"If you don't love Anjali ji, then why don't you leave her?" Khushi shouted feeling disgusted by this man who had courage to confess to her that he didn't love his wife, but her money.

Suddenly Khushi was pulled away from the forceful hug of Shyam and slapped hard on her right cheek.

She looked away with eyes shut bearing the pain of the unexpected slap. Seconds later, her eyes opened automatically to see who's the person who slapped her.

She stood numbly and in shock after seeing who heard her conversation with Shyam.

"Rani Sahiba.." Shyam gulped with wide eyes still shocked and taken aback by the sudden entry of his wife in the scene. Did she heard what he said about her before? Is his game over now? These thoughts disturbed his mind.

"You're such a disgusting woman Khushi.. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?" Anjali shouted angrily, glaring at Khushi.

Shyam smirked seeing that his game isn't over yet. Anjali just heard Khushi's last line and misunderstood her words thinking that it's Khushi who want to separate both.

"Nahin Anjali ji.." Khushi shook her head in no with moist eyes and trembling lips.

"Just shut up you middle class woman.. I should have never trusted a woman like you.. Chote is right only, middle class people are only behind money.. that's why you don't even mind going behind a married man!" Anjali shouted and raised her hand to slap Khushi again but a strong hand stopped her at the right time.

Khushi clutched her duppata tight sobbing, frightened of everyone's reaction when they get to know about this. She's not wrong, but she knows everyone will think bad of her only. No one will blame Shyam for this. After all he is damaad of this family and she's just a stranger to them. And second thing, she's frightened what if her Jiji's wedding gets broken once again because of her. She will not be able to bear this anymore. Her family will surely scold and be hurt with her this time too.

"What are you doing Di?" Arnav asked totally confused. When he reached his Di was ready to slap his Khushi, and he didn't think once before saving Khushi no matter if she's right or wrong.

"Chote it's good that you came.. You don't know this girl's truth.." Anjali sobbed resting her head on Arnav's shoulder, "I never thought the girl I've given so much love and planned to make her your wife, will one day try to destroy my own marriage!"

On hearing the last line, Arnav immediately pushed Anjali away, "What??"

The tears continuously falling from Khushi's eyes. Arnav no! Why is God doing this with her? The man she loves also will misunderstand her.

"Hello hi bye bye.. What's happening here? Why are you shoutingwa like this Anjali bitiya?" Mami asked nearing the four with whole family behind.

Garima and Buaji shared worried and nervous looks to each other since they saw Shyam there and Khushi crying. They just knew something bad happened here, plus the angry look of Anjali confirmed that for both.

Payal was worried for her sister while Akash was staring at them confused. Same state was of Mama, Nani and NK.

"Good that everyone is here.. I will reveal this girl's truth to you all.." Anjali said to her family sobbing.

"What happened Anjali bitiya? Why are you crying?" Nani asked worriedly.

Arnav stare at Khushi and she looked at crying and nodding sideways, pleading him through her eyes for him not to believe in Anjali or Shyam's words, pleading him to believe in her innocence in all this.

"We always thought good of Khushi, gave her space in this house and in our hearts, considered her as our family member only, planned to unite her and Chote but you won't believe what she did in return to us Nani.. Now only I came to terrace and thank God I got to know her true and disgusting side, she is just a gold digger who is behind my husband for money.. Not only Shyam ji, she's trying to trap every man in this house except her sister's husband, Akash.. It's just we never noticed this about her, we think she's being friendly but no.. she's trying to trap them for money, first Chote, then Shyam ji, then NK.. She was doing this in front of our eyes only and we never noticed.. How innocent we were to think people like her can be good person?! Chote was right these middle class people only love money and nothing else.. Can you believe it Chote? She was saying Shyam ji to leave me and stay with her.." Anjali cried.

Mami, Mama and Nani gasped shocked. Mami flared her nose, "I always knew this phatisari is no trustworthy girl but no one listenwa to me.."

"Khushi bitiya how could you? Shiii.." Nani shook her head showing disgust and disappointment towards Khushi.

Payal shook her head in no with tears in her eyes, she took one step forward to stand for her sister but was pulled back by Garima and Buaji who scolded her.

"Keep quiet Payal.. do you want your marriage to get broken second time? Think who will marry you then?" Garima frowned.

"Should I let all of them blame Khushi when we know what the truth is?" Payal cried.

"Whatever the truth is, your marriage shouldn't be spoiled because of Khushi.." Buaji frowned, "We cannot afford this to happen again.. it's always because of her that your life gets spoiled.. now let her face it alone.."

Garima and Buaji knew what they were doing was wrong, but for them right now it was more important to save Payal's marriage.

Arnav walked silently towards Khushi and everyone's gaze and attention followed him.

"Is Shyam the man you were engaged to?" Arnav asked to Khushi.

Khushi looked down and nodded her head crying.

"You got engaged to my husband?" Anjali freaked out.

Arnav turned to Anjali gritting his teeth, "If Khushi got engaged to Shyam, then he also got engaged to her Di.. He's definitely not a baby to be forced to do things he doesn't want to!"

"Chote this girl cheated you too.." Anjali tried to put sense on her brother who seemed to much in love with Khushi. She cursed herself for even convincing him to confess his feelings to Khushi.

"She didn't cheat on me Di because if she did.. then she would never tell me that she got engaged in first place.." Arnav said seriously.

Anjali looked at him dumbfounded.

He walked to Shyam and looked straight to Shyam's eyes which made Shyam keep his gaze down in fear, "When was first time you met Khushi?"

"Think before you speak Mr. Jha.. Not only Khushi is here, but Garima aunty, Buaji and Payal are also here to prove if what you're saying is true or lie.." Arnav said.

Shyam looked here and there thinking what to lie. He can't say that he never met with Khushi, because Garima, Buaji and Payal were also there and they can prove that he lived in Laxmi Nagar as paying guest.

"What kind of question is this Chote? Clearly this girl is lying.. Shyam ji never met her and I'm sure he didn't got engaged to her too.. she's trying to trap you both.." Anjali said frowning.

Arnav raised his palm to her indicating that he's talking with Shyam now.

"If you even try to lie to me, then I can take you to Laxmi Nagar right now and confirm with the neighbors whether they know you or not.. I can even check with Aman if you indeed were out of town or not during that time you were not at home.." Arnav gritted his teeth pulling Shyam's collar harshly, "SPEAK THE TRUTH.."

"I.. I lived in Laxmi Nagar as paying guest only.. I didn't.. have such relationship with Khushi.. she only loved me and wanted.. me.. to leave Rani Sahiba to be with her forever.." Shyam stammered.

"Point to be noted Di.. He used to live as paying guest in Laxmi Nagar at Buaji's house.." Arnav looked at Anjali with Open-your-eyes look.

"Why you lived as paying guest in Buaji's house when you have home here in Delhi to stay? Is Shantivan too small that you don't fit in here and had to live as paying guest in a middle class people house?" Arnav threw next question not giving time to Shyam to come up with next lie.

"I had work.. it was near Laxmi Nagar so I thought to stay there only.." Shyam looked away.

"Oh Jija ji distance was never problem for us.. We have too many cars to take you where you want and anytime you want.." Arnav smirked.

"Another point to be noted Di.. Despite having such a grand and spacious mansion with cars available anytime for him, he preferred to stay at Laxmi Nagar in a small house with no luxury and comfort anyone would prefer to with a mere excuse of distance and work!! Quite suspicious na Di?" Arnav asked.

"Oh yeah.. Did you even realize that right now Jija ji admitted that he lied to you?" Arnav asked.

Anjali looked at him confused.

"Wasn't he the one who said he was out of town because of work? But now we're getting to know that it's not true, he was here in Delhi only and living in Buaji's house as paying guest.." Arnav smiled sarcastically.

"So now we know that Khushi and Shyam met with each other in Laxmi Nagar before they met here in Shantivan.." Arnav announced to everyone, then looked at Anjali, "And it was Jija ji who approached Khushi and not the other way around!"

"This doesn't prove Khushi's innocence Chote.." Anjali argued.

"It does Di.. a simple thing will prove Khushi's innocence which you're failing to see in your blind love for this man.." Arnav said.

He walked to Khushi and held her hand bringing her near to his family.

"When we all got to know that you got engaged, what was the name of your fiance Khushi? Say it clearly and loudly for everyone here to hear.." Arnav said blinking his eyes to her as if assuring that he's here to stand for her.

"SHYAM." Khushi replied confidently just staring at him.

"Khushi's fiance name was Shyam and Jija ji also was staying as PG in Buaji's house.. Do do Shyam ek ghar main aisa ho sakta hai, par bohot hi kaam chances hai aisa hone ke liye (Two Shyam in same house is possible, but there are very less chances for that to happen)" Arnav said.

"Second thing proved.. Khushi and Shyam got engaged.." Arnav said with Are-you-convinced-Di? look.

Anjali gulped and looked away. No matter how much she's trying to bring the good side of her husband. The doubts on him are increasing in her mind now too.

Shyam was unable to think anything straight seeing Arnav proving him wrong every now and then.

The family could only gasp and numbly stare at them. The confession were too hard for them to digest or even say something aloud.

"If Shyam was staying as PG in Buaji's house, then surely he didn't went there posing as rich man.. So you can't call Khushi as gold digger Di because she looked at Shyam as middle class man like her.. she clearly wasn't behind his money then.." Arnav said.

"And last thing, you asked her if she got engaged to your husband? Well Di it's not easy to identify married man because they don't wear mangalsutra or sindoor, na? So it's obvious Khushi didn't know he was married, but he knows he's married to you still he got engaged to Khushi.. Now tell me, is it Khushi or your husband cheating you?" Arnav folded his arms and asked his sister confidently.

Anjali stare at Shyam with shock expression on her face.

Khushi covered her mouth with her palms to control her sobs. But this time she's was crying in happiness, she was relieved that now everyone got to know Shyam's truth and her name is cleaned in all this. She's so much happy that the one who proved her innocence is the man she loves. Her Arnav ji!

"Rani Sahiba.." Shyam walked towards Anjali to pacify him.

But Arnav pushed him back and slapped him hard on his cheek.

Shyam stumbled back and looked away caressing his cheek, he looked at Arnav with wide eyes shocked at Arnav's courage to slap him like this humiliating him in front of everyone.

The family gasped when Arnav slapped Shyam.

"This is for playing with my Khushi and Di's life.." Arnav clenched his jaws dangerously staring at Shyam.

Anjali went running away from there. Nani and Mami went behind her to pacify their Princess.

"Why you never told me all this Payal? We could have saved Di from a heart break.. If something happens to her, then.." Akash shook his head in disbelief and went from there behind Anjali.

Garima and Buaji consoled a crying Payal.

"Leave from here before I kill you with my own hands.." Arnav warned Shyam.

Shyam glared at Khushi cursing her inside, as all this happened because of her. If he didn't fall in love with her, then today he would have been still enjoying with Anjali's money.

Arnav clenched his fist when he saw Shyam glaring at Khushi.

He punched Shyam right on his face. Shyam fell on the floor groaning in pain.

Khushi quickly ran to Arnav and held Arnav's hand, "Arnav ji please stop this.. he's not even worthy of this!"

"GET LOST.." Arnav barked, his eyes burning in anger. Luckily Khushi was holding his hand otherwise another punch would have landed on him.

Shyam ran away from there before he lands on hospital.

As soon as Shyam left, Garima and Buaji rushed to Arnav.

"Please talk with Akash bitwa.. he can't stop this marriage.. What is Payalia's fault if Shyam turn out to be like this?" Buaji cried pleading to Arnav.

"What was need for you to go near this Shyam? If you didn't come here, then all this wouldn't ever happen.. Now my child's marriage is at stake because of you.." Garima put all blame to Khushi.

Arnav let out a sarcastic chuckle, "This is what your problem is.. when you were supposed to be standing for Khushi, the two of you kept quiet in order to save Payal's marriage and now that Khushi's innocence is proved, you still care only about Payal.."

"Khushi has done enough sacrifices for you all.. it's time to put a stop on all this nonsense.. We will not interfere in Payal and Akash's matter now.. It's our time now! I'm going to take Khushi away from all this with me!" Arnav said determinedly as he held Khushi's hand and started dragging her out of the terrace.

Khushi held his hand trying to stop him while looking back at her family crying and in a messed state worried for her Jiji's wedding.

"Arnav ji.. we can't go away and leave our families like this.. Arnav ji please listen to me.. Arnav ji we can't do this.. please wait.." Khushi cried trying to convince him to stop.

Arnav left her angrily and shouted, "I LOVE YOU DAMMIT.. Isn't that enough reason for you to leave them and come with me?"

Khushi stare at him numbly, yes she knew that he has feelings for her but never expected this confession from him.

Rabba vee.. Rabba vee..

"If you want to go behind this so called family of yours, cry for them and convince Akash to marry Payal and still get blamed and taunted for spoiling your Jiji's life.. then you're free to go!" Arnav turn his back to her, shutting his eyes tightly.

Khushi stare at her family behind, then at Arnav facing his back to her.

She shut her eyes tightly. She has lived all her life being selfless with others, sacrificing her own happiness to make others happy. She did everything in order to help her family but always get taunted by them for being an orphan and burden for them. Now it's time to be little selfish, it's time to choose her happiness. And her happiness is her Arnav ji!!

She opened her eyes slowly and took baby steps towards him, hugging him from behind, she whispered, "I love you too dammit!"

Arnav's lips broke into a smile.

Payal's eyes moistened watching her sister uniting with the love of her life. Tonight no matter whether she gets married to Akash or not. But she's very happy for Khushi.

****************************************************************************

Next day..

"Where are we going Arnav ji?" Khushi asked curiously watching her husband typing something on his phone while driver was taking them somewhere which she is so curious to know where. Husband? Yes, they got married yesterday taking advantage of the mandap set for Akash and Payal!!!

Then her husband decided they should leave Delhi and settle in Lucknow. So here they are in Lucknow heading somewhere!

"Shh.. Have patience Khushi.." Arnav rolled his eyes at her.

Khushi pouted still nodded. After sometime, she leaned her head on his shoulder smiling, "Thank you for trusting me this time!"

"This time.. You're good at taunting me na.. Indirectly you're saying to me that I never trusted you.." Arnav chuckled.

Khushi giggled.

"But it's true.. I never trusted in your words Khushi and always blamed you for everything wrong in my life.. but when I realized my love for you, I promised myself to stop hurting you.. and I know you more than anyone.. I knew it you didn't cheat me nor Di.." Arnav sighed.

"But you left your family because of me.." Khushi said brokenly.

"Bohot time ke baad mujhe Khushi mili hai zindagi main, tumhe kaise jane deta? (After a long time, I got happiness /Khushi in my life, how could I let you go?)" Arnav rested his head on hers.

"But Di.." Khushi gulped the tears in her eyes.

"I have already done my duty as a brother by showing her husband's truth to her, right? Now it's time I give priority to my life.." he whispered.

Khushi nodded her head agreeing with him.

"We've reached Sir.." the driver stopped the car in front of a big and royal mansion well known to both, Arnav and Khushi.

Khushi gasped staring at the mansion, then at Arnav with a huge shocked smile, "Sheesh Mahal!"

"Our home!" Arnav smiled.

He lifted Khushi and took her towards Sheesh Mahal.

"The first time we met.. The first time Khushi landed in my arms.. The first time someone woke up the Arnav inside me.. was at Sheesh Mahal.. That Arnav who left this place when he lost his Khushi (his mother/happiness) today same Arnav is returning with his Khushi.." Arnav said with moist eyes.

Khushi cupped his face and rested her forehead against his, smiling through the tears in her eyes, "And same Khushi who fell in her Prince Charming arms in this mansion, is returning with him in his arms!"

They got inside and Arnav took her to his late mother's room.

He made her lay on the bed and was about to walk away from there room to have his alone-moment as this wasn't easy for him. Fighting with his family for Khushi, seeing his Di heart broken because of Shyam, leaving his family in such a messed up state, leaving everything behind to follow his Happiness. Coming back to this place that reminds him of his mother, coming back to this place as Arnav only, and not ASR. A mix of emotions is running inside him, which he needs to let it out and be alone for sometime.

Khushi pulled him back and he directly fell on top of her, "What the.."

"We're husband and wife now.. If you want to cry, cry.. if you want to take it out, take it out.. If you want to smile, smile.. If you want to shout, shout.. but do everything with me.. don't hide your feelings from me.." Khushi cupped his face.

Arnav's lips curved into a smile after hearing her, "I love you.."

"Dammit.." Khushi added pouting reminding him that he forgot to say this.

Arnav chuckled softly at his innocent wife, "Dammit!"

The End!

Dedicated to @PalaniSujan.