*Palak Pov*

What have I done just now? I thought, glancing at him and he has the same expression, but that shock left when I found Satish is pushing his way to reach us from the crowd.

He pointed out at the guy standing beside my brother and I know that he is the son of the client we came here for. No wonder it was easy for them to act this way as this was his house.

"I need to add that my husband has been drugged in this party and we are going to take a legal action." I added which stunned Satish but he calmly shifted to stand beside us.

"We caught the helper who helped the two people who planned this and we have the security footage." He mumbled making me sigh in relief.

"Thank you for having high level security in your new home, but I need to have a word with you." I said, looking at the client who is still having a bewildered expression on his face.

"Get the main culprit to get arrested first." I ordered Satish before gesturing the client to follow me while I am still holding this person's hand who is conscious but still weak.

After entering the shed, I calmly explained the whole situation and he is even more shocked to hear that his son is involved in this incident.

"He can either become a witness or be an accomplice to get arrested. He just needs to learn to never do it and this allowance is because of our business relationship." I added feeling bad to let him go but with a witness the case will be strong against my brother otherwise it would be a weak case and if this person fights against us then it will take too long because of his power.

"He will be the witness even if he has to die." He mumbled, walking out while I glanced at the door only to find Chief is here with the doctor I requested him to bring.

"He is really drugged?" he asked, walking closer and I gave him a nod before taking my hand away from his body but he in turn took hold of my hand.

"I will be just here. We have to go home, right?" I asked and he slowly nodded before releasing my hand.

"He is really weak because of the medicines and then this drug." I explained glancing at the chief who is looking at us with a confused expression.

"You both are married?" he asked and I sighed, walking away to finish the matter outside.

As usual, my brother is making a huge fuss while getting arrested and I found Dad standing near the door instead of the police.

"You want me to let him go, Dad?" I asked, reaching him but he shook his head.

"I can't believe he tried to defame your character like that. How can he do that to his sister?" he asked in a shocked tone.

"You can't arrest me for this small issue. We will settle it by ourselves." My brother stressed before shifting to reach me.

And somehow all the guests kind of left already except for a few, but the remaining one are related to Dad's company.

"You are not getting arrested just for this, Prakash. We found the evidence of you being the one who planned my husband's accident. He is still under medication, but you attacked him again with some drug. So, this is your second attempt murder on him, which definitely makes it something really serious to get you arrested." I pointed out and he finally got dragged away.

"He will be the witness." The client added and I gave him a nod, but didn't thank him knowing well I have to make this person to be our client only this time and not again.

"He really planned the accident? I... how can he do this? I thought the first was just unintentional and now..." Dad whispered from my side and I know he is feeling worst right now but I couldn't help but utter the next words.

"If he had got the right punishment last time, which he deserved then he wouldn't have become a criminal like this, Dad. So, make sure to know that you are responsible for this too." Saying this I returned into the shed and found him sitting on the floor with his eyes closed.

"He will let us know the result as soon as he can so that we can submit it as an evidence. How are you returning home?" he asked, glancing at us.

"I will drop them at home." Satish mumbled, walking closer to us.

"Drop me too. I came here in my friend's car, but I let him leave first." Chief mumbled and he nodded before both of them glanced at us.

"He is fine now?" Satish asked, glancing at me and I gave him a nod because the moment I stood beside him, my hand is already being held by his.

He didn't lose his consciousness and just resting there while sitting on the floor. I know he is completely shocked because of everything ad me too for uttering those words, but because of the present situation, I am continuing to use the word 'Husband'.

"Can he walk or should I carry him?" Satish asked, reaching closer, but he had to stop because of the person immediately standing up only to lose his balance for a second and ended up leaning over me.

"What are you doing?" I whispered with his action, but he opened his eyes to stare at my face with giving no expression.

"Are you uncomfortable?" he asked in a low tone and I just turned away to walk out of this place without replying to his question but placed my hand around his waist to support him.

I found Dad still waiting for us even though the police already left with my brother and the client's son as they already took hold of the helper.

I just gave him a nod before walking away without saying anything feeling completely tired with the events that happened today and I already blocked my mind to not feel worried about my actions.

The drive was completely silent with both Satish and Chief keep on glancing at the back seat from the front mirror while the person beside me is lying down with his head on my shoulder.

"Thank you for coming immediately, Satish. I felt you would be able to handle this better than anyone I know." I mumbled to break the silence.

"I can't believe that Prakash harmed him like this. I didn't even know about his accident." He sighed shaking his head.

"Why should I inform you?" he got the response from him making me frown.

"Be good! We would have been in trouble without his help." I pointed out but he just sighed.

"He is always like this never showing any gratitude towards me or anyone else. Except maybe with you." Satish commented.

"True! He didn't thank me when I gave him the therapy in the beginning days by myself ignoring my other works." Chief added.

"Are you both really married?" Satish suddenly asked making me glance away while finding out that we reached home.

"Shut up! Don't talk about it anymore." I glanced at him in surprise when he scolded Satish instead of answering or keeping quiet.

"You were lying?" Satish asked in a surprised tone, but gave an understanding nod immediately.

"Yeah! If you hadn't lied then you both would have been in trouble." Chief nodded listening to us.

"Do you need help?" they both asked when I opened the door and helped him to get out of the car not wishing to listen to their words anymore.

"I can manage and thank you again for coming immediately when I called you." I mumbled, staring at them but they waved off my words.

After they left, I walked into the building still supporting him and used the extra keys to open the door and found everyone already sleeping with no lights switched on.

It is better to not let them know about this incident right now and tell them tomorrow about it. So, I calmly walked closer to his room not making a single sound and sighed in relief finally reaching his bed.

"Do you need some water?" I asked, glancing at the jug already filled with water, which must have been placed by Lakshmi Aunty.

"No! I want to sleep." He whispered, sitting down on the bed and I helped him to lean back before checking the time and found it's already near to midnight.

"Palak!" he whispered and I immediately glanced at him thinking he is feeling uncomfortable as he even tightened his hold on my hand, he still didn't released from the time we were in the shed.

"Stay for some time." Saying that he shifted a little and left some space on the bed.

"It's not appropri..." I cut off my own words, realizing after everything that was said today what is appropriate and what is not.

"Please! Just for some time." He pleaded and I closed my eyes completely losing the fight I want to put up before sliding beside him to lay on my side.

He turned to lay on his side to stare at me without blinking before moving his free hand to place it on my cheek. He caressed it for a second before shifting closer and pressed himself completely to my body.

I don't know why, but I didn't stop him and let him hold me tightly with his head under my chin while my hands moved to place them around him and caressed his back.

I can't imagine what would have happened if I hadn't gone with him or hadn't found him the moment he acted differently or hadn't done something to clear all this.

What if he had gotten hurt more than this and got into worst stage? I... I don't think I would have been this calm if that had happened and the reason could be the guilt because of my brother's actions.

Am I fooling myself with that reason? Maybe! But I don't want to accept it and I don't want to think about it. However, I tightened my hold thinking all this and he sighed shifting closer.

"I am scared, Palak." He whispered, making me frown.

"Are you not feeling well? We can go to the hospital." I mumbled removing my hands, but he shook his head and tightened his hold.

"I am scared of tomorrow." He explained, but I felt more confused because everything is done and this time he really can't escape his punishment.

"I will go to my room." I mumbled, trying to get away from his hold but he shook his head again.

"Let me hold you for some more time." He whispered and I sighed, placing my hands around him as a way of comfort thinking he is feeling uneasy because of after effects of the drug.

We stayed like that for a few minutes and I finally mumbled, "David! I am not going to apologize."

"Good! You are the last person who should apologize to anyone." Those words were simple, but somehow my hands shook hearing those.

"You said that word so many times today." He mumbled and I frowned, hearing those words and then I kind of knew what he was talking about.

"Are you talking about the word 'Husband'?" I asked and he immediately shifted his face to stare at me.

"Even though it feels good to hear you say that, don't say it again." He pleaded and before I could say something he pressed his face back to my body and drifted off into sleep within a few minutes.

All I could do was to lay there and couldn't help but go to sleep along with him. However, I opened my eyes after sometime when my phone started ringing and it's from Chief.

"Thank you, Chief." I mumbled again before cutting the call.

The evidence is finally submitted and now there is no way he can escape this. I can't believe he is going to get his punishment so easily and if not for yesterday's incident then it wouldn't have been possible.

After that, I slowly removed his hands before stepping out of his room when it's still early in the morning and everyone must be asleep.

I should have left immediately instead of going to sleep along with him. If not for the call then there would have been trouble in the morning for sure.

I sighed in relief not finding anyone around and closed the door behind me before walking to the bed to sleep still feeling tired. I have to tell Aunty about yesterday's incident too, and I hope she will not take it hard.

****

"Palak! Are you in a hurry?" Aunty suddenly asked even though I was just playing with my breakfast instead of eating it and just stared at Eli who is clinging to me.

Must be because of yesterday's absence and so I continued to hold her not ignoring her wish. At the same time I am ignoring David's presence completely still remembering what and all I did.

Why? Why did all that happen? I thought sighing and turned to stare at Aunty while answering in negative after which she waited until Jasmine rushed to leave for college.

"Were you not feeling well yesterday, David?" she asked, glancing at him and I cleared my throat before explaining what happened yesterday briefly.

"He got arrested and this time he can't escape." I assured her and she sighed in relief.

"If that's the case, then it's fine. I was worried for nothing, then after finding you leave his room early in the morning. You were checking up on him?" I stiffened hearing those words and realized why she was glancing at both of us from morning.

"Yes!" he replied before I can say anything.

"I am completely fine now, Mom." He added clearing his throat and I finally glanced at him, but found him staring at his plate instead of any one of us.

"Palak! You really don't want me to find any marriage proposals?" she suddenly asked, glancing at me and I stared at her in shock for shifting the topic.

"No! At present I have other things to do and... and I will let you know whenever I decide something on it." I assured her and she gave a nod before glancing at David.

"What about you? I got a few proposals for you. What do you want to do with them?" she asked and I suddenly choked on the bite I finally took after letting her know about yesterday's incident.

"Mom! Let's talk about it later." He mumbled before reaching me and patted my back as I continued to cough while hitting my chest.

Suddenly Eli started crying, feeling shocked by this and I stopped him before shifting her into his hands to assure her. I finally calmed down and took a sip of water.

I glanced up only to find Aunty staring at us in shock and I kind of think the reason because I can hear Eli's voice saying 'Daa'. Why now? I thought turning around and found him holding her tightly while staring at me.

"David! Did you..." she trailed off and I know she can't actually say anything because in her mind this situation is more than complicated.

"Aunty! Actually, David and I..." he cut me off from continuing my words before saying, "Just give me those photos and I will think about it. You need not worry, Mom."

"Are... are you sure?" Aunty asked in a confused tone while I just stared at him feeling the same confusion.

"Yes! I will be staying at home for today, Mom." Saying that he passed Eli into my hands before walking away while I just sat there.

"You were saying something, Palak?" she asked, but I just shook my head and turned around to stuff my mouth with the breakfast.

Why? Why am I wishing to go near him right now and dislocate his shoulder with my bare hands? Ugh! I can't believe he still makes me feel this confused no matter what the situation is.

After that I decided to forget everything before leaving for work and I would be lying if I say that the morning incident is completely pushed away from my mind. Even though it is not something I should think about.

He can choose someone and get married if he wishes to and what say I have in that. But... but I can't ignore the fact that he decided by himself to go along with to marry someone else. Why am I still thinking about it? I thought, rubbing my forehead having a third cup of coffee.

*David Pov*

"I just want both of you to be happy, David. But you can actually ignore these. I don't even know why I talked about all this in the morning when I ignored them myself for the past one year." Mom mumbled but still passed the envelope.

"You must have got worried thinking there is something between Palak and I. So, you talked about this as a reflex." I pointed out and she sighed nodding.

"Can you see her marrying someone else and being a part of another family?" she asked and I shook my head in negative.

"Do you want her to be alone all her life just caring for Elisha and her job with no partner beside her?" she continued and I again shook my head.

"I know you will not be able to bear to see it, but then she needs time to make any such decision by herself. So, by that time you need to move on. I know you love her and want to be with her but... but with everything, it is better if she has a peaceful life instead of so many troubles that will occur if you both get together. She deserves it, right?" she asked, looking away and I closed my eyes hearing those words.

I stayed silent even after she left still feeling the pain while remembering Mom's words, but then I can't ignore this pain because this is what Palak wished me to go through.

I still remember the day I got my biggest wish get fulfilled along with getting cursed at the same time. But then if I had got scared of the curse, then it would have been worse than the present situation. She would have really been my brother's wife if I wished to not go through this pain like she wished me to.

#Past Beginning#

"He asked me to wait outside." Satish mumbled when we finally reached the place and I gave him a nod before walking into the building after covering my face.

"Bhai?" I asked, reaching a room where only both of them are waiting for me.

"Palak!" I mumbled stepping forward, but she turned towards Bhai saying, "Are you going to tell him?"

"She is pregnant, David. But there are some health issues which could cause harm for both mother and child." He continued to talk but all I could do was to stare at her with a single word stuck in my mind.

Pregnant! Palak is pregnant? I stepped forward to hold her face and she stared at me in surprise with my action but I stared at her with tears in my eyes.

"You are pregnant?" I asked with a smile before placing my hand on her stomach, taking it away from her face while continuing to caress her cheek with my other hand.

"Yes! But you need to step back." She mumbled with her eyes closed and she fisted her hands, not even pushing me away with her own hands.

"Just one chance, Palak." I whispered, pleading her, but she shook her head.

"You are nothing but a stranger to me now. What chance can I give to a stranger?" she asked back opening her eyes.

"We don't have much time, David. We need to finish marriage registration and also the transfer of parental rights completely to Palak from today onwards." I felt that I am actually hearing Bhai correctly even though he is saying those words.

"What?" I asked, glancing at him and he just repeated the words while I felt Palak pushing me away from her.

"Marriage registration? Parental rights? I am not understanding, Bhai." I mumbled frowning at him while brushing my tears away to stare at him clearly.

"As I said there are problems with her pregnancy and her main wish is for you to give up your parental rights completely right now and not have any trouble over it later." He started.

"All she wants is for you to give up your parental rights and I told her that can happen either if she marries me or she marries you. She decided to marry you, but added a few conditions to it." He added and I felt happy hearing that she wants to marry me and didn't think of anything else.

"The moment anyone other than the people in this room knows about your marriage, she has every right to divorce, you and disappear from our family, taking her baby with her." I stiffened when Bhai talked about the condition.

"So, in short, everyone will think she married me because of church incident, but no one can correct their thoughts. This is the only condition of hers along with parental rights. What do you want to do?" he asked and I glanced at her not understanding anything.

"Why? Why this?" I asked, staring at her to hear the reason from her than from my brother.

"This is my revenge. Didn't you plan to show fake as real and this time you can't say the real things even if you want to. I will be your wife, but you can't say that to anyone. My baby will have your name but you can't express it before anyone. You made me lead a life with complete lies for a year and now you will not be able to say the truth even if you want to and continue to live the lie. How will you feel when everyone treats me as your sister-in-law and you can't even open your mouth to deny it?" she asked, folding her arms and the anger in her eyes is killing me added to the words she is uttering as she is finally showing an emotion towards me but it is othing but anger as if burning with the desire to pay me back.

"You can definitely tell the truth, but then I have to leave with my baby and this marriage will get cancelled." She added glancing at the papers on the table.

"But then this may not mean anything to you. I am just trusting other people's words that you actually love me or care for me. If they are wrong then also this doesn't mean anything to me." She shrugged glancing at me.

"I love you, Palak." I whispered, letting her know they all are not wrong still hearing her words ringing in my head.

I can understand every move she makes now to punish me, but why is Bhai supporting all these. Does he think I deserve this for everything I did?

"You want that?" I asked, staring at her and she nodded without any hesitation.

"If you don't do that then she may completely disappear from our sight." Bhai continued and I closed my eyes wishing he doesn't say anything more.

I want to reduce her stress more than anything and I can do anything for that. But... but I just found out that I am going to be a Dad and I have to give up those rights within a few minutes?

I don't want to give them up, but... I can't make her leave from my sight completely too. I still can't do this when I want to raise our baby together more than anything.

"David!" hearing his voice I immediately shouted, "Wait! Just wait for a minute." I ended up with a pleading tone.

I can't do this! I really can't and I opened my eyes to say the same, but seeing a blank expression covering her face, which was placed by me made me open my mouth saying, "Fine!"

#Past End#

Like she wished everything happened and every time I hear someone addressing her as my sister-in-law it killed me. I wanted to shout out loud that she is not my sister-in-law and actually my legal wife.

But bearing that pain and everything was fine than thinking that she will leave from my sight. It's fine to be closer to both of them rather than never seeing them again.

No matter how Mom and Jasmine talked about her being Bhai's wife, my hands fisted trying to control myself, but it was hard each and every time.

I bore with it all this time but now everything went wrong. Many people found that we both are married. Even though Satish and Dr. Harsha thought it was a lie from her side, but still many heard her.

And she was about to say about this near Mom too. I had to stop her because so much will happen if it is found at home.

Mom will not take it lightly and will try to force Palak with so many things which would be a disturbance for her and she may remember that she can divorce me right now because the condition got cancelled.

I don't want to even think that this will not be the result with the reason of her telling the truth and not me. But she didn't say that her telling the truth is an exemption from this condition.

It is better to be careful than to let her go along with the plan. I sighed, placing the envelope in the drawer below everything else as I am definitely not going to open it.

Palak! Don't remember the condition. Please don't remember the condition at all and let's just lead our lives like this like before. I don't mind at all but I can't bear it if... if you remember this and act on it.

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the beginning and last part of past is already in a chapter... So, i just added the sentences between as in that chapter i just added the word "explaned" but didnt write what explained...

i really hope this chapter was not that rushed... now both have different thoughts but dont worry the next chap will clear it i think so...

The story is going to end soon... i can't believe it... 

How is the chap?

comment plz and vote...

P.s: Stay home, Stay safe...