13. Kambakht Ishq - birthday OS June'24

5 days ago

manjiri

@m4manju

This is birthday gift for pridqrshi9. Wish you many happy returns of the day, dear. Wish you lots of love and happiness on this day and the year ahead. Have a fantastic one ♥

The OS is action/thriller genre and not show based. Pls try to use headphones and listen to the song added above for better effects, I'm not adding lyrics today.

--*--

"So, you were lying to me all this while?" he hissed in pain as he tried to free his hands from ropes.

She smirked arrogantly, something he never had associated with her before.

"Not all this while Mr. Raizada! But sometimes you have to lie to get what you want!"

"I HATE YOU, KHUSHI!" he spat.

"LIKEWISE, Arnav, I hate you too." and she left, closing the door behind her back, where he was held captive.

She couldn't help but let a traitor tear roll down from her eye and furiously wiped it. He didn't deserve her tears; he didn't deserve anything from her.

This was after all a story of love, hate and passion! A story of an unsuspecting young businessman who had come to that remote village to set up his factory and story of this young girl who was made to stop his project. The only thing she didn't consider was that love is the name of that sweet poison which spreads in your system once you touch it!

--*--

6 months ago, a small village, India:

"Amma, why are you so worried?" Arnav asked over the phone, parking his jeep and removing his glasses. This was his first day at Durgapur, a remote village in central India.

"What should I do if not worry Arnav? You are there in that dangerous place. Mujhe tumhrara waha jana bilkul pasand nahi tha, (I didn't like you going there) you know it. Khair mujhe to tumhara ye businessman banna hi pasand nahi tha (I didn't even like you run a business). But who listens to me anyway?"

"Don't worry amma, your son knows how to take care of himself."

"Let it be, I know how much you care for yourself. Issi liye keh rahi thi, shaadi kar lo, bahu le aao (That's why I was saying get married)."

"Amma not again, Di got married that's enough na? For me, my one and only love is Raizada Textiles." That was true. In his 28 years of life, Arnav Singh Raizada had only loved his business. No girl could ever win his fancy let alone come closer to him! That was his dedication.

"Aise thodi hota hain (It doesn't work like that)? God surely has made someone for you, and I am just waiting for her." She said but Arnav changed the topic and ended the call.

Ratna Singh Raizada had single handedly raised her two kids, Anjali and Arnav, after her cheater-husband had betrayed her and refused to give his name to their kids. She then used her maiden name to them and raised them to be quite successful in life. Her daughter, Anjali, was married to a politician 4 years ago and her son had started a textile business which became quite popular very soon. He now was trying to set up a factory in a small village Durgapur. However, there was quite an opposition from local leaders there. That had made ratna worried for arnav's safety, but he didn't listen and went to visit the village himself.

.

.

"Chutki, aur kitni der (How much longer)?"

"Bass, ho gaye ready bhaiyya (I am ready, bhaiyya)."

Khushi came out of her room wearing a beautiful saree and her brother, Shyam was left emotional seeing her like that.

They both were very young when their parents were killed and since then her shyam bhaiyya became her amma and babuji for her. He had always sent her to hostels to finish her education and only recently she had come back to Durgapur. Her bhaiyya was now a renowned leader of this village and working for a big politician named Arvind Malik. He himself was a bright student at Delhi university but something happened 4 years ago which made him come back and since then he has been here.

"Kitni pyari lag rahi hain meri gudiya (My doll is looking so pretty). Bass ek bar teri shaadi ho jaye (Now once I get you married)-"

"Please bhaiyya, I am just 22. Shaadi ki baat bohot dur hai (marriage is farfetched). And I want to help you, here."

"No chutki. Durgapur is becoming more and more dangerous, you know na? Arvind sir is trying his best to save our village from greedy industrialists who want to open their factories here. But we won't let it happen-"

Just then their trusted ally Mohan came in.

"Shaym bhaiyya, ek buri news hai (there is bad news). The owner of Raizada textiles is here, and he is planning a meeting with Sarpanch(village head) to convince him of the land for the factory. We have heard he is the best businessman in recent years. What should we do?"

Shyam's face contorted in worry and anger. He had to do something, to stop Arnav Singh Raizada from setting up his factory here. Besides, this was a golden chance to win Arvind Malik's goodwill. He then looked at Khushi and an idea stuck in his mind. Sure, it was risky to involve his doll in this, but he would always be there to keep a watch.

And that was how Khushi was sent into Arnav's life.

.

.

It was a road through the jungle area which Arnav had to take to go to the guest house where he was staying. There were no big fancy hotels in this village, and he had to reluctantly take whatever was available there. He had insisted on driving his own jeep, not trusting a local driver but now he was cursing his decision. As now in the middle of the jungle, his jeep's tire got punctured. He didn't carry a spare tire and there was no way of getting any help.

He contemplated walking to the guesthouse when he heard what felt like a tiger's roar from the distance. He had heard this area was also a habitat for tigers. This was just great. Now not only he was stranded in a damn jungle, but his life was also at stake! All because of his passion to prove to the world and especially to a certain Arvind Malik that he can and will make his way as he wished!

The rustling sound of leaves made a shiver run down his spine. Was this the end? Was he going to die like this in that jungle?

That was when an enchanting scent of lavender and lilies filled his nostrils. And soon a beautiful voice fell on his ears,

"Do you need help?"

Arnav opened his eyes and saw a fairy-like girl, dressed in a gorgeous red saree, in front of him. He almost doubted if he was meeting some heavenly nymph before death until he noticed she was on her scooter. As far as he knew fairies don't ride scooters!

She snapped her fingers in front of his face and asked, "Where are you lost? Look, it's getting dark, and this place is risky, there are many wild animals around. So, unless you plan to be at their dinner, I suggest you hop on my scooter, and I can drop you whenever you want to go. You look like a visitor to my village and it's my responsibility to help." she spoke in a single breath, answering all possible questions.

He smiled. She was truly a heavenly creature, sent especially to help him!

.

.

Over the next few months, he often met Khushi on different occasions. Sometimes in the local market where he went to buy something, sometimes near sarpanch's office, sometimes at some village festival performing a traditional dance, and every time he was left mesmerized by her. They had become sort of friends, but he knew he liked her. A lot. And if his instincts weren't wrong, she too liked him.

Which was why he had come to meet her at this far away building on the day when he was supposed to finalize the land acquisition for his factory. She had called him saying she was in trouble, and he had left everything to go to her rescue.

But then he became aware of her true face when she got him trapped. And then he came face to face with someone he didn't think he would see again. Shyam. His Anjali di's former lover. Arnav remembered Anjali had deceived Shyam and without heeding his pleas and begging, had married someone else. Arnav hadn't understood why his sister behaved so wrong with shyam and had felt bad for shyam. But they never heard or saw him again. Until today.

And looked like this was his way of seeking revenge.

End of flashback

--*--

Arnav was struggling with his rope to free himself. Intense thirst and hunger were making him dizzy. And to add to that the pain of heartbreak was making him more restless too. How did he not see this? Where did his sharp instincts go?

He was about to give into exhaustion when he felt someone hold a glass of water near his mouth.

He looked up and saw Khushi standing there with expressionless face.

Even though he was thirsty, he turned his face away. There was no way he would drink water from her hands.

"I don't have all day. Drink this."

"I don't want anything from you. Who knows if this is poisoned?" he asked bitterly.

It stung khushi. But of course, she had got this on herself and had no right to be hurt by his words.

Silently, she lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip proving it wasn't laced. And again forwarded it to arnav.

He still didn't take it.

"They want you to go away." She said, seeing he wasn't giving in.

"What?"

She sighed and sat near him.

"My brother, Shyam bhaiyya, he and the others from his organization do not want you to open this factory here. They want to scare you and make you go away. The sooner you accept it, the better it will be for you."

"I will never accept it." he said.

Khushi's eyes flashed in anger and what looked like worry but arnav didn't want to fool himself again.

"Why don't you understand? These people are dangerous. Maybe my shyam bhaiyya won't do anything but his boss, Arvind Malik will go to any level to get what he wants."

Arnav scoffed. "Why do you even care?" and then he registered the name she just took. "Wait, did you say Arvind Malik?"

Khushi nodded.

He started laughing suddenly making her frown. "So that bast*rd is involved in this?"

"Do you already know him?"

Arnav stopped laughing and a disgusted expression took over his face, "Yes. Because he is my father, and I am his illegitimate son." he said through gritted teeth. "All his life, he has tried to get rid of us as his dirty secret hidden away from his legal wife and kids but when he couldn't, this is the way he has chosen to finish me."

Khushi's eyes widened in shock and fear hearing that. Finish him? NO! She had only agreed to help Shyam bhaiyya and Arvind up to the point of forcing Arnav to leave from here. But in no way did she want to harm his life.

If what arnav said was truth, she would have to help him get out of here.

--*--

Khushi had barely come out of the room where Arnav was trapped when she saw Shyam and Arvind approach her, along with a few men. But what horrified Khushi was a loaded gun in Arvind's hand. This was bad. She couldn't take the chance.

So, immediately making a decision, she entered the room and locked it from inside. Quickly taking a look around, she noticed there was a small window near the roof. She came near Arnav and started opening his ties.

"You have to run. And do not come back."

Arnav was very puzzled. What the hell was she trying to do? A few hours ago, she herself ensured he was trapped here and now she herself was freeing him?

Khushi looked at him annoyed when he showed no movement. "There is no time, Arnav. You must run. NOW."

But before Arnav could say anything, they heard loud knocks on the door.

"Chutki? Open the door!" shyam's voice came.

Khushi looked at Arnav in worry and nudged him to get up. But he showed no movement. At this point, he was certain about one thing, that whatever she did and said in a few hours was a lesser truth than what he had seen her do in the past few months and what he was seeing in her eyes at that moment. And it was worth fighting for.

"No bhaiyya. You promised you wouldn't harm him. I can't let you do this."

It was when they heard Arvind Malik for the first time.

"What is this, Shyam? I had asked you to send Khushi to just trick Arnav come here, not become his lover! You disappointed me. Anyway, now that we've got what we needed from him, he is of no use to us."

And then he ordered the men with him to start breaking the door.

"Arvind sir, please, I beg you, let Arnav go. I promise you will never see him again. But please spare his life." Khushi said from the inside.

"That you will khushi, you will never see him again. Because I am going to kill him. And you too if you don't oblige."

And with that the door opened.

A lot of things happened in that moment. Khushi came to stand in front of Arnav, Arvind pointed a gun in their direction and Shyam tackled Arvind to make him lose the gun.

"You are not going to hurt my sister, Arvind sir!" Shyam said, while Arvind lay on the ground. He signaled his men who immediately came to hold Shyam, and a couple of them went to Khushi and Arnav.

Arvind got up and looked in satisfaction as his men overpowered shyam, khushi and arnav.

"Tch tch tch, you stupid kids! When will you learn?"

Arnav looked at him in disgust and said, "Arvind Malik! You have problem with me, right? Then let them go."

Arvind laughed looking at Khushi. "Oh. So, my illegitimate son is in love? But unfortunately, I can't let your love story be completed just like I didn't let your sister's."

Shyam looked at Arvind in shock. Did this mean it was Arvind behind Anjali rejecting him?

Arvind turned to shyam, "Yes, you heard right. It was me who made Anjali break up with you, I couldn't take risk of you marrying her and getting to know my dirty secrets. Otherwise, you'd have used them against me anytime."

"You sick bast*rd! How could you do this to your own-"

"Children? Of course I could. Anjali was still easily gullible. But this son of mine is becoming a big threat for me. He is a popular businessman now! It's matter of time before media gets to know his parentage and get me ruined. But I won't let it happen. And thus, I am going to finish this today. Sadly, you and your sister will also die with him." Arvind said as he once again picked up the gun.

But he had truly underestimated shyam and Arnav. They both were masters in martial arts and within a blink of an eye they managed to free themselves and get all the men immobile, lying on ground.

Arnav soon snatched the gun from Arvind and pointed it to him while Shyam used his mobile phone to call sarpanch and his men for help.

"The game doesn't get over until it is over, DAD!" Arnav spoke, with rage "Enough of you playing with our lives. This is your last game and you have been defeated here. By ME!"

Shyam also managed to hold Arvind capture and very soon, Sarpanch was there with local police who arrested Arvind Malik for kidnapping Arnav Singh Raizada and attempting to murder him along with Shyam and khushi.

Shyam was speaking to the Sarpanch when Arnav came towards Khushi who was not able to meet his eyes.

He took a deep breath, removed his jacket and wrapped it around her shivering body.

"Why did you not run away when you had a chance?" she asked tearfully. Her heart clenched further seeing his own state, he was exhausted, she could see imprints from the ropes on his wrist. She closed her eyes in despair.

He looked at her and the bruises Arvind's men's fingers had left on her delicate milky skin and felt an anger bubble inside him. How could his father do this to her? But then again, that's what he was, heartless monsters! And she was part of that group. That was the funniest thing. He should ideally detest her, let alone rescue her. Yet he found himself unable to do it. He found himself caring for her, feeling his heart beat for her.

Maybe because he had truly fallen in love. With her. Despite everything.

"Perhaps for the same reason that you stood as a shield in front of me when Arvind was ready to shoot me?" he asked her, making her look at him emotionally.

True, she had won his trust as a part of this plan. But through all these days as she spent time with him, she had come to know he was not a bad person and he truly cared for her. Thus, whatever her shyam bhaiyya planned to do with him, she had always ensured they wouldn't harm him beyond a certain limit. But today when it was about his life, she had found herself come to his rescue. Why? Was she in love with him? But will he ever accept her feelings now, after her deceit?

She then saw Shyam come near them and stand in front of arnav, folding his hands, "I am truly sorry, Arnav. You didn't deserve this. I wasn't aware that Arvind Malik was after your life. He had told me he wanted to stop your factory as he was planning to open a school here." He mirthlessly chuckled, "Anyway. I understand if you want to hand me over to the police. But please, let chutki, I mean khushi go. She did all this because of me."

Arnav didn't say anything for a long time. And then said, "If it is true that you put me in danger then it is also true that you did not let me die, you saved my life. So, I don't think it warrants a police case." His words made shyam smile. And then Arnav added, "Anjali di is separated from her husband. A few months ago. Thought to let you know." His words truly made shyam surprised and happy. After knowing that Anjali had broken up with him on Arvind's manipulation, this could be their new beginning.

Khushi saw Arnav turn around to leave and ran to him, "Arnav, wait."

He stopped. But when she came to stand beside him and didn't say anything, he asked, "What is it?" even though he had an idea why she stopped him.

"Erm. Will you- us- I mean, me-" she was struggling with words, but seeing him about to leave again, she said, "I am sorry Arnav. What I did to you was wrong. I really hope you can forgive me one day. Or give me a punishment you find fit." She managed to say.

Arnav looked at her face and her downcast eyes. And suddenly her words from earlier that morning came to him. All were not lies. What was not a lie?

"Our first meet, the way you came to help me, was that a lie?" he asked.

She shook her head in denial, "I was supposed to find you in the guesthouse, meeting you in the jungle wasn't planned."

"And that day, after the festival, when you danced for me, was that a lie?"

She shook her head again in denial.

"And when you said the girl, I will marry will be lucky to have me, was that a lie?"

"That was the truest thing I ever told you." khushi said in a whisper. The girl in his life would truly be lucky. Something she could have been but not now.

He smiled, getting his answers.

"You know what? You are right. You deserve to be punished." He said, taking her aback.

"Your punishment is a lifelong handcuff. Handcuff that includes to never lie to me again, to be with me in every step of the life, and to never put yourself in danger for me again." His voice held adamant demand!

She smiled through her tears, "Everything is acceptable except the last part. I can never stop myself from protecting you."

Hearing that, he pulled her in his arms, and she willingly went to hug him. She would never ruin this second chance she got now.

And they stood there, uncaring of the audience. This was after all; one heck of a love story and it was only getting started!

--*--

A/N - Too intense? Actually, I had kept this idea for a potential FF but considering how limited time I get to write, I had to drop it. However, I still wanted to share this story, so I condensed the plot in an OS. Hope it wasn't too bad.