With anticipation of finally learning the truth, Khushali continued to look at Rehaan, who was glaring at Sidharth, who seemed slightly unhappy yet unresponsive to whatever was happening around him.

With one more glare at Sidharth, Rehaan turned to face Khushali and darkly said, "First of all, let me get this straight that what I'm going to tell you, will only be an altered version of the actual course of events. And also as your husband has requested to not indulge you in details, your best not aware of, don't ask any questions later. Otherwise, I'll be rather forced to reveal the part which I'm supposed to keep confidential." Sarcasm quite heavy in his tone.

"What?" said Khushali rather loudly than she wanted it to be, which immediately made her flustered and lowering her voice, she added, "Fine! Go ahead!"

"Okay," said Rehaan, glancing at Sidharth, who though was unresponsive yet had his jaws and hands clenched tightly as if restricting himself from lunging at Rehaan for doing something he actually didn't wish for wholeheartedly.

"So, from what Jay told us, my sister Mayera, and Vivan, have told you about things that Sidharth has been refraining everyone to tell you, right?" said Rehaan intently.

"Yes," said Khushali, "and what they said was something to do with ... ."

"With Sagar's alleged accidental death and the involvement three of us, ie, Arhaan, Sidharth and me, which I believe was shown such that in a manner where I was portrayed as the victim of betrayal, purposely done by these two, your husband, and your brother-in-law, amongst whom, your husband was painted as the main culprit and also Sagar's alleged murderer, right?" said Rehaan quite vehemently.

"Yes, well you're quite right," said Khushali. Then with slight sarcasm, darkly added, "And I really suppose since you know all this, you might as well know some more pieces of information like, I don't really have much faith in the words that your sister and Vivan had tried to put across me."

"Of course, I know that," said Rehaan, still shaky with anger.

"Are we gonna waste our time like that, you know just asking each other things that are quite obvious for everyone present in this room and whose answers we already know. Or you'll just get to the point instead of beating around the bush despite you having said that you'd get directly to the point," said Khushali sassily.

Rehaan looked at her with slight despise, perhaps, his anger was rising up. But before he could speak, Sidharth interrupted him by calmly saying, "I agree with Khushali. But I'd be more glad if you both can keep your cool instead of being sassy with each other and giving cheek. The calmer everyone be, the better the conversation can culminate into something useful instead of turning into a useless argument."

"He's right, calm down both of you, especially you, Khushali," said Raima, rubbing Khushali's arm, now standing beside Khushali.

"Yeah, stay calm. Easy for you to say that, since you know everything!" snapped Khushali.

This muted Raima as she knew Khushali was already miffed with being kept in dark while everyone else around knew the truth. Seeing the current situation, Raima knew it was best to stay quiet.

"It's not about knowing everything, Khushali, it's about acting wisely. I know, and others as well, that you're extremely upset with not knowing anything, whatever is going on. But anger won't solve anything, rather it would ruin thing further, I reckon you know that," said Jay calmly.

Turning to Rehaan, he added, "And the same applies to you as well, Rehaan. I know you're tired of being locked up in this apartment but we have no other choice. You know it's safe for you to stay hidden here rather than roaming out with no assurance of safety."

"Hold on, what do you mean he's to stay hidden here? Rehaan was present on my birthday party yesterday and even some time back when he came to visit us after returning to India, it was safe back then to let him roam out then, what now?" asked a bemused Khushali, not understanding why all of a sudden it wasn't safe for Rehaan to go out of this apartment.

For a small fraction of second, Khushali saw a soft look in Rehaan's eyes, just like yesterday when he wished her. But it turned bitter again after Sidharth answered Khushali's question.

"Because that time, Jay was there with Rehaan, Rehaan wasn't alone. He had Jay, and even few of Jay's subordinates were ordered to make sure of Rehaan's security," said Sidharth, his voice unusually full of his despise when he spoke Rehaan's name.

"But there was no one when Rehaan visited us for the first time, then why now?" asked Khushali, still bemused.

"Oh it's because he wanted to be a rebel, a free bird or a free elf like Dobby, the house elf," said Sidharth sarcastically.

"Sidharth!" snapped Khushali and Sidharth turned quiet.

"Sidharth, don't mess now," said Jay sighingly. "That day Rehaan had escaped my security because he thought it wasn't a big deal if he went around alone. Though he realised it later how grave it could be, even land him directly in jail. Anyway, you're forgetting, Khushali, that day I had come over to escort Rehaan here safely."

The room for few seconds became quiet. Though, Jay had answered Khushali's question, it still didn't clear the fact that why would Rehaan end up behind the bars even after all these two years, was he really guilty? No, I don't think so, thought Khushali.

Whatever Mayera had told her, Khushali was pretty sure that atleast she won't lie about her brother being innocent. Joining the dots, Khushali was pretty sure that Mayera was true about this as hadn't Rehaan himself told her that he had returned from London, which could confirm that he indeed was in isolation in London after selling his shares and company.

And thinking further, when she had quizzed Sidharth about this, he had lied that Rehaan was busy in legal formalities, which certainly was a lie to hide the fact that Rehaan was being kept hidden here in this apartment. But why, was the question. Because from what all she knew about Sagar's death, it was declared an accident and never did anyone ever mentioned to her any of the names that were named as the culprits during the revelation in Mayera's home.

Not even her own father, or even Sagar's father told her that Sagar's death wasn't an accident, and no police report was filed under the charges of murder. It was a case of a road accident, and after some investigation the case was closed once and for all.
What bothered her was, then why was Rehaan, and everyone else acting as if the case was still not close; as if something was still missing in it; as if the case was never what the police had reported it to be; what if certain details were kept hidden by force and might of someone who never wanted any of it to be out and only blackmail these people for their own benefits. Could that be true? Khushali doubted that.

The silence in the room continued lingering as others wanted to Khushali to react and clarify her doubts before they'd indulge in the truth and the revelation. It was only when Khushali couldn't decipher the reason for Rehaan's isolation, she posed the question, which was now disturbing her.

"But why would he end up in jail? I mean, it's been two years since ... Sagar's death and the case is closed too. Why would it even matter now if Rehaan's out in public, he hadn't done anything, right?" asked Khushali in a softer tone, glancing from Sidharth to Rehaan, who seemed to had become calmer.

"It does matter, Khushali, even when Rehaan hadn't done anything or even if it was fifty years since Sagar's death. Simply because the person who had had framed Rehaan still have some proofs which can be used to proof that it was Rehaan who had murdered Sagar, and those proofs are very smartly manipulated and tampered to suit the story."
Jay explained, his voice unusually calm and his words so smooth that it seemed as if he had practiced this over and over again, expecting Khushali's reaction.

"So, is it ... t-true?" asked Khushali vaguely, "S-Sagar was m-murdered, and he hadn't died in some car crash? Mayera was right?"

Instead of Sidharth, Khushali looked at Jay, waiting for her answer. Probably because she knew Jay would answer her, he did answer all of her questions so far, unlike Sidharth who when confronted by Khushali, didn't give any confirmation on Sagar's mysterious death, whether it was a gruesome murder or an unfortunate road accident.

"Yes, Sagar was murdered." Khushali jerked her head a little in astonishment as it wasn't Jay who answered her question, it was Arhaan, who had been quiet ever since they all settled in the living area.

"Yes, Sagar was murdered, not killed in a car crash. It was a made up story to hide the actual truth, to frame people in it to hide someone's dirty deeds. And unfortunately, Sagar was used for it, he died a death he didn't deserve. He died for knowing something he shouldn't have, and for threatening to open his mouth and expose the person who had infact silently planned the game so well, with messing so many lives up, that before Sagar could interrupt the game, he was killed and the well-thought plan was executed with all of us dragged into it, without ever knowing what was coming for us."

An unusual bitterness dominated each and every word of Arhaan's as he spoke them, something which astounded Khushali, who had always seen a sweet young man who was her sister-in-law, Kavya's husband.

Arhaan's tone had surprised Khushali so much that it took her a moment to recover from it and acknowledge what Arhaan had revealed as the answer to her question. Sagar was really murdered, and not killed in a road crash. The crash was pre-planned, Sagar was targeted for this. Mayera and Vivan were right, but were they completely right, Khushali couldn't answer that nor could she think of it being true. Because if it was the complete truth that Mayera and Vivan had shared with her, then she wouldn't be here today, waiting to hear truth from the people who were accused for plotting her deceased fiancé's death.

"Can you please narrate me everything instead of revealing these details in bit. That would be more convenient, and would save our t-times as w-well," said Khushali, her voice trembling at the end of her sentence. But she couldn't let her emotions empower her now and make her weak because it was crucial for her to know the truth and break down at once rather than breaking slowly into pieces with these tiny revelations.

"Yes, I agree on this," said Rehaan, his voice slightly comforting as he observed the play of different emotions on Khushali's face.
"But I can't indulge you in details, like I said before. Reasons you know and you can interrogate your husband later about it. I'd start directly from the day when it all went downhill for us, okay?"

"Okay." A single word answer was all Khushali could afford, while passing her husband a deadly glare for still not allowing her to know the real version of the truth. His face wasn't in her direction but she knew he was aware of her glare. Few seconds later, she turned her face in Rehaan's directions, knowing well that atleast this altered version of truth was better than being completely oblivious.

"Good," said Rehaan. Glancing once at Sidharth, who was now gazing at Khushali, Rehaan started speaking.
"It was a regular weekday, and my day went as usual, attending meetings, meeting clients, analysing reports, share statistics etc. Around eight in evening, I was called up by an associate for a last minute meeting to discuss the new tender details. He asked me to come over to a hotel, which I was quite frequent to, though I wanted him to come over to my office.

"Nevertheless, I went to the hotel, met my associate, and soon we were deep in our discussion. Two more people were present there with us, one my PA, Ronak, and other my associate's manager. The meeting went on for an hour or so and we only had drinks. Once the meeting was over, I left for my home. Not really knowing that I won't ever reach home, rather it was Arhaan's house I ended up in, in a complete mess and a headache which made it impossible for me to recall anything that happened after I woke up."

Once he stopped speaking, the room was again engulfed by quietude, as people who knew the truth were waiting for the reaction of the one who was unaware of this, earlier, and the oblivious one, was racking her brain to recall something that crossed her mind while Rehaan was speaking.

"You don't remember anything? And what happened to Ronak? Was he with you when you were going back home? What happened to him?" asked Khushali curiously. The name Ronak seemed familiar to her and maybe to Sidharth as well, as Khushali saw Sidharth clench his fist even tighter when Rehaan mentioned Ronak's name.

"Yes, he was with me. His car had a gear and clutch problem, so I was dropping him home. But I really don't remember anything that happened after we left the hotel. I don't know where he went. He seemed to have gone underground, for reasons unknown to us, until last year when Sidharth figured it out. I wish he had figured it all before, then I would've killed Ronak and got behind the bars rather than running and hiding because of a crime I didn't do," said Rehaan vehemently.

Sidharth and Arhaan shook their heads as they saw Rehaan's temper was again rising while talking about Rehaan. Both being well aware how Ronak had backstabbed Rehaan.

"But something must've happened when you were unconscious, which I can conclude from what you've told me; blank spots in memories, as my knowledge, are caused by drugs or excessive alcohol, if no medical condition is known to cause it," stated Khushali thoughtfully.

"I agree, Bhabhi, and apparently Rehaan's drink was spiked and before he could react or know anything, he was transferred to the place where the accident was supposed to take place," said Kavya quietly, glancing at her sister-in-law and then her husband, who added the necessary details before Khushali could ask for them herself.

"From the theory that we have zeroed on after much discussion, clearly confirms that Rehaan's drink was indeed spiked and it was done by Ronak, after which when Rehaan turned unconscious, Ronak had taken him to the spot where Sagar's accident was supposed to done. Interestingly, Rehaan's car wasn't used in it, simply because the pictures were taken only supposedly to be used for blackmailing Rehaan and the two of us, Sidharth and I, which we figured out much later, after Rehaan had left the country," said Arhaan, bitterness still manifest in his tone.

"Yeah, and poor Arhaan and Sidharth only got dragged in it, being Rehaan's friends, had happened to be found on the site of crime, which you saw in this picture," added Jay.

"Okay. But the thing is guys, you all are just confusing me now!" cried Khushali in exasperation. "I can't make out any of the things which you guys have told me! Once I try to decipher one thing, you guys reveal some other details and I can't join any of them, please don't confuse me. If you all don't want to tell me anything, then don't! But don't confound me more than I already am!" cried Khushali with exasperation.

Her mind pounding severely, unable to understand even a single thing these people were telling her, Khushali wished she hadn't been called here. It would've been much better to stay completely oblivious than being confused.

There were so many points to join, Sagar's death wasn't an accident, it was a well thought murder; the proofs against Rehaan were only to blackmail him; Ronak, Rehaan's PA, had betrayed him by helping someone who wanted to fake frame Rehaan. But in all this, she couldn't understand how Arhaan and Sidharth were connected to it, weren't they as well in those photographs shown to her by Mayera and Vivan, was it only because of them being Rehaan's friends or there was some other reason. What were those photographs and didn't Jay give them to Mayera? Khushali really couldn't comprehend anything.

Except Jay, all of the others had their eyes on Khushali, staring at her, some with sympathy, other with concern, and one with dismay. The one with dismay, Sidharth, got up from the sofa and stood in the middle of the room. Looking directly at his wife, with his displeasure pouring out with his words, he said, "This is why ... this is why I never wanted you to know anything in this manner, but as if anyone would listen to me. Unless and until, we don't tell you the entire account of the events, you can't understand anything because several links are missing and I won't allow you to know them, now!"

"But why?" asked Khushali, standing up in front of Sidharth. "Why are hiding it from me? Why can't you let me know what had that night when Sagar died? Why can't I know why Rehaan's in constant supervision, why he can't move around? Why can't I know what you're hiding from me, your secrets? Didn't you promise me that you'll maintain the transparency in our relationship, then why are you doing this now? WHY SIDHARTH MEHRA?"

"BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIE! OR ANY OF US!" yelled Sidharth, glaring at Khushali.

"SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO KNOW!" snapped Rehaan, his voice as loud as Sidharth's.

Sidharth turned to face Rehaan, who was standing upright infront of the single seater sofa he was sitting on. Striding over to Rehaan, Sidharth with gritted teeth said, "She's my wife, and I'm going to decide what she should be made aware of and what not."

"But not when it concerns her ex fiancé or as a matter of fact Khushali herself!" retorted Rehaan.

"That's none of your business!" snapped Sidharth, fisting his hands, ready to punch Rehaan for pushing this matter.

It wasn't like only he was ready to attack Rehaan as Rehaan himself had fisted his palms to smack Sidharth on his face. Just as Sidharth took a step forward between him and Rehaan, about to punch him: Rehaan too had moved forward, unafraid, with his defenses all set. Everyone except Khushali seemed calm, having expected this reaction from these two grownup men who already had gotten in a brawl before Khushali arrived here.

But before either of the men could smack the other down, Khushali got up and moved toward the two extremely infuriated men. Keeping her hand on her husband's shoulder, Khushali pushed him few steps away from Rehaan.

Turning to Rehaan, who was still throwing daggers in Sidharth's direction with his eyes, Khushali pleadingly said, "Rehaan, please calm down. Don't pay attention to Sidharth, he's not himself right now."

This seemed to done the trick because Rehaan did stop glaring at Sidharth, and stared at Khushali, waiting for her to speak as she stood with pursed lips, contemplating Rehaan's reaction to what she was about to ask next.

"Are you sure, Rehaan you don't remember anything? Any - any minute or faint detail of that day, anything?" asked Khushali in a desperate tone. In her heart, she knew neither Rehaan nor Sidharth had murdered Sagar, but still she needed some solid proof to concrete this belief.

"I don't know, Khushali, what happened to me that night, but all I remember is I was at a hotel with my associate and Ronak, and then the next moment I was in Arhaan's home. The only faint flashes or memory that I have was of me in the driver's seat of the car that had collided with Sagar's car," said Rehaan without meeting Khushali's eyes.

"But there must be some clue, right? The proofs that Vivan and Mayera showed me, were all connecting the dots. They had shown me photographs and all, even a recording, but you guys can't tell me even a single thing without complicating the first detail. You guys haven't really done anything, I know, but what's the proof?" said Khushali perplexedly. Though she had this desperate urge to add Jay's name too as the one who provided Mayera with the pictures but then dropped it as there was possibility of others knowing it.

"So you're saying that it's us who had killed Sagar?" questioned Arhaan slightly angrily.

"No, that's not what I mean, Arhaan, I trust you all but ... ," meekly, was Khushali speaking, feeling utterly disappointed at herself for saying something offending but she couldn't complete her apology as Sidharth interrupted them, with his loud voice.

"ENOUGH YOU ALL!" exclaimed Sidharth loudly and everyone became quiet. Staring at him, everyone guessed that Sidharth had reached his limit and could no longer stand any of this drama.

"No one will speak even a single word now! I don't want any of you to tell my wife about things she shouldn't be knowing! She's my wife and I will decide when I have to tell her the truth! Me and only me!" said Sidharth, the authority in his voice almost dominating, and appeared foreign to Khushali who had never seen Sidharth this edgy and authoritative.

As she continued to stare at Sidharth with shock, he turned to her and agitatedly said, "And it's not just for others, I don't want you either to ask anyone about anything that happened that day when Sagar died. When the right time would come, I'd tell you everything, but don't coax me to open up about it before time. It might not be good for you or anyone else here, okay?"

"Y-Yes," stuttered Khushali, vaguely frightened with this infuriated Sidharth, who was so different from the Sidharth she knew that he almost seemed alien to her. From the corners of her eyes, she caught the glimpses of others who all seemed sort of less affected than her: Certainly because this side of Sidharth wasn't new to them, unlike Khushali.

"Good," said Sidharth, "And I think this discussion or whatever crap you all want to call this, ends here. I'm leaving now; Arhaan, you're coming with me. We have a meeting with your legal advisor to attend, if you remember."

"Yes, I remember," said Arhaan quietly, not wanting to miff Sidharth.

"Great!" said Sidharth sarcastically. Turning to the three women, he added, "You three stay here till I come back, I'm taking Khushali's car. No argument on this. And Jay's staying here."

And just as he said no argument, Sidharth didn't give them any chance to put up since he immediately left the house, standing outside the front door for Arhaan. Arhaan didn't delay much and quickly pecked Kavya's forehead, walking out fast in fear of getting in a row with Sidharth, which was the last thing that Arhaan wanted now.

Once they left, Raima and Kavya settled on the dining table which was across the room; both of the in agreement of giving Khushali some minutes to calm down and collect herself together. Jay, on the other hand, went to stand in the balcony just beside the kitchen infront of which the dining table was kept.

Rehaan didn't move anywhere and settled on the one seater sofa he was seating earlier on, taking deep breaths to cool down and relax. His displeasure with the course of the meeting quite manifest on his face.

Not paying any attention to anyone of them, Khushali sat down on the sofa, her head hidden behind the veil that her hands had created. Her brain was again no less than a chaotic piece of cells, which had so many things going through it that Khushali couldn't understand which one she ought to give her utmost attention to.

There were already multiple issues that she was already trying to tackle, one of them was her worry for her father's health and the struggle to not lose her trust in her husband. But sadly, all she could feel for her husband at the moment was loathe and infuriation for not letting her know the truth. Why couldn't he understand how important it was for her to know the truth, which was the only way for Khushali to not stopping trusting her husband. Her husband, who didn't trust her enough to share something so crucial, that it could even cost her, and even others life.

This raised one more doubt in her heart, which by any means, couldn't be ignored by Khushali as this one doubt had enough power to ruin her entire relationship with Sidharth completely. The doubt, was just simple: How could her husband love her, yet couldn't trust her with the secret he and the others had been keeping to themselves for God knows how long? Doesn't loving someone means trusting with your everything or was it different for Sidharth, Khushali couldn't think of an answer for this.

The more she pondered over it, the more her head ached, along with her heart which was too hurt now with Sidharth's varying behaviour that it had no strength to put up an argument. And with this, all that Khushali felt was anger and resentment for her husband, who was making things harder for the both of them. And she didn't even know why!

Few minutes passed in her fruitless attempts to numb her maelstromic thoughts and her riotous feelings. After many failed tries, Khushali finally managed to silent her thoughts, then looked around to find a distraction, which she found sooner than she thought.

"Who's the girl in this picture?" asked Khushali casually, pointing at the picture in the wallet that was lying open on the wooden side table which was peacefully lying between the two sofas on which Rehaan and Khushali were sitting, Rehaan's sofa perpendicular to Khushali's.

She looked at Rehaan, waiting for his answer. But Rehaan didn't say anything, rather he picked up the wallet and with his thumb caressed the picture, making Khushali assume that either she had touched a soft topic or Rehaan wasn't plainly intending to answer her and was using this tactic to dodge her question.

Since more than a minute had passed in silence, Khushali presumed Rehaan wasn't going to answer her question. She turned her head in Raima and Kavya direction, both of whom were occupying the adjacent chairs of the six seater dining table set, talking in hushed voices about something, Khushali wasn't interested in nor was intending to eavesdrop.

As the silence continued to dominate the atmosphere of the room, despite her disappointment with her husband, Khushali wished for Sidharth to come back soon. So that she could go back home and be with her family, atleast till she felt normal and better. Although she was much relaxed on knowing that her husband and others were indeed not guilty of her ex fiancé's murder, it wasn't easy to digest since there was a greater truth she wasn't yet made obvious of.

"Payal, she's Payal," whispered Rehaan, in a very bashful tone, all of a sudden.

"What?" blurted Khushali and realised it was rather too loud as for a split second Raima had turned to glance at her, leaving her discussion. Immediately she turned her voice low and asked, "What?"

"She's Payal, my girl ... actually ex girlfriend," said Rehaan, poignancy dripping from his words.

"Your girlfriend? Ex girlfriend ... I mean what happened then ... er ... ."

"I dumped her on the day when I actually was supposed to propose her for marriage. Funny, isn't it, that it's not just you who'd been affected by Sagar's death, all of us have been affected gravely by it," said Rehaan, laughing humourlessly.

"Vaguely, I reckon that. But still I cannot fathom the gravity of all this because I'm not allowed to know the truth," said Khushali darkly.

"I know, and all that I can say is there's too much at stake to make any mistake at this stage. And maybe, Sidharth's right in not revealing the truth to you, because it will surely expose you to things, you're best away from," said Rehaan softly.

"Can't you tell me anything, not even a single detail? Please, Rehaan," requested Khushali.

"No, I can't," said Rehaan, his expression just like yesterday, soft and gentle, "Even if I'm pissed with Sidharth for not allowing me or anyone of us to tell you the truth, I still won't go against him now, atleast not after what happened just some minutes prior to this conversation. There's no way I could reveal a certain part of the truth without revealing the entire truth, because in the end everything's related in such manner that one truth can't be told without speaking the other."

"Fine," said Khushali flatly, her anger building again.

Rehaan smiled weakly and awkwardly said, "I'm sorry for being that impolite with you. I should've kept my cool."

"It's okay, Rehaan. We can't always keep our cools," said Khushali, passing a small smile.

Neither of the two conversed after this as Rehaan had no topic to talk about, and Khushali couldn't talk about the topic she craved to gain knowledge about.

Some minutes later, Khushali suddenly remembered something and immediately went to stand beside Jay, who still was standing in the balcony, gazing at the city through the blue glass window.

"Jay, did you find a ring while investigating in my parents' house?" asked Khushali as normally as she could.

"Yes, I did," said Jay, turning to look at Khushali.

Khushali didn't say anything. Rather, she opened her handbag zip and carefully took out the red gem she had found outside her room at her parents' house this morning. Keeping her handbag aside, she showed the gem to Jay, who first appeared surprised but then his expression changed to a smug.

"And you say you don't know the truth," said Jay smilingly, raising his eyebrows. He fished for something in his jacket's pocket and took out a small plastic bag, which had a red gem ring inside it. The red gem that Khushali had found, seemingly matched the gems of the ring, which Khushali realised within few seconds who it belonged to.

"Is that ... is that ... "

"Yes, you guessed right, and that clarifies almost everything, doesn't it?" said Jay, a weird happiness in his tone that sounded like as if he had achieved his goal which he had been trying hard to reach.

"Yes, it does," said Khushali, connecting the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle like events in her head. Surprisingly, it all made sense now, with everything falling into place, only few missing links were left.

Jay understood that from Khushali's face and cautiously said, "But we don't want anyone to know that, do we?"

"No, it's between you and me!" said Khushali smilingly, relieved at finally figuring things out, almost.

Jay nodded his head, and at the same time the doorbell rang, Sidharth had come back to pick Khushali and the other two ladies up. Giving one last glance to Jay, who gave her a nod, Khushali left with Sidharth, Raima and Kavya followed closely behind them.

Soon they reached Khushali's parents' home and Raima left for her home as she had to accompany her parents' to some relatives' party. Khushali's mother and sister, both of them didn't ask Khushali anything, but did notice the changes in Khushali's demeanour which were too obvious and blunt.

Khushali's parents-in-law didn't stay back for dinner and left for their home with their daughter and elder son, soon after Kavya came back with Khushali. Since Muskan was quite unwell herself, both Meher and Khushali stayed back and were told by Aarti to stay with their parents for some days. Sidharth stayed at Kapoor's for a couple hours after dinner and then left for his home.

Before leaving, he hugged Khushali, who has accompanied him till his car. Giving a small peck on her forehead, he said softly, "I'm sorry for what happened today, I didn't mean to hurt you. But it's necessary, for both of us, that you only come to know the truth when it's the right time."

"I understand," said Khushali, even though by now she had figured out everything that tiny red gemstones ring could reveal to her.

After Sidharth left, Khushali went and slept in her sister's room, her mother hadn't allowed her to stay in her old bedroom due to obvious reasons. This was the first night Khushali had slept most peacefully, knowing well her husband had no hand in Sagar's death, which she was sure of, but today it was concrete, though without any proofs; but Khushali didn't care much. Not after knowing who the real culprit was, the one who had broke into her parents' house yesterday, and the one behind all the mess her husband and others were in, the one who caused Sagar's death.

A surge of despise made her feel embarrassed for a fleeting second to had believed that her husband could have murdered her Sagar, but it was someone she had never doubted. But she couldn't speak that out, she won't reveal it till Sidharth himself speak it out to her. And with this, she soon fell asleep.

Since the semester exams in college were supposed to start in some days, Khushali was needed to finish making the question papers for her students and submit it to the HOD. So, after waking up, she checked on her father, and then busied herself with the question paper and books.

Sitting in her father's study, with all the English Honours course books sprawled on the table infront of her, Khushali was writing down the questions and topics she considered most important before making an electronic copy of it, which she had to submit.

Just as she was crossing out a question, her phone buzzed aloud, filling the silent study room with music, the last thing that Khushali wanted when making the papers. Without caring to check the name of the caller, she picked up the call and said briskly, "Who's there?"

"Khushali?"

"Mayera?"

"Yes, it's me," said Mayera, "can you come over to my place, please. It's urgent!" The desperation in her voice quite guessable.

"What? Now?"

"Yes, please. I won't take much time of yours."

"But ... ," before Khushali could say anything, the call ended, giving birth to this new curiousity which made Khushali defiantly head for Mayera's home.

While leaving, she received Sidharth's call, but didn't feel right to inform him where she was going. So she didn't attend Sidharth's call, as she knew she couldn't lie to him and even if she did, he'd guess it immediately. Sidharth too seemed to had understood this somehow, and didn't call her again.

Forty minutes later, Khushali reached Mayera's home and quickly parking the car, left for the elevator. Unlike before, this time Khushali hadn't had to do much hard work in finding Mayera's flat. She rang the bell and waited patiently for Mayera to answer the door.

The door clicked open, and there stood Mayera, with a dressing on her arm that she had been hurt in when Sidharth came to visit her yesterday. A band-aid was on her forehead as well, which filled Khushali with concern for Mayera.

"What happened with you, Mayera? How did you get these wounds?" questioned Khushali in a care filled tone.

"That's not important, Khushali. I didn't call you here for discussing about my wounds," said Mayera plainly, "I only call you here because I wanted to talk about Sidharth and my relationship."
A certain desire was tangled with her words.

Her words, did the desired work and immediately Khushali was agitated. Huffily, she said, "What? Is that the "urgent" work?"

"Yes, it is!" snapped Mayera, her face full of fury, which Khushali somehow guessed was fake.

"Really? I don't feel so," said Khushali coolly.

"NO! It is ... ," Mayera tried to speak in a fury filled voice but a loud voice interrupted her.

"MAYERA?!" shouted a man, the voice coming from the direction of the main door.

An expression of horror mixed with delight, spread on Mayera's face, which was showing only fury and disdain till she heard this voice, leaving Khushali puzzled as she could not contemplate this sudden change of expressions on Mayera's face.

"Who's that? Do you know ... ?!" muttered Khushali with her tone filled with nothing but astonishment and bewilderment. Staring right at Mayera, her back to the main door, Khushali impatiently waited for Mayera to speak.

But Mayera certainly wasn't looking in her direction, rather with the same expression intact on face, she was gazing at the door, delightfully waiting for the owner to turn up inside, to her side. Yet the horror wasn't leaving her either. Maybe, because what she had been planning for so long, might just be crumbled into a vain attempt!

The sound of footsteps made both, Khushali and Mayera slightly fearful, though Mayera had realised who it was, while Khushali was still having a internal battle to whether turn back or not.

But moments before she could settle on one of the options, a man came rushing inside the living room of Mayera's residence and engulfed Mayera in the strong hold of his arms, which Mayera seemingly didn't resist.

A small voice in Khushali's mind said it was Sidharth, but certainly it wasn't him. Though the man had his back to Khushali, but she easily reached the conclusion that he was someone else, not Sidharth. A simple and small observation made it possible, after all, eight months of marriage had made Khushali well versed with the fact that Sidharth strongly disliked leather jackets and never preferred dressing up in casuals, especially during the weekdays. And the man, who was holding Mayera in his arms, was infact dressed in casuals with a black leather jacket, much unlike Sidharth. And he was slightly taller than Sidharth as well.

It seemed a private moment to her as presumably the man leaned into claim Mayera's lips: So with much awkwardness and her dignity intact, Khushali turned and stood with her back to them, giving them much deserved privacy. And it as well gave Khushali enough time to ponder about this new guest, or atleast the stranger, she knew she'd be introduced soon to. What she didn't know was that, whether he'd be on her side or the real culprit's. As lately, she couldn't zero on the possibility of Mayera being on Rehaan's side, because if she was, then why the hell did she fill Khushali up with the crap of Sidharth being involved in. . . well criminal activities.

"Er ... you're okay na? I was so worried for you, baby. When Sidharth told me what had happened with you yesterday, I immediately boarded the next flight available and came here to Delhi," said the man to Mayera, in a tone which reminded Khushali of Sidharth when she had returned from the park after getting to know about Sagar's death's truth.

"I'm fine, really. I didn't know Sid told you about yesterday. But anyway, I'm fine," said Mayera, distracted, glancing over the man's shoulder at Khushali, who still had her back to them. "If you just excuse me."

The man didn't understand what she meant, still wanting to fuss over her injuries. But when Mayera beckoned toward Khushali, the man was struck with horror and realised what he had done.

But Mayera had no time to act horrified, and instantly tried to cover up. "Khushali, listen to me ... ."

"Listen to what, Mayera? I'm not gonna believe a word you'd say to me," said Khushali, turning her face in Mayera's direction, "because lately you seemed just awfully confused about your priorities and your allegiances. Sure, as I am, you are no less than affected by a severe trauma which just is making you believe that I've lost my faith in my husband, which I clearly haven't. But even being your friend, it's very bad of me that I can't even give you the pleasure of seeing me loathe my husband over false allegations." With a coldness spreading over her face, Khushali finished her sentence.

"No, you're not getting me. There's no confusion, okay. I know what I'm doing. Please believe me," said Mayera pleadingly. The man beside her grunted lightly, not actually wanting attention to himself.

"What do you want me to believe, Mayera? That you and my husband are dating? After what I saw now? If you're really in love with my husband, then who's this man? And why he's so concerned for you? Why did you make out with him? Speak up now!" demanded Khushali with exasperation.

This now mortified Mayera as she understood where this was heading and that it was no use of lying now. But she couldn't give up now and ruin her plan, though she realised soon how inevitable that was.

"Speak, Mayera!" said Khushali.

"He ... he is ... "

"I'm Arjun, Arjun Khanna, a frie ... "

"My husband! He's Arjun, my husband!" said Mayera, as no longer she could lie to Khushali, and also because she knew Arjun didn't deserve to be dragged into this mess, nor should his dignity and respect be shredded for her and Sidharth's benefits.

"What?" said a evidently shocked Khushali. Mayera ... married? Then she and Sidharth - how could they - even being married? Khushali couldn't understand.

"Mayera," said Arjun softly, staring at Mayera, "What are you doing?"

"I'm doing the right thing," said Mayera sighingly. Her sigh seemed as if she had finally let go of her burden that she had been carrying around with herself for a long period of time.

"But why? Sidharth will be very angry if he gets to know you ruined our plan," said Arjun, glancing at Khushali then staring back to Mayera.

"Sidharth's not my boss, nor anyone else's. He can't go around making us do things his way or ordering me," said Mayera, in her old confident self, "And anyway, I can't lie to Khushali anymore. She has the right to know everything now. To hell with Sidharth and his so-called plan!"

"What? But, baby, you know we can't tell Khushali anything. Then how can you?" said Arjun apprehensively. He and his wife were conversing as if Khushali wasn't there.

"Really? Why can't I? Because Sidharth said so? I really don't care anymore, I'm done with the drama! I will tell the truth now and nothing less!" said Mayera adamantly.

"But, biwi, listen to me, this is not right. Sidharth will be highly annoyed with us if we didn't continue with our plan," said Arjun, still skeptical and apprehensive.

"Is Sidharth your wife or I am, that you're so stressed to offend him? I swear Mr. Husband, I'd be more irked with you if you tried to stop me now. I need to tell Khushali the truth!" said Mayera determinedly.

"What the hell is going on here?" asked Khushali baffledly. She was quite perplexed and bemused to find Mayera and Arjun bicker like a typical married couple, something that would've made her smile in normal circumstances, but it wasn't so now.

"Oh, very sorry, Khush, we forgot you're here as well," said Mayera in her usual chirpy tone, "Anyway, I think you've guessed what I'm about to do now, right?"

Khushali nodded negatively.

"No problem. Now, I'm gonna answer all your questions because I know, after how my husband has goofed up by coming here in your presence. I don't really think you'd accept anything less than truth. And for doing that, I'm breaking the promise your husband made me to make," said Mayera, much happier than she had been in some past days.

"I'm not getting a word you're saying, Mayera," said Khushali confusedly.

"Don't worry, you'll understand everything soon," said Mayera. Looking at her husband, she added, "Baby, please call Sidharth and Jay here. It's right time for the revelation to be made. We can't wait any longer now. Not after this much has been revealed to Khushali."

From the expression on Arjun's face, Khushali was sure he wanted to argue but he didn't do so, clearly not wanting to upset his wife. He immediately took out his phone and dialled the numbers of Sidharth and Jay.

While he did so, Mayera walked over to where Khushali was standing. Keeping a hand on Khushali's shoulder, Mayera said soothingly, "I know it all seems confusing now. But trust me, once you know the entire truth, you'd understand it all. And by the way, I know that you know who the real culprit is, Jay told me that. Just some more minutes, and all your doubts will be clear, I promise."

Unwillingly, Khushali believed Mayera's words, which seemed so genuine that Khushali had no other option. But her brain and heart, both were going haywire with chaos and messiness that she no longer knew what was happening around her. Settling on the couch, she replayed the scenes that took place some minutes back and tried to contemplate them.

But nothing made sense. One moment Mayera was telling her all that crap, and the next second she was promising Khushali to tell her the truth. Was she really saying the truth, or like last time Khushali's hopes were about to get too high, she couldn't decipher nor understand.

But maybe this time, the real truth will be out, which will connect all the things that Khushali had figured out with all the missing links included, she had no idea of. Just some more time and everything will be clear, Khushali could feel that.