2 | ArHi FF Resistance | COMPLETE - Page 57

Khushi stared at the figure in the doorway, swallowing nervously. She cursed the traitorous skip in her heart, unable to look away from the penetrating, caramel eyes that glimmered in the dim light.

She berated herself for letting him affect her, her pulse racing. He tilted his head imperceptibly, fixing her with a piercing gaze. He didn't look away, his voice steely as he addressed the jailer.

"May I speak to her, please?"

Her eyes widened in shock, and she was distinctly aware of the women surrounding her that stared at her curiously. Her head pounded, her eyes stinging as she stared at him, completely drained.

She couldn't do this right now.

She silently pleaded with him, begging him to come back later. He merely stared back at her resolutely, his jaw set as a storm gathered in his eyes.

The leering jailer looked between Arnav and Khushi, before nodding, scuttling away.

Had Khushi been anywhere else, she would have been amused by the way the previously mocking jailer cowered like a mouse in the face of Arnav Singh Raizada.

The lights flickered uncertainly above them as the wooden door to the room swung shut, the jailer giving them one last, curious peep. Arnav stood in front of her, his mouth quirking up slightly in a taunting smirk.

She shifted uncomfortably. The silence was deafening, pressing down on her with a heavy weight, the tension thick in the air. She almost wished the jailer would stay, so she wouldn't have to face the man standing in front of her.

"I cannot say that I am entirely surprised to see you here, Khushi."

His voice held none of the warmth and affection she had grown used to, hard and unforgiving. Through her peripheral vision, she could see that his arms were crossed across his chest, his eyes narrowed at her.

She took in a shuddering breath, her heart unable to bear the weight of his mocking, harsh tone. She felt the deep, guttural pain, her body pleading for mercy as she stared at him, the tears swimming in her eyes.

She didn't want to hear it. She was tired of fighting.

Her mind lingered on NK, her heart constricting painfully at the thought. She knew he was in trouble, the allegations against him strong enough to warrant hang-

No. She wouldn't think that way. There had to be something she could do.

The distant, angry man standing in front of her wasn't someone she recognized, and she desperately longed for the warmth of his embrace. She looked away, the tears burning her eyes, her body craving his touch even as her brain mocked her weakness with this man.

Arnav felt a sharp pain shoot through him at the tears in her eyes, the silent plea for him to stop.

He hated the emptiness in her eyes.

His heart clenched in anguish for the woman in front of him, his arms aching to reach out to her and cradle her, letting her pour her sadness into him.

He forced his heart to harden, ignoring the dull pangs that pressed against him.

"Do you realize what you have done with your ridiculous revolution?"

Her eyes snapped up to his, flashing defiantly. She gritted her teeth, her temper sparked by his disdainful comment.

He felt the satisfaction sweep over him, relieved by the fact that he had sparked something in her hazel eyes. He pushed back, itching for a fight, his mind solely focused on what he had come here to do.

"I came here to fix your mistakes."

"You are free to leave, Mr. Raizada. I am perfectly content to stay here for as long as I am kept. There is no need for you to fix my mistakes'"

Her voice was low and hard. She refused to look at him, her gaze pointedly turned away. He felt the anger boil up at her scorn, wanting to whirl her around and force her to look at him.

He took a deep breath before responding in a deceptively soft voice, his gaze never leaving her.

"And what do you propose to tell Ma and Papa?"

She froze, but didn't flinch. A cold smirk took over his face, his eyes hard and unforgiving as he spoke.

"Papa is the most prominent pro-British advocate. Think about how it will impact his reputation if it gets out that the girl he took into his home and heart is participating in revolutionary activities and has gotten herself thrown in jail."

The color drained from her face, and he knew he had hit his mark. He pushed harder, letting the jealousy and anger swirling in his stomach fuel his words. He knew she felt indebted to his parents, and he used it to his advantage, relentlessly pushing her.

"And that man, who you were so confident would make you... content."

He sneered, relishing the way her face blanched. A sharp pain flit across her face, and he felt the deep punch of guilt. He could see the anguish in her eyes, the sheen of tears. She didn't speak, her face set like ivory as she stared at him.

And he hated that all he wanted to do was to pull her into his arms and wipe them away.

He held back a frustrated snarl, channeling the jealousy that pulled at him to back her further into a corner.

"He betrayed you, didn't he? He was the one who set off a bomb, who critically injured two policemen... all after he told you that he would join you, isn't that right?"

She felt as if someone had punched her in the gut, his mocking tone slicing through her broken heart. She felt her head pound, her eyes threatening to water as the tears prickled at the back of her throat, sending needles of pain through her.

She hated the sneer in his voice, the arrogance that he had been right.

"Imagine what will happen when people find out that the girl Papa adopted is associated with the guy who nearly kill-"

"Stop."

Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough to silence him, the slight tremble making his insides twist. He clenched his fist, resisting the urge to wrap his arms around her and pull her close and shield her from it all, the pain written across her face hurting him as much as it hurt her.

No. He had to do this. It was the only way.

"The truth hurts, doesn't it Khushi? I told you, I warned you to stay away, and-"

Her eyes sparked with anger, and she took a step forward, ignoring the tears that pressed against her. She couldn't stand to hear him say one more word against NK, the condescension in his voice making her blood boil.

"Just stop! I don't need you to tell me what is right and what is wrong. Don't... don't you dare insult N-"

She stumbled over his name, her throat closing rapidly. She looked away, the tears pooling in her eyes at his memory. She took long, labored breaths that failed to dull the anguish that seared through her.

Arnav stared at her, a sea of emotions churning within him. He couldn't take the sight of pain in her eyes, and he felt the burning anger towards NK for having caused her this. The jealousy clawed at his stomach, taunting him.

She was crying for NK, wasn't she? She must be devastated by losing the man she lov-

His heart screamed. He fought to keep control of himself, spiteful fury coursing through him as the nails dug into his palm, leaving deep, crescent shaped grooves, cutting into the tender skin.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus on his goal. He couldn't let his anger get the best of him.

"I can't very well defend a traitor, can I?"

He knew he had hit his mark, the word infuriating her.

He saw her stiffen, her body trembling as the tears spilled down her cheeks unchecked. The guilt pressed heavily against him, and his fingers uncurled as his hand unwittingly lifted towards her.

No.

He let it fall back to his side, allowing the malicious sneer to take over his face.

"He isn't a traitor."

Her voice was barely a whisper, but he could hear every ounce of hatred she poured into it. It stung him, his stomach twisting as the words sank in, her immediate defense of him igniting a fire.

She was still defending him. Even after he had betrayed her. She must have really lov-

He pushed the thought away, his figure stiff with anger. His eyes danced mockingly, a lazy smile on his face.

"And what would Ma and Papa think of you associating with such traitors, defending them?"

She sucked in a sharp breath, but refused to look away, staring resolutely at him.

"Papa knows, Papa supports this cause, and you know it."

"But Ma doesn't, and you know she will be disappointed. She has given you so much, and yet, you-"

She held up a hand, her voice shaking as she spoke. Her face was flushed, wisps of hair falling into her face from her braid, her body tight with barely repressed anger. Her voice was a hiss, cutting through the tension in the room.

"Not another word about NK. He is my friend, my fian-"

He didn't give her a chance to finish, grasping her upper arms tightly, his eyes darkened to a near black. He couldn't stand that she felt so deeply for NK, a red haze clouding his eyes, his stomach clenching in jealousy.

"He is not your fianc. Nothing was made official."

He abruptly let her go and turned away, cursing himself for losing control. His fists curled at his sides, the urge to slam it into the wall pressing against him. He could feel her gaze on his back, her eyes scanning his figure.

He took a deep breath and turned around slowly, staring at her with a calculating gaze. She suddenly felt the cold wash of dread, his eyes pinning her to the spot as if she was his prey.

"The rest of the world will not overlook the mistakes of a girl taken in by the family. This will ruin our reputation along with yours, and I cannot simply stand by and let that happen."

She opened her mouth to speak, but his sharp glare silenced her.

"They will not, however, believe that the bahu of the Raizadas would commit such an irresponsible mistake."

He paused, letting the words sink in. Her eyes widened, her mouth parting in shock. She began to shake her head, stepping back away from him.

"You cannot mean that I-"

No. No, he couldn't be doing this, not now, not so soon after-

Her heart clenched, needles piercing through her as the memory of NK's joy at her acceptance of his proposal swirled with the painful anguish of Arnav, their fight on the terrace echoing in her mind.

A slow, sardonic smile pulled at the edge of his lips, and he crossed his arms over his chest, regarding her with a satisfaction.

She would have to agree. There was simply no other way out.

"Marry me, Khushi."

(continued in the next post)

The words rang in her head, a screaming echo as she stared at him blankly. His voice was cold and unfeeling, a complete contrast to the last time he had said them. She could still feel the shadow of his hands against hers, the warmth in his caramel eyes flashing in front of her.

Why?

Because I love you.

She felt like crying at the sheer difference in the two situations. She stared into his eyes, trying to find a glimmer of the warmth and love that had been there before.

But she found none.

She closed her eyes, blinking away the sudden prickle of tears.

His voice broke into her thoughts, soft and deceptively gentle.

"If you marry me, no one will believe that this happened. Papa and Ma's reputation will be saved, and-"

"How dare you?"

She burst out, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. She shoved at his chest, and he stumbled back, grasping the edge of the table.

"How dare you ask me to marry you?"

She shoved him again, her eyes swimming with hot tears. She reached out to push him again, but he grasped her wrists, holding them just tight enough so that she couldn't move. His nose nearly touched hers, his eyes boring into hers, forcing her to look at him.

"You don't have much of a choice. You got yourself into this."

She wrenched her hands out of his, whirling around to face him, her braid swinging forward.

"I got myself into nothing! I will not marry you."

Arnav swore roundly, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He gritted his teeth, his eyes resting on the woman in front of him as she took deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

"You don't have a choice, Khushi. You have to marry me."

"I don't have to do anything."

They stood toe to toe, breathing heavily as they glared at each other. His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her, her cheeks flushed with anger. His eyes followed a curl on her forehead, wanting to reach out and brush it behind her cheek. He saw the awareness creep in, her eyes darting away, her breath quickening.

"Very well then."

She stared at him in surprise as he stepped away, a smirk curving his lips. The confident glint in his eyes unsettled her, and she looked at him warily, unable to believe that he had given up so soon.

He reached forward, his fingers brushing her cheek as he pushed back the curl resting there. He lingered for a moment too long, his eyes meeting hers. There was a flash of desire and warmth, but he placed his mask of indifference on before she could look further.

"But you will marry me, Khushi."

His voice was low and husky, and then he stepped away, a cold wash of air splashing her in the absence of his warmth.

But before she could say anything, he had whirled around on his heel, leaving the fading click of his heels echoing in the hall.

*********

"Let me go!"

She struggled in the rough grip of the jailer as he dragged her down the hall, away from the cell filled with women. He searched in his pocket for his keys, pulling them out and unlocking the door with a click. He shoved her in, and she stumbled, taking in the small cell.

"Why am I here? Why did you take me out of there? What did I do?"

"You are a part of the resistance."

"That's hardly enough! So are all of those other people! Why am I in here? Put me back with the people I have fought with!"

He ignored her, fiddling with the lone bed at the corner, setting a bucket beside it.

"You are more dangerous."

Khushi scoffed incredulously.

"Dangerous?"

"You know Nikhil Kumar. You know the leaders of this movement."

"They are my friends! Is it a crime to meet friends as well now?"

She asked, throwing her hands up.

"They are responsible for the bombings of government buildings and critically injuring police officers."

"But I-"

He didn't give her a chance to finish, stalking out of the cell and letting it slam shut. She screamed after him to no avail, sinking against the wall in frustration.

She sat there for what seemed like hours, counting the cracks on the wall as she murmured the Hanuman Chalisa. She felt the frustration bubbling up, and grabbed the bucket, hurling it against the wall.

She stared at the cracked bucket, chuckling darkly at how the cracks seemed to mirror her own life. She roughly brushed at the tears that streaked down her cheeks, burning a path down her face as she stared blankly at the wall.

Her mind whirled with memories, her wet lashes cool against her cheeks as she recalled the moments she had shared with NK.

She could see him in her mind's eye, his voice encouraging her to fight, simmering with passion. His words echoed in her brain, proud and dignified as he spoke of his country, the words ringing in the enraptured silence of his audience.

She saw his warm brown eyes that swirled with emotions, the reverence with which he looked at her. She closed her eyes, focusing on them, her mind slipping to the caramel flecks that glimmered in the sunlight.

The brown morphed into caramel before she could realize it, becoming the guarded eyes that warmed when she walked into a room, never leaving her. She shivered, feeling the burn of his gaze on her, her skin tingling with the memory of his touch.

She vaguely heard the click of the lock, but didn't look up, expecting it to be the jailer.

"You wouldn't be here if you took me up on my offer."

She looked up when the heavy, barred door slammed shut, her hazel eyes glittering with anger as she took in the person in front of her. Her heart slammed in her chest, cursing the traitorous way it had recalled those carefully locked away memories.

She pushed her feelings away, throwing her anger at him.

"They cannot possibly hold me here. They have no charges against me."

"Don't blame me for this. I warned you."

Her frustration boiled over, and she snapped, pushing herself roughly off the floor.

"This is your idea of British equality and justice? Holding an innocent girl here, in this dank jail cell, for no crime?"

"Oh, but you have committed a crime."

He drawled lazily, crossing his arms over his chest. She took in a deep breath, but it failed to douse the fire blazing in her eyes, indignation flashing across them.

"The crime of meeting friends? Your angrez have made that a crime too? Shabash."

"What bullshit. You organized that as a part of that rubbish 'Quit India' movement, you and that... man."

She bristled, her eyes flashing in irritation. She felt the deep twist in the pit of her stomach, the pain nearly making her cringe, her heart tight with repressed anguish.

"That man is my fianc."

She cursed the fact that her voice broke on the last word, the man in front of her not missing it. She thought she saw a flicker of empathy in his dark gaze, but it was gone before she could look again.

His voice was rough as he spoke, his gaze darkening further. She saw the familiar anger at the mention of NK, the jealousy that he didn't bother hiding.

"He isn't your fianc yet. You're facing over a year in jail, and he is almost certain to..."

She flinched, not wanting to accept the truth. Her heart ached, and for a moment, she could see his warm smile, the impassioned voice as he stood at the front of the room. She blinked, the tears prickling at the back of her eyes.

His voice interrupted her thoughts, sharp and unforgiving.

"I told you not to associate with him, didn't I?"

She could see the barely concealed distaste in his eyes, his face contorted into a grimace.

"It is not wrong to meet friends. Neither is it wrong to want freedom from a government a continent away."

He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a harsh curse.

"Damn it, Khushi, why are you doing this?"

"Because I am Indian. Not British. This is Bharat, and they've had us to use as the crown jewel of their damned empire for much too long."

"Why can't you see that they've done good things for this broken country? They've brought it some sense of unity."

"Yeah, unity against them."

"That man is bad news, Khushi. Stay away from him."

She stood up, pushing herself abruptly from the tiny bed to step up to him. He towered over her in his pristinely pressed suit, glaring at her through squared glasses, but it didn't seem to deter her.

"Is this really about British colonialism, Mr. Raizada?"

"It's Mr. Raizada, now?"

"Why does it matter to you?"

Her eyes were cool, regarding him with something akin to smugness. He stepped closer, his hands fisted at his sides as his dark eyes glimmered with barely concealed rage.

"I didn't throw you in jail. You threw yourself in jail by collaborating with that madman and involving yourself with a frivolous movement. Did you even think of the consequences on my family? Or did you focus only on yourself?"

He saw her face blanch, and felt a strange sense of satisfaction at unnerving her.

"Think about it, Khushi. The girl staying with the Raizadas, who are well known for their loyalty, is accused of being a traitor."

"I am not a traitor."

She hissed, stung by his words.

"But that's not how everyone will see it, is it?"

His mocking tone infuriated her, and she gritted her teeth. He stepped closer, forcing her to look up at him.

"There's no way you'll get out of here on your own. And while you deserve to pay for your insolence, my family's reputation will be compromised."

Her eyes snapped up to him, flashing with anger as she gritted out a response.

"I don't particularly care about the jail time, Arnav. They're my family too, and I'm hardly a commodity that you can claim'."

He raised an eyebrow, smiling lazily. She had admitted exactly what he needed her to.

"They are your family, aren't they? So... you wouldn't want them to be disgraced in this manner, would you?"

She sucked in a sharp breath, pain evident on her face.

"The choice is yours, Khushi. You can choose to stay here with... him, pursuing a misguided set of ideals. Or you can agree to my offer and keep our family from being disgraced."

"I don't need your damned pity, Arnav."

She bit out determinedly, resentment in every word. His eyes lingered on her flushed face, the hazel eyes that held contempt and burned with fury. His gaze slid down the curve of her neck, following a bead of perspiration that slid into her sari. He felt the familiar pangs of desire shoot through him, and swore violently in his head.

He felt the barriers holding his anger back break, and he slid his hand to the nape of her neck, pulling her sharply into him.

He hated that he couldn't resist her, even when she hated him.

"Go to hell, Khushi Kumari Gupta."

He whispered the words against her lips, fury laden in every word. Her eyes widened as she realized what he was going to do, but before she could react, he crushed her lips beneath his.

It was hardly a kiss of love, purely fueled by lust. Khushi struggled in his arms, steadfastly holding her mouth shut. Her fists gripped his collar tightly, her fingernails digging into the expensive fabric.

He bit down sharply on her lower lip, drawing blood. She gasped, and he thrust his tongue into her mouth, soothing the pain with a gentle swipe of his tongue. He felt her anger in the way she responded, biting and nipping as she dueled with him.

Her eyes fluttered shut as his hands pulled at her hair, letting the thick, silky strands fall through his fingers.

His hands slid down her back to rest at her hips as he backed her against the wall, tugging her lower body into his. He pressed his hips against her, the thin fabric of their clothes failing to mask his obvious arousal.

He groaned when her nimble hands brushed the bare skin revealed by the open buttons. His own hands moved up her waist, relishing her curves through the flimsy fabric of her cotton sari.

She gasped when he brushed his thumbs against the straining peaks, her eyes flying open in horror. She shoved him away sharply, breathing heavily as she attempted to regain her bearings.

Her hair was a mess, falling everywhere from when his hands had raked through it. Her lips were swollen and tingling, and she could feel the imprint of his teeth on her lower lip. Her eyes were clouded with desire, the hazel turned dark and glassy.

"The choice is yours, Khushi."

Her eyes flashed with mortification and hurt, her entire body shaking with fury as she stepped away from the wall.

"Get the hell out, Mr. Raizada."

He swiveled on his heel, walking calmly out of the cell. He paused at the door, his back to her.

"Give up now, Khushi. This is nothing but trouble. You'll be labeled a traitor."

"I'd rather be a traitor to imperialistic bas***ds than a traitor to my friends, Raizada. That's something I certainly didn't learn from you."

She spat, her eyes boring a hole into his straight back. He stiffened instantly, and she knew he was seething with anger.

Without another word, he stalked out, leaving Khushi behind in the damp, drafty cell.

She sank down against the wall, trying to push his voice out of her head. Her head pounded, the mocking voices ringing in her head. She took in a deep breath, leaning her head against the cool wall.

"Imagine that. I'm sure his contacts would be pleased to know just what his beloved little orphan is doing in her free time."

"Imagine what will happen when people find out that the girl Papa adopted is associated with the guy who nearly kill-"

"Marry me, Khushi."

The voices taunted her, echoing endlessly as she tried desperately to drown them out. Her pride stung, aching from the insult. She shook her head, frustration boiling over as she recalled his taunting words.

She couldn't say yes. Not when he was so damned confident that she would.

She jutted her chin out, the determination coursing through her. She could hear NK's voice echoing in her mind, encouraging her to stand up and fight.

His face swam in front of her eyes, and she sucked in a sharp breath at the memory of his defeated gaze as he was dragged away.

She didn't want to think of what could happen to him, knowing very well that he could end up... her mind screeched to a halt, not wanting to confront it.

She couldn't help him from jail. They wouldn't hear her out.

But the bahu of the Raizadas would have much more influence.

She twisted against the wall, her stomach churning as her mind warred with itself.

She didn't want to say yes, give him the satisfaction of winning. His cold, hard voice echoed in her brain, making her veins course with anger.

"Khushi, please remember that we will always support you."

The guilt bubbled up, the face of Papa and Ma flashing in front of her. She could see the terrified, hurt girl walking nervously up the stairs to the Raizada house. The man behind her had gently encouraged her, reassuring her that she would always have a home.

The door had opened to reveal a woman, dressed in a pristinely ironed sari, her hair pulled back into a bun. She had looked severe, but one, warm smile had instantly put the girl at ease, reminding her of the mother she had lost.

They had promised to be her family, to make sure she never felt the loss of her parents.

They had treated her as their daughter. They had done so much for her and she...

Arnav's voice rang in her head, and her fist curled as her breath whistled through her teeth.

"They will not, however, believe that the bahu of the Raizadas would commit such an irresponsible mistake."

She couldn't ruin their reputations. She loved them too much to put them through that.

She walked up to the barred door, shaking it as she yelled for the jailer. He walked up to her, opening his mouth to snap at her when she cut him off.

"I would like to speak to Arnav Singh Raizada."

He started to protest, but her glare silenced him, and he nodded curtly. She could feel her nerves thrumming, her heart thudding in her chest as she thought about her decision.

She almost laughed at the irony of it all, shaking her head. She lifted a hand, wiping away the tears that collected at the edges of her eyes as she forced herself to calm down.

She refused to allow him the satisfaction of seeing her rattled.

This was for NK, Papa and Ma, and for them only.

She saw his shadow approaching, and the jailer opened the cell, allowing him to step in. Arnav cocked an eyebrow, staring at her through inscrutable caramel eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to muster up the confidence to say the words.

"I will marry you."

The words came out in a rush, and she saw his eyes widen imperceptibly, his head tilting as a slow smile overtook his face. She felt the anger course through her veins at his condescending, self satisfied expression.

"This is only for Ma and Papa. There will be nothing else between us."

She hissed. His jaw tightened, and he nodded curtly, his face frustratingly guarded.

"Be ready to leave this place."

He turned on his heel, walking out. She leaned against the wall, the echo of his voice ringing through the jail. She could hear him telling the jailer to release his wife, the horrified jailer rushing to fill out the paperwork.

What had she done?

*********

They stood on the staircase in complete silence, standing side by side. Arnav reached out and slipped his fingers through hers, and she swiftly turned to him, twisting her fingers within his grip. She hated the tingle it sent up her spine, the familiar warmth that spread through her.

He didn't even look at her, staring determinedly at the door as it swung open, revealing a harried Sakshi.

"Chote? Khushi? Kahan the tum, hum kitna-"

She broke off, her gaze falling to their intwined hands. She gasped in surprise, staring at the two of them with wide eyes.

"Arnav? Is Khushi her-"

Ashok came up behind her, his voice trailing away as he glimpsed the couple standing at his doorstep. He saw Arnav standing beside Khushi, his eyes determined and confident. Khushi looked away, her gaze trained on the ground as she fidgeted with her hands.

What was going on?

He looked between the two of them, waiting for an explanation.

"I have asked Khushi to marry me, and she has said yes. We would like to get married as soon as possible."

*********

Note: And that's where I'll leave you for today! The prologue is finally here- I've been waiting to show you guys this for ages! I can't wait to see what you think- so please, let me know through a comment or a like. I really want to know your thoughts on this one!

For those who are interested- I did win my event this past weekend! My school won as well, so it was a successful tournament for us. I'll be off again this weekend- so I'm expecting updates to be Wednesdays now, just to make them easier on me.

As always, please follow @ipkchotidesi on Twitter or PM me your email for update notifications.

Thanks for your patience! I love you all.

Love always,

Choti.