#3 ArShi FF: Lost Memories*EPILOGUE*pg67*29/09 - Page 27

Arnav: Aman did you call Prakash Dadaji to ask about the cops?

Aman: Yes Arnav.. He asked us to wait until you get the said call.

Arnav: This waiting is killing Aman!

Aman: If you don't then it call Kill Khushi and Chithi. So stay calm.

Aman stood by Arnav like a pillar of support just like 17 years before. Arnav was in his hotel room in the East coast road of Chennai. This resort was the only one near enough but cannot be suspected if Daksh plans in inspecting for them. That's when bells of hope rang.

Meanwhile in the island house..!

Daksh: Now it is on you that she signs these documents. I am going out for something important. Make her understand What I am Who I am and by the time I return I need these papers signed! Purinjuda? (got it?)

Akshita just nodded as she walked into the room where Khushi was made to stay. Khushi just stared at the ghost of the woman walking to her with her face so pale, than pale itself and there was a shiver in her unsteady walk. As she was about to fall Khushi rushed to break her fall and steadied her and took her to the old couch there and she herself settled on the floor near Akshita's feet and leaned her head on her knees.

Khushi: Enna Mami idellam? What is this?

Akshita with her trembling hands sat combing her hair lovingly as she narrated her life story.

A girl dreams a lot about her future with a man who will sweep her off her feet. She has so many dreams about her wedding, how she will be the asset to a husband who will love her unconditionally.

But the girl has right only to dream, not the right to see the dream come true. I also had so many dreams about my marriage. Seeing your mother and father, Arjun bhaiyya and Avanti bhabhi, I thought that I will also get a husband like that who will keep my needs in front and think about me. You might think it is selfish. But for someone like me, this is the biggest dream Khushi ma!

I was born in a conservative family where girls were considered to be the burden of the family. They never wanted to educate me. But if they did not, they will be answerable to people around us. So they did educate me but never cared much. They will not expend their money on me even if its something worth expending for. So when I joined college, your both Amma's friendship was like the help given for a drowning man. Hostel sounded like home and home sounded like jail for me.

One day suddenly My mother called me and said that they have got me a prospective groom and asked me to get ready wearing silk saree with some jewels to look good. I thought that finally I am getting freedom out of it. My first piece of that dream broke when I saw Daksh sitting there with his daughter Archana. I thought it was groom's relative. But my father in his loud voice called him Maapillai.. Son in law!

Archana and Daksh had so much physical similarities that clearly showed them as father daughter. I went to my parents and asked them about this injustice they are doing to me by marrying me off to someone so elder to me and who has already a daughter though just a year old. But my parents did not take my words to their ears. Next step they stopped my college and caged me in the house. I could contact no one. Not even my friends.

Slowly I calmed down my raging heart that may be Daksh was the one for me. May be he will love me, save me from the mental torture I was going through at my own parents' house. So silencing my soul I did as my parents said and got married to him within 3 weeks. In the thought of escaping from that place I neither noticed the rush in the wedding nor the amount that was being used for it was not my father's. It was all Daksh!

He never talked about himself except for his daughter even after we got married and were travelling to his home with me by his side as new bride. For first few months he was all good and I thought that my life was settled. I looked after his daughter. She was not all sweet but I did not care as I saw Daksh as an angel for getting me out of there and keeping me without any complaints. So I was all seven kinds of foolish always ready to do anything for him. I severed every contact with people in my old life including Anjali and Avantika Bhabhi.

My happiness knew no boundaries when I got a report stating that I am pregnant. But never once I knew that it was the start for things going south taking an unexpected turn. Daksh started fussing over me trying to make me healthy, giving me all healthy things.

Once I was 14 weeks pregnant I had a doctor appointment of that month scheduled and as usual Daksh accompanied me. I was at the 7th heaven seeing my husband all helping and doting his pregnant wife. I was so foolish that I never asked him why he was meeting the doctor in private after my check ups and just like that took his words for asking about my health and I never concentrated on one extra test that was done that month as Daksh kept fussing!

Usually my doctor reports were mailed to his office. Daksh made such arrangement so that he can know anything and everything going on with me and he did not have to wait to reach home with raised BP to find out. Again I thought "Oh how lovely is my husband" and I never questioned him. But unfortunately or unfortunately, the day the reports arrived Daksh was out of town for some urgent business and as normal procedure the mails from office were diverted to his home office.

I never interfered in his business so I did not touch his office mails. But I did want to check my reports. So I opened the report and a next little piece of my dreams broke. They were foetus sex determination test reports which clearly said that I was going to have a boy. When he returned I confronted him with the report. But at that time he clearly brushed the matter off saying that he did it because he wanted to get nursery and baby clothes ready for his baby and he did not want to be disappointed with extra set of everthing. So knowing the gender was just to make things easier.

Your Mama was a very good negotiator you know! He just knew his way with people. At least with people like me. After that incident I started noticing many things in Daksh that I never cared to notice before. His neglecting Archana, his fight with his former wife's family who accused him for their loss and there was also another guy who always came with a court order to Daksh and went empty handed yelling to find out the truth one day.

First Daksh said that it was business clashes. But the behavior I noticed was too much personal. But I could not concentrate more as my pregnancy carried to the last trimester. Aran came into the earth and I was more than happy to see some light in my life. I named him Aran which meant Right as always and straight as arrow.

Daksh did not object. May be did not care about what his son's name was and cared only about him being his son, I don't know! Aran was a very good boy you know. He always stuck to me. Always around me to remind me that there was someone who cared about me.

Slowly time passed, days changed. And just like that it was 4 years since Aran's birth. Suddenly one day Daksh came home and asked me if I know any Anjali! I frowned at this out of the blue question. He gave me your mother's name and descriptions tagging the same question. I said Yes and that was the first time I saw something in his eyes.

Something dangerous that made everything in me shiver. I am not good judge of people but I can judge this brutal gleam in someone's eyes as I practically grew up with it. I did not really understand anything. But he asked me why did I never keep in touch with Anjali and Avantika! Then he was all smiles asking me to get in touch with them instead of sitting at home getting bored as Aran started school.

Though at that time I did feel something odd I was happy to get my friends back. They were happy to welcome me back! Devyani periyamma and Pratap periyappa were like parents to me whom I never had and Arnav and you were very like my own children. You were just born and Arnav was just a year elder. You both were so close to each other.

Even reliving the bitter reality of her life, the birth of her son, reuniting with her friends and getting to know their children gave a different glow to Akshita's face that was hard not to notice by Khushi.

We were already living close to Coimbatore, in Tirupur. Soon we were in Coimbatore which led my visiting Anjali and Avantika very easy. Anjali was not one to hold grudge but Rajiv Bhai was very much angry at Daksh for what he had done to Anjali and others were very uncomfortable around Daksh so I slowly managed to visit them when he is not around. Sometimes Aran used to come with me. That Prakash Chacha's grandson.. Aman and Aran used to annoy each others so much that he stopped accompanying me. And I did not take it seriously. That is where I made my mistake.

That paved path for Daksh to take control over my son's life! He started turning Aran into his heir in true senses which never caught my attention earlier. I should have known the changes in my boy who used to be around me always holding my pallu, now talking about being a BOY he is STRONG! But when was my life pleasant to me..?

She gave a bitter smile to Khushi.

Time wait for never. Before we can realize it was 8 years since then. Because Daksh mostly doesn't come to Raizada place, he used to ask me about everything happened there. In first it was as if he was concerned in knowing his wife's activities. But soon there was an edge in his voice and an impatience in his question. So I started avoiding the interrogation.

Aran grew just like Daksh and Archana was happily away from all these safe in boarding school. You and Arnav were sent to a school with your parent's tagging along. You were the life of the house. Soon they built a holiday home in Ooty near your school and built their own paradise in Coimbatore Mettupalayam highway, Shantibhavanam.

I was very happy at my friends' growth while your Mama was burning from inside because later I came to know that he was the main partner in Raizada Textiles' rival! He sent me only to get inner information. But he never knew my loyalty to my people which made him lose and made your parents gain nearly 700 crore worth.

This was a hit on Daksh's ego as he lost his partnership and his Rajan Textiles was going into bankruptcy. So he joined hands with some people and planned to take Raizada's and Sharma's down! Too bad that he never got a chance as nature took them before.

Khushi's eyes increased to saucer size at the implied meaning. Can the Mama she knew do so much?

I thought that he was doing all these at the moment as he was so angry at being the losing end. But later only I came to know that for Daksh it was no new thing. He.. He was killer.. not once.. but twice already!

Thinking of the way Daksh laughed telling his blood tale made Akshita's blood freeze and tremble even today like it was just few minutes ago. Khushi herself froze at this news!

The victims were his own wives. Remember I told about a man coming with warrant.. He was his first wife's brother. Daksh managed to dispose her body by burning her completely and he cleaned even the burnt area leaving no trails behind. Since he cannot marry until it was confirmed that she was dead, he waited for 7 years to get clearance and he married another woman, Archana's mother!

But instead of giving him a son he wanted she managed to fool him and bring Archana to the world. In rage he strangled her and managed to show it as a suicide because she was depressed with her daughter when she wanted a son and he also managed to throw the police off him. He was telling everything to his accomplice, a big mob head then when he heard about Shrarma's and Raizada's accidental death.

He was laughing like a maniac. I thought that my husband was hot tempered, and did some small things against morales. That day, I knew that, the husband I saw and the man he was were like 2 different men. You knew for past few days then, I was very happy because I came to know that after 8 years, I was pregnant with another child who I can keep with me and not under Daksh's control and can also turn my Aran to me. But hearing this, all my hopes were lost!

That time the police investigating the boat accident was none other than Prakash chacha. He threw another bomb on already broken Periyappa saying that Since you don't have any blood relative, you were to be taken into government custody and Daksh was never one to leave an opportunity. He used it according to him by claiming you as his niece and as he was blood relative, Periyappa's claim was rejected.

Arnav was the one who was already so sad seeing you lying in hospital without any knowledge about who you were, broke down completely seeing you being taken by Daksh away from him. That little guy of just 9 years put up a fight against Daksh so vigorously that the doctors there had to sedate him.

Once Daksh claimed the amnesiac you, he tried cutting ties with everyone who has relation with you. But periyappa was a bullhead! He followed us to Melbourne where Daksh kept you in a special ward in an Asylum that was connected to his mob friend and said to you that it was his friend's residence. To make periyappa repel from us you know what a tyrant he made? He gave money to the doctor there to drug you and give electric shocks to you while Periyappa was watching.

Khushi vaguely remembered the someone visiting her when she was in Melbourne, but never got a chance to meet as Daksh always stopped her and she let him! One little tear drop came out from her eyes thinking of her helplessness.

Don't cry Khushi! You could do nothing then. Being adult even I was never able to stop him. You know.. Whenever Periyappa sees this, you know how disturbed he becomes. He never let anyone know about all these things in India. He only came there so that he can see with his own eyes that you were in good hands. But Daksh was Daksh.. He wanted to cut all the ties you had and he did.

Seeing Periyappa returning home every time with that scared eyes and pale face, one time I snapped. I snapped at Daksh and asked him to let you go where you can be happy. And that day, not just my dream about my family.. But even I died myself that day.

Khushi(gasped): Mami!

Akshita gave another bitter smile caressing Khushi's hair.

That day he found out Rajiv and Arjun Bhai's will about their shared property being in your name and under a trust of Pratap Periyappa until you turned 26 after which its power of attorney will be transferred to your Husband which they were very sure will be Arnav.

This made Daksh so angry as he had you but not the money he lost. He was mad behind it as he never liked to lose and when I snapped, he snapped too. He pushed me to the nearby wall with my 20 weeks baby bump first.

Khushi felt tears falling on her hands that were rested on Akshita's knees. She looked up to see Akshita crying for her lost baby.

Khushi: Mami! Please don't cry. I have never seen you smile. But you never cried too. You were the strong woman Mami.

Akshita sobbed and her throat choked as she tried to talk again. Not once after the accident Khushi talked with her so nicely. Akshita saw to it. But she was a mother too. She adored Khushi so much and today seeing her caring for her was a closure for her broken soul. Akshita went down and sat beside Khushi who put her arm around her and leaned on her shoulder. Akshita securely held her head. But her tears never stopped. After all, it was despair of more than 20 years.

All my dreams, hopes everything shattered that day when the doctor that day announced that my baby was dead! It was a girl Khushi ma. A girl I always wanted. Doctor said that my baby girl took the impact of the blow saving me and left her life even before she could make it to the world.

That day, I made some decisions. I could not let my daughter's sacrifice go waste by sitting there doing nothing to stop Daksh. I disowned Daksh as my husband and stood my ground on staying married to him for the sake of you and Aran.

I know that staying with him would be like staying near a monster. But I just made certain things that made him stick on to what I decided. I had money in form of jewels that was from Periyappa and Periyamma which I was ready to give to Daksh to save him from getting bankrupt and settle with mobster and get him take his business forward. But he was a snake and I know that he would bite someday.

So I threatened him by saying that I will go to police for my miscarriage as I had proof of his sex determination reports with me. I made him sign papers for my safety which had him agreeing for him committing 2 murders, my miscarriage and his connections with the mob that attempted murder on Sharma's and Raizada's and had it safe deposited with periyappa before I asked him to never visit us, to give it to you, Arnav and the police if anything was to happen to me. But I strictly warned periyappa not to reveal any of this until I say so or if I am not there to say so.

To make Daksh believe that I was least interested anymore in anything to do with him, I started getting away from you and also my son. Because I know that if he gets my weakness, he can be threatening with you both as bait and I did not want to give him a chance. I started living like a robot in that house.

Then after few years I lost contact with Periyappa as from Melbourne we moved. And then after few more years we returned to India when everything was changed.

When all this happened Aran was in boarding. But all this time Daksh was never silent. He was making all plans to get your money which became like some addiction to him. This made him deal with Mumbai underworld heads and other shady people. Though I was not sure what his plan was then, I understood everything when he started grooming you to marry Aran.

And being so attached to him, you also agreed. I needed to stop you and I did not know how because I was not in the position to talk to you let alone dissuade. So I with my little money I saved, hired a private investigator to get me informations about Periyappa as I lost contact, and Raizada textile was no more. Later only I came to know that it was merged with AR for which Arnav was the head.

I should thank destiny as you both met even before I could do anything and from there it was head on. And I was very relieved to see you marry Arnav and get into their shelter where I know you were safe!

Khushi: But I blew everything Mami. And now you are in trouble all just because of me.

She sobbed hiding her face in Akshita's crook. Akshita consoled her like a mother would do to a child.

Akshita: Shh.. Khushi ma! Do you think I am stupid enough to leave you in trouble or do you think Arnav is fool enough to send you just like that to someone whom he knew was dangerous?

Khushi: But Mami.. How will he know that we are in middle of nowhere, in a dungeon like home surrounded by water and electric fence.

Akshita smirked making Khushi look confused. Suddenly Akshita got up and pulled her pallu up and turned back. For the first time Akshita has revealed so much skin in front of Khushi and now Khushi felt like why did she have to come into their life like this. Because all over Akshita's skin were scares that ran too deep that flashed her beloved Mama's all smiling face and the monster behind.

Akshita: Just below that my blouse by my hip you will see a patch of skin clean. Can you?

Khushi could only nod.

Akshita: Just below my blouse there place your hand pull that skin.

That's when Khushi felt the slight bulge there. But she did not know why her Mami was asking her to pull her own skin. Uncertainly she did as she was said only to find that the skin was artificial and from inside that landed a very slim mobile phone. A satellite mobile phone!

Khushi looked up at her mami with her wide eyes while Akshita sat down smiling.

Akshita: Arnav gave me this when he came to know about your marriage to Aran. I managed to sneak it here so that he can trace us and I know that Daksh would not dare touch me.

Khushi was about to say something when they heard the roar of the boat and both women looked at each other. One pair of scared eyes looked into other pair of dead eyes. Can they get lucky? What if Daksh had returned?

What do you think? Who could it be?😕