASR, anjali would be dead by now! The fact that she told you will also result in lots of harm towards anjali...so be careful where you thread La.Van.Ya!" he said smiling evilly, trying to intimidate lavanya who seemed to be non-plussed with his entire dialogue..in fact she seemed to have gotten bolder as she now walked towards him.

"Ok...so you say you'll harm anjali huh? What like you harmed her like this?" she said showing the same video which was sent to Khushi earlier, Shyam looked at the video, his face twisting in a grotesque smile "Yes! But worse...this was just a trailer...but now that your friend did not heed to my demands...its time to start the movie..what say?" he said as he dialed a number on his phone.

Lavanya stared at him as shyam waited for the other side to pick up, she saw him cursing under his breath as he tried calling the person again, after a few more tries he seemed really disgruntled "What happened? Phone problems? I thought you were going to start your movie or something.." Lavanya said innocently as shyam gave her a disgusted look.

"Don't look too happy...the phone is out of network...doesn't matter...its not like he's the only one! And keep that mouth of your shut tight...otherwise you'll be starring in that movie as well" he said as he tried another number, his tensed face turned normal as the other person picked up, she looked on as shyam asked him to tell the status of the 'girl' and smiled to herself as she saw the sweat break out on his forehead.

"What the hell do you mean? Why would he say that? You were the one who tortured her you fool! Have you hit your head and lost your damn memory!" shyam barked as he kept the phone and tried another number, only to be told the same thing. He looked up with eyes full of fury towards Lavanya who stood serenely looking at the scene unfold.

"What the hell is this bitch? What game are you playing huh? Where is Katya? Call her right now and tell her to come here at once! Otherwise she'll never see both of you ever again! I have had enough of this shit!" he said as he lunged towards Lavanya who had anticipated his move, she quickly jumped sideways as he came hurtling towards her only to hit his foot hard on the centre table and crash on the floor.

"Not so soon Mr Jha! Don't you want to see the 'behind the scenes' act? I think you will absolutely love it!" Lavanya said as she held out her phone once again to Shyam who was still lying on the floor, what he saw made his eyes turn dark with anger and frustration, he grabbed her phone and hurled it towards the other side of the room.

The movie showed Anjali and Lavanya setting up the room with a single dirty chair in the centre, they were giggling as anjali sat down while lavanya carefully tied the rope around her, then she proceeded to get some red paint and smear it around her nose and lips..someone then handed lavanya a scissor with which she proceeded to cut the sleeve off anjali's top and ripped it before messing her hair with some mouse, when she was done...they both practiced anjali's little act of pleading...

"Oh..please be careful! That was my new iPhone 4S! Best picture quality you know! I mean Mishru seemed to think that while we filmed this...oh sorry...you know him as Mishra right? Do you even know his first name?" She asked as Shyam's eyes twitched in uncontrolled anger, "Didn't think so..anyways..we had a blast filming this and laying out our plans...God its been ages since i've been soo excited about something! I mean...you know.." she went on to be cut by shyam's angry growl

"Shut up. SHUT UP!" he screamed as he got up and caught an unaware Lavanya by her waist, he twisted her hands around her back as he held her in a death grip, "What? Not so confident now are we?" he whispered into her ears as she struggled to get out of his hold. "Ooh...so i must say that that Dog Mishra and you are together in this...looks like lil anjali is part of your play too...but who will help you now? Huh? From what i remember of you La...you were not too bright then..and you are not too bright now!" he rasped as he further tightened his grip making her whimper

"Oh..i think she's mighty smart Shyam...why would i involve her in my plan otherwise?" a deep smooth voice drawled from the doorway, Shyam's hold on Lavanya slackened enough to let her free herself from him as they both turned towards the door to find a perfectly well groomed Arnav singh Raizada leaning lazily against the door.

"Oh, don't look so shocked SJ...it was my plan all throughout...and lets just say you played right into it!" Arnav said flexing his arms as he came and stood right in front of Shyam, he gestured Lavanya to move away towards the door as Arnav and Shyam stood face to face, the former giving a death stare.

"Wh..what? ASR...you here? What the hell...how.." Shaym stammered as he ran a shaky hand through his hair as Arnav went and quietly sat down on the later couch "Don't exercise those minuscule brain muscles that you have...let me make this easy for you...i mean let me jog your memory and bit...do you remember that day when i spotted anjali's car in the cafe across my office?" arnav asked casually leaning back.

The day Arnav spotted Anjali in the cafe...

"ASR? Did you call me? uh...i mean can i come in now? Or are you still busy?" Aman asked on the phone "Khushi just left Aman, yes you can come in..." Arnav said as he kept the phone sighing in satisfaction, this was probably one of the best days ever!he heard a faint knock on his door and shouted a 'Come in'; he waited till aman came and sat in front of him.

"So, any progress on the man? Did you finally get his name from the university?" Aranv asked, as the familiar feeling of wringing that man's neck started coursing through his veins "Uh..not yet ASR, but surely in some time we will...in fact i have bribed the admin person there, who will shortly let me know his name...i'll inform you about it as soon as i can" Aman said confidently as ASR nodded.

"Fine, make it fast...I can't wait to get that A*****le's name, so that i can rip him apart with my bare hands!" Arnav said his eyes showing pure anger at the thought "Also, I saw Anjali at Noni's today...but something was not right...I know my sister very well and I can make out when she lies..go and check who she was with...i need to know what she's hiding" he said as he got up and glanced back at the cafe.

One hour later...same day.

"Sally, i'm leaving...if there's anything please call me.." Arnav said to his secretary as Aman came running towards him with a printout "ASR, wait...i need to talk to you..its urgent!" Aman said as Arnav looked at his tense face, he nodded as both of them proceeded towards arnav's room "What is it? Did you know who she was with?" arnav asked as aman looked at him confused

"Whaa? oh..you mean anjali maam..yes she was with a man...that's what i came to know...I have asked their manager to send me a screen shot of the person she was with...he'll be mailing me the same...but that's not why i stopped you..." Aman said uneasily. He came and stood next to arnav and lowered the paper which he had in his hands "This is the person who...Khushiji...uh...the man from London...you'll be surprised to see the name" he said tapping the printed name on the sheet.

Shyam Jha

Director – Jha Textiles

Teaching Term : April 2008 – July 2008

Subject : Advanced designing techniques

-Suspended and Job terminated due to disturbing behavior towards student and harassment

Aman saw as arnav's eyes went red with suppressed anger, he touched his shoulder to bring him out of his thoughts, "ASR, are you ok?" aman asked as Arnav turned towards him, "No..I am not ok dammit!" he said getting up quickly from his seat and snatching the paper off the table "How should i react? I don't understand how this scumbag...how the hell did this ba****d...Aman! Are you sure this is the correct name? There can't be any other Shyam jha?" arnav said still trying to make sense of the situation.

"Yes ASR, this is your guy...she confirmed that the name of the student who accused him was Katya Gupta, registered as Khushi Gupta, her actual name and there cannot be another Shyam Jha of Jha textiles...it is SJ!" aman said pouring a glass of water for arnav who gladly took it and gulped it down in one go "I will kill the bas***d! I swear to God..today is the last day he sees...give me his address right away!" he asked aman who tried to make him see sense.

"ASR, you can't just go there wielding a gun and shoot the guy...you have to think about this more rationally!" Aman said as he opened his phone to check his mails, Arnav ran an irritated hand through his hair and looked at aman angrily "Rationally? You want me to think of this rationally? Are you retarded! This man...who did those awful things to my khushi...who made her go through hell...because of whom she's still afraid of certain things...the guy who harmed her innocence! The as****e who had the nerve to harm her...you want me to think rationally about him.." he said as he came and stood in front of aman.

"Sorry aman, i am not a saint...and at this point even if God comes here himself to stop me, I'll still go and shoot the b****d's brains out! So don't you dare tell me to think about this rationally!" he all but shouted at aman who's eyes seemed to have frozen on his iPhone screen "Are you even listening to what i'm saying aman! What the hell is so interesting in that phone dammit!" ASR said snatching the phone from aman's hand.

Present

"Yes SJ...what i saw chilled me to the bone...you were the guy with my sister that day! You son of a bitch...didn't you get enough playing around with Khushi that you had to target my sister too!" arnav got up and strode towards Shyam who by now was too shocked to say anything..he moved back as Arnav came towards him ready to hit him only to be stopped by Lavanya "Arnav, please calm down...please" she said as Arnav backed away stood facing away from Shyam.

"I swear Shyam...i wanted to chop your head off at that moment itself...but i waited so that i could make my next move correctly...i was worried if anjali was deeply involved with you or not...but when i saw the cctv tape which aman acquired from the cafe owner...it looked like anjali was least interested in you, but then i thought why were you pursuing her still...thats when it hit me...that maybe it wasn't anjali who you were pursuing now...maybe it was khushi" he said as shyam held on to the banister and looked around nervously.

"I even kept bodyguards to follow khushi and Anjali everywhere...I actually thought that you may pull a stunt when they both went to the night club..in fact Aman was there along with my two best bodyguards keeping an eagle eye on the girls..but you did not do anything at that point..." he said as Shaym looked up surprised "Oh don't be so shocked...i even had a man follow you the entire time...in fact that's how i came to know about your man..Mishra." arnav said as shyam's face contorted in anger

"That filthy dog! I should have known he will betray me..." shyam said as he hit the wall behind him with a force, he could not believe that he was the one being played this entire time "Oh, that's not very nice...he was very loyal to you..in fact he did not tell me anything..but i knew that somewhere your focus had shifted from anjali to khushi when Mishra said that you had nothing to do with my fiancee instead of saying my sister...that gave me an idea of how you may be using anjali to get to khushi..." he said in a clipped voice

"I tried my best to understand what your plan was but couldn't figure out what you actually intended to do...that was when Mishra approached me...i guess you were very mean to him...the poor guy was distraught and could not make up his mind about the task you had given him...so i went to meet him last night..." arnav said as shyam's nostrils flared.

"Oh don't get angry now...what do you expect huh? Even Loyalty has a price...its called respect!" arnav said walking slowly around the room, his eyes focused on shyam "He told me everything you were planning...i spent two hours with him last night trying to work out a plan to mislead you..but then that meant involving khushi in it as well...when i wanted to keep her far away from all this, so early next morning I involved lavanya and anjali in my plan...yes it was a shocker to both of them...especially anjali...but without their help all this would not have been possible...then something unexpected happened...i met khushi" he sighed as he narrated their meeting earlier in the day.

Same day...afternoon...before Khushi's haldi

"Khushi...are you ok darling? Anjali said you wanted to talk to me about something..." Arnav said as he entered khushi's room, he was worried to see her this nervous and lost, Khushi turned around and ran towards arnav, she hugged him fiercely before muttering "nothing it right arnav..oh God! I have so much to tell you..." she said as arnav hugged her back "What is it sweetheart?" he asked tilting her chin up.

She looked at him and said in a scared voice "The man from my past, the one who...wh.." she sniffed as arnav stroked her hair "...what about him babe?" arnav asked her gently, he gazed down at her watery eyes running his thumb over the unshed tears as she stammered "H..he...is the s..sa..same...h..he is anjali's ex boyfriend...Shyam Jha!" she cried as she buried her head in his chest.

"I know you may be thinking i'm mad..and you don't know about her boyfriend..i mean her ex..but arnav i recognized his voice...he...he is the same person...arnav you have to protect her...he is an animal...arnav please...do you understand...we have to go and speak to her...Lavanya thinks i'm crazy...but i know its him...it is him!" she sobbed as arnav hugged her again "Shh...sh...stop crying darling...i know...i know everything...even anjali does" he said as she looked up with shocked confused eyes towards him as he narrated the entire story to her.

Present

"So Mr Jha...when you thought that you are playing my my fiancee's mind...and torturing my sister..they were well aware of your plan...they knew exactly what you were going to do...in fact lets just say that we helped you along! Or did you really think that anjali was dumb enough to come running to the place you asked to meet her just because you told her some sob story of how you were leaving this country! Or khushi was stupid enough to come here on her own on her wedding day without involving me...no SJ...you were terribly mistaken!" arnav said as shyam held his head with both this hands and went to stand by the side table in the living room.

He could not believe that all his plans had gone down the drain...he felt his head would burst with all that he had heard today, but he'll be damned if Arnav Singh Raizada walks out of his house alive! he slowly crept his hand to the second drawer in front of him and opened it slightly, making sure that arnav could not see him..he nudged his hand inside the drawer and felt the revolver resting there..he slid his fingers over it and pulled it out before turning around to face him but a small voice from the other side made him whip his head towards her...'Arnav' she said softly as all three people turned to see khushi standing in a plain kurta and jeans watching the scene unfold in front of her eyes.

When I Met You! - Chapter Thirty Eight

"Its done sir" Mishra said silently into the phone, he winced as he heard the evil laugh of Shyam Jha from the other end "Well done my man! Well done..now be a good doggy and get the work completely finished" Shyam said menacingly as a familiar current of victory not too far away lit his body. He opened the door to his bedroom and sat on his bed staring at the beauty in front of him.

"I want you to send me that video as soon as possible...and make sure its small enough to send over the phone.." Shyam demanded as he lay on his bed with one arm resting beneath his head. He looked up to see the golden starts twinkling on the ceiling, he ended the call and sighed deeply "Soon...soon you'll be with me Katya...and then we'll gaze at these stars together...just you and me" he said as he closed his eyes and smiled.

...

"Khusi! Arre Khusi!" buaji shouted as she knocked on the bathroom door, "You haven't fainted again have you?" buaji asked as the door opened and buaji nearly toppled over khushi as she walked out "No buaji...i'm fine...and what's the meaning of asking such a question? Cause if i had actually fainted...i would not have been able to answer you anyways" khushi said giving her buaji an incredulous look as she toweled her wet hair.

"Arre titaliya...i was only worried for you...both you and arnav bitwa seem so tensed! When today you both need to be enjoying the day!" buaji said as she made khushi sit on the bed and took the towel from her to dry her hair, khushi turned around suddenly as she heard buaji's words "Why? Did arnav say something? Is he ok?" khushi asked with a worried expression, she really wanted to speak to him but buaji had confiscated her phone from her stating that she was not allowed to even speak to him let alone meet him.

"No no..he is fine. In fact his friends have come over...all teasing and all you know..but instead of blushing like a bridegroom he seemed broody" buaji said clucking her tongue, khushi smiled as an image of a blushing arnav filled her mind "Oh God buaji...he's not a bride to blush..besides when i don't blush when teased, why should he!" she said giving her buaji a cheeky grin.

"Kids these days...i really don't get your generation!" buaji muttered as she finished drying her hair "By the way the parlor lady is here...they wanted to try out some styles on you before doing the final one later...should i call them now? Or do you want to take some rest?" buaji asked holding khushi's chin gently.

Khushi smiled at her as she hugged her buaji from her waist "Yes, thanks buaji...i just want to rest for some time...can we do the hairdo's later? There's still lots of time na?" khushi said as buaji stroked her damp hair "Ok darling, you get some sleep..i'll come and wake you up later" buaji said as she kissed her gently on her head before leaving the room to give khushi some privacy.

Khushi leaned against the headboard as thoughts ran through her troubled mind...did anjali get back? Where was La? She was supposed to come to her room ages ago...what is arnav thinking? She just wished she could speak to him once. She sighed as she closed her eyes and made herself comfortable on the bed,the exhaustion finally taking its toll, lulling her body into a deep slumber.

...

"Who is this?" said a brisk no-nonsense voice from the other end of the phone, Shyam was finding it very difficult to not get irritated by this glitch in his plan, he had been trying to get through to Katya since the past 15 minutes, but the first 3 times no one picked up and now that the call was answered up some old hag was screeching on it.

"Uh...I need to speak to Ka...i mean khushiji please" shyam said keeping the irritation out of his voice "What is this regarding? Its her wedding today...please call after 2 days" buaji said wondering who was calling her titaliya so urgently "No...please its very urgent...she had ordered a ring for her fiance with us...but there's been some problem...i had to deliver it today but.." shyam said trying to work out some reason..any reason through which he may be able to speak to her.

"Oh Ok, hold on...let me check" buaji said as she walked towards khushi's room wondering what today's generation is about! She opened the door to see that khuhi was not in the room, she pushed the bathroom door as well but she was not to be seen. She sighed as she answered the call again "She's not here now...please call after some time" she said as she cut the call and left the phone on khushi's dressing table.

...

"Arre Lavanya..have you seen Khushi? God only knows where she has gone now!" buaji exclaimed as she stopped Lavanya near the stairs "No buaji...in fact i was going to her room only...she's not there?" lavanya asked with a quizzical expression "No..she is not..i wonder where she has gone!" buaji said slapping her forehead "Don't worry buaji...you go downstairs,I think your relatives have come...i'll look for khushi" lavanya said ushering buaji towards the living room.

She quickly turned and walked purposefully up the stairs..she had to go and find khushi. As she was walking towards khushi's room she saw dadiji walking with khushi towards her "Lavanya...you should take care of your friend...it's her wedding today" dadiji said sternly to lavanya before walking khushi to her room "Uh...what happened dadiji? Katya u ok?" lavanya asked as she looked at her friend with a concerned face.

"yes, i am fine...i was just craving a cup of ginger tea when dadiji found me...seriously dadiji i feel like an invalid cooped up in this room...can i please go down for sometime?" khushi begged her as dadiji cupped her face "No bitiya...your the bride and nearly all the guests are coming in now...they should not see you before the wedding...just rest here...you'll be getting ready soon anyways" dadiji said as she patted her cheek and left them.

...

"La! Is anjali back? Did she take her call?" Khushi asked her as she paced her room "Chill katya...i'm sure she is fine...don't worry so much. You just concentrate on your wedding ok? I'll take care of everything" she said as she made khushi sit and handed over a glass of chilled water to her "Uh..i had actually gone out to see arnav...i really need to see him La.." khushi said sighing deeply, sipping her water as lavanya came and sat beside her.

"I know babe...but don't worry everything will be ok...just trust me ok! I'll go and check where anjali got held up ok? Just calm down" Lavanya said as she got up and laid down khushi's dress for the wedding. The rich hues of purple and blue would look gorgeous on her. She also took out a red lehenga which was hanging on the rack.

"I think you should wear the red one...it definitely goes better with your complexion...and you will look hot!" lavanya said as khushi burst out laughing "Oh yes! I'll definitely feel hot in that lehenga with the layers of silk and that heavy dupatta over my head" khushi said rolling her eyes, she then looked at Lavanya with serious eyes "Everything will be ok right La?" she asked as Lavanya assured her with a nod and left the room to look for anjali.

...

"Damn it!" Shyam said as he tried her phone again only to find it switched off, "What the hell do i do now?"!! he exclaimed as he dialed Mishra's number next, he waited till he picked up before thundering on the phone "Why is it taking you so long to send me the video you as****e!" shyam shouted as mishra visibly shook from his voice.

"I'm just uploading it sir...its just that she was being very difficult...and well...it took us time to do what you asked us to" Mishra said his voice trembling with contempt, how he wished he could strangle his employer from the phone "Good, now that the video has been taken...tell the boys they have free reign over her body if things don't go my way...let them teach that frigid b***h some manners" he said as Mishra uttered a soft 'Ok' before ending the call. He finished uploading the video as his thoughts went to the girl in the adjacent room.

...

Khushi went to her dressing table to get her hair brush when her eyes fell on her phone, she jumped in joy as she picked it up eagerly trying to call arnav, but the phone seemed to be switched off due to low battery. She quickly plugged in the charger and waited for the phone to load up. As soon as the welcome screen came up, she heard a series of beeps as her signal came on.

Khushi looked at the screen to find 12 missed calls from an unknown number. She wondered who had called her so many times and thought it best to check...just in case it was anjali...since she was not picking up her call. Her heart thundered wondering if anjali was fine...everyone in the house seemed to be convinced that she was probably not taking her calls since she was getting a manicure done.

She waited with baited breath as the other person picked up the phone but did not speak anything. She said a soft 'hello' and waited for the other person to speak, "Uh...is anyone there? I have lots of missed calls from this number...umm..hello?" she asked once again exasperated that she was wasting precious time when she could have spoken to arnav by now. She was just taking the phone off her ear to end the call when she heard a deep raspy voice from the other end "Katya...its me Shyam"

Khushi felt the earth beneath her shift as she fell on the bed with a shock, she tried to assure her mind that she did not just hear his voice...that it was not the same shyam...but her mind did not listen while her body racked with shudders. As if to prove the truth one again, he spoke "Please don't cut the call...if you do you'll be doing a grave mistake..." shyam said, his voice held a threatening quality to it which did not go unnoticed by khushi even in her delicate state.

"Wh..what..do you want? H..how d..did you get th..this number?" she stammered as her body tensed up, fear crawling up her spine... "Did you take it from anji?...ho..how.." she spoke as his voice once again silenced her "Shh...don't think too much...its not going to help you...so you knew I was anjali's boyfriend huh? But you still did not warn her against this big bad wolf?" he said mildly amused and very turned on by the fact that he was finally talking to her.

"Good...now that you know anjali was my girlfriend...you should also know this Katya" he said his voice getting serious "She meant nothing to me...no one means anything to me...except you!" he said his voice getting aggravated by the minute "And you...you did not care for my love..you punished me Katya...you hurt me daamit! But i'm ready to forget all that...if only" he said slowly trying to get her to understand every word he says.

"If only what? How dare you say you loved me! You are an abomination, not fit for a civilized society! Even wild animals are better than you...or have you forgotten what you did to me! How dare you insult the word 'Love' by equating it with your feelings! You are nothing Shyam...nothing! And I don't care what you do...i have my true love with me, Arnav is my love...my everything! If you so much as try to call me again, he'll put you behind bars! Do you get that you creep!" khushi heaved as she cut the call and leaned back on the bed.

She quickly took her phone again with trembling hands and started calling arnav, she waited for the line to get through but it kept coming out of range...she wondered how it was so...she tried calling him again when she got a text, it was from Shyam's number.. 'Don't ignore me or my threats...remember what is precious to your love...his darling sister..now you wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her would you?'

Khushi started perspiring reading his message, she desperately tried calling arnav again when another of his texts came up 'Don't even think of calling him darling...i might just have to be very mean otherwise...to her off course!' fear gripped her cold and sterile as she re-read his message, she stopped calling arnav and called him instead.

"Don't you dare lay your eyes on anjali...do you get it! I'll find you an burn you alive you sick piece of shit!" khushi shouted, her anger flaming up at shyam's threats. "What? My eyes...oh honey I can lay a lot more on that pathetic creature! Why she is resting just a few feet away from me!" he guffawed as khushi's breathing became shallow, was he lying? Was he telling the truth?

"Don't lie! Anjali hates you! She will never come to you willingly...don't spin tales just so that.." khushi said as she was cut once again by his icy voice "Don't believe me huh? ok...let me send you something which will change you mind maybe? Do call me back once you see it...uh...mind you this is just the trailer" he said menacingly as he cut the call.

Khushi held the bed railing tightly as he head spun from their conversation...what was he talking about? She held the phone tightly in her hands as it beeped once to show an incoming Whatsapp message, she saw it was from the same number and clicked it to open, it took time to load as it was movie...but as soon as it did and she clicked play...she fell on the floor with a thud. The scene made her drop the phone as the shriek chilled her to the bone.

Anjali was tied up to the chair, her hair was all over the place with blood running from her nose, her t-shirt sleeve seemed to have been ripped off while her tear stricken face mumbled a series of 'please...leave me...' the scene was too horrific for khushi to not react, she called him again and spoke in a dead voice, alien to her own self "What do you want?"

...

Shyam made sure the entire house was cleaned spick and span, there were drapes of silk and strings of orchids lining the entire house. Candles and lamps were lit all along the sills and outer spaces, as soft hindustani classical music wafted through the air. He had showered and dressed, making sure that everyone in the house had left before the guest of honor arrived.

He smiled remembering how easy it was to get her to agree to his demands, what did he want anyway? Just that she leave that house and come to him...leave that b*****d Raizada on their wedding day and become one with him...Shyam Jha! How he wanted to see that man's face when he realized that the supposed love of his life was his SJ's...never to return to him.

He went and moved a chess piece across the ivory carved chess board on his center table 'Check' he said as he heard a sound outside the door, he wondered if she was here, he wondered if she had also given into his demand of her coming here in her wedding finery...she was his Dulhan after all..nothing could stop them from becoming one now.

He waited patiently as he heard footsteps and a beautiful sound of twinkling jewelry outside his door. He held his breath as she pushed the partially opened door and stepped in. His mouth lifting in a satisfied eager smile as she saw her in a blood red lehenga, her head covered in a gorgeously embroidered dupatta. She stood rooted to the door as if not sure what she should do.

He could make out her trembling luscious body as she held onto the door frame, "Come in sweetheart, this is your house now...don't be shy...or do you want me to come and pick you up maybe?" he said as his body eagerly waited to take her in his arms, his mouth salivating at the prospect of finally having her to himself...but he was disappointed to still see her at the door, not moving an inch.

He started walking towards her but stopped as she held her hand up, he ran a frustrated hand through his hair..as if this was going to stop him...but he understood what she was trying to say "Don't worry about Anjali...she'll be safe now...I have asked my men to take her back to ASR's house...now that I have fulfilled my end of the bargain...time you did yours" he said as he stood right in front of her waiting to take the dupatta off her.

But before he could do so himself, he was pleased to see her own hands moving towards the dupatta, doing the deed herself, he waited as she revealed her gorgeous face to him and stepped back to admire his katya's beauty, but his face froze and his body went stone cold as the woman revealed herself to him, he could not comprehend what to do as her sultry voice spoke up "As if you ever had anjali with you bitch!" Lavanya spoke as her face split into a thousand dollar smile.

When I Met You! - Chapter Thirty Seven

"Is Arnav still not picking up?" Maya asked her brother with a worried expression, after buaji had found Khushi not answering in the bathroom, she had woken up the entire house, Maya had opened the bathroom door with a spare key to find Khushi's still form lying on the bathroom door. They had immediately called the doctor who had diagnosed her fainting spell as nothing but nerves and tiredness due to the weddinng. He had given her a mild sedative and Khushi was now peacefully asleep.

"No Maya...God only knows how much longer he'll be" Mahendra said shaking his head, He was a bit worried when right after they had all gone to sleep Arnav had called him to say that his friend Rahul had gotten caught by the cops for drinking and driving. Arnav was the only one who could help him get out on bail, this late at night and that too on a weekend. He had informed mamaji that he will be back in an hour's time tops, but it was more than that now.

He looked at Khushi's lying on the bed, All the women were crowding her trying to make sure she was comfortable "I think you should all go now..we have a very busy day tomorrow. Buaji is here with Khushi..I'll wait up for Arnav and let him know about this once he is back. I am sure he got held up at the station" mamaji said sighing as he went to check khushi's forehead for any untoward fever.

"Yes, I know that...but he should at least take his calls! And why couldn't anyone else go to help Rahul! Its Arnav's wedding tomorrow for God's sake! Maya can you call on Rahul's wife's number since his phone is coming switched off?" dadiji asked getting anxious "No ma, we should not call her...we don't know if Rahul or Arnav have told her anything...lets just wait for him to get back, God only knows how upset he'll be with khushi's fainting news" maya said running her hand gently through khushi's hair.

"Behenji, you should all go and sleep now...I am here with Khushi and Lavanya too will sleep in this room with us..If I need anything I'll let you know...Its no use all of being tired and drawn tomorrow...As soon as Arnav babua comes, Mahendraji will let him know" buaji said with concerned eyes, Maya and dadiji sighed as they agreed to buaji's reasoning. Anjali was a little more adamant to stay with khushi but grudgingly relented after Lavanaya assured her.

"Hey Nand Kishore!" buaji said folding her hands as she made herself comfortable next to khushi on the bed "Let my titaliya and arnav babua be fine..I truly hope nothing bad will happen tomorrow" she said closing her eyes. Lavanya looked up from making her bed on the couch "Don't worry buaji...they'll both be fine..the kind of determination they have about getting married will probably scare anything evil which comes their way" Lavanya chided trying to relax buaji.

She tucked her in and kissed khushi on her forehead before taking her place on the couch. Initially even she was worried for khushi but then realized it must be because of the mad wedding preps that khushi fainted. She switched off the lights and closed her eyes, Tomorrow was going to be a long day indeed!

...

Arnav left his car in the driveway and walked towards the house. The events of this night were truly disturbing. As he climbed the stairs to the main door, he was surprised to find it open. He pushed it to find mamaji pacing the foyer area anxiously "Arnav! Where the hell have you been? Do you realize how long its been...and why are you not picking up your phone?!" mamaji asked with a worried expression.

"Sorry mamaji...My phone was in the car when I went to the station and when i got back it was switched off due to low battery..is everything all right? You seemed tensed" Arnav said as he placed an assuring hand on mamaji's shoulder "Everything's fine now beta, but earlier khushi had a fainting spell..." Arnav lurched forward with worry but mamaji held his hand "No, don't worry...she is fine now...she's been given a mild sedative to sleep...meet her when she wakes up tomorrow morning" mamaji said as arnav turned concerned eyes towards him.

"What happened mamaji? How did she faint? Did you call a doctor? Shit! I can't believe i left my phone in the car...what if something worse had happened" arnav said angrily as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair "Why are you so stressed arnav? Is Rahul ok now? And don't worry...she fainted because of all the wedding stress, nothing else...its quite normal the doctor said...wedding nerves and all..." mamaji said as they both walked towards the stairs.

"Yes, Rahul is fine...i'm just worried about Khushi...I'll just quickly have a look at her before i go to sleep...your'e sure she's ok right?" arnav said anxiously, mamaji smiled at his nephew as he led him to Khushi's room "Yes arnav..she is fine now...go and have a look if you'll feel better...then please go and sleep...lots of activity tomorrow !" mamaji said as he patted him and left for his own room.

Arnav walked gingerly into khushi's room and switched on the night lamp by the door, he felt odd visiting her room when buaji was sleeping there, he looked around to find Lavanya gently snoring away on the couch. He inched slowly forward so as to not wake them up and nearly had a heart attack when buaji snored loudly, he felt pity for khushi who lay breathing gently on her side of the bed. He knelt down besides her and tucked the stray hair on her forehead behind her ears before placing a slight kiss on her upturned cheek.

After making sure that she was indeed fine, he gave her one last look before switching the light off and walking out. He briskly walked to his room and closed the door behind him. He looked at the decorated room and the huge rack of clothes on one side.He quickly changed into his night wear and laid down on his bed. He closed his eyes thinking about his wedding the next day. He couldn't wait for tomorrow.

...

Khushi woke up bright and early in the morning and stretched on the bed lazily. She looked around to find buaji still sleeping, she turned around to check the time and was surprised to find herself up at 6:30 am..she got up yawning and saw lavanya lying haphazardly on the couch, thats when it all came tumbling back to her...his voice...Katya...anjali's shamster...the sicko who tried to force anjali...force her...her skin pricked with the fear which had engulfed her last night before she fainted.

Khushi quickly got up and straightened her clothes, she hurriedly put on her slippers before quietly walking out of her room. She had to go and tell arnav all that she assumed...about anjali's boyfriend and her own past...could it be possible that they were the same? How can her life be entangled in such a vicious circle...she tried to remain positive but somewhere in her heart she knew that he was Shyam...she just had to tell this to arnav.

As soon as she reached his door, she walked in without knocking but was surprised not to see Arnav sleeping. She went towards his bathroom and his balcony but he was no where in sight. She let out a frustrated sigh as she walked down to the living room. She saw some sounds coming from the kitchen and saw HP getting things ready for the day "HP, where is Arnav? I can't seem to find him.." she asked HP who seemed surprised to find her there.

"Khushiji...Arnavji has just gone for his morning run...he should be back in an hour or so...How are you feeling now? Would you like some tea or coffee maybe?" he asked with concerned eyes, khushi nodded and asked for a cup of tea. As he poured her one, she took it along with her and walked to the veranda outside. She sipped on her tea wondering if she should let anjali know about her discovery...but then thought it would be best to let her know after she spoke to arnav about it.

"Arre Khusi!" buaji's voice rose her out of her thoughts as she realized she had dozed off on the verandah chair, she looked up to find buaji and maya looking at her with concern "Khushi beta...how are you feeling? Why did you not wake us up? Come inside before you catch a cold...its quite chilly today" maya said as she and buaji ushered her into the warm living room.

"I am fine ma...and I was up too early so felt it best to let buaji sleep...since it is going to be a very tiring day today" she said with a small smile "Actually...I was waiting for Arnav to get back...i have to talk to him...something urgent" khushi said looking anxiously at maya "Arnav just got back...he must be in his room...is everything ok? Nothing serious I hope?" maya asked as khushi shook her head "Oh no...just general stuff...umm...i'll just go and meet him now..." she said as buaji held her hand.

"Not so soon titaliya...do you even remember yourself fainting yesterday? You must be weak like a newly hatched duckling...come and eat something first...then you can speak to arnav babua" buaji said as she made her sit on the dining table, maya nodded her head in agreement as she ladled hot aloo sabji and puri's onto her plate "Your buaji is right...you have to eat something first...besides the doctor has given some pills for you to take which can only be taken after breakfast, Arnav is not running away anywhere.." maya said as khushi sighed in defeat.

...

Arnav quickly showered and got dressed in record time. He wanted to go and check on khushi who he assumed would still be sleeping...he had hardly slept a wink last night, too many thoughts kept running through his mind, but the morning run had helped him clear some of it.. He ran a hand through his damp hair and skipped down the stairs two at a time. He saw anjali and Lavanya at the breakfast table in deep conversation.

"Hey girls...is Khushi up?" arnav said as he flashed a smile to both of them, Lavanya smiled at him and nudged anjali who giggled along "Uh..Bhai, Bhabhi has been up since 6...so yes...since its nearly 9 now...she is up!" anjali said cheekily as arnav looked on confused "She got up that early?" arnav said as he walked back towards the stairs again ignoring the two sniggering girls at the table. 

He reached khushi's room and knocked on her door. He waited till the room opened, but his smile faded as he saw buaji and asked about khushi "Babua...khushi is fine now, dont worry! She is taking her shower right now...the haldi will start in an hour now...so she needs to get ready, you meet her later downstairs" she smiled before closing the door on an anxious Arnav.

...

Khushi was busy applying oil on her body as buaji had instructed her. Apparently the haldi can get difficult to remove if the body is not oiled beforehand. She sighed as she finished her task and started wearing a sleeveless golden blouse and her yellow sari skirt. Buaji was going to drape a yellow sari on her for the haldi function. She stepped out of the bathroom to find buaji ready with the sari, her flower accessories laid out on the bed,

"Khusi...arnav had come to meet you but i told him that you were getting ready..." buaji said as khushi turned around from admiring her flower jewelry, "What? I have to go and meet him buaji...i'll come and get ready later" khushi said as she started walking towards the door "Arre titaliya...have you gone mad! You'll go and meet him in this half dressed state! Get ready and then meet him...what's the hurry anyways!" buaji said as she pulled khushi in front of the huge mirror before starting to drape her sari.

Khushi looked at her reflection half-heartedly as buaji pleated and twisted the sari around her. When she had gone earlier to meet him in his room, he was in the shower and unfortunately at the same time dadiji had walked by and had insisted to take khushi back to her room to get ready for the haldi ceremony. She sighed as buaji pinned the beautiful silk sari onto her in a south indian style. She felt like the entire universe was conspiring against her meeting arnav!

As soon as buaji finished draping the sari on her, she sat khushi down to put on the flower jewelry which maya had specially ordered for her. Lavanya and anjali walked in at around the same time to help her out so that buaji could get the other things done downstairs. When khushi was nearly ready, Lavanya took a photo of her's with her phone "Wow! Katya you look amazing!" she exclaimed as khushi's tummy started doing flip-flops, Katya...she smiled at Lavanya before turning to anjali who seemed quite busy with her phone.

"Anji...is arnav ready? I really need to speak to him before the ceremony...Buaji said that I can't meet him post haldi as a ritual...so can you get him to come here?" she pleaded anjali who had a naughty smile on her face "Well well well bhabhi...desperate much!" anjali giggled as Lavanya joined her. "Hmm...i'll see what I can do...but I'll be collecting my due's for this job soon!" anjali said as her phone started ringing interrupting her laughter, Khushi looked on as anjali looked at it with an irritated look and cut the call before stepping out to get arnav.

"Katya...is everything all right? You seem a bit anxious...all ok between you and Arnav?" Lavanya said as khushi sat twisting her sari pallu between her fingers, she looked up and gave a watery smile to her friend "Yes...I'm fine...I mean we are fine...its just that...La...i think something is not right..." khushi said as Lavanya pulled out one of the stools and sat next to her.

"What do you mean hun? What's not right?" Lavanya asked her as khushi frowned "I don't know...I'm not sure if I am right or wrong...but um...see Anjali is dating this guy...I mean was dating this guy...some time back...but she broke up with him...yesterday I took his call on her phone...his voice seemed eerily familiar...and his name was stored as shamster in her phone...but what was weirder was that he called me Katya...I mean Anjali knows my other name is Katya...but she has never called me that...so why would she tell him that name?" khushi said looking at Lavnaya with frightened eyes,

"Wait? What are you trying to say? Do you know this guy?" Lavanya asked her looking very confused, Khushi rolled her eyes and held her hands "La, I think the guy Anjali is dating is Shyam..." Khushi said slowly letting Lavanya digest everything.. "What? Are you crazy? Why would she date shyam? And just because he called you Katya and his name is Shamster...why would he be shyam!?" Lavnaya exclaimed as khushi looked on unsurely.

"I don't know La, but something tells me he is the same b*****d and the right thing to do will be to tell arnav about it" khushi said trying to convince Lavanya who kept shaking her head "Are you mad? Its your wedding day...you should be thinking about how to keep your skin shining and muscles toned for that gorgeous dress your'e gonna be wearing at night! Not mull over some random fellow who called you Katya..and reminded you of that sick pschyo! Plus how can you even think of telling all this to Arnav at this time? God woman...stop stressing yourself so much! Everything's fine babe!" Lavanya said as she leaned forward and hugged khushi.

"No La! I'm telling you...it is him! Thats the reason I fainted yesterday...his voice was the same...I can never forget a voice that haunted my nightmare for better part of the year.." khushi said with tears threatening her eyes "Do you remember what work Shyam said he did in India? He said his family owned a fashion house...and I remember anjali telling me that her boyfriend did not want to meet Arnav yet cause they are rivals..." khushi said, her eyes trying to convince lavanya.

Lavanya let her go and stood up, she looked at khushi once before placing her hand on her shoulder "Ok Katya...I'll look into this...If you are so sure about this then I'm sure there must be some truth in your musings... you stay here till buaji comes to take you down. I'lll go and check up on this..and please don't tell anything to Arnav till we are not 100% sure" Lavanya said as she kissed khushi on her forehead, she smiled at the grateful smile khushi gave her and rushed back to her room leaving khushi pondering on her thoughts.

...

It was already mid-day and most of the haldi rituals were done, as the groom and bride were not allowed to be in the same room, Khushi was sitting in one room while Arnav's haldi was taking place in the adjacent one. Khushi looked up and smiled at Lavanya who was applying generous amount of Haldi on her "Eww...La stop! At this rate i'm going to look jaundiced!" khushi exclaimed as Maya and Dadiji too took their time slathering haldi on her.

"Katya! I can hardly see any part of you which is not covered in either cloth or haldi!" Lavanya exclaimed as khushi threw dirty looks at her, everyone laughed as maya cleared her throat "Ok girls! The haldi is now officially over! Khushi and arnav will not meet each other till the Jaimala at 10:30pm tonight! And you khushi are not allowed to leave the house from this hour!" maya said as khushi nervously smiled at her.

Buaji came back from the other room after applying haldi on Arnav,"Eh...Lavanya..where is Anjali? She still has to apply haldi on Khusi..." buaji said as she came forward to the little group of ladies surrounding khushi "Oh..I don't know buaji...She was just here a few minutes ago" Lavanya said looking around.

"Oh yes...Anjali applied haldi on arnav first...but then she said she was coming here to apply it on khushi? She did not come yet?" maya asked as she called HP to go and find her. Khushi looked at the door wondering about anjali , after about 15 minutes HP came back saying that anjali had left a few minutes ago, the security had told them that she had taken the car on the own instead of taking the driver

"Oh this girl na! I am sure she has gone for some last minute shopping or parlour!" maya said as she helped khushi get up, she took a damp cloth and started helping khushi get rid of all the excess haldi on her face "Khushi beta, you go and have a shower...you can't stay like this for any longer otherwise your skin will start coloring" maya said as khushi nodded and left with buaji.

A they were walking towards the stairs, she thought it best to call anjali and check her whereabouts...they had just reached the landing when khushi turned around to find arnav staring at her with a smile. She smiled back nervously and started going towards him when buaji saw her and stopped her "Ae titaliya! You can't meet arnav babua now..come lets go and get you cleaned up...then you have a small nap...God only knows you will need this rest!" Khushi gave a half-hearted smile to buaji before looking at arnav for the last time. She sighed as she walked to her room...this was going to be a long day indeed!