The Fated Ones: Chapter One

Asad and Zoya were sat on the steps, the song had faded out long ago and a short while before Yash and Aarti too had left for their room. Zoya couldn't look at Asad, the way he'd been looking at her, could it be...no, Asad Ahmed Khan had no room for such silly things as love. The man who couldn't take a sip of coffee from a mug with the slightest stain, how could that man take the leap of faith needed to love? Impossible. Zoya kept trying to assure herself of this. But the truth was, he had risked his life to save her and he was still doing so. Why?
"Allah miyah, what's wrong with me?" Zoya muttered to herself quietly.
"Apne kuch kaha?" Asad said and Zoya turned to him surprised he'd heard.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Woh baas, woh haat ki choht dukhri thi, issiliye..." Zoya said and Asad tensed. It was his fault she was hurt, he always did things with the best intentions, but whenever Zoya was involved everything always ended up going wrong. Even by the simple act of sitting down, he was now responsible for the cut in her wrist. He sighed heavily.
"Chalo." Asad said as he bobbed his head left.
"Kaha?" Zoya asked.
"Kamre main." He said and Zoya froze. "Khabraon maat, shahid undaar first aid kit hai, tumhari woh, choht ki liye." He said, Zoya nodded, Asad rose slowly and gave Zoya time to stand too.


When in the room Asad found a box and walked towards the bed he sat down and looked at Zoya who was still standing despite the hand-cuffs pulling on her skin.
"Zoya, zakhm aur gehra ho jayega, betjao." He said and Zoya had this look in her eyes, Asad had only seen it a few times before, for instance when she'd seen a cockroach, it was fear in her eyes. She'd never feared Asad before, not when he shouted, not when he forbid and not when he lectured...so why now? Zoya sat down. Asad opened the box and removed some TCP to disinfect the cut, just in case. He ripped up some cotton wool and began to pour the substance.
"Kya baat hai, usually tumhe chup nahin kar sakta, kohi shayari nahin aari aaj raat? Ek dum khamoshi, its not like you Ms. Faqrooqi." He said, Asad was hoping that he could distract Zoya's attention away from the fact he was about to apply a disinfectant that would sting her and knowing Zoya, she would Hai Tobha this whole Dhabba down!
"Allah Miyah, what's wrong with you? Usually you like women to sit quietly and say nothing, aap kya kehte hai usse, haan, tameez. You know Mr. Khan, apki problem kya hai, aapko yehi lagta hai ki zindagi bas ek hi tarike se jeesakti, aapki tarike se. Lekin aaj jab main chup chap yahaan pe bethi hoon, apko phir bhi problem hai, I mean apka problem kya- OW!" Zoya said and began to pull away, when she realised Asad's hand simply pulled along with her.
"Yeh tumne kya kiya, Mr. Khan?!" Zoya shouted.

"Dheere se bhol, varna voh saab gunde yahan ayenge, aur mujhe haatkhadi meh larne itne uchi se aathi nahin hai. Chup chap behti rahon. Let me." Asad said as Zoya shielded her wrist from him. "Bacho ki tarha maat beshakaro. Kya kheri thi uss raat, ki tum bhade bahadur ho, toh dikha apne bahaduri, do mujhe tumhara haat." Asad said and as he said it he realised the other meaning to what he'd said and he knew Zoya had thought the same from the slightly shocked expression she had. Asad bowed his head slightly, he wished he was more careful with his words, what was he saying? It had been a long day, he was tired, that was it.
He placed the plaster on her wrist and looked up at her.
"Abh kaisa hai?" He asked.
"Tik hi hoga, khabriye maat Mr. Khan, mamooli kharojh hai, tik hojayage. Ishi baat peh ek shair sunati ho-" Zoya was silenced by Asad's sudden closeness. He leaned over, raised his hand and gently placed his index finger on her lip.
"Tum chup hi zyada uchi lagti ho." He said, he'd meant it light heartedly but suddenly he could sense an undertone to this evening. This night had the same air as that moment he had with Zoya after he'd saved her from Akram. He remembered the moment well, it was the first time Zoya, in her frail vulnerability had called him Asad and she had taken his hand. In that moment, Asad had little to no control over himself and he could feel that same overwhelming feeling in the air tonight.

Zoya could hardly even control her thoughts, her brain had launched into over-drive. This was Asad Ahmed Khan a.k.a Jahan Pana a.k.a the biggest problem she'd faced since coming to Bhopal. He never gave her a chance but maybe now he was. There wasn't a trace of cruelty or malice in his eyes, only confusion and maybe even longing. Zoya knew how lonely Asad was but she had recently put that down to the fact that Ayaan and Asad could not interact openly. That was part of it but Zoya felt that there was something else also. There was something in his eyes that pulled her forward, despite his stiff stance and his harsh jaw his eyes were pure and innocent. She was slightly lost in them.
"Asad-" Zoya didn't have a chance to finish her sentence they both heard the gunshots.
"Zoya chaal." Asad said as he helped her stand. They heard voices and they were looming, closer and closer. "Zoya bhaag!" Asad urged.

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...

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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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Dark Paradise Chapter One

Khushi side stepped behind Arnav to reveal to all her family and his that they had eloped, married in secret. Naniji, Anjali, Payal, Akash, Buaji, Bauji, Amma and NK were all gawping at Khushi in her bridal attire. Naniji and Anjali couldn't fathom it, why elope they wouldn't have minded after all they let Akash and Payal get married despite Mami's protesting. Mami was the first to break the silence,
"Hello Hi bye bye ek to agaye abh yeh patthi saree bee free mein agaye!" She said with a callousness, Khushi looked up at Arnav helplessly, she'd never felt so lost. Arnav looked at her masking his own worry with firmness and then they both looked out on the sea of family who were confused and shocked. Arnav took particular notice about how enraged Shyam looked, he took solace in that and held his hand out towards Khushi who hesitantly took it in her own. Arnav gave her a reassuring squeeze and then he spoke.
"Mammiji yeh patthi saree nahi hain, izaat se baat kar, she's my wife and the Raizada's eldest bahu." Khushi took a deep breath when Arnav made his statement. That's what she was Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada, she'd dreamt about it but never thought it would happen and especially not like this. She'd wanted a dhamaka of a wedding instead she had a secret small ceremony. At least Devi Maiya was there to witness it even if her sister, mother and father couldn't.

"But Chotte yeh kya hai, Khushiji and you? Tumne shaadi ki hai aur without telling us?" Anjali was more hurt by the latter, she loved Khushiji and was happy they were together but why the secret? Chotte never kept anything from her and after her good news which she had shared with everyone why did he hide such a happy occassion from his family? It made no sense to her.
"Di please, maine decision karliya ta ki mujhe Khushi se shaadi karni thi. I didn't want any shor and I don't really believe in all these traditions so we got married in the mandhir bina kisi se bathaye. Because I knew if you found out you would have never let us." Arnav said calmly, Khushi was amazed at how well he lied, effortlessly...it almost worried her, his performance was incredibly compelling. Anjali remained shocked, Arnav didn't tell her because she'd make a big deal out of it? Of course she would it was her brother's wedding! But Anjali knew being angry wouldn't help anything, she had to think about how everyone else would take it, she was used to Chotte's stubborness and the problems it caused, everyone else however...
"Yeh tumne teek nahi ki Arnav bitua! Humse chupake, kya sabit karna chata tu?" Naniji accused and Arnav just held his hand up to signal everyone stop.
"Di, aarti ki taal." Arnav said and Anjali looked puzzled, "Aren't you going to welcome my wife in with all your rasams and what not." Arnav said and Anjali complied, she came back with the taal as well as a copper cup full of rice which she put in front of Khushi's feet. She welcomed them according to the custom then stood aside as Khushi knocked over the rice.

Arnav and Khushi took their first steps as man and wife, their fist steps that defied their family, their first steps with secrets making their hearts heavy and their heads weary however they never let go of each other's hand. Anjali held out another taal with haldi, Khushi placed her hands in them and imprinted her hands on the wall next to Payal's. Payal, her jiji who stood looking helplessly confused as she watched her younger sister do all this, what had driven Khushi to take such a drastic step? Khushi turned after imprinting her hands in this house allowing herself to merge as part of it, she closed her eyes and had a secret exchange with Devi Maiya praying that she and Arnav wouldn't have to deal with more of the family's questions. Arnav went back to holding her hand even though it was stained with haldi, he took the vermala from her hand and put it in the crook of his arm with his own. He walked past Anjali and handed them to HP. He walked past Naniji, the Gupta parivaar (now his in-laws) and then he and Khushi both stopped in front of Payal and Akash.
"I'm sorry Akash, Payal we didn't mean to take away from you're day it just seemed like the best step to take at the time. We're sorry everyone." Arnav said to all, everyone noted that an apology from Arnav meant a lot and so they remained quiet.
"Chaal ab khoob masti hoagaye, ab hum saab ko chalna chahiye." Buaji said attempting to lighten the situation. Naniji nodded, not happy with the current situation but unable to complain due to Arnav's calm demeanour. The Raizada family showed out the Guptas and then they turned to look upon the two jodi's Akash and Payal who everything had fallen into place relatively easily, they had gotten married conventionally with everyone's blessings. Then they looked at Arnav and Khushi who had gone rogue and done as they pleased without telling anyone.

Before Naniji could start, Arnav interrupted.
"Naniji kafi raat hogayi, I think hum sub ko sona chaiye. Its not good for Di to be up so late, isn't that right Jijaji?" Arnav said all the while not looking at Shyam knowing that snake was staring at his Khushi, his wife and not even thinking about his sister!
"Hmmm, ha, ha bilkul chalo Rani Sahiba!" Shyam said putting up his mask of a good husband for all. Nani was about to protest.
"Nani, please lets talk about in the morning." He said and he turned leading Khushi to their room. Khushi turned to look on her new family who all looked hurt and worried, she knew it made no sense to them and maybe even hurt them but this was for their benefit...they just didn't know it.
Khushi took off her wedding ornaments as Arnav was in the bathroom washing his face, probably to calm down, she thought. Everything happened so quickly she hardly realised when she changed from Khushi Kumari Gupta to Khushi Singh Raizada.On the inside she questioned whether this had been the right decision or not, after all Arnav and she had only just begun to understand their separate feelings for each other. She removed the earrings and all other ornaments in her hair. She left her choora on as was custom and then sat awkwardly on the bed. What was she going to do now?

Arnav needed time to think but he knew he didn't have it, she was waiting for him, depending on him, so much depended on him, his family, his business and now Khushi. He exhaled deeply and walked into his room and saw Khushi had loosened her hair and removed her jewellery. She wrestled her hands with one another obviously consumed by the same question Arnav was bothered by: Now what? They had ran into each other moments before the ceremony and Khushi confronted him with Shyam's true identity and Arnav told her he had seen them together and he didn't believe her, but then what other choice did he have but to believe Khushi. Khushi had no proof though and without proof Arnav could not let her or himself ruin Di's life when she was so happy. So Arnav made a promise to Khushi that he would marry her keep her safe from Shyam and if she could prove he was guilty then they could save Di's life also. Khushi was sceptical she wanted to marry Arnav but not just so she could show Shyam for the snake he was but so that she could be with him in the way she knew she should be when she fell in love because...because that's what this was it was love. She knew she had few options Shyam's actions had become increasingly insane and violent. She trusted Arnav but wasn't sure if he loved her. She gave up on listening to her brain and listened to her heart. She looked into Arnav's earnest eyes and agreed. They both made it seem like a deal but it meant so much more to them. Not that they would tell each other that. Arnav had treated her so lovingly recently, opened up to her in ways she never imagined and she didn't want that to stop. However he never said out loud to her that he loved her, she hoped he would but he didn't. She held her mangalsutra close to her heart remembering how he had carefully placed it around her neck and how while they took their holy rounds around the sacred fire he held her hand. How he held her hand in front of everyone if he didn't love her why did he do that?

He cleared his throat which broke Khushi's train of thought, she stood up immediately and then felt silly for doing so. She looked at him and he hesitated, instead of saying anything he took a pillow from the bed and a blanket from the wardrobe and made a makeshift bed on the floor. Khushi assumed it was for her and made her way to the space on the floor he stopped her by gently putting his hands on her shoulders.
"Khushi you sleep on my bed, I'll sleep here." He said, she opened her mouth to argue, it was his room and his bed but he shook his head. He grabbed a set of his pyjamas and went to the bathroom to change. Khushi had nothing with her to change into so she just got in the bed and lay down. Looking into the dark of the room listening to him pad across from the bathroom to the bedroom floor she felt calm and at peace. The small gestures showed her he cared and he trusted her, it may take time but there was hope. And so in the dark of the night with Arnav she found her own small dark paradise.


Read other parts to this here