Hi Everyone!

Firstly, thank you for the love you have shown to my writing and this story! I feel like more people are liking it but the numbers tell me a different story- the ranking of the story has slipped from 114 to 135 in Fan-Fiction. I know there must be some complex algorithm to figure out these rankings and I don't keep regular tabs but once in a while when I do check it, I do feel a little sad seeing the rankings going down, especially since I really do put a lot of time, effort and energy in writing every post. So if you have any suggestions for me to improve then please leave a comment to let me know.

So the next chapter is in the works-I just completed the 1st draft yesterday but it still needs to be edited and proofread. Be rest assured that it will be up in the next few days and I can promise you this it is going to be an emotional one!

As a sneak peek here is a teaser:

Adi, Aliya, Ruhi, Mihika, Romi, Simmi, Param, Bhalla Ji and Toshi are already sitting on the dining table when Raman gets there. Raman sits as everyone is helping themselves with the food that is laid out while Neelu brings hot rotis from the kitchen.

Aliya: Papa, Amma nahi aai aapke sath?

Raman: Ishita Pihu ko sulane gai hai but use ab kuch kha lena chahiye.

Adi: Main unhe bula lata hun Papa.

Just as Adi is getting up, Simmi furiously pushes her plate away and looks all set to leave without eating dinner.

Raman: Simmi, kya hai yeh? Tu abhi bhi apni bekar ke zid pe adi hui hai?!?

Simmi: Agar Adi us aurat ko yahan le aya toh aaj se main is ghar ka na khana khaungi aur na hi pani piyungi!

Raman: Adi, sit down. Simmi tu bhi baith aur please meri baat sun. Yeh kuch zada nahi ho raha? Tum dono ke jo bhi differences hai use resolve karne ka yeh toh koi tareeka nahi hai na? Ishita is here to stay and as are you! Ek ke liye dusra bhuka pyasa toh nahi reh sakta na!

Simmi: Bhai hamare differences toh resolve hone se rahe. Aap log sab decide kar lo aapko is ghar ki beti zada pyari hai ya woh do din ki aai hui bahu!

Toshi: Kaisi gallan kar rahi hai Puttar? Tu toh hamare jigar ka tukda hai!

Raman had been trying to be patient and logical with Simmi the entire day but he keeps thinking back to how pale and tired Ishita looked, which makes him lose his cool and he yells out in anger just as Ishita comes out of Pihu's room making her way to the kitchen.

Raman: ENOUGH SIMMI! BAHUT SUN LI MAINE TERI BAKWAAS! APNE DIFFERENCES RESOLVE KARNE KA AUR KOI TAREEKA DHUNDHO AUR YEH POWER-PLAY BAND KARO! TERI IS GHAR MEIN JAGAH TERI HAI JUST LIKE ISHITA KI APNI JAGAH HAI. RISHTON KO ITNA COMPLICATE MAT KAR AND FOR GOD'S SAKE IS GHAR SE HUM BHIKARI TAK KO BHUKHA NAHI JANE DETE ISHITA TO...

Just then Simmi notices Ishita and finally she gets the perfect opportunity to show Ishita down and get even at her for taunting her after Raman remembered Adi.

Simmi (yells in Ishita's direction): DEKH LO! EK DIN NAHI HUA TUMHARI SHADI KO AUR SUN LO APNE KANO SE- TUMHARA PATI TUMHE BHIKARI SAMAJHTA HAI!

Startled at Simmi's remarks Raman turns back and sees Ishita standing looking on at their conversation. Before he can say anything Simmi countinues taunting Ishita in her loud voice.

Simmi: THODI DUR KHADI THI NA TUM TOH SHAYAD TUMNE THEEK SE SUNA NAHI. TUMHARE PATI NE ABHI MUJHSE KAHA KI IS GHAR SE BHIKARI TAK BHUKHA NAHI JATA AUR TUM BHI WAHI HO- MUH UTHA KE DHOKHE SE MERE BHAI SE SHAADI KAR KE IS GHAR MEIN CHALI AAI! MERI MAA NE HI HUM BACHOON KO SANSKAR DIYE HAI KI BHIKARI KO TOH KABHI BHUKE PET APNE GHAR KE DARWAZE SE WAPAS NAHI BHEJTE. NEELU JIN DISPOSABLE PLATES MEIN HUM BHIKARIYON KO KHANA DETE HAI NA WOH LE AA AUR USME ISHITA KE LIYE KHANA NIKAL DE. AUR ISHITA BHIKARI NA GHAR KE EK CORNER MEIN BAKI SAB SE DUR CHUP CHAP JO MILTA HAI KHA LETE HAI. TOH TU BHI EK CORNER MEIN CHALI JA AUR KHA LE!

Ishita looks at Raman with disbelief! When Ishita spoke, she did so without taking her eyes off Raman and in a cold voice filled with rage and anger that everyone present was surprised.

Ishita: NEELU! Pihu ke liye ek glass doodh le ana uske kamre mein. Aur haan is dining table pe baithe sabhi logon ka khana ho jaye toh jitna khana bach jayega use pack karke apne sath le jana aur socitey ke samne jo mandir hai wahan baithe homless logon mein baat dena.

Neelu feels bad and does not reply adding to Ishita's fury.

Ishita: NEELU!! SUNA TUNE MAINE KYA KAHA?

Neelu: Ji Bhabhi!

Ishita: AAJ RAT IS GHAR MEIN KOI LETFOVER KHANA KISI KE LIYE NAHI RAKHA JAYEGA! SAMAJH GAI NA YA PHIR SE AUR ZOR SE CHILLA KE BOLUN?

Neelu: Main samajh gai Bhabhi!

The entire time Ishita's burning eyes have been staring at Raman. As upset as he is seeing how Simmi manipulated his words because of which there is so much hurt in Ishita's eyes, he is more concerned seeing how pale and weak Ishita looks. Ishita turns to go back to Pihu's room.

Raman: Ishita meri baat suno....

Ishita ignores Raman and storms away. Simmi feels very happy and satisfied. She smiles and starts eating her dinner.

So, there you have it! Do you think Raman will be able to resolve this Simmi-Ishita face-off? Will Ishita ever be able to eat a meal with her family in the Bhalla house or will she be forced to leave and return to her parents' home? Share your thoughts and ideas by dropping a comment!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

Love and Hugs,
A.S.