Ruhana fell on the floor with the loud gunshot. Vineet was shocked and held her in his arms. He began patting her face. She looked at him and smiled…

“acha dhokha diya ACP Vineet. “ she said in a breaking voice.

His eyes were teary…

“Maine tumhe option diya tha Ruhana. Tumne nahi maana. “ he said.

Ruhana was breathing heavily… “Mujhe aaj tak koi nahi pakad saka. Maine tum par bharosa kiya tha. Lekin…. Lekin tumne mera istemal kiya…. You….you. cheated me. “ she said.

“Mere liye mera farz zaroori tha. Lekin mera pyar bhi sachcha tha. “ he said.

“Dekh liya tumhara pyar. Jis par vishwas kiya usi ne tod diya. Tumhare pyar ne hi mujhe maar dala! “ she said in a heavy voice.

They glanced at each other. She then smiled lightly…

“Lekin ab aisa kuch nahi hoga. Tumhare farz ke beech koi nahi aayega. Police ke haath lagne se achi hai ye maut!“ she said.

He wanted to say something but he couldn't. She then looked at her…

“phir kabhi kisi ko pyar mein dhokha mat dena ACP Vineet,! “ she said and her voice fainted.

He looked at her and her hand slipped out of his hand. He just looked at her and then hugged her lifeless body,bursting into tears.

Vineet was sitting on floor with Ruhana's head in lap. Tears were continuously flowing from his eyes. Sachin was looking at Tara in shock who shot Ruhana . He became numb to see his sister like this. Meantime he back to senses with another gun shot. He was shocked to see Tara lying in pool of blood. Then. he turned back and bewildered to see Angel holding gun. He turned towards her.

"Tumhe gun chlana aata hai? "He asked strictly. Angel said nothing which made him angry. He held her arm tightly .

"Bolo Angel Kahan se seekha  tumne yeh? " He shouted which made her shiver to core.

She cupped his face."Wo Tara ne Ruhana ko maar diya.Meri kabhi Ruhana se nahi bani par maine uske liye kabhi bura nahi socha. Main bas chahti thi ki tum sudhar jao.Tum dono ek achi zindagi jiyo. Sachi. " Angel said with tears while touching her throat. Sachin shook his head as he coulnd't bear these tears in her eyes. He pulled her in hug..suddenly Something striked his mind.Some blurry images flashed front of his eyes.  A girl around 13,her smile the way she touched her throat. He opened his eyes with jerk. He pushed her and held her neck tightly.

"Ruhana sach keh rahi thi.T...tum mujhse pyar nahi karti. Badla lene aayi ho. " He shouted with his red fiery eyes.

Angel started coughing badly. "Sachin. " She about to said but Sachin cut her.

"Tum apni maa ki maut ka badla lene aayi ho. Ek minute agar tum wahi ho toh yeh.. " Sachin punched the wall. hard in anger.

"Itna bada dhokha. I'll kill you both. "Sachin  shouted. Before he could do anything Vineet pointed gun on his forehead.

"Your time is over Sachin. " He said.

"I'll not leave you "Sachin raged.

"Put your gun down otherwise I'll shoot you. " Vineet said but Sachin pointed gun straight towards him. Both pulled trigger and about to press but Angel come between.

"No. " She shouted with tears.

"Angel tu beech se hat ja." Vineet said.

"Angel agar tum nahi hati toh main tujhe bhi goli maar dunga." Sachun said and pushed her. With this she fell on floor. She screamed in pain.

"Sachin. "She took his name in shock. He removed his gun and pointed at her head.

"Vineet ko toh baad mein dekhunga pehle tera kaam khatam karunga. " He about to press trigger but Vineet pushed him. He glared at Angel.

"Dekh liya natija iska sath dene ka. Jiske liye tum hum sabke khilaaf gayi wo aaj tujhpe gun taan ke khada hai. Ab bhi waqt hai mat doh iska sath. " Vineet said.

"Yeh kya hai kya nahi main isse pyar karti hoon. " Angel said firmly.

"Pyar pyar pyar!!  Pagal mat bano. Mat bhulo yeh Shweta ka qatil hai. Aur wo tumhari best friend thi. Aur yeh tumhari Maa ka bhi qatil hai. Main tumhe khud ko barbad karte huye nahi dekh sakta. In sabse upar tum apne farz se gaddari kar rahi ho." Vineet said while holding her from shoulders.

Tears were rolling down to her eyes. " Bachpan se pyar kiya hai maine ise. Kyun bhul jate ho tum. Tumhara best friend hai wo. Vineet bhul tum gaye ho main nahi. " Angel too shouted.

"Bhavnaon mein beh ke hum apna farz nahi bhula sakte. Tum ek police officer ho mat bhulo yeh baat. "Vineet shouted.

Sachin raged with this. He slapped Angel. "Tum bhi.Acha bewakoof banaya hum behan bhai ko. Bharosa Kiya tha tum dono pe. Pyar kiya tha par nahi." Sachin shut her eyes and let the tears flow.He opened his eyes and punched Vineet. Vineet too punched him. Both engaged into ugly fight. Finally Vineet took hold on a gun and pointed on him..He about ti shoot but Angel came between them.

"Tum aisa nahi kar sakte Vineet." She shouted.

"Tum piche hato Angel. Surrender toh yeh karne se raha toh yahan se iski lash le ke jaunga. " Vineet said angrily

"Vineet tum aisa kuch nahi karoge. Yeh surrender karega. " Angel said looking at Sachin.

"Tum beech mein se hat jao Angel." Vineet about to push her but she held her hand.

"Tumhe use har rakhi ki qasam jo maine tumhe bandhi hai. Apni behan ki khushi ke liye aisa mat karo. I promise yeh surrender karega. " Angel said with tears.

Vineet sighed in anger. "Only one chance. "He said.

Angel smiled bit and turned to Sachin but he turned his face to opposite side. Angel held his face and made him turn towards her.She smiled lightly.

"Main surrender nahi karunga Angel chahe toh mujhe goli maar doh." he said.

"Sachin please. Kya tum chahte ho. ki tumhara baby tumse nafrat kare?  log use bole ki uske papa bure the? " Sachin was shocked to hear this.Angel held his hand and placed it on her belly.

"Main chahti hoon jab yeh duniya mein aaye tab jo use god mein le wo ek acha insan ho. Jisse mujhe ya ise dar na lage. Hum ek bahut achi zindagi jee sakte hai Sachin.Please meri baat maan lo. " she said while holding his hands.

"Main kaise maan lu ki tum maa banne wali ho? " He eyed her.

"Mere paas reports hai Sachin. Yaad hai kuch din pehle main doctor ke pass gayi thi. Rana sath mein tha." Angel said.

"Aur tumhe lagta hai ki yeh bacha mujhe samjhega? "He asked.

"Samjhega Sachin. Bas tum apni galtiyo ki saza kaat lo uske baad main tum aur yeh bahut achi zindagi jiyenge yahan koi gham ya dukh na ho. " Angel said keeping her head on his chest.

Sachin wrapped arms around her. "Main taiyar hoon Angel." He said. She smiled and kissed his forehead. Meantime force had arrived.Vineet handcuff  Sachin. Angel hugged him one more time. Force took him. Angel fell on her knees. Vineet wrapped arms around her.

"Bhai use kam se kam saza dilwana. Main uske sath jeena chahti hoon. " She said while sobbing.

"Main koshish karunga. "He said and moved towards Ruhana's body. He lifted her in arms and moved out.
..

After few days,  it was final hearing of Sachin's case. After arguments  of few hours. Judge gave his statment Sachin was sent to jail for 15 years. Sachin was moving out But Angel stopped him.

"Ma'am bas 5 minute. " An inspector said and moved ahead. Angel held his hands.

"15 saal Angel. Kya kahogi ise ki kahan hai iske papa? " Sachin asked in complaining tone.

Angel had tears. "Kuch toh keh hi dungi." She said.

"Bahut lamba waqt hai yeh Angel. Main nahi chahta log tumpe ya meri. bachi pe  ungali uthaye. " Sachin said.

"Bachi?  How do you know? " Angel. eyed him.

"Mujhe pata hai. Maine Ruhana ko khoya hai ab use wapis bhi aana hai. " Sachin said.

Angel said nothing but kept her head in his chest  He wrapped arms around her.

"Ma'am time ho gaya.we need to go. "Inspector said.

Angel nodded and looked at Sachin with moist eyes. "Main wapis ayunga ek acha insan ban ke. "Sachin said and kissed her forehead. He moved ahead leaving her in tears.

A pair of hands held her from shoulders. She looked back and saw her brother.
"Vineet. " She just took his name.

"Main tere sath hoon. Par ab main is sheher mein nahi reh sakta isiliye Pune ka transfer karwaya hai." He said .

"Vineet aisa kyu hua hamare sath? Ruhana tumse bahut dur ja chuki hai. Sachin mujhse dur hai. 15  saal Vineet kaise rahungi main. Jab yeh puchega ki papa kahan hai kya jawab dungi? "Angel looked at him.

"Yeh rasta tune chuna hai ab ispe chalna bhi tujhe hi padega. " Vineet said.

"Aur is raste pe main har pal tumhare sath hoon Angel. "Rana said while looking at Angel.

Vineet held Angel's hand." Chahe tere paas nahi hoyunga par main hamesha tere sath hoon. Tum bhi mere sath Pune chalo. Hum sab ek nayi zindagi shuru karte hai. " He said.

" par main wahan kaise? " Angel was looking at him.

“ Kyun nahi? Yahan se door rahegi toh yaadein kam satayengi. Wahan main bhi rahunga tere sath. Tera aur us bache ka ache se khayal rakh paunga.”  he said cupping her face.

“nahi vineet. Main yahin raungi. Sachin ke aane ki raah dekhungi. Aur apne bache, i mean beti ko achi parvarish dungi. “ she said tearily.

He nodded… “Jaisi teri marzi. Main ja raha hoon kal. Kabhi koi zarurat ho toh phone kar dena. Main aa jaunga. “ he said.

“Aap chinta mat karo. Main khayal rakhunga inka. “ Rana said.

Angel hugged him for one last time and they parted their ways to a new life.

...The end ...