Hi guys, sorry for being late. August has been very tough for me both personally as well as professionally. I just hope I haven't messed up this update. 

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Early morning rays disturbed Sanskar's sleep but the beauty in front of him already made him feel that his day would be wonderful. As he was admiring his love, a voice caught his attention making him realize that they were on the terrace.

"What's the use of a lavish bedroom downstairs when our lovely couple likes to romance on the rooftop", came in Khushi's teasing voice.

"Ha bhabhi, should I get a bucket full of water to wake them up?", asked Uttara being well aware that her brother already woke up.

"Not needed", replied Sanskar and slightly patted on Swara's shoulder trying to wake her up.

"Swara", called Sanskar in such a low tone that Swara just turned towards other side without opening her eyes.

"Swara, get up, we should go down", this time Sanskar's voice was a bit louder and Swara woke up rubbing her eyes making him smile at her cuteness.

"What's the hurry Sanskar?", asked Swara with a pout putting her hands on his chest and looking into his eyes. Sanskar just gestured with his eyes to look over and as Swara followed his gaze, she found Khushi and Uttara looking at them with naughty smirk. Hastily, Swara stood up.

"No bhabhi, we were just talking", answered Swara without being questioned.

"Right, we can see that", said Uttara making Sanskar and Swara embarrassed. 

"Okay, okay Sanskar, Abhay is looking for you, he wants to visit Vishal after breakfast", said Khushi before leaving downstairs followed by Uttara.

"I am coming bhabhi", replied Sanskar and was about to go down but Swara stopped him holding his hand.

"Sanskar, I feel Vishal is...", but before Swara could complete Sanskar interrupted.

"Abhay's step brother, even I inferred it through what you have told us on the day you helped Piya. That's why I didn't want Abhay to go and meet him alone", said Sanskar and looking at her worried face, he cupped her face.

"Don't worry I will be there with Abhay and I am really confident that he would take it this time", said Sanskar and Swara nodded with a smile which didn't reach her eyes.

As decided, after breakfast Sanskar and Abhay left to the prison where Vishal was held as a captive. Vishal was brought into the visitor's room where Sanskar and Abhay were waiting. Looking at them, Vishal smirked and sat in the chair placed in front of them.

"I knew that you would come to meet me", said Vishal looking straight at Abhay.

"Sorry Vishal, I don't remember meeting you. May I know what's the rivalry between us?", asked Abhay coming straight to the point.

"Frankly speaking, we are not rivals Abhay, we are relatives", replied Vishal.

"Infact, very close relatives", whispered Vishal coming near Abhay while Sanskar came in between them stopping him.

"Relax Sanskar, I don't want Abhay to die so easily", said Vishal moving back.

"Come to the point Vishal", said Sanskar folding his hands across his chest.

"Well Abhay, your dad left my mother to marry your mother. My mom didn't tell me the reason but she just told me the name of my father when she realised that she doesn't have much time left. On her death bed, all she gave me is one picture", with no emotions, Vishal took out a picture from his pocket and showed it to Abhay and Abhay immediately recognised his father.

"Twenty years back when I lost my mother, having noone and no where to go, I was roaming on the roads in search of some work to feed myself passing each day with so much difficulty, I once saw Mr. Raichand near a park along with a lady and you. Unlike my miserable condition, you have got everything starting from a nice dress to all the luxury of having the entire park all for yourself. I tried approaching you guys but the security didn't even let me cross the entrance of the park.  I tried many times but they were too strong for a ten-year-old boy like me. That is when I decided that I would earn my name and power in this society before taking my revenge. But Mr. Raichand is lucky that God has taken him before itself", said Vishal smiling at Abhay expecting him to burst out.

This new information took Abhay off guard. 

"Can his father whom he loved with all his heart do something like this? Did he really cheat another woman? All the love and care he showered, was it fake? Does his mother knew about it?", thinking all these brought tears into his eyes. Understanding his turmoil Sanskar placed his hand on Abhay's shoulder assuring him that he is not alone. They both turned their attention towards Vishal when he started speaking again.

"I kept a constant check on you and was well aware of your relations and health problems. Taking advantage of it, I only wanted you to feel how it would be like to lead a life like Vishal at least for one day. I wanted you to know the pain of betrayal and living alone. Why should you get all the happiness, I am also a Raichand, even I deserve all the love and care, don't I?", shouted Vishal. Though his voice was cold, Abhay could see tears forming in his eyes. Not getting any kind of response from Abhay and Sanskar, Vishal plucked few hairs of his and threw it on the table placed in between them.

"If you don't believe me, take this and go for a DNA test. You will know for yourself that I am telling the truth"

Hearing which Abhay just smiled and came near Vishal.

"Vishal, I am not worried about truth and lies, and the ones who have to confirm it are no more. And I feel there is no point in discussing what could have happened when we can't change anything", said Abhay looking at Vishal.

Taking a deep breath he continued: "I am ready to accept you as my brother and trust me you will have equal right on all the properties owned by Raichand's".

"To hell with your money. I have earned enough and I have the capability to earn more. I don't need your pity", shouted Vishal.

"Mark my words Abhay, I will make you suffer as much as I did as soon as I am out of this shit. Be ready", continued Vishal in anger for which Abhay just smiled.

"If ever you feel that you need a brother, then remember that I am there", said Abhay placing his visiting card on the table before leaving from there followed by Sanskar.

As Vishal was just sitting there pondering over the last conversation, a constable came in with his dress and belongings.

"Mr. Vishal, you can take your things and leave. They have withdrawn their case against you", informed the constable placing the clothes on the table.

"What? Even after I threatened him, he got me released. Why?", thought Vishal taking his belongings and going out of the police station.

On the other side, Kavya was busy in her post-marriage rituals while Dheeraj was attending to the guests. 

"Bhai, I need to talk to you", called Kavya.

"Ha bacha...batavu", Dheeraj came to his sister with a smile while she took him to a corner.

"Bhai, I am sorry. I wanted to tell you this since long but I was scared of losing you", started Kavya looking into Dheeraj's eyes and holding his hands.

"Bhai, remember I asked you about your relationship with Swara when we were in college?", asked Kavya for which Dheeraj nodded in yes.

"After speaking with you, I asked Swara as well and she outrightly rejected saying that you were only a good friend for her but I insisted her to help me in making you leave all those bad habits. I thought spending time with you will eventually make her fall in love with you but then that didn't happen. I don't know why she didn't tell you about me when you were accusing her but bhai trust me Swara is not completely at fault", said Kavya but before she could continue, she heard her name being called.

"Bhai, please forgive Swara, she doesn't deserve your hatred", saying which Kavya hugged Dheeraj before joining Laksh.

Dheeraj just leaned on the wall with a deep sigh. 

"What kind of a joke is this? The girl whom I thought loved me says that her love was fake, my sister who is my life says that she was the one who asked for that fake love only to make me human. Why did these two girls think that I couldn't handle even a heartbreak? Did I portray myself as someone who is weak? What made them take such a step eventually leaving scars in everyone's heart?", thought Dheeraj going into the balcony away from his relatives as he didn't feel like talking to everyone at that moment. 

As he was lost in his thoughts, he saw a girl who is moving front and back on the busy road. It seemed like she was trying to cross the road as she was looking left to right continuously to find a gap to move to the other side. This reminded him of those days when Swara didn't know how to cross the road. She constantly used to get in between the bikes eventually leading them to put a sudden break along with few curses flowing through their mouths. And then how he used to walk ahead of her feeling embarrassed for walking along with her leaving her alone unlike Sanskar who stood with her amidst all the accusations.  

Brain: wait, what did you just say?

Heart: Though its difficult to take in, it's true that you haven't supported Swara when she needed you and that was just one example.

Brain: To be frank, I agree with the heart. Every time you both fought, she was the first one to tell sorry even though it was not her fault. 

Heart: She used to give half of her lunch to you only because you are lazy to go to the canteen to have your lunch.

Brain: She did care for you Dheeraj.

Heart: And you hurt her a lot.

"I shouldn't have said all those right?", Dheeraj said to himself feeling guilty for accusing Swara. Though he was angry, he should have given her a chance to explain herself rather than force my love on her.

As Dheeraj was lost in his thoughts, Abhay and Sanskar reached their farmhouse. All through the drive, Abhay was unusually silent making Sanskar worried so he texted Swara saying her to inform everyone not to ask any questions to Abhay.

"Finally, you came. Abhay, Sanskar we have asked our costume designers to send in the sample images of our dresses which we are going to wear tomorrow for the award ceremony. I want you to see and suggest any changes you need", said Khushi taking charge.

"I will see later bhabhi", saying which Abhay went and stood near the window allowing the cool breeze to touch his face. After what seemed to be an eternity and everyone acting to be busy in looking at their costume, they heard Abhay's voice which was more like he was speaking to himself.

"Even Vishal is not to be blamed. It wouldn't have been easy for him to face the world at such a tender age and I can't imagine what all would he have faced that he had filled his heart with so much hatred towards me", said Abhay with tears rolling down his eyes. Hearing him Piya went towards Abhay and interlinked her hand with his holding it tight. 

"I didn't know Piya, if I had known, I wouldn't have let him suffer at all. I wouldn't have left him alone like that", said Abhay with his voice shivering while Piya wiped his tears.

"We know Abhay, we know you. You don't need to explain anything to us. Don't worry I am sure Vishal will understand your heart", said Piya placing her hand on the left side of Abhay's chest feeling his heartbeat for which Abhay just nodded.

"Shall we go for a walk? The weather is so good", asked Piya with a bright smile trying to divert Abhay's mind. Not having the heart to disappoint her he agreed and they both went into the lawn to spend some time together after a long time.

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Jealousy might lead to hatred when everyone around you treats you badly even without your mistake. The same happened with Vishal. He was alone and finding one meal a day was getting difficult for him and when he saw Abhay who was having everything he wished for, the ten year old boy couldn't help feeling envy which with each passing struggle converted into hatred eventually forcing him to take that step. Do you agree?

Few words on Abhay?

Few words on Dheeraj and Kavya?

How is the update?

I want to know few things, how many readers who are reading this story are under 18? Please answer correctly guys, that really helps me in planning further updates. I don't need your exact age, just drop an inline comment "ME" if you are under 18.

And also any suggestions for the engagement and pre-marriage rituals of the two couples. I already wrote the wedding scenes in two stories and I am really out of ideas. I would be glad if someone suggests something funny or anything. If it goes well with the story, I would surely use it.

Thank you,

Praahi.