Anjali - Chote!?

As the voice of his sister hit his eardrums, he pivoted to look at the damage he's done. He hurt her. Her eyes indicate it. And he now only realized it. How could his anger touch such heights? How could say all those things to Shyam, knowing very well how much she loves him.

She stared at him without uttering a word. A verbal exchange wasn't needed. He knew he saddened her and he was ashamed. He couldn't meet her eyes and went up to his room.

Shyam glared after him until he wasn't visible anymore. He was furious and exploding inside for Arnav dared to insult him like that in front of everybody. If it wasn't for the comfort and money he would have never married Anjali. And it was for the same reason he stayed quiet, for now.

You'll regret this big time Arnav. Big time.

Shyam's mind worked 24/7 on schemes. He was an opportunist and knew very well how to turn things into his favor. While the rest of the people present there gazed at him with shame and guilt in their eyes on behalf of Arnav, he used the moment to executed his plot.

Nani - Damadji, don't mind his words. You know Chote, he has nothing but respect for you in his heart.

Shyam - I know Nani ji. But he's right, I had actually forgotten this is...not my home.

Anjali looked up at her husband as she heard his afflicted voice. He seemed so broken. Maybe Arnav had gone too far this time. Though she had not been happy with her husband inviting the Mehtas, Arnav did not need say all those things to Shyam.

She wiped her eyes and followed her husband up to their room. She did have a vague idea what may be coming. And as she entered the room, her doubt was confirmed. Shyam was packing his clothes.

*

He threw his jacket onto the bed and ran his hand into his hair. He paced the length of the room.

What the hell was that?

There was a lot more going in his mind. But the most important one was that question. His outburst was certainly not needed. And he hurt his Di.

Di!

He sat down on the bed finally and covering his face with his palms, he closed his eyes and took a deep breathe. Shyam was interfering in his personal life by trying to arrange his marriage, but he could have been handled way more mildly. He crossed the limit today and it'll require a lot of efforts to reconcile the matter.

Mami - Arnav bitua

He shot up at Mami's frightened expression and frowned while waiting for her to speak further.

Mami - Anjali bitiya and Shyam are leaving home.

And there it was. The result of his aggressive behaviour. His sister will be leaving the house, and him. That's something he can not accept.

And so, he rushed downstairs where his sister and Shyam were standing with their bags while the rest of the family were trying desperately to stop them.

Arnav - Stop! You're going nowhere.

Everyone turned behind to see Arnav who approached his sister in quick steps. Shyam smirked. He was anticipating this moment where he'll bring the mighty ASR down to his knees. He considered the upcoming moment a justice to all the times Arnav hurt Khushiji. And it'll be sheer satisfaction for his ego to see the ASR who never bends in front of anyone, bend in front of him.

Arnav - I'm really sorry Di. I, I overreacted. I don't know what happened to me, I just...please don't leave Di.

Anjali observed her brother as he stood there in front of them. His lips trembled, his eyes filled with desperation and fear. She recognized it. He was desperate not to let her go and scared of losing her. She wished to stroke his hair and caress his face, assure him she'll always be there for him. But she couldn't. It was a matter of her husband's self respect and her duty as his wife. If only Arnav hadn't been at fault. His temper always brought out the worst of him and this time it concerned her husband's self-respect.

Arnav - Jija ji...I am sorry...Please don't leave. I shouldn't have talked to you like that, I, I'm really very sorry. I really am.

Shyam had his eyes fixated on the door. Not because he couldn't meet his eyes but because he was pondering if to give in now or continue with the act. Because he of course didn't wish to leave the luxuries of Shantivan, not yet, not empty-handed. Oh no. Leaving Raizada House was just a stunt he needed to pull in order to keep the image of him being a man with self-respect intact, and with that his credibility. Especially in front of brother-sister duo. Because Arnav shall not have even the slightest doubt that he may be just after their money.

Nani - Damadji, Arnav is hotheaded. But you've always been sensible. It is the elder ones' responsibility to forgive the younger.

Now that's what he needed. He can end the game now. It pays off to play a mature and sensible person in front of everyone.

Shyam - It's alright Nani ji. I've been taught to respect and obey my elders. That's why I forgive Arnav. We won't leave.

Finally the family was at relief, finally Arnav was at relief! And mostly, Anjali was at relief. She was scared that if they leave the house today, then she would have been forced to choose between her brother and her husband. And she couldn't live without either of them in her life.

*

The phone rang for a while before it got disconnected. Khushi hit the dial button once again. It was her third attempt now. She stood at her bedside, tipped her foot impatiently on the ground and waited for the call to be attended.

And finally, Payal accepted the call. She had just entered into her room and heard the bell.

Khushi - Jiji, where were you? What took you so long at attending my call? You've forgotten us totally after getting married, isn't It? You don't miss me.

Payal was still subconsciously in a dilemma as she heard her sister's accusations and smiled faintly.

Payal - How can I not miss you? You're my sister!

Khushi - Then why weren't you attending your phone?

Even though her mind was working on a teasing session, Payal's mind averted back to the happenings at Raizada House. As an ideal daughter-in-law she shouldn't be revealing anything regarding the family matters to anyone. But on the other side it concerned Shyam, the man who fooled them for months and tricked her family into getting her sister engaged to him. So she decided to tell Khushi everything who had noticed her absence.

Khushi - Jiji? Where are you lost?

Khushi was getting impatient. She wanted nothing more but to talk to her Jiji for a few minutes. She had decided to talk to her about Arnavji but here Payal was not even listening to her. Her lips curved down in disappointment. But she still decided to go for something that always did the work: emotional blackmail.

Khushi - Guess you're busy. I'll talk to you later then, if you wish to.

Payal - I'm here Khushi. It's just, something happened here at Raizada House and I was downstairs.

Khushi's heart pounded with fear. What may have happened there? Did it concern Arnav? What if some accident...?

No Khushi. Arnavji is fine. And everyone else. Nothing happened. Think positive.

Khushi - Jiji, you're scaring me. Please tell me, what happened?

And then Payal narrated everything about Arnav's outburst and its outcome, how the family is still terrified because even though Shyam and Anjali will not be leaving the mansion, things are still heated up there.

Payal - And you know what, it was so satisfying to see him being named and shamed like that. He never got any punishment for everything he did to our family, and this was like a consolation.

After everything Payal recited to her, Khushi was just stuck at one point. She was least interested in what happened to Shyam. She was indifferent to that information, her focus was solely on something else.

Khushi - Shyam ji wanted to fix Arnavji's marriage?

Payal - Yes. And that's why he got so angry.

She recalled the time Arnav exploded at Lavanya after she proposed to him for marriage. And now it's been days but there was no mention of it. And she doubted she'll have to go through the same procedure as Lavanya. There were chances his system got rebooted after their break up.

Khushi - What did he say? Doesn't he want to marry, ever?

She was aware she can't marry right now due to the circumstances but it would be nice to know if he's a lost case. No chances she'll agree for a live in.

Payal - I..I don't know...I think he didn't say anything regarding his marriage. But why are you more interested in that?

She wished she could answer her sister, in fact she had been playing with the thought of telling Payal about them. But she realized it wasn't the right time, not until she figures out what's in for her in this relationship.

Khushi - Just...maybe he got angry 'cause he doesn't want to marry anyone.

Payal - Possible....Ok leave it. Tell me about your work.

She diverted the conversation to a topic they hadn't talked about yet. And with that both the sisters brought each other up to date about the happenings in their lives. Just that Khushi left out one detail in that. She decided it's best to not burden Payal with their financial situation. And neither will she reveal about Arnav and herself to Payal until she's not fully sure there is a marital future for them in sight.

*

In another room, another phone rang. Unlike the previous call, this was attended right away.

Aman - I got the footage. What do you want to do?

Arnav - Give it to Roy, but he shall not take any action yet.

It was just a usual conversation between these two. There was no dancing around the point, both liked to be precise and put it straight. Aman executed the tasks assigned to him by ASR without objection, just as Arnav never doubted on his competence. There was a reason Aman Mathur was his right hand. And it wasn't ass-licking. Aman didn't fawn his way up. In fact he was never afraid of expressing his opinion on things that concerned his work. If needed, he doesn't back off from pressing just the right nerve of the mighty ASR. And that's why, even if Arnav never expressed it verbally, he respected and trusted Aman. He was the best man AR had.

But today was one of the very few times Aman hesitated. He didn't understand why ASR won't be taking any action. This wasn't his ruthless and consequent boss. Not at all.

Aman - ASR, that's a huge matter we got here. Do you really wish to just sit back?

Arnav - Who said I'm going to sit back? I've got a plan Aman, and that plan is evil. Very evil.

And there it was, the assurance. Aman was at relief. It was true, the saying: Still waters run deep. Arnav's personality justified the meaning of his name.

*

That's it for now. This update contained less of Arshi, I know but believe me, you guys are going to love the upcoming updates. Something huge is gonna happen in the upcoming chapters. And I can't wait for your reactions.😄

So what do you think what is in that footage and what were they talking about? Lemme know 😁

P.S. yep I changed my name to claim Arnav for myself cause too much competition out there so I had to marry my man ASR😌

Too many Arnav droolers out there, so me and ASR decided we will make our relationship official. And don't worry about Khushi, she's okay with me being her Sautan 🤣 though she does try to pull my hair out quite often. But my Arnie always saves me 😍