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hand-picked-star · 4 months ago

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The 13th Anniversary Arshi Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the Heart | Chapter 25 ( final)

DISCLAIMER: The story is set in the early 20th century. While I have made efforts to capture the essence of the era, there may be inaccuracies as this is a work of fantasy. I do not own the characters Arnav and Khushi, and this story is purely fictional with no relation to any real individuals, living or dead. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.

WARNING: 18+, MATURE CONTENT.

Final Chapter

Three years later.

It was the eve of Diwali, the festival of lights. The Rajput haveli was a vision of grandeur and festivity this evening. The entire estate was adorned with intricate decorations. Strings of twinkling fairy lights draped over every window and doorway and vibrant rangoli patterns were meticulously crafted at the entrance. Rows of gleaming diyas, their soft flickering flames casting a warm, golden glow, lined the pathways and courtyards, creating a serene and enchanting ambience. The air was filled with the scent of freshly made sweets and the sounds of laughter and celebration, as the household came alive with the spirit of joy and togetherness.

Arnav and Khushi had been celebrating their Dewalis with the Rajput family instead of their own Haveli, which they had finally managed to build according to their own taste. It was especially Khushi's touch that could be seen in every corner of the new Raizada state. Though they had a beautiful house of their own, they very much enjoyed spending their Dewalis with the Rajputs. Because, all of their near and dear ones were here and with Mahindar and Manorama's advancing age, they wanted to celebrate the festivals surrounded by all of their children.

"Oh shit."

Arnav hurriedly entered the room and locked the door behind him. Khushi was in the midst of getting ready. was adjusting a delicate gold necklace around her neck. She had styled her dark hair elegantly in loose waves that had gone perfectly with the stunning deep red sari, she had worn. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of concern as she looked up from her reflection.

"What happened?"

"The string of my trousers just snapped. Did you bring a spare?" Arnav replied, noticing how gorgeous she looked.

"Let me see."

As Khushi proceeded to see Arnav's broken trouser string, a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

"Aren't you a bit too eager to see my treasures, Mrs. Raizada?"

Rolling her eyes at his antics, she said, "Take it off."

"As you wish."

Arnav grabbed her waist, gently placing her on the desk in her room. The old desk was not that big, leaving her back pressed against the wall. He moved to stand between her legs, gently pushing them apart.

"What are you doing?" she whispered yelled as his hands slid up her thighs. He wrapped one of his hands around her waist, pulling her a little closer, while he put the other hand against the wall, above her head.

"Nothing, just testing how sturdy the desk is," he said leaning closer to her. A playful smirk curled on the corners of his lips.

"Arnav, everyone is waiting for us downstairs."

"A few more minutes won't hurt them," he said, capturing her lips in a teasing kiss while his hands gathered her saree around her waist. He touched her in between her legs, finding her already eager for him.

"Ap aise nahi kar sakte," she whispered, biting her lips.

"Kyun nahi kar sakta? Biwi ho tum meri, my legally wedded wife." A soft whimper escaped her lips, as he pushed his fingers in between her nether lips. "And look at you," he murmured, "....already so ready for me. The idea of us on this desk excites you, huh?"

Khushi swatted his shoulder lightly and smiled, her eyes full of mirth. "Shut up."

"Make me."

In the past few years, so much had changed. What hadn't was the undeniable pull between them. Despite the upheavals in many aspects of their lives, there they were, still wrapped up in their own little world.

He looked devastatingly handsome, as always-nothing special in that. But the navy blue kurta he wore today made his eyes stand out even more, and they were now focused on Khushi, brimming with mirth.

Khushi clutched his collars and pulled him close as she fused their lips together, successfully wiping off the teasing grin on his face. Meanwhile, Arnav got rid of his trousers and entered her in a swift motion. Both of them moaned softly, their pleasure barely contained. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt as she pulled him closer. Her back arched slightly while she adjusted to him. His lips travelled down her neck alternately sucking and kissing her soft supple skin. Her head fell back, eyes fluttered shut.

"Don't leave marks. It would be very awkward in front of the relatives." The desk beneath her creaked softly as he began to move.

"Shhh... I won't... at least not where everyone can see." He whispered, lightly sucking behind her ear.

Their rhythm grew frantic. They tried desperately to muffle their moans, as he pounded repeatedly into her. He then realized they were making lots of noises.

"Shit, your bangles.''

"Huh..?" When Arnav saw his wife completely blissed out and lost in the sensation. He just shrugged his shoulder and went back to his previous activities. Soon, their moans mingled in each other's necks as they finished together.

Both were breathing heavily. Khushi cradled her face against his shoulder, her fingers gently playing with his hair. While Arnav tried to catch his breath by resting his head on her neck. A sudden knock on the door startled them. Instead of pushing him away, Khushi clutched his neck even tighter, holding him close. Akash Bhai's voice came through the door.

"Khushi?"

Regaining her composure, Khushi answered in a shaky voice, "Haan, Bhai?" Her body froze in place.

"Where's Arnav? Hasn't he come yet? Bareilly wale Fufaji usko kabse dhoond rahe hain."

"Hume nahi pata, Bhai. Humne unko nahi dekha."

Khushi noticed her husband's shoulders shaking lightly. She cast a glare at his shoulders as if willing them to stop.

"Theek hain, main dekhta hoon. Tum jaldi tayaar hoke niche aao."

As Akash Bhai's footsteps faded, Arnav couldn't hold back his laughter any longer. He looked back at his wife, his amusement contagious. Khushi tried to give him a stern look but ended up laughing along with him, playfully swatting his chest. Arnav gazed at her affectionately before capturing her lips with his.

As much as he loved to kiss her whimpering lips, he loved kissing her smiling ones even more.

After freshening up, Arnav headed downstairs. As soon as he reached the bottom, two little bodies collided with him, and he effortlessly scooped them up into his arms. Three-year-old Akansha, a spitting image of Anjali as a child, brought back memories of his sister's younger days, while five-year-old Ajit, a perfect blend of Akash and Payal. They grinned up at him. Arnav settled into a nearby lounge chair, both children comfortably perched on his lap.

Little Akansha said in her baby voice, "Mamaji, thank you for the gift. Ma said me to thank you." She placed a tiny kiss on his cheek.

Not to be outdone, little Ajit mimicked her. "Ha, Mamaji, thank you."

Akansha quickly turned to him, frowning. "Arre, buddhu, wo sirf mere Mamaji hain. Tumhare nehi."

"He isn't your Mamaji either," Khushi chided little Akansha lovingly. "Remember what I told you? When you go to our house, you'll call him Mamaji. But when we come here, you have to call him Fufaji."

Arnav scrunched his nose in response, "Don't confuse the children, Khushi." Then, turning back to them, he added, "Why don't both of you just call me Uncle, okay?"

Both of them nodded and sprinted off to play in the courtyard.

Meanwhile, two pairs of brown eyes eagerly awaited their turn on his lap. As soon as it was vacant, they climbed onto each of his thighs. A sweet, confused voice asked, "Daddy, do we need to call you that too?"

"Oh, no, I've worked too hard for you to ever call me that."

"Well, your daddy was very close to being called 'Uncle' by my children once upon a time," Khushi said, lightly touching the little girl's nose.

Arnav cast her a mock glare and mouthed soundlessly, "How dare you?" In response, Khushi just laughed.

While little Ayushi snuggled against her father's neck, little Kush played with his toy, absorbed in his own world. Roma Chachi had remarked aptly that Khushi had indeed given birth to their own reflections, as the three-year-old twins were perfect mirrors of their parents.

While little Ayushi was a bit clingy and voiced her need for attention, little Kush was more reserved. Arnav saw himself in Kush more and more as the days went by. Though Kush didn't seek attention outwardly, inside he was just as eager for snuggles and cuddles as his sister. Even if he pretended otherwise, he desired the same affection. So, Arnav made sure to give both children equal attention. And in some cases, he made an extra effort to give affection to Kush while he was still open to it. Because, As Kush grew up, Arnav knew his little boy might not appreciate his father hugging him as much as his daughter might. It's just a man-code.

Arnav pulled little Ayushi closer, planting a kiss on her head, while he affectionately rubbed his son's back. Khushi watched them with a soft smile, her heart swelling with warmth and tenderness. It had been three years since their birth, and Khushi had been pestering Arnav for another child, but he kept refusing. Their birth had traumatized him enough. Arnav till date clearly remembered and almost felt the panic that he had gone through that night.

He had arranged for the best midwife in the area and had called a trained nurse from the missionary hospital for the delivery. The doctor had come as well and assured him that everything was alright and that the birth would proceed naturally. And there he was, pacing in front of the room where Khushi had been for two hours-two hours of listening to her whimpering and screaming in pain. Arnav was just minutes away from asking Hariprakash to fetch the doctor again when a deafening cry of a newborn pierced the air.

A joyous shout of Roma Chachi came from inside, "It's a boy!"

A few moments later, Roma Chachi emerged from the room with a little crying bundle and approached Arnav. But at the same time, another scream from Khushi nearly stopped his heartbeat. Roma Chachi tried to pass the baby to Arnav, but he grabbed her upper arms and asked urgently, "What's happening inside? How's Khushi?"

A hushed whisper circulated among the women in the room who had come to assist with the birth, noting Mr. Raizada's reluctance to take the baby in his arms. Roma Chachi looked around, guessing how the situation must appear, and spoke to Arnav in a hushed voice.

"Take your son, Arnav. Khushi will be alright."

Chastised by his mother-in-law, Arnav looked at the baby, who had stopped crying and was now gazing at him with wide eyes. He took the baby in his arms and sat on a sofa in the corridor. The baby's little body squirmed in the palm of his hand. Father and son stared at each other for quite some time. An overwhelming sense of protectiveness washed over him, though he couldn't exactly name the other emotions coursing through him. He just kissed the baby boy's forehead lightly and spoke softly as if the baby would clearly understand his words, "I'm not mad at you. I'm just scared."

A little while later, Anjali took the baby from Arnav while Khushi's screams continued to echo from the room, driving him to the brink of madness. He asked Hariprakash to fetch the doctor and also asked Anjali to go inside and see what was happening. Suddenly, the screaming stopped, and Arnav's heart pounded at the sudden silence. Roma Chachi emerged with another bundle, her face radiant with a brilliant smile. "There was another baby-a girl. It's a little Khushi."

Arnav placed his hand on the baby's head and asked, "How's she?"

"She will be okay, Arnav," Roma Chachi reassured him and transferred the baby to Arnav. He felt her snuggle into him as he placed a soft kiss on her crown. Since then, Little Ayushi never missed a chance to snuggle into her father's arm.

When everybody went home and the babies were settled with Anjali and Payal in the next room. Roma Chachi decided to sleep in the room, attached to where Khushi was. She was sleeping soundly after giving birth. The doctor said she had lost a lot of blood. Although the bleeding had stopped, she had become very weak. She looked pale, alarmingly pale actually and her breathing was shallow. Fear gripped Arnav's heart despite everybody's reassurance.

He spent the night holding her hand and sitting on the floor near her head, counting her breaths. He didn't know when he fell asleep, his head resting near their joined hands. But he woke up to Khushi's gentle fingers lightly gliding through his hair. When he opened his eyes, she urged him to lie down beside her on the bed. He obliged, and she didn't waste any time snuggling into his chest, her arm draped across his belly.

"Will you be angry with me for the rest of your life if I leave this world before you?"

Arnav's heart dropped at her question. "Don't ask me questions like that."

"Answer me, please."

He pressed his lips to her forehead. "I can never be angry at you."

"Good, I don't want you to be angry at me at all."

"Then don't even think of leaving."

Khushi tilted her head to look at him and smiled tiredly. Arnav placed a soft kiss on her dry lips. "I felt like I would never see you again, or our babies..... I was so scared."

Arnav gulped down the lump in his throat and didn't say anything in response, only pulled her closer to his body.

She had been quiet for a while, and Arnav thought she had fallen asleep when she spoke again."We have two babies now," she said almost disbelievingly.

"Yes, we do. We didn't even know how to raise one."

"Shhh, we'll manage," she said dreamily. "One baby is for you, one baby is for me. Did you hold them?"

"Yes, I did."

"I haven't yet. I guess I had fainted at the end," she said sadly.

"Why don't you get some sleep and gather some energy, Mommy?" he said lovingly. "If they're to be like you, we'll have a lot on our hands."

"What are you saying? I was a very quiet kid."

"Sure, you were," he whispered against her forehead.

"You were no better, mister. I know all the stories from your childhood, so you can't deny it. At least I didn't get stuck in a patila."

Laughing, Arnav gathered her in his arms even tighter, and both of them fell asleep like that.

"Bhaiya, Bhabi, come quickly! Roma Aunty is calling you," Amelia's voice called out across the courtyard to the little bubble of the family of four, who were just chatting.

Over the years, Amelia blossomed into the remarkable young lady she was destined to be. As the cloud of melancholy gradually lifted, it revealed her true essence—a kind, compassionate, and fun-loving individual, fiercely protective of those she loved.

"Let's go Mrs.Raizada."

He extended his hand toward his wife.

Khushi looked up at his extended hand, recalling a time when he had reached out in much the same way to guide a little girl out of the darkness.

Khushi scooped up Kush in her arms as Arnav held Ayushi. Hand in hand with their children nestled in their arms, they joined the rest of the family. The warmth of the burning diyas cast a golden glow over them.

In the end, as they embraced the spirit of the festival, they realized they found their perfect piece of forever in each other's arms, in each other's eyes, knowing that this was where they were always meant to be.

----------THE END----------

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari @msbhagirathi @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @chutkiandchotte

#ipkknd #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta #arshi #ipk 13th anniversary fiesta #13 years of ipkknd #whispers of the heart

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hand-picked-star · 4 months ago

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The 13th Anniversary Arshi Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the heart | Chapter 24

WARNING: 18+, MATURE CONTENT.

Chapter 24

And at last, the day of prosecution finally arrived. The court was brimming with people.

Arnav as a prosecution lawyer started first, "Your Honor, today we stand before you to seek justice for the countless lives that have been devastated by a criminal conspiracy rooted in greed, brutality, and the complete disregard for human dignity. The defendants in this case are not mere opportunistic criminals. They are orchestrators of a scheme that goes beyond mere dacoity. They preyed upon the innocent, massacred entire families, and took lives in cold blood to satisfy their insatiable hunger for power and wealth."

After a brief pause, he started again, "This case goes beyond punishment. It's about restoring justice for the victims. We ask you to affirm that no one is above the law and that justice will prevail. Thank you."

The the defence lawyer stepped forward, "Your Honor, my prosecutor friend paints my client as a heartless criminal, but we must remember the foundation of our justice system: the presumption of innocence. My client, Mr. Rajjani, is a respected individual who was caught in an unfortunate situation. On the day in question, he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. His presence was purely incidental. The prosecution's case against him relies on circumstantial evidence and assumptions. We ask you to carefully consider the facts and recognize that Mr. Rajjani is not guilty of the crimes for which he has been accused. Thank you."

"Nice speech, Mr. Patel," Arnav remarked with a nod as Mr. Patel concluded his opening argument.

Mr. Patel adjusted his spectacles, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "For you to learn from it, my friend," he replied smoothly, his tone both genial and slightly teasing. A slight smirk curled in the corner of Arnav's lips.

Mr. Kishori Lal Patel was a distinguished and seasoned lawyer, a man who carried the weight of decades of experience on his shoulders. However, it was disheartening that his expertise was being applied to the defence of someone implicated in such grave and serious offences.

Then, the court proceedings began. The investigating police officer, the medical examiners, and the Registrar of Deeds of the Land Registry Office all of them involving the Tiwari case gave their testimony. And then, to everyone's surprise, Arnav called Mr. Lallan as the state witness to testify in the witness box. Mr. Lallan identified his accomplices and confirmed that Mr. Rajjani was also a member of the group. He also told the court about the involvement of Mr.Lala. Following his testimony, the defence lawyer commenced cross-examination.

"Mr. Lallan, why should we believe that you're not lying just to avoid the death penalty?" the defence lawyer began.

"Objection, speculation."

"I can ask that question, Your Honour." Mr.Patel protested.

"Overruled . Please continue Mr.Patel."

"Thank you Your Honour. Please answer my question Mr.Lallan."

"I am telling the truth."

"Very well. The other accused had never seen each other's faces before. Are you certain you saw my clients, Mr. Rajjani, and Mr. Lala during these attacks?" the defence lawyer asked.

"We all have a similar tattoo on our thighs. You can check him too," Mr. Lallan said eagerly, causing a ripple of whispers to spread through the crowd. This was precisely what Arnav had hoped for, and Mr. Lallan did not disappoint him.

As the judge ordered everyone to expose their thighs and reveal their identical tattoos, the case seemed to be nearing its conclusion. However, Arnav requested one more witness to be brought to the stand. He detailed the pattern of the previous cases and the documents collected from the Land Registry Office to link the cases together, a proof that these events were not purely coincidental. Then he asked the sole survivor to testify. Madumati Ji took her place in the witness box and took her oath.

"Madumati Ji, please tell us what happened that night," Arnav asked, his voice steady and commanding.

"Objection, Relevance."

"Didn't I submit the evidences to link these cases together? " Arnav retorted.

"Overruled, witnesses may answer the question."

"Thank you, your honour. So tell us about the night, Madhumati ji."

"Hayree Nand Kishor, That was a horrible night,''Madumati Ji began, her voice trembling. "I heard Khushi, I mean, Sashi Gupta's daughter screaming in her room, so I rushed to see what was happening. What I saw there.." She took a deep breathbstruggling to continue, "Garima Ji was being assaulted by a man."

"Please be clear, Madumati Ji," Arnav urged, his tone firm but gentle.

"He was forcing himself on her,'' Madumati Ji whispered. ''And another man was approaching Khushi. That man was near the door. They didn't see me. So I grabbed the door bolt and struck him with all my strength. When he fell, I took Khushi and hid with her in a crevice in the kitchen. I don't know how long we stayed there until I heard Mahindar Ji's voice."

"Thank you, Madumati ji. Did you see any of their faces?" Arnav asked softly.

"No, Nand Kishor, their faces were covered with a gamcha, but both had a mark shaped like a star on their thigh."

"Did you inform the police at that time?"

"Yes."

"Anything else, Madhumati ji?"

"Yes, the man who assaulted Garima ji was naked. He had a large black mark on his back, kind of a birthmark. I reported it to the police as well."

"Thank you, Madhumati ji."

"Your Honor, this is a copy of the drawing of the tattoo and Madumati ji's statement from 12 years ago." Arnav handed the documents to the court clerk, who passed them to the judge. The picture displayed a pentagonal star-shaped tattoo."The same tattoo our state witness, Mr.Lallan talked about and also present on our defendants' bodies."

"The court acknowledges the evidence. Defence, you may cross-examine," the judge remarked, indicating the defence lawyer to proceed.

"Madumati Ji, let me ask you a few questions. You mentioned that you didn't see the men's faces because they were covered, correct?" the defence lawyer asked, stepping forward.

"Yes, that's right." eyeing him suspiciously. Her voice was steady despite the tension.

"And this incident happened 12 years ago, is that correct?"

"Are you weak in math, Nand Kishor?"

A ripple of laughter swept through the crowd. Arnav ducked his head to conceal a smile, accustomed to Buaji's antics.

"Silence, please. Madhumati Ji, please answer the question."

"Yes."

"You see, Madhumati Ji, memory can be a tricky thing, especially after such a long time," the defence lawyer said, pausing before continuing. "Are you absolutely certain those marks were star-shaped tattoos and not something else? It was dark, and you were clearly scared. Maybe you saw something else. How can you be so sure?" The defence lawyer pressed, trying to sow doubt.

"Objection, leading question, Your Honor."

"Sustained. Counsel, please refrain from asking leading questions."

"I want to answer that question, Judge shaheeb," Madumati Ji stated firmly, her voice unwavering. "Yes, I was scared that night, but those marks are burned into my memory. And that picture in your hand, I drew it, not today, but 12 years ago. I know what I saw."

"Your Honor, while we respect Madumati Ji's testimony, we ask the court to consider the potential fallibility of her memory due to the traumatic nature of the event and the significant passage of time. Thank you. No more questions," the defence lawyer addressed the judge.

"Thank you, Counselor. We will take that into consideration. Madumati Ji, you may step down," the judge said.

Addressing Arnav, the judge added, "Mr. Raizada, proceed with your next witness."

"Thank you, Your Honor. I request that Madhumati Ji be allowed to remain on the stand a little longer to identify a crucial mark for me."

With the court's permission granted, he continued, ''Your Honor, I now ask permission to question Mr. Shyam Manohar Lala.'' Arnav had previously obtained a court order to bring Mr. Lala to the witness box and to restrict him from leaving the province or the country.

As Arnav approached Mr.Lala, the tension between them became evident. He posed a single question, "Lalaji, how do you respond to the evidence implicating you in this case?"

"I am completely innocent, Your Honor," Mr. Lala retorted. "Ramprasad is lying. They sold their lands to me willingly. They are trying to defame me."

"Why would he do that? Do you have any animosity with him?"

"I don't know. Perhaps you coerced him into lying," Mr.Lala seethed at Arnav.

"Objection, Your Honour, Argumentative." The defence lawyer stated firmly.

"Sustained, Mr.Raizada, please rephrase your question."

But Arnav's eyes twinkled with satisfaction, seeing Mr. Lala growing agitated with each passing second. He leaned forward, a smirk curling on his lips. "It is highly inappropriate to accuse a lawyer of misconduct, especially in court," he said, his tone cool and composed. "However, for the sake of clarity, could you please show us your left thigh?"

"Objection, Your Honor. Unnecessary invasion of privacy and improper line of questioning," the defence lawyer interjected, standing up.

"What kind of insult is this, Your Honor? I have no involvement in this," Mr. Lala insisted, stressing his innocence.

"Then why the hesitation?" Arnav pressed. "We only have a doubt. Lalaji, please assist us in clearing it up."

"Objection overruled. Please show us your thigh, Mr. Lala, and help resolve our doubts," the judge ruled.

Upon the judge's order, Mr.Lala reluctantly exposed his thigh, revealing the pentagonal tattoo. This sight sent a wave of gasps through the courtroom.

"I wish I could stop there, Lalaji," Arnav said with a steely resolve, "but could you please also show us your back?"

As Mr.Lala turned and exposed his back, revealing the distinctive birthmark, Arnav's smirk deepened.

"Madhumati ji, have you seen mark before?" Arnav asked Madhumati ji without turning toward her. His eyes fixed on Mr.Lala.

"YES, YES, that's the mark Judge shaheeb. I will never forget this mark."

Arnav turned to face the judge and said, "That's all, Your Honor."

Khushi sat idly at her office desk, her gaze drifting toward the gloomy sky outside. Today, she felt a deep sense of melancholy that seemed to engulf her. For the past few days, she had been experiencing these sudden bouts of sadness, a feeling of wanting to cry that she couldn't quite explain. With a sigh, she picked up the newspaper for the day.

Shyam Manohar Lala, Mohan Rajjani and 7 others Sentenced to Death for Heinous Crimes in Landmark Verdict

The headline stirred a bittersweet feeling within her. She was present in the courtroom yesterday. It was her first time attending one of Arnav's proceedings, and she couldn't help but think she should have chosen a different case for her debut. She would have relished seeing him in his element under happier circumstances than witnessing this particular trial. But perhaps, she mused, it was simply her destiny to see him fighting for her and her family.

She was undoubtedly relieved that her parents' murderers had been brought to justice, but the resurgence of painful memories cast a sombre shadow over her. She knew she needed to go home and rest. The past few months had been difficult for both her and Arnav. It was a relief that the nightmares had eased down a little bit. Despite this, she felt persistently exhausted. She just felt tired all the time. They would stay in the Rajput Haveli for a few days more, as Dewali was this week. Then they would return back to their home.

But suddenly, after few days, Khushi fell ill and caught a severe case of stomach flu. Amma, Babuji, Bua Ji, and Arnav all scolded her for indulging in too many jalebis, rabri, and golgappas the previous day. Despite their concerns, her condition worsened over the next ten days, showing no signs of improvement. The doctor visited today, diagnosing her as dehydrated and advised them to give her more fluid. How could she keep herself rehydrated when the mere sight of food made her sick?

Suddenly, Buaji's shriek startled everyone. "Arey, Manoroma, have we all lost our marbles, Nand Kishor? Payaliya, go ask Hariprakash to fetch Ganga Tai!"

Upon hearing Buaji's words, everyone suddenly turned their gaze towards Khushi. She felt like a deer caught in headlights and managed a nervous smile. In return, they all smiled back at her as well. Though their smiles were well-natured, but they seemed menacing to her. Khushi pursed her lips, feeling her heart pounding loudly. Out of everyone's sight, she tenderly placed her hand on her stomach. And somehow, she knew. She didn't need Ganga Tai, the local midwife, to tell her what was happening.

"Arnav, uthiye na," Khushi whined, gently shaking Arnav from a deep slumber. Her voice was filled with a mix of desperation and impatience.

"What happened?" Arnav mumbled, his voice muffled as he buried his face deeper into the pillow.

"I want to eat jalebis," her voice rising with a hint of excitement.

Arnav slowly raised his head, squinting at the bedside clock. "It's three in the morning, Khushi. Go back to sleep."

"I can't sleep. The baby wants jalebis."

Arnav sighed deeply, propping himself up on one elbow. "Alright, only on one condition."

Khushi's eyes brightened with hope. "Kya?"

"You have to drink a glass of milk too."

Khushi scrunched up her nose. "But milk is yucky."

Arnav gave her a stern look. "Then I'm going back to sleep."

Khushi's eyes widened in alarm. "No, no, no! Okay, I'll drink the milk. Now please, let's go."

Arnav got up lazily from the bed and turned on the light. Khushi, with a playful pout, spread her arms as if she were a child wanting to be picked up. Chuckling, Arnav gathered her into his arms.

Him, being a father hadn't fully settled in yet. Perhaps it was a gradual process, and with time, he would gain the momentum to fully embrace parenthood.

They had returned from the Rajput Haveli two weeks ago. Though Chachu and Chachi had wanted them to stay at the haveli, it was no longer fitting to live there for an extended period after their marriage. Staying there long-term now seemed inappropriate. Instead, they had brought Buaji to live with them in their house.

As Arnav walked through the corridor with Khushi in his arms, this was the third time that week they were embarking on a midnight mission for jalebis. Soon after her sickness subsided, her cravings for jalebis reared their head. The first time, her craving had been for hot jalebis without chasni. The next, she demanded them with chasni and added countless conditions. They couldn't disturb Gauri ji or Buaji, as the thought of waking them up made Khushi tear up out of guilt. So, the only person left to make the jalebis was him. It felt as though she had no affection for him anymore, only her love for the sweet treat prevailed at that moment.

Khushi had meticulously guided him through the process of making jalebis this past week, and now he had become a pro. His once hesitant hands now moved with precision, swirling the dough in the hot oil with confidence, ensuring each jalebi was crisp and golden and then dipped them in the perfectly sticky, sweet chasni.

They settled on the balcony with a small plate of hot jalebis and a glass of milk. She savoured each piece of jalebis with evident delight.

"Wow, these are sooo good, you've learned to make such delicious jalebis," Khushi praised Arnav in between bites.

"Yeah, if I ever fail as a lawyer, I might just start a stall in the market."

"At least you'd have one loyal customer," Khushi winked, offering him a piece of the sweet delicacy.

Arnav caught Khushi's hand, taking a bite of the offered jalebi. His tongue lightly swept over the tips of her fingers, sending a ripple through her skin. One by one, without breaking eye contact, he polished off all the sweet chasni from her fingers.

"Yeah, you were right. Today's jalebis are extra delicious," he said, winking at her. A lovely redness tinted her flawless skin, which looked radiant under the moonlight.

"Are you trying to correct a past mistake?" Arnav laughed, remembering their childhood moment.

"Maybe."

"Or are you trying to seduce your wife, Mr. Raizada?"

"I can't help it. You're just so irresistible," he leaned in to kiss her lips, enveloping her smile with his own. "And so, so, so sweet." He punctuated each word with a press of his lips against hers.

He kissed her some more. At least he could do that, since the doctors had banned any physical intimacy until her fourth month of pregnancy. Releasing her lips, he said, "Alas, all my seducing will go to waste."

"Serves you right. How shameful it is. Now that I'm pregnant, everyone will know what we do...what we did," she whispered, pursing her lips.

Arnav burst out laughing. She swatted his shoulder lightly, then joined in his laughter as well.

Arnav's birthday was approaching next week, and Khushi wanted to do something special for him, despite his dislike for celebrations. Last year, she had cooked his favourite dishes, but this year she wanted to make a more significant impact. After discovering her influence over him physically, she was determined to come up with something that would truly blow his mind.

However, since she couldn't be intimate with him due to the doctor's restrictions, that plan was off the table. She pondered other ways to make him feel special and happy. Her mind raced with ideas throughout the day. She decided she needed to explore the secluded spots of the library and gather inspiration, so she planned to visit the library to search for ideas and find the perfect setting to surprise him.

She wished for a magical box where she could write, "What is another way to make your husband happy physically when you're pregnant?" and have all the answers appear before her. Life would be so much simpler if someone could provide a straightforward solution.

After a discreet search, Khushi finally found a book that seemed to promise answers. However, as she leafed through it, the content was convoluted and confusing, leaving her more perplexed than enlightened. But she was determined to decode those confusing texts.

It was five minutes to midnight on Arnav's birthday. He had a crucial hearing the next day and was working late in his study. Khushi timidly knocked on the door, causing him to look up from his file.

"What are you doing still staying up?" he asked.

"I wanted to wish you a happy birthday," Khushi said shyly.

He crossed his arms over his chest and smiled at her, an amused glint dancing in his eyes as he observed his suddenly shy wife. He raised an eyebrow.

"Happy birthday, Arnav," she said, growing nervous under his silent gaze.

"Why are you so shy all of a sudden?"

"I didn't bring a gift."

He extended his hand toward her. She took it, allowing him to pull her close until she stood in front of him, where he sat. He placed a hand gently over her belly.

"You've already given me the best gift in the world," he said softly.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her stomach after placing a tender kiss there. Khushi's fingers tangled in his hair as she smiled.

"I want to try something. Promise me you won't laugh," Khushi whispered, nervously playing with his hair.

"What?" Arnav asked, intrigued.

"Close your eyes."

Instead of following her request, Arnav frowned, his curiosity piqued. Taking a deep breath, Khushi settled on his lap, surprising him. Her legs straddled him as she lowered herself on his body. He instinctively grabbed her waist.

"What are you doing?" he asked, a mix of curiosity and concern in his voice.

"Kuch nehi," she replied softly, her eyes locked onto his. "I just want to kiss you."

And she kissed him once, twice, three times, her lips soft against his. She trailed kisses along his chin, his jaw, his neck. His stubble tickled her sensitive lips. She gently rubbed the back of his neck, massaging his scalp with her fingers. The soothing touch and tender kisses felt nice to him, too nice actually. Her kisses, he could take, but what was becoming unbearable was the way her body moved against him. He grabbed her hips to still her and pressed his forehead against hers.

"You're doing it on purpose." he whispered, his voice strained. "Don't start something you can't finish."

Khushi bit her lip to hide her smile, her face flushing slightly. "But I intend to finish,'' she whispered back, kissing him again.

Arnav squinted slightly, trying to gauge her intentions as she slowly slid down his body, kneeling between his legs. Her hands rested on his thighs, then moved a little higher, grazing the growing bulge in his pants. Before she could go further, Arnav caught her hands.

"You don't have to," he murmured, his voice thick, his breathing ragged.

"But you want me to," Khushi replied, her gaze meeting his. Eyes sparkled with mirth.

"How do you know?"

"I can see it in your eyes," she whispered. She pressed her lips together, a ghost of a smile dancing on her face.

"Damn it,'' Arnav exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I've got the best wife ever. Let's go to our room."

She giggled as he pulled her up by her shoulders and scooped her into his arms. He carried her towards their bedroom, determined to finish what they had started.

At the end of next month, La and NK got married. The way they clicked together from the very beginning, it was inevitable that they would end up together. Khushi couldn’t attend their wedding for obvious reasons, but La and NK assured her that they would visit soon. In fact, they planned to enjoy their honeymoon in India. Khushi was over the moon to have her two best friends with her. Over time, NK and La fell in love with India and its people so much that they decided to stay for an extended period to help Khushi with the foundation.

As her dream regarding the foundation slowly came to fruition, she found herself yearning to focus on her other dreams. Khushi had always dreamed of becoming a writer, but whenever she sat down to write, her ideas felt scattered, elusive, like pieces of a puzzle that just wouldn't fit together. Despite having the time, she struggled to find the focus and direction she needed before. Her thoughts seemed to drift aimlessly, and her creative energy, though abundant, was unfocused.

Then came the unexpected news of her pregnancy, which brought a sense of calm and clarity that she hadn't anticipated. Though the first few weeks were overwhelming, filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. As her body changed, so did her perspective. The life growing inside her gave her a new sense of purpose and a grounding she hadn't felt before. The scattered thoughts that once filled her mind began to settle, like leaves gently falling into place.

The quiet moments, especially in the early mornings when the world was still asleep, became her sanctuary. The ideas that had once been disjointed started to come together.

As her pregnancy progressed, Khushi found inspiration in the smallest of things-the gentle flutter of the baby's movements, the warm sunlight streaming through the window, the quiet moments of reflection. Each day, she would write a little more, her words a reflection of her journey, filled with the raw emotions of impending motherhood. There were days when the physical toll of pregnancy would slow her down, but she pressed on, driven by the idea that she was creating something lasting, something she could share with her child one day.

Writing became a form of therapy for Khushi, a way to process the changes happening in her life. The book she was crafting wasn't just a story; it was a reflection of her own experiences, fears, hopes, and dreams. Every chapter was infused with the emotions she was feeling-the joy, the uncertainty, the love that was growing each day for the little one she had yet to meet.

As her due date approached, Khushi found herself writing the final chapter, feeling a deep sense of accomplishment. The book was a journey, much like her pregnancy, filled with unexpected twists, moments of doubt, and overwhelming joy. When she finally held her first draft in her hand, she realized that the time she had spent writing had not only brought her closer to her dream of being an author but had also prepared her for the beautiful, challenging journey of motherhood.

Her book, once a distant dream, was now a testament to the strength and resilience she had discovered within herself during those nine months. Khushi knew that this was just the beginning of her story-both as a mother and as a writer.

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari @chutkiandchotte @jalebi-weds-bluetooth @msbhagirathi

#ipkknd #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta #arshi #ipk 13th anniversary fiesta #13 years of ipkknd #whispers of the heart

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hand-picked-star · 4 months ago

Text

The 13th Anniversary Arshi Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the Heart | Chapter 23

WARNING: 18+, MATURE CONTENT.

Chapter 23

The Nine accused that Arnav and the police interrogated today were tight-lipped. Arnav couldn’t take any action until they had solid evidence against Mr.Rajjani or one of them broke and agreed to be a state witness. He knew he had to find a way to crack at least one of them, and his focus was on a specific suspect—Ramprasad Lallan. There was something about him, an air of authority, that made Arnav certain he was the head of the herd.

"Mr. Roy, have you gathered all the information about the property papers that were confiscated?" Arnav asked his assistant.

"Yes, sir. The lands that Mr. Lala claimed he bought from Mr. Tiwari are adjacent to his new steel factory."

"Mr. Roy, please jot down all the dates of the previous dacoity cases and go to the Land Registry Office to check for any land transactions around that time involving the victims, especially if it was with Mr. Lala. Also, send someone to collect information about Ramprasad Lallan... and be discreet."

Sending Mr. Roy on his way, Arnav went to meet Inspector Shukla, the officer in charge of the area. Inspector Shukla had a reputation for being an honest police officer. He was also the investigating officer of this case. Because of his hard work and dedication, the police managed to capture these ruthless dacoits. Upon seeing Arnav, he stood from his chair to greet him.

"Good morning, Mr. Shukla. How have you been?" Arnav asked, extending his hand for a handshake.

"I am good, Mr. Raizada. How can I help you?" Inspector Shukla replied.

"I need your assistance with a matter." Arnav handed him a paper containing a drawing of a tattoo, which he had gathered from the statement of the only surviving adult victim in the cases they were handling. "Have you seen anything like this before?"

"No, sorry, Mr. Raizada," Inspector Shukla shook his head in the negative.

"Can you ask your constables to search the accused for any tattoos or birthmarks on their bodies?" Arnav requested.

"Yeah, sure can. I'll have them look right away," Inspector Shukla replied, immediately ordering one of the constables to conduct the search. Meanwhile, Arnav and Inspector Shukla continued discussing the case.

A few moments later, the constable came rushing toward them, reporting a mark on their bodies. Arnav and Mr.Shukla quickly rushed to the cell where the suspects were held. There, they found the same tattoo of a pentagonal star on each of their right thighs, confirming Arnav's suspicion.

The next day, Mr. Roy arrived at the office with all the information he had collected, marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation.

"Sir, all of the victim's family had sold lands or properties to Mr. Lala around the time they were attacked and killed. Here's the documents."

"Hmm, and what about Mr. Lallan?"

"Mr. Lallan is a farmer, and has a 10-year-old son. So far, there's no connection to Mr. Lala or Mr. Rajjani. However, when I dug further, I found that 10 years ago, Mr. Lala gave some land to Mr. Lallan. It’s unclear whether Mr. Lallan bought it from him or if it was a charity. Anything else, sir?"

"No, that will do for now. Tell Inspector Shukla that I need to interrogate Mr. Lallan in one hour and ask him to keep a magistrate ready."

An hour later, Arnav sat with Mr. Lallan for the interrogation, aiming to turn him into a state witness. They were in a dimly lit room with a large wooden table. Arnav sat on one side, while Ramprasad Lallan, looking tense and uncertain, sat across from him.

"How are you, Ramprasad?" After receiving no answer, Arnav discarded formalities and got straight to the point. "Do you remember your son? Have you ever thought about what will happen to him after you die?" Ramprasad went completely still, his previously composed face twitching at the mention of his son.

Ramprasad gulped audibly.

"...because it is pretty much confirmed that you would be sentenced to death. However, I might be able to help you if you agree to cooperate," Arnav said, arching an eyebrow.

Ramprasad chuckled sarcastically.

"Ramprasad, I truly sympathize with you. let's be honest here, you've spent your life serving a boss who doesn't give a damn about you." A surprised look crossed over Ramprasad's face. "Isn't it obvious that there's someone else pulling the strings? Why are you so surprised?" Arnav continued. "So, where was I? Oh..yes, do you know Mr. Rajjani has a top defence lawyer? Still, no one's lifting a finger for you? That should tell you where you stand. I'm offering you the best chance you’ve got."

"How?" Ramprasad asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Arnav smirked faintly at his question. "We could appeal to the judge to reduce your punishment, you might have a chance to escape the death sentence."

"What do I have to do?"

"You need to tell us the truth and testify against the others in court. It's as simple as that."

"You are out of your mind, Mr. Raizada," Ramprasad chuckled sarcastically.

"Listen, Ramprasad, I know you're in a tough position, and I also know who is involved in this. Today or tomorrow, I will collect evidence against them. But today, you have a chance, but tomorrow, you won't. The question is, how do you want to come out of this? Do you want to go down alone and let the main culprit go free? Because to him, you are expendable. One Ramprasad will go, and another will take your place. He might even recruit your son. Would you like that?"

Arnav saw Ramprasad clench his fists, still bound by the handcuffs, his forehead veins throbbing as he glared at Arnav with murderous intent.

"If you don't want that to happen, I can offer you an agreement," Arnav said, extending a pen, a seal pad, and a piece of paper toward him. "I can appeal to the judge for a lifelong sentence instead of the death penalty."

Ramprasad took the pen with shaky hands and signed his name on the agreement paper. "You are quite educated despite being a farmer, Ramprasad." Arnav remarked.

"I need my family's protection."

"You have my word," Arnav replied, nodding as he signalled Inspector Shukla and the magistrate to enter the room. "Start talking. Who else is in the group? Is Mr. Rajjani included?"

"Yes, everyone arrested was part of this group."

"Anyone else that we might need to know?" Arnav pressed.

"Yes," Ramprasad hesitated, then continued, "There is another, but he isn’t directly involved in the attacks. He usually plans the whole thing and covers our tracks," his voice tinged with reluctance.

"Who?"

"You already know, don't you?"

"I want you to confirm that."

"Shyam Manohar lalaji."

"Is looting the only intent of this group?"

"Dacoity isn’t our main focus. I handle property papers on behalf of Shyam Lala Ji—illegally, you could say. Most people agreed to sell their land to Lala Ji easily, but for some, we had to take extreme measures if there was no other way." Ramprasad continued, "Mr. Tiwari didn't agree to sell the land adjacent to the steel factory, which Lala Ji needed to expand due to increasing demand. So we decided to take the land by force."

"Hmm, carry on."

"I recruited the other seven people. They only know me and not Lala Ji or Rajjani Ji. During the attack, Rajjani Ji and I threatened Mr. Tiwari to get him to sign the papers while the others looted the house."

"So, the dacoity is just a disguise?"

"Yes, you could say that."

"Were there other houses you attacked?"

"Yes, the first was the Chauhans, then the Guptas, followed by the Doobays, the Sharmas and the Khans, and lastly the Tiwari's."

"Did Lala Ji join you in these attacks?"

"He used to join us initially, but not after that. The last time he was present was during the Gupta house attack," Ramprasad hesitated, his voice dropping, "He... had his eye on Gupta Ji's wife."

"And Mr. Rajjani?"

"Umm, Rajjani Ji joined us every time because he needed to verify the papers and... he also wanted to carry out some specific activities."

"Specific activities involving being physical with a child?" Arnav asked, his voice hardening.

"Yes," Ramprasad admitted, avoiding eye contact.

"What’s the story behind the marks on your thighs?"

"To hide our identity from others, even from the others involved, we’d cover them with a gamcha. We would tie our lungis tightly around our waists, leaving our thighs exposed. So, to recognize each other, we made this mark on our thighs."

"Everyone in your group has it?" Arnav asked pointedly.

"Yes," Ramprasad replied, then eyed Arnav for a moment. "Raizada Ji, Lala Ji is a very dangerous man. If he finds out about this, he will kill my family. Please, save my son and my wife."

Arnav gave a brief nod, his expression firm, yet reassuring, "Nobody will know until the trial. Inspector Sukla will look after this matter."

Arnav dropped Mr. Roy at the office with strict instructions to both the police and Mr. Roy not to leak the fact that Mr. Lallan had become a state witness. He then went to pick up Khushi.

"Where are we going?" she asked, confused.

"We're going to stay at the Rajput Haveli for a few days. Hariprakash will bring your things and Amy in a few hours," Arnav replied, keeping his voice steady. When they arrived at the main gate, he showed no sign of getting out of the car.

"Aren't you coming inside?" Khushi asked, noticing his reluctance.

"I have some works to do," he said curtly, his eyes betraying the weight of his restlessness.

Khushi was perplexed. Within a few hours, she discovered that Arnav had appointed Hariprakash, Mohan, and the entire security team from their house to guard the Rajput Haveli. A few hours later, two police constables joined them. The tension in the Haveli was palpable, with everyone on edge due to this sudden development. Only Arnav could answer their questions.

When Arnav returned to the office, Shyam Lala was seated in front of his desk, three men standing behind him.

"Namaste, Raizada Babu," Shyam said, folding his hands in greeting.

"How can I help you, Lala Ji?" Arnav responded, nodding politely.

"I usually don’t concern myself with trivial matters, you know, but I came to talk specifically to you about... Rajjani Ji."

"Shouldn’t you be discussing this with his defence lawyer instead?" Arnav asked, his tone pointed.

"Oh, Raizada Babu, let’s keep this between us," Shyam said, signalling one of the men, who placed a box on the desk. When the lid was opened, it revealed bundles of money. "Let’s help each other. You can’t prove his involvement, so why tarnish his name? He’s a respected man in society."

"Why go to such lengths for a mere employee? What’s in it for you?"

"Nothing. He’s an old friend and a loyal accountant. I just don’t want to see his reputation ruined."

"Lala Ji, thank you for the offer, but I suggest you use this money to hire a good defence lawyer."

"Raizada Babu, don’t force me to use other means. You won’t like it if I do." Mr.Lala said with a sickeningly sweet voice.

Arnav chuckled sarcastically, leaning back in his chair. "Why should you care whether I'll like it or not?"

Shyam signalled his men to leave the room, then leaned in close over the desk, lowering his voice. "Tell me, Raizada Babu, does your wife's cunt grip as tightly as her mother's did? I've seen first-hand how those Gupta women make a man lose his mind. Must be why you've got such nerve now, a pretty little thing warming your bed every night." He smiled sleazily, watching the tension build in Arnav's clenched fists, "Don't push me, Raizada Babu, I'd hate to find out just how far a man like me might go when tempted."

Arnav placed both hands firmly on his desk, rising to his full height and leaning in toward Mr. Lala."If you or your goons dare to touch even a single hair of my wife, I'll make sure you end up six feet under right where you stand." His voice menacing and dark in the dim light of the evening, Arnav challenged Mr.Lala to contradict him further. Mr.Lala stood up and glared back at Arnav. "And Lala Ji, please take your money with you."

When Arnav returned to the Rajput household, it was very late at night, but everyone was still awake, waiting for him. They all gathered in the living room as Arnav explained that the dacoit group recently arrested was the same one responsible for killing Khushi's parents. This was why Arnav had been extra cautious regarding Khushi. And also as it was a high-profile case, if anyone wanted to hurt Arnav, they might target her. Prevention was always better than cure. He also informed Bua Ji that she might be called to testify if needed.

Khushi didn’t know what to think of all of that. Exhausted, her head ached from all the overwhelming information. She just wanted to retreat to her room, hide under the covers, and forget about everything else.

She was walking down a familiar corridor, but it was so dark that not a single source of light could be found anywhere. Khushi gently pushed a door open. Inside, a small girl was sleeping soundly, cuddling with a familiar rag doll. Suddenly, a woman entered the room. She was beautiful, but panic and desperation had marred her face. She quickly took the sleeping girl into her arms, causing the child to jolt awake.

"Amma?" the little girl asked in surprise. Her sweet voice rang in the darkness.

"We have to hide, bitiya. They will kill us all. We have to hide," the woman said hysterically.

But before they could flee, a dark shadow loomed over them. A man entered the room, his face obscured. He took a menacing step toward them, causing the woman to step back, clutching the little girl to her chest.

Khushi's body felt like lead, paralyzed, her screams caught in her throat. She tried to cry out, to call for help, but her voice was lost in the void. She tried to run toward them, but she couldn't move a single muscle. Helplessly, she watched as the woman slipped and fell with the little girl still in her arm, causing the child to hit her head. The faceless monster laughed, his cruel hands tearing at Garima's clothes, his laughter echoing in the small room like a twisted melody.

Khushi met the eyes of the little girl, trapped in the suffocating grip of a memory she could never fully escape. The stench of fear hung heavy in the air as she lay still, hearing the faint sound of her own whimpers. Her head throbbed with pain. Little khushi felt the cold touch of dread as another figure emerged from the shadows, advancing toward her with a sinister smile. She could see his eyes now—cold, predatory, and filled with a sickening intent. He reached for her, and her small frame trembled as she backed away into the wall, her tiny hands fumbling for something, anything, to protect herself.

Suddenly, she jolted awake, her heart pounding fiercely against her chest. She froze as a hand around her drew her closer to the body behind, while a voice whispered, "Shhhh, you're safe, Khushi. I've got you."

"Arnav?"

"Hmm, I'm here," his sleepy, tired voice rasped.

Khushi rolled over to face him. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness. She could see his features in the dim light filtering through the curtains. She cupped his cheek, lightly tracing the dark circles under his eyes. Then she buried her face in his neck and began to cry softly.

"Please don't cry," Arnav murmured, kissing her head. His fingers gently stroking through her hair.

"I'm not letting you sleep, hain na?" she said softly. "You work all day and have to deal with my nightmares at night."

"You know I can function with little sleep. I'll be okay."

"There's a dark circle under your eyes."

"It will go away," he said, caressing her back and snuggling closer. Let's get some sleep, okay?" Khushi nodded in response, still nestled in the safe cradle of his neck.

It was true that Arnav was beyond exhausted. His mind was overactive, his heart heavy, and as a result his body couldn't relax until the matter was resolved. Arnav calculated the risks associated with the case, but he hadn't anticipated the return of Khushi's nightmares. Night after night, horrifying dreams and screams kept them awake until the early hours. Arnav still remembered the first time they began. It was the first night, they shifted to Rajput Haveli. He was with Mahindar Chachu while Khushi was fast asleep.

“What type of relationship did Guptaji and Lalaji have with each other?” Arnav asked.

“They were business partners. They had many businesses together. Other than that they bought a land together to set up a new printing press. But before that could happen, Sashi died. He supposedly sold the land to Lalaji.”

"What happened to these businesses?"

"Khushi's uncle took over. I didn't keep tabs after Sashi died." Mahindar Chachu replied solemnly.

A blood-curdling scream caused them to rush toward Khushi’s room. Arnav quickly switched on the light. He discovered her hunched at the far end of the bed, clutching her knees with a terrified expression on her face, the sheet crumpled around her.

"Khushi?" Arnav approached her cautiously. "Tum theek ho?"

His voice pulled her out of the trance, and she looked at him, finally regaining her bearings. She began to cry softly.

"Arnav," she whimpered, crawling into his lap. Arnav rocked her back and forth, gently rubbing her back as she sobbed against his chest, clutching a fistful of his shirt. Since then, Arnav had been on the edge and being a light sleeper he could tell when she was having a bad dream.

The nightmares were becoming increasingly uncontrollable with each passing day, to the point where Khushi was afraid to close her eyes to sleep. As days went on, her mother's lifeless face was beginning to look like Arnav's, making Khushi restless and jumpy. The nightmares were taking control of her life, and she couldn't let that happen. Fed up with her helplessness and feeling confined to the house for days, she decided to go to work at her foundation one day, only to end up being yelled at by Arnav when he found out that evening.

"Pagal ho gayi ho tum. Kuch ho jata toh? What if I lost you?" he said, his voice laced with anger.

She hugged him suddenly to ebb his rage. "I can't live like this, Arnav," she said, her voice muffled against his collar. "This fear is crippling me. I took Hariprakash and Mohan with me. They wouldn't do anything in daylight."

"You don't know them. They can do anything," he replied, tightening his hold on her. "I can't lose you. Do you understand?"

“Hmm. And you can’t raise your voice at me like that.”

“I will whenever you’re being stupid,” he said, hugging her a little tighter. “Just a little while longer, and it will be over.” And then he felt her forehead. “Are you okay? Are you running a fever?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just feeling tired all the time, but... I can’t sleep, you know.”

“Let’s go to bed early, okay?”

Arnav still had some work to finish. After Khushi fell asleep, he quietly switched on the bedside lamp and began reading the documents. After a while, she started tossing and turning, followed by her soft whimpers. Arnav quickly took her into his arms, gently trying to wake her while murmuring comforting words.

Khushi's voice trembled as she whispered, "It's so horrible. I can't take it anymore." She fisted the fabric of his shirt, bringing herself closer to him, "Arnav, please make me forget everything..... I want to forget about all of this." Her eyes, still wide with lingering fear, searched his, pleading for solace, for an escape from the memories that tormented her.

Arnav cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the tears that clung to her cheeks. His heart ached to see her like that. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as if trying to erase the pain etched into her skin."Khushi," he murmured against her temple, his voice a soothing balm, "I won't let anyone hurt you." She closed her eyes, savouring the warmth of his breath against her skin, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her palm.

Slowly, she let herself be pulled into the safety of his embrace, the solid presence of him grounding her, pushing the nightmare further into the recesses of her mind. His hands slid down to her waist, drawing her closer until there was no space left between them. His lips brushed over her eyelids, her cheeks, the tip of her nose kiss a silent promise. Khushi sighed, her body melting into his as his lips found hers in a kiss that was tender, yet laced with an intensity that made her forget everything but the feeling of being in his arms.

His fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss as if he could draw out all the fear, all the pain, and replace it with the love he felt for her. She responded to his kiss with a desperation that matched his own, her hands gripping the fabric of his shirt as if he were her lifeline. The taste of him, the warmth of his skin against hers-it was all she needed to chase away the remnants of her nightmare. Khushi tugged at the waistband of his trousers.

Arnav pulled back slightly, his breath ragged, his forehead resting against hers. Her eyes fluttered open to meet his gaze, finding comfort in the love that shone in his dark eyes. A silent conversation passed between those two sets of beautiful eyes.

"I just need you," her voice trembled. He didn't need to be told twice. With a gentleness that contradicted the desire burning within him, he laid her back against the pillows, his body covering hers, shielding her from the world. His hands roamed over her skin, touching her as if she were something precious, something to be cherished. Because she was, to him. He entered her warm wetness gently and then went completely still as a cracking sound halted his pursuit.

"Fuck, the bed is making noise." Arnav groaned in her neck.

Her whole body shook with the force of her laughter, barely muffled by her hand. "I completely forgot my bed makes noise." It was a relief and a delight to see her laugh like that after so many days, and Arnav's eyes shone with laughter as a result as well. He missed her smiling face.

"Tumhari bistar hai na, chup kaise reh sakti hai?" he couldn’t help but tease her.

"Shut up," she swatted his shoulder lightly. "Bistar ki bezzati mat kijiye. Teak ki lakdi hai, pachaas saal se Raiput Haveli mein hai."

"Hmm, pata chal raha hai kitni purani hai, ab?"

"We have to move to the floor."

"Ugh, my knees will be very sorry tomorrow."

Khushi looked at him with her big, expressive eyes and laughed at his grumpiness. She grabbed a pillow and a quilt and dropped them on the floor. She pushed on his shoulder to lie back on it. His eyes locked onto hers as she straddled him, her slender legs on either side of his hips. Her hands rested on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her fingertips, mirroring her own.

He inhaled sharply as he felt her warmth enveloping him. The feeling of her softness around him, so pliable against his hardness, was breathtaking. His strong hands found their way to her hips, his touch firm yet tender, guiding her with an unspoken understanding. Leaning forward slightly on his chest, her fingers splaying out over the firm muscles beneath his skin, grounding herself as she began to move, slowly at first, her rhythm uncertain. Her body adjusted to the exquisite sensation of him deep within her. His gaze never wavered, his silent encouragement fueling her confidence.

Every slight shift of her hips sent waves of pleasure radiating through her. She bit her lips as her head tilted back, her hair cascading down her shoulders as she rode him with increasing fervor. The tips of her hair grazed his thigh as the tension between them built with each rise and fall of her body.

Her breath came in shallow gasps. Her body completely in tune with his as they found a shared rhythm. He gazed up at her entrapped, reveled in the sight of her above him, lost in her own pleasure. His hands glided over her thigh to her hips, to encircle her waist in both hands, feeling the tremble in her stomach muscles. He could feel every subtle shift, every flex of her muscles as she took him deeper.

Her nimble fingers gently covered his hands holding her waist. She looked down, gazing at him, with eyes full of stars. Her lips quivered, unable to form the words she didn’t need to voice. He could hear them in his head, loud and clear. His gaze moved to where they were joined. Arnav had accepted that he would never get enough of her a long time ago. Just like, he would never get enough of the way she looked at him right after he entered her every damn time or the visual his hands created across her body, or the sight of himself disappearing into her, over and over again.

His hands roamed from her waist to her breasts, cupping and squeezing them a little, before one of his hands moved higher to her chin. He ran his thumb over her slightly parted lips. A breathtaking pleasure overwhelmed her and she threw her head back once again. His hands slipped from her lips to her throat. And his fingers, as if having a mind of their own, wrapped around her soft neck.

Like always, his touch set her entire body on fire, but the irony was that the only balm for this burning was his touch as well. Her pace quickened and she cried out sweetly, as her mind went blank, tiny specks of light danced in front of her eyes. Arnav pulled her closer by her neck, covering her lips with his to suppress her moan.

"Shh, be quiet"

"I can't." she pants against his lips.

"Try."

"We haven't been together for quite some time. I miss you."

His eyes softened, and he captured her whimpering lips once again. His hands traced her back, pulling her closer until her chest was pressed against his. He snaked his arm around her waist to steady her as she lay on top of him. With his other hand on her rear, he pulled her harder toward his body. Then he started moving inside her. She spread her legs wider and arched her back so he could pick up the pace.

Her hair fell around them, creating an intimate space where only they existed. Their lips met in a searing kiss, desperate and consuming, as if they had been waiting to kiss each other for hundreds of years. Her breath hitched as she felt his fingers dig into her skin, grounding her, anchoring her to the moment. As he moved faster, harder, her body responded to the primal urge to merge, to lose herself in him.

Arnav gathered her hair in his fist and pulled slightly exposing her neck to him as his lips found the sensitive spot at

the base of her neck. His voice, rough with need, whispered her name against her skin like a prayer. Her hands tangled in his hair, giving herself over to the sensations building within her. The world outside ceased to exist. There was only Arnav, only the warmth of his skin against hers, the sound of his breathing mingling with her own. Time seemed to stretch and contract,.moments blurring together in a haze of pleasure.

As she approached the peak of her desire, her body trembled with the intensity of the emotions coursing through her. Arnav held her steady, his hands never leaving her, his lips never straying from hers as he guided her through the storm.

He flipped her over when his lips failed to keep her quiet. He covered her mouth with his palm, her body convulsing around him encouraging him to follow her into the abyss of pleasure. He bit his bottom lip. A few hard and rough thrusts, and he poured himself deep inside her.

It felt surreal to have him with her in this room. With all the tension and sleeplessness, she had almost forgotten how many dreams she had woven around him here. This was the room where she had heard her first "dhak-dhak" for him, where they had shared their first kiss, where she had prayed to Devi Maiya to write him into her destiny. And now, in this room, with Arnav's touch guiding her, Khushi let go of the nightmare, that haunted her for so long.

His kisses, his caresses-they became her sanctuary, his whispered words of love a shield against the shadows that threatened her peace of mind. As their bodies began to move together again in a rhythm as old as time, Khushi felt the darkness recede, replaced by the warmth and light that only Arnav could give her. In his arms, she found not just escape, but a reminder that she was more than her past, more than the pain she had endured. And when the night finally gave way to the soft light of dawn, Khushi fell asleep in his arms, her body spent, but her heart full. She knew that as long as she had him, she could face anything.

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari @chutkiandchotte @msbhagirathi @jalebi-weds-bluetooth

#ipkknd #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta #arshi #ipk 13th anniversary fiesta #13 years of ipkknd #whispers of the heart

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hand-picked-star · 4 months ago

Text

The 13th Anniversary Arshi Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the heart | Chapter 22

WARNING: 18+, MATURE CONTENT (Trigger warning-mention of r*pe and murder)

Chapter 22

"You know who I am, right?" Arnav asked softly to the little girl hunched down in her bed, clutching her knees to her chest. Her mother had died in the early morning, leaving 11-year-old Amelia in the hands of a complete stranger. Arnav saw the little girl bobbing her head slowly.

"This is my wife, Khushi," he said, drawing Khushi close and clutching her hand tightly. "We are going to take care of you, okay?" Arnav said, trying to sound reassuring. The girl raised her head to look at her brother."I know it's going to be very hard for you. but we are here for you, Amelia"

"Amy," she said softly. When Arnav looked at her questioningly, almost missing her remark, she added in her sweet trembling voice, "Only people call me Amelia when they're angry."

"Okay."

On the last Monday before they were scheduled to leave for India, Natalia passed away as her condition deteriorated considerably. Although Arnav had made arrangements for Amelia to be escorted safely to India by a friend in the event of her mother's death, but it was better that they were bringing her to India with them.

After Arnav decided to adopt Amelia and take care of her himself, he and Khushi discussed the details of bringing Amelia into their home. They decided to keep Amelia's parentage a secret from society, as growing up in a foreign society would be challenging enough for her. They didn't want to burden little Amelia even more. They would only reveal her parentage to close family members, such as the Rajputs and Anjali. Arnav did not want to lie to Anjali.

Her heart broke for the little girl as Khushi watched Arnav gently guide Amelia into their home in Delhi. Amelia's eyes were wide with a mix of fear and curiosity. The sight of Amelia's small, trembling hands clutching her frock stirred something deep within Khushi. The shadows of loss and uncertainty in Amelia's gaze mirrored the ones Khushi herself had once known all too well.

Amelia clung to Arnav's hand, her steps hesitant. Arnav's calm and reassuring voice broke through her reverie. "Khushi, why don't you show Amy her room?"

Khushi nodded, extending her hand to Amelia with a warm smile. "Come with me, Amy. Let's get you settled."

They reached the small, sunlit room Khushi had asked Gauri Ji to prepare for Amelia. "This is your room, Amy," Khushi said gently, leading the girl to the bed. "You can decorate it as you like. We'll go to the market tomorrow to buy some things, okay?"

She watched as the little girl looked around with a lost expression and nodded slowly. After a few moments, Khushi introduced Gauri Ji to Amelia. "This is Gauri Ji. She'll be with you all the time."

"Hello, Amy ji," Gauri Ji greeted Amelia awkwardly and in return, she received a forced smile from Amelia.

Together, they unpacked Amelia's few belongings. That evening, they were invited by the Rajputs for dinner. Arnav and Khushi decided to reveal the truth about Amelia that night. Khushi prayed for everything to go smoothly, but things did not turn out as hoped. As soon as Anjali learned about Amelia, she got up and locked herself in her room.

Arnav tried for several minutes to get her to open the door, but she did not respond. After much persuasion, she finally opened the door and went straight to her bed, sitting down with her back to Arnav. With a deep sigh, Arnav sat beside her.

After a long silence between the siblings, she said in a soft voice, tears evident in her tone, "How could you do that, Bhai? How could you betray Mamma like that?"

"It's not about betraying Mamma, Anjali. The girl had nothing to do with whatever happened between our parents."

"But why do you have to bring her here to remind us of that horrible incident for the rest of our lives?"

"She had no living relative except us. Imagine if Mamaji and Mahindar Chachu didn't help us when Mamma died. " Arnav said, looking down at his folded hands. "Hume sab kuch bhulake aage badhna chahiye."

"You can take care of her all you want, but please don't expect me to accept her anytime soon."

"You don't have to."

The siblings sat there silently, thinking and reflecting on their lives. "You know, I am so jealous of her right now," Anjali finally said.

"Why?"

"When I was young, I missed you so much. I always wished you didn't have to go to boarding school so I could have more time with you," Anjali said, lost in memory. "Now, she will have you with her all the time, time that I didn't have." She ended with a melancholy tone.

Arnav turned her around and hugged her shoulder sideways, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "You will always be my little sister, Anjali, even if I got a hundred others. I'm sorry I wasn't always there for you."

Meanwhile, Khushi took Amelia to her childhood room. Little Amelia was on the verge of crying.

"What happened, Amy?" Khushi asked, kneeling in front of Amelia as she sat on the bed. "Why are you crying?"

"I am causing problems, ain't I? Are you going to send me back?"

"Oh, sweetheart, no," Khushi tried to reassure the little girl. "We are a family now. We will take care of you always."

Khushi took a deep breath and started again. "Anjali Bhabhi didn't know about you earlier. That's why she's sad. Arnav is talking to her. Everything will be alright," she reassured Amelia, squeezing her small hand.

Then to cheer Amelia up, Khushi conjured up all of her excitement and said, "I have something for you." She opened her almirah and retrieved an old rag doll, a cherished toy her mother had made for her before she died. She lovingly caressed her childhood favourite toy. She gently handed it to Amelia, hoping the cherished toy would bring some comfort and joy to the little girl.

"This was mine when I was little," Khushi said, pointing to the rag doll. "My mother made it for me. She died when I was eight." Amelia looked at Khushi with surprise. Khushi offered her a small smile and continued, "When I got scared or felt alone, I would hug this doll, and everything felt better. I want you to have it." Little Amelia clutched the doll with her tiny fingers, hugging it tightly to her chest. She began to cry softly.

"Come with me," Khushi said softly, leading Amelia to the window. "My aunt used to say that when someone dies, they become a star....See that big, twinkling star? That's my mother, and the next one beside her is my father.... They always watch over us from above." Amelia's little face searched the sky, trying to find her own mother among the stars.

"Arnav lost his parents when he was about your age as well," Khushi added, still looking up at the sky. "I know you miss your mother very much. But, Amy, I want you to know that you're not alone. We're here for you, and we understand what you're going through." Khushi whispered, clutching Amelia's hand tightly.

Feeling a presence behind her, Khushi turned to find Arnav standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed with a soft expression on his face. Khushi extended her hand, inviting him to join them. He walked over and wrapped his arms around both of them from behind and the three of them watched the stars together.

As the days went on, Amelia slowly adapted to her new life. Each night, they enjoyed quiet dinners together. Khushi watched Arnav interact with Amelia, his patience and kindness evident in every gesture. In these moments of quiet connection, she realized how much they had grown and how far they had come from their painful pasts. It reminded her of her own childhood, when Arnav was her saviour, her only confidant. She came to understand that she didn't mind sharing him with Amelia at all. But seeing Arnav with Amelia ignited a new yearning in her-to see him with little versions of themselves.

Arnav's work schedule after returning home was intense. Being new to the field, he had to invest a significant amount of time and attention into his job. His expertise and reputation grew gradually with each successful case, but he was propelled into popularity as Delhi's best emerging criminal lawyer when he bagged the Singhania double murder case and won it.

Meanwhile, Khushi focused on establishing her charitable foundation, "Little Happiness," for orphaned children. She envisioned expanding it into an orphanage and school for underprivileged children, but securing resources proved challenging. Though NK and La joined as benefactors, Khushi struggled with the foundation. In addition, Khushi and Arnav began working on their new haveli. Khushi was jotting down ideas and designs, outlining everything she wanted in their home. They were actively searching for suitable land, and once they found it, they planned to start building their new home.

One day while Arnav was at the office, a lawyer named Mr. Arjun Mittal arrived with some property papers. He informed Arnav that his only uncle and his two sons had died of tuberculosis, and according to the law, the haveli had been transferred to him. Arnav was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events.

"What do you want to do now?" Khushi asked Arnav as she lay in his arms with her head resting on his chest.

"I don't know. The haveli doesn't hold much importance to me," Arnav said, lost in thought. After a moment, he added, "Khushi, how about you use the haveli for the foundation? It has seen many horrible things, and maybe these children could bring some good fortune to it." With this idea, Khushi found a new direction for expanding the foundation, allowing her to achieve her vision.

Everything was going smoothly, with each piece falling into place, until Arnav was appointed as the public prosecutor for "The Crown vs. Mohan Rajjani and 8 Others: The Tiwari Family Attack" case. Arnav initially thought little of it, viewing it merely as a high-profile case. However, as he began investigating and studying the case, all the past dirt started coming to light.

Mohan Rajjani was the accountant-slash-manager of Delhi's renowned businessman, Shyam Manohar Lala. His association with Mr. Lala complicated the case even more. The Police had been aggressively pursuing the notorious Delhi Thuggee group, which was responsible for a series of dacoity attacks in the area. As a result, Mohan Rajjani and 8 others were caught red-handed during an attack on the Tiwari household. The attack led to the deaths of 25 people, including the household staff and also included the brutal r*pe and murder of a ten-year-old girl.

By far, their modus operandi involved killing their victims through suffocation, typically using long fabric, most likely the 'gamchas' that were confiscated from each member of the group. This group remained pretty tight-lipped despite multiple tortures and interrogations by the police, very unusual for a regular dacoit gang.

It's a pretty much open-and-shut case, but the problem was with Mr. Rajjani. According to Mr. Rajjani and Mr. Lala, Mr. Pankaj Tiwari, the head of the Tiwari family, had sold Mr. Lala some of his lands and asked Mr. Rajjani to come to his house to retrieve the property papers on Mr. Lala's behalf. The same property papers that had been confiscated from the crime scene. According to Mr. Rajjani, that's why he was there and just happened to be present when the attack occurred.

"Sir, do you think Mr. Rajjani is innocent?" Rakhesh Roy, Arnav's assistant, asked him curiously.

"Umm, 98% no," Arnav replied. Then, after a pause, he added, "Why is he still alive when 25 others are dead? The remaining 2% scenario is that he's either extremely lucky or extremely persuasive." Arnav shut the file. He needed to interrogate the accused as early as possible, but before that, he needed to gather more information.

"Mr. Roy, please fetch all the files of dacoit attack cases from the last 10-12 years in Delhi," Arnav said, addressing his assistant.

"Sir, I have made notes. There are more than 15 cases. Should I fetch all of them?"

"Hmm, no, narrow it down to the cases where r*pe was involved."

When Mr. Roy returned with the files, there were only five cases he had come up with. He, alongside his assistant, began to study the cases. All of these cases involved the r*ping of a girl child ranging from 8-10 years old and then killing by suffocation. Among all the dacoity events that occurred in that area, these were also the only cases where the entire family was completely wiped out. There was a distinct pattern in the way this group operated.

"Why did they only r*pe the child instead of any adult female in the household?" Mr.Roy couldn't help but ask aloud.

"We are dealing with a very mentally sick individual with an equally sick preference," Arnav remarked in response to Mr. Roy.

Arnav wasn't quite satisfied with the development they made so far. They didn't have any solid proof, only speculations and theories. He reached for the last file, but the name on it made him stop in his tracks.

The Gupta Family Dacoity and Murder Investigation

Arnav never knew the intricate details of Khushi's parents' murder, as he was not in Delhi at that time. He only knew that the dacoit had killed her parents. As he opened the file, his hand trembled slightly, as he had a suspicion of what he might see written inside.

His whole body went numb as he saw the bloody details of the murder while reading Madumati ji's statement from 12 years ago. He snapped the file closed, his entire body trembling with rage. Hastily, he left his office, instructing his assistant to keep making notes.

Arnav only intended to take a short stroll. An incident from that morning kept replaying in his mind like a tape recorder. At the breakfast table, after the meal, Gauri had served him tea but instead of leaving, she lagged behind, clutching the tray tightly in her hands as if to say something.

"Yes, Gauri?"

"Kya aap Rajjani ji ke khilaf lad rahe hain, bhaiya?" Arnav was taken aback by her question and only nodded.

"Bohot bure admi hain, bhaiya. Aap unko zaroor saza dilwayiega," Gauri said before leaving without saying anything else.

His short stroll became long enough to lead him to the gate of the former Raizada Haveli, now marked by a signboard that read "Little Happiness Foundation."

He watched her from the corridor of her office, sitting at her desk, talking animatedly on the telephone with one of her associates. She always radiated light. It was hard to imagine the darkness of horror she had endured.

And just as she always seemed to know when he was near, her eyes met his instantly, and her whole face lit up. She stood up, coming around her desk. "What a pleasant surprise, Mr. Raizada! How can I help you?" she said smiling widely.

Arnav's hand immediately went around her waist as he pulled her closer, burying his face in her neck. His height made Khushi stand on her toes as she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. Khushi's two assistants, who were working on some accounts, left the room, red-faced, watching Mr. Raizada's actions.

"Arnav?"

"Hmm."

"Is everything alright?"

"Can't I hug my wife without any reason?"

"Yes, but here? In front of everyone? What will people say?"

"People will say that Mr. Raizada loves Mrs. Raizada very much." Khushi's face softened at his words as she entangled her fingers in his hair, massaging his scalp lightly. He hugged her untill he smelt like her and then taking a deep inhale of her scent, he set her gently on her feet.

"What happened?" Khushi asked, cupping his face.

"Nothing," he said, kissing her palm. "Just a case... I have to go back to the office." He nudged her nose with his. "Thanks for the hospitality, Mrs. Raizada." He kissed her forehead before leaving her office.

Then Arnav went straight to their house. He had some business he needed to take care of.

"HARIPRAKASH!"

"Yes, bhaiya?"

"I need two men who can guard Raizada Haveli as long as Khushi stays there, and then escort her back and forth. Can you arrange that?"

"Yes, bhaiya."

"How long will it take?"

"Umm..."

"Arrange them as soon as possible. It would be better if you could have them ready by tomorrow."

"Thik hai, bhaiya."

"I'm going to my study. Ask Gauri to fetch me a cup of tea."

Hariprakash hurried inside to convey Arnav's message to his wife.

A timid knock on the door alerted Arnav to Gauri's arrival. He wanted to talk to her, actually interrogate her; the tea was just an excuse.

"Your tea, bhaiya."

"Take a seat, Gauri. I need to talk to you."

"Yeess, bhaiya," she stammered, uncertain of what her employer wanted.

"What did you mean this morning when you said Mr. Rajjani was a bad person? Did he ever do something bad... to you?"

Gauri's breathing quickened, and she started to sweat. Her hands trembled as she fidgeted in the chair.

"Gauri, trust me. Nobody will know if you don't want them to."

"Hari doesn't know... I... I didn't tell him."

"He won't know."

"My mother used to work there, and I did too when I was little."

"How old were you?"

"I was eight. We lived in the servant quarters. Rajjani ji used to come there at night. He would clamp his hand over my mouth and carry me to his study. And there he... he..." Gauri started sobbing quietly. "My mother knew. She told me not to tell anyone or no one would marry me."

Arnav's lips pressed into a hard line, suppressing his anger.

"Were there any other girls besides you?"

"Yes, bhaiya. There were two other girls working with me. Nobody said anything."

"Okay, Gauri. You can go now.....one more thing..... you should talk to Hariprakash. No relationship can stand on the basis of a lie."

Gauri nodded solemnly and left Arnav to ponder over the recent developments in the case.

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari @chutkiandchotte @msbhagirathi @jalebi-weds-bluetooth

#ipkknd #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta #arshi #ipk 13th anniversary fiesta #13 years of ipkknd #whispers of the heart

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hand-picked-star · 4 months ago

Text

The 13th Anniversary Arshi feista

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the Heart | Chapter 21

WARNING: 18+, MATURE CONTENT

Chapter 21

The next few months brought a hectic change to Khushi's life. As their return to India was delayed, she finally enrolled for her last semester at the University of London. Living in a foreign country was one thing, but attending university with people from different cultures was a completely different experience altogether. Though the experience was terrifying at times, it was also profoundly wholesome.

She also met two of her best friends, whom she would cherish for the rest of her life. They would become her partners in establishing the charitable foundation "Little Happiness" which she would build later in her life from scratch. They would also be the first people, besides Arnav, to read the first draft of her debut book, actually almost every book, she would write in future.

One of them, Nithin Kingsley, "Hamari dost hume pyaar se NK bulate hain"-that's his words, not Khushi's, was someone she met in the neighbourhood actually. NK was Devyani Ji's grandson, the son of her daughter who lived in Spain. NK wanted to visit India, so he came to see his grandmother to refine his Hindi. During his stay, Nani Ji, Khushi, and NK embarked on a hilarious journey to sharpen NK's Hindi skills. Through their amusing and sometimes chaotic attempts, NK and Khushi formed an unlikely friendship that lasted a lifetime.

And the other best friend she met, was in university through the extracurricular society she had reluctantly signed up for to earn extra credits. She chose the literary society, driven by her lifelong aspiration to become a writer. The members were divided into groups of ten, each tasked with staging a play in collaboration with the theatrical society. Her group was assigned the play "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare.

It was during the preparation for the play that she met Lalita Kensington. Lalita was the leader of the team, barking orders at everyone. She appointed Khushi with the duty of setting up the fairy lights on the stage to set up the right mood for the actors. Somehow, unbeknownst to anyone, Khushi got entangled in the fairy lights, which were accidentally switched on. From that moment, the team started calling her "Chamkili" to tease her. One day, when Lalita called her by that name, Khushi stood up to her and said she didn't like being called 'Chamkili'.

That day, after wrapping up their dialogue writing class for the literary society, Lalita offered Khushi a bar of chocolate and a dazzling smile.

"Hello, my name is Lalita Kensington. My friends affectionately call me 'La.' You can call me that too," Lalita said, extending a hand to Khushi. "I am sorry I called you 'Chamkili' earlier."

"It's okay," Khushi chuckled, offering her a friendly smile. "Hi, my name is Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. People affectionately call me Khushi."

"Wow, you have such a long name. But why did you laugh? Are you making fun of my name?" Lalita asked scrunching her eyebrows.

"No, no. Your name reminded me of my neighbour. He talks like you, actually. His name is Nithin Kingsley, but people affectionately called him NK." They both shared a gleeful laugh.

"Is he cute?"

And that's how their banter began, becoming seemingly unstoppable whenever these two friends got together. They bonded over their shared love for literature and food. And Khushi found a precious friendship she had never expected. So it was very surreal for Khushi when the two best friends of hers met and formed an instant connection.

It was her 20th birthday. Nani Ji and NK had planned a surprise for her. Nani Ji baked a cake and came to visit her in the afternoon. Khushi was so happy. She made jalebis and rabri for her birthday and offered them to Nani Ji and NK. As she was making tea for them, the doorbell rang.

"Khushi ji, chinta mat kijiye. Main dekhta hoon," NK's voice filtered through the kitchen.

As NK opened the door, it felt as though time had slowed down. He came face to face with a girl who made his heart almost stop beating as he stared at her without blinking even once.

"Hello," Lalita said, waving a hand in front of him.

"Hi," he murmured breathlessly.

"Who are you? Where's Khushi?"

"Main Khushi ji ka beiman hu."

"Aap Khushi ka kya hain?" she said, doing a double take.

"Beiman, you know, guest."

"Beiman nahi, mehman hota hain."

"Aap Indian ho?"

"Half-Indian. Meri ma Indian hain, dad British."

"Mera bhi. Actually my mom is half-Indian and dad British."

As Khushi approached the front door, she found NK staring foolishly at her best friend with heart-eyes.

Lalita asked Khushi lowly, "Who's this cartoon?"

"La, this is my neighbour I told you about, remember? La, meet Nithin Kingsley, aka NK."

"Hi, I am NK. Aur aapki takleef?"

"What?" Lalita rolled her eyes and added, "Takleef nahi, tareef hota hai. I am La, I mean Lalita Kensington."

"Aap meri dil ki baat kitni achi tarah se jaanti hain, Lalita ji."

Khushi saw Lalita roll her eyes at him again, but a small smile ghosted her lips as he gazed at her with stars in his eyes. Over the next few weeks, NK talked her head off by alternately talking about Lalita and how much he would miss Khushi when she leaves London next month.

"Lalita ji kitni nice hai na, I mean unka face, unki aankhein, unki baal, unki naazuk haath, sab kuch..sab kuch...kitna... kitna nice hai na.....Aur lalita ji jab bathein karti hain....oh..oh..hoo..wow, ese lagta hain ke jese ki saari duniya geyi jhaar mein."

"Hmm."

"Khushi ji, aap agle mahine chale jayenge, hum aapko bohot miss karenge."

"NK, I'll give you my address. Come visit me when you come to India."

The remaining time before going back to India was spent preparing and saying goodbyes. It was a bittersweet moment for Khushi. As for Arnav, he didn't form any emotional attachment to the city, but Khushi had a feeling that she would miss it somehow. She would always hold dear the moments, good or bad, that she spent in this city. She would miss Devyani Ji, NK, and La. She would always miss the cottage that had seen so many of their moments and had been with them through thick and thin. She would also remember the bitter moments, as those had taught her to be better in life.

"Do you need any help wearing that saree? " Arnav asked from the doorway of their room, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"NO, absolutely not. don't come near me," Khushi said rapidly shaking her head. "I don't want to be late for this party."

"Come on, let me help. You're obviously struggling over there," Arnav said, moving closer. "See, this part is sticking out." He tugged at a loose part of her saree from her waist, causing the fabric to unravel completely.

"Arnav!!!!!" Khushi whined, stomping her feet.

Arnav raised his hands in a sign of surrender and flopped down on the bed, hugging a pillow.

"Since when did you make so many best friends? Now you want to go to a girl's birthday party you met six months ago instead of spending this Sunday evening with your husband. I thought I was your best friend," he said, sulking a little.

Khushi let go of the saree and carefully draped it over the back of a chair in the corner of their room, and went to him.

"You are my ultimate best friend," she said, kissing his cheek. "And you will come with me too. When I can attend La's birthday again, only God knows."

"No, I don't want to be at a girly party. I'll drop you off and then pick you up," he said broodily. "Don't you have NK to accompany you, by the way?"

"Come on, Arnav, kya aap hamare liye itna bhi nahi kar sakte?" she said, messily kissing him all over his face.

"Gimme some more, then I'll think about it," Arnav mumbled with a faint smile at the corner of his lips.

Khushi started kissing his face with renewed enthusiasm. "Please, Arnav... please... please...please," she punctuated each word with a kiss.

Laughing out loud, Arnav rolled them over, bringing her body beneath his as he captured her lips.

"Don't make me late," Khushi whispered against his lips.

"It's not late Khushi. It's called fashionablely late," he said deepening the kiss.

It was her graduation day. As Khushi stood at the crossroads, where one chapter ended and another began, she looked back at her life and couldn't help but feel a deep swell of pride for the journey that had brought her to this moment. She wasn't supposed to be here-by all accounts, the path that led to this grand hall in London, dressed in her cap and gown, was one she was never meant to walk. Yet here she was, standing among her peers, experiencing the culmination of her dreams in this prestigious graduation ceremony.

As Khushi approached the stage to collect her degree, her eyes instinctively sought out Arnav in the crowd. He was beaming at her, pride shining unmistakably in his eyes, a look that warmed her heart and steadied her nerves. Beside him, NK and La were clapping and cheering loudly, their excitement echoing through the grand hall. Their support wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, filling her with a sense of belonging and accomplishment as she prepared to take the final step in this remarkable journey.

Lavanya paced the length of her dimly lit study, the soft light of the antique lamp casting long shadows on the walls. Her gaze fell upon the framed photographs of her youth scattered on the desk. The faces of her friends, her late mother, and a younger, more carefree Lavanya stared back at her. She sighed, her reflection in the polished wood of the desk a reminder of the person she used to be.

She thought about her mother, who had passed away when she was just twelve. A profound sadness washed over her as she wondered if her mother would be proud of the person she had become-resentful, vindictive, and delusional. The answer, she realized, was no. Her mother would not be proud.

For the past ten years, Lavanya had navigated life largely on her own. Her father's absenteeism had been compensated with expensive gifts and empty promises. He would often say, "Lavanya, you can have anything you want, dear." She grew up believing that she could indeed have everything she desired, and she did. She gained a myriad of material possessions and excelled in academic proficiency, yet there was one thing she couldn't have-HIM.

Her childhood friends, Pam and Sim, often told her, "Lavanya, you are so beautiful. You can have anyone worshipping the ground you walk on." Yet, despite their reassurances and the suitors who pursued her, Lavanya had eyes only for Arnav. He possessed an elusive quality that enchanted her, a quality so captivating that she failed to see she was building a castle in the clouds.

Arnav's words rang true. "It's but a shadow and a thought that you love." He was right. She had convinced herself that she loved him and envisioned a future together, yet she knew so little about him. She did not know about his dreams, his fears, what made him tick and all the things that mattered to him at all, nothing. In her obsession with Arnav, she had turned her own life into a distorted reflection of what she thought love should be. Her fixation had not only clouded her judgment but had also caused pain to someone who had been entirely innocent in this process.

Lavanya gave the driver meticulous directions to her destination. With a deep breath, she stepped out of the car. Her heart pounded with anxiety, as she had no idea how she would react.

As she approached the house, Lavanya saw her through the window, curled up with a book. She drew a deep breath, steadying her shaking hands before knocking, a small bouquet of white tulips clutched nervously in her hand.

Khushi answered after a moment, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Lavanya standing on the doorstep. The tension in the air was palpable, but Lavanya offered a tentative smile. "Hi," she began, her voice softer, "I hope I'm not intruding."

Khushi hesitated, then stepped back to allow her inside. "What brings you here?"

"I came to talk," Lavanya said, holding out the tulips with a nervous smile. "I brought these for you. I know it's not much, but I wanted to bring something."

Khushi accepted the flowers with a hesitant hand, unsure of Lavanya's intent. "Thank you."

They settled in the cozy living room, the warm glow of the fireplace contrasting sharply with the chill Lavanya felt. Lavanya kept wriggling her fingers.

"Would you like some tea?" Khushi asked politely. She had no intention to be in her presence longer than absolutely necessary.

"Sure."

As they sipped their tea wordlessly, an awkward silence fell over them.

"I don't know where to begin," Lavanya started, her voice trembling. "I've come to apologize to you....for how I behaved, for the things I said...... I know I've hurt you immensely with my actions." She paused, licking her dry lips, "...and I am truly sorry for that."

Khushi looked at her, dumbfounded, not expecting the apology at all. "I don't know, Mrs. Kashyap," she said slowly. "What do you expect me to say?"

"You don't have to say anything. I'm being selfish here once again actually. I just need to say 'sorry' to you before you go back to India," Lavanya added. "I know you don't need my apology, but I am truly sorry."

"I'll take my leave now," Lavanya said, standing up. "If possible, please forgive me."

Khushi looked at her retreating form with a wistful expression on her face. it felt like drawing an end to a specific chapter of her life.

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari @chutkiandchotte @msbhagirathi @jalebi-weds-bluetooth

#ipkknd #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta #arshi #ipk 13th anniversary fiesta #13 years of ipkknd #whispers of the heart

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hand-picked-star · 5 months ago

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The 13th Arshi Anniversary Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the Heart | Chapter 20

WARNING: 18+, MATURE CONTENT.

Chapter 20

A silent rage was brewing in Arnav, a storm concealed beneath a veneer of calm. Khushi could tell something was bothering him, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was. Though he had tried to put on a neutral face, she could see it in his eyes, in the set of his jaw.

As soon as they entered the house, he grabbed Khushi by the back of her neck with one hand and twisted her arm behind her back with the other, pulling her close until her body was pressed tightly against his.

Before Khushi could get her bearings she felt his lips descend upon hers in a fierce kiss. His hand moved from her neck into her hair, grabbing a fistful and pulling her head back slightly as they momentarily broke for breath. Arnav trailed open-mouthed kisses of fire down her neck and back up, capturing her lips again before giving her just enough time to breathe.

Having his fill, Arnav broke the kiss and looked at Khushi, their noses almost touching. She noticed his eyes had darkened and her heart began to race, trying to get out of her rib cage. She felt the heat of his rage radiating off him. Her senses were overwhelmed by his harsh breathing against her lips, setting her skin on fire. The desire crackled on the surface of her skin like a live wire. Every nerve ending in her body went on high alert.

His nostrils flared as he spoke through clenched teeth, his voice rougher and huskier than before. The dimness of the hallway seemed to amplify the darkness in his tone even more, "It seems, Mrs. Raizada, I wasn’t clear enough the first time we had this conversation."

"What are you talking about?" Her voice trembled as she whispered into the darkness.

"Let me show you," he said, swiftly tugging at the strings that held her blouse together. The strings snapped, along with the delicate material of the blouse, giving way with a sharp rip. In the process, the pearl necklace she wore that evening, became entangled and broke, sending pearls scattering in every direction, rolling and clattering across the floor. The room was filled with the sound of shattering pearls and their harsh breathing.

A loud gasp escaped her. Before she could react, the rest of her clothes were discarded onto the floor and Arnav had her pinned against the front door with his hands gripping her bottoms. Despite the anger and frustration radiating from him, his touch remained gentle. Khushi instinctively wrapped her arms and legs around him. The cold wood pressed against her back contrasted with the warmth radiating from his body. She looked up at him with eyes filled with a mix of bewilderment and unspoken longing. She felt him pressing his body against her core, still fully clothed, causing an involuntary whimper to escape her lips and her mouth to hang open in a soundless moan.

"Do you feel me?" Her eyes slid shut as her head thudded against the door.

"Look at me, damn it. Answer me," he demanded, emphasizing his point with a forceful thrust of his hip against her. Her eyes flew open as she clutched his neck, nodding her head while biting her lip hard.

"Say it out loud, Khushi." She whimpered at his tone.

"Yes," rapidly bobbing her head, "yes."

"See what you do to me? You drive me mad. Do you have any idea how crazy I am for you?" As Khushi stared at him speechlessly, he continued, "I think you need a demonstration."

He carried her to their bedroom and placed her on the bed. Switching on the bedside lamp, he gazed at her— flushed skin, heaving chest, and hair dishevelled from his touch. How this beautiful creature could feel so insecure was beyond his imagination. And he was angry, but today he would see the end of it.

He took his time removing his clothes one piece at a time, observing her as her eyes followed his every movement. When he hovered over her, she instinctively placed her arms around his shoulders. He pried her fingers away, one at a time, moving them above her head and held them there by her wrists. With a swift, hard thrust, he entered her.

"Oh, God."

"God isn't here, Khushi. Why don't you start calling out to the one who is?" he said through his teeth.

"AAArnav" she stammered.

"Now you’re talking."

Arnav set a punishing rhythm, harder and rougher than usual, making Khushi feel dizzy. Yet his eyes held her captive, daring her to close them. As the familiar warmth spread through her body, she lifted her head to seek his lips, but he moved away. With a deep thrust, he stilled completely, causing her to gasp loudly.

"Let's have a chat."

"Right now?" Khushi said, licking her dry lips.

"Yes, it's a nice time to have a chat, don't you think?" A smug smirk played at the corner of his lips as he continued, "You know, Khushi..." Meanwhile, he withdrew from her warmth in a slow, torturous and controlled movement, letting her feel every bit of him and then sheathed himself back inside completely, rendering her momentarily stunned. "There's a girl I know who makes me feel so out of control....and she is the most beautiful girl in this world. Do you know her?"

"Huh?"

"Do you know her?"

"Arnav, please."

"Please, what?" His lips hovered over hers. He pulled out again and barely pushed his tip in between her swollen nether lips, making her cry out softly, as he breathed out, "What do you need, Khushi?"

"You... I need you," she whimpered.

"You want me?" She eagerly nodded her head as he dipped an inch inside her warmth. His eyes never left hers. "just answer my question and you can have me," he promised against her lips, punctuating every other word with a quick jab inside her.

"I don't know what you want me to say." She raised her pelvis to meet his.

"tsk, tsk, tsk....Wrong answer, Khushi," he said, completely withdrawing from her warmth and leaving Khushi feeling empty inside. Desperation was evident in her glossy eyes as they darted back and forth between his.

"Wait!!" She swallowed hard. "Me, it's me." The smirk on his lips was now full-blown, and she was rewarded with a deep thrust. He set a deep, steady rhythm, not enough to push her over the edge but just enough to keep the fire growing.

"So, are you the most beautiful girl in this world, Khushi?"

"Yes, I am." her breathing was shallow, body covered in a thin sheet of sweat as she tried to bring Arnav closer by tightening her legs around his hips. Securing both of her wrists in one hand, Arnav pulled her legs apart with the other.

"Are you the smartest?"

"Yes, I am," she answered, sensing her torture not being finished yet.

".....and the strongest?"

"Yes."

"Are you the girl I can't live without, Khushi?" his breath shattered, he knew he wouldn't last long.

"Yes, I am the girl you can't live without." her eyes watered as she whispered against his lips.

"and the only girl I love?"

"and the only girl you love."

"Nobody stands a chance."

"Nobody....... ugh....Arnav." She bit her lips, moaning sweetly, begging him with her all-consuming eyes.

"Do I need to drill that into you more, or will you remember it?"

"I'll remember, I'll remember, but please don't stop.... never stop." He couldn't help but chuckle. As soon as he released her hands, she immediately grabbed the back of his head, bringing their lips together and finally making him stop talking and have her moment.

Arnav held the headboard for support, maintaining his previous rhythm to pound her senses out of her body, while Khushi clutched his back, nails digging into his skin. And then he felt it. Her inner walls began to flutter and spasm around him. He watched her as euphoria washed over her face. The flush in her cheeks spreads down her neck and across her chest up to her rosy peaks. It's always magnificent to watch her come undone. It's like watching a fireworks display for the very first time-an explosion of beauty, energy and light.

As the next morning rolled on, London was blanketed by its first snow of the season. The city was transformed into a pristine winter wonderland. The rooftops and trees were all draped in a thick, fluffy layer of white and sparkled in the soft morning light. The air was filled with the crisp scent of snow and the faint echo of holiday carols. The usually bustling streets were now serene, with the snow adding a layer of tranquillity and joy to the holiday season.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Khushi asked him sleepily, standing in the doorway of the study while Arnav worked on a case.

"You were sleeping so peacefully," he said, looking adoringly at her as she sat sideways on his lap, tucking her head under his chin and snuggling against him. She shivered slightly as the morning chill wind blew through the window.

“Why aren’t you wearing a sweater?” Arnav asked, draping the throw that was lying nearby over her and drawing her closer to the warmth of his body.

They just sat there like that, basking in each other's presence. Arnav placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and a tiny smile appeared at the corners of Khushi's lips. He murmured gently against her skin, “Was I very rough last night? Sorry, I got carried away.”

“It’s okay. I wouldn’t mind you getting carried away once in a while,” she said, drawing a chuckle from him. Then she pouted mourning her damaged jewellery."You broke my pearl necklace."

"I'll buy you another one."

“But why did you get angry? I didn’t get insecure about her last night.” As Arnav raised an eyebrow, she retreated, adding, “Maybe a little bit, but I recovered pretty quickly.”

“You shouldn’t feel like that at all.”

Khushi buried her nose in the soft skin of Arnav’s neck and murmured, nestled in his embrace, “Arnav, what if you get tired of me being so insecure all the time…”

“....guess I have to drill all your insecurities out of you.”

Khushi swatted her shoulders lightly as his whole body shook lightly with laughter.

“You say it as if I haven’t made any mistakes in the past few weeks,” Arnav said, drawing random patterns on her back.

“Like..”

“Like I didn’t tell you about the letter you read.” His eyes hardened a little bit, "... and I shut you out after our fight. I should have talked to you."

Khushi pressed her lips together, forming a thin, hard line.

“Don’t put me on a pedestal, Khushi. We’ll both make mistakes.” As her face fell, Arnav added, “You see it's my first marriage, Mrs. Raizada. Let me learn all the tricks and tips, then I won’t face any problems in my subsequent marriages.” Arnav said teasingly, causing Khushi’s mouth to hang open in disbelief.

“Shut up,” Khushi said exasperatedly, causing Arnav to laugh out loud. He pulled a reluctant, pouty Khushi into a tighter embrace. After a slight objection, Khushi eventually settled into his arms willingly.

"We'll learn together, okay?"

“I like the sound of that, Mr. Raizada.” Arnav leaned down to capture her lips in a sweet kiss, sealing the deal. Then her stomach growled loudly, causing both of them to burst out laughing.

“Let’s feed the monster, Mrs. Raizada.”

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari

#ipkknd #iss pyaar ko kya naam doon #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta #arshi #ipk 13th anniversary fiesta #whispers of the heart

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hand-picked-star · 5 months ago

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😂😂😂

she's working late, cause she's a singer 🎶

#ipkknd #rain's vms #reblogs #iss pyaar ko kya naam doon #arnav singh raizada #arnav x khushi #khushi kumari gupta

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hand-picked-star · 5 months ago

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Hi S!

Eager to know Jalebi's honest opinion. Is Arnav a classist? His actions and accusations of "gold digging" against Khushi seems to say so. Later on during the 'dadi track' he seems to oppose her evident classism. But is that because now Khushi is his wife?

Hey!

This is an interesting question because there is a yes and a no.

A yes because had Khushi belonged from a higher class, Arnav's treatment of her would have been different. So if a person is treated better because of their class, that's classism.

However, Arnav has absolutely no qualms with people from lower class. When he learns that Akash loves Payal, Arnav's main concern isn't that Payal comes from no money and lower social status, his concern is whether or not Akash is ready for a lifelong commitment and isn't being childish just because he's infatuated. That is Arnav being a really sensible brother.

Arnav actually has no difficulty gelling with Khushi's family. Any problem Arnav faces in Lakshminagar is a direct result of Khushi annoying him. He's, in fact, quite sensitive to Gupta's monetary stretch. He doesn't order Italian food for himself simply because the Guptas don't know fine dining. He actually orders it for everyone - even though he's annoyed the hell out of Khushi because ordering food for just himself at a guest's house is rude.

And let's not forget, Arnav gets annoyed every time Manorama makes a comment on class on either Payal or Khushi.

Dadi track had a lot of missed potential in my opinion. It would have been great for Khushi to point out that Dadi mirrors a lot of Arnav's earlier opinions of her.

To be honest, more than Khushi being his wife it's about the time when Arnav's misgivings about Khushi started fading (around post Janmashtami). I think that's when he figured out Khush is a bit stupid and absurd, but not the gold digger he assumed her to be.

Hence, he's a bit disturbed when he learns that Manorama accused Khushi of robbery (because Anjali is right about Khushi being unjustly treated at Shantivan).

[I've always interpreted Arnav asking Khushi tum theek ho that day for more than just the getting her earring stuck on his jacket - which is also a weird thing to ask if someone is ok after an accessory got stuck, lol]

And then during Dadi era he loves Khushi, so of course he's taking a stand for the woman he loves.

He loves Khushi. He loves her family.

But there is a slight, inherent, classism in Arnav because reality IS that Khushi would have had a lot of things easier for her if she just belonged from a better class (not even his equivalent but just if she spoke English, or came across as upper middle class).

And it is classism that it takes SO much for him to start viewing her nicely. To throw away his prejudice. Her class plays a key role here.

Anjali has to keep justifying Khushi's intentions. Khushi has to prove her kindness and selflessness MULTIPLE times to his family. Arnav has no hesitation to shove money in Khushi's face.

It is classism that he resorts to insulting her class when he wants a shield for his growing attraction.

And Arnav would have thought twice before hurting her because she holds some power. Now power dynamics is a whole different monster in this conversation because not just class but even gender, their careers, Khushi's family and patriarchy play a key role behind the grossly imbalanced power dynamic between Arnav and Khushi.

In short, there is classism because Arnav feels entitled to do his way when he's being ruthless. But also Arnav is completely accepting of people from different classes and he does not think he's amazing because of it.

So a yes, and a no.

Love,

P.S: Anjali exhibits privilege in and a very very slight classist nature as well. A person of lower class cannot tell Anjali no. She keeps compelling Khushi multiple times because of this class difference (not just because Khushi is kind).

Anjali is kind and cultured enough to say the right thing but she is not beyond manipulating situations to her benefit. Anjali cares far more for her brother, so she's completely fine subjecting Khushi to continuous interactions with her acrimonious brother, misusing her financial strength against Khushi, having Khushi constantly come over to her home even after her job is over so Khushi has to juggle looking after her parents and tuitions and being Anjali & La's buddy time while her transportation costs are totally not being covered.

Anjali is blind as hell to the fact that Khushi's time is of value as well.

#featheredclover #jalebi answered #jalebi weds bluetooth #ipkknd #iss pyaar ko kya naam doon #reblogs

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hand-picked-star · 5 months ago

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will replace rabba-ve with daiyyaa-ho 😂😂😂

Hey Shree ! I am big fan of IPKKND and your blog. I love your every analysis. During Payash sangeet Khushi's friend did not come for the dance so did Arnav bribe her not to come ? Also their dance was so intimate was it real or a dream or something else?

Hey Anon!

Lol that's super chindi of Arnav to sabotage a sangeet performance.

Khushi's friend did not show up and honestly none of us know why. Shyam is more likely to have bribed but like... how do you bribe a friend to NOT dance?

Teri Meri is a confusion. If it is a dream, how does this moment exist -

Were they realistically dreaming? Lolz

But then if the above intimate dancing is reality, then why is there a sudden change of clothes?

Like why is Arnav back in his sherwani and Khushi back to her usual sangeet hairstyle?

I also know the promo was shot in this clothing and makeup. And it's possible that the makers found these shots toooooo pretty and wanted to add that from the promo to the main episode edit that has us all scratching heads. Lol.

And Arnav does appear in black suit for the dance and everyone did see Arnav in that suit.

Tbh, Mama ji being happy and pseudo blessing this jodi is amaze. HE IS THE TRUE SHIPPER.

And we must assume that everyone was SO shocked that Arnav even danced that they just didn't see the performance.

Except two people.

Also, maybe the Raizadas had become cool enough that they're sooooo ok with sexy dancing and they're gonna let the kids feel the feelz until they're ready to act on feelz.

Lol.

Love,

Shree

#jalebi weds bluetooth #jalebi answered #reblogs #ipkknd #iss pyaar ko kya naam doon

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hand-picked-star · 5 months ago

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Hey Jalebi. How are you doing?

I wanted to ask you something. During the time Arnav said, "You are the biggest mistake of my life Khusi Kumari Gupta". Khusi wanted to leave RM and Arnav came back to stop her. He almost said, "me tumhare bina ji nahi sakta" but obviously couldn't finish his sentence. Do you think Khushi would have stopped if he had confessed his love for her instead of talking about the contract. If he actually said he loves her and needed her to be there with him. Would she have stopped?

Hey Anon!

I am doing well, and you?

No, because it is not his feelings (or the lack of expression of it) which is making Khushi leave/stay. She is leaving because she feels her presence has caused harm and perhaps will continue to do so. And Arnav has broken her heart. His anger does not matter, his words do.

And his words of anger matter to Khushi - because he's saying the truth. His words of love? Well he hasn't quite communicated much, has he?

And again, she makes it clear to Arnav that she's leaving to preserve his happiness. She does not want him to make a choice between her and his family. She figures out what he's trying to say when he's trying to stop her. If you see, there's just deep sadness in her face when she's leaving.

She isn't surprised when Arnav confesses he can't live without her. She knows what he means. But she also knows what his sister means for him.

Tbh, at this point she is operating from a point of hope that Arnav loves her to a certain extent. It's why they saved each other. It's why he took her stand without evidence. It's why he consoled her so tenderly.

And she also thinks he's making up for the true words he spat in anger - that has more weight than whatever word of love he's trying to grasp and give it to her.

Had he said he loved her, she would've cried a bit but emphasized further about Di needing space.

So while his anger effectively does stop her, it also shatters her hope that he loves her.

(she isn't surprised by his love, she's surprised by the cruelty - poor Khushi, always hoping the best)

To me, Khushi stopped believing Arnav loved her, or had ever loved her, when he uses that threat. Or she no longer has the energy to see what's behind those beautiful eyes.

So him confessing his feels probably wouldn't have made her stop tbh. And neither Arnav nor his family needs her - that is clear as day. And again, to be very very honest - Khushi was doing the right thing by going to Gupta house. Anjali needed her brother by her side to tell her the truth and ground her to reality.

If Arnav confessed pre being an asshole, the above would have happened. If Arnav confessed post being an asshole, she would've read it as desperation.

Khushi was partially right that Arnav wouldn't have told her that he loved her if things were 'normal'.

And she would be partially right that he's saying this because he doesn't know what else would stop her.

We must note that this was a brilliant scene because Khushi has snapped out of what this marriage is and what her choices are. She recognizes a pattern in their abusive relationship and calls him out.

The show invalidating Khushi's hurt to make Arnav a cool flirtboy was crap. They should've leaned into dark comedy, if nothing else. But given suicide track - this was better than that.

Best,

Jalebi

#ipkknd #iss pyaar ko kya naam doon #jalebi answered #jalebi weds bluetooth #i needed this #reblogs

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hand-picked-star · 5 months ago

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How have I miss this??!!! 😕😕

hi, jalebi, hope life is treating you well.I watched your interview with Utkarsh Naithani,it was absolute delight and kind if a tutorial class of story-writting.keep it up and waiting for many more interviews like that.And I got to see your face too😍,which was a sight for sore eyes.

I want your absolute opinion on the fact that do you think that the introduction of kidnapping tract had disrupted the flow of IPKKND and kind of destroyed what the writters had previously had in mind?

thank you.

Thank you so much for the sweet comment <3 Uff, you and your taareef.

Now, regarding to your question;

do you think that the introduction of kidnapping tract had disrupted the flow of IPKKND and kind of destroyed what the writters had previously had in mind?

To be very honest, the introduction of the kidnapping track brought the show back on track - for me. The show started addressing everything that was needed. The circumstance of the marriage. The fact that Arnav wouldn't believe Khushi. The fact that the situation was against Khushi. And that Shyam was upto something, he would take revenge against Arnav.

All the characters and situations were put on a RUDE pause from the end of Holi until the terrace scene (which worked into the kidnapping).

I have, legit, NO idea what the writers had in mind. Because the writers were writing aimless comedy, forgot the weight of the situation. And the months from Holi to Arnav leaving for London had absolutely little sense. It raised FAR too many questions, character rewrites, motivation rewrites, than anything else.

I believe, given the situation Arnav and Khushi was in - nothing would've been able to shift them away from bitterness apart from the fact that they loved each other UNTIL it was, literally, a matter of life and death between the characters.

We got back the telepathy, the hurt. Khushi is no longer a stupid woman trying to get back at the man who holds the reins of her sister's marriage in his hand by annoying him? (WTF was that logic)

Rather she's back to being the intelligent, hurt woman, who painfully knows that if things were fine - he'd never say he loved her.

So what went wrong with the show is not the kidnapping track but how they showed the investigation.

I laughed at them forgetting Khushi is a Raizada. If, let's say Manish Malhotra's relative goes to the police fearing Manish Malhotra's safety. The police is not going to laugh at it. We know how the police treat the elite class. Remember how upon Lavanya Kashyap's (who is not even a Raizada) phone call the police had arrived at Shantivan personally to do an employment check?

Which by the the police don't have to carry out by themselves. Employees submit themselves and police verifies the history and fingerprints. But just because the house was Shantivan - they were ready to do basic duty. Secondly, not everyone in Delhi can just gently hold Delhi Police's hand and escort them out of the house.

Arnav Singh Raizada can.

So, the kidnapping, Khushi's intuition and disbelief over Arnav's confession, her constant panic and the family sending her to Lucknow and even she and Mami getting suspicious of Arnav reaching London or not were BRILLIANTLY done.

And even with Arnav, right. Forced upon this horrific situation he is stripped of his prejudices, fears and doubt. He loves her. She feels strongly for him (she nearly confessed before he left). She wanted his trust.

It was a great way to reset the dynamic between the two.

And FINALLY Shyam is doing something as a villain. He wants everything Arnav owns, everything Arnav has. It starts with his assets and ends with Khushi.

Also Khushi knows Shyam is enough of a horrid man to actually pull something like this off? She's suspicious of him from the START. And we see her dealing with her abuser and the threat of Shyam being under the roof as her.

What went wrong is in the execution of second half of kidnapping track:

Arnav's LIFE is at stake. Just why has she NOT confided in Akash? He's right THERE. Why not in Payal? Just how is the 'ghar ki shanti' more important than the life of the head of the household?

What was the whole stupid James Bond thing with Manorama?

WHY WAS NO ONE UNDERSTANDING THAT A RAIZADA WAS SEEKING HELP?

What was the stupid "let's honeytrap Shyam" plan?

Just why were they doing Tom and Jerry stuffs to trap Shyam?

In short, why did the intelligence just disappear in the execution of this track?

WHY DO BABLI AND MASALA MAMA EXIST? (Honestly, I felt if Akash and Payal had a more relevant, important track the kidnapping track could have felt better than this demon child cause EVERYONE loved Akash Payal).

Actually introduced a really good cameo of a private detective/police inspector who would work in private sensing a bigger threat.

Either way, I have far less issues with the stupid kidnapping track because I got Arnav and Khushi back, and I got Shyam back. The three wheels of the story, their characterization, their plots, were on track.

And this is my absolute opinion of the kidnapping track.

Best,

Jalebi

#jalebi's most honest take #jalebi-weds-bluetooth #reblogs #jalebi answered #ipkknd #iss pyaar ko kya naam doon #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta

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hand-picked-star · 5 months ago

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The 13th Arshi Anniversary Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the Heart | Chapter 19

WARNING : 18+, MATURE WARNING

Chapter 19

It continued pouring cats and dogs outside as the day wore on. Arnav had fallen asleep after their conversation and Khushi lay idly in bed, listening to the steady beat of his heart. His sudden neediness was unusual. He had always been intense in bed, but last night and today, there was an edge of desperation to his neediness. She didn't mind, though. She found comfort in the fact that she could be the solace he needed, the anchor he clung to, providing him with the peace he so desperately sought. Yet, she was worried. She wanted to understand what was happening in his beautiful mind, and the glimpses he shared only deepened her concern about the mental turmoil he was enduring.

The clock was about to strike eleven in the morning. He needed to wake up and have something in his stomach. She reached forward and gently cupped his face, her thumb delicately brushing along his lower lip. He moaned softly before finally stirring.

"Arnav, wake up. It's almost noon," she whispered, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"G'mornin'," his scratchy morning voice greeted her. He puckered his lips slightly and kissed the pad of her thumb.

"I am going to make something to eat."

Khushi was famished. She didn't have the energy to prepare a full lunch, so she quickly whipped up some bread and eggs. She stood in front of the stove, wearing his discarded shirt and a salwar she found nearby. The aroma of cooking filled the small kitchen, mingling with the sound of the rain outside. As she worked, she heard the shower turn off.

She placed the skillet on the stove when two strong arms encircled her waist from behind, bringing her flush against his body. She felt a brush of his hand against her shoulder as he pulled her hair back to reveal her neck. Instinctively, she tilted her head to the side to allow him better access and shivered in his arms as the tip of his nose ran along the length of her neck while he inhaled deeply.

“Damn, that smells good,” he whispered into her ear. “And the food doesn’t smell too bad either.”

He pressed his face in her neck, placing kisses that made her toes curl, while his hands slipped under the shirt she was wearing, gliding across her silky skin. He caressed her soft, supple curves, rolling her aching peaks between his fingers.

“You’re insatiable, Mr. Raizada,” she giggled. “I’m trying to cook, don’t distract me.”

“You made me insatiable, Mrs. Raizada. You deprived me for seven days. It felt like seven fucking years.”

“Don’t come near me with your dirty mouth,” she squirmed, trying to get away from him, but his hands had her caged against the kitchen counter.

"You weren't complaining about my dirty mouth last night." Her protests soon turned into giggles when he whispered, "I even heard you call me God."

He could feel her pulse quicken under his lips as he placed open-mouthed kisses along the tender flesh of her neck. Her head rolled backwards, resting on his shoulder as a sweet moan escaped her lips.

"That’s going to leave a mark.”

“Hmm, good, everyone needs to know who you belong to."

"How you want your eggs?" She asked with an egg in her hand when the skillet was ready.

"Two eggs, sunny side up,” She nodded but instinctively gripped the edge of the counter as his hand slid between her legs, over her clothes.

"Arnav...."

“Shh… start cooking the eggs, Mrs. Raizada. I’m very hungry,” he murmured against her skin. With trembling hands, she cracked the eggshell against the rim of the skillet and carefully dropped the eggs into it, one by one.

Arnav turned her head and pressed his lips against hers, holding her captive in

his arms. Her entire body trembled with desire. When he finally released her lips, she glanced down to see that the eggs were already done, With shaky hands, she grabbed & spatula and flipped the eggs onto a plate.

“Ah, my eggs are ready. Thank you,” he said, placing a kiss on her cheek before taking the plate and heading toward the dining table as if he hadn’t just bulldozed her whole nervous system two seconds ago. Taking a shaky breath, Khushi grabbed the plate of toast and sat beside him at the table, glaring at him the entire way. Noticing her stare, Arnav asked around a bite of toast, “What?”

“ You’ll pay for this.”

“Okay.” He gave her one of those smirks that made her cheeks flare, and she ended up laughing, playfully shoving his shoulder.

After finishing their meal, Khushi settled on the sofa with a book, half lying under a blanket. The warmth from the fireplace provided the much needed comfort against the biting cold. Arnav went outside to gather the mail and then flopped down on the sofa, cradling her feet on his lap as he sorted through the mail.

"Hey, do you want to go to this week's Christmas party?" he said as a particular letter caught his attention.

"Only if you don't work."

"I won't. They're staging a play, Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. I think you'll like it."

Her eyes lit up, crinkling at the corners. "Okay."

“Oh, look, there’s a letter from India.”

“Really? Let me see it.”

Khushi snatched the letter from him, tore open the envelope, and began reading the contents aloud. Meanwhile, Arnav kept sorting through the other mails.

"Payal bhabi delivered a baby boy!!!" Khushi exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement and joy.

"That's a great news!"

But then a thought struck Khushi, something she hadn't considered yet.

“Amma probably expects me to be pregnant by now.”

“Khushi,” he rolled his eyes, setting aside the mail and focusing on her. “Do you expect to be pregnant by now?”

“How can I? We’ve been careful. I’ve been marking the calendar and counting the dates.”

"We'll only try to have a baby when you want, not when your Amma or society expects it. Only when you want it. Okay?"

"Hmm."

"Do you want a baby now?"

"I don't know. I haven't thought about it. Do you?"

"It's really subjective. I want one if you want one. We're in this together, remember."

Khushi bobbed her head absent-mindedly and they resumed their previous tasks.

As Khushi entered the grand hall of the Inner Temple, she marvelled at the festive transformation of the otherwise formal space. Twinkling fairy lights and rich garlands of ivy draped across the walls gave the room a warm, inviting glow. The scent of roasted chestnuts mingled in the air, creating a delightful aroma that heightened her anticipation for the evening ahead.

The large, beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood at the centre of the room, adorned with shimmering ornaments and a golden star perched atop. Guests in elegant evening wear milling around, engaging in lively conversations and laughter. Their faces were illuminated by the soft, flickering light of candles placed in ornate holders on the tables.

Khushi was a vision of elegance and grace in the stunning black velvet saree Arnav had gifted her earlier that evening. The rich, lustrous fabric clung to her figure, catching the light and creating a wonderous glow that drew every eye. The saree's deep, midnight-black hue was highlighted by delicate, intricate embroidery along the borders. She completed her ensemble with a simple pearl necklace which lay perfectly against her collarbone, while her hair cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders. Arnav complemented her look with an impeccably tailored black tuxedo, a crisp white shirt, and a perfectly knotted black bow tie.

The evening was filled with joyful music. A string ensemble played festive carols, their melodies weaving through the crowd and setting a cheerful tone. Khushi found herself drawn to the dance floor, where couples glided gracefully across the gleaming floorboards.

Khushi attention was diverted from the dancefloor when a branch of Arnav's colleagues and their wives came to wish them a merry Christmas, including Lavanya Kashyap. As everyone moved to the dance floor, Khushi noticed Lavanya approach them with an air of arrogance. She saw everything happening in a slow motion and the music faded, a hush fell over her. She watched as Lavanya lightly placed her hand on Arnav’s arm and asked, “Would you care to join me for this dance, Arnav, like last time?”

Despite all the reassurance, her old friend 'Insecurity' reared it's dirty head to have a peek. Khushi pressed it's head down and scolded it to stay away. She saw him shrug away Lavanya's hand. "Please pardon me for my rudeness, Ms. Kashyap, but this year I am saving all of my dances for my wife. If you’ll excuse us."

Arnav whisked her onto the dance floor and adjusted her in his arms. “I don’t know how to dance like this,” she said in a hushed tone.

“Don’t worry, follow my lead,” he said, drawing her closer. "Notice what others are doing, you’ll do great. I don’t know much myself." He kissed her ear shell and whispered, "Just try not to step on my toes.”

They giggled some more as they slowly twirled around the dance floor, their movements becoming more fluid and synchronized with each step.

"You’ve danced like this before?" eyes tinted with colors of possessiveness.

"It's considered improper to decline a dance if someone asks. You need to know some etiquette to get along," he chuckled. "But I never did something, I am doing right now."

"What?"

"Wishing everyone in the hall would disappear, so I could have my way with you," he whispered against the soft skin behind her ear, earning a deep blush from Khushi.

After the dance, Arnav had to go away as one of his colleagues pulled him aside. He left Khushi by the Christmas tree with a kiss on her head but never let her out of his sight. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Lavanya approaching Khushi and from her body language he could tell Khushi was utterly uncomfortable. He tried to wrap up the issue as quickly as possible. Though he was out of earshot, he kept a close watch on Khushi’s body language, ready to come to her aid if needed.

“You’re looking rather nice today,’” Lavanya said, her eyes hard and boring into Khushi.

Khushi didn’t feel like answering her.

“Oh, Come on, Khushi, you should loosen up a bit. No one is going to steal your husband,” her tone dripping with false sweetness.

Khushi’s eyes narrowed. “Husbands aren’t something you steal, Ms. Kashyap,” she replied coolly.

“You seem very sure of that."

“Why shouldn’t I be? Don’t fool yourself into thinking I’ll fall for your lies,” Khushi shot back, her voice steady.

“Lies? When have I ever lied? It’s not my fault you can’t distinguish between fact and fiction,” Lavanya's tone growing sharper.

“I interpreted it exactly as you intended. Don't play all innocent now." Khuhsi took a deep breath. It's not in her nature to engage in public altercation with anybody. "You played a clever game and I have to give you credit for that. But I am done with you now." Khushi's eyes determined, challenging Lavanya to contradict her. "It would a be lie if I say It was nice meeting you, Ms. Kashyap. but I can at least wish you a pleasant evening." Khushi turned away to end the conversation and walked off to mingle with other guests.

Arnav saw two women walking away in opposite directions. His eyes followed Lavanya, who was fuming and heading toward the corridor. Rage surged through him—directed both at his wife for still feeling insecure despite their conversation, and at Lavanya for playing such dirty mind games. He had had enough.

"Lavanya, a word"

“Ah, look at Mr. Raizada, rushing over to fight his wife’s battles.”

“I didn’t realize there's a battle going on. What do you think you’ll achieve with all this?”

“Nothing. You stole my peace of mind, so I’m just returning the favor. And by the look of it, it seems like I succeeded, don’t I?” she said with a smug smile.

“You’re a smart woman, Lavanya. These dirty games don’t suit you.”

“The words of morality don’t suit you, Arnav. I considered you my friend, and look what you did to me. You insulted my feelings, rejected me time and again, and didn’t even give me a second chance. So, I’ll do whatever my heart desires.”

“It’s funny how you flaunt the word 'friend' so loosely. You really considered me a friend? It was you who convinced Kamlesh to talk to me about pursuing you, wasn't it? And all of a sudden, everyone in our friend group wanted us to be together. You knew I would reject you if you proposed to me directly."

It was time to let loose of all the restraint and confront Lavanya. The cat was finally out of the bag. If caught red-handed had a face, Lavanya embodied it perfectly. Arnav continued, "That’s why, despite knowing I couldn’t reciprocate your feelings, you had your father propose marriage to me, creating an awkward situation with my mentor. You never thought I’d refuse, did you? Then you spread the rumor of the marriage proposal and tried to manipulate me, fearing damage to your reputation. Is this how you treat your friends?"

“I fell in love with you and I did what I needed to win you." Her voice suddenly seemed so small and lost.

“It seems you have a twisted view of love in your head, Ms. Kashyap. By all means love can’t be obtained by force. Did you ever realize it's but a shadow and a thought that you love? Anyway, I’m not here to lecture you about love. I’m here to warn you, Lavanya. If you don’t stop playing these dirty tricks against my wife, you’ll have to deal with me from now on. And if I get involved, I promise you, it won’t be pretty."

His gaze tore her to shreds as he drove his point home.

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari

#ipkknd #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta #arshi #ipk 13th anniversary fiesta #13 years of ipkknd #whispers of the heart

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hand-picked-star · 5 months ago

Text

The 13th Arshi Anniversary Fiesta

Moodboard : Historical AU

Whispers of the Heart | Chapter 18

WARNING :18+, MATURE CONTENT

Chapter 18

The rain showed no sign of stopping as the night turned into daybreak. It continued to pour heavily outside, blanketing London in a relentless downpour. The persistent rain cast a dark shadow over the city, blurring the distinction between night and day. It was hard to tell if it was early morning or still night.

Inside, Khushi lay peacefully asleep, nestled comfortably in Arnav's arms, her breathing even and calm. Meanwhile, Arnav remained wide awake, his mind as clouded with troubling thoughts as the sky outside, though they burned each other's calories down after returning from the restaurant.

He looked at her sleeping form in the low night coming through the window. His wife- she was such an unbelievable creature. how could such a resilient and incredibly strong person think so little of herself?

Regarding her insecurities about Lavanya, Arnav regretted his role in exacerbating the issue. If only he had handled things more wisely back then. However, the past was unchangeable. What mattered now was that he could continually reassure her of his love and commitment.

Arnav’s restless mind jumped from one thought to another. Ultimately, it settled on Natalia.

It was an otherwise ordinary day at the office when Natalia arrived, searching for Arnav and introducing herself. Arnav’s shock was beyond measure—he never imagined life would force him to confront his past so directly. His world seemed to shatter once again as he stood before the woman who had torn his family apart a decade ago. Anger surged through him like nothing else, mingled with a deep-seated resentment. The memories of his mother’s tragic death, the anguish that followed, and the hollow years of coping with his father's betrayal came rushing back, like a violet torrent. Unprepared to face it, he avoided her as long as possible before he reluctantly read her letter.

The revelation of a child, born from the affair that had turned his world upside down felt like a cruel twist of fate, reopening old wounds. He found himself at a loss, uncertain about what was expected of him, as he couldn’t see a clear path for making a decision regarding her daughter, Amelia—that was her name.

Arnav had gone to meet the girl. The door opened to reveal a small, shy child with wide, curious eyes. As she looked up at him, Arnav was struck by how much she reminded him of Khushi as a child—the same innocent, hopeful expression and a quiet strength beyond her years. But her eyes—they unsettled him, stirring a deep sense of restlessness within.

She had eyes like her father's—eyes that haunted him whenever he looked in the mirror, eyes he despised. Arnav had always hated his resemblance to his father, especially those eyes, wishing instead for eyes like his mother’s, like Anjali’s.

How could he care for a child, especially one who reminded him so painfully of his own horrifying past?

To make matters worse, the love of his life had misinterpreted the situation into something else entirely. The turmoil between them stemmed from his reluctance to share his feelings and be open with her. Arnav knew that now very clearly.

He shouldn’t have dragged out the impending conversation. He kind of avoided her for a few days after their fight, despite her apology. He was just so hurt by what she had said. He couldn’t let go of the pain and look at her, who was the centre of his universe, the anchor of all his emotions—and also someone who believed he could engage in something he abhorred with his whole being, something that would make him no different from his father.

Arnav reflected on the numerous mistakes he had made in their relationship. It seemed nothing short of a miracle that, despite all the missteps, he still managed to have her by his side.

Arnav tightened his hold on Khushi’s sleeping form, her back pressed against his chest. He buried his face deeper in her hair, getting lost in the intoxicating fragrance.Arnav never thought he would be such a cuddler. He hadn’t been one as a child, but his wife had turned him into one. She was just so soft for her own good. Soft and warm everywhere, a perfect contrast to his hard planes. Her softness wasn’t just a sensory overload; it was also incredibly comforting.

Arnav laughed to himself. And he had thought he could let go of her, that he could live without her. Such a pretentious thought now.

Khushi had revealed a side of him he never knew existed—a raw, untamed, animalistic part. Sure, physical attraction was common for any man, but he had always been in control of himself until he had her. Nothing could prepare him for the depth of emotion tied to being physically with Khushi would be and how it intensified everything. Each time, she completely surrounded him with herself, his senses overwhelmed by her scent and the sounds she made, his name like a prayer on her lips. Her bottomless eyes seemed to consume him entirely, maintaining a connection that never wavered.

She was everywhere and she was everything.

She was his entire world.

Even if they lived hundreds of thousands of years together, he would never get enough of her. The urge to own her every single inch, to mark her, taste her, and have her was overwhelming. It reduced his world to basic instincts. The need for her was something both foreign and wonderful because he had never wanted to own anyone as much as he wanted to own her. And she drew him in slowly, inch by inch, and he willingly followed, eyes wide open. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to lose the control he had kept on a tight leash his whole life. And for the first time, he found peace in the chaos.

Her hair tickled his nose. He played with the ends for a few moments, wrapping them around his finger as he gazed at her. She stirred in her sleep and pressed herself even closer to him. He brushed her hair aside and pressed his nose into the soft skin of her neck. Home—that’s what she smelled like. She was his home under his fingertips.

After his mother’s death, he had never felt a sense of belonging anywhere. But now, he belonged to her. He never thought home would be under someone's gaze, in somebody's arms.

He found his home in her, whether in Delhi or London. As long as his arms, mind, and soul were wrapped around her, he was home. For so long, his mind, heart, and soul had been at war until she came into his life, busting down the walls he had built around himself. For the first time in years, his mind, heart, and body were at peace with one another. She made him utterly and profoundly weak for her, and strangely, he found strength in that weakness.

He didn’t believe in destiny. But if he had one, it was her.

"Pagal," he chuckled softly as his wife kept pushing against him, nearly shoving him out of bed, while hogging the blanket.

"Khushi?"

"five more minutes". she mumbled in the pillow.

He rearranged them under the blanket, their bodies moulding perfectly together. Her back fit snugly against his chest, and his heart beat in sync with hers as if they were one. A deep need engulfed him as her soft curves aligned with his body. His skin tingled with desire. It was different from the usual desire her skin stirred in him; this was a need to be so close to her that where she started and he ended would blur. It was a longing to connect not only their bodies but their hearts as well.

He had one arm under her head, with his other arm he brought her lower body incredibly close to him. His hand wandered over her-tracing her thigh, hips, and the soft skin of her belly. The sight of his hand on her skin was always a pleasure to behold. It stirred an unusual sense of possessiveness within him. He hooked her leg across his hips and slid his hand between her legs. He felt her body respond to his touch as he began to kiss her neck. He whispered in her ear, "It would be very gracious of you, Mrs. Raizada, if you woke up."

"Hmm... Arnav?" Sleepily, she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder, becoming aware of the havoc he was causing in her body. "It's an interesting way to wake someone up."

"Glad to please you, Your Highness," The rasp of his sleepy voice caressed the skin of her shoulder. He captured her lips in a sweet kiss. "I like you in the morning."

"Just in the morning?"

"I like you all the time, but especially in the morning. Sleepy, warm, soft—it's intoxicating." The words said against her skin sent ripples down her body.

As his touch hit a sensitive spot, her hand suddenly shot out to grip his thigh, her nails marking his skin. She hid her face in his arm under her head and bit the skin. A slight hiss escaped him, and she promptly released his skin and looked at him over her shoulder. "Sorry."

"It's okay... biwi ho tum meri... haq hai tumhara... mujh pe," he whispered in her neck as he entered her from behind. He adjusted her leg that was across his hip, bending it slightly and laying it flat on the bed as he began to thrust into her. His arm under her head hooked around her neck to hold one of her breasts, while his other hand rested on her tummy, palm flat on the surface. He held her still as he drove into her with deep, languid strokes.

Both of her hands held his wrists as she craned her neck, seeking his lips. He gave her earlobe a soft bite, soothing it with his tongue. Releasing her earlobe, he captured her waiting lips. Her breath hitched as his hand travelled to her throat, caressing the soft skin under his calloused fingers, before gripping her gently. He held her jaw fixed between his thumb and index finger as he deepened the kiss.

Khushi had never been with him like this before. He felt so different this way. His touch was driving her out of her senses as the rain pitter-pattered outside.

"I need to see your face."

All of a sudden, he flipped her over to face him and slid into her easily, making her gasp. He was always so consuming, filling up everything inside her, she lacked. he was everywhere all at once. His hips moved faster, out of rhythm, frantic almost.

Slicked with sweat they shifted and grinded against each other. Their panting and shudders blended into each other. Khushi felt herself getting closer to the edge. That high only he could bring her to. The sounds of his pleasure resonated inside her mind and urged her towards her own. He knew that she was almost there just like she knew he was almost there as well.

She bit her lip and moaned as her walls clamped down around him. He dropped his head to her neck, pressing hot, wet kisses as he groaned. Her legs wrapped around him tighter. His hands swept down her sides as she kissed away the sweat on his brow. He peppered kisses along her hairline while she regained her composure, her hands stroking his hair, scratching his scalp lightly with her nails.

He rested his head on her chest, feeling her heart flutter beneath his ear. The soothing caresses on his head almost lulled him to sleep. His weight was crushing her but it was comforting at the same time as well. He felt like a warm blanket. He felt her press a kiss on his head. "You didn’t sleep well last night," she murmured.

Khushi patiently waited for his response as she continued to play with his hair. "I don't know what to do." His voice sounded so lost and small, a stark contrast to the confident man she knew. She wanted to take the despair from his voice, to protect him from everything and make his pain go away. He rasped almost inaudibly, "How can I care for a child who came from so much pain? All she reminds me of is my mother’s lifeless body hanging from the ceiling."

Khushi blinked back tears as she felt wetness gather in her chest. "I know you want to do the right thing, but nobody will blame you if you don’t want to be actively involved in her life. You can enroll her in a boarding school or give her up for adoption, where she would be well taken care of." She paused, trying her best to steady her voice. "After all, she is innocent in all of this."

Arnav rolled over and flopped onto his side of the bed, throwing his arm over his eyes to collect himself. Khushi drew the covers over their bodies and turned to face him. Popping her head on her elbow, she waited for him to let her in again.

When he removed his arm from his eyes and looked at her, she simply met his gaze with a small smile. He returned her smile and gathered her into his arms as she tucked her head under his chin.

"That’s why I don’t want to fail her like my father failed my mother, giving her hope only to snatch it all away, just because I can’t move past my mother’s pain."

"You are not your father, Arnav." She raised her head to look at him, resting her chin on his shoulder. "You will make the right decision when the time comes."

"How can I when I can't even decide what she needs the most, so I could at least provide her with that?"

"Maybe she just needs someone to look at her and realize that there's more to her than her father's infidelity."

This time, nobody hid their tears. He lay bare and raw at her fingertips as she carefully picked up his broken pieces, caressing them and keeping them safe to return to him. She tore apart his demons and flicked them away with her fingers. She kissed away the tears from the corner of his eye. "What about trying to be someone for her that you always wished you had in your life?"

@featheredclover @arshifiesta @phuljari

#ipkknd #arnav singh raizada #khushi kumari gupta #arshi #ipk 13th anniversary fiesta #iss pyaar ko kya naam doon #whispers of the heart

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