A Promise Broken! (Completed)

Epilogue

I had not planned an epilogue since I wanted to end the story with a promise – a promise kept by Arnav. However, the reader (and ArShi) fan in me resonates with feeling of wanting more after completing a fanfic and I'm honoured that this story garnered such a favourable response from its followers. So, here's a mini epilogue to say a big Thank You for all the votes, comments and love shown to "A Promise Broken'.

Since option number 2 won the poll (can't say that I am surprised), the update will primarily concentrate on the fate of the Raizadas and Guptas. Before I proceed, I would like to address a point brought up by some of the readers – "Arnav didn't punish Payal and the Guptas enough".

Well, firstly, I had never penned this story as a revenge/payback saga. I intended the crux of the story to be Arnav's dilemma in choosing between a promise he made to his late mother and one that he made to the girl who showed him the true meaning of life. The partiality shown by the Guptas, the cowardice of Payal and Aakash, the blind support of Nani and Mami to an unhinged Anjali are what brought Arnav to this crossroads and that's why I elaborated on the journey. But if you pay close attention you'll see, even those instances are written to show how it impacted ArShi's relation (like when Khushi become insecure) or how Arnav focused his attention on Khushi rather than unleashing his anger on the perpetrators.

The second reason for a seemingly less severe punishment was Arnav's lack of leverage against the Guptas. He didn't have any monetary control over them and even though he could've used his influence to financially punish them or get them evicted, it would've impacted Bauji as well which he didn't want. Payal should have been more supportive and Garima and Madhumati should have been impartial but they couldn't be legally punished (as far as I know) for not being fair or selfless or more loving. He does have similar complaints with the Raizadas and does chastise them but his primary aim for the withdrawal of monetary support was to ensure that Anjali doesn't become a leech on Aakash after his departure.

That being said, Arnav hasn't let Payal or the Guptas off the hook as easily as it appears. The penalties seem more drastic when it comes to the Raizadas as he's taken away their financial support and the impact will be obvious and instant. In case of the Guptas, money didn't hold as much importance as the happiness of their daughter and her child, and Arnav did hit the nerve in his own style. The ripple effect of Arnav's punishment was mentioned and a little was left to imagination, but I guess an explicit explanation would be more satisfactory. Keeping that in mind, I've elaborated the far-reaching consequences of Arnav's verdict. And here it goes:

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More than 5 years have passed by since Arnav and Khushi embarked on their new journey, taking with them the joy and harmony of Shantivan. The Raizadas are no longer considered as an elite family of Delhi; nor looked up to with the same reverence as before – especially in the social circles. The loss of prestige revealed to Manorama, the true face of her so-called friends, who took the first chance to bid adieu to a sinking ship. They not only turned they backs when she approached them for financial favours but also ousted her from the 'kitty' groups as she couldn't keep up the "donations".

The latter actually turned out to be beneficial for Manorama as she could focus her attention to the household chores which now fell upon her. The Raizadas could not afford the salaries of the domestic help and had to let them go (The Prakash brothers are now happily employed under Arnav and Khushi). Nani's health deteriorated slightly with ArShi's departure and she is of no help with the housework. Mama has retired from business but his only contribution to the chores is letting Manorama know how undercooked the food is or what spot on the wall still has some dust on it. So, Mami has turned from Manorama Bond to Manorama Bai and bearing the brunt of her frustration is Payal.