At her home Kashish misses Sujal. Resting her head against the wooden frame of the window, she stares out at the ferociously pouring rain.

She reminiscences how they met for the first time.

*Flashback*

On the day of Valentine Kashish is feeling gloomy as she doesn't have any Valentine in her life. She is invited to a party by her friend Mehek which she tried declining twice but failed. Surrendering in front of Mehek's wish, Kashish finally gets ready in a beautiful pink full sleeved salwar kameez. Her glistening silver chandelier earrings matching perfectly with her dress. Her silver bangles adorning her hands.

Sighing, Kashish sits in front of her study table and brings out her deck of cards to know - Can she look forward to something exciting in this party? The cards that get revealed weren't expected by her! They turn her mood downside up! Her eyes glitter with joy. Her cheeks turn warm, blushing.

THE LOVERS

TWO OF CUPS

ACE OF CUPS

Can she believe it? Should she believe it?

Getting up she swirls around in joy.

She is fed up of her monotonous life and needs some spark. The spark of love! The spark of romance! She wants to know how it feels to date someone. She wants to know how it feels to be dated by someone!

At the party Mehek makes her guests to play a game. Many heart shaped balloons are suspended in the air and everyone is asked to catch a balloon for themselves, holding the thread. Each balloon has a letter imprinted on it. The two people who turn out to have the same lettered balloons are to be teamed up provided that the team turns out to be of a girl and a boy otherwise one of the two has to let the balloon go up again. The teamed up pairs are then expected to bounce the balloons to each other i.e. passing it to each other without letting any of the two balloons fall and simultaneously walking from one end of the room to the other. Who succeeds in accomplishing the task properly wins the game.

The game initiates and Sujal and Kashish turn out to be the pair and not only that but also the winner pair!

This win marks the initiation of their friendship. A bond of friendship that in no time turns into a bond of love and romance!

Their likes and dislikes they discover to be almost same.

What began with a normal 'Hi' soon turns into late night chats and late night 'Byes'.

*Flashback ends*

"Aaj pata nahi kyun Sujal, Charu aur Akshat ko dekh kar mujhe tumhari.... humare rishte ki yaad aa gayi. I miss you so much Sujal. I love you so much!",

cries Kashish, closing her eyes, knitting her brows in loss and pain.

●●●●●

"I am proud of you Yudi!",

appreciates Dr. Shalini, smiling.

Yudi looks towards her and stares her back with his eyes filled with love and admiration for Dr. Shalini.

Everyone smiles as they understand their emotions for each other.

Rajveer entwines his fingers to Naina's sending her his silent message of love and admiration. Naina cascades her eyes out of shyness and tightens her hold on his hand, reciprocating the gesture of love and admiration. Rajveer smiles, never looking towards her and sighs in relief and fulfillment.

"Hayeee!! Aap dono ek dusre ko keh kyun nahi dete?",

blurts out Pooja and immediately realises her mistake and covers her mouth with her right palm.

All of them stare her in utter shock, widening their respective eyes.

All of her friends scolds her by saying,

"Pooja!!!",

reminding them about the presence of faculty members in the room.

Brigadier Chandok knits his brows tight and asks in a strict voice,

"Ye sub kya ho raha hai?"

All get nervous and begin explaining,

"Kuch nahi Sir!! Kuch nahi!! Ye kuch bhi bol deti hai!!"

Their uttering the same words in unison shocks Brigadier Chandok further.

Dr. Shalini and Yudi turn red out of shame and discomfort and look towards each other through the corner of their eyes.

"Cadet Yudi, tumhari kahani such mein dil ko chhu gayi.",

says Brigadier Chandok, looking towards Yudi.

The mood of horror suddenly changes into comedy but ends soon when Dr. Shalini drags their attention by asking, all serious, deep into thoughts,

"Ab main kuch sunaun?"

All stare Dr. Shalini, serious. They yet again feel the transition - their invisible movement from their world to the other one!

Dr. Shalini hesitates to initiate.

"Ahmm.... aap subko pata hai about by marital status!",

says Dr. Shalini.

All of them straighten up hearing that.

Yudi and Rajveer get impacted the most!

Rajveer realises all over again that despite considering him as her best friend, Dr. Shalini has always avoided discussing on this topic with him. Rajveer too never forced her to tell. If she has decided to unveil the truth of this part of her life, surely it must have taken a lot of her self motivation and self confidence.

Her words pull even the tiny attention that Yudi had given to the afterthoughts of his story, bringing him out completely from the zone where Yudi was still dealing with the memories of the incident he shared with all. He now with all his attention is listening to Dr. Shalini and is eager to listen further.

"Magar koi ye nahi janta ke aisa kya hua tha jis wajah se maine Sameer ko divorce diya!",

she keeps her eyes casted downwards out of hesitation.

"Meri...",

she continues but gets interrupted when Yudi, placing his index finger under her chin pushes her chin up.

Dr. Shalini eyes meet Yudi's and Yudi says,

"Ek minute Ma'am, aapko nazar jhuka kar kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi. Sir uthaakar jo bhi kehna ho.... kahiye!"

They stare each other. Dr. Shalini's cheek warms up upon receiving such a heartwarming gesture from Yudi.

Still maintaining the gesture, Yudi turns to look towards Brigadier Chandok and asks,

"Am I wrong Sir?"

All of Yudi's viewers other than Brigadier Chandok of course, stare Brigadier Chandok for his reaction, holding their breaths, respectively.

Brigadier Chandok, who himself was perplexed initially by Yudi's gesture towards Dr. Shalini followed by his sudden questioning him, gets out of his reverie and replies clumsily,

"No! No! Not at all Cadet Yudi! Not at all!"

All, other than Brigadier Chandok laugh secretly.

Yudi smiles politely, looking towards Brigadier Chandok and turns back to look towards Dr. Shalini whom he finds staring at him with her eyes filled with admiration and love. Yudi's heart skips a beat witnessing that. He smiles at her too. He nods his head a little, staring her throughout - a gesture of asking her that is she alright? Dr. Shalini nods her head in a 'Yes'! Yudi leaves her and sits back properly at his place.

All of them feel proud of Yudi, especially Captain Rajveer.

Dr. Shalini smiles gaining the new confidence.

Dr. Shalini drowns into the memories, this time keeping her chin up!

"Meri arranged marriage thi.",

she begins.

"Shadi se pehle Sameer se zyada mili bhi nahi thi main. Bus 2 baar.",

says Dr. Shalini.

"Meri shadi par bhi zyada log nahi aaye the. Sameer ke gharwalon se puchne par unhone kaha ke unke zyada rishtedaar nahi hain.",

Dr. Shalini goes through the pain of remembering about her days of unhappy and married life.

"Jab shadi karke unke ghar pohnchi. Abhi tak grihapravesh hua bhi nahi tha mera. Main bahar khadi Sameer ke saath intezaar kar rahi thi ki Sameer ki Mummy mera grihapravesh karein, tab maine dekha aas-paas ke log sub ikaththa hokar dekh rahe the humein aur kuch phus-phusa rahe the."

"Mujhe dekh kar bada ajeeb laga. Matlab manti hoon ki nayi dulhan ko dekhne ka subka mann hota hai magar jitna main unke haw-bhaw se samjh paayi...",

Dr. Shalini looks towards them and says in state of surprise,

"They were shocked!"

All of them knit their brows respectively, shocked themselves.

"Maine ghar ke ander jaakar ek ajeeb sa bhaaripan mehsoos kiya. Dum ghut raha tha mera.",

Dr. Shalini's rate of heartbeat picks up pace as if she has returned to that house and is being able to feel it all over again.

"Maine socha naya ghar hai, naye log shayad adjust hone mein mujhe problem ho rahi hai, gradually theek ho jaungi."

Dr. Shalini shakes her head and says,

"Magar nahi! Jaise jaise din beet-ta gaya meri bechaini barhti gayi."

"Har pal sir mein ek bhaaripan rehta."

All of her listeners knit their brows tight, respectively.

"Ek din iss constant bharipan aur sir dard ki wajah se main paas hi ke pharmacy mein gayi. Uss dukan ka maalik meri building mein hi rehta tha. Mujhe dekhkar, mere koi dawayi maangne se pehle hi usne mujhe kuch dawaiyan de di aur kaha - 'ye rahi aapki dawayi!'"

This gets all of them intruiged further!

"Mujhe... mujhe bada ajeeb laga. Main pehli baar wahan gayi thi. Kuch bola bhi nahi unhe maine ke mujhe konsi dawayi chahiye aur unhone seedha mujhe dawaiyon ka packet pakda dia?! Strange! Maine wo dawaiyan dekhin aur unhe kaha ki ye wo dawaiyan nahi hain jo mujhe chahiye. Unhone maafi mangi aur wo dawayi di jo mujhe chahiye thi. Unhone ye bhi kaha ke Sameer ke parents aksar ye dawaiyan le jaate hain jo unhone mujhe di thi isliye unhe galatfehmi ho gayi thi."

"Mujhe andaza to tha wo dawaiyan kab di jaati hain. Magar jab baat apne ya apno par aa jaati hai tab we tend to get extra sure before getting into a conclusion. Aur phir ye bhi tha ke mujhe samjh nahi aa raha tha ke ghar par kisey inn dawaiyon ki zaroorat parhti hogi? Ghar aakar maine online unn dawaiyon ke baare mein dhoondha to sure ho gayi ke wo mental disorder ko treat karne ke liye diye jaate hain. I was shocked!"

The rates of heartbeat of each of them increases further.

"Dawaiyon ka box humesha Mummy-Papa ke room mein rehta tha. Shayad iska kaaran yahi tha ke wo nahi chahte the ke main dawaiyon ke packets dekhun.",

Dr. Shalini shakes her head and smiles a little, sadly.

"Main har subah mandir jaati thi. Ghar mein jo mandir tha wo bhi Mummy-Papa ke room mein tha. Aur maine notice kiya tha ke Mummy mera unke room mein aana pasand nahi karti theen. Isliye maine decide kiya ke main ghar ke paas jo mandir hai wahin jakar puja kar liya karungi.",

says Dr. Shalini.

"Magar ek din jab ghar par koi nahi tha tab mujhe ghar ke kaam karne mein deri ho rahi thi to socha ke ghar ke mandir mein hi puja kar leti hoon bahar jaakar karne mein time lag jayega."

"Uss din main pehli baar ghar ke mandir mein puja karne ke liye Mummy-Papa ke room mein ghusi to jo maine dekha usse dekhkar mere hosh udd gaye!!",

Dr. Shalini widens her eyes out of shock.

Her spectators too widen their eyes respectively in anticipation and curiosity.

"Mandir mein dhool-miti iss tarah jami hui thi maano saalon se wahan kisi ne puja nahi ki ho.",

Dr. Shalini surprises her listeners by her words.

"Main samjh hi nahi pa rahi thi ke how is it possible?!"

"Tabhi maine ghar ka main door khulne ki awaz sunni. Main bahar gayi to dekha Sameer laut aaya tha. Usey akele aaya dekh mujhe ajeeb laga. Wo kabhi kahin akele aata-jaata nahi tha."

"Ma'am sorry main aapko beech mein tok raha hoon, magar mere dimag mein ek sawaal hai - aapko kabhi ajeeb nahi laga ke Sameer kabhi kaam par bhi nahi jaata tha?",

asks Huda, eager to know.

All of them nod their heads respectively, agreeing with Huda.

Dr. Shalini again drowns into her pool of thoughts.

"Shadi se pehle jab maine poocha tha Sameer ke profession ke baare mein to Sameer ne mujhe bataya tha ke wo ek company mein kaam karta tha jo usne recently chorh di hai wahan zyada growth usse nazar nahi aa rahi thi isliye. Aur mujhe bharosa dilaya ke wo shadi ke baad jald hi kahin naukri dhoondh lega. Mujhe aur mere gharwalon ko uski aur uske gharwalon ki baaton par bharosa ho gaya. Mujhe laga jab tak usse naukri nahi milegi tab tak main ghar ke kharche utha lungi.",

says Dr. Shalini.

"Magar shadi ke baad jaise-jaise Sameer aur uske gharwalon ki asliyat mere saamne aane lagi meri priority uske professional life ke baare mein jaane se shift hokar uske personal life, uski history ko jaane ki ho gayi. Uss waqt main itna sub kuch ek saath jhel rahi thi. Har roz ek naya shock lag raha tha mujhe.",

she says.

Everyone stares her helpless.

"Isse pehle ke main Sameer se kuch poochti wo apne kamre mein chala gaya aur darwaza band kar liya."

"Magar maine uss din jo chehra Sameera ka dekha tha wo main kabhi bhool nahi sakti!"

Shivers run down the spine of each one of them.

They wait silently for her to continue,

"Main door se room tak aate waqt wo iss tarah chaaro aur dekh raha tha bilkul alert hokar maano wo iss ghar aur yahan rehne wale logon se anjaan ho. Jaise... jaise wo Sameer ho hi na! Koi aur hi ho wo!"

Shivers run down afresh through the spines of her listeners.

"Room mein jaate hi usne room ka darwaza band kar diya. Main curious ho gayi ye janne ke liye ke Sameer ka ye badla hua roop akhir kis wajah se hai!",

says Dr. Shalini, knitting her brows tight.

"Maine jakar bedroom ka darwaza khatkhataya..."

*Flashback*

"Sameer!",

Dr. Shalini knocks at the door but gets no reply.

"Sameer!!",

she tries again.

"Sa...",

she stops abruptly on her third try when she hears the rocking of the rocking chair.

She pays attention and decides to stay quiet.

She further hears Sameer's cry.

She gets surprised, why is he crying?

"Mujhe... mujhe chorh do!",

he pleads, crying.

Dr. Shalini gets shocked hearing that.
Whom is he pleading and why?

She gets ready to knock and call him again when she hears a voice she is unfamiliar to!

"Nahi! Ab yahi mera ghar hai!!"

A voice of some other man!

Shock hits Dr. Shalini hard. Her every nerve ending stands erect. Who is Sameer talking to?!

She witnessed herself Sameer's walking all alone towards and into the room. How can one man change into two with a second of his entering a room?

Sameer's loud shout drags her attention from her thoughts to Sameer again. She again looks towards the door, quivering in fear. She wonders who is the stranger here - the man whom Sameer is talking to? Or Sameer? Or is it Dr. Shalini herself, who is a stranger to Sameer who didn't care to tell her anything about whatever is going on inside the room?

This somehow she gets assured that whatever is happening isn't happening for the first time! Though it is first time for her to witness it but she is sure that his family is well aware of whatever is happening inside!

In her state of quivering out of fear, Dr. Shalini turns to look towards the main door expecting to get a look of her in laws. But alas! there was no one.

This fact suddenly hits her - she is all alone in the house with her husband who is a stranger for her!

"Aur teri biwi... meri biwi!!",

Sameer laughs like a maniac.

Shalini freezes at her spot hearing that!

She tries to think of a way to enter the room or witness whatever is going on inside. Something clicks her! She quickly runs out of the house and walks to the window area of her room to peep into the room. Thankfully the curtains were set a side! Well was it a boon or bane for Dr. Shalini - the curtains were set on the either sides of the windows which gives her way to witness everything that's going on inside her room, she doesn't know!

What she witnesses is Sameer standing facing the bed. In a moment he is her husband Sameer and in the next he is the stranger taking over Sameer's soul! Dr. Shalini couldn't believe her eyes!

No, it is not that Sameer's face changes to someone else's. But his voice texture and expression do change and hence he turns into a stranger to Dr. Shalini.

By the overall look it seems Sameer is talking to himself; but the variation in the voice and expression if noticed minutely, differentiate the two Sameer(s) in one!

Dr. Shalini covers her mouth with both of her hands and shakes her head in slow motion in disbelief. Her eyes well up - not out of betrayal but out of fear! Betrayal, she already had accepted, but this is unimaginable, unreal!

Sameer's eyes fall on a bunch of roses kept in a jar. That sight of roses and the fragrance of it irk Sameer! Dr. Shalini witnesses the change in his expression, his eyes burn out of anger. Walking to the vase, bringing out the bunch of roses in anger he breaks the stems and petals of the roses! Throwing it away. When does tear begin rolling down her cheeks she has no idea! She stares Sameer, never blinking her eyes.

Sameer suddenly gets on his knees and hands on the floor, hiding behind the bed on the left side.

"Mujhe... mujhe chorh do!! Mujhe... mujhe jaane do!!",

he pleads like a little boy, hiding from who-so-ever he and only he can see.

Dr. Shalini cries hard, closing her eyes and slaps her forehead, helplessly, cursing her luck.

She opens her eyes only to get met by another shock when she discovers Sameer floating in the air in a standing position and laughing like a maniac. At times laughing! At times crying!

He then gets out of the room in the same position - flying and gets into his parents' room. Dr. Shalini witnesses him getting out of the room in that state.

Opening the cupboard where he knows they have kept his medicines he throws away all the bottles.

Dr. Shalini tip-toes into the house and tries to peep into the room to check on Sameer, crying silently.

Sameer talks to Sameer!

"Tu bata ye... ye shirt achi lagegi mujh par?",

asks Sameer to Sameer!

Sameer shouts,

"Bachaooo!! Bachaooo mujhe bachaooo!!",

crying.

When she hears Sameer, she feels that Sameer is absolutely normal! This yet again shocks her! When she has accepted the state of Sameer, she gets a glimpse of normal Sameer!

"Bachna chahta hai tu mujhse? Bachna chahta hai tu...??",

asks Sameer and begins to search for something in the room, with his eyes wide opened.

His eyes finally fall on a knife kept on a plate filled with apples.

Picking it up, he takes the knife against his neck and asks Sameer,

"Marun... maar dun tujhe??"

Unable to control herself any longer, out of intense fear Dr. Shalini shouts out loud,

"Sameeeeeerrrrr!!!"

Her voice drags Sameer's attention.

Sameer's eyes meet Shalini's!

Shalini realises what blunder she has made!

Sameer begins to take slow steps towards Shalini.

Shalini, sweating profusely, begins to take backward steps.

Reaching her Sameer slaps her tight across her face.

Shalini falls on the floor, crying.

She immediately looks up towards Sameer, not caring to sooth her pain. Her slapped cheek turns numb!

"Tera yahan hona mujhe pasand nahi! Tu chali ja!",

says Sameer, in a weird voice.

Dr. Shalini stares him stunned!

Dr. Shalini immediately turns to leave, still not gotten up, when Sameer suddenly holds her right leg and says,

"Ya chorh tu bhi dekh main tere pati ke saath kya karta hoon!!"

Dr. Shalini's eyes widen again! Her already accelerated rate of heartbeat accelerates further upon listening to his words.

Sameer laughs like a maniac.

"Nahi... Nahi please mujhe jaane do!! Jaane do mujhe!!",

pleads Dr. Shalini, crying, sweating profusely.

He laughs out loud like a maniac and pulls Dr. Shalini by her left leg. Dr. Shalini gets bruises on her elbow and knee in the process. He beats her without even caring to check where is he beating her, kicking her on her stomach. She winces in pain. She manages to turn herself somehow, and kicks Sameer with her foot. Sameer feels the pain!

Feeling pain after what feels like eternity Sameer let go off Shalini's leg and focuses on the pain. Dr. Shalini quickly pushes herself back, staring Sameer throughout. Her heart comes in her mouth.

The main door opens right at that moment and Dr. Shalini turns to look towards the door in horror, still lying on the floor.

"Sameeeerrrr!!! Shaliniiiii!!!",

shout her in-laws in unison.

Upon discovering her Mother-in-law and Father-in-law standing at the door and staring them in utter shock Dr. Shalini bursts into fresh tears. This time the tears aren't of fear but of relief!

Her Mother-in-law holds her, saving her from Sameer while her Father-in-law holds Sameer tightly by his waist.

The pain inflicted by Shalini on Sameer's abdominal and his father's holding him tight, putting pressure right at the place where he got hit, makes Sameer to wince in pain, shouting out loud. Sameer winces to get out of his Sameer's body. Unable to bear the pain any longer Sameer sets Sameer free. Sameer falls down on the floor unconscious.

Dr. Shalini stares him in shock!

She slowly looks towards her in-laws in the same state.

Her father-in-law shakes his head and says,

"Nahi wo theek nahi hua. Bus behosh hua hai. Shayad hosh aane par phirse wo pehle jaisa hi ho jaye!"

Dr. Shalini cries again cursing her luck again! Slapping her forehead.

Her mother-in-law reaches her and hugs her, crying with her, consoling her.

"Durr ho jaiye aap mujhse!",

shouts Dr. Shalini, frustrated, crying hard.

"Shalini... beta suno meri baat...",

her mother-in-law wipes her tears.

"Aap... aap dono jante the na ye sub?",

she asks, crying.

"Jaante the na!!",

she shouts at them.

They hang their heads in guilt and shame.

"Phir kyun kiya aapne aisa? Kyun ki barbaad meri zindagi?",

she seeks for an answer from them, shouting at them.

"Kya bigada tha maine aapka? Kya bigada tha? Kya bigada tha???",

she asks, closing her eyes, slapping her forehead in helplessness, her voice turning low with each repetition of her question.

She cries further!

"Nahi beta, kuch nahi! Kuch bhi nahi!",

cries her mother-in-law in guilt.

"Poonam...",

her father-in-law puts his hand on his wife's shoulder, who is sitting on the floor with Shalini. Poonam looks up towards him.

"Mujhe lagta hai ab waqt aa gaya hai ke hum Shalini beti ko sub kuch such such bata dein.",

he says.

He nods his head looking towards his wife.

Dr. Shalini stares them, holding her breath.

●●●●●

They make Shalini sit on the sofa. Sameer is resting in his room. Her mother-in-law gives her the first aid. Whilst doing so she tells her everything.

"Meri ek mahila mitr thi uska naam Sudha tha. Sudha ka bhi ek beta tha. Mera bhi sirf Sameer hi hai. Sudha aur mujhe miley hue zyada waqt nahi hua tha magar hum mein ghanisht-ta jald hi badh gayi.",

her mother-in-law begins to reveal the back story of Sameer.

"Sameer ki ye haalat hone se pehle usne apne kaam mein bohot tarakki ki thi. Sub office mein usse impressed the. Sudha ka beta Vishal bhi Sameer ke office mein hi kaam karta tha. Dikhata aise tha jaise usse Sameer par garv hai. Uski tarakki se wo bohot khush ho jaise. Magar ander hi ander wo usse jalta tha. Ek baar boss ne Sameer ke kaam se khush hokar uske increment ki baat subke saamne ki. Sameer bohot khush tha uss din. Magar wo iss baat se anjaan tha ke uski tarakki Vishal ko ek ankh nahi bha rahi!"

Shalini gets shocked hearing it.

"Bus wo akhri din tha jab maine apne bete ko khush dekha tha!",

says Sameer's mother sadly.

Shalini feels her pain.

Sameer's mother wipes her tears and continues.

"Sameer mein dheere-dheere ajeeb badlaw aane lage. Wo har pal chirh-chirha rehne laga. Pehle mujhe laga shayad office mein uski zimmedari barhne ki wajah se; kaam ke pressure ki wajah se wo aisa ho raha hai. Magar dheere-dheere uska ye chirh-chirhapan barhne laga. Kaam se bhi wo jee churane laga. Na kuch khata tha theek se; na raat ko sota tha theek se."

She pauses, remembering those days. She quivers and shakes her head!

"Mujhe to ye bhi shaq hua ke kahin uski zindagi mein koi hai to nahi. Ho sakta hai uske saath koi problem chal rahi ho. Magar puchne par usne saaf inkaar kar diya ke aisa kuch nahi hai. Phir lagey haath maine ye bhi usse puch daala ke kya main uske liye ladki dekhna shuru kar dun? Socha isse uska mann aur dimag thoda divert ho jayega. Aur phir jeevansaathi ke aa jaane se shayad uske problems dono milkar solve kar lein. Usne haami bhardi. Bohot khush thi main uss din.",

smiles her mother-in-law.

"Idhar main apni bahu dhoondhne lagi udhar main ye dekh hi nahi pa rahi thi ke mera beta mujhse hi nahi balki khudse bhi durr hota ja raha hai!"

Dr. Shalini quivers hearing - 'balki khudse bhi durr hota ja raha hai!' as she realises this is the period when the transition in Sameer took place properly!

"Ek shaam jab Sameer ghar par nahi tha bus main aur Sameer ke Papa the ghar par tab achanak ghar ki bell baji."

*Sub-Flashback*

"Arey behn ji aap?",

smiles Sameer's mother upon discovering Vishal's mother at the gate.

Vishal's mother neither says anything nor smiles at Sameer's mother. She keeps chanting something silently.

Sameer's mother who is well educated doesn't give heed to Vishal's mother's chanting as she doesn't much believe in superstitions.

"Ayiye-ayiye!",

she invites her into her home.

Vishal's mother looks around her home as if inspecting something.

"Ayiye baithiye na.",

invites Sameer's mother, although she starts getting negative vibes from Vishal's mother but alas! she has already invited her in.

She sits at the sitting area, chanting throughout.

"Main abhi aapke liye paani laati hoon.",

smiles Sameer's mother.

But Vishal's mother indicates with her right hand that she doesn't need water.

"Ahmm... aur bataiye kaise aana hua?",

asks Sameer's mother.

Vishal's mother gestures her to give her a pen and a paper.

Sameer's mother provides her with the same.

Vishal's mother writes the following items in it -

1. A lemon
2. A thread and a needle
3. Roli (red tilak)

'Ye sub lakar do' - and writes this in the end.

Sameer's mother as if completely in Vishal's mother's control does as asked by her.

Vishal's mother does the needful to get Sameer's soul under her control and Sameer's mother keeps staring her like a soulless person!

She then gets up and walks around the house. Vishal's mother follows her silently. When she reaches Vishal's father's room, he stares her suspiciously and immediately demands her to leave the house at once!

"Ye aap kya kar rahi hain?",

he asks Vishal's mother, raising his voice in shock.

She continues chanting.

"Aur ye chawal kyun giraye hain aapne yahan?",

asks his father, pointing towards the consciously dropped rice which are gradually turning black.

His father orders her,

"Nikliye mere ghar se behn ji!"

He himself walks out of the room holding Vishal's mother by her upper arm, forcing her to leave his house. When he does that he notices how she has created a trail out of the rice in her hand. The few rice at the initiation point of the rice fall has started turning dark.

Vishal's father gets shocked staring at the blackened rice.

"Ye... ye kaale kyun ho rahe hain chawal??",

he asks raising his voice, shouting at her.

"Bataiye kya kiya hai ye aapne?",

he demands jerking her by her upper arm.

Vishal's mother smiles infectiously at him. Her eyes filled with revenge!

"Aur tum? Tumhara dimag kahan hai? Tum kaise inhe ye sub karne de rahi ho?",

he scolds his wife.

His wife realises the grave mistake she has committed.

He turns to look towards Vishal's mother and says,

"Kuch boliye aap! Main aapko bina kuch bole yahan se jaane nahi dunga.",

he wants to bring her 'maunvrat' to an end as he understands that the longer she stays in the zone of silence, the faster her evil spells will work on his family.

She smiles viciously at Sameer's father as if challenging him to make her talk. That does scare him, making him realise that if he tries to protest her further she might do something even worse than this.

He calmly says,

"Ab aap chale jaiye."

She leaves looking all around the house.

*Sub-Flashback ends*

"Uske kuch din baad tak Sameer bilkul theek tha. Phir achanak tumhare baare mein pata chala. Humein tum ek baar mein pasand aa gayi humare Sameer ke liye."

Dr. Shalini shuts her eyes as pain of betrayal surges through her afresh.

Opening her eyes she listens further,

"Waqt jaldi-jaldi beet-ta gaya. Sub kuch acha ho raha tha. Tum dono ki mangni bhi theek se ho gayi. Sameer tab tak theek tha bus ye ke chup-chup rehta tha."

"Kuch dino baad se Sameer ajeeb ajeeb baatein karne laga.",

says her mother.

Shocked Shalini's throat begins to dry up hearing all this.

"Kaisi baatein?",

asks Dr. Shalini, holding her breath.

Sameer's mother turns to look towards Shalini in horror and says,

"Ke usse kuch log dikhayi dete hain. Wo sub bohot dukhi hai alag-alag kaarano ki wajah se."

Shock hits Shalini afresh.

"Pehle to maine ignore kiya ye sochkar ke shadi ka pressure hoga, theek ho jayega. Magar dheere-dheere maine dekha ke wo bohot seriously unke baare mein humein batane laga."

Sameer's father gets nervous remembering the moments.

"Wo khush hai to matlab jinhe wo dekh pa raha hai wo bhi khush hai. Aur agar wo dukhi hai to matlab wo bhi dukhi hain.",

says Sameer's mother, opening her eyes wide in horror.

Shalini covers her mouth with her hand, finding it unbelievable.

"Shaadi ki taiyaariyon ke beech mein mujhe kheench kar unke baare mein batane lagta. Tab mera maatha thanka! Kuch ajeeb ho raha hai Sameer ke saath mujhe samjh mein aane laga. Maine iss barey mein inse baat ki...",

she points towards Sameer's father.

"Humne psychiatrist ko dikhane ka faisla kia. Shadi ke ghar ko mehmano ke bharose chorh kar hum hone wale dulhe ko doctor ke paas le ja rahe the!",

his mother cries unable to hold her emotions any longer.

"Doctor se pata chala ke ye psychiatric issue nahi koi aur hi baat hai! Main iss baat par bharosa nahi karna chahti thi. Wo aisa isliye keh rahi thi kyunki jab hum Sameer ko wahan le gaye tab uss par jis kisi ki bhi aatma aati hai wo nahi thi uske ander aur wo normal behave kar raha tha. Shant zaroor tha magar normal tha. Phir bhi maine unse request ki unhe bataya Sameer kaisi-kaisi harkatein karta hai. Tab unhone humein kuch dawaiyan likh kar di jin mein se kuch neend ki dawayi thi kuch brain ke nerves ko kuch hadd tak sunn karne ki dawaiyan thi. Aur kuch aur hain jo iski yadasht ko kayam rakhne mein uski madad karti hai. Aur bakiyon ka mujhe utna pata nahi.",

she tells Shalini.

"Humne subse ye baatein bohot chhupane ki koshish ki magar aas-paas ke logon tak saari baatein pohnch gayi.",

says his mother, sadly.

Smiling sarcastically, she adds,

"Aur kaise nahi pohnchti! Acha khasa kamane wala ladka shadi ke kuch waqt pehle hi apni achi khasi naukri ko chorh kar agar ghar baith jaye to logo ke dimag mein shaq aur sawal to ayega hi."

Dr. Shalini nods her head in acceptance.

She quivers as she remembers the looks her neighbors were giving to her on her arrival here. Now she knows the reason!

"Yahi wajah hai ke humari taraf se shadi mein itne kam log aye the. Mostly sub tumhari taraf ke log hi the."

Shalini realises!

"Aas-paas ke kisi ko bulane ki humari himmat nahi hui. Subse bol chal band ho gayi thi humari. Aur jin rishtedaron tak Sameer ke halat ki baat pohnch jaati wo sub invite karne ke baad phone kar kar ke bahana bana dete na aane ka. Magar humein sub samjh aa raha tha. Aisa kaise ho sakta hai ke sub rishtedaron ko ek saath ek hi waqt par kaam aa rahe hain?",

Sameer's mother smiles sarcastically.

"Tumhare grihapravesh ke din aas-paas ke log ye dekhne ke liye utsuk nahi the ke nayi bahu kaun hai, kaisi hai! Balki ye dekhne ke liye utsuk the ke kon hai jo Sameer se shadi karne ke liye taiyar ho gayi!",

says his mother.

Dr. Shalini understands everything now! She gets answers to all of her queries.

"Kahin na kahin humare mann mein ye bhi tha ke tum khud ek doctor ho, tum samjhogi Sameer ki situation ko aur kya pata tum khud hi theek kardo kisi tarah Sameer ko!",

says Sameer's mother.

Dr. Shalini shakes her head in anger and disgust.

"You guys are disgusting!! Dhokha dekar aap apne bete ke ilaaj ka bandubast kar rahe the?? Saste mein apne bete ka ilaaj karana chahte the aap?",

asks Dr. Shalini, spiting venom by her each word.

His parents shake their heads respectively.

"Nahi! Nahi aisi koi baat nahi hai. Tumhara doctor hona bus ek coincidence hai.",

says his mother.

"Coincidence nahi sochi samjhi saazish!",

she blames them, staring them straight.

"Aur... aur main... itni badi bewakoof hoon....",

she looks away in regret and anger.

Suddenly looking towards them, widening her eyes she asks,

"Shadi waale din bhi aapne Sameer ko dawai de rakhi thi na?!"

They cascade their eyes respectively, feeling guilty.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!!",

Dr. Shalini exclaims in shock.

"I can't stay here!",

Dr. Shalini walks into her room.

"Shalini.... Shalini meri baat suno...",

her in laws try to persuade her to stay.

But she in no mood to listen packs up her bag and leaves.

*Flashback ends*

"Waqt beeta, main apne ghar aa gayi thi. Ek raat mere pet mein zoron se dard utha mujhe hospitalised karana parha.",

says Dr. Shalini, with almost zero energy left.

"Baad mein mujhe pata chala ke main... main kabhi Ma nahi bann sakti!! Main kabhi Ma nahi bann saktiii!!",

she says and repeats, in anger, pain and frustration.

Tears roll down the eyes of each of her listeners except for Yudi!

Yudi converts his right hand into fist, angry on Sameer. His magnitude of anger and hatred towards Sameer way higher than sympathy towards Shalini. Because as per Yudi Dr. Shalini deserves justice more than sympathy!

Dr. Shalini cries out loud.

"Uss din usne mujhe iss tarah maara ke meri zindagi ki saari khushiyan mar gayi uss maar se aur jeevan bhar ka ghum mujhe dekar chala gaya wo!!",

Dr. Shalini forces the words out of her choked throat.

All of them close their eyes respectively, feeling pain, anger and helplessness!

"Uss dard se; uss khalipan se duur rehne ke liye maine KMA join karne ka faisla kiya. Magar usse pehle mujhe khudko recover karna tha sirf physically hi nahi mentally bhi. Maine ek proper routine follow karne ka socha. Apni nayi zindagi ki taraf barhne ki zid mujh mein aa gayi thi. Maine physically aur mentally dono tarah se khudko taiyar kiya. Isse karne mein mujhe zyada waqt nahi laga. Jab koi saath na ho to jaldi hum ek mushkil phase se nikal paate hain aisa mera manna hai. Kyunki tab koi humein humare past ko yaad dilane ke liye humare saath nahi hota. Subse katkar rehne mein hi samjhdari hai aise samaye mein. Wohi maine kiya.",

says Dr. Shalini.

"Yakeen nahi hota ke ye wo Dr. Shalini keh rahi hain jo subke sukh-dukh mein subse pehle unke saath aakr khadi hoti hain.",

says Rajveer, disappointed hearing her last few words.

Dr. Shalini cries further looking towards Rajveer. Rajveer walks to her and embraces her into a warm and protective hug!

All wipe their tears respectively, smiling.

"It's okay! It's okay!",

consoles Rajveer, rotating his hand on her head.

Dr. Shalini looks towards Yudi, still in Rajveer's embrace. Yudi smiles and gestures her a thumbs up, crying. Dr. Shalini smiles, whilst crying upon receiving such supportive and encouraging gesture from Yudi.

●●●●●

Next day Akshat reaches Kashish at her shop.

"Hi! Kya main ander aa sakta hoon?",

asks Akshat, pushing the glass door and peeping into the shop, smiling a little apologetically towards Kashish.

Kashish gets pleasantly surprised upon witnessing her visitor.

"Akshat Shergil!",

she smiles wide and shakes her head remembering the fun time she had witnessing his and Charu's banter the previous day.

(Akshat's background tune begins)

Akshat raises his brows, smiling still, apologetically.

"Please come in!",

Kashish invites him in.

"Come, have a seat.",

she gestures him to sit.

"Thanks!",

Akshat smiles and takes his seat.

"Kahiye, how may I help you?",

asks Kashish, smiling throughout, resting her entwined fingers under her chin.

"Ahmm... main... main bus aise hi yahan se guzar raha tha to socha aapse milte hue chalun.",

smiles Akshat, unable to understand how else to initiate the conversation.

Kashish who is smart enough to understand, says, whilst searching for a crystal ball,

"Acha! That's so kind of you ke aapne itna socha mere baare mein ke aap yahan aa gaye wapas mujhse mera haal-chaal poochne."

And her double meaning words click Akshat instantly,

"Nahi! Nahi! Maine aapke baare mein ghar jaakar bilkul nahi socha."

Kashish immediately shoots a glance at Akshat and arches a brow.

Akshat gets nervous and says,

"Nahi... m...mera matlab...",

Akshat trails off in nervousness.

Taking a deep breath, shaking her head, Kashish focuses on whatever she was searching for. Finally she gets it. Bringing it out of the drawer, she places it in front of her between them and herself, on the table - a Rose Quartz dowsing pendulum.

Akshat sighs in relief when Kashish diverts her attention but as soon as she places the dowsing pendulum, Akshat knits his brows, focusing on the pendulum, taking his head towards it and asks, wrinking his nose,

"Ye kya hai?"

"Ye wo cheez hai jise maine agar ek baar use kiya to saamne wala khud-ba-khud mere saamne such bolne lagta hai!",

smiles Kashish sarcastically, and folds her arms against her abdominal.

Her words skip Akshat's heartbeat and he immediately straightens up and clears his throat.

Kashish hides her amusement upon witnessing Akshat's reaction to her words.

"Ma..in... main jhoot nahi bol raha!",

says Akshat, nervous.

"Haan to maine kab bola ke tum bol rahe ho?",

asks Kashish immediately, arching her right brow.

Akshat stares Kashish, disappointed.

"Kuch poochna hai?",

asks Kashish.

"Nahi!",

replies Akshat, emphasizing on 'nahi', implying that he doesn't need her favour.

"Haan to tum mera yahan time waste karne aaye ho?",

asks Kashish, serious.

"Time waste! Main? Hello Madam time waste main aapka nahi aap mera kar rahi hain!",

says Akshat, raising his voice, narrowing his eyes.

"Excuse me?!",

exclaims Kashish, surprised.

Showing her his both hands, closing his eyes briefly, calming himself down, Akshat says,

"Okay! Okay! Point par aate hain."

Kashish whose cheeks have warmed up by now out of anger, calms herself down, nodding her head.

Inclining towards Kashish, Akshat asks, indicating through his right index finger,

"Ye Charu aapse ye poochne ayi thi na ke wo mujhse peecha kaise churaye?"

Kashish purses her lips, controlling her emotions and nods her head in affirmative.

"Ab aap mujhe ye batao ke wo mere peeche kab parhegi?!",

asking so he beats on his right thigh, staring Kashish throughout, determined.

Kashish rests her fingers on her forehead, tilting her head to her right, closing her eyes.

"What?!",

asks Akshat, expanding his arms outside and gesturing a 'what' with his hands.

"Akshat!",

scolds Kashish, mildly.

"Kya?",

asks Akshat, confused.

"Agar wo interested nahi hai to kyun peeche parhe ho uske?",

asks Kashish, smiling.

"Arey Kashish tumhe pata nahi hai uska pura interest mujh mein aur sirf mujh mein hi hai. Bus bhaw khati hai bohot. Bachpan se buri aadat hai ye iski.",

says Akshat and relaxes in his chair.

Kashish laughs and shakes her head.

"Waise I hope you didn't mind maine aapko 'tum' karke bulaya.",

says Akshat.

"No! Not at all!",

smiles Kashish.

"Very good! You know main tumhara bohot acha dost bann sakta hoon. Aur kaam bhi aa sakta hoon tumhare.",

smiles Akshat, arching a brow - a gesture of asking Kashish to give it a thought.

Kashish remembers her motive!

(Shank tune followed by 'ek danta' begins)

'Haan! Kaam to tum mere aaoge Akshat. I am sure aaoge.'

(Ending lines of the song)

"Ahmm... acha Akshat tumhare parivar mein kon-kon hai?",

asks Kashish, smiling.

"Main, meri Mumma aur mera bhai Swayam Shergil!",

says Akshat.

"Aur...",

Kashish rotates the crystal globe which is in front of her and continues,

"Tumhara tumhari Mumma aur tumhare bhai ke saath kaisa rishta hai?"

"Dono mujhse bohot pyar karte hain. Subse chhota jo hoon ghar mein. Aur tumhare Dad?",

asks Kashish.

Akshat turns serious.

Kashish shoots her glance towards Akshat and asks,

"Kya hua?"

"Dad jab humein chorh kar gaye tab main kafi chhota tha.",

says Akshat, sadly.

"Oh! I am sorry. Kya hua tha?",

asks Kashish.

"Heart attack!",

says Akshat.

Kashish feels sad for Akshat.

Akshat immediately shifts his attention and mood and says, tapping both his hands on the table,

"Waise aapko pata hai agar mere bhai ko pata chal gaya na ke main yahan aya hoon, to mujhe maar daalenge!",

he gestures with his hand - cutting of his neck.

"Wo kyun?",

asks Kashish, turning her face a little towards left but her eyes intact on Akshat.

"Unhe ye sub pasand nahi. Tarot and all!",

says Akshat.

"Acha mere liye to phir ye challenge hoga, unhe khud tak bulana.",

smiles Kashish, sarcastically.

Knitting his brows, Akshat asks,

"Tum unhe yahan kyun bulaogi?"

"Koi agar mere profession ko pasand na kare to bura to lagega na mujhe! Chahungi ki wo mujhe samjhe! Mere kaam ko samjhe!",

smiles Kashish.

"Wo kisiko nahi samjhte Kashish. Wo sirf apne aapko; apne maksad purey hone ko samjhte hain.",

says Akshat, knitting his brows out of anger on Swayam.

Kashish turns her head a little towards left, reading Akshat, understanding Akshat and Swayam's relation.

"Aur tumhe ye pasand nahi!",

says Kashish.

Akshat looks towards Kashish but stays quiet.

"To tum unhe samjhate kyun nahi?",

asks Kashish.

"Wo kuch samjhna chahein to main kuch samjhaun na. Aur mujhe to wo chhota, bhola samjhte hain.",

says Akshat, frustrated.

Kashish thinks deeply.

"Waise tum unke baare mein kya jaanti ho? Matlab aise hi pooch raha hoon. Ladkiyan to marti hain unn par.",

he rolls his eyes.

Anger surges through Kashish upon hearing his last words,

"Main unn ladkiyon mein se nahi hoon!",

she states it clearly, raising her voice, her eyes burning in anger.

"Nafrat karti hoon main tumhare bhai se Akshat, nafrat!! Samjhe tum?",

Kashish blurts out, without realising what is she say.

Akshat stares her shocked!

"Magar kyun? Kya kiya hai bhai ne aisa?",

asks Akshat, desperate to know the truth.

Kashish shoots a glance towards him and asks in anger,

"Janna chahte ho Akshat? Bharosa karoge meri baat par?"

"Haan Kashish, batao!",

says Akshat.

"Mere Sujal ko mujhse cheena hai tumhare bhai ne!",

shouts Kashish.

"Kon Sujal?",

asks Akshat, confused.

Kashish calms down upon the mention of Sujal.

"Sujal, mera pyar, mera sub kuch!",

says Kashish, getting emotional.

"Jisse Swayam ne cheen liya hai mujhse.",

shouts Kashish.

"Magar wo aisa kyun karenge?",

asks Akshat.

"Main nahi jaanti! Main kuch nahi jaanti!",

says Kashish, crying.

"Main bus ek baar mili hoon tumhare bhai se. Mujhe kuch nahi pata. Mujhe kuch nahi pata.",

she sits at her seat and rests her right hand's fingers at the right corner of her forehead and closes her eyes, knitting her brows.

Akshat knits his brows tighter, wondering!