Chapter 3 - When Angels Fall

"Tu hi mera mera meraaaaa! Tu hi mera mera meraaa! Tu hi meraaaaaa!" She blared out the song whilst driving, her head nodding to the tune, the music blasting out of the speakers.  She looked to her side mirror when she saw a large SUV quickly drive past her and then a streak of black in front. Khushi stamped on the brake and the car came to a screeching halt as the large black SUV swiftly cut in front of her and entered through the gate. She sat for a moment, throwing daggers at the four-by-four that had nearly caused her to crash, "urgh!" She screeched to herself, re-started the car and manouvered it in through the open gate, just as he stepped out, still in the white shirt and blue chinos from the night before, he slowly walked infront of the car, stood himself mid-centre and took his aviators off, smirking at her angry face. She narrowed her eyes at him then slammed her foot on the accelerator. He jumped back slightly, putting his arms up in surrender as she braked inches away from him. She slammed the car door shut and stamped up towards him, grabbing him by the collar. "You are such an ass!" She screamed. "I love you too," Arnav laughed back. 

"What time do you call this Raizada? And slow down! My legs aren't a mile long!" She exclaimed as he slowed his pace, letting her fall into step with him. "And why are you coming home now? Shouldn't you have been over last night?" He questioned her back, cocking his right eyebrow up. "Aakash doesn't go into relationships just for the fuck, like some people!" She snapped back. "Ouch!" He laughed, "you are mistaken babakins. I don't do relationships I only go in for the fuck!" He winked and laughed. "Oh my ghosh you are so disgusting!" She rolled her eyes and pushed him before entering the house. Her eyes automatically searching for Aakash, her eyes taking in every inch of the grand interior, but he was no where to be seen. She walked off towards Aaakshs bedroom. 

****

"I want his each step watched," Arnav spoke into the phone, "I don't know what he's doing but I want his each breathe tracked you hear me?" His eyes wear dark, calculative as he spoke the instructions into the phone. The person on the other end acknowledged knowing that a tiny mistake could cost his life. 

****

Khushi walked straight into a dancing Anjali who had been walking backwards, with her earphones plugged into her ears. "Khushi!" Anjalis innocent face burst out into a smile. "Hey," Khushi smiled, a frown on her face. "What's wrong KKG?" Anjali questioned, her face changing to one of concern. "Nothing, just wondering where Aakash is," she replied, pursing her lips together, letting her eyes glance around the house once more. "Oh I haven't seen him since last night, wasn't he with you?" She winked. Khushis eyebrows furrowed and her eyes darted around as she processed what Anjali had just said, unable to fathom what his repeated absences could mean. Aakash had dropped her home last night saying he was heading straight home, so where had he gone?

****

"Baby? What's the deal with this. I'm tired of being the second woman in your life," she purred into Aakashs ear then bit his ear lobe. He rolled her over, moving her hair out of her face and bit her lower lip, his hand roaming over her body and stopping at her breasts, carresing them gently. "You know you'll always take first place in my life sweetheart," he whispered into her ear. She smiled back at him softly, lightly giggling before she brought her lips to his and kissed him passionately. He pulled away slightly, to look her in the eyes, hers looking into the depths of his, "just a short while more Payal," he whispered, kissing her gently on the forehead.

A memory:

A sixteen year old Aakash stopped in his tracks, hearing the harsh, deep voice of his father speaking to someone else. He had just come back from boarding school and ran up to meet the only person remaining; his father but everyone knew you didn't disturb Avinash Singh Raizada when he was in the middle of a discussion, or in the middle of anything for that matter. He quickly turned on his heels to walk off when his ears automatically tuned in upon the mention of his name. "I want everything written in Arnavs name Mr Roy, because lets face it, with the way Aakash is growing up he'll never be able to handle anything properly." "But think about this rationally Mr Raizada," the other mans voice cut in, "they are brothers after all." "No Mr Roy he's too soft, not responsible enough. But Arnav, I know him inside out." "But..." "End of discussion. Just do what I've told you to do."

That had been eight years ago, now his father was dead. He knew where his brothers weakness lay and he now owned that weakness. It would only be a matter of time before he would twist it to his own need, before his brother would come crashing down for that one person. 

****

"Where have you been?!" She shouted as soon as he entered the house, her pointed finger shaking, her cheeks flushed red with anger and her lower lip trembling with the effort. Aakash took a step back, his mind abstractedly moving towards his perfectly formed plan, fear planting itself in the pit of it stomach as he felt it take a small lurch. He hurriedly composed himself, "what are you talking about?" He asked, keeping his face a picture of calm. "I'm talking about your constant sleeping away from home! The fact that I've come down to spend more time with you and not only do I never seem to know where you are but you don't seem to want to spend time with me either!" She screamed, her words echoing over the expanse of the Raizada Mansion. Aakash stood for a second, forming the right words to reply to her questions, the situation suddenly proving to be much more difficult than he had anticipated. 

"What the hell is going on?!" The voice boomed down the stairs as Arnav walked out, an angry glare on his face as he took in the squabble down below. "Nothing bhai, just Khushis impatience," Aakash replied, his voice still calm. "Impatience? IMPATIENCE!" She bellowed, the degree of annoyance she felt towards him increasing by the second. "How dare you?!" She took another step towards him as he took one more back. "Khushi stop, stop," Arnav came down the steps towards her, sending his arm around the front of her waist and dragging her back. "No Arnav! I want an explanation! What is going on here?" Arnav could hear the light tremble in her voice, how she was breathing faster now. "No Khushi. I've just been busy, there's a lot of work on my mind," Aakash lied, knowing anger was not the way to deal with her, he still hadn't played his move. Arnavs eyes lifted up to Aakashs, taking in what he had just said, then quickly flickered them back towards Khushi. "Khushi please, stop being stupid," the annoyance resurfacing now, he put his hand forward to rest on her shoulder but she moved back, sniffing and trembling in her attempt to conceal her tears. "No! I'm not being stupid! When I was in Aberdeen you'd call me so rarely. Then I came down here to spend more time with you and what do i get in return? This shit?! I'm just sick of having to constantly make the bloody effort!" She screamed in between sobs, the tight grip of Arnavs hands giving her confidence. Arnav sighed heavily, "Aakash I think you should just leave, let things cool off for a while," he said, his voice cool and in control causing the both of them to stare at his face. Rage flashed through Aakashs eyes as he composed it once more, "sure bhai," he agreed, feigning a concerned glance towards Khushi then walked back out of the door. 

"Khushi, are you okay?" Questioned a concerned Arnav, his voice low and husky. She closed her eyes, opening them back up as she moved herself out of his hold. "Just leave me alone for a little while," her voice came out a barely audible whisper as she timidly walked away.

****

Arundathi Raizada walked out onto the terrace, turning around one more time to make sure no one was around. She swiftly took out her phone, dialing the unsaved number. "Shyam. He's here. I want the work done and I want it done soon." She spoke into the phone, a low edge to her voice. "Are you sure ma'am," his raspy voice came through, "what about the will?" "Just put the first parts of the plan into action, I'm still working on that part." She ended the call.

****

Arnav stood at the french doors, his chocolate brown eyes melting with pain as he watched her quietly sobbing at the pool edge, letting out a sorrow she had held in for a long time. 

You will fly and

You will crawl

God knows even angels fall

No such thing as you

Must stay on

God knows even angels fall...