They were seated in a private lounge in the Sheesh-Mahal Hotel. Arnav had picked her up from near her house an hour ago. The ride from Gomti sadan had been so quiet that Arnav was forced to check from time to time whether he still had Payal with him in the front seat of his SUV.

"" Payal whispered

"" Arnav asked

"" Payal exclaimed

"" Arnav explained patiently

Payal looked at him confused.

"" Arnav asked amazed

"" Payal tried to grasp the meaning of his words.

"" Arnav said softly

"" Payal asked audibly shaken

"" Arnav asked

"(Nothing will happen Mother... Wounds don't affect me anymore.. I'm already too bruised)" Khushi said weakly. Just then, A small piece of glass pierced her hand.

"" Garima said

"" Khushi called her eyes searching that one face everywhere and failing

"" She got up.

" (Khushi... There's glass ahead,) " Payal said while clearing her path taking away any glass pieces.

"(Arnavji... Where are you)" Khushi asked frantically searching the source of that voice

Payal and Garima shared a horrified look

"(Khushi... There's no one)" Payal said

"(Jiji... Don't you hear the voice?)" Khushi asked

"What voice..? There's no one Khushi" Garima said

Khushi looked up to meet her mother's eyes. "(But... He just-)" She said

" (There's no one.. Khushi. There's no voice)" Payal cut her off

"(Jiji.. He-)" Khushi swayed and collapsed on the floor 

"" Arnav half asked

Payal shook her head in helplessness

Arnav sighed "" He whispered

"" Arnav exclaimed shocked

"" Payal asked surprised.

"" Arnav said

"" Payal said in a matter of fact way.

"" Arnav asked.

Payal nodded

"" Arnav asked

"" Payal said

"" Arnav asked scared. What if.. No!!

"" Payal informed him

A horrified gasp left him. "" He exclaimed inwardly

"" Arnav whispered terrified to no end!!

"" Payal said grimly

Arnav looked at her with a blank expression.

"" Arnav said

"" Payal tried to console him.

"" He apologized

"" Payal explained

"" Arnav said guilt-ridden

"" Payal said

Payal's phone rang to life

"" Payal mouthed

Arnav nodded and gestured her to take the call 

"" Arnav asked

Payal nodded and took the call, Keeping the Phone's speaker on

Normal: Payal

"Akash.. How is everything? Is Khushi Okay?" 

""

"What's wrong Akash? You're not the kind of husband who restricts their wives, You always let me be"

"" 

"I'll be home soon Akash. I'm just returning. Is Khushi fine? I am having weird intuitions."

""

"Are you checking on her Akash... How do you gather she's fine, If she hasn't stepped out of her room for hours??" 

""

Payal looked helplessly at her brother-in-law, Who had tears in his eyes. He was busy self loathing.

""

Akash's voice snapped Arnav into reality, He chanced a glance at his wife's elder sister and found her face drenched in tears. 

"I-I am.. I'll be there in a few more minutes, I'm just leaving from my freind's place" Payal answered Akash

""

"No.. My friend is going to drop me home"

""

Payal glanced meaningfully at Arnav, Who blinked in assurance

"I am. I'll be there"

""