ARHI FF: A Ray Of Hope pt 13 pg 123 updated 19/12 - Page 20

Chapter 5

Anjali couldn't believe the resemblance. She remembered the baby photos of her and her brother on the number of occasions they had looked at the family album. This little boy in front of her reminded her so much of her brother. The same chocolate brown eyes were unmistakable, similar ruffled hair and also the lopsided smile. Anjali looked at both nani and mami who looked at the boy then each other thinking back to when Arnav was a little boy and looked very similar.

Khushi who didn't know what was going on spoke "Aap log ese kya dekh raha hai? (What are you looking at?)" Anjali, nani and mami suddenly realised what they were doing. Nani turned to look at Khushi "Bitiya I would like to ask something?" "Ji" Khushi answered while patting Aryan's back who was getting restless for his bottle. "Bitiya do you know my other grandson Arnav?" nani enquired. "Arnav..Ummm'No. Name doesn't ring a bell. I don't think I have heard of the name" Khushi nodded a slight no. Akash and Payal sitting opposite were wondering what was going on. Before they could ask the waiter came back with the bottle and Aryan moved his hands towards the bottle indicating he wanted to the bottle. Khushi saw what her son was doing and with her free hand took the bottle from the waiter, placed it on the table, while Aryan turned to see where the bottle was and then trying hard to pick it up from the table. Khushi turned him around so now he was sitting on her lap and gave him the bottle which he took gladly and started drinking. This was when Akash saw him and as he had seen his cousin's plus his own baby photo's seeing Aryan shocked him to the core. He had to look at his family and they also had the same look in his eye.

Khushi was looking down at Aryan while his head was on her chest as he was drinking his milk. She placed her hand at the bottom of the bottle lifting it up slightly as to help him drink it all.

Anjali went to sit back down as Priyan had been trying to get his mum's attention. "Yes beta. What would you like?" turning to address her child. "Maa I would like some cake" Priyan smiled. "I'll see what I can do" as Anjali indicated for the waiter to come over and take everyone's orders. Everyone made their orders and the waiter went.

Khushi saw Priyan and smiled while he looked at her inquisitively. "Maa maa who that?" turning to address his mum while pointing at Khushi. "Beta what have I told you no pointing and she is just aunty" Anjali turned looking at Khushi with a smile who smiled back. "No maa maa who that?" still pointing towards Khushi but pointing at Aryan. Anjali held her son's hand and placed it back in his lap. "That is aunty's son" Anjali looked at her son. "What name?" Priyan inquired. Anjali had no idea. She turned to look at Khushi who answered "Aryan and what's your name?" Priyan looked from Khushi to his mum. "Answer aunty beta" Anjali placed a hand on her sons shoulder. He looked back at Khushi who was still smiling at him and then became shy and hugged his mum. Everyone saw this and just laughed. "Priyan" Anjali turned to look at Khushi while patting Priyan's head.

The waiter came back with everyone's orders. Anjali sat Priyan back on his chair, turned the chair so he was facing her, took the plate with the cake and started feeding him while he was trying to get the spoon of his mum as he felt he was old enough to eat on his own because he didn't want to be embarrassed in front of other people. So Anjali placed the pate back on the table turned him around and pushed him towards the table. Before she gave him the spoon she cut the slice of cake into pieces so it was easier for him to eat. She turned to have her tea.

Khushi who was still helping feed Aryan when he had finished she took the bottle, placed it on the table, then rummaged in her bag for a towel which she first used to wipe his mouth before placing it on the table. She then started rubbing Aryan's back to make him burp which he did after a while before she could even start to have her tea. As she was drinking Aryan was busy trying to grab the cup from her hand. She had her arm around him so he couldn't get up much and she had to turn her face away from him to have her tea.

Everyone else who were also having their teas couldn't help witnessing the scene of the two mothers in front of them.

Nani put her tea down and looked up at Akash. "Akash bitwa so what have you decided?" Akash placed his cup down and sat back in his seat mulling things over. His eyes first going to Payal who was drinking her tea avoiding his gaze, then towards his mum and dadi who were looking at him intently waiting for an answer and then over to Khushi who was playing with her son Aryan. As his eyes went over to Aryan he realised the boy and his mother were innocent in this whole thing and his mind wondered why the little boy looked very much like his brother. He then trailed his eyes back to Payal and at the woman whom his family wanted him to marry and her actions. This girl was willing to sacrifice her whole life for her baby sister even if it meant not getting married ever. Bhai was right he thought. Not every woman was the same. He already knew this but after seeing what had happened to his brother thanks to his ex-sister-in-law he had become very weary of every women but here was a simple girl willing to do anything for her sister which made her very special. He moved himself forward and looked at his dadi. "Dadi I would like to get married to Payal if that is ok with her" he turned to look at her. Payal who was drinking choked on her tea and her head snapped around to look at Akash. He saw her reaction and smirked. His eyes then gazed at his mother who was smiling with tears in her eyes as she looked at nani who was also smiling. Anjali was also grinning from ear to ear. "There is however a condition on my part" Akash's tone becoming serious. For a moment Payal thought here it comes he is going to tell me something along the lines of Khushi not being involved or Khushi to leave the house forever her temper starting to flare up. Akash could see Payal's eyes go from shock to fury but the smirk never left his face especially when he said his next words "Dadi, maa, di don't you think it would be a great idea if Khushi and Aryan were involved in everything from the engagement right the way through to the marriage?" Akash still glaring at Payal saw her fury filled eyes soften when she heard what he had to say but suddenly she turned to look Khushi who looked right back at her with fear evident in her hazel eyes.

Nani and mami who heard what Akash had said were ecstatic but the look Payal had in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by nani. She followed her gaze and looked at Khushi who was looking afraid. Nani placed her hand on Khushi's shoulder snapping her out of her trance and making her face nani. "Khushi bitiya if you worried about your buaji I will talk to her" nani assured. Khushi smiled a weak smile but she was still scared.

Payal didn't know what to say anymore. She finished drinking her tea while she waited for Khushi to also finish hers. Payal was about to get up along with Khushi when nani spoke "Payal bitiya wait a little while longer. Anjali call up Shyam and ask him to come and pick you up from here so we can all go to Payal bitiya's house and speak to her family." Anjali took out her phone and Priyan being Priyan went to grab it of her but with a swift movement she managed to evade him and call Shyam.

Once she had finished talking to Shyam she put the phone down only for Priyan to be angry at her. "Maa me not speak to papa. You no gave me phone. Me not speak to you" Priyan giving his mum a grumpy look. Anjali couldn't help but smile a little "Beta papa is on his way so you can speak to him then ok." Priyan's frown turned into a smile when he heard that "Yayy papa coming papa coming." Everyone just ended up laughing with Priyan. Seeing Priyan laugh Aryan had a huge smile on his face and started clapping. Watching both kids everyone just smiled while Khushi hugged Aryan closer.

Shyam arrived ten minutes later. Priyan was the first to see him. He tried to get off his chair but couldn't move much as he was still very close to the table. Anjali also saw Shyam and knew Priyan was trying to go to him. She pulled the chair out, Priyan got off and ran into the open arms of his dad. "Hey how's my boy?" Shyam grinned looking at his son. "Good papa. Me had sponge cake" he said grinning. "Oh where's mine?" "Papa sorry me ate all" he pouted. Shyam just laughed and started tickling his son who was giggling.

They both headed towards the rest of the family. Shyam scanned the table and his eyes fell on Khushi and Aryan. He wondered who they were. Anjali looked at her husband and followed his gaze. Realising who he was looking at and what he was thinking she got up and walked over to him. She went towards his ear and whispered "I'll tell you in the car." She turned to look at everyone "shall we go?" Everyone then got up to leave.

Shyam was told they were all heading towards the Gupta house to drop Payal and Khushi back. Anjali and Priyan sat in his car while the rest sat in Akash's car. On the way there Anjali told the whole story to Shyam who was beyond shocked. She even told him that Aryan had a striking resemblance to her brother but as Shyam wasn't concentrated much he didn't notice.

Once at the Gupta house everyone got out. Garima who had just come outside saw the scene and when she saw Payal, Khushi and Aryan with the Raizada's she went pale as a ghost knowing full well what could happen. Madhumati who was shouting her name came out and froze as she saw the scene. Suddenly her eyes fell on Khushi thinking this was all her doing and Khushi could see the temper build up in her aunt's eyes. Aryan who was in her arms was struggling to get down but she held onto him tighter tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Nani who was beside her touched her shoulder and could feel she was shivering. Nani felt that life had somehow wronged this girl.

Everyone headed towards the house. Madhumati, Garima and Shashi welcomed them but before Khushi could go in Madhumati was about to grab her when Payal came to her rescue and got in her bua's way. Madhumati didn't like this but couldn't make a scene in front of the Raizada's.

All of them were seated before nani spoke. She told them Akash has said he would like to marry Payal only unless Khushi and Aryan were involved in everything as the bride's sister. Shashi and Garima were in tears as they said this. Madhumati was shocked and wanted to shout at Khushi for all this but couldn't. Nani saw Madhumati's reaction and honestly didn't like it one bit. "I do have to say Shashi bitwa, Garima bitiya you have the most sensible and mature daughters I have ever seen. You must be very proud of the both. I know I would be" she voiced looking at the parents avoiding Madhumati's gaze. "Payal bitiya you still haven't said if you would like to become our daughter-in-law" mami had pointed out. Payal looked at everyone and her eyes fell on Akash who was looking at her intently. She couldn't help but blush at his gaze as she read something else in his eyes that wasn't there before. Payal looked towards her parents but couldn't answer. All the women in the room could tell Payal was being shy in answering so Anjali got up and went and sat next to Payal. She indicated for Payal to whisper in her ear. Payal whispered and Anjali made a face. She turned to look around towards the family with no expression. Akash suddenly thought Payal had said no which shocked him but seeing his face Anjali burst out laughing and said the answer was yes. Everyone started laughing while two people stole glances at one another.

Nani then announced that they will be back in a couple of days with the shagun. Anjali who knew Akash may still want to spend some more time with Payal voiced "Garima aunty we would still like Payal to come over if you don't mind but I think I can say on behalf of everyone else that we would also like Khushi and Aryan to come along as well." Garima looked towards her husband who had the same expression of worry on his face. This did not go unnoticed by nani. "Shashi bitwa, Garima bitiya I know what you are worried about but trust us we will not tell anyone about Khushi's real past but we would like to know what story you have told everyone as to keep this whole thing under wraps" nani said looking towards the Gupta's. Neither Shashi nor Garima could speak. Madhumati was still angry at the whole thing. Payal and Khushi just looked at one another not knowing what to say. "Shashi bitwa, Garima bitiya even we have a daughter in the house and if something like this were to happen to her we could understand the worry and the talk so keeping something this a secret is understandable so please we would like to know" nani again spoke trying to calm down the growing nervousness around her. "We tell everyone that that one of Garima's old friends wanted Khushi as her daughter-in-law. Yes we were worried that Payal being older and her not married first but Garima's friend was very ill hence the quick marriage. Once the marriage was done as everyone knew Khushi's mother-in-law was already ill she passed away 6 months after the marriage. She didn't even get to see her grandchild. Unfortunately when Khushi had come back home to visit one time with Aryan her husband was brutally killed at home. The police have no idea what happened and as we are not very well off we couldn't find out. This is the story we tell people here but over in Lucknow people know Khushi is not married but has a child" Shashi narrated with a sad expression. Garima had her head lowered so did Payal but Khushi was in tears hearing all this blaming herself that she had bought this whole mess on her family.

Silence had filled the whole room while everyone were in their own thoughts.

Aryan started stirring in Khushi's arm's to get down while Priyan looked up towards his mum. Khushi let Aryan down on the floor in front of her and he stood on his feet but stayed close to Khushi as he was still unable to walk. Priyan then looked around and saw Aryan. He walked up towards him while Aryan looked at him. Everyone's eyes suddenly looked at the boys. Priyan turned to look at his mum "Maa maa he come and play with me at home?" Anjali smiled at Priyan "not today beta. Maybe another time" as she looked at Khushi who smiled towards her wiping away her tears. "Well I think we should all be going now" Shyam turned to look at Anjali who in turn looked back at him and nodded a yes.

Everyone got up to leave with the assurance they will be back in a couple of days with the shagun.

Once they had gone Madhumati looked at Khushi in fury. Payal who knew what was going to happen came and stood between Khushi and her bua. "Buaji Khushi had nothing to do with this. If you want to say something say it to me because I had decided to go tell Akash and his whole family the truth. It was my decision and mine only. I didn't want to marry someone without them knowing everything. I mean if I married him without him knowing this and later on he found out then what would happen then" Payal said looking directly at her bua. "Fine do what you want. It seems I can't do or say anything anymore" and with that she left to go into her room. Payal closed her eyes and let out a sigh of relief. She turned to look at Khushi who was by now holding Aryan in her arms standing in front of her sister. Payal cupped her cheek and smiled and Khushi gave a weak smile back. Shashi came over to the pair of them and placed a hand on each of his daughter's blessing the both of them before him and Garima went to their rooms. Payal, Khushi with Aryan soon went to their rooms and went to sleep.

Next day Payal, Khushi and Aryan went to the Raizada mansion. Even though their bua had protested Payal had reminded her that the raizada's were expecting Khushi and Aryan with her.

When they got to the gate of the Raizada mansion Khushi couldn't help but gape at the sight in front of her. Payal looked at her sister and couldn't help but smile as she had the same look on her face when she had seen the house.

What both girls had no idea was that none of the men had gone to the office. All of them were working from home. Even Shyam had the day off and he too was at the Raizada mansion. So when they entered the house they were shown to the outside courtyard where everyone except Arnav was around.

Once outside Khushi sat next to Anjali while Anjali gestured for Priyan to come forward and play with Aryan if he wanted to. Payal went to sit next Manorama who started discussing a few things with her. Akash saw Payal go sit next to his mother and while he was trying to listen and talk to his jijaji he couldn't help but glance towards Payal. This was not gone unnoticed by Shyam who had smirk on his face so he took the opportunity and teased his brother-in-law who couldn't help but feel embarrassed. He looked towards Anjali who at the same time looked his way and gestured to look at Akash. She understood what he meant and got up. She walked over towards Payal. "Payal would you like to see the house?" Anjali enquired with a small twinkle in her eye. Mami gestured her to go ahead. So Anjali started heading back into the house with Payal but gave a your turn look towards her husband. Shyam just smirked at her and turned to look at Akash who eyes were on Payal watching her walk away.

Shyam got Akash's attention after a while. "So saale saheb I think we need to talk about some business that has occurred." "Haa'what?" Akash looked back at Shyam perplexed. "Yes. Come on inside we need to go over a few files" as Shyam stood up. Akash looked at his brother-in-law confused. Shyam couldn't believe Akash did not understand. "Saale saheb come on" Shyam said through gritted teeth while pointing towards the house making sure no one else saw him. Akash looked to where Shyam was pointing and it clicked. "Oh yes let's go" as Akash also stood up instantly. Shyam couldn't help but hide the smile that was trying to appear on his face.

Once they went in everyone else was engrossed in conversation.

Aryan who was playing on the floor crawled up towards to Khushi and using his hands he got up on his feet while he was grabbing Khushi's sari. He was very good at this but just didn't know how to walk yet. He looked towards Khushi who looked down at him. "Maa..maa'mummum" he said pointing towards the bag. "Oh my beta is hungry" as Khushi started looking for his bottle. "Ummm.. can someone please tell me where the kitchen is?" Khushi looked at nani and mami. Nani gestured hari prakash who had just arrived with the tea and snacks to take the bottle and warm up the milk. Khushi said she would rather do this. Priyan was too engrossed in his toys to notice this.

Khushi picked up Aryan and Hari prakash led Khushi to the kitchen where she was shown where everything was. Khushi couldn't place Aryan on the bench so she put him down on the floor while she got on with warming the milk. Neither hari prakash nor Khushi noticed that Aryan being who he was started crawling and headed out of the kitchen.

Arnav who had been in his home office most of the morning was getting hungry so he headed towards the kitchen to grab something to eat. He had a file in his hand so he wasn't watching where he was heading.

Khushi who had finished warming the milk turned to see where Aryan was only to find he wasn't there. She walked out of the kitchen to go find him.

Aryan was busy clawing along the corridor when he decided to stop in front of a cabinet. He sat on down in front looking upwards. Arnav didn't see where he was going and slightly tripped the file fying out of his hand in front of him. "What the'?" as he turned to see what he tripped over and saw Aryan busy sitting down now looking up towards him. Khushi had just come out of the kitchen and as she wasn't looking either didn't see the file in front and tripped and crashed right into Arnav. She was about to fall when a pair of strong arms had grabbed her. Arnav who had seen Aryan turned to see where his file was when Khushi crashed right into him and was about to fall when he grabbed her. Khushi had her eyes closed thinking she was about to fall but as she realised she was in someone's arms opened her eyes very slowly. A pair of chocolate brown eyes were gazing into a pair of doe eyed hazel colour eyes standing there for who knows how long.

A/N Not all my updates will be this long so please expect them to be. To all those who read my first ff Their six month marriage as soon as the chapter has been drafted I will be update that as well.

Chapter 4

Chapter 6