"What are you doing here? " Payal asked with her face marring confusion and shock but Khushi rolled her eyes at her.

"Hello hi bye bye what's going on here. " Mami exclaimed staring in between the sisters suspiciously as the others looked on eagerly waiting for answers.

"She is here in her husband's house...... Her house. " A voice familiar to Payal but unfamiliar to the family except Khushi and Arnav replied clearly in anger.

Payal turned and was stunned to see Preeto staring at her in disgust as she walked towards a shocked Payal.

She was surprised seeing the Preeto who was always in traditional outfits wearing an office wear and looking elegant but then she remembered Preeto had a prestigious job in the city.

"Yes....... He is her husband. " Preeto reiterated pointing at Arnav and Payal turned to stare at him.

She looked down at Arnav's hand and saw him wearing a gold ring and khushi's ring finger graced with an emerald and diamond encrusted ring.

"You would have known about him or the fact that Khushi was married if you weren't busy playing the puppet of your narcissistic mother and aunt. "

Payal's eyes teared up hearing the accusation Preeto threw at her.

"I never supported them. " Payal retorted in a broken voice.

"But your silence regarding their abuse towards Khushi made you a culprit. " This time it was Arnav who spoke up and Payal shook her head as tears streamed down her face.

"Am sorry Khushi....... I really am...... I tried contacting but your number no longer existed and babuji refused to give me your contact...... I tried with Preeto's mother but she refused to give me Preeto's number as I suspected you were together....... I really tried Khushi. "

Khushi felt the sincerity in her voice but she wasn't going to fall for it anymore.

She was done being naive and easily forgiving and Arnav smiled feeling proud of her standing her ground.

She turned to Arnav and handed the tray to him.

"I hope you don't mind me using your study....... I and Preeto have some business to discuss before we leave."

Arnav shook his head and Khushi signalled Preeto to follow her and she threw an angry look at Payal before following Khushi.

Payal stood in the middle of the living room shaking and in tears.

Akash rushed towards her and held her shoulders leading her to the sofa.

He took the sarees from her and called out to HP to bring water.

Payal gulped down the water and smiled, thanked Akash as she handed the glass to him and he blushed.

This didn't sit well with Mami but Nani and Manohar smirked as Anjali and Shyam stared at her in disgust.

"Am sorry for what happened....... I was supposed to deliver these sarees to you Mrs Raizada. " Payal uttered in a broken voice trying her best to control her emotions.

"You must be Khushi's sister? " Nani asked and Payal shook her head no which confused Nani until she heard what Payal said.

"Sisters protect....... Sisters defend and if possible kill for their siblings....... I watched in silence because of my inferiority complex........ I don't deserve to be called her sister. "

Nani and Manohar smiled loving her honesty but Mami threw a disgusted look at her as Anjali and Shyam rolled their eyes.

"Your sarees look really beautiful...... It been so long since I had beautifully embroidered and printed Lucknow sarees....... I will take them all. " Nani uttered joyfully and Payal smiled and thanked her.

She pulled out the rest and they looked beautiful but Mami who was annoyed seeing Akash drooling at Payal chided in.

"Hello hi bye bye....... What if it's fake?...... You know these middle class people are not trust worthy. "

Payal's eyes widened in shock as Manohar closed his eyes and fisted his hand to control  himself.

Nani and Akash glared at her but she twitched her mouth annoyed and looked away.

"You mean like you. " Mami gasped in shock hearing Arnav who was munching on his toast as he walked up to them and sat on the sofa facing Mami who was staring at Arnav.

"Mami, you were middle class when you married Mamaji....... Jijaji is also middle class....... Does that mean you two are fake and untrustworthy? "

"What nonsense is this chote?...... How dare you accused Shyamji like that...... I don't recognize you anymore. " Anjali chided almost on the verge of tears.

"Stop twisting your brothers words. " Nani retorted shocking Anjali seeing Nani support Arnav instead of her like she always does. "Your aunt was the one making assumptions when she is even lower class than Payal here........ She was a maid and didn't even have a dime to her name......... Your husband her is middle class and a common lawyer who can't even take care of you and without chote's money, you will be living in a slum. " Shyam felt so insulted and fisted his hand to control his emotions." You want respect for your husband but didn't say anything when she was disrespecting Payal who is family whether you like it or not. " Nani turned to Payal and folded her hand. "Forgive me dear....... People in our house clearly have misplaced logics. "

"Please don't do that....... I should be the one apologizing...... I was the one who disturbed your peaceful morning....... Am sorry and I will take my leave now...... Please here is the number to send the money for the saree to...... All the prices are on it. " Payal said standing up as she pulled a card from the bag and handed it to Nani. "Please don't hesitate to send back any of the sarees you don't like........ Here is my personal number too. "

Nani smiled and nodded and she turned to Akash who was still drooling at Payal and an idea hit her.

"Akash drop Payal beta home and I won't take no for an answer. " Nani said cutting Payal who was about to refuse off.

Akash over enthusiastically jumped to the chance to know Payal more.

"She will make a fine wife for Akash....... She just need a little polishing and Khushi's forgiveness........ I will definitely what to meet the great man who raised such sweet girls. " Nani thought staring at Akash and back to Manohar who winked at his mother

Mami didn't like this as she knew what Nani was up to but seeing her husband glaring at her, she shut up immediately.

Arnav stared at what was happening in awe at how changed the people around them were becoming.

Nani who was always Anjali's number one supporter was now opposing and reprimanding her even in front of others.

He doubted Nani's suggestion and stand about Anjali and Shyam bit now he was convinced Nani is indeed serious.

Akash who was always quiet was now outspoken and more expressive and his uncle who always tolerated Mami's tantrums was now reprimanding her.

Arnav felt Khushi's presence and looked up to find her standing upstairs looking stunned as a confused Preeto stood by her staring.

She saw Preeto tap her shoulder and they walked away.

"God, I don't know if this is good or bad but please let us get justice for ourselves soon....... I can't wait to leave here and start a fresh whether with Khushi or not. " Arnav thought as he ate his breakfast.

Laxmi Nagar.

Payal entered the house to find Shashi and Happy Singh laughing on the porch.

She greeted them and Happy Singh enthusiastically responded but Shashi ignored her which hurt her but she knew she deserves if for what she did.

She entered the living room to find Garima and buaji drinking tea and watching television with the house still half tidy like she left it after cleaning.

Buaji beamed seeing the empty bag and Garima marred her expression seeing the same.

"Mrs Raizada has promised to send the money to your account. " Payal uttered looking defeated as she threw the bag on the floor and walked away leaving the Buaji confused but Garima rolled her eyes.

"Hey nandkishore, what's wrong with her?...... To think she will be happy seeing us getting a new rich client will make her happy. " Buaji exclaimed.

"She is like this because of Khushi...... Instead of thinking about her life and helping us, she is more concerned about getting that's girls forgives....... Look at how she started at me in disgust in the train when I was berating Khushi for ruining her life. " Garima exclaimed in anger and disgust which made Buaji sigh.

Unknown to them, Shashi heard everything and he was shocked hearing Payal say the name Raizada.

"Is this Raizada the same in laws of Khushi?...... Is that why Payal looked more defeated than she was when she left....... I have to find out. " Shashi thought and he walked towards Payal's room.

He was about to knock when he saw the door opened and pushed or a little.

He heard sobbing and knew Payal was crying.

He moved closer to find her hugging a photo frame to her chest and sobbing.

Payal jerked seeing her father and put the frame away as she hurriedly wiped her tears and smiled at Shashi whose eyes was on the frame which had the picture of Khushi and Payal when they were young.

Shashi turned and walked to the door, locked it and walked up and sat on the bed tapping beside him.

Payal sat down and started fidgeting with blouse.

Shashi held her hand stopping her and she looked up at her father with tears in her eyes.

"Did you see Khushi? "

Payal's eyes widened in shock realising her father knew and Shashi also realised the Raizada she was talking about was Khushi's in laws.

"I met her and her husband which I presume you know. " Payal said and Shashi nodded as he watched the hurt flash in her eyes.

"I know about her husband and her marriage....... They seperate because of his fear of commitment....... They are working to see if they can make their marriage work........ I doubted your repentance but seeing how you kept the truth from your aunt and mother, I believe you and I am going to help you win your sister over but be warned, if you dare betray her or me, I will disown you. "

Payal smiled through her tears and hugged Shashi who reciprocated.

"Thank you so much babuji. " Payal cried out and babuji broke the hug and cupped her face and kissing her forehead as he heard the washing machine bing.

"Come and help me dry my clothes. "

Payal nodded enthusiastically and promised to always do things with her father so that they can bond like he and Khushi did.

Garima and Buaji were surprised seeing Payal helping Shashi dry his clothes and chatting but they couldn't hear what they were talking about.

Payal who was deep in conversation with Shashi felt a haze and she turned looking around until her eyes fell on a familiar face.

Akash was standing by Happy's garage staring affectionately at her but instead of it creeping her out or her feeling uncomfortable, she felt peace and warmth which shocked her.

Shashi who saw his daughter distracted followed his gaze and saw Akash staring at Payal.

He immediately went into protective dad mode and moved blocking their gaze from each other.

Akash deduced he was Shashi, the foster father whom Khushi speaks so highly off and Payal's father.

Shashi walked up to him with Payal nervously following him.

"May or help you young man? " Shashi asked sternly with his hand behind his back as Akash smiled nervously stretching put his hand but Shashi stared at them and back to Akash who gulped pulling his hand away and adjusted his spectacles.

"Babuji, he is Akash Singh Raizada, Khushi's brother in law and he was the one who dropped me here on the order of Mrs Devyani Singh Raizada, Jijaji's grandmother. " Payal revealed and Shashi smiled and relaxed.

He stretched out his hand and Akash immediately shook it.

Shashi thanked him for bringing Payal home.

"Are you married? " Shashi asked out of the blue making the two stunned.

"No sir...... Am single. " Akash replied smiling and took a quick glance at Payal who looked relieved hearing he was single.

Akash looked happy seeing her expression whilst Payal looked taken aback by her reaction.

"Anyways..... It was nice meeting you......Payal come on. " Shashi said and turned back walking back to the house.

Akash waved at Payal who waved back and followed Shashi.

They walked back into the house and Payal run to the window, moved the curtains to find Akash still staring at the house smiling as he entered his car and she smiled back.

She heard Shashi clear his throat and turned to find him staring at her with a smirk on his lips.

Payal looked embarrassed at being caught and run to her room as Shashi burst out laughing.

This confused Garima and Buaji who were in the kitchen and they stared at each other confused.

RM.

The shouting out of Arnav's nickname by Anjali jerked up the family who were relaxing in the living room.

"Hello hi bye bye...... Anjali, why are you yelling. " Mami asked concerned seeing Anjali fuming.

She was about to answer when she saw Arnav in his suit clearly ready for work walking down towards them with his hand in his pocket as HP run out with his suitcase and laptop bag.

"What nonsense is this? " Anjali exclaimed angrily as she limped towards him and Shyam joining them.

"I cancelled all your credit cards and all your financial cards so. "

Anjali who thought it was a misunderstanding when she couldn't purchase a necklace online and send Shyam money realised Arnav did it on purpose.

"Oh that. "

Nani's response shocked the couple who thought Nani would reprimand Arnav after hearing this.

What the didn't know was that God was turning all the support away from them and their actions will soon cement the likes of Nani going completely against them.

Without the support of the likes of Nani, this will compel them to take stupid actions which will justify Arnav and Khushi's revenge against them.

"Maa what's going on? " Manohar asked confused and Nani sat back down relaxed.

" I received a shocking video from the puja I threw two weeks ago........ In it was Mami's good for nothing friends mocking Anjali for still living in her brother's house and Shyam for being a ghar jamai....... Also  his colleagues were mocking him for being a leech...... Am I wrong? " Nani directed the question to Shyam who knew denying it will leave him looking bad as one of Mami's friends nephew was a partner at the firm he was working at so her nodded shocking Anjali and Mami. "So I asked Arnav to cancel all their financial cards and he promised to do it when he returns and he had done it. "
Nani pulled out her phone and played the video she was taking about.

Anjali was stunned hearing Nani was the one behind it and she started crying thinking Nani will feel sorry for her but she ignored her and sipped on her tea.

"This is for your own good....... It's about time you learn to adjust to not having all these luxuries because I want you and your husband to move out in three months. "

Arnav smirked seeing Anjali fall on her knees and only Shyam and Mami held her.

"Enough of Shyam disgracing himself amongst people just because he loves you....... Him living with us has affected his job because his image as a ghar jamai has hurt any prospect of a promotion for a better life for the two of you....... His bosses will think if he can't manage his home and need to depend on his in laws, then how will he manage big cases........ With the amount of traveling he is doing for the past four years, he should be in a higher position at his job but look at his position...... He is still a common contract attorney after so many years....... Shyam, I hope you start preparing to moved out in three months...... Don't worry, you and Anjali will still get allowances to get by for a few months but it will be limited....... Provide Aman with all the details of the house you are building and he will have it fixed in weeks....... This is my order and it will not be changed. "

Nani stood up and walked away to her room as Anjali cried on the floor.

She turned to look at Arnav expecting her tears to melt his heart but he threw a disgusted look at her and turned away.

A few seconds later, Khushi joined him and he smiled seeing his wife looking beautiful in her office wear.

She nodded at him and they together with Preeto who had a look of pity on her face directed at Anjali walked behind the couple as the disappear through the door.

Anjali felt inferior seeing an outsider look at her in pity as Shyam and Mami helped her sit on the sofa.

"How could Nani do this to us? " Anjali cried out making Manohar roll his eyes at them and stood up walking to his room ignoring the trio.

The trio looked on shocked at how uncaring  the family has become and they were hit with another blow when Akash entered the house smiling and humming totally oblivious of the trio.

To be continued.

Precap: Lavanya exposed.

Nani at Laxmi Nagar.

Next update will be on Friday.

Don't forget to hit the ⭐⭐⭐⭐ button, comment and follow for more.

٩(ര̀ᴗര́)ᵇʸᵉ.

Xoxo xoxo.