FF - Plot twist

Chapter 24 - Captive

"Bhai, what are those?" asked Akash.

Though momentarily startled, Arnav smiled. Akash and NK, clutching laptops, looking at him curiously. He suddenly saw a mental picture of them both as kids, who many time had been victims of kid-Arnav's shenanigans.

"An old photograph."

The 3 brothers smiled.

NK pointed at a corner while they were exiting the room, "Hey, is that the same vase Akash had broken but Nannav and I had to endure everyone's wrath?"

Arnav elbowed Akash playfully, "The exact one."

"How can you even see in this darkness? Besides, that was only once," said Akash, fastening his pace.

"And the bugs thing?" asked Arnav.

NK and Arnav laughed seeing Akash sprinting to his room.

~*~

"No! That day you scared my friends away wearing that stupid grim reaper costume when they came over to study," screamed Anjali.

"Only because you got me into trouble with Ma!" retorted Arnav.

"But... It was Akash that accidentally let slip that Nannav released the boxful of bugs in the classroom," piped up NK.

Akash, who was eagerly trying to feel his baby inside Payal, abruptly walked away from there. Payal laughed.

"It didn't matter, NK," growled Arnav. "Di always had been so keen on telling me off before Ma..."

"Can you kids stop your silly, little quarrels at least today for a few hours?" yelled Nani. "And Anjali bitiya, come and help us. Panditji will be here any moment."

Anjali shot one last furious glance at Arnav and came over to where Nani, Buaji, Garima, and Khushi had been looking after the pooja arrangements. Payal was strictly ordered not to even move by Mami, who claimed that she was concerned only for her grandchild, to which everyone smirked.

"Di, please come and take a look at the rangoli at the entrance," squealed Khushi, dragging Anjali with her.

"Yes," whispered Nani, watching Khushi leave, "as I was saying, Ratna was really devastated when... when Priya had gone forever."

Garima sniffled.

"And not even one year had passed, Ratna got reunited with her best friend up there," said Nani, wiping her eyes quickly.

Anjali and Khushi returned, both giggling.

"Nani, Khushiji's rangoli is magnificent," said Anjali.

Elders smiled. Anjali and Khushi both settled down and started sewing garlands.

"But you still haven't told me why we are having a Pooja today."

"Today is an auspicious day. Our family is together back at home after many years. That's why I thought it will be best to perform Satyanarayan havan," explained Nani.

"Very thoughtful, NandaKishore!"

~*~

4 hours later :

"Thank you, Panditji," said Nani, as he was leaving.

The havan had gone on smoothly, except for Arnav who sulked because he had to sit through it continuously for many hours, much to everyone's amusement. Since couples were supposed to do it, Akash and Payal performed the main pooja for the well-being of the to-be-mother and child.

"Here," said Anjali, carrying a tray.

"I already took prasad," said Arnav.

"Not for you, Chote," she said, placing the tray in his unwilling hands, sitting beside him. "This is for my Chotu."

Arnav's face turned red as he saw Anjali take Chotu, the Guinea pig, and fed him a tiny portion of prasad. He was irked enough without his sister pampering her dear pet, disrupting his attempting-work in the process.

"Di,' he growled, "how many times do I have to tell you not to call this pig like that?"

"Why? You are my dear brother, 'Chote' and he is my dearest pet, 'Chotu'," said Anjali, blowing air gently at her pet. "And it's NOT a pig!"

The vexed Arnav heard Khushi giggle nearby and when his eyes spotted her, she ran away, calling, "Coming, Naniji!"

Lunch was a joyous affair, the most lively Sheesh Mahal had been in years, with everyone around. Later, they settled down doing one's respective work; Arnav, actually working; everyone else, happily chatting. Shashi was sent to rest in a guest room.

"Jiji," whispered Khushi, frowning, "did you hear that?"

Laughing, "Huh?"

"The noise!"

"What noise?" asked Payal.

Khushi looked around. Everyone was blissfully immersed in respective conversations, and Arnav, sat far away, talking to someone over bluetooth and working on the laptop.

"I will go and check what the commotion is outside."

"No, wait..." but Khushi was gone.

Payal, though participated in the talks, kept an eye out for her sister. 10 minutes passed and still, Khushi had not returned. Worried, Payal started to move from there, hoping no one would notice.

"Do you need something, Payal?"

She stopped in her track and turned around, wishing for the first time people would stop giving her special attention. It was Arnav who asked her. Apparently, he had been done with his work and chosen the wrong time to come to his family. Payal knew how agitated he was with them staying there and the last thing she wanted was to spoil the atmosphere, worrying everyone.

"Oh, I... I was..."

"Payal, you seem strange," said Akash, frowning. "Are you alright?"

Trying to smile, "Of course, I am!"

"Where are you going, Bahu?" asked Mami. "I don't want you troubling my grandchild by moving unnecessarily."

Payal was never a great liar. "Voh, Maaji... I.. I was going to look for.."

"Where is Khushi?" yelled Arnav suddenly, looking for her.

"She is here," said a cold voice.

Everyone jerked around to find Khushi in the hold of a sneering Ankush Malik.

--##--

Three times. THREE times the chapter had been deleted while trying to publish this, had to re-write the WHOLE thing. I don't know how or why it happened, and I can only apologize. This wasn't how I planned but I will update as soon as I write the remaining part.