EXAM TIME!

Hey guys,I won't be able to update from now on.My exams are starting from 10th September and its really difficult for me to post.I'm really sorry!
                                                         But,I'll be back after 19th September.Till then I won't post.Please don't abandon my blog guys!Please.I'll miss you all.
Take care
Love

PART 47

ASR stood in the corridor flabbergasted,his eyes red.A manic fury gripping him. He had thrived to know about the culprit who had destroyed their lives,snatching away his childhood and giving him endless,unbearable pain,yet he had never succeeded.But now he had gotten that vital clue.

ASR's frustration at feeling something amiss was replaced by a burning, debilitating ire.The penny dropped in its place.Through the growing ringing in his ear he heard Surinder Manohar Jha's malicious voice.

''That bloody Mallick!They both have got that same damned moral streak! Idealistic scums!His son will suffer at our hand just like he did.After all no one can get away with meddling with us,my son!''Surinder said jauntily,trying to cheer up his son.

Shyam smiled at his father pacified.His father had always given up to all his demands which had made him into pompous,stubborn child.Gradually his obstinacy had increased to such levels that it nearly verged on obsession. He never liked to hear a denial for anything he wanted.

When Shyam had inherited his father's business which was a perfect veneer for drug peddling which churned a lots of money, his madness had increased manifold,his obsession abetted by his father himself.He had everything a man could ask for,including a whole gamut of voluptuous,ravishing girls,with him being the perfect charmer and his father's wealth to spend to bury cases of his moments of passion-like sexual harassment and rape for instance,to name a few.

Then he had laid his lecherous eyes on khushi and there was a new object to feed his tenacity.There was animal strength about her,an etheral agility that was elegant which attracted him.For the first time in his life,he had fallen head over heels for someone,yet she seemed to elude him.

There were at least a hundred girls who could kill each other to have him just glance at them,the heir of one of India's richest conglomerate and he had quite much availed his status to satiate his libido to put it mildly,yet khushi ignored him, she had chosen that Raizada over him,who was nothing but a mediocre ACP whose monthly salary was less than the amount that he kept in his pocket at a time!

Shyam's manly ego was hurt.He couldn't let khusi be someone else's!

''Dad,I can't live without her!She will come to me,won't she?''He asked desperately,feeling miserable.

''Of course Son!Now lets go,we've got to receive that consignment!''Surinder Manohar Jha suggested.

The father son duo stalked out,unaware of their impending doom.

ASR clenched his fists,anger like shards of ice coursed through his veins,teraing them apart!

''Mr.Amar Mallick,you are under arrest,for illegitimate trade of banned drugs!''

 ''These kind of people are responsible for pushing our young generation in abyss! How greedy and ruthless one can be!''

''So disgusting!''

''Arnav baba.your dad committed suicide in his cell.''

''Monster,Even after having so much riches,his thirst for more is insatiable!''

''I wonder how many families he tore apart!''

''Good that he died,couldn't  bear the humiliation!That pervert!You reap what you sow!''

''Ratna,your beauty will get wasted.Let me drink it!''

The man,his own Uncle closed in,his eyes  alight with lust and a loud gunshot echoed!

''Maa!''A faint shriek of despair left ASR's lips.

People in the corridor turned and shot him strange looks.ASR looked around flushed and turned on his heels to go back to khushi's room,his ear ringing with echos from the past as beads of perspiration dewed  on his forehead.

Khushi was waiting eagerly for ASR to return,glancing at the closed door with each passing minute.

The door opened and he came striding in.Khushi looked up at ASR smiling, but her joy was subdued at the look on his face.

ASR felt khushi's searching gaze and knew that she immediately saw through her calm facade.

He gazed at her small,cherubic face and vowed once again to protect her.

He won't lose her to Shyam Manohar Jha!

 

 

 

PART 46

Surinder Mnohar Jha stared at ASR's back,nostalgia washing over him as he was once again reminded of the day when  he rose from dirt to echelons.

The boy had no  chance of knowing !He thought with smug complacency.

Suinder Mnohar Jha had no idea that his rendezvous with ACP Arnav singh Raizada will proved to be his nemesis!

''I think we should get going!I've got some meetings to wrap up.''

''Of course!''Shashi said.He couldn't have been more happy at the riddance.

''Shyam......Son.lets's go!''Surinder repeated,looking at stiff posture and clenched fists of Shyam.

''Yeah dad!I'll see you soon khushiji!''Shyam vowed,before darting ouut the room on his father's heel.

Khushi caught a brief glimpse  of malicious expressions on Shyam's face and she blanched.

Though,she was a gallant S.T.F. officer,absolutely fearless,yet there was something about that man that made her wary.Suddenly she felt a warm hand smoothing her fingers that were crushing the bed sheets and she looked up to see ASR,his eyes brimming with warm assurance.Khushi realized that he knew and saw it too and she felt protected and relaxed.

Khushi's calmed disposition didn't go amiss on Garima and Shashi with the latter being absolutely perplexed at the rosy atmosphere that surrounded her daughter and ASR.

Grima glanced at Shashi,only to find him exchanging a  knowing smile with Akash and it didn't take her long to put two and two together!It brought ahuge respite to her.Howsoever irrational it might sound,but she dreaded her khushi spending her entire life with that Shyam.It seemed that her little,hairbrained erratic daughter.

Grima looked at Arnav and felt a motherly love warming her heart.Almost instinctively she knew for sure that he was capable of giving her daughter love and care that she deserved and required.

''I'll be back in a few!''ASR said.excusing himself from the room.

Garima bit back a smile seeing khushi's floundered expressions.

ASR walked out of the corridor,taking powerful strides.Ever since he had laid his eyes on Surinder,an unsettling sense of de javu nagged him.It was as if the truth danced just out of his reach,eluding him.He looked around and saw what he was searching.

Surinder Mnohar Jha was trying to mollify his furious,envious son.

''You don't have to worry about khushi.You don't know these traditional girls.They are like a flock of sheep,getting herded wherever their family wants them to.She's just an aquisition to make!Already, you've got that old hag Madhumati in your bag and rest of them are putty too!''

''But what about that Shashi Gupta and ASR?''Shyam sneered.

''Ah,you're worried about them are you?We can take that rascal Shashi out anytime we want and as for that Arnav Singh Raizada,you're going to write his downfall.It seems that meddling with us is in the genes of this Mallick family! Bastards!He's his father's son through and through!''Surinder spat in disgust.

Surinder Mnohar Jha had no way of knowing that his last sentence had unleashed potent conflagration of hell that would consume his and his son's pathetic life!

PART 45

''Garima we need to persuade khushi!I've had enough of this running around all sorts of low lives of Society.Its high time that she gave up this bumkum and get married!''Buwaji said as she paced the length of the room,while Garima sat on a nearby a pouffe.

It was 8 o'clock in the morning and buwaji and Garima had stayed back at the hospital to look after khushi while Payal and Shashi had gone home to get fresh and bring breakfast.Doctors,after pronouncing khushi's rate of recuperation as excellent,had give her sedatives to put her to sleep. 

 ''I opine with you jiji.I won't be able to survive if anything happened to my daughter!But what to do?Khushi is so adamant and even Payal and Shashiji support her too!As for her marriage,we need to find a suitable groom....'' Garima was cut short by an incredulous buwaji.

''We don't need to search a suitable groom for Sankadevi.We already have one! Shyam babua is just perfect,such a gem of a boy!He even likes our Khushi and his family too has such a good reputation in the society!''Buwaji ranted.

''Shyam babua...but jiji Khushi doesn't like him.I mean,she gets so uncomfortable whenever he's around and after what happened that day...well I don't think that khushi will agree for the marriage!''Garima expressed her doubts,trying to subtly voice her resentment and refusal for the alliance.

Garima too had noticed Shyam's growing infatuation or rather possessiveness for khushi.She had seen manic,malevolent glint of envy whenever khushi talked with other men,howsoever innocent the reason maybe.Still she had ignored it,thinking of it as an illusion.Yet,the day Shyam had misbehaved with khushi,she had gotten an irrefutable proof of his wrong intentions.She shuddered at the thought of her daughter spending her entire life with that man and a premonitory chill ran down her spine.

''That's ludicrous Garima!You know it well,that girls have a knack of feigning hypocrisy to hide their like for a man and Shyam babua is such a well-mannered, cultured boy!Its impossible that khushi won't like him!They will look so perfect together!''Buwaji said dreamily.

Garima looked at Buwaji's lost expressions and she sighed in resignation.No amount of coherence could alter buwaji's opinion.She was utterly besotted by Shyam!

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''Khushiji,how are you?I was so worried!''Shyam said,trying to take her hand in his.

Khushi flinched away from him,barely hiding her displeasure.

''I think you should leave this police job dear.At least not for your sake then your family's!What would've happened to them-if God forbid-something awry had happened to you!''Surinder Manohar Jha said concernedly.

It was evening and the father son duo had come to see khushi much to her discomfit.

''Job of Police is not a bed of roses,Surinder!Don't misunderstand me,for I'm worried for my daughter's safety too,but if everyone were to step down then there won't be any police or army.Patriotism would be a mere term,not an overpowering feeling of jingoism that sets every nerve afire!''Shashi argued.

''I could never bring myself to grapple with your perceptions Shashi!''Surinder leered with a mocking smile.

''Uh khushiji,I brought this for you.''Shyam put a bouquet of freesia and orchids on khushi's bedside cabinet.

''Its so beautiful!Shyam babua,you're so thoughtful!''Buwaji gushed,ruffling Shyam's hair affectionately.

''Thank you.''Khushi said insipidly.

Suddenly the door opened and Akash and ASR came striding in.

''Oh,we'll wait outside.''ASR said formally, apologizing for intrusion.

''Not at all son!Please come in.''Shashi jumped.

''Meet my friend, Surinder Manohar Jha, and his son Shyam and he's S.T.F. chief ASR who saved khushi's life and his brother Akash.''Shashi introduced.

ASR  and Akash glanced at khushi simultaneously and then shook hands with the father-son duo.ASR grasped Shyam's hand tighter than necessary,giving him a glare.

''How are you l'll sis?''Akash asked smiling at khushi.

''I'm fine!''She replied.

ASR tore his eyes away from Shyam and Surinder and went up to khushi.

''This is for you.''He said quietly ,placing a beautiful bouquet of red roses near her.

Khushi looked at it and her eyes lit with joy and awe.

Shyam  clenched his fists in fury.

 

PART 44

The night went on sluggishly and wait seemed eternal.Everyone waited in the lobby impatiently with forced calmness,yet their was no news to ease their despair.

Khushi awoke to an annoying beeping sound and sterile smell.There was something covering her nose and mouth .She tried to raise her hands to remove the covering but her hands were stiff,it was as if she were stultified!She slowly dragged her eyelids open and looked around at unfamiliar surrounding as her mind thrived to recollect what had happened.

She dimly rememgered the blinding,sickening pain as she was shot and then ASR's worried face that had stood out in ongoing chaotic bedlam.That meant that she must be in some hospital.

''Oh good you regained consciousness.Your family will be so relieved.''Khushi's reverie was broken by a soft voice and suddenly a kind,plump nurse appeared on her bedside.

''Don't strain yourself dear.Everything is Ok!''The nurse assured and went out.

She was nearly flattened as soon as she emerged out of the ICU.

''How is khushi?''

''Is she Ok?''

''Did she gain consciousness?''

''Please sir,ma'am relax!She's Ok and she just now came around.''The nurse tried to pacify the frantic lot.

''Wait,please wait.Let the doctors examine her first and then you guys can meet her.''The nurse stopped Guptas from pillaging the ICU.

Khushi stared at the white ceiling,trying to grapple with her despairing surroundings.

''Hello there!''A voice called.

Khushi looked around to see a middle-aged doctor standing near her.

''I hope you're fine Ms.Gupta?''He asked smiling at her.

Khushi nodded slowly,bobbing her head sideways.

The doctor checked her carefully.

''Hmm,well Ms.Gupta,you're quite lucky to survive injuries of this magnitude and its lucky for us too!...If anything had befallen you,your boyfriend would've hamstringed us.Mr.Raizada truly loves you a lot.He nearly went berserk!''The doctor chuckled.

Khushi's eyes widened as she contemplated the doctor's words and it didn't occur to her to put him right.

He was just being a responsible chief.The doctor is entertaing a misapprehension! She reasoned.Whom are you kidding khushi?Another voice in the back of her head refuted.

''Khushi bitiya!''Garima called and next second she hugged khushi fiercely.

''How are you my child?Do you know how worried we were?What if something had happened to you?I would've died!''She sobbed,kissing khushi repeatedly.

''Maa,I'm fine!''Khushi assured her mother in a bare whisper and it went on for another hour.

Khushi was smothered by kisses and tears of her family members and the only difference was her father.

''You made me so proud,my dear child!''He told her,and the glint of pride in his eyes appeased khushi.

When Shashi emerged from ICU,he went straight to ASR.

''I don't have words to thank you son.You've saved my daughter's life twice!Our entire family owes you for that!''Shashi said,folding his hands together.

''Please don't say so Uncle.It was my responsibility!''ASR said,embarrased.

''Still,it doesn't subdues what you did for us.Go and meet khushi.I'm sure she ould want to thank you personally!''Shashi said smiling.

ASR wanted to thank him,but he didn't want to give away his desperation and eagerness to meet khushi.Slowly,he turned the latch and entered the ICU,leaving behind a smiling Shashi and Akash.

''Khushi,are you Ok?''he choked,a lump rising to his throat at the sight of several tubes piercing khushi's frail arms.

''I'm fine!''Khushi whispered.

ASR went and sat beside her,holding her hand gently.

''Thank you!''Khushi said.

''You don't have to thank me khushi.You're my li....I mean,you're my responsibility , my team member.''ASR glibed,berating himself for his slip of tongue.He needed to give khushi some time and space.

But khushi caught his words and promptly turned red.

ASR stared at for a prolonged period and the very air seemed to be electrified. His eyes roved hungrily,taking every nuance of her pretty face,imprinting it on his soul.His reverie was broken by khushi's drooping eyes.

''You should take rest khushi...I'll be back soon!''ASR added hastily,on seeing her drooping face.

Then unable to help himself ,he bent down and kissed khushi's forehead,pouring all his love and adoration for the petite girl in it.

PART 43

''Bhai,where is khushi?How is she?''Akash bombarded ASR with questions as soon as he found him.

''She is in Operation Theater.They are removing her bullets.''ASR croaked,his voice gruff and heavy.

Everyone lapsed into silence except Lavanya who was whimpering.Tears cascaded down her cheeks and she fiercely hoped for her friend's well-being.

Tension and angst was almost palpable and the worst condition was that of Akash.He was pained to see his brother turned into a stone.

The sordid incident that had happened 14 years ago had made ASR lose himself to devils of uncouth greed.Ruthless ASR was born that day,who had built a wall around himself which was so potne that not even a single swathe of goodness could penetrate it.

Then khushi had come in his life and turned everything topsy turvy  with her ebbulient effervescence and loving disposition.She had freed ASR from his confines after years of hatred and loathing and today she was fighting for her life! 

Akash knew that if anything happened to khushi,his brother will again become that reckless,cold person and then there will be no changing him.The possibility of losing two persons he Akash loved was absolutely terrifying!

It wasn't merely khushi who was teetering on edge,trying to hold on to life with tenacious fingers,but it was ASR too.The fall beneath was an abyss of despair and anguish.

Dull clinking of metallic doors broke Akash's musings and he looked up to see doctor emerging from the OT.

''Doctor,How's khushi?''ASR asked with fearful impatience.

''Mr.Raizada,we've removed the bullets and though one of them was shot very close to her heart,luckily there aren't any grievous injuries.Still we aren't on a firm ground.Patient has lost lots of blood and she's quite weak.So,I'm truly not in a position to say anything as yet!We've moved her in ICU.She is still critical!Now please excuse me!''The doctor walked off ,leaving ASR once again drown in pool of anger and pain.

He cursed himself for not being able to save her.Had he been near her,he could probably have prevented this.

ASR heard Akash say as if he were adream.

''I'll call khushi's family and inform them.They must be worried!''

ASR settled back in the couch,looking lost.He vaguely registered,khushi's family's anxiety and her mother,sister and buwaji's never ending hysteria.He heard Akash comfort Payal,but none of it made any sense as if he were robbed off his senses, mind and soul.

Later that night,he heard khushi's dad thanking him and his team for bringing khushi to hospital and told them that they could leave if the wanted.ASR was horrified at the possibility of having to leave khushi.He couldn't leave her,not when she needed him the most.

His expressions were caught by Akash who refused to leave politely saying he couldn't possibly leave his little sister in such a grave condition.

ASR was shocked to hear that and guilt stronger than ever before crushed him. How wrong he was regarding khushi?He badly wanted to hold her hand and apologise but he couldn't do so.

''Khushi!''He blurted,his heart aching for her.

PART 42

ASR stomped down on the accelerator furiously,making the needle of the speedometer go beyond 80.He was absolutely uncaring for the traffic rules, inviting several honking and cusses at his preposterous driving.

''Khushi,we are almost there!''

''Khushi,please open your eyes!''

''I won't allow anything to happen to you khushi!''

''Just wake up damn it!''

He yelled,grouched,pleaded,yet he could as well have been talking to a wall,bare and mute.

ASR was terrified out of his mind at the way khushi's head bobbed from side-to-side lifelessly and her erratic breathing.

Blood spurted from khushi's wounds,covering the leather seats in a sickly tinge.

Breaks screeched in protest as ASR stopped the SUV in front of AIIMS.He jumped out in an instant and rushed khushi inside.

''Doctor!Doctor!''He yelled frantically.

Everyone in the lobby gaped at his bedraggled appearance.Doctors came scurrying,hearing the racket.

''Doctor,please save her.She was shot!Please doctor!''ASR besieged the nearest doctor.

''Ward boy,bring the stretcher!''The middle-aged doctor yelled.

''Khushi,you'll be just fine!Don't worry!''ASR muttered like a litany as he chafed her hands and helped the doctors in wheeling her inside.

''Please you have to wait here Mr.''The doctor stopped him from entering as Khushi was taken inside the Operation theatre.

ASR stared at the closed doors of the OT helplessly,tears threatening to spill over from his eyes.He couldn't afford top lose khushi.

''You've to fill this form dear.Its a formality.''ASR's abstraction was broken by a soft voice.

He turned around to see a nurse in her late 50s standing with a pen and some papers.Her face shown with kindeness.

ASR took the papers from her and signed them absent mindedly.

''Nothing will happen to her.Have trust on God and your love.''She said gently, patting his back.

It was apparent that this young man was completely and irrevocably in love with the girl.

ASR's heart swelled with hope at her words.

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Akash was nearly mad with anxiety.He had seen khushi getting shot and collapsing on the ground and ASR rushing her out.

Caught in the waging battle,he wasn't able to follow them,despite wanting to do so desperately.His entire being shied away from the possibility that he could lose his adorable little sister.

''Damn it!This bloody phone never works in the time of greatest need!''He yelled frustrated.

Akash had been trying to call ASR for past fifteen minutes,but his cell was out of coverage area.

''They must be in some hospital.Its the same pathetic story all over India.There is hardly any network inside hospitals!''Lavanya chocked,looking pale and stricken.

Aman stood by her side trying to shush her.

The firing had long ceased and now the area was filled with wails of Police cars. The club was sealed and all the goons and clubbers arrested.

''I'll try to track them down through GPS!''Rohan said suddenly.

''Of course!Why didn't we think of this earlier?''Lavanya cried.

Rohan fished out his laptop from SUV and tried to track ASR's SUV.All S.T.F. cars were connected with GPS so that they could be tracked when need shall arise.

''They're in AIIMS!''Rohan anounced.

Moments later they zoomed out towards AIIMS.

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A layer of cartilage was diligently removed.The senior surgeon carefully took the bullet out.It clanged against the glass phial ominously.

Easier task was done.Now they needed to remove the other bullet.

It had pierced khushi near her left breast and there were chances that it may have damaged some arteries or veins,which would increase the complications!

The seconds ticked by.....

 

PART 41

The club was sieged in a pandemonium.Everyone ran amok,trying to save their lives as reckless firing broke the stillness of the night.

S.T.F. officers ruthlessly fired at the goons while they reciprocated with equal  vigour.

The girl,stranded in the middle of the onslaught,tried to hide behind the upturned furniture,mindless with fear.She was shaking in every limb and praying to get out alive in one piece.

Even though,khushi was busy in on going confrontation,she kept an eye on the teenager.Suddenly she saw one of the goons,holding his gun aloft and aiming at the girl.

Khushi looked horrified for a split second before she found herself flying across the place to the girl and hurling her down to safety almost reflexively.

Precisely at the same moment,she felt pain shoot through her right shoulder and moments later her body convulsed again and buckled up in agony as something seared her collarbone,the intensity of which made her scream in pain.

Khushi felt something warm and sticky trickle down her abdomen and sodding her shirt.With effort she raised her hand and touched her shoulder.

She saw something sickly crimson through the haze that fogged her mind.The pain was building and it felt her entire torso was afire,though along with it was a strange numbness.

Khushi heard several voices screaming as if through a tunnel,distant and echoing and she strained to shut her mind against them.

She dragged her eyelids open and saw ASR's frantic face leaning over her's,shaking her crazily and shouting,but his voice and face swam in and out.

The room revolved and that was the last thing khushi saw as everything blackened and she felt nothing!

''Khushi open your eyes damn it!Look at me!''ASR yelled,shaking her madly.

''Khushi,please,please,please don't get unconscious.Please wake up!''He screamed,out of his senses.

ASR had seen the entire drama unfold before his eyes in a slow motion and he hadn't been able to do anything.He had been keeping an eye on khushi,trying to remain close to her...to protect her,still he had watched helplessly as her body twitched when bullets entered her body.

He felt as if the world had stopped and fear like he had never known gripped him,crushing his insides.

In a fit of rage he riddled the body of the man who had shot khushi,with bullets, turning him into a wrecked,bloody pulp.

Oblivious to the ongoing bedlam he reached khushi,begging her to open her eyes, but she simply wouldn't comply.

ASR once again was transported down the time,in his past and he saw the bloodied and mutilated corpse of his mother,sprawled on the floor.He had lost her!Now,khushi was in similar situation,but he couldn't afford to lose her.

The epiphany hit him with the force of a bull-dozer.He couldn't let khushi leave him,let her die.He couldn't live without his heart,his soul,his very being.

The truth that ASR had been tenaciously trying to evade since the second he laid his eyes on khushi,stared at his face and he accepted and embraced it with his heart and mind.

He was in love with khushi and she was lying in front of him,bleeding and injured.

ASR lifted khushi gently in his arms with conviction and rushed out in the dark corridor. 

He won't let his khushi die!

PART 40

The next few days were akin to hell for ASR.Khushi simply refused to look his way let alone talk.Not that he blamed her,he knew he deserved it for treating her so harshly.He had hurt her,making her reminisce her past and the thought made him feel even more petulant and sordid.

Raizadas were not in quite a better mood either.Akash had informed them about the coldness between ASR and Khushi and they felt helpless.Somehow there plan had gone horribly awry.

Owing to khushi's silence,ASR remained in a catankerous mood round the clock, yelling and berating everyone for no reason at all.He vented his frustration, cussing his  temperament.

Another dawn brought the same tedium for S.T.F office and every officer was busy wearing their grey cells out on how to solve the cases they were saddled with or evade a pugnacious ASR.

Some of the informers had told them about a club that actually abetted all sorts of debauchery and criminal activities behind the veneer of a decent place and S.T.F. officers bustled around as they planned to raid the place.

A motley of officers in plain dresses,including ACP Arnav Singh Raizada and khushi thronged the place.They separately made their way to internal bowels of the building for which they had to pay a handsome fee to troll-like goons.

Khushi entered the place,drenched in red light and was stunned.Her emotion was shared by her fellow collegues who were shocked to witness the scene.

The huge,sprawling room was divided in private cubicles and one could see teenagers as young as 16 years old,losing themselves in puffs of smoke of cigarettes and joints.

S.T.F. officers stared appalled as a young girl,who looked barely over 17 years, took up shots as her companions cheered.Skimpily clad women,with loud make-up seduced drunk men and guided them upstairs,along dark stare cases. Loud music blared as several people danced shamelessly to the tune.

They walked around wide-eyed and found themselves staring more at the ugly face of Delhi,which was hidden behind the facade of verdant gardens and lavish monuments,Delhi,that was the power hub of India.

There were several closed-circuited T.V.s on which young lads were watching porns,the most disgusting and lustful expressions on their faces.How could one think of stopping atrocities like sexual harassment and rapes on women when these kind of cheap stuffs were easily available and were being watched with such rapt interest?

The sordid scent of all sorts of drugs and alcohol made the air heavy and putrid and khushi felt bile rise to her throat.She was intensely aware of dirty stares of men and she walked around and she had slimy insects crawling up her skin.

She glanced in one of the cubicles and was shocked to find a guy forcing himself on a girl,who was barely more than 15.

''You'll like it baby.It feels so good!''He whispered as he kissed her jawline, lowering the strap of her dress.

''I don't know Sanket...I..I don't like it.What if my Mum and Dad found?What if something happened?''The girl sulked,quivering.

''Nothing will happen sweetheart.Just relax!''The guy moaned,stopping her protests with a violent kiss as he grabbed her mercilessly.

The girl writhed,but she was no match to her lover,or rather so called lover.

A loud noise echoed in the room and next second the guy was hauled up from the girl.

Khushi saw the image of Swapnil in the guy and a murderous fury consumed her insides.She punched him,slapped him and kicked him till he started bleeding.

''You horrible pervert,you bastard!How dare you?''She screeched.

The crowd gathered outside the cubicle and ASR ,Akash and Lavanya rushed in to grab khushi.

''Khushi,please calm down!''ASR urged,holding her shaking form.

''Calm down?He was trying to rape that girl damn it!''Khushi yelled rounding on ASR.

''Nothing will happen to her khushi.Don't worry!We've got her!''Lavanya shushed her.

ASR turned to the stunned crowd and growled.

''We're sealing this place.If you know what's good for you,then don't try to scarper!''

''Who are you?''One of the goons leered.

''S.T.F.!''ASR replied.

Beads of perspiration appeared on several faces before loud gunshots echoed.

Yelling and screaming,people ran for their lives as firing broke out from both the sides!

PART 39

Khushi gazed befuddled at ASR.She found it hard to grapple with his sudden mood swings.One second he was warm annd considerate Arnav and the very next, he turned into ruthless,unruly ASR who was eternally feared.These transmutations were unsettling.

''What did I do Arnavji?''Khushi asked,wondering what she had done to piss him off!

''Oh really?You don't know?What was going on down there?''A hard note crept in ASR's voice.

''I don't understand...''Khushi said uncertainly.

''There's no need to act so innocent!You know what I'm talking about well enough!Just two days ago you were moping around,claiming that you freak out when in close proximity  with men and today you were dancing hand-in-hand with my brother!How shallow!''He jeered.

Although,his theory was entirely irrational as khushi had been very particular about her relation with Akash and how he had helped her overcome her problem, but the pangs of envy and fury that coursed through his nerves,tattering them, blinded him,robbing him off his senses.Moreover,the fact that Khushi and Akash were brother and sister,was unknown to him didn't help it either.

Khushi stared at him,shocked.She was immensely hurt by his harsh words. All those horrid memories that haunted her came to her en mass.He was accusing him of something that she could never even think of!

Khushi opened her mouth to tell him the truth of her and Akash's relation,but Anjali's voice interrupted her.

''Chote!Khushiji!Where are you both?We've got to cut the cake....Everyone is waiting down there!''

Anjali deliberately took some time before entering Arnav's room as she expected to find the duo all gooey-eyed,but she was taken aback with what she saw.

''Khushiji what's...?''

''Anjaliji,I'm sorry!Actually we started discussing an important case.Lets go!''Khushi forced a smile on her face and before Anjali could utter another word,she walked out of the room.

''Chote what was that?Why was she crying?''Anjali asked Arnav,seeing their plan to bring them together miserably.

''Nothing di,don't stress!Lets go ,Akash must be waiting!''ASR slouched out of the room without meeting his sister's eyes.

The cake was cut and celebration went on,but khushi had lost her perk and appetite.Never before had she felt so doomed!The day she had shared everything with Arnav,her darkest secret,she thought or rather assumed,that they were closer,that there was no place for misconception between them,yet today his words tormented her,chafing her wounds.

She pasted a fake smile on her face for other's benefit and especially for Akash as she didn't want to spoil her best buddy's birthday.

A bunch of Akash's friends took some cake and applied it all on Akash's face.Pieces of cake fell on the floor and cream made the surface slippery.

Khushi sauntered around,lost in thought and stepped on the cream.She lost her balance and prevented herself from falling by catching hold of the nearest pillar, but her left leg twisted at an awkward angle.

''Ah!Ouch!''She cried,as pain ahot through her.

''Khushi!''

''Khushiji!''

Everyone rushed to her and Payal and Anjali supported her to couch.

''Khushiji,are you Ok?Is it hurting?''Anjali asked concerned.

''No,I'm fine Anjaliji.Its ok!''Khushi choked,but the expressions on her face were giveaway.

Raizadas family doctor who too had come to attend the party,checked Khushi. Apparently she had sprained her ankle badly and was advised not to put stress on her injured leg.

HP cleaned the floor and on khushi's insistence,party started again.She remained seated on the couch and was pampered and treated like a baby by the Raizadas, except one.

ASR stood in a corner,staring at her,his instincts screaming at him to go to her, but his manly ego held him back.Khushi's hurtful eyes ached his heart and guilt flooded him.Yet,his mind refused to own up to that!

The party went on in full swing till quite late in the night.

Khushi and Payal decided to take leave from the Raizadas.

''Anjaliji,Naniji,we sholud be get going!Its getting late.''Khushi said as she leaned heavily on Payal.

''Khushiji,wait I'll aske Akash to...''Anjali began.

''Please don't bother him Anjaliji.We'll manage!''Khushi said earnestly.

She didn't want ASR to spot her with Akash and conjure ugly travesties,not after the poolside gaffe.But,at that precise moment Akash appeared at Anjali's shoulder.

''Come on khushi,I'll drop you both.''Akash offered.

''No Akash we've come by car.You shouldn't leave the party.''Khushi protested.

''Few minutes won't affect anything khushi.See,you are unable to walk properly!'' 

Akash caught her arm and gently supported her out.Khushi followed him quitely, too occupied with the building pain in her leg.Seeing her discomfort,Akash lifted her in arms and took her to car.

''Akash what are you doing?What will others think?''Khushi muttered, embarrassed.

''Don't be ridiculous khushi.You're my sister for crying out loud!''Akash said incredulously.

But,his words went unheard  by ASR,who stood at a distance,seething in murderous fury!