Hello Lovely Readers,
Here is the Next Part of this FF,
Hope you will like it.

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Not Proofread, Please ignore the typos and grammatical errors.

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Thank you to whoever read/voted/commented on the last chapter.

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Happy Reading and Enjoy

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Let's get started with the story

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Banner done by : Nicolleaxi

Flashback Starts :

Khushi stepped out of her room at Garima's shout, her curiosity piqued but her lips sealed. Moments later, Shashi arrived, tension etching his face. Unable to hold back, she asked,

"What happened, Babuji?" He urged her not to worry and began knocking on Sheetal's door. When she didn't respond, his panic mirrored Garima's, who continued banging relentlessly.

Suddenly, the door swung open on its own. They realized it hadn't been locked from inside and rushed in, only to freeze in shock. Sheetal was gone. They searched frantically, hearts pounding, until Garima's phone buzzed with a message.

Her daughter's words glared back:

"Sorry, Mom, I couldn't go through with this marriage. I've never dreamed of being a housewife. I wanted to be big and got that lifetime opportunity. I couldn't lose it because of this fucking marriage."

Dizziness swept over Garima as she read. Shashi snatched the phone, reading it aloud. Khushi gasped, her breath catching. Shashi turned on Garima, his voice a roar.

"How could she do this to her family?"

He shifted to Khushi, his tone softening with love. "Khushi, meri bachchi! I've never asked you for anything before. But today, I'm asking a favor from you, bitiya. Will you please listen to me?"

Before Khushi could respond, Garima cried out, realizing his intent, "What are you doing, Shashi ji? Why did you call her here?"Shashi faced her with forced calm.

"No, I'm not going to listen to you - not anymore. You and your daughter has done enough and now it's time I do what is right. So, stop your shouting and let me do what I want to do. And You're wrong. I didn't call her. She was already here while you mourned your dear daughter's act. That's why you didn't notice. Waise bhi, when did you ever notice her?" His sarcasm stung.

"Now, listen carefully. Your daughter did what she shouldn't have! Now like I said before, everything will happen my way now, understand? I don't want a word from you. If you speak, it'll be your last day here. She's left the family in a bind. I'll throw you out before everyone." His threat hung heavy.

Garima shuddered, stunned by this unfamiliar side of him. She clamped her mouth shut, though fury simmered within.Khushi stood gaping, a shiver of fear creeping in. Shashi turned to her. "Bitiya! Marry Arnav bitwa. Please heed your Babuji once." Both Garima and Khushi gasped.

Khushi reeled, her heart leaping and pounding. Tears gathered, her lips trembling as Garima's harsh voice cut through.

"What the hell, Shashi ji?" she screamed, but his glare silenced her.Khushi shook her head vehemently. How could she? Being a substitute felt wrong. "No, Babuji, no. How could you think that? I... I... I can never, Babuji!" she stammered, shaken. Marrying him would be bliss if he loved her, but this was fraud. He loved Sheetal-she couldn't be selfish.

She turned to leave, but Shashi stopped her, hands folded in plea. She shook her head, grasping his hands. "Bitiya, you trust me, right? I've never asked before, but today I beg you! It's about our family's reputation, my honor. Please, bitiya, think before denying." His voice cracked with desperation, knowing he forced her but believing it was best.

"B... bu... but Babuji, it's Sheetal Jiji's place. And Arn... Arnav ji also loved her. They'd never accept me. That would be cheating," her voice muffled with tears.

"She left on her own, beta. No one forced her. As for Arnav, time will mend it. Please, bitiya, Gupta family's reputation rests with you today." His voice choked.Khushi grappled with her racing heart, torn between her dreams and this duty. She glanced at Garima, whose scathing glare sent a shiver down her spine. Closing her eyes in despair, she opened them to Shashi's helpless face and nodded, agreeing to his decision. His delight shone through.

Garima's blood boiled. "No, no one takes my daughter's place, least of all this orphan. I won't allow her to replace my Sheetal!"

Shashi roared, "OUTTTT! I said, Out!" but she stood defiant. He blessed Khushi, ignoring Garima's fury. Moments later, he left with a triumphant stride, Garima growling behind. Unnoticed, she doubled back to Khushi's room.

She faced Khushi and said, "I've no choice but to let you take Sheetal's place. But remember! You're merely a substitute bride, nothing more. Don't fly high. Arnav loved my daughter Sheetal, not you. He'll never accept you. Get ready quickly-we must go down."

Pausing, she returned. "You're only a stand-in for my daughter, not the real bride. When she returns, you'll have to give her life back. You'll live as her substitute, not Mrs. ASR. Dare you forget, and you will face the consequences," she warned, leaving a shattered Khushi behind.

Hours later, Khushi became Khushi Singh Raizada, ASR's Substitute Bride. Garima reiterated the warning during blessings.

On the journey to Delhi, fear gripped her. Her heart pounded-what would happen when the veil lifted? How would Arnav and the Raizadas react to the treachery? Shock struck when Arnav presented her as Mrs. ASR. A fleeting joy surfaced, but Garima's words swirled back, overwhelming her. Unable to bear the stress, she fainted.

Flashback Ends

Now, she sat on the floor like a broken doll, clueless about her next move, awaiting Arnav and his family to cast her out.

She jerked back as the door creaked open. Lifting her eyes, she saw Arnav leaning against the frame.He blinked softly.

"When did you wake? How are you feeling now?" Tears streamed down her face at his gentle voice, free of anger, deepening her guilt. He swallowed hard, cursing himself for her pain, guilt gnawing at him.

Unsure how to comfort her, Ratna entered, approaching with care. She fondled Khushi's head. "Khushi beta! How are you now?" Her calm amazed Khushi, who threw herself into Ratna's arms, sobbing loudly.

Ratna's eyes misted, feeling Khushi's torment. "I... I am sorry, Aunty. I... I... Sheetal ran from the marriage, and I... I had to fill her place. I couldn't see Babuji insulted. Please forgive me, Aunty. I... I... will leave when Sheetal returns," she hiccuped.

"Shushhhh... shush... beta! We know what happened. We spoke to Shashi ji. Who told you to leave? From now, YOU are our bahu and my Chote's wife. Sheetal's choice isn't your burden. Let's not dwell on it. Rest-we'll handle it together. Okay? Take some rest. We have the muh dikhai rasam tonight and a meeting with Dadi. Okay, bachcha?" Ratna said lovingly, caressing her head.Khushi stared, astonished. Was this a mother's love? For the first time, she felt she had a mother. She nodded, and they left, entrusting Arnav to care for their daughter.

Alone, Khushi fidgeted nervously under her husband's gaze. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped.Arnav noticed her unease, deciding to give her space. He moved toward the bathroom, but Khushi reached for the knob simultaneously. Her heart skipped as their hands brushed, and she wriggled to pull away. He released her, though longing to hold firm, knowing the time wasn't right.

"You go first. That dress looks heavy-change," he urged.She studied him. "Who is this man? His bride fled the mandap, forcing him to marry a stranger, yet he shows no anger toward me or my family. How can someone be so good? How could Sheetal abandon such a man?"

"Khushi, what happened? Why stand there? Go freshen up. You must be hungry, right? If I'm not wrong, you haven't eaten," he asked, concern lacing his voice.Khushi nodded. "Aa... you haven't eaten either, na? Won't you eat?" she countered, mirroring his care.Arnav's heart warmed at her concern. He nodded. "We'll eat together after freshening up." She smiled and headed to the bathroom.

His phone rang, shattering his reverie. Recognizing the number, he morphed into the ruthless ASR. "Yes, Rana! Okay," he said curtly, ending the call. "Sheetal Gupta! You tried to hurt my Pari with shattered glass-now taste your own medicine," he smirked like a merciless demon. He dialed Aman to relay the news.

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ABUNDANT BUILDING

Sheetal arrived at the given address, fear creeping in at the empty, dark, dingy building.

"Hello! Is anyone here? Hello... hell... hell... hello!" she stammered, her voice echoing.

Footsteps shuffled, and a figure approached.

"He... hello, mam! I... I am Sheetal Gupta," she said, extending a hand, but recoiled at the cold face before her. Unease gripped her as men emerged, tying her eyes, mouth, and hands with black cloth. They dragged her, removing her shoes, her muffled cries filling the air.

Sudden pain seared her feet, as if glass pierced her skin. "Ummmm... ummm. Umppphhhh," she struggled, screaming through the gag. A woman's voice cut through. "Kyun? Bahut dard ho raha hai? Glass always hurts, na. They say karma's a bitch-you never know when it bites back." Disgust dripped from her words. She hauled Sheetal to a chair, warning, "Don't even try to run. Got it?" before leaving a terrified, crying, screaming Sheetal behind.

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How was it?

Hopefully, You all will like it. If not, forgive me for disappointing you.

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Take care and Stay Safe,

Regards,
Dipanwita86