It was Abhishek who opened the door, with a baby girl in his arms ---

"Abhi! You ?"

Shubman was highly shocked. Neither he nor Abhi could break the eye contact. More shock hit Ishan when he saw Abhishek in Mayank's house. Other side Abhishek was prepared because he knew they'll come.

"Come"

The dumbfounded couple stared at each other and followed Abhishek like robots.

Ishan understood that the baby is Abhi's seeing his body, face, eyebags etc. As he himself knows the symptoms of having a baby. Abhi also considered the babu boy (Vihaan) as Ishan's.

The relatives of Mayank already gone as the final rites held yesterday so the house was almost empty and calm.

"I want to meet Mayank" Ishan directly came to the point.

"He's tired. Sleeping in his room. Tell me whatever you want, I'll answer" Abhi said with blank face.

"Abhi..." 

Tear soaked Shubman's voice. He's seeing his *bestfriend* after two long years, who last meet him in hospital. Thousands questions gathering his mind, what will he ask first ?

"Kahan chala gaya tha tu ? And why you never contacted me ?"

"How could he Shubi ? He was busy with his family, not you Abhi ?" Ishan said in a teasing tone .. "Your daughter is so cute by the way"

"His daughter ?" Shubman amazed.

"Not yours Abhi ?"

Abhishek nodded and looked down

"What is this Abhi !? Family, daughter!! And now you are in Mayank's house ?"

"Because his daughter's dad is Mayank Shubi, can't you understand ?"

"What ?"

"Yeah" Ishan smirked  "I can never make a mistake to recognise Mayank's child"

Shubman's mind gone blacked for awhile. He doesn't want to believe Ishan but Abhi's silence making it true. A slight loathing occurred in his heart for Abhi.

"So it was you, for whom Mayank escaped the country Abhi! You two were clinging behind everyone's eyes. What kinda game you played with us ? Your lovely dialogues for me came drama at last!"

"Neither his love is drama nor he did these intentionally Shubman!!"

They never noticed when Mayank came there. His eyes throwing fire on Shubi.

"Don't blame him without knowing anything"

"Then let us know your love story Mayank, it must be interesting and full of twist I hope"  Ishan gnashed in anger.

"Of course I will tell you. You're only one who has right to question me, not your fucking husband"  

"Mayank!! He was more merciful than you deserve so he was about to break our marriage two years ago. But you coward, escaped from entire country with your beloved!"

"It was my fault. Please don't blame him if a little bit of kindness remained in your heart so..."

Ishan melted. Eyes had tears. Mayank's deep eyes still can mollify his heart.....

"Wanna talk with you privately"

"Sure, come in my room"

Shubman nodded his head when Ishan looked at him for permission.

They left giving some privacy to Abhi and Shubi too.

Poor Abhi, still standing looking down.

"Ye sab kya hai Abhi ?"

"Believe me, nothing was intentional"

*******

Abhi and Shubi sat in their drawing room. Masha fell asleep in Abhi's arms. Shubman is eagerly waiting for Abhi's confession. Abhi started clear the mists............

Abhishek's POV

(Saying to Shubman) That day when you angrily dragged Ishan from the cafe I was enjoying too much. As you know, you were my crush.....

But soon I felt guilt when I saw Mayank's reaction. He was hurted too much, cried so badly...... not only that, he drank alcohol in heavy scale.

I had no more job I could easily move from there and it would be better for me. But I didn't, I felt guilt and worried for Mayank. He was drinking limitlessly. Slowly I went to him, put my hand on his shoulder, he saw me with bloodshot eyes

"I'm extremely sorry Mayank. I know sorry isn't enough but please... don't drink more"

"Can you save my Ishan from that monster ? You saw, how he dragged my Ishu ? Can you save him ?"

"Mayank, Shubi isn't monster. Maybe he's angry but soon everything will be ok, I know him. And... and... he is not your Ishan anymore... he's Shubman's now. Don't hurt yourself by thinking these..."

"He is mine, mine alone........ I never thought to touch him rudely even in anger. And that man! Dragged him being provoked by you..... I can't acknowledge that my Ishan is that monster's"

I understood he's drunk, no advantage of consoling him so I just snatched the glass of wine from him.

"Mayank... go back to your hotel buddy... I'll contact you later if possible. Then we can talk about this... for now please get up ..."

"Hmmm I have to go... but you.. um"

"Abhishek "

"Yeah Abhishek can you please drop me to hotel... actually I drank a little much..."

"Yes, sure"

He really was not in condition to walk alone. I drove the car for him and took him to hotel reception holding his waist.

"Drop me till my room please"  he said holding my shoulder.

I did what he said. We went till his room, he gave me keys and I opened the door. I went inside and turned on the lights. But he turned them off within a second and banged the door before I could understand anything. I felt my body is pinned to the closed door and my hands are stuck in another muscular pair of hands.

"Tujhe bohot shokh hai na Ishan ki khushiyon mein aag lagane ka ?" Mayank hissed....

"Mm...I said sorry fo ahh..."

His wide paw prevented my mouth from making a bit noise. I was even forget to blink with the abruptness.

He slammed me on bed stripping my clothes. And then.......... everything gone dark.......

.

.

I was unconscious for whole night, when I got back sense next morning my whole body was paining like hell, specially the lower parts.

Mayank's drunkenness gone, he was sprinkling water on my face to bring me in sense.

I thought it drama but slowly slowly I understood he is a different man... so much caring and responsible. He apologized again and again for his action, I wasn't able to talk or move. I said him that I can't go back to home like this, nor can explain what happened.

He assured me that he will kept me in that room how long it needed. That night you called me Shubi, I told you I'm in pain.......

After two days I returned back to home. In two days Mayank shared his feelings for Ishan, I really felt bad for him and took an oath not to disturb you and Ishan anymore. I found Mayank same as me -- broken heart, sacrificed loved one...

I thought everything will be ok after that and tried to forget the night. But...... destiny has it's own words.

After two or three weeks I felt dizziness and nausea. My mom said not to avoid this and forced me to visit hospital. Thank god I did it.

After the tests the doctor said -- "you're pregnant!"

I was dumbfounded for awhile. It was so unexpected. Quickly I asked him for abortion but destiny was really not in my side. The doctor said that abortion can be risky, I can die during the process. Even if I wanna give birth then too I have to maintain extra care, examine every month as some issues they found in my reports.

That day we met in hospital Shubi. I lost every way that time. I called Mayank returning home. He was still in Punjab. 

"It is your baby Mayank! Accept it or not, just show me a path, man! What will I do with it? Shall I kill it or myself ?"

I can't deny the truth that he's a great human being. You know, he never asked me to abort or find another way....

"Chhi Abhi! Just stop it. I know you're in shock, but don't behave childish. Listen.... I'm not doubting it being my child. It was a mistake or whatever, the baby is innocent right ? Don't lose hope, gimme sometime, I'll manage it however I can"

....

We confessed everything to our family, they understood us and assured us that nobody will able to know about this except them. Mayank's dad gave him a large amount from his savings and my mom sold her jewellery.

Then we moved to California without informing anyone. Mayank found a job soon and we started our happy(?) life.

Mayank cared me a lot as the doctor directed. I salute his spirit from bottom of my heart.... he never escaped from his responsibility in name of mistake. Never he let me understand that he's just observing responsibilities. He married me legally in a church when I was in my fifth month. Mayank never compromised with his child's future.

Then, at a rainy night I felt so much pain in lower abdomen. No ambulance or doctor came at the stormy weather. The electricity was gone, only some candles were providing light in our cottage. My pain was increasing like the speed of lightning outside, my screams melted with the thundering sound.

Only Mayank was with me. I don't know how he did the delivery alone. My legs were flooded with fresh blood when Mayank gave my little girl in my arms. At that moment... he kissed my forehead.... for the very first time..... his and my happy tears mixed up hearing Masha's first cry.......

Wait!! What are you thinking ? He loves me ? (Chuckle)

He never can love anyone except Ishan. According to him, Masha is cute like Ishan, she is  trace of Ishan! Because, in his words, he only imagined Ishan whenever he fucked me...

[End of Abhishek's POV]

Abhi wiped his tears and placed a kiss on sleeping Masha's cheeks.

Shubman forgot to talk. His eyes also had tears. On the other side, Mayank too explained everything to Ishan. They returned in drawing room.

Ishan : "Let's go Shubi"

Shubman : "Yeah. Sorry for distributing you guys"

Ishan : "Forgive me Abhi, I blamed you without knowing anything"

Abhishek : "It's ok Ishan, I would do same if was in your place"

Ishan nodded his head and stared at Mayank. He smiled and said in his mind "it's ok sweetie"

They kissed each other's babies and goodbyed with heavy hearts.

.

.

.

Eclipse of few minutes changed two couples' destiny.

Idk it's a happy ending or not, but can say -- It is LIFE. 

They taught us how to love, how to sacrifice and how to be a responsible partner.

.

.

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★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

I took an oath to finish it today as their dynamics were intolerable for me. Sorry for mistakes. Comment down your opinion and keep enriching me with your valuable support 😊❣️