Junoon - Tere Ishq Ka

Chapter 18

Hello guys!!!! I know it's quite late isliye without any bak bak, enjoy the chapter!

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Author's POV

Night, Suryavanshi Palace (8:00 pm)

The sound of cutlery was the only one that resonated around the dining hall, the butlers were serving the whole family while they ate in silence. Seeing the table almost empty, Ranjit had asked all, "Aadit aur Meera kahan reh gaye hain?"

Neither on the table knew about their whereabouts apart from Heer, who replied, "Hame Meera di ne phone karke kaha tha unhe der ho jayegi. Aaj office mein kaafi kaam hain, aur un dono ka intezar na karein. Vo khaana khaake aayenge."

Ranjit nodded, when Pranita asked her with a frown, "Meera di? Heer, tum Meera ko di kyu bula rhi ho? Vo tumhari devrani hai, naam se bulao."

Abhay rolled his eyes at the pestering snake in his house, when Heer softly answered without beating around the bush, "Par age mein hamse badi hain vo, chahe rishte mein choti hon. Ham unhe naam se nahi bulayenge, vaise bhi vo bilkul hamari badi behen ki tarah hamara dhyaan rkhti hain."

Pranita scoffed and taunted, "Badi behen? Sautan kehna behtar nahi rahega?"

Abhay's hand froze hearing her words, as well as others. Jay smirked seeing the anxious silence around, and knew none would be able to condemn Pranita as Adheesh wasn't there, nor Ariaa. However, Damini spoke with authority, "Aapki zabaan aaj kal kaichi ki tarah chalne lagi hai Pranita. Rishto ka lihaaz bhi bhul rahi hain aap shayad. Hame majbur mat kijiye koi sakht kadam uthaane ke liye."

The lady shivered at her mother-in-law's tone and nodded with a nervous laugh, "Ham..ham to bas aise hi Maasa...mazak tha. Serious mat lena Heer beta."

Heer just looked at her with a stoned face, when Ranjit spoke, "Heer beta, kisi ki baat sunne ki zarurat nahi hai tumhe. Tum thik ho. To kya hua agar Abhay ki shaadi pehle Meera se ho rhi thi, ab to vo Aadit ki biwi hain. Chahe unki shaadi compromise hi kyu na ho."

The girl was able to see the façade of sweetness in his tone, and how his words were intended towards manipulating Abhay again. She could see Abhay was in deep thoughts, hence answered in a kind but firm tone, "Maaf kariyega fufa sa, par aas pas ghar ke naukar bhi hain. Hame nahi lagta hame kisi ki shadishuda zindagi aise discuss krni chahiye, khaaskar jab hame usme dakhal dene ka haq na ho."

She eyed around gesturing the butlers leaving Ranjit tongue tied. All the people on the dining table were surprised hearing the sudden assertiveness in her tone, while Ranjit looked ashamed gazing at Damini who seemed to agree with Heer. With a small laugh, he answered, "Haan, bilkul thik kaha. Ham kaun hote hain unke beech mein bolne vale."

Heer smiled and spoke, "Ji, bilkul. Pati patni ka mamla hai, aapas mein suljha sakte hain vo dono, apni parvarish pe bharosa rakhiye. Aadit bhai sa ko aakhir aapne bhi badha hote dekha hai..."

She gave him a look, and Ranjit nodded before going back to his food. Abhay, however, was still amused with the sudden change in her attitude. He looked at her and found her eating peacefully now. She was avoiding him since the day, when they had an argument regarding Aadit and Meera. He wasn't liking it a bit, but was helpless as everybody was there.

After the dinner was over, Heer stood up and told them all, "Aap sab bahar living mein jaake kyu nahi baithte. Hamne aaj rasmalai banayi hai pehli bar, ham vahin leke aate hain."

Aradhya's eyes lit up, so did Abhay's. The former shrieked in happiness, "Wow bhabhi sa, rasmalai. Hamari favourite hain."

Heer smiled and answered, "Hame maharaj ji (head chef) ne bataya, isliye hi to unse banani sikhi."