IPKKND SS: After Happily Ever After (09/09) COMPLETE - Page 13

This is the last chapter before the epilogue guys.

Chapter 11: Moving On

It had been 2 weeks since Anjili moved back into the Raizada Mansion. It had also been a day since Payal and Akash announced that they were expecting their first child. They had been very nervous about it and once it was announced everyone had turned to look at Anjili. To their surprise, she was completely supportive.

Today Anjili had decided to hold a family meeting. She was getting tired of hushed talks about the baby and no one was including her in any of this. She knew that everyone thought she was going to have a nervous breakdown but they were wrong.

She had the entire family gathered around before she started talking.

"First of all, I want to say congratulations again to Akash and Payal."

They both said: "Thanks Di."

"I also would like to request something. I want people to stop talking in hushed tones about the baby. Some people even go so far as to stop talking about the baby all together when I enter the room."

"Actually Di, umm we just thought umm-" started Payal.

"I love that you guys are trying to be sensitive about this." Cut in Anjili. "But I chose to get an abortion. I didn't have a miscarriage. So can you please stop all this nonsense? I am just as excited to become an aunt as Payalji is excited to become a mother. I can't wait to spoil the new Raizada."

She looked back at her family and they were still shuffling about uncomfortably.

She sighed. "I promised to tell you guys why I got the abortion when you were ready. I think you guys are ready. Firstly, I knew I wouldn't have been able to love that child. I knew who its father was and there would be a constant fear that it would turn out like him. Or if it was a boy then it would look like Shyam. I just couldn't take that. And when it grew up and asked about it's father, what would I tell it? No child wants to know that their father was a vile repulsive man who is capable of murder."

"But Di-"

"Please let me finish. I wanted to have the baby and give it up for adoption but I knew you guys would never let me do that. It was part Raizada and you would force me to raise it and look after it and I wouldn't be able to do that properly because I wouldn't love it. If you guys did let me give it up for adoption, then you'd all feel guilty; you'd constantly check up on it to make sure it was ok. Eventually it would find out who it's real family was and come asking questions. Questions that only have harsh answers. I know you think I'm selfish for doing something like this but I thought about it constantly before I made my decision and I don't regret it. I've made peace with what I have done."

Everyone was quiet. They were processing all the information that Anjili had given them. Finally Arnav spoke.

"I understand now Di and I respect your decision."

Akash stepped forward and hugged Anjili. "Me too Di."

One by one, the entire family hugged Anjili and showed their support. Eventually they dispersed.

"Now enough about me." Said Anjili. "Let's talk about what we are going to buy our new niece or nephew."

The whole family began chatting about the things that they would need to buy for their newest member. They talked about baby proofing the house, what room to convert into a nursery and all sorts of things related to babies. They also had an unspoken mutual agreement never to bring up Shyam or Anjili's abortion again. Because they were family and they loved and supported each other no matter how many obstacles the world threw at them.

A small note: just because you respect someone's decision doesn't mean you like it.

I just want to thank everyone who read this story and was there from start to finish. I know it's not the normal kind of story you people read on this forum but thank you guys for liking and commenting on it. Here is the epilogue, enjoy :)

Epilogue

It had been 2 years since Shyam had gone to prison and since then everyone's lives had changed for the better.

Payal had given birth. Akash and Payal were now the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl who was spoilt beyond imagination. Her family never allowed her feet to touch the ground and they were always super protective of her. Tara, however was a humble little girl who was wise beyond her years. Now Akash and Payal were expecting their second child and Tara couldn't be more excited to meet her new sibling.

Arnav's business was booming as always. In fact he had offers to extend it to Europe and America. Khushi's business wasn't doing too bad either. Her catering business had gotten many positive reviews and now it was a 5 star service. Arnav and Khushi were expecting their first child. And that meant that Arnav was forever dithering around Khushi and not allowing her to lift a finger. She in turn would give Arnav numerous heart attacks by sneaking off to work to make sure her business was running smoothly. Their rolls had been reversed. Khushi was acting like Arnav and Arnav was acting like Khushi. They'd argue constantly and eventually make up. One thing was for sure though and that is that they loved each other immensely.

NK had met a lovely girl in Australia. They had been dating for a year when he decided that it was time for the family to meet her. When they had arrived in India, they were received with a warm welcome. Everyone had made sure that she was treated like a member of the family and she in turn immersed herself in their religion and culture. After doing some background checks and getting the families approval, NK was going to propose to her next week.

Mamiji and Mamaji decided that it was time for them to retire. They purchased a beautiful house in Nanital and would often come back to Dehli to visit the family. They now lived a quiet life of shopping and gardening.

Naniji had decided that she wanted to visit the world. So Arnav had hired a bodyguard and a nurse for her. They had sorted out all the paper work out, gotten her a passport and gave her some money to have fun with. She had travelled to Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar. She had briefly travelled back to India to meet NK's girlfriend to give her approval and then she was off again. She's currently in Morocco now. She always manages to send them pictures and presents from her travel.

And Anjili. Well she had her life in order now. She had finally finished her interior decorating course and now was working in a prestigious interior decorating company. She's currently dating a man who makes her feel like the only girl in the world. At first she was wary of him because of her past experience with men but he managed to break down her walls. She trusted him completely and that scared her. She had told him everything about her past to try and scare him off but all he did was hug her and tell her he loved her. She hadn't said it back but now she knew that she loved him too. She didn't know where this was going and she didn't want to, she just wanted to live in the present.

You might have thought that I forgot to mention Shyam. I didn't. He was still rotting in prison and he would continue rotting in prison for a long time. As long as there is a Raizada around, Shyam will forever be in jail.