15-05-2021

Please ignore typo and grammatical mistakes. Not proofread. Please point out and let me know the blunders, I will edit. 

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Part 8:

"In that case, Ma Ji, why did you stay in Sheesh Mahal for long? Why didn't you go back to your maternal home after papa Ji died? Why did you stay with your sons?" asked Mama Ji, controlling his bubbling anger.

If everyone is surprised hearing Dadi's declaration about Khushi's stay, hearing Mama's question to Dadi, everyone got shocked!

"Manohar," Nani tried to stop her son from making things awful. She very well knew her son's anger regarding his sister's demise and his nephew and niece situation later on. He was always against this elderly lady - Subhadra. He never had a soft spot for her from the first time she was introduced to him. He was so sceptical about the Maliks. He never liked them and never agreed to Ratna's marriage with their son. And in the end, he was right. Maliks were never up to the mark or soft-hearted people, and it resulted in them losing their precious Ratna. He was like lava which was waiting to erupt. And Devyani knows, if her son gets a chance, he will never think before bursting or erupting. But she doesn't want that, at least not in the given situation. So she tried again, "Manohar, calm down beta," yet, she knew, her son was not in a state to listen. She silently prayed to God to keep things alright.

"What question is that? I had my family in Mahal, and there was no need for me to go," said Dadi.

"In that case, listen to me carefully. Khushi stays here with us because she is my daughter now. I don't want anyone to talk about her badly. And if anyone has any problem with her being here, they are free to leave the house. I don't care who that person would be. But, Khushi will not leave this house. She is my child as much as Arnav, Anjali and Akash. And You, Mrs Malik, doesn't have any right to oppose me. Not when you left them when they needed you the most. And this discussion is over," said Mama before leaving the room, followed by others.

Dadi fumed and left for her room, thinking to try again to send that girl out.

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From that day onwards, Dadi tried her best to throw Khushi out. But she failed miserably because of the support Khushi was getting from the family. Even her beloved Anjali also disapproved of Dadi's trials.

"No, Dadi, you are wrong! You don't know anything about Khushi. We know she is a good girl. She was never behind money. She respects morals and relations more than money and luxuries. You shouldn't have insulted her, Dadi," said Anjali expressing her disappointment.

"But, Rani Sahiba, even I'm confused. If Khushi respects morals and relations, why did she marry Sale sahib secretly? I don't know whether they completed rituals or not," Shyam tried his best to ignite the doubt in Dadi. He understood that Dadi would be the best option to get what he wanted. He understood that more than Anjali, Dadi would be easy to fool.

"What are you saying, Shyam Ji? After knowing how Chote was, you shouldn't have said that. You knew him better and you very well know how he behaved when he wanted something. I'm sure he must have pressured Khushi Ji to get married. He always does that to everyone. Being a lovable girl, Khushi Ji must have obeyed, prioritizing Chote's happiness," Anjali defended.

"Maybe you are right, Anjali. Then, why did she agree to work in Shantivan, in the first place, if she doesn't want money? Didn't she say, she doesn't want to do anything with Arnav?" Shyam doesn't want to leave this opportunity.

"You don't know anything, Shyam Ji. She worked here because I forced her to do so. I asked her to pay 1 lakh if she's not going to teach Lavanya! Please don't comment on anyone when you don't know anything about them," Anjali said in a determined voice.

"As you say, Rani Sahiba," said Shyam and stopped himself from saying further, seeing Dadi shaking her head to him.

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Later that day, Dadi summoned Shyam to her room and asked him about Arnav and Khushi's relationship from the start. And Shyam was elated to 'elaborate' the matter. He also expressed his doubt about Khushi's character stating her ways of talking with NK and Akash, in Akash wedding.

"I don't know, Dadi Ji. But I always thought she was being childish. At the same time, I thought she was interested in NK and being naughty with Akash! But I'm as surprised as shocked when both Arnav and Khushi turned up married. I don't know what happened between both. Because everyone in this home knows how much they both hated each other! Yet, I kept silent thinking if Arnav is happy, then I should support him. But I never expected him to leave us this early. He was like a little brother I never had to me, Dadi Ji. I miss him a lot!" Shyam sobbed, successfully putting the hate seed in Dadi Ji.

"I know Shyam beta! I understand, because of this girl we lost our Chote. I will not leave her, and I will not allow her to play with others' lives. I will save my family from this evil. You go and be with Anjali, she needs you now," said Dadi Ji, ending the discussion. Whatever she heard, that's enough to know about a person or she thought so.

Nodding his head and wiping the 'tears' Shyam left for his room. 'This is easier than I thought. Now I understand where Anjali got this foolishness. Now, with Dadi in front of me, I will get what I want. And without Arnav around the home, I know it will be quicker to get what I deserve. And Khushi Ji, get ready to experience real love and happiness. I will make sure to show the hell to this family who caused so much pain to you. Once I get everything, then we can fly high! Get ready my love' thought Shyam. His thoughts may sound like Love, but one can see clear lust in his eyes.

Later that day, Shyam never left the chance to rile Dadi up. Whenever he got the chance, he used Arnav and Khushi's secret marriage to strengthen Dadi's hate. Dadi also never left any chance to insult Khushi and shout at others for allowing Khushi to stay in the house. She kept quiet when Mama was around. Mama never allowed her to say a word to Khushi. When he said, Khushi is his daughter, he is keeping his word. He along with others stayed with Khushi like her shadow. Nani made sure that she will sleep along with Khushi in her or Arnav's room, every day. And in the morning, Payal along with Mami stayed with Khushi all the time.

(A/N: I hope you guys remembered that till now, the story is in flashback.)

Present time

After having breakfast, everyone sat in the living room. As today is Saturday, Akash, Mama and NK were at home. Khushi along with Payal brought a fruit bowl from the kitchen and served everyone. And at the same time, Dadi decided to show her hatred towards Khushi, once again.

"Chi..., keep these fruits aside. I don't want to eat from this when you touch them. I don't know what you mixed in this," Dadi said.

"Please Dadi Ji, don't say that," Khushi pleaded, feeling sad.

"Oh! Why? Are you feeling sad? Then how do you think I'm feeling now seeing an undeserved girl roaming in the house as my grandson's widow? How do you think I'm feeling at this moment while seeing you enjoying all my grandson's hard-earned money?" Dadi asked, gritting her teeth.

"Subhadra, enough! I'm not going to tolerate this. You better stop this. If you keep insulting Khushi like this then you are not allowed here!" said Nani, getting irritated with Dadi's behaviour.

"Devyani, stop it! Here I'm trying to save this family from this girl, and you all are blindly trusting this shameless girl? How can you all be so ignorant of this?" said Dadi.

"What are you talking about Ma Ji? Please tell us clearly what you are mentioning," said Mama.

"What might it be? Some other silly reason to just throw Khushi out. But that will be on my dead body and you better remember that," said Mami standing beside Khushi. "And if you don't want to eat by her hand, then you will be at a loss, Ma Ji. But no one is going to plead with you to eat. It's your wish. Come, Khushi, you no need to face all these," Mami took Khushi hand in her, and about to leave but stopped hearing Dadi's question.

"How did you marry Chote? Where did you marry? Who were there with you all? Who was the priest? What witness do you have?" Dadi asked.

Khushi stood stunned hearing the questions. How can she say what her grandson did to get married to her? How can she say how their marriage happened? She can't say whatever Arnav did that day, even though she says Dadi is not going to believe her. She will blame Khushi for using their dead grandson to cover her misbehaviour.

"Why are you silent? Answer me, how did you marry Chote and where? Who was the priest?" asked Dadi.

"Why are you asking this now? What's wrong, Dadi Ji?" asked Akash, wanting to end all this crap.

"I'm asking this because she was never married to Arnav. She was living in this house without a proper wedding or proper relation," Dadi dropped a bomb on everyone.

"What are you talking about, Dadi Ji? How can you say such a thing about Khushi Ji?" asked NK.

"Oh, look, who is supporting who? Why can't I say anything to her? She was in a relationship with you before showing up as Arnav's bride. Now she is acting as a dotted wife of Arnav," said Dadi.

"Are you out of your mind, Dadi Ji? Who said they both were in a relationship?" asked perplexed Aakash.

"That's not the matter now, Akash. Now the matter is, I can't allow her in this house," demanded Dadi.

Before anyone said anything, the doorbell rang and HP went to open the door. There came Bua Ji and Aman.

"Haa... please come, Madhumati. I'm waiting for you only," Dadi invited Bua Ji, leaving everyone confused.

"Ji, please tell me, why did you call me here immediately? Did something happen?" asked Bua Ji, dreading something bad.

"Not something, Madhumati, a very shameful and disgusting thing happened in this house. That too because of your niece. Please take her from here. We don't want a filthy girl like her in this house," Dadi spitted her venom.

"I don't understand what you are talking about, Ma Ji," Bua Ji said, feeling suddenly weak and aged. She looked ten years older.

Hearing her words, Dadi lost her cool which she is trying hard and shouted her frustration at Madhumati telling her how Khushi was in relation with NK before showing up as Arnav's bride. And now, how she is claiming her right as Arnav's widow.

Bua Ji looked stunned and looked at Khushi, who stood like a stone. She went to Khushi and shook her hard to bring her back from the shock.

"What am I listing, Khushi?" Bua Ji asked in a harsh voice.

"Bua Ji?" Khushi looked at her aunt shockingly. "Do you believe whatever she is saying?" asked Khushi in a broken voice.

"Then what should I do? Huh? If she is saying wrong, then you should have slapped her hard. If she was insulting you, your love for Arnav then you should have strangled her neck. But you didn't do anything like that, then what should I think?" asked Bua Ji, holding Khushi's shoulder. Khushi looked at her aunt blankly. "I trust you, bitiya. We know what you are! We know how Arnav beta was. She may not trust her grandson, but I know him well. He would never make a mistake. He is Arnav Singh Raizada. He may take the wrong path, but the intention and outcome will be genuine. He would never make a mistake. So, if anyone is insulting you or your Arnav, then I want you to show them what Arnav would have done. Show them that you are Arnav Singh Raizada's wife, with whom no one can mess." Bua Ji said in a determined voice. She was shocked hearing the accusations this old lady was throwing at her niece. But looking at the smirking man beside this old lady, she understood what was happening in this house with her Titaliya.

"What are you talking about, Madhumati? Don't you know what crime she did with my grandson? How dare you say all these? Don't you know what anyone calls a girl who stays with a man without wedlock?" shouted Dadi

"Stop right there, Ma Ji. I'm talking nicely doesn't mean you can say anything to my niece. We are middle-class people, that doesn't mean you can insult us. Please think before you talk. I don't want to shout at you. I respect you as Arnav's Dadi. If I consider the truth of Arnav beta's absence, then you are no one to me. Then I will not be this cool," said Bua Ji, leaving everyone in the room in mixed emotions. Bua Ji turned to Khushi "What's wrong you, girl? Normally you shout at others when they say one bad word to you. You even shouted at Arnav for making your life hell in the office, then why are you stopping yourself? Are you thinking about her age? Age only matters when they behave like one. Nothing is more important than your dignity. She was pointing at your character and you are standing like a log? Are you out of your mind? If I hear anymore like this, then I will kill you for not supporting yourself. Stop being a naive and selfless girl. Behave like Arnav Singh Raizada's wife. That's what you can give to him. I want you to be like Arnav, like ASR. No one should miss him. He is like a life in this house. I want you to make sure that he was never missed in this house. Show him in you. Now I'm leaving. I will call you in the night. Tell me, what you did later," said Buaji before turning to Nani.

"Ma Ji, I know what my niece is. I know how she respects morals and relations. I don't allow anyone to point at her. If you all think the same then let me know, I will take her from here," Bua Ji said, folding her hands before Nani, which Nani held immediately.

"No Madhu, she is our Khushi, our happiness. This is her home, no one can throw her out, be rest assured. She is our responsibility now. I don't know Subhadra called you, otherwise, I would have told you not to come. I'm sorry for whatever you heard. I'm so ashamed," nani said with tears in her eyes.

"No Ma JI, there is no mistake of yours. You don't take tension. From now onwards, my Titaliya will take good care of herself. Please relax. I'll take your leave now," Bua Ji said one more time.

Mama asked the driver to drop her home and BuaJi left from there.

"Excuse me, Sir," said Aman announcing his presence.

"Oh! I'm sorry Aman, I didn't notice you. What made you come here?" asked Akash.

Smiling a little, Aman walked to Dadi and said "Ma'am, I'm Aman. ASR's right-hand man and Khushi's brother. And here, the certificate of ASR and Khushi's marriage. They were legally married to each other. And I'm the witness. Please don't do this again. It will cause you a lot," Aman turned to Mama and gave the certificate. He turned to Khushi and patted her head. "You should do whatever Bua Ji said, Khushi. I don't want ASR's wife to be a self-pitied or helpless girl. I know ASR never prefers that. Think about ASR before you do anything. He hated your tears and loved your fiery nature like hell. I don't want you to disappoint ASR."

"Aman Bhai!" Khushi whispered.

Smiling at her a little, he turned to the Raizadas and said "I will take your leave now, sir. I will meet you in the office on Monday. Take care" with that Aman left.

"What the hell happened? One employee came and declared his rights on so-called daughter-in-law and no one is talking about this?" Dadi shouted again.

"Manorama, you along with Khushi and Payal bitiya get ready before Anjali comes from her friend's house. I want you to take the girls out today. Khushi bitiya and Payal bitiya, go get ready," said Nani, ignoring Dadi royally. Seeing their hesitant faces she continued "Don't worry about the work, HP will do. You all go and come back safe," Nani sent them.

"And Subhadra, as I said earlier, I don't want you to say rubbish like this about any member of this family. This is my family, you don't have any right to interfere. You are here to mourn your grandson. Mourn and leave from here. That will be better for all of us. Now, all of you leave your rooms," declared nani, leaving angry Dadi and shocked Shyam behind. 

...to be continued

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Let me know how was the update. 

I know, yesterday I said to post after proofreading. But I couldn't make time to proofread the update. As it's already late, I don't want you guys to wait for more days. So, here is the update. 

Sri