Kashish stares Sujal in utter shock.

"Magar... magar Piyush ne to kabhi...",

Kashish trails off, unable to find words to put her feelings in front of Sujal.

Sujal smiles sarcastically,

"Piyush ne kabhi nahi bataya na tumko ke main 'bhi' tumse pyar karta tha?",

he emphasizes on 'bhi'.

Kashish turns to look towards Sujal, speechless.

"Piyush aisa nahi tha Kashish. Wo humesha meri khushiyon ka dhyan rakhta tha. Magar baat jab tumhari aayi to maano wo Piyush kahin kho hi gaya jisey main jaanta tha.",

says Sujal, knitting his brows.

"Uski meethi-meethi baaton mein ghuley zeher ko main dheere-dheere pehchchanne laga.",

says Sujal, spitting venom through his each word.

"Uska wo dil jis mein apne iss dost ke liye sirf pyar aur apnapan tha; uss mein nafrat aur zeher ghulne lagi jabse usey tumse pyar hua.",

says Sujal.

"Tumhe yaad hai Kashish maine ek baar tumhe office mein kaha tha ke tum aajkal kuch zyada hi ghulne-milne lagi ho Piyush se?",

reminds Sujal.

Kashish's brows relax as she remembers.

"Tab shayad tum mera ishaara samjh nahi payi Kashish. Tumhe laga ke main bewajah possessive ho raha hoon. Jabki main bewajah kabhi kuch nahi kehta Kashish. Main chahta tha ke tum iss baat par ghaur karo ke Piyush kis tarah tumhare nazdeek aane ki koshish kar raha hai, ye jaante hue bhi ke main tumse pyar karta hoon aur tum mujhse!",

says Sujal, out of anger.

"Agar.... agar aisa tha to tumne mujhe khulkar kyun nahi bataya Sujal tab?",

complains Kashish.

Sujal turns to look at her in anger and shouts out of frustration,

"Kyunki main aisa hi hoon Kashish! Pehle bhi aisa hi tha aur ab bhi aisa hi hoon! Har baat main tumhe samjhaun...",

shaking his head, glaring her, he says,

"Ye meri fitrat nahi!"

Kashish's heart skips a beat hearing that.

"Agar main tumhare bina kuch kahey tumhari har baat samjh jaata hoon, to tum mere tumhe ishaare dene par bhi meri baat kyun nahi samjh paayi Kashish?",

asks Sujal, shouting.

Kashish's eyes well up, feeling guilty.

"Main jab-jab tumhe apni nazron ke saamne Piyush ke kareeb paata, mujhe tab-tab tumpar hairangi hoti.",

says Sujal, his each word uttered slowly.

"Mumma kehti theen meri aankhein mere dil ka haal bayan kar deti hain. Mujhe kuch bolne ki zaroorat nahi.",

he says, sadly, remembering Veena.

"Mumma ke baad agar kisiko khudse zyada chaaha hai maine to wo tum theen Kashish.",

he says further.

Kashish's heart drowns further into the pool of guilt.

"Kya meri nazrein tumhe mere dil ka haal bayan nahi karti theen?",

asks Sujal, hurt.

Kashish tilts her head a little towards left, her brows tightly knit.

Looking towards Kashish, he asks her,

"Galti kiski thi Kashish? Meri?.... ya tumhari?!"

Kashish's cheeks burn out of guilt.

"Shaadi ke mandap par pohnchne se pehle jab main tumse apni galtiyon ki maafi maang raha tha; humare rishte ko bachane ki bheekh maang raha tha, tumne ek baar bhi ye nahi socha Kashish ke tum Piyush se shaadi karke teen-teen zindagiyan barbaad kar rahi ho! Kyun Kashish? Kyun nahi samjh paayi tab tum mujhe?",

asks Sujal, hurt.

"Sujal main bus Papa ki izzat ko bachana chahti thi.",

cries Kashish.

"To agar uss ghar ke ek bete se shaadi na hokar dusre bete se shaadi kar leti tum, to kya unki izzat isse kam ho jaati?",

asks Sujal.

"Nahi Sujal! Magar zindagi ka ek kadwa such ye hai ki ladke chahe kitni bhi ladkiyon se rishta rakhe magar ek ladki par iss baat ka lanchchan lagte der nahi lagta ke usne do (2) logon se rishta rakha.",

says Kashish.

"Tum sirf mujhse pyar karti thi Kashish! Mujhse pyar karti ho! Aur mujhse hi pyar karti rahogi!",

says Sujal, staring at her sternly.

Kashish smiles sadly and nods her head.

"Ye baat tab tum jaante the! Main jaanti thi! Shayad Piyush bhi jaanta tha... magar ye zamaana; ye zamaana nahi.",

she states the bitter truth, shaking her head at last.

"Agar shaadi wale din Piyush ki jagah main tumse shaadi kar leti, to shayad Papa ko to mere iss faisle se koi problem nahi hoti, magar ye samaj; iss samaj ke log, unhe zinda nahi rehne detein!",

says Kashish, helplessly.

"Ab tum hi batao Sujal, kya galti thi meri? Kya galti thi meri ke maine uss insaan ko shaadi ke liye haan kaha jisne mera haath tab thaama jab tumhare jaane ke baad main bilkul toot chuki thi?",

asks Kashish.

That hits Sujal hard.

"Kya galti thi meri ke maine apne parivaar ke maan-samman ki parvaah ki?",

she asks further.

Sujal stares her helplessly.

●●●●●

"Such baat to ye hai Kashish ke hum dono ko alag karne mein kisine koi kasar nahi chhorha!",

says Sujal in anger.

"Piyush, ne such jaante hue bhi tumse shaadi karne ke liye haan kiya. Vasu aunty ko bhi such pata tha magar paison ke laalach ne unhe andha bana diya.",

says Sujal, spitting venom through his each word.

Kashish cascades her eyes slowly, anger building up inside her.

"Udhar mera apna bhai Rishi!",

he shuts his eyes, controlling his anger, converting his hand into fist, he beats his forehead lightly with it, his fist standing vertically.

Kashish looks towards him, feeling bad for him.

How much she might hate Rishi for the misunderstanding that brewed between Sujal and Kashish, but she can never deny the fact that Sujal and Rishi loved and cared for each other immensely.

"Tumse uski nafrat ki saza mujhe di usne.",

says Sujal.

Kashish cries silently.

●●●●●

"Agar Piyush tumhe pehle hi bata deta ke main tumse pyar karta hoon to shayad tumhe kabhi mere saamne khuli sadak par apne pyar ka izhaar karne ki zaroorat hi nahi parhti.",

says Sujal.

Kashish looks towards Sujal.

"Haan Kashish, wo shuru se jaanta tha. Kyunki chahe jo bhi kehlo usne bachpan se mujhe dekha hai. Mera subse acha dost raha hai kabhi wo. Wo samjhta tha mujhe. Magar tumhare pyar ne usey andha kar diya. Aur kahin na kahin iski wajah Vasu aunty hain.",

says Sujal, spitting venom through his words.

Kashish gets shocked further.

"Vasu aunty bhi ye jaanti theen ke main tumse pyar karta hoon. Sunn li thi unhone meri aur Mumma ki baat jab main Mumma ko bata raha tha ke main tumse pyar karta hoon.",

reveals Sujal.

Kashish couldn't believe her ears.

"Behad ghinoni soch hai unki Kashish!",

says Sujal, his each word uttered slowly, with a high intensity of hatred.

"Kyun?",

asks Kashish, eager to know further.

"Unhe shuru se humara unke saath rehna pasand nahi. Rahejas aur Garewals ka 70-30% ka share division hai. 30 humara hai aur 70 unka. Vasu aunty ko ye pura ghar chahiye tha. Garewals ka naam iss ghar se juda hua na rahe, ye chahti theen humesha se wo. Wo to kabhi chahteen hi nahi thi ke hum sub ek saath ek chhat ke neeche rahein. Wo to Lalit Uncle aur Papa ki marzi ke aagey unki nahi chali. Aur jo 30% share humare naam par tha, uss par bhi unki nazar thi.",

says Sujal.

That comes as a shock for Kashish.

"Ab jab unhe ehsaas hua ke Piyush aur main dono ko hi tumse pyar ho gaya hai, to wo iss baat ko mohra banakar dono parivaaron ke beech darar laana chahti theen.",

he reveals.

Kashish's hatred for Vasu increases with each passing moment.

"Aur wohi hua!",

he exclaims.

Shivers run down Kashish's spine.

"Dono parivaaron ke beech na sahi magar Piyush aur mere beech zaroor darar aa gayi.",

says Sujal.

"Magar na chahte hue bhi wo Papa aur Lalit Uncle ke beech doori nahi la paayin.",

says Sujal, smiling sarcastically.

"Main maanta hoon Kashish ke jab hum hotel mein gaye thein tab subke beech sub kuch theek ho gaya tha, Vasu aunty bhi khush theen subke saath, magar phir bhi kahin na kahin mujhe yahi lagta tha ke ye sub bus dikhawa hai Vasu aunty ka.",

says Sujal.

Kashish feels sad hearing that.

"Such kya tha aur jhoot kya, ye to Vasu aunty ke saath hi chala gaya. Magar mujhe iss baat par bharosa nahi ke humara unke saath ek chhat ke neeche rehna wo accept kar chukin theen.",

he adds further.

Kashish stares at the infinity, wondering.

●●●●●

"Meher kuch to kahiye!",

says Naushad, looking towards her briefly, whilst driving.

Meher stays quiet, never blinking her eyes.

Naushad gets tensed.

"Meher for God's sake kuch kahiye. Iss tarah se apne emotions ko dabakar rakhna sahi nahi hai Meher.",

Naushad tries to make her understand, looking at her briefly, knitting his brows.

"Main Ammi ko kaise sambhalungi?",

asks Meher, never blinking her eyes, without turning to look towards Naushad.

Naushad slowly looks ahead, his brows knit together.

"Wo umeed lagaye baithi hain ke Abbu ayenge.",

she says.

"Kaise kahungi main unse Naushad ke wo ab Abbu ka rasta dekhna chhorh dein? Isse acha to mujhe kabhi such maalom hi nahi chalta.",

she almost starts shouting, crying.

Naushad keeps staring ahead in silence.

"Aapka such janna zaroori tha Meher!",

says Naushad.

"Kab tak aap aur aapka parivaar jhooti aas mein jeete rehtein?",

says Naushad.

Meher vents her emotions.

Naushad stops his car and removes his seatbealt to wrap his arm around Meher to console her. Meher rests her head against his chest, crying hard.

"Main apne parivaar ko ye baat nahi bata paungi Naushad! Nahi bata paungi!",

Meher cries hard.

Naushad rubs his hand on her back a few times, his expression serious, thinking.

●●●●●

Rajveer and Naina return to KMA and enter their room.

Naina sits on the bed crossing her legs such that her left leg is touching the ground and right one is crossed on the left one.

Tilting her head leftwards, she was removing her left earring, when Rajveer reaches her, sitting next to her, he helps her to remove the earring. Naina smiles and gives him space, by removing her hand.

"Rajveer Sir!",

addresses Naina.

"Hmm...",

says Rajveer whilst undoing her earring.

"Kya aapko bharosa hai ke maine sirf aapse pyar kiya hai?",

Naina surprises him by her question.

Rajveer stops abruptly, but doesn't remove his hands, he tears his gaze away from the earring and looks towards Naina, his brows lightly knit.

Rajveer smiles a little, after staring her briefly, then resumes with the work in his hand.

"Ye tum mujhe batao Naina. Kya tumhe yakeen hai ke tumne sirf mujhse hi pyar kiya hai?",

asks Rajveer, smiling.

Naina turns to look towards Rajveer. Rajveer by then succeeds in undoing her earring.

They stare each other.

"Ek pal ke liye shayad Huda ke liye feelings aayi theen. Magar... magar wo crush se zyada kuch nahi tha. Wo peeche parha rehta tha to bus yunhi...",

Naina smiles, assured of her feelings.

Rajveer smiles and nods his head,

"Main jaanta hoon."

"Although Huda ki feelings bilkul genuine thi tumhare liye.",

says Rajveer, smiling.

Naina nods her head. Her smile fades,

"Main janti hoon."

"Magar Abhimanyu....",

Naina turns serious.

Rajveer stares her. Naina stares back.

Shaking her head, she says,

"Maine Abhimanyu ke baare mein aisa kabhi nahi socha."

"Shayad isliye kyunki tumhara dil mere liye jo tumhari nafrat thi usse bhara hua tha.",

says Rajveer.

"Pyar ke liye jagah hi nahi chhori thi tumne.",

smiles Rajveer.

Sitting comfortably, Rajveer asks,

"Magar farz karo Naina agar tumhare aur mere beech wo sub kuch nahi hua hota jo hua, aur tab Abhimanyu se tum milti. To kya tab bhi tum Abhimanyu ke baare mein waisa feel karteen?"

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)

Naina keeps staring him. Her cheeks warm up as she realises that chances are ripe that she would have fallen for him still.

"Believe it or not tum Abhimanyu se kafi impressed thi Naina. Tumhari ankhon mein; tumhare chehre par ye dekh paata tha main.",

says Rajveer.

Naina's cheeks burn out of embarrassment.

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune continues)

●●●●●

"Unki baatein, unki soch kahin na kahin mujhe apni taraf attract kar raheen theen.",

accepts Naina, her eyes down casted.

Rajveer cascades his eyes, smiling sadly.

"Jo sahara main aapse paaya karti thi wo mujhe ab unse milne laga tha. Wo adhoorapan jo aapke jaane se meri zindagi mein aa gaya tha, usey kahin na kahin wo poora karne lage the.",

says Naina, sadly.

"Main kahin nahi gaya tha Naina!",

shouts Rajveer, anger surges through him as he hears her.

Naina's heart skips a beat hearing him.

She stares him shocked.

"Main kahin nahi gaya tha!",

his voice lowers.

"Main wohin tha humesha tumhare paas; tumhare liye. Faasle tumne barhaye mujhse.",

accuses Rajveer.

Naina's eyes brim with tears of guilt.

Naina accepts, nodding her head, feeling guilty.

"I am sorry Sir!",

says Naina, looking towards him.

Rajveer stares her, serious, as he relives whatever he went through.

Taking a deep breath, he forgives her silently, and hugs her tight. Naina hugs him back in desperation, crying further.

Cupping her face with his hands, Rajveer kisses her forehead, followed by kissing her left cheek; then right and hugs her again tight.

Ending the hug Rajveer looks towards her smiling, Naina too smiles a little. Rajveer rubs off her tears. Naina smiles further.

He turns serious. Naina's smile dies too gradually, realising that he is tensed about something.

"Kya hua Rajveer?",

asks Naina, resting her hand on his shoulder.

Without looking towards her, his brows knit together, Rajveer says,

"Naina main uss accident ke baare mein soch raha hoon."

Naina shivers remembering.

"Chalo ab fresh ho jaata hoon main. Phir mujhe zara Brigadier Chandok se bhi milne jaane hai.",

says Rajveer, holding her by her shoulders.

Naina nods her head.

"Haan main bhi phir fresh hokar subse mil leti hoon.",

smiles Naina.

Rajveer nods, smiling.

●●●●●

Naina keeps her earrings inside the cupboard and selects the top and jeans she wants to wear. While selecting, a pile of clothes falls down. Naina sighs and gets down to collect the clothes from the floor; then she folds them back and arrange them properly in the cupboard. While doing so, she discovers  a picture of Rajveer and herself in the cupboard. Picking it up, she smiles staring it, and remembers the moment that they shared with each other. Pulling the drawer, she places the picture properly inside it. As soon as she closes the cupboard suddenly she remembers...

*Flashback*

"Ek pal ke liye bhi, hongey juda na hum!"

They stare each other out of extreme love for each other.

Engrossed in having his moment Rajveer doesn't realise the standing of a man at the middle of the road and when Naina does it was too late!

"Rajvee....r...!!",

shouts Naina, rotating the steering wheel.

Shocked Rajveer applies the break hard allowing the tyre to create screeching noise as it rubs hard against the road.

After a brief moment when they recollect themselves, they quickly turn to look behind.

"Wah...an... wa..han... koi tha!",

says Rajveer, fumbling out of shock.

Naina nods her head in agreement.

Both of them get out of the car to check but find no one. In any moment dusk is about to turn into night. Naina looks here and there. She gets an eerie feeling from the place.

"Raj...vee..r... Sir... chaliye... yahan se please.",

she says.

"Naina, magar ye sub hua kya. Koi tha meri gaadi ke saamne.",

he tries to solve the mystery.

Naina shakes her head and says,

"Mujhe kuch nahi pata! Aap... aap bus chaliye yahan se."

She pulls him and quickly they get into the car.

Inside the car she orders him,

"Jaldi chaliye yahan se."

*Flashback ends*

Naina's smile vanishes immediately. Slowly she walks to the bed and lies down on it. Entwining her fingers, she rests her hands on her tummy.

'Rajveer ko police complain karne se rok kar kya maine theek kiya? Kya such mein wahan koi tha? Koi insaan? Ya humara vehm tha?'

Her eyes open wide, staring the ceiling throughout, as she wonders,

'Ya....'

She feels her body turning stiff out of horror,

'Ya koi tha to sahi, magar... magar hum usey dekh nahi paayein. Koi aisa jo iss lok ka na ho!'

Her rate of heartbeat picks up pace.

The moment the thought comes to her, one particular window panel opens up and hits against the outside wall. The sudden sound of it skips Naina's heartbeat, dragging her out of her thoughts. Naina turns to look towards the window in horror.

She gets shocked upon discovering Vidya, one of her fellow mates standing there in a pink T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

Naina, with her eyes wide opened; her body shivering in shock, slowly gets up, staring her throughout.

"Vi...dya..!",

she utters in shock.

"Hi Naina!",

smiles Vidya, staring her back throughout.

●●●●●

Naina stares Vidya!

After a brief stare Naina runs out of the room in search of anyone who might come to her rescue.

She collides with Rajveer. Rajveer holds her by her upper arms, his brows knit, curious to know what is the matter with her.

"Ra...jve..er... wo... wo wahan Vi...dya...!",

Naina gestures towards their room.

Shivers run down Rajveer's spine hearing Vidya's name. He looks towards their room in horror, uttering in hushed voice,

"Vidya!"

Naina, calming herself down a little, says,

"Wo hai wahan.",

"Vidya yahan kaise ho sakti hai Naina?",

asks Rajveer, unable to believe her.

"Wo thi wahan. Wo mera vehm nahi ho sakta.",

says Naina, desperately to make him believe.

Staring at their room for a brief moment, his brows tightly knit, Rajveer decides to walk into the room.

"Chalkar dekhte hain.",

says Rajveer.

Naina nods her head and walks with him, all alert.

Slowly they walk into the room and discover the lights of the room turned off.

"Ye lights kaise band ho gayeen? Maine to jala hua hi chhorha tha!",

says Naina.

Ferocious wind blows.

In front of their eyes sits Vidya, with her back turned towards them.

They stare her in utter shock.

"Aap log Vidya ko itni jaldi bhool jayenge, Vidya ne ye socha nahi tha!",

says Vidya.

That skips Rajveer and Naina's heartbeat.

Naina holds Rajveer by his upper arm, staring Vidya throughout with her eyes wide opened.

"Vid...ya... tu...m... ya...ha...n?!"

Rajveer, even after asking the question feels that all this is just a dream, which would end soon.

"Haan Vidya! Jiske khayi mein girne ke baad uski body ko dhoondhne ki aap logo ne koshish bhi nahi ki!",

Vidya shouts out loud, glaring them, still sitting at her place.

"Ai...si... ai...si... baat nahi hai Vidya. Humne koshish ki thi dhoondhne ki, magar humein mili nahi.",

says Rajveer.

Naina nods her head.

"Ek baar dhoondhne se agar nahi mili, to uske baad phirse koshish karne ki zaroorat nahi samjhi aapne? Maan liya ke Vidya mar gayi hai?",

shouts Vidya, accusing them of being irresponsible.

Rajveer's and Naina's heart skip a beat each, hearing Vidya.

"Gaadi... gaadi khaayi mein girne ki wajah se dhoondhna mushkil tha Vidya.",

says Rajveer, feeling guilty and apologetical.

"Humari saansein chal raheen theen Major Rajveer!",

shouts Vidya.

Rajveer and Naina stare her in utter shock.

"Agar thodi koshish aur ki hoti aapne to shayad hum bach sakte thein - Vidya aur Captain Randhawa!",

shouts Vidya.

"Aur ab teen saal baad aapne phirse wohi kiya!",

accuses Vidya.

"Apki gaadi se accident hone ke baad, aapne na theek se usey dhoondhne ki koshish ki; aur na police mein complain file ki.",

accuses Vidya.

Naina drowns in the pool of guilt.

Rajveer and Naina stare her in utter shock.

"Tum...he kai...se...",

Rajveer trails off.

"Kyunki wo sub Vidya ne hi kiya tha. Aap logon ne to dhyan diya nahi, magar jisko aapne gaadi se maara, wo koi aur nahi Gunny thein!",

reveals Vidya.

Rajveer's and Naina's heart beat at tremendous pace, respectively.

"Gunny!",

Rajveer exclaims, missing him badly.

"N...ahi... N...ahi... wo Gunny nahi tha!"

says Rajveer, unable to believe her.

"Haan main hi tha Captain!",

Gunny's voice comes as a shock for Rajveer and Naina alike.

They turn to look towards Gunny, who is standing around the window of the room, inclining to the wall, his legs crossed.

Gunny and Rajveer stare each other.

"Kaise hain aap Captain?",

asks Gunny, staring him throughout, serious.

●●●●●

Naushad stops the car in front of Meher's home. Meher stares at her home in shock and keeps staring it.

"Meher!",

Naushad calls her out softly.

"Aaj apne hi ghar ke ander jaane ka mann nahi kar raha.",

says Meher, staring her home.

Naushad looks at her, feeling sorry for her.

"Ammi aur meri behne nahi hain aaj ghar par, phir bhi iss baat ki tassali hai ke wo laut ayenge kal. Magar uss khalipan ko kaise bharun jo Abbu ke such ko jaankar mere dil ke ander, main mehsoos kar rahi hoon?",

says Meher, ever so slowly.

Naushad cascades his eyes having no answer to that.

"Thoda waqt lagega Meher. Dheere-dheere phir aadat parh jayegi.",

says Naushad, his eyes cascaded still.

Meher knits her brows lightly, upon hearing his reply, still staring her house. She cascades her eyes as she realizes that he must be telling it by his experience that he had after Arwa left. She turns to look at him. Naushad looks towards her and smiles a little, in awkwardness.

"Mujhe hospital le chaliye Naushad!",

orders Meher.

That comes as a surprise for Naushad. As a result of which he raises his brows,   staring her throughout.

"Par Meher, hum abhi-abhi aaye hain. Aap jaakar fresh ho jaiye phir....",

Naushad gets cut short by Meher.

"Mujhe ghar nahi jaana Naushad. Main akeli rahungi to dher saari baatein mere dimag mein ghoomengi.",

says Meher, staring Naushad.

Looking in front, staring the steering wheel unconsciously, she says further,

"Abbu ke baare mein sochungi! Ammi ke baare mein sochungi! Kashish ke saath jo kuch bhi hua uske baare mein sochungi!"

Naushad knits his brows and nods his head in understanding.

Looking back towards him, she requests him,

"Please Naushad. Please mujhe hospital le chaliye."

Naushad takes a deep breath and shakes his head. He thinks for a moment and says,

"Nahi!"

Meher's heart sinks hearing that.

"Naushad....",

she sighs.

"Hospital nahi! Agar aap apne ghar jaana nahi chahteen to theek hai, aap mere ghar chaliye!",

says Naushad, clearly.

Meher's heart skips a beat hearing him. She widens her eyes.

"Ma..in... main aapke ghar kaise? Waise bhi abhi raat ho gayi hai....",

Meher cascades her eyes, hesitating.

"So what? Aap mere ghar chaliye wahan jaakar fresh hoyiye. Alia hai, usse miliye. Tab tak main bhi fresh ho jaunga. Phir chalte hain saath mein hospital. Theek hai?",

asks Naushad, raising both of his brows, his chin down, eyes rolled up, staring Meher.

Meher gives it a thought and nods her head in acceptance.

"Good!",

smiles Naushad, a little.

Meher smiles back, a little.

Naushad turns the car and heads towards his home.

●●●●●

Soon they reach his home. Parking the car, whilst undoing the seatbealt, Naushad bends a little and looks towards Alia's room and finds the lights of her room turned on and says,

"Badmaash soyi nahi hai abhi tak."

Meher widens her eyes and laughs a little.

Getting out of the car, Meher whilst closing the door of the car says,

"Ab strict Abbu agar ghar par nahi hai to iss baat ka thoda faida to uthayegi na Abbu ki ladli."

Naushad laughs a little whilst walking to her. He gestures her to walk forth. Meher obliges.

Naushad's eyes gauge Alia's shadow formed on the closed curtain of Alia's room and discovers her pointing her index finger towards someone, wagging it, as if saying something to someone. Curious Naushad wonders who is she talking to!

"Ye... Alia kisse baat kar rahi hai? Jaise kisiko kuch samjha rahi ho.",

says Naushad, residue of the laughter still on his face in form of a little and confused smile.

Meher knits her brows lightly hearing Naushad and turns to look towards Alia's room.

She too gets surprised upon witnessing the same. After wondering for a brief moment she laughs and says,

"Khel rahi hogi."

Naushad looks towards her, his brows knit still. Meher looks towards him and tells him, smiling,

"Bachpan mein jab meri behne nahi huin theen, tab main bhi aise akele akele khela karti thi.",

laughs Meher.

"Oh! Main doctor-doctor khelta tha.",

says Naushad, looking towards Meher, smiling.

Meher raises her brows as if surprised, smiling.

Looking back towards Alia's room, Naushad says,

"I hope Alia bhi doctor-doctor hi khel rahi hai na ke bachchiyan jo khelti hain - ghar-ghar."

Meher rolls her eyes.

"Abhi se uspar mat thopiye Doctor banne ka aapka bukhaar.",

Meher narrows her eyes on him.

Naushad looks towards Meher and says,

"Thop nahi raha. Magar jab Ma-Baap dono hi doctors hain to expect to kar hi sakta hoon ke wo doctor-doctor khele?!",

asks Naushad, holding his waist from either sides, tilting his head leftwards.

Meher laughs and shakes her head, staring him. Naushad smiles back.

"Chalein?",

asks Naushad.

Meher nods her head, smiling and turns to leave. Naushad once again looks towards Alia's room suspeciously, his mood turns serious again.

Naushad rings the bell of his home and discovers that it is not working. He knocks and calls out,

"Raheem Chacha!"

Raheem Chacha quickly opens the door for them.

"Aslamwalakum Naushad beta!",

he gestures a salaam.

"Walekumassalam Raheem Chacha!",

greets back Naushad, smiling.

Meher too wishes Raheem Chacha. Raheem Chacha reciprocates the gesture.

"Naushad beta, mujhe aapse kuch kehna hai!",

says Raheem Chacha in an urgency.

Naushad and Meher look towards him, all serious.

"Haan kahiye na.",

says Naushad.

"Aaj Alia bitiya kuch ajeeb-ajeeb harkatein kar rahi thi.",

says Raheem Chacha, knitting his brows.

Naushad and Meher look towards each other briefly before turning to look back towards Raheem Chacha.

Naushad asks him,

"Ajeeb-ajeeb harkatein?"

Meher too stares him curious and tensed.

"Haan beta!",

Raheem Chacha widens his eyes.

"Aaj khaana khilane ke liye jab uske kamre mein gaya to usne bola ke main ek aur plate le aun. Mujhe laga shayad koi khel khel rahi hogi to uske liye bartan maang rahi hogi. Main kitchen se ek chhota sa plate le aaya. To uss plate ko dekhkar kehne lagi - arey ye to chhoti plate hai, yein itni chhoti plate mein kaise khayengi?",

Raheem Chacha shares it with Naushad.

"Maine bachon ka khel samjhkar mazak-mazak mein pooch liya ke kitni badi hain aapki dost? Aap humein bata dijiye hum unke liye uss hisab se plate le ayenge.",

he says.

"Iss baat ke jawab mein jo Alia bitiya ne kaha, humare pairon taale zameen khisak gayeen.",

Raheem Chacha widens his eyes further out of horror.

"Aisa kya kaha Alia ne Chacha?",

asks Naushad, getting impatient.

Meher too gets curious to know, equally  impatient.

"Unhone kaha....",

looking towards Meher, he says,

"...Meher Didi jitni badi."

Meher trembles a little hearing that. Knitting her brows tighter, she wonders and turns to look towards Naushad. Naushad too looks towards Meher, shocked.

Naushad runs to Alia's room; Meher follows, running behind him.

Naushad pushes the door open of Alia's room. Meher and Raheem Chacha are standing behind him, their respective pair of eyes wide open.

"Alia!",

Naushad calls Alia, his left hand holding the handle of the door and right hand resting on the wall.

Alia turns to look towards Naushad, smiling.

After staring her in silence for a brief moment, controlling his throbbing heart, minding his tone, he tries to be as polite as was possible for him in the given scenario and asks her,

"Kya kar raha hai mera bachcha?"

"Inn ke saath khel rahi hoon.",

says Alia, pointing her left index finger in front of her, her head still turned towards Naushad.

The three of them scan the room with their eyes in shock, but discovers no one there. They slowly walk into the room, lead by Naushad.

"Kiske saath beta?",

asks Naushad, getting to his feet, meanwhile Meher and Raheem Chacha look behind the curtains; in the bathroom, everywhere in the room.

"Apni new friend ke saath.",

says Alia.

Meher turns her head to look towards Alia, her body turned towards the window of the room, she is holding the curtain in between her index finger and middle finger of both the hands.

Naushad and Meher look towards each other briefly in shock.

"Kya naam hai aapke dost ka Alia?",

asks Meher, knitting her brows tight.

"Arwa!",

says Alia.

Shivers run down the spines of Naushad and Meher.

●●●●●

Khalid, sitting in his chair, his elbows resting on the handles and his fingers interwoven, stares Kabeer rolling up his eyes, as he is standing in front of him with his fingers resting on the table; his head tilted leftwards; his brows knit together tightly, staring back Khalid expectantly.

"Mere chehre par 'Main bewakoof hoon' likha hai kya Kabeer?",

asks Khalid, circling his finger in the air - pointing towards his face.

That irks Kabeer! He shuts his eyes briefly. Meanwhile Khalid continues,

"Tum kahoge ke Ananya... humari Ananya ke ander kisi aur ki aatma hai aur main maan loonga? How ridiculous Kabeer!",

he gestures with his hand in a way that asks Kabeer to bring this nonsense to an end.

By the time Khalid ends with the gesture Kabeer had already opened his eyes and witnessed the gesture.

"Khalid listen...",

Kabeer, holding his anger and frustration begins to explain, but gets cut short by Khalid, who, wagging his finger says,

"No! No! No you listen Kabeer."

Kabeer stares him with same expression.

"Main maanta hoon ke maine tumhe paranormal stuffs par reports banane ko; news dikhane ko kaha hua hai magar iska matlab ye nahi ke tum kuch bhi kahoge.",

says Khalid, sternly.

Kabeer beats Khalid's desk with his right hand in frustration whilst shouting,

"Oh come on Khalid! Tumhe lagta hai main abhi mazak kar raha hoon?"

Khalid's heart skips a beat. His eyes open wide. He gets away a little, the four fingers of his right hand rest on his chest; his elbow rested at his desk. He turns silent out of shock for a brief moment.

"Ananya wahan museebat mein hai Khalid.",

says Kabeer, indicating his right index finger towards the ground, his arm stretched backwards, his eyes fixated on Khalid.

"Uski jaan kisi aatma ke vash mein hai. Aur mere paas bus yahi ek raasta hai uski jaan bachane ka ke main usse camere ke saamne laun.",

says Kabeer, his voice turned soft out of helplessness.

"Please understand Khalid. Please understand!",

he pleads.

Shaking his head, Kabeer says, helplessly,

"Ye bhoot, pret, aatmayein jhoot nahi hai ye sub! Jhoot nahi hai!"

Shivers run down Khalid's spine.

He tears his gaze from Kabeer and looks in the infinity in front of him.

"Kabeer ye karke main KKN ke logon ki jaan khatre mein nahi daal sakta!",

says Khalid, looking towards Kabeer after a brief thought.

Kabeer nods his head in understanding.

"Isliye maine socha hai ke technicians ko kahenge camera, lights, sub kuch set kar dein aur Ananya ke aane se pehle hum subko office se chale jaane ko kahenge. Main rahunga kyunki usse baat main karunga. Tum chaho to tum bhi chale jaana.",

says Kabeer, calmly.

Khalid knits his brows tight, staring Kabeer.

"Lekin subse kahenge kya? Kyun bhej rahe hain hum subko wapas aise?",

Khalid puts his query in front of Kabeer.

"Such batayenge hum subko! Kisise kuch chhupaya nahi jayega. Sub pareshan hai Ananya, Ronnie aur Sunny ke liye. Bhaley hi maine khulkar ab tak kisi ko kuch nahi bataya ke Ronnie aur Sunny kahan gaye hain.",

nodding his head he continues,

"Magar main jaanta hoon subko andaza hai ke kya ho raha hai KKN mein!"

Khalid and Kabeer looks towards the infinity.

"Kabeer, mujhe nahi pata tum ye situation kaise handle karoge. Magar main tum par bharosa kar raha hoon. Jaisa tumhe theek lagey waisa karo.",

Khalid gives Kabeer the green signal he desperately needed.

Kabeer and Khalid stare each other. Kabeer nods his head.

●●●●●

"Bilkul nahi Ronnie!",

states Baby clearly, over the phone.

"Hum sub yahin rahenge."

All others too nod their head, respectively, as they hear entire conversation that takes place between Ronnie and Baby, as Baby has her phone on speaker.

"Yaar samjhne ki koshish karo. Ananya kaise react karegi humein kuch nahi pata. Agar usne tum mein se kisi ko nuksaan pohnchane ki koshish ki to?",

says Ronnie, frustrated.

"To bhi koi baat nahi Ronnie. Tumhare saath-saath hum sub Ananya ke dost hain. Ye pura office uska apna hai. Hum museebat mein usey akela nahi chhorenge. Kisi keemat par nahi.",

says Richa, confidently.

"Tum aa jao office. Hum sub intezaar kar rahe hain iss situation se saath mein deal karne ke liye hum sub ready hain.",

states Richa.

All others nod their heads.

Ronnie and Sunny look towards each other, in helplessness.

●●●●●

Vikram slowly pushes the door open of Vivaan's room and discovers him sleeping on his stomach; his face turned to the left, crying.

"Mumma doesn't love me!",

he says, whilst crying.

Vikram smiles a little and shakes his head at Vivaan's innocence.

"Agar mere Dad hotein to wo mujhse bohot pyar kartein. Wo mujhe aise dant-te bhi nahi.",

Vivaan cries further.

That vanishes Vikram's smile.

"Mere Dad mere paas kyun nahi hai God?",

asks Vivaan.

Vikram's heart clenches hearing him.

"Kyunki aapka dost Vikky apke paas hai!"

Vikram's voice startles Vivaan. He widens his eyes in surprise and quickly gets up to look towards Vikram who has already entered the room.

Vivaan doesn't understand why he gets an urge to hug his friend Vikky. He gets on his knees, still on his bed and opens his arms for Vikram. Vikram reaches him immediately embraces Vivaan into a warm hug. Vikram gets emotional while hugging him.

"Vikram kya tumhe bura lagta hai jab main tumhe Vikram bulata hoon?",

asks Vivaan, innocently, still hugging Vikram.

Vikram smiles silently. Then in a sad tone says,

"Haan bohot bura lagta hai."

Vivaan's heart sinks hearing Vikram.

Vivaan ends the hug and stares Vikram innocently, feeling guilty.

"Maine to socha tha mera dost mujhe koi nickname dega. Doston mein to ye sub chalta hai na?",

says Vikram, acting to be sad about it.

"Jaise tumhari Mumma tumhe Viv bulati hain. Isiliye to kyunki tum unke best friend ho!",

Vikram tries to mend the situation between Vivaan and Nitya.

"Mummy mujhe pyar nahi karteen.",

hurt Vivaan shakes his head, cascading his eyes.

Holding Vivaan by his upper arms, smiling a little, Vikram says,

"Nahi beta, aapki Mumma duniya mein subse zyada aapse pyar karteen hain."

Vivaan still doesn't accept.

Shaking his head he says,

"Nahi subse zyada pyar wo Karan uncle se karteen hain."

His words succeed in vanishing the smile from Vikram's face.

Standing outside the room, hiding behind the wall, Nitya, who was overhearing the conversation between the two, shivers in shock hearing Vivaan's reply.

●●●●●

Vikram gets out of his shock state and focuses back on Vivaan, smiling he asks,

"Mumma aapke har sukh-dukh ka khyal rakhteen hain na Vivaan?"

"Aapko kisi baat ki kami na ho iss baat ka poora dhyan rakhteen hain. Mumma ghanto-ghanto restaurant mein rehkar kaam karteen hain. Kabhi kabar to raat ko aapke sone se pehle wo aapse mil bhi nahi pateen, right?",

asks Vikram, politely.

Vivaan nods his head, staring Vikram throughout, his each word hitting Vivaan right! Vivaan feels as if Vikram is wording his feelings.

"To wo kyun itni mehnat karteen hain? Kya unhe pasand hai aapse duur rehna?",

asks Vikram, narrowing his eyes on Vivaan, smiling a little.

Vivaan shakes his head.

"Aapke liye karti hain wo mehnat. Taaki aapko kisi baat ki kami na ho. Aapka school fee samay par deposit ho jaaye. Aapke liye wo new-new dress khareed paayein. Aur jo kuch bhi aapko pasand ho wo sub aapko de paayein. To agar aapke liye wo itna sochti hain, to ye kaise ho sakta hai ke Mumma aapse pyar nahi karteen?",

asks Vikram, smiling.

Nitya's heart clenches hearing Vikram's reply. She looks towards the room, although not appearing in front of it. She never imagined that Vikram would be so good at dealing with kids. She craves for Vikram's presence in her life. To get her entire family back in the form of Vikram's and Vivaan's presence by her side. She never had any hope earlier but now she craves for it! Her eyes turn teary. She rests her hand on her mouth to hide her sobs.

Controlling her emotions, Nitya, still hiding, peeps into the room to get a glimpse of Vikram and Vivaan, that she knows would stay with her forever.

Vivaan gestures Vikram to get down to him. Vikram knits his brows and does as he say. Vivaan whispers in Vikram's ear, covering with his right hand,

"Mummy bahar khadi hokar humari baatein sunn raheen hain."

Vikram widens his eyes and looks towards Vivaan making an 'O' with his mouth.

"Ye to galat baat hai. Kisiki baatein aise chhup-chhupkar sunte hain kya?",

asks Vikram, loud and clear, standing straight, holding his waist from either sides, his brows knit together as if disappointed.

Nitya's heart skips a beat and she sticks her tongue out a little, keeping it clenched lightly in between her teeth. Her eyes widened. Slowly, nervously, she appears in front of them, standing at the threshold of the room. Vikram and Vivaan stare her, knitting their brows, respectively.

Nitya, slowly, innocently, holds her ears and apologizes,

"I am sorry!",

and stares them innocently.

Vivaan by now has mirrored Vikram's gesture, his hands too holding his waist and brows knit in disappointment.

Vikram and Vivaan, keeping their expression intact on their faces look towards each other.

Vikram asks him,

"Kya kehte ho partner, maaf kar dein gunehgaar ko?"

"Kar dete hain partner...",

says Vivaan, mirroring Vikram's strict tone.

Changing his tone to an innocent, smiling shyly, rubbing his hand on his tummy, Vivaan says,

"...warna mujhe khaana nahi milega."

Nitya laughs a little, her eyes still teary. Vikram too laughs hearing Vivaan. Vivaan laughs too. Vikram embraces Vivaan into a warm hug and rests his left cheek against Vivaan's right, closing his eyes he feels the warmth of Vivaan. Vivaan reciprocates the gesture.

Tears roll down Nitya's eyes. She gets an urge to hug both of them together. She even takes a step towards them but immediately realizes and her smile vanishes. She feels the knot in her throat. Tears roll down further. She smiles at them, her heart filled with love for both of them.