The walls of Shantivan are about to echo with truths long buried. But some secrets, when unearthed, don't just hurt-they destroy.

-×-

Shantivan - Living Room - Morning

Everyone was gathered for breakfast. The usual chatter filled the space, but Arnav and Khushi sat unusually silent, eyes locked in understanding.

Nani (concerned):

"Chhotey, tum theek ho? Kal raat se kuch zyada hi chup ho."

Arnav (calmly):

"Nani... mujhe aapse aur sabse kuch zaroori baat karni hai."

The room fell quiet. Shyam, sipping his tea, paused.

Anjali (smiling):

"Kya baat hai, Chhotey?"

Arnav stood.

Arnav (steady voice):

"Woh aadmi jis par humne andha bharosa kiya... jisey hum ghar ka hissa mante rahe... usne humein dhokha diya. Tumhe dhokha diya, Di."

Shyam froze. Anjali frowned in confusion.

Anjali:

"Kya matlab?"

Arnav (cold):

"Shyam Manohar Jha... tumhara pati... meri biwi ke peeche pada tha. Tumse jhooth bola. Use pareshan kiya. Uske saath zabardasti zaroorat se zyada waqt bitaya."

Gasps rang out in the room.

Buaji:

"Hai re Nandkishore!"

Payal (stunned):

"Yeh... yeh sach hai, Khushi?"

Khushi nodded slowly, her eyes on the ground.

Khushi (quietly):

"Main chup thi... kyunki mujhe laga Anjaliji toot jaayengi. Par ab aur nahi."

Mamiji (shocked):

"Hello hi! Damadji? Yeh toh sab kuch ulta-pulta ho gaya!"

Shyam stood up, feigning shock and heartbreak.

Shyam:

"Rani Sahiba, yeh sab jhooth hai! Khushi mujhe pehle se jaanti thi. Hum Lucknow mein mile the. Vo mujhe pasand karti thi... aur jab maine use thukra diya, tab..."

Arnav (growling):

"Enough, Shyam!"

He slammed a folder onto the table.

Arnav:

"CCTV footage. Office logs. Staff testimonies. Sab kuch yahan hai."

Shyam's face paled as Arnav opened the folder, laying out damning evidence.

Anjali (trembling):

"Yeh... yeh sab... jhooth ho hi nahi sakta..."

Her eyes welled up, and the thali she held clattered to the floor.

Nani (holding her):

"Anjali bitiya..."

Shyam (desperate):

"Rani Sahiba! Yeh sab Arnav ne plan kiya hai! Use sirf Khushi chahiye! Main toh sirf..."

Anjali (shouting):

"Bas, Shyamji!!"

The entire room fell silent.

Anjali (broken, trembling):

"Mere bhai ne kabhi mujhse jhooth nahi bola. Aur tum... tumne mere pyaar, mere vishwaas ka... mazaak bana diya."

She took off her mangalsutra with shaking hands and threw it on the ground.

Anjali:

"Aaj se tum mere liye mar gaye ho."

Shyam reached out to her, but Arnav stepped in between.

Arnav (dangerously soft):

"Touch her again... and I swear you'll regret being born."

-×-

Later - Arnav's Room

Khushi stood near the window, tears in her eyes.

Khushi:

"Mujhe dar tha... ki Anjaliji toot jaayengi. Par main bhool gayi thi... woh toot kar bhi sabse mazboot hain."

Arnav walked to her, holding her hand gently.

Arnav:

"Tumhare bina main kabhi sach bol hi nahi paata. Tum meri himmat ho, Khushi."

Khushi (softly):

"Aur aap mera vishwaas."

They embraced as the chaos outside calmed-if only for a moment.

-×-

Elsewhere - Shyam's Secret Lair

Shyam sat in a dimly lit room, rage simmering.

Shyam (to himself):

"Khushi, Arnav... tumne toh mujhe nikaal diya. Par tum bhool gaye... Raizada house ke sirf ek hisse se gaya hoon. Ab aayega asli khel."

He pulled out another envelope-this one sealed with a hospital logo.

Shyam:

"Chhotey ke past ka ek raaz hai... ek aisa raaz jo uski zindagi ko jala ke rakh dega."

-×-

To be continued...

Next Up: Chapter 25 - Ashes of the Past

By

Muskan Tarway

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