"Waah that's an excellent news!",

exclaims Kabeer, straightening up in his chair at his cabin. His eyes beaming with excitement. His hand extended forward with his palm facing upwards.

"Please rehne dijiye!",

says Ananya, gesturing with her hand, her palm facing Kabeer.

"Kyun, kya hua?",

asks Kabeer, knitting his brows, surprised.

"Aap achi tarah jaante hain ke mujhe inn sub cases mein koi interest nahi hai. But nahi!",

Ananya enacts Kabeer in front of him,

"Ananya tumhe aise cases lene honge, that's an order!",

and shakes her head a little towards right, out of anger.

"Research karte hue aisi-aisi kahaniyan milin ke unhe parhte hue aisa lag raha tha maano main najaane kis duniya mein aa gayi hoon. Raat ko neend hi nahi aayi.",

says Ananya, shaking her head.

"Madam aapko jo wo ajeeb-ajeeb laga tha na usse...",

Kabeer changes his tone to scare her,

"darr kehte hain! Darr!"

Kabeer laughs out loud, throwing his head back. Ananya fake glares Kabeer. Picking up a pen from the pen holder, she throws it at him in order to bring his laughter to an abrupt end, which he catches immediately and widens his eyes, staring her.

Placing the pen back into the pen holder Kabeer says,

"Dekha na tumne? Matlab duniya bhar mein aise cases hote hain magar duniya ke saamne nahi aate ye cases. Bus yahi humein karna hai inn cases ko duniya ke saamne laana hai.",

"Koi nahi dekhega ye show.",

warns Ananya.

"Arey Ananya aaj kal logon ka inhi cheezon mein interest hai. Waise to aaj kal log news channels se duur hi rehne ki koshish karte hain, kehte hain ke news channels to bus tension hi dete hain, waise stress kam hai life mein ke news channel kholo to iska khoon ho gaya; isne usko dhamki di wagerah wagerah.",

patting his right index finger at his desk, he emphasizes at his following words,

"Magar jahan baat andhvishwas ki aa jaye; bhoot-pret ki aa jaye to wohi log jo news channels waalon ko gaali dete hain, turant TV ke saamne baith jayenge sub kaam chhor-chhar kar."

Ananya wrinkles her nose finding it gross.

"Hum iski jagah ache-ache shows la saakte hain jisse logon ko koi achi knowledge miley. Bachchon ko prerna miley kuch naya karne ki. After all humare desh ke bachche hi to desh ka future hai.",

says Ananya, her excitement palpable.

Kabeer nods his head and says,

"Main tumhari baat samjh raha hoon Ananya. Magar sub tumhare jaisa nahi sochtein."

Ananya stares him, perplexed, how to make him understand that she doesn't want to work on this matter.

"Aur channel ki TRP tabhi ayegi jab wo dikhaya jayega jo log dekhna chahte hain, bhale hi hum personally uss par bharosa na karein.",

says Kabeer, as a matter of fact.

Ananya realises that he is correct.

"May I come in Sir?",

Ronnie's voice makes Kabeer to look towards the entrance of his cabin and Ananya to turn around, sitting on the swiveling chair in front of Kabeer.

"Haan Ronnie aao.",

permits Kabeer, entwining his fingers and resting his hands at his desk.

"Sir ye file complete karne ko di thi aapne iss mein shows ka new schedule maine update kar dia hai.",

says Ronnie, forwarding the file to Kabeer.

"Oh! Thanks Ronnie.",

smiles Kabeer, accepting the file and looking at it.

"Kal aaya tha main aapko ye file dene magar aap the nahi shayad office mein.",

says Ronnie.

Kabeer who was looking towards Ronnie, with his head tilted downwards, as initially he was going through the file, his forehead bearing lines, as a result of his raised eyebrows and tilted head, was about to reply to Ronnie when Ananya intervenes and sarcastically says,

"Haan Ronnie wo kya hai na kal Kabeer Sir date par gaye thein.",

and smiles sarcastically, looking towards Ronnie, her hands holding one another, rested on her lap.

Kabeer's heart skips a beat hearing Ananya, so does Ronnie's. Flushed, Ronnie says,

"Oh... okay!"

"Nahi! Nahi!!",

Ananya immediately extends her hand and shakes it to give gestures of 'nahi! nahi!', then continues,

"Tu kuch aisa-waisa mat sochiyo Kabeer Sir ke baare mein."

Kabeer stares Ananya in utter shock, holding his breath. Has she gone mad or what?

"Mere saath nahi!",

Ananya smiles further, sarcastically still.

Holding her hands together and shoving it in between her thighs,

"Bhooton! Chudailon!....",

then turning slightly towards Kabeer, she taunts further,

"Daayano!... ke saath."

Kabeer slaps his forehead lightly and looks towards Ronnie.

Ronnie gestures him with his hand that it's okay, he understands!

"Aur kon Sir?",

she asks in a sugar-coated voice, tilting her head a little towards right.

"Enough Ananya! Agar tumhe iss concept par kaam nahi karna to mat karo at least mazak to mat udhao. Humare wo saare rival channels jo ye sub programmes show kar rahe hain wo sub trp mein humse agey barhte ja rahe hain. Ek episode dikhate hain aur agle din trp kahan se kahan pohnch jaati hai unki.",

scolds Kabeer, anxious.

Ananya cascades her eyes feeling guilty.

"Magar Sir hum aise andhvishwas ko aur badhawa de rahe hain. Aap ye kyun nahi samjh rahein?",

asks Ananya, turning polite yet frustrated, knitting her brows.

Ronnie walks to Ananya's chair and rests his left hand on the chair and the right hand he rests on Kabeer's desk, tilting a little towards the desk.

Meanwhile, Kabeer replies to her,

"Andhvishwas nahi suchchai! Hum suchchai dikhayenge."

Ananya and Ronnie knit their brows respectively, confused.

"Par Sir andhvishwas mein kaisi suchchai?",

asks Ronnie, straighting up, his left hand still at Ananya's seat and with right hand he gestures 'kaisi'.

"Yahi to pata lagana hai humein!",

says Kabeer, smile of excitement stretches on his face, he pats on his desk briefly as he utters 'yahi to'.

"Aur agar iss mein thodi si bhi suchchai hai, to koi to aisa hoga jisne such mein kuch dekha ya mehsoos kiya hoga?",

suggests Kabeer looking towards Ronnie then towards Ananya.

Ronnie occupies the seat next to Ananya and says,

"Agar aap itne serious hain iss concept ko lekar to... mujhe ek aisi jagah pata hai jahan aisa maana jaata hai ke aatmayein dikhti hain.",

he turns to look towards Ananya, who stares Ronnie in disbelief.

Smiling feeling successful, Kabeer rests back in his chair, staring Ronnie with his twinkling eyes.

"Dekha Ananya. Meri maano to shuruat tum humare office se hi kardo. Phir jis case ki tum baat kar rahi thi wo kar lena. Jaisa tumhe theek lagey.",

suggests Kabeer.

Ananya turns to look towards Kabeer, her state of shock intact.

"Poocho subse. Har ek ke paas at least ek to aisi kahani hogi jo rooh kampane wali ho!",

says Kabeer, confidently.

"Magar sambhal kar Ananya. I know ye cases thode risky honge. I mean journalist, news reporters ki to life hi risk bhari hoti hai magar yaad rakhna yahan tum kisi insaan se deal nhi kar rahi. Agar funs gayi to shayad... shayad main bhi tumhe bacha na paun.",

warns Kabeer.

Ananya and Ronnie stare Kabeer in horror. Ananya could feel her increased rate of heartbeat.

"Ek to main waise hi aise cases par kaam nahi karna chahti upar se aap mujhe encouraging words kehne ki jagah warn kar rahe hain.",

says Ananya, scared.

"Main tumhe dara nahi raha Ananya bus aagha kar raha hoon.",

says Kabeer.

"Haan theek hai! Theek hai!",

says Ananya without looking towards him, scared and disappointed and shakes her head.

"Main suggest karunga ke tum pehle jis bhi case ko lo uss par ache se research kar lo.",

suggests Kabeer.

"Shayad isse tumhe thoda interest aa jaye.",

smiles Kabeer.

Ananya ponders at his words.

"Aur Richa ko maine keh diya hai ke ye show wo host karegi.",

says Kabeer.

Ananya sighs.

Ronnie says,

"Okay Sir."

"You may leave now.",

says Kabeer politely.

"Thank you Sir.",

says Ronnie and begins to retreat.

Kabeer stares at Ananya. Ananya sighs staring back at him and waves him a bye.

After they leave Kabeer smiles and shakes his head finding Ananya adorable.

Outside his cabin, Ananya talks to herself,

"Case to mil gaya hai mujhe pehle hi Sir bus thoda intezaar karna parhega aapko bhi aur... mujhe bhi!",

Ananya stares at infinity, without blinking her eyes.

Sighing she adds,

"Ab aapka order hai to main chahun na chahun, manna to padhega hi na!",

she smiles out of love for Kabeer.

●●●●●

"I am sorry magar main iss baat par yakeen nahi karta.",

states Sujal, adamant.

"To be honest, mujhe bhi.... bharosa nahi ho raha.",

says Rajveer, hesitantly, looking towards the ladies.

Kashish and Meher get shocked upon receiving Rajveer's reaction.

Naina smirks and says,

"Mujhe to pata tha yahi hone wala hai!"

Rajveer shoots a glance towards Naina, disappointed by her remark. Naina glares back.

"Main jab tak khud apni aankhon se na dekh loon, tab tak mere liye bhi bharosa karna mushkil hai.",

says Naushad, looking straight into Meher's eyes though not angry that she is standing against him.

The ladies after staring at their respective partners in shock, look towards each other.

Giving one last look to them, they resign to their rooms, respectively in anger.

●●●●●

"Inn aurton ko samjhna bohot mushkil hai.",

says Naushad, shaking his head, staring at the retreating figures of the trio.

"Pehle to mujhe yahan aane ka hi mann nahi kar raha tha. Ab thoda acha lag raha hai aap subke saath, to ab ye!",

Sujal once again looks towards the way the ladies walk away and shakes his head.

"Chhoriye Sujal iss baare mein sochkar koi faida nahi.",

says Rajveer.

Rajveer tries to find the network.

"Yahan... yahan network ki badi dikkat rehti hai.",

complains Rajveer.

"Haa...n...! Magar phir ye bhi hai ke itni khoobsurat jagah par aakar wo bhi tab jab aapki biwi aapke saath ho, network ki zaroorat hai kisse?",

teases Sujal.

Rajveer and Naushad laugh along with Sujal.

Rajveer turns to look at Naushad and asks,

"Aur bhai Naushad aapka aur Meher ji ka kya chakkar hai?"

Naushad's cheeks turn crimson red hearing that. Smiling, he cascades his eyes and says,

"Soch ki takraar se pyar ki shuruat ho gayi bus yahi keh sakta hoon abhi to."

Sujal and Rajveer smile at that.

"Waah! Izhaar-vizhaar hua ke nahi?",

Rajveer asks next.

Blushing profusely, Naushad cascades his eyes again.

"Aise maamlon mein deri nahi karni chahiye.",

teases Sujal.

"Acha? Phir to pakka jaise hi aapko pata laga ke aapko Kashish ji se mohobbat hai aapne turant unse jaakar izhaar kar diya hoga? Hai na?",

teases Naushad.

Rajveer arches both of his brows in surprise, smiling wide, blushing as if the question has been directed to him.

"Bataiye, Sujal kaise propose kiya aapne Kashish ji ko?",

asks Rajveer, excited to know.

Sujal gets self conscious. He cascades his eyes, smiling throughout in shyness.

"Actually wo...",

he begins to disclose that he suddenly realises something.

Knitting his brows, looking towards Rajveer and Naushad, he asks,

"Ek minute ye Naushad ki baat hote-hote achanak meri baat kaise hone lagi?"

Naushad and Rajveer laugh out loud together. Sujal shakes his head in utter disbelief, blushing throughout, smiling in shyness.

"Bataiye na!",

insists Naushad.

Sujal walks down the memory lane....

*Flashback*

At the office

Still feeling guilty about doubting Sujal, Kashish writes an apology letter, asking him to be friends with her and nervously slips it into a file. Not having the guts to ask him directly to read it, Kashish keeps wondering,

'Pata nahi unhone wo letter read kia hoga bhi ya nahi! Shayad nahi kia hoga, warna wo mujhey phone zarur karte'.

Standing in front of the elevator she waits for it to reach her floor. As it opens, Kashish gets surprised to find Sujal there.

"Chal na hai?",

asks Sujal, in a - time for no nonsense tone!

"Haan!",

says Kashish, nervously and gets into the elevator. Inside the elevator, Kashish hesitates to ask him about the file at first.

But unable to control herself anymore, she at last asks him, nervously,

"Apne file parhli?"

"Konsi?",

he asks stubbornly.

" 'Josh' project ki!",

she replies, her rate of heartbeat increasing with each passing moment.

"Haan ye maine parhli!",

replies Sujal.

And as he says that, Kashish's heartbeat picks up pace!

"Aisa nahi ho sakta!",

saying that Sujal shakes his head.

"Ye theek nahi hai!",

he adds further, seriously.

Nervous and confused Kashish says,

"Lekin Sir maine socha..."

"Kya socha? Aisi baaton mein sirf sochne se hi baat nahi banti. In fact samne waley ka viewpoint ka bhi dhyan rakhna chahiye",

Sujal carries on with explaining her.

"Mujhey tumse ye umeed nahi thi!",

he says stubbornly.

Now that really breaks Kashish's heart. It wasn't like she was not nervous before confessing her feelings for him through a letter! It took all her will and self-respect for doing so. As the elevator's doors open, she runs away, glancing at him for the last time. Her disappointment visible in her eyes.

Walking out of the elevator, Sujal thinks,

'ab issey kya ho gaya? Issey samjhna next to impossible hai!',

and shakes his head.

Upon reaching the road, heartbroken Kashish walks quickly, crying.

"Maine apni feelings ko zahir kiya. Wo aadmi! Wo aadmi to kisi ke pyar ke kabil hi nahi hai",

curses Kashish.

"Wo kabhi kisi ke jazbaton ko samjh hi nahi sakta!",

she says, rubbing off her tears, but fresh tears roll down her soft cheeks.

"Gadi roko!",

orders Sujal to his driver, reaching behind Kashish, in his car.

Getting out of the car, he asks Kashish,

"office ki gadi kahan hai?"

"Main aj se office car istemal nahi karungi!",

she informs him, without turning to look at him, out of anger and continues with her walk. Sujal signals the driver to go. And himself walks after Kashish.

"Tum to meri gadi mein baithogi nahi, to maine socha ki main hi tumhare saath....",

as he was about to continue, Kashish intervenes,

"Pareshan hone ki koi zarurat nahi hai",

says Kashish, out of anger, without even looking back at him.

"Ye tumhe kya ho gaya hai Kashish? Mana ki kal jo hua wo theek nahi tha, par iss mein mera kya kasur hai? Tum mere barey mein aisa soch bhi kaise sakti ho?"

"Maine kab kaha ki apk kasur haj? Theek hai mujhse galti hui, lekin baar baar aap mujhey iss baat ka ehsaas kyun dila rahe hain?",

she asks him, stopping and turning to look at him, scolding him.

Then continues walking forward, crying.

"Kashish ye tumhe ho kya gaya hai? Galti har insaan se hoti hai, lekin tum itni choti si baat par ro kyun rahi ho?",

he asks her, frustrated, unable to see her crying! He turns her towards him and asks,

"Maine tumhe aisa kya keh diya?"

Continuously crying, Kashish says,

"Aapne kuch nahi kaha!".

Sujal bows his head, thinking how to convince her to stop crying.

"Galti meri hai...",

Kashish continues,

"ki... pasand karti hun main apko! Pyar karti hun apse!",

she confesses at last!

(Sujal-Kashish happy tune begins)

Listening to her words, Sujal looks back towards her, utterly surprised by her confession!

"What? Tum mujhse pyar karti ho?",

he asks her, just to confirm, still in the state of the pleasant shock!

"To ye baat kehne mein itni der kyun laga di?",

he asks her with a satisfactory smile on his face.

That indeed comes as a surprise for Kashish, she slowly looks towards him, utterly surprised.

(Sujal-Kashish happy tune begins)

Slowly and lovingly, Sujal rubs off her tears, giving her each tear his full attention, as if every tear dropping from her eyes is stabbing his heart!

"Galti to mujhse bhi hui hai Kashish, kyunki main bhi tumse pyar karta hun!",

he confesses his feelings to her!

"Aur bohot pyar karta hun!",

his eyes twinkle with too much love for her!

They keep staring each other. A stare that conveys all their feelings to each other, because at this moment they are at loss of words to describe to each other how deeply they have fallen in love with each other. How they cannot even imagine to spend even a day without seeing each other! How every morning the mere thought of meeting each other brings a smile on their faces! Unable to control their feelings any longer they hug each other tightly! As if they would fall if the other would not hold them, because they no longer have that strength to stand apart from each other! They want to feel each other, for the very first time, like they never have felt anyone before, this way! Their eyes reflect their joy, the satisfaction of having confessed about their feeling to each other!

*Flashback ends*

"Bhai manna parhega aapko Sujal, khuli sadak par subke saamne apne pyar ka izhaar kar diya! Waah!",

says Naushad, smiling wide.

"Izhaar to Kashish ne kiya. Maine to ikraar kiya.",

Sujal shuts his eyes out of shyness, blushing.

Rajveer and Naushad look towards each other and arch their brows, smiling wholeheartedly hearing Sujal.

Taking a deep breath Sujal says,

"Inki gaadi to abhi tak patri par aayi nahi hai.",

looking towards Naushad, gesturing with his hand.

Turning to look towards Rajveer, he asks,

"Aap bataiye Naina ji aur aapne kaise apne dil ki baat kahi ek dusre ko?",

smiles Sujal.

Naushad too gets eager to know.

Rajveer widens his eyes; smiling, blushing profusely; slowly cascading his eyes.

"Nai...na... Naina meri student thi!",

discloses Rajveer, blushing profusely.

Sujal and Naushad widen their eyes respectively hearing Rajveer.

Sujal, smiling, his eyes filled with naughtiness, turns to look towards Naushad and says, in order to tease Rajveer,

"Dekh rahe hain doctor sahab Strategy and Communication ke teacher ki strategy aur communication pyar ke maamle mein kitni sateek nikli!"

Naushad laughs a little.

Rajveer too laughs silently and blushes.

Turning to look towards Rajveer, Naushad says,

"Main... main samjh sakta hoon.",

and looks away, smiling and blushing.

Sujal changes his gaze from Rajveer to Naushad to Rajveer again and back to Naushad. Meanwhile Rajveer widens his eyes as he realises Naushad's meaning.

"Aapka matlab Dr. Meher aapki...",

Rajveer asks him, widening his eyes.

Sujal wanted to ask the same, hence he stares Naushad with his eyes filled with eagerness.

Naushad nods his head, smiling and blushing profusely.

"Meher mere hospital mein internship kar rahi hai.",

Naushad cascades his eyes.

Rajveer and Sujal smile wide, happy to see Naushad happy.

"To aapne unhe ab tak bataya nahi?",

asks Sujal.

Naushad looks towards him and says,

"Na mauka mila na himmat hui."

"Mauka churaya jaata hai aur himmat, himmat to uss mein aa hi jaati hai jisey pyar hota hai, bus log ye baat samjhne mein der kar dete hain ke unn mein kitni himmat hai.",

smiles Sujal.

Naushad and Rajveer nod their heads, respectively. Naushad smiles looking towards Sujal. Sujal smiles back.

●●●●●

Kashish, Naina and Meher are in their respective rooms. Kashish walking to and fro thinking,

'Kaise yakeen dilaun main Sujal ko ke maine Mumma ko dekha tha. Kaise?'

Naina sitting in her room, on her bed wonders,

'Mujhe Kashish ki baaton par pura bharosa hai.'

Naina looks here and there and thinks,

'Yahan... yahan kuch alag hai.'

She thinks further,

'Agar Kashish ki mother-in-law unhe kuch batana chahti hain, to I am sure wo phirse zaroor ayengi.'

She nods her head. Widening her eyes she thinks,

'Mujhe... mujhe Kashish ko aagaah kar dena chahiye iss baat ke liye.'

Naina walks to the door of her bedroom and pulls the handle of it. She gets shocked upon discovering it locked. She tries again but the result repeats. She looks towards the door in horror.

Desperate, she beats on the door,

"Koi hai? Ye darwaza khul nahi raha."

She gets desperate to reach Kashish, deep down she understands that something is amiss.

"Please ye darwaza kholo. Koi hai?",

she shouts again in desperation.

The light of her room fuses.

Her heart almost stops beating as soon the room turns dark. She turns behind to look at the darkness in horror.

She quickly turns and again starts beating the door,

"Somebody help! Darwaza kholo!"

No one turns to help her. None could listen to her. She feels suffocated and terrified.

●●●●●

"Main Vivaan ko khudse durr nahi jaane dungi!",

states Nitya, clearly, staring Tanvi.

"Nitya tere aur Vikram ke differences ki wajah se tu uss bechare bachchey ko to uske baap se durr mat rakh.",

Tanvi tries to make Nitya understand.

"Tanvi ek din teri baat Vikram se kya ho gayi tu uski tarafdari karne lagi?",

asks Nitya, emphasizing on 'ek din' accusing her.

Tanvi looks heavenwards and sighs before looking back towards Nitya.

"Nityaaaa! Main kisi ki tarafdari nahi kar rahi.",

Tanvi knits her brows trying hard to convince her.

Nitya stares her in disappointment.

"Acha ek kaam kar, pehle tu Vikram se baat karke dekh. Parakh usey. I mean as a father kya wo Vivaan ki zimmedari le sakta hai ya nahi.",

suggests Tanvi.

"Vivaan ki zimmedari uski Ma akele utha sakti hai. Mujhe kisi ki zaroorat nahi.",

states Nitya, clearly and resumes with her cooking work at the restaurant.

"Tu utha sakti hai iss baat ka mujhe koi shaq nahi. Magar uss bechare bachchey ka kya jo har baar tujhse umeed lagakar poochta hai ke 'Mumma, Papa parents teacher's meeting attend karne kyun nahi aate kabhi?'",

asks Tanvi.

Nitya turns her face to look towards Tanvi, her body still unmoved.

"Jo tujhse chhupkar mujhse poochta hai ke kya Mumma second marriage karne ke liye maan gayin?",

Tanvi reveals in front of Nitya.

Nitya turns around and asks in utter shock,

"Ye poocha tumse Vivaan ne?"

"Haan to galat kya kiya usne Nitya?",

asks Tanvi, frustrated.

"Bachein bhaley hi kuch na bolein magar wo samjhte hain ek normal family mein Mummy-Papa aur bachey hote hain. Uski family mein uski Mummy hai; wo khud hai; main hoon aur uski Mummy ka ek dost Karan jo ki bus dost hai.",

says Tanvi, gesturing inverted commas with her fingers while uttering 'bus dost hai', widening her eyes briefly.

Nitya gives her a warning look and clarifies,

"Haan dost hi hai Karan mera."

Tanvi slaps her forehead; rolls her eyes and says,

"Fine! Main abhi uss baat par nahi ja rahi."

"Par Papa? Papa kahan hain? Usse to ye bhi nahi pata ke uske Papa hain kon!",

asks Tanvi.

Nitya gives Tanvi a look that states that she is worried about this aspect of her and his life.

"Vivaan ko baap ka pyar kon dega? And please don't give me that crap ke tu de degi.",

warns Tanvi.

Nitya stares Tanvi dumbstruck.

"Baap ki jagah ek Ma kabhi nahi le sakti Nitya. Ye mujhse achi tarah koi nahi jaanta jiska baap uske bachpan mein hi usse chorhkar duniya se chala gaya ho.",

says Tanvi, looking straight into Nitya's eyes.

Nitya's face turns warm, feeling sad for Tanvi.

"Acha theek hai. Main... main baat karti hoon Vikram s...",

she was about to say 'se' when she discovers Vikram standing at the entrance of the kitchen area of the restaurant, staring Nitya.

Nitya and Vikram stare each other.

"...Sir se!",

she rectifies and completes it, staring Vikram throughout.

Vikram's heart skips a beat and his cheeks turn warm upon hearing Nitya addressing him as 'Sir'. He looks away for a brief moment to calm down his nerves before looking back towards Nitya.

"Chef Nitya..."

Tanvi gets startled upon hearing Vikram's voice and immediately turns to look towards him, her eyes widened.

Giving Tanvi a brief look, Vikram looks towards Nitya and in all professional tone says,

"....aaya to main yahan Chef Ajay se milne tha, but....",

Vikram peeps behind her, standing at his place to get a glimpse of all the chefs working under Nitya, then continues,

".... wo shayad yahan hain nahi."

Focusing back on Nitya, Vikram says,

"I suppose aap mujhse kuch baat karna chahti theen. To kahiye.",

indicating towards the conversation that Nitya and Tanvi were having when he interrupted them.

Nitya looks towards Tanvi.

"Mujhe thoda kaam hai. Main abhi aati hoon.",

Tanvi excuses herself.

●●●●●

Nitya, staring Vikram throughout, folds her arms against her abdominal.

"Kya baat hai?",

asks Vikram, knitting his brows, all serious.

"Vivaan sirf 'mera' beta hai!",

she states clearly, empasizing on 'mera' staring straight into Vikram's eyes.

Vikram feels a pang of pain inside his heart hearing Nitya.

"Haan tumhara hi hai.",

says Vikram calmly.

Nitya's face expression changes to a mixture of surprise and guilt.

Vikram smiles a little, sadly.

"Magar kya mujhe uske saath kuch pal bitane ka haq nahi?",

asks Vikram politely, rather requesting Nitya.

Nitya considers his request. After a brief thought about pros and cons of allowing him to meet Vivaan, Nitya says,

"Kal Vivaan ko school nahi jaana, tum chaho to subah usse milne aa sakte ho."

Vikram's eyes twinkle with excitement.

Taking a deep breath she walks past him, ignoring to look towards him whilst saying,

"Waise bhi wo purey din tumhare baare mein baat kar-kar ke mera dimag kha leta hai."

Vikram's heart skips a beat hearing that. His eyes widens up and a smile of affection for Vivaan stretches on his face.

After he realises that she is out of earshot, Vikram claps his hands once and converts both of his hands into fists and exclaims,

"Yes!"

"Vivaan, mere bete, ab tujhe tere baap se koi duur nahi kar sakta.",

he says in excitement.

"Tu dekhio tujhe main itna pyar dunga... itna pyar dunga...",

he moves his head left-right-left, unable to put his feelings for Vivaan into words. His eyes brim with tears of joy and love.

"Itne saalon ki saari kasar main durr kar dunga.",

says Vikram.

Still smiling, he turns and discovers Nitya standing behind him, his smile vanishes.

"Tum... gayi nahi?",

he asks, surprised, knitting his brows.

Nitya notices his watery eyes and her face expression changes. She feels bad for him.

"Itne emotional ho rahe ho mujhe to usey tumhare saath akela chhorne mein ab darr lag raha hai kahin mere bete ko kidnap na karlo tum.",

says Nitya, although with a serious look on her face, but deep down she is just teasing him.

Vikram keeps staring Nitya and says,

"Agar itna darr lag raha hai to Vivaan ke saath-saath tum bhi aa jao na mere paas!"

Shivers run down Nitya's spine. Her rate of heartbeat picks up pace. She didn't mean to say that. She didn't expect that reply too.

"Mera... mera matlab Vivaan aur mere saath waqt bitane.",

says Vikram, staring Nitya in hesitation.

Vikram and Nitya keep staring each other. Their feelings for each other start surfacing their hearts.

Nitya slowly cascades her eyes. Vikram enjoys witnessing her feeling shy because of him after what feels like eternity.

Suddenly Nitya remembers the reason they are no longer together today. Her face expression changes gradually to anger and disgust. She stares him with her eyes filled with complaints and the feeling of betrayal.

"Agar mere baare mein ek baar tum tab soch lete jab Seema ko wo haq de rahe the jo sirf tum par mera tha; to tumse duur kabhi jaati hi nahi main Vikram!",

she says, spitting venom through her each word, as it hurts Nitya - the fact that he destroyed their beautiful small world which was once filled with love and happiness.

Vikram's face burns out of embarrassment.

Glaring him one last time Nitya leaves.

●●●●●

The door of Naina's room suddenly jerks open. Naina stares at the opened door in horror. Her eyes wide opened. She gets alert and waits for any movement from the other side. When nothing happens even after a brief moment of wait, Naina slowly walks forth, still alert. Once safely out of her room, Naina runs to Meher.

Meher's heart almost stops beating when the door of her room opens with a loud thud. She immediately turns to look towards the entrance of her room in horror.

"Naina!",

she exclaims in shock upon discovering Naina there, her face expression gives away her state of horror.

"Meher!",

Naina exclaims, in her state of shock, she quickly runs and embraces Meher.

Meher, shocked witnessing Naina's state, rotates her hand on Naina's head to calm her down.

"Kya hua Naina? Aap itni ghabrayi hui kyun hain?",

asks Meher, shocked and desperate.

Leaving her, Naina says in a clumsy way,

"Meher wo... mere... mere room ka darwaza... zaroor koi... koi tha....!"

Shocked Meher, says, rotating her hand over Naina's head to calm her down,

"Aap... aap pehle shant ho jaiye."

"Bataiye kya hua hai?",

asks Meher.

"Mere... mere room mein koi tha Meher. Mere room ka darwaza bahar se lock ho gaya tha. Light bhi chali gayi. Main... main bohot darr gayi thi.",

says Naina, pumping oxygen into her lungs hard.

Knitting her brows, Meher wonders.

"It's... it's okay Naina. Koi nahi hai! Koi nahi hai!",

Meher hugs Naina and rubs her hand on her back to calm her.

Naina hugs her back and relaxes.

Leaving her, Naina says,

"I... I am sorry main... actually mujhe ye jagah shuru se hi ajeeb mehsoos kara rahi hai. Isliye..."

Resting her hand on Meher's hand she apologizes again,

"I am really sorry."

Meher smiles and rests her hand on Naina's.

"It's okay Naina.",

smiles Meher.

Looking all around she says,

"Actually aap sahi keh rahi hain ye jagah hai hi zara ajeeb."

Looking back at Naina, she says,

"So I can understand."

Meher knits her brows wondering should she tell Naina about Veena or not. She chooses to keep it to herself as for now, considering the state Naina is in right now.

"Kashish kahan hai?",

asks Meher.

"Kashish?",

wonders Naina.

Both of them look towards each other and widen their eyes in horror as they remember her telling them about Veena's spirit and they realise that whatever happened with them it could be Veena behind it. And now they need to assure themselves that Kashish is fine.

Together they run in search of Kashish.

●●●●●

"Kashish!",

calls out Meher from outside, walking to Kashish's room.

Upon not receiving any reply, Naina and Meher look towards each other, tensed.

Naina knocks the door and calls her out,

"Kashish!"

Still no reply.

The corridor light fuses.

Naina and Meher turn to look in darkness, terrified.

They slowly push the door open of her room, letting it create a creaking noise. They discover the room empty and dark.

Meher turns around quickly, resting her hand on her chest as her heart skips a beat upon feeling that someone passed from behind. She tries to search in darkness who it could be, standing at her place, knitting her brows but finds no one there.

"Naina",

she pats on Naina's back, her face still turned backwards.

Naina turns to look towards Meher, her brows knit together.

"Mujhe... mujhe aisa laga jaise abhi koi mere peeche se guzra.",

says Meher.

Naina knits her brows and tries to focus in the darkness to get a glimpse of anyone there.

"Koi nahi hai Meher.",

says Naina, still trying to search, just in case she missed noticing, but nothing.

Meher nods her head, though still suspecious.

●●●●●

Kashish follows Veena calling her out every now and again,

"Mumma! Kahan ja rahi hain aap Mumma?"

Veena turns towards a dark corridor. Kashish's heart skips a beat and her steps turn slow. Her heart begins to thump inside her chest.

"Mumma... yahan... yahan bohot andhera hai.... aap... aap please chaliye yahan se. Mujhe... mujhe darr lag raha hai.",

says Kashish, looking at both of her sides, horrified.

Veena doesn't even turn to look at her let alone stop at her words.

Kashish continues following.

Soon Veena gets in front of a room and pushes it open to reveal the sight in front of Kashish! A sight of twenty spirits - men, women and children suspended in the air their heads bowed and the top most part of the head touching the ceiling.

Kashish never in her life has ever witnessed anything even remotely close to this sight. She shouts out loud in horror. She trembles in fear; sweating profusely. She begins a slow cry, staring them throughout.

"Ye.... ye sub??",

asks Kashish, shocked.

"Wo sub jinki aatmayein iss kamre mein qaid hain. Isse bahar nahi nikal pa rahin.",

says Veena.

Kashish looks towards Veena, numb in horror.

"Kyun?",

asks Kashish.

"Jab wo haadsa hua tab humare beech iss hotel mein ek tantrik bhi tha. Jo yahan ek aam insaan ke vesh-bhoosha mein aaya tha.",

Veena tells her about him.

"Uska yahan aane ka maksad hi tha masoom logon ki aatmaon ko apne vash mein karna.",

Veena dictates her the story.

"Uss tantrik ke mantron ki shakti itni thi ke iss jagah ka pura naksha badal jaane ke baad bhi ye aatmayein uski qaid se mukt na ho paayin.",

says Veena, feeling sorry for the captivated spirits.

Kashish widens her eyes in shock staring at the spirits in front of her.

"To ab?",

asks Kashish, in shock, looking towards Veena.

"Uss tantrik ke iss kartoot ke baare mein yahan prithvi par koi nahi jaanta. Siwaye inn masoomon ke aur...",

Veena continues.

Then turning to look towards Kashish she says,

"Tumhare!"

Shivers run down Kashish's spine!

Is it something she should be concerned about - the fact that only she knows an evil truth?

Kashish stares Veena in horror!

●●●●●

"Aap... aap ye baa...tein mujhe kyun bata raheen hain?",

asks Kashish, petrified.

"Kyunki Kashish tum wo kadi ho jo jeevan ke iss paar aur uss paar ko jodti hai.",

reveals Veena.

That comes as yet another shock for Kashish. What did she do to get that authority?

"Main?!",

she exclaims in shock.

"Main kaise?",

asks Kashish, confused.

"Ye ijjazat ye haq maine tumhe di hai Kashish!",

says Veena, feeling proud of Kashish.

Kashish still stares her in confusion.

"Main samjhati hoon tumhe.",

says Veena.

"Iss lok se uss lok jaate hi hum subko ek aakhri pareeksha deni padhti hai. Kon kitna suchcha hai iss baat ki pareeksha."

Kashish listens to her in awe!

"Har ek insaan apni puri zindagi mein kuch ache kaam karta hai aur kuch burey. Wo jo kuch bhi karta hai bina ye soche karta hai ke iska parinaam kya hoga aagey chalkar. Wo to wo kaam karke bhool bhi jaata hai magar upar har ek baat ka hisab rakha jaata hai. Jin hisaabon ko teen bhaagon mein baanta gaya hai. Ek bhaag wo jiski saza humein zinda rehte hi mil jaati hai; dusra bhaag wo jiski saza humein upar jakar milti hai. Uske baad jakar humein ye bataya jaata hai ke hum swarg mein jayenge ya nark mein saza kaatenge. Aur teesra bhaag wo jiski saza paane ke liye humein ek aur janm lena parhta hai matlab humari moksh prapti nahi hoti.",

Veena explains her.

"Yakeen maano Kashish teesri saza subse buri saza hai. Nark mein kuch din rehkar saza kaat lena phir bhi behtr hai. Uske baad phirse ye decide hota hai ke uske ander sudhaar ko dekhte hue ke usse swarg mein bheja jayega ya dusri zindagi jeene ki saza milegi.",

says Veena.

Kashish widens her eyes especially after hearing her last words.

Veena nods her head and says, sadly,

"Haan Kashish, ye zindagi jeena subse buri saza hai."

"Lekin inn subke beech ek baat aur hoti hai jab humse humari galtiyon ke baare mein sawaal kiye jaate hain. Jo unn sawalon ke sahi-sahi jawab dekar apni galtiyan kubool karein unki saza kam ho jaati hai aur saza paate hi unhe swarg mein bhej diya jaata hai.",

smiles Veena.

Kashish finds the information interesting.

"Mujhe iss tantrik ko saza dilane ka kaam saunpa gaya hai jiske baad ke mujhe swarg mein jagah mil jayegi.",

smiles Veena.

Kashish doesn't understand how to react to it. The mere thought that she is no longer there with them in person is stronger than the happiness of her securing her place in heaven.

"Lekin wo kaam main khud nahi kar sakti mujhe ek zariya dhundhna hoga yahan prithvi par jo mere liye ye kaam karega. Iss tantrik ko uski saza dilayega. Aur wo zariya maine tumhe chuna hai.",

Veena holds Kashish by her shoulders but Kashish couldn't feel her.

Veena looks towards her hands, smiling sadly.

"Tumhe mehsoos bhi nahi kar pa rahi!",

says Veena smiling sadly again.

Kashish feels a pang of pain in her chest hearing Veena.

"Jaane do!",

she says, trying to forget her pain of helplessness.

"Tum mere liye ye karogi na Kashish?",

asks Veena, smiling.

Kashish stares Veena, dumbstruck!