This chapter is brought to you by Zondra. I know it's a little late guys but she's been busy with work and she's ill, so show her some understanding and support please. Enjoy :)
Chapter 11: No Other Choice
Khushi was trembling by the time Arnav ended the call. Her phone was about to slip from her fingers if Payal had not taken it out of her hands. Khushi felt cold, numb, scared. All her confidence was gone on seeing the video and from Arnav’s call. He had already won, she thought.
At that moment, Khushi was clueless as to how she should proceed. All her brain was coming up with was a huge blank. She had absolutely no idea how to stop the destruction Arnav was about to wreck on her and her family; except of course, if she acceded to his demands.
Payal was very worried seeing Khushi like this. She could see the light of defeat in Khushi’s eyes, and that was a terrible horror to her.
Payal asked her: “ Khushi, what happened? Tell me what he said.”
Payal’s voice brought Khushi out of her trance-like state, and she replied in a voice completely devoid of emotion: “The same thing Jiji. He wants me to come to him. Or else, he’ll broadcast this video on national television.”
Payal was speechless at this. Khushi continued: “He’ll do it, Jiji. The only way out is for me to go to him. Or else he will ruin our family. And I cannot let that happen.”
“Are you out of your mind!!” Payal was completely incensed at Khushi’s words. She could not believe that Khushi was seriously considering such a thing. “How can you even suggest that when you know that he wants you with him for his immoral purposes. You are not that kind of an easy girl. How can you even think of going to him? I will hit you if you say that again.” Payal scolded Khushi soundly.
But Khushi was not deterred. She went on to say: “He will ruin you, and our parents. Our family’s reputation will be destroyed forever. If I go to him, I am the only one ruined. If I do not go, we are all doomed to a life of humiliation.”
“Stop it, Khushi!!” Payal shouted now. She was hating the turn that the conversation was taking. She could not even entertain the idea that Khushi was considering going to that Devil. “If you talk of doing this again, I will beat you. I am not letting you ruin yourself, you hear me?” Payal threatened Khushi.
From her sister’s words, Khushi knew that Payal would never allow her to do what she had proposed. But she found no other way out. She kept quiet and thought how she could carry out her plan to safeguard her sister and her family’s honour. She was indebted to her family; and she could never bear the eventuality that they might be the victim of ASR’s wrath against her unwillingness to do what he wants. She would never allow her family to be destroyed just for her sake. She knew what she had to do; she just was not sure if she had the courage it would take to get away from Payal and hurt her so much. She quaked in fear at the thought of another confrontation with the Devil ASR.
Raizada Mansion
Arnav was relaxed; he knew Khushi would not win against him. He had all the power, and she was now at his mercy. He knew Khushi would come to him. So, he had been making all arrangements. His apartment was ready. He had his lawyer draw up a non-disclosure agreement for Khushi; and also an ‘Employment Contract’ for her. He had all loose ends tied up. He had even set his personal shopper up with the task of appropriating a proper wardrobe for his new soon-to-be mistress.
As he finished a video call with clients in Japan, he thought about the conversation he needed to have with his family. They knew he had an apartment. They also knew he used it to take his girls there. His family knew that Arnav was a good son; devoted to everyone he was related to. However, they were also aware that Arnav was totally against marriage for himself. He had rejected all their attempts to set him up with a good girl from a respectable family. They pitied him for being commitment-phobic. None of them approved of his relations with easy women; but they never questioned not judged him because they knew what had made him so bitter and broken up inside. They kept quiet and ignored his activities since he had never showed disrespect to them by bringing his unhealthy habits home. He always respected his family and their home.
He had already told his sister that he would be staying in his apartment for some time due so increased work load. Now he had to talk to his nani, mama and mami.
He waited for tea time, then went down to the dining hall where the whole family was assembled. He greeted them and sat down. They ate and drank and chatted. Afterwards Arnav told them that he might be sleeping at his apartment for some ten days. That was the amount of time he thought it would take till he got his fill of Khushi. After that, they would part ways and he would come back home.
“Okay beta.” Nani said. “You have to do what is best. If you will be working long hours, then its best if you stay over there, rather than driving all the way from home to office twice a day. I have only one order; you have to take care of yourself. Proper meals right on time, and no missing your medicines.”
“I know, nani. Plus, Di and you will keep phoning me to remind me several times daily. Besides, I will still come and visit you.” Replied Arnav.
Gupta House, Dinner time
The whole family had sat down for dinner, but no one talked to Khushi except for Payal. Suddenly Buaji decided to switch on the T.V. Payal tried to convince her not to, saying that they should eat in quiet.
“What? But we watch news everyday. Why should today be different, Payaliya?” Buaji asked confusedly. She switched it to the news channel. And there it was: the video of Khushi falling into Arnav’s arms, and their eye lock. Afterwards, it showed Khushi leaving a room in tears. The whole family was struck wordless. The all froze.
He did it, thought Khushi. The newsman and reporters were wondering who is mysterious girl was. The rumour was that he was ASR’s newest girl. The flavour of the month. Khushi felt nauseous at the filthy words they were using. Then the next issue was tackled. But no one in the Gupta household was listening to the newsman anymore. All eyes were fixed unblinkingly on Khushi, who shook in her seat. All of them were looking at her with murderous, accusing eyes. All except for Payal. Payal only showed sympathy and a quiet promise “I’m with you” to Khushi.
Then the elders began.. Once more they accused Khushi; they called her names. Buaji held Khushi’s hand and pulled her out of her chain. She pulled her to the front door and told : “Get out now. We do not want to see you. Go!!” All this was delivered in a voice filled with anger and disgust. Garima had again started crying and cursing her fate. Shashi was so disappointed that he just stared at Khushi with accusation in his eyes.
Payal came forward and told to them: “You cannot throw Khushi out. If you try that, I am also going with her.” At her words, the family calmed down n tried to devise ways to escape the predicament.
Payal pulled Khushi up the stairs to their shared bedroom. Payal tried to comfort her, but Khushi decided she had to do something now.
“Jiji, I will go to him. No, listen to me” said Khushi when she saw Payal begin to interrupt. “I will go because I will not be the reason for your ruin, nor our family’s humiliation. But more important than that is… I like him JIji.. And I want to be with him. I think we will get married and be happy” Khushi lied to Payal. She hated the idea of what she had to do. The very thought made her hairs raise in disgust. But she had to lie to Payal. She had to convince Payal that she wanted to be with ASR, or else Payal will never leave her to go, Payal would never abandon her to her fate.
“Whan nonsense are you talking, Khushi? Do you want me to slap you?” Payal was out of her mind with anger and worry.
Khushi replied “ I am telling you the truth. I like him. Since the first time that he saved me from falling, I liked him. I was scared, that’s why I kept it secret. But I really like him Jiji. “
“I am not letting you go to him, Khushi. Never.” Payal was adamant and refused to listen to Khushi
Khushi, however, had not given up. “You are under my oath, Jiji. You will not stop me. I will go to him, or else I will die. You are under my oath, you will have to let me go. I like him.”
Payal was dumbfounded. She had no idea what she should do now. One one hand she was scared and worried for Khushi, while on the other hand she was angry and disgusted at Khushi for liking that devil.
Payal was still lost in thoughts when she heard Khushi talking on the phone : “Yes, I just told you, I am ready to come to you. So, what should I do?”
