Meher covers Kashish with a blanket as she rests on the bed, her back rested against the pillow, resting against the bed post. Meher's brows knit together out of concern.

Naushad checks her blood pressure and shakes his head in dismay. Taking a deep breath, he says,

"Kashishji aapka blood pressure kafi low hai. Aapko kuch din apne diet ka poora dhyan rakhna hoga."

Sujal who is standing in front of the bed, staring Kashish throughout, hid brows knit together, gets tensed hearing Naushad. He looks towards Naushad briefly while he informs the above to Kashish.

"Aap fikr mat kijiye main pura dhyan rakhungi.",

assures Meher, knitting her brows, staring Kashish, resting her hand on Kashish's hand.

Naushad nods his head.

Naina who is sitting on a chair next to Kashish, facing her, feeds her with food.

"Bus aur nahi khana.",

says Kashish, putting away Naina's hand lightly, turning her head a little towards left.

"Pura khatam karna hoga!",

states Naushad, strictly, indicating with his index finger, his brows raised.

Kashish makes face.

"Mujhe kuch khaane ka mann nahi kar raha!",

argues Kashish.

"Tumne apni haalat dekhi hai Kashish?",

scolds Sujal.

"Kuch hi ghanton mein tum kitni beemar si lag rahi ho.",

he scolds further.

"Sujal ji, rehne dijiye na.",

says Naina, looking towards Sujal, feeling bad for Kashish.

"Arey aise kaise rehne doon?!",

says Sujal, frustrated, looking towards Naina.

"Tumne apni manmaani karli na? Aur nateeja dekh liya? Hum kitne pareshan ho gaye thein!",

says Sujal, raising his voice.

Kashish's heart throbs inside her chest as she never before this day received such treatment from Sujal. He had always been polite to her before this day. At this hour when she needs Sujal's support the most, she instead of feeling secure in his presence, is feeling unsure about his mood. That he might turn angrier with each passing moment, terrifies Kashish.

Indicating his index finger towards Kashish, he warns her,

"Ab agar tum mujhe bina bataye kahin bhi gayi to mujhse bura koi nahi hoga Kashish!"

"Samjhi tum?",

scolds Sujal.

Kashish with her brows creased; eyes teary; nods her head looking at Sujal.

(Thodasa pyar hua hai sad song's tune begins)

Sujal walks to her side and opens his arms for her. Kashish sits up and without wasting even a moment embraces Sujal by his waist, crying. Sujal closes his eyes and feels her warmth.

All others smile wide and their eyes twinkle witnessing Sujal and Kashish's love for each other.

Sujal rotates his hand lovingly on Kashish's head, still keeping her in his embrace. Kashish tightens her hold around his waist.

Ending the hug, Sujal slowly pushes her chin up with his index finger, they look into each other's eyes. Sujal slowly shakes his head, staring Kashish throughout - a gesture of asking her to stop crying and he rubs off her tears.

●●●●●

Kashish shares everything that happened. All of them listen to her in shock.

Having finished with her narration of the incident, Kashish looks towards Sujal, nervous about his reaction to Veena's mention.

"Iska matlab... iska matlab...",

says Sujal, his eyes opened wide.

"...ke sahi mayine mein Mumma humein ab humesha-humesha ke liye chorhkar chali gayi hain Sujal!",

Kashish completes for him, feeling bad for Sujal.

Worried Sujal, looks towards Kashish and says,

"Nahi Kashish! Iska matlab ye hai ke tumhari jaan khatre mein hai!"

All of them except for Kashish, nod their head, respectively, in shock and concern.

Shivers run down Kashish's spine.

Getting up, rubbing off her tears, a determined Kashish says,

"Mujhe koi fark nahi parhta Sujal. Agar mere ye karne se Mumma ki aatma ko shanti mil gayi hai, to unn aatmaon ko mukt karne ki mujhe jo bhi keemat chukani parhe, mujhe manzoor hai."

Sujal and others stare Kashish in shock.

●●●●●

"Wo Karan saala kabab-mein-haddi!",

curses Vikram, and shakes his head a little towards right before taking a sip from his glass of alcohol.

"To tu...jhe exactly kis baat ka bura laga Vikram - ke Karan ne galat time par phone kiya ya ye ke Karan ne phone kiya?!",

asks Kayzad, his chin down and eyes rolled up to look at Vikram.

Vikram looks towards Kayzad, warning him through his eyes to stop messing with him and looks away, irritated.

"Yaar tujhe har uss mard se problem nahi ho sakti jisse Nitya baat karti ho!",

says Kayzad, irritated.

Putting his index finger on the table, looking towards Kayzad, widening his eyes as if Kayzad managed to read his brain, Vikram says,

"Exactly! Mujhe har uss mard se problem hai jisse Nitya baat karti hai, apne colleagues ke alawa!",

and drinks a little more.

Kayzad shakes his head and looks away briefly, before turning to look towards Vikram and reminds him by saying,

"Tu shayad bhool raha hai Vikram, Nitya teri biwi thi; biwi hai nahi. Aur divorce ke baad wo apni zindagi jaise marzi jee sakti hai; jis kisike saath jee sakti hai. Tujhe beech mein bolne ka koi haq nahi."

"Kaise haq nahi hai?",

shouts Vikram, putting the glass on the table with a loud thud, such that a little alcohol escapes the glass the spills on the table.

Kayzad's heart skips a beat hearing the sound.

"Pati na sahi shubhchintak to hoon!",

says Vikram, knitting his brows tight.

"Arey itne saal saath the hum, mazak hai kya?",

he adds further.

"Usey chhoti...",

he indicates 'little' with his fingers,

"...chhoti si khanroch bhi aa jaaye to yahan...",

he beats his heart thrice with his finger,

"...yahan ander tak dard hota hai mujhe!"

"Wo ye baat kyun nahi samjhti?",

he asks, knitting his brows; wrinkling his nose in irritation.

"To kaise uss Karan ke saath rehne doon usse jabki main jaanta hoon ke Nitya ka taste nahi hai wo. Samjhota kar rahi hai Nitya uske saath rehkar.",

shouts Vikram.

Getting closer to Kayzad, his says,

"Nitya ka taste main hoon main!",

pointing towards himself.

Looking towards the ground, getting away from Kayzad, drunk Vikram says,

"Nitya ka taste humesha se main tha; humesha main hoon...",

then looking towards Kayzad, indicating his index finger towards him,

"...aur humesha main hi rahunga!"

"To ye sub tu ne tab kyun nahi socha Vikram, jab tu aur Seema...",

Kayzad trails off when Vikram turns to look towards him, warning him through his eyes to stop right there.

"Yaar ek galti ki saza kab tak milti rahegi mujhe?",

says Vikram, his eyes moisten.

Kayzad feels bad for him.

"Wo... wo kyun nahi samjhti ke... ke galati ho gayi yaar mujhse. Aur saza mil chuki hai mujhe itne saal usse durr rehkar. Saza mil chuki hai mujhe!",

says Vikram, his throat chokes out of emotions for Nitya.

●●●●●

Changing her clothes, Ananya sits on the bed with her laptop, browsing about the other world, when her phone rings.

"Kahiye!",

she says, without caring to tear her gaze away from the laptop, typing with her right hand.

"Arey kya hua? Tumhara mood kyun off hai?",

asks Kabeer.

"Aap kabhi Mathura road ke B 114 house ke saamne se guzre hain kya?",

asks Ananya, simultaneously reading something online, silently.

"B 114! Nahi to. Kyun?",

asks Kabeer, after giving it a thought, his brows knit together.

"Aisa kehte hain ke wahan lagbhag chhe (6) saal se koi nahi rehta. Kyunki sub uss ghar ko haunted maante hain.",

says Ananya.

Kabeer arches his right brow.

"Main soch rahi hoon kal main wahan ek baar ho aun.",

says Ananya, thinking.

Kabeer turns serious.

"Tum... kaho to main saath chalun tumhare?",

he asks.

Ananya senses his nervousness and a smile stretches on her lips. She teases him,

"Kyun darr lag raha hai ke kahin mujhe kuch ho na jaaye?"

Kabeer turns self conscious and says,

"Nahi... nahi main kyun darunga."

Ananya laughs.

"Jab bharosa dikhaya hai na mujh par inn paranormal cases ko lekar to ab please aap ye dariye-wariye mat.",

says Ananya.

"Main sambhal loongi.",

assures Ananya.

Kabeer smiles.

"Kya kar rahe hain aap?",

asks Ananya, smiling, shutting off her laptop.

"Anurag ko sula raha tha. So chuka hai.",

he says, caressing Anurag's head.

"Kya baat hai. Ache Papa banne ke saare lakshan hai aap mein. Kisiki nazar na lagey aapko.",

says Ananya and laughs.

Kabeer widens his eyes hearing her, smiling and blushing profusely.

"Ananya!",

scolds Kabeer, smiling throughout and shakes his head.

"Kya Ananya?!",

laughs Ananya.

"Acha Kabeer, aapne kabhi apne aur Shreya ke rishte ki kahani nahi batai mujhe.",

says Ananya, smiling.

Kabeer turns serious for a brief moment, smiling back he says,

"Tumne kabhi poochi hi nahi."

"Arey har baat poochni parhti hai kya?",

says Ananya.

"Ananya jab tak tum poochogi nahi to mujhe kaise pata chalega tum jaanna chahti bhi ho ke nahi? Kya pata shayad tumhe interest hi na ho mere past ko janne ka.",

says Kabeer.

"Hmm... such bataun to interest nahi tha. Matlab mujhe fark nahi parhta. Magar phir maine socha ke aapke past ko jaankar main aapko shayad aur achi tarah samjh paungi.",

smiles Ananya.

Kabeer understands what she meant.

Taking a deep breath, he says,

"Hmmm.... sochlo main kuch chhupaunga nahi tumse. Kya pata tumhe meri koi baat pasand na aaye? Shayad mere character par hi tumhe shaq ho jaaye?",

he warns her.

Ananya arches her right brow.

Ananya stays silent.

"Kya hua darr gayi kya?",

teases Kabeer.

"Jitna main aapko samjh paayi hoon, to aapka character bohot acha hai. To mujhe kisi baat ka darr nahi. Agar by chance kuch aisa nikla bhi jo mere liye hairangi ki baat ho, to I am matured enough to understand ke wo past hai aapka so usse past mein hi rehne denge hum.",

says Ananya.

"Aur agar wo mera nature hua to? Agar agey chalkar phirse wo sub kuch repeat hua to?",

asks Kabeer in order to test her.

"Jo insaan mere liye apne pyar ko apne gusse ke peeche chhupata tha; wo dil phek aashiq to ho nahi sakta! Aur jab tak aap dil phek aashiq nahi hain, tab tak mujhe khud par poora bharosa hai ke main sub sambhal loongi. Aapko kabhi kisi ke baare sochne ka mauka hi nahi doongi.",

says Ananya, confidently.

Kabeer smiles wide, his eyes twinkling with immense love and affection for Ananya.

"Tumhare liye mere pyar ki gehrayi ko tum kabhi samjh hi nahi sakti Ananya. Tumhare alawa koi meri zindagi mein nahi aa sakta.",

assures Kabeer.

Ananya smiles wide and says confidently,

"Mujhe pata hai!"

Kabeer laughs hearing the confidence in her voice. Ananya laughs too.

"To ab bataiye apni kahani.",

says Ananya, excited.

●●●●●

"Shreya aur mera office pehle ek hi jagah, in fact ek hi building mein tha. To aate-jaate baatein hon jaati theen.",

Kabeer begins with disclosing his story in front of Ananya.

Ananya listens to him attentively.

"Shreya apne Papa ke office mein kaam karti thi. Shreya se to nahi magar uske Papa se meri baat ho jaati thi yunhi aate-jaate.",

Kabeer knits his brows lightly, as he drowns into the pool of memories.

"Uske Papa ko meri thinking shayad achi lagti theen to ek din unhone Shreya aur mujhe ek dusre se baat karne ko kaha. Matlab dosti karana chahte thein wo humare beech.",

he says.

"Main bohot professional hokar usse baat karta tha. Mere dil-o-dimag mein usko lekar kuch nahi tha. I think uske side se bhi aisa kuch nahi tha. Shreya humesha se bohot ambitious rahi hai; itni ke ye pyar-vyar shaadi-vaadi uske liye time waste tha. In fact usne mujhse kaha tha ke she was shocked jab uske Dad ne usse mere aur uske rishte ke baare mein baat ki."

Ananya arches her right brow.

"Pehle to usne mana kar diya. Magar phir uske Papa ne jab usse ek baar phirse iss rishte ko consider karne ko kaha tab Shreya ne mujhse milne ke liye haan kiya. Abki baar jab hum milein to pehli baar humare beech professional level par nahi balki personal level par baatein ho raheen theen."

Ananya's interest develops all the more.

"Personal level par bhi wo utni hi clear thi jitni ke professional level par. Usne pehli mulakat mein hi ye saaf kar diya tha ke usse bachche nahi chahiye.",

Kabeer cascades his eyes, smiling sadly and looks towards sleeping Anurag, brushing Anurag's hair lightly with his hand.

That comes as a surprise for Ananya - his words.

"Mujhe laga shayad abhi kyunki humari shaadi nahi hui hai; koi rishta kayam nahi hua hai, isliye uske dil mein wo mamta jagi nahi hai. Gradually uski thinking badal jayegi."

He laughs a little, sarcastically,

"Par... par uski thinking to nahi meri thinking hi badal gayi uske saath rehte-rehte."

Ananya's rate of heartbeat picks up pace.

"Jaise-jaise waqt beeta, hum dono ne realise kiya ke humari soch ek dusre se kitni alag hain. Itni ki ek common ground dhoondhna bhi mushkil hai. Main kabhi agar family barhane ke baare mein zikr bhi karta to wo ek bohot bada mudda bann jaata humare beech. Dheere-dheere usne mere saath parties attend karni bhi chorh di, kyunki sub humse poochte ke hum bachche kab karenge.",

he says.

Smiling, sarcastically, he adds,

"Wo badi aasani se inn baaton ko mere upar chhorh kar nikal jaati thi kabhi kuch bahana banakar to kabhi kuch. Phir mujhe uss situation ko sambhalna parhta tha."

"Ek din pata chala ke Shreya pregnant hai.",

he says.

"Main bohot khush tha uss din. Jhoom raha tha khushi se. Socha chahe jo bhi ho main apne bachche ko mere aur Shreya ke beech ki dooriyon ka ehsaas kabhi nahi hone dunga.",

says Kabeer.

"Agle din Shreya bohot der tak ghar nahi lauti. Main pareshan ho gaya tha. Wo normally itni raat tak bahar nahi rehti thi to uss din kaise? Wo bhi iss haalat mein!"

Ananya gets tensed.

"Call par call karta raha magar wo utha nahi rahi thi. Phir achanak ghar ka darwaza khula, main murha aur maine usse ladkhadate hue kadmon se ghar ke ander aate hue dekha.",

Kabeer knits his brows as anger surges through him.

"Main uski aur bhaaga usey sambhalne ke liye. Usey ghar ke ander laakar bedroom mein letaya. Yakeen maano Ananya jee kar raha tha usey wohin dantne lagun. Wo aisa kaise kar sakti hai. Uski aankhon mein khushi thi. Maano aisa karke usse sukoon mil raha ho. Maine kisi tarah apne gusse par kaabu paaya. Aur usey uss haal mein chhorh kar chala gaya ghar se bahar phir agli subah hi ghar lauta.",

says Kabeer, angry.

"Agle din bhi ghar aakar maine usse kuch nahi kaha. Magar usko to maano wajah chahiye thi mujhse larhne ki. Usne mujh par ilzaam lagana shuru kar dia ke main usse uss haal mein ghar par akela chhorh kar chala gaya itni raat ko.",

Kabeer shakes his head in disgust.

"Bohot larhayi hui uss din humari. Mere sabr ka baan bhi toot gaya tha isliye maine iss baat ki parwah aur nahi ki ke wo kis haal mein hai. Chillate-chillate achanak uski tabiyat bigdi. Bohot vomiting hui. Baad mein main doctor ke paas le gaya. Checkup karne ke baad doctor ne wohi kaha jis baat ka mujhe darr tha!",

he closes his eyes, controlling his frustration.

Tears roll down Ananya's cheeks.

"Kho diya tha maine apne bachche ko. Kho diya tha.",

cries Kabeer.

Controlling himself he says,

"Iss haadse ke baad kuch din to wo mere ghar hi rahi, uske baad Shreya ne ghar chhorh diya."

"Inn sub baaton ki wajah se main kaam se bohot chhutiyan lene laga. Tarani se meri achi dosti thi to usey meri chinta hui aur wo mere ghar aa gayi. Usey maine sub kuch bataya. Tabse Tarini mera pura dhyan rakhne lagi, kyunki main apna dhyan rakhna bhool chuka tha. Maine apne aapko kaam mein poori tarah jhonk diya taki Shreya ki yaad bilkul aani band ho jaye. Kyunki jab Shreya ki yaad aati thi mera khoon khaul uthta tha.",

says Kabeer, glaring at infinity.

Taking a deep breath Kabeer says,

"Agar Tarini na hoti to shayad apni zindagi ko main phir kabhi sahi raaste par na la paata. Wo poori koshish karti thi ki wo mujhe kabhi akela na chhorhe. Agar wo khud mere paas nahi reh sakti apne kaam ki wajah se to Anurag ko mere paas chhorh jaati thi. Uski zimmedari dekar mujhe sub baaton se distract rakhne ki koshish karti thi.",

smiles Kabeer, thinking fondly about Tarini.

"Dekhte hi dekhte Anurag mere jigar ka tukda bann gaya. Mera poora dhyan iss baat par rehta tha ke kabhi uske chehre ki muskurahat kam na ho.",

smiles Kabeer.

Ananya smiles too.

"Jo khushi mujhe Shreya nahi de paayi - mere apne bachche ki khushi, wo khushi main Anurag se pa raha tha. Bilkul apne bete ki tarah pyar karta hoon usse.",

Kabeer thinks of Anurag, fondly.

"Anurag se meri badhti nazdikiyon ke kaaran ab Tarini aur main zyada se zyada waqt ek saath bitane lagey.",

says Kabeer, turning serious.

Ananya too gets alert.

"Hum dono ka news channel ek dusre se alag tha. Dekha jaaye to apne professional life mein hum dono ek dusre ke rival the. To aise mein hum dono ke beech ki dosti hum dono ke colleagues ki ankhon mein khatakne lagi.",

shares Kabeer.

Ananya feels bad for them.

"Mere aur Tarini dono ke hi office mein ye baat aag ki tarah fail (spread) gayi ke hum dono ke beech mein koi rishta hai.",

says Kabeer.

Whilst laughing a little sarcastically, he adds,

"Aur... aur kuch logo ki soch to itni zyada giri hui nikli....",

he shakes his head in disgust.

"Kyun kya hua?",

asks Ananya, curious.

"Jo log naye-naye aaye the mere aur Tarini ke office mein, jo humein zyada jaante nahi the, wo to ye atkale bhi lagane lagein ke Anurag, Tarini aur mera beta hai.",

says Kabeer out of anger and disgust.

Ananya gets shocked hearing it.

"To phir aapne kuch kaha nahi unse?",

asks Ananya, curious.

"Main to hairan reh gaya unki soch dekhkar. Ek baar unhe keh diya ke jaisa wo soch rahe hain aisa kuch nahi hai. Magar jab iske baad bhi ye baatein nahi rukin to maine subke saamne Tarini aur Anurag ko laakar introduce karaya. Tab jaakar subko apni galti ka ehsaas hua.",

says Kabeer.

"Magar inn sub baaton ki wajah se mere aur Tarini ke beech duuri aa gayi."

"Jaise ki itna humiliation humare liye especially Tarini ke liye kaafi nahi tha, ke na jaane kaise ye baat Shreya tak pohnch gayi ke uske jaane ke baad main Tarini ke saath zyada ghulne-milne laga hoon. Usne Tarini ke office mein jaakar hungama kar diya. Bohot bezatti ki uski. Tarini ne bohot humiliation face ki uss din Shreya ke haathon.",

says Kabeer.

"Uss din main Mr. Vikas se milkar wapas aa raha tha bohot zoron se baarish shuru ho gayi thi. Jab main office ke bahar apni car park kar raha tha to maine Tarini ko apne office se rote hue bahar nikalte hue dekha. Wo office ke band hone ka waqt nahi tha to mujhe kuch atpata sa laga. Baarish hone ke kaaran main theek se samjh bhi nahi pa raha tha ke kya wo such mein ro rahi hai ya ye mera vehm hai. Isse pehle ki main kuch aur soch paata maine Shreya ko Tarini ke office se nikalte hue dekha aur main sub kuch samjh gaya.",

says Kabeer, fresh anger surging through him.

"Maine turant gadi ghumayi aur Tarini ka peecha kiya. Wo tab tak apni gadi mein baithkar nikal chuki thi. Drive karte hue maine kayi baar usko call kiya kabhi wo call bajte rehne deti to kabhi cut kar deti, magar ek baar bhi receive nahi kiya. Uska peecha karte hue main uske ghar tak pohncha. Maine kayi baar bell bajayi magar wo darwaza kholne ko taiyar hi nahi thi. Main wohin darwaze par khade hokar usse request karta raha ke ek baar wo mujhe ander aane de aur mujhse baat karle. Magar usne ek na suni. Phir achanak bohot zor se baadal ke garajne ki aawaz hui. To shayad mere prati uski fikr ne usse darwaza kholne ke liye majboor kiya. Ander jaakar bohot argument hui uske saath meri aur reason yahi tha ke wo mujhe kuch bata nahi rahi thi ke akhir hua kya hai. Thak haarkar akhirkaar usne mujhe sub kuch bataya ke kaise Shreya ne subke saamne uss par ilzaam lagaya ke uska mere saath koi gairsambandh hai; ke uski wajah se aaj Shreya aur main ek saath nahi hain. Such keh raha hoon Ananya mera khoon khaul utha. Tarini aur mere beech bus dosti thi isse zyada aur kuch nahi. Magar uss raat iss baare mein humare beech bohot lamba discussion hua. Ek baat se dusri baat nikli. Baatein karte karte na jaane kitna waqt beet gaya. Uss din hum dono hi kafi juzbaati ho gaye thein. Main bhi toota hua tha wo bhi uss humiliation ke baad toot chuki thi. Hum dono ko hi pata nahi chala ke kab hum apni dosti ki seema ko langhkar ek dusre ke kareeb aa gaye!",

Kabeer turns silent.

His heart throbbing frantically inside his chest.

Ananya widens her eyes out of shock. She wonders how it would have been to listen to this incident from him face to face. She shakes her head feeling glad that this conversation is happening over phone as she is not sure she would want to face him at this moment.

"Ananya?",

calls out Kabeer, nervously.

"Haan! Haan main sunn rahi hoon.",

says Ananya, getting out of her reverie.

"Phir?",

Ananya skips Kabeer's heartbeat by this simple word.

Kabeer's chest expands and contracts at fresh new pace hearing her.

"Ye pehli aur aakhri baar tha jab hum dono ek dusre ke kareeb aaye!",

says Kabeer.

Ananya nods her head although she knows he won't be able to see her.

"Kuch din tak hum ek dusre se milna to duur, ek dusre se phone par bhi baat nahi kar rahe thein. Shayad hum dono ko hi space chahiye tha theek se sochne ke liye.",

says Kabeer.

"Tarini bohot strong headed hai. Bohot clearly bol degi ke usse kya chahiye. Aur apni soch ko achi tarah shabdon mein peerona bhi usse bakhoobi aata hai jisse ki sunne wale ko bilkul takleef na ho.",

he appreciates Tarini.

Ananya understands.

"Usne clearly mujhe keh diya ke usey mujhse dosti rakhne mein koi problem nahi hai magar jo kuch bhi hua uss baare mein hum kabhi discuss nahi karenge. Ke humare beech dosti ke alawa koi rishta nahi hoga.",

says Kabeer.

Ananya nods her head.

"Kahin na kahin main bhi yahi chahta tha. Jo ho gaya usko badal nahi sakta tha. Magar jo agey hoga usko zaroor sudhaar sakta tha. Uss din humne apni dosti ki nayi shuruat ki. Aur abki baar humari dosti ki taakat pehle se kayi zyada thi, itni ke buri se buri atkalein bhi iss dosti ko tod nahi sakti thi.",

smiles Kabeer.

Ananya stays quiet.

Taking a deep breath, Kabeer asks,

"To! Ab kya kahogi tum mere character ke baare mein?",

asks Kabeer, smiling.

Ananya gives it a thought and very seriously says,

"Shreya se alag hone ke baad aur mujhse milne se pehle, iss beech aapke paas bohot samay tha jab aap Tarini ke baare mein seriously soch sakte thein. Aapko koi nahi rok raha tha Tarini ki taraf haath barhane se. Duniya walon ne bhi aapke aur Tarini ke rishte par ungli uthai tab bhi aapne Tarini ka na saath chhorha na hi uske prati aapke dil mein dosti se barhkar koi feeling aayi.",

she pauses.

Kabeer listens to her with full interest.

"Mere hisab se aap ek perfect gentleman hain. Aur jo hua aapke aur Tarini ke beech usse jab aap dono hi agey barh chukey hain; itni maturity ke saath uss situation se deal karne ke baad; to main kyun bekar mein uss baat ko humare beech mein kheench kar laungi? Pasts subke hote hain. Haan mera nahi hai koi kyunki Papa ke jaane ke baad Mumma aur Bhai ki zimmedari puri tarah se mujh par aa gayi thi. Mere paas waqt nahi tha inn sub chakkaron mein parhne ka. Magar main inn baaton ko samjhti hoon. Pasts ko past mein rehne dena bhi mujhe bohot ache se aata hai. So jab tak aapka past humare present mein obstacle na baney tab tak mujhe koi problem nahi hai.",

smiles Ananya.

Kabeer releases his held breath after hearing Ananya's words.

"Is...ka... mat...lab... humare beech sub kuch normal hai?",

asks Kabeer, just to clarify one last time.

"Bilkul hai!",

smiles Ananya.

Kabeer's heart fills with immense love for Ananya.

"Tha...nk.... yo...u... Thank you so much Ananya for understanding.",

Kabeer shows his gratitude towards her.

Ananya smiles.

●●●●●

(Sujal's sad tune begins)

Walking alone in the garden, Sujal misses Veena.

'Zindagi ne mere saath kayi khel khele; kayi imtehaan liye, magar aapka beta kabhi toota nahi kyunki uski taakat uski Mumma har pal uske saath thi.'

'Magar Sujal ki taakat hi agar usey akela chhorh kar chale jaye, to wo kaise jeeye?'

'Meri khushiyon ki maala ka ek chhor (end) aap aur dusra Kashish hai. Maala ka ek chhor jab toot gaya ho to phoolon ko ab kaise sametoon? Maala ko kaise phirse baandhun?',

Sujal knits his brows tight.

'Saare phool maala ke aapke jaane ke baad murjha chuke hain Mumma. Aapka ye phool - Sujal, murjha chuka hai!',

he cries silently.

'Main hansta hoon to Kashish ke liye. Kyunki jab tak ye saansein chal raheen hain tab tak agar uske chehre par ek shikan bhi aa jaye, to main khudko kabhi maaf nahi kar paunga.'

'Shayad... shayad aap bhi mujhe kabhi iss baat ke liye maaf na karein.',

he laughs a little.

'Sambhaal liya tha khudko kisi tarah. Ghut-ghut kar hi sahi zindagi kat-ti ja rahi thi meri. Phir achanak kyun, kyun mere dil mein ek umeed ki kiran jagayi aapne ke aap mujhe phirse mil sakti hain. Ke main phirse aapko chhu sakta hoon; mehsoos kar sakta hoon, kyun Mumma? Kyun?',

Sujal feels frustrated.

'Kashish ko iss baat ka yakeen dilana ke main jisko apni zindagi se bhi barhkar maanta hoon, meri Mumma, wo zinda nahi hai; unka hona Kashish ka vehm hai, kyun guzarna parha mujhe iss imtehaan se jahan mere aapke hone ki suchai par vishwas ko parkha gaya?'

Sujal covers his face with both of his hands, controlling his emotions.

'Aapke bete mein ab aur taakat nahi bachi Mumma. Nahi bachi ke phirse umeed lagakar nirasha paane par sambhal jayega wo. Tootkar bikhar jaunga humesha-humesha ke liye! Tootkar bikhar jaunga! Tootkar bikhar jaunga!'

Sujal turns his covered face heavenwards.

●●●●●

Naushad and Meher are sitting on the sofa of Kashish's room, staring at sleeping Kashish. Meher's left elbow is resting on the left handle of the sofa and her fingers resting on her forehead. On the other hand Naushad's fingers are intertwined and elbows are resting on his thighs, his forearms rested vertically.

"Aapne apni Ammi ko bata diya ke aap yahan thehri hui hain?",

asks Naushad, his eyes on Kashish.

"Ji!",

says Meher, smiling politely, without looking at him.

"Mere saath?",

adds Naushad, looking towards her to gauge her reaction.

Meher's cheeks warm up. Her smile broadens a little out of shyness.

Naushad enjoys witnessing her turning red out of shyness.

She looks towards him and nods her head twice, smiling still.

Naushad smiles back.

Taking a deep breath, turning to look towards Kashish - a way to escape an eye to eye contact with Meher as he asks,

"To, kya kaha aapki Ammi ne? Kahin unhone naarazgi zaahir to nahi ki mere aapke saath hone ki?",

looking back towards her, he adds further,

"Unprofessional reason ki wajah se!"

"Unhe aap par bharosa hai Naushad.",

assures Meher, smiling.

"Humari jaan-pehchan ki shuruat jis tarah hui, zaahir si baat hai, aapki Ammi ko mujhse naarazgi to hogi hi.",

says Naushad, smiling out of guilt.

"Aap fizool mein chinta kar rahe hain. Ammi ko aap pasand hain.",

assures Meher.

Naushad's heart skips a beat hearing that. His eyes twinkle with joy. Smile twitches his lips.

Meher slowly cascades her eyes out of shyness.

"Aur aapko?",

Naushad doesn't shy away from asking her of her feelings for him.

That comes as a surprise for Meher. She immediately looks towards him to ensure that he indeed said that and she didn't hear it wrong.

They both stare each other. Their eyes filled with love and affection for each other.

Meher smiles shyly, staring him for a brief moment she cascades her eyes again.

"Ye mere sawaal ka jawab nahi tha Meher!",

teases Naushad.

Meher's heart throbs inside her chest hearing him.

"Sabr kijiye, jawab mil jayega.",

she says, blushing, smiling, never looking towards him.

"Main dil ke maamlon mein kal par bharosa nahi karta Meher!",

he states bluntly.

Meher notices the change in his tone. He has turned serious, the earlier affection seems to be missing.

"Aaj nahi kal sub kuch theek ho jayega! Ek aur mauka dekar dekhte hain! Inn baaton ne mujhe siwaye dard aur takleef ke aur kuch nahi diya.",

says Naushad and stares her.

Meher stares back.

Taking a deep breath, looking away, he says,

"Chaliye jaane dijiye."

"Waise maine socha nahi tha humein yahan aise rukna parh jayega.",

says Naushad.

"Hospital mein baat ki thi, saara schedule change karna parha. Dr. Akram ko maine apne patients handle karne ko keh diya hai.",

says Naushad.

Meher nods her head.

"Pehle to Dr. Akram theek se hi baat kar rahein thein, magar jaise hi maine bola ke tum mere saath ho, unki to aawaaz hi badal gayi! Maano unhe badi hairangi hui ye jaankar ke hum saath hain.",

exclaims Naushad, knitting his brows, still finding Dr. Akram's reaction weird.

The moment he mentions of Dr. Akram, Meher widens her eyes and a smile creeps her lips. Slowly she looks towards Naushad.

"Aa..pne... aa...pne Dr. Akram ko ye bata diya ke hum saa...th hain?",

asks Meher, nervously.

Naushad looks towards her in confusion, knitting his brows he says,

"Haan, kyun?"

Meher slaps her forehead lightly, roles her eyes and exclaims,

"Ufff!!!"

"Kya hua? Is everything alright?",

asks Naushad, perplexed.

Removing her hand from her forehead, she looks towards him, shaking her head she says,

"Abhi tak to hai, magar hospital wapas jaakar sub theek nahi rahega."

"Matlab?",

asks Naushad, still confused.

"Dr. Akram aur Dr. Zakir ko to mauka chahiye mujhe chherhne ka. Aap khud hi sochiye hospital mein main apne khadoos boss se seedhe muh baat bhi nahi karti aur yahan akele mein unke saath waqt guzaar rahi hoon! Aapko lagta hai hospital wapas jaane par wo mujhe chain se jeene denge?",

asks Meher, narrowing her eyes on him briefly.

Upon understanding the situation Naushad slowly smiles, staring Meher throughout.

"Kya kahenge wo?",

asks Naushad, enjoying teasing her.

Meher immediately shoots a glance towards him, her eyes twinkling with affection for him.

Her chest begins to expand and contract at quick succession.

"Jeena dushwaar kar denge.",

says Meher, staring him throughout, her voice almost like a whisper.

"Acha hoga!",

comes Naushad's immediate reply.

Meher widens her eyes out of shock hearing his words, smiling still.

"Aapko pata to chalega ke koi jab kisi ka jeena dushwaar karta hai to uss par kya beet-ti hai!",

Naushad teases her.

Meher, understanding what he means, blushes and smile further, cascading her eyes.

Suddenly she acts to be angry and says,

"Waise ye main pehle se jaanti hoon!"

Raising his brows in surprise, smiling in surprise, Naushad says,

"Acha?"

"Hmmm! Mere khadoos boss ne mera jeena already dushwaar kiya hua hai.",

says Meher, then looks towards him through the corner of her eyes.

Naushad laughs silently, enjoying witnessing her expressions.

"Ulta chor kotwal ko dante!",

says Naushad, under his breath, looking anywhere but towards her.

It doesn't escape her ears. Meher stares him in utter shock, smiling and blushing profusely.

Naushad turns to look towards her. Naushad and Meher stare each other, both smiling and blushing, their hearts fluttered.

●●●●●

Rajveer, in his night dress, resting on his bed, his back resting against the pillow, his legs stretched and crossed, thinks about the conversation that they all had during the breakfast.

Naina, changed to her night dress walks to her side of the bed and climbs up. Whilst covering herself with the blanket and adjusting the pillow to mirror Rajveer's position, sitting beside him, asks,

"Aapki Abhimanyu se baat hui?"

Abhimanyu's name drags his attention and he turns to look towards Naina. Naina and Rajveer stare each other, all serious.

"Bohot time se koi baat nahi hui unse. Aapne bhi unka zikr nahi kiya to maine socha...",

Naina trails off, gauging his disappointment.

"Ahmm... koi baat nahi... so jaate hain.",

Naina smiles a little to clear the bubbles of tension that has evolved by her mentioning of Abhimanyu. She begins to adjust herself to sleep, suddenly Rajveer says,

"Wo theek hai. Delhi pohnchkar usne mujhse baat ki thi."

Naina feels happy hearing him.

"Aa...pne... mu...jhe... bataya nahi ke unse aapki baat hui!",

says Naina, slowly, hesitantly.

Rajveer looks towards her. His eyes burning with possessiveness towards her but his demeanor calm and composed as always.

"Mujhe pata nahi tha mera tumhe Abhimanyu ke baare mein batana zaroori tha Naina!",

says Rajveer, staring her throughout, his eyes reflecting his disappointment upon receiving her reply.

Naina's heart skips a beat. Why is he angry? What has she done to get such a heart breaking reply from him?

Naina slowly places her hand on his hand, holding it lightly, gauging his reaction and mood, and asks,

"Sub theek hai na? Aa...p dono ke beech kuch hua hai kya?"

(Rajveer-Naina slow flute tune begins)

Rajveer's expression turns calm.

He pulls her closer to himself, wrapping his arm around her. Naina rests her head on his chest, her left hand clutching his shirt lightly.

"Ha...an... haan sub theek hai!",

Rajveer takes a deep breath.

"Mujhe to laga tha aap dono ki dosti ke beech koi nahi aa sakta!",

says Naina.

Rajveer's heart skips a beat and he holds his breath for a brief moment before his heartbeat picks up a new pace, higher then earlier.

Rajveer tightens his hold on Naina, staring ahead at infinity, he says,

"Koi nahi aaya Naina! Koi nahi aaya!"

But Naina senses that something is amiss. He is hiding something from her.

She tilts her head backward and looks up towards him and says, her brows tightly knit together,

"Bataiye mujhe kya baat hai!"

Rajveer, his cheeks blushed out of nervousness, looks back towards Naina.

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)

●●●●

Both of them retire to their earlier positions, sitting at their respective sides of bed, with their backs resting against the pillow; their legs stretched and crossed. The only difference in their position is that Rajveer is looking ahead towards the infinity and Naina has her face turned towards him, all serious.

"Jab Naveen ne pehli baar mujhe aur Abhimanyu ko tumhare baare mein bataya tha tab maine to zyada interest show nahi kiya tha magar Abhimanyu ne zaroor mazak karte hue kaha tha ke agar usey tum pasand aa gayi to wo tumhe apni girlfriend bana lega.",

smiles Rajveer, cascading his eyes.

"Jab itne saalon baad usne mujhe phone karke bataya ke wo academy wapas aa raha hai mere dimag mein subse pehle tum aayi thi."

Naina widens her eyes in surprise.

"Unn dino tum bhi mujhse naaraaz theen.",

says Rajveer, his cheeks turn hot out of sadness.

Naina knits her brows out of guilt. She rests her hand on his cheek and forces him to look towards her, when he does, Naina shakes her head slowly. Cupping his face with her hands, Naina place a soft kiss on his forehead. They stare each other. Naina smiles a little. Rajveer smiles back too, a little.

"Main waise hi tumhari berukhi se har pal til-til karke mar raha tha. Abhimanyu ke academy aane ki baat ne mujhe aur dara diya. Phir jab wo academy aaya tab uske saamne bhi tumhari mere prati berukhi.... khudko poori tarah haara hua mehsoos kar raha tha.",

says Rajveer.

"Agar Abhimanyu na hota to shayad main tumhe mana bhi leta; shayad kisi tarah tumhe samjha leta ke jo kuch bhi maine kiya, wo karna kyun zaroori tha mere liye; ke main majboor tha. Magar Abhimanyu ka academy mein aana tumhe mujhse aur duur le gaya."

Naina feels guilty.

"Jo strength tumhe pehle mujhse mila karti thi; wo ab tumhe Abhimanyu se milne lagi."

Naina lowers her eyes.

Smiling sarcastically,

"Tum... tum jaanti thi mujhe tumhara Abhimanyu ke kareeb jaana pasand nahi tha. Aur isliye tum jaan-boojhkar Abhimanyu ke saath zyada se zyada waqt beetane lagi!"

Naina gets self conscious; feeling guilty.

Turning to look towards Naina, smiling a little, sadly, he asks her,

"Jaanti thi na tum?"

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)

Naina slowly looks towards him.

The look in her eyes reflects that she was aware of the jealousy that Rajveer used to feel each time he would look at Abhimanyu and her together.

"To phir kyun Naina? Kyun kiya tumne aisa?",

asks Rajveer, hurt, despite the fact that he knows why she did it - because she hated him.

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune continues)

They keep staring each other.

●●●●●

"Kyunki main chahti thi ke aapko ehsaas ho ke aapki wajah se mujhe apne pyar ko khudse duur karna parha!",

shouts Naina out of anger.

Rajveer stares her out of shock.

"Aapko khudse duur karna parha!",

she adds further.

Rajveer's heart skips a beat hearing her.

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune continues)

"Gussa aata tha aap par! Kyun aap mere Bhaiya ko mujhse duur karne ki wajah baney? Sub kuch kitna acha chal raha tha humare beech. Phir kyun aapne mujhe wajah di aapko khudse duur karne ki?",

shouts Naina.

"Ek taraf meri nafrat uske liye jisne mere bhaiya ko mujhse duur kiya; dusri taraf uske liye jisse main pyar karne lagi thi."

Rajveer stares her never blinking his eyes. His heart clenched.

"Jisne ek pal mein sub kuch khatam kar diya! Bhaiya ke jaane ke baad pehli baar main phirse jee uthi thi jab mujhe ehsaas hua tha ke mujhe aapse pyar ho gaya hai. Aur unke jaane ke baad doosri baar maine khudko mara hua mehsoos kiya jab mujhe pata laga ke aap wajah hain unke zinda na hone ke peeche!",

continues Naina.

Tears of anger and frustration roll down Naina's eyes.

"Itna sab kuch hone ke baad; Abhimanyu ke saath aapki aankhon ke saamne rehne ke baad; aapko jaanbujh kar dard pohnchane ke baad, akele mein main roti thi! Ghutan hoti thi mujhe!"

"Tum mujhse badla lene ke junoon mein itni andhi ho gayi Naina ke tumhe iss baat ka ehsaas bhi nahi hua ke Abhimanyu tumse pyar karne laga tha!",

reveals Rajveer, calmly.

(Rajveer-Naina revolt tune begins)

Naina stares him, shocked.

"Kya?! Abhimanyu?!",

she exclaims in shock.