Let me be clear with ages before you go further. 

{Arnav, Advay} - 26

{Shyam, Khushi, Arjen, Zia, James} - 32

{Payal, Akash, Dhruv, Myra} - 25 

Anjali - 30

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Shantivan,

Delhi

Everyone had gone to their respective rooms after dinner with Akash in the dining room as well. Akash had come back home after disappearing for hours and ignored his mother like she didn't exist in the home when having dinner and talked to no one. After some drama of Manorama who cried getting ignorance from her son — to which Manohar could only snort and scold her for something she brought upon by herself. Manorama's hate towards Payal had increased more because she thought she snatched her son and husband away, tricking her way into them.

The night was such torture for Manohar who had to listen to Manoram's another one of her trail of dramas and hoped the witches would engulf his wife's dreams. She'd just sleep hiding behind her bedsheet and not disturb him with her blabbers anymore. 

Seriously, was he in his mind when he fell in love with her?

His wish was fulfilled when he unintentionally switched to a horror movie on the TV and Manorama ducked under her head under the bedsheet, stopping her chants of Payal being a witch, golddigger, and so many more he wasn't able to count. 

Manohar sighed in relaxation, sleeping after some time switching off the TV and the night dawned in not-so-peace with Manorama's snores and the sun rose as hours went by with twinkling stars.

—————————

It is another Morning that cannot be peaceful in Shnativan. Akash and Manohar had come down, getting ready for their office. It was time for their breakfast. They'd have it soon and will leave the home in peace. Alas! Their wishes couldn't be fulfilled.

Just when they sat at the dining table ignoring the presence of Devyani, Anjali, and Manorama, they heard Manorama.

Only if they could be silent ever. Never, they know yet still hoped.

Manorama started biting on an apple, pissing Akash's mood, "I'm going to fix Akash's marriage with Lisa Kapadia. She's Miss. India contest runner-up. I'm sure she will match the status of Raizadas."

Listening to words, Devyani scoffed at her daughter-in-law's choice. She heard so many rumors about her being in affairs. Not at all suitable for Raizadas. Anjali had no opinion, though. She was plainly curious about Akash's reaction — who clearly looked pissed but calmed down soon. 

Is he going to agree? Anjali thought looking at Akash who calmed down quickly.

"Dad, why didn't you marry a Miss India as well?" Akash know whatever his mother said was for him, asking his father, indirectly passing his opinion that he regretted having her as his mother.

Anjali gasped at his choice of words. Devyani was nothing less. 

"No Miss India, Akash Bitwa," Manohar denied to which Manorama smiled in delight but frowned when she heard his next words. "I should have married someone who was rich and equal to our status, Ms. India or not, doesn't matter. I'm regretting now."

"Hello Hi, Bye Bye, what are you saying?" Manorama gasped in shock at her husband's words. Did he just remind her that she wasn't rich and he married a middle-class woman like her?

"I know what I'm saying, Manorama. If being rich and beautiful defines one character as pure and not a golddigger, I should have married someone like that," he snorted, having his breakfast as if whatever he said was nothing wrong.

Manorama could only gasp more at his words, widening her eyes. He did mean to call her a golddigger by his words and she said the same, with little tears at the end of her eyes, "Do you mean I trapped you like that golddigger Payal is trying to trap Akash?"

Well, she doesn't learn. Manohar huffed, releasing a huge breath, "I don't know you've become deaf too. Anyway, my words are like diamonds, I don't waste them repeating again and again."

Manorama became angrier at his words and was stubborn in her words, "Akash Bitwa, if you don't marry Lisa, I'm not talking to you ever again."

She had made up her mind to make him agree no matter what happens. Devyani and Anjali were just speculators, looking at the drama between the trio.

Akash on the other hand though was hurting from the inside, and could only smile at his mother and say, "Oh. Such a blessing!"

His words were a shocker for Anjali and Devyani too who began looking at a very new Akash they're getting to see recently — a man ready to fight his own mother for a merely disrespectful girl.

"Hello Hi Bye Bye, you're happy not talking to me ever just for that middle-class girl?" Manorama was flabbergasted at her son's opinion and her hate increased more.

Khoon Bhari Taang was the reason for everything.

"Payal. Her name is Payal," Akash gritted his teeth in anger. He never liked anyone calling Payal like that, with names so disrespectful which she doesn't deserve.

"Are you not going to say anything when he's talking like that with me?" Manorama turned towards her husband, wanting some support from him who sat silent all the while.

"Like what?" Manohar acted nonchalantly like he didn't know how he should respond for.

"Rudely!" Manorama put her spoon down on the table quite harshly, making some harsh sounds, disturbing the moment of stupor.

"You deserve that," Manohar simply shrugged, continuing his breakfast along with Akash.

"Hello Hi Bye Bye, that middle-class golddigger had done magic on you," she muttered angrily, going away from the table.

Anjali followed her to console her. Devyani was about to say something when Manohar and Akash stands up, cutting her off, bidding them bye, they start to office.

Two more hours had passed since the men left for the office. Anjali had managed to console her Mami and they are now sitting in the hall in silence, going through Lisa's photographs which looked simply beautiful.

Devyani who was knitting her sweater silently had enough of Manorama's smiles and giggles over Lisa's photographs and the wish of getting her as a daughter-in-law.

"Before Akash's marriage, it will be Arnav's marriage with Lavanya," she killed the silence spread in RM with her words. Arnav was elder than Akash and Advay and he needs to get married first, she said what she wanted for so many months. Now she had the perfect excuse to make her Chotte agree — Akash's marriage.

"Chotte hadn't agreed," Anjali frowns at Devyani's words. Arnav didn't agree to marry Lavanya. How can they make him marry her?

"We no more need his agreement. Let's start engagement preparations, he'll have to get engaged at least to save AR's reputation. AR is his weakness. We'll invite all his business partners and clients," Devyani cunning to have thought something like that. Putting Arnav on the edge and cutting the thread he's holding onto.

"What if he still doesn't agree and makes it a big deal?" Anjali asked on second thoughts. It's not easy to blackmail Arnav. He'd hold the reins of AR anyhow.

"Akash's marriage won't happen if Arnav doesn't marry. Let's say Akash loves some girl and he wanted to marry her, unless he marries, we won't let Akash's marriage happen. Arnav has to marry then," Devyani said, not knowing it was foolish to think something like that. Akash would eventually never marry if the girl was someone else other than Payal and even if it is Payal, he'd never put his brother on edge, no matter what.

"Nice idea, Nani," Anjali smiled. They'd blackmail him somehow with Akash's happiness and Arnav will have to agree.

"So, Akash Bitwa cannot marry Lisa unless Arnav is married, Sasu Ma?" she narrows her gaze. It sounded disadvantageous to her.

"Yes. And Arnav will marry Lavanya. You don't have to worry about that. I don't like Lisa too. I've another girl ready for him, who's equally responsible, and beautiful, from the high class as you like," Devyani said whatever she wanted to say and forwards the photo to Manorama.

Manorama raises her eyebrow looking at the girl, she looked nothing less than Ms. India and more beautiful than Lisa, "Wow. She's beautiful and looks so rich."

"Akash will get married to Natasha," Devyani declares to which Manorama agrees.

"I'll make sure, Akash gets married to Natasha only," Manorama said determined. This girl will be perfect for her to flaunt in the clubs and media.

Devyani and Anjali had two days to prepare for Arnav's engagement and they get on the work. It was just 11:30 AM and knowing it was six in London, they try calling Lavanya who woke up with the ringtone and was instructed to get back to India.

Lavanya was only too happy to do that!

—————————

Restaurant,

Akash at lunchtime tries to meet Payal in the restaurant she usually goes to for lunch. Only to encounter Akash who looked disheveled.

Payal tries to ignore him but he cuts her way, "Payal, I'm ready to get separated from my family and marry you. Please agree, I love you so much."

He looked desperate.

Payal closed her eyes in irritation, "Oh, so your family could later blame me that I am a family breaker, a witch separating you from your mother and family?"

She know what would be the consequences if she agreed to whatever Akash had said. His family will curse her, and hurt her with their words.

"Payal," he pleads but Payal wasn't an easy woman, she stops him from saying more, "No, thanks, Akash! Whatever names I've got till now had hurt my self-respect too much. Not anymore."

"Payal, we'll not at all keep any relationship with them," Akash tries once more stopping Payal who was about to walk away.

"I know you like me too," he adds grabbing her and that was the truth they're aware of.

"And I love my self-respect more, Akash!" Payal sighs, pushing his hands off her, and walks away giving no heed to Akash.

—————————

London,

The next Morning,

After her lunch date with Arnav, Khushi had gone with him, who abandoned his work for a day — all for a long drive, the temperature was 14 in London and enough cold to have a peaceful drive on the roads so peaceful away from the city, they could only feel chilling waves of wind, which relaxed their minds. All in silence. They had one thing in common and that was — crazy love for long drives. 

Poor bodyguards of Khushi had to follow her, driving long as per their security strategy, not disturbing her moments with Arnav Singh Raizada. 

When they were back by evening, they had smiles on their faces and bid bye to each other with Khushi reminding him she'd come to his hotel for picking him up. 

The night went long for Khushi as she talked from nine to dozens about everything including Arnav with her father, over a glass of red wine, and her father who listened to every word she said, was more determined to meet Arnav Singh Raizada before he went back to India. For, everything he heard about ASR was only positive from her mouth. 

As the morning rose calling Khushi for her work, she got ready for the hospital and had appointments piled up. She was busy from the time she entered the hospital, analyzing every patient's case and condition. In the afternoon, she had one long surgery scheduled and she had to rest for some time before that. She hoped appointments would finish up soon as she checked the reports of one more patient.

Outside her cabin, there was one patient among some who was impatiently waiting for his turn to come up. He looked calm and composed, not at all like some who were anxious about their health and what would doctor say. 

His phone vibrated and he took it out to read the message.

"All ready? Make sure you're not caught while giving it to her."

He texted back patting his pocket and making sure all was ready, "All ready and it will be implemented perfectly. Don't worry. The first phase is over already. I had three check-ups done by three doctors before I was allowed here. Half an hour more and I'll be in."

"And she will be out — to heaven. Just be perfect in your work!"

The reply was instant. And the man smirked knowing his attack can never be failed at his work. 

To be continued..,

Let me know what you think of the update. 

Regards,

polymath_land

09/01/2023