ARHI FF: A Ray Of Hope pt 13 pg 123 updated 19/12 - Page 13

Loved the story... u told us to be patient..but with so many twists and suspense.. cant wait for update

hey Awsome Story... Loved It...😊

awesome ff love both the character can't wait to hear more about khushi past...continue soon and plz pm me when you update next

Ok everyone. I would like to first apologise for the late update but I do have a lot of pm's to get through as well. So please bear with me. I will try to update the other three this weekend as well.

Chapter 4

Payal had a restless night thinking about the coming day. She made sure she got up early, finished her morning chores and left before her buaji got a hold of her. She knew if her buaji had her way she would make her promise never to tell anyone. She had just got into the auto which she had called just to hear her buaji shouting towards her but Payal didn't stop. She was determined to go and set things straight.

Buaji who knew Payal was going she wanted to wake up early in the morning but as she was happy with the news of the proposal her Garima and Shashi had slept late. So this morning she got slightly late to see Payal leaving which got her worried no end. I hope Payaliya doesn't say anything Buaji thought. This made her worried and a little mad. She headed straight for Khushi's room where Khushi and Aryan were still asleep. Buaji walked in in a temper. "Sanka devi" she shouted waking up both Khushi and Aryan. Aryan suddenly started crying as he had been startled awake. Khushi looked at him on the bed and moved towards him. She picked him up and hugged him while soothing him ignoring her buaji. Buaji saw this and got angrier at her. She walked over to her and grabbed her hair. "Aarrrggghhh" she yelled in pain as she felt her hair being pulled. "Buaji please let my hair go your hurting me" she said pleading. "Sanka devi what did you say to Payal last night that she left early this morning." "Nothing buaji" she began to cry while Aryan was still crying.

Hearing the commotion Shashi and Garima entered the room. Shashi went mad at his sister. "Jiji let her go." As Madhumati let go of Khushi Garima went near Khushi and started caressing her hair to soothe her while Khushi hugged Aryan closer to calm him down still in tears herself. Buaji left in a huff while Shashi tried to calm himself down. He opened his eyes after calming down and went to sit in front of Khushi. He looked at his daughter. "Khushi please bitiya why you tell us what happened?" "Bauji we have had this conversation dozens of times before. I can't tell you please don't carry on asking me. I can't bauji. I can't." With that she got with Aryan in her hands who had calmed down a little sucking his thumb and left the room heading to the terrace. Garima and Shashi just looked at one another dejected. Neither could he have fathomed things would ever get to this.

Payal arrived at outside Shantivan to see a beautiful mansion a little away from the gates where she was standing. The auto dropped her outside. She paid the driver and turned to walk towards the gate. The watchman looked at her wondering what she wanted. "Who would like to meet?" "I have been asked to come by'.ummm'.by" Payal had not asked dadiji's name "Akashji" the first name that popped into her head. "Akash saabji is at work" came the reply. "His dadi actually called me here" Payal said with a bit more confidence. "Who may I would like to see her?" looking at Payal wondering why would dadiji want to see such a girl. He was thinking this girl comes from a family like his but why would the Raizada's would want to meet her. Little did he know who she was and could be in the future.

The watchman went to the side booth to call the main house. Once he was satisfied that she was indeed expected he opened the door. Payal started walking towards the house looking at everything around her.

The house was at a slight distance away. A long bricked path lay in front leading up towards the side of the house. She could just make out the cars as she walking to the house. She wasn't sure how many there were from where she was but she could tell by looking towards the house there must be a lot. There was a beautiful garden on either side of the path. She looked either side of her but could not see how far it ended. She carried on walking towards the door. She looked at the many windows she could see wondering how many rooms this mansion had but then thought she can't think like this. She had come here with a purpose.

She walked up to the door and rang the bell. The door was opened by one the servants who let her in. Nani, Mami and Anjali who had come to meet her were all waiting for her. Priyan had also come with Anjali who was busy playing with his toys.

Payal looked around to the vast hall which had staircases on either side leading upstairs but before she could explore anymore the servant gestured her towards the sitting room where everyone was waiting. She followed him towards the back through an arch opening. She saw the vast windows at the back of the hall which showed a courtyard. The servant went towards the left along the corridor and opened the first door he came to. He gestured her to go in and she walked in to see a big room with the women of the house sitting down on the golden brown coloured sofa's in the middle of the room and a little boy towards the side playing with his toys. The enormity of the room made her gape while all the heads had turned to look at her.

Priyan got up and walked over to his mother. "Maa maa who is that?" pointing and looking towards Payal. "No beta. You are not supposed to point at people" Anjali replied pulling her son's hand down. "But Maa who is that?" he asked looking at his mum with a puppy face. "That is aunty. Ok? You call her aunty." "Ok Maa" Priyan replied turning back to head towards his toys.

Anjali got up and headed to Payal who was still looking around the room. From the furnishings all in brown's and gold to the ornaments, paintings and then the large windows covered in huge curtains. Anjali just smiled looking at Payal's expression. "Payal it is good that you have come. I am sorry though." Payal turned to look at Anjali confused "Sorry for what?" "We lied to you. Actually I don't really need to learn chikan kari work. My mum..." Anjali couldn't help but remember her mum "My mum taught me a long time ago." Payal looked at her shocked "then why have I been called?" "Actually Akash should be back by lunch time and then it would give you both more time to get to know each other. That's why you have been called" Anjali replied with mischief in her eyes. Payal was suddenly a bit scared. She was here to talk about Khushi and now she had to face Akash. Well Payal what are thinking about? This gives you the chance to tell him she thought. She had made up her mind she would tell Akash first before mentioning Khushi to his family.

Payal hadn't realised where the time had gone since she had gotten to Shantivan. Anjali, mami and nani were all curious about Payal. So they go to know her.

The whole Gupta family were from Lucknow which made nani proud to know someone else's family from her home town. Payal only said that she had learned up to college standard in maths and hindi but as her father had a halwai store she use to help him in the shop. She avoided mentioning anything about Khushi. She needed to speak to Akash first.

Akash had been to the office early in the morning to get most of his work done before he headed home.

Once he got home Akash went to the sitting room and saw everyone there. Anjali took the opportunity to first tease her baby brother who was getting embarrassed by his sister randomly telling stories about his childhood. Payal was listening and she couldn't help but giggle.

Once Anjali had stopped nani had told Akash to show Payal the rest of the house.

Payal followed Akash out of the sitting room but before they even moved a few feet forward Payal spoke "Akashji I need to talk to you." Akash looked around first and then looked at Payal who was looking at his reaction and was confused. "Whose Akashji?" enquired Akash. Payal couldn't help but smile "sorry but I really do need to talk to you Akash." "Ok we can talk in the study down the hall.

Akash headed towards the study followed by Payal. She had forgotten the mansion was big. They headed towards the end of the corridor where Akash opened the end door to the study. The room was quite modern with a glass desk towards the back of the room, a bookshelf full of books on the side wall towards her right and some comfortable chairs surrounding a coffee table on the same side as the door.

Akash let her look around before he tapped her shoulder to get her attention. She looked at him. "Bhai's office from the office" Akash answered the unanswered question Payal seemed to be asking just by her look. Akash started moving towards the chairs when Payal spoke "Akash I can't marry you." Akash turned to look at her confusion evident on his face. Payal knew what he was thinking in that instant. "I can't marry anyone not until they know about my family fully" she looked towards him. Akash couldn't but feel something was wrong. He let her carry on. "Akash I know this may come as a shock in my family there is not only amma, bauji and buaji but there is also my baby sister Khushi. Akash looked at her in shock. "How come we didn't get to meet her when we were there and why is it that no one mentioned her? We all thought you were an only child." "That is only half of it. Khushi...Khushi is a mum" Payal said hesitating. "But what's wrong in that" Akash asked confused. "Khushi is not married" Payal said looking down at her feet avoiding the shock look on Akash's face which had turned into totally surprise. Akash walked back towards Payal and lifted her chin to see tears glistening her eyes. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it her. She took it and wiped her tears. He touched her shoulder and turned towards the seating indicating with his hand to take a seat. Payal went and sat on one of the chairs while Akash went and sat on another chair looking at Payal intently. She still didn't look up towards him. Silence had filled the room for a while before Payal could speak. She started recalling and telling Akash everything what she could remember.

Both Payal and Khushi had gone to his sister's for a short holiday but only Payal had returned. They had been told Khushi had been offered a job for a year. Who had given her this job no one knew and what the job involved.

It had not been a year yet when they had had a disturbing call from his brother-in-law his sister's husband Madan. "Shashi please don't blame Khushi for anything. She is not at fault. Please don't hate her or blame her ever..." with that the line went dead before Shashi could get any more out of his brother-in-law.

A few days later Khushi had come back to Lucknow with a baby in her arms and shortly after that news of his brother-in-law dying of a heart attack had come. Garima, Shashi and Payal had tried hard to get the truth out of Khushi but to no avail.

Shashi had heard the tone of his brother-in-law and knew his brother-in-law knew more than he had let on but why couldn't he say anything more.

Things had gone from bad to worse from that day because Khushi had been called all sorts of names under the sun. Everyone who had known them had turned their backs on them leaving them no other option but to leave Lucknow for good.

Madhumati had been devastated by her husband's death and with the fact Khushi had brought a baby on scene Madhumati didn't want her in the house but Shashi had been adamant that if Khushi wasn't welcome they would all leave from there and go somewhere else. Madhumati had consented in the end but only on the condition that Khushi would live there as a widow. The whole family had been kicked out of their home in Lucknow so Madhumati didn't want that to happen here in Delhi. Khushi did what she was told without complain.

Payal burst out crying at the memories. She didn't know what was going to happen now but she knew one thing her buaji was going to be mad at her and maybe more mad at Khushi for having this story out in the open. Akash didn't know what to say or do. Hearing all this was shocking even for him. Once Payal had calmed down a bit she looked up at Akash her eyes still wet from crying. "That's why I can't marry you. I can't marry anyone ever. It's not because if people found out the truth about Khushi they would think the same about me. I don't really care about that it's the taunts she would get. I remember when she walked in with the baby amma, bauji were very disappointed with her but the more we all asked where the baby came from the less she said anything. At first amma wanted her out but bauji refused. He remembered phupaji's words and wouldn't hear any of it. But as people around us got to know bauji had to sell everything fast and we left to come here. My sister has to live the life of a widow even though she is not married. None of us know what happened that year she was gone. I wish she would just tell us." With that Payal put her hands on her face and burst out crying again. Akash saw the helplessness of Payal. He realised that her family were going through a lot but hadn't his family also been through a lot especially his brother. "Payal can I ask you something?" Payal moved her hands slightly down so her eyes could look at him. She nodded a yes. "Is everyone at your home sure that the child is Khushi's?" Akash enquired. "She says he is but amma has been having doubts. You see Aryan is now around 15 months and you can see his facial features a lot clearer than before. Amma insists that he doesn't look anything like Khushi and even I am starting to have my doubts." "So you don't want to ever get married?" "I can't get married. I don't want her to get hurt by anyone anymore. She has been through a lot and I can't be the reason to put her through anymore." Akash could see the conflict and confusion in her eyes. Silence once again filled the room while both people were in their own thoughts.

Akash a little while afterwards stood up and without Payal's permission grabbed her hand and walked out of the study. Payal knew he was about to throw her out. She had told him the truth and knew he wouldn't be able to handle it. She didn't care no more. It wasn't as though it was the first time but she couldn't live a lie. She knew she did the right thing. To hell with what buaji thought she thought every time but to her surprise he headed straight to the sitting room where the women were still sitting.

Nani, mami and Anjali looked up to Akash and Payal. Akash had a determined look in his eyes but seeing Payal's gloom face made them worry. Akash still holding her hand moved towards them. He let go of her hand and looked at his family. "Dadi, maa, Di we need to talk." With that Akash told the whole family what he had heard. Shock and surprise were the only reaction they could give.

After another 10 minutes of silence nani spoke "Payal bitiya I would like to meet Khushi and Aryan if that can be arranged soon but apart from all of us nobody else is to know and I mean no one" she said looking at mami and Anjali. Both nodded in agreement.

Payal didn't know what to do how was she going to get her family to agree with this.

Anjali looked at Payal and saw the confusion. "Payalji what's wrong?" "Anjaliji woh...Buaji will object. If she finds out I have told you about Khushi I will not get the blame Khushi will and then buaji will really have a go at her." Anjali looked at nani who had a worried look on her face as well. "Payal bitiya can you Khushi and Aryan not meet us somewhere else I mean isn't she even allowed out of the house?" nani enquired. "No. It's not that bad. It's just that buaji doesn't like to explain how and why is it that Khushi got married first and why not me? What happened to Khushi's husband? Etc etc because of all the questions and the glares and the taunts Khushi was finally told not to come in front of people anymore. I can bring them out with me somewhere." "Dadi is there any chance this can happen today?" Akash asked. "Why today bitwa?" mami questioned. "Maa if Payal brings Khushi and Aryan with her in the next couple of days don't you think buaji may get suspicious?" Mami, nani and Anjali thought that was a good point. "Ok Payalji can you bring Khushi and Aryan to barela caf on Shankar road in an hour (the same caf they showed Arnav and Khushi having tea)?" Anjali asked. Payal knew which caf she was talking about and nodded a yes. "Ok so it is decided we will meet you there. Akash can you drop her home but not outside her house a bit further away so buaji doesn't get suspicious" Anjali added.

Akash turned to Payal who followed him out saying her goodbyes. Akash took her to one of the cars outside that's when Payal saw how many cars they had. She stood in shock. Akash looked at her and then the cars. "Payal please we have to hurry. I need to get back to pick up the family." Payal looked at him, got in the car and he drove off.

Payal was dropped a little further away from her house. "Thank you" she said. "Meet you in an hour" Akash said before reversing the car and driving off.

Payal got home to find her family there. Buaji barricaded Payal with her questions but before Payal answered anything she went straight to Khushi's room.

"Khushi. Khushi where are you?" Payal shouted. "Jiji I'm here" Khushi came inside her room from the outside with Aryan in her arms. "Khushi get ready we are going out" Payal ordered. "But jiji now? where? And what about Aryan?" "Yes now and we are taking Aryan with us." "But what will buaji say?" Khushi looked worried. "You leave buaji to me. I will handle it" Payal replied leaving the room.

She headed back out and saw her bauji. " Buaji I would like to take Khushi and Aryan out for a while. They have been stuck in the house for days. Please can I?" Payal asked her father. "NO WAY ARE YOU TAKING KHUSHI AND''AND THAT MISFORTUNE OF OURS OUT" buaji shouted. Payal ignored her buaji and just looked at her father. He knew that it would do Khushi and Aryan some good to get out of the house. "Payal go take them" bauji said calmly. Buaji was about to say something when Shashi looked at his sister in the not now kind of way. Payal hugged her father and walked away.

Soon all three of them left. While Shashi and Garima were happy Madhumati was really pissed.

Khushi had asked her sister where they were going but Payal didn't say until Khushi heard her give the driver instructions where to go. Khushi wondered why they were heading out to a caf.

Once they were at the caf Payal paid the auto, turned and entered the caf with Khushi right behind her. Payal looked around to find Akash and his family waiting. Again there was only nani, mami and Anjali with Priyan there. No one else knew yet. Payal gestured Khushi to follow her which she did and they headed towards the Raizada's.

Payal then introduced Khushi to everyone. Khushi was shocked at this. She pulled her sister towards her via her arm and whispered "Jiji what have you done? Buaji is going to be angry." Akash overheard this and replied "Khushi don't worry about your buaji. We will explain if need be." Khushi looked at Akash then at Payal then back at Payal with a small smile on her face.

Aryan who was in her lap asleep started stirring and woke up. He opened his eyes to look at his surroundings and then looked questioningly at his mum. He placed his one hand on her cheek to get her attention. "Maa'.Maa" he called. Khushi looked at him "oh my beta is awake. You mummum?" she said indicating did he want anything to eat. He nodded a yes. Payal was holding a big bag with her which had all of Aryan's things. Payal got his milk bottle out while Akash called the waiter to get the bottle warmed up. Akash then gestured to the girls to sit down. Payal sat in-between Akash and mami while Khushi went and sat in-between nani and Anjali. As soon as she sat down nani's eyes fell on Aryan. She had to look carefully before it dawned on her who he looked like. "Manorama, Anjali bitiya look at Aryan and tell me what do you see." Khushi looked at nani wondering what did she mean. Anjali and Manorama got up to look at Aryan who was looking at nani and then his eyes feel on Anjali and Manorama as they were staring at him. All Anjali could say was "Chote".

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Chapter 3

Chapter 5

loved th e update loved this payal glad she told the truth and stood by her sister that aunt is a monster treating khushi like that poor girl and the baby looks like asr now i can't wait to find out more loved it awesome update thanks for the pm

finally you updated! Loved it!
ok the son belongs to arnav and nobody knows what happened in that 1 year!! Hhhmmm
interesting. Plzzz update soon...
don't keep us hanging...

A great update!!

you need to update quick because i want to know what happens next real bad!!!

loved the update.. good that payal told the truth.. they are all so nice!!