Arshi SS-'Adopted'. LINK TO THREAD-2 ADDED ON PG-1 30-11 - Page 23

Just found the story. Khushi is amazing. I love her optimistic but practical approach. Husband doesn't care? No problem. I don't care either. He thinks he can exclude you from his life? Go ahead and sideline him first. But do it in such a dignified manner that he is left wondering. Please update soon.
The banner is beautiful , Shikha!

reading every update , its makes me cry little by little ...
Such a beautiful story ...
Loving it ..

This update showed a strong khushi , who does not hesitate to voice her opinion in front of other.. Make her take such a stance in this marriage that arnav will understand her worth ..

No probs. .will b waiting. ..
Take care of ur finger n elbow

Take your time dear and take care.

Just found this ss and loved it. Can't wait for this love story to develop.

tc of urself..no probzz😛
woh kehtay hai na "sabar ka pehl mitha hota hai"😆

Part-5

Phew!! Done!!! I didn't want to go back on my promise, but unforeseen circumstances forced me to delay the update. And my finger and elbow are fine, just a touch with hot kadhai while frying pooris😆. Colgate laga liya tha, but nautanki nai ki to zindagi mein kiya kya??😃 Anyways, ignore the typos please, if any. And please don't stop commenting. Its because of your comments only that I am continuing. And readers who want PMs , please send a buddy request. And one more thing..I am reading all your comments and I wanted to say that I LOVE YOU ALL!!!❤️

Those people who were waiting for Anjali to tell Khushi that she is shifting to her room and an obedient Khushi doing the same, leaving Arnav alone in the room, burning with guilt...well well girls!!! I am sorry to disappoint you, but nothing like that happened.

So the scene which follows is, that nothing was said further. Anjali was quiet because she was shocked at her own outburst, and Arnav was quiet, because of the same reason. It wasn't like Anjali had never shouted at Arnav. The days when Arnav and Anjali had just shifted to Shantivan, and Arnav refused to cooperate with Anjali in taking care of him, Anjali had shouted at him many a times. Even slapped him. But later she would start crying, struck with anger, frustration, remorse and most of all grief. This was something Arnav couldn't bear. So he started listening to everything she said, albeit grudgingly. Still, it wasn't the end of scolding era. "Why don't you eat at time??, Why are you not at home at this time of night??, Why are you not wearing a sweater?? " and if not anything else "Why are you ignoring me??"

This continued till the time Shyam Manohar Jha entered their lives, first as Anjali's lover , then his husband. Anjali , who was missing her chhote more day by day, who thought that she wasn't able to help her chhote anymore, found him to shower with her attention and love. He became her centre of attention and existence. She would fast for him, wait for him to return from his tours, call him, wait some more for him...and when he would return, she was unable to see anything besides him. For outsiders they were a besotted couple, for Shyam too would devote most of his time for Anjali. The smooth charmer he was, he had managed to sweet talk everyone into believing him to be the perfect soul-mate for their sunshine Anjali. He was loved as a long lost son of house. He behaved as a guide and elder figure for Arnav and Akash, a respecting and caring son-in-law for mama-mami and naniji. No one could ever find a flaw with that man.

So it was a huge blow for Arnav when he went on a last minute meeting to Goa, to find his jeejaji checking out from a honeymoon suite with a lady, who had vermillion in her parting and mangalsutra in her neck. Shyam hadn't seen Arnav, so he went away without any doubt. But for Arnav, his world has gotten shattered. He had cancelled his meeting and came home to Anjali and told her what he saw. To his dismay, his Di refused to accept anything. She was adamant that he was mistaken and this was a huge misunderstanding. Arnav was furious with his Di, for she wasn't trusting him. But he had to do something before it was too late. So he apologized to Anjali and requested her to not tell anyone about this thing, for he was "embarrased" that he even thought something like that for his jeejaji, he stated. Ofcourse Anjali was happy to oblige. Next Arnav hired the best private investigator in town, who gave a report after one week, a report which then turned the world of Anjali upside down.

Shyam Manohar Jha was a habitually polygamous person and Anjali was his third wife. During the three years of his marriage with Anjali, he had managed to lure another rich girl in his trap, whom he had married and was celebrating his honeymoon with her when he was caught by Arnav. The influential background of Raizadas had ensured that he hadn't dared to marry another one for two and a half years, but during that period he had made innumerable girlfriends, ofcourse the costs were borne by Raizadas, though unknowingly.

It hadn't taken much time for Arnav to get rid of him after that, and he was still rotting in jail, serving a 8 years punishment. But for Anjali, this was second time she was broken, and its effect was to last forever, or as she thought. She was consoled by everyone, but Arnav hadn't said anything beyond, "Its OK. You have me forever". She had realized he was hurt by her distrust in him, and she had let go of her rights as his "elder"sister since then.

Only two weeks later the ordeal, Anjali had discovered she was pregnant. She couldn't decide whether to be happy or sad. She was going to be a mother, but of a child who was better without his father. And it was during that period Arnav started showing some real concern for her. He had religiously taken her for her every appointment, taken care of what she ate and what not, appointed nurses and took care of preparation of nursery as she wanted it to be. She was respected as an elder sister, but she didn't exercise her role in his life anymore. Mostly she chose to stay calm. She never raised her voice in front of him any more.

So today was a big shock for both of them. And today was the day when Arnav actually realized how much had he missed his Di's scoldings. The stunned silence which followed was disturbed by Nani getting up and moving to her room, followed by mama-mami and Akash-Payal. Eventually Khushi too left, leaving the brother-sister duo alone in the living room.

Anjali was the first one who came out of shock, and she realized it was time for "the talk", with Arnav.

"Sit down chhote" she ordered calmy, bringing Arnav out of his stunned stupor. With that he realized that he had to be angry and he brought back the scowl on his face, while proceeding to sit opposite anjali, who had once again seated at her place. Anjali who was watching the play of emotions on his face had a sudden urge to laugh at the stubbornness her chhote displayed, but she had to discuss a serious matter, so she suppressed that urge.

Once seated, she kept on looking for sometime at Arnav's face. Arnav, who was getting fidgety with each passing second became impatient and gritted out, "I don't have whole night Di."

"I know chhote. You are a busy man, not uselessly sitting at home like me. I understand the value of your time. But be assured that..."

"That's not what I meant di, and you know that. Stop playing that emotional blackmail game with me." Arnav cut her between her sentence.

"Don't interrupt while I am talking chhote" Anjali said sternly. Once again Arnav was stumped, but he gotten over it quickly and nodded stiffly. "Not everyone is out to play games with you chhote. Some of us actually mean what we say" Anjali said, softly.

"What do you wanted to talk about Di?"

Anjali sighed, she had to do it. For herself, for Kavya and most importantly for the couple who lived under the roof as strangers.

"I want to work chhote."

"What the..!! Di!!?? You just have to tell me what do you want, I will bring it to you. I may be angry at times but I will never let you..."

"Shhh...its not that Chhote. I would never ever mistrust you, again." Anjali's voice deepened a bit . She waited for a moment, cleared her throat, focused her thoughts and started again. "I wasn't asking chhote, I was telling you. I want to work. If not in your company, then in some other company. I have talent, I have a degree in textile and designing and moreover I have experience. You would remember that I helped you with designs in your initial projects."

"I remember di. And its not that I am against your working. I just don't want you to tire yourself."

"Chhote if I have to work in some other company, they won't be as concerned as you about my health."

"Di you are again doing it. You are using emotional blackmail."

"Chhote I am just stating the facts. And for your information, I have done my homework. You are facing problems with the anglo-indian designs project of Rodrigues and Sons. Your designers have shown you three batches of designs this week and you rejected all of them. May be I could help you with it?"

"Di!!! How did you...!!" For Arnav, it was a day of surprises. And Anjali was delivering six after six.

"Chhote!!! I haven't shown you since a long time, so its only right that I remind you. I am your ELDER sister. And I have the Raizada surname too. So, nothing is impossible for me." Anjali had that light in her eyes which can be seen only in the eyes of persons who are determined to succeed. Arnav was a businessman and knew how to read body language. And Anjali's body language was oozing every bit of confidence and determination which her language held. Arnav made his decision then, not that he had too much of choice.

"Alright Di!!! You can come to office from tomorrow. I will tell Aman to choose the best team for you."

"No chhote!! I will select my own team. They will or won't be from your office. And I assure you that my task will limit to delivering the designs only. You will have every right to reject them if you don't like them." Anjali was determined to take every risk.

"Ok di. As you say.Its decided then. Tomorrow, 10 A.M., my office." With this, Arnav left Anjali behind and went to his room, while Anjali kept watching him with a soft smile on her face.

Originally posted by: dilectus

I am so sorry for the delay. There were some unexpected guests in the house and I have just finished the whole work, along with a burned finger and elbow. I am just about to write the update, so probably it will be updated by midnight. Thank you for your patience. Sorry again.

Oh, no Dil, you don't have to apologize, there's been no delay.

Take care of the burned finger and elbow and get some rest, you must be tired out after all work you've done. Update when you are rested, we can all wait.

Sorry, by the time I posted this comment, i noticed you'd out up your update.
I'm glad it was a minor burn. Good that you enjoyed your nautanki- after all what is family life without a bit of nauatanki? ! Ha😆

Your tracing of the history of the relationship betweeen the siblings and the fractures in that relationship was superb.

But the bit that stumped me was Anjali declaring that she wants to work on designing for his company, when I was expecting her to tell him off for his bad behaviour with his wife.

Actually that was quite an interesting narrative strategy- leadiing us to believe that Anjali will be annoyed with Arnav for the way he's behaving with Khushi!

But then I feel Anjali has a plan up her sleeve and Khushi will be part of theteam that will help her!😃

That was something that could be expected of Anjali the sister of ASR.