Chapter 4 4

Avinash and Radha Ji were now ready to reveal the truth to everyone – that Aarav was not married to Muskaan, but to Pia, and that Pia was now the elder daughter-in-law of the family.

"Calm down, everyone. We have something very important to share, but before we do, no one should lose their composure. Please listen to everything first," Radha Ji began.

" What's wrong, Mom? Why do you say that?" Aarav asked, confused.

When Sakshi and Raj saw how serious Avinash and Radha Ji were, they remained silent as they felt the gravity of the situation.

" Listen, Aarav. What you're about to hear will shock you, but believe me, we did this after careful consideration and only for your own good. That's why you must control your anger," Avinash Ji said calmly.

" What's wrong, Uncle? Why does everyone look so worried?" asked Raj.

" Yes, and why is Muskaan Bhabhi standing so still? She hasn't spoken to anyone all day. I didn't even hear her voice. Has something happened to her?" Sakshi asked, whereupon Avinash and Radha Ji exchanged glances.

Finally, Avinash Ji turned to Pia and said gently, "You can lift your veil now. Show them your face, Pia Beta..."

" Please... You've been wearing it all day. Wait a minute-what did you just say? Pia? Who's Pia? Dad, have you forgotten your daughter-in-law's name? Her name is Muskaan," Aarav said, confused.

" I haven't forgotten anything, Aarav. I said the right name. My daughter-in-law's name is Pia," Avinash Ji explained without hesitation.

No one understood what was happening. Everyone looked at Pia in confusion. Pia, however, was rooted to the spot and couldn't move. Radha Ji approached her, gently lifted her veil, and stood beside her.

When Aarav, Raj and Sakshi saw an unknown girl in a wedding dress instead of Muskaan, their mouths fell open in shock.

Aarav was completely confused.

"This ... this girl... Who is she? And why is she wearing a wedding dress? Where is Muskaan? Mom, what's going on? Can someone tell me what's going on? And why is this girl here with Muskaan?" Aarav's confusion turned to anger as he tried to comprehend the situation.

" Listen, Aarav. This is Pia, the daughter of Manish Ji's elder brother Sanjay Ji. From today, she is your wife and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Kapoor family. We know you have many questions, and we have answers to all of them," Avinash Ji began to explain.

" Wait a minute... What do you mean, she's my wife? I don't care who she is, because my wife and your daughter-in-law's name is Muskaan. You arranged my wedding to her. What's going on now?"

And then Aarav said directly to Pia:

"And you-Pia, or whoever you are-how dare you take Muskaan's place? Where is Muskaan? What have you done to her? And you call yourself Muskaan's cousin? How could you stoop so low as to marry her fiancé? And why are you standing here silently? Tell me the truth-where is Muskaan?"

Aarav's anger erupted when he snapped at Pia without waiting for the full story. The sight of a strange girl instead of Muskaan infuriated him.

Pia trembled with fear, unable to bear the anger directed at her. Tears welled up in her eyes when she heard Aarav's harsh words, and soon they streamed down her face.

Seeing her tears only fueled Aarav's anger.

" Stop crying! I have a question for you-answer me!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room. Pia stood there paralyzed, overcome by fear.

Raj and Sakshi stood there in silence, completely stunned by the turn of events.

"That's enough! Stop it right now! Before you shout at someone, listen to the whole truth," Avinash Ji said firmly, silencing the room.

Then he told everything – from Muskaan's escape on the wedding day to their decision to marry Aarav to Pia instead.

When Aarav learned that Muskaan had run away, he stood there for a moment, as if in shock. He couldn't believe she had done such a thing. But the next moment, anger overcame him again.

"If Muskaan had run away, you could have told me! Why didn't you inform me then? Instead, you married me off to a girl I don't even know. Didn't you think it was important to ask me? And Mom, did you keep this from me too? Why?"

"Beta, we did this only for your own good. Pia is not just any girl; she's a kind-hearted person, and we know her well.

You're worried about Muskaan, but she didn't even think about you before she ran away, disrespecting everyone's honor. We didn't know what else to do at that moment," Radha Ji tried to explain lovingly.

" So that means you could marry me to anyone without my consent? Is that what you're saying?" Aarav shouted in an angry voice.

" Aarav, you can't talk to your mother like that! If you have a problem, contact me, because I made the decision. And yes, you must accept the truth as soon as possible. Pia is your wife now and also the eldest daughter-in-law of this family. You must not call her disrespectful," Avinash Ji declared firmly.

"Everyone knows that you started loving Muskaan, but letting her into your life was our mistake. However, marrying you to Pia was not a mistake. You must forget the past and start a new life with Pia. This is the best thing for you," Avinash Ji concluded, hoping Aarav would understand.

Even after hearing everything, Aarav's anger refused to subside.