Chapter 68

Arnav's phone rang and he frowned seeing an unknown number on it but nonetheless received it. "Bhaiii..." the voice spoke from the other side and the phone slipped from his hand.

Khushi: "Kya hua Arnavji..!! Kiska phone tha?"

Not getting any response from him she picked up the phone which was now lying on the floor and had switched off and tried turning it on to check.

Anjali: "Kisne phone kiya tha Chote?" and shook him a bit to get response as he had stiffened after receiving the call.

Dadi: "What happened Chote? Aap kuch bol kyun nehi rahe..?"

Arnav: "Aa..aa..nn.aa.."

Anjali: "What.!!"

Arnav tears beaming in his eyes: "Di... It was Ana... she called..."

Anjali: "Aaanaa..!! You must be... mistaken Chote... why will she call you?"

Arnav: "Di, I can identify her voice even in the buzzing crowd... it was her."

Anjali: "Why would she call you? We don't need to have any relation with her or her family."

Arnav: "Don't know Di... but it was she... and... and... I can bet you that something..."

Dadi: "...is wrong." Arnav and Anjali turned towards Dadi whose face looked lost of all colours and she was shivering. "Something is wrong with her... Chote, please go and save her... please..." tears were rolling down her eyes.

Khushi: "Dadiji... control yourself..."

Dadi: "How can I control myself when I know that my child is in trouble? Chote please save her... she is in deep trouble or else she wouldn't have called you... please save her..." she began to cry with her face buried in her hands.

Arnav and Anjali rushed to her.

Anjali was about to say something but Khushi asked: "Who is Ana? How is she related to you Arnavji?"

Arnav: "Ana... Ana... is my sister..."

Khushi: "What..!! But..."

Anjali: "Haan Khushiji... Ana... aka Ananya is our sister... our Chacha's daughter... but I don't understand why she would call Chote after this many years and that too after what her father did to us..."

Dadi: "He didn't want to do it... he was forced... he really wanted you two to be safe..."

Arnav: "What do you mean Dadi?"

Dadi breathing deeply: "All right... I think it's time you all should know the truth... Let's go to the hall... all of the Raizadas have been blaming and judging my children since years... they all should know what had actually happened... now it's time that you all should know the truth... (holding Arnav's palm) but Chote... promise me that... you will save our Ana... she is..."

Arnav: "...my sister... I know that... but I need to know the entire truth..."

In the hall

Mamaji seeing them coming out asked: "What were you all discussing? Is it anything serious?"

Dadi seeing the tear strained face of Dadi: "Sumi... what has happened?"

Akash: "What is that you wanted to talk with Dadiji, Bhabi? Anything serious?"

Dadi: "I need to tell you all something... it is about my sons Arvind and Avinash..."

Mamaji: "Those men... you want to talk about those men... I don't want to hear their names under my roof and I don't want to listen to anything about my sister's murderer..."

Khushi: "Mamaji, please... please lets listen to whatever Dadiji has to say... it's really important..."

Mamaji: "But Bitiya..."

Khushi: "Mamaji, I always knew that Papaji was innocent and he was framed into whatever had happened... and Dadiji knows what exactly had happened... so let's listen to it..."

Mamaji nodded and Dadi said looking at him: "Do you think it was all a coincidence that you get call on your phone about your nephew and niece reaching Delhi by train and you go to receive them... (looking at chote) ...Chote, do you think it is a coincidence that while walking randomly on the road you get a train ticket for two to delhi..."

Arnav: "What are you trying to say Dadi?"

Dadi: "That day when Avinash threw you and Anjali Bitiya out of Sheeshmahal... he made sure that you two reach Delhi safely... (wiping her tears) ...when you and Anjali Bitiya were wandering aimlessly on the streets of Lucknow, you collided with a man who dropped his belongings and you helped him gather his things and there you found the tickets to Delhi which you thought that he had dropped mistakenly... didn't you?"

Anjali: "Yes... it was the tickets of the immediately available train to Delhi... it was in the little bag that the person had dropped... it had some money too..."

Dadi looking at Mamaji: "You got call on your landline from a random person informing you about their arrival at Delhi... didn't you?"

Mamaji: "Yes... some person called and said that Chote and Anjali Bitiya are reaching Delhi and I should receive them at the railway station..."

Dadi: "You all think it was as coincidence?"

Mami: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... it can't be... was it..."

Dadi: "Yes. It was my son Avinash who did it... he made sure that his nephew and niece reaches Delhi safely and stays safe..."

Nani: "If he was so worried about their safety then why did he throw them out of their house at the first place..??"

Dadi crying: "He didn't want to... he wanted them to be safe... he wanted them to live... it was for chote's safety that he had to do all those..."

Arnav: "Will you please explain everything in detail... please..."

Dadi: "You all know about Maya... don't you..?"

Arnav and Anjali together: "Chachi...!!"

Dadi: "Yes your Chachi... (hiccupping) it was all my fault that my son was tied to a naagin like her... if you remember Anjali Bitiya, your Mamta Chachi passed away after giving birth to Ana Bitiya... and afterwards I forced your Chachaji to marry again... but that time I never knew that I was getting such a bad lady to our home..."

Arnav: "What did she do..? She never behaved badly with us... she..."

Dadi: "She is not what she shows herself to be... it was she who is responsible for my Arvind Bitwa and Ratna Bahu's death..."

Listening to it Anjali stumbled but was held by Arnav and she held on to his arms to stable herself: "How... Why... I mean..." both the sibling were lost for words.

Dadi: "Maya didn't had a child of her own but we all thought that she loved Ana Bitiya like her own child... but it was not true... she had come into Sheesh Mahal eyeing the wealth of the Mallicks... she was never interested in her husband or anyone but the money that she got being a Mallick Bahu... she had wanted to acquire the entire wealth of the Mallicks and wanted to use Ana Bitiya as her pawn... but later she found out that Chote was the only heir of the property and neither Anjali Bitiya nor Ana Bitiya had any rights over the property because of the will made by my father-in-law which stated the same... it was a huge blow to her plans and she became revengeful... she wanted to destroy the Mallick Khandan... (wiping her tears) she knew that Ratna Bahu could tolerate anything but not infidelity from her husband... on the day of Anjali Bitiya's wedding she hired a lady to act... that lady acted too well and Ratna Bahu saw her with Arvind and thought that he was cheating on her... in her rage not thinking of anything else she killed herself and my son was not able to take it... so... so... he too killed herself..." and she went numb with tears flowing down her eyes as think about her son's death was killing herself.

The shanti of Shantivan was as thick as cold custard and only the silent sobbing of the members could be felt. The Mallick siblings held onto the other probably reliving that fateful night and were gathering strength from the other. Nani slumped down on the sofa and Mamaji sat beside her holding his heart which was going through double the amount of the pain than when he had seen his sister on the death bed. Mami was too shocked to even react. Akash and NK stood beside their cousins to let them know that they are always with them. Payal who never had any idea about the Mallicks was first confused and now was crying thinking about the fate of two lovers who suffered because of no fault of theirs.

Khushi with tears rolling down her eyes kneeled beside Dadi and held her to support her who hugging her cried over her shoulder. After long minutes Khushi said: "Then what happened Dadiji..? Why did... he... Chachaji threw Arnavji and Di..."

Dadi: "I told you... he didn't want to... he was forced to... he loved Chote and Anjali Bitiya as much he loved his daughter Ana... in fact he loved Anjali Bitiya the most as she was the first child to be born in our family after him..." drying her eyes with her saree pallu "a month or so later Avinash found that it was Maya who was behind all these... he went to confront her but heard her talking to some person to whom she was paying to kill Chote... Avinash was devastated... he decided at that instant what he had to do... he decided to become the bad guy and throw Chote and Anjali Bitiya out of the house and somehow proof to Maya that they are dead... and so one morning he locked me inside a room and... but he had everything well planned... he had booked tickets for Chote and Anjali's safe travel to Delhi and he made his trusted employee call here and let you know about their arrival... then back at Lucknow he somehow managed to get hold of two dead bodies and proved that it was the dead bodies of his nephew and niece who got killed in a road accident... Maya believed it... now that Chote and Anjali Bitiya were safe and far away from Maya he began to collect information and proofs against Maya but she found out what Avinash was upto..." shedding more tears "that time she threatened to kill Ana Bitiya... and he was hands tied... couldn't do anything... because for Ana Bitiya, Maya was a real mother... don't know what happened within a year or so... she... kidnapped me from my own house and kept me at some dungeon... I don't remember how I got out of that place... but when I began to realise things I was with Chote and Khushi Bitiya..."

Arnav kneeled beside Dadi and cried hugging him: "I... am sorry... Dadi... I... didn't know... Chachaji... he... Ana... I... am a bad son... bad nephew... bad... bad... brother... I..."

Anjali too kneeled beside her Dadi and brother: "You are not bad Chote... the time was bad then... we... know the truth now... we will punish the culprit..." looking at Dadi "But why did Ana call Chote today... I mean..."

Dadi: "...she must be in some danger... I know that..."

Akash: "How do you know that Dadiji?"

Dadi slowly patting Arnav's head which was resting on her lap: "Bitwa, remember that day when you were teaching about internet to Muskaan Bitiya..?" Akash nodded "That time I too was listening and learnt a bit about it... then with Muskaan's help I got telephone number of Ana Bitiya and then when no one was around called her to enquire about a lot of things... she told me that Chote had brought Sheesh Mahal from Avinash and also about he not being well... I wanted to meet my child but then thought that it is better not to have much contact with them as in that way it will keep all my three grandchildren safe... but I gave Chote's number to Ana Bitiya and told her to contact him when she is in grave danger and has no one to help her... because I knew her brother will never back away... doesn't matter how much hatred he has for his Chacha but I knew his love for his younger sister had never faded..."

Arnav getting up: "You mean to say Ana is in danger?" Dadi nodded with tears freely flowing down her eyes. "I need to go to Lucknow at this instant..."

Anajli: "Right Chote... I too will come with you."

Akash: "No Di. You stay at home. I will go with Bhai..."

Arnav: "NO. I will go alone. Akash you call Aman and ask him to get the helicopter ready... I need to leave instantly..."

Akash: "But Bhai..."

Mamaji who was silent till now: "Chote, I will be coming with you... I want to punish the person who was responsible for my sister's death... the person who was responsible for making me hate my brother like brother-in-law... I..."

Arnav: "No Mamaji... right now my priority is to help my sister rather than punishing anyone... you heard what Dadi said, Ana was supposed to call me when she is in grave danger and has no one to help her... so I need to go there..."

Nani: "Chote is right. Our first priority should be the safety of Ana Bitiya."

Mami: "Yes... and now as we know what sort of a dangerous lady Maya is we can't take any chance."

Anjali: "Chote you go now... we all will reach later... I will call the care taker of Sheesh Mahal and ask him to keep your room ready... but do one thing take either Akash or NK Bhai with you... it will be better."

NK who was a mute spectator till now spoke: "I will go with Nannav." Akash was about to protest "Akash you need to stay here... I will be of more help there... that lady Maya has never ever seen me but she knows you... I can do things which you can't..."

Akash was furious and was about to retort but Arnav said: "Akash, right now you call Aman and ask him to get the helicopter ready. I and NK will be leaving in that... then you book tickets for everyone and come there in flight..." walking to him and holding his shoulder "We need to take care of everyone's safety and I can't trust anyone else other than you."

Akash nodded and the brothers hugged for a brief moment and Akash spoke: "I am sure Bhai, by the time we reach Lucknow you would have saved our little sister... and she would be ready to play pranks on me." And the brothers smiled remembering the little moments when Ana used to trouble Akash a lot in childhood.

Khushi: "Aranvji, I too will be coming with you."

Arnav was about to nod but Dadi spoke: "NO... no matter whatever the situation may be but the fact remains that you are the Bahu of the Mallicks and Sheesh Mahal is your sasural... you can't enter that building without proper welcome... and it had been my long wish to welcome Chote's bride into the home... you will be coming with us and once you reach Lucknow you will be staying with at your parent's place and then entering Sheesh Mahal with proper welcome."

Khushi: "But Dadiji..."

Nani: "Sumi is right Khushi Bitiya... and right now it is not the time to argue or discuss anything else... we all should think about Ana Bitiya."

Khushi nodded: "Arnavji, why don't you call her... you couldn't talk to her when she called... try her number... probably she could tell you what the problem is..."

Arnav nodded and switched on his phone which had turned off because of slipping from his hand and Akash said: "I will call Aman" and moved to one corner of the room.

Arnav and NK too went to their respective rooms to get ready and Khushi followed Arnav.

Arshi Room

Arnav gave his phone to Khushi who kept trying the number while he went to change. When he came out khushi was still trying and dejected she informed him: "The number is still switched off Arnavji... I just hope Ana is safe."

Arnav nodded while pocketing his wallet and taking his phone said: "I will keep on trying to contact her... you too keep on trying and if she receives then let her know that her Bhai is reaching her soon."

Khushi nodded. Arnav had just reached the door but then turned back and hugged her. "You were right Khushi... I could never understand people... I failed in understanding everyone..."

Khushi: "What are you..."

Arnav: "I failed to understand Papa, Chachaji... and... you know last time when I was at Lucknow to buy Sheesh Mahal from Chachaji as a revenge I failed to see the longing on his face... (Wiping a drop of tear that had formed in his eyes) ...that day I saw Ana... but I didn't even look at her... I thought that..."

Khushi: "...if you look at her all your facades of hating her will break and you will fall weak... you had always loved her even though you claimed to hate her... you at that point did hate Chachaji but you never ever could hate Ana... isn't it?"

Arnav: "Hmm... I did love her a lot... I was her guide... she would never do anything without my nod... though she was only around 8 that time when Mama Papa died... she was my strength..."

Khushi: "I bet she is as strong as her brother... does she looks like you?"

Arnav smiling remembering the childhood: "Yeah... she was somewhat like me... she and me would team up and trouble Di... and you know when Akash used to visit us in Lucknow, she used to trouble him a lot... and once she and me had spread glue on his bed..."

Khushi: "Haaww... it was you two... and you did put the blame on..."

Arnav: "...Akash only... he was such a fool to think that he accidentally had spilled glue on his bed."

Khushi smiled: "I can't wait to see your little Ana... I will pray to devi-maiyaa to keep her safe."

Arnav getting serious: "I need to beg forgiveness from Chachaji too... he has suffered a lot... I will make sure the rest of his life he gets all happiness."

Khushi: "Chachaji looked like Papaji... isn't it?"

Arnav: "Yes... they are very much similar..."

Khushi: "I want to reach Sheesh Mahal soon... to see the place where you grew up and get blessings from Chachaji... I want to be in my sasural soon."

Next day, Raizadas reached Lucknow airport and Sashi Gupta was there to receive them as Nani had called and informed him about the development at RM. He was looking grave and seeing him Khushi enquired: "What has happened to you Babuji..?? You look so pale."

Sashi: "I am fine bitiya... you, Payalia and the kids will be coming with me to gomti sadan and rest all will move to Sheesh Mahal... Arnav Babua has said that you will be going to Sheesh Mahal tomorrow morning."

Dadi: "Is Ana... Ana safe..?? Has Chote managed to..."

Anjali: "Haan Uncle... boliye na... Ana aur Chachaji kaise hain? Aur Chote aur NK Bhai..."

Mamaji: "And is that wicked Maya punished? NK Bitwa didn't say anything much..."

Sashi: "I am coming from Sheesh Mahal only... they all are there only and yes Ana Bitiya is perfectly fine and so is her brother." Turning to Mamaji "You all go there... I will take my daughters and the kids with me."

Muskaan hugging Akash: "I will be with Akash Mama."

Akash understood that something serious must have happened so Arnav wants the kids to stay away from it. "Beta, you go with Khushi Mami... Roshni and Pari will also be there... I will soon come to be with you."

Muskaan nooded: "Jaldi ana... pakka." Akash nodded and they all moved in their scheduled route.

When they reached Sheesh Mahal, the atmosphere was gloomy and Arnav was sitting on the sofa patting Ana's head softly which she had rested on his shoulder and NK was sitting opposite them looking at them anxiously. Seeing the rest others they got up slowly and Anjali rushed to her sister whom she was seeing after 14 years and both of them hugging sobbed into the other's shoulder. Soon the rest followed. Once Dadi was satisfied seeing her younger granddaughter safe and sound she enquired about her son whom her eyes were searching for but could find. Arnav came forward and informed her all that happened in her absence. After Dadi was removed from Sheeshmahal, Maya was no more polite and loving to Ana rather she used to treat her like a princess in Avinash's presence but once he was out of sight she would treat her like hell. It had continued until Arnav had brought or literally snatched SheeshMahal from them... and Maya had gone out of her mind thinking that Avinash had actually given Sheesh Mahal to Arnav... which was somewhat true. Just a couple of months before Avinash was found dead in his room and the post mortem report said the reason was multi organ failure due to excessive consumption of alcohol whereas the truth was that Maya had killed him and two days before had done all plan to sell Ana to a human trafficking group and Ana having no other option had called her brother to save her. Arnav and NK had managed to reach just in time along with the police and not only had saved Ana but also a dozen other girls and the police had caught the members of the group and even Maya too was arrested.

The Raizadas and Mallicks have cried and cried and over and again cursed the person responsible for all the bad that had happened in their lives. Everyone had lost more or less but now it seems that everything will slowly fall back into place though the lost ones will leave a never to be filled void in their lives. Dadi inspite of loosing the most was acting strong for her grandchildren and was being their strength.

Anjali walked inside Arnav's room in Sheesh Mahal, to see him sitting on the bed with his face hidden in his palms. She walked to him and sitting beside him kept his hand on his shoulder: "I don't know why we had to face all these... don't know what wrong we have done that we had to face all these... First we and now little Ana too... I don't know if..."

Arnav: "There will be no more wrong happening Di... we all are safe now... Papa, Chachaji... mama... they all had enough suffering... you, me, Ana... everyone suffered a lot... now no more... Ana... Ana had had enough... she will be..."

Anjali: "...happy. I know... her Bhai will protect her... but now I came not to talk about Ana but you..."

Arnav: "Me... what about me..?"

Anjali: "You should go and meet Khushiji... I know these two days has been too tough for you... and I know that you have been acting strong before us... but I want to be your normal self... and it is only before Khushiji that you will be your actual self... so you go and meet her... you haven't talked to her since you left Delhi... she just called me, was asking about you... she is worried for you..."

Arnav: "I was about to go... to meet her... I need to see her... Dadi said she will be coming here tomorrow morning..."

Anjali: "Yeah... Akash will be going with you... he will be bringing back Payalji and the Kids... you stay the night there and come with her tomorrow morning."

Arnav before leaving for the Gupta's thought of seeing Ana who as per Anjali was sleeping in her room. Reaching there he saw NK standing outside the door looking at Ana who was asleep.

Arnav: "NK..!! What are you doing here?"

NK as if caught: "Umm... nothing... I... just..."

Arnav: "You stay away from my sister... I am telling you..."

NK: "Well... I... yes..." and he walked away from there.

At Gomti Sadan, Arnav entered Khushi's room to see her sitting on the bed with legs pulled to chest and her head resting on it. He closed the door and walking to her sat beside. Sensing his presence Khushi looked up: "Aap... aap kab aye..."

Arnav: "Just now... Akash too came with me... he left for Sheesh Mahal with Payal and the kids..."

Khushi cupping his face: "Aap thik to hain na... Babuji told me everything..."

Arnav hugged her with tears rolling down his eyes: "I was so bad... so bad Khushi... I could... never forgive myself... it was only for me... I couldn't save my Chachaji... he..."

Khushi hugged him back: "Don't... don't blame yourself... Chachaji wanted you to be safe... to be strong... and you are safe and strong... you had no idea what was actually happening... no one told you the truth... so you don't have to blame yourself..." breaking the hug and wiping Arnav's tears with her palm "Yes... you would have blamed yourself had you not been able to save Ana but you succeeded in that... Ana is safe... Chachaji, wherever he is will be happy to see his family reunited... Mama, Papa they will be so proud of you... to have you as the descendant..."

Arnav: "Had I know all those things before then Ana wouldn't have faced all those torture... Chachaji would have been alive... and probably..."

Khushi: "...probably... those all probably would have happened... and the probability is not always 100%... who knows what actually would have happened... we can't change our past Arnavji but we can make our future beautiful... now our family is complete... I agree it would have been even better had Chachaji been with us... but we can't bring him back... neither can we bring back Mama and Papa... but we have their memories with us... the person whom we love and who love us never ever leave us... they stay with us till the end... (keeping her hand over his heart) ...they are here... all of them... their heart did beat for you and now wherever they are they are keeping a watch on you... cherish their love and the happy moments that you have spent with them..." wiping the tear drops from his eyes "You are strong... not weak... if you cry then they all will be sad... do you want them to be upset?" Arnav shook his head "Then comeon... cheer up..."

Arnav smiled and hugging her said: "Di was right... you know how to change my mood."

The next day Khushi entered Sheesh Mahal with proper welcome and everyone was glad and when she met her new sister-in-law both of them bonded like long lost friends. Avinash Mallick's last rites weren't done properly and as per Dadi's wish Arnav did the last rites. The next day Arnav called for a press meet where he announced his real identity as Arnav Arvind Mallick and his connection with Lucknow. As per the court affidavit Arnav Singh Raizada changed to Arnav Arvind Mallick and so did Anjali and her daughter Roshni. But when it came to Muskaan, Arnav and Anjali let her be Muskaan Raizada with Akash being her guardian and he couldn't be more thankful to his cousins for that. They decided to stay there for a couple more days before moving back to Delhi and as for Maya Mallick she was still in police custody with non-bailable warrant issued against her and the Arnav Mallick had made sure that for rest of her life she rots in jail.

"Arnavji... aap hume kahan lekar ja rahe hain..." Khushi asked for the 100^th time. It was night and every member had gone to bed but Arnav was walking holding Khushi's hand through the corridors of Sheesh Mahal.

Khushi: "Will you please tell me... where is you dragging me to..."

Arnav: "Sshh... bohot bolti ho tum." And reaching the place he let her hand go.

Khushi: "Arnavji... ye... this place..."

Arnav: "Yes... this place... do you recognise it... this is place where we met for the first time... this was the place where you landed into my arms and I had no idea that my happiness had fallen into my hands..."

Khushi: "I remember that day as if it was just yesterday... I tripped and fell... thought that will fall on the floor but you caught me... you thought that I..."

Arnav: "... I can't tell you how guilty I feel for thinking that way... you may have forgiven me but I can't..."

Khushi: "I have told you not to think about the past... and it was good that I tripped and fell..."

Arnav: "Yeah... it was good that you fell..."

Khushi with her hands on her hips: "What do you mean by that it was good I fell... go you want me to fall..."

Arnav: "Noo... no... it was good that you lost your way and came upto the dice... it happened good that those good for nothing models dragged you and you fell... straight into my arms... had you not fallen into my arms that day... then I would have never met you and would have been hollow till this day..." cupping her face "I want to say that to you again Khushi... that was the best day of my life when you came into my life... I had come here to seek revenge but found you... my Khushi... my happiness... you came into my life and shook the base of it... I tried to push to away... to act as if I hate you... but you had made way into my heart and I couldn't live without you... it is only for you that I found real happiness... it was only for you that my... no... our family is reunited... had it not been for you then I would have never seen the truth of my father... Dadi would have never been right... you changed the way I saw life... you changed me... and for that I will always be grateful to you... to your devi-maiyaa for bringing you to my life." Hugging her "I love you Khushi. I love you."

Khushi hugged him back. "I love you too Arnavji."

Khushi climbed on the runway and said: "You know Arnavji, before I use to think how can the models walk on this and not fall... I was sure that if I ever walk on it then I would surely fall... aaa..."

She had just said that when she slipped and like always Arnav caught her. "You will never fall... I won't let you."

Khushi: "You will always be there for me."

Arnav: "Always... with you for eternity."

P.S. Epilogue hopefully soon.

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