Jis jis ne Darker than Darkness nahi padhi hai voh jaa ke padh le.... 

Not proof read

Continued...

The grand ballroom sparkled with lights, the scent of roses and fresh jasmine filling the air. Soft music played in the background as guests swirled in elegant attire, their laughter and quiet murmurs blending with the rhythms of the night.

Haseena's eyes, sharp as ever, scanned the crowd, watching Anubhav closely. Her heart, once shattered by the brutal misunderstanding that had nearly cost him his life, still ached in ways she couldn't fully explain. And yet, here they were, trying to play the role of lovers once more, even though they both knew their past was nothing more than fractured pieces of broken glass.

 To distract herself rom the painful realization Haseena questioned Karishma Singh who was connected through Bluetooth...

Haseena (whispered): Karishma Singh kuch mila???

Karishma: Nahi madam sir.... Abhi taq kuch haath nahi laga hai.... Iss aadmi ne puri chaar floor apne parivaar valo ko gift kar rakhi hai.... Ik maa baap ke liye, ik behan ke liye, ik apne saale ke liye aur ik khud ke liye.... Bas ab vahi baaki hai

Santosh: Aur inn floor pe zayada guards bhi nahi hai.... 

Karishma: Aap log har samabhav prayas kijiyega ki yeh Raj  Malhotra aur iska parivaar bas kissi bhi tarah yahi neeche hi rahe... 

Haseena: Hum puri koshish karenge Karishma Singh.... Aapko kuch bhi suspicious lagta hai toh hume bataiyega....

Haseena's gaze again went to her Anubhav, who was holding her close as they danced. His grip on her waist was firm but distant, as if he was afraid that even a breath too close would ignite memories neither of them were ready to confront. 

His gaze, despite the closeness of their bodies, was elsewhere—towards Aayushi, who was on the other side of the ballroom, laughing brightly as she danced with Amar.....

Haseena's breath caught her throat as she noticed the way Anubhav's eyes lingered on Aayushi, a flicker of something she couldn't quite place flashing in his gaze. It wasn't just the polite appreciation of a casual observer—it was something more. Something that made the pulse in Haseena's temples throb with jealousy....

Haseena: Aap kahi khoye hue lag rahe hai...

It was more of a statement than a question

Anubhav: Bas iss case ke baare mein soch rahe hai.... Aur iss mein samilit logo ke baare mein...

Haseena: Aapka matlab hai Aayushi....

Anubhav: Shayad aap bhul rahi hai ki voh iss case ki ik eham sandidh hai Ms. Mallik.... 

Anubhav tried to justify his actions but Haseena wasn't convinced..... There was something there, something Haseena couldn't put her finger on, but it gnawed at her...

She could see the subtle tension in his jaw, the way his eyes briefly sought out Aayushi once more before returning to her.....

Aayushi (To Amar): Aapko nahi lagta ki yeh sab kuch boring sa ho raha hai...

Amar: Matlab??

Aayushi: Voh dekhiye na couples ke beech excitement kam ho raha hai.... Kaise voh dance floor se dur jaa rahe hai....

Aayushi pointed at some couples retreating back from the dance floor... Amar twirled Aayushi around and simultaneously asked another question hoping that  this can delay things and give some more time to Karishma...

Amar: Toh ab??? 

Aayushi: Ab time hai iss dance mein ik twist add karne ka....  

Aayushi spun away from Amar and made her way across the ballroom.... Her movements were graceful, she was a picture of confidence, the kind of woman who could command a room without uttering a word..... Haseena watched her, her gaze narrowing.....

Haseena: Aap Aayushi ko pehele se jaante hai???

Anubhav: Ji.... Aakhri baar IVF centre pe dekha tha....

Although it was not the complete truth it wasn't a lie either.... 

But Haseena wasn't sure she believed him. The jealousy, the discomfort, twisted in her chest, but she couldn't ask him outright.... Not here, not now..... Not with the eyes of everyone around them.

Meanwhile, Aayushi had reached the edge of the dance floor, her sharp eyes meeting Haseena's for a brief second..... She smiled, but it was calculated, like she knew exactly what was going through Haseena's mind.... Her presence only added fuel to the fire burning in Haseena's gut.....

And then there was Amar, hovering nearby, his gaze fixed firmly on Haseena. She caught his eyes, and he gave her a look—soft, almost apologetic..... 

The music stopped.... Anuseena still stood close to each other with Anubhav's hand still planted on Haseena's waist while her hands rest against his chest....

Aayushi: So Ladies and Gentlemen, Kyu na iss shaam ko thoda aur romanchak banaya jaaye.... Har ik rishte ko jode rakhne ka kaam aapki mutual understanding, compatibility aur trust karte hai.... Toh kyu na iss aaj shaam parkha jaaye??? Dekha jaye ki kaun hai iss party ka best couple????

Some people shouted yes.... 

Aayushi: Perfect.... Toh iss game ke teen round honge.... Sabse pehela round hoga paper dance ka.... I hope yaha pe sabko iss game ke rules pata hai.... Aapko aapke patner ke saath ik newspaper pe khade hoke dance karna hai aur har baar jab music rukega toh paper ko ik baar fold kiya jayega.... So are we ready???

Crowed hooted in affirmation....

Aayushi: Iss round ke best five couples second round mein jayenge.... Newspaper le aaiye please....

Karishma spoke through microphone.....

Karishma: Raj Malhotra ke maa baap ke paas jo floor hai vaha kuch bhi sandidh nahi mila hai.... Santu, Cheeteh koi update

Santosh: Kuch khaas nahi madam.... zayadatar sab party mein hai.... (she notices something on the camera) Amar sir.... Aapke peeche ik red shirt mein aadmi khada hai.... Voh Raj Malhotra ka saala hai.... Voh shayad apne room ki taraf aa raha hai....

Amar: Hum inhe dekhte hai....

The paper dance started.... As the music swelled, the tempo picked up, and the other dancers swirled around them..... Haseena's mind raced, her body tense against Anubhav's, her pulse quickening not from their closeness, but from the storm of emotions crashing within her..... Was it just the case, or was there something more? Something she had missed before, buried under layers of suspicion and hurt?

The music stopped and the paper was folded again....

Anubhav's hand moved from her waist, gliding down to her back, drawing her closer in a smooth, calculated movement..... His face was inches from hers, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something—something that almost felt like the old familiarity.... The old them..... But just as quickly, the moment passed, and he pulled back a little as he felt Haseena's tense body flushed against his.....

Anubhav: Yadi humare kissi bhi karatya se aap asehej mahsoos kare toh aap hume nisankoch bata sakti hai.....

Anubhav murmured quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, while all his colleges including Amar smiled at his concern..... 

Haseena  (whispered with her hand on his heart): Hum thik hai....

Anubhav's eyes softened, but only for a moment. ... He nodded, though his gaze drifted again—this time unmistakably toward Aayushi, who was now checking all the couples....

Haseena's heart skipped a beat as the realization hit her..... 

Was this all just a game to Anubhav?

She had never been good at reading people, but she could feel the weight of his silence pressing in on her...... He was running away again, as he always did, and she was being left in the dust..... 

As soon as Haseena realized her  emotions are getting out of her control she quickly pulled herself together, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.....

Anubhav was too busy in his thoughts to noticed the change in Haseena's expressions..... His mind still stuck in today's events

The music stopped once again bring anuseena out of their thoughts.... While they looked around most of the couples were out from the game..... 

The paper was folded once more and now it was such that only a single person can stand on it.... 

Anubhav stepped on the paper while Haseena stood on his feet.... The position was uncomfortable yet they decided to go with the flow as there were only seven couples left on the dance floor....

It was now when Anubhav looked in Haseena's eyes did he notice small signs of insecurity .... Although he couldn't put a finger on what made her insecure but he decided to clear the air between them.... Not with his words but with his actions....

His hand lightly caressed Haseena's cheek while she instead of closing her eyes, stared blankly at Anubhav's dark orbs as if trying to find something... Anubhav tucked few strands of her hair behind her ears... Haseena's hand subconsciously moved  towards Anubhav's shoulder  and he let out a small yet painful hiss....

Haseena quickly place her hand again on his chest and looked worriedly at him.... Anubhav assured his well being to her through his eyes but Haseena knew that he was in pain.... But why??? What exactly happened today??? 

Before Haseena could speak anything the music stopped and Aayushi spoke on mike....

Aayushi: Toh iss round ke five winning couples se mai request karti hu ki voh centre mein aa jaye... 

Anuseena too headed towards the centre of the hall while Haseena's eyes momentarily were stuck on Amar who was trying his level best to stop the man in red shirt.... 

Haseena could hear their conversation through the Bluetooth device.... Apparently that man has a very low thinking about women.... So much so that she had noticed Anubhav taking off the Bluetooth while she herself was fuming in rage and for once she wanted to follow Karishma's footprints and beat the life out of this man....

Aayushi's voice brought her back to reality

Aayushi: Toh yeh ik compatibility test ka round hai jiss se hume yeh pata chale ki aap ik dusre ko kitna jaante hai.... Iss round mein sabhi aurton se 3 sawaal puche jayenge jo ki unke husband se related and similarly sabhi aadmiyon se bhi 3 sawaal puche jayenge.... Ik example de deti hu taki aap logo ko clear ho jaye.... 

Points hat her brother and sister in law 

Aayushi: Toh jaise maine bhabhi se pucha ki bhaiya ki favorite vacation destination kya hai toh bhabhi apna answer bol diya aur bhaiya jo bhi sahi answer hai voh apne board pe likh denge..... Issi tarah se two best couples third aur last round ke liye select kiye jayenge.... So sabhi husbands se request hai ki voh ik taraf aa jaye (points at her left) aur wives dusri taraf....

The game started and anuseena stood last in the line

Haseena (kept a hand on her mouth and whispered): Karishma Singh kuch milla???

Karishma: Madam sir Aayushi vali floor check kar rahe hai vaha abhi  taq kuch bhi sandidh nahi mila hai....

Cheetah: Madam hume yaha bhi kuch ajeeb nahi dikh raha hai.... 

Amar (came to a corner and spoke his eyes still on that man in red shirt who was busy drinking): Haseena aap iss round mein hissa lijiye.... Questions ke answers aap aur sir dono Bluetooth ke zariye tally kar sakte hai.... Abhi taq sirf Raj Malhotra ne saare sahi jawab diye hai... Agar aap log nahi jeete toh game yahi khattam ho jayega....

Santosh: Par Sir ik problem hai... 

Amar: Kaisi dikkat Santosh Sharma 

Santosh: DSP sir ka Bluetooth connected nahi hai.... Madam sir shayad DSP sir ne Bluetooth hata diya hai.... Please unse kaiye na ki voh Bluetooth laga le....

Haseena looked at Anubhav's face and again noticed him looking at Aayushi's face.... 

Haseena: Santosh Sharma aapke DSP sir agar humari taraf dekhe toh hum unhe bata paye na....

Karishma: Ka matlab???

Haseena: Matlab chodiye Karishma Singh....Jo bhi hoga dekha jayega aap log jald se jald kamro ki talashi lijiye.... Hume Raj Malhotra ke saale pe shaq hai.... Aap log usske floor ki talashi pehele lijiye..... 

Amar: Par aap log jawab kaise....

Before Haseena could speak anything it was her and Anubhav's turn and now they were looking at each other's face....

Aayushi: Toh pehle sawal aapse puche jayenge (points at Haseena)

Haseena nodded.... Amar was not watching this interaction as he was busy following Sagar, Raj Malhotra's brother in law, who was heading towards the backside of the hotel.... 

Aayushi: Toh aap log pehli baar kaha aur kab mille the???

Anuseena looked at each other as if simultaneously recalling their first meet and wrote their respective answer....

Haseena: 7th December ko.... Sadak pe

Aayushi checked Anubhav's board

Aayushi: Sahi jawab.... Next aapke husband ke favorite flower... 

Haseena: Tulips....

Aayushi: Right.... Next question...

Aayushi: Aapke beloved husband ki ik sabse prominent hobby....

Karishma knew it was reading and she also knew that Haseena might not know about it and so she decided to speak through Bluetooth, but to her surprise she and Haseena spoke together

Kareena: Kitabe padhna

Anubhav looked at Haseena's face in astonishment, the question in his mind was clear as day.... How could she know about it??? 

Meanwhile Amar noticed the look of surprise on Anubhav's face, feeling proud at Haseena for giving the right answer.... 

Aayushi: Correct answer.... So ab baari hai aapke Patidev se sawal karne ki... Are you ready?? (Anubhav nods)

Santosh: Bas ab DSP sir saare jawab sahi de de 

Aayushi (To Anubhav): Aap dono ki peheli date kaha pe thi???

Anuseena recalls their first chai date

Anubhav: Chai ki tapri pe....

Aayushi: Interesting.... Right answer.... Next Question, Aapki wife ka favorite color.... Dhyaan se jawaab dijiyega iss sawaal ka aksar pati galat hi jawab dete hai

Anubhav: Neela rang

For the first time in months he was grateful to Bakshi sir who provided him a list of Haseena's favorites during mission Jeet....

Aayushi: Right....Aapka nickname jo aapki wife ne aapko diya hai....

All MPT members got tensed at this question as they knew that Haseena Mallik was not someone who gave nicknames....

But they forgot about Urmila..... Anuseena looked at each other's face for a fleeting moment as if agreeing on something....

Anubhav (Smiled): Chikoo

Haseena wrote the same although a light hue of red made it's way towards her cheek.... No one could tell whether it was due to embarrassment or whether she was actually shy....

Aayushi: Wow.... Right answer... And cute nickname (couples over their passed teasing smile to anuseena) 

Karishma's voice boomed through the Bluetooth

Karishma: Madam sir aap sahi keh rahi thi iss taskari ke peeche Raj Malhotra ke saale ka hi haath hai.... Humare paas saare saboot....

Amar being in Sagar's nearest vicinity held him by his collar.... When his stuggles didn't stop Amar gave him a tight slap....

Aayushi: So agla aur last round- (Aayushi stopped in middle when she heard the sound of slap and Sagar's voice)

*****

Sagar and his friends were arrested.... Haseena, Amar, Karishma and Anubhav were still in the hotel as this was a high profile case.... 

Raj Malhotra was consoling his wife who was bitterly crying for her brother.... 

Raj: Garima aap baat samjhne ki koshish kijiye, inn sab mein uski galti thi toh saza toh usse milegi na....

Garima (shouting): Toh kya karu agar ussne galti ki toh.... Chod du.... bataiye aap, chod du usse marne ke liye.... Arre bhai hai voh mera.... (Karishma looked at Anubhav apologetically) 

Garima: Aapne apni behan ko.... Isse chod diya kya???  Nahi na toh hum hamare bhai ko jail mein kaise sadne de sakte hai....

raj: Garima humari baat samjhne ki koshish-

It was in a blink of eye that Garima took out gun from Amar's waistband and points it directly over Aayushi's head.... 

Raj (Shouts): Garima tum yeh kya kar rahi ho.... Hosh mein bhi ho tum...

Garima: Agar humare bhai ko kuch bhi hua toh aapki yeh behan bhi nahi bachegi... 

Haseena: Aayushi ko chod-

Garima (Shouts):  Chup... Bilkul chup.... Khabardar jo kissi ne ik shabd bhi kaha.... Mere bhai ko chodo varna mai isse maar dalungi...

Aayushi: Bhabhi- (Garima pulls her hair) Aahh

Haseena's gaze flickered towards Anubhav's face whose expression mirrored Karishma Singh.... One were he could attack any moment.... Haseena held his hand to calm him down but Anubhav freed his hand from her and moved towards Aayushi 

But before he could do anything Aayushi headbutted Garima snatched the gun from her hand and threw it somewhere....

Raj, Anubhav, Amar and the few of guests which were left all rushed towards Aayushi while Karishma Singh handcuffed Garima....

Haseena was stunned for a moment.... Not only was this the first time Anubhav jerked her hand away in such way but the way he was checking Aayushi was any injury was far away from professional.... It was personal.... She could see this in his eyes, the care, the worry and maybe just maybe love....  

A single question came into her mind. 

Will this the end of their love? 

Will this be the end of them?

Ik din mein likha hai toh meharbani karke vote aur comment karna....

Time nahi mil raha tha iss story ko likhne ka.... Sorry for the delay....

Ho sakta hai shuru mein English kuch zayada hi ho gayi ho so uske liye I'm sorry but mai bhi kya karu mujhe English mein likhne ki aadat ho gayi hai.... Par yaha iss story mein maine bahut hi simple English rakhne ki koshish ki hai taaki mere readers ko koi problem na ho....

So what do we think???