Riddhima then went to freshen up & came down for dinner. After dinner she went to terrace for walk & was reminiscing the moments spent with Vansh. Ajay went to her & both sat on the chairs placed there. 

AJAY: Kaisa hain mera bacha?

RIDDHIMA: Thik hu Papa. 

AJAY: Kuch pareshaan kar raha hain na tumhein?

She smiled & side hugged him. 

RIDDHIMA: Anjaane maine unka bahot dil dukhaya hain Papa. Woh mujhse baat karna toh dur meri taraf dekhne tak ke liye raazi nahi hain.

AJAY: Kya hua???

Riddhima just shook her head remembering Vansh's words. 

FLASHBACK STARTED,

Riddhima & Vansh were at Riansh cuddling each other on bed. 

VANSH: Riddhu...

RIDDHIMA: Hmmm....

She said rolling upon him keeping her chin on his chest. He smiled & tucked her hairs behind her ears & was softly caressing her cheek. 

VANSH: Sweetheart couples ke beech bahot saare bad moments bhi aate hain, ladaiya hoti hain, jagde hote hain & it's pretty normal. Ek healthy relationship ke liye apne thoughts, apne point of views express karna bahot zaroori hain aur issi mein kae baar ladai ho jaati hain but that needed to be kept between themselves.

Riddhima was just hearing him keenly looking at him with confused eyes & as his words were bit confusing to her she pouted. Vansh tilting his head kissed her pout.

VANSH: Jaana what I'm trying to say is ki we will try our best to solve the problems by ourselves. See I know our family is good none will think bad about us but still ek couple ke beech kuch cheezein private rahe toh hi better hain. See agar kabhi humare beech ese jagde hue toh hum ek dusre ko samjhaenge, khud ek dusre ko samajhne ki koshish karenge, communicate karenge aur solve karenge. If we feel ki we need advice jab humse naa ho pae toh hi hum family mein kisi se baat karenge. Aur woh bhi sirf aur sirf family se not even friends or any outsiders. Also it'll eventually make our relation, our bind stronger & we'll get to know each other better. 

RIDDHIMA: I understood your point. We will maintain our privacy. Mujhe aap ki baat samajh aa gae Ansh.

Vansh hugged her tight to his chest & kissed her head.

VANSH: Mera acha bacha.....

She giggled hearing him making him smile.

FLASHBACK ENDED

RIDDHIMA: Thank you Papa. But main aur Ansh suljha lenge. 

Ajay knew seeing the glow & smile on her face which was due to remembering their moment & he understood that definitely Vansh would have made her understand. 

AJAY: Vansh explained you????

She smiled sheepishly & nodded making him chuckle. Riddhima knew how stressed Vansh was & she wanted to give him time so she said,

RIDDHIMA: Papa wada karo aap Ansh ko kuch nahi bologe jo woh kare woh unse kuch puchoge nahi....

AJAY: Beta par....

RIDDHIMA: Nahi Papa wada karo. Galti maine iss baar bahot badi kar di hain, I've broken him aur sab sahi bhi main hi karungi aap ya koi unhein kuch nahi bolega.

Ajay sighed & promised her. Next morning she tried to talk to Kiyaan & Angre but they left. Siya sighed at his stubbornness. Riddhima in evening went to Angre's cabin & found both brothers were talking to Vansh. Seeing her both cut the call saying him they'll talk afterwards. 

RIDDHIMA: Angre, Kiyaan I'm sorry.... 

KIYAAN: Sorry Di. Seriously sorry..... jaanti bhi hain aap kya kiya hain aap ne? Unke pyaar ki dhachiya udadi aap ne, unka dil, unki rooh tod ke rakh diya, you disrespected him, his feelings, his trust, his efforts, his care, his love. Iske baad aap sirf sorry bol rahe ho....

He shouted making her flinch & her eyes became wet. Kiyaan sighed & rubbed his face. He went to her & hugged her & she cried.

RIDDHIMA: I'm sorry. Maine jaan bujh kar nahi kiya. You toh know na everything. Main....

She was hiccupping badly & Angre pulled her put of hug & made her drink water wiping her tears. Kiyaan kneeled down infront of her cupping her face.

KIYAAN: Aap par gussa karna mujhe bilkul acha nahi lagta hain Di. Aap toh meri duniya ho. Par aap ki khushiya ki wajah se aap par chilana padta hain. Aap khud toh apni khushiyo ko sehej ke rakhti nahi ho. Unhein kuch nahi pata phir bhi he still loves you, he's hurt beyond repair. Aap ne iss baar bahot badi galti kar di. 

RIDDHIMA: I realised, main unse baat karne gae thi but unhone suna hi nahi....

She said crying like a baby complaining. 

KIYAAN: Di aap ko pata hain utna sab aap ne bol diya phir bhi he was so worried for you jab aap ki tabiyat bigdi thi. Esa lag raha tha jaise koi unki saansein chin raha ho. Utna sab hone ke baad bhi woh aap ki safety ensure kar ke phir gae hain. Koi aur hota toh woh kab ka aap ko chod deta. Di don't let your past affect your present & future. That man loves you beyond everything. Share your real self whether it is your scars, fear, insecurities anything he'll heal you with his love. It's time to get healed Di otherwise you'll indirectly keep hurting him. Already bahot badal chuke hain woh aap se aur chot bardasht nahi kar paenge woh. Isse pehle aap unhein kho de sambhal jaiye. 

Riddhima at the thought of losing him shuddered & both brothers hugged her. 

RIDDHIMA: Main kaise karungi sab????

ANGRE: Woh aap se pyaar karte hain Di. Apne pyaar par bharosa rakhiye also iss baar you'll have tough time in manofying him because woh sirf naraaz nahi hue hurt hue hain. You've to heal him. 

Riddhima nodded. Then both shared her the matter of will & explained that she needs to get married to him on the decided date only & they aren't in a position to postpone. Riddhima said she'll do something. Later trio talked & then went home. Days passed like this & lohri was coming near. Riddhima always used to call Vansh daily & he still ignores her. She not giving up always messaged him wishing him good morning & good night, reminding him of meals & with lots of messages saying 'I love you' & 'I miss you'. He always read her message & whenever he reads a smile comes on his face. 

VANSH: Meri Jaan this time I'm gonna trouble you a little. I know something horrible is still inside you but for our better future & for you to understand not to make mistake of leaving me again I've to do this. 

He spoke looking at her photo in his wallet. Uma's video call disturbed him. 

VANSH: Hello Maa, Choti Maa.

UMA & CHANCHAL: Hello beta kaise ho????

VANSH: Thik hu Maa...

Till then Indrani & Neela too came. All four ladies ordered him to come back home. Vansh was trying to ditch that offer but at last Chanchal said,

CHANCHAL: Yaha aa kar ladai jagda karna hain tum dono ne kar lena koi kuch nahi bolega bas wapas aa jao.

UMA: Aur before you say ki Papa bolenge so bata du Ajay kuch nahi bolenge tumhein. Haa this time we both decided to confront you both together but your Jaan has strictly told him not to ask you anything or tell you. She has got promise from him so aa jao. Lad lena jitna ladna hain par dur nahi rehna hain.

Vansh sighed & nodded.

INDRANI: Vansh afternoon tak kaam khatam kar lo aur aaj raat dinner se pehle yaha ghar chahiye mujhe tum. Dinner aaj tum hum sab ke saath karoge....

Vansh nodded & bid bye.

They cut the call. All looked at Riddhima who was sitting there biting her lips waiting for the answer. 

UMA: Chaliye Riddhima beta aap par humara yeh karz raha humne aap ke sunshine ko mana liya hain.

CHANCHAL: Woh aaj raat dinner hum sab ke saath karenge. Ab khush ho....

Riddhima hearing it squealed & hugged both mothers & grandmothers kissing their cheeks making everyone laugh. 

RIDDHIMA: Jo bologe woh karungi Maa, Choti Maa thank you... thank you thank you so much....

UMA: Acha ji itni jaldi hain apne unn se milne ki????

Riddhima got shy & whined making everyone laugh. Not able to handle their teasing she ran to their room. She was pacing in their room trying to think how to pacify him. Siya, Ishani & Pooja went to her & found her moving right to left chewing her nails with a frown on her face lost in thoughts. 

SIYA: Bhabhi Maa kya hua???

RIDDHIMA: Mujhe unehin surprise dena hain. Par sujh nahi raha kya karu?????

She said with a pout. All three girls were awww on her & hugged her tight. Trio pulled her for brunch & then all left for their works. Riddhima thinking got an idea & she informing Indrani & Neela went to market to purchase things for her. Coming back she hurriedly had lunch & went to her room informing not to disturb her. She started preparing for the surprise. It was snacks time & she had it in her room & even didn't allowed anyone to enter inside. Vansh on the other hand had informed Chanchal that he'll be bit late because he had an urgent meeting with Dubai government for some project. Gents came from office, 

RUDRA: Arrey Riddhima kaha hain dikahi nahi de rahi office bhi nahi aae aaj.....

NEELA: Pata nahi kya kar rahi hain woh brunch ke baad kahi bahar gae thi aur aa kar apne room mein hi hain. Kisi ko naa hi andar aane de rahi hain aur naa hi khud bahar aae hain. 

SIYA: Woh Bhai ke liye kuch surprise plan kar rahi hain. 

All nodded. Getting everything done she has ear to ear smile. She getting ready went downstairs & found everyone waiting. 

RIDDHIMA: Ansh abhi tak nahi aae???

REHAAN: Wahh humari toh koi izzat hi nahi hain kyun Bhabhi Maa? Naa hiiii naa hello bas aa kar pucha toh seedha Ansh abhi tak nahi aae.....

She blushed & looked down & a beautiful smile was there on her face. Rehaan smiled & hugged her. 

REHAAN: Oh my god Bhabhi Maa Bhai ka naam sunke hi aap ka chehra ek dum tamatar ki tarah laal ho gaya hain. He kissed her head seeing her smile praying god to always keep her happy. 

RIDDHIMA: I'm sorry for hurting everyone's emotions Rehaan....

She mumbled in his protective embrace. Rehaan hugged her tight.

REHAAN: Bhabhi Maa it's okay. Aap ne jaan bujh ke nahi kiya tha woh hum samajh te hain utna toh.... Par takleef iss baat ki hain ki aap humein iss layak bhi nahi samajhti ki apni takleefein humse baat pae.....

RIDDHIMA: I won't repeat it pakka....

REHAAN: Chalo maan li aap ki baat par ek promise karo ki kabhi koi bhi baat ho hum sab mein se jiske saath comfortable feel ho baat karoge rather than hurting yourself......

RIDDHIMA: Promise.....

ISHANI: Khusur Pusur ho gae aap dono ki....

Both broke the hug & realised that all were looking at them with frowns. 

AKHSAT: Kya baat kar rahe ho humein bhi batao.....

REHAAN: Nahi woh hum dono ki baatein hain nahi bataenge.... 

They were talking & all of a sudden Aryan came shouting,

ARYAN: Surprise......

Everyone looked at him & smiled. He hugged everyone & Ajay was last. When he hugged Ajay he said,

AJAY: When my daughter is coming?

Aryan understood & said,

ARYAN: Soon Bade Papa.... 

AJAY: She said yes????

ARYAN: Kind off just wants to meet you all & wants your blessings.

Ajay breaking the hug said,

AJAY: Mrs. Dsouza....

Mrs. Dsouza came there & he ordered.

AJAY: Mrs. Dsouza order blueberry cheesecake & rabri malpua. Aaj main bahot khush hu.....

Aryan chuckled knowing the reason. Youngsters looked at him raising eyebrows & he blinked. Rehaan jumped on him & both brothers went to their room. After half an hour Vansh came & along with him there was Hiren, Shivi their baby & Ragini too. Seeing Ragini Riddhima scrunched her nose in anger & jealousy. She ran to Vansh & hugged her tight. He too wrapped his arms around her keeping their fight between them & to not let others know & also not to disrespect her. 

RIDDHIMA: I missed you Ansh....

He sighed & hugged her tight. She sighed but was happy that at least he's not pushing her. Vansh so wanted to say how much he missed her but all those words again came in her mind & he went stiff. Riddhima realised & broke the hug. Vansh hugged everyone & then all went to have dinner. After dinner Siya said,

SIYA: Vansh Bhai jaiye aap fresh ho jaiye aur araam kijiye. 

Vansh nodded & went to his room & Siya winked at Riddhima. She mouthed thank you & ran behind him. As soon as he entered seeing the room he was astonished. Fairy lights all over the room & their photos of their beautiful moments. He was all awww seeing it.

(Imagine somewhat like this on walls of room.)

(Also big photos like a single photo in this circle kept on furniture like console units, coffee table & also show pieces replaced by these types of circle with single photos.)

(Imagine ceiling in which there is colourful strips & instead of boats their pictures are there.)

He with baby steps went to each photos & admired it reminiscing those moments of his life. In all this he didn't realised when Riddhima came inside & locked their room's door. She had a beautiful smile seeing his face which was glowing & his eyes were twinkling. He was admiring the last photo & she went to him & back hugged him. 

RIDDHIMA: Ansh... 

He got out of her hold & said,

VANSH: Please stay away. Kya pata phir tumhein esa lage ki main phirse tumhein....

Words didn't came out of his mouth & he gulped the lump. Tears rolled down from both's eyes. He wiping his tears harshly turned to move out. Riddhima holded his hand & hugged him tight.

RIDDHIMA: Please don't go Ansh please. Ek baar baat sun lo, saza de do, daant do but plesse ek baar just for once please.....

VANSH: I can't bear this please....

RIDDHIMA: Please Ansh just one chance ek baar please. I'm breaking being the reason for your pain please.....

Vansh's control broke & he fell on his knees hugging her tight hiding his face in her stomach. 

VANSH: Why Riddhu why???

RIDDHIMA: I'm sorry Ansh. I'm sorry, I was not in my senses. Trust me I'll prefer to die rather than thinking anything like this.... 

She sat down on her level & both hugged crying in each other's arms. His breathing was getting uneven & she knew if not controlled he'll get panic attack. She quickly broke the hug & cupped his face. 

RIDDHIMA: Ansh bhul jao sab. Focus on my breath. Match your breath with me. Calm down Ansh breath yes you can do it. Come on come on yes you can do it. Relax jaan relax....

Vansh did what she said & got calm. Riddhima again hugged him rubbing his back making him relax. Riddhima broke the hug & made him sit on bed & took out his blazer & tie & opened his first two buttons not to get suffocated. She wiped the sweat beads & then pulled him with her to bathroom & removing his shirt & vest both stood under shower. He was silently crying under shower & she wiped those tears. He being tired kept his head on her shoulders. She started massaging his head & said,

RIDDHIMA: Headache ho raha hain?

VANSH: Hmmm....

She made him sit on stool & then started washing his hairs but not beofre wrapping his hands around her waist. 

RIDDHIMA: Phir kyun itna drink karte ho aur smoke karte ho? Apni health ke saath ese nahi khelte naa meri jaan....

He didn't said anything making her sigh. Both changing came to their room but he was way too silent. She made him lay down on bed & cuddled to him. 

RIDDHIMA: Ansh....

VANSH: Hmmm...

RIDDHIMA: Just sun lijiye ek baar please....

He didn't said anything so she started sharing.

RIDDHIMA: Ansh you still don't know many things about me. Those days are so haunting. I always took drugs to control myself. That day though being in senses I was not in my right state of mind. Trust me when I say this I've never ever felt uncomfortable around you, not even when I was with you in the airport so close when we met for the 1st time. Your presence always soothed me, made me calm, provided me warmth, love & care. It always made me feel respected & protected along with loved, pampered & cared. Abhi bhi bharosa nahi ho raha toh aap ki kasam bas, humare bacho ki kasam, Maa aur Papa ki kasam. Esa sochne se pehle mar jana....

He kept his finger on her lips stopping her from talking about death. 

VANSH: Why????

He just spoke one word making her sigh. 

RIDDHIMA: Yeh sahi waqt nahi hain sab jaan ne ka please main aap ki jaan khatre mein nahi dal sakti. 

She tried to explain him. He didn't spoke for sometimes & then broke the silence,

VANSH: I'm tired, I wanna sleep. 

Saying this he closed his eyes. Her eyes got moist because this was the first time he slept without wishing her good night, giving her forehead kiss full of warmth & promises & without cuddling her. Cuddling is far way thing he didn't even hugged her back rather kept his hands away from her. It hurted her so much but she knew his state & also that her mistake was not soon to be forgiven. Determined to manofy him she too slept. At that moment both were at peace feeling their love safe & sound near them & also there was an unknown emotion due to this fiasco. Next morning Vansh was the first one to wake up & smiled looking at her who was sleeping on him. Her hands around his torso, legs on each side trying to keep him in place & face hided in his neck. She was looking like a baby. He kissed her head.

VANSH: I know you too are in pain baby. But iss baar agar mein lenient raha na toh it would affect our future badly. Also your innocence in many matters is becoming your enemy. I can't afford to lose you my love. So advance mein I'm sorry but we have to go through this pain of hurting each other in order to become one. 

He talked with himself while admiring her & then slowly made her sleep on bed & kissing each photos that she has used to decorate their room he went to start his day.