Delhi, India

Delhi Airport.

They say there is no place like home, and for the Gupta it felt like a new dawn and that's what Payal, Khushi and Shashi felt. But the bittersweet memories came crushing down on them.

Life and this city has not only given them joy but pain as well. Payal and Khushi knew that life back in this city will not be easy but this time they are ready to face anything and anyone.

Delhi may have given them pain but out of it came their little bundles of joy whom after turning the entire plane into their personal play grounds has been knockout by sleep.

Both sisters watched their munchkins who were sleeping peacefully in their strollers with all the love in the world as their parents fill in the formality needed for them to depart.

"They look so precious and cute...............you know when they were born I was so afraid to carry them out of fear that I will drop or hurt them as they looked so delicate" said Payal as she looked at her sons and nephews and niece with dreamy eyes filled with pure and genuine love.

"They do jiji............ I also felt the same with them especially since they were born three weeks early. I thought they were going to break at my touch but here they are all grown......... It seems like yesterday when we had them. " Khushi answered with the same expression as her sister.

After a few seconds when she didn't get any response, she looked up to find her sister who was standing by her side missing. She was about to raise an alarm when to saw her sister standing a few metres away from her looking out through the transparent glass outlining the beautiful city and lost in thoughts.

It didn't take a second for Khushi to know who was responsible for her current state.

Flashback

A day after Khushi's birthday and Akash accusing Payal of caring more about Khushi's birthday than his family.

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Manorama kept coughing and fanning her open mouth with her hand as a worried Akash walk in after hearing his mother coughing. He hurriedly moved to his mother and worriedly asked.

"Maa what is wrong? Why are you sweating and fanning your mouth?

" Hello (cough) hi (cough) bye bye, your wife iz planning to killz mewa. " Answered Mami while looking at Payal.

Shocking Akash and Payal.

"Wha wha..... What are you saying maa, how can Pa............... " Akash was cut of by a cup of coffee on his lips but a seconds later his lips began to burn hot.

Immediately after that Mami began to cry hysterically and an angry Akash turned to a shocked Payal who moved closer but was stopped by Akash who raised his hand gesturing her not to came closer.

A shocked Payal looked at her husband in shock and hurt but Akash's over night ego blinded him. He moved closer to Payal and painfully gripped both arms.

"It's not enough that your sister was responsible for my Di's near death experience,........ Now you are planning to kill my mother" yelled Akash whilst vigorously shaking an already frightened Payal whose face was by now drenched with tears.

"Akash please let me go you are hurting me. " pleaded Payal and then forcefully moved herself away from Akash by pushing him with all her might.

"How can you stoop this low by man handling me and how can you accuse me of trying to murder your mother? " Payal continued feeling more hurt and disgusted of herself for falling in love with him.

"You have the nerve to act innocent in front of me even after your atrocities" yelled Akash making Payal flinch at the intensity of his voice.

He then moved to the table and picked up the cup of tea,painfully held Payal's jaw which resulted in her mouth opening due to that action and forced it down Payal's throat, the result of his actions sent Payal into a coughing frenzy and she rushed into Mami's bathroom and washed her mouth continuously to get rid of the burning sensation in her mouth.

After a few minutes she washed her face and that was when she realized Mami has purposely mixed chilli in her tea to frame her.

She quickly moved out of the bathroom to reveal her mother in law's evil plan but Akash didn't believe her and harshly kicked her out of his mother's room and went back to the room to hug his hysterically crying mother who smirked victoriously at her evil plan when she saw Payal peeking through the door knowing that she has succeed in creating a drift between their already stranded relationship.

After a lot of pampering from her idiotic, spineless, foolish brick of a son. She purposely added fuel to the fire by saying.

"See what she did.......... she dare try to implicate me because she thought you were like Arnav who instead of taking care of our Anju is running after his homewrecker wife....... But am happy you didn't fall in that woman's trap. " said Mami in a sickly sweet voice, while rubbing his cheeks knowing perfectly well Payal was watching and listening to them without Akash's knowledge as his back was facing the door but what he said next broke Payal's heart into a thousand pieces. Akash moved his mother's hand from his face and kissed her knuckles and said

" You know something maa. I haven't told anyone about this but for the past few days am regret ever marrying her and going against you but I promise to rectify my mistakes soon. Because if I hadn't married her then her sister wouldn't have come into our lives and destroy di's happiness."

Mami smiled and hugged Akash whilst looking at a shocked and broken Payal and knowing that she had finally succeeded in her conspiracy.

A broken Payal moved away and wiped her tears knowing now that Akash wasn't worthy of her tears.

She was moving downstairs to grab a glass of water when she saw her sister hiding behind the pillar looking at something in the kitchen, confused by her baby sister's action she followed her gaze and what she saw made her blood boil but she had to control herself for her sister.

She moved to her baby sister and place her hand on her shoulder, this jerk Khushi from her position and Payal sensed the fear of her sister but Khushi relaxed when she turned and realized it was her sister. Without saying a word to each other both hugged each other silently crying and oblivious of the pair of teary eyes watching them. Payal for the first time in her life cursed Anjali.

" I curse u Anjali, because of you and your foolishness ,we the ones who have been taking care of you have been made culprits in your selfishness. And for that you will never be happy. That I assure you. Even God won't forgive you for that" thought Payal with pure hatred for Anjali.

Flashback ends

Payal was jolted out of her reverie by a continuous shake. She turned to see her sister looking at her with a worried expression, she smiled reassuring her sister. Khushi moved closer and hugged her sister which she also reciprocated. Khushi then whispered to her whilst hugging her.

"Still thinking about him?. "

"Yes I am but not in good memories but a bad one. " Payal answered breaking the hug. And after along pause said " Am sorry Khushi. "

"For what jiji?. " asked a confused Khushi

"For not realizing your pain behind your smile.......... "
Khushi tried to retort but Payal beat her to it. "Don't Khushi, let me finish and please don't interrupt me" Taking a deep breath she continued. " In my blind love for Akash I forgot to see your pain and even if I did I choose to ignore it convincing myself that Arnav loves yiu. " By now both sisters have teared up and the tears spilled without any stop. "I was so lost in pleasing that antiquated cow of a mother in law that not only did I lose myself, I also lost my sense of reason and I paid a heavy price for it............. Am sorry for letting you down............ Am sorry that because of me you had to agree to Arnav sadistic contract marriage............. Am sorry that I couldn't be a good sister...... Am so sorry.......... Am so sorry. " Khushi leaned in and hugged her sister as both cried for their tragic life.

After a few minutes, both sisters calmed down and wiped each other tears promising to stand by each other from now on. And to seal the promise, both sisters made a pinky promise, an action that made them laugh their heart out remembering their young days as it was what they use to do.

Both were so lost that they failed to notice the pair of eyes watching them. One smiling at them and the other fuming in anger as again her daughters shed tears for them, her hatred increases each and every time she sees tears in the eyes of her daughters.

And thirst for revenge increases. Shashi and Garima's respective reverie was broken by the ring of Garima's phone who excused herself to answer it making Shashi suspicious.

"Didn't I ask you not to call me" said an annoyed Garima

"Am sorry but I tried to contact you but you weren't answering" answered the person on the other side

"Am in India that's why........ "

"What" shouted the person and in the process cutting Garima off which angered her and she yelled

"Just shut up and listen"
We will have to implement our plan sooner than expected. I will call you when am ready so you better stay alert and if you dare mess up I will personally strangle you. "

Immediately after that she hanging up the call without letting the other respond. An evil smirk played on her lips which didn't go unnoticed by her husband who was watching her every move and prayed to God to remove the hatred she has for the Raizadas especially Arnav as he knows it could hurt not only his wife but his daughters and all the family involved.

The Guptas moved out of the airport to the streets where transportation has been arranged by Karan to take them to the their residence.

Unfortunately Karan wouldn't join them because he had to wrap up everything that back in South Africa as they left in a hurry because of Madhumati's condition.

Two Escalades were arranged for their them with one occupied by Garima and Shashi with their grandsons and the other occupied by Payal ,Khushi and Arshi.

On their way to the house the cars stopped in traffic light opposite the wedding hall Arnav and khushi had their disastrous wedding sending Khushi down memory lane.

Flashback begins

It's every girls dream to have a wedding filled with happiness, music and celebration. But for Khushi, it was a day filled with tears and allegations. The most heart wrecking of all was that, the man who promised to stand by her side through thick and thin was no where to be found. Again he left her to face the world alone, again he left her to face the sins of his father. What was her fault!? The answer is nothing. Now more than ever she knows that Arnav Singh Raizada does not deserve her love. She had had enough of his so-called Dadi degrading her mother. Especially if she was an equal victim and a maybe the most hurt in the story. No more enough is enough.

"I knew these middle class women only know how to trap rich men with their beauty and fake character. Thank God my grandson got saved on time and did the right thing by leaving your cursed daughter. What do I expect from an orphan with no family or class? What I.................. "

Dadi didn't finish when a slap resounded in the marriage hall and Dadi lifted her face after a few seconds with her hand on her abused cheek which was still burning with the effect of the slap with the imprint of Khushi's hand on it.

She looked up to stare right in the face of a furious Khushi who was shivering in anger.

Her posture and state sent shivers down the spine of Dadi who for the first time in her life felt what it felt like to feel fear. The others stood in shock at the turn of events.

"This is for insulting my mother and family, who the hell are you to judge people. The one who knew about her sons atrocities and yet never stopped them, the who knows the real truth but twisted it to favour her and her twisted agenda. You and the Raizadas have no right to point fingers at us when you people are the cause of our pain and misery." This shocked the Raizadas who bowed their head in shame and remorse, knowing exactly what Khushi was talking about and the most affected was Anjali who knew what Khushi and Payal were put through by the family because of her. Dadi was about to say something but Khushi cut her off.

"You have said enough and we have listened enough, now it's my turn to say and for you and yiur so called family to listen, it's time for some reality check Subhatra Malik.
Yes am an orphan but devi maiya gave me another, yes we are middle class but we work for what we have and don't steal. I have a loving family with flaws but will live and die for each other if need be, unlike your so-called family who only know how to manipulate, use and kill for money. You shameless woman, you are proud of first son who couldn't stay faithful to his wife even after having two kids with her. Garima didn't know about his marital status but he did and yet did what he did. So don't blame my mother for your useless, unfaithful and two faced son because he was a coward and a bad person who couldn't take the responsibility of his atrocities, a coward who chose the path of suicide because the truth of his betrayal came out in front of society. A coward who ruined the life of people for his pleasure. He ruined the life of his wife with his disloyalty by having an extramarital affair and my mother's life. A coward who ruined his daughter's life by choosing the easy way out and committing suicide and leaving his children to face this cruel world. It was your son and no one else. And you , another coward left your family and house when it needed an elder to handle everything but you ran away saving yourself and leaving your grandson ,when the little boy was crying for his mother you chose to ran away, when your granddaughter for whom you tortured me for needed you the most on the day her marriage broke and parent's took their own life, you still chose to run away. Left them to face their father's betrayal and their parent death alone.

Your second greedy bastard of a son threw them out at the first chance he got, forgetting his humanity towards his niece and nephew and taking over the business his elder brother and father built.

So yiu see it's you and your son who ruined my mother and the lives of others and not the other way around. And now that they've fought the world and got money and fame, yiu are here to play the victim and enjoy together with your accomplice thinking because  you are rich we will fall and bow to your whims.,.......no,........Sudhadra Malik.. .. You are wrong.

"So now tell me who is wrong here Mrs Malik!? " Khushi asked mockingly.

Dadi then bowed her head in shame and realization. This shocked everyone as they realized Dadi did this to separate Arshi. Her accomplice was sweating knowing that all their plans has failed and at any moment now the possibility of him being exposed was high so he discretely sneaked out without any one noticing.

Everyone was miserable including Dadi as Khushi's words kept on ringing in her head. She moved to apologize to Garima but one glare from Payal, Shashi, Madhumati was enough to stop her and she knew better not to approach the Raizadas. She then left with her head bowed in shame. Payal rushed to Khushi and hugged her., both crying for their sad fate not knowing something better was about to happen to them in a couple of months. Garima moved to her daughters and with a heavy voice said.

"Come on both of you, we are leaving from here. Away from these people...... I know it will be hard but we have each other and no matter how hard it gets we always pull through. "

Garima moved together with her daughters with Madhumati trailing along while pushing Shashi in his wheelchair. They were almost about to exist the hall when Garima stopped in her tracks and turn to the direction where Akash was standing and said.

"Mr Akash Singh Raizada, my lawyer will soon come and give you the divorce papers and I hope you will sign them without causing any trouble. "

This shocked everyone including Payal and Akash, but one look in her mother's eyes and she knew it was for the best when she remembered some past incidents. Payal then smiled at her mother who was by now staring at her. The Guptas saw this gesture and they also knew it was for the best. But for the Raizadas they knew it was the end of happiness in their lives and that of their sons. A realization that came too late. Akash automatically moved to Payal to plead but Garima forbade him and the look on Payal's face made him realise there was no hope left, he then fell on his knees broken, Payal wanted to go and take him in her arms and console him but she held back the urge as she was tired, tired of being taken for granted, tired of he emotional psychological, and physical abuse at the hands of her soon to be ex mother in law and in laws, tired of a man who can't set his priorities straight and tired of waiting for him to man up. Anjali decided to try her luck forgetting that her luck has run out a long time ago. She moved away from Nani and Mami who were supporting her all these while and started limping towards the Guptas. For the first time since she met the Raizadas, she never thought she will one day look at Anjali with so much disgust and hatred but today was the day and it ticked her off seeing her still playing the victim.

She moved away from Payal and slowly moved towards Anjali. Anjali who saw this smiled and stopped in her track, Khushi also stopped a few steps away from her.

The following words from Khushi's mouth was enough wipe the smile of her face.

"Don't you dare move an inch closer to us as all our pain has been because of you. For once in ur life stop playing the victim when you have been the silent villain in my story".

Khushiji what are you saying, how am I the villain? " asked a shocked Anjali

"Yes you are the villain" Khushi roared frightening everyone." You are and will always be the villain, from the fashion show which was organized by your brother for you until this day............. You are the most deadly of them all" Anjali looked up shocked with tears cascading down her cheeks. "You want to know why don't you? " Anjali nodded yes and Khushi chuckled sadly and shook her head at the stupidity of Anjali but nevertheless she decided to let all the cats out of the bag and finally pull the veil of illusion she has off " Then you better listen" Khushi started narrating everything from the fashion show to the terrace to her first marriage, Arnav's abuse, the kidnapping, Shyam's deeds and everything.

[Note: the Guptas found out about all this after the Kinapping and decided to take her away but she was able to convince them and they were willing to put their faith in her. There was no confrontation with Arnav]

When Khushi was done, the Raizadas with the exception of NK realised the truth and their crimes but still Anjali wouldn't barge but she realised the truth when she turned out look for shyam and then she realised her plunder. She cursed herself for indirectly and directly causing the suffering of Arnav and Khushi and Akash. But being the self obsessed woman she was, she decided to try again but Khushi's words dashed all her hope. Khushi who has learn all her tricks knew she was about to start one of her emotional blackmail but stopped her before she could say anything.

"Pls don't start with your drama of my chote loves you, because if he was to show up now, I will be the one to reject him. And don't worry am not going back to your brother again, you can finally have his undivided attention now that I am no longer in his life, you don't have to feel insecure anymore. "

After Khushi was done speaking she left the marriage hall and the city together with her family vowing never to return.

Flashback ends.

But here she is back again but this time she is well prepared to face the world and anyone.

Khushi's reverie was broken by the soft moans of Arshi an indication that she was waking up. Within a few seconds she woke up and stared at her mother and smiled and raised her arms gesturing her mum to pick her up.

Khushi unbuckle her from her baby sit and placed her on her lap while Arshi played with her mother's hair and started babbling.

Payal who was taking a nap woke up due to Arshi's babble, she then stretch her hand to Arshi who left her mum and happily leaped into her aunt's arms and started playing with her hair.

Payal and Khushi smiled at her and after a few minutes of playing with her aunt's hair she was again knocked out as the jet lag kicked in.

Shortly after Arshi was placed in her sit did the car halt in front of a huge gate. The car them moved in revealing a breath taking house.

"Ma'am we are here" said the driver

"Wow Karan has a good taste when it comes to choosing houses" said Payal and khushi giggled and nodding in agreement.

The Guptas then moved out of their cars and stood in front of the mansion admiring it. Just then a elderly woman came running with two other women and two guys behind them. She introduced herself as Anita the care taker and nanny for the kids and the other young ladies as Nandini the PA of Payal and Khushi and the other as Shilpa the housekeeper and the two others as Mohan and Adit. Anita then led the Guptas into the house and showed them all around the mansion.

Living Hall.

Dinning hall

Backyard and pool area.

Payal and Khushi's in-house office and studio

Kitchen

Shashi and Garima's bedroom

Khushi's room

Payal's room

Madhumati's room

Kid's room

Kid's playroom

Guest rooms

Payal and Khushi's cars

Family's cars

After Anita showed them their rooms and around the house. The Gupta sisters settled their sleeping munchkins in their rooms and went down to decide who will stay with the kids as they will definitely became cranky if the woke up to the new faces. After much deliberation Garima volunteered to stay,not only for the kids but to execute her destructive plan against Arnav and the Raizadas.

After a couple of minutes drive Shashi and his daughters got to the hospital and asked for Madhumati's room and were relived to find her better than they had thought but their joy increased to a maximum when the doctor said Madhumati was fit to discharged immediately.

An overjoyed Payal and Khushi hugged their aunt and showed her face with kisses and she joyfully reciprocated. Shashi who was standing aside smiled with tears in his eyes knowing that his sister was feeling better and also his daughters, no matter how grown they were still had their childish attitude.

After the discharge papaers were signed and the family were warned not to stress her, they left the hospital with an over excited Madhumati who couldn't contain her joy when she was told the family is here to stay and was eagerly awaiting the moment she meets her grandkids.

In the family 's moment of joy they forgot some of Madhumati's medicine and Payal and Khushi decided to go back and buy the medicine much to the displeasure of Madhumati who was impatient to meet her grandkids after many weeks and even suggested they purchase the medicine online but her nieces refused to do so as they preferred to buy it at the hospital's pharmacy.

After Payal and Khushi had purchased the medicine and were about to exit the pharmacy when someone pumped into Khushi who was holding the medicine and in the process the medicine fell down. An angry Payal was about to yell at the person after she helped Khushi pick up the medicine but the words got stuck in her throat as both sisters raised their gaze to see the most unexpected person but what shocked the Gupta sisters was the joy and longing in the eyes of that person.

To be continued.

Precap: Arshi and Payash meet. Arnav humiliates Anjali
A confused Khushi and Payal.

So here is another part and I hope you guys like it.
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