Even Stars Burn: Chapter Three

Khushi paced around her room, waiting, thinking, trying not to go insane. She wished so badly that Arnav had not visited her that night because since he had, he was all that plagued her thoughts. It had been a week since his visit and yet she could still feel her heartbeat pick up whenever she thought of him. He'd come with huge proclamations and promises but what had happened? Nothing, he did not call, he did not visit, he didn't even seem to care whether she was alive or dead...it pained Khushi more than she wished to admit. Why? Why was it that if she was here in turmoil and pain that he could so easily go on with his life? Why was it that he could make her life into nothing less than a living hell and he could go on leading his privileged life? Khushi was working herself into a state. Payal would come to visit her regularly and although Khushi didn't ask she always informed her about Arnav. Apparently he was very busy with meetings and models, he was burying himself in work...more like distracting himself with women. Khushi couldn't believe that at one time she had actually love-...it didn't matter any more though did it? Her eyes stung as unwanted tears began to stream down her cheek. She quickly wiped them away. This was not a time to feel sorry for herself, this is what she wanted. She wanted him to give up. To let her be....but was she really not worth fighting for? Was everything they had not worth it? To give up so easily....it made Khushi second-guess whether what they had was real or not? Was she just another name on a list? She had thought she was more than that....

Arnav was in the office, pretending to work...truthfully he didn't have the concentration or the energy for any of this but he needed the façade to evoke something from Khushi. He knew that if he smothered her in attention, flattery and gifts she would only accuse him of flaunting his money. So he decided instead to deprive her, starve her of love. It was what she was doing to him, he would not bend to her immature whims, if she cared, she would come to him. He knew she wouldn't come back to the Raizada home, but she'd find a way of getting to him.

Khushi was busy re-arranging her bedroom for the hundredth time, anything to keep herself busy, anything to stop herself from thinking about him. That's when her eyes fell on today's paper. Her eyes widened and her mouth was wide open, she lifted it, digested the knowledge and then tore up the paper. She barged into her room, opened the wardrobe and found a red lace saree, she'd bought it when she and Arnav were together and she'd been saving it for a special time, an anniversary, birthday or just a special time shared together. Instead she would use it tonight.

There was a slight chill in the breeze tonight, Arnav decided to keep his suit jacket on as he walked towards the hotel. He walked into the banquet hall and began to talk to dignitaries and established business men such as himself, when his eyes caught sight of something. At first he thought it was his mind playing tricks, the sleep deprivation had finally got to him. But he was wrong, he knew that face, he knew those eyes, he knew that girl.
"Khushi." The word escaped his lips without his intention to do so. Her hair was out, her eyes smoky and her saree hung from her petite frame in a way that only Arnav felt he could and should appreciate fully. Arnav couldn't believe it had worked, he had made sure that in all the papers it clearly stated that he was holding an exclusive party to show off the "AR Fall Line" however he never anticipated that she would actually come...hoped yes, but the fact that she was here...

Khushi was walking around the room, smiling, laughing and talking to anyone that would engage with her. She had managed to swindle an invitation from Payal on the pretence that she meant to make up with Arnav tonight, but she had no intention of doing so. She had spotted Arnav from the corner of her eyes and regretted coming here immediately  She'd forgotten the effect he had on her, her heartbeat picked up, her thoughts began to jumble around in her mind, she felt all those feelings flood back to her which she had intended to bury deep within. She was fully aware that their contract marriage was due to expire soon but while they were still married there was no way she would allow him to be unfaithful to her, he owed her that much. In the papers they insinuated that there was a model whom he had a special interest in and Khushi was here to put a stop to that, that was all. She had no interest in his deep brown eyes, or that coy look he would give her when they would talk about romantic things and she didn't care that he looked especially dashing today in his crisp black suit. No, Khushi was just here to ensure that he did not further insult the joke of a marriage between the two of them.

Arnav couldn't believe that she had fallen for the bait, really, was she so sceptical and insecure of their love that she truly believed he could so easily replace her. Khushi really was pagal if she believed that? Well, let the games begin...

I'm so sorry

My sincerest and most genuine apologies to all of you. I am very aware that I have recentley neglected my blog and been seriously unfair to all of you guys my great readers. But my life has been super hectic, I've just started working and I work 9-5 Monday-Friday, which is exhausting. However now I am more adjusted to this I think I can go back to updating. I just wanted to say sorry to you all for this. It isn't fair and I feel awful for it! So expect updates soon :)

Jas

Even Stars Burn: Chapter Two

It had turned to evening and as the dark sky covered Delhi city, two very alone and very sad people looked out onto the same night sky. When Khushi had arrived at Buaji's she was welcomed with a hoard of questions. Garima and Buaji refused to believe that the Raizada's had committed a mistake and it was obviously Khushi's fault that she had to leave home and so from frustration, Khushi told them the truth. The whole truth. She told them about the 6 month contract marriage, how Arnav had threatened Khushi by saying he'd make Akash leave Payal and then she told them about Shyam, Arnav's kidnapping and then Anjali's cold reaction. After Khushi's statement, Garima and Buaji were left speechless and let Khushi proceed with the step she'd taken. Khushi spent the remainder of her day lying on her bed, unsure of what else to do at the minute. It was only when night fell that she decided to go to her window and seek comfort in the stars...Arnav on the other hand was not as calm, his reaction to Khushi's departure was a side to Arnav none of his family had seen. After she left he stormed into his room, as everyone expected. Later Anjali came up to his room with some sugar-free kheer and she was shocked to see the sight in front of her. Arnav had gone onto the poolside, he'd taken every single last living plant and cut them from the roots, he had thrown large pots onto the ground, small clay fragments scattered around the poolside and standing in a corner looking angrily up at the night sky was a broken Arnav Singh Raizada.
"Chotte, yeh sabh...?" Anjali asked and Arnav turned to face Anjali, his red raw eyes exposed, his expression set into a tensed grimace.
"Di, leave me alone." He said, Anjali faltered, had he really just said that?
"Maggar, Chotte-"
"I said GO!" He shouted, Anjali, on the verge of tears left the room. Arnav knew he'd hurt Di and that was wrong but he was sure it couldn't even match his pain.

Khushi was on her bed, thinking about everything that had happened and finding herself unable to sleep when she heard it.
"Nikalo yahaan se!" Buaji bellowed.
"Buaji, I respect you and I mean no offence but I need to speak to my wife. Khushi kaha hai?" He asked, Khushi sat up and she felt her heartbeats increase. He was here. Why was he here? If he was here to take her back, he would be unsuccessful, Khushi would not step in that house until Di accepted their relationship and started treating Khushi the way she deserved to be. Khushi sat back down and killed her eagerness to see Arnav.
The doors to her bedroom burst open and she saw not Arnav but ASR burst through her doors, angry, rash and selfish Arnav Singh Raizada. Buaji was pulling on him trying to prevent him from seeing Khushi, but her efforts were in vain as Arnav easily slid Buaji's grip away from him. Khushi stood up alarmed to see Arnav here and in this state.
"Arnavji?" Khushi said in a cautious way, Arnav walked over to her, he grabbed her wrist and began to tug her. Khushi clawed at his grip.
"Arnavji, rukhiye, tum aisa nahin kar sakte. Yeh aise, zabardasti, humari maarzi ki kilaaf-"
"Khushi I don't give a damn right now, all I know is your my wife and you belong with me. Not here. This isn't how its supposed to be!" He shouted and Khushi forcefully pulled herself away from him.
"So how is it supposed to be? I sit in that house and let each and every one of your family members insult me and slowly eat away at the little confidence and integrity I have? Sorry I'm not a matyr. I don't want to go somewhere where I'm unwanted. When Di-"
"When Di what? When Di accepts you? Khushi if your my wife she has to accept you." Arnav argued.
"No, she tolerates me Arnavji...and until that changes, I'm staying here." She said adamantly. Arnav looked behind to see Garima and Buaji still standing guard. He walked close to Khushi, leaned down to her ear and whispered, "I will bring you back to that house, you are my wife and we belong together. You'll see. If I don't make you see then my name is not Arnav Singh Raizada." He said, his words seemed to linger in her ears and his breath made her neck tingle. She looked up into his dark soulful eyes and her resolve weakened slightly, but before that could happen, Arnav stormed out leaving a rather fragile Khushi in her room trying to decipher up from down.

Even Stars Burn: Chapter One

Khushi didn't give anyone time to appeal or appease her, she ran up to what was, her's and Arnav's room, but after tonight it would go back to being Arnav's room. Everyone heard the door shut behind her and they stood in silence. Arnav was shocked, how could she? Why would she? She can't leave him. This was unacceptable for Arnav. He began to move to go stop Khushi from leaving when he felt a hand claw at his wrist.
"Chotte, usse jaanedijiye." Anjali said, her face was completely blank, it was as if she was numb inside. Devoid of emotion, she didn't even realise that she was putting the family, her brother in particular through hell. Payal was looking to Akash to say something, to do something but if Arnav was hesitant to say anything to Di then Akash didn't have much of a chance to stand up for Khushi.
"Di, I...you can't expect me to do that?" Arnav said, almost pleading. Anjali turned to him.
"Kyun? When my husband was leaving this house, did I say a word? Did you hear me go to stop him? Aggar main sab kuch sehsakti toh tum bhi sehna parega. Let her go, only then will our house become a home again." Anjali said. Arnav looked at his Di shocked. Was she serious right now? He understood her being upset but Khushi's leaving was not the answer to the problems going on at the moment.
"Di, I love and respect you, but, your husband was in the wrong, not my wife. He got the punishment he deserved, so why are you punishing Khushi when she hasn't done anything to deserve punishment?" Anrav said and Anjali gave him a cold look. "Maybe your forgetting Di, your husband had me kidnapped, he planned to kill me and take all of our wealth, Khushi was the one who risked everything and got me back here. So don't. Don't you dare tell me to just let her go." Arnav said as he shook his Di's hand off of his wrist.

Arnav stormed into the room to find Khushi furiously packing her stuff into a suitcase. Arnav walked towards her but she ignored him and continued to pack.
"Khushi, yeh kya pagalpaan hai? Stop behaving like a child, neeche ajao and we'll all discuss this rationally like adults." Arnav said as he grabbed her by the shoulders, his eyes looked straight into hers, while his were burning with the intensity of love Khushi's burned with rage. Khushi recalled the months of torture she had endured in the beginning of this marriage, all the abuse, all the hate and isolation she endured all those months. She looked at Arnav, she felt the love for him in her heart but it was clouded with these unpleasant memories. Khushi wanted a loving and happy marriage...this wasn't it.
"Choriye humain Arnavji, humko kisi se baat nahin karni, nahi kahi par jaana hain, kaas kar ke tumhare saath toh bilkul bhi nahin." She said and Arnav tightened his grip on Khushi.
"What do you mean especially not with me? Kya aap bhool gayi ki main tumhara-"
"Pati hoon? Kaisi bhool sakti, woh contract jo hain jo humko roz yaad dilati hoon." Khushi said as she tore herself from Arnav's grasp. "Pehle toh main sochti thi ki itne mahine bakhi hai Arnavji ki saath, abh toh baas itne haafte hai Arnavji ki saath, abh toh baas kuch hi din bahki hai. Lekin humko maaf karna abh hum kuch aur nahin sehsakte. Arre joh shaadi hum khabi karna nahin chathe teh, usko bachane ki kya zuroorat hai, jab kuch hi din main tutnewali hai." Khushi said and Arnav felt his arms go slack, had she really been counting the time till she was free from him? Was she so miserable in this marriage.
"Khushi, I-"
"Nahin Arnavji. Apne hamesha bhola aur hamesha maine suna, lekin aaj tum meri baat sunoge. All I wanted was a marriage full of love and happiness. I wanted to come into a home where I could be part of a haasta khilta parivaar. Lekin tumne mere saare armaan, mere saare khwabon ko tordhiya! Kyun kiya aisa? Kyun?!" Khushi shouted at him, but before Arnav could find the words to say to Khushi, Khushi had errupted again.
"Of course, you did it for Di. Your great and wonderful Di, you thought that I was having an affair with Shyam. Me? Did you really think I was that characterless? That I had no morals? That just proves that you never knew and you never understood me! I'm going so that your Di can be happy, so do me a favour and just let me go, spare me the dramatics." Khushi said as she lifted her suitcase and pushed past Arnav.

Something in that moment snapped inside Arnav, he grabbed Khushi's wrist and spun her around so that their bodies were pressed against each other.
"Listen to me Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. I love you. I admit I made mistakes but I am trying here. I am trying my best for you, for Di, for me, hell for us! Does that mean nothing to you? Does this-" Arnav took her hand and raised it to his chest. "Does this mean nothing to you?!" Arnav said and Khushi closed her eyes as she could feel the rough, heavy and fast heartbeats of Arnav's. She opened her eyes.
"There was a time when it did matter...but not any-more." Khushi said as she removed her hand from his chest. Arnav still held her close to him, he could feel the rise and fall of her chest as they both breathed heavily, Khushi never meeting Arnav's eyes, but Arnav always had his eyes locked on Khushi.
"This is not over." He said, a tone of defiance and an air of arrogance were clear. Khushi took a deep breath, she could smell his cologne, she could feel his tight grip on her wrist and his body, so painfully close to hers. She looked up at him.
"Yes it is Arnavji. I can't take any-more of this. I wont. Goodbye." She said and she began to pull away, she turned away from Arnav, when she felt a slight pull as he still refused to let go of her.
"Khushi, you are my wife, the one and only wife I plan to have. This. Is. Not. Over." Arnav said, possessiveness ebbed out of his every word. Khushi clenched her jaw, she knew engaging in any-more conversation with him would lead to a weakening in her resolve. Instead she shook her hand free and proceeded to leave the Raizada Mansion. Khushi was walking through the living room and although the majority of the family members were pleading for Khushi to stay, asking her to be reasonable and patient, Khushi did not listen. This is because, one very important member remained still with a stony silence and Khushi knew that until Anjali was convinced of Khushi's innocence, Khushi could never live peacefully in Shaantivan. Khushi paused at the doorstep as a flood of memories hit her like a wave in the ocean. She remembered her accidental visit for the first time to Shantivan, the time she spent working here, the jokes and fun she had here and then the moment she was forced to live here through her contract marriage, the way that nobody spoke to her, the way everybody shunned her, then the way she was insulted by Shyam and finally how Anjali had belittled her today. A solitary tear fell from Khushi's eyes, which she quickly wiped away. She opened the door and left, she didn't even look back because if she had, she would have seen a very broken Arnav at the top of the stairs willing her internally not to leave...

Read other parts to this here.

Even Stars Burn: Prologue

The whole Raizada family were gathered in the living room, it was the evening after Khushi's birthday. Arnav had attempted to placate Khushi but he had realised that again and again his sister was purposefully getting in the way. Arnav knew he had to tread lightly in this situation, after all this was a matter that involved his sister and his wife, he didn't want to hurt either, but most definitely one was clearly in the wrong. Khushi was stood next to Payal, who was holding her and NK was close to the two sisters, feeling that they needed someone in their corner. Khushi had tears running down her face, first Shyam had attacked her and now Di...it was too much.
"Chotte! Apko zara si bhi andazza hai ki mere dil peh kya bheetri hai! Aap sabh ko bhas Khushiji nazaar atta hai, mujhe aur mera gum nahin? Aapko yeh nazaar atta hai ki Khushiji udaas hai, lekin apko meri udaasi ka koi parva nahin? Aap toh badhi badhi batein kartein teh ki main hoon sabse important, duniya jayein jahaan jaana chahein lekin meri Di mere saath rehein, aisi baatein kartein teh na aap?!" Anjali screamed, the rage that had been brewing in her since Shyam had been thrown out the house was finally unleashed and it would leave an explosion in Arnav and Khushi's relationship.
"Di..." Arnav began.
"NO! NAHIN! AAP MUJHE DI MAAT BULAH! Di paata hai ki kya hothi hai? Behen hothi hai, main apki badi behen hoon, aur tumhara bhai hone ki naatein responsibilities hain. Sabse important responsibility yeh hain, ki meri aur meri khushiaan ki raksha karo. LEKIN TUM! Tum ho ki meri kushiaan iss ghar se bahar nikaldia, jaise koi kachara hai!" Anjali cried, Arnav reached out for his sister, to touch her arm, reassure her that he was still there for her. "NAHIN! Chotte abh tumhe faisla karna padega! Abh yahaan Khushiji rahongi ya mein!" Anjali said, her words seemed to echo through the house, leaving a heavy weight on Arnav. Had she really just demanded he choose between his wife and his sister? What kind of ultimatum is that? This was extreme especially for Anjali. Arnav couldn't seem to find a voice, he didn't have the words, the eloquence, the tact to deal with this situation. How could he?

"Di...I...I...I ca-" Arnav had started.
"No." It seemed only as loud as a whisper, but Khushi's voice was heard by all, Anjali and Arnav turned to Khushi who had previously been stood, sobbing quietly, a meek and mild character in this argument. Khushi looked up, her eyes wild and defiant.
"No. I've had enough." Khushi said as she freed herself from her sister's embrace.
"Khushi what are you say-" Arnav said, Khushi raised her hand, silencing him.
"No more, I cannot handle anymore. You all think the worst of me, you never give me a chance to defend myself, even if I did none of you would believe me. You take it turn by turn to belittle and degrade me, but I, I carry on, I smile, I try to make the best out of a bad situation...but not anymore." Khushi said and Arnav looked confused and shocked at her.
"Khushi, what do you mean?" Arnav asked, as he stepped towards her, he had his arm out, he meant to hold her but she stepped away.
"I mean, I'm making this decision a lot easier for you. Congratulations Di. You win. I'm leaving. I hope you'll all be happy now." Khushi said.

Read other parts to this here.

Dark Paradise: The Final Chapter

Khushi was in the nursery, she sat in the rocking chair with Abhay in her arms and gently swayed to and fro, attempting to get Abhay to settle. She was exhausted, Abhay didn't seem to like sleeping at night, instead he liked to cry the whole house down. Khushi looked down at her now sleeping and seemingly angelic son.
"Bilkul apne Pappa par gaye hai yeh, chotta laad governor." She said whilst smiling at him. She looked around the room and her eyes focused on the framed photo of her and Arnav. She smiled and a strong feeling of nostalgia hit her, a painful pang hit her heart as she wistfully recalled her journey with Arnav that bought her here. Someone very close to her once told her that when you meet the person you belong with you just know....This wasn't true for Khushi, for months she hated and felt enraged by Arnav but then slowly, gradually and unknowingly, it happened. ASR became Arnavji and from Arnavji to Arnav, the man who she loved, respected and honestly could not live without. Marrying Arnav and realising her love for him was the best thing that happened to her life, well best after Abhay. She continued rocking in the chair, with Abhay peacefully sleeping, when Arnav walked in. Khushi looked at him, surprised, it was four in the morning, he had work in four hours.
"Arnav, aap-" Khushi began.
"Shhhhh." Arnav said as he walked in stealthily. He reached where Abhay and Khushi were, he was afraid he'd wake Abhay by speaking and so he acted out what he wanted to say. He pointed to Abhay, then he folded his hands together and rested his head on them whilst closing his eyes. Khushi smiled, Arnav opened his eyes and Khushi nodded. Arnav looked at Abhay with that half-side smile, that would always make Khushi's heart beat that little bit fasted. He looked up to Khushi, he held his arms out, tilting his head towards the crib. Khushi gently passed Abhay to Arnav, whose strong and ready hands cradled him gently and then Arnav tucked his son into the bed and placed a kiss on his forehead. Khushi walked over and joined her husband by the crib, Arnav put an arm around her. Neither of them said a word, they didn't need to, everything they wanted was right here.

They walked back into their room and when the doors were shut and the baby monitor turned on Khushi turned to Arnav.
"How come you came into the nursery? Did Abhay wake you?" She asked and Arnav joined her on the bed, he leant against the headboard, Khushi shifted herself so her head lay on his chest and Arnav wound an arm around her.
"No, when you got up around two, I thought about getting up but I know I have this big presentation in the morning so I tried to sleep...but I couldn't. I just sleep better knowing you two are okay and if we're being precise, I sleep better knowing you're next to me." He said as he planted a kiss on the top of her head. Khushi smiled and looked up at Arnav. Who would have thought that a year down the line, Arnav Singh Raizada would have become such an integral part of Khushi Kumari Gupta's life? Arnav cupped his hands around her face and they shared a deep kiss. When the kiss broke, Khushi wound herself more tightly around her husband.
"I'm just better in general when you're around." She said, she then buried her head into Arnav's chest and murmured, "I love you." Arnav smiled as he felt the vibrations of Khushi's voice against her chest, knowing full well what she was saying. He held Khushi close to himself, it amazed him sometimes how much he'd changed since Khushi had entered his life. Never in his deepest thoughts had he imagined himself, ASR business tycoon to become loving husband and father. He never wanted it, all his life Arnav had lived under the misconception that love made a man weak and so he ran from it his whole life. That was until he met Khushi and learnt that love can be a man's weakness but it can also be his greatest strength. Without Khushi's love he'd never have been able to reveal Shyam's truth, he would never have taken the leap of faith in love and he would have never become committed to someone so completely. Khushi Kumari Gupta had changed his life irrevocably, as since he'd experienced this happy bliss Arnav never wanted to return to the cold isolationist way he lived his life before Khushi and Abhay.
"I love you too." He said aloud, but to deaf ears as Khushi had drifted into sleep, Arnav shut his eyes, finally content. So many fights, struggles and griefs had shaken their lives that only now, could they truly enjoy the happiness in their lives. Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada were bound in such a way that sometimes they felt as though their partner was the biggest annoyance of the other's life whilst at the same time they always thanked God that they had each other.


The End.

Read all other parts to this FF here


Author's note: Okay guys, that is the end of Dark Paradise, I hope you loved it as much as I loved writing this FF. But just to let you know I wont be gone for long, I'm planning to start the new Arshi FF during this week so keep an eye out for that. Also, a BIG BIG BIG thank you to all my loyal and lovely readers out there. I could not have done this without your kind words, encouragement and support. 
Thank you, 
Jas x

Okay this is kind of important and I would appreciate your input for Dark Paradise

Hi guys, as you know I started this fanfiction way back in February and I have been overwhelmed by the response I've gotten and I've loved every minute of it. However, recentley I feel like I've come to an end with "Dark Paradise" this is because I was only originally going to write it to the point where Shyam's truth was revealed but I extended it with the pregnancy plot. Now that that's happened I don't feel there's much to explore with this fanfiction. I will write another chapter update and an epilogue but I feel there is little to do with this fanfiction now. But that does not mean I will stop writing, I have plans for another FF which I think you will all like, based around the recent events in the show, showing how Arnav is remorseful, but unlike in the show Khushi is unwilling to co-operate and so there will be a lot more tension, romance and nauk-jauk in this FF. I would really appreciate it if you all would continue to read and support me in my work. If you are all really unhappy with this FF ending then I may write a sequel to it, but I'm not sure how good that would be if I'm honest. Thank you for your time please leave your thoughts, requests and comments on this post. Thank you. Jas :)

Dark Paradise Chapter Fifty Two

Arnav was the first to go see Khushi, everyone respected the fact that the two needed some time alone after all the stress they'd been through. Arnav walked in to see a sleeping Khushi, she was hooked up to an IV, she was weak but only due to tiredness and stress. The doctors had assured him numerous times that she was okay. He sat down on a chair beside her, when he looked up he saw Khushi's brow crinkle as she slowly began to wake up. She looked confused as she took in the new settings of her hospital room, the last she remembered she was in the operating theatre and after that it was all blurry. She looked to see Arnav who smiled at her and she smiled back. One of her hands drifted to meet his, it didn't travel far as Arnav encased it in his hand, the other went to her stomach when the realisation hit her. There was no baby inside her anymore...she didn't know what had happened, they said there was a possibility she could lose the baby and there was most certainly no baby here.
"Arnav...the baby...where's the baby, where's our baby? Everything's okay isn't it?" She asked panicked.
"Khushi, shhhh, its okay, everything's fine, the baby is fine." Arnav assured her. "They had to move the baby into the premature baby wing to run some tests to see if everything is alright, so far our baby is passing all the tests with flying colours so don't panic. He's a strong one." Arnav said, as he uttered his last sentence he paid particular attention to Khushi's face. Of course there was relief at the news their baby was healthy and fine but then there was confusion, a small smile twitched at the tip of her lips and soon a broad beaming smile lit up her face.
"You said he...iska matlam hai ki....ki...ki..." Khushi couldn't finish her sentence she was so happy.
"You got what you wanted Khushi, we have a boy and what a boy we have. You know Khushi the doctors were telling me that normally in these circumstances they see a lot of problems with kids, I saw it myself when I went to go see our son, so many little babies and they were suffering so much, but not our son. He's a fighter and he's strong, he reminds me of you like that." Arnav said and Khushi looked up with love and pride in her eyes. Khushi went very quiet and Arnav noticed this.
"What's wrong Jaan?" Arnav asked and Khushi looked up to him.
"What are we going to name him?" She asked.

Two weeks later, Khushi and Baby Raizada, who was still without a name were being discharged. Arnav had his car ready outside, car seat ready and he was impatiently waiting as Khushi was changing their baby into a baby blue and white striped baby grow. She smiled as she fit him into a now snug fitting baby grow, their baby was healthy, his weight and growth were progressing normally and by the graces of God there were no other problems to be concerned about. Arnav tapped his foot.
"Khushi, come on let's go, Di will be waiting at home with everyone else, they'll be worrying where we are." He said. Khushi ignored him and decided to speak to her son instead.
"Oh my baby, you look so handsome, aaj we're going home today my little ladoo, you'll see all you're family and you'll get to see your Di Aradhana aur hum sab bohut masti karoge." Khushi snuck a glance at Arnav who still looked unimpressed. "Lekin, abhi we need to go kyunki tumhari kadoos Pappa is getting mad." She said as she lifted their son into her arms. "Chalo, honestly Arnav you take too much time with these things." Khushi said as she walked past an irritated Arnav. Once they reached Shantivan Anjali was ready with her taal, Arnav and Khushi their home for the first time with their son. They all sat in the living room and Arnav took their son from Khushi's hands so that she could relax a little.
"Toh humare grand-nephew ke khatir naam to socha hi ki nahin?" Manorma mammi asked and Khushi scrunched her face.
"Nahin, whenever I look at his face I become confused, akkir kya naam doon is bache ko? Meri toh samaj mein nahin arri. Whatever names I liked before don't suit him." Khushi admitted. Arnav looked down at his son who was smiling with recognition at Arnav.

Arnav looked up to see everyone was deep in thoughts no doubt about what to name him. Payal was holding Aradhana.
"We had no problems naming this one, lekin humare ladoo ki liye mushkil kaam hain naam chuna." Payal admitted and Arnav scowled, Khushi had already kept his nickname, Ladoo, well Payal had decided it. Apparently the two sisters had some sort of agreement and so now everyone in the family called Arnav Singh Raizada's son Ladoo. Arnav cleared his throat and everyone looked up to him.
"Well considering I'm the Father and I haven't really cleared this with Khushi, but I think I have a name for him." Arnav said and Khushi turned to look at him.
"It better not be some long winded and old-fashion name, I refuse to have my son sound like an old man." Khushi said and Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Will you give me a chance, have a little faith Khushi." He said, he took a deep breath. "Well after he was born and we found out he was okay despite all the possible problems and complications that could have occurred, I started thinking. Our son's name needed to be something that captured his fighting spirit, the spirit with which he entered this world, just like Khushi's name captures her happy spirit I wanted something like that for our son." Arnav said, he looked at his son and then at Khushi. "So, I thought about Abhay, it means fearless and I like that, I think it suits him." Arnav said as he looked proudly at his fearless little fighter. Khushi mulled over this, Abhay, fearless...it did suit him and she actually liked it. She smiled.
"Abhay Singh Raizada. I like it." She said as she said it out-loud. Everyone smiled.
"Kya dhamaka wala naam raka." Manorma mami said. Akash smiled.
"Yes Bhai, nobody will dare mess with Abhay Singh Raizada. I'm sure he'll drive the same fear into people's hearts that you do. He will be a force to reckon with, without a doubt." Akash said proudly. Khushi intervened.
"Haan, haan, office mein sher lekin mere samne bilee." Khushi said as she began to laugh. Arnav turned to give her one of those chilling looks which used to render her immobile and then he smiled.
"Bilee my foot, kyun Abhay?" Arnav said as he asked his son who responded with a gurgle and Arnav laughed at that.
"This isn't fair, you can't use Abhay to gang up on me, he's my Ladoo, he'll always agree with his Mamma, kyun mere Ladoo?" Khushi said to Abhay as she puckered her lips and began to make extremely odd facial expressions at their child, Abhay smiled at Khushi who then stuck her tongue out at Arnav.

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Dark Paradise Chapter Fifty One

Arnav was waiting outside the operating theatre, Akash, Payal, Buaji, Garima and Shashi were with him. Payal's eyes were raw and red from crying, her Buaji and Amma were in a similar state. Akash sat next to Arnav, unsure of what to say at this time, what was the right thing to say? If he gave words of optimism he could be giving his Bhai false hope and if he was realistic...he didn't want to say anything. They all waited in silence. Mamiji walked towards them, Akash stood up and went to her.
"Akash bitua Anjali ko ek sweetsa betiwa hogaye, hum aph sab ko batane ki liye ayein teh, Khushi ka kya hua, sab tik hai na?" Manorma asked Akash in hushed tones so only Akash could here. Akash gave a small smile.
"That's great news Ma, lekin Bhabi..." Akash struggled to find words to explain to his mother what had happened to Khushi but he knew he had to. Once Akash had explained everything, the colour in Manorma's face paled and faded. She immediately looked at Arnav, Anjali had taken on the maternal role in Arnav's life after their mother had passed away but Manorma had always felt she and Arnav were very close. Few people respected Manorma and her eccentric ways, but Arnav always did and Manorma could not handle seeing Arnav in this state. Arnav's face was weary, pale, his gaze was focused but his mind seemed to be miles away, deep in thought, his jaw was clenched and his hands in fists. Manorma went over to Arnav, she placed a hand on his shoulder, he jerked his head around to see Mamiji, she smiled meekly at him but Arnav just looked away.
"Arnav bitua, kuch nahin hoga Khushi bitiya ko nahin kuch hoga tumhari bacha ko. Bhas, hosla rak." Manorma said, Arnav didn't respond. His thoughts were lost in Khushi, he recalled all those instances when he and Khushi had unknowingly been forced together, when she accidently reached his Lucknow fashion show, when she joined his office, when he saved her from the building, when she came to work at the Raizada house and then when they married...a marriage which started off as a way to reveal the truth about Shyam and as well as doing that it forced them to both realise a simple truth...Arnav and Khushi, despite the reluctancy, the hatred, the annoyance and the obstacles were meant to be together.

Nothing could tear them apart, not his arrogance, her naivety, not Shyam and this most certainly was not going to tear them apart. Arnav felt fear in his heart, it was true but more than that he felt the intense love he had for Khushi. Khushi who had awoken a side of Arnav he had buried deep inside of him long ago, she appeared in his life and changed it irrevocably. After giving him all the world's happiness she couldn't leave him, he wouldn't let her. Arnav and Khushi had woven so many dreams for the future, Khushi wanted to travel, see and do things she'd never been able to do, they both wanted to have more children, they decided three was a nice number, they were going to watch their children grow and they would do it together. Khushi couldn't leave him mid-way with half-fulfilled dreams.
"Bhai." Akash said and Arnav came back to his current reality, his wife was in the operating theatre, both his wife and his child's life hung in the balance and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. "Bhai, Di had a little girl, she's healthy and they're both safe. Payal and I are going to quickly go see Di and check she's okay, are you okay here?" Akash asked and Arnav nodded. "We'll be back as soon as we can...call me if there's any news." Akash said, Arnav nodded and returned back to the purgatory that was waiting. Arnav thought about how happy he'd been when he realised that he was going to be a Father...but if he'd have known Fatherhood could cost him Khushi's life then he could have lived without. There was no way Arnav could do this without her. There was a reason behind why Arnav never wanted to marry, he never wanted to have the pain of loving, love always bought pain, it didn't matter if anyone was at fault or like Arnav and Khushi you were victims of fate there was always pain in love's path. Arnav wanted an easy life, he had his business and success and that's all he needed. But when Khushi came along, love snuck up on him and he had no choice but to love her as he had the most intense feelings for her, her absence made him restless and her presence caused him joy. She had become an integral part of himself and his life. Arnav snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a cry, a faint wail from a baby. He looked up to the operating theatre, the light was still on but he could hear his baby's cry. He knew it was his and Khushi's baby. His heart picked up pace, if the baby was born that must mean that atleast a part of the operation was successful. The light was still lit above the operating theatre...why weren't they finished yet? Arnav couldn't help but wonder, if the baby was born what else could they be doing? What if...what if there was a complication? They said it was risky for the baby and Khushi....oh god....oh god. Arnav couldn't help but imagine the worst, his heart was beating at a manic rate and he couldn't control his fear. The light went off and Arnav practically jumped to his feet. The Doctor came out, she scanned the hallway and then saw Arnav who had already made his way to her.

"Doctor, kaisi hai Khushi? Aur humara Bacha sab tik hai? Khushi tik hai na? She's okay isn't she? And the baby, everything's okay with the baby?"  Arnav asked panicked. The Doctor raised he hands.
"Mr. Raizada please calm down, there was a lot of blood loss during the surgery but everything went smoothly. You're wife is very weak at the moment but she will improve. We have to move the baby to another wing where we care for premature babies, we'll have to observe the baby to ensure there are no immediate or long term problems but at the minute it looks quite positive. Your son is very strong Mr. Raizada, despite being one and a half months early he's a healthy 6 pounds and four ounces, he would have been quite a heavy baby had Mrs. Raizada carried him full term. But as I said after we've checked him over and if he is healthy you can take the baby and Mrs. Raizada when she is well enough, home." She said and Arnav froze...he had a son....Khushi and Arnav were parents...they had a son. He was overjoyed but he wanted to see them both.
"Doctor can I see them?" He asked and the Doctor smiled.
"We're just shifting Mrs. Raizada to the maternity wing and the baby, will unfortunately be separate to Mrs. Raizada so you'd have to see them separately." She said, Arnav nodded and decided to go see his son first as Khushi was still being shifted to the Maternity ward. The news spread amongst the Raizada's and the Gupta's and everyone was happy that Khushi was safe, Arnav and Khushi had had a boy and the baby was strong despite the early birth. Arnav reached the wing and entered the room, there were tiny, fragile and underdeveloped babies in incubators. Arnav walked through and silently prayed that each one of these babies survive. He reached his son's incubator, there was a sign that said, baby Arnav Singh Raizada. They had used the father's name as they had no time to ask Arnav and Khushi for a name, even if they had Arnav and Khushi hadn't decided on one. Compared to some of the other babies, Arnav's baby looked healthy, his body was long, there wasn't a lot of weight but once he came home, Arnav was sure Khushi would take care of feeding him to her chubby requirements. His son's eyes were shut and he slept soundly bundled up, his small chest rising and falling. It was amazing, he had Khushi's fine black hair, her long slender nose but he had Arnav's strong jaw, distinctive lips and to Arnav's amusement his frown. Arnav stared in wonderment, when his son began to stir, he opened his eyes and as Arnav looked into them he nearly had to do a double-take because he felt as though he was looking into Khushi's eyes. Their son had Khushi's light hazel eyes and the same depth in them, Arnav could see the curiosity and slight fear in his son's eyes as his son gazed at him for the first time. This feeling was something Arnav could not explain and it was something he could not put a price on. It was perfect.

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Dark Paradise Chapter Fifty

Anjali's Godh Barhai went smoothly and everyone was exhausted, Arnav was particularly irritated by the notion that men were not allowed to attend but he wasn't about to follow suit with Akash and NK who had previously entered such functions(Payal's Mehendi)  in sarees and then paid the price. Exhausted Arnav went up to his and Khushi's room to find her standing by the french doors near the poolside. Her expression was distant, her hands gently caressed her bump as she looked hazily at the stars. Arnav shut their bedroom door, but Khushi didn't register the noise. Arnav became a little concerned and so he walked up close to her and wrapped his arms around her, placing his hands on hers above the bump. She suddenly registered his presence and looked up at him, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Kya hua? Aaj raat, poolside ke paas?" Arnav asked and Khushi shook her head.
"Kuch nahin, baas Amma aur Bauji ki yaad arri thi, toh socha ki yahaan unke saat todhi bohut waqt guzaarongi." She said as she looked up at the stars. Khushi herself was due to become a mother soon and she couldn't help but miss her own, it was true that Garima has always done her best to be there for Khushi but it isn't the same as having your own mother at that time. Khushi had had so many fears and questions during her pregnancy, she didn't have her own mother to turn to, she had no mother-in-law in the Raizada house. She just had women who did undoubtedly care for her but unfortunately were not her own blood. Khushi had mainly relied on Di for her questions not to mention how much Arnav had been helping her. But still it was hard, Di was in the same situation and so she found comfort in talking to her but she didn't like making Di sad by talking about all this and so Khushi today decided to seek comfort in the stars.

Arnav looked at her face and he rested his head on her shoulder and breathed deeply. 

"They'd be proud of you Khushi, everything you've been through and how you've come out of it all. Think about it Jaan. First your parents die, did you become cold and distant like me? No you still loved your life, you remained hopeful, optimistic and strong. Then when we met and everything happened with Payal's wedding, your Babuji's business and...Shyam. I mean a lot of people wouldn't have handled everything like you did. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada." He said as he turned her around and tilted her chin up. "You are so strong, we're going to have a baby soon and I know that you will be just as wonderful at raising our baby as you have been with facing life. You probably wont even need me to help. I know you you'll get all, "Rehne dijiye Arnav yeh tumhare baas ki baat nahin hai."" He said as he attempted to imitate Khushi. Khushi hit him playfully but then smiled and titled her head so it lay on his chest. She wrapped her arms around him and sighed.
"Aap humare saath rahein toh sab kuch ucha hi hoga, maine bohut kuch khoya hai zindagi mein, lekin abh nahin." Khushi said and Arnav held her tighter, he knew how she was feeling. There were times when Arnav would look at his life, family and in particular his wife and think about how unfair it was that he couldn't share any of this with his parents. They weren't here to see the man he had become, see how he cared for Di always and supported this family and now how he was going to become a father. They weren't there and there was nobody who could take their place. But Khushi was right, now was not the time to focus on what they lost, they had both come from dark beginnings but now was the time when all would become better in their life. Arnav suddenly became tense as he felt Khushi grip painfully onto him.
"Khushi kya hua?" He asked as she began to groan and squeal.
"Arnav, dard... hora... hai."  Khushi said as best she could, she felt unbearable and searing pain.
"Dard? Kahan par?" Arnav asked.
"Peth mein." Khushi said, she couldn't handle this, she gripped her stomach and bit the sides of her cheek. Arnav looked confused.
"No, no, no. This can't be right, Khushi you're not due for another two months!" Arnav said.
"ARNAV!" Khushi screamed, Arnav now coming out of shock, grabbed Khushi and lifted her up, she could hardly move as a result of the pain. Ambulances always took too long and so he decided to drive her to the Hospital. As he made his way out he saw that Akash was helping Di to the door too. Arnav and Akash exchanged looks. The rest of the family were looking concerned and stood behind Akash. Akash decided to explain.
"Di's water broke." Akash said and Arnav nodded.
"Khushi's having pains...I don't think its normal." Arnav admitted. Khushi wasn't concentrating on words, she was cluctching Arnav's chest on the verge of weeping, whereas Anjali was very calm and was only now becoming worked up after seeing Khushi's state. Arnav looked around at the family who all looked ready to go to the Hospital also. 

"Look we can't all go in one car, Akash you take Di with Mamma, Mami and Nani. Payal you come with us and stay with Khushi while I drive." He said, Payal shook her head and followed Arnav as Arnav carried a pained Khushi to the car. 

They reached the Hospital, Di and Khushi were in separate rooms. Di was being prepped for Labour whereas Khushi was being monitored and tested. Arnav was next to her, Khushi wa writhing with pain, tears forming in her eyes.
"Arnav, bohut dard hora hai, yeh logh kuch karte kyun nahin." Khushi said, her tone was more of a plea of desperation. Arnav was finding it extremely difficult to watch her in this state. He caressed her face.
"Jaan they can't give you any painkillers kyunki bache par assar hosakta hai. They're doing some tests, everything will be alright." Arnav said as he tried to reassure Khushi but he himself didn't know what was going on. Khushi gripped her stomach when she felt something, she raised her hand and began to cry aloud.

"Arnav....ARNAV! KHOON!" She screamed at her hand, her hospital gown now had a large amount of blood staining it. Khushi was shaking with fear, Arnav was in shock.
"K-khoon, khoon....N-nurse....NURSE! DOCTOR!" Arnav shouted, multiple nurses and their doctor came running in. The Doctor took one look at Khushi and began to quietly explain to the Nurses to change Khushi's bedding and clothes and prep her for surgery. She took Arnav to one side.
"Doctor kya hua Khushi ko? Aur humara bacha, bacha toh tik hai na?" He asked and the Doctor looked sympathetically at Arnav.
"Mr. Raizada, apki wife ko as we call it "Placental abruption" ho gaya. This is when the placenta breaks away from the baby aur baby ko oxygen aur khana dono nahin milta. She's going to need to have a C-section right away as this is dangerous for both the baby and your wife." The doctor said and Arnav digested all of this. Here he was again, at the cusp of happiness with everything, his whole world being snatched from beneath his feet. This is exactly why Arnav never believed in God because any benevolent God would not cause this much pain to one person and especially would not endanger someone as devoted as Khushi again and again. 

"Mr. Raizada." The Doctor said as she bought Arnav back from his dark thoughts. "We have to operate immediately, we suspect the abruption is minor but its still dangerous, we need you to sign this consent form." She said as she handed the form to him, he signed it and as he gave it to the Doctor he paused. 

"Doctor, lekin Khushi aur humara bacha toh tik hogein na?" Arnav asked. The Doctor looked at him sympathetically, she took the papers and squeezed Arnav's shoulder. 

"We will do our best Mr. Raizada. But I cannot assure anything." She said.

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Dark Paradise Chapter Forty Nine

Sorry this is a short update, I still have exams going on. I finish on Thursday and so Thursday night I will post a long update. I appreciate everyone's patience and I hope you enjoy the update :) x


Arnav went up to his bedroom, reminding himself that Khushi has a right to be a little unreasonable, pregnancy is a stressful time and he should not hold it against her. After her tantrum earlier, Arnav had ended up looking after Pari with Di. Pari was picked up soon after her tantrum and then Khushi spent the day avoiding Arnav and giving him the silent treatment. He reached the bedroom where Khushi was ferociously muttering to herself, obviously she had not calmed down. Arnav took a deep breath and walked into the room, he gingerly approached the bed, Khushi shot him a look of shock as he took a seat next to her on the bed. Khushi shuffled away from him and Arnav exhaled.
"Come on Khushi. Really? Stop with this childishness." Arnav said and Khushi turned to look at him hurt.
"I'm childish? When you play your silly pranks and make your jokes that's not childish? I get upset and its childish? Of course it is! Why am I even asking you? Tum toh Arnav Singh Raizada ho, tum khabi galti nahin karte. Sorry Arnavji maaf kariye humein." Khushi said. Arnav exhaled deeply.
"Khushi I didn't mean it like that and you know it. We were all just joking around aur tum, its just a joke okay jaan?" He said as he put his arms around her hoping she would relent.
"Ah ha ha, nahin aaj nahin. Tum "jaan" "jaan" kehke mujhe maana nahin sakta." She said as she pushed his arms away. Arnav slipped his hand around her wrist and prevented her from moving.
"Choriye humara haat." Khushi said without looking at Arnav, she knew that it would just take one look, one look in his eyes and she wouldn't be able to hold her argument for much longer. He stroked her hand with his thumb.
"Kyun? I promised to have your hand in this life and in the next seven lifetimes, toh phir main kyun choroun tumhara haath?" Arnav said, smiling as he remembered Khushi had a special space reserved in her heart for such filmy dialogues.
"Arnav." Khushi breathed.
"Khushi." Arnav said with equal heaviness. Khushi attempted to wriggle out of his grasp and Arnav kept his grip on her, until he suddenly let go. Khushi became confused and turned around. Arnav looked at her and gave her a sideways smile.
"Its okay Khushi, jitna gussa karna hai karo, mujhe patta hai ki akhir tum mere paas hi chalongi." He said and Khushi smiled to herself.
"Itna confidence?" Khushi teased as she shuffled closer towards him, Arnav opened up his arms and Khushi nuzzled towards him.
"What can I say? I'm always right." He said smugly, Khushi slapped him lightly. "Ow. Khushi, what was that for?" Arnav asked, Khushi smiled.
"Itna confidence ucha nahin hotha, I was just trying to get rid of some the hot air in your head." She said, Arnav gave her an unimpressed look, before they could start fighting again Khushi placed a light kiss on Arnav's lips.
"Goodnight Arnav." She said as she turned over and went to sleep.

The next morning Khushi was up early, it was the day before Di's Godh Barhai and work needed to be done. Arnav had taken another day off after Nani had scolded him, explaining why it was necessary for him to be at home, considering Anjali didn't have a husband now, this time was going to be difficult for her and she'd need her family to support her and remind her to celebrate a joyous occasion such as this. Arnav groaned as he heard Khushi open and shut draws and cupboards as she got ready. He rolled over, pulling the pillow over his head.
"Khushi! I'm trying to sleep here!" He groaned aloud.
"Sorry, sorry, bohut kaam hai, main do minute mein tayaar hogi." She said as she went to the bathroom. She came out to find Arnav dragging himself out of bed.
"Arre, tum kyun utagye? I've finished getting ready, you can sleep peacefully now." She reassured him and he gave her a condescending look.
"Yeah right, I'll let you go downstairs and work yourself into a state, there is no way." Arnav said, Di was in her last month of pregnancy which meant Khushi wasn't too far away either and so doing work in a state like that, well it was stupid and Arnav wasn't going to let her take any risks.
"Tum bhi na, you worry too much." She said and Arnav grinned, he stood up and grabbed his clothes from the wardrobe. He walked up to Khushi and lightly brushed his hand against her stomach, he looked up to her with warm eyes and kissed her deeply.
"And you don't worry enough." He said as he pulled away. Arnav then proceeded to spend the whole day monitoring Khushi, ensuring she doesn't do too much work. If she went to go decorate something he'd take charge, if Khushi decided to help with the cooking he'd scold her, if she went to go check on anything he'd tell her to go sit down. Khushi was beginning to get annoyed with her husband's antics. She sat in the living room with Di in the end. Khushi had an expression of exasperation and Anjali smiled to herself.
"He doesn't mean to be so controlling." Anjali said to Khushi, who looked up confused.
"Ji?" She responded and Anjali smiled.
"Chotte's way of showing he cares is in a different style to normal people. You see, when I got ill Chotte used to irritate me so much. "Di woh maat karo, Di yeh maath karo" honestly I used to get so annoyed." Anjali said and Khushi nodded in agreement to those sentiments.
"Lekin dheere dheere, over time I realised, that was Chotte showing he cares. Chotte likes to control every situation and when something goes wrong he can't handle it. So with those he cares most about, he gets a little possessive. Lekin sirf isiliye kyunki woh humse bohut pyaar karte hain." Anjali said. Khushi sneakily looked at Arnav who was busy with flowers and lights, he and Akash both looked lost in the array of decoration chaos. She smiled at him, Khushi knew what Anjali was saying was true, he was her Bholuji after all. Arnav didn't know how to show his feelings and express worry and instead he just bossed people around, it was what he was best at. Khushi laughed a little. Arnav suddenly looked over at her and mouthed, "what?" to her, she smiled, shook her head and replied by mouthing, "I love you." Arnav looked around to make sure no one saw, he realised Akash had, he gave Akash a resentful look, Akash looked away, Arnav nodded to Khushi and began to work again.

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Dark Paradise Chapter Forty Eight

Khushi was sat on the floor in the living room with Pari, Nani, Di and Payal were sat on the sofas planning Di's godh barai. The family had decided to keep it small and intimate because of the whole Shyam issue but Di was happy with that, all she needed was her family. Arnav was sulking upstairs, after all the fuss Khushi created over her hardly seeing Arnav, she'd rather spend her time with a little toddler than her husband- well fine, he'd just work then. Lets see how long madam lasts with a toddler when her feet hurt, back hurts, head hurts and her sickness kicks in. Khushi was happily playing with Pari when something occurred to Anjali.
"Khushi." Anjali said and Khushi raised her head towards Anjali with a smile. "Hum sochre teh, ki maine toh meri bacha ki liye naam sochke rakha hai, apne yah Chotte ne kohi naam...?" Anjali asked and Khushi rolled her eyes and put her arms on her hips.
"Yeh loh, apko patta hai Di, apke Bhai duniya ki sabse ziddhi mard hai. Any name I suggest, "No Khushi that's too common, too boring, no Raizada would have a name like Happy, Lucky or Pinky." Maine galaat hi kya kaha hai? Mera naam Khushi hai, english mein Khushi ka kya matlam hai, Happy, na?" Khushi asked and Anjali nodded and Khushi nodded also. "See common sense ki baat hai, lekin nahin, usse lagta hai ki yeh saare naam bekaar aur stupid hai. Phir humne socha ki aggar ladka hua to kya naam rakenge. Aur Di joh naam maine kaha tah, tum sunke khush hojayengi aur woh gusse se laal." Khushi said as she indicated her head upwards to where Arnav was working. Anjali exchanged a look with Nani and Payal and they braced themselves.
"Dheko ab maine toh pehle Prem kaha, ucha naam hai, na?" Khushi asked and they all nodded. "Arnav asked why Prem and I told him, mera favourite hero Salman Khan, "Maine Pyar Kiya", "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun" aur "Hum Saath-Saath Hain" main uska naam Prem tah. Usne toh what the- what the- kehke na bhola. Phir humne Raj aur Rahul naam kehe aur usne kaha ki uggar main humare bache koh Shar Rukh Khan pe naam rakhenge toh phir woh humare bache koh boarding school ko pechenga." Khushi said as she sulked, the women attempted to hold their composure, Khushi was so pagal but loveable and Chotte just seemed to fuel her pagalpaan without meaning to.

Arnav eventually came down when he heard the eruption of laughter, he looked to see Khushi looking confused as Nani, Di and Payal laughed.
"Aap sab haas kyun re hoon? Mere naam uche nahin teh kya?" Khushi asked. Nani was the first to compose herself.
"Nahin Khushi betiyaan aisa nahin hai, bhaas mujhe patta hai ki zuroor Chotte tumhare bache koh kohi "A" wala naam rakhdonga, jaise ki "Anjali" aur "Arnav". Isiliye yeh "Happy" "Prem" "Rahul" "Pinky" chalega nahin." Nani said and Arnav realised Khushi had told the family about her bizarre choice of names. If she could get her head out of the clouds for one minute Arnav genuinely would be in wonderment. Khushi raised her eyebrows and nodded with realisation, she looked at Pari.
"Ucha Pari, toh yeh baat hai. Chalo sochte hai, kya Salman Khan ne kohi "A" naam se role kiya tah..." Khushi said as she began to stare into the distance with concentration. Arnav shook his head and took a seat on the floor with Khushi and Pari.
"Khushi." He said gently but she shushed him and shook her hands in his face, she wanted to concentrate. Anjali smiled.
"Chote Bhabi naam sochrahi hoon, humare aanewale mehmaan ki liye." Anjali said and Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Isme kaun se badi baat hai, hum kohi naam nahin rakhenge jise hum dono ko pasaand nahin. Sochne dijiye, lekin decision humara hoga." Arnav said with confidence.
"MIL GAYA!" Khushi shouted aloud, she frightened Pari who started to cry. "Sorry Pari, sorry." Khushi said and she lifted her up to sit on her laps and she gently swayed her until she felt safe again. Arnav watched in awe, Khushi was a natural with kids, Pari clinged to Khushi as though Khushi were her mother. A smile played on his lips as he looked onto a sight which he hoped soon enough would become reality, but instead of Khushi cradling Aman's daughter it would be their daughter.
"So." Arnav said looking at Khushi and she looked bemused for a minute and then remembered.
"Arre ha! Woh, "Saajan" film thi na usme Salman ne ek khirdar kiya uska naam tah Akash...A-akash....oh." Khushi said as she realised there was already an Akash Raizada. Arnav grinned and took Pari from her arms as she looked ready to explode.

"Ha, toh kya hua, hum aur naam sochte hain." She said, Arnav at first was awkward with the child, he tried to sit her on his lap but she fidgeted and climbed up, she stood balancing her legs on his and grabbed his face for support. Arnav had his arms precariously around her in case she lost her balance, she just smiled at him and squeezed his cheeks. Normally Arnav would have found such an act irritating but today he found it endearing. The sheer joy in that child's eyes, it made him ignore the fact that it hurt a little when she pinched her cheeks and whatever annoyance he could have had melted away. Khushi clapped her hands.
"Ab milgaya!" Khushi said as she wiggled her eyebrows. Arnav looked up with doubtful eyes. "Okay, iss film mein Salman ne chota sa role kiya ta lekin uchi film thi, "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" khi "Aman"!" Khushi exclaimed and Arnav looked at her blankly.
"Khushi there is no way I'm naming our child after an employee." He said.
"Toh, I'm not saying we name the baby after that Aman, I'm saying we name the baby after Salmanji." She said but Arnav shook his head.
"No Khushi and that's final. Besides what if we have a girl?" He said and Khushi groaned.
"Dekho Di! Isilye hum kohi naam chun nahi sakte." Khushi said as she pointed at Arnav with an angry expression. Pari saw this and stuck her tongue out at Khushi, she liked Arnav he let her clamber all over and she didn't like the way Khushi was talking to him. Arnav begin to laugh as Khushi gawped.
"Pari! Apne itne jaldi party badal bhi gaye. Tik hai, hum tum dono se baat nahin karti." Khushi got up slowly and then waddled upstairs angrily, she could hear Arnav's laugh even in their bedroom.

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Dark Paradise Chapter Forty Seven

"Khushi." Arnav said impatiently as he tied up his Nike running shoes. He was ready to do his morning run, but after a talk with the Doctor he found out that restricting Khushi to bed-rest was not good for her, she needed to still exercise to maintain a stable healthy environment for their baby to grow. So he'd persuaded Khushi to go for a walk/slow jog with him. She was reluctant but after everyone had said for her to go she caved. Khushi didn't want to go for a walk, if she wanted to walk she could, from the bedroom to the kitchen to make Jalebis. There, that was her idea of walking. Her feet hurt and she was tired because the baby had been kicking all night but Arnav refused to listen to any of it. It was his day to devote to Khushi and their unborn child and so he'd get her to do all the stuff she was too lazy and grouchy to do.
"Khushi I mean it, I will drag you out if you don't hurry up. We're only going to go to the park down the road. You can sit down when we get there, there are plenty of benches." He said.
"Aapka matlam kya hai? Main unfit hoon?" She snapped at him. That was not what he said but Khushi had a habit nowadays of twisting his words.
"No. I just meant that if its tiredness that you're worried about there is a solution to it. Now abh chalo." He said as he walked over to her and gently raised her off the bed. Khushi groaned as she began to force her feet out of her room.

Once there Khushi immediately made a B-line for the first bench in sight. Arnav shook his head as he saw her sprawl herself out on this bench. He walked over to her.
"Khushi I'm gonna run a few laps around the park, if you want you can stay here or you could walk behind while I run." He said and Khushi gave him a look as if he were the slowest person on earth.
"Main yahin par tik hoon, tum jao bhago dhor karo. Jao, jao, jao!" She said at him getting irritated by his grin. He put his Ipod headphones in and began his run. Khushi shook her head.
"Yeh Laad Governor bhi na, pehle voh healthy khaana mujhe khilata hai, phir aur torture karne ki liye mujhe yahaan leke atta hai aur phir khud apne fitness jataane ki liye bhagta hai jab ki main yahaan mari pai hoon. Hai Devi Maiyaa raksha karna humari!" Khushi said, she looked and saw people were looking at her. Khushi sometimes forgot it wasn't normal to talk to yourself out-loud. She smiled at the people and then looked away ashamedly. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the peace of being outside when she felt someone tug on her dupatta. She opened her eyes to see a little girl, no older than three looking up at her with a big smile. Khushi smiled at the little girl who had the cutest brown button eyes and little dimples on her cheek.
"Hello Beta, apki Maa kahan hai?" Khushi asked suddenly feeling anxious that this little angel was lost. That's when two hands descended and swooped the child into her arms. Khushi looked up to see a woman who she assumed was the child's mother as the child hugged her and buried her head into her neck.
"Sorry, yeh meri beti hai, itne shetaani hai khi poocho maat. I'm sorry agar isne tumhe paareshaan kiya." The woman said apologetically. Khushi shook her head.
"Nahin toh, tumhari bachi bohut pyari hai. Kya naam hai iska?" Khushi asked.
"Ji Pari, aur main hoon Priya. Namaste." The woman said with a smile. Khushi smiled.
"Namaste, bohut pyaara naam hai, I'm Khushi, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada." She said and the woman's smile suddenly turned to a look shock.
"Aap Arnav Singh Raizada ki patni hoon?" She asked.
"Ji." Khushi responded.
"Arre what a small world. Mere pathi apki pathi ki liye kaam karta hai." She said with a big smile.
"Acha, kya naam hai unka shahid main usse jaanti hoon." Khushi said out of intrigue.
"Ji unka naam Aman hai, he's kind of Mr. Raizada's go to guy." She said.
Khushi gawped out of shock, Aman had a wife, she didn't know that and he had a daughter. Arnav never mentioned anything.

"Ji main usse jaanti hoon. Aman is like Arnav's office wife." Khushi said with a big grin when suddenly Arnav appeared. He looked tired now, he had little beads of sweat dripping off his forehead. His breathing was irregular, he looked at Khushi and then to the woman with the baby with confusion.
"Khushi..." He began.
"Arnav yeh Priya hai, Aman ki patni aur unki beti Pari." Khushi said quickly, Khushi could tell he had no idea who these people were.
"Oh yeah of course. Hi, I'm Arnav Singh Raizada." He said as gave the woman a courteous nod. She smiled back.
"I know Sir, yaad hai, tumne hamari Shaadi par ayein teh, char saal pehle?" Priya asked, Arnav smiled and nodded awkwardly, he had a vague recollection of Aman's wedding but he hadn't paid much attention and only gone briefly.
"Anyway, I should go, I have a hundred and one things to do today aur no one can look after Pari today so I have to try and juggle everything with her too. It was really nice seeing you both." She said when Khushi suddenly grinned.
"If you have a lot of work you can leave her with Arnav and I." Khushi offered, both Priya and Arnav looked shocked. Priya because she couldn't understand why anyone would willingly spend the day with a toddler and Arnav was shocked because he didn't want to spend his day at home with a toddler. "Arre, isme sharmaane ki kohi baat nahin. Aman is like family aur Pari bhi bhout pyari hai. Besides we're due one soon enough, practice toh karna parega. I promise she will be in good hands." Khushi said. Priya was sceptical, but it would be a great help and Aman was extremely close with Mr. Raizada. She agreed eventually. As Priya handed over Pari's baby-bag and explained all necessary instructions and the two discussed what time Pari would go home Arnav began to feel a migraine coming on....

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Dark Paradise Chapter Forty Six

Arnav groaned when he got out of the shower to see all the pictures still up on the walls, okay she'd had her fun but it was time to take them down now. He looked at Khushi happily writing in her baby book, she'd decided to keep a log for their baby to read when it was older, Arnav didn't really see the point in it. Why would their child want to know what Khushi thought when she was pregnant? She didn't make sense 99.99999% of the time, now that had gone into overdrive, poor kid would be confused if it attempted to understand the workings of Khushi's mind.
"Khushi ab bhas karo na, kafi raath ho chuki hai. Aur ha kal yeh sab photos ko vapaas meri cupboard mein honichaiyhe. Understand?" He said giving her a stealthy look. Khushi rolled her eyes.
"Humari cupboard, har cheez ab sirf tumhara nahi hai. What's mine is yours bholuji!" Khushi said with a big grin and Arnav clenched his jaw and got into bed.
"Khushi I'm serious, I don't like all this. Just get rid of it okay, I don't want to be angry with you." He warned, Khushi folded her arms over her bump.
"Nahi! Tumhe vaaje bhi nahi patta aur humhe hookum derre hoon ki saab photos ko nikalo. Nahi." She said and Arnav inhaled deeply, closed his eyes and exhaled.
"Okay, why did you put up the photos?" He asked, giving into her pagaalpaan. Khushi smiled, she wrapped her arms around one of his and rested her head on his chest.
"Aapko pata hai na ki jab ek aurat pregnant hothi hai toh jisse voh zyaada dekhe uske bucha uske roop mein attha hai?" Khushi asked and Arnav recalled hearing this silly wives tale before.
"Hmmm." He agreed, Khushi smiled, she could feel the vibrations of his confirmation through his chest.
"Well aap toh hamesha kaam mein busy hoon, aur hum yahaan kamare mein rehti hoon, toh maine socha ki tumhari tazveer lagao aur phir mera chotha sa pyaara sa Munna apne gussawala, akkarwala, lekin pyara sa Pappa pe jayega. Tik kiya na?" Khushi asked, she waited for some kind of response, a groan, a moan, an insult...anything really but all she had was silence. She looked up at Arnav whose expression was blank.
"Kya hua?" She asked.

"Nothing. You can keep the photos up, that way my princess wont turn out completely crazy like her Mamma. Goodnight Khushi." He said as he kissed her forehead and turned over to go to sleep. Khushi sat there mouth gaping, Khsuhi and pagal- how rude? She strangled the air whilst making strange faces at his back. Then stopped, as she realised it was this behaviour Arnav was talking about. Khushi scanned her eyes across the room, he hadn't seen her do it, she slowly slid down into bed and after wrapping herself around Arnav she drifted into sleep. When Khushi woke up the next morning she observed the pictures were still up and smiled. She patted her belly, "Akkir Pappa maangaya." She said happily and then got ready to go downstairs. Khushi had recently had to get looser fitting Anarkalis and she felt like she looked like a circus tent half the time but it was okay because Di was always there to give her confidence and support. Khushi slowly made her way down the stairs, she'd been warned so many times by Arnav about her clumsiness and how she'd better take care of herself properly because he didn't have time to watch her 24/7 blah blah blah. She shook her head as she made it to the bottom of the stairs, she had been self sufficient for nearly 23 years before she met Arnav Singh Raizada and she could continue to be so now also. She was walking to the kitchen table when a sight shocked her to the core making her gasp aloud. Everyone stopped eating their breakfast and turned to look at a pale Khushi.
"Kya hua?" Arnav asked looking at her, his face screaming the "what the" that was missing from his lips.
"A-ap aur ghar pe? Aap tik hoon na? Kohi bimaree toh nahi?" She asked and Arnav rolled his eyes.
"Ha ha very funny Khushi." He said shaking his head, turning his attention back to his toast.
"Nahi, main mazaak nahi kari, Devi Maiyaa kasam, aap tik hoon na?" Khushi asked in full seriousness, this earned Khushi a stifled laugh from Mamiji.

"Khushi I'm fine okay. Zyadaa nataak maat karo. You said last night that you hardly see me now, so I'm working from home today. I'm the boss and I can do it. Besides I have no meetings today its mainly just paperwork that I need to catch up on. Its not a big deal so lets not make one out of it. Got it?" He said and Khushi hid a smile. He would remain as naive as ever, did he really think she didn't see the love behind the gesture? He thought he was such an enigma to Khushi, unreadable and unpredictable. When in actuality Arnav was as readable to Khushi as a book in fact Arnav was Khushi's favourite book to read. She sat down beside him and she mulled over what to eat. Arnav looked at her and shook his head as he began to plate up Khushi's breakfast for her. She gave him a look of confusion, echoing his infamous "what the" look.
"What?" Arnav asked quietly, so that only Khushi could hear. She shifted her gaze to the plate and then back to him. Arnav rolled his eyes. "Khushi tum itna waqt lagari thi, humara bucha bhooka betha hai. Besides you'd only eat rubbish anyway. If I'm here I'll make sure you eat right and look after yourself." He said and Khushi groaned as he plated her up with toast, fruit and some juice to wash it down with. Whereas Akash Jiju, Payal, Mama and Mami were all having aloo ki parathe. Khushi's mouth watered at the sight of it. Arnav caught her look.
"No Khushi, I'm not letting you put that crap in you. Chup chaap kao." He said, Khushi frowned at him and began to eat, if you can call it that. Only God knows what he had planned for the next twenty four hours to torture Khushi with!


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Dark Paradise Chapter Forty Five

Khushi was sat downstairs with Anjali going through photos that Anjali was putting into an album, she had so much free time recently and Anjali had always meant to put these photos into an album but she always got distracted. Khushi was smiling as she began to get an insight into the Raizada parivaar pre-Khushi. There were many of Mamiji posing and a few Anjali had snapped on the sly of Mamiji when she is most herself, when she is eating. Khushi laughed as she looked at all the goofy pictures of Akash, she turned to Payal.
"Jiji its a good thing you met Jiju now and not ten years ago, sach mein, he grew into his looks didn't he?" Khushi asked whilst laughing at Akash who was gangly, had braces and big black spectacles. Payal gave Khushi a reproachful look, Khushi attempted to sober her mood but it was too funny, she'd have to talk to Akash about this photo. Khushi handed the photo to Anjali who placed it in the album.
"Hah hum sab tumhari taara lucky nahi hosakte, I mean not all of us get such a dashing man like my brother." Anjali said as she joked and Khushi turned confused. Anjali smiled and passed Khushi a stack of photos of Arnav. Khushi smiled broadly as she saw one of him with Akash posing in a very James Bond manner, both brothers attempting to look suave, another of Arnav looking angry his hand out in front ready to probably grab the camera, another of Arnav casually reading, his graduation photo stuck out to Khushi. Instead of smiling like most people would Arnav had an air of arrogance to him, his chin stuck up and his eyes pierced through the photo as if to send a warning to anyone that saw it, "I am ASR." it screamed to Khushi, she didn't like it and pushed it back. Then she came across one that confused her.
"Di, yeh...yeh meri photo kaha se agaaye?" Khushi asked as she looked and recalled the one photoshoot she'd done for AR. Arnav never used the photos so why were they in a stack of photos of him?
"Dikhao mujhe." Anjali said, Khushi passed it over and Anjali grinned at it. "Oh toh yeh thi raaz." Anjali said and Khushi still looked perplexed. "Arnav a few months back demanded he wanted to keep all his photos himself, he was acting very odd that day, I was sure he was hiding something but I couldn't figure out what. Today when I went to get his photos from his cupboard this was under all them. Chup chup ke dekhta apni biwi ki photos." Anjali said as she giggled at how secretive and elaborate her brother is. Most people kept a photo of their significant other on a bedside table, in a wallet or on their office desk. Arnav hid his wife's photo under a pile of other photos to maintain his image. Khushi scrunched her nose as Di passed the photo back to her, of course, her Bholuji could never show the love he felt in his heart for everyone to see. That would be too much, na? Khushi shook her head and decided she would talk to him about this tonight, she'd made him promise he'd come home early today.

Arnav had just gotten in and made it to his room when he set his eyes on a strange sight.
"What the-?" He said aloud as he looked around at numerous photos now dotted around the room, he'd adjusted to the photo of the two of them at the haldi being in their room but now on all the walls there were photos. There was a photo of Arnav and Akash posing in Bond style Arnav recalled they'd done that after they'd watched the latest Bond film at the time, another of him when he was trying to shove the camera out of his face, one of him reading, it creeped him out. He knew what he looked like and he didn't need a reminder, that's what mirrors are for.
"KHUSHI!" He shouted and Khushi came slowly waddling out of the bathroom, she had just changed into her pyjamas. Usually he'd smile at Khushi's penguin-esque gait but today he was not amused.
"Kya hua?" She asked.
"Yeh saab kya hai?" He asked pointing his photos to the walls.
"Oh yeh, kuch nahi. Di and I were going through some photos today, we put most of them in an album but we put up a few. You should be grateful I didn't put any bad ones up, I convinced Jiji to put this one of Akash in their room-" Khushi didn't get a chance to finish her story.
"Wait these photos, where did you get them from?" He asked as realisation flashed on his face, Khushi bit her lip to stop herself from smiling.
"Di got them from our cupboard, why?" She asked and Arnav's eyes widened as he went to the cupboard, he opened it to find the photos gone. He turned to see Khushi twirling her hair and smiling at him.
"Mujhe nahi patta tah ki tum mujhe chup chup ke dekha karte teh. Honestly Arnav that's kind of creepy." She said mockingly and Arnav groaned and rolled his eyes as he saw Khushi had the AR photos in her hand.
"Khushi aisa kuch nahi hai, you are too filmy for life. I kept those photos for business purposes, if we ever needed to use them at least they were safe. Stop making me seem like a creep, just because you like to think I pine for you 24/7 doesn't mean I do. I'm not this filmy hero like your Salman Khan. Got it?" He said and he went to go grab the photos but Khushi pulled them away. "Khushi I am not in the mood for this, give them back to me." He said and Khushi smiled as she pulled them away further.
"If its all for the business then you wont have any issue with me giving them to Aman to store away." She said and Arnav groaned. "Unless, you kept these photos because...oh I don't know, you think I'm beautfiul, when you look at these photos you remember how you felt then." Khushi said and she leaned in towards Arnav, although Khushi now had a bump Arnav was used to holding her with this addition. She smiled and looped her arms around his neck. "You remember how you stopped in the midst of your anger because you were so swept away by me. You remember how your heart was beating so fast and you couldn't understand why. You remember how you left quickly because you didn't like the confusion but then you felt restless afterwards." Khushi said and Arnav was in awe, how did she know all this?
"Yeah...right, dream on Gupta." He said and he was about to pull away when Khushi gently kissed him, he responded and as the kiss began to deepen and feelings awaken Khushi pulled away.
"I'm not dreaming, I know because no one kisses like that unless they feel deeply and lets face it, aggar meri life picture hothi toh tum uska hero hote. Tik hai?" Khushi said and Arnav exhaled deeply.
"Yeah whatever." He said and turned away. Khushi smiled, he could deny it as much as he wanted but at the heart Arnav Singh Raizada was a romantic.


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Dark Paradise Chapter Forty Four

Khushi sat around downstairs waiting for Arnav, recently he'd been working so hard that she never saw him, he always came home late, told her to go to sleep and she had been doing so to avoid him getting worried about her health. But enough was enough, she missed spending time with him and seeing him, he should give some time to his wife! She sat at the dinner table, it was reaching eleven 'o' clock in the evening and Khushi's eyes felt heavy, her body was becoming slack and the drowsiness was taking over.
"Ouch!" Khushi said as her hands automatically went to her bump, the baby had kicked her extremely hard. "Lagta hai ek hor laad governer aane-wala hai, don't worry baby I'm going to spend time with pappa no matter what. Tumhe mujhe marne ki zuroorat nahi, I'll stay awake." She said to her bump, she grabbed some water from her glass and splashed it on her face to keep her awake. Everyone had told her again and again to go to bed, it wasn't good for the baby etc etc. But Khushi was adamant, the past few days Arnav came in when she was asleep and left before she woke up and this was not how Khushi wanted it to be. Arnav came in and began to undo his tie, he was exhausted, everyone he seemed to be working with was incompetent and lazy. Everyone always was in awe over how he rose to the top at such a young age when really it was very simple he worked hard and wasn't an idiot, that's all there was to it in his opinion. He walked towards the dining room to go warm up his food when he was startled by the sight of Khushi. Khushi who was impatiently tapping her spoon on her plate and staring off into the distance. Arnav smiled as he realised she was waiting for him but then grew angry as he realised she must have stayed angry this whole time. He cleared his throat which drew Khushi's attention towards him. She smiled and then frowned.
"Is this a time to be coming home?" She asked him angrily and Arnav looked at her with shock.
"Excuse me?" He asked and Khushi gave him a disgruntled look.
"I have been waiting for hours to spend a little time with you, aur tum, gyaara vaaje aaye. Okay work is work but what's the point in work if you can't even live?" She asked and Arnav rolled his eyes.
"I think I'm the one who should be lecturing you here. I didn't ask you to stay up this late and by doing so you've not only made yourself cranky but also deprived our baby in the process." He said, Khushi realised he had her there and smiled at him.
"Chorro na, mein khaana laga deti hoon." She said sweetly as she went to heat up the dinner.

Arnav smiled to himself, she had a habit of changing the subject when she was losing a fight, completely dismissing it, he pulled the chair out and sat down. Khushi came in with the food and they both sat down and began to eat. At first neither spoke because they were both too busy trying to satiate their hunger. After a while Arnav broke the silence.
"So what did I miss today?" He asked and Khushi smiled as she finished off her food, she wiped her hands and face and then began.
"Well we started to plan Di's godh barhaai today, it got me thinking about mine, it'll come up soon wont it so obviously I started thinking about it. Then I thought about you at work and how you miss out on everything." She said bitterly and Arnav gave her a reproachful look. "Anyway then I thought that what will happen when I go into labour." She said and Arnav looked confused.
"You have the baby, what else do you expect to happen?" He asked wandering why she was saying such stupid things.
"No I mean, you will be at work. What happens if you get stuck in traffic or you don't get my calls, I can't have this baby alone. I wont have this baby alone. If I have to go through all that pain you have to be there too." She said and Arnav looked at her with slight worry. She had a point, traffic in Delhi was always nightmare-ish and there was no way he could justify taking all this time off.
"Khushi don't worry I'll be there." Arnav said with conviction but Khushi was not convinced.
"Arnav! You are not God that if you say something it will happen. What happens if you're not there and you miss it? Or what if...what if something goes wrong?" Khushi asked, fear clear in her voice. Arnav looked at her, her lips trembling and her face pale. He quickly wiped his hands and face and walked over to Khushi, he knelt down beside her and clasped her hand into his own, with the other hand he guided her face gently to look at his.
"Khushi, there is no way anything bad is going to happen to you or our baby and as for me missing it. There isn't a force in heaven or hell that could stop me from being there." He said with such honesty that even Khushi couldn't challenge him. He smiled at her and tilted his head.
"Chale? I'm really tired Khushi." He said, Khushi noted the dark circles and the weariness on his face, she was sure her worries weren't helping him right now. She nodded, he helped her get up, giving her both his hands and then wrapping one hand around her waist just so his hand touched the growing bump and the other hand held one of hers. Arnav smiled.
"What?" Khushi asked as they made their way upstairs.
"If you carry on like this you can forget me ever lifting or catching you again." He said as he began to laugh, Khushi hit him playfully, he was being mean but he had laughed and as much as she hated it she loved his laugh and would even let herself be made ridicule just to hear it.

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Dark Paradise Chapter Forty Three

Khushi's bump was unmissable now, she was five months pregnant and Anjali was seven and a half months, two pregnant, hoarmonal women in the house- Arnav was beginning to wish he could live in the office. It was the only place he didn't have to deal with the constant whining Khushi did. He knew it was hard being pregnant and whatever but Di never complained. Yeah okay, one or two times she got annoyed when the baby was moving around a lot but that was nothing compared to Khushi. As soon as he got home she'd list off every time she felt sick, or was sick, then every time she got a craving, every time she felt dizzy, every time she had a head ache, every time she got a fever, every time her feet hurt and the worst everyday she'd ask the same question, "Arnav, do I look fat?" Was there even a right answer to that question at this time? Of course she'd gained weight, she had a child growing inside her, she wasn't exactly going to look like a stick now was she? If he said yes she'd practically kill him (he never said it) but every time he said no she accused him of being a liar. He really couldn't win! He took a deep breath as he entered their room readying himself for Madam's list of complaints for today. He put his briefcase down and sat on the green lounger as he shrugged his jacket off and loosened his tie. He'd worked late today and had dinner at the office, missing dinner with the family, Khushi wasn't saying anything so he assumed she was upset about that.
"Kya hua? No long list of complaints today or are we just angry with me?" He asked and Khushi shushed him from behind, Arnav turned to look at her. She was on the bed, her hands on her stomach, her eyes confused but focused and a small smile played on her lips. Arnav got up and looked at her.
"Khushi yeh kya-" He asked as he stood over her, she shushed him and then grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. Arnav was confused but let her do so, he waited and then felt it. He wasn't sure at first so he waited again and then it happened again. A forceful thud against Khushi's belly, he could feel the impact strongly, this kid had some zhor. His eyes widened and his lips broadened into a smile.
"Is that-" He began to ask and Khushi nodded excitedly. This was the first time the baby had ever kicked and here Arnav was experiencing it first hand with Khushi. He smiled and looked at her, she smiled back lovingly.
"By the way this baby's kicking I think we'll have a footballer not a princess." She said and Arnav shook his head and leant in gently kissing Khushi on the lips.

Arnav had showered and decided to join Khushi on the bed, he sprawled out and let out a sigh, he was exhausted. He'd been working intensively lately, it had dawned on him that he not only had his extended family to worry about but his own small one with Khushi which would expand soon. He needed to work hard to ensure their child would have a bright and happy life and he would give their child everything he never had. Khushi leant over and gently stroked his hair in her hands, Arnav closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Khushi smiled at her bholuji, he spent all day wearing his scary ASR mask, so when he got home he was always so tired, so vulnerable and just himself around her.
"Kya hua, aaj kuch zyaada se barkaar tukhe huye lagre hai." She speculated and Arnav stretched a little to loosen the strained muscles in his body.
"No Khushi, I'm fine, just work. Work's always like this and I don't like talking about work with you when I'm at home." He complained and she smiled to herself, she always complained to him about his work, he was just avoiding the topic because he knew it could lead to an argument. Khushi was about to drop the subject when Arnav's eyes suddenly flew open.
"Oh wait, I nearly forgot." He said, more to himself as he got up and took his hand out to Khushi who looked at him cautiously. "What don't you trust me?" He asked as he raised one eyebrow suggestively towards her. She bit her lip and gave her his hand. He took her hand in his own and grinned as he led her out into the hall.
"Arnav hum kaha jaare? Saab soye hue ya, kohi uttjayega Arnav." Khushi said and he rolled his eyes, it was his house he could do what he wanted. He took her to the room next to their's, it was a guest room, Khushi had hardly taken note of it. "Kya tumhe hum yeh dikhana chaate hai? If you think we're sleeping here tonight you've got another thing coming, I like our room, I don't want to move in here...are you trying to move me in here so you can sleep alone because that is a new level of selfish!" Khushi was like a motor-mouth, once you got her started you couldn't stop her.
"Khushi, shut up! Aur, close your eyes." He said, slightly angry now, she had to always dampen the mood. She groaned and closed her eyes. He covered his hand over her eyes to make sure and he guided her in. He lifted his hand off her eyes and whispered, "Open."

Khushi opened her eyes and was in shock. This was not a plain little guest room, it was...a nursery. The walls were a daffodil yellow, with cute little brown bears painted on the walls. There was a white crib against one wall, a changing table and hundreds of toys and teddies. Khushi smiled at the sight and then on the opposite wall she saw a picture of Arnav and Khushi, they'd had it taken after she and Arnav had come back from her pakh-phere rasam, Khushi in her red saree and Arnav in his suit. She'd never seen the picture, she remembered Anjali telling them to smile, they'd been sat on the sofa casually having a conversation when on the spur of the moment Anjali clicked the photo. Khushi looked at how happy she looked and then noticed something she'd never noticed before, Arnav had been looking at her, not in an angry or confused way but the way he looked at her now, with love. There was unashamed love as he plainly looked at Khushi. She smiled and turned to try and comprehend something to say to him when she noticed the stars mobile above the crib. That's it he'd done it, he knew she was hormonal, this pushed her over the edge and she began to cry, happy tears but tears nonetheless. Arnav slid his arms around her and smiled at his overly emotional wife.
"I didn't do all this for you so stop crying." He said and she pouted. "Well a little for you but I did it mostly for our baby. I want our baby to have a happy and fun life. I don't want it to be burdened by any sadness, anger or responsibility. If anything our baby should be just like you Jaan." He said and Khushi looked at him confused and he smiled. "Aakir aap hi toh humhe sikaaya tah khi kaisa haasna, don't take life to seriously, tumne mujhe pyar karna bhi sikaaya. Why wouldn't I want our baby to turn out like you? You're perfect to me Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada, todhi pagal ho, but perfect for me." He said and she smiled and nuzzled into his embrace. She didn't have to say anything because he knew she felt what he felt also.

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Agneepath - An ASR story Chapter One

Arnav Malik was dead. From the ashes of Arnav Malik rose Arnav Singh Raizada. It was a difficult task to rise up as he did but he did it. Why? This question was often posed to him. Why would a fifteen year old fight tooth and nail to rise up amongst the ranks of criminals as he did? Why didn't he just go with his Mamma and Nani and live a peaceful and easy life? It was a simple answer and could be summarised in one word. Revenge. In Arnav there was a fire that could not be quenched until he had one man's blood smeared on his hands. His Chacha's, Kanchan Malik. Ten years ago Arnav had to flee Lucknow, Arnav his sister and what little family he had left. His Chacha was a greedy man, Arnav's father had been an honest and kind man. He had always shared everything with his brother, but once his daughter was to be married Ashwin Malik (Arnav's father) decided it was time to share out his wealth equally between his two children. Arnav's Chacha could not handle this insult and so on Anjali's wedding day he killed Arnav and Anjali's mother with a fatal gunshot wound, he placed the gun in Ashwin's hand and all believed Ashwin had done this. Arnav had seen it all and tried to speak against it but his Chacha was cunning and a good actor. He claimed that Ashwin had been unfaithful and she had found out and so this had happened. Ashwin could not bare the accusations being thrown at him but they continued. Anjali's baraat left and Ashwin was defamed before all, he had fallen and his wife was dead. Ashwin was broken and on top of all this his brother Kanchan was instigating those few remaining people against Ashwin. They banded together and decided to teach Ashwin a lesson, Arnav had been consoling Anjali and telling his Nani and Mama what had really happened when he heard his father's cries. He ran out of the room and looked down to see how they were beating his father senseless, a pool of blood gathered around Ashwin's head. Arnav was in shock at first but he began to run towards his father. By the time he reached the ground floor of the Mahal, they had begun to drag Ashwin outside. Arnav ran after them crying out, "Babba!" He shouted, his voice straining and failing to reach them. Arnav reached where they were and witnessed his own Chacha hang his father. Arnav cried out, his father had taught him three things in life, one: Always live your life with honesty and integrity, never bow down or go on your knees for anyone, live a life that should mean you shouldn't have to. Two: Be strong in life, never let your dear ones see you cry, instead you should wipe their tears. Three: Rage is a senseless and poisonous emotion, never let it cover your senses and never hang onto it. That night Arnav abandoned all three of his father's teachings. He went on his knees and begged for them to let his father go, he cried as he watched his father struggle against the rope as it cut off his breathing and he vowed to never let go of the anger he felt as he watched his father die and then had to watch as his uncle seized all the wealth and property kicking Anjali and Arnav out onto the streets. This was how Arnav Malik died and how Arnav Singh Raizada was born.


Ten years ago he left Lucknow but vowed in his heart he would return, he would re-claim Sheesh Mahal, clear his father's name and kill Kanchan. His Nani didn't have a lot of money when they came to Mumbai and so they lived in a chawal. It was dirty and small and not at all what Arnav was used to. This only enraged him more. He hated it, the only thing he had that lifted his spirits was Anjali, but when Kanchan kicked them out he had beaten them quite badly, Anjali was sick and needed to go to a Hospital. They couldn't afford it and Arnav knew it was up to him to sort this out. That's when he met Shyam Manohar Jha, Mumbai's drug-lord, not only that but he also dealt in trafficking girls also (you're general scum-bag). Arnav had seen his Chacha in Mumbai one day and followed him, it turned out Kanchan needed the wealth and property to fund his drugs business, however Shyam was not interested. It was from that moment Arnav decided he'd have to shake hands with Shyam and join his business if he was ever going to get even with Kanchan. So it was Shyam who helped create Arnav Singh Raizada, he used him as a go to man to clean up murders and commit them also. Soon Arnav was his top hit-man. When Nani realised what Arnav was doing she left taking Anjali with her. She wanted to go somewhere more civilised where she could look after her granddaughter in peace. By this point Arnav had raised the money to pay for her hospital fees and so he gave the money to Anjali making her promise that she'd go and get her treatment. She did and the two parted tearfully. There was little joy in Arnav's life after that point, well of course apart from Khushi.

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Present day, the chawal 


It was a time of festivities across India and in the Chawal all the members of this small but close knit community were celebrating it with full pomp. There was a column of young men stacked high, they were all standing on each others shoulders leading up to a rope that on it was tied a small clay pot full of milk, next to which there was a coconut also tied to the rope with string. The aim was that one man, was to climb above the rest and smash that pot with the coconut. Arnav rubbed red raang across his forehead and readied himself to take the challenge when his eyes widened as he saw red dye fly from a bucket and hit him with a force. He used his arm to shield his eyes and then looked up to see who dared do this to Arnav Singh Raizada. He looked and saw Khushi grinning, her eyebrows wiggling up and down, her smile plastered across her face and her eyes alive with mischief. Arnav grinned inwardly and began to make his run up. Khushi danced along to beat of numerous dhols, her hips swaying to and fro as she did so. She was completely lost in the music until Arnav wrenched he dupatta off her and tied it around his waist. He did not turn as he could imagine the shock on her face and the way she'd try to cover her now bare midriff. He had to get her back somehow and he knew she wouldn't mind. It may as well have been common knowledge, Khushi had been smitten with Arnav since the day he stopped a police officer from beating her mother. Khushi had been orphaned at a young age and left on the streets. If it hadn't been for her Aai, she would never have survived, it was true her Aai was a prostitute but not by choice and she vowed she would never let Khushi sell herself to earn a living. Her Aai was being beaten by a "customer" shortly after Arnav's family had deserted him, Arnav couldn't bare the sight of a woman being beaten, not after what had happened to his mother and sister and so he beat the man off of her until he was unable to use his hands again. Khushi had become smitten with him since then, the respect he had for women was something she'd never seen. Although you'd never guess he respected women from the way he acted with Khushi, but he only ever acted that way with Khushi and she liked it that way. Arnav climbed up the columns of men and Khushi shrieked at him, "Maaro Arnav, vaar karo abh!" She shouted. He tore the coconut and smashed the pot and everyone cheered. Arnav could hear Khushi's shouts above everyone else and smiled. He didn't have his family, he didn't have his revenge but at least for now he had Khushi.

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