Same day, night

Arnav entered his room after completing his work in study. He looked around for Khushi but didn't find her. He got fresh, changed into his night dress and came out to sleep. He frowned not seeing Khushi inside room. Then he saw Khushi sitting in poolside looking at sky.

The moonlight was falling on her face giving her an angelic look. Her face was looking serene. She was lost in her thoughts. Arnav stood there for couple of minutes admiring her.

Then walked out to the poolside. Standing behind her, he asked gently, "Looking at your parents?"

Khushi was startled by the sudden sound. She jerked at her place. Then seeing him, she relaxed.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you." Arnav apologized softly and sat down beside her leaving a little space between them, not wanting to agitate her.

Khushi nodded silently and then turned her gaze towards the sky. Arnav too looked at the sky.

"The sky is a bit dark tonight. Can't see the stars clearly, isn't it? Did you manage to find your parents? I think that's Maa." Arnav said in a gentle voice pointing at a bright star.

Khushi sighed hearing him. She looked at him a bit guilty. "My parents are not dead." Khushi said softly.

Arnav looked at her shocked. Then, thinking about Shashi and Garima, he said, "Yeah, I know Shashi uncle and Garima Aunty. They are your parents now."

Khushi shook her head. "Not them. My biological parents. My real parents are not dead. They are alive." Khushi said deciding to come clean with him. This was the only matter that she never wanted to tell him till now. She was not comfortable to talk about her parents with him.

Arnav was shocked hearing the statement. "But... but... That day, you said you have lost your parents. And you like to watch stars because you believe your parents have become stars." Arnav asked frowning confused.

"That day, it was your parent's death anniversary. You were sad about it. I wanted to comfort you, so I said that after death, people become stars. I don't know if it's true or not. After my grandmother's death, my grandfather believes that she became a star.

"And regarding my parents. I didn't completely lie to you. I lost my parents when I was 10 years old. It is just that they didn't die but stopped being my parents. My mother was an ambitious and career oriented woman. She was so involved in her career that she never had time for me. I rarely saw my mother.

"She would go to work before I woke up and come back late at night. My parents had an arranged love marriage. They were ideal couple. My father always supported my mother. So he used to take care of me since I was a baby. As much as my mother was a stranger to me, I was that close to my father. We had a great bond.

"My father was very young when my grandmother passed away. My grandfather brought him up single handedly. Whenever my father used to miss my grandmother in childhood, my grandfather used to show stars to him and told him that my grandmother became a star.

"My father grew interest in stars due to that. He loved star gazing and studying about them. My father had a big telescope at home. He used to watch stars every night. When I was a child, my father used to show me stars through his telescope and tell stories about it. It was one of the most beautiful memories of my childhood. I loved spending that time with him. We used to be so close. My father never let me miss my mother. He was always there for me." Khushi said fondly remembering that happy memories of her childhood.

"Then what happened? What about that car accident story. Your fears of speeding cars and darkness. What about that?" Arnav asked confused.

"All that did happened. But..." Khushi took a deep breath and continued, "When I was 10 years old, one of my mother's enemies kidnapped me. They blackmailed my mother keeping me as bait. My mother was too willful. She never compromised. She refused to bow to their demands. She called police instead. Dad was against that decision of hers.

"The police found out about my location and reached there to save me. The kidnappers tried to escape in a car taking me along. During the chase with the police van, the car in which I was lost control and got into an accident.

"The kidnappers died on spot. I had a severe head injury and fell into coma. That incident affected my parent's relation very badly and they separated. My Dad left me with my Mom and shifted abroad. It took me six months to come out of the coma.

"And when I gained conscious. Everything in my life was changed. The one person I was close to, my Dad, he was nowhere to be found. I cried for him, fought for him, tried to contact him, all in vain. I never got to meet him after that. It was like he never existed.

"I was left with a person who was a stranger to me and didn't know anything about me. My mother. She tried to talk to me and connect with me. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. She was also too engrossed in her professional life as usual to spend time with me. Gradually, I started feeling lonely in my own house. The only person I had was my grandfather. But he was always traveling, rarely met me.

"So I shifted to a boarding school and stayed there. I met my grandfather during my holidays. Sometimes, went to stay with Gupta family. I rarely met my mother and slowly we lost contact. We were just strangers who lived in same house sometimes. Other than that we never had any relation. Then, my mother did something very bad and I couldn't forgive her for it. So I cut ties with her forever.

"I started living with Guptas. They were the only people who ever gave me the feelings of a family. So I adopted their surname and lived in their family. I used to call and meet my grandfather sometimes. Lately he was too ill, and was under treatment abroad. So I couldn't meet him." Khushi said remembering her painful past.

Arnav held her hand giving her support. Khushi looked at his hold on her hand and didn't say anything. She looked at the sky once again.

"These stars remind me of the beautiful memories of my childhood. The times when I was truly happy. When I felt protected, loved and cared. They connect me to the person who was my first love, my Dad. It has been 14 years since I last met him. But looking at them make me feel like I am close to him. It gives me strength thinking that at some corner of world, he also would be looking at these stars and remembering me." Khushi said emotionally.

"Hmm. He loved you so much. He would definitely be missing his little princess and remembering you watching these stars." Arnav said softly comforting her.

They both sat there silently looking at the stars with Arnav gently holding her hand.

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

Same time, Anjali's room

Anjali sat in her room crying. She was feeling guilty thinking about all that is happening in their house and her brother's lives. She never wanted all this to happen. But the truth that she is a major reason for it, can't be denied. She did a lot of wrong things. She couldn't deny it. It made her feel guilty. Every moment her mistakes are weighing down on her and making it difficult for her to even take next breath.

She looked beside her and saw her phone continuously ringing. She ignored it. The call ended and the notification bar showed 43 missed calls. She looked away feeling angry. The phone started ringing again. She angrily took the phone and cut the call.

But the caller was relentless. The phone started ringing again. She took her phone, cut the call and switched it off. She threw the phone on her bed angrily. It bounced off couple of times but didn't fell from the bed.

Anjali pulled her legs up and cried putting her head on her knees. The caller on the other side was frustrated hearing the mobile operator's voice saying switched off.

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

Same time, in Payal-Akash's room

Akash came out of washroom after getting fresh. He saw Payal making a makeshift bed on the floor. He frowned seeing that.

"Payal, what are you doing?" Akash asked frowning.

"Can't you see? I am making bed. Do you think after all this, I will share a bed with you?" Payal asked slightly angry.

Akash sighed hearing that. "Payal, please. We are adults. I won't do anything which you don't like. You don't have to sleep on floor because of that." Akash said tiredly.

"Of course, you won't be doing anything that I don't like. Because I won't let you. And I am not going to sleep on floor. But you are." Payal said smirking.

"What???" Akash asked shocked.

"Yes. You are going to sleep on the floor. My sister bought you for me sacrificing herself. So why should I compromise. You will sleep on the floor and I will sleep on bed." Payal declared arrogantly.

"What? Are you crazy? I am not going to sleep on floor. This is my room, my bed. I will sleep on my bed." Akash said stubbornly and laid down on bed pulling quilt over him.

Payal gritted her teeth angrily. Is it so, Mr Akash Singh Raizada. Then let me see, how you don't sleep on floor. Payal thought furiously. She got on the bed from other side. Then lying down properly, she aimed her legs on Akash's back and kicked him out of the bed.

In normal situations, Payal's petite body couldn't have managed to kick Akash's six feet muscular body down. But Akash was not expecting a kick, he was caught off guard. He rolled on the bed and fell on the floor hitting his back.

Akash got up angrily from the floor rubbing his back, already to lash out on Payal. But saw her pretending to sleep all sprawled on the bed taking up entire space. Knowing that they is no use arguing with her, he painfully walked to the makeshift bed and laid down. But kept tossing and turning on the floor whole night, unable to sleep due to pain.

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

Next day, morning

Akash got up early as he hardly slept the previous night. His back was still paining. He looked at Payal sleeping on bed without a care. He usually went for his morning exercise after freshening up. But he decided to skip it as his back was aching badly.

He got fresh and went to study hoping to do some work to pass time. But seeing the long sofa on study, he decided to take a nap. He lied down and soon slept off. Unfortunately, his phone alarm woke him up at his usual waking time. He got up and switched it off. He again fell asleep but half an hour later, Arnav who came to take a file, woke him up again.

Frustrated, Akash got up and glared at his brother. "What?" He snapped at him.

"Why are you sleeping here? If you are sleepy, go to your room and sleep." Arnav said frowning.

Akash felt like screaming. But gulping down his anger, he walked to his room, leaving the idea of taking a nap. Seems like the whole world is behind to disturb his sleep. He reached his room and saw Payal getting ready casually as if nothing happened.

Seeing him, Payal turned to him with a smirk and ordered arrogantly, "Give me your credit card."

"Why?" Akash asked confused.

"What do you mean by why? Why would people need credit card? I have to buy something, so need money. Give me your credit card." Payal said making faces.

Akash wanted to say something but decided against it. He took his wallet and gave him her credit card.

"Pin?" Payal asked inspecting the credit card.

"xxxx." Akash said the pin and walked inside the washroom to get ready for office.

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

After sometime

Everyone came down for breakfast. Arnav, Khushi, Nani, Mama, NK, Akash and Payal were sitting in dining table. Leela, Anjali and Mami came with food. Leela served Khushi while Anjali and Mami served everyone else.

Payal looked at the food and pushed her plate away. Everyone looked at her surprised.

"What is this? Such tasteless food." Payal said with disgust.

"What happened, Payalji? Is there something wrong with the food? Is it too spicy or bland?" Anjali asked worried.

Akash tasted the food and said, "No, Di. It's alright." All looked at Payal for an explanation.

"Who asked you to make these dishes? I don't like them. I will not eat them." Payal said arrogantly.

"I... I thought all like Methi Paratha. So I made them." Anjali said softly.

"Who likes Methi Paratha? Just because you like it, doesn't mean everyone also like it. When others are cooking, you expect them to make food which each and everyone of you like. When you cook, you make whatever you like and expect everyone to eat it. What double standards is that. I don't want to eat this. Go and make something else for me." Payal said snobbishly.

All looked at Payal shocked seeing her changed behaviour. Then, they understood that she was doing it all deliberately to hurt them. All decided to keep quiet and let her do whatever she wants. But Manorama couldn't take it.

She tried to snap at her but Anjali stopped her at correct time and went to make something else for Payal. Soon, she served a number of other dishes. This time, Payal didn't make much fuss and ate the food silently. After that all left for office and Payal too went out. After sometime, Anjali finished household work and went out to hunt for job.

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

In the staff quarters of Raizada Mansion, the condition of Sheetal and Arav were much worse. After living a luxurious life for long time, they were having the worst experience in servants quarters. After Arnav threw them out of AR and forbade them from entering Shantivan, their condition deteriorated drastically.

Arnav made Sheetal blacklisted in the fashion industry. Nobody would dare to hire her going against Arnav. Even small companies hesitated as Arnav has destroyed a company who tried to hire Sheetal hoping to get some inside information of AR. He has openly declared that anyone who hired Sheetal or tried to help her in any way will be his enemy.

Thus Sheetal was thrown out of fashion industry very badly. The next few days after the confrontation with Arnav and Khushi, Sheetal tried to find job in every possible way. No reputed company hired her fearing Arnav. If someone hired her unknowingly, Arnav made her loose the job.

Other side, he torchured her personally by demanding rent and money for utilities they use. Every little saving she had was spent on rent. Rest she gave for water bill. Electricity bill was not paid, so Arnav cut the electric supply of their portion. Arav's complete school fees and fees for other needs were already paid at the start of school term by Raizadas, all thanks to Anjali. So he got food and other necessary materials from school itself.

But Sheetal's condition was bad. She didn't even had money to buy food. For two days, she had to live without proper food except some slices of bread. One day, she fell down on road due to exhaustion and hunger. Then, a shopkeeper helped her.

The shopkeeper gave her job in his stationery store as sales assistant. The salary was meager. But that was enough to buy food and pay electricity bill for few days. Even then they have to minimize the water and electricity usage to cut short expenses. They could only use light for 2 hours maximum. Fan usage is only for night. No gadgets or electronic devices could be used as that will increase electrical bill. Water usage is also restricted to 5 buckets per day.

Even then Sheetal was not ready to give up. She was still hopeful that after Arnav and Khushi's divorce, she would be able to lure Arnav in her web and execute her plan. She was just waiting for that moment. If only, she knew how Arnav has planned to torchure her further.

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

Same day, evening

Arnav, Akash, Mama, NK and Nani were sitting in living room having evening tea and snacks. Arnav had no interest to sit there but due to his Mama, he was sitting. But nobody was talking. All were either engaged in their thoughts or in phone.

Just then Akash's phone pinged with a message. He opened the message and his eyes widened in shock reading the contents.

"What the hell?" He shouted standing up.

All looked at him startled. "What happened, Akash?" Arnav asked concerned.

"Bhai, I just now received a notification from bank that my credit card has reached the limit. I had 1.5 crore in my account and the bank gives a credit of 50 lakhs. Entire money is used up." Akash said in shock.

"You didn't use it. Then how come money is deducted from your account. I think you should call the bank and recheck with them. By the way, where is the credit card? You didn't loose it, right?" Arnav said seriously.

"I gave the credit card to Payal in the morning. She said that she has to buy something and need my card. So I gave it to her. But this? I don't know, Bhai." Akash said worried.

"Maybe someone stole the card from Payal while she was shopping. You ask Payal. By the way, where is she?" Arnav asked noticing Payal is not with them.

"She went out in the morning and didn't return yet." Nani said worried.

"Maybe she lost the card mistakenly and is searching for it. Akash, I think you should call her and check once. Hope, she is not in some trouble." Arnav said now feeling worried for Payal's safety.

Akash nodded and started dialling Payal's number. Just then main door opened and Payal entered with lots of bags in her hand. Behind her four men entered carrying some heavy load.

Ignoring the Raizadas, she walked to her room, calling out for HP. HP ran to her, she instructed him something. Nodding, HP walked out of the house and came back with lots of carry bags. He took it to Akash and Payal's room.

Confused, Raizadas followed Payal and the men to her room. The men put down the heavy load in the corridor outside the bedroom. Then, Payal opened the door and asked them to come inside. Couple of minutes later, Raizadas saw the men carrying the king sized bed of Payal and Akash out of the room. They set the bed outside in the corridor. Then, carried the bed which is apparently a single cot bed inside the room.

Then, they went out of house and carried another similar single cot bed and mattresses inside. They took that bed too to Payal's room and set it there. Payal then asked HP to show the men their store room so that they could move the king sized bed there.

After sometime, the workers left. Raizadas sat in the living room trying to understand what was happening. Akash was slightly angry with Payal's behaviour. Few minutes later, Payal came down with some carry bags in her hand.

Seeing her, Akash jumped up and pounced on her. "Payal, what is all this? What are you doing? I just received a notification from bank that you spend 2 crores from that credit card that I gave you. What did you do with that much money?" He asked in agitation.

Payal looked at him calmly with a smirk. "Didn't I tell you Akash that I will not leave you. I will punish you for all that you people did. I will destroy you. I am just keeping my words. I told you that we will not share any husband and wife relationship.

"Yesterday, you have to sleep on floor because of that. So I decided to help you. Today, I bought two single cot beds. Now we can sleep separately without any worries. You don't have to sleep on floor from now. Not that I care if you sleep on floor. It's your wish. But for courtesy sake I bought two beds.

"Regarding spending two crores. I was just trying to be like the wife you like. After all isn't how rich woman behave. I learned it from your mother and sister only. You also think that I should act more like a rich and sophisticated woman. So I decided to leave all my inhibitions and live my life like a real rich woman. Spending carefree and enjoying live without worrying about anything or anybody.

"You know what I really liked this life. What an amazing day, it was. I could do anything, I could buy anything, I don't have to worry about anybody or anything. Just enjoy life and live as you please. Wow. Amazing.

"I bought many things today. Clothes, jewelleries, bags, shoes everything. Don't worry. This time I didn't go to any down market but went to branded stores itself. Everything is expensive and classy only. I also booked a car for myself gave the down payment. It's customized so was a bit expensive but who cares, no. Finally I learned how to enjoy and live life like your mother and sister without caring about anything. It was actually good.

"Yeah today, I bought only a few things as it took me time to book car and buy furniture. Tomorrow I will buy the rest of the items. Don't forget to transfer cash to the credit card. OK. Otherwise I won't be responsible if bank issues warrant against you for not paying money." Payal said shrugging.

Payal then turned to Mami and Anjali and said, "I have invited few friends of mine for a get together tomorrow. Don't forget to make food and arrangements for that. I will tell you later what and all is to be prepared." Payal said pompously.

"What the hell, Payal? If you invited your friends, then you have to make arrangements for them. How can you ask Maa and Di to make food and arrange things for your get together?" Akash asked angrily.

"Why? Why can't they do it? Till few days back, there were two people in this house, who made arrangements, cooked food and did all the work in this house whenever there is any functions, get together or festival. Me and my sister. Did you care about us then. You people invited people and guests without any care and expected us to handle everything. Have you ever thought how we were handling all that.

"Even if we are ill or hungry or tired, we have to do all work and nobody ever cared. Now when I asked to do the same to your sister and mother, you are feeling very bad, huh? Did you felt bad when your mother behaved the same with us? Organises kitty parties and stupid get togethers suddenly in a whim and expected us to arrange house, cook and cater to her and her friends needs. And then humiliate us also in front of them. You never felt wronged when she was doing all that to us. Now you are feeling very agitated, huh? Where was this concern of yours then." Payal asked sarcastically.

"I told you Akash. You people will get punishment for everything you did. I will not forget or forgive anything that me and my sister suffered in this house. I will make you all pay. Better you be prepared for it." Payal said angrily.

She turned to Arnav and gave him the carry bags that she was carrying. Arnav took it confused. "Keep these in your room. These are some things and necessities for Khushi. She is working, now. She might need formal clothes and accessories. So I bought it for her. She won't do anything for herself. And can't expect you to do anything for her, as well. After all you won't be having time after catering to the needs of your mistresses. So I have to take care of her after all she is my sister. Can't let her suffer alone." Payal said sarcastically. Arnav felt like he was slapped.

"Payal??" Arnav called in shock. He can't believe she hit him so directly with her words.

Payal ignored his anguished cry and walked away. Akash held his head in his hands.

"God, what the hell is wrong with Payal? Why is she behaving like this? How can she do all this? I understand that she is angry. But this is no way to behave. She is going overboard with her arrogance. She is misbehaving with everyone." Akash said in agitation.

"What wrong did she do, Akash? She is only behaving with us the way, we treated her and Khushi. We misbehaved with him, turned blind eye to their pains and suffering, treated them as slaves, so she is giving it back. We shouldn't be complaining when we never showed any care when they went through the same. And Mami and Anjali are only getting those things back which they did to her. In fact, atleast she is more civil than these barbarians." Arnav said giving a disgusted look to Anjali and Mami.

"Even then, she spend 2 crores in one day, Bhai. It's not a small amount. And then she said she will spend more tomorrow. How can we allow that? I am going to block the credit card. No need to let her spent more money." Akash said frowning.

"Don't you dare, Akash. Don't you dare block the credit card. Don't be a hypocrite. You better transfer money to that credit card whenever Payal wants." Arnav said warningly

"But Bhai, 2 crores. It's a big amount. If she spent so much in one day. God only knows how much she will spend in coming days if I transfer money to her." Akash said in worry.

"So what if she spends money. Let her spend it. If doing all this make her happy and be in peace. Let her do it. Anyways two crore is nothing if you see the amount of money Mami and Anjali used to spend in these years. The amount they spent before each festival and function in house, is more than 2 crores. That too in unnecessary things.

"Atleast Payal is only spending things on useful things. Look she bought beds, a car which will be needy if she has to go out in emergency. She also thought about her sister's needs while shopping. Her spending is for genuine things. While these people, they themselves never knew why they are spending money but used to spend money on a whims for unwanted things.

"So let her be. Let her do whatever she wants. Let her buy whatever she wants. If it makes her happy, then let her be. Why are you caring about some money if your wife is happy. Anyways for whom we are earning all these. When they itself are not getting any benefit from all this, then what is the use.

"Nowadays, I don't even understand what is the use of earning all this. Because for whom I wanted to do everything, she wants to leave me. What is the use of earning all this money when we don't have any happiness.

"Why are you restricting Payal. When some outsiders can use our money carelessly and live luxuriously, then why not our own wives. When we never complained when Anjali and Mami showered money and luxuries on outsiders, why complain now when our wives are using it. Let them use it and enjoy life. Let them be happy. No need to block cards or restrict money. Give her whatever she wants. No need to think about the amount." Arnav said sternly.

Akash nodded agreeing. Then all left for their rooms. After sometime, Khushi came from office. Arnav gave her the things Payal gave him for her. But Khushi was reluctant to take it. After sometime, Payal came and convinced Khushi to accept it. After some dramatic emotional blackmailing from Payal, Khushi accepted it understanding that her sister wouldn't budge.

That's it for next chapter. I know it wasn't much. But this is a very important chapter. I hope you all will like it.

And regarding chapter. It has so many elements. A complete turnover of the story from what you all read till now. A small glimpse of Khushi's past and her parents is there. There is something happening with Anjali. What do you think it is?

Who is calling Anjali and why? How is he/she related to this story? Is he/she a known person or unknown new character? What do you all think. Please answer.

And the main highlight of this chapter. Payal. How do you all like the new version of Payal? I have given a complete new version to Payal's character. I know it is different from what we expect of Payal. But I want to give a new light to her character. Like a pheonix rising from her ashes.

This story is about falling out of love. So how do you think Payal is doing while falling out of love. What about her approach towards Akash and Raizadas. Please comment and tell me if you all want to see something special or want to include any interesting part. I will try to include that.

And last but not the least Sheetal. What do you all think about Sheetal's situation? How do you all want to see Sheetal? What should be done to her? Comment please.

And once thank you all for all the support and comments. Please keep up with the votes and comments. It gives me lots of encouragement to write and give you all new chapters.