In the academy Sujal is given proper medication and is kept under observation by Dr. Shalini. Kashish stares Sujal, tensed. The bunch of cadets, Rajveer, Dr. Shalini console her, give her strength. Kashish rotates her hand lovingly on Sujal's head. Suddenly Kashish's phone rings, dragging her out of her reverie. She checks the screen,

"Akshat!"

They encourage her to receive the call.

"Hello.",

Kashish receives the call.

"Hello Kashish, kahan ho tum? Main tumhare shop par aaya tha magar yahan lock laga hua dekha. Phir tumhare ghar gaya wahan bhi koi nahi tha. Main pareshan ho gaya tha. Socha tumhe phone karke poochun.",

says Akshat.

"Akshat main theek hoon. Aur Ambala mein hoon.",

says Kashish.

"Ambala? Tum Ambala mein kya kar rahi ho?",

asks Akshat, intruiged.

Kashish tells him everything.

"Oh my God Kashish! Sujal... Sujal zinda hai?! Aur Tushar... uske baare mein mujhe pata hai Kashish.",

says Akshat.

Kashish gets shocked hearing that.

"Maine ye kabhi nahi socha tha ke Tushar ka inn sub baaton se koi lena dena ho sakta hai.",

says Akshat.

"Magar shayad ab main ye janta hoon ke Tushar ki Sujal se kya dushmani ho sakti hai!",

says Akshat, hesitantly.

That skips Kashish's heartbeat. Does he know?

Curious, Kashish knits her brows tighter and slowly asks,

"Tu..m..he.. pa..ta.. hai??'

"Haan Kashish! Mere haath wo file lag gayi hai jis mein ye likha hai. Saboot hai mere paas.",

Akshat shocks Kashish further and fuels her curiosity by his words.

"Tumhara vishwas Sujal par sahi tha Kashish!"

Kashish's heart skips another beat and her breathing turns shallower. Her cheeks turn warm out of anticipation of what Akshat could reveal in a few moments.

"Ma...tl...ab?",

asks Kashish, holding her breath.

"Lavanya ki pregnancy ka zimmedar Sujal nahi...",

Akshat stops briefly.

In that brief interval tears roll down Kashish's cheeks as she realises that her faith in Sujal won finally! She cries non-stop, inaudibly.

"Balki Tushar hai!",

completes Akshat.

Her anger and hatred for Tushar increase manifolds. Her cheeks burn out of anger. She would have surely killed Tushar had he been here at the moment.

"Aur mere paas DNA test ke reports hain jo ye sabit karte hain. Lavanya ne dhokhe se Tushar ka DNA test karwaya tha magar Tushar ne ain moke par hospital se test reports gayab kara diye the. Isliye Lavanya ke parents ko ye suchchai kabhi pata nahi chali. Mujhe wo reports Bhai ke study table pe mile.",

reveals Akshat.

Kashish hears him dumbstruck.

"Swayam ke paas?!",

exclaims Kashish, puzzled.

"Haan Kashish. Kuch din pehle bhai ne kuch files mangwaye the jo Tushar ka driver dene ke liye aya tha. Wo files maine hi li theen driver se. Magar bina dekhe maine Bhai ko de di theen.",

says Akshat.

"Shayad unhi files ke beech ye file bhi galti se aa gayi ho, jo mujhe abhi bhai ke study table par rakhi hui dikhi.",

adds Akshat.

"Main uss Tushar ko zinda nahi chhorungi! Usse uske kiye ki saza zaroor milegi. Mere Sujal ko mujhse duur karne ki saza zaroor milegi.",

shouts Kashish.

"Main janti thi Sujal par mera vishwas galat nahi ho sakta. Mera Sujal aisa kabhi nahi kar sakta.",

cries Kashish in relief.

"Magar Sujal ka inn sub baaton se kya lena dena? Sujal aur Tushar ka ek dusre ko janna! Unki dushmani? Ye sub... ye sub kaise?",

asks Kashish, confused.

Shaking her head, tensed Kashish adds further,

"Aur tarot card ne Swayam ki taraf ishara sirf isliye kiya tha kyunki Swayam Tushar ko janta hai ya koi aur bhi baat hai jisse hum ab tak anjaan hain?"

Both of them turn silent, wondering.

Those who are listening Kashish, wonder too.

"Kashish, kya tum mujhe wahan ka address de sakti ho jahan tum ho?",

asks Akshat.

"Haan likho."

Kashish ends the call after providing him the address.

"Main jald se jald wahan aakar tumse milta hoon. Take care.",

says Akshat.

"Ok. Bye.",

says Kashish.

As soon as Kashish ends the call, her phone rings again and an unknown number flashes on the screen. She looks towards all of them in confusion. All of them encourage her to receive the call. Slowly, hesitantly, Kashish receives the call.

"He..llo..!",

says Kashish.

"Kashish!",

says the one who called.

"Kon?",

asks Kashish, knitting her brows tighter.

All others get alert.

"Swayam Shergil!"

Kashish and everyone with her, get shocked hearing him.

Kashish remembers that she used to get dreams of Swayam Shergil because of which she had concluded that Swayam had snatched her Sujal away from her. But now she realizes that it wasn't only Swayam who would appear in her dreams. Swayam would always be seen staring at Sujal - lying unconscious on the floor; and next to Swayam, Kashish would get this feeling that someone else is standing, but who, her mind would never focus on that. But now she feels goosebumps as her subconscious mind answers her query, it has always been Tushar standing next to Swayam! Despite the fact that Kashish had never met Tushar in person when she got this dream for the first time but Kashish's subconscious mind was very much aware of his presence there in the dream. That's the reason she was getting negative vibes from Tushar upon meeting him for the first time in person. Which solidified further upon shaking hands with him.

Anger surges through Kashish! She turns her free hand into fist.

All others wonder who the caller can be.

"Kaho!",

Kashish gives him a curt reply.

"Kashish tumhe kya laga ke tum Sujal ko qaid se chhurha logi aur khel khatam?",

asks Swayam, smiling sarcastically.

Kashish's rate of heartbeat increases out of anger.

"Nahi Kashish nahi! Itni aasani se nahi.",

says Swayam.

"Swayam tumhari Sujal se kya dushmani hai? Tum kyun Tushar ka saath de rahe ho? Aur... aur Tushar ki kya dushmani hai Sujal se? Kaise jante hain Sujal aur Tushar ek dusre ko? Kya chahiye tum dono ko Sujal se?",

shouts frustrated Kashish.

"Shant Kashish shant. Sub kuch bataunga. Sub kuch! Magar aise phone par nahi. Agar such jaana hai, pura such, to tumhe Paali road ke Redcross Tower par aakar mujhse milna hoga.",

Swayam puts a condition in front of Kashish.

That comes as a shock for all of them.

"Main tumse milne kahin nahi aane waali.",

says Swayam.

"Main jaanta tha! Main jaanta tha ke tumhara jawab yahi hoga. Magar kya hai na..."

Tushar takes over from here, taking the mobile out of Swayam's hand and whilst walking forth says,

"...magar kya hai na...",

Tushar deliberately chooses to continue right from the point where Swayam left,

"...main apni taiyari puri rakhta hoon Kashish!"

All of them get shocked hearing Tushar.

"Tushar!",

exclaims Kashish, spitting venom through the utterance of his name.

"Hi Kashish, kaisi ho?",

asks Tushar.

Fresh anger surges through Kashish. Her breath turns shallower.

"Tumse theek se baat nahi ho paayi to socha tumhe yahan bula loon zara itminaan se baat ho jaaye humari.",

says Tushar, sarcastically.

"Main nahi aungi kahin, samjhe tum!",

shouts Kashish.

"Chillao mat Kashish, humare saath-saath Veena aunty aur CG uncle ko tumhara chillana pasand nahi aa raha.",

Tushar shocks all of them by his words.

Kashish couldn't believe her ears!

"Uncle-Aunty!",

she exclaims, shocked.

"Haan wo yahin hain. Baat karogi unse?",

asks Tushar, sarcastically.

"Lo karo baat."

"Hello... hello Kashish beta...",

cries Veena.

"Aunty! Aunty aap theek hain na.",

asks an anxious Kashish, all others get shocked.

"Ye... ye Tushar... isse jaisa maine socha tha ye bilkul waisa nahi hai Kashish. Bohot badi galti ho gayi hai humse isse pehchanne meinn.",

cries Veena.

"Kashish beta please help us.",

requests CG.

Tushar pulls the phone away and speaks to Kashish,

"Sunn liya? Ab jaise ki CG uncle ne tumse help mangi hai, to tumhe bata doon ke tum inki madad bus ek tarah se kar sakti ho..."

Kashish glares out of anger.

"Sujal ko apna muh band rakhna hoga. Wo mere khilaf kisise kuch nahi kahega. Na Sujal kuch kahega aur na tum. I am sure ye karna tumhare liye aur Sujal ke liye aasaan hoga.",

says Tushar.

Kashish wonders what is he talking about.

Sujal, who has regained his consciousness, using his low energy somehow manages to reply to Tushar,

"Tushar...!"

Kashish's heart skips a beat hearing Sujal. All of them turn to look towards Sujal in surprise. Alekh and Huda help him to sit properly.

"Tumhari suchchai main duniya ke saamne laa kar rahunga.",

Sujal coughs, weak.

His voice startles Tushar.

"Sujal!",

he exclaims.

"To theek hai Sujal tum apne Mummy-Papa ko humesha-humesha ke liye khone ke liye taiyar ho jao.",

comes Tushar's immediate reply.

All of them except Sujal get shocked.

"Tum aisa kuch nahi karoge Tushar kyunki agar tumne aisa kiya to main tumhara raaz police ko bata dunga!",

warns Sujal.

That comes as a shock for Tushar.

"Konsa raaz?",

asks Tushar, shocked and nervous.

"Wohi raaz jo Lavanya ko pata chal gaya tha. Jiske baare mein wo apne Papa ko batane jaa rahi thi.",

reveals Sujal.

All of Sujal's listeners other than Tushar, stare Sujal in utter shock.

"Drugs ke cartons tumne wahan bhi rakhwaye the na Tushar jahan mujhe kidnap karke rakha tha tumne?",

asks Sujal.

Tushar gets shocked hearing that.

"Tum... tum ye sub kaise jaante ho?",

asks Tushar, stammering.

"Wahan drugs rakhwaane se pehle ek baar ye to dekh lete ke main hosh mein hoon bhi ke nahi!",

taunts Sujal.

Tushar looks towards Swayam, speechless!

"To ye import-export karte hain aap Mr. Tushar?",

taunts Kashish, burning in anger.

Tushar too burns in anger hearing Kashish's words.

"Sunn li thi maine tumhari aur tumhare aadmiyon ki baatein.",

says Sujal.

"Tum... tum apni izzat bachane ke liye ek nirdosh ki jaan lena chahte the Tushar?",

asks Sujal in disgust.

All of his listeners get shocked hearing Sujal.

Shaking his head Sujal says,

"Tab tumhe saza nahi mili kyunki mujhe tum logo ne bandhak bana liya tha."

He adds further,

"Magar ab tumhe saza zaroor milegi. Tum Lavanya ke doshi ho, main tumhe saza dilwakar rahunga."

"Nahi Sujal, tum aisa kuch bhi nahi karoge.",

smirks Tushar.

Sujal and others hate to witness the confidence in Tushar's voice.

"Agar tum apne parivaar ki salaamati chahte ho to tum aisa kuch bhi nahi karoge.",

reminds Tushar.

Anger and hatred for Tushar increase manifolds in the hearts of Sujal and others.

"Khabardar.... khabardar Tushar agar tumne Mumma-Papa ko haath bhi lagaya to!",

warns Sujal.

Kashish feels sad and nervous hearing that, witnessing Sujal's sudden change in expression from anger to concern and helplessness.

"Mujhe kisiko haath lagane ki zaroorat nahi Sujal. Mere liye to mere kuch mantra hi mera kaam kar denge.",

smirks Tushar.

That catches the attention of Kashish. What does he mean?

While all others were busy dealing with Tushar, Kashish uses her mind, Tushar stabbed Sujal but he didn't die, she saw this flash when she was rotating her hand on Sujal's head, maybe the idea was never to kill Sujal, but just to threaten him and Tushar didn't realise what he had done! And when he did realise, he pulled the knife out of Sujal, which injured Sujal but not killed him! Out of nervousness, he didn't care to check whether he was alive or not, and left. Had he wanted to kill Sujal, he would have done that easily with his supernatural powers. And Lavanya, they say she committed suicide. No she didn't! It was Tushar's supernatural power that killed her. The black-blue mark all around her neck the postmortem report pointed it a result of suicide but in fact it was due to the supernatural power that killed Lavanya. Supernatural power leave behind its mark in such cases and the postermortem revealed the cause of death was lack of oxygen supply to the brain. Postmortem would obviously never mention supernatural reason of death, because it is based on scientific proofs. The room where apparently she committed suicide was arranged as per the scenario of a suicide case to make it look easily acceptable. The reports were changed by Tushar. Doing so was easy for him because of his political approach.

Kashish quickly brings out her tarot card and thinks about Tushar and Lavanya. The cards that get revealed are -

FIVE OF SWORDS

THREE OF SWORDS

TEN OF WANDS

TEN OF SWORDS

Quickly ending the call, Sujal looks towards Rajveer and anxiously says,

"Humein jaldi jana hoga. Mumma-Papa ki jaan khatre mein hai!"

They all nod their head, respectively and look for Kashish and discover her with her tarot cards. They knit their brows respectively and look towards each other in confusion before quickly walking to her and staring at the cards. They help Sujal to walk and take him too to Kashish. The cards reflect negativity but they wait for Kashish to give them the accurate meaning of the cards.

Kashish closes her eyes and chants few mantras and everything gets revealed! She knits her brows in accordance to the visions that keep appearing in front of her closed eyes.

All of her viewers wait curiously for her to get out of her zone of meditation and reveal everything in front of them.

All of a sudden Kashish opens her eyes wide, skipping the heartbeats of all of them.

"Kya hua Kashish?",

asks Sujal.

All of them wait curiously for her reply to Sujal's query.

Based on the tarot cards and the visions Kashish reveals -

"Lavanya aur Tushar ek dusre se pyar karte the magar Tushar ne baad mein Lavanya ko dhokha diya. Magar bohot waqt tak Lavanya iss baat ko samjh hi nahi paayi ke Tushar uske juzbaaton ke saath khel raha hai. Jab usse pata chali Tushar ki suchchai, tab tak....",

Kashish looks towards them and says,

"Tab tak shayad bohot der ho gayi thi. Lavanya pregnant thi. Iss baat ka bojh tha uske dil par ke usne ek dhokhebaaz insaan par bharosa kiya. Iss baat ko lekar Tushar aur Lavanya ke beech arguments hue. Ye sub to phir bhi theek tha. Tushar ne mana bhi liya usse bharosa dilaya ke wo usse pyar karta hai. Magar kuch din baad Lavanya ko ye pata chala ke Tushar drug dealing mein shaamil hai! Ab tak inn dono ke beech misunderstandings waise hi aa gayi thi. Lavanya khudko funsa hua mehsoos karne lagi thi iss rishte mein. Lavanya ne usse dhamkaya ke wo apne Papa ko sub kuch bata degi. Iss baat se Tushar darr gaya. Tushar ne Lavanya ko manane ki bohot koshish ki. Jab wo nahi maani, tab apne reputation ko bachane ke liye, gusse mein aakar Tushar ne Lavanya ka khoon kar diya!"

Kashish gives all of the information real quick. Throughout the process of dictating the above story as per the cards revealed, she keeps pulling more cards and continues with whatever gets revealed.

"Lavanya ka hi nahi balki uss masoom bache ka bhi!",

adds Kashish and closes her eyes out of sadness and pain for the little soul, placing the left over cards of the deck on the table.

All of them stare her in shock! They too feel sorry for the baby.

"Magar iss mein Sujal aur Swayam ka kya role?",

asks Rajveer, knitting his brows, and turns to look towards Sujal.

Sujal looks somewhere at infinity and says,

"Iska jawab aap subko wohin jaakar milega!"

(Sujal's revolt tune begins)

All of them look towards each other.

"Zyada waqt nahi hai humare paas. Let's go!",

says Sujal.

Kashish immediately stops him.

"Sujal! Sujal main tumhe aisi haalat mein kahin nahi jaane dungi.",

holding him by his upper arm, wrapping her arms around.

"Bachon jaisi baatein mat karo Kashish. Mumma-Papa ko meri zaroorat hai.",

says Sujal, frustrated.

"Nahi Sujal! Hum sub hain na, hum sub iss situation se deal kar lenge aur Mumma-Papa ko sahi salamat tumhare paas le aayenge.",

says Kashish, looking into his eyes, knitting her brows, sadly.

"Kashish bilkul theek keh rahi hai Sujal. Aap yahin rukiye. We'll handle this. In fact Kashish, aap bhi yahin rukiye Sujal ke saath.",

says Rajveer.

"Nahi. Main bhi chalungi aapke saath.",

says Kashish, turning to look towards Rajveer immediately.

"Enough!",

shouts Sujal.

Indicating with his index finger, he strictly says,

"Main aur Kashish dono aapke saath chal rahe hain. That's final!"

Rajveer was about to say something when Naina intervenes,

"Sir!"

Rajveer looks towards Naina. Naina blinks her eyes and nods her head in affirmative.

Rajveer understands and looks towards Sujal and Kashish, thinking for a brief moment, he says,

"Alright. Let's go!"

All of them leave for the place.

●●●●●

Soon they reach the place where Tushar and Swayam have kept Sujal's parents captivated.

"Aao Sujal aao! Tumhara hi intezaar tha.",

says Tushar, smiling sarcastically.

All of them glare Tushar.

"Mumma-Papa kahan hai Tushar?",

shouts Sujal.

"Itni jaldi kya hai Sujal unse bhi milna ho jayega. Pehle humse to theek se mil lo.",

says Tushar, still smiling.

Sujal glares Tushar. Tushar keeps taking forward steps towards Sujal along with Swayam.

Swayam upon reaching in front of them greets Kashish,

"Hi Kashish!"

Kashish looks away out of anger and disgust.

Swayam smiles sarcastically.

"Sujal mujhe na tum par bohot taras aata hai kabhi-kabhi.",

says Tushar.

Sujal's rate of heartbeat increases out of anger.

"Tum bekar mein inn sub chakkaron mein parh gaye. Kya zaroorat thi tumhe Lavanya ki madad karne ki?",

asks Tushar, acting to be feeling sorry for Sujal.

Kashish wonders what is he talking about and looks towards Sujal.

"Insaaniyat isse hi kehte hain Tushar. Magar main kise ye baat keh raha hoon, jiska insaaniyat se duur-duur tak koi lena dena nahi hai!",

says Sujal.

"Jo aurton ko khilona samjhkar; uske juzbaaton ke saath khel kar; uska istemal kar, usse phenk deta hai! Marne ke liye chhorh deta hai! Uske hi nahi balki ek masoom ajanme bachche ke bhi hathiyare ho tum Tushar!",

says Sujal, spitting venom through his each word, glaring Tushar throughout.

"Main usse maarna kabhi nahi chahta tha! Na Lavanya ko; na humare bachche ko.",

shouts Tushar.

"Magar usse mere raaz pata nahi chalne chahiye the! Usse mujhe dhamkana nahi chahiye tha. Agar main usse nahi maarta to wo apne Papa ke pohnch ka istemal karke mujhe kahin ka nahi chorhti!",

shouts Tushar, remembering how he felt when Lavanya told him that she is going to reveal everything in front of her Dad.

That shocks all of them.

Anxious Tushar brings a packet containing white powder out of his pocket.

Sujal and Kashish get shocked realising that it is drug. They witness Tushar having small amount of drug from the packet, dumbstruck!

"Har ek insaan ki ek hadd hoti hai. Lavanya apni hadd bhool gayi thi. To iski saza to usse milni hi thi!",

says Tushar whilst shoving the packet back into his pocket.

That fuels their anger!

"Aur Sujal... Sujal apni hadd bhool gaya tha!",

says Tushar.

Kashish feels like killing Tushar right there but she needs to hear him further to know the entire truth. Hence she controls her emotions.

Tushar dictates the entire story in front of them that how he knew that marrying Lavanya would be beneficial for his career but Lavanya discovered about his dealings in drugs. This sparked misunderstanding between the two which soon turned into a major disagreement from Lavanya's side. She threatened Tushar that she would reveal everything in front of her father. This did turn him anxious. Initially he was concerned about her and their unborn child but her words changed his cause of concern from her and their unborn baby to his reputation and professional life. She declared that everything was over between them. Tushar had never anticipated that. Tushar had made long term goals which he could see jeopardizing now because of Lavanya.

Angry Lavanya left.

Tushar, who was under the effect of drugs found himself helpless. He could feel his whole body trembling out of helplessness, shock and effect of drugs. Over thinking and the effect of drugs block his mind. He decided to discuss this matter with Swayam. Reaching Swayam's place, Tushar consumed more drugs. Swayam instigated him to kill Lavanya and get rid of the situation, fueling his anger further by telling him that Lavanya anyways would not marry him now that she knew the truth and in addition to it she would also tarnish his reputation, building which took him years, and it would collapse in the blink of an eye. He surely wouldn't risk his career and position in the society. His words affected Tushar in a higher velocity then, than it would have affected had he not consumed drugs.

Tushar got into his car and followed Lavanya's car to pursuade her. Angry Lavanya called her father whilst driving. But unfortunately the call failed to connect. Frustrated she tossed the phone at the adjacent seat. Suddenly her car broke down. She hit the steering wheel in frustration and got out of the car. Tushar too stopped his car. Getting out of the car he started following her.

After walking briefly, away from Tushar and being followed by him, requested by him to stop and listen to him for once, Lavanya happened to collide with a complete stranger - Sujal. Sujal upon finding her worried, asked her the reason, out of courtesy. Lavanya lied to Sujal that Tushar was a stranger following her; disturbing her. Tushar got shocked hearing that. He tried further to persuade her but nothing worked. Sujal, taking Tushar as a stranger to Lavanya got into an argument with him and ultimately warned him to stay away.

"Dekho tum jao yahan se, ye mere aur iske beech ki baat hai!",

said frustrated Tushar.

"Jaana mujhe nahi tumhe hoga yahan se. Kyunki inhe dekhkar clearly samjh aa raha hai ke inhe tumse baat karne mein koi interest nahi hai.",

said Sujal, looking straight into Tushar's eyes.

"A tu hai kon?",

asked Tushar, frustrated, holding his waist from either sides.

"Sujal! Sujal Garewal!",

said Sujal, with full confidence.

While Sujal talked to him calmly, Tushar stayed hotheaded. Sujal calmly explained Tushar to stay away from Lavanya and left with Lavanya.

After they left, anger towards Sujal more than towards Lavanya filled Tushar. Tushar called Swayam and told him everything in a manner which portrayed Sujal as a villain between Lavanya and Tushar.

"Sujal Garewal?",

Swayam cross checked.

"Haan!",

said Tushar out of anger.

That came as a shock for Swayam.

"Ye usne theek nahi kiya Tushar. Wo hota kon hai tumhare aur Lavanya ke beech mein bolne waala?",

asked Swayam.

"Main hota to main Sujal ka peecha karta aur poochta ke usse kisne haq diya ke wo mere aur mere girlfriend ke beech mein boley?",

said Swayam.

Tushar realised that Swayam was correct and he must not let anyone come between him and his girlfriend Lavanya.

Filled with anger, Tushar ended the call. He realised that it would consume time if he tried following them. Hence, he used his powers. Closing his eyes he chanted few mantras and soon got to know their location. Tushar through his powers immediately reached outside Sujal's home in Ambala where Sujal had taken Lavanya since it was nearer than Lavanya's. Tushar rang the bell. Sujal got shocked witnessing Tushar there upon opening the door.

"Tum?!",

exclaimed Sujal in anger.

"Lavanya kahan hai?",

asked Tushar.

"Wo yahan nahi hai!",

said Sujal, looking straight into his eyes.

"Dekho Sujal mera waqt barbaad mat karo. Lavanya ko bulao.",

warned Tushar.

"Lavanya!",

shouted Tushar, looking into Sujal's house.

"Tushar, maine kaha na wo yahan nahi hai!",

said Sujal.

"Main nahi manta!",

Tushar pushed Sujal aside and entered his house, calling out Lavanya again and again.

"Chup chap mere ghar se nikal jao Tushar. Tumhare liye yahi behtar hoga!",

shouted Sujal, warning Tushar.

Turning to look towards him Tushar asked,

"Warna? Warna kya karoge tum? Police ko bulaoge? Haan?"

Sujal glared Tushar.

"To bulao police ko. Aane do. Main unhe purey ghar ki talaashi lene ko kahunga. Aur phir Lavanya jahan kahan bhi chhupi hui hai khud-ba-khud bahar nikal aayegi.",

said Tushar, confidently.

"Tum chahe jo kuch bhi karlo magar ab Lavanya tumhe nahi milne waali.",

says Sujal.

His these words broke Tushar's patience. He looked here and there in order to grab anything to hurt Sujal and found the knife in an apple, in a basket filled with fruits kept on the dining table. Without giving it a second thought Tushar grabbed the knife and pulled it put of the apple. Sujal, who was busy putting his anger into words in front of Tushar didn't realise Tushar walking towards him carrying the knife in his hand. Tushar quickly stabbed Sujal, the moment Sujal turned to look towards him. Sujal's eyes opened wide in shock!

A loud shout escaped Lavanya's mouth, who was standing at the door. Her hands covering her mouth and eyes opened wide, staring Sujal in utter shock. Tushar immediately turned to look towards Lavanya, his hand still holding the knife which he pulled out of Sujal as he got scared because he didn't want to kill Sujal, covered with Sujal's blood, his mind got occupied with thoughts of Lavanya. Tushar, unconsciously holding the knife, walked towards Lavanya to persuade her. Lavanya, sweating profusely stared Sujal then Tushar, in utter shock. She ran away. Tushar followed her quickly. Once out of the house, Tushar threw away the knife somewhere in the garden, outside and away from Sujal's home. Wiping the blood of his hands with his white handkerchief, Tushar threw it away too and ran after Lavanya.

Meanwhile, Sujal somehow managed to get up and follow Tushar and Lavanya. Lavanya reached her home which wasn't far away from Sujal's. She quivered in fear and guilt that Sujal died because of her. She walked to and fro - crying, sweating in anxiousness and guilt. Her mind got blocked. Guilt ridden, she could see no other way to get rid of this guilt other than taking the extreme step! She began to make arrangement for ending her life but Tushar broke into her house. He tried to stop her. They fought and argued. Tushar who was already under effect of drugs couldn't tolerate it for long and his anger took a toll on him. He glared Lavanya, his all affections for her vanished! He used his powers and killed Lavanya. Due to his evil power that pulled Lavanya's spirit out of her body, a black mark formed all around her neck. He realised that this could be a matter of concern. He also realised that she was going to commit suicide. Hence he decided that this is exactly how the world will remember the reason of her death as - a suicidal case! He made a knot out of her duppatta and put it around her neck, whose one end is tied around the ceiling fan of the room. He made few more changes in the room to give it a proper look of a suicide scenario. Once done he stared at the perfect scenario hence created by him, in satisfaction. He knew that he was leaving behind a proof - the blue-black mark - that something supernatural had taken place here but he cared less about the consequences and was about to leave the place when he discovered Sujal reaching there. Tushar quickly hid himself behind the door. Soon Sujal entered the house and got shocked looking at the hanging body of Lavanya. Before he could shout, Tushar hit him on his head and Sujal fell unconscious on the floor. Tushar looked at both the bodies - one dead and one unconscious, like a maniac who found his peace by killing one and hurting the other person!

Few moments later he returned with his men and ordered them to take away Sujal's unconscious body to their secret place.

And as per Swayam's suggestion he informed Lavanya's family about her death and dictated a fake story in front of them where he showed Sujal as the culprit - father of Lavanya's unborn baby which her parents accepted easily. Tushar introduced himself as Sujal's friend to them.

In addition to this Swayam asked Tushar to drive Sujal's car off a bridge into a river. Tushar found his plan perfect and did exactly the way he was asked. Hence for the world Sujal would be dead but in reality he is captive of Swayam and Tushar. The body was never found hence Kashish never accepted that Sujal had died!

●●●●●

"You both are disgusting!",

exclaims Kashish, glaring Tushar and Swayam.

"Tushar ka to chalo samjh aaya. Magar Swayam tum, tumhari kya dushmani hai Sujal ke saath?",

asks Kashish, glaring him.

Swayam smirks hearing her.

"Bachpan se janti ho mujhe tum Kashish!",

reminds Swayam.

That skips Kashish's heartbeat.

"Tumhare liye humesha Akshat hi tumhara dost raha. Kabhi tumne mujhse baat karne ki koshish to durr, mere uss ghar mein hone ko acknowledge bhi nahi kiya tumne.",

says Swayam.

That skips Kashish's heartbeat again.

"Kab tumne mere dil mein ghar kar liya mujhe pata bhi nahi chala. Shayad tumhari yahi ignorance",

Swayam shocks her and Sujal further by his words.

"Waqt beeta aur dheere-dheere hum dono apni-apni zindagi mein busy ho gaye. Bhool gaye ek dusre ko. Phir ek din achanak Mom ko tumhare baare mein pata chala. Market mein shayad unhone tumhe dekha tha. Ek nazar mein unhe tum pasand aa gayi. Wo tumhe apni bahu banana chahti theen. Mujhse shadi karwana chahti theen.",

says Swayam.

Kashish couldn't believe it!

"Magar tab maine unhe rukne ko keh diya. Main khud tumse baat karna chahta tha magar mauka nahi mila. Phir agli baar jab main tumse mila wo tha uss party mein, Sujal ke saath thi tum. Mujhse milkar bhi tum iss baat se anjaan thi ke kabhi humare rishte ke baare mein socha ja raha tha. Jab Mom ne mujhse rishte ke baare mein baat ki thi tab Akshat India mein nahi tha isliye usse iss baare mein kuch nahi pata.",

he says.

"Sujal ke baare mein maine pehle hi information nikal li thi. Main jaanta tha Kashish Sujal ke tumhare zindagi mein hone ke baare mein. Magar uss din jab pehli baar maine Sujal ko dekha to mere dil mein Sujal ke liye nafrat aur barh gayi. Aur ab jab mujhe mauka mil raha tha Sujal aur tumhe tadapta hua dekhne ka, to kaise haath se jaane deta ye mauka?",

says Swayam, angry and anxious.

Kashish glares Swayam.

"Taajub hota hai ye sochkar ke tum Akshat ke bhai ho! Tum dono mein zameen-aasmaan ka fark hai!",

says Kashish.

"Zameen-aasman ka fark to hai Kashish.",

smiling sarcastically, Swayam slowly walks towards Sujal and Kashish.

Grabbing Sujal swiftly by his neck and placing his pistol on Sujal's forehead he takes all by shock!

"Isliye ek yani ke main zameen par rahunga aur ek...",

he smiles sarcastically, and continues,

"Yani ke Sujal, aasman mein jayega.",

Swayam looks towards the sky, pointing towards it briefly with his pistol before placing it back on Sujal's forehead.

"Sujal!",

shouts Kashish, anxious.

"Koi faida nahi Kashish. Sujal mein itni taakat nahi aaj ke wo Swayam Shergil se mukabla kare.",

Swayam laughs out loud.

Kashish stares Sujal nervously.

"Kya hua Kashish? Darr lag raha hai?",

asks Swayam, faking his concern towards Kashish.

Sujal steals this moment of Swayam's distraction and hits him with his elbow. Turning to look towards Swayam, he hits him harder. Swayam turns immobile, shocked upon witnessing Sujal's strength.

"Sujal...!",

exclaims Swayam as his nose and mouth starts bleeding because of the punches.

"Sujal nahi.... Captain Rajveer Singh Shekhawat!",

reveals Rajveer.

Swayam and Tushar get shocked hearing that!

Rajveer's cadets launch themselves on Swayam and Tushar.

Guns get shot from both the ends. Tushar's and Swayam's men are beaten. They grunt in pain as the cadets and Rajveer twist their arms; punch them hard on their faces. Tushar's men fall with a thud on the floor. While Tushar and Swayam were staring at the on going fight Yudi and Huda grab them from behind, wrapping their necks with their left arms and beat them. Walking to them Rajveer punches both of them once, twice, thrice and many more times.

Akshat reaches there with police whom he has already mentioned everything.

"Ye hain gunehgar. Arrest them inspector.",

Akshat points towards Tushar and Swayam. They get arrested.

"Ye tumne acha nahi kiya Akshat!",

says Swayam with his drained energy.

Kashish stares Swayam with a peaceful smile on her face.

"Kanoon ka rakhwaala hone ke naate maine Lavanya aur Sujal ke gunehgaron ko saza dilaya. Main iss mein kuch galat nahi dekh pa raha Bhai.",

states Akshat, confidently.

"Agar koi galat hai to wo aap hain. Aap chahte to ye sub rok sakte the. Magar aapne Tushar ko aur uksaya. Gunehgar to aap hain hi Sujal ke!",

says an angry Akshat.

Swayam stares Akshat in anger.

Swayam and Tushar get taken away by the police.

Sujal's parents hug him. Sujal and Kashish hug each other. Sujal gets admitted in the hospital.

At the hospital Kashish walks to Rajveer and thank him for all the support. Naina too walks to them and thank Kashish for whatever she did for them. Naina and Kashish hug each other.

"Ahmm.... Kashish, Sujal to abhi yahin hain. Tab tak kya aap mere liye ek tarot reading kar sakti hain?",

asks Rajveer, knitting his brows lightly, in hesitation.

That comes as a surprise for Kashish as well as Naina.

"Ye...ah... sure!",

says Kashish looking first towards Rajveer followed by looking towards Naina then back to Rajveer in confusion.

Rajveer smiles wide.

●●●●●

At the games room of the academy, Kashish sits with her deck of cards. Rajveer and Naina occupy chairs in front of Kashish in between them is a round wooden table.

Taking a deep breath, clearing her mind, Kashish smiles looking towards Rajveer and asks,

"Kahiye kya janna hai aapko?"

Rajveer's heart skips a beat hearing that. He blushes profusely, smiling in shyness.

Kashish and Naina find it weird.

Kashish knits her brows, still smiling, and looks towards Naina in confusion.

Naina tilts her head downwards and looking towards Rajveer, she asks, smiling in confusion,

"Kya hua Sir? Kya poochna hai aapko?"

Rajveer slowly looks towards Naina.

(Rajveer-Naina slow flute tune begins)

Rajveer and Naina stare each other.

Naina fails to understand what is he upto.

Slowly looking back towards Kashish, Rajveer hesitantly, with a throbbing heart inside his chest, asks,

"Mai..n... janna cha...hta..."

He takes a deep breath, blinks his eyes thrice and continues,

"Act...ually.... hum... ja..nna... cha...hte... the...",

he looks towards Naina. His cheeks turn deep shades of red.

Naina smiles and blushes as she realises what he wants to know. She completes it for him, staring him throughout,

"Ke kya hum shadi ke bandhan mein bandhenge kabhi?"

Rajveer stares Naina dumbstruck! How easily she managed to put his query into words perfectly! Naina smiles staring her Rajveer Sir lovingly, blushing.

Kashish smiles and nods her head in affirmative and shuffles the cards.

The following cards get pulled.

EIGHT OF SWORDS

FIVE OF SWORDS

THE FOOL

FOUR OF WANDS

Resting her elbows on the table, entwining her fingers and resting it under her chin, Kashish takes an audible deep breath, concentrating on the cards.

"Hmmm!!",

she exclaims.

Rajveer and Naina look towards each other, witnessing Kashish's furrowed brows.

"K...kya hua Kashishji? Sub theek hai na?",

asks Naina, anxious.

Kashish looks towards Naina. Silent! Keeping it suspenseful.

"Bataiye na Kashishji. Kya... kya dekha aapne?",

asks an equally anxious Rajveer.

"Mushkil hai!",

says Kashish, all serious.

"Mu..shkil..!!",

exclaim Rajveer and Naina in unequal intervals.

"Kyun? Kya hoga? Phirse koi zindagi ka imtehaan hai kya? Hum saare tests se guzarne ko taiyar hain!",

says a desperate Naina, knitting her brows, her heart sinks inside her chest.

Rajveer looks towards Naina, feeling bad for her. His heart clenches hearing her words. He turns to look towards Kashish and says,

"Jo bhi hai; jaisa bhi hai; aap please humein such-such bataiye."

Kashish nods her head looking towards Rajveer and says,

"Aap ne...",

she then turns to look towards Naina and says,

"Ya aap ne...",

then looking towards both of them,

"Ya aap dono ne...!"

"Kisi ne to khudko baandhkar rakha hua hai. Apne juzbaaton ko pankh lagakar udhne nahi dete aap!"

That skips the heartbeats of both Rajveer and Naina. They blush deeply, all serious and guilt ridden. Their rates of heartbeats pick up pace hearing Kashish.

"Apne dil ke ander yun qaid karke rakha hai apne juzbaaton ko jaise wo gunehgar hon! Aap gunehgar hon!",

scolds Kashish, knitting her brows.

Her words sink in their hearts.

Shaking her head Kashish says desperately,

"Magar aisa nahi hai! Na aap gunehgar hain aur na aapke juzbaat."

Rajveer's and Naina's eyes brim with tears which they control very well.

"It's okay to choose your student! To love her!",

says Kashish, emphasizing on 'it's okay'.

Turning to look towards Naina,

"It's okay to choose your teacher! To love him!",

she emphasizes on 'your teacher' this time.

Naina stares her dumbstruck.

"Kayi baar dil aur dimag ek saath nahi chal paate. In such cases we get bound to make the right choice. And here....",

she points out towards the revealed tarot cards with her right hand, she looks towards Rajveer,

"...here it is clearly visible ke dimag ki nahi....",

turning to look towards Naina,

"...dil ki suno!"

(Rajveer-Naina fast tune begins)

"Bohot karli duniya ki fikar. Ab apne baare mein socho. Bachey bann jao. Jisse koi fark nahi parhta ke kon usse dekh raha hai aur kis nazar se dekh raha hai, wo apne hi dhunn mein mast rehta hai. Aap dono ko bhi waisa hi banna parhega. Jo aapko khushi de wo karo. Ye zindagi aapki hai. Aap dono matured ho. Apne choices khudlo. Aapko kisiko explain karne ki zaroorat nahi ke aapka dil jo keh raha hai wo sahi hai ya galat. Agar wo aapko sahi lag raha hai to waqt mat gawao, jeelo uss lamhe mein apni puri zindagi!",

says Kashish, her eyes brim with tears.

"Ek baar agar waqt haath se nikal gaya...",

she shakes her head,

"Wo dobara laut kar nahi aayega. And being soldiers, mujhse behtar aap dono iss baat ko jaante honge.",

says Kashish, looking towards them.

"Agar aap iss phase tak pohnch gaye. Apne ander chhupe hue bache ko ek dusre ke saamne aane diya...",

smiling wide Kashish says,

"Phir aap dono apne manzil ke aur kareeb aa jayenge!"

Rajveer and Naina knit their brows respectively in confusion.

"Manzil?",

they ask in unison.

Laughing a little at their innocence, Kashish says,

"Shadi!"

Both of her listeners cascade their eyes out of shyness, smiling and blushing. Kashish laughs further enjoying witnessing them feeling shy and uncomfortable in front of her.

Rajveer and Naina look towards each other shyly.

(Slow Rajveer-Naina flute tune begins)

●●●●●

Few days later Sujal gets permission to get back to her Ambala house with his parents. Sujal and Rajveer shake hands and hug each other.

"Aapse milkar acha laga Sujal.",

smiles Rajveer.

"Tum! Tumse milkar!",

rectifies Sujal, smiling.

Smiling, Rajveer corrects himself,

"Tumse milkar acha laga. Kabhi bhoolunga nahi tumhe."

"Main bhi tumhe kabhi nahi bhool sakta Captain Rajveer.",

smiles Sujal.

"Aur jo kuch bhi aap subne mere liye kiya.",

he shows gratitude towards all of them.

"Humein khushi hai ke hum aapko sahi salamat yahan la saake Mr. Garewal.",

says Brigadier Chandok, smiling.

Sujal nods his head in gratitude.

Veena rotates her hand lovingly on Rajveer's head and blesses him. Rajveer touches her feet. Veena hugs him. Rajveer for the first time in his life feels the warmth of mother's love. His eyes brim with tears of affection for Veena.

"Abse mere 2 nahi 3 bete hain. Sujal, Rishi aur...",

rotating her hand again on his head,

"Rajveer!"

Tears roll down the cheeks of not only Rajveer but all others too.

"Ma!",

exclaims Rajveer, his throat choked out of emotions for Veena.

They hug each other.

Sujal smiles wide.

Getting into the car they wave final good bye to Rajveer and others and leave.

At Rajveer's room Rajveer and Naina hug each other letting their mental and physical tiredness leave them as they find solace in each other's embrace. They remember Kashish's description of the tarots. They tighten their hold.

Leaving her, Rajveer holds her hands and looks into her eyes. They stare each other silently for a brief period after which Rajveer promises her,

"Ab na main apne juzbaaton ko rokunga aur na tum. Hum kisise nahi darenge."

Naina smiles and nods her head in happiness and acceptance.

"Humne pyar kiya hai koi gunah nahi!",

says Rajveer.

"Aur bus ek dusre ka saath maang rahe hain umr bhar ke liye. Iss mein kuch galat nahi. Kuch galat nahi.",

Naina cries as she ends up saying.

Rajveer kisses her forehead, closing his eyes, knitting his brows. Naina clenches his shirt tight with both of her hands, pushing herself towards him. Rajveer hugs her tight. Naina hugs him back with equal fervor.

-THE END-
(9.5.2023)