"Fraudster? What are you saying Adarsh Bhai?" Laksh was unaware about the abrupt outburst of his elder brother. "She is Ragini's doctor." He said shifting his eyes between two ladies and his brother.

"No! She is a fraud doctor. Haven't you seen it in yesterday's news?" Adarsh was gawking at the lady in front of him. His mind has turned blank looking at the lady in his house on such an auspicious occasion.

"Which news?" Laksh was still clueless. Yesterday, to join the factory on time he had left without breakfast, losing an opportunity to witness the news.

Both brothers were busy in figuring out the reality of the situation, taking it as an opportunity, Dr. Seema took a few steps backward to escape. Ragini was hoping for her safe departure for her own future.

"What happened?" Sanskar ran to his cousin's. He had heard rumpus which turned his feet towards his two brothers.

Rest others were also looking at the chaotic scene a few feets away, and started taking steps towards them.

"Trust me Laksh. She is a fraudster... we need to inform the police. Let them come over here, you will get a clear picture." Adarsh stressed. He was trying to search on his phone for last day's news. "Let me find it on google."

Laksh amazed with his brother's words, his whole concentration turned to Adarsh.

"No Adarsh Bhai... you are mistaken. For sure you have some confusion." Ragini tried to intervene, sweating profusely, her whole future was at stake at this moment.

"Ragini, you please stay calm. Let us handle this. Laksh, take her inside carefully." Adarsh was concerned. He saw her shivering under fear.

"No No No... I am not going anywhere." Ragini shook her head. Her loud voice and sudden agonised reaction astonished Sanskar.

"Hey where are you going? Security don't let her go." Adarsh's eyes fell on Dr. Seema who was taking it as an opportunity to escape from the place. "Sanskar, call security and ask them to close the main gate. She should not escape."

Adarsh took a long leap and held Dr. Seema's arm and in a few moments she was surrounded by the security staff.

Listening to the chaos outside, Maheshwari and Gadodida ladies along with guests entered the backyard of the house to witness the unfolding of the drama.

Laksh was holding Ragini from her shoulder. Adarsh was holding a lady dressed in a red colour half saree and was trying her best to cover her  face with dupatta but was failing miserably. She was trying her best to release herself from Adarsh's hold, whereas security folks have surrounded them. This was the scene noticed when Swara stepped out following rest.

"Ragini" Annapurna screamed her lungs out seeing Ragini who was trembling at her place with extreme fear. She ran towards her beloved daughter in law followed by the rest of the others.

"What's going on here?" Swara asked her husband. She and Sujata instantly moved towards Sanskar and Ram who were standing a few feets away trying to understand the unfolding of the drama.

"I have no idea." Of Course, even yesterday Sanskar being Sanskar was least interested in news telecasts. "Adarsh Bhai is calling that lady a fraudster whereas Laksh is claiming her as Ragini's doc. And she is asking to let her go..." He pointed out at the lady surrounded by security.

Swara carefully observed when her mind snapped at last day's news. "He is right. She is the one who is absconding from the police."

"Yes, you are right Swara. She is the same doctor whose pic, new channel telecasted yesterday." Sujata also confirmed with wide open eyes.

"Ragini Maheshwari let me go, else you will see the worst." Dr. Seema seethed with anger, she was trapped in her own plans.

Ram was looking at the scenario with amazement, each moment it was unfolding a new drama, taking a floor beneath everyone's feet.

"Who is she?" Sharmishtha asked with a creased forehead.

"Chup kar." Parvati shouted at Dr. Seema, holding Ragini. She ran to her beloved grand-daughter's defence.

"Dadi, please let her go." Ragini cried beggingly. She was trying her best to release herself from her grand-mother's and husband's protective hold.

"No Ragini, how can you say this?" This time it was Sujata. " Adarsh is right, we need to call the police. Sanskar have you called them?"

"Yes Mom. I talked to SP. They are on their way." Sanskar confirmed but his answer intensified the situation in multitude.

"Ragini, ask your family to let me go... Else I will blurt out your truth." Dr. Seema threatened, pushing back the security folks.

"No..." Ragini screamed her lungs out. "Please Laksh... please let her go." Ragini folded her hands in front of her husband. No one from Maheshwari family or Gadodia family were able to understand Ragini's defence for this cheater doctor.

Everyone was just standing there witnessing the scene in front of them with perplexment, confusion and astonishment.

"Ragini, you come inside... others will sort out the situation. You don't need to take this much stress. It's not good for you." Annapurna and Parvati started carefully pulling Ragini inside but she was adamant to stay outside and why not her future in this home was at stake.

"Arree, you don't worry about your daughter in law this much. Nothing will happen to her." Dr. Seema shouted once again, capturing everyone's attention.

"Shut up. You just shut up." Ragini vexed out, harshly realising herself from her mother in law and grand-mother's hold.

"Ragini, be careful." Annapurna felt a strong push from her daughter in law.

Ragini took long steps towards Dr. Seema, she tried to push back the security guards holding her. "Let her go. I said, leave her."

"Has she gone crazy?" Sujata said perplexedly.

"Was Ragini faking her pregnancy?" Swara mumbled for the first time, only audible to her mother in law and husband after connecting dots.

Sanskar and Sujata turned to her with a horrifying look. Their minds turn void over her revelation.

"Are you listening to yourself?" words were out even before Sanskar could realise.

"Haaa. She could be right." But Sujata seconded with twisting her nose. "Last time she had faked her pregnancy. This is not new for her."

"Ragini, what are you doing? You are pregnant. You should be careful" Laksh tried to intervene to protect his 9 months old pregnant wife. But his wife pushed him with full force in defence of Dr. Seema.

In that hassle, Ragini lost her balance and fell down on her stomach earning a loud shriek from Annapurna, Parvati and Sharmishtha.

"Ragini." all three ladies ran holding their breath. They bent down to see Ragini's state. Ragini was on her stomach, she turned holding her full grown belly with her hands. But her face was panic stricken. Her mind has alarmed her about the upcoming grilling session, just a thought has passed shiver down her spine.

"Laksh, come here, take her. We need to go to the hospital." Parvati started crying looking at her beloved grand-daughter lying on the ground. In her blind love Parvati's heart overpowered her mind to judge reality.

"No... No.." There was a feeble voice from Ragini. "I don't... I don't want to go... I am fine...."

"What are you saying Ragini? We need to hurry up." Annapurna cross questioned while checking her condition, her condition was also the same as Parvati. "Laksh what are you waiting for?"

"She will never be ready to go to the hospital, Annapurna ji. Because if you take her to hospital her lie will be revealed to everyone." Dr. Seema's humorous wicked smile captured everyone's attention.

"What are you saying?" This time Laksh asked frustratingly.

"Now what will you do Ragini? If you would have given me money earlier you wouldn't have stuck in this situation. You are caught between deep sea and devil" Dr. Seema ignored Laksh's words as well as sceptical eyes focused on her, she started laughing like a maniac.

"Money? What is she talking about?" This time Annapurna asked her daughter in law. Her mind started compelling to observe the facts in front of her.

"Ma please... Please let her go." Ragini was again folding hands in front of her mother in law.

A 9 months heavily pregnant lady was more concerned about her doctor's escape than her own baby whose life was supposed to be at stake at this moment, this thought started penetrating in every person standing out there increasing their doubt.

"Annapurna ji... please ask your dearest daughter in law how come she is all fine when she had just fallen on her stomach. A 9 month pregnant lady has fallen on her stomach and is still begging to her family for her doctor's release. Wow..... in my 20 years of career, I haven't seen such a complicated pregnancy." Finally Dr. Seema blurted out the truth.

"Ragini... are you not hurt?" This time Annapurna's mind started connecting the chords. "What is she saying? She is your doctor?"

Hearing Dr. Seema and her mother in law's question Ragini turned pale. She gulped audibly to find answers but failed awfully.

"Ma... Dadi Ma... please ignore her. She is talking nonsense. She has lost her mind." Ragini tried to cover up woefully. She was shaking with fear of the upcoming storm.

"Ragini, why is she here? Why do we have a fraudster doctor who is running away from the police in our home?" Annapurna started her questioning with a thumping heart which has started ploughing a seed of mistrust in her mind.

"Ma... she is Ragini's doctor." Laksh spoke absentmindedly.

"Ragini's doctor?" Annapurna repeated to make herself realise.

"Ma... please believe me... Let's go inside." Ragini stood up on her feet.

Annapurna stared at her daughter in law for a moment from head to toe, she was fit and fine with a huge baby bump. She took a step to give a tight slap on her cheek, stumbling Ragini in her place.

"Ragini, I am not a fool if you think of me the same." Annapurna screamed her lungs out venomously.

Everyone standing over there flinched at their step hearing the loud seething tone of Annapurna.

"Such a big lie. Such a big deception. Aren't you ashamed of doing all this? After all this... even after the truth has been revealed to everyone, you are still trying to hide your mistake. How many more times will you betray us? Such a shameful woman you are!" Annapurna was shaking with anger. Tears were streaming over her cheeks yet her eyes were blazing with fire.

"What are you saying Annapurna Bahu?" Parvati asked unconsciously. Her mind has stopped working.

"Your beloved grand-daughter is not pregnant but she is a betrayer." Annapurna's words stumbled each and every Gadodia family member. They instantly turned their eyes to their daughter who had bowed her head scornfully.

"If you knew this and you hid it with us then you are also a betrayer like her." Annapurna cried miserably, "and if not then you are as foolish as me."

"No this is not true. My Laddoo is truly pregnant. She won't do anything like this" Parvati could not believe Annpurna's words. "Laddoo say, what ever Annapurna Bahu just said is a lie. You have my swear. This is about my upbringing, I gave it to you from your childhood."

"What truth and lies will she tell? I will tell you. Your beloved granddaughter can never become a mother. She had come to me last year. I had seen her reports. There is an issue with her fallopian tube. Her chances of conceiving are hardly 5%." Dr. Seema revealed the truth, earning a loud gasp from everyone. She knew her chances of escape were null, so she preferred to be doomed along with Ragini.

"But she wanted a child anyhow. She wanted to deceive her family for her own benefits. For me she was a perfect candidate. I suggested to her about a fake pregnancy and she accepted instantly in return for money. You know what? She never had cash so she gave me her family jewellery." With every revelation, the floor was swiping away from onlookers feet.

Her statement made Swara and Sanskar to exchange the knowing look.

"Why Ragini? Why?" Annapurna harshly pulled Ragini's arm.

Ragini's truth had been unfolding, she was standing in front of all bowing her head. Tears were continuously flowing from her eyes. Once again her own deeds were the cause of her downfall in front of the entire family and outsiders.

"Every time we trust you and you break it in a moment. How many more times?" Annapurna was venting out cryingly.

Durga Prasad and Ram were silent spectators dropping their soldiers along with Adarsh, Parineeta, Swara, Sujata. None of them made any effort to sort out or control the breakout.

Meanwhile police entered Maheshwari House and arrested Dr. Seema. Slowly, all guests and relatives attending the function also started departing giving much needed privacy to the family members.

Now everyone was inside, Ragini was standing in the middle of the living room surrounded by all members of Maheshwari and Gadodia family.

Annapurna was sitting on the couch holding her head, her dream of holding her grand-child was shattered into pieces.

"Why Laddoo? Why? Why did you do this?" Parvati asked, today her own beliefs over her grand-daugher were smashed giving her a reality check. "Didn't your heart burst while telling such a big lie? How can you deceive in this matter to all of us? What was the need for all this?"

"Is this what you are asking?" Ragini spoke after a long time. "You should be the last person to blame me for this? Weren't you brainwashing me to give the first heir to this family to make everyone dance on my fingertips?" Ragini confessed poisonously.

"You yourself told me that if I want to take Swara's place in this house, then I will have to be the first one to give the heir to this family." Her words turned all stupefied eyes on the old lady.

Her revelation spread deadly silence in the Maheshwari House.

Swara shook her head lamentably, her sister's jealousy had reached its peak. Sanskar held her hand without any word. His unsaid support brought a small smile on Swara's face. Their trance broke when they heard Shekhar's voice.

"Ma, I had told you not to meddle in Ragini's married life after last episode. Why do you keep manipulating her?" Shekhar extolled angrily over his mother. "It's all because of the dirt you have in your mind. You are just a jealous, self centred, narcissistic woman."

"Shekhar?"

"I am ashamed of both of you... I always had to bow my head because of the misdeeds of both of you. I have a mother who is a manipulative witch whereas I have a daughter who is filled with extreme jealousy even when she has a happy life. " Shekhar banged his hands over her forehead.

"First you destroy my life and now you are bent on destroying my daughter's life." Shekhar blamed his mother.

"I am so sorry Annapurna Ji and Durga Prasadi ji on behalf of my mother and daughter. My daughter again brought disgrace to your family." Shekhar cryingly folded his hands. "I will accept whatever punishment you will decide for her."

"How can you be so quiet Laksh? She betrayed you as well?" Annapurna asked her son who was standing in one corner looking at his wife's interrogation session. "We need to throw her out of this house."

"No Ma... please." Ragini folded her hands.

"No Laksh... just throw her out. I don't want to see her face in my life." Annapurna was shaking with extreme anger.

Laksh took a step towards his wife. He stopped in front of her.

"What should I say to her, Ma? I can only say that... today you confirmed, Ragini, that we both are truly made of each other. God has created our couple by extensive efforts. We both complement each other." Laksh spoke humorously but remorseful tears were streaming over his cheeks.

"We both did blunders all our life. And we never got the punishment for it but our mistakes were covered by our elders. So, we never realised our own mistakes... sins to be specific. Which led us to commit more crimes. You know what, we both have this innate quality to blame others for our own mistakes, hold them responsible, and just expect the world to fix our issues without even trying to understand how we were wrong." In these last few months, he had ample amount of time to think about his own life.

"You know what, we both are very selfish, jealous, cunning, impulsive personalities. We both just think about our benefits, our pleasure, our life, our relations only and the funny part is we want to rest all others to be selfless, forgiving, liberal towards our every goof ups." His repenting words were hitting Ragini's conscience.

"Look at Bhai and Swara, Ragini" Laksh pointed out at Swara and Sanskar, alerting both of them.

"I always wanted to be successful like him and you always wanted to be Swara, be first in everyone's favourite's list. Ragini, we wanted to have a perfect life like them but at the same time we wanted everything in an easy way. I never wanted to do hard work like Bhai did, where you never wanted to be selfless like Swara. Once upon a time because of our issues, their relationship was also on the verge of breaking up but they both accepted their mistakes... they worked on it for correction, they mend their own way of life for another and see today... They are again a team like always. This is called pure love."

Swara and Sanskar shared a quick eye lock.

"The problem is not in making mistakes... The problem is that we both always support and cover up for each other in their mistakes... even being life partners we do not show the truth to the other. We do not trust each other... and without trust we keep on hiding secrets from each other. The secrets which always break the thread of our nuptial relation."

"How can I forgive her, Ma? Who am I to even forgive her? My own sins are so epic that I can't forgive anyone. I'm not worthy of this. She is my wife.... My responsibility that's it." Laksh spoke sobbingly, folding his hands in front of his family members and left for upstairs towards his room.

Ragini slumped down on the floor crying bitterly but no one took a step towards her for consoling. Today, she had lost the faith, love, and trust of everyone.

Slowly each and everyone started leaving from the living room engrossed in their own thoughts over the events that happened in the last few hours.

In Swara and Sanskar's room, Swara was sitting on bed engrossed in her thoughts. She could not even see Sanskar coming out of the washroom after freshening up.

"Swara"

"Swara" this time he called out loudly shaking her shoulder.

"Haa?" She looked at him blankly.

"So much happened in one day." He settled down on the bed beside her.

"Ragini always took decisions impulsively. She doesn't even think about anything." Swara spoke, shaking her head. "What was the need to do all this?" Being sister Swara's heart was aching over her sister's miseries.

"Why don't you just go and talk to her?" Sanskar knew his wife's bonding with her step sister. Even after so many misunderstandings and her misdeeds, his wife still had a soft corner for her. "Nobody uttered a word but just left her alone."

"What should I talk to her about? Is she a kid that I or any one needs to make her realise her own deeds? Sanskar, the first time it happens, it is a mistake, the second time it is a crime and the third time it is a habit. It has become her routine to play betrayal games with the ones who loved her the most."

"And habits don't go away no matter who says so. It won't make any difference whether you say it, me or anyone else's. She will regret for a few days, ask for forgiveness, when everyone will forgive her... then after a few days she will play a new game of betrayal. This is an ongoing vicious circle." Tears streamed over her cheek.

"If you understand this then why are you getting upset?" He pulled her in his embrace.

"Because even though sometimes she forgets, I cannot forget that she is my sister. But this time she needs to learn from her sins... She has played with everyone's feelings. I am not going to cover up, she has to own her mistakes."

Both talked for some more time before calling off the dreadful day.

************************************************
Thanks for loving this story. Let me know how you found this chapter in the form of your votes and comments.

Please feel free to share this story in your message board as a suggestive read if you think that they will enjoy this roller coaster ride.

Love
AngelTweet