Hello lovely Readers,
Here is the next part of this FF,
Hope you all will like it.

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A/N :

I've thought a lot about all of your views about Arnav's flirty approach. I also have a feeling that without clearing her MU, he shouldn't have done this. So decided to change his approach towards Khushi a bit. Hope you will like that.

* Thanks to all of you who helped me with your valuable views. Most importantly, RajeshreeDebadarsine thank you for your valuable suggestion.

$$ : Please do give a try My new TS/FS, "Wilted Dreams". Looking forward for your views.

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Not Proofread. Please ignore the typos and grammatical mistakes.

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Continued from last part

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Continued from last part.

That man went out and made a call.

"Your job is done, ASR. But tell me something... why would you want Sheetal to know about your marriage to Khushi so soon? I mean, it would've been better if she remained unaware, don't you think?" he asked, confusion lining his voice.

Arnav smirked darkly. "Because I wanted her to suffer. She did everything to become Mrs. ASR, didn't she, Ankit? She wanted wealth, status, power-and she wanted to hurt Pari even more using me. She thought no one knew what she'd done. She and her mother were planning to humiliate her further by becoming Mrs. ASR. Now imagine, Ankit... what she must be going through knowing that Khushi is living the life she once dreamed of. She's probably going mad wondering why I married Khushi when I supposedly loved her. And I'll enjoy every second of her misery."

His teeth clenched as he recalled Sheetal's sinister plans for Khushi.

Ankit had heard of ASR's ruthlessness-but never imagined this level of cold calculation. Arnav hadn't just destroyed Sheetal's dream of becoming his wife... he'd made sure she knew her dream had been given to the one she despised most.

He balled his fists, seething with memories of his sister's suffering. Garima and Sheetal had harmed Khushi beyond measure. He could still remember that horrifying day-how they'd planned to kill her. If not for ASR, that truck would've crushed her. The way Garima orchestrated the whole thing... it still sent a shiver down his spine. If it had been up to him, he would've killed them with his bare hands.

"But wasn't it too risky to let Sheetal know? I mean, now she's going to be more vindictive than ever. And we can't keep her tied up forever. We'll have to let her go someday," Ankit said, voicing the real concern.

Arnav listened silently before answering, his voice edged with restraint. "I know what you're worried about. I know we can't keep her there for long-and trust me, I don't want to. I wouldn't have done this if it wasn't necessary. You, of all people, know that."

His tone was harsher now.

"Don't worry about it for now. I've already decided what I'll do once she's out."
Ankit could only hum in reply.

Still, unease gnawed at Ankit. He knew the kind of demons Sheetal and Garima were. And his concern for Khushi only grew stronger. But like Arnav said-he had to trust the process. They spoke for a while before ending the call.

---

RAIZADA MANSION - NEXT MORNING

The morning sunlight streamed in through the sheer curtains, breaking through Khushi's slumber. She jolted awake, eyes widening at the time. She was late! Today was the chulha pujan rasam, and she was supposed to prepare breakfast. Dadi and Maa had spoken to her about it just last night. How could she forget?

She attempted to get up-but something heavy wrapped around her waist stopped her.

Her eyes fell down, only to freeze at the sight of her husband. Arnav's arms were firmly around her waist, his face buried in the curve of her neck. Her heart pounded wildly, feeling his warm breath against her skin.

She stared at his face... then at the way his hold tightened around her, almost like he was afraid of losing her-even in sleep. A deep line of worry etched across his forehead.

Without thinking, her fingers gently caressed those lines, trying to ease whatever bothered him.

She was about to kiss his head.

But she stopped herself. Startled by her own action, she pulled back quickly.

"What was I going to do? I... I was about to ki... kiss him. I was going to kiss a man who loved my sister. How could I forget that this marriage isn't real? It has an expiry date. I'll have to leave once Sheetal comes back. How... how could I?" she whispered, her voice shaking as tears began to brim in her hazel eyes.

She knew it.

She was falling for her husband.

But he wasn't hers to love. His heart belonged to someone else. And hers... hers was now beyond her control. Fate was playing a cruel game.

She could never tell him what she felt-because what was the point?

He loved someone else.

Still, doubt tugged at her chest. His behavior wasn't making sense. Why wasn't he angry after being betrayed on his wedding day? He'd always been a man who despised lies and betrayal. So why wasn't he furious? Why was he so calm?

Something wasn't adding up.

Was this really about love? Or revenge? Who was the real Arnav Singh Raizada?

Should she talk to someone? Dadi, perhaps?

But she shook her head. Maybe she was reading too much into it.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the blaring alarm. She looked back at Arnav, gently removed his arm from her waist, and went to get ready-unaware that her husband had been awake the entire time, silently listening to her every word.

When Khushi stepped into the bathroom, Arnav finally opened his eyes. Cold and unreadable.

Her words had left a mark.

She still thought their marriage was fake.

He understood her confusion. She didn't know the truth. But even then... how could she still believe it wasn't real?

He closed his eyes, trying to fight the ache in his chest.

---

Arnav had woken up earlier when Khushi stirred, but even then, he hadn't let her go. He wanted to see what she would do. When he felt her warmth draw closer, his heart fluttered in anticipation.

She had almost kissed him.

Almost.

But she pulled away. And he knew why.

Her whispered confession confirmed his fears. She still believed this marriage was temporary. She still thought she was just a stand-in for her sister.

She didn't know the truth.

She didn't know that this house, this life, he-none of it ever belonged to Sheetal. It was always meant to be hers.

But how could he tell her now?

How could he confess that he never loved anyone but her? That he'd orchestrated this marriage from the very beginning for her?

If she found out now... especially about Sheetal's whereabouts... she'd be devastated. Knowing how kindhearted she was, she'd never forgive him. She might even hate him. Leave him.

The thought alone chilled his blood.

Little did he know... fate was already preparing to test him.

---

A knock on the door broke his reverie. It was HP, calling him for breakfast.

Khushi had already gone downstairs. He hadn't even noticed.

He quickly got ready and made his way to the dining room.

---

RAIZADA MANSION - DINING ROOM

The table was filled with dishes-each smelling more delicious than the next.

[ Image created by chatgpt ]

He took a deep breath.

"Mmm... smells amazing. What's the occasion?" he asked his mother, though his gaze remained fixed on his nervous wife.

"You forgot, Chote? Today is your wife's first rasoi," his mother replied, deliberately emphasizing the word wife. A reminder, both for him and Khushi, that she was no longer just a guest in this house.

Arnav's gaze locked on Khushi. His mother's voice broke the haze of his thoughts.

"Chote, don't forget, you also have to take her to her home for the pag-phera today," Ratna reminded him.

His jaw clenched.

Her home? That house was no longer her home.

He didn't want her near Garima. He couldn't bear the idea of her being around that woman again.

"This is HER HOME now, Mom," he snapped. "And I will not allow her to go to Lucknow for some stupid ritual."

Khushi flinched at the sharpness in his tone. She had never seen him this angry.

Ratna stepped in before Khushi could respond.

"Chote! Stop being a jerk and let me finish! Khushi isn't going to Lucknow. The Guptas are here in Delhi. They arrived last night and are staying at Buaji's house in Laxminagar. She only needs to go there for the ritual."

"What? They're here? Why didn't anyone tell me?" he barked, now turning to Khushi, who stared down at her fingers, visibly nervous.

She had forgotten to tell him. It wasn't intentional, but still-he didn't like being left in the dark.

Ratna sighed. "Yes, they came last night. Shashiji spoke to your father. Madhumatiji was concerned for Khushi. I was going to tell you, but your temper never gives anyone a chance!"

"Don't glare at her, Chote," his father added, trying to lighten the mood. "You'll scare the poor girl. She looks like a deer caught in headlights."

Before Arnav could reply, Dadi intervened.

"Enough! Let's focus on the breakfast. Khushi cooked it. And Chote, you have to give her gifts-it's tradition."

"Khushi beta, take your seat," Aditya said warmly.

"No, Papaji, please. You all start. I'll eat later."

Arnav's eyes darkened.

"Sit beside me, Khushi," he said in a firm voice. "In this house, husband and wife eat together. You, Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada, are my wife-and always will be. This isn't some temporary arrangement. From today onwards, you'll eat with me. Every day. Understand?"

Khushi nodded quickly and sat down. This was the first time she'd truly seen the ASR side of him. Cold. Assertive. Undeniably intense.

But even in his harsh tone, his words carried the assurance she had been longing to hear. Her marriage wasn't temporary. He was hers-and she was his.

No one-not even Sheetal-could take that from her.

---

After breakfast, the family complimented her cooking. She smiled, but her eyes kept drifting to Arnav.

He got up to leave-but suddenly turned back.

"The food was delicious. Especially the kheer. My favorite. I'd love to have such meals made by my wife every day."

And just like that, he walked away.

Khushi's heart soared.

---

Anjali squealed, hugging her bhabhi. "Bhabiiii! You've done a miracle! Bhai has never praised anyone's food before-not even Mom's! He totally loves you!"

Anjali dashed off to her room, leaving behind a blushing, dazed Khushi.

Khushi smiled, hugging the empty kheer bowl to her chest like it was a piece of him.

For the first time, she felt secure.

---

ARSHI'S ROOM

Aman entered but didn't find Arnav. He spotted him standing near the pool, lost in thought.

"What's wrong, Arnie?" Aman asked, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

His breath hitched.

Arnav's eyes were red-not from anger, but unshed tears.

"She'll never understand me, Ammy," he whispered. "If she ever finds out the whole truth... she'll leave me, won't she? She still thinks I married her only because Sheetal left. She thinks she's a replacement."

He paused, voice trembling.

"She doesn't realize how much I need her. I can't live without her, Ammy."

Aman's eyes welled up.

"If she finds out I had her sister kidnapped... just to marry her... she'll hate me. I know I've made a mistake. I should've told her, shouldn't I?"

Aman opened his mouth to respond-

But just then, two clear voices echoed across the room.

"NO. You didn't do anything wrong."

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So, how was it, friends?

Take care and stay safe.

Regards,
Dipanwita86