Chapter 8
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Shivansh's POV
Ruhanika asked me about what happened at the breakfast and why it happened. But how do I explain her that whon she is expecting is not my mother but step-mother. I have grown up listening to the taunts of Mrs. Rajvansh and Chachiji but when they taunted me indirectly through Ruhanika, I felt bad. I will not let them taunt Ruhanika in anyway.
I may not let Ruhanika near me but that would not mean I would let her hear taunts. I know she was hurt when they said such things to her but I was bound. What could I say to her.
With this thoughts going on in my mind I reached office and engrossed myself in work.
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Author's POV
Ruhanika's bedroom
Ruhanika went to open the door hearing the knock. Aarohi was standing there with a smile.
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, main aapko aapka saman closet mein rakhvane aayi hu."
(Bhabhi, I have come to help you set your closet.)
Ruhanika nodded and let her in. Then they both went to closet with the suitcase of Ruhanika.
Ruhanika opened the suitcase on the floor.
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, yeh puri side bhai ne aapke liye hi khali rakhi hai aisa lagta hai." She said with a hint of tease in her voice.
(Bhabhi, seems like this whole side, Bhai has cleared for you.)
Ruhanika then took out her clothes from the bag and started arranging them in tbe shelves.
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, yeh kya? Yeh toh bas 10-12 pair hai kapdo ki. Aur yeh 2 pair nightsuit.!?" Aarohi was shocked with the amount of clothes Ruhanika had.
(Bhabhi, what's this? This are just 10-12 pairs of clothes, and 2 pair of nightsuit?)
Ruhanika did not say anything and just kept her clothes and came out of the closet.
"Bhabhi, bataiye na aapke pass itne kapde hi kyun hai?" Aarohi asked with a bit of irritation.
(Bhabhi, tell me why do you have only this much clothes?)
"Kafi toh hai itne kapde, Aaru." Ruhanika said, not knowing what to say.
(These are enough na Aaru?)
"Bhabhi, par jab shaadi ka saman bharte hai tab toh kitni shopping hoti hai kitne kapde aur jewellery lete hai par aapka saman toh.."
(But Bhabhi, when marriage shopping is done, at that time so many clothes and jewellery are bought then...)
"Woh sab baatein chhodo na Aaru. Main so-soch rahi th-thi k-ki Dadi se puch k-ke aaj ka lun-lunch main bana du. T-tum ch-chalo na puch-puchne." Ruhanika said while trying to divert Aarohi's mind. Aarohi nodded and they both went to Dadi for the same.
(Leave that Aaru. I was thinking that, should I make lunch today with Grandma's permission? You come with me to ask.)
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After some time.
Kitchen.
"Aaru tumhari favourite cheeze kya hai main woh banati hu." Ruhanika asked Aarohi with excitement.
(Aaru, what is your favourite item? I'll make that.)
Aarohi was still in the thoughts of what took place in Ruhanika's room.
"Bhabhi, aap jo banayenge woh mujhe bohot pasand aayega."Aarohi said to Ruhanika.
(Bhabhi, whatever you will make, I will love.)
"Please bata do."
(Please tell me.)
"Okay toh bhabhi, mujhe na malai kofte bohot pasand hai." Aarohi said not able to refuse or rather confuse Ruhanika.
(Bhabhi, I love Malai Kofte.)
Ruhanika passed a smile and started cooking lunch.
'Shaadi k time bhabhi k ghar ka mahol aur bhabhi ka yeh ek hi bag mein saman, mujhe bhabhi ki family kuch thik nahi lagta. Mujhe Aarav k saath baat karni hogi.' Aarohi was lost in these thoughts when Dadi came in the kitchen.
(The atmosphere at Bhabhi's place at the time of marriage and this one bag of belongings, I don't find Bhabhi's family fine. I have to talk to Aarav.)
"Kya ho raha hai bachho yaha?" Dadi asked.
(What is happening kids?)
"Dadi, main Aaru ki pasand k malai kofte bana rahi hu." Ruhanika replied with enthusiasm.
(Dadi, I am making Aaru's favourite Malai kofte.)
Aarohi smiled at Ruhanika's excitement and said,"Dadi, bhabhi itna tasty khana banate hai plus mere man pasand kofte unke haath se, maza aayega bada."
(Grandma, Bhabhi makes such delicious food, them my fav will taste so good made by her.)
"Zaroor. Meri Ruhi k haatho mein toh jaadu hai. Annapurna Maa ka Aashirwad hai ispe." Dadi said while patting Ruhanika's head.
(Ofcourse. My Ruhi's hands have magic. She is blessed with Goddess of Food.)
Hearing this, the tears flowed freely from Ruhanika's eyes.
"Arey beta, kya hua aise rote thodi na hai achhe bachhe. Kya ho gaya." Dadi asked with concern.
(Oh dear, what happened? Good girls don't cry like this. What happened?)
Ruhanika did not say anything just hugged Dadi while crying.
She pulled back after some time. Aarohi passed her a glass of water. After that, Dadi took her to sit at the dining table and asked her about her reason to cry.
"Dadi, a-aap it-itna pyaar kar-karte h-hai m-mujhse toh.."
(Grandma, you love me so much so...)
"Dhat Pagal ladki, pyaar karte hai toh bhala koi aise rota hai. Ab Dadi apne bachho se pyaar nahi karengi toh kisse karengi, huh?" Dadi said lovingly.
(Oh stupid girl, what is there to cry if we love you? Now, if Grandma won't love her kids, then who will I Love?)
After about an hour, Ruhanika has finished cooking. Ruhanika and Arohi were sitting in the living area and Aarohi was telling her about her college.
Shivansh arrived there from office.
Aarohi,"Bhai aap is time pe yaha?"
(Bhai, you here? At this time?)
Shivansh,"Ha woh shaam ko mujhe US jana hai toh packing karni hai."
(Yeah, I have to go to US in the evening so I have to do packing.)
At the same time, Dadi and Dadu arrived there.
Dadu,"Achanak se US Ansh, woh bhi shaadi k dusre din. Kuch din baad chale jaate dono."
(Out of nowhere US Ansh, that too immediately after marriage. Go after some days.)
Shivansh,"Dadu, main akela hi jaa raha hu. Office k kaam se 1 week New York jaana hai."
(Grandpa, I am going alone. There is offuce work in New York.)
Dadi,"Ansh, kal hi shaadi hui hai aur aaj hi apni patni ko chhod k jayega? Usse bhi saath le ja beta."
(Ansh, you got married yesterday and now you are leaving your wife. Take her as well.)
Shivansh,"Dadi, main kaam se jaa rha hu. Bilkul time nahi de paunga inko. Aur anjaan jagah par yeh kaise manage karengi."
(Grandma, I am going for work. I won't be able to give her time. And what will she do at an unknown place.)
Dadu,"Ruhi beta, tumhe kya lagta hai is baare mein. Jaisa tum chahogi waisa hoga. Tum chahti ho toh Ansh tumhe apne saath le jaayega aur agar tum yahi rehna chahti ho toh yehi sahi."
(Ruhi, what do you think? Whatever you decide. Do you want to go with Ansh or dtay with us?)
Ruhanika,"Main ya-yahi rahungi Da-dadu."
(Grandpa, I will stay with you.)
Dadi,"Thik hai beta jaisa tum chaho. Chalo hum sab khana kha lete hai. Aao baccho."
(Okay dear, whatever you feel right. Come lets have lunch. Come kids.)
Then everyone went towards dining table. Dadi asked a servant to call
Rajlakshmi and Surekha.
Surya, Rajveer and Aarav were in office.
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In the room
At 5pm
Shivansh,"Ruhanika, yeh mera card aur yeh kuch paise hai inhe apne pass rakho. Kuch zaroorat ho toh kaam aayenge."
(Ruhanika, this is my card and some cash, keep them. These will be useful if you need.)
Ruhanika,"Yeh...mujhe inki zaroorat nahi hai."
(This....I dont need these.)
Shivansh,"Rakh lo. Paiso ki zaroorat hui toh."
(Keep it. What if you need money.)
Ruhanika did not say anything and took the money and card and kept them in the closet.
Shivansh left after that.
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Next day,
After breakfast,
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, hum abhi shopping pe jaa rahe hai. Aap nashta karke ready ho jaana."
(Bhabhi, we are going for shopping. You get ready after breakfast.)
Ruhanika was about to say something but before that Aarav spoke,"Raj bhai, mujhe chutti dedo. Mujhe bhi bhabhi aur Aaru k saath jaana hai."
(Raj Bhai, grant me leave. I also want to go with Bhabhi and Aaru.)
Aarohi,"Aaj tak toh kabhi nahi aaya tu ab kya hai? Meri bhabhi k saath date hai hum do hi jaayenge. Haina bhabhi?" Aarohi turned to Ruhanika while saying the last words.
(You never came with me then why now? I have a date with Bhabhi. Right Bhabhi?)
Ruhanika did not say anything just nodded.
"Bhabhiiii....",Aarav whinned..
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At the shopping mall,
Aarohi had made Ruhanika try a hundred outfits despite her refusal. Aarohi was adamant to get Ruhanika's wardrobe filled with clothes and jewellery. Somewhere, she was sure that the people of Ruhanika's family did not treat her right. She did not know the extent of it but looking at the outfits, jewellery and basic necessities which Ruhanika owned, she knew something was not right. Though Ruhanika did not want to buy western outfits, Aarohi bought her Indian outfuts for all the occasions. From elegant sarees to dailywear comfy suits.
After about 5 hours of shopping, Aarohi had bought Ruhanika a lot of clothes that they had to call the 5 bodyguards to carry them. She also bought her a lot of jewellery and other necessary items.
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In the car,
Ruhanika,"Aaru, yeh sab bohot hai. Main yeh sab nahi le sakti. Please samjho na. Mere pass jo hai woh kafi hai please."
(Aaru, this is too much. I can't take this. Please understand. I have enough.)
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, pehli baat ladki k pass kabhi bhi enough kapde aur gehne nahi ho sakti. Aur dusri baat, aapke pass jitna saman hai na woh sorry to say bhabhi but utne kapde aur gehne toh Dadi humare ghar k helpers ko Diwali pe deti hai. Bhabhi, mujhe yeh sab dekh k itna andaaza toh aa gaya hai ki aapke ghar par aapke saath sab thik toh nahi tha. But main aapko kuch bhi batane k liye force nahi karungi. Aap ko jab thik lage aap kisi se bhi share kar sakti hai."
(Bhabhi, firstly, girls never have enough clothes and jewellery. And secondly, the amount of stuff you have is, sorry to say, but Grandma gives that much stuff to our househelp on festivals. Bhabhi, looking at it, I know that everything was not fine with you at your house. But I will not force you to open up. Whenever you feel, you can share with anyone of us.)
Ruhanika could not reply anything to Aarohi.
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, relax. Hum hai na aapke saath. Main, Shiv bhai, Raj bhai, Aarav, Dadu, Dadi."
(Bhabhi, relax. We are with you. Me, Shiv Bhai, Raj bhai, Aarav, Grandma and Grandpa.)
They soon reached home.
In the living room, as they entered, Rajlakshmi Rajvansh was sitting there along with Surekha.
Rajlakshmi," Aa gaye tum log."
(You came back.)
Aarohi,"Ji badimaa."
(Yes badimaa.)
Rajlakshmi," Itni saari bags. Bohot zyada shopping ki hai Aaru."
(So many bags. You did so much shopping Aaru.)
Aarohi," Nahi badi maa. Yeh saara saman main bhabhi k liye liya hai. Maine nahi ki hai aaj shopping. "
(No badi maa. These bags are of Bhabhi. I did not shop today.)
Rajlakshmi," Waah. Bada achha lag raha hai na tumhe, Rajvansh khandan k paise uda k. Kabhi dekha jo nahi itna paisa. Tumhara pati keh k gaya hoga na ki khoob paise uda na. Sab kuch apne pass leke jo baitha hai. Khud k saath ab tumhe bhi aish karvayega."
(Wow. You must be very happy, spending money of Rajvansh family. Never seen so much money. Your husband must have told you to spend money. Everything is under him. He himself will live in luxery and make you live too.)
Ruhanika got tears in her eyes when she heard such words about her husband. Even though he said he did not want this marriage, but Ruhanika was 100% invested in this marriage. And she respected Shivansh as well as though he was not into the marriage but still he gave her respect. He never misbehaved with her unlike her own family.
Aarohi,"Badimaa, aisa mat boliye bhabhi ko. Main leke gai thi bhabhi ko shopping pe."
(Badimaa, please don't say this to Bhabhi. I took her for shopping.)
Surekha,"Aarohi, kal ki aayi ladki k liye tu apni badimaa se behes karegi."
(Now you will misbehave with your badimaa for this girl.)
Rajlakshmi,"Yeh sab us ladke ki kahi hai. Surekha main keh rahi hu, us ladke ne toh humare bachho ko apne vash mein kar liya hai. Uski yeh biwi bhi piche nahi rehne wali. Do din nahi hue ki pata chal gaya ki uski hi biwi hai."
(All these are that boy's words. Surekha, I am telling you, that boy has taken full control over our kids. His wife will also do the same. It has not even been 2 days and she has started doing the same.)
Aarohi was just about to reply when Surekha intervened,"Aarohi, tumhe koi safai dene ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aur beech mein mat bolo. Apne room mein jao."
(Aarohi, you don't have to say anything. Amd don't speak in between. Go tk your room.)
Aarohi did not say anything to that and just took a hold of Ruhanika's hand and took her to her room.
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, aap thik hai. Dekhiye please roiye mat."
(Bhabhi, are you ok? Please don't cry.)
Ruhanika tried to stop her tears and spoke,"A-Aaru, w-woh u-unke baare m-mein a-aise k-kyun b-bol r-rahe the?"
(Aaru, why were they saying such things about Him?)
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, aap pehle shant ho jaiye." Aarohi calmed her down a bit and gave her some water.
(Bhabhi, first calm down.)
Ruhanika,"Aaru, woh Sh-Shiva-ansh ji?"
(Aaru, Shivanshji?)
Aarohi realized that Ruhanika had right to know about what was wrong.
Aarohi,"Bhabhi, humein zyada toh nahi pata, bus Raj bhai se itna pata hai ki Ansh bhai badi maa k bete nahi hai. Woh adopted hai. Aur Bade papa ne apni 70% property aur CEO ki position Ansh bhai ko de di thi apni death se pehle. Baki humnein ek baar Dadu-Dadi se pucha tha but unhone mana kiya is topic pe baat karne se."
(Bhabhi, we don't know much byt Raj bhai has told us that Ansh bhai is not Badimaa's son. He is adopted. Amd Badepapa gave his 70% property and CEO post to Ansh bhai before his death. Rest, Grandma and Grandpa has refused us to talk about it.)
Ruhanika could not say anything. She found it too much for her to absorb.
Ruhanika's POV
Shivanshji Mrs. Rajvansh k bete nahi hai isiliye woh unko kitna bura bolte hai. Aur Chachiji bhi. Shayad unko property k liye gussa hoga ki unke papa ne sab kuch Shivanshji k naam kar diya hai.
(Shivanshji is not Mrs. Rajvansh's son which is why she speaks such things about him. And aunt too. Maybe they are angry about property.)
Shivanshji ko kitna bura lagta hoga jab unko sab aisa kehte honge. Aur woh kisi se kuch kehte bhi nahi hai. Maine us din pucha tha tab bhi kuch nahi kaha tha.
(Shivanshji must feel so bad when they say such things. And he doesn't tell anything to anyone. I asked that day but then also, he did not speak.)
Woh wapis aayenge toh main unhe kahungi ki woh chahe toh mujhse baat kar sakte hai. Woh shaadi nahi nibhana chahte toh kya hua, hum dost banke rahenge.
(When he will return then I will tell him that he can talk with me. If he doesn't want to give thsi marriage a chance, its ok, but we can be friends.)
Next day,
Ruhanika was in kitchen when Rajlakshmi reached there.
Ruhanika was scared of her due to yesterday's event. She was making Roti when Mrs. Rajvansh spoke.
Mrs. Rajvansh,"Kya banaya hai?"
(What have you made?)
Ruhanika,"Ji, Dum aloo."
Mrs. Rajvansh,"Roti bana rahi ho."
(Are you making Roti?)
Ruhanika just nodded. Suddenly, Mrs. Rajvansh took a hold of Ruhanika's hand harshly and kept it on the Pan on which she was making Roti.
Ruhanika,"Aahhh!"
Mrs. Rajvansh spoke while still keeping Ruhani's hand on the Pan,"Tumhare pati ki wajah se mera jeena haram ho gaya hai. Meri zindagi kharab kar k rakh di hai usne. Aur upar se mere pati sab kuch uske naam karke chale gaye. Chaah kar bhi use yahan se nikaal nahi sakti. Aur ab tum mere sar par naachne aa gai ho. Tumhari zindagi toh ab main battar banaungi. Agar is baare mein kisi se kuch bhi kaha na toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Tumhare pati ki izzat, uska astitva sabke samne le aaungi. Puri duniya, jo ki use Rajvansh khandan ka waris samajhti hai, sabko bata dungi ki woh kis gande khoon ka waris hai. Kaunsa ganda khoon uski rago mein daudta hai. Samjhi?"
(Your husband has ruined my life. And my husband gave everything to him. Now I will ruin your life. If you told anyone about this then you will face my wrath. I will ruin your husband's image in front of the world. Whole world thinks of him as heir of Rajvansh Family, will get to know the truth of his excistence. Whose dirty blood runs in his veins. Understood?)
Ruhanika could not control the tears flowing through her eyes. Mrs. Rajvansh let go of Ruhanika's hand. Her hand was badly burnt. Mrs. Rajvansh went from the kitchen. Ruhanika quickly kept her hand under the tap water. She hissed when the cold water touched her hand.
"Ruhi beta, yeh kaise hua beta?"
(Ruhi, dear, how did this happen?)
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