Vikas's Office, Helping Hand NGO

Kavya enters the office after a knock and Vikas asks her to take a seat. She obeys silently, waiting for him to speak. Meanwhile he grabs a file, placed at the right side of the table and forwards towards Kavya.

He informs, "There is a new member in the NGO, Riya. She came yesterday when you were on leave and I want your assistance in her case."

Kavya nods in acknowledgement and Vikas continues after a sigh, "Well it's a complicated situation, Kavya. She had tried to commit suicide by jumping off a tall building, but the security guard saved her at the right time and called the police."

Kavya nods, gesturing to continue and Vikas continues, "When the police enquired, they came to know, she is an orphan and divorcee. On further investigation, they realised it's basically a dowry case. Riya's ex-husband Varun and his family were regularly harassing her, both physically and mentally for money and other valuables. Riya's parents were ordinary people, but they were somehow fulfilling those demands for the sake of their daughter, but six months back, they died in a car accident."

Kavya feels sorry for Riya, after hearing the problems in her life and Vikas continues, "Riya's parents hardly had anything, in fact they didn't even own a house. So, Varun and his family were not getting anything from her after her parent's death and she became a liability on them. They threw her out of the house after forcefully getting her thumb impression on the divorce papers."

Kavya now felt angry at this information and she demands, "How can they do this to her?"

Vikas states dryly, "Greed can make people do anything, Kavya and dowry is a huge problem many women face in India."

Kavya lowers her gaze and Vikas continues to inform, "Anyways, as I said her ex-in-laws threw her out, her parents had no house, plus she has no other place to go, so the police officer had sent her here."

Vikas stands and makes his way towards the other side of the table. He leans on the table, besides Kavya and crosses his stretched legs.

He continues, "All these incidents have left a negative impact on her mind. Even last night she has tried to commit suicide plus, she is not eating anything. She keeps saying 'My life is ruined, I don't have anyone for me, so let me die.' It's difficult to handle her."

Kavya nods in understanding and Vikas states, "Now, I want you to help in this case. I have seen your performance report, which you submitted along with your transfer letter, specifying your counselling sessions to help such people and the meetings to unite their family. So, please meet Riya and convince her to eat something and-"

Vikas gestures towards the file and continues, "This file has details of her ex-husband such as address, number and etc. I want you to meet him as well and convince to take Riya's responsibility again."

Kavya grabs the file and assures, "I will take care of it."

Vikas smiles and informs, "Riya's room number is 207, on the second floor and as she is a suicidal, we have kept a volunteer with her for 24/7."

Kavya nods in response and turns to leave the office to meet Riya.

Outside the Office

Kavya is walking towards the staircase, when she receives a message from Armaan.

Msg - I know a sorry won't be enough, I have done worst with you and you have every right to not forgive me. But can we spent some time together? A dinner tonight, just the way we went before marriage. I promise no lies, no hidden facts, no tricking and no forcing to forgive me. Just a simple dinner, please.

She halts at her spot and sighs, reading the message again. She remembers how he asked for one chance last night, during the dance. Then her conversation with Mary, who guaranteed, Armaan will never hurt her again, as he has realised his mistake and is genuinely sorry.

Though those words and assurance weren't enough for her to trust Armaan, as she feared to be hurt again. She felt confused at this moment to make any decision.

Her chain of thoughts get a halt, when her phone starts ringing and she glances to find Myra's name on the screen. She sighs again, pressing the volume key to mute the ringtone and avoid the call.

She has been avoiding Myra's calls and messages since morning, as she knew they are regarding the photos and videos, which Veer has shared on the social networking sites. She knew even her parents must have seen them.

So, Kavya switches off her phone and stuffs it, in her pant pockets, too tired to explain anything to anyone now. She even avoids Armaan's message and resumes her work to avoid dealing with anything and divert her mind.

Bedroom, Ruhi's Apartment

Ruhi wakes up from her sleep and glances at the watch to know its 11'o clock. She tries to get up, but her headache doesn't permit her to move. She lays, closing her eyes and suddenly grabs her hand napkin to cover her mouth and nose, as she sneezes twice.

Ruhi murmurs in a dull voice, "God this cold and flu."

She hears a faint noise of vibration and turns to find her phone vibrating on the bed. She grabs it and finds Myra's name flashing on the screen. She answers the call and turns the loudspeaker on.

Myra starts shouting, before giving Ruhi an opportunity to speak, "Where the hell are you and Didu? I am calling you and her since 3 hours. What kind of a carelessness in this?"

Ruhi frowns and asks in low, weak voice, "Why are you so hyper?"

Myra asks in a calmer tone, ignoring her question, "What happened to your voice?"

Ruhi informs sheepishly, "Nothing just some coughing, sneezing, fever and headache, so took holiday and romancing with my bed, that's it."

Myra asks in disbelief, "You call this, 'that's it?' You had ice cream, didn't you?"

Ruhi rolls her eyes and apologises dramatically, "Sorry Momma."

Myra scolds her, "Stop being funny​, I am so stressed since morning, do you know that?"

Ruhi enquires after a sneeze, "You didn't prepare for your exams?"

Myra scolds again, "Excuse me, you are talking with a topper, Ms. Sneezing Mess."

Ruhi makes a sad face and Myra informs, "I am stressed for Didu."

Ruhi frowns and informs with uncertainty, "I don't think, she ate ice cream and got cold and flu."

Myra sighs and asks, "I am not talking about her health. I am talking about.....do you even know what happened in the party last night?"

Ruhi answers, "No, I messaged Kavya early morning to inform, I have fever, so we cancelled DID classes​. Then I called NGO for a day's leave and Kavya didn't come here. She asked me to take rest and went to the NGO directly. Plus, I woke up just now due to the medicines I had early in the morning."

Myra sighs again and inform about the dance and how Armaan was holding Kavya throughout the party.

Myra informs, "Now Didu is not answering to my calls and replying to messages. She even switched off her phone, some time back. I am unable to understand her mind. First she agrees to accompany him, then allows him to hold her and even dances with him."

Ruhi straightens up and mentally analysis everything, and even remembers her chat with her a day back.

Whereas Myra continues, "I am afraid, she will end up hurting herself again and I am even unable to understand Jiju's intentions. The way he was looking at Didu felt as if he has some affection towards her."

Ruhi speaks after a moment of thinking, "Myra, I think we should allow Kavy to stay alone for some time."

Myra shouts, "Are you serious? Allow her to stay alone in this situation, NEVER."

Ruhi rolls her eyes and states, "Calm down tigress and listen to me. I feel Armaan is more than what we have seen and heard, plus fooling Kavya again is impossible. One time, we can say her feelings were overpowering her senses, but it can't happen again and maybe...just maybe Armaan is willing to mend their relationship. Why should we anticipate the worst?"

Myra states, "I don't know Ruhi, if he had to mend their relationship, then why did he deny to accept their relationship at first place."

Ruhi assumes, "Maybe he got brains now and realised his mistake."

Myra states, "If he is seriously willing to mend their relationship and it makes Didu happy, then I will myself help Jiju. But if he hurts her-"

Ruhi completes for her, "Then I will make sure no doctor can treat his wounds."

Myra giggles and Ruhi sneezes thrice, then states, "So quit calling your sister and give her some breathing period to decide what she wants. I will ask her to stay tomorrow night with me, till then even-"

Ruhi sneezes, then continues, "I will be fine, so can talk with her and know what she wants."

Myra agrees, "Alright and please take care of yourself, Ruhi."

Ruhi responds playfully, "Yes Momma."

They giggle and disconnect the call. Ruhi takes her medicines with light food and takes rest for the day, not disturbing Kavya.

Riya's Room, Helping Hand NGO

A volunteer Henna forces Riya to eat food, but Riya keeps pushing her hand away, while screaming, "I don't need your food. GIVE ME POISON."

She grabs the water bottle and throws towards the door, which is caught by Kavya right near her face, who had just arrived.

Kavya thinks, 'As expected.'

Heena and Riya turn to face Kavya, as she enters, tossing the bottle aside. Kavya observes the pain and tears in Riya's eyes and keeps moving towards them.

Kavya assures Henna, "I will handle her."

Henna hands the plate of food to Kavya and walks out of the room. Then Kavya places the plate on the table, in front of Riya and shuts the room door.

Riya yells, "I won't eat anything."

Kavya turns and smiles, before assuring, "Don't worry, I won't force you to eat. Actually what you are doing is right."

Riya frowns and Kavya leans on the wall, facing her and observes the marks on Riya's body, evidencing her multiple attempts to end her life.

Kavya doesn't​ react to the marks and continues, "You are doing a great job by ending your life because what is left in it? No family, no home, no one to care for you, so ending your life is the perfect decision, right?"

Kavya walks closer, eyeing Riya's more confused face and states, "Just as your ex-husband, even you are thinking of yourself and ignoring the efforts of your parents, who struggled to raise you and keep you happy, right?"

Riya lowers her gaze and Kavya continues, "Everything they did for you and your happiness, nothing actually matter to you in front of a greedy man, who has hurt them as well."

Kavya holds Riya's chin to lift her face to make their gaze meet and asks, "Right Riya?"

Kavya demands after a moment of waiting, "The nights, when your parents stayed awake to take care of you, when you were ill? Those days, when your parents forgot their tiredness and pains, just to spend time with you. Does anything matter?"

Riya lowers her gaze again, successfully releasing her chin from Kavya's hold, who smiles watching the needed realisation on her face.

Kavya states, "What about the efforts your father-"

Riya interrupts, still gazing her lap, "But the efforts, I took to adjust in my in-law's home, forgetting the home, I had lived since childhood. The wedding night, when I submitted myself to my husband against my will because he didn't want to wait. Does that matter?"

Kavya frowns at her words and Riya faces her to continue, "What about the six years of marriage, where I dedicated my everything to my husband's happiness? What about my feelings towards my husband...my Varun?"

Kavya attempts to speak, but no words to assure or counsel leaves her mouth and she lowers her gaze, as Armaan's thoughts fill her mind. But she forces herself not to think of him and her own problems in-between her job and focus on Riya, who needs her motivational words now.

Riya speaks with teary eyes, "I know what you are doing Ma'am."

Kavya faces Riya, who continues, "But thinking about my parents didn't help me. There are feelings in my heart....such feelings....which....which doesn't allow me to live. They are eating me within."

Kavya clenches her fist, feeling similar pain awakening in her senses as Riya continues to speak, "I had spent six years, dedicating my life to him and his family. So, how much ever I try, my mind and heart goes back to him, because I loved him with my whole heart and will keeping loving, till I am alive."

Kavya's eyes moistens, watching Riya's cheeks​ staining with her own painful tears, though none of the women bother to wipe them.

Riya continues in a brittle voice and tears in eyes, "Any type of distraction doesn't help. Those feelings-"

She punches on her chest lightly with left hand and continues, "Hits here back with double power and washes away all your efforts to forget that person."

A lone tear escapes Kavya's eyes, remembering how she could never forget about Armaan even for a minute during his business trip after the confession. His words, his memories always clouded her mind, which she had tried hiding from Mary and Ruhi, behind her anger and efforts for DID. But when her emotions overpowered, she had cried by standing under the shower and digging her face in the pillow for hours.

Riya continues, pulling Kavya out of her memory lane, "You won't understand Ma'am because your love didn't hurt you by thinking of just himself, he didn't abandoned you after he received his benefits."

Kavya clenches her fist tighter, controlling the urge to confess, she has been hurt by her love and abandoned after he received his benefits. She wanted to yell, he never cared for her feelings, while using her.

Riya confesses with teary eyes, "And even after you think of your parents, you can't divert your thoughts from him. He owns my heart and soul. How can you ignore such person?"

Kavya recollects those days, when she thought of her parents and Myra to divert her thoughts from Armaan and focus on DID. But she failed miserably, when she remembered the time, which he had spent with her family.

Riya states, wiping her tears, "And how much ever I remind myself the truth, he was a greedy and selfish person, I can never hate him. Somewhere my feelings makes me ignore his negativity and just reminds the fact, I was happy with him."

Kavya lowers her gaze, remembering how she confessed herself, she still loves Armaan, even after suffering. No amount of facts were enough to hate him and she was forced to accept, the time she spent with him, indeed made her happy.

Riya states with tears continuously flowing from her eyes, "So, please don't waste your time on me."

Kavya lifts her gaze to face Riya, who continues, "Because you will never understand my pain, how difficult it becomes to stay alone. Varun's absence has made me realise, the importance of a partner in my life."

Riya smiles dramatically with teary eyes and states, "But see my own partner, my love, my husband ruined my life."

Tears keep escaping from Kavya's eyes, witnessing the amount of pain in Riya's eyes and voice.

Riya wipes her tears and continues, "It is so convenient for you to say live for yourself and your parents, Varun is not worth my tears and etc. But only I know what I have suffered and I can never forget anything."

Riya joins her hands and begs with teary eyes, "Please do me a favour and leave me alone, please."

Kavya couldn't utter a word to console or explain Riya, as her words triggered the memories, which she wanted to forget.

With every word, with every statement, those memories came back hitting her mind and heart, when she suffered to accept the reality of her husband and their marriage.

Riya begs again, "please leave" and continues to cry, burying her face in her hands.

Kavya felt as if her past has relived in form of Riya and she can see herself in her position. Her hands starts shivering, as she attempts to hold Riya's arm to console her. But her own pain makes her weak and she couldn't stop her own tears.

She brings her hand towards her lap and joins both hands in a strong grip to compose herself, only to fail miserably. She takes a deep breath and stands, while murmuring a "Sorry" to Riya.

Kavya wipes her tears and rushes outside, feeling suffocated in the room and asks Henna to take care of Riya, who was standing outside with other volunteers.

Armaan's Room, Raichand Mansion, Delhi

Sonia is sitting on Armaan's bed in his room, and seeing the pictures of his and Kavya again from Veer's party in her phone.

She zooms in Armaan's face and remembers an incident from his childhood, which Mary shared with her.

FLASHBACK

A ten year old Armaan enters the dining room and finds the chairs empty, which makes him angry.

He yells, "I don't want dinner."

A younger Mary comes running from the kitchen and finds the kid throwing a glass of water on the floor, which shatters into thousands of pieces.

Mary rushes to move him aside, so he doesn't hurt himself and makes him sit on the chair.

She explains softly, "Armaan, throwing things is not right. You could have hurt someone and even yourself."

Armaan yells, "So what? No one cares for me, Mom and Dad never eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with me."

Mary sighs in helplessness and explains, "Dear, first stop yelling, otherwise you will spoil your throat and regarding your parents, they have work, so can't join you for dinner. But they promised to take you at a good restaurant for dinner this weekend."

Armaan shakes his head and denies, "I don't want to go at a restaurant for dinner. Dad will call his friends to talk about business and Mom will talk with their wives. I will be left alone."

Mary opens her mouth to speak, but gets interrupted by him, "Even on our last summer vacation in Vegas, Dad kept his meetings in the hotel and Mom went for shopping with their wives. I was sitting alone in big hotel room. Mary, I want family day."

Mary wipes the lone tear escaped from Armaan's eye and assures him, "I will talk with your mother and ask her to spent time with you, okay? Now please have dinner, I will tell you a story."

Armaan asks with glistening eyes, "King, Queen and little Prince story?"

Mary nods with a smile and serves a plate of food for Armaan. She starts narrating story of a happy royal family, making an innocent child happy and feeds him with her hand.

Mary keeps Armaan busy with his studies and football practice, successfully diverting him from the thought of his parents, every night, as they were busy with their business and social life.

PRESENT TIME

Sonia keeps staring at Armaan's face and curses herself for not giving him time at the right time. She remembers every time Mary informed Armaan's wishes, but she kept neglecting them.

Yash enters the room and finds Sonia seeing her phone. He knew, what she is thinking as he makes his ways towards the bed to sit beside her and grabs her free hand.

Yash states, "Thinking ​of our mistakes will not help, Sonia. The time, which is passed is passed, you can't bring it back. We should have visited Armaan's room, when he needed us instead of now, when he has gone far away from us."

Sonia nods and leans towards Yash, resting her head on his shoulder and closes her eyes. She was tired of everything, worrying for Kavya and Armaan, fighting and arguing with Yash and thinking of a quick solution to kill everyone's pain.

She confesses painfully after a moment of silence, "It's my mistake, when my son needed me the most, I was busy socialising with friends and wives of businessmen. I am not a good mother."

Yash presses a kiss on the back of her hand and corrects her, "It's our mistake, Sonia. Even I was so busy growing my company and left our son to grow alone."

She opens her eyes and states, "And we realised our mistake, when Armaan decided to live in Mumbai alone, away from us.....it was so late. Our son didn't need his parents in his life, we made him a lonely man."

He wraps his arm around Sonia and caresses her arm, while saying, "We are responsible for everything and we deserve to stay alone now. But I am at least happy, Armaan has Kavya in his life now."

She informs, "She hasn't forgiven him yet. I feel, if we hadn't ruined Armaan's life, then Kavya would have been happy."

Yash assures, "Don't think so much, she will forgive him, it's a matter of time, then she will be happy for the rest of her life."

Sonia clenches Yash's hand, he is holding and prays with hope, "I hope this phase ends soon and they live a happy life together. I can't see Kavya in more pain."

Yash assures, "Armaan is making efforts to seek forgiveness, so Kavya's pain is a guest of few days. Plus, they have Mary to take care of them, she is doing a great job."

Sonia nods in response and confesses, "I wish, I could switch position with Mary. Last night, Armaan should have come to me for handling Kavya, but see, I am here, sitting as a useless expensive statue in this huge Mansion. Yesterday, I proved myself, Mrs. Sonia Yash Raichand is worse than a maid."

Yash pleads, "Stop hurting yourself by thinking in this way, Sonia. I am worried for you."

A lone tear escapes her eye as she confesses, "And I am worried for my kids."

Yash opens his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by his phone's ringtone. He removes his phone from his pant pockets and finds Ranveer's name on the screen. They frown, facing each other and Yash answers the call.

Ranveer speaks cheerfully, "Hello Mr. Old Man, how are you and your growing wrinkles?"

Yash chuckles, hearing the faint sound of Nimrit scolding Ranveer in the background and Sonia too smiles, knowing Ranveer's way of talking in a good mood.

Yash replies, "I am good and my wrinkles are well hidden, what about you?"

Ranveer replies dramatically, "What do you expect, after being punched by my wild wife?"

Yash chuckles, hearing Nimrit's faint scolding again and states, "Well you are yourself responsible for that."

Ranveer replies, "Yeah, yeah. Now listen, I, Nimrit and Myra wanted to invite ourselves for dinner at your place, tomorrow night."

Yash asks with a frown, "Dinner at our place tomorrow night?"

Yash glances at Sonia, who is mirroring his frown and he goes back to speak through the phone, "Of course, you are most welcome."

Ranveer replies, "Oh lovely, we will meet you tomorrow night. Bye."

Yash responds, "Bye" and disconnects the call. He tosses the phone aside and faces his worried wife.

Sonia demands, "Suddenly a dinner plan?"

Yash states, "Even I am wondering."

Sonia and Yash keep thinking of a possible reason for the sudden dinner plan by Ranveer, though they fail.

************

That's all for now.....will update next part as soon as possible.....hope you liked this part, do give your reviews...till then Keep Smiling and Take Care

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