Just as Arnav and Khushi begin to find solid ground beneath them, Shyam plays his deadliest card yet—one buried deep in Arnav’s forgotten childhood…

-×-

Shantivan – Arnav’s Room – Late Evening

Arnav sat at the edge of the bed, exhausted but emotionally calmer after the storm. Khushi entered with his tea, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Khushi:

“Thodi der ke liye sab kuch shaant lag raha hai… jaise aandhi ke baad ka sukoon.”

Arnav took the cup, fingers brushing against hers.

Arnav:

“Mujhe laga tha yeh din kabhi nahi aayega. Tumhare saath… sach ke saath.”

He leaned in, their foreheads touching.

Khushi (whispering):

“Ab kuch galat nahi ho sakta, Arnavji.”

But fate had other plans.

-×-

Meanwhile – Abandoned Warehouse – Night

Shyam lit a candle, revealing a dusty trunk. He pulled out a thick, faded file marked:

“RAIZADA INDUSTRIES – PERSONAL ARCHIVES – CONFIDENTIAL”

Within it—photos of Arnav’s parents, newspaper clippings, hospital records… and a child’s psychiatric evaluation.

Shyam (smirking):

“Chhotey… yaani Arnav Singh Raizada… kya tumhe yaad hai woh raat? Jab tumhare maa-baap ne suicide kiya? Aur tum…”

He held up a photograph of a young, stunned Arnav—sitting alone in a corner, blood on his hands.

Shyam:

“Jo tum bhool gaye… main sab yaad dilaane wala hoon. Tumhare chehre ki izzat bhi chhin jaayegi. Aur Khushi? Vo tumse nafrat karne lagegi.”

He pulled out a USB stick and slid it into his laptop, attaching the files to an email.

Shyam:

“Time to wake the dead.”

-×-

Next Morning – Shantivan – Dining Table

As Khushi served parathas, Arnav opened his laptop, checking work emails. One unread message from an unknown address caught his eye.

Subject:

“The Night That Changed Everything.”

Curious, he clicked—and froze.

The video began. A grainy hospital corridor. A woman's shrill cries. Doctors rushing. Then…

A young Arnav, maybe ten years old, standing beside a pool of blood. His mother’s. His father’s body slumped nearby.

Khushi (gently):

“Arnavji? Aap theek—”

Her voice trailed off as she looked at the screen.

Arnav (hollow voice):

“Yeh… yeh sab…”

His face turned pale. His breathing grew shallow.

Arnav:

“Main… mujhe kuch yaad nahi tha… par… yeh sab… sach hai?”

He slammed the laptop shut and stood up.

Khushi:

“Arnavji, wait! Don’t—”

But he had already left the room.

-×-

Raizada Poolside – Minutes Later

Arnav paced furiously, clutching the side of his head.

Arnav (muttering):

“I was just a child… I didn’t— I couldn't have—”

Khushi approached, slowly.

Khushi:

“Arnavji, please. Mujhse baat kijiye. Aap akele nahi ho.”

Arnav (breaking):

“Khushi, you saw that. I was there. There was blood on me. What if I—what if I caused it? What if… I killed them?”

Khushi (firm):

“No! Arnavji, you’re not a murderer. You’re a victim. You were a child. Don’t let Shyam manipulate your guilt.”

He looked at her, raw and vulnerable.

Arnav:

“Par mujhe kuch yaad nahi hai…”

Khushi:

“Toh hum yaad dilayenge. Sach ka samna saath mein karenge. Jo bhi ho, main aapke saath hoon.”

-×-

Elsewhere – Shyam’s Hideout

He watched Arnav’s reaction through a hacked feed, laughing.

Shyam:

“Yeh sirf shuruaat hai, Khushi. Tumhara hero ab tootega… aur main sab kuch jeet jaaunga.”

-×-

To be continued…

Next Up: Chapter 26 – The Lost Boy

By

Muskan Tarway

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