Dedicated to Angel_arshi23,RajeshNayak5,user23549805,Garimasrivasatava,

psuhuna,strings_of_fate4321,PurnimaVarma,arnavkushi1,Manahil4,

and all my lovely readers and friends who supported me all along in this journey.

Chapter 17 : When Truth Strikes

" Lies run sprints, but the Truth runs marathons. "

~ Michael Jackson....

Present day...

RM

Delhi...

The moment Khushi came out from the taxi and stand infront of the huge mansion, a sense of familiarity hit her..She had seen this place before, she had here before, she looked at the name plate again, RM...No, as per as she remember, she does not know about any RM...But why it's so familiar, it's similar like Santivan...Though she had came here just once but she had a good memory of Shantivan, specially the beautiful garden area...

But how is this possible. "Why not?? This may be the mansion of another rich family of this society. Don't unnecessarily panic yourself." Khushi consoled herself.. Lavanya stands beside her after paying off the taxi and then together they go to the entrance...

Crossing the main gate, both of them took their steps forward and with every step, Khushi's heartbeat increased...she is feeling something is going to change. She looked at Lavanya but frown a little; Lavanya is constantly messaging someone...

Anyways, standing infront of the main door, they finally rang the door bell and the moment door opened, smiling face of Payal greeted them..They entered in the house and came to living room..But the moment Khushi looked at the people gathered in the living room, she froze in her position.

There standing Ratna Singh Raizada along with Arvind Singh Raizada with teary eyes and a warm smile on their face... Khushi was feeling chocked.. no No No...it can not be true...please...let it be a dream...

But when Arvind Singh Raizada said, " Welcome both of you in Raizada Mansion" Khushi knew it's not a dream but a bare reality... suddenly something struck her mind, ohhh yes... Khushi thought to herself, " I can recognize them as Ratna Aunty and Arvind Uncle but they can not.. They have seen me last 17 years ago, I was a 8 years old child then...So, no need to get tense..It's all official, it's all for one week...just one week... Relax Khushi relax..."

Her monologue was broken by Payal's voice.. " let me introduce with my family first.. You know me, I am Payal Singh Raizada.. elder daughter in law of this house. Meet my Naniji, mom, dad, chote papa, choti ma ...." With that Payal introduced both the girl with everyone present there.. Akash, Nk and Shyam were in their respective work places and Kuhu and Anjali were out with Sneha and Advay for some shopping.

After that, Khushi and Lavanya was guided towards their guest room. The moment Khushi left the place, Ratna broke into tears, " She did not recognize me...she did not.. Pakhi did not recognize her Ratna aunty..."

" You are wrong Ratna, she recognized us but did not acknowledge us.. She did it willingly .." Arvind replied slowly...

" What? Why , why Pakhi will not Acknowledge us?" Ratna asked disbelieve..

"Is there any reason that she should Acknowledge us? Besides the girl who enters in our house, in our life at present is not Pakhi, the girl who was our ladli...she is lost somewhere...here infront of us is Khushi... that Khushi, whom our chotey humiliated, that Khushi who lost her faith on love and relationship again because of our son... Tell me Ratna, why she would have acknowledge us?" with that Arvind and Manohor went to study room for discussing some business issues..

Ratna was wiping her tears when someone placed a comforting hand on her shoulders. Without looking at her Ratna asked, " Will Pakhi ever forgive us for the sin Chotey did to her? What if she did not? How will I survive with the guilt that my Chotey has destroyed my Rima's only daughter Pakhi? Tell me Mano, what I should do?"

Manorama replied after a little silence, " Jiji, sometimes we are too helpless in front of our destiny..We can not change our past but we can at least protect and secure Khushi bitiya in her present and future.. Besides, her property, shares which Arvind bhai sahab has gained from the claws of Kamini Kapoor, should be transfer in her name now....If not for personal, but in professional ground Khushi has to stay with us at least for few months...and I pray to DM, within that time period, some progress should happen in personal level too.. But Jiji, regarding Khushi's relationship with Chotey, I don't think it will be a easy one, even I am not sure if it will ever happen.. Arnav should not be forgiven unless he earns the forgiveness... "

" You are right Mano...But the dream both me and Rima saw years ago, would only remain as a dream?? If not today, but in future Pakhi will think about marriage, how will I ever be able to see her becoming someone else's bride other than my Chotey's?? But I know whatever Chotey has done, he don't deserve any forgiveness...but still...Maa huin uski ( I am his mother), I hope he can get Pakhi's forgiveness..But if Pakhi think about moving on with anyone else, I myself will do her Kanyadaan..." Ratna whispered wiping her tears.

" Don't think too much jiji, think about the positive part, finally after so many years Pakhi is with us...we don't know what will happen in future but at least now we can keep hope.. But for now, please take some rest.. In evening Kuhu will return, don't know what will happen when Khushi will see her.." saying so, Manorama almost dragged Ratna in her room..

In the evening.........

Khushi was lying down in her bed but did not get a ounce of sleep after the hectic journey...a mirth of emotions were going in her mind.. after seeing her Ratna aunti and Arvind uncle almost 17 years later, she does not know how to feel, she is happy, she is sad as well, she is apprehensive too, did they remember her or not ?? But above all she is uncomfortable, how much they knew about the past which happened between her and Arnav ?? And above all, how she will spend the next one week among all of them??

Suddenly reality struck her hard, this is the house of Raizada's.. That means Arnav Singh Raizada also lives here... she has to face him now.. The time has finally come..She could not help but think, does Arnav remember her? Maybe he has already forgot her.. Another thought also rushed in her mind, about Arnav's girlfriend, about Sheetal...how will Sheetal react if she saw her? And how will she, herself will react to see her step sister once again? Will Arnav again humiliate her for Sheetal ? Most importantly, how will she herself react to see Arnav with Sheetal??

A sudden restlessness engulf Khushi....no..no...she will not think about them but one thing for sure, if Arnav Singh Raizada come across in her path, she will definitely ask him, why he did what he did to her years ago? What was her fault?? Though Sheetal had clearly stated Khushi the reason why Arnav humiliated her, when Khushi was kidnapped by "them", that Arnav loves Sheetal too much and to keep her happy, he humiliated Khushi...

Khushi released a deep breath, she can understand that, loves can make individual blind, the best example is she herself...And here, Arnav truly loves Sheetal, but she wonders, did not for once he felt a ounce of guilt while bad mouthing her and humiliating her publicly? Besides, all the moments they spend, was all Arnav's plan to make Sheetal happy?? Was there nothing real?? Khushi shakes her head, for last few years she ponders over this thought but only pain, tears and immense heartbreak she got as her answers. She had lost her faith in love and relationships once again because of Arnav...But not anymore...

Khushi made a mental note, she will definitely demand an answer from Arnav, she wanted to listen about the reason from Arnav's mouth so that the tiniest hope and soft feelings that is present in her traitor heart for Arnav should totally abolish..Khushi wanted to move on in real...and for that she needs a closure from her past and this time she will get her closure ...and Arnav has to give her the answer to finish the remaining invisible threat that still is there from Khushi's side...He has to ....This time, no looking back...

Khushi's thought was interrupted when HP called her in living room for evening snacks ... He also informed that Lavanya is already in living room..

Khushi took slow steps towards the living room where a pile of laughter was coming and some new manly voice were indicating that the Raizada men have come back from their works.

When Khushi reached there, a sudden silent spread there.. Payel clears her throat to dissolve the awkward silence. Again she introduce Akash, NK but the moment Khushi's eye landed upon the man sitting beside Nk, Khushi froze in her place...

There sitting, in his cool, compose posture, with a warm smile in his face, Mr. Shyam Manohor Jha... and the moment Khushi eyes met with him, precisely with his assuring eyes, she knew, her secret is still safe..

" Hello Khushi...hope you did not face much trouble during journey?" Khushi finally smiles for first time after coming in RM hearing Shyam's genuine gesture. She can never ignore this person..This honest lawyer, 6 years ago, who fought for her dignity and gave her the justice she needed...Like an elder brother he protected her along with Aman and " other two angels"... Though lately Khushi herself cut all her connections with all of them as she was too heartbroken to gather herself...

But what is he doing here??

Khushi got her answer the moment itself when Payal introduced him as the son in law of this family, that means he is Anju didi's husband? Khushi could not hide the happiness thinking about how lucky Anjali is and a faint smile appeared in her face..But it fades too soon the moment Khushi realized that, there is a chance that, Her real identity is known to them... And the moment Khushi looked at the moist eyes of Ratna and Arvind, her doubt got cleared..

Everyone in this family, knew about her real Identity...Everyone knew...She is Not only Khushi, but Khushi Kumari Gupta or their ladli Pakhi Basu....

There is no escape from here now...She is again TRAPPED....

*****************************

Flashback ....

Six Years and few months back...

Harvard University Campus

2nd Floor Auditorium..

Day 15....

With all his remaining strength finally ASR pushed that Sheetal and slapped her hard... "How dare you? How dare you to come close to me? Did not I told you to stay away from me??" then I turned towards Veer, " I did not expected this from you Veer..Among all of them, how could you? How could you announce that I love Sheetal?? Who told you those utter craps?"

In the meantime, Raj signaled every other students to leave the premises. He did not wanted that their lies would expose in front of them...

Veer looked at Arnav with little shocked but composed immediately... " ASR, whatever I did it's for your betterment. That Khushi gave you so much pain and here Sheetal loves you unconditionally. I thought she will help you to recover and move on. Besides, we all know you and Sheetal, were bedmate, yes...after meeting Khushi for last few months you broke all relation with Sheetal but Sheetal's true love finally opened your eyes...Don't deny, Khushi cheated on you..She is..." Before Veer utter anything more, he felt a tight punch on his nose... ASR had punched him hard..

Everyone was shocked...

Numb...

They could not believe ASR, their puppet for years can raise his hand, specially on Veer..recovering from the shock, Veer was about to attack ASR who was already going towards the exit, but Raj hold his hands and whispered, " ASR is not in his senses, he is confused, angry, heartbroken and don't forget, he is under the effects of those drugs...don't provoked the wounded lion..He can even murder anyone in his anger..Better leave him alone for sometime..." Understanding, Veer nodded his head and signal Sheetal to stop in her track, who was about to chase ASR...

Arnav's Pov....

I ran through the corridor. I did not know how to feel anymore..I was feeling that my heart stopped beating, My body became heavy, head is spinning but a sharp pain is choking me to death.. The blank look and cold eyes of Khushi snatching my sanity...I have to see Khushi...for once...for last time...

I am running like a madman, towards the drama room..I know she is there, today, their show, she must be there...she has to be there..

I barged into the drama room, my red eyes were searching for Khushi, to see one glance of her...But there were many students but not her...suddenly my eyes felled on some posters...

I looked at those posters...few posters with different couple in them, but which draw my attention was, there were few pictures of Khushi and Daksh too, to be more precise, those picture which was parceled to me, why those picture are portrayed in posters and displaying openly??

Before I tried to decipher more, one boy called me out..." Hi ASR..you here?? Looking for your lady love?" and this statement immediately draw my attention. What he is trying to say?

" Who? Lady love?" I asked in a hoarse voice unable to produce any coherent sentence.

" Of course Khushi...We all know How much Khushi love you and You too love her...Infact We also aware about your possessiveness about Khushi.." The boy chuckled a little..

" Now you both are official right? She was suppose to propose you yesterday...Today is her birthday and after our drama , she promised to give all of us a treat to celebrate her togetherness with her man, with you..." Another boy probably from Khushi's class added.

I was feeling terrible while listening about how Khushi announce about us towards her friend.They knew Khushi loves Me..ME... then who is Daksh ??

With my trembling hand, I showed towards the posters and asked, "What's all this? This posters ?" in return a pile of laughter broke in the room.

" See...see...how possessive ASR is..for Khushi...HOW SWEET...Khushi was right...Look ASR, this posters are just for the promotion of our Drama...we will placed it in different places, infact already placed it.." One of the girl chirped this time..

I was feeling numb... "Those are promotional pictures?" I whispered enough to hear for the occupants of the room.

" Yes...we photo shoot for our drama,...look not only your Khushi, there are total three couples are there...As Khushi and Daksh were Heer and Ranjha, they have to pose for it...but man..." the boy take a pause when looking at clueless Arnav..

" But what??" I was feeling my hands are becoming cold, legs became like noodle.

" Your Khushi...she was straightly denied and after so much persuasion, when she finally get ready, don't ask what happened next...she was so so uncomfortable getting so close to Daksh... ...Ha ha ha...really man....your Khushi loves you so much...we all thought she was scared about your possessiveness and anger, that's why she is denying, but no ..what she told about you touched all of our heart.. 'My Arnav not only loves me, but trust me a lot..though he is possessive , but he knows me too well to mistrust me ever... I know my Arnav...' such trust and pure love, Khushi is having for you man...You are truly lucky to have Khushi in your life..." The boy said with a genuine smile on his face.

But I stumble in his feet and hold the nearby chair for support....

KHUSHI HAD THIS MUCH TRUST ON ME WHILE I HAD MISTRUSTED KHUSHI FOR THOSE PICTURES???

"Someone used those pictures cunningly...very clever they are...but no one to be blamed...it's you....YOU MISTRUSTED KHUSHI...." My subconscious uttered in disgust.. and after long time, I too agreed with him...

I felt nauseated and disgusted to myself...but it's late..too late...damage is already done, but where is ....Where is Khushi?

Before I asked about Khushi, another girl spoke, "Where is Khushi? She was suppose to come by now..ASR do you know where is she?"

A chill run down my spine, she is not here... not here...where is she..

"After the beautiful words you showered upon her, Khushi must be celebrating somewhere.. you moron..." My subconscious spitted with uttered disgust.

I have to contact Khushi, have to .... I searched for my Phone and then only I realized I left my phone in Auditorium hall...I did not care to reply to the girl or anyone in that room, I just run...I run towards the Auditorium to catch my dear life...

I was about to enter in the Auditorium but sudden piles of laughter and conversation make my steps to be halted. I identified the voices of the three, they are none other than Veer , Raj and Sheetal...

But my breathing almost stopped hearing their conversation....

" Finally our plan successes...The ASR, the fool, ultimately trapped badly in our web.." Veer smiled evil...

" Yes...but it's become possible only because we work together..ASR trusted you and you enchased that trust Veer...." Raj added while taking the sips in his drink..

" But I must say, you used the photograph very brilliantly Raj...within one hour you literally copied those picture , parceled it and thus ASR witnessed Daksh and Khushi together...But above all, it's our honey Sheetal...without her brilliant tactics all would go in vain..." Said Veer looking at Sheetal and kissed her..

" Ohhh... I am fluttered...seriously, I never wanted to drug ASR...but he denied me..so, I slowly drugged him and used him for my pleasure...The fool ASR thought he is the playboy, who use to sleep around but the truth is he was drugged and if I say, he was being molested days after days...poor ASR..." Sheetal threw her head back laughing evil..

I stumble back in my steps and hold the door knob to regain my strength...it was Sheetal who drugged me ?? For how long?? And then...then....I was being used physically??? I felt to burn myself alive...I felt nauseated but I cannot lose my sense now...I have to know everything...

"Indeed...but the final nail in the coffin was your lie Sheetal...how conveniently you told that Khushi is illegitimate child and her mother is a home wrecker... WHERE AS THE TRUTH IS EXACT OPPOSITE..." Veer laughed out