Kuchh Ankahi Baatein

Parayi

At Aggarwal House –

Chachaji smiled warmly, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "Chalo, achha hai... inke exams bhi khatam ho gaye. Aaj se hum Pooja ki shaadi ki shopping bhi shuru kar denge," he said with a hint of excitement.

Chachiji nodded in agreement, her tone soft yet emotional. "Sahi kaha aapne... ab kuch hi mahine bache hain. Phir Pooja apne ghar chali jayegi... hum sabko chhod kar," she added, her words carrying both happiness and a quiet sadness.

Pooja immediately reacted, a little hurt by the way it was said. "Kya mummy... yeh mera ghar nahin hai kya? Aap aise kyun bolte ho?" she replied, her voice filled with emotion.

Chachaji quickly stepped in, reassuring her with warmth and affection. "Arey nahi beta, aisa kuch bhi nahin hai... yeh ghar tumhara hamesha tha, aur aage bhi hamesha tumhara hi rahega," he said gently, making sure she felt loved and belonged.

Taiji entered : O bai! aise kaise Anand babu.. Ladki ko galti baatein mat sikhao. Pooja tu bhi dhyan se sun le ki shaadi ke baad sirf vohi ghar tera apana hoga. Galti se bhi yahaan vaapas aane ki mat sochna... chaahe kuchh bhi ho har hall mein vahin rehna aur chup karke nibhaana... Yaad rakh ki Tere baad teri ek behen aur bhi hai varna usaki shaadi mein bahut dikkat aayegi...

Anand: Bhabhiji aap aaj ke zamane mein bhi kaisi soch rakhti ho. Beti kabhi parayi nahin hoti. Aur ek aur baat aapne galat kahi, meri do aur betiyan hai ek nahin... mere liye Preeti aur Naina mein koi farq nahin... dekhiyega mein donon ki vidaai ek jaisi dhoom dhaam se karunga... kisi ki khushiyon mein koi kami nahin aayegi...

Taiji making faces taunts him, "aap kitna bhi kahlo par paraya, paraya hi hota hai... Rakesh babu ne toh pehle hi palla jhaad rakha hai, mein to kehti hun aap bhi ab usase kinaara kar lo... apani beti ki shaadi mein jo kharchana hai voh to theek hai par aise to usaki shaadi ka kharcha bhi aapke palle padega.. humse to koi ummid rakhna mat.."

Bela: Bhabhiji, aap usaki bilkul chinta mat kijiy... humne apani teenon betiyon ke liye pehle se hi soch rakha hai.. jo bhi hamara hai voh teenon ko barabar ka milega.. chaahe voh pyar ho ya unka haq... kyun ji sahi kaha na maine" she said looking at Anand who smiled back supporting her...

Taiji taunts her, "Bela ye sab na kehne ki baatein hai... tumhein toh tab pata chalega jab usaki wajah se Preeti ki shaadi mein dikkat aayegi.. Vaise bhi Naina badi hai aur jab tak us manhoos ki shaadi nahin hogi tum Preeti ki bhi nahin kar paogi.. Aur usaki shaadi toh hone se rahi... na shakal hai na surat aur uss par uske baap ki jeb bhi khaali hai... kaun biyahega aisi ladki ko..."

A voice at the door made everyone turn at once. Standing there were Naina and Preeti, quietly watching the scene unfold. It was clear from their expressions that they had heard everything—especially the harsh words Taiji had just said moments ago.

Anand and Bela immediately sensed the tension. Their hearts sank at the thought that Naina might feel like an outsider or be hurt by Taiji's behavior yet again. They exchanged a quick glance, silently understanding each other's concern. Neither of them wanted her to feel unwanted or different in her own home.

Bela's face softened with affection as she looked at Naina, while Anand tried to maintain a normal demeanor, hoping to ease the situation. Both of them wished, more than anything, to protect Naina from the sting of those words and remind her—without saying it outright—that she truly belonged here, just as much as anyone else.

Bela quickly stepped forward with a warm smile, as if nothing unpleasant had just happened.

"Arey, aa gayi tum dono? Exam kaisa hua?" she asked gently, her voice deliberately cheerful.

Then, glancing playfully at Preeti, she added with a light teasing tone, "Naina ka toh mujhe pata hai... hamesha achha hi karti hai. Par bas iss jhalli ki chinta rehti hai mujhe," she said, pointing affectionately toward Preeti, trying to lift the mood.