Trigger Warning:

This chapter contains detailed depictions of suicide, which may be distressing to some readers. If you find these topics triggering, I recommend skipping this chapter to prioritize your well-being. Don't worry about missing out on the story — I'll provide a brief recap in the next chapter to keep you up to date. Please proceed with caution and take care of yourself.

Your author, 

Poly.

_________________________

Arnav, after knowing Anjali accepted the proposal, was even more angry and refused to talk to anyone. He was at home doing nothing. Talking to Khushi and spending time with her might have distracted him, but Khushi went to school.

He remembered how his mother was about to slap him for standing up for what was right. His eyes filled with tears again.

She was the one who taught him to stand up for what is right and she's the one who was to slap him for following her words. He slept without having any lunch thinking about everything, and by the time he woke up, it was evening.

"Khushi would have come by now," he murmured and, after freshening up, went to Khushi's house.

True to his words, Khushi had come home and was in the hall still in her school uniform when she saw him. Her face lit up with happiness.

"Arnavvv!!" she shouted excitedly and ran to him, hugging him.

"When did you come from the hospital? How is uncle?" she asked, her expression quickly shifting to worry. She had learned about Arnav's father's illness and hospitalization when Samaya and Avinash arrived home with the kids right at their school bus timings. Not seeing him in his school uniform, she had questioned him, and he explained that his father had fallen ill the previous night.

"Afternoon, and yes, dad is fine now," he managed to fake a smile at her. But Khushi found something wrong with the way he smiled.

"What happened, Arnav? Are you sure you're telling the truth about Uncle? Is he really okay?" Khushi asked, her concern evident.

"Haan, Khushi. Ab tumhe doctor se certificate laau kya?" he asked, smiling a little, for the first time in the day.

(Yes, Khushi. Should I bring a certificate from the doctor now?)

"Nahi. Koi zarurat nahi. Aur uncle ke baare me zyada fikar mat lo. He'll be fine. I prayed for him to Devi Maiyya, Jesus, Allah, and every other god, and since I am everyone's favorite, they will listen to me and will make your father fine. Dekh lena," she said, grinning and hanging on to his arms like a monkey.

(No. No need. And don't worry too much about uncle. He'll be fine. I prayed for him to Devi Maiyya, Jesus, Allah, and every other god, and since I am everyone's favorite, they will listen to me and will make your father fine. You'll see,)

Arnav didn't want to listen to anything about his father and so, decided to divert her.

"I know, Khushi. Can we study now? Did you complete the problem I gave you yesterday? What about the maths answer sheet? Your teacher was supposed to give it to you today for revaluation, wasn't she? How was it?" Arnav bombarded her with questions.

"Woah, Arnav, stop it. Aaj mera duty tumne le li kya? Rajdhani Express banne ka duty?" she teased him, wiggling her eyebrows.

(Woah, Arnav, stop it. Did you take my duty today? The duty of becoming a Rajdhani Express?)

Arnav, for the second time in the day, smiled at her words.

"Pagal," he hit her head.

(Crazy,)

"I'm not pagal, Arnav. I am a genius. I got 100 out of 100 today in Maths, can you believe it?" she squealed in excitement.

"Really?" Arnav raised his eyebrows in wonder. No matter how many times he explained to her the concepts and theorems of mathematics and no matter how much she learned, she always forgot something as soon as she saw the question paper and never scored full marks in maths. Now that she did, he was surprised but happy as well. Her efforts under his wings finally bore some fruit.

"Really! Isliye aaj Mumma ne mere liye meri favorite jalebi banayai hai...matlab bana rahi hai," she said, smelling the aroma coming from the kitchen, imagining herself eating them already.

(Really! That's why Mumma made my favorite jalebi for me today...I mean, she is making it,)

"As if your Mumma didn't make anything special on the days you didn't score well," Arnav teased, a playful glint in his eyes. Garima always ensured that Khushi's efforts to improve in Maths and other subjects were recognized and celebrated, regardless of her actual scores. She believed that effort was what truly mattered, and she made sure to appreciate both Khushi and Payal's hard work by doing something special for them. Whether it was a small treat or their favorite dish, Garima's way of acknowledging their dedication never wavered, making sure they felt valued and motivated to keep trying their best.

Khushi pouted, acknowledging the truth in his words.

"By the way, where are your Saibo and Beebo?" Arnav asked, changing the subject.

"They're swimming," she replied with a grin.

"Oh, I thought they were flying. That's disappointing!" Arnav said with a mock frown.

Khushi knew it was another taunt and glared at him.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Arnav asked, raising his eyebrows in mock innocence.

Khushi traced his eyebrow with her finger and asked an out-of-syllabus question, "How are your eyebrows so thick? And how do you raise a single eyebrow so perfectly?"

Arnav pushed her hand away, frowning at her fingers playing with his eyebrows. Khushi tried to mimic his eyebrow move but ended up looking like a joker.

Arnav laughed out loud at her antics.

_________________________

Arvind was discharged a few days later, and Rohit was overjoyed when Anjali called him and said yes. Despite having had a stroke, Arvind insisted that the engagement happen soon. And so, a month later, Sheesh Mahal was adorned with vibrant decorations, flowers of every hue, and twinkling lights that created a festive atmosphere. Quite a contrast to what most of the residents were feeling.

Subhadra and Arvind beamed with pride and joy, their faces glowing with happiness as they welcomed guests and oversaw the final preparations. Rohit's family, equally delighted, mingled with the guests, their excitement palpable. Rohit himself was all smiles, his eyes never leaving Anjali, who looked resplendent in her engagement attire.

Arnav stood in a corner, his expression full of anger, disgust, and resignation. He couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal and disappointment. Khushi, sensing his turmoil, stayed close to him, offering silent support. Though Anjali announced she was getting married next year and that her engagement was soon, shocking the Guptas, they could sense her sadness. Garima later talked to Ratna about why they were hurrying her marriage.

"I cannot risk my husband's life, Garima. Rohit is letting Anjali study, and she'll adjust soon. There's no other way to this," Ratna confided, her voice trembling as she recounted the ongoing argument and its impact on Arvind. She couldn't risk her husband's life.

"But what about Anjali and her life? Isn't it important?" Garima questioned, her eyes narrowing with concern.

"She'll get used to it, and I'm always there to support her," Ratna gulped, trying to steady her voice. She was in a tough situation where she couldn't go against her husband, as it might just give him another stroke. She just didn't want to lose him.

"But Ratna, it is so unfair to Anjali," Garima said, making sure her disapproval was evident.

"What would you have done in my place, Garima? I am helpless," Ratna cried, tears welling up in her eyes.

Garima didn't answer immediately. She put herself in Ratna's shoes, imagining the weight of such a decision. She knew she would never have agreed to this, no matter what her husband's situation is. For her, Payal and Khushi were her breath. Shashi wasn't like Arvind; he would never blackmail their daughters, no matter what. They were the apples of their eyes and couldn't bear to see them hurt. Their silent elder daughter and the naughtiest younger daughter were the hearts of their home. Without Payal's silent smiles and Khushi's craziest pranks, their home wouldn't be a home.

"Ratna, I understand your love for your husband, but this is Anjali's life we're talking about. She deserves to be happy," Garima said softly, her voice filled with empathy.

Ratna looked down, her tears falling freely now. "I know, Garima. But what choice do I have? If I go against Arvind, it could worsen his condition. I can't lose him."

Garima sighed, feeling the weight of Ratna's dilemma. She stopped explaining anything further, realizing that Ratna was overpowered by her love for her husband.

As the ceremony progressed, Anjali and Rohit exchanged rings. Anjali's hands trembled slightly, and the applause that followed was enthusiastic but lacked genuine warmth. Her smile, though radiant, didn't reach her eyes, and Rohit, despite his happiness, seemed to sense the underlying unease.

"Anjali, are you sure about this?" Rohit asked quietly, his voice filled with doubt.

Anjali forced a smile. "Yes, Rohit. Everything is fine," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper, glancing at her father.

The evening continued with more rituals, dances, and a lavish feast. Yet, the underlying tension remained, casting a shadow over the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Ratna was concerned about her husband. The doctor had advised him not to strain himself. She hovered around Arvind, making sure he was comfortable and had everything he needed.

"Arvind-ji, are you feeling okay? Do you need anything?" Ratna asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I'm fine, Ratna. Just focus on Anjali's engagement," Arvind replied, trying to reassure her.

But Ratna's mind was elsewhere, her concern for Arvind overshadowing the joy of the occasion. The engagement, though grand and beautiful, was tinged with an undercurrent of sadness and unease that no amount of decorations or music could mask.

_________________________

A year later,

Avinash smiled as he looked at the property papers in his hands. He had cleverly gotten them signed by Arvind and Subadhra. Amidst the excitement of the wedding, they had unknowingly signed a blank paper hidden among the deal papers. Avinash had that blank paper printed with a will, naming everything in his name. Now, everything belonged to him.

Thanks to his cunning mind, the DNA test came out negative. He had ensured it would. Otherwise, his stepmother, Subadhra, would have kicked him out of the family, and not a single penny would have been written in his name. He loved his wife and could never cheat on her, but he also loved the property. After all, it was ancestral property. Just because he was the illegitimate son of his father's mistress, Subadhra had never accepted him into the family, though she put on a good act in front of people, maintaining her image as a kind woman who had adopted her husband's illegitimate son after his parents' deaths.

"Can you check the results of that DNA test before anyone else can get a glimpse of it?" Avinash asked one of the assistant doctors he was friends with at the lab where Vaidehi had given her samples. His voice was tense, filled with urgency.

The assistant doctor nodded, "Sure, I can do that." After all, Avinash is his friend and helped him in crucial times.

"And in any case, if the DNA test turns out positive, I want you to do anything to make it negative. Okay? You'll get a huge amount for this," Avinash offered, his eyes pleading. He wasn't sure if the test would come out negative or positive, especially since Vaidehi seemed so confident it would be positive. He couldn't even remember what happened on that party night. What if she had taken advantage of him in his inebriated state? He needed to be sure, whatever the outcome, Samaya couldn't leave him. He would never cheat on her in his right mind. And if he did, he has to make sure Samaya doesn't know and if she does, his property would be gone too. His step-mother is waiting for that chance.

The assistant doctor hesitated for a moment before agreeing. "Alright, I'll take care of it."

As promised, when the lab doctor tested the samples and printed the report, the assistant doctor Avinash had spoken to, saw the results first. 

It was positive. 

He immediately informed Avinash and, following his orders, did everything to ensure the result came out negative. He changed the reports, using samples that already had a negative result, and printed the new report, making sure the pathology doctor signed it.

When the DNA test results were delivered to Sheesh Mahal, Samaya was relieved. The weight of suspicion lifted from her shoulders.

Meanwhile, Avinash recalled the morning after the party. He had woken up, shocked to find himself naked. His head throbbed painfully, and he couldn't remember what had happened. After dressing, he left the hotel room and even checked the CCTV footage, but the woman's face was unclear. Her posture, however, was etched in his mind. He believed he couldn't have cheated on his wife, but the evidence of his naked state was troubling. Not knowing what had happened was the worst part.

He recalled how two months after that night, his worst fears came true when a woman confronted him in his home, claiming to be pregnant and throwing intimate photos of them in his face.

But now, none of that mattered. What was important to him was in his hands.

Property!

_________________________

Arvind Mallik and Subadhra Mallik were enveloped in joy, their faces glowing with happiness as they saw Rohit sitting in the mandap waiting for Anjali. However, their elation was abruptly shattered when they noticed Vaidehi standing in between the guests.

"What is she doing at our Anjali's wedding?" Subadhra's eyes narrowed as she glared at her son, her voice dripping with disdain.

Arvind's heart raced as he quickly signaled Vaidehi to follow him. He led her to the terrace, a secluded spot devoid of any human presence. The tension was palpable.

"What are you doing here?" Arvind's voice was a harsh whisper, his teeth clenched in frustration.

"I need money," Vaidehi's tone was firm, her eyes unwavering.

"I cannot give now. It's—" Arvind began, but Vaidehi's anger cut him off.

"What do you mean you can't give me money?" Her voice rose, echoing in the empty space.

"It's my daughter's wedding, Vaidehi. For god's sake, go away from here," Arvind's voice trembled with fear. He was terrified that if anyone saw them, their carefully built reputation would crumble. They had worked so hard to maintain it.

"Well, don't forget you have another daughter," Vaidehi reminded him, her voice dripping with venom.

"I didn't forget that. Now will you get out or should I throw you out?" Arvind whispered, his voice low and dangerous, his eyes flashing with anger.

"If you don't give me money now, I'll tell your wife and Samaya how you tried trapping Avinash with me," she threatened, her tone icy and resolute.

"Are you threatening me, Vaidehi? Don't forget your house runs on my money," he warned her, his voice rising slightly as he tried to maintain control.

"I didn't forget it, Arvind, and that's why I am here for money. I need 10 lakhs right now," she demanded, her eyes boring into his.

"And don't give excuses like you have been for the last few days. I'll forget everything and will tell your wife about your extramarital affair with me," she pointed her finger at him, her voice filled with menace.

"And you think she'll believe you? I'm above everything for her," Arvind mocked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"I can do the DNA test for our daughter. And don't think I don't have our intimate photos or videos at all," she smirked, her confidence unwavering.

Arvind narrowed his gaze, his face a mask of fury. "You won't dare."

"I can and I will," she said, her voice steady and unyielding.

"Fine, I'll give you money. But 5 lakhs for now and the rest I'll give later," he conceded. Gripping her hair tightly, he pulled her closer and warned, "But don't you dare threaten me again."

Vaidehi smiled, a triumphant glint in her eyes, and kissed him on the lips.

_________________________

"Arnav, go and find your mother. We need to bring Anjali to the mandap soon," Samaya commanded, her voice firm. The guests were all seated on the ground floor, admiring the decorations and engaging in lively conversations.

Arnav nodded at his Chachi before heading upstairs. Despite his disinterest in this marriage, he had no choice but to comply, especially since Anjali refused to go against their father's wishes.

With a heavy sigh, Arnav began his search on the upper floor, which was eerily quiet and mostly deserted. Determined, he checked each room methodically, his steps quick and purposeful. He pushed open doors, scanned the interiors, and moved on with relentless focus, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending ceremony.

_________________________

"Not now," Arvind stopped Vaidehi before things could go any further.

A loud gasp echoed through the terrace, causing them to separate abruptly. They turned to see Ratna standing in the corner, tears streaming down her face as she gasped for breath.

"Ratna," Arvind's eyes widened in shock and horror.

Without a word, Ratna turned and started running away, her sobs echoing in the empty space.

"It's not what you think it is, Ratna. Trust me," Arvind called out desperately, chasing after her.

"Shut up. I heard everything. I can't believe you did this to me," she cried, her voice breaking as she shrugged his hands away, her expression one of utter disgust and betrayal.

"Ratna, listen to me. You are misunderstanding," Arvind tried to touch her shoulders, his voice pleading.

Ratna pushed him away, heartbroken. "Aik baar bhi bachhon ke baare me nahi socha? Humare shadi ke baare me nahi socha? Aapka toh aik aur bhi bachha nikla. Kabse chal raha hai ye sab?" she cried, pushing him again, her voice filled with anguish.

(Didn't you think about the children even once? Didn't you think about our marriage? You have another child too. How long has this been going on?)

"Ratna, listen, it's all lies. I am not cheating on you. Trust me," he tried to speak to her, his voice trembling.

What they didn't notice was their son, Arnav, hearing everything from a distance.

"Chodiye hume," Ratna said, heartbroken. Her heart pounded as she ran towards the balcony, her vision blurred by tears. The world around her seemed to slow down, every step echoing with the weight of her shattered trust. She reached the railing, her hands gripping the cold metal as she looked down. The ground below seemed so far away, yet it called to her, a desperate escape from the unbearable pain.

(Leave me.)

Arvind's frantic shouts faded into the background as she climbed over the railing. Her mind was a whirlwind of memories — her children's laughter, the vows Arvind took with her, the life they had built together. All of it felt like a cruel joke now. She took a deep breath, her tears falling freely, and let go.

"MAAAA!!" Arnav screamed in shock, his voice loud enough to shudder any heart. 

Ratna heard her son's voice.

In that fleeting moment, suspended in the air, regret washed over her. Her heart raced, desperate to rewind her decision, to live for her children. Their faces flashed before her eyes — their smiles, their laughter, their innocent eyes filled with love and trust. She realized, with crushing clarity, that she couldn't leave them. They needed her. She needed them.

"No..." her mind whispered. Thoughts raced in mere nanoseconds, faster than anything else. She wished she could step back, undo her jump.

But it was too late. The ground was unforgiving, rushing up with brutal finality. Her heart screamed in silent agony, a desperate plea for another chance, but the world remained indifferent. Her body hit the ground with a sickening thud, shattering her last hopes. Her head struck a sharp rock, blood spreading everywhere. 

Arnav stood in shock and disbelief. Everything happened in a span of seconds, leaving him paralyzed with grief and agony. The sight of his mother falling, her body hitting the ground, shattered his world in an instant.

Let me know how the update was!

P.S. Don't be surprised by Ratna's actions. Consoling someone and discouraging suicide (in case of Samaya) with words indicated her inner strength. Inner strength is often tested in moments of crisis. Ratna's decision to jump in a moment of despair is because her inner strength faltered under extreme pressure. Preaching is easy but practicing needs that inner strength. She failed at it as she has been emotionally fragile and heavily reliant on her husband and her own feelings. When both turned negative, she, in a moment of intense heartbreak and despair, impulsively jumped from the balcony. Before she hit the ground, she hoped to live but that's what most of the people thinks who does this in impulsiveness — a chance to live! 

I hope it makes sense of what she did and why!

Regards,

Poly,

28-07-2024