Thank you all guys! I love you people! Above is my comment to each and and everyone of you! Also I love you people big time so following is a HUGE UPDATE and a lot of revelation and the next update will be a complete ArShilicious one!
Also this fic is coming towards it's wee years! Yes, it's going to end in a few more chapters *blowing nose*
Love you loads people, yeah... I really do
LOVE,
Armageddon!
P.S : Don't forget to add me on FB and twitter guys! @yehhaseenwadiya (Twitter) and SF Scenariste! (FB)
She frowned and blinked several times as the dupatta flew in her face. With irritation mounting up, she grabbed the flimsy cloth and stilled as the vivid colors painted wonders in her eyes. The annoyance was soon gone, replaced with a shy smile as she spread the purple pink dupatta across her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Looking up at the shopkeeper, she asked for the price, her smile dipping at the cost. She paused, shuffling the few crisp notes in her hand. The smile remained as she kept back the dupatta yet her eyes wistfully looked aside, hastily buying a few medicines and vegetables.
Selfless.
However the irritation came back again in those large, beautiful brown eyes. Finding him as an acquaintance, he realised a few minutes later that she was venting her anger against the rich' on their cars and traffic.
He would do anything to be in her good books. Especially when she had stopped to give him a small smile, with rouge tinging her cheeks. Lying wasn't that difficult, not when it led to a certain Payal Gupta swearing friendship to Akash.
Just Akash.
"Her eyes... they are so beautiful Maa. She never knew I was a Raizada, nope! In fact she wanted to break things when she got to know I had lots of money. Because she lov... loved Akash. Only Akash." Akash stumbled across the table and plopped himself on a chaise.
Manorama simply stared at her drunk son, blabbering about Payal's beauty and innocence. Long gone was her jealousy against that middle class girl, Manorama was broken at her son's mistrust on the woman he called mother.
Looking at his mother's contorted face, Akash laughed a little "Still shocked that I know I am not your son? Arrey even if I was really your son Maa, I would still have doubts because no real mother is like you. And how my real Maa would be, God knows..."
"But you know Maa, Bhai was my God. Bhai never shouted at me or kicked me out of the house when he had the power... even when the actual reason for our Papa's and his Maa's death was me. Which wife can take in an illegitimate son? That's what I am... sewer ki aulaad. Wah! What a name for me Maa? My wife's khoon bhari taang and I am sewer ki aulaad... made for each other." Akash blabbered, stopping abruptly as his drink spilled all over the carpet.
Keeping his hand over his mouth in mock shock, Akash apologised and sat down with a box of tissues, rubbing the carpet. "Bitwa..."
"I have to clean this... Bhai decorated this house for me Maa. The brother who gave me the love of parents I never had. The brother who treated me like his own child. The brother who saved my life when I went to drugs. He's not Bhai... he's my... my God Maa." Akash looked at the photo frame of his brother on the coffee table.
Pointing towards Arnav's picture, Akash asked "How can I question Bhai Maa? He's everything for me... everything! But what does a devotee do when his God ditches him?" Manorama jumped in fright as Akash flung the frame aside, breaking it into pieces.
Utterly sloshed, Akash fell a few times as he tried to get up to his feet. Pushing away Manorama's hands, he balanced himself and scratches his head. "I know why you hated me... because I am the reason why Bhai's mom died, the cherished girl of the Raizada khandaan! The sweet daughter in law of the Maliks... I understand. I would have understood Maa if you told me at the beginning that you don't want me... what was the reason to nurture me in my childhood? Telling me that you're my Maa... NO, YOU'RE NOT MY MOTHER! YOU CAN NEVER BE MY MAA... never!" Manorama's world slipped away as Akash broke ties with her.
"I may be drunk but I know... you're not my Maa, he's not my Papa. I don't want this family... I've had enough of your favors. Bas***d, that's what I truly am."
"AKASH!" Manorama cried as Akash walked away from the house, dropping his cell and wallet on the way. Collapsing onto her knees, Manorama cried out her heart on having Akash rejected her, little knowing that her cellphone was on the whole time.
Manohar clutched his heart, his eyes watering as he overheard the entire rant of his son. No matter what the truth was, Akash had been the apple of his eye. Nothing pained Manohar more than what Akash, even though it was the stark truth, yet he felt sadistically happy on hearing Manorama's cries.
Even if it was cruel, she was getting her just desserts and Manohar would be a thousand times happier if Akash got a blissful life without the Raizadas.
Cutting the call, Manohar closed his eyes.
If losing his son made Akash a man, may it be so.
---Laxmi Nagar.
The Gupta household.
One that would welcome anybody and make them feel as if they were a part of the family. It was their boon, as well as their bane. For innocent hearts like Khushi not only found a father, mother and sister but also extended families such as an adorable yet crazy aunt. Also for deceptive frauds like Shyam, who with a few sweet words found himself welcomed into this warm family.
They might have had their set of flaws, might have relented to the society but they were honest. These people wore their morals on. Especially the man of the house was truly one to be looked up on. Shashi Gupta had gifted intellect that could even fail the shrewdest of businessmen.
While Garima Gupta had been more relenting to social norms, she was the tying bond between all the members of the family. And as far as the boisterous Bua Madhumati was concerned... there was an equal sense of justice in her black and white world. When her niece Khushi was charged with shaming her parents in Lucknow, her Bua hadn't hesitated from alienating her... but on knowing who the real Khushi was, the very same Bua had kept the little butterfly close to her heart. From giving her own, hideous yet precious wedding gown to her butterly to keeping that little one protected from Shyam's eyes later on... Bua was the sweetheart of the town.
In fact even the neighbours such as the mechanic Happy or the chirpy Preeto - all wore their hearts on their sleeves. From grabbing the older Raizada's cheeks with all their love as he was the adorable younger son in law of the butterfly for the colony or allowing the younger Raizada but the older son in law hold a New Year's date with the wiser Gupta girl in the garage, they all were the generous lot.
It never mattered when the Raizada men marched in with Mercedes and Jeeps into their narrow Laxmi Nagar. Yes, it did create a stir but it was mainly because these were the two men that had stolen the hearts of the most wonderful Gupta sisters. Everyone was eager to know that what did the boys have to whisk away the wise, funny yet beloved girls.
Everyone was simply who they were.
The chatter of happiness or amusing scowls while waiting for the water, the usual yells to the sabziwala across the road or running errands for other neighbours... these spelt happiness for the people out here. Their houses were the size of a garage, yet their arms were wide enough to accommodate the whole world.
Akash stopped a few feet in front of the calm little house. Straightening himself, he walked inside the courtyard of the Gupta house. Courage failed him as memories of his proposal flashed before his eyes.
There she was, the woman of his dreams, bathing in the soft golden glow of fairy lights. Clutching nervously on her red dupatta, her eyes fluttered shut when she sensed him close. Turning swiftly, her eyes widened as he walked towards her. Close enough to feel the warmth of her body, breathe in her fragrance. Anxiety filled him as he tentatively touched her elbow, whispering words which would give away a part of him to her... forever.
It never mattered who he was for Payal nor for the Guptas. The amount of love they had for him as a mere worker in AR simply double because he was a prospective groom for Payal. Being a Raizada had only brought in hesitancies of marrying their simply daughter off to a big family.
How right they were!
----Payal shot up from bed, hissing in pain as she rubbed a hand over her swollen stomach. Maternal love flooded through her as her baby gave a few more kicks then calmed down to Payal's soothing touches. Adjusting herself gently on the creaky bed, she moaned slightly in pain as her back ached due to pregnancy.
Feeling the slight crusts of dried tears near her eyes, Payal quickly glanced and sighed in relief to see Khushi sleeping next to her. Payal knew that if she was crying, her sister would be up worried all night. Kissing Khushi's forehead gently, Payal continued patting Khushi to a deeper sleep.
The only prayer Payal had was that her child should be a reflection of Khushi. For there was no one better than her sister to emulate. Bringing up the blankets as the temperature dropped, Payal tucked Khushi till the chin and slid out of the mosquito net.
Payal's eyes watered once again as her little sister grabbed tighter onto her floral pillow and dug her face deeper into it, holding on as if her life depended on it. Payal didn't have to be told what the pillow meant for Khushi. Aching for fresh air, Payal fanned herself despite the frigid weather. She knew her brother in law was angry, but she could have sworn the infallible love in his eyes for Khushi.
What had gone wrong?
And to top it all, she had to cry in front of her younger sister! Didn't she know how panicked Khushi would become? Repeating a few words to herself, Payal decided to clear the air to Khushi the next day. Enough, it had been enough on Payal's end to ignore her little sister's worries. It was time she asked Khushi about the dark circles and sobs she failed to hide. Enough of pretending everything was alright when nothing was close to being fine.
Fidgeting with her mangalsutra, a habit she acquired recently, Payal felt goosebumps rise against her flesh. A silhouette of a man sitting on the steps of her courtyard set her heart racing, even though it was nothing but anticipation. The mangalsutra dug into her skin but she didn't feel any sting, her eyes were glued to him, like months before.
Just when she fervently hoped he wouldn't turn, Akash looked behind to find Payal staring at him through the window. "Pa.." Before he could complete Payal walked away and pulled the curtains, saddening Akash.
Taking a few tentative steps, Payal unlatched the door and walked towards her husband. Stifling a groan as she bent to tap his shoulder, a startled Akash looked up and held her shoulders in sheer disbelief. "Payal! Baby... I... I am so sorry." He whispered into her neck, taking her in a fierce embrace. Payal blinked back her sudden tears, looking at his hand resting on her protruding belly. However when the stench of alcohol hit her nose as Akash bent to kiss her, Payal pushed him aside and stepped back in disgust.
Akash covered his mouth on seeing Payal's stance, his heart breaking as she placed her palms protectively over her stomach. "I have nothing to give you Akash." Her cold, steel like voice left him speechless. "But I don't want anything Payal." He whispered, wishing for the disbelief to melt away from her eyes. Payal felt her resolve breaking as tears pooled in Akash's eyes, with him backing away from to her due to his inebriated state.
Wiping his tears hastily, Akash bent on his knees and looked at Payal "Please, can I... if you don't mind, just speak with our baby?" A silent sob left her mouth as Akash gently placed his hands on her stomach, whispering sweet nothings to their child. "I am sorry... Papa's not been good but baby I swear that I'll always be next to you. And you won't ever have to be indebted to anyone, you'll truly be our prince or," He paused to press a soft kiss "princess... just like your mamma. Also, you won't be dependent on anyone, not think of anyone to be your God."
Payal recovered from her emotional upheaval and simply stared at Akash. His words, his promises... was he fine? Having had the gift of understanding, Payal gently caressed his head and guided his attention to her "Akashji, are you alright?" Akash abruptly stood up, covering his mouth with his hand to prevent his stale breath and nodded meekly, stepping back when Payal walked towards him.
"Payal, I am drunk and a terrible man. Dd... don't come close to me now Payal. I dd... don't deserve you, don't deserve to be ww... with you." Payal's anger dissolved to concern as she rushed towards him. Grabbing his face, Payal looked into his teary eyes and felt her heart break into two.
How could she fight a man who was defeated?
"Shush... nothing matters Akash, what happened?" Akash blinked a few times, unable to take her forgiving nature and closed his eyes "Nothing Payal." Payal smiled at his inability to lie and caressed his stubbly cheek. "You won't tell your own Payal? Am I a stranger to you now?"
Akash opened his eyes, his heart swelling with the love shining in Payal's eyes. "Payal I..." Payal's smile grew wider as she read him "I know you love me, I know you're sorry. What happened Akash, tell me... please." Payal staggered back slightly as Akash hugged her once again. Even though he was drunk, Payal knew that a good part of Akash was in his senses. Cradling his head gently, Payal found her heart dropping as he incoherently mumbled about his past.
Akash had been eleven years old when he overheard the woman he called Dadi and his bhai, Arnav, fight. "Chote even you know that this Akash was..." A fifteen year old Arnav closed his eyes and nodded.
"He's the reason why my daughter, your maa, is not alive today! Had I known that this was the child Subhadra had taken from the third woman then I would have never allowed Manohar to adopt him... he's such a..."
"Enough Nani!What can be Akash's fault at this? He was just a day old Nani when he was brought into our family. Did you forget what Maa used to say? How can we punish the flowers for the thorns it bears? And mistake, mistake was of our biological father. True, Akash may be Di's and my step brother but he'll always be like that for us. He's the one who keeps Di sane and gives Mama and Mami the happiness of a child they can never have. What more do you..." Arnav stopped abruptly, finding a spectacled, chubby Akash stare at him.
Nani felt guilt seep up her veins as the child blinked a few times and walked upto her, tugging the end of her saree. "Were you both saying anything about me?" Akash lied through his teeth, seeing his brother and grandma sigh in sheer relief.
"Nothing, come I'll help you solve your maths homework. Dividing big numbers is never a trouble." Arnav ruffled Akash's hair and took him to the garden. "Bhai... can you ever forgive me if I do something wrong?" Arnav melted slightly at Akash and took him in a tight hug.
"Akash, God knows what's running in your mind but trust me when I say you're as close to me as my own blood. And your life is mine, okay. Nothing can go wrong in ASR's life."
Akash scratched his nose and smiled at Arnav, then frowned "This ASR or that ASR?" Arnav laughed slightly and shook his head "Does it matter? "
"But everyday I feared that Bhai would blame his mother's death on me. Yet he never did and I simply knew from then on that Bhai can never do anything wrong. Until today Payal, until today. My faith on my brother was nothing but a house of cards. He could have done anything to me and I wouldn't have minded... but using me for a contract? Am I a nothing but a clause Payal?" Akash cried into her shoulder. Payal's blood chilled and heart ached under the weight of her husband's sadness. For a strange reason she didn't even want to know what the contract was or what Arnav had done.
Looking at Akash, Payal gulped. She had misunderstood him, he wasn't spineless... just scared.
----
SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE
Edited by IArmageddonI - 9 years ago
Udne Ki Aasha
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Fan Fictions
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
199