PV OS - LOVE UNDENIABLE - Chapter 6 (epilogue) - page 10 - Page 6

Chapter 4:

Finally she was in her new home. The family was so excited about the wedding and they made every effort to make it a memorable affair. The least interested in the proceedings however was the bride and groom. For decorum she stayed at a rented home close to the Scindiya's so that they could at least see Payal. And also her youngest sister in law was quite a fan and loved to spend time with her. And she enjoyed it. Vidhi, Palak and her mother were the ones that really were in charge of everything. They chose every for her. From her jewellery, to her Lehenga Choli and her shoes. Vidhi arranged the hairdresser and makeup artist for her. Palak was in charge of her little niece and loved dressing her up as a fair for the wedding. Those two were firm favourites of each other and had a certain hard assed man wrapped around their fingers, literally in Payal's case. He made sure that he spent some time with her every day.

It was a day that she dreamed of for so many years. She hoped for it, prayed for it. She shed so many tears thinking that all her hopes and dreams were in vain and then finally it happened. When she had given up on love and on him it happened in the worst possible way. She had been careful. Getting pregnant was not in her plans, but when she found out it was bitter sweet. The baby was there and was created out of the love she had for him. Though tt had never occurred to her to contact him. He didn't want a wife and family. She knew that he would accuse her of planning the pregnancy. So she planned her future around her baby. And she was not happy but she was content with the life she had chosen. She loved her princess so much and that was enough for her. Until that day in the shopping mall.

All her feelings and fears came back that day. She had thought she was over him. But the way he looked at her and their baby and just stormed off broke her heart again that day. Again she spent a tear-filled night after so long. She did not expect what happened next. She wasn't really surprised that he knew where to find her. She was surprised that he demanded the wedding. To the point of blackmail. But as she thought it over it was just probably feeling responsibility for his child and once again to control her. But she would never allow that. She loved him but that love would never be her weakness again. She would fight for her dignity and for her daughter. She could not be the woman the she was when she got back from the USA. She was a wreck. She threw herself in her work and cried on her mother's shoulder in the evenings. Until she received the news of the pregnancy. And now he was back in her life as her husband.

He was up early on the morning of the wedding. He went for his normal run. In fact her ran further and harder than her normally did. He had so much nervous energy to burn. He came back showered and tried to have breakfast. Then he started work on his laptop but could not focus, nor could he just do nothing while the time was getting closer. He could not remember feeling like this ever and was tempted to call her and speak to her but what would he say. Not that he about to call off the wedding and yet at the same time the idea of getting married scared him. The thought of getting married to her petrified him.

But he wanted his daughter. He wanted Aarti too. He had seen very little of her though. She simply disappeared when he was around, even at her place. And today she was to become his bride and actually he didn't know what to expect. She was not the same woman. Before he could see the love for him in her eyes, now her eyes were guarded and hardly ever met him. Not even at the rituals. His touch used to melt her, but now it seemed that she was immune to it. He didn't understand. At least he thought the physical attraction would always be there. He knew he had hurt her immensely with the threat of exposing their personal pics. He had never intended to do it, of course. He could never do that to her. In a way it was more than him blackmailing her. He was testing her. She said she loved him but he wanted to prove to himself that she couldn't love him, not a man that spoke to her like he did and acted the way he did on her last night in the USA. He was just so angry that she was leaving him again. He was just starting to believe that perhaps their might be a future for them. He had contemplated asking her to marry him, but when he heard her making plans to join Amaan in Dehli, it made him lose himself completely. He didn't understand the feeling of shock and intense pain he was experiencing. He blurted out things about his family that no one else knew. Things that he had never spoken of to any one before. For all he knew she could have told others by now. He had not even given it a thought that his mother's reputation was on the line. No one could know of it. Especially not the family. Most especially not Palak. He should be concerned that Palak was spending so much time with her, but he wasn't. He could see that she really cared for Palak. And was glad for that. He was very protective of his baby sister. He knew at some time or another she would find out about her true paternity and she would need as many people that she knew loved her unconditionally.

He had gone to her office that day not knowing what he would do or say. He could see immediately by her demeanour that she was closed off to him. He wanted to know his daughter that was all. But her whole attitude put him on the defensive. It was true, he wanted a family for his baby. He liked the idea that she was the mother of his baby. She was the image of her mother. And yes he was furious with her for robbing him of time with his baby. Even of taking care of when she was pregnant. He was still not 100% sure that he would have committed to her otherwise but he would've wanted to help her during her pregnancy and been there at Payal's birth to bond with her immediately. He felt robbed of that. Especially since he was without his father for his formative years. It was only when he went to high school that his mother thought it would be better for him and his future to live as a Scindiya in the true sense of the word that he really had a relationship with his father. And besides he was the only son that SP Scinciya sired and was to be groomed to be his successor. G3-ma always gave him that place in the family, she never resented him or made him feel like he was not part of the family. No one that didn't know the family history would know he was her stepson. Even when he went through a rebellious stage as a teen, she was the one that had all the patience with him. Not his father. He truly resented him then. He wanted to be everything he was not. He smoked and drank. He often stole their cars to go joy riding and clubbing. He stayed out of school. He was disrespectful to all his parents, even his own mother. He judged them harshly. And always it was G3-ma that went out on a limb for him. Protected him from his father. She even hid things from him that Yash did. He even stole money out of the locker when his father started to cut him off and she took the brunt of his father's wrath for being spendthrift. That is largely why he had kept her secret. And he knew she must have really loved his Aditya-chachi for her to have done something like that. It was understood by all of them that it was over after he discovered them but he could still see the reaction they had to each other when he was in India. And when his mother died when he was 17, no one could console him. Their last conversation was an argument about his behaviour and he never got to apologise. He wanted no one near him he trashed his room he went on a ridiculously dangerous motorcycle ride and fell and landed up in hospital. And as much as he was abusive to G3-ma and everybody, she kept coming back. Kept loving him till he had no choice but to accept that she truly loved him and she was the only one that could console him when he had the odd breakdown. And he knew she was happy that he was getting married now.

"Beta, I think you chose well. Aarti is a good mother even though this is her first time. She provides and cares for her mother so diligently as well. I mean with her looks and education I am sure she could have had a good match by now but she chooses to look after her mother."

"Yes ma."

"And Palak and Vidhi like her."

"Yes ma."

"Yash, this is the right thing to do. You won't be sorry. But you are going to have to do your bit in this relationship."

"Ma?"

"There must be a reason why she kept the news of the baby to herself."

"Are you defending that, Ma?"

"No, but are you blameless in this?"

"I guess not."

"I know my son and I know you know that there is something special about Aarti bahu. Something that you need and only she can provide."

"I don't know any such thing, Ma. She made it clear she wants a marriage in name only."

"And you?"

"Of course not."

"Will you give her time?"

"What time ma? We have a child. That says it all."

"From what I am deducing here, she feels badly hurt by you and you need to atone for that, before you can move on and you need to realise that you are not your father and she is not your mother or me. Sometimes you are lucky enough to find love and keep it. Not all of us are Yash. Don't waste your chance at love again."

"What has she said?"

"Absolutely nothing, beta. But this old woman has been through a lot. You know that better than anybody. I can sense things between you. Yash, I wish I had the opportunity you have but that was not my destiny. But I am here and I love my children very much. That I can never regret but fight for your love Yash. Your parents didn't. Start a new Scindiya tradition. Give your daughter a new heritage. Please beta."

"It's not that easy, Ma."

"If it were, it wouldn't be worth the fight."

"I will think about it."

"You do that. But don't take too long lest it be too late."

They walked to the bedroom in silence as hoots and jests about the wedding night was shouted at them. She was carrying the sleeping Payal almost as if she was a shield. The first thing she did when she was inside the room was to put Payal in the cot. Then she started to take off her jewellery with very little success. He walked to her and started to help her. But she tried to move out of his reach. But he yanked her hands away irritatedly and continued to undo her clasp and the pins of her sari. Then he started to take the pins out of her hair. He could tell it was probably painful as she winced time and again but she didn't say anything. He looked at her in the mirror and she looked back at him with as much frustration as he felt towards her. When he was done, she moved past him, giving him a gentle shove with her shoulder and she wandered around the room looking for something and he wasn't about to ask what she was looking for as she was being unnecessarily antagonistic. He did not know this side of her.

"Where are my clothes?' She finally asked.

"I assume in the closet."

"Which is where."

He pointed at the walk in closet. She walked there and opened the door and walked inside. He had so much of everything. Suits, shirts, slacks, jeans, t-shirts, jerseys and all were packed and hung in order and colour coded. She knew he liked order in his life but this was a bit extreme. Somehow she didn't notice it before through her rose coloured glasses.

There was a small section where her things were placed.

"Seems about right." she said as she considered that the space in his wardrobe was in proportion to her place in his life.

"Were you saying something?"

She came out with her sleepwear and said.

"Nothing" and walk off to where she assumed the bathroom to be.

The bathroom was ultra-modern and huge and had a big shower with a bench. The warm shower on her tired body was welcome. She stayed there enjoying the soothing spray longer than she had intended. She was wearing a full length night gown that she had. He gave her a once over, and she could see what was going on in his mind. He had never seen her wear anything like that. In fact she hardly wore anything to bed when they were together. She tried to ignore him and went to bed.

He went to the shower after her and when he came out he was livid at the sight the greeted him. She was lying with her back to him and next to her was A PILLOW WALL. After all they had done she put a pillow wall. He got on the bed and put the pillows back on top of the bed. She swung around and sat up and she looked as angry as he felt. She immediately started to pack them back where she had them before. He started to take them away again. She started to back then back. He got so angry that he started flinging the pillows across the room.

She gasped in shock and indignation as the pillow were flying across the room. She jumped up to pick them up but she was so angry that she too started flinging them, but directly at him. The first one hit him right in the face giving her an immense sense of gratification but he was ready to defend himself when the next one and the next one came. Finally he got out of bed and looked at her with an intensity that she had not seen before. He was angry. He walked towards her and she still had a pillow in her hand as she stepped slowly back as he was advancing on her. She suddenly felt the barrier of the wall preventing her from moving further and he kept coming towards her. He was standing next to her and held the pillow between them and shut her eyes tightly.

He was angry. So angry at the pillow wall and at her defiance and insistence. He did not expect her to start pelting him with the pillows and this made him even angrier. And he went for her, not sure what he would do to her. But the closer he got the more excited he got and the more delectable she looked. His feelings changed from anger to desire as he was watching her stand against the wall, clutching the pillow and keeping her eyes tightly shut. She was breathing heavily and at her attempts at hurling the pillows at him, the gowns belt had come undone and he could see a glimpse of her heaving breasts in the nightie that she wore underneath. His body reacted as it normally did to her. This could be an interesting wedding night yet, he thought.

Then there was a knock in the door and it opened.

"Oh" said his mother as she entered the room.

"Sorry."

He was angry.

"What is it Ma?"

"I was knocking and calling but you didn't answer."

"It's our wedding night Ma."

"Yes, I know. This is why I am here. I wanted to know if I can keep Payal with Me." she was talking but all the while scanning the room and pillows scattered all over it.

"No!" said Aarti. "I mean, no thank you Ma. She will wake up for a feed during the night and it will just be easier having her here."

She looked around again and then at them.

"Are you sure it's safe for a baby in here."

"My wife was angry as I took too long to get out of the shower Ma."

Again Aarti gasped,

"Yash! Don't tease her on the first day. Let her first get used to your crazy family"

"Oh, she too is all kinds of crazy Ma." he said giving Aarti a sensuous look.

She just shook her head at him.

"Well good night."

When his mother was out of the room, she shoved him away from her and hit him with the pillow and went to lie down with just that one pillow and switched of her bedside lamp, saying a silent prayer of thanks for that interruption.

He followed her to the bed.

"That is my side of the bed by the way. But you can stay there. I will be joining you there sooner than you think. Good night, Mrs. Scindiya."

She was silent. He body rigid, as she was lying as far away from him as possible. She hoped he wouldn't touch her. She didn't know if she could resist but knowing that she had to.

Later that night Yash jumped out of bed and rushed to the cot where Payal was crying. He picked her up and Aarti came out of her slumber slowly as usual.

"Aarti she is crying. What's wrong?"

"Nothing" she got out of bed. "She needs a feed."

She changed her first and then she sat down on the bed to feed her. She closed her with a receiving blanket for some privacy.

He came to bed, now much more calm that his princess was fine, But the fact that she was closing herself up made him angry. She was his wife and it was his daughter. He was not going to be deprived anymore. He yanked the blanket off and they stared at each other. She eventually looked away and took Payal's hand and kissed the palm. He leaned over and rubbed her head and her arm. When she was done feeding Payal, she got up to get her winds out.

"What are you doing now?"

I need to get her winds out before she falls asleep"

"I want to do it."

"Ok" she explained how it's done and he took over. Soon as that was done she was fast asleep and he put her to bed.

That became their routine. One thing that didn't change about Aarti was that she was still a reluctant riser. So he would get Payal to her to feed her and then he would get her winds out and by the time he got back to bed, madam was fast asleep. She insisted to wear that ridiculous night gown and would be hot and then kick the blankets off in the middle of the night. Her night gown would ride up and expose her legs up to her thighs and drive him insane. He often got up and went to work on his laptop till he could literally not keep his eyes open.

It was already two months into the wedding but still she was cold to him. Never speaking to him unless it was necessary. Mostly only when it concerned Payal. He understood why but it did not make it any easier. His desire for had not waned. He wanted her here as his wife. His daughter meant the world to him and he did not want to chance losing her either. But as it was now, there was no certainty that she would stay if she had to call his bluff. He was glad that she seemed to be happy around his family at least. Palak loved her Bhabhi and Vidhi and Aarti were such good friends too. Their mothers were very supportive of the relationship. His mother in law even forgave him for what he did to Aarti. He sometimes overheard her speaking to Amaan and he got so jealous. They always had a good rapport he knew but when it came to her or to love he was not rational.

"Beta, why don't you try a little romance, Take her out, buy her some flowers. Do something. She loved you once. She might still. She just needs to get over the hurt. You have to work for her now."

"Ma, I don't think she will fall for it."

"Think about it Yash. In your business, has it ever stopped you from going after a contract even when it seemed impossible?"

"No but this is different."

"How."

"This is more than just a contract Ma. It's my life. It's my family."

"All the more reason to work for it."

"I will think about it Ma."

"No, it is done. Shobaji and I want you to be happy so we will help you."

"Ok, Ma, I will try."

Aarti looked up from work and realised it was already past 6. Her mother and mother in law and the girls had gone and took Palak with them. But they should have been back by now. They didn't say that they were going out for dinner. She called Vidhi.

"Sorry Bhabhi, we decided on the spur of the moment that we are going to have supper at this Italian place Palak loves. Can you please just make something for yourself and bhayia?"

"Is Payal still ok. Yes, Bhabhi. We still have a bottle left so she is fine."

"Ok, see you later."

She went downstairs to see what was in the kitchen but as she passed the dining room she heard soft music playing and she went in there. She was very surprised. The table was set very romantically for 2 people. She wondered who it was for.

"Hello. Is someone here?"

"Only me" she heard behind her and swung around.

Yash was standing there holding a single rose in his hand. He walked towards her. She couldn't even move. She was totally confused.

"What are you doing?"

"I am giving my wife a rose and then I want to have dinner with her."

"The family will be back soon."

"Bauji is out of town and Ma and Shoba-ma is out for supper."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Aarti, there was a time when we did things like this for each other all the time. Do you remember?"

"I don't want to remember that time. I know that it was not real. I was just under an illusion. It was my dream and you turned it into a nightmare."

"Can't we make a new start Aarti?"

"A new start? Do you remember Yash, how this marriage happened? I still have the evidence of it and so do you."

"Aarti. I would never have ..."

"Yash, you had me. I gave you all of me. My body, my love. Everything. I wanted you more than anything. I wanted to be your wife. And you wanted me too. But on your terms. Just my body nothing else. I couldn't do that anymore, but you wouldn't understand that. When I wanted to leave for my own sanity you went crazy. And you left me there. Then you found out about our daughter and because you felt obligated to her, you forced me, no blackmailed me into marriage. In the vilest of ways. Do you think a rose and dinner will make me just forget that. You don't fall in love so I suppose you can't understand the pain I had to endure. I am not angry with you Yash, but I am not going to put myself in the position again. It's too late Yash. The pain runs to too deep. This will never be a real marriage. You can even seduce me, I might not even be able to resist you but I am no longer that person that loved you blindly and waited for you to love her back. Now I live for my daughter. You won't have another chance to hurt me. This superficial attempts will have no effect on me. You might have my body again but never my heart."

He look at her. He smiled cynically.

"So I was right all along. True and everlasting love does not exist."

He dropped the rose and walked out.

She sat down on the chair and started sobbing. They were talking at each other and not to each other. They had drifted so far apart. And that was what she wanted. He could never know how much she still loved him. Being married did not mean that he was committed to her. Being married only meant that he wanted his daughter. And that was fine with her. It was the best for Payal.

She didn't eat at all that night. Vidhi brought a sleeping Payal to her. She could see the look of disappointment on her face. They all had hoped. She did not know how to tell them that she herself had that same hope for years and finally she had to give up. He didn't want her love, he only wanted her body and now her daughter. She was not going to live a lie to please him or anyone again. She was tired of living in pain.

He knew it wouldn't work. He knew it wouldn't be that easy. But he was prepared to work at it, but what she said cut too deep. She professed to love him and he knew what he did was wrong, but didn't true love forgive all and cover all sins. They had been apart so many times and yet it seemed that they were compelled to be in each other's lives one way or another. And now they had an eternal bond in Payal. What he said was not true. He knew he loved his family, his sisters and he loved his daughter so much. She was everything he never knew he wanted. She looked at him with so much adoration. When she heard his voice she got excited. He knew her love for him and hers for him was unconditional. And he wanted to protect that. He wanted Aarti, he loved her but it was too late and it was a good thing that he became aware of her kind of love before he could lay his heart bare.

It was a month after that incident when they were at the biggest industry function. Aarti went in her professional capacity as well as her capacity as the wife of Yash Scindiya. He was networking. She was standing aside, she knew quite a number of people there but for some reason she was not in the mood to socialise. Prashant was there as well. They had greeted each other briefly. His presence didn't bother her but she was waiting for Amaan to come. She missed him so much. They spoke everyday but she wanted to see him. He was a friend and confidante when she went through a bad time.

"Wow, you are doing our company proud." she heard softly behind.

She swung around.

"Sengupta where the heck were you and why are you so late."

"Well I knew we were well represented and so I wasn't in a hurry."

"But you are the boss."

"Yes, but you are bossy so it's kinda the same thing. Are you going to give me a hug or not, I have seen you since the wedding."

She laughed and wrapped her arms around.

"I missed you so much."

"I missed you too."

She wouldn't let go. All of sudden she was feeling so emotional. She couldn't stop her tears.

"Aaru, what's the matter sweetheart?" she shook her head that was still buried in his chest.

"Aaru, talk to me."

"Come, let's get out of here" he led her to the door. All of a sudden she was grabbed by her arm as they were about to the exit the room.

"Get your hands off my wife."

"Yash, please ..."

"Where are you planning on going with him? A quickie outside."

"Yash, you are making a scene. People are watching." she said distraught.

"What the hell is wrong with you Scindiya, no wonder she broke out in tears the moment she saw me."

"What's wrong with wanting a wife that doesn't hang on another man and leaving a party with him arm in arm. But then again I can understand. You must be starved by now, darling? It's been a while hasn't it Aarti. My wife has quite the libido and has been depriving herself of late. But you probably know that already."

"What are you implying Scindiya."

"Would you like me to spell out for Sengupta?"

Amaan was livid that he punched Yash. Yash pushed him against the wall and was about to punch him back when Aarti jumped in between them and shouted "Stop it. Just stop it."

"Protecting your lover." He asked.

She didn't answer him but turned to Amaan.

"I am sorry Amaan. You will have my resignation in the morning."

She walked out of the venue.

They both followed her.

"Aarti, let me take you home" said Amaan.

"No, you go back. One of us should be there. Enough damage has been done after this scene. I will find my way home. Please Amaan."

"You're sure?"

"Please."

"Ok."

She started to walk briskly, not sure how she would get home yet. She looked back thinking that Yash would follow but he wasn't. Or so she thought till his car pulled up alongside her.

"Get in."

"No" she continued walking.

He drove ahead. Stopped the car, got out and forcefully made her get into the car.

They didn't say a word all the way home. He hardly came to a stop when she got out of the car nearly falling. She ran to their room. When he got there she was busy switching on her laptop and looking for something in her desk draw.

"What are you doing?"

"I am sparing you the trouble. You want to humiliate me, right?. Well I will do it for you. And then we will both be rid of each other."

He recognised the disk that he had given her in her hand and she was putting her in the port.

"What are you doing?" he said again.

She didn't answer.

"Are you crazy? You are not doing that."

He grabbed the disk.

She was beside herself.

"Give it to me. You threatened to do it once. Why can't I?"

"You know I would never have done that."

"I don't know any such thing." she said as she struggled futilely against him for the disk.

He threw it down and stepped on it till it was completely broken.

The she went to the closet and took her suitcase.

"Where are you going?"

"Away from you!"

She packed her things. It was like de ja vu from the incident in the USA, only this time she was the one that was furiously packing.

"You can't leave. What about Payal?"

"She will be fine."

"You are just going to leave her."

"Will you let me take her?"

"Of course not."

She closed her suitcase and made her way out of the room.

When she reached the door, he mother in law that was also at the function came in.

"What is going on here?"

"I am leaving, Ma."Aarti said.

"You are not leaving."

"Ma ..."

G3 took her suitcase and said.

"I said you are not leaving." By now the whole family was watching the scene except for his father that was still at the function.

"Yash, what you did tonight was unacceptable. I will not accept such treatment of any of my daughters. Aarti bahu is my daughter as much as Vidhi and Palak. And tonight you humiliated and manhandled her in public. This time you have gone too far. This time I will not stand by you. I will not stand by while you are the cause that my daughter and granddaughter leave this house. It's time that you grow up. It's time that you move on from the past and see the future. It's time that you stop living the life by what you saw your elders did. You are ruining a great future that you could have with Aarti-bahu. You can choose to live that way but she won't and neither will Payal. So as I said, she won't leave, and she won't stay here with you, so you have to leave."

"Ma?" he said shocked.

"You heard me. And once you leave here you won't set foot in this house again."

"And Payal?"

"You will see her but not here."

"Ma please ..."

"Not this time Yash." she said through her tears.

"Ma, please, you can't do this. It's his home." said Aarti.

"This is now you're and Payal's home."

"Ma ..." she beseeched now feeling so sorry for him.

"No bahu. Yash, go pack your bags."

He did as his mother said. They had fights before and she was angry at him but never to this extent. He felt so isolated. But he knew the extent of his mother's anger and disappointment for her to go to this extreme He packed and then went to Vidhi's room to say good bye to Payal.

"Bhayia, please don't go. Just say sorry to ma. She will change her mind. She will let you stay. Please bhayia. Just say sorry." Palak cried.

He hugged her with her with one hand and held Payal with the other.

"I will see you soon don't worry." he said trying to contain his tears.

He handed Payal back to a crying Vidhi and smiled at them and left.

His mother was waiting for him at the door. Aarti was being held by her mother. She was sobbing. He wanted to go to her and hold her but he knew that was not possible now. She didn't even look at him. He looked at her for a long time and then he went to his mother in law and mother and touched their feet. Both reluctantly blessed him and then he left.

Alone, just as he always believed love would leave him.

Overwhelming ! Excellent ! You have brought out the effect of mistakes of adults , have on their children , especially when they are grown up ! The child is psychologically damaged and his life as an adult badly 'mutilated' by the selfishness of the parents ! Yash is insecure in his love and Aarti is not matured enough to understand the 'damage' done to Yash's life. Aarti is not to be blamed either ! The whole BLAME , Scindia senior and Yash's mother [ biological ! ] Thanks for giving such a lovely update ! You must spent a lot of time and effort in writing this OS. Thanks again .

Edited!

For someone that did not believe in love, he took a lot for granted. On the one hand he expected Aarti to love him unconditionally, and when she took all of his BS he took it for granted that she would keep doing so. At the back of his mind though, he expected her to eventually leave him, he did not believe in true love because he did see the best example of it. He always expected things to go bad so what does he do? He sabotages it, does everything in his power to speed up the process. It's better for love to leave him because he is in increasing danger of actually believing it to perhaps be real... How can he not be cynical when Aarti leaves him, that's what he expected. Does he account for his part in her leaving? Of course not, he's selfish and blinded by all of his prejudices about love...

Then he stumbles on her and discovers she had his child and did not inform him. Again he only focuses on having been wronged and not on the why SMH! Deep down he hated that she was not with him and now he had the perfect excuse to have her back. Again he does not believe that she will come willingly so he sabotages even that by blackmailing her in the worst way possible. He can thus be assured that she will be in his life, that he will keep enjoying her body but that she won't expect anything more from him. Yes he is comfortable with what he had before and expected the status quo to continue. No demands of anything else, but he forgets there is another player in this game and she was hurt one too many to just let things be...

His mother warns him about this. She knows he is a broken soul but she hoped that her love would be enough to heal her. Unfortunately she is human and yearning for love forced her to transgress and to find what she could not in her marriage. When Yash found out, she knew how much further the damage went. She also sees what he does not. Things are very different now, Aarti truly loves him; she realizes what must have gone wrong, and knows Yash must have contributed largely to that. She tries to guide him, to show him that history does not need repeating, mostly because this story is so much different from his parents'

He gets frustrated by Aarti's attitude, deep down he knows why, he also knows she loves him, and that's why he expects her to keep taking his BS. She does not, this time she protects herself, she never wants to go back to that place of pain again.

That makes him think, maybe he should try a different approach. He loves her but he loves his daughter more so he does not want to rock the boat, he does not want to ruin his family like his parents did his. He does not want a broken jome for her but does not realize that unhappy parents are as good as a broken home...

He heeds his mother's advice because a part of him wants a real marriage, and he realized he loves her and just like she initially did, an unacknowledged part of him wants that love returned. When she snubs him he gives into his bitterness instead of listening to the hurt in her words. He jumps back to his defense about true love not existing. Aarti knows deep down that her distance only strengthens his beliefs about love but she was hurt too much to care about him. She just wants to protect herself, she wants him to realize her love is true, and the wrongs he did her, she wants him to truly repent.

It must be exhausting to hide her true feelings so she seeks comfort in a friend. Not being able to take her rejection Yash cannot control her jealousy and lashes out in the worst way. He might not have publicized those photos but what he implies in public is as good as that insult. Deep down he knows her passion was only for him but as her body was what she gave to show love, he insults her for it; in a way tells her that love is not real, that she only gave into her body's cravings...

But he went too far, even Aarti cannot take it that she is willing to leave her daughter just to get away from him. Gayatri finally steps in. She is the only person who loved him unconditionally, the one haven he was always secure of. In her actions he sees that when love only demands but does not return, then it reaches a limit. Now it will give him cause to asses where he went wrong that even the one person he never believed would desert him was forced to throw him out...

How he will come back from this rock bottom, only you know Honey-Bee, but I know you will do it beautifully!

Superb update, and Yash inspires pity and anger simultaneously! But once he matures and knows where he went wrong, he will discover that love awaits him with open arms, always has. He will learn that he is not his father's son, that he never had been, all he has to do is to open himself to love.

Now stop being a lazy Bee and update! 😡

OMG what an update, alot of things happened here, I understand Aarti's hurt and I'm on her side but it's not all Yash's fault cause of his parents deeds but also Yash needs to think for himself and not lets his parents mistakes control him, I agree with what G3 did Yash needs time alone to think things through and sort out his misconception about love so he can get his family back, amazing updates, continue soon

I know Yash's is a buffoon but he doesn't deserve this. Won't he be worse than what he already is. If his out of their sight. Won't he turn to Alcohol drugs instead. I can't stop crying for that dimwit. He doesn't deserve this even through he is a tubelight. But i will console myself that Arpita's is death she's not there to come between AarYa anymore in an answered prayer.

Please continue soon. Awesome spectacular amazayn update sis i love it. Tnx for the pm.

The end was inevitable 😕 since they got hitched reluctantly, full of mistrust and fears. And of course the months of frustration finally got to him and not in a nice way😡.

sorry B I never read this before continue soon and I have to read from the first chapter

Chapter 5

Three months had passed since he left SM. He knew from Vidhi and Palak that his parents had a huge fight because of what happened. But for once his mother stood firm and would not back down. His father of course still believed that he was the head of the house and his heir would not leave his house and that because of a woman. He was determined to bring him back. His mother threatened to leave with her daughters and grand-daughter if Yash came back. So he stayed at the beach house. He looked forward to days like today though. His girls were there. Vidhi was cooking and he was sitting watching Palak playing with Payal in the surf. It was a lovely day and Payal loved the water. His life consisted of work now except for the times when they came. When they were with him, his focus was completely on them only. Payal was now also bottle fed so that could spend the whole day with him. It was very difficult for them to say good bye to each other. Palak still cried every time. She still thought it was as easy as just apologising to their mother and Aarti.

"Bhaiya, how long is this going to carry on for? When are you coming home?" Vidhi had come to talk to him while Palak was not there.

"You know I can't."

"Bhaiya, Bhabhi will forgive you. Just talk to her. She loves you."

"She doesn't love me Vidhi. Not anymore. I made sure of that."

"But you love her. You can make her love you again. She is just as unhappy as you are."

"That's just it Vidhi. I have only ever made her unhappy. Ma is right. I don't deserve to be part of the family."

"Ma misses you too. She thinks we don't how she cries especially at night. And she is hardly speaking bauji. Everything will be fixed if you come home. Bhabhi feels guilty that she is the cause of you not being at home anymore."

"Don't worry so much over everyone Sweety. Things will work out as it should."

"Bhayia. You have to come home. I have had a proposal. I want to accept. You have to be there at the rituals. You are my older brother. I don't want to do this without you."

"Really Vidhi. Who?"

"Amaan."

"What!"

"Please bhayia don't be angry."

"How did that happen?"

"He contacted me after you moved out as he was concerned about Bhabhi. We started talking and things progressed from there. He has been here a couple of times from Dehli."

"Yes, he is too concerned about my wife."

"Bhaiya, please just listen. They are friends and colleagues. Nothing more. And I have grown to love him. In fact we have grown to love each other. He wants to send the proposal but I asked him to wait till I have spoken to you. Please give us your blessing bhayia."

"Does Aarti know?"

"Yes. She is happy for us."

"Then you have my blessing."

"Thank you bhaiya," she hugged him. "You can get the girls. Supper is ready."

He nodded and walked to call them.

He really felt like his life was getting out of control. Now Vidhi wants to marry the man that he was convinced his wife had feelings for. But she looked so happy. How could he say no when she asked for his blessing. He loved her and wanted to see her happy, but was Amaan the one to do that. He would not let his sister get hurt. He would watch him like a hawk.

He was allowed back home when Amaan's family came to ask for Vidhi's hand. Aarti and Vidhi convinced their mother that it was what Vidhi wanted. It felt like de ja vu when he walked into the house. It was like the first time he came to live here when his mother decided it would be better for him to live with his father. Then he felt like a stranger too, but then he didn't want to be there. Then he was angry. He was angry at his mother for forcing him to leave her, He was angry at his father for the situation that he forced them into by his actions years ago and his was angry at the woman that wanted to be his mother when he had no intention to allow her into his life. He already had a mother. And now, he wanted nothing more than to be back in this house. With the very mother that he despised that time. The mother that was not his by blood but had shown him unconditional love. He wanted to be back with his sisters that felt the separation so deeply. The only people besides his own mother and Payal that he loved instantly. He wanted to be back so that he could see his daughter every day. He wanted to be back with her. He missed her so much. He just wanted to be around her, he wanted to see her even if she didn't want him anymore he still wanted her so badly. But he ruined everything. Every time he found himself speaking to her out of his own insecurity. Blaming her for things that in his heart he knew she was not guilty of, yet not trusting his own feelings or her confessions of love. And now reconciliation seemed impossible.

He had not realised that Palak had approached him as he was looking for her.

"Hello Bhayia."

"Hello Palak. Where is ... Where is Payal?"

"Bade-ma put her to sleep. But he nap time should be over soon." Palak and Vidhi had taken to calling Aarti's mom that.

"Oh" he said.

"Bhayia, Bhabhi has gone to Dehli for two days while jiju is here."

"Oh" he said. He felt intense disappointment with the realisation that she was not there. And he knew it had nothing to do with work. She was only trying to avoid him. He pulled himself together and went to greet the other people. The look that passed between him and Amaan was not unnoticed by the rest. Both sizing each other up with much hostility.

Payal had finally woken from her nap and Yash sitting outside with her in the garden. She was so busy these days. She was 10 months old and started to walk. She didn't even want anyone to pick her up, she just wanted to walk. She didn't even want him to hold her hand even if she only gave a few steps at a time. He was following her diligently ready to catch her when she fell. Stubborn like her mom he thought. And like her mom he was making him run after her and he wouldn't change it for anything. Her smile could disarm his entire hard exterior.

"Yash"

He turned his head quickly, not to take his eyes off his daughter.

"Yes" he answered Amaan.

"We need to talk."

"Fine, let me just get someone to look after her."

He gave her to her grandmother and came back outside.

"What do you have to say to me?"

"I love Vidhi. I want to marry her. I know you have agreed but I can see that you are not happy about this. I don't want anything to stop this marriage from happening."

"What are your feelings for my wife?"

"I love her too. You know yourself how long we have been friends. And now business partners as well. But it is merely friendship. Perhaps more than friendship."

"What?!" Yash said, his blood now boiling.

"It's not what you think. We are both single children and we are like brother and sister to each other. There has never ever been any romantic involvement between us. Anyway, since she met you, there was no else that could make that kind of impact on her. Unfortunately for her."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Come on. You know. She was completely in love with you, willing to give you everything and what did she get in return? You are the only man she ever wanted to be with, even that time she was engaged she was fooling herself. And look, you are separated. You don't know how to treat her. Honestly, I wish she could just get over you and move on with her life. You do nothing but cause her pain."

"I will not discuss my relationship with Aarti with you. I just want surety that you will make me sister happy."

"Rest assured, I love her completely. I will make every effort to keep her happy. I have learnt from you how not to treat a woman."

Amaan walked away but he turned her around.

"Yash, you wanted surety that I will make your sister happy. What if I asked you the same about the only sister I have known?"

Yash looked away.

"Then can I ask you, if you can't make her happy. Then let her go. I mean for good this time. She deserves to be happy." He walked away.

Yash was reminded of her words to him after she met his sisters for the first time. How he was disrespecting her and that he would never treat his sister the same. Again he felt guilty. And again he was at a loss of how to remedy it. He got what Amaan said, but giving her up for good was not that easy. But according to popular belief, true love meant setting someone free. What did that say about his feelings for her?

A month later they were at the engagement. It was at a prestigious hotel in Mumbai. Aarti was helping with the planning and preparation and she loved being kept busy. She was stressing as she knew that she could not avoid him this time. Amaan would not accept her resignation which she was glad for now. This separation was the worst one for her. Firstly she felt guilty for her part in him being kicked out of the house. And secondly everything in the house reminded her of him. She missed the routine that they had every night with Payal. This time ended even worse than the last time and now there was a baby involved as well. Payal saw her father often though. The girls took her at least twice a week. She often still cried herself to sleep. She only wished that she could stop loving him.

Now she would see him for the first time in 4 months at the engagement. Her nerves were ragged. She had put on so many different outfits and eventually settled on a navy blue and gold sari. The top had a neck in a Grecian design so she only had to wear earrings and not nothing around her neck. The skirt was gold and the pallu was navy blue both having the same gold and navy trim. Her hair was in a messy bun. Her makeup was a bronzy neutral look. She took so much care with her appearance still she had no idea just how absolutely stunning she actually looked. Payal was with her father so that the ladies could have their hands free with the preparations. Palak was sent with the driver later to dress her and they would come to the venue with Yash.

The proceedings were about to start and she was looking at Vidhi in awe. She looked so beautiful in a cream and gold Lehenga. But most of all she looked absolutely radiant. For a moment she even forgot her anxiety. Even Amaan looked great in his bronze and gold Sherwani. She felt like she belonged to both the bride and groom side. They looked so in love. She was so happy for them but for a moment she felt sadness at her love that would never be.

He had come into the venue and his eyes searched for her first. He could hardly miss her. She was the most beautiful one there. She looked exquisite in the sari that she chose. He preferred her hair loose but for the look she was going for it was perfect. She was looking at the bridal pair and there was a sad look in her eyes. Immediately his jealousy and anger rose again. Was she sad that her lover was getting engaged? She would be damned if she caused his sister any hurt. Then his feelings changed from anger to concern. He didn't want to see her in pain. He wanted to shelter her from pain, although most times he seemed to be the cause of it. It must hurt her to the core knowing that she could not have the man she loves. And he knew in his heart that she loved Vidhi and could never cause her any pain. Payal had just woken up from the noise in the room and started to cry.

Aarti immediately recognised the sound of her baby crying. She looked in their direction. Even though she knew he would be there, she was not prepared for the emotions that raged through her. She wasn't sure if she should go to get Payal or if he would bring her. She just wanted to flee. She did not want to be in the same room as him. It was too hard. She decided to go to him and take Payal to give her bottle. It would give her a chance of getting away as well. She walked up to him and said:

"Hello Yashji. Thank you for taking care of her. I will feed her now and then she will settle down."

He handed the baby to her and just touching each other after so long had an effect on both of them. She walked off to the baby room to feed Payal and as she was about the close the door she saw that he had followed. She left the door open and he closed it behind him.

First she changed her nappy and then she sat down to feed her. But as usual when Payal was with her, she refused to take the bottle. She wanted to breast feed. The outfit she was wearing was not conducive for breast feeding. She had to unpin her pallu and untie her blouse. This was no easy task with a baby in the one hand. Before she knew, he come over to her and undid the broach that held the pallu and then undid the ties to her blouse. She didn't say anything and just allowed him. She settled down as Payal latched greedily. She stroked her daughter's hair and tried to avoid eye contact with him.

"How have you been, Aarti?"

"Fine. And you."

"I'm ok."

"Are you eating properly?"

"When Vidhi comes she brings food or cooks and when she doesn't Ma sends food to the office with bauji."

"Oh, I didn't know that."

"I suppose she didn't write me off completely."

"She loves you Yashji. It hurts her not to have you at home. It hurts your whole family."

"Even you?"

She looked away and didn't answer.

"Are you ok with the engagement?"

"What do you mean? Of course I am ok. I am very happy with it. Two of the people I love most in the world are coming together. What would I not be ok with it?"

"So you admit you love Sengupta."

"I have never denied it. He is my best friend. He is always there for me. And besides that he gave me wonderful opportunity to start this business with him. For that I will always be grateful. I am glad he found such a wonderful girl to share his life."

"Why were you looking so sad when I came in?"

"Because ..."

She stopped.

"Because?"

"Nothing."

"Because you have lost your lover."

"Shut up. I don't want to be upset when I am breastfeeding my daughter. Why did you follow me in here anyway?"

He didn't answer for a long time.

"I'm sorry Aarti. It seems I have don't have control of my emotions and my tongue when it comes to you. I don't want to upset you."

"Then don't talk such rubbish. You know full well that Amaan and I were never lovers. I am too much of an idiot to fall for a man that wants to commit."

Again he didn't say anything for a long time.

"Where do we go from here Aarti?

"I don't know."

"Do you want a divorce?"

"It makes no difference to me. Whether we are divorced or married we are not together."

"I suppose the question is, do you want me to be out of your life for good."

"You will never be. We will always be bound because of Payal."

"Then can we try to make it work."

"What."

"Our marriage."

"Why Yash. For Payal. For you to get back home? It didn't work before, why would it now."

"I hate living away from the family Aarti. Away from you and Palak. I want a chance for us to have a real marriage. Can you try and forget about the past, about the outbursts, the threats, the blackmail. Can we try to go back to that place where we were happy together, like when were in the USA or living at the beach house?"

"You mean that place where I gave my heart body and soul to you and you had nothing to give but sex?"

"It wasn't that simple Aarti. You must know that?"

"All I know is that I got to lose you every time and my heart was shattered. Every time it takes me forever to get over you and just when I think I am, you come back into my life and the cycle continues. I can't do that anymore. I can't keep picking up broken pieces when we separate. I can't do that to my child. I need to be strong and whole for her. And I can't do that when I am continuously at your mercy."

"Does that mean you still love for me?"

"Why that question when you don't believe in love? Anyway, you've hurt me too much and too long for me to give you another chance. I will talk to Ma and ask her to let you come back home. We don't have to share a room, but it's not fair that you have to be deprived of your family because of me. And this situation is not healthy for Payal."

Payal heard her name and sat up and smiled at her mom now satisfied. Aarti lifted her up and gave her a kiss.

"Please can you help me with my blouse and broach again?"

He got up did as she asked. Payal reached for her dad and they left the room, nowhere near closure still.

Still the engagement was happy affair for both families. The marriage date had been set for 6 months from now. Amaan had decided to relocate to Mumbai since half his business was being done from there anyway. He would now have to get new admin staff but Aarti would be there to assist in getting more staff. He was quite excited about the move. He knew Vidhi was close to her family and she would worry too much about what was happening at home if she stayed with him in Dehli so he was looking for a house for them in the meantime. He did not want to move in with his in-laws though. He quite liked the idea of having his wife all to himself.

Palak was sleeping in her grandmother lap and Aarit was about to leave when she was stopped.

"Dance with me. Please"

"Yashji, Payal is already asleep. I want to take her home."

"Exactly, she is already sleeping. Just one dance Aarti and you can go. I will even take you home. Just one dance. For old times' sake."

"Just one." she said and followed him to the dance floor.

The song was slow and romantic. He held her to him and she looked up into his eyes. She gasped when she the sheer vulnerability and pain in his eyes. It reached her to her very core. She could not stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. She buried her head in his chest and he held her tighter. And they just stood there holding each other till the music stopped. When she realised it stopped she yanked out of his arms and ran outside. She needed to compose herself. He followed.

"Aarti .."

"No, Yash, no. I can't do this now. This is Vidhi's day and we are not going to spoil it. Please ask Ma to bring Payal so I can go."

"We need to talk"

"We will. Just not now. We already made a scene. I promise. Please just get Ma now."

He went inside and her mother came out with Payal.

"Are you ok Sweetheart?"

"I am fine Mom. Can we go?"

She nodded and they left.

She was busy with breakfast as she couldn't sleep. And everyone else was tired form the engagement party. She was deep in thought about her encounter with Yash when she heard her mother in law.

"Good morning, bahu."

"Good morning, Ma,"

"How are you this morning?"

"I'm fine."

"How are you really?"

"Well ... Actually, I could be better."

"You want to talk about it?"

"Ma, last night was not easy for me. You know that right. Seeing Yashji after so long ... "

"I know."

"Ma, please won't you reconsider. Please I can't see him like that. He is all alone. He doesn't have his own family around him, while I am staying in his house. Ma, please allow him back home. I promise we won't fight. I just can't see him suffer like that."

"You love him that much."

"Payal needs her father Ma."

"Just because you don't answer my question, doesn't mean I don't know the answer bahu. I too had to fight for his love. I know he is not the easiest person to love but when he loves, he loves passionately. And he loves eternally. You will find that out soon."

"No Ma ..."

"It's fine bahu. You can tell him he can come back home."

She looked at her mother in law with so much gratitude.

"Thank you, Ma. I will call him after breakfast."

"Maybe, you should go to him and tell him."

She nodded.

"Ok, Ma."

She called him after breakfast.

"Yashji, I'd like to come and see you? To have that talk."

He was quiet for a while. He did not expect her to call him to ask for the talk.

"Yashji?" she said when he didn't respond.

"Of course, you can come around. I will be waiting."

He put down the phone. He was still in his clothes from the night before. He had gone to sit on the recliner on the balcony when he got home from the engagement party. He had sat there the whole night, just thinking and planning. He had to get her back. No matter what the world said, he loved her and he was not setting her free. He had done that too many times and every time the universe or something brought them back together. She was meant to be with him. Not just for now, not just for a while, but forever. Maybe he still didn't believe in love, but he believed in their love, in their forever after. He had to plan carefully and he had to keep his jealous rages and his insecurities at bay. In fact, he had to address it and deal with it. He was never comfortable doing it before. But for her, only for her he was willing to come out of his comfort zone, he was will do anything to regain her love and trust.

uff coz yash stupidity now all the families suffering
whatever happened in the past he shouldn't hold in present 🤔
when he know how much aarti love him & his families love him so much
OMG aman & vidhi in love 😲
uff but still yash thought aarti & aman in love 😡
love how aman talked to yash he deserve it 🤗
ouch it was really hard for aarti to see yash after 4 month she got really emotional 😭
so finally Mr yash sindhia got his brain back & asked aarti to set the past free & work on their marriage after all those hurt he gave her😡
now aarti talk to her MIL to let yash come back home & she let him
yash is so exciting to meet aarti 😊
continue plz

Misery loves company, Yash was wallowing in his at the beginning after the hurtful acts he committed from stubbornness and fears mixed up. The man was one anger body walking around until he had no one around to get angry at.

I could just imagine that meeting where Aaman came for Vidhi hand, men showing who's hum.. has the biggest 😛 but ouch that comment from Aaman about learning how not treat a woman, has got to have hurt..

Ah Aarti cannot resist the man despite everything he put her through. Oh well the heart want what the heart want I suppose but Yash has got to be the most insecure man around. His song and dance are getting old, either commit or free the woman for pit sake. The latter is fine with me at this point. He wants her umpteen surrender but still keep a part of himself safe which did not work before and won't in the future. Incidentally, his plan to keep her seems like a sure way to definitely drive Aarti away, but then again we are talking emotion so anything is possible.