Arshi stood holding hands with each other, Nervousness evident on their faces.

"Are you sure Arnavji" Khushi asked softly

"They're your family shona, They'll help you" Arnav tried to assure

"I really hope... They're not angry" Khushi said hopefully

"They won't be... It was a shock to them... The way you got married to Arnav that day. Its been weeks... They would've gotten over it by now" Payal said

Khushi smiled as Arnav pressed the doorbell

Arnav and Khushi had decided this morning to go to the GH and seek the full story. Khushi was obviously not in the country when The Shyam Manohar Jha episode happened, And Payal... Well payal told them what she knew, But that wasn't enough. They needed to know more. And the answers could be given only by Buaji and Garima

"Arnavji... You guys go inside, I'll come after making an important call" Payal said suddenly

"We could wait... Payal jiji" Khushi said

"No sweety... I'll join you in a bit, You go on" Payal said gently holding her hand in assurance. Payal turned to leave and the front door of GH opened revealing a tired looking Garima.

"Pranam Amma! Kaisi hain aap?? (Greetings Mother!! How are you??)" Khushi greeted

Garima ignored her

"Arnav Babua... Aap yahaan?? Kaise?? (Arnav Babua... How come you're here?)" Garima asked

"We're not here to trouble you. We won't take long. Just here for a bit of chat that's all" Arnav answered smiling

"What is the trouble Arnavji? Please come in" Garima invited

Khushi and Arnav entered Khushi's maternal home for the first time, Hand in hand. Arnav could feel Khushi getting awkward, He pressed her hand lightly in assurance. Khushi smiled a little at the gesture.

"Aaiye Arnav Ji... Baithiye Na! Aur sab log kaise hain Wahaan?? Maaaji, Aapki Mamiji... Mama ji? (Come Arnavji... Please be seated. And how's everyone at RM, Maaji [Meaning Naniji] Your Mamiji And Mamaji??" Garima asked

"Sab theek Hain. Aap log bataiye? (Everyone is good, What about you people?)" Arnav asked courteously

"Ham Sab bhi... Bahut Ache hain... Payal Bitiya apne ghar ko aur apne pati ko acche se sambhaale hue toh hain Na? Koi shikayat toh nahi... Unse?(We're all very good. How is Payal bitiya doing?? Is she coping well with the duties of a wife and Daughter-in-law? Are there any complaints??) Garima asked

"Oh, No no no Garima Aunty... Both your daughters are the best daughters in law RM could ever ask for, There are no complaints" Arnav said

Garima smiled a little uneasily. Khushi knew why, She was sitting in the house which was once her home like an unwelcomed guest. ("Oh, Who the hell are you kidding girl?? This house was never your home. And never will be" Her mind reminded her) However, She tried to break the Ice

"Amma? Where's Buaji and Bauji?" Khushi asked in an attempt to start a conversation

"I'm here... Who called me?" Buaji asked entering the hall where Arshi and Garima were sitting. She glanced at the place where Arshi sat and her face turned disgustingly pale

Khushi noticed that, And her grip on Arnav's hand tightened a bit.

"Oh, Khushi... What are you doing here?? And Arnav Babua is here too!!" Buaji exclaimed

"They're here for a chat Jiji." Garima informed her

"Oh, What is it Arnavji? Is something wrong at RM?" Buaji asked worried

"Everything is fine at RM Buaji. At least for now. I wanted to ask you something if you don't mind" Arnav asked

"Why would we mind Arnav Bitwa... Ask away" Garima said

"How do you know Shyam... JIJU?" (He said the last word with difficulty)

"Shyam Bitwa? He's Anjali's husband. A nice Guy" Buaji said

"Buaji... I am not asking how the world knows him. I am asking, How the Guptas Know Shyam Manohar Jha? I hope I've made myself clear" Arnav said a little loudly

"Arnav Bitwa... I don't-" Garima asked faking confusion

"Oh All Right, I'll make it very direct. What is the truth behind Khushi and Shyam's Broken engagement?" Arnav asked

"Has this SankaDevi made you believe all this crap??" Buaji asked critically

"Buaji... It's the truth" Khushi said in a small voice

"You don't need to tell me, What's the Truth Khushi. Arnavji... Khushi was the one who tried to trap poor Shyam babu with her cheap tactics." Buaji said

Khushi closed her eyes and a few tears fell from her eyes "Trust me Arnav... I swear it's not the truth" She said

"I know Shona... I trust you" Arnav whispered to her and pulled her close to himself kissing her forehead

"How could you say that buaji... Why would she trap Shyam?" Arnav asked

"Who knows... She trapped you, Didn't she... God knows what she's upto!! From where does she get the guts... I can't imagine" Buaji said but Arnav cut her off Angriy

"Enough!! ENOUGH!!!" Arnav Roared startling the two women out of their wits. They flinched violently

"I respect both of you very much because... You're my wife's family. If I'm not saying anything, That doesn't mean I'm not capable of doing that. I know what my wife is capable of doing and I trust her. I don't want anyone to question her character" Arnav said

"I asked for the truth, And I want the truth. Not the character assassination of my wife" Arnav said sternly

"Ma... Buaji! How could you?? She's your daughter" Payal asked shocked

She had come inside the house after finishing her Call when Buaji was cruelly insulting Khushi and assassinating her charecter.

"Payaliya... What are you doing here?" Garima asked

"Ma... Woh aapki beti hai... Aapka Mann kaise maan gaya use iss tarah beizzat karne ko? (Ma... She is your daughter. How could you humiliate her so badly?.)" Payal asked or rather demanded an explanation

"Hamari Beti? Woh hamari beti nahi hai... Hamari Behen ki beti hai! Aur uske bojh ko... Hm aur kitni der dho sakte hain?? (My daughter?? She's not my daughter but my sister's. For how long are we expected to carry her burden on ourselves??)" Garima asked agitated

Hearing these words, Arnav was beyond shocked. He had always thought Khushi was somehow exaggerating things when she said that she didn't mean anything to her family. Coming from such a loving and caring family, As the Raizadas... He could never digest the fact that a family could be cruel to their children. But today, After seeing what had happened... He couldn't comprehend what he had to do.

He looked at his side where Khushi stood, White as a sheet... Numb,Crying holding his hands. He didn't even realize when Khushi pressed her hands onto his for support. He pulled her into a gentle soothing hug. That's all he could do now, For his shona... Who Arnav knew was suffering way beyond any words could explain. Payal's voice brought him back to his senses

"Ma?" She had exclaimed

"Kya galat kaha hamne Payal? (What wrong have I said)" Garima asked

"Maa... Look at Khushi ma, What the hell is wrong with you... What wrong has she done to you?? Why do you behave so rudely with that innocent soul? Because of you... I never behaved the way a sister should. In your blind love for me... You neglected her, And all through our childhood...I thought it was okay to behave like that. Because I never had anyone to correct me. Now that you have one chance to rectify your mistake, You're doing this!!" She exclaimed angrily

"Payal... What is wrong with you!! You're ruining your married life for that good for nothing orphan?" Buaji asked

"She's not a good for nothing orphan!!" Arnav and Payal shouted together

"You wanted to take her in... You bloody wanted to keep your sister's daughter with you. Arjun had lived alone and he was more than capable of taking care of Khushi on his own. No one had begged you to take her responsibility. If now out of nowhere, She has become a burden to you, I would say she'll have nothing to do with you. I, Arjun and Ashima Di are more than capable of taking good care of her" Arnav said angrily

"I'll agree with you Arnavji... If you're worried about my married life, I assure you I'll be fine. Aakash and my relationship is not that weak to shatter because of anything. And not at all due to that pathetic excuse of a human being Shyam Manohar Jha... Even if it happens... At least Anjali Di's life will be saved from being ruined." Payal said

Garima stood rooted to her spot.

"Now... If you don't mind, Can you tell us What exactly had happened 8 months ago?" Arnav asked still holding Khushi who was not reacting at all.

"Shyam came to Lucknow... For a case or something. He stayed with us for five months, He used to go to Delhi every weekend. We never knew he was married to Anjali Bitiya. He had seen Khushi's Pictures in a photo album. He told us he likes Khushi, And wanted to marry her. We saw no problem in the proposal, We were... Already looking for an excuse to... Get rid of... Of Khushi. But Khushi wasn't ready... Still we persuaded her to give it a shot. We emotionally blackmailed her to meet shyam. The minute Khushi laid eyes on him she declared that Shyam was married to Anjali Raizada. She knew somehow. When Khushi confronted him, Shyam threatened to defame her. But she didn't budge. She helped us shift to Delhi and herself went to London to escape him. That's it!! After that... You know what happened. Shyam was still obsessed with Khushi though, So I don't know what's the deal with them" Garima concluded

"Will you repeat this statement if need be?" Payal asked

Garima didn't answer

"Just one last favor... We'll never bother you again" Arnav said

Garima Nodded

Arnav thanked them for their HOSPITALITY And left dragging a numb looking Khushi with himself.