Welcome to this new three shot book. This has been revolving around my mind since last few months. I had refrained myself enough to not start a new book until my other books ends. But can't help, when my mind was not ready to move on from this plot. So here another new TS from my bucket.

Don't forget to hit the yellow 🌟 on all chapters and share your opinions. Your single vote and simple comment means a lot. It is the main driving force to give words to thoughts.

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Death silence prevailed inside the shantivan, providing peace like it's name. But the difference is, it's calm after the storm or Is it calm before storm? Only time will tell.

"Arnav bhaiyya coffee..." HP voice broke the stillness of the atmosphere yet it didn't broke Arnav's stance. He quietly took the coffee without even looking at anything.

The hot liquid seeped down through his parched throat did burn his oesophagus but his expressionless face didn't gave away anything. Perhaps he wouldn't felt anything.

HP looked at him with hesitation. As a loyal servant of shantivan for years, he knows what's happening in this house and the seriousness of the issue. In fact he's guilty to say understatement. Pushing back those thoughts he called his master again.

"Bhaiyya... "

Arnav raised his head and met his eyes wryly.

"Bhaiyya... Nobody has taken their breakfast yet. If you tell them... they would've... I mean bhaiyya, this day is important, I know. But food is also important to survive. If you all want to face this day then you all need to be strong not only on emotional front but also physical strength is much needed. Please bhaiyya..."

Unsurprisingly, Arnav didn't give any expression on taking advice from HP. He plainly nodded. This is what happening in that house from past two days. The house is no less than looking like mourning on someone's death. HP sighed wearily and left to arrange breakfast. When none of the family is in the state to look after themselves it's his duty to remind their schedule.

Arnav kept the half empty mug on the tea table and left to Nani room. He reminded himself about his responsibility towards the family. He entered Nani room without knocking  which is listed under some basic mannerisms of both ASR and Arnav who follows strictly, has broken his own rule.

"Nani... Have breakfast. I asked HP to serve." His words come out impassive as his face.

Nani looked at him bluntly "This is only left now."

"Please Nani..."

The hidden vulnerability beneath his impassive tone is not easily ignorable by Nani. She stretched her hand cueing him to come near her. His knees trembled. His obscure began to break piece by piece. If anyone who can give solace to him at this moment then it's only Devayani Singh Raizada who has that grip on his heart.

He got hold of her extended hand and moved forward to laid his head on her lap.

"She refused to see me. I... I waited outside whole day to get a glimpse of her. She refused Nani. Won't I meant anything to her? Won't I make everything alright for her? Why is she behaving like this? I can't take it. I can't take her ignorance. I can't see her behind the bars. I can't..." The dam which packed of roller coaster emotions broke by soothing caress of his Nani on his head. There hasn't have any tears left in her system to shed. She already shed all her tears and blood. Now only few is left for her to survive.

"She refused to meet me too chotte. She refused to meet anyone from the family. Does that mean, we are nothing to her?"

"No..." His low voice reminded of her small Arnav. Memories are always good to remember than present. But if some memories contain negative aspects then it's better to not think of it.

"Same applies to you chotte. You mean to her. She's in trauma. It's our duty to get her out and cure her." Arnav nodded meekly.

"Khu..."

"ASR can make everything alright, aren't he?"

Arnav bobbed his head and slowly lifted his head from her lap. Nani words boosted his inner strength which was much needed at the moment.

Nani cupped his cheeks fondly "You bring Khushi betiya down, I'll tell everyone to have breakfast and then we can go to court." He gave a grateful look. His half anxiety already flew away. Maybe this is why family is important. They'll stand by you in your hard times. Sometimes, family itself become a headache which is another case.

He hugged her unexpectedly for a brief time before left to his room. Nani wiped her tears. Hoping against hope she set her foot on the floor. If her words did magic on him, his determined eyes at last gave her the strength, strength to fight against the dark clouds which surrounded her family once again.

.
.
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Except the mild sound of wind chimes, there isn't anything which shows human presence around the place. Arnav sighed heavily seeing the empty room. This is happening from last two days, the women who run to him sensing his presence always is now not even acknowledging him if he even throw his arm over her shoulder or hug her. His legs automatically took him to the place where she resides almost all the day.

Leaning her back on the poolside wall, she is busy watching the water in the pool, folding her arms around her knees. He closed his eyes for a brief time. He don't know why it always them to face the hardship.

"Khushi..."

She didn't looked up at him like she always does. Her twinkling eyes didn't met him, in fact the twinkle is erased from her eyes as if it was never there in the first place.

"It's time for breakfast."

Silence is what he got as reply. In this last two days, he learnt what patience is. Even though, he's not in the state to console the family as he himself is broken, he didn't marred his fear and worries under the mask of angry.

"We've to reach court before 10 a.m. If you want to come, then come down for breakfast." He said with all the calmness on the world that, if anybody heard his voice will conclude there's some ghost entered into ASR soul.

"I am not hungry. I... I will come to court." She answered not meeting his eyes.

"I'll not eat unless you take your food."

Her posture shifted after brief time. She rubbed her temple and steal a quick glance at him before stood up to walk downstairs. No words exchanged after that. Earlier at least they can read the other through eyes. Now that seems impossible to Arnav as Khushi is not meeting his eyes. They drifted apart in this two days more than they were distanced in their hate encounters. Arnav has no choice but to quietly follow her to dining table.

The atmosphere at the air conditioned dining room is thickened with tense. No one had the guts to break the sheer silence and initiate a conversation. Their hands played with food and they ate it for a namesake. In once and all, the mansion is confined with gloominess.

***

"See her Ragini. She's the new one in the list." A girl around mid thirties murmured to the girl next to her.

Ragini stuffed mouthful of paan and roamed her eyes over the women infront of her.

Ragini twisted her mouth at the women appearance "Fair in colour, chubby cheeks, threaded eyebrows, soft skintone, looks like she's from high-class family. As far as I know money speaks more than anything. Then why is she still here in this police prison?"

"You're absolutely right. You know what, she killed her husband. She even refused to meet her family members."

"Waah... She killed her husband. I heard these high class people changes their partners like they changes their dresses, but I am seeing it for first time... Tsk... Tsk... We can't blame her rakki, She must be tired of him."

"You're right Ragini. These people have no heart... See na, there isn't any guilt on her face. She's sitting there as if she achieved something and feeling proud of her actions."

The object of their gossip heard everything as both ladies voices are considerably high.

Rakkhi who was about to start another round of gossip session stopped saying in midway, as the women whom they gossiped limbing towards them making her way.

"Yes, I am proud of what I did." Declared she looking straight into the ladies eyes.