Half an hour later, they found themselves pulling into Viraj's driveway. Khushi had not said a word throughout the drive, except for when giving him the directions, and now she got out mutely, still not looking at him. She waited patiently for him outside. Her silence was now beginning to concern him, the sense of calm that had washed over him when she had gotten in the car was long gone and now her silence made him weary that worse was still to come. He took a deep breath and got out of the car joining her outside, as she began to walk towards the door, but she did not ring the bell, that he would have to do himself.
He stood staring at the door, wanting to go inside and see his son, but something stopped him from stretching out his hands and taking that final step. May be it was because he knew that after he did that it would be the point of no return, for up until now it was only them who knew that Aarav was his son, the world, Aarav, Viraj, did not. But after he went inside everyone would know, it would all be real. However, this didn't bother him as much as Khushi's silence did. He desperately wanted to know what Khushi's involvement would be in all of this. Would she stand by him and fight for Aarav with him? Would she want to raise Aarav with him? It was selfish of him to be worried about whether Khushi would remain a part of his life or not at a moment like this, a moment where he should be more concerned for his son for it was his well being, his future that was at stake, but he couldn't take his mind off Khushi. She was Khushi after all, she wasn't just his love, his miracle, his angel, she was his saviour, his soul, his everything. And so even though he knew it was wrong for him to be more concerned about her than Aarav, he couldn't stop himself from getting the answers to his questions before he walked in and all their lives changed forever, even if it meant that her answer may change his decision to go in.
'Khushi...before we go in, I...I wanted to know, that if I managed to get Aarav would you...would you stay with me, and if I didn't would you stand by me as I fight to gain his custody?' he stared at her intently, waiting for her reply, but it didn't come. Silence was all he got. May be that meant yes. Or may be that meant she wasn't sure. Or may be it meant...no.
He couldn't take the silence, the uncertainty anymore so he closed the gap between them and made her face him as he pleaded in her face to give him an answer, for he desperately needed to know. 'Khushi...' he began, exasperatedly, needing the answer and her lips parted, but before any sound could escape it that would allow him to understand her answer...
'What the...' the door they stood in front of opened and Viraj stood on the threshold, holding a garbage bag, staring at them, confused.
Khushi quickly broke away, straightened herself and looked up at Viraj, to try and explain why they were here. While Arnav found his blood beginning to boil, seeing one of the men who had led to his destruction. Who had broken him so badly that he stooped to such a low, a low that he found he was still trying to find his way up from. It had been years, fifteen to be precise, yet seeing him brought back that day as fresh as if it were this very morning when he had broken his Di's heart and blackened his heart. He bowled his fist and tried to steady himself, reminding himself that he was here for Aarav and for him he had to keep his cool.
'Viraj ji...' Khushi began, although having no idea how to explain the situation, but she was cut off by Viraj himself.
'You're that lady who found Aarav the other day, right? Who brought him home?' Khushi nodded. When she did not elaborate, he pushed on puzzled as to why she was here, with some man, whom it seemed like she had been having an argument with, for he seemed desperately trying to control his temper.
'Ummm, did you leave something that day?' still no answer. Viraj thought hard, what could have brought these two strangers here, and then it dawned on him, ' Oh no, wait, did Aarav do something, please don't be offended he is a troubled child, he lost his mother at a very young age and has been raised by me so he gets a little out of control sometimes, but he really is caring at heart...' His voice trailed off, as he tried to cover for his nephew. From his instant protectiveness towards Aarav one could tell that this happened a lot, where people lost their patience with Aarav and he had to try and assuage the situation.
Seeing Arnav at a loss of words, at hearing Aarav's name and his unruly behaviour due to his past, Khushi stepped forward and assured Viraj that they were not here with a complaint, but Aarav was the reason why they were here. Seeing him perplexed at her attempt to ease him she asked quietly, 'Viraj ji, may we come in. There is a lot that needs to be discussed but it shouldn't be done here on the porch.'
Bewildered he beckoned them in, leading them to the drawing room. He left them for a moment to dispose of the garbage bag he was still holding and when he came back he brought some refreshments with him, which they took. Once settled he waited for one of them to begin and tell him the reason for their midday visit.
Arnav was still discomposed, so Khushi began, 'Viraj ji, my name is Khushi. Khushi Kumari Gupta...Singh Raizada.' There was a very slight pause before the 'Singh Raizada', which Viraj or anyone else in the room would have mistaken for a pause taken due to short of breath, but Arnav did not mistake it. It was hesitation. She had hesitated before adding his name to hers. That churned his stomach. Why had she hesitated? He could feel his insides slowly beginning to dissolve, if he didn't quench the feeling now he would end up being sick in Viraj's drawing room, which he wouldn't have minded had the circumstances been different, but as it was, they weren't and he desperately tried to gain control over himself before it slipped away. He heard Khushi introducing him, 'This is my husband, Arnav Singh Raizada, you may remember him he is-' but Viraj cut her off before she could tell him, his connection to Arnav.
'Oh my God, yes, your Mr Raizada. I knew I recognised you, but couldn't remember from where. But of course, who doesn't know you, sir, you are the great business tycoon, Arnav Singh Raizada.' He was beaming at Arnav, clearly impressed by everything he had heard and read about the man. But his delight in meeting Arnav left an uneasy feeling with both Arnav and Khushi. This was going to be harder than they thought.
'Tell me sir, what can I do for you?' he directed his question straight at Arnav, making him feel cornered, he hated that feeling. But there was something worse than that feeling, the feeling of receiving respect from a person who should scorn you. Viraj was not Arnav's favourite person, but he knew that as much as his blood boiled at being in his presence, Viraj's should too in Arnav's presence for he had done the same (actually worse) to his sister, Sheetal, that Viraj had done to Anjali, but clearly Viraj had no idea. He had no idea who he was, not just that he was the person who had ruined Sheetal's life, but also that he was his ex-brother-in-law, Anjali's brother, who had idolised him. He needed for this hospitality from Viraj to stop, he didn't deserve it. He couldn't take it, he had never liked living a lie and he wasn't going to start now, the sooner things got out in the open the better it would be for all of them.
'Jee-' Arnav stopped short. Horrified at what he nearly said. He had began addressing him by what he had always called him, Jeej. That left a nasty flavour on his tongue. He straightened up, and forced himself to say his name in his presence, Viraj was not his Jeej, and he had made sure of that. 'Viraj, please don't give me any respect or extra priviledge, I do not deserve it, not from you especially, and I myself will not be able to stomach any of your nice nature.' He added as an undertone, for it was true as much as Viraj should hate him for his actions, he still couldn't help hating Viraj, and therefore couldn't bare his good nature towards him; whenever he had thought of them meeting before, he had always wanted to find an ashamed Viraj facing him for not having the courage to stand up to society, to his parents and marry Di, and the irony of it was when today they were finally meeting it was him who had to hang his head in shame for what he had done to his sister. But still while he was guilty for what he had done to Sheetal he wanted Viraj to be guilty too, for what he had done to Anjali, and thus did not want any niceties from him, for he had not forgiven him, even though he realised he should as that is what he wanted from Viraj: forgiveness. But that didn't come that easily to him, and it wouldn't for Viraj either, for they were very alike, especially when it came to matters of family, that is in fact why they had gotten along so well, for they had similar personality traits.
But right now was not the time to think of how alike they were, right now he had to relate what he had done and so he brushed these thoughts aside and proceeded, to a bemused yet engrossed looking Viraj. Clearly he had heard about Arnav's mystified nature, that is why he was still engrossed after Arnav's more than cryptic response towards him. Arnav cleared his throat and said, 'Viraj, I am Aarav's father.'
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Khushi's face jerk up and face him, horrified. She could not believe how easily he had just said that, without even trying to ease Viraj into this painful conversation. But it had not been easy for him, this was one of the hardest things he had had to say, not the hardest, that he had done this morning when he had told Khushi and then Anjali about his misdemeanours. But after that, this was it. Yet he had had to say it, and he knew this would bring the end to the welcoming nature of Viraj, which he could not take anyway. And more importantly, he had always been a straight-forward person, never liked beating around the bush, he always said what needed to be said, as harsh at it may be. For in his opinion there was no point in trying to 'ease' a person into bad news, for once you finally told them the worse it would still come as it would have if you said it without any comfort, which was a shock. So he did, what he always did, rip the bandage off, instead of pealing it off bit by bit, which hurt more.
Viraj stared at him in shock. Clearly not at all having anticipated these words to come out Arnav's mouth, or for this to have been the nature of their visit. He had wanted to know for years who had been Sheetal's one-night stand. Who had so brutally played her, broken her heart. Been the reason for her death. But never in any of his imaginings had he thought he would find out like this. On one of those rare days when he wasn't wondering about it. On a day which had been monotonously mundane. On a day he had taken off to clear up the house. And also from the mouth of such a respectable name in society.
But now it made sense, it made sense why Sheetal had stayed quiet about who the man was, for he was one of societies most respected men and she didn't want to taint his image. Even though he had not thought for a second about ruining hers. He could feel it, his blood beginning to boil, after freezing for a moment or two when the shock, of finally coming face to face with the person who had ruined his sister, wore off. And they could see it too, his face change from, pleasure, to bemusement, to shock and then the one they had feared, anger and pure hatred.
For moments there was pin drop silence, while Viraj glared at Arnav, and Arnav glared back. Both holding hatred in their eyes, while Arnav held a hint of guilt in them too. Khushi watched the silent exchange between the two, while she nervously waited for the storm that she could see building in their chests' to follow. She gripped the handle of her sofa for support and to stop her from falling off the edge, where she sat.
Then in one fluid motion before Khushi could even blink, Khushi found herself trying to wrench Viraj away from Arnav's throat. Viraj had leaped up and flung himself onto Arnav's throat, catching all of them off-guard. Khushi was pleading with him to let go of Arnav, while Arnav struggled to breathe, and tried to get Viraj off him, but Viraj was heavier and angrier than him and Arnav was turning blue under his grip. Arnav got his window to throw Viraj off him when he loosened his grip on Arnav to shove Khushi harshly off of him. His survival instinct and his need to protect Khushi, ended up giving him the strength to throw Viraj off him and give him a solid punch for hurting Khushi, before he went over to help Khushi up. She was nursing her arm, where Viraj had gripped her and pushed her to the side. She allowed Arnav to help her up, but coiled away from his soothing hand. It was more due to the physical pain that was reddening the skin on her arm, forming it into a bruise but a little had to with the fact that she was no longer comfortable being near Arnav, but she didn't want to think about that, for that thought opened the gate to a lot of questions which she wasn't ready to be ambushed with just yet.
Before Arnav could reel his outstretched hand back in or even decipher the reason behind Khushi's rejection towards him he found himself being bulldozed into the wall by Viraj's body, who had clearly recovered from Arnav's punch. No sooner had Khushi registered this and tried to wrangle Arnav free from him, they both toppled onto the floor, Arnav on top of him. Then both were up again, Viraj punching his face, while Arnav was punching his gut. Both parted from the force of the other's fist and for the brief moment where both nursed their wounds and glared hungrily at the other, Khushi jumped in between them, to stop the fight from getting any worse which would result in one, or may be both of them requiring serious medical attention.
Both of them lunged at each other, initially not noticing Khushi and then hoping that she would move away seeing them charging at the other, but she was resolute and did not budge, more because fear kept her paralyzed on the spot, rather than determination to stop the fight. They stopped short of her, but she could feel their hot breaths on her shoulder, knowing well that it meant they were not happy with her being in the middle but would not hurt her in order to hurt the other. A pair of gentlemen, she thought sarcastically.
She turned to Viraj first and said in a small voice, 'Please, I know you are angry, and you have every right to be, Arnav ji has done a very horrible thing, but please just hear him out, he is here to rectify his wrongs and whether or not you agree with what he says you have to agree that fighting will not solve anything, so please...'
'Maybe not, but it definitely makes me feel better seeing his nose bleed!' Grunted Viraj, not backing away. Arnav tried to push Khushi away to lung at him, but Khushi held him back and turned to him.
'Stop! Is this what you came here to do?!! You said you wanted to make things right and that started by admitting your guilt and accepting your punishment from Viraj ji, than how is this you accepting it calmly?!! Have you come here to make amends or make things worse Arnav ji?!! What about Aarav, do you think you will get him by acting like a goon?' her words hit him hard and he finally backed down and looked away from her, not being able to meet her eyes. She was right this was not what he came here to do, he was still taking his revenge on Viraj instead of making things right. He had to calm down, for Aarav's sake and keep his cool; he couldn't expect Viraj to stay cool right now. The man had just found out he was the one who ruined his sister's life. If he still found it hard to control his anger with Viraj after these many years than of course Viraj would be unable to keep his cool, he had just found out.
Arnav took a deep breath and then put his hands up to show both Khushi and Viraj that he wasn't going to wrestle anymore and was ready to talk. Viraj moved back but didn't stop glaring and kept his muscles tensed, ready to punch Arnav if he felt the need to. Khushi too put her hands down, which had been holding them at bay, but didn't move from in between them, clearly not trusting either's rage.
'Look I'm sorry-' Viraj bowled his fists and was ready to launch, clearly not wanting to hear Arnav's sorry. But Khushi came in front of him and stopped him telling him to listen, while Arnav put his hand up again, signalling that he understood that what he had said was wrong because of course no amount of "sorry's" in the world would assuage his pain. It wasn't like he had stolen Viraj's favourite toffee, which he could give back, he had taken his sister away from him.
'What I did was wrong, grossly wrong,' Arnav began again, 'And nothing I will ever do will make up for it, but believe me I want to make things better and I am willing to do whatever I can for it.' Viraj was fuming, but was still listening, waiting to hear how Arnav thought he could make things right.
'Khushi told me about Aarav. I had no idea that I had a son-'
'What you didn't realise that having sex with a girl can lead to pregnancy!!' spat Viraj at him.
Arnav reddened with anger, but let out a breath to control his temper, and through gritted teeth replied, 'I know that, thank you. What I meant was that I didn't know that our night together lead to Sheetal becoming pregnant.' But it was too late Arnav had said the one thing Viraj would not forgive him for saying: Sheetal's name. He lunged at Arnav before Khushi could even react and both of them were on the floor again, with Viraj punching him in the gut, adding more impact to every word he shouted at him:
'DON'T. YOU. DARE. SAY. HER. NAME. WITH. YOUR. FILTHY. MOUTH.' Seeing Arnav on the verge of passing out he let go of him, satisfied.
Khushi ran to Arnav, and slapped his face trying to revive him. But she was losing him. She desperately looked around for help, but it wasn't coming from anywhere. Viraj was the only one who was home and he was in no mood to revive Arnav. Her eyes scanned the room looking for anything that may help her, and they lay on the glass of water Viraj had brought them when they had come in. She dove for it and was back in flash next to Arnav with the water in her trembling hands. She sprinkled a few drops of water on Arnav but he didn't respond. Panic now surging through her, she looked at the full glass and then at the unconscious Arnav and then without stopping to think, splashed the whole glass of water in his face.
That did the trick, he sprang up in surprise, coughing and sputtering water everywhere. 'What the, Khushi...' he managed in croaky voice. Khushi relaxed at seeing him awake and hearing his ever-ready 'what the'.
She had just slumped towards the sofa next to her when she saw out of the corner of her eyes Arnav getting up to fight and Viraj preparing himself. Anger surged through her.
'ENOUGH!!!' She shot up and shouted at the both of them, frustration, irritation and anger getting the better of her. It now made sense to her why Sheetal had stayed quiet, for being a woman she realised that these two men with testosterone pumping through them in generous amounts would never be able to be in the same room as each other.
Annoyance, tipped her resolve to stay quiet during this visit. Their inability to converse, made her livid and she turned to face Viraj to let her anguish lose.
'Enough is enough. Yes Arnav ji did a despicable thing, but he is here now and is apologizing. Which more than what I can say for you, who has never even owned up to his cowardice. At least after all these years he is trying to make amends, amends to the problem you initiated in the first place. But there is no point in discussing that matter now, for we will get nothing resolved with trying to figure out who is to blame and who is not. You both are, and not just you two but actually we all are. So let's just leave it at that.
'Arnav ji is here to make amends, he wishes to be the support, the loving hand for Aarav that he never was for Sheetal ji. Arnav ji, realises his responsibility and wishes to take it. He wants to take Aarav home. He wants Aarav to have father. Aarav has lost one parent already, he should at least have the presence of the other and that is why he is here. He would like to be a part of Aarav's life. If Aarav accepts, that is.'
Viraj who was initially confused and irritated with Khushi at having the audacity to lay the blame on him for his sister's planned rape now looked upon her, livid. How dare she have the nerve to suggest they take Aarav.
'GET OUT!!! GET OUT AND DON'T YOU DARE COME WITHIN A HUNDRED MILE OF THIS PROPERTY OR AARAV. I MEAN IT IF I SEE EITHER ONE OF YOU EVER NEAR AARAV I WILL GET A RESTRAINING ORDER. I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE A RESPECTABLE PERSON IN SOCIETY, I WILL NOT STOP TO PROTECT MY AARAV FROM A DISGUSTING PERSON LIKE YOU. YOU WILL NOT HAVE AARAV. HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK I WOULD LET YOU HAVE HIM?!
'Yes he can be difficult to handle sometimes but that doesn't mean I will let you take him where he will become as moral less as you!' Viraj hollered in the utmost contempt.
Arnav who had gained most of his strength back now, moved towards him, and said in a meancing voice, which made every hair on Khushi body stand, 'better he be like me, someone who goes to any lengths for his beliefs, his family, than you who cannot even stand up for what is right: A COWARD!!' With that he shoved him aside, and started to walk out, but stopped at the door to add, 'And don't think for a second that I am going to let this go so easily. I will get Aarav whether or not I have your consent. I would prefer to have your consent and do it the preferable, the easy way, where Aarav doesn't have to go through more trauma, so that he can have your presence in his life as well as mine, but I will not hesitate for a second to make things worse and hard, I have faced enough hardships in my life to be scared of another; I will not back down, especially when my innocent son is caught in the middle of this.' With that threat, he left before Viraj could do or say anything else.
He stood staring at the door, wanting to go inside and see his son, but something stopped him from stretching out his hands and taking that final step. May be it was because he knew that after he did that it would be the point of no return, for up until now it was only them who knew that Aarav was his son, the world, Aarav, Viraj, did not. But after he went inside everyone would know, it would all be real. However, this didn't bother him as much as Khushi's silence did. He desperately wanted to know what Khushi's involvement would be in all of this. Would she stand by him and fight for Aarav with him? Would she want to raise Aarav with him? It was selfish of him to be worried about whether Khushi would remain a part of his life or not at a moment like this, a moment where he should be more concerned for his son for it was his well being, his future that was at stake, but he couldn't take his mind off Khushi. She was Khushi after all, she wasn't just his love, his miracle, his angel, she was his saviour, his soul, his everything. And so even though he knew it was wrong for him to be more concerned about her than Aarav, he couldn't stop himself from getting the answers to his questions before he walked in and all their lives changed forever, even if it meant that her answer may change his decision to go in.
'Khushi...before we go in, I...I wanted to know, that if I managed to get Aarav would you...would you stay with me, and if I didn't would you stand by me as I fight to gain his custody?' he stared at her intently, waiting for her reply, but it didn't come. Silence was all he got. May be that meant yes. Or may be that meant she wasn't sure. Or may be it meant...no.
He couldn't take the silence, the uncertainty anymore so he closed the gap between them and made her face him as he pleaded in her face to give him an answer, for he desperately needed to know. 'Khushi...' he began, exasperatedly, needing the answer and her lips parted, but before any sound could escape it that would allow him to understand her answer...
'What the...' the door they stood in front of opened and Viraj stood on the threshold, holding a garbage bag, staring at them, confused.
Khushi quickly broke away, straightened herself and looked up at Viraj, to try and explain why they were here. While Arnav found his blood beginning to boil, seeing one of the men who had led to his destruction. Who had broken him so badly that he stooped to such a low, a low that he found he was still trying to find his way up from. It had been years, fifteen to be precise, yet seeing him brought back that day as fresh as if it were this very morning when he had broken his Di's heart and blackened his heart. He bowled his fist and tried to steady himself, reminding himself that he was here for Aarav and for him he had to keep his cool.
'Viraj ji...' Khushi began, although having no idea how to explain the situation, but she was cut off by Viraj himself.
'You're that lady who found Aarav the other day, right? Who brought him home?' Khushi nodded. When she did not elaborate, he pushed on puzzled as to why she was here, with some man, whom it seemed like she had been having an argument with, for he seemed desperately trying to control his temper.
'Ummm, did you leave something that day?' still no answer. Viraj thought hard, what could have brought these two strangers here, and then it dawned on him, ' Oh no, wait, did Aarav do something, please don't be offended he is a troubled child, he lost his mother at a very young age and has been raised by me so he gets a little out of control sometimes, but he really is caring at heart...' His voice trailed off, as he tried to cover for his nephew. From his instant protectiveness towards Aarav one could tell that this happened a lot, where people lost their patience with Aarav and he had to try and assuage the situation.
Seeing Arnav at a loss of words, at hearing Aarav's name and his unruly behaviour due to his past, Khushi stepped forward and assured Viraj that they were not here with a complaint, but Aarav was the reason why they were here. Seeing him perplexed at her attempt to ease him she asked quietly, 'Viraj ji, may we come in. There is a lot that needs to be discussed but it shouldn't be done here on the porch.'
Bewildered he beckoned them in, leading them to the drawing room. He left them for a moment to dispose of the garbage bag he was still holding and when he came back he brought some refreshments with him, which they took. Once settled he waited for one of them to begin and tell him the reason for their midday visit.
Arnav was still discomposed, so Khushi began, 'Viraj ji, my name is Khushi. Khushi Kumari Gupta...Singh Raizada.' There was a very slight pause before the 'Singh Raizada', which Viraj or anyone else in the room would have mistaken for a pause taken due to short of breath, but Arnav did not mistake it. It was hesitation. She had hesitated before adding his name to hers. That churned his stomach. Why had she hesitated? He could feel his insides slowly beginning to dissolve, if he didn't quench the feeling now he would end up being sick in Viraj's drawing room, which he wouldn't have minded had the circumstances been different, but as it was, they weren't and he desperately tried to gain control over himself before it slipped away. He heard Khushi introducing him, 'This is my husband, Arnav Singh Raizada, you may remember him he is-' but Viraj cut her off before she could tell him, his connection to Arnav.
'Oh my God, yes, your Mr Raizada. I knew I recognised you, but couldn't remember from where. But of course, who doesn't know you, sir, you are the great business tycoon, Arnav Singh Raizada.' He was beaming at Arnav, clearly impressed by everything he had heard and read about the man. But his delight in meeting Arnav left an uneasy feeling with both Arnav and Khushi. This was going to be harder than they thought.
'Tell me sir, what can I do for you?' he directed his question straight at Arnav, making him feel cornered, he hated that feeling. But there was something worse than that feeling, the feeling of receiving respect from a person who should scorn you. Viraj was not Arnav's favourite person, but he knew that as much as his blood boiled at being in his presence, Viraj's should too in Arnav's presence for he had done the same (actually worse) to his sister, Sheetal, that Viraj had done to Anjali, but clearly Viraj had no idea. He had no idea who he was, not just that he was the person who had ruined Sheetal's life, but also that he was his ex-brother-in-law, Anjali's brother, who had idolised him. He needed for this hospitality from Viraj to stop, he didn't deserve it. He couldn't take it, he had never liked living a lie and he wasn't going to start now, the sooner things got out in the open the better it would be for all of them.
'Jee-' Arnav stopped short. Horrified at what he nearly said. He had began addressing him by what he had always called him, Jeej. That left a nasty flavour on his tongue. He straightened up, and forced himself to say his name in his presence, Viraj was not his Jeej, and he had made sure of that. 'Viraj, please don't give me any respect or extra priviledge, I do not deserve it, not from you especially, and I myself will not be able to stomach any of your nice nature.' He added as an undertone, for it was true as much as Viraj should hate him for his actions, he still couldn't help hating Viraj, and therefore couldn't bare his good nature towards him; whenever he had thought of them meeting before, he had always wanted to find an ashamed Viraj facing him for not having the courage to stand up to society, to his parents and marry Di, and the irony of it was when today they were finally meeting it was him who had to hang his head in shame for what he had done to his sister. But still while he was guilty for what he had done to Sheetal he wanted Viraj to be guilty too, for what he had done to Anjali, and thus did not want any niceties from him, for he had not forgiven him, even though he realised he should as that is what he wanted from Viraj: forgiveness. But that didn't come that easily to him, and it wouldn't for Viraj either, for they were very alike, especially when it came to matters of family, that is in fact why they had gotten along so well, for they had similar personality traits.
But right now was not the time to think of how alike they were, right now he had to relate what he had done and so he brushed these thoughts aside and proceeded, to a bemused yet engrossed looking Viraj. Clearly he had heard about Arnav's mystified nature, that is why he was still engrossed after Arnav's more than cryptic response towards him. Arnav cleared his throat and said, 'Viraj, I am Aarav's father.'
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Khushi's face jerk up and face him, horrified. She could not believe how easily he had just said that, without even trying to ease Viraj into this painful conversation. But it had not been easy for him, this was one of the hardest things he had had to say, not the hardest, that he had done this morning when he had told Khushi and then Anjali about his misdemeanours. But after that, this was it. Yet he had had to say it, and he knew this would bring the end to the welcoming nature of Viraj, which he could not take anyway. And more importantly, he had always been a straight-forward person, never liked beating around the bush, he always said what needed to be said, as harsh at it may be. For in his opinion there was no point in trying to 'ease' a person into bad news, for once you finally told them the worse it would still come as it would have if you said it without any comfort, which was a shock. So he did, what he always did, rip the bandage off, instead of pealing it off bit by bit, which hurt more.
Viraj stared at him in shock. Clearly not at all having anticipated these words to come out Arnav's mouth, or for this to have been the nature of their visit. He had wanted to know for years who had been Sheetal's one-night stand. Who had so brutally played her, broken her heart. Been the reason for her death. But never in any of his imaginings had he thought he would find out like this. On one of those rare days when he wasn't wondering about it. On a day which had been monotonously mundane. On a day he had taken off to clear up the house. And also from the mouth of such a respectable name in society.
But now it made sense, it made sense why Sheetal had stayed quiet about who the man was, for he was one of societies most respected men and she didn't want to taint his image. Even though he had not thought for a second about ruining hers. He could feel it, his blood beginning to boil, after freezing for a moment or two when the shock, of finally coming face to face with the person who had ruined his sister, wore off. And they could see it too, his face change from, pleasure, to bemusement, to shock and then the one they had feared, anger and pure hatred.
For moments there was pin drop silence, while Viraj glared at Arnav, and Arnav glared back. Both holding hatred in their eyes, while Arnav held a hint of guilt in them too. Khushi watched the silent exchange between the two, while she nervously waited for the storm that she could see building in their chests' to follow. She gripped the handle of her sofa for support and to stop her from falling off the edge, where she sat.
Then in one fluid motion before Khushi could even blink, Khushi found herself trying to wrench Viraj away from Arnav's throat. Viraj had leaped up and flung himself onto Arnav's throat, catching all of them off-guard. Khushi was pleading with him to let go of Arnav, while Arnav struggled to breathe, and tried to get Viraj off him, but Viraj was heavier and angrier than him and Arnav was turning blue under his grip. Arnav got his window to throw Viraj off him when he loosened his grip on Arnav to shove Khushi harshly off of him. His survival instinct and his need to protect Khushi, ended up giving him the strength to throw Viraj off him and give him a solid punch for hurting Khushi, before he went over to help Khushi up. She was nursing her arm, where Viraj had gripped her and pushed her to the side. She allowed Arnav to help her up, but coiled away from his soothing hand. It was more due to the physical pain that was reddening the skin on her arm, forming it into a bruise but a little had to with the fact that she was no longer comfortable being near Arnav, but she didn't want to think about that, for that thought opened the gate to a lot of questions which she wasn't ready to be ambushed with just yet.
Before Arnav could reel his outstretched hand back in or even decipher the reason behind Khushi's rejection towards him he found himself being bulldozed into the wall by Viraj's body, who had clearly recovered from Arnav's punch. No sooner had Khushi registered this and tried to wrangle Arnav free from him, they both toppled onto the floor, Arnav on top of him. Then both were up again, Viraj punching his face, while Arnav was punching his gut. Both parted from the force of the other's fist and for the brief moment where both nursed their wounds and glared hungrily at the other, Khushi jumped in between them, to stop the fight from getting any worse which would result in one, or may be both of them requiring serious medical attention.
Both of them lunged at each other, initially not noticing Khushi and then hoping that she would move away seeing them charging at the other, but she was resolute and did not budge, more because fear kept her paralyzed on the spot, rather than determination to stop the fight. They stopped short of her, but she could feel their hot breaths on her shoulder, knowing well that it meant they were not happy with her being in the middle but would not hurt her in order to hurt the other. A pair of gentlemen, she thought sarcastically.
She turned to Viraj first and said in a small voice, 'Please, I know you are angry, and you have every right to be, Arnav ji has done a very horrible thing, but please just hear him out, he is here to rectify his wrongs and whether or not you agree with what he says you have to agree that fighting will not solve anything, so please...'
'Maybe not, but it definitely makes me feel better seeing his nose bleed!' Grunted Viraj, not backing away. Arnav tried to push Khushi away to lung at him, but Khushi held him back and turned to him.
'Stop! Is this what you came here to do?!! You said you wanted to make things right and that started by admitting your guilt and accepting your punishment from Viraj ji, than how is this you accepting it calmly?!! Have you come here to make amends or make things worse Arnav ji?!! What about Aarav, do you think you will get him by acting like a goon?' her words hit him hard and he finally backed down and looked away from her, not being able to meet her eyes. She was right this was not what he came here to do, he was still taking his revenge on Viraj instead of making things right. He had to calm down, for Aarav's sake and keep his cool; he couldn't expect Viraj to stay cool right now. The man had just found out he was the one who ruined his sister's life. If he still found it hard to control his anger with Viraj after these many years than of course Viraj would be unable to keep his cool, he had just found out.
Arnav took a deep breath and then put his hands up to show both Khushi and Viraj that he wasn't going to wrestle anymore and was ready to talk. Viraj moved back but didn't stop glaring and kept his muscles tensed, ready to punch Arnav if he felt the need to. Khushi too put her hands down, which had been holding them at bay, but didn't move from in between them, clearly not trusting either's rage.
'Look I'm sorry-' Viraj bowled his fists and was ready to launch, clearly not wanting to hear Arnav's sorry. But Khushi came in front of him and stopped him telling him to listen, while Arnav put his hand up again, signalling that he understood that what he had said was wrong because of course no amount of "sorry's" in the world would assuage his pain. It wasn't like he had stolen Viraj's favourite toffee, which he could give back, he had taken his sister away from him.
'What I did was wrong, grossly wrong,' Arnav began again, 'And nothing I will ever do will make up for it, but believe me I want to make things better and I am willing to do whatever I can for it.' Viraj was fuming, but was still listening, waiting to hear how Arnav thought he could make things right.
'Khushi told me about Aarav. I had no idea that I had a son-'
'What you didn't realise that having sex with a girl can lead to pregnancy!!' spat Viraj at him.
Arnav reddened with anger, but let out a breath to control his temper, and through gritted teeth replied, 'I know that, thank you. What I meant was that I didn't know that our night together lead to Sheetal becoming pregnant.' But it was too late Arnav had said the one thing Viraj would not forgive him for saying: Sheetal's name. He lunged at Arnav before Khushi could even react and both of them were on the floor again, with Viraj punching him in the gut, adding more impact to every word he shouted at him:
'DON'T. YOU. DARE. SAY. HER. NAME. WITH. YOUR. FILTHY. MOUTH.' Seeing Arnav on the verge of passing out he let go of him, satisfied.
Khushi ran to Arnav, and slapped his face trying to revive him. But she was losing him. She desperately looked around for help, but it wasn't coming from anywhere. Viraj was the only one who was home and he was in no mood to revive Arnav. Her eyes scanned the room looking for anything that may help her, and they lay on the glass of water Viraj had brought them when they had come in. She dove for it and was back in flash next to Arnav with the water in her trembling hands. She sprinkled a few drops of water on Arnav but he didn't respond. Panic now surging through her, she looked at the full glass and then at the unconscious Arnav and then without stopping to think, splashed the whole glass of water in his face.
That did the trick, he sprang up in surprise, coughing and sputtering water everywhere. 'What the, Khushi...' he managed in croaky voice. Khushi relaxed at seeing him awake and hearing his ever-ready 'what the'.
She had just slumped towards the sofa next to her when she saw out of the corner of her eyes Arnav getting up to fight and Viraj preparing himself. Anger surged through her.
'ENOUGH!!!' She shot up and shouted at the both of them, frustration, irritation and anger getting the better of her. It now made sense to her why Sheetal had stayed quiet, for being a woman she realised that these two men with testosterone pumping through them in generous amounts would never be able to be in the same room as each other.
Annoyance, tipped her resolve to stay quiet during this visit. Their inability to converse, made her livid and she turned to face Viraj to let her anguish lose.
'Enough is enough. Yes Arnav ji did a despicable thing, but he is here now and is apologizing. Which more than what I can say for you, who has never even owned up to his cowardice. At least after all these years he is trying to make amends, amends to the problem you initiated in the first place. But there is no point in discussing that matter now, for we will get nothing resolved with trying to figure out who is to blame and who is not. You both are, and not just you two but actually we all are. So let's just leave it at that.
'Arnav ji is here to make amends, he wishes to be the support, the loving hand for Aarav that he never was for Sheetal ji. Arnav ji, realises his responsibility and wishes to take it. He wants to take Aarav home. He wants Aarav to have father. Aarav has lost one parent already, he should at least have the presence of the other and that is why he is here. He would like to be a part of Aarav's life. If Aarav accepts, that is.'
Viraj who was initially confused and irritated with Khushi at having the audacity to lay the blame on him for his sister's planned rape now looked upon her, livid. How dare she have the nerve to suggest they take Aarav.
'GET OUT!!! GET OUT AND DON'T YOU DARE COME WITHIN A HUNDRED MILE OF THIS PROPERTY OR AARAV. I MEAN IT IF I SEE EITHER ONE OF YOU EVER NEAR AARAV I WILL GET A RESTRAINING ORDER. I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE A RESPECTABLE PERSON IN SOCIETY, I WILL NOT STOP TO PROTECT MY AARAV FROM A DISGUSTING PERSON LIKE YOU. YOU WILL NOT HAVE AARAV. HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINK I WOULD LET YOU HAVE HIM?!
'Yes he can be difficult to handle sometimes but that doesn't mean I will let you take him where he will become as moral less as you!' Viraj hollered in the utmost contempt.
Arnav who had gained most of his strength back now, moved towards him, and said in a meancing voice, which made every hair on Khushi body stand, 'better he be like me, someone who goes to any lengths for his beliefs, his family, than you who cannot even stand up for what is right: A COWARD!!' With that he shoved him aside, and started to walk out, but stopped at the door to add, 'And don't think for a second that I am going to let this go so easily. I will get Aarav whether or not I have your consent. I would prefer to have your consent and do it the preferable, the easy way, where Aarav doesn't have to go through more trauma, so that he can have your presence in his life as well as mine, but I will not hesitate for a second to make things worse and hard, I have faced enough hardships in my life to be scared of another; I will not back down, especially when my innocent son is caught in the middle of this.' With that threat, he left before Viraj could do or say anything else.
*****
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