Arnav reached upstairs to their room where Ashima stood waiting

"Talk" She ordered

Arnav started to tell her what had happened for the past one and a half months... His misunderstanding, Her truth... Each and everything, By the end of the narrative, Arnav didn't have the courage to look at Ashima while the latter had tears in her eyes

"Is this marriage, Just for namesake Arnav?" Ashima asked

Arnav Looked up shocked! "No Di... This marriage is as genuine and as real as Payash's. I personally made sure of that" Arnav said

"The contract marriage?"

"I was angry Di... I said it but didn't mean anything... I meant not to let go of her Di... It was just... Out of anger... I'm... I'm really sorry" Arnav said

"Arnav... I don't know, I do understand your insecurity, But-" Ashima said

"Di... When I saw Khushi, That way with him. I was forced to remember my Mumma. She is dead... She committed suicide because my father Mr. Arvind Malik betrayed her. She died because she couldn't bear the pain of being... Being cheated. I am not defending myself Di... But I just didn't think. I reacted without giving the situation a conscious thought. I didn't..." Arnav choked

Ashima stood there with an expression of shock mingled with Helplessness and fear. She had tears in her eyes "Ratna Aunty" She whispered

Ashima held her arms wide and Arnav hugged her desperately. Crying his heart out.

"Calm down Arnav, Just calm down. Stop crying baccha. I didn't know Arnav Malik was your father. Calm down Arnav." Ashima consoled him

"I am so sorry Di, I ruined our Princess. I ruined her because of the same past she helped me to come out of. I wasted all her efforts Di... And its because of me that my shona is forced to be so vulnerable" Arnav said

"Calm Down Arnav, Here Have some water first (Hands him a glass of water) Now tell me... Does Khushi know?" Ashima asked kindly

Arnav nodded

"Khushi is an exceptionally strong girl Arnav.. She'll be fine, I assure you that. But you still have to be there. She needs you Arnav. You have to be strong for her" Ashima said

"How do I bring my Khushi back di?" Arnav asked

"She needs you Arnav, She is emotionally very weak and vulnerable right now.. You are her husband, Her strength. I don't know how she is going to react, But she really needs you beside her right now.. Please be patient with her." Ashima said

"I never wanted to do this to her... But.. I still did. I robbed her of her family. Even my family didn't treat her well.. Only I am responsible for that" Arnav said

"You didn't rob her of her family Arnav... She has craved a family all her life, Though I don't blame her, But somewhere deep inside, Khushi being the adopted child has always kept Garima Masi on the edge. She has never been able to love Khushi like she loves Payal. In her attempts to pamper Payal, Khushi was forgotten. Her behavior towards Khushi has never been motherly Arnav! She was, She is, And she'll always remain Khushi's Aunt. Her Masi... Khushi is a responsibility to them... Not a daughter. And she has been told that on more than one occasions. That she should be thankful that they took her in. Khushi told me once... Not long after she came to India, That she has found a family she can love all her life, In your family. She loves your Di like she loves me Arnav. You know that don't you?" Ashima said

Arnav nodded and smiled

"If she needs you, She needs a family too. More precisely, She needs your family your Di... She's very important to Khushi. And by the looks of it, Anjali hates her. She needs their support, Their love." Ashima said

"She'll get what she deserves Di... I'll make sure of that. She deserves all the love in the world for herself. Usne mujhe Arvind Malik ke past se nikaala hai Di... Mujhe ehsaas dilaya hai ki present main jeena kya hota hai (She has pulled me out of the dreadful past of Arvind Malik... She has made me to realized the importance of living in present) This is the least I can do" Arnav said

Ashima's expression turned angry.

"Di... What happened? Is everything..." Arnav asked cautiously

"Arvind Malik... He's not only your culprit" Ashima said in an Anger filled voice

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