Bound by Vows novel Chapter 24

Payal’s POV

"This one is good" I said while picking up the black colour frock for aashi.

Currently we are in mall for shopping. We as in me, aashi, Kunal and divya.

Mummy told divya to come with us as she was also going for shopping.

She was reductant at first to come with me and honestly feelings are mutual as she clearly stated that she doesn't like me.

Some days back...

"How is it??" I asked everyone as i made a "dal makhani" under the guidance of mummy for the first time in my lifetime and also after my first rasoi in this house.

"Well done bhabhi. i loved it" Kunal said while i smiled. He is truly my brother.

"Its good but i don't understand how come its extra salty as i remember you sprinkle accurate measure of salt earlier" mummy said while i got confused.

I picked a spoon and took a bit only to swallow it down fast. Eww,its to salty. How everyone is eating.

"Please you guys don't eat it. Its too much salty. Eat shahi paneer it is made by mita aunty. It would be fine" i said feeling embarrassed as i couldn't even make a simple dish properly.

"Its okay beta. Its manageable with chappati. And it happens sometime don't take it seriously" papaji said with a smile.

I would say i am lucky to have these people in my life. Thank you god.i silently prayed to build our relationship stronger.

But i am confused how come it is too bitter. When i checked earlier while cooking, it was fine. My gaze fall on divya suddenly, who was eating silently while having an evil type of smile on her face.

Did she? She definitely entered the kitchen when i was cooking. And for few minutes i walked out of the kitchen to see aashi.

I have to confront her. If she did something like that. I have to ask her problem.

After eating, everyone moved to their room while i moved to divya's room to have a word with her after putting aashi to sleep in his room. Since the time he left, we are sleeping in his room peacefully.

I knocked on her door and after few minutes she opened the door.

"What" she asked rudely.

"Why you did that?" I asked straight forward without twisting my words.

"What i did?" She asked in not so confusing tone. She knows what i am talking about but acting all innocent.

"You know what i am saying" i said while glaring her.

"Can you say it clearly.i am sleepy and would not like to waste my time on someone like you" she said while i rolled my eyes.

"Okay so, why did you add extra salt in my dish" i asked her.

She was shocked that i caught her but soon recovered.

"Are you mad? Why would i do that?" She asked trying to control her emotions.

"I have a proof which i can immediately show to everyone" i bluffed only to threaten her.

Maybe she has done this but i wont embarrass her infront of family.

"What proof?" She asked feeling scared. I smirked mentally.

"Do you want me to show it to everyone. I will gladly do that. Then answer Everyone why you did that" i said while turning back.

"Wait. Fine i did that but don't tell anyone else" she said and i turned to face her.

"Why?" I asked simply

"Because i don’t like you" she said

"And what did i do to you to make such impression" i said while controlling my anger.

"Why bhai had to marry someone like you?" She asked.

"Excuse me??? What do you mean by some one like you??" I asked composing myself however from inside i want to burst.

"Someone who don't have any class. not upto our standard.not even educated enough.though Sanjana bhabhi was bitch but at least she had a class and a standard like our society unlike you who do-" she ranted while i stopped her

"Enough" i said when i had hear enough of her disgusting thought.

She stopped and looked at me while making a face. I really want to slap her right now. How dare she to talk rubbish about me like this.

"For your kind information whom you are saying uneducated, i would like to clear it to you i am working as a lecturer in college and in my opinion you won't get such opportunity if you are not educated enough. And second, what standard and class you are talking about.haan.noone become rich by showing off branded clothes or things, or spending money like water. or roaming in audi or bmw. person become rich by his thoughts, his values and his nature" i lectured her and without looking at her moved towards my room.

Sanjana.she mentioned her as bhabhi.that means aashi's mom.why i feel this name familiar.where did i hear this name?i tried to remember while drifting into sleep.

For next few days, she didn't leave any chance to embarrassed me in front of others but i ignored her all attempt.

Since that day i have started ignoring her at my best. When someone has already made a negative image in her mind without knowing me. I am not going to make effort from my side.

Because in my opinion, efforts will be fruitful only if other person equally participate.

"I think blue colour will suit her more" Kunal broke my thoughts while showing me another dress which is blue.

"Lets me try her both dresses, then will decide which one to purchase" i said while taking dresses in my hand.

And started walking towards trial room along with aashi.

"Both were looking good and i am unable to decide which one to purchase" i said to Kunal after trying both dresses on her.

"Simple. Purchase both dresses" kunal said while i hesitate at his suggestion. As i don't have enough money to buy both. I mean i can buy both but i will have to cut down my other expenses a little.

"Okay" i said coz aashi liked both dresses and i don't want to disappoint her.

We walked towards billing counter standing in the row.

"Mumma i want to eat iceceam" aashi requested.

"Okay baby.we will buy you a icecream" i said while she got excited.

"But where is Divya?" Kunal said while looking around.

"She walked to other showroom to buy her stuff" i informed as she separated herself from us as soon as we entered the mall.

"Okay, we will have our lunch as i am hungry extremely" he said in a baby voice. I laughed.

He is no less than aashi. I have seen how he throw tantrums in front of mummy.

"Hmm" i acknowledged.

"Rs. 5600/- mam" girl from the billing counter said.

I nodded and started to take out cash from my wallet.

"Take this" kunal said when i looked up he had already handed over his card to swipe.

"Kunal why you paid? I had to pay" i asked him.

"You pay or i pay...its same thing" he said

"But.." i started again

"Chill bhabhi...relax" he said while i nod

After taking the shopping bags we moved out of the showroom.

"Bhabhi can you call divi out of that showroom. I would have go in myself but its for ladies stuff and it would be awkward. We will meet you guys in the food court on top floor" he said.

I looked towards the showroom he pointed and it is indeed for women's stuff like lingerie and all that stuff.

I entered the showroom and looked around to see familiar face.

There she is, purchasing perfume i guess.

I walked towards her and stand behind her. She has 2 perfume brands in her hand.

"Try Chanel that too coco noir variant. It’s amazing. You will like it" i announced my preference.

She turned and looked surprised may be because of my knowledge about this very expensive brand.

"What??? Don't be surprise.i may not fit in your definition of "standard". But it is not necessary that you should be rich to have standard" i mocked her.

She stayed silent but definitely buy the product which i suggested. I smiled at this.

In my opinion, she is not that bad which i initially thought but she is actually doing childish acts to drop my image in front of all other family members.

"Bhabhi, what will you give bhai as a gift" Kunal suddenly asked when we’re having lunch.

I raised my eyebrows in questioning mannee.

"Don't tell me that you are not aware about bhai's birthday in next week. He would probably not here on that day but you can gift him when he'll came back" he informed me.

I shrugged my shoulders not knowing what to say.

"I will give daddy a bday card" aashi said beside me. I nodded my head.

All this while divya was silent. Suddenly aashi picked her cold drink glass only to drop it on divya's lap who is sitting beside her.

"Oh shit" divya exclaimed while getting up.

"Sorry bui" aashi said to Divya.

"Its okay baby. I will go to washroom to wash it" she said to kunal who nodded his head.

We continued our lunch.

"Isn't it too late. She has been out for around 25 minutes" Kunal asked while looking at entrance for her.

"Yeah. Try her number and ask" i suggested.

He immediately dialled her number.

"Not reachable" he said.

"Maybe network issue" i said.

Another 10 minutes past but she didn't arrive. Now we are worried for her.

"I will go and check on her" i said while getting up. Kunal nodded his head.

"Call me once you meet her. We will also come downstairs" he said.

"Okay" i said while started walking towards washroom which is located at the corner most side of the mall.

I stepped into washroom only to find it empty. I checked all cabins but they were empty.

Where is she???

I stepped out of washroom to look around.

I heard a faint sound of someone's screaming. I moved towards the source which is coming from the corridor beside washroom.

A man is stepping over a woman who is caged in between his arms and wall.

His back is facing me. The girl is continuously screaming to leave her. The sound is familiar.

Divya?

It got confirmed when she again screamed.

Shit! Bastard. I will not leave him.

He moved closer to her for kissing her i think. I walked fast while looking around for something as a weapon.

A wiper was there. I picked it up and slowly moved behind him.

I hit him on his head twice due to which he lost his balance and fall down on ground.

I looked at divya who was scared and tears were pouring out of her eyes.

"Bhabhi" she said while coming straight into my arms and sobbed.

It took me sometime to recover from shock. Yes shock because she called me bhabhi for first time.

I hugged her tightly to console her.

"Shh. divya chup.see everything is fine" i said trying to stop her cry.

"H..he... bhabhi.he was trying to molest me" she said while sobbing.

"Divi, stop crying bacche.its all good.you are save and fine" i said while looking at her.

She stopped crying and said "bhabhi lets go"

"Wait. First i will teach him a lesson" i said while looking at man who is still screaming in pain.

I moved towards him and again hit him this time on his stomach.

"You bastard.how dare you to touch my sister" i said while hitting him continuously.

"Sorry sister. forgive me. I am sorry" bastard said while folding his hands.

But I continuously hit him.

"Bhabhi leave him. Lets go" divya pleaded to me and i stopped.

"Next time think this before laying your dirty hands on any other innocent girl" i warned while hitting him for the last time.

We moved out of the area.

"Let me call kunal and inform him about this" i said while picking my phone for dialling Kunal's number.

"Bhabhi, pls don't tell bhai infact anyone about this incident" she requested.

"But why. He should know about it" i said

"No...i am not comfortable" she said while looking down.

"But divya, it was not your fault. You should not be embarrassed about this" i said trying to make her understand.

I can imagine how she must be feeling right now. I also.no Payal don't go on that track.

"I know. But pls its a request" she said

"Okay fine. I will not tell this to kunal but you will share this with mummy" i said and she nodded.

"But how come you reached to that area" i asked my doubt.

"Actually after using washroom, my phone started ringing but due to low network i was unable to listen. So i moved there but my signal gone totally. So, i thought to come back. When i turned that man was standing there and started touching me inappropriately. If you didn't came on time i would have be--" she couldn't completed her sentence and started crying.

"Its okay divi. Control your self" i said while hugging her.

Loud voice of my phone disturbed us. I looked at the caller id and its kunal.

"Yes kunal" i said while picking up the call.

"Bhabhi, have you found her???" He asked

"Yes...she is with me. You came to ground floor. We will meet you there" i said while walking towards ground floor.

"Where were you?" Kunal asked angrily to divya as soon as he saw us.

"V...vo bhai..m" divya stutter.

"She was talking to her friend and got lost of the track of time" i lied while covering her.

He didn't said anything and moved towards parking lot to his car.

We all settled into the car. Kunal was driving while i sat in passenger seat with ashi on my lap and divya on back seat.

"How can you be so irresponsible divya. You know how worried we were for you" kunal growled as soon as car hit the road.

I looked at divya through rear mirror. She is lost in herself and probably feeling guilty.

"Its okay kunal. Don't scold her" i said trying to control the situation.

"But bhabhi she could have talk infront of us. Or after going back at home. She didn't even remember some people were waiting for her while she was busy chatting" he accuse.

"Its okay. Next time she won't repeat such mistake. Right divya" i asked divi who nodded her head.

Rest journey passed with ashi innocent talks.

In night

I am laying awake on my bed while aashi is sleeping beside me. A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts.

Who is it at door this late? Its 11:35 p.m.

I opened the door to see divya at door.

"Divya? You here? Is everything okay??" I asked her

She remained silent but hugged me tightly.

"Thank you bhabhi. Thank you soo much for today. Don’t know what would have happened if you were not there” she said emotionally.

"Its okay divya. We are family and we are meant for helping eachother" i said while breaking our hug.

She nodded.

"Did you share it with mummy" i asked her

"Yes. She was angry first for my negligence but then consoled me while giving lot of curses to that man" she said while laughing.

I laughed and hummed.

"And bhabhi i am sorry for all the bitchiness i showed you earlier. I misjudged you earlier as gold digger. I am so sorry bhabhi. Pls forgive me" she said while folding her hands.

"I forgive you" i said after seeing her gesture. I am happy she realised her mistake.

"So.friends??" She asked jokingly while extending her hand.

"No..." I paused while her smile dropped.

"Because you are not my friend but my little sister" i said while hugging her.

She giggled while thanking me.

After she retired to her room, i lay down on bed while thinking about today's events.

In all these chaos, one thing got good that my relationship with divya become smooth now. I slept with a smile today while hugging aashi to my chest.