39) party

Mausam

I got ready with the help of makeup experts and stylists.

I was feeling nervous and agitated.

The Kapoor family was a lot for me , I only ever wanted love but their hatred for me was so deep.

I sighed , as the two women stepped back , they gave me a bit condescending looks , why because they were Reha Kapoor's stylist , they had no interest in the unwanted daughter in law.

" Thank you, I look really pretty." I said , they nodded and as if waiting for this moment to run out.

" Mumma , Mumma " my cutie daughter ran inside and hugged me , and her brother followed her looking very pleased.

They must have had fun at their friends house.

" Arebmera Sona aa Gaya." I cupped her cheeks and getting on knees , kisses her forehead.

(Aww my sweet baby is here)

I Beckoned Aarva to hug me but he turned away , and jumped on my bed ," you are going somewhere?" He questioned , a frown etching on his face.

Aaruhi and I sat beside him.

" Hmm , there is a party at home , did your dad tell you anything about it?"

They shook their heads .

" Okay , so you must have your dinner properly and sleep by yourself today, okay? Aaru aaj aap dono mere kamre me hi so Jana hamesha ki tarah, okay?" I told them , taking Aarav's tie off .

( You two sleep in my room like always okay)

" Aaj bhi papa hamare sath soenge , Mumma?" Aaru asked hugging me from behind as I unbutten Aarva's school uniform.

( Will dad sleep with us too?)

I stilled at her question, recovering quickly , I dodged her question," room ka darvaza me band karke jayungi , kholna mat , thik he , bilkul bhi Masti nahi, me raat Ko 10 baje aayungi , mujhe dono bed per chahiye, no TV , or games. Samjhe?"

( I will lock the bedroom door , Don't open it , okay , don't be naughty, I will came at 10 to check if you are sleeping or not , no TV no games)

" Aarav , jayo change karlo. " I told him .

( Arav go change)

" Okay." He dragged his bag , shirt and tie.

Ahh, this kid , he got the shirt so dirty !

" Mumma , meri bhi help karo tie Nikal be me." Aaru hi complained.

( Mumma , please help me take off my tie)

" Aww mera bachcha." I said kissing her small nose.

( Aww my sweet baby)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mausam descended the now decorated stair of the grand Kapoor mansion.

Everyone seem to stare at her , she lowered her gaze and avoided their eyes , slowly she made her way to her husband.

But Her mother-in-law, Reha, a vision of authority in an emerald saree, stopped her with a cold smile that barely masked her distaste. "You're finally here. Let's see how long you can hold up in this crowd," she murmured before sweeping away to mingle with her guests. Mausam knew it wasn't a compliment.

Her husband, Armaan, was occupied with other relatives . She glanced at his profile , he was tactfully turned away from her.

She stayed by his side because she did not have anyone to meet or talk anyway.

Estranged husband better than strangers.

Then, it happened.

Her mother in law's voice rang out, cutting through the polite chatter like a knife. "Ladies and gentlemen, I need your attention!" The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her.

Mausam froze, dread pooling in her stomach.

"It pains me to bring this up at such a joyous occasion, but I believe it's time we address the truth." The whole Kapoor family and relatives turned to her.

Mausam's heart raced as whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

. "My daughter-in-law, Mausam, has betrayed my son, Armaan." Her voice cracked with mock emotion. "She has been unfaithful to him ."

Gasps erupted across the room. Mausam felt her world shatter as dozens of accusing eyes turned toward her.

Her parents and brother, who had been standing near the buffet, immediately rushed toward her.

"Mausam!" her father roared, his face red with fury. "What is she saying? Is this true?"

Her mother grabbed her arm, shaking it. "How could you do this to Armaan? To us? Have you no shame?"

Her brother's voice was harsher. "You've disgraced our family! Do you even realize what you've done?"

Mausam's lips quivered, but no words came out. She couldn't deny the accusation because it was true. She had cheated on Armaan with Rwyansh.

But how did she know?

Reyansh was very careful about keeping everything under wrap.

And Armaan never let anyone know either.

Sweat trickled down her neck.

Reha stepped forward, her voice dripping with venom. "Look at her. She doesn't even have the decency to defend herself. Isn't that proof enough?"

Mausam's knees felt weak.

She looked at her , the woman who had told her at every moment how unworthy she was.

The woman who had not let her feed her new born son.

The woman who had not let her meet her husband who had gone to USA.

She looked at her mother-in-law, tears brimming in her eyes. "You've been waiting for this moment, haven't you, Reha?"

Reha feigned shock. "Excuse me?"

"You've hated me from the start," Mausam said, her voice trembling but louder now. "You never wanted me to marry Armaan. You've tried everything to drive a wedge between us. And now you've succeeded."

The room was silent, the guests too stunned to speak. Armaan, who had been standing on the far side of the room, finally approached. His face was a storm of emotions—confusion, anger, and frustration.

"What is going on here?" he demanded.

Reha turned to him, her expression one of wounded pride. "I was doing what any mother would do—protecting you from betrayal. Your wife has been cheating on you, Armaan!

Mausam looked back at Reha, her own anger rising. "But let's not pretend this is about morality, Reha. If you really cared about Armaan, you would have handled this privately. Instead, you turned it into a spectacle because you've always hated me. You've been waiting for an excuse to humiliate me, and now you have it."

Reha's face hardened. "Don't you dare turn this on me, Mausam. You're the one who broke your vows. You're the one who ruined this family's reputation."

"And you're the one who pushed me to the edge!" Mausam shot back, her voice cracking with emotion. "You've undermined me at every turn, made me feel like I didn't belong. You've been a thorn in my side since the day I married Armaan. Don't act like you're doing this for him. This is about your hatred for me."

Reha opened her mouth to respond, but Armaan's voice cut through the chaos. "Enough!"

Everyone fell silent as Armaan stepped between them. His face was a mask of frustration and disappointment.

"I've had enough of this drama," he said, his voice low but firm. He grabbed Mausam's wrist, pulling her away from them.

"Armaan, wait!" Reha called after him.

He turned to her, his eyes cold. "No, Mother. You've done enough for one night."

Updated on - 11/1/25