Chapter 21

Hello everyone,

This is the last chapter of Fast Forward. It has been a lovely journey so far. I hope you enjoyed Rewind and Fast Forward as much as I loved writing them. From now on, I will update Pride and Love until it ends, then move on to one of my other two concepts. So stay tuned for the Pride and Love update coming up next.

Love

T

Balcony, Sheesh Mahal:

Arnav drags Lacy to the balcony and growls with fury radiating from him: What games are you playing Lacy? Or should I say Lachhi?

Lacy answers calmly: I don’t play games, Mr. ASR.

Arnav sneers: Oh, so you are still claiming that you know nothing about my hallucinations and Khushi’s miraculous mind reading?

Lacy looks at ASR and answers in same calm tone: I never said that either.

Arnav growls: What do you mean?

Lacy answers: I mean that I know everything – from Khushi’s death and your second chance to your dream and Khushi’s amnesia everything…

Arnav runs his hand through his already mussed hair: Why? Why did you do it to me? Why did you make me go through this hell and more importantly how the hell did you do it? Who are you?

Lacy answers with a soft smile: Who I am doesn't matter. Your actual question is why you went through all these pain.

You see, Arnav… Like this world, life is also a giant circle and just like a circle, everything that seems to go away, eventually comes back.

A man starts his life as a child, helpless and needing care from others and in his old age, he becomes like the same child, helpless and needing care from others.

Khushi went through the pain and hardship that you gave her and yet put her love for you above all. How could you be worthy of her if you hadn't learned to put your love for her above everything else?

Arnav shouts: But I did put my love for her above everything else now. So then why are you still playing with my emotions with your tricks?

Lacy arches her brow: Did you? Did you put your love for her above everything else even now? Then why don’t you go tell her the entire truth and put her freedom to choose her own faith over your selfish desire to have her to yourself?

Arnav (shocked): But then Khushi will hate me or she’ll leave me. I can’t let that happen.

Lacy replies: You see, Arnav… You still haven’t learned the first lesson of love. It’s never me, it’s us. As long as you think of yourself first, you’ll never deserve her.

Arnav growls: I put Khushi first. If you know everything, then didn’t you see how much pain I was in? How hard I was trying to have her back in my life?

Lacy: Arnav, love is often selfish. It doesn’t want to let go. It wants to hold on at any cost.

But True Love? Ah, it is not selfish. It doesn’t make demands, it gives. It doesn’t oppress, it surrenders. It doesn’t put barriers, it sets you free.

So that at the end of the day if/when the beloved returns, the heart knows that they were meant to be together.

Arnav, you can’t expect to have a happy life together when there are so many secrets. Love, Trust, Respect and Honesty are the four pillars of a successful relationship. Without any of the four, the foundation will be weak and it will eventually crumble.

Arnav shouts: So what do you want to do? Just go in front of everyone and tell everything? And what will happen after that? You know everything, so tell me the future too.

Lacy smiles a sad smile: No one can guess the consequences before their action. The only thing you can do is do the right thing and hope for the best.

Arnav just stomps away from there in frustration.

Lacy looks at his retreating back and sighs to the moon.

Main hall, Sheesh Mahal:

VJ asks: But what now, Anjali? Is ASR going to remain silent and let Khushi think what she thinks now and let her live a lie or is he going to man up and reveal the truth for once in his life and let Khushi make an honest decision based on all the facts?

ASR’s voice booms from behind: I will answer to that.

Everyone turns to see ASR standing on the door with a grim look in his face.

Then he slowly walks to Khushi ignoring everyone. He holds both of her own hands in his own hands and says: Khushi, I have to tell you a story today.

And then he narrates everything, leaves nothing unsaid, but doesn’t give any explanation or excuses for himself. As the story ends, he goes silent.

There was a pindrop silence in the main hall. Not a single person was moving.

Suddenly, Payal bursts out in tears and runs to Khushi: Forgive me, Khushi. I didn’t know how much you suffered for me.

Then she turns to Arnav with blazing eyes and tries to pull Khushi’s hands from Arnav’s: What do you want now? Let her go.

But Arnav’s grip was too strong, so Payal looks at Aakash for help: Aakash, please tell him to let my sister go.

Aakash walks to ASR and says quietly: Bhai, I think you have done enough. Please let go of her hand.

Buaji walks to them and says angrily: What more do you want? Her life? Let go off her.

Naniji also demands: Chote, didn’t you hear what Madhumatiji said? Please let go off her.  

Garima was silently crying while Anjali was trying to console her while crying herself.

NK and VJ didn’t move from their spot waiting for Khushi’s reaction.

In between all the drama that was unfolding around them, Khushi’s eyes were shedding silent tears but looking at ASR and ASR never took his eyes off Khushi as if silently asking her for punishment.

Suddenly, Khushi’s voice stops everyone in their track: So what do you want from me now?

Arnav answers: Nothing. I have asked enough from you. Now it’s your turn. You can ask anything from me. Everything I have is yours.

Khushi replies: What will you do if I walk away from you?

Arnav answers calmly: I will let you go, but spend the rest of my life trying to win you back.

Khushi asks: And what if I decide to stay with you?

Arnav gets down on his knee still holding her hands in his: Then I will spend the rest of my life to be worthy of your generosity and forgiveness.

Khushi pulls her hands out of his hands and turns to the family members: I can’t go against my heart and it says that I belong with him.

Now VJ strides to Khushi: Khushi, what are you saying?

Khushi answers: Thanks Big B for looking out for me when I needed you the most. But I have to fight my own battles and make my own mistakes. And my heart says, giving him a second chance won’t be a mistake.

Arnav looks at VJ for the first time with respect instead of anger: Mr. Jaiswal, I was angry at you for taking my Khushi away from me. But then I realized that she needed someone to protect her from my selfishness. I can promise you that from now on Khushi will have no need for protection as long as I’m alive. Everything that might make her shed even a single tear, will pass through me.

Then he walks to Garima and says: I have never called you Mom, but today I’m asking for a son’s right. A mother always forgives her child, no matter how bad they have been. Please forgive me.

Garima looks at Khushi’s anxious face and then slowly nods.

Arnav smiles: Thank you. I’d also like to ask for your permission to marry your daughter. She only had her dream wedding in my dream, she deserves her dream wedding in real life.

Garima nods her acceptance.

Then he turns and walks to Khushi: Khushi, the wedding we dreamt together was perfect. It was the happiest moments of my life. If you agree, I’d like to relive those moments again with you.

Khushi smiles a big smile and nods happily.

Anjali wipes her tears and walks to the couple: Well, looks like I finally get to plan a wedding for my little brother.

Everyone walks up to the happy couple to congratulate them.

Lacy watches everyone from the balcony door. Then she smiles and walks away in the dark night.

Up in the sky, the stars twinkled like million diamonds winking to the full moon making it glow in happiness like the night it will sparkle again in all it's glory when two soul mates come together as man and wife. 

The End

Chapter 20

Hello everyone,

I know I kept you waiting for a long time, for that please accept my apologies. I don't know if you are aware of it, but the area I live in was flooded about 2-3 weeks ago due to heavy rainfall. My home was safe, but the entire Calgary downtown was under water. There was more than billion dollar damage, lots of people lost their jobs, homes and everything they owned. All the offices were shut down more than a week, electricity, hot water etc were down. The affected areas were Calgary, Canmore, High River etc. After flood was cleared up, some of us went to volunteer to help as well as donate to Red Cross to the needy families. The situation is finally under control and Canadian Government has promised to cover the damages. However, the scars of losing everything still remains in the heart of a lot of people. Hope they all get over this trauma soon. 

Love
T

Recap -

Khushi frowns as she rubs her forehead which starts pounding again: I remember how he proposed to me and our engagement. In fact I remember our Mehendi, Sangeet, Haldi. I even remember our wedding and our first night. We had an accident on the way back from the garden where we spent our first night together.

Arnav’s eyes widen with surprise. Khushi is talking about the dream he had when he was in coma.* But if that was all a dream or hallucination of his, then how is that Khushi’s memory?

He looks at Lacy and sees her looking at him, solemnly.

*Reference: Prequel to First Forward – Rewind (Link on the first page index)

Those who forgot the story, I suggest you give it a quick read. From this point forward, there will be a lot of links to the prequel.

Payal walks to Khushi and says: What are you talking about Khushi? You never got your dream wedding. You eloped with Arnavji on the day of my wedding, remember?

Khushi wrinkles her brow and says: That’s not how I remember. I remember getting married in the same alter as you, Jiji with all the rituals and customs. We had everything together remember? I even had a few accidents.

Everyone in the family was looking at Khushi stunned at her words. They were looking at each other thinking may be the trauma was too much for her.

Garima comes to Khushi and says: Come with me, Khushi. You should lie down. You had a traumatic day today so it’s no wonder you are stressed out. We will go to bed for the night, everything can wait until tomorrow.

Lacy walks towards Khushi and walks her to the room a still stunned Arnav showed. Then she gave Khushi’s medicine to her and made her lie down on the bed and left the room.

Main Hall, Sheesh Mahal:

VJ was flipping through Khushi’s medical file and muttering: I don’t understand. What the hell is Khushi talking about? How can she have a different memory than the rest of the family? Is she hallucinating? But her medical file doesn’t say anything like that…

NK was silent until now, but he suddenly blurts out: Oh, but it was not Khushiji’s hallucination, it was Nannav’s.

Naniji turns to NK and asks: What? What are you talking about?

NK eagerly explains ignoring Arnav’s furious expression: Oh remember when Nannav went to coma and he was unconscious for a few weeks? When Khushiji was also in coma? When Nannav came back, he was talking about him getting married to Khushi like she always wanted?

VJ’s eyes widen: But if that was ASR’s hallucinations during coma, and Khushi was also in coma during that time, then how did she remember it? Did anyone mention this dream to her?

Anjali smiles a sad smile: No, when Khushiji came out of coma, she had partial amnesia. The doctor specifically asked us not to mention anything related to old memories and let her heal first.

VJ runs his fingers through his mussed hair with frustration: Then how the hell she remembers ASR’s coma-induced hallucination?

Naniji slowly smiles: Because Khushi bitiya never needed to hear Arnav’s thoughts to know them.

Khushi’s Room, Sheesh Mahal:

Lacy left Khushi’s room and was slowly closing the door behind her when an iron-grip grabs her arm and drags her to the balcony.

Lacy turns with a gasp to see ASR was standing there with fury radiating from him: What games are you playing Lacy? Or should I say Lachhi?

Main Hall, Sheesh Mahal:

Naniji looks at Anjali: Remember Anjali bitiya when Arnav bitwa lost his voice because of mosquito coil’s smoke? None of us understood what he was saying, but Khushi bitiya read his thoughts before he could even show them with his gestures. They always had this connection, that none of us understood.

Anjali’s eyes fill with tears and she nods.

VJ growls: Are you kidding me? Now I have to believe that Khushi had this filmy divine connection with ASR? The man who never bothered to read her conscious thoughts, she read his coma-induced hallucinations? What next? A bunch of dancers singing freaking Om Shaanti Om?

Anjali straightens up and walks to VJ: VJ, have you ever been in love?

VJ scowls: What? Yes… No… May be, err… I don’t know.

Anjali smiles: When you do fall in love for real, you’ll not be in confusion. You’ll know that you are in love in your heart. But if you are lucky enough to find a soul mate, then you will know that some love defies the science, because they go beyond life and follow even after death. They connect through soul and heart. When one heart beats, the other does… When one stops, the other stops too. That’s the love my brother and Khushiji have. We can never understand it because we haven’t found the other half of our soul yet.

VJ growls: Oh really… Then where was that connection when ASR was torturing Khushi and breaking her dreams on the basis of a misunderstanding that didn’t even have a solid ground to stand on? Where was that love then when Khushi was fighting alone for her belief, love and dreams? Tell me Anjali, why ASR didn’t use this convenient connection then?

Anjali replies: I can’t answer that to you, VJ. Because I was only a bystander at that time too busy and involved in my own world to pay attention what was going on around me. But I know that my brother spent most of his life denying love’s existence because all he had experience up to that point was betrayal and greed. He lost any trust or belief in tender emotions at a very young age. Whereas, despite the adverse circumstances, Khushiji had never lost her belief, trust and hope for a love. Khushiji was ready for her prince charming; she was waiting for him her entire life. My brother never hoped nor was ready for love to come into his life. So when Khushiji came into his life, it was not easy for him to accept his feelings as real or believe that someone like Khushiji who was so different from him, can love him for who he is.

The misunderstanding just cemented what he always believed that love means betrayal and it was easier to believe that Khushiji betrayed him than believing that his entire family, including his Di and himself had made the biggest mistake of their life by trusting a low life and allowing him to be a part of their family.

But think VJ, he could have offered Khushiji money to leave the city, the state or even the country. He could have threatened her family. Hell, he could have forced anyone to marry her and take her out of Shyam’s reach forever. Why would he marry her himself, if somewhere in his heart he didn’t knew that she was meant to be his and he could not live without her?

So was he wrong for taking the easy way out? Yes he did. Was his way wrong? Yes it was… But it doesn’t mean that he hadn’t paid for his sins when he watched her suffering in the hospital at the death’s door or when she forgot his existence.

VJ goes silent for a minute. Then slowly asks: But what now, Anjali? Is ASR going to remain silent and let Khushi think what she thinks now and let her live a lie or is he going to man up and reveal the truth for once in his life and let Khushi make an honest decision based on all the facts?

ASR’s voice booms from behind: I will answer to that.

Chapter 19

Khushi engrossed in the story, looks at him expectantly: So did you confess your love for me then or did I confess first? Is that when we had our happy ever after?

A voice booms from behind startling both Khushi and Arnav: No Chutki. That’s when your worst nightmare from hell began.

Khushi and Arnav turn around to see a furious VJ is standing there with the Gupta and Raizada family as well as her nurse, Lacy.

Khushi asks confusedly: What do you mean Big B?

Arnav moves to VJ threateningly: How dare you come to my home uninvited? Get out before I throw you out.

VJ snarls to ASR: Gladly. Let go Khushi and we won’t even bother darkening your door again.

Arnav stands in front of Khushi barring her from VJ and snarls back: Don’t you dare even look at her.

VJ clenches his teeth: Why don’t we let her make her own decision? Or is that a foreign concept to you? I guess kidnapping and forceful imprisonment is the only way you can get any woman?

Arnav snarls: Shut up.

Then he turns to Khushi and grabs her hands: Khushi, don’t listen to him. Please trust me. I love you and I’ll never hurt you again. I can’t live without you.

VJ looks at Khushi and tells her: Before you make any decision Chutki, may be you should hear the rest of the story.

Then VJ proceeds to tell the rest of the story to a frozen Khushi from the misunderstanding to the kidnapping where she got shot.

When the story was completed, there was a stunned silence. Khushi didn’t even blink for a few moments.

Then she slowly releases her hands from Arnav’s tight grasp.

Arnav clenches his hands tight around hers, then slowly let’s her go as his heart pounds in fear of losing the one thing that matters the most to him.

Khushi slowly walks to VJ and tells him: Big B, I’m not saying that you are lying. But if what you are saying is the truth, then why am I getting memories of a different wedding?

Arnav’s eyes frowns as he tries to understand what’s going on.

VJ asks confusedly: What are you talking about, Chutki? I hired a private investigator myself and they gave me all the information with proof. How can you remember differently?

Khushi frowns as she rubs her forehead which starts pounding again: I remember how he proposed to me and our engagement. In fact I remember our Mehendi, Sangeet, Haldi. I even remember our wedding and our first night. We had an accident on the way back from the garden where we spent our first night together.

Arnav’s eyes widen with surprise. Khushi is talking about the dream he had when he was in coma.* But if that was all a dream or hallucination of his, then how is that Khushi’s memory?

He looks at Lacy and sees her looking at him, solemnly.

*Reference: Prequel to First Forward - Rewind. (Link on the right) 

Those who forgot the story, I suggest you give it another read because from now on, the story will have a lot of link ups from the prequel.

Chapter 18

Living Room, Shaantivan:

VJ says: We need to go to Lucknow. I will book flight tickets.

Anjali stops him: There’s no need. We have a travel agent who books chartered flight for family vacations. I will call him and book us a chartered flight. It’s the least we can do.

Then she picks up her phone and books a chartered flight to Lucknow. 

Sheesh Mahal, Lucknow:

Khushi screams in rage: YOU…

Then she pushes Arnav away in anger.

Arnav tries to calm her down: Calm down Khushi. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m sorry.

Khushi’s head starts pounding with a killing headache.

She screams in frustration: How did I get here? (Then she thinks about the kidnapping) Did you kidnap me? And Big B? How is he? Did you kidnap him too?

Arnav says: No, I didn’t kidnap your Big B. My men informed me that he is perfectly fine. I just wanted to talk to you.

Khushi presses her hand to her pounding temple: And you’d kidnap me because you wanted to talk to me? Are you crazy?

Arnav looks at her in concern: Khushi, are you okay?

Khushi looks up at him in anger: No, I’m not okay. I go out with Big B and suddenly a couple of stranger make me unconscious and kidnap me. So no, I’m not okay.

I wake up in a strange home in Lucknow. So I’m not okay.

The kidnapper turns out to be crazy cousin of my brother-in-law and I don’t know how worried my family would be right now. So I’m not okay.

And if you think I won’t press charges for this kidnapping attempt just because you are my brother-in-law’s family, then you are not okay either.

Arnav gets angry: Look, if you want to send me to jail, go ahead. But I couldn’t let that VJ take you away from me. You are mine.

Khushi screams: Are you nuts? I’m not your possession. You can’t just pick up people like that. Who the hell do you think you are?

Arnav stalks to her and grabs her arms in bruising grip: I’m your husband and you belong to me.

Khushi gets very still and asks faintly: What did you say?

Arnav relaxes his grip on her arms and says softly: Khushi, we are married. You are my wife. I’m sorry for not telling you anything before. But when you came out of coma, you forgot everything that happened last year and the doctor told us to take it slow. So we kept quiet. But I couldn’t let VJ take you away from me. You are my life and I love you.

Khushi gets still after hearing Arnav's confession. Arnav was starting to get worried when Khushi asks softly: Then everyone knew that we were married, except me?

Arnav pulls her in his arms: Yes, Khushi. Everyone knew. But we all love you and we didn’t want to lose you again. I’m so sorry, baby.

Khushi starts sobbing in Arnav’s shirt: I’m so sorry I can’t remember.

Arnav rubs her back soothingly: It’s okay honey, it’s okay. I love you enough for both of us.

Khushi looks up at Arnav with tear-filled eyes: Would you tell me about us? How did we meet? When did we fell in love? Everything from the beginning?

Arnav smiles softly: Yes, I will tell you. In fact, I will show you. We actually met where we are standing right now. It’s funny how our life came back a full circle…

Then Arnav starts telling Khushi their story, none of them realizing how the time flew.

When Arnav reaches to the time of Payal and Aakash’s wedding day, he pauses.

Khushi engrossed in the story, looks at him expectantly: So did you confess your love for me then or did I confess first? Is that when we had our happy ever after?

A voice booms from behind startling both Khushi and Arnav: No Chutki. That’s when your worst nightmare from hell began.

Chapter 17

Lucknow, India:

Khushi opens her eye in the city of her birth, her childhood, her heart… LUCKNOW…

At first, her disoriented self looks at the city confused; then her eyes widen in panic as she remembers that she is not supposed to be here… She was in Delhi on her way to have lunch with Big B. 

She whirls around in panic and starts running through the wide corridors. But as she runs, long buried memories of being chased increases her anxiety.

She vaguely hears her name being called and runs faster to get away from it.

Suddenly an arm grabs her and whirls her around. Her back hits a pillar and her startled tear-filled doe eyes looks up in panic to see a pair of very familiar caramel coloured eyes looking at her.

Khushi screams in rage: YOU…

Living Room, Shaantivan:

VJ sneers at Aakash: Would you like to do the honours of sharing your bhai’s deeds or shall I?

Aakash sits down on the couch in shock and shakes his head. Payal tries to console him.

Anjali asks anxiously: Will someone tell me what’s going on here?

Garima also asks: Vishal, what are you talking about? Is it about Khushi?

VJ nods his head curtly: Yes, it’s about Khushi. In fact, what I am about to tell you is something you may find hard to hear. But you all need to know what Khushi has done for all of you.

Then he narrates the whole story that his investigators found out.

After he finishes, there is a pin-drop silence in Shaantivan. Everyone seems to have turned into stone.

Buaji breaks her silence first: I always thought Sanka Devi was crazy. But now I know she is. Because only a crazy woman like her destroys her own life for people as selfish as us.

Garima starts sobbing: What have I done? I will never be able to forgive myself.

Shashi slowly raises his hand and holds Garima’s hand.

Garima looks at her husband in surprise: You knew all this time, didn’t you?

Shashi nods tearfully.

Garima breaks down on his lap.

Shashi slowly pats her head.

VJ says: He knew more than everyone. He found out about Shyam first, but Shyam caused his accident to keep his mouth shut.

Anjali looks up in shock: So that’s what he was trying to tell me when we went to his place to talk about Payal and Aakash’s wedding.

She starts crying: How could I have been so blind?

Mamiji holds her: We were all fooled by him, Anjali bitiya. Not just you.

Naniji looks up sharply: Yes, but the only person who paid for our stupidity was Khushi. So that doesn’t excuse us. We were all feeling high and mighty when we thought we forgave her for her mistake of running away with Chotey. But it turns out, we should have been asking for forgiveness for misunderstanding her.

Naniji walks to Shashi and says: I don’t know if you can ever forgive me, but I am sorry for my grandson’s mistakes and I am sorry that your daughter paid such a huge price. But I promise you that when she comes back, we will ask for her forgiveness and her wish and no matter what she decides, we will accept it.

Shashi nods gratefully.

VJ says: Yes, but where is she and why isn’t there any ransom call yet?

Mamiji says: We should have got some contact from kidnappers by now. It’s been almost 8 hours since the kidnapping. It’s like the kidnappers don’t need anything from us.

VJ’s eyes gleam: You are right. The only reason the kidnapper didn’t call is because he got what he wanted.

Mamiji gets confused: What do you mean? What could the kidnappers want that they won’t even make a ransom call?

VJ turns to Mamiji: The kidnapper wanted Khushi and he got her.

Mamiji gets even more confused: Why would the kidnappers want Khushi?

This time Anjali answers: Because the kidnapper is Chotey.

Mamiji exclaims: What? But how can you say that?

Anjali answers: Think about it Mamiji. I called Chotey informing him about Khushi’s kidnapping. But not only he is out of town, he didn’t even call me to ask about Khushi. Chotey loves her more than anything else in this world. He used to go crazy when Khushi used to come late for work and that was when he didn’t even know that he loved her. Now he knows that he loves her, do you think he could have waited calmly while she is missing?

Mamiji nods slowly: But where could he have taken her?

VJ turns to Anjali: He couldn’t have taken her out of the country without a passport. That means they are in India. How many places have you got in India?

Anjali says: Other than Delhi, we have a bunglow in Mumbai and our ancestral property in Lucknow. That’s it.

VJ thinks for a moment: He would require a flight to go to Mumbai. It would be difficult to sneak in an unconscious woman on a commercial flight without grabbing unnecessary attention. So, he must have taken her to your ancestral property in Lucknow. Where is it?

Anjali replies with a small smile: Of course Chotey would take her there. Because that’s where it all started – Sheesh Mahal.

Chapter 16

Shankar Road, Delhi:

VJ hears some pounding noise on his car window which wakes him up. He opens his eyes and sees a police officer was pounding the window of his car.

At first, he looks around in confusion wondering what he was doing in his car in the middle of the road. Then his memory comes back of the couple and the lift, followed by sharp pinch on his hand where the needle pierced him. He scrambles up and opens the window.

The police officer sneers: Hello sleeping beauty… Had your nap? You couldn’t find a better place than road side to catch on your beauty sleep?

VJ opens the door and gets out frantically, but stumbles as dizziness hit him.

The police officer catches him before he falls: Are you drunk?

VJ looks at the police officer in panic: Inspector, you have to help me. I was drugged and left here and my friend, Khushi has been abducted. I don’t know what has happened to her. We need to find her.

The police officer frowns and calls the nearest police station: Pandey, send some officer here. We have a case of kidnapping.

VJ paces restlessly by the side of the road and frantically runs his fingers through his already mussed hair. Then suddenly he remembers Khushi’s family. He runs to the police officer and asks: Can I borrow your phone? I need to call Khushi’s family.

The police officer gives him his cell phone. VJ makes a call.

Living Room, Shaantivan:

Naniji was worried as Khushi or her family haven’t called yet: I wonder why Garimaji hasn’t called yet about Khushi bitiya leaving with VJ. Payal, did you talk to your mom today?

Payal shakes her head: No, Dadiji. Until we know the truth behind Khushi’s marriage, I thought we should keep it to ourselves. I know Khushi will be safe with VJ bhaiyaa.

Suddenly Anjali’s phone rang.

Anjali frowns seeing VJ’s no. but picks up the phone: Hello?

VJ: Hello… Anjali? Can I speak to Payal please? I don’t have her contact no. in Delhi.

Anjali frowns at his frantic tone: Ok.

Anjali gives the phone to Payal: Payal, its VJ for you.

Payal takes the phone: Hello VJ Bhaiyaa, what is it? Is Khushi okay?

VJ’s voice trembles in pain: Payal, Chutki has been kidnapped.

Payal stands up in shock and screams: What?

The rest of the family stands up in alarm seeing Payal’s reaction.

Payal chokes out: What are you saying, VJ bhaiyaa… How did it happen?

VJ narrates the incident and tells her: Payal, don’t you worry. I will find Chutki even if it means I will have to go to the end of the world. I won’t let anything happen to her. I’m now talking to police. Once I complete the formalities here, I will come to your home. Please call your family and ask them to meet us there.

Payal replies in trembling voice: Okay VJ bhaiyaa.

Then she hangs up the phone.

Naniji asks worriedly: What happened Payal?

Payal starts crying and narrates the story.

Mamiji gasps: Oh my God, I hope Khushi bitiya is okay.

Naniji wipes her tears: I hope so too.

Anjali thinks of her brother: Chotey will be so worried. I should call him.

She picks up the phone and calls Arnav while Payal calls her family from her cell phone.

Anjali reaches Arnav’s voicemail, so she leaves an urgent message.

Payal asks her family to join them in Shaantivan, narrating the incident.

Later that night, VJ arrives after completing all formalities. As soon as HP opens the door, everyone rushes to him and starts asking questions.

VJ halts their questions and tells them that police is on it and hopefully they will get the kidnappers soon.

Anjali asks worriedly: But why would anyone kidnap Khushiji?

Mamiji answers: Because Khushi bitiya is Arnav Singh Raizada’s wife. May be they are after money.

Aakash replies: If they are after money, then we should get a ransom call soon. Di, did you tell bhai that Khushiji has been kidnapped?

Anjali nodded: I tried to call him. But I couldn’t reach him so I left an urgent voice message. I also called Aman and let him know what happened.

VJ suddenly becomes alert: And where is ASR, Anjali?

Anjali frowns: Aman said that he is out of station for a contract.

Aakash frowns trying to think which contract has forced ASR out of Delhi.

VJ stalks to Aakash with a deadly stride: Aakash, isn’t it surprising that your bhai, who claims to love Chutki so much, has not even called to ask what is going on when the so-called love of his life has been kidnapped?

Aakash frowns: What do you mean? Bhai loves Khushiji very much. We have all seen it.

VJ sneers: And how far is he willing to go for that love?

Aakash gets angry: Mr. Vishal Jaiswal, you are making accusations that don’t have any proof. Please show us proof if you have any, otherwise please refrain from making accusations against my family.

VJ snarls: You want proof? Fine.

He stalks to the table where he dropped a file, grabs the file and stalks back to Aakash: Why don’t you read the file, Aakash? And share the information with your and Khushi’s family members?

Aakash opens the file and starts reading it. As he goes through the pages, his hands start trembling and tears start to fall from his eyes.

Meanwhile, somewhere else in India:

ASR listens to Anjali’s voicemail and then deletes it. Then he turns to look behind him where Khushi was sleeping on a massive bed.

He walks to her and softly caresses her cheek. Then he bends to kiss her forehead before leaving the room silently.

The soft butterfly caress wakes up Khushi. She opens her eyes only to close it again as a mild headache hits her temple. She rubs her temple slowly and then looks around again confused.

Then she remembers what happened and she jumps out of the bed in panic. She rushes to the window and what greets her eyes leaves her speechless…

In front of her eyes, is the cityscape she knows by heart… The city of her birth, her childhood, her heart… LUCKNOW…