Prologue

By the sound of thunder and the brightness of lightning, it was obvious to Deviyani Laxmi Singh Raizada that this storm was truly the worst storm of the season yet. It was definitely a fierce one, and it didn't help her quivering heart. Ever since the day began, something was off for the 50 year old woman. Then again something had always been off for her.

In their town, men were the dominants of the land. Her late husband had once been The Lord of the Land, her eldest son taking over after him. Deviyani had tried her best to raise her three sons well, but the environment around them didn't help her sons keep all of those values.

Women hardly had any value in their land. Many saw women as just a breeder, even some of the women themselves! As soon as a girl had bled, her father would immediately look for a suitor, hoping for a wealthy man with no care of his age.

Deviyani Laxmi Vardhan was a simple villager before she had become a Raizada. Like the other fathers, her father, too, had looked for a suitor. Never had she nor her parents had ever thought that the Lord of the Land's son would be their suitor.

Deviyani still remembered it like it was yesterday. She was only 12 and she couldn't believe that she had truly become a woman. She was the first one of her friends to do so, and she couldn't help but to brag about it to them. While her friends pouted with jealousy, wanting to become a mature adult as well, Deviyani was too giddy, laughing and beaming with joy. Only, her friends' pouting didn't help to keep her mood, so as they walked by the river, Deviyani splashed water at them. They began a water fight, all of them in the river, when they heard boys laughing. All of the girls were shocked and frozen still as they stared back at Aditya Singh Raizada and his friends. As the girls remained in shock, Aditya had focused only on Deviyani. He simply asked for her full name and left, taking his friends with him.

And that was all it took - one encounter and her name. Aditya's father tracked down Deviyani's father and told him that Deviyani would become a Raizada bahu. Of course her father agreed; after all, who would dare to deny the Lord of the Land?

And so at the mere age of 12, Deviyani got married, becoming a Raizada. And not even one year after that, she gave birth to her eldest son, Aryan Singh Raizada.

It was hard, needless to say, to raise a child when she too, was just a child herself. Having three in total was no help either. But she tried, trying to raise them in a good manner, but her boys were just like the other boys in town.

"Ma?"

Deviyani snapped out of her reverie and looked at the 37 year old woman beside her.

"Is something wrong," Deviyani's daughter in law, Shalini, asked.

Thunder struck again and both women looked out the grand window.

"I don't know," Deviyani replied.

Lightning flashed, brightening the dark hall.

"We should step away and go elsewhere," Shalini said as she stepped away from the window.

Deviyani smiled. "Nothing scares me anymore dear."

"But Ma-"

Thunder struck once more and lightning struck again, brightening Deviyani's face. The woman stood still, even as thunder rolled on once more.

Light flashed once more, only this wasn't from lightening. Down below, Deviyani watched as a black Rolls Royce pulled up.

"Hmm...."

Deviyani walked away and Shalini followed behind. They walked through the dark, vast mansion, passing several portraits which portrayed the Raizada ancestors. One after another passed as the two women walked, having seen them so many times before.

As Deviyani approached the top of the stairs, she saw her other two daughter in laws appear. They glanced at her, then looked down at their husbands below. Deviyani turned her gaze as well, looking down at the three drunk men who were her sons. She cleared her throat and the three men paused and straightened.

"I believe there were six of you that had left," she simply said.

Aryan stepped forward, clearing his throat. "The boys wanted to continue to celebrate," the 38 year old explained.

"Hmm... and it seems as if the three of you felt the need to celebrate like them as well."

It was a statement, so the men didn't respond. Although they weren't exactly what their mother had wanted, they listened to her, following her words.

"Shalini, Amoli, Navya - help them to your rooms."

Her three daughter in laws nodded and did as she had said. The men said nothing and let their wives help them. However once they were some distance away, Deviyani saw her sons release themselves from their wives and attempt to walk on their own, being the true stubborn men they were.

The clock struck, notifying that it was 12 AM. With a sigh, Deviyani went down and into the family room, seating herself before the fireplace. Her three grandsons would be out late once again. And once again her hopes of making her boys good men, had failed. Her eldest grandson, Arnav Singh Raizada, was nothing more than a stubborn and arrogant 22 year old man with a bad temper. The second oldest grandson, Akash Singh Raizada, was a sweet talker at 20, his sweet and innocent looks being very deceptive, as he was far from it. As for the youngest grandson, he was just another careless 18 year old, Nand Kishore Raizada nowhere near as good as his name would claim.

If there was something she was successful at in these three, however, then it was having them not get married at such a young age as their ancestors had done before. She wanted them to live their youth off, especially the poor girls they were destined to be with.

Thunder struck once more, however for the first time ever in her life, it had scared her. Deviyani's head snapped to the window as her heart beat rapidly.

"A new beginning."

Chapter Twenty Four

It's safe to say that once the newly weds got back into their hotel room, all hell broke loose. Lips collided and bodies slammed, and rhythms were created from urging bodies as well as panting. Boy did they give their neighbors a wild one, because they had to leave their room to avoid anymore sexual noises coming from them. Luckily for them, their trip came to an end, so they no longer had to hear anything more, which sucked for them, since the newly weds would be leaving the day after.

"I had a wonderful time," Khushi smiled.

Arnav kissed her hand. "I bet you did," he winked.

It was a lovely drive back into town and Khushi breathed it in.

"It feels so good to be back," Khushi smiled, gazing at the fields. "I don't think I'll ever want to be so far away again."

"Well I would love to do it again. It's so much more easier, having you all to myself."

Khushi grinned, looking at him. "You always have me. Even when you didn't know you did."

Arnav smiled softly. "True. But I'm not going to drop my eyes off of you."

"Oh? And why is that?"

Arnav grinned. "Khushi, what are you currently eating?"

Khushi looked down at the small packet in her hands. "Mango chutney."

"Right," and he focused on the road.

Khushi had no idea what point he was trying to make, so she rolled her eyes and looked at the village around them. It wasn't long until they arrived to the mansion and everyone was all over them. They asked of their time there and if Khushi enjoyed herself. Khushi was beaming with joy, telling them of her time - at least, the ones she could share - while giving everyone their gifts.

Soon it was time for dinner and everyone was seated at the table, the food on the table. The room was full of chatter, when three maids entered the room.

"...and this is the dining hall," Khushi heard one of them say. "You wait here and when the Malik and his family are done eating, you will help clear the table."

"Ah, the new recruits," Arnav said. "Thank you for showing them around Jyothi."

The woman nodded.

"Chote, why are you having them shown around now, when we're having dinner," Anjali asked.

"Let's just say they needed a demo."

Khushi frowned at Arnav, not getting what he meant. She looked at the new maids and her eyes widened.

"See some familiar faces?"

The rest of the family looked at the new maids and were shocked at the sight of Garima and Payal.

"Show them to the laundry room next Jyothi," Arnav said. "Make sure they understand how to wash my shirts properly, I don't want them ruined."

"Yes Malik," Jyothi replied, and she led, or rather forced the two out of the rooms.

Annanya looked at her son. "Chote, are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Absolutely," he replied, though his eyes were on his wife, who was looking at the door from where the three ladies had exited.

"But after what they did, do you think it's right to keep them close to Khushi," Arbaz asked.

"She'll be safe," Arnav replied, his eyes still on his wife.

Khushi finally looked away and looked down at her plate. "Excuse me," and she got up and left the room.

Arnav went to get up, but Annanya stopped him.

"Give her a moment."

Arnav nodded but he focused on the door.

Khushi walked through the house and went back upstairs to their room. She remained quiet, her mind blank because she really didn't know what to think. She simply sat on the bed and focused on the wall in front of her. It was some time later when Arnav came into the room. He saw his wife sitting quietly and sat down beside her.

"Are you okay," he asked.

Khushi took a deep breath and nodded, then laid her head on his shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"There's only one word coming to mind right now."

Arnav moved her hair off her shoulder. "And what's that?"

"Karma."

Arnav scoffed lightly and nodded with a small grin.

Khushi eventually looked up at him, her chin on his shoulder. "I love you."

Arnav grinned and looked down at her. "I love you too," and he kissed her.

Khushi kissed him back and let him move her, laying her flat on her back. He gave her playful kisses and Khushi giggled, feeling very happy.

"Khushi?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you craving anything?"

"Huh? Hmm... now that you mention it... I do want something sour."

Arnav pulled back. "Really?"

"Yes, why?"

Arnav pulled back and sat up. "You haven't been getting sick in the mornings, have you?"

"Um, no...? Why-?"

"And you haven't bled have you?"

Khushi's eyes widened. "What kind of-! Oh my!"

Arnav's eyes widened with joy.

"You don't think... am I...?"

"I can't think of anything else. Something tells me yes."

Khushi looked down at her stomach. "I'm... I'm going to be a mother?"

"I wouldn't be surprised."

Khushi gasped and placed her hands over her stomach. She did a mental calculation and her eyes widened. "I'm pregnant," she gasped.

Khushi squealed and threw herself at Arnav and both laughed with joy. The Malik and his Malkeen would soon have a mini Malik or Malkeen of their own.