Chapter Ten

Arnav's brakes screeched outside Bua ji's house (a noise now familiar to all the neighbourhood due to the countless times Arnav had done this). Before the murmur of the engine had died down Arnav had already leaped up the two steps and was on Bua ji's porch, where he skidded to halt in front of the door. Where his heart fell to the floor. It was locked. The door was locked, they weren't home. Where could they have gone this late in the afternoon.

'They're at the hospital.'

'What?!!' Arnav spun around to face Happy ji. Had his fears come true, had something happened to Khushi. He had had a bad feeling this whole day regarding her safety which he kept on overlooking but now he couldn't anymore, the fear of her well-being was haunting him ever since his lapse in judgement about her character and her complete withdrawal from everyone had taken place due to his stupidity. Everywhere he saw danger for her...which wasn't exactly impossible for Khushi as she was hazardous to herself, never really looking around her and therefore always getting hurt. What had happened to her, why had they taken her to the hospital, why hadn't they informed him if it was that serious that she had to be taken into Emergency?

'Yeah Babuji had another attack this morning after that scum of a man visited him. Shyam Manohar Jha...I cannot believe his audacity to come waltzing in here like nothing had happened, like his betrayal to Khushi ji and the whole family was nothing...that...that...that...but no, no point in wasting my time over him, for it's my fault I should have been more alert, I should have stayed with Babuji as Bua ji and Amma ji had asked me too.

'But what could I do, I stepped out only for two minutes, there was a customer in the garage and Babuji motioned for me to go and so I went and in the meantime that scum came in and said God knows what to Babuji. I only saw him leaving and so rushed into to see what he had come for and found Babuji on the floor strenuously trying to say something. He wasn't looking good and so I called for an amubulance by which time Bua ji and Amma ji also arrived from the mandir and then took him to the hospital when the ambulance came. Suri ji went with them and left me to take care of the garage.

'It's all my fault...my fault...they still haven't come home I don't know what is going on at the hospital I hope he is okay...' Happy Singh had becoming teary-eyed by relating the morning's affairs to Arnav, 'Do you think Bua ji will forgive me...do you think Khushi ji and Payal ji will forgive me? Bua ji had left me in charge and I slipped up I hate myself...if only I had stayed then maybe I would have stopped that foul man from coming in and disturbing Babu ji...' Happy Singh continued on in that train of thoughts but Arnav tuned him out, he was more concerned with why Shyam had visited Shashi. This relation of events at least explained why Shyam had not been home when he went over to his place this morning. But what had he wanted to say to Uncle and the more pressing matter...WHERE WAS KHUSHI?!!!

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the approaching ambulance. Shashi had been discharged and had been brought home. Arnav moved towards the ambulances' back to help them take Shashi out, but there seemed to be some commotion there, Shashi didn't seem to want to come out. Arnav approached the back entrance and met the family there, Bua ji and Aunty were struggling with Shashi, there was some argument going on...

'Shashi babuwa first come inside and then we will call her, okay...don't worry.'

'No I need to see her now...take me to her place now'

'Didi make him understand we can't just show up there...and especially not in an ambulance...we will call her here...don't worry...come we will call Aakash bitwa and Arnav bitwa right now ok.'

'Bua ji...What happened? Why is Uncle so disturbed what is wrong?'

Hearing Arnav they all stopped and turned around. In wrestling with Shashi they hadn't even noticed that Arnav was right there. A broad smile spread across Madhumathi and Garima's face, while Shashi was happy to see him but eagerly began searching for his daughter in the crowd, as only her face would bring him any solace.

'Ee loo...baghal mein khatora, aur shehar mein dhindora...(Look here...the thing you are searching for everywhere is right under your nose.) See Arnav bitwa is right here and you have been fretting with us to go to Shantivan. Now are you not happy we came here considering who you are looking for is standing here, right in front of you!

'Arnav bitwa when did you come here? Its good that you are here...ever since Shashi Babuwa gained consciousness he has been demanding to see Sanka devi...but you are here so where is Parmaishwari...Arey ai Parmaishwari come here your Babu ji has been desperately wanting to see you!'

Arnav spun around to look for Khushi, (thinking Bua ji was talking to khushi behind him) while everyone turned around as well to see her. But she wasn't there...

'Arnav babuwa where is Khushi bitya? Did she not come with you?' Inquired Garima, while Bua ji, Shashi and the rest of the neighbourhood eyed Arnav.

'No...I...I thought she was here with all of you. Did she not come here? Happy ji did she come here after they all left to the hospital?'

'No Arnav ji...Khushi ji hasn't come here.'

'She isn't here...so where is she?' Arnav muttered to himself. Shashi now came forward to Arnav and grasped his hand (he had come down from the ambulance by now). Arnav bent down to try and understand what he wanted to say...

'Arnav bitwa...where is Khushi?'

Arnav was astounded, Shashi was speaking again, Khushi would be so happy to know that...but where was she?!!! Before Arnav could say anything Bua ji replied to Arnav unspoken thoughts...with a proud smile...

'Yes it was as surprise to all of us when he awoke...my brother...he is speaking again...chalo some good came from that scoundrel's visit...he shocked Shashi enough to cause him to start speaking again.'

Shashi ignored Madhumathi's pointless musings and tugged at Arnav again.

'Arnav bitwa where is Khushi?'

'I...I...I don't know Uncle...I have been looking for her all day too. In fact I came here thinking she may have come here...but she didn't'

'How could you not know...you're her husband...you should know...she is in danger and you don't know...Oh DM protect my bitya...protect her please...'

'What are you talking about? What do you know that you are not telling me...why is Khushi in danger?!!' Arnav screamed at Shashi. Panic was now rising within him...he didn't know for how much longer he would be able to suppress the panic that had been building inside him gradually...he needed to find Khushi...needed to see her...touch her and make sure with his eyes and hands that she was okay. He looked at Shashi with pure desperation in his eyes to give him any information that may help him find his Khushi.

Shashi reading the worry in Arnav's eyes did not deliberate and went straight to the point.

'Arnav Bitwa, Shyam came over this morning and he told me that he would hurt Khushi. Hurt Khushi because she had dared to reveal his true colour to your family. Hurt Khushi because it would hurt you, for you had humiliated him by siding with Khushi and kicked him out of the house. Arnav bitwa I don't know what happened and what not...all I know is that man is sick...he is capable of anything and he does what he says...if he has threatened to end my Bitya's life he will...you need to stop him bitwa...you need to stop him...find Khushi before he does...save my daughter bitwa...save her...she is innocent...she doesn't deserve this...I tried...I tried before too, to throw him out of my bitya's life but he paralysed me then rendering me speechless...but now...now I can't stay quiet not anymore...my bitya's life is on the line. Save her Arnav bitwa...please save her!!'

Shashi's words were followed by complete silence as everyone took in what he had just revealed. Shyam. Shyam responsible for his paralysis. Shyam responsible for his speechlessness. Shyam planning to hurt Khushi. And then out of nowhere Bua ji exploded with rage.

'THAT B*****D...HOW DARE HE?!!! HOW DARE HE HURT MY SHASHI BABUWA!!! AND NOW...NOW TRYING TO HURT MY DARLING NIECE!!! I WILL TEAR HIM TO PEICES!!! I WILL GRIND HIM INTO PULP!! I WARNED HIM NOT TO EVEN LOOK TOWARDS MY PRECIOUS DAUGHTER AND HE DARES TO HURT HER!!! WHERE IS HE? SOMEONE JUST TELL ME WHERE IS HE I WILL END HIM!!! I WILL FINISH HIM...HE DARE THREATENS KHUSHI... MY KHUSHI...I WILL KILL HIM!!!!'

The neighbourhood, Garima, Shashi and Arnav tried to calm her down. Saying that rage wouldn't help anyone at this point, the important thing to do was find Khushi and make her safe and then deal with Shyam. Arnav left them with promises of finding and securing Khushi whilst also promising to update them every half hour and getting them to talk to Khushi as soon as he found her. With this done Arnav ran to his car, but as he got in the reality of his blunder and the position he had left Khushi in dawned on him. How could he have been so stupid to let that man in his house again. Nanji and NK had been right, he did not stop once to think about Khushi's safety...granted at that moment he had refused to believe her (another idiotic move on his part but he didn't have the time to sulk in that misery right now) but even if he at that moment had thought her to be wrong he should have figured as much that they weren't on the best of terms right now and so neither would be thrilled to be under the same roof after the spat that had taken place yesterday...well then again at that moment he had foolishly thought he would use their fight to his advantage in helping his Di...but now...Oh how everything had turned south...and Khushi...his Khushi was in danger because of him. He had literally opened the door for Shyam to come in and hurt Khushi...what an idiot he had been!!!

He began to sink again, the panic was rising and taking over him, as his limbs turned ice-cold thinking about the torturous plans Shyam had layen for his Khushi and how he had left her vulnerable for that beast to take full advantage. He could feel him losing control and drowning in pain and fear again. He gripped the steering wheel to try and get a hold on reality. He couldn't do this...not right now...Khushi...his Khushi needed him and he couldn't let her down, not this time. He gripped the steering wheel with all his might and allowed himself only 3 seconds of self-loathing and fear...3...2...1. That's it!! That was all...he was going to be in control of himself now...he needed to think and act fast...all may not be lost yet...firstly he needed to figure out where Khushi was, she hadn't been in the Mandir. She hadn't gone to the terrace. She didn't come here to Bua ji's house...and she hadn't come to the room so where had she gone...

Chan...chan...the sound of payal (anklets) distracted Arnav...and for a brief moment he looked up hopeful, that Khushi had finally come home to Bua ji's but no it was only a small girl running by wearing payal (anklets)...payal...Khushi loved them...Payal!!! Of course. Khushi must be with Payal...what had Payal said to him...that she wouldn't leave Khushi alone or anywhere near him...Payal must have taken Khushi with her...and Di had mentioned something about them all going to the Mandir.

Arnav took out his Bluetooth, plugged it in his ear and punched Payal's number in his phone. He revved up the engine as the phone began to ring.

Toot...toot...toot...tooot. Payal had cut his phone. He rang again. She cut it again. He rang again and she cut it again. This was not going to work Payal had nothing to say to him but he desperately needed to talk to her and get a hold of Khushi. He needed to alert her and Khushi until he got to them. He tried Aakash's number, as he was the one who had taken them all to the mandir.

Aakash answered on the second bell...

'Hello bhai...'

'Aakash...Aakash where are you guys? Is Khushi there with you?'

'Bhai we are at the Mandir what's going on?'

'Aakash is Payal or Khushi there...I need to talk to them urgently.'

'Uh...yeah Payal's here...Payal here bhai wants to talk to you...'

'How stupid are you...did you not understand by my continually disconnecting your phone that I do not want to talk to you...'

'Payal wait don't disconnect I need to talk to you...please...Payal where is Khushi?'

'Far from you!'

'Payal please...I know your angry at me and you and Khushi and everyone has every right to be I won't even try to defend myself for my incompetence...but please Payal this isn't about me right now it's about Khushi...she's in danger.'

'She's been in danger ever since you entered her life Mr Raizada...'

'Payal your not understanding I was just with your Babu ji, he told me that Shyam gave him a visit this morning and revealed to Uncle that he was going to hurt Khushi...so please...please tell me where Khushi is...is she with you? Please tell me she is with you...'

'Babu ji...babu ji...is talking again...' Payal whispered into the phone and Arnav could hear her crying again. But he didn't have the time for this, they could rejoice over Shashi regaining his voice later right now Khushi was a priority and so he pressed on...

'Payal please focus...yes Uncle has regained his speech but can you focus for now and tell me is Khushi with you?!!!'

'Khu..Khushi isn't with me. I left her at home, to rest in my room. She wasn't feeling well.'

Payal's answered churned Arnav's stomache. He was definitely going to throw up. But he stifled back the contents of his stomach and the fear that was desperately trying to take control of him...and headed the car in direction of Shantivan as he asked Payal his most dreaded question in a soft whisper...

'Where is Shyam?'

'Shyam?...Shyam ji is here...somewhere...'

'Jija ji...no he just left with Di...Di wasn't feeling well. They went home' floated in Aakash's voice in the background.

*****

yes this is where i'm leaving it off for today...n yup i am evil n u are more then welcome to kill me for it...but just remember if u do that then u won't get the next chaps...so if u wait for once i have updated the next few n ur heart is no longer n the lurch n then kill me then that will be more rewarding to u all 😛

o n abt why i'm being evil n leaving u on the edge of the cliff, well its me being selfish n wanting to know ur reactions after these 2 chaps n then also because i am evil like that 😉

Links to all chaps

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/60564160�

ACTywm2012-08-21 18:59:27