"Be ready, we will start at 4"

Those words kept echoing her insides making way for more tears. Khushi stopped her trembling hands from stirring the kheer when she heard someone's footsteps behind. she turned back after wiping her tears hurriedly to find Anjali entering the kitchen.

"Khushiji, what are you doing here?" asked Anjali with surprise

"wo.. I'm .." she fumbled recovering from her earlier thoughts

"I got it. you are making 'kheer' so that you and chote can tell everyone the good news with sweet" beamed Anjali taking in the fragrance of kheer

"just now I received Akash's call. they all are returning back. So what can be perfect occasion to spill the beans"  rambled Anjali without knowing what effect those words had on Khushi

"di .. Arnavji .. he.." she tried to form a sentence without choking but failed miserably

"what happened Khushiji?" Anjali became alert after noticing Khushi's ashen face

When Khushi still wasn't able to form any sentence, racking with sobs. Anjali switched off the stove and took Khushi to her room.

"What did he say?" Anjali sounded strict, so different from earlier, as if the lady in kitchen was someone else

"he.. he will..  talk to.. you" Khushi hid her face in palm and started crying again

Anjali took a deep sigh making Khushi sit in bed and herself sitting beside.

"listen to me carefully Khushiji, I will never.. ever let him do anything wrong" Khushi was bewildered to see Anjali's determined look 

"how?" Khushi managed to whisper

"i know him in and out, khushiji.. I've spent all my life hiding his mistakes, but not anymore. now, it's not just about him. it's about You and this baby" told Anjali after a brief pause, trying to control her own tears

"di" the painful whisper from Khushi, broke her as she hugged her sister-in-law, consoling that she won't let any bad thing happen.

"now eat something, I know you must've skipped breakfast, also take rest, it's not good for my nephew, if you cry so much" Anjali tried to lighten the atmosphere after wiping her tears

"but Arnavji.."

"let him come. you stay here in my room" said Anjali before thinking something to herself

She forcefully fed Khushi some fruits and then made her sleep.

...

Anjali Singh Raizada was always a tough nut to crack, she was very much reserved even from childhood. Being elder daughter, the enormous love and freedom she got from her parents made her no better. Her every demand was fulfilled even before she repeat. She bent before no one. Her traits make her sober yet childish. If one don't look her close, they would think her to be an egoistic and the never breaking, strong girl. Little did they know, she too have a weakness and that is her 'Brother'. The reason being She was just 14 and her brother 8 when they lost their mother, in a fire accident. From the same instance she grew up some more, she felt a sense of protectiveness towards her brother and that's how she enveloped him from every odd, hiding every mistake of his'. And fulfilling all his demands by hook or crook.

She always saved him from their father's anger as they don't get well along with each other, reason being her brother's carelessness towards living life But Anjali never saw his fault. Both siblings were poles apart character wise, but inseparable. 

Anjali's over affection for her brother started taking an ugly turn when she fell in love with her collegemate Shyam. She unintentionally started ignoring her teenage brother, who started getting some bad influence. He started smoking, drinking and the worst, gambling.

Reality hit late, when Their father found, her brother in a pub fully drunk, Not even in a state to walk. That was the horrible day for Anjali as even she couldn't stop her father from beating her brother.

Passing days made her torn between her brother and Shyam, to whom she was officially engaged by then. The last Nail in the conffin was her Marriage after which she was bound to leave her brother, all by himself.

Her marriage life was a bliss until she found her brother's difficulty in living without her. But her in-laws being Orthodox, never let her live back there with her brother, more than a day or two! even her brother was not so welcomed in Shyam's place.

Deciding the best for his future, their father had sent her brother to abroad for further studies. Bodyguards were appointed for taking strict care of keeping him away from all the bad habits. Thus, her brother was now back to life, Or more over That's what she thought!

She constantly kept in touch with her brother, who nowadays seemed interested in partying with friends and playing soccer, Reportedly with No bad habits. Relief washed through her to a great extent. Her brother was finally happy, even without her.. and that's a lot!

However, happiness didn't last long, as one day, she kept waiting for her Husband who never returned back from his work. Shyam had went to office early in the morning and then some Police officers barged in the evening - stating, her husband is No more, as he faced a brutal accident. Her world came crashing down, and she needed her brother like never before. Though, the News was kept away from her brother due to his already started exams.

She was left alone. Alone, to deal with all the pent up emotions of days and weeks..But she never cried, as if Shyam took all of her emotions with himself! That was the time, when an angel entered​ her life. Step sister of Shyam, who until now, lived in a hostel. When returned, she had screamed loud and cried over the news of her lovely Shyam bhaiya's demise. The sight made even Anjali to shed a few tears. And the hell broke loose when both the ladies cried till not even a single drop of tear was left unshed.

As Anjali started feeling light after Sharing her sorrow, she came back to her senses. Why had she not known anything about a sister of Shyam's? Later, it was revealed to her that Shyam's grandma being Orthodox called the poor girl, illegitimate. She heard the taunts, the girl bear without even a single argument back. And it brought back the sense of protectiveness in her, which was exclusively for her brother. But this Angel had started making place in her heart. From the same instance, Anjali Singh Raizada was back to her usual mode and started saving the damsel in distress. This lead to daily arguments in the household and it wasn't too late when Anjali was asked to leave their house by her in-laws. She didn't mind. Infact, she'll be more happy with her family. But what she was worried about is the innocent girl who supported her during the weak times.

Earlier, Shyam was there to protect her. But wasn't the girl, her husband's sister, her responsibility now? Shyam's father was paralyzed, many years before. Shyam's mother keeps mum in every matter of the poor girl, as if she doesn't even exist. Shyam's grandma leaves no chance to taunt and torture the girl. And to top it all, She can't even stay in hostel anymore, as her schooling has came to an end.

Anjali had tried taking the angel with her but she was asked by which right she is taking desicion for her, question came from none other than Shyam's grandma. Ofcourse, they need a maid. But she promised herself, that she would soon rescue her sister-in-law.

After Anjali went back to her home, she was way much better. Her Dadi and Dad were not able to manage alone, so her Nani, and Mama's family had started living with them. House full of happiness brought back the old Anjali, Just like she was before marriage. Shyam was, is and will always be a part of her. She can never forget him. Her only worry was Shyam's sister.

Her brother was back from abroad and when he came to know what Happened with his sister. He had taken the whole house on his head. Only after a lot of convincing that she is fine, did he came back to normal.

All started going well for them, but her dad and brother never got well along with each other. They have baseless arguments each day. Her brother wasn't interested in joining family business where as her dad has given the responsibility to Akash, their Mama's son.

Anjali thought it's all for time being, everything will be fine when her brother starts taking responsibility. But that never happened as he was busy partying or playing with his friends. But as usual Anjali' doesn't see a fault in it.

Realization hit her hard, that how much she have ignored the girl, when she saw her in a temple. Shyam's sister was looking so pale and thin. Her eyes watered thinking of the tortures the poor girl, must've been bearing. Anjali introduced the girl with her Dadi, who accompanied her to the temple.

Later Anjali had shared everything with Dadi. And both the women, came to a conclusion. Marrying the innocent girl with her immature brother. Shyam's sister needs a savior. Her brother needs a partner, who would make him realise his responsibility. They both will fit perfect.

The same she told to her father, who denied stating, her brother is young and immature for relationships, first he need to stabilize himself. But Anjali couldn't wait more to save her sister-in-law. She told that after marriage her brother will be a responsible person, playing her old tricks, she made everyone agree for this relationship.

Her brother can never say a no to him. Like wise. Happend the Arranged Marriage of her immature brother, Arnav Singh Raizada and the innocent girl, Khushi Gupta.

Now that she think it all,

Did she do right, marrying this innocent girl with her immature brother?

She just wanted to unite two lost souls? Was her decision wrong?

_______________________

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Love ❤
Uzma