SS: Going Home

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Part 1

'All ready Khushiji?'

Khushi looked up to see NK's reflection in the mirror standing at the doorway smiling at her. 'Erm... yes Nanheji, ev... everything's fine. I'm nearly ready.' She turned back to the mirror and struggled to put her tikka on, her hands were shaking and the tikka fell out of her hands back onto the dresser.

'Let me help you,' NK moved to stand behind her and picked the tikka up himself placing it on her head, his eyes on hers in the mirror the whole time.

'Th... Thank you Nanheji,' she didn't meet his eyes, looking down at the dresser to hide her fear and anguish.

NK walked backwards and sat on the bed behind her still looking at her in the mirror. After a few moments of silence he finally saw a lone tear trickle down Khushi's cheek and get caught on the corner of her lips. 'There's always a choice.'

Her head jerked up instantly to meet his gaze in the reflection, 'Huh? Wh... what are you talking about Nanheji?'

'I heard you. I heard Nanav talking to you and you said that you had no choice? There's always a choice Khushiji.'

'You... you heard everything? You... know? You kn... know about me and Sh... Shyamji?'

NK stood up again and walked towards Khushi resting his hand softly on her shoulder, 'I know what Nanav thinks about you and Jeejaj.'

Khushi finally turned around standing up to meet NK's gaze fully, shocked and surprised. 'You mean you believe me Nanheji?'

NK smiled again, his slow reassuring smile trying to calm her down and make her trust him as he trusted her. 'You're my friend Khushiji and I'm here to tell you that you do have a choice. You don't have to marry Nanav.'

'But... but you heard him Nanheji! He doesn't believe me! He thinks I tried to ruin Anjaliji's life and he said this is the only way to save Jeeji's wedding and prove to him I don't love Shyamji!'

'Why do you need to prove anything to him at all?'

'I... because I l...'

'Because?'

She couldn't answer, as she thought about all the moments she had shared with Arnav, the bad outweighing the good by far and yet her treacherous heart still leapt at the thought of being his wife even though he had assured her it wouldn't be a real marriage at all.

'I'm going home Khushiji. I can't stay in Nanav's house anymore, I thought he was a bit misunderstood, a bit stiff but after today, I can't stay in the house of somebody who treats people like he treats you.'

'But... Nanheji! You can't leave me! Please, you're the only person that believes me!'

'Come with me,' he said simply. He had been leading up to this question ever since he had overheard the confrontation between Khushi and Arnav and now that he had actually said it he realised how much sense it made. 'Australia is beautiful, you'll love it.'

Khushi thought back to those carefree days in Lucknow when she had dreamed of one day finding her Rajkumar and travelling to one exotic location after another, dancing like they did in Bollywood movies. 

'Do you have a passport Khushiji?'

'Passport? Erm... yes I... Amma and Jeeji used to laugh at me but Bauji always made sure our entire family had passports ready just for me.'

'Okay then, I'll go see if I can arrange a visa while I pack and you can take that time to make your decision.'

'Decision?'

'Like I said Khushiji, you have a choice. There is always a choice. I'm not telling you to come to Australia with me, I'm asking you.' He put his hands on her arms softly and looked into her eyes as he spoke, 'I'll be back in 20 minutes.'

Part 2

He knocked and waited for her to open the door, his heart fluttering at the sight of her in her orange dress again, the bridal dress nowhere to be seen and her hair in its usual side plait. 'Made your decision?'

Khushi nodded shakily and tried to smile as NK put his bag down inside the door and put his hands on Khushi's shoulder leading her over to the bed.

He looked at her beautiful face and wondered if he was doing the right thing. The worry and anguish from before had reduced considerably although it still lurked at the corners of her fake smile but he knew if he didn't tell her he would be no better than Arnav, using her weaknesses against her to bind her to him. 'There's something else Khushiji.'

'Wh' what is it Nanheji? You couldn't get the visa?'

NK laughed 'no no. One good thing about being related to the Raizadas is things get done very fast. I just have something that might change your situation.' He took the small disk out of his pocket and placed it in her hand.

'What?'

'I was packing my camera away Khushiji and I saw something' There's something on there that I think Nanav and the whole family would be interested in.'

Khushi looked down incredulously at the small disk in her hand. How could such a tiny thing hold such enormous power over her life? 'You mean Shyamji?'

'I must have left the camera on somewhere and he does this really weird creepy soliloquy thing that leaves pretty much no doubt whatsoever.'

'I' I don't know'' Khushi looked up at NK her eyes brimming with tears before she threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. 'Thank you, thank you so much Nanheji!'

NK pulled away sadly, 'so I guess this means you're staying?'

'What? No, of course not!' Khushi smiled her first real smile ever since she'd seen Shyam up on the roof, 'I can't wait to go to Australia!'

'But' but what about the tape? It proves your innocence.'

Khushi stood up and pulled NK's arm so he stood up as well, 'I don't need to prove anything to anybody Nanheji. I was thanking you for believing me, not thanking you for the tape.'

Part 3

'Why the hell aren't you ready Khushi?!'

Khushi flinched and stepped backwards slightly as Arnav screamed into her face. 'I...'

'Chotey, is that any way to talk to your future wife? No wonder you're in such a hurry to get married, you must be worried Khushiji will change her mind.'

Khushi looked around at the myriad of expressions on everybody's faces. Shyam looked pleased, Arnav looked furious, her family looked worried, Mami looked annoyed as usual and Nani and Anjaliji looked bemused. She took a deep breath and looked back at NK's smiling reassuring face, 'I'm not marrying Arnavji.'

The faces changed instantly but Khushi continued, 'I'm going to Australia with Nanheji.'

'What the fuck?!'

Khushi tried not to look at his face, which was difficult considering it was only inches away from her own as he gripped her arms harder than he had ever done before in the past.

'Nanav get your hands off her,' NK said calmly trying to release Arnav's hold on her.

'Shut up NK! Just shut the fuck up! She is not going anywhere with you!' His voice dropped to a whisper as he spoke to her, 'what the hell are you doing Khushi? I told you! I told you, that I won't let you ruin my Di's life! If you want your sister's wedding to happen you'll go upstairs right now and get dressed!'

Khushi finally pulled herself free and took Arnav's hand in her own placing the disk in it roughly. 'Jeeji will get married because I know Jeejaji trusts her.'

Arnav ignored the disk in his hand and stepped back sneering, no longer caring that the rest of the family was watching, only interested in the fact that Khushi was planning to leave with NK. 'Oh I see. Because I finally saw through your facade you've moved onto my dimwit of a cousin who would believe anything that came out of your mouth!'

'I do!' NK shouted stepping in between Khushi and Arnav while the rest of the family stood dumbstruck, 'It's true Arnav, I believe Khushi and I will believe her every single time no matter how many accusations you or Jeejaji throw at her!'

Arnav's eyes widened in shock at the mention of Jeejaji and he looked over quickly at Shyam. How did NK know about Shyam and Khushi?

Khushi took the opportunity to walk over to her family who looked shell shocked after hearing NK speak. 'Amma, Bauji, I've made my decision and I have to leave. I'm sorry.' She hugged them all and went to stand by the door, avoiding the questioning gazes of everyone else in the room.

NK moved forward to Arnav snatching the disk out of his hand and walked towards Akash, 'Shaadi Mubarak Akash,' he said as he placed the disk in his hand and picked his bag up and walked towards Khushi.

'Ready to go, my Desi Girl?'

'Absolutely,' Khushi smiled back at him.

Part 4

Arnav continued to watch in shock as Khushi and NK smiled at each other before they left through the doors together. What was true, what was a lie? Was Shyam telling the truth and him and Khushi were together? Was Khushi telling the truth and she hated Shyam? Or was he right and Khushi had been playing all three of them keeping her options open to see which of them she could trap. But then... it didn't make sense, she should have stuck with him. He was the richest, he was the most influential. Why didn't she love him damnit?!

'Arnav bitwa,' his Mami's hand on his shoulder finally shook him awake and he allowed himself to be led slowly towards the living room where he noticed everyone was gathered around the TV. Di was sitting on the sofa in between Nani and Payal looking tearful while Akash and Mama stood with their hands on Shyam's shoulders holding him hostage in between them.

'What...'

'Look at the TV Bhai,' Akash said his voice shaking with controlled fury that Arnav had never seen before.

He found himself frozen in shock again as the words from the screen registered in his brain and then before he knew it he was on the floor with Shyam beneath him throwing one punch after another. 'You let me think she was with you! You made me believe she wanted to hurt Di. You made me HATE HER!'

'Chotey,' it was his sister's voice this time and her hand on his shoulder pulling him back. She made him stand up and took his face in her hands. 'Chotey please don't do this, he... he doesn't matter Chotey, Khushiji does!'

Her name broke through his haze as he remembered what he'd said to her, what he'd accused her of. His voice came out hoarse almost a whisper, 'Khushi?'

'Yes Chotey, Khushiji! She's leaving, you have to stop her. I know you love her! Please don't let her leave!'

Arnav turned and ran, not waiting for anything else. He needed to talk to her, he needed to stop her, tell her he loved her, he couldn't live without her!

---

'Khushiji do you even know what opera is?'

'Why can't we visit the opera house? I'm sure it's singing of some sort isn't it? I love songs and dance!'

NK laughed as he took out his phone and found a video for her to watch.

---

'Sir I keep telling you, it doesn't matter if you buy a ticket, you don't have your passport with you, and we can't let you through.'

'Do you even know who I am? I'll buy the airline, I'll buy the whole DAMN Airport if I have to, just let me THROUGH!'

---

Khushi was still looking at his phone, earphones in both of her ears and an adorably horrified expression on her face while NK looked up to see where the commotion was coming from. 'Nanav?'

He stood up slowly to see Arnav waving his arms wildly at him in the distance. Even through the crowds of people, even through the layer of glass that separated them he could see the desperation in Arnav's eyes. 'Khushiji?'

'Hmm?' Khushi looked up; she hadn't noticed that NK had stood up. 'Is it time to go?'

NK shook his head slowly and pointed.

Part 5

'What do you want?'

He just stared silently, drinking in the sight of her. How could he have doubted her, those wide brown eyes could never lie to him.

'Arnavji, please can you make this quick, Nanheji is waiting.'

'What? Khushi you can't leave! You can't go to Australia! Look I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Khushi, please!'

Khushi's eyes opened wide as he cradled her face in his hands and she could see the tears sparkling in his eyes. 'I... Nanheji...'

'He doesn't love you Khushi! I do! I love you Khushi, I love you! I'm so sorry, please please forgive me. I know I should have believed you, I know I shouldn't have said those things but please don't leave me! NK doesn't love you, it's just a crush, he'll get over it but I... I love you Khushi, I won't survive if you leave!'

Khushi put her hands over Arnav's on her face as she closed her eyes and let her own tears escape. 'You love me,' she whispered feeling her heart constrict as she said the words.

'Yes, yes, I love you, I love you so much Khushi. I'm so sorry, please forgive me, please,' he leaned his forehead against hers, his tears falling down and brushing her cheeks on their descent.

Khushi took a deep breath and moved Arnav's hands away from her face, 'you love me, but Nanheji trusts me.'

He opened his eyes to look down at her, shaking his head silently. 'No Khushi, don't... please I promise... I'm  sorry... I'll never... I promise I will never doubt you again Khushi, please!'

Khushi shook her own head and tried to let go of Arnav's hands as she stepped backwards. He held on tightly moving forward with her, 'please Khushi, please.'

Khushi shook her head again and finally extracted her hands, 'I can't Arnavji, I can't. It's too hard, you make it too hard. I just... It shouldn't be this hard.'

NK watched Arnav's heart break with every step back that Khushi took, every step that she took towards him and away from Arnav.

Khushi wiped the last of her tears as she reached NK, 'shall we go?'

He tilted his head and sighed, 'are you sure?'

She shook her head and laughed dryly, 'not at all.'

NK shot Arnav one last apologetic look before he nodded at Khushi and smiled, picking up his bag. 'Come on then, Sydney won't know what hit it when this Desi Boy and Desi Girl get there!'