Payal walked out of the court as soon as the hearing ended. Akash tried to go behind her to talk to her. But before he could reach her, she hailed an auto and left from there. Soon Raizadas also left from there in their own convertibles.

Khushi went to Gayathri as soon as the hearing ended.

"What was that?" She asked directly without beating around the bush.

"What?" Gayathri asked with an amused smile.

"I clearly asked you not to bring Payal Jiji and Akash Jiju into this case. Then why did you reveal that forced marriage and contract thing? Do you have any idea how this was going to affect their relation? It could ruin everything. And that divorce papers. Why did you brought them to court? Arnavji gave them to me after our second marriage, to reassure me and for my peace of mind. I should have destroyed it then itself. I don't know why I kept it. Even though I kept it, I shouldn't have told you about it, knowing your nature. I should have understood that you would go to any extend to win the case." Khushi said angrily with tears.

"Khushi, I..." Gayathri felt bad seeing her daughter misunderstanding and accusing her like this. She tried to make her understand.

But cutting her, Khushi said in anguish. "No. Don't say anything. It was my fault. I shouldn't have believed you and gave you that papers, when you said that you wanted to check that papers to confirm the authenticity and legality of that papers. You told me that you wouldn't bring that divorce matter in court. But you lied to me. Also you submitted those papers in court that I gave trusting you. Why did you do that? Do you have any idea how it will affect Payal Jiji and her marriage? What if something bad happens to her?" Khushi cried.

Gayathri sighed. "Khushi, listen. You please calm down first. I will explain you everything. But first stop crying. It's not good for your health." Gayathri consoled her. Taking the water bottle out of her bag, Gayathri made her drink some water.

Khushi gulped down the water and relaxed a bit. Gayathri sighed in relief.

"Khushi, I know you are feeling angry and betrayed, right now. I remember that you asked me not to bring that forced marriage or blackmailing matter to court. But trust me, I only decided to bring this matter to court, after thinking very much.

"Khushi, this matter is the centre of your marriage with Arnav. Everything started from that point. It was very necessary to discuss this matter in court. Can't you see how much this matter has helped us in this case.

"Also Khushi, contrary to what you think, I didn't bring this matter up only to make the case stronger on our side. It was for Payal, also." Gayathri said sincerely.

"What do you mean?" Khushi asked frowning.

"Khushi, Payal may not be my real neice nor I share a close relationship with her like you and Garima Jiji. But I do care for Payal. I had no intention to ruin her life or cause any trouble to her by bringing this matter up." Gayathri said calmly.

"So you think this matter won't affect Payal Jiji?" Khushi sneered.

"I know it will have some effects on Payal's life. But don't you think that is necessary. Till when can you hide this matter and protect her. One day or another, this reality of her marriage and her husband will come in front of her, then what. Do you think she will not be hurt then.

"Khushi, you got married to Arnav, to save Payal's marriage. Arnav kept blackmailing you using that, and you kept enduring everything silently for Payal's sake. But till when can you do it? Can you guarantee that Arnav won't blackmail you in future keeping Akash and Payal's marriage at stake again? What if he threaten you to stop this divorce using Payal's marriage?

"You also know that Arnav could do that. And if such a thing happens, what will you do? Can you stop this divorce? No, right? What if he really asks Akash to divorce Payal to satisfy his ego and anger? You yourself saw today, what will be Akash's stand in such a manner. He admitted in front of everyone that he will stand with his family and brother, no matter what. Today, I presented the truth of your marriages in front of everyone with evidence. Still he was defending his brother and trying to justify his actions. He is not even ready to acknowledge his brother's wrongdoings.

"How can you expect such a man to stand by Payal all his life? Today, I just hypothetically asked him about his stand, then also he said he will not stand by Payal. If his brother or family asks him to leave Payal in real, can you guarantee that he won't do it?

"Then, what will happen to Payal at that time? Khushi, today you can protect Payal from a heartbreak by hiding this matter and not making her face the reality of her marriage and husband. But one day, when she will be in a real crisis, and her husband will refuse to support her, she might get a bigger shock. That time, you or anybody else won't be there to support her or handle her. She will be break down.

"Facing the reality now is better than having such a big shock later. Right now, she has you and all of us to support her. That time, she might not have anyone to support her. She might be so deeply involved in this relationship that it would ruin her. So let her face reality now itself.

"And Khushi, you. You might be thinking that you are protecting her by hiding this matter. But that's not true. You are pushing her towards more pain. Khushi, you must understand that you can't protect Payal's marriage and happiness by sacrifing yourself. A relationship that is based on a third person's pain and sacrifice, it has no future.

"A relationship specially that of husband and wife, it is between two people. If it needs a third person to save it, then that means there is something wrong with it. So understand this, you can't save their marriage by ruining your life. And even if you do that, till when you will be able to do it. One day or another, you have to give up, then also the outcome will be same or maybe worse.

"So let Payal know the reality. Let her face the truth of her husband and her marriage. Let her decide what she wants to do with her life. This is her life. Let her take the reins of it and face the challenges. Let her live it and bear the consequences of her choices. Stop cocooning her. Khushi, by doing that you're repeating the same mistake that Arnav did in Anjali's matter.

"Arnav knew the truth of Shyam's infidelity. Yet, he hid it to protect his sister from heartbreak and you saw the consequences of it. Now, you are doing the same thing by hiding the truth of Akash's cowardice and his blind love and devotion for his family. Don't do that. Let Payal face reality and take decisions for herself. So that she has no regrets in life." Gayathri said seriously.

"But what if revealing this matter has some negative effect on her married life? What if her relationship with Akash Jiji gets broken? It will affect her whole life." Khushi said worried.

"Then it will be her choice and her decisions. Atleast she will not have any regrets in life. Khushi, you can't protect her always. She needs to stand up for herself. For how long you can protect her from facing reality by hiding the truth. One day, when she will be in crisis, what is the guarantee that Akash would support her. What if he refuses to support her and abandons her. Then what? That's why I am saying, it's better for her to face the reality now and prepare herself for the worst, than keeping hope and getting heartbroken later." Gayathri said seriously.

Khushi looked at her doubtfully. She was still feeling anxious over the whole matter.

Gayathri could understand her worry and dilemma. This is a tricky situation. Either way Payal will get hurt. There is no escape from that. All they could do was pray that Payal has the strength to face it. Knowing that her whole marriage was based upon a deal between two other people and her husband could wordlessly leave her any moment, is painful and horrifying. But that's the reality for Payal. And she has to face it.

Khushi thought about Gayathri's words seriously and realised that Gayathri's words has some point. This is Payal's life. She can't hide matters and coccon her so that she doesn't get hurt. She has to let Payal take the reins of her life and live it.

So she decided to not ponder over the matter too much and let it be. She will face the consequences when it happens. If Payal wants to take a stand for herself and do something about her marriage, then she will support her. Otherwise, she will not interfere and let Payal handle on her own.

Khushi looked at Gayathri and felt guilty for shouting at her unnecessarily. "I am sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you. I just lost my temper when I saw those divorce papers and then took my entire anger and frustration out on you. I shouldn't have shouted at you without hearing your point of view. I should have talked to you calmly and try to understand you. I don't know why I reacted like that. I just... I am sorry. I am really very sorry for my misbehaviour. I am sorry." Khushi said in regret.

"It's OK. I can understand. I should have discussed this matter with you before presenting it in the court. Honestly, I had no plans to stretch it so much. But seeing Akash's behaviour and his unreasonable blind faith on Arnav, I lost my cool. I just wanted to show him mirror of his brother's reality. But that didn't actually work. He is still delusional and blind in his devotion towards his brother. The only outcome was Payal facing the truth of her marriage." Gayathri said feeling frustrated.

"Leave it. There is no use talking about it. If Raizadas were people, who changed by making them see their mistakes. Then there was no need for this divorce itself. They are stubborn and self centred people. They would only understand and do things that they wished to do.

"How much ever we try to change their perceptive by showing truth and pointing their mistakes, they will never understand. They are too conceited to accept their own faults. No need to ruin your mood thinking about their insensitivity. They are not worth it." Khushi said with disdain.

"Fine. Leave it. Tell me, how are you? How is your health? Are you better?" Gayathri asked with concern.

Khushi felt uncomfortable hearing that. She was never used to her mother showing care. Her mother was not such a person. She rarely talked to her and asked about her well being in past. So this sudden concern for her is making her feel uneasy. She didn't know how to react.

"I... I am fine." Khushi said looking away awkwardly.

"How is Leela? Are you comfortable with her? Is she taking caring of you? If you didn't like anything about her, tell me. I will change her and send another person." Gayathri said caringly.

The more Gayathri showed care, the more uncomfortable Khushi felt. Some past memories and hurtful incidents, started running in front of her. No. She didn't want to think about them now. She already had her share of things to worry about. She didn't want to add onto it, remembering the past.

"OK. Enough. Stop this. Stop showing as if you care so much about me." Khushi said agitated.

"Khushi, I... I..." Gayathri tried to say something to justify herself. But nothing came out of her mouth.

"Why are you doing all this? You never cared about me when I needed it. There were times when I craved for your love and attention. But you never cared. Now why are you behaving like you care so much for me. Don't do this. I don't need it. And what's this thing about sending that maid Leela and all? Why are you doing it? If it was for spying on behalf of you, then you better call her back. I don't want you or anybody to do such things for me. And regarding taking care of me. When did you started caring about how I was. You never did before. Even when I stayed away from home or left home, you cared to know how I was. Then why now?" Khushi asked distressfully.

"Khushi, I know I was not an ideal mother for you. But I do care about you. Earlier, I didn't try to find out about your whereabouts and well being, then it is because I was sure you were safe.

"When you used to stay away from home. You used to be in school and college. I knew you were safe there. Also, your Dadu (Grandfather) was taking care of your needs. When you left home, you were studying in university. So I thought you went back to your university. That's why I didn't try to find out more about you because I didn't wanted you to get angry.

"But now the situation is different. Now I know you're not in a safe place. And after knowing how Raizadas are treating you, how could I stay quiet. So that only I send Leela. If you were willing, I would have taken you back home. But I know you are not ready for that yet. So I won't force you. But you have to allow Leela to stay by your side. She is for my peace of mind, that you are safe there." Gayathri said sincerely.

Khushi didn't say anything and kept quiet. She didn't want to think about all this right now. She already has enough in her cup. She can't handle one more emotional rollercoaster now.

Khushi decided to go home then. Gayathri offered to drop her which she accepted.

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

Raizadas reached Shantivan silently. All were lost in their own thoughts. Arnav sat on the sofa and sighed. His mind was in chaos. At one side, he felt relieved and other side he was hurt and in pain.

He finally felt relieved after the truth of their forced marriage came out. It was always a burden on his heart thinking about the way he married Khushi and the repurcussions that Khushi had to face for it. Now that everyone knows the reality and Khushi's innocence, he felt unburdened.

But other side, Gayathri's words and accusations broke his heart. Is this what Khushi thought about him. That question was running in his mind ever since. Khushi misunderstanding him and hating him were things he can't bore.

Akash was fighting his own inner turmoil. The truths that he found out today was more than he could endure. The fact that his brother, whom he respected above his own parents, put his life and marriage at stake for his own selfish reasons, was too much for him. He couldn't believe that his brother took advantage of his faith on him and make him sign his own divorce papers without his knowledge. He was blackmailing an innocent girl using him. It was too much for him to digest.

He felt like shouting at his brother. But some things were stopping him. His own behaviour and mistakes, didn't gave him courage to question his brother. If his brother was wrong, then he was no Saint, either. Today, he understood that.

He was accusing and hating the wrong people all along. Finally, today he realised where he went wrong in judging people. He always thought Khushi was the wrong person and she was the reason for all the troubles and misfortunes in their lives. But it was the other way around. She was the victim and the innocent one. While they were her perpetrators. He was blaming the wrong person all along.

Manohar and Manorama were thinking about their son. His words and actions in court today, shocked them. Manohar was disappointed and disgusted with her son's choices and thinking. He couldn't believe that he brought up such a hypocritical and coward son.

Manorama was also feeling hopeless seeing her son's behaviour. Though, she always fought with Payal for establishing her authority and dominance over Akash. But today, seeing Akash abashedly declaring that he would abandon his innocent wife on his family's saying, made her ashamed of him. Why the hell was she fighting with Payal all along. He is not worthy of it. She regretted the upbringing she gave him.

Nani and Anjali were still reeling from the truth of Arnav and Khushi's forced marriage. Anjali was affected badly thinking that her one brother kept her another brother's life at stake and blackmailed an innocent girl into a forced marriage. All for her. Though, she was innocent in that matter. Still she felt guilty for that. She was root cause of some many people's suffering. It hurt her and made her guilty.

Nani was completely devastated by the revelations of the day. Finally, what she feared was happening. Her family is breaking apart completely. She could see this truth is going to break the last thread that kept this family together. The way Payal behaved after the hearing, she was sure a storm is on the way which is going to destroy everything.

And then just like she thought, the storm entered the Raizada Mansion. Payal entered inside the house followed by Khushi a few steps behind. Seeing Payal's state, everyone understood that she cried a lot. Her eyes were swollen and red. Dried tear marks adored her cheeks. Her hair was slightly disheveled at the front.

All stood up seeing Payal. She straightaway came and stood in front of Arnav with angry red eyes. Akash felt premonition that something bad was going to happen. He came near Payal and said softly, "Payal, come. Let's go to room and talk."

Payal didn't react. She kept glaring at Arnav. Arnav gulped feeling slightly intimidated. Akash frowned seeing Payal's behaviour. He took her hand and pulled her. "Payal, come." He started moving towards his room but Payal didn't budge.

She threw away Akash's hand. She was breathing heavily but her piercing gaze on Arnav didn't waver. Akash was growing impatient. He came in between Payal and Arnav. Holding Payal by her shoulders, Akash said, "Payal, come. Let's go to room and talk about things."

Payal glared at him. "I am not coming anywhere." She said firmly.

"Payal!!!" Akash almost shouted. Then composing himself, he said, "Payal, don't create a scene. Let's go to room and talk everything calmly."

"I am not coming anywhere. And why should we go to room and talk? Let's talk here. Here, everyone is there. We will talk here in front of everyone." Payal said shrugging Akash's hold away.

"Payal, stop it. Let's go to room and talk." Akash said pulling Payal harshly.

Pulling her hand out of Akash's hold, Payal pushed him away. Akash stumbled and looked at Payal shocked. "Payal!!"

"Stay away from me, Mr Akash Singh Raizada. I am not your puppet whom you can pull and push as you like. Why should I come to your room and discuss things with you. The main culprit is here, then why should I talk to you behind the closed doors. I don't want to talk to you. Today, I want to talk to him. The man who ruined my sister's life for his selfishness." Payal said glaring at Arnav.

"Payal, I..." Arnav tried to talk. But next second, a slap sound echoed in the living room. All looked at the scene stunned. The most timid person of the house slapped the most fierce person. The imprints of Payal's five fingers adored Arnav Singh Raizada's Greek God face.

Raizada family looked at the scene in shock. But Payal was not done. She pounced on Arnav like a ferocious lioness and held his collars in her small hands.

"How dare you, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. How dare you try to ruin my sister's life. How dare you blackmail her and force her into an unwanted marriage. How dare you." Payal shouted shaking Arnav by his collars.

Raizadas watched the scene horrified. Akash and NK came forward and somehow detached Arnav from Payal's hold. Khushi was shocked seeing her sister's behaviour. She has never seen Payal so angry before. And what shocked and scared her more was Arnav's silence. He was silently standing letting Payal assault him.

"Leave me. Today, I will not leave him. I will kill him. You ba****d, how dare you do all that to my sister." Payal shouted kicking in Akash's arms.

"Payal, calm down." Akash said loosening his grip seeing her stop struggling.

"Calm down? You want me to calm down? After what your bloody brother has done to my sister, you want me to calm down? To hell with you!!" Payal shouted at Akash.

Then turning to Arnav, she angrily shouted, "You, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. What the hell do you think of yourself? Are you some God? Who the hell gave you permission to decide my sister's life? How dare you blackmail her and try to ruin her life? Who the hell are you to dictate and control her? You are nothing but a stupid, selfish, narcissistic tyrant who thinks he can control everyone's life.

"But listen, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. If you think that you can control my sister's life and ruin it from now on, then you are highly mistaken. From now on, I will not let you do it. All this while, you used me and my marriage to control her and make her succumb to your atrocities. But from now on, that will not happen. I will not let you do it. You have to pass through me to get to my sister from now on.

"If you ever dare to blackmail my sister using me and my marriage again, then I myself will break this marriage. Do you get me, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. I myself will break this marriage if you ever dare to hurt a single hair of my sister. I don't want such a marriage and husband. I don't want such a life while is built on the pain and sacrifices of my sister. I had rather live like a divorcee or widow than ruin my sister's life for having a marriage with conditions." Payal declared fiercely.

"Payal?" Akash called in shock.

"What?" Payal snapped. "Why are you so shocked? Isn't it the agreement? If my sister didn't silently tolerate your brother's all atrocities and obey his demands, then he will ask you to kick me out and you will obey him. Isn't it? So I am making the choice easier for you. My sister will not tolerate any more abuses, instead I will leave you." Payal said firmly.

"Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, you did all this keeping my and your this cowards brother's marriage at stake, right. You were blackmailing her that you would break our marriage and make him leave me. So today, I am saying you, I don't want this brother of yours. You can keep him with yourself. I don't want anything to do with this coward man from now now. You can have him back. After that whatever you do with him, it's none of my concern. I am done with him.

"But Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, listen to my one thing carefully. Never ever think that you can hurt my sister and get away with it. I will kill you if you try to hurt her with even one word. I don't have anything to loose and I am not afraid of going to jail also. Jail would be thousand times better than living in this hell. So if you do anything against my sister again, I will kill you." Payal bellowed at Arnav.

Akash looked at Payal wide eyed. He was seeing his wife in such a fierce form for the first time. It scared him to the core. His wife was always a soft spoken and timid woman. But her Kali avatar was sending shivers down his spine.

"Payal, what are you saying?" Akash asked in shock

"What? What wrong did I say? When you both brothers could go to any extend to safeguard this vicious sister of yours, then why I can't do it for my innocent sister. What's this double standards of yours. You can hurt anybody for your sister. If others even think about their sister, then it's a big sin.

"How many times, huh? How many times you harassed and reprimanded me for caring for my sister's well being. If I so much make a favourite dish of my sister, you would start blaming me that I only care for my sister. You always blamed me that I don't consider your sister as my sister or care for her.

"But have you ever cared about my sister. My family. Have you ever considered them as your own. Have you ever thought about their well being? Well, why am I asking you? When you never cared about me itself, how can I expect you to care for them. For you and this double faced family of yours, there is nobody more important than this sister of yours. Everyone and everything should happen according to her whim and fancies. You people don't care about anyone more than her.

"And you want everyone else also to do the same. You people never wanted wives or daughters in law for this family. You people only wanted slaves to fulfill the tantrums of your imbecile sister. And when somebody doesn't do that, your tantrums starts. You start hurting and harassing that person.

"You know what, Akash? I am done with this. I am done being the slave of your family and this sister of yours. I will not obey or fulfill any tantrums of your sister from now on. You want to hurt me for that. You can do it. You want to leave me for that. You can do that also. I don't care. But from now on I will not do anything just to keep you people happy. I will not do anything that hurt my family and my self respect. I am done with being your unpaid servant. I am done with all your atrocities." Payal declared with finality.

Payal was panting from all the shouting. All the Raizadas stood shocked and tired at their places. Anjali was crying. Nani was feeling defeated. Mami had a remorseful look. Mama and NK were sad. They were clueless how to control the situation. Arnav stood silently ashamed and sad.

Akash was in shock and fear. He felt something breaking inside him. He felt guilt engulfing him. He felt like something is slipping from his hands. He wanted to hold tight to it. But he couldn't. He felt helpless.

Payal saw Arnav standing silently with a guilty look. All the past memories ran in front of her eyes. All the pain and hurt, her sister and family suffered since meeting this man was running in her mind. Her anger rose once again.

She once again turned to Arnav with a fierce look. "Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, how can you? How can you do all those atrocities on my sister and still behave like you love her a lot? Don't feel ashamed of yourself? How perfectly you faked your love all this while? I must stay you really gave an Oscar winning performance.

"All this while, we all thought that you really love and care for my sister. Who knew you were only faking it for your ulterior motives. I always thought that even though you are a cold hearted, rude, arrogant, insufferable man, you atleast care for my sister. You love her truly. You are sincerely committed to her.

"But no, it was a facade all along. You were only using my sister. You were hurting her all along to satisfy your ego. She was just a plaything for you to use and throw. You were ruining her entire life and breaking her inch by inch for your selfish reasons." Payal shouted in anguish.

Khushi was numb hearing that. Payal's every words were hurting every fibre in her body. The pain was becoming unbearable.

Arnav shook his head in pain and anguish, as Payal questioned his love for Khushi. "No, Payal. It's not true. I really love Khushi. I really care for her." He said desperately.

Payal chuckled mockingly. "You love her? Really? Then why did you do all this to her. What was her mistake that you were punishing her like this?" Payal asked him.

Arnav stood silently.

Payal scoffed. "What happened? Don't you have anything to say? Don't you want to profess your undying love for her like you having been doing all this while?" She asked angrily.

Arnav looked down ashamed.

"Why did you do all this to her? Why did you ruin her life like this? What was her mistake? You blackmailed her and bound her in a six contract marriage with you. Have you ever thought what would happen to her after that six months? You say that you love her. Then why didn't you gave her the benefit of doubt. You said your brother in law fed you lies that he and Khushi was having an affair, so you blackmailed her into a marriage.

"You knew he was cheating on your sister. He was duping you all along. Then why did you believe on the words of a cheater than trying to find out the truth from the woman you apparently claim to love. You were misled by him. Fine. After that what did you do?

"You took his words as truth and tried to ruin my sister's life. You neither bothered to know the truth or you tried to help your sister by telling her the truth. Now don't give me the crap that she was pregnant, so you hid it all. Your sister was not the first woman to get pregnant in this world.

"She was all fit and fine to throw tantrums and make everyone's life miserable for her selfish needs. That means she could have handled the truth as well. And if you really cared about your sister, then why did you brought the woman who was apparently a threat to your sister in the same house as hers. Why did you gift her husband the woman he desired, by marrying her and bringing her into the same house.

"That say, you weren't protecting your sister. All you wanted to do was satisfy your ego by making my sister suffer. From the day, you met my sister, there hasn't been a day of peace in our lives. You ruined every single thing for her and our family. Our lives were destroyed in the worst way possible.

"First, my marriage got broke. Then, my sister was almost publically raped due to that video releasing stunt of yours which led to that scumbag brother in law of yours to enter our lives. Our lives in our hometown became unbearable.

"And when we came to Delhi, you and your family didn't leave a single leaf unturned to make our lives miserable. First you torchured my sister in your office. When finally she escaped from there and tried to find a livelihood on our own, you people made it difficult for us at every step.

"After facing all those atrocities, when we finally decided to leave this place, your sister appeared. Then you all treated my sister like a slave in this house. Tell me one thing, which ethics tutor is made to do household work and be slave of the family where she works.

"Your so called high society would be having so many tutors who teach people how to behave in the high class world and adapt to the modern amenities. Do they all work in their student's houses like household help or what. Just because we are middle class people, you guys thought you could treat my sister as you wish. In your high class world, for teaching such things people actually hire high end teachers. My sister was innocent and gullible, so you people were harassing her as you wish.

"When Shyam's truth came out and our marriage got fixed, I finally thought now all these problems will end. We all can have a fresh start in our lives. But that never happened. Marriage in this house was the biggest nightmare. If only I was the only one suffering, I would have been at peace somehow. But no, along with me, my sister also got trapped in this hell hole.

"And I couldn't even run away from here, thinking that it could affect her life. Even then, I was happy thinking that if not me, atleast my sister is happy. Atleast she has a loving, caring and understanding husband. Atleast she was living a blissful married life. But it was all a facade. A deceit.

"You were torchuring her behind our backs by acting as a loving husband on the front. How could you? How could you do that, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada. You were blackmailing her all this while. You even bought our house and threatened her to throw our parents out.

"How much more could you stoop in your selfishness. My parents treat you like their own son. My Buaji never gets tired saying your praises. But you, you want to make them homeless for your meaningless ego and selfishness. You are a despicable man." Payal said in disgust.

Arnav stood silently not having anything to defend himself. He knew he was wrong and there is nothing he could do to rectify his past deeds other than apologising.

"Payal Bitiya, we know what Chote did was wrong. We are really ashamed of it. But please, please forget it. It's already in the past. Chote has already apologised for it. He and Khushi Bitiya has made peace with it." Nani said trying to handle the situation.

"What do you mean by they both have made peace with it? And how do you know about it?" Payal asked suspiciously. Did all the Raizadas know about the contract marriage and blackmailing thing.

"Payal Bitiya, this thing happened long back during their first marriage. After Chote realised his mistake, he apologized to Khushi Bitiya and made up with her. Their second marriage also happened after that." Nani said softly.

"Really? The great Arnav Singh Raizada apologised to my sister for his mistakes? When did that miracle happened?" Payal asked mockingly.

Nani turned to Arnav and said, "Chote, tell her that you apologized to Khushi Bitiya and made up with her." She urged him.

But Arnav stood silently feeling more guilty. Nani looked at him with hope but his silence terrified her. Payal scoffed.

"Chote?" Nani called in shock.

This time, Khushi came forward and answered for Arnav. "If you really think that your grandson is a person who admits his mistakes and apologises for it. Then You really have some misunderstanding regarding your grandson, Nani. Your grandson is a really egoistic person. He will never admit his mistakes or apologize.

"In fact, when it was time for him to do that, he abused and harassed me more brutally. Then when that tactic didn't work, he bought Buaji's home to blackmail me. Finally, he used his parent's sad tragic past to justify his every actions. There was never a sincere apology nor he ever owned up his mistakes.

"It was all swept under the rug and I let him do that as I was blindly in love with him and let him go without even a proper apology. Maybe that was my mistake. I shouldn't have done it. Otherwise he wouldn't have thought that he could hurt me anyway and I would take up all his bullshit without any complaints." Khushi said in disgust.

Nani was shocked by the revelation. She really thought that Arnav had apologised to Khushi for his mistakes. Anjali was also in similar thoughts. But Payal's mind was in something else.

"Wait a minute. First of all, tell me who and all knew about this contract marriage and blackmailing matter? Were you all deceiving us all along? Akash, you?" Payal asked suspiciously.

Akash looked at her wide eyed. "No, Payal. I had no idea about it." Akash said desperately trying to convince her.

Payal frowned at him. She turned to others for answers.

"Hello Hai Bye Bye, I didn't know." Mami answered. Mama and NK also shook their heads.

Nani looked down and said regretfully. "Chote told me about it after the kidnapping fiasco. He said that he married Khushi Bitiya because he came to know about Shyam lusting after Khushi Bitiya. I didn't know that he married her forcefully or he blackmailed her. After that we didn't talk about it. I thought they made peace with it."

"Made peace with it? How easily you said that. How can someone make peace in such a matter. It's no mistake to forgive and forget. It is a sin. Your grandson literally played with my sister's life for his own selfishness. It's not a small thing." Payal said angrily.

Nani looked down ashamed.

Anjali came forward and said, "Chote told me about this matter after he threw out Shyam. But I didn't believe him. I thought he was making it up to make me believe on him. I thought it was all fake." Anjali said with shame and regret.

"So Her Highness already knew about this. That's why you were torchuring my sister without any fear. Because you knew that even if your brother found out about your deeds, still he would only support you. After all the man who is capable of ruining my sister's life for your happiness, why would he bother if you torchure her, isn't it? Great. Now I could finally understand how you dared to do it." Payal said sarcastically.

Hearing that Arnav frowned. Is this the reason why his sister got the guts to hurt Khushi. Did he made her think that she could abuse Khushi and he would still support her.

Anjali shook her head crying. "No, Payal. That's not true. I never really believed that Chote actually did all those things to Khushi. In fact, I didn't even know that he blackmailed her or put your and Akash's marriage as bait. He only told me that he came to know about Shyam and Khushi's matter and hence he forced her into a marriage." Anjali said her point.

Hearing that Payal chuckled sarcastically and clapped her hands. "Wow. Wonderful. You are really a masterpiece, Anjali Singh Raizada. How do you actually do it? I mean how does this actually work. Whenever you need to see something, you don't see it. Whenever you have to hear something, you don't hear it. Whenever you have to understand something, you don't understand it. Whenever you have to believe something, you don't believe it. Whenever you have to take some action, you are not able to do that also as your brain will be on permanent vacation at that time.

"How actually do you do it? That your brain only sees, hears, understands, acknowledge and act on things that is in your favour. Otherwise it doesn't function at all. When Manorama Raizada abuses us, you don't see it. If you see your brain doesn't process it. When your brother tells you the truth of your husband, you don't understand or believe it. When people are getting torchured to safeguard your fairytale life, you don't know it. Your husband kept cheating on you for years, your brain doesn't process that also.

"How exactly does your brain work. Does it have some problem or is it some superpower of yours that your brain process only the things that are in your favour, all other things are either not seen, nor heard or not understood. Your brain only processes the wrong things, it never could think or understand good things. Really you are truly a unique thing.

"I used to wonder how someone could be so retard and useless. But you surpass the limit of idiocy and laziness. Your brain must be precious if sold as it was never used. After all your brothers are the ones who thinks for you and does everything for you. One blackmails a girl and ruin her life. The other blindly follows and does anything for your happiness.

"You could never actually think or do something independently, isn't it? After all that needs your precious brain to work. And you can't take the pain of doing that, isn't it?" Payal said sarcastically.

Anjali cried more hearing that. Payal rolled her eyes in disgust seeing her. Akash was feeling very bad seeing the turn of events.

"Payal, that's not true. I never knew that Bhai blackmailed Khushi or kept our marriage as bait to force Khushi into marrying him." Akash said defending himself.

"Yes, Payal. Akash didn't know about anything I did. It was all my plan. Akash was unaware of it." Arnav too said in Akash's defence hoping it could salvage their relationship.

Payal sighed hearing that. "OK. Let's believe that Akash didn't know about his brother's deeds. He didn't knew about Arnav blackmailing Khushi keeping our marriage at stake. He didn't knew about the divorce papers. He didn't knew about all the atrocities his brother did on Khushi. But Akash, let me ask you a question directly. If you knew about what your brother did. If Arnav would have discussed with you about his plan before blackmailing Khushi, what would have been your stand? Would you have supported him or stood against him? Answer truthfully Akash. Because you can't lie and get away with it." Payal said seriously.

Akash looked at her wide eyed hearing her question. All looked at him waiting for his answer. He was in a dilemma. He knew truth will ruin everything but he couldn't lie also. He didn't know how to control this situation and save their relationship.

"Payal, listen. I..." Akash tried to dodge the question and ciax Payal.

But Payal understood his attempt and cut him in the middle. "Stop Akash. I don't want to hear your meaningless explanations. Just answer my question in yes or no. Would you have supported your brother or not? Would you have allowed him to go ahead with his plan of putting our marriage at stake? Just answer in yes or no." Payal said sternly.

"Payal, I..." Akash tried once again.

"Yes or no, Akash?" Payal shouted gritting her teeth.

Akash looked at her shocked. Then looking down, said reluctantly, "Maybe."

"Yes or no, Akash?" Payal insisted.

"Yes!" Akash said tired and guilty. "Yes. I might have supported Bhai." He closed his eyes in regret.

Payal smiled sarcastically. Tears filled her eyes which she tried to gulp unsuccessfully. Khushi was openly crying. Raizadas were shocked and ashamed. Arnav stood terrified.

Then scaring everyone, Payal started laughing loudly with tears flowing out of her eyes. She laughed maniacally clapping her hands.

"Wow. Wow. Khushi look, this is the man you got me married to, putting your life at stake. This man here, was ready to leave me even before our marriage to support his brother's unreasonable demands. And yet you think he is the perfect man for me. You ruined your life to make me have a life with him. How stupid were you, Khushi. How did you think that this spineless man would stand by me and be loyal to me for the whole life. He could only be loyal to his family. He is only good at being the supporter of mother's atrocities, his sister's slave and his brother's loyal dog. My dear sister, you sacrificed yourself in vain. Because your sacrifice didn't get me a perfect husband but a idiotic, spineless, useless, hypocrite." Payal said painfully.

She turned to Manorama. "Mrs Manorama Raizada, let me ask you something. You were really disappointed that you couldn't get your son married to a rich, classy, sophisticated girl, isn't it. Tell me one thing, which normal girl would have married a man who doesn't have a stand of his own and mindlessly does and believes whatever his family wants. I would really love to meet the girl who was so stupid to agree to marry this spineless son of yours." Payal said sarcastically.

"Payal, please stop it. What are you saying? And what did I do wrong for you to feel so wronged. Agreed that you are angry regarding what Bhai did. But honestly I have no role in it. And regarding that divorce papers, I didn't sign it consciously. If I knew the contents of it, then maybe I wouldn't have signed it. I never really wanted to divorce you. Why are you making a fuss of those things that I didn't do. Stop making scene for hypothetical things. All those things didn't happen right, then why are you blaming me asking things that I didn't do.

"OK. I agree that I might have supported Bhai, if I knew about his plan. But that didn't happen. I didn't knew his plan nor I supported it. So stop blaming me for those things which I have no involvement in. And what wrong happened to you in this house. You got married in this house with all rituals and we were leading a happy married life till today. Then why are you complaining now. Why are you behaving like we all did some big crime towards you?" Akash asked slightly angry and annoyed.

Raizadas gaped at him seeing his crudeness. Nani slapped her forehead tired. Mami felt hopeless. Arnav was too shocked seeing his behaviour that he couldn't even believe it. Anjali, Mama and NK was looking at Akash as if he was an alien. Khushi was angry and shocked. She felt like slapping Akash left and right.

Payal chuckled loudly hearing him. "Wow. Amazing. You are right, Akash Singh Raizada. We really had a blissful married life. I was treated like the queen of this house. You were fulfilling all my demands. You were fighting with your family and supporting me at every step. You would reprimand your mother if she say anything to hurt my feeling or try to abuse me. You were so caring towards me and my family members. You considered my family as your own. I was your top priority and you loved me so much. You are right. We really had a blissful married life." Payal said mockingly.

Akash looked at her shocked. He felt scared seeing her like that. He felt something wrong. Did he do any mistake. He couldn't understand what he did wrong and why Payal was angry.

Seeing his confused face, Payal shook her head. "You still didn't understand your mistakes, isn't it Akash? You are still believing that everything you did was right, isn't it?" Payal asked sarcastically.

"You know what Akash? You are just like your brother and sister. You three are cut out of the same cloth. No difference. All three are selfish, self centred and abusive. You want everything and everyone to be according to you. You want everyone to be your slaves and do as you please.

"Your brother wanted Khushi to do everything as he please and be a slave for your entire family. Your sister also treated Shyam the same. She was happy as long as Shyam behaved as her love sick puppy, fulfilling her all demands and agreeing to all her whims and fancies. She didn't care if he was a cheat or deceiver as long as he made her happy and catered to all her demands.

"And you also. You also were happy as long as I did everything to please you and your family. You didn't care if I am happy or not. If something wrong was happening to me or not. As long as your family is happy, your mother is pleased, your sister's whims are fulfilled, your needs are met, you don't care about anything. You don't care what I have to go through in this house or how I am treated in this house. That's not your concern.

"First, I ignored all the wrong things that kept happening to me in this house. Then, I kept quiet fearing that if I did something wrong or fought for myself, then it could affect my sister's happiness. I really thought she had a happy married life. And I didn't want to jeopardize it by making any wrong move.

"Knowing you people's attitude, I knew that if I did something to get out of this abusive life, then you will make my sister's life miserable. So I silently endured everything. Who knew that my sister was going through more miseries to keep me happy.

"After Sheetal fiasco started, I really couldn't understand the situation or take a decision. I knew Khushi was in some problem but I didn't knew what was right for her at that time. Sometimes, she behaved like she was in pain and wanted nothing to do with Arnav. Next second, she sought him desperately. I couldn't understand her mindset then. So I kept quiet. I didn't want to interfere between husband and wife and create problems.

"Already a bunch of people were there in this house to give air to the fire. I didn't want to do something without knowing situation and make things more difficult. I tried to take care of Khushi but when was the people of this family so understanding. My husband tops the list of people who wouldn't allow me to do anything for my sister. If I so much say her name, then he would rain down verbal and emotional abuses like I am some enemy.

"But by the time I gained courage and decided to get out of this abusive relationship, Khushi was too much aloof from me. I couldn't reach out to my own sister. Then I got caught in my own personal problems and lost control of my life. And when I finally decided to end all this, I found out that Khushi has filed for divorce. So I decided to keep quiet for the time being. I wanted her to get out of this house unharmed. And I didn't wanted anything to hinder her escape from this hell hole. Even though it means I have to endure these abuses for more days.

"Khushi, you know what when you were recounting the abuses happened to you in this house, I realised that there were so many wrong things that were happening to us which we were ignoring and going on, to maintain peace in our lives. It was then I realised how wrong we were to ignore all this and behave as if everything was OK and normal. Abuses were never normal. They were never OK. But we thought that it was fine to get just if it means our loved ones were happy. No. That was wrong. Our thinking was wrong. We were wrong." Payal said softly.

"Payal you wanted to leave me?" Akash asked in shock.

Payal smiled. "Finally you understood something on your own. And the answer to your question. Yes, I wanted to leave you and end our marriage. First I thought I will leave this house and file for divorce after Khushi's divorce. But now after knowing everything, I have decided that I will not leave you, Akash. After all my sister bought you for me from your brother, by sacrificing herself. So I will not let her sacrifice go to waste by leaving you.

"All the pain and hurt she endured, will be for nothing if I left you. So I will not leave you. But we will not have any husband and wife relationship also. You will move on easily and get married to a rich girl like your mother wants, if I leave you. That will make everything my sister did for me, go to waste.

"My sister's life will not become like before. The scar that's left in her life will not change. So I will also not let you all go scott free by leaving Akash. I will bind him to myself for life. We will be husband and wife for the world, but in real we will not have any relation. That's the punishment that I am giving to you all. Seeing him suffer in a meaningless relationship and not being able to get out of it.

"I can't hurt you Arnav Singh Raizada but I can surely hurt your brother. Like you ruined my sister's life by binding her in a forced relationship hurting her emotionally and physically. I will also bind your brother in a meaningless relationship, never letting him have a happy life yet never letting him go. It's your punishment. Seeing him in pain for the rest of your life. Then you will understand the extend of pain you caused my sister." Payal said with a sinister smile.

All looked at her wide eyed. Everyone was shocked hearing her declaration. Khushi was horrified.

"Jiji, what are you doing? You don't have to do all this. If you are not happy with this marriage, then leave him. No need to ruin your life for this. Don't make your life miserable in revenge." Khushi said horrified.

"Khushi, you don't interfere in this. What you wanted to do, you did. Now let me do what I want to do. If I have to ruin myself to make these people suffer for their mistakes, then I will do it. I want them to know the pain that they caused us. I want them to know how it feels to be helpless and watch your and your loved one's life get ruined. It's their punishment." Payal said angrily.

"Don't worry, I will not let them take advantage of me or abuse me anymore. You were generous with them by not filing a domestic violence case on them. But if they try to hurt me again or do anything against me, then I will file case on them. Already you have produced enough proofs against them in court. A proper case and some more evidence, these sadistic creatures will be behind bars for the rest of their lives." Payal said seriously.

Akash was frightened hearing Payal's words. He came forwards and hugged her tightly in desperation. "Payal, please. Listen to me. I..." But his words were cut short and the sound of a slap echoed in the air.

Payal broke the hug and slapped Akash tightly. "Don't you dare touch me, Mr Akash Singh Raizada. I feel filthy when you touch me. I will kill you if you touch me again." Payal shouted angrily and walked inside the house.

Akash stood shocked at his place. Arnav felt more guilty seeing his state. "Akash, I am really sorry. I didn't mean all this to happen. I am really sorry for everything."

"Bhai, shall I ask you a question? Will you answer it truthfully? Did you really plan to break my marriage if Khushi refused to marry you?" Akash asked painfully.

Arnav shook his head. "No, Akash. Never. I never intended to break your marriage. It was just to blackmail Khushi. I was sure that she would agree to my demands. I will seem like a bad person for using someone's fear for my advantage. But it was my only plan. Then also, if it didn't work out, I would have never stopped your marriage. I agree that I care for Anjali a lot. But I care for you also equally. I wouldn't do anything to deliberately jeopardize your happiness. There was never a day, I didn't regret those actions of mine. I truly feel miserable that I did so much heinous things in my misunderstanding. I really feel sorry for that. I know I hurt you very much with my actions. My mistakes or rather sins are affecting you very badly. I am really sorry for that. I am ready to take any punishment for it. I am really sorry, Akash." Arnav said in guilt and regret.

"Forget it, Bhai. There is no use talking about all that. It's all in the past. As I said, if I was in your place or if I knew about it. Then I also would have done the same. I don't blame you for that." Akash said nonchalantly.

Raizadas frowned hearing his statement. Khushi was furiously glaring at Akash. What the hell. How dare he behave as if all this is OK. His brother literally tried to ruin her and her sister's life and this man is saying that all this is past and he also would have done the same.

"Akash, but..." Arnav tried to make him understand that he was wrong and he regrets it.

But before that, Akash was awarded with another slap. This time it was from an unexpected person. Akash stood shocked seeing that person.

"Papa..." He called in anguish.

"Don't. Don't call me that. I feel ashamed of having a son like you. I have never raised my hand on you. I was always proud of you. But today, you made me so ashamed. I can't believe that I have such a low life as my son. How can you be so insolent, Akash. You are doing mistakes over mistakes. Instead of understanding that and trying to rectify it. You are giving justifications for your misdeeds.

"Agreed, Arnav is bigger culprit than you. But atleast he is understanding and apologising for it. He is owning upto his mistake and ready to repent for it. But you. You are so impertinent that you are not even ready to understand or acknowledge your mistakes. You are still trying to defend yourself.

"So what if you would have done the same mistake as Arnav if you were in his place. Would it make his actions any less sinful. Just because you can't understand your brother is wrong. Doesn't mean that he didn't do anything wrong. He was wrong. It is a fact. And you stop supporting your brother blindly. Earlier when you silently followed and supported your brother in everything, I was really proud of you, seeing your care for your siblings. But today I feel disgusted seeing your blind devotion for your brother. So much that you can't even see his mistakes nor your own. You are still defending both of your actions." Mama said with anger, disgust and sadness.

Akash stood rooted to his place hearing his father's words. His heart broke seeing disgust and shame in his father's eyes for himself. He then looked at all his family members and saw the same feelings mirroring in their eyes for him. It hurt him. He felt regret.

Khushi threw him a disgusted look and walked inside. She really wanted to shout at Akash. But she knew that it was not going to have any effect on Akash. So she decided to not waste her energy on a worthless man like him.

Soon, all the Raizadas walked inside silently. Mama and Mami were crying seeing their son's behaviour. Today, they felt ashamed of him. Nani was tired and hopeless. Anjali was crying inconsolably. NK felt anger, disgust and helplessness. Arnav was tired, guilty and helpless. Akash stood in the middle of the living room alone still trying to process everything that happened.

That's all for this chapter. I am a bit busy nowadays. I am having a hectic time at work and then I have my examination in one month. So I have to study for that also. I am trying to write in between. So maybe the next update will take a bit longer. Please be with me and support me.

Regarding this chapter, it is a face of between Payal and Raizada family. I wanted to bring back that loving, caring and supporting Payal Jiji of Khushi before their marriages. The one who bravely stood in front of Arnav and confronted him when he brought Khushi back from that dilapidated house. I hope you all like this side of Payal.

I know many will be disappointed with Payal for not leaving Akash. But trust me, this Payal will be different and will not go back to being that doormat and sacrificing Payal. She will be a new version of Payal. So stay tuned for that.

Finally please give your valuable votes and comments. It encourages me a lot and motivates me to write something even in my hectic schedule. So please please please continue giving your valuable votes and comments. And trust me I read every one of your comments. So please continue giving comments and ask questions if you have any doubts.