Rishi first was surprised then shocked and then angry,

Rishi: What Rubbish! Thum pagal ho kya? Kuch bhi keh rai!

Helper: Mein sach keh raha hu saab. Unn dono ki shaadi hogayi hein.

Rishi: What shaadi? Ju...Just go!

He walks away with full irritation and anger,

Rishi: Bahu, shaadi, patni.....what the hell? Preetha. No way! Kya kya keh rai? (shakes his head) Calm down Rishi lagtha hein kuch aur ke baare mein keh raha hoga. Haa. Varna Mickey ki shaadi......Sochna hi bekaar hein.Bas idar se nikal jaayenge tho theek hojayega.Waise bhi bahot der hogayi wo andar jaake mein bhi dekhta hu.

Ignoring the point that Karan got married he convinces himself and walks towards the door but is hesitant to step in. He isn't willing to go inside so huffing he goes back to his car and waits inside.

Meanwhile Preetha, Sahana, Mahesh along with their PA's are in the gallery when Sameer jogs in panting.

Sameer: Bhai is in the capture of Rakesh Singhal!

Mahesh(frowns): What are you saying?

Sameer: Yes dad. Those two guys Babhi told about, are his men. They are in our custody at present.It has been a hercules task to make them spill the beans.

Preetha: Who are they Sameer? Why they attacked us and why did they take Karan now?

Sameer: I will tell you Babhi.

He connects his mobile to the TV and two photos appear,

Sameer: These are the people who you encountered that night. They were ordered to bring you somewhere but you gave a tough fight and sent them to police. They were unconscious for two days after that they were bailed. Police tried to contact bhai but he was of reach so they were released.

Preetha: But who wanted us?

Sameer: They don't know they just did what they were asked.

She thinks as to who that might be,

Mahesh: Are you sure it's Karan with them?

Sameer: Pakka dad. Amar, one of those two men's son is included in that gang. We got hold of him and threatened him with his father, then he tattled that they kidnapped a guy Friday night and is at harbour at present. And important thing is....(slowly) They are planning to take Bhai to Sri Lanka this night.

Mahesh(yells): What?

Sameer: At 1'O clock midnight he will be transported through ship. Bhai is kept in a seperate container and no one is allowed inside except Rakesh. I asked Amar could he free bhai but he is scared. Anyone disloyal to him will have to pay huge price.

Preetha(confused): Sammy who's this Singhal?

Sameer shows another picture on the screen,

Sameer: He's a thief before and now he is all what one doesn't want to be. Exports illegal stuff under the name of fishing and also maintains a posse who does all the unlawful activities.Police couldn't take an action as he has connections with high end politicians.

Mahesh: Whoever he might be.Send our men and bring Karan back. What are you waiting for?

He scolds Sameer but they hear Sahana speaking for the first time in the evening. Surprisingly she's calm throughout,

Sahana: That's not easy.

They all look at her frowning,

Sameer: Mom?

Sahana: Rakesh Singhal has more to him than you know.

She stands & walks to his picture on TV,

Sahana: A devil in disguise.He is associated with islam militants and had a strong hand in 26/11 attacks.The savage thing is he influences children & sends them out of country, gives them ardent training and makes them sleeper cells. In a word,he is terror.

Everyone are jolted at the info. What's all this? How did they involve with him?

Sameer(surprised): How do you know?

Sahana: Do not forget. I am an ex army.

This leaves Preetha tongue tied. Her mother in law was in army. Really? But she doesn't decipher something,

Preetha(lowly): B....but what does Karan have to do with him?

Sahana: That we have to know. Sameer did you get his number or anything?

Sameer: He changes his number time to time for not getting caught. We have his latest and we found one specific person is calling him from few weeks. That couldn't be traced as it's an internet call. But cyber team tracked his network locations and most of them are from harbour.

She quietly listens ,

Sahana: Where's Karan now?

Sameer: Amar said he's at the harbour.

Preetha: Are you sure the information is reliable Sameer? I mean why would they help us?

Sameer: I believe everything is true Babhi because his father, the one who attacked you is in our control. He doesn't want his son to be in the gang but Rakesh took him in and also I offered him 5 Crores. So it's a win win situation for them.

His reasons seemed plausible and they are silent for few minutes, each of them in their own thoughts & fears,

Sameer: We have very less time to save Bhai dad. If they crossed the ocean, we can't do anything.

Mahesh takes a deep breath at once,

Mahesh: Call the Chief Minister. I will talk to him.

Sahana stops him immediately,

Sahana: No.(they look at her) He is dangerous than what you think Mahesh. Once he gotta know about this, we don't know what will he do with Karan.

Mahesh: Then what shall I do Sahana? Leave my son to his mercy?

Sahana(firmly): He's also my son.

The other two look as there's a harsh exchange of words between them when Sameer gets a msg.

Sameer: It's from Amar ma. He said someone came to meet Rakesh now but he don't know who he is.

Sahana: Do one thing Sameer. Ask our men to keep a close eye on the harbour and that man who visited. Trace the internet call as soon as possible and run a full length investigation on Rakesh. We need to know who's behind this. Did he said anything else?

She spits the instructions fluidly,

Sameer(hesitates): Yeeah.... he msged that Rakesh called for two escorts before he leaves. And they are on their way.

Her eyes brighten at this as a vicious plan take roots in her mind.

MEANWHILE,

Rishi is frustrated waiting for Preetha in the car since an hour. He does everything to pass time but he's bored & irritated now. Due to his calls, she msged him to go home and she will come later. But how can he? So decides to check on her.

Getting down the car, he walks to the main door and stands as he contemplates whether to go in or back off. But remembering Preetha, he takes his first step inside the Luthra mansion.

He's awed by the colors & architecture inside when he hears some voice from the gallery so he paces that side and a huge cream curtain comes in view. He understood some people are behind talking and about to turn and go away when he heard Preetha's voice.

Rishi: Yeh tho Mickey ki awaz hein!

He sneakily listens the whole conversation and concluded Karan is in trouble but he didn't understand what Preetha is doing there.

Sahana smirks forming a devious plan but she needs help. So she directly walks to Preetha and stands before her,

Sahana: Will you do anything for Karan?

Preetha at once taken aback by her question but somewhere she got the hint what she is inferring, so with confidence she nods.

Preetha: Anything!

For the first time, Preetha saw appreciation and happiness towards her in Sahana's eyes. It's like she gained her confidence.

The two men didn't understand what's going on and Sahana turns back to see them,

Sahana: Ask our men to stop those women from entering and get us two burkas.

Sameer: Why ma?

Sahana (slight smile): We will replace them.

Mahesh(yells): What?

Sahana: Preetha and I will go in place of those women. Amar will help us in bringing Karan out diverting everyone there.

Both the men are terrified at the decision and tried to convince Sahana but would she listen anyone? No!

The women get themselves ready while Rishi is stunned listening their convo. Just then Preetha comes out to go to her room when she saw Rishi there,

Preetha: Teddy.......Thum yaha kya kar rahe ho?

Rishi: Pehle thum yaha kya kar rahe ho?(irritated) Kya ho rai yaha Mickey? Mujhe kuch samaj nai aa ra? Koi log kuch bhi keh rai. Aur....aur yeh kaise pagal pan hein thumhara ha? Karan Sir ki family hein wo dekhlenge sab. Thum chalo mere saath.

She understood he listened everything but didn't figured out her relation and it's not the time to explain all that,

Preetha: Thum ghar jaao Rishi mein baad mein baath karti hu thumse.

Rishi: No. You are coming with me.

She already has lot in her plate and didn't want another thing to add,

Preetha(pleading): Please understand Teddy. Go home for now I will talk to you later. Pleaseee!

He couldn't stress seeing her face & tone, so nodding,he walks out but he couldn't leave her like that.Immediately, he calls Raghuveer to let him know what is she upto and in the hope that he would make her  back off.

He's worried for their lecturer but why would Preetha take risk for him? Unjustifiable.

The ladies go to their rooms & get ready. Wearing a simple kurthi & jeans, they come out in the hall mentally preparing themselves.

Mahesh(shouts): Stop this madness you both. Do you realise how treacherous it can be? Kuch bhi hosaktha hein Sahana. Math karo!

Sahana: Yeh mere bete keliye kar raha hu. Wada kartha hu kuch nai hoga.

She is a stubborn lady and Mahesh can't argue with her if she decides something.

Preetha is surprised and a bit afraid to see her father along with Rishi there.He obviously will object but she won't listen still she needs his support so walks and stands infront of her father lowering her head,

Preetha: Pa....

Raghuveer: Shuu....

He silences her and stares into her eyes for few seconds,

Raghuveer: Thu kabhi meri baath nai suni.  You always did what you want. So I am not stopping you this time also. Go ahead.(he smiles) Bring my dear son in law in tact. Just be careful.

He caresses her head while she rapidly nods with much more will and smile,kisses his palm. Rishi is stunned at what's happening. He thought her father would stop her but he supported her. Why? And he sees him going near Sahana,

Raghuveer: Take care of my daughter.

Sahana is surprised seeing the dad daughter duo. No one would risk their daughter's life for their son in law and here he's supporting her in this risky decision.They may have conflict of opinions but would never bear if any third person involves between them. Strange as well as sweet!

Sahana: I will!

Taking necessary things, they all go out except Preetha & Rishi. He is staring at her and she knew it's him who called her father.Walking, she stands infront of him and takes his hands in her's and speaks without looking at his eyes which are exhibiting vulnerability & fear,

Preetha: Mujhe pata hein abhi thumhare pass bahot sawal hein. Unn sab ki jawab deti hu mein lekin ab nai. Mujhe jana hein.(looking at his face,lowly) Just know that I never meant to hurt you. Bye Rishi.

Her eyes are saying something which he doesn't want to see or listen. Leaving his hands,she walks past him but he holds her hand and they both turn looking at each other,

Rishi: Ek sawal ka jawab doge?

Preetha: Hmmm.

Rishi: Uss keliye thum itna risk kyun le rahe ho?

He vaguely sensed what's going on but afraid to confront it,

Rishi(gulping): Kya Lagtha hein wo thumhara?

She looks straight into his eyes & without missing a beat she answers,

Preetha: Zindagi.

And she walks away praying for her life while he remains rooted to his place staring at the big wedding picture of Karan & Preetha which he didn't notice before.

And continues in the next part.......