CHAPTER 19: ON HIS DEMAND

@ The RM

Every guest were allowed to go after the complete investigation. Akaash, payal, Nani made sure that they apologized for any inconvenience that their guest had to go through.

"Mr. Shetty, we seriously apologize for all the inconvenience!"

"Don't worry, Mr. Akaash. If this incident had happened in any of our houses or with our family member we are sure we have done the same thing. These are just little things what really matters is Mr. Raizada's life."

"Yes,  there is nothing to worry about. I hope Mr. Raizada is perfectly fine and that's what matter to all of us," Mr. Rastogi assured.

"Thank you so much for Mr. Shetty, and Mr. Rastogi!"

"You guys take care and we will surely go to the hospital to see Mr. Raizada!" Mr. Rastogi said and they left.

"Jaya, jayshree please forgive us for all the investigation and all that!"

"Oh common Deviyani don't even mention that. Just like you are Arnav bitwa's Nani, we are too. Don't worry. It's all because of us, neither we have forced you to give this party and neither this had happened."

"Please, don't say so auntie ji. Thanks for being there in our good and bad times."

"What's real friends are for?" Jaya auntie asked.

"Thank you auntie Ji!"

"Yes, thank you jaya, Jayshree!"

"Don't be so formal now!" Jayshree auntie replied. "I think now we should leave!"

"Okay! See you guys later!"

***

@The control room

"I can't believe Shoan has done all this, but why he do that?" Dhruv asked.

"Unfortunately, Dhruv he is not the one who tried to kill, Arnav!" Karan replied. (Karan is a C.I.D officer and Arnav, Dhruv, Akaash, NK's best friends).

"What?"

"Yes, you may also be surprised to know it's a work of two people. One of course was Shoan, and the other person who escaped before RM security and police force could even catch him."

"How do you know?"

"Dhruv, the bullet that the doctors took out of Arnav's body is completely different from the one that we found in RM. And that resembles the bullet in Shoan's gun that we found in Shoan's pocket.

"But we heard the noise of gun firing only ones!"

"Yes, you may be right! But the truth there were two. The other shocking thing is that the gun that we found at RM was targeted at the very different angle away from Arnav."

"What does that mean?" Dhruv asked.

"The meaning is quite straightforward. There were two criminals present at the party one had targeted Khushi bhabi and the other one made Arnav his target."

Dhruv was shocked.

"Yes, come I show you!" Karan said and took Dhruv inside the RM.

***

Inside the RM

"There!" Karan said as he pointed his finger at the hole on the wall made by the bullet of the second floor.

"That's where the bullet  hit. And it indicates that the person was standing right in the east and he targeted the chandelier. "

Suddenly Dhruv's mind clicked. "You mean that Shoan is the one tried hitting the chandelier!"

"Yes, you are very right! Shoan had made Khushi bhabi his target. Khushi bhabi was standing right under the chandelier. And at the angle which Arnav got hit it was impossible for Shoan's bullet to hit him. And the second person stood there in the west direction. Before Arnav was successful in moving Khushi bhabi away the person'a  bullet had hit Arnav!"

"Does it mean they all were together?"

"It's quite possible, but not 100% ! Shoan was present at RM for complete three after that he was tracked down and killed. If they were two together why didn't Shoan go didn't with his partner?"

"Karan it's all your responsibility you have to find that second ba**ard."

"Don't you worry Dhruv I will find that person no matter what!" Karan assured.

"But I must say whosoever that person was, he knew each an everything about RM.  About the Control room, as the technician said the main point of the CCTV cables were completely destroyed. How is it even possible despite of such a tight security? He could be Shoan or the other person! I am sorry I am saying this but it's quite possible that it's the work of a person inside the RM!"

"No, Karan I can assure you that nobody could do anything such a cheap act!"

"I hope you are right. I will investigate Arnav and ask him!"

"I have tightened the security. Arnav bhai's and Khushi bhabi's bodyguards are at the hospital with them!"

"That's good!"

---

Khushi stood outside the intensive care unit and looked at Arnav, through the glass, who was lying unconscious on the bed. 

Her strength, that she had gathered few seconds ago to see him, had disappeared like a vapour into the air the moment she saw ventilator machine providing artificial oxygen to Arnav's body, sticky pads stick to his chest to trace his heart activity and in addition to that catheters (tubes) were attached to his body that provided nutrients into his body and excreted waste out of his body, further made her heart wrenched and weak as fear took over her.

"You will never be happy...you will rot in hell,"  Khushi's own words that she had said to Arnav had again buzzed in her head and guilt took her peace of mind gradually. She slowly opened the door and got in.

She kept walking towards Arnav and kept her stare at his drained face and the gun wound, that was now dressed with bandages, on his shoulder shook every sense of her, her mind was clogged, and she hadn't realized that her breathing was laboured.

"SCA could have taken his life if the treatment wasn't given to him within few minutes!" then doctor's words buzzed in her mind.

 A tight ball of guilt, anger, fear that built in her chest had arisen to her throat.

Her body was denying the strength to support her body that was too heavy with emotions. When she  couldn't able to stand she sat up on the stool, beside Arnav's bed.

A single tear rolled down her eyes, and it fell on Arnav's hand. 

She sat their for a while in a complete silence and looked at him, moving not an inch of her gaze from him.

In less then a month the things had taken a huge turn where it was impossible for her to understand, what's even going in her life. She was standing at the point where any person would question the purpose of life and the point of living. But she kept her head high, however, she had failed today.

A month ago, destiny had introduced, a person to her,  known for his ruthless, arrogant nature. A person with a heart of stone, where no sentiments, no emotions existed.

But the circumstances has yet shown a different side of him. His stone heart was nothing, but an armour that he had set as a wall to protect vulnerable heart of his. 

 The heart that very well knew to beat, the heart that care for its loved ones. The heart that being so ruthless could do anything for the people in his life and even could give his own life.

A heart of a gold. Khushi regretted that why she didn't realize that before? Why she didn't understand his acts when he offered her his help and send her brother  to a good hospital where he would be given good treatment. Why didn't she understand what he meant when he said "Khushi I thousands death every day when I hurt you!" Why he took care of her when he knew that she was the one behind his sister's pain indirectly if not directly?" Why she didn't pay attention when Mary had told her "Khushi...Mr. Raizada has a heart of a gold...circumstances has made him like that," Mary's word rang in her mind. Why did she expect him to ask her why didn't he tell her everything before marriage when she herself just blindly listened to Rahul when he had told her lies that Arnav is the one who had killed his dad?"

The questions were running wild. She didn't know why but she wanted to make him believe that she was innocent! She didn't understand why she felt so much pain seeing him in that situation? Why was she all of sudden he has become her need?

She sat there and battled with her thoughts and asked all those questions to herself to which she hadn't any answer for. 

She didn't show any response don't know how long?

But when she came out of her trance, tears came out of her eyes streaming down over cheeks. She took Arnav's hand in her' s and brought it close to her face, to kiss it as she finally spoke. 

"You know what," she said. "I hate you Arnav ji, I hate you for everything. I hate you for bearing the pain alone, I hate you for hurting yourself, I hate you for not saying anything when I said so many things to you. I hate you for not saying anything when I excused you of my father's death.  I hate you, but more than that I hate being the cause of your pain. Please, mujhe maaf kardo! I am sorry Arnav ji!" she said sobbing in between each and every question. 

Her sobs raked her body, she hadn't have cried this much before, despite of going through so many of the harsh situations even when her father died, than seeing her husband in this situation. She hadn't have felt so weak before than she felt at the present moment seeing him fighting for his life. She hadn't felt this vulnerable, and without Arnav there was no one to care of her. No one!

"I beg you, Arnav Ji talk to me, open your eyes. I need you!" Khushi said as she spoke her mind. 

"I want to apologize for everything.  If anything happen to you today I will never be able to forgive myself. Please Arnav ji I want you to be the first person to disclose the news that I am pregnant with YOUR CHILD. Please, Arnav ji why aren't you listening me?" she asked as she slightly shook him but in anger, if by any chance her pleas would hit his ears and he would listen her. "Why don't you just stop your stubbornness and get up? If not  for me then for this little life that is growing in me, for your child, please Arnav ji!" She said and brought his hand close to her womb. "I will die without you. Please, open your eyes!" Khushi again and again begged him to wake up.

***

"Arnav ji!" Arnav heard Khushi screaming his name again and again in the distance. 

"Arnav ji!" he again heard his name being called. Khushi's voice was filled with pain as she was in a dangerous situation.

"Khushi!" he heard himself saying, but only realized that his voice was choked. Again he tried but he knew it was of no point as no voice would come out. He wanted to know what has happened to her but he couldn't able to do anything. He tried getting up but became conscious of the fact that his legs were numb as they weren't even there.  He felt a pain in his chest and tried to pick his hands to relieve himself from pain but his hands were chained. 

He struggled to free himself but the pain in his chest made his body cry in agony. He shut his eyes in order to bear the pain but when he opened his eyes, nothing was clear, his vision was blurred.  He thought he would die. In actual he knew that he would die. 

"Please, Arnav ji save me...I will die," Khushi's pleas in helplessness again hit his ear. 

But more than her he was helpless...More he struggled more the pain in his chest grew. More he tried to free himself tighter the chain got, bruising his arms.  Through the blurry vision he saw his chest, in quick few seconds his white shirt was covered in his blood.

Khushi kept on screaming but Arnav was just too helpless he gave up, tears were streaming down his eyes.

"I am sorry Khushi I can't help you!" Arnav sobbed and his back hit the hard floor. 

He was dying, every energy was draining out of his body. Numbness swept like a wave over his body, and it was burning like it dissolved in a molten lava.

But then she saw Khushi. She was running as someone was chasing her. And in fact she was being chased, she ran as fast as she could but all of sudden she tripped over something and the person who was following her had caught her. 

"No, please don't kill me!" Khushi pleaded in front of the man but he laughed off instead and took her hair in handful fist forcing her get up. Khushi grasped in pain.

"Let go off her!" Arnav tried to yell but as always his voice was choked.

The second  man slapped Khushi's face and it earned her a bruise on her face.  And her lip started bleeding.

Then came the third person out of nowhere and he pointed gun at Khushi. 

"Should I kill her?" he asked the other two men.

"Go for it!" the first man replied. 

"Please let me go, don't kill me!" Khushi pleaded. 

The third man moved his finger to pull the trigger.

That is when Arnav found the hidden strength in himself and freed himself from the chain. A life had returned to his legs and got up and ran but he was too late before he could save Khushi the third man had fired her.

***

"Khushi!" he yelled as he tried to get up but due to his wound he laid back.

"Arnav ji!" Khushi said with concern but a sudden joy had filled her heart.

"Khushi are you okay?" he asked. 

His voice was broken, his body was trembling with fear. But Khushi smiled. Her husband had gain conscious. He was actually talking to her. Her grieving heart was filled with happiness.

"I am fine Arnav ji! You are fine!" she said as she cupped her face. But her happiness faded away when Arnav winced in pain.

"Arnav ji please relax I call the doctor!" She said and ran to call the doctor.

Arnav was relieved but that was an understatement he was beyond relieved. When he found himself in a completely different situation, place and time. He thanked God for what he saw was just a dream. But it wasn't a dream Arnav had just defeated his death. He was too close to his but Khushi had saved him.

"Doctor!" Khushi yelled.

"What happen Khushi bitiya?" Mama ji asked.

"Mama Ji, Arnav ji!" Khushi mumbled.

"What happen to him?" NK asked as panic took over him.

"He is fine, NK. He just talked to me," Khushi replied. 

There was no end to her happiness. An endless grieve that filled her heart was replaced with pure happiness. She didn't know what to say,  half of the words she just said was just babbled. 

"Doctor!" she yelled and Doctor came running.

"Doctor Arnav ji, he is fine! He has gained his consciousness.

Doctor listened to her and went straight to the I.C.U. 

"Khushi bitiya let the doctor do his check up then we can meet him!" Mama ji said and Khushi simply nodded.

***

Doctor ran a quick check up.

"Mr. Raizada, how are you feeling now?"

"Ok!" he replied. He was still weak, he had no energy to say anything. The pain in his shoulder was still there. But that didn't matter at all. His Khushi was fine.

"Mr. Raizada you take care and I inform your family they were really worried!"

Arnav nodded his head.

"Mr. Raizada, congratulations Mr.Arnav is perfectly fine," doctor said.

"Can we meet him?"

"Yes, you may but before we have to do few examinations so that we are 100% sure he is perfectly fine."

"Thank you doctor!"

"Anytime!" he replied smiling.

When doctor informed that Arnav was now fine Mama ji called everyone home it was 4:00 AM in the morning but everyone was still awake and mami picked up the phone. 

"Hello, Manorama! Arnav bitwa is alright now!"

"That's a wonderful news, I immediately tell everyone at home," Mami Ji said happily. 

"Doctors had done check up and they have finally confirmed there is nothing to worry about. In day or two they will discharge him!"

"Thank God! Sasu ma and me had decided there will be a puja at home ones Arnav bitwa get home safe and sound.

"Yes, go ahead!"

"Okay, you keep the phone we all are coming!"

"Alright!"

As soon mami ji hung up the phone she told everyone about Arnav's health. Again the happiness had returned at RM. Everybody finally took a sigh of relief.

@ The Hospital

Arnav was shifted to the general ward. Every member of Raizada family had come. And they were talking to Arnav but Khushi was missing.  

Arnav was talking to everyone, but his mind was thinking of her. He wanted to know where was she? But didn't ask instead NK did.

"Dad where is Khushi bhabi?" NK asked.

"She has gone to see Dr. Sharma!"

"Why?" 

"She had to ask her something!"

"Oh okay!"

"Oh Nanav bhai you know what I have found my dream girl!"

"Oh really?" Dhruv asked.

"Yeah, you know few minutes ago!"

"Do you even know her? You just saw her and fell in love with her!"

"May I come in?"

"Yaaa!" NK said and looked at the female doctor. His heart fluttered the moment he saw her. "Hiii!"

"Hi!" Doctor replied back. "Just came to check  Mr. Raizada!"

"Dhruv bhai he is the one!" NK elbowed him and ran towards her.

"Oh common, he is perfectly fine! But please check me. Mujhe kus kus ho rahe hain!" NK said and brought his hand in front of her.

"What happen are you alright?"

"No, I am not!"

"I mean what's the matter?"

"Oh, I don't know you do the check up!"

"Okay, let me check!" Doctor replied.

She took his wrist in her hand and checked his pulse. 

"Haaae!" NK exclaimed.

"What happen Mr.?"

"NK!" he answered.

"And what's your name?" he asked.

"I am tanya!"

"Oh wow what a lovely name and a perfect match...NK-Tanya...Tanya-NK, just wow!" NK babbled.

"Sorry!"

"Nothing."

"Mr. NK you are perfectly fine!"

"After seeing you I am perfectly fine!" he replied.

"Doctor Tanya please you do bhai's check up he is just crazy!"

Dr. Tanya laughed. 

"Excuse me, after seeing such a beautiful girl anybody could get crazy!"

Doctor Tanya blushed and she went to check Arnav. 

"Are you single?" NK asked.

"Shut-up NK!" Dhruv said angrily.

"It's okay!" Tanya replied. "No, Mr. NK  I am married and I have two kids!"

This time everyone laughed out. And NK pouted.

"Mr. Raizada you are good to go. You have to stay here for a day and then day after tomorrow you will be discharged."

"Thank you, doctor!" Arnav replied.

"Take-care! See ya Mr. NK!"

NK sadly waved.

"Have you found your dream girl?" Dhruv asked.

"Dream girl a mother of two!" Akaash joked. "Ready made kids!"

"Very funny!" NK said as he slightly offended.

"Oh common guys let's go now. We should really let Arnav bitwa rest." Mami ji said.

Everyone leaves.  Arnav closed his eyes but suddenly opened when Nani called Khushi's name.

"Khushi bitiya talked to Dr. Sharma?"

"Yes, Nani ji!"

"Okay, bitiya you could talk to Arnav bitwa! We all wait outside!"

"Nani Ji you should go home. I am here and don't worry I will take care of Arnav ji! Mama ji please go home and take some rest! You must be tired. "

"I am okay, bitiya!"

"Please!"

"Okay, bitiya you take care of yourself too!" Mama Ji said.

"Yes!"

***

Everyone leaves and Khushi takes a deep breath and close her eyes before getting into the general ward.  She was nervous to go in front of him and she had no idea what she would say ones she get in!

After  fighting with her thoughts she went in. And Arnav looked at her but she looked somewhere else. For the first time she was nervous to face him. Her heart was beating violently against her chest. And same was for Arnav. But his heart felt a strong tug when he saw a bandage on her forehead. 

A fresh tears had formed in Khushi's eyes, she bit her lips to keep herself from her crying but more she tried to control them more they came out. 

She looked at him. Arnav's heart ached seeing tears in her eyes. He was going to take her name but before him Khushi spoke up.

"I am sorry, Arnav ji!"  Arnav heard her saying and closed his eyes when he heard her broken voice and a pure pain in it. 

"I am sorry for everything!" She finally said with enthusiasm but she couldn't able to control the feelings that ran wildly in her mind. 

And in quick steps she went close to him and hugged him tightly. 

So tightly as someone was going to snatch him from her.  

Seeing him fine was a light at the end of the tunnel for her. And she didn't want to deny the feeling that grew in her that, she missed him, she needed him more than she needed to breath.

The last 7 hours were spent in endless pain and it had shattered her more than anything. Finally she felt safe in his arms and she wasn't alone. Her tears fell on his back soaking his bear shoulder. But she made sure that she didn't  hurt him. 

Arnav left a sudden sigh, he opened his mouth to say something but he shortly snap shut it. Khushi's breakdown had taken him by surprise. Arnav decided to stay quite. For an unknown reason he let her hug him, he let her cry, he let her to take all the pain through her tears, that she had held inside her little heart. He wanted her to free herself from all the chains of pain and for the first time his mind screamed that she was innocent. 

It wasn't like he didn't trust her. Arnav never took any decision in hurry even his decision to marry her. He trusted Khushi more than his own breath. But the evil forces dominated over his love for Khushi. 

"I am sorry Arnav ji!...I am  sorry I have given you so much pain...please Arnav ji...give me any punishment...I will happily accept it and...I am ready to do anything that you would ask me but please forgive me!" Khushi said in between her sobs.

 

"Khushi!" Arnav finally spoke and tried to pull her away but Khushi wasn't ready to move an inch away from him.

 "I would have been a living dead if anything had happened to you today, Arnav ji," Khushi said and her sobs were endless and in return it knifed Arnav's heart.

Khushi's confession had left him astonished.

He finally had put his one arm around to comfort her when he no longer take her tears. And Arnav gave the warmth she needed and Khushi did feel better. 

"Sshh Khushi! Please don't cry, I am fine," Arnav said.

And Khushi pulled away from the hug. Her eyes were swollen reflecting hours of crying and pain.

Arnav didn't let his unnecessary ego to come in between. He immediately lifted his hand and wiped her tears.

"I am fine! Nothing has happened to me!" Arnav assured but Khushi had gone really mad. 

What was next Arnav had to face the anger of his wife now!

 "Fine? Do you even have idea how much everyone were worried about you? Nani Ji, mami ji, Mama ji, Payal bhabi, Akaash bhaiya, NK, Dhruv, even gavy and Adi when they came to know about you?" She finished off with whatever she had to say when Arnav asked "And you?" Even though Khushi 'a condition and her breakdown had proved him that how worried she was about him, but he couldn't stop himself and asked. 

Khushi's mouth was left open in shock. She couldn't able to decide whether whatever she had heard was just two imagined words, that she just formed in her head or he really asked her that?

"I-Uh!" Khushi stuttered.

Her simple stutter was an answer to his question. 

Khushi cursed herself for opening her mouth but thanked god when someone knocked on the door.

"Please, come in!" She said uneasily. 

"Hey, bhabi!" NK said.

"NK!"Khushi said.

"Here's the food and your medicine bhabi!"

Arnav looked at her with concern. "Thank you NK! I am sorry you had to come here especially for this."

"Don't worry bhabi budha is always present in your service!"

"Budha?"

"Banda!" Arnav said as he corrected NK.

"Yes, exactly that!"

Khushi laughed. "NK you stay here with Arnav Ji I will be back soon!"

"Sure, bhabi!"

When Khushi leaves, Arnav ask NK "what is the medicine is for?"

"Bhai, after  today's incident  Khushi bhabi collapsed twice."

"And what happen to her forehead?"

"Even I don't  know bhai, bhabi didn't say anything. Dhruv bhai found her unconscious in the RM basement and there I guess she got injured."

"What? Didn't you even guys take care of her? If I was here it didn't mean you guys have forgotten about her!"

"Bhai I am sorry seriously I had no idea what happened! But bhai Khushi bhabi was really worried about you. She hasn't eaten anything. Nani, Payal, mom forced her to eat, but she didn't. Please make sure she eats something and her medicine."

NK's revelation had made Arnav concerned and he did has to ask  her how did she end up in the basement? And how did she get hurt?