Chapter 10
After two days, Shantivan
After finding Sheetal at the doorstep in that condition, HP immediately informed other family members. But by the time everyone arrived, her condition was very bad. She was literally shivering in cold and unconscious.
They took her to hospital and admitted her there. After appointing a nurse to take care of her, everyone came back. Even though Arnav felt a slight guilty seeing Sheetal's condition, he didn't show it. It didn't bothered him what she was doing or what happened to her.
He had more important matters in his hands that he had to take care of. One being an extremely angry Khushi. Ever since they had come back from the party she was giving him cold treatment. He knew that the reason is him taking Sheetal with him to party. Even though she didn't showed that she was angry on him. But Arnav could feel her anger in the way she worked.
She had made it so difficult for him to even take a breath. She was literally making him face hell. In the initial days of them working on the project, everything was going smoothly. Even if he made any mistakes, she would rectify him. But now the plates have turned. Even a slight mistake from his part, she would bring hell upon him.
Another problem was even though both the companies have equal share in the project, if a problem arrives then his company would be the one suffering. Khushi's being the top international company won't be much affected with the consequences of the project. Khushi knows about it so she is taking full advantage of it and making it literally difficult for him.
Arnav was trying to pacify her somehow but she wasn't paying any heed to him keeping it completely professional between them. He had no choice but to behave professional with her.
One the other hand, Payal was also giving tough time to Akash. She had literally made him her slave saying that because of him her leg was dislocated and she couldn't do any work. So he had to do all her work.
She was making him run behind her doing all the odd jobs that she says. From painting her nails to ironing her clothes. If he makes even a single mistake, then she would take the whole house on her head. He had to literally beg in front of her to forgive him.
It was morning. It had been two days since the party. The atmosphere of Shantivan had changed drastically since that. The two sisters had made everyone's life so difficult citing the excuse that because of them one of there guest (Payal) is suffering so much.
Not only Akash, even Anjali had to run behind Payal with everything that she wants every few minutes. Today morning also, the scenario was no different. Anjali was running between kitchen and dining hall every few minutes to get all the things that Payal would demand.
Seeing Anjali's state, Mami said.
Mami: What is this, Anjali Bitiya. You have been running around from morning. Now enough. Come, sit here and have your food.
Anjali was going to say something but cutting her Payal said.
Payal: You're right, Mrs Raizada. Miss Raizada has been running around for a long time doing work. It's really bad. I have an idea. Why don't you make your sons marry. Like that you will get free servants to do household works.
Hearing that both Arnav and Akash were shocked. Arnav who was drinking water choked making all the water to spit directly on Mami who was sitting in front of him. While Akash also choked on his food and started coughing badly.
Everyone was surprised to hear Payal asking Mami to get her sons married. They never expected her to say that.
Payal (continued): In fact I will suggest you to get them married to some middle class girls. In that case you can always make them do all household works and nobody will question you also. And for other things your sons could have an extra marital affair with some high society girls or they can get married again. You know these middle class girls won't say anything about all these as they would be so helpless among the high society people and their money power. Also in that way Miss Raizada will get rest and then she can visit her boyfriend or husband or whoever she wants.
Everyone was shocked hearing her direct taunt. They didn't have anything to say. Arnav, Akash and Anjali felt like Payal has slapped on their face. Whatever she said was true it was what they had done to them. But what they didn't know was how to rectify their mistakes.
But before they could come out of the impact of Payal's words, Khushi said something which made Arnav want the earth to swallow him then and there.
Khushi: Di, if you are saying about marriage, then why do they have to marry for lifetime. They could marry for a few months. Like some six months or one year. Like they can make a contract. And in that six months or one year, they can fulfill their needs and after that they can divorce the girl. Then they can marry another one. Like that they won't get bored by having one girl forever.
Payal: Yeah, Kuku. Even that's a good idea. What say, Mr Raizada.
Payal looked at both Akash and Arnav. Even though others were confused hearing about contact marriage, Arnav could understand that it was a direct taunt Khushi thrown at him about the way in which he married her first time misunderstanding her about having a relation with Shyam.
He felt suffocated seeing his own deeds thrown at him. Because of his mistakes she had suffered a lot, but he instead of rectifying that mistakes went on doing more hurting her beyond limits. He had promised her always love and cherish her but instead of doing that he always hurt and broke her by his words and behavior. He didn't know how to rectify his mistakes or will he ever able to rectify it and make everything fine between them, he wondered.
After breakfast everyone went for their respective rooms. Since it was a Sunday, everyone was at home doing their work.
Anjali Singh Raizada was walking towards her room thinking about the taunt Payal had thrown at her. Yes, she was right. She had done that mistake. Going behind her family's back to meet that scumbag of a husband of hers. Not only once but many times, even after her whole family was against that man and had proved him wrong in front of her.
But she still went behind her family's back to meet him. Even after her beloved brother and her sister in-law had proved him guilty of killing her own unborn child. She didn't know what she had seen in that man that she was so blind in his love. She just needed a small assurance that he wasn't wrong and she had gone running back to betraying all those people who loved and cared for her.
She was broken after knowing that he had killed their child. She had started hating him but still hoped that all that were false. All those proofs and evidences which her brothers and sister in-law had shown her proving that he was guilty, were false.
She didn't know why she wanted that. Why she hoped him to be correct even after all the pain and betrayal he had caused her. Was her love so weak and pathetic that she had started believing him so blindly that she couldn't differ between right and wrong. She didn't know. Even now she didn't know why she did all that.
Flashback
It was after two weeks of Shyam's truth coming out in front of the family. She was so broken due to his betrayal but still hoped him to be correct and by some miracle all those things that happened didn't happen.
She was sitting in her room thinking about her past. Her happy moments with her husband. Everyone knew that she was hurt so tried to do everything to cheer her up. She also tried to smile for everyone.
Khushi and Payal stayed away from her as everyone wanted them not to come near her reminding about her husband's betrayal. She was happy seeing everyone loving and caring for her so much. But somewhere she still missed him.
She was thinking about him when her mobile started ringing. She frowned seeing the unknown number flashing on the screen. Nevertheless decided to answer but froze hearing the sound from the opposite side.
Other person : Rani Sahiba...
Anjali (shocked): Shyamji...
Shyam: Ha Rani Sahiba it's me your Shyamji.
Anjali was shocked hearing him but remembering his betrayal she got angry.
Anjali (angry): Why did you call me. What do you want now. Is there anything more to betray and hurt me.
Shyam (crying voice): No Rani Sahiba. Don't say that. I didn't betray you. Please listen to me once.
Anjali (still angry): I don't want to listen to any of your nonsense. Get lost. Don't call me.
She was about to cut the call when she heard him speaking.
Shyam (crying): Please Rani Sahiba. Don't cut the call. Please listen to me once. If you loved me sincerely even for a single minute. Please come to xyz restaurant. I want to tell you something very important. Please Rani Sahiba. Please just for once. Please for our Rajkumari.
With that Shyam cut the call putting Anjali in a dilemma whether to go or not. Nevertheless she decided to go. She wanted to hear what he wanted to say and end everything between them.
One hour later, xyz restaurant
Anjali had come to the restaurant in which Shyam has called her without informing anyone at home. She knew that she was doing wrong. But she also knew that if any of her family members found out about her going to meet Shyam then they won't definitely allow her to go to meet him. So she didn't say anything to anybody.
Few minutes later, Shyam came and sat on the chair near her.
Shyam (smiling): Thank you Rani Sahiba for coming. I am really happy that you came.
Anjali: Stop this nonsense and tell me why did you call me. I don't want to hear any of your nonsense.
Shyam (sighing): I know Rani Sahiba, you are angry with me. But trust me I didn't do anything.
Anjali: Oh really. Are you trying to say that you didn't betray me. You didn't kill my Rajkumari. Oh please don't try to act innocent. I know your true colors. You are nothing but a manipulating ba****d. You killed my child and now came here to justify that. I don't want to hear anything from you.
(Hysterically) I want to know why killed my child. What was my child's fault. Where did I lack in my love that you betrayed me. Tell me why did you betrayed me. Tell me.
Shyam (faking crying): Rani Sahiba. Please believe me I didn't kill our Rajkumari. Do you think I will kill our Rajkumari. Our baby. She was the symbol of our love. A part of me and a part of you. How can I kill a part of you, Rani Sahiba. I love you so much, Rani Sahiba. I can never think of hurt you, Rani Sahiba. Killing our Rajkumari is impossible. Forget doing it I can never think any harm for her.
Hearing all these, Anjali was confused. Shyam smirked seeing that.
Shyam (still fake crying): Tell me Rani Sahiba. Am I not her father. How can I think anything bad for my own child. How will I kill my own child.
Anjali (confused): But then those videos which Chote showed me.
Shyam (wiping his fake tears): For that only I called you here, Rani Sahiba. I know Rani Sahiba there is no fault of yours in all these. You believed what was told to you and made you believe. You just fell in their trap.
Anjali: What are you trying to say. Tell me clearly. I am not getting anything. Whom are you talking about. Whose trap.
Shyam: Khushi and Payal.
Anjali: What???
Shyam: Yes Rani Sahiba. It is all Khushi and Payal's plan. Not only them but the whole Gupta family is involved. First they tried to trap me and make me get married to Khushi. But when I didn't fell in their trap. They targeted Sale Sahab and Akash. See they succeeded in their plan. They got married to Sale Sahab and Akash and when I tried to stop their plan they threw me out of house.
Shyam smirked seeing Anjali confused.
Shyam: Do you remember Rani Sahiba all those attacks that happened on you. You were almost on the verge of dying many times. All that were planned by them. Do you remember it all started after they came to Shantivan. When they felt that I won't allow them to succeed in their plan. They trapped Sale Sahab and made him believe that I am after Khushiji and made him threw me out of Shantivan. You know it was Khushi and Gupta family who kidnapped Sale Sahab. Otherwise how will Khushi know where Sale Sahab was and rescued him when none had a hint that he was kidnapped. I am telling you Rani Sahiba it was all that Gupta family's planning. First they made Payal married to Akash then Khushi also came to Shantivan marrying Arnav.
Anjali (falling in his trap): But why are they doing all these.
Shyam: Money, Rani Sahiba. Money. They are doing all these for money. They know that all of Sale Sahab's property is on your name. So that only they want to kill you. That's why they killed our Rajkumari also. They thought that if we will have a child then all of Sale Sahab's property will go to our child, then they or their child won't get anything, so that only they killed our Rajkumari.
Anjali: But then those videos Chote showed me. All that you confessed on that day.
Shyam (smirking evilly): All those videos were fake Rani Sahiba. They made fake videos to trap so that I couldn't tell you the truth. Also I have to act on that day like I did all that. It was all an act Rani Sahiba. So that they don't have any doubt on me and I could collect evidence against them staying outside the house. You know what I got evidence also. See this Rani Sahiba.
With that Shyam showed a video to Anjali. In that video it is shown as if Khushi was the one who has made Anjali gall down on her miscarriage day and she was the one who has tampered with her shoes. When in reality she was just fixing it.
But unfortunately Anjali believed what Shyam showed her.
Anjali (crying): Shyamji, this...
Shyam: This is the truth, Rani Sahiba. They killed our Rajkumari.
Anjali (getting up and holding his hand): Come Shyamji we will go and show this video to Chote and throw them out.
Shyam (faking concern and trying to calm her down): No Rani Sahiba, there is no use talking to Sale Sahab about it. He won't believe you. They had trapped him in their web in such a way that he won't believe anybody else other than them.
Anjali (sighing defeated): Then what will we do, Shyamji. How will we tell him the truth.
Shyam (pretending to think): There is only one way Rani Sahiba.
Anjali (desperately): What's it Shyamji.
Shyam: We have to separate Arnav-Khushi and Akash-Payal.
Anjali: What???
Shyam: Yes Rani Sahiba. This is the only way in which we could bring their true colors in front of Sale Sahab and Akash. We have to separate them and then tell them the truth. Then only they will believe us.
Anjali (thinking deeply): But how will we do this.
Shyam: Just do as I say, Rani Sahiba. Everything will be fine.
Anjali: OK Shyamji.
Flashback ends
Anjali came out of her thoughts feeling someone's hand on her shoulder. Turning around she saw Nani standing there.
Nani: Where are you lost, Anjali Bitiya.
Anjali: Nothing, Nani. Was just thinking something.
Nani: OK Bitiya, come with me I have to discuss something with you.
With that Nani took Anjali with her.
***************
It was evening. Everyone was sitting in the living room having tea or coffee. It was at that time, Khushi's phone rang. Taking the call, she went a little away from everyone to talk.
Arnav was curious to know what and with whom she was talking. But he couldn't do anything. After talking for few minutes, Khushi came back with a huge smile on her face. She came and sat near Payal.
Khushi (turning to Payal smiling): Di, guess what?
Arnav and Akash looked at each other with a now what question.
Payal (smiling seeing her sister smiling): What?
Khushi: They are coming next week.
Payal: What?
Khushi: Yes Di. He called me just now to inform that they are coming next week.
Payal (smiling widely): OK then. I will go and pack. We will shift to our mansion here tomorrow. Also we have to make a lot of arrangements for them. You call that caretaker and ask him to clean our mansion.
Khushi: OK Di. I will call just now.
(Turning to Arnav) OK Mr Raizada. Thank you so much for letting us stay here for these many days and also for your hospitality. We won't trouble you more. We will leave tomorrow for our mansion here.
Raizadas eyes widened hearing that. No they can't let them go. After so many years they have got them. They can't let them go.
Arnav (without thinking, desperately): No you can't go.
Khushi (frowning): Excuse me, Mr Raizada. What do you mean by we can't go.
Arnav (composing himself): I mean what is the need to go. You said that you both will stay here in our home till the project don't end. Then what is the need to go all of a sudden.
Khushi (looking at Payal and then turning to Arnav): Woh actually some special people in our life are coming to stay with us next week. So we are going to our mansion. We said that we both will stay here. Since they are coming we are shifting to our mansion.
Arnav: Oh. (Thinking something) If you don't have any problem then they can also stay here. We don't any problem.
Khushi (looking at Payal and thinking for a while): Are you sure. Mr Raizada. You don't have any problem right.
Arnav (confidently): No not at all.
Khushi: OK then. We will stay here. But we need those two rooms which are between my and Di's rooms. Also we have to make some changes in those rooms. Are you OK with it.
Arnav: Yeah, yeah. It's OK. You can take those two rooms and can also make any changes you want. If you want we will help you.
Khushi: No need. We will take care. Also I want you people to stay away from those people who are going to come. We don't want any problem because of anybody.
Arnav (frowning and reluctantly): OK. I agree we will stay away from them. There won't be any problem because of us.
Khushi: OK then. I will go and call the workers to redesign the rooms. You please ask HP to clear everything from those rooms.
Arnav: OK.
The next few days went in a blur. The next day workers came and started redesigning the rooms Khushi has asked from Arnav. One of those rooms belonged to Sheetal. So when Sheetal came home from hospital that evening, she saw that all her belongings were removed and were taken to another room downstairs.
But the most interesting part was that the room given to Sheetal was a small room right next to HP's room. So basically, indirectly, Sheetal was given the status equal to that of a servant.
Next few days, everyone saw more and more workers coming to redesign that room. Some with big boxes. Some with small boxes. Even the old bed in rooms were replaced with new ones. But the most frustrating thing for Raizadas was they didn't know what actually Khushi and Payal were doing to that room. They weren't allowed to see what was going inside.
But even after trying a lot they didn't get even a single clue. Finally they accepted defeat and decided to wait till the new guests comes when the rooms will be open.
Thus one week passed. But with each passing minute, Arnav's heartbeat was increasing. He didn't know what to expect from the guest. He didn't know who was coming. But one thing he knew was whoever was coming it is going to be a shock for them.
So the day of the arrival of the guest came. Finally after a sleepless night Arnav and all the Raizadas along with Sheetal was waiting to receive the guest. Khushi had gone to pick up the guest from airport. Payal due to her pain in the leg decided to stay back and wait for their arrival at home itself.
After sometime, the doorbell rang attaining everyone's attention. HP went to open the door and...
So that's all for now. I know I am a devil to leave you in a cliffhanger. So tell me what do you think happened in past. Who do you think is the guest. What changes will this new entry bring in Arnav-Khushi and Akash-Payal's lives. Will the guest bring them closer or drift them apart. Is Arnav's fears going to come true or something else will happen. So stay tuned for the answers.
Please comment. Only if you comment I will write more. For updates please comment.
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