Backyard, Kapoor Mansion, Delhi

Armaan punches the wall of the Mansion to reduce his anger and frustration towards his mistake committed an hour ago.

He thinks, 'Kavya is confused, but why do you have to be angry and impatient Armaan....how do you expect her to accept your feelings within a few days after promising to reverse those 75 days?'

Armaan halts, feeling breathless and closes his eyes to recollect the pain he witnessed in Kavya's eyes, when she tried to remind him of his drunk state, last night.

He thinks, 'I should have been more careful with her. I had abandoned her, hurt her feelings and I knew, she is insecure. Then how can I expect her to trust me so early? Now I have complicated our relationship even more. But....but can't she take one step forward? Is she so scared of trusting me?'

Armaan opens his eyes and takes a deep breath, before punching the wall. He recollects, Kavya's eyes and words, which were shielded with fear to be hurt again.

He continues to punch the wall, unaware of Ranveer's scrutinizing gaze on him from a small distance.

Ranveer thinks, 'So it has got worst....Time to put my nose into their business.'

He walks towards Armaan and informs loud enough to grabs his attention, "Even Kavy loved to practice her punching skills here."

Armaan turns around and immediately regrets to remove his anger in Kavya's parents home, where they can grow suspicious for their relation.

Ranveer stands in front of his tired Son-in-law and examines his hands for injury, only to find a few minor bruises.

He sighs in relief and comments playfully, "Calm down young man, I don't want my princess to think, you were hitting me."

Armaan couldn't help but smile at his comment and Ranveer gestures towards the coffee table set at their right. He nods in response and Ranveer dismisses the butlers around for privacy.

They take their seats on the each black single couches, beside each other and Ranveer begins, "So....had an argument with Kavy?"

Armaan shakes his head and lies, "No, some business stress."

Ranveer chuckles and mocks, "Now you think, you are talented and smart enough to fool me. My dear Son-in-law, my age and life experience is twice as compared to yours. So, don't you dare lie to me."

Armaan pinches the bridge of his nose and assures, "There is nothing serious, just a small difference of opinion."

Ranveer nods in understanding and repeats dramatically, "Oh, small difference of opinion."

He leans towards Armaan and demands, "In that case, you were checking the strength of my Mansion by punching the wall, right?"

Armaan looks away, failing to deal with Ranveer's questions and fearing to fuel his earlier doubts, regarding their marriage.

Ranveer sighs and assures in a serious tone, "Armaan, I won't ask what is happening between you and Kavy. That's your personal matter, which I truly respect and even as a father, I won't interfere. Because I have never allowed anyone to interfere between me and Nimrit, even though our completely opposite nature had lead to many difference of opinion at the beginning of our marriage."

He leans in his seat to sit more comfortably and adds, "So it's your problem, which has to be dealt by you and Kavy only."

Armaan pinches his nose again and assures after facing him, "You don't have to worry about anything, there is no serious problem between me and Kavya."

Ranveer smiles sadly and responds, "It is a bit difficult to believe your words because my daughter doesn't want me to know anything."

Armaan frowns in confusion and Ranveer continues, "Otherwise she would have informed the truth that you left for Los Angeles on the next morning of reaching Mumbai, instead of saying, you left a day later after helping her to settle in your home."

Armaan freezes at his spot in shock, as he was well aware of the false stories Kavya has been telling her parents to keep their marital problems concealed.

Ranveer crosses his leg over the other and adds, "She didn't even tell me about Divas in Defence and her new bank account."

Ranveer faces a shocked Armaan and smiles before inquiring, "So believing you would be difficult, isn't it?"

Armaan stammers in response, "You...you know everything?"

Ranveer chuckles at his response and informs, while shaking his head, "Nope. I am only aware of the facts, which I can know through my sources such as your flight date, launch of Divas in Defence and her new bank account."

Armaan remains shocked and Ranveer leans closer to inform, "And with my sharp brain, I have realised that Myra and Ruhi know everything. Because Myra tried to postpone your honeymoon and Ruhi shifted to Mumbai all of a sudden, so I connected the dots and reached to this conclusion."

Ranveer straightens up and chuckles at Armaan's expression, while saying, "And your shocked state has confirmed my theory regarding Ruhi and Myra......at least."

Armaan composes himself and Ranveer assures, "But don't worry, your internal matter is completely hidden from me. What happened between you and Kavy, which made her join the NGO and start a training institute is still a mystery for me."

Armaan looks away, thinking whether to share the truth or not. He knew Ranveer is mature enough to understand this matter sensibly, however he even feared for something worst as it concerns his beloved daughter's life.

Ranveer smirks, studying his face and warns, "Don't you dare share anything with me."

Armaan faces him in confusion and Ranveer explains, "Facts related to a relationship belongs to both, not just one, so you can't decide alone whether to share with me or not. It has to be your and Kavya's decision collectively."

Ranveer laces his fingers and adds, "Yes, Kavya has shared with her sister and friend, but I guess that reason is somewhere connected with the reason of her NGO job and DID. So, that's excusable."

Armaan demands in disbelief, "You are well aware, we are hiding something major from you and still you are so calmed. How? Aren't you hurt to know that your daughters are hiding an important fact from you? I believe, you shared a deep bond with them."

Ranveer chuckles and explains, "A relationship can't have both hurt and deep bond, Armaan. Only one can exist because when bonds are deep, then nothing and no one can affect it."

Armaan lowers his gaze, realising his lack of understanding in relationships. Ranveer continues, "And Son, I am not hurt because I realise, as per time and situation, our priorities differ. Earlier Kavy was just my daughter and Myra's sister, but now she is your wife and your parents' daughter-in-law as well. So, hiding is not completely wrong, if it has a good reason."

Armaan faces Ranveer, as he continues, "Even I and Nimrit have hidden many facts from our parents, so how can I be partial with my daughter in the same case?"

Armaan nods in understanding and Ranveer smiles at him, before they fell in silence. None knew what to say further and they drown in their own thoughts.

Suddenly Armaan starts confessing, "I have done something wrong with your daughter, something which was unacceptable and selfish. I have broken her trust, her heart, but she didn't cry over me for long. She planned her own journey, where I did receive a position, but it wasn't the right one."

Ranveer responds after processing his words mentally, "Ok....then."

Armaan sighs and continues, "Until I realised my mistake, it was too late. Kavya was scared to trust me again and forgive me. I tried my best to keep her happy and start a fresh. Still she is holding herself back and I am unable to understand, what should I do to kill her fears and regain the trust."

Ranveer clenches his fist to control his emerging rage and informs truthfully, "You know, my Kavya is fearless and if today she is scared then you must have done caused her great misery."

Armaan responds sadly, "You can't even imagine."

Ranveer sighs in defeat and informs, "And you can't even imagine, how much I am controlling myself to not react now, only because my daughter loves you."

Armaan faces him in shock and Ranveer shares, "She loves you even before marriage, which I realised, when she was crying for your project loss."

Armaan asks in disbelief, "She cried for my loss?"

Ranveer smiles sadly and continues to share, "Yes, by hiding in the terrace, under the bed sheet or locking herself in her room. My daughter, who never believed in superstition, prayed to God and kept fasts for your success. She loves you unconditionally, Armaan."

Armaan thinks, 'Here she was praying and fasting for me, but there, I didn't even realise removing the engagement ring. What have I done?'

While Ranveer carries on, "That's why, you are sitting here in one piece, instead of me attempting to kill you for hurting my princess."

Armaan lowers his gaze in embarrassment and Ranveer sighs in defeat, controlling his rage.

Ranveer orders, "Make my daughter happy Armaan, I have given you her responsibility and you promised to fulfill it."

Armaan informs, "Trust me, I am trying my best. I have even done things over and above my capacity, but something is holding her back. It feels as if the distance is reducing between us, but that wall is still intact."

The pain in his voice didn't go unnoticed by Ranveer, which gave him relief for his daughter's marriage.

Ranveer assures with a smile, "I trust you Armaan, especially after the way you had entered my home in the morning and hugged her."

Armaan smiles, making Ranveer chuckles in response, who then adds, "So, now stop sulking and think of something to fix this problem, before this relationship ends."

Armaan sighs sadly and confesses, "I don't think this relationship will ever survive with the wall standing strong between us and to be frank, I have given up already. Sorry."

Without waiting for a response, he stands to walk away.

Guest Room, Kapoor Mansion

Kavya is sitting on the floor, resting her back against the wall, where Armaan had pinned her during his outburst. Her arms are wrapped around her knees with her head, resting over them as silent tears keep escaping from her eyes.

Armaan's words keep ringing in her brain - "I give up Kavya, I give up on this relationship, on our marriage, on US."

The door of the room cracks open, which grabs her attention and she whispers, "Armaan."

But to her surprise, Ranveer peeps inside and faces her. Kavya looks away immediately to hide her tears and wipes them with the back of her hands.

Ranveer sighs in sadness and enters the room after closing the door. He makes his way towards his daughter and sits crisscrossed beside her, resting his back against the same wall. He fishes out his handkerchief and offers to his weeping daughter, who is still looking away to hide her tears.

He murmurs, "I know, you are crying Princess."

Kavya hesitates before turning to face her father and he gestures to take the handkerchief. She obeys hesitantly and wipes her tears, while he watches her carefully.

He asks in a low voice, "What happened to my strong pillar?"

She lowers her gaze to her lap and remains silent. Ranveer sighs again and lifts his head up to face the ceiling, while leaning back to touch his head with the wall.

He informs, "I know, you and Armaan had a fight, but you know me, I won't interfere unless you both want me to."

Kavya faces him with fearful eyes and asks with shaky voice, "You...you know ev...everything, right?"

Ranveer faces her to assure, "No. I only know you and him had a fight because he was sulking in the backyard. When I asked him to talk and patch up with you, he said you are holding yourself back."

Kavya lowers her gaze and he asks, "Is it true that you are holding yourself back?"

Playing with the ends of the handkerchief, she gives a very short nod and continues to keep her eyes on her lap.

He demands softly, "Why?"

Kavya remains silent, debating with herself, whether to share the truth of her relationship with her father or not. She can't doubt Ranveer's maturity in understanding the situation, though his love and possessiveness towards her can make him angry.

Ranveer observes her dilemma and assures, "I don't want you to share the problem with me, Princess as it's your and Armaan's personal matter and I respect the privacy. However, I would love to help you both."

Kavya closes her eyes and leans towards her father to rest her head on his shoulder before confessing in a low voice, "I am tired and scared."

Ranveer presses a kiss to her head and replies, "If you are tired, then take a nap to relax yourself, but if you are scared...."

Kavya opens her eyes and lift her head to face her father, who continues, after meeting her gaze, "Then I want you to fight with your fears. Crying and sulking in a corner can never be a solution, Princess. I have never seen you scared or giving up, then what happened now?"

Kavya breaks the eye-lock and lowers her gaze, making him sigh in helplessness.

He grabs her hand in a firm grip and explains, "Kavya, he is genuinely guilty and regretting for whatever he has done, I can see in his eyes and talks. If you won't believe him now and give a chance to prove himself, then you might lose him forever."

Kavya faces him with a hint of fear in her eyes and he caresses her hand to calm her before continuing, "A relationship is as sensitive as a thread, you can pull lightly to test the strength, but pulling beyond the capacity can break it."

He takes a deep breath and confesses, "I don't know, what he has done and what you might have suffered. But I know, your feelings for him and I am happy to witness similar amount of feelings in him today. Believe me, I can't be happier to realise, he loves you too."

He turns to face her and states in a serious tone, "But don't live under this impression, if he loves you then he won't leave you."

Kavya continues to stare at him as he explains, "When a person doesn't get the needed response from the other, when he realises there is no future left and when he feels suffocated then he might walk out of the relationship and never come back."

Tears well up in Kavya's eyes and Ranveer cups her cheek to request, "Don't give him the chance to leave, Princess. I can guarantee you that he will never come back."

He bends to kiss her forehead and stands to leave the room, while Kavya lowers her gaze, mentally processing her father's words with Armaan's efforts.

Bedroom, Ruhi's Apartment, Mumbai

Ruhi and Rihan are sitting on the bed with their back resting against the bed rest and legs stretched straight. They are seeing a movie on her laptop when he suddenly pauses the movie, making her frown in confusion.

She asks after facing him, "What happened?"

He states with hesitation, "I was thinking of something."

She asks, "What?"

Rihan wraps an arm around her shoulder and answers, "To announce our relationship to Mom, she is literally counting days."

Ruhi lowers her gaze, suddenly feeling shy and asks, "Will she like me?"

He laughs, making her frown again and informs, "You have no idea of her intentions. Mom has started seeing dreams of our marriage since that dinner at my place."

Her jaw drops at his words and he continues, "Mom is waiting for me to tell her 'I and Ruhi are dating' and she will come running here to fix our marriage. She loves you already."

Ruhi smiles at his last words and Rihan asks, "So, should I tell her?"

She hugs him in shyness and murmurs against his chest, "Yes."

Rihan laughs, tightening his grip around her and presses a kiss to her head before commenting, "You are too cute, Ruhi."

She doesn't reply and he plays the movie to divert the topic, so she doesn't feel embarrassed and strokes her hair lovingly.

Living Room, Kapoor Mansion, Delhi

Kavya enters the living room after freshening up and making sure, no one realises that she had cried. She watches her parents, helping Myra to sit on the couch from the wheelchair.

Nimrit faces her with a smile and asks her to sit besides Myra, while she sits walks across them.

She questions with concern, "Were you so tired with the travelling that you slept the entire noon?"

Kavya frowns, but glances at her father, sitting beside Nimrit, who smiles with an assuring nod. She understands, he had made an excuse, so no one can disturb her and gives him a small smile in return.

She answers to her mother, "Yes Mamma, I was tired. But I am fine now."

Nimrit nods and asks with concern, "Kavy, is everything alright between you and Armaan?"

Kavya's heart skips a beat at her question and she asks in a stammering tone, "Why...why do you ask?"

Nimrit informs, "I saw Armaan leaving the Mansion in stress and he didn't even turn when I called him."

Kavya lowers her gaze, unable to decide what to answer, while Myra decides to help her sister, only to stop as Ranveer shakes his head, denying wordlessly.

Nimrit asks again, "Kavy, are you hiding something?"

Before Kavya can react, Ranveer jumps into the conversation, "Oh! Come on, Nimrit. Armaan had come on a short notice leaving everything behind, so he might have got some work or emergency. Don't forget RGC has an office here in Delhi as well."

Nimrit argues, "But it's been over 2 hours, he has gone."

She faces Kavya and asks, "Do you know, when he will return?"

Kavya shakes her head in negative and Nimrit states, "Kavy, you should call him. I don't know, why I am worried."

Kavya nods in response and stands to move back to the guest room to call Armaan. While Nimrit faces her husband with the look of concern, but he gives an assuring nod and Myra sighs in helplessness.

Guest Room

Kavya calls Armaan, only to know his phone is switched off and sits on the edge of the bed. She thinks to send him a message, but fails to understand, what to write in the text.

She thinks, 'He was angry when he left....did he go to his home or somewhere else.....will he come back here.....will he even see my message and reply.....but what should I write? When are you returning or...'

Ranveer's words clouds her mind and she thinks again, 'Papa was right, Armaan deserves a chance and how long will I let the past affect me, affect US....if he wasn't serious then he wouldn't have done so much for me....I shouldn't have misunderstood his confession to be a mistake, I should have given him a chance to explain before running here.'

Taking a deep breath, Kavya unlocks her phone to type the message -

"I am sorry to hurt you, but I know, just saying a word to apologise is not enough. I have hurt you and you have every right to be angry. I just want you to come back and listen to me, so we can clear every misunderstanding and confusion. I want us, Armaan, I want us to work. Please come back, I am sorry."

She sends the message and stands to make her way towards the washroom. She turns the knob of the tap and washes her hands to remove the makeup, covering her bruised knuckles. Then she grabs the napkin and moistens it with water before sliding her top down from the shoulder to wipe the makeup from her back to reveal the tattoo.

Kavya faces her reflection on the mirror and states, "No hesitation, no covering up and no fear."

She smiles to herself and pulls her top up before going back towards the bed and check her phone for his reply. But she finds none and decides to call him again, only to learn, his phone is still switched off.

A wave of fear develops in her heart, thinking he might be still angry and didn't want to talk with her or even not come back to her. It creates several negative thoughts in her mind.

Kavya clenches her fist and takes a deep breath to calm herself as she knew, Armaan is angry. But she is confident, he will come back to her.

3 hours later

Kavya paces in the room, while calling Armaan, only to learn again that his phone is switched off. She even called Max, but he was resting in the servant's quarter of Kapoor Mansion and informed Armaan had left alone in the car.

This increases the fear in her heart and she thinks, 'Armaan is out since 5 hours, where can he be? He won't go to his parents' home, I am sure of it, then where is he?'

Suddenly she realises something and calls Mary, who answers her call within two rings and she starts asking questions, "Mary, you know any place in Delhi where Armaan can go, apart from his parents' place? Please tell me, please."

Mary asks from the other side with confusion, "Any place where Armaan can go? What's the matter, dear? Why do you sound so tensed and why are you asking this?"

Tears well up in Kavya's eyes and she informs, "Ar...Armaan left 5 hours back and hasn't returned yet. I am worried for him."

Mary informs, "But Kavya, he has never disappeared and whenever, he was upset or angry, he would come to me or Rihan. I doubt, there is any other place and he won't even go to his parents' place."

Kavya runs her fingers through her hair and asks, "Then where can he go?"

Mary assures, "Calm down, dear. Armaan will come back."

Kavya confesses as painful tears threaten to escape from her eyes, "I am scared, Mary. I...I think, he...he left me."

Mary assures with confidence, "No dear, he will never leave you."

Kavya shakes her head in negative as tears escape from her eyes and her father's words ring in her ears -

"When a person doesn't get the needed response from the other, when he realises there is no future left and when he feels suffocated then he might walk out of the relationship and never come back....Don't give him the chance to leave, Princess. I can guarantee you, he will never come back."

She confesses on the call, "I caused him to leave, Mary. I pushed him away and he will never come back to me now.....never."

She disconnects the call without letting Mary reply and covers her mouth as painful sobs escape her lips. She falls back on the bed and cries, wrapping her arms around herself and remembers the time when Armaan would hug her.

Losing control on her emotions, Kavya cries louder, recalling their happy moments. His care for rectifying every mistake to kill her pain. His efforts to learn new things for her. His gestures to earn her smiles. His innocence in matters relating to girls, socialising and expressing his wishes towards her.

She recollects the time, he performed childish stunts, only for her happiness, he punched Max for protecting her and took pains during the practice session to spend time with her.

Kavya murmurs in-between her sobs, "I lost him...I pushed him away."

She closes her eyes and remembers the events of last night, where Armaan made her, his wife again, tore the agreement and confessed his love to her.

She opens her eyes and wipes her cheeks, while murmuring, "No....no he cannot leave me....he cannot leave me again. I am his wife, I am Kavya Armaan Raichand, he has to come back to me."

Standing from the bed, Kavya rushes towards the door in search of her husband to bring him back.

Living Room

Kavya runs towards the main door, only to stop abruptly at her spot as Armaan enters the Mansion.

He frowns at her appearance as her hairs are messy, cheeks are stained with tears and she is breathing heavily because of the run.

While Kavya walks closer and clenches her right fist before lifting her hand and punches his left cheek.

Armaan leans towards his right, cupping his left cheek with his hand and stares at his wife in disbelief.

She yells at him, "I had warned you, if you ever left me then I will punch you."

He remains confused with her words and punch, while she yells again, "How dare you leave me?"

Before Armaan can open his mouth to speak, Kavya moves closer, throwing her arms around his neck and pulls him for a hug. She tightens her grip around him, pulling him closer and he hesitates before wrapping his arms around her waist.

She cries in his arms and blabbers in a painful voice, "You are not allowed to leave me....you can never leave me alone....I will never let you go....I love you, Armaan....I love you so much."

Armaan remains confused with her reaction and attempts to speak, but stops on feeling someone's presence. He lifts his eyes and finds Ranveer, standing upstairs and watching them with a smile.

Armaan frowns as Ranveer winks at him and gestures towards Kavya before mouthing a "your welcome."

Realisation drowns on Armaan's face, remembering the events of the noon.

FLASHBACK

Afternoon Time

Backyard

Armaan sighs sadly and confesses, "I don't think this relationship will ever survive with the wall standing strong between us and to be frank, I have given up already. Sorry."

Without waiting for a response, he stands to walk away, but Ranveer stops him and moves closer.

Ranveer asks, "I know, you are upset. But do you mind doing a favour for me."

Armaan agrees, "No, I will do. Tell me."

Ranveer smiles and asks him to wait for a minute before moving inside the Mansion. He returns with a file and forwards to Armaan, who takes with a frown.

Ranveer informs, "This file has confidential data and I don't trust my driver. Can you hand it over to my client? He lives 200 kilometres away from here."

He forwards a piece of paper and states, "Here is the address."

Armaan takes the paper and assures with a nod, "Don't worry, I will hand it over to him personally."

Ranveer smiles and forwards a spare phone, while instructing, "Use this phone, if you need and switch off your phone."

Armaan asks with a frown, "But why?"

Ranveer states with a smirk, "You will know."

PRESENT TIME

Armaan smiles at Ranveer and mouths a "thank you."

Then he tightens his grip around Kavya's waist, who is crying in his arms and pulls her closer in his arms.

While Ranveer turns around to walk towards his bedroom and wipes a happy tear from the corners of his eyes as he recalls his remaining plan.

FLASHBACK

Living Room

After Kavya left to call Armaan on her mother's insisting, Nimrit faces her husband with the look of concern.

But he gives an assuring nod and states, "I have purposely send Armaan out, let them stay away and realise their importance and love for each other. Don't you want them to never fight and stay happy together?"

Nimrit nods in positive and Ranveer assures with a smile, "So, trust me and don't disturb them for tonight. In fact, let's eat dinner early and hide in our rooms to give them privacy, okay?"

She nods and excuses herself to make the dinner arrangements, while Ranveer faces Myra, who is suspiciously staring at her father. He smiles and stands to walk towards her.

Ranveer takes a seat beside her and raises his eyebrows at Myra, who asks, "I can guarantee, you know enough to understand what is happening between them. But instead of being angry or upset, why are you helping them?"

He chuckles, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and states, "Because I am their father."

She frowns in confusion and he assures, "You will understand, when you will have children, whom you will love unconditionally."

Ranveer presses a kiss to her head and apologises, "And sorry to trouble you, little one. But your elder sister got me a little scared and me staying far wasn't helping."

PRESENT TIME

Ranveer smiles to himself, while walking towards his room. He remembers how his doubts made him restless and start collecting the information through a spy, the mail, which had details of DID with Kavya's new bank account details and Armaan's flight details.

At first, he was furious and wanted to visit Kavya. But her love for him and an unknown truth towards Armaan in his heart stopped him. He knew, Armaan isn't so cold to hurt Kavya and let her suffer for long.

He smiles, pushing away the negative thoughts and murmurs to himself, "All's well that ends well."

Praying for his daughter's happiness, Ranveer goes to sleep without an ounce of stress on his forehead.

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

That's all for now.....will update next part as soon as possible.....till then Keep Smiling and Take Care

To read my other stories go to my profile @WriterAnisha_2307

Love you all........