Arshi - SS It's Time To Move On (completed)

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Madhumati was waiting anxiously outside the Delhi Airport for her niece. Finally able to spot her dearest niece, she felt relaxed. But who is she carrying in her arms - is it Akansha ? Does it mean ...? She felt extremely excited & happy. Her smile got extended on her lips spotting Arnav beside her. She went ahead & hugged Khushi tightly sandwitching Akansha between them.

ooo Sorry. Hello Akansha. How r u beta ? Did you recognize me ?' Madhumati tried to initiate a conversation. But seems like , the child is in no mood for it.

She must be tired. - Madhumati said feeling disappointed. How are you Arnav beta'?

"I am fine auntie, thank you. Managing Akansha & all the luggages all alone was becoming difficult for Khushi. So, I accompanied her'. Arnav informed.

Alone? Why alone beta ? Madhumati looked behind their shoulder to find no one else is accompanying them. Where are they ?

Unable to hold the suspense anymore , she asked her niece , Where is Aakash & Payal ? Why is Akansha travelling alone with you ?

Unable to hold herself anymore, she started crying. They are no more Buaji'

Madhumati was about to loose her balance owing to the shock, but Arnav hold her tightly. Auntie, lets go home & we will talk. Arnav guided both of them towards the car that came from RM to pick him up. Settling Madhumati & Khushi with Akansha in between in the backseat, he took the passenger seat asking Mohan to drop them at Mayur Vihar first.

With the sound of doorbell, Devyani walked towards the main entrance. Seeing tired Arnav , she holds him in her embrace & smiled. "How are you beta ? Don't you miss me at all. These skype conversation are not sufficient. I want to see you everyday infront of my eyes'.

Arnav smiled back. You are not taking enough care of yourself Dadi. I am fine. But I feel like, I should forcefully pick you up & take you with myself, so that I can take care of you personally'.

Devyani's smile broaden. She bring him inside the mansion. Manohar & Manorama were seating in the family room. Seeing Arnav , both of them smiled genuinely & took him into the hug.

"Go & get fresh beta. Then we will have lunch'. Devyani told him.

Devyani was having her evening tea in the balcony attached to her room , overlooking the vast garden. Sensing a movement beside her , she turned around & warmly greeted Arnav ,' So, you got a sound sleep"?

Yes Dadi. It feels great to be back home'.

Now, tell me, what took you so long to come home. Your flight arrived in the morning & you come to your home post lunch. Where have you been beta ?'

Taking a deep breath Arnav replied , I came with Khushi , Dadi'.

Khushi ... how is she beta ? She has become a big girl now , right. What is she doing these days'? Devyani asked excitedly.

Yesss Dadi, she is fine. She has finally opened her own boutique '.

Oh, so she came for a vacation.' Devyani concluded.

No Dadi'. After taking a deep breathe Arnav continued , Actually, I wanted to tell you something'.

"ha beta... bolo'

Dadi ... Aakash & Payal were no more. They died in an accident. Khushi & I completed all the formalities & bring Aakansha home . Dadi ...' Arnav abruptly stopped hearing a muffled sound.

Devyani & Arnav turned around to find Priyanka running hurriedly towards her room , all the way trying to stop herself from crying . Tears started flowing from Devyani's eyes too.

It was quite late at night. News of Akash & Payal's death made the already gloomy house to a scary silent place. Everybody were sitting in the living room , but whether they are mourning for the loss of their son or silently showing their support to each other - nobody can say.

To break the scary silence, Manohar spoke , You could have inform us beta. We would have visited over there. Or was our son so upset with us , that he doesn't even want us to perform last rites'. Manohar broke into tear.

Arnav went ahead & hugged tightly his chachu. It's not like that, chachaji.'

Then why didn't you inform us Arnav' , Manorama asked controlling her tears.

We went blank Chachi. Akansha were in the car too. We don't know how to tell her that her parents were no more. She herself was in trauma & the moment Khushi found her in the hospital, she clung on to her all lost. All formalities including taking care of Aakansha's responsibilities, as we were the only blood relatives present over there , performing last rites of Aakash & Payal , hiding it from Aakansha - were done mostly by me as she was not leaving Khushi for a single moment. That's why it took us sometime to wrap things up to bring her over here.

What's done is done Arnav. We can atleast hold a puja for them. I don't know about the rest, but I will go tomorrow with you to Madhumati ji's place & decide on when & how to arrange the puja. at their place & we will take it from there. Can you inform her about that?

Surely dadi. Infact buaji was asking about the same thing, when I went to drop them home. I will talk to her about the same.' Arnav informed them in general.

Just stop it, stop it, just stop it'. Anjali's sudden loud voice makes the heads turned towards her. She has been listening to everything . Her parents words. Arnav's words. Dadi's words. She has had enough. They have lost the son of this house for crying out loud & they didn't even got a chance to see him before his last rites. For the last six years they all are living in this place which was once a home , but now resembles that of a cemetery. Here every member were just surviving not living. & it was all because of that ...that... Payal. She has taken away her brother & if that is not enough , dadi wanted to arrange a puja not only for Aakash but also for that Payal & that too at their home. Does they have no right on Aakash, even after his death. She is not going to let it happen. She decided.

How could you suggest something like this ? Aakash is not only my brother, he is also son of this house. Don't we have a right to organize a puja for him in our own house.'?

Seeing Anjali all broken Devyani softened a lit, but her resolve didn't get weak. I want to do a puja for both Akash & Payal. But knowing all of you, I am not sure, whether you will let that happen. So, if requires Arnav & I along with Madhumati ji & Khushi will do the puja over there. You all were allowed to attend without creating a scene.'

Sensing the determination in her voice, Anjali also flared up,'Even...even after all these , you feel so much for that home breaker Payal. Even after so many things how could you feel for that other woman instead of your own grand-daughter-in-law'. Anjali in the heat of the moment scratch the raw wound of their family, which even after 6 years refused to get healed.

PAYAL IS NOT THE OTHER WOMAN'. Devyani's voice echoed in the silence of the mansion.

SHE IS . BECAUSE PRIYANKA IS YOUR LEGAL GRAND-DAUGHTER-IN LAW'. Anjali refused to back down.

Unable to hold herself any more Devyani heaped down on the floor.

DADI !!! MAA!!!!

Both Arnav & Manohar rushed towards Devyani. Anjali got concerned & started walking towards her. But, even before she could take a step towards her, she was dragged backwards by a strong hand & the next instant a sound of slap echoed everywhere . Every eyes turned towards Anjali to find that her holding her cheek with one palm & an angry Manorama shaking with hatred or rage cannot be said.

Just one word Anjali, one word & I would throw you out of this house, no matter what your father said or your dadi said. You are the sole cause of every destruction in our family. You are the cause behind Priyanka's condition. You are the cause our son has left this house 6 years back. You are the cause, we didn't get a chance to see him or perform his last rites. You are the cause behind everything. Not Payal. I will not allow you to create any more problem in this puja.' She turned towards Devyani Singh & said in s strong voice, Maa, I will come with you tomorrow & talk to Madhumati ji. We are going to have a puja for both Aakash & Payal in this house only. Besides, I have already lost enough time & I do not want to loose any more. It is high time to meet my Aakansha & bring the daughter of the house in this home.' With a final glance at Anjali, she left to her own room.