Hey friends 🙋

Back with the update... But before that I would like to thank to all those who voted & commented on the previous part 😘😘

Now here's the update which I would like to dedicate to VirkSada

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Wanting to spent some time with her sister without any disturbance Payal had woken up earlier then usual & had prepared breakfast for the family & was about to go to her sister's room when she saw her husband descending the stairs, ready in his office clothes.

Akash why are you up so early, ready in office wear?? Payal asked her husband surprisingly.

Aman called half an hour back. The meeting with our German delegates is preponed due to some emergency & I am yet to complete the final presentation. So I am leaving soon. I have asked my team also to reach office soon. Akash informed his wife hurriedly.

Oh Ok. The breakfast is ready. I will serve it. You have it then go. Payal said moving towards the kitchen.

No Payal. I don't have much time. I will grab something from the canteen & have it while working on the presentation. Akash said stopping his wife.

No need to have canteen food. I will pack your breakfast. You have it sparing sometime. Payal moved towards the kitchen without giving her husband a chance to deny.

Akash smiled at his caring wife.

Payal handed the tiffin box to her husband reminding him not to forget to have the breakfast.

Promising Payal to have it on time Akash moved towards the exit door after planting a good bye kiss on her forehead.

Heaving a sigh Payal turned to move towards the stairs to get surprised for the second time in just 15 minutes span.

She saw her mother-in-law with her Anjali bitiya & Arav descending the stairs in a very cheerful mood.

Their attire screamed that they are ready for some outing.

But isn't it bit too early for that Payal thought.

Good morning Payalji. Anjali greeted smiling while climbing down the stairs.

Good morning dii. Payal reciprocated back with a smile.

Dii, where are you all headed to, so early morning?? Payal inquired softly as the trio reached her.

Payalji as Arav has a holiday today we have decided to have a dayout starting from our breakfast till our dinner. In between we have a movie plan, fun at amusement park & lot more. Everything of Arav's choice. Anjali supplied happily, ruffling Arav's hair lovingly.

Oh good. Payal replied smiling as she was actually happy to know this as she would get free the whole day from her daughter in law duties & she can concentrate on her sister without any disturbance.

Payalji, why don't you & Khushiji also join us?? It will be fun together. Anjali asked Payal enthusiastically, completely missing her mami's & Arav's vanishing smile which was replaced back immediately as Payal refused Anjali's invitation.

No dii. You all carry on. May be you must have forgotten that Khushi isn't well since yesterday. So she needs rest & I need to be here to look after my sister. Payal replied in a light reprimanding tone pressing on the last two words.

Oh yes Payalji. I am so sorry. I actually forgot about that. Anjali said apologetically.

How is Khushiji now?? Hope she is feeling better?? I will just go & see her. Anjali was about to turn to ascend the stairs to go towards Khushi's room but was stopped by Payal.

No dii. There's no need. Payal said instantly making Anjali frown in confusion .

I mean I had just been to her room. She is still sleeping. It won't be good to disturb her. She needs rest afterall. Payal lied through her teeth without any guilt as she didn't want her sister to start her day seeing the unpleasant faces.

Anjali bitiya, Khoon bhari taang is saying right. Let Phatti saree resht (rest). Bhy (why) to ruin our phun (fun) taking a patientwa with ush (us) Mami bit out emotionlessly through her painted lips not wanting her Anjali bitiya to cancel their program for her not so favourite daughter in laws.

Payal had to exercise superhuman control not to chastise her heartless mother in law. She wanted them to leave the house as early as possible so she kept quiet gulping the insult as usual but with a determination of giving everything back with interest once her sister is again hail & hearty.

Yes Anjali aunty lets go. We have our table reserved at Star Bucks for breakfast & I am damn hungry. Sheetal's trained puppy said making a starved face which was enough to bring Anjali's attention back on him forgetting everything else.

Oh is that so. Then lets get going. Said the worried mother hen .

Payalji, we are leaving. Take care of Khushiji. We might be late in the evening. I have already informed nani about our program. Ok. Bye. See you in the evening. Anjali waved to Payal & moved out holding Arav's hand, followed by mami demonstrating her penguin walk.

Good riddance. Payal muttered at their wake & moved towards kitchen to fill a plate of breakfast for nani to serve it in her room itself as she was alone today for breakfast.
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Khushi felt her head being constantly hit with some heavy thing or being banged to a concrete wall. Such was the excruciating pain she was feeling in her head which broke her already restless sleep.

She tried to open her eyes but her heavy eyelids were making it difficult for her.

After several attempts she could manage to open her eyes to feel disoriented.

Blinking her eyes rapidly she tried to gauge her surrounding.

Its the poolside of their room... She recognized.

Sleeping in an uncomfortable position on the cold, hard floor of the pool area the entire night, without any warmth beneath & above her frail figure, her body had gone painfully rigid.

From her toes to her legs to her thighs to her stomach to her chest to her head, every single part was aching to the brim of breaking into pieces just like her heart.

She somehow managed to sit up resting her palms on the hard floor to immediately held her pounding head which was ready to explode any minute.

Resting her sore back to the recliner behind, shutting her eyes tight she let out a painful moan pressing her fingers hard to her scalp to get some relief from the killing headache.

At a point she felt like pulling her hair out from its roots to get rid of the splitting pain.

Stretching her aching limbs straight, leaning her head back on the recliner, shutting her eyes she started taking deep breaths, trying different ways to lessen her pain.

Feeling a little relief, holding the recliner for support she slowly stood up on her weak feet.

Taking a few wobbly steps she entered the room.

Looking around the luxuriously furnished, lavishly decorated yet uninhabited room she moved towards the washroom balancing herself twice from falling.

Opening the washroom door she entered in & steadied herself holding the wash-basin.

She gasped loudly the moment she saw her face in the mirror fitted above the basin.

Red swollen eyes, tear streaken puffed cheeks, gaunt face, pale lips, dull complexion, disheveled hair.

She looked like a ghost of her former self.

Her heart bled in anguish seeing her own pityful state. Fresh bout of tears rolled down her cheeks & she sobbed covering her face with her hands.
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Relief flooded through Payal's veins as now its only her sister & herself in the entire house with no other demanding or annoying family member to disturb them.

Her husband, her mother in law with her sister in law & Arav had already left. After having her breakfast her grandmother in law too had left to the neighbourhood as a pooja was going to be conducted over there & she would be occupied for atleast 2 hours.

Payal moved towards her sister's room with hurried steps hoping to see her in a better state then yesterday.

She knocked slowly on the door not wanting to startle her sister in her sleep.

Getting no response she knocked again bit louder.

The result was same which worried her.

Now she banged the door alongwith calling Khushi's name loudly.

Startled Khushi heard her jiji's worried voice calling her alongwith the loud bangs on the door.

She frantically opened the tap & washed her face, then wiped it clean with a towel.

Setting her disheveled hair with her fingers she bit her lips between her teeth to give them colour.

Payal was going berserk outside the room in worry & fear for her sister on getting no response from her at all even after banging the door & calling her name loudly for many minutes.

Making herself presentable Khushi moved out of the bathroom to open the door.

A panicked Payal was about to rush to get the other key of her sister's room from the bunch of spare keys kept in dadiji's room when the door was opened by her sister.

Khushi. Payal launched herself on her sister heaving a breath of relief amidst her raging heart beats.

You scared me to death, you crazy girl. Payal reprimanded her sister moving back. Her voice heavy & eyes full of tears.

Sorry jiji. I was in the bathroom so it took me more time to open the door. Khushi replied softly forcing a smile.

Payal dragged Khushi inside the room & both sisters sat on the bed opposite to each other.

Khushi, are you ok?? How are you feeling now?? Payal asked lovingly cupping her sister's face with one hand. Is your finger still hurting?? She asked concerned, holding Khushi's injured finger with other hand. Her throat clogged with tears she was trying to control from pouring out.

Khushi swallowed hard seeing the love, care & concern back in her jiji's eyes & voice which she was missing since days.

This time it was Khushi who launched herself at her jiji & Payal hugged her baby sister back tight to her bosoms.

I missed you jiji. I missed you so much all these days. How could you leave me alone?? How could you forget your Khushi for outsiders?? How could you not see your sister's pain jiji?? How could you not understand my lonliness & yearning for your love & care?? How could you jiji?? How could you?? Khushi complained like a kid yearning for her mother's love & care, crying furiously, pushing herself more in her jiji's warm embrace.

Hearing her sister's heart wrenching cries & anguish filled complains Payal felt her heart compressed in despair. Her insides knotted tightly, unfurling in loops & curls breaking the dam of tears to flow endlessly she was controlling hard till now.

Sorry Khushi. I am so so sorry. I am so much ashamed of myself. How could I do this to you?? To my baby sister who is my jaan, closest to my heart. How could I take you for granted infront of the outsiders who nowhere deserve my attention & admiration?? How could I prioritize the so called guests over my sister?? How could I treat royally to the woman who was once my sister's husband's ex?? How could I let her & her son insult you, hurt you?? Payal confessed her mistakes guiltily, crying her heart out, clutching her sister tight in her comforting embrace.

I am a very very bad sister to not understand the hurt, anguish, trauma my little sister was facing alone all these days & I was busy serving the guests who were responsible for the despair fell on my sister. Payal shuddered realizing the intensity of pain her sister must have gone through alone all these days without a shoulder to rely & cry upon.

Both the sisters sat clutching each other sobbing hard.

Payal caressed her sister's back comforting her shaking form from the aftereffects of the sobs which had now turned into whimpers.

Please forgive your jiji Khushi. Please forgive me for one last time. I promise I will not repeat my mistake again. I will never leave you alone come what may. I will always be by you, for you. Just like you have always been there for me. Payal promised her sister caressing her hair, dropping motherly kisses on her head.

Tell me Khushi you will forgive me na. Please. Raising Khushi's face upwards Payal asked her with beseeching teary eyes.

Yes jiji. Khushi agreed nodding her head whimpering.

But if you do it again then I would never talk to you jiji. I would be katti with you forever. Khushi placed her condition childishly making her sister smile amidst tears who pulled her baby sister back in her arms.

Thank you Khushi. Thank you so much. You know, you are the best sister in this world & I love you very much. Payal said lovingly kissing her sister's forhead.

That's because I have the best jiji in the world & I love her very much. Khushi said kissing her jiji's wet cheek, settling herself back in her jiji's arms liking her jiji's motherly caresses on her head & back.

As the whirlpool of emotions subsided Payal pulled Khushi back from her bosoms & wiped her face dry with her saree pallu.

Khushi, you haven't eaten properly since yesterday or may be since days. Payal said gulping hard as the boulder of guilt again stuck in her throat. But now your jiji is there to look after you. Comeon lets have breakfast. I have made your favourite aloo puri. Payal said enthusiastically wanting to wake her sister's lost appetite.

Payal succeeded as Khushi's eyes twinkled hearing of her favourite food made by her jiji.

The fever & all the crying from yesterday & now had left her famished & weak. She really needed to eat to get back her lost energy.

Thank you jiji. I missed relishing your handmade food since days. Khushi said pouting.

Then lets go downstairs & have our only sisters breakfast date. Payal said getting up from the bed, pulling Khushi with herself holding her hand.

Only sisters breakfast date means jiji??Khushi asked confused.

Means its only you & me at home. Everybody else is out for one or other work & is not going to return soon. So we have much time to have breakfast at leisure with our sisterly talks. Just like old times. What say?? Payal asked Khushi wiggling her eyebrows & a naughty smile playing on her lips making her baby sister smile & nod in affirmation.

But jiji before that I need to have a bath & pray to devi maiyya. Khushi said softly.

Ok then. You have your bath. Get ready & come down. Till then I will make fresh hot puris for us. Then we will pray together & have our breakfast. Payal said excited for their plans.

Ok jiji. Agreed Khushi.

Payal started to move out but turned back & hugged her sister tight. Pulling back after a while she kissed Khushi's forhead. I love you & I will always be there for you. Now & for forever. Payal assured her sister again.

I know jiji. Khushi replied with a genuine smile.

Ok then come fast. I am also very hungry now. Said Payal & moved out leaving her sister to get ready.

Khushi followed her jiji to close the door but didn't bolted it this time as there was nobody else in the house to enter without permission. Also she didn't want her jiji to get worried again like earlier if she takes some more time in bathroom.

Khushi was about to move towards the wardrobe to take her change of clothes, her eyes fell on her mobile kept on the side table besides the bed.

Hoping for atleast one missed call from her husband in the previous night, she went towards her mobile.

As she lifted it her lips stretched in a huge smile & eyes twinkled with unbound happiness when she saw 8 missed calls from her husband in the night.

He had called me. He had called me. He had called me. She chanted happily then reprimanded herself for missing her husband's calls.

She immediately dialled back & waited impatiently to get the call answered by her husband.

Arnavji. She squealed excitedly as soon as the call was received on the other side.

I am so sorry Arnavji I couldn't receive any of your calls yesterday. She apologized genuinely but careful enough not to give away the pain & hurt she was feeling since yesterday.

She paused for Arnav to answer.

Ummm... Khushi its me, Sheetal. Sheetal answered in a low sleepy voice making all of Khushi's excitement drop into the pit of her stomach at the knowledge of Sheetal answering her husbands phone that too so early morning.

Shee.... Sheetalji, Ar.. Arnavji.... Where is Arnavji?? Khushi managed to ask in a fear laced shivering voice.

Actually Khushi Arnav is sleeping & that's why I am speaking in a low voice. I don't want to disturb his sleep. As it is we slept very late last night. Sheetal said lowly on the other side & Khushi could feel her blushing as well.

He is... He is sleeping?? Khushi asked back. Actually after hearing Sheetal's words Khushi wanted to ask Is he sleeping besides you But she couldn't bring herself to put her thoughts into words which would break her all the more.

Yes Khushi & he looks so handsome while sleeping. His ruffled hair with a few strands falling on his forhead. His bare chest. His washboard abs. I could admire him all day long. But I can't as I have to wake him up. We have a meeting to attend. Sheetal paused to yawn in between. Khushi if its nothing urgent then please don't call again. I would tell him to call you back when he is free because I don't think he would appreciate being disturbed during the meeting. Ok. Bye & the call got disconnected on the other end.

Khushi felt the ground slipping away from beneath her feet. The mobile slipped from her nerveless fingers & fell on the hard floor breaking in to pieces.

She stumbled on her feet only to get hit her legs to the bed behind her & she sat on it with a thud. Her hands motionless on either sides.

Her brain racing to comprehend the many ramifications of what she just heard.

Arnavji & Sheetalji in one room... Together.... No no... This can't be... Her heart said.

But what Sheetalji said that implied that they shared the same room... Her mind suggested.

No... That's not true... Her heart said softly.

Yes... That's true.... Her mind shouted.

Her breathing started to come in short gasps as the war between her mind & heart resumed with full vigour increasing the intensity of the pain which had subsided a while before due to her jiji's efforts .

She felt the blood completely pumped out from her body making it lifeless to even react to the way she was supposed to.

A tiny flame of hope that had refused to be extinguished even after knowing her husband's departure to Mumbai with his ex without informing her, his own wife, doused & died in the darkest abyss of her heart.

Shock & a feeling of having been cheated overpowered her senses to numbness & more heart break if possible.

She clutched the bedsheet tight with both her hands on either sides.

The muscles of her aching throat fought to swallow her saliva.

Her pulse pounding. Her breath coming in spurts. Her heartbeat getting low. Her mind shutting her surroundings.

The last thing she remembered before collapsing back straight on the bed was the darkness engulfing her till she closed her eyes.

To be continued.....

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So how was it??

Do leave ur precious votes & feedback on the update...

A/N

With Diwali round the corner I might not be able to update the next part soon. Still I would try. Hope u would understand.

Love
Kavita ❤️