|| Carefree For The Moment. ||

|| Part Twenty-Six. ||

Abeer pulled up outside Rajvansh House & Mishti reached for the car door when she heard a sigh from beside her. She turned her head to look at him as his head rested on the headrest, his eyes closed.She turned her whole body to face him & rested her head on his shoulder, taking his hand in hers. He rested his head on top of hers & they sat there in silence for a few moments."How am I supposed to face everyone Mishti?" He asked her softly & she looked up at his face, his eyes were distant as he looked down at her. "I-I can't-"
"Shhh" She said placing her finger over his lips, shaking her head at him. "They're your family, Abeer. They know you."
"But Maa-"
"We'll deal with that when the time comes. Right now they need to know that he's been arrested" She said, choosing her words carefully.
"Can we just not disappear?" He sighed & she smiled at him before resting her chin on his shoulder so he looked down at her.

"An Ajeeb Admi once said to me, zindagi hamesha mushkil hi rehti hai, humme thoda strong banke rehna chahiye"
"I hate it when you use my own words against me!" He said shaking his head at her slightly, amused as she smiled softly.
"Let's go. Kunal will be waiting for you" She said & he sighed before the two of them undid their belts & began to get out of the car.

She waited for him to join her before he took her hand, walking into the house together. "Abeer!" A voice exclaimed worriedly & the two of them looked up to see Meenakshi rushing over towards the two of them, just as Nidhi, Ketki & Kaushal joined them. "Are you okay!? The police just called & said they arrested Mehul!"
"I'm fine Maa." He sighed as Kunal made his way over.
"Bhai! Are you okay?" He asked, his hands on his brother's arms.
"Nanko, I'm fine" He assured his little brother Relax"

"Mishti!" Abeer watched as Meenakshi turned to Mishti angrily. "Did you know all this?? Did you know what Mehul was planning!?"
"Aunty-" Mishti began
"Why didn't you tell any of us!?"
"Maa!" Abeer interrupted her tirade, causing Meenakshi to turn to him. "Mishti told me as soon as she found out" he informed her. "Which is more that can be said for anyone else." he taunted, looking around at his mother, & uncle.

"But Abeer, what exactly happened??" Nidhi asked him.
"Maa-" Ketki warned, taking her mother's arm.
"Maami, I'll tell you all about it later." He said, pulling a face & she nodded.
"Maami, where's Parul Maasi?" Mishti asked & Abeer turned to Mishti.
"She's gone to the Mandir with Bappu Ji"
"Oh. Okay."
"Maa, let's go get Bhai a drink" Ketki said taking her mother's arm & leading her away before she said anything else.

"Okay. Abeer, I'll be right back, okay?" She told him & he nodded.
"Oh & Atul Bhai's on his way back from his audition" Ketki said to Nidhi as they began to walk off in the direction of the kitchen.
"Is he!?" She said excitedly. "What did he say?? How did it go!?"
"I'll go & freshen up" He said then turned to Mishti. "I'll be right back" He said & she nodded. "Nanko, come. I need to talk to you" He said & Meenakshi watched as Abeer walked off with his arm around his younger brother.

"Meenu Behn, I'm going to go & get Bappu Ji & Parul Behn from the Mandir" he said & Meenakshi nodded in her approval.
"Aunty-" Mishti began once Kaushal had left.
"Listen to me very carefully" Meenakshi began & Mishti paused, waiting for Meenakshi to speak. "Just because you got rid of Mehul, does not mean you are capable of becoming my daughter-in-law. It doesn't!" She said & Mishti sighed quietly. "Abeer will come to his senses &-"

"Aunty, I don't think you should focus on Abeer & I. What you should focus on is what I found out whilst I was in Rajgarh"
"Meaning?" She asked
"I came across Parul Maasi's sister..." She began & waited for Meenakshi's facial expression to change, it did, ever so subtly.
"So?"
"So... she told me the truth about Mehul Uncle" She began. "& Parul Maasi"
"What about them?" She tried to remain as calm as possible but Mishti could tell the slight change in her demeanour so she lowered her voice.
"She told me who Kunal's mother really is. & I know it's not you"
"Look Mishti-" She began angrily
"Aunty, please!" she interrupted her. "I have no intention of ruining anything in your family. & it's not my place to say anything, I know. But-"
"You're right!" She made sure her voice was kept low. "It's not"
"Even so" she continued. "Kunal, deserves to know the truth of who his parents really are. I know what it feels like to grow up thinking your parents have abandoned you. If he finds out from someone else, then how do you think he'll feel!?" she asked then sighed. "If Abeer finds out from someone else, how do you think he'll feel? That's not fair. On either of them"
"Is that a threat?"
"No, Aunty" she said in confusion. "I'm just reminding you that lies never stay hidden for long. The two of them will find out eventually. I just think you should be the one to tell them. Or else I'll be forced to. I can't lie to Abeer. Especially now that our gordhana is tomorrow"
"Mish-" Meenakshi began.

"Mishti-" Nidhi made her way over towards them with a tray of drinks & offered one to Mishti. "Here you go. Behn Baa," she said turning to Meenakshi, who was deep in thought."Behn Baa!?" She said, making Meenakshi jump as she glared at Nidhi. "Sorry Behn Baa" she made a face. "Juice" She said showing her the tray in her hand.

"Mishti, come. I'll drop you home"
"That quickly?" Ketki pouted.
"Yes, Abeer. We still need to talk about your goddhana!" She said & Abeer & Mishti exchanged looks. "We haven't even invited all the guests"
"I'll come back & talk to you all. Don't worry" Abeer assured them.
"Yeah. Badi Maa & Bade Papa will be waiting" Mishti informed them & they agreed.

"Radha Krishna" Mishti said folding her hands & turned to Meenakshi. "Radhe Krishna, Meenakshi Aunty"
"Jai Shri Krishna" She said sternly, holding her hands together forcefully before Abeer & Mishti made their way out of the house.

"What did Maa say?" Abeer asked her quietly as they got outside.
"Mm?" Mishti looked up at him & she shook her head when she saw the worried look on his face. "Nothing."
"She said something, didn't she?" he asked when they reached his car so she turned to him.
"Abeer, forget all that" She said taking both of his hands in hers. "You tell me, do you still want us to go ahead with the Godhanna tomorrow or should I tell Badi Maa & Bade Papa that we want to wait a few more days?" She said & a smile came on his lips as he took her waist.
"No, let's do it tomorrow"
"Abeer!" she said quietly, looking towards the main door to make sure no one saw them.
"What? You're officially going to be mine tomorrow" He said, making her smile so she put her arms around his neck.
"I suppose you're right."
"Exactly" He said then leaned forward to kiss her cheek to make her smile, just as his phone rang, causing him to move back swiftly.
"I think Bade Papa knew you were up to no good!" She laughed when she showed him the phone & he pulled a face at her. "Yes Bade Papa? Yes. We're just coming now. Yeah, we just came to Abeer's house. We're on our way home. Okay. Bye" She said & ended the call.

"Shall we go?"
"I think we should" he said pulling a face, making her chuckle before the two of them got into the car to drive back to Maheshwari House.