Hey friends..

Hope u all r keeping safe & fine??

Here's the next update which I would like to dedicate to my gummy bear @AryaARshi.

Sorry for the belated gift Arya. Hope you must have had a wonderful birthday with your family & the lovely wishes from your very special somebody must have made your birthday all the more special 😍

May God bless you with pink of health & lots of happiness always.

Love u lots 😘

Now here goes the update....

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

After putting the potatoes to boil, Shital was kneading the dough for aloo parathas for breakfast. She was mumbling curses to the Raizadas, especially Khushi, for putting her into this situation, where she had to wake up at 6 in the morning. She, who never woke up before 8 had been woken up by HP & for what?? To cook for this idiot Raizadas. 

She glared at HP who was standing aside, monitoring her as per his Khushi bhabhi's instructions. 

Seeing her glaring at him, HP cocked his eyebrow at her & motioned towards the watch on his wrist, indicating her to speed up instead of glaring at him. 

She muttered profanities to him under her breath & continued with her work unwillingly. 

HP chuckled inwardly, seeing Shital all frustrated. 

Last night, his Khushi bhabhi had filled him with the happenings & the challenge which Shital had lost against her & about the punishment she was supposed to suffer for that the next day. Khushi bhabhi had instructed him to wake Shital on time as she knew that lazy Shital won't wake up herself on time to fulfil her punishment. 

So at dot 5:45, HP had reached Shital's room & had knocked at her door. But as expected, Miss. Lazy Kapoor hadn't opened. So HP had banged the door loudly but cautious enough not to wake others. Shital had opened the door with sleepy eyes after a good 5 minutes. Seeing him at the door she had barked on him for disturbing her sleep. But he had reminded her of her punishment & all her sleep had flown out of the window. She had asked him to start with the preparations & she will join him after having her shower. HP had strictly denied any practical help as per the rules of her punishment. Gritting her teeth she had told him that she would be there in the kitchen after freshening up. She had come after 15 minutes & HP had handed her the menu for breakfast. 

Shital's eyes had widened in shock seeing the list of food, she had to make for breakfast, that too all alone. 

Aloo parathas, bread toast, pancakes, tea, coffee, chocolate milk & fresh orange juice. 

"So many items, just for breakfast!!" Shital exclaimed. 

"Yes. Bread toast & juice for Arnav bhaiya. Pancakes & chocolate milk for you & your beloved son as you don't prefer oily food, remember" HP commented as if mocking her  "& aloo parathas & tea/coffee for the others" HP replied. 

How much do these Raizadas eat for breakfast was the first thought that crossed her mind after reading the list but she very conveniently forgot that she is freeloading on all these food since days & never considered the quantity or the hard work Khushi & Payal put behind making all the meals everyday as she was getting  everything ready made. 

But today she would understand how much it takes to make a satisfactory one time meal to please the family. 

She was kneading the dough muttering & cursing, so she didn't keep the check on the water to be poured in the flour to knead & it became all watery so she added more flour & made it hard then added more water, then again flour. That way she ended up kneading a huge ball of dough equivalent to feeding parathas to 5 more families. 

HP snorted seeing the kneaded mountain. 

Shital glared at him & went to wash her messy hands. 

Then she moved to peel the potatoes but the moment she picked one potato, she threw it on the floor as it was too hot. She started blowing air on her fingers. 

HP was enjoying her condition as he knows how much she has troubled his Khushi bhabhi. 

Letting the potatoes to cool down, Shital inserted bread slices in the toaster & meanwhile moved to peel the oranges for orange juice. After peeling the oranges she put them in the juicer. The toaster popped up the ready toast exactly when she was running the juicer so she missed the sound & continued with her work. Done with the juice, she poured it into a jug. Then she put the milk pan on the gas burner for tea & was about to add tea powder to it when she got the burnt smell & realised what it is. She immediately rushed to the toaster & hastily picked the now burnt toasts & in the process she burnt her already paining fingers. She threw the toasts in the plate & again started blowing air on her fingers. She rushed to the water tap & held her fingers under the running water which soothed her from the burning sensation. She was cautiously wiping her fingers with a napkin but the milk decided to get boiled & spill out of the pan, the exact moment. 

Throwing the napkin, she ran towards the gas stove & switched off the gas. But she was late as the milk had already spilled out messing the whole countertop. 

She huffed angrily. 

"Couldn't you alert me about the milk??" she scolded HP who shrugged carelessly & again motioned her towards the watch. 

Flaring her nostrils she started cleaning the countertop

HP was having a great time seeing Shital struggling with her work. 

After cleaning the mess, she peeled the boiled potatoes & prepared the stuffing. Luckily, she knows what all spices go in the stuffing as she had learnt to make the parathas in her past for her own selfish motives. But she makes quite tasty parathas. These Raizadas would lick, even chew their fingers along with the tasty parathas. Amidst the self boasting, she didn't realise that she forgot to add one important ingredient along with the spices & that is salt. 

Though HP had noticed it, he kept mum. 

After preparing some parathas, her vicious mind came up with a plan to trouble Khushi but for that she needs to send HP out of the kitchen. 

"HP ji??" she called him so softly & so respectfully that HP's eyes widened in shock. 

"Can you set the table at least?? It's already very late. Everybody must be coming down for breakfast. Please HPji." she requested with utmost politeness she must have never used in her entire life. 

HP sighed & nodded, not because she requested but he knows that it's actually getting late & he doesn't want his family to wait more. So he went out to arrange the dining table. 

Shital sighed relieved & immediately added salt & more spices to the remaining potato stuffing. 

Now Khushi will get extra salty & extra spicy parathas & when she will comment the same then everybody will disagree with her, as they all will be having perfect parathas with exact salt & spices. Then I will try to fake that Khushi is jealous of me that's why she is trying to degrade my cooking. That will definitely earn me sympathy from Anjali at least if not anybody else, as she is my trump card & I'm losing my grip on her lately which I have to gain back. Shital mumbled to herself with a wicked smile & prepared the special parathas for Khushi. 

Cursing & muttering incoherently, she finally managed to prepare everything as per the menu & got the food out at the dining table, set by HP. Then she went to her room to clean up her messy state. 

HP took the breakfast for mama & mami to their room. 

NK & nani were already seated at the dining table as per their KKK team's plan. He was eating an apple glancing at the stairs, waiting for their target to descend. 

The moment he saw Arav descending the stairs, ready in his school uniform, he signaled nani who blinked her eyes at him. 

Arav came & sat on the dining chair waiting for breakfast to be served. 

NK served a pancake & a glass of juice to himself & started eating. 

The moment he ate a piece of pancake, he made faces. 

"What happened NK bitwa??" nani asked. 

"Who made these pancakes naniji??" he questioned. 

"Khushi bitiya" nani replied. "Why??" she asked back. 

"They are not at all spongy, but chewy & tasteless." He scrunched his nose in dislike & pushed the plate. 

Arav, who is yet unaware of the fact that it's his mother, who is the royal chef for today & it's her only who has made these pancakes as well, thought to use this golden opportunity to insult Khushi as he was already very frustrated on missing the chance of hurting her by making her slip from the stairs. 

One by one everybody assembled at the dining table for breakfast. Shital too joined, very excited to hear praises from everybody sans Khushi as per her plan.

She started serving everybody breakfast as per their preferences. She had kept Khushi's special parathas on top only so she served them to her, smirking inwardly. But when she came to Arnav, he stopped her from serving him & gestured to Khushi to serve him. 

Shital was infuriated but couldn't do anything. 

Khushi smiled & served him toast & juice. They both sighed seeing the burnt toast & shared a knowing look that this woman can't even toast a bread properly & is set to seperate them. 

Arav was confused to see his mother serving everybody today. But he shrugged it off as he was desperate to start with his plan. 

"Shitalji.. You too sit & have your breakfast" Anjali said, serving chocolate milk to Arav. 

Shital nodded smiling & immediately took her chair as she was absolutely famished after the hard work of 2 hours in the heat of the Raizada kitchen. She served herself but didn't start eating as she wanted to hear her praises first. So she was looking at everybody's faces expectantly. 

The KKK team shared a secret glance & started to have their breakfast. 

The moment nani, Payal, Akash, Anjali & NK ate the first piece of paratha, they spit it out. 

Shital whose face was beaming with excitement, blanched at their reaction. 

But when Khushi took the first bite of paratha she liked it as it was as per her taste - over spicy & tasty. 

"Ummm… It's tasty." she commented genuinely. 

Arnav who was eating the burnt toast unwillingly, looked at her incredulously &  so did the others. 

"Tasty??" NK asked, shocked. "It's tasteless actually." He said straightforwardly. 

"Yes.. No salt at all & you call it tasty Khushi??" Payal asked, surprised. 

Khushi looked at them, not understanding their words as this wasn't their plan. Also the parathas weren't tasteless at all. In fact she liked them, then why are they saying the opposite?? 

"Yes Khushiji. The parathas are just bland, insipid." Anjali seconded, putting the parathas back in the casserole. 

"Yes these pancakes are also tasteless & chewy, I don't like them at all." Arav snapped, pushing his plate roughly. 

Everybody looked at him & at his plate. He hadn't even touched the pancakes, yet he was commenting on them to be chewy & tasteless. 

Nani & NK shared a knowing glance, smirking. 

HP came down carrying the tray of breakfast he had taken for mama-mami but seems they too didn't like the food as the plates were full as it is. 

"See even Manohar & Manorama did not like the breakfast." Nani stated, gesturing towards their returned full plates. 

Sheetal was watching everything slack jawed. This is not what she had planned. She had thought that everybody sans Khushi would like the breakfast & praise her & she would get to mock Khushi. But here everything is happening the opposite. Only Khushi liked the parathas & the rest of them just spit it out. How did that happen?? Where did her calculation go wrong?? 

Anjali's voice interrupted her musings. "Khushiji.. I'm amazed as you have always liked spicy & tasty food then how come you liked such tasteless parathas??" Anjali voiced her surprise. 

But before Khushi could reply, Arav jumped in grabbing the opportunity. 

"That's because she has made all these, then how can she not like them?? No matter how tasteless the food is, she won't accept that she doesn't know how to cook. Everyday I used to say that I didn't like her made food then she used to get angry on me & now when you all say the same, still she isn't ready to accept but is self praising her handmade food." Arav accused Khushi, glaring at her. 

All kept quiet because that's what they wanted, the chhota packet to blow up so that they can deflat him. 

But Sheetal was scared that Arav might end up saying something which he shouldn't, not now at least. So she tried to stop him. "Arav beta.. It's ok. It happens. Now be quiet & have your breakfast like a good boy" she gritted, warning him through her eyes but Arav was beyond understanding. As for him, he had got a perfect chance to insult Khushi for disrespecting his mother & making her cry. 

"No mom. Why different rules for you & her??" he continued furiously. "That day my mom made cheese sandwiches for everyone, which were just a little bit more spicy & you all scolded her so much. Now this Khushi aunty has made everything so tasteless. The parathas are bland, the pancakes are chewy, ASR's toast is burnt. Nothing is worth eating. Still you all didn't scold her or punish her" he spat, throwing accusing glares at everybody. 

Although this was what they all wanted but still everybody sans Shital felt pity for the little boy, whose mind has been corrupted brutally by his mother at such a tender age. 

The most shocked & shaken was Anjali by Arav's outburst that indicated that he had so much venom filled in his heart for Khushi. Guilt was seeping through her for overlooking all these, since days. 

Shital was cursing her son for digging a grave himself for his own mother. She was about to get up from her chair to stop him but Arnav's words stopped her. 

"Shital.. Your son is absolutely right. I must say, you have instilled very good values in him" he mocked her which everybody including Shital understood but Arav was elated as he felt as if ASR was actually praising him. 

"So Arav.." Arnav turned towards him & continued politely "I agree with your words. The rules should be the same for everyone. Just like we scolded your mom that day for making so spicy sandwiches, the same way the one who has made all these tasteless breakfast should be scolded & punished as well" Arnav assured him & Arav was happy beyond measures that his wish to see Khushi punished would be finally fulfilled. 

Everybody sans Shital was smirking inwardly as Arav had landed himself & his mother in a soup due to his foolishness. 

"So I am asking you Arav, what punishment would you like to give to that person??" Arnav aked, raising his eyebrows. 

"Arnav.. Let it be na. He is just a child. Don't take his words at heart" Shital tried to do some damage control. 

"No Shital" It was Akash this time. "Arav is an intelligent child who knows what's right & what's wrong or who's right & who's wrong" Akash taunted Shital. "Right Arav??" he asked Arav, plastering a fake smile. 

Arav immediately nodded his head, happy that everybody was siding with him & now nobody can save Khushi. 

"So Arav. Tell me what punishment have you decided??" Arnav asked again. 

"She will have to do 20 sit ups holding her ears & apologize to my mom. Then she will have to make something else for breakfast which would be worthy of human beings to eat & not like these which even animals would refuse to eat" he gestured at the spread on the dining table. 

"Are you sure??" Arnav asked to reconfirm. 

"Yes, very sure" he replied proudly. 

Shital shut her eyes tight, at her son's idiocy. 

"Ok then Shital. Start with the sit ups, right now" Arnav ordered. 

Shital & Arav's eyes widened. 

"Not my mom ASR but Khushi aunty will do the sit ups" Arav reiterated. 

"But you said the one who made these breakfast??" NK interjected 

"Yes & that's why Khushi aunty will be punished" he repeated adamantly then heard Payal laughing. 

Arav looked inquisitively at her. 

"For your kind information Arav, it's your mom who made today's breakfast & not Khushi or anybody else" Payal supplied him with the information, he wasn't aware of. 

Arav looked at his mother, stupefied. 

Shital now cursed herself for not informing Arav prior. But how would she, as she herself had very conveniently forgotten until HP showed up early morning to wake her up. Arav was sleeping at that time so she couldn't inform him then as well. 

Arav was shocked with the latest information from Payal. 

"Noooooo" He uttered unbelievably. 

"Yesssssss" Everybody, including HP & excluding Shital copied him in chorus. 

Arav looked at his mom, who glared at him dangerously, making him swallow fearfully. 

"So Shital, please fulfill your son's wish" it was Khushi who trilled sweetly, looking at a frustrated Shital. 

"No, my mom won't do any sit ups" Arav snapped at Khushi. 

"Why Arav?? Wasn't that you, who wanted the one who didn't make edible food to be punished??" Akash asked, narrowing his eyes. 

"Yes because I thought Khushi aunty made it as everyday" Arav reasoned. 

"But wait Arav, how do you even know that the food is tasteless?? You didn't even touch the pancakes in your plate let alone taste, then how are you so sure that they too ain't edible just like the parathas??" NK asked loftily. 

"That's because you said so, after tasting them" Arav immediately retorted. 

"So?? That doesn't mean if I didn't like then you too won't like them either without even tasting. Or is it that you were waiting for a chance to corner Khushiji & let out your frustration by putting false allegations on her just like you have been doing till now??" NK spat without mincing his words. 

Arav looked scared, getting cornered himself. 

Arnav clenched his fists as he just wanted to slap this boy for his insolent behaviour but he controlled himself as he wants to tackle him in his own way. 

"Arav can reply later. First let Shital fulfil Arav's proposed punishment" Arnav looked at Shital with vengeance. 

Shital was petrified & so was her son. 

"No, my mom won't do sit ups" Arav repeated stubbornly. 

Arnav cocked his eyebrows at him challengingly. 

Arav gulped scared. 

"I will do sit ups on her behalf" Arav tried to negotiate & stood up to do the bid. 

"Nope" Arnav stood up as well, folding his hands. "Not happening" he shook his head, twitching his mouth. "You can't take her punishment" he refused. 

"But ASR," Arav interrupted but Arnav shut him showing his hand. 

"But there's one more way to save your mom from punishment" Arnav moved towards Arav's chair & stood near him. 

Arav raised his hopeful eyes at him. 

"If you accept that just like today, you have been accusing Khushi without any real reason, every single time" Arnav leaned down at Arav's face level, holding the back of his chair. "You have to accept that you have been deliberately throwing tantrums to harass Khushi. You have to accept that you deliberately created such situations to insult Khushi. You have to agree when I say that you are in some kind of revenge mode against Khushi" Arnav completed looking into the boy's scared eyes with his intimidating ones. 

"Chhote, let it be na. He is…" Anjali tried to intervene but one look from her Chhote & she had to shut up. 

"Either you accept or your mom does sit ups. Choice is yours Arav '' Arnav stood straight, with his hands in his pockets. His narrowed gaze intact on Arav's scared face. 

Arav understood he is trapped in his own game. But whatever happens, he won't let his mother lose or suffer any punishment. 

"I accept everything you said ASR" Arav whispered looking down but everybody could hear him clearly. 

Arnav clenched his jaws & fists furiously. 

Arav was scared of Arnav's reaction but Shital was terrified. What if Arav reveals the reasons as well behind his deeds?? They would be doomed. Only if she could vanish with her son for the time being. 

"& why would you do so Arav??" Khushi stood up from her chair & came near Arav & Arnav. "What wrong have I done to you & your mother??" she asked. 

"Because I don't like you " he replied immediately, looking at Khushi ragefully. 

"& why is that so??" she asked back. 

"because you don't like me & my mom nor you like us staying in this house. You want us to go away from this house & this family" Arav snapped but the shiver in his voice gave away the pain he was trying to hide. 

Khushi's heart ached for this boy who loves his mom beyond limits. He believes & follows her blindly. 

"You seriously think so Arav that I don't like you??" she asked, turning him towards herself through his shoulders. 

"If you have forgotten then let me remind you that it was me who saved you from kidnappers putting my own life at risk. It was me who got your mother & you in this house. If I disliked you then I would have never done that" she tilted his face upwards, holding his chin. "It's me who looks after your clothes, your toys, your meals, your meds, everything, when that should be your mother's job. But still as I had brought you in this house, I felt responsible towards your needs & I was doing my best to keep you happy & satisfied in MY HOUSE & you know that very well in your heart" she looked straight in his eyes, poking a finger on his heart gently. "Even after you throwing unnecessary tantrums at me & jiji regarding food & other petty things, we never scolded you or berated you. We tried to make you happy by giving you a homely environment in every possible way. But you reciprocated our hospitality with hostility. Why??" she asked. 

"You are friendly & respectful with everybody in the house except me without any particular reason. We have reasons to like, dislike, love or hate anybody. But I have never given you any reason to dislike me, Arav. Then why are you so hostile towards me always??" she demanded an answer. 

Arav looked at his mother through his peripheral view who glared at him, warning him to shut his mouth & Arav lowered his eyes. 

Arnav & Khushi did notice the exchange & sighed. 

"Arav" she called him softly & Arav raised his eyes at her. "Just the way I brought you & your mother in this house, I can show both of you the way out as well whenever I want because this is my house & the way you have been misbehaving with me I should have done that way before. But my mother has not taught me to be disrespectful or hostile even to a stranger whereas you two are guests here, whom we have treated no less than our family." 

Arav understood that she is pointing towards his mother's upbringing regarding his behaviour. He hated to admit to himself but she was right here. She has always been soft, polite & caring towards him even after he was the exact opposite with her. But as per his mother, she was just acting to be good to him so he never appreciated her efforts. 

Khushi cupped Arav's face between her soft hands. "Arav, you may be small but you are way more mature & intelligent than your age. You need to understand what's right & what's wrong for you. You need to differentiate between good & bad. Trusting somebody completely is good but following somebody's words blindly is wrong. You need to assess your words & actions, they shouldn't hurt anybody without any fault. Making mistakes is fine because you learn to make amendments from them but deliberately done mistakes, not only hurt others but they hurt you as well as your heart is well aware of the fact."

Arav was listening to each & every word of Khushi intently. A hurt mamij's face flashed in front of his eyes. Nobody has bothered to explain him or guide him with so much affection till now. All he got were rules & orders from his mother & they were the laws for him, he abided religiously. 

Arnav sat on Arav's empty chair, pulled him towards himself & held his hands in his. 

"Arav, Trust is a mighty word. Once broken it takes a lot of time & hard work to reinstate" Arnav's experience was speaking here. "Admiration is right but blind worshipping is wrong. If you love to play cricket then u should play that only & not basketball to get into ASR's good books. If you like to watch cartoons then you should watch cartoons & not business news channels just to impress ASR. If you love to eat sweets then you can definitely eat sugar free sweets even if you are a diabetic & not eat dry toast just to please ASR." Arav's head shot at Arnav hearing his words. 

So ASR has noticed all the changes he has brought in him, unwillingly. He was scared, very much at that. But the most frightened was Shital. Is their plan out in the open?? Does Arnav know their motive behind entering his house & life?? Better not or her son & she would be doomed. Here Arnav & there her accomplice would wipe them out from the face of this earth. 

Everybody else was also confused by Arnav's words. Khushi looked at him with confused eyes & he blinked his eyes, gesturing that he would clear her confusion later. 

He concentrated back on Arav. "You must be ASR but that doesn't mean you should be THE ASR. Your age is to study, play, have fun, make friends & enjoy life like the children of your age do & not to act like an arrogant, rude & shrewd businessman THE ASR. I know how it feels to lose your childhood & grow & act bigger than your age before time" he swallowed thickly, remembering his own lost childhood which was the reason he got easily attached to Arav. 

Arav was feeling too emotional. All he wanted to do is hug Arnav & complain to him that where was he all these years to guide him, to show him the right path like a father should do to his son?? Why wasn't he there to shower all the fatherly love on him, he has been missing since his birth?? 

Arav couldn't stop a few tears from rolling down his eyes. 

Arnav & Khushi understood that their words have stirred some intense emotions in him & hopefully all were positive. 

Arnav wiped his tears gently. "You know Arav, apologizing lessens your guilt" he probed. 

Arav nodded, understanding what Arnav was implying. 

"I'm sorry Khushi aunty" for the first time Arav spoke this softly to Khushi & his apology was genuine. 

Khushi nodded smiling at him. The boy wasn't bad but the influence on him was. They knew that when Shital's face would be exposed, the most devastated would be Arav. So they wanted to prepare him mentally to at least understand the situation without jumping to his own conclusions or again get carried away by his mother's lies. That was their plan. They wanted to open his eyes to his own mistakes & atrocities he committed under his mother's influence. Maybe this won't reform him completely because his mother definitely has a strong hold on his thoughts & actions but at least their words would definitely have some positive effect on him. 

"Ok now let's have our breakfast quickly. You are getting late for school, Arav" Khushi said, ruffling Arav's hair. 

Arnav vacated Arav's chair & sat on his. 

"Khushiji, Arav is already late for school. I  will grab something from his school canteen for him & make him eat there only" Anjali suggested. 

"Ok but at least let him drink his chocolate milk. It's not good to leave the house empty stomach" Khushi suggested back & handed the chocolate milk glass to Arav. He finished it & left with Anjali for school. 

"I will make something fast for all of you" HP offered but Payal denied. 

"No HPji, just re-heat the parathas & we can sprinkle some chaat masala & salt & have them. There's no need to waste so much food. We should learn to value what we have" Payal said, eyeing Shital furiously who understood the taunt behind her words. 

"Yes, Payal bitiya is right" Nani agreed. "Wasting & throwing food is no less than a sin. There are people out there who work hard & slog day & night to earn a one time simple meal. But we are lucky enough to have these parathas at least, by Shital bitiya's grace" Nani mocked Shital openly who gulped embarrassingly. 

Everybody snorted inwardly at Nani's taunt & Shital's embarrassment. 

HP immediately collected the parathas from everybody's plates but when he reached Khushi, she refused. 

"No HPji, my parathas are absolutely perfect. I guess Shital knows my taste very well. Thank you so much Shital" Khushi fake smiled at Shital who stood up immediately to help HP in the kitchen. She still wasn't able to understand where her calculations went wrong. But Khushi had understood what Shital must have actually planned & what must have actually happened. 

Khushi laughed seeing Shital escaping away but everybody else sitting there were eyeing Khushi. 

"Khushi, how could you" Payal glared at her. 

"Praise that Shit-al" added NK, frowning. 

"That too for such tasteless breakfast" Nani completed, shaking her head in annoyance at her Khushi bitiya. 

Arnav & Akash were looking curiously at her for answers. 

But instead of replying anything, Khushi forwarded her plate of parathas towards them, gesturing them to taste. 

When they tasted the parathas, everybody's eyes rounded in shock & mouth agape. 

Khushi chuckled at their similar expressions & then she explained to them what she could assess out of the whole PARATHA FIASCO. 

Everybody burst into laughter at Shital's foolishness. 

"I remember this famous Hindi saying guys" NK chirped in to display his Hindi knowledge. 

Everybody was about to stop him from butchering Hindi but he was faster then them to utter his extemporaneous Hindi saying. 

"Jo dusro ke liye dabba kholta hai, wo khud hi usme gila ho jaata hai" (The one who opens a tin, surely gets wet himself in it) he completed, with a proud smirk for turning everybody speechless with his Hindi. 

(The real saying is, 'Jo dusro ke liye gadda khodta hai wo Khud hi usme gir jaata hai. If you dig a hole for others, you are sure to fall in it yourself) 

The ladies face palmed & the two brothers pulled their hair in frustration. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Payal entered her mother in law's room with a glass of milk. 

Her father in law had already left for office. 

Manorama raised her head from the Hindi filmy magazine she was reading & smiled at her daughter in law who reciprocated. 

It feels strange to Payal that her maaji who always used to scrunch her nose & twitch her mouth seeing her as if she isn't her daughter in law but a contagious disease, is now passing a genuine smile to her every time she sees her. But somewhere her heart is at peace knowing that she is finally accepted by her mother in law, wholeheartedly. 

"Maaji, it's time for your medicine" Payal reminded her, popping the meds from their strips & forwarded with the milk glass. 

Without throwing any tantrum, Manorama gulped the meds with milk. She was revelling in the care & concern her daughter in law was showering on her in abundance. 

Early morning, Payal had already come to help her with her morning chores like brushing, using the bathroom, meds etc & now she was again in front of her at dot time of her meds. 

They say right that 'you get to know about your true well wishers at the times of crises.' 

Payal, her daughter in law whom she had never looked with the eyes of a mother in law, let alone a mother, was always at her beck & call since her marriage with her Akas bitwa & now since her (Manorama's) accident, she is attending her, caring for her like a daughter would. On the other hand, there is her niece Anjali bitiya, who has always been a daughter to her, hasn't bothered to even peep in her room since yesterday to ask about her health or offer any help. She knows where Anjali must be busy, of course with her dear Arav beta. 

"Maaji, I have readied hot water in the bathroom for you to bathe" Payal's voice broke into Manorama's thoughts. 

She saw Payal standing with a big polythene bag & a thin string in her hand. Before she could ask her she saw Payal covering her plastered foot with the bag & tying it with a string. 

"This won't let the plaster get wet" Payal cleared. 

Manorama nodded, awe at her daughter in law's thoughtfulness. 

"Come, I will help you to the bathroom" Payal forwarded her hand for Manorama to hold when they heard the room door open & Khushi entered, smiling at them. 

"Jiji, even I'm here to help you" saying Khushi rushed to the other side & both sisters together helped Manorama to stand. 

Khushi immediately then bent down to hold Manorama's plastered foot. Then with Payal's help, Manorama reached the bathroom hopping on one leg with Khushi moving along holding her foot. 

They carefully made her sit on the stool & rested her plastered foot on another low stool in front of her. 

"Maaji, will you be able to take a bath yourself or should we help you with that??" Payal asked with concern. 

"No Payal. I will manage" She replied politely. 

"Ok maaji. But do call us if you need any help" Payal said. Manorama nodded. 

"I have kept your clothes here only" Payal said pointing towards the clothes kept on a nearby chair, handy for Manorama.

Then both the sisters left the bathroom giving privacy to Manorama. 

While bathing Manorama was feeling plethora of emotions remembering the times she has behaved rudely with Payal & Khushi. Always called them names & never appreciated their efforts in keeping the family happy. Always humiliated them, taunted them finding faults in the tiniest of things. Never gave them the love & respect they deserved. 

She didn't know when tears rolled down from her eyes & got mixed with the water, cleansing her body not only from outside but inside as well. 

Grabbing her towel from the chair, she wiped herself & stretched her hand for her clothes. She found a cotton nighty kept by Payal for her to wear. Again so thoughtful of her. She knows that her maaji won't be able to handle a saree with the plastered foot so she kept the nighty which would be a very comfortable clothing in this condition. 

Wearing her clothes she called out to Payal & Khushi to help her out of the bathroom. 

Both the sisters adjusted her nighty properly & carefully helped her back to the bed. 

Khushi went to neaten the bathroom whereas Payal offered to comb Manorama's hair to which she agreed happily. 

Payal braided her maaji's hair in her customary bun & handed her a hand mirror to see. 

Manorama smiled & appreciated her efforts. 

Khushi too came & sat on the other side of her mamiji. 

Manorama applied vermilion & put a bindi on her forehead, given by Payal. 

Keeping all the things back on the dressing table, Payal sat near her maaji. 

Both the sisters wanted to tell Manorama that she looks beautiful in this makeup-less look. Her over the top make up & jewellery makes her look more like a clown. But they didn't want to anger the mellowed down Manorama so they shrugged the thought. 

"Maaji, papaji has gone to office so if you need anything then just dial either of us from the cordless" Payal instructed, gesturing towards Khushi & herself. 

Manorama nodded & both the sisters stood up to leave to be held by Manorama with her either hands. 

Both of them turned to look at her but were pulled so strongly by Manorama that they both landed back near her on either side. 

Before they could ask anything, she had engulfed them in her arms tight, sticking them to her chest from either side. 

Both the sisters were cluelessly stunned at her sudden unexpected move. 

They both looked at each other bewildered but the moment they heard the sound of sobs they got alarmed. 

"Maaji, what happened?? Why are you crying?? Is it hurting??" Payal asked. Her voice, full of concern.

Even Khushi was very much worried. 

Manorama loosened her grip & both sat properly facing her. It hurt them to see her crying. 

"Maaji, let me call the doctor" Payal was about to take the cordless but Manorama stopped her shaking her head. 

She was too overwhelmed to utter a word but her tears were flowing endlessly. 

Payal filled a glass of water & held it to Manorama's mouth who drank a few sips & Payal kept the glass back. 

"Mamiji, what happened?? Please tell us" Khushi urged, holding her hand. 

She looked at their concerned faces with teary eyes. 

"Yes, it ij hurting," Manorama said. "But not in my phoot but in my harat" she replied, keeping her hand on her heart. 

("Yes, it is hurting. But not in my foot but in my heart.) 

Both the sisters frowned, not understanding her words. 

"The realijasun oph my kiruel & inhuman behabiour tobards both oph you ij hurting me" Manorama held either of their hands. "I neber acceptaid both oph you aj my daterj in laa, heartily. But expaicted phrom you both to perpharam all your dater in laa dutij aiphiciently & you both did aj bhell. But still, I neber gabe the respectwa you both dejerbed. Let alone respectwa, I neber stopped calling you both with thoj ridiculuj namewaj until you both stood up phor your selaf-respectwa" mami gulped the lump of guilt. 

(The realisation of my cruel & inhuman behaviour towards both of you is hurting me. I never accepted both of you as my daughters in law. But expected from both of you to perform all your daughter in law duties & you both did as well. But still I never gave you the respect you both deserved. Let alone respect, I never stopped calling you both with those ridiculous names until you both stood up for your self-respect) 

"I albays taunted you two phor coming phrom a poor phaimily bhen I myselaf belong to a much poorer phaimily than yours. You both albays tried to support your phaimily by earning money with respaict, still I looked down at you both with disrespaict bhen I myselaf was a maid in thij house bephore marrying to the one & only son oph thij house. I tried my bhesht to barek my Akas bitwa's alliance with you Payal by phinding one or the other phault in you & your phaimily, bhen I myselaf neber had any such qualitij to be related to such a high class Raijjada phaimily."  Manorama was blunt in accepting her mistakes. But her moist eyes & wet voice were conveying her guilt & regret. 

(I always taunted you two for coming from a poor family when I myself belong to a much poorer family than yours. You both always tried to support your family by earning money with respect, still I looked down at you both with disrespect when I myself was a maid in this house before marrying to the one & only son of this house. I tried my best to break my Akas bitwa's alliance with you Payal by finding one or the other fault in you & your family, when I myself never had any such qualities to be related to such a high class Raizada family.") 

She looked at Khushi remorsefully. "Bhen you eloped with Arnav bitwa & came back mairried to him, I berated you, taunted you, conbeniently phorgetting that I myselaf had an elope mairriage with Akas ke papa."

("When you eloped with Arnav bitwa & came back married to him, I berated you, taunted you, conveniently forgetting that I myself had an elope marriage with Akas ke papa.") 

She shook her head ruefully at her own impetuous deeds. 

"I bhas albays jealous oph both oph you, especially you Khussi, the way everybody bhas happy with you & accaptaid you wholeheartedly, eben though bhen you bhere just a servant according to me in thij house to do household waraks under the pretext oph training Lavanya. But everybody accaptaid you & treated you as a phamily member, especially my sasuma who didn't accaipt me as her dater in laa eben aphter my mairriage with her son. I constantly phretted around her, iscared of being thrown out of the house any moment. Only aphter Akas bitwa's birth, I got complete accaiptance from my sasuma & my rightful place in thij house." Manorama said with a distant look on her face as if visiting her past. 

("I was always jealous of both of you, especially you Khushi, the way everybody was happy with you & accepted you wholeheartedly even though when you were just a servant according to me in this house to do household works under the pretext of training Lavanya. But everybody accepted you & treated you as a family member, especially my sasuma who didn't accept me as her daughter in law even after my marriage with her son. I constantly fretted around her, scared of being thrown out of the house any moment. Only after Akas bitwa's birth, I got complete acceptance from my sasuma & my rightful place in this house.")

She shared her life story to her daughters in law. The sacrifices she had to make as an eldest sister, the desires she had to curb as an eldest daughter & the sufferings she faced until she caught the eye of Manohar Raizada while working as a maid for his family. (Her life in her maternal house is mentioned in detail in chapter 16) She was very scared in the beginning when Manohar had started showing interest in her as she was just a 17 year old girl. Very naive & innocent regarding love & relationships. But Manohar's loving & caring nature towards her had evoked feelings in her for him. The costly gifts he used to shower her with, also played an important role in her inclination towards him. But her love for him was also very much genuine as he was the first man to evoke those feelings in her, to touch her the way she would never let anybody else touch herself. 

She was revelling in his love & was weaving dreams of a happy & luxurious life with him unknown to the fact that she was already rejected by his parents. As per them, a lower class maid doesn't deserve to be a daughter in law of such a reputed & high class family. His parents had given him an ultimatum that if he doesn't end his relationship with her then they would disown him from the family & property as well. He had got scared as he was also just a 22 year's young boy. He had come to inform her the same but she was ready with a shocking news for him of her pregnancy. By God's grace he wasn't a coward to back off from his responsibility & they decided to elope. They came back to his house not only married but with the heir of the family in her womb. Initially there was a lot of ruckus. Even her parents were called to complain & chastise but when they broke the news of her pregnancy, everybody had to calm down as they never wanted to give a chance to the society to speak ill about their family & their son's morals. Eventually she was accepted in the family, unwillingly though. She was spared the taunts & remarks by the family as she was pregnant but the disgust & dislike for her was well conveyed by their silent treatment, she faced everyday. Their so-called high class society of Lucknow too wasn't behind in reminding her that she doesn't belong to them & all that somewhere made her bitter & rebellious.

Her sister in law Ratna jiji was the only one who had accepted her from the very first day. Staying in the same city, she used to come more often to their house to inquire about Manorama's health & tried her best to explain to her mother, to accept Manorama wholeheartedly. That's why Manorama always had high respect & love for Ratna jiji, which was later passed on to her daughter, their Anjali bitiya. Ratna jiji's demise had created a huge void in her life. Anjali resembles Ratna a lot that's why Manorama favoured her more. Also she herself wanted a daughter but wasn't able to conceive another child due to the complications in her first pregnancy at such a tender age. So she fulfilled her desire of having a daughter by showering her motherly love on Anjali. 

Complete acceptance Manorama got from her sasuma was only after her son Akash's birth. But till then the resentment at not being accepted & all the taunts of class & status from the society had made a great impact on Manorama resulting into the transformation of a simple girl Manorama to a colourful, heavily decked up Manorama Raijjada, who had decided that she would marry her son to a very beautiful & a very rich girl, so that her daughter in law would never get to face what she did. Also, so that she could flaunt her daughter in law in front of the society & shut their mouths. 

Manorama also accepted that she was very wrong in accusing Khushi for her Anjali bitiya's broken marriage & for holding her responsible for Anjali trying to abort her baby. Anjali was though her niece but after Ratna jiji's suicide, she had accepted Anjali as her daughter only. So she couldn't bear the pain & sufferings her Anjali bitiya had to go through. So when Shyam's truth had come out, Manorama was scared that her Anjali bitiya too might end up like her mother Ratna & that fear just added on to the dislike for Khushi which came out in the form of harsher words & baseless accusations on her. 

Manorama knew that she had no rights to accuse Khushi & Payal for what they weren't guilty of. But her dislike towards both of them was not letting her see sense. 

Both the sisters were listening to Manorama with shock & surprise all over their faces. There was so much pain hidden behind the colourful mask Manorama was wearing always. 

Indeed experience plays an important role in developing or destroying a person's life 

"I hab neber shared all these with anybody till now, not eben with Anjali bitiya. But I felt to share with you two becoj I know only you two will be able to undershtand my praidicamaint. I just want to wipe out the dippherences I have created between us & I bhant you two to accaipt me bithout any grudges." 

(I have never shared all these with anybody till now, not even with Anjali bitiya. But I felt to share with you two because I know only you two will be able to understand my predicament. I just want to wipe out the differences I have created between us & I want you two to accept me without any grudges.") 

She palmed their cheeks with her either hands. 

"Your care, concaran, compaisson tobards our phaimily & me, has got this change oph harat in me. Your selafless & loving harat compailled me to accaipt you with all my harat. In short, my phraictured legwa repaired my corrupted mindwa & heartwa" Manorama humoured making her daughters in law chuckle with teary eyes. 

(Your care, concern, compassion towards our family & me, has got this change of heart in me. Your selfless & loving heart compelled me to accept you with all my heart. In short, my fractured leg repaired my corrupted mind & heart") 

"Please phorgive me phor eberything I put you both through phrom the day we met, till now" Manorama joined her hands in front of her daughters in law who immediately held her hands, shaking their heads. 

("Please forgive me for everything I put you both through from the day we met, till now.") 

"You are elder to us & my devi maiyya knows that I have always thought of you as my mother. Yes, your resentment towards me did hurt me but that didn't lessen my respect towards you" Payal stated. "Maaji, we were never interested in money, wealth, status & luxuries. All that we ever wanted was love, respect & acceptance, just like you wanted from your sasuma when you married papaji. You sharing your experiences does explain your dislike & unacceptance towards us. But still your sufferings didn't give you rights to be disrespectful, sardonic & inconsiderate towards others" Payal couldn't help but open up her own hurting heart. 

Manorama nodded her head accepting the accusations. "I knew that right phrom the beginning but I bhas too stubbaran to aiknowlaidge it phor my own selfisness" she sighed. "I can't take back my harash bhords or undo my aitrosious behabiour. All I can do ij ask phor phorgiveness & asure you both that thij change of harat is not taimporairy but a shtart oph a healthy & ishtrong relaisonsip between a sasuma & her daughters in laa" she said looking at them with new found love & adoration. 

("I knew that right from the beginning but I was too stubborn to acknowledge it for my own selfishness. I can't take back my harsh words or undo my atrocious behaviour. All I can do is ask for forgiveness & assure you both that this change of heart is not temporary but a start of a healthy & strong relationship between a sasuma & her daughters in law") 

"No mamiji, You don't need to apologize" Khushi said. "You accepting your mistakes & regretting them is enough for us" she assured. "Let's just forget everything that happened in the past & let's start on a clean slate & make new, fond memories" Khushi said suggestively, smiling cheerily. 

"Khushi is right maaji" Payal seconded. "Let bygones be bygones. What we have right now, the new & beautifully developing bond with love & trust, is all that matters" Payal said looking at Khushi who nodded in support. 

"Thank you so much my bahuriyaas phor being so phorgiving & kind hearted" Mami said, caressing their cheeks & couldn't stop herself from pulling them in her embrace again. 

Both the sisters smiled at each other at Manorama's back. Happy to be accepted by their one more relation with due love & respect they deserved. 

Manorama too was very elated for being forgiven & for getting another chance to be a good mother in law, her daughters in law deserved. 

All the three women wiped their happy tears & sat facing each other. 

"By the way mamiji, how was today's breakfast??" Khushi asked with a mischievous glint. 

"Horrible" Mami immediately replied, scrunching her face in dislike. 

Both the sisters snorted. 

"Hawww mamiji, that was made by your favourite Sital bitiya" Khushi teased, biting her lower lip. 

But mami understood the hidden jibe in it. 

She held Khushi's hand. "Khussi, this new phound wisdom has made me see sense in many maitters, I was conbeniently inconsideraite & ignourant to."

Both the sisters looked at each other, turning serious at mami's words. 

"But bephore knowing all of that, I bant to apolojije phor treating you baidly & unphairly in phront oph that Sital & her son. I didn't do anything intaintionally. I bas just bebabing like I albays did with you, all commanding, cutting & taunting. But now I underishtand that that has somebhere played a major role in hurting you" Mami stated what she could assess. 

("But before knowing all of that, I want to apologize for treating you badly & unfairly in front of that Sital & her son. I didn't do anything intentionally. I was just behaving like I always did with you, all commanding, cutting & taunting. But now I understand that that has somewhere played a major role in hurting you.")

Khushi didn't reply but her face depicted her hurt. But she couldn't accuse mami for anything as she was actually behaving her  usual self with her. She was insensitive towards her before Shital arrived & she stayed the same afterwards as well unlike the others who changed drastically towards her since Shital's arrival. So she has nothing to complain against mami in that matter. 

"That's ok mamiji" Khushi pressed mami's hand in assurance. 

"Now tell me eberything regarding Sital that you all know but I don't," Mami commanded. 

Khushi sighed & looked at her jiji who blinked her eyes in affirmation. 

"Khushi, maaji needs to be made aware of Shital's true face. Lest she takes advantage of maaji's lack of knowledge in this matter." Payal explained. 

Khushi nodded understanding & then both the sisters together shared everything with maami, including their mission KKK. 

Mami gasped in shock knowing that the innocent looking & sweet talking Shital is actually a venomous snake, out to bite her Arnav bitwa & hurt Khushi as well by splitting them apart. She is a wolf in Sheep's clothing. 

Soon the shock turned into rage & mami got all furious to beat Shital black & blue.

Khushi & Payal calmed her, not wanting Shital to get even a whiff of their talks & plans. 

"Ok iph you say so, I bon't do anything to that Sital now" mami relented unwillingly. "But you both hab to include me as bhell in your KKK team" she requested. 

Both the sisters gave a hesitant look. 

"Arrey… how can you doubt Manorama Band's detaictive iskills??" Mami cried, faking hurt. "Did you phorget Khussi, how we both worked togaither as a parphect team when Arnav bitwa was kidnaipped??" Mami reminded Khushi. "You can trust your mami again who ij now your bhell bhiser (well wisher) too." 

Khushi smiled remembering their secret activities in regards to finding clues of Arnavji's whereabouts. That was fun even in such critical situation. Mami had supported her & helped her thoroughly. Majorly for her Arnav bitwa, but still, she believing her & then helping her was no less than a miracle. Not to forget, whenever she would lose hope & get upset over their failed attempts in finding any clues, mami would cheer her up, boosting confidence back in her. 

"I know you are bhery much caipable oph phiting your own battlewa, but iph we all togaither can be respansible phor your distresswa, then ijhant it aber respansibility to bhark togaither to gib you your haippinej back, Khussi?? Don't we deserb a chanace to redeem & amaind aber mistakes??"

("I know you are very much capable of fighting your own battle, but if we all together can be responsible for your distress, then isn't it our responsibility to work together to give you your happiness back, Khussi?? Don't we deserve a chance to redeem & amend our mistakes??") 

Mami asked with so much love & compassion that an overwhelmed Khushi could not utter a single word through her clogged throat. 

She just nodded her head vigorously, accepting mami's offer & for the first time Payal was proud of her mother in law. 

Then the sisters shared Shital's goof up during breakfast & the three women laughed at Shital's expense. 

"By the way, hab you planned anything to haraiss her during lunch & dinner??" Mami asked, curiously. 

"Don't worry maaji. Everything is set to make her go bonkers" Payal replied winking at Khushi who winked back showing her thumbs up. 

"Tells me aalso. Tells me aalso" mami demanded like a kid. 

Both the sisters shared their plans & mami clapped in excitement. But her face fell the next moment. 

"What happened, mamiji??" Khushi asked, frowning. 

Mami let out an upset sigh before speaking. "How I bhis I could aalso see her getting troubled??" mami pouted. "In phact, I wish to trouble her myselaf" mami fisted her hand angrily. "But I'm tied to thij bedwa becoj oph my phractured legwa" mami glared at her fractured foot. 

"Don't worry mamiji. We will fulfill your wish in the evening when your friends will come to visit you" Khushi said, wiggling her eyebrows naughtily. 

Payal chuckled & then they shared their evening plans with mamiji who got very excited to torchure Shit-all. 

Both the sisters then left mamiji's room asking her to take rest. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

While going to her room, Khushi bumped into NK who was coming to her only, with a chips packet in his one hand & a cold drink tin in the other & some of the cold drink got spilled on Khushi's dress when they both dashed to each other. 

"Oh I'm so sorry Khushiji. I didn't see you coming from the other side" NK apologized. 

"That's ok Nanheji. It happens" She waved her hand & smiled. 

NK smiled back. 

"By the way, I was coming to you only Khushiji to tell you that I have got all the things you asked me to get '' He informed. 

"Oh that's great Nanheji. Thank you so much. Keep them with you only for now" she said. 

"Ok then let's meet at the lunch table to have the royal lunch made by the royal chef SHIT-ALL" NK commented, grinning. 

Both hi-fied laughing & left for their respective rooms. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

. 

Khushi entered her room to find it devoid of her husband's presence. After breakfast Akash & Arnav had left for the study-room to discuss business. 

"Maybe he is still there only" she shook her head. "Arnavji can stay away from AR for a day but can't stay away from business for even a day" she mumbled, chuckling. 

She bolted the door & moved towards their wardrobe to retrieve a change for herself. 

Taking another dress she decided to change in the room only instead of the bathroom, as she was all alone & the door was bolted. 

Removing her spoiled dress, she wore the bottom of her fresh Anarkali dress. When she was about to wear the top, she squeaked startled as she felt a pair of cold hands, brushing past her bare waist & got locked at her flat stomach. 

She sobered recognizing the familiar, intimate touch & dropped the dress from her hands, smiling shyly, closing her eyes. 

"Arnavji" she whispered. 

But Arnav was too absorbed in the warmth of his wife, to reply. Afterall he was touching her this intimately, after days of yearning. 

Caressing the smooth skin of her stomach, he pulled her to him, resting her back to his front, wrapping his arms securely around her, wanting to feel her soft body he missed beneath his hands & lips since days. 

"Arnavji" she called again softly, resting her head back on his shoulder. 

"Hmmm…" he responded, inhaling her intoxicating, natural fragrance. 

"I have bolted the door, then how did you get inside & why are your hands so cold??" she inquired but hissed the next moment as he bit her earlobe. 

"I was at the terrace, watering the plants there, so my hands are cold & I got in the room through our poolside staircase" He murmured in her ear. 

"Got your answers??" he asked, peppering kisses on her exposed shoulder. 

She nodded, dazed. 

"Now answer my question" he said, moving her hair to her other shoulder & diving for her delicate neck. 

"Where were you, since long??" he murmured, his lips caressing her silky skin. "I was waiting for you" he pinched her waist, as if punishing for the delay, making her hiss again. 

"I was…." she couldn't complete as she felt his sharp teeth nipping her delicate neck. All she could do was moan in pain & pleasure both. 

"You were??" he encouraged, lapping her skin, soothing the pain. 

She swallowed wetting her parched throat before replying. 

"I was with jiji, in.. in mamiji's room, helping her" 

"Good. Now help me as well" he ordered sexily. His hands moving upwards, from her waist to her bra clad bosoms. 

"Help?? For what??" she asked, squirming in his hold, feeling tickling sensations, as his hands moved upwards. But the next instant her breath hitched as they reached their destination. 

He cupped her bosoms with his hard hands, enjoying their softness. 

"To let me love my wife" he replied squeezing her soft globes, indicating his motives. 

"Arnavji" she moaned louder, titillating him more. 

"Baby" he husked. "You are so beautiful," he said looking at her half naked body in the wardrobe mirror, in front of them "& you are all mine" he added. His eyes turning darker. 

Their eyes met in the mirror & Khushi shuddered seeing the naked passion in his eyes, ready to devour her. 

Fire rose within their craving bodies, ready to burn them, if not satiated. 

With one hand he turned her face towards his & captured her lips in a hard, demanding kiss, chewing, nipping & sucking on their plumpness mercilessly. 

Not able to take the assault, she turned to him completely, throwing her arms around his neck. Weaving her fingers in his thick curls, she devoured his lips with the same passion. 

Their lips & tongues fighting for dominance but lack of oxygen forced them to part. 

Cupping her face firmly, he began to place sloppy kisses on her beautiful face, chanting his love for her. 

Gripping her hair, he bent her face backwards & attacked her neck & shoulders, smooching, biting, leaving hickeys on her flawless skin. 

Khushi's legs had turned mushy, ready to give away but he gripped her waist firmly, continuing his ministrations. 

He pushed her back, sandwiching her between him & the wardrobe. 

"Khushi.. I love you baby. I love you so much" he repeated his favourite lines & attacked on her cleavage. "I want you so much" His hands grabbing her demanding bosoms again to mould them to his likings, arousing her & himself more, which she could feel on his lower half. 

She arched into him, giving permission to go ahead. 

Returning back to her luscious lips, he sucked on to their sweetness again, to his heart's fill. 

His hands working on her bosoms moved upwards & pulled her bra-straps down her shoulders. Massaging her shoulder balls, his hands travelled back towards her bra hook & he was about to open it when a shrill ring of his mobile interrupted their cosy session. 

But the two aroused souls were too much indulged into each other to pay any heed & the ring went off. 

Arnav groaned in frustration fiddling with her hook, as it wasn't budging. But his stubborn mobile did cry again. 

He gritted his teeth, glaring at his mobile & the scared mobile had to shut up. 

Khushi chuckled at his expressions. 

"Bahut hasi aa rahi hai, huh??" he transferred his glare from his mobile to her. (Laughing at my expense, huh??) 

She shook her head, pursing her lips. 

Arnav bit her cheek, making her hiss again.

Now it was her chance to glare at him & his to chuckle.

He was about to arrest her lips in his again when the mobile rang again, demanding attention. 

"Receive the call Arnavji. It might be urgent" she explained softly, palming his cheek. 

He sighed hard, nodding. Kissing her palm he moved towards his ringing mobile. 

"If it's Aman, then I'm gonna strangle him with my bare hands" he muttered, picking his mobile from the recliner. 

He growled seeing the name flashing. 

"See??" he waved his mobile at her. "Think of the devil & devil it is" 

Khushi laughed reading Aman's name. 

Arnav received the call. "Aman, it better be very important or you are dead meat today" he scowled. 

Seeing Khushi semi naked in front of him, he couldn't concentrate on the call. So he moved out to the pool side to talk. 

Khushi exhaled & turned to the mirror behind her & sucked in a sharp intake of breath. Her disheveled state screamed of her thoroughly being loved. Not completely but thoroughly yes. 

Her swollen lips, the hickeys & the rashes due to his stubble were the proofs of her husband's unbound love & passion for her & she would like to revel in the same, all her life. 

She could hear his high pitch voice from the poolside. 

"& he calls poor Amanji a devil" She chortled to herself. "Amanji isn't a devil but definitely a romance killer" she pouted, looking at her fallen dress on the floor. 

Sighing she picked it up & wore it half heartedly. 

Neatening her unkempt condition, she sat on the bed waiting for her husband to finish his call. 

Arnav returned to the room with an upset look seeing her dressed up. 

He reached her & sat beside her, taking her in his arms. 

"Sorry" he apologized for the interruption. 

"That's ok Arnavji. That must be really important" she said looking at him. 

He nodded. 

"Is everything alright Arnavji??" she asked, concerned. 

"I had asked Aman to conduct a DNA test" Arnav started. Khushi's eyes widened. "Between Arav & Shital" he added & Khushi gasped. 

"DNA test between a mother & a son??" she repeated. "Why?? & how did you get their samples in the first place Arnavji?? she queried. 

"To check whether they are a real mother-son or not??" he replied, simply. "Well for the samples, we just had to prepone AR staff's yearly medical check up. That way we got Shital's blood sample & as for Arav's sample, then it wasn't hard to collect his hair from his hair brush" He revealed. 

He could see shock written all over Khushi's face.

"But why their DNA test??" she reiterated. 

He exhaled. "Khushi, a child always inherits traits of both its parents in one way or the other. Be it looks, special features, habits, mannerisms, behaviour etc. Ever since we have met Arav, he has been exhibiting everything that resembles to me when I have nothing to do behind his existence in this world" he said, looking straight in her eyes.

"Since you knocked sense in my rusted brains, I have been observing Arav rather more keenly & I didn't find a single trait of Shital in him. Now that's possible only if he isn't Shital's biological son or he has everything inherited just from his father. But he resembles me like a photocopy even when I'm neither his father nor I share any kind of paternal relations with him. Then what could be the possible reasons?? Again there are two possibilities. First possibility is, he sincerely admires me & hero-worships me by copying or following every single detail of mine. But Khushi, how can a mere eight year boy hero-worship a shrewd businessman Arnav Singh Raizada as his idol?? ASR, who has no such qualities that could attract a small boy to replicate him like his clone. If it would have been a young, aspiring entrepreneur then it might have been acceptable but not with an eight year old boy who probably doesn't even know to spell the word BUSINESS correctly" he explained & Khushi was listening to him very keenly, grasping every word. 

He continued. "Second possibility is, he has been deliberately, thoroughly, perfectly trained to enact me, resemble me to make people believe that he is my son" he paused to see her reaction. 

Khushi's eyes rounded & heartbeats increased. Can that be true?? Her mind asked. 

He brushed his fingers in his hair & heaved a long sigh. 

"The first possibility is way too illusional to be true for an eight year old boy. So if we go with the second possibility, then that screams towards a big conspiracy against me. But will a mother jeopardize her own child for any such conspiracy?? My heart couldn't accept that. But still, if Shital did so, then Arav must not be her son. So just to clear my doubts, I asked for Shital & Arav's DNA test. Aman had called to inform the result of the same. He has mailed me the reports as well" Arnav informed, showing his mobile. 

Khushi looked at him with bated breath, eager to know the result. 

"It does match. 100 percent" he said. "Arav is her biological son" his face waned. 

The disappointed look on Arnav's face got Khushi curious. 

"You seem disappointed with the positive result, Arnavji??" she asked. 

"Because I wanted the report to be negative Khushi" he admitted. 

"Why??" Khushi asked back. 

"Khushi, I can't believe that any parent can use their own children for their selfish motives, jeopardizing their lives, especially a mother. Parents love, care & protect their children with their own lives & not use them for their selfish motives. But if they do, then they ain't worthy to be parents. So, to save a pious relation of a mother & son from getting blotched, I wanted Shital to not be Arav's mother " he revealed his thoughts. 

Arnav smiled mildly." Khushi, I was attracted to Arav for his intelligence & maturity beyond his age. He wasn't obstinate, stubborn & a cry baby like other children of his age. I loved spending time with him, talking to him, listening to him as if I was reliving my own childhood which I missed after a certain age & sudden happenings" he gulped. "The similarities between him & me are pricking me now but initially those same things would make me feel proud of being an inspiration for not only youngsters but for such a small boy as well & that too to such a huge extent. That gave me a certain kind of achievement satisfaction, not letting any doubt rise in my mind regarding the same things & I very conveniently neglected all the hints Arav himself was throwing at me, unknowingly though" he said & flashes passed through his eyes. 

Khushi's eyebrows knitted in confusion. "What hints??" she questioned. 

"I have many times noticed Arav watching cartoons in his mother's mobile with earphones attached, while travelling in my car, sitting in the back seat. He has cut-outs of cricketers from magazines saved in his books, which I noticed unknown to him, while helping him with some difficult Math sums at a couple of occasions. I didn't suspect him then thinking it to be a child's likings for different things. But now when I actually pondered over all of it seriously then it left me suspicious at his actions. If he loves only basketball as he & his mother proudly proclaim again & again in front of us, then he should be collecting pics of basketball players & not cricketers. If he enjoys watching business news, knowledgeable documentaries & basketball matches on tv, just like he has been doing since he came to our house then he should be viewing the same in the mobile as well & not cartoons which he actually watches, rather delightfully." He shared his observations. 

Khushi now understood the reasons behind Arnav mentioning about cartoons & cricket in front of Arav, during the argument with him at the breakfast table. 

"So only one thing can be deduced out of all these suspicions that he is forcefully made to see & like things, contrary to his actual likings" he stated strongly. 

"If I would have suspected earlier than we would have been spared of all the anguish & all the misery, I put you through" his jaws clenched in anger at himself. "But I still can't believe that a mother can be this selfish" he wasn't able to digest that fact. 

He held her hands in his. "Khushi, let's promise each other that we will always love, care & protect our children with our lives. We will make them so strong & confident that nobody would be able to take advantage of them or deceive them. We will always have their backs" he said earnestly. 

Khushi nodded her head, smiling at his thoughtfulness. 

"Arnavji, you will make a very good father to our children" she praised him, pressing his hands. 

"You think so??" he asked with a glint of excitement in his eyes & voice. 

"I know so" Khushi replied, blinking her eyes. 

Arnav's smile widened. "Actually, you are right Khushi. I will definitely be a very good father to our children because I have you to guide me, whenever I would falter or lose my way" he was confident. 

Khushi nodded. "I will always be there for you Arnavji" she promised. 

He smiled but his face blanched the next second. 

"Khushi, will our children hate me when they would come to know what I put their mother through owing to my prejudice & ego??" his voice dropped, fear clearly evident. 

Khushi immediately shook her head in negation. 

"No Arnavji. Our children would never know about our agonizing past. All they would know is our love for each other. Even if they come to know, we will explain to them everything together, properly" she explained, softly. "Don't worry Arnavji, they would never hate you" she reassured. 

Arnav was admiring his selfless wife. 

He framed her face between his hands. "Our children would be the luckiest as they would have the best mother in the world" he kissed her forehead in admiration. 

"I promise Khushi, I will try my best to be a father, our children would be proud of. I won't let them down ever. I would shower abundant love on them. I would always be there to support them at every stage of their life. They would be proud to be called as Arnav Singh Raizada's children & would proudly use their RAIZADA surname" he choked. 

His throat constricted remembering the day he dropped his original surname out of disgust for his wastrel father. 

"Khushi, promise me that if at any stage of life a situation arises where you have to choose between our children & me," Khushi tried to interrupt but she was shut by Arnav's finger on her lips. 

"Just hear me out Khushi" he requested & she blinked in affirmation. "Firstly, I won't let any such thing happen but still, if such a situation ever arises, then you will always choose our children over me. Your love for me shouldn't overpower your love  towards them Khushi" he said strictly. 

"When children are stranded by their parents, they lose themselves in a dark abyss without any hope of light because not everybody is fortunate to get an angel who would pull them out from dark by illuminating their life with love & care" he weaved his fingers with hers indicating that he is definitely fortunate to get her in his life. 

"You know Khushi, my mother always used to tell me that four women are most important in a man's life. One who gave birth to him. One who is born with him. One who is born for him & the one who is born from him. She was so right. I love my mother who gave birth to me. I love my dii who was born with me. I love you who were born for me & I will love our daughter who would be born from me" he confessed proudly. 

"But there's a tiny part in me who hates his mother" he whispered. 

Khushi gasped loud. 

"What are you saying Arnavji??" she asked. 

"Yes Khushi" he nodded. "I love my mother very much but I hate her for choosing her husband over her children. She chose to die for that man who betrayed her but she couldn't live for her children who loved her, needed her. She knew that she was very important in my life. I was very much attached to her & completely dependent on her. I would see her face as soon as I wake up & before going to bed as well. I would roam behind her after coming from school & everybody used to tease me as mama's tail but I cared less as her love & warmth was all that I needed. But she forgot everything in an instant & just ended her life" tears rolled down his eyes. 

Khushi's heart pained & she immediately pulled him in her embrace, sticking him to her heart. 

He wounded his arms around her like a lost child. 

He murmured in her chest. "She knew her Chhote would be lost without her than how could she do that to me Khushi?? How could she just strand her Chhote?? How could she Khushi just how could she?? I love her but I will never forgive her for estranging me & dii. Never Khushi. Never." he sobbed. 

Khushi couldn't stop her tears as well. She kept on caressing his back, letting him cry his heart out. Letting him release his pain of years he has hidden since the day he lost his parents. She let him cry as she knew the one who is crying in her arms isn't her husband, her Arnavji, but the 14 year old Chhote who had lost both his parents in the blink of an eye, who couldn't grieve his loss then & was forced to grow up overnight. 

To be continued....

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

So, hows it??

Let me know through your votes & comments as usual.

Take care... Stay home... Stay safe...

Love
Kavita ❤️