04-06-2022

I hope everyone is doing good.  I'm sorry for not updating till now. As I and my son both got sick, it took me time to write.  I hope you guys will like the update. 

Part 23: 

After Mr. Roy revealed half a secret, Anjali tried to talk with Khushi. But Khushi became busy with her phone calls from AR and also family members came back. Anjali was worried and scared about the threat Mr. Roy said. She wanted to talk with someone who can help her and set things right for them, like... like her brother, her Chote. She is missing him. 'Why did you leave us, Chote. How could you?' thought Anjali. Tears rolled from her eyes. She looked at Khushi, who is talking with Aman on the phone. She became paler, her skin and eyes lost the spark they usually had, and she had dark circles around her eyes. The smile which always soothed others' pained hearts, is not there. She looks like she lost weight too. She is looking leaner.

"When I saw Chote being hard and turning into a serious person, I thought maybe because he wasn't comfortable here with us. Even though I knew him as a jovial person, I thought he is an introvert. I never know, circumstances will change a person to this extent," said Nani, looking at Khushi.

"What can we expect more Sasuma. Arnav was her life. We know how much she was into him. Even though they fought with each other a lot, anyone can see the love between them. She faced a lot. Firstly her betrayer fiancee, then her sudden wedding with Arnav, then her family's anger, yet she fulfilled her duties toward this house. For what? For unlimited insults and unacceptable hatred. What did she do to deserve this? And we, after knowing how she is, still throwing disgusting words toward her and doubting her intentions? How fair is that? Can't we just give her our support? Can't we let her live in peace? We all know how much she is facing. Why can't Maa Ji leave her? Why is it happening to our house daughter-in-law, Sasuma? She is also like our daughter! Can't we save her dignity? Is money became so important than a person? Maa Ji knew how it feels to lose the person to whom they submit completely, she very well knows how it will be to lose her husband and face insults. Then why is she doing it? Khushi is a child by heart, still, she is handling things very well. How difficult is this to understand for Maa Ji?" asked Mami, a lump forming her throat.

Anjali looked at Mami and asked, "Mami, Dadi is just worried about us. As she doesn't know about Khushi, she is ought to get doubtful about her intentions. Why are you getting so irritated with this?"

"And Why am I noticing irritation and mistrust in your voice, Anjali? In the first place, why are you supporting your dadi more than Khushi? I know Maa Ji doesn't' know about Khushi. But you know her, then why are you not supporting her? Should I think that you are trusting your Dadi's words and doubting Khushi's intentions? If that's the truth, let me tell you Anjali, you will regret it badly. Because I know, Khushi can never be wrong. Whatever she does, she will always hold her values. She can never betray anyone. If anyone telling wrong about her, then I'm sure, they must be hating her for doing right," said Manorama.

"Mami!? You are pointing me for Khushi? Don't you know me? Don't you know how am I?" Anjali couldn't say anything.

"Not anymore, Anjali. Because I can see that you became more confused than before. I can see that you lost your ability to see the truth and think. If you are as same as before, we wouldn't have this discussion in the first place. You would have bluntly opposed the person who said bad words about your BROTHER's choice. But no, you became blinded by something which is making you doubtful and Arnav's choice. I'm sure, he wouldn't be happy seeing you like this. You. are. Insulting. His. love, Anjali. Think about this," saying that, Mami left there leaving shocked Anjali and sad Nani.

"I wish, I never see these days. Oh God, please save my family," said Nani before leaving to her room.

Anjali sat there thinking about what mami said. Yes, Mami is right that she became confused. But was she became that obvious of the people and incidents? Anjali felt scared thinking about the happenings. Her heart became high looking at Khushi. What if she is thinking about Khushi is wrong? What if Khushi is right and doing nothing wrong? What if Shyam ji said is wrong? But why would Shyam say wrong about Khushi? And why didn't he cross-check before accusing Khushi, in the first place? He never did that! He was always thoughtful. He said, he just heard other lawyers and he believed whatever they said? He wasn't like that before? Is he having any problem with Khushi? Anjali felt more confused. Her throat was clogged with emotions. She wished she is more capable of analyzing situations and persons, like... like her brother, her Chote. She sighed deeply thinking about him. Thinking about him, she realized, how much she became dependent on him. She realized, how much she tied herself in the cocoon of their house. Being a computer postgraduate, she realized how much she is wasting her time and studies. She could have used her time more wisely. She could have helped her brother in his business. If she realized this earlier then she would have made herself more useful. She looked at Khushi - who is going to her room - and once again she realized how much she has changed. She became addicted to the love her family showered on her and became lazy. Mami's words rang in her ears again.

I need to see into this. I can't take the wrong step which may affect my family. I can't blame, doubt, or accuse Khushi before knowing who is right or wrong. I can't take the risk of insulting her when there is a chance for her to be genuine. I need to be more careful. I need to talk to Khushi, thought Anjali.

::::::::::::::::::::

Next morning, breakfast table.

"If you want to stay at your buaji house, then you can. No need to come and show your face to us" taunted Dadi again.

"Nani Ji, do you have any problem if I stay here and at Buaji's house?" asked Khushi.

"No, bitiya. We trust you. You can stay anywhere, both are your houses only," said Nani, holding Khushi's palms.

"Thank you, Nani," said Khushi with a smile.

"But I have a problem. This is not any lodge for you to come and go, whenever you want to. This is house and we need to maintain our respect in the society. I can't allow you here," said Dadi.

Khushi closed her eyes to control her frustration. Here she is trying to finish her duties here and rush to her Arnav Ji. But this Dadi is making things difficult for her.

"Look at your manners. Here I'm talking to you, and you are busy with your work. Is this what Chote liked in you? Is this what your parents taught you? Oh wait, I heard you are adopted? Is that why they didn't teach you anything good? Or this mannerless behavior you got from your dead parents?" asked Dadi. Before Dadi could continue, a small surprised cry left her mouth. She looked at her messed up sari - which was covered with the curry, Khushi was serving everyone just a few seconds before.

When Dadi was insulting, Khushi kept the bowl in her hand on the table in such a way, that all the curry spilled around. Dadi looked at Khushi who is very near to her face. Dadi jerked back and once again one more cry left her mouth seeing her so close.

"You, idiot and stupid girl, what did you do to my sari. How dare you throw the food on me?" shouted Dadi.

"This is the last time I'm telling you Mrs. Malik. If I ever heard you taunting or doubting or insulting my parents or Arnav Ji, then I will kill you with my own hands. If you stop now, then it will be good for you. Later, don't tell me that I didn't warn you. This is the last time I'm warning you. You better watch what you are talking about. I'm not going to tolerate your talks anymore," said Khushi in her low voice, making everyone flinch.

"How dare...," Dadi tried to talk.

"NO, don't even ask. If I can back answer ASR, then you are nothing. I'm giving respect to you. You better take that. If I want to insult you, then you don't know me. If I can call the ASR RAKSHAS, in front of his employees and family, I can say anything to you. You better think about the consequences before talking," said Khushi before shouting for HP to clean the mess and bring another bowl.

After that, no one talked. Everyone had their breakfast quietly. Khushi sat and served herself and had her breakfast. She looked at Nani and Mami apologetically. They smiled a little nodding their heads in understanding.

"Nani Ji, Mami Ji, I'm leaving for office. Please call me if you need anything," saying that she took their blessings and left for the office, closely followed by Akash and NK.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Did you see Anjali, how rude that girl was? Was this the same girl you were praising and supporting? I hate this girl!" said Dadi.

Anjali looked at her with a blank face.

"Rani Sahiba is very innocent, Dadi Ji. She sees only good in everyone. But that girl is not what she shows. I wish I would have stopped Salesaheb from bringing that girl to this home," said Shyam with a sad face.

"I need to rest," said Anjali before leaving the room. For an unknown reason, she felt uncomfortable sitting and talking with her Dadi. She even felt this uneasiness listening to her husband. She isn't innocent or fragile. She is staying at home which doesn't mean she doesn't understand or know anything. She can understand people, or can't she? She felt like crying not understanding her own self. She felt anger herself, for being in this situation. How many times had her brother said to polish her knowledge? She didn't care about his words. Now, she is wishing she would have heard his words. She took her belongings and left the house. She needs time to gather her thoughts and act according to them.

:::::::::::::::::::::

AR

"I can't tolerate her anymore, Arnav Ji. she is crossing her limits," said Khushi leaning on Arnav's shoulder. Arnav slowly lift his hand and held hers. Smiling at his action, Khushi held his hand, "I wish I can take you out. Wait a minute, why can't we go out? Let's plan tonight! Let's go out and roam around," said Khushi getting excited.

Arnav nodded his head smiling little seeing her excitement.

"Oh! I can't wait to go out with you. I'm so waiting to irritate you," said Khushi with a mischievous simile.

Arnav shook his head. They sat separated, hearing the knock on the door.

"We need to take ASR to the hospital for his next physiotherapy session. Doctor asked me to bring him as they can't bring all the equipment here," said Aman coming inside with a sulking face. He didn't want Arnav to go outside before they catch the culprit of his situation.

"I know you will do, but talk with the security. If needed talk with Mr. Rudra too. We can't take any risk with Arnav Ji's safety, Bhai,"

"I know, I already alerted the security team. But they didn't know about ASR yet," understanding his words, both ARnav and Khushi nodded their heads.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Why there are so many security persons? And where is Khushi going along with others? Why are they using that black window car?" asked Shyam to no one. "I need to follow her to know what she is doing with others. And also I need to search for the property papers she hid. I never know she is tough to handle," he muttered to himself. And I can't wait to see that toughness when I make you mine, Khushi. My body is craving for you. I want to taste every inch of you. I can't wait to tear your clothes and claim you. I just want to touch you everywhere and see how soft you will be. Oh! Khushi!" thought Shyam. He groaned feeling his hardness. To divert his mind from the desire, he hopped into his car and followed Khushi and others.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Fantastic ASR. Your body is responding wonderfully. Just a few more shocks and you will walk. Mrs. Raizada, this is really good news. And I request you to make sure that he doesn't strain his legs. Once he starts walking, I'm sure, he will not sit. And I don't want that. He needs to give time to his legs. And even though he can walk, he needs to take physiotherapy sessions. It helps him to recover completely. Otherwise, the muscles and nerves may get hurt. So, please take care," said the doctor after checking Arnav.

"I will do doctor. Thank you so much for your service," said Khushi with moisture in her eyes.

"Now, you can go, and please come back again after four days. I will take your leave now." said the doctor before leaving to attend to another patient.

:::::::: meanwhile

"Excuse me, can know in which room, Mrs. Khushi Raizada was admitted?" asked Shyam.

"Let me check sir," said the nurse. And after checking her records she said there is no such person admitted.

"Are you sure? I got a call that she got admitted here!?" asked Shyam, feigning surprise.

"Of course, I'm sure, sir,"

"Oh! Then what those persons are doing here? Aren't they Mrs. Khushi's security persons?" asked Shyam showing uniformed security.

"They are here for the security of a particular patient. He is a big shot person, I think," said the nurse.

"Big shot?" murmured Shyam, not understanding who that person is and what relation Khushi had with that person. He thanked the nurse and waited in the waiting room to see the 'big shot'.

::::::::::::::::

After waiting for more than an hour and a half, what Shyam saw, made a shiver run in his spine. His breath hitched too high and sweat formed on his forehead. He felt his legs wobble seeing the scene in front of him. Coming to his senses he throw the newspaper he was reading aside and ran to hide behind a pillar. He slowly looked at Khushi along with Aman and Akash accompanying Arnav.

"How is this possible? I searched for him everywhere near the accident. It's difficult to survive after falling from that hilltop! And how did Khushi find him? Where did she find him? If Arnav is alive, it will be difficult for me to achieve what I want. I can't let him spoil my plans yet again. I can't let him do that.' thought Shyam. Before he think more, he saw them coming towards the door and he slowly slipped from the hospital to settle his thoughts and plan his next steps.

:::::::::::::::::::::

"How is this possible? I searched for him everywhere near the accident. It's difficult to survive after falling from that hilltop! And how did Khushi find him? Where did she find him? And why didn't anyone of them inform us about Arnav being alive? Why did Khushi live as his widow after having him with her? I need to tell everyone about this. This is enough for them to throw Khushi out of RM. If I can prove to them that Aman also helped Khushi, then there is a chance for Aman to be thrown from AR. Then it will be easy for me to get everything under me!" Shyam said to himself with an evil grin. After some time, "What am I thinking? If Arnav is alive, it will be difficult for me to achieve what I want. I can't let him spoil my plans yet again. I can't let him do that. If I reveal about him, then it will be more difficult for me to corner or kill him. Because, once the family knows about him, they will hover over him like a mother hen, and also they will keep Khushi on their heads. And I'm sure, Anjali and Nani Ji will order both Aman and Akash to tighten his and Khushi's security. And it will get problematic for me. I need to think before taking any step." thought Shyam.

After thinking for some more time, he called his men and ordered them to follow Khushi and the trio. And also asked them to give him full details about the house where he thinks Khushi kept Arnav. And also asked them to know the exact number of security. He needs to act fast and carefully before he does anything. He needs to do it fast before ASR's Will comes out and he gets completely cured. Till now, he was successful in not letting others think about Arnav's Will. He is still making them mourn Arnav's death. But seeing Arnav alive, he needs to act fast - he understood. 

....to be continued

How is it? I hope you liked this.  If you are not interested, you are free to leave the story. Sorry for making you guys wait. Life is not easy.

.Sri.