" She wears it so beautifully doesn't she, her pain....always smiling, always positive....always happy to help....it's like a garment perfectly tailored to fit the way she carries it....with a touch of grace....and the quietness of that sad smile....
All so you'd never know how heavy it really was! "
- Ranata Suzuki

Suddenly Vansh feels horrified to link up the dots ; meanwhile, Mr Navin Sharma says dangerously - "Yes..I'm a proud father of three kids - my Riddhima, Shivali and Pritam....though you've snatched Shivali from me and now on a mission to destroy my another baby too! How I've failed to know you've been in relationship with Riddhima resulting to Shivali's death. But now it's not late yet....I'll take my baby girl with me. You just answer why this much dirty plan to trap my innocent daughters?"

Vansh is too numb to reason a practical answer but he just whispers what his mind is revolving around - "But..but isn't she an ORPHAN?....I've searched before to find she's been living in an orphanage for last few years of her life."

But as soon as the keyword comes out of Vansh's mouth, Mr Navin Sharma scrunches his teeth on him and presses every word to mean it : "MY BABY IS NOT AN ORPHAN. SHE IS THE SYMBOL OF MY LOVE SAKSHI."

"What!" - shrieks Vansh as he remembers Shelly's last words about how her father's infidelity has drifted apart her own parents. Then he registers Riddhima and Shelly are half sisters ; that's why Riddhima has never recognised Shelly as she has been far from family life. Even Shelly too used to live in Dubai. Now he understands why there's been so facial similarities between Shelly and Riddhima and looks at Mr Navin Sharma from whom the girls have gotten the look.

But one thing starts to itch him. All blame Riddhima's relationship with Vansh to be Shelly's death..likely, has Riddhima's mother been to be blamed? Or is it the same cruel game he and Riddhima are facing? He couldn't but asks to receive a painful protest from the older man.

"No! No..no....my relationship with Sakshi has been the purest one. We have been in love from college days and the raw emotions in us at that younger age has brought us so close that Riddhima has come to existence. But (with a sigh) my parents have been against our marriage and taken promise from me to marry Shruti - Shivali's mother. That lady is the reason why I'm in this mess. After knowing my love for Sakshi too, she's intoxicated and later seduced me....leave that as it's not important for now. And why I'm telling you this."

But Vansh asks the obvious : "But being your wife, doesn't she deserve to receive your love? If you can't handle your own hormones then don't blame others!"

That ultimately stops Mr Navin Sharma from his ranting while Vansh recollects isn't it ironical? When he himself is to be blamed for always carrying Shelly's memory to block the forbidden feelings for Riddhima, then how could he give people unnecessary intellects?

He rubs his forehead with the right hand but suddenly the name 'Pritam' sends an alarming message to his brain. If Shelly's brother and Riddhima's PRITAM are the only person....then why he's sent the wrong message? He still remembers his personal investigator has searched from few persons around Riddhima to get confirmed if it's really her lover .. and he's received an affirmative response. And the news..Riddhima is actually not an orphan but has to live in orphanage is sending penetrating pain to his chest.

He can't relate anything sending a sharp headache. Upon that he's not recovered from the biggest shock he's received. He needs a long rest to forget everything..but can't! As every second is valuable for....for HER and he'll do anything to save Riddhima. He now wants to go to home ; but this man is not ready to leave soon.

So he does that which he's good at. He threatens him - "Mr Sharma, I'm sorry to know your story but unfortunately I've nothing to do with that. MY WIFE is waiting for me in OUR HOUSE. So please!"

"No..I'll not go without saving my daughter from your clutches, you monster!" - a lunatic father in Mr Navin Sharma cries.

But Vansh cuts his apology rudely - "If you're forgetting, MY WIFE HAS BEEN AN ORPHAN ALL HER LIFE! So if you try to come now for ascribing your paternal rights, then go to court. I'll not support your this madness and if you try to create problem in our life, I'll forget our old..sorry, the existing relationship. Excuse me!"

With that Vansh takes a side and wears his glasses ; leaving a pathetic father behind, he starts the car. Today he's failed! He can see himself in that man. Mr Navin Sharma is trying hard to save his daughter after all those messes while he himself has lost the battle already. He's going back after planning his baby's MURDER!

He just can't imagine Riddhima's state when she'll get to know this. But he'll hide it in any means as she doesn't need an emotional blow. He could sense the dirty trap behind his and Riddhima's state..and he feels broken for Riddhima. Till today he's tried reasoning with his heart saying many imaginary things for Riddhima so that he doesn't have to face his feelings for Riddhima. But today he's no strength in him to stop his heart from saying that yes, he's in LOVE with Riddhima....in such way he's never felt for Shelly too! Shelly's death has turned him into a villain but if something happens to Riddhima....he'll lost his sanity..no, what he's thinking. Nothing will happen to her..he'll do anything to save her..if it needs, he'll give his last drop of blood to save her!

With that thought, he's reached to VR Mansion. With a long sigh, he comes out and removes the glass to wipe those tears which he's successfully hid under those shades. After that he regains his strict composure..Riddhima shouldn't know!

........

Meanwhile, Riddhima is bored with laying all this whole though the kids are with her to accompany. While chatting with them happily, she receives an email from Mrs D'Souza. With a frown, she opens it to read :

Mrs Rai Singhania,
It's Mrs D'Souza, your personal physician. Two days ago you've come for a report. But unfortunately I'm not satisfied with the result so I want to conduct another test to be assured of. So please don't drop this test as we are seriously concerned for your health! Your appointment is fixed for tomorrow at sharp 10.30 a.m.

Wishing you a healthy life.
Mrs D'Souza.

With a sigh, Riddhima leaves the air she's been holding impatiently. She's been worried thinking Siya's guess has come true. Though she's not bothered, she'll be happy rather to be away from this lifeless mansion for a while.

With that a smile comes to her lips. The trio are too much busy to play a movie to notice Riddhima's facial expressions but one pair of eyes is noticing everything with a pain in his eyes.

Not being able to control more, he runs to his..naah, theirs room and latches the door from inside. And he falls on the floor and places his face on the cold mosaic tiles. After a while, he stands up and looks around the whole room to find his and Shelly's pictures in every wall, in every corner.

Does that mean Riddhima is an outcast? His own heart questions at which his legs involuntarily takes him to his cupboard and he opens to press a pea size button in some hidden area and within a blink of eye, the front wall of the room gets quizzically fold and an another wall comes into view.

He goes there and rubs his hand upon that long portrait of HER - HIS RIDDHIMA ; he's been adamant to accept his feelings when he's made it and named it a part of revenge. As if he would remember his mission seeing her but now he's too weak to come with another excuse.

He will not let others know of it as none knows till now. Riddhima lives in this room but she's never found it then who will be? If only the situation has been different and the destiny would have let her meet him in another circumstances....then they would have been living a happy life with their..upcoming baby.

But alas! It seems he's pained the silent soul too much to welcome a happy life.

He knows Shelly would be unhappy seeing him breaking the promise given to her. But he's defeated before his own heart .. she will understand him surely..won't she? His heart and mind are in fight in this context.

But for now he leaves the thought aside and concentrates on the present situation. It's been long Riddhima needs a hearty lunch. He gets freshen up and asks Meena Maa to bring the food to Siya's room. Riddhima needs strength and care which he'll gather for her .. but obviously without her knowledge. He doesn't want her to doubt his intentions or let her know anything. She's suffered a lot and is going to face more. So he'll do anything to lessen that.

All enjoy the lunch happily while Riddhima and the trio siblings get surprised to see Vansh at home in this time. But they don't want to question him.

Meanwhile, dadi from the next room could listen the happy musings of her grandchildren. She mutters some bad words for Riddhima. She's tensed for her elder grandson..what if he's fallen in her trap? She's never seen Vansh to come home early in any reason. Shelly used to get sick so many times but he used to ask doctor instead of leaving office for her. Is he too changing? Even each morning Vansh meets her once before going to office but today he hasn't!

She's lost her old happy family back but now she doesn't want to loss her biggest strength - Vansh.

........

The day ends with a happy note with Vansh controlling his sobbing pain inside his chest. He can't let others know the feeling of a defeated father. It's tough to choose one between his baby and his wife but he's already! He's chosen his baby's death..for his own selfish reason..he can't see HER DEATH! He wants to die a hundred times before she dies. But he can't voice it out rather bleeding inside.

At night they follow the same method like last night. But unlikely Vansh lays on the couch present in the room and stares at Riddhima continuously. Who will say this poor girl is enduring so much pain in this little age! He looks at her face minutely to notice a glow inspite of having a dangerous threat upon her life.

He remembers how dadi used to say his mom to be glowing when she'd been pregnant with Siya. Does that mean His Riddhima is having THEIR DAUGHTER of whom he's given a contract of murder?

With a throbbing head and bleeding heart, his all night passes. Though Riddhima has noticed something is fishy in his attitude but thinking she'd not be concerned in his any matter to shrug it off. And very unlike to other days, she's having a peaceful slumber. Unknowingly the disease has started to affect her body.

With a different perspective, the night passes and a new day appears saying it's going to change some relationships for eternity. The blazing heat makes Riddhima energetic but then also she could feel pain in her head. Thinking she's going to meet doctor today, she fuels up her energy and automatically her eyes fall on the couch to found it all empty. She curtails her brows thinking he's awake so soon.

Whole night Vansh couldn't sleep in guilt of murdering his own child. So when the first ray of sun hits him, he's got up to make breakfast for all by himself.

Riddhima goes out to stand in middle only. The open kitchen could be noticed from drawing room and she gets astonished too. A semi naked Vansh is standing in kitchen and making tasty pancakes. She feels mouthwatering! No..not for the food..but for the man himself!

She's never seen him like this. Wearing his grey tracksuits in lower portion, a sexy Greek god that he is already is flaunting his eight pack abs proudly. And oh god! The way he's flipping the pancakes and putting honey as its topping....she feels herself sweating! The messy hairs and unshaven beards are making him sexier! Oops....has she uttered it loudly?

She lowers her lashes nervously when he turns back feeling some heated gaze from back. He smirks in his mind knowing well her thoughts..who could read her well, except for him? It's her pregnancy hormones to make her feel those, he knows! And that instant he feels the pain and he changes the mood and asks her to get ready for breakfast..but in his usual strict voice.

She quickly nods her head and leaves the place hurriedly. She wants to hide herself for thinking such for him. She's never thought like this before but why now knowing well .. he could never be hers! Unknown to her cruel destiny, he's already hers.

Meanwhile, Vansh looks at the staircase in worry thinking her speed shouldn't stop in middle and she doesn't wound herself. Already he's tensed for her and he doesn't another to add in it.

After a surprise breakfast made from their elder brother, the kids go to their destination. They're forced to go as already they've taken leave last day. They bid bye to Vansh and Riddhima happily.

Riddhima is not out of her wonder zone after knowing Vansh has never cooked for Shelly too when she's been adamant once! Then why now? Even she's shocked to find a carefree brother in him, a very unlike to his serious avtaar. What has happened to him suddenly? Has he hit himself somewhere? But she's happy when the kids are! But dadi is getting more reasons to worry.

Riddhima is only looking at her wrist watch as she's waiting for Vansh's departure and then she'll visit Mrs D'Souza. Finding her clue, Vansh silently takes his laptop bag to leave for office.

Seeing her road clear, Riddhima asks Meena Maa to look after the house as she's an important work and goes out taking her purse and phone. Going a little she hires a cab and directs for Mumbai Government Hospital.

Unknown to her, Vansh has been standing a little far from the main road and seeing her going in a cab, he feels a stabbing pain in his heart. But controlling his emotions, he starts for the same destination after a little waiting.

After fifteen minutes of journey, Riddhima comes out and pays the cab ; with a neutral face, she goes to meet Mrs D'Souza as she's come at exact time. She goes inside with a knock and greets her with a smile ; Mrs D'Souza flashes a guilty smile for lying but in her long medical field, she's lied many times for good.

At the same time, a sweaty Vansh is sitting outside on the chair holding his both hands on his forehead and praying god in his mind.

• Upcoming :- Abortion?

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