PART-59

Arnav Singh Raizada sat in on the recliner,gazing at the pale reflection of moon in the calm waters of the pool.His insides were churning in a violent vortex.His regret was awfully powerful and he sought penance for hurting his love.He had made her cry,was the reason of tears in those beautiful doe-eyes that had never failed to mesmerize him!

“Chote?”His sister’s soft voice broke through his abstraction.

“Di!You didn’t sleep ?Its so late!So you want something?”ASR asked,with a worried frown.Anjali sighed at his brother possessiveness and anxiety.

“I’m absolutely fine chote.Please relax!Why do you8 get so worked up every time I come to your room to see you?Can’t I come here just like that?”Anjali’s voice held softest twinge of reproach. ASR flushed.

“Of course you can come di!I was merely asking.”

“Chote I came here to talk something really important!.....Akash just told me about everything that happened today at the office and I must say I’m really disappointed in you chote!Without trying to get to the bottom of the entire matter,you lashed out so badly at khushiji,that too when she was already so upset!Literally chote,sometimes its so difficult to understand you!You love her so much....yes I know that you do,so there’s no point in putting up a colourful pretence for hiding the apparent truth or playing a real grouch!”Anjali added sharply as she saw her brother open his eyes to refute her,even though she could distinctly see his reddened cheeks in the pale moonlight filtering through the huge bay windows.

“Why do you do it?Hurt her and then hurt yourself?Why don’t you let go of every trace of bitterness, reckless temper chote which in turn becomes the cause of your anguish and those who love you? Khushij loves you a lot and you too reciprocate her feelings with equal vigour.You two are made for each other and I’ve known that for ages,ever since khushihi brought you to the hospital,putting her life at stake!You are so lucky to find a girl like her who loves you so unconditionally and selflessly! Please don’t so anything foolish that may become the cause you to lose her forever!”Anajli pleaded, taking her brother’s hands.

“Di,you are right!I know shouldn’t have yelled at khushi like that,but di at the time I didn’t know the reason and more so,it was due to the fact that I was enraged at her,or rather jealous to be precise,that she had trusted others over me,that she had gone out with them by lying to me! My ego just couldn’t bear that!But,I know I was mistaken and I want to correct that....though,there’s a tiny glitch.I’m truly unable to figure out how to mollify khushi!She must be damn angry with me!I can’t even give it a try with her favourite food,I already did it last time!”ASR bit his lips,thinking deeply.

“Aha,so this has been going on behind my back!Dates!Since when did my angry-young man-cum brother became so romantic?”Anjali teased.

“Di,please!”ASR muttered irritated.

“Ok!I won’t tease you and of course you don’t have to worry about thawing khusiji out when I’m here!Just be ready tomorrow morning my little bro!”Anjali affectionately ruffled Arnav’s hair before going out.

ASR slept peacefully that night,all his worries chased away owing to his sister’s assurance.She would surely find a way to help him get on terms with khushi!

The sun rose dispelling the gloom and marking a new beginning of hopes and dreams.ASR hurried down the stairs with his sister at his tow.

“Are Anjali bitiya,Chote,where are you going ?”Nani asked as she saw the brother and sister duo walking towards the door,making them stop in their track.

“Wo,nani actually I’m going to the temple and chote has agreed to come with me so...”Anjali was interrupted by the sound of loud thuds as several cups of tea fell on the floor,staining the carpet and scalding legs.

“OUCH!”Everyone exclaimed as hot tea fell on their legs,but it wasn’t enough to distract them for long from the shock they just received!

“Hello Hi Bye Bye,miracle in mornigwa.I’ll hab to check in which dimension did the Sun God rije today!” Mamiji was the first to break the silence,followed by an exasperated Akash  who jumped to correct her English.

“Maa,its direction,not dimension!”He rolled his eyes.

“Oh stop being so melo- dramatic everyone!I’m just going to drop di,that’s all!”ASR joined in on Anjali’s lie.

“Umm,Chote,we’re getting late.You’ve to go to your office too.Let’s go!”Anjali said,whisking her brother out.

They drove to the nearest mall,with Anjali directing the way.

“Di really,Khushi is not that type of girl who could be mellowed with expensive gifts and all that stuff.”ASR said dubiously.

“Oho chote!I know that she is not that shallow,but don’t you think you should give her something memorable,to mark your love?Besides,if you want me to help you,then better give me free rein!”Anjali said,leading him in.

“Whatever!”

They ransacked every floor of the mall,but nothing really pleased ASR as  worthy enough to give his beautiful girlfriend.He was so choosy and so irksome that he even drove his di,Anjali,who herself was a voracious shopper to the edge.

“Chote,just buy something for her and get it done with!Its not  as if you’ll get something outlandish for her if you go hankering around,pillaging every shop!You’ll have to buy whatever is available.”Anjali,suggested,trying to hide her fatigue at going up and down the entire mall,for how  much time,she didn’t know,but her brother didn’t reply.

“Chote?”She  called him,but his eyes was fixed on couture gown that was put on display. 

It was red in colour and generously  embellished with Swarovski crystals and tulle.The flower appliqués,of the gown were adorned in chiffon and dupion silk.The subtle silvery tinge of crystals and the elegance with which it was embroidered gave it a regal appearance,long and flowing.

ASR stared at it and knew that his hours of labour of searching the perfect dress for his khushi had paid off.It was just the one for her.So,without much further ado and delays,he bought the dress and got it beautifully wrapped.Anjali was still astounded at her brothre’s perspicacity and aesthetic sesnse.

“Chote,I didn’t your choice is so beautiful!But then again,khushiji’s company has got a rub on you for good!”She gasped.

“Uh,thanks di!”He muttered,not knowing quite what to say.

“Ok now,go to the office and wrap up your work.Then take khushiji to our farmhouse on the outskirts.Here is the key,take it!Just make any excuse ok?I’ve arranged everything for your date. Just take it easy .Now,the floor is yours!”Anjali instructed him before alighting out of the SUV at RM.

ASR took a deep breath and gunned the car.Now,he had to face his little lioness!

PART-58

“God!We screwed up evetything!”Akash moaned rubbing his cheeks.

“Seriously man,your family can give those give black-belt holders a run for their money!”Aman  muttered painfully,nursing the bruises on his arms.

“I’m so sorry guys!You had to bear all that for me.I didn’t know it will be bungle up so badly!” Khushi apologised,her voice thick with guilt.

“Don’t be silly Ms.Happy!You don’t have to be sorry!Its not your fault!I should’ve been careful enough.Its the result of my frivolous approach!”Akash attempted to ease her out.

“Still that doesn’t negate the fact that I’m the reason behind the whole gaffe.”Khushi said sadly.

“Khushi,stop berating yourself unnecessarily!What’s done is done,we can’t change it.Though,we need to concentrate on warding off the storm that undoubtedly be brewing up savagely!”Aman bit his lips,fettered.

“What do you mean?”Akash and khushi demanded,making Aman roll his eyes incredulously.

“Seriously guys,how dumb one can be?I’m obviously talking about ASR!I’d wager everything that I possess that the news of our little adventure would’ve reached him and he must be waiting to come barrelling towards us like an enraged bull as soon as we pop in his vicinity!”

A frightful, charged silence followed this ominous announcement as the trio mulled the danger that awaited them in the office and worst off was khushi!She remembered clearly the lecture she had given him on the gravity of abdications,however playfully it might be,before venturing out of the office on the pretext of a lie!Somehow,the plan their plan had gone horribly awry!

Their intuition didn’t prove out to be a mere figment of their imagination for as soon as they so much as set their toes inside the  premises,they were whisked in A.C.P.Arnav Singh Raizada’s cabin, where they found a trembling Lavanya.

“Where were you guys?”ASR asked with barely suppressed fury.

Akash,Khushi and Aman gulped hard,their voice betraying them as they waited breathlessly for the violent torrent of ASR’S anger to strike them.Finally khushi gathered up some courage.She had to own up everything!

“Arnavji,I know that you are aware of everything that happened today and so,I’m not going to beat about the bush!Its all my fault and I’m really sorry for that!”Khushi hung her head remorsefully.

“SORRY!SORRY!Does your apologies assuage your act?How dare you forget even for a second that we are supposed to shoulder the huge responsibility of national security?You even led three fellow officers on the same track!”ASR snarled.

“Bhai,you are utterly mistaken!”

“Yes,sir khushi didn’t oblige us.We went on our own accord!”

“It was my plan not hers!”

Akash,Lavanya and Aman burst out at the same time, hearing his blatant accusations, but  ASR stopped them.He was beyond his senses with anger!

“Shut up!I’m not willing to hear your flimsy excuses to save her and not that you all are not equally responsible!The team I was so proud of,has ashamed me today!I never expected carelessness of such magnitude from you all!And most of all you Ms.Gupta!I won’t tolerate such foolishness here and if you want to engage in this kind of cheap activities worthy of degenerates ,then you’re most welcome to hang up your gun for good!”ASR snarled,ignoring the tears that sprang up in khushi’s eyes at his harsh words.

Wordlessly khushi slipped out of his cabin to the corridors beyond where she found her colleagues scurrying  away,trying to put up an unconvincing pretence of nonchalance and normalcy.It added to her hurt and humiliation.Apparently,the entire office had heard ASR’S dulcet tone.

“Khushi!”Lavanya  and Aman trailed after khushi meekly.

Akash watched khushi walk away,her shoulders slumped and his anger rose.Though he was quite familiar with his elder brother’s hot temperament which was often unjust and impromptu,he had never felt any sort of resentment,yet now as he saw his little sister’s dejection,he felt the flare of elder-brotherly rage and he lashed out at ASR.

“Bhai,you shouldn’t really have talked to her like that!Do you have even slightest of idea how much you have hurt her without knowing the truth?Do you know how buaji had been quite literally harassing her for marrying Shyam?How she had taunted her of being an orphan and that she should be actually grateful that that screwed-up bastard is infatuated with her?No,you don’t and neither did you try to know the cause of her apparent gloom for past few days but jumped at conclusion and became the reason of her sorrow!I know that we shouldn’t have gone during office hours,but there’s no emergency or something going on right now,nor some very important mission!Bhai,you may’ve forgotten that you’ve a life beyond the S.T.F. precinct,but we haven’t.I agree that we’ve the responsibility of national security which undoubtedly holds paramount prominence,but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we should forgo every seam of relationships and be just taut,ruthless stones!” Akash growled and stalked off,leaving behind a stunned,repenting A.C.P.Arnav Singh Raizada.

PART-57

Lavanya,Kailash Nath and his pupil looked on nonplussed as buaji and the raizadas exchanged pleasantries.

Soon,buaji excused herself as she needed to rush home and so after thanking a flabbergasted and panic-stricken Kailash Nath profusely,she left with an extremely edgy lavanya who managed to give a reassuring and encouraging thumbs up to her compatriots inconspicuously.

‘’Baba ji pranam!’’Anjali,Nani and Mami greeted Kailash nath with folded hands and latter reciprocated the same immediately.

‘’Baba ji,we brought this for you.Please accept this humble present.’’Anjali  extended a basket of fruits  and other eateries.

‘’Thank you my child.Please give this to my pupil,Ramdas.’’Kailash nath murmured,not knowing quite what to say.

Ramdas,who had been standing all the while like a statue,finally moved,praying hard that nothing should go wrong.In his fettered state,he didn’t notice that when he extended his hands to take the basket,his watch got entangled in the grey locks of Kailash Nath!

His retraction was followed by a loud gasp from the three ladies as well as Kailash nath.Apparently,the wig had gotten removed from Kailash nath’s head showing his jet black hair.

The silence that followed was utterly charged until the penny dropped on the three ladies all at once and they launched into action.

Before Kailash nath and Ramdas could gather their bearings,Mamiji,Naniji and Anjali attacked them, spanking the dup with their bags and hands!

‘’You cheating scum!How dare you play with the feelings of people!’’Anjali shrieked,giving a black eye to Kailash nath with a powerful punch.

‘’You lowlives,how could you dupe people who revere you?’’Nani slapped Ramdas on his cheek.

Ramdas somehow disentangled himself from the chaotic mess and ran helter-skelter for his life in the adjoining room followed by a screeching Mamiji!

‘’Hello Hi Bye Bye!How darej you tried to cool Manorma Mami,haan?’’Mami screamed catching Ramdas by the scruff of his long cloak and spanking him hard.

‘’Ouch Maa,that hurts and by the way,its fool not cool!’’Ramdas yelled,buckling over in pain.

Mamiji froze on the spot,hearing her son’s voice.She immediately caught hold of the bushy moustache on Ramdas’s face and pulled it.

‘’Ah!’’Akash winced in pain,cupping  his cheeks.

‘’Akash!’’Mamiji stood agape,utterly at a loss.

Akash,on hearing his mother’s shriek caught up with his surroundings and gazed for a split second in utter chagrin at his mom’s shocked face before bolting for it.He raced in the living room where his di and grandmother were still punching Aman and somehow saved his friend from the onslaught.

‘’Akash!’’Naniji and Anjali screamed aghast as they saw Akash supporting a bandy-legged, Aman out of the room.

‘’Run!’’He yelled,dropping the keys of the flat at the threshold and rushing out,leaving thunderstruck family in his wake!

‘’Please,calm down mamiji!I’m sure there must be something big going on!Akash will surely explain everything.Don’t get so worked up!’’Anjali tried to placate a hysterical Manorma futilely.

‘’Manorma,Akash is very mature!You’re mistaken!You are simply blowing this out of proportion!’’ Naniji  too tried to reason out.

‘’No Sasuma!How could I calm down?Akash is my only son!I’ll call Arnav bituwa.He’ll tell me what’s going on!’’Mamiji determinedly whipped out her cell and before anyone could stop her dialled ASR’S number,filling him up with everything.

She calmed a bit hearing ASR’s reassurance and snapped the phone shut after a while,soothed which was just the stark opposite of Naniji and Anjali’s tumult who had a hunch that Akash,Aman and others who were involved with them were in great trouble.

They had to face the wrath of A.C.P. Arnav Singh Raizada!

PART-56

‘’Is that what I am?’’Khushi asked curiously.

‘’No,girlfriend is quite staid to describe what you really mean to me,but  its better to goss over romantic details for others.’’ASR breathed against khushi’s cheek.

‘’I’ve to go.’’Khushi sighed pulling away from him.

‘’Where?’’ASR asked,trading his hold on her waist for one hand.

‘’Italian embassy.I need to get some papers regarding the bail of those mariners.’’Khushi explained.

‘’Don’t go!I’ll send Rahul to fetch it.’’ASR whispered giving her a peck  on her cheek.

As much as she wanted to stay,khushi knew Lavanya and other were waiting for her.So,she tried to be artful.

‘’Tempting but no!In fact,I’m shocked  at your disposition A.C.P. Arnav Singh Raizada.Isn’t abdication a punishable crime?’’

ASR rolled his eyes,Khushi can be quite theatrical if she wishes to.

‘’Ok,my little tigeress,you may go.But come back soon.I’ll be waiting.’’

‘’Sure.’’Khushi said and bit her lips.She hated lying to him,but she  was not a fool to think that he would ever approve of the way they were going to take to cure buaji’s annoying obsession to get khushi married to Shyam.

She bade him goodbye and rushed to the Parking lot where Akash and Aman were waiting for her in their SUV.

‘’What took you so long?’’Aman queried,making khushi blush.

‘’That’s not of importance!Let’s make haste.We’ve to reach the place before Lavanya arrives with buaji.’’Akash intervened,saving khushi from answering.Apparently he had a clear idea of the reason of the delay in khushi’s arrival by looking at her red face.

‘’Buaji,this is our family guru,baba ‘Kailash nath’.’’Lavanya gushed,bowing her head as if in obeisance.

‘’Baba ji pranam!’’Buaji folded both her hands.

‘’May the Almighty shower his choicest blessings on you my child.’’The baba raised his hand.

Kailash nath sat on the sofa flanked by his disciple.He wore a long,saffron cloak and several necklaces of ‘Rudraksh’ hung from his neck.His hair was an entanglement of grey and a long ‘tika’ of vermillion adorned his forehead,denoting spirituality.

‘’Baba, please deliver me from my worries.I’ve to nieces,Payal and Khushi  and I’m anxious about their future,especiall that if khushi!She is a S.T.F. officer and spends her entire day running behind all sorts of low lives of the society.I’ve more than often tried to convince her to table her resignation,but she never listens.She is quite jingoistic,you see!But,now I want her to settle down and I know a boy who is perfec t match for her but she doesn’t approve of him.Shyam babua is sucha well-mannered, cultured boy that I’m afraid that if she doesn’t agrees for the alliance soon, he’ll marry someone else!And I don’t want that to happen!I’ve been trying to persuade her lately, but my family,including her is of the opinion that I’m forcing her into this marriage.Babaji,please suggest something so that she agrees fro this.’’Buaji concluded her monologue,looking expectantly at Kailash nath who was sitting with his mouth hanging open.

Suddenly,he felt a jolt and immediately shut his mouth,realising that he everyone was expecting him to utter something.He felt lavanya’s glare and launched into action pronto,quoting the lines that he had been rehearsing for past two days.Somehow his throat was parched.

‘’My child,do not be so worried.I can see that you’ve been dwelling on the matter more than required,when you need not have done so!Prospects such as that of marriage are not in human hands but are that of subject of divinity!The omnipotent Almighty has a plan devised for each of his children and your niece is fulfilling hers.I’m sure that a learned and spiritual lady like yourself must have grown up hearing the maxim that ‘Matched are made in heaven’,then why are you so bothered?God must have made a match for your niece too and it won’t be long before she gets the one who is right for her.Don’t worry too much and don’t force her for marrying the boy you have chosen for her for its not you who’ll spend her entire life with him ,but khushi.So,her choice holds more prominence.One wrong decision can mar her life.So,don’t try to impose your will on her.

                                                                                                                                                                        As for her being S.T.F. officer...well,you should be proud that your niece is serving the nation.Very few have the courage to be selfless enough so as to serve their motherland and countrymen tirelessly without fearing for their safety!Such people are truly noble!So,don’t try to dissuade her.Remember that all our actions are counted in the courts of God and I’m sure you won’t want to suffer in hell for that awaits one if he is the cause of other’s ordeal!’’Kailash nath uttered in his mystical voice.

Buaji flinched at the thought of hell and crunched her eyes,folding her hands.

‘’No,babaji I don’t want hell!I’ll let khushi have the free rein and...’’But buaji never got to complete her sentence as at that moment some new entrants came in.

‘’See,they are here.’’Anjali enthused and came in smiling followed by Mamiji and Naniji.

Lavaya,Kailash Nath and his pupil exchanged a look of deepest horror,their breath constricted in their throats.All hell had broken lose....

PART- 55

Akash entered Armaan and Anjali's room and found his jijaji sitting on the bed with his laptop,working.He knocked on the door.

''Jijaji?''

''Akash,please come in.''Armaan said,automatically snapping his laptop shut.

''Jijaji actually I've something very important to talk about.I want that flat of yours near Jor Bagh for an hour.So can you....?''Akash began uncertainly.

''Since when do you need my permission Akash?Of course you can take it!'' Armaan patted his affectionately.

''I'll get you the keys,its with Anji.Anjali!Anjali!''Armaan called.

''What happened?''Anjali asked coming in the room.

''Akash wants the keys of the flat that we have at Jor Bagh.''Armaan explained.

''Actually di,Lavanya's family 'Guru' is coming to Delhi tomorrow and they will be stooping here for taking rest before heading towards Haridwar.So lavanya asked me to do her a favor and arrange for their lodgings just for an hour or two. After that they will board their train to Haridwar at noon.''Akash frittered nervously, hoping that his sister won't notice.

''Oh.That's great!Of course you can have it Akash.''Anjali enthused handing over the keys to him.

''Thanks.''Akash breathed in relief. He hadn't counted on his di's fad for 'Babas'!

At the same time Lavanya was playing her trump card at khushi's house.

''Buaji,you know what,he knows everything!Past,present and future.Nobody is at par with him,no one can surpass his knowledge buaji!In fact,he was the one who told me that I'll one day serve the nation and see it came out to be true!I don't think any one can beat him in the knowledge of Palmistry!''Lavanya was rhapsodizing about her so called family 'Guru' for almost an hour,thus monopolizing buaji's keenest attention and reverence.

''Hai Rey Nandkishore!He sounds like such a learned man!''Buaji folded her hands in awe.

''Arey,Lavanya bitiya,can you please take me to 'Guru ji'?I want to ask him about Titaliya and Payaliya.''Buaji asked eagerly and Lavanya and Payal had to exercise every bit of self control to not to break out into a victory dance!

''Of course buaji!Why not?Be ready at 10 tomorrow morning.''Lavanya said, surreptitiously winking at Payal.

''God bless you bitiya!''Buaji exclaimed and pootled off to her room leaving behind a jubilant Payal and Lavanya.

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The Sun rose in its halo in the azure horizon initiating the very eventful day.

''Are you sure that this will work la?''Aman asked for what would've been the thousandth time!

''Of course!Superstition is like a bog,ones you allow yourself to get in and shut your eyes to practicality and reality,there is literally no way out!Don't worry everything will be ok!''Lavanya assured,packing all the necessary stuff for their theatricals.

''All right guys.We need to go to bhai one-by-one for a way out!''Akash fidgeted, his face pale.

''Who will tie the bell around the cat's neck?''Aman murmured discreetly but Lavanya heard.

''We will!Come on Aman.''She took him be arm and dragged him along.

''ASR we have an appointment with the Physio at 10 as Aman is suffering from severe back pain and I'm accompanying him.We'll be back in a hour or two.''Lavanya hurried through,barely giving any one a chance to open their mouths.

''What...Oh ok Lavanya and Aman take care!''ASR said concernedly.

''Sure!Thanks!''

The duo moved out of his cabin,sighing in relief and waved at khushi and Akash discreetly.

Next it was Akash's turn who made some fidgety excuse of going to see some informer.

Then,Khushi squared her shoulders and took a deep breath.It was her turn.

She went and knocked the door.ASR looked up and a soft smile lit his face. He strode forward and opened the door for her,pulling her in.Before she could utter a word,he trailed kisses down her cheekbone.

''What are you doing?What if someone saw us?''Khushi gasped,her breath laboured.

''So,what I'm kissing my girlfriend.''He breathed against her cheeks.

PART 54

ACP Arnav Singh Raizada entered the S.T.F. office simply whacked.The day had taken its toll on him and he was drained both physically and mentally.He made his way through the silent lower landing towards his cabin wearily when one of the cleaning staff came up to him.

''Sir,I found this lying there,near the elevator while cleaning.''The man said,handing out a small,black device.

ASR gazed down at it,startled.

''You found this near the elevator?''He asked,taking the object in his hand.

''Yes Sir,it was lying there.I thought it must be of some use.''The peon replied.

''Ok,you may go.''ASR said dismissively.

He turned the device and checked it thoroughly for the epigraph of S.T.F.,futilely. The device was a spying camera and he could tell with iron-clad surety that it didn't belong to S.T.F. as all their electronic gadgets had the epigraph of the Intelligence Agency emblazoned on them.

ASR's mind started whirring.He remembered the attack on him and khushi as they were returning after a meeting with the Commissioner of Gurgaon about which nobody,but Police officials had known and his doubts of infiltration. The spying camera found in the office now had provided the perfect testimony, justifying his doubts.

If that was true then national security was at stake as S.T.F had highly confidential data concerning  the same like name and identity of Indian spies stationed in other countries,especially in the Iron curtain ones.Any sort of breach could destroy everything that they had built up with years of tireless labour!

Engrossed in his abstraction,ASR didn't notice when he went towards the elevators,but suddenly he noticed Chandru coming that way,looking extremelyu worried.ASR moved in a blur and immediately hid behind the nearest pillar, dropping the camera discreetly.

His intuition was proved right as Chandru spotted his camera and lifted it up in utter relief,almost kissing it.

''Thank God,I found it,otherwise boss would've slaughtered me!''Chandru gasped,clutching the camera tighter.

He glanced up and down the corridor and immediately droppeing it in his shirt pocket he moved away stealthily,absolutely oblivious to his nemesis.

ASR stood still,staring at the vanishing figure of Chandru his fury rising.He remembered colliding with Chandru on the very spot after hearing the news of blast on Devnagar Bus Stand.At the time he was so preoccupied with ensuring khushi's safety that he was beyond noticing anything,but as he thought of it now he concluded that the camera must've fallen from Chandru's pocket at that time.

Wordlessly he took long strides towards his cabin,devising a scheme.He needed to reach to the boss of Chandru!

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A glorious dawn chased away the bleak darkness and painted every surface in bright,buttery yellow,bringing with it new hopes and new challenges.

''Lavanya,have you gone nuts?''Aman asked incredulously even before Lavanya had stopped narrating her brainwave of curing khushi's buaji's constant pestering on marriage with Shyam.

Akash,Aman,Lavanya and khushi  were huddled  in the cafeteria of S.T.F., sipping cappuccino.

''Have you got a better plan?I'm all ears then!''She hissed irritably,looking at her beau.

''La,be a bit reasonable.That kind of things work only in Soap operas and not in real life.You should seriously stop watching those godawful shows.''Aman tried to be reasonable.

''He's right Lavanya!Even if we pull this out and buaji does believes it,there is bhai.I mean,you know it very well he will never approve of this.He may as well guillotine us for even thinking.You know his principles!''Akash voiced his opinions.

''Chicken through and through!Ok!Don't help us,but that's not going to deter me.I will help my best friend at any cost!''Lavanya growled changing her tactic.

''Don't misunderstand us La.We are only thinking about the possible repercussions!You know your plan is quite risky.......but of course life is quite insipid without a twinge of adventure,so I guess full steam ahead!''Aman changed his train of thoughts,quailing under Lavanya's narrowed  eyes.

''I guess I'm going to be left out.So.I may as well join the wagon!''Akash sighed,giving up.

Lavanya beamed at khushi squeezing her hand gently.Everything was set!

PART-53

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PART-52

ASR leaned his head on khushi,their breaths ragged.They both clinged on to each other tenaciously,still not over the trauma.

''Khushi lets' get you out of this place.''ASR murmured,his voice still rough with the strain.

He pulled her along,supporting her entire weight.He opened the door of his SUV to let her in,but she stopped.

''What's wrong?''ASR asked concerned.

''I acme in the other one.We've to get it back!''Khushi said,nodding towards another SUV of S.T.F. that was some yards away.

''I had rounded the corner when I heard the blast.I came back to see  what I can do for people round here.''Khushi's voice was deep with sorrow as she stared at the dead bodies that were being loaded in the ambulance.

''We can't do anything for them.''ASR whispered grimly,purposely turning her away from the gruesome scene.

''And as for the SUV,I'll call Akash to come and take it.''He said taking out his cell from his pocket.

''No,there's no need.I can drive!''Khushi insisted,inconspicuously rubbing her tears away.

''Do you really think that I'll let you drive in your condition?''ASR mocked,raising his eyebrows as he gently made her sit in the passenger seat.

After filling in Akash of the happenings,he left the key in the SUV and drove off with a sulking khushi.

''I'm perfectly capable of driving!This wasn't needed at all!''She said obstinately.

''Put on your seat belt.''This was the only answer she got.

Jutting her lips out in a pout,khushi relaxed on the leather seat to give ASR silent treatment of her resentment.She had had enough of his pamperings while she was strapped to a gurney in the hospital.

ASR drove silently,occasionally glancing at her sullen figure and suppressing a chuckle.She was the cutest girl that he had ever seen and the thought  she was his gave him deep gratification.The night had turned out more eventful than he would've ever dared to imagine.

ASR rounded the SUV in Parathe wali galli and khushi sat up bolt upright.

''Why have you brought me here?''She demanded.

''For dinner.''ASR said,stating the obvious.

It was then khushi realized how famished she was,but still she hadn't forgotten  that she was mad on ASR.

''I'm not hungry.''Khushi lied,but ASR was already out of the car.

He opened the door for her and pulled her out gently.

''We've ages for you to get mad on me,but first lets get some food in your system. Your beautiful face loses its glow when you're hungry!''He whispered so passionately in her ears that her cheeks grew crimson.

Chortling,ASR took her to nearest golgappe wala,making khushi jump in delight.

''Bhaiya ji add lots of chilli and make it spicy!''Khushi instructed enthusiastically.

The vendor handed her a plate of mouth watering,spicy golgappe and she took it eagerly,but stopped short frowning.

''Khushi,what's wrong?''ASR asked puzzled.

''My hands are dirty!''She replied,biting her lips.

''Sure,its the world's greatest dilemma,isn't it?''ASR chortled,taking the plate from her and feeding her lovingly.

They had their dinner of all  spicy delicacies for which Parathe wali galli is famous,with ASR feeding her and khushi's cheek turning redder with every passing minute.

After some times,ASR reluctantly dropped khushi to her house and bade her goodbye.

''Bye khushi!Good night.''He whispered,pecking her on her cheeks,making khushi'd eyes go wide.

''What if someone saw us?"She queried,glancing here and there nervously.

''As if I care!Its not a felony to kiss your girlfriend.''ASR snorted.

Khushi blushed and immediately hopped out of the car.

''Bye!''She smiled at him and stood on the pavement,till ASR's SUV went out of sight.

She turned happily only to find her sister Payal standing with her hands on her hips and looking incredibly smug.

''So,my little sister,had a gala time did you?''Payal asked with a smirk.

Khushi knew that all hell had broken loose!