Hello everyone...

I am back with the next chapter...

Warning again: No bashing on any characters or the update...

The story's title includes hatred, so bear me for another few chapters as this is the plot for this story...

Enjoy reading the update...

VOWS OF HATRED...

CHAPTER 9

The mocking about his mother still rang in Randeep's mind and he was furious. How could they just humiliate his mother and call her psycho. How dare they? They did not deserve to be his mother's friends who kept on insulting her with their outrageous words.

And Anand too had been a part of them. Randeep had decided then and there that he would not spare him and his princess for all of this. They would suffer for sure.

"Randeep... kya hua? Tum itne gusse mein kyun lag rahe ho? Kuch... kuch hua hai kya?", Ashi asked the moment she saw her husband walking in her direction. He paused for a second and watched her silently.

After a few moments, Randeep replied, "Kuch nahi... bas thoda sar dard ho raha hai. Hume ab ghar jaana chahiye." "Sahi keh rahe ho Randeep. Bohot late ho gaya hai aur sab mehmaan bhi jaane lage hai. Agar tum dono ka dinner ho gaya ho, toh tum dono ko ghar chale jaana chahiye.", Anand added as he joined them.

Looking at his princess, Anand continued, "Ashi... aakhirkaar teri bidaai ka samay aa hi gaya. Main jaanta hun tum dono ek saath bohot khush rahoge." Tears gathered in their eyes while Randeep stood there motionless and watched their emotional drama.

Ashi started sobbing and hugged her father. After few minutes when she calmed down, she spoke, "Paa... main bhale hi Randeep ke ghar jaa rahi hun, par iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki main aapko bhool jaaungi yaa aapse pyaar karna chod dungi. Aap mere Paa ho, jinka saath main marte dum tak nahi chodungi. Jab main aapke saath nahi rahungi toh aapko apna khayaal khud rakhna hoga. Aur ab toh aapko ek beti ke saath saath ek beta bhi mil gaya hai, jo bilkul meri tarah aapka khayaal bhi rakhega aur pyaar bhi karega. Kyun Randeep?"

Randeep gave them a nod and turned away. He had no time for all this nonsense. He spoke to someone on the call and walked towards his car. The father-daughter duo thought that his head must be hurting too much, so they did not dwell on his odd behavior.

Ashi hugged her father again and cried for a few more minutes while Anand kept consoling her in a subtle way. "Ashi... itna kyun ro rahi ho? Main bas kuch time ke liye London jaa raha hun. Jab treatment khatam ho jaayegi, toh main waapis aa jaaunga. Aur jab tum chaaho tab mujhe call kar sakti ho. Main meri princess se waise bhi jyada der ke liye durr nahi reh sakta. Aur main tumse beech beech mein milne bhi toh aa jaaya karunga."

Ashi continued crying while his father continued consoling her with his soothing words. Ashi had no idea what her life was going to be once she would reach her new house. Soon her cousins and relatives joined them and gave her blessings.

As they reached the entrance of the hotel, they saw Randeep already waiting for them. As they approached, Randeep turned in their direction and gave them a fake smile. Though he was not keen on taking Anand's blessings, he bent down unwillingly and touched his father-in-law's feet. Ashi too joined him and took the blessings together.

"Sada khush raho bacchon... mera aashirwaad hamesha tum dono ke saath rahega." Anand further added looking at Randeep, "Main jaanta hun ki tum meri Ashi se bohot pyaar karte ho aur usse hamesha khush rakhoge, par fir bhi main tumse yeh kehna chaahta hun ki please meri princess ko kabhi hurt mat karna. Agar koi galti bhi ho jaaye toh usse samjhaana, par kabhi daantna mat. Maine aaj tak meri princess ko kabhi nahi daanta hai."

Placing his daughter's hand on Randeep's, Anand continued, "Aaj se Ashi tumhari hui Randeep. Aaj se meri princess ki saari zimmedariyaan tumhari. Tum dono hamesha khush rehna, bas main itna hi aashirwaad de sakta hun."

Turning to his daughter, Anand continued, "Ashi... meri princess... hamesha hasti-khelti rehna aur Randeep ko jyada tang mat karna. Uska bhi acche se khayaal rakhna. Thik hai. Ab jaao tum dono. Thak gaye honge."

Giving a final hug to the newly wedded couple, Anand ushered them in the car. With tears flowing from his eyes, he bid them goodbyes and stood near the entrance until the car disappeared from his view. "Bhagwaan... inn dono ko saari khushiyaan dena, hamesha khush rakhna inhe...", he said looking at the sky.

Randeep's mood had turned sour since he had heard all those humiliating taunts about his mother. He still was not able to get over it. Those hurtful words had pierced his heart and reignited his determination for taking the revenge on another level.

Randeep heard his newly wedded wife sobbing, but he just could not forget the insulting words about his mother that were continuously ringing his mind. He knew that he should comfort his wife, but he could not do it. Not now, when he was going to destroy his love's future and set on the path of revenge. He promised himself that he would not consider Ashi's feelings anymore. Their happy times were finally up and his revenge plan was already on and set in motion.

When Ashi finally stopped crying, she looked at her husband who was sitting next to her. Something was off, she had realized that the moment she had sat in the car. Randeep had not even tried to soothe her once. Instead, he seemed lost in some other thoughts. Since last few hours he had been acting like this and she was not able to guess the reason behind it.

"Randeep... tum thik toh ho naa?", Ashi asked softly. Her husband should have asked this, but here she was asking him if he was fine. Randeep pretended that he had not heard her and continued watching outside the car window. Before she could ask further, the car entered and stopped at the entrance of his mansion.

Randeep opened the door of his car from his side and walked towards his home while Ashi sat there shocked. He had not even opened the door for her and welcomed her in their house. She continued sitting for another few minutes, but still Randeep did not come to get her.

Finally, Ashi was about to come out from the car, when the door opened. She thought it must be Randeep, so she looked up happily but she was more shocked to find the driver opening the door for her. Tears gathered in her eyes again, but she controlled herself and got out of the car.

Ashi could not see her husband around, so she herself started walking towards his home alone. She had not expected this kind of behavior from Randeep at all. What was wrong with him? Why was he behaving this way with her? Her husband was supposed to be by her side right now and take her home. But he had vanished suddenly leaving her all alone.

Ashi stood at the main door which was left open by her husband. She looked around but found no one. She did not know if she should wait for Randeep to come or should enter the house herself. This was supposed to be her grah pravesh. They had to do this ritual, she thought to herself. But how could she do this alone? Had Randeep forgotten about this?

Ashi was so lost in her thoughts that she did not realize that her husband was now standing right in front of her. Randeep cleared his throat and she looked at him. Finally, she got her breath back and the tears made its way, "Randeep... kya... kya hua hai? Tum... tum aisa kyun behave kar rahe ho? Aaj hamari shaadi hui hai aur aaj main pehli baar iss ghar mein aa rahi hun. Tumhe nahi pataa kya ki abhi mera grah pravesh hona chahiye? Par yahaan koi nahi hai. Tum... tum bhi mujhe aise hi car mein akela chodkar chale aaye. Bataao mujhe Randeep kya hua hai? Please...", saying that she started crying.

Randeep said nothing to her, instead grabbed her hand and pulled her towards his mother's portrait. His hold on her hand was so tight that Ashi had to ask him to loosen it, "Randeep... mera haath dard kar raha hai, chodo mujhe?" But he did not stop and left her hand only when they were standing in front of his deceased mother's huge photo.

Despite the pain, Ashi looked at the picture and joined her hands, "Mujhe aashirwaad dijiye ki main iss ghar ko sahi se sambhaal paaun aur hum dono khush reh sake. Maa..." Randeep grabbed her by her shoulders and shouted, "Meri Maa ko tumhe Maa bulaane ka koi haqq nahi hai. So, do not dare call her your mother... Wohh sirf aur sirf meri Maa hai. Samjhi tum, Ashi Singhania?"

Ashi was shaken with his sudden outburst, "Tumhe ho kya gaya hai? Tum... tum aise kyun behave kar rahe ho? Main kab se dekh rahi hun ki tumhare mann mein kuch chal raha hai aur tum ussi baaton se disturb ho gaye ho. Please bataao mujhe kya hua hai. Hum milkar koi solution dhoondenge naa. Please... tum mujhse aise behave mat karo naa Deep..."

Randeep pushed her away from him, "Tum apni iss zubaan se mujhe Deep nahi bulaaogi. Sirf meri Maa mujhe Deep bulaati thi aur aaj main tumse mujhe Deep bulaane ka haqq cheenta hun. Main sirf aur sirf Randeep Raichand hun tumhare liye. Toh aage se mujhe kabhi bhi Deep mat bulaana, samjhi?"

Ashi stood still as she processed his words. What was going on? Why was he acting so violent today? They had just got married today and she was seeing a very opposite side of Randeep. Before marriage, he had been so loving and caring, so it was being difficult for her to see him in this way.

Ashi continued crying while Randeep faced his mother's photo, "Dekh rahi ho Maa... aaj mera sapna poora hua. Aaj maine aapse kiya vaada poora karne jaa raha hun. Aapke dushman ki beti se shaadi karke uski zindagi barbaad kar dunga main. Abhi toh bas shuruwaat hai. Inn dono baap beti ko bohot kuch dekhna aur sehna hai. Itni aasaani se main inhe nahi chodunga."

Ashi who heard all this could not understand why her husband was saying this for her and her father. "Randeep... kya bol rahe ho? Main aur Paa tumhare dushman hai? Mujhe... mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Tum kyun aise bol rahe ho?"

Turning to her, Randeep replied loudly, "Main samjhaata hun tumhe. Tumhare baap ki wajah se meri Maa ne suicide kiya. Tumhare baap ki wajah se meri Maa aaj iss duniya mein nahi hai. Tumhare baap ki wajah se mera baap meri Maa ko chodkar chala gaya. Tumhare baap ki wajah se aaj main anaath hun aur akela reh raha hun. Meri Maa ko tumhare baap ne maara hai Ashi Singhania. Toh hue naa, tum dono meri Maa ke aur mere dushman."

Ashi could not believe her ears. His father could not kill anyone. What was Randeep blabbering about? Why was he blaming her father for his mother's death? "Tumhara dimaag thik toh hai Randeep? Yeh kya bakwaas kar rahe ho? Mere Paa tumhare parents ke friend the, wohh tumhari Maa ko kaise maar sakte the? Mujhe... mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Tumhe... tumhe zaroor koi misunderstanding hui hai Randeep. Mere Paa kisi ke marne ki wajah nahi ho sakte. Wohhh aisa kuch nahi kar sakte."

Randeep started laughing loudly which stunned Ashi. She could not move from her place. This was their first night after marriage and here, Randeep was behaving irrationally and blaming her father for his mother's demise.

"Mujhe koi misunderstanding nahi hui hai Ashi Singhania. Meri aankhon ke saamne meri Maa chal basi. Maine dekha tha unhe fan se latakte hue. Aur unki diary mein clearly unhone likha tha ki unke marne ki wajah tumhara baap Anand Singhania hai. Tab se lekar aaj tak main iss din ka wait kar raha tha ki kab main uss se badla le sakun. Badla toh maine kab se lena shuru kar diya tha, bas tumhara India mein aane ka wait kar raha tha. Tum yahaan aayi aur maine tum dono ki life mein entry ki. Yeh sab maine soch samajhkar planning ki thi. Tumhe kya lagta hai ki tumhari party mein main yunhi aaya tha. Nahi Ashi Singhania... main tumhe apni life mein laakar tumhare baap se badla lena chahta tha."

Ashi confronted, "Wohh sab ek naatak tha. Itne mahino se jo tumne mujhe 'I Love You' bola, wohh sab bhi jhooth tha kya Randeep? Hamare beech jo bhi hua wohh sab tumhari planning ka hissa tha? Tum... tum aise kaise kar sakte ho mere saath? Tum mere feelings ke saath aise nahi khel sakte? Tum directly mere Paa se baat karte. I am sure tumhari saari misunderstanding clear kar dete wohh. Tum jo samajh rahe ho wohh galat hai. Mere Paa ka tumhari Maa ke maut se koi lena dena nahi ho sakta Randeep. Agar Paa se badla lena tha toh mujhse shaadi kyun ki, mere saath pyaar ka naatak kyun kiya? Tum galat ho, bohot galat kar rahe ho hamare saath."

Randeep shouted again, "Main kuch galat nahi kar raha. Main jo kar raha hun yaa karnewaala hun, wohh sab sahi hai. Mujhe meri Maa ki maut ka badla lena hai aur jab tak main tum dono baap beti ko poori tarah barbaad nahi kar deta, tab tak meri Maa ki aatma ko shaanti nahi milegi aur naa hi mere dil ko sukoon milega. Abhi toh bas shuruwaat hai Ashi Singhania, tumhe toh abhi bohot kuch dekhna aur jhelna hai. Toh khudko ready kar lo. Aaj tak jis Randeep ko tumne dekha tha, usse bhool jaao. Aaj ke baad tum ek alag Randeep Raichand ko dekhogi, jisse tum zindagi bhar bhool nahi paaogi, kyunki main tumhe bhoolne hi nahi dunga. Main tab tak chain se nahi baithunga, jab tak main tumhe poori tarah tod naa dun. Tum tootogi aur wahaan tumhara baap bhi tootega. Par tum abhi fikar mat karo, kyunki abhi toh tumhe mere saath bohot din iss kaid mein rehna hai."

Coming close to Ashi, Randeep spoke, "Be ready for my revenge my dear wife. Tum poori duniya ke saamne meri wife, 'Mrs Ashi Randeep Raichand', zaroor hogi, par iss ghar mein tum mere liye sirf meri dushman ho Ashi Singhania. You and your father are my enemies... And I am going to destroy everything."

"Randeep... tum...", Ashi stopped midsentence as she felt someone's presence behind her. As she turned, she saw someone standing near the entrance. Before she could ask, the person called out, "Hey Randeep... Am I disturbing you? I mean... are you busy? Main baad mein aa jaaun?"

Randeep came forward and hugged her, "Hey Ishita... come... I am not at all busy. Infact, main kabse tumhara hi wait kar raha tha."

Wrapping his hand around her waist, Randeep looked at the shocked expression of his wife, "Ishita... isse milo. Yeh hai meri wife, Mrs Ashi Randeep Raichand... Tum isse reception mein mili thi shaayad."

Ishita replied, "Haa... I remember... dekha tha maine isse tumhare saath stage par. Kuch bhi bolo Randeep... tumhari wife hai toh beautiful... par mujhse jyaada nahi... kyun?"

Randeep chuckled, "Ekdum sahi kahaa Ishita. Waise isse chodo. I am not interested in her anymore. Isliye toh tumhe call karke bulaaya tha. Chalo... mere bedroom mein chalte hai."

Ashi scolded, "How dare you, Randeep? Tum mere saamne kisi aur ladki ko hamare bedroom mein kaise le jaa sakte ho? Tum bhool rahe ho ki aaj hamari shaadi hui hai. I am your wife... tum... tum mere saath aise nahi kar sakte Randeep..."

Randeep laughed, "Hamara bedroom? Ms Ashi Singhania... aaj bhale hi hamari shaadi hui hai, par iska yeh matlab nahi hai ki maine tumhe mere bedroom mein rehne ka haqq diya hai. Tum iss ghar mein aayi, wohh meri marzi thi. Tum kahaan rahogi, wohh bhi meri marzi hogi, kyunki yeh ghar mera hai, hamara nahi. Maine abhi kuch der pehle hi kahaa ki tum poori duniya ke saamne meri wife hogi, par iss ghar mein sirf aur sirf Ashi Singhania. Iss baat ko tum ab se yaad rakho. Aur yeh mera ghar hai, toh yahaan main kisiko bhi kabhi bhi bulaaunga aur tumhe iss se koi lena dena nahi hona chahiye, samjhi."

Ashi stared at her changed husband. Wiping her tears, she spoke, "Thik hai. Agar iss ghar mein tum mujhe apni wife maante hi nahi ho, toh mujhe nahi lagta ki main yahaan reh paaungi. Main jaa rahi hun mere Paa ke paas. Mujhe nahi pataa tumhe kyun aisi misunderstanding ho gayi hai, par main yahaan nahi reh sakti, jahaan tum mere saamne kisi aur ko apne bedroom mein le jaao, jahaan meri zaraa bhi respect naa ho."

Randeep laughed again for a few moments. Turning around, he kissed Ishita on her cheek and said, "Ishita darling... tum mere bedroom mein jaao. Main bas yahaan sab nipta kar aata hun. Then we can have some fun without any disturbance."

Ishita who was enjoying all the drama, replied with a smile, "Ok Randeep... yeh sab jaldi sort out karke aa jaana, I am waiting for you. It has really been so long that I have missed you terribly. Come soon.", saying that Ishita walked upstairs to his bedroom while Ashi stood like a stone with what she saw in front of her eyes. How could Randeep change so much?

Randeep turned to face his wife, "So Ms Ashi Singhania... kya keh rahi thi tum? Ohhh haan... yaad aaya. Tum keh rahi thi ki tum yahaan iss ghar mein nahi reh sakti aur apne baap ke ghar jaaogi... Ummmm... Waise idea bura nahi hai. Tum Anand ke ghar jaaogi toh wahaan bohot saare relatives bhi toh honge abhi aur wohh poochenge tumhe ki apni shaadi ke pehli raat ko hi tum apne pati ko chodkar aa gayi. Kya sochenge Ashi sab tumhare baare mein? Tumhare baap ko kaisa lagega huh? Abhi hi toh usse heart attack bhi aaya tha naa? Bhool gayi Ms Ashi Singhania ki tumhare baap ki health bilkul acchi nahi hai. Aise sab haalaaton mein tum waapis jaana chahti ho, toh main tumhe nahi rokunga. Par jaane se pehle ek aur surprise hai tumhare liye aaj, usse toh dekhkar jaao."

Randeep pulled out his mobile from his pocket and searched something. When he found it, he simply played the video and forwarded his mobile to Ashi. As the video played, Ashi went numb. It was the video of that night of Purvi and her father.

Ashi could not believe what she saw. It cannot be true. She closed her eyes and her hand on his mobile loosened. The mobile fell on the carpet soundlessly and Randeep picked it. Her head felt dizzy and she lost her balance.

Ashi fell on her knees, "Yeh... yeh nahi ho sakta. Mere Paa aisa nahi kar sakte. Wohh aur Purvi... nahi... nahi... nahi... aisa nahi ho sakta. Yeh sab sach nahi hai. Paa aisa nahi kar sakte. Randeep... please bol do yeh sab jhooth hai. Please bolo... ki yeh sab bhi ek naatak hai. Mere... mere Paa aisa kuch nahi kar sakte."

Randeep shrugged and sat down on the couch like a king. "Yeh video jhootha nahi hai Ashi... jo bhi tumne abhi dekha, wohhh sab sach hai. Lekin ek aur sach bhi hai ki yeh sab mere kehne par hua hai. Tumhare baap ki aur tumhari so-called assistant, Purvi, mere liye kaam karti thi. Jo bhi tumne iss video mein dekha, wohh sab maine hi Purvi ko karne ko bola tha. Bechaara tumhara baap, usse samajh hi nahi aaya ki kya ho gaya."

Watching his crying wife, Randeep continued meticulously, "Tumhe kya lagta hai ki tumhare baap ko aise hi heart attack aa gaya? Naaa... Tumhe yaad hai, hum Jaipur mein saath meeting attend kar rahe the, tab maine hi toh yeh video Anand Singhania ko bhejaa tha. Jiske baad tumhe call aaya tha ki usse heart attack aa gaya hai. Yaad aaya kuch? Yeh sab maine kiya tha. Yeh sab meri planning thi. Tumhare baap ki wajah se meri Maa itna tadpi hai, main usse jyaada tumhare baap ko tadpaaunga."

Walking towards her, Randeep continued, "Ab tumne yeh video dekh liya hai. Agar next time tumne iss ghar se jaane ki baat ki, toh yeh video mein sab social media par viral kar dunga. Fir mat bolna ki maine tumhe pehle nahi bataaya. Toh Ms Ashi Singhania... agar tum nahi chaahti ki poori duniya tumhare baap ke yeh sab karnaame dekhe, toh tum iss ghar mein chupchaap rahogi. Main jaisa chahunga, waise rahogi. No ifs, no buts... Samjhi tum?"

Did Ashi have a choice? No... She had to choose between her self-respect and her father's reputation. If she chose her self-respect and left Randeep's house, the video would be released and her father's character would be ruined forever. And if she chose her father's reputation, she would have to live a miserable life here with her husband who was keen on taking his revenge on her and her father.

Any of the decision would ruin her life no matter what. Ashi could not believe all this. The man she loved so much was going to use her to take revenge from her father. She still could not process all this. There sure was some kind of misunderstanding. She would find it out soon.

But for now, Ashi would have to stay in his house. Yes... it was Randeep's house, not hers, not theirs. The revelations had made her mind totally blank. She tried to keep her calm, but her husband had some other plans.

Randeep held her hand and pulled her upstairs. Pointing at the room on the right, he said, "Yeh mera bedroom hai. Iss room ko chodkar tum kaunsa bhi room use kar sakti ho. Aur yaad rakhna ki mere room mein meri permission ke bina aana manaa hai. Khaaskar tumhare liye manaa hai."

Hearing their voices, Ishita came out of his bedroom, "Hey Randeep... aur kitna wait karwaaoge tum? I am waiting since last half an hour. Please Jaan... tumhari wife ko chodo and come to me soon. I am desperately waiting for you."

Randeep chuckled, "Aa raha hun Jaan... bas ek aur aakhri kaam karna baaki hai.", saying that he left his newly wedded wife in the middle of the corridor and entered his bedroom while Ishita continued staring at Ashi who stood there silently waiting for her husband's next move.

Randeep returned with Ashi's luggage and threw it in front of her, "Yeh raha tumhara sab saamaan. Iss ghar mein jahaan rehna ho wahaan raho, bas mere bedroom se durr rehna.", saying that he turned towards Ishita and wrapped his hand around her, "Chalo Ishita... Aaj meri shaadi ke baad yeh pehli raat hai. Isse enjoy karna chahiye, fir bhale koi bhi ho, uske liye biwi ka hi hona zaruri nahi hai."

Randeep entered his bedroom with Ishita and closed the door on Ashi's face who stood still. She could not believe that all this was happening for real. Somewhere she was hoping that all this might just be a bad dream.

The sound of the closed door hurt her the most. This was her first night and she had never imagined that something like this would happen. She still could not believe that Randeep had married her only for taking revenge on her father.

Randeep's behavior had hurt her tremendously and she was so much in pain. She stood there for another few minutes which were like hell for her. She could not take the noises of her husband and another woman in his bedroom which were breaking her heart into pieces. It should have been her with her husband in that bedroom. But all her dreams had broken.

Ashi had no stamina left to fight Randeep. He had almost blackmailed her to stay in that house in front of her. She knew the upcoming days were going to be torturous for her but she had no choice. Her father's reputation and character mattered to her a lot. And the most important thing being that her father had just gone through a heart attack and was not well. She would have to live here till she would find some way to get away.

Picking up her luggage, Ashi moved in the room opposite Randeep's. Once in the room, she sat on the bed. All the words that her husband had spoken to her came back one by one and tears made its way.

Her mobile started ringing somewhere in her room. But she had no strength left to search for it. She knew it must be her father's call and now, she would not be able to have a chat with him when her heart was breaking because of Randeep.

It had been a very long day. Ashi continued crying and thinking of ways to clear all Randeep's misunderstandings. Soon, her body gave up due to exhaustion and she drifted to restless sleep.

In the other room, Ishita sat on his couch while Randeep stood facing the window. He knew that Ashi had taken the room opposite his. He knew her well enough that he had arranged that same room for her and according to her likes. He was not happy doing all this, afterall he still loved her.

Randeep knew that he was deliberately hurting his wife. But his revenge was important to him more than Ashi. His mother was more important to him than Ashi. And after whatever he heard about his mother at the reception party, he could not give up on his revenge.

"Randeep... mujhe nahi pataa tum yeh sab kyun kar rahe ho, par mujhe Ashi ko dekhkar buraa lag raha tha yaar. Kitni acchi ladki hai wohh, tumse kitna pyaar karti hai. Aur tum bhi toh Ashi se bohot pyaar karte ho. Mat karo aisa Randeep... tum usse jaanbujhkar itna hurt mat karo.", Ishita said breaking Randeep's thoughts.

Randeep turned to face her, "Ishita... tumhe yeh sab karne ke liye paise mil rahe hai. Free toh nahi kar rahi naa kuch? Toh apni advice apne paas rakho. Mere aur Ashi ke beech tumhe bolne ka koi zarurat nahi hai. Jitna acting karne ko bolun, utna karo."

Ishita replied, "Thik hai... mujhe kya farak padd raha hai. Mujhe sirf paison se matlab hai, bas. Waise acting toh tum bhi acchi kar lete ho. Mere gaal par apli ungliyaan rakhkar kiss karna... waahhh... Ashi ko lagaa hoga tumne sach mein mujhe cheek par kiss kiya. Usse kya pataa ki yeh Randeep Raichand sirf uska hai, toh aise kaise wohh mujhe yaa kisi aur ladki ko kiss karta."

Randeep knew what she was saying was the truth. He did not kiss Ishita on her cheek. He had instead placed his fingers on Ishita's cheek and kissed them. He would never cheat on Ashi. But he had to break her and her heart, so he had used this way to hurt her intentionally.

If Ashi was in pain, so was Randeep. On one side, he was hurt because of those hurtful words at the reception about his mother and on the other side, he was also in pain as he was hurting the only love of his life. He had no choice either.

"Main tumhari friend nahi hun Randeep... par fir bhi main tumhe ek advice dena chaahti hun. Ashi ko jyada hurt mat karna. Tumhara jo bhi reason ho yeh sab karne ka, agar kabhi wohh reason galat saabit hua naa, toh khudko kabhi maaf nahi kar paaoge tum. Toote hue dil ko waapis jod nahi paaoge Randeep, bas itna yaad rakhna.", saying that Ishita picked up the pillow from his bed and settled on the couch. Soon, she drifted to sleep.

Randeep turned towards the window once again and was lost in his thoughts, "Mera reason galat nahi ho sakta. Main jaanta hun main Ashi ka dil tod raha hun, par main yeh bhi jaanta hun ki wohh ek strong ladki hai. Main jitna usse hurt karunga wohh usse sahegi, sirf uske Paa ko bachaane ke liye. Ek baar mera badla poora ho jaayega, wohh khudko sambhaal legi. Haannn... shaayad waapis kisi se pyaar nahi kar paayegi, par life mein aage zaroor badh jaayegi. I am sorry Ashi... main jaanta hun main tumhare saath jo bhi kar raha hun, wohh bohot galat hai, par tum uss Anand Singhania ki beti ho, aur main tumhe hurt kiye bina, uss Anand se badla poora nahi kar paaunga. I am very sorry Ashi... I am really very sorry..."

Randeep did not sleep a wink that night. Infact, he had even checked on Ashi a couple of times. Watching her sleep in that reception dress, hurt him. He did not miss her tearstained pale face. Why was he feeling bad? He was taking his revenge. Neither her feelings nor his should matter to him, yet he was not happy with what he was doing and was still about to do.

Ashi woke up with a jerk. She had a bad dream. A dream where she saw her father getting another heart attack as his video with Purvi gets viral on all the social media platforms. As she calmed down, she noticed that it was already morning and she was still dressed in last night's reception dress. With that, everything that transpired last night came back to her and she felt terrible.

Her mobile rang again and Ashi finally found her mobile in her clutch. There were already few missed calls from her father and surprisingly, even Abhi had called her once. For now, she could not talk to Abhi.

Ashi called her father who was waiting for her call impatiently. Once the call got connected, her father asked, "Ashi... meri princess... tu... tu thik toh hai naa?" Ashi got anxious while he continued, "Pataa nahi kal raat se mera dil bechain sa ho gaya hai, tujhe lekar bure bure khayaal aa rahe the. Meri princess... sach sach bataa tu thik hai naa?"

The connection between the father-daughter duo was special and somehow, he had felt that something was wrong with his daughter. But was Ashi going to agree to his restlessness. Even if he had guessed right, Ashi could not reveal anything to him. She did not want him to worry about her and get sick. He was still recovering and was going to London for his further treatment. So, she could not let him know about Randeep and his revenge.

Composing herself, Ashi replied, "Paa... main toh thik hi hun. Mujhe kya hua hai? Hum bas kal raat bohot thak gaye the, toh ghar aakar hi so gaye. Isliye aapke calls nahi uthaa paayi. Main just abhi uthi hun Paa. Aap fikar mat kijiye, main ekdum thik hun."

Anand finally relaxed, "Thik hai. Waise kal raat grah pravesh toh thik se hua naa?" Ashi controlled her tears, "Haan... Paa... sab thik se ho gaya. Randeep ke friends ne acche se hamara grah pravesh karvaaya tha. Itna accha welcome toh mujhe meri life mein kabhi nahi mila tha."

"Chalo... acha hua. Acha sunn... maine yeh kehne ke liye phone kiya tha ki main aaj tujhe lene aaunga. Pag phere ki rasam karni hai naa. Toh main dophar tak aa jaaunga. Fir Randeep kal tujhe waapis lene aa jaayega toh pag phere ki rasam poori ho jaayegi. Waise bhi main kal London jaa raha hun.", Anand reminded her about the ritual and his departure too.

Ashi replied trying to maintain her composure, "Thik hai Paa... Main... main ready ho jaati hun fir. Baad mein milte hai. I love you Paa..." "I love you too princess...", her father replied and the call ended.

As Ashi kept her mobile away, she felt his presence and she turned. There he stood at the door. Randeep leaned on the doorframe, "Ho gayi Paa se baat?" Ashi could not move her gaze away from his. Randeep... the love of her life had changed so much. This was supposed to be their first morning together in his house, but here they were, living in different bedrooms.

"Main kuch pooch raha hun tumse Ashi... jawaab do.", Randeep asked again. Ashi finally moved her gaze away from him and replied, "Paa ne kahaa ki wohh pag phere ki rasam ke liye mujhe dophar tak lene aayenge."

"Hmmmm... pag phere ki rasam... right... par isse karne ki zarurat hai kya? Waise bhi humne kal raat iss ghar mein grah pravesh ki rasam toh nahi ki thi. Toh I think yeh rasam bhi rehne dete hai. Kya hi farak padta hai.", Randeep said nonchalantly.

Ashi got up from the bed and walked towards him, "Randeep... Paa ka bohot mann hai yeh rasam karne ka aur waise bhi wohh kal London chale jaayenge. Tumhe badla lena hai naa, toh mujhse lo. Mere Paa ko rehne do. Unhe hurt karne ki zarurat nahi hai please... Tum... tum kal subah hi mujhe lene aa jaana, kyunki main jyada der tak Paa ke saamne jhooth nahi bol paaungi. Dekho... tumhe jo Paa ke saath karna tha wohh kar liya, ab please unhe chod do."

Randeep watched her silently for a few minutes while she prayed to God to keep her father away from her husband's revenge plan. "Thik hai... abhi ke liye main tumhari baat maan leta hun. Par yaad rakhna, har baar tumhari baat nahi maanunga."

Looking at the wall clock behind her, Randeep spoke, "Jaldi ready hokar neeche aa jaao. Tumhe breakfast banaana hai. Aaj se maine ghar ke sab maids ko permanently chutti de di hai, kyunki ab se tum sab kaam karogi."

Ashi was going to say something, when she noticed Ishita coming out from Randeep's bedroom in a disheveled state. "Randeep... main ghar jaa rahi hun. Uthne mein bohot late ho gaya hai. Aankhen khul hi nahi rahi thi. Aankhen khulti bhi kaise? Tumne raat bhar sone jo nahi diya. Khair... chalo main jaati hun, mujhe office bhi jaana hai. Bye Randeep..." Glancing once at Ashi, she cooed, "Bye Ashi..."

Ashi could not believe her eyes and ears. What she heard and what she saw was hurting her soul. Never in her dreams she would have imagined that her married life would start like this. Controlling her tears, she turned on her toes and started opening her bags.

Randeep had watched her each expression. He knew she was hurting by his infidelity. He stood for another few minutes and left downstairs with the same aching heart as hers.

When Ashi came downstairs after freshening up, she saw Randeep standing in front of his mother's photo. Without disturbing him, she walked around and found the kitchen. She had never been to his house before, so she had no idea about anything in the house.

Ashi opened all the drawers and cabinets one by one to get acquainted and started to make breakfast. After half an hour or so, she sensed his presence behind her, but she did not turn to face him. All her dreams were already shattered. She did not want the others to break too.

Ashi had dreamt about her life after marriage, especially about the kitchen romance. Randeep too knew how to cook, so she had dreamt that they would cook together and much more. Giving a full stop on her thoughts, she concentrated on making gaajar halwa.

Randeep came behind her and peeped in the vessel. "Ummm... gaajar halwa bann raha hai. Tumhare Paa ko bohot pasand hai shaayad, hai naa? Waise bhi ab meri pasand ka khaana thodi banega, aakhir main tumhe iss ghar mein apna badla poora karne laaya hun. Maine tumhe ek wife ke rights nahi diye toh ab mere baare mein kyun sochogi tum?" He was somewhere pissed that she did not make his favorite dishes, but he had already guessed that she would not do it as his behavior towards her was unforgiving.

"Maine aloo halwa bhi banaaya hai, jo... jo tumhe pasand hai.", Ashi replied softly without turning back. Randeep did not say anything and left the kitchen. He did not know whether to be angry on his expectation or to be happy that his wife had made his favorite breakfast despite his betrayal.

When Ashi served him his favorite meal, Randeep stared at his plate and without eating it, he left her alone. She too did not eat anything and kept everything back in the kitchen.

When her father arrived at noon, she was ready to go. Ashi had not seen Randeep since the breakfast incident. "Arey princess... Randeep kahaan hai? Usse mile bina main tumhe kaise le jaa sakta hun."

Before Anand could say more, Randeep appeared, "Main yahaan hun. Main bas ek important call attend kar raha tha. Aapko aise nahi lagta ki aap bohot jaldi apni princess ko lene aa gaye. Abhi kal hi toh hamari shaadi hui hai, aur aap aaj lene aa gaye."

Anand chuckled, "Yeh toh pag phere ki rasam hai beta. Tum kal aa jaana Ashi ko waapis lene. Bas fir kal se Ashi permanent tumhare ghar mein tumhare saath rahegi. No disturbance at all."

"Thik hai. Ab rasam hai toh aap Ashi ko le jaaiye. Par iske baad main kabhi Ashi ko aapke paas akele nahi jaane dunga. Itne saalon baad mera akelapan durr hua hai, fir se akele nahi reh sakta.", Randeep joked. He had somewhere told the truth. Even if he was seeking revenge from the father-daughter duo, he wanted Ashi to be with him in the same house, in front of him.

"Thik hai Randeep... Waise bhi main kal shaam ki flight se London jaa raha hun." Randeep nodded and walked in his wife's direction. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her towards him and kissed her forehead, "I will miss you Ashi. Main kal subah jaldi tumhe lene aa jaaunga, toh ready rehna." And then, he hugged her tightly in front of Anand who was content watching the couple happy together.

As Ashi was facing the other side, Anand did not see the tears that had made its way from her eyes. She herself was not sure why she cried. Was it the happiness that her husband had kissed and hugged her or the sadness that she had to act in front of her father. This was all fake for her, but was it for Randeep too? He too was not sure about it. When he had seen her crying last night, his heart too was hurting. He never wanted to hurt her this much, but he was doing It now, for his mother.

Anand blessed them, "Tum dono ke beech aise hi pyaar bana rahe hamesha. Ashi main baahar car mein intezaar kar raha hun. Tum Randeep se thik se milkar aa jaana. Chalo Randeep main chalta hun. Kal milenge.", saying that Anand left giving some alone time to the couple.

Once Anand was out of their sight, Ashi broke the hug and moved away. As she wiped her cheeks, Randeep spoke, "Yaad hai naa, kal maine kya kahaa tha. Agar tumne iss ghar ko chodne ka socha bhi toh wohh video main viral kar dunga. Aur haan... uss Anand ko yaa kisiko bhi kal raat yahaan kya hua, iski bhanak bhi nahi lagni chahiye. Samjhi tum? Main kal subah tumhe lene aa jaaunga."

Ashi just nodded and left towards her waiting father while Randeep too shed few more tears for hurting the love of his life.

The path that Randeep had chosen was not an easy one... it was only going to lead to destruction of all the lives involved, including his...

How was the update?

Well guys... the next chapter too will be about Randeep tormenting Ashi and taking his revenge.

I will update the next part of this story after writing next chapter of "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" which I will most probably update by next weekend...

Till then, take care and stay safe...

With Lots of Love,

Daksha...❤️