Chapter Seventy

Sneaking in from a side entrance, Khushi led Arnav into Glendale High School. It had obviously been quite some time since the to of them had been in a high school, yet while it felt like yesterday for Arnav, it felt like a millennia for Khushi.

Arnav had to admit - this high school wasn't like those typical high schools in the cities that looked like trash, but like an actual institute for learning. For some odd reason, he thought of all of those movies he had seen as a teen and how his sister would get excited about going to a high school like this - clean, spacious, and high-school-musical like.

Yup, it was that kind of school.

The hallways were filled with clean, white, pristine lockers, and they weren't even the half sized ones where you would get towered by your neighbor above, but the full-sized ones. Arnav couldn't help but to think of his trashy half-sized locker in high school when he saw these.

Walking down from one hallway to another, they ended up to another side of the school. The lights outside came in through the wide windows, illuminating the dark halls. At the corner, Khushi halted and so did Arnav.

"This was my locker," she said softly, placing her hand over it. "And if I'm not mistaken...."

Khushi turned the lock, Arnav watching her as she put in the combo: 4: 23, 20. The lock clicked and the locker opened.

"Same ol', same ol'."

Of course, as it was summer time, the locker was empty.

"They never change the combination," Khushi shook her head. "But then again, once you got a locker, it was yours till you graduated. They expected us to never tell anyone our combo, but its not like anyone ever listened. And that's how people would get their stuff stolen," Khushi chuckled.

"A lot of my life was here," she continued. "These halls, these classrooms, this locker,"she said, running her hand over the door, "this was the only life I knew."

Khushi took Arnav's hand and led him down the hall.

"But I wasn't alone in all of this. Even though Bhai had already graduated from here, he was constantly a part of it since he was once a member of the football team - he had left a legacy."

Arnav rolled his eyes. I should've known he was once a football-head.

"But besides him, there was someone else... who helped me survive my first two years... was always by my side...."

Arnav looked at her curiously as she took in a shaky breath.

"My older sister, Payal."

Arnav's eyes slightly widened. His thoughts were immediately transported back to the first day he had met Khushi. After their first encounter, Arnav had called his people up to get the security footage from the camera near where the two of them were and to run a facial recognition on her. While his team did that, he worked on the school database, which was why Khushi had seen him in the library then. When his people gave him a name and searched her up, he looked her up on the school database. Of course, the school didn't have much to offer, but that was what his team was for.

When Arnav had gotten home that night, Nigel had handed him the file the team had gathered on Khushi. So Arnav knew what her full name was, her date of birth, place of birth, parents, and of course her siblings. He knew that his sister had passed away while Khushi was still in high school, but didn't care about it to know the details. Today, he was glad he hadn't because he knew now how important this was.

"Payal was two years older than me. So when I came into this school, I wasn't as worried. I mean, it's not like I'd just get away with it if I did nothing, but I did have a guide.

"When it came to pressure, she was by my side. She kept me on track, made sure I did my homework - she was always there... and while she was, I wasn't."

Arnav was confused. "What do you mean?"

"I was in my sophomore year and Payal was in her senior year. She was determined - determined to go out of the school with a bang like Bhai had. She aimed to be valedictorian, which had always been her dream. ...and she wanted to conquer her fears."

"Her fears?"

Khushi stopped in front of a trophy case. Along with the many trophies aligned on the shelves were picture frames as well. Several of them contained pictures of the various teams they had had over the years. Some were of the captains, others of star players. Arnav noticed there was a picture of Shyam as well, holding onto his trophy, and he fought back the urge to scoff.

"Ever since she had entered this school and had seen him, Payal was in love with him, but could never tell him."

"Who?"

Khushi pointed at a picture. "Akash."

Arnav looked at the photo. Like the other photos, Akash was pictured with his winning trophy. But he wasn't alone in the picture, a girl under his arm while holding the trophy with him. Like Khushi, she had had wavy brown hair and her smile was close to hers, but it didn't bring that ray of sunshine like Khushi's did. But it wasn't hard for Arnav to tell that she was Khushi's sister Payal.

"She was in love with him - or so she would say - but could never tell him. She secretly crushed on him for years but when she got to her senior year, she was determined to tell him... and she did.

"It was the first day of the school year and she was determined to tell him, not caring if she'd possibly end up looking like a fool. I told her she was crazy and shouldn't do it, but the second she saw him on the courtyard, she marched right up to him. She told him that she needed to talk to him and he stepped aside from all of his football buddies, and just like that, she told him of her feelings; how she had this humongous crush on him since the first day of their freshman year and all of that. Next thing I know, he's kissing her."

Arnav's eyebrow cocked up on its own.

"No one could believe what they were seeing. I found it hard to believe the most... because I wanted him."

Immediately his eyes met hers, but Khushi looked down.

"Just like my sister, I, too, had fallen hard for Akash my first day here," she said softly. "And while my sister made it known to me, I hid it from her. I didn't just tell her to not tell him of her feelings because she would probably make a fool of herself, but because I was selfish - I wanted him for myself.

"I watched them day after day, and at first it hurt. But slowly, without even realizing it, it grew into jealousy - extreme jealousy."

Khushi released her hand from Arnav's and began to walk away. Arnav followed behind her, the two going back to where Khushi's locker was, only a little more further than it, six lockers down.

"This was Akash's locker. Every day I would see him from my locker and would watch him and my sister with envy; I wanted to be in her place so badly. No one was able to tell how I truly felt though... except for Akash.

"I had stayed after school for tutoring and went to my locker to get my jacket, when Akash came to his. He had stayed after school for practice and was on his way home, when he saw me. I remember it like it was yesterday - I saw him and when he saw me, I flinched away. For a moment, I wondered if I should just leave but then he came over to me. I was speechless, I didn't know what he could possibly have to say to me, and before I could react, he had me trapped in between his arms against my locker."

Arnav's fists clenched and even though he knew he had no control over what had happened in the past and didn't know her at the time, he still wanted to punch the chump.

"Akash told me that he knew how I felt for him, how he could see it in my eyes. He told me how he liked me and wanted me, not my sister, which filled up my heart, but he couldn't leave her for me because that would cause drama. Everyone would be pointing fingers at me and he didn't want that." Khushi looked away. "...so we had a secret relationship."

Arnav's looked at her in shock - he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"While my sister walked these halls with her boyfriend and kissed him in front of everyone, I snuck around with him and would kiss him beneath the stairwell," she nearly whispered, shutting her eyes in shame as a tear trailed down her cheek.

Arnav really couldn't believe what he was hearing. My angel... she really did that?

"At first I would feel guilty about it but then... I just wanted him all to myself. When we were together...."

Khushi walked away and Arnav followed behind. They got out of the school and walked back towards the car. Khushi took the keys from Arnav and went around to the driver's seat. Arnav didn't question her and sat in the passenger's seat. She drove away from the school and while she drove, Arnav watched her - he couldn't help himself. It was just a matter of minutes before Khushi stopped in front of a house. Arnav didn't understand why and looked at her curiously while Khushi gazed at the house.

"The entire year passed. Payal became valedictorian and both she and Akash graduated. On the last day of school, there was a party here. I didn't know the guy, nor did many, but everyone went regardless. The place was loaded with alcohol - from cases and cases of beer to the guy's parents' booze, it was loaded. My sister was excited to go and at first I couldn't understand for the life of me why, because she hated these things. But then I found out her true intentions - she was going to lose her virginity to him."

With that douchebag? Arnav was disgusted.

"I couldn't believe it and it made me seethe with jealousy. The thought of the two together... it had made my blood boil! So I went to the party as well to make sure it didn't happen. She drove her car and I sat beside, thinking of ways to stop it from happening.

"When we got there, Payal got busy with the other football heads' girlfriends. Akash saw me and knew that I meant business so he stepped aside. I told him about Payal's intentions and told him that it better not happen, that I refused to let that happen. I told him that if there was anyone he was going to sleep with... then it was with me."

Arnav's eyes widened and Khushi could feel his shock. It was as if it hummed in the confined space around them.

"I told him that I was sick and tired of seeing him and Payal parading around - so sick and tired, that I wanted her to find out about us, not caring if it broke her heart."

Angel....

"He was mine and I was finally going to let her know. I intended to reveal it that night and when the time was right, I kissed him and he kissed me back, right in front of Payal."

Khushi turned away, not even wanting to look at Arnav. She could feel his distaste, perhaps even disgust to her. She pulled away from the curb and drove away.

"Payal was furious and hurt, and she charged right out of the house. Shyam was at the party too, unknown to us both, and when he found out about the situation, he told me to go after her. I didn't want to, but he gave me his keys, so I went after her."

Khushi drove down a two way road, surrounded by cornfields.

"I followed her down this road. It didn't take long for me to catch up with her since she was driving slowly. At first I didn't get why she was going so slow, but then I remembered she had drank at the party. So I honked the horn and called out to her, telling her to stop ...instead she increased the speed."

Khushi pressed down on the break hard, coming to an immediate halt, sending the two jerking forward slightly since they were held back by their seat belts. She stepped out of the car and Arnav followed behind, standing beside her.

"I sped up too and got beside her, telling her repeatedly to stop, but she continued to refuse. She was crying and she was drunk and she was speeding and...."

Tears pooled in Khushi's eyes.

"Payal sped ahead, cutting right in front of me, forcing me to stop and I stomped down on the break. My body jerked forward but was held back by my seat belt and she...." Her tears came free, flowing down her cheek. "I never wanted this to happen, I never ever did but...."

Khushi's fists clenched, her knuckles whitening by her tight grip.

"When she cut me off and sped forward, she wasn't watching ahead and she... she... she  crashed into an electric pole."

Arnav's jaw dropped as his eyes widened in horror.

"The pole came crashing right down onto her car and... and her car burst into flames!"

Khushi broke into a sob as her feet gave away. She collapsed to the floor, sobbing into her hands. Arnav couldn't believe anything of what he had just heard, too shocked by it all.

"Everything else went mute and the only thing I could hear were my own screams," she sobbed. "I dashed out of the car and tried to get to her, but the other drivers who had stopped, stopped me from going any closer. I tried and tried to pry away from them, but they wouldn't let me go. One of them had called 911 and the cops and the fire brigade arrived in a matter of moments. I was delirious and wanted to get my sister out but they wouldn't let me, everything blurred and they tried to get the fire out, my brother somehow arrived and the next thing I know, I had fainted.

"When I woke up, I found myself in the hospital. Bhai was beside me and with just one look of his face, I knew that my sister was gone... Payal was dead and it was all because of me! I had killed my own sister!"

Khushi sobbed even harder and Arnav couldn't stand the sight of it. He knelt down beside her and wrapped her up in his arms as she sobbed, gripping onto him.

"I never meant for it to happen, I swear I didn't, and yet I killed her!"

Arnav hushed and soothed her, running his hand through her hair. Never had I ever imagined that she would have a grave secret like this. "Angel-"

"I'm not an angel, Arnav, I'm a murderer!"

His eyes widened.

"I'm a murderer, I killed my own sister, I'm a murderer, it's all my fault!"

Arnav held her tightly. "Hush, don't say that-"

"It's all my fault," she cried.

Khushi sniffled and pulled back, holding his arms and creating a distance between them.

"I'm not the angel you think I am Arnav, I'm not," she sniffled. "I know you think that - believe that - but I'm not. I'm the devil," and she turned away.

It hurt Arnav to see her like this, but it hurt him more that she felt this way.

She's been through so much, and I'm only now finding out about this. How could I have been so clueless? And how could she think so low of herself?

"You believe that I was a blessing from your mother," Khushi whispered, still not meeting his eyes. "But the truth is, I'm just a bad omen."

Khushi looked down at her hands and as hard as it was for her to do it, she removed her engagement ring and held it out to Arnav.

"Take it," she said, her voice barely audible.

Arnav's fists clenched and anger formed in his eyes. He stared at the ring, his jaw clenched as he channeled his rage. Khushi wouldn't even look at him, just holding the ring out as if it were nothing, and it made him angrier.

One moment, Khushi was kneeling on the floor, and the next she was laying down on the hood of the car, her left hand extended out, with Arnav's body atop of hers.

"Arnav-"

"How dare you," he sneered.

Khushi's eyes filled with fear.

"How dare you take of this ring?"

Arnav forced the ring down her ring finger,  slightly hurting her in the process.

"Don't you ever take that ring off, do you understand?"

Khushi just stared at him wide eyed. When she didn't respond, Arnav gripped her waist tightly with his left hand, causing Khushi to hiss slightly.

"Do you understand?"

Khushi simply didn't understand. "B-but you were supposed to hate me and leave me-"

Arnav cut her off, covering her lips with his as he kissed her roughly. He bit down on her lower lip and teethed it, Khushi moaning to the pain.

"Arnav-"

"How stupid can you be?"

Khushi's eyes widened.

"How could you think something as stupid as that, angel, how?"

Khushi was speechless.

"How could you ever think I would let you go for that?"

"But... I killed someone-"

"No you didn't."

Khushi looked at him with confusion. Arnav pulled her up and stood in between her legs, his left hand still on her waist while his right hand took hold of her left, placing it over his chest.

"You didn't kill her angel-"

"Arnav-"

"You didn't kill her, Khushi."

Khushi looked down.

"How could you possibly think that you killed her? You didn't Khushi, you didn't."

Khushi didn't say anything.

"I will admit that what you did was wrong... and that I'm surprised by it."

She looked back up at him.

"I never expected that from you..."

Khushi turned away in shame.

"...but that was before I even knew you existed."

Still, Khushi was ashamed.

"But you're not the only one at fault; it isn't only your fault that you sneaked around behind your sister's back, but that fucker's as well."

Arnav cupped her face and tried to make her look at him.

"It isn't your fault Khushi, it's his. He killed your sister."

Khushi looked at him in confusion.

"Think about it Khushi - even though he was dating Payal, he still went up to you, his girlfriend's sister, and proposed the idea of sneaking around behind her back. The fact that he wanted to be disloyal to her is what caused this. He wanted to cheat on her with you. He probably thought he was this really cool guy for dating both sisters at the same time, and I'm so fucking sure some of his friends knew; there's no way he hid this ego booster from his fellow meatheads. And I'm damn sure Khushi, that had he gotten the opportunity, he would have slept with you both. He would have lied to you about not sleeping with her, just to sleep with you. And if not her first, well, he's already lying to her as it is."

"But-"

"Khushi, you did not kill her. Yes she left the house because she saw you kissing her boyfriend, yes that did upset her. But he kissed you back - he snuck behind her back as well, he cheated on her, he wasn't faithful. The only person who is a killer here, is Akash."

Khushi looked down. "For some time, I thought that as well," she whispered. "But everyone else was right; I killed her-"

"Who said you killed her?"

Khushi could see the anger in his eyes. "M-my parents...."

Arnav's eyes widened.

"The entire student body at Glendale High, people in town, Akash-"

"How dare he," Arnav sneered.

Arnav's fists clenched and Khushi could see how badly he wanted to beat he living crap out of that guy. "If I ever get my hands on him-"

"Arnav-"

"That will be murder."

Khushi looked at him in shock and caressed his face. "No Arnav, don't even think such a thing!"

"Khushi-!"

"It doesn't matter if he tortured me about it for two years, you will not kill-!"

Khushi realized the words that had just escaped from her mouth while Arnav looked at her in shock.

"He tortured you," Arnav questioned, his voice low and menacing.

With a gulp, Khushi looked down. "Y-yes," she whispered. "After she passed away, for my remaining 2 years here, he taunted me, telling me that I had murdered her. He tried to have his way with me."

Arnav's fists clenched.

"If I had been here any longer... he would have taken advan-"

"Don't. Don't...."

Khushi quietly sobbed and Arnav turned away. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to control his anger, not wanting to snap in front of Khushi; she just didn't deserve it.

"Khushi get in the car."

Khushi looked up at him.

"We're going home."

Crossing her arms, Khushi ran her hands over her arms, her jacket not helping her with the chills within her body. "Are you sure you want to be with a murderer like me-?"

Arnav grabbed her by her arm and pulled her to him. He kissed her roughly once more, bruising her lips, teething it.

"If I ever hear you call yourself that even again Khushi, so help me from above, I will spank the living crap out of you."

Khushi's eyes widened as her cheeks filled with blush.

"And that's a promise." He kissed her once more and cupped her cheeks. "You didn't kill her. Remember that."

"I... you were supposed to go running to the hills. Instead-"

"Angel, don't you understand by now that I can never let you go?"

Khushi was shocked. "Arnav, I'm not an angel-"

"You're my angel, I don't give a shit about anyone else."

"Arnav-"

"I don't. And as for your parents, well, they're no invited to our wedding."

Khushi's eyes widened. "You still want to marry me?"

Arnav looked away, though he couldn't help the slight tug from the corner of his lips. "Oh angel... you humor me."

She simply blinked at him.

"Yes Khushi, I am. No I'm not running to the hills. I love you, and what happened in the past - I'm glad that you trust me enough to tell me; I respect that."

Khushi looked down.

"But the present and your future are in my hands now. And any wrong that was done to you before, I will do my best to correct."

Khushi couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You... you won't leave me?"

Arnav shook his head. "No angel, I'm not."

Tears streamed down Khushi's cheeks. She had truly believed that he would have left her, right here in the middle of the road to get away from her, yet here he was, right in front of her, holding her.

And she didn't want it any other way.

Khushi reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring. It was the very ring she had set her eyes on, the one she had chosen for Arnav. At first she had thought of not buying it, positive that Arnav would leave her once he knew the truth of her past. But then she thought of buying it anyways, as a way of forever remembering him, by putting it on a necklace. She would forever wear it and would have considered herself a widow - she would have even told people that. But now, everything was different.

"I bought this ring... I thought I was going to lose you... this was going to be my memory of you...." Khushi bent down on one knee and looked up at him. "But if you're not leaving, I have no choice but to give it to you."

Arnav smiled softly and bent down, kneeling in front of her. "I'm not going anywhere angel - ever. So put the ring on my finger."

Tears formed in her eyes once more and she placed the ring on his left ring finger. Once she did, she threw her arms around him and cried, never wanting to let him go. Arnav placed his hand over her hair, soothing her with soft kisses.

"I promise you Khushi, my angel, that all the people who have wronged you will most certainly get their punishment... no matter what."