Bikhre moti (Scattered pearls)

31.1 Heart Or Throne? (S2-part1)

Note - this is season 2 of SS #8 from this book, 'Heart or Throne?'. While reading or revisiting that story may be beneficial, it is not required. I've added a summary below anyway.

Disclaimer: The characters, events, and political party references mentioned in this story are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or real events should be deemed purely coincidental.

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Summary of Season 1: Shashi Gupta, known as angutha-chaap (illiterate) chief minister, faces political rivalry from his party member, Arvind Raizada, who is ex-chief minister and is corrupt and cunning. To tarnish Shashi's reputation, Arvind uses his son, Arnav, to trap Shashi's only child, Khushi, in a scandalous relationship, forcing Shashi to resign. Arnav later discovers his father's deceit, which was intended at seizing power for himself and also learns that Ratna is not his biological mother. Concurrently, this incident turns Khushi into a politically ambitious role, leading her to marry Swayam Mehra from a powerful business family. Swayam's mother, Reema Mehra, also known as Rani Mehra, is the one who controls the political moves in Delhi using her wealth. As Khushi begins to accept her marriage, Arvind arranges a fatal accident, resulting in Swayam's death and Shashi's paralysis. And then riding on a wave of sympathy, Khushi becomes the new Chief Minister. However, to eliminate future opposition, Rani Mehra cleverly arranges Khushi's marriage to Arnav- albeit with terms and conditions from Khushi. Meanwhile, Aman, Shashi's personal assistant and former best friend of Arnav and brother-figure to Khushi, feels betrayed when Khushi declines to assist him. Ultimately, it is revealed that Rani Mehra is Arnav's biological mother. Arnav and Khushi, now parents to twins, realize they have lost themselves in their pursuit of power and decide to abandon everything for a normal life. However, the question remains: will they be able to escape the throne's influence? Season 2 explores this theme, where friendships turn into rivalries, relationships are tested, and new challenges await Arnav and Khushi.

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It was a quiet and small neighborhood in Kasauli. Most houses belonged to middle-class families, men worked as government servants or owned shops or small businesses -mostly farm houses and the wives typically stayed at home or at most worked as caretakers for those holidays homes for the elite while their children attended local schools. The area was known for its safety and security, giving a cocooned environment from the harsher world outside.

And that was why, when Arnav and Khushi moved to this neighborhood two years ago, they were welcomed normally. Some of them had heard about the couple's connection to politics but none bothered much.

It was evening time in that town. Arnav, who now worked as a business consultant for local businesses, had come home much earlier than usual. Khushi, now a stay-at-home mother, was working in the kitchen. While their kids – Veer and Vanshika who were now 3-year-old, were being looked after by their governess.

And this was the only indulgence they had allowed themselves.

The reason being the kids who were never given time by their parents since birth, couldn't entirely accept them even when they moved to kasauli. Their behavioral issues, aggression, tantrums became too hard for khushi to handle alone and thus they had to hire a governess.

Albeit, both khushi and arnav felt sad watching their kids still be distant from them.

Arnav came into the kitchen, and saw her watch their kids play outside, with a sad expression, "Hey, what happened?"

She met his gaze in defeat, "Until when will this go on, Arnav? We already missed so much of their lives- their first laugh, their first steps, their first talking, and now even when they are here, it's as if we are not a part of their world."