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 Khanna, who had been privy to her plan, and arranged for him to pick her up. Armaan, consumed by his anguish, barely registered how swiftly Janani had arrived. All he knew was that he was immensely grateful for her unwavering presence in his life.
Tears welled up in the eyes of everyone in the room as Armaan's broken voice filled the air.
"We were cheated out of our mother, Janani," he uttered, his words resonating with heart-wrenching sorrow.
Janani's heart ached in response to Armaan's pain. She held him even tighter, hoping to convey her love and support through the sheer strength of her embrace. The room fell into a profound silence as each person grappled with their own emotions. No words seemed adequate to heal the wounds they carried, but the unspoken bond between them provided a semblance of comfort.
Jhanvi hugged and kissed Armaan and Aadesh and left from there, leaving the family to themselves.
Armaan suddenly got out of Janani’s hold and hurried upstairs. Janani and others were momentarily shocked and then immediately followed him in worry. They saw him hurrying towards his study. They all watched in bated breath as Armaan pulled out a draw and took a box from it. He opened the box and emptied the content of it on his desk.
There were many letters in the box. Aadesh, Shreya and Aaru watched in confusion. But Janani knew what they were.
The letters his mother sent him over the years. Her heart ached for her husband. The emotional turmoil he is going through at the moment. It was too much to watch.
Armaan was crazily going through the letters, trying to find the first letter he received. Aadesh hurried towards him and he also noted many letters addressed to him.
“Maan? What is this? Letters for me? What is happening here?” Aadesh asked, holding a couple of letters in his hands.
Armaan looked at him guiltily. He had made sure that none of the letters reached Aadesh. If he hadn’t done that, they would have realised their mother’s innocence much much earlier.
“Addy, I am so sorry.” Armaan said, his words breaking as he spoke.
“I don’t understand anything.” Aadesh said in confusion.
Armaan was in no state to speak. So, Janani took the initiative and told Aadesh about the letters and about why Armaan hid them away from Aadesh.
Armaan found it difficult to look at Aadesh. He felt he had cheated Aadesh out of their mother.
And Aadesh understood what his brother was feeling at that moment.
“Maan, don’t blame yourself for anything. I know you only wanted to protect me. And this was our fate. We might have done pretty bad things in our past life, so we were punished. Now we have got a chance to get it all back. Don’t think about what happened in the past, just think about what we can do to make a difference in our life.” Aadesh said and hugged his older brother, who was more of a father figure for him.
Both the brothers hugged each other and tears of grief and joy ran down their eyes. Aaru watched with a relieved smile. Her goal was achieved. This is what she came for. To prove her beloved momma’s innocence and give her her sons back.
Aaru walked out of their and dialed her father’s number.
“Hey Aaru. You didn’t pick up your mother’s call in the morning? She has been ranting about it until now. Just went to take a shower.” Gagan Ahuja said, as soon as he picked up the call.
“Papa..” Aaru cried through the phone and Gagan tensed.
“Aaru, what happened? Did Armaan or Aadesh say anything? Come back darling. We will try some other way..” Gagan said, hurt at his daughter’s crying.
“It’s not that papa. Finally, finally, they now know momma wasn’t wrong. They now know everything. I proved momma’s innocence papa.” Aaru cried and proceeded to tell her all about the happenings of the morning following her mother’s call.
“Thank god! Finally, God answered all your mother’s cries.” Gagan said, wiping the tears that ran down his cheek.
“Don’t tell momma now. Lemme talk to them first. If possible, I will bring them home tomorrow itself, that way, we can give momma a surprise.” Aaru said excitedly.
“Okay. As you say. Let me know the plans. I will have a feast be prepared here for my sons.” Gagan said and Aaru smiled.
‘Nobody can love momma as much as papa does. He always refers to Armaan bhai and Aadesh bhai as his sons. He says Durga’s sons and mine too, no matter what they think.’ Aaru thought with a smile.
Armaan and Aadesh sat on the floor of the study and opened the letters one by one. The heartbreaking words in the letter only made them cry more.
It was their mother’s plea to come to her. Just to see them once. Just to hold them in her arms once.
And they have denied her all that.
“Oh Maa..” Armaan cried as he kissed those letters…