After attending Jay's call, Sidharth went back to his room and lied down on the bed. But he didn't feel sleepy. He was just too happy to sleep now. His Khushali finally accepted her love for him and even confessed it.

He wished that it all had happened in normal circumstances, then his happiness would've doubled, unlike now, when he knew well what was coming for them. The truth, that one truth had so much power to destroy his and Khushali's relationship. And he would tell her it soon, very soon.

'She'll believe me! I know she would.'

He turned to face Khushali and Amaira, both of who looked really cute as they cuddled with each other. He couldn't help but smile at his wife and niece. 'Isn't this the cutest thing I've ever seen?'

Surely, this was the cutest scene for him. He kept looking at the two most important woman in his life, one his wife, his love and other, his lovely niece, his angel.

A few minutes later, he felt Khushali hold his hand. He looked at her and found her awake. Careful enough to not wake Amaira, he whispered to Khushali, "You're still awake? I thought you were sleeping."

"Acha, and you're sleep talking na? Aren't you supposed to sleep as well?" Khushali asked him mockingly.

Sidharth smiled sheepishly and said, "Wo I didn't feel like sleeping. But hey, you were sleeping na?"

Khushali smiled at him and replied, "Yes I was. But due to the noise when you shut the door, I woke up."

"Oh! Sorry," said Sidharth in a little guilty voice.

"Arre it's okay! Anyway, tomorrow is Sunday, so you know we can sit and talk now. What say?" Khushali chirpily asked Sidharth.

Sidharth instantly sat up and said excitedly, "Sure sure! Wait, I'll get ice cream for us."

Khushali got up to and said, "Okay. Let's sit in the balcony. I don't want to disturb Ammu's sleep."

Sidharth mumbled okay and quietly moved downstairs to get ice cream for them. He opened the fridge to take out ice cream, when he felt someone standing behind him. Closing the refrigerator door, he turned and saw his sister-in-law standing behind him with a teasing smile plastered on her lips.

Sidharth kept the ice cream bowl down and said, "Bhabhi what are you doing here?"

"Oh I was waiting here to catch my dearest brother-in-law stuffing himself with ice cream at 3 in morning," Meher said dryly.

Sidharth chuckled lightly and said defensively, "C'mon Bhabhi, I wasn't eating it. I was taking it for Khushali."

Meher smirked at him and chortled, "Ohh for Khushali? Arre wah Sid!"

"Bhabhi waise what are you doing here? I was here for ice cream, but what are you doing here?" Sidharth teasingly asked Meher.

"Arre it's because of your brother. He's feeling hungry and asked me to make something for him. That's why I came here," Meher said in a annoyed tone.

Sidharth laughed and said, "Bhai and his hunger! Okay you make something for him while I'll go and have this ice cream with Khushali."

Meher smiled and said, "Yeah okay. Waise you look really happy today. What's the matter Sid?"

"Umm Bhabhi, well me and Khushali, actually Khushali confessed her love for me. You were so right Bhabhi," Sidharth happily said.

"That's so good Sidharth! I'm so happy for you and Khush! And I'm always right baby brother," Meher said while pulling Sidharth's cheeks.

Sidharth blushed and said shyly, "Bhabhi I'm a full grown, married man now. Don't pull my cheeks like this."

Meher frowned at him and huffed, "Even when you'll become a father na, I'll pull your cheeks like this only. No matter how grown you'll be, you'll always be my baby brother."

"Yeah that's true Di! Your brother-in-law will always be a baby," Khushali said while keeping her chin on her sister's shoulder.

Khushali was waiting for Sidharth to return to their room but when he didn't, she decided to go and see what was taking him so long. When she reached the kitchen, she saw Meher teasing Sidharth and quickly joined in their conversation.

Sidharth blushed more and muttered in a fake irritating tone, "Yeah yeah!"

"But even if he's a baby, atleast he shares everything with me, unlike you," Meher said in a fake hurt tone.

Khushali, confused with her sister's remark, said, "What?"

Meher shoved Khushali away from herself and went to stand near the kitchen cabinet and dramatically said, "Yes, he told me about your confession. You really hurt me Khushu. I thought my baby shares everything with me but sadly that's not true."

Khushali glared at Sidharth, who was chuckling seeing his Bhabhi's drama. She slapped his arm lightly which made him stop laughing and went to stand beside her sister.

Hugging her sister, she sweetly said, "C'mon Di, I was about to tell you this tomorrow. I would've told you before only but you were sleeping and then Sidharth informed you about this. You know your baby sister loves you so much na. Please forgive me. I'm sorry!"

Meher, not being to resist her baby sister's sweet apology, hugged her back and said, "Aww baby I'm very happy for you both! God always keep you both happy." She then looked at Sidharth and said, "What are you doing there Sidharth? Come here and join us."

Sidharth too came and joined the hug. It was really a happy moment for the Mehras.

After few seconds, they all broke apart and saw Aditya standing there with a not so happy face. Seeing him, the other three broke into laughter as they knew he was very hungry now.

As they all laughed, Aditya frowned and said sarcastically, "Meher if you're done with your 'Bharat Milap' then please cook something for me, I'm dying with hunger. And congratulations Sid and Khushu. Meher please hurry up!"

"Thanks Jeeju. And Di please haan quickly cook something for my poor Jeeju. He's so much hungry now. You know Jeeju your wife is like that only. Always gets busy in talking and forget to do her work," Khushali told her brother-in-law.

Meher slapped her arm and huffed jokingly, "Acha Khushu? You just think like that about haan? Now go quickly from here or else I won't let you guys have this ice cream."

Sidharth quickly grabbed the ice cream bowl and along with a giggling Khushali left for his room. Aditya and Meher laughed at their childish antic. Meher then got busy with making sandwiches for Aditya.

Reaching their room, both Sidharth and Khushali went to the balcony of their room and burst into splits. Once they were done, they sat down on the floor and started having their ice cream.

While taking a bite, Sidharth, hesitantly asked, "Umm Khushali, I wanted to know something...."

"What Sidharth? Don't tell me you want to know whether I trust you or not because I do trust you Sidharth," Khushali said while taking another bite of ice cream.

"No it's not that Khushali. I want to know, what if someday you get to know, I did something which, which was wrong in every sense and had ruined a few lives. Will you understand me or get to conclusion without letting me explain my point?" Sidharth asked Khushali in a serious yet fearful tone.

Khushali, catching his seriousness, replied, "Look Sidharth, when I say I trust you, I mean it. And if that situation ever arises, I would definitely let you explain yourself before I get to any conclusion. But that would never happen because I know you can never do anything wrong."

Her answer made Sidharth feel guilt surged up in his heart. He looked down at his feet, not being able to face her as he knew he was nothing like the image she had of him. Once he told her the truth, he knew, his current image would definitely make Khushali cheated. But he still hoped against hope that it won't be so bad.

Khushali tapped his shoulder and raised her eyebrows, asking what happened to him.

Sidharth shook his head in no and said, "Nothing! That's really nice to know you have so much faith in me. But don't you think, having so much faith in someone is risky? I mean you know it could hurt you too."

"I know it's risky and takes loads of guts to put your faith in someone but I believe when we know that someone is worthy of your trust, then there's no need of a second thought for putting your faith in them. You just know they deserve your trust," Khushali said in a pensive tone.

"Hmm I agree. Anyway, I'm sleepy now. C'mon let's go to bed," Sidharth said while getting up from the balcony floor.

He forwarded his hand to Khushali, who grabbed it and got up. Both of them then moved inside and Sidharth locked the glass door of the balcony. Khushali went and lied beside Amaira while Sidharth lied on the other side Amaira.

Khushali glanced at Sidharth and found him staring at the ceiling, in deep thoughts. She didn't know why but she felt something was seriously wrong and was severely bothering Sidharth. And he wasn't even able to share it with her.

'I hope whatever it is, gets resolved soon and doesn't bother him much!'

She fell asleep soon as she was quite sleepy.

But only if she had any idea that she was the only one who was linked with his distressed state.

Sidharth felt a lot guiltier as now he knew how much faith Khushali had in him. He didn't know why but with each passing second, he felt his happiness, that he felt after Khushali's confession, fade away. Maybe because his culpability was reminding him of his sins, which were terrible enough to term him as a criminal, a cheater.

While thinking about his crimes, he didn't know when sleep took over and soon he was peacefully sleeping, dreaming about his future with Khushali when everything will be fine after they'll be out of the mess, they were currently in.

It was 10 in morning when Sidharth woke up. Khushali was already up and had taken bath after which she went downstairs to prepare tea. She had just entered the room with two cups of tea for herself and Sidharth, when he woke up.

Sidharth sat up on the bed and said while yawning, "Good morning wifey!"

"Good morning hubby! Now go and brush your teeth, or else your tea will get cold," Khushali said while settling on the recliner with morning newspaper.

Sidharth nodded and got up from the bed. He went inside the bathroom and washed his face. After brushing his teeth, he went out. He wiped his face with towel and sat beside Khushali and picked up his cup of tea.

After having her tea, Khushali went downstairs to help Meher in preparing Sunday brunch. Amaira was up as well and had went to her room to take bath. Sidharth too went and took bath, after which he headed downstairs for having his meal.

The Mehra family sat together and enjoyed their Sunday brunch. Arhaan and Kavya as usual, joined them all and Kavya, after getting to know about Khushali and Sidharth's love confession from Meher, teased the duo endlessly while these two kept blushing.

While Kavya was teasing them, Sidharth's grandmother Prabha, joined her granddaughter and said teasingly, "Waise Sid, you know it's time now that I get another great grandchild. Aditya and Meher has already made me a great grandmother, now it's your and Khushali's turn."

Khushali's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as all eyes turned to her. Sidharth was blushing as well and tried to cover up, "C'mon haan Dadi, that's not fair. Kavya got married before me, so I think it's her and Arhaan's turn to give you a great grandchild, haina Kavya?"

And this was Kavya and Arhaan's turn to blush. Khushali giggled seeing her ever so frank sister-in-law blush like a school girl.

"Don't you think Sid, me and Kavya are too young to be parents? We'll have kids when we'll be old enough for them," Arhaan said shyly.

Sidharth rolled his eyes and cried, "Acha, you both are too young for kids? And me and Khushali aren't? That's not fair."

"Ohh Sid, stop being kid. Just last night you were saying you're a mature grown up. So what happened now?" Aditya mockingly asked his brother.

Sidharth was about to reply when the doorbell rang. Meher got up from her chair and said, "I'll see."

Others mumbled okay and Sidharth didn't say anything more as he saw the mischievous glint in his brother and sister's eyes since he knew they both would tease him even more if he answered anything back. So he chose to concentrate on the yummy 'Aloo Paranthe', he was eating.

Meher then came back to the dining area, but there was someone else with her too who was hiding his face behind a flower bouquet.

She stood near the dining table and said cheerfully, "You know who dropped in here to give us a surprise visit? See yourself guys!"

And just as she finished speaking, the guy revealed his face to everyone by moving the flower bouquet aside which he was carrying. He then flashed them all a big genuine smile.

All except Arhaan and Sidharth, smiled back at him even Khushali who didn't know anything about him. Arhaan and Sidharth froze on their places as they weren't expecting this visitor. Their visitor was none other than 'He'.....

"Rehaan Shah! What a pleasant surprise beta," said Shravan as he stood up from his chair to greet Rehaan.

Rehaan walked to him and said politely, "Hello uncle! How are you?"

Shravan shook his hand with Rehaan and replied, "I'm great beta, like always. You say, it's been more than two years since we all met you last. You didn't even come on your best friend's wedding. Busy man haan?"

"Nai nai uncle nothing like that. I would've attended Sid's wedding if he had informed me before rather than last minute and then my work. Things were a little crucial, couldn't have taken off so had to give my best friend's wedding a miss," Rehaan said softly. Though it was pretty clear to Sidharth that he was just making up an excuse.

Aarti shook her head at her husband and said in a chiding tone, "Offo Shravan, let him relax for a minute. You can interrogate him later. Rehaan beta c'mon join us na."

Rehaan tried to deny, but Meher made him sit down beside Sidharth and served him Paranthe and juice. He smiled at Khushali and passing her the flower bouquet, said, "This is for you Khushali, since I couldn't attend your and Sid's wedding."

Khushali hesitantly took it and said, "Thank you Rehaan!"

She felt weird as Sidharth had never told her anything about Rehaan and going by what Shravan said, he was Sid's best friend. 'Then why did he never told me anything about Rehaan?'

She decided to ask Sidharth later and resumed her brunch. But she did noticed the looks that were being passed between Sidharth, Arhaan and Rehaan, which according to her, was strange as they all were friends. She didn't get the reason behind this weird looks game.

But she failed to notice the mixed emotions filled looks that Rehaan was giving her. Strange!

As they all were done with their meals, Sidharth said, "Ah mom, dad, me and Arhaan are going in study room with Rehaan. Kavya bring coffee for us, okay?"

"But Sid, let us talk to Rehaan after all its been so long since we've seen him last," Aditya said.

"Yes Bhai, but it's a little urgent, about work," Arhaan tried to convince Aditya.

Raising his hands up in air, Aditya chortled, "Fine, fine, go! You guys and your work! I don't want to be blamed for any loss of your shares."

"Arre nai Bhai there's nothing like that. We promise as soon as we'll be done, we'll leave Rehaan with you and you can torture him as much as you want," Arhaan winked at Aditya at the end of his sentence.

Aditya laughed and went to sit on the sofa in the living area and started talking with his parents and grandmother.

Sidharth along with Arhaan and Rehaan, moved to the study room quickly. Once they went inside, Arhaan closed the door. As he turned, he saw Sidharth holding Rehaan by his collar and yelling in a rage filled voice, "Who told you to come here? Who told you? Didn't I tell you to stay in Arhaan's apartment? Didn't I? Then what the hell are you doing here? Do you even know how dangerous it is for you and us, if you loiter around like this? Everything will be ruined because of you! Our plan will go straight into drain because of you and we'll all get behind the bars! ALL BECAUSE OF YOU REHAAN!"

Arhaan tried to free Rehaan from Sidharth's hold as he knew Sidharth was extremely infuriated with Rehaan's visit. But Sidharth's rage would only harm their plan further instead of resolving things. So Arhaan thought to first calm them down, then talk.

"Leave him Sidharth! Leave him! And keep your voice low. Do you want our entire family, especially Khushali Bhabhi to know anything before time? Do you? Leave him Sidharth, let him speak!" Arhaan said while freeing Rehaan from Sidharth's strong hold.

Reluctantly, Sidharth freed Rehaan but unable to control his anger, punched the wall, which ended up covering his hand with his own blood. But he didn't care, because at the moment there were so many things which needed his attention, and his wound wasn't one of them.

Rehaan sat down on the couch after Sidharth left him and said in a low voice, "I know I shouldn't have come but I had no choice. In just some hours there, I felt like a prisoner again, this time locked up in that apartment."

Sidharth glanced at Arhaan, who brought the first aid kit for him and then turned to look at Rehaan. With gritted teeth, he muttered sarcastically, "Yeah right, you're the only one who feels like a prisoner? We all are just like free souls who doesn't have to fear anyone, right Mr. Selfish!"

"No! I know you all are as much troubled as I am. Especially you Sidharth! You're so much distressed that you ended up marrying the cause of our condition. That Khushali Kapoor! Because of whom I'm in this state where I can't even go around freely without any fear. If not for her, we all wouldn't have been in this mess," Rehaan spoke venomously.

"Don't take my wife's name with so much disrespect! And better don't drag her into this. You also know she has nothing to do with all this," Sidharth said in threatening voice.

Rehaan, with clenched his fists and anger filled voice said, "Wow haan Sidharth, that woman is now your wife! The same woman who is responsible for this mess! The same woman whom Sagar trusted the most, and ultimately lost his life because of her! The same woman because of whom you broke my sister's heart and dumped her! And I know she's gonna be the same woman who's going to lead us into jail because I'm sure she doesn't have anything that could bring us out of this trap! And I'm never going to respect a woman like that! I hate her Sidharth! I hate your filthy wife!"

And Sidharth couldn't control himself anymore after this. He got up from his place and in swift strides reached where Rehaan was and holding him by his collar again, he started punching him, not caring about anything.

"HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY WIFE? HOW DARE YOU REHAAN? I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY BEST FRIEND, WHO UNDERSTANDS ME AND KNOWS WHY I LEFT MAYERA. BUT NO I WAS WRONG! HELL WRONG! YOU'RE JUST SOME SELFISH FILTHYJERK!" Sidharth yelled at Rehaan while punching him.

Arhaan ran his fingers through his hairs as he knew this matter was going out of hands now. He quickly called Jay and told him to reach Sidharth's house soon. He was glad the study room doors were soundproof and plus was in the most isolated area of the house, because of which no one could hear anything.

He swiftly went and stopped Sidharth from punching Rehaan and grumbled, "Stop it guys! Just stop it! If we are going to fight amongst ourselves only, then definitely we're never getting out of this trap, which is nothing but quicksand for us now. Both of you stop being selfish and think about others who's lives are in danger. Kavya, Mayera, Khushali, Jay, me, your entire family Sidharth, even Amaira! Stop it guys! Stop thinking from your hearts and use your brains!"

As soon as Sidharth heard his family, Khushali and his niece's names, he quickly let go of Rehaan and slumped down on the floor. Covering his face with his hands, he snuffled, "I'm tired guys! I'm tired! I can't do this anymore. I'm a human being too, I can't always be right. Yes I broke Mayera's heart, hurt her and left her when I actually promised her a forever. I know that was cruel, horrendous. I'm her culprit, her criminal. But what choice did I had? I had to break Mayera's heart and marry Khushali instead because that was the only option available to me. And Khushali, how could you even call her filthy when she herself has no idea what I've dragged her into. She doesn't know anything Rehaan! Anything Rehaan! We were wrong to believe that she was aware of things because she isn't. She doesn't know why she's being dragged her into. She doesn't know what she has that's putting her danger. She doesn't know why I married her. And she doesn't whether Sagar's death was an accident or murder. She doesn't know the reason behind his death! She doesn't know anything!"

Rehaan felt guilty seeing his best friend so helpless. In his anger, he ended up hurting his best friend who was doing so much for him. He went and sat beside him and spoke in a guilt ridden voice, "I'm sorry Sidharth. I'm very sorry! You were right, I was being selfish. I was just thinking about myself. I'm sorry for insulting Khushali. I always thought she knew everything. But I was wrong. Very wrong."

Collecting himself together, Sidharth got up from the floor, along with Rehaan. He gave a curt nod to Rehaan and said softly, "It's okay Rehaan. I'm sorry too! I shouldn't have shouted at you like that. But please don't call Khushali with such names and please don't hate her. Like Mayera, she's also innocent. Please don't hate her ever!"

"Because you love her, don't you? You're my best friend Sidharth. I know you the most and after being punched by you, I know you love her. It's just my sister's love, that I... never mind. But hey, how come you be so sure Khushali has or knows something that can be beneficial for us. I mean how could you be so sure?" Rehaan asked in a puzzled tone.

Sidharth took the glass of water that Arhaan passed him and quickly gulped the water down his throat. Keeping the glass aside, he said, "I got to know about it almost a year back, after me and Mayera got engaged. I've told Arhaan and Jay about it but couldn't share it with you because you know that we were being watched. That's why I couldn't share much of the information with you. Anyway, last year.....!"

And then Sidharth started narrating about that incident when he first met Khushali after Sagar's death........

It was another raining day in the month of July, the raining month in most of the northern region of India.

Since it had rained heavily, it was dark outside though it was just 7 in evening. Sidharth, who's work got over early, decided to leave home. While he was packing his bag, his cell phone buzzed with a particular ringtone. Recognising the ringtone at once, he picked it up and said lovingly, "Hey sweetpea! How are you?"

"I'm good Sid, but where are you?" asked his fiancée from the other end.

"Just leaving from work. You say, anything important Mia?" muttered Sidharth in a worried tone.

Mayera, Sidharth's fiancée of two weeks, whom he lovingly called Mia, replied, "No nothing like that. I'm just, I'm just worried for my brother, Sid. How long will he have to stay in London? Till how long will he have go around with all those allegations? Till when is he going to live in fear? Till how long will I live in fear that something wrong might happen to him or you? I'm scared Sidharth. I don't want to lose either of you two. You both mean the world to me. I can't imagine anything happening to you both, ever." And with that she broke into tears.

Sidharth cursed himself for being so helpless. He could understand her situation, after all Rehaan wasn't just Mayera's brother, he was his best friend too. And he was trying his best to save him. But Mayera was ought to be worried for him, though she didn't even know the truth behind her brother's isolation. Simply because Sidharth knew she and her parents would break if they get to know the real cause, the real charges that were against her brother. She didn't deserve all this. Not even a bit!

"Calm down Mayera! Sweetpea please don't cry. You know I don't like seeing you in tears. Please don't cry. I promise, your brother will be fine soon. I promise you! Everyone will be fine. And once that happens, we'll get married. And you know in that same manner in which you always wanted us to, with all those tham gham. So cheer up!" Sidharth said in an affectionate voice.

Mayera giggled and replied chirpily, "Aww Siddy that's very sweet of you. I'm glad that I have you in my life. Anyway have you told your parents about our engagement? I mean they should know na that we are engaged now. Atleast you can tell your parents, since my parents are hell worried for Rehaan."

Sidharth felt a twitch in his heart with Mayera's words. He knew he should've talked to his parents about Mayera, but he didn't. They'd been together for four years, and engaged for last two weeks, yet only his sister knew about his relationship with Mayera.

He loved her, a lot. But couldn't share about her with his family simply because of all the drama that was happening in his life. And he was extremely guilty for this. In a sense, he was taking her for granted and almost betraying her when all she was doing was trusting him with her life. Why couldn't his life be simple?

Sidharth gulped the lump in his throat and tried to speak in a casual voice, "No not yet. But I'm planning to do so by this weekend. Don't worry about anything Sweetpea, I'll manage everything."

"I know you will Sidharth and I would never doubt your words. Anyway why don't you come over my place for dinner. You've been quite busy lately, we hardly spent time after our last date, two weeks ago. And my parents will feel better too. You know they love you just as much as they love me and Rehaan," said Mayera softly.

The idea of spending time with Mayera felt nice to him and he immediately replied, "Yeah sure. I'll be there by 8. See you at your home Mia! Love you!"

Mayera smiled and said sweetly, "Sure! Love you too Sidharth!"

And with that, they ended the call and Sidharth took his bag and left his office. Getting inside the car, he gripped the steering wheel and calmed himself down. He knew Mayera loved him unconditionally, and he too felt the same, but the guilt he had in his heart was killing him from inside. She deserved to know the truth, sooner or later. And he knew, sooner was a better option.

So making up his mind to tell Mayera the truth after the dinner, he started the engine of his car and drove his way out of his office area. Turning up the radio for traffic updates, he drove carefully and slowly as the roads were quite wet and slippery with constant raining.

Since the radio jockey updated about a long traffic jam in Sidharth's usual route, Sidharth decided to go from a different route, which was comparatively less crowded and somewhat isolated. While he was driving through that route, he saw a red car, with all its doors opened and headlights on, parked in an isolated area. There wasn't anyone, and Sidharth could guess something was terribly wrong.

Sensing something weird, Sidharth a responsible citizen, stopped his car and stepped out to investigate. Moving closer to the red car, he instantly recognised it as Kapoor family's car as he remembered all the cars in Meher's family had a similar car number.

He looked inside the car and saw small amount of blood spilled on the driver's seat. He then found a ladies bag, with all its belonging sprawled on the car mat and on the road. There was a driving license too, so he picked it up and found that it bore Khushali's name.

Just as he was looking inside for more clues, he heard footsteps coming towards the car and quickly hid himself behind the walls of the empty building in front of which the car was parked. He then heard voices coming from near the car.

"We need to find that girl at any cost! You know boss would kill us if he gets to know she escaped, alive!" said the first guy.

"Yes we have to find and kill that Kapoor girl," the second guy muttered.

"But I don't think she's here. She escaped. And hey there's another car. It wasn't here before," the first guy said with a tone of surprise.

"You're right. I think we should leave from here or else, if someone catches us here then definitely we'll get in trouble and boss won't be pleased with us," said the second guy.

"Let me call Ronak sir and inform him. We'll leave after that," the first guy said he fished out his phone from his pocket.

"Ronak?" Sidharth felt as if he had heard this name before. He tried to recall where he had heard this name and then it struck his mind. Everything made sense now. He guessed what was happening and if he was right, then he knew why Khushali was being chased. Everything was crystal clear to him. But the big question was, where was Khushali and if she was fine or not?

Sidharth gasped when he heard the goons say that they'd to kill Khushali and felt a sense of responsibility, but he couldn't look for her as the goons were still there. He remained quiet as he knew they were dangerous and probably armed. He decided to wait till they left. And after ten minutes, he heard the sound of the goons moving away from there as they got on their bike and left.

He peeped out of the small hole in the wall to make sure they had left. Once he was sure, he moved out and started looking for Khushali. He looked around the empty buildings and park but couldn't locate Khushali.

He was passing by an old abandoned building, when he heard the sound of anklets and a girl's sobs. Thinking that it might be Khushali, he walked in the direction from where the noises were coming and saw a girl dressed in a white kurti and a pair of jeans, with her back to him, standing there.

He quietly moved towards her and keeping his hand on her shoulder said, "Khushali!"

And the girl turned. It was Khushali! Her right arm covered in her blood, tears flowing from her eyes and her hairs messed up.

She shivered as felt someone touch her shoulder and instantly turned to see who was there. But she couldn't recognise the stranger as there were no lights and thinking him to be one of the goons, pleaded in scared voice, "P-Please l-let m-me g-go! Please! Take whatever you want. Take my car too! But please don't kill me! Please!"

Sidharth felt this strange pain in his heart as he heard her fearful plea. Holding her by her shoulders, he said, "Khushali it's me, Sidharth. Sidharth Mehra! Your sister's brother-in-law. The goons are gone. You're safe now."

But Khushali didn't believe him and kept asking to leave her alone. Having no choice, Sidharth shook her lightly and flashing his phone's flashlight on his face, said, "It's me Khushali. I'm Sidharth. You're safe now! Really safe!"

And next moment, he felt Khushali hug him. He felt weird with this sudden hug, but knew that she was scared. He never imagined in his wildest dreams that he would meet her like this after three whole years, so weak and frightened, absolutely opposite to the Khushali, he knew.

He hugged her back and kept saying soothing words to her. After a few minutes Khushali came out of the hug and felt awkward with her action just a few minutes ago. Sidharth then noticed her kurti covered with her blood, which was nearly coming off from her shoulder. Khushali followed his gaze and tried to cover up her shoulder with her hands.

Sidharth quickly looked away and taking off his jacket, passed it to her. She reluctant at first, took it and wore it. Sidharth then led her to his car and helped her sit it. He then went collected her belongings and locked the car.

He came back to his car and passed Khushali her handbag with all her belongings and his cellphone to inform her parents that she was fine. He then drove her to her home. While driving he asked her what had actually happened and Khushali narrated him everything how she was being followed for half of her drive from her college to home, how those goons forced her to come out of her car, how they chased her around and how she escaped and hid herself.

Sidharth then asked her whether they asked for something, to which Khushali replied in a frightened voice, "They were asking me whether I know something or carried anything with myself. When I said I don't know anything, they started chasing me. I don't know what they were talking about. All I know is that, this was the third time something like this happened to me, though earlier times nothing ever happened."

And Sidharth understood everything, he believed Khushali as she sounded really genuine. His doubts were confirmed now and he knew what was happening!

While driving he heard his phone buzz and saw 20 missed calls from Mayera and 15 text messages. He knew he was going to hurt Mayera with his actions but he had no choice apart from that. So he switched his phone off and concentrated on driving and doting all the lines in his mind.

One thing was clear to him, he had to take a huge step, which would torment Mayera and save Khushali. But that was the only option available to him! Only option to save everything! Everything!

Rehaan stared at Sidharth as he finished narrating the incident. Arhaan was already aware of this incident, but he could still see the guilt and pain in Sidharth's eyes. As Sidharth finished, two teardrops made their way down Sidharth's cheeks and he wiped them.

"So this is how you got to know about Khushali's link to this mess? Right?", Rehaan asked in a shaken voice.

Sidharth nodded and replied in a lumpy voice, "Yes! Now you know why I had to break up with Mayera and marry Khushali. It was necessary, for her, for Mayera, for everyone else."

Rehaan sat beside him and said in a guilt ridden voice, "I'm very sorry Sidharth for being so rude to you. I'm very sorry for saying those insulting things about Khushali. I'm very sorry!"

Sidharth patted his shoulder and said, "It's okay Rehaan. Now don't cry over that. We have to work together to set things right. So I hope you would cooperate with us now."

"Yes I will," Rehaan said.

"I've called Jay, he'll be reaching here anytime. You go with him Rehaan and please don't go around the city without any security," Arhaan told Rehaan.

Rehaan chuckled and said lightheartedly, "Sure Arhaan, I won't. Even today it wasn't easy getting out but I fooled those officers."

Arhaan and Sidharth chuckled a little and Sidharth said while punching Rehaan's arm lightly, "Saale tu kabhi nai badlega! Hamesha aise aise cheezon me padta hai tu aur hume bhi phasata hai. (Jerk you would never change! You always land yourself in messy things and then you drag us in that as well.)"

Rehaan laughed lightly and replied in a sincere voice, "Because I know you would save me, always. That's what friends do."

Sidharth nodded and said softly, "Yes that's what friends do."

Arhaan then told both of them to clear off the blood and proper their disheveled selves they didn't want anyone to doubt them. Since there was a washroom in the study room, both Sidharth and Rehaan cleaned off themselves and their blood stains. Arhaan then dressed Sidharth's wounded hand.

Around 20 minutes later, they were joined by Jay and joked about Jay's competent and responsible officers whom Rehaan fooled today. Jay was leaving with Rehaan when Aarti and Meher stopped them and requested them to stay for dinner. After much denying they agreed and left after dinner.

Khushali was suspicious about Sidharth's wounded hand but he told her it was nothing. Sidharth then told her an altered version (leaving out Mayera and the problem part) of his friendship with Rehaan. Khushali was happy for him that he finally met his best friend after two years.

But maybe this happiness was transient as a storm was all set to hit them and destroy them completely!

In media section: Aditya Roy Kapoor as Rehaan Shah! ;)