The night had settled over Delhi, calm and quiet-but Khushi's heart was anything but.

-×-

Gupta House - Guest Room

Khushi sat at the edge of her bed, gazing at the moon through the jharokha-style window. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the threadwork of her dupatta.

Her mind was a storm of moments-

Arnav yelling at her on the terrace.

Arnav tying the mangalsutra in haste.

Arnav holding her protectively in front of Shyam.

Arnav vowing in front of the sacred fire.

Khushi (murmuring):

"Jab dil toot jaata hai... toh bharosa wapas aana asaan nahi hota."

(When the heart breaks... it's not easy to trust again.)

A knock at the door startled her.

Before she could answer, Buaji opened it halfway.

Buaji:

"Titaliya, Arnav bitwa aaye hain. Keh rahe hain kuch zaroori baat karni hai."

(Arnav is here. Says he needs to speak to you-important matter.)

Khushi's heart skipped.

Khushi:

"Humein unse koi baat nahi karni."

(I don't want to talk to him.)

But Buaji gave her a look-soft, concerned.

Buaji:

"Par kab tak bhaagegi, bitiya?"

(But how long will you keep running, dear?)

Khushi sighed.

-×-

Terrace - Few Minutes Later

She stepped outside to find Arnav standing there under the stars, arms folded, eyes waiting.

They said nothing for a moment.

Arnav (quietly):

"Tumhe sab kuch batana chahta hoon, Khushi. Pura sach. Mere dil ka bhi, aur uss terrace ka bhi."

(I want to tell you everything. The full truth. About that day... and my heart.)

Khushi (looking away):

"Main sun bhi loon, toh kya badal jaayega?"

(Even if I listen... what will change?)

Arnav (stepping closer):

"Shayad kuch nahi. Shayad sab kuch."

(Maybe nothing. Maybe everything.)

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flash drive.

Arnav:

"Yeh woh video hai... jisne mujhe tum par shaq dilaya tha."

(This is the video that made me doubt you.)

He handed it to her.

Arnav (low voice):

"Dekhna chahti ho toh dekh lena. Nahi toh phaad dena. Par sach tumhare saamne rakhna mera farz hai."

(If you want to see it, do. If not, destroy it. But showing you the truth is my duty.)

He turned to leave.

But her voice stopped him.

Khushi:

"Tumne pehle kyun nahi dekha poora video?"

(Why didn't you see the full video earlier?)

Arnav (pausing):

"Kyuki main itna gusse mein tha... ki dimaag ne dil ki baat sunne se mana kar diya."

(Because I was so angry... my mind refused to hear what the heart was saying.)

Khushi:

"Aur ab?"

(And now?)

Arnav (softly):

"Ab toh sirf dil ki baat sunai deti hai."

(Now I only hear my heart.)

He left, leaving Khushi holding the flash drive like it weighed a thousand emotions.

-×-

Later That Night - Khushi's Room

She inserted the drive into Payal's laptop.

The screen came to life with the familiar terrace scene.

Shyam's voice played.

Khushi's firm rejection.

Her slap.

Khushi (whispers):

"Toh yeh sab dekh kar bhi unhone mujhpar shaq kiya tha..."

(Even after this, he chose to doubt me...)

She watched till the end. Her face pale. Her eyes moist.

But there was something else now... something more than pain.

Resolution.

-×-

Next Morning - Shantivan

Arnav was in his study when he heard the soft knock.

He looked up-and froze.

Khushi stood at the door, her expression unreadable.

She walked in, slowly, and placed the flash drive on the table.

Khushi:

"Sach dikhane ke liye shukriya."

(Thank you for showing me the truth.)

Arnav stood, heart racing.

Khushi (pausing):

"Main tum par vishwas nahi karti, Arnav ji."

(I still don't trust you, Arnav ji.)

His face fell.

Khushi (looking into his eyes):

"Par... ek moka de sakti hoon. Sirf ek."

(But... I can give you one chance. Just one.)

His breath caught.

Khushi:

"Na tum mujhse zyada umeed rakhna... na main apne dil se."

(You don't expect too much from me... and I won't expect too much from my heart.)

And with that, she turned to leave.

But just before stepping out-

Khushi (softly):

"Shayad... bharosa waapis aane mein waqt lagta hai. Par agar dil sachcha ho... toh kuch bhi mumkin hai."

(Maybe trust takes time to return. But if the heart is true... anything is possible.)

-×-

To be continued...

Next up: Chapter 9: Pyaar Ya Farz?

By

Muskan Tarway

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