Janani reached the Buns and Beans Cafe, half past eleven, the next morning.She was shocked to see Shreya too there."Uh- Shreya? You are here?" Janani asked"Oh hey bhabhi. I came to meet a friend" Shreya said nervously "Oh. Me too" Janani said, chuckling awkwardly. They both received a text message at the same time.Janani checked the message from the unknown number.'Table No, 7. Right corner'"Okay then, Shreya. Carry on" Janani said and walked towards the above mentioned table.She was surprised to see Shreya also walking towards the same table.They both looked at each other in confusion. "Uh Bhabhi? Did you also receive a message from an unknown number?" Shreya asked Janani's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes. You too?" Janani asked"Yes bhabhi. The message said, it is related to Aadesh" Shreya said"Mine said, it is related to Armaan" Janani said"It was kind of an immature message. It said 'if you love him, come meet me'. Who says like that" Janani said with a confused look
Armaan was having a glass of juice, Aadesh reading some business related files and Janani setting the table for supper.She kept looking at the clock every five minutes.Aaradhya had told her that she would be home by the time they finished supper.“Armaan, Aadesh. Come for supper” Janani called out and they both went to the dining area.Janani served the parathas and the paneer butter masala she prepared to both the brothers.“Where is Aditya?” Armaan asked. He was usually the first one to sit for breakfast.“You already forgot? He told you he will be going home for a week. His exams ended yesterday and he said he wanted a break from your tyrrany” Janani said with a chuckle.“And I already told him that he can’t go home. He is supposed to join the office tomorrow” Armaan said with a frown.Armaan was a slave driver. He tortured poor Aditya for the last one month, preparing him for his arrear exams.And Armaan had demanded Aditya to join the office immediately.“Give the poor guy a br
“No worries. I will introduce myself. Aaradhya Ahuja. Daughter of Dr Gagan Ahuja and Durga Ahuja” Aaradhya saidThe brothers sucked in a sharp breath, when their suspicion was confirmed“And I am here to meet my elder brothers and get to know them” Aaradhya said cheerfully.“There are no brothers for you here” Armaan said coldly.“Of course I have. I am staring at them now” Aaradhya said, looking at both Armaan and Aadesh.“Leave” Armaan growled.“Bhabhi, you should give him honey everyday to sweeten him. He didn’t speak one tender word since I arrived” Aaradhya said, looking at Janani and Janani’s eyes widened at the direct attack.“Listen, we have no idea why you are here. You should leave” Aadesh said, more calmly than Armaan.“I am not going anywhere” Aaradhya said and pushed past them towards the couch. She sat there and looked around the house.“Nice home. Where are my niece and nephew?” Aaradhya asked, ignoring the scowl on her elder brother’s face.“Khanna” Armaan called out l
“You can just admit that you guys came to check up on me”Armaan and Aadesh looked up in shock and horror, seeing their newly found half sister, grinning cheekily at them.“I was not” Both of them said in unison, a dull shade of red spreading across their cheeks in embarrassment.“Aww. I am so overwhelmed with this love. I had grown up hearing stories of two elder brothers and I have always dreamed of them telling me bedtime stories and coming in to check on me every now and then. Finally my wish came true” Aaradhya gushed happily and the brothers shot an uncertain look at each other.Aaradhya dramatically wiped her non-existent tears and pulled both her brothers into a tight embrace.“What the” Armaan muttered and pulled away from her, feeling extremely uncomfortable with this open sibling affection. Aadesh’s situation was no different.“I will go lie down? Will you put the blanket over me, like those brothers in the movies do?” Aaru asked, batting her eyelashes innocently at her bro
“Nooooo” Armaan was startled by the loud voice and he hurried out of the bedroom in worry.“What is it? What happened?” Armaan asked as he reached the living room. Every member of the family had reached the living room hearing the loud cry.“Aaru bua” Ava pointed at her aunt, telling everyone that it was Aaru who made the noise.“What is it Aaru?” Janani asked, hurrying towards Aaradhya, who was staring at her mobile phone with a disappointed look on her face.“Bhabhi… My college life is wasted” Aaru cried dramatically, making her brothers frown.“What? Your college life just started, Aaru. It’s been hardly a month.” Janani said with a confused frown on her face.“Yeah. One month of heaven it was. Tomorrow onwards, it is going to be as dry as a desert” Aaru said, wiping her non-existent tears.“Stop your dramatics and tell us what the problem is” Armaan said sternly.Aaru hurried towards Armaan and clung to him like a little Koala. Armaan rolled his eyes and shot a helpless look at Ja
The next morning, Armaan, with his eyes closed, extended his hands and groped on the bed, trying to find the love of his life.He frowned when his hands encountered the cold side of the bed.He opened his eyes and then with disappointment, realised that Janani had gone to her mother’s place.“Damn!” Armaan muttered under his breath and went to freshen up.As soon as he got out after his morning business, he took his phone and dialled Janani’s number.“Hey… Good morning Maan” Janani greeted him as soon as she picked up the call.“I miss you terribly. Remind me to always say No when you tell me you wanna go to your mother’s house.” Armaan said grumpily, making Janani chuckle.“Don’t be so grumpy, Armaan.” Janani teased and Armaan huffed in annoyance.“I don’t know how I am going to start my day without your kiss and coffee.” Armaan muttered again.“Ah. Kiss. That I can give now. Muaahh.” Janani made the kissing sound through the phone making Armaan chuckle.“And coffee is also handled.
Aaru's phone rang. All three of them looked at the phone screen. Aaru's face brightened seeing the name and picture on the screen, while the brother's face darkened.It was a picture of Aaru hugging an older woman.And it was written on the screen..Momma calling!!!Before Aaru could attend the call, she heard the sound of a flower vase falling down and breaking into million little pieces.She got startled and looked up and saw a furious Arman pulling at his hair in anger.“Armaan bhai..” She called out and he raised his hand asking her to stop.“For a second, I actually forgot that you are the daughter of that characterless woman” Armaan said with disgust.Aaru lost it hearing those words.“Shut up, bhai. Shut up!” Aaru screamed, shocking both the brothers.“Not a word against my momma. I will not tolerate it” Aaru said angrily, pointing her fingers at Armaan and Aadesh.“If you can’t bear a word against her, get out of here” Armaan was not one to give up.“I didn’t come here to stay
“Amaravathi Verma, your grandmother only cared about society and social status. She wanted Acharya to get married to her friend’s daughter. Acharya who always was an obedient son, for the first time in his life refused her demand. He made it clear that there would be no other woman in his life other than Durga..” Jhanvi said and Aaru frowned.From what she has known, the man didn’t love her mother enough. But here it is another story.“And?” Armaan asked.“And Amaravathi Verma hated Durga for that. She made Durga’s life a hell..” “What did she do?” Aadesh asked, his words laced with heavy emotions.Jhanvi's voice quivered with emotion as she continued her account, her words painting a picture of a life filled with torment and suffering."She isolated Durga from family and friends, ensuring she had no support system. Amaravathi manipulated Acharya, poisoning his mind against Durga, and filling him with suspicions of her faithfulness. Durga endured years of emotional abuse, constantly
TEN YEARS LATER Life became simply more colourful after the emotional reunion ten years ago. For Durga’s happiness, Gagan Ahuja disposed of all his savings from their hometown and moved to Mumbai, so that Durga can be near her sons always. He bought a single storeyed beautiful house a block away from the Verma Mansion. Armaan and Aadesh wanted them to stay at their home, but Gagan refused with love. ‘Only now we have gotten rid of this kabab mein haddi. Now it’s time for our second honeymoon,’ Gagan had said jokingly, pointing at Aaru. Though they were reluctant at first, they agreed on the condition that Gagan would always drop Durga at the Verma Mansion when he leaves for work. And the brothers started working from home more often. Aadesh and Shreya got married within a month after the reunion with their mother and it was the happiest event of their life. Everything went well. Shreya gave birth to a little boy after two years of her marriage and they named her Ishitha, in me
“Surprise!!” Aaru said and pointed at the two tall well built men walking towards them.Durga froze as she took in the picture in front of her.“Armaan, Aadesh..” She mumbled softly, as she stared at them in disbelief and shock.Armaan and Aadesh couldn’t take their eyes off their mother. The mother they both had secretly yearned for all those years, but could never voice it out.“Maa..” Armaan called out softly and that voice was an undoing for Durga.She stumbled at the impact of hearing her son’s voice after twenty five long years. Gagan held her, but she was unable to bear it all. The shock was too much and Durga felt everything around her going dark.She went limp in Gagan’s arms. Armaan and Aadesh panicked and hurried towards their mother.In a swift move, Armaan picked up his mother in his arms and carried her inside.“Aaru, where’s the bedroom?” Armaan asked worriedly and an equally worried Aaru guided Armaan towards the master bedroom.Armaan gently laid his mother on the bed
The morning was a sombre affair in the Verma Household.Janani had forced the brothers to the breakfast table. They were simply picking at the food without eating anything. Their eyes were swollen, with dark circles around them indicating a sleepless night.Aaradhya walked down the stairs with her luggage in hand. Armaan and Aadesh frowned upon seeing her all set to leave."Where are you going?" Aadesh asked, his face showing confusion."My goal is achieved. I came here to prove my momma's innocence. Now that my job is done, I am going back home," Aaru said with an attitude as she placed her luggage near the door.Armaan and Aadesh froze."You can't go," Armaan said harshly, and Aaru frowned."Excuse me, that's my decision to make, Mr. Armaan Verma," Aaru said, and Armaan closed his eyes in disbelief. The little twitch was taking revenge for the way he had talked to her yesterday."You have college, Aaru. You can't miss classes," Armaan said hopefully."I opted for a college here only
Janani tightened her embrace around Armaan, feeling the weight of his pain in her arms. Shreya, sensing Aadesh's distress, clasped his hands tightly, providing him with a sense of stability amidst the chaos.In this moment of despair, Armaan and Aadesh found solace in the unwavering support of their partners. Janani was grateful for her decision to stay with Shreya instead of going to her parents' home. She had even invited her parents to join them, ensuring that they could all be together. It proved to be the right choice, as Janani anticipated the unpredictability of the situation, knowing that she might have to return immediately if any emergencies arose while the brothers were alone with their new found sister.Today, that very scenario unfolded. After Armaan had called Jhanvi aunty, Aaru had urgently messaged Janani, informing her that things had spiralled out of control and she needed to rush back home.Upon receiving the message, Janani wasted no time. She immediately dialled
“Amaravathi Verma, your grandmother only cared about society and social status. She wanted Acharya to get married to her friend’s daughter. Acharya who always was an obedient son, for the first time in his life refused her demand. He made it clear that there would be no other woman in his life other than Durga..” Jhanvi said and Aaru frowned.From what she has known, the man didn’t love her mother enough. But here it is another story.“And?” Armaan asked.“And Amaravathi Verma hated Durga for that. She made Durga’s life a hell..” “What did she do?” Aadesh asked, his words laced with heavy emotions.Jhanvi's voice quivered with emotion as she continued her account, her words painting a picture of a life filled with torment and suffering."She isolated Durga from family and friends, ensuring she had no support system. Amaravathi manipulated Acharya, poisoning his mind against Durga, and filling him with suspicions of her faithfulness. Durga endured years of emotional abuse, constantly
Aaru's phone rang. All three of them looked at the phone screen. Aaru's face brightened seeing the name and picture on the screen, while the brother's face darkened.It was a picture of Aaru hugging an older woman.And it was written on the screen..Momma calling!!!Before Aaru could attend the call, she heard the sound of a flower vase falling down and breaking into million little pieces.She got startled and looked up and saw a furious Arman pulling at his hair in anger.“Armaan bhai..” She called out and he raised his hand asking her to stop.“For a second, I actually forgot that you are the daughter of that characterless woman” Armaan said with disgust.Aaru lost it hearing those words.“Shut up, bhai. Shut up!” Aaru screamed, shocking both the brothers.“Not a word against my momma. I will not tolerate it” Aaru said angrily, pointing her fingers at Armaan and Aadesh.“If you can’t bear a word against her, get out of here” Armaan was not one to give up.“I didn’t come here to stay
The next morning, Armaan, with his eyes closed, extended his hands and groped on the bed, trying to find the love of his life.He frowned when his hands encountered the cold side of the bed.He opened his eyes and then with disappointment, realised that Janani had gone to her mother’s place.“Damn!” Armaan muttered under his breath and went to freshen up.As soon as he got out after his morning business, he took his phone and dialled Janani’s number.“Hey… Good morning Maan” Janani greeted him as soon as she picked up the call.“I miss you terribly. Remind me to always say No when you tell me you wanna go to your mother’s house.” Armaan said grumpily, making Janani chuckle.“Don’t be so grumpy, Armaan.” Janani teased and Armaan huffed in annoyance.“I don’t know how I am going to start my day without your kiss and coffee.” Armaan muttered again.“Ah. Kiss. That I can give now. Muaahh.” Janani made the kissing sound through the phone making Armaan chuckle.“And coffee is also handled.
“Nooooo” Armaan was startled by the loud voice and he hurried out of the bedroom in worry.“What is it? What happened?” Armaan asked as he reached the living room. Every member of the family had reached the living room hearing the loud cry.“Aaru bua” Ava pointed at her aunt, telling everyone that it was Aaru who made the noise.“What is it Aaru?” Janani asked, hurrying towards Aaradhya, who was staring at her mobile phone with a disappointed look on her face.“Bhabhi… My college life is wasted” Aaru cried dramatically, making her brothers frown.“What? Your college life just started, Aaru. It’s been hardly a month.” Janani said with a confused frown on her face.“Yeah. One month of heaven it was. Tomorrow onwards, it is going to be as dry as a desert” Aaru said, wiping her non-existent tears.“Stop your dramatics and tell us what the problem is” Armaan said sternly.Aaru hurried towards Armaan and clung to him like a little Koala. Armaan rolled his eyes and shot a helpless look at Ja
“You can just admit that you guys came to check up on me”Armaan and Aadesh looked up in shock and horror, seeing their newly found half sister, grinning cheekily at them.“I was not” Both of them said in unison, a dull shade of red spreading across their cheeks in embarrassment.“Aww. I am so overwhelmed with this love. I had grown up hearing stories of two elder brothers and I have always dreamed of them telling me bedtime stories and coming in to check on me every now and then. Finally my wish came true” Aaradhya gushed happily and the brothers shot an uncertain look at each other.Aaradhya dramatically wiped her non-existent tears and pulled both her brothers into a tight embrace.“What the” Armaan muttered and pulled away from her, feeling extremely uncomfortable with this open sibling affection. Aadesh’s situation was no different.“I will go lie down? Will you put the blanket over me, like those brothers in the movies do?” Aaru asked, batting her eyelashes innocently at her bro