Khushi didn't even try to oppose him when he hugged her. She just couldn't bring herself to do that. She wanted to cry her heart out on his shoulder. He wanted to hold her close to himself for the longest time possible.

Both souls were broken...Shattered and terrified. Terrified to lose each other. It wouldn't be right to say that only Khushi was suffering, This one month was no less than third degree torture for Arnav too. Watching your heartbeat break into pieces and knowing the reason being you was not easy.

Exposing yourself to the fear of the past being repeated was not easy. Just the thought of losing Khushi the way he had lost his Ratna Ma was more than death to Arnav.

Khushi seemed to acknowledge that. She processed his words slowly "

"I thought it was you" Khushi said suddenly. Her voice weaker and more urgent

"Who was me?" Arnav asked abruptly breaking the hug

"At Payash wedding... I got a message from your number... It said you wanted to meet me urgently on the terrace. I thought I was going to meet you... But met him" Khushi said

"You are saying... That you got a message from me... Saying I wanted to meet you??"

Khushi nodded slightly

Arnav took his phone out and searched for the message Khushi was talking about.

"No one can delete any messages from my phone without my permission. It needs my fingerprints to delete anything from my Phone" Arnav explained seeing the questioning gaze of Khushi

Khushi nodded

Arnav exclaimed when he found the message.

'Meet me at the terrace...it's urgent' He read the message

"So you thought I had called you to the terrace. But it was shyam?"

Khushi nodded

"What happened next??" Arnav asked

"When I went upstairs, It was dimly lit. I couldn't see anyone... Just then he came and grabbed my waist. I didn't recognize your touch. And I was sure It's not you. You know how scared I get when anyone startles me like that. You never do that. So I just slapped that beast in the face. I pushed him away. But he held my wrist tightly" Khushi said

Arnav nodded and gestured her to continue

"Then he started flirting with me... He told me that he loves me. That he has never seen such beauty all his life. I slapped him yet again and this time harder than before. I reminded him that he had a wife... Who was in love with him. I told him that... I am not meant for him. Then he disclosed that he knew about us!! And he told me that he has no problem if... If I kept... It was disgusting... I can't even say it" Khushi stopped and looked at Arnav, Who was equally revolted. He held Khushi's hands and pressed them in assurance.

"I told him that he doesn't deserve Anjali Di... She is such a caring and loving person. I told him that he'll not be able to give her the love and respect she deserves. I told him that he should just leave Anjali Di because he didn't deserve her. The bit you heard probably. He told me that he's ready to divorce Anjali Di Then he started to get close... Uncomfortably close (Her grip on Arnav's hand tightened) He started hugging me... While I was just trying to push him away." Khushi said in tears

"Why didn't you tell anyone from the family any of this?? I admit I was being ridiculous, But the rest of them??" Arnav asked

"They're your family Arnav. They trust you... Not me. Shyam is their son-in-law. They're bound to think I'm defaming him. Anjali Di... Mamiji... Naniji, They're already having a hard time trusting me. I was in no mood to make matters worse for myself" Khushi explained

"I'm so sorry... Its all my fault" Arnav said apologetically

"There is no denying the fact. But now that I know your reasons, I can kind of understand. But you still could come to me. Like always... I was there. I would've heard you. You could tell me anything and everything. I know your past. I know its your greatest fear- Deception. I would've understood. I would've made you understand too. You just didn't give it a shot" Khushi said sadly

"And I'll regret not doing that for the rest of my life. But before I proposed the contract marriage, You could've told me what had happened" Arnav crossed her

"No... I couldn't. I couldn't risk Di" Khushi said

"What do you mean??" Arnav asked alarmed

"He told me.. That he wants to get rid of Di... He said that he's trying to kill Di for a long time. Its just her luck that she escaped unharmed whenever he tried. Last Diwali... You remember, Di's pallu had caught fire. It was his doing. Another time, When she almost tripped from the terrace, When you had pulled her up. That was him too. And on payash wedding.... Her car brakes failed... She's been lucky till now Arnav... I can't guarantee she'll be lucky in future too. He threatened me to kill you and Di if I tell any of you anything. I couldn't risk it. You're very important to me. And so is everyone else in this family. I can't risk your lives." Khushi said

Arnav was quiet. Khushi held his hand

"Trust me Arnav.. I am telling you the truth. Please trust me" She pleaded tearily

Arnav pulled her in a soothing hug and let her sob into his shirt.

"I swear I am not lying Arnav... I swear" She sobbed

"I do... I do trust you shona. Stop crying. I'm really sorry I just don't understand how to put it to words. I know I messed up big time... I know I don't deserve anything from you now. But please... If you can, Please forgive your Arnav. I promise I won't let you down ever again. I promise I won't misunderstand you ever again. I promise. Just give me one last chance. Please!!" He pleaded

"Kahaan la ke khadaa kar dia hai Arnav, Naa aapko maaf karte bantaa hai.. Na aapse naraaz ho sakti huin. Kya karuin Arnav..? Haraa dia aapne mujhe... Haraa dia, Teen Saal ke yaqeen... Teen saal ke pyaar ko ek benefit of doubt nahi dia. Kaise Arnav.. Kyu? (Where have you brought me Arnav.. I can't forgive you, I can't be angry with you.. What do I do Arnav..? You defeated me Arnav.. Defeated me. You didn't even give three years of love.. Three years of trust even a benefit of doubt. How Arnav.. Why?)" Khushi asked sobbing

Arnav closed his eyes in unbearable pain

"Khushi.. I-I know.. I've just been a jerk to you.. I thought you killed my shona.. But Khushi I killed.. I killed your Arnav inside me. I am sorry Khushi.. I am... Really really sorry Khushi. I don't even how I can apologize enough for this Khushi... I am sooo sorry shona.. I am sorry" Arnav apologized frantically

Khushi tightened her hold on Arnav and sobbed more than ever.

"I love you Arnav... Why.. Even after all this.. I still can't gather. I still don't know why I'm clinging to... I still don't know.. I can't loose you Arnav.. Not you! I don't have anyone else except you and Arjun Bhai.. I don't have a family Arnav.. I can't lose you. Please" Khushi whispered desperately holding on to him

"You won't loose me Khushi.. You won't ever loose me. I'm sorry Khushi, Please forgive me" Arnav hugged her back. Consoling her. He was forced to remember a certain incident years ago. Her hold was desperate, Then and now! Her pleadings echoed in his ears He would be doomed if he let her slip away again. She wouldn't slip into depression again.

Only if he knew.. His actions of the past have made sure of the same

Only if..

However... If you disagree.... Please do let me know your reasons

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