A flash of lightning split the night sky open and illuminated a pale face... her sobs were non stoppable and so were the rains. The intensity of the falling drops increased and the clouds became more and more heavier... seems like whole sky was crying with her...

Naina looked at the close glass door and leaned helplessly against the side wall... her face went wet, unable to distinguish whether it was spray of rain or the flow of her own tears...

Her heart was thudding and throbbing with pain... his words were continuously ringing in her ears... 

Is she a cunning, gold-digger, characterless girl who is after his money...?

Is this what he think about her...?

But why not him..? 

That's what others also think about her... 

Naina's past—

Naina Agarwal, 21 years old, a simple, sober, soft natured girl but always maintain her self-respect and dignity... she was born in a middle-class family and the youngest child of Naresh & Beena Agarwal.. staying with her elder sister Hema...

Naresh had a small grocery store and hardly managed to give basic amenities to his family to survive... Beena having good contacts in society works as a match maker...

Naina being the topper throughout her academics easily got the chance to study in a convent school on Scholarship whereas as an average student, Hema got admitted in nearby public school... Hema was least interested in studies and wants to be a model... no aim in her life, just focused on her make-up and show-off...

Completely opposite to her elder sister, Naina was very much studious, intelligent, soft hearted, obedient girl... Beena always keep Naina away from other kids in the society being an over protected and caring mother... which sometimes suffocate her but as an compliant child she always follow her orders... like Hema, she was not allowed to make friends, roam around, going out for fun to enjoy her life fullest...

Naina's life was fully controlled by her mother... except her studies she has no other way to keep herself busy... added to household works, like cooking, managing house... but she never complaint...

Though her parents was always there with her and give whatever she wants but still she always missed the warmth of their love towards her... they never pamper her like her elder sister... though they never scold her on her mistakes but never keep their hands on her head to bless her and support as parents... she always missed even a close family hug...

She topped in entire university and got selected in campus interview... she got a good position in a reputed firm to work on her own caliber... she was excelling in her job as being topper and feels excited that now might be she get some freedom and get the chance to enjoy her life.... but to her dismay, her Mother strictly warned her to not get befriend with any colleague in office which she accepted quietly... as always...

Still she was enjoying this new phase of her life but all her dreams shattered knowing one day that how suddenly her parents has fixed her marriage... without her consent and even meeting with the person with whom she was supposed to spend her entire life now on...

Naina even got more surprised as being elder Hema should get married first but her mother convince her that the alliance is more suitable and perfect for her... 

Naina finally agreed to her mother and ready to get married to an average looking person, soft spoken in nature and working in a private firm at a reputed post... belongs to a rich family than hers... a simple arrange marriage without any rituals...

Naina got married with Sharad in court on his insistence that they don't want any kind of show-off and wants to keep marriage very simple... she also agreed as her own family is not so wealthy to afford the expenses of an exclusive marriage... added to that she accepted it whole-heartedly as groom's family seems nice and they didn't demand for any dowry... only their families were present at court and complete the legal formality... no ritual has taken place...

The same day of their marriage her in-laws left to their hometown leaving the newly-wed couple alone at home... she was happy to finally have a home, with a person who seems decent... he might be not looks like his prince charming but seems a person with whom she can spent her entire life peacefully... she was not having any emotions for him till now but ready to accept this new phase of her life...

On her first night while she was waiting for him, Sharad came and sits beside her... he too seems very nervous when finally he said softly breaking the silence, "Naina... mein tumse kuchh kehna chahta hoon... maine bohot koshish ki shaadi se pehle tumse baat karne ki par mujhe mauka hi nahin mila... tum please mujhe galat mat samjhana..."

She looked at him surprisingly when he said further, "actually now days I am extremely tied up in one of my office projects which can be a boom in my carrier... I want to focus on it completely and doesn't want any kind of distraction... I might be over occupied for next few months and might not get time even to come back home... even mostly I will be out for field trips... I know it seems weird but I need your help to manage without me for next 6 months... I promise I will fulfill all my duties and your wishes after that... I hope you are understanding..."

She smiled and flattered to get such an understanding and caring husband, "Sharadji, you don't need to worry about me... I am okay... hamara saath zindagi bhar ka hai toh yeh kuchh mahine doesn't matter at all for me... I promise mein aapka poora saath dungi... aap befikra hokar apne project par kaam kijiye... meri aur ghar ki chinta mat kijiye... even I will also be busy in settling house and my job..." she said with a genuine smile as ready to support him in all possible manners as being an idle wife...

Sharad smiled looking at her so understanding in nature and left to the other room taking his pillow making an excuse to work till late night... she changed her clothes and slept dreaming about her new life...

Next day itself Sharad left out of station for few weeks for his project... after few days, she also joined her office back and manage all household work alone... Naina hardly gets time to meet Sharad as he usually comes once in a week that too for few hours only.... she coped up with all the changes and manage all alone... he even insist her to not to put sindoor and wear mangalsutra for time being, which seems weird for her, but she agreed for his happiness...

They hardly had any kind of conversation either like a normal couple not even on phone., which always make her felt uneasy... rather he never called her to check about her wellbeing... she stays alone at home, with managing office and her life all alone... 

Sharad strictly told her to not to mingle up with any neighbors around on context of her security which she obliged, sensing his concern for her safety... sometimes his cold behavior bother her but she shrugged all negative thoughts... even after so many months, they never had a meal together or normal conversation.. they were totally stranger to each other...

She usually spends her spare time in reading books, her favorite hobby or doing household chores... her in-law's visit to their house occasionally and she developed a strong bonding with them... they showered all their love to her seeing she is fulfilling all her duties and managing everything all alone as their son is occupied in his career building...

Six months passed in same form.... one fine day she woke up hearing a soft knock on her door... she opened the gate finding Sharad standing there... before she asked she saw few peoples sitting in living room... she immediately went out and take blessing of her in-laws and surprised to see her own parents also sitting there with another unfamiliar face... tension was visible on their faces which shuddered her...

Sharad gesture her to come inside room... she followed him silently... the moment they stepped inside he closed the door behind... he came to her, "Naina... voh sorry mein tumhein bata nahin paaya ki hamare parents aane waale hai... actually unhein aaj yahaan maine hi bulaaya hai..." she looked him surprisingly that what was the reason for calling them all of a sudden... without even informing her...

Seeing her tensed face, he said further, "Naina voh... actually jo baahar aaye hai unke saath voh ek divorce lawyer hai... tumhein sirf un papers par sign karna hai uske baad tum free ho jaaogi hamesha ke liye... iss shaadi se aur mujhse tumhara koi rishta nahin hoga aaj ke baad... tum apni zindagi apni marzi se jee sakti ho... jaise rehna hai raho, meri koi rok tok nahin hogi..." he said proudly showing he was doing a great favor on her...

Naina got shocked and tears spilled out from her eyes, "Sharadji, yeh aap kya kah rahe hai.. aisi kya glati ho gayi mujhse ki aap aise mujhe achaanak se divorce de rahe hai... hum baat kar sakte hai... aap please mujhe wajah toh bataaiye... maine hamesha aapki saari baatein maani hai par aise yun divorce... yeh galat hai... aap aisa nahin kar sakte mere saath..."

His expression suddenly changed into a wicked smile, "wajah kuchh nahin hai par sach yeh hai ki mein kisi aur se pyaar karta hun... woh ek bar dancer hai... agar mein apne parents ko pehle bata deta toh voh kabhi meri shaadi usase nahin hone dete aur mujhe apni property se alag kar dete... par ab jab mera divorce ho raha hai unki pasand ki huyi ladki se toh unhein meri girlfriend ko apnana hi padega to take me out from this depression... aakhir unka eklauta beta jo hun mein..." he said casually without having an inch of guilt of his doing...

She got shocked on his revelation... from last 6 months she always manage and obeyed his all instructions to keep him happy... changed her complete life as per him... she was fully devoted to her husband and his family and the reward she is getting a divorce... that too without any reason or fault from her side...

She wiped her tears and burst out her anger, "aap... aap aisa kaise kar sakte hai mere saath Sharadji... aur mein aapko aise divorce nahin dungi... mein aapke parents ko sab sach bata dungi..."

She moved to go outside when he hold her arm harshly in his tight grip, "voh kabhi tum par vishwas nahin karenge kyunki maine unse kaha hai ki tum khud iss rishtey ko nahin nibhana chahti aur tum ek characterless ladki ho.... tumhara kai ladkon ke saath affair hai... I told them that you had cheated on me when I was on business trip... isiliye mein tumse koi rishta nahin rakhna chahta ... also you are not able to give heir to this family... and moreover my girlfriend is already pregnant with my child who loves me a lot and ready to marry me even after knowing that I was already married... so they will surely believe me not on you..." she jerked her hand out of his grip and sits back on bed with a thud voice...

It was hard for her to believe that the person who is standing in front of her is so cheap and shrewd in nature... he was planning all this from last 6 months and fooled her giving hopes for a better life ahead... though in entire six months they had not developed any bonding with each other but she starts dreaming a better life ahead...

Naina still gets adamant to talk with his parents as not ready to take this blame on herself... wiping her tears, she adamantly stood to go out when Sharad handed her few pictures of hers... she was in her bedroom sleeping closely with another men... she shocked to see when he said with an evil smirks, "don't be so surprised... I came with my friend one night when you were in deep sleep and took this pictures of yours with him... you should be thankful to me that I didn't allow him to touch you anywhere... we just took these pictures and left without your knowledge... so now if you still not agreed to me than I will viral these pictures on social media and rest you know... divorce toh mujhe mil hi jaayega but you will be finished forever... I can easily prove you as a characterless and shameless woman.." he said smiling evilly on his plan to threaten her...

Naina stood dumbfound with continuous tears flowing out from her eyes... soon a knock on the door disturb her trance... Sharad opened the door and left out leaving her alone with her mother...

Beena came and stands in front of her... Naina wants to hug her and cried out her heart but seeing her stern face she stops herself...

Beena keep her hand on her shoulder, "Naina... beta mujhe sab sach pata hai... par agar tu ne divorce paper par sign karne se mana kiya toh case court tak jaayega... tujhe pata hai ki hamaari haalat kaisi hai... hum kahaan se vakeel ki fees laayenge... aur us par bhi jo badnaami hogi voh alag... hum kaise saabit karenge ki tera kisi ke saath koi galat sambandh nahin hai.... teri pictures dekhi hai maine... teri ek badi behen kunwari hai... uske liye pehle hi rishtey nahin aa rahe kyunki har koi sawaal uthata hai ki chhoti ki shaadi pehle kyun ki... agar tere divorce aur uski wajah duniya ko pata chalegi toh teri zindagi ke saath saath teri behen ki zindagi bhi barbaad ho jaayegi..."

Beena folds her hand in front of her with tears in her eyes, "mein teri Maa hun par tere aage haath jodti hun ki tu chup chap se un divorce papers par sign karde... baat yahin khatam ho jayegi toh hamari badnaami kam hogi... jab Sharad koi rishta rakhna hi nahin chahta toh hum uske pichhe jabardasti toh nahin kar sakte na... jo nuksaan hona tha ho chuka par ab aur hum nahin sah payenge..."

Naina got stunned to her Mother's request... she was expecting their support but feel dishearten.. she said, "Maa aap jaante ho unhone mujhpar kya iljaam lagaya hai... meri koi galti nahin hai... aap jaante ho mujhe... maine.. maine toh kabhi kisi ladke se aaj tak baat tak nahin ki... unhone mere character par sawaal uthaya hai aur aap kah rahe ho ki mein accept kar lun... yeh namumkin hai... unhone divorce paper par likha hai ki mein characterless hun... mein nahin sign karungi chaahe kuchh bhi ho..." she said getting stubborn on her decision... she decided to fight for her dignity, her self-respect...

Beena shed tears keeping Naina's hand on her head, "tujhe meri kasam... agar tu ne baahar kisi se bhi kuchh kaha toh apni Maa ka mara hua munh dekhegi... meri maut ka iljaam tere sar par aayega... ab teri jo marji tu voh kar... tu nahin jaanti ki ek Maa ko apne bachchon ke aane wale kal ke liye kai baar khoon ke aansu peene padte hai... aur mein nahin chahti ki ek beti ke liye mein dusri ki zindagi barbaad hone dun... aur tu fiqr mat kar.. jaldi hi hum tere liye koi achchha ladka dhundh lenge par agar yeh baat baahar gayi toh kaise teri dusri shaadi hogi... ek kaagaz par likh dene se koi charitraheen nahin ho jaata..."

Naina got shocked on her decision but left with no choice but to accept herself a characterless girl and signed on Divorce papers... she always obeyed her mother and this time its matter of her entire family, future of her own elder sister... how could she deny..?

She came out with Beena packing her luggage... she signed on mutual divorce paper as told by lawyer... the moment she signed the paper she felt a hard slap on her face from Sharad's mother, "tujhe maine apni beti maana tha par nahin pata tha ki tu ek badchalan aur besharam ladki hai... aaj ke baad kabhi apni shakal bhi mat dikhana humein... galti hamari hai jo humne ek gareeb ghar ki ladki ko sanskaari samajh kar usey apnaya... itna maan samman diya... kaash maine apne bete ke dil ki baat suni hoti toh aaj yeh din nahin dekhna padta mujhe..." she said feeling hurt as she really consider Naina as her own daughter...

During past 6 months, Sharad was never be at home but his mother was always be in touch with Naina, showering her love, giving advices how to manage all alone... she truly loved her and  was the only biggest support for Naina from last few months... Naina also find solace and comfort with her and consider her as her own mother... but today she lost another important relation from her life...

Naina lost her senses listening all her allegation but remain quiet as she promised to her own mother, who blackmailed her giving her death swear... she glance last time at Sharad who was smiling wickedly, enjoying on his win...

She left home with her parents... coming out from her so-called house, where she stays for good 6 months and consider it as her own... she looked back and burst out into tears...

Beena pulled her arm to make her sit in taxi when she removed her grip, "Mummy aap log ghar jaaiye... mein aa jaaungi thodi der mein... kuchh der bas akele rehna chahti hun..." she looked at her and said sarcastically, "chinta mat kijiye... kahin nahin jaaungi... vaise bhi uss ghar ke alawa mera koi aur theekana nahin hai... jis ghar ko apna maana ab usmein mere liye koi jagah nahin..." she said giving last glance to house where she stayed for 6 months...

Saying this she left from their and keep walking aimlessly on the road... she stops seeing a temple and went inside... she spend sitting their whole day looking at the idol and asking reason for all her miseries, "maine kabhi kisi se kuchh nahin maanga... Mummy Papa hamesha mere saath rahe par hamesha se unke pyaar aur sneh se dur rahi hun... kabhi unki pyaar bhari daant tak nahin mili mujhe... hamesha kuchh adhura sa laga... agar kabhi naraaz hote bhi the toh sirf ek andhere kamre mein bandh kiya hai unhone... par maine kabhi kisi se koi shikayat nahin ki... unhone kaha kisi se dosti nahin karni, maine maana.. kyunki voh mujhe lekar bohot possessive hai...

Phir achanak se yeh shaadi... mujhe laga Sharadji kitne understanding hai... maine unka poora support kiya ek adarsh biwi ki tarah apne saare farz poore kiye... kabhi shikayat nahin ki agar voh ghar nahin aaye toh... par in sab ke badle mujhe kya mila... dhokha, iljaam voh bhi mere characterless hone ka... maine kabhi kisi ladke ki taraf aankh utha kar tak nahin dekha, kabhi kisi gair insaan ko mujhe chhune bhi nahin diya aur mujh par yeh lizaam... kyun Kanhaji, aapne meri kismat mein hi yeh sab kyun likha hai... inn sab mein mera kya qusoor... maine hamesha logon par vishwas kiya hai kya uski itni badi saza milegi..."

Her chain of thought broke by a jerk from Panditji, "beta mandir bandh karne ka waqt ho gaya hai... ab tum bhi apne ghar jaao... dekho baahar kitna andhera hai aur lagta hai bhaari toofan bhi aane wala ho jaise..." he said pointing outside as worried about seeing sudden change in weather...

She nodded her head, wiping her tears and left from mandir... whole day passed without having a drop of water even... walking few miles, she feel dizzy... her head spins when she hold an iron gate to support... she lift her head to see it's a kind of two floor white building with her blurry eyes... watchman saw her and called someone to bring her inside... soon she eloped in darkness...

After few hours, when she opened her eyes finds herself lying on a hospital bed... she saw a nurse sleeping sitting on the couch lying there.... she stood getting panicked seeing its around midnight time... she was worried for her family who might be waiting for her and concerned... she stood and left from room without making any noise.. coming outside she realized it must be a small private nursing home... but she hardly paid any heed for her surrounding... she left hurriedly outside and luckily not encountered with any other staff as not having enough money to pay their bill also...

It was all dark outside raining heavily... she walked ahead as not even aware of her surrounding, drenched completely in rain for a long... luckily she got the auto in deserted road to reach home...

She pressed the bell thinking family must be worried for her... after few minutes her mother came out rubbing her eyes and scold her, "itni der se aana tha toh subah hi aa jaati... ek toh divorce lekar saari duniya mein badnaami karwa di aur ab aadhi raat ko na jaane kahaan se aa rahi hai..." she scold and dragged her inside without listening her reasons and throw her inside the store room where she always locked her for whole night previously for punishment... she panicked seeing the darkness inside but seems no impact of her pleading to her mother... after crying for a longer time she didn't know when she got unconscious and slipped on the floor inside the dark room...

Naina who has phobia of darkness starts getting panic attacks after staying few days inside that room alone and without food as her punishment... this was not the first time it happens with her... seeing her condition not well, her mother took her out and soon after getting medicines, she feels better but she avoid going outside and talking to anyone around... seems her own family also forget her existence in the house... she joined office after few days as that was what she can do to support her family financially but maintained a distance from all... she hardly spoke to anyone in office and at home also... living her life completely in alone ... there was no one in her life who can support her...

Flashback end...

Loud thunders bring her back into sense when some drops of rainwater falls on her... she covered herself with her heavy dupatta and sits in a corner on floor to avoid getting drenched... she closed her eyes and missed the only person in her life who loved her truly, without any demand, any condition... who always stands with her in all her ups and downs... but today she is all alone...

Next part will reveal the remaining past of Naina...

Next update on Wednesday... Stay safe