*Jhanvi Pov*

I stared at Ali in shock when he gave a teddy bear and a chocolate for Lakshmi the moment we walked inside the restaurant.

"What is the need for this?" I asked him, frowning after we sat down.

"I unnecessarily shouted at her last time." He replied and I kind of smiled, looking at his face which is still a little bruised near the cheek.

"Was it a nice punch?" I asked and he frowned before nodding.

I couldn't help but chuckle to which he frowned more, but I ignored it. I continued to smile more looking at the way Harsha trying to talk to Lakshmi.

"Like this." He said teaching her how to place the napkin.

"Don't you think she needs a brother like him and a complete family?" Ali asked promptly and I glanced away from them to stare at him.

As Harsha wished, he is sitting beside Lakshmi which made me sit beside Ali for the first time.

"And how do you know what a kid needs?" I asked, knowing well it was an intentional dig at him.

"You are right! I do not know anything and I missed so much in life. But we can mend all that." He replied.

"I stupidly left this city with you not asking a single question about your absence for all those years and got something else in return. Do you really think I want to walk that path again?" I asked him really wishing to know.

What does he think of himself? That he can do anything he wishes to and I would go along with it.

"It was for your own good that the divorce happened." He calmly said in a low tone.

"And I have to believe that?" I asked feeling the anger.

"Yes! It was really for your own good and Harsha's. I have many regrets in my life, Jhanvi. I didn't care for your innocence and just dragged you with me all those years back. Then left you alone and then dragged you back without making sure of some arrangements. And in the end had to go through another way for your sake, which I know hurt you." He replied, giving a regret look and I suddenly laughed hearing all that.

I shook my head at his confused head still laughing and turned to look around only to feel the laugh slip out of my face.

Because there standing near the entrance is Jay with a lady standing close to him. They both were talking to each other, ignorant of everything around.

He smiled at her and she smiled even more making me see her features. She is beautiful which is like more than beautiful.

"Ah! See, this is not the actual family from the start. I know you are worried about Lakshmi but I will treat her good." Ali said following my gaze.

"You will treat her good?" I asked, frowning still staring at Jay before glancing at Ali.

"Yes! I will relive whatever I missed with Harsha." He replied and then moved across to kiss on her forehead to which she frowned at him.

"That's very nice of you Ali but she will not accept it." I mumbled, looking at the away Lakshmi moving away from him.

"She will get used to me. I promise you will make everything right." He said, assuring me.

"And didn't you see we are always here whenever there is no work at my place?" he asked as if that should be obvious for my acceptance to return.

I ignored him and glanced at Harsha and Lakshmi. I couldn't help but smile at them and glanced up to see the place empty where Jay was standing with his date.

"So, what were you doing there? When will your school start?" I asked Harsha and he started talking about it.

I walked inside the house holding the sleeping form of Lakshmi to see that Jay is not there at his usual place sitting on the couch.

I frowned and walked inside her room to place her on the bed before walking inside my room to freshen up. I shouldn't have taken leave today.

After some time, I walked out to see him still not returning to the house. I sat down and switched on the television to see something.

I woke up start hearing the door sound and glanced around to see that I dozed off on the couch with the television still on.

Then I glanced at the door to see Jay walking inside with ruffled clothes making my blood run cold. When he reached the couch with surprised look, I was fuming.

"How dare you?" I shouted and he frowned.

"What?" he asked me and I immediately stood up.

"How dare you to disrespect me?" I asked and he shook his head.

"I don't understand! Why did I do?" he asked, moving near to me.

"I know this is not normal marriage, but it is marriage no less. How could you go and... go and be with a woman?" I asked, lifting my hand and hitting it on his chest.

"What? What are you talking?" he asked in shock.

"I saw you! I saw you there with some beautiful woman and you just came with the appearance like this." I said gesturing with my hand up and down.

"Hmm! Then what should I think looking at the way you were laughing and enjoying with your ex-husband tonight and many times before?" he asked folding his arms and I stilled.

"But..." I started saying which he waved off.

"I know this is not normal marriage, but it is a marriage, no less, right?" he asked and I stilled as he threw my words back at me.

"Fine! Do whatever you want and as now I got it clear what you actually want, then there will be no disrespect for me with no expectations towards you." I replied and started moving away but he held my hand.

"Will you listen to me if I say anything about it?" he asked, moving towards me but I shook my head.

"Then, you can go." He mumbled releasing my hand and I started walking away.

"We need to go to the hospital tomorrow." He added, but I ignored him slamming my door feeling disgust because he is also right.

I was out with my ex-husband so many times no matter what the purpose is for then, how can I question what he does but still the irritation is still there.

"Can I say something?" suddenly Anne said after the session and I nodded, but she is staring at Jay.

"I waited until your all sessions are over. You are perfectly alright, Ms.Jhanvi." she said, smiling and I sighed in relief because this is too much coming to the hospital.

"Are you sure?" Jay asked, walking towards us when we stood up.

"Yes! Now, I know the reason beside your marriage and even know her son along with ex-husband returned for her. And even there is no need for you to be here too. So, I am bringing myself to ask something." She babbled and I frowned but Jay stilled.

"Will it be fine for you if Jay and I go for a date?" she asked, staring at me and I stilled just like Jay.

So, he stilled because he didn't want me to know that he is going out with her? Well, I will stick to what I said yesterday.

"Sure! Like you said you know the reason behind the marriage." I said and she beamed before turning towards him.

"I will message you the restaurant and please be there by seven." She said smiling while I turned before walking away.

And he too followed me in silence. After dropping me at the house, he left for office. Generally, he takes leave every time we go to the hospital but not today.

I smiled at the maid and walked inside Lakshmi's room to see her trying to draw something. She smiled at me and started showing me everything while I was lost in my thoughts.

I waited for ten minutes at night and felt good that I already asked the maid to stay for the night. So, I left on my own for the hospital.

"Is something wrong, Jhanvi?" Head nurse asked, but I shook my head smiling.

Yes! And I don't know should it even be wrong. I wrung my hands and tried to concentrate on the work.

I returned the next day morning and saw that he has not walked down the stairs like every time and I ignored it before walking inside the my room to take a little rest before getting up for Lakshmi.

However, during breakfast I saw him but we both ignored saying a word. He left for office while I roamed the house before deciding to go for grocery shopping.

Looks like everything is against me because the reason for my confused thoughts bumped into me when Lakshmi was busy with choosing the ice cream she wants.

"Jhanvi! I hope it is fine if I call you informally." She said smiling.

"It's fine, Anne!" I said, smiling, but inside feeling curious to ask how was the date.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, frowning, making me realize nothing can pass her with her type of career.

"Yes!" I replied, smiling, hoping to hide everything on my face.

"Well, aren't you going to ask how was the date?" she asked and my smile slip.

"Okay! I will try not to be a vamp and let you know something happened which never happened in my life." She said smiling and I frowned hoping she will stop talking.

"I got stood up." She added and I stared at her in shock.

"What?" I asked her and she laughed.

"Yes! Yesterday when he didn't say anything in the hospital, I thought he was lost in his thoughts, but he was actually showing his disinterest. He already said long back he is not interested, but I was behind him." She replied.

"But that is wrong of him to leave you there." I mumbled frowning.

"Thank you! However, I called him within minutes to ask when he will come to which he simply said he will not. When I asked him why, he said he never said he will come and that I should remember his marital status." She explained and I stilled.

"He said that?" I asked and she nodded while I thought about the woman I saw him with.

"Anyway, I should have known that he likes you when I saw the kiss for myself." Her sudden words made my head whirl around to stare at her.

How did she see the kiss we shared in the kitchen? I thought and then frowned, realizing that can't be possible.

"Kiss?" I asked and she stilled.

"I shouldn't have said that." She mumbled.

"Tell me!" I demanded and she closed her eyes.

"When you unconscious, he kissed you to prove that you are acting that state." She explained calmly and then left when I nodded at her.

I returned home to see him pacing in the living room. I ignored him and placed the groceries on the table for the maid to arrange them while Lakshmi walked to him.

He smiled, lifting her up and kissed her cheek before talking to her while she smiled. Then I took her from him surprising both of them and asked her to play in her room for sometime.

Then I walked inside my room only to see him following me with anger covering his features. I turned around with a questioned look while he closed the door.

"Do you want Ali to be completely close to her and me away from her? Is that the reason to remove her from me?" he asked and I sighed.

"She will never accept him." I replied instead.

"But you want her to, right? Well, what else is there to happen. Harsha is fine with her and Ali is also. Now, all you need her acceptance of him. Then, you can go along with them after the clearance. A perfect family!" he burst out and closed his eyes rubbing his forehead.

"How could you kiss me when I was unconscious?" I asked and he stilled.

"Who told you that?" he asked and then a realized look passed.

"You went near her to ask how was the date?" he asked now little angry.

"I bumped when we were in the supermarket, but don't you dare change the topic." I warned him.

"I am sorry! It was stupid of me." He mumbled guiltily.

"Why didn't you go for date when you already went with someone else? Why showing off your marital status?" I asked and he looked surprised with the change in topic.

"It was not a date. She was the wife of one of the stakeholders and we all met at the restaurant. Her husband got a call and walked out of the restaurant before we can take our seats and I was just keeping her company. It was completely platonic." He explained and I nodded.

"Then why were you late?" I asked and immediately felt silly.

There is no need for him to tell me everything he does and I don't have any right to ask him. But here I am doing it and before I can open my mouth, he gave the reply which shocked me.

"I was scared and sad seeing a perfect family before my eyes. I saw him with Lakshmi and your happiness and laugh. So, I just drove around after the meeting." He replied shrugging.

"I know it is wrong of me to think like that, but I will come out of it soon. I just need some time to adjust to the idea." He added and I can see the sadness in his eyes.

"I just wanted to tell you the truth because I was feeling restless knowing you think like this about me. I made mistakes before which I am not rejecting but I realized them like that long back and will not do anything bad intentionally." He mumbled and I moved towards him.

"You shouldn't have kissed me when I was unconscious. And I took Lakshmi away so that I can have a word with you without her hearing our shouts." I mumbled and he nodded sighing.

I stood on my toes before pressing my lips to him making him still and immediately moved back while he stared at me like I have grown horns suddenly on my head.

"Now, you can go. And don't do that again." I said and he frowned but walked out while I finally let the smile to appear on my face looking at his back.

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here it is and by the way there is a story for Ali actually so i may not be able to give his pov in this story...

how is the chap???

comment plz and vote...