Please God, help me be strong and change the rules of the house.'

Jhanvi closed her eyes while praying and remembered the events of yesterday night. It had felt so god to finally step up to him, to finally speak her mind and not bear his punishment. Making her more confident in her further actions. She would bring in a change that for sure but she wasn't sure as to how Omkara or Tej will react to it.

What if Omkara would rebel against her? What if he would taunt her, she couldn't bear it. So She realized she had to take baby steps.

"I should start with something simply...like Breakfast! Jhanvi smiled and went to the kitchen to prepare the usual Breakfast. After a while she set the table and Tej and Rudra came down. Bhavya followed him with Kavya in her arms.

When she saw Kavya hungrily gazing at the Breakfast she took a deep breath. It was time to execute her plan, to give the women of the house equality.

"From today we all will eat together."

Everyone looked at her in shock. What did she just say?

"Kya?" Bhavya asked; still adjusting her pallu. Since she and Rudra had patched up he seemed insatiable for her, she thought with a blushing smile.

"You heard me Bhavya. From Now on you, Kavya , Gauri will sit with at the table and I will serve before we sit down with them to eat, right Tej?" Jhanvi wickedly smiled at her husband, waiting for a reaction any kind of response to show his true nature in front of their family. Ever since she decided to stand up for herself she wasn't afraid of his wrath anymore. What could he do what he hadn't already done? She wouldn't give him the right to be superior to her- after all it was not a sin to be a woman but to be a slave.

And Jhanvi Singh Oberoi refused to be a slave in her own house, in her life.

Rudra silently smiled at his Mother's words. After all these years He had never thought she would change her way of thinking. Though he always had suspected that something was off with his Mother he had never questioned her. And he wouldn't start now, she would tell him once the time was right. So he asked Kavya to sit and fed her lovingly. Kavya happily started eating and looked at her Grandmother with love in her eyes.

Jhanvi smiled and Rudra winked at her. She nodded ensuring him that she was alright. He had always known that his father wasn't as nice to his Mother as he seemed to be but he did not have the proof nor the strength to fight against him. Not with Omkara being on Tej's side whenever an argument started. So he had supported her silently and mentally. Jhanvi thank all the gods for a son like Rudra, he was mature and understanding. He was everything she had wanted to see in her children and Omkara...She thought sadly. Her Omkara was her little Boy, the child that saved her live. The day he was Born Tej hugged her and even stopped beating her for almost 2 years. They were almost happy again, before he had returned to his old ways. Like an addiction.

"Omkara, Gauri ! Come sit" Bhavya said on seeing both of them descending the stairs and entering the dining room and started eating. Jhanvi walked towards the approaching couple and asked them too to sit down to eat something, she would serve them. Her smile was so genuine and cheerful that Omkara immediately smiled back and to the utter shock of everyone he even bended down and touched her feet; seeking her blessing for his plans. He wanted to slowly expose his father, to make him realize his mistakes. But he needed time to adjust to the situation. But he was sure of one thing: He would protect his mother by all means. He would not let any harm reach her. He intended to tell her but how without making his father doubt his loyalty? How could he tell his mother that he knew the truth, that he wanted her forgiveness without causing her danger?

When Tej saw Omkara bending down he immediately stood up. He felt sick just looking at his son bending in front of a woman.

"Omkara!" He said with a faked smile and came closer. Instinctively Om drew Gauri behind his back and grabbed his Mother's Hand. It was like he was subconsciously conveying the message that he would allow no one to harm them, that he would be their protector forever.

"Yes Dad?" Om tried hard not to punch him, not to beat him black and blue. Each punch would stand for all the years his mother suffered in silent, for all the threats Gauri had to listen to, all the pain. He wanted to make him regret badly for keeping him away from happiness all this years, for keeping him away from his mother. For trying to make him as bad as him.

"Son, please don't forget the meeting at 9. I will see you in office...and Jhanvi...He turned around and caressed her cheek aggressively to which she winced in pain, not going unnoticed by Omkara who clinched his fists and Gauri had to hold him back else he would have killed his father right there , right now.

They had to act according their plan else Tej would never learn his lesson and he could harm them if he knew that he was exposed.

"Jhanvi. Don't forget to take care of Gauri, She is pregnant and needs extra care else who knows what happens...right? "His angry gaze wandered to his daughter in law who had a hard time not to vomit into his fake smiling face. With that said Tej left the place and the minute he left through the huge main door Omkara released his breath. He felt suffocated being in the same room as that animal. Who was he to threaten his Mother and Gauri right in front of his eyes? Earlier statements like that seems caring to him but knowing what his father truly meant caused his blood to boil.

"Om Calm down. I am save- you are with me hain na?"Gauri whispered into his ears and he nodded and kissed her forehead.

"Always." He smiled lightly and hoped that he would be able to always keep up that promise. To always be beside her.

"Can we eat now?" He asked looking at his Mother who nodded immediately. She was thrilled that her Son finally spoke to her with a sincere voice. It seemed almost like the old days, when he used to sit by her side telling her stories about his college mates and his girlfriends. She used to hit him and would say: "The day you meet the one you will stop talking like that about Girls and their girlish Fantasies! She will make your life a living Dream. Listen to my words I am your Mom I know you the best."

He had laughed and had kissed her cheek before leaving the house.

"Of course Beta. Come sit. I made your and Rudra's favorite dishes. I thought it would make you happy." She served Gauri and Omkara and then sat down herself to eat. They had a sweet and enjoyable breakfast. Talking about their lives, their work, their plans for the future.

Sometimes Jhanvi caught Omkara glancing at her but she did not want to interpret too much into it. She was still too fragile to believe he would easily love her again. That he loved to be her son again. It would take some time before she could happily hug her son, telling him how much she loved him.

Jhanvi sighed and Gauri took her Hand and squeezed it slightly. Both women smiled at each other assuringly.

"That is just the beginning Mom. " Gauri said with a beautiful Smile and Jhanvi blessed her. Omkara was talking to his Brother about their upcoming Business Deals but was also listening to his wife and his mother's silent conversations. He couldn't help but smile. He had always hoped for his mother and his wife to get along and thank god they did.

"Yes dear. The Rules are changing. It just started." Jhanvi said smiling surprising everyone sitting on the table. It had been such a long time since she smiled the last time. It has been almost forver since they saw an ounce of Happiness on her face and they hoped it would stay that way.

Soon Mom . I will give you the respect you deserve. Together we will bring in a change. We will change the rules. That was just the beginning.' Omkara thought and looked at his mother with confidence.

____________________________________________