Yaadein - Part 30

 

PREVIOUS PART 

Chapter 30



Aarav was happy with the chocolate and shared it with his grandfather who came in the kitchen where Arnav and Khushi were.


“Let’s give them some time” Ayush said to the couple who agreed with him. He then took Aarav away leaving Arnav and Khushi alone too. Khushi didn’t focus on Arnav though. She kept doing the homely chores. He admired her commanding presence in the kitchen which he missed earlier when they were together. She hardly stepped in at this part of the house. She had tucked the end of the Saree Pallu on her waist for ease in doing her work making her look even more… edible.


“Leave it. The servants will finish this work” he snatched the washed dishes from her hand and placed them away. “You already have a headache”

“No, I am fine now. The medicine you gave is working” 

She looked out and saw Shyam holding Anjali’s hand. They were speaking something privately. A bright smile flashed on Khushi’s face. She imagined Arnav and her in their place. Arnav holding her hand and asking her to stay back even after this one-month condition is over. She denies, he cups her jaw and insists he wants to give their marriage a chance. She agreeing to it finally and he sealing this moment with a kiss. Then Aarav reaching them and they both snuggling him like their priceless possession. This was like an open-eyed dream for her and even the thought of it brought tears in her eyes.

“I hope they get their happily ever after” she murmured coming out of her stance. “But.. Though I didn’t get any negative vibes from Shyam, there is still a hesitation in his eyes whenever he sees me. Like.. some guilt. I should be the one guilty if I am responsible for breaking their relationship.. why would he be nervous?”

Arnav didn’t reply, he simply heard her. Something he missed doing in the past. He always took her to be crazy and silly in her decisions and thought process but he won’t commit that same mistake again. She met his gaze.

“I know you might not believe what I am saying but…”

“I believe you”

She was surprised at his response.

“I don’t have any proofs to prove this Arnav. It’s just my inner thought.. my sixth sense kind of thing”

“I still want to believe you” he repeated.


His eyes.. his admiration.. his words.. his belief.. everything tonight were distracting her.

“Fine Mr. Believer. I think they are winding up their private conversation. We should go out”

She was about to walk away when he blocked her way. More than her, he seemed distracted. The next instant she felt his fingers on her waist, untucking the end of her Saree Pallu and sliding it away. Since his fingers were still lingering on her waist, she knew he could feel the goosebumps too. Her mouth went too dry to speak but before she could do anything about it, Arnav stepped away.

“Let’s go”

The passion in his eyes was still there. She could notice it too. She followed him out in the living room but they weren’t talking normally anymore. It seemed like they just had some argument.


“All okay?” Arnav asked turning to his sister who looked down.

“I should be leaving” Shyam pushed to his feet.

Arnav could clearly see something went wrong.

“You could wait for some more time. Talk with us too Shyam”

“No Arnav. That’s… that’s not necessary. I will see you all some other time..”

“Shyam please” Anjali held his arm to stop him.


He forced her to leave his arm and faked a smile at Ayush, Arnav and Khushi.


“Good night”


He was about to leave when Anjali blocked his way.


“I will tell them. Please don’t leave me again”

Arnav and Khushi glanced at each other and then back to the couple.

“Di? Whats wrong?”

Shyam crossed his arms at front. If she was ready to speak out, he would wait.

“She wants to tell you all something. In fact, even I have a lot to share” Shyam replied.

“Anju.. what’s the matter?” Ayush asked coming forward.


Anjali reached her father and hugged him.


“I am sorry Dad.. I am sorry” she sobbed.

“Sorry? For what? What have you done?”

“Di sit down”


Arnav made her sit on the couch and the circled her.

“You are scaring us all. Just few minutes back you both talked like normal and now.. you are crying. What should we infer?”


Anjali wiped her tears. Shyam was still there and only because he already knew things now that she had kept hidden from past, she decided to share it with her family. That was the only way she would earn Shyam’s trust again.


“I have hidden a fact from you all” she mumbled. “Manjith…exists”

Arnav, who had so far clutched his sister’s arm to give her comfort, suddenly withdrew. Khushi watched Anjali in disbelief.


“What did you say??” Arnav snapped. He lost his control.

“Chotte please listen to me.. Please..”

She gripped his arm forcing him to stay and not move away.

“It was my friend’s birthday and we were partying in a hotel club. That’s where I met Manjith. My friends forced me to drink.. I was high. We talked.. I instantly felt a connection with him. And..” she paused.


Anjali shivered. She couldn’t continue further but since Shyam wanted her to come out clear in her family before taking a step ahead with him, she decided to share everything.


“And what?” Ayush groaned.

“I spent a night.. with him”


Ayush was raged and so was Arnav. Khushi swallowed nervously at the revelation.


“Dad I am sorry. It was a mistake”

“Anju…” Ayush clenched his jaw. “If .. if you liked him you could have told.. We would have arranged your marriage to Manjith.. Why did you hide it?”

“Because it didn’t mean anything more to us.. It was a mistake dad and Manjith had a different world.. he and I.. would never marry. I hardly met him once after that night again. It was a big mistake and I repented it.”


Arnav stood up. It was hard for him to believe his sister could do something like this. He never thought she would lose her sanity for a stranger.. for one night.. He took few steps away from her. Anjali quickly rose to her feet and stopped him.


“Chotte, please listen to me..”

“Listen to you?” Arnav growled. “You know what Di? I could still forgive you for this but do you realize what your secret has done? It broke my family? All these years it meant Khushi was right.. she had seen you with Manjith and we never believed her”

“I know..” she cried. “I know but she could have talked to me.. I would have told her Manjith didn’t mean anything to me. I was happy to get engaged with Shyam and wanted to spend my life with him not Manjith. But instead of confronting with me she fed Shyam’s mother’s ears”

“No, she didn’t” Shyam interrupted. “Khushi didn’t brainwash my mother”


Now that the truth was out, Shyam decided to put a complete end to this chapter. He would not let the Raizadas in dark anymore.


“My mother was always against this alliance” Shyam revealed. “She wanted me to marry a Doctor like me who could take care of the Hospital duties with her. I got many proposals of Doctors but none of them impressed me. That’s when Anjali’s proposal came and when I saw her picture, I liked her instantly. Maa didn’t. But only because she didn’t want to break my heart, she agreed for this proposal. We got engaged. Suddenly one day she told me Khushi came to her and told her about Anjali’s boyfriend. She even showed me pictures of them together. I was hurt. She didn’t let me speak to Anjali even once and sent me to Canada for some important Surgery. I .. I couldn’t deny because I was really needed there to handle the surgery with a team of other doctors. She made me promise I would never think about Anjali again.”


Arnav fisted his fingers.

“I was blinded by Maa’s love and whatever she told me that day, I believed it all. I was wrong. I should have confronted Anjali and a lot of miscommunication between us could be saved. All these years I was in the impression that Anjali has moved on and even if she hadnt, she still was dating Manjith. I realized returning to India would hurt me with old memories. Maa kept getting proposals for me, some of them were from Canada. I met these girls who were also Doctors there but I couldn’t connect with any of them. I was stuck.. But I had promised Maa never to think of Anjali again so I never contacted her or anyone of you all these years. But I was missing this place.. Maa and Anjali…”


He stared at Anjali who was still sobbing.


“That’s why I flew back to India last week and decided to spend some time here. I even followed Anjali recently in one of the parties and I .. I fell in love again. I didn’t understand why she was still single? What happened with Manjith.. So I decided to find it out myself. I couldn’t trace much but one night I heard Maa talking to someone on the phone. I picked the other receiver and heard that conversation. She was talking to Manjith!! She told him Khushi was back to India and so was I. She wanted Manjith to go hiding again. I realized it was Maa’s conspiracy so I confronted her the other night. She… she finally revealed everything”


He strode to Khushi who was so shocked that she hardly blinked.


“Khushi never came to my mother to reveal about Anjali and Manjith. It was my mother who had been to her. She told Khushi about Anjali’s affair and that she was meeting him in some hotel that day. Khushi went there and she saw Anjali and Manjith hugging..”

He then turned to Anjali.

“Anjali had no clue that night of Manjith coming to that hotel where she was with her friends. That was the second time she was seeing him after that night in the club. She was shocked but didn’t react and hugged him back. She even told him that she is now engaged to me and was getting married soon. He congratulated her. Khushi misinterpreted”


Khushi’s head spun. Yes, now she recalled some of those scenes.


“I followed him..” Khushi interrupted. She stressed herself to recall those moments. “I.. followed Manjith that night.. he.. told me”

Khushi lost her balance as her headache intensified. Arnav rushed to support her. He made her sit and knelt before Khushi.

“he told me he and Anjali are in love and..” she shut her eyes forcing to recall the whole incident. “And that Anjali would never go against her family’s wishes.”


Anjali was shocked. Manjith said that? How dare he? Why would he say that to Khushi?


Khushi gripped Arnav’s shirt. Tears came faster in her eyes as she continued.


“I couldn’t let Anjali face the same problem which we both did.. Our marriage was imposed on us.. I didn’t want Anjali to live like us when she already loved someone else”


Arnav nodded. He could relate now why Khushi raised this topic during those days. She wanted to give justice to Anjali. She didn’t know it was all false. She wanted to help Anjali but the whole family turned against her.

“When my mother came here to break my alliance with Anjali, that’s why Khushi backed her up because Manjith lied to her” Shyam added. “She didn’t get a chance to speak to Anjali separately. Everything happened at a lightening speed. Anjali was scared to reveal about her one-night stand with Manjith. She might have told the truth that she didn’t had an affair but she hid this fact that she knew who Manjith was.”


Ayush stared at his daughter in disbelief.


“So, it was you who met Khushi after her labor in the hospital?” Arnav snarled.

“Me? No.. I wasn’t in the country that day. You all know that. I can prove it. I was in Canada”

“Then why was your mother disinterested in showing the CCTV footage to us?”

“It was Manjith” Khushi replied. She rubbed her forehead. “I saw him with .. Shanti Jha before my labor. He was asking her money.. for lying to me.. about the affair”


Khushi’s body was burning. This revelation, the stress and her flashbacks of that incident was taking a toll on her health. Arnav had still entwined his fingers with hers.


“But my labor pains were intense and I was taken for delivery. When I woke up, Aarav was next to me.. I..” she swallowed. “I wanted to tell you all about Manjith and Shanti Jha’s involvement and lies.. But he .. he came in the room.. he was in a doctor’s coat.. He threatened me if I told you all, he would hurt Aarav. He .. he is dangerous Arnav.. He could hurt anyone.. I wouldn’t let him hurt our baby..”


Arnav nodded patiently rubbing her back.

“When he left. .. I picked Aarav and left the room.. to see you.. to tell you I was wrong.. to tell you I was tricked by them.. to tell you Manjith exists.. but.. I lost my balance.. I was too weak and.. the nurse stopped me. I am glad she did and snatched Aarav from me or else.. Oh my god.” She cried.


There was total silence in the room except Khushi’s sobs. Arnav took her in his embrace.


“Ssshh.. stop crying..” he stroked her back..

“That’s why Maa was so afraid to show you the tapes. She was worried if Khushi saw them and recalled everything, she would also remember that Manjith existed and my mother and Manjith were involved in separating me and Anjali”

“God” Ayush screamed. “Does your mother have any idea what she has done? She spoiled my children’s lives”


Shyam folded his palms at him.

“I am sorry Uncle. Whatever Maa did is completely wrong and I will never support her on this. That’s why when Arnav called me yesterday and invited me here, I decided to talk to Anjali first and reveal everything to you all. You all deserved to know the truth. Anjali kept her mistake with Manjith hidden because she thought I would never marry her if I get to know this. And my mother used that same secret to destroy everything.. I apologize on her behalf.”



To be Continued.

NEXT PART

______________________________________________________________________________

Imposed Knot Ebook - Marriage Excerpt

 

"Monsters like you don’t deserve a Slap. They deserve a stab in their heart whose mark will remain on them forever, reminding them of their deeds . You will soon see that Phase in your life Mr Arjun Raheja. You will soon see that day!!"

Kajal never imagined in her dreams that her cousin’s fiancee, the shrewd Arjun Raheja would marry her on a gunpoint and her life would take a 360-degree turn. Will she ever find the reasons behind it? His known motive turns out to be the most bitter event of her life. And only when she decides to part ways from their already broken ties, the heartbreaking truth of his unconditional love for a 5-year old baby surfaces. Who is this baby? What connection does she have with Arjun? Will Kajal ever find out the other side of the man she hates? Where will this Imposed Knot lead them to?

A Star crossed romantic love story molded with passion, pain and guilt with a happy ending. 

Read on Amazon Kindle

Indian Readers Buy PDF by Netbanking/ Wallets HERE

International Readers / Indian Readers can also Buy PDF by Card HERE

Buy PDF by PAYPAL HERE

Sample Chapters of Imposed Knot (1 to 4) HERE

For Other Ebooks by Madhu, Click HERE

_______________________________________________________________________________

Marriage Excerpt 

Maanav rushed to Arjun's room and the entire family who were getting gathered in the Living room hearing their talks were confused. Even Sheetal came down after doing her final make up with Manorama and was confused where can Kajal go and why was Maanav searching for Arjun? The moment Maanav reached Arjun's room, he pushed it open but Arjun too wasn’t anywhere. He came down again.

 

Maanav: (To Ayush): Where is Arjun?

Ayush: I Don’t know. Must be with Rohan. Why?

Maanav: I need Rohan's number.

Ayush instantly dialed Rohan and he did answer.

Ayush: Rohan. Where is Arjun?? He is not at Outhouse.

Rohan: ARJUN?? Well. Uhh!! I think he must be having some fresh air outside then.

Ayush: Stop joking Rohan. It’s impossible that you Don’t know where he is.

Rohan: Sorry Sir. But trust me. This time I really Don’t know.

 

Ayush nodded a "NO" look to Maanav and then cut the call.

Maanav: I hope they are not together.!! (he said brushing his fingers in his hair once, in frustration)

Sheetal: Maanav. What do you mean by that? Why will Arjun and Kajal be together??

Maanav didn’t reply anything. He just walked outside the outhouse and everyone followed him. Tanvi kept trying Arjun's number but he didn’t reply. Now there was really a Big Question in everyone's mind Where should they think Arjun and Kajal are?? Maanav took his Car out. He didn’t even get his guards this time because he knew he was there to protect his Kittie. Now he cursed himself for that decision.

 

Sheetal (Running behind Maanav): Maanav. Where are you going? It’s my Engagement in few minutes. I am sure Arjun and Kajal must be somewhere here only.

 

That stopped Maanav . He turned back to take a look at the entire family and checked if anyone else was missing.

Maanav: Who else we have in the Temple now?

Ayush: No one. We all are here.

Maanav: Damm!!

 

Saying that he rushed towards the Family Temple of Raheja's and everyone just followed him blankly. The moment the Entire Family reached the family temple, they froze at the Spot witnessing the Scene before them.

 

"Arjun Raheja was tying the Mangalsutra on Kajal Kapoor's Neck".

 

The entire family couldn’t believe what they saw here. Arjun Married Kajal?? Why?? They had so many questions running in their mind. Ayush just leaned to the side pillar feeling dizzy seeing this Scene. Tanvi's eyes were teary. Akash and Manohar were blank too. Manorama held Devyani and Sheetal and Maanav were raging fire from their eyes.

 

Maanav: ARJUNNNNN.!!! (he roared in anger  which only made Arjun and Kajal look at them. )

 

Kajal with her teary eyes looked at her brother and she was about to get up when Arjun held her hand making her sit back . Aditya Mathur (Arjun's best Friend and Owner of Mathur Textiles) who was the Supporter and the First Guest to see Arjun and Kajal's Marriage looked at Maanav and then back to Arjun.

 

Panditji (Little Scared as he was almost on a Gun point to perform the marriage of Arjun and Kajal here instead of the Engagement of Arjun and Sheetal): Now you both are termed as Husband and Wife. All rituals are complete.

 

Arjun sighed in relief and left Kajal's hand so that she is free enough to do whatever she wishes. She instantly got up and rushed to her brother and hugged him. Arjun took a bunch of notes from his pocket and gave it to the Pandit.

Arjun: Leave.!!!

 

The Pandit just nodded and left the Temple hurriedly..