Srishti froze. She felt her heart thudding faster than ever. The moment her eyes met with his. He stared at her quietly. He doesn't know why he felt so good. To see her after so long. His lips curved into a smile.

"Yay.....srishti akka has come too. Now we can all play together"rishika said excitedly making both of them. Come back to their senses.

Jai kept both the kids back on the ground. Srishti stood still and looked around the room. Without knowing what to do. She clutched the wet towel with her fists and. Jai knew she was feeling uncomfortable.

"Sure we can. But I guess you both were doing your homeworks?"jai asked.

"Yes. Srishti akka had promised that she will play with us. Only if we finish our homeworks on time"rishi said. Making jai smile.

"That's a good idea. After finishing homeworks. We will have dinner and then we will play. Okay?"jai asked. And the kids nodded lazily.

"Fine then. Go and hurry"jai said making them jump up into the bed. To finish their homeworks.

Jai turned to look at srishti who was standing quietly. He could feel her tension. So he walked away quietly without saying anything. Deciding to talk to her. After dinner. In private.

Srishti sighed in relief. The moment he left. She knew he will be coming back home. But she didn't expect him to be back this soon. She wasn't prepared on anything. How would she face him. Thinking about him being around her from now on. Gave her an uneasy feeling.

Kumari arranged dinner for everyone. Since jai was home. She herself made his favourite dishes. Usually at night. Srishti used to help the maids in the kitchen. But today she didn't even feel like going downstairs. Kumari knew srishti was deeply disturbed by jais sudden arrival. She hoped that jai would talk to her very soon and. Clear all the misunderstandings.

Everyone gathered around the dining table. Jai kept looking around for srishti. But she was nowhere to be seen. The kids had already come down for dinner. Seeing jai restless. Shruthi sensed that he was looking for srishti.

"Maa...where is srishti?"shruthi asked. Jai turned his head towards his mother.

"She should have been here by now. I've sent the maids to call her downstairs"kumari said.

"I'll go and check"shruthi said.

She took the elevator. And walked inside the kids room only to see srishti. Sitting in the bed holding a book. But her mind seemed to be lost. She was staring blankly at the pages. Shruthi sighed and knocked on the door. Making srishti startle.

"Srishti what are you doing here? Everyone is waiting for you downstairs to have dinner"shruthi said.

"Shruthi...actually I'm not hungry. Can I skip dinner?"

"Srishti. We both know how good you are in making excuses. And I know why you don't want to come downstairs. But you can't ignore annaya forever. Okay?"

"It's not because of him...."Srishti looked down.

Shruthi sighed and walked closer to her. Sitting besides her on bed.

"Srishti. I never told you this because. Everyone in our family thought that you would need a lot of time in accepting things that had happened. And I can't defend anyone or anything. Because your life is what changed. And think about it. Why would this marriage happen without any reason? There has to be something right?"shruthi asked.

Srishti listened to her quietly.

"If you accept it or not. You are annayas legal wife. And my brother is not someone. Who would force himself upon anyone's life. If he had chosen you. He didn't had any other option"she said. Srishti sighed with her eyes closed.

"Just come downstairs and have dinner. But please don't keep ignoring annaya. I'm sure he wants to talk to you as well. So next time he tries. Don't push him away. Listen to what he wants to say. And I'm sure you will understand"shruthi said. Srishti nodded her head after a pause.

"Okay great. Now I'm hungry as hell. Come"shruthi grabbed srishtis hand and took her downstairs.

Jai looked up when he saw srishti. He smiled inwardly seeing her. Shruthi looked at him and gave him a thumps up. He nodded back. Srishti avoided looking at jai.

"Srishti come. We were waiting for you only"shalini said.

Srishti smiled at her. She was about to walk over to the other side. To sit besides the kids when Kumari interrupted her.

"Srishti. There is a chair besides Raju. Sit there"kumari said making her freeze.

"But.....Maa"srishti hesitated.

Kumari instructed the maid who stepped ahead and pulled the chair for srishti to sit. Jai rolled his eyes at his mother. Who nodded her head. Assuring him that it will be fine.

Srishti sighed inwardly. Remembering shruthis words. She sat on the chair quietly. Jai looked at her while she kept looking ahead. He don't know why he felt so good when he heard her. Mentioning his mother as 'Maa'. He was happy that she had accepted his family members. He only hoped that she would now accept him. As a friend.

The maids served food for everyone. Srishti was quiet throughout the dinner. Jai made sure she wasn't uncomfortable with him besides her. He too had his dinner in silence. Srishti quickly finished her dinner. And walked inside kitchen to help the maids in cleaning up.

Jai returned back to his room. He went through his mails. Half an hour later. He closed his laptop and walked to the balcony to get some fresh air. He stood still. Staring into the cold night. Holding the railing. A minute later. His eyes fell on the lawn. He saw someone sitting in the bench. Few feets away from the pool.

He leaned his head to get a proper view and the light fell upon the persons face. It was Srishti. She was sitting alone. Staring into the pool. Jai felt it was the right moment. To talk to her. And she seemed to be disturbed too. Just like him.

He grabbed his sweater. And walked down to the lawn. Srishti was engrossed in her thoughts. She was thinking about her family. She missed them so much. She still wasn't ready to forgive them easily. For leaving her alone here. Her thoughts went to Arjun. He was still avoiding her. She wanted him to hear her out. But he was stubborn.

Just like she was.

In the same way. She chose to ignore Jai. Instead of hearing him out.

"Srishti"

Jais voice startled her. She jumped up from the bench. And saw him standing behind the bench. Her heart started beating rapidly. And she quickly lowered her head to the ground. He gave her a calm smile.

"What are you doing here? It's cold"he said.

When she didn't say anything. He sighed and tucked his palms inside his pocket.

"I want to talk to you srishti"he said. She raised her eyes and looked at him.

"It's been so long I have been trying to talk to you. I knew you needed time. Thats why I went away. But. I can't keep avoiding you forever. I took such a big decision that changed both of our lives. And I want you to know why I did that. Because. You're a good girl srishti. And I would never want to spoil your life"he said. A drop of tear rolled down her eye. Which she quickly wiped it off.

"So. Can you please hear me out?"he asked. She composed herself. And nodded her head. Making him smile in relief.

"Let's go outside? I'll take the car. I really miss driving"he said and led her outside the lawn.

Srishti followed him quietly. Somewhere inside she felt that this was right. She wants to hear what he has to say. And it has to be in peace.

After taking the keys from the guards. Jai opened the door of the car for srishti. She looked at him for few seconds and quietly. Sat inside. He closed the door behind and got inside the driver seat as well. He didn't take the guards along. Thinking about a peaceful conversation with her.

Srishti stared outside the window quietly. Into the night. She was tensed. Anxious. And nervous. But she was equally desparate. To hear what he has to say. Jai looked at her. From time to time. It reminded him about that midnight drive they had. It was the first time he had hugged her. That memory brought a smile on his face.

She turned to look at him. To see him smile. He looked at her as well. Locking their eyes. She quickly looked away and stared ahead. Few minutes of silence occupied them. And he finally decided to speak.

"Srishti......"

She drew a breath. Hearing him calling her name.

"First of all. Let me start by apologising. I'm sorry. For everything that has happened"he said. She felt bad. But she kept mum. Letting him continue.

"Srishti. I was someone who barely had any time for anything. Stardom was all that was in my head. When I met you for the first time. I knew you admired and respected me so much. You saved my life. You saved our family. And I thought everything happened for a good reason. But the moment those rumours broke out. I knew it had affected your life so badly. Not only yours. Your family's too"he said. Srishti wet her lips. While he continued.

"The thing is. From the past few months. Someone had been targeting me and my family. At first I thought it was someone random. People do such things all the time. So I ignored it. But things started getting serious. The moment it involved you and me. The person. Whoever that is. Has tried to break my uncle's buisness. My family was targeted. But I arranged guards for them. They had security around all the time. So no one could touch my family members. The cops seemed to think that. That person is the reason behind my accident as well. It was a preplanned attempt to murder. But I was saved by you. Once the Rumours of our relationship started spreading. That very person has assumed that you were my girlfriend. He knew he could not touch my family. Instead he tried to. Hurt you"he with difficulty. Srishti was hell shocked. Hearing everything from him.

"I.....I don't understand sir"she said after a pause. Making him sigh.

"My mom liked you. And she wanted me to get married to you. I denied it. The moment i got to know about it. I thought it was crazy. You and I. We barely knew each other. We were not even friends. Amma said that after the rumours. Your family is the one. Who got affected the most. Your father had the same opinion too. But I was adamant that I'm not getting married to you. And neither forcing you. But....do you remember the day your father got into an accident? That day all my fears were coming true. That person was targeting you and your family. Your father said that it was not his fault that the accident happened. I was in fear. I talked to your appa. He said if this marriage happened. He will longer be worried about your safety srishti. After a lot of thoughts i decided. That this is the right way. But I had already told my family and your parents. That if you deny for this marriage. No one will ever force you again. They all agreed. But......"he sighed and took a breath.

"But that day you were attacked by some goons. For safety I had arranged guards around your house without your or your family's knowledge. My guards arrived at the right time and saved you and your friend. And that's how you ended up in my house"he explained.

Srishti sat frozen. Hearing him. She recalled that day. She and Arjun got attacked. By some goons. They were trying to hurt her. And jai was the one who saved her. He continued telling her everything. Without leaving any single detail. And she listened to him. Painfully.

"I didn't knew what to do. I couldn't send you home. I was in so much fear. Everyone said you should be with me. Your parents said. This is the only way. To keep you safe. They will no longer be worried about your safety. And of course. The Rumours will turn out to be true. Everyone said do it. But i was concerned about you. Srishti. I would never want to spoil a innocent girls life. But I didn't had any other option. The moment I signed those papers. And the lawyer announced us as husband and wife. I had been dying inside to talk to you and tell you everything but I knew you needed time. Just like I did. Thats why. I just ran away from there. Now there is nothing to hide. This is the truth. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for everything that had happened. Please. Forgive me"he touched her shivering hands and clasped it tightly.

Jai looked at srishti. She had tears running down her eyes. She sat still. Regret gripping over her. For misunderstanding him. For not treating him right.

He was after all a good person. Her favourite person. How can she even think bad about him?

"Srishti?"he called her softly. In concern. She broke into tears. Which startled him. He quickly pulled the car over to one side of the road.

"Hey. Srishti I'm sorry. Please stop crying"he said.

She cupped her mouth as more tears came down. He sighed as he expected. Her to break down. So he let her cry.

"Srishti please. Stop crying"he held her hand and stopped her after few seconds.

"I'm....I'm sorry sir"she said wiping her tears. Making him blink.

"For what?"he asked.

"For.....everything. I didn't knew...anything. I blamed you. Ignored you. Hurted you so much. With my ignorance and words. You did so much. For me....and my family...You saved me.....and you only had....intention of keeping me safe. But.....I misunderstood you...and I...Hurted you again. And again. I didn't even try. Hearing you out. Im sorry"she said crying. He sighed and squeezed her hand.

"Hey. It's not your fault. And yes you didn't knew anything. Because you were as hurt as me. Your life had changed now because of me. So that's makes both of us in the same situation. It's 1-1. Please don't cry. I'm glad you understood me"he raised his hand and touched her cheek. Srishti felt shivers the moment he did it.

Her breath stilled. As he gently wiped her tears with his thumb. He took his hand back. Realising what he did.

"Now we are fine right. We forgive each other. So....we can start everything afresh. Including our friendship" he smiled at her.

She sighed and wiped her tears. Nodding her head.

"So....."

Before he could complete. A jeep pulled up in front of them. Making them startle.

Both of them looked ahead. Few men got down the vehicle and started marching towards their car. Everything happened so quick that. Jai didn't understand. When did they rush towards him. Opened the door of the car and. Pulled him outside.

Srishti widened her eyes in shock as the men gathered around the car and started punching jai badly.

"Sir"she yelled coming out of the car to stop them.

Jai pushed everyone away. Confused and shocked. Of everything.

"Who are you?"he yelled.

A goon stepped ahead and kicked him hard on his stomach. Jai fell on his back and groaned in pain holding his stomach. The goons climbed upon him. Punching his cheek. Till he spitted blood.

"Please leave him. Please"srishti shouted. Trying to stop them. One of the goon. Held her hair from behind and grabbed her. Jai looked at her when they slapped her hard across her cheek.

Adrenaline rushed through his veins the moment he saw it. He got up on his knees. Hitting the goons who were trying to hold him down. He grabbed the man who was holding srishti. And punched right on his jaw. Srishti closed her eyes tightly in fear.

She saw jai being attacked from all the sides. She was crying. Looking around for help. It was an isolated place and there was no one around. To help.

Jai was fighting them back. One by one. He didn't give up even though he was getting equally injured. Srishti didn't knew what to do. While the goons attacked jai. She grabbed jais phone. Which fell down his pocket and dialled the emergency number.

"Hello? Police station?"

Jai felt like loosing his breath. As they held him tightly from behind. He had punched down half of them. Yet they were coming more in number. The goons grabbed srishti. While she was struggling in their hold. Constantly requesting the goons. To leave jai.

"Shut up. If you say another word. We will slit your throat"a goon yelled taking a knife out of his pocket.

Srishti widened her eyes. Seeing jai. When they hit him hard on his head with a rod. She screamed loudly when he fell on the ground. With blood oozing out of his head. He gasped in pain and clenched his teeths.

A car pulled up in front of them. The goons smirked picking jai up with his collar. And made him sit on the ground with his knees. He struggled hard to open his eyes. Groaning in pain. He saw a man. Coming out of the car. He looked strangely familiar. To jais eyes. Taking out a cigar from his pocket. He took few puffs. And smirked looking at jai.

"Hello superstar Jai Prakash Raj. Remember me?"the man asked.

Jai closed his eyes tightly and opened them again. To get a clear view of the person standing in front of him. When he realized who he was. His eyes widened in shock.

"Sanjay?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap : Who is Sanjay?

♡ Nila ♡