PART 33

Khushi tried to put her scooty on stand but her quivering body was of no use.Her vision was blurred by a film of tears that filled her eyes.Suddenly she felt warm breath on her neck and almost instantly a pair of strong hands pried hers off the handle diligently.

Khushi looked up to see ASR parking her scooty.

ASR was waiting fretfully for khushi in the parking lot when she had arrived.His heart ached to see her pale,distraught face.What won't he give to have Shyam in front of him so that he could tear him from limb to limb for hurting khushi?But,that has to wait as his first priority was khushi.

''Good morning sir and thanks for this.''Khushi said abashedly,forcing a smile on her face.

ASR stared at her for a few seconds,his eyes a pool of liquid chocolate,radiating warmth.

''Khushi come with me.''ASR ordered.

''What?Where?..and office?''Khushi asked confused.

''It won't take long.Now come!''ASR promised,holding her hand in a feather-soft grip and walking towards his SUV.

Khushi followed him quitely,taken aback at her own reaction.When Shyam had held her hand she was repugnant;she felt as if she were tainted,filthy,but now as Arnav did the same there wasn't a shred of similar emotion coursing through her.There was no abhorrence or repulsion.Instead she felt at ease,protected,comforted....

Khushi vaguely saw the city flying by,but she barely noticed,her mind occupied.

Was it because he was Akash's brother,so it was only natural to trust him,have an unconditional,blind faith  on him?Though khushi tried to reason herself out with coherence,her subconscious knew she was lying.She didn't trust ASR just because he was Akash's brother.It was something more,something rooted deep....

''Khushi?''ASR's soft voice penetrated through her reverie.

''We've reached.''he said quitely.

Khushi looked around,absorbing her surrounding.They were in the midst of a labyrinthine of primordial trees.

ASR opened the door for her and she stepped out dazed into the verdant,serene clearing.

''Where are we?''Khushi queried,staring agape.

''Its just somewhere whwere I like to come to escape the mad rush of the city.'' ASR replied.

He took a deep breath and turned towards her.

''Khushi,are you OK?''tenderness in his voice surprised khushi .

''Yeah..I'm fine!''she lied.

''Did anyone ever tell you that you are abysmal at lying?''ASR sighed.

He gently took her wrist in his hand and pushed her sleeves up to see the bruise where Shyam had held her cruelly and a red haze enveloped him,a ringing sound in his ears,but he controlled it.He couldn't afford to lose his temper,atleast not in front of khushi.

ASR gently rubbed her wrist soothingly and took out an ointment from his pocket.He applied it on bruise so  gently that khushi barely felt anything.When he was done,he led khushi to the bonnet of the car,making her perch on it and he himself followed the suit.

''Khushi,Akash told me about what happened in the morning.About how that vile pervert misbehaved with you.But,I know  it wasn't just about that.Something else is bothering you...Because a brave girl like you won't be disturbed by such cheap antics.You could as well have given him a blackened eyes or a broken jaw then and there!I know you're troubled right now and I'm not coaxing you to tell me the reason,but I just want you to know that you don't have to worry or be upset. I'm there with you...''ASR stopped abruptly,mentally kicking himself for his slip up.

''I..I mean that we all are there to look after you and I want you to tell me if this repeats again.I promise you that I'll screw that Shyam person.But just for that khushi,don't be sad.There are people for whom your happiness,your smiles and laughter matters a lot.''ASR looked deep in her eyes,his eyes smouldering,telling untold things to hers.

Khushi stared at him for a protracted period,losing herself in him and then she spoke.

''I was 6 years old.''She began,staring non-unseeingly into space.

''My Dad was an IAS officer in Lucknow and my mother was a housewife.I was there only child,so it was no wonder that I was spoilt,little tyke!..There princess.''She smiled,lost in her childhood memories as Arnav gazed at her riveted.

''My childhood was filled with every imaginable kind of magnificence that a little girl could ask for..maybe more.Owing to the fact that my father was in a big post, we always went to lavish parties thrown by rich politicians and Entrepreneurs.I used to get bored in them because I seldom found children of my age....Then one day we were invited in a party thrown by the cabinet minister,Mr.Sunil Narayan...I insisted on staying in the house,but my parents refused.They were reluctant to leave me alone.''Khushi's face darkened and her voice sounded distant,like a threonody.

''We went to that party and I met him....Swapnil Narayan,Sunil Narayan's son.He was 21.I was immediately taken with him.He held me in his arm and introduced me to everyone,pampering me.I was happy because he was just like the elder brother I always wished that I had.I had not even the slightest inkling how very wrong I was!''ASR reached out and held khushi's hand,squeezing it.

''When my Mom and Dad were absolutely indulged in the party,enjoying themselves,he took me to show the house.Swapnil showed me arond there big mansion and took me to a room,which was far away from the hall where the party was going on.He plopped me on bed and...and began touching me..''Khushi's voice was a pained choke and ASR braced himself,his face white.

''When I asked him what he was doing,he said that I was too beautiful and that I would like what he was going to do next.He pinned me on the bed a..and tried to..tried to....I protested.I screamed for my parents,I wanted to go to them,but he stuffed my mouth with a handkerchief.I sobbed...but that monster didn't relent. But before he could do anything...door opened and my Mom and Dad came running in.My Dad was apoplectic with rage,I had never seen him that angry.That Minister tried to hush the matter by offering money to my Father,but he didn't budge.....My dad told him that he will report the matter to police and let everyone know the heinous truth of that Minister and his son that was veneered by their money and power.''

Khushi stopped and for several long moments nobody spoke.When ASR found his voice he asked the question that troubled him.

''Did your parents lodged a FIR against that Minister's son?''

Khushi turned towards him and her eyes were dead,lifeless.

'' Next day my Mum and Dad were run over by a rampaging truck!''

The next moment,she dissolved into uncontrollable tears!