Shantivan was filled with unsettling noise of approaching storm. The main driving force of the upcoming force majeure were, obviously, Anjali and Khushi. Anjali because the truth that was hidden from her had the most direct connection to her… and Khushi because she hated to be left out.

Nani-ji was too worried to discuss this right now so she went to her room to rest. Manorama made an excuse to go with her to "take care of my dear saasu-ma" because she really didn't want to end up in the eye of hurricane. Aarav was sent to his room to study and even though Khushi was pretty sure he was playing video games she could not summon enough strength for proper parenting right now… Her strength was needed here:

- Arnav-ji, I don't understand, how could you keep us in the dark about something like this? This is unfair!

Anjali nodded regally to Khushi's statements for she was too wind up for speaking just now. Khushi was pacing quickly on the floor, supplementing her speech with angry glares and emotionally charged gesticulation.

- I mean… are we small kids to be treated so? Couldn't we help?

Arnav stood up from his chair abruptly and caught Khushi by her elbows. She halted half-step and looked at him – Arnav's expression was a mixture of anger and fear:

- That exactly what I didn't want from you! When you were helping to save me from him you almost got yourself killed!

Khushi offered peacefully:

- But I haven't…

Arnav still exploded no matter how calm were Khushi's words:

- Do you think I was willing to risk it?

He prompted her to sit on a chair and kneeled before her. Arnav was speaking loud enough for everybody to hear… but really he was speaking only to Khushi. Trying to make HER understand…

- I really thought we could handle it on our own… I didn't want to let this ruin your lives, to scare you… to give you nightmares. But… it's been two months now… and still nothing. I'm… sorry. I'm so sorry, Khushi…

Arnav hid his face turning away from her. Not many people would notice this change but Khushi saw how his shoulders dropped and he stiffened trying to hide inside himself. She knew the signs… her husband felt helpless, exhausted… defeated.

Khushi cupped his face to turn him to face her again.

- Arnav-ji… I never ever doubted that you can take care of it on your own. You are the most fearless and smart man I know. If anyone can catch that snake – it will be you. I just wanted to be with you when you will celebrate your victory, that's all. And you will, I know it.

Khushi's voice was barely audible yet it vibrated through Arnav's body like a thunder… Because only she had this kind of power over him…

To the rest of the world may have known ASR as a man of cold dignified composure who would never ask for permission of approval from anybody… and only the chosen few knew the reality. There was somebody who's support and approval Arnav cherished the most, his aqua vitae, his wall to lean on and his inspiration to try harder and succeed.

He whispered trying to convey his gratitude and love through this one simple sound:

- Khushi… My Khushi…

She understood. She forgave. She was there with him. Always…

…

The little family reunion between Arnav and Khushi was getting a bit too intimate for the rest of the audience so they thought it would be for the best if the left. Anjali stood up and whispered to Javed and NK:

- I'll go make some tea, you two help Lavanya to the dining table.

Actually, Anjali didn't want Lavanya to be there in the first place – she was too concerned for her health. But doctor said that it was mild concussion and nothing to worry about so Lavanya was adamant to see the outcome of these events on her own eyes and declined any offers to go to her room.

…

When Anjali just made tea NK showed up to kitchen counter to help her with the tray. She accepted his help with gratitude and they both went to the dining room to join Javed and Lavanya.

Back in the dining room Javed was applying soothing balm to Lavanya's temple in slow round motions… it felt so nice Lavanya had closed her eyes to lock herself in the moment. Javed whispered something to Lavanya's ear and she giggled. Seeing this little exchange NK sighted heavily:

- Oh, c'mon! Why is everybody pairing up in this house? Don't we have some bigger issues to solve?!

Anjali looked at him in confusion trying to understand the implications of what he was saying… Pairing up? But… aren't Javed…

Her train of thoughts was interrupted by Lavanya's comment:

- Oh, good, you brought the tea! Can I have a cup?

Anjali nodded absentmindedly and went on to serve everybody their tea. NK dropped himself by the table and asked:

- So… what's next? I mean… should we go to police, ask for protective custody or something?

Anjali snapped at him:

- Still can't believe you haven't told me, NK! You, of all the people, should've been on our side!

She made a wide gesture behind her and NK even looked to where she was pointing trying to understand what was the "our side" his sister was referring to. Having found nothing he shrugged and answered simply:

- They wouldn't let me…

There was no question as to who "they" were and Anjali threw hostile look to Javed who was more interested in patterns on his kurta's sleeve than in conversation at the table. But reacting to immediate silence after NK's comment he raised his head – only to meet Anjali's death glare. He smiled at her and asked innocently:

- What?

- What? Really? How dare you to keep something like this a secret? From me?

That was a moment of truth for Javed. He could've simply do the same thing NK did and forward it all to Arnav. There was a certain credibility to this option too since it was Arnav who was against telling anything to the ladies. At first. Because once Javed realized what kind of life Anjali would lose because of this dreadful news… he swore to keep it a secret by himself. And in any case nobody would believe Javed did something he didn't want to because of Arnav's order – he wasn't that kind of a person.

So Javed came clean:

- I thought it would be for the best. I wanted you to have your life the way you wanted it and not the way it was dictated by threat or fear.

Anjali squinted her eyes:

- And what made you think that I would change my life because of this?

Javed looked at her fixedly:

- Wouldn't you?

Anjali wanted to say something snarky to whip out that all-knowing expression on Javed's face… but then she didn't. Because it was truth – she would. Not the fear or despair… guilt. She'd be worried… For everybody who got home later than expected… for every "wrong number" call… for every new delivery boy… She'd be worried that her mistake in trusting Shyam would come back to hunt down the happiness of her family.

Javed read Anjali's expression… it was like seeing a falling star – beautiful but sad. He wanted to say something, to take away her disappointment with herself… But Anjali just nodded and broke eye contact.

NK interrupted building tension with a question:

- Guys… what's our gameplan for the show? You know, the one in three days… Crowds of new people doesn't seem like a very good idea now…

- Yes, you are correct, - Arnav answered. Him and Khushi came to a dining room and Arnav immediately took charge:

- The show will be cancelled and the whole family will go for a long vacation to visit Akash and Payal in USA.

The cup fell out of Anjali's hands and broke into tiny sharp pieces splattering tea all over the table. Khushi jumped up and ran to the kitchen to get a table cloth and Javed took both Anjali's hands to his and inspected them carefully to see if she had cut herself.

Anjali seemed unfazed by this fuss as she was staring at Arnav in disbelief:

- Chote, what do you mean, "cancelled"? How can you cancel MY show?

Arnav took a stand and rolled his hands on his chest preparing himself for a battle… his sister was getting more persistent over the course of these few past months… and he was no longer sure he could handle her easily.

- Di, I'm a president of this company and can do whatever I want… including cancelling the show.

Anjali grunted:

- Oh really? Should I remind you that I co-own this company and would not let you bring down our business because of your irrational fears?!

Arnav's eyes shot wide open – and not because Di has called his fears irrational, but because it was the first time she mentioned her ownership over company to her advantage. His sister grew some claws for sure!

- Di! Why irrational?! There's a maniac on a loose that's after our heads and you want to put us on a pedestal?

Anjali shook her head and went silent for a while considering something. Then she said:

- I have some budget left to get additional security for the show. We won't have more than two hundred people in the venue so I guess that's not so many new faces after all. We can handle it.

NK sounded incredulous:

- But… why? What so important about this show? Why can't we all go to visit Akash and wait this out till police will find Shyam?

Khushi who was done cleaning the table answered:

- Because, Nanhe-ji, jija-ji and didi are not home now, they went visit the family from Mami-ji's side… And also… Di is right – we can't cancel a show just like this, it will damage the reputation of AR Design.

Arnav turned to face Khushi – his expression said he was expecting her to support him unconditionally. Khushi shrugged to his silent question – yes, she loved him, but was not going to help him to destroy Anjali's two months of work and family business along with it.

Arnav turned around to find some support and his gaze fell on Lavanya's pale but highly amused face – she was really annoying all the drama and even found some sort of twisted thrill in this life-and-death situation she experienced first-hand. Still Arnav tried to use her as an excuse:

- Di, what show would it be if we don't have our star guest on a stage? – and he inclined his head towards Lavanya hinting that her injuries made it impossible for her to walk the ramp.

Lavanya interjected with mocking laughter:

- Oh no, ASR, don't put this one on me! My cut can be covered up by ¼ sleeve and few layers of makeup will do wonders to my bruise… Other than that I have no problems with modeling for the show, even doctor says so!

Khushi giggled under her breath seeing how Anjali's expression changed from hunted to victorious. She knew the feeling – to top the mighty ASR was a wonderful expirience!

The only person who was not participating this exchange was Javed. Once he'd made sure that broken cup didn't hurt Anjali he sat and got lost in his own thoughts. He has sent couple of messages, received quit a few too… and in general it looked like he was minding his own business and wasn't interested in the show subject at all.

Until he spoke…

- Arnav, bhai… Nani-ji and Mami-ji will take Junior and go to Toronto. Mama-ji is waiting for them there, they can all stay in my house, I have already informed my staff about it…

Everybody looked surprised to see the level of organization Javed has put into this in such a short time. But that wasn't all he had to say:

- Arnav, as much as it pains me… I have to agree with ladies – the show must go as planned. Or else…

Javed gulped loudly and looked away… it was almost like he was guilty of something. Before anyone could ask Javed confessed:

- The brakes in the office car were intact. Shyam has cut my brakes knowing that I would insist on driving with them… He is using our defense mechanisms against us… Arnav, he is PLAYING us!

Javed stomped his hand on a table and stood up. He was clenching and unclenching his fist convulsively… Anjali was sure Javed was imagining Shyam's neck in between his fingers.

Javed's finishing statement before he left the room was:

- Everybody WILL be safe during this show! And we WILL prove to this rakshasa that we are not hostages to his plans! We are NOT afraid of him!

He raised his head to meet Anjali's eyes. She was smiling at him. Proud.