HWGA Chapter 35: You Are Nobody

Thank you everyone who liked and commented on the last chapter. The purple bits are meant to be Hindi and the bold bits are the past events. Enjoy :)

Chapter 35: You Are Nobody

1 year, 4 months and 6 days later

Khushi was sitting at her dressing table fighting very hard not to fidget as Payal adjusted the veil on top of her head. Today was her wedding day even though she would’ve preferred if they had waited a while longer but everyone had convinced her that after the year she’s had, she deserved a little happiness.

When she was younger, she would often talk to Payal about her dream wedding. “I want the biggest wedding in the world!” she’d say, “I want everybody there, it will be so colourful, there will be tons of tasty foods, music will blast loud enough for the whole country to hear and everybody will enjoy themselves.” And Payal would always laugh and call her crazy but she would just smile and stare wistfully into the future. Now that she was older, she didn’t want any of those things, she wanted a quiet and intimate wedding full of her loved ones. That is exactly what she was going to get.

Payal cleared her throat, making Khushi jump out of her thoughts. “I finished fixing your veil 10 minutes ago and you haven’t moved from that very spot.” She sighed. “What’s going on Khushi?”

“Nothing.” She replied too quickly.

Payal raised an eyebrow. “Khushi Kumari Gupta, don’t you lie to me.”

Khushi smiled sweetly at her. “Jiji, would I ever lie to you?”

Payal lightly slapped the back of her head, being careful not to mess up her hair and veil. “Yes. Are you ready?”

Khushi chewed her bottom lip but stopped after she received a glare from Payal. “Can I have a few minutes to myself please?”

Payal nodded. “Ok, just call me when you’re done.” She then turned to leave.

“Jiji, can you ask Karan to come to my room please?”

“Sure.” She exited the room, closing the door behind her.

Not a minute had passed when Khushi heard something by her window. She got up from her chair to investigate when the windows swung open and Karan jumped into the room.

“Karan!” she exclaimed in surprise.

“Hey Khushi.” He said with a grin.

“Why did you come in through the window?”

“Why not? I was waiting for Payal to leave so I could talk to you.”

“A normal person would’ve waited by the door.”

“I’m not a normal person.” He then changed the subject. “You said you wanted Payal to find me.”

“Yes, I just wanted to talk.”

Karan crossed the room the sit on a spare chair and beckoned Khushi to do the same. “So talk.”

Once she sat down, she looked into his eyes and said, “I feel like I shouldn’t be doing this.”

“I agree.” He replied immediately.

Khushi was taken aback. She had been hoping that he would tell her that she was being silly and that she was only getting cold feet. She certainly wasn’t expecting this. “What?!”

“I agree you shouldn’t be doing this.” He then dramatically fell to his knees and mockingly said, “You should marry me instead. Come on, let’s ride off into the sunset and elope.”

Khushi stared at him for a minute before bursting into laughter. She felt some of the tension, she didn’t know she was carrying, leave her. “Oh Karan, you always know the right things to say.”

Karan fought very hard not to smile and to keep a straight face. “I was being very serious.”

“Then of course I will marry you. Take me away, oh brave and handsome prince.” She said jokily.

“Anything for you, oh sweet and beautiful princess.”

He picked her up and swung her around. They laughed for so long and hard that tears began to appear in their eyes.

“Oh no,” said Khushi as she attempted to wipe the tears away before they ruined her makeup. “Payal’s going to kill me.”

“No she’s not. You still look gorgeous.”

“Thanks Karan. I really don’t think I should be getting married today.”

“Khushi, we’ve been over this-”

“I know but I just can’t stop thinking.”

1 year, 4 months and 6 days ago

Khushi wasn’t really sure what was going on anymore, she was on automatic mode. She vaguely remembers how she got to the hospital. But all that’s going though her head is that Amba’s alive. For now. No. She won’t think like that, not until the doctors’ have announced it and not until she’s checked for herself too.

She was broken out of her thoughts by some sort of commotion. She looked up to see a furious Karan being restrained by Logan and Arnav was lying on the hospital floor.

“You bastard!” Karan shouted as he tried to get out of Logan’s hold. “This is all your fault. If it wasn’t for you, my daughter wouldn’t be fighting for her life right now.”

“Karan, get a hold of your self.” Said Logan firmly. “We’re in a hospital. Don’t create a ruckus because they’ll kick you out and you won’t be able to see Amba after she’s regained consciousness.” Karan relaxed in Logan’s hold. “Come with me, we’ll get coffee for everyone while we wait.”

He lead Karan away and Karan followed willingly whilst glaring at Arnav. Khushi approached Arnav and helped him up.

“Why are you helping me?” he asked in bewilderment. “He’s right.”

“No he’s not-”

“Yes he is. If I hadn’t let go of Shyam, if I had made him pay, none of this would’ve happened.”

Khushi sighed. She was so tired of what ifs. “Arnav let it go. The past is the past. You did it because Anjili is the only person you love more than life. I would’ve done the same if it was for Amba.” There was a pregnant pause. “Listen, Arnav, I don’t know what’s going to happen to Amba-”

“Don’t say that-”

“Just shut up and listen!” she snapped. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to her but I think you deserve to know. Only a handful of people know the truth. You are Amba’s father.”

Arnav stared at her. “That’s not funny.”

“It’s not supposed to be.” She said seriously. “It’s true I did go clubbing a lot when I came to London and one day I passed out in the club. Thankfully, a kind man took my phone and called Karan to come and pick me up. I’d been fainting quite regularly so Karan decided to take me to the doctors’, they confirmed I was pregnant. The only person I had sex with was you, so you had to be the father. I wanted to tell you but I wanted to do it face to face and since Karan wouldn’t let me travel in my condition, all I could do was wait. But then the video came and I realised that you didn’t love me and probably wouldn’t love my child, so I stayed, built a life for myself and my daughter and moved on. I just thought you should know because I’m tired of the secrets and lies.”

By the time she had finished the story, Karan and Logan were back with everybody’s coffee.

“What’s wrong with him?” asked Karan when he saw that Arnav was in a stupor. “You know, besides the usual.”

“I told him.” Khushi said simply.

“Told him what?” asked Karan in confusion.

“That I am Amba’s father.” Arnav whispered.

Karan saw red. He dropped his coffee and slammed Arnav against the wall. “No you are not her father, you are her sperm donor. You weren’t present at her birth, first day of school, holidays, birthdays, sick days. You didn’t worry or stress out about her. You weren’t there when she needed you and you weren’t there when she didn’t. You didn’t watch her grow from a sweet, innocent little girl to a strong, independent woman. I did all of that because I am her father and you are nobody. So don’t you dare, after all these year, don’t you dare, say you are her father because you’re not.”

AAD Chapter 11: No Other Choice

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?”

HWGA Chapter 34: All She Noticed

Thank you to everyone who commented and liked the last chapter. I'm nearing the end of this story just to let you guys know, there's probably only going to be a few more chapters. The words in italics are thoughts, the words in purple are meant to be Hindi. Enjoy :)

Chapter 34: All She Noticed
 

Anjili had managed to limp up the stairs all the way to the roof. She peered over the edge to see Arnav dragging a suitcase to one of their cars. His ear was glued to his mobile and as soon as he put his suitcase in the trunk, he got in the car and drove away.

He’s off to chase Khushi like he should’ve done all those years ago if it wasn’t for me. She thought bitterly.

She stood on the roof for a while just taking in all of Luckow. Living in Delhi all these years had made her forget how beautiful her birthplace is.

She sighed. She had made a right mess of things and Arnav was right this was her fault. She knew that he loved her but he would never forgive her, especially if Amba was hurt in any way. She really wasn’t much use to anyone, all she did was arrange poojas and shop.

She clamoured on to the edge of the roof. She was content in dying now. Her eldest daughter was married off to someone who can take care of her every need, maybe Raj might even learn to love her. Her husband would probably get over her death quickly, he was barely around these days anyway, always so busy with work. She had tried to knock some sense into her youngest daughter but she was hopeless. She loved Priti, she really did but that girl was a lost cause.

She’ll probably get pregnant by next year or take up drugs or do more things to bring shame on to the family. I don’t want to live to witness that. Maybe my death will finally make her see reason and turn her into a decent human being.

She closed her eyes and braced her self before throwing herself forward. Something caught on to her saree and threw her backwards. She opened her eyes in a daze and stared up at a furious Priti.

“What the hell are you doing?!” she shouted at Anjili.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you the same question?” replied Anjili as she brushed herself off and stood up.

Before she could go to the edge again, Priti grabbed her and hauled her away. “So you’re not going to tell me why you were going to kill yourself? Fine, let’s see what Mamu and dad will say.”

“Priti let go of me. And I don’t think your Mamu will care.”

Priti looked at her in confusion. “You think because Mamu’s angry at you that he doesn’t care? Are you stupid or are you just a drama queen?”

Anjili slapped her. “How dare you speak to me like that?!”

“You can slap me all you like but I will tell the entire family what you tried to do. And don’t even think about struggling, I will kick you on your bad leg.”

Anjili was speechless. “You’d do that to your own mother?”

“If it means she won’t try to kill herself and she’ll stop acting like a child, then yes.”

Anjili fumed. “You don’t understand!”

“Yes I do! You feel guilty about everything you have done. You feel bad that Mamu shouted at you. But you deserve everything that he could possibly say to you because you are responsible. Stop trying to escape your responsibilities by trying to kill yourself. You have a family for God’s sake!” Priti said desperately.

“Priti-”

Priti had had it up to here with all this drama. She was exhausted. “No! First Didi, then Mamu, now you. Can people in our family please stop trying to kill themselves? Do you know the amount of psychological damage you people are doing? These past few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster and I’ve had enough. I’m going to ask one of the servants to lock the door to the stupid roof so no one tries to throw themselves off it.”

“I never knew about your Mamu trying to kill himself.” Anjili said in a quiet voice.

“No one’s meant to know. I only know because I’m extremely nosy. The point is that Mamu was strong enough not to throw himself off the roof and try to get on with his life. Mum I know you are just as strong as Mamu so please let’s go.” She begged.

But Anjili wasn’t listening. “Arnav tried to kill himself.”

Priti grabbed her mum by the shoulders and shook her. “Yes but he didn’t!” she sighed. “Come on mum let’s go.”

Anjili allowed herself to be lead away from the roof. She mused on what Priti had told her and decided since she had nearly driven her much loved brother to committing suicide, she was going to do everything in her power to make it up to him.

A week later

A week ago, Arnav had arrived in London and managed to convince Khushi, Karan and Logan that he wasn’t trying to win back Khushi and that he would help any way that he could to try and bring back Amba safely and put Shyam back in jail. Shyam had said no police but Matt got accidentally involved in this and that meant the police were already involved. The police had agreed to keep the investigation quiet and discrete. Arnav proved his usefulness by hiring people to find out if the press knew anything about Amba’s kidnapping and if they did, he paid them off to keep them from publishing anything that could danger Amba’s life.

Anjili had called 6 days ago claiming she could help too. Everyone had slammed their phones down on her, not wanting the help of someone who was just as responsible for Amba’s condition as Shyam. But then Priti had called and talked some sense into Arnav. Anjili was then allowed to talk to the police and tell them everything she knew about Shyam, after all, she had been married to that psycho for 3 years.

5 days ago Shyam texted Khushi with an offer; Khushi in exchange for Amba. Khushi was ready to say yes but Logan suggested trying to pay off Shyam. No matter how much money they offered Shyam, he would say no, he was adamant in getting Khushi. Eventually, Logan, Arnav and Karan let Khushi say yes to Shyam’s offer. He texted back a time and place for them to complete the exchange.

Since then, the police had discreetly cased the place out and formulated a plan. They knew that Shyam was unstable and that made him even more dangerous, they didn’t want to put anyone else in danger. They agreed that they wouldn’t move in to arrest Shyam until the trade had been done and Amba was safe.

It was exactly 4:25 am when Khushi entered the abandoned warehouse that Shyam had texted her about. As soon as she entered her heart sank. Her daughter was tied to a chair, she had blood stains all over her clothes, she was badly bruised and she looked like she hadn’t eaten or slept in a week. Amba raised her head and smiled at her. Khushi wanted to fall to her knees and weep but she held herself together for Amba’s sake and also because she didn’t want to give Shyam the satisfaction of seeing her so weak. She had nothing to fear, the police were in place if anything went wrong.

She walked in with her head held high. “Shyam! Where are you, you coward?”

Shyam stepped out of the dark and stood behind Amba before putting a hand on her shoulder. She flinched from the touch and Khushi narrowed her eyes, this just made Shyam smirk.

“So Khushiji, you came.” He said after a while.

“Of course I came.” Snapped Khushi. “Now let’s do this trade, I want my daughter back.”

“Not so fast. I have waited 20 years for this moment, you can wait a few minutes.” Khushi wanted to shout at him but she held her tongue for Amba’s sake. “You know when I was in jail, I thought about many ways to make you suffer, the way you made me suffer. You were always such a tease Khushiji, you knew how much I loved you yet you’d throw yourself at other men.” Khushi had to bite her tongue to make sure she didn’t correct him. “Eventually I came up with a way to make you pay.”

It all seemed to happen in slow motion for Khushi. Shyam took out a gun, aimed it at Amba’s back and fired. Khushi didn’t notice that as soon as Shyam fired the shot, the police burst in and fired at Shyam. She didn’t notice that people were calling to her. She didn’t notice when they were taking Shyam’s body away. All she noticed was how loud the gun shot was and how it still rang in her ears. All she noticed was the blood that began to stain and spread along Amba’s chest. All she noticed was the way Amba’s eyes expressed surprise before rolling to the back of her head. Khushi finally came out of her frozen state when she noticed that her baby was no longer breathing.