The Reveal (IPKKND Secret Romance #3) (aka Our Revelation)

Chapter 4: Bitterness

"Saasuma, I think I heard you wrong. I thought you said that you were going to ask for that Phati Sari's hand in marriage, and that too, for my Arnav-bitwa."

"Mami ..." Arnav stood, but Nani cut him off as she stepped around him.

"You heard right, Manorama. Arnav-bitwa wants to marry her."

"No he doesn't," Mami scoffed, "He hates her. He's always growling at her."

"Mami, I ..."

"Stay out of this Arnav-bitwa," Mami didn't even turn to face him, focussed as she was in staring down Nani, "No one can force you into this. I won't let them. Everyone knows you can't stand to be in the same room as that girl."

"Mami, I want to marry her."

Mami stilled, and then turned to face him slowly.

"You ... what?"

"I want to marry Khushi," Arnav enunciated every syllable carefully.

"Arnav, bitwa, tum confuse-iyai gaye ho. You are confused. She's used her middle class ways to trap you. First, she came here to sell saris. Phir, tumri office-ma aa gayi. Very convenient, don't you think? First your home, then your office, and then she used Saasuma and Anjali-bitya to get into your home again."

Arnav curled his fingers into a fist in effort to remain calm. "Mami, listen ..."

"No bitwa, can't you see? I can see very clearly. She pretended to be best-phrends with Lavanya. Lavanya was such a nice girl, with her dieting and her eggless chocolate mud cake. She changed so much for you. Then that Phati Sari did something and Lavanya left without any argument. And now ... now you say you want to marry her."

Rage coursed through Arnav as he witnessed Payal's fears come to life in his own home.

"Mami," interjected Di, "I forced Khushi-ji to train Lavanya-ji using the contract she signed with Chhote, remember? She didn't want to come."

"You what?" Arnav rounded on his sister, his voice rising, "What did you just say Di?"

"I ... Chhote ..."

What the hell is going on here?

Mami used his distraction to her advantage and turned to Payal, who shrank back into the couch.

"TUM! Tum aur tumri sister! You planned this didn't you? Pehle din se, that girl was casing our house, our sons. You married my Aakash-bitwa and now your sister has dejjigns on my Arnav-bitwa."

"N-n-no, Maa-ji. We've never ..."

"Shut up. I can see everything with my own eyes!"

"Mami," Arnav thundered, "Khushi is my future wife, the elder bahu of his household. You don't have to like her; but you will afford her the respect she deserves."

He gentled his tone, "If not for her, then for me. Please."

"But bitwa, can't you see ..."

"No, Mami. I think you've misunderstood Khushi. Perhaps our marriage will give you the chance to get to know her. She isn't the woman you think she is. And neither is her sister."

Payal threw him a grateful-confused look before turning her attention to Aakash, who had come to stand behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

Mami's gaze swivelled around the room – Nani, Di, Aakash, Payal, and himself – and perhaps seeing a united front, she turned and marched upstairs, thoroughly ignoring her husband as he ambled down.

"Manorama ..." Mama watched her walk away, "What's wrong with her?"

"Congratulations, my son," Nani grinned, "Arnav-bitwa is getting married!"

"To whom?" Mama directed his question at Arnav.

"Khushi-ji!" gushed Di.

Mama strode down the stairs in silence. Arnav stood tall as he met the direct gaze of his mother's brother.

"Is this true?" Mama asked quietly.

"Yes."

Mama broke into a smile. "Then I'm happy for you. Bless you, child."

They embraced, with Mama clapping him on the back.

"Your mother would love her," he said quietly, "she's exactly what my sister hoped for in a daughter in law."

Arnav could only nod as they broke apart.

"Mahendra-bitwa, come and help us organise things for tomorrow."

The living room was soon a flurry of chaos. Arnav used the confusion to take his sister aside.

"Di, what were you saying earlier? About Khushi and the contract?"

"Well, you see ... you wanted to marry Lavanya-ji and Nani wasn't agreeing, so I thought .. Khushi-ji–"

"–and she said no?" Arnav interrupted.

"She said no ... so I ... so I ... I reminded her that she owed you money ... one lakh ... from your contract ..."

"And then she said yes?"

"N-no ... she tried to refuse again."

"Di," he said softly, "You know I'd never ask for that money."

"I ... I know Chhote. I'm sorry," Di looked away briefly, "But ... if I hadn't then Khushi-ji wouldn't have come into Shantivan and you two ... So really ... I did a good thing?"

Di looked up at him hopefully. Arnav let out a chuckle that ended as a sigh.

"What's wrong, Chhote?"

"I'm surprised she wants anything to do with any of us, considering everything we've put her through."

******

Thanks for reading!! The next update will be on the 21st of January :)

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