Sighing loudly catching the attention of his wife who now raising her eyebrows in question he said "will you stop fussing? Everything went well right. Why are you worrying?"

Khushi "Will they be okay? Akash ji was not happy."

Shaking his head at her, he held her hand, squeezing it gently "You can push only so much. Rest is in their hands. They will be okay. Akash loves Payal, he may be angry but he will come around."

Khushi "I just want them to be happy."

Arnav "I know but it is not small thing he came to know. He needs time to accept things. Khushi, Payal may be your sister but supporting your buaji silently is her grave sin. I cannot forgive her for what she did you and our child. And Akash is her husband who feels cheated by her. She could have tried to reach for help to rescue you. She could have come to him for help. What stopped her? Fear for her buaji must not be so big than you, her sister's wellbeing."

Seeing her eyes filling he hugged her "Shhh no more crying. I know it hurts but we need to let it go if we are to move on. I'm not saying to forget our child but think he or she will come to us again in time."

"Sachhi?"

"Mucchi" flickering her nose he smiled "I trust it Jaan, our child will be back to us once again. How can our child be far away from you, a beautiful mother? Our child will fight back to come to us."

"What about you? Our child will be lucky to have you as a father"

"Are you sure?"

"Pakka, you will be best father." Smiling at her conviction he tugged her, as she gave startled gasp he smirked saying huskily "Only few more days Jaan" understanding his words she blushed but stated boldly "I can't wait" Feeling his smile widening at her trying to be bold he kissed her hard leaving them both wanting for more.

Next day Payal came down feeling nervous but determined, Akash ji has left their room even before she opened her eyes from her pitiful sleep. Last night had been terrible, one of the most beautiful night it should have been but it had been worse because of her own fault. After changing to casual clothes Akash ji has slept at the couch leaving her facing his back. She did not even cry lest she anger him some more. No, she knows he is not heartless monster who has set out to hurt his wife. She knows he is angry with her because she failed him. Someone said it right sometimes silence is a big sin. And she had done it and have to accept whatever is happening now gracefully. Only good thing in all the heartache is Akash ji did not set her aside, he had said he wants time and she will do everything in her power to win his trust back for she knows in his heart he still loves her. She did wrong so then it will be she who will right it. She knows whatever happened cannot be reversed how much ever she wishes but she knows she will right it somehow. First, she needs to apologize to Khushi for being weak sister, for failing to protect her and her child, and she have to win her sister whom she lost because of her cowardice, who even now looking out for her wellbeing.

She may have been threatened to stay from her sister but she will not give into those threats. If she needs her sister back she needs to fight. She may have been weak sister but anyone knows or not in her heart she knows she loves Khushi. If she has to win her husband's trust she has to fight. And to fight one should be brave which she had not been earlier but today she is willing to be brave whatever comes in her way to win them back.

Reaching down she saw everyone in the living room except Akash ji, Arnav ji and Khushi. Walking to them she took elders blessing and wished Anjali and Abhay good morning.

Nani "Bitiya, today is your first rasoi rasam. But first let us complete the morning arthi." As they neared the temple in the house she saw Khushi is already there with Arnav beside her. She is arranging plates for Pooja. Just then Akash entered from the side door of the mandir which leads to garden. He was carrying small basket of flowers.

"Here bhabi flowers."

"Thank you, Akash ji" giving him a smile, then she adorned Devi Maya's platform with flowers and kept few of them in Pooja plate. Turning to the people entered just then she raised to her feet and walked to the elders taking their blessing, lastly wishing Anjali and Abhay. She kept silent towards Payal. No one seem to notice it or either they have noticed but chose to be silent.

Nani "Today's arthi Payal bitiya and Akash bitwa will be doing" Akash silently took his place beside Payal, not wishing his family to see the tension between them. Only Arnav, Khushi, and Abhay could see the change in his demeanor. While Arnav and Abhay ignored it Khushi felt bad for her sister. Surely no wife can tolerate the ignorance from her husband.

Once the Pooja finished the family moved towards the living room. Nani turning to Payal "bitiya breakfast is getting ready, you just have to make sweet for everyone as per ritual."

Payal "Ji Nani" the elder lady gestured to Anjali who took the cue and led Payal to the kitchen. Walking inside Anjali said "Payal ji, did you think what you are going to make in sweet?"

Payal "Ji, I'm going to make caramel kheer."

Anjali raised her eyebrows hearing her answer, shrugging she showed the ingredients Payal will be needing to make the Kheer. Anjali "if you need help please don't hesitate and ask me. I'll be nearby."

"Ji"

Anjali turned to go but then stopped telling "haan I forgot to tell please make some sugar free kheer for Arnav."

Payal "Ji Anjali ji I'll not forget to make sugar free one for Arnav ji" smiling at her sister in law Anjali left the kitchen. Payal as soon as Anjali left started making Kheer, hoping everyone will like it especially her husband. And her sister who loves caramel.

Everyone settled down in their seats, Payal looked at them and then at the entrance to the dining room looking out for her sister and Arnav. Anjali noticing her "Kya hua Payal ji? Whom you are searching?"

Nani "haan beta, everyone is settled please serve the kheer but first to your husband"

Payal "Woh Naniji Arnav ji aur Khushi?"

Akash glared at her from his place, whereas everyone else felt uncomfortable, Mama ji answered her "They said they will have little later. Khushi bitiya has not yet taken her medicine and only half an hour later she can consume her food."

Payal "Oh" was all she could say, it did not go unnoticed his voice held apologetic note and it did not take high IQ brain to know they both did not come to eat because of her. Anjali cheerfully said changing the topic "Please Payal ji start serving the kheer it smells wonderful and I'm sure it will be tasty"

Giving her small smile she started serving everyone. Everyone praised the sweet dish and gifted her as per the ritual. Even then she could not feel be sad and disappointed because two most important people of her life did were not among them, Akash ji and Khushi.

Everyone started leaving when Payal started preparing breakfast tray, noticing it Maami ji asked "hello hi bye bye what are you doing?"

"woh maa ji I'm taking breakfast for Arnav ji and Khushi. Surely it is already past half an hour and it is not good for Khushi to delay taking her food after having those medicine"

"But......"

"Manorama let her do it" Nani ji stopped her daughter in law from whatever she was going to say. Rolling her eyes Maami ji left to her room.

Nani "You go bitiya." Giving the elder lady a grateful smile, she took the tray and left the dining room. Akash looked at Abhay in helpless anger surely his brother is not going to be happy. Both of them left behind Payal to stop her but they were too late as Payal had disappeared into the corridor leading to Arnav and Khushi's room.

His anger mounting as he saw Payal walking inside their room, for surely, he would have blasted if not for Khushi holding his hand from saying anything. Payal straightened after keeping the tray on the table "I've brought your breakfast. Dadi ji said Khushi has to take medicine that is why you both did not come down. And it is already past the time she should take her food. So, I brought it here. And Khushi I've made your favorite Kheer. Please have it."

"You don't have to bother about my wife. I'm there to take care of her. And are you trying to complete what was left in your home now. Don't even think I'll let you harm my wife"

Payal paled hearing him, while Khushi whispered in pained voice "Arnav ji"

"No Khushi who knows she has added poison in that kheer she made so sweetly for you"

"Arnav ji please.......jiji....."

"Khushi please don't take her side. I'll not forgive for what she done to you. Nor I trust her"

Akash and Abhay had heard everything who walked inside the room. Glaring at Payal, trying to control his anger he bit out firmly "I told you to stay away from bhabi. Can't even you understand the simple thing Payal? Just stay away means stay away."

Her eyes welling, she left the room, Khushi looked at her in pity as she watched her going. She could understand her husband and his anger towards her sister but he has been too hurtful.

Akash turning to Arnav "Sorry bhai bhabi" saying it he too left their room. Abhay "Arnav you were too harsh on her. You know as well she can be coward but she is not murderous."

Arnav "Stop it Abhay she was giving Khushi those harmful medicine"

Abhay "Which do you think she would have known it? Seeing him silent he went on "I'm sure she does not else I know whatever little bit of her to say she cannot kill anyone?"

Arnav snorted at that and said "she is one among them who killed our child and she deserves every word I said. As I said I don't trust her. She can be daughter in law of this house, can be wife to my brother, and can have whatever relation with the family but to me and Khushi she is nothing." With that he walked out of the room bellowing for HP.

Abhay sighed as he looked at Khushi worried "I just hope his hatred towards Payal does not become a big hurdle in Akash and Payal's relation as it is they are already very fragile." Patting her head, he too left from there leaving Khushi in turmoil. Hey Devi Maya is it too much to ask for peace and happiness in my family.

Washing her face clean of any strains of tears, adjusting her make up Payal left her room after HP had informed her Dadi ji is asking for her. Nani saw her coming down and smiled "see she is here" only then she noticed her buaji sitting at another couch. She did not realize it until she turned to look her way.

Nani "Your bua ji has come to take you for phag phera betiya." Turning to HP who has come with the gifts "here take this"

Bua ji "Arey this was not needed"

"Asey kaise nahiin Bua ji. It is necessary." Bua ji just smiled at Anjali. Turning to Payal "chale betiya your mother and father are waiting eagerly for you."

Nani "Betiya Akash bitwa will come and get you in evening."

"Ji Dadi ji" she took her and Maami ji's blessing, smiling at Anjali she turned to walk with Bua ji when Arnav had just then walked down the stairs talking in phone. Bua ji stood pale as he noticing them glared at her murderously. Saying him a nervous leave taking she left the house in speed walk hoping her niece is following her.

Arnav just left from there to kitchen calling HP, Maami ji raising her eyebrows "Don't know why sasuma Arnav bitwa looks at these Gupta's as he will burn them alive. Bhat (What) did they do to earn his wrath"

Nani could only look thoughtful as she too had noticed the exchange between her grandson and Madhumathi. Anjali "Maami ji leave it na, you know Arnav. He will take every small mistake as a big sin."

Maami ji "Par......"

Anjali shaking her head "Chaliye Maami ji we are getting late for your parlor appointment"

"Hello hi bye bye main toh bhool gayi thi. Wait a minute bitiya I'll just go and bring my purse" As the elder watched Anjali and Manoram walking towards their room she could not shake away the thing bothering her as too little. Surely something big has happened which has led to all these changes between Arnav-Khushi and Gupta's.

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