Chapter 7

"Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is."

That was what Ayushi was doing now, sitting on the bench placed outside her house under the full moon night where a few hours ago, she was sitting with Dhruv and where she was bruised so brutally, both physically and mentally.

She sighed grievously thinking about the events that followed after Dhruv had gone away towards her house.

****

Standing up with difficulty, Ayushi just looked at her wound and controlled the gush of tears that were again going to pour out from her beautiful eyes. To hide it from her family, she took the loose end of her Maroon sari and wrapped it around her left elbow where it was bruised so brutally. Thankfully, the color of her sari was as same as the color of her blood, otherwise, it'd have been so difficult to hide her blood which was flowing uncontrollably. She wiped away any traces of tears from her face and moved towards the house, trying to smile even though she was dying inside.

Entering inside the house, the first thing she saw was how happy Dhruv was while others were feeding him, sweets, one by one. He looked so happy that for once Ayushi thought that it was a happy marriage but she knew it wasn't. His words were so hurtful and harsh that even her stepmother's words were never this resentful. She sighed sadly and tried to smile and was just going towards them when she was pulled into a hug by Payal as she was too much excited for her brother's marriage with Ayushi.

"Bhabhi, Bhaiya just told us his decision. He's ready for this marriage. So, what's your decision?" she asked Ayushi teasingly as she already knew the answer.

"It's yes from my side too," her voice trembled unknowingly, her gaze fixed on Dhruv who was looking at her with so much resentment and loath.

"Yayy, so finally my brother is going to get married. I'm so excited," Payal cheered happily and hugged Ayushi again. Ayushi was just trying to not break down in front of these loving people and was constantly trying to smile, although she was feeling immense pain inside her.

Dadi too came along with Dhiraj and Pratibha to her side, and they too fed her sweets and hugged her lovingly.

"A daughter is going to enter our house, we're really so lucky to get you Ayushi for our Dhruv. Bless you my child," Dadi spoke happily and kissed Ayushi's forehead out of love.

Dhiraj and Pratibha too kissed her forehead and blessed her for a happy and prosperous life ahead.

"Anil Ji, the engagement will be in three hours, so please make sure that our daughter looks the best and here, take this jewelry and dress that we've chosen for her as a gift from our side. Hope you like the gift beta, Payal has chosen that," Pratibha gave the dress and jewelry in Ayushi's hands and kissed her forehead one last time and they all moved outside the house as they still had to prepare so much. Ayushi took the blessings from all the elders and smiled at them brightly.

Dhruv was the last one to go out of the house and he just looked at Ayushi with so much abhorrence and glared at her last time and went away. Ayushi looked at him with tearful eyes, she just wanted to clear his mind that what he had thought about her was just some misunderstandings and nothing. She was not a gold digger, she was not a whore, she was not a manipulative bitch. She was nothing that Dhruv had named her. She wished she could talk with him, clearing all these misunderstandings before it was too late. She sighed sadly and was going towards her room when her stepmother pulled her hands and stopped her. Ayushi winced in pain because it was the same hand that had been bruised so roughly.

"Where do you think you're going? Give me all the jewelry," her stepmother tried to snatch the beautiful box which had the intricately-designed contemporary gold jewelry.

"No, my family has given me all these jewelry, it's not for you," Ayushi held the box more tightly to her chest. She knew that their love was in this gift, how can she give this gift to anyone else.

"Oh! So, you've got your tongue back. Lemme see how you'll not give me that box," her stepmother challenged her and tried to again snatch the box out of Ayushi's hand when suddenly Payal entered inside the house and was shocked to see that how greedily Ayushi's mother was trying to snatch that box out of Ayushi's hands.

"Aunty," she called Ayushi's stepmother in an accused tone and that caused all of them to look at her direction.

Now they were trying to act nice in front of her but the truth was out now. Payal now knew that what her family had found about Ayushi's family from their private investigators was actually absolutely true. They were indeed very greedy and their total opposite was Ayushi, who was just so selfless and kind.

"Bhabhi, come with us. Actually, I just wanted to take you with us all, so that you can get ready by one of the best beauticians of Bhopal. Ma told me that you'll get ready with us. Please come," Payal totally ignored the nice acts which Ayushi's family were trying to pull up in front of her. She grabbed Ayushi's hand and took her to their car where everyone was waiting for them.

"Ma, you were right. That lady was trying to grab the jewelry you've gifted to Bhabhi," the first thing Payal spoke was this to her mother that made Ayushi look at her in shock.

"Ayushi, sorry beta if you find us wrong but actually we got to know about your family's greedy nature from some of our sources and to see it from our own eyes, we sent Payal in," Pratibha tried to explain to Ayushi that what was actually happening. And Ayushi just looked at her teary eyes with embarrassment clouding her features. Her family was such a shame. They were always like that, greedy and obnoxious.

"Don't be embarrassed beta, for your family. We just want you, not your family. You're the beautiful lotus blossoming in the mud. We're really lucky to have you," Pratibha hugged Ayushi warmly and caressed her hair lovingly. Ayushi for the first time felt like she was not in the arms of her mother-in-law but in her mother's arms only.

"Thank you so much Maa, for understanding me," Ayushi whispered in an emotional trance and Pratibha felt immense happiness when she heard the word "Maa" from Ayushi's mouth.

"You're now my daughter. If you will have any problem, you'll directly come to me, you get that?" Pratibha asked her in a motherly tone and Ayushi felt so happy that now she was a part of this family.

"And you're my daughter too. Pratibha, we now have three children. Two beautiful daughters and one busy son who can't even be free on his engagement day," Dhruv's Dad spoke and came out of the car, smiling brightly at Ayushi.

Dhruv along with Dadi had left the place, as Dhruv had to go to his office as he had some pending work to complete, while Dadi wanted to rest for some time before the engagement.

"Welcome to our family, beta," Dhiraj and Pratibha opened their arms and hugged Ayushi lovingly, again.

"You all left me," Payal pouted cutely and all chuckled at that.

"Yeah, you too come, my dramebaaz," Dhiraj spoke teasingly and they all hugged each other with so much love and care for each other.

Ayushi for the first time felt that what a family was. This is a happy family who loves each other, cares for each other, and trusts each other. If her family is with her, then she's not feared anyone, not even Dhruv and that gave a huge strength and relief to her. Finally, she was relieved that at least her family was with her and she knew that eventually with time she will clear all the misunderstandings between Dhruv and her and win his heart too. She smiled brightly and they all now sat inside the luxurious car and moved towards the hotel where the engagement was going to happen.

"Anil Ji, I hope you didn't mind that Payal just brought Ayushi with us, actually we all wanted to have some family time with our daughter," Dhruv's father spoke in a light tone over the call although he was quite angry from inside after knowing the reality of these fake and wolfish people.

"No no, she's your daughter too, Dhiraj Ji. Why would we be angry?" Ayushi's father faked again.

"That's good. Arrive soon, we all will be waiting for you," and finally Dhiraj cut the call, before that man could start his forgery again.

All the ladies chatted about their life, from their childhood to education as friends do and Dhiraj smiled at them, that how close they got in just a day. Ayushi was really meant to be their daughter-in-law that's why God made them meet again and again. He thanked God mentally for giving Ayushi as their daughter-in-law. She was really a gem.

****

They reached where the engagement was going to happen and the trio went towards the Royal suite where they were supposed to get ready as Dhiraj went towards their office as his duty was to help Dhruv in getting ready for his special day.

Ayushi just awed at the room, it was really like a room straight out of designer magazines. It was really so exquisite and grand.

"This room is so beautiful," she whispered softly to Payal.

"Not more than you, my Queen," Payal bowed down dramatically and winked at Ayushi and they shared a hearty laugh.

"Maa, I'm really so hungry. I want to eat something first before we get ready, please," Payal pouted and her mother immediately called the room service to order food for them.

While Pratibha was ordering the room service, Payal unknowingly pulled Ayushi's left hand which was bruised roughly to show her the beautiful view of the lake outside their suite's window, but she immediately stopped pulling her after hearing Ayushi's painful groan.

"What happened Bhabhi?" Payal asked Ayushi in a worried tone, meanwhile, Pratibha too arrived there and asked Ayushi that what happened.

"Actually, there was a minor cut, that's why it's paining a little," Ayushi lied looking here and there because one thing she didn't know was how to lie.

"Minor cut? When you got that beta?" Pratibha asked her with concern.

"Actually, my foot got stuck up the chair and I dropped down on the floor and that's why this minor cut," Ayushi was sweating now, one of the signs whenever she used to lie.

"Maa, it's not a minor cut but a major cut," Payal shrieked at the end of her sentence, as she went near Ayushi who was trying to hide her cut with the loose end of her sari but failed in that.

"Show me. Oh God! This is a major cut," after seeing the cut, even Pratibha shrieked.

"It's just a minor.." before Ayushi could complete her sentence, Payal already made her sit on the bed gently and shushed her. Whereas, Pratibha immediately went towards the washroom where usually first aid was kept.

"You don't even know how to lie Bhabhi. I got your lie when you were not looking in our eyes while explaining how it was a minor lie," Payal scolded her lightly and saw the wound closely.

"You got this when?" Pratibha asked Ayushi as now she was cleaning her wound with so much love and care and Ayushi was lost somewhere else, she didn't hear the question. She was looking like she would cry at any moment now.

"Ayushi? When did you get this beta?" Pratibha asked her with a little loud voice and moved her gaze towards Ayushi who was now crying. Pratibha panicked and touched Ayushi's cheeks gently and that immediately brought Ayushi out of her thoughts.

"Why are you crying child?" Pratibha asked her gently while still applying the ointment on her wound and at last bandaged her hand with utmost care so that Ayushi couldn't feel any pain, because it somehow pained Pratibha too seeing her in this state.

"Bhabhi?" Payal too called her but Ayushi was just looking at them with tears flowing out from her eyes continuously.

"You're worrying..." before Pratibha could complete her sentence, Ayushi hugged her immediately and cried like never before.

"Hey beta.." Pratibha tried to console Ayushi but she was crying uncontrollably, worrying Payal too.

"I never knew that what a mother's love was, what a mother's hug was, but after meeting you Maa, I cannot thank God enough for giving me a new mother in the form of my mother-in-law, I cannot thank him enough for giving me this family, Maa. I never knew what a happy family is Maa, but after meeting you all, I saw that what a true family is. I just..." Ayushi broke down again in Pratibha's arms and Pratibha too was crying because of the pain she felt in Ayushi's voice. She had only heard about Stepmothers being the worst of all, but today Ayushi's unspoken words told everything that how badly she was treated in that house. Payal too was crying hearing the pain and suffering in her Bhabhi's voice.

"Cry all you want beta because after that I don't want to see a single tear in your eyes. Its a mother's order to her daughter, you get that?" Pratibha hugged Ayushi more tightly and let her cry out her every pain because she knew Ayushi had piled up all these agony and torment for so long. She wanted Ayushi to vent out all her pain and suffering.

Ayushi felt so much safe in her Maa's arms. She never wanted to leave these arms ever. She felt so safe there. She cried all her pain out like a small baby, the pain she had to endure from the starting of her life, the pain which was given by her so-called father, her stepmother, Aryan's misbehavior, Dhruv's hatred towards her, everything was flashing across her eyes and she cried more and more.

Finally, when she was sober, she moved out of Pratibha's arms and Pratibha kissed her forehead so lovingly and caressed her hair in a soothing manner.

"Now, there should not be a single tear in your eyes, its my order," Pratibha spoke in a serious tone and Ayushi nodded her head, smiling a little at her.

"Yeah, otherwise you'll receive a flying chappal (slipper) from Maa," Payal tried to lighten the mood and the ladies laughed at that. She was really the best person to lighten the mood whenever someone was off.

"The food has arrived," Payal shrieked out loud when she saw the room service arriving with the food on a trolley.

"This girl will surely make me deaf," Pratibha said while rubbing her ears and Payal looked at her sheepishly.

Ayushi laughed out loudly and both Pratibha and Payal shared a smile, finally, Ayushi was good now.

"Wash your hands and then eat," Pratibha ordered them and finally after washing their face and hands, they relished the delicious food.

After they had the food, the beauticians too arrived as now it was time for them to get ready. Ayushi was the first one who got ready because Pratibha and Payal too were engaged in making her ready.

"You're looking like a Queen, beta. So beautiful and breathtaking. Let me apply some black teeka (dot)," Pratibha praised Ayushi and applied a black teeka behind Ayushi's ear.

"You know Bhabhi, you're looking drop-dead gorgeous in this lehenga, seriously. But now don't thank me for this lehenga as it was my choice, but an ice-cream treat will be really appreciated," Payal teased Ayushi, and Ayushi just loved the cuteness Payal possessed. She always wanted a small sister whom she can adore and love so much, tolerating her cuteness, her tantrums and all. And she got all this in the form of Payal.

"Of course, why not. It's pending on me then," Ayushi replied her naughtily and after that Payal and Pratibha too got ready.

"Selfie time, say 'Paneer'," Payal cheered in joy and clicked many pictures with her mother and her sister-like Bhabhi.

****

Finally it was the time for engagement. Dhruv was already there on the stage, wearing a Navy blue colored velvet Sherwani with a matching churidar, looking handsome as ever. Navy blue was his favorite color as he knew he looked the best in Navy blue. He was surrounded by some of his friends and his cousins, all of them were involved in teasing him. He was just giving them fake smiles so that no one could doubt that he was unhappy with this marriage. Media houses had already taken his interview as well as his photographs and were now waiting for his fiance, so that they could make their TRP reach the sky, as Dhruv, the youngest billionaire of India was finally going to be hooked to a girl, that girl must be something, they all had thought.

And finally their wait was over. There arrived our Ayushi looking as breathtaking as an angel from the sky, looking as splendid as a Princess, walking down the stairs so graciously with Payal and Pratibha along with her stepmother and her stepsister her side. Unknowingly, Dhruv was staring at her. He was stunned that how beautiful this girl was looking whom he had called a slut, a gold digger a few hours ago. He cursed slightly when he realized that he was staring at her like a desperate man, but then he realized that he was not the only one who was looking at her like that, almost everyone was gawking at the breathtaking beauty walking so elegantly down the stairs. He didn't know why but he was now feeling possessive about her when he saw how some men were looking so lustfully at her, that he wanted to punch in their face.

When she reached on the stage, she looked at Dhruv and took a deep breath as he was looking no less than a Greek God. His height was something that adds to his personality more along with his handsome and perfectly chiseled face. Also, he was the tallest guy she had ever met. She just reached near his chest. And then she remembered his bio-data. He was freakingly 6 feet and 4 inches tall. And that immediately brought a smile on her face as she remembered the story of "The beauty and the beast". She also noticed that they were wearing the same color, Navy blue. She knew Payal must be behind this only. She smiled at Payal and moved towards Dhruv, to stand beside him.

The Mantras and Sholaks were chanted by the Monk along with some Hindu rituals, and finally they were asked to exchange the rings. The media persons were all busy in clicking the best of pictures of this lovely and appealing couple.

They shared the rings and everyone clapped loudly along with the hooting and greetings. Finally, Dhruv Singh Rajput was hooked to Ayushi. They both were then asked by the photographers to pose as a couple, which they did with some awkwardness between them in the starting but finally, they were comfortable with each other and gave the best poses they could come up with, as Dhruv didn't want anyone to doubt on their relationship.

In between all this, he saw that a bandage was there on Ayushi's left elbow and frowned at that and then his mind yelled at him that it was because of him that she got such a big cut. He felt guilty of what he did but then Chandani's words surfaced his mind again and he believed that what he did to her was absolutely right.

Now, it was the party time. Beautiful romantic songs were playing in the background and couples were dancing on it. Payal too moved towards her brother as she wanted her brother and her bhabhi too to dance on these beautiful songs. As Dhruv couldn't deny his sweet baby sister, he held the hand of Ayushi and started dancing with her on "Tujhe Kaise pata na Chala".

Ayushi was looking at him with a smile on her face as she was thankful to him as she got the family she had always wished for, she had forgotten his words and was genuinely happy because of the love and affection she felt when she was with his family.

Dhruv looked at her and thought that why was she smiling at him when he had just hurt her so much.

"Why are you smiling?" He couldn't keep his curiosity within him and asked her directly.

"Because I'm thankful to you that because of you, I got this lovely family, their love, their affection. Your harsh words are nothing in front of the love that I've got from your family, Dhruv. I know there are some misunderstandings between us that's why you think of me as a very low person, but I know, I'll clear those misunderstandings," Ayushi smiled again, and that enraged Dhruv. Here he was thinking that she must be fearing him, but here she was just busy in thanking him and passing him a smile.

"You can never change the truth. You're a gold digger. A manipulative bitch. And I just hate you so much," Dhruv whispered harshly so that no one could hear him except her.

"Hate me, but one day you'll love me," Ayushi didn't know that from where she was getting this much courage to say all this to Dhruv.

"Just shut up," Dhruv was irritated now. He wanted to punish her so badly, he wanted to make her cry. He wanted to see her vulnerable because she was the reason why Chandani was away from him.

Ayushi kept quiet and was just dancing when her leg slipped and she was going to fall when Dhruv held her strongly. They looked in each other's eyes, they knew they had a deep connection with each other, but still, they didn't acknowledge that. Even Dhruv could feel the attraction that he had for Ayushi but again and again, his mind was resonating with the words he heard that day in the hotel. Big fish being caught. What was all that, he was so frustrated now? Their stare was broken when they heard the noise of claps resonating inside the hall and then they realized that they were staring at each other for so long.

They immediately moved away from each other and were feeling so awkward now. But all others thought of this as their shyness and they all were busy teasing them.

Finally, the dinner too was served and everyone appreciated Dhruv and Ayushi's pair, they complimented them that they look so good with each other, and finally the engagement ended well.

****

Ayushi was now alone sitting on the bench, crying sadly because of the last words she got to hear from Dhruv today.

"You think that if you'll act all confident and fearless, that will make me leave you, no babes, not happening. I'm just giving you some time to relax after that you won't be even able to take breaths properly because I'll make sure that your every breath is filled with pain, you whore. Your hell is awaiting you," Dhruv's harsh words were the reason behind her crying, again.

Also, she was missing her mother & her grandma. She wanted them to be with her on her special day.

She didn't know when her crying eyes got closed on its own and she slept on the bench, without any shade on her head, under the open sky.

~**•**~

Please don't forget to leave your comment and voting is your birthright!