Arshi FF: The Broken Hearts #3 NEW LINK ADDED pg 146 - Page 17

Chapter 23

Part 1

" so here she is, and I was finding her all over." Khushi said after resting her hands on her hips. Arnav glanced over his shoulder and smiled as he took out his suit from the cupboard.
Khushi went to his bed to pick Sia who was happily playing with his ties. She gave her mother a toothy smile. and Khushi had to press her lips to stifle her grin. She was too adorable to get mad at.
" Arnav ji, Sia has become really naughty. I was putting away her toys and when I turned around, she was not in the room." Khushi complained.
" She was knocking, no, slapping her fists on my door, and the moment I opened it, she crawled inside." Arnav grinned.
" Come Sia, don't disturb pa, he's busy." Khushi tried to reach out to her but Sia immediately moved back.
" let her be." Arnav said softly, he'd badly miss her when he'd be in New York.
" should I help you with packing?"
" no thanks, I'm almost done."
Khushi slowly nodded. " how long will you be away?"
" a week. I just hope Lavanya doesn't complicate things."
Khushi lowered her head and averted her gaze. She didn't know what upset her more, the fact that he would be away for seven days or Lavanya..or both. Though she had never met Lavanya, not even seen her as there was no picture of hers in the house but still that woman always disconcerted her. Why? Because she was his wife..Though they were getting divorced still something about Lavanya made her uncomfortable.
Did she have something to do with her past?
Khushi sighed, past, that was a mystery for her.
" Khushi!" Arnav called out.
Khushi's head instantly shot up. " don't leave..please."

huh, why did she say that?
Arnav too shot her a confused look.
Khushi frowned at herself, the words were out before she knew..but why did she stop him?
" I'm sorry Arnav ji, I don't know what made me say that?"
" it's okay." Arnav didn't give her words much importance and continued to pack..but Khushi couldn't stop pondering over.
Standing close to the window, her mind racked over her abrupt plead..something about it didn't feel right. This situation didn't feel unfamiliar. Had she experienced it before? She strained her mind.
" Arnav ji, you left me in the past?"
Arnav's jaw dropped! And his face was white as sheet. He stood there paralyzed...clueless about what to say.
" I mean to ask, in the past have you left for business tours? Or for some reason not been around?"
Arnav was still silent, not a word dared come out of his mouth.
" I don't know why but I feel I have been alone..."
" you won't be alone. In my absence, Payal and her daughter will be staying here with you and Sia." He didn't let her finish and immediately put a halt to her thoughts that were running back to her past. A past that he had ruined.
Though he had succeeded in silencing her but the uneasiness was still there. Watching him pack his bag, getting ready to leave, for some unknown reason saddened her.
" Aakash sir, has arrived." HP informed.
" Get my bag down."
Arnav picked up Sia and Khushi quietly followed him behind as he went down.
" all set?" Aakash asked.
" yeah." Arnav replied.
" Payal and divya will be here by evening."
" I'm sorry Aakash, because of me Payal is getting troubled." Khushi felt sorry, she didn't wish to hassle anyone.
" on the contrary Payal is looking forward to spend time with you."
" okay Sia, don't be naughty and don't trouble massi." Arnav soundly kissed both her cheeks. " bye shona." Hearing bye, Sia coiled her arms around his neck and dropped her head on his shoulder.
Arnav sighed and hugged her back, she had no idea, how much he'd miss her and...Khushi. He ran his hand up and down her back, trying to soothe her.
Khushi stepped forward and reluctantly took Sia from him. Perhaps this was difficult not just for her but Sia as well.
As Khushi retrieved Sia from him, his arms felt a loss..God this was so painful. He dreaded the day, Khushi would regain her lost memory..she'd hate him and surely leave him with Sia. He inhaled sharply, his heart would break into a million pieces and his arms would be empty again.
Aakash quietly observed the emotional exchange of feelings between this family which was actually not a family but to an outsider like him, appeared like one.
" Arnav, we're getting late."
Arnav nodded and blew Sia a kiss. She pouted and turned her face away, tearing his heart by reminding him of Khushi. The night he'd left Khushi, she too had turned her face away, not wishing to see him leave.
He wished he could erase that night from their lives...alas it was a wishful thinking.
He took a step and caressed Sia, his gaze moved to Khushi. " I'll be back soon."
Khushi swallowed hard before forcing a smile. Yes, he would return, he wasn't going forever..only for seven days..and then he would be here again.
Arnav dropped his gaze as he moved to turn around.
" take care." Khushi said softly.
Arnav looked up at her again..his heart filled with love for her and his lips curled slightly to smile back at her.
" remember I'm just a phone call away."
Khushi slowly nodded and watched him leave.

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Khushi pushed the swing from behind then asked. " higher, Sia higher?" Hoping to make her giggle but she didn't quite respond. She just clutched the ropes firmly. It had been couple of hours since Arnav had left and Sia had gone all quiet. She was playing around but didn't look excited. She was already missing Arnav and she wasn't alone even Khushi was affected by his absence. To divert their minds she brought Sia out in the lawn but the idea didn't seem to be working.
The sun was setting in, it was getting colder, a while later Payal drove in with her daughter.
Khushi smiled and welcomed both of them. " sorry Payal, I'm causing you lot of inconvenience."
Payal waved her hand in the air, dismissing Khushi's apology.
Khushi didn't remember but they were school friends and being there for Khushi didn't bother Payal one bit. " oh ho Khushi, there's no place for sorry and thank you in friendship...but if you don't take me as your friend then that's different."
Khushi pressed Payal's hand. " no, no Payal it's not like that. Of course we are friends. I'm glad that apart from Arnav ji, I have someone else too to share my feelings."
Payal sighed, all was fine till Khushi dragged Arnav into this conversation.
Anyway.
" look Sia, who's here..divya, you remember?" Khushi held divya's hand and brought her close to Sia.
Sia might have remembered divya but she didn't react.
" what's wrong? Why is she so lost?" Payal asked in concern.
Khushi strapped Sia out of the swing and sat her down on the grass.
" she's already missing Arnav ji." Khushi replied and emptied a box of toys so that both the kids could play.
" hmm she's a child and children get attached very easily but don't worry, soon she will get out of it." Payal tried to console Khushi but she couldn't stop herself from getting worried over this closeness..the more she spent time with Arnav the more difficult it would be for her to detach herself from him..Arnav was only her caretaker till Khushi regained her memory, after that he'd be a stranger..but how would a child understand that.
" Payal aren't you missing Aakash?" Khushi's question stopped her train of thoughts.
She looked up and smiled. " yeah I miss him but divya and I are used to it..once a month he goes out for professional reasons...moreover in today's times it very easy to stay in touch..you have Skype to chat and video call..being connected is no longer a big issue."
Khushi agreed. " yesterday Arnav ji taught me how to use Skype..his flight will land in another two hours..he said he would call." Payal could read Khushi's eyes, she was literally counting the hours and waiting anxiously to speak to Arnav.
Payal simply shook her head. " Khushi, I think we should take the kids inside..it's getting dark and cold."
" you're right."
After moving in Khushi asked HP to carry Payal's bags to her room.
" come Payal let me show you the room, you might want to freshen up."
" no need Khushi. I'm fine."
" okay then give me ten minutes. I'll get the dinner on the table."
" should I come and help?"
" no, you just keep an eye on Sia, she crawls really fast."
Payal smiled. " sure." She sat down with both the girls to play. She was a bit surprised to see Sia readily sharing her toys with divya. Usually children are possessive about their toys but Sia was different. Payal fondly stroked Sia's cheeks, she possessed a heart like her mother..a big one.
" dinner is ready." Khushi announced and lead the kids to the table. While divya sat on the dining chair, Sia made herself comfortable on her eating chair.
" Payal please start..I'll join you in a while. First I have to feed Sia."
" no, we'll eat together." She served her daughter and waited for Khushi to join.
Though Khushi was feeding Sia, her one eye was on the wall clock. Payal rolled her eyes, Khushi had lost her memory but her feelings for Arnav hadn't changed. Still her life revolved around him. Like Sia even she had grown quite close to Arnav and that made Payal tensed. Arnav, Khushi and Sia, all were living in a bubble...a bubble that would eventually burst ..and hurt. She wasn't concerned about Arnav. But Khushi and Sia worried her.
" okay Payal, let's start." Khushi said after putting down Sia.
" hmm the food is delicious." Payal complimented.
Khushi smiled. " meena, the house maid has made it."
" Khushi, even you cook very well."
Khushi dropped her spoon hearing that. " really?" She paused for a second then asked. " Payal, you're a doctor, do you think I will ever get my memory back? I really want to know about myself..what happened with me in the past."
The desire to know and the despair of not being able to remember her past, twisted Payal's heart. She didn't know what to say, she had all the answers but could she afford to give them to Khushi? She reached out for Khushi's hand and pressed it softly.
" Khushi whatever happens, happens for the best..today you've forgotten everything, maybe it's for your good..but don't lose heart , one day you'll remember all that you've forgotten."
Khushi blinked her eyes, she could only hope..hope that Payal's words turned true.
Sia crawled to Khushi, tugging at her salwar, then stood up and dropped her head on Khushi's lap. Khushi moved her fingers through Sia's hair. " Sia, baby you're sleepy...time go to bed."
Payal too got up. " yeah divya also looks tired, let's go."

Payal's lips curled up in a smile when she entered Khushi's room. The pink walls, the cartoon characters drawn on the cupboards made the room look so beautiful..and the bed..it was so similar to the one Khushi had at her maami's place.
" the room is so pretty." Payal couldn't stop herself from praising it. Khushi smiled hearing that.
Both of them lowered the kids on the bed and Payal touched the stars hanging.
" especially these stars..so beautiful."
Khushi lay besides Sia and patted her to sleep. " Arnav ji has decorated this room for Sia but more than her, I love these stars." Khushi grinned while saying that.
The resemblance between this bed and Khushi's bed couldn't be a coincidence..surely Arnav must have thought about her. A person who at one point loved Khushi, today thought of such small things that could comfort her then how could that person leave Khushi to realize his dreams? Khushi and Sia oblivious of the past, couldn't stop liking Arnav, even her husband Aakash always had nice things to say about him...but Payal couldn't turn a blind eye to what had happened with Khushi years ago.
Just then Khushi's phone rang.
" yes Arnav ji...you've reached?" Khushi couldn't contain her excitement.
" hmm Payal has come over..all good here..yeah Sia has just gone off to sleep."
Payal wondered, Arnav wasn't Khushi's husband yet he had called up, then why hadn't her husband called her on landing? She got up and gestured Khushi that she was going out to make a call.

Ten minutes later Payal returned after speaking with Aakash, by then Khushi's call had also ended. Joining her daughter in bed she gently caressed her head while glancing at Khushi who looked sad but why? She had spoken to Arnav then what was the matter?
" anything wrong?" Payal asked softly ensuring the girls didn't wake up.
" nothing..just thinking about Arnav ji."
" now what?"
" he's so kind and caring but there's nobody to care about him, his wife is not with him. His marriage is in shambles. but Why..he doesn't deserve this loneliness."
" it's all karma." Payal whispered.
" huh? You said something?" Khushi asked.
" nah."
Khushi peered down at sleeping Sia and kissed her temple. " he loves Sia so much..he can move heaven and earth for her but sadly he himself is childless."
" now if Lavanya terminated her pregnancy without telling him then what can he do?"
Khushi's eyes turned wide. " are you serious?"
Payal frowned at her. " don't tell me he never told you about this."
Khushi slowly shook her head. " he's quite reserved that way..he only worries about me and Sia but hardly speaks about what is bothering him."
Strange! Payal was under this impression that Arnav must have shared his loss with Khushi to gain her sympathy...but he hadn't?
" the main reason behind this divorce is Lavanya's decision to abort the child without taking his prior consent."
Tears welled up in Khushi's eyes. " Lavanya being a mother, how could she do that? " Khushi now had a reason to dislike Lavanya. " Arnav ji..he must've been so heartbroken!"
She could see grief floating in his eyes but never knew what was it. How painful it must've been for him.
" relax Khushi..I'm sure he must be putting this behind. And this divorce will definitely put an end to his bitter past." She didn't wish to see Khushi losing her sleep over him.
But it was too late. Though Khushi had shut her eyes to sleep but sleep failed to even touch her ... his pain had wrapped itself around her like a blanket..a blanket that only brought ache and distress and not warmth and comfort .

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Two days later.

Lavanya tried to relax herself on the chair but it was a futile attempt. Arnav murderous gaze was making it difficult for her to even breathe. So she averted her gaze and pushed the nervous lump down her throat.
It was the last meeting before the judge pronounced the judgement, which in all probability would not be in her favor. This was her last chance, she couldn't get scared and bogged down.
" what do you want?" Arnav's cold voice cut through the silent room.
" you know it." Lavanya attempted to be confident.
Arnav gritted his teeth. " NO, I don't know what you want. After falsely trying to implicate me under charges of domestic violence and losing miserably...After attempting to bribe my lawyers here and failing again..I really don't know what's on your cunning mind."
Lavanya wrinkled her nose, her lawyers were a bunch of idiots, her every trick to trap Arnav had fallen flat.
" speak up damn it! I don't have all day." Arnav raised his voice.
" Money. I'm not satisfied with the alimony that you're giving." She now came straight to the point.
Arnav moved back in his chair and stared at her. " what happened to your high principles that I don't want to be known just as Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada..I want to stand on my two feet! All Gone out of the window?"
Lavanya pursed her lips, while making those tall claims she had no idea that she could do nothing without him. The brands that she endorsed , hired her only because she was his wife..his rivals were only using her against him. Now that that they weren't together, no one was keen to hire her.
" and what happened to the company that I floated for you? Sunk??" Arnav openly smirked at her defeat and that only added to her fury.
He knew her company was almost dormant now , he knew well about her financial condition and he was using all that to humiliate her.
" And last, where did that lingerie brand endorsement go for which you killed my child? They chucked you out for a new, younger and more good looking model?" Anger rose to his eyes, he so badly wanted to strangle the woman who was sitting across the table.

He had every piece of information about her. He was aware of how badly she needed money and he was her only option. She composed herself before opening her mouth.
" ASR, I won't divorce you till I get enough money."
Arnav slammed his palms on the table and stood up.
" And to get those extra million dollars from me, now your lawyers are claiming that I mentally harassed you and because of which you lost the baby? It was a miscarriage and not an abortion!" Arnav threw her original medical report on her face. " you disgusting woman, you're using my dead child to fill your stomach?" There was no way that she could prove that it was a miscarriage. And no way he would give her an extra penny.
Instead of repenting on her misdeeds, she was using them to extract more dollars from him! How low could she fall?
Arnav pushed the file in her direction.
" you get the house and two million dollars. The alimony stays unchanged. Take it or leave it. And don't even think that you won't sign on the divorce papers. You Will!"
Arnav pushed back the chair to leave.
" today the odds might be against me. But Mark my words ASR, one day I will get back to you."
Arnav slammed the door shut as he left, thereby silencing her fearless threats.

Thanks for reading

Rose

P.s. - Khushi's past shall be revealed after 5-6 chapters