Mishti's words appalled every family member, except Abir. He just stood near the door of the room, completely numb with his head hung low. The last few minutes of his life played in his mind like a song on repeat.

"Haan Mishti beta. Aapko puchne ki zarurat nahi hai. Woh aap hi ka ghar hai. Aap jab chahe waha aa sakti hai," Badepapa said simply. Mishti meekly nodded her head and was about to walk away when Meenakshi called out.

"Lekin Mishti tum.." she started, only to be interrupted by Kunal.

"Nahi Maa. Mishti ko Badepapa ke saath jaane dijiye. Uske liye wahi thik hai. Vaise bhi hamare ghar mei kuch logo ki jealousy aur immaturity ne hadd paar kar di hai," Kunal accused indirectly as he glared at Kuhu. Kuhu turned her gaze away. No one understood the meaning behind Kunal's words except Mishti, Abir and Kuhu.

"Kya kehna chahte hai aap Kunal?" Badepapa queried. Kunal shifted his gaze towards Mishti, not knowing the answer to Badepapa's question.

"Abhi doctor ne kaha tha ki Mishti ko ek stress-free environment mei rakhna zaruri hai. Aur hum sab jaante hai ki Rajvansh Sadan mei yeh possible nahi hai," Abir murmured, audible enough to reach all their ears. All heads swivelled in his direction. Mishti gaped at him but his eyes were still focused on the ground.

"Badepapa aapko Mishti ko apne saath le jaana chahiye. Uske aur baby ke liye yeh hi sahi hai," Abir said in a voice devoid of emotions. He slightly lifted his eyes to look at Mishti and found her staring right at him. Mishti saw remorse fleet through his eyes momentarily but he quickly tore his gaze away and left from there, his guilt not allowing him to stay there for another second. None of them could comprehend the reasons behind Abir's behavior. This time around, even Mishti was left confused. But a major reason behind this was the anger and grief that Mishti felt due to the conversation that took place between them in the hospital room. Kunal had noticed the small exchange that took place between his Bhai and Bhabhi. He was sure that something had gone downhill between the two and made a mental note of asking his Bhai later.

"Mishti, chale?" Badepapa asked, breaking the chain of thoughts that Mishti had delved into. Mishti started to walk towards the exit in response to his question. Badepapa and Badimaa followed while the Rajvansh family headed home too.

With Badepapa seated beside the driver in the front and Badimaa and Mishti at the back, the ride to the Maheshwari Mansion was a silent affair. During the entire ride, Mishti's gaze was focused outside the window in order to avoid any questions from her parents and to hide the silent tears that streamed down her cheeks from them. All her mind was filled with was the conversation that splintered her heart into a thousand pieces.

*Flashback*

Abir entered the room with a restless expression on his face. He took small steps towards the bed and as soon as he saw calmness on Mishti's sleeping face, his worry dissipated into air and a small smile broke out on his face. He sat on the stool besides the bed and took Mishti's hand in his. He placed a soft kiss on her knuckles and she stirred a little at the gesture. She opened her eyes only to meet Abir's hazel orbs. She gave him a full-blown smile and tried to sit up. Abir got up and helped her. He adjusted the pillow behind her for comfort and took a seat besides her on the bed.

Taking her hands in his, he asked, "Tum thik ho?" Mishti nodded her head in response. Abir smiled at that but put on a straight face as he realized what he had come here to talk about.

"Mujhe tumse ek important baat karni hai," he said in a serious tone. Mishti creased her brows at his words and her heart rate skyrocketed at his tone. Something in her gut told her that this conversation was going to turn her world upside down.

"Mishti, tum yeh bacha abort kar do," he declared in an emotionless voice. Horror covered Mishti's features and her heart shattered into pieces as soon as the words left Abir's mouth.

"Ky-Kya kaha tumne?" She stuttered, completely baffled.

"Tum yeh bacha abort kar do." Abir repeated. "Tumhare.." he started but before he could complete, Mishti jerked her hands out of his hold and raised one of her hands.

"BAS ABIR. AUR EK SHABD NAHI," she yelled as tears of anger threatened to fall off her eyes. Gulping them down and taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she continued, "Tum jo bolna chahte the, tumne bol dia. Ab aur kuch nahi Abir. Tum kya chahte ho woh toh tumne bata dia. Lekin mera bhi decision sunn lo. Mei iss bache ko abort nahi karungi Abir. Agar tum yeh bacha nahi chahte toh thik hai. Mei iss baby ko akele hi janam dungi," she said firmly. "Bas mujhe yeh bata do ki yeh thought tumhare mann mei aaya bhi kaise?" She asked, unable to grasp the intentions behind Abir's irrational demand. Or maybe she knew his motive but didn't want to believe it yet.

"Mishti, kya tum mujhpar trust karti ho?" Abir counter-questioned.

"Trust?" She laughed sarcastically as a teardrop rolled down her cheek. "Woh toh ussi din khatam hogaya tha jis din tumne mujhse jhooth bolne ka faisla kia tha. Ab agar mei chahu bhi toh tumpar kaise trust karu Abir? Abir, agar tum mujhe apni life mei nahi chahte the toh mujhe bata dete. Mei chali jaati Abir. Lekin aaj jo tumne kia uske baad.." She halted to avoid breaking down in front of him. "Aaj tumne apni Angry Chorni ko tod dia Abir. Aur yeh bikhre hue tukda mujhe har roz ek choti si maut maarenge," She muttered, her voice laced with anguish and hurt. She turned her face away from him, not able to look at him anymore. Each word out of Mishti's mouth was like a knife twisting deeper into his heart and bleeding him to death. Tears pooled in his eyes but he squeezed his eyes shut to hide them away. Without turning towards him, Mishti got out of bed and walked towards the door. Abir wasn't in a state to do anything but he still followed her outside.

*Flashback ends*

As the driver parked the car in front of the Maheshwari Mansion, Mishti got down and went straight inside. Badimaa was about to stop her when Badepapa held her back.

"Unhe jaane dijiye Shaurya ki Maa," he said. Badimaa turned to face him, distress etched on her features.

"Lekin Shaurya ke Bauji, Mishti thik nahi hai. Uske aur Abir ke beech zarur koi baat hui hai jo woh hume nahi bata rahi hai," she voiced out her concern.

"Hum jaante hai. Kuch toh zarur hua hai. Lekin agar kuch aisa hua hoga jo hume pata hona chahiye, toh Mishti hume khud baatayengi. Hume unhe thoda waqt dena chahiye," he explained. Badimaa wasn't convinced but she still nodded her head and they both headed inside.

In Mishti's room

As soon as Mishti stepped inside, she locked the door and fell down to the ground as tears started to trickle down her cheeks.

"Yeh kya keh dia tumne Abir? Aur kyu? Tum hi toh baby ke liye itne excited the na? Tumne hi baby ki baat ki thi. Toh phir aisa kya hogaya ki tum hi ab baby nahi chahte ho Abir? Tumne mujhse yeh kaise expect kar lia ke mei abo-abortion ke liye haa kar dungi Abir? Aur tumne yeh baat kar kaise li? Kya tum sach mei yeh baby nahi chahte?" She vocalized the questions that had been assaulting her brain since the time her mind had started to stir up conclusions to Abir's demand. Mishti's eyes widened as another possibility invaded her mind. "Ky-kya tumhari life mei sach mei ko-koi aur aagayi hai Abir?" Even the thought of it broke Mishti's heart into pieces. More tears rolled down her cheeks as she pondered over the chances of her assumption being true. Mishti's awful thoughts were interrupted when her phone started to ring. She looked at the screen which showed that the call belonged to an unknown number. Wiping her tears off with the back of her hand, she got up and moved towards the balcony to receive the call, unaware that her world might just shatter into pieces for the second time in the day.

At some house

Completely numb, Abir sat in a corner of the dark room, hugging his knees to his chest. The only noise in the silent room was of the words that rang in his ears.

"She's pregnant."

"Mishti ki jaan ko baby ki wajah se khatra bhi ho sakta hai."

"Mei iss bache ko abort nahi karungi Abir."

"Aaj tumne apni Angry Chorni ko tod dia Abir."

"I'm sorry Mishti. I'm so sorry," he sobbed. "Aaj phir se ek baar, maine tumhe bahut zyada hurt kia hai. Lekin mere paas aur koi option nahi tha Mishti. Ho sake toh please mujhe maaf kar dena. Please," Abir pleaded to no one as his face constricted in pain. He let the tears flow down his cheeks as he kept his head on his knees. He stayed there for a while and then headed back home.

In Mishti's room

Mishti came inside the room. Tear stains streaked her face as she walked back in. She slumped down on the bed as her mind replayed the words that she heard moments ago. The words had sliced her heart open but they weren't the reason behind her tears. Her guilt was.

"Abirrrrr.." she gasped and a fresh set of tears streamed down her face. "Kanhaji, yeh maine kya kar dia? Maine bina kuch soche Abir se itna sab kaise keh dia? Maine kaise Abir par shak kar lia? Aisa khyaal mere dimaag mei aaya bhi kaha se? Wo.. woh toh bas.." she stopped mid-sentence as she remembered her words from the hospital room. "Oh God! Mujhe abhi Abir ke pass jaana hoga. Pata nahi woh kis haalat mei hoga. Jab usse meri sabse jyada zarurat thi, maine usse akela chod dia. Maine usse itna kuch suna dia. Mei itni stupid kaise ho sakti hu? I need to get to him," she gushed in worry, not caring about the despondency that had settled in her heart. Knowing that Abir was fine was all Mishti wanted in that moment. So, she rushed out of the room to the person whom she had a lot to apologise for.

At the Rajvansh Sadan

Everyone was seated at the dining table and having dinner when Abir walked in through the door. Kunal was the first one to spot Abir.

"Bhai, khana?" He called out. Abir came to a halt but didn't turn to face Kunal.

"Mujhe bhook nahi hai Kunal," he stated and started to walk towards the stairs when Kuhu came and stood in front of him. Abir tried his best to maintain his composure.

"Bro khana kha lijiye. I know aap Mishti ko.." she started only to stop as Abir's eyes of steel met Kuhu's orbs. His anger had started to boil the moment Kuhu started to speak and it vanished into thin air as soon as she took Mishti's name. Everything that had ensued between him and Mishti before she fell unconscious whizzed in front of his eyes. He clenched his fists by his sides but nothing seemed to help. Today, his wrath held the capacity to burn the entire house down.

"APNI GANDI ZUBAAN SE MISHTI KA NAAM MAT LO!" He howled in anger. Kuhu shivered under his gaze as her eyes widened in shock. All heads turned towards them and every person at the dining table was completely alarmed at Abir's tone. They all got up from their seats and rushed towards Kuhu and Abir.

"Broo.." Kuhu started but Abir cut her off.

"DON'T CALL ME BRO. NAHI HU MEI TUMHARA BRO," he shouted as the fury in his eyes rose. Kunal stepped in between the two of them.

"Bhai, kya hogaya hai? Aap aise kyu behave kar rahe hai?" He asked, entirely stunned at Abir's behaviour. There was only one time when Kunal had seen such an enraged Abir. The time when Kunal had blatantly lied to him about spiking Nishant's drink. And that day, everything had gone wrong.

"I'm sorry Nanko. Lekin criminals ke saath mujhe aise hi baat karni aati hai," Abir bluntly uttered, his eyes fixated on Kuhu. All the members of the family stared at him, aghast.

"Abir, tumhara dimaag ko thikane par hai na? Kuhu se baat karne ka yeh koi tareeka nahi hai," Meenakshi reprimanded. "Aur tum criminal kisse bula rahe ho?" She queried, not understanding a bit of Abir's disdainful behaviour.

"Aaj itne time baad toh mujh mei akal aayi hai Maa. Mishti hamesha se mujhe aaina dikhati rahi lekin meri aakhon par toh patti bandhi hui thi. Aaj finally woh patti utar gayi. Aur sach saaf-saaf dikhayi dene laga," he spoke as his incensed eyes bore into Kuhu's petrified ones.

"Yeh gol-gol baatein karna bandh karo Abir. Aur saaf saaf batao, kehna kya chahte ho tum?" Meenakshi said, her patience reaching its brim.

"Janmashtami yaad hai?" He questioned. "Yeh saal wali nahi. Pichle saal wali," he added. "Jab Mishti uss human pyramid se niche gir gayi thi?" He questioned again. Kuhu's pupils dilated and the colour completely drained off her face. Abir saw the change in her expressions "Woh koi accident nahi tha. Kisi ne jaan bujhkar niche kisiko dhakka dia tha taaki Mishti ki jaan.." Abir stopped and shut his eyes to shove away the dreadful thoughts that battered his mind. Even saying it out loud pierced his heart. "Uss din Mishti ko, Kuhu ne niche giraya tha," he spilled her crime. Loud gasps filled the room as the words left Abir's lips. Kuhu pulled her gaze away as her deed flashed right across her eyes. Kunal gaped at Abir, unable to process the information that just hit his ears. But this wasn't the end of it.

"Aur bhi bahut kuch kia hai Kuhu ne. Email fiasco, threat letters, sleeping pills.."

"Sleeping pills?" Kunal asked, still reeling in the initial shock. Abir twisted his neck to face Kunal.

"Haa Nanko. Mahashivratri ki raat ko coffee mei sleeping pills Kuhu ne milayi thi. Taaki Mishti subah pooja na kar sake aur Kuhu ko pooja karne ka mauka mil jaaye. Lekin galti se woh coffee maine pi li thi," Abir dropped another bomb. Kunal who still hadn't come out of the previous shock, staggered on his feet at this disclosure. He turned to look at Kuhu but her head hung low, confirming all of Abir's accusations. Guilt seeped into Kunal's heart as soon as his mind registered his wife's actions.

"Tumhari har immature harkat ko maaf kia tha maine. Mishti mujhe mana karti rahi lekin uski ek baat nahi sunni maine. Lekin tum, tum uss maafi ke layak hi nahi thi Kuhu," he spoke dejectedly. "Mei kuch bhi tolerate kar sakta hu. Lekin agar koi meri Mishti ko harm karne ke baare mei sochega bhi toh mei uss insaan ko chodunga nahi. Fir chahe woh iss ghar ka member hi kyu na ho. Mishti se pehle uss insaan ko mujhse takrana hoga. Aur Abir Rajvansh agar Mishti ke liye jaan de sakta hai toh lene se bhi piche nahi hatega," he fumed. Kuhu's head shot up at Abir's words and terror engulfed her heart.

"I don't know mei kya soch rahi thi bro.." Kuhu tried to defend herself but Abir raised his hand, indicating her to stop.

"Ab mei tumhara bro nahi hu Kuhu. SO. STOP. CALLING. ME. THAT," he breathed fire and stressed on each word so that Kuhu could wrap her head around his statement. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sucked in a deep breath before continuing. "Mishti ki life mei villains ki kami nahi hai. Iss ghar ke kaafi members uss list ka hissa hai," he accused indirectly and shuffled his gaze between Meenakshi and Kunal. "Lekin tumne jo kia woh toh koi apne dushman ke saath bhi nahi karta. Tumne sirf jealousy mei uski jaan leni chahi? Aur aaj firse tumne wahi karna chaha?" He questioned disbelievingly. "Shukar manao ki Kunal ne Mishti ko girne se aaj bacha lia. Agar tumhari wajah se aaj Mishti ya hamare bache ko kuch bhi ho jaata na, toh tum yaha nahi khadi hoti," he threatened. "You know what? You disgust me Kuhu. You disgust me," he spat venomously. "Please Mishti ko baksh do," he noisily joined his hands and went on, "Jeene do usse. Woh tumhari jealousy aur childish harkatein deserve nahi karti hai. Woh sirf pyaar deserve karti hai. Sirf pyaar," he said and lowered his head. "Woh pyaar jo mei bhi usse dene mei fail hogaya," he mumbled to himself, ashamed of the way he has been treating Mishti since the past 2 months. Not having the capacity to stay a minute longer in this hell that was called home, Abir turned around and walked out of the door. Sitting inside the car, he turned the ignition on to go to the only place where he could enwrap himself in grief and remorse. But in his misery and self-reproach, he failed to notice the pair of watery eyes that had witnessed the entire scene.

Hey guys!
So here's the update! Honestly, I don't know if this turned out well and if I was able to do justice to the emotions or not. But I still hope y'all liked it! Also, I know this chapter lacks MishBir but the next one is going to be all about them! So, a little more wait for that🙈 And since you guys are my critics, let me know in the comments whether the chapter was up to the mark or not. And if you guys liked it, don't forget to vote & comment!
- Sakshi❤️