Chapter 18

Arnav knows what ever she said is true. He felt more ashamed thinking of his activities. Was he not enough that his family equally participated in this. Arnav took a long breath.

"Khushi...I ...I am sorry.so sorry for everything"

"Raizada sir and sorry? Where did the sun rise today?"

"Khushi. I know our ways were terrible .But I assure you Payal won't be treated like that. She will be loved."

She laughed out loudly,then composed herself and said...Okay I will believe you but after a small test. Just go to your Mamiji and tell her son wants to marry my jiji. If she is elated and agreed for the proposal without anyone's coxing, I will convince my jiji. All you have to do is go home .Tell her and ask her to call me from her mobile to express her happiness. I will give you time till evening. What say Mr.Raizada?

Arnav rubbed his face. He know what his mami's reaction will be. He know whatever Khushi said is true. Mami won't be happy with the proposal. She will  create havoc in Shanthivan.

I am sure I won't get a call .So don't even bother. Bye Mr.Raizada. Oh..and Do not.. I repeat do not try to talk to me about this ever again or pull the stunt you did today .

Khushi didn't wait for Arnav's reaction. Arnav sat there not knowing what to do. Akash hadn't taken the rejection well and now most of the days he ended up drinking. His family has also started noticing his change in habits and had inquired him if Akash has some work related problems.

Arnav was working in his laptop when he heard a knock. He saw an impatient mami and a worried nani at the door.

"What happened Mami? Nani?"

"Arnav bitwa ,Akash bitwa still did come back. Do you know where he is?"

"He will be back mami. Don't worry" .what else can he do. He had asked one of his driver to follow Akash if he goes anywhere from AR .

"Bitwa we wanted to ask you something."

"Tell me nani"

"Bitwa. Is everything okay in office. My both grandsons seems to be lost these days. You indulge yourself more in work that you have been ignoring your health. It's been days that I have seen you at dinner table. Akash too seem to be lost. I found him in a drunken state one night. He seems to be always moody. It's been weeks that he even talked to Manorama or me. Tell me bitwa .Is everything okay?'

"Ha Arnav bitwa.Tell us. Is everything alright in office? My son didn't even answer me even if I ask something. HHBB. Why don't you talk to him once?

I have talked to him Mami.I know what is troubling him.

"what is it chotte?Is he in some problem" Nani panicked

Akash had asked him not to tell their family but till when he will let his brother continue this drinking .So he decided to tell his nani.

"He is in love Nani"before he could complete

"It's a good news chotte"

"My son is in love..."Mami wondered

"Yes.Akash loves a girl but she rejected him"

"How dare she? Why will she reject my handsome ,rich bitwa" Manorama couldn't digest that her son got rejected

"She said she don't feel that way and they won't suit"

"Why wouldn't they suit.My Akash is rich, educated ,handsome well behaved .what more does she want?

"Akash loves Payal. Khushi's sister. He approached her and proposed but she rejected him."Arnav stressed each word he said.

"How dare she try to trap my son .That poor Khoon bari taang. How did she think she will trap my poor bitwa". Manorama snared

"Wait a minute mamai. Didn't you hear what I said ,he proposed and she rejected him. Not the other way .She clearly told him not to pursue her from the start "That shut Manorama

"Chotte did she reject him because of that incident? Nani asked

"She have lot of reasons to reject him. The first among them is that he is a Raizada. Nani we haven't left any means to trouble them. Our whole family had tormented them. Do you know nani,Payal's marriage broke at the alter because of me. Her family was humiliated because of the video I released. I was cruel to Khushi when she was working In AR.She almost lost her life because of my inhuman behavior. If that was not all Di blackmailed her to train Lavanya even after knowing how much I was against her. Mami you too did everything to trouble them.  You were the one behind the torn saree and spoiled sweets. wasn't it? He asked looking directly at Manorama

"Me....why will I do that..?"

"Please mami .Tell me the truth"

"Manorama?" Nani who was shocked with all the things that was revealed asked

Manorama knew her act has been caught .So she nodded.

You accused her of theft too and last we abused Khushi and family .Now what more does Payal want to reject Akash. Why will she accept a man from a family that tormented her sister and caused so much damage to her family? A family that give no value to other's emotions?

Isn't it good bitwa she didn't accept. Anyway I will not have that girl as my bahu. I want a rich modern beauty to be Manorama Raizadas's bahu. I will get my bitwa married to a girl I choose, someone of Raizada' standard. Sasuma ,why don't we talk to Mrs.Pammi sharma. You know her daughter .She is model. I will call her immediately and ask her to come tomorrow itself. What if I became late and that khoon bari tang succeed in trapping my son. HHBB."

"Manorama don't you think you are hurrying. You have to ask Akash bitwa what he wants before you do something like this."

"Sasuma I will talk to him too, but let me call Mrs. Sharma now". She immediately left planning tomorrows visit. What if her sasuma stopped her? She will never accept that poverty stricken girl as her bahu.

"Chotte..."

Arnav chuckled without any humor. Do you know nani, Payal and Khushi exactly predicted Mami's behavior when I tried to persuade them. How correct they are. How can a girl trust a family like ours who are not bothered about anything but ourselves? How will a girl trust us to treat her with respect ?How will she believe us to have best interest for her? Will priorities her happiness? We don't deserve them nani. We don't...

Nani wiped her tears that was flowing continuously thinking her family's cruelty to a poor girl .Her failure to be a good human being, failure to teach her family to respect others too.

Akash returned late. Manorama waited for him to return .She has to confront her son and say him about the proposal.

"Ma. You didn't sleep"

"I was waiting for you." Manorama rushed to her son

"Why? Tell me"

"I talked to Arnav bitwa. Didn't you get any other girl to love bitwa. Is there a lack of beautiful rich girl that you fell for that penurious .This is the limit. HHBB .But let me tell you bitwa. I will never let that girl be my bahu. You know I wanted a rich modern girl who is of our standard as my bahu not someone like that khoon bari tang.

"Ma please. I love her>"

"what love ? My poor bitwa...she is trying to trap you...She is a gold digger .can't you understand that? Now listen. I have called Mr. Sharma and family for breakfast. They are coming meet you. You will meet their daughter .You know she is a model. Just think how much pride I will get to introduce as her bahu. I will become a star in kitty parties. How we could discuss about makeup and fashion.' Manorama boosted the advantages of marrying a rich girl.

"What about me Ma..? tell me ...what about me...All you think about is yourself .Isn't it? For you this make up, kitty parties, jewelry is that all it matters .isn't? Akash shouted. He was done with his mother's this attitude . Isn't it enough that Payal's refusal stabbed his heart that his mother is scratching his wounds? Isn't it enough that she made him realize what a failure he is , how he couldn't be trusted and won't stand up for the girl he love that his mother's action prove her point again and again.

"HHBB what are you saying bitwa. I am doing it for your own good" Manorama tried to prove again."

"Really, my good .A good which you want and has nothing to do with my happiness. Where you will be benefited? You are selfish ma. All you want is social status. All you are bothered about is how you could boost yourself in your kitty parties. Have you for a moment thought about my happiness .No. Why will you? It doesn't bother you at all. My wish my happiness , My love nothing matters to you at all.

You changed ma. You are not my ma anymore. You are blinded by this richness ,the social status and the Raizada name. You forgot to be Mamorama, the girl my father fell in love with, The women he loved for her heart. The one who sacrificedeverything for her family's wellness. The woman who took her sister in laws children and loved them as her own. You have changed.

Do you remember the last time you cooked something for me or lovingly caressed my hair or at least asked if I am fine, happy? I will remind you .It was eight years back. You forgot to be yourself eight years back. If this richness brought you friends from high class society, it also robbed you from yourself.

Do whatever you want or bring any one you want. But I will not marry anyone other than Payal." A sober Akash would have never said all this , but a drunken hurt man that he was, gave him much needed courage to talk to his mother in this way. But he didn't regret anything he said.

Manorama sat in the living room after Akash went to his room after saying all that. His words rang in her mind. Did she change so much that she is not bothered about her children and their happiness anymore. Every events in the past eight year flashed in front of her. Every time she choose richness and at last how she found happiness in troubling Khushi without any proper reasons. Did she change so much like Akash said?

She went to her room. Her eyes glazed with tears. Manohar was reading some files when he saw her.

"What happened Manno ? Is your new eye gel  bad. You seems to have problems in eyes"Just like that Manorama realized she had indeed changed to the extent that her husband thinks her tears are because of make up not her emotions."

"She sat with a thud on the bed and wept. Manohar reached her in seconds

"What happened manno? Why are you crying?"

Manorama said everything Akash said .After hearing everything when Manohar didn't say anything she asked

"He is right .isn't it?"

Manohar nodded. "The girl I loved and married was empathetic, considerate, thought of others happiness before her, her family's happiness was her priority .But Manno you lost those somewhere." Manorama nodded understandingly.

"Do you for a moment thought what if my Amma thought about you the same way you think about Payal?" Manohar asked

"I am sorry Manohharji. I didn't realize when all this started blinding me. But never say I didn't thought of my family's happiness. All I ever want is that."

"I know ,It's not just you who changed Manorama .Everyone in this house did. We only thought  about us. We forgot to even consider Damadji's emotions somewhere .But do think about what I said and know that I will wholeheartedly welcome Payal to this house if she ever accepts him" He left her to her thoughts .

In the Morning Manorama knocked Akash's room.

"Ma"

"Bitwa,I wanted to talk to you"

"Don't worry I won't create as a scene .I will meet your guest but I still stand by my words 'I will only marry Payal" Akash was firm in his decision.

"Do you love her so much bitwa?"

"Yes I do".

"Then I will only have Payal as my bahu. Do anything even if you have to beg her. But win her heart .Do you get that"

"Ma"

"I am sorry Akash Bitwa. Nothing is important for me than my children's happiness. And if Payal is your happiness then only Payal will become our daughter in law." Manorama cupped Akash's cheeks

"How Ma? She doesn't even want see my face" Akash asked

"Bitwa I didn't brought up my children to accept defeat that easily.

"If I have to prove her she won't be taken for granted then I have to make efforts myself. This drinking and weeping only increased my pain so now I will fight .Now that I know you too accept her I don't have any fear."

Manorama kissed his forehead...then dramatically said" Jao Akash jeele apni sindgi"

"Really ma.Are you that dramatic "He hugged her tight and kissed her cheeks.