Chapter 69 #5
"OMG! Jiju, being the state's Chief Minister, is afraid of you... No one would believe it if you asked, but look at him now," Suman commented. "God, di, you can scare anyone."
"Yes, and remember—you're included in that 'anyone,' so stop showing your teeth and get to work. Party's tonight, not a week later," Akansha said. Suman shut her mouth and went to help her parents finalize the menu.
With Akansha's approval, the menu and decorations were finalized. Preparations were in full swing. Dev wanted to leave early to reach Shaurya's home sooner, but the party chaos delayed him.
Aakriti arrived early, unbothered by the usual secret routes—no one knew she was Rajnath Bisht's daughter.
She brought a bouquet for Suman, congratulating her with a happy smile.
Suman felt awkward receiving it from the girl whose life she had almost destroyed, but Aakriti hugged her anyway.
Suman broke the hug quickly, still feeling guilty.
"I know what you're thinking. Forget the past. If we look closely, we both loved the wrong man, and he played with us.
You bore the punishment more, suffering for years.
Those years of pain have wiped out your mistakes.
Shaurya and Dev say my sufferings wiped away my sins too—I don't believe it fully, but I don't want to dwell on guilt.
I want to be good, bring happiness to Akansha bhabhi, and give all my love to Siya.
That, I think, will be my real penance," Aakriti said.
Suman nodded through tears and hugged her.
Shaurya, Akansha, and Vasant watched silently, smiling at how both girls, once broken by Dilip Gandhi, were finally healing. They had made mistakes, acted foolishly, but had matured, recognized their errors, and learned how to correct them.
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Dev arrived earlier than expected, but his purpose was to have a private conversation with Shaurya.
Without a word, he walked straight to Shaurya's study, and Shaurya followed.
Once inside, the two friends discussed the entire situation, and it was then that Dev realized Shaurya hadn't actually expelled the leaders—they had left on their own.
Dev poured himself a glass of alcohol, staring into it as if it contained the answers to his mounting frustrations. Shaurya leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching his best friend wrestle with both the political pressures and his own dilemma.
"I can't believe those idiots," Dev muttered, swirling the glass.
"They want to topple the government... when I told them to calm down, they acted like I was being unfair.
Shaurya... I've been making excuses to myself not to go against your government, but the truth is.
.. I can't even do that. You didn't expel them—they left on their own! "
Shaurya smiled faintly, nodding. "Well... you didn't ask clearly, Dev. I assumed you knew. Those leaders from my party would have explained everything."
Dev slammed the glass lightly on the counter, making a sound sharp enough for Shaurya to understand his frustration.
"Explained? don't even mention them. They don't even understand the difference between expulsion and being denied a ticket.
And they still have the audacity to talk about toppling the government.
It's ridiculous. And it's all because of you. .. Why didn't you pick my calls?"
Shaurya sighed, resting his hand on Dev's shoulder. "Now you know. You can relax a little, Dev. Enjoy the party. Don't let politics ruin a night meant for celebration."
Dev shook his head, muttering, "Saala Shaurya... why didn't you tell me earlier? I became an idiot... all those strategies I made to not topple you—they were pointless!"
Shaurya chuckled softly, eyes twinkling. "Better late than never. Let's leave politics for now. Your headache can wait."
Dev took a long sip of his drink, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. For a brief moment, the two old friends simply watched the party from their corner—the sounds of laughter, the excited squeals of the kids, and the faint clinking of utensils from the kitchen.
"Alright," Dev finally said, setting the glass down. "Let's go. Enough brooding. It's Suman's celebration after all."
Downstairs, Akansha spotted them approaching. "Rachna... look over there," she whispered, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
"What?" Rachna asked, trying to follow her gaze.
"Dev... drinking," Akansha said, barely holding back a laugh.
Rachna sighed knowingly. "Yah, I know... poor husband of mine. He's been dealing with too much party chaos."
"So? Alcohol will solve nothing. You should stop him before it ruins his tomorrow," Akansha said. Rachna nodded, stepping forward.
Dev, noticing the two women approaching, whined in mock frustration, "See... your cunning wife is filling my wife's ears against me!"
Shaurya shot him a sharp glance. "Shut up, Dev. Akansha is not cunning. One more word, and I'll kick you away."
"Look at that evil smirk... I see it on her face," Dev muttered dramatically, earning a chuckle from Akansha.
Rachna reached Dev first, swiftly snatching the glass from his hand. "No more drinking tonight, Dev. You've had enough stress. I don't want hangover to add to it"
Dev whined, turning to Shaurya. "It's all her doing yaar Shaurya She's conspiring against me"
Shaurya ignored him, shaking his head in amusement. Meanwhile, Akansha and Rajnath exchanged a quiet high-five, pleased at having successfully tamed Dev for the moment.
"Huh! Evil dad and monster sister-in-law... my new series! Must watch," Dev taunted, which was met with laughter from Shaurya and Rachna, while Akansha and Rajnath sighed at his childishness.
Suman, who had been watching the small interactions unfold, finally spoke. Her voice carried both resolution and nervous excitement.
"I've thought it through," she began, glancing at her sister and brother-in-law. "I've decided to move to this city... I want to start my own food business. I'll take Di and Jiju's advice seriously, and I... I think I can do this on my own."
Akash stepped forward and congratulated Suman on taking her first step.
For a change, Akansha hugged her little sister, pulling Akash into the embrace as well, surprising them both.
The hug spoke volumes—no matter their past differences, they would always stand by each other.
Suman's eyes filled with tears at her siblings' love, and memories of how she had treated them in the past weighed heavily on her.
Yet, just as Aakriti had advised, she pushed the guilt aside and resolved to be the best sister to them from that moment onward.
Vasant and Jaya clapped warmly, happy for their daughter.
Suman's eyes shimmered with tears, but her smile was radiant. Around them, the home buzzed with warmth—the kind that only comes from family, love, and the quiet satisfaction of seeing someone take control of their life for the first time.
Even Dev, still nursing his glass, couldn't help but grin. "Well... looks like my series might finally get a happy ending," he muttered. "That is, of course, if my 'saas'-like father and devilish sister-in-law (Akansha) promise to change," he added, earning playful glares from Akansha and Rajnath.