Ruhi's eyes flashed with anger as she confronted Abhir. "What's going on here?" she hissed. "You're married to Kiara, Abhir. What are you doing with Charu?" Ruhi's voice was laced with accusation and disgust, and Abhir felt a sting of guilt as he met her gaze. 

 Abhir tried to explain, but Ruhi cut him off. "Don't even try to justify this, Abhir," she spat. "I know what I saw. You're still in love with Charu, aren't you?" 

Ruhi's words were like a slap in the face, and Abhir felt his cheeks flush with shame. He knew that Ruhi had seen right through him, and he didn't know how to deny it.

 "Yes, bhabhi, he still loves Charu di," 

Kiara's voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a weight of emotion that was palpable. She stood in the doorway, her eyes swollen with tears, her face pale with sadness. Ruhi's eyes widened in shock as she took in Kiara's words, and Abhir's face contorted in a mixture of guilt and shame.

 Ruhi's eyes widened in shock, and Abhir's face turned pale, as if he had been caught red-handed. Kiara's gaze drifted towards Abhir, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable.

Kiara took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring as she continued to speak. "But it isn't his fault, bhabhi," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "I knew it from the beginning, and this marriage was just namesake.

 It was meant to save Charu di." Kiara's words hung in the air like a challenge, daring anyone to contradict her. Ruhi's expression changed from shock to confusion, her eyes narrowing as she tried to process Kiara's words. Abhir, on the other hand, looked like he had been punched in the gut, his face ashen and his eyes wide with guilt.

Kiara's eyes locked onto Abhir's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken emotions.

 Kiara's voice was barely above a whisper as she continued to speak. "I knew that Abhir still loved Charu di, and I knew that he would never love me the way I loved him. But I didn't care, bhabhi. I wanted to help him, to help Charu di. I wanted to make them happy, even if it meant sacrificing my own happiness." Kiara's words were like a knife to Abhir's heart, and he felt a pang of guilt and shame. He knew that he had hurt Kiara, and he didn't know how to make it right.

Ruhi's voice was laced with frustration and confusion as she asked the questions that had been plaguing her since Kiara's revelation. "I'm still so confused," she said, her eyes darting between Kiara and Abhir. "You guys were saving Charu? From whom? And how the hell marrying each other could save her?"

Ruhi's eyes widened in horror as Kiara's words painted a vivid picture of the events that had unfolded on the day of Charu and Abhir's wedding. "It was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives," Kiara said, her voice trembling with emotion. "But instead, it turned into a nightmare. Charu di was kidnapped, taken away the poddar mansion just as they were about to exchange their vows." 

Kiara's eyes dropped, and she took a deep breath before continuing. "Abhir received a phone call, a chilling message from the kidnapper. They told him that they didn't want Charu di and Abhir to get married, that their love was forbidden. And if Abhir wanted to see Charu di alive again, he had to marry someone else." Kiara's voice cracked with emotion as she spoke, and Ruhi's eyes filled with tears.

Ruhi's mind was reeling with the implications of Kiara's words. She couldn't imagine the horror and desperation that Abhir must have felt, the anguish of being forced to choose between his love for Charu di and the possibility of saving her life. And Kiara, dear Kiara, had been dragged into this web of deceit and danger, forced to marry a man who didn't love her, all in the hopes of saving her Charu di.

 Abhir's eyes locked onto Kiara's, and he nodded slightly, encouraging her to continue. Kiara's voice faltered for a moment, but then she continued. "So, Abhir and I got married. It was a way to keep Charu di safe, to make it seem like Abhir was no longer interested in her. But it was all a ruse, bhabhi. A way to throw off the person who was threatening Charu di."

Ruhi's eyes locked onto Kiara's, and she saw the pain and sadness etched on her face. She knew that Kiara had made a sacrifice, a sacrifice that had broken her heart and shattered her dreams.

Kiara's voice trembled as she repeated the words that had shattered her heart. "After saving Charu di, we had decided to get divorced," she said, her eyes welling up with tears as the weight of those words crashed down on her once again.

As she spoke, Kiara felt like she was reliving the pain all over again. The thought of separating from Abhir, the man she loved with all her heart, was too much for her to bear.

Kiara's body began to shake, her sobs racking her frame as she struggled to come to terms with the reality of her situation. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to keep her head above water. Every breath was a struggle, every heartbeat a reminder of the pain that was tearing her apart.

The sound of Ruhi's slap echoed through the room, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Abhir's head jerked to the side, his cheek stinging from the force of Ruhi's blow. He looked up at her, his eyes wide with shock and surprise.

 Ruhi's words cut through the air like a knife, her tone dripping with venom and disgust. She glared at Abhir, her eyes blazing with anger and accusation. "So you, billa boy, decided to ruin Kiara's life to save Charu's life? Great," she spat, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

Ruhi's face was a picture of fury, her eyes blazing with anger and indignation. "How could you, Abhir?" she spat, her voice venomous. "How could you use Kiara like that? She's your wife, for God's sake! She loves you, and you're just going to throw her away like trash?"

Abhir took a step back, his hands raised in a defensive gesture. "Ruhi, please understand..." he began, but Ruhi cut him off."No, Abhir, I don't want to understand," she said, her voice cold and hard. "I don't want to hear your excuses or your justifications. What I want is for you to take responsibility for your actions. You've hurt Kiara, Abhir. You've broken her heart, and you need to make it right."

Ruhi's anger, on the other hand, was just getting started. She took a step closer to Abhir, her eyes flashing with fury. "You're a monster, Abhir," she hissed. "A selfish, heartless monster. You used Kiara, manipulated her, and threw her away like trash. And for what? To save Charu? Was it really worth it?"

Ruhi's eyes softened as she looked at Kiara, her expression filled with empathy and understanding. She gripped Abhir's shoulder, her voice taking on a gentle yet firm tone. "This marriage was done without your consent, billa boy, I know that," she said, her words dripping with sincerity.

 "But the mistake I made, please don't repeat it. I know that I've found happiness with Rohit now, but if I had put in effort into my loveless marriage from the start, maybe I would have found happiness earlier."

 Ruhi's gaze locked onto Abhir's, her eyes burning with intensity. "You deserve all the happiness in the world, mere bhai," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "And so does Kiara. You're going to leave her, and your life will go back to normal, but have you thought about what will happen to her? Will her life go back to normal?"

Ruhi's words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the consequences of Abhir's actions. Kiara's eyes welled up with tears as she listened to Ruhi's words, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her for understanding her pain. Abhir, on the other hand, looked like he had been punched in the gut, his face pale and his eyes wide with shock.

Ruhi's words cut deep, striking at the very heart of the societal norms that governed their lives. "Will this society leave her living in peace?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "Will they not question her character? A woman who was married and then discarded, what will people say about her?" 

Ruhi's eyes seemed to bore into Abhir's soul, as if daring him to consider the consequences of his actions. She knew that the world they lived in was cruel and unforgiving, where a woman's reputation was fragile and easily tarnished. 

Kiara's eyes dropped, her face burning with shame as she contemplated the very real possibility of being judged and ostracized by society. She knew that the whispers would start soon, the pointed fingers and the snide comments. She would be labeled as a woman who was unwanted, unloved, and unworthy. 

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt a wave of despair wash over her. She had never felt so alone, so vulnerable, and so scared. Ruhi's words had brought home the harsh reality of her situation, and Kiara didn't know how she would face the world again.

Ruhi's gaze never wavered from Abhir's face, her eyes boring into his very soul. "You're not just breaking her heart, Abhir," she said, her voice low and husky. "You're ruining her reputation, her future. Is that really what you want to do?"

 Ruhi's words were like a slap in the face, a wake-up call that Abhir couldn't ignore. He looked at Kiara, really looked at her, and saw the pain and the fear in her eyes. He saw the woman he had married, the woman he had promised to protect. And he knew that he had failed her, miserably.

Ruhi's words were like a dagger to Abhir's heart, piercing his conscience and making him feel guilty for his actions. "Tu toh kar lega Charu se shaadi," she said, her voice laced with bitterness. "Par kya Kiara ko apna doosra jeevan saathi milega?" she asked, her eyes blazing with anger and concern.

Abhir felt a pang of guilt and regret as he looked at Kiara, who was standing quietly, her eyes cast down. He knew that Ruhi was right, that he was going to marry Charu, but what about Kiara? Would she ever find happiness again? Would she ever find someone who loved her for who she was?

Ruhi's words had brought home the harsh reality of Abhir's actions, and he felt a wave of shame and remorse wash over him. He knew that he had hurt Kiara, that he had broken her trust and her heart. And now, he was going to leave her and marry someone else. The thought was unbearable, and Abhir felt like he was drowning in a sea of guilt and regret.

Just as the conversation was left hanging in mid-air, a voice pierced the tension, shattering the emotional intensity of the moment. "Abhir!" Charu exclaimed, her voice shrill with excitement. Before anyone could react, she threw herself into Abhir's arms, wrapping her own tightly around his waist.

Abhir's eyes widened in surprise as he instinctively wrapped his arms around Charu, holding her close. But his gaze flickered to Kiara, who stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock and pain. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Abhir felt a pang of guilt and regret.

Abhir's gaze softened as he looked at Charu's shaking form, his eyes taking in the bandaged head and the faint bruises on her face. He could see the fear and vulnerability etched on her features, and his heart went out to her. He held her closer, trying to comfort her, as he asked, "Charu, what happened? How did you get hurt?"

Charu's body trembled in his arms, and she buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Abhir's eyes met Ruhi's, and he could see the concern and worry etched on her face. He knew that Ruhi was thinking the same thing he was - that Charu's injuries were more than just physical, that she had been through a traumatic experience.

Kiara, on the other hand, stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Abhir and Charu. She could see the way Abhir was holding Charu, the way he was looking at her with concern and affection. And she knew, in that moment, that she had lost him. That Abhir's heart belonged to Charu, and that she was just a third wheel in their love story.

Kiara's eyes felt like they were burning as she watched Abhir and Charu embracing. She started taking back steps, her body moving involuntarily as if trying to escape the painful scene unfolding before her eyes. Her mind was reeling with shock and hurt, and she couldn't bear to witness the intimate moment between Abhir and Charu.

The tears that had been welling up in her eyes finally spilled over, streaming down her face as she turned away, unable to watch anymore.

 Charu's words had been like a bombshell, and Kiara felt like she was reeling from the impact. She stopped inher tracks, her eyes fixed on Charu's shaken form, but Charu's voice stopped her. "Abhir, he...he tried to molest me," Charu stammered, her voice trembling with fear. 

Abhir's face was a picture of confusion, his brow furrowed in concern. "Who, Charu?" he asked, his voice laced with skepticism. Charu's eyes welled up with tears as she replied, "Varun." Abhir's confusion deepened, and he looked at Kiara, his eyes searching for answers. "Who is Varun?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

Kiara's eyes locked onto Charu's, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew who Varun was, and the thought of him trying to molest Charu made her blood run cold. She took a deep breath before answering Abhir's question. 

"Varun is Charu di's college-time obsessive lover," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes never left Charu's face, and she could see the pain and fear etched on her sister's features. 

Charu's eyes flashed with gratitude towards Kiara, and she nodded slightly, as if acknowledging Kiara's understanding. Abhir's face, on the other hand, was a picture of shock and horror. He took a step back, his eyes wide with denial.

 "What?" he whispered, his voice trembling with rage. "Why didn't you tell me, Charu?" he asked, his eyes accusing. Charu shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "I was scared, Abhir," she stammered. "I didn't know what to do."

Kiara's voice was laced with a mix of sadness and concern as she continued to recount the story of Charu's past. "Charu di was in her first year when Varun had first seen her," she said, her eyes clouding over with memories. "She had thought he was just being flirtatious and nothing else, but things worsened when he proposed to her and she refused."

Kiara's pause was filled with tension, and Abhir's eyes were fixed on her, his expression intense. "Varun couldn't handle the rejection," Kiara continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "He started stalking her, showing up at her classes, and even waiting outside her hostel. Charu di was terrified, but she didn't know what to do."

As Kiara spoke, Charu's eyes seemed to glaze over, lost in the memories of a past she had tried to forget. Abhir's face was a picture of shock and outrage, his eyes blazing with anger at the thought of Varun's obsession with Charu.

Kiara's voice trailed off, her eyes locked on Abhir's, as she hesitated to finish her sentence. "Only I and Krish knew about Varun, and we would protect her from him," she said, her voice laced with a mix of sadness and concern. "And eventually, he stopped showing up... but maybe Charu and your marriage news..."

Kiara's words hung in the air, unfinished but implied. Abhir's face was a picture of understanding, his eyes widening as he grasped the connection. "You think Varun's obsession with Charu has started again because of our marriage news?" he asked, his voice low and serious.

Kiara nodded, her eyes never leaving Abhir's. "It's possible," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Varun's fixation on Charu was never really resolved, and now that she was about to marry you... maybe he feels like he's losing her all over again." 

Kiara's voice was barely above a whisper as she revealed the shocking truth. "That's why he kidnapped her and asked you to marry someone else."

Charu's eyes widened in horror, her face pale with shock. "What?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room. She turned to Abhir, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt. "You married someone else?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Abhir's face was somber, his eyes cast down in shame. He nodded slowly, his jaw clenched in a mixture of guilt and regret. The silence that followed was oppressive, the air thick with tension as Charu struggled to process the shocking revelation.

He nodded slowly, his jaw clenched in a mixture of guilt and regret. Kiara's eyes remained lowered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Charu. I didn't know what else to do."

 Charu's eyes narrowed, her voice cold and demanding. "To whom?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Abhir's face. But Abhir remained silent, his eyes cast down in shame.Kiara spoke up, her voice soft and placating. "Charu di, it's just a name sake marriage, we'll get divorced soon," she said, trying to reassure her sister.

Abhir's mind was a jumble of conflicting emotions as he stood there, listening to Kiara's words. He didn't understand why the thought of divorcing Kiara felt like a punch to the gut. He loved Charu, didn't he? He had always thought of Charu as the love of his life, and yet...the idea of separating from Kiara felt like a loss, like he was giving up a part of himself.

He couldn't explain it, couldn't rationalize the emotions that were swirling inside him. All he knew was that the thought of divorcing Kiara felt wrong, felt like a mistake. But why? He loved Charu, not Kiara. Or did he? The doubts crept in, making his head spin with confusion.

.....................

It had been a month since Charu's return, and the past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions and events. Varun's arrest and subsequent sentencing had brought a sense of closure and relief to Charu and her family. The thought of him spending the rest of his life behind bars for his heinous crime was a fitting punishment.

As the news of Varun's sentencing spread, Charu felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She had finally found justice, and she could start to heal and move on from the trauma she had endured. Abhir, Kiara, and the rest of the family had been supportive and loving throughout the ordeal, and Charu was grateful for their presence in her life.

With Varun behind bars, Charu could finally start to rebuild her life and look towards a brighter future. She had Abhir by her side, and she knew that she could always count on him to support and love her. As she looked to the future, Charu felt a sense of hope and renewal, knowing that she had overcome a terrible ordeal and was stronger because of it.

As Charu's physical injuries began to heal, the emotional scars of her ordeal would take longer to fade. But amidst Charu's recovery, Kiara's pain seemed to linger, a constant ache that threatened to consume her.

Kiara's heart had been shattered into a million pieces, and the thought of Abhir being tied to her in a name sake marriage, a mere formality, was a constant reminder of what she had lost. She knew she had to leave, to escape the pain that seemed to suffocate her every time she saw Abhir. But for Charu's sake, she had tried to put on a brave face, to pretend that everything was fine.

But the truth was, she was dying inside. Every smile, every laugh, every conversation was a struggle, a facade that hid the anguish and heartbreak that threatened to consume her. Kiara felt like she was living in a nightmare, trapped in a reality that was not of her making. She longed to break free, to escape the pain and find a way to heal, but for now, she was stuck in this limbo, forced to endure the agony of loving Abhir from afar.

It had only been a month since Kiara and Abhir's wedding, a union that had been born out of necessity rather than love. The marriage had been a desperate attempt to save Charu from Varun's clutches, and Kiara had agreed to it, hoping to protect her sister.

But now, as she stood in the midst of her shattered dreams, Kiara couldn't help but feel a sense of despair wash over her. She had given her heart to Abhir, even though she knew he didn't love her. And now, she was trapped in a loveless marriage, forced to pretend that everything was fine when in reality, she felt part of her was ripping away. 

The irony of it all was not lost on Kiara. Just a month ago, she had stood before Abhir, promising to love and cherish him, and now, she felt like she was losing herself in the process. The pain of loving Abhir, of being married to him but not being his true wife, was a burden that Kiara didn't know how much longer she could bear. ...............

Abhir and Kiara sat side by side in the courtroom, their eyes fixed on the judge as he droned on about the proceedings. It was the final hearing of their divorce, and as they sat there, they both couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Deep down, they both wished that they could stop this divorce from happening. They had grown to care for each other, despite the fact that their marriage had been a sham from the start. But now, as they sat on the brink of ending their union, they both felt a sense of loss.

Abhir glanced over at Kiara, his eyes taking in the determined look on her face. He knew that she was hurting, just like he was. They had developed a connection, a bond that went beyond mere friendship. And now, they were about to sever that bond forever.

Kiara, sensing Abhir's gaze, turned to him. Their eyes met, and for a moment, they just looked at each other. The tension between them was palpable, a mix of sadness, regret, and longing.

Abhir's mind was still reeling from Ruhi's words, her concerns about Kiara's future echoing in his mind. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was abandoning Kiara, leaving her to face the harsh judgment of society alone.

Ruhi's words had struck a chord, making Abhir realize that he had been so focused on his own feelings, his own desires, that he had neglected to consider the potential consequences of his actions on Kiara's life.

As he thought about it now, Abhir felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He had promised to protect Kiara, to keep her safe from harm. But by divorcing her, was he not putting her in harm's way? Was he not leaving her vulnerable to the whispers and judgments of society?

Abhir's eyes felt heavy with regret as he thought about Kiara, about the bright smile that had once lit up her face, about the sparkle in her eyes that had slowly faded away. He knew that he had let her down, that he had failed to be the husband she deserved.

And now, as he stood at the threshold of a new chapter in his life, Abhir couldn't help but wonder if he had made a terrible mistake. Had he sacrificed Kiara's happiness, her well-being, for his own selfish desires? The thought haunted him, leaving him with a sense of unease that he couldn't shake off.

The judge's piercing gaze swept across the courtroom, her eyes finally coming to rest on Abhir and Kiara. "We have studied your case, Mr. and Mrs. Sharma," she began, her voice measured and deliberate. "Do you both really want a divorce?" The question hung in the air, heavy with implication, as Abhir and Kiara sat in stunned silence.

The judge's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical. "You two are just married a month ago, isn't it too early to be making such a drastic decision?" she asked, her tone gentle but firm. "Shouldn't you both give your marriage a chance? You've barely had time to get to know each other, to work through the inevitable ups and downs that come with any marriage."

Abhir and Kiara exchanged a glance, both of them unsure of how to respond. They had expected a routine divorce proceeding, not a lecture on the importance of commitment and perseverance. The judge's words struck a chord, however, and for a moment, they both wondered if they were making a terrible mistake.

"Marriage is a journey, not a destination," the judge continued, her voice filled with a deep wisdom. "It takes hard work, dedication, and patience. Are you both really ready to give up on each other, on your marriage, without even trying to make it work?" The question hung in the air, a challenge to Abhir and Kiara to re-examine their decision, to consider the possibility that their marriage was worth fighting for.

The judge's words hung in the air like a challenge, a chance for Abhir and Kiara to re-write their story. "We are giving you both six months before coming to any decision," she declared, her eyes sparkling with a hint of optimism. "Live together, try to understand each other, and who knows, you may eventually fall in love."

Abhir and Kiara exchanged a stunned glance, their minds racing with the implications of the judge's words. Six months was a long time, a chance for them to get to know each other, to explore the depths of their relationship. The judge's words were like a lifeline, a chance for them to redeem their marriage, to turn it into something beautiful. Abhir felt a spark of hope ignite within him, a sense that maybe, just maybe, he and Kiara could make this work.