A Wake up Call! - Chapter 13 Posted 06/21/2017

Chapter 1 - Done with the Good!

Khushi was completely pissed off after hearing roadside people commenting on how wonderful family Arnav, Aarav and Sheetal made during the basketball match... For god sake, he is her husband and not father of his ex's son...

But only if her thick headed husband understands her insecurities and stop entertaining that witch? This Laad Governor needs to understand as a married man, he also has same rules that his spouse has...

Suddenly the realization dawned upon Khushi that being selfless, giving priority to others, caring for everyone and being nice wasn't helping her at all... In fact she might just lose what she has... Her family especially her husband might be, but she isn't blind not to see Sheetal is trying to achieve?

Family and now people around them calling him and his ex' with her son as a family was not her idea of her beautiful family! Their insensitive behavior wasn't helping... Everyone was so convinced Aarav is like Arnav, they might simply accept him as his son and then Sheetal too in their lives... No one will ever see her broken heart nor her tears! They don't even know how she feels, even her Arnavji... What the hell? Khushi was aghast with the reality around her... The basketball match and whatever happened in the court, it's a deadly wakeup call for her!

Her belief that her husband will protect her crumbled like a life in the basketball court! He just watched her and in fact mocked when she is getting insulted by his ex'! In few minutes, her world changed... How dare he to act so callous?

But her faith in Devi Mayya didn't let her break down so easily but emerge strong... So it is time for her to get in action... She reached home alone after visiting her favorite Devi Mayya during crisis... She was so done crying herself to sleep every night and watch being taken for granted... She washed her face and along with it she also washed off the blurriness in her life and her relaxed attitude... She is first time crystal clear about the next action plan in her life... She came down as if nothing has happened with her smile intact...

"Khushi, I need your help here..." Payal called Khushi...

"Jiji, what is it?" Khushi was cold with her sister too... But then her jiji had warned her about not involving into Sheetal's matter and keep her away...

"Khushi, I am feeling lot of nausea... Can you please check daal on gas?" Payal ran to washroom and Khushi suddenly mellowed down...

"Jiji, is it what I am thinking?" Khushi was really happy but wanted to confirm first...

"I hope so too... I missed my cycle for three weeks and yesterday we went for a blood test. Akash would be getting the reports anytime now..." Payal was super shy as usual...

"Jiji, no entry for you in the kitchen from today onwards... And hearty congratulations" Khushi hugged her jiji... After a long time they have a reason to be happy...

By then everyone came back home... Akash had gone to get reports directly and looked totally excited...

"I have an announcement to make everyone... We are expecting a baby..." Akash announced while hugging Payal and kissing her on her forehead... He couldn't hold the excitement any longer...

Raizada mansion went ecstatic... Everyone hugged Payal for such a wonderful news... After that everyone seated around the dining table for lunch and Khushi ordered sweets... Payal was about to go towards kitchen when Khushi stopped her...

"Arnavji, what did Di do when she was pregnant? I mean what was her routine like?" Khushi asked keeping her face very happy and excited without showing anyone her inner turmoil or agenda...

"What routine? I asked her to strictly follow her diet and multivitamins routine, walk and prenatal exercises and that's about it... She never stepped to do any other work..." Arnav specified proudly...

"See jiji, I knew Arnavji would give us exact direction. You are carrying a Raizada heir... So you better follow exactly what Arnavji explained just now... No entry in the kitchen or for any other work. Just focus on yourself and your baby from now on..." Khushi smiled at her first right step...

"I totally agree with Bhai and Khushiji... No excuses Payal... Your medicines and walks will be my responsibility" Akash immediately pitched in for his wife...

"And Mamiji, you will handle jiji's special diet and food during her pregnancy... Can you please do it since we have seen you doing it for Di plus I have no experience in this what so ever...? After all I am going to be maasi for the first time..." Khushi boasted while passing an important responsibility to Mamiji...

"Yes of course, I would love to treat Payal and my grand kid... Let Payal also see how well her mother-in-law cooks" Mamiji was totally excited. Of course they all knew Mamiji is a great cook but she is just very lazy at home and busy with kitty parties...

"Ok then all set, let me serve everyone lunch... Sheetalji, can you help me with the serving..." Khushi asked carelessly as if Sheetal helps around daily...

Sheetal was shocked... She didn't expect herself to be working or serving food... She was here to marry ASR by hook or crook and rule Raizadas... Or if possible throw rest of the Raizadas out...

"What? Don't tell me you don't know how to serve food? And by the way, you have been here in this house for 3 weeks... Do you still consider yourself a guest even now? You better start pitching in knowing how slow you are with finding your own apartment..." Khushi passed a sarcastic comment with a beautiful smile...

"Oh, HPji, there you are... Get the sweets first..." Khushi was completely casual. Even though Sheetal was taken aback that Khushi suddenly made her feel embarrassed in front of Raizada clan, Sheetal had to suck it up...

Sheetal got the dishes and served everyone while Khushi made sure to sit in her regular place right next to Arnav which Sheetal was trying to occupy these days, even though she has decided to give Arnav his own medicine... Ignorance...

Sheetal was fuming but couldn't do much...

"I hate this daal... And vegetable too..." Aarav as usual started complaining...

"What do you want then?" Sheetal asked immediately encouraging Aarav to grab attention towards him and his demands...

"Hold on Sheetalji, you are really encouraging bad habits of your son... Did you always cook again whenever Aarav demanded different dishes last minute?" Khushi asked keeping her face straight...

"No, no... He ate whatever I served. He usually likes all types of food..." Sheetal was stuttering again...

"Really, it's hard to believe since here all I have seen is him complaining every meal... Isn't it Aarav? When you can eat whatever is served in your own house, why can't you do the same here...? You are a guest here... If you keep throwing tantrums like this every meal, no one will ever like to invite you as a guest... You can throw tantrums at own house once a while but not when you are at someone else's house as a guest, it's very bad manners... People can question your upbringing and it will disgrace your mom, do you want that?" Khushi questioned in stern and authoritative voice...

Aarav nodded a no. Everyone silently heard Khushi's point of view...

"Last year Arnavji's cousin Ria Di and Ram jiju visited us with kids... Their kids were extremely well behaved for a billionaire's kids and always respectful towards servants and ate whatever was served to them. Isn't it Arnavji? It's high time we teach some manners to Aarav while he is under our roof... Arnavji, you remember how much fun Ritu and Raman were?" Khushi asked Arnav directly...

"Yeah, Ria and kids were such a pleasant surprise. Ritu and Raman were very well disciplined and so warm towards everyone... Sheetal, you really need to focus on Aarav's behavior..." Arnav mentioned while remembering Ritu and Raman... He also remembered how Ria and Ram jiju were strict...

Sheetal was completely embarrassed. She gestured Aarav to apologize... And Aarav did say sorry since he had no choice...

"No problem Aarav... We also realized one thing... You did eat whatever your mom cooked in your house before... So it tells us that you must be missing your mother's recipes and no wonder you were complaining... Sheetalji, from today onwards, you will make sure to cook for your own son... Just like you did before... We would hate to see him upset and misbehave at every meal, isn't it naniji?" Khushi made her next move with the same smile plastered on her face...

"So right Khushi bitiya, we all saw how Aarav complains and throws tantrums every meal but only you understood the underlined concern... You always take care of everyone and know what everyone needs... Sheetal, you better start taking care of your son... When I compare him with Ria's kids, I can say he really needs to improve on his behavior... My grandkids are so charming and well behaved..." Naniji is always proud her own family...

"Also less work for me and less drama at the dining table..." Mamiji passed a comment and everyone laughed...

"Ok naniji" Sheetal was fuming inside but she had nothing to say... Her own plans of making Aarav grab Arnav's attention all the time has backfired...

Khushi calculated her first three moves were right on dot... Making sure jiji is taken care during her pregnancy, Sheetal being asked to work and Aarav's arrogance under control... In fact she over achieved by making Mamiji take care of Payal jiji...

"Check, check and check... Phew, great start KKGSR..." Khushi patted her own back in her mind...

Chapter 2 - What goes around, comes around!

Arnav could see a change in Khushi's behavior... But he is glad to see her smiling face rather than pale face every day and he did not ponder over much...

Khushi was keeping her stuff ready for the morning and Arnav was surprised to see her excited about something... Suddenly he felt left out...

"What's going on Khushi?" Arnav asked her unable to bare her ignorance...

"Oh Arnavji, did you forget, I am starting my classes from tomorrow. Just preparing for it" Khushi replied excitedly. She decided she would reply him as if nothing happened yet make sure to make him feel ignored. He badly needed his own medicine, Laad Governor deserves it for taking me for granted...

"Good night Arnavji... I have a long day ahead tomorrow..." With that Khushi switched off her bed side light and slept off...

And again Arnav missed his wife and her antics plus the love... They had been away from each other for 2 weeks now... Why can't she just accept her mistake of DNA test and apologize, he thought...

Raizada mansion was big time hustle bustle early morning... Mami focusing on Payal and her special diet, HPji was busy making regular breakfast under Khushi's instructions with menu written on the wall...

Sheetal came down last minute with an apologetic face...

"Sheetal, you can do better than that... Look at our Khushi bitiya... She has to join college today but she is taking care of whole house before going... She plans in advance, writes instructions and runs the whole house flawless... You are late when you have a school going kid... How about his breakfast, lunch box and schedule?" Naniji did not hesitate to show her concern and looked at her disgusted...

"Don't worry Naniji, she has the luxury to work with her college friend at flexible hours... She can afford to go late unlike others... Plus she has luxury of using car and go with ASR... Not every employee gets that..." Both Arnav and Sheetal were stumped at Khushi's comment.

Arnav looked up and saw Khushi casually smiling... Indeed what she said was right... He kept Khushi on her toes when she worked for him and in fact he was unfair and mean to her at times for coming like 5 seconds late... Yeah 5 seconds late, once he has shown her clock... How can he forget once he forced Khushi to come to office by auto in spite of Nani asking him to take her with him...? And here Sheetal is taking advantage of everything... She is staying in their house for so long, always comes late to office, delivers tasks late with some or the other excuse and when did he start tolerating this kind nonsense that too at work? Arnav was shocked with revelation...

"Nothing like that... Sorry naniji, I will get up early from tomorrow" With that Sheetal ran to the kitchen...

"For that you will have to stop going parties in the night..." Mamiji commented and everyone heard it...

While Arnav realized his mistake, he saw Khushi was casual... That made him feel even worst... He looked at her mesmerized... He realized she was looking completely different... She was wearing long flared jeans skirt with sleeveless red top... Her hair open and a slight makeup and those high heels... In all she looked stunning and so young.

"What?" She asked him when she realized he was checking her out...

"Nothing... You look great..." Arnav couldn't help...

"Thanks Arnavji. Now that I am joining college, I thought to go back wearing my college attires... Makes it comfy and easy... Plus I don't want to stand out..." She commented...

"Khushi bitiya, you look so beautiful... My blessings are always with you..." Naniji never stopped showing her extra love for Khushi...

"Khushi, come let me drop you..." Arnav offered her a ride.

"But Arnav, we need to drop Aarav to school before going to office and I am still making his lunch... I need another 20 minutes..." Sheetal tried to make him wait for her and forced Anjali to help her out.

"Sheetal, its AR Designs and not charity place that I will reach anytime for a mere employee... What did nani tell you? Manage your own schedule... Can't you do simple things like enroll Aarav for school bus for automatic pickup and drop off? Do you realize now Khushi and Payal will also need cars for their schedule and Dr. Appointments? It's high time you look into logistics for yourself. AR pays well to their employees..." Arnav was angry when he saw his Di helping Sheetal in the kitchen...

How come he never felt wrong when Sheetal and Aarav were taking advantage of Khushi and Payal? She was acting as if she is the owner of the house and both treating Khushi and Payal like trash... As soon as he saw his Di working for others, his blood boiled... Suddenly he felt terrible how badly he was failing in his own marriage...

Khushi was surprised at his outburst and felt happy on his realization but her happiness was short lived... She could immediately see what triggered his anger when she saw Di helping Sheetal... She felt hurt but did not show it... She acted as if she could care less...

"Did she give up on me already?" Arnav felt his heart sink with the thought...

"Khushi, you could have told me. I can always drop you..." Arnav was polite when he stopped in front of Khushi's college...

"It's ok Arnavji, you are always busy. Plus Sheetal and Aarav always need a ride so I can manage myself... No big deal..." Khushi's casual behavior was getting onto his nerves...

"It is a big deal Khushi... You are my wife. You are my priority and responsibility before anyone else..." Khushi could first time feel the guilt in his voice...

"I am really glad that you feel your wife is also part of your responsibilities apart from family and friends... Bye for now... I am getting late... I will see you in the evening" Khushi hopped out of the car with a smile before he can say anything further...

Wow, she gave him right back again...

"Wow that was loads of fun... Oh, I so much miss my scooter... I would drive whole Lucknow in one day and even in Delhi I have driven..." Khushi entered in with bunch of friends... Arnav was fuming seeing her getting off from some guy's bike who drove her back to RM. Arnav watched carefully and realized it was famous model Karan Singhania... He was surprised Khushi knows Karan and they looked like friends...

"Bye, see you all tomorrow..." Khushi waved and entered RM.

"Khushi, how do you know Karan Singhania?" Arnav asked curiously...

"Karan is Sia and Jia's cousin. SJ are my buddies so Karan is also my friend and I met him many times before..." Khushi just smiled. Arnav was shocked and jealous. Khushi could easily read his jealousy, serves him right!

"And you came home on his bike?" Arnav asked Khushi sarcastically... He could not hold back his jealous streak and anger...

"What? What's the big deal Arnavji...? He is a friend and I can always mingle with my friends' right... You are my role model and every day you go to work and come back with your friend Sheetal... In fact she is your ex Arnavji..." Khushi replied casually... Be blunt with a very casual attitude was her new motto...

Arnav was taken aback... She was so right... If he can be so friendly and give ride to his ex every day in front of his wife, why can't she go with her friends? Suddenly he hated himself for entertaining Sheetal...

That's when Sheetal also walked in.

"Wow Khushi, skirt and all ha... you look great but so much like a teenager... Your friends sounded so teenager and immature..." Sheetal mocked Khushi in front Arnav purposely pointing to their age difference and calling her immature.

"Oh Sheetal, you sound so outdated and old... We call it young, hot and happening... You won't understand it..." Khushi mocked Sheetal right back...

"By the way Sheetal, you were Arnavji's batch mate at Harvard, right? So you must be like 28 or 29 years old now I guess. And knowing Aarav is 8 years now, you had Aarav at the age of 20 or 21 that too without marriage. And you are calling me and my friends immature, you must be surely joking right? Do you even know who his father is?" Khushi put her Sheetal in place with disgusted look and as usual her beautiful smile intact...

Suddenly all Raizadas especially Naniji and Mamaji who were sitting in the hall gave Sheetal disgusted looks...

"You and your generation so much sound like those crazy anti marriage folks... Don't want to take up responsibilities or live up to expectations... Never mind my words Sheetal, but that sounds losers... I really love my generation much better... We take every challenge of life head on!" With that Khushi crossed over and walked inside the house leaving Sheetal fuming...

Even Arnav felt disgusted thinking Sheetal had Aarav when in college and she might not know who the father is... Wow, and she keeps judging the whole world... Ironic! He looked at Sheetal angrily...

"Seriously Sheetal, what were you thinking back then? You must be so stupid..." Arnav couldn't help but comment... Sheetal had no choice but let it go for now and keep quiet...

"You will pay for this soon Khushi..." Sheetal promised herself confidently...