loyalty

chapter 15

Chapter 15
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( i edited the story, khushi's father didn't do 2nd marriage)

The door creaked open, and there he was - her father, standing tall and confident. His face lit up with a mix of surprise and joy as he laid eyes on his daughter. Khushi launched herself into his arms.
It was a bittersweet moment, a reunion filled with both happiness and longing.
"Daddy, you're finally here!" she exclaimed, her voice choked with emotion.

Her father held her tightly, his embrace conveying years of missed moments and unspoken love. "I've missed you so much, my princess," he whispered, his voice filled with regret.
Khushi pulled away slightly, her eyes searching his face. "It's okay, Daddy. I understand. You had to go for your business

Her father smiled warmly, wiping away her tears. "Thank you, Khushi. I never wanted to be away from you, but sometimes life throws unexpected challenges our way. I promise to make up for all the lost time."
As they walked into the house, Khushi noticed her father's tired eyes and weary expression. She realized that building a business must not have been easy for him. Determined to make him feel at home, she led him to the living room,

As Khushi served the steaming plates of food to her father, Shashi, and her brother, Akash, she couldn't help but notice the serious expression on her father's face. She knew he had always been a shrewd businessman, and his instincts rarely failed him. Akash, on the other hand, seemed slightly uncomfortable, fidgeting with his fork as he avoided his father's gaze.

"So, Akash, tell me more about this new business project you've been working on," Shashi began, his voice laced with a hint of suspicion.

Akash cleared his throat, glancing at Khushi for support before answering. "Well, Dad, it's a collaboration withArnav. He has a solid plan, and I believe it has great potential."
Shashi raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "Arnav, huh? I've heard some rumors about  previous business ventures not going so well in this field where Arnav is taking to us, through i trained arnav in business matters and help her early in start-up but Are you sure this is a wise decision enter this market in such a awful time?"

Khushi's heart sank as she heard her father's doubts about Arnav. She had been dating Arnav in secret for months, and she knew his dedication and passion for his work. She couldn't let her father's suspicions tarnish his reputation, even if it meant hiding her own involvement.

"Dad, I've known Arnav for a while now, and I can vouch for his capabilities," Khushi interjected, her voice filled with conviction. "Yes, he might have had some setbacks in the past, but he has learned from them and grown as a businessman. This new project is different, and I truly believe in his vision."

Shashi's eyes narrowed, studying Khushi's face for a moment. "Are you sure there isn't anything more you're not telling me, Khushi? You seem awfully defensive about this."

Khushi's heart raced, her mind scrambling for an excuse to deflect her father's suspicion. "No, Dad, there's nothing else. I just genuinely believe in Arnav's capabilities. He's worked hard on this project, and I don't want his reputation to be unfairly judged based on  early failure or awful situation"<

Shashi looked unconvinced, but he decided to drop the subject for now. "Alright, Khushi. I trust your judgment, but remember, business is a tough world. Keep your eyes open."

Khushi let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, relieved that she had managed to navigate the conversation without revealing her relationship with Arnav. She quickly changed the topic, diverting her father's attention to lighter matters, all the while silently vowing to find a way to share the truth with her family when the time was right.
As they enjoyed their meal, laughter filled the room, temporarily pushing aside any lingering doubts and concerns. But deep down, Khushi knew that the truth couldn't be hidden forever. She understood that her father's protective nature was rooted in love, and it was only a matter of time before she would have to reveal her secret relationship with Arnav. But until then, she would continue to defend him, hoping that her faith in him would eventually prove her father's suspicions wrong.

As Khushi finished serving the food and the family sat down for dinner, her mind couldn't help but wander to her impending phone call with Arnav. She had promised him that she would call after dinner but as she dialed his number, there was no response. Her heart sank, and a sense of worry washed over her.

Khushi tried not to let her concern show as she excused herself from the dinner table, citing a need to make an important call. As she stepped into the quietness of her room, she dialed Arnav's number once again, hoping that he would pick up this time.

The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer. Khushi's mind raced with possibilities. Had something happened to him? Was he in trouble? He looked tensed at morning.The fear of the unknown gnawed at her, and she desperately wished for him to be safe.

Trying to push away her anxiety, Khushi decided to leave a voicemail for Arnav. "Hey, Arnav, it's Khushi," she said, attempting to keep her voice steady. "I've been trying to reach you, but there's no response. I hope everything is okay. Please, call me back as soon as you can. I'm getting worried." She ended the voicemail with a soft plea, her voice filled with concern.
Unable to sit still, Khushi paced back and forth in her room, occasionally glancing at her phone in hopes of a missed call or a text message from Arnav. Minutes felt like hours as she anxiously waited for any sign of him.
Finally, her phone buzzed, and Khushi's heart skipped a beat. She quickly grabbed her phone, hoping it was Arnav, but to her disappointment, it was a message from her friend.She read the message, pretending to be engaged in a casual conversation, but her mind was elsewhere, still consumed with worry.
Khushi knew that Arnav was a busy man, but this silence from him was unusual. A million thoughts raced through her mind, each one more worrisome than the last.

Arnav's heart raced as he reached his friend's house, hoping to find solace and assistance in his desperate situation. He had received a malicious MMS featuring himself and Khushi, and it had left him feeling violated and vulnerable. He knew he needed someone with technical expertise to help him track down the blackmailer.
He knocked on the door with a sense of urgency, anxiety gnawing at his insides. To his dismay, there was no response. Arnav peered through the window, trying to catch a glimpse of any signs of life inside. The house appeared empty, with only the faint glow of the afternoon sun peeking through the curtains.
With a sigh, Arnav reached for his phone, his fingers trembling. He dialed his friend's number, hoping for a glimmer of hope. But as the call rang out, it became painfully evident that his friend was not available either. Frustration washed over him, adding to the weight of his already heavy burden.
As he contemplated his next move, a voice from behind startled him. "Arnav, what brings you here?" It was Ravi, another close friend who happened to live in the neighborhood. Relief washed over Arnav as he turned to face Ravi, his eyes betraying the anguish he held within.
"Ravi, thank goodness you're here," Arnav exclaimed, desperation lacing his words. "I need your help, man.
". Come inside, let's talk
Arnav followed Ravi into his house, his mind racing with a mix of fear and hope. Ravi led him to his study, a room filled with computer equipment, cables, and screens. It was clear that Ravi was well-versed in the world of technology.

Taking a seat, Arnav poured out the details of the blackmail, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and anxiety. Ravi listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment.
"I have an secret relationship with a girl, and in our private moment someone captured this and now blackmailing me"
"I understand how important it is to find this blackmailer," Ravi said, his voice filled with determination. "Let me check if I can find any digital traces or clues that might lead us to them."

Arnav watched as Ravi's fingers danced across the keyboard, his eyes scanning lines of code on multiple screens. The room was filled with an air of anticipation, each passing second feeling like an eternity.
After what felt like an eternity, Ravi's face lit up with a mix of relief and excitement. "Arnav, I think I lost it the backmailer is very Sharp,it is not my cup of tea" he exclaimed.
"Come on, Ravi do some "arnav frustrated.
"I may not perfect but she is expart in this matter,she will help you if you don't want to associate with police,she is best internet tech.
She will handle this very well.

Arnav's heart skipped a beat, a glimmer of hope shining through. With newfound determination, he asked "Who is she?"
"Her name is payal"ravi claim, while hearing the name the past run to her eyes
"Payal...."

Precap: marriage proposal for khushi