Ruhaan rested his head against the wall and looked at the ceiling of his dad's study.

He just couldn't understand why all of this happening . For the past three hours, he had scanned every single bit of his father's files in his study. There was absolutely no evidence that his dad was facing any kind of financial problems. But there was also no evidence of the fact that his dad had not tempered with Tapasya's dad's financial statements. And that meant that he had absolutely no idea how to prove his dad innocent.

Don't get him wrong. He had full faith in his dad. He knew he could never betray someone, let alone steal from his best friend. But he knew that if he had to prove his dad's innocence, he needed some proof.

His dad was not yet home. He had tried calling him but he didn't pick up. Something told him that his dad was trying to avoid him. He was probably in a bar, drinking his misery away.

His thoughts drifted from his father to Tapasya. Oh how badly he needed her by his side right now! God knows all he wanted to do was to rest his head on her shoulder and drift off to sleep.

But his last words to Kunal Dhanrajgir rang in his ears,

' If I fail to prove my dad innocent, I'll never see Tapasya again.'

He shuddered at the thought of not ever being able to see Tapasya. To hold her in his arms, to caress her brown cascade of a hair, to see her face light up everytime he told her how much he loved her.

A tear rolled down his cheeks.

No. He had to do it. He had to prove his dad's innocence. If the mere thought of staying away from Tapasya made him shudder, what would he do if it really happened?

She was his anchor. His life saver. His support system. He could not afford to lose her.

But how? What could he do?

As he immersed himself in finding a solution for the situation , a soft clatter was heard at the other side of the door. He stood up and opened the door.

Standing outside, in a clearly not sober state, was his dad. He opened the door wide to let him in.

Kabir Shergill ,struggling to keep his stature , made his way to his chair. Ruhaan reluctantly took his jacket off him and made him sit on his chair. He sat on his knees near his dad's feet and started undoing his shoelaces when Kabir asked,

Kabir: When did you come back home?

Ruhaan , without glancing at him, answered,

Ruhaan: This morning.

Kabir nodded and said,

Kabir: You know, you could have told me that you were coming this morning. I wouldn't have gone out then.

Ruhaan: It's okay, dad.

Kabir noticed the tone of his voice and asked,

Kabir: Is there something you're not telling me?

Ruhaan: Shouldn't I be the one asking that question?

Kabir's eyes shot up and he looked at his son questioningly. Ruhaan took off his shoes and said,

Ruhaan: I know about your rift  with Kunal uncle.

Kabir almost glared at his son and then sighing softly said,

Kabir: Let me guess. He told you that I took all his money and betrayed him?

Ruhaan gulped and faced his father. He knew that his father could never do such a thing. But he just couldn't help but want to hear it from his mouth.

Ruhaan: Did you do it?

Kabir: You really think I could do such a thing?

Ruhaan lowered his eyes.

Kabir put his hand on his son's shoulder and said,

Kabir: Look,.... I may not be the best father or the best husband
......... but I'm no betrayer, son. You have to believe me.

That's it. That was all the reassurance that Ruhaan needed. He trusted his father. He knew that he could never do such a thing to anyone. He said,

Ruhaan: I trust you, dad. I do , really.

Saying that, he hugged his dad . He couldn't remember the last time he had been this close to his father or hugged him. His dad patted his shoulder as they parted. Smilingly, he said,

Kabir: I knew you would believe me.

Ruhaan: I do, Dad.

Kabir nodded and asked,

Kabir: When did he tell you all this?

Ruhaan gulped and told him about the whole morning fiasco at the Dhanrajgir residence. After hearing to the entire situation, Kabir's eyes flared with rage.

He spoke angrily,

Kabir: How dare he talk to you like that?

Ruhaan: No dad.....

Kabir: No, Ruhaan. It was fine until he told all those awful things to me. But you? His problem's with me, not you. He has no right to speak to you like that.

Ruhaan: Dad, there is one more thing that I haven't told you.

Kabir looked at him questioningly. Ruhaan took a deep breath and decided to come out with the truth of his and Tapasya's relationship, of which his dad was totally unaware of.

Ruhaan: Well...

He proceeded to tell his father about his relationship with Tapasya. When he was finished, Kabir looked at him with evident guilt in his eyes.

Kabir: God Ruhaan! Why didn't you tell me earlier? I could have done something, talked to Kunal at least. Now I've not only wrecked my career but also your relationship. I've failed as a father. I'm so sorry.

Ruhaan: Hey dad, no. Don't say that. You've not failed me. Okay? You are the bestest dad in the world. Whatever is happening is not your fault. It's the situation. Don't blame yourself for something you haven't done.

Kabir looked at his son with pride.

Kabir: I'm proud to have you as a son. You deserve a better father than me.

Ruhaan smiled and rested his head on his father's knees. Kabir caressed his hair.

Ruhaan: I'll prove you innocent, dad. I promise.

Kabir smiled weakly and said,

Kabir: I know you will.

                 ~~~~~~~~~~~
Tejaswi caressed her daughter's hair as she rested her head on her knees. She felt so helpless at the moment. Her daughter's eyes were drained out of tears and all she could do was comfort her. She hated herself for not having any courage to stand up to her husband for her daughter.

After all, her daughter didn't deserve to be punished for her mistakes.

Tejaswi spoke with effort,

Tejaswi: Tappu beta, Come on now. Stop crying. You didn't even have dinner. Come on, there's pasta in the fridge. I'll heat it up and then we can have it and watch a movie.

Tapasya sat upright and looked at her mother in disbelief.

Tapasya: Mom, what the hell are you saying? How can I eat dinner and watch a movie when my relationship is at stake because of a stupid rivalry between dad and Kabir uncle?!

Tejaswi: Tapasya-

Tapasya: No, don't.

Tejaswi: Tapasya, listen to me. Whatever your dad's doing is to protect you.

Tapasya: Protect me?! Protect me from whom? Ru? Mom! I love Ruhaan! He was the only person who kept me sane when you guys were traveling the world for your business. He took care of me! If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be telling you all this.

Tejaswi: What do you mean?

Tapasya: I had a major asthma attack during the Inter College Championships. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have survived!

Tejaswi staggered back mentally. She , who use to boast about raising her daughter well and knowing every part of her daughter's life, was not even aware of the fact that her daughter had such a major asthma attack?

Tejaswi: Tappu! Why didn't you tell me anything?!

Taps: What would you have done? You guys were probably sitting in a club thousand miles away dealing with some clients!

Tejaswi: Tapasya! You know that we would have come home for you!

Tapasya: It doesn't matter, Mom! What matters is that he was there when you guys weren't.

Tejaswi sighed heavily.

Tapasya: And now we are caught up in this stupid rivalry for absolutely no reason!

Tejaswi: Tapasya calm down. It's okay, alright? Everything's gonna be fine-

Taps: No! Don't ask me to pretend as if nothing's wrong! Mom, did you hear what Ru said before leaving? He promised dad that he would never see me if he fails to prove his dad innocent. How can I pretend that nothing's wrong when I don't even know whether my and Ru's relationship will last or not?

Tejaswi opened her mouth but nothing came out of it. She felt helpless watching her daughter break down like this. All her life, she had raised Tapasya like a literal princess. She had never let her daughter cry for anything. Now seeing her like this absolutely broke her heart.

Tapasya stood up abruptly and stormed out of her mother's room.

Tejaswi looked at the retreating figure with a frown. She had indeed let her daughter down.

                ~~~~~~~~~~~

~Two days later~

There was an uncomfortable silence at Dhanrajgir residence. Tejaswi looked back and forth between her husband and daughter. Both of them had a deep frown on their faces as they unwillingly chewed on their food. Clearly none of them was interested in breakfast.

Finally taking a deep breath, Tejaswi spoke,

Tejaswi: If you both are finished with fiddling with your food, we have somewhere to be.

They stopped eating and looked at her questioningly.

Kunal: Where , Tejaswi?

Tejaswi: Shergill Residence.

Kunal: What?!

Tapasya looked at her mom questioningly.

Kunal: Tejaswi! What-

Tejaswi: No questions, Kunal. Please.

Kunal: There's no way I'm going to that traitor's house!

Tejaswi: Kunal, just come with me and Tapasya. There are some things that needs to be sorted out.

Kunal: No , I'm not!

Tejaswi inhaled deeply. There was only one way he would agree to this.

Tejaswi: Tumhe Tapasya ki kasam, Kunal.

Typical indian blackmail method!

Kunal fumed in anger as Tapasya struggled to understand what her mother was getting at.

Tejaswi: I'll be waiting in the car.

Saying that, she stood up and walked out leaving her husband and daughter in confusion.

A drive had never felt so long. None of them spoke a word the entire time. As they got to the gates of the Shergill mansion, Kunal said,

Kunal: There's no way I'm going inside.

Tejaswi: You will. This is for Tapasya.

Kunal: What about her? She shouldn't be dealing with these Shergills.

Tejaswi: Exactly. We should. Now stop throwing tantrums and come.

Tapasya and Kunal gaped at the woman as she walked ahead. Tapasya couldn't understand what had gotten into her mother today.

As Tejaswi rang the bell, two chimes were heard on the other side. The door open after awhile, revealing tired Ruhaan rubbing his eyes. His eyes widened seeing them. Tapasya smiled weakly at him.

Tejaswi: Is your dad home, Ruhaan?

It took Ruhaan some time to understand what was going on. He immediately shook his head positively and said,

Ruhaan: Yeah.....yeah , he is. Come in.

Kunal rolled his eyes as they went inside.

Ruhaan: Will you guys have something? Juice?

Kunal: Oh shut it with your fake courtesy! Tejaswi, why have you brought us here?!

Ruhaan and Tapasya looked at each other trying to understand the situation. Tejaswi inhaled deeply and said,

Tejaswi:Have some patience, Kunal. I am talking-

She was abruptly cut off by a voice at the other end of the hallway,

Kabir: What is going on?

Kunal tightened his fists. Tapasya and Ruhaan gulped at the adults. Tejaswi spoke,

Tejaswi: Kabir, hi. Sorry to bother you. But I had to come. Things between us are quite complicated right now. And needles to say, our kids are getting sucked into this hell hole.

Kabir: Well , it was your husband who started this whole thing.

Kunal: Yes ,because you are a fucking LIAR! AND A BETRAYER!

Tapasya shuddered at his tone. Ruhaan tightened his fists.

Tejaswi: Kunal! Don't forget that our kids are also here. Mind your language.

Kunal: Why should I do that?! Tejaswi, this guy stole from us and pretended to be a good friend! Why should I talk to him politely?!

Tejaswi breathed heavily and said,

Tejaswi: Because he isn't the one who stole your money.

Everyone looked at her questioningly but Kunal spoke,

Kunal:How do you know that?!

Tejaswi looked at her daughter before answering,

Tejaswi: Because it was me. I stole your money.

                ~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey guys! So here's an update! The reason why it took me so long to update was that, first, I wasn't quite sure about this storyline tbh, and second, I was dealing with a lot of mental stress and also, on top of that Sushant Singh Rajput's news just completely broke me.

Right now, I have deactivated most of my socials except Wattpad because the only thing keeping me sane at the moment is writing and reading.

Anyways, if you guys liked the cliffhanger, please make sure to vote and  comment down below if there's anything bothering you at the moment and if you wanna talk about it privately, please feel free to dm me. I'm always there for you guys!

And don't forget that I love you loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads and loads 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

💞Bosedisha 💞