Taken For Granted

Chapter 19

Akash's POV (Before Flashback)

As soon as Payal left the house I got a message from the same anonymous number.

Good Job!!! Make sure never to be in contact with her or you know the consequences... the photos. Now divorce her or there will be consequences

I look at the message with horror and throw my fifth phone on the floor. I jump onto my bed, not bothering to shower or change my clothes. I cry myself to sleep, cursing my bad luck.

These messages have been tormenting me for the past two days. At first, I didn't take them seriously, but then I received a message with proof that forced me to act against Payal.

Flashback

Unknown: "Your wife has started to learn English, and you better make her stop. Or I will post the photo I have sent you on the net, and you know the consequences. You better also tell your useless wife that you only married her for her body and not for love."

Me  - but... I love her truly in fact I love her more than anyone else in the family, I can't tell her that.

Unknown: "Don't you love the person who has been with you through all your tough times more? And don't worry, if you do that, I promise those photos won't be posted. But if you don't, haha, I can't promise you anything."

Me: "Okay... I will do it. Just don't post those photos."

Unknown - One more thing, insult her mother as well as your wife needs as she needs to leave the house

Akash - But...

Unknown - Do as I say

Akash - Okay

I lied to Payal, saying I overheard Bhai and Khushiji's conversation because I needed an excuse for knowing about her learning English. I was proud of Payal when she started learning English. She could prove to everyone that she didn't need her husband's money to be independent. But I insulted her and her mother, which I shouldn't have done. I had no other choice.

As soon as Payal left the house, I followed her to the hospital to ensure she was okay. That's when I overheard something unexpected. My Payal is pregnant. I'm going to be a father. I rushed to the doctor after Payal left to find out about her health and if there were any complications.

Akash: Thank you, doctor. Can you please call this number (give Arnav's number) and let him know? Thank you.

As I sit in my car, the weight of the situation crashes down on me. Payal is carrying our child. I'm going to be a father. The thought fills me with an intense joy I've never known before. My mind races with images of holding our baby, of the family we could be. But this joy is immediately overshadowed by a crushing guilt.

I think back to how I treated her, the harsh words, the hurtful accusations. How could I have been so blind? The woman I love is bearing our child, and I pushed her away because of my cowardice. I let my fears and insecurities dictate my actions, and now I might have lost her forever.

I remember the way she looked at me when she left, the pain in her eyes. I should have been her protector, her confidant, but instead, I became her tormentor. The realization that she's pregnant makes everything I did even worse. She must have been so scared and alone, yet I did nothing to support her.

My mind flashes back to the anonymous messages, the threats. I can't believe I let some faceless stranger manipulate me into hurting the person I love the most. The thought of those photos being leaked terrified me, but now, the thought of losing Payal and our child terrifies me even more.

I should have been there for her, celebrated this news with her, held her close and promised her the world. Instead, I drove her away. The guilt is suffocating. How could I let this happen? How could I fail so completely as a husband and now as a father?

I grip the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. I need to fix this. I need to find her, apologise, and make things right. She deserves to know that I love her, that I want to be there for her and our child. I won't let my fear and mistakes ruin our future. I have to be strong, for her and for our baby. With renewed determination, I drive home, formulating a plan. I'll find Payal and Khushi. I'll beg for her forgiveness and promise to be the husband and father she deserves. This is my chance to make things right, and I won't waste it.

The Next Day

Mum - Hello Hi Bye Bye Akash bitwa... comes downs fors breakfast ands alsos sees photos ofs somes girlss (Akash come down for breakfast and look at some photos of some girls)

Not even bothering to have breakfast or look at the photos, I leave for AR. On the way, I get a new phone with a new SIM card. I called my detective, who is tracing the unknown number and keeping an eye on NK, as I knew Payal and Khushiji would stay with him and not go to the Gupta house. They don't want us to take them for granted again.

After 6 hours

As soon as I reach home, I see Di crying while Sheetal consoles her.

Sheetal (fake crying): "It's okay, Di. It's all because of Khushi. He is saying all this, and Di, I don't even know who Shyam is. I am not related to him. Di, trust me. Aarav is my son... How will I live without him?"

Before Di could even say anything to her I did

Me (angry): "Sheetal, how long will it take you to pack your bags and leave? Hurry up and leave. We don't want you here. And Di, if you are so upset that she is leaving, then you can leave with her and her child. We don't need any backstabbers in our house."

I quickly call Aman to arrange a stay order from RM and from Aarav for Sheetal Jha.

Lawyer (coming in) - Excuse me!! Can I see mr Akash Singh Raizada and Mr Arnav Singh Raizada.

Me (calming down) - Yes ... I am Mr Akash Singh Raizada

Lawyer - Sir, there are divorce papers for you and a note with it.

As I stand in the living room, staring at the divorce papers Payal sent, a fresh wave of pain and betrayal washes over me. Love without trust isn't possible. I have hurt her a lot, especially when I didn't stand up to my mother. But even she couldn't see my love behind the fake hatred I showed. I thought she knew me better than that. How could she believe that I married her only for her body? Didn't our moments together mean anything to her? Didn't she see the love in my eyes, even when I was angry?

I signed the divorce papers, my heart breaking with every stroke of the pen. But a part of me feels hurt that she didn't tell me about the pregnancy herself. She believed every cruel word I said so blindly. It hurts to think she didn't trust me enough to see through my facade. Was my love so weak that she couldn't feel it, even when I was forced to act against her?

As I look up to give the papers to the lawyer, I see Bhai leaving the house. Not wanting him to get hurt in his anger, I run outside and follow him in my car. My thoughts are a chaotic mix of anger, regret, and determination. I won't let Payal slip away from me. I will find her, I will make her understand. She has to know that every word I said was a lie, driven by fear and manipulation. I need to make her see that my love for her is real and that I want to build a future with her and our child.

I saw him going near a cliff, and then... the car... it jumped off...

I get out of the car as fast as I can and look down to see the car in flames.

Me (shouting): "BHAIIIIIIIII!!!!!"

Akash (shouting) - BHAIIIIIIIII!!!!!

Do you guys support Akash now?

Is his point justified? Is Payal also to be blamed?

Who is the unknown caller?