Love, am I not worth it ?
Chapter 33
Next day morning
Anjali was looking around the house for Ratna and Manorama. She wanted to ask about something to her mother. But she couldn't find both of them. Soon others also started finding both of them. They searched the whole house but there was no sign of either Ratna nor Manorama.
They were worried. Both wouldn't go out of house without informing anybody. But here none had any idea where they had gone that too early morning. Thinking that they would have gone to run some errands they decided to wait for sometime.
Time passed by. It was almost noon. But there was no sign of both of them. Now everyone had started to worry. Anjali had started a little bit of water works also. Arnav was also worried.
Khushi and Arnav was at home itself from the time they have returned from Pune. Khushi had fell ill after they reached. She was on bed rest from then. Ponies were very much worried for their mother and didn't let her get up from bed. Arnav also was worried for Khushi. Moreover he was upset with all the things that happened. So he also didn't go to office.
Today morning when Khushi came down for breakfast she was informed that Ratna and Manorama are missing. She was definitely not in mood for any drama. So she didn't bothered much. She thought that they would have gone out for some work. But when they didn't returned till noon even she started getting worried a little.
Everyone was trying to reach both. They tried to call their numbers but the phones were switched off. They even called some of their friends but none had any idea where both had gone. After waiting for some more time they decided to go and search them.
They were about to go when they saw Ratna and Manorama entering inside the house through the main door. Both looked cool and nonchalant. Others were furious seeing their careless behaviour.
Arjun (angrily yelled): Where were you both? Can't you guys go after telling someone. Do you know how worried everyone was.
Ratna: Sorry. We didn't want to make you all worried. It is just that we had some work. So we went early morning. Really sorry for making you all worried.
Manohar: What was that important work you people had that you guys went without informing anybody.
Anjali: Maa, do you know how much we all were worried. How can you go without saying anybody. Even your phones were switched off. We even called your friends to know where you are. Where did you go without telling anybody.
Ratna: We had some important work...
Dadi: And what was that important work that you didn't tell any of us.
Ratna: Maaji woh...
Nani: What kind of behavior is this. Can't you say anybody before going.
Ratna: Amma, I know I did mistake but it was unintentional. I went for a very important work.
Ratna then looked at her son. He was looking at her with no emotions. She felt a pain in her heart. But she pushed it away. She knew she deserved his hatred but today she was not going to stop because of his hatred. She had to act. She had to do this for his happiness. She looked sideways and saw Khushi. Her face mirrored that of her son. Both looked like two stones without any emotions. But they were her precious stones. Now she was going to bring this two precious stones together.
Ratna went and stood in front of Arnav.
Ratna: Chote...
Arnav opened his mouth to say something. But before he could say anything Ratna interrupted him.
Ratna: I know you don't like me calling you Chote. Even doesn't want to talk to me. But please listen to me today. I know I had done a very big mistake and had broken your trust. I am really sorry for that. I know my apologies won't make any difference to what I have done. And it is entirely my fault that today you, Khushi and your kids are suffering. Just because of my one mistake you guys have lost so much and are suffering so much. Whatever happened I cannot change it. But I really want to do something to make everything fine. This was the only little thing that I could do. If you could please forgive me.
Today morning I and Manorama went to meet a lawyer. We had asked him to prepare divorce papers for you and Sheetal and also Dhruv and Shreya. (Taking something from her bag) These are the papers. Please sign them and go and get signatures from Sheetal and Shreya also.
Chote, I know you are angry with me for what I did. But this was the only thing that I could do. Please get divorce from Sheetal and end this relation. I really want you to be happy in your life with Khushi and your kids. I don't know what Khushi will decide about your future. But I really want you to end this wrong relation with Sheetal in which you are just because of me. I don't want to see you suffer because of my mistakes.
For the first time after two years others felt proud of Ratna. She had done the correct thing. Manorama also came forward and took the divorce papers. She went to Dhruv with it.
Manorama: Hello Hai Bye Bye, Dhruv bitwa. I know you are very much sad thinking about Shreya's betrayal. But this is for your own good. That girl was never good for you. It was just a mistake. Please get divorce from her and end this relation. I know it is very difficult for you. But please do it, bitwa. Forget her and move on in your life. Don't ruin your life because of that witch.
Dhruv (taking a deep breath): OK Maa. I will do it. I will get divorce from Shreya.
Manorama (smiling): That's good. Now say bye bye to Shreya and Hello Hai to happiness.
Manorama happily hugged Dhruv. Ratna looked expectantly at Arnav.
Ratna: Chote...
Arnav (taking a deep breath): No. I am not getting any divorce from Sheetal.
Ratna (shocked): Chote...
Others were also looking at him shocked. They never expected Arnav to say something like this. They thought Arnav would happily agree to divorce Sheetal. Julian and Neha were furious. They looked like they are going to pounce on Arnav any moment. But all this time Arnav's eyes were only on one person. Khushi. He was looking at her keenly. But her face was expressionless. There was no emotions on her face. Not even when he refused to divorce Sheetal.
Anjali was angry at her brother. True she only wanted Arnav to marry Sheetal. But now there was not a single person more than her who wants Sheetal out of Arnav's life . After all he was her little brother. She loved him despite everything and couldn't see him sad. But now when he refused to divorce Sheetal she was damn angry on him.
Anjali (angrily): Chote, what are you saying. Why don't you want to divorce Sheetal. Maa had herself got divorce papers for you. But you are refusing to divorce that b****h. Have you gone mad.
Arnav was looking only at Khushi. His eyes were only on her.
Arnav (taking another deep breath, looking straight at Khushi's eyes): Why should I divorce Sheetal when I didn't marry her at the first place.
Khushi looked at Arnav's eyes. She could see honesty in his eyes. She felt a current passing through her seeing his eyes. His eyes spoke volume. Her heartbeat increased. What was happening. She felt an unknown fear inside her heart hearing him.
Others looked at Arnav with confusion. What the hell was he saying. They have seen him marrying Sheetal in front of their eyes and now he is saying that he never married Sheetal.They looked at him for answers.
Arnav went and stood in front of Khushi looking at her eyes. Khushi was also looking at his eyes. But seeing it's intensity she couldn't look more and closed her eyes.
Arnav: I never married Sheetal. It was the truth. When I saw Maa sick, I was very much worried. So I said yes for marriage in front of her. But after coming back home I was very much upset. Then I called Aman and asked him to make arrangements for a fake marriage. I knew that Di would be doing arrangements for marriage so I asked Aman to bring some of our men and mingle them with the people Di had called. Later when Di was busy in other things then we made all the real people go away and only our men remained. Everything was fake. Even the priest, the rituals, everything. Since everything happened in a rush nobody came to know the truth. Dada-Dadi and Nana-Nani didn't attend the wedding. Also Maa was ill. So nobody noticed that the rituals were fake. All that happened that day was fake. No marriage happened at all.
But one mistake happened in our planning. I wanted to tell Khushi about everything before the fake marriage. But even after calling a lot I couldn't reach her. Her phone was switched off. I knew that Khushi was going to come on that day but didn't expect her to come at that time. I even sent Aman to get Khushi from Airport and tell her everything but before he could reach Khushi already left from there. And all my planning ruined.
I didn't expect her to come there at that time. I wanted to go behind her but you guys didn't allow me. I was helpless. I thought that I will do a fake marriage in front of Maa for then and once she becomes fine I will try to make her understand and when Khushi will get pregnant everything will be fine and I will tell truth to you all. But everything got ruined. Khushi came on wrong time and saw all that. Before I could explain I lost her.
I tried to tell her truth many times but every time before I could say anything Khushi used to stop me. When that day Khushi came to take her things I tried to talk to her but she wasn't ready to listen to me. I am not blaming her because in that situation anybody would have reacted like her only. I knew she was hurt beyond limits so that only she was behaving like that. Later when I was about to talk to Khushi, she didn't listen to me and told about what Maa and Di had done. I was shocked.
I never expected both of them to do something like that. Even before I could come out of my shock, Khushi had left after signing the divorce papers. I tried to search her but came to know that she had left the country. I was lost. I lost the most important person in my life. I didn't knew what to do.
Anjali: Then why didn't you tell the truth to us. Why did you let Sheetal stay as your wife. You never told anyone about the fake marriage.
Arnav: What was the use. I had already lost Khushi. I was doing all that to save my marriage. But when I lost Khushi itself then what was the use by telling you the truth. Moreover if I would have told you the truth then you would have tried everything to get me married to Sheetal in actual. With Khushi gone I also didn't had any way to stop you. So I didn't tell truth to you all.
I let you people think that I have actually married Sheetal so you guys won't go pester me to get married. Well anyways even if I would have married Sheetal then also that marriage was illegal.
Everyone frowned hearing that.
Akash: How.
Arnav: Because I and Khushi were never divorced.
Khushi's eyes widened at that. She was looking at Arnav straight in his eyes. Arnav slightly smiled at her.
NK: But you guys signed the divorce papers, right. Then how come you guys are not divorced.
Arnav: No NK. I agree Khushi signed the divorce papers but I never signed them. Soon after Khushi left, I also went out. After spending sometime alone I went to meet Khushi, but I came to know that Khushi left the country. When I came back I saw the divorce papers on the place where Khushi had left it. I was so angry and upset that I tore them into pieces.
Arnav looked at Khushi. She was not wearing any signs of marriage. No mangalsutra nor Sindoor. He felt a pang in his heart. Khushi was looking at Arnav's eyes only. Her face held a lot of expressions. Pain. Hurt. But above everything guilt. She closed her eyes in guilt. All those times that she refused to hear Arnav or give him chance to explain came in front of her.
She felt suffocated. May be if she had given Arnav a chance to explain earlier then everything would have been different. Just like Arnav never gave her chance to say about Ponies she also never gave him chance to explain about his marriage to Sheetal. She could understand how Arnav would have felt.
Tears started rolling down from the sides of her closed eyes. Arnav was looking at her. When he saw tears on her cheeks he felt sad. He didn't want to make her feel guilty. He knew it wasn't her fault. Anybody in her place would react like that.
Arnav came forward and softly cupped her face with his hands. With his thumbs he slowly wiped the tears from her the corner of her eyes. Khushi opened her eyes and looked at him. There were unshed tears in her eyes. Taking his hands away from her face, Arnav looked at her face.
Her face was full of guilt. He could feel the silent apology in her eyes. Taking a deep breath Arnav looked around. Others were looking at them with a soft smile. Arnav looked back at Khushi while she was continuously looking at him. Taking her small soft hands in his big rough ones, he pulled her and took her to the mandir in the house. Others also though confused silently followed them.
Standing in front of the mandir, Arnav looked at Khushi once. Then putting his hands in his pant pockets he pulled out his wallet. Opening it he took out something. Khushi gasped looking at it. Her Mangalsutra. The same mangalsutra that she left in Shantivan along with the divorce papers. Looking at Arnav's eyes her doubts were confirmed. It was the same mangalsutra. He had kept it with him all this time.
Khushi pressed her lips together so as to suppress the sob that escaped her mouth seeing his love. Once again looking at her eyes Arnav asked a silent permission. Khushi closed her closed. Coming forward Arnav softly placed the mangalsutra around her neck and tightened the hooks. He then took a pinch of Sindoor from the mandir and filled her forehead. Once again a lone tear rolled down from the side of her closed eyes.
Arnav wiped the lone tear and gently placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Khushi opened her eyes and looked up at Arnav's face once again. Not being able to take the emotions anymore, Khushi ran away from there. Nobody stopped her, they knew that she needed sometime. Everyone was happy. There was a full blown smile on every face.
The only people missing was Ponies. The little ones were in their room playing unknown to the things happening downstairs. The person who was most happy was Ratna. She felt like a heavy burden was taken away from her heart. She looked at her son. He saw a soft smile on his lips. His eyes were sparkling.
After two years she was seeing her son finally happy from heart. She wanted that to remain. For that she had one more thing to do. She had to completely correct the mistake she did. And she was going to do that. She smiled.
***************
Later that evening
Dhruv and Ratna stood in front Shantivan. After the incident everyone was happy. Even though Khushi and Arnav stayed in their rooms, others had a happy lunch with some jokes and humor. Ponies were also there. As usual they were playing pranks on others. But in their happy and cheerful mood nobody took notice and happily let them play whatever pranks they wanted to pull on anybody.
Seeing their pranks working even Ponies were happy. All in all there was happiness all around Paradise. Later after lunch, Dhruv announced that he was going to meet Shreya to get signatures on divorce papers. But what baffled everyone was Ratna's decision to accompany him. When she was questioned about the reason she simply said that she had some unfinished business there. Reluctantly everyone allowed her to go.
Now both of them stood before Shantivan (Raizada Mansion). They saw the guards at the gate. Being loyal to Raizadas they let them in without questions. The door was opened by the maid. Entering inside they saw Shreya and Sheetal sitting in the sofa reading magazine.
They looked around. Tears welled up in Ratna's eyes. Her house which she had taken care of all her life. But quickly wiping her tears Ratna composed herself. She was not here to shed tears. She was here for a purpose. Showing her weak side won't help her.
Once they entered, Sheetal and Shreya looked up and saw them. They were shocked. It was evident from their faces that they weren't expecting them. But quickly masking their feelings both of them smiled evilly.
Dhruv and Ratna felt disgusted. Nevertheless they came forward and stood in front of them.
Shreya: Oh my god, who is here. My dear husband Dhruv Singh Raizada. Look Sheetal, even your sweet mother in-law Ratna Raizada is also here. (She laughed)
Dhruv and Ratna felt disgusted when Shreya addressed them as husband and mother in-law.
Sheetal: So my dear Sasumaa and devarji how come you guys are here. If there was any work then you could have called us. We would have come. By the way where are you guys staying now. In roads or you guys have managed to get a one room apartment in some chawl. (She laughed mockingly)
Dhruv clenched his fist in anger. But Ratna gestured him to calm down.
Ratna (with confidence): Oh thank you so much for your concern Sheetal. I never knew that you're so concerned about us. Well anyways you don't worry. Where ever we are staying we are very good and fine.
Hearing her reply, smile vanished from Shreya and Sheetal's faces. They became angry.
Shreya: Hey look you old woman. Don't you dare use that tone with us. You don't know anything about us. You can't even imagine what we can do to you. You will regret for your whole life.
Dhruv: Shut up Shreya. Don't you dare say anything to Badimaa. I won't leave you.
Ratna (smiling): Calm down Dhruv. Why are you getting angry. (Turning to Shreya) So what was you telling. Ya, we don't know anything about you. We can't even imagine what you can do to us, right. Well Shreya, you are right. We didn't knew anything about you both. But now we know everything about you. Prostitution, drug addict, alcoholic, murderer, human trafficking etc etc etc. Right Shreya. All these na. We know.
Hearing all these, Shreya and Sheetal started sweating. Apart from Khushi nobody never knew their reality. They always kept the truth hidden from the world that what they used to do. But hearing that from Ratna they felt scared and exposed. They never wanted their ugly truth to come out in the open.
Shreya (angrily): Hey you...you...
Ratna (smiling again): Relax Shreya. Why are you getting hyper. Anyways leave all these. We will come to the matter for which we came here. Dhruv...
Dhruv took out the papers and gave it to Shreya.
Dhruv: These are divorce papers. I have signed it. You also sign it.
Shreya (laughing): Oh so this is the matter. Anyways it is good. Even I am not interested in this relation. (Looking at Dhruv) Who wants to be the wife of a looser like you. (She mocked)
Taking the papers she signed in one go.
Shreya: So here you go. I have signed the papers. Finally I am free from an idiot like you.
Dhruv took the papers and looked at it. The next thing everyone heard was a sharp slap sound that rang around Shantivan. Shreya stood with her face turned to the left, her right hand on her burning cheek and a split at the corner of her lips and blood oozing from it.
Shreya (angrily): You... How dare you slap me.
Dhruv (equally angry): Shut up you bi***h. You are asking me how dare I. Well I dare. I dare much more than this. What did you thought you will do whatever you like and we will sit quiet. Well you are very much wrong. I should have given this slap long back. But it got late. Anyways better late than never. And listen you bi***h just stay away from my family. Otherwise I won't leave you.
Ratna (holding Dhruv's hand): Calm down Dhruv. Leave all these. She is not worth your love or anger. Just forget her.
Sheetal came beside Shreya and calmed her down.
Sheetal ( turning to Ratna and smiling viciously): What happened Sasumaa. Don't you have any divorce papers. Doesn't your son want divorce from me. Even he didn't came to see me. (Pretending to remember) Oh I remember. Mumma said that he is staying with his ex-wife. So doesn't he want divorce from me. I thought that he must be waiting divorce from me so that he could go back to his ex-wife and live happily with her. Anyways he always loved her right. (Making a sad face) Never loved me. Even after trying so much. He always loved her. Even you also did so much to unite us but still he chose to remain loyal to her only. You know I have felt very bad about it. I mean just look at me. Can you see any fault. Am I not hot, sexy. Let me tell you I am great in bed also. But still he wanted her. I mean what is there in her that I don't have. Trust me he will surely regret one day for rejecting me.
Dhruv and Ratna felt disgusted by her words. They felt like vomiting. They felt guilty that they have been thinking this venomous snake as a good and traditional girl.
Ratna: It was good that he always remained loyal to his wife. I am proud of my son that he didn't fell in your ugly trap. And what did you ask what is there in her than you don't have. Well even if I answer that question also you won't understand. Because the words like kind, good hearted, traditional, etc. are above your understanding so you better don't try. Well you were asking about divorce papers right. I have come here to give answers to that only.
Since you have asked let me tell you there is no divorce papers. Trust me even I wanted my son to get divorce from you. I even made divorce papers. But do you know what happened. When I asked him to get divorce from you he said no. Wait Wait wait. Don't get me wrong. I didn't mean that Arnav doesn't want to divorce you. He said that why he should divorce a girl who he hasn't married in the first place.
Sheetal (shocked): What...
Ratna (smiling): Well it is true. Even we were shocked when he said this. But do you know what you are right. Arnav loved no loves Khushi more than anything in this world. There is nothing that can separate them. So what happened was. The plan you had made to make Arnav married to you was superb. Even I as a fool helped you. But the one thing that you forgot is you were playing with ASR and the thing is nobody can't play with him and get away easily. So you made a plan to make him get married to you but he made a even better plan and staged a fake marriage.
Shreya and Sheetal (shocked): Whaat...
They both looked as if their eyes are going to prop out of its sockets.
Ratna: Yes. The marriage that happened between you and Arnav was fake. The pandit, the rituals everything was fake. So technically the thing is you were never married to Arnav. Arnav always had only one wife and that is Khushi.
Sheetal (smirking): Well she is not his wife anymore. They are divorced.
Ratna : Tu Tu Tu. How much of misunderstandings you people have. Well it is like Arnav and Khushi were never divorced. Because first of all Arnav didn't sign the divorce papers and moreover he tore away the papers.
Shreya and Sheetal were shocked would be an understatement. They almost felt like the surrounding are spinning. All that they had done to separate Arnav and Khushi went in drain. Nor they got separated nor they were divorced. Everything was fake.
Ratna: Now the thing for which I came here. (To Sheetal) Go and get the mangalsutra that Arnav have tied in your neck. I know it doesn't hold any value. Still that mangalsutra doesn't belong to you. The mangalsutra with my son's name only belong to his wife Khushi not someone like you. Now go and get it.
Dhruv (To Shreya): Even I want the mangalsutra back. I don't want that mangalsutra to remain with you.
Shreya and Sheetal looked at them angrily.
Ratna (sternly): Look we don't have the entire day to stand here and wait for you guys to get it. So go and get it fast. Well I won't be surprised if you guys don't have that. If that is the case you guys can say that.
Shreya and Sheetal glared at Ratna. Stomping their feet on the ground they both went to their rooms. Fee minutes later both came with mangalsutra and gave it Dhruv and Ratna. After getting that Dhruv and Ratna started to go. But Ratna stopped suddenly.
Dhruv: What happened Badimaa.
Ratna (pretending to think): Wait did I forget something. Ah yes.
Ratna came and stood in front of Sheetal. Both Sheetal and Shreya frowned. But before they could react, Shantivan witnessed the sound of another slap for the day. But this time Sheetal stood with her hand on cheek and split lips.
Ratna: Well this was for hurting my children.
Again before Sheetal could recover another slap landed on her other cheek.
Ratna: This was for trying to break my family.
<Slap><Slap><Slap><Slap>
Ratna: This was for killing my grandchild
(in thoughts) for trying to kill Ponies.
<Slap>
Ratna: This was for hurting Khushi everytime.
<Slap>
Ratna: Well this one was for your mother. Since she isn't here. I am giving it to you. Tell her not to call my Khushi characterless again. Otherwise I will pull her tongue out. Characterless women like you and your mother doesn't have any right to say such things about my daughter. Got it.
After so many slaps Sheetal's face had bruises all over. She fell on the nearby sofa feeling dizzy. Shreya was frightened. She gulped and went to help her friend. Before they could react, Ratna and Dhruv went away.
The old loyal servants of Shantivan smiled internally seeing the state of the snakes.
Well that's for this chapter. I took too many days. I know. I am trying to update earlier but for some reasons I couldn't write. That is the reason for the break but I will try to update earlier.
Well regarding this chapter, it was a twist. From the time I have introduced the twist of Arnav and Sheetal's marriage this is the most frequently asked questions. Whether Arnav and Khushi are divorced. Well I guess I answered it. If you see the past chapters you will see Arnav always trying to say something. But never getting a chance. Well he always try to tell truth about marriage but never gets chance. In the starting of the story many asked why Khushi never told Arnav about Ponies even when she stayed with him. At that time I couldn't answer it properly. But the thing is in both cases they try to tell the other truth but they doesn't get chance. It is a very sensitive topic on both times so they tries to tell the other without hurting their emotions. Sometimes we try to tell a person something for a long time but the circumstances doesn't favour us. It was what happened to Arnav and Khushi. I hope you understand it.
Please please please comment on this part. The comment on this part is very crucial. Then only I will understand if I am going in right track. I want everyone's opinion about this chapter and if you want anything particular.
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
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