Jhanak: The Story of Us

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"I'm going crazy, Bipasha bhabhi!" Arshi cried hard on the couch, "Why is Ani acting like this all for Jhanak? Why?!"

She refused to be consoled either by Bipasha or Tanuja. Laal had given up on trying earlier and reluctantly agreed to drive his mom and Appu to the market, so that only three of them were in the living room. Jeetu and Choton had taken Dadubhai and Dadi to the hospital.

Whether it was that there was no one else to insult or she was just being her usual self, Tanuja felt especially spiteful today. Ani was making such a mess. Why would he make Arshi cry because of a maid?!

"I can't believe it, Arshi, neither can I understand it! That girl has completely brainwashed my son - and I have had enough! Shyam da!"

The mansion steward came running quickly out the kitchen.

"Yes, madam?"

"Go upstairs and call that useless girl for me! I don't care if you have to drag her by her hair, just get her here!"

"Yes, madam!"

Shyam hurried up the stairs, returning a few minutes later, with a very nervous Jhanak. Jhanak didn't follow him to the sitting area. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, fidgeting with the shawl tied across her dress.

"Tanuja aunty, shyam da said that you..."

"Come right in front of me!"

"Tanuja aunty, please...."

"I said to come here now!"

Jhanak took shaky steps to the sitting area, which somehow egged Bipasha, who had been comforting Arshi prior.

"Tch." the other woman sneered, "Don't act pitiful here. None of us are Ani, you shameless girl."

"Bipasha didi, please!" Jhanak froze in her tracks, scandalized by what she was insinuating, "There is nothing between me and Sir ji! He just..."

"How dare a maid have such lofty thoughts!" Arshi shot to her feet and strode to where Jhanak stood, "Mom was right about you all along! You had been aiming for my Ani ever since Kashmir!"

"Arshi didi..."

"Why do you want to spoil my life, Jhanak?! Why?!" she turned to Tanuja and Bipasha, "You know Ani has always helped others, but not without my consent. But for this girl, he is ready to even hurt me for her!" she whipped around to face Jhanak, angry tears streaming down her face, "Now, not only did he give you a modeling contract, he even helped secure your schooling. You are a slut just like your mother!"

"Arshi didi, please!" Jhanak couldn't take it anymore. She screamed at Arshi, unable to hear her say such words about her mother. "The person you are talking about is no more. Please can you have some respect, please?"

"Respect?! Who are you to talk to me about respect, Jhanak?! Who are you?!"

Arshi had completely lost it now. She hated Jhanak with every fiber of her being. She hated that innocence, she hated that face, she hated her talent, she hated the way she answered back to her, there was everything to hate! This girl didn't know her place and she was going to put her in it!

"When I am done with you, you will never have the guts to talk back at me, Jhanak! Never!" And she made for a slap with all the strength in her hands,  the sound of her palm hitting flesh echoing across the space. Jhanak held her cheek, sobbing silently, as Arshi finally smirked, satisfaction at her action filling her heart.

Jhanak's sobs were the only sound heard. Her head was buzzing and her heart was racing at all the mistreatment. What had she done that was wrong? Why was her life so sad? What if she just ended it all right now?