#3 ArShi FF: Lost Memories*EPILOGUE*pg67*29/09 - Page 7

PART 31: Asylum?

Just like Daksh said, when a stone is thrown in a clear still pond, it forms whirls showing complete disturbance. That was Khushi's mental state at present. Totally disturbed! All her moments with Arnav were floating in her head with her Mama's words echoing along with it.

HE BLACKMAILED US TO MARRY YOU

I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU KHUSHI

HE THREATENED

I LOVE YOU KHUSHI

Her head was spinning and her mind was going blank as she started swaying. That's when 2 arms caught her securely and wrapped around. A warm breath tingled in her hair and her subconscious immediately brightened up chanting the name.

ARNAV

Arnav: Khushi? Tum teek ho? Are you OK?

He asked running his hand on her back soothingly relaxing her. Khushi blinked her eyes trying to gather herself from those overwhelming thoughts and as usual her brain inclined to move to brighter side than the hollow ones.

Arnav: Khushi?

He pulled her out to see her face which was pale like she has seen a ghost.

Or heard!

Arnav: Khushi! What is it?

After seeing Arnav's concern, Her subliminal thoughts screamed to her that how could an angst person like him will play tricks on her and how could a loving person like him will harm her. Her cogitation suddenly made her see the light clearing the dark clouds forming in her muddled mind.

Khushi: I am fine Arnav. When did you wake up?

Arnav: Just when you were about to fall! You dont look fine! What is it Khushi?

Arnav asked taking her to the bed and making her sit at the edge.

Khushi: You are always beside me when I am in trouble aren't you?

Arnav: Always Khushi! Always.

Khushi: Mr. Raizada's telepathy is just functioning right!

Arnav: You have no idea Mrs. Raizada!

Khushi: Actually I don't want to have an idea.

Arnav: Defeated already are we? Anyways, What is wrong?

Khushi: you cannot be diverted, can you?

Arnav: Never! I run a business empire baby! Diversion can cost me much loss.

Khushi: Me and your business are same for you? Just a deal?

Arnav: Yes! Meri Zindagi ka sabse iportant deal ho tum Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada! You are my life's very important deal. ! So important with no room for deflection or diversion that would cost my life.

First Khushi was baffled to hear that she was a DEAL in his life, but what he said next cleared her piqued mind and her lips formed a shape of grin.

Khushi: Flattering will get you no where you cheesy Roadside Romeo!

Arnav: Will you tell me What is wrong with my Roadside Juliet?

Khushi: Laad Governor! I am fine. Its just my head.

Arnav: Then who asked you to wake up early? And Hairwash? Its still damp damit!

Khushi: Chill Mr. Pissed Off Singh Raizada! I was going to dry them. And what did you say, is it early to wake up? Its going to strike 8 in the morning! I need to be down with Dammu for the Aarthy.

She said taking towel and drying her hair.

Arnav: No! you need rest.

Khushi: Definitely which I will not get with you beside me!

Khushi smirked raising her eyebrow and Arnav mirrored her action.

Arnav: Well blame yourself for that! When you are near me, its like my hands have grown their own brains.

Khushi: Go and brush your teeth you stinking smart mouth!

Arnav: Stinking, smart? Nice complement! and if you are bringing coffee, then bring it in my cup! no questions😉

Khushi: Ok ok! But I am not coming up. You come down. Have breakfast! By the way, wear something over that boxer of yours Annu!😆

saying Khushi ran out while a grinning widely Arnav went to take shower and soon was out completely dressed. He was drying his hair and was about to set his hair standing in front of mirror when his eyes fell on Khushi's mobile that was in charger socket. He was about to unplug it when by mistake, it got activated and displayed the call list. It did not take much time for Arnav to know about the weird behavior of Khushi, few minutes back. He gritted his teeth.

Arnav: This Daksh! Have to talk to Aman!

Arnav rushed down to find Aman when he saw a very heart warming scene.

In the living room, Dadaji, Dadi and Khushi were there. Actually Khushi was lying on the couch with her head in Dadi's lap while she was lovingly running her fingers in her hair and Khushi was saying something to them and all were laughing. Arnav for minute saw Arjun, Rajiv, Avantika and Anjali also with them. His heart swelled in happiness. He slowly moved to them and sneaked him head on Dadi's lap from other side as she was sitting in the middle.

Dadi: Chote?

Khushi: CHOTE? yeh? Chote nahi mote kahiye Dammu.

Not chote, call him mote(Fat).

Arnav: Shut up Kuku. I am not fat! but you are only looking thin like chipkali!

Khushi: I am chipkali? Then you are peruchali(Bandicoot- bigger size wild rat)!

Arnav: KUKU!

Khushi: ANNU!

Dadaji: Chote! Pari! enough. Have your breakfast! Aman is also here.

Khushi: Hey Lavanya! Aman.

She called straightening herself from Dadi's lap.

Arnav: Here come the hopeless love birds!

Aman: Oh shut up. We all know who is hopelessly in love .. ok!

Khushi: Who?

Lavanya: Who else? The Shehzada E Shantibhanvanam Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada!

Khushi(giggling): Nice name!

Arnav: why not! It was you who started this ritual. Since then, all are doing the same. Giving me weird names.

Arnav whinned making others laugh as they headed to have their breakfast. Breakfast was a noisy affair with the youngsters pulling each others legs while the elders enjoyed thoroughly. After many years, this house was shining as a home. But during all these, Arnav saw the way Dada ji kept glancing at Khushi. He was sure that Dada ji knew something about her that he is hiding. He planned to talk to him. But he had to settle his score with Daksh first. So as soon as they finished eating, Arnav asked Khushi to start unpacking while he went to office for his meetings that were pending due to their sudden marriage. And in office as he became free by the evening, he caught Aman.

Aman: What ASR? Why are you so tensed?

Arnav: Aman, That Daksh is planning something big! Today morning, by mistake i knocked Khushi's mobile and i happened to see that Daksh has called her and Khushi was also behaving odd.

Aman: Relax ASR. We know that Daksh won't sit idle after this marriage. It is obvious that he will plan something to get the property. But before that, we should get all the paperwork done to get the properties transferred to your name, as you already got married to her.

Arnav: Property is not the problem here dammit. Its about Khushi! He is trying to harm Khushi! What if...?

Aman: Nothing will happen when we all are there with her.

Arnav: He took Khushi away in front of our eyes, Aman. This time, I am sensing that he is upto something big which might be very dangerous to Khushi. My intuition never goes wrong when it comes to her.

Aman: I know ASR. We have men following him. His business is not flourishing as all his underground contacts have been stopped by sudden police raid in Mumbai. All those criminals are under hibernation. So they will not risk any money transfer or business deal. So Daksh cannot do anything for now. But we will keep watching close ok?

Arnav: I want to be reported about his each and every move.

saying that Arnav moved out with Aman followed. By the time they reached home Dadaji was pacing the living room, looking tensed. Aman on Arnav's sign, went to his wing to do his job and Arnav went to Dadaji.

Arnav: Dada ji?

Dada ji jerked as he felt Arnav's hand on his shoulder. His eyes widened for a minute before he composed himself.

Arnav: What happened Dada ji? You look tensed!

Pratap: Chote! Did you plan anything for Daksh? I mean...

Arnav: Relax Dada ji. He is under watch...

Pratap: Let us move to the study. Not here.

Both went to Pratap's study and sat on the couch. Arnav waited for Pratap to start.

Pratap: Chote. Daksh is dangerous. He will not sit simply while we have Pari here. He will plan something.

Arnav: I know Dada ji. That's why..

Pratap: You are not understanding Chote. He can do anything. We cannot just sit and wait until he does something. We have to be ahead of him. Then only we can save Pari.

Pratap was so tensed and impatient. Arnav could sense something IS wrong.

Arnav: Dada ji! Did you know that initially Khushi was in Melbourne? After the accident?

Pratap stood still as he took in those words. No one knew about this. Not even Devyani knew. He alone used to visit Khushi once in a month that too from far away as Daksh gave strict orders not to allow him to meet her. How come suddenly Arnav knew about it.

Pratap: Chote?

Arnav: Tell me Dada ji. You visited her once in a month right?

Pratap started sweating badly. His face went pale.

Pratap: Who told you all these Chote?

Arnav: Khushi!

Pratap: WHAT? She remembers this?

Arnav: No! She remembers it as bits and pieces. Whatever she remembered she told me. But why are you so tensed about this? Is anything wrong Dada ji?

Albeit Arnav was trembling inside waiting for the answers, he was still polite and calm from outside.

Pratap: Chote.. Did she tell anything about the place where she was initially? Did she?

Arnav: she just said that it was Daksh's some friend's place.

Pratap: That is it?

Arnav: Yes. And she remembered someone coming asking for her but was never allowed to meet her.

Arnav eyed Dada ji carefully. He was switching from tension to relief to grief.

Pratap: Good that she is remembering at least these. Is she trying to recall anything else?

Arnav was sure that Dada ji knew something and he understood that it is not anything good.

Arnav: Haan Dadaji. She is recalling everything in flashes. But immediately forgets it. Its like a unsteady flow of memories. Ups and downs.

Pratap: Hmmm. She should try remembering things as soon as possible chote.

Arnav: How can we guarantee that Dadaji. You please tell me what is it?

Pratap: Chote, do something. Make her remember things chote.

Arnav: Then I have only one way. I have to take her to a psychiatrist. Therapies there might help her remember things may be...

Pratap: NO!

Pratap was literally shaking now as he heard the word psychiatrist.

Arnav: Dada ji?

Pratap: Not to the asylum again. Pari will not go to asylum again. NO. NEVER!

Arnav: What do u mean Again Dada ji. You are scaring me. Please tell me what it is.

Pratap: Chote! Daksh... Kept.. Pari in Asylum in the beginning. In melbourne. You don't know how she was there. You don't know. Choti si Bachi.. Woh... Udhar... Never once I will let Pari even listen to such words. Chote... Please do something. That Daksh has Pari locked in his fists. Daksh is not what we think. He is lot more dangerous.

... That small child.. She.. There...

Pratap turned hysterical. But there was someone else who lost the count of reality as the words PSYCHIATRIST and ASYLUM were pronounced. That person did not know for how long he/she stood there near the door. Nothing else got registered in brain for her/him... beyond those words.

Meenu: What do you think? Who was it? How is Arnav going to tackle this mess?