Dev's pov

" Appa.........."

" Lakshmi calm down my child. You are going to get sick again if you continue to be like this "

" Appa....... Appa.......  I want to go with him. "

I was standing outside the room where Lakshmi was admitted. I could hear her miserable crying just by standing outside itself. My hands shivered and it was cold as ice to open the door. I was a coward to face Lakshmi. People become a coward when they are wrong and with guilt.

" I lied to him..... I lied to him about everything so that he can be happy. Then why he....... How could he go like that leaving us alone. I killed him ..... I killed him "

" Adhu..... Don't say like that. Look at your sister she is also crying watching you in this state. Whatever he went he will be at peace. Don't cry like this "

I could hear Parvathi mom trying to console her as best as she can but whatever it is the one who we went is her own father.  It's actually killing me. Was he in that much pressure ? Did my words added fuel to that ? I shouldn't have behaved that much harsh with him that day. He should be strong for his daughters. Atleast to beat me up he should have hang up there. I was late...... I was damn fucking late.

I gripped my hand on the door handle feeling like a jerk. I was angry on myself, I told ill about her father and always said I want to see him on road but I never wished him to die. It was all said because of my pain inside my heart. Just like how Lakshmi is crying I cried that whole night all alone inside a dark room. There wasn't even a single hand to console me. Felt like to finish myself that moment itself but even my death wasn't in my hands. It was paining deep inside feeling Nisha won't be with me anymore. My baby...... How she would have looked like, what she would have became in future, how I am going to be a father for her I dreamt all these. I could only imagine a beautiful baby girl in place of my baby then and now also. I dreamt all night playing with her. But all those dreams were snatched away from me within a night.

In a sense I killed her dad. I made two girls orphan. If Govind had came to my life unexpectedly then I appeared in their life with all planning. Is that all justifiable ? What I can do now ? My apology won't make things back to normal. I can't give them their father back. I can't swipe their tears now. Then what I can do for them ? Giving back what I snatched them will be enough ?

" Di...... "

" Lakshmi..... "

Suddenly I heard them shouting from room taking Lakshmi's name. I opened the door frantically to check what's happened inside and Lakshmi came and hit on my body was at the same.

" What happened ?" I held on Lakshmi who was struggling to leave from my grip and enquired about the matter to Parvathi mom.

"I don't understand....she pushed me away and ran...... "

" Leave me.......I want to go. I want to go with my appa. I can't stay here without him. '' Lakshmi screamed and cried trying to run. She was hitting on my chest to release my grip.

" Lakshmi.... Calm down. Listen to me... please. " I also tried to make her calm down but she was getting more violent.

"Appa......." Laskhmi shouted for her dad and behaved like a mad girl. She was getting hyper like even I lost my grip on her for a second. She ran out from the room and we all ran behind her.

" Lakshmi........ " I called her repeatedly to stop but nothing worked.

Finally in front of main entrance I caught her and with help of some medical staffs we took her back to room forcefully. Lakshmi was still crying for her appa and that really made my heart churn.

It wasn't that much easy to make her calm down because of her emotional condition. Also medicines for her seizures have already started and she was under it's influence. There days completely she didn't had anything and doctor said she had dehydration. When she Lakshmi ran she pulled off all IV tubes and ran from here.

Parvathi mom, I and Aadhya ... We all could watch her condition and for Aadhya it was really scary. She was crying watching her sister's condition. Parvathi mom did her best to console Lakshmi but she didn't heard her.

" We are putting her on sedation. There is no other way. She seems to be not stable both mentally and emotionally. " her doctor said to me.

"Demise of her father has became a huge shock for her " doctor added looking at Lechu empathetic. I agreed with it. She needs some good sleep to calm down her nerves first. Then only she can listen to others.

What's next was a huge question in front of me. What Lakshmi is going to do with Aadhya in this condition? With that mere cafe she can't able to handle even daily expenses. She won't receive my help then left option was changing the divorce agreement by giving her alimony. But that isn't a permanent solution. Vikram is there and he will come out from jail at any time. Lakshmi doesn't know anything about life and even though I give her money she couldn't able to handle it in a proper way without anyone's guidance.

I saw Zahir coming to my side. Actually I was waiting for him. Morning I asked him to collect Aadhya's things from their house for shifting them. But the way Zahir looked I felt something is wrong.

" What happened ? Didn't you get what I asked for ? " I enquired

" Parvathi mam already sent someone to get them. She said from now on she will be their gaurdian and she will take care of them. " Zahir replied

" What are you saying ? How can she be their gaurdian ? " I was surprised to hear such a decision from her side.
Woman who never let anyone near with her or never been fond of anyone is now going to become a gaurdian for two girls.

Also if Parvathi mom support Lechu then I will never have any role in her life. She wouldn't even look at my face. Why I am becoming so selfish for Lakshmi when I am the one who wanted to see her living in misery ?

I enter into her room when Parvathi mom took Aadhya to get some food for her. I saw Lechu sitting on bed staring outside through the glass window. She looked so weak and tired from crying.  Her eyes and nose were red like if I touch them it will burst. I don't know how I am going to face her. I stood at a distance and watched her silently.

That's when Lechu crawled out from bed and came close to the window. I should talk to her because if she is relieving her anger on me then it's a good thing. Some pressure will be reduced from heart. I slowly moved towards her behind her. Suddenly Lakshmi started hitting her head on the wall very hard.

I was shocked, it was not a good sight to watch. It breaks my heart watching her broken like this. Everything shows what Lakshmi lost from her life and it can't be compensated with anything. She whimpered each time she hit her head. I quickly went to stop her but she didn't stop. What made me surprised was she didn't over react or created a scene there. Kept on hitting her head and at end with no other option I let her continue it. But this time on my hand. I kept my hands on wall where she hits.

Lakshmi fell on the floor crying feeling miserable.

" Appa ........ "

" Appa...... I am sorry"

" What do I do now ? I am really sorry "  she cried like one's eyes out. I was helpless there. She kept on saying sorry for her dad like she did some grave sin. Then she started hitting her both hands on the floor to break them.

" Lakshmi...... Stop it....  " I tried to hold her hands and she started to fight with me to let her hurt herself.

I had to use some force and clutches her both hands inside mine. Lakshmi was sitting on my laps now. Completely exhausted and a feeble Lakshmi leaned back to my chest and continued crying.

" Appa ...... "

" I never got to buy anything nice for him. I always wanted to be his support when I grew up but till his last breath he was my support. "

" I should have listened to his stories when he wanted to talk with me. " She kept on saying things which she wanted to do for Govind but she couldn't.

" Appa ...... "

" Lakshmi calm down. He will never wants to see you in this condition. Let him be happy there but if you continue to be like he will never be happy. " I tried to console her but each and every words I said made me burn in guilt. My audacity to talk to her and console her for her father's death when I am a reason for that.

" I should have stayed with him some more time. I shouldn't have left him alone "

" Lakshmi........ It wasn't your fault. Don't think like that." I was stroking on her head to console her. She was still resting on me all tired. Suddenly Lakshmi turned back and looked at me with those pitiful eyes. Gripping on my collars with both hands she started begging to me.

" Can you give my appa back to me ? You have everything with you. I will do anything like you say, like you want. We will vanish from your eye sight Dev. We will live a very pathetic life for what we did with you. Please give my appa back to me. Please..... Please........... " Failure of Devdutta Pratap Singh Rathore happened at that moment. Even when Nisha died I never felt vulnerable like this. Because I had someone to pass my guilt on. But here there isn't anyone and I am a culprit.

" Appa....... " Lakshmi left her grip from my collar and fell into my hands crying loudly. I hugged her and sat there with a pain of thousand thorns piercing into my body at the same time.

" I did this to you. I am the reason who made your life like this. So it should be me who has to save you from there right ? " I asked to Lakshmi in a monotone but I didn't get any reply from her. I looked down and saw her slept already in my hands. May be because of medicines. They were giving her high dose for both seizures and as sedation.

I carried her from there and let her sleep on bed. Meanwhile Parvathi mom came back with Aadhya. She was staring at me with her frowned face watching me inside that room and that's beside Lakshmi.

" You must be busy go. You can leave now " she said to me in a very serious tone.

I silently walked out from there. I turned back to see Lakshmi before leaving but view was blocked by Parvathi mom.

..............................

I was driving back to my house determined about what I should do with Lakshmi. When my car stopped infront of the house I saw Gaurav there already waiting for me. I called him before leaving from hospital and he came there on time.

" Dev, what you said to me through phone.....are you serious about it ? " Soon after I stepped out from car Gaurav tagged along with me with his doubts. I can't blame him because what I said to him will make anyone think that I am mad.

" Have you ever seen me joking around ? " I asked

" No.... That's why I came without even asking any doubt. But still...... You are asking me to lie and that's to your dadi. " Gaurav widened his eyes and said dramatically. I sighed and stared at Gaurav like " is he serious ? " I mean Gaurav Verma has issues with telling lies . What a joke ?

" You just come with me and fill up the blanks. That's all " I said. We both went to meet dadi. My aunt already saw me asking for dadi with our head maid.

Dadi was in our courtyard and I went her side. There wasn't any introduction or anything I presented the matter directly which was best for the situation.

" Dev........ Are you gone mad or something ? Do you even know what you had just said now ? " Soon after I presented the matter in front of dadi it was my aunt who gets shocked.

" Varada....... Let me talk to him first " dadi interrupted and  stopped my aunt to talk in between.

" Why you are saying this now Dev ? You both already signed on divorce papers with mutual agreement. What that girl did to our family and her filthy past, everything was kept in front of us by media. Still you want to bring her back to our house ?"

" No , never. Till I am alive it won't happen. " Dadi said adamantly. I looked at Gaurav to make her understand.

" Actually dadi this is not his personal choice but it's a necessity for us right now. Before media makes another uproar we should bring Lakshmi back or do something to take care of her and her sister"

" You must know that Mr Varman's demise " Gaurav was talking with dadi about Govind's death and dadi was actually shocked to hear it.

" What did you just said now ? " Dadi shouted at Gaurav in a shock. From her reaction we both get to know that dadi wasn't aware about Govind's death.

" Varada ..... Did anyone informed you about this matter ? Atleast to me ? " Dadi started scolding my aunt in front of us

" Maa ji....... That is because.....we served all ties with her then....."

" Is death like that ? " Dadi spatted back interrupting aunt.

" Whatever Lakshmi did it's her mistake. What was her father's mistake ? What their family would have thought about Rathore house ? " Dadi said.

" That's what I am also saying dadi. There is such talks already. Now Lakshmi and her sister Aadhya is living alone. There is no one for them.  If this news goes out and media began to write up bad stories against this family then what will be our reputation ? Now a days people are very sensitive over such matters. At end even though it was Lakshmi's mistake all these happened people will side with those who are weak only. Sympathy will be with two girls who became orphans because of this family. That's how news going to come. " Gaurav was doing his job very well and I was standing there silently.

" Not only that, if such news comes out then what about Dev ? This will badly affect him. Right now he is facing so much. RM groups annual board meeting is also getting near. What if others put these issues questioning on his credibility ? If a man who can't take care of his personal life then how he is going to take care of a huge business empire ? All these are issues related to this dadi. That's why I came here in person to make you understand all these. " Gaurav added.

Dadi sit back to her place and started thinking about this matter deeply. My aunt seems to be very disturbed and looked at me asking " what is the meaning of all these? " I diverted my gaze like I don't have any involvement with this issue.

" So what you want me to do now ? Cancel that divorce and ask Lakshmi to come back into my grandson's life ? That's never going to happen. This Bhagirathi has only one word as decision which I already took. That girl won't come back into his life as his wife. " Dadi said

" Exactly...... If it is about helping them. Then we can help them financially. Give something to both girls. They will go somewhere and live their lives with that. Lakshmi isn't a child nor her sister. Both are grown enough to take care of themselves and we are providing them help all ways we can. " My aunt said as she supported my dad's decision.

" Varada...... I told you . When I am talking your voice shouldn't  be heard. " Dadi again warned my aunt.

" I was thinking about going back to my hometown and from there visit few temples with my sister. For few days from Dev's side I am getting such news which makes my nights sleepless. To get some peace I need this temple visit very much. But again another issue. " Dadi said while thinking about something.

One thing I was sure that she already took a decision about Lakshmi and she is coming to that point. Just like how I was my aunt also looked nervous.

" I had took a decision about Lakshmi.  Even if you like it or not I won't change it. " Dadi said looking at me and I nod my head as I understood what she said.

" Varada...... " This time she called my aunt.

" I am giving this responsibility to you. I can't entrust Parvathi with it because she will get attached to Lakshmi emotionally and at end that will become difficult for us. "

" Bring Lakshmi and her sister to Rathore villa. Let them stay here until this divorce procedures are over. Give them something and let both girls stand in their own legs. Then we don't have to see others talking bad about my family behind our back right ? " Dadi asked

" But maa ji...... I am telling you. This will become a huge headache later. Letting that girl staying in this house means we are bringing two venomous snakes to bite us. What if she bites us ? What if she ruins our family and Dev's life ? Lavanya and his relationship is almost fixed. Lakshmi will be coming here to separate them and make her place here forever. " I was really getting irritated by my aunt this time. Why she has this much issues with Lakshmi ? Last time I saw my aunt like this when I am Nisha were in relationship. No matter what she stayed adamantly not approving our relationship. But this time it is much more than before.

" That's why I asked you to take care of this matter. When Rathore family brings someone into this house they will have a place here which is given for them. They shouldn't cross their limit. If they did then their place is outside this house. Lakshmi is no one to this family from the day I sent her out. Now she is coming back but not as this house daughter in law but  .. " I  frowned my face when dadi stopped for a second and looked at me.

She came to my side and took my hands in her gently. Then smiled at me. I was all confused about her behaviour.

" You believe your dadi ? " She asked and I said yes.

" Then you should know whatever my decision is ..... It is for your own good. " She added.

" I know that dadi " I replied and she gave me a smile with full on satisfaction

" Let Lakshmi work here till the day she is staying here " finally dadi a showed that real side of her. The one who rules this Rathore family by her own.

" Work here means ? Work on what ? " My aunt asked doubtfully

" Along with these maids. Since she is staying here for free she should be doing something right ? " Dadi replied

" But dadi..... That is bit. I mean Lakshmi and household works ? She.... " I didn't actually liked that Idea and I showed that in front of her.

" I understood that look on your face Dev. This is not to insult her or to make her feel bad. But this is to make her live in reality until she is staying in this house. That means.... Each day she should remember that she is only a maid here and they have their limitations. There are certain lines for maids in this house which they shouldn't cross. Especially getting involved with any men in this family.  Same goes for her sister also. Better than you no one can deal such cases " dadi said to my aunt and now she got a smile on her face.

"Maa ji you don't have to worry about it. Since I am alive I won't let anything wrong happen to this house and the custom which we are following for years " my aunt says happily.

" Don't say like that Varada. Your sister his mother is the one who destroyed the balance of this house. Still I forgive them only because she gave me Dev and Dhruv as my grandsons. Don't forget such stories "  topic about my mom made me disturbed. Even though how many years passes my mom is still a bad woman in front of dadi. I only knew the story which my aunt told me. In that my mom is the victim and dad is the culprit.

There are times I questioned to myself watching his love for Parvathi mom that why did my mom came and destroyed their life. She is my mother so I will never hate her even though she is the most bad woman in this world. She brought me to this world when she had many options to kill me in her womb itself. But Dhruv..... He is a big question mark. Why he is not loved by anyone like they loves me ? Even my aunt.

Whenever he says this to me I will scold him for his illusions. But I am grown up guy, I have eyes and I can see things and understand them. But I was never taught to question my aunt. Her sacrifice on her own life is this Dev. What I am right now is all because of my aunt. So I should listen to her.

" Lakshmi as a maid ... Will she agree with it and stay here ? " Gaurav asked doubtfully

" You brought up this issue in front of me Gaurav. Now it's your job to bring her here and make her live in this his atleast for a month. What media should write about Rathore family with this I will decide. Now there won't be any talk on this. I am leaving tomorrow morning entrusting you with everything Varada. Don't make me disappoint " dadi said to aunt.

" You can trust me dadi. I am only worried about Parvathi " aunt said

" Anything related to Lakshmi .... It's your and Dev's decision. No one should involve in that. If she don't want to live here then ask her to leave from this city forever not getting caught by media. " Saying this dadi went back to her room.

Gaurav gave me a look like " whether I am happy now ? "

Damn it.... This wasn't what I planned. Who thought that dadi will come up with such a bizzare idea and like a security guard she appointed my aunt for that. If this is happening then Parvathi mom was far better than this.

...............

I was following Gaurav who was walking towards his car. He had a sarcastic smile on his face which was definitely for me. I know my plan backfired and I am going to put Lakshmi back into another fire pit.

" I think you and Lakshmi has some previous life unsettled issues. Otherwise things won't end up like this. Lakshmi might have did some grave sin to you that she has to endure all these . " Gaurav said to me in a sarcastic tone.

" Bro, I will give you a piece of advice. It is true that there isn't anything called seven lives concept. But I will say that .. There is something called Karma.  Haven't you heard you reap what you sow. Same like that , till now you did a lot to hurt that girl. It was more than enough. Unfortunately I also did some contributions for that sin. But now even though you couldn't help her then please don't hurt her. May be there will be a day  in your life that you have to go through the same pain which went through . An eye for an eye.... concept is all bull shit. It will only make this world blind. "

" I am a person who admires you a lot.  That man shouldn't become blind because of a revenge. You are most nicest person when you see and understands other peoples feelings. That Dev is my friend " Gaurav patted on my shoulders and said.

I rarely get to see this Gaurav. But whenever this Gaurav appears it always changes my life into something better. I hope this is also a beginning of a good.

Checking something on his phone Gaurav opened his car's door to enter. I turned back towards my house since he was leaving and heard him shouting suddenly.

" My god.... Dev.... " 

I looked at Gaurav getting startled and asked him what happened.

" Devdutta Pratap Singh Rathore has engaged to his childhood friend Lavanya Mishra in a private resort of Thailand. " He read the news for me and I was like " what the fuck ? "
How did this happened ?

" Photos are also there ? " Gaurav said

" Our engagement photos ? " I asked in a shock.

" That I don't know but you are making her wearing a ring and both of you doing street shopping " Gaurav showed me the photos which was trending on the media.

" Damn it....  Damn it... " I stomped my feet on floor feeling frustrated. That wasn't our engagement. I just helped her wear a ring only because she asked me to. What the hell is happening ?

" Now what you are going to do ? " Gaurav asked to me and I stood there clueless.

Suddenly my phone began to rang and I checked who is it. My assistant Tina was calling me. I quickly attended the call and talked to her.

" DD, you should come to office now itself. There is an officer who is waiting for you " Tina said in a panicked voice.

" Officer ? Who ? What officer ? " I asked not understanding what Tina said.

" She said her name as Smrithi Roy she is from NIA. She wants to talk to you about something which related to Cosmos case. She came in her department vehicle with other officers. Because of that now our Staffs are disturbed and getting clueless about the situation. You should come fast DD. Gaurav sir is also not here " Tina said.

" Okay, okay I am coming. You don't get panic. There shouldn't be any disturbance for them. Make them feel comfortable there by then I will come " I said in a hurry and went to take my car.

" Gaurav back to office... Quickly " I yelled at him. He understood there is some issues and he quickly followed my car to office.

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" Next update Thursday night before 11 pm "