As the afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the Ahuja household, Khushi hurried back home from college, her heart racing not just from the excitement of being home early but also from the whirlwind of emotions surrounding her relationship with Arnav. She had been meaning to tell her family the truth about them, but the right moment had never presented itself.
Moments later,Karishma arrived home, a determined look on her face. With an air of authority, she gathered everyone in the living room, her voice strong and commanding. "What is this all happening?" she asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at Khushi.
Khushi's heart skipped a beat. Could Karishma possibly know about her and Arnav? "Di, I was just about to tell you," she began, her voice shaky.
"About what?" Karishma pressed, crossing her arms over her chest.
Mr. Ahuja, stepped in, sensing the tension. "What's going on, girls?"
"Dad, Khushi has made a transfer certificate today," Karishma exclaimed, her voice full of disbelief. "Why?"
"Oh, di, actually I want to study abroad. You know that's my dream," Khushi explained quickly, trying to maintain her composure.
"Aha! But why suddenly?" Karishma challenged, her brow furrowing with worry.
Mr. Ahuja's face softened with pride. "It's quite impressive. I'm proud of you, beta; I will support you."
"Dad, what are you doing?" Karishma exclaimed. "You weren't satisfied with me going away , now you're encouraging her to leave too?"
Khushi couldn't hold back any longer. "But di, there are two different situations! You're going because Dad wants you to, but I want to go for myself. Please, di?"
"Acha, I will support Khushi," their mother gently interjected.
Karishma sighed, studying her younger sister. "Fine, but I expect you to come back for my wedding, okay?"
Khushi smiled brightly, relieved. "Okay, di."
"When are you leaving?" Karishma asked, her curiosity piqued.
"After your engagement," Khushi replied,.
In the following days, however, Arnav seemed to completely ignore Khushi. She felt desolate, each moment amplifying her longing for him. She wanted to be with him, but loyalty to her sister forced her to take a step back.
During the engagement preparations, Karishma suggested a shopping trip, inviting Khushi and Maddy along. Arnav joined as well, along with Akash. The mall buzzed with energy, but Khushi couldn't shake the unease growing in her heart.
As they wandered through the crowded lot, Arnav pulled Khushi aside into a quieter corner. "What do you think about this dress?" he asked, holding up a stylish outfit.
She shot him an annoyed glance. "What are you doing, sir?" she said, trying to keep her anger in check.
"This dress is perfect for my wife-to-be," he said, his expression serious.
Khushi retorted, "You seem to have forgotten that your wife-to-be is Karishma, not me." She tried to leave, but Arnav was faster, grabbing her wrist.
"Tum bulne kaha deti ho," he replied sadly, his eyes pleading with her.
Just then, she noticed Karishma walking their way. "Sir, di will see us!" Khushi hissed.
Seeing the busyness of the mall lingering, Arnav quickly pulled her into a nearby changing room, shutting the door just as Karishma arrived.
"Khushi! Where are you?" Karishma called out.
Khushi's heart raced. "Di, I'm changing! Just give me a minute!"
Karishma knocked on the door. "Take this dress and try it-hurry up!""Show me the dress once you try it on!"
"Di, you've seen it; it's fine!" Khushi protested.
"Size check karna hai! Fast!" Karishma insisted.
When Khushi finally opened the door cautiously, taking the dress from Karishma, .catching Arnav's eye repeatedly. "What?" he asked, flustered.
"What do you mean, what?she gasped, panic surging. "How am I supposed to change?"
You want to me to help you ," he said, mischief teasing in his eyes.
Sirrrr khushi irritating
"Now you can change. I won't look," he said, turning away and staring at the wall. "Now, change."
As Khushi changed into the gorgeous dress, she realized she couldn't zip it up. "Sir, can you please help...?" she asked hesitantly.
He turned back, and as he zipped it, their eyes locked in the mirror. He leaned closer, whispering sweet nothings and kissing her on the neck softly. Khushi's heart fluttered, torn between wanting to push him away and craving his touch.
"Khushi! Why are you taking so long?" Karishma shouted from outside, snapping Khushi back to reality. Jaldi aa ,Mai Arnav ko dund k lathi hu," Karishma yelled from outside.
"No! Sir, she said, pushing him away, and just go!"he smirked as he left the changing room.
Arnav stepped outside, a teasing smirk on his face. As he looked back at her, a silent promise lingered in the air. I know, Khushi, you love me, and I love you too.
Standing there, her heart racing, Khushi felt the intensity of their love. She knew deeply that their connection was undeniable but the path in front of her was tangled with love, loyalty, and complicated choices.
Arnav, Akash, Maddy, Khushi, and Karishma wrapped up their shopping spree. They piled into their cars, But on the way back, the mood would take a dark turn.
As they drove along a quiet street, a group of intimidating goons stepped out from the shadows, blocking their path. Their expressions were hostile, and a chill ran down everyone's spine. Instinctively, Arnav and Akash, seated in the front, exchanged worried looks. Maddy, Khushi, and Karishma, seated behind, held their breath.
The goons approached, barking threats. The atmosphere thickened with fear, but Arnav, ever the protector, made a quick decision. "Everyone stay here," he ordered, opening the door. Akash followed him, and the three girls scrambled out behind them.
In a heartbeat, Arnav and Akash fought fiercely, side by side, leveraging their training and experience against the goons. But in the chaos, Khushi's eyes widened in horror as one of the goons turned his attention toward her.
"Stay back!" Arnav shouted, pushing Khushi out of the way. But his brave act came with a price; the attack landed on him instead. He staggered back, pain flashing across his face, before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
"Arnav!" Khushi cried, rushing to his side, her heart racing as she knelt beside him. She cradled his head in her lap, the warmth of the road contrasting sharply with the chill of fear coursing through her. "Sir, please open your eyes! Sir, please!" Tears streamed down her cheeks as panic enveloped her. "Agar aapko kuch ho gaya toh mera..."
Reality hit her like a wave as she caught sight of Karishma's confused expression. Khushi's voice trembled as she continued, "Sir, agar aapko kuch ho gaya toh hum sab ka kya hoga? Karishma di ka kya hoga?"
Karishma stepped forward, her own heart racing, desperately wanting to help. "Khushi, we need to get him to a hospital!"
Awakened by urgency, Akash carefully lifted Arnav and laid him across the back seat.
Once at the hospital, the atmosphere was tense. Arnav lay motionless on the bed, surrounded by beeping machines and sterile smells that made Khushi's stomach churn. She paced the corridor, her heart in her throat, holding back sobs. Maddy and Akash sat on a bench, their eyes cast downward, while Karishma stood by the door, watching Khushi with a critical gaze that mixed concern and admiration.
They all felt the weight of the situation. Khushi's eyes were red and puffy, a reflection of her unwavering worry. She moved restlessly from one end of the corridor to the other, her mind racing with thoughts of what could happen if he didn't wake up.
Time became a blur until the doctor finally emerged, looking serious but not grim. "He sustained a lot of pressure but he's stable now. With rest, he should regain consciousness soon."
Later, Akash helped Arnav into car, They set off into the twilight, a mix of gratitude and heavy hearts driving them home.
As they drove away from the stark lights of the hospital, the bonds between them all deepened, forged in the fire of fear and loyalty, and the realization that life can change in an instant.
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