Khushi's POV

I returned from school and went upstairs straight to keep my school bag and change the dress. Aftermath, I rushed downstairs and went straight to the kitchen. I saw Manvi preparing food, I asked "mumma ye ban raha hai?"

"Aaj chole bhature, matar paneer raita chawal sab hai" She said.

I was amazed "Woow.. mumma itna sab special kya hai?" I asked.

She smiled and I saw her expressions. She said "bas aise hi"

"Are mumma.. Batao na??" I questioned.

"Bhabhi ke rishtedar ghar aa rahe hai.." She said.

"Acha.. maine socha good newzz hai" I spoke teasingly.

She shot a deadly glare at me and slapped my arm lightly "Khushi.. Acha ye bata kaisa tha aaj tera din?"

"Acha tha mumma pata hai maine top kiya mid-term exams mein" I said proudly.

She kissed my forehead and praised me "are waah.. Toh hum sunday jayenge ghumne"

I chuckled in excitement "Sachi?" I asked.

Manvi nodded in yes, I heard a few sounds from outside and it seems Ahana was home with her family.

Manvi turned off the stove and both of us moved outside. Ahana welcomed her mausi and mausaji.

I moved to them and touched their feet taking their blessings. Ahana smiled and said "maasi ye Khushi hai Manvi aur Aarav ki beti"

Kaushalya looked at me and smiles "khush raho beta.. Kaunsi class mein ho?" she asked.

"Naniji.. Main 11th mein hun" I replied.

Manvi touches their feet and takes the blessings. "Namaste maasi ji" she said.

"Are tum kyun mujhe maasi kah rahi ho? Hum dono toh ek hi umar ke hai na" Kaushalya said.

Manvi was hurt hearing that but didn't react. Ahana eyed her and gave a savage reply "lekin ye rishte mein aapse choti hai maasiji.. Mere Aarav ki patni hai"

"Haan Ahana lekin.." Kaushalya said.

Ahana eyed her and said "chalyie khana khate hai phir aapko wapas bhi jaana hai na.."

I fumed in anger, how dare she said that to my mother. Virat and Aarav were out of the town of some work. I thought "I hope ab ye aur kuch na kahe mumma ko warna main toh chup nahi rahungi"

The servants arranged the food on the dining table, and everyone sat down and began to eat. Manvi looks at me and said "khushi.. Apne dadda ko phone karke puchna kabtak aa rahe hai?"

I eyed her and she was sending me away so that I don't react to anything they taunt on. "Mumma dadda kal aayenge bade papa ke saath" I said and refused to leave from here.

Manvi sighed deeply and thought "ye ladki sunti hi nahi hai meri..."

Sanket asked "waise kitna samay ho gaya tumhare aur Aarav ki shaadi ko?"

"Ji.. 2 saal ho jayenge kuch mahino mein" Manvi replied.

"Aur abtak bacha nhi hua?" Kaushalya asked shockingly.

"Hoga bhi kaise? Umar bhi toh badhti jaa rahi hai tumhari.. Aarav ko sochna chahiye tha shaadi karne se pehle.. " Sanket said.

Ahana eyed at him and said "aap log khana khayie.. Ye mere devar aur devrani ke beech ka matter hai.."

They ate the food and soon left the house. Tears slips down from Manvi's eyes, she went straight upstairs to the room. I sighed deeply and followed her.

I saw her sitting on the bed silently, she saw me and smiled "Khushi.. Sona hai?" she asked.

"Mumma aap thik ho?" I questioned.

"Haan main thik hun.. Chalo jaake apna homework karlo phir so jaana" Manvi said diverting the topic.

I looked at her with narrowed eyes "Mumma.. Please unki baaton ka bura mat mano" I said.

"Nahi mana hai maine bura.. Par jo unhe kaha sach kaha hai Khushi.. Meri umar ki wajah se hi main abtak pregnant nahi ho paa rahi hun aur Aarav mujhe doctor se milne bhi nahi deta hai" She said angrily.

I sighed deeply and said "mumma jab dadda ko dikkat nahi hai toh aap kyun dusron ki baat maan rahe ho? Aapki health se badhkar kuch nahi hai.. Nahi chahiye mujhe bhai.."

Manvi looks at me and cupped my face. She kissed my forehead and smiled "mera samajhdar bacha... jaake padhai kar apni"

I left her alone for some time, I messaged Aarav and asked him to return soon.

I went to my room and began to study. Downstairs, I heard some sounds. I went out and saw Ahana apologizing to Manvi.

"I am sorry Manvi.. Tum please dil mein mat lena wo log aise hi hai" Ahana said.

"It's okay bhabhi bade hai unki baat ka kya hi bura maanna?" She said.

Ahana smiles and said "acha main room mein jaati hun Vihaan uth gaya hoga"

Manvi nods, Ahana goes to the room while Manvi moves upstairs. She came to me and said "khushi aaj main tumhare room mein soyungi tumhare saath"

"Thik hai mumma.." I said with a smile.

I moved to the room along with her. She layed down on her side and I layed beside her. She pulled me closer to herself and I smiled at her "mumma.. I love you"

"I love you too.." she said and kissed my forehead. She closed her eyes and fresh tears escaped down her eyes.

I wiped them with the tips of my finger and soothed her. Sometimes, the mother needs a daughter's hug and console.

The next morning, her soft hands touched my hair and she said "Khushi utho school jaana hai na"

I lightly opened my eyes and there was a smile on her face. I got up straight and said "aaj dadda aa rahe hai na.."

"Haan wo aayega shyam ko mil lena usse.. School toh jaana hi hai tumhe" She said strictly.

"Huh.. Hitler mode on ho jaata hai" I muttered and moved to the washroom. I freshened up and got ready for school.

I rushed downstairs and sat for breakfast. Ahana asked "thik hai na tumhari mumma?"

"Haan badi maa mumma thik hai.. Dadda aaj aa rahe hai toh aur thik ho jayengi" I said with a smile curving up on my lips.

Ahana smeared my head and I ate breakfast. I went to the school and prayed "God.. please iss problem ka solution de do jald se jald"

Later in the evening, Aarav returned home. He was extremely exhausted, he calls out the servant to get a glass of water for him. The servant comes and hands him the water. He thanked her and held the glass. He drank it and gets up, Maria said "chote sahab main le leti hun"

"Nahi.. aap dusra kaam kijiye main rakh dunga" He said and goes to the kitchen. He places the glass and then went upstairs to his room.

He didn't find Manvi anywhere, he changed and wore his t-shirt and trousers. Manvi entered the room and was surprised to find him. She said "Tum itni jaldi kaise aaye? Kal aane waale they na tum"

Aarav looks at her and replies "haan lekin.. Tum meri beti ko pareshan karogi toh mujhe toh jaldi aana padega na"

Manvi sighed deeply and murmured "iss ladki ke peth mein koi baat nahi pachti hai.. Dadda ki chamchi"

"Excuse me.. Meri beti ko chamchi mat kehna kya hai ye tumhara?? Koi kuch aake kahega toh tum khudka mood kharab karke baith jaogi" he confronts her.

"Kya matlab hai tumhara? Jo kehte hai sach hi toh kehte hai na.... Please ek baar chalte hai doctor ke" she requests him holding his hand.

"Manvi please maine kaha na.. Bhagwaan ko dena hoga toh de denge! Kyun itni desperate ho rahi ho tum haan?" he asked confronting her.

"Tum samajh nahi rahe ho Aarav." Manvi said.

"Main sab samajh raha hun.. Ab tumhare saath romance karna bhi lagta hai jaise surgircal strike ke liye jaa raha hun" He said annoyed and walked out of the room.

She sighed deeply, she follows him and held his hand. He turns and eyed her angrily. Manvi said softly "Sorry.. Please aise naraz hoke mat jao"

"Toh kya karun?? Baat toh tum karti ho na kuch iske alawa.." he said meaningfully. She keeps her hand on t-shirt and plays with it.

She looks at him innocently trying to melt down his anger "ye kya? Mera romantic.. Desperate pati ek dum angry man ban gaya hai.."

Aarav eyed her "dekho zyada... sweet hone ki zaroorat nahi hai"

Manvi eyed him and said in her cold tone "toh dikhau apni hitler giri? Pune mein wo tumhari secretary bahut flirt kar rahi hun bhai se bataya uske saath coffee bhi peeke aaye they tum! Haan mujhse zyada young hai na.. Toh mere saath toh ladai hi karoge tum.."

Aarav was shocked hearing her words, he murmurs "bhai bhi na.. Ab shaq karegi mujhpe"

Manvi turns to leave but Aarav held her hand. A smile appears on her face as these tricks always work. He pulled her closer and she dashed on his chest. He kept his hand on her waist "haaye meri biwi kitni insecure hai na mujhe leke.. Par tumhe pata hai na.. Main sirf desperate tumhare liye hota hun.."

"Acha?? Dikh nahi raha hai mujhe" she said.

"Really? Abhi batata hun" he lifts her up in his arms and takes her inside the room. 

To be continued...