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Here's the next part...

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Carrying a tray of food for Khushi, Payal entered Khushi's room opening the door to find her baby sister sitting  upright on the bed, clutching something tight to her chest.

Due to the moonlight falling straight on Khushi's face from the french doors, Payal could clearly see the tears glistening on her sister's cheeks. She very well knows the reason behind those tears. Her heart twisted in its rib cage.

Her baby sister is already so weak & vulnerable, how will she take the news of her husband & Sheetal's visit together to Mumbai that too without informing her. She gulped hard & her heart constricted more painfully.

Khushi looked towards the door hearing it open & found her jiji carrying a tray of food & water for her.

She quickly kept her Arnavji's pic back on its place & wiped her face not wanting her jiji to see her tears.

With heavy steps Payal went to Khushi & sat near her keeping the tray on the bed.

Khushi, how are you feeling ?? Hope the temperature is down now?? She asked touching Khushi's forhead with the back of her palm & sighed in relief. Good its normal now. How's the wound on your finger Khushi?? Is it paining still?? She asked taking Khushi's hand in hers, caressing the wounded finger lightly. Concern for her baby sister visible in her glassy eyes.

No jiji. It isn't paining now. I guess the pain killer & a few hours of rest did it work. Khushi replied with an assuring smile.

Good. Now have your dinner & take one more tablet after that. So that you will be completely fine till morning. Payal said uncovering the plate of food.

But jiji, why did you get my dinner here in the room. I am feeling better now. So I will come down & have it with everybody. Arnavji also must be returning from office. Let him come then we will dine together. Khushi said. Her eyes shining with her earlier determination.

Payal was now in a fix. How to tell her sister that her husband is not going to come today as he is in Mumbai with his so called ex?? This news will break her already vulnerable sister & she won't even eat, let alone take her meds. She is already so weak. No she will have to lie to her & somehow make her eat & have her meds then she will tell her the truth because no matter how painful the truth is she deserves to know.

Yes that's what she will do. She decided.

Umm... Actually Khushi Akash is back from office & he informed us that Arnavji got stuck in a last minute conference call which will take longer then usual to wind up. So he will have his dinner in the office only & has asked us not to wait for him for dinner. So we all had our dinner already. You were resting so I didn't wake you up then. But its past dinner time now so I got your dinner here only & you are also awake so have it here only. Ok. Better let me feed you with my hands today. Payal said looking down under the pretext of mixing the rajma chawal with spoon, unable to look in her sister's eyes while lying to her.

Achchha!! (is it). But he didn't call me to inform the same. Khushi said looking into her mobile, not finding any missed calls from her husband.

Akash was coming home only so Arnavji asked him to convey the same instead on phone. Payal replied averting her penitant eyes from her sister's interrogative ones.

Let me talk to him once jiji. Khushi said. Her fingers ready to dial to her husband but was stopped by her jiji.

Khushi, he is having a conference call right now. It won't be right to disturb him in between. He might get angry. Payal tried to distract her sister's mind from making a call to her husband & she succeeded too as Khushi kept her phone aside not wanting to anger more her already annoyed husband.

Thanking her gods in her mind Payal forwarded the spoon filled with food to Khushi's mouth urging her to have it.

Khushi opened her mouth & was mechanically chewing her food without relishing its taste as her mind was lost in thinking ways of making amendments with her husband tonight.

Payal could easily read her sister's turmoil on her face & couldn't stop from reprimanding herself in mind while feeding her sister.

How couldn't she not notice this same agony, anxiety, anguish, restlessnes & longing for her husband & family on her sister's face before??

How could she let her sister suffer everything alone without an iota of knowledge of the shattering pain she was going through??

How could she remain so immune to her sister's anxiety until she herself voiced out the devastation her heart endured??

How couldn't she understand the trauma her baby sister was undergoing all these days??

Bas jiji. I am done. Khushi stopped her sister from feeding her further.

But Khushi you had just a few spoons of rice. Have a little more please. Payal requested forwarding the spoon.

No jiji. Please don't force me. Khushi refused pushing the spoon away.

Understanding her sister's unwillingness to eat, Payal didn't probe further.

Keeping the tray aside Payal popped a tablet from its strip & gave it to Khushi.

Khushi drained it down her throat with a glass of water handing the empty glass back to her jiji.

Khushi you should sleep now. You need ample rest to get well soon. Payal tried her luck to buy some time from keeping the heartbreaking news away from her sister for some more time.

No jiji. I have rested well & I am not sleepy either. I will wait for Arnavji. Khushi said taking back Arnav's frame from the table staring it longingly.

Payal struggled to swallow.

Its time to tell you the truth Khushi. Thought Payal, struggling to keep her tears at bay.

Khushi!! Payal called out her sister clearing her throat.

As soon as Khushi's questioning eyes met with her jiji's hesitant ones she felt some unknown fear rising in her chest.

What is it jiji?? Khushi asked in a scared tone.

Khushi wo Arnavji... she was finding it hard. But she has to.

Again clearing her throat she proceeded. Khushi Arnavji won't be back tonight.

Why jiji?? You said before that he will be returning late. Then now why are you saying that he won't return tonight?? Khushi asked in confusion & fear laced tone.

Khushi an emergency occured in AR's Mumbai unit demanding Arnavji's presence. So he has left for Mumbai & will be returning after settling the problem there. He will be staying in our AR apartments there. Payal finally broke the news to her sister & saw shocked written all over her face.

After a minute of silence Khushi asked Then why didn't you tell me this before jiji?? Why did you lied??

I am sorry that I lied Khushi but I wanted you to have your food & meds which I knew you won't have had if I had told you this before. Payal confessed apologetically.

Khushi was trying to absorb this unexpected news.

Payal closed her eyes for a second & taking a deep breath opened them again & held Khushi's hands. Khushi Sheetal has also accompanied Arnavji to Mumbai. Payal announced the rest of the bitter news with thudding heart & saw all the colour drained out from her sisters face making her look paler then before.

She wanted to give some strength to her already weak & vulnerable sister so she tried some comforting words.

But Khushi, Arnavji has said that he will give you a call as soon as he reaches Mumbai. So you don't worry. He will be calling anytime.

Payal tried to comfort her utterly shocked sister cupping her face tenderly but failed miserably. As after knowing about Sheetal too accompanying her husband Khushi had completely zoned out. She was no more listening to her jiji.

Here she was determined to get her Arnavji back tonight & there he has gone to Mumbai with the woman who is the reason behind his wife's miseries.

He didn't even felt necessary to inform his own wife about the same before leaving.

Pangs of shuddering wracked her body.

She felt lonely, suffocated, paralyzed realizing to what extent their love, their relation, their marriage has shredded thread by thread.

Payal was scared to wits seeing her sister completely zoned out.

She shook her lightly through her shoulders. Khushi say something. You are scaring me. She gulped hard feeling her own heart falling in the pit of her stomach. Khushi they have gone to resolve the issue there. You please don't get tensed. You beleive your Arnavji. Don't you??

Payal's words baffled her & she felt estranged more then ever. Jiji, please leave me alone. Khushi said in a whisper.

No Khushi. I can't. Not now atleast. All these days unintentinally though but I left you alone to deal with your anxiety. But now I won't leave your side ever Khushi. You are my baby sister. I love you. I care for you then how can I leave you alone?? I am not going anywhere. I will stay with you here only. Payal was adamant on not leaving her sister alone.

Jiji, I understand your concern. But you don't need to worry. I will be fine. I just want to be with myself for sometime jiji. Is it too much to ask for?? She asked with moist eyes. Her insides were burning with pain but she tried to maintain her composure infront of her jiji.

But Khushi... Payal tried to talk her out to which Khushi again refused to budge.

Please jiji.... Please. Khushi pleaded as her controlled tears were now threatening to roll down her hollow cheeks.

Understanding her sister's predicament, nodding her head, Payal stood up taking the tray & moved towards the door unwillingly.

Khushi you will be fine. Right?? You will call me if you want to share your heart talk. Right?? Payal asked hopefully, turning back to face her sister.

Yes jiji. I will. Khushi assured her softly, controlling her overwhelming emotions.

Reluctantly Payal moved out of the room, slowly closing the door behind.

The tears Khushi had controlled infront of her jiji streamed down her cheeks falling back on Arnav's pic.

She squeezed her eyes as tight as possible gulping the boulder stuck in her throat.

Keeping Arnav's frame aside, gathering some strength she climbed down the bed & reached to the door taking wobbly steps. Bolting the door she slumped to the ground.

Involuntarily her vision shifted to the pool side & she saw two shadows probably of her husband & his ex recreating the horrible dream she had seen a few hours ago.

Now when they are all alone in Mumbai, they have maximum chances to turn her horrible dream into their beautiful reality. Her already messed up brains supplied.

She squeezed her eyes tight perturbed with unknown feelings that grew restless, distressing her heart beyond repair.

No. No. No. Why am I even thinking so negative?? My Arnavji can never do this to me. He can never cheat me. He can never deceive me. He loves me & only me. He is mine & only mine.

These words played like a chant on her lips as she rose to her feet, dragging her fragile frame, she moved towards the poolside near the same god forbidden recliner.

She felt the same shadows seated hugging each other sideways on the recliner. Laughing at her. Making a mockery of her vulnerability & then they vanished in the dark night.

She stopped chanting about her Arnavji's love as her voice choked in defeat.

She fell on her knees crying profusely, drenching the front of her dress with her unstoppable tears.

She felt her breath ripped her lungs & felt an invincible pressure building up in her chest.

She tried to ease her pain rubbing her chest vigorously, taking loud gasp of breath. But all her attempts turned futile as few more painful memories came crashing down her bones to worsen her already pitiable condition.

As soon as Arnav came out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe Khushi handed him a navy blue suit of her choice with matching tie to wear for office.

He started wearing the shirt when Sheetal entered their room after knocking & stopped him from wearing that suit. As per her thinking, the colour would be too loud for the conference they were about to attend & her Arnavji readily agreed keeping the suit aside.

Sheetal herself chose a light grey suit from his wardrobe & offered him to wear for the day & a disheartened wife left the room.

Khushi didn't knew that like the colour of the suit, one day Sheetal will effortlessly change the dynamics of her relations with her Arnavji.
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Being the daughter in laws of the house Khushi & her jiji were serving breakfast to the family before taking their own seats besides their husbands as usual.

But Sheetal came & captured Khushi's chair besides her Arnavji. When Khushi had politely asked Sheetal to change her seat she had joked not to fuss for a mere chair. Neither her own husband or her family had opposed Sheetal's action. Infact her husband had seconded to Sheetal's statement & a helpless wife had sacrificed her chair.

But Khushi didn't knew that this mere dining chair sacrifice was just the beginning of the sacrifices of her other belongings as well.
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The whole family along with Sheetal & Arav were returning back from a family friends party. As usual Khushi, Payal & Anjali were taking long in their good byes to the hosts. When they came out Payal went towards her husband's car alongwith her mother in law & Anjali & Khushi went to her Arnavji's car.

Khushi was about to open the front passenger door to sit besides her husband, she found Sheetal sitting on her seat with her son on her lap.

Before she could say anything Anjali asked her to sit behind with her as Arav would feel bad if asked to get down. Her Arnavji too kept quiet agreeing to his dii & a legally wedded wife had sat on the back seat of her husband's car giving her actual seat to his ex & her son.

But Khushi hardly knew that just like accepting the back seat of her husband's car she will have to take a back seat in many other matters in her husband's life.
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Arnav & Akash were arm restling on the centre table of the living room with Khushi, Sheetal & Arav as spectators. Arnav had easily defeated Akash. Khushi had then challenged Arnav & now they were arm wrestling. Khushi was about to defeat Arnav when suddenly Sheetal came & locked her arm on Arnavji's arm shocking Khushi, resulting into her defeat. Arav hugged his mother for making his ASR win.

Arnavji got a call & had to leave the place but Khushi was still sitting there trying to absorb the happening when Sheetal came to her & said that she can never see HER ASR losing infront of anyone & then she walked away leaving a shocked, confused & a somewhat shattered wife behind.

But Khushi was unable to calculate then that it was just a start of her defeat.
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Though Khushi had not liked her Arnavji going to Arav's school for Father's Day function, she had kept quiet for the kid's happiness.

After Arav's & Arnavji's performance when Arav had hugged her Arnavji adressing him as dad something had broke within her. For a moment she had felt a desperate urge to go & correct Arav. But her selflessness had stopped her from breaking the kid's heart.

But she didn't knew then that her selflessness will one day make her repent her decision of not correcting Arav then.
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The basketball match which Khushi had organized to cheer & manofy her angry husband had turned into her own disaster with her not knowing the game becoming a topic of joke.

Sheetal had sweetly insulted her by asking her to quit the game if she doesn't know to play as she was ruining their game. Khushi had hopefully seen towards her husband expecting some support from him but he too had suggested her to sit aside & let them continue the game & again a wife had given her way not willing to become a spoilsport.

But Khushi had never imagined that just like the basketball game one day Sheetal will make her quit her place in her Arnavji's life & family as well.
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The DNA issue was heights. Khushi had tried innumerable times to explain her side to her husband that she hadn't asked for the second report. But her Arnavji hadn't trusted her & had wanted her to accept her mistake.

He had refused to accept any of her reasonings & excuses until she accepts her mistake. He had failed all her attempts of amendments & had distanced himself from her leaving her in the pool of pain & longing for him.

And the distance is just increasing day & night pushing her into a shell of lonliness & insecurities.

Her mind didn't stop the brutal torchure & kept on reminding her of the painful memories which were absorbing her in its vortex mercilessly.

Each painful memory was cutting her deeper then the last.

But this latest hit of her husband going to Mumbai with his ex & staying under one roof without informing her was massive.

It crushed her heart ripping in half as though a blunt knife thrusted into it. Twisting it further slowly & deeply killing her entire existence.

Unable to take more, covering her ears tight, she howled a gut wrenching scream that pierced her soul, unknowingly covering the ringing of her mobile with her Arnavji's name flashing on it.

All the mental trauma finally took a toll on her & she laid herself on the cold tiles, shrinking her fragile frame into a foetus position, eventually slipping into a sleep of oblivion.

To be continued.....

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Do not forget to vote & comment your views on the update.

Also check out on my new story,

Love at first bite

And a new one shot.

Happy birthday my laad governor

Love
Kavita ❤️