Love beyond hatred~ DevNi FF~updated page 52 chapter 17 - Page 19

Sorry to keep you waiting, dear! Unexpected work at home.

Will try and update two chapters by eod.👍🏼❤️

Muah!!!!❤️

I've changed the timeline of their marriage, dear. Mumbai will be a longer time...they will be spending more time together there...

Hope what I have in mind translates well into words😆

so chandni left him after knowing truth he was her dev...something which i wanted to happen in show

i am very curious to read further...

how did advay come to know abt truth? what happened in mumbai?

how did miscarriage happen?

waiting for next update

Looong chapter coming your way. Hope I closed as many loops as possible in this scene. Feel free to remind me more😉😆

Also in my story Niru Mama does not know his sister's truth...kidnapping as well as dev's parents murder.

Hope you like the surprise in the end, Priya!!!😳

Chapter 11

Chandini didn't know how long she sat in the same position, until Dhruv's fuss brought her out of her trance. She gazed at his smiling orbs, her own lips curving up in response, despite her misery. So innocent and so full of life, in contrast to how her life was at this juncture, she mused sadly.

She so desperately wished that she could raise him, at least he would love her, wouldn't he?' her heart yearned. But only until he finds out that he has a woman stamped characterless for his mother' her mind argued. And she didn't want to burden him with it, she decided. Anyway the process of adoption was already in motion and any day now he would be in a safe and loving home. Definitely better off away from her shadow. She reassured herself.

"Ma'am we need to take him back to the centre. She heard the supervisor of the orphanage speak to her kindly.

Chandini begged, "Can you just give me a few more minutes with him please? bringing her head close to his face to inhale his scent and nuzzle his neck.

The lady hesitated but agreed in the end, "Okay, just a few more minutes, ma'am. Anyway this will be the last time you will embrace your child and I don't have the heart to deny your wish.

Chandini looked at her questioningly

"A very generous and kind couple have already decided to adopt him. she mentioned.

Chandini enquired the details of the couple and their background eagerly, to ensure he was in safe hands.

"I'm sorry ma'am but I cannot reveal confidential information. All I can say is that they are good people and will take care of Dhruv very well. She smiled with understanding.

Chandini nodded her head, the reality of events consuming her finally. She kissed Dhruv's tender cheek and combed his hair with her fingers gently. She handed him over without any protest when it was time and exited the hall without looking backwards.

She walked endlessly, ignoring her sore feet and reached vasisht villa. The watchman allowed her to discreetly enter the premises and she rested on the footsteps at the entrance uncomfortably and unable to keep her eyes from drifting shut as the exhaustion of the evening took over.

...

Chandini woke to the gentle nudging on her shoulder and the soothing voice of nani, "Chandini, beta, please wake up.

She shielded her eyes from the morning rays and focussed her attention on nani who was seated on the stairs beside her with Shilpa and Murli at her side.

She pulled up fully and braced herself for more insults, this time from Advay's Nani. But she was pleasantly surprised when the old lady laid her hand on her crown, smiling at her sincerely.

"I knew I would find you here, beta She touched her cheeks and said, "I was so worried about you. How are you, my dear? She asked gently.

"Still breathing, although with no purpose. Chandini responded dejectedly, wringing her fingers. Suddenly she realised she was still in the clothes that belonged to a person whom she hated with every fibre of her being. Never in her life did she think she could hate another human being.

She looked at Shilpa and asked her if her old room in Vasisth house was free. When she nodded in the affirmative, she requested her to grab her old clothes from her room and bring it to her.

She excused herself from nani, and went to shilpa's old room in the outhouse. She quickly removed all the jewellery, including her mangalsutra and engagement ring, placed it on the nearest table. She ripped the saree and blouse off her body as if they were thorns, folded it neatly and piled them beside the jewellery.

She splashed some water on her face, cleaned her aching feet. When she stepped out of the washroom, she found her old garb that shilpa got and changed into them. She made a move to exit the room, carrying all the articles with her only to find nani, Shilpa and Murli making an entry.

She felt much lighter as she handed over the articles to shilpa, not wanting to even touch an article that belonged to that monster of a man.

She moved to stand in front of Nani and declared, "I have handed over the necklace, earrings, mangalsurtra, bangles, engagement ring and the designer saree to Shilpa, Nani She brought her palms together to seek forgiveness, "I am really sorry if knowing my past in the manner that you did caused you pain in any way. I apologise sincerely.

"Why are you still lying, beta? You think I am blind and cannot see things? I can make out that you took all the nonsense my grandson threw at you for someone else. Chandini observed nani pause to gauge her reaction. When she stood silent, she went on concerned, "And I'm not going to pressurise you into revealing names. I have found the truth in your silence; that you are innocent. I just came here to see if you were doing okay, given everything you went through yesterday.

Chandini thought she had run out of tears but nani's kind words were enough to start another bout of it. "I will be fine, nani. I have dusted myself off and picked myself up so many times that I've lost count. I just need to figure out how to stop my family from becoming homeless, before I leave. She sniffled.

"That is one of the other reasons I came to meet you, beta. Nani exclaimed. "Murli, bring it here. Ordered nani. He handed over some documents to nani, a huge smile plastered over his face.

Nani held her hand and placed them in it saying, "The Vasisht Villa documents, yours for taking. She squeezed Chandini's hands lightly.

Chandini was shocked to say the least. She snatched her hands away from nani's. "I cannot accept these, Nani. Sorry!

"I bought the villa back from the person to whom Cheeku sold it to. And I have instructed for the transfer of ownership in your name by end of the day. This is the least I can do after what my grandson put you through last night. Nani confessed, her face expressing disappointment. And when Chandini stayed silent, she grasped her hands and placed them in it again, "Please take these for my sake, beta. She pleaded.

Chandini was lost for words; she was in a dilemma. The more she thought the more confused she felt about this situation; accepting it felt like begging for alms and getting rewarded. Then the sudden thought of her unmarried sisters, her maa and baba without a roof over their head came forth and she decided in accepting what nani was offering for their sake. She tightened her fingers around the documents, "Thank you so much, Nani. I don't know how I will ever repay you for solving my problem. Now I can move away from them in peace. She conveyed; feeling a little relieved.

"Thank you, beta; and where may I ask you are going away to? Nani enquired.

"If I stay here I am a constant reminder of the shame I caused and my sisters would never get rid of the social stigma. She replied

"And with you going away, it will vanish, is it? Nani asked

"Time heals things. I am sure after a period of time people will forget and let them move on. I cannot stay here. I will go somewhere and find some work and settle. But if I'm here they will never settle and neither will the society let them. She responded sadly.

"If I give you an option that will take care of both, will you choose it? asked nani. And without waiting for a response she continued, "Cheeku wanted to send the annulment papers last night. I took responsibility of handing it over to you. I am giving you two options; one is to sign them and do what you planned already. The other which I would suggest you do is- not sign them and come away to Mumbai with me to your sasural.

"What? Chandini tried to get her head around the information. "What are you saying, nani? I cannot come with you, and live under the same roof as that man. Sorry! Chandini shook her head strongly, refusing the option outright.

"Think about it, beta. Firstly, the society here will be convinced that you are in your sasural and will not torment your family. Secondly, I will ensure that you are not ill-treated by anyone over there; you can always approach me if there is any problem. I know that I couldn't do much over here and I might not have instilled the trust in you. But I'll take good care of you there, I promise. You can also work there if you please. And lastly... Nani hesitated, before asking.

"What is it, nani? Chandini enquired, her heart thudded anxiously.

"I know that this is asking too much from you and that this might be the deciding factor for you. Nani paused. She took a deep breath before proposing, "I want you to...to give cheeku a chance.

"No, nani, no. How could you ask this of me?! I am only human and I can only take so much. I don't think I have the energy left to take any more of mental abuse. And I don't even know the reason for his hatred! She exclaimed feeling drained and clueless.

"Just think about giving him a chance, beta. And re-discover who he is. Circumstances have made him the way he is. I can only say this much now. I know that you have a lot to sacrifice and I'm not being fair. Nani tried persuading.

"I don't know what to say. Chandini stated dazedly, unable to take a sudden decision.

"Just say yes. I will take care of your stay and safety. And if at all you feel you cannot take it, I will be more than happy to get you to sign the annulment papers and get rid of him. Nani stated firmly, assuring Chandini of her support.

The next few minutes were the most nervous nail biting moments of her life, wondering which path to take. Both looked unappealing; but the option nani presented seemed more practical, as that would ensure her family's honour re-instated. And she would do anything for her family, bear that monster if needed until things settled down.

She conveyed her acceptance to nani, albeit unenthusiastically. She said that she had a few things to settle before she came. Nani was elated and embraced her lovingly and said that she will wait for her in the car.

...

Chandini stepped into the Vasisht Villa, with the property documents in her hand.

"Maa... She called out to her mother, expectantly. She waited for a couple of minutes before she called out a little louder.

In came her maa with kaajal maasi at her side. One look at her face was sufficient to notice the fury it held.

"How dare you; how dare you come here and try contacting us when I prohibited you from doing so. Her voice raised in anger bringing her mama and sisters out.

"Maa...please just listen to me. She pleaded.

"I don't have neither the time nor the energy to listen to your pathetic excuses. You have brought shame to me; you have proven today that a step child will always be a step child. She spoke without looking at chandini.

"Maa, I've just come to convey one important message to you. Please hear me out! she requested. When her maa didn't reply she went on, "I have the property papers of our house. You need not go anywhere. And I am also going to my sasural; I will ensure that Meghu and Shikha settle down without any trouble. She promised whole-heartedly, slowly progressing towards her maa and placing the documents in her hand.

"Do whatever you want to, Chandini. I don't think your contradictory actions are going to convince the society of anything. You have done enough damage and now I'm left to fix it. So, it would be great if you leave us all in peace and let us move on. And do not ever try to contact us. You are dead to me as far as I'm concerned. She replied, her face devoid of emotion.

Chandini's lips trembled as she spoke brokenly, "I will do as you wish, maa She bowed her head, "I want to take a few of my things, can I maa? She asked for permission.

Her mother turned her face away and nodded.

Chandini went to her room, silent tears pouring down her face. She opened her cupboard and packed her clothes and certificates. She picked her black stone, clutching it to derive strength from it and wondering for the millionth time where her Dev was and sending a silent prayer for his safety. She packed it and looked for a one more box; the box that contained the last of her mother's memory, an antique kangan and a tattered photograph of her parents with her 4 month self.

She sniffled trying to hold back her sobs, as she grazed her fingers across the photograph, clutching it to her chest before tucking it away in her bag. She found her extra pair of sandals, slipped them on and left the room carrying her bag.

She progressed to her baba's room and found him peacefully asleep. She touched his feet lightly to seek his blessings and proceeded downstairs.

She met her sisters and hugged them tightly. "We love you, jiji. Will miss you so much. They proclaimed embracing her warmly.

"Why jiji? Meghu whispered angrily.

"It is the job of elders to protect the younger ones. And why should two people suffer for the same cause? She responded.

"But you took the choice of revealing the truth from me, jiji and I am angry with you where that's concerned. Meghu murmured, stubbornly.

Chandini pulled back and wiped their tears before answering, "Please don't be angry with me, Meghu! I will apologise a hundred times if required, but I beg you to not be angry with me. She begged.

"Shhh, jiji. I can never be angry with you for too long, you know that! We will set things here, you don't worry! Right shikha? Meghu promised dabbing Chandini's cheeks.

"Don't panic bhole ke sainik. Chandini commanded tearfully, cupping their cheeks.

They parted reluctantly and Chandini went towards her mama to talk to him one last time. "Goodbye, mama! I will miss you so very much! She stated the loss of a confidante proving too much to handle.

"There is no way anyone is stopping me from contacting or meeting my banno. He said lovingly, placing a kiss on her crown.

"Take care of maa. She requested; her mama stiffened at her words, but nodded his head anyway.

She moved to make an exit before glancing backwards yearningly at her mom; who walked away without looking her way.

By now she was drained of energy and her face was wet with moisture as she met Arjun's friendly eyes. He silently left his seat to come and embrace her, dragging his fingers through her scalp in a soothing fashion.

"You have been through so much pain but have never shared it, Rad...Chandini. Why? She heard him ask softly.

"I didn't think I deserved anyone's empathy. She replied guilt laced in every word.

He pulled back to look at her, "What do you mean? he enquired with curiosity.

She glanced at her watch absently and realised that it was way past 7pm and she was exhausted. "Let us keep it for some other time, shall we? I have truck load of things to complete by tonight. She wiped her face and started scanning her work avoiding his questioning gaze.

He held her flailing arms and asked, "You do know that you can trust and confide in me, right? he asked doubtfully.

Chandini stopped her ranting and nodded her head and reassured him, "I know. I'm just too beat right now to go about another round of recollection.

"I understand, sweetheart. Arjun said. His expression changed and he appeared preoccupied with something all of a sudden.

"Everything alright, Arjun? She enquired.

"Yeah...yeah, perfect. Shall I drop you home? He offered.

"No, you go ahead; I still have lots of stuff to finish. You must be tired; go home and rest. I'll see you at college in the morning she said tiredly.

He bent to kiss her forehead and was about to leave when she held his hand and said, "Thank you, Arjun! I appreciate what you did for me today; shocking surprise on your return, right?

"Anytime, gal! He smiled serenely, squeezed her hand and left.

Chandini wondered what caused the sudden change in his mood and decided to ask him the next day.

What she didn't know was that the cause of Arjun's mood change was seated against the stairs, crouched like she was in pain, sobbing her heart out. And also that Arjun pulled her up, wiped her face and hugged her tightly, whispering words of comfort, "Shhh...Shhh...Meghana. Things will be alright; Chandini will be alright, I assure you.

TBC