Chapter 26

“Did you really think I would let you get away with ruining me? No way in hell, Khushi!”

The momentary shock I felt vanished instantly, changing to disgust as my eyes remained fixed on him. If he is under the impression that I will stand here quietly, then he is mistaken. I refuse to take the blame he continues to peg on me. Not anymore.

“You are so full of yourself aren’t you? This wasn’t my fault, it was yours!  When will you get that?”

“Shut up!”

As his sharp tone echoes in the apartment, I flinch, taking an involuntary step back as he begins to come closer to me.

“I am so sick of your high and mighty attitude. Do you realize what you have done? There is no way anyone will hire me now, my career is over!  I worked hard at Symphony to get to where I was, but it was taken away with a snap of a finger. To top it off, I have to go back to Delhi. This is bullshit! I have lost everything. EVERYTHING!”

Beyond frustrated he runs his hand through his hair, then paces the foyer.

“Whose fault is that.”

His shoulders stiffen at my cold tone, turning slowly to face me. He stares at me for a moment, then chuckles.

“You have become feisty, haven’t you? What has brought upon this change in you, Khushi?” He sneers coming towards me again, but I step back further inside the apartment trying hard to remain unaffected.

“That doesn’t concern you anymore, does it? You need to leave now…”  

What can I do to get him out of here?

“Actually, I am not leaving anytime soon. Come on, aren’t you going to invite your guest in? Look I bought us dinner…”

He holds up the bag that is in his hand, and moves closer to me.

“I am warning you, if you don’t leave right now, I will…”

He throws his head back, and laughs out loud, cutting me off.  As I watch on in disbelief, he stops abruptly, grabbing my wrist tightly. I struggle to pull his hand off of mine, but fail miserably.

“You will what, huh? This isn’t AR where you can have your bodyguards around. Just you and me, like the old days. It’s time to rekindle our relationship. This place is nice, I think we can get comfortable here. It looks like AR pays you well.” He voice booms inside the apartment, dragging me towards the living room. He stops once we enter the room, pulling me closer.  

At this point my heart is beating  rapidly, seeing how this is spiraling out of control. But that doesn’t stop me from unleashing my anger at his insinuation.  This is a fight I will not walk away from, and especially not with him. If I am going to get through this, I need to stand up for myself without any fears or apprehensions.

“You and I are not going to rekindle anything, EVER! I detest you, you hear me? Let go of my hand. Now.”

“Or what?” His tone is icy as he raises his eyebrow, roughly slamming me against his chest.

That’s it. I have had enough, I feel disgusted being this close to him. A smile curves my lip with a rage sweeping through me, as I prepare myself to teach him a lesson. I lean closer to his ear, and whisper.

“How about something I should have done that night at the guest house?”  

In matter of seconds my adrenaline spikes up as I take my free hand punching his waist before kneeing him in the groin.

“… you… bitch…”  He screams out in pain, and falls down to the ground taking me with him as his hand tightens further around my wrist.

As I am trying to get off of him, I hear the front door being slammed open and Arnav’s panic stricken shout calling out for me.

“Khushi! Khushi…”

Sameer lets go of my hand, and continues to shriek in agony curled up on the floor near the chair.

“Arnav!”   

He comes running to the living room hearing my voice, and his face instantly goes pale seeing us on the floor, stopping at the entry of the room. But then he takes quick strides towards me, helping me get up from the floor taking me closer to the sofa.

“Tum Theek ho? Did he do anything to you? Are you hurt anywhere?” He spits out frantically, looking me over from top to bottom.

I shake my head, trying to control my erratic uneven breathing from the attack, and I feel it slowly becoming steady holding onto Arnav. There is a sense of security knowing he is here, the fear I had hidden inside of me vanishes in an instant.

After he makes sure I am okay, he pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head. As I feel him hold me tightly, I realize he needs to hear an assurance from me.

“Arnav, I am fine, but I don’t think he is…”  

I anxiously gaze up at him, gesturing towards Sameer who is on the floor in agony looking up at us with his eyes widened in shock. No doubt from being in pain, and seeing me in Arnav’s arms.

Arnav kisses my forehead before he pulls away. He clenches his jaw, and his fist curls up as he walks over to Sameer, then bends down.

“You have some fucking nerve to come here, and touch her. What were you thinking forcing yourself in here? Wait, I know, you weren’t thinking since there is nothing up here.”      

He says sharply, poking the top of Sameer’s head roughly with his fingers. But the next words out of Arnav, makes my heart stop beating at the sheer possessiveness, and coldness in his tone. Something I have never witnessed before.

“She is mine, and anyone who hurts what is mine, doesn’t get to see what tomorrow looks like. And today, I plan on taking care for what you have put my Khushi through. The torment you have given her, in the past and now. Get up you worthless piece of shit!”  

Arnav stands up as he yells out loud. And when Sameer still lays on the floor in agony shaking his head in pain, Arnav yanks him up. I gasp, covering my mouth as Arnav punches him several times in the face and the waist, knocking him down to the ground hard. And he has no intentions of stopping.

“Arnav, let him go. Stop it, you will kill him… ” I put my hands around his arm but he pushes me away, and I freeze in place. He starts to kick him all over his body with Sameer screaming unable to speak.

“This is what this low life deserves, I am not letting him go today. You fucking asshole, how dare you touch her?”

Arnav is trembling with rage, as he continues to curse at him. As I notice the blood dripping from his hands, I panic.

“Bas Arnav!” I raise my voice, to get his attention which works as he stops and looks at me. Seething with anger at him for being irrational, ready to kill someone, I yank him away. “That’s enough! What the hell is wrong with you? Do you know what will happen…”

“I don’t fucking care…”

“Well, I do! I care what happens to you, please that’s enough. Please, Arnav for me, let him go.”  I feel myself collapsing into his arms as the tears burn my eyes. Just the thought that if something happens to Sameer, Arnav pays the price, I can’t let that happen, he means too much to me.

He takes a deep breath wrapping his arms around me. Uncontrollable tears start streaming down my face as I wrap my arms around his shoulders holding on tight.

He comforts me for a few minutes, then makes me sit on the sofa when Henry and Mohan arrive with the police. I sit there dazed with my gaze fixed on Sameer, who is in anguish looking up at me. He mouths, ‘sorry’, and I shake my head giving him a faint smile.  

It’s clear he is repenting, as I see the glint in his eyes knowing he means it.  

Why did he have to go this far?

Couldn’t he just walk away?

“Sweetheart…” I look up into Arnav’s tender gaze, as he takes my hands in his and then helps me up from the sofa. “Come on, let’s go inside…”  He gestures towards the bedroom, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.  

I take a deep breath, looking down at Sameer one last time before I turn to look up at Arnav.

“Arnav, but what about Sameer, he’s hurt, and needs to see a doctor.”  I whisper, as we start to walk away.

He nods as we walk inside the bedroom.  

“Khushi, I will be back in a few minutes.”  

“But…”

He shakes his head, stopping me from saying anything further.  

“Can you please let me take care of this? Please…”

Hearing his desperate plea, I give him a shaky nod. I know he will blame himself for this, and needs this closure more than I do if we are going to move past what happened tonight.

He kisses me gently which warms my heart, then sits me down on the bed before he walks out of the room closing the door behind him.

What is going to happen to Sameer?

How am I going to handle Arnav knowing the guilt he will keep inside of him for what happened tonight?

Twenty long minutes later, Arnav comes back into the room and sits next to me on the bed. Neither one of us say anything, as an eerie silence fills the room which has always consisted of happiness and love. I watch him from the corner of my eye, as he looks at the wall in front of him in deep thought.   

Despair, guilt… written all over his face

I look down at his injured hand which doesn’t seem to be affecting him. All I know is that it looks painful.

“Arnav…” I slightly squeeze his shoulder, and he looks at me with a small smile.

His gaze falls on my wrist which is bruised, and he wastes no time cursing under his breath.

“Does it hurt?” He whispers, taking my hand to inspect the bruise with his fingers.

“Probably not as much as what’s on your hand.” I pull my hand away from his, and then reach over for his injured one which is swollen, and bloody.

“Can you bend it? I hope it’s not broken, maybe we should go have it checked out.”

He shifts as I touch the area of the bruise. It’s clear he is in pain, so I stand up and gesture him to come with me.

“Khushi, it will be fine in a few days. It’s not a big deal. Look it’s not broken.” He flexes his fingers and moves his hand around, looking up at me.  

“At least let’s clean it up and wrap it in ice for the swelling to go down. Come, let’s go outside.” He looks towards the closed bedroom door, then back at me shaking his head.

“Arnav, nothing happened, look at me, I am perfectly fine. I am not going to be afraid walking around in our home. And you need to stop blaming yourself. Do you think I don’t know what is running inside your head right now? You are holding yourself responsible for what happened. Guess what, it’s no one’s fault.”

“How can you say that? It’s my fault, I should have come home with you.”

“Don’t say anything further. Arnav, you cannot possibly be by my side 24/7. Who knew this would happen? I know Sameer well, he is just a nuisance. I honestly don’t think he would have done anything to harm me. He was upset and distressed about losing everything he has worked for, and blames me for it. It still does not justify what he did, but his mental stability was not there.  In the end, I could see the penitence in his eyes. Plus I was able to handle him.  Should I remind you about my handiwork?”  

He stands up from the bed coming close to me, and caresses my face. I smile at him trying to change his somber mood that is ridden with guilt.  

“Khushi, you have become my life, and it almost came crumbling down today. When we pulled up to the building, I felt something was not right. And when Mohan was holding our pizza, and Henry mentioned someone was up here with our food already, I stopped breathing altogether. It was my worst nightmare coming true, a nightmare I have been having since I came back from Delhi. The thoughts going on in my head as I was coming upstairs were terrifying. And to see you on the floor, not knowing if you were hurt, I felt helpless. Khushi… he just walked in here, what if something…”

I place my fingers on his lips and shake my head.

“But nothing happened.”  

He takes a deep breath, and wraps his arms around me. He leans down, nestling his face in my neck holding me tight. We stay that way for a few minutes, before he pulls away. He looks at me intently.

“Khushi Kumari Gupta, you are the strongest, bravest woman I know. You amaze me everyday with the courage and determination you exemplify no matter what issue you are facing. There aren’t many women, heck even men, who can do what you have done. I am so proud of you, and today I bow down to my Khushi.”

I gasp, and my hand flies up to my mouth in shock, as he pulls away and actually kneels. Not able to see him like this, I pull him up.  

“Oh Arnav…” Tears well up in my eyes, and I take his hand in mine. The love he has for me reflecting the love I have for him.

“Do you know where that courage comes from?  You. It’s because of the love and support that you have given me which makes me strong to face anything that comes my way. That is what got me through tonight, I didn’t have the fear because Arnav’s Khushi doesn’t need to be afraid of anything with her Arnav by her side. In our relationship, you have always given more to me so I needed to fight this to come out stronger for you. Now it’s truly time for both of us to put this behind us. Will you move forward with me, Arnav?”

My gaze meets his as he leans down, lightly touching my forehead with his lips.  And even without him saying anything, I smile knowing his answer.

“For you sweetheart, I would do anything. I love you so much.”

“But, I love you more.”

He smiles, pulling me into his arms, and I know it’s a start.

Will he be able to put the guilt behind him?”

Throughout the night, I can sense Arnav is restless in the apartment. So in the morning I decide for us to shift to the penthouse. I can tell how hard it is for him to be here which is why it’s best to take him away.

He is unusually quiet throughout the day, barely saying anything.  As we watch the movie like he promised, he sits there staring at the screen blankly. The playfulness, the intimacy that existed when we would sit in the theatre room in the dark is no longer there. Once the movie is over, he eats his dinner quickly before I am finished. I sit at the table by myself, watching him walk away as he makes an excuse about some important work. After that I don’t see him for the remainder of the night, with him locking himself in the study while I am in the bedroom.

I understand his need for space as he tries to get over what happened yesterday, so I let him be.  I decide to keep myself occupied with pending work that has piled up from the last couple of weeks.  

“Eleven o’clock, don’t tell me he is still working.” Letting out a yawn, seeing the time, I close my laptop.  

That’s it, it’s time for an intervention before this gets out of hand. I am aware if I don’t go to him, he won’t come here. At least not tonight. I can feel him distancing himself from me. But I will not allow it to continue. We have had open communication in this relationship, and if he isn’t going to follow through with it, then I need to.

With that determination, I get up from the bed, and make my way to the study. As I open the door, I lean against the doorframe watching him stare out the window with a drink in his hand. I glance at his table, and spot his favorite scotch bottle that he tends to go to when something is bothering him.

“Tsk tsk, Mr. Raizada is drinking alone, not fair. Where is my share?”

He smiles looking at my reflection through the window taking a sip from his glass, then turns to face me, offering his glass to me.

“I thought you would be asleep by now.” He says softly, when I walk up close to him.

“Since when did I start falling asleep without being in your arms?”

“Point well made, Ms. Gupta.”

He chugs the remaining drink, and walks slowly over to the table. I follow him, and pick up the half empty bottle as he reaches out for it.

“Don’t you think you have had enough to drink tonight?”

He laughs, and leans against his desk putting his arms across his chest.

“Sweetheart, you know I don’t get drunk, so relax. I haven’t drunk all of that as you are assuming, only had a few drinks…”

“Arnav please don’t do this. You said you would do anything for me then why are you hurting me like this?”

He takes my hand and puts it on his chest next to his heart. I sigh as he gently pulls me closer to him standing between his legs.

“What did I do? Okay, tell me what can I do for you.”

It’s futile to make him talk tonight as it will not accomplish anything except us arguing. From what I can see, he has had a few too many drinks.

“Come to bed with me… to sleep…” I clarify as he raises his eyebrow. His lip curves up, caressing my hand.

“What if I want more?” He whispers.

I laugh, looking at him incredulously, before getting out of his hold. His eyes widen in surprise as I take a few steps back away from him. It hits me then what I need to do for him to realize how this can affect our relationship if this continues.

“Well, you should have thought of that before leaving me alone for fours hours to come in here to drink by yourself. By the way, those few drinks apparently are few too many. I suggest you cut the crap that you are not drunk. I refuse to do anything with you when you are using that bottle as an escape mechanism. I am off to bed… in the guest room. Good night Mr. Raizada.”

We both stare at each other with our eyes blazing with anger, but before he can retort with something he might regret, I walk out of his study slamming the door shut behind me.

Why do we continue to have these roadblocks in our relationship?

What is it going to take for him to move forward, and put this behind us?

How can I get through to him?

For the next couple of hours, I lay in bed tossing and turning with those questions running in my head. But my thoughts are broken, hearing the door open.

It looks like he can’t sleep either, I smile with my anger dissipating knowing how we both need the other by our side for something as basic as sleeping. There is a sense of peace in falling asleep in each other’s arms. But after walking out on him earlier, I decide to pretend to be sleeping as he climbs into the bed.

He lays on his side, and I feel his eyes on my back as I am facing the other way. Every part of my being wants to turn and go into his arms as I always do. But he needs to realize he can’t keep harboring this guilt inside of him.

The sooner he lets it go, the sooner we can move forward together, the way it should be.

I feel him move closer to me, he leans up and gently moves my hair away from my face. My heart races feeling his warm touch, placing a gentle kiss on the top of my head and whispers.

“Khushi, I am so sorry for hurting you today by shutting you out. I hope you know how much I love you. All I want is for you to be happy, that is what you deserve. I promise, that is what you will be. Tomorrow, my love, will be a new day.”

My heart soars at the amount of unconditional love this man has for me, which is why he is hurting and can’t seem to move past this. Seeing him this way brings tears to my eyes.

When I hear him again, I don’t even realize he is back on the other side of the bed.

“If you are having a hard time falling asleep, these arms are open. And you will be safe, I won’t ask for anything more.”

Craving for his touch, and the closeness that makes me feel content; I take a deep breath and shift back closer towards him without turning to face him. He also slides closer to me, placing his arm on my waist, and entwines his leg with mine. I take his bruised hand that is on my waist bringing it closer to my lips and place a gentle kiss.

“I love you too..”  I whisper, before closing my heavy eyes as sleep decides to finally make an appearance.

But one thought remains with me throughout the night being in his arms.

Will tomorrow really be a new day for me, him and us?

 

It seems the new day does bring my Arnav back as he seems to be himself. When we wake up the following morning, he suggests we go for a run together in the park. And I happily go and savour the pleasure of beating him as we race around the park.  But I swear it’s almost as if he lets me win today.

The remainder of the weekend and into the early part of the week, we get back into our normal routine. Which I embrace, at home and in the office.  

I know he is attempting to move forward, it’s apparent in the way he has been around me. But there is still that fear within him, not letting me go anywhere alone. At one point he suggests getting a bodyguard for me, but I laugh it off and put my foot down about not needing one. Though for his sake I oblige by taking someone with me if I need to go anywhere where he cannot accompany me. In the evenings, we leave together with him bringing work home which is the only good thing to come out of this. I can’t help smile knowing he is not working late in the office, but is now home with me.

However, there is something that I can’t get off my mind, and I don’t know how to approach Arnav about it.  

One night when we are in the bedroom working, sitting on the bed, I gather the courage to ask him.

“Arnav, can I ask you something?”

I wait for him to look up, but he is engrossed in typing an email when I look at his screen.  

“Of course you can, what is it?”

“Um… what… happened with Sameer?”  

His fingers freeze on the keyboard, staring at his screen for a long moment before he faces me.

“I don’t want to bring up what happened last week, but I would like to know what happened to him.”

He takes a deep breath, closing his laptop before putting it to the side. And I do the same with mine.

“I have been meaning to talk to you about him, but I didn’t know how to say this. Part of it is because I rather not bring up a topic that seems to create a distance between us. But I know we need to talk about it. I just hope after this we can forget he ever existed.”

I put my hand over his, feeling his anger making its way as the words come through and as his facial expression becomes serious.

“Baby, I already have, and I know you are trying which is all that matters to me.”

“That night, I had the police arrest him and press charges for unlawful entry. But he got out on bail today until his trial which is not for another month… unbelievable legal system! So I spoke to our lawyers, after the hearing…”

“Wait, is that where you were this morning?”

He nods and squeezes my hand, then continues.

“I had to see for myself what happens with his case. Needless to say I wasn’t happy when someone posted for his bail. The lawyers think, since this is his first offense, and if found guilty, there is a chance he might get little jail time and get deported once his time is served. But with this, his attorney might make you testify, since you were involved when he entered the apartment.”

I close my eyes, and look down not knowing how I feel about all of this. It’s too much to absorb at the moment.

“Sweetheart, look at me..” He raises my chin, and I look at him with uncertainty. “Khushi, there is nothing to worry about. I will not have you face him again so I have already told them under no condition will that happen. You will not have to see him or a courtroom. However they did suggest something to keep you out of this case, which is what I wanted to speak to you about.”

I raise my eyebrow, urging him to speak. He sighs, and I immediately know I am not going to like what he is going to say.

“If I press charges on behalf of AR, we can eliminate the case that involves you personally.  Then you don’t need to testify…”

“No! You know as well as I, what that would mean. I am standing firm on this, we will not do that. Plus, he signed a contract when we terminated him, as did I, that we would not pursue legal actions if he hands over the patents.”

I interrupt knowing what implications this can have on AR as we are establishing our footprint in the States. I will not let that happen. AR’s credibility is far important to me than facing Sameer in the courtroom.

“Damn you Khushi, this is exactly why I did not want to tell you. But I knew I had to. Why can’t you go along with this? There are always loopholes in contracts, we can make this work.”

“This is about AR, what don’t you get?”

“Well, then it becomes about you, which I will not allow to happen. So I also stand firm. I have let you make every decision and supported you with anything that has involved him, for once you need to let me do this my way and support me.” He raises his voice in frustration, and his piercing gaze speaks volumes about his determination to not back down.  

Arnav Singh Raizada is on a mission to make Sameer pay no matter what the cost is to AR, while keeping me out of this mess. And it seems like nothing I will say or do, can change his mind.

How can one get through to this man?

But wasn’t I the same way a few weeks back?

I decide to make one last attempt to get through to him.

“I would like to speak with the lawyers.”  

“No, not happening. I already said I do not want you involved in this.” He stays firm, staring at me.

“Why are you being difficult?”  

He lets out a sarcastic laugh, shaking his head.

“Oh really, I am being difficult? Let’s just say, I learned from the best, my girlfriend, and this stubborn woman I work with at AR.”

“So you are not going to back down?”

He curves his lip, amused at my questioning.

“Nope.”

“Then it looks like I have no choice or say, do I?”

“Nope…”

Do I back off and allow him to handle this without any say?

Though I am not happy, I slump my shoulders accepting defeat, and finally let him have his way. Looking at the wide smile adorning his face, it seems like I have done the right thing by giving him this victory.

“Bossy, control freak, bully…” I murmur under my breath as I get underneath the covers.

“Did you say something?” He drawls, as the corner of his lip curves up.

“No sir, I wouldn’t dare say anything against the all mighty Arnav Singh Raizada.” Batting my eyelids, I smile but it disappears in an instant. I gasp as he straddles me, and then leans down close to my face, pinning my hands above my head.

“I should tie your hands and torture you for your smart mouth. Of course it would be a sweet torture, more so for me than you, but I think you would also enjoy it. Shall I?” His husky voice laced with desire, makes my heart go erratic thinking about what he has in mind. I swallow feeling my throat dry up.

“Woh… main…”  I stutter unable to get the words out of my mouth with his close proximity igniting the warmth inside of me.  

“It seems like Khushi Kumari Gupta is scared…”

There is a challenge in his tone, but at the same time there is a seductive dare which I can’t resist.

He lets go of my hands, and sits up on top of me. I arch up as his hands go inside my shirt, I tremble slightly feeling goosebumps make their way all over body as he draws circles on my waist with his fingers.  

“You know me well enough to know I am not scared of anything. What did you have in mind?” My somewhat calm, confident tone is completely opposite to the trepidation running inside of me.

He smirks as he leans down, pinning my hands over my head once again, giving me a glimpse of what’s to come as he captures my lips in a deep passionate kiss.   

“The night just got very interesting, let the sweet torture begin.”  He whispers in my ears, leaving me craving for more, much more.

And sweet torture is an understatement for the intense passion we share that night. It is pure pleasure, as we explore things we haven’t before. He fulfills both our desires, taking me to new heights of intimacy.  

The next couple of days, I barely see Arnav in the office as he is off site at meetings looking at new ventures. Even Aakash decides to work from home which leaves me attending AR on my own. But with so much work pending, I am kept busy all day with no time to spare. I also get involved in interviewing new candidates for some key positions AR is recruiting for on the management team.

Our projected growth for AR in the States next year is to double where we are today, and I am confident we will be able to accomplish that. I actually believe we can exceed it, but in order for that happen, him and I both need to stay focused professionally.  We can’t afford the distraction that has taken our focus away these past few weeks.

Being with Arnav, it seems my professional goals have changed. It’s something that has become important to me for the man I love. Nothing will make me happier than to fulfill Arnav’s dream of making AR a billion dollar company in the next few years. With us working together the way we have been, we can do this.

“Hi Sweetheart!”  I gasp as Arnav comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist in the middle of the hall in the office.

“Arnav, what are you doing? Someone will see us.”  I try pushing him away, but he tightens his hold.

“Do you think I care? Khushi, it’s after work hours on a Friday, so no one should be around. Come on, give me a quick meetha then I will let go.”

Before I can retort at his absurd request given that we’re in the middle of the hall where anyone can come by, he places a sensual kiss on my neck sending shivers down my spine.  

He lets go, and comes around to face me with a wicked grin on his face. I can feel the blush that warms my cheeks, but I shake my head getting ready to let him know what I think of his stunt.  But he interrupts just as I am about to speak.  

“Let’s continue, sorry I mean ‘go to’ my office, I have some good news to share.”  

“I know what you meant, Mr. Raizada, so don’t even try it. And it seems like you are in a good mood.  Did you just get back from your meetings?” I ask as we start walking towards his office.

After looking around, I notice he is right, there is no one here.

“Khushi you realize it’s almost seven o’clock? Were you in a meeting with someone? I thought you would cut my head off for coming back this late and making you wait.”

We walk into his office, and he closes the door before coming close up to me.

“Hai Devi Maiya, is it that late? I have been interviewing all afternoon, and was briefing with HR for the next round of interviews that I wanted scheduled for early next week. I am so tired and hungry.” I sigh, sitting down next to him on the sofa, and then place my head on his shoulder.

“What’s your good news? Are you going to take me to see my chotu bachu this weekend? Because that is the only good news I want to hear right now…”

“You know we can’t go this weekend… remember we have a wedding reception to attend tomorrow here in the city. And the family will be there, so you will see him, along with everyone else.”

“Oh right, I totally forgot. Oops sorry. So what’s this good news you have for me?” He shakes his head, and takes my hand in his. When I look up at him, I notice something is on his mind. “Baby, what’s the matter?”  

“I have an update on Sameer… I gave our lawyers approval to settle the case with him and he has agreed to our terms.”  

I still at the serious tone of his voice, opposite of the playful flirty tone outside in the hall.

“What did you have him agree to?” I whisper feeling anxiety creep up as my heart thuds out of my chest.

“It is going to be an out of court settlement. He pleads guilty, and will get deported to India next week never to come back here again in exchange for no jail time and a public trial. So in the end you get what you wanted, and though I want him to rot in jail with the key thrown away in the ocean, I will settle for him being far away from you.”

“Really?  So AR doesn’t get dragged into this?”  I stare at him, surprised at how easily this has fallen into place.

“That is correct, it’s a win win for the both of us. Happy?”

I smile gratefully, making my way onto his lap and pull him into a tight hug.  When I pull away, I stare at him in admiration for respecting my wishes yet again. Taking a deep breath, I fight back the tears that threaten to escape.

There is one thing I am confident about, this was done for me and only me. If he wanted to make Sameer’s life miserable he would have, by going after him for the issues he created at AR and punish him, not caring about the consequences.

“Thank you!  And happy doesn’t begin to describe what I feel at the moment. Arnav, the fact that you did this for me means so much to me. You have always supported and respected my decisions with Sameer. Every step of the way, you allowed me to handle this my way, I know how hard it has been for you. But despite that you did this for me. Now I finally have closure! And it feels great. I am so ready to finally move forward.  What do you think Mr. Raizada?”

He chuckles at my excitement as I throw my arms up in the air feeling exhilarated and free from my past, not to mention the turmoil of the past few weeks which has truly tested our relationship.

But we came out strong, proving we can handle just about anything that comes our way having each other by our side.  

“Ms. Gupta, I think… tomorrow will be a new start for us and our relationship. It’s about time, and I couldn’t be happier!”

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