Taken For Granted

Chapter 36

Payal's POV

Mum's voice trembles as she says, "It was none other than... Arnav's Dadi, Subhadra Devi."

I stand frozen, my mind racing. How could Dadi do something so terrible? Why would she take such a drastic step? My gaze shifts to Khushi, who is crying uncontrollably. After all, this is Arnav's Dadi—the man who Khushi loves dearly. Mum immediately tries to console her, but Khushi isn't ready to stop crying. That old lady first took me away from my family, then made Khushi feel like an orphan, and finally, she tried to stop Arnav from marrying Khushi by accusing our Amma.

Anger boils inside me. "Mum, tell me why! Right now."

Mum, still holding Khushi, takes a deep breath before continuing, "As you know, Garima and I were best friends, inseparable. Once, Garima asked me to accompany her to meet her boyfriend, Arvind... Arvind Malik. I went with her to a restaurant, and we had a good time. But Subhadra Devi was there too, and she mistook me for being involved with Arvind, thinking he was cheating on Ratna with me. Instead of confronting me, she decided to threaten and kidnap you, Payal, to make me feel the same pain she thought Ratna would feel."

Mum's voice cracks as she continues, "When she saw me with Arvind, I was three months pregnant with you, but she didn't notice. She started keeping an eye on me and Arvind, seeing us together often because Garima kept taking me with her. After a month, Garima's marriage was fixed with Shashi, and she was heartbroken. I did a background check on Arvind with the help of Tej and found out he was already married, with a pregnant wife. Garima was devastated but too scared to tell Shashi. On Garima's wedding day, Subhadra Devi kidnapped me, thinking she could threaten your dad. But she changed her plan and decided to kidnap you instead."

Mum wipes her tears before continuing, "She poisoned Tej's mother and made it seem like a heart attack by threatening the doctors. Then she kidnapped Shivay from his school, making sure her identity remained hidden even from him. By forcing us to give you up for adoption, she wanted us to feel the pain she thought Ratna might experience if she discovered her husband's affair. She wanted me to suffer, to feel the heartbreak of separating two children from their father while I lived a good life with a loving husband and two children."

Mum pauses, looking at Dad, who is now soundly sleeping, while Khushi continues to cry silently. I rush to Khushi, hugging her tightly, and silently lead her outside where Bhabhi and Bhai are still crying.

With tears streaming down my face, I call out, "Bhai! Bhabhi!"

They immediately rush to us, and we embrace tightly.

Bhai avoids my gaze, silently signalling Bhabhi not to say anything. But I'm stubborn. I take Bhabhi's hand and place it on my forehead.

"You... you have my swear," I say, my voice breaking.

Bhabhi looks at me, shocked, then at Bhai, who is also taken aback. Tears fill her eyes as she finally speaks.

"It's p... Papa."

My heart sinks. "What about Dad? Bhabhi, please tell me—you have to tell me!"

Khushi, equally desperate, pleads, "Bhabhi, tell us!"

Bhabhi takes a deep breath before uttering the words that shatter my world. "Hehascancer."

Khushi and I both echo in disbelief, "What?"

Bhabhi, her voice trembling, repeats, "He has cancer!"

It feels like the ground beneath me has disappeared. My vision blurs, and suddenly, everything starts to spin. Darkness envelops me as I lose consciousness.

Will Payal be fine?

Will Tej survive cancer?