Chapter 40: Chapter 40

"Good and evil, reward and punishment, are the only motives to a rational creature: these are the spur and reins whereby all mankind are set on work and guided."

The evil was defeated and the good had finally flourished and triumphed but still, there was so much to do. The list was endless, starting from the party which the Rajputs were throwing today, a big grand party for welcoming their son, daughter-in-law, and their grandchildren again in their life after two long years.

A week ago, they had returned from Kolkata in the evening. The long-time enemies and goons were eventually behind the bars, and they would be punished severely using all the charges that were against them. Now, no lawyer could save them because charges against them were barbarous & innumerable.

It is well said that evil might flourish today, maybe tomorrow too, maybe day-after-tomorrow as well, but one day it'll surely be vanquished by the good. And it happened, it really happened with those Thakurs.

Ayushi and Dhruv suffered along with their whole family, they faced so many hardships because of some evil but ultimately, they were the champion of this 'revenge game'. They defeated those Thakurs with their goodness.

Dhiraj and Gayathri had been behind all this, they had taken the help of Makshik for getting the proofs against those Thakurs who had snatched away all their happiness & peace from their lives. They started their mission the time they were planning to visit Mussoorie as even Ayushi and Dhruv were found and finally they triumphed over those evil Thakurs.

People were shocked after watching the news of the dirty player, Probhakor Thakur, his scandals and his truths were finally out that had shaken the whole India. Profanities were thrown at him, but he was least affected, scoundrels are never ashamed about their dirty business. People demanded 'death punishment' for the father-daughter duo. These kinds of people didn't even deserve to have a simple death, they should be killed, slowly yet mercilessly.

The Rajput family & Makshik were all over the news, people were praising them for divulging the filthy deeds of those Thakurs. Ayushi had even given an interview, where she had revealed only a few details about her past life to them, but her words were impactful, her story was real, also through her interview, she had motivated all those ladies who were suffering under the hold of any person to raise their voice against wrong. Dhruv too had given the interview, appreciating his wife's decisions.

In the joy of their victory as well as a welcome party for his son and his family, Dhiraj had called for a celebration today, inviting big names, businessmen along with their families, bureaucrats, politicians, and his executive staff. The whole world should know about the biggest success that they had achieved a week ago.

Preparations were going on in full swing, on the other hand, Gayathri, Dhiraj, Dhruv, and Makshik were currently inside Dhiraj's study room, discussing some business as Dhruv had to occupy his position as the CEO again from tomorrow. A lawyer was also present there, explaining the lawsuits that they had to go through for the 'Thakur case'.

While Ayushi and the other ladies were sitting inside Ayushi's room, busy in choosing the proper outfit for this function. A famous fashion designer was called at their mansion itself, for the obvious security reasons, with the best collections for the ladies. Agastya and Aranya were also near them, playing in the attached balcony with the fashion designer's small baby who had also come along with her mother.

"This peach colored Sari is so beautiful, I think beta you should go for it," Pratibha handed a beautiful sari to Ayushi while she was trying to find the appropriate outfit for this party.

"No maa, I think this will look the best," Payal handed her a turquoise blue colored sari, with intricate work on the border.

"No, this peach sari will look best on my daughter," Pratibha insisted. But Payal too wasn't going to lose.

"No, Bhabhi will wear only this, right Bhabhi?" Payal chipped in while putting her selected Sari on Ayushi's left shoulder.

"Wow, you are looking fabulous in this Bhabhi," Payal kissed Ayushi's cheeks and looked at her adoringly.

"But this peach colored will look the best," Pratibha too wasn't much behind, battling with her daughter for this 'Selection of Sari for Ayushi' competition. She also put the peach-colored sari on Ayushi's right shoulder.

"Ayushi, you are looking like a queen in this beta, wear this," she complimented her, smiling lovingly at her.

Witnessing their silly-argument, Ayushi looked at both of them in confusion, the mother-daughter duo was expecting her to select their chosen outfit. Alka laughed, seeing Ayushi's confused face.

"Di, now tell us, 'Sari, sari, which sari?'," Alka teased Ayushi in a sing-song way. Even Ruchi, the fashion designer chuckled at their childish actions.

"Bhabhi, you know already that Maa is old-fashioned so go for this one," Payal tried to persuade Ayushi and Pratibha glared at her, while Payal tried to suppress her laugh.

"You," Pratibha pulled Payal's ears, lightly.

"Sorry, Mumma, my beautiful, modern Mumma, please," Payal started her drama again and they all laughed at her silly antics.

Their banter was interrupted by none other than Dhruv and Makshik who were now standing at the doorstep, staring at their respective love-interests, adoringly. Makshik smiled inwardly, seeing the drama of his 'Chotu' (Small baby/child), an endearment that he used for Payal since their childhood.

"Bhabhi, your husband is here, I think he should choose for you, it'll be better for us all, 'Do biiliyon ki ladai me bandar jeet gaya' (In the fight of two cats, Monkey wins)," Payal teased laughingly after seeing her brother at the doorstep along with Makshik. Dhruv just showed his tongue at her, while entering inside the room.

Ayushi looked at Dhruv, and then immediately concentrated on the saris, trying to ignore his presence.

"I don't know, choose whatever you like," Dhruv hadn't an iota of knowledge about the outfits of ladies, he left the option on Ayushi. But the main reason behind that was the fight they had yesterday night.

"Hi Chotu," Makshik hit his shoulder lightly with Payal, while everyone was engrossed in the selection of the sari, again.

"Hi Ghonchu (Stupid)," she hit him on his shoulder so hard that he had to take the support of the wall, to balance himself. Payal laughed at him, and he just glared at her.

"You will never change," he whispered lightly so that only she could hear.

"Like you changed?" Payal looked at him with an unknown emotion in her eyes and later sat on the bed, getting herself busy to select an outfit for her as well, completely ignoring Makshik's presence. He sighed at her actions and got outside their room.

"I think this olive one will be good," Ayushi finally took out a silk sari which had intricate flowery thread work on its border, with beautiful tiny stones embellished on it along with a designer, flower print blouse.

"Wow, bhabhi, great choice," Payal commented and Ayushi smiled slightly.

Payal and Pratibha too selected their outfits, now only Alka was left, as she was too reluctant to choose an outfit for herself.

"Don't be shy beta, now you are also a part of our family," Pratibha touched her cheeks in a motherly manner and finally Alka had to choose an outfit for her as well.

Everyone got up and decided to rest for a while as the party had still eight hours to commence.

"Agastya and Aranya come inside now," Ayushi called her children from the balcony.

"Bye Sara," they bid farewell to Sara, Ruchi's daughter.

"Mumma, I'm hungry," Aranya whined a little after climbing on the bed and sitting on her father's lap. Dhruv kissed her cheeks lightly and took her in his arms.

"Me too," Agastya also sat on his mother's lap.

"Let me call the staff," Dhruv dialed through the intercom and ordered the staff to bring the lunch in their room.

"Mumma, you'll wear this dress today?" Aranya's attention was now on the sari which was lying on the bed.

"Yes, baby," she replied after putting Agastya back on the bed. She needed to put this dress in the wardrobe otherwise these two musketeers would crumble it.

"Daddy, Mumma is not in a good mood," Agastya whispered in his father's ear. Dhruv looked at him in question, how did he know.

"I just know," Agastya whispered. Their lunch too had arrived. Dhruv set the bed-table on his bed carefully, while setting up the plates. Even he had observed that Ayushi was still near the wardrobe, doing god knows what. He served for both his babies and they immersed themselves in eating with their own hands. Independent, lovely kids of his!

"Ayushi, till when will you remain like this?" he asked while going near her, noticing her sulking behavior.

"I don't know," she replied while completely ignoring his presence.

"Please, at least talk to me, it has been already twelve hours since the time you talked with me," he tried to persuade but she had turned her ears deaf towards his words.

She started taking out some of the jewelry that her mother-in-law had given to her, early in the morning. Dhruv sighed at his wife, knowing well that she wasn't going to forgive him anytime soon.

"Please listen to me for once," he tried to hold her hands but she immediately moved away from him.

"Don't touch me," she seethed at him in anger, while she was on the verge of crying, controlling the inner turmoil which was erupting within her.

"Now you won't like it, sorry for this," he suddenly took her in his arms and walked towards the balcony, away from their kids who were currently busy watching 'Doraemon' on their plasma TV.

"Leave me, I said leave me," Ayushi shouted at him but he paid no heed to her shouts. Finally, after reaching near the cushioned chair, he put her down on the sofa and knelt in front of her, while her traitorous tears started flowing down from her eyes.

"When were you going to tell me? Speak up," Ayushi seethed at him in anger.

"Aayuuu, please listen to me, calmly, please," Dhruv tried to calm her down.

"I started smoking from the time I regained my consciousness after losing you all," Dhruv spoke out after putting his head low in guilt and shame.

"Why?" Ayushi glared at him.

"To get away from the hallucinations that I used to get about you and babies," Dhruv had a hard time, speaking up all this as his wife's tears had become his weakness, he couldn't tolerate it and now being the reason behind her tears was piercing his heart.

"And why do you still continue to smoke? Aren't we in your life now? Tell me?" Ayushi counterattacked at him while reaching for his face. She made him look at her, she needed answers.

"You are, but addiction cannot be just removed in a fortnight. I am trying Ayushi, really, to get away from it, for you, for our babies," he replied while keeping his face on her lap, seeking solace from her. Ayushi cried more, seeing his state.

Yesterday at late night, when everyone had slept, because of the quench for water, Ayushi had gotten up but she didn't find Dhruv beside her. Instead, a pillow was kept near Aranya beside which he was sleeping earlier. She searched in the washroom but he wasn't there as well but then rings of smoke caught her eyes. She saw that her beloved husband was busy puffing out the cigarette in their balcony. And the rest is history.

"Don't you love us?" Ayushi asked him in a mournful tone.

"Of course, I love you all," Dhruv was quick to reply.

"Then quit this smoking, it's going to damage you only," she held his face in her hands, making him understand deliberately.

"Ayushi, I'm really trying, I've reduced my cigarette intake from six puffs a day to only two, but I'll quit it too although it'll take time, I promise to you," Dhruv held her hands in his, in a promising manner. Ayushi just hummed at him, while looking at their held hands.

Dhruv feared her silence, it was worse than her scolding. He dreaded for her this silent mode.

"Say something," he pleaded her, with his dark-eyes.

"I'll help you quit it," Ayushi whispered and cupped his cheeks softly, kissing him gently on his lips, taking him by surprise. He reciprocated her kiss and smooched on her lower lip, asking for entrance inside her mouth. But Ayushi pulled back from him suddenly remembering about the kids.

"Fu*k," Dhruv cursed under his breath at his interrupted pleasure and Ayushi glared while narrowing her eyes at him.

"Kids may come," she playfully hit on his head and got up as even they needed to rest for a while after having their lunch.

"Not before this one," he pulled her closer to him, with his hands on her waist and kissed her gently at first, and then as if he was reaching for something more, he pushed her against the wall and kissed her harder. His lips were warm and so soft, Ayushi curled her toes in utmost pleasure.

****

The party had finally started with the enthusiastic guests enjoying the soothing music that was being played in the background. The celebration was taking place in their huge garden only where at least hundreds of people were present.

Dhiraj and Gayathri were busy in talking with their prominent guests while on the other hand, Makshik stood with his old friends, catching up with them. Pratibha too was busy with Alka and Payal with few other ladies, talking and laughing on something.

Dhruv, Ayushi, and the kids were nowhere to be seen, and the guests too were anticipating their arrival.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all in this celebration of our victory against evil and also for welcoming my son, daughter and my grandchildren," Dhiraj was on the stage, with mike now, taking everyone's attention on him. All the guests cheered and clapped for him.

"I won't tell the same story again which you all have been already aware of, but today there are many things that needed to be announced. Firstly, I'd like to welcome my son, Mr. Dhruv Singh Rajput, and his wife Mrs. Ayushi Singh Rajput who had come to our lives after two whole years. Life without them was like a blank book, with nothing to read, nothing to enjoy, but now they've returned with their cute babies, I'd like to call them up on the stage, please give them a huge round of applause," Dhiraj invited his son cheerfully along with his wife and children.

But still, they were nowhere to be seen. Guests started looking here and there, front and back, left and right, but they couldn't see them.

"Where are they?" guests started whispering among themselves, trying to find the known faces of Dhruv and Ayushi with their kids.

And then they saw two small kids, coming hand-in-hand with big Doraemon and Nobita who were busy waving their hand at the guests. Aranya and Agastya were euphoric and delighted to walk with their favorite TV cartoons, and because of their excitement only, they had forgotten their nervousness around many unknown guests.

Guests awed at the adorable and enchanting kids, who were looking endearing in their cute outfits. This was the first time, the world was seeing the children of Mr. Dhruv Singh Rajput. Dhiraj smiled at them and received them near the stage & took them in his arms. The kids smiled at their grandfather. Behind them, their parents, Dhruv and Ayushi were too, walking hand-in-hand with a beautiful smile adorning their faces. They too were on the stage now, under the limelight. Guests kept applauding for them.

"So, meet my grandchildren, Aranya Singh Rajput, and here is our Agastya Singh Rajput," Dhiraj introduced his grandkids proudly, having an ecstatic look on his face.

"Say 'Hi'," Dhiraj asked both of them to greet the guests. Although they were slightly nervous, facing these many people but they just smiled at the guests, following their aunt's instructions for which she was going to give them some chocolates.

"Hi," Aranya greeted the guests followed by Agastya, and everyone awed at their sweet voice.

"I would like to call their parents now, who gave birth to these cute babies," with that Dhiraj got down the stage with the babies, giving the stage to Dhruv and Ayushi now.

"Good evening everyone," Dhruv greeted everyone in his husky voice, while Ayushi was smiling beside him. She too had a mike in her hands.

"Good evening everyone," she too greeted and all the guests cheered in joy.

"So, as you already might be knowing about our life in these two years, I've just one thing to say. Trust your family and wife because no matter what, your family will always be with you. I did a huge mistake but now I've learned a lesson. I hope you enjoy the party tonight, cheers," Dhruv's voice echoed through the crowd and the guests praised him for his truthfulness and generosity.

"I don't know what to say as he had already spoken everything that was in my mind," Ayushi smiled at Dhruv, nervously while the guests smiled seeing their pure bond.

"I love my family the most, with them I am feeling complete now, like a part of me which was lost somewhere had been joined within me, thanks Dadi, Papa, and Maa," Ayushi smiled looking at her family members and finally walked down the aisle.

"Another announcement would be after the dinner, till then enjoy the party, guys," Dhiraj cheered from the stage and now the guests started talking among themselves, enjoying the party.

The kids got busy playing with the other kids while Alka and Payal were keeping an eye on them and Dhruv, Makshik and Dhiraj were also busy talking with business executives.

Gayathri had some pain in her knees so she had got inside the house after greeting some of her guests, to rest on her comfortable bed.

On the other hand, Ayushi and Pratibha were interacting with some of the friends of Pratibha. They all were immersed in interrogating Ayushi that how she had managed to do all this and that too alone. But not even for once did she stammer, she answered every question of theirs with confidence and logic, nonetheless leaving all those private things which she didn't want to disclose.

"You know, I think Makshik has a crush on you," Alka commented while they were sitting near the fountain on the right side of the party venue, where the kids were currently playing, away from the crowd. Payal looked at her in a shocking state, not knowing what to say.

"Don't look at me like that, the look he gives you confirms that," she smiled back at Payal who was distressed now.

"He might have a crush on me but he's not the Makshik whom I knew," Payal's eyes held an unknown pain which Alka could easily see.

"If you want, you can share, Payal," in the past two weeks, that they had lived together, they both had liked each other's company and were best buddies now.

"He joined the police services without even telling me anything, no news, no message, nothing. Through his father only, I had come to know about his sudden dispersal. I was his best friend, he didn't even care to tell me about all this, how can I forgive him so easily and now he's changed so much. I fear him now, I don't like his presence," whatever Payal said was true except for the last sentence as it was her insecurity around this new Makshik.

"You can sort that out, Payal, friends don't keep grudges for such a petty thing, maybe at that time, he had some other issues at hand," Alka tried to explain her softly.

"Maybe Alka," Payal replied and got up.

"Where are you going?" Alka asked her while getting up too.

"Just going to check upon Dadi and to give her medicines too, Bhabhi just messaged now," Payal smiled weakly and got inside the house.

Alka sighed at her and sat near the fountain, on the bench, while enjoying the view of the adorable kids who were running after each other, lost in their own innocent world.

"Kids are the purest form of God's creation," a voice whispered near her and she immediately looked up to see an unknown man sitting near her. Alka panicked and tried to get up from the bench.

"Relax, I'm not here to flirt with you, I was just getting bored there, so thought why not to sit and gaze at these lovely kids," Arjun replied and smiled at her slightly. She remained on her seat and nodded her head, little.

She had seen him somewhere but she couldn't pinpoint where. Then she suddenly remembered that she had seen him on the television a week ago.

"You're Arjun?" she asked him in a perplexed tone because Ayushi had told her that how mournful he was that day when he had lost everyone, his so-called father, sister, and his mother.

"Yeah," he replied and looked ahead at the kids whose careless laugh was enough for him to smile.

"I am Alka," she forwarded her hand for a handshake and Arjun looked at it for some time and later shook it, tenderly.

"Nice to meet you," they both spoke at the same time, and when they realized that, they shared a shy glance at each other.

While on the other side of the garden, Dhruv was busy puffing out the cigarette, away from the crowd. He had his own reasons for smoking. When Ayushi noticed Dhruv going towards the garden, she too had followed him and now she could see him smoking, again.

But before she could stop him, she saw someone near the bushes with a gun pointing at her husband.

"Dhruv," Ayushi shouted out loudly in desperation.

~**•**~

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