Before you all start reading please read this message
This chapter contains violence, rape and mature content. So anybody who feels uncomfortable reading them, please stay away. The mature content comes in the flashback part. I have tried to cut down the cruel parts, but still I couldn't totally skip it as this chapter is important for story. At the end of story, I have given a small summary of that mature content part if you have skipped it.

One week later

After the engagement party, there wasn't much interaction between Raizadas and Khushi's gang. All were busy in work and marriage preparations. The elders used to talk to each other to decide about the preparations. The youngsters were busy in arrangements.

Sheetal was annoying the hell out of Raizadas with her demands and behaviour. The Raizada men royally ignored her. Anjali also didn't gave much thought to her antics. But Nani and Mami were annoyed. They cursed themselves for ever thinking her to be a sweet, classy and good girl. She is anything but sweet and good. And her greed is intolerable.

She kept on demanding expensive things and cash from them. Arnav and Akash had clearly denied to fulfill any of her demands. So without any option, Nani and Mami had to do it from their money. Nani's monthly allowance and savings which Arnav gives for her expenses were exhausted. Even major part of Mami's monthly allowance was given to Sheetal. But Mami kept a small amount separately for shopping wedding dress and jewelleries for herself. Ever since Sheetal has found out about that, she is playing her tricks to get that money from Mami. So a cat and mouse game is going on between them.

Finally it was time to start the actual marriage function. All the guests, relatives and friends of both the families had arrived to attend the functions. Even Manorama's kitty party friends were also given special invitations. Lavanya and NK's families also came. Manorama wanted her sister to be with her during functions. But NK's parents preferred to be from groom's side.

Today was the first ritual of the marriage. Morning it's Tilak Ceremony and Shagun and evening it's Ganesh Pooja, officially marking the starting of marriage rituals.

Tilak Ceremony will happen in Randhawa Mansion where Raizadas will come to do Tilak Ceremony. The Bride is not allowed in Tilak ceremony, so Anjali will stay back in Raizada villa. After that  A-K-G-R family alongwith Raizadas will go to Raizada Villa to give Shagun to Anjali. Then in evening, Ganesh Pooja will be held in the temple among the family members.

Morning itself, everyone was ready for the functions. First Raizadas came to Randhawa Mansion to do Tilak ceremony. Sheetal didn't come as she was not interested in the rituals. When they arrived, the Pandit was already present and all the arrangements were already done for the function.

Raizada family alongwith their relatives came with gifts. Then all settled down for the function. Samar sat on a decorated stool at one side of havankund (Holy fire). The Raizada family sat on the other side on stools. Everyone sat around.

First Manohar and Manorama did Samar's tilak in place of Anjali's parents. Then the Pandit started the rituals and mantras. After that Arnav and Akash did Samar's Tilak. Then gifts were given.

The function ended without any glitch. Then all spend some time together. Then everyone moved to Raizada Mansion for Shagun Ceremony. First Raizadas reached so that they can complete the arrangements. Then Samar's family came with relatives. NK and Kuhu didn't come as they had to make arrangements for the Ganesh Pooja in the evening. So they skipped the Shagun. Even kids were not brought. Only Riya came as she was eager to meet Anjali.

The function was mainly for women. So the men moved away and sat talking in the courtyard. Soon Nani and Mami brought Anjali for the function. She was made to sit on a decorated chair.

First Jyothi (Samar's mother) came forward. She did Anjali's arthi. Then put haldi and tilak on her forehead and threw flowers on her head. Then made her wear a chunri (dupatta or stole) on her head. Finally gave her gifts.

After that one by one all ladies of A-K-G-R family did her arti and gave her gifts. Then the rest Shagun materials like fruits, flowers, dresses, jewellery were brought in and made to touch by Anjali. Finally the ritual ended. After that the women started talking among themselves.

Khushi, Payal and Lavanya kept to themselves and didn't indulge in much conversation not wanting to catch any attention. Mainly the chances of Raizada relatives recognising them and creating problems was a risk.

The gossip monger, kitty party friends of Manorama Mami were waiting for this perfect opportunity. They were all jealous seeing Anjali getting such a good alliance. Seeing the handsome and eligible groom, Samar, none of them could contain their jealousy.

So they approached the Agnihotri and Randhawa ladies in hopes of gossiping and creating some trouble. Totally they were four in number. Mrs Joshi, Mrs Takkar, Mrs Diwan and Mrs Agarwal.

"Hello." Mrs Joshi initiated the talk.

Renuka (Samar's Dadi), Jyothi (Samar's mother), Astha (Khushi's mother), Kalindi (Astha's mother) and Mala (Astha's sister in law) turned to the women. They looked at each other seeing the new faces, asking silently for introductions. But all five women were clueless. But seeing the body language of the women, they could understand they were not upto anything good. Nevertheless they greeted them politely.

"Hello" Renuka said with a small fake smile.

"I am Mrs Parul Joshi. This is Mrs Takkar, Mrs Diwan and Mrs Agarwal. We all are Manorama's friends." Mrs Joshi introduced.

"Oh OK. I am Renuka Randhawa, the groom's grandmother. She is my daughter in law, Jyothi, Groom's mother. This is my sister, Kalindi Kirloskar. And then Kalindi's daughter and daughter in law, Astha and Mala." Renuka introduced politely.

"Namaste." They all greeted each other.

"Is your native here?" Mrs Agarwal asked.

"We are basically from Lucknow but settled here long back." Kalindi replied.

"Oh. Mrs Takkar, isn't Raizadas also basically from Lucknow?" Mrs Joshi said.

"Yes. I remember Manorama saying that they were from Lucknow. Even Arnav and Anjali's paternal family belonged to Lucknow." Mrs Takkar said.

"That's great. Like that there won't be much difference in their cultures. By the way, Renukaji, are you all working women or housewives?" Mrs Diwan asked.

"We all are/were working women. Earlier I used to have a small baking business. But I have stopped working from past few years due to health issues. Kalindi was a government official. She used to work in the irrigation department till she got retired. Jyothi is Economic Lecturer in University of Mumbai. Astha runs an NGO named after her mother in law. And Mala runs a dance school." Renuka answered proudly.

"Wow. You all are amazing. Even after belonging to such rich families, still working. Great." Mrs Takkar complimented. The other three also nodded.

Renuka frowned hearing that. "Belonging to rich family doesn't mean that we should sit at home and do nothing. When we have the means, we should utilize it to do something good. Not waste it in useless things. Fortunately, we have enough resources to lead a good life, study and achieve anything we want. Also to do something good for the society.

"We have always taught our daughters that how much ever rich and resourceful you are, you should always have a identity of your own. Every daughter or daughter in law of our family is a working woman or have an identity of themselves other than being someone's daughter, sister, wife or mother. We believe that if the woman of a family is strong then the family is strong. We believe in equality of man and woman." Renuka said in pride.

The four woman looked at her in wonder. They also felt more jealous of Raizadas for getting such a good alliance.

"Don't get us wrong, Mrs Randhawa. Actually Raizada's thinking is really different from you people in this matter. We have never seen any of the Raizada woman working or being independent. Now look at Manorama itself, she wouldn't even move a glass in her house. All work is done by servants. All they do is spent money on unnecessary things and poojas." Mrs Agarwal said.

"Even Anjali was like that, earlier. When she was married to that lawyer guy, all she did day and night was conducting poojas and doing shopping and make up. Only recently, she started working in a small school. That too temporary. Even that job also she got due to her brother's recommendation. Otherwise Anjali doing anything on her own, never." Mrs Joshi nodded.

The A-K-R women frowned hearing that. Didn't they say they are Manorama's friends, then why are they bad mouthing about Anjali.

"By the way, what do you all do?" Astha asked with a hidden smirk.

"Um... we... we all are members of the woman's club in South Delhi." The women fumbled.

"And..." Jyothi asked smugly.

"And we do functions and organise events to collect amount for charity work." Mrs Takkar said immediately.

"Oh." The A-K-R ladies nodded.

"And what all charity work you all are doing?" Astha asked further enjoying the women's discomfort.

"We make donations to orphanages, NGOs and all." Mrs Diwan said stammering.

"By the way, what's Samar beta doing?" Mrs Takkar asked diverting the topic.

"Samar runs a software company." Jyothi said.

"Oh. So this is his first marriage, right?" Mrs Joshi asked wanting to get into main point.

"No. Second." Astha said.

"Oh. What happened? I mean what happened to his first wife." Mrs Takkar asked curiously.

"She died." Renuka said flatly.

"How?"

"Accident."

"That's so sad. When did it happen?" Mrs Diwan asked.

"It has been 6 years." Astha replied.

"Oh. That's a long time. Didn't you see any other alliance for Samar all this time?" Mrs Joshi.

"No." Jyothi said.

"Why?"

"Samar was working in New York earlier. Then four years before, he came back to India. He was busy setting up his business here. So we didn't think about his marriage. Now he is well settled. Also he fell in love with Anjali, so we decided to get them married." Renuka said shrugging.

"Wow. He used to work in New York. That means he must be very good at work and would also be earning good. Also he seems to be humble, kind and caring man. Look wise also, he is so good. If everything is fine, then why this marriage. Why are you getting him married to a girl like Anjali. Or is there anything else?" Mrs Agarwal asked curiously.

Hearing her, the Agnihotri, Kirloskar and Randhawa women felt angry. They came to attend the wedding. That too from girl's side. Still saying wrong about Anjali. So disgusting.

"What do you mean by that?" Renuka shouted angrily.

Hearing her shout, everyone's attention turned to them. Nani and Manorama came to them immediately.

"What happened, Renukaji?" Nani asked politely.

"Ask them what happened? They came to attend the wedding and saying such wrong things. Disgusting." Renuka said angrily.

The four woman also grew angry hearing Renuka. They were feeling humiliated.

"What wrong did we say? We just asked whether there is any problem with your son or not. Otherwise why would you get him married to such a girl? He is good looking, educated, rich, earning well, sophisticated and from good family. Anybody will give their daughter to him. Then why getting him married to a girl like Anjali? Tell us." Mrs Joshi said shrugging.

"Our son has no problem. He loves Anjali so getting married to her." Renuka said confidently.

"Hello hai bye bye. Mrs Joshi, what nonsense are you talking? How can you say something like this?" Manorama asked angrily.

"Oh come on, Manorama. What wrong did I say? We were just looking out for Anjali. Let's face facts, Manorama. We all know the truth. Anjali has a limp in her right leg. Even if we ignore that still she is a divorcee. That too such a disaster of a broken marriage. Then her mental condition. On top of that she can't even be a mother. She is a Bhanjh, Manorama. Which good guy from a reputable family will marry such a girl without any ulterior motive. So only we were asking." Mrs Joshi said casually.

A-K-G-R ladies looked at Mrs Joshi and her gang in disgust and anger. Khushi and her girl gang felt angry and disgust towards the women's thinking. What the hell these women think of themselves. They couldn't do anything useful themselves. So have made it their life mission to create unwanted nuisance and spread negativity. They are just jealous of everyone who is happy. So has to do something to create problems. Khushi and her gang shook their head. Raizadas felt sad for Anjali.

Anjali started crying hearing their words. She felt her heart breaking hearing the word Bhanjh. Nani and Mami ran to her to console her. They made her sit on a chair and consoled her. Seeing that Khushi and her girl gang rolled their eyes. The Raizadas are hopeless.

Renuka felt angry at the women. But there was one more person fuming in anger. Renuka was going to shout at the women but beating her another cute little angry voice shouted.

"Hey, you bad aunty. How dare you talk about my Anjali Ma like that. And What did you say my Anjali Ma can't become mother. Are you blind. Can't you see me. I am Riya. Anjali Ma's daughter. When I am here why did you say she can't be mother. And You also called her Bha... Bha... (frustrated) Bha... whatever. You called her that bad word also. Listen bad Aunty. I am Riya Randhawa. Anjali Ma's daughter. Never ever say my Anjali Ma can't be a mother. She is my mother. My Mumma. Do you hear me, bad Aunty?" Riya shouted at the women.

She then went to Anjali and wiped her tears. "Don't cry, Anjali Ma. Riya is there as your daughter. Nobody will say that you can't be mother. Because you are my Mumma." Riya said smiling and hugged her.

Anjali hugged her back with teary smile. Nani and Mami smiled at Riya and felt relieved. Even others smiled looking at the sweet little baby girl. The four women felt humiliated and walked out of there.

Khushi and her girl's gang were happy seeing Riya. They felt proud of her but frowned looking at Anjali. Though they felt sad for Anjali, but Raizadas cocooning her made them frown. They shook their head at the hopeless Raizadas. It also made them doubtful of their decision. Ever after all that happened, still Raizadas are safeguarding Anjali from harm. Even Anjali also just wants to be in their protective cocoon. Are they really doing right? This question started running in their mind.

There was one more person who frowned seeing the Raizada's overprotectiveness. Renuka Randhawa. Actually she felt annoyed. She would have been happy even if Anjali endured all their taunts silently. But her family safeguarding her and Anjali hiding behind her family was unacceptable for her. She felt proud of her great granddaughter when Riya stood up for Anjali. But Anjali's silence really made her unhappy.

After sometime

Almost all guests left. Only family members were there. Seeing Anjali alone, Renuka went to her and told her that she wants to talk to her alone. Anjali took her to the terrace where nobody was present.

Renuka stood looking at the surroundings. Anjali stood behind her anxiously.

After few minutes of silence, Renuka started, "Whatever happened today was very wrong. It should have never happened. I am happy that it ended without much damage. But I am very disappointed with you, Anjali." Renuka said calmly.

Anjali looked at her nervously and scared. "Dadiji, I... Did I do something wrong?" She asked stammering.

"Yes, you did a big mistake. When those women were humiliating you and saying all those nonsense about you, instead of defending yourself, you started crying and hid behind your family." Renuka said disappointed.

"Dadiji, I... I was hurt. I couldn't bear it. So I..." Anjali stammered.

"Anjali, I know you were hurt. But crying and hiding behind your family was no solution. If you stood there silently hearing everything, then also I would have been happy. Atleast you would have bravely faced it. But you preferred to hide behind your family.

"Today, I am really feeling proud. And that's because of Riya. She is just 6 years old. But the maturity and courage that she showed today made me so proud. The way she defended you, it made me so happy. But instead of Riya, if you would have been the one defending yourself and bravely facing those women, I would have been more happy. Even if you would have slapped those women, I had be glad. But you did none of them.

"You disappointed me a lot today. The courage that Riya showed, even half of it if you would have showed I would have felt proud of you. But no. You did nothing. On top of that you cried like a helpless woman and hid behind your family.

"Listen, Anjali. Whatever happened in your life till now, I don't care. But once you become Randhawa daughter in law, I want you to be capable of handling your affairs. I don't want your family safeguarding you or cocooning you. Or you running to your family with every small problem. No. That's unacceptable. By your marriage to Samar, you will not only be his wife, but also Riya's mother and our daughter in law. And that's a huge responsibility.

"In your life, there will be many situations like that happened today. People will taunt you, badmouth you, say all nonsense about you. Then, you can't hide behind your family like today. In fact, I don't want you doing that. I won't tolerate that. I want you capable to fight your own fights. And most importantly you will be Riya's mother after marriage. Being a mother to a daughter is a huge responsibility, Anjali. Today, what you saw in Riya is Khushi's upbringing. Her teachings, her bravery and courage.

"I don't want to compare Anjali. But my Kuku and Payal has faced greater pain than you. (Anjali gulped hearing that) Still today, they are standing strong, living happily and giving a better life to their kids, it's because they faced every hurdles thrown at them boldly. Today you saw Khushi's upbringing in Riya. The confidence with which she faced that problem. I want that to be in Riya always.

"Anjali, a mother's life will have a great impact on their child specially daughters. A mother's character define her daughter's character to a great extend. I want Riya to be brought up as a strong, confident, courageous and self made girl. And it will be your responsibility. So make yourself up for the further challenges of life, Anjali. I don't want you breaking down like today. Do you get that, Anjali?" Renuka asked.

"Yes, Dadiji." Anjali nodded. "I will try my best not to disappoint you ever." Anjali said determinedly.

Renuka nodded and then both left from there. Soon A-K-G-R family left and everyone went to take some rest before going to temple for Ganesh Pooja.

***************

After sometime, Anjali's room

Anjali sat on her bed thinking about everything that happened today. The women's words and Renuka Dadiji's words were echoing in her mind. Her mind drifted to her past and the events that made her the Anjali that she is today.

After her meeting with Shyam that day, she was very confused. She didn't know what to believe. The following days, Shyam continuously called her day and night. And within few days, he managed to make her believe on his lies. He was very good at his work. He knew just how to manipulate her.

Not even for once, he talked about his own self. All he talked about was their lost daughter. Their Rajkumari. He was playing with her motherly feelings. He convinced her taking their daughter's name everytime. And she was too lost and hurt by her grief that she didn't realise when he managed to instill venom and hatred for her family in her.

Everytime, his words were that they had to take revenge for their baby's death. And Khushi and Payal were the murderers of their baby. They killed their baby for money and property. They are shrewd, characterless, gold diggers.

Slowly he convinced her that they have to separate them from Arnav and Akash and throw them out. Then he started his real plan. He manipulated her to act as sad and depressed. Always seeking for support from her brothers.

And she too started acting like he wanted. She acted as sad and depressed. She made Arnav and Akash feel that she need their presence and support always. She deliberately made situations such that Arnav and Akash didn't have time to spend with Khushi and Payal. Whenever they were together, she interrupted their moment saying one or other thing.

For Shyam, his main target was to keep Arnav and Khushi apart. But in their case, she didn't had to do much. Because already problems were brewing in between them due to Sheetal. She could clearly see that Sheetal's presence in their house and Arav's similarities with Arnav, were clearly disturbing Khushi.

So she kept quiet and let things be. And then to add fuel to the fire Nani and Mami started their comparing section. It started disturbing Khushi more. All she had to do was support whatever Nani and Mami were saying and her work was done.

But in Akash and Payal's matter, she had to interfere. Their relationship was unstable. But the chances of reconciliation were high. The things were already rocky due to Mami's interference but Akash needed more motivation to go against Payal. Akash was soft hearted compared to Arnav. He could go soft at any time seeing Payal's sufferings. So she had to act.

Also Mami was very supportive of her suggestion that Akash and Payal should be separated. With Mami's help, she was successful in making Akash believe that his marriage to Payal was a mistake. Even to an extend that Akash was ready to divorce Payal.

But then something happened, she is not sure what, Payal left to her maternal house. She was gone for a week. Though she gave some excuse of a trip to Lucknow, she knew something was wrong. In that one week, things changed completely. Arnav and Khushi had some misunderstanding and were not on speaking terms. Akash was completely aloof and stayed away from home.

It was like everyone was living in different different worlds. After one week, Payal came back. But the Payal who came back was totally different from the Payal who left. She was totally aloof. She didn't care about anything apart from Khushi. Her only interactions were with Khushi. She avoided everyone else.

Even Khushi was totally aloof. She talked to none and stayed out of house whole day. Rest of the time, Khushi and Payal will be together or with NK. It was like there were two groups in the house. In one group was Khushi, Payal and NK, rest were in another group.

In between this, she met Shyam many times. Almost on a daily basis. They spend time together in his rental house. During all this, many times, she felt that she was doing wrong. She wanted to end all this. Many times, she suggested to Shyam that they will leave all this revenge, planning and plotting and stay away from Raizadas in a small house.

But everytime, she felt a little guilty or unsure of her decisions, Shyam would remind her of their dead baby. And then convince her that Khushi and Payal killed their child and likewise they would destroy her family and her brothers's lives also. And being their elder sister, it was her duty to save her brothers from such wicked girls.

At one point, she wanted to give up everything and wanted to move in with Shyam to start a new life. She was all set to even leave home. Then she found out that she was pregnant for the second time. She was so happy. She felt like she got the entire world. Her decision to move in with Shyam also got strong.

But then Shyam dissuaded her from taking that step. He convinced her saying that if she left home without throwing Khushi and Payal out, then they will once again manipulate her brothers against her and separate her from him and bring her back. And if they finds out that she is pregnant, then they will kill her child again.

Hearing about loosing her child again, she was afraid. And Shyam used her this vulnerability to manipulate her again to throw Khushi and Payal out. He convinced her that till Khushi and Payal are a part of Raizada family, they will always be a threat to her and their child.

And this time, she was more determined to separate Arnav-Khushi and Akash-Payal. But before she could start her plan, Khushi left to Lucknow and Payal too remained out of house most of the day looking after Khushi's Dabba business.

Then, the day came when Khushi was going to come back. She and Shyam were all set with a masterplan to throw Khushi out. But before they could execute that plan, an unexpected opportunity came their way in the form of Arnav and Sheetal's affair. Finding Arnav and Sheetal together on bed was an awesome opportunity they got without even trying.

That night finding Arnav and Sheetal on bed together, others might have thought that something happened between them. But she could understand that it was just an act put up by Sheetal. The innocence that reflected in Arnav's eyes, was proof enough that he was framed.

But it was a golden opportunity to separate Arnav and Khushi, so she acted as if Arnav really did cheated on Khushi with Sheetal. She deliberately refused to hear any explanation he was giving to prove his innocence. Her main motive was to create misunderstanding between Arnav and Khushi, so that Khushi leaves Arnav.

After Arnav left from there, she silently followed Khushi and Payal. But hearing their conversation, the land slipped under her feet. She realised that things were slipping out of her hands and she had to act fast to execute what they have planned.

She discussed with Shyam and they immediately made a plan to end everything and throw Khushi and Payal out. The next day morning itself, she started the plan and took the first step of the plan. It went exactly as they planned.

She was all set to give the masterstroke but before that itself, Khushi and Payal left. Initially she was shocked learning that. But then she felt happy and relieved that she didn't had to do anything more to throw them out.

But Arnav and Akash's condition made her feel a little guilty. Both of them crying and pining for their wives, was difficult to see. But she felt relieved that those two wicked girls were out of their lives. Then they realized that Arav is also missing and Sheetal started her wailing for Arav.

They tried to search for Arav but were unsuccessful. The whole day passed in trying to find Arav. By morning, things were complete chaos. Arnav and Akash decided to meet Khushi and Payal and bring them back. Also they decided to take professional help to find Arav.

Morning itself, Arnav and Akash left home to meet Khushi and Payal. She tried to stop them using Arav's name but they were adamant. On the other hand, Sheetal was creating problems regarding Arav. She felt frustrated.

But things settled down after few hours, Arnav and Akash came back with the news that Khushi and Payal were also missing. And Arav's missing case was also handed over to a private investigation team. Seeing things settling, she decided to meet Shyam.

Due to the chaos at home the previous day, she could neither contact Shyam nor tell him the news that Khushi and Payal left. So she decided to meet him personally and give him the good news.

She lied to Nani and Mami that she is going to temple to pray for family and Arav. Then she immediately went to the house where Shyam lived and where she and Shyam used to meet. She decided to surprise him, hence didn't inform him about her arrival.

She was really relieved that Khushi and Payal left before they had to do what they planned and also was thinking how to convince family of Shyam's innocence and bring him back. She happily reached there hoping to give him the good news and spend some quality time with him.

Flashback

Anjali reached Shyam's house to meet him. She entered the house enthusiastically through backdoor and went to Shyam's bedroom silently to surprise him. She was smiling mischievously and was excited to see Shyam's reaction after seeing her. But the scene she saw when she opened the door, shocked and shattered her. She felt like the sky fell on her head. Her eyes widened and her heart stopped beating. She felt difficult to breath.

Shyam was on bed with some girl furiously getting intimate. Their loud groans and moans reached her ears making her numb. They were talking disgusting language and were having wild sex. The sudden opening of door startled them and they both stilled. Anjali's strangled cry of his name reached Shyam's ears and his eyes widened.

He looked behind and was shocked to see Anjali there. He looked at her without blinking. Anjali looked at Shyam's face and felt her heart breaking into a million pieces. There was shock on his face but not even a tinge of guilt. Tears stung her eyes and she felt dizzy. She stumbled and fell against the frame of the door.

Seeing her there, the girl cursed. "Bitch, who are you. What are you doing here? And How dare you enter inside like this?" The girl shouted at Anjali angrily.

Shyam looked at the girl and then at Anjali for a moment, trying to decide what to do. Then realising that there is no way to hide or justify and that he is caught red handed, he decided to come clean. He sighed and then smirked at Anjali with an evil look.

"Relax, Madhuri Darling. Don't get angry. She is Rani Sahiba. My darling wife. The Great Anjali Jha ńee Singh Raizada. And she has come to meet her loving, honest, caring husband aka me. Atleast we should give her a good welcome. Don't you think." Shyam said to the girl looking at Anjali.

"Oh so she is that stupid, dump handicap you keep talking about. Hmm. But must say she is hot and sexy even if she is a limp. You might have had fun with her. Wanna join us, sweetheart?" The girl asked smirking at Anjali.

Anjali cried hearing that. Shyam chuckled and turned to the girl. "Sorry, sweetheart. Today, we have to stop here. I promise we will meet soon. Then we will have a hot, sexy and amazing time. I will make sure you won't be able to walk for few days." Shyam said smiling coyly.

"Damn you Shyam. I thought we will have a good time today. OK Fine. Maybe next time. I will eagerly wait for that. Don't make such excuses then." The girl said naughtily.

She got up and wore her clothes. She came near Shyam and gave a long smooch to him on lips. Then taking her bag, left after smirking at Anjali. Shyam sighed and got up from bed. After wearing his pants, he went to the cupboard and took out a bottle of whiskey. Pouring the liquid in a glass, he started drinking.

Anjali kept looking at him numb with tears continuously falling out of her eyes. Shyam looked at her with a bored expression and kept drinking.

"Why? Why did you do like this? Why did you cheat me?" Anjali asked in a broken tone.

"Oh come on, Rani Sahiba. Don't cry. And what did I do? Wasn't I a good husband? I did everything you wanted. I gave you love, care. I pampered you. Even was an ideal husband and son in law for you and your family. But then you must also understand, Rani Sahiba. I am a hot blooded man. I have needs. And even if I try to be the best husband I can in return of all the money and luxury, I got from you and your brother. Still I can't ignore my needs right. And Rani Sahiba, why are you complaining. It's not like I didn't satisfy you. I even gave you two kids. Yeah, one, I have to kill. But what to do. I can't live without all those luxuries. I somehow got addicted to it. So to get back home, I had to kill that child. But why are you worrying, I gave another one instead, no." Shyam said with a sinister smile.

Anjali looked at him shocked. "You... you killed my child. And then you lied to me. You lied to me that Khushi and Payal killed my child. You played with me. You used me. You made me separate my brothers and sister in laws. You ruined me. And then you made me ruin my own family." Anjali said finally realising her folly.

"Come on Rani Sahiba. Why are you behaving like a saint. It is not like you're completely innocent. Remember you were the one always meeting me behind your family. You even betrayed your beloved brother who considers you as his mother and didn't even believe him. You planned and plotted to separate your brothers from their wives. You manipulated everyone with your acting. Wait did you say, your brothers and sisters in law separated. So that means Khushiji and Payalji left your dumb brothers. Oh God. Why didn't you tell me this before. Now I have to go and find my Khushiji and patch up with her. Then I will marry her and live happily. My sweet Khushiji." Shyam said dreamily.

Anjali looked at him disgusted. "Stop it. Don't take Khushi's name from your filthy mouth. You don't deserve to even say her name. And for your information you will never get Khushi because Khushi left Delhi with her family and nobody knows where she went." Anjali said.

"What? Khushiji left Delhi? When did it happen? Where did she go?" Shyam asked frantically.

"I don't know." Anjali said.

"Anjali, what did you do? What did you do to Khushi? Why did she leave? I am sure definitely you and your brother would have done something for her to leave. Tell me what did you both do. Where is she?" Shyam asked maniacally.

"I didn't do anything. I don't know where she went? But I know one thing. Wherever she is, you will never get her." Anjali said confidently.

"Shut up. Stop talking. I know you're behind Khushi's disappearance. It's all because of you. If you weren't there, then Khushiji would have been my wife. Not your stupid brother's wife. Then everything would have gone according to what I planned. I would have killed your brother, got all his property, then marry Khushiji and live happily. But because of you, everything ruined. I lost my Khushi. Now because of you, she left forever. It's all because of you." Shyam said psychotically.

"Thank God, she left. Good for her. She will never have to face a devil like you. Otherwise God knows what would have happened to her because of you. I am really happy that she escaped. And you, Shyam Manohar Jha. Stop making your dream castles, because none of your dreams will ever come true. You will never get my brother's money nor Khushi. I will go and tell everything you did and you made me do to my Chote. I know he will be angry on me, even hate me. But he will definitely make you pay and turn your life into a living hell. You are going to be in jail for rest of your life. My Chote will punish you and also find Khushi and Payal and bring them back. We will live happily and you will not be able to do anything." Anjali sneered at Shyam.

Shyam glared at Anjali with a maniac glint. "I will not be able to do anything? Huh? Well let's see what I can do. What did you say, Rani Sahiba? You all will live happily and I will rot in jail. Then, let's see how that happens. If I can't get everything I wants and be happy. Then I will not let you people also be happy. What did you say, Anjali. You will tell your brother everything, right? You will dump me and live happily, right. Well let's see how you remains happy.

"Today, I will ruin you in such a way that you will never be able to be happy, again. Neither your brother nor anybody else will be able to help you. And you will never have your happy ending. After today, you will be tainted forever. Not only your brothers, but everyone will be disgusted of you and hate you. All will loathe you. I will ruin you completely, Anjali. You made me loose everything. My money and my Khushi. Now you will also loose every precious thing of yours." Shyam said laughing crazily holding Anjali's chin.

Anjali gulped seeing his mad look. "Leave me. What are you doing?" Anjali said in disgust throwing his hand away.

"I didn't even started doing anything, still you are feeling scared. Then think, what will be your condition after I will be done with you." Shyam said smirking.

He held her shoulders and threw her on the bed. Anjali looked at him wide eyed with fear. She held her tummy feeling scared for her unborn child. Shyam looked at her with an evil smile and hovered over her.

"Shyam, what are you doing? Leave me." Anjali cried trying to push him away.

Shyam held her hands and nuzzled on her neck and started roughly sucking and biting her skin. "You ruined my day by barging in. I was having such an amazing time with Madhuri but you have to barge in and ruin it. Now you will compensate for it. Well Madhuri is also right. You are not so bad, you are enough hot and sexy. But while pretending to be your good husband, I never got to enjoy it fully. But today I will. Anyways, after today I can never have you, so why not enjoy to the fullest. You were going to go to your brother and confess my crimes and your deeds right. (Pretending to be frightened) Then your idiot brother will punish me. Before that let me have some fun with you. You can say about this also." Shyam said laughing and started undressing Anjali.

Anjali struggled again him. "Shyam, what are you doing? Stop it. Leave me. You don't know what Chote will do to you when he finds out." Anjali cried.

"Your Chote can't do anything to me. I tried to kill you and him so many times, still he couldn't do anything. What will he do now. Nothing. Your brother is useless." Shyam sneered.

Anjali struggled against him. Gaining her complete strength, she pushed him and tried to run. But her prosthetic leg didn't help. When Shyam tried to pull her, her leg gave away and she fell down. Shyam overpowered her and threw her on bed. Her head hit on the headboard and started bleeding.

She started feeling dizzy, still she struggled and tried to free herself. She cried to leave her and screamed for help. But none of her cries or screams affected the devil's incarnation. He mercilessly shred her of her dignity. He brutally raped her over and over again without even thinking that she is pregnant with his child.

After sometime, Anjali lied there silently loosing all her strength. Her soft cries and Shyam's groans were the one sounds heard. The whole bed covered in red colour from Anjali's blood. There was no part in her body where there is no slap marks, bite marks and bruises. Her hair was messy, lips were torn and bleeding, there were slap marks on her cheeks and her eyes were swollen and blood red due to crying. Couple of hours later, Anjali lost her consciousness.

But Shyam didn't stop, he continued with his brutality. After several hours, he left her lying there naked and bleeding. Couple of hours later, Anjali slowly gained conscious, she felt dizzy and her body was paining. The pain in her lower abdomen was intolerable. She doubted if her child was still alive.

She slowly moved and wore her dress. Dragging her body with the support of wall, she came out of the room. Outside, she saw Shyam gambling and drinking with some men. When she reached outside the room, she stumbled and lost her balance. She fell down gaining the attention of the men.

She hoped that atleast one of them will help her. But her hoped crashed, when she saw them staring at her lustily. She gulped fearfully and tried to get out of there as soon as possible.

"Shyam, who is she?" One of the men asked looking at her with a smirk.

Shyam smirked understanding their intentions. "Well, she was one of my so called wives. But now she is of no use to me. If you guys want, you can use her. But yeah with price." He said with an evil smile.

"How much for one night?" The man asked.

Shyam shrugged. "You know better. Only I have tasted her. So you know..."

"2 lakhs." The man said.

"Fine." Shyam nodded.

Anjali's eyes widened in fear seeing the scene. The man kept the money on the table and went to Anjali who was trying to move towards door with fast pace. He pulled her and started dragging her towards the bedroom. Anjali cried and screamed for help. But nobody came.

That night, one by one all those men kept raping her. Shyam kept collecting money. Sometimes coming in himself to satisfy his needs. Those men beat her, raped her, torchured her, treated her worse than an animal. Anjali lost her everything that night as Shyam said. Not being able to take the pain and humiliation, Anjali lost her consciousness sometime in between.

Flashback ends

On the otherside, in Raizada Mansion, things were still chaos. The brothers were frantically trying to find their wives and Arav. But by evening they received another bad news, their sister was also missing. Anjali, who went to temple to pray, didn't return.

That was the last straw. They contacted Police for help. The police tried to find her in temple and at her friends's houses. It wasn't 24 hours since Anjali's missing, so there was no legal case. But due to Arnav's influence, they tried to search her. Soon it was night and there was no news of Anjali. Arnav and Akash were frustrated. One by one all were going missing and they couldn't do anything.

The whole night passed and by morning, they were convinced Anjali was in some trouble. They traced her phone and found the location of her phone through GPS. They reached the area and tried to find her. After searching for a couple of hours, finally they found Shyam's house.

Entering inside the house, the Raizada brothers and police felt disgusted. There were alcohol bottles, used cigarettes and clothes thrown everywhere. Couple of naked men were sleeping on floor and sofa. They entered further inside and saw Shyam sleeping on ground by the door of a bedroom.

They moved him and entered inside. Seeing the scene inside, the policemen and Raizada brothers were shocked. A couple of men were sleeping on bed. Anjali lied on the side of the bed with her head hanging down unconscious. She was naked and bleeding profusely. There were cigarettes marks, bite marks, slap marks, burns and bruises all over her body.

They immediately moved outside. A couple of policewoman entered the room. They threw the men outside whom police arrested immediately with the rest of the men and Shyam. The policewoman covered Anjali in sheets and brought her outside. Anjali was immediately taken to the hospital.

On investigation and after taking Shyam's statement, the truth came out. Shyam confessed how he manipulated Anjali, how Anjali acted as being depressed on his instructions and separated Arnav and Akash from Khushi and Payal. Then how Anjali came to meet him without informing and how she found out his truth. And finally how he raped her and sold her to his friends and let them rape her.

After finding the truth, Arnav and Akash didn't knew how to react. The sister whom they loved and trusted above everything, betrayed and plotted against them so brutally. They felt like shouting at her and giving her the worse punishment. But even that right was taken away from them. Because the person she did everything for, itself betrayed and punished her so brutally.

Her condition was worse and seeing her, they didn't know what to do. Feel pity for her or get angry on her. It was as if fate itself punished her in the most brutal way. She suffered a miscarriage and lost her child again.

Even after removing the dead foetus from her womb, she continued to bleed. So without any option, the doctors had to remove her uterus making her sterile forever. She lost her motherhood which was the most prized possession of any woman.

The head injury was not major but still she had to undergo a surgery to remove clots. There were bruises and cuts all over her body. It took weeks for her to completely heal. She was unconscious for the first two weeks. Then became unresponsive. The doctors felt that she was in shock.

After her physical health improved, they tried to get out of her shock and make her respond. After few tries, she responded. But soon turned hysterical and lost consciousness. As days passed, her mental condition kept deteriorating. She lost her complete mental balance. Helplessly, the Raizadas had to admit her in mental hospital.

During this time, the brothers distanced themselves from the family. Seeing that the elders were only concerned about Anjali's condition, they felt neglected. Nani and Mami only cared to take care of Anjali. They weren't bothered about Khushi, Payal and even Arav.

Seeing all that Arnav and Akash were hurt. They too distanced themselves from the family. They did their duties and rendered any physical and financial support they could do. But were totally distant from family. They stopped talking to everyone and were only engrossed in work. They didn't even try to meet Anjali.

Because honestly they didn't want anything to do with her after the way she betrayed them. They wanted to punish her but couldn't do that also. After Anjali was shifted to mental hospital, the Raizada family broke completely. Arnav and Akash became aloof from family.

Most of the time, they will be working, travelling or trying to find Khushi, Payal and Arav. After Anjali was send to mental hospital, they never visited her. Only paid her medical expenses.

Nani and Mami spend their days praying for Anjali or trying to get Arnav and Akash forgive them and move on in life. They were not cordial with Sheetal but gave her money whenever she asked, citing different reasons. Like this, one year passed.

For Anjali, that one year was the horrible one year. That night, Shyam ruined her in the brutal way possible. When she lost consciousness, she knew she had lost her everything and there was no going back from that.

When she gained consciousness in hospital two weeks later, all she felt was numbness fill her. She knew her child was dead. She knew she could never be a mother again. Her body didn't felt like hers. She couldn't feel anything. She couldn't respond. There was complete hollowness inside her. She felt like it was end for her. She just wanted the death to take her away.

But then the doctors made her remember about the incident, wanting to make her respond. And at once, she felt all the memories of that day rushing inside her mind. Shyam's confession, his brutality, those men, their lustful gaze, their dirty touch on her body. She felt like a thousand insects were crawling under her skin. She felt disgusted of her own skin.

As the memories ran in her mind, she struggled to fight against those men. She tried to end that pain. She tried to kill herself. But the pain never ended. Those memories ran in her mind every moment she was conscious. She couldn't come of those memories. It was as if she was still stuck in that room with those men butchering her.

Their lustful gazes, their dirty touch, their disgusting breath on her face, it all haunted her. She was fighting a battle inside her own brain. She saw the faces of those men in every faces she came across. Everything reminded of all those horrible things.

As days passed, alongwith the memories of that day, her own misdeeds started haunting her. Her brain conjured images of her brothers accusing her, hating her, her family abandoning her. Khushi and Payal's faces were constantly on her dreams. She had hallucinations of them crying, begging her to not hurt them, accusing her for ruining their lives, cursing her.

Slowly she started feeling that all that happened because of her own misdeeds and Khushi and Payal's curse. Slowly she lost her mental stability. She had illusions and hallucinations. Her memories before that incident became jumbled. She couldn't differentiate between hallucinations and reality. She even started thinking that she killed Khushi and Payal. She completely lost it.

Next one year in mental hospital was torchure. She was constantly at a war inside her own brain. What's truth, what's reality, she couldn't identify it. Moreover she really suffered depression after loosing her child. Earlier she pretended to be depressed but at the end, she actually ended up suffering the worse scenario of depression.

It took a long time for doctors to make her even orientated to her surroundings. Otherwise her mind still lived in that room in Shyam's house. Still she was afraid to be near people. She went hysterical seeing men. She list her will to live. It took a lot of counselling and treatment to make her believe in humanity again.

After she became aware of her surroundings and was somehow ready to meet people, the first person she wanted to meet were her brothers. But both of them refused to meet her. They made various excuses to avoid meeting her. Then she realized that she had actually lost her brothers due to her misdeeds.

She almost lost her will to live further then. Didn't even wanted to get cured. But then Nani and Mami's constant compelling didn't let her give up completely. But the rate of her progress declined drastically. At one point, she even went back to being completely depressed. Then Nani showed her the mirror.

Nani reminded her, how she was always selfish and only thought about her own happiness and always hurting others. She reminded her how she for her selfish reasons, ruined her brother's lives and now also hurting everyone by her condition, instead of getting cured and accepting her share of punishments for her crimes. How because of her, her brothers's lives got destroyed, yet they couldn't do anything for them, instead are still stuck at taking care of her.

She hurt them, yet they are getting punishment while she continues to be selfish. After hearing Nani's words, she realized how she was hurting her family more, instead of accepting her punishments and repenting. So she decided to fight with her demons and get cured, so that she can put her family out of misery.

In next couple of months, she got completely cured and came back home. But the home she returned to, was not the one she remembered. It was no more a home, but a house where few people lived. There was no family, no relationships left. Everything was ruined. Her brothers were as distant as possible, Khushi and Payal were still missing, Nani and Mami were lonely and Mama was as usual missing. And for everyone's irritation, Sheetal was still present.

Then only, she came to know about Arav still missing and Arav's real relationship with Arnav. It was a news which she couldn't really understand how to react to. After being rendered barren, knowing that her brother has a child was a good news. But knowing that the child's mother is not the love of her brother's life was heartbreaking.

She felt for Arav but still couldn't come to completely think of him as a part of their family, due to Arnav and Khushi. When Sheetal did her drama of not having enough finance to hire a private investigator to find Arav, she rendered help.

Yes, she wanted to find Arav. She wanted to make sure the boy was safe. Whether she wanted Arav and Sheetal in Arnav's life and their house. Then no. She only wanted Khushi as Arnav's wife because she knew that's where her brother's and family's happiness lies. Without Arnav and Akash's knowledge, she hired PI to find Khushi and Payal also. But there was no luck.

Though her brother's ignorance hurt her, she accepted it wholeheartedly as her punishment for her misdeeds. After going through all that, she had only one aim in life, to reunite her family and redeem her mistakes.

Other than finding Khushi and Payal, she had one more aim, to make sure her family is safe and healthy. That is to make sure, the man named Shyam is completely destroyed so that he could never come back to hurt her family. But when she tried to execute her plan, she found out that she was too late.

After three months of her getting admitted in mental hospital, Shyam died in an accident while trying to escape from police custody. The day, she found out about it, she did a huge celebration. She gave huge donation to many orphanages and charitable trusts, from all the money her brother deposited in her account for her expenses.

Her next step was to become independent. She tried to find job. But due to her past and medical history, she didn't get any job. After trying a lot, she got a job in a small school. The salary was not big but she was satisfied. The school was not one of those posh ones, it was an ordinary one where facilities were minimum. There was scarcity of infrastructure and staff. So her students needed her most.

Later, she found out that Arnav helped her to get the job. But she didn't ask him about it because somewhere she was very happy with the job. Though he helped her get job, but he was not actually helping her only but doing something good to those children as well.

She also did some part time work in some NGOs. It was during one of those days, she met Samar and Riya. She was working in Delhi branch of Astha's NGO. Samar and Riya came there to visit and check about the overall functioning.

First she met Riya. She was in the NGO doing some work when she heard the cries of a little girl. Riya was three and a half year old then. She fell down and hurt her knees while playing. She immediately went to her, consoled her and bandaged her wound. Riya clung to her the whole time.

And for the first time, she felt her motherly feelings awakening. Something about Riya made her remind of her own lost children. Her lost Rajkumari, for whom she dreamed a lot of things. She played with her, fed her and had fun with her. Throughout the time, she was living the dream that she saw with her own child.

After sometime, Samar came to take Riya. With him, reality also came crashing that Riya was going to leave. She met Samar for first time, then. He was polite and friendly to her. He talked to her casually. For first time, she met a man who looked at her eyes and talked to her. Neither his eyes wandered to her body nor there was reluctance and disgust noticing her limp.

There was something about that father-daughter duo, that was strongly pulling her towards them. She didn't knew if it was her motherly love for the little baby girl or the admiration for a gentleman. But those two made a permanent impression in her heart that day itself. But she was not going to move further from there. She knew her limitations.

When it was actually time to leave, Riya was reluctant to leave her. She was a little baby. It was difficult to make her understand. She asked for her mother and felt sad after knowing about her demise. Her heart went out for the motherless child.

Samar requested to spend a little more time with her till Riya sleeps. And reluctantly she accepted. Even she wanted to spend more time with the baby girl but was afraid to get her hopes high. After sometime, Riya slept and Samar left with her bidding bye.

For several days, the face of the father-daughter duo remained in her mind. She would start thinking about them in all free time. But dare she dream more than that. She knew she had no more hope left in her life. A broken marriage and divorcee tag is also acceptable.

But a barren and victim of gang rape, which man or family would accept such a woman. She can never give anything to anyone. She is totally useless. Why would anyone want her in their life. So she never dared to dream for big. All she wanted was to live an uncomplicated, peaceful life and repent for her mistakes.

But fate had something else stored for her. She again met Riya and Samar several times coincidentally. Soon, a strong bond formed between Riya and her. She found her lost child in Riya and Riya got motherly love from her. They became inseparable. Riya was slowly filling colours in her dark life.

She and Samar too became friends. It was a different experience for her. After living a secured life all throughout her life, having a male friend and spending time with him was difficult. But Samar's easy camaraderie and Riya's presence diffused the awkwardness.

They both were matured people, having gone through difficulties in life. It was different to be able to converse with and share emotions and experiences with a person who understands you and share same wavelength with you. With time, all three of them came close.

Samar and Riya almost became like a part of Raizada family. They had a good relationship with all the members of Raizada family even Arnav. Arnav has a special relationship with Samar which he never had with Shyam. He respects and looks upto Samar like a big brother. Even seeks advises from him.

Riya was the apple of everyone's eyes in Raizada family. They became inseparable. All her free time, she spend with Riya. During weekends, Riya would come to spend time with them. When Samar is busy, he leaves Riya with them. Slowly they became too close.

After one year of friendship, Samar proposed her. But she was reluctant. Her past had scarred her too much to expect for anything good in her life. In fact, she even felt guilty for seeking happiness for herself after the problems she created in her brother's lives.

So even though it was heartbreaking for her to let go of Samar and especially Riya, she refused the proposal. Samar tried to convince her. When he became persistent, she told him about her past. Her first marriage, Shyam's betrayal, her loosing her first child, knowing his truth, him manipulating her, her misdeeds, ruining her brother's lives, finding Shyam's truth, rape, miscarriage, mental illness, her life at mental hospital, getting fine, coming back, her tries for redemption, everything.

After knowing everything, she was sure Samar would cut all ties with her. Samar said that he needs time to think. After two days, Samar came to Raizada Mansion with Riya. He proposed her in front of whole family. She was shocked but later accepted.

She told him everything about Khushi and Payal also and everything she and the family did to them. But somehow unintentionally she skipped mentioned the names during the revelation. After hearing everything, Samar was a bit disappointed with her, but later forgave her after knowing how much she is repenting.

After the proposal, their relationship progressed slowly. After one year of courtship, they decided to get married. The families met and finalised the marriage. She was really happy on the prospect of being Riya's mother.

But somewhere she always felt guilty for whatever she did to her brothers. She was always in a half mind regarding getting married. When the marriage talks started, she voiced her feelings to Nani. Nani then talked to Arnav and Akash.

After that both of them talked to her and asked her to go ahead with the marriage. Even they agreed to act like a happy family and remain cordial with her till marriage. Somewhere she felt that more than her, they were doing all this for Samar and Riya. Nonetheless she was happy after getting to be in her brother's lives even for few days. She decided to utilise the maximum of those moments.

Things were going smooth. Then Khushi and Payal came back in their lives. She was really happy about that. The little guilt that she always felt, regarding thinking about her own happiness when her brothers were miserable, slowly disappeared.

She wanted their family to reunite. She is ready to do anything for that. She just hoped everything becomes fine. Yes, she was shocked after finding out Khushi and Payal were Samar's sister. Not because she was afraid her misdeeds would come out. No. She is ready to endure any punishment.

But she was afraid of loosing her loved ones and her family breaking. Once, because of her, her family broke. Now she didn't wanted it to happen again. Yes, she is afraid to loose Samar and Riya also. After spending so much time with them and dreaming so much for a happy future with them, she is afraid to loose them.

But more than that, she is afraid that all the relations will break. Her brothers will loose their wives and children. She will loose Samar and Riya. Both families will break. She didn't want it. She wants to fix this mess but didn't know how to.

Many times, she felt like going and telling everything to Samar. But then what. Everything will be over. It is not like she wants to hide anything from Samar. In fact she had told him everything about her past. About Khushi and Payal also.

But in Samar's mind, her brother's wives and his sisters were different people. He is seeing both as different scenarios and not seeing it as one. Even his family know everything but they are also not connecting the girls in her past was their own daughters.

And she didn't know what to do further. She can tell Samar truth and ruin everything. Or keep quiet and let things happen. She didn't know what is in store for them. But whatever it's, she hoped nobody gets hurt in all this.

Anjali came out of her thoughts and sighed. Today's incident really showed her how weak she still is. No. She can't be like this anymore. Renuka Dadi is right. If she had to become Riya's mother, then she had to be strong and become worthy of that position.

After resting for sometime, she went to get ready to go to temple for Ganesh Pooja.

***************

The same day, Night, Agnihotri Mansion, Khushi's room

The Ganesh Pooja went without any problems as only families and immediate relatives were present. After the Pooja, both families returned to their respective homes as everyone was exhausted.

After freshening up, all the youngsters, Khushi, Payal, NK, Kuhu, Rahul and Lavanya decided to gather in Khushi's room. NK and Kuhu entered the room and saw all sitting silently thinking. Seeing them, all turned to them except Khushi. She was still lost in her thoughts.

NK and Kuhu also sat down and all looked at Khushi. They called her name and Khushi looked at them jerking. She sighed seeing them looking at her curiously.

"Where are you lost, Kuku?" Payal asked Khushi.

"Nothing, Di. I was just thinking about what happened in the morning." Khushi replied shrugging.

"What happened in the morning?" Kuhu and NK who were absent during the Shagun ceremony asked.

Then, Payal and Lavanya told them the morning incident. What happened in Shagun ceremony, how those women bad mouthed about Anjali and insulted her, how Anjali heard everything silently and hid behind her family, how Riya had to step up and speak for Anjali.

After hearing everything, NK and Kuhu shook their head feeling hopeless for Anjali.

"But, Kuku, what're you thinking so deeply about that?" Payal asked confused.

"Di, I am thinking whether we are doing the right thing by letting Anjali marry Samar Bhai. I mean we decided to let her marry Samar Bhai after knowing how she suffered due to Shyam and how she is repenting. But now I am not so sure about that idea. After seeing what happened today, I am having second thoughts if we are doing the right thing." Khushi said with a confused and worried look.

Payal sighed. "Kuku, we all know what happened and why we took this decision. We wanted to punish her but then gave up that idea knowing how God itself gave her bigger punishments through Shyam. First getting gang raped, beaten, and torchured by Shyam and his men. Then she lost her child and her chance at being a mother. All this was not enough, she even lost her mental balance and suffered in mental hospital for a year. After knowing all these only we decided to let her off the hook and get married to Samar Bhai."

"I know Di. But I am confused." Khushi said sighing.

"Kuku, you know right how much Samar Bhai loves her and also how much Riya is attached to her. And how much this marriage is important for both of them. And we are doing this for both of them." Kuhu asked with a frown.

"I know, Kuhu. I know everything. I know that Samar Bhai loves her so much and she is mother figure to Riya. I agree that even she loves both of them too. And I also know how much important this marriage is for both of them. After whatever happened with Samar Bhai's first wife, he was not ready for another marriage. It took a lot of time for him to get ready for another marriage. And if his marriage with Anjali breaks he might not get married again.

"And Riya. I know how much of an integral part Anjali is in Riya's life. She sees her as her mother. She will be heartbroken if this marriage doesn't happen. I know all this. And that's why I agreed for this marriage when Samar Bhai told about Anjali. I care about both of them. That's why I even refrained you all from telling truth to Samar Bhai.

"I felt that since Anjali got her share of punishment for her misdeeds and she would have changed. I thought she would be a good wife to Samar Bhai and good mother to Riya. I even monitored Anjali before saying yes for this marriage.

"I saw her genuinely making efforts to move on in life and make redemptions. She started working and being independent. She started making use of her time to do good for others instead of wasting it on unwanted poojas and crying for her shortcomings and losses.

"She also loves Samar Bhai genuinely and give unadulterated motherly love to Riya. Seeing all three of them happy together and Anjali's changes only, I decided to go ahead with this marriage plan.

"Also it is not like she is lying to Samar Bhai or anything. She had told Samar Bhai her entire past, even her sins against us. But it's just that Samar Bhai is not connecting both the issues. Samar Bhai couldn't think that the people, he hates the most is his own love, Anjali and her family. His mind is not ready to see both issues as anywhere similar. So he has not found the truth till now.

"I thought it's better to think, Anjali got her punishment through Shyam for whatever she did to us. Also after recovering from mental instability, she has not done anything wrong and is doing everything in her power to make amends. I felt as always it was her family pulling her back and trying to cocoon her or doing atrocities in the name of protecting her.

"I mean since we met her again, she didn't do any mistakes. It was always her family specially those two so called husbands of ours who were doing mistakes in her name. So I thought if Anjali gets out of the influence of that family, then she would become more independent and strong. She will become a perfect wife for Samar Bhai and perfect mother for Riya.

"But after witnessing what happened today, I am not sure. I doubt whether Anjali will ever get out of the safety cocoon that her family keeps making for her. Or rather if she even wants to get out of it. She keeps running to her family for every small big problem. So what if this continues even after marriage.

What if her this attitude to hide behind her family in every problem and let her family do mistakes for her, create problems for Samar Bhai and our family in future. We know what Anjali and that family did, when we revealed Shyam's reality first time.

"Anjali hid behind her family. Her family started hurting people for her and her happiness. They didn't even care to know the other side of the coin. What if same things repeats in future if there is any fallout or difference in opinion between Anjali and Samar Bhai. Won't they hurt Samar Bhai and our family for Anjali. And Anjali, instead of taking care of her problems on her own, will hide behind her family. Then what. What will happen to our family." Khushi explained her point of view.

The other five looked at her shocked finally understanding her point of view. Yes, what she said is true. It can happen. There is no guarantee that Anjali will become bold enough in future to handle her own affairs. And if she fails, it will affect the lives of so many people. And more importantly Samar and Riya.

"Kuku, if what you said happens, then it will be catastrophic. It will ruin our entire family." Payal said worried.

"True. If Raizadas continue to be like this even after marriage, things could go very wrong in our entire family. They will bring chaos in Samar Bhai and Riya's lives." Lavanya said agreeing.

"That's why, we have to make sure, we are doing the right thing, before we go ahead with this marriage." Khushi said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Payal asked confused.

"We have to assess Anjali. We have to find out if Anjali is changed and is eligible to become Samar Bhai's wife or not. We have to test whether Anjali can handle the responsibility of being Samar Bhai's wife and Riya's mother. Whether she can face the problems that will come in her life on her own." Khushi voiced her thoughts.

"But how are we going to do that?" Rahul asked.

"I have a plan..." Khushi explains the plan to everyone.

"Will it work?" Payal asked doubtfully.

"I don't know. But we have to try. We have to make sure, Anjali is the right choice for our brother. Then only we will go ahead with this marriage. Otherwise we will stop it at any cost." Khushi said determined.

"Yes. We will test Anjali. Only after she proves her worth, we will go ahead with this marriage. At any circumstances, we will not let our brother's life and happiness be ruined by anything or anyone." Kuhu said firmly.

Others also agreed. Then they started discussing how to implement the plan. Khushi noticed NK lost somewhere and being silent throughout their talk.

"Nanheji, where are you lost? Are you worried for Anjali? I know how difficult it is for you to stand against your family with us. It would have been hurting you seeing us planning against Anjali." Khushi said with an apologetic look.

"No, Khushiji. I am not worried for Raizadas. I have no qualms about you planning against them. In fact I feel that they deserve everything they are getting. Even more. And for me, you people are more of a family than Raizadas ever will be. And Samar Bhai is like my own brother. I am worried for him and Riya. I don't want them getting hurt because of Anjali.

"And no. I am not worried for Anjali. But worried about Anjali. I don't know what will be the outcome of what we are planning. And if Anjali fails, then lot of people will be hurt. And I feel very bad thinking how so many people are getting hurt due to the mistakes of a family in which I was also a part of. I feel ashamed to call them my family.

"And regarding standing against Raizadas. Then I will always stand by you people, no matter what. You people are my family. I will always be a part of anything that is in the best interests of my family. No matter who is on other side and who I have to fight against." NK said smiling.

Overwhelmed, all five of them hugged NK. Then they all started planning about what they had to do. After few minutes, suddenly the door opened and Samar entered inside. All six of them, looked at him shocked and worried. Did he hear something. They all thought.

"What happened? Why are you all looking so shocked seeing me? As if any of your mischief got caught." Samar asked casually popping down on a beanbag.

All sighed in relief. Thank God, he didn't hear anything. All thought. "Nothing, Bhai. We were discussing about marriage preparations. If you find out about everything beforehand, then there will be no suspense and fun. So we got worried thinking whether you heard anything." Khushi made up a lie quickly.

"Oh. Don't worry. I didn't heard anything. By the way, these days you all are always planning and hanging out together and leave me out. Come on guys, I am just getting married and also I am not that old that you guys can't hang out with me." Samar complained pouting.

They all chuckled. "Well, Bhai. Even though you're not that old. Still you come under the categories of oldies. See, some of your hairs are also becoming white. Also, You are getting married for second time. Most importantly you have a five year old daughter. So yeah, you come under oldie category only." Kuhu said teasing Samar.

"Oh hello. I only have one daughter. Here, there are people who have three to four kids. Why they are not included in this oldie category." Samar said smirking.

"Excuse me. Even though I have four kids. I am the youngest one here. So if I come under oldie category. So do you all. And by the way, three out of that four are triplets, so can't be calculated as different." Khushi said shrugging.

All shook their head at her twisted logic. "OK, guys. I came to call you all for dinner. All are waiting. Come. Let's go." Samar said.

Then all got up and went to dining hall to have dinner.

Mature content summary

Anjali went to meet Shyam. She sees him with another girl on bed in compromising position. She confronts him and Shyam confesses his crime. They have argument which ends in Shyam brutally raping her. Anjali loses consciousness. At night, Anjali wakes up and tries to escape from there. Shyam and his friends sees her and Shyam offers her to his friends in exchange of money. They all pay and then gang rapes  Anjali. After sometime Anjali loses her consciousness.

OK. So that's it for chapter 28. This chapter mainly consists of Anjali's life. Many people asked me why everyone is hiding truth from Samar and protecting Anjali. Many felt that Anjali doesn't deserve a happily ever after, after doing all the wrong things.

But as I said earlier, here nobody is completely correct or wrong. Anjali did mistakes but she suffered more than that. And whether or not, she deserves a second chance at happiness, then it's debatable. I feel she too suffered and is repenting for her mistakes, so she deserves a second chance. Others might feel different.

Regarding telling Samar everything. Here nobody is lieing. Samar knows everything. Anjali's past and Khushi and Payal's past. He is just not connecting both situations. And sometimes for the greater good, we have to hide some truths.

Here Anjali and Samar, both are people who faced betrayals and suffered in their lives. They are getting a second chance at life, so their siblings are looking out for them. You might feel they have to tell Samar, well right. They have to. And they will. But at right time. When. Don't ask.

Now, the story is at a crucial point. Anjali. Khushi and gang is going to test Anjali. What do you think their plan is. Will Anjali pass their test or fail. What will be the outcome of all this. Guess and tell me.

One more thing, the wedding rituals shown in this story is not based on any culture or anything. The rituals and their order are selected according to convenience for this story. So don't bash me regarding rituals. Some might be there, some might not be there. Depends on need.

And please don't forget to vote and comment. I need a lot of comments. I want to know what's your opinion about this chapter as it will give me a clear view of how to proceed with this story. Please comment.