"That woman is none other than Garima Gupta and the result of her illegitimate affair with Arvind is their illegitimate daughters Payal and Anjali. " Dadi revealed shocking those who didn't know and those who knew threw disgusting looks at her.

Garima who was tired of pretending looked at them with a smile.

"Well I guess there is no need pretending.... And for your kind information... I don't regret what happened....(turning to Dadi) My daughters maybe illegitimate to you and the world but Arvind loved them more than your so called legitimate grandson..... My daughters were conceived out of love but your grandson was conceived out of a drunk night of Holi..... (Turning to Arnav) "it's your responsibility and duty to take care of your sisters and give them the life they were deprived of because of your birth..... Forget what they did..... All my Anju wanted was to be the center of the world but instead you chose this orphan garbage (pointing to Khushi) " Come out of her spell and start performing you responsibility to your sisters. " Garima said without any remorse or guilt.

She then moved to Anjali and held her hand and moved closer to Payal and also held her hand and joined them together and said in tears.

"Am sorry Anju..... I didn't mean for things to go like this..... If Arnav hadn't been born then we would have been happy with your father..... It's all his fault that you and Payal lost out on a perfect life with Arvind but don't worry..... You and Payal will go back to being Malik princesses and rule this house like the queens you both are. "

They say blood is thicker than water and the blood flowing in both daughters was that of a vulgar woman and man who didn't regret their evil deeds. Anjali and Payal were over joyed that at least they were half sisters of Arnav. They nodded to their mother words and hugged her as the others looked on in pure disgust and anger at the shamelessness of the trio.
Garima broke the hug and asked Anjali and Payal to go and hug Arnav and like fools blinded by greed did just that but they were in for a surprise when immediately they were about to hug Arnav. He held their necks and squeezed it in a deadly choke making both sisters gasp for air.  Garima panicked and moved closer to her daughters to save them but was held by Rohan.

"Arnav stop it..... You are hurting your sisters...... " Garima pleaded in tears. And Arnav let them go and so did Rohan.

Garima immediately moved over to his daughters who were gasping for air and hugged them. They looked up at Arnav to see him taking predatory steps towards them and they cowered in fear at the murderous look in his eyes.

"The three of you including Arvind Malik were responsible for I and my mother's pain and sorrow and you have to pay for it.... And death is the easiest way out.... I will torture all of you to an extent that you will beg me to kill you. " Arnav said in a deadly tone and called out to his bodyguards who rushed in.

"Take these filthy trash out of here and lock them up in the abandoned basement without any food or water for two days...... I will decide what to do with them later. " Arnav said to them and they dragged the screaming and yelling trio away but when they were almost out Akash stopped them and asked the guard holding Garima to come closer to him. The guard looked at Arnav for permission and a confused Arnav nodded in agreement.

Akash moved closer to Garima and whispered in her eyes.

"Bhai is not the only one ready to punish you..... Your promiscuity snatched my Ratna maa away from me..... She was the only motherly love I had in my life and you snatched her way from me.... So be prepared to watch Payal die..... I will make sure she will also kill herself and that too with you watching..... And that is a promise of a son who lost his mother. "

Garima shivered at the coldness coming from Akash and she looked into his bloodshot eyes and knew he was dead serious.
The guards then dragged a screaming Anjali, Payal and Garima away.

Arnav then turned to Nani who was sitting on the couch in shock with Mami sitting beside her. He moved closer and pulled a stool and sat on  it facing Nani who raised her head to look at an emotionless Arnav and it broke her heart.

"I have always wanted to ask you these questions for years now and this is the perfect time for that..... Since the day you came back from Sheesh Mahal all you did was partial with me..... You didn't even care whether I have eaten are not..... You had enough money to support me educationally but refused, it was Mama who supported me financially after we were kicked out..... You always bought Anjali all the useless and expensive things she asked you but scolded me if I even asked you money for books..... I remember when I was twenty you gave Anjali all of you and Nanu's properties when Mama was the rightful person you had to give it to..... Even when a year later Anjali lost everything in a Ponzi scheme, you didn't even scold her for it but rather blackmail me a student to work and send money home..... You always wanted to impose Anjali's whims on us and made us all her slave..... Why Nani?....Why did you hate me soo much?..... Why is that you were always partial with me?..... Why is that you never respected my choice but always respected Anjali's no matter how ridiculous it was.... Why Nani?."
Arnav asked a crying Nani.

"I did that because I thought you were not my grandson. " An ashamed and crying Nani replied shocking everyone.

"What are you talking about Devi?.... Why will you think chote is not your grandson? " Dadi asked in shock.

"I thought that way because I heard someone say it..... After I found out about Ratna's death and how Anjali and chote were kicked out on the street, I was furious and filled with rage especially the poor and dangerous conditions I found my grandkids.....so I decided to confront you thinking you did this together with your son and asked Manohar to drive me to Sheesh Mahal" Nani replied

Flashback begins.

"Maa..... Don't you think you are wrong about Sumi maa..... She loves Ratna more than her own sons and will never be behind Anjali and chote's eviction out of the palace. " Manohar said.

"All I know is she didn't inform me of Anjali's marriage and then my only daughter's death..... I had to find out from friends about Ratna's death and Arvind's infidelity..... " Nani replied in tears and Manohar stop asking her anymore question or tried to make her see reason.

After a few minutes they got to Sheesh Mahal and entered. The once colorful palace was now dull and dark with no one around. Nani and Manohar moved in but was stopped by a familiar voice. The moved closer to find Anant sitting on the couch with a woman on his lap drinking alcohol.

She was about to call him since his and the lady's back was facing them but the words that came out of his mouth shocked him her and halted her in her step.

"Poor Ratna..... She has been raising and loving the child of his husband and mistress all these years without her knowledge... The shock of finding out her child was stillborn and switch with the child of Arvind and his mistress together with his infidelity drove her so mad that she killed herself and Arvind realising he loves Ratna and not that whore killed himself leaving me rich (Anant and the lady then laughed like hyenas) And now my mother is also gone never to bother me again. " Anant said and kissed the woman and they started making out.

A broken hearted Nani run out with Manohar trailing behind her.

"Manohar..... Please take me out of this place..... I don't want to stay her anymore. " A crying and shocked Nani said and Manohar did just that. And drove out of SM.

"It all makes sense now. " Nani said.

"What makes sense? " A confused Manohar asked.

"Arnav is the child of Arvind Malik and his mistress. " Nani replied making Manohar halt the car.

"What is wrong with you Maa..... How can you say something like that.... Can't you see Arnav has my sister's eyes, nose and lips..... And so does his jawline except its more prominent..... And don't tell me you believe that Anant. " Manohar said

"It's the truth Manohar.... He is the son of a whore.... That's why Arvind never loved him... He was a reminder of his infidelity and I will kick in out of our life. " Nani exclaimed.

"Don't you dare maa..... Arnav is my sister's son and will stay with us whether you like it or not..... This secret stays between us..... You are so blinded with hurt and rage that you are failing to see that his features are prove that he is our blood.... I know this in my heart and you better stay away from the idea if kicking him out.... He is already broken because of Ratna's death. " Manohar said sternly.

"But don't expect me to love that illegitimate child or support him emotionally or financially..... " Nani said in a matter of fact.

"You don't worry.... I will support my nephew.... And I hope one day you don't regret this..... " Manohar said.

"I won't..... The only one who will regret this will be you raising the reason for you sister and my daughter's death. " Nani said

And Manohar drove back to their house.

Flashback ends.

"That's why I never supported or loved you...... I thought it was you instead of  Anjali..... " Nani said in tears.

"Papa was right that you will regret this.... And you go the worst of all punishment.... The punishment of having your own great grandson's blood on your hands for supporting  Anjali..... You made us all her puppets and slave.... I feel disgusted of myself... If I had known Anjali had plotted to kill Khushi..... I would have stopped her..... I know I am a coward and I have myself to blame thinking if I was obedient to my mother she will give me the motherly love I always craved for after Ratna maa's death...... What I didn't know was it was going to be my doom.... I was so blind for a motherly love that I forgot I had all the love in the world and that was my bhai and Papa's love " A broken Akash said making Mami and Nani cry.

Everyone was having tears in their eyes. The death of Ratna not only impacted the life of Arnav but Akash as well.
Dadi went over to Akash and hugged him, he then started crying. Arnav was shocked at Akash's love for his mother. He knew Akash love his mother but not to this extent. Not only his life was destroyed because of his mother's suicide but Akash life was somehow destroyed as well. He stood up from the stool. And moved over to them, Dadi broke the hug when he saw Arnav coming close Arnav stood in front of Akash who had his head bowed and placed his hand under Akash's chin and raised his head. And wiped his tears with his other hand.
Akash the hugged Arnav and he also reciprocated.

"Please forgive bhai..... Am so sorry.... Please forgive. " Akash pleaded in between sobs and tears.

"Shhh..... It's alright.... But you have to earn my forgiveness. " Arnav said and broke the hug and Akash looked at him with a smile on.

"I will work hard to earn you forgive. " Akash exclaimed in happiness and started kissing Arnav all over his face.

"What the..... Akash let go of me and stop kissing me like that.... Only Khushi has the right to kiss me like that. " Arnav said and everyone burst out in laughter and Khushi stood there blushing heavily at Arnav's comment.

"But bhai..... It's brother love. " Akash said.

"Yeah.... But it's too much..... You are lucky Aarushi is asleep or else she would have turned you into ashes with just her glare. " Arnav in the moment revealed Aarushi's existence.

"Who is Aarushi? " Akash asked and that's when Arnav realised he had revealed the existence of his daughter. He knew since they will all be living together there was no need to hid it anymore.

"Aarushi is I and Khushi's daughter. " Arnav replied shocking Akash, Mami, Madhumati, Nk and Nani.

"But bhai.... Khushiji's child was a boy and you have a girl... And the baby died right.... Am confused? " Akash said scratching the back of his head.

"Khushi was carrying twins.... A boy and a girl.... Our boy died because he was born with a weak heart and lung but our baby girl survived...... He was the one affected by the drugs given to Khushi because of his position in her womb. " Arnav explained making Akash sad and the guilt of Nani and Mami increased. But were happy that one of the babies survived but then they knew Arnav will never allow them near her.

"Bhai.... Am sorry for you and bhabi' loss. " Akash said.

"Don't be Akashji.... It's not your fault but the fault of those witches and some people here. " Khushi said eyeing Nani, Mami and Madhumati who was crying in regret and self hate for supporting Anjali,Payal and Garima.

Arnav then turned to Nani, Mami and Madhumati.

"I came back for my revenge.... And you three are all included... Stay away from my family.... If I find you trying in anyway to get closer to my wife ,daughter and family.... I will not think twice in killing you all understood. (And they nodded) " Mami and Madhumati will still do their assigned work and as for you Mrs Raizada  you are free to do whatever you want.... After all your punishment is you own forever stained conscience which I know you still have.... But don't mistake this as my forgiveness because I will never forgive  a murderer like you. " Arnav said and asked them to leave.

They were about one leave when the door bell rang. Everyone looked at each other.

"Is anyone expecting someone. " Aman asked as he moved to open the door and they all shook their head.

Aman opened the door to find an unknown man there. He was about to ask his business here when Khushi voice beat him to it.

"Abhishek! "

He looked up want was shocked to see  Khushi and Arnav standing there.

"OMG.... They are alive.... How is this possible.... Arnav is supposed to be dead in the blast Payal set up for him and Payal told me Khushi had died a long time back.... Payal you have a lot of explaining to do. " Abhishek mumbled

"What did you say? " Aman who was closer to him asked.

"Nothing...." Abhishek smiled nervously which didn't go unnoticed by everyone.

"What are you doing here Abhishek? " Shashi asked sternly not liking his presence her.

"I.... I... I..... Payal asked me to find her a job a few weeks ago and I found one for her and tried to call her but her phone is out of reach so I came here to tell her. " Abhishek replied nervously.

"Payal doesn't live here anymore.... She run away with her lover a few days ago after stealing a huge sum of money from us.... So please leave." Akash lied shocking everyone and Abhishek had no other choice than to leave.

When he was gone, everyone turned to Akash for answers.

"Akashji......what was all that about? ..... And why did you lie to Payal' s ex?  Khushi asked and the others who didn't know who the man was was shocked to hear he was Payal's ex. Akash who knew he could not longer keep this secret anymore revealed it.

"He is not only Payal's ex but his lover as well (everyone gasped in shock but wasn't surprised after all it runs in the blood) They have been lover for years now and I found out about it a week ago when I scrolled through Payal's WhatsApp chats only to find some disgusting pictures of them in different intimate positions and out of anger I broke her phone and told her it dropped on the floor by accident. " Akash replied.

And everyone felt sorry for him. He may be a coward but he doesn't deserve this.
Nk who was long forgotten moan in pain.

"Aman take him and Madhumati to the hospital and have them treated.... But make sure to take as many guards with you to guard them so that they don't escape and immediately Nk is fit to leave the hospital.... Contact Mr Roy and have him extradite Nk back to Australia. " Arnav said shocking Nk.

He looked at Khushi for help but all he got was a look of pure destain and disgust. He knew he had lost his best friend forever and accepted his fate.

A furious Abhishek was driving carelessly cursing Payal. He felt used.

"You will pay dearly for this Payal.... So all this while you had a lover and like a fool I waited for you but you didn't show up.... I gathered all the courage to come to Shantivan for answers only to find out you run away with other lover.... I will kill you Payal..... That I promise. " Abhishek said in anger as he drove to his house.

To be continued.

Am out of good ideas on how to punish Payal, Anjali and Garima.
So please suggest a good punishment for them in an inline comment. And please no jail.

Don't forget to hit the ⭐🌟⭐🌠⭐ button and comment.

Bye for now.

xoxoxo.