So yeah. Manisha is Mani's little sister, and is after Sanskar. But Mani never mentioned a sibling you might think, no? 😜

Let's find out the case. 🕵

Moving on... 💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking.

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Family Ties

"Hello mother." Manisha smiled at her. "Long time no see."

"Mother?" Ragini looked at Shikha in shock. "She's...she's your daughter?"

"Yes, unfortunately..." Shikha grit out. "If only she inherited one of my good qualities."

"Aww, I'm hurt. Here I am before you after so long. And you don't even give me a proper welcome?" Manisha pouted and moved towards her mother. "No problem. I sure am glad to meet you!"

She bent to hug her. However, before she could, Mani grabbed her hand and pulled her away from there. He stormed out with Manisha.

"What...what's going on?"

"This is something that is in between our family. I'm sorry you had to witness this." Shikha uttered with an apologetic look.

"Bu-"

"We shall solve it as a family." saying so, she too moved out after her son and Manisha, who now they knew was her daughter.

Silence reigned as they left. Right then, Sanskar could probably swear he would hear the sound of a pin dropping. He felt as if an invisible bomb was ticking and would go off any moment. He was on the edge.

That was probably why he ended up yelling hearing Ragini's shout of pain.

At once, he was by her side and helping her towards the couch. "Careful!" he sat her down and examined her wounds. "I told you not to move so much, didn't I? But you never listen!"

Ragini tried to blink away the tears that had gathered in her eyes because of the pain. "Sorry."

"The glass shard didn't get inside your hand, did it?"

Ragini shook her head. "I don't...I don't think so. I'm not sure. Um...no, maybe."

"Ragini!? How could you be so careless!"

#Outside#

"Let go of me bhai." Manisha shouted as they came out into the dark of the night.

Mani brought her to stand in front of him and crossed his arms in anger. "Why are you back?!"

"I'm back because I wanted to."

"Oh really? Now you remembered that you had some people related to you back in India? Well, guess what!? We don't care anymore."

"Bhai, listen to me ju-"

"Don't even utter that word from your mouth. I feel ashamed of being called a brother to you!"

"You can't talk to me like that!" Manisha grit out.

"He can and he shall because you deserve every bit of it." Shikha uttered, coming near them. She brought out the picture she was carrying. "What were you doing spying on Ragini and Sanskar?"

"Eh? I wasn't! Why would I?"

"What do you mean she was spying Maa?" Mani asked in confusion.

"Look at this Mani." Shikha pointed to the figure hiding behind the grocery stall in Ragini and Sanskar's picture. "First, I had a hunch. Now, I'm sure it was her! Look at the clothes. They are the same."

Mani looked at the picture in shock. Shock, which soon turned to anger. "Manisha, I'm warning you beforehand. If you dare lay a hand on them, I'll forget you are related to me. I won't hesitate to have my revenge!"

"I'm not here for them, alright?! It just happened to be a coincidence. I was actually following Mum's car." Manisha lied.

"My car?"

"Yes Maa.." she went near her mother and made a pleading face. "Maa, I realized my mistake. Please. Please take me back as your daughter. Please Maa!"

"No! Maa isn't doing anything such!"

Ignoring Mani, she continued. "Maa please! I'm sorry for all of my past mistakes. I understand now. Money can't buy happiness. Family is what is important and...and I know that now! Please take me back."

"Manisha's, shut up! What you did was unforgivable!" Shikha shouted.

"I got too greedy. I know Maa. But I realize my mistake now. Please...please Maa! Maa, please!"

"Don't even tr-" Shikha stopped in her words when she saw the tears in Manisha's eyes. She knew the betrayal that Manisha gave to her, Mani and Raj was unforgettable. It was something they never imagined she would do to them. But she did betray them.

However now...now, that Manisha was pleading and crying, she could not help but feel a little bad for her daughter. After all, it was mother's heart.

#Inside#

Sujata could feel her motherly instincts kick in as she noticed Ragini in pain. She could not help but feel sympathy for Ragini. 'Poor child. She did nothing wrong, but only supported Sanskar. He wronged us, but she didn't. She is always so caring. She doesn't deserve the hardships she is going through.' she wanted to go inspect her wounds. However, she doubted Sanskar would let her help them.

Not to mention she would fall down and lower her ego.

However, that didn't mean she wouldn't help Ragini.

Sujata huffed. "Since we shall be staying here, I would like to make myself some tea. All this drama has made my head ache!" she moved towards the kitchen without waiting for permission. 'The perfect excuse to make some of the paste that mother had taught me. It would make sure the wound isn't infected.'

"Typical of her. Thinking only about her royal tea time." Sanskar scowled at her retreating figure. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Ragini try to adjust on the couch, but without success. "Stop squirming around. I told you to ask for help from me, didn't I? Ugh! You'll make me grow grey hairs soon!"

"Sorry."

"Stop saying that!"

"Okay. Taking it back."

"What th-*sigh* forget it. Just...just stop moving!"

Ragini smiled at him in innocence and nodded.

Sanskar's father looked at the scenes played out in front of him. His son was nursing the girl who could possibly be his future daughter-in-law. His wife in the kitchen moving about and using the utensils available. He could hear the sounds from the living room.

The entire scenario seemed so domestic. Like as if they were a family again. Like they had got over the past misunderstandings and moved ahead. 'And I want that kind of peace. The peace of having your family back in one piece.'

He picked up his bags in determination and took them inside without a word. All he was now concerned about making his thoughts a reality and getting his family back.

Sanskar looked up to find only himself and Ragini being left in the room. He grit his teeth and turned to look at Ragini in irritation. "What was that?"

"What was what?"

"Don't try to fool me." he said with a huff, as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I just injured my qlready hurt finger again while clutching the door too hard right then. What's their to fool you about?"

"I know you Ragini." he sighed in frustration. "You didn't hurt yourself on the door. Even if you did, you wouldn't have made a show of it. You purposefully did it."

Ragini's eyes widened comically at being caught. She tried to avoid looking at his eyes. As he kept looking at her, she coughed to hide her flush at her unsuccessful attempt to keep him clueless. "I-I don't know w-what you're m-mean."

"Ragini..."

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

He rolled his eyes at her actions. Smirking to himself, he leaned forward and pinned her underneath him. "You really didn't know?"

Ragini gulped at their close proximity. "I-I-I don-don't!"

His smirk widened as he leaned closer. "Really?"

Ragini turned red at his closeness. She could do nothing but nod vigorously as words left her at the moment.

Sanskar was laughing in his mind. But he didn't show it on his face. "Really, Ra...gi...ni?" he drawled out each word extra slowly.

She could feel the metaphoric butterflies in her stomach fluttering. Her heart was beating at the speed of a bullet train. She could feel her mouth go dry as he gazed at her from so close. She was like a little mouse trapped under a predator.

However, she would never admit it out loud, but she didn't mind being so close to him.

"You are trying to make me reconcile with my parents and be on talking terms again, aren't you? That's why you pretended to be hurt, knowing it will influence Maa and Baba, didn't you?" he asked in a soft tone.

Mesmerized by his voice and gaze, she nodded obediently.

"A-ha! Knew it." Sanskar at once moved back and sat straight with a mischievous look. "That wasn't tough to admit now, was it?"

Ragini remained in the position she was with an open mouth and a shocked look. "You...you..." her lips turned into a frown as she realized why he did it and hit his arm.

"Ow! Ow! Hey, stop-ow-hitting me! Ow!"

"You! Jerk! Idiot! Dolt!"

"Ow! I thought you were injured. Where'd-ow-all this energy come from!?"

#Maheshwari Mansion#

"Tsk, tsk! What is all this?! This is what you call food?" Uttara shouted, glaring at Parineeta. "You can't even make something right!"

"This is what you ate yesterday. You didn't complain then."

Uttara smirked. "Well, then I wasn't the owner of this huge property. Bring me an ommelette! A big one."

Parinneta gripped the plate hard, as if to break it. Nevertheless, she nodded and went in.

Heading a chuckle, Uttara looked up to find Laksh approaching. "What's so funny?"

He shrugged, coming to sit on a chair. "Nothing. You're really giving her a hard time."

"Huh! It's nothing compared to what they were planning to do after taking over the mansion I assume."

Laksh nodded with a snicker. "By the way, were Maa and Baba here to take their dinner?"

Uttara sighed in disappointment and shook her head. "No. They haven't. Its almost time for them to have their dinner. Bhai, they haven't eaten anything since lunch. It's also time for Bade Papa's medicine."

"Damn! How are we to ma-" he abruptly closed his mouth when Parineeta came back to the table with Uttara's omelette.

Seeing her Laksh got an idea. "Oi bhabi. Go serve the old folks up in their room."

"Why?"

"Because I want them to eat." he spoke with a sneer. "Now, go."

"Why are you worried? You're the one who betrayed them!" she accused.

"Whatever! I don't want anyone to come and bad mouth me about how much of a bad son I am. Go to them. Or else, I'll send both you and Adarsh out right now!"

"Ugh! Fine!" she turned inside to ready plates of food, so as to take it up the stairs. 'Enjoy as much you can you two. Well soon find a way to get the property. By hook. Or by crook!'

#Ragini and Sanskar's apartment#

Sanskar helped Ragini sit down on her bed in her room. "You should rest without moving much."

"But who's gonna make dinner? And don't say you will. I plan to live another day and not die. Thank you very much."

Sanskar glared at her. "I'm not that bad of a cook."

"Of course you are."

Sanskar pouted. "Well, at least I can make some Maggie successfully."

They paused as they heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it? Come on please."

The door creaked open to find Sujata waiting there with two plates of food on a tray. She looked uncomfortable standing there.

After a few awkward seconds ticked by, she took slow steps inside and got near the bed. Without looking at Sanskar, she kept the tray on the empty space on the bed.

"Here's the food Ragini. But don't think I'm doing it out of good will. I'm doing it because I don't want to hear clanking and other disturbances while I sleep." Sujata spoke with a haughty air. 'It was definitely not because Ragini was injured or something like that! Definitely not. I'm not growing soft!'

"We never asked you to make anything for us." Sanskar glared.

"I never asked you. I will do as I seem fit." turning around, she left without a glance back.

"Unbelievable! Would you look at the attitude she has?" Sanskar uttered. Ragini chuckled, making him turn to her. "Might I ask why it's funny?"

"Nothing much. I'm just thinking how she acts."

"Exactly! Like she owns the place! As if she's the boss of things."

"Yep. An arrogant attitude, but with a good heart within. Just like her son."

Sanskar's lips twists upwards at the indirect praise. "Yeah, her son must be arro-hey wait! That's me!"

"You don't say!" she replied sarcastically.

"Don't treat me like a child! Want me to hit that hurt finger of yours?"

"I'll rip your hair, mind you."

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹