Chapter 16

There was a warm silence in the room, but yet a 1000 words were spoken not by voice but by heart beats. Two hearts became one that very second. Her heart tied strings to his and he was so vulnerable so given. Protecting her making those strings into strong ropes. ASR vowed to protect and give Khushi his all his everything.

After what felt like ages she separated from his embrace still in his arms though she looked up at him seeing the real ASR in broad daylight for the first time. That legend that myth that name which had so much attached his reputation of being this strong hearted cold blooded gangster who was notorious in nature stood right before her, she should have been frightened and not trusted him any other girl would do that. ASR is the head of the mafia. But not Khushi No

Khushi looked straight into his eyes and studied his features his strong nose those perfect blod lips that constantly kissed every part of her body. His strong muscles his huge biceps. Standing before her she couldn't see the "Notorious ASR" she could see her "SoulMate"

Arnav watched her study him, he knew she needed a few seconds to digest the news the shock of him being ARNAV and ASR. Silently allowing her to roam her eyes over him his heart pumped all his blood faster. his body warm flushing with heats of romance of love of togetherness.

"ASR" spoke Khushi in soft tone

He stood silent waiting to see what she would say next

"Why are you a gangster?"

Came the next sentence Arnav broke off the trance leading her to the single bed opposite him he said

"Lets sit and talk"

She remained silent as she waited for her answer. In a gruff voice he said

"Its a long story love, one with no fairytale attached to it." he explained to her warning her that she may not like the final outcome of what came next.

"I am prepared please answer my question, Why did you become a gangster?" she asked in her innocent voice yet giving him the assurance that she could handle it.

He lifted her chin, their eye levels were the same looking into those brown eyes he said to her revealing the truth "To protect you"

Khushi's heart stopped what does he mean to protect her, protect her from what she was not in any danger before she came into this world of mafias so whats he talking about "Protect me from what" she asked in a single breath

"Protect you from your past." he revealed some more confusing her even more of what he was talking. Arnav got into dept now revealing everything.

"The heir to the Raizada empire is not me Khushi. Its You" he said in a stone cold voice. Giving Khushi the shock of her life. She is an heiress to a mafia empire what the hell is going on remaining silent not interrupting him she let him continue.

"Your father was Nirmal Singh Raizada. Back in the 50's when India was coping with its freedom. Your father started the Raizada empire out of spite, over a piece of land. The fight was between his  older brother Nimish Singh Raizada and him. Their father left the land for your father as he had more faith in him that his older son, and your father being your father with his nature ensured that he got the land through his might and force and was declared as the Boss of the area.

Bombay and its fast growing era, used the land to cultivate plants that were processed into drugs that was marketed and distributed across the city. As the years went by his name and reputation became wider and larger reaching international markets with hippies coming into the port in large numbers to try our famous Luster-Duster  drug. An invention created by a local chemist and your father to infuse the feeling of nirvana.

As your fathers empire grew he started to meet more people attend more parties thats where he met your mother. A young maharashtrian woman Ms Sudha Datta." Arnav smirked back at Khushi who was so immersed in the story. She couldn't believe that these were her parents.

Arnav continued "Your mother an incredible woman Khushi and a fabulous cook your father fell for her not only because of her beauty but because of her innocence. Your guts come from your father, you have his notorious  nature running in your veins thats why you came here from Goa to look for me. But your beauty and innocence comes from your mother"

She smiled back genuinely as Arnav told her more and more about her  parents. Arnav pushed back against the wall at his point and let his arms out signalling her to come for a cuddle. She smiled came back and rested her head on his chest as he held her tight continuing the story.

"Your parents got closer and closer and a courtship started even before they decided to get married. Your grandparents from your mothers side had no idea that their daughter was making excuses to go learn cooking but was actually with your father and when they found out about the affair. They were ashamed and your grandfather decided to get your mother married to a wealthy Maharashtrian family of their cast.

But your father couldnt stand it. He couldnt let your mother marry in another family and he kidnapped her and they got married in the temple near by. After which your grandfather and your mothers brother vowed to seek revenge for the insult that your mother caused them." Khushi cradled against his chest the story was taking an ugly turn at this point. He could feel it and in a soft voice he asked her "Are you okay we can stop if you want" and in an instant she replied "No i want to know everything tell me Everything" she said. He nodded back continuing 

"Your parents started a happy family, your mother was pregnant with you and your father was on top of the world. He was the happiest man alive when you were born. Uncle Tom was present when your father first held you" Khushi pulled out of his embrace at this point and looked up at Arnav warmth on her face getting red with flushes of emotions running over her body he breath faster. on the mention of Tom  "Uncle Tom, Uncle Tom knew my father? How does Uncle Tom fit into this whole thing I am confused" she asked in one breath

"Uncle Tom, back then known as Rajesh Mattre AKA Rajja Bhai was your fathers biggest support and right hand man in his large drug operations that he executed. He "(Khushi interrupted) "Wait What Uncle Tom wasnt Uncle Tom but was someone else!!!"  Khushi mouth turned into an "O" and eyes as round and saucers she looked at him.

"Yeah he changed his identity from Rajja Bhai to Tom but there is one more catch love"

"What" Khushi asked "Uncle Tom like you fondly called him was actually my father"

Arnav nodded and Khushi in disbelife looked back at him "What The Fuck" there was silence between the two of them Uncle Tom wasnt Uncle Tom but was this Rajja Guy and Arnav AKA ASR was Uncle Tom's son what the hell was going on. In one day Khushi had heard so much about her past that she couldnt understand what to make of it at all.

Arnav said "Its all in the story should I continue?" he asked her smirking and Khushi nodded "Rajja Bhai Aka Uncle Tom knew everything your father did. He knew all the dark secretes of the empire all the connections to your father. He  stratergized for your father to get him out legal trouble to make sure that the empire ran smoothly... It was after you were born that your father didnt want anyone to know that you were his daughter to protect you from his enemies 

(Remembering he said with a smile) I was 15 years old at the time and you were 8 when i first saw you. My father brought me in because he had made up his mind that he wanted me to be a part of the business incase anything ever happened to him. My first assignment was off  protecting you" he looked at her softly "I was your bodyguard I had to follow you everywhere you went, When I first saw you I looked into those brown eyes of yours and all I could see was innocence and warmth"

Khushi's face flushed with a blush and her eyes softened "You were this 8 year old brat who would climb up and down table and run around the place. playing with your dolls you would tell me that I am your prince and you were my princess" he said chuckling and Khushi said in a soft voice "You are my only prince" he picked her hand up in his and kissed it "And you are my princess" they smiled at each other and Khushi asked

"Why did we separate and why did Uncle raise me Goa? my life sounded perfect I had parents my father being a don he looked like he really loved me and I had you as well so why did my happy life turn so distant and away" "because what happened next broke your father and it was important to protect you from the repercussions of it." Arnav revealed "what do you mean Arnav?" she asked confused

"You remember I told you that your grandfather was upset with your parents and their marriage. In the years that past your grandfather kept quite waiting for the right moment to attack. Your mother was at the Gateway of India that day you were standing next to her holding her hand and I stood next to you along with another bodyguard. It was a quite day that day and not too many people around when your the shooting started,

We ducked down under the benches for cover. I removed my gun and fired back. You were so little you may not even remember I shield you away. The firing went on and on. Your mother asked me to take you from there. I refused to do so I said we will all go I couldnt just leave her like that. But your mother insisted she begged me to take you away to get you out of this mess to save you. Unable to handle the fear of loosing you she got up and walked towards her brother and they came face to face she surrendered and was stabbed to death by him." Khushi held Arnav tight as tears flew from her eyes thinking of her mother. Her brother walked away from there and once everything was quite I brought you safely home.

When your father found out about this he started a gang war with your uncle for killing his wife. Your uncle however was well prepared he attacked your father where it hurt most. he took over the land that grew the plants and burnt everything smithereens. They came after the house you all lived in as well. There was danger everywhere I once again had to protect you and get you out of the fire." Khushi held him tighter as he pressed kisses on her head to sooth her pain.

"What happened to my father?" she asked softly and Arnav answered. Your father always had a backup plan he had converted all his wealth to diamonds before your uncle attacks dropped the empire. He was alive even after the fire waiting to take revenge from your uncle. My father Your father You Me and those diamonds worth 100 crore that was all that was left of it." there was silence filled in the room when Arnav again picked the pace of the story "In a silent sneak attack it was planned you would be sent away to Goa in a tiny town with my father and they would change their identity to protect you and so he changed his name to Tom Gonsalvis and you became his daughter. While I stayed back with your father and introduced back into the world as ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA Heir to the RAIZADA EMPIRE."

"ASR" she said in a soft voice. He nodded back both their hearts beating faster and faster. "I helped your dad build the empire back again and we revived it back"

"But if you were introduced as my fathers son as ASR how come people dont know you and think your a myth" she asked curious? "because father always told people that his sons name is ASR but never introduced me as a person. I was a mystery to people and thats what revived our empire. Under your fathers wing i learnt the trick to this profession how to maintain a notorious background and remain a mystery to restart the business, personally i never approved off what i ever did."

"then why did you do it" she asked in a gentle voice "because of you, whatever I did was to protect you to keep you safe. Your father My father it didn't matter I spent alot of time with you and thats all that mattered to me every time I would feel sad you would come in front of my eyes"

She kissed his chest snuggled close to him looking up she said in a soft voice. "thank you" he kissed her lips sucking on her feeling her their hearts tied "honestly all the money I ever got from it I invested it into the poor. I know I have sinned i know what I did playing in the world of drugs killing, it was never my choice I was 15 when I was told I had to be a part of this world and it never interested me at all, I was so deep into it after your mom and you that it was hard to leave it and walk away. My reason was you and to survive the harshness of this world I used the profits of it to build hospitals and schools. I knew you love children so I started building play centres for street kids. It was all for you"

"Oh Arnav." She lifted herself to his level and kissed his lips so passionately biting tongue. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her life seemed like her movie her past seemed unrealistic and finding out about her parents was also very strange but through it all the only thing that made sense in this crazy messed up world was him. Her Arnav Her ASR and he did what he had to just for her. She was amazed at how lucky she was to have him.  Pulling back there were a few questions that still haunted her that she couldnt resist and had to ask

"What happened to my father Arnav.... Is he... Is he still alive?"