Arnav sighed. He closed his eyes feeling a terrible headache coming. His life is a mess.

"Chote, what... what's all this? What is happening? What was Khushiji saying? She has filed for divorce on contested terms. What is this?" Anjali asked still shocked by everything that happened few minutes back.

"Di, it... it's nothing. Khushi... she is angry, so...." Arnav stammered trying to find words to explain them.

But cutting him, Nani started talking. "No, Chote. It's not anything simple. And it really doesn't look something happening due to couple's usual fights. This looks serious. And you better tell us what's happening. Because this time I will not let you walk away without answering our questions. That day also, I called you to talk to me. But you refused and told that you will handle everything.

"And now I can see how well you have handled it. So you better spill out everything. What the hell have you done that caused Khushi Bitiya to ask for a divorce. And why is she so persistent regarding this divorce. What's happening between you two. And what Khushi Bitiya was saying that you have hurt her so much. Tell me the truth, what exactly did you do." Nani asked angrily.

Arnav gulped feeling uncomfortable with everyone looking at him waiting for answer. "Nani, I... um... That... Actually..." Arnav stammered.

"Chote, stop stammering and answer us." Nani said sternly feeling irritated with her grandson. He was always a cause of worry for her. First, his aloof nature and his non belief on love and marriage, worried her. She thought he would be left alone in his life because of his commitment issues.

But that worry was alleviated, when Khushi Bitiya entered his life. That girl changed him for good and filled his life with all the happiness. She thwarted all his inhibitions towards love, relationships and marriage and made a place for herself in his heart and life. That put an end to her worries for him. And she was relieved seeing him genuinely happy and leading a happy life with Khushi.

But now again he is worrying her by destroying the only good thing that has ever happened to him. He is pushing away the source of light that entered his dark life, with his own deeds. And it's not giving her good vibes. She is feeling that a storm is going to hit her family and destroy it. And she is scared of that.

It was very difficult to still keep this family intact even after all that they have faced. And she fears that it will not survive one more storm. Loosing another integral part of this family, might lead to the complete destruction of whatever is remaining of this family. She felt scared of what's coming their way. Today, for the first time in her life, she felt scared for her family and the unknown tomorrow that awaited them.

And to stop that storm, she has to know what exactly is happening and she needs answers. Answers that her grandson has to give. Devyani Raizada was determined this time to not let her grandson go scott free and ruin things.

"Nani, I... I..." Arnav stammered feeling difficult to find words to answer.

"Chote, I want an answer." Nani said sternly.

"Nani, actually... Sheetal... Sheetal is my ex-girlfriend. When Khushi brought them to stay here, she didn't know it. Later, I told her about Sheetal being my ex-girlfriend. After that Khushi started feeling insecure regarding Sheetal and Arav. She asked me more about my relationship with Sheetal but I wasn't comfortable discussing it with Khushi. So I didn't said anything.

"But I don't know how Khushi started having this feeling that Arav is my son. One day, I saw Khushi with a DNA test report of Arav and Me. I confronted her. She told me about her doubts. She apologised to me and tore off the reports. But I was hurt realising that she didn't believe me. I felt like she compared me to that man. I started feeling like she called me a cheater.

"It hurt me so much. So to punish her, I started ignoring her and started spending time with Sheetal and Arav. Initially Khushi used to apologise to me and tried to coax me. But after sometime she stopped talking to me. In fact I noticed her keeping away from everyone. She even avoided Sheetal and Arav like plague. I felt she still doubted me regarding Arav. So I never tried to talk to her.

"I thought after sometime, Khushi herself will understand and will come and talk to me and apologise to me. But that never happened. With time, she started being more and more aloof. Slowly things started getting more worse. I thought that it is for few days. Khushi will understand soon and sort things out. But I didn't realise when things got so much worse between us. And now she wants divorce and I don't know what happened or how did we reach to this situation. The only thing I know is that I can't live without Khushi. And I am ready to do anything to stop this divorce. And I will do it at any cost." Arnav said with perseverance.

Nani looked at him astonished. "So much was happening in this house and none of us had any clue. Now when I think about it, it's true. It feels like it is been months since I last talked to Khushi Bitiya. In fact when was the last time Khushi Bitiya sat with all of us and had a normal conversation.

"She had been aloof from all of us for months. And it's a shame none of us noticed this fact or tried to do anything. She hadn't been talking to any of us nor eating with any of us. In fact she rarely is seen in this house. She goes to work early, comes back late. Even when she is at home, she is always doing some work or sitting in her room. What has happened to her." Nani asked confused.

Slowly everyone started realizing that Khushi hadn't been talking to anyone.

"It's true, Nani. It's been months Khushiji last sat with us and had a conversation. She doesn't even eat with us. She cooks food, eat in the kitchen and then go to her room." Anjali said feeling worried and confused.

"True, Anjali Bitiya. Phatti Sadi doesn't even serve us. No Hello hai bye bye also. No attendingwa morning aarti. Daily Anjali Bitiya does morning arti. Phatti Sadi always missingwa." Mami said.

"Khushiji doesn't even talk to me nowadays. She doesn't come to watch movies also. Neither tries to correct my hindi." NK said feeling worried.

Arnav silently listened everyone recounting how Khushi was staying away from them for months. Honestly, he couldn't understand their stand. What are they thinking in this matter.

"Tell me, one thing, everyone. I was not talking to Khushi because I was angry on her. But why were you all not talking to her and staying aloof from her?" Arnav asked feeling something wrong with his family's behaviour.

"Chote, we... we weren't ignoring her purposely. We do talk to her. But we... we were busy. So we didn't had time to converse with Khushi." Anjali said defensively.

"What exactly were you doing so much, Di, that you didn't even had a moment to talk with a family member for six months?" Arnav asked incredulously.

"Chote, I... I... household chores." Anjali stammered.

"Really, Di. Household chores. What household chores were you so busy in. As far as I can see, anything to do with household work, Khushi and Payal do that. In fact Khushi has started thinking herself to be an unpaid servant with the amount of work she has to do. Other things, HP and his brothers do. You don't have to cook or clean. In fact you hardly do any household work. Then what exactly were you busy with?" Arnav asked.

"Anjali Bitiya doesn't have to do any household chores. She is not a servant." Manorama said feeling offended.

"Even Khushi and Payal are also not servants. But you expect them to do household duties. Why, Mami?" Arnav asked slightly angry.

"Arnav Bitwa, wo... I..." Mami looked here and there not having anything to answer.

"I am not asking anyone to do household chores in this house. Neither Di nor Khushi and Payal. I don't want any of you to do these works. That's why we have kept servants. If they are not enough, we can keep more. That's not a problem. What I am asking is in what household work you all were so busy that you didn't even had time to talk to Khushi? Because I never saw you all busy in any such work. In fact you all are always so free and relaxed. And Di, you. You hardly have any work. In fact you keep complaining about being bored. Then why you never even had a minute to talk to Khushi?" Arnav asked with displeasure. He have a little inkling of what was happening.

"Chote, I... I was busy with Arav. I had to take care of him." Anjali said feeling guilty for always being ignorant.

"Arav, really Di?" Arnav asked in mock disbelief. "Why you had to take care of Arav? Who is he to you? Is he your son?"

"Chote, it is not like that. After so many years, there was a small child in this house. We just got lost in the excitement of seeing a child. We were not ignoring Khushi Bitiya on purpose. It happened by mistake. We were busy with Arav Bitwa and other things. So we didn't realise what was happening." Nani said remorseful.

"That's what I am asking. Why were you all so busy with Arav? Who is he to you all? And why is he given so much importance that you all didn't even had a minute to talk to a family member who is living in the same house." Arnav asked frowning.

"Chote, Arav... he is a child. We... we just got excited having a child at home after so long. We were just trying to take care of him, make him comfortable at home. So... It was a mistake. We weren't doing anything on purpose. It just happened without our knowledge." Anjali said feeling guilty.

"Why do you all have to take care of Arav? Doesn't he have a mother to take care of him. What fucking important work was Sheetal doing that you people had to take care of Arav on her behalf. I don't understand why do you people even has to take care of him. Isn't it supposed to be Sheetal's work.

As far as I can see from morning to evening, all she does is getting up, getting ready, going to office that too if she feels like it, after coming back, either she is busy with her phone or keeps roaming behind me for one or other stupid things. She neither does any household chores nor works at office after 4 o'clock, citing the excuse that she has to take care of Arav.

"If Sheetal who is Arav's mother, can be so free that she even have time to accompany me for my meetings unnecessarily. Then why are you all so busy with Arav. And how many people is needed to take care of a 7 year old boy. Is he so difficult to take care of that a house full of people is needed to handle him. Then I think Sheetal, you really has to concentrate on your son rather than poking your nose in unwanted things." Arnav said sarcastically.

"Chote, we weren't ignoring Khushi on purpose. It just happened. We... we all just got lost in Arav. He is a child. And it was first time we were seeing a child in our house. So we all were trying to make him comfortable in our house and make him happy." Anjali said feeling bad for ignoring Khushi.

"Why do you have to make Arav comfortable in this house, Di. Why should we give him so much importance. Who is he to us?" Arnav asked feeling something off.

"Chote, Arav..." Anjali stopped not knowing what to say. She had nothing to say. She just got lost in the charms of the little boy. After loosing her child, when she met Arav, her maternal instincts awakened, which slowly blinded her.

Arnav slowly understood what was Anjali's problem. He shook his head feeling angry at himself, for not realising the matter before.

"Di, Arav is not your child." Arnav said softly finally understanding his sister's problem.

Anjali looked at him in shock. Then seeing his understanding look, tears filled her eyes. She started weeping as finally she confronted her folly. Arnav immediately hugged her realising she was going to break down. Guilt engulfed him as he realized that not only Khushi, he failed to understand his sister too.

Seeing her smile, he thought she was happy and had come out of her grief. But it was only a facade. Or rather she was just running away from reality. Trying to find solace in an illusion she has made up in her mind.

"Chote..." Anjali cried clutching Arnav.

"Di, Arav... he is not your son. Please Di... please don't make yourself dependent on him. Di, he is just a guest in our house. He has to leave one day. Don't make him so important for you that it becomes difficult for you to live without him. Don't let yourself so involved that it breaks you. Please Di. Don't do this to yourself. Accept it. He is not ours. He is not yours. He can't be with us." Arnav said softly trying to make her understand.

Anjali cried in his arms. But didn't oppose him. She knew he was right. She knew she had no right over Arav. Nor she could do that to herself and hurt her family more.

Nani was shocked seeing what was happening. She never realized Anjali's attachment to Arav could have such a reason. God, how blind she was to things happening around her. Did she really failed to take care of her family and understand her children's sufferings. Both Khushi and Anjali were in pain and she had no idea.

Mami, NK and Akash was silently watching everything. They were too shocked to react to anything.

"Nani, Di... I have decided something. I want you all to abide by it. Sheetal, I will ask Aman to find a home for you. I want you to be ready to shift to your new home by tomorrow." Arnav said firmly.

All were shocked by his decision. Anjali looked shocked.

"Arnav Bitwa, what are you saying?" Mami asked shocked.

"I am saying what you heard, Mamiji. I want Sheetal and Arav to leave this house immediately." Arnav said sternly.

"But how can we just throw them out like that?" Nani asked not liking the way Arnav was treating their guests.

"Nani, I am not throwing them out. And This is not their house that you will say I am throwing them out. They are just guests. Khushi brought them here to stay for few days till they find their own house. But since Sheetal has clearly failed to find accommodation for herself, I will find a place for them to stay. We will make sure they have everything they will need in that house. But they can't stay here anymore." Arnav said feeling offended by what Nani said.

"Chote, But..." Anjali tried to stop him feeling terrible thinking that she has to stay without Arav.

"Di, please. I know you are feeling hurt. But This is for the best of everyone. You need to stay away from Arav. He is not yours. And it's better you don't get too attached with him. Otherwise in the long run it will hurt you only. It's better you part ways with him before this gets toxic for you.

"Also, I can't allow Sheetal to stay here after everything that happened between Khushi and me. Khushi is already hurt because of everything that happened. Sheetal and Arav's presence will only add salt to the wounds. I can't risk my chances to make things fine by keeping them here anymore. It's better they leave." Arnav said seriously.

"But Arnav Bitwa, what is Sheetal Biyiya and Arav Bitwa's fault if Phatti Sadi is feeling insecure with them. It should be Phatti Sadi who should understand. Why are you punishing Sheetal Bitiya and Arav Bitwa for Phatti Sadi's fault." Mami said distasteful.

"Stop it, Manorama. Don't make situation worse if you can't correct it." Nani admonished thirdly.

"First of all, Mamiji, it is Khushi who brought them here taking pity on their situation. If Khushi is having problems with their stay, then any decent person would themselves leave the place. But of course Sheetal has no such things. In fact she and her son are so shameless that they keep insulting Khushi itself.

"Also they were supposed to stay for two three days but they are here for months. Then also they have no plans of moving out. I am only politely asking them to leave. In fact I will help them to settle down in a new place. But I can't risk my family for some outsider." Arnav said sternly.

"Whatever you say, Arnav Bitwa. Still the truth is you are asking them to leave now only because of Phatti Sadi. All these days, you had no problem with their stay." Mami said frowning.

"So what, Mami. So what if I am asking them to leave because of Khushi. Isn't she a part of this family. Doesn't her opinion matters. If she is having problems with their stay, then shouldn't we as family understand that, and find solutions for it. If she doesn't like their stay here, then why should we keep them here giving more pain to her. They are after all only guests. Why should we hurt a family member for an outsider." Arnav asked annoyed.

"But Arnav Bitwa, Anjali Bitiya.... She won't be able to live without Arav Bitwa." Mami said feeling worried for Anjali.

"I am doing this for her betterment also, Mami. What do you want me to do. Let them stay and allow Di to live in an illusion that Arav is her son. Then what. What will happen then. And for how long will it go. Arav can't stay here for forever. He is not Di's son for her to have any rights over him. One day, her illusion will break.

"Then what. She will be hurt more. It will break her. If we send them now, she will be in pain for sometime. Then she will learn to cope up. But with passing time, her heartbreak will only worsen. I don't want that. I don't want her to live in an illusion like that. Haven't we tried to do that once. Haven't we tried to let her live in her illusion world once. Even after knowing Shyam's truth, I allowed him here. Because you all wanted that. You all wanted Di to live in her fairytale world.

"But what happened. Did it last. And when it broke. It broke her beyond repair. Do you all want a repeat of that. Do you all want history to repeat in this house. Tell me one thing, Mami, how do you plan to keep Arav here forever for Di's happiness.

"They are not related to us by any way. Then how will they live here forever to keep Di's delusional world intact. And do you even care about the consequences of such things on all our lives. What will we tell everyone when they will question us about our relationship with them. OK, forget outsiders.

"What about us? Khushi is already hurt by all your behaviour and comparisons. Now how do you think it will affect her when she will realise that you are planning to keep them here forever. That you all don't even care about her pain and hurt. And are only interested in taking care of Arav and Sheetal's happiness and comforts.

"Actually tell me, Mami, do you even care about Khushi's pain and hurt. Do you care about our relationship? I know you never liked Khushi from starting. But do you hate her so much that you are not even bothered about our relationship. Are you ready to let our marriage break because you can't part away from so outsiders.

"Do you hate her so much. Or don't we not matter to you at all. Doesn't our marriage and happiness matter to you at all. If it's so, then tell me." Arnav asked feeling hurt. Don't they care about them even a bit. Doesn't their happiness and relationship matter to them at all.

"No, Arnav Bitwa. It's not like that." Mami shook her head in denial. She do care about Arnav and his happiness. He is like her own son. Though she is not overly fond of Khushi. She never wanted their marriage to break.

"I don't know, Mami. But today, I am taking a decision. I don't want to stay under the same roof with Arav and Sheetal. So you all decide who do you want. Either they leave this house and we all live here happily like always. Or you all can keep them. But I will leave this house with my wife." Arnav said expressionless.

Everyone's eyes widened hearing that. Multiple Chote, Arnav Bitwa, Bhai, Nannav could be heard.

"Chote, what are you saying?" Nani asked shocked.

"I am saying right, Nani. I can't loose Khushi. I will do anything to save my relationship with Khushi. She is hurt because of them. And I can't hurt her more. If the cost of my relationship with Khushi is leaving this house, then I am ready to pay it. But I can't loose her. I will cease to exist without her. I am sorry, Nani. But this time I want to be selfish." Arnav said and left from there sadly.

Nani slumped down into the sofa behind her. "Oh God. What's happening in this house." She cried sadly.

"Are you happy now, Manorama. Is this what you wanted. To break this house." Nani asked angrily.

"No, Sasuma. I... I was just thinking about Anjali Bitiya." Mami said remorseful.

"What about Anjali? As Chote asked do you want her to live in illusion and get hurt. Stop it, Manorama. Stop this nonsense. I know you don't like Khushi Bitiya. But this is too much. You are breaking this family in your hatred." Nani said angrily.

"No, Sasuma. I don't want that. You are mistaking me. I don't hate Khushi. Neither I ever wanted Arnav and Khushi's relationship to break. It's just that it won't look good if we ask Sheetal to leave because of Khushi's insecurity. What will everyone think of us. We threw an innocent girl out with a child because our daughter in law couldn't trust her husband. That's wrong, Sasuma." Mami said not knowing how to control the situation.

"I don't care what everyone will think or say, Manorama. I want my family to be happy and together. If Sheetal and Arav's stay is causing distress to my family, then I want them out of this house. I don't care what is right or wrong. My family's happiness comes first. My children comes first for me." Nani said sternly.

Turning to Sheetal, Nani said in an apologetic matter. "Sheetal Bitiya, as Chote said I want you to pack your things and leave this house immediately. Tomorrow, Chote will find a house for you. I want you to shift immediately." Nani said sternly and left from there.

Hearing Nani, Sheetal's eyes widened. What the hell. Everything was going according to her plan. In fact more than that. Khushi was divorcing Arnav. Now she could have married Arnav and became the Queen of Raizada empire.

But everything is going southward. How did things reach here that she is being thrown out. Wasn't it like Khushi was supposed to leave Arnav for her and Arav. How did these people turn against me all of a sudden. No. She can't let this happen. She can't be thrown out.

Wait. Mami was supporting me all this while. She will definitely help. Sheetal turned to Mami to talk. But giving a small smile to her, Mami left from there. Frustrated, Sheetal turned to her next target. Anjali looked at Arav longingly and ran from there crying.

One by one all Raizadas left. Sheetal stood there not knowing what to do. Arav came and hugged her crying. Sheetal was frustrated.

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

Arnav entered his bedroom and saw Khushi sleeping on the recliner. Dried tear marks were there on her cheeks. He sat on the floor beside the recliner and gently wiped her tears. Taking her right hand in his, he held tightly and kept looking at Khushi afraid that if he blink his eyes, she will disappear.

Slowly his eyes dropped. He fell into a restless slumber. Both hearts were in pain. Both were suffering. Both had a restless night. One star looked at them, sighed sadly. "Even though they are close, their hearts are miles apart. Will it ever come close again."

OK. So next part is up. I will not bore you guys with my long apologies regarding me being busy once again. The thing is I need time to complete a chapter since I have a hectic schedule. That's why the updates are getting far apart. Trust me, I am trying to update as soon as possible.

So regarding this chapter. It's a glimpse of how the Raizadas are feeling about the divorce. What's their stance. What's Arnav's stance. Well Arnav has decided to make Sheetal leave Raizada Mansion. Let's see what happens. If it will make any difference in his marital life.

And thank you so much for your support for this story. I read all the comments of last chapter. Sorry, I didn't reply. Some even asked what's going to happen next. The thing is I don't want to give any hint and ruin the suspense. Rest assured, this story is going to be totally different kind of Arshi story. Something you haven't come across till now but always wanted to read.

And for that to see, I want all of you vote and give your valuable comments. Please please comment and tell how you feel about everyone and everything in this story. If I am making any mistake, then try to point out. I will try to correct it. And there are many legal things going on. If there is any mistake in that, tell me. I am not a law student, so my knowledge about the legal matters are limited. So any mistakes point it out.