The Cambridge Montessori School.

Shashi looked sadly at Khushi, who gave him a glance before looking away, which hurt him.

The entire family, including Khushi, Preeto, Aman, and Sahil, had gathered to support Kiki in her first lead role in a school play since beginning preschool a few months prior.

The Gupta women who came with Shashi were taken aback when they saw Khushi, and what shocked them even more was how elegantly she dressed, especially since she was a mother.

They realised from Shashi and Payal's expressions that they already knew about Khushi's arrival and the existence of her daughter, and the warning Shashi and Payal had given them to behave finally made sense.

Garima and Buaji wanted to hug Lulu, but they restrained themselves so as not to upset Shashi and Payal, knowing that doing so would leave them homeless and penniless.

"I do not think I can do this." Kiki exclaimed nervously, stopping at the entrance and grabbing everyone's attention.

She played the lead in her school's Beauty and the Beast production, and she looked stunning as Belle.

Akash kneeled to her level to encourage her, but Lulu intervened.

"What do you mean, you can not do it?...... Of course you can...... "We practiced all week, and you were fantastic."

"Really." Kiki cried out in delight, and Lulu smiled and nodded.

Lulu pushed Akash aside and stood in front of Kiki, making the adults laugh while holding Kiki's hand.

"Now, breathe in." Lulu issued the command, and Kiki followed suit. "Now, breathe out." Lulu sighed with relief. "Now let us go and kill the show."

Kiki smiled and the girls entered the building together, welcomed by the teachers.

Payal exclaimed angrily just as the adults were about to enter.

"What exactly are they doing here?"

They all turned to see Nani, Mami, Anjali, and Naina approaching them.

"I am here to support my niece and to check out the facilities because I want Naina to start as soon as possible." Anjali responded arrogantly, toning her eyes until she focused on Khushi.

She was astounded to see Khushi and felt a surge of jealousy because she was so beautiful, young, and elegantly dressed.

Arnav moved in between them, blocking Anjali's gaze, and gave Anjali an angry look before warning her to back off.

"For the time being, I am unable to approach Khushi while Arnav is present...... It is best for me to be patient." Anjali paused and turned to face the others, who were also dissatisfied with her presence.

Manohar shot a glare at Mami, who was hiding behind Anjali.

He was about to lash out and kick them out when the teacher rushed out, informing them that the show was about to begin and that they should take their seats immediately.

"We will be joining the audience soon, but first I need to make sure some unwanted people leave the premises...... Mrs. Dhawan, please contact security and have these individuals removed." Akash spoke with firm and stern tone.

The principal was surprised because she had no idea there was so much animosity between the family members.

"Akash, just let it be." Payal spoke up, which surprised everyone, and Akash was about to respond when Payal squeezed his arm. "Let us not ruin our princess' performance by fighting..... They will be safe from my wrath if they stay away from Lulu and Kiki. Akash sighed and nodded as Payal turned to an angry-looking Anjali. "Know your place. "

The family entered the auditorium, leaving them behind.

Anjali's phone rang, but she quickly turned it off, realizing that Shruti had already noticed Naina was missing.

She had taken Naina with her without the permission of Shruti, who had been assigned to look after Naina on Siddharth's behalf because he needed to go to the police station to sign some documents.

"Anjali, I do not think it was appropriate for us to come here...... They obviously do not want us here...... "We should leave." Nani spoke, and Anjali rolled her eyes.

"Seriously, Nani, if you want to go, go; however, this is my opportunity to see Kiki perform and meet Chote's child." Anjali responded and entered the building, followed by Mami and Nani, who both sighed before joining them.

They took their seats while Nani searched for Lulu, who was nowhere to be found, and Khushi and Payal's seats appeared to be vacant.

A few seconds later, Khushi and Payal appeared and took seats next to each other.

Nani smiled upon seeing Khushi and was astounded by her transformation.

She was once a cute lady, but she has grown into a beautiful and mature woman.

"I need to speak with Khushi and apologize for everything I did to her." Nani reflected as she observed Khushi and Payal speaking.

Meanwhile, Payal was beaming with happiness as Khushi inquired about her well-being.

"Akash mentioned that you are helping your father with his shop."

Payal nodded, but was saddened to hear Khushi refer to Shashi as her father rather than babuji, as she usually does.

When Akash called to inform her of their discovery, she was stunned and wanted to confront Shashi, Buaji, and Garima, but seeing her father arrive at the shop looking completely devastated stopped her.

Like the others, she did not blame Khushi for her reaction to the truth, but promised to be there for her if she needed her.

"Yes....... "I wanted to do something other than be a housewife, and what better opportunity than to assist Babuji." Payal responded, and Khushi nodded.

"So how is the shop doing? "

"Great, though it requires some serious auditing, as I discovered a few days ago about some of the workers taking advantage of Babuji and stealing from him."

Khushi frowned upon hearing Payal's response, and Payal rejoiced internally at her reaction because it demonstrated that Khushi still cared.

"How irresponsible of you, Payal... You let them steal from him?" Khushi reprimanded, and Payal shook her head.

"In fact, we began speaking cordially only a week after you returned." Khushi appeared perplexed by the revelation, and she was in for more. "Babuji disowned me after you left; he was upset that I did not defend and protect you...... He has not had a relationship with the Raizadas since you left, and he even forced me to return to Akash after he discovered I was pregnant as punishment for not standing by you because he knew I despised the Raizadas, especially after learning the truth about your marriage and everything you went through...... When I refused to go back, he threatened to kill himself if I did not leave or dared to return home..... He only recently released me from his threat, and we are slowly building our relationship."

Khushi was stunned to learn that Shashi had gone this far just for her, and guilt overcame her as she turned to where Shashi was sitting, smiling and holding his phone up.

The show is introduction interrupted her reverie, so she focused on it to distract herself.

An hour and a half later, the auditorium erupted in cheers and applause as the show concluded.

All of the kids rush to their respective parents, including Lulu, who was backstage watching and supporting Kiki.

"And who is this sweet and adorable girl?" Manohar gushed as he kneeled in front of Lulu, who was standing alongside Kiki.

"This is my big sister Lulu, and she is also your granddaughter." Kiki responded, perplexed as to how her grandfather did not know Lulu, and the adults laughed at her adorable expression before turning to Lulu. "Lulu, this is grandpa Manohar...... He is the grandpa I told you was always busy but buys me lot of presents and takes me out for ice cream when he comes home and this is grandpa Shashi, he makes the most delicious sweets in the world and also makes the best samosas. " Kiki introduced and licked her lips, which caused everyone to laugh.

"You are such a foodie." Akash responded with a laugh.

"Just like her name sake. " Arnav continued and Khushi glared at him but he chuckled in return.

"Nice to met you grandpa Shashi and grandpa Manohar. " Lulu exclaimed politely.

Shashi picked her up and hugged her, with Manohar joining in.

Lulu burst out laughing as Shashi and Manohar kissed her chubby cheeks.

Khushi smiled, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she watched her baby receive so much love, but she controlled herself not to show any vulnerability to them, but Arnav, who was watching, noticed her.

"You can deny it all you want, but I know the old Khushi is still there somewhere." Arnav thought while staring at her.

Khushi felt a gaze on her and turned to find Arnav staring at her, which caused him to smirk.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to announce that the garden reception has opened...... Please bring your children and enjoy, and thank you for attending our first play of the academic year." The principal announced, and everyone proceeded to the gardens.

Akash reserved a special seat for the Raizadas and Guptas, excluding Anjali and her minions who had to sit away from the family.

Buaji and Garima wished they could mingle with the children and envied Sahil, Manohar, and Shashi, with whom the girls were freely chatting.

"If we had not been so cruel to Khushi, we would be playing with our granddaughters and having as much fun as Shashi and Manoharji do now." Buaji exclaimed remorsefully as Garima nodded in agreement but they were thankful they were also included.

Nani smiled from a distance as she watched them look so happy, especially Arnav, who was speaking to Khushi, which surprised her but made her happy that his anxiety had subsided.

"I can not believe they left out Naina...... Such heartless people." Anjali sneered but it turned to sadness as she turned to look at Naina who was munching on some sweets not caring about her surroundings.

"Hello hi bye bye, Anju, you better be grateful that they allowed us to stay, but be prepared to face Damadji's anger, and knowing Shruti, she has already called him and made you out to be a villain. " Mami whispered to Anjali who looked nonchalant.

Immediately Mami was done, Anjali's phone rang again with Siddharth's name on the screen but Anjali muted it and went back to staring at Naina.

She felt Mami nudge her and frowned, staring at Mami as she signaled her to look.

Khushi had walked away from the group, towards the parking lot, and both women smiled as they walked away discreetly.

Nani was so focused on admiring the group, she was unaware that Anjali and Mami had left the table.

"Where is mummy? " Naina's voice interrupted her reverie, and she turned to see that Anjali and Mami's seats were empty.

She looked around but could not find them, and a sudden dread overcame her, especially when she noticed Khushi was missing from the group.

"God, please no... Those two will never learn." Nani whispered, picked up Naina, who appeared annoyed, and walked up to the group's table.

"Arnav? " She called out, but received a cold response.

"What do you want? " Arnav asked coldly and luckily the girls were off mingling with the other kids.

"I think Anjali and Mami are after Khushi...... They have been relentless over speaking to Khushi. " Nani responded and a wave of fear run through them.

Arnav and they others sprinted towards the direction which Khushi.

They arrived at the parking lot to find them there but they all halted hearing Khushi's words.

"Listen to very carefully Anjali, you and Mami told me to leave the night Arnav called me the biggest mistake of his life...... That phone call that night from Mami to Arnav opened my eyes and broke the fake illusion of my thought about him loving me and prioritizing me for once...... As much as I thank you and Mami for breaking my illusions about your brother, we don't have anything to do with each other and I will prefer we stay away from each other and sorry your request of our children being cousins is denied. " Khushi exclaimed firmly.

"Don't say that Khushi...... Chote has been punishing Naina because of his hatred for me....... You don't want an innocent child suffering for our mistakes do you?" Anjali exclaimed with the most innocent look in her eyes thinking Khushi bought into her emotional blackmail.

Anjali smirked seeing Khushi lost in thought but she was in for ride when Khushi burst out laughing.

"You are the most vile human being I have ever met. " Khushi exclaimed shocking Anjali and Mami. "Just when I thought motherhood will change you, it even makes you worse....... You are disgrace to motherhood....... Don't you feel ashamed trying to use your daughter for your disgusting agenda........ But what do I expect from a woman who conspired to use her first child to manipulate others....... As I said I thank you for that night and the call your aunt made to Arnav the night I left....... It was what cemented my will to leave your brother forever. "

"What call? " Arnav asked and they all flinched and turned to find him and the rest of the family. "I will ask again for the last time....... What call is Khushi talking about? " This time his tone more serious and firm.

Mami gulped and hid behind Anjali as Arnav took predatory steps towards them.

He stared right into Anjali's eyes but she averted her gaze unable to look at him.

"Hey devi maiya, was Anjali and Mami lying. " The realization hit Khushi like a brick and it infuriated her and she decided to expose Anjali and Mami. "The night I left, Mami and Anjali came to your room with Anjali looking pale and frail and said. "

Flashback.

"You see what you have done......" If you have any dignity left, you will leave this house and Arnav...... He does not want you because you are just an object on which he can vent his frustration...... A punching bag, and if you do not believe me, listen." Mami spat venomously, causing Khushi to bow her head.

Mami pulled out her phone, and Khushi raised her head, perplexed as to who she was calling.

"Hello Mami. " Arnav's voice has emerged.

"Hello hi bye bye....... Why is Pati Saree in tears?" Mami inquired, pretending to be concerned.

"Mami I do not want to talk about her or even breathe the same air with her........ I should have never married her then di wouldn't be going through all this....... I do not want the Guptas pointing fingers at her, so I am tolerating her for now...... Please Mami, take care of Anjali. "

The call and Khushi's fall to her knees occurred simultaneously.

"Now that you have heard him.... Leave now and never return. "

Flashback ends.

"I packed everything I owned and left that night. " Khushi revealed leaving Arnav devastated.

"Khushi I swear to you, it wasn't me. " Arnav cried out as he moved towards Khushi and held her shoulders. " I know I don't deserve your trust but please trust me on this...... I never spoke to them or you. "

Khushi shoved his hands away and Arnav looked hurt.

"Why should I trust you?....... You have a habit of breaking my trust so why would I trust you especially when the voice was your voice. " Khushi exclaimed angrily and Arnav looked down ashamed because he knew Khushi was right.

He has always broken her trust and he doesn't blame her for mistrusting him.

"It was Shyam. " Mami confessed as all eyes turned to her. She wanted to do damage control because she knew this will be her end of her if didn't confess. "Anjali planned it with Shyam so that you will leave Arnav and Anjali will have Arnav all for herself."

Immediately Mami was done, a slap landed on her cheek which sent her to the floor.

"You demon...... How could you? " Manohar yelled as tears streamed down his face. "You are going back to your village today...... This marriage is over and you maa. " Manohar turned to his mother who flinched. " Don't you dare bring her back if I send her away. " Manohar warned as Nani had once brought Mami back a few years ago when Manohar sent her packing.

Nani nodded shocking Mami who crawled towards Manohar begging but he shoved her off him.

"Arnav for years I have warned you against your sister but I was the horrible one in your eyes to an extent that you limited our communications to business only...... You see what she did...... She took advantage of your crack relationship with Khushi and completely broke it....... She with the help of you hypocritical Nani exploited your weakness..... If only you had listened to me back in uni, then none of this wouldn't have happened. " Sahil reprimanded Arnav who fell on his knees and burst out crying.

Everyone even Khushi had tears in their eyes seeing the once composed Arnav wailing like a child.

His vision started blurring and Khushi screaming his name was the last thing he heard before losing consciousness.

To be continued.

Precap: Mami is found dead.

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