PART 32

Shyam had received a blow-by-blow account of ASR and khushi's date from Chandru and a devilish fury possessed him.How dare khushi  clutch that ASR's arm when he hadn't so much as gotten to touch her?He spent the night restlessly and went straight to Gupta huse as soon as the great yellow orb rose in its halo in the clear,azure sky.

''Are Shyam babua!What a pleasant surprise!''Buwaji's smile was beatific.

''Namaste buwaji.''Shyam said and his coldness was evident from his tone.

''Shyam babua are you ok?''Buwaji asked not missing his aloofness.

''Of course!I'm absolutely all right!''Shyam replied,grappling for a bit of politeness.

Buwaji ushered him in the living room and made him sit on the couch.

''Don't stand there like a statue payaliya.Go and bring tea for him.''Buwaji chided Payal,who was watching Shyam through narrowed eyes.

''Its Ok buwaji,I don't want anything.I just came to meet you all.I've to get going!''

At that moment khushi barged in the living room,looking ravishing in a white shirt and black jeans.

''Maa,I'm going to office!Bye!''She yelled.

''Hello khushiji.''Shyam greeted her.

''Hello Shyamji!''Khushi nodded,without even glancing towards him.

''Come on sit with us.I'll drop you at your office later.''He urged her.

''Thanks,but no thanks Shyamji.I'm already running late!''Khushi replied dryly.

She walked towards the door,but was brought up short as someone stopped her by holding her hand.

''Your office starts at 8 am khushiji.What are you so eager to go there for?''Shyam asked through gritted teeth.

''Excuse me!''Khushi queried,looking at him questioningly.

''I mean you are overworking.It will soon get a toll on your health!''Shyam explained.

''He's so worried about you Sankadevi!''Buwaji blurted,beaming at them.Khushi rolled her eyes.

''Thanks for your concern Shyamji,but I'll be fine.I've got some work to finish.Bye!''Khushi said irritably,trying to take her hand out of Shyam's grip.

But,Shyam refused to let go,his grip tightening around her soft hand.All hi pent up ire and frustration were showing up.

''Come and sit with us khushiji!''He said quitely,a queer look in his pitch black eyes.

''Shyamji,leave me!''Khushi struggled.But,that infuriated him more ans he clutched her hand tighter,his nails digging in her skin,bruising her.

The malevolent,lecherous expression in Shyam's face shook khushi,terrifying her and memories of her hideous past,which she had long buried somewhere deep inside her came to her in a debilitating,unsettling blur.

She was once again in that dark,grubby room and he was pinning her down, uncaring for the pain he inflicted on her.She tried to scream,but a rough hand gagged her and she had never been so scared.

Payal saw the look of utter terror on her sister's face and she was furious.She could clearly see the ghost of her past in her sister's eyes and she found herself marching towards where duo stood,while buwaji sat agape.

''Leave her Shyamji!''Payal said seething in fury.

Red haze clouding Shyam's mind cleared a bit as he heard Payal's voice and his grip slackened.Khushi took advantage and rushed out of the house,fighting tears.

''Khushi wait!''Payal rushed behind her,but she had already hopped on her scooty and was gone.

''What happened Payal?''

''Why were you screaming bitiya and where is khushi?''

Shashi and Garima came running in the living room  hearing the racket.

''Shyamji,I think you should leave!''Payal said barely suppressing her ire.

Shyam,realizing his mistake thought better than to argue.He slouched out of the room.

Payal narrated the entire unfortunate incident to her parents.

''Buwaji,I mean absolutely no disrespect to you!But if that Shyam of yours hurt my sister ever again,I swear on God I'll forget every modicum of decency and throw him out of the house!''Payal fumed and stalked off to her room,leaving behind her stunned family.

Khushi's anguish was the only thing that ticked Payal off!

Payal pickec up her phone from bedside cabinet and dialled a number.

Akash was discussing some issues with ASR in his cabin when his phone rang.He looked to see Payal's name flashing on the screen.

''Excuse me bhai.....Hello Payal.''

Akash was alarmed by Payal's anxious voice.

''What's wrong?"He demanded.He listened for a moment,his expressions turning aghast.

''What?How dare that pervert touch khushi?''Akash was outraged.He loved khushi like his little sister and always looked out for her even in college.He was the only person apart from her family who knew about her past.

''What happened to khushi,Akash?''ASR asked.

Akash looked at his brother who was wild with anxiety.

''Don't worry Payal,I'll take care of her.Bye!''He snapped the phone shut and narrated the entire incident to ASR.

ACP Arnav Singh Raizada was flinching by the time Akash finished.He wanted to rip Shyam into zillionths of pieces for daring to hurt his girl!