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Payal came inside the room carrying Akash's coffee, Akash smiling at her kept the towel aside and took the cup "thanks". She started tiding the room, keeping his things in place.

Akash "Jiju called?"

Payal "What did he say?"

Akash "He will be coming tomorrow"

Payal nodding "it is good he is coming back." Noticing her being upset and dull he walked towards her, making her to face him he asked "What is it? What happened? Why are you upset? Did Di did something....."

Payal shaking her head "No, nothing happened here. Di did not come out of her room. *she sighed* I met Amma and Bua ji today morning. They had called me to meet them."

Akash knowing what is coming "Then?"

Payal "They wanted to know what is happening with Khushi? They had seen how Khushi behaved with Di yesterday. They noticed the tension between Arnav ji and Khushi and wanted to know what problem they are facing." Sitting on the bed she looked at him tearfully "I did not wish to tell them Akash. If Khushi did not share it with them then, how can I? It was her place to do. But they were so insistent and I had no choice seeing them getting all worked up. I disclosed to them about everything."

Wiping her tears "They are so disappointed in me. Akash, leave them, I myself is very ashamed about me. Khushi had been always there for me. But what did I do? I was never there, looking back at all the times she needed me to stand up for her. I am a failure. I failed as a sister."

Akash hugged her, patting her back "Don't cry Payal. It is not only your fault. We all are equally responsible. But now crying over split milk is not going to make everything alright. We should wipe it clean."

Payal coming out of the hug "Yes, this house should be cleaned of that mother son duo." in a determined voice.

Akash "Yes, and I've already asked my assistant and Aman to look for a house for them."

Payal "Akash, not only this. I don't like that woman working in our company. I just don't want her around Arnav ji. Khushi definitely hates that woman. There is something we don't know but I'm sure Khushi hating the mother and son is for only one reason; Arnav ji. What is the use of us sending her away from this house and she still around Arnav ji in office?"

Akash thinking "you are right but she had sighed contract for a year Payal."

Payal "Can't we do something? There must be something we can do."

Akash "hmmm, maybe we can shift her to another branch."

Payal looking at him hopefully "Please make it happen soon."

Cupping her cheek, nodding his head he said seriously "This time we will be there for our brother and sister. We are not letting anyone snatch their happiness." Payal smiled at him relieved. At least she has her husbands support.

Gupta House,

Khushi is watching TV when Garima came there asking "Beta where is Arnav bitwa?"

Khushi "Amma, he went out hour ago, said will be back soon. Why Amma? Did you have some work with him?"

Garima sitting beside her "Nahiin, I did not see him from some time so just asked. Your babu ji and bua ji will be coming late. They called me few minutes back saying it will take time to buy all the things on the list.

Khushi "but Amma, why Babu ji and Bua ji straining. I would have gone to buy them na."

Garima "Betiya you and damadji had gone to market and bought all those vegetables. Will it look good if we make damaad ji work? No, don't say anything, if you go, he too will accompany you. And he is not used to these."

Khushi sighed "but what are they buying that is taking them long."

Garima "We had planned a pooja for you and damaadji. So, they have gone to buy you and damaad ji new dress and puja material."

Khushi "Puja? Why?"

Garima cupping one side of her cheek "We know things are not good with you and Arnav bitwa. *Khushi looked down* So, we thought to do puja in both of your name."

Khushi "when is it?"

Garima "Tomorrow morning. Will you talk to Arnav bitwa? He does not believe in all this but for our peace we want to do this."

"Okay I will talk to him."

Garima caressing her hair lightly got up "I'll go prepare our tea."

Khushi held her hand stopping her "No, you sit down. I'll go make our tea."

Garima was just sat staring at nothing when Arnav came inside the house carrying parcels, seeing him "Bitwa you are back?" looking at the parcels "and what is this?"

Arnav smiling "I went out for work. While coming saw the pani puri vendor, Khushi loves them. So, brought for everyone some snacks."

Garima smiling at him fondly took the parcels from him, pouring him a glass of water she called "Betiya damaad ji is back, see what he has brought."

Khushi came out of the kitchen, seeing all the snacks smiling brightly exclaimed "Arey wah panipur, chaat, aloo tikki."

Garima "Come betiya sit down and have it."

Khushi "Wait Amma, I have put the water for the tea. Since we will be having these, I will just make him some tea."

Minutes later she came back with his tea, giving them to him she sat down to have her favorite snacks.

Garima "Khushi, eat slowly" Khushi just nodding her head became busy in stuffing the pani puri.

Arnav taking a sip of tea looked around "where is uncle and Bua ji?"

Garima "they went out to purchase few things bitwa."

Nodding he looked at Khushi and chuckled looking at the way she is eating as if someone is going to snatch it from her. Arnav "Khushi will you not feed me one?"

Surprised she raised her eyes from her pani puri to him, Arnav nodding "feed me one."

Gulping she made one pani puri and took it to him, as she fed him both remembered their last time visit where like today, she fed him pani puri.

Arnav "Accha hai, give me one more."

"One more?"

Nodding he looked at her waiting, Garima "Betiya he is asking one more na, what are you waiting for?"

Khushi fed him one more pani puri, Arnav "It is really tasty...I........"

Khushi "Nahiin, you cannot handle this. It is enough for you." Saying she sat down at her seat. Garima "Par Khushi........."

Khushi "Amma, he will suffer later because of all the spice in this."

Arnav smiling "she is right aunty, I cannot handle spicy food. I was just going to say I really liked it."

"Garima.....Garima......." amidst this came Bua ji loud call. Garima getting up from her seat looked at the door to see Bua ji and Shashi came carrying bags in their hands. Khushi ran forward and took few of them from their hands.

Keeping them on the low table before the sofa she went to kitchen to bring water for them.

Garima "Everything went good?"

Bua ji "Haan, and we bought everything needed."

Shashi smiled at Khushi in thanks taking the glass of water, Arnav "you said have said to me uncle. I would have bought all these."

Bua ji "No problem bitwa. Come see here we have bought new dress for you."

Arnav "But what is the need for this?" confused he sat beside her as she took the packet and showed it to her.

Shashi "Beta tomorrow we have kept puja in your and Khushi's name so that is why we got the new dress for you both."

Arnav "Puja?"

Bua ji "it is to strengthen the bond between you both, for your happiness."

Khushi "Arnav ji I was going to tell you about this later. The puja will not take long........."

Arnav cutting her off "it is alright Khushi. I don't mind attending the puja. *Khushi looked at him surprised to see him accepting so easily* It if for our good why will I deny it?"

Bua ji pinching his chin "my bitwa is so good." Arnav looked at Khushi who was looking at them with smile on her face, seeing it he smiled. Now a days seeing her smile has become so rare. But today he had got to see her smile often.

Garima looked at Shashi and nudged, Shashi raised his eyebrows in question. Garima whispered "talk to them"

Shashi "Now?"

Garima nodding pointed towards Khushi and Arnav. Shashi sighing looked at the couple, clearing his throat "Khushi betiya, Arnav bitwa I've a request."

Arnav "ji uncle, tell us why are you hesitating."

Shashi "The house in Lucknow, last tenant has vacated the house few days back. Before new tenants comes there are few repairs and the whole house need to be painted. I was planning to go there in few days but....."

Bua ji "But Shashi babua has still his therapy going on. He has to visit his physiotherapist daily. I am old woman now. Doing all the works there alone, it will be very hard. So, we thought if Khushi could go and look at the work, and get it done."

Khushi not batting her eyelash "No problem Babu ji, Bua ji I'll go. Don't worry tomorrow I will book a ticket for Lucknow."

Garima looked at Arnav sitting with unreadable expression and asked "you don't have a problem na bitwa."

Khushi "arey he will not have problem......."

Arnav cutting her off "I do have problem."

Khushi looked at him shocked, the three elders looked at each other. Arnav looking at her "I do not like you to go there alone. I will come with you."

Khushi "But.....but your office. You were already on leave for these few days. And what about the family?"

Arnav "Aman and Akash will take of the office for few more days. And about family, they will have no problem. Why will they?"

Khushi "But....."

Arnav turning his attention to the elders "Don't worry Uncle, Aunty, Bua ji we will take care of the work there. I will go make a call to book the tickets." Saying he got up from there and walked out of the house. Khushi sat staring at him and she too got up following him saying "One minute I'll back"

Garima "Jiji your plan worked"

Shashi looked at his sister surprised "how were you so sure if we ask Khushi to go to Lucknow then Arnav bitwa too will go."

Bua ji "what is to be surprised? He followed her here, then there is no doubt he will go to Lucknow too."

Shashi "and they don't even know they were tricked." The three elders laughed.

Khushi stopped behind Arnav at the courtyard of their house and demanded "Why did you promise you will be going with me to Lucknow?"

Arnav turned to her, clutching her arm, and said accusing "and what were you trying to do? Again, trying to leave me?" pulling her close "Khushi I will take anything you dish out at me but not losing you. I will never allow that."

Understanding dawning she softened "Arnav ji, I know you hate Lucknow. That is why?"

Arnav "Nothing is more important than you Khushi. Why don't you believe me? Not even the hate I have towards that God damn awful city."

Khushi nodding at him said little softly "Okay then book our tickets." Arnav hugged her. What should he do that she will believe her importance in his life? How will he make her believe she is his life?

Everyone was gathered in the family room after dinner when Akash walked towards them with bright smile.

Not wasting a minute, he started "Sheethal good news for you. Aman has arranged an apartment for you. There are few things taken care off but in two days you can finally shift to your own home Sheethal." he kept the pleasant smile on his face as he delivered the news to Sheethal.

Sheethal looked at him dumbfounded not believing he had really looked another place for her. Her gaze went to Payal who smirked at her "I told you Sheethal ji, Akash will definitely help you. See he made your work easy." All the family members seemed happy at the news except Anjali.

Anjali "Sheethal can't go anywhere?"

All the family members looked at her surprised, Rahul "Anjali what are you saying? Sheethal had been living here because she did not get an apartment but now since it is arranged why are you stopping her."

Payal "Haan Di, till when she will live here as a guest."

Anjali "What is there need for her to go? This house is big enough, Sheethal and Aarav can stay here."

Akash "Di, do you even hear what you are saying?" he is really stumped by her.

Payal getting irritated said "This is our home Di, not dharmshala."

Anjali "Payal ji how can you say that? Is this how you treat our guest? Literally throwing them out."

Rahul "Anjali stop. You are over reacting."

Akash "Please Di, I understand you are fond of Aarav but they cannot stay here, permanently right?"

Maami "Haan Anjali betiya, and Sheethal too will feel awkward, haina Sheethal?"

Sheethal smiled at them weakly saying "Yes"

Nani "Betiya they are going to stay in the same city. You can go visit them and they can visit anytime." Payal did not like what Nani said but she kept quiet.

Anjali "Nani, you don't understand. How can they live alone?"

Akash "Really Di? They two lived alone before too. It is not big deal. Why are you making issue? Please Di, the place has already arranged. Sheethal you please pack your luggage's." saying in a firm voice he left to his room.

Next morning 7 p.m.,

Nani and Manorama were all ready for the day and were preparing for morning puja in the temple when Akash and Payal came to them. Akash "Maa-Dadi, I and Payal are going to temple and later will be visiting Gupta house."

Maami "Gupta house? Are you sure bitwa? What if Arnav bitwa does not like it?"

Akash "He will not mind maa, last time he got angry because Di took Aarav with her."

Nani "Alright bitwa, you both go." Akash and Payal left from there.

On the way to the temple Akash "No need to tell bhai and Khush ji about sending Sheethal out. First let her leave then we will inform."

Payal "like in surprise for Khushi."

Akash nodded his head but then he sighed "last night Di came to Payal. You had gone to Dadi when she came to our room and requested again to not send Sheethal away."

Payal "I don't know what to say Akash."

Akash "Leave it Payal, I've already refused her."

The rest of the ride to temple went in silence. Few minutes later they reached the temple. Getting down, Payal "I will buy puja thaal Akash. Till then you park the car."

Payal got down from the car and walked towards the stall. Buying one she stood by the stairs waiting for Akash. Akash came few seconds later "come, they will be waiting."

Khushi and Arnav were surprised to see Akash and Payal, Garima "I called them and invited them." Akash-Payal after done with the puja to the God, taking blessing from the elders came and hugged their siblings.

Akash "I am sorry bhai" confusing Arnav.

Arnav "Why are you sorry?"

Akash "For everything. I know how much you suffered in giving us a good life. I am sorry for all the time I could not share your burden."

Arnav shaking his head "Akash, it was not burden. Whatever I did is for my family."

Akash "In all that you lost so much."

Payal "I am sorry Khushi"

Khushi "leave it jiji"

Payal "No Khushi, I really regret for not seeing the pain you are going through, for living in my own bubble. I am really ashamed I was one among them hurting you. I am really sorry for not standing for you all the time you needed me."

Khushi "Jiji, I understand. I am a daughter in law too remember. As I tried making our family happy before me, you did the same."

Payal "that is not excuse Khushi, in my place if you were then you would not have left me alone to handle anything. You were always there but it was me who had been too lost in trying make her mother in law happy, knowingly I overlooked it thinking you will handle it."

Taking hold of Khushi's hand she promised "but this time your jiji will not fail you."

Khushi smiled hugging her "I believe you, jiji."

The elders came to them, Bua ji "come everyone the time is up, pandit ji is waiting."

All of them walked to the area where a havan kund was made and Khushi-Arnav took their place before it. Everyone else sat behind them.

The puja took an hour to finish after that they distributed prasad to the people who came to the temple.

Arnav "Akash, I was going to call you later but you are here now."

Akash "anything serious bhai"

Arnav "No, it is just that I and Khushi are going to Lucknow today evening. I had already talked to Aman regarding this. Just take care AR for few more days."

Akash "Don't worry bhai, I will take care of everything. Just go to Lucknow without any worries. And bhai, I know you and Khushi ji had hardly get time to spend alone while taking care of the family. Take this as the chance and have a wonderful trip."

Arnav smiled at him "I will. Thank you, Akash."

Later, after they returned home Akash spend some time with Arnav and others, and then left for office while Payal decided to spend the whole day with her family and stayed behind.

Payal came RM around 6 p.m. after seeing off Arnav and Khushi, as soon as entered inside she knew something is wrong looking at her mother in law and Nani's face.

Payal "What happened?"

Maami "Anjali betiya did not eat or drink anything from morning."

Nani "she is so adamant telling she will not eat anything until we agree to let Sheethal and Aarav stay here."

Payal sighed "I will go and talk to her" she did not wait for their reply and walked to Anjali's room. But as soon as she reached there her face turned hard hearing Anjali's word from inside "Don't worry Sheethal ji, I will not let you and Aarav go from here."

Few minutes before Payal came home, in Anjali's room,

Sheethal "Anjali ji why are you doing this? Please eat something. You will get sick."

Anjali holding her hand "I am doing this for you and Aarav. I will be fine."

Sheethal "No, it is better we go from here. Already ASR and Khushi hates us and now all the family members too are not liking us staying here. I don't want you to fight with your family."

Anjali cut her off "that is because they don't know the truth. Once they will come to know Aarav is son of this house they will understand."

Sheethal looked at her concernedly "That night I would never have said you about Aarav's father if not you had not made me swear on Aarav. This is all happening because of me."

Anjali "Nahiin Sheethal ji, you are so nice. You only thought about Chotte's happiness, and did not even think about you and Aarav. Don't worry as soon as Chotte comes I will talk to him."

Sheethal "Par Anjali......."

Anjali "Don't worry Sheethal ji, I'll not let you and Aarav go from here."

Payal who came there to talk to her had heard her last sentence and got really angry and went away from there without meeting her. She could not believe Anjali will stoop to this level to blackmail them to get what she wants.

Anjali getting sick and Arnav's reaction will be shown in next update.

So what will Payal do now?

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