Chapter 47

Arnav ran a frustrated hand through his already disheveled hair as he once again tried to go over the detailing his head designer had sent him, which for some reason was just not working out with the theme they had decided for their client

Nothing seemed to be going right the past few days after the wedding fiasco, that had made his brother into a real live ‘devdas’ and also strained his and Khushi’s relationship a little bit

He closed his laptop with a dejected sigh, as his mind went back to the day after the wedding, when he met Khushi for the last time, in this same office.

5 days ago...

“Khushi” Arnav said as he walked inside his cabin to see her pacing around worriedly…she looked up at him and went into his waiting arms for a hug they both needed desperately

“How is Payal?” Arnav asked her with concern, after a few minutes as Khushi shook her head dejectedly “Not good Arnav…she is completely devastated” she said as she went and sat on the couch, with Arnav sitting beside her holding her hand

“I have never seen her like this; I mean, she always seemed like a tough girl you know…but last night, she was just so vulnerable” Khushi said as Arnav stroked her palm soothingly

“I don’t even know why I’m so concerned about her, but I think its because, I can relate to her to some extent” Khushi said with down casted eyes, as Arnav looked at her questioningly

“My father Arnav…I have felt his betrayal, so right now what Payal feels…” Khushi started saying when Arnav interrupted her “Your father? Khushi are you seriously comparing your father to Akash?” he asked incredulously as Khushi shook her head, turning towards him

“No, you are getting it wrong…I just mean the feeling Arnav…of someone you love betraying you. I’m not saying that Akash is like my father” she said as Arnav still looked a bit annoyed

“That’s still not fair Khushi…Akash really regrets what happened and he wants to make it all right…he’s just a kid Khushi and I know he hurt Payal a lot by lying to her but that does not mean he should be judged and sentenced without being given a chance; if Payal is hurting, he is hurting too” he said as Khushi looked slightly miffed at his words

“Arnav, its easy for you to say something like this because you have gone through something like this…would you have been okay if I would have lied to you or led you on or kept something so big from you? Wouldn’t you have felt used to some extent?” she asked him with feeling, as Arnav looked at her with guarded eyes

“This is not about us Khushi…what we have is completely different…Akash only hid the truth about his identity, its not like he led her on for devious means…he loves her, even you know that” Arnav said defending his brother when Khushi got up shaking her head

“You know what? Its no use talking to you when you so clearly, are biased towards your brother…he can do nothing wrong right? While a girl who he claims to love is miserable and devastated…” Khushi said as Arnav too got up in annoyance…this was not going anywhere

“Don’t call me biased Khushi…I am on Payal’s side as well; Last night I gave a sound hearing to Akash for what he did, but Payal too should understand that its not fair to cut him off completely without hearing his side….it’s clear she does not love him as much as he does” Arnav said as Khushi pursed her lips

“Think what you want Arnav…I have work to do” she said as she turned around and left his cabin without a second look. Arnav kept looking at her retreating figure with mounting anger, before he too decided to not bother with Khushi on this topic.

...

And that fight was still lingering on…it had been 5 days and they still would not speak to each other cordially…Arnav had left town on the second day itself due to some pressing R&S matter while Khushi too had not seemed to care much, since she did not bother to call or text him. Even now that he was back, she had not come to office today.

But all this was getting unbearable…maybe he should have understood her part of the argument…he lost his fuse thinking she thought of Akash as Arun Mehra when she was only telling him about how she had felt…obviously it was something one felt when betrayed by a loved one and Akash had to some extent betrayed Payal by lying to her

And if he had it in his hands, he would rather be on Payal’s side now instead of being sucked into Akash’s mopey world where all he did was mope around liked a love sick fool and try and find ways to talk to Payal

Arnav had tried to explain to him to give her time but as always Akash did not listen…Life was just too f*****g great!

He yearned to hold Khushi in his arms, kiss her, love her…it had been so long since they had been intimate, heck he had not even kissed her since a long time! But more than anything, he just wanted to be with her.

There was no way he was going home to a moping Akash today’ he decided it was best to stay back in the penthouse and try and get Khushi to talk to him tomorrow…one of them had to relent and it looks like it was going to be him.

...

“Khushi? Earth to Khushi!” Payal said as Khushi focused her attention back to see an amused Payal waving her hands in front of her face…she gave a small smile and went back to sipping her coffee as Payal pushed a piece of cheesecake she had made today

“You know…If I am correct, your boyfriend should have been back today, but here you are, sitting at home in your PJ’s and pretending to do work” Payal said as Khushi cut a piece of the cheesecake and smiled at her, ignoring her question

“If I knew you bake so well when you are upset, I would have taken advantage of you a long time back” Khushi said as Payal sighed and sat down opposite her on the now utterly messy kitchen at Khushi’s house

Payal had all but moved in since that night, especially because of the huge kitchen in the mansion, since all she did was bake and bake and bake some more, which was apparently therapeutic for her

Garima and Khushi let her do what she wanted to, but now it was getting crazy; Khushi was actually thinking of selling the mountains of cupcakes and other sweet stuff Payal had baked in the last four days

“See…once again you diverted the topic! Khushi! What is going on with you and Arnav? He left town and you have been miserable since then, pretending to work from home. I haven’t once seen you pick up the phone and speak to him…I seriously hope this has nothing to do what happened with me and…” she trailed off as Khushi shook her head and held her hand

“Don’t be silly…yes, we have some stuff going on, but nothing to worry about” Khushi said as she smiled at Payal’s worried face…if nothing else, these 5 days had bought her and Payal very close with the latter opening up to Khushi about a lot of things

“Ok, but please go and meet him today and sort whatever issues you have with him…as it is, I think its high time I relocate back to my house…I think I’m much better now and I can’t thank you and Garima aunty enough for being so patient with me” Payal said as she felt her eyes fill up

“You see, after my mom passed away, I haven’t really had any female perspective on a lot of things…not that I’m complaining...my dad is both my mother and father, but sometime I think you need that emotional connect with another woman to get over certain things…which you both provided to me” Payal said as Khushi got up and came around to hug her

“Hey, anytime you want, you can speak to me or mamma ok, we are like family Payal, and always there for you allright” Khushi said as Payal nodded and hugged her back

“Can I ask you something Khushi?” Payal asked as Khushi nodded “Do you think I’ve been too harsh with Akash? Should I speak to him once? I mean, if nothing else then just for closure sake?” she asked as Khushi took a deep breath

“That is something only you can answer Payal…if you feel you are ready to hear him out, then you should” Khushi said as Payal slightly smiled and said in a more confident tone “Thanks…I think I know what to do”

 ...

“Ok Khushi….you can do this” Khushi said to herself as she entered the penthouse. She had come to know that Arnav was staying here tonight when she had called Lavanya, to enquire about him.

It was getting more and more difficult to restrain herself from going to him, knowing he was back after 4 torturous days…only she knew how her palms had itched to pick up the phone and call him…but her damn ego always stopped her…she wanted him to apologize to her first; but now she knew how stupid she had been

When you love someone, there is no such thing as ego that should ever come between you…and she knew that Arnav being upset made sense if he mistook her implying Akash to be like her father…no one should be compared to her father…especially Akash, whom she knew much better

She bit her lower lip as she heard sounds from his bedroom…tiptoeing slowly towards it, she opened the door slightly to see the bathroom door closing as he just seemed to have walked into it

She got inside to see his clothes scattered around and figured he must have gone for a shower, giving her visions of his glorious muscled body under the hot stream…oh how she had missed him…they can talk later…right now she wanted him like never before

 ...

Arnav felt rather than heard Khushi, as she opened the shower cubicle and got into the steamy shower that he was standing under…he felt her hands coming around from his back and resting on his chest as she pressed herself into him from behind

He closed his eyes at the sheer pleasure he felt as her naked body slid against his, while her lips left small kisses and nips along his shoulder...if he was dreaming, he never wanted to wake up again, but soon his suppressed desire got the better of him as he pulled her by her arm in front of him and brought her face to face with him

“Make love to me Arnav…” Khushi said as her last words were eaten up under the scorching onslaught of Arnav’s hungry lips on hers…she slid her hands into his wet hair and held them tightly as he continued to ravage her mouth, her tongue meeting his in a frenzied manner as passion erupted between the two hungry souls

She moaned as he ran his hands all across her naked body, squeezing, pinching and molding her soft curves into his hard body as her nails raked over his heated muscles.

They could not stop kissing each other as their bodies rubbed deliciously over each other, making Khushi’s body weep in surrender as Arnav’s hardened under Khushi strokes, making him groan at her touch; a touch he had sorely missed

Without wasting any time he pushed her to the cool tiled walls of the shower cubicle as the hot water continued to drench them.

Hoisting her up along the wall, Arnav let her wrap her legs on his waist as she held onto his shoulders, while he held her up by her hips. The raw desire they saw in each others eyes was so intense that their bodies trembled with unrestrained passion as Arnav slid into her welcoming heat in a single thrust as she cried out his name, bending down to kiss him wildly

He held her soft body in his hands as they continued to make love, thrusting into her with a desperate vigor, his mouth latching onto her sensitized nubs as she threw her head back and moaned at the passionate assault.

Khushi dug her nails into his shoulders as she felt the first spasms of pleasure passing through her body, making her forget everything but the man she loved and how much she had missed him…she felt him go still for a second before he too cried out her name in ecstasy, emptying himself into her as both felt satiated at the frenzied love they had just experienced

Arnav pulled out of her slowly as he slid her sweaty body against him to make her stand on her wobbly knees. He looked into her eyes, which were full of love for him and smiled as he rested his forehead against hers. He kissed her tenderly before holding her close to him, as the water now ran tepid over them

“I love you…please don’t ever be away from me…” he said as she felt her eyes fill up at his hoarse voice “Never…” she whispered back “I never want to argue with you baby….I love you so much” she said as he smiled and kissed her softly again

A few hours later as they lay entwined in bed after once more making love, but this time soft and slow…Khushi turned her head to watch Arnav as he peppered small kisses on her shoulders… “I’m really very sorry if you felt I was comparing Akash to..” she started saying, when Arnav kept a finger on her lips, silencing her

“There is no need to apologize….I took it the wrong way…plus I’ve had enough of Akash’s devdas avatar…don’t think I can take it anymore…what say we let them both deal with it themselves?” he asked her as Khushi giggled and snuggled more into his side “You betcha…I don’t think I can take anymore of Payals baked goodies….I’ll become fat if I keep eating them” she said as Arnav flipped her and came over her

“I don’t mind some extra weight on you...gives me more of you to hold onto” he said nuzzling her neck as she felt her traitorous body once again sing under his ministrations, leading them to another sizzling encounter….and another…well, lets just say it was a long time before they fell asleep.

Chapter 46

Khushi leaned back against the high-backed chair in the restroom, where she sat waiting for Payal to open the cubicle she had locked herself in, from the past fifteen minutes; she could hear the soft sobs and her heart went out to the girl inside

She straightened up as she heard the sob’s subside and a few minutes later, payal walked out, sniffing and dabbing her reddened eyes with a piece of tissue. Khushi got up and walked to her as she watched her splash some water on her face, the expertly applied make-up, running down her soft cheeks as she vigorously rubbed at it with trembling hands

“Stop…wait…” Khushi said as she ran some water over the soft napkins kept on the counter and gently pulled payal’s face towards her. She slowly wiped the mascara blotches and cleaned her face as payal’s gorgeous eyes once again filled up with more tears

“Don’t cry Payal…” Khushi said softly as Payal turned her face away and held the wash basin tightly “I’ll do whatever I want…and I don’t need anyone’s help or sympathy…” she said in a hoarse voice as Khushi sighed and threw the napkin in the bin before leaning sideways against the counter

“I know you don’t want my help, I’m probably the last person you would want to see right now, but what I’m feeling towards you right now is empathy, not sympathy Payal…” Khushi said as Payal suddenly looked up, her hurt eyes guarded as she schooled her features “You don’t know how I feel right now Khushi…so please, just let me be” Payal said as Khushi placed her hands on Payal’s shoulders and turned her around gently

“Listen to me Payal and stop being so difficult…you may think that I don’t know how you feel right now, so let me clear your misunderstanding” she said as Payal continued to look at her “You feel betrayed, hurt and foolish…you feel like you probably won’t be able to trust anyone anymore…not your friends, family and probably not even yourself…you feel like the world has just fallen apart in front of you and you cannot do anything about it but just see it crumble and vanish…am I right?” Khushi asked payal who nodded slowly and relaxed under Khushi’s watchful gaze

“I know how you feel Payal…I felt the same, only in my case it was because of my father…I loved him Payal, more than anything! But he betrayed me, broke mine and my mother’s trust…and turned our world upside down” Khushi said as Payal hung her head and closed her eyes “I’m sorry Khushi, I know you’re only trying to help me…. but I don’t know what to do anymore…I’m completely clueless” she said as Khushi sighed and led her to the settee

“Payal, what Akash did to you was wrong; he should not have hidden his identity from you…but trust me when I say this Payal…I saw the regret and guilt in his eyes, and I also saw the love he has for you” she said as Payal looked up in surprise and disbelief

“How can you say this Khushi? Do you have any idea how many lies he must have conjured up…how can you take his side?” she asked her as Khushi shook her head “No Payal…I am not taking his side, but what I’m urging you to do is to keep everything aside and ask yourself…were his feelings for you true? Can you maybe just hear him out once? What he did was rotten payal, but if you really did love him, ask him…question him why he did all this…don’t give up on your love so soon” Khushi said as Payal leaned back with blank eyes

“I don’t think I can Khushi….I am a very practical person and till today I thought I was not ruled by my emotions…but it looks like I am…if I give him another chance, he might once again play with my heart and I am not that strong Khushi…I act like it, but I’m not” she said as she door opened up and a worried Garima walked in starling Khushi and Payal

“Payal…” Garima said as she came and sat beside her…she kept her arm over she shoulder and pulled her closer to comfort her….Khushi was surprised that Payal did not resist and lay her head on Garima’s shoulder as her mother gently stroked her hair “It will be ok beta…we are all there for you” she said as Payal once again started sobbing while Garima wiped her eyes

“Why don’t you stay with us today Payal? Once the wedding is over, we can go” Khushi said as Garima agreed “Yes beta, you’ll come home with me and Khushi ok…the wedding is nearly over now” Garima said as Payal raised her head and looked at the two women

“No, I’ll be fine…I’m keeping you away from the wedding, please I’ll go home with papa…you both should get back to the wedding” she said as Garima shook her head “No Payal…we really care about you and I insist you stay with us tonight” Garima said in a final voice

“Khushi, you should go to the mandap now…there are a few last rituals left where you are required…I’ll bring payal out in a few minutes and then we can all go home together” Garima said as Khushi nodded and squeezed payal’s hand once before getting up to go

“Oh Khushi, Arnav left…he said he will call you later” she said as Khushi looked once at Payal who had her eyes closed and then left to get back to the wedding…she knew that her mother will take good care of Payal…but it felt weird to see the easy bond that had formed between her mother and payal…she felt almost jealous…but then she knew that sooner or later, she will have to share her mother with two more…and God only knows how much Garima needed more kids to fuss over…she thought with a smile

xxx

Khushi watched as the bridal party moved out of the huge hall and into the outside area, where a spectacular bedecked Bentley was waiting to take the bride and groom home…she felt herself tear up as she saw Mihika do the last ritual and hug her parents before leaving with her new family

She smiled and hugged Mihika as Akhil stood grinning behind her “Akhil, you better take good care of my Bhabhi…otherwise I won’t be the supportive sister anymore!” Khushi chided him as everyone around them laughed

Her aunt came and side hugged her while whispering in her ears “What’s wrong with rimmy? She seems sad…tell her it’s the bride’s side that cries…not the grooms” she said as Khushi smiled “No, she’s fine…probably a bit tired” Khushi assured her aunt as she saw the new couple taking blessings from her mother and grand mother

Her aunt seemed to buy her answer, but still looked a bit skeptical as she saw her sister looking very worn out; she saw Mr Dinkaran and his daughter who seemed very tensed since the past hour or so, sitting in the corner talking as the rest of the wedding took place

She knew something had happened, but did not know how to connect it with her sister…though she was very sure of one thing…There was something going on between Dinkaran and her sister, and as soon as the post-wedding things are over, she had to have a heart to heart with her sister about it

“What are you thinking? Should we get going?” Sanjay asked her as he caught her lightly by her arm, she smiled as she turned towards her and saw everyone waiting by the car “Uh, yes…lets go” she said as she walked towards her sister

“Rimmy…you all should also get going, we are all headed home now…thank you so much to you and Khushi for handling all this so wonderfully…don’t know what I would have done without you both” she said as Garima hugged her sister “What are sister’s for huh?...have fun being a tyrant of a sasuma (mother-in-law)” she teased as everyone left the venue

The last thing Tripti saw before getting in the car was Garima placing a hand on Shashi’s shoulder and taking Payal with her in her car….

xxx

“Bhai..please…can you call Khushi and ask her if everything is ok? Payal has switched off her phone and I really don’t know how to contact her…do you have their land line number?” Akash asked as he barged into Arnav’s room

“Akash…go to your room…. as it is, you have messed up big time with Payal…don’t even think of taking to her till you don’t work on how to sort everything out” Arnav said as she glanced at the clock in his room…it was 4 am and the wedding must be over by now

“I don’t know what to do bhai…how do I make everything ok? I really love payal…I can’t live without her…” he said with a defeated voice as he sat dejectedly by arnav’s bed on the floor as Arnav slid off it and sat on the edge

He placed his hand on Akash’s shoulder as his brother looked up with reddened eyes “I love her bhai…and she hates me…I know I probably deserve her hate, but I can’t live like this…it hurts too much” he said as Arnav took his comforting hand away and toughened his stance

“It hurts does it? And how do you think Payal felt when you hurt her? Akash…you are not a child anymore…the most vital thing in any relationship is trust…more than love, having your partner’s trust is important…and when you lose that, its very difficult to mend it” he said as Akash looked away

“I know bhai…but I did not do it on purpose…it started out as a dare and then I did not realize when I fell in love with her…I tried many times to tell her, to explain to her…but somehow it never came up….I was also going to bring her here and introduce her to you and dadu…but before that only…” his voice faded away as Arnav got up and checked his phone

He had asked Khushi to text him once she got back home, but till now there was no text…he contemplated calling her but thought she must have slept after the tiring ceremony

“Bhai…please call Khushi once…. only ask her if Payal is ok….that’s all I want to know, please” Akash asked once more as Arnav sighed and dialed Khushi’s number…he waited for it to connect but was surprised when it rang and was cut off after a few rings…he dialed again and once again she cut it off

“What’s wrong? She’s not picking up?” Akash asked him as Arnav looked at his phone screen and wondered why Khushi was cutting off his calls “I’m not sure….” He said and was going to call once again but got a text from Khushi, which he opened quickly

‘Can’t talk…Payal with me in my room…she’s fine. Lets talk tomo’

“Payal is with Khushi in her room, and she is fine…” Arnav said as Akash got up “Please ask her if I can speak to her bhai…just to ask her if she..” Akash started saying when Arnav threw his phone on his bed and grabbed his brother by his shoulders “Akash! Which part of, leave her alone for now do you not understand? This is not the right time to try and speak to her…let me speak to Khushi tomorrow and then see how the situation is” he said as Akash nodded and turned to leave with his head down

Arnav sighed and closed his eyes as he saw his brother’s dejected state “Akash…do you want to sleep here today?” he asked him as Akash stopped and turned around “Can I?” he asked him as Arnav picked up a pillow from the bed and tossed it to him “You can take the couch or recliner…” he said as Akash looked on in confusion

“But you’re bed is huge” he said eyeing Arnav’s massive four poster bed “Yes it is, but I will not be sharing it with you…. sleep on the couch and work on how you will right your wrong…tomorrow I want to know how you plan on wooing Payal back, but remember one thing…even though I’m your brother, I will only support you as far as getting your side of the story to her is concerned…rest is all on you” he said as he replied a quick ‘ok…love you’ to Khushi before plonking on his bed

He switched off the bedside lamp and saw Akash getting ready to lie on the couch as he closed his eyes and wondered aloud “Siblings…. you can’t really choose them, can you!” he thought as he fell into a deep slumber, leaving his brother in a dilemma of how to woo his love back…

Chapter 45

“So…I guess I haven’t got a chance to tell you how breathtakingly beautiful you look tonight…” Shashi whispered to Garima as they stood watching the marriage rituals; she smiled shyly and gave him a side glance “You don’t look too bad yourself…it’s the first time I have seen you in traditional wear” she said as he gave her a small smile and turned his head back towards the mandap

“I’m going to tell the kids tomorrow morning…It’s long overdue! Plus I think Payal suspects something already since she’s been snooping around and asking me odd questions” he said as Garima looked up in surprise and something akin to uneasiness passed over her face, which did not go unnoticed by Shashi

“Hey…it will be fine sweetheart…Don’t look so worried” He said in a soothing voice as she shook her head and looked away “No…its’ just that…I’m a bit nervous…what if Payal does not like it…or Ritwik objects to this…to us, I mean” she said as Shashi looked at her upset face and physically restrained himself from hugging her tightly

“They will love you Garima…as it is, they can’t stop raving about the yummy food you keep sending or how cool you are…don’t worry, everything will be fine” he said as she nodded and smiled again at him “Uh…I think I should move around…been standing with you since a long time now” she said as she observed some people noticing them

“Yes, I too should go and look for Payal…God only knows what all she is stuffing her face with” he chuckled as Garima gave him a hard stare “Don’t say that…girl’s don’t stuff their faces…boys do…and speaking of which I saw Khushi too going towards the food area…lets go together, she needs to get back here for the Gathbandhan*” she said as both turned to walk towards the food arena specially created at the other end of the hall

***

“Don’t you think that Dinkaran has been spending a lot of time with rimmy? They’ve been standing together for quite some time now…” Tripti said looking at the couple suspiciously as her husband followed her gaze “Don’t be silly…they are probably just talking about mundane stuff…he and his family practically live with them” he said before turning his attention back to the rituals

“I don’t think so…they have been smiling a lot…and rimmy has been blushing constantly…I haven’t seen her like this since…” Tripti said as Sanjay sighed and held her hand “Don’t upset yourself by thinking of those times…its all in the past now…and if Garima is getting over all that and becoming an independent woman, you too should not worry about her so much” he said as Tripti sighed

“No…I don’t mean it that way…I feel that its high-time Rimmy find someone else for herself…and looking at her with Mr Dinkaran…” she said as Sanjay once again looked at the couple who were now walking towards the buffet area “Rimmy is not like that…she is a one man woman…” he said pointedly as Tripti colored and looked away “Yes, but she’s been alone far too long Sanjay…and if she finds happiness with someone else, we should be happy for her” she said as Sanjay looked away towards the holy fire, his eyes reflecting the orange color in them

“You are right Trish…she should find someone else…but this time, we should make sure he is the right man for her…she has suffered too much at Arun’s hands…” he said as Tripti sighed and leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder, holding his upper arm for support as she watched her son getting married to his sweetheart

“Yes she has….We all have” she finally said, as the flames reflected in her dark as midnight eyes…her vision becoming blurry with unshed tears of the past.

***

“Umm…is everything ok here?” Khushi asked as Arnav came and stood by her while Akash and Payal once again turned to face one another “Khushi…what is going on here? And what do you mean by love birds?” Arnav asked her, as she uneasily observed Payal’s face, which was at present full of murderous rage directed at Akash, who looked everywhere but at her

“Uh…Akash and Payal are dating…I mean, I saw them doing stuff outside out gate a few weeks ago…I thought I will surprise them by bringing them together at this wedding” she said as Arnav looked even more confused than before

“Doing stuff? Akash…is Payal the girl you were talking about?” Arnav asked him as he nodded meekly while Khushi gave him a sly smile “You chupa rustam…even your own brother didn’t know haan?” she said teasingly but was surprised to find Akash looking at her in irritation as if he was annoyed with her…but why? She got him closer to his girlfriend…weird!

 She then turned towards Payal to finally say what she had wanted to since the day she had seen them together “So Payal darling! You too kept this well hidden huh? Remember the time you found Arnav and me together and would not stop teasing us? Well? What do you have to say now?” she said with a teasing glint, as Payal’s anger seemed to have left as she turned towards Khushi with an unreadable expression in her large almond eyes, full of hurt

“Thanks Khushi…I guess, your little ploy to expose me and Akash, exposed a lot more which was necessary…it made me understand what a stupid fool I have been!” Payal said in an emotionless voice as Khushi suddenly felt alarmed

“What? Wait…you both are dating right?” she asked the couple while Arnav looked on, trying to make heads or tails of the situation “No…not anymore” Payal said as she turned around to leave when Akash held her arm “Payal…no wait…let me explain at least” he said as she turned towards him and jerked his hands away

“Explain what? How you lied to me? How you made me think you are a simple middle class boy whose sister was abused in college? Were any of the things you said you did even true? Your eye and organ donations…your philanthropy…giving half you pocket money to charity? Hell…you spoke of Pocket money? You are filthy rich! How can you lie so much?” she asked as her voice got more and more hoarse from the unshed tears clogging her throat

Khushi and Arnav looked on shocked as Akash shook his head and tried to hold Payal, who kept pushing him away “Don’t touch me Akash…how could I…how could I love someone like you? How could I see myself sitting in that mandap with you next to me? You played me a fool Akash…you…” she said with a sniff before her eyes filled up and her cheeks got streaked with tears running down unchecked

“Payal please…let me explain please…I love you baby...I truly do…everything that happened between us was real…I did not play you…I would never do that….I fell in love with you the first time I saw you…trust me…” he said as Payal gave a mirthless laugh

“Trust you? Really? Tell me Akash…how long were you going to string me along? Till I get in your bed? Was that you plan?” she asked him, as he looked at her in shock “What? How can you say that? You know I would never do such a thing Payal…I truly love you…yes, our relationship started on lies…and even though I tried so many times to tell you, something or the other always came up” he said as she stood rigidly in front of him

“Something always came up? What Akash? What came up? Why didn’t you tell me when you were busy kissing me? Or, telling me how much you love me…Or sitting with me for hours on end deciding on what our future will be like…why didn’t you tell me then? Why did you lead me on? There is only one answer for all this…you never loved me…you only played me Mr Raizada…and I like a fool, got played…” she said as she stepped back

“But not anymore…I hate you…I hate you so much! Don’t ever show me your face again…do you understand?” she said in a loud voice as Akash panicked and pulled her forcefully towards him but was shocked out of his wits when he felt his cheek sting with a slap that Payal’s palm had left on it…he let her go as she too was surprised at herself before turning around and running towards the restroom

“Payal…” Akash said as Khushi held him back “No…Akash…not now…”she said sternly as he turned angry eyes towards her “Its all because of you! Who gave you the right to…” he started saying when he felt a hand holding his shoulder in a tight grip “Watch you mouth Akash…how can you blame Khushi for your wrong doing? It was you who lied to Payal…how was she to know that your relationship was based on a lie!” he said with a calm voice when Akash turned towards him

“You too bhai? You also think I was wrong?....You know how much I loved her…how I always spoke about her” he said as Arnav shook his head “If you really loved her Akash…you would have told her the truth…not kept her in the dark for so long…you don’t do that to people you love…” he said as he looked at Khushi and signaled her to go after Payal while he spoke to Akash

Khushi nodded before giving one more look at a devastated Akash and went behind Payal; “What do I do bhai? I have ruined it…” he said as Arnav sighed and held him by his shoulders “You need to make it right Akash…if you really love her? Make her understand your love…convince her that you truly love her and ask for her forgiveness…and if you both are meant for each other...things will work out...” he said as another voice interrupted their talks

“How dare you?” Shashi Dinkaran said as he glared at the tall lanky man standing in front of him…this was the man who broke his daughter’s heart “I heard everything young man…and I can’t believe that you are still standing here after all this…and you Arnav?” Shashi said as he turned towards Arnav who was standing next to his brother

“You are encouraging him to go behind my daughter again? After everything he has done?” He asked Arnav who walked towards an angry Shashi as Garima stood behind him, watching the three men in horror…what had Akash done? “Shashi, please…try and understand…I know what Akash has done is unforgivable…but behind all the lies, his love for Payal is true…I have seen it…” he said as Shashi shrugged his hand off

“No Arnav…I will not have this man anywhere near my daughter, do you understand? If I could, I would put him behind bars right now…” Shashi said going forward to physically harm Akash as Garima stepped forward and held his shoulder to restrain him "Shashi no.." she said as she looked at Akash angrily while her eyes filled up at what Payal must be going through “Arnav, please take Akash from here…right now we need to think of Payal…please” she said as Arnav nodded and pulled Akash along with him

“I’m sorry I’m asking you to leave Arnav, but…” Garima said as Arnav shook his head “Please aunty…don’t say that...I know this is the right thing to do…please take care of Payal and tell Khushi I’ll call her tomorrow” he said as Garima nodded softly while the brothers left the hall dejectedly

“Shashi…” she said as he turned teary eyes towards Garima “Payal…that boy…” he said as Garima hugged him tight “Shh…Shashi, it will be ok…she’s a strong girl and we are all there with her…she’ll be fine” she said as Shashi hugged her back, burying his head in her neck…breathing in her comforting scent