"Here are our latest collections, Mrs Verma. I can assure you that they are unique designs. What's more special is that our owner designed these" the manager beamed, as he pointed at the latest model diamond sets.
"Aadesh. Come over here." Janani called out for her brother-in law.
"Yes bhabhi" he said, taking a seat next to hers.
"Look. Which one do you like?" Janani asked
"Bhabhi. I have no taste for jewels. You select what you think is the best" Aadesh said with a sheepish smile.
Janani shook her head and proceeded with selecting jewels for her would be co sister.
Over the past few months, Janani formed a close bond with Shreya. The fact that both of them lost a sister very recently, made them understand each other well.
But Janani knows her loss is nowhere close to what Shreya felt after losing her elder sister.
Janani still remembers the conversation she had with Shreya, the day after that big showdown, when Armaan barged into his retreat where Shreya was staying and confronted her.
****
"I am so sorry, Janani. I was very bitter after Akka's death" Shreya had said in remorse.
"I won't say that whatever you did was right, but I do understand you, Shreya" Janani said
Shreya groaned softly hearing that.
"I would have felt better, had you shown some kind of animosity towards me. Your forgiveness is making me more guilty" Shreya said
"Don't feel guilty, Shreya. We are going to be a family. I hope we can forget the past and form a bond. For the men we love" Janani said and a sad smile appeared on Shreya's face.
"If Aadesh ever forgives me for the stunt I pulled yesterday" Shreya said
"He will come around. He loves you. And when there is love, you have nothing to worry about" Janani said
"But I lost his trust. Trust is as important as love in a relationship. And I took advantage of his trust in me once." Shreya said guiltily.
Janani didn't argue on that point, because she knows Shreya is right. Love alone isn't enough.
A relationship needs love, trust, respect and friendship for it to survive.
She is glad that she got it all from Armaan.
"Shreya, I know what Armaan did to your sister was wrong. But please try to forgive him" Janani said
Shreya sighed.
"For a long time, I blamed him for everything wrong happening in our lives. I didn't like when Akka got into a relationship with him. She was so naive. I could see that she was smitten. But she told me that it was a casual relationship for him. He had warned her in the beginning. For all her sophistication as a new model in the industry, she was very innocent. She wouldn't have been able to stay casual. No matter what" Shreya said
Janani simply nodded. Armaan had told her the same. But he admitted, he was late in figuring out how naive Ishana was.
"When she got pregnant, I was shocked. I knew what kind of relationship they were having. Yet I was shocked. I blamed him for getting her pregnant, even though they were both involved. In my mind, he was the big bad wolf, who ruined my sister. And when I learned that he broke up with her when she was pregnant, I was furious." Shreya said
"Why didn't you confront Armaan. He would have supported your sister through pregnancy" Janani said, her heart felt heavy at the thought of the other woman carrying Armaan's baby.
But she is in love with that man. And she has accepted his past.
"I wanted to. But Akka wouldn't let me. She knew Armaan was a commitment phobe. And she didn't want to saddle herself to him when he doesn't love her" Shreya said
"Hmmm" Janani simply hummed
"Everyone was at fault. My parents included. But I found blaming Armaan easier." Shreya said
"Well, he had a reputation which made it easier," Janani said with a sigh.
"Yes" Shreya agreed
"Let's not talk about the past anymore. Let's look forward to a happy family life ahead" Janani said and Shreya hugged her on an impulse.
"I am sorry for everything I did. I hope we can share a sisterly bond in the future"
****
Janani snapped out of her thoughts, when she felt a coldness around her neck.
Armaan was standing behind her, placing an uncut diamond choker set against her neck and looking into the mirror.
"Armaan, we are here to buy jewels for Shreya." Janani said
"It doesn't mean that I can't buy you gifts," Armaan said cheekily.
"I have enough jewels to last a lifetime, Armaan" Janani protested
"Hardly" Armaan said and he fastened the hooks of the choker.
"You will never change," Janani muttered under her breath.
"Armaan jiju. Do you have any rich single friends in your circle? If yes, please do introduce him to me. I would like to be pampered like this, unlike some people here" Richa added dryly, making Armaan laugh.
"Oh man! I don't have any friends against whom I hold a grudge. So I am not going to introduce you to any of them. I can't have it in my conscience" Armaan said with a mock shudder, making Richa huff.
"Remember, you got to know Janani only because I gave her the idea that she will have rights over Advi if you think she is Saanvi. Else your life would have taken a total different turn" Richa reminded him
"Well, I cannot ever forget, can I? You make it your business to remind me the fact on a daily basis" Armaan said sarcastically
"Well. I am only saying the truth" Armaan said and then froze when he spotted a girl at the other end of the store.
A young girl, probably nineteen or twenty years old.
But the heart wrenching familiar face, made all the blood drain from his face.
No!
No!
How could it be her?