Chapter 60

[MEMBERSONLY]

PART-38

Anjali came inside the room pushing Dadi's wheel chair to see Khushi weeping silently sitting on the bed. Dadi on reaching near her kept her hand on Khushi's hand and she immediately sat down and keeping her head on Dadi's lap wailed. Anjali who too was teary eyed sat beside Khushi trying to console her.

Dadi caressing Khushi's head said: "Bas... bas... bitiya... don't cry..."

Khushi holding Dadi tight and still crying said: "Dadiji... trust me... I... didn't... me... Akashji... is like... brother... I..."

Dadi making Khushi look at her by holding her face: "Do you think any random person will say something rubbish about you and we will believe that...? You are my bahu and I trust you with my life. We know what you are and our trust is not so weak that it will break by some stupid people saying something stupid."

Anjali: "Haan Khushiji... we all knows how much you love Chote... you can't even think about any other male... we all trust you... so please forget what ever happened."

Dadi wiping Khushi's tears: "Yes Bitiya, there is no need of crying... and in one way it is good that this happened..."

Both Khushi and Anjali looked at her shocked.

Anjali: "Dadi, what are you..."

Dadi: "I am saying right Anjali Bitiya... after all that happened we now came to know about the true colors of Payal and Madhumati... and now we will stay careful about them..."

Nani coming inside the room: "You are right Sumi... some people can't ever change... after all that Khushi Bitiya has done for the Gupta family and Payal they still accusing her of something like this is ridiculous. I can't believe we all fought with Manorama for such a girl... I wish that day I would have agreed with Manorama then this day wouldn't have come."

Dadi: "There is no use thinking about the past... whatever has happened has happened. Now we all need to be careful about Akash Bitwa's baby, because I am worried that Payal in her anger may do some harm to the baby."

Nani: "She won't do anything because she must have realized that the only reason why she is still here in this house is only because of the baby."

Dadi: "But still we can't trust her after what she did today."

Mami coming inside the room: "Maasiji is right Sasuma... I just want my grand child to be safe... you all don't worry because from now on Manorama Bond's eyes will always be on Payal."

Anjali: "That will be better Mami."

Dadi cupping Khushi's face: "Bitiya, always remember... no matter who says what your family trusts you and will always be by your side... so never get upset if some cheap people says something... when someone accuses somebody of something then it proves that that person is like that and so to hide their fault they accuse others... so never take things to heart... okay." Khushi nodded "Now come on smile..." Khushi smiled a little and Dadi kissing her forehead "...that's like my good child." And Khushi hugged her and rest others too smiled.

Dadi: "Now go to your room and rest for some time, Chote will be waiting for you."

Khushi nodding went from there as she herself wanted to be in the arms of her husband.

Anjali: "I can't believe Payal said things about this beautiful soul who can't even think of harming an insect..."

Khushi came into the room and seeing Arnav standing near the slide door facing the pool rushed to him and hugged him from behind. Arnav feeling Khushi's soft body on his back turned towards her and with a smile hugged her.

Khushi: "Arnavji... I didn't... I..."

Arnav wiping her tears: "Sshhh... no need to say anything... I know..."

Khushi coming out of the hug: "Arnavji... how could Jiji think..."

Arnav: "First thing Khushi, she is not your Jiji. So stop addressing her as that... her name is Payal and do call her that. ...and about what she thinks about you, it is not your fault but hers. A person will think something about others when she herself is like that."

Khushi: "Arnavji, for me Akashji is like a brother... I..."

Arnav: "I know Khushi. You don't have to give explanation."

Khushi: "I... I..."

Arnav: "I understand what you are going through, but please don't make yourself sick thinking about what they said..."

Khushi: "I didn't know that she has hated me since we were kids... I thought she loved me like a sister..."

Arnav: "You thought that because you loved her like a real sister... and it is not your fault Khushi because you only know to love everyone even if they don't love you back... you have a beautiful heart Khushi."

Khushi: "You saw how Buaji supported her... she too thinks..."

Arnav cutting her: "Didn't you see how your Amma and Babuji supported you..? They do trust you a lot... so much that they did cut off their ties from them..."

Khushi hugging him: "Arnavji... I don't know what I did that it gave so much wrong ideas to Payal... I..."

Arnav caressing her back: "I told you not to think about it... so why are you..."

Khushi wiping her tears: "Arnavji, can we go to Mama's garden today..?"

Arnav smiling nodded.

Khushi: "Can we stay there tonight..? I want to stay there tonight."

Next day morning Khushi woke up in her husband's arms and leisurely stretched herself but then sat up with a stat as her eyes fell on the clock which showed 9am. Arnav who now woke up because of the sudden movement of Khushi yawning asked: "What happened..? Why did you wake up...? Sleep and let me sleep."

Khushi: "Sleep..!! Arnavji, it is 9 in the morning... wake up and get ready. We have to return back to RM."

Arnav pulling her back into his arms and snuggling closer: "We are not waking up now because I want to sleep... and like that you didn't let me sleep last night."

Khushi with her mouth open in O shape: "Haawww... I didn't let you sleep or you didn't let me sleep..? You were..."

Arnav: "Same thing Khushi... because the end result is both of us didn't sleep last night so we should be sleeping now."

Khushi: "What..!! Don't you have to go to office today..?"

Arnav: "No... neither to office not to anywhere else. We are staying here today... alone... only you and me."

Khushi: "Oh... okay... but we need to inform home..."

Arnav: "Yesterday only I had told Di that we will be returning home late in evening."

Khushi: "But Arnavji..."

Arnav: "Sshhh... bohot bolti ho tum." Saying he used the best way to shut her mouth i.e. covered her mouth with his.

At RM

Payal arrived at the breakfast table and was pleased with Khushi's absence. Thinking that the whole family has made Khushi have breakfast in her room itself so that she can have breakfast with the entire family she smiling sat on her chair. The whole family ignored her presence and the only person who talked to her was Mami.

Mami forwarding a fruit platter to Payal: "Here eat it."

Payal making a face at the fruits: "I don't want to eat fruits now. I..."

Mami: "Fruits are good for the baby so without arguing completes it. I want my grandchild to be healthy."

Payal: "But I don't feel like eating it... I don't wish to eat it. I..."

Mami: "The world is not going to function according to your wish. Anjali Bitiya is pregnant and even she is eating it so why can't you eat it..?" Payal opened her mouth to protest "Don't you dare to say no. And always remember that the only reason you are here in this house is for the baby, so do what is good for the baby... and fruits are good for the child's growth. So, eat it."

Payal grudgingly munched on the fruits as she had nothing else to say.

Mamaji: "When are Khushi Bitiya and Chote returning back..?"

Anjali: "Mamaji, they will be returning by night."

Dadi: "Where is Akash Bitwa..? He hadn't eaten anything properly since yesterday..."

Anjali: "Dadi, he has gone to drop Muskaan at school."

Nani: "But that was early in the morning... he should have returned long back..."

Mami: "Haan sasuma... it is nearly time for him to leave for office, I think he left directly to office..."

Mamaji: "I will call him." Saying he dialled his cell number and the entire family turned towards the door as they heard the ring from the door.

Akash walked towards them holding a file and sat beside Mamaji.

Anjali: "Akash, where were you till now..? We all were so worried..."

Akash: "Sorry Di. Had some important work to do." Opening the file, taking out a bunch of papers he forwarded it to Payal "Here sign those."

Payal with an attitude: "What are those..?"

Akash: "Those are the legal papers which state that you won't do anything to harm the baby and if anything happens to the baby then you will be held guilty... (before Payal could protest) ...and after the baby is born you will have no rights over the baby and even if you stay at RM then you will only remain as a caretaker of the baby and will never have any rights over the property... and if anything happens to me then Mr. & Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada will become the legal and natural guardians of the baby."

Payal stood up angrily: "I am not signing any such papers. This is my baby and I have full rights over the baby."

Akash taking back the papers and forwarding another bunch of papers: "Okay then. Sign those. These papers state that we are divorcing on mutual consent and you will have to leave this house right at this moment and neither you nor the baby will have any right over my property."

Payal: "WHATT..!!"

Nani: "Akash Bitwa, aap ye kya..."

Akash: "I know what I am doing Dadi."

Mami: "Bitwa, saying bye bye to this girl is fine... but how can you say bye bye to the baby..? The baby..."

Akash: "I have not completed Maa, (to Payal) ...and this paper also states that you are taking full responsibility of the child and will raise the child with your own earning i.e. you will never take financial aid or any such help from anyone... not even from your parents... for that every month you will have to deposit your earning certificate at the court and any moment you fail to do so, you will lose all rights on the baby and the baby will come back to the father i.e. ME and I will have all rights to decide what is good or bad for it... and the rules will be applicable the moment you sign the papers."

Payal was paralysed with shock listening to Akash but still gathering herself said: "I will sign none... you can't do this... you can't separate my baby from me..."

Akash: "I am not separating anyone. If you want to have the baby then you are free to choose the second option but I don't want my child to be a brought up with other's money. You are the mother so you should earn for the baby, isn't it..? And if you fail to earn and give a decent living to my child then the baby will come to me where he/she will get all the luxuries."

Payal: "But it will not have a mother..."

Akash: "Who said that..? The baby will have far better motherly figures than you... Di, Maa, Dadi, Dadiji and yes not to forget the baby's tai will be there to take care of the baby... and if required then I will remarry and get a good mother for the baby."

Payal not believing her ears: "You will remarry..!!"

Akash: "Of course. Once I am free from you I will marry some good girl whom my family will select."

Mami: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... after so long you said something good bitwa... (to Payal) ...jaldi se paper mein sign karo so that my Bitwa can say bye bye to you soon and hello hi to new bridewa sooner."

Payal felt as if the earth has slipped from beneath her feet. She sat pondering if Akash is joking or not... and the look on his face said that he meant whatever he said. If she chooses the second option and if she is not able to earn a decent living then she will lose the baby forever and if she chooses the first option then she will get to stay with the baby... doesn't matter if there is money or not... she will not have to earn... she will not have to leave this house... and most importantly Akash will not divorce her and neither will she have to stay away from her baby.

No matter what she has felt for everyone... no matter how much she thought bad about others... but at the end of the day she is a mother and like every mother she too loves her baby and to stay with her baby she will agree to the last part of the clause too... i.e. Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada will be the legal guardian of her baby... and somewhere her heart too knows that Khushi will never have any grudges against her baby.

Payal: "I have decided... (blinking away her tears) I choose the first option."

Everyone smiled being happy.

Akash: "Good." Forwarding the papers and pen "The required places have been marked. Sign them."

Payal signed at the required places and Akash checking the papers called HP. "HP, shift all of Payal's belongings to the guest room downstairs. It will be better if she stays in the ground floor and most importantly away from me."

HP nodded and went to do as directed.

Akash: "Maa, I will leave now. Need to submit the papers in the court."

Anjali: "But Akash, breakfast..."

Akash: "I have important things to look after than eating Di... don't worry I will grab something to eat on the way... and yes, today I won't be able to pick Muskaan back from school, so ask NK Bhai to pick her up."

Anjali nodded.

Nani: "But where is Nanhe Bitwa..? He didn't come for breakfast..."

Anjali: "Nani, he has gone to Nirmala Aunty's place... he is spending a lot of time there these days."

Payal was sitting in the room alone and crying crushing everyone including herself. She couldn't understand what wrong she has done that she now sees only hatred for herself in everyone's eyes. Was she wrong in accusing Khushi..? She knows Akash can never have any illegitimate relationship with anyone but the number if time he takes his Bhabi's name from his mouth irritates her to core... She is pregnant and carrying his child, won't it should be she who should be pampered and praised by the family..? But NOO... everyone goes Khushi this, Khushi that... what has it got to be Khushi... Khushi all the time... right from the time she has come into her life, it has been Khushi who has been praised... for her beauty, for her nature, for her selflessness and what not... every time she had tried to become like Khushi, no matter how hard she had tried but had never got the same praises like her... no one understood her pain, her insecurity... not even her parents. And today, she is on the verge of losing her everything... her husband, her child... and even today also no one supported her... not even her parents... only person who had stood by her side was Buaji.

Wiping away her tears she took her cell to call the only person who understands her or she thinks that the person understands her... her Buaji.

Buaji received the call after a couple of rings. "Payalia... how are you my child..?"

Payal: "How can I be in this house Buaji..? Everything is going wrong for me Buaji..."

Buaji: "What happened dear..?"

Payal narrated whatever had happened in details and listening to it even Buaji was shocked.

Buaji: "How could they do this to you..? But you don't sign on any of the paper, you are the mother and you have full right on the baby... no one can snatch that right from you."

Payal: "I have already signed on the paper."

Buaji: "WHAT...!! Hai re Nandkishore..!! Pagla gayi thi ka..!! Kahe sign kia..?"

Payal: "I didn't want to stay away from my baby... I don't know whether I would be able to earn as much to give a decent living to my child... and if I fail to do so then I would lose my baby forever and Akashji too would remarry someone else... How could I bear that..?? Now, even though I won't have any right on the baby bit still I would be with my baby forever even if it like a caretaker... and then Akashji too won't divorce me... I can do anything to stay with my husband and my baby."

Buaji: "But Payalia..."

Payal: "Leave all those Buaji, you tell me where you are..? Are you at Laxmi nagar..?"

Buaji: "Nehi... Yesterday before I could reach home, that Arnav had locked the door with my things kept out... and I having no other option had to return to Lucknow... to gomti sadan."

Payal: "But Buaji, why did you go there..? You could have taken another house in rent..."

Buaji: "House is not so readily available on rent... and like that also I don't have any income more from that saree business, so I had to return back to lucknow."

Payal: "Oh... what did Amma and Babuji say..? Did they shout at you?"

Buaji: "Sashi Babua is not talking to me... Garima, opened the room for me and served me dinner but haven't said a word to me... don't know what is going on their mind. I am feeling like an unwanted guest here."

Payal: "Don't worry Buaji, they are just angry now... soon everything will be fine."

Buaji: "Tum hamari chodo... suno abhi tumhe kya karna hai."

Payal: "No Buaji, listening to you I have ruined enough now let me handle things on my own."

Buaji: "Par payalia..."

Payal: "No buaji, only because of all your ideas that I am away from my husband and on the verge of losing my child. So please don't give me any more suggestion, I am grown up enough to think what I should do."

Buaji: "But..."

Payal: "NO Buaji. I will hang up now. Will talk to you later. Bye."

Later that night Akash came into Arnav's room and sitting down beside him on the floor rested his head on his lap. Arnav who was working on his laptop looked to his side and was shocked seeing his brother in such condition.

Arnav: "Akash... what has happened...? You... look..."

Akash holding his hands: "Bhai... promise me onething."

Arnav: "What Akash?"

Akash: "Bhai, if in future anything happens to me then you will take care of my child... I know you will do that but I just need your assurance because I can't trust anyone else."

Arnav: "What are you saying Akash..? Nothing is going to happen to you."

Akash: "Just promise me Bhai. Please."

Arnav: "I promise. But you too get one thing straight into your pea brain, nothing is going to happen to you. Understood."

Akash: "Bhai, today I... ... ..." he narrated about the legal papers that he had made Payal sign.

Arnav: "Akash... If you think you have done the right thing then why are you so upset..?"

Akash: "I am not upset about that Bhai... I am upset because I chose a wrong girl to be my wife... I fought with my family for her... I never knew she was such a vile creature... I thought..."

Arnav: "It is not your fault Akash... no need to worry about what has happened in the past... for now think that you are going to be a father and be happy about that... and trust me Payal is not going to harm the baby in anyway... because she may hate Khushi and others but she loves the baby a lot."

Akash: "Bhai... trust me there is nothing between me and Bhabi... I respect her in the same way I do for Di..."

Arnav: "Did I ask you to give clarification..? I do trust my brother and I know what you and Khushi are. You don't have to give justification."

Khushi who was standing at the door listening to the conversation came inside and said: "Akashji, much before I had married Arnavji I had seen you like an elder brother and devimaiyaa knows how pure our relation is... so you don't need to be upset about whatever other says."

Arnav: "Khushi is right Akash. Don't be upset about anything... Okay. Now go and rest."

Akash hugging his brother nodded and wishing the couple good night left the room.

Khushi: "He is so upset. I wish his problems are solved."

Arnav hugging her sideways: "Everything will be fine. Don't worry."

Khushi resting her head on his shoulder: "Hope so."

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