As Arnav walked out with Khushi and Anjali, there was nothing his mother could do to hold her son back or stop her daughter from leaving. It was only Khushi who turned to look at her, her eyes trying to reach out to her but it was in vain, she didn't have a place in her mother in law's heart who turned her head away when she saw Khushi looking at her.
Months passed, they had moved into a house close to Arnav's workplace. Khushi was nearly 6 months pregnant and she had never been happier in her life. Arnav apart from being the doting husband was also on his way to being the best father in the world. Most days he worked from home, only going to the office if it was absolutely necessary, most of his time was spend around his wife, their baby and his sister.
Anjali though initially shattered at what her future in laws had done, soon grew out of it. She could see the evil in the family and she thanked the Gods' that she had never been married into a family where she would have faced hell while her husband watched in silence. It took her time to forget the ordeal but with a brother like Arnav and a sister - in - law like Khushi, she couldn't be sad for too long.
For instance, the thing that kept Anjali on her toes was that she was soon going to be a Bua, she was only too happy about the baby and if not just Arnav, then Khushi had her Nanad hovering over her 24/7 and Khushi wasn't complaining. Over the months, the Bhabhi-Nanad duo had bonded really well. Anjali had found a true friend in Khushi, who in turn found her best confidante in Anjali.
Throughout this period, Arnav's mother tried her best to contact him but he remained as remote as ever and each time Khushi tried to broach the topic with him, he refused to even talk. As far as he was concerned, he had no mother, as much as it hurt him to forget his mother whom he had once loved so much, the wounds that she left in his heart ran too deep.
Even now Arnav woke up in the middle of the night, sweating, jerking awake from nightmares, where all he could hear was the loud wail of a baby, and he would wake up, his face tear stained as he thought of his unborn child whom his mother had mercilessly killed!
Khushi would hold him as the pain over their lost princess shook them, making their resolve harder that this time they would never let anything happen to their baby!
One day Anjali and Khushi were at the mandir, after the aarti. As they were about to leave, they ran into Arnav's mother who seemed positively delighted to see Anjali but she blatantly ignored Khushi as though she were an invisible wall!
Anjali ... My child! How are you princess?' wept her mother as she tried to reach out for Anjali who immediately pulled away.
Her mother looked at her beseechingly.
Why are you angry at me Anjali ? What did I do to you that you don't even want to meet your mother ?'
Anjali gave a cold stare to her mother who still hadn't taken the courtesy to at least acknowledge Khushi.
Do you see this woman standing next to me Ma? She is your Bahu, the one who will bear your son's children, who will eventually carry our family name! She is your daughter too and she is pregnant with your son's baby. She is in a stage of her life where she needs a mother's love the most and you don't even consider her existence! I am shocked mother; you killed my brother's first child because it was going to be a girl?! A girl Ma, just like me, your Anjali, could you bear it if your mother - in - law had killed me off while I was still inside you? And you killed away my niece? If not for you Ma, Bhai and Bhabhi would have been parents to a beautiful princess, you would have been a Dadi and me a Bua, so much happiness and you snatched it all away! You yourself are a woman and yet you killed a girl! Bhai is right; we are the unluckiest children because we were born of a mother like you! Don't wait for me or Bhai. We are happy in our lives today. And you will be welcome in our lives on the day when you can accept my Bhabhi and her kids, whether they are a boy or girl!'
Khushi watched her in stunned shock, Anjali who had always been gentle and caring to everyone had spoken out to her mother whom she adored and respected. She could do nothing to stop her, she knew her words would hurt her mother -in-law to no ends and she didn't want that.
Anjali may not have noticed in her anger but Khushi did, the old lady looked really tired and weak, her eyes were sagging, her body looking fragile, there were worry lines on her forehead, the sparkle had vanished from her eyes and Khushi couldn't bear it, after all she was her husband's mother. Someone she had loved like her own. But Anjali didn't care and she didn't stop.
For what you did Ma, I suffered. I would have got in laws who are exactly like you in their thought process and today I am happy that I didn't get married off into such a family. My Bhabhi at least had Bhai who fought for her when he heard the crimes done to her. Not all women are blessed to get a husband like that! You should be jailed Ma, for what you did. Consider it as Bhai's charity to you that you are still walking free! You haven't seen his pain, you haven't seen Bhabhi's pain---Have you? The pain of losing their child! No matter what you do Ma, you will never be able to make up for your sins!'
Anjali caught hold of Khushi and led her out while her mother stood silent, her tears unable to be controlled, but her anger towards Khushi didn't abate , she couldn't see the truth even then.
One day Anjali, you will realise that a girl child is always a burden while a son is a blessing and that day you will return, not just you, even Arnav!' thought the woman as she prayed for her children's happiness and left the temple!
Meanwhile back at home, Khushi tried her best to talk to Anjali who didn't want to discuss the topic at all. Arnav was home after an important meeting and Anjali related everything that had happened at the mandir, he listened to them, his face devoid of any emotion at the mention of his mother's name. He hugged his sister close as he heard from Khushi how Anjali had spoken to his mother!
Later Anjali left them alone for a while as she went to meet Manas, a friend of Arnav and business partner. Manas had liked Anjali at first sight and had sought her out to Arnav who told him that it was all Anjali's decision. They had go on a few dates and things were going pretty well between them and if all worked out then Anjali would soon find her own happiness. But nevertheless, she had told her brother that even if she was settling for Manas, it would only be after Khushi had given birth, she didn't want to miss out on any detail of the baby's birth and Arnav had readily agreed.
As the months passed, happiness seemed to never leave their lives as Khushi neared her delivery date. Their baby was living and kicking and Anjali and Arnav were there with Khushi to experience the baby's every heartbeat!
Meanwhile Anjali and Manas had decided to get married. The date was to be fixed after Khushi had given birth. Arnav and Khushi had met Manas and his family who had welcomed Anjali like their own daughter. In fact Manas's mother loved Khushi as well and she was the one taking care of everything that Khushi would need as the due date came close.
And now the day had arrived, the day that Arnav and Khushi had long been waiting---
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