Arhi SS l When She Rises From The Ashes l Ch 15 l Pg 75 23/11 NEW - Page 9

Originally posted by: amus5

this is quite an intriguing chapter in the sense that it shows the inner strength of Payal and that strength is dependent on the trust she has on her sister. Payal has borne everything including betrayal in her stride and was waiting to strike. She has immense confidence in her sister.

And woman power in general when Aman says the deal was won fair and square...

Originally posted by: Uzii

It's good that payal left akash as he was cheating n yes I would love to read when arnav comes to know tht his competitor is non other than his ex wife but my question is that in these past 5years payal had seen arnav suffering in his own created hell so had she told her sister abt his redemption.

Chapter Four

That afternoon Arnav got a hurried call from his Di asking him to come home as soon as possible. It was after a very long time that he got such call and he practically ran out of his office only to bump into a grim looking Akash, who too by the look of it had been leaving.

"You too got a call," Arnav asked to confirm.

Akash only nodded.

"Let's go."

As both brothers sat in the car together Arnav revved the engine but not before asking if Akash had any idea what was this urgent call for.

As the car hit the road Akash's answer almost made Arnav lose control but ASR was not known to lose control so easily. He found his composure back soon and kept driving his face now mirrored his brother's grimness.

**

"What does this mean Payel?" Manorama was shouting her lungs out. Well since she got the notice in her hand she had been doing just that. But seeing Payel enter the house nonchalantly only increased her volume several notches high.

"Mami please calm down. We can discuss this calmly. This way you only will get your BP high"

But Anjali's effort proved futile as Dadi joined in to put fuel to the fire.

"What else can we expect from this girl? She was only waiting for her chance to tarnish our name in society. I am surprised that she waited this long."

"You are right Dadi ji. She is nothing better than her sister. And how can we expect her to be anything better when she is raised by the same woman who ruined our lives 19 years back."

The scathing words were meant to hurt and it did hit the nail. Payel curled her fingers in a death grip. No one saw her reaction other than two people. Arnav, who stood at the entrance along with a rigid Akash having heard it all and Nani, who stood in a corner, her eyes burning.

**

"ENOUGH!" Arnav bellowed sending the whole area to a pin drop silence.

"We can discuss this issue like rational civil people too." He looked pointedly at the every face present there. Glad to not finding the slim in the circus.

He walked in with Akash and sat down on the sofa and ushered Payel to take a seat on the single sofa on his right. He looked at each face present there, a warning to keep their violent emotions in check and take a seat as well.

Nani, who had been a silent spectator so far, took the seat opposite to Payel, while Akash sat beside Arnav. Dadi, Mami and Anjali sat opposite to Arnav and Akash. Mamaji was abroad and Arnav was thankful that the old man did not have to witness this.

**

Arnav turned to Akash and asked quietly, "Were you aware of her intention before?"

In answer, he nodded positively and sat tensed.

"WHAT? You knew she wants a divorce and did not tell me? And here I was like a fool expecting a grandchild from this girl." Mami again burst out.

Anjali pressed her hand to calm her.

Arnav closed his eyes to calm himself down as well and then he turned to Payel and only asked: "Why?"

"What will she say? Daughter of a home wrecker. I will tell you why." Dadi was on a roll. She was waiting for one such opportunity to vent out her frustration for being ignored by Payel and Arnav for that girl.

"She did not leave with that girl and stayed put in this house even after claiming to love her sister immensely. Does not that say it all?"

She missed the mocking look that Payel gave to Arnav to which Arnav looked down clenching her fists.

Dadi was still saying, "She wanted to leave in the lap of luxury that only Raizadas can provide. But now when her mother in law expected her to fulfil at least one duty as a daughter in law of this house she doesn't want that and this is her way to run off her duties. And who knows, she may have already found another scapegoat to give her what she will leave here. After all, she is taught well by the best."

**

"Are you done?" It was Payel who broke the thick silence after Dadi's venomous monologue.

Nani kept sitting hands in her head. Mami fumed some more, Anjali was too shocked and naturally too upset to talk.

Arnav, on the other hand, was about to lash out when Payel's emotionless voice surprised him to the point where he remained silent. Akash's tension only grew tenfold. He never thought that this would be the outcome of his ego. If Payel opened her mouth before the family he would not hear the end of it.

"Mr Raizada", Payel's formal call got Arnav's attention. She never called him anything else in last five years since the day of their last fateful confrontation.

"Hope that answers your question," She stated referring what Dadi said. While Dadi, Mami and Anjali looked confused and somewhat thought that she meant that the accusations were true, Arnav and Nani knew what Payel actually meant.

This house, the family had become intolerable and did not deserve her.

Arnav cleared his throat. He was not good with words either but this was his brother's life and he did not want it to be doomed like his.

"Payel I understand, but you could have talked it out at least with your husband. Divorce is not the only solution" He did not really look at her eyes while speaking.

"I beg to differ, Mr Raizada." Payel continued business like. There is no other solution. I have already discussed this issue with Akash and kept my reasons before him, but he has chosen to ignore as always hence the legal notice."

Arnav took one look at a silent Akash and it did not take a genius to guess that the fault lies with his brother, seeing his pale face.

"And your reasons are..." Arnav still probed. He needed to know that what happened that cannot be fixed in between the couple who married for love. And who were together at the toughest time in their relation and also in the family.

**

Akash's head shot up to see a smug Payel and a scrutinising Arnav before his let his eyes travel to the other faces around him and squawked out, "I will sign the papers. No need to drag this anymore. We have already touched the limit in our relationship. Best we end it mutually. We will find our witnesses here only. Let's end this."

"Suits me," All Payel said. A ridiculing smirk taking home in her face.

She extended the legal papers she had all ready and signed by her. Akash grabbed it hurriedly and without wasting a moment signed it. He then asked Arnav and Anjali to sign it as the witness.

Speechless Anjali obliged. She looked so shocked by the turn of events that she could hardly think straight.

Arnav looked at his brother who did not meet his eyes. He turned to look at Paypal whose eyes dared him to ask anything. He saw Mami and DI had already started with their loud water work. While he did not care to look at Dadi he was surprised that Nani stayed silent for all this time and refuse to look at anyone even now.

He understood he could do nothing in this matter anymore when the said couple were eager to break the bond themselves. He signed in the place of next witness and gave the paper to Payel, who took it gladly.

"I will send a copy to you by evening and hopefully, all the formalities will be done in a couple of days." Her words were directed towards Akash.

"GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE." Dadi had to have the last words.

"Gladly." Payel mocked and called out for HP.

**

All saw HP dragging two bags. He kept the bag on the centre table as directed by Payel and left the place.

Payel opened both bags wide.

"I have already packed my clothes that are either brought from my home or bought by my own money. Jewellery that were given by my parents. Any one of you is welcome to check the contents so that we are clear that I am not taking anything of the Raizadas."

Mami was about to peep in when another "Enough" kept her in her seat while others turned to Nani, startled.

**

"I knew this day is coming. In a way I am glad. I have known for quite some time that this house has become unlivable and good that you could escape Payel Bitiya." Nani said looking straight to Payel. Her voice held emotions but same time was firm with conviction

"Nani" Anjali whispered disbelievingly. "How could you say that?" She whined accusingly.

"I can because I have eyes that I use to see, unlike others." She told Anjali then turned her eyes to see every other person present there in their eyes who for their own reason avoided the eye contact.

She got up and walked to Payel.

To everyone's shock when Payel bent down to take Nani's blessing, she stopped her and took her in a maternal embrace.

Payel on the other hand for the first time felt emotions engulf her she whispered brokenly in Nani's ear "I am sorry Dadi, but I could not humiliate the woman in me anymore."

Devyani whispered back in choked voice, "Don't apologise, bitiya. You did what is right and I also know it is time."

Shocked, Payel came out of Devyani's embrace and their eyes met.

Devyani nodded understanding the question in her eyes, "I never forgot beta."

Overwhelmed, Payel once again hugged the matriarch of the house.

As they broke apart, Nani herself closed Payel's bags and asked HP to load them in Payel's car.

"Good Bye" Payel bid adieu and walked out of RM, her head held high.

**

Nani and Arnav, both tried to leave the suffocating atmosphere and take refuge in their respective room but Mami's shrill cry and loud rant stopped them in their track.

"Oh, my poor Akash bitwa!" She went to sit by her poor bitwa and cried all over him. "How ungrateful a person can be?" She complained looking at the door from where Payel left moments ago.

Anjali too went to sit on the other side of a very uncomfortable looking Akash with all intention to console a broken husband

"You should thank your stars Manorama." It was Dadi, "Good riddance. Now you can marry Akash with a girl of your choice, who would be from a decent family a value her husband's family."

"You are right Dadiji. If I would have married my Akash with someone of my choice we wouldn't have to see this day. Oh, how will I show my face to my relatives and friends? Again our name will be dragged through the mud."

Anjali patted Mami's back herself crying copiously. Dadi pressed her lips furiously.

Unable to take the drama anymore Nani said loud for all to hear, "Sorry to break this to you Manorama, but you will be disappointed again."

All, including Arnav, looked at her confused.

"About choosing the bride for your only son." Nani looked at Akash daringly and he gulped understanding that she knew. His face turned paler.

"But rest assured she is exactly what you wanted as your daughter in law to be."

All eyes now turned to Akash who looked down ashamed to be caught by his Dadi.

"Though how much she will understand family value I have doubt regarding that Sumi"

Dadi's eyes narrowed.

"And it would be for better if you don't talk about gratefulness Manorama," this time Nani's voice was stern and full of disdain making Mami gulp.

"You always knew that Payel paid for everything she used in this house since the day five years back. She never took anything from this house in last five years to be grateful or to be called ungrateful. Not even she was paid by love." Her glare bore hole on Akash's bent head.

The information shocked Arnav above all including Akash. He can very well guess what day Nani was talking about. He doubted if she knew actually what happened that day. She might know a little but not the whole of it otherwise, she would have broken her ties with him long back if her fury right now was anything to go by.

"You knew what she said when I tried to refuse her because I know that day you were eavesdropping on our conversation."

This time, it was Mami's turn to look down.

Nani directed her next words to everyone present in there, "She said she cannot take anything from a place where people killed her sister's spirit and pushed her mother to death. She told me that she did not have the security of a family so she had decided to stay until she becomes capable of taking care of herself and move out. She even paid a handsome amount as a rent for living in this palatial house since her catering business started to flourish."

By this time nobody had the guts to look anywhere above the ground except Dadi.

"So you see some of us already knew she was bound to leave, but still, I hoped that at least one son of this house would be wise enough and held on to the gem he has acquired undeservingly but alas! He himself pushed her away and you all only hurried the process. Congratulations."

Devyani could not stand in the place anymore and left as fast as her legs could take her in her age.

Arnav was the next person to leave but not before he threw a reproachful look towards his cousin and Mami.

Anjali walked away in a daze leaving the other three to lick their own wound.

**

Hope you like this one.

And if you are wondering where is Khushi well she will make her appearance after a couple of chapters.

Thank you for your comment and support friends and if you have any doubt feel free to ask.

Oorja