Smitar's: Saving Khushi#2 Part 14 Pg 111 (9/10) - Page 48

Awesome...

Finally Shyam is out of their life... Lakhmiji has done a great job...😆

hats off payal for the present of mind and distracting Shyam... That snake didn't even care for his child...

Continue soon...

Originally posted by: rulama

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation for Part 11.

This update is about the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. It is also being or manifesting the proof. In a word, EVIDENCE.

A panic stricken Shyam frantically looked around for the missing papers. For those papers were the proof, his trump card, based on which he was about to accuse Arnav and Khushi and pull them down from the moral high ground that they had taken up. The sight that met his gaze made his heart miss a beat and his blood run cold. Seeing his expression, all followed his gaze to the corner of the room only to see that Laxmi chewing on those papers. She was chewing the last of his papers with gusto for she had found it to make a delicious snack. As Shyam tossing his bag aside, ran up to her giving a loud yelp of alarm to pull out the remnants of the papers from her mouth, Laxmi realizing that she was soon to be deprived of her snack by the pursuer, quickly rolled it into a ball with her tongue and gobbled it up. Shyam came to a stop by her, his footwear making a squeaky squishy sound leaving the skid marks on the surface of the floor. Pulling his hair out in frustration, he shouted, at it as dumb goat and he just managed to stammer you... you... in anger that had reached it pinnacle! Laxmi bared her teeth wide demonstrating as though she was admonishing him for trying to steal its food! Addressing her, Shyam stuttered, she ate his papers, repeatedly, unable to believe what he witnessed with his own two eyes. But as the saying goes, ignorance is bliss, she with her doleful eyes looked at the ghar jamai as though saying et tu Brute, And you, Brutus, you are betraying and backstabbing, there is no end to your stupidity. Duh!

NK asked him softly, was he asking Laxmi about his papers? The very same papers, the one he stole from Nannav's cabinet after opening it with a duplicate key that he has got it done for that very purpose? His words had all gasp with shock! It was like an obvious slap on Shyam's face but Shyam was shameless and tried to ignore NK. As Mr.Singhal's phone beeped and went out to take his call in peace, Shyam who broke out in cold sweat time and again was asked by a smiling Mr.Sharma, so he was even adept at stealing too! NK, with a slight shrug and his lips curled in derision, responded that he breaks in and steals, there was no doubt about that but he is definitely not adept. That part was debatable as the key he used had got stuck and it is still there itself was a testimony. Shaking his head at the blunder Shyam had committed, thinking that even while thieving he was like a cat that licks the prohibited cream with its eyes closed thinking nobody would see it doing so, he said, Jijaji was not even aware that his moves were being recorded. Sharma who was looking at Shyam with pseudo-pity for his hotch-potch work till then, had to look away to hide his laughter. It was a sign that showed how inept they felt Shyam was! Shyam saw red and directed his anger on the only one who would not answer him back, may be just meh..., saying that their stupid dunce of a goat ate his evidence but the truth of the matter was... giving it a dramatic pause as he saw Mr.Singhal come in and take his seat, while Arnav clasped Khushi's hand. As though he was in a court room after deposing, placing his closing argument, he continued to suggest by repeating, that the truth of the matter was that the wedding between their Star Arnav and their Sainted Khushi was only a contract marriage, not a real one. Shyam pompously declared, and looked around for exclamations and scandalized expressions from the family.

But for Shyam it was a day of pit-falls and disappointments, and it continued to be so. It turned out to be a dud failing to detonate as the Raizadas' were too exhausted after the revelation of the true face of their jamai raja to react violently to the new piece of news. Anjali was too broken about the state of her own marriage to weep over somebody else's marriage or the lack of it. For Guptas' with their simplicity and lack of education were unable to understand what a contract marriage meant. Their look at Arnav and Khushi was filled with mild curiosity. Finally, Nani not reposing her faith on Shyam's words asked Chotey, was he speaking the truth? Or was it another of his rigmarole adding to the rest of his rambling stories? It was an indication of how the information even if it was the truth when uttered by a man of stained character with tainted motives was difficult to believe. Only when it comes from the horse's mouth would it have any standing. Arnav in a soft voice that held utmost respect to his Nani who had taken the place of their mother after her daughter's untimely demise, told her that, Shyam had caught hold of Khushi on their terrace on the night of Akash's marriage. He was a witness, and had heard from the side lines Shyam declare his love to her, telling her that he was willing to leave Di for her. When he had cornered Shyam later, and asked him about the state of affairs, he had admitted with a swagger that, he and Khushi loved each other and that he meant to leave Di. It was a clear indicator for all that Shyam was playing Anjali for a fool while he was trying to sow wild oats. All faces except for those of Mr. Singhal and Mr. Sharma that had turned towards him had lost its pallor. For Mr. Singhal and Mr. Sharma it was just a routine hearing as it was more or less similar to quite a few cases in their line of work, and were used to this. For them it was corroboration to the facts of many of his misdeeds that were apparent now.

Arnav continued to tell his Nani that he had gone to inform Di about it and as luck would have it she fainted and it was found that she was carrying. Hearing it, Nani buried her head in her hand. So he was not able to tell her anything and he had felt that it was his responsibility to keep her happy till she gave birth to a healthy baby. This was a clincher that made him take drastic decision. He admitted to being taken for a ride as he was foolish enough to believe Shyam's words of lies that Khushi was in love with him. This had Guptas' gasping at the mammoth misconception that Arnav had on Khushi. He conceded that he made a mistake in assuming that both of them were planning to destroy Di's life. In order to keep Khushi away from Shyam, for the next six months that it would take Di to deliver, he had forced Khushi in to a contract marriage for the same period with the sword on her head that, if not complied Payal's wedding with Akash would break-off. The Raizadas' and the Guptas' just stared with their mouth wide agape in shock at what they heard. He told them, that was how they had turned up married on the same night as Akash and Payal's wedding. After the marriage, he had slowly realized that things were not as they seemed. Reality was not what he had perceived it to be. He started getting and seeing indicators that Shyam had lied, it was only Shyam who had amorous intentions and Khushi was as much a victim as his Di was and she had hated even his shadow falling nearby. As Arnav paused, all looked silently at Arnav and Khushi. But Shyam, who was cheesed off, came down upon them like a ton of bricks, bursting out that when no one saw their marriage how could it be assumed that they had really married? They had been living together like a husband and wife in one room. He thought, now with no documentation of their marriage, he had them in a loop and could swing things his way. His legal brain had caught on that it was a hurried marriage with no witnesses to testify and the families who held moral high ground were bound to turn their back on the two love-birds. With these thoughts, he let out his mad laughter, lauding himself for his excellent work of exposing Arnav and Khushi from their perch.

His statement elicited a whispered query, Chotey..? from two people, Nani and Anjali, at the same time, their voice filled with pain and disbelief. Pain, they felt at the injustice meted to Khushi, and disbelief, at him following his father's footsteps which they could not comprehend as Arnav abhorring even to be under the shade of his father's surname, Malik, had changed into his mother's, Raizada. That being the testimony for his loathing towards his father and anything connected to him, they were at a loss to listen to him being accused of following his father's footsteps. Arnav asked his Nani softly yet confidently, does she consider him as just Aravind Malik's son? Does Ratna Raizada's blood too not run in his veins? Nani and Mami with tears welled eyes concurred, that he had more of his mother's traits than his father's. He turned to the Guptas' and addressing them as Amma, Babuji and Buaji, he told that he was brought up by his Di, Nani, and Mami. So that should be the cue to them for the upbringing he had irrespective of what was trying to be proved. He had been angry with Khushi, cruel to her at times too, but had never forced himself on her or exercised his conjugal rights. They had lived like two strangers under one roof. The Raizadas' and the Guptas' nodded at this significant statement for they could hear the ring of sincerity in his voice. But Shyam burst out laughing, fury making it sound like the cackles of a maniac and shrieked who would believe him, Saale Sahab? It was Khushi who gave him the fitting reply that, anybody who knows Arnavji will not have any problem with it. They would not seek any testimonial. Arnavji was not a cheap scoundrel like him and it was not fair to be tarred with the same brush. Turning towards the family she substantiated Arnav's statement by asserting that, Arnavji married her that way due to a misunderstanding, but by giving her the protection of his name, he had saved her from the attacks of this... this cheap, atrocious bummer, from a fate worse than death. All looked at each other while Anjali cried a river silently as her entire world and its beauty had come to an end and all she could see were the broken visages and dreams. She was made to face with the dissimilarity indices of her dream world with that of reality.

It was then, Buaji came up with a query that everyone wanted to ask, when does the contract end? The reason was that, Khussi would not be able to stay with him after that period as it would be inappropriate without being his legal wife. It was a clear sign that all had taken Arnav's words as truthful while Shyam's claims were brushed aside. Arnav in a soft voice asked Buaji, not to fret over the contract wedding as they had got married last evening at Devi Maiyya's temple and their marriage was already registered. He gave them the details and as proof, passed on the pictures taken then of all the rituals. All were stumped and in awe of how Arnav has got things done smoothly and corrected a folly. Shyam was left foaming at the mouth, at the turn of events that he least expected. Arnav explained that, he was really sorry to deprive them of a chance to be present at the wedding as desperate times called for desperate measures. When NK called and said that Shyam had ransacked his room and taken away a certain document from his filing cabinet, he knew that it must be the contract marriage papers making it a necessity to act quickly. Buaji addressing her Titliyaa asked, did she marry Arnav Bitwaa because she wanted to marry him, Nandkisore? Or did she do it to defeat this... this vile man? pointing to Shyam, who was seen quivering fitfully with anger. Buaji wanted confirmation from Khushi that she was not coerced once again. Khushi with conviction that was obvious to all in the room in her demeanor, her voice and her eyes told her that it was because she wanted to marry Arnavji and though embarrassed to say aloud, yet declared that she likes him very much and looked down at her lap. The rosy tints on her cheeks that were spreading its glow spoke how much she cared for her husband and were by themselves an affirmation of her feelings. Buaji convinced with her answer asked Arnav, why was it he married Khussi? Buaji's thorough investigation to assure herself and the rest that they were bound for the lifetime and not another contractual bond or to throw dust into Shyam's eyes, had Arnav answering her truthfully with confidence that he married her because he loved her very much and he does not have any inclination to spend a moment of his life without her by his side. He had planned to propose to her on Akash and Payal's wedding day, manifesting that his intentions all along had been pure and sincere, but everything had gone awry and things had taken a wrong turn. The Raizadas' and the Guptas' were a relieved lot.

As Mr. Sharma, the police officer stood up and told them that it was time to take Shyam Manohar Jha into their custody, Arnav, Akash and NK too stood up with him with Mr. Singhal standing behind them. When Mr. Sharma approached Shyam, with quick reflex and an unexpected move Shyam pulled out a gun from his pocket and rushed to Anjali. Pulling her up from her seat, locking his beefy arm around her neck, he held her at gunpoint. This act of his evinced an intention that he had harbored all along. It demonstrated the fact, he cared tuppence to his wife and she was his Rani Sahiba only till she could provide him all that he needed. As Arnav, NK and Akash leapt forward, they were held in check by Shyam who pressed the muzzle of his gun against Anjali's temple. This sudden act of deviousness had Nani, Amma, Mami and Buaji jump out of their skin and gasp Anjali Bitiyaa..., while Anjali scared stiff, stared at her family with wide, shocked eyes. Her mind started to swirl with the question as to who was this man with whom she had shared her life for the past 3 years. The man she had known seemed to be just a figment of her imagination. His insane laughter was accompanied by an equally insane babbling asking them, will they arrest him. With his eyes gone glassy, he taunted Arnav, he would kill his precious Di, the witch, who was always whining, always complaining, always calling him to check where he was! She had the audacity to keep checking on him! Mimicking Anjali to perfection he said, Shyamji, why is the balance in our account so low? Chotey credited two lakhs just yesterday, did not he? Shyamji, why are the credit card bills so high? Shyamji, where are you? Shyamji, Shyamji, Shyamji, her chanting was getting on his nerves! Saying so he tightened his arm around Anjali's neck making her gasp out for breath while the older ladies whimpered, Anjali Bitiyaa...Khushi called out Di... as she looked helplessly at the scene that was unfolding in front of her eyes. She noted that she was in direct view of the rascal, and could not move a finger without drawing his attention to her. The same was the case with Arnavji, Nanheji and Akash Jiju. Mr. Singhal and Mr. Sharma too were stuck right in front of the devil.

Shyam, who started to erupt like a volcano and spew out all the bitter venom that he had stored inside him muttered, that she was the spawn of the devil that would not die even after he cut the brake cables... All stared at him in shock, had their hearts in their mouths. From his demeanour, it was apparent that he was on a roll. Unmindful of the audience and taken in by insanity at the face of defeat of his entire well laid out devilish plans he babbled out, that neither the scorpion would bite her, nor the ether in the perfume bottle would set her aflame... It was like a smoking gun, a self attestation to his crime deeds statement. Shyam like a demented fool barked madly his complaints to the sky just like a coyote howling at the moon. He rammed the gun against Anjali's temple, hurting her. Arnav tried to reason out and appeal to his non-existent paternal instincts saying, his child, his rajkumari... But all he got for his attempt was a loopy laughter and a spat on the ground saying, who wanted that tyke? He laughed out loud looking at all and thinking how he had fooled them all. His insane laughter filled every nook and cranny of the house. As his eyes fell on Babuji in his wheelchair, he began to spew his hatred, calling him an old fool! He was the culprit who was responsible for all this. Boring him with his stare he spat out, you! He should have killed the old man when he had the chance instead of just causing a stroke. He should have sent him packing off the face of this earth, should have strangled him. But for the cunning old codger, he would have been married to Khushi with no one being any wiser. It was a testament on how much Shyam had pre-planned things and he was not averse to trampling others to gain his end. All stared at the evil man in their midst.

Payal, who was standing to the left of Shyam, slightly behind him looked at the small urn on a stand next to her and then at Akash. He was intently looking at her. Understanding what he was trying to convey that she better go for it without a care of it being a priceless artifact an indicator for he was with her. With trembling hands, she lifted the urn and smashed it on the floor. The noise was something that made all turn towards it and as Shyam turned his head to look at her, Arnav, NK and Akash pounced on him and knocked the gun out of Shyam's hand. It all happened within a fraction of a second before Shyam could even bat his eyelids. Quickly Khushi retrieved the gun from the ground and that heralded the free for all brawl. Arnav freeing his Di from the clutches of the thug, shoved her aside away from Shyam's reach making her land in the open arms of Nani and Mami. While Arnav took care of Anjali, Akash and NK who were pumped up by anger and derision, started a slug-fest with a difference. They made Shyam their punching bag, jabbing him left and right, tossing him to and fro showing their boxing prowess with utmost glee. Shyam who was first shocked recovered quickly to defend himself, making use of all his muscles and his experience in the street brawls, but even his beefy body and defense were not enough in front of the spirited punches of the brothers, driven by the need to punish the skunk who had tried his utmost to charm and to harm their Di and Khushiji. This testified the fact that Shyam had committed the unthinkable and had a crossed his limits and the boundaries of their tolerance. Buaji and Mami were quite vociferous in their support, egging on the boys to go full zoom. Anjali collapsed on the sofa sobbing, hugging her Nani.

Arnav comforted her, making sure that she was fine. Khushi and Payal sat by her, rubbing her back, consoling her and showing their solidarity with her. Once his Di had been consoled a bit and the boys had exhausted themselves, Arnav took over. He treated Shyam to knuckle sandwiches, fist of fives, gave a thumper and topped it with a near throttle, for playing with the lives of two women in his life. That was an illustration he gave Shyam, the low scum, for messing the lives of his Di and his Khushi. Once the men were finished with Shyam, Mr. Sharma summoned the police men waiting outside the house. They led away a Shyam, who was left with a bloody face, a broken nose, a black eye, a broken arm, a few crushed ribs, looking like a street bum involved in a bloody street brawl, an epitome of an unkempt tramp with no name, no one to claim, as soiled outside as he was inside.

Arnav carried Anjali up to her bedroom with all the family members trailing her, except Amma and Babuji. As Anjali wept, tears like liquid silver trickled and soon fell over her cheeks like a fretful stream, and Arnav hugged her close, telling her without words that whatever happens, he would always be there with her. It was apparent that even after all the turmoil Anjali still held the trophy, a proof that she was indeed a winner, with her family closing in on her, for blood is thicker than water and family is about faith, loyalty and who you love.

That is why this is titled EVIDENCE.

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence"

~ John Adams

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.