Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh

Chapter 64: Gathering Evidence

Aarav reached home and saw Khushi with Maya. Khushi ran to him, her medals clinking as she moved. "Dadda, look at my medals!" she exclaimed, her face glowing with pride.

Aarav smiled and handed her the gifts he had bought. "Wow, Dadda... This is beautiful," she said, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Aarav ruffled her hair affectionately. "I'm glad you like them, bache."

As Khushi ran off to show her medals and gifts to her toys, Aarav headed to the bedroom. He placed the phone inside the drawer, taking a deep breath. When he turned around, he saw Maya standing there, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"Itna samay itna sa samaan lene mein?" Maya asked, her tone laced with doubt.

"Woh Khushi ke liye special gift tha na, Maya. Bahut samay laga dhoondhne mein," Aarav explained, trying to sound convincing.

Maya placed her arms across his shoulders and smiled seductively. "My dear husband, kaafi samay se tumne sabit nahi kiya hai that you love me."

Aarav's heart raced. "Maya, Khushi ke saamne..."

"Don't worry, she is going to her friend's house for a sleepover. Sirf tum aur main honge," she said, her voice dripping with anticipation.

Aarav thought, "Yahi mauka hai sab kuch apne haathon mein wapas paane ka."

He managed a small smile. As soon as Khushi left for her friend's house, Aarav headed straight to Sumitra's room. "Main hamesha aapke saath rehna chahta hoon. Bahut zyada pareshan ho gaya hoon main Maya se," he said, his voice trembling with desperation.

Sumitra's eyes lit up with a sinister smile. "Sach?"

"Haan, nahi sah sakta main yeh sab aur... Aap kuch kijiye please," he pleaded.

"Abhi karti hoon," Sumitra said confidently.

"Maya!!!" Sumitra called out loudly, her voice echoing through the house.

Aarav's heart sank as he realized the trap he had just walked into. Maya stepped out of the room, her face contorted with anger. She marched towards him and shoved him to the floor, pressing her heel into his stomach. "Kya laga tumhe ki tum Maya ko manipulate karoge, Aarav?" she spat, her voice filled with venom.

Aarav winced in pain but tried to keep his composure. "Maya, yeh galat hai..."

"Galat? Tumhe abhi tak samajh nahi aaya, Aarav? Tumhe sochne ki bhi ijazat nahi hai!" Maya shouted, digging her heel in deeper.

Sumitra stood by, her arms crossed, watching with a satisfied smirk. "Aarav, tumhe lagta tha tum hamari game ko beat kar sakte ho? Tum sirf ek pawn ho is game mein," she taunted.

Aarav's mind raced as he tried to find a way to turn the tables. "Mujhe maaf karo, Maya... Main sirf thak gaya tha," he said, trying to sound defeated.

Maya eased the pressure slightly but didn't move her heel. Sumitra laughed, bending down to his level. "Uss raat tum mere kamre mein dhoondh rahe they na? Maine dekh liya tha tumhe. Saboot dhoondh rahe they na kaise mujhe aur Maya ko apni zindagi se door kar sako, haina?" she shouted.

Maya raged, "Aarav... Jabse Khushi aayi hai tum toh hamari baat manna hi bhool gaye ho! Chheen lun usey tumse, haan?"

Aarav denied, "Nahi... Please, I am sorry."

"Sorry? Nahi Aarav... Maya, iss baar tumhe asani se maaf nahi karegi," Maya said coldly.

Sumitra grabbed a whip with sharp edges. "Remove your shirt," she shouted.

Tears slipped down his eyes as he silently removed his shirt. Sumitra struck him with the whip, and as the sharp edges cut into his skin, Aarav remembered that she had murdered his father. Rage surged through him, and he grabbed the whip with his hand, shoving her away. "Enough..." he shouted.