5.

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Aaradhya's POV

I felt relieved when I heard that my father's company went bankrupt. It's shameful to think this way about my father but he never treated me as his daughter. He and mumma always ordered me and Di around never giving us the freedom to make our own choices.

I shrugged off my thoughts and focused on my coffee. It's Sunday so everyone's at home. Aarav ji is in his home office working as usual.

"Aaradhya what are you doing baccha?" Maa's voice startled me.

"I was making coffee. Would you like some?" I asked holding the cup.

She shook her head. "I won't but yes Aarav will. He just asked me for coffee. Will you give it to him?"

I was about to refuse when Papa entered the kitchen.

"Sia where is my file? The blue one I gave you?" Papa's voice was impatient.

"It's in the cupboard. Come on I'll give it to you" maa replied and walked away with papa.

I sighed in frustration. I didn't want to face Aarav ji. But how could I say no to Maa? The workers were on leave because it was Sunday.

"Bas coffee hi deni hai. Aaradhya you can do it" my subconscious assured me.

I prepared another cup and picked up the tray. My hands were trembling as I made my way to Aarav Ji's home office. Standing in front of the door I hesitated. My heart pounded loudly.

I knocked but there was no response. After waiting a while I knocked again. Still nothing.

Gathering courage I opened the door slowly. The room was empty. Relieved I hurried inside placed the coffee on his desk and ran out. My feet carried me straight to the garden where I hoped to calm my racing heart.

Aarav's POV

It was Sunday but I had so much work. My head hurt so I told Mom to send me coffee.

"Where's my file?" I muttered realizing it was in my cupboard. I grabbed it from my room and returned to my office. There was a fresh cup of coffee on the table. Mom must've left it for me.

I sat down ready to dive into work again. But where was the project file? I had put it on the table just a few minutes ago.

I searched frantically but couldn't find it. Frustrated I left my office to ask Mom.

"What happen Aarav?" Bua Ji asked.

"My file is missing from the office" I said heading toward Mom's room.

"I just saw Aaradhya leaving your office" she said and I froze.

Aaradhya? What was she doing in my office? Anger bubbled within me. She must have stolen it for my rivals. I knew she wasn't trustworthy.

"Where is she?" I demanded.

Bua Ji gestured toward the garden. I stormed outside and saw her standing near the flowers. My steps were quick fueled by rage.

Grabbing her arm tightly I pulled her toward me.

"Ahh!" she yelped looking up at me with wide scared eyes.

"Where is my file?" I hissed my voice dripping with fury.

"Wh.....which file?" she stammered her innocent act only fueling my anger.

"JHOOT MAT BOLO!" I roared. She shivered under my glare. her eyes filling with tears.

"I...I really didn't see it" she whispered trembling.

My grip tightened "Tell the truth or else..."

Before I could finish someone pushed me away. I turned around ready to lash out but stopped when I saw Dad.

"HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY?" Dad's voice thundered.

He is shouting at me...... because of her? My fists clenched. She is going to pay for this.

"I took the file" Dad said. His words stunned me.

My grip on reality slipped as I processed what had just happened. I was wrong. She is innocent.

Before I could react a sharp pain exploded on my cheek. My head tilted from the impact and I realized Maa had slapped me.

"You are my son right Aarav?" she said her voice shaking with disbelief.

"Maa..." I whispered ashamed.

"Is this what I taught you? This is how you treat women? And your own wife?" she spat her eyes blazing.

"Maa..."

"You cannot be my son" she said each word stabbing at my heart.

"Remember one thing" Dad said handing me the file. "Don't make a mistake that you'll regret for the rest of your life"

They both walked away taking her leaving me alone.

Aaradhya's POV

my heart is heavy. No matter what I didn't want Aarav to lose his parents' love. I knew how much that would hurt.

Maa took me to my room.

"Forgive me for my son's mistake" she said folding her hands in apology.

"maa please don't do this. By saying this you'll make me feel like an outsider" I said holding her hands tightly.

She hugged me and Dad entered inside the room. He start stroking my head gently.

"Forgive us. Now we will make our son realize his mistake" Dad said his voice firm.

"I know it was him who kept the necklace here and put your name on it" he added.

I looked at them shocked. "Aapko kaise pata?"

"Forget all this. From now on you will do what we say" Maa said.

I nodded not knowing what they planned. "Main sab karungi jo aap log kahenge. Bas Aarav Ji ko maaf kar dijiye. Woh bas gusse mein hain. Main nahi chahti ki meri wajah se aap log unse naraz rahein"

They smiled warmly.

"My son is very lucky to have you" Dad said.

"Main lucky hoon jo mujhe aap log mile" I replied feeling a warmth I had never known in my parents' eyes.

Aarav's POV

I am sitting in my home office typing on my laptop with anger coursing through me. My thoughts were consumed by one thing I have to make Aaradhya's life miserable.

She's trying to turn my parents against me. Call me immature but I can't share my family with anyone especially not with her. Aaradhya is taking advantage of my family's kindness and innocence.

"Aarav" I heard my mother's voice.

I looked up to see her standing at the door. I immediately stood up and she came inside sitting on the couch. She patted the space next to her signaling me to sit. Without hesitation I walked over and laid my head on her lap. This was what I needed the most right now. my mother's comforting presence.

She gently started stroking my head and I closed my eyes. No matter how successful or powerful I had become in front of Maa. I would always be her little Aarav.

"Mujhse pyar karta hai tu?" she asked softly.

"Apni jaan se bhi zyada" I replied without even thinking.

"When you were little I always used to think, when will you grow up quickly become successful in your life and when will you get married?" she said pausing for a moment.

I didn't say anything just listened silently as her voice filled the room.

"And before I knew it you became such a big and successful person at just 27 that people know me by your name. They know that I am Aarav Yaduvanshi's mother" she continued. Her tone was soft but then it changed slightly.

"We have always taught Raj and Darsh to respect women but today, what you did with Aaradhya I am very ashamed of it beta"

She said everything so patiently and with so much love and I couldn't help but feel guilty. I was nothing like her so calm so composed.

"Sorry Maa" I muttered.

She let out a small laugh lightening the mood for a moment.

"If you love me, then please give this marriage a chance for my sake" she said her voice pleading.

I straightened up sitting properly now. She looked into my eyes with so much hope but my heart resisted. I can't do this Maa. I'm sorry I thought to myself.

"Will you give it a chance?" she asked cupping my face in her hands.

I gave her a small smile and nodded.

"Remember don't make a mistake that you will regret for the rest of your life" she said firmly. Then she stood up her expression serious.

"Ji Maa" I said my voice barely above a whisper.

She left the office and I sat there staring at the door. My mother's words echoed in my mind but I couldn't shake off the bitterness in my heart.

I'm sorry Maa. But if I forgive her I know I'll regret it for the rest of my life.

At Evening

Author's POV

The entire family was sitting in the living room chatting about random topics and laughing. But two people were not involved in the conversation, Aarav and Aaradhya. Aarav's eyes were fixed on Aaradhya filled with hatred as he planned how to make her life miserable. Aaradhya on the other hand sat quietly scared of him.

"Bhabhi what is your favourite food?" Riya suddenly asked breaking the silence.

Without thinking much Aaradhya replied softly "Gol gappe"

Riya jumped in excitement. "Wow! I really like gol gappe too truly!"

"Bhabhi come shopping with us tomorrow" Darsh suggested with a smile. Aaradhya hesitated and looked toward Sia for approval.

"Go, dear, get something for yourself too. Although we've ordered everything for you if you need anything else you can go ahead and get it" Sia said warmly.

"Thik hai main chalungi" Aaradhya replied softly. But her eyes fall on him.

Aaradhya's POV

He was busy with his phone not paying attention to anyone. I wish this was a normal marriage. I promise myself that no matter what I will never hurt him or his family. He is a good person not for me but for his family. He loves them with all his heart.

"i'll also come with you guys" Bua and Riya said at the same time interrupting my thoughts.

"You just came yesterday from shopping right?" Riya said uninterestedly.

"So what? I'll go again tomorrow" Bua replied stubborn as always.

"Bacchon ke saath budhe ache nahi lagte" Chachu teased making everyone laugh.

"Bhai aapne mujhe budhi kaha" Bua ji asked offended.

"Nahi maine Riya ko kaha" Chachu said keeping a straight face and everyone tried to control their laughter.

Chachu really has a way of lightening the mood.

"Bhai give me money for shopping" Riya said sitting beside Aarav ji.

Without saying a word Aarav ji took out his black card and handed it to her.

"Thank you so much! You're the best brother in this entire world" Riya exclaimed hugging Aarav dramatically after taking the card.

"Why don't we ever get the card?" Darsh and Raj complained together.

"Because you don't behave well enough" Riya said smugly flipping her hair like she had just won some competition.

"Behave? You think you behave better? All you do is shop and take selfies" Raj teased.

"Raj what's your problem? I think your behavior is worse than little kids in a playground" Riya snapped back.

"Bhai look at this! She's always insulting me" Raj turned to Aarav pretending to look hurt.

"Well to be fair you deserve to be insulted" Darsh said with a smirk joining in to tease Raj.

"Raj bhai just stay quiet. You're both jealous of me because I'm everyone's favorite" Riya said crossing her arms and looking triumphant.

"Favorite? If we did a family poll, everyone would choose me" Darsh said confidently.

"Fine let's have a poll. Then I'll buy everyone's votes with Aarav bhai's card" Riya teased.

"That's cheating!" Darsh and Raj shouted together and everyone burst out laughing.

I sat quietly watching them. Their happiness made me feel out of place. They were so lively and full of love and here I am silent and weighed down by my past. Did I even belong here? I wondered.

I wished my life had been different. I wished I had a normal relationship with my parents too.

As I sat lost in my thoughts I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I turned to see Chachi smiling at me warmly. Her comforting expression made me feel like she understood my pain.

I smiled back and soon we all got back to talking. But my heart remained heavy with thoughts I couldn't share.

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