Kuhu was worried about Kunal, but she knew her involvement would not help him in any positive way. 

"Please Bhagwan ji, #ladaku chokro ka dhyan rakna."

15 minutes after Kuhu had departed from Kunal's office he received a call.

"Mr. Rajvansh, your wife has been involved in a car accident. We are on our way to XYZ Hospitals. Please reach soon"

Kunal didn't know how he reached the hospital. Standing outside the ICU and looking at his rainbow lying on the bed with tubes attached was agonizing. For the first time, he felt lost, the fear of losing her amplified within him, burning his soul.

Abir soon reached the hospital. He was terrified. Seeing the chirpy Kuhu lay there was too painful.

" Kunal" Abir pulled him back from the glass door.

Unable to hold back, Kunal sobbed like a kid in Abir's arms, each passing second amplifying his fear.

"woh thik ho jayegi Kunal, shhh"

"Agar woh Office na ati, to yeh accident Nahi Hota"

"Shhh, aisa mat socho. Woh bahut brave hai. Par yeh sab Hua Kaise. Kuhu toh ek badiya driver hai. Uske sath aise Kaise ho Sakta hai?"

"Mujhe nahi pata, mujhe phone aaya, mere hath pair nahi chal rahe the Bhai. Bahut darr gaya. Woh hai toh main hoon Bhai, use aisa nahi dekh sakta."

"Tu pehle rona band kar, shant hoja Nanko. Pehle doctor se baat karte hain. Ghar walo ko bhi to batana hai. Aur jab Kuhu ko hosh aayega, to use tera rota hua chehra accha nahi lagega."

The two brothers visited the doctor, who informed them that the airbags saved Kuhu from serious injuries. She was helped out of the car by a few kind passersbypeople, who had left some time ago. According to them, Kuhu had probably attempted to get out of the car but couldn't and fainted. In the process of breaking the window glass, she might have injured her arms and legs. The police too soon visited the hospital. The accident though took place on the outskirts of the city, was a serious one. Kunal looked at the preliminary investigation reports, his eyes turning red at the 'failed breaks' remarks.

A premeditated murder.

The car was serviced two weeks back. And the breaks failed when Kuhu was returning from his office. The person who planned this better pray for his life. No one messes up with Kunal's lifeline and gets away. 

" Hello Bhai, I need your help"

The person on the other line was none other than Arjun Mehra. He had met Kuhu only once physically, but they developed a great friendship. Not to mention, his wife loved Kuhu like a younger sister. 

Needless to say, dealing with one devil will bring you to your knees, but two of them- it only leads to destruction. Arjun had deep connections and the involvement of Malhotras was soon confirmed. Kuhu was sedated and the doctor said that she wouldn't wake up till the next morning. Hence, that night the chessboard was designed for the destruction of Malhotras.

She was shifted to a private room in the hospital. It was only Meenakshi, who knew of the accident. The brothers did not want the others panicking, especially Mishti, hence the family was kept in dark, away from the truth. 

Kunal couldn't rest that night. He would hover around Kuhu, waiting for her to wake up. Kunal cursed himself for his foolishness. That night, he understood the agony Arjun mentioned, when Radhika left him. 

"Kaise intezaar kiya mera Kuhu?" he asked the sleeping beauty, caressing her face. He took her for granted, the first time they were married, the same he did when he got another chance. Ignored her for three months, all due to his anger. She would message him daily, call him. He would behave like a badtameez kid, the day he didn't receive her messages or calls but he had never taken the initiative until she visited him in Mumbai, the first time restriction was lifted over lockdown.

That was the first time he introduced her to his second family, Radhika, and Arjun. Kunal still couldn't forget the fight at the resort. Although Arjun had understood the situation, he did not confront Kunal over his behavior. The same wasn't the case with Radhika. She had heard Kunal's story and knew the issues between the couple. That night, she said to Kunal," You have a diamond, yet you don't cherish it, beware she will be stolen and you will only watch." Those words infuriated Kunal. Before he could have a go at her, Radhika had dragged Kuhu away while Arjun sat with Kunal. " You are intelligent when it comes to business but zero at maintaining relations. She loves you, yet you take her for granted. Don't do the same mistake I did."

"It isn't easy. Har din koyi na koyi jagda, kyun?" asked Kunal

" Usse zimmedaar tehrane se pehle kabhi usse pucha hai tumne?" said Arjun as he walked away from Kunal giving him space to think over his decisions.

That was the first time Kunal sat straight and thought about his relation. He never knew Kuhu's thoughts, her insecurities. Her childhood seemed perfect, then why was she insecure? Or was there something that is hidden deeper, invisible to the surface but hurting deeply? As Kunal watched Radhika and Kuhu laughing, he realized how rarely she laughed that way, and Kunal understood, he didn't understand his wife. He never truly gave her a chance to express herself freely in front of him.

Kuhu had a gala time with Arjun and Radhika. She was only speaking about them while Kunal drove them away from the latter's home.

" Arre, hame to right turn Lena hai, # wrong route Mr. Pati dev," said Kuhu.

" Nahi, sahi hai. Bas ride enjoy karo."

Though it was late in the night, Kuhu did enjoy the breeze and also the happy time with Kunal. It was rare for them to spend time together like this.

Kunal soon parked the car near a beach house. The sound of the waves could be clearly heard in the front.

"Kaha hai ye?" asked Kuhu

" Hamara Beach House" said Kunal

" Sacchi. #Promise" said Kuhu, her eyes twinkling with happiness.

"Mucchi." said Kunal, unlocking the seat belt.

The property was clearly private and Kuhu ran to the beach straight from the car, her heels in hand and the beach house and husband clearly left behind

Kunal smiled at her and walked behind her. He found her playful side adorable. She looked cute and radiant laughing so cheerfully. This was the Kuhu, he rarely saw. He was mesmerized by her and her by the beauty of the ocean, the night filled with stars and for once no drama in her life.

Kunal could definitely see the rainbow his life was filled with, only her. At that moment, she was the one who defined life for him, her who selflessly loved him, could she really hurt someone. The one who lived a hellish life to keep her family from worry, could she be so selfish. She is a rainbow, her every shade mesmerizing, then why did he find fault with her. Kunal's thoughts brought him to a halt in front of Kuhu.

Kuhu was drawing hearts on the sand, the kid enjoying the serenity. Her efforts though were spoiled by her #sportscar, who stepped right on her drawing. Her lips drew into a pout involuntarily, frowning at Kunal. As their eyes met, her pout melted looking at his intense expression. Kuhu could feel her heartbeat rising and her cheeks reddening as Kunal's intense eyes stared at her lowering his face till their lips met, right under the canopy of stars. The night was long and romantic. It was a new beginning from being husband and wife to forever ever after. Kunal had learned something new and this time, he wanted his happily ever after with his wife and he would do everything he could to cherish her and their relation.