Lies crumble when truth finds its voice. But what happens when truth demands a witness?

-×-

Shantivan - Arnav's Study - Midnight

Arnav paced the length of the room, fists clenched, mind racing. The lab report sat on the table-stamped and sealed with one word: "Poison detected."

Aman (cautiously):

"Sir, Shyam Manohar Jha is dangerous... agar abhi expose kiya, toh-"

Arnav (cutting him off):

"I'm not waiting anymore. He tried to kill Khushi. This ends now."

Aman:

"Family ko kaise batayenge?"

Arnav:

"I won't tell them. He will."

A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Arnav's eyes-the ASR everyone feared had returned.

-×-

Next Morning - Shyam's Room

Shyam stood smugly in front of the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks. But as he turned-

Arnav (coldly):

"Nice accessory you picked for Khushi."

Shyam jolted. His smile faded.

Shyam (playing innocent):

"Arnav... I was only trying to-"

Arnav (slamming him into the wall):

"You were trying to kill my wife!"

He threw the report in Shyam's face.

Arnav (furious):

"Poison. Cyanide. You really thought I wouldn't get it tested?"

Shyam (composing himself):

"You have no proof that I planted it-"

Arnav (grabbing his collar):

"Then you won't mind repeating what you said to that jeweler, will you?"

Shyam paled.

Arnav (smirking):

"Two calls traced. One to a jeweler. Another to a chemical supplier. I have it all."

Shyam shoved him away.

Shyam (darkly):

"You think exposing me will fix everything? This family still loves me. Especially Anjali. What will you do, Arnav? Destroy her again?"

Arnav went quiet for a moment.

Arnav (low and steady):

"No, Shyam. You will destroy yourself. And I'll help you light the match."

-×-

Later That Day - Shantivan Living Room

The family gathered-Nani, Mami, Anjali, Akash, Payal, NK, and Khushi. Arnav stood in the center, arms crossed, eyes on Shyam.

Arnav (calmly):

"I want to share something with the family. Shyam has been hiding something-again."

Anjali looked confused, concerned.

Anjali:

"Chhote... kya keh rahe ho tum?"

Arnav tossed the report on the table.

Arnav:

"He tried to kill Khushi. Yeh mangalsutra usne diya tha... jisme cyanide mila tha."

Anjali (shocked):

"Nahi... yeh jhooth hai. Woh aisa nahi kar sakte!"

Khushi (softly):

"Anjaliji, woh kar sakte hain. Aur unhone kiya."

Shyam turned to her, fury bubbling.

Shyam:

"You've always turned my wife against me. You were the poison in this house, Khushi!"

Nani (sternly):

"Bas Shyam bitwa! Tumhare muh se sach nikalta nahi. Ab har baat pe doubt hota hai."

Arnav:

"There's more."

He handed Aman's phone to Nani, playing the call recordings. Shyam's voice echoed across the room-buying poison, instructing the jeweler to lace the thread.

The room fell into stunned silence.

Akash:

"He was really going to kill her..."

Payal (to Anjali):

"And you trusted him again..."

Anjali (tears in her eyes):

"No more. Not this time."

She walked to Shyam and pulled off her mangalsutra.

Anjali (voice trembling):

"Tumne sirf Khushi nahi... mere bhai, mere parivaar... sabka bharosa toda hai. Tumhara koi jagah nahi iss ghar mein."

Shyam stared in disbelief as the guards Arnav had already arranged came forward.

Arnav (to the guards):

"Take him away."

As Shyam was dragged out, he gave Khushi one last chilling look.

Shyam:

"This isn't over, Khushiji..."

Arnav (stepping in front of Khushi):

"Lekin tum ho. Tumhari kahaani yahin khatam hoti hai."

-×-

Later That Night - Arnav & Khushi's Room

Khushi sat silently on the bed. Arnav walked in, sitting beside her.

Arnav:

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of this... again."

Khushi (placing a hand on his):

"You protected me... again. That's what matters."

Arnav:

"This time... no more secrets. No more pain."

Khushi (smiling faintly):

"Bas sirf hum. Aur hamari kahaani."

They leaned into each other-together, finally, with no shadows between them.

-×-

To be continued...

Next Up: Chapter 30 - Beginning Again

By

Muskan Tarway

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