CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
TWISTS AND KNOTS
Khushi was thinking and recalling the past whereas in downstairs,
Neelam: Akash beta.
Akash touched the feet of his mother.
Akash: Maa we could finally bring Khushi back in home. But she has been devastated. She is completely broken.
Neelam: I know it very well. I had seen her. She has suffered a lot, a lot. This pain is irreversible.
Akash: no, Maa. In your presence nothing is impossible. You are my last hope Maa. Without your support and blessings I couldn't be where I am. Khushi is still surviving because of your upbringing.
Neelam: no, Akash. I couldn't be a good mother. Had I been, Khushi wouldn't have suffered like this.
Akash: Maa, never say like this. You are the best mom in this world. No one can take place of yours. I know it very well if Badi Maa was alive she too couldn't love me like you. You was, are and always be the best.
Neelam: go and take some rest.
{refer CHAPTER 4} for the past tragedies
Neelam tried to keep away Khushi as far as possible from Sanyukta's touch. She feared Khushi's fate that Nupur had. Khushi was almost like her Badi Maa Nupur, Akash's mother.
Everyone in the household felt Khushi was more like Nupur and Akash was more like Neelam. It was as if Nupur had taken birth in form of Khushi. Akash always felt Khushi like his mother whom he can't remember even well. Though Neelam was his step-mother she never faltered to give Akash a proper upbringing and also loved him like her own son and sometimes even more than Khushi.
Khushi entered her bedroom. It was maintained very properly even after she had left. All things were kept in place properly. Everything was neat and tidy like the way she liked. Pink bed sheets. Pink curtains. Red pillows. Teddies all around. Lavender perfume. As if time has halted here for four years. She was feeling terrible. She went to bed and thought
"I wish the lost time could be wind back four years. But it can't be. Sometimes in our life we did such misdeeds that going back is as tedious as moving forth. It is better to cross and see what lies in the future for us. I had to move forward else I will be stuck and would be lost forever. Forever.(she sighs and a tear falls from her eyes. She rubs it off.)
I want to go to him and fall on my knees and beg to give me a second chance. Can't he give me? It is illogical to think so even."
She heard a knock on the door. It is eleven. She opened the door and saw Payal. She knew very less about Payal personally. She remembers how she was humiliated before her family. Because of the Guptas her parents came to know about her affair with Arnav. She was mad at trusting Payal at Lavanya's words. She had even threatened Payal for the disgrace she had to face in front of everyone.
She and Payal had come to know each other well after Akash's marriage, but not for long. She had known Payal only for few weeks or a month as person after a month of Payal's marriage. Arnav met with an accident and she thought Akash tried to kill Arnav and severed all ties with the Singhanias. She had been seeing Payal after four long years. She thinks what she had been upto till now. She need to mend all relations. All relations. "Let's start with Payal at least. I should correct and try to mend from small to big."
Payal: Khushi-ji, milk for you.
Khushi: Payal I know that it was long ago but what had I said you?
Payal: oh, sorry. Only Khushi.
Khushi: give.
Khushi smiles and seeing her Payal also smiles.
Payal wanted to see Khushi normal and didn't want her to feel bad since she was informed by Akash about Khushi's loss of baby and her madness and the consequences of it. So, she was leaving.
Khushi: Payal stop.
Payal got surprised on what Khushi said.
Khushi: will not my bhabhi and my niece talk to me? Don't you want me to get close to your baby?
Payal was stammering.
Khushi: I know Akash must have told you about my miscarriage, but why should I prefer lamenting that leaving this beautiful moments?
Payal: Khushi'(she hugs Khushi and cries.)
Khushi: well it seems almost seven months completing'
Payal: yes almost, 28th week running.
Khushi: then it will be a new experience for me along with you.
Payal: but you too were'
Khushi (gulped, brought a smile, tried to normalize): yes, but I couldn't continue after 25th week.
Payal: I am so'sor'
Khushi: you don't need to be sorry dear. It is ok.
Payal: I am really sorry Khushi. Not only for this, but also when my parents accused you and Arnav ji for breaking my marriage and disdaining my family.
Khushi: let them say, but they were right from their place Payal.
Payal: But that made your life tough and my life easy. I feel so guilty and wanted to ask forgiveness from my parents' and brother's behalf.
Khushi (holds Payal's hands): you don't need to be sorry for what have you not done. By asking forgiveness you are actually dishonouring me.
Payal: I didn't want to mean that way.
Khushi (hugs her): no sorry, no thanks in friendship. Forget the past and let's start afresh. Else what will our princess say? That her Maa and Bua always fight' now wipe off your tears and smile.
Payal (wipes off her tears): Khushi you really have a large heart and that's why you could treat me like this.
Khushi thought," no, Payal. I don't have a large heart' it is now that I have started thinking logically. I am worried because of your brother's misdeeds and what will happen if you come to know about it. Your father is most probably sick because of your brother. I am afraid it will affect you and your baby. I know it very well what do first child means. For your baby's sake I had to accept your brother's faults for now and I won't tell anything to anyone now. Yes, for my brother's happiness I will not keep you in any pain."
Khushi: now go and take some rest. Don't stress yourself like this. I will drink milk and you also go and have some milk. Go and take some rest.
After Payal goes she closes the door and locks it.
#### FLASHBACK ####
[These incidents occurred after Shyam and Anjali's engagement and before the Nainital trip. Armaan was lusting over Khushi in spite of knowing that Khushi is in love with Arnav.
Whereas Aman was planning to settle down and also get her sister married. He told his parents about arranging Payal's marriage with Arnav. ASR was rich and his sister will be happy and get all facilities and comfort of her life. As well as he will get a promotion and some more facilities for being a relative of ASR. He didn't choose Akash cause ASR was his boss and didn't want to create any enmity. He thought that Arnav hated the Singhanias so he won't get with Khushi anymore and Armaan, his best friend can get Khushi easily and he too will get benefitted.
But, things were not that easy and he was completely unaware of some vital information.
That,
Arnav and Khushi had reconciled and they were having a full-fledged affair after clearing out all misunderstandings.
And,
Payal and Akash were having a secret affair.
With his stupid decision all four were in trouble.
Now Khushi can't say her brother Akash who hated Arnav.
She knew Akash was having an affair with Payal and now hates Arnav even more for taking away Payal.
Arnav has been quiet at the request of Khushi and now his marriage is going to take place with some one else.
Akash also couldn't tell anyone about Payal as she was very afraid of her brother Aman.
And now if he tells, Aman would surely make her get married to Arnav.
But Payal knew that Arnav was having an affair with Khushi and she was sure he would not marry anyone else than Khushi.
But she can't say that to Akash.
It was a love quadrangle.
Akash thought to tell Khushi about it, but he knew that Khushi will be happy as her brother's life would be settled and her problem would be solved and she would try to get Arnav.
Finally, Payal solved the problem. But none knew that it will solve the problem at first instance but would create several problems in a line.
Payal agreed to meet Arnav. Khushi had never seen Payal even now. Things were conducted with help of Lavanya. Arnav was informed by Khushi who was again informed by Lavanya that Payal had created some plan and if he doesn't go her plan won't succeed.
Arnav hesitantly agreed and went to see Payal. Arnav broke the marriage as per Payal's plan.
He told the Guptas that he agreed for the pressure of his family but seeing Payal he decided not to deceive her and he has realised his mistake and is planning to marry Khushi, and not Payal.
But this matter was not solved very easily as the Guptas were reputed family in Lucknow and for this their reputation was almost in stake. Their reputation got spoiled for Khushi. They started hating Khushi. They thought had not Khushi be in Arnav's life Payal's marriage could have easily been done.
Payal was sent in Australia.
Akash also left India regarding his business and that too in Australia.
But most of them hadn't noticed this was on purpose.
Only Khushi and Arnav noticed and understood.
Then, one day Aman went to the Singhania Palace and spilled the beans about Khushi and Arnav's affair in order to take revenge of his sister's broken marriage.
Things got COMPLICATED.
Her own life, studies, career, love and everything got jeopardised at these things. But it was not the right time to tell anyone why these incidents happen and why Arnav broke the marriage. She can't tell about Akash's relationship in house. She didn't want her brother to suffer like her. Moreover both the men, her brother Akash and her lover Arnav are very egoistic and in the battle of their ego she is already suffering, she doesn't want to suffer more. So, she kept quiet.
Akash returned India within a fortnight after knowing Khushi and Arnav had once again started. He stopped her to go Mumbai for studies and kept her under house arrest. He hated Arnav for trying to spoil his life, love and his sister's. But he didn't know that it was Arnav only who had saved the lives of all four.]
Khushi started thinking.
"Aman had always been against me, then why the hell did I believe him? Arnav had always been good at heart and I gave him such a punishment. Asking forgiveness from him now is a distant dream let alone is getting it. What should I do now?
check page 63 for precap
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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