While returning home Meher stops at a corner and lets her overwhelming emotions to flow in the form of tears. She misses her father and her entire family so much. Looking heavenwards she cries harder.

"Kyun Abbu? Kyun chale gayein aap hum subko akela chhorkar?",

Meher cries further, shutting her eyes tight.

●●●●

Reaching home Meher unlocks the door. Slowly stepping inside, Meher looks all around and thinks, still crying,

'Aaj ye ghar kitna soona-soona lag raha hai. Waise to aap humare saath nahi rehte the Abbu, magar phir bhi aapko apne saath hi mehsoos karte thein hum sub.'

Fresh tears roll down her cheeks non-stop. She walks to the dining table and reaches the chair which they have allotted to her father and holds it.

'Ammi aapke chair par kisi ko baithne nahi deteen. Kitni umeed thi aapke laut aane ki.'

'Kaise kahungi unse ke wo ab umeed chhor dein? Ke aap ab kabhi nahi ayenge iss ghar mein?',

Meher looks heavenwards in order to control her emotions, but fails miserably.

Meher walks to her Ammi's room and looks towards the side of the bed where her Abbu would sleep. She cries further.

"I miss you Abbu! I miss you a lot!",

she says, whilst crying.

Picking up the frame containing their family picture, Meher rotates her hand on it lovingly, crying throughout. This goes on for around one and a half hours after which Meher realises that she has to get out of this situation. Rubbing off her tears, she says,

"Nahi! Main aise nahi reh sakti. Mujhe... mujhe iss sadme se aagey barhna hoga. Tabhi....",

her eyes again well up with tears,

"Tabhi main Ammi aur baki subko sambhal paungi.",

she cries again, briefly.

Wiping away her tears, she gets up and decides to take a shower and get ready.

●●●●●

Reaching in front of the hospital she stares at the name of the hospital and takes a deep breath, clearing her mind one last time and plastering a smile on her face Meher steps into the hospital.

Meher checks Aafreen's report and sits on a chair beside Aafreen's bed. Aafreen's parents already sitting there in front of her.

"Aap mujhe zara shuru se bataiye ke ye sub kaise hua.",

says Meher, calmly.

"Doctor ye sub tabse shuru hua hai jabse Aafreen pichle hafte school se picnic ke liye gayi thi.",

says her mother, tensed.

"Picnic! Kahan gayi thi picnic ke liye?",

asks Meher, attentive.

"Kuch monuments dikhane ke liye le gaye the school se sub bachchon ko. Aafreen ka bada mann tha ke wo bhi jaaye.",

says her mother.

"Phir?",

asks Meher.

"Iski saheliyon se maine poocha to unhone bataya ki sub bachchiyan khel raheen theen ball se ke achanak Aafreen ek perh ki taraf dekhne lagi."

Meher gets alert and knits her brows tight.

"Kya tha wahan?",

asks Meher, curious.

"Aafreen ke doston ne jab usse poocha ke wo kya dekh rahi hai to usne 'kuch nahi' keh kar baat taal di aur phirse subke saath khelne lagi.",

she says.

"Khelte-khelte ball usi ped ki taraf jakar ruk gayi. Aafreen ne jakar ball uthaya aur wohin khadi hokar perh ki taraf dekhne lagi."

Meher imagines the entire scenario.

"Uske doston ne jab usey bulaya to usne bina unki taraf murhe ball ko unki taraf fenk diya. Sub bachche ball milte hi khelne lagey. Magar Nausheen ko Aafreen ka aisa karna thoda atpata laga.",

she says.

"Nausheen?",

asks Meher.

"Aafreen ki class mein parhti hai.",

says her mother.

Meher nods her head in understanding.

"To Nausheen ne peeche se jaakar Aafreen ko bulaya magar Aafreen to maano kuch sunn hi nahi pa rahi thi.",

says her mother, her voice shakes.

Meher rests her hand on Aafreen's mother's hand.

"Nausheen ne mujhe bataya ke jaise hi Aafreen peeche murhi uske chehre par gussa saaf nazar aa raha tha. Aafreen bohot hi shant bachchi hai. Nausheen ne kaha ke usne uska ye roop usse pehle kabhi nahi dekha tha.",

cries her mother.

Her husband gives strength to her.

"Uss din jab wo ghar aayi tab bhi kafi gumsum thi. Picnic se aane ke baad bachey jaise khush nazar aate hain, waisa kuch nahi dekh payi main uske chehre par.",

her mother remembers.

"Mujhe laga shayad kisi dost se shayad koi larhayi ho gayi ho magar mere poochne par bhi Afreen ne mujhe kuch nahi bataya.",

says her mother.

"Khaana khaane ko kaha to khaana bhi nahi kha rahi thi. Mujhe Aafreen ki har harkat badi ajeeb si lag rahi thi. Jaise wo meri Aafreen ho hi na.",

she says.

Meher listens to her with proper interest.

"Bina khaye wo dopahar ko so gayi. Shaam ko uske tuition jaane ka waqt hua to main usey uthane ke liye gayi, uska badan chhua to uska poora badan bukhar se tap raha tha!"

"Maine turant uska temperature check karke usey dawayi de di. Tuition nahi bheja phir maine."

"Maine usey kaha ke main Sir ko phone karke bata deti hoon ke tu aaj class nahi aa rahi. Tabhi achanak uske Sir ka call aa gaya. Mobile mere haath mein tha, jaise hi maine usse kaha ke Sir ka call aaya hai, usne iss tarah mujhse mobile liya maano pata nahi kiska call aaya ho. Maine usey uss din se pehle kabhi iss tarah karte nahi dekha.",

she says, wondering.

Meher too wonders!

"Phir?",

she asks.

"Waise to wo apne Sir se mere saamne bhi baat kar leti thi. Magar uss din usne pehle mujhe room se bahar jaane ko kaha. Usne intezaar kiya ke main room se nikal jaun aur darwaaza band kar doon, uske baad usne apne Sir se baat ki.",

she says.

"Kya kaha Sir se?",

asks Meher, anxious.

"Band darwaze se to mujhe ache se kuch sunai nahi diya. Magar uske phone rakhne ke baad maine iske Sir ko phone milaya aur poocha ke kya baat ki usne unse. To unhone bataya ke baat to wo class ki hi kar rahi thi. Pooch rahi thi ke usey ek concept samjh nahi aaya hai to kya wo raat ko sarey tuitions khatam ho jaane ke baad usey extra class de sakte hain?",

her mother stares Meher, widening her eyes.

Meher widens her eyes too, out of shock.

"Meri beti aisi nahi hai. Main jaanti hoon usey ache se. Ma hoon main uski. Meri beti aisi nahi hai.",

cries her mother, folding her hands in front of Meher.

Her husband consoles her.

Meher holds her hands and shakes her head, asking her to not fold her hands in front of her. Her mother cries further.

Meher wonders, looking away, holding her hands still.

●●●●●

After lights out, Naina walks to and fro in her room thinking about everything that Vidya had said. She turns to look towards the bed and finds Pooja sleeping. She remembers how she insisted on sleeping with Pooja this night, hence Ali and Rajveer are sharing room with each other.

Sitting on the bed, resting her back against the pillow, Naina wonders,

'Kya karun jaakar dekhun library mein?',

she sits straight.

'Agar Rajveer ko pata chala ke main iss baare mein soch rahi hoon to pakka gussa honge!',

she thinks, frustrated.

'Magar main janna chahti hoon ke uss letter mein kya hai!',

she falls in dilemma.

She gets up to leave, and the electricity fails immediately.

"Light chali gayi?!",

exclaims Naina, looking up towards the tubelight.

Her heart skips a beat when the door of the room closes softly. Naina immediately turns to look towards the door, her brows knit together. She walks towards the door and pulls the handle to open it and gets shocked upon discovering it locked. Naina looks towards the door in horror and tries to open it twice... thrice. Vidya's words immediately strike her and she gets away from the door slowly, staring it throughout with her eyes wide opened. Vidya and Gunny were right, this is an obstacle planted by the spirits on her way! This instead of dimishing her morale, makes her determined. She again pulls the handle of the door out of anger but the result doesn't change.

She doesn't understand what occurs to her that she slowly gets closer to the door and asks,

"Koi hai?"

Deep down she knows that someone, though not a human, is surely there!

When she doesn't receive any answer from the other side, she again tries to open the door, this time the door opens. That comes as a surprise for Naina. She slowly pulls the door; her eyes wide opened. There in front of her eyes stands a man at a distance. The inavailablity of light makes it impossible for Naina to see the face of the man. She asks, tilting her head to the right,

"Kon?"

He walks to his left. It seems he hasn't heard Naina.

Naina wonders where is he going especially when there is nothing but darkness all around. She runs back and illuminates a candle, placing it on a candle stand, she walks quickly to catch the man and know what is he up to. The moment she reaches him, he vanishes into the thin air. Naina stares towards the infinity in shock. It really happened, he vanished, who was there right in front of her eyes few seconds ago. She trembles in horror.

Naina decides to forget the situation and focuses on her task, taking it as her delusion.

She walks towards the library. With each step that she takes towards the library she feels she is being followed. She turns every now and then to check for anyone who is following her, with the help of the candlelight but discovers no one. Her heart throbs inside her chest not only because of the darkness but also because of her constant feeling of the presence of someone there whom  she is unable to see.

She enters the library. This is the first time that she is witnessing such darkness in the library; and first time she is there all alone! This terrifies her. She gives it another thought, does she really want to do this? Gunny's and Vidya's faces float in front of her eyes and she decides that she will definitely do it for them.

She slowly walks forth, her eyes opened wide. She, in the candlelight, begins to read the titles of the books. The silence of the library for the first time gives her an eerie feeling. Is it practically possible for her to check each and every book and search for the letter? - she shakes her head, thinking. She feels the presence of someone behind her. Her rate of heartbeat picks up pace. She slowly rotates her eyes to the right. She could hear her own heartbeat.

She surely saw someone walked past her.

"Tum... tum jo koi bhi ho main tumse darti nahi hoon samjhe!",

shouts Naina and turns her head to make sure that no one is there.

She waits for some reaction, but gets none. Slowly she again faces in front and pulls out a book which immediately falls from her hand upon discovering a wounded soldier standing in front of her, across the bookshelf. His face looks dirty. And his left cheek bears a long mark of cut.

He vanishes after staring Naina for a brief moment. Naina's chest expands and contracts in quick succession. She begins to feel dizzy.

She looks here and there.

"K... kon hai yahan?",

she asks whilst trying to control her throbbing heart.

The candle she is carrying in her hand extinguishes when someone blows it off. She surely can feel someone's presence right in front of her.

"M..mujhe... mujhe... jaa...ne do...",

Naina could no longer keep her horror in her control.

She turns and begins to run to get out of the library. She could feel being followed.

Before she could reach the exit point of the library she gets pushed hard and falls unconscious on the floor!

A shadow walks over Naina's unconscious body and leaves the library peacefully!

●●●●●

"Jis tarah ka haadsa tumhare saath hua, waisa haadsa humare parivaar mein pehli baar nahi hua Kashish!",

says Sujal.

That comes as a shock for Kashish.

"Ma...tlab?",

asks Kashish, widening her eyes.

"Ye baat tabki hai jab Anu aunty ko pata chala ki wo Ma banne wali hain. Piyush hone wala tha.",

says Sujal, knitting his brows tight.

"Piyush ke hone se pehle bhi ek baar Anu aunty pregnant huin theen, magar unka miscarriage ho gaya tha.",

says Sujal.

Kashish knits her brows tighter.

"Iss baat ke paanch saal baad Anu aunty phirse pregnant huin. Inn paanch saalon mein shayad kisine iss baat par dhyan nahi diya ke unke miscarriage ka unhe gehra sadma laga hai.",

Sujal feels sorry for Anu aunty, so does Kashish.

"Wo unhe jo medicines doctor ne prescribe ki theen unka kabhi-kabhi overdose bhi le liya karti theen. Unhe agar kisi medicine ke side effects bhi nazar aate thein to wo apne doctor ko iss baare mein kuch nahi batati theen. Doctors ko lagta tha ke shayad unki body theek se react kar rahi hai medicines ko isliye kabhi change karne ki baat bhi nahi aayi."

"Doctors ke saath kayi sessions wo miss kar deti theen. Shuru-shuru mein to unke husband unhe pyar se samjhate thein magar jab ye har baar hone laga ke wo appointments miss karne lageen to dono mein arguments hone lagein."

"Jaise-jaise din beet-ta gaya waise-waise Anu aunty hallucinate karne lageen. Unhe lagne laga maano unke ghar mein unn dono ke alawa bhi koi rehta hai."

That comes as a shock for Kashish. Her heart skips a beat and begins to beat at a high pace.

"Kya?!",

she exclaims.

"Kya koi tha?",

she asks in curiosity.

Sujal shakes his head.

"Unke husband ne bohot baar dhoondha sirf Anu aunty ki tassalli ke liye, magar koi hota to unhe milta na. Koi nahi tha.",

says Sujal.

"Piyush to ho gaya magar Anu aunty ki tabiyat aur bigadti gayi. Wo ajeeb-ajeeb baatein karne lageen.",

says Sujal.

"Ye CD jo tumhare haath lagi, aisi na jaane kitni CDs theen. Hospital ke unke kamre mein camere lage rehte the sirf isliye taaki unki harkaton ko monitor kar sakein. Wo achanak raat ko uth jaaya karti theen aur ajeeb-ajeeb baatein karne lagti theen.",

says Sujal, getting anxious.

"Kaisi baatein?",

asks Kashish, equally anxious.

Sujal looks towards Kashish in horror and says,

"Wo kisi jagah ka naam lekar bolti theen ke unhe wahan chhorh aaye koi, unhe hospital mein acha nahi lag raha."

Kashish stares him constantly.

"Kamal ki baat ye thi ke uss jagah ka naam kisine nahi suna tha! Unhe uss jagah ke baare mein kaise pata chala kisiko samjh nahi aata tha."

Sujal and Kashish stare each other.

"Kabhi-kabhi wo raat ko uthkar rone lagti theen. Poochne par ke kya hua, wo kuch nahi kehti theen, bus roti rehti theen. Phir khud chup ho jaati theen aur so jaati theen, jaise kuch hua hi na ho."

Kashish gets goosebumps! So does Sujal, even though he himself is narrating it!

"Kayi baar kuch CDs doctor unke husband ke ghar bhej dete thein taaki wo unn CDs ko dekhkar ye bata sakein ki kya koi baat aisi hai jis baare mein wo jaante hon, jisse iss case ko aasani se suljhaya ja sakey. Kabhi koi chhoti baat pata chalti thi to kabhi koi. Jo bhi ho unke husband har baat aakar doctor ko bata dete thein. Uss hisab se phir doctor apne treatment ko change karte rehte thein.",

says Sujal.

"Kabhi wo raat ko uthkar baat karne lagti theen jaise... jaise unke saamne koi ho jisey sirf wo hi dekh pa raheen ho.",

he says.

Kashish rests her hand on her chest, her heart throbbing inside her chest out of fear.

"Medicines par medicines change hote rahein magar unn par koi asar nahi ho raha tha.",

Sujal shakes his head.

"Ab tension iss baat ki hone lagi ke Piyush ko kaise sambhala jaaye. Anu aunty ke husband ko to hospital mein rehna parhta tha. Waise to ek lady thi jo Piyush ka dhyan rakhti thi magar Piyush ko Ma ki mamta ki zaroorat thi.",

says Sujal.

Kashish nods her head in understanding. That reminds her of the moment when she lost her mother and she realised in such tender age that she had to provide the motherly love to her younger siblings.

"Vasu aunty jab Anu aunty se milne gayeen tab Piyush ke liye unke dil mein mamta jag uthi aur unhone Anu aunty ke husband se poocha ke kya wo Piyush ko apne saath le jaa sakti hain taaki uske paalan-poshan mein koi kami na rahe. Pankaj uncle ko bhi yahi theek laga to unhone Piyush ko Vasu aunty ko saump diya.",

says Sujal.

"Idhar Vasu aunty ko bachcha nahi ho raha tha. Aise mein Piyush ko paakar unhe to jaise zindagi mein sub kuch mil gaya.",

he says.

"Anu aunty ki tabiyat mein koi change nahi aa rahi thi. Wo jab-tab kuch bhi bolti. Ajeeb-ajeeb baatein jo koi nahi samjh paata tha. Kuch waqt baad khabar aayi ke Anu aunty chal basi."

Kashish covers her mouth with both of her hands.

"Ye wohi waqt tha jab Lalit uncle aur Papa ki saalon baad mulakat hui.",

says Sujal.

Kashish gets alert.

"Papa aur Lalit uncle college se ek dusre ko jaante the aur bohot gehri dosti thi unn mein. Magar college ke baad unka koi connection nahi raha. Jaise-taise Papa ko Lalit uncle ka number mila aur dono contact mein aaye. Unse jab baat hui tab unhone Anu aunty ke baare mein bataya. Tab Papa ne Lalit uncle ko unke purey parivar ke saath apne paas bula liya. Main bhi tabhi hua tha. Piyush se bus kuch maheene barha hoon main. Main aur Piyush dono humumr the iss wajah se Vasu aunty aur Mumma ke beech bhi achi khasi dosti ho gayi. Dono hum dono ka puri tarah khyal rakhteen. Bus isi tarah hum dono parivaar saath rehne lagein.",

says Sujal.

"Piyush aur mere hone ke do (2) saal baad Mumma dusri baar aur Vasu aunty pehli baar pregnant hue.",

he says.

Smiling, remembering fondly, he says,

"Rishi aur Varun hone wale thein."

Kashish too smiles, sadly, missing them.

"Tabse Vasu aunty ka pyar Piyush ke liye aur barh gaya. Wo Piyush ko apne liye lucky manne lagi kyunki itne saalon se koshish karne ke baad bhi unhe bachcha nahi ho raha tha. Magar Piyush ke aate hi unka khudka bachcha ho gaya.",

says Sujal.

Kashish cascades her eyes, thinking.

"Varun ke hone ke che (6) maheene baad Vasu aunty phirse pregnant hui abki baar Sanjana hone wali thi. Idhar Rishi bhi ho chuka tha.",

Sujal smiles wide.

Kashish smiles too.

"Ghar ka mahaul khushnuma rehta tha. Inn sub baaton ke beech kisi ka unn CDs par dhyan nahi gaya jo Anu aunty ke hospital ki CDs theen.",

says Sujal, turning serious again.

Kashish too gets serious.

"Ek roz jab ghar par koi nahi tha siwaye Vasu aunty, Piyush aur Varun ke, tab Vasu aunty ko achanak Anu aunty ki yaad aayi to unhone wo CD chalakar dekhi. Unn dino wo pregnant theen.",

says Sujal.

Kashish's rate of heartbeat picks up pace.

"Video dekhte hue na jaane kyun unhe aisa mehsoos hua maano koi unke peeche se guzra.",

says Sujal.

Kashish widens her eyes again.

"Unhone turant murhkar dekha. Magar koi nahi tha. Unhone apna vehm samjhkar iss baat ko taal diya. Phir to maano aise incidents hote hi chaley gaye. Kabhi Lalit uncle raat ko kisi aurat ke rone ki awaz se uth jaate; to kabhi Papa ki neend der raat ko toot jaati kisike darwaze ke khatkhatane ki awaz se. Jakar dekhne par koi nahi hota darwaze par."

"Vasu aunty ka ye pregnancy period unke liye bohot mushkil raha inn sub haadson ki wajah se.",

says Sujal, knitting his brows tight.

Kashish too wonders.

"Shayad yahi wajah hai ke aaj bhi Sanjana se koi zara zor se baat karde to wo darr jaati hai.",

says Sujal.

Kashish realises that he is absolutely right she does get scared easily.

Laughing a little, Sujal says,

"Bachpan mein kabhi-kabhi main Sanjana ko peeche se jaakar dara deta tha. Wo mujhse larhne lagti thi. Purey din baat nahi karti thi."

Kashish laughs too.

Getting serious, feeling sorry for Sanjana, he says,

"Tab main ye nahi samjh paata tha ke uske dil mein itni dehshat kis baat ki hai."

Kashish turns serious and cascades her eyes, feeling bad for Sanjana.

"Jaise-jaise badey hote gaye hum, aur Sanjana ke hone ke waqt ki baatein mujhe pata chali, to maine sub kuch relate karna shuru kiya aur mujhe bura laga Sanjana ke liye. Tabse maine usey darana chhorh diya.",

says Sujal.

Kashish nods her head.

"Mumma kehti hain main beech raat zor-zor se rone lagta tha unn dino. Main waise bohot shant bachcha tha. Tab tak itna bada to ho gaya tha ke iss tarah na roun. Waise bhi maine pehle din se hi kabhi Mumma ko pareshan nahi kiya tha magar inn dino to jaise maine thaan li thi ke kisiko sone nahi dunga. Mujhse poocha jaata tha ke kya hua hai mujhe, magar main kisiko ye samjha nahi paata tha ke mere rone ki asli wajah kya hai! Darasal main khud bhi nahi janta tha.",

Sujal turns silent.

Kashish rests her hand on his shoulder, knitting her brows tight.

"Sanjana ke hone ke baad grihshanti ke liye hawan rakha gaya. Jin pandit ko bulaya gaya tha unhone aate hi keh diya tha ke humare ghar mein koi nakaratmat shakti hai. Iss baat ka shaq Vasu aunty aur Mumma ko pehle se hi tha magar Lalit uncle aur Papa usey unka vehm samjhkar unhe chup kara dete the.",

says Sujal.

"Grihshanti ki puja ke baad sub shant ho gaya. Papa ne uss CD ko bhi bahar phenk diya. Subko laga sub kuch theek ho gaya hai. Magar agli subah newspaper ke beech wo CD phirse ghar ke ander daakhil ho gayi!",

Sujal smiles sarcastically.

Shivers run down Kashish's spine.

"Wo CD jo Papa ne tod kar phenk di thi!",

reveals Sujal.

Kashish stares him in utter disbelief!

"Uss raat Mumma ke sapne mein Anu aunty aayin aur unhe chetawani dete hue kaha ke agar uss CD ko ghar se bahar phenka unhone to pura parivaar tabah ho jaayega.",

says Sujal.

"Oh god!",

exclaims Kashish.

"Tabse ye CD yahin hai magar isey koi nahi dekhta. Kyunki aisa maana jaata hai ki jab Rishi eighth ninth mein tha tab uske haath ye CD lagi thi tab usne  dekha tha aur phir Rishi ko ajeeb-ajeeb sapne aane lagey. Mumma ne Pandit ko dikhaya. Ghar par hawan karwayi tab jaakar sub kuch normal hua. Isse ek baat to saaf ho gayi thi ke iss CD ko dekhna humare liye safe nahi hai.",

says Sujal.

"Ab kya hoga Sujal?",

asks Kashish, terrified.

"Ab hum bus intezaar hi kar sakte hain Kashish, kuch hone ka!",

says Sujal, helplessly.

Kashish's tension increases.

●●●●●

The Baba shouts, reaching Kabeer,

"Main kehta hoon saamne aa!"

All of them stare Kabeer in shock, wondering what will he say and how will he react.

The Baba stares unconscious Ananya supported by Kabeer.

"Kya hua hai isey?",

asks the Baba, his voice urgent.

"Subah se kuch khaya nahi tha isliye... isliye behosh hokar gir gayi.",

says Kabeer.

The Baba rests his hand on Ananya's forehead and chants a mantra, his eyes closed.

Opening them, he looks into Kabeer's eyes and says,

"Jhoot bol raha hai tu!"

That comes as a shock for all of them.

"Ye kisi aur aatma ke vash mein thi.",

says the Baba, angry.

"Aa mere saamne dusht aatma!",

shouts the Baba.

"Aa tujhe main apne qaid mein karun!",

he shouts further.

But he doesn't get any reaction from any unknown entity.

"Dekha koi nahi hai. Aap... aap please chale jaiye.",

Kabeer folds his hands in front of the Baba and requests him.

The Baba looks all around and then looking back towards Kabeer, he points his index finger towards Kabeer and warns him,

"Tu ye bohot galat kar raha hai, mujhe yahan se bhejkar."

All of them especially Khalid gets scared hearing that.

"Kabeer.... ek baar... unki baat to....",

Khalid tries to convince Kabeer.

But Kabeer gestures with his hand to stop speaking, staring the Baba throughout,

"Nahi Khalid. Mujhe inki madad ki zaroorat nahi."

Khalid could say nothing after that.

The Baba leaves whilst uttering, his back turned towards them,

"Bhagwan tumhara bhala kare."

He leaves.

"Ananya! Ananya!",

Kabeer pats her cheek in quick successions but Ananya stays unconscious.

"Mujhe lagta hai Ananya ko hospital le jaana hoga.",

says Kabeer.

"Main bhi chalta hoon Kabeer.",

says Khalid.

"Sir main bhi chalun?",

offers Ronnie.

"Khalid, in fact main aur Ronnie jaate hain. Tum yahin raho.",

says Kabeer.

"Agar humein tumhari zaroorat hogi to hum tumhe bata denge.",

he says.

Khalid nods his head.

"Please jaldi le jao Ananya ko hospital Kabeer.",

says Khalid.

Kabeer nods his head.

●●●●●

Kabeer and Ronnie reach a nearby hospital. They explain everything to the doctor. Ananya gets admitted. After eight hours, during which Ananya got treated and was kept under observation, the doctor informs Kabeer that they tried their best but Ananya is not responding to their treatment. The doctor recommends him to shift Ananya to Rizvi's hospital.

Kabeer does as asked. The hospital provides ambulance and shifts Ananya to Rizvi's hospital. Ananya gets admitted.

Naushad gets informed about Ananya's admission. He immediately reaches hospital.

Kabeer and Naushad shake hands and Naushad immediately gets into Ananya's room to examine her.

After the treatment, Naushad comes out and informs Kabeer,

"Maine injection de dia hai. Let's see patient kaise respond karta hai. Uske baad hi hum kuch keh payenge."

Kabeer gets frustrated and grabs Naushad's collars and shouts at him,

"What do you mean uske baad hi hum kuch keh payenge? Mujhe meri Ananya sahi salamat chahiye. Hosh mein laiye usey."

"Mr. Kabeer! Ye kya kar rahe hain aap? Sambhaliye apne aapko."

says Naushad, pissed off, holding Kabeer's hands to get out of his hold.

"Kuch nahi hona chahiye meri Ananya ko, samjhe aap?",

shouts Kabeer, frustrated.

Ronnie tries to stop him, holding him by his upper arms,

"Sir... Sir please aap shant ho jaiye."

"Ronnie batao inhe ke maine kitni mushkil se Ananya ko paya hai. Main usey phirse khone ke baare mein soch bhi nahi sakta!",

says Kabeer in desperation, looking towards Ronnie.

"Ji! Ji Sir! Main baat karta hoon. Aap shant ho jaiye.",

says Ronnie.

Kabeer sets Naushad free.

"Dekhiye Kabeer ji main aapke juzbaat samjhta hoon. Magar ye case... ye case normal case nahi hai. Unke ander koi aatma thi. Ab uss aatma ne unke shareer mein rehkar kitna nuksaan kiya hai ye koi nahi bata sakta. Isliye main ye bhi nahi keh pa raha ke Ms. Ananya kab tak dawaiyon ko respond karengi aur unhe hosh aayega. Aise cases abhi mere paas aane lage hain. Zyada tajurba to nahi aise cases ko handle karne ka magar ye challenge hai mere liye mere dono cases.",

says Naushad.

"Dono?",

asks Kabeer, knitting his brows, curious.

"Haan ek aur case hai, Ms. Aafreen ka. Uss kamre mein admitted hain wo.",

Naushad indicates towards the room. Kabeer looks towards the room and nods his head.

Naushad pats Kabeer's back and assures him that Ananya will be alright and leaves.

●●●●●

Kabeer turns his face and looks towards Aafreen's room. His brows knitted tight. He considers meeting the patient.

"Ronnie tum Ananya ke saath rehna main abhi aata hoon.",

says Kabeer, without turning to look towards Ronnie.

"Magar Sir aap ja kahan rahe hain?",

asks Ronnie, concerned.

"Ye jo dusra case hai yahan, unse milne.",

says Kabeer.

"Sir sambhal kar rahiyega. Ananya ne jo kuch bhi kiya usey dekhkar aisa lagta to nahi mujhe ke aapka wahan jaana chahiye.",

he looks towards Aafreen's room.

"Magar agar aap jaa rahe hain to, please be safe.",

says Ronnie.

Kabeer turns to look towards Ronnie and nods his head.

●●●●●

Kabeer reaches Aafreen's room and finds Meher standing there with her back turned towards the door and Aafreen's parents are sitting next to Aafreen on her either sides.

"Hello. Kya main Aafreen se mil sakta hoon?",

asks Kabeer politely.

Meher knits her brows lightly wondering who is it and turns to look towards Kabeer.

"Namaste. Main Kabeer hoon KKN channel se.",

Kabeer introduces himself.

As soon as he utters KKN, the eyebrows of all of his spectators relax as they remember.

"Oh! Aayiye-aayiye.",

Aafreen's parents invites Kabeer in.

Kabeer smiles a little and enters.

Aafreen's father stands up to provide Kabeer seat to sit which Kabeer refuses politely,

"Arey nahi-nahi Sir aap please baithe rahiye. Main bus aapki beti ko dekhne aaya tha. Kaisi hai wo?",

Kabeer stares at Aafreen.

"Filhal to theek hai. Hosh mein aayi thi keh rahi thi ke theek feel kar rahi hai.",

says Meher.

Kabeer nods his head.

"Kya aapne poocha uske saath kya hua tha?",

asks Kabeer, anxious.

"Nahi Dr. Naushad ne abhi Aafreen ko kisi tarah ka stress lene se mana kiya hai. Isliye koi usse kuch nahi pooch raha.",

says Meher.

Indicating towards her parents, Meher says,

"Yein Aafreen ke Ammi-Abbu hain. Aap chahein to inse baat kar sakte hain."

Meher provides a chair for Kabeer to sit.

She dictates the entire story to Kabeer.

"Uska badan tap raha tha aur wo tuition jaane ki baat kar rahi thi apne Sir se. Jab usne apne Sir se raat ko class dene ki baat kahi to ye to nahi pata ke uske Sir ne kya kaha, zaroor mana hi kiya hoga! Magar uske baad wo achanak gusse se room ke bahar aayi. Usey achanak apne saamne dekhkar main darr gayi. Uski ankhon mein jo nafrat aur kisiko nuksaan pohnchane ka jo junoon tha, wo mujhe saaf nazar aa raha tha.",

says her mother.

"Phir?",

asks Kabeer, widening his eyes.

"Phir wo seedha ghar se bahar nikal gayi. Usey aisi haalat mein ghar se itne gusse mein bahar nikalta dekh main uske peeche-peeche gayi. Usey uske naam se bohot pukara magar usey to maano kuch sunai hi na de raha ho.",

she says.

"Phir chalte-chalte wo dayein taraf murhi. Mere ghutno mein dard hone ki wajah se main aur uska peecha nahi kar paayi aur wahin footpath par thak kar baith gayi. Kuch hi der mein kuch log behosh Aafreen ko pakad kar wapas laane lagey. Ye dekhkar to mere hosh urh gaye!",

says Aafreen's mother.

"Maine bataya ke wo meri beti hai. Wo turant usey mere ghar wapas le aaye. Aur maine apne husband ko call karke ghar bula liya.",

she dictates the entire story, cries her mother.

"Ek doctor ko ghar par bhi bulaya aur uska checkup karaya. Doctor ne bukhar ke liye dawai di. Bukhar to agle din utar gaya magar wo subse kati-kati rehne lagi. Ek-do (2) baar to maine usse kamre mein khudse baat karte hue bhi suna. To kabhi-kabhi aisa bhi hua ke usko uske naam se pukarne par bhi usne koi jawab nahi diya maano usey pata hi na ho ke ye uska naam hai.",

she says.

Meher and Kabeer listen to her in shock.

"Din mein teen baar namaz parhne wali meri bachchi ab namaz parhne se katrane lagi.",

she says, crying.

"Khaana khaana chorh diya. Kuch kahun to mujhe aise ghoorti maano mujhse kitni nafrat ho.",

she adds.

"Phir do (2) din pehle main usey bohot pyar se 'beta-beta' karke bulane lagi. Uss din to uska jo roop dekha maine....",

she widens her eyes.

Kabeer and Meher hold their breaths, their eyes opened wide.

" 'Main teri koi 'beta-beti' nahi hoon!' - aisa kaha usne ek ajeeb si awaz mein. Main tabhi samjh gayi ke ye kisi shaitani taakat ka kaam hai! Maine ek tantrik ko jhaad-phoonkh karne ke liye bulaya. Unke aisa karne se uss aatma ne to meri bachchi ko chhorh diya. Magar meri bachchi ko ander se bilkul khokhla kar diya hai!",

she cries hard.

Aafreen's father too cries silently.

"Pata nahi kiski nazar lag gayi humari phool si bachchi ko.",

her father cries further.

"Aap hausla rakhiye Sir. Aafreen jaldi theek ho jayegi.",

says Kabeer, patting Aafreen's father's back.

Kabeer looks towards Naushad. Naushad gestures him to move forth.

"Main nahi jaanta aisa kya badlaaw aaya hai iss duniya mein achanak ke aise cases bhi aane lagey hain ab hospital mein. Science bhoot-pret ko nahi maanta magar dekhiye hum doctors ko inn sub cheezon se bhi deal karna parh raha hai.",

Naushad shakes his head.

Patting on Kabeer's back, Naushad says,

"Aap fikr mat kijiye Kabeerji Ananyaji bilkul theek ho jayengi."

Kabeer folds his hands in front of Naushad and requests,

"Please kuch bhi karke theek kar dijiye Ananya ko."

Naushad nods his head twice, reassuring him and turns to leave when Kabeer says,

"I am sorry Dr. Naushad main jis tarah aapse pesh aaya..."

Naushad shakes his head, smiling a little,

"That's absolutely fine Mr. Kabeer, main samjh sakta hoon."

Kabeer smiles back in gratitude.

"I'll talk to you later. Take care.",

says Naushad.

Kabeer smiles and nods his head.

●●●●●

Vivaan is fast asleep in his room while Nitya and Vikram are resting in Nitya's room, sitting on the bed. Their backs resting against the pillows. In between them is a good gap.

"Nitya tumhare ek faisle ne mujhe mere bete se itne saal tak duur rakha.",

says Vikram, feeling self pity.

Nitya turns to look towards him, her eyes accusing him,

"Kya ye maine bina kisi reason ke kiya Vikram? Haan?"

Vikram turns to look towards Nitya.

"Tum jaante ho main kitni khush thi jab mujhe pata chala tha ke main pregnant hoon. Wo saari taiyari maine sirf tumhe special feel karane ke liye nahi ki thi."

Looking forward, she continues,

"Tumhara... tumhara manpasand khana banana. Candle light dinner arrange karna. Tumhari gift ki hui saari pehnna... wo sub yoon hi nahi tha Vikram. Unn sub baaton ke peeche ek wajah thi!"

Vikram stares her in shock. What reason is she talking about?

"Haan Vikram main uss din tumhe surprise dene wali thi that I was pregnant!"

Vikram drowns into the pool of guilt. His eyes opened wide.

"Magar tumne mujhse wo mauka chheen liya Vikram!",

tears roll down her cheeks.

"Main yahan humare parivaar ki khushiyon ke baare mein soch rahi thi aur tum wahan Seema ke saath....",

she trials off, staring him out of disgust.

"Humare chhote se parivaar ko tod chukey the tum Vikram!",

says Nitya, her eyes well up with fresh tears.

"Ek... ek baar bhi tumhe mera khyal nahi aaya Vikram jab tum Seema ke kareeb ja rahe the?",

asks Nitya.

Vikram stares Nitya blank!

"Tumhara khayal? Nitya mujhe to ye tak yaad nahi ke uss raat Seema aur mere beech mein kuch hua bhi tha ya nahi!",

confesses Vikram.

Shock hits Nitya hard! Her mood changes immediately. She is no more crying. She is absolutely numb.

"K...kya ma...tla...b tu...m...he... kuch yaad nahi?",

she asks, shocked.

Vikram looks towards her, his brows knit,

"Main nashe mein shayad iss kadar dhut tha ke uss raat ke baare mein mujhe kuch bhi nahi yaad. Maine to bus tumhara ilzaam jo tumne mujhpar lagaya tha uss baat ko accept kar liya tha kyunki Seema aur main tumhe miley hi aise haalat mein the.... magar I swear mujhe kuch nahi yaad ke kab kya hua!"

The moment he says that Nitya's mind spins with the memories of the fateful moment and Seema's spoken lines at different occasions where she instead of favoring Nitya had always favored Vikram. The way she used to hunt for different ways to get near to Vikram.

"Oh my God!",

Nitya exclaims, her eyes opened wide; her right hand covering her mouth out of shock.

"Ye... ye maine kya kar diya?!",

exclaims Nitya as she realises her mistake.

"Kya hua Nitya? Kya kiya tumne?",

asks Vikram, perplexed.

Nitya turns to look towards Vikram in utter shock.

"Jaane-anjaane mein maine tumhe uss galti ki saza tumhe dedi jo galti tumne kabhi ki hi nahi thi!",

exclaims Nitya.

Vikram knits his brows tight, what is she talking about?

●●●●●

Restless Rajveer gets up and walks to Pooja's room and knocks the door. To his surprise he discovers the door unlocked. He slowly pushes the door open and discovers only Pooja sleeping in her bed. It is still dark due to lack of electricity. Rajveer stares at the bed in shock. He wakes Pooja up by jerking her up, resting his hand on her lower part of the leg,

"Cadet Ghai! Pooja utho Naina room mein nahi hai."

Pooja wakes up immediately,

"Room mein nahi hai? Washroom mein hogi.",

suggests Pooja, anxious.

Rajveer checks the washroom but couldn't find her.

"Nahi hai!"

And he gets out of the room in search of Naina. Pooja follows him. Ali too reaches him.

"Naina nahi mil rahi!",

Rajveer informs Ali.

Ali gets shocked hearing him.

"Zaroor library gayeen hongi Nainaji.",

suggests Ali.

Rajveer, holding his waist from either sides, his brows knit together, gives it a thought.

They quickly reach library, meanwhile electricity returns and they discover Naina lying unconscious just at the entrance of the library.

"Naina!",

exclaims Rajveer in shock and shakes her to wake her up.

"Naina!",

Rajveer calls her again.

"Isey infirmary le chalte hain.",

says Rajveer whilst pulling her up to carry her in his arms and walks towards the infirmary.

"Dr. Shalini ko bulao. Quick!",

orders Rajveer whilst carrying her to the infirmary.

Ali nods his head in quick succession and runs for Dr. Shalini's room.

●●●●●

"Naina!",

calls out Rajveer in an urgency when she gains back her consciousness in the infirmary.

"Sir!",

addresses Naina, her voice low.

"How are you feeling Naina?",

asks Dr. Shalini, politely.

Naina nods her head a little, smiling.

"Tu behosh kaise hui Naina?",

asks Pooja, concerned.

Naina remembers whatever happened with her and gets up immediately, blood drained out of her face.

"Vidya!",

she exclaims.

Anger surges through Rajveer.

"Vidya?!",

exclaims Dr. Shalini, shocked.

"You mean Cadet Vidya Saxena?",

she enquires.

Rajveer looks away in anger.

"Mana kiya tha maine ke library mat jaana. Inn sub uul-jaloos kaamon mein mat raho. Magar meri baat sunti kahan ho tum?",

shouts Rajveer, indicating his index finger towards Naina.

All of them stare Rajveer in shock.

"Wait a moment! Ye sub kya ho raha hai?",

asks Dr. Shalini looking towards Rajveer and Naina in quick succession.

Naina tells everything to them.

"What?! Naina usne bola aur tumne maan li baat?!",

asks Dr. Shalini, shocked.

"But Ma'am unhe humari madad chahiye.",

says Naina.

"Aur ye baat tum kaise keh sakti ho Naina ke wo such mein Vidya aur Captain Gunny hi thein?",

asks Dr. Shalini, folding her arms, resting them against her abdominal.

Naina knits her brows,

"Matlab?"

"Matlab ye Naina ke hum mein se koi bhi nahi jaanta ke zindagi ke uss paar sub kuch kaise chalta hai. Kya pata ye sub tumhari ankhon ka dhokha ho?",

says Dr. Shalini.

Rajveer knits his brows, looking towards Shalini.

"Ankhon ka dhokha? But Ma'am Rajveer Sir bhi thein wahan. Unhone bhi dekha hai unn dono ko. Poochiye inse. Hain na Sir?",

asks Naina, turning to look towards Rajveer while uttering the last three words.

Rajveer nods his head, perplexed after listening to Dr. Shalini. What if it was indeed their hallucination?

Shaking her head, Dr. Shalini says,

"Naina jitna main Gunny aur Vidya ko samjh paayi hoon wo aise nahi hain ke wo aap dono se naaraaz rahenge.",

she knits her brows in desperation to make them understand, looking towards Rajveer and Naina in quick succession.

"Unn mein main aap dono ki parchayi dekh paati thi.",

she says, looking towards both of them again in quick succession.

"Ab aap hi bataiye agar situation reverse hoti, unki jagah aap hote aur aapki jagah wo hote, to kya aap dono unse badla lete?",

asks Dr. Shalini.

Shivers run down the spines of Rajveer and Naina.

Rajveer and Naina look towards each other, understanding that she is right.

"To phir... wo dono kon thein jo unke roop mein humse milne aaye?",

asks Rajveer, knitting his brows.

All of them stare each other, wondering!