Copyrighted.com Registered & Protected  SLRL-2CTC-3PFF-NQPP

Friday, November 30, 2012

Chapter 18 - United we stand

The scene was uncannily stoic. Garima and Sasi wore somber looks while Shyam sported evil satisfaction, none of which was lost on ASR. The room hung heavy with melancholy as the denizens of the house occupied different corners of the large family room. ASR looked around, ignoring the others but Khushi was nowhere to be found. He was hoping to get a word in with her before he left the premises and went forward with the plan he had in mind. He concluded the family will have to be dealt with first before he got on his way. 

Something in their collective staring eyes told him he was no longer welcome under the Gupta roof. He had inkling why.


Sasi got up from his couch and headed in his direction. Not to miss a beat, Shyam followed, causing ASR to back to the door due to a quick flash of guilt and exit the front the door without explanations, even to Khushi. Sasi’s glare stopped him.

“Agent Raizada!” Sasi said grimly.

Uh Oh, he knows.

“We treat our guests with respect and hospitality but we expect them to follow our house rules. What you did is….” Sasi hesitated to form words, utterly disgusted by the conduct of the agent and his daughter, “ unacceptable” he settled on a milder reprimand.

“Unacceptable?” Shyam said in sheer frustration, “It is downright reprehensible! Sleeping with my fiancé?” Shyam spilled it, drawing gasps of horror from everyone around the room.

Sasi piped in, “Enough Shyam. The less we know about it, the better. I realize my daughter wronged you. You are welcome to break the engagement.” He turned to face a paper white Shyam. Shyam knew he had been cornered and if he did not steer carefully, he’d lose his precious cover called Khushi.

“Well. Errr… its certainly not her fault, you don’t say!” he stuttered and decided to shut up when he saw the smirk on ASR’s face. Shyam knew at that instant, his little bargain with Khushi was not a secret with ASR and he chose to seal his lips, too afraid to find out what else ASR knew.

ASR was relieved the man decided to shut up and not drag Khushi into the conversation. What he had shared with Khushi was not a night of lust, he knew that in his heart. It was more than that. It was a sanctimonious union that defied a name at this instant but given time, it could evolve into something beautiful. ASR wanted that chance with her and no Shyam would ever come in the way.
Khushi stood in the hallway stunned at the ongoing exchange. She strode in indignantly and slapped Shyam. “How dare you bring this up with my family?” she trembled in anger. Shyam held his cheek rendered warm by the sudden rush of blood where her hand connected with his cheek. He knew he was losing grip of the situation, suddenly the tables were turned on him.

“How dare I? I should be asking you that question?” He spat back, taking a step forward and towering over her, trying to intimidate her with his sheer size. She didn’t back down. ASR wanted to reach out and kiss her, in front of everyone. That would be rubbing salt into the wounds, he chuckled inside. He was beginning to find the entire situation quite hilarious. He decided it was time to bid adieu before things got out of hand but he wanted to make sure Khushi would be ok amongst this band of lunatics.

“Khushi, Dr. Gupta, and others. I just wanted to let you know that I am off the case. You don’t have anything to worry from me, anymore.” He laid it out simply for them.
All eyes in the room landed on him.
“No longer on the case? What do you mean?” Sasi exclaimed.
“Oh no! What about the Sabres and my connection to them?” Khushi quizzed more with worry of losing his company than the distant worry of Sabres.
Shyam laughed sarcastically, still holding his cheek.

“Well, Dr. Gupta, I am sorry for what happened. I cannot begin to explain. Khushi is a wonderful woman and she is not to be blamed. This accounts for conflict of interest, so FBI will find a replacement for me.” He explained to the gathering that had moved around him in the hallway. Then he paused and looked straight at Khushi, “I will be there for you, always, should you have any questions. I can offer you my informal advice and moral support, just no details about the case.” Their eyes spoke a million things as the room waited for ASR to continue. He didn’t have much to add.

“Good bye everyone.” He picked his bag and left through the front door. Khushi was sucker punched at the suddenness of his departure. The cold air from the front door as ASR exited brought a chill to her core. She was afraid she had lost the single best thing that had happened to her ever since the unfortunate series of events began hounding her. She had to be with him.

*****

FBI cars cruised quietly, following the black sedan. Noam was getting impatient as he couldn’t lose the tail. He was dying to be with Mariam to enjoy a quiet evening with her famous pot roast and a glass of Kosher sweet red wine, even though they did not celebrate Christmas. David kept checking the rear view mirror and glanced furtively at Noam, unsure of his partner’s plan.

Noam pressed the accelerator at a clear stretch of the road and zoomed past a red light. Not to be left behind, the FBI car set a flashing light atop the car and follow them without losing pace.

“Shit!” he cursed, “Didn’t see them in the premises at Isaacson’s. Shit! If they catch us now, we are doomed.” He gnashed his teeth.

For the first time in his twenty years of working with Noam, David saw a crack in the armor.
“Why not toss the weapon?” He suggested.

“No, I can’t. They are on to us and I think our game’s up. They must have seen us on the scene.” Noam’s mind raced working out different scenarios and conclusions to the current conundrum. He didn’t wish to call the boss, if the lines were tapped, they’d find out who he was talking to. He had to make up his mind fast. The flashing lights and sirens began chasing them as two more FBI cars joined the fray. It was time to do the unthinkable, the much dreaded ending he had always feared.

“David, do you have the confession letter?”

David nodded, his hands trembling at the sudden realization of what Noam suggested. He opened the glove compartment and took out the letter. A fresh letter every day, dated to match the day and time, a handwritten note signed and sealed by them both, a ritual they performed every morning to keep the letter current with detailed account of their activities thus far. A confession letter that absolved everyone in their Jewish mafia brotherhood, prepared just for such occasion when they found themselves in a cul-de-sac.

Noam called Mariam, “Hi Honey, Its me. Its time.” He whispered choking on his words. The voice on the other side wailed a deathly holler as Noam disconnected the call.

David watched the man driving the car crumble right before his eyes. His heart went out to his partner and his wife and for a fleeting moment, he felt sorry for Noam. As for him, he had no one waiting for him anywhere in the world, a loner who had nothing to lose or gain except the sheer thrill of being part of a brotherhood that had become his proxy family. And that family demanded loyalty until the last drop of blood had drained out of his body. It was indeed the time.

Noam shot another look at the rear view mirror. He glanced at David and nodded. The two men each took out a small vial hanging from their gold necklaces around their necks and simultaneously pried opened the lid of the vials. A pause first, they nodded at each other, and emptied the contents of the vials into their mouths.
“Holy Shit!” Kevin hit the brakes hard as the car in front of them swerved out of control hitting the embankment of a flyover bridge and flew over the rails into the traffic on the freeway underneath. The FBI cars screeched all at once, fish tailing to gain control over the slick snow, finally coming to a halt on the side shoulders. Kevin and NK got out of the car and rushed to the bridge to discover the fleeing car, lay overturned in the middle of the highway below the bridge, struck by a few passing cars in a massive accident. Smoke and burnt rubber filled the air as minor explosions in the upturned car set it ablaze.

Kevin radioed the emergency dispatch as he made way down to the highway to contain the damage and stop the other vehicles. He ran as fast his feet would take him to the site on the grassy slopes connecting the flyover to the highway. He covered his nostrils with his shirt sleeve to keep the fumes from his lungs and bent to check the upturned car through thick smoke and flames. Two quickly charring bodies lay upside down, their heads hung precariously over the asphalt held by seat belts and buffered by inflated air bags. The passenger was holding a letter crumpled in his hand. Kevin pulled out the letter, burning his hand but successfully retrieving it from the accident site.

The sirens filled the expanse of the highway. More police cars joined with ambulances, quickly going about the business of restoring order. The half charred bodies were retrieved along with more evidence from the trunk of the car. Kevin and NK methodically collected the evidence for safe keep. The two were back at headquarters in the early morning hours of Christmas.

*****

Khushi spent Christmas Eve sulking in her room. She was livid at Shyam and her family for tooling around her life at a time she needed a kind ear, a gentle embrace, a loving word….an ASR. An involuntary smile crept up her lips as she thought of their intimate night together. It had been beautiful and even though, neither had confessed any true feelings, she could not get rid herself of the loving tenderness he had showered on her. She had the strong need to find out if there was more to it.

Christmas morning dawned without the usual cheer at the Gupta mansion. Khushi had kept herself to her room. Sasi and Garima had tried to talk to her but she asked for some space and time alone. Her parents understood, her parentage, ASR leaving abruptly and her own reactions were enough to topple any applecart. She needed time to assimilate everything into her system

“Khushi, we need to talk.” A knock at the door brought her thoughts back to the unpleasantness called Shyam.
“Really?” she stood up, refusing to feel intimidated by the recalcitrant fool. She crossed her arms across her chest and ambled up to him in deliberate steps, “Is there anything left to talk?”

Shyam hid his surprise well. He hadn’t expected her to turn things around on him. He needed this engagement, now more than ever or else the carefully cultivated life would crumble faster than a house of cards.

“Look, it’s a deal for us, you know that and I know that. So let’s cut through the crap and get down to it. Stay engaged to me for another year and then we forget any of this ever happened.” He cocked his head trying hard to put a lid on his rising anger mixed with fear.

“Stay engaged! To you! You are nuts, Shyam!” She shook her head in derision and looked away.
“Need I remind you, you need this as much if not more than I.” He knew he’d have to remind her of the strong bargaining chip he held over her. She glared at him and clenched her jaw, metaphorically grinding his balls between her teeth.

“At this point, Shyam” she began, unfolding her arms and locking them behind her, and walking up to him she poke her index finger into his chest, “You need it more than I do. I have nothing to lose. I am a bastard child of a royal father and Jewish mother, did you know that? I am fucking adopted and I don’t even know my real parents. My life stands upside down and I am under death threat. The last ray of hope I had of getting to the bottom of this, you got rid of him. So, no Dr. Shyam Jha, I have nothing to lose. So go on right ahead” she poked him again with her index finger, “Do what you have to do. This engagement is officially and unequivocally, OVER” she poked again and lowered her voice,” Do…you…understand?”

She spoke through clenched teeth with anger dripping through every word she spoke. Shyam coiled back, never having seen her this way.  He was dumbstruck for a few moments but recovered fast. A classic evil smile descended on his face before he left her with his parting words, “You will regret this, Khushi. Watch me ruin you and your family.”

She held her head high till he was out of sight. She exhaled and drew in a few quick breaths to regain her composure when he left. It took the wind out of her, but she had done it. She had broken her sham of an engagement and suddenly she felt liberated. She needed to get some fresh air and she needed her own space.
Khushi had packed her bags and loaded her mini cooper in the attached 5 car garage. She paused contemplating whether to say bye to Sasi and Garima, her parents for all intents and purposes but she needed more time. She flicked the garage switch and the singleton door creaked open fighting the weight of fresh snow outside. She trudged out with a mini shovel to clear a small part of the driveway. She noticed that there were no FBI agents in sight.

She dropped the shovel and trudged to the small guest house. She knocked on the door but the place looked abandoned. No one.

She walked around the back. “Hellooooo, any body there?” she called out hoping to see some agent standing guard in the woods behind the guest house. Nothing.

She hurried back to the other side of the mansion and noticed the security cameras were gone, the FBI cars were gone, and there were no agents in sight. She felt a rush of panic upon the realization that there were no agents guarding the house or her family. She took off her glove and dialed ASR’s number.

His husky baritone voice mail cracked on the phone, This is Agent Arnav Singh Raizada. Sorry I can get to the phone right now, please leave a message, I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Shit, ASR! Where are you?

She texted him and called him many times. Nothing.

She did not have Kevin or NK’s number. She kicked the snow in frustration. “Aaargh!” She had to find ASR. She was afraid this was the end of her and her family.

****

ASR threw his bag on the bed and slumped on the springy mattress.
I will miss Khushi. But…first things first.
He dialed NK’s number. No answer.
He texted him to call him back.

He texted his sister Anjali,wishing her and family a Merry Christmas. This was not his idea of Christmas Eve but he had sent his gifts to his two lovely nieces and had gotten their pictures as a screen saver on his laptop. He smiled at them as he rebooted his laptop. He took off his clothes and crashed on his bed. He hadn’t slept like that in years.

Christmas began quietly outside the Lincoln Park neighborhood. A thin layer of snow had covered the sidewalks and the road. ASR got up lazily and checked his phone.

Khushi had left him many texts and voicemails. He sat up and called her.

“ASR! I don’t know what to do. There is no security detail here. I wasn’t sure who to call. What happened?” her panic stricken voice broke his heart. He wanted to be there for her and felt guilty leaving her alone.
“Khushi, calm down. I am sure there is a good reason for it. I will call Kevin and find out. Where are you right now?”

“Well, I am driving to my apartment. I couldn’t stand to be in the house with anyone.”
“Don’t go to your apartment, it’s not safe. Tell you what. Stop by my place till I figure this out. It will be safer here and no one would know.”  He rattled off his address to her and immediately called Kevin.
“Ah! Agent, I was about to call you. We got a breakthrough in the Sabre case!” Kevin sounded decidedly ecstatic and happy. ASR almost dropped his phone at the announcement.

“What do you mean?”
“We got the entire mother lode of evidence. The Mafioso, the culprits, lock stock and barrel, even the Sabres have been confiscated. Can you believe it? They were sitting discarded in a warehouse in the outskirts of Zurich.”
“I don’t understand. Slow down and explain to me.”
ASR sat down with a pencil and began taking notes.

The two men chasing Khushi for the Sabres were Noam Lasky and David Scholle, members of the jewish mafia with rap sheets as long as the Great Wall of China. They had murdered Isaacson and since FBI was scheduled to meet Isaacson, NK had caught tail of the two fleeing men. The men had died in a road accident but the cause of death was ingestion of cyanide capsules – a suicide mechanism common among organized crime. FBI had obtained a confession letter in which the men confessed to the crimes on royal families. FBI also impounded a black book with details on the murders of royal families and listing of all the Sabres stolen from those families. Each Sabre had a serial numbers associated with it. The numbers didn’t make much sense to the FBI and the FBI cryptographers believed them to be a factory order number common in World War 2 era. The Sabres were found locked in a warehouse, with nothing but a padlock protecting them.

ASR didn’t wish to kill the joy evident in Kevin’s voice but something didn’t add up. It was all too convenient and too clean. Mafia was famous for using fall guys and to ASR the dead men seemed like a convenient foil used by the real brains behind the entire operation. This was perfectly convenient for him. Now he could run his private investigation unfettered by protocols and secrecy surrounding an ongoing investigation.

He had about an hour before Khushi arrived. He changed into his running gear and decided to give himself a much deserved work out to clear his brain to think of his next steps. A half hour later he was back in his apartment and realized the sorry state it was in. He cleaned up the space, and quickly dashed into the shower. He’d barely finished when the doorbell rang.

He pulled on a sweat pant and rushed to the front door, hair and torso still sopping wet from the fresh shower.

“I’m coming!” he shouted as he sprinted to the door and opened it.

Khushi looked fresh as a bright Christmas light lighting up his doorway. She had been away from him for less than a day and she’d forgotten how handsome he looked. She stood outside the door, her mouth hanging open at the sight. His own mouth hung open at the dewy freshness he left behind. A gust of Chicago wind hit him, reminding him of his nakedness.

“Hi!” he greeted her cheerfully, “Come on in, before I turn into the iceman!” he grabbed her forearm and pulled her in, shutting the door behind her. She turned around and threw herself on him, enveloping him in a tight hug.

“I missed you!” her hot breath fanned on his wet chest as he looked on with complete surprise at the most genuine and loving gesture he had ever felt in a long time!




77 comments:

  1. Ahaaa.. you are back!! I have been checking and checking and rechecking your blog a dozen times a day. Welcome back.
    Amazing . It was just super duper.
    Your writing is amazing. keep writing. dont pull a Sobti on us ,again.
    Thanks
    Love
    Afshan

    ReplyDelete

  2. ......and I missed you :-))))))

    Kept checking and checking. Finally got an update.
    I love the way the action and reactions are so immediate and not long winded.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  3. Omg your post came as a surprise because I wasn't expecting you to update! But it's a lovely surprise and since it had been such a depressing day, I'm so glad I had this to read! Kushi slapping Shyam was the highlight for me, as it is in any story u read! Somewhere it gives me unexplainable pleasure to see him slapped! But I like the way the story is progressing.. Confused about if Arnav told Kevin about NK but I guess I have to wait to see NKs involvement in this whole thing. From the beginning I thought that ASR and NK had a nice relationship and Im wishing it doesn't change! The ending bit just melted my heart! They are precious! Can't wait to see what's next! Keep up the great work! --- Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  4. OMG! SJ You r back!! Hope the emergency is over and everything settled.
    Was stalking almost everyday.
    Caught up with the update in a rush. And yes you had to stop there. Glad Khushi broke the sham engagement.

    I was also surprised that finding sabres and evrything sound too convinient. Waiting for you to reveal more.
    -shree10

    ReplyDelete
  5. glad u update.... took long time but anyways worth it as K broke the engagement with S. awesome
    HAPPY FIRST DECEMBER

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awww... The ending was so cute.
    And you're right. Something doesn't add up. Even if the FBI found the file. Why did the 2 guys have a confession letter? Aren't they committed to their brotherhood??
    And ASR and khushi, yum!
    Did Shyam have something to do with all the agents disappearing?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hiiii SJ!!! WELCOME BACK!!! *HUGGG*
    gawd!!! u dunno how much the blog has been stalked in the past week!!!
    But now i am sooo happy!!

    waoh!! This is the 1st time i am commenting on the blog!!! *grinn*

    Really really loved the update!!

    trust me i myself felt liberated on teh break up from snake!!

    I love the monologues that runs in ASR's mind always!! *chuckle* ...i can almost visualize the scene as if in a movie...

    Okie the mafia thingy ... defo looks creepier to me now than it was earlier ... and to add on what it troubles me to know that shyam can cause harm to the famliy now!!

    btw ... what happened between NK and Gitu? that still remains a mystery... what was Gitu upto? is this gonna get revealed at later point?

    but nevertheless ... yay!! ARHI are together now!! nice christmassie start i must say!! *wink*

    Cant wait for the next!!
    Thanks for updating hun!!

    ~P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ouh ya .. i forgot!!
      My IF uname is arushi_fan
      i chatted with you before u left for ur holiday!!

      Delete
  8. Ahh did we just get an update! Sooo happy, I was stalking like crazy! Thankyou SJ, dil se. :*
    What a mind blowing and fast paced chapter!
    So much happened. Shyam, that ass - Im so happy he got it from Khushi.. Such a loser. Having said that, his last words were a bit scary. Hope ASR and Khushi have nothing to fear.
    Noam, David and that confession letter. Same question as ASR, can this all be so easily over?
    Kevin seems happy though, much relieved compared to the previous call - can ASR be back on the case? Or, wait. There's ASR 's plan that we still dont know about. Dammit I need chapter 19 already!
    And, and, and. Last scene. Khushi is back with ASR. World seems alright! I loved the hug.. These two cant stay away from each other no matter what. Can Khushi pleeeeease tell ASR jaldi se about her broken engagement? Im so excited to see how everything progresses now.
    Will we get a next update soon? Please?
    Thankyou for this FF SJ, this is the only one I read and now that IPK is over - your Arnav and Khushi are going to be an integral part of my life.
    Loveeeee.
    Number.one.fan (IF)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I hope everything is okay with you an your loved ones. Thank you so much for writing a new chapter. Like the other readers I check your blog several times a day from my phone to see if you posted a new chapter. I love the way you write.. its so descriptive, I can visualize everything and feel as though im watching a movie.

    -SD

    ReplyDelete
  10. amazing update dear.....


    Huny.thebest

    ReplyDelete
  11. SJ, it feels so good to see you back and treat us with such a wonderful update...hope all is well, now...
    I loved ASR and then,the dauntless Khushi ..slapping the anomie (Shyam) and then standing up and breaking off that sham-engagement......ASR-Shyam.. the dichotomy is so perceptible..
    So Noam-David took the easy way out...I felt sorry for Mariam..and,yes,the retrival of the Sabres and all evidences associated with them, seem to good to be true..
    Ah, Khushi is back with ASR and the hug was so endearing....Awaiting now to see how ASR goes about with his private investigation..


    Aanchal15-IF

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi SJ,
    First of all welcome back :) Hope everything's fine with u & all emergencies have been dealt with.
    Loved the chapter, the pace was awesome, super fast & full of tension. The bestest thing in the whole chapter was when K slaps Shyam & breaks off the engagement with him. You turned a depressing day into a joyous one.
    Thanks for updating Inspite of your personal crisis.
    I.F-deepa876

    ReplyDelete
  13. This seems just too easy and simple......I know there's more to it and I trust Arnav on that.....glad khushi took a step concerning Shyam!:/ I want to know wat the mother fucker is upto!!!!!!!-_-
    great update!
    Rabzooo

    ReplyDelete
  14. That was a beautiful update, filled with ups and downs.....at the end they r together, yes kushis safe for the time being with ASR.

    The revelations by Kevin about sabres is quite confusing.......too many loop holes and still FBI took it for granted. Wish ASR and K work together towards the truth.

    Loved the wonderful slap and breaking of engagement by K.......the royal blood is on. But whats Shayams real intention? Aditi is involved with him? whats NKs role? lots of questions

    ReplyDelete
  15. glad khishi broke the engagement and so happy that you updated

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh you are back! welcome back!
    i liked so many things in this chap!
    ASR Smirk
    Khushi slapping Shayam babu
    Khushi broke the eng
    Finding Sabres (little soon)
    And at last ASR and Khushi i ARS place.

    And the you hace to stop there.........
    will wait
    latha

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh you are back! welcome back!
    i liked so many things in this chap!
    ASR Smirk
    Khushi slapping Shayam babu
    Khushi broke the eng
    Finding Sabres (little soon)
    And at last ASR and Khushi i ARS place.

    And the you hace to stop there.........
    will wait
    latha

    ReplyDelete
  18. You r back, hope all Is well!,,
    Fantabulous update

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh you are back! And with a bang, nay, with a slap! Wow that was the highlight! Keep making someone or the other punch or wring or slap Shyam is every update like this, its so relieving. And God that man is pure evil. I'm so glad Khushi ended things with him.

    The plot is getting so interesting. I cannot wait for more! (And with all that Christmas-y feel, its just lovely!)

    IF - vgedin

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh..u r so mean!!! Do u have to finished here........
    sprit of Khushi finally she broke her engagement...
    Oh...I felt like I am on her place and wanted to hug him tight...
    awesome update

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sj,
      I am regular reader and well wisher of ur writing..
      I am really loving and enjoying ur new ff "The Sabre Chronicals".
      Just to let u know that I'm flying back to my country cause of some family issues. I'm coming back at new yr (Australia).
      So, I may not be able to access online but please if u didn't find my comments on ur updates don't assume I am not interested anymore...

      Delete
  21. i'm so happy you updated!!
    very nice chapter!!! like arnav i think there is something fishy...this case can't be over yet, what are the bad guys up to??!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. loved the update.
    casker(if)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi SJ, glad to have you back! The story is really moving along now and I am so glad to see Khushi calling Shyam's bluff! And I am sure it s a bluff! Hoping that NK is not a traitor since I cannot see him as evil! The coding typically on the Sabres should be the access codes to Bank accounts for the Nazis! The moved a lot of monies around the globe and there were secret codes etc to the "treasure!"
    Looking forward to some more passionate scenes with ASR and Khushi since this is all we have now!
    Take care,
    Maya Di

    ReplyDelete
  24. Welcome back ... hope all's well with you ...
    The best thing that Khushi could have done was to break off the engagement with Shyam the creepy swine ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Am just not sure about the Sabre issue being solved ... I feel there is more than meets the eye ... and why has FBI removed all security ???
      There is too much happening and too many unsolved mysteries ... waiting for more ...

      Delete
  25. Awwww thank u SO SO much for updating SJ :D I was daily stalking this FF in hope of an update :(

    It was WORTH the wait ;) FANTASTIC!

    Oooops.. So Kevin is being misguided . :O I cant wait to know what is going in Arnav's mind..

    And THANK YOUUU for breaking Khushi and Shyam's enagagement. Good riddance.. :D And that SLAP was icing on the cake.. ROFL

    What a cliffhanger this is.. <33 Cant wait to read more.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. i love kushi yaar!!!
    that one slap is not enough!!!!!!!!!
    omg they are back together and those two are dead.........cant wait for next!!
    this one is freaking awesome yaar!!


    neenaLUVarnav

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am assuming that now the real chase will start with just the two of them trying to work things out. Good to see Shyam put in his place.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hey, welcome back. Hope everything's fine with you. It was an action-packed update. Glad K broke her engagement. But what about NK and Gitu? Can't wait to read ASR's plan of action ahead. Thanks for such an amazing chapter :)
    Cheers
    Shrutee

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for this needed update...I am soo glad that Khushi dumped Shyam and his mean old ass...
    Good update and defnitely looking forward to the next one...

    Soloperson,IF

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your updates.. arnav and kushi are finally alone together.. ALONE!! lol. hope something happens between them again.

    glad your back hope everything is ok. looking forward to your next update which i hope comes very very soon.

    Roshni_n IF

    ReplyDelete
  31. you're back!! been checking the blog everyday!!

    finally some movement from all sides.. shyamu and khushi, asr and khushi.. david and noam.. super...

    ReplyDelete
  32. another suspense-filled update... didn't like much arnav almost running away from the imbroglio when the truth about his relationship with khushi came out in the open... however, know he couldn't have done much in the circumstances as any attempt at justification would have only aggravated the situation... loved khushi standing up to her family and making a stand against shyam... thank god that sham engageement is over! hope shyam's threat is an empty one and that khushi's family, especially, won't suffer... have no fears about khushi's safety as arnav is sure to protect her! now that arnav and khushi are together again, am sure they'll together get to the bottom of the conspiracy... surprised that the fbi easily believed all the evidence presented to them on the proverbial platter! can't wait to learrn what happens next!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Ah finally! lot of confusion cleared..or is it just the beginning.??? anyways for time being am happy that David and Noam are dead and Khushi gave back to Shyam nicely...but there are many links here..Gitu, NK, shyam...
    BUt happy that Khushi has reached ASR...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Obviously this is not the last we'll hear of the Sabres!!What I'm intrigued about is the manner in which they'll surface again!
    So actually speaking...the real story will probably start now...when most of the people involved are relaxed thinking its all over.
    Glad Khushi found her way back to Arnav. :D

    -raomedhz.

    ReplyDelete
  35. nice update.....i liked the way kushi stood her stand.i liked how she stood against shyam...happy tht kushi reached arnav.but wat is arnav's plan???

    wen the moment wer noam n david died i felt sorry for a minute,wen mariam cried over the phone.tht noam shudnt hv brought her into this.tht was not fair.he shud hv remained unmarried if he is into the job of killing.now tht girl shud also suffer...but sometiems things r like tht....but as noam has undertaken the job of killing somebdy he deserves this...the ppl he hv killed wud also have had a lifepartner waiting somewer.so he deserves it....my pity is for mariam,i feel sorry for her.love happens,tht is not her fault....

    nk?!quizzical.he is still there.so did gitu spill the beans n wer they helping the investigation???rather than against it!i cant beleive shyam had the nerve to bring it b4 the family.good tht kushi slapped him.but wer is payal,she was mysteriously missing!

    i feel shashi n garima shud hv given a little more room for thot if kushi prefered arnav to shyam wen she came to knw the toughest thing of her life.atleast shashi shud hv.

    daljeet

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hello SJ :D
    I've just got a chance to actually read your story and I've finished reading all of it within the last few days last night was my last read. I somehow feel as if I am being pulled into a Dan Brown Novel here one my favorites "Angels and Demons". That should tell you how amazing your story is at the moment and I really love it. A beautiful love story set in a fast-pace setting a glimpse into the past and a present that is even more complicated than the past. All your readers including myself are dying to know more about that past. At the moment I don't know who to trust but I am leaning towards Arnav. NK and Gitu I'm a bit confused about their behavior. Payal is a total mystery and the only clear thing about her is that she hates Khushi. I somehow sense there is an inside man within the family and I'm waiting for that revelation. I am anxious to know who is the mole within the FBI and whether or not Sashi is hiding other stuff. About the people who helped Sashi in the beginning why did they stop giving their assistance? Did I miss something?
    SJ brilliant story :D
    I'm off now to catch up with Anne's "Unchained Melody" :D

    ReplyDelete
  37. Fiiinally the much needed breakup!! What the hell d0es Shyam want?? And s0 n0w it means the investigati0n will g0 0n fr0m Arnav's end 0nly? Hmm interesting. And yes, waiting f0r the devel0pments *ahem* in the appartment

    ReplyDelete
  38. nice refreshing update.
    The show must go on, Sigh..

    So here Arnav Shyaam and Khushi are playing their parts out.
    Some one feels threatened and reasons remain unknown.

    Intriguing.. As always I want to know more.

    A lot more.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Shyam got slapped! yaaay! I hope Khushi's family realizes he was threatening her with them. And what is it that he has to conceal with this sham engagement? I hope the FBI take ASR back on the case, because he clearly is the only one with a functional brain. Why wouldn't Kevin get suspicious on finding the confession letter? I mean how many criminals go about with all the evidence conveniently on their person? Stupid gora :P
    -S

    ReplyDelete
  40. WelcomeBack!!:)

    thought to check to see if there was an update and bingo !!:)
    Loved it and yaaaay!! tArnav and Khushi are back together , Very thrilling and cannot wait to read more

    ReplyDelete
  41. Loved the update. It is becoming more and more interesting.love all your stories. I have read each one of them many times as I just love them.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Love your fanfic. I just love allyour stories. This one is becoming more interesting by the day

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi SJ, :)

    Wow! A lot happened in this chapter. Khushi found the strength to broke her fake engagement to Shyam and also gave him a slap for what Shyam made Khushi go through. The two guys after Khushi died and left a confession letter and information that revealed a lot about Sabres. I don’t understand they died because they were not allowed to reveal anything regarding the Mafia and their mission but they still gave out all the important information. I don’t understand? So, just like Arnav I too feel there is something fishy in that whole confession situation.

    Though I felt bad for Mariam and her husband but then I thought about it…Noam killed so many innocent people I shouldn’t feel bad for him. However, I do feel a bit bad for Mariam since she is a wife and like any wife she will be in deep pain knowing that her husband died. I wonder why she even married such a person in the first place who was destined to die. :s

    I don’t know about NK and Gitu. So far I have seen NK under a positive light, he even helped capture the two men and found the confession letter. So I don’t know about others I don’t see NK as the bad guy. He may have secrets like every other character in this story but he doesn’t seem like he will be disloyal as an agent. But then again there is a lot of surprise element in this fan fiction. So, I will wait and see. :)

    Though I am happy that Khushi left her house and moved in with Arnav but what had Payal planned for Khushi during her return on the Christmas holidays? You didn’t explain/show that or did I just missed it? :s

    As always patiently waiting for the next chapter to be updated. :)

    Rimz :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Whoa!

    Noam and David are dead!

    FBI is off her detail? Or was there something else?

    And she went to Arnav!

    The whol fiasco with her family and Shyam! She broke up finally!

    Yeah! Lots of air punches and jumps!

    SJ! This moves fast, reminds of 24 or such shows... A lot happens in each update!

    Thank you!

    JerryTheMouse - Sachi

    ReplyDelete
  45. Shyam getting slapped never gets boring.....no matter who is doing the slapping!!!
    Phew so finally the engagement is off.....it was anyways a dead weight on khushi's shoulders
    2 bad guys down.....how many more to go???
    Isn't FBI too quick to shut this case???
    And khushi and ASR in his house...ooooo.......super exciting.....let the chase begin

    Shweta1691

    ReplyDelete
  46. Wow!!welcome back...what an update!!Beautifully written..

    ReplyDelete
  47. Welcome back sj was checking the blog everyday
    wonderful update will arnav find the real culprit or are two of them are involved in it

    ReplyDelete
  48. Welcome back sj wonderful update good shyam got slapped

    ReplyDelete
  49. Great work!!! brilliant story from start.I am so enjoying this story.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Welcome back :)
    The first thing that crossed my mind after this update was that the confession seemed too convenient and obvious..I'm sure there's more to it then what meets the eye!
    The best part of this update was Khushi slapping Shyam :D I always enjoy such a scene,wherever and whenever :D
    And yaayy Khushi and Arnav are together by the end of this update :D:D
    I just cant get enough of your stories!!

    barunxoxo (IF)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hi SJ,

    Hope everything is fine. Lovely update and Kushi has made a smart move

    ReplyDelete
  52. aaaaaaaa......lovely to c n update...

    investigation without protocol....will it be without added security too???

    so now shyam know bout the whole sabre n khushis actual relationship with guptas too. .

    but i m glad tho khushi cut her ties with him...n yet i m scared to c what he is capable of.....

    sj, wanted to share this....strangely enough i m having hard time seein barun as this asr....salman khan keeps poping in my hesd everyrime i resd the update...ofcourse with katrina kaif.....

    not sure uf the chase n settung is similar to ek tha tiger or its just my mind fabricating it....but barun just doesnt come in my head...

    loved the whole daal mein kuch kala attitude from ASR N the last scene was to die for...

    thnk u for such a wonderful trest..

    where r nk n aditi....the money wire transfer from his laptop was the last thing mentioned...pls do update soon...

    literally hanging at the edge of my seat...

    regards
    avni
    highonshows

    ReplyDelete
  53. Welcome back hope all is well. Loved the chapter so Shyam is out, not for long I have a feeling.
    What an end a hug loved it so much. Can't wait for the next update. Thanks
    Kavita1970

    ReplyDelete
  54. great update. i'm glad khushi finally broke up with shyam is with asr for christmas. i'm sure there's a lot more to come.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Yohoo ! SJ is back and Shyam got slapped !

    Great update as usual . Waiting for more , more & more ...............

    ReplyDelete
  56. Like ASR, the fall of Noam and David is proving to be part of a master plan that is being carefully orchestrated by someone we have yet to meet. Its too clean and I believe he or she is waiting to get Khushi out in the open because it seems she is a main part of a puzzle! Aahh, this story feels like a mesh of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons and any of Jodi Piccoult's famous "normal family" scenario. I LOVE IT :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. jumps with joy

    two great things happened..Khushi finally told Shyam to back off.. better late than never

    and ASR and Khushi are alone together..

    -Smarties-

    ReplyDelete
  58. Oh great I will kill that Shyam :( But HIP HIP HURRAY TO Khushi for finally throwing him out on his ass. And this is gonna be fantabulous Xmas :D

    ReplyDelete
  59. Ha Ha! Shyam got dumped.
    ooh the rest was thrilling! Those two thugs committed suicide and left notes...what's up? And Khushi is on the run :( of course she is with Arnav but still..

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hi SJ!!!
    hope your doing good :)
    Loved the chapter...
    Btw, you just left it there, hanging in the middle!!! urghhhh...
    continue sooonishhhhh, plzzz :P
    waiting eagerly to read the next chapter...
    tc, love
    JIA (Pinkss)

    ReplyDelete
  61. hello this is ankita i just found out ur blogs and would love to read them and i have read on india forums that filgreed sun is indeed one of the best works on arshi so i hope ull let it be on the blog and allow me the honour to read it plus with the show ending nthng more is left except reading the stories on them so a heartfelt request please continue writing about arnav and khushi and keep them alive thanku and i look forward to reading the filgreed sun and this one too

    ReplyDelete
  62. hi i just found out ur blog and i have read on if that filgreed sun is indeed one of the best works on arshi and i really look forward to reading that and this one to and the honour is all mine plus with the show ending the way to keep them alive is indeed stories so a heartfelt request please cntinue writing about arshi and keep them alive !!!!!!!!!! ankita

    ReplyDelete
  63. yayyy khusi dumped Shyam "the prick"
    and the story begins from here.... it cant that easy to solve things..... oh my m more excited than ever.... thriller just started!!

    loved the chapter..... Khusi went to ASR!! awww....

    SJ dear.. its been a while u last updated!! i hope u are ok hon..... take care dear...
    and try updating soon....
    we will wait!!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Update, please. Waiting, waiting, waiting...

    ReplyDelete
  65. Hey.. so I am new reader to your stories... and all I can say is your a wonderful writer!

    I cant believe I just started reading you work! I read the Filigreed sun in one go.. and now this story!!

    You have me hooked!!!

    Love the suspense, romance, lust and humor you write in these stories!!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Hey I have started reading your blog recently and must say its awesome. Right now reading The Filigreed sun and must say lovin it. Do keep writing.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I totally think it is set up..suddenly everything is a mystery now.

    ReplyDelete
  68. U r one awesome writer
    Loved d update

    ReplyDelete
  69. What is the NK connection???
    SO atleast the murderers are dead...

    ReplyDelete
  70. That was awesome! Just came across this Story yesterday. And nie it is 4 in the Morning and i am still Not able to stop Reading. Fantastic Job. As all Ur Stories!!xx

    ReplyDelete
  71. This will prevent the dοugh from gettіng ѕtuck tightly to the surface of
    thе pizza pan. When уοu aге bakіng brеаd,
    you can гaіse the bгead dough in the
    colԁ oven аnd then just turn on the oνen to the сorrеct temperatuгe οnce the bread іs raіsеԁ.
    I'm sure you'll find ouг rеѵiews tο
    bе honest anԁ accurate.

    Mу wеb-site :: pizza pan ashtabula

    ReplyDelete
  72. Fab update, but confounded again & I agree with ASR it all seemed a bit to easy, I am also surprised at what the henchmen had in their suicide letter!!!

    Have a pile of things to do but can't stop myself from reading one part to the next even though I know I need to stop, that's how brilliant this story is!!!

    ReplyDelete