A Mischievous Gutsy Girl.

Chapter 39. 'The Web of Lies.'

"Stupid! She was nowhere close to Avni, why would she feel this hurt towards her actions? You are talking like as if she is in a trauma because of her." Nikita says rolling her eyes taking out some mangoes to make mango shake for some of them because the juice was almost finished.

"What are you guys talking about? Who is in a trauma?" Akriti says coming.

Arika and Nikita look at each other. And then at her as they fall dead silent.

"What?" A clueless Akriti asks looking at the two of her friends. Arika looks at Nikita who nods.

"Will you be honest if we ask you a question?" Arika asks turning to Akriti who nods.

"Why are you so silent since the day when we all were mourning over Avi Bhai's parents' fake deaths?" Nikita asks this time directly without beating around the bush.

Akriti sighs looking at the floor. "That's because, back in those days when Chhabra family portrayed everything like Nishi is jealous of you and Avni, after Avi bhai's parents' death which was obviously not real, I did not want Nishi to bully you in anyway. So, I just sort of reminded her that how much you have gone through when you were in a trauma after your parents. . . . " Akriti trails off and looking at Nikita who falls silent looking down at the floor. It has been always a touche topic for her, always will. Arika holds her hand and squeezes it lightly giving her a side hug. Nikita gives her a sad smile appreciating her support. Then she nods for Akriti to continue after a few seconds of silent pause. Akriti leaves a breath and further says, "I just wanted her to know how much you have gone through and remind her that you are her adopted sister. But to my shock, she was shcoked when I explained her how Vineet Uncle and Karuna Aunty adopted you and Tej Bhai."

"What?!" Arika stands straight leaving Nikita shocked with the news.

"What are you saying?" Nikita asks confused for a second if she heard something that's not a universal truth at all but Akriti is saying it is.

"Yeah. She looked shocked. Then she looked at her parents and Bhishma Uncle as if . . . as if she felt betrayed. . . lied to . . . . . " Akriti trails off while Nikita and Arika stood there shocked.

"I thought for a second that may be I should not have reminded her that you are her adopted sister because now she will torture you more getting jealous that you are not just Vihaan Bhai's favourite but also his legal sister. But to my shock, even after knowing everything, she did not hesistate even for a second from saving your life. It was a shock for me. Because I don't understand, did Uncle - Aunty hide this fact from her? And if yes, then it looks like Bhishma Uncle also helped them the way she looked at him with disbelief at that time." Akriti says.

Arika and Nikita look at Akriti and then at each other. "This is da*n wrong!" The trio looks back Akriti only to find Nia who frowns angrily saying as she comes, "How can they hide such fact from her?! And they still hid it from her when she came back, never caring how she will feel when she comes to know about this on her own?! How can they do this?!"

"Exactly! That's so hurtful to hide things from your own child!" Arika says matching Nia's anger.

"What's going on?" Varun enters the kitchen with others.

"Why are you guys shouting?" Vaani asks who just came out of Arika's room after using her washroom after Shivika. Akriti, Arika and Nikita look at each other while they hear the main door open and close.