A SCANDAL IN THE MAKING-KZK2 FANFICTION

Hi,I recently started watching Kasauti Zindagi Kay 2 and fell in love with it and got introduced to so many characters.I started playing around with them a bit and hence this fanfiction.It will focus on all the Sharmas and Basus(same as in the show) but for the story's sake, I've written in only Shivani as Prerna's sibling.

Hope you enjoy it.

CHAPTER 1-THE ARTI FIASCO

The bells clanged in unison, and the chants in praise of Lord Ram added to the din at Basu Bari. Moloy Basu adjusted his watch and surveyed himself in front of the mirror.

"Looking good Mr.Basu",he told his reflection.

"Mohini! I'm going downstairs. Anurag has started the arti." he called to the closed washroom door and left without waiting for a reply.

Smiling at his son,he joined the prayer and closed his eyes,letting the words wash over him.The rustling of anklets alerted him to the presence of his wife who was smiling at their son lovingly.He pointed to his watch."You're late ."he whispered,grinning as she glared at him pointedly.

There was more chaos as his daughters , Nivedita and Tapur joined in. He heard Mohini whisper, "Nivi, where is Anupam?"

"Where do you think he is, maa?"she muttered.

Both of them frowned and returned to their prayer.He raised an eyebrow and was about to ask his daughter to check on her husband when he caught Tapur shaking her head frantically at him.Sighing,he resolved to get to the root of this matter.The pooja soon concluded and he made his way to Nivedita.

"Nivi,why don't you take the day off today?It's Durga pooja."

"Does maa need help with the pandal or something?"

"How would I know whether your mother needs help or not?"

She shook her head at him.To his surprise, even Tapur looked disappointed.

"Never mind that!"he continued."It will be a nice change for you.You can relax at home and..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the door flew open and a young man ran in,out of breath.

"I hope I'm not late!'

A very awkward silence permeated the room before Moloy broke it.

"Definitely not Anupam Babu.You're right on time,quite early in fact.Anu was just about to distribute the prasad."

He could feel the weight of his wife's gaze on him but he decided to ignore it.With a huff Nivedita stormed off ,her husband looking at her retreating figure,shoulders slumped.Tapur cast one last appraising glance at everyone and sped after her sister.

Anurag cleared his throat."I guess I'll be off as well.I'm running late."he gave a forced smile and left.

Moloy finally turned to his wife."Shona..."

"Don't ,Moloy.I can't have this conversation right now."

She stood ram-rod straight,her left hand held close to her stomach and her right hand clenched at her side.Her eyes had darkened and her cheeks flushed.This was the angriest he had ever seen her.

"Will you be joining us for breakfast?"he tried asking her.

She let out a deep breath and turned to him with a smile which didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I'm afraid not.I have a lot of work left.But do not let that deter you from enjoying your breakfast,Moloy. I'm sure you'll enjoy a fun filled day with our son-in-law ."With one vicious glare at Anupam,she went upstairs,head held high.

Moloy's eyes followed her as she barricaded herself in their study.Turning back to Anupam, he gently patted him on the back and gestured him to the dining room where breakfast had been laid out.

"I went to get her ,her favourite flowers."the younger man mumbled.

It was then that Moloy noticed a bouquet of unhappy looking lilies and felt a pang of regret.

"Let's go."he urged him and the two of them retired to their respective rooms.

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Anurag stared at Prerna.

"Have you gone mad?"

The two of them stood outside the Basu publications office ,waiting for their respective fathers to show up.

She shook her head."I'm being perfectly serious.Jhanvi loves you and is planning to speak to her parents.If Madam Hitler gets to know about it,she will push you towards matrimony."

"But why do I have to pretend to be gay?And stop calling mum Madam Hitler.She is such a sweet person."

"Have you even met Mohini Basu? The only person who thinks she's sweet is Kakababu . Anyways, your being gay will throw most girls off, and your mum will need more time to come to terms with it."

"How do you know that my parents won't disown me,or force me into conversion therapy?"

"Because you're their precious Anu who can do nothing wrong.I'm such a genius."she cackled evilly.

Anurag smacked his head.God had to send his most creative archetypes as the females in his life.More often than not,he wondered how his father had managed to survive.

"Prerna, why do we have to complicate this?I can just go and tell maa that I don't like Jhanvi ."

She sighed."It's not that simple Anurag.She will push you if she feels this alliance can benefit Basu publications. Kakababu might protest but eventually,he'll give in as well.You saw what happened with your sister right?Your mother forced her to marry Anupam just to keep the scandal under wraps."

"I don't like hiding things from her.I'm sure she'll understand if I'm just upfront about the whole thing."

She paused for a moment and contemplated his words.Mohini Basu loved only two things,her status and her Anu.If push came to shove,she'd definitely choose her son,or so she hoped.

"It's your call Anu.If you think you can handle your mom,go ahead."

Anurag stared at the pavement ,lost in his thoughts.The honk of a car snapped him back to his senses.

"Earth to Anu!What happened?"his father asked,sticking his head out of the window.

"Kakababu,that's not very safe."said Prerna,fidgeting with the end of the dupatta.

"You're starting to sound like Mohini."he replied with a laugh.

Anurag smiled faintly."I thought you were taking the day off to spend time with maa."

His father looked at him sheepishly."I'm currently not on talking terms with my wife.I'm afraid I will have to woo her this evening."

Anurag and Prerna burst into laughter.

"But I don't even know what I've done to make her mad."

Anurag smiled,"Well Baba,you have the rest of the day to figure it out.Prerna and I are going to eat golgappe."

"We are?"she whispered.

He nodded,"I need some time to clear my head."

"Anu,please don't leave me alone.Let me come with you.And Prerna beta,you call Rajesh and ask him to join us there.It's the usual spot right?"his father begged him.

Anurag looked at Prerna helplessly,his dreams of having some quiet time going up in smoke.

"Don't worry Anu.Papa will keep him busy."she reassured him.

He turned to his father,"Alright Baba,we'll see you there.Why don't you pick up Rajesh uncle and meet us there?"

"Or we could all travel in the same car."his father interejcted.

Giving up,Anurag got in with Prerna,avoiding riding shotgun.

"Alright,now that everyone's settled in,we're off!"

Prerna screamed as his father slammed on the accelerator ,the car jetting off into the heart of Kolkata.

CHAPTER 2

Nivedita raked the brush through her hair, tugging at the tangles violently, wincing as the bristles got caught.She violently yanked the brush, frustrated that it refused to come away.

"Di,let me do it for you."Tapur said quietly,taking the brush and gently detangling it from the stubborn clumps."What has gotten you so riled up?"

"Really,Tapur?"Nivedita asked her incredulously.

"Di,I know you're angry at Jiju.But isn't he always late for everything?Why was today any worse?"

"It's not just about today.I just can't deal with him anymore. He embarrasses me everywhere I go.Everyone judges me for his mistakes. I have to deal with the fallout of his actions."

"Maybe you should just talk to him and sort it out.He's not a bad person.He'll probably understand."

"There's no point in talking to him."

"How can you say that without even trying?"

Nivedita's shoulders slumped,and she put her head down on the dresser.Tapur put down the brush and started stroking her sister's head.

"I'm just tired,Tapur.I really can't do this anymore."came her muffled voice.

"Can't do what any more?"came a voice from the doorway.

Both of them jumped and turned around to face their mother,a pin drop's silence engulfing the room.

"Maa!When did you get here?"Tapur laughed nervously ,even as Nivedita gripped her hand tightly,silently threatening her to not breathe a word.

Mohini glided into the room, as poised as ever and surveyed her daughters coolly.Tapur shivered as she felt the weight of her mother's gaze.

"You didn't answer my question."

Tapur gulped.There was no way she'd survive the inferno her mother and sister wrought and decided to make a silent escape."Baba had actually wanted to talk to me after the aarti.I think I should get going."she mumbled.

Her mother nodded tersely and she gratefully slipped out of the room.Nivedita smiled at her mother,gesturing her to sit in front of the mirror.

"It's nothing maa,just some office related stuff.I'll sort it out with Baba."

Her mother levelled a cool stare."You should really learn to lie,Nivi."

"To bad I didn't learn it from the best."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing ma.Nothing important to you atleast."

"Anything concerning me you is important to me."

"Correction,anything concerning me which affects your status is important.Anyways,I should probably go to the office.I have a few things to wrap up.I'll see you at the pandal."

"Nivi,if there's something bothering you,please lay it out clearly."her mother shot back.

"As a mother you ought to have figured it out."she replied coldly."But I'm sure Anu will have something more pleasant to discuss about.You should probably check up on him."

"You're impossible!"

"That I am."Nivi whispered quietly."You should probably go maa.I need to be alone."

Mohini cast an appraising glance at her before nodding and she left the room,gently shutting the door behind her.Nivedita heaved a sigh of relief and collapsed on the bed.It was promising to be a long day indeed.

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Mohini stared at the mirror,lost in thought,her hand hovering over the necklace Nivi had picked out for her.The sound of someone clearing their throat caught her attention and she looked up,meeting her husband's eyes in the mirror.It took her a second to overcome the surprise as she schooled her expression into one of indifferent calm.Judging by the smirk on his face,he had seen it.

"Shona,what world have you found yourself lost in?"

She rolled her eyes at him,"What nonsense,Moloy!"

He came to stand behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders."Usually,when someone doesn't hear their name being name called out twice,doesn't it mean they are lost elsewhere?"

"Are you drunk?"she fired back.

"Yes,I'm drunk in your beauty."he replied.

"Moloy!"

He continued to smile at her."Red and white suit you very well.They accentuate your blushing visage."

"I'm not blushing!'she said hotly.

He simply smiled at her.She looked at her reflection and to her dismay,she was blushing indeed.

"Anyways,what can I do for you,Moloy?"

He continued smiling ,much to her chagrin.

"What is wrong with you?Why are you ...?"she made to get up but tripped,only to be caught by him.

"Thank you."she muttered as he steadied her.

"Let's see,what's missing ?Ah,"he said,picking up the necklace and fastening the clasp at the back of her neck."Perfect !"

She met his eyes in the mirror and to her chagrin,found herself blushing again while he sported a triumphant grin.

"You haven't gotten ready yet."she finally managed to say.

"I am ready."

"Moloy,your clothes are too simple."

"What should I do,Shona?Shall I wear your makeup and perhaps one of your humongous necklaces?As fetching as I am,they'd look hideous on me I'm afraid."

"You're more likely to look hideous."she muttered darkly.He raised an eyebrow at that.

"Well miss richie-rich,I do not need makeup and jewels to look by best."

"Moloy!"she whipped around to face him,glaring at him.He was laughing at her.

"You have applied too much lipstick by the way."he said a matter of factedley.

"What?"she asked,her annoyance momentarily forgotten.

"Here,let me help you."and without warning,he kissed her.

She could feel all her blood rushing into her head as his hands slipped to her waist,pulling her close and deepening the kiss.She closed her eyes and after what seemed like an eternity,they finally drew apart,both of them slightly out of breath.

"It's getting late now,we should probably get going.I'll wait in the car for you."he said,"and your lipstick is a little smudged.You should probably fix it before you scare someone."

With a cheery wave and a pat on the shoulder,he left the room.She turned back to the mirror , still in shock.She was as red as a tomato and the smudged lipstick was doing her no favours.With a sigh,she picked up a tissue and started wiping the excess off before reapplying it.After a final check,making sure she was no longer blushing,she went to the foyer where the rest of the family was waiting to leave.

"Ma,you look beautiful."gushed Tapur,hugging her tightly.

"She is my mother,why wouldn't she look beautiful?"chimed in Anurag as she lovingly ruffled his hair.

"You're forgetting that she was my mother first."came a surly statement from Nivedita.

Mohini beckoned her for a hug.Nivi hesitated for a second,before giving in.

"Sasurji,why are you wearing lipstick?"Anupam's voice broke through the calm as Moloy arrived.

There was a pin drop's silence as everyone turned to stare at Moloy.Mohini felt the blood as drain from her face as her children put two and two together.Anu and Tapur started sniggering,whispering to each other and glancing at her repeatedly whilst Nivi looked like she wished the earth to swallow her whole.Moloy was glaring at the innocent looking Anupam.

"Anupam,I look forward to spending a lot of time with you this evening.You'll be by my side,right?"he asked with a deadly smile.

Anupam gulped at looked at his wife,who was shooting daggers at him ,and then turned to Mohini who looked like she wanted to vapourize him on the spot.

"Of course Sasurji,why not?In fact, I'll even ride with you to the pandal."

"No,that won't be necessary.I won't deprive Nivi of your company,besides.I have much more charming company."saying that,Moloy got into one of the cars.

Annoyed beyond measure and wondering if idiocy and a singular lack of tact were genetic issues,Mohini took a deep breath in an attempt to compose herself before thundering,"What is everyone waiting for?Get in!We need to reach the Pandal by 6."

Her children and son-in -law scrambled into Anu's car and took off,the tyres squealing.Shaking her head,she got in and sat with her husband.The driver took off ,his passengers hanging on for dear life.

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chapter 1

The whole family seems to have many undercurrents running through.

chapter 2

Poor guy has to pretend he is gay just to get his mother off his case.

Chapter 3:Chaos at the Pandal

And that's the last one,"Prerna said, heaving a rather heavy box onto the back of the truck.She stood back and surveyed her handiwork.

"Not bad, Sharma!"she commented to herself.

A knock on the head startled her, and she grudgingly turned to her father.

"Papa, what was that for?" she asked, rubbing the sore spot.

"Who stacks boxes this haphazardly?" Rajesh sighed,gesturing to the myriad of boxes,which seemed ready to tip over at the slightest breeze.

"I saved us so much space."she said ruefully.

Veena Sharma came out of the house and surveyed the truck."There is no way I'm sitting between those boxes."she said darkly.

"Maa,we'll be fine."and with that Prerna climbed on and held out a hand to her mother.

Veena looked at her husband rather apprehensively,who simply shrugged.She looked at the poorly hidden enthusiasm on her daughter's face and clambered up with a sigh.

"Rajesh ji,aren't you and Shivani coming?"

He coughed delicately.

"I have some work left.I'll come with Shivani in an auto.You two go ahead.You'll need to reach early if you want to set up the pandal."

Veena shook her head exasperatedley and turned to Prerna who was talking at a mile per hour as the vehicle set off.

"So maa,are you excited about your stall?"

"Why would I be?"

"Well,isn't this your first time setting up a stall?And that too ,in the Basu pandal.Your ware must be really good,if it passed their stringent guidelines.

Veena glanced at her daughter with a pang.The childish excitement in her eyes never seemed to dim.She had to break it gently.

"Priyu,Moloy babu didn't have my dolls inspected.He directly had them approved,without even seeing them."

Prerna simply laughed.

"Kaka babu is not daft.He clearly trusts your artistic skill.Besides,so what if he does you a favour?He's papa's best friend after all."

"But that would mean being in his debt."

"Maa,you're overthinking this.It's just helping out a friend."

"Priyu,you're forgetting the fact that he's a businessman ,who also happens to be married into royalty."

Prerna stuck out her tongue."You didn't have to bring madam Hitler into this."

"Stop calling her that.Whether you like it not,your father's job is in her hands."

"Maa,kakababu will never let that happen."

Veena rolled her eyes,"Mohini ji owns half of Basu publications."

"Which means,the other half belongs to kaka."

"Who happens to be the nominal head. Everyone knows who calls the actual shots."

Prerna looked at her mother doubtfully and tried recalling the last meeting they had had.Mohini Basu hadn't said a word.It was Moloy Basu who had made the final decision.Clearly her mother was mistaken,wasn't she?

"Maa,what sort of man would allow his wife to upstage him?"

"A man,who is besotted with his wife."

"And is that a bad thing?"

Veena gravely replied, "A woman should know her place.Finding a good man is rare enough.Push enough buttons,the monster in him might just wake."

Prerna felt a chill descend upon her as they lapsed into silence.

She asked hesitatingly,"Are you saying that Kakababu is a bad person?"

"No,he is not a bad person.He is one of the kindest people."

"Then why?"

"He is still a man."

They lapsed into silence .Moloy Basu had been a constant fixture in her life.He and her father had been friends since their school days.It was a friendship which saw more highs than lows.An ideal friendship,she mused,much like what she had with Anurag,without a jealous wife of course.What would happen once Anu married?

More importantly,what would become of her,Prerna wondered.She was an intern at Basu Publications,working directly under kakababu.But her tenure ended in two weeks.What would happen after that?Her parents no doubt would want her to marry,but again,what man would be willing to put up with her?And there would be no Anu,she realised with a pang

She watched the pillars of the Howrah bridge pass by ,as they drove to the pandal.

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Prerna stood in front of her mother's stall,attempting to fix the table cloth.No matter how much she tried,she couldn't smoothen out the wrinkles in the fine silk.She watched her parents argue silently with a lot of gesticulating and frowns.Her mother turned away,her eyes starting to turn starry.She smiled when her father tucked a flower in her mother's hair.

Suddenly, a gaggle of ladies descended upon the stall.She snorted as she recognized the socialites,who usually frequented Mohini Basu's kitty parties. Veena Sharma would often be invited but she'd decline,citing emergencies and urgent work.

None of the socialites particularly liked her mother,jealous of the Sharmas' closeness to Moloy Basu.They seldom lost an opportunity to taunt her mother and today would be no exception,she realised,as she watch the smile die on her face as she approached the stall,the flower sticking out awkwardly.

"Veena,your dolls are incredibly lifelike.It is nice to know that you got your daughters to model for them."

Prerna snorted rather inelegantly while her mother simply rolled her eyes.

"Actually Mrs.Bose, I was thinking of you when I carved this doll.The resemblance is uncanny,don't you think?"replied Veena.

Mrs.Bose spluttered and turned pale.One of her friends started fanning her in earnest.Prerna hid a smile as her mother shot her a disapproving look.

"Mohini!Come here and see what your husband's friends are doing."yelled Mrs.Bose shrilly.

Prerna grimaced as Mohini made her way down the aisle towards them.

"What's wrong, Lata?",she asked before turning to look at the display of dolls.Her eyes widened as she took in the grotesque faces.

"Veena,you have truly outdone yourself this year."she muttered.

Veena turned red in embarassment as the other woman inspected the dolls critically.

"Mohini,that woman's daughter has insulted me.Do something about it!"

Prerna swallowed as she turned her blank stare towards her.No doubt could be cast on Mohini Basu 's identity as the Chattopadhya princess,which seemed to bring the portraits of yore back to life.

"Prerna,what did you tell her?",asked Mohini.

"Well ma'am, she insinuated that my mother had modelled the dolls after me and my sister,so I just returned the compliment."

Mohini nodded before turning to Mrs.Bose.

"Lata,this is a personal matter.I'm afraid I cannot get involved,since there's no damaged.If you find the quality of goods.....lacking....I can ensure that we hire better vendors the next time.Besides, you're too smart to be picking petty fights."

"You're right Mohini.What was I thinking?The words of riff-raff mean nothing to me.I can definitely find it in myself to forgive them.Such an uncouth daughter will surely have uncouth parents."

Prerna bristled at the older woman's tone.

How dare she dismiss the heart of the issue?She would hang that woman to dry.There was a sudden crash.To her abject horror,her mother had slapped Mrs.Bose.There was a pin-drop silence as all the heads turned towards their stall.She glanced at Mohini and gulped.

She had gone pale with rage,her hand clenched into a fist by her side.This was a disaster waiting to blow.She mentally prayed to Durga maa, promising to light a hundred diyas if they could make it out of this mess unscathed.

Originally posted by: coderlady

chapter 2

Poor guy has to pretend he is gay just to get his mother off his case.

This is something which will be explored in the future but Anu is not going to pretend that he's gay.It's one of Prerna's wild ideas.

Originally posted by: coderlady

chapter 1

The whole family seems to have many undercurrents running through.

Yeah,they all have their own backstories and motivations.