She frowned and blinked several times as the dupatta flew in her face. With irritation mounting up, she grabbed the flimsy cloth and stilled as the vivid colors painted wonders in her eyes. The annoyance was soon gone, replaced with a shy smile as she spread the purple pink dupatta across her shoulder, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Looking up at the shopkeeper, she asked for the price, her smile dipping at the cost. She paused, shuffling the few crisp notes in her hand. The smile remained as she kept back the dupatta yet her eyes wistfully looked aside, hastily buying a few medicines and vegetables.

Selfless.

However the irritation came back again in those large, beautiful brown eyes. Finding him as an acquaintance, he realised a few minutes later that she was venting her anger against the 'rich' on their cars and traffic.

He would do anything to be in her good books. Especially when she had stopped to give him a small smile, with rouge tinging her cheeks. Lying wasn't that difficult, not when it led to a certain Payal Gupta swearing friendship to Akash.

Just Akash.

"Her eyes... they are so beautiful Maa. She never knew I was a Raizada, nope! In fact she wanted to break things when she got to know I had lots of money. Because she lov... loved Akash. Only Akash." Akash stumbled across the table and plopped himself on a chaise.

Manorama simply stared at her drunk son, blabbering about Payal's beauty and innocence. Long gone was her jealousy against that middle class girl, Manorama was broken at her son's mistrust on the woman he called mother.

Looking at his mother's contorted face, Akash laughed a little "Still shocked that I know I am not your son? Even if I was really your son Maa, I would still have doubts because no real mother is like you. And how my real Maa would be, God knows..."

"But you know Maa, Bhai (brother) was my God. Bhai never shouted at me or kicked me out of the house when he had the power... even when the actual reason for our Papa's and his Maa's death was me. Which wife can take in an illegitimate son? That's what I am... sewer ki aulaad (bastard). Wah! What a name for me Maa? My wife's khoon bhari taang (bloody leg) and I am sewer ki aulaad... made for each other." Akash blabbered, stopping abruptly as his drink spilled all over the carpet.

Keeping his hand over his mouth in mock shock, Akash apologised and sat down with a box of tissues, rubbing the carpet. "Bitwa..."

"I have to clean this... Bhai decorated this house for me Maa. The brother who gave me the love of parents I never had. The brother who treated me like his own child. The brother who saved my life when I went to drugs. He's not Bhai... he's my... my God Maa." Akash looked at the photoframe of his brother on the coffee table.

Pointing towards Arnav's picture, Akash asked "How can I question Bhai Maa? He's everything for me... everything! But what does a devotee do when his God ditches him?" Manorama jumped in fright as Akash flung the frame aside, breaking it into pieces.

Utterly sloshed, Akash fell a few times as he tried to get up to his feet. Pushing away Manorama's hands, he balanced himself and scratches his head. "I know why you hated me... because I am the reason why Bhai's mom died, the cherished girl of the Raizada khandaan! The sweet daughter in law of the Maliks... I understand. I would have understood Maa if you told me at the beginning that you don't want me... what was the reason to nurture me in my childhood? Telling me that you're my Maa... NO, YOU'RE NOT MY MOTHER! YOU CAN NEVER BE MY MAA... never!" Manorama's world slipped away as Akash broke ties with her.

"I may be drunk but I know... you're not my Maa, he's not my Papa. I don't want this family... I've had enough of your favors. Bastard, that's what I truly am."

"AKASH!" Manorama cried as Akash walked away from the house, dropping his cell and wallet on the way. Collapsing onto her knees, Manorama cried out her heart on having Akash rejected her, little knowing that her cellphone was on the whole time.

Manohar clutched his heart, his eyes watering as he overheard the entire rant of his son. No matter what the truth was, Akash had been the apple of his eye. Nothing pained Manohar more than what Akash, even though it was the stark truth, yet he felt sadistically happy on hearing Manorama's cries.

Even if it was cruel, she was getting her just desserts and Manohar would be a thousand times happier if Akash got a blissful life without the Raizadas.

Cutting the call, Manohar closed his eyes.

If losing his son made Akash a man, may it be so.

---

Laxmi Nagar.

The Gupta household.

One that would welcome anybody and make them feel as if they were a part of the family. It was their boon, as well as their bane. For innocent hearts like Khushi not only found a father, mother and sister but also extended families such as an adorable yet crazy aunt. Also for deceptive frauds like Shyam, who with a few sweet words found himself welcomed into this warm family.

They might have had their set of flaws, might have relented to the society but they were honest. These people wore their morals on. Especially the man of the house was truly one to be looked up on. Shashi Gupta had gifted intellect that could even fail the shrewdest of businessmen.

While Garima Gupta had been more relenting to social norms, she was the tying bond between all the members of the family. And as far as the boisterous Bua (aunt) Madhumati was concerned... there was an equal sense of justice in her black and white world. When her niece Khushi was charged with shaming her parents in Lucknow, her Bua hadn't hesitated from alienating her... but on knowing who the real Khushi was, the very same Bua had kept the little butterfly close to her heart. From giving her own, hideous yet precious wedding gown to her butterfly to keeping that little one protected from Shyam's eyes later on... Bua was the sweetheart of the town.

In fact even the neighbours such as the mechanic Happy or the chirpy Preeto - all wore their hearts on their sleeves. From grabbing the older Raizada's cheeks with all their love as he was the adorable younger son in law for the colony or allowing the younger Raizada but the older son in law hold a New Year's date with the wiser Gupta girl in the garage, they all were the generous lot.

It never mattered when the Raizada men marched in with Mercedes and Jeeps into their narrow Laxmi Nagar. Yes, it did create a stir but it was mainly because these were the two men that had stolen the hearts of the most wonderful Gupta sisters. Everyone was eager to know that what did the boys have to whisk away the wise, funny yet beloved girls.

Everyone was simply who they were.

The chatter of happiness or amusing scowls while waiting for the water, the usual yells to the sabziwala (vegetable vendor) across the road or running errands for other neighbours... these spelt happiness for the people out here. Their houses were the size of a garage, yet their arms were wide enough to accommodate the whole world.

Akash stopped a few feet in front of the calm little house. Straightening himself, he walked inside the courtyard of the Gupta house. Courage failed him as memories of his proposal flashed before his eyes.

There she was, the woman of his dreams, bathing in the soft golden glow of fairy lights. Clutching nervously on her red dupatta, her eyes fluttered shut when she sensed him close. Turning swiftly, her eyes widened as he walked towards her. Close enough to feel the warmth of her body, breathe in her fragrance. Anxiety filled him as he tentatively touched her elbow, whispering words which would give away a part of him to her... forever.

It never mattered who he was for Payal nor for the Guptas. The amount of love they had for him as a mere worker in AR simply double because he was a prospective groom for Payal. Being a Raizada had only brought in hesitancies of marrying their simply daughter off to a big family.

How right they were!

----

Payal shot up from bed, hissing in pain as she rubbed a hand over her swollen stomach. Maternal love flooded through her as her baby gave a few more kicks then calmed down to Payal's soothing touches. Adjusting herself gently on the creaky bed, she moaned slightly in pain as her back ached due to pregnancy.

Feeling the slight crusts of dried tears near her eyes, Payal quickly glanced and sighed in relief to see Khushi sleeping next to her. Payal knew that if she was crying, her sister would be up worried all night. Kissing Khushi's forehead gently, Payal continued patting Khushi to a deeper sleep.

The only prayer Payal had was that her child should be a reflection of Khushi. For there was no one better than her sister to emulate. Bringing up the blankets as the temperature dropped, Payal tucked Khushi till the chin and slid out of the mosquito net.

Payal's eyes watered once again as her little sister grabbed tighter onto her floral pillow and dug her face deeper into it, holding on as if her life depended on it. Payal didn't have to be told what the pillow meant for Khushi. Aching for fresh air, Payal fanned herself despite the frigid weather. She knew her brother in law was angry, but she could have sworn the infallible love in his eyes for Khushi.

What had gone wrong?

And to top it all, she had to cry in front of her younger sister! Didn't she know how panicked Khushi would become? Repeating a few words to herself, Payal decided to clear the air to Khushi the next day. Enough, it had been enough on Payal's end to ignore her little sister's worries. It was time she asked Khushi about the dark circles and sobs she failed to hide. Enough of pretending everything was alright when nothing was close to being fine.

Fidgeting with her wedding band, a habit she acquired recently, Payal felt goosebumps rise against her flesh. A silhouette of a man sitting on the steps of her courtyard set her heart racing, even though it was nothing but anticipation. The wedding band dug into her skin but she didn't feel any sting, her eyes were glued to him, like months before.

Just when she fervently hoped he wouldn't turn, Akash looked behind to find Payal staring at him through the window. "Pa.." Before he could complete Payal walked away and pulled the curtains, saddening Akash.

Taking a few tentative steps, Payal unlatched the door and walked towards her husband. Stifling a groan as she bent to tap his shoulder, a startled Akash looked up and held her shoulders in sheer disbelief. "Payal! Baby... I... I am so sorry." He whispered into her neck, taking her in a fierce embrace. Payal blinked back her sudden tears, looking at his hand resting on her protruding belly. However when the stench of alcohol hit her nose as Akash bent to kiss her, Payal pushed him aside and stepped back in disgust.

Akash covered his mouth on seeing Payal's stance, his heart breaking as she placed her palms protectively over her stomach. "I have nothing to give you Akash." Her cold, steel like voice left him speechless. "But I don't want anything Payal." He whispered, wishing for the disbelief to melt away from her eyes. Payal felt her resolve breaking as tears pooled in Akash's eyes, with him backing away from to her due to his inebriated state.

Wiping his tears hastily, Akash bent on his knees and looked at Payal "Please, can I... if you don't mind, just speak with our baby?" A silent sob left her mouth as Akash gently placed his hands on her stomach, whispering sweet nothings to their child. "I am sorry... Papa's not been good but baby I swear that I'll always be next to you. And you won't ever have to be indebted to anyone, you'll truly be our prince or," He paused to press a soft kiss "princess... just like your mamma. Also, you won't be dependent on anyone, not think of anyone to be your God."

Payal recovered from her emotional upheaval and simply stared at Akash. His words, his promises... was he fine? Having had the gift of understanding, Payal gently caressed his head and guided his attention to her "Akashji, are you alright?" Akash abruptly stood up, covering his mouth with his hand to prevent his stale breath and nodded meekly, stepping back when Payal walked towards him.

"Payal, I am drunk and a terrible man. Dd... don't come close to me now Payal. I dd... don't deserve you, don't deserve to be ww... with you." Payal's anger dissolved to concern as she rushed towards him. Grabbing his face, Payal looked into his teary eyes and felt her heart break into two.

How could she fight a man who was defeated?

"Shush... nothing matters Akash, what happened?" Akash blinked a few times, unable to take her forgiving nature and closed his eyes "Nothing Payal." Payal smiled at his inability to lie and caressed his stubbly cheek. "You won't tell your own Payal? Am I a stranger to you now?"

Akash opened his eyes, his heart swelling with the love shining in Payal's eyes. "Payal I..." Payal's smile grew wider as she read him "I know you love me, I know you're sorry. What happened Akash, tell me... please." Payal staggered back slightly as Akash hugged her once again. Even though he was drunk, Payal knew that a good part of Akash was in his senses. Cradling his head gently, Payal found her heart dropping as he incoherently mumbled about his past.

Akash had been eleven years old when he overheard the woman he called Dadi and his bhai, Arnav, fight. "Chote even you know that this Akash was..." A fifteen year old Arnav closed his eyes and nodded.

"He's the reason why my daughter, your maa, is not alive today! Had I known that this was the child Subhadra had taken from the third woman then I would have never allowed Manohar to adopt him... he's such a..."

"Enough Nani!What can be Akash's fault at this? He was just a day old Nani when he was brought into our family. Did you forget what Maa used to say? How can we punish the flowers for the thorns it bears? And mistake, mistake was of our biological father. True, Akash may be Di's and my step brother but he'll always be like that for us. He's the one who keeps Di sane and gives Mama and Mami the happiness of a child they can never have. What more do you..." Arnav stopped abruptly, finding a spectacled, chubby Akash stare at him.

Nani felt guilt seep up her veins as the child blinked a few times and walked upto her, tugging the end of her saree. "Were you both saying anything about me?" Akash lied through his teeth, seeing his brother and grandma sigh in sheer relief.

"Nothing, come I'll help you solve your maths homework. Dividing big numbers is never a trouble." Arnav ruffled Akash's hair and took him to the garden. "Bhai... can you ever forgive me if I do something wrong?" Arnav melted slightly at Akash and took him in a tight hug.

"Akash, God knows what's running in your mind but trust me when I say you're as close to me as my own blood. And your life is mine, okay. Nothing can go wrong in ASR's life."

Akash scratched his nose and smiled at Arnav, then frowned "This ASR or that ASR?" Arnav laughed slightly and shook his head "Does it matter? "

"But everyday I feared that Bhai would blame his mother's death on me. Yet he never did and I simply knew from then on that Bhai can never do anything wrong. Until today Payal, until today. My faith on my brother was nothing but a house of cards. He could have done anything to me and I wouldn't have minded... but using me for a contract? Am I a nothing but a clause Payal?" Akash cried into her shoulder. Payal's blood chilled and heart ached under the weight of her husband's sadness. For a strange reason she didn't even want to know what the contract was or what Arnav had done.

Looking at Akash, Payal gulped. She had misunderstood him, he wasn't spineless... just scared.

----

"A..." Khushi blinked, her eyes heavy with sleep, her body limp with exhaustion. She could hear a few mumbles in the background, loud enough to note the voices of her mother, sister and brother in law.

However, the day's toll had been such that being the human that she was, fatigue pulled her further to sleep. Ah, sleep was such a blissful thing! She could almost imagine her Arnav snuggle into her through the warm covers, wrapping his strong arms around her waist or rubbing his chin gently against her forehead.

Hallucination or sleep deprived, Khushi really didn't care. He was there, the Arnav that always loved her was there. Even though her fingers digging into the fabric was a loud alert of reality, Khushi chose to dream on.

Dream on about the what ifs.

What if Arnav had gently wrapped his coat around her wet, cold body? Apologising for his rash decisions...

What if Arnav had come running after her, letting his ex fiancee go without a heartbreak and apologise to Khushi for the Diwali? Finally, kissing her good enough to steal the daylights out of her.

What if Arnav had stayed to hear on more what Shyam said? Then acted like a good hero, like Salman Khan, punching the hell out of Shyam and taking a scared Khushi into his embrace.

What if Arnav had been the one to have written the message on the mirror instead of his lusty brother in law? Leading to a sweet confession between the aching lovers.

What if Arnav had always believed what Khushi said? Imagining that to have led to a healthy, flirty married life.

What if Arnav and Khushi had been able to successfully run away on the first try from the kidnappers? And finally reach a safe haven where they would have... consummated.

Sighing softly to herself, Khushi drifted to a land where the Arnav kissed on the Diwali night, proposed on the wedding night and lived happily ever after with his crazy but cute Khushi. Yet that one betraying tear told that this time round, Khushi knew that these were nothing but wishful thinking.

----

"Are you feeling better?" Akash smiled slightly as Payal hovered over him, concern etched on her face. "I'm sorry Payal, I swear I won't touch alcohol again." Payal sat beside Akash and took his hand in hers "Promise?"

Still awed at his wife's ability to forgive him, Akash gripped her hand tighter "I promise. And it's not just for this. I promise to give you your respect as well, as my wife." Blinking hard, Payal bit back her tears and was about to hug Akash when her mother walked out.

"Payal who... oh." Garima colored and stepped back as Akash stood up and scratched the back of his neck. Payal looked aside and coughed a little "I'll get some tea."

"Arrey Payal!" Akash called out, chuckling at his embarrassed wife. Turning towards Garima, Akash sobered and stepped back "I am sorry Amma, I just dropped in..." Akash looked up, startled as Garima patted his shoulder like a child "Don't you consider this family as yours? Then why is there a need for apology..."

Garima led Akash towards the sofa, the raw anguish in his eyes disturbing her. Was Payal and Akash's marriage fine? Not being able to keep the words to herself, Garima asked "Beta (son), everything fine, right?You look very, disturbed..." Akash laughed a little and looked at Garima "Is it even visible to you?"

Garima softened at his question and sighed "Pain, may it be of past or present, is always loud enough to be noticed. Is there any way... I mean, the cracks haven't been invisible Beta."

"Why could my mother not understand this then Amma? Oh wait, she was never my mother!" Akash grumbled, muffling his face in his hand while Garima gasped "Beta, I understand differences but never say she's not your moth..."

Akash looked up and shook his head "She isn't. Anyways, what is there to hide from you Amma." Perplexed at Akash's riddles, Garima frowned "Beta I am not being able to understand."

"Arvind Malik has had a line of sins along and I happened to be one of them." Garima's hand flew to her mouth in shock, empathy growing in her as she looked at Akash's sullen face. "Arvind's mother simply wanted to push the blame on you hence she easily stated that you were the reason why Papa and Bhai's Maa committed suicide."

Holding the edge of sofa in disbelief, Garima closed her eyes as the filthy public accusations flashed before her eyes on the day of her younger daughter's wedding. "But you were one amongst the many he had affairs with. An illegitimate child killed them off, not you Amma."

Garima glanced at the idol of her Devi Maiyya (Goddess) and stared at it accusingly. Why, why hadn't the ghosts of their past ceased to die? She had known of Arvind's philanderous ways yet it hurt to see that she wasn't the only one who bore his child. Yet looking at Akash's distraught face she asked, once again, how many more lives could a dead man ruin.

"So I never found it in me to blame you or feel disgusted. You know Amma, I don't even remember how my real mother looked like!You knew Arvind Mallik right, when you got to know about his marriage did you, by chance, get to know the other women of his life? Like did you ever get to see my mother... do you know how she looked? Whether it was even her choice to give me off... or if she was forc..." Garima broke down as Akash stopped abruptly, his voice cracking.

Selfishly a weight lifted off her heart knowing that she wasn't the only one who was trapped under that heinous man's charms. A part of her had been guilty of being beautiful enough to get his attention but today she realised that men like Arvind Malik could never deserve a justification of their actions.

Looking into Akash's distraught eyes, Garima smiled sadly at him.

"I wish I knew."

----

"Hey Devi... Babuji?(father?)" Payal jumped at a faint touch on her elbow and was relieved to find her father, in his wheelchair, stare at her in question. "Is everything fine Payaliya??" A small smile lit on Payal's face as she heard the endearment he rarely used.

Holding her father's hand, Payal sighed "No Babuji... but," She paused to gaze fondly at Akash "soon it will be." Shashi relaxed against his chair, his eyes closing briefly in a prayer. "After what we heard... Akash is..." Shashi hesitated while Payal settled beside him with a lukewarm cup of tea.

"Don't hesitate Babuji. Hiding has never done anything good." Payal stirred a spoon aimlessly in her cup, glancing at her sleeping sister and then at her husband and mother. "Akash is Arnavji's step brother." Payal wasn't surprised by her father's lack of eminent shock.

"I had his doubts on being Manoramaji's son in the first place. Your hello hi bye bye and Payalji seem to be a mile apart relation." Shashi grinned as Payal chuckled along with him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Should we go Babuji? After all they're discussing about a man none of us knew about."

Payal's smile stilled as her father stiffened and then suddenly released a shuddering breath. "It's good you never knew him Payal."

"Ba..."

"Let's go to our rooms. Your mother and husband need some time alone." Shashi turned around, tears pricking at the back of his eyes to see the destruction a single man was capable off. Yet as he caught a glimpse of a lost Garima patting Akash's head, a twinge of jealousy bit him.

Years had passed but that man always had a place in Garima's heart, be it in the form of love or hatred. Arvind Malik would always be her first; her first love, kiss, romance and make lo... Shashi gripped his wheelchair till his knuckles turned white.

The sensible part of him chided him, telling him that he was the sole companion for Garima. But that very thought angered him as well. They were friends, companions, intimate partners during their youth however love... love was something that never happened.

Biting back a snarl, Shashi ignored Payal's confused face as bitter memories flooded back.

The night his and Garima's marriage was to be finalised.

The night he was supposed to confess his love to a woman who accepted him and his six year old daughter.

The night he caught Garima in a heated embrace with Arvind.

The night his dreams shattered.

---

"To simply preserve the bloodline they took me in Amma. I agree my biological father was manipulative but then the Maliks were no less!" Akash snarled, his eyes fluttering shut at Garima's soothing caress.

"Beta, we should be grateful to the Raizada's. They never held anything against you and even let my Khushi marry after knowing that I..." Garima gulped, the memories of her own promiscuous self adding to the guilt.

"We belonged from a very small family yet my father allowed me to roam around at my free will. That's when I bumped into the London return Malik at Sheesh Mahal." Akash listened with rapt attention as Garima continued. "Khushi's amma, Gayatri, told me to stay away from him but little did I listen to her... my fate!" Garima rest her head on her palm, smiling ruefully.

"My marriage was fixed with Payal's Babuji, but I was tempted into the torrid affair Arvind promised. In fact the night my marriage was finalised, I had demanded to marry Arvind on our terrace where he promised me so but... took me physically as a wife rather than," Garima shifted in her seat and looked at the disgust rising in Akash's eyes.

"I know, I may blame my age for my fallacy. I was eighteen while he was well in his thirties but, he never said he was married or that he had two children! The chance of knowing your mother was impossible." Akash nodded in understanding and prodded her to continue.

"It was impossible to leave the Malik family's grasp. Once Arvind's mother got to know about my preg..." Garima stopped abruptly while Akash covered her hand with his.

"Amma, I'll never judge you. If you feel uncomfortable then,"

"No beta, what is there to hide from you? They stole their mother from you and my baby was a stillborn. Yet his mother had the audacity to be with me in my labour and curse me for being a disgrace to the Maliks. She snickered at my ability to produce an heir to the Malik family." Garima crumbled into sobs while Akash remained motionless.

His throat tightened and heart skipped a beat. "Was your baby born on July 1987." Garima looked up, surprised.

"Yes, but how..."

"23 July, 1987?" Akash's voice cracked, emotions overwhelming him.

"Yes..." Garima's hands fell limp as she looked into his eyes. The warm, brown ones startlingly similar to hers. Akash held her shoulders as she collapsed on the floor in sheer disbelief, her shaking fingers running all over his face.

Her... her baby.

Subhadra had lied.

Her child wasn't a stillborn.

---