Chapter 25

When Nani raised her eyebrows, Anjali explained, "Don't know Nani, Chote also said the same thing yesterday, Now now, if only, Nanis eyebrows could go even higher, it would definitely have!!

Anyway, Anjali was in mood to disclose all the information she had got at the temple. "You know Nani, Tomorrow, Kushal will apply for her passport, it is obvious isn't it, they have been separate all these years and he has to go again. So he was planning on taking Khushi for some time!! 

Both ladies turned when they heard "What the.. Di what about Khushi's work?? 

Now, nani took the reigns and explained, "Chote, relax, things wont happen in an instant, they are only applying now. Come to think of it  Chote, he has found his sister and family after years. They should spend some time isn't it. Wont you allow that to happen. And moreover when gets married, she will not be able to go leaving her husband. I spoke to Shashi, a very good man. They are actively seeking for both their daughters.

"Nani, I think I know something else Anjali told all excitedly. Nani could see Arnav's ears straightened while trying to show disinterest all the while.. Anjali whispered into Nanis ears and Nani's eyes twinkled, "Really bitiya, this is very good news. It makes all the matters easy now. Thank you beta. Thank you

The curious cat in the drivers seat was getting agitated. What did Di say to make Nani so happy. Has Di spoken about Karans proposal?  When nobody spoke a word, he asked losing his patience, "Nani, you seem happy, what is it? to which Nani smiled and said, "Arre,dont worry chote, you will not be interested. We wont irritate you with idhar udhar ki baatein about Guptas (we wont disturb you with the news of the Gupta sisters)

"Nani, they are my employees, so it will affect me argued Arnav 

"Well, why will you be interested in their marriage , so dont worry, it will not affect you

"But nani, he continued, but nani stopped him, "Chote, leave it, anyway you are not interested in marriage, so why , just leave it.!! 

Poor Arnav couldn't get the information!!, what could it be about their wedding, and started worrying. Getting frustrated, "Di, Nani I think you should stop worrying about others marriages and interfering in their matters he grumbled. 

After all had retired for the day, Arnav was mulling over all the happening of the day. His face was lined with concern when he thought of his Dis face when she came to the temple. Why was she crying? Why and where had she gone when all were at the temple. And nobody knew she was missing. 

Not able to hold it any longer, seeing the light in his Dis room, he knocked to hear muffled cries from behind. Pushing the door, he went inside. Anjali tried to hide her tears, but Arnav was by her side holding her hands tight. "Di, you know I can't bear to see you cry, why Di what happened? Can you not tell your brother?

Anjali tried to avoid saying "Chote nothing much, just remembering mamma. When Anjali voluntarily hugged chote, she could not hold herself and cried uncontrollable. Arnav knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong. He asked sternly, "Di, what is happening? You have to tell me. What has Aman got to do with all this?

Anjali looked at him with surprise and pain in her eyes "How did he know she thought. She still tried to brush it off saying, "Chote nothing much, he is trying to help in something, I will tell you later. 

"Di, is this all the trust you have on me? First time Arnav found himself making a puppy face blackmailing his sister. Roles were reversed. It was often she had to resort to emotional blackmail.

"Now there was no way out. Now or later, the matter will come out. Anjali thought and when she was about to start, they saw Akash at the doorway and Anjali paused to hide her tears again and turned away.

Wanting to discuss the matter with his bhai, Akash had gone to Arnav's room, only to see him go to Anjalis room and he had followed. When Anjali turned away, he said, "Di, is it about Shyam?

Both ASR and Anjali looked at him shocked and exclaimed "Akash ??"

"Di, you don't need to hide, tell bhai about it, I was anyway going to tell him " Akash held her arm reassuringly. 

"What's going on, can anybody tell me, now ASR was in full anger. "Bhai, you have to have patience to listen to this. Calm down, we will explain. Anjali began explaining in detail about how the slime had been laundering the money doing illegal activities in Lucknow, Kanpur. She then showed the report to him.  

ASR was burning with rage reading the report. How dare he. How dare he? Then surprising anjali and Akash, he exclaimed in anger "Khushi Kumaari Gupta. Before he could continue, Akash immediately signalled his hand to stop. "Bhai , stop stop, please stop. You know what, this was exactly the reason why we did not tell you all this time. Payal was right, it was because of your anger that Khushi ji had to face that scoundrel.

When Arnav and Anjali questioningly looked at him, he explained how Shyam entered into their lives and how because of his anger the family had to go face serious problems financially and mentally. Anjali looked disapprovingly at her brother whose head was bent done in shame.  

Akash detailed how he had found out accidentally in the court when he went to meet Mr.Roy, followed him, had the investigation done and lastly how Payal was involved.

Akash continued, "Di, it was Payals intention to take you to court that day Di. She was adamant that you find out on your own, otherwise you would not believe anybody when it came to Shyam's matters.

"True Akash, she has understood me well, and now I understand why she has been constantly following me like a shodow all the time, at one point I started to get irritated by her behaviour. She wanted to make sure I was alright I think. Anjali told them.

"That's right Di, ever since she has known, all she has been thinking of is you. Di,  don't let that scoundrel know we are aware of his games. Don't take any decision in haste. Di you know we are always with you.. And any decision you take, we will be on your side even if we think it is not right. Saying so Akash side hugged Anjali who was weeping silently. 

ASR was taking time to digest the information. His head was reeling with confusion. How could he let this happen is all he thought. "Di, I am sorry. All this has been happening and I had no clue. I never thought Jijaji could be like this. Di, I did not do a proper check before, I am so sorry Di

Seeing him, Anjali had to put up a brave face "Chote, I have cried enough for that man. Now whatever had to happen, happened. At least nothing has happened. Imagine if he had succeeded in his mission. Perhaps I am at fault too. I was not able to see the signs, I never kept a tab on his accounts or anything for that matter. I have taken too many things for granted, Otherwise, when you come to think of, imagine which lawyer travels so much? Do you remember Mami once raised her concerns regarding the same matter, but we all brushed her off.."

Akash still hugging Anjali told, "Di, only Payal knows about this and she thinks her Babuji might know something which is why he has been refusing the marriage proposal, though her Buaji is hell bent upon the rishta (alliance). Khushi ji had already refused saying she will only get married after Payal, and she has no clue about all this. As it is, there is probably too much happening in her life with having found her brother now. Bhai, please don't mistake her, she is too innocent

Anjali sighed, "Yes Akash, Payal told me. But you know, Khushi will do anything for her family, she will agree to anything if her babuji tells her. Its Devi Maiyyas wish he is refusing for this match. And to probably save me from this man as well."

Arnav looked at Akash blankly. He felt relief knowing Khushi had refused for the proposal, and with Akash's words that Khushi was innocent, but Anjalis words were enough to agitate him again. Yes if Payals wedding was not in the way. If he had not caused it to break, she would have agreed to this.

There was too much going on without his knowledge. It was late to think about the repercussions of his actions in anger. He was overcome with rage even thinking of what was going to happen to Khushi. Thought he knew she was not wrong, he was still angry on her for reasons unknown...

Arnav still in thought said, "They have been here so many times, did they never see him? So many times we have dropped them.. then he suddenly stopped. Remembering faintly an event that had occurred long time ago when he went to drop Khushi  and had heard Shyams voice (Dear all, This is in Chapter 9).

Akash then sighed, "Bhai, Shyam has very cunningly managed to escape every time they were here. It was only by accident I found out, though Payal doubts their Babuji may know something. Di, their Babuji has told Shyam to look for a different accommodation. It is quite scary to believe he is still there. 

Arnav hugged his sister and said, "Di I am really very sorry, but now, I will make sure that bugger with get the max punishment possible. I will get the best of lawyers and we will decide his punishments. Akash for once gathering all his courage said, "Bhai should you not ask what she wants to do. 

"Of course, of course, Di what have you decided Arnav mumbled

Akash carried on  "Di, it is too much to take in, so take your time. Think calmly. If you can't make up your mind, we can all sit and take a decision that is best. But one thing is for sure, I strongly believe what Shyam is doing is not acceptable. What if it is another girl after Khushi ji, this will never end. It is disgusting."

Anjali pulled both her brothers and gave them a hear warming hug. "As long as you both are there like my pillars, no shyam can shake make. Let us all go to bed, it is quite late 

When they were ready to leave, Anjali called, "Akash, thank you and Payal, without whom I would have never known.  Arnav nodded thanking him.

Anjali's and Arnav's respect for Akash had shot a notch higher. "Di we are a family, no thank yous., Yes I will meet Payal ji and tell her all about it... Akash replied shyly

On the other side, the Gupta siblings too were having a lovely time. Kushal could not get enough of his sisters. It looked like his childhood had returned and he took every opportunity to tease the girls. And they were often heard saying "Amma, look what your son is saying!! Garima could only laugh at their antics laughing and say, "You people have grown but bachpana nahi gayi,..(your childhood hasn't gone)

Shashi was very happy to see his family. The pooja had gone very well, all the guests were very happy. Shashi was also happy because he met the Raizadas. He knew they were the same Raizadas where Shyam used to go. (In Chapter 19, Shashi follows Shyam to RM). He was impressed especially with Devyani and thought, now with having found Kushal, who knew the Raizadas well, he could get to the bottom of the matter. He felt relieved. Since Kushal would be leaving in a few days, he did not want to put unwanted extra burden on the boy. Shashi had decided he would speak to Devyani ji himself and find out who Shyam was.

 

Nani too was very impressed with Shashi. Given a choice, she would have straight away taken Khushis proposal for Arnav, but she knew these things need their own time. She had met the daughters of the house, now the ladies too impressed her, though Mamis snide remarks of their finances and low class was quite embarrassing to all, especially Akash. He was still tongue tied in front of his mother,.. though he did show his irritation!! Well, that was a start anyway..

After the long night, the siblings dispersed. Arnav forced Anjali to sleep with Nani. Anjali refused not wanting to disturb Nani in the middle of the night but both Akash and Arnav would have none of it. They even offered for all of them to sleep in the same room. 

Akash wanted to call Payal on the pretext of updating her, but thought the better of it. For one, she would probably have been sleeping, and two, if her parents come to know she could get into trouble.

Each in their own thoughts returned to get some sleep before the dawn of a new day. A lot was said and a lot came out in the open, but they were all in it together, which is what mattered.

Precap, Next chapter!!

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