DORAHA

CROSSROADS

I'm really bad at naming. You must have already noticed it from the other stories.

Thank you @rupakukku for the name...

And guys.... This is an OS... I'm really sry that I didn't mention it earlier.... Sry to those who have asked for the next update....

                 She always liked the view from her cabin in the tenth floor, facing the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose road better known as Marine drive or rather as it is now, the Queen's Necklace.

She stood there right next to the glass walls, her hands tied under her chest (I don't know why but I often imagine myself like this... Standing in a cabin in a tall building looking out, watching the 'small, small' things... And one particular moment, I started writing this story... Fair warning...May not be upto your expectations) thinking about the past 3 years and more about that fateful day. It would be exactly 3 yrs on the coming 23. And she was getting ready to create new memories on that day, leaving her past behind. It was not easy, to move on from the person she once loved. The love was long gone. But the hate... It remained. But she is gonna erase that too.

She felt an arm wrap around her waist and she relaxed onto the hard chest.
"What are you thinking about, sweetheart?"
She smiled.
"Nothing Adarsh... "
Adarsh Sinhania, her fiance. She was getting married to him on 23rd of this month. Her life got destroyed on a marriage day... And she was gonna get it back on the same date, by marrying her love. When she stepped out of Shantivan all those years ago, she never thought that she would ever fall in love again. "No... That's not the answer. Tell me what happened. Are you again thinking about that man?" The anger was evident in his tone.
"More about that day... You know all were so happy.... And then... then Subhadra Malik came into the hall like storm, destroying everything, blaming my Amma for her Son's adultery..."
"ssh.... Relax baby... Why are you thinking about it now?"
"I don't know Adarsh... The hate bubbling inside me.... It's too strong... How could he? I was in love with him... I thought he too was.... But no he loves only his family... which I never became a part of..."
"Hey.... Baby.... Relax... Why are you giving him power over your happiness?"
"No... I'm not Adarsh... But I just want him to see that I'm happy with my life... That he couldn't destroy my happiness.... You have sent him the invitation haven't you?"
"Yes... But do you think he will come?"
"Yes he will.... Of course he will... He..will... Won't he?"
"Don't worry! He will come..." He wrapped his arm around her waist. "Why are you talking about another man while being in my arms?" He asked in a teasing voice.
She wrapped her arm around his neck. "You were not holding me, right? That's why... Now I will only think about you..."
"Achaji?" He pulled her closer.
"Hanji!" She smiled before both of them moved closed for a kiss only to be interrupted by....

"Oh my poor eyes!" They both turned towards the door hearing the dramatic exclamation. Payal rolled her eyes.
"Ya right! As if I haven't caught you and Arnav Jiju in more compromising positions!" Khushi blushed at that.
"You came here to say something?"
"Oh ya... I came to remind you about the fitting session... And no Jiju, you can't come." And she dragged Payal with her.

Just like her sister, she too couldn't forget that fateful night.

-flashback-
Khushi was really happy that day. She was getting married to her Arnavji, with all the rituals. The smile never left her face. And she blushed recalling  the previous night. That's when Subhadra Malik stormed into the room.
"Stop all these. My grandson is not going to marry this characterless girl."
"What are you saying, Dadi?" Asked Anjali.
"Do you think that Arnav will marry the niece of the woman who was responsible for your parents' death?"
Nani: "what?"
Dadi: "Garima was the other woman. It was because of her that my son died. She trapped my son and now has taught her daughters well... To trap rich men." The Guptas gasped at the accusation. And Payal looked at Akash expecting him to defend her. But he was looking at Dadi with a shocked face.
Manorama: "Hello hi bye bye.... You are right Maaji... This khoon bhari taang has trapped my son well or else I would have got him married to a bootifool rich girl. Not a middle-class girl like her. And then this phatti saari trapped my Arnav bitwas too. And then tried to destroy our Anjali bitiya's life. But our Damadji loves our bitiya so much that he didn't fall in her trap."
"Stop it! Really trying to trap Syam? Why would my sister ever do that?" Payal asked fed up waiting for her husband to grow a spine.
"Look at my sister and look at him. Why would my sister go behind an old crow like him? And then you guys only said that we go behind rich men. But he is just a leach."
Anajli: "How dare you talk about my husband like that."
Payal: "I just told the truth Di. But I guess you are too blind to see the real world."
Akash: "Mind your words Payal!"
Payal: "Oh? You finally got a tongue? I was starting to think that you forgot how to speak. Why didn't you tell the same when they were insulting me and my family?"
Akash: "Because it is the truth!"
Payal stumbled back in shock, only to be caught in a strong pair of arms.
Khushi who was sitting at the altar like a statue snapped out of her revere, feeling her Arnavji's presence, to see him supporting Payal.
Arnav: "Really, Akash? As far as I remember it was you who was behind Payal, trying to get her marry you, while she clearly said no."
The no came in a whoosh as a soft body collided into his chest and he had to take a few steps back to balance himself. His hands instinctively went around her to hold her close.
Anjali pulled Khushi out of Arnav's arms. "Stay away from my brother... and my husband. Your mother took my parents away from me. And you are trying to take my husband and brother away from me."
Arnav: "you have got it all wrong Di. Mr. Malik was a cheat and it was because of him that Mumma died. And Shyam Manohar Jha is just like him. Nothing but a cheating bastard."
Anjali: "Chote!"
Arnav: "He has himself told me that he loves Khushi and you are the only obstacle"
Shyam: "What are you saying, Saale Saab. Are you really that blind in her love that you will lie to your sister to save Khushiji?"
Arnav: "You!!" He held his collar.
Anjali: "Leave my husband, Arnav!"
He looked at her shocked hearing her calling him Arnav.
Arnav: "Di? Do you really think that your Chote will lie to you?"
Anjali: "My Chote won't... but you are not my Chote... You have changed..."
She eyed his hand which was holding Khushi's. He tightened his hold noticing her gaze.