Arora Mansion

Mehr went to look for Rishabh. Here he was, leaning against the car and smoking. Mehr shook her head and went towards him. She took the cigarette out of his hand and took a puff herself. Rishabh looked at her with raised eyebrow.

"Don't look at me as if it's the first time I'm smoking, " Rishabh let out a chuckle, "So what happened?"

"Mom wanted to have dinner with me as a family. I refused and told her some hurtful things... She started crying. I feel awful that I made her cry but I can't help it. Every time I looked at them, I can't help feeling angry. They took away my happiness; my brother left because of them, my best friend died...I just can't look at them the same.'' Mehr rubbed his back in comfort.

"Shh I know you feel bad but it's just a matter of time. We will get through this. I will always be with you. I know you are hurting and it's normal. No matter what happened, remember that you have us. Now give me a beautiful smile. Com'on." Rishabh smiled at her.

He leaned closer to her and kissed her. Mehr smiled and closed her eyes, embracing his lips. The kiss was soulful and passionate. After a while they broke the kiss and rested their foreheads together.

"We should get inside. I don't know about you but I will die of hunger if I don't eat right now." Rishabh chuckled at her talk.

"Let's go my lady." Rishabh gave her his arms and Mehr wrapped hers in his.

They come into the dining room to see the rest have already started eating. Samar and Shreya were talking animatedly. Sameer looked at Rishabh worriedly who gave him a reassured look. Mehr squeezed Rishabh hand.

Dinner was a light affair; the adults were amused by the children's talking. After dinner, the children went upstairs in Samar's playroom, leaving only the adults downstairs. Rishabh told them what happened before coming here.

"Even though I hate them, I feel that you should talk to chachi. She is guilty right? She was the only one who pleaded me not to leave. I do owe her that." Sameer said after some moments.

"I don't know yaar. I just can't see them the same. They destroy you, me and most importantly, the Arora Family. Sarla Aunty is not living here because of them. Once again, Shrishti is separated from her mother. Don't say it's okay, you guys only see her and the rest once per year. " Rishabh argued.

"Shrishti? What do you think?" Mehr asked her. Shrishti had a blank expression.

"I don't want to talk about that. I know I'm being selfish, heartless by saying that but they deserve Rishabhji harsh treatment. That way I feel I'm getting my revenge and avenging my sister also. But the good side in me is saying that Rakhi Aunty doesn't deserve it. Yes she didn't support my sister but she did love her as a daughter. It's up to you if you want to give her a chance. The rest can go to hell." Rishabh cracked a small smile.

"I will think about it. Well enough of this sad talk. What did you guys did today? "

"Oh we went to the market and we saw a dead body. It's rumored that Mr X killed him." Mehr said excitedly.

"Why are you so happy about this?" Rishabh asked the question everyone seemed to be thinking.

"I never saw Mr X real doing. I always see that on the news." Mehr replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"Don't tell me you are also Mr X fan?" Rishabh said annoyed.

"Also? Who is fan of Mr X too?" Sameer asked curiously.

"This idiot over here." Rishabh replied pointing towards Sahir who was giving a sheepish smile.

"Do you know why he kill that person?" Shrishti asked.

"Well it's said that he have illegally took possession of lands of a lot of poors and corruption. Police has declared that they have received all the information from a pendrive in his pocket. They suspect Mr X had put it there." Rishabh said. He had saw on the television.

"Well they knew it was him since there was his badge there. He always left it behind." Sahir continued.

Suddenly Shrishti remembered that the badge that was still in her pocket. She excused herself from the table and went to her room. She took the badge and brought it downstairs.

"This badge you mean ?" She said placing it on the table. The rest looked at her shockingly.

"W-What? Where did you get it?" Sahir asked, taking the badge in his hand.

"It was lying on the ground. I found it after they took the body. I just pick it up and put it in my pocket. It's pretty, right?" She replied, taking the badge back.

"Shrish! You can't let anyone know you have that with you. If police got to know, they could suspect you to be part of his gang." Sameer said seriously.

"Relax Shorty, I know." Shrishti furrowed her brows.

"What happened?" Mehr asked noticing the change in expression.

"This badge? It looked weird." Mehr snatched it.

"What's weird with it? It's just a normal 'X' badge." Shrishti shook her head.

"No it's not. There is something different with that." Sahir took the badge from Mehr.

"What's different with this? Do you see it Rishabh bhai?" Sahir asked, showing Rishabh.

"No it's just a perfect design 'X'." Rishabh replied handing Sameer the badge.

"You should stop watching crime series. Com'on Shrish, don't tell me it's not an 'X' but rather a different letter." Shrishti eyes lighted up.

"Shorty! You are a genius." Shrishti kissed Sameer cheek before taking back the badge.

"Uhh thank you?" Sameer said rather confused.

"Will you tell us what's in your mind?" Rishabh asked.

"It's just like Sameer said. It's not an 'X' !" Shrishti exclaimed excitedly.

"WHAT!" All the rest shouted.

"Tera dimaag kharab hai? From which angle this is not 'X' ?" Sahir asked. Shrishti threw him a glare.

"Guys can't you really not see it?" They nodded in 'no', "Clearly you guys didn't do calligraphy. I saw this once in a catalog when I was handling a project. Wait I think I have it." Shrishti went in the study room and brought it.

"Here!" She showed them a page. Rishabh quickly scan the page and the badge.

"I still don't see any difference." Sahir said after a while.

"You need to check your eyes. This is not an 'X' but rather it is -"

"An 'K' '' Rishabh said, cutting off Shrishti. She nodded enthusiastically.

"You mean Mr X real name start with a K?" Mehr said.

"Wow! Shrishti you are a genius!" Sahir said when he finally realized the difference. Shrishti smiled smugly.

"Well nice but we don't care about this. Now let's talk about something else." Sameer said rolling his eyes.

"Don't tell me you are jealous of this man." Shrishti teased him. Sameer frowned.

"Why would I be jealous? He is a criminal for God sake."

"A good person at the heart though." Mehr added. Rishabh rolled his eyes this time.

"You know what? Sameer let's go. Let this three talked about their dear 'Mr X' if you need us we are in the garden." they ignored them and continued their conversation.

Rishabh and Sameer face-palmed themselves and left to the garden where they spent the rest of the night, drinking and reminiscing their childhood; when their family were really family.

*************************
"Are you sure the papers are there?" Sherlyn asked Prithvi over the phone.

"That's what Siddharth's informer told him. Rishabh had hide the property papers in Shreya's cupboard." Prithvi rolled his eyes, trying to keep his anger in check.

"There is a safe. How am I supposed to know the password?" Sherlyn said frustratedly.

"What kind of woman are you? You are Shreya's fucking mother. How the hell you don't know anything about her?!" Prithvi said angrily.

"She's your daughter too! And Rishabh have been taken care of her since birth." Sherlyn replied equally angry.

"Thats your problem; we would have been the owner since a long time ago if you behaved as her mother!"

"Don't shout at me! As if you cared about the child. Don't forget she doesn't know about you being her father."

"And I don't care! I told you to abort her but you didn't listen. But anyways she turned out to be more useful than you."

"You are such a monster! Ugh, I will get mad if I continue to talk to you!" Sherlyn cut the call angrily.

"Now what the hell is the password?" Sherlyn tried some dates but in vain.

Finally she entered a code and to her shock, the safe opened. Sherlyn smirked and searched the property papers. She found them mixed with Shreya's birth certificate and other papers.

"He is really a devdas! Like really? Preeta's birthday is the password. What a fool, anyways my work is done." Sherlyn quickly closed the safe and went to her room.

"Finally after 6 freaking years, our dream will come true. Luthra's destruction will finally start." Sherlyn said to herself, sending a message to Prithvi to tell him she got them.

Sherlyn put the property papers in an envelope and went behind Luthra House. After some minutes, a man on a motorcycle came there. Sherlyn handed him the envelope.

"Don't lose the papers. They are very important and I hope my work will be done."

"Siddhart sir told me to tell you not to worry and that your work will be done. On your anniversary, you will become the owner of this house." Sherlyn smirked. The man drove away from the house.

Unknown to her, another man was keeping an eye on her. The man fished out his phone and called someone.

"Yes sir, she fell right in our trap."

"Are you sure they are the real papers? I won't get a surprise when he reached my office?" The person on the phone said.

"No sir, it's the right paper. I personally saw Rishabh placing them in the safe. Can I ask you a question?" The person hummed in yes, "I told you the password. Why didn't you inform her?"

"It wouldn't have been fun then. I wanted to know at what extend they would go to gain the property papers. If she had given up then I know they are not trustworthy."

"Siddhart Sir, you are a genius." Siddhart smirked.

"Of course, Siddhart naam hai mera. Keep me updated about the Luthras." Siddhart cut the phone.

At the same time, the man who had the envelop entered Siddhart's cabin and gave him the papers. Siddhart smirked reading the papers. He pulled out his phone and called someone.

"Mubarak ho mere dost, first step has been successful. Cheers!" The man on the call smirked.

"Shabaash. Let's start second step before the final showdown." Siddhart smirked.

"The luthras really doesn't know what will hit them at this anniversary party. Ahh this will be so fun." Siddhart said and both men laughed evilly.

***********************
Sahir was standing outside Sherlyn's room with a parcel in his hands. He knocked on the door and Sherlyn opened it.

"What is it?" Sherlyn asked him rudely.

Sahir controlled himself from lashing out at her and just gave her the parcel. Sherlyn furrowed her brows.

"I didn't order anything." Sahir just shrugged his shoulders.

"It has your name on it. You need to sign on this papers to acknowledge you receive the parcel." He told her.

Sherlyn just rolled her eyes and signed them without even reading it. She then closed the door on Sahir's face.

Sahir looked down at her signature and smirked slightly, shaking his head. He took out his phone and called Rishabh.

"Yes she signed them without reading... Yes everything is going as per the plan... Yes don't worry, this party will be the most memorable party ever." Sahir cut the phone and went away.

Inside, Sherlyn opened her parcel and frowned when she saw it empty except for a letter. She opened it and started to read.

Mrs Sherlyn Luthra, congratulations for your half victory but don't be so sure of it. The party for your anniversary will promise to be a very memorable one. This day, many things will happen that you don't even expect. So enjoy your last days at the fullest because of that, your life is going to change forever.

From your well wisher.

"What kind of joke is this!" Sherlyn crushed the letter in her hands and threw it away.

Sherlyn started pacing around the room, "Should I call Prithvi? No he might shout at me. Am I over-thinking? Maybe but what if this turns to be true? No, impossible. The only life changer will happen this day is that I'm going to be the owner of Luthra House. Calm down Sherlyn."

***********************
Karan was on his way back to his room when he was stopped by his irritating wife and Bua. He closed his eyes in anger.

"Karan what am I hearing? You misbehaved with Mahira!" Kareena screeched, "See how she is crying."

Karan looked at Mahira and rolled his eyes. He did not say anything to his bua and turned on his heels.

"Karan! I'm talking to you!" Kareena shouted again.

"And I don't want to listen to anything. You might have come in her words but not me. She is faking these tears. Now excuse me and let me go and rest." Kareena held his wrist.

"Are you still angry at her for losing your child?" Karan clenched his fists in anger, "Karan, you know it was an accident and that person paid for his mistake. Then why are you still so cold towards Mahira. She is your wife."

"VO MERI BIWI NAHI HAI. NAFRAT KARTI HU UNSE. YEH MERI LIFE KI SABSE BADI GALTI! UNDERSTAND!" Karan shouted before storming into his room in anger.

Mahira started crying more loudly while Kareena and Bani dadi tried to console her. Rakhi stayed silent as usual, but if we looked closer, we can see her lips fighting back a smile.

"Did you see Bhabhi, how he shouted at me? Why is he refusing to accept her as his wife. They got married with every ritual and all but still." Kareena complained.

"It's his habit. If he has refused to accept Preeta as his wife, despite marrying her with all ritual, what make you think that he will actually accept Mahira ?"

"Preeta was a middle class woman while our Mahira is from our high class circle ! Why do you need to bring her up every time!" Kareena said angrily.

"You can deny as much as you want but the truth is Mahira is and will always be Karan's second wife, the unwanted wife, the person whom you forced in his life." Rakhi said sternly before going away.

"Rakhi mummyji hates me! Why does she always need to hurt me by bringing up Preeta in every conversation." Mahira said shedding crocodile tears.

"Don't worry, no words of her can ever change the situation. I'm the boss in this house and I chose you as Karan's wife. No one can take your place in his life." Kareena reassured her.

Upstairs, Karan had watched the interaction between his mother and aunt. He felt proud that his mother was no more staying silent and started speaking up but he knew that this will be for a short time only. Then she will go back to listen to everything his bua said or ordered.

Karan sighed and retreated back to his room. His eyes furrowed when he saw an envelope lying on his bed. It was addressed to him.

Inside, there was a copy of the DNA test of Mahira's baby and it was clearly stated that the baby DNA doesn't match Karan's. Karan's eyes widened in horror and he quickly closed his door.

"How is this possible? Only me and Shiv knew about this. Who might know about this?"

He looked in the envelope and found another paper. It was a letter written to him.

This is breaking news; the perfect choti bahu of Luthra Khandan was pregnant but not with Luthra's heir. Ouff imagine if the press get to know this? Your family's reputation will be ruin! It's a shame the baby died else... You don't know me but I know you. Count your days because soon, you will receive the most shocking news of your life and you will be so helpless that you will be able to only stand and watch while your family get ruined. See you soon Mr TKL.

From : Luthra's Biggest Enemy.

"Shit !" Karan ran his hand in his hairs, "Who might this be? Who want to ruin us."

Karan started pacing around his room, "Should I inform Rishabh?... No... He won't listen to me. He hates me." Karan sighed dejectedly.

He opened his drawer and took out Preeta's photo. He slightly caressed it and sighed. He read again the letter before burning it and the report, looking at it dangerously.

"I don't know who you are but I won't let you harm my family. I'm The Karan Luthra. I can do anything for my family. You don't know whom you just mess with."

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I know I was suppose to update Forever Yours but it's not ready. This chapter was already written so I updated this instead.
So let me know your theories about this chapter
Do vote and see you very soon!

07/12/2021