𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐢 ~ 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 |𝟏𝟖+| - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Author's POV:-
It was another ordinary day. Arjun was upstairs, busy with his work. Since the housemaid Kajal hadn't turned up today, Sakshi was left to manage everything on her own. Meanwhile, Buaji kept pacing in and out, only to toss out instructions rather than lend a helping hand.
"Arey, jaldi-jaldi haath chala bahu! Aise kachua ki tarah kaam karegi toh poora din lag jayegi," she said with a taunt, standing with her arms crossed.
("Arey , hurry up, bahu! If you work like a turtle, it'll take the whole day,")
"Ji… aaj Kajal nahi aayi na, toh thoda samay lag rahi hai," Sakshi replied softly, almost in a whisper.
("Jii , Kajal didn't came today, so it's taking me a bit longer,")
Buaji rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Tu toh fir bhi bhaagyashaali hai jo Arjun ne kaamwali rakh li… hamare zamaane mein saara kaam toh bahuon ko hi karna padta tha. Humne bhi kiya hai… teri saas ne bhi kiya hai!"
("You're still lucky that Arjun hired a maid… in our time, daughters-in-law had to do all the work. I did it too… your mother-in-law did it as well!")
Sakshi didn’t reply. She simply focused on cooking, her hands moving mechanically over the vegetables.
"Main jaa rahi hoon bahar. Agar kuch chahiye ho toh bula lena… garmi mein itni der khadi nahi raha jaata," Buaji added, fanning herself with her pallu before leaving the kitchen.
("I'm going outside now. If you need anything, call me… I can’t stand in this heat for so long,")
Sakshi sighed, wiping her forehead with the edge of her pallu, which she then tucked tightly around her waist.
"Ab tadka de deti hoon daal mein," she murmured, placing the kadhai on the stove.
("Now let me give tarka in the daal..")
Just then, Veer stepped in quietly, his movements careful and soundless. He looked around—no sign of Arjun. The coast was clear.
Tiptoeing closer, he came up right beside her. His eyes lingered on her—on the slim waist that peeked out from under her pink saree. She looked effortlessly beautiful.
"Yeh daal toh ban gayi… ab aloo-matar ki sabzi bana leti hoon," Sakshi mumbled to herself.
("The dal is done… now let me make potato-peas curry,")
"Wah… daal ki khushboo toh kamaal ki aa rahi hai, Bhabhi," Veer whispered, his voice suddenly close to her ear.
("Wow… the aroma of the dal is amazing, Bhabhi ji..")
Startled, Sakshi flinched, nearly dropping the spoon in her hand.
Veer chuckled and stepped back.
"Veer? Tum… yahan kya kar rahe ho?" she asked, moving slightly away from him.
("Veer? You… what are you doing here?")
"Bhabhi ji… aap toh bade hi darpok nikli!" he said, clapping lightly in mock amusement.
("Bhabhi ji… you turned out to be quite timid!" )
"Maine toh abhi kuch kiya bhi nahi… aur aap abhi se hi darr gayi? Kamaal hai!"
("I haven’t even done anything yet… and you’re already scared? Amazing!")
Sakshi quickly adjusted her saree, pulling the pallu over her exposed waist. She was visibly uncomfortable.
"Agar koi bina awaaz ke chupke se piche aajaye… toh koi bhi dar jaayega, Veer," she replied firmly.
("If someone sneaks up behind you silently… anyone would be startled, Veer,")
Veer nodded, pretending to agree seriously.
"Haan… yeh baat toh sahi hai, Bhabhi ji."
("Yes your words are also correct, Bhabhi ji.")
His gaze didn’t shift, and Sakshi could feel his eyes on her, making her skin crawl.
"Tumhe kuch chahiye tha, Veer?" she asked again, her tone more direct this time.
("Do you want anything Veer??")
He paused for a second, then smirked.
"Woh kya hai na, Bhabhi ji… kuch kaam mil nahi raha tha, toh socha aapke paas aa jaaun."
("You see, Bhabhi ji… I didn’t have anything to do, so I thought why not come to you??")
Her eyes widened in shock.
He quickly corrected himself, chuckling.
"Mera matlab tha… dekhne ke liye ki aaj khaane mein kya kya ban raha hai!"
("I mean… just to see what’s being cooked for lunch today!")
"Abhi toh kuch bana bhi nahi hai… aur waise bhi, khaane ke waqt toh sab dikh hi jaayega," she replied softly.
("Nothing is fully ready yet… and anyway, everyone will see when it's time to eat," )
Veer nodded but made no move to leave the kitchen.
"Waise yeh gulabi saree mein aap pe bohut jach rahi hain bhabhi ji… bhaiya ne dilaya na yeh saree haa?" Veer said with a sly smirk on his face, his eyes deliberately scanning her from top to bottom.
("By the way, you look beautiful in this pink saree, Bhabhi ji… did Bhaiya buy it for you?")
Sakshi just forced a tight smile, clearly uncomfortable but trying not to show it.
"Mujhe na bohut pyaas lagi hain bhabhi… paani mil sakta hain?" he asked innocently, making her nod slightly, still avoiding eye contact.
("I’m really thirsty, Bhabhi ji… can I get some water?" )
She turned to fill a steel glass with water from the matka placed on a wooden tool. As she bent slightly, her saree shifted, revealing a portion of her bare waist.
Veer’s eyes darkened with intention.
He smirked again, thinking it's a perfect time to execute his plan.
Without making a sound, he stepped closer to her, inch by inch. And just when she was about to straighten up, he sneakily extended his hand- fingers slightly brushed with her sling.
The moment she felt a presence behind her and that disgusting touch, Sakshi jerked upright with a terrified scream.
In panic, she turned around abruptly. The sudden movement made the glass in her hand clash against his chest, spilling water all over her blouse, soaking it — making the saree transparent — while the rest splashed onto his kurta.
In her shock, her foot slipped slightly on the now-wet floor. She stumbled back, her hand hitting the matka. It falls from the tool, crashing onto the ground and rolling as water poured out rapidly, covering the entire floor.
The steel glass fell from her hand, clattering and echoing through the kitchen.
Her chest heaved, eyes wide with disbelief. He was standing so close. Too close. And she realized what he had just tried to do.
"Veer!!!!!" she screamed, her voice cracking with anger and fear, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Kya hua bhabhiji?" he replied, feigning innocence, his eyes shamelessly flicking to her chest where the wet saree clung to her.
("What happened bhabhi ji??")
Sakshi's cheek burned in embarrassment and immediately pulled her pallu up to cover herself, her hands trembling.
Hearing her loud scream, Buaji came rushing into the kitchen, her face turning pale with shock.
"Kya hua beta??" she asked, hurrying to her son, gasping at the sight of the scene — the water, the broken matka, her son’s soaked kurta, and Sakshi in tears.
("What happened beta??")
Instead of asking what truly happened, she went straight to wiping her son's kurta with her pallu.
She glared at Sakshi, whose eyes were now filled with thick tears, trembling with fear and confusion.
"Kya kiya tune mere bete ke saath?" buaji shouted, anger dripping from her voice as she tried to wipe Veer's kurta with the end of her saree’s pallu.
("What did you do to my son?")
Sakshi looked at her, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Yeh aap apne bete se kyu nahi puchte, buaji?" she retorted, voice breaking.
("Why don’t you ask your son what he did, Buaji?")
Veer looked at his mother with fake innocence, his voice laced with fabricated sadness.
"Maine kuch nahi kiya maa... mein toh bas rasoi mein paani maangne gaya tha bhabhi ji se... par unhone toh paani ke naam pe gandi cheeze karna shuru kar diya mere saath..."
(""I didn’t do anything, Ma... I just went to the kitchen to ask Bhabhi for water... but instead, she started doing dirty things to me...")
Sakshi’s eyes widened in utter shock.
"Bahu??" Buaji turned to her, astonished.
Sakshi shook her head, her trembling hands rising in defense.
"Nahi buaji..." she sobbed, her voice barely audible.
("No buaji..")
Turning to Veer, she asked, "Yeh... tum kya bol rahe ho? Tum hi toh paani peene ke bahaane mere ka—"
("What… what are you saying? You came close to me in excuse of asking water and—")
"Aisa nahi hai maa... mera yakeen kijiye," Veer interrupted again, tears rolling down his cheeks.
("It’s not like that, Ma… believe me,")
Buaji gently cupped his face, shaking her head.
"Naa mera laal... tu ro mat... mujhe pata hai, tu bilkul nirdosh hai..."
("No, my son... don’t cry… I know, you’re completely innocent...")
Her expression suddenly hardened as she glared at Sakshi.
"Chii bahu... chii... mujhe toh tujhse yeh ummeed nahi thi. Tujhe sharam nahi aayi? Mera beta bhola hai toh usse hi apne jaal mein phasane lagi? Maa jaisi hoti hai bhabhi... aur tu toh... chiii" she hissed, disgust written all over her face.
("Chii bahu..I didn't expect this from you.. Don't you feel ashamed?? Just because my son is innocent..you thought to take advantage of it and make him fall in your trap?? Bhabhi is just like a mother and you tried to ..chiii !!!")
Before Sakshi could say anything, a deep voice echoed through the hallway.
"Kya ho raha hai yahan?"
("What is happening here??")
Everyone turned toward the entrance. Sakshi’s teary eyes immediately met Arjun’s.
"Arjun beta?" Buaji whispered.
Arjun’s gaze fell on Sakshi—her soaked saree clinging to her, tears streaming down her cheeks. His face turned pale as he rushed toward her.
"Sakshi? Kya hua tujhe? Tu itni bheeg kaise gayi?? Gir gayi thi kya??" he asked, holding her shoulders.
(“Sakshi? What happened to you? Why are you so drenched?? Did you fall?”)
She tried to speak, but her voice was shaky, broken.
"Ji... maine kuch nahi kiya ji... Veer hi mere kareeb aane ki..."
("Jii ..I didn't do anything..")
"Dekh na beta," Buaji cried, cutting her off,
(“Look, son,”)
"Kitni besharam hai teri biwi! Mujhe kya pata tha yeh itni giri hui niklegi. Mere hi Veer ke saath... itna bada paap karne jaa rahi thi. Bhabhi toh maa samaan hoti hai... yeh toh pura saap nikli, saap! Shakal se hi masum dikhti hain bas.."
("Just look at your shameless wife! Who knew she’d turn out to be this low? With my own Veer… she was about to commit such a huge sin. A sister-in-law is like a mother… but she turned out to be a snake, a poisonous snake! Her face only looks innocent and that's all”)
Sakshi’s whole body started trembling. Her legs felt weak.
Sakshi’s body began to shiver.
Arjun was utterly confused. The way Sakshi was crying, he couldn’t understand a single word she was saying. And now, Buaji had started her drama again.
“Rona band karke pehle theek se batayenge aap... ab kya kiya Sakshi ne?” he asked sharply.
("Will you stop crying and tell me properly what happened?? What did now Sakshi done??")
“Haan Bhaiya,” Veer started sobbing,
("Yes bhaiya..")
“Main bas rasoi mein paani lene gaya tha Bhabhi se... par pata nahi kyun... achanak unhone apne upar paani gira liya, aur mere upar bhi! Dekhiye...” he pointed to his wet kurta, crying.
(“I had just gone to the kitchen to get some water from Bhabhi… but I don’t know why, suddenly she poured water over herself… and me too! Look…” )
Arjun glanced at his kurta.
Sakshi clutched his arm and called out to him.
“Ji nahi kiya maine kuch... sach mein...” she stammered.
("Jii..I didn't do anything..I swear ..")
Arjun didn't look at her but just staring at Veer.
Veer interrupted her again. He didn't giving her any chance for an explanation.
“Aur fir Bhabhi ji mere kareeb aane lagi... main unse pucha bhi kya kar rahi ho ?? , par phir bhi woh kareeb aaye, aur bole ki maze aayenge mujhe...”
(“Then Bhabhi started coming closer to me… I even asked her what she was doing, but she kept coming close and said she wanted to have fun with me…”)
“Aur jab unhone mujhe choone ki koshish ki, tab maine unhe zor se dhakka diya. Tabhi matka aur gilas dono gir gaye... aur phir woh chillane lagi mere upar...” he wailed, stepping closer.
(“And when she tried to touch me, I pushed her hard. That’s when the matka and glass fell… and then she started shouting at me…”)
“Jhooth! Sab jhooth hai! Maine kuch nahi kiya! Jhooth bol raha hai yeh Veer!” Sakshi shouted through her tears.
(“Lies! All lies! I didn’t do anything! He’s lying!”)
Veer then turned to Sakshi.
“Arey saboot toh aapke saamne hi hain, Bhabhi ji. Main kyun jhooth bolunga? Jo Kiya wahi toh bata raha hu.." Veer said in broken voice by folding his hands.
(“The evidence is right in front of you, Bhabhi. Why would I lie? I’m only saying what you tried to do with me…”)
“Maine aapko kitni baar bola ki yeh galat hai... aap meri maa jaisi ho... meri Bhabhi...phir bhi aap mujhe chune ki koshish ki... aapne mere bhaiya k baare mein bhi nahi soche ki unhe kaisa lagega agar pata chale toh .aap ek nahi nahi sune mere... kyun Bhabhi ji? Mein toh apke beta jaisa hu hain na?? Phir aapne aisa kyu kiya ?? Aap se mujhe ye ummed bilkul nahi thi...” he asked helplessly.
(“I told you so many times this was wrong… you’re like a mother to me… my Bhabhi… but still you tried to touch me… didn’t even think about what my Bhaiya would feel if he found out. I kept asking you to stop… Why, Bhabhi? I never expected this from you…”)
Sakshi just stared at him, stunned and broken.
Buaji came forward and gently patted her son’s shoulder.
“Na beta, teri koi galti nahi hai ismein. Tu kyun haath jod kar khudko sharminda kar raha hai?” she said bitterly.
(“Na beta, this isn’t your fault. Why should you fold your hands and feel ashamed?”)
“Jise maafi maangni chahiye, woh toh sirf jhooth par jhooth bol rahi hai. Zindagi mein aisi besharam aurat nahi dekhi...” she spat venomously.
(“The one who should be apologizing is just telling lie after lie. I’ve never seen such a shameless woman in my life…”)
Sakshi collapsed into tears. Her grip on Arjun's arm tightened as she buried her face against his biceps, sobbing.
Arjun’s fists clenched in rage.
“Dekh liya na beta? Aaj apni biwi ka asli roop. Ab kya kahega? Bolti band ho gaya kya??” Buaji taunted him.
(“See now, son? Now you’ve seen your wife’s true face. What will you say? Lost your voice?”)
“Isiliye kehti thi mein, apni biwi ko sir pe mat chara..mat chara... warna aisa hi haal hoga. Aaj mere bete ke saath kiya... kal kisi paraya m—”
(“That’s why I kept telling you—not to pamper your wife so much. This is what happens. Today she did this with my son… tomorrow it could be some stranger—”)
“BASSS BUAAJI!!!” Arjun roared, pointing his finger at her. Sakshi flinched.
("Enough buajiii!!!")
Buaji froze.
“Meri biwi ke khilaf ek shabd aur nahi... samjhi aap??” he said, his voice deadly calm.
(“Not another word against my wife… do you understand??” )
Buaji glared at him.
“Abhi bhi apni biwi ka side le raha hai tu? Dimag hai ya gobar? Saboot tere aankhon ke saamne hai! Aur kitna saboot chahiye tujhe?”
(“You’re still taking your wife’s side? Do you even have a brain or its just filled with cow dung? The evidence is right in front of you! How much more proof do you need?”)
Arjun's eyes darkened,
“Aur aap itna bhi andh vishwas mat kijiye apne bete par... jisse ek din aisa na ho ki main aapke bete ke saath-saath aapko bhi iss ghar se laat maar ke nikaal doon... bhool mat jaiye, yeh mera ghar hai.”
(“And you also don’t blindly trust your son too much… or such a day would come, I might just kick both him and you out of this house. Don’t forget, this is my house.”)
He said in ice chilled tone. showing the exit door with his forefinger.
Buaji’s face paled instantly, but she quickly composed herself.
“Aur tu bhi mat bhool...tere age pehale yeh mere bhaiya ka ghar hai..aur is ghar ka chota sa hissa mere naam pe hain.. ghar se mujhe koi bhi nahi nikal sakte..tu bhi nahi..” she shot back.
(“And you also don’t forget… before it is your house, its first belong my brother’s. A small portion of this house is in my name..No one can throw me out of here,”)
“Bhaiya, aapko abhi bhi lagta hai ki Bhabhi ji ki koi galti nahi hai?” Veer asked, wiping his tears.
(“Bhaiya, do you still think Bhabhi is innocent?” )
“Haa,” Arjun said coldly.
(“ Yes”)
Sakshi looks at Arjun with tears.
“Kyuki rasoi mein kya hua, na kisi ne dekha na suna. Na maine, na tere maa ne. Toh kya guarantee hai ki tu jo keh raha hai woh sab sach hai? Jhooth bhi toh bol sakta hai na?? ”
(“Because no one saw or heard what happened in the kitchen. Neither me , nor your mother. So what’s the guarantee that what you’re saying is true? You could be lying too, couldn’t you?”)
Veer got tongue-tied.
Arjun take a step towards him.
“Aur jis din mujhe pura sach pata chalega na..." He paused a bit before continuing.
(“And the day I find out the whole truth…”)
"Meri Maa ki kasam, main use zinda chhodunga nahi. Adh mara karke iss ghar se nikalunga...ghusa rakhna apne deemag mein ..." Arjun warned, glaring at Veer, then giving a piercing look to Buaji.
(“I swear on my mother, I won’t spare the one responsible. I’ll beat them half to death before throwing them out of this house. Get that thing in your brain…”)
Sakshi’s lips went dry hearing his warning.
What if he throws her out of the house too?
Until now, she had believed Buaji to be the most venomous in the family, but today… today, she had seen Veer’s true face.
Calm on the surface, but far more dangerous beneath. Manipulative, venomous—and worse, believable.
A chill ran down her spine.
Because if Arjun ever truly believed Veer…
If he ever let go of her hand…
Where would she go then?
Who would she turn to??
Because this society always stands against women. Society will always blame her no matter who the culprit is.
Who would listen to her when every word from Veer’s mouth came sugar-coated with false tears and twisted truths?
What if he fabricated another scene?
What if he once again crafted a trap so intricate that no one would question his lies?
She wasn’t just afraid of losing her home...
She was terrified of losing him-Her Arjun ji.
Because as long as Arjun ji believed her… she could survive anything.
But if his faith broke—so would she.