As Shree slowly stirred awake, the sterile scent of the hospital greeted her senses. Blinking against the harsh light, she found herself surrounded by the sterile white walls of the hospital room, with her mother Lakshmi and Doctor Maya by her side.

Doctor Maya approached her with a gentle smile, her voice soothing as she explained Shree's condition. "Shree, you've been diagnosed with schizophrenia," she began, her tone calm and reassuring. "It means that your mind sometimes plays tricks on you, creating things that aren't real."

Shree's heart sank at the diagnosis, a heavy weight settling in her chest. "But... Sharan..." she murmured, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Doctor Maya nodded understandingly, her gaze filled with empathy. "Sharan exists in your mind, Shree," she explained gently. "He's a creation of your imagination, a way for your brain to cope with the pain and loneliness you've been feeling."

Shree's mind reeled with the revelation, the truth piercing through the layers of illusion she had built around herself. Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to come to terms with the reality of her condition.

Sensing her distress, Lakshmi reached out to comfort her daughter, her touch a soothing balm against Shree's turbulent emotions. "It's okay, Shree," she murmured, her voice filled with maternal warmth. "We're here for you, no matter what."

Doctor Maya continued, her tone gentle yet firm as she outlined a plan for Shree's treatment. "To manage your condition, Shree, it's important to keep your mind occupied and to focus on things that make you happy," she advised, her words laced with wisdom. "Engage in activities that bring you joy and surround yourself with people who love and support you."

Shree nodded silently, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. The weight of Doctor Maya's words settled heavily upon her shoulders, the enormity of her situation sinking in.

Then, Doctor Maya broached a delicate subject, her tone compassionate yet pragmatic. "Shree, I know this may be difficult to hear, but given the circumstances, it might not be in your best interest to carry the baby of the man who's caused you so much pain," she suggested gently, her words laden with concern.

Lakshmi's gaze softened with empathy as she placed a comforting hand on Shree's shoulder, silently offering her support. "You don't have to go through this alone, beta," she murmured, her voice filled with maternal love. "We're here to help you, whatever decision you make."

Tears welled in Shree's eyes as she grappled with the weight of Doctor Maya's words. The thought of aborting her baby filled her with a profound sense of anguish, yet she knew that carrying the child of a man who had abandoned her would only prolong her suffering.

In the midst of her turmoil, Shree's resolve strengthened, her determination unwavering. "I want the baby," she whispered hoarsely, her voice filled with raw emotion. "Despite everything, this baby is a part of me, a symbol of hope and love."

Lakshmi enveloped her daughter in a tender embrace, her heart breaking for the pain Shree was enduring. "Whatever you decide, we'll support you," she vowed, her voice trembling with emotion. "You're not alone, Shree. We'll get through this together."

* * * * *

Under the lush canopy of Munnar's garden, Madhav strolled amidst the vibrant blooms, the verdant foliage providing a soothing backdrop to his thoughts. Lost in contemplation, he was startled by the insistent ring of his phone, the sharp sound piercing the tranquil stillness of the surroundings.

Furrowing his brow in confusion, Madhav retrieved his phone from his pocket, his heart quickening with apprehension as he saw the caller ID flash 'RK'. Taking a deep breath, Madhav answered the call, his voice tinged with apprehension. "Hello?"

On the other end of the line, RK's stern voice echoed through the receiver, his words brimming with conviction and concern. "Madhav, have you spoken to Shree lately?" he inquired, his tone no-nonsense and direct.

Madhav's heart sank at the mention of Shree's name, his mind flooded with memories of their fractured relationship. Madhav hesitated, a knot forming in his stomach as he grappled with the weight of RK's question. "No, I haven't," he admitted reluctantly, his voice tinged with remorse.

RK's response was swift and uncompromising, his disappointment palpable even through the phone. "It's been three months, Madhav. You can't just cut off communication with your wife like this. It's not fair to her." he admonished, his words laden with reproach. "I don't want you to continue to ignore your responsibilities as a husband."

"It's complicated," he offered weakly, his voice tinged with resignation.

"It's only complicated in your head, Madhav," he countered firmly. "Complicated or not, Madhav, you made a commitment to Shree when you married her. You need to be more mature and considerate of Shree's feelings. I want you to think about what you're putting Shree through. You can't continue to push her away like this."

RK's tone softened slightly as he continued, his voice tinged with fatherly concern. "I want you to be a man, Madhav. Forget about everything that's happened, and focus on the future. Be there for Shree, support her, love her." he urged, his words carrying the weight of wisdom. "Be a better man, Madhav."

He nodded and RK hung up.

As Madhav wandered through the verdant gardens of Munnar, his mind was suddenly flooded with memories of a time long past—a time when he and Shree had been young and in love, their hearts entwined in a bond forged by passion and desire.

In his mind's eye, he could see them now, strolling hand in hand amidst the lush greenery of their home in Mumbai.

The air was thick with the scent of rain, promising an impending downpour that would soon drench the earth in its soothing embrace. She was wearing a white shirt and a pink skirt.

As the first droplets began to fall, Shree's laughter rang out like music to his ears, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she tugged playfully at his hand. "Come on, Madhav!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with infectious enthusiasm. "Let's race home before we get completely soaked!"

With a grin, Madhav accepted the challenge, his heart racing as they darted through the rain-soaked foliage, their laughter mingling with the patter of raindrops overhead. Despite the deluge, he felt a warmth blooming within his chest—a warmth born of the sheer joy of being alive, of being with the woman he loved.

As they reached inside their bedroom, their clothes were clinging to their bodies and their hair plastered to their skin. Shree turned to him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well, I guess we're both completely drenched now," she remarked teasingly, her voice laced with playfulness.

Madhav chuckled, his heart swelling with affection for the woman standing before him. "Indeed we are," he replied, his tone tinged with amusement.

In that moment, as the rain continued to fall outside, time seemed to stand still as they gazed into each other's eyes, the world around them fading into insignificance. And then, as if drawn together by an invisible force, their lips met in a tender kiss—a kiss that spoke volumes of their love and longing. He buried his face in her neck, surrounded by the sandal scent of her skin, kissing and licking her.

For a brief, fleeting moment, they were lost in each other, their bodies pressed together in a passionate embrace. Madhav removes his shirt and flings it away. Shree began running her slender fingers down his bare chest as Madhav starts to work on the strings that held her skirt in place. As he pulls the strings, her skirt slips down to her feet. 

"Why are you so hot?" Madhav groans.  And then, as the intensity of their desire threatened to consume them both, Madhav swept Shree off her feet, his arms strong and sure as he carried her towards their bed.

Madhav's heart swelled with gratitude for the woman in his arms—for the woman who had captured his heart and soul in a way no one else ever could. His rough fingers ran over the soft crease of her thighs as she dragged her blouse over her head and snapped open her bra.

She closed her eyes as his calloused thumbs ran over the hardening nipples before he leans downward to place kisses against her midriff.

Madhav's mind snapped back to the present as his phone rang once more. It was Adithya, his assistant.

"Boss, you need to come to Mumbai right away," Adithya's voice crackled through the phone, urgency evident in his tone.

"What's going on, Adithya?" Madhav asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

"It's Mukerjee Bridals, sir. They're planning to pull out of the partnership with RKGOC," Adithya explained, his words sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through Madhav's veins.

Madhav's mind raced as he processed the information. Mukerjee Bridals had been a key partner in their recent ventures, and their withdrawal threatened to derail months of hard work and negotiations.

"I'll be on the next flight to Mumbai," Madhav declared, his voice firm with determination. "Make sure everything is prepared for my arrival."

"Of course, sir. I'll arrange for your travel and have the team briefed before you arrive," Adithya assured him.