Dedicated topsuhunaArshiRaizadaEkaV01maanmeet1,Yuvonie,

HritaAkashi,user23549805,Garimasrivasatava,Ananya_malik

and dedicated to all my friends and readers.

Chapter 21 : The Game Changer

" Hateful people don't just jump out of the ground, they are victims of deep seated hurt that has eaten deep into their soul and darkened their heart..."

~ Anonymous....

Flashback........

Miles away....

Harvard University Campus..

Store room...

Early Morning....

Day 16....

Khushi slowly opened her eyes looking at the surroundings. She blink her eyes few times to adjust with the brightness surrounded her; she felt someone was calling her name. Looking at her side she found Chandan, one of his classmates was standing there with a bandage in his forehead. And suddenly all the incidents few minutes before rushed to her and Khushi got panicked. She was about to sit up in hurry and probably was making a run but a very familiar voice halted her in her place, " Don't get panicked Khushi.. Everything is under control.. You are safe."

Khushi looked at the direction of the voice and got surprise seeing Professor Rehaan Trivedi standing infront of her. And her thudding heart began to settle down.

When Khushi looked at her surrounding with calm mind, she found in a corner Veer, Raj and Sheetal were tied with rope. Looking keenly, Khushi found few marks on their faces, specially on Veer's. It was clear that they were beaten, even Sheetal was probably slapped. And in the floor, Vivaan Desuza was lying down in pool of blood unconscious..

Looking at the surrounding, Khushi also found few familiar faces, some of her same batch, some are her seniors and one boy, Omkara was from Arnav's batch.

She was very much confused. But one thought struck her hard, "Where is Daksh?"

As if, understanding her unspoken words, Chandan replied her, " Daksh is send to hospital. He is injured."

Khushi felt immense guilt, because of her Daksh is in this condition today. She felt like pulling her hair and cried out loud.

" Don't think too much Khushi, Daksh will be cured in few days.. We all were waiting for you to get back in consciousness. The ultimate truth will be revealed now." Telling this Professor Trivedi turn towards Veer and hissed, "You wanted to know who I am right? What is my real Identity? Then Listen Mr Veer Malhotra and you both too, I am a secret agent in narcotic department. And I was in this mission for last two years."

There was a pin drop silence...

Prof. Trivedi continued, "This was come in notice to our department,that this prestigious University, is having some black shadow and the shadow is growing slowly. At first it was started with just drug selling and all, but later molestation and missing of few students was found. But our department was not getting any concrete clue on that, but one day, one girl and boy came open and lodge a complaint about rape and drugging.. But due to the influential, powerful father, that rapist got escaped... and that innocent girl committed suicide...Ring the bell? Mr Veer Malhotra?"

Prof Trivedi or we can say, Mr Rehaan shouted the last part and slapped Veer few times very hard. Blood started to ooze from the corner of his lips. " Do you remember the name of the girl whom you ruined Veer? Do you know who she was ? She was Riya... Riya Trivedi... MY COUSIN SISTER..."

A pregnant silent evolved in that place and the faces of Veer, Raj and Sheetal become white as paper.

"I was then on another assignment, when I came back everything got finished. I was informed about the details of the incident by the boy who accompanied my sister to lodge the complain, Omkara...Omkara told me everything how your bastard of a father proved you innocence and Riya lost her life.. That day I took the vow to destroy this gang and give them the desired punishment."

Paused....

Taking a deep breath and wiping a tear, Rehaan again started, " Omkara was with me from the beginning and after joining in the University, I secretly made the team who were either victim or someone dear one of them were victim or who were fade up by the behaviour of this nasty people over here, Daksh, Chandan, Sara, Rahul...majority of the drama team members were helping me actually..... Eventually we came to know that there is someone else behind the web of drugs.. And woman trafficking. Veer, Raj and their gang, Sheetal and her minion, we targeted them to reach to the culprit... and eventually, we came to know about you are being trap. That's why I forced you to join in drama so, we can keep an eye on you and besides Daksh was also keeping an eye on you...I initially thought Veer is trying to harm you but Daksh found out it's much more bigger and the web is more spread out.. We thought it was Raj, because Vivaan was also participating in the drama and he took his steps very cleverly, but when he openly make a deal about you we overheard him.. Unfortunately, Daksh caught red handed and he has to bear some torture..and You Khushi, I am very sorry for you... the pain you have bear, I could not erase it... because you fall for that fool, egoist, immature ASR. Because of his stupid activity, we lost many time and Vivaan escaped from our hands too.. But... finally...." Looking at the Vivaan's almost still body, Rehaan said, "Our mission is successful".

" Don't fly so high... My father will release me and my friend like he did years before...just wait for some more time.." Veer spitted the venom...and Raj and Sheetal smirked.

But Rehaan was silent and it seemed he was in deep thought. Soon the police came, and the four was arrested. Vivaan condition was very very critical and it was also informed that Vivaan's other gang members and his big boss was also under police custody.

After all the storm went away, it was time for new dawn... it was almost morning...

" so, Sir, we finally win.. Finally the evil days gone." Sara chirped cheerfully.

" Hummm,... But for how long? Veer was right in one point.. money and power, can buy everything now...almost everything...How we will give them punishment Sir? Will law be enough to punish them?" Chandan expressed his concern...

" You are right .... But still there are some people around there, for whom their loyalty and honesty is everything.. They can give their life but stand and fight for the justice.. And I knew one such person.. I met him few years back regarding a case...now it's high time, we should meet again.." with that Rehaan Trivedi left the room dialling someone's number.

Khushi was in daze, what to do now? Where to go? The humiliation she faced yesterday, and the trauma afterwards, how she will live and study in this same campus, above all the memories associated with Arnav... suddenly she felt a unbearable pain in her stomach, though she was feeling the pain from the morning but it increased slowly and now its became unbearable... before Khushi could think about something, with a thud she fell down on the ground.

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

Six Years and few months back...

India...

Day 16....

Early Morning....

Raizada Mansion....

Sleep was far away from everyone's eyes. Though Devyani slept due to the effects of sleeping pills and Manorama and Manohor were constant present with a devastated Arvind and shocked Ratna.. Actually Ratna's state was worse. She did not shed a single drop of tears which made everybody worried sick. After lot of insistent both Madhumati and Happy Singh stayed over RM with the promise that Raizada will find out Khushi soon.

Without wasting any moment Shyam had contacted the necessary sources and Akash and Nk also helped him.. they all were so engrossed in the task for tracking and saving Khushi that, they all missed that Arnav was absent from late night...

Suddenly Shyam's phone rang and seeing the caller ID he got surprised. Why he is calling? Definitely there is some serious case... without second thought Shyam pick up the call, " Hello Tridevi, how are you ? Why this sudden call ?"

" The gang has been arrested for whom we were working so hard but you know...spoil, rich brat....their father and power... but they should be punished...Otherwise many more life will be destroyed.. I need you here Shyam...make it at any cost." Rehaan Trivedi almost demanded Shyam's presence in US.

" You know , I love to be there and fight for the truth but here situation is very worst in my family... our very close person, got missing , she was studying in Harvard for last one year..." before Shyam could finish off, he was interrupted by Rehaan, " May I know HER name? Because our last operation was in Harvard University itself and I am calling you from there only at present.."

Suddenly something struck Shyam and he shivered, "her name is Khushi.... by any chance..." he stop in middle with a shaky breath and unfortunately proving his worst nightmare true, Rehaan uttered, " Are you Talking about Khushi Gupta??"

" Yes..." Shyam whispered holding his breath.. "We saved her in nick of time but she is hospitalized now..Probably they given her some deadly drugs. Presently unconscious, cannot say anything more about physical harm but emotionally she is traumatized...not only this incident but she was humiliated publicly by the boy she claimed to love.. it's...."

Not letting Rehaan to complete, Shyam uttered, " I am taking the next flight... I will be there... because I has to...I has to try to at least lessen Chotey's sin a little bit." the last part came as a whisper.

" Great then.. Come soon Jha, I am counting on you." With that Rehaan Trivedi cut the call.

Shyam informed Akash about that a very urgent case has come up and he has to go US... though Akash was sceptical but when Shyam said he is going to US and in this way he may find about Khushi early, so, Akash agreed. Making the private jet ready, finally before leaving Shyam informed the family members that he is leaving and Akash and Nk said they will look after here..

Thus...destiny itself choose the protector to give justice to Khushi when her dear one was away from her and when she was devastated by the betrayal of her beloved...

And the moment Shyam Monohar Jha left India, a phone call shook the base of Shantivan informing them, Arnav Singh Raizada is admitted in city hospital after a fatal accident and his condition is really critical....

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

Present day....

Shantivan....

Next morning....

In the following days Arnav came down to eat breakfast like he usually did every morning before he left to work.

Manorama was placing a few plates on the table and caught Khushi and Lavanya coming down the stairs as she smiled at them. Khushi was engrossed in a conversation with Lavanya while placed a few strands of hair behind her ear.

It was like a jolt of shock of both happiness and sadness that hit Arnav. He due to medicines effects slept and did not attend dinner yesterday night. Today morning he woke up with a headache. For a moment he thought about last night incident and brushed it off thinking it was his dream, the dream which he saw every day almost, for last 6 years, to have Khushi in his arms...

But after sitting in breakfast table when he saw Khushi coming down from the stair, he realises, it was not his wild imaginations but truth...He could not believe he was seeing Khushi. Arnav in a trance took a step forward without realizing what he was doing, but stopped once noticing Khushi's gaze shifting to the floor. He could sense that she was uncomfortable in his presence. He had not even said anything, just took few steps and Khushi felt uncomfortable?? And the realization hurt him seeing Khushi like that, behaving so cold with him.

Arnav slowly sat down opposite to Khushi's chair when Khushi sat beside Payal. Khushi too suddenly felt very conscious about the surroundings. Part of her felt uneasy but why was she feeling like this? Had not she put everything behind her? So what was the problem to face Arnav today? Did not she handled Arnav Singh Raizada efficiently yesterday without breaking down? Then why she is getting nervous today?

On the other hand, Arnav kept his gaze on her as there were so many emotions were playing in his mind. He wanted to apologize, sincerely from his heart.. He wanted to pour his heart out, he wanted to make Khushi listen for once to hear him, he wanted to tell her that though he insulted her but it was because of his stupidity, that he always loved her, only her.. She is the only woman in his life since the day his eyes fell on her.. And in the farthest corner of his heart, there is a secret wish, to get her back in his life again... to start his days with her and to end up with a long drive or ice cream date or just to converse with her in late night calls or just appear in her door steps without any intimations. Most importantly he wanted to talk to her like old days. He wanted her next to him, just like his breath...

And Above all, he wanted another chance. Another chance to live his life again....because in these six years, he realised that there is no existence of Arnav without his Khushi...

Besides, He also wanted to ask her about her life, where she had been and how she had been for the past 6 years, did for once she missed him? Forget about missing, did for once she remember him? But then again, had he the right to ask her? Ask her all these things?

At the same time, Khushi's mind also was exploding with different almost similar thoughts.. She too wanted to ask many questions but mostly "why" ?? Why Arnav betrayed and humiliated her? Till now She knew that there was a solid reason behind his act, that is his love for Sheetal, and she believed that for last six years but yesterday's Arnav's reaction itself raise many new questions in her mind. She wanted to hear the reason from Arnav. And she will definitely.

There was no conversation between the two individuals, only a heavy silence spreads between them both.

NK cleared his throat and took a small glance at the others. "Why don't we start eating? The food might get cold. Food is looking soo yammyyy...."

The family members nodded and settled themselves at the table and began to eat, while Arnav still could not believe that the woman he had fallen in love with was sitting right across of him. He could not really concentrate on anything; let alone what was being placed on his plate. His only thought was on Khushi.

Khushi on the other hand began to feel stupid of herself. She thought Arnav presence would not bother her but whom she was fooling... yesterday, after meeting him, though she was rude but afterwards the rest of the night she was restless.. Khushi thought, she is over Arnav but yesterday, she realise one thing very clear, Arnav Singh Raizada still had same effects on her, Khushi smiled ruefully it was entirely different thing to think that she was ready to face her past- to face him.. This thought somewhere scare her but she thought to make her resolve stronger..

A voice snapped her back to her senses and looked at the owner of the voice. "Huh?"

"Khushi, I am asking you why you are not eating." Lavanya enquire finding her all disoriented.

Khushi looked down at the plate and saw that she still did not touch her food.

"Uh, Lavanya, I am not really hungry. I think I am a little bit anxious, because today is the first day of my office, I should leave now, I don't want to get late at my first day." Khushi said already standing and trying to leave the dining hall as soon as possible.

" Don't leave the house without any food, it's not a good sign." Devyani Raizada's voice successfully halted Khushi in her steps.

Khushi did not wanted to disrespect Devyani and create a scene, so silently she just took an apple and eat it.

" Khushi, take it.. your favourite jalebies," Kuhu offered her to dilute the situations but Khushi's reply, increase the tension of the surroundings only.

" Kuhu, I don't like jalebi anymore. With time people change and so their priorities, and I TOO LEARN TO AVOID THOSE THINGS and THOSE PERSONS, WHO ARE NOT GOOD FOR MY HEALTH.. Excuse me.." and with that Khushi Gupta just finished the conversation.

" Wait Khushi, I will drop you and Lavanya both, just give me few more minutes." Nk offered them which Lavanya gladly accepted and Khushi too reluctantly because she had no other options.

Arnav stayed quite throughout the breakfast. He knew that it was because of him Khushi had not her breakfast and the last words of her directly prick his heart..It was too direct, is not it? But he deserves this.... Breakfast was long forgotten for him too, Arnav actually did not able to take a single morsel after Khushi left. He was feeling