Part 3
Buaji rings the bell to Shantivan and Hari-Prakash welcomes her in. Nani, who is sitting in the living room knitting baby-sweaters for Dhruv and Arshiya gets surprised to see Buaji looking so angry, yet determined.
"What happened, Madhumati?" Nani asks.
"Devyani ji, please call everyone down. I have to reveal something," Buaji replies.
"What happened?"
"Just call everyone, please. This is important," Buaji urgently requests. She looks towards the stairs and sees NK coming down, she then tells him to call everyone down.
Anjali comes down with Dhruv in her hands, and with Mami walking alongside. Arnav, Akash and Payal are just behind them. NK comes a while later, with the 'evidence' in a bag.
"Madhumati, now will you please tell us what is so important? We are all dying with worry here." Nani says.
"I will. But first, Anjali beti please sit down. What I am going to reveal is going to be of great shock to you." Buaji tells Anjali.
Anjali does as requested, and holding Dhruv just a little tighter than earlier, looks up at Buaji with worry obvious in her eyes.
"Shyam is not as good as you think him to be. He married Anjali for her money. We actually knew him from Lucknow when he had rented the house just beside my late brother's. He saw Khushi and fell in love and became obsessed with her. He even approached Shashi and Garima for her hand in marriage, but they refused. Afraid that he would hurt Khushi and eventually Payal, they sent both of them to Delhi to stay with me. Khushi and Payal had no idea about Shyam, because they had never interacted with him. Khushi and Payal came here, to Delhi, and they life changed for the better. Or at least Payal's life did' Back in Lucknow, Shashi's sweet shop went into trouble, and we needed money to save it. Shyam offered the money in return for Khushi's hand in marriage. Shashi and Garima refused at first, but when Shyam assured them that changed for the better and really loved Khushi. He did a little drama, and my innocent brother and sister-in-law fell for it. They agreed for the alliance, taking the money from Shyam as a loan. The wedding was fixed and the three of them came to Delhi for the ceremonies, since Khushi and Shyam were both settled here. Khushi didn't know that the man she was engaged to was already married. I don't know what happened between Arnav and Khushi, but my dear niece only found out after her marriage that Anjali's husband is none other than Shyam. Even Payal found out the truth after her marriage to Shyam. Khushi and Payal wanted to tell this truth to you all earlier, but Shyam threatened to harm Anjali and her baby, so they kept quiet, suffering all this while yet hoping that after he became a father he would mend his ways'" Buaji reveals.
Everyone is in shock and has tears flowing down their cheeks. Even Akash, the ever calm one seems frozen to his spot at the revelation. He is the first one to recover, though. He turns to Payal with a questioning look in his eyes.
"Payal, is this true? Did that bas***d threaten you?" Akash asks Payal.
Payal just nods while still crying. Akash takes her face in his hands and wipes her tears with his thumbs. He then hugs her.
Arnav meanwhile, is still in deep shock. He is so shocked that he in unable to offer any consolation to the sister he all along supported. Nani is the one holding and comforting Anjali as she breaks down.
Seeing all of them cry, Buaji is also not able to hold it all in, so NK takes over from her.
"I also found out Shyam's truth after Arnav and Khushi's marriage. When I told Buaji, we made a plan to reveal Shyam's truth. Our first plan failed, as we revealed the truth to Shyam, thinking it was Arnav. Shyam threatened us and completely denied the truth. We knew that without solid evidence, you guys would never believe us. Buaji told Shashi and Garima everything, and they gathered all the evidence from Lucknow and were on their way here to Delhi when they unfortunately passed away. The evidence was also destroyed. Then Buaji and I played very careful moves. We didn't let anyone know what we were doing. We also let Shyam think that we were 'mellow' due to his threat so that he would let his guard down, and as soon as he would, we would start our attack. We managed to gather all the necessary evidences only yesterday. We had bugged Shyam's room, and got the audio-visual evidence during the naming ceremony yesterday. We even managed to get a hold of Shyam's diary and got it tested by a handwriting expert, to solidify our proof just in case. Buaji has Shyam's diary and the reports, as well as the audio-visual evidence with her ' she just collected them this morning. And the rest of the evidence, including photos and legal documents are all here in this bag'" NK reveals.
He reaches inside the bag to remove the evidence, when a hand stops him. NK looks up and see that the hand belongs to none other than Arnav.
"No need to show us any evidence, NK. I believe you. I overheard Buaji and NK talking about Shyam yesterday. I went to confront Shyam after that, but he was video chatting with someone on his laptop. He didn't notice me, and unknowingly revealed the whole truth." Arnav says.
He gives a reassuring look to Buaji, who in return thanks him.
"Thank you Arnav beta."
"No need to thank me," Arnav tells her.
"All what happened is in a way my fault. And I have something to confess to you guys' When I had gone to Buaji's home to give Akash's haldi to Payal, I had seen Shyam there. I was shocked to hear that he was Khushi's fianc. Apparently, Shyam noticed me there and came out to meet me. He twisted the truth in such a way that I believed that he was the innocent party and Khushi was guilty. I thought Khushi was trying to steal Di's happiness, so just before Akash's wedding I took her aside and forced her to marry me. I told her that if she didn't marry me, I wouldn't be present for the phere's, and without me Akas wouldn't carry on with the wedding. Khushi knew Akash well enough, so relented. When Khushi became pregnant, Shyam took advantage of the fact that I didn't remember anything about our suhaag raat, and led me to believe that the baby was his. I fought with Khushi and accused her of continuing her affair with Shyam. She kept trying to make me believe in the fact that she is innocent, but I always thought of her as guilty. And when I accused her, she was so hurt that she took it as the last straw and left Shantivan. Nani, Di, Akash, Payal, Buaji' I know Khushi didn't tell you anything about what happened between us, and you were pretty angry as you believed that she left home because of a petty fight between us. This is not true. Khushi is completely innocent. She just couldn't stand to be around me anymore, I guess. I hurt her with my own hands' I hurt the very girl I loved. Still love' how could I do this?" Arnav confesses.
Anjali seems to recover from her initial shock, but then gives Dhruv to Nani and runs up the stairs into her room, locking the door behind her.
Nani in turn hands over Dhruv to Payal. She then goes up to Arnav and slaps him hard.
"I am very angry with you, Arnav. You have hurt Khushi a lot, and in turn hurt us as well. Khushi truly loved you, but you gave her only pain. Only when you take away this pain, only when Khushi forgives you and forgets all that you have done to her, will you gain my forgiveness as well."
Nani, Mami and Akash then rush up the stairs to Anjali's room to see that she doesn't hurt herself, while Arnav is left behind holding his cheeks in pain.
Buaji and NK take pity on Arnav and console him, saying that Nani's anger won't last for long. They promise to try and get him and Khushi back together.
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Meanwhile, on the second level in Shantivan, Nani and Akash are trying hard to stop Anjali from causing harm to herself. They knock hard on the door requesting her to come out, and even try knocking down the door but to no avail.
Suddenly, Nani, Mami and Akash smell something burning, and seconds later they see smoke coming out from under the door. Akash gets worried and shouts for Arnav and the rest.
Arnav, Buaji, NK, Hari-Prakash and Om-Prakash rush upstairs. Payal remains in the living room and tries to get a crying Dhruv to calm down. When the doorbell rings, Payal goes to open the door and to her surprise, it's Khushi.
"Khushi, how come you are here?" Payal asks her sister.
"Well, when Arshiya woke up I got busy feeding and bathing her. When she was ready and dressed, I noticed that Buaji was not at home. She had left a note saying that she had to go to the market then drop by Shantivan and would be back within an hour. When she didn't come back home in time, I tried calling. But when no one here picked up my calls, I got worried and came," Khushi says.
Just then Arnav shouts out, "Di'! Open the door, Di'!!!"
Khushi gets worried and asks Payal what the matter is. Payal reveals what happened in Shantivan the past hour. Khushi gets an idea on how to get Anjali out of the door. She puts her purse and the bag holding Arshiya's stuff down on the living room floor, and tells Payal to follow her.
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Meanwhile'
Upstairs, Arnav and the rest have been unsuccessful in getting Anjali out of the room.
"Di'! Open the door, Di'!!!" Arnav shouts again. He tries knocking the door down, but is unsuccessful.
"Let me try!" says Khushi.
Everyone turns back and sees Khushi holding Arshiya, and Payal holding Dhruv. Arnav yearns to hold his daughter in his arms, but seeing the hurt look on Khushi's face, he stops himself.
Nani rushes to Khushi and takes Arshiya in her arms, kissing and hugging her.
Khushi goes up to Anjali's room door, as Arnav moves away. Khushi knocks hard on the door, and tries to talk Anjali out of harming herself.
"Di'! Please open the door! If not for us at least open the door for the sake of the babies. I know you love Arshiya as much as you love Dhruv. Please open the door for them. I give you their oath."
Some shuffling is heard from inside, as Anjali finally comes up to the door and opens it. She comes out and sees Arnav. She slaps him hard, then turns to Khushi.
As Anjali hugs Khushi, Akash rushes inside Anjali's room and puts out the fire with water from the bathroom.
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Some time later'
Buaji, Nani and Mami are in the kitchen, making snacks for everyone. Hari-Prakash and Om-Prakash are cleaning up the mess that Anjali made in her room.
Akash and Arnav are seated at the dining table, working on their laptops. Akash seems quite focused in his work, but Arnav is distracted and keeps glancing at Khushi and Arshiya every few seconds.
NK, Anjali, Payal and Khushi are seated on the sofas in the living room. The girls are talking, while NK is busy entertaining the kids, and himself at the same time.
"Khushi, I'm really sorry all that you had to go through because of my idiot younger brother." Anjali comments.
"No, Di. It's not your fault. I guess this pain and hurt was written in my fate." Khushi assures Anjali that in no way is she at fault.
"But, Khushi' Your marriage'??" Payal starts off, but is interrupted by Khushi.
"Jiji, I still love Arnav. But I can seem to trust him after all that he has put me through. I know it's not his fault completely, but he has to assure me that such things will not happen ever again. Only when I'm able to fully gain my trust in him will I return to him. Only then will I come back to stay in Shantivan." Khushi says, determinedly.
"Chote will definitely become a better person with time, and I'm sure that you can completely reform him and get him to repent. But one person that will never change is my bas***d soon-to-be ex-husband'" Anjali fumes.
"But, Di' Dhruv?" Khushi questions.
"No, Khushi. Dhruv is my son and only my son. Shyam is a mere sperm donor. My Dhruv doesn't deserve a father like Shyam, and I don't deserve a husband like Shyam either. I hate Shyam to the very core of my being. People like him are like dog's tails ' they'll never become 'straight'. Shyam Manohar Jha needs to be taught a lesson." Anjali continues fuming, only calming down when talking about her son.
"But how do we criminal-minded man like Shyam a lesson? Should we hand over the evidence to the police and get him arrested?" Payal asks.
"No, putting a bas***d like Shyam in jail is not enough. He'll find ways to escape or search for loopholes in the law and get himself bailed. We have to render him totally helpless, that even once he is out of jail, he won't be able to come within 100 meters of us." Anjali says.
"Do you have a plan for that, Di'?" Khushi asks.
"No, not yet. But we'll think of something. NK, Payal, please take Dhruv and Arshiya to the guest room. I've told Hari-Prakash ji and Om-Prakash ji to shift the cribs and baby-stuff there until my room is properly cleaned." Anjali says.
Turning to her brothers at the dining table, Anjali orders them, "Chote, Akash' Please put your laptops away. We have some very important matters to discuss."
"Hello, Hi, Bye Bye! Whatever you guys have to discuss can be done over food. Due to tension and all the shock you guys received since morning, you guys even forgot to eat breakfast. And now it's almost lunch time." Mami says in her usual funny way, trying to lighten up the gloomy mood.
She comes out of the kitchen holding a tray full of snacks. Nani and Buaji follow close behind carrying food trays as well.
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"No, NK. That plan won't work. Shyam will not learn a lesson. He'll just go back to his old ways." Anjali tells NK, refuting a plan he just thought of.
"You deserve someone much much better' I still can't believe Shyam married you just for your money, Anjali bitiya." Mamiji comments.
"That's it..!" Khushi suddenly exclaims, startling nearly everyone present.
"What?!! Khushi, you have an idea?" Anjali questions.
"Yes," Khushi replies. "Mr Shyam Manohar Jha loves money the most right? So taking that away from him will be the first step to teaching him a lesson." Khushi says excitedly, and Arnav smiles at her but she just ignores him.
"But how do we do that?" NK questions.
"Hello, Hi, Bye Bye!" Mami exclaims. "You have an idea, but not a specific one. How are you going to teach this Shyam a lesson? Poor Anjali will suffer as well. She has joint bank accounts with him."
Khushi smiles as a detailed plan comes into her head. "That's precisely it! Anjali Di is the primary holder of that joint account. She can withdraw all her money out and create a new personal account, depositing the money into it. Then you can close the bank account altogether. Shyam's credit card will also get declined'" Khushi says.
"And that bas***d will have no option but to come to us begging for money, which we will never give him. Am I right?" Arnav suggests.
"Exactly'!!!" Khushi looks at Arnav, glad that he seemed to read her mind. But as she remembers what he put her through the past few months, she gets hurt and looks away.
Khushi turns to Anjali, who finally understands the plan. Anjali smiles, thinking of all the stuff she'll be doing to teach her god-awful soon-to-be ex-husband a lesson.
Everyone gets to work to teach Shyam a lesson.
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Later that night'
Shyam is in Mumbai, having drinks and dinner with his clients. After finishing, Shyam offers to pay and hands over his credit card to the waiter. The waiter takes it, but comes back with a grim face.
"I'm sorry sir, but your credit card has been declined," the waiter says.
"What the hell?! My credit card and bank account are working perfectly fine," Shyam insists.
"No, sir. I tried scanning your credit card multiple times, but each and every time it is getting declined," the waiter says, firmly.
"I'm so sorry guys. This has never happened before, and I swear I have enough funds in my bank account," Shyam tells his clients, somewhat embarrassed.
"It's okay!" one client assures Shyam.
But as soon as Shyam turns again to the waiter to pay for the meals by cash, his clients snicker behind his back.
After dropping his clients off at their homes, Shyam returns to his hotel and calls Anjali.
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In Delhi'
Anjali's phone rings. Seeing Shyam's name under the caller id, Anjali smirks and shows the phone to everyone present in Shantivan. She puts the phone on the speaker mode and talks to Shyam.
Shyam worriedly asks Anjali about their joint bank account. She lies that it was some income tax problem so the income tax officers sealed their accounts.
Not knowing that Anjali knows the whole truth about him, Shyam speaks very kindly yet worriedly. He decides to return to Delhi the very next day.
Shyam asks about Dhruv, Arshiya and Khushi as well. Arnav feels like punching Shyam in the face, reaching him through the phone lines. Khushi notices this and on the inside, is glad to see Arnav caring for her so much.
Anjali starts fuming, so calms herself down and hurriedly hangs up the phone after finishing speaking to Shyam.
As Anjali puts down her mobile, everyone looks at her worriedly, not knowing what her reaction towards Shyam will be.
Anjali just stares back at everyone with the same angry look on her face. But suddenly, she bursts out laughing.
"Shyam ki toh aaj vaat lag jaayegi'!!!" Anjali says, Munnabhai style, after she finishes laughing.
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief and joins in the laughter.
Edited by NehAditya8791 - 12 years ago
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