After an exhausting evening and night spent with an actual foreign client, to crack an important deal, Ruhaan walked in, to find Purvi dressed up and giving some instructions to their house help. It seemed that she is leaving for somewhere.

Ruhaan: Purvi?

Purvi smiled seeing her husband and walked towards him. Ruhaan felt his heart wrenching seeing the bright smile on her face by just seeing him. And he got reminded of the conversation with Rohan the other day.

Purvi: Ruhaan aap? Aap toh shaam ko aane wale the na. Sunil bata raha tha ki aapki kuch foreign delegates ke saath meeting hai.

Ruhaan: Haan, woh raat ko hi shuru hogayi. Isliye main raat ko nahi aaya tha.
Par tum kahin ja rahi ho?

Purvi: Haan, Pranati ji se milne ja rahi hun.

Ruhaan: Pranati se? Kyun?

Purvi: Arre aisse hi. Agar aage chal ke Rohan aur Preeti ki shaadi ho jaati hai, toh bond toh banani padegi na. Preeti ke Mummy Papa aur baaki ghar ke badon se kya baat karungi. Plus mujhe unse Rohan ke baare mein baat karni hai.

Ruhaan: Rohan ke baare mein kya baat karni hai?

Purvi: Woh.....actually.....woh maine Preeti ki behen yaani Naina ji ki aur unke husband ke beech ki baat sun li thi. Sameer ji Rohan ke peeche kuch logon ko lagaye hai. Uske baare mein information haasil karne. Main nahi keh rahi ki galat kar rahe hai. Par, dekha jaaye toh mujhe sahi nahi laga. Janti hun, bacchon ne apni ore se apna rishta khol diya hai. So isiliye......

Ruhaan: Accha, main bhi saath chalta hun. Actually, Pranati se main baat karke aa jaata hun.

Purvi: Ruhaan! Aap 24 ghante ghar se bahar kaam kar rahe the. Soye nahi hai. Aur jab se Jaipur se aaye hai, aapne thoda bhi aaram nahi kiya hai. Aapko aaram ki zaroorat hai. Agli baar aap baat karne chale jayega. Aaj nahi.

Ruhaan: Nahi Purvi! Main aaj hi jaunga! Purvi! Tum jis sensitive topic par baat karne ja rahi ho, woh main Pranati ko better samjha sakta hun. Hum dost the. Usse kaise samjhana hai, mujhe pata hai. Agar tumne galti se baat karte waqt thoda bhi hisaab kitaab idhar se udhar kar diya toh Rohan ka rishta jeopardize ho sakta hai. Tum aissa chahti ho?

Purvi: Nahi. Par....

Ruhaan: Par kuch nahi. Tum mujhe address bhejo. Main fresh hoke, Pranati se milke aata hun. Waise Rohan aaj kahan rehne wala hai? Churchgate mein?

Purvi: Pata nahi. Subah yahin se college gaya hai. Kuch seminar hai. Uske baad kuch classes hai, uske baad ghar aayega shayad. Bola nahi kuch.

Ruhaan: Bola nahi hai, uska matlab woh Churchgate mein rahega. Accha hai. Tum aur main akele rahenge aaj.

Purvi: So what? Aap aaram karne wale hai. Kyunki aapko uski sakht zaroorat hai. Isliye bol rahi hun. Mujhe jaane dijiye.

Ruhaan: Purvi. Baat Rohan ki hai. Toh main hi jaunga. Bas 2 ghante mein aa jaunga wapas. Uske baad aaram karunga. Tumhare paas. Tum tab tak apna saara kaam khatam kar do. Bahut din baad mujhe mauka mila hai tumhare saath thoda waqt bitane ka. Akele mein. And I don't want to waste it.

Purvi blushed at his words. It was after a very long time, they both would have the whole house to themselves. She was craving for her husband's love and touch. It's been months since she had got intimate with Ruhaan. She had mentally started planning the evening and night. And had thought to message Rohan to not to come home tonight.

Ruhaan: Jaun na main Jaan?

Purvi: Thik hai. Jayiye!

Ruhaan reached Saltwater Cafe in 40 mins. He parked his car and went inside. Removing his sunglasses, he was searching for Pranati when he spotted her, sitting in a corner wearing parrot green saree with turquoise blouse, her hair braided, and minimal jewellery and make up. Ruhaan weaved his fingers through his hair, and walked till here.

When Pranati felt footsteps approaching, she lifted her head off her phone, and got shocked seeing Ruhaan standing at a single feet distance.

Pranati: Tum?!

Ruhaan: Haan main.

Pranati's blood boiled seeing him smiling. She wanted to scratch it away from his face, but she was in a public place plus she is a respectful women of a respectful family. She can't create a drama in a restaurant. So she took a deep breath and thought to deal with the situation patiently.

Pranati: As far as I remember, Mr. Roy Chaudhary, mujhe yahan aapki wife ne bulaya hai. So, where's she?

Ruhaan: Pranati! Tum mujhe Mr. Roy Chaudhary karke kyun bula rahi ho. Call me Ruhaan na. We were lovers yaar.

Pranati: Exactly! We were lovers. Jo actually tumhara ek facade tha aur meri nadani thi, jo main phas gayi. Isliye we are better off as Mr. Roy Chaudhary and Mrs. Agrawal.
And please, apni wife ko bulayiye. Meri meeting unke saath fix huyi thi.

Ruhaan: Purvi nahi aane wali. Maine usse convince kiya to not to come. Kyunki mujhe tumse baat karni hai.

Pranati: Par mujhe tumse baat karne mein koi interest nahi hai. I will take your leave.

Ruhaan: Pranati! Please! It's been 13 years since we met last. And last spoke to each other.

Pranati: It's been 13 years of your betrayal as well Ruhaan. Thanks to you, maine kisi bhi ladke ko apne aas paas aane nahi diya tha. Siwaye Sameer, Manoj aur Pandit ke.

Ruhaan: Par Pralay toh aagaya. And kaafi zyada karib aagaya hai. Husband of 2 years. With a courtship of 8 months.

Pranati: Unhone apni jagah banayi hai. Har koi tumhari tarah ghatiya soch nahi rakhta. Bloody pervert! Pyaar karne ka natak karke mera fayda uthaya tha tumne.

Ruhaan: Pranati! Mera pyaar jhootha nahi tha. Main sach mein tumse pyaar karta tha. In fact aaj bhi karta hun.

Pranati scoffed and replied: As if! Tum jaise aadmi sirf ek cheez se pyaar karte hai. Apni zarooraton se. Apne ego se.

Ruhaan: Pranu...

Pranati: Don't dare! It's Pranati for you. Actually Mrs. Agrawal would be much better.

Ruhaan: Okay. Pranati! Maana maine ki mujhe Sameer se badla lene ke liye, tumhare saath woh sab nahi karna chahiye tha. Par Pranati, I wanted to let Sameer know how does it feel to see your loved ones suffering. Inn sab mein tum itna zyada hurt hogayi aur mujhe tumse sach mein pyaar hogaya. Which I never intended to.

Pranati: Tumhe agar mujhse pyaar hota Ruhaan, toh agli subah mujhe woh cheethi aur CD bhejne se pehle 10 baar sochte. Agar tumhe mujhse pyaar hota, toh tum mujhe batate ki tum Sameer se upset ho, aur uske saath verbally ladhte. Naaki mere kandhe par bandook rakhkar usko goli maarte. Maine apna sab kuch tumhe diya tha uss din. Aur tumne usko laat mar di.
Par ab main woh Pranati nahi hun. Aur na hi ek aur Pranati banne dungi. Main Preeti ko mere jaise nahi banne dungi. Rohan se dur rakhungi!

Ruhaan: Rohan mere jaisa nahi hai Pranati! Uska aur mera bas baap nahi, balki sab kuch alag hai. Rohan mera saga bhai nahi hai. Maa ka najayaz beta hai. Jisko marne se pehle Maa mere hawale chod kar gayi.

Pranati: Tumne uski parvarish apni jaisi hi ki hogi. Dikhne mein Yudhishthir par andar se Duryodhan se bhi badtaar.

Ruhaan: Pranati, Rohan ko uss Ruhaan ne bada kiya hai jisne tumse pyaar kiya tha na ki jisne tumhara fayda uthaya. Iss duniya mein agar tumhare baad maine kisi se pyaar kiya hai, toh woh Rohan hai.

Pranati: Ruhaan! Tumne mujhse koi pyaar nahi kiya tha. So baar baar uss jhooth ko bolne se woh sach nahi ban jayega. Aur tum Rohan se pyaar karte ho? What a joke! Agar tum usse pyaar karte toh usko aur uski Boudi ko taklif nahi dete. Uske ideal Dada ke bhram ko todte nahi.

Ruhaan: Pranati! Main janta hun maine apne Rohan ka dil toda hai. Aur yeh bhi janta hun ki tumhe aur shayad Pralay, Sameer, aur Naina ko bhi pata hai ki Preeti aur Rohan ko mere one night stands ke baare pata hai. Aur woh din dur nahi jab Purvi ko pata lag jayega. Aur main.....

Pranati: Ruhaan! Agar tumhe bakwas karni hai toh I am leaving. Actually mujhe ussi waqt chale jaana chahiye tha jis waqt tumhe yahan dekha tha.

Ruhaan: Pranati! Please. Meri puri baat sunke jao. Please. Lawyer ki biwi ho, itna toh pata hoga ki faisla dono paksh sunne ke baad lena sahi hota hai. Humare case mein tumhe apna paksh pata hai. Par mera bhi sun lo.

Pranati exhaled and looked at him annoyance. She decided to sit to let this conversation get over with, for once and for all.

Ruhaan: Rohan mera jaisa nahi hai. Kyunki usko Purvi ne apne jaisa banaya hai. Loyal, caring, respectful, and loving. Maine tumhare saath jo kiya woh aaj bhi mujhe sharmindagi mein dubo deta hai.
Pranati! Main aaj bhi tumse utna hi pyaar karta hun jitna 13 saal pehle karta tha. Bas badle ne aur Vidhi ke aanshu ne mujhe andha bana diya tha. Aur Rohan ke aane se, mujhe Purvi se shaadi ke liye mazboor. Maine usse kabhi pyaar nahi kiya aur na hi kabhi kar paunga. Cuz I love you. Haan main loyal nahi tha. Sexual affairs the. And you know what. Maine har ladki mein tumhe dhundha. Par tum mili nahi. Milti bhi kaise? Tumhe maine iss hadh tak toda jo tha. Pranati, inn 13 saalon mein ek din nahi gaya jab maine tumhe yaad nahi kiya. Maine khudko kosha na hoga tumhara dil todne ke liye. Pranati! Tum nahi janti uss subah main kitne mushkil se uthkar gaya tha. Mera dil baar baar keh raha tha ki ruk jaun. Par Sameer se badla lene ke resolve ne dil ki baaton ko daba diya. Aur main......Pranati, main janta hun, tum Pralay ke saath bahut khush ho. Tum dono ek dusre se pyaar karte ho. Huh, tumhare saath woh sab karte huye, main kisi aur ko dekh raha hun, jiske sapne Maine kabhi dekhe the. Aur main bas itna kahunga ki Rohan se Preeti ko maat chinho. Woh bahut pyaar karta hai Preeti se. Usko pura haq hai, apna pyaar aur apne saare sapne paane ka. Preeti uska sab kuch hai. Mere Rohan se uska sab kuch maat chinho. Meri sazza mere bache ko maat do. Please Pranati! Please.

Pranati: Doodh ka jaal chanhch funk funk kar peeta hai. Ek baar tassali ho jaaye. Rohan Ruhaan nahi hai, phir main Preeti aur Rohan ko alag nahi hone dungi.
And about your so called feelings toh Mr. Roy Chaudhary, I don't give a damn. Mujhse bahut badi galti huyi thi tumse pyaar karke. Uski sazza bhi kaati thi maine. Ab tum par aur bharosa nahi kar sakti main. Good luck with your marriage.

And Pranati left, with Ruhaan seated on his place. Ruhaan looked at the entrance door till she was visible and lowered his head with a deep sigh.

Ruhaan: Kaash! Kaash Pranati 13 saal pehle woh din aaya hi nahi hota. Toh shayad aaj tum mujhse dur nahi, mere paas bhag rahi hoti. Maine apne gusse aur ego mein sab barbaad kar diya. 13 saal se tumse milne ki khwaahish mein tha. Maine kabhi socha nahi tha ki tum mujhe wapas milogi aur woh bhi ussi sheher mein jahan humari kahani shuru huyi thi. Agar maloom hota ki tum Mumbai se kabhi gayi nahi, toh main pehle hi aa jaata. Par ab, kuch nahi ho sakta. Tumhare liye apne pyaar mein Sameer ne meri tang tod di thi, aur mujhe iss halat main la kar khada kar diya ki main Purvi ko sach nahi bata sakta. Maine uski bhi zindagi tabah kar di.

He had his head down, when the waiter came to served the beverages ordered.

Ruhaan: Isko le jao Boss. Main bill pay kar dunga. I am sorry.

Waiter: Sorry sir, main wapas le nahi sakta. Aap ko lena hoga, Sir.

Ruhaan: Accha ek kaam karo. Iss cold coffee ko rehne do. Dusri coffee ki jagah same price ka kuch veg mein snacks de do pack karke. Yeh toh possible hai?

Waiter: Amm, possible toh nahi hai. Par main kar deta hun. Kisi ko pata nahi chalega. Anything else Sir?

Ruhaan: No. Thanks.

Ruhaan sipped the cold coffee with cold heart, and after picking up the parcel, he went out. Ruhaan was walking towards his car, when he noticed Pranati standing at some distance. It seemed she was waiting for someone.

He decided to stay there, and wait for her to leave. He must have stood for 3-4 mins, when he saw a car approaching.

Teri aankhon mein jhaankane wala
Tere honthon pe kaanpne wala

The driver side of the car opened, and Pralay came out. He ran towards Pranati and gave her a hug. Seeing this Ruhaan's knuckles tightened around the steering wheel.

Teri baaton mein bolne wala
Baal raaton mein kholne wala

After freeing herself from him, Pranati pointed towards her watch, which meant that Pralay was late. Ruhaan could see Pralay hold his ear and gave a charming smile. Pranati didn't budge, so he held her hand.

Garam saanson mein Ghul raha hai jo
Woh akele mein mil raha jo

Pranati's cheeks heated, and she looked at him. After which Pralay kissed her cheeks. Seeing his, Ruhaan punched his fist on the seat next to him, and gritted his teeth.

Khwab mein aake pyaar karta hai
Roz sau baar tumpe marta hai
Khwab mein aake pyaar karta hai
Roz sau baar tumpe marta hai

Pralay brought a bouquet of pink and red roses, just like Pranati likes, from the backseat. Seeing her favorite flowers, Pranati jumped into his arms. Ruhaan could see Pralay smile, and caress her hair. After a minute or two, they got separated, and Pralay made her sit inside the car, and ran towards his side. Ruhaan thought to follow them.

Khinch ke bajuon mein lele jo
Kaan ki vaaliyon se khele jo

After driving for half an hour, Pralay's car stopped in front of Juhu beach. He let Pranati out of the car, and went towards parking. Ruhaan was about to drive towards his home, but something in him didn't allow him to do so. And he drove towards the parking area.

Haq jatata hai jo sabhi tumpe
Puchhna chahta hoon main tumse
Haq jatata hai jo sabhi tumpe
Puchhna chahta hoon main tumse

After parking his car, he was following Pralay. Pranati was still standing at her place, and they both went in, holding hands. Ruhaan clenched his fist and jaw, and with heavy heart followed them. He found Pranati and Pralay sitting on sand, with Pranati's head on his shoulder, and his arm around her shoulder. Ruhaan decided to sit diagonally but towards the back. He could see Pralay lifting her palm with his other hand and kissing it. Ruhaan closed his eyes, and exhaled out his frustration and annoyance. The Agrawal couple ate ice-cream and corn whereas Ruhaan gulped down his guilt and defeat in love.

Kaun hai kaisa kaun hai kaisa
Kaisa dikhta hai
Kaun hai kaisa kaisa dikhta hai

After 1 and half hour, the three of them were on their way towards the abode of Agrawal family. Ruhaan parked his car at a distance. The Agrawal family lived in a colony of two storey houses, and Agrawal family had occupied the first floor of the house. The stairs to the first floor was feasible from the road. Ruhaan could see Pralay and Pranati walking by holding each other close. Ruhaan was about to reverse his car, when he saw Pralay stop Pranati in the middle of the stairs, and they were kissing each other.

Jaanta hoon ke nahi
Main woh nahi main woh nahi
Woh ki jis se
Tumhein mohabbat hai
Tumhein mohabbat hai

A tear slipped out from his eyes, and many more tears followed them. Something in Ruhaan got broke seeing Pranati kissing someone else, who was her husband but still. Ruhaan's first and last love was Pranati whom he had lost in the rage of his venengance. He started thinking of his school days and the memories with Pranati. Ruhaan's trance broke when a car honked from behind.

Wiping his tears, and clearing his mind, he went out of the colony. The drive from Andheri to Juhu was of just 30 mins, but it seemed like 30 hours for him. The memories of him and Pranati, and the moments between Pralay and Pranati that he has been witnessing clouded his mind. He had a short film going in mind throughout the journey. Thanks to Purvi's fasts and prays, Ruhaan safely reached home.

Purvi, who was desperately waiting for her husband, sprang up from her seat hearing the doorbell. She checked herself in the mirror. Purvi had dressed up for him. She had changed into a light grey transparent, and golden sequined embroidered georgette saree with maroon quarter sleeved blouse with deep neck. She had curled her hair from the bottom, and had put on very light makeup. She wore Ruhaan's favorite perfume, and his gifted earrings and diamond bangle.

Purvi skipped her steps, and ran towards the door to open it. Seeing him, Purvi gave a full blown smile. But Ruhaan was in his world. He couldn't see the efforts of his wife, who was oblivious to his internal battle. Purvi took Ruhaan's cold behavior as his tiredness. But being an ideal wife, she thought to still ask him, and let him feel lighter. So, she made him sit on the couch set.

Purvi: Yeh lijiye! Paani pijiye. Waise aapko itna late kaise hogaya?

Ruhaan's reverie broke with Purvi's voice but he couldn't listen what she said. So, thought to ask again.

Ruhaan: Huh? Kya?

Thinking that she offended him, Purvi put her question in better words.

Purvi: Mera matlab hai ki bahut lambi baat ho rahi hogi nahi? Aapko 6 ghante lag gaye aane mein.

Ruhaan: Nahi woh, baat adhe ghante mein hogayi thi. Woh, mujhe bhookh lag gayi zor se, toh apne liye kuch mangwa liya tha. Aur tumhare liye bhi leke aagaya. Pata tha tum kuch khayi nahi hogi. Aur traffic bahut tha. Upar se adhe raste mein ek office call aagaya tha. So late hogaya.

Purvi: Accha! Aap room chaliye. Main yeh packet kitchen mein rakh kar aati hun.

Purvi walked till kitchen, and Ruhaan followed her because something in his heart made him do so. Yes, he can't forget Pranati but he couldn't also forget the fact that Ruhaan was married to Purvi. And he has certain responsibilities towards her, which he has been neglecting since the past 9 years somewhere or other. So, he sat on the dinning chair and thought to strike a small talk.

Ruhaan: Bhola kahan hai!? Uski cycle bahar nahi hai.

Purvi: Maine usse jaane ke liye keh diya hai. Rohan ko aana nahi hai, aur aap aagaye hai, toh mujhe kahin jaana nahi hai. Toh kyun usko rok kar rakhun. Plus bahut din se woh apne ghar nahi gaya time se. Toh aaj bhej diya maine.

Ruhaan: Rohan nahi aayega aaj? Uska message aaya tha?

Purvi: Amm, woh phone kiya tha usne. Uski.....uski kuch party hai friends ke saath.

Ruhaan: Kya? Phir se party? Tumhare ladle ka dhyaan padhai par kam aur matargasti pe zyada hai. Kabhi party kabhi girlfriend.

Purvi came out of kitchen, and replied to him.

Purvi: Baccha hai. Abhi apni life enjoy nahi karega toh kab karega? Ek baar business sambhalne lag jayega toh dost yaar ke liye time kahan milega usse?

Ruhaan: Baccha hai baccha hai bol bol kar tumne hi usse sar par chadha rakha hai.

Purvi: Usne kabhi padhai ke saath compromise toh nahi kiya hai na Ruhaan. Academics mein strong hai Rohan.
Accha! Ab aap yeh sab chodiye. Chaliye! Upar room mein chaliye. Aaram kar lijiyega. Accha lagega.

Ruhaan nodded, and started walking towards the stairs with Purvi behind him. Ruhaan opened the door to find their room decorated with fairy lights and his favorite white carnations.

Ruhaan gasped at this sight, and his stomach took a turn, when he sensed Purvi's arms slipping around his waist and her face resting on his back. He could feel his throat constricting and his breath getting heavier.

Ruhaan: Purvi yeh sab......

Purvi: Kaisa laga?

Ruhaan: Par yeh sab kyun.....

Purvi came in front of him, she helped him walk inside, and made him sit on the bed. She closed the door, and sat next to him.

Purvi: Aapke liye! Aur mere liye! Bahut din hogaye hume apas mein waqt bitaye. Toh aaj mauka mila, toh maine yeh sab kar liya. Aapko accha nahi laga?

Ruhaan gave her a faint smile and said: Nahi aissi baat nahi hai.

Purvi got excited and started talking about how she got all the things and decorated the room, how she made Bhola run to the laundry shop and got her saree dry clean fast, and she took 20 mins in deciding her look. When Purvi looked at her husband, she found him lost.

Purvi: Ruhaan! Kya hua?

Ruhaan: Haan? Kya?

Purvi: Wohi toh main puch rahi hun Ruhaan! Kya hua? Aap khoye khoye lag rahe hai.

Ruhaan: Kuch nahi Purvi.

Purvi: Pranati ji se baat acchi nahi gayi?

Ruhaan: Nahi nahi. Baat acche se hogayi thi.

Purvi: Toh phir kya baat hai? Office mein kuch gadbad huyi hai kya? Haan! Wohi baat hai. Ruhaan! Kitne din se dekh rahi hun, aap bahut zyada stress le kar kaam kar rahe hai. Aap ek kaam kariye, kuch din ki chutti le lijiye office se. Aisse kaam karenge toh bimaar pad jayenge. Par usse pehle mujhe apni problem bataiye. Thodi madad karne ki koshish karungi.

Ruhaan was already frustrated with his restless emotions, and now Purvi's constant chattering got the worst out of him, and he shouted. He shouted on his 9 years old wife.

Ruhaan: Tum! Tum ho meri problem! Jab se aaya hun bole hi ja rahi ho. Kabhi yeh kabhi woh. Dikh raha hai na ki main pareshaan hun toh meri pareshaani kyun badha rahi ho. Ek min ke liye chup nahi raha jaata tumse. Issi wajah se. Issi wajah se main ghar nahi aata! Office mein ruk jaata hun! Kyunki ghar aate hi tum shuru ho jaati ho! Pura time jubaan chalti rehti ho.

Purvi who never faced the wrath her husband, got startled. She immediately looked down, and tried controlling her tears which rested on the brink of her eyes. She opened her mouth to apologize but was interrupted by her angry husband.

Ruhaan: Aur kya kaha tumne? Chutti le lun? Rest kar lun? Kaam aaram se karun? Janti bhi ho agar main kaam aaram se karne laga toh yeh jo mehenge kapde aur jewellery pehnti ho, woh sab bandh ho jayega, jo aishon aaram se jee rahi ho woh bhi bandh ho jayega, aur tumhara ladla jo mehenge kapde pehenta hai, Churchgate mein jo luxury apartment hai uska uska rent nahi aayega, aur toh aur shehzade ka college ki fees bhi ruk jayegi. Tumne khud toh apni padhai beech mein chod di. Job karne ke value nahi pata aur mujhe gyaan dene chali ho. Ghar par pura din bas sofe ya yahan bedroom mein baithi rehti ho. Saj sawarke. Naukar chakar rakhe hai maine, unko order deti ho. Khud ek kaam tak nahi karti tum. Aur mujhe apne jaisa banana chahti ho. Tumhe kya lagta hai paise ped pe ugte hai. Jo main gaya tod kar le aaya! Mere paas tumhare Papa ki tarah khandaani haweliyan nahi hai, jo zaroorat padne par bayech dun ya hotel banake paisa kama lun. Main mehnat se paisa kamata hun. Par tum uski value thodi samjhogi. Professional life kaisa hota tumhe thodi pata hai. Tum aaj tak 12th ki science par atki ho. Bas apni reputation bachane ke liye sabko jhooth bolta hun ki tumne distance mein apni graduation complete ki hai.

Purvi's dam of patience broke. She was very hurt with what Ruhaan had sprawled. Yes, she didn't study further after the 12th standard. But that didn't mean that he can demean her. And today she decided to take stand for herself. Purvi stood up and raised her voice, which startled Ruhaan.

Purvi: Bas! Bahut bol diya aapne Ruhaan! Haan! Haan maine 12th ke baad padhai nahi ki hai. Chod di padhai. Par kiske liye? Kiske liye chodi? Aapko bhi pata hai ki mera sapna ek ophthalmologist banne ka tha. Par maine apna sapna aapke aur aapke bhai ke liye choda! NEET dene wali thi, par apne exam wale din aapke naam ki mehendi lagwa rahi thi. Taaki agle din aapke saath shaadi karke, aapke 11 saal ke bhai ko woh sab dun jo aap nahi de paaye. Usko woh pyaar aur woh ghar dun jo aapne usse nahi diya. Yaad hai na aapko humari shaadi se pehle aap aur Rohan kaise rehte the? Khane ka thikana nahi tha. Kabhi dal mein paani zyada hota tha toh kabhi kam. Do roti ko milke khate the. Ek hi shirt pura hafte pehente the kyunki kapde dhona aata nahi tha aap dono ko. Maine aake aap dono ko thik se khane banake khilana shuru kiya. Roz aapke kapde dhoti thi. Aap jitna bhi rasaan late the utne mein pura mahina chalati thi, kabhi aap dono ko bhookhe pet sone nahi di. Chahe main bhookha reh jaun.

Aur kya kaha aapne mehenge kapde aur jewellery jo main pehenti hun. Aap agar bhul gaye hai toh yaad dila dun. Kolkata mein jab aapka business chalne laga tha, aapko naam milne laga tha tab aap hi aake mujhe bole the Purvi ab tum businessman Ruhaan Roy Choudhary ki biwi ho. Kya purane aur phike kapde peheni ho. Acche kapde lao. Ghar par saj sawar ke raho. Agar mujhe mehenge kapdo ka shouk hota Ruhaan, toh apne Papa se kehkar har mahine mangwa ke pehenti. Par mujhe kabhi mehenge kapde aur jewellery attract kiye hi nahi. Shaadi se pehle bhi main simple rehti thi. Aur aapne hi mujhe maana kiya tha na kaam karne se. Par phir bhi! Phir bhi main roz 5 baje uthkar aapke liye khana banati hun. Aapke nashte se leke, sone se pehle ke coffee ke cup tak, sab main banati hun. Aap agar office mein ho toh Bhola ke haathon bhejti hun. Bahar hote ho, toh Sunil ko lambi list bhejti hun ki aapko kya dena hai aur kya nahi.

Ruhaan! Main aapki biwi hun. Apna sab kuch chod ke maine ek 11 saal ke bacche ko palne ka faisla liya tha. Aapke liye. Aap ghar par rehte nahi the, kisi function mein jaate nahi the, kisi rishtedaar se milte nahi the. Aapko kya pata mere character par kitne sawal uthe. Mere aur Rohan ki bond par kitne sawal uthe. Log meri mamta ko hawas ka naam dete the. Uske school mein usko uske dost chidhate the ki usko uski biology ke classes uski bhabhi deti hogi. Kyunki Bhaiya toh hai nahi. Bhabhi apne devar se hi kaam chalti hogi. Uske anshuon ko, uske sawaalon ko, uske mann ke darr ko, maine dur kiya tha! Aur aaj bhi karti hun. Usko Maa ka pyaar dene mein kam taane nahi sune hai maine. Maine yeh sab sunke ansuna kiya kyunki main aapse pyaar karti hun. Maine Rohan ko apna beta maana hai. Uss 18 saal ki Purvi ne apni duniya ko dabbe bandh karke Hoogly mein baha diya, taaki woh apne pati ko aur uske 11 saal ke bhai ko parivaar de sake. Aapko pata bhi hai, jab ek 18 saal ki ladki aaj ke zamane mein shaadi karne ke faisla leti hai, toh itne sawal uthte hai uss par. Aapke baare mein bhi sawal uthe the. Aapne bhi 20 saal ki umra mein shaadi ki thi mujhse. Nabalik the aap. Aapki izzat ko bachate bachate mein bezzat ho jati thi. Phir bhi maine uff tak nahi kaha kyunki mujhe lagta tha aap mujhe main jaisi hun waisa mujhse pyaar karte hai. Aapko meri sachai pata hai.

Par aaj! 9 saal mein maine jitne mein beizzati sahi, jitne taane sune, jitne sawal sune, woh sab aaj ke aapke ravaiye ke saamne chote pad gaye! Mere 9 saal ke himmat aur patience ko ek sec mein tod diya woh sab kehkar.

Ruhaan: Purvi......

Purvi: Nahi! Nahi Ruhaan! Main aapse aapka dukh sukh bantne ke liye aapse baat karti hun. Kyunki aapne toh mujhse baat karna bandh kar diya hai. Mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi, kab aapne mujhe pyaar se ek smile di thi, mujhe chuhna aur mujhse baat karna toh dur ki baat hai. Roz! Roz aapke liye saj sawar ke baithti hun taaki aapki nazar mujh par pade aur aap pehle ki tarah mere saath waqt guzare. Baccha plan nahi karna, yeh aapka decision tha jo maine bina kuch bole maana. Iss baat par bhi kuch kam nahi suna hai maine. Kisine yeh nahi jaane ki koshish ki, ki kyun hum baccha nahi kar rahe. Sabne bolna shuru kar diya ki shayad mujh mein kami hai. Tabhi toh Ruhaan kabhi Purvi ke saath nahi dikhta. Phir bhi! Phir bhi! Roz ek aisee intezaar mein din guzarti hun, jiska result mujhe pata hai kya hoga. Dard! Taklif! Aur khalipan.

Aapne apne paise se yeh alishan ghar, naukar chakar, kapde, jewellery, gaadiyaan toh kharid li. Par afsoos inn sab ke badle, aapne humara khubsurat rishta bayech diya. Aur! Agar koi aake mujhe yeh kahe ki Aapka extramarital affair hai toh main suprise nahi hungi. Kya pata ho! Hafte ke 7 mein se sirf 3 raat aap yahan hote hai. Aur woh 3 bhi kabhi kabhi 0 ho jaate hai. Aap bina mere baare mein soche nikal jaate hai. Kabhi nahi sochte ki Purvi itne bade ghar mein akele kaise rehti hai? Shukr hai, ghar aissi jagah li hai jahan log hai. Warna main pagal ho jaati. Mujhe akelepan kha jaata. Marr jaati main. Kyunki aap toh adhe din hote hi nahi hai. Aapko pata hai ki mujhe andhere se aur khalipan se kitna darr lagta hai. Phir bhi aap mujhe akela chod dete hai. Kitne zid ke baad aapne peeche servant room banane ke liye haan kaha tha. Aapko pata bhi hai, current chale jaane se mujhe humari cook Girija ka sahara lena padta hai, apne darr ko dur karne ke liye.

Ruhaan: Tumne mujhse kuch....kuch kaha kyun nahi?

Purvi: Kaise kehti? Aur kisse kehti? Diwaron se? Kyun iss alishan bangale mein mere alawa bas yeh diware the. Aap nahi the. Aur kab aapko kehti? Haan? Subah 8 baje aate hai, nashta karke phir chale jaate hai. Aur agar kismat se raat ko aate hai, toh dinner khake so jaate hai nahi toh study mein baith jaate hai. Maine apna akelepan apne andar baandh kar rakha hai Ruhaan! Taaki uski awaaz aap tak na pahunche. Aur aapne! Aapne aaj uss awaaz ko majboor kar diya bahar aane ko.

Purvi wiped her tears which were flowing continuously, and walked till her wardrobe. She picked her wallet and started walking out of the room.

Ruhaan: Purvi! Kahan ja rahi ho?

Purvi: Ek aissi jagah jahan kisi ko mujhse koi complaint na ho. Aur jisse meri baatein kit kit na lage. Aapko apka alishan ghar aur iski shanti mubarak raho.

And she left. Ruhaan sat on his bed with his head in between his palms. He never intended to burst out on Purvi and speak all nonsense. He was well aware of the sacrifices Purvi made to give Rohan a family. Yes, he never fell in love with Purvi the way he loved Pranati or still loves Pranati. But the love and respect that he had for Purvi was incomparable and something different.

Ruhaan saw his and Purvi's photo frame on the bedside table. He walked till there, and lifted that frame.

Ruhaan: Purvi! I am really sorry. Mera intention tumhe chot pahunchane ka bilkul nahi tha. In fact main tumhe kabhi dard nahi de sakta. Par jaisa insaan main ban chuka hun. Uske baad main na chah kar bhi tumhe dard de raha hun. Tumhe ab tak mere one night stands ke baare mein nahi pata aur tumne aaj aissa react kiya. Agar pata chal jayega toh, pata nahi kya hoga.
Nahi! Main Purvi ko pata hi lagne dunga. 9 saal humare rishte ki insult ki hai. Ab aur nahi karunga. Tumhe maana ke iss ghar mein wapas launga. Aur tumhare liye woh pati bankar dikhaunga, jaisa pati tum deserve karti ho. Par! Par uss......
Nahi nahi! Uske baare mein baad mein dekhunga. Mere liye mera parivaar, meri Purvi aur Rohan zyada important hai. Rohan ko apne past ke kaale saaye se bachane ke liye main aissa bana. Par iska asar Rohan aur Purvi par bahut zyada pad raha hai. Jo sahi nahi hai. Aur ab mera naam bada hogaya hai. Ab woh mera kuch nahi kar sakta. Par agar usne.....nahi nahi. Main Rohan aur Purvi ko kuch hone hi nahi dunga. Purvi kal subah ko maan jayegi. Par Rohan? Usko manna muskil hoga.

On the other side, Purvi had hailed an auto for Rohan's apartment. She had wiped her face, and did some touch up so that Rohan won't get a hint of Ruhaan and Purvi's fight. When Purvi rang the bell, Rohan's flat had his friends.

Rohan: Boudi! Tumi ekhane?

Purvi: Haan. Woh Ruhaan ka aane ka plan cancel hogaya aur maine iss wajah se servants ko chutti de di. Aur main ghar par akeli thi. Isliye yahan aagayi. Par tu apni party continue rakh. Main disturb nahi karungi kisiko.

Rohan's friend: Bhabhi! Aap kaisi baatein kar rahi hai? Aap disturb kar hi nahi sakte. In fact aap aagaye toh aur mazza aayega. Aayiye humare saath games kheliye.

Purvi: Aaj nahi beta. Phir kabhi. Woh thodi thakkan ho rahi hai. Tum log continue karo. Rohan! Beta main room ko ja rahi hun.

Rohan nodded, and Purvi went to the room. She sat there, and exhaled loudly. She closed her eyes, and started to absorb what happened. She was very upset with Ruhaan for the burst out. But somewhere or the other, she felt that he spoke what was bitter but true.

Rohan had sensed that something wasn't right the moment Purvi walked in. He could see the excitement when Purvi had texted her to not to come to Juhu, and have a blast with his friends. He also knew that Ruhaan not coming home isn't the reason behind Purvi's upsetting mood. He knew if that was the case, she would have either called Girija the cook, or him.

Purvi had just come out of the washroom, after freshening up when she saw Rohan sitting on the bed.

Purvi: Tu yahan kya kar raha hai?

Rohan: Boudi jahan, Rohan wahan.

Purvi: Par tere dost aaye huye hai bittu!

Rohan: Aaye the. Maine wapas bhej diya.

Purvi: Kya! Kyun?

Rohan: Jab kabhi mujhe aapki zaroorat padi hai, aap mere saath hote ho. Toh ab jab aapko meri zaroorat hai, main party karun? Not fair!

Purvi: Haan par abhi mujhe teri waisi zaroorat nahi hai bittu.

Rohan: Boudi! Jaise aap mujhe samjhti ho waise main bhi aapko janta hun. Kuch baat toh hai. Main acche se janta hun ki kab aap genuinely mere aas paas rehna chahte ho, aur kab aap kisi baat se pareshan hai. Boliye na! Kya baat hai?

Purvi: Uff fo! Accha, mera aur tere Dada ka ek chota sa jhagda hua hai. Isiliye main yahan aagayi. Bas! Khush?

Rohan: Jhagda! Kyun?

Purvi (to herself): Rohan apne Dada se bahut pyaar karta hai. Agar sach bata diya toh, uske mann mein uske Dada ka samman kam ho jayega. Nahi. Main aissa nahi hone de sakti.

(to Rohan): Kuch khas nahi Beta! Regular! Pati patni ki baatein. Accha tu tension maat le. Main thodi der aaram kar leti hun. Uthne ke baad dinner karenge, okay?

Rohan: Ji Boudi.

He smiled at her and left. Rohan sat on the couch, and started thinking.

Rohan: Itna pata hai ki Boudi ko Dada ke sexual affairs ke baare mein nahi pata. Mann toh kar raha hai bata dun. Par Boudi Dada par bahut bharosa karti hai aur pyaar bhi. Kis munh se bolun. Hey bhagwaan, ab sab aapke haath mein hai.

He might have sat there for 10-15 mins, after which he decided to walk towards the room where Purvi was resting. He saw that she had dozed off. So he softly dragged a chair, and sat near the bed so that he can know when she wakes to get something. But the surety of his Boudi being here, and the silence of the room made him sleep on the chair.