As we release from our emotional hug, I gaze at him with a smile, though he might not be aware of the depth of his feelings for me. No doubt, he likes me too. But enough of those thoughts, Khushi. Your adopted dad killed Arnav's girlfriend and your best friend. Shouldn't you do something about that?

Me - Have you contacted the police?

Arnav (upset) - The evidence isn't sufficient. Although I finally got some small proof from the detective agency after a year, it wasn't good enough. Shashi closed down Maya's case earlier using his power, and even though I am more powerful than him, he could still do the same. I think... if he confesses, then. ...

How can we get him to confess? He won't admit anything to me, especially now that I've severed ties with him. Obviously, Arnav would also be disqualified... Our thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. I stare at Arnav, seeking his permission to open it, which he reluctantly gives... To my shock, it was my adoptive mother on the other side. She started living with my parents after moving out of the Gupta mansion. Although initially guilty, she began helping around the home. Soon, surprisingly, she sold her shares in adoptive papa's company and started her own business, which is currently doing extremely well. Her life took a 360-degree turn, from not caring about me to preparing warm homemade meals for me whenever I came. From buying me branded clothes to show the world how great she is, to taking my considerations in mind and buying me clothes I prefer no matter what brand. Although her little efforts are making me feel loved, I am still not able to forgive her for what happened before, but I did mention I can try. I can forgive her but it can't be forgotten, no matter how much I try. I even told this to my real parents, although they are also pampering me, and caring for me... how can I forget I was abandoned? However, their intentions were purer than Garima mumma. My thoughts are interrupted by a worried Garima mumma.

Garima mumma - I am so sorry. I heard your conversation, and I know you still don't trust me, beta, but I want to help

I stare at her with a worried look. While I don't fully trust her, if she goes back to him, it will be chaos, and he will ruin her life. I'm about to protest when Arnav gives her a nod, and she leaves the room, giving us some privacy.

Arnav - Before you get mad, listen..." (he takes a deep breath) "I know you are worried that something bad will happen to her, but she is the only one we can trust and lean on for help. Look, Khushi, I have tried lots of ways to get proof, and it was unsuccessful. He is smarter than we think. She is the only one we can rely on right now, as she is the only one who knows him like the back of her hand. The only one to guide us to a solution. Let's trust her.

Reluctantly, I agree, and we both head out to discuss the plan with her. I try not to dwell on the mini-confession that just occurred, though Arnav seems completely unaware that he just confessed to me. Is he still not over Maya? Am I just a rebound? No, he did say he was comfortable with me. What if he was saying that just to butter me up? My thoughts are again interrupted by my family shaking me and asking me to pay attention.

That Night

A very exhausted Shashi arrives home at his expansive and opulent mansion. Still not accustomed to the absence of his wife and daughter greeting him, he sinks into his sofa and instructs one of the staff to bring him water while turning on the news.

"SHASHI GUPTA'S BUSINESS GOING UNDERWATER. ONLY A MIRACLE CAN SAVE THIS BUSINESS"

Staring at the news with rage, he smashes the TV with the remote.

Shashi's POV

A miracle? Who believes in that? This is all due to Khushi and Garima. If Garima didn't stop attending those dumb kitty parties, then at least some of my client's wives would force their husbands to invest in my business. Instead, she is too busy talking about her dumb business. Sooner or later, she will crawl back to me. This KHUSHI!! She has been the mistake of my life. Having her cost me my perfect life. I thought Arnav would...

Shashi's POV ends

Shashi's thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. Glancing at the clock, which shows 9 pm, he opens the door to find a very drunk Garima with alcohol bottles in her hand. She pushes Shashi before he can question her and sprawls herself on the sofa.

Shashi (angry) - Garima, what is this behaviour? Did you forget you no longer live in MY mansion?

A drunk Garima stumbles towards him and then slaps him.

Garima - Oops... I... sorry... I thought we would celebrate today.

Shashi stares at her in shock and takes all the bottles from her hands.

Shashi (annoyed) - What do you mean, Garima? AND STAND STILL or sit down...

Shashi drags Garima to the sofa and makes her sit opposite him, instructing all the staff to leave for the day.

Garima (annoyed) - Did you forget? You pagal. (She tries to slap but misses as Shashi moves away.) You told me to somehow get sympathy from Khushi's parents and then convince them to give us the business.

Shashi (annoyed) - What nonsense? When did I say this?

Garima (angry) - That day... you don't remember." (She pouts.) Then all this hard work for nothing...

Not having the patience to deal with a drunk Garima, Shashi is about to drag her out of the home when a tipsy Garima continues.

Garima (tipsy) - You told me to fake love this dumb Khushi, win her and her dumb family over so they can give their business to us

Shashi (angry) - What nonsense! When did I ever say this? Garima, if this is some prank, I am not interested. Leave my home right now! You left me for the witch Khushi, then created your own business. And now all of a sudden, you want to come back? Do you think this is some TV show?

Shashi is interrupted by a giggling Garima, and a crumpled-up paper is thrown in his face. Shashi is about to throw the paper away when he sees a logo and immediately opens it. It's a power of attorney, not just for Garima's business but also for the business of Harish and Kiara.

Before Shashi can react, Garima takes the papers and is about to rip them when Shashi holds her and makes her sit on the sofa.

Shashi - I am sorry, meri jaan. I don't remember this, but I do trust you, and you are right; we should celebrate

Shashi opens up the alcohol bottles that Garima brought, and both start taking shots after shots.

Garima (giggling) - There is still one issue...

Shashi (tipsy) - What?

Garima - That stupid Maya... apparently Arnav found out you killed her and is trying to find ways to expose you... I offered to help him just so I could find out how he would expose you...

Shashi (smirking) - Let him think, he can expose me. I have cleared all proof against me.

Garima (gigiling) - I know, baby. That's why I am curious about how he will even find proof... Where did you hide the proof? I have to make sure he doesn't visit that place.

Shashi is about to answer when Garima fills up his empty glass with more alcohol and forces him to drink.

Shashi (smirking, slurring words) - Ha! There's no proof, my dear. I'm a genius, you see. Let me enlighten you about that Maya. An absolute pain, she was. But I orchestrated, and when she became useless... I killed her. Khushi should be grateful. If I hadn't gotten rid of that dim-witted Maya, Khushi wouldn't have landed herself such a wealthy husband. The one she proudly blabbered about in her silly speech wouldn't be hers if it weren't for me bumping off Maya

Shashi (boastfully, slurring words) - I'm a mastermind, you know. A genius. Maya was just a pawn in my grand game. And this Khushi, oh, she owes me big time. If it weren't for my brilliant moves, she wouldn't have that rich husband flaunted in her silly speech. I'm the puppet master, pulling the strings, orchestrating it all.

Unbeknownst to Shashi, Garima smirks subtly, and the camera discreetly captures the entire drunken monologue, strategically placed on the table next to a pen.

Garima - Honey, tell me more about your devilish plans on how you worked with Maya. Did she even love that stupid Arnav?

Shashi (boastfully, slurring words) - She did, and if it wasn't for her jealousy and possessiveness, she would've ruined my grand plan. Maya, oh, she was head over heels for Arnav from the college days. I spotted her once, dropping off Khushi at college. She'd run to Khushi, showering her with fake love. I sensed the anger beneath those smiles and knew she'd harm Khushi if given the chance. Maya felt overshadowed by that simple Khushi. I don't know what magic Khushi wielded, but everyone adored her, and Arnav was her best buddy. Maya schemed to befriend Khushi, painting a virtuous image that Khushi fell for instantly. This dumb Khushi, I tell you, is so naive. As Arnav inevitably fell for her, Maya's love transformed into an obsession. She quit partying, and drinking, all to morph into Khushi. She thought, 'To get Arnav, become Khushi.' And so she did.

Shashi smirks, his words slurred, and he continues, oblivious to Garima's cunning smirk and the strategically placed camera on the table.

Seeing Arnav not giving her the same attention as Khushi, she tried to sow discord between them. Indirectly, she'd whisper to Arnav about Khushi's jealousy, how she fancied him. Arnav brushed it off, but some of it stuck. Then, one day, Maya struck a deal with me. If I kept Arnav and Khushi apart or assisted in her plans, she'd convince Arnav to partner with me in business post-graduation. Naturally, I agreed. We managed to keep them apart, or at least tried our best. Eventually, Maya asked for a more sinister favour, framing Khushi for hurting her. We filmed a fabricated scene, making it seem like Khushi was the villain. The plan was to show this to Arnav, breaking their friendship, but little did Maya know, it was her last day on earth

Shashi, swaying from the alcohol, chuckles self-assuredly and continues his drunken monologue.

Why would I settle for shares or a merger with Arnav's company when I could play the father-in-law card? Much more profitable, you see. So, I just got rid of Maya. The partnership was enjoyable while it lasted. I was about to stab her once more, but then the fool Arnav arrived. I dropped the fabricated video of Khushi on Maya's phone and made my escape. Don't worry, I wore gloves while killing her leaving no fingerprints. Arnav tried to rescue her, but Maya pointed to her phone and died, thinking she could expose me. Arnav tried to call Khushi, but how could he reach her with his number blocked? Glad he called me, though. I manipulated the situation splendidly. Bribed the police later to close the case, and you know the rest—Khushi married Arnav. Blah blah. Rest is history