Arshi TS: Mann Bharraya

Part 3

Khushi continued, 'Abhishek, Payal's first groom, and his family demanded dowry on the marriage day and declined to come with baraat till then get the dowry. Garima maasi and Buaji somehow convinced me to take help from Amit uncle counting all the favors they have done to me and how I owe this to them. I called uncle and told him about the situation. It was not difficult for him to manage the dowry. He sent the documents in half an hour. Bauji was not in a condition to go and hand over the papers so I went there to give them the papers. As I was dressed traditionally, AR people in backstage thought of me to be a model and pushed me on the stage even if I was denying to be a model.' Arnav knew how he treated Khushi after that and how the alliance broke as Khushi was not able to give the dowry to the groom's family. Khushi told them how the alliance broke and how everyone blamed her again saying how she could not do this much for them. She told them all about the Shyam encounter until their second marriage. Not leaving any detail. Including how Arnav misbehaved with her. How he mistreated her. Khushi was done hiding her pain. She was done playing the facade of a happy girl. When inside she was broken. All members of Raizada family were shocked by hearing how Arnav has hurt her. There were tears in Nani and Anjali's eyes. Mami and Akash were shocked listening to her and could not meet her eyes. Payal stood guilty knowing how much Khushi had to sacrifice for her. And how she could not even get a whim of the pain she was carrying in her heart. Arnav was ashamed. All his doings, all the incidents running in front of his eyes. All the pain he has caused her breaking her heart. Sheetal looked on surprised. Thinking what is happening here. Was not Khushi supposed to be a meak girl bearing everything silently? She has never thought about the possibility of Khushi sharing all these details with the family. Ever.

Arnav looked at Khushi with a world of pain in his eyes. But she did not have a single tear in her eyes. She was seemingly calm and looked least bit perturbed. The calmness in her visage gave birth to fear in his heart. As he was going to open his mouth to say something, Khushi continued again. 'Even with all these happening I still fell in love with Arnavji and dreamed of living a happy life with him. After the remarriage, I thought I have got the life I always wished. My chhoti si duniya.' Khushi closed her eyes for a moment. Although she was calm, it hurt to go through all these moments again. It hurt to realize her dreams were broken. No. This time her life will be in her control. The decisions of her life will be hers. No one will be able to trash her dreams like nothing. She opened her eyes with determination. Looked around the people who had pushed her through all the trauma. Everyone of Raizada family was looking at her with guilt in their eyes. But surprisingly she did not feel any sympathy for them. Did not feel the need to make them feel better. Wasn't not she doing the same for a long time. Thinking of their happiness before hers. And what did she got in return? Only hurt. She spoke, 'When Sheetal entered Raizada mansion, I did not know she was Arnavji's ex-girlfriend from Haward.' She dropped the bomb. Everyone looked at her with wide eyes. Arnav closed his eyes. 'Arnavji told me this after Sheetal shifted here. I was shocked but I was ok thinking she was his past and I was his present and future. However, I was thinking Sheetal will leave the house once she got an apartment on rent. which might take a couple of days. I did not know finding an apartment took months.' She looked at Sheetal with steely eyes. Sheetal looked at her shocked. Was her game over. Did Khushi come to know of her intenstions? She started sweating. 'But Sheetal never looked in hurry to get an apartment and leave from here. From a mere guest, she became the Sheetal bitiya to all. She started acting Arnav's best friend showing off how much she knew Arnavji better than me. Sheetal took my place at the dining table beside Arnavji which I thought was reserved only for his wife.' Sheetal cut her off, 'Khushi, what is this. How can you insult me like this? If you forgot Arnav himself allowed me to sit beside him. How can you blame me like this? Di, Naniji how can you let Khushi insult your guest like this.' Khushi raised her voice and said, 'I am not blaming you Sheetal. I know how Arnavji and the people I call my family allowed you to do everything you wished. Whether you taking my seat or Aarav insulting me at every given opportunity. Making me cook everything that Aarav wished in the middle of me having my food.' Everyone looked at her with open mouths. They remembered the incidents from the past where they asked Khushi to cook Aarav's favorite dishes leaving her meal. Arnav gasped with wide eyes. How the hell did he let this happen? How dare he do this to Khushi.