Apartment, Mumbai

Kavya answers her father's call and greets after putting the phone on speaker, "Hi Papa."

She hears her father's serious voice, "Kavya, I didn't expect this type of behaviour from you. I am highly disappointed with your stunt."

Ruhi glances at Kavya in confusion, who is staring at her phone with a frown.

While Ranveer continues, "You have ditched me for someone else, how could you Kavya?"

This statement makes her heart skip a beat and she opens her mouth to speak, only to stop, hearing her father's voice, "Did I lose my importance in your life after the wedding? You didn't think of me over that person."

Kavya covers her mouth with her hand as she assumes Ranveer has learned about Armaan's intention for marrying her. It causes tears to well up in her dreadful eyes and she grabs Ruhi's hand in a daze, who is equally scared of the consequences.

Kavya takes a deep breath to control her awakening emotions and gathers her courage to explain everything.

However, Ranveer speaks first, "You got your best friend besides you and forgot your father. This is how you treat your old man?"

Kavya frowns in confusion and Ranveer continues, "Since morning, I am waiting for your call, but you didn't even message me. This is injustice, criminal offence and...and much more. Do you know, I am so hurt?"

Sensing the humour in Ranveer's tone, the girls take a breath of relief and Kavya wipes her wet eyes. Ruhi caresses her hand as Kavya composes herself to respond normally, so he doesn't catch a hint of the heart-wrenching reality.

She apologises in a forced normal tone, "Sorry Papa, Ruhi's arrival was a surprise, then we got engaged in catching up. I was thinking to call you earlier, but the real estate agent called Ruhi, so we came to see the apartment."

Ranveer replies, "Oh, you have come to see the apartment, that's great. How is it? Comfortable for Ruhi?"

Kavya faces Ruhi, who answers the question, "Yes Uncle, it is comfortable and near to the NGO."

Ranveer sighs and responds, "Yeah the NGO. Kavu, what is the hurry to rejoin the NGO? Only 3 days have passed since the wedding, and aren't you and Armaan going for the honeymoon?"

Kavya faces Ruhi, while thinking of an excuse to handle the situation and tells a lie, "Actually Papa, when we arrived in Mumbai, Armaan got a call from his client, who wanted to meet him on urgent basis. So, he left for Los Angeles today morning."

Ranveer repeats in surprise, "Los Angeles?"

Kavya continues, "Yes Papa and that's why I asked Ruhi to courier my transfer letter because how long Armaan will take to return, I don't know. So, instead of wasting my time, I thought to rejoin the NGO."

He replies after a minute of thinking, "Oh! But Armaan shouldn't leave you alone in an unfamiliar place."

Ruhi clenches her fist to stop herself from cursing Armaan, while Kavya thinks of what to say further. She has to reluctantly keep her parents in darkness and make fake stories for their own happiness.

Kavya assures with another lie, "Armaan wasn't willing to leave me alone, Papa. But we know, how much their work has suffered in the last two months. So, I insisted him to go and honeymoon can be done later."

Ruhi rolls her eyes, listening to the false stories Kavya is making to save Armaan. She moves aside in fear to accidentally say something, which can create doubt in Ranveer's mind.

Ranveer, meanwhile replies, "Oh, so my princess is defending her husband now."

Kavya smiles at his mischievous remark and states with fake sadness, "Now you got me married to him, so what can I do? I have to defend him because I am helpless."

She fakes a sniff, making Ranveer laugh and she giggles. Ruhi smiles, watching Kavya returning to her normal talking style.

The girls hear Ranveer's words in a serious tone now, "I am happy to see you both have started understanding each other. This is the most important factor to make a marriage successful."

Kavya lowers her gaze and thinks, 'Broken marriages don't get success, Papa.'

However, she doesn't voice her thoughts and says, "I know, I have learned from you and Mamma."

Ranveer states, "Good and I will call you at night from home. Now I have a meeting, I have joined office today after 10 days, so there is lot's of work. But if you need help with the apartment, then call me without thinking. Ok?"

Kavya responds with an "Ok" and disconnects the call after bidding bye.

The girls meet the real estate agent and purchase the apartment. They discuss on the value and other factors before Ruhi sighs the agreement.

Ruhi even calls the transporter, who is bringing her furniture in a truck and share the address for delivery.

Then they visit the NGO for completing the transfer formalities. They requested to join after 2 days, so they can arrange Ruhi's furniture in her apartment by that time.

Next Morning

Armaan's Mansion

*whistle*
*whistle*
*whistle*

Kavya wakes up in shock, hearing the loud whistles and sits up to find the source of the noise.

Her tired eyes fall on Ruhi, who is standing at the end on the bed. She frowns in confusion to find Ruhi is wearing a grey tracksuit and has a whistle in her mouth.

Ruhi greets with high enthusiasm, "Good morning, Kavy baby."

Kavya observes the scenario outside the window, which is dark and turns to see the clock, resting on the bed stand. Her eyes widens in shock to read the time.

She turns to face Ruhi and scolds, "It is 5 am, Ruhi. Why are you up and woke me at this time?"

Ruhi answers, "We have to train ourselves again before we train others."

Kavya yawns and demands in confusion, "What?"

Ruhi blows a long whistle to kill Kavya's tiredness, who shuts her ears with her hands.

Kavya yells, "Stop whistling, you will give me a headache Ruhi."

Ruhi tosses the whistle on the bed and holds Kavya's arm to drag her towards the edge. Kavya struggles to release herself, but Ruhi uses her full muscular power to drag her.

She instructs, "Get up. We have to do warm-up exercise now, then plan the basic course. We need to decide what to teach, how to teach and plan the time duration for each skill? Plus, we have place restriction in my apartment. So, come on."

Kavya pull her hand, using her muscular force, making Ruhi sit on the bed and argues, "But 5 am! We can exercise at 7 am, you know, I am not a morning person."

Ruhi pulls her again and states with a smile, "Exactly my point, your anger brings the best out of you, Kavu. So, this is the best time to plan everything."

Kavya sighs and Ruhi orders, "Plus, at 10 am, my furniture is reaching. Then we will get busy in organising it for the rest of the day. Come on."

Ruhi makes Kavya stand forcefully and drags her towards washroom, while continuing to order, "We have to complete this task today because tomorrow we have to join the NGO. Stop being lazy."

Kavya glares at her and retorts, "I regret asking you for the transfer letter."

Ruhi chuckles and replies, "I love you too babe, now go."

Ruhi pushes Kavya inside the washroom, then closes the door, while yelling, "Tracksuit is inside, change and come fast."

After 10 minutes a grumpy Kavya exits the washroom and glares at a smiling Ruhi, who throws the sport shoes towards her. Kavya catches them with a sigh and wears the shoes.

Soon Kavya and Ruhi start with jogging in round at the lawn, followed by stretching exercise and planning the basic course.

Kitchen

Mary is preparing the breakfast, when she hears the footsteps and turns to find the girls entering the kitchen.

She greets them with a smile, "Good morning."

Kavya sits on the kitchen stool and greets back. But Ruhi avoids to reply and takes a seat besides Kavya, while keeping the gym bag near her feet.

A thought has been bothering Ruhi, whether Mary is same as Armaan and will ditch Kavya later. She has witnessed Kavya's condition yesterday and wanted to be careful now.

Ruhi didn't want to trust anyone, who is connected with Armaan. So, she has been keeping Kavya away from Mary as much as she can.

Meanwhile, Mary serves juice for them and offers, "I will accompany you to help in organising the furniture in Ruhi's apartment. I have even made some sandwiches and cookies to eat during the work."

Mary points at her left to show two trays of cookies with a few sandwiches and juice cartons, resting on a table. Kavya smiles at her efforts, while Ruhi rolls her eyes in annoyance.

Kavya faces Mary to appreciate her gesture, but Ruhi cuts her off by denying, "Mary, you don't have to accompany us to help, we can manage our work, on our own. And we don't even need this juice, we have exercised, so health drink is ideal to drink."

Ruhi grabs her gym bag and removes two bottles of energy drink. She places one bottle in front of Kavya and grabs the glass of juice to place in front of Mary with a loud thud.

The rudeness in her tone and action didn't go unnoticed by the two women.

But before they can react, Ruhi orders Mary, "And we can take care of our food, you don't have to make anything for us."

Her reaction makes Mary lower her gaze with sadness and nods in acknowledgement.

Though Kavya apprehends, Ruhi's anger is directed towards Armaan and not Mary.

Kavya faces an upset Mary and requests, "Mary, you can accompany us to help, it will finish the work soon. So, why don't you change your uniform to something more comfortable?"

Again Ruhi reacts, before Mary gets a chance, "No need Kavu, we can-"

Kavya interrupts by speaking with Mary, "Mary, please go and change."

The old, sad lady nods before making her way outside the kitchen and Kavya turns on her seat to face an angry Ruhi.

Kavya demands, "What was that? She is trying to help us and you are misbehaving with her. Ruhi, I am noticing the cold shoulder you are giving her since yesterday."

Ruhi justifies, "Mary can be manipulative as Armaan, we cannot trust her."

Kavya sighs and assures, "Ruhi, I understand your concern, but Mary isn't greedy and selfish as Armaan. She-"

Ruhi interrupts, "Oh, is that so? Was Armaan greedy or selfish till he opened his big crocodile mouth?"

This bring back the sadness and betrayal in Kavya's eyes, which makes Ruhi regret her words. She stands on her feet to pull Kavya in a comforting hug.

Ruhi apologises, "I am sorry Kavu, but I can't allow anyone else to play with your heart. Mary is Armaan's employee, she will be loyal to him, and not you sweety."

Kavya breaks the hug to stand, reaching her face level and answers in a firm tone, "Yes, I know Mary is his employee and will be his loyalist, which I don't think is wrong because that's her moral duty."

Ruhi opens her mouth to speak, only to stop hearing Kavya's words, "And do you think I am such a big fool to repeat the biggest mistake of my life?"

Tears form in her eyes as she remembers Armaan's confession. His declaration of not believing in this marriage and not considering her as his wife still stabs her heart.

Kavya moves away to stand, facing the gas stove and remembers the time, she spent in cooking dinner for her and Armaan. But he didn't return that night.

She shakes her head to control her emotions and continues, "I know, how much trust and interference should be allowed to an unknown or new person henceforth. I will not commit the same mistake."

The pain in her voice didn't go unnoticed by Ruhi and she walks closer to place her hand over Kavya's shoulder for support.

Ruhi whispers, "Sorry."

Kavya shakes her head and turns around to face Ruhi to inform, "I am confident that Mary isn't greedy because day before yesterday night, she took care of me instead of my earrings."

Ruhi frowns in confusion and asks, "What do you mean?"

Kavya lowers her gaze before confessing, "That night, I had planned a dinner with Armaan. I thought, we will talk and...and....maybe...."

Ruhi caresses her shoulder as Kavya's voice cracks at the end and a lone tear escapes her eye. But she clenches her fist to control herself and not cry for the person, who doesn't care for her.

Taking a deep breath Kavya continues, "But he just left for his business trip as if nothing had happened....as if he didn't ruin my life....as if he didn't marry me....as if I don't exist in his life."

Ruhi doesn't say a word and Kavya goes on, "I was hurt and didn't know what I was doing. I had removed my earring and threw God knows where in the dining room. Then I threw the glasses, plates and whatever came in contact without realising, where I am throwing them."

Kavya faces Ruhi and continues, "But Mary didn't walk away in fear, instead she came near to stop me, so none of the glass piece hurts me."

Kavya takes a deep breath, not allowing her emotions to take control over her senses and informs, "She was trying to console me, but I...I just ran to my room and locked myself to cry. Mary stood over fours hours outside, pleading to open the door and stop crying."

Ruhi lowers her gaze as guilt to misunderstand Mary engulfs her heart. While Kavya continues, "Later when I composed myself by remembering Papa's words, I opened the door and she hugged me. She sat in my room for the rest of the night, holding my hand and consoling me. I did sleep for a few hours, but she stayed awake entire time and even took care of me the following day."

Kavya lifts Ruhi's face and informs, "And that earrings, sorry my expensive diamond earrings came in my room without asking, when she helped me to organise my luggage in my room."

Kavya walks away, while speaking, "I know, I have committed one mistake in judging someone. Now, I won't repeat the same mistake, but I can't even ignore her care for me since 2 days. She had the option to dump me as Armaan did because there is no one here to supervise her job. Yet she helped me and provided support. How can I doubt her?"

Ruhi lowers her gaze, regretting to jump to conclusions. Yet a part of her wishes to justify her actions, that she is protecting her best friend, who has always saved her from any harm.

But the efforts and concern of Mary can't be ignored, so she decides to give her a chance.

Ruhi moves towards Kavya and assures, "Ok, calm down. She has taken care of you till my arrival and I believe, the efforts are genuine. So, I will not disrespect her and behave well. Promise."

Kavya smiles and Ruhi pulls her for a hug as she senses the sadness behind her smile.

Ruhi whispers, "Calm down baby, we will handle everything together with precautions."

Kavya nods and Ruhi asks her to take bath, while she goes to meet Mary to apologise for her behaviour.

Late evening, Ruhi's Apartment

Ruhi and Kavya sit on one couch of the living room, while Mary takes her seat across them. They have completed the work of organising the furniture and Ruhi's personal belongings in the apartment.

During the day, Ruhi didn't misbehave with Mary, nor ignored her presence. Instead, she shared casual chat and thanked for helping, which made Mary happy.

Plus, Mary didn't keep any grievances as she knew, Ruhi is only protecting Kavya from getting hurt again. She even forgive Ruhi in the morning, when she apologised and happily accompanied to help the girls.

Mary offers the left-over cookies with juice cans to the girls and asks, "Don't you think, the living room is quite empty and bedroom is stocked-up?"

Ruhi and Kavya face each other for a nano second, before Kavya faces Mary to share their plan to start a self-defence training institute for females for additional income.

Mary demands in confusion, "Additional income?"

Kavya states after a nod, "NGO salary is not enough, Mary and Ruhi can still depend on Papa for her extra financial needs. But I can't and my dignity will never allow me to depend on Armaan. So, the training institute will help in generating additional income."

Mary nods with an encouraging smile and comments, "I have no words to appreciate your courage and self-esteem. I wish you both get success in this work."

The girls smile in response and Kavya asks in a polite tone, "Thank you, Mary and I want you to help me in being independent."

Mary agrees with a nod, "Yes dear, tell me what can I do?"

Kavya faces Ruhi, who gives an encouraging nod, giving her consent and support wordlessly.

Kavya faces Mary back before continuing, "As you have seen, I am preferring to travel through public transport, instead of the cars available at the Mansion."

Mary nods in acknowledgement and Kavya requests, "I want you to calculate the cost of my each meal, which I have consumed till now and will be consuming henceforth. Plus, the monthly rent of my room."

Mary stares at her in shock, catching the intention of her request and asks, "Do you realise what you are doing? Kavya, you have every right to stay and eat at Armaan's Mansion."

Kavya smiles sadly and demands, "Which right, Mary? Armaan has snatched every right from my hand when he disowned me. I am no one for him, so how can I claim any right at his place?"

Mary lowers her gaze, unable to find a reason to convince Kavya to not take this extreme step. She knows, Armaan shouldn't have said such words to her, neither should he leave her alone to suffer. He should have stayed and discussed the matter and worked on a solution to not ruin an innocent life.

Understanding Mary's dilemma, Kavya stands to walk towards her to sit besides her. She grabs Mary's hand, earning her attention and gives it a gentle squeeze.

She requests, "Mary, I respect your concern, but I cannot depend on him for even a glass of water by compromising with my dignity. I don't to be labelled as a liability, so please help me by calculating the cost of every meal and my room."

Mary nods in response and assures, "I will calculate and tell you the cost."

Kavya smiles and Ruhi jumps in-between to voice her concern, "Now if this issue is solved, let's concentrate on next one."

Kavya enquires, "Next what?"

Ruhi answers, "Name of our training institute."

Kavya nods in response and Ruhi suggests, "How about Fighters Club?"

Kavya retorts, "It's a self defence training institute, not a club to invite fighters."

Mary giggles at her remark and gives her suggestion, "Protect Yourself?"

Ruhi comments, "Nice, but doesn't sound catchy."

Mary nods in understanding and they continue to think, but Kavya smiles, spelling her suggestion, "How about Divas in Defence? We can call it DID for short."

She faces Mary for feedback and gets a positive nod with an impressive smile, making her grin.

Then Kavya turns to face Ruhi, who blows a kiss before commenting, "That's like my girl."

Kavya states with a smile, "Now, we can start promoting on social networking sites and print leaflets to distribute through newspapers."

Ruhi offers, while grabbing her phone, "I will make a logo of 'DID'."

Kavya faces Mary and asks, "Do you know a printer for the leaflets?"

Mary answers in response, "Yes, I know a printer, but-"

Ruhi interrupts by asking, "Wait! How can we promote without the fee structure?"

Kavya realises the same and asks, "What should we charge?"

Mary decides to help as she is familiar with the place and enquires, "What will you teach and what is the duration of the course?"

Kavya shares the details of the course, "We will keep two batches for basic course, one morning and another evening. 2 hours per batch from Monday to Friday."

Ruhi adds, "We don't have NGO job on Saturday and Sunday. So, advance training after completion of basics will be conducted at the weekends. But now let's discuss only basic course fees."

Mary nods and questions, "It's a 40 hours training course."

The girls nod in confirmation and Mary suggests, "INR 10,000 will be fine."

Ruhi voices her doubt, "They will pay?"

Mary assures with confidence, "Trust me, they will pay."

Kavya states, "You know the crowd of Mumbai better, so let's fix it."

Ruhi nods in positive and resumes her work to designing logo. While Kavya grabs a paper to draft the tagline to attract female crowd.

But Mary interrupts their work by voicing her doubt, "But girls, do you have the building chairman's permission for this training institute?"

Kavya faces an equally confused Ruhi before turning back to ask Mary, "Chairman's permission? Why do we need that?"

Mary explains, "This is a residential building, so you need the chairman's permission for conducting this commercial training institute. Or else they can raise objection and ask you to shut it down."

Ruhi and Kavya face each other, understanding the need to take permission for the institute.

They sigh in tiredness, managing the hurdles, though they realise, struggles are a part of success and they need to overcome every problem.

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

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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