Story of the Decade | Chapter 13 by Bhavisweet03 | Pg 51 - Page 29

Originally posted by: coderlady

Oh no. Shyam is heading to Nainital with Anjali. What made him decide to go there? Did something tip him off?

You will find out in next chapter😃

Why does Shyam want to take Anjali to Nainital? Is he planning on something big there like kill the baby or kill both?

Anjali should ask Shyam as to why they can't find a good doctor in a big city like Delhi and go all the way to a small hill station like Nainital.

Arnav worrying about Khushi felt nice and his concern genuine.

I guess he too has undergone so much suffering and he can relate to her trauma.

Nice update.

Awesone chapter Hina❤

Yeah short one it was...but why Shyam suddenly spoke about going to Nanital was an awesome cliffhanger 😜

I liked Khushi's trick of counting stars. Poor girl had so much in platter. And how she thought about Arnav. So both busy in trying to solve the mystery of others although they themselves drowned in sorrow😔

But her attraction to Arnav is a positive thing to happen.😉

Arnav ka haal bhi kuch alag nahi. Only Khushi and her problem is in his mind, making himself bewildered. Ye to pyar ki shuruat hai bas🤭 The smile thinking hat she missed him. And disappointed that it wasn't Khushi on her phone....haaye haaye. And he also shared his concern with Neema

Coll that he wanted to meet Khushi's step-mother....Hope he deals with her too. The cause of the problems of Khushi.

Anyways he got a doubt on his brother-in-law. Finally he is going towards something. Neema might help him in knowing more.

Shyam is first rank of ba#####. For his own child he doesn't have any feelings. How selfish!!! Just money he sees...jerk. But did he got a hint of Khushi or what....that he want to go to Nainital. Seems story is again going to shift to Nainitall ki vaadiyan😆....hope our hero reaches there for our heroin 😄.

Chapter 8 was beautifully written. Despite the fact Arnav and kushi hardly spend a few days in each other’s company both of them can’t stop thinking about each other. Kushi has made a special place in a corner of Arnav’s heart Arnav wants her to have a better life away from her abusive husband. Now after the background check he wants to know about her stepmom whom according to him is the villain and he has sought Neema’s help. Hope kushi tells her all about her past including her step moms’ deed against her.

Shyam’s patience is running out he is getting frustrated that his plans are not working, at the same time he’s fed up of acting like a goody husband and now god knows what’s cooking in his pea brain he’s found a doctor for Anjali and of all the places this doctor he has found is in Nainital yet to know his motive in going all the way to Nainital

Hoping Arnav is able to connect the dots and stall Shyam from going to Nainital.

Will wait for the next chapter.

Oh please stop that idiot nice

Chapter 9

Payal Raizada prided herself on being an astute woman when it came to her work. She liked to think that the sharp-wit she possessed also extended to other facets of her life. It was that that had first caught the eye of Akash when she had joined ARD as their brand marketing manager five years back. The company had been quite new then and as the company grew, they all grew together. Even Arnav had more than once complimented her on the same - which was a lot - considering Arnav didn’t hand out compliments on a daily basis. His trust in her had also led him to let her handle all their social work including the philanthropic endeavors they undertook. Today, they were well known among the business community and this wouldn’t have been possible but for the tireless working of the two brothers she had come to love more than life. And that extended to their sister, Anjali, who she knew to be nothing but sweet in her association with her.

And if she had to go by what her mind was telling her now, she really didn’t like to think about what that could do to their family. She sat on one of the chaises that occupied the opulent Raizada house’s mezzanine lounge, a laptop resting on a pillow on her lap and her attention caught by the man across the hall who seemed to be having a heated conversation with someone on the phone.

Shyam ji had been in the family long before she had married into it but for some reason she had never taken a liking to him. On the surface, he did seem like the best husband but she had a feeling all that sugary sweetness hid something sinister deep inside. In this she differed a lot from her husband Akash who was very easy to please and didn’t have one devious bone in his entire body. She, on the other hand, was more like Arnav and she had a feeling, Arnav bhai didn’t really like Shyam either. Shyam and Anjali Di had been married for years before she could conceive. They had been exuberant but Payal somehow felt that the man really didn’t care. He, of course, wanted the baby but she couldn’t put a finger on what exactly was bothering her. Her trance was broken as she felt someone wave in front of her.

“Payal, where are you lost?”

“Akash. I was just—

“Why were you starting at Jeejaji with that murderous expression?”

Payal reddened slightly at being caught staring. “What? No. I was thinking about something else,” she said. “You know the fundraiser today? I was looking into it’s last minute details. I wish we get some generous donations this time too.”

Akash nodded and she continued, “you know, I gave a visit to the cancer institute yesterday and the kids are really excited about their presents. And so are the others. To think we put that smile on their face is an excellent feeling.” Her tone held a sadness as she said, “I know what it feels like to not have things you really want—

In an instant, Akash was beside her on the chaise, putting an arm around her as he gathered her close to his side.

“Payal, how many times have I told you not to think about all that? Life can be difficult at times but we have to be sure that one day, we will get the life we deserve. See, aren’t you happy with me now?”

“Of course I am. I get to wake up with you everyday,” she said raising her face up to lightly kiss him. Though her tone held a teasing note, she truly meant it. He, this family, was her blessing. She couldn’t have asked for more.

“Tell me what you want and I will make sure you have it by the end of today.”

Payal shook her head smiling graciously at his comment. “Hmmm... let me think,” she made a show of thinking and then chuckled before hugging him. “Humein aur kuch nahi chahiye, Akash (I don’t want anything else). Why are you up and ready so early in the morning on a Saturday?” She asked. She turned to her laptop to check the time. It was only a little past 7 A.M.

“Day starts early,” he sighed. “Have a meeting in an hour so I think I should get going if I have to reach on time.”

“Breakfast?”

“They’re arranging at office for everyone.”

He planted a quick kiss on her lips and forehead before getting up and said, “you inform bhai that I’ll take care of the Japanese client conference and he doesn’t really have to come in today.”

“I will. You please be on time for the event today, okay?”

“Just that meeting for today. I should be back around lunch,” he called, descending down the stairs.

It was another 15 minutes before Arnav walked down the stairs.

“Good morning, Payal.”

“Good morning, bhai.”

“Where’s Akash? Still sleeping?”

“No, bhai. He has gone to office. He was saying about a video conference with the Japanese clients.”

“Oh, no! How did that slip my mind? I will go get ready,” he said already turning to walk back the way he came.

“Nahi, bhai. He said he will take care of it. You wouldn’t have to go.”

Arnav looked thoughtful before he took the cordless from the end table and dialed Akash’s number. After a brief talk, he came back to sit with Payal.

“Not going?” She asked.

Arnav shook his head.

Payal continued working on her laptop while Hari Prakash brought Arnav his morning coffee.

“Bhai, can I ask you something?” Payal prodded after a few moments.

“Of course. What’s the matter?”

“Khushi.”

Arnav’s face contorted. “What about her?”

“I feel weird saying this but I somehow liked the girl. It was just two days but there was something about her that got to me.”

Arnav was startled, for, what Payal mentioned just about summed his feelings. He couldn’t understand why he - who resented strangers - was going out of his way to help her personally.

Once again Arnav debated on the idea of letting Payal know. He was yet to ask Khushi but he also didn’t like to keep Payal worrying when he could put it to rest in a moment.

Just as he was about to tell her, they heard loud sounds of vomiting coming from Di’s room. They shared a look and Arnav immediately started running towards Anjali’s room. Payal followed on his heels but paused when she reached the landing to turn and look towards her Jeejaji. He turned towards the sound once and rolled his eyes before going back to do whatever he was doing.

They reached Anjali’s room just as she finished vomiting all over the carpet. Anjali’s eyes swam with embarrassed tears as she took in the state of the room.

“Di, are you ok?”

She burst into tears. “I’m so sorry, Chote. I didn’t have enough time to run to the bathroom. It came so suddenly and —

Arnav crosses over to her side and immediately hugged her. “Di! What are you saying? I don’t care about the carpet. But this vomiting - it can’t be normal.”

Anjali didn’t know what to say as she herself didn’t know what normal was. She knew morning sickness was part of pregnancy but sometimes when she vomited she felt like a part of her gut would come out.

Arnav turned to Payal and said, “Payal, could you please talk to our family doctor and take an appointment. Or better yet, just ask her if she can stop by—

“But Chote, Shyam ji—

“Di, it’s just a consultation and it doesn’t hurt to have an opinion.”

The way he said it brooked no arguments and so an hour later, Anjali sat on the bed in one of the guest rooms while the doctor examined her. Shyam stood by on one side of the bed, while Payal stood on the other side. When she was done, Payal opened the door to let Arnav in, who had been waiting outside.

“May I ask how far along you are, Mrs. Jha?”

“14 weeks.”

“And you were saying you are planning to go to Nainital?”

Anjali just nodded.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea to travel right now. It could be difficult for someone who is having a rather normal pregnancy but your case seems extreme. All your symptoms point towards hyperemesis, and traveling to a hill station could be a risk. The altitude and unpredictable winter could be hard. I would suggest you take it easy and stay at a place you’re used to. Because if your sickness doesn’t ease away, you would need hospital treatment. I’ll write down this tablet you can take for now.”

“Doctor, this won’t hurt the baby, will it? Sometimes nothing I eat ever stays.”

The doctor laughed. “Of course not. Babies are usually safe inside once they have strongly implanted there. Don’t worry about that. You baby will take everything it needs from you whether or not you eat.”

“Will this ever go away? How long before I will be able to travel?” Anjali asked, the idea that her husband would be disappointed weighing heavy in her head.

“You should be good to travel by the time you reach the second trimester. Have you gotten your scan done yet? I could book an appointment—

Arnav spoke instantly. “Yes doctor—

Shyam spoke at the same time too. “That won’t be neces—

Shyam stopped when Arnav leveled a look on his brother-in-law.

Arnav didn’t like the way this man seemed to control every aspect of his sister’s life. And his Di seemed to take it all as part of the marriage and love. But he would be damned if he sat about watching his sister discomforted by his bad decisions.

“Di should stay in Delhi and here with all of us until she feels better.” Arnav said. “It is her well being that we are all concerned about, isn’t it, jeejaji?”

Payal hid her smile. She saw what Arnav did there. The way Arnav had asked the question was a dare. He dared Shyam to refute it, which, he of course couldn’t.

“That’s what I thought. Then we are settled.” Arnav said. He then turned his attention towards Anjali. “Di, I’ll get your room cleaned up. Until then you can relax here. Have something to eat and by then I’ll also arrange for this tablet.”

“Theek hai, chote.” Anjali said with a fond smile. Though he was her younger brother, he had been the one to take care of her always.

Payal and Arnav left with the doctor leaving Shyam silently fuming.

The rhythmic chiming of the old clock echoed through the estate six times indicating the hour of the day. The household woke up at that time promptly every day and scurried about their everyday activities. And after another thankfully eventless night, Khushi woke inside her small room in her small bed. The glow from the lamp on the table was reflected in the glass of the floor to ceiling windows beyond which the sun was only now slowly rising. She could still see the shadowed reflection of her surroundings in the glass. The room, which was hers for now, was filled with beautiful, minimal antique furniture, woodwork in Indian rosewood, walls with vintage style floral wallpapers and curtains and draperies to match. She had learned that the room she had originally been in belonged to Arnav himself and though this room was minimalistic in comparison, its richness was still a stark contrast to the homes known to her. She had learned from Niharika ji that the house had been built during the British Raj just like so many others in Nainital and stood testimony to the incredible architectural style of the British. When Arnav had offered it as a care home, he had wanted no part in it but for a single room that he would occupy whenever he was in town - which was not much. In fact, Niharika ji had said that before he brought Khushi here, he hadn’t been there for months. Once upon a time, Khushi would never have imagined herself in a place such as this, nor pictured herself among such luxury. But fate had placed her here for now. What the future held for her, only time would tell.

As was habit, she wanted to shower before she set about the day but with Nainital’s weather, it wasn’t ideal. Also with a house full of people, they also had to be careful and stringent about the use of resources. So, they were asked to shower around mid day or afternoon when the sun is high up on the sky since the house was fitted with solar panels and they wouldn’t have to rely on an electric water heater. Sighing, she opened the cupboard to remove a dress to change to from her night dress and remembered the shopping she had done with Niharika ji the previous day. It was on Arnav’s orders and with the money from the trust. Even though she was told that it was part of what is usually done here in the care home, she had only bought the bare minimum that she would need. Somehow, Khushi’s debts to these people kept increasing and she saw no way how to repay any of it for the time being.

As she closed the curtains to the window and removed the dress she had been wearing, her eyes inadvertently fell onto the image of herself in the mirror across the room. Curiously, she stared into the mirror seeing herself closely for the first time in a long while. She traced a dainty finger along the scars and bruises on her thin body, removing strands of dark hair out of the way to inspect the ones on her back and flinched, feeling revolted at the sight. The newest ones was the price she had paid for trying to escape. Before she succeeded, she had tried to run away from him thrice before and had been caught. Time and again, he would keep little tests for her to see what she would do if she had the opportunity to escape and naive as she had been, she had fell for it. His punishments had gotten worse with every time. But Khushi couldn’t stop trying, for, either way he was going to be a monster to her. She didn’t want to lose the possibility of escape even if the chances were minimum by not trying at all.

She closed her eyes to the image of herself. She had avoided looking at herself for so long that her own body almost felt alien to her. The person reflected there was someone she barely knew. What she saw mirrored in there, in the deeper honeyed depth of her eyes was a woman broken. But like she had done countless times in the past, she had picked up the pieces and put herself together. She was going to be okay! If she had managed to survive him and escape even after knowing what getting caught would entail, she was going to be okay now that she was in a much better place.

Plagued by her parents’ arguments and constant rejection, there wasn’t much to say about her life even before she had been married to him. Life had been difficult but she had hope. But then things took an ugly turn when one day she had come back from school and found that her father had had a heart attack and was no more. The loss of the only family member who even remotely cared about was a lot to take for her. From then, her life had only taken a downward spiral until one day she came home to see there were more standing in front of her house and there was a small crowd gathered who were watching what was going on. Khushi took only a moment to grasp the severity of the situation as she took in her stepmother’s face deathly pale and swollen from crying.

The men looked dangerous and the giant that was now talking to her stepmother held something in his hand that he was pointing at her. A shocked gasp escaped her as she realized what exactly it was and the giant then turned towards her, his gaze settling on her and roaming the length of her body. Khushi wrapped a petrified hand around her middle and took a step back.

“Who’s that?” The nasty man asked.

“My stepdaughter.”

“If you agree we could finish this off in a different way,” he said looking her way again and Khushi could feel the hair at the back of her neck stand up in fright at the menacing gaze.

The man had then promised to come back the next day and that we had to either keep his money ready or... he didn’t have to finish his sentence. He also warned that if we tried to run, the consequences would be worse. She knew exactly what he was insinuating and couldn’t imagine what was worse than that.

There has to be another way.

Khushi remembered staying up all night praying things wouldn’t come to that. She knew her stepmother would give her up in an instant. But then, early the next morning, Shyam Manohar Jha had paid them a visit. He had felt imposing from the beginning but then the most terrifying of all had been his eyes. They were pure evil. Try as she might she could never feel comfortable around him. She knew him from before and had met Shyam Manohar Jha for the first time at the age of sixteen when he had started working with her father. But when he came to save them, like a fool, she had hoped against hope that her life would turn for the better. She hadn’t really minded that she was getting married to a scary man who was twice her age.

But then Shyam was rarely home. She had been all of eighteen and trying to manage a house for the first time but that didn’t seem to win her any brownie points. The first few months were the most difficult to bear, but in time, she had learned to anticipate the worst when it came to Shyam Manohar Jha. He only ever inflicted pain and she had suffered through in silence as she really couldn’t bear the consequences if she ever displeased him. And he got displeased quite easily. She would tell herself that he would go away soon and won’t return for another fortnight probably. She would live looking forward to days he would be absent. Her days of healing as she would refer them.

While it had been easier to sustain the physical blows, the same couldn’t be said of her emotional well being. All through the hell that had been her marriage, Khushi had felt used, abused and ashamed. All the time he would call her body beautiful, Khushi felt anything but. And when he forced her to take the birth control pills he had bought, Khushi was only too happy to oblige. In fact, she religiously followed the routine, lest she get pregnant. The last thing she wanted was to bring another innocent into this hell.

She traced another scar. These were the only memories she had of her marriage. Each one held a story.

Sighing, she went about her morning routine and donned the dress she was holding. She would go downstairs for morning yoga and then to the kitchen to help with the cooking. She really was enjoying the moments of calmness she hadn’t felt since forever. And even that was tainted with the fear that any minute, his dark, brooding figure would barge in through the door and steal her peace. Because through all this, Khushi had one glaring thought that nagged her. She couldn’t help be concerned about Shyam’s association with the Raizada household. Who exactly was he to them? Did Niharika ji’s questions today have anything to do with it? During their shopping expedition today, Niharika ji had subtly tried to ask her more details about her life. And Khushi had answered most of it honestly and the prospect scared her. She had also asked if it was okay with Khushi if she shared the information with Arnav. Did he somehow know?

While a part of her mind chided her for questioning the intent of people who had only been kind to her so far, a part of her would always be wary, she guessed. That kind of unassuming innocence she didn’t have anymore. It was a life lesson Shyam Manohar Jha has taught her. But a rational part of her mind knew she was safe here. At least for some time.

When she went downstairs that day, there was a buzz in the house. She quickly learned that they were preparing for rough weather which was forecasted for the following two days. It had been raining since last night and showed no signs of stopping. The thought that immediately crossed her mind was that it was Sunday. Arnav ji had said he’d be here and unknown to herself, she had been looking forward to it. Now with the weather like this, would he come? It was okay if he didn’t. It can’t be safe traveling in inclement weather.

Just as she stood there contemplating, she saw some of the house mates run towards the window. It was a hailstorm. And suddenly the foyer around them was engulfed by darkness as the power supply was cut off.

“Someone switch the inverter on,” she heard Niharika ji’s voice from another side of the house talking to a small group of people. “I’ll go and check if there’s enough diesel for the generator. In the meantime, we are running out of firewood so once the hail stops some of you go to the storage room and stock up. We will need it if the power outage lasts long.”

The hailstones stopped just as quickly. Wanting to be useful, Khushi joined those that went to the storage room that was on one side of the entrance to the property to bring firewoods. She took her time walking to the storage, picking up small ice pieces on her way and playing with it. And once in the shed, she loaded her arms with as much firewood as she could carry. The others had already left by the time.

It was when she was returning, that she saw a car pulling up in the driveway. She had been almost running to prevent the wood from soaking up the snow. She crossed the distance and had reached the porch when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

“I can hold them for you.”

She turned and in that early morning light, covered by snowflakes, Khushi saw who it was, and her expression shifted to one of happiness.

“It’s alright. If you could just open the door?” She asked.

“Of course.”

Arnav walked ahead and held the door and once she was inside, he latched it tight against the pelting sheets of rain that had again begun full force.

Setting down the logs, she looked up, but before she could say anything her attention was drawn when he thrust both hands through his hair and wiped off water from his face.

It was then that they heard Niharika’s voice, “When did you come, Arnav beta?”

“Bas, abhi,” he said turning his attention towards Neema.

“Did you drive in this weather?” She asked looking past him to check the car in the driveway. And she hadn’t heard the chopper either.

“I had a late event last night and started immediately post that. If I had gone to rest, I would have probably not gotten up from the bed at all,” he chuckled. “I wasn’t expecting the bad weather. But looks like I reached before the worst.”

“Kya zaroori thi aise aane ki? (What was the need to come like this?). You should have stayed back and rested. You never take care of yourself,” Niharika gently reprimanded.

Khushi’s heart filled with a yearning at the warmth in their relationship. It was just a little exchange but never once in her life had she experienced such unadulterated love, even from people who were related to her.

Niharika then pointed to both of them, “Get changed at once. Khushi, you are not used to this weather so stay careful. You don’t want to become sick. And Arnav I will send some hot water and tea to your room first. It’s already ready for your use.”

Fifteen minutes later, she came out of her room when she saw Rahim kaka walk up the stairs to Arnav’s room. He was carrying a pail of water in one hand and a tray of tea in another. She went ahead and took the tray from him saying she would help. Once they reached his room, they knocked and Arnav’s voice sounded from inside.

“Come in.”

He was already in the bathroom so Rahim kaka knocked and said, “Arnav baba. Aapke garam pani ( your hot water).”

Arnav opened the door to let him in while Khushi placed the tea on the bedside table. And when she turned around to exit the room, her eyes fell on the empty fireplace.

An hour later, as the household joined together for breakfast, Niharika looked around the room and asked, “Where is Arnav? He isn’t here yet?”

When someone offered to check up on him, she said, “nahi, rehne do. I’ll do it. Give me a tray of breakfast.”

Khushi, being one of those people who was getting the breakfast table ready, said she will do it. She walked to the kitchen followed by Niharika.

As Khushi put freshly cooked parathas on a plate, Niharika saw that her hands shivered and said, “I think we should start stoking the fireplaces around the house. Without the central heater, it’s already getting too cold.”

“Haan. That’s why when I saw that Arnav ji’s room had no heat, I lit the fireplace for him so that when he comes out from his bath he could be warm. He would have liked it with his tea. Hai na?”

As she turned to hand the plate over, she was taken aback by Niharika’s blanched face.

“What did you say?” The older woman muttered almost inaudibly before she turned on her heels and swiftly ran out of the kitchen.

—————————————————————————-

Hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Do let me know.

Res

_____________

Edited

Superb update just- do-it 👏

That good shyam not going nainital.

So Arnav come as he promise.

Wo no khushi setting fire in Arnav room. What will be happened next. Arnav have fire fear. 🥱

Waiting next update

ARNAV IS BACK!🥳 While he is with Khushi, nobody can harm her.

With the weather being so cold...can we expect some sparks between ArHi?

I love how you explored the relationship of Akash and Payal in this chapter with minute detail and even about Khushi's past and her step mother. You mannaged to cove4r it all.

Now with Nema and Arnav learning about Khushi's background, and Shyam getting more and more frustrated by the day making others around him suspicious, he will be busted one day.

First it was only Arnav disliking him but now Payal too! I hope they expose him soon.

Originally posted by: canapoem

Why does Shyam want to take Anjali to Nainital? Is he planning on something big there like kill the baby or kill both?

Anjali should ask Shyam as to why they can't find a good doctor in a big city like Delhi and go all the way to a small hill station like Nainital.

Arnav worrying about Khushi felt nice and his concern genuine.

I guess he too has undergone so much suffering and he can relate to her trauma.

Nice update.

Shyams motive for going to Nainital will be revealed later.

Poor Anjali is too afraid to question Shyam just like Khushi and just wants to please him.

Yes ArHi both have suffered a lot so they can relate to each others pain.

Thank you!

Originally posted by: Pinnkiswan

Awesone chapter Hina❤

Yeah short one it was...but why Shyam suddenly spoke about going to Nanital was an awesome cliffhanger 😜

I liked Khushi's trick of counting stars. Poor girl had so much in platter. And how she thought about Arnav. So both busy in trying to solve the mystery of others although they themselves drowned in sorrow😔

But her attraction to Arnav is a positive thing to happen.😉

Arnav ka haal bhi kuch alag nahi. Only Khushi and her problem is in his mind, making himself bewildered. Ye to pyar ki shuruat hai bas🤭 The smile thinking hat she missed him. And disappointed that it wasn't Khushi on her phone....haaye haaye. And he also shared his concern with Neema

Coll that he wanted to meet Khushi's step-mother....Hope he deals with her too. The cause of the problems of Khushi.

Anyways he got a doubt on his brother-in-law. Finally he is going towards something. Neema might help him in knowing more.

Shyam is first rank of ba#####. For his own child he doesn't have any feelings. How selfish!!! Just money he sees...jerk. But did he got a hint of Khushi or what....that he want to go to Nainital. Seems story is again going to shift to Nainitall ki vaadiyan😆....hope our hero reaches there for our heroin 😄.

Thank you🤗

We are yet to see more about Khushis step mother and how ASR will deal with her

Shyam has no feelings for anyone except himself🤢 but he can never harm Khushi until Arnav is there!😃

In fact, maybe Shyam will bring them both closer