Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye ch10 p94, epi-p99 - Page 46

Chapter 8:

Nidhi broke down completely. Ashu closed his eyes in agony, "Nidhi, please sambhalo apne aapko" He gently kissed her forehead and buried his face in her neck, "aisi koi badi baat nahi hai" "Ashutosh, badi baat nahi hai'..I m barren dammit, main aapki sabse badi khwahish poori nahi kar sakti"

Ashu held her shoulders, shook her and shouted, "just stop it Nidhi, the doctor didn't say that you can't conceive." Then he said tenderly "Sweetie, you just need to take some treatment, uske baad sab theek ho jayega. Aur abhi toh hame hamari newly married life enjoy karni chahiye na? Nidhi, I agree that kids are a big boon, but dear, they are a big responsibility too. So, thoda delay toh achha hi haina aur waise bhi''. "

She burst out laughing sarcastically and hysterically. He just looked on helplessly wondering how to console her. Finally, she said, "Aur kitne excuses denge? Main koi bachchi nahi hoon, jo aap mujhe jhoothe dilaase den"

"Toh phir bachchon ki tarah kyon behave kar rahi ho?" He reasons, "Dekho Nidhi, you are a doctor yourself, toh tum us gynaec ki itni baat toh samajh hi gayi hogi na, ke PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is quite a common condition and not that grave. Haan shayad thodi der lage, lekin koi baat nahi na"

"Ashutosh, you are already 43, aur hamari shaadi ko almost ek saal hone ko aaya hai, aur abhi tak''..kaash aapki shaadi kisi aur se hui hoti toh woh aapko'.."

"JUST STOP RIGHT THERE!" he shouted angrily. It shook her totally, since she had never seen him this angry. His eyes were red and his face was totally flushed with anger. She got really scared while he continued in a deceptively calm voice, "tumhe andaaza bhi hai tum kya bol rahi ho? Do I need to tell you in words what you mean to me? I can live without breathing, but not without smelling your presence in the air I breathe! I can live without eyes, but not without seeing you first thing in the morning and last thing at night! I can''.. anyways" and he turned away deeply hurt and stood facing the window.

Nidhi stood totally stunned. Then she walked slowly upto him and very hesitantly backhugged him, only to be more shocked at the drops on her hands. She used sheer force to turn around and saw he was crying silently. She immediately hugged him and said in atrembling voice, "I am really sory Sweets mujhe maaf kar dijiye. I hurt you a lot na, I m really really sorry ' ek toh main aapko bachcha nahi de sakti aur upar se''"

He got angry again, "Phir wohi bakwaas?" his words shook her again so he softened, "Dekho Nidhi, pahli baat to ye ki tum meri zindagi me aayi uske baad hi meri saari khwaahishe jaagne lagi'tum samajh rahi ho na, that you are my love, my first and primary desire, all other desires come secondary after you'..

Aur rahi baat bachche ki, doctor ne ye kab kaha ki you can't conceive, hum kal se hi treatment shuru kar sakte hain'."

"Pl. Ashutosh, I can read between the lines, jab maine unse poochha ke kitna time lagega, toh unhone kuch definite jawab nahi diya, unhone to ye tak keh diya ke kayi saal bhi lag sakte hain," she argued.

"Nidhi I think you are reading too much between the lines. Unhone ye bhi to kaha ke ho sakta hai kuch weeks hi lagen. Moreover, she said clearly that yours is quite a mild case of PCOS. Toh phir? Aur phir acha haina tab tak atleast tumhari internship poori ho jaayegi," he counter-reasoned. His words seemed to calm her down and he sat down on the chair and closed his eyes for a few seconds in relief. He opened his eyes to see her still deep in thought. "Nidhi" he breaks her chain of thoughts and she looks at him.

Then, she slowly walks upto him, sits on his lap and puts her arms around his neck and asks like an cute kid, "Ashutosh, aap sahi keh rahe haina, sab theek ho jaayega na?" Oh God, she is so so innocent and has such a childlike faith in him, he thought with gratitude. Then he slowly puts his arms around her around her and said with assurance, "haan Nidhi, sab bilkul theek ho jayega." She hugs him tightly and says, "Pata hai Ashutosh, aap kehte haina toh lagta hai ke sach me sab theek ho jayega" and buries her face in his neck. Ashu too hugs her tightly saying, "that's like my Sweetie."

They stay like that for a few minutes, then Ashu remembers something, "haan toh Nidhi, main ye keh raha tha ke waise toh kisi ko bhi ye nahi maloom ke humne fertility test karwaya hai, lekin agar ye baat kabhi koi nikaalta hai, toh mujhse waada karo ke no one will know what the reports say."

"magar kyun? I mean jab koi serious poblem, I mean problem hi nahi hai, toh phir'." She was confused.

"Haan, Nidhi koi badi problem nahi hai, lekin Nidhi achhe bhale educated log bhi baat ka batangar bana dete hain, aisi baaton pe. And you have already received enough flak for marrying me. I don't want you to suffer any more unnecessarily." Ashu did not know why he felt so concerned but somehow he had a strange feeling that if this thing comes out, it would be very difficult for Nidhi to handle, since Lucknow was still a conservative place.

"Lekin." She tried to argue, he cut her, "Nothing doing Nidhi, tumhe meri kasam hai agar is report ki baat bahar gayi toh". He again wondered why he was feeling so scared, but may be it was some kind of a premonition. Even Nidhi wondered why he was so serious about the issue. But neither of them got the opportunity to think about it much, because, at that moment Ashu's phone rang.

It was Mallika. He was getting irritated now. Ever since their marriage, she used to call him at odd hours on some pretext on the other. When he gently tried to explain that such calls disturbed, she argued that even before his marriage, she used to call him at any time and he was happy to talk to her about anything or even nothing at all. She accused him of lying that day at her house that his marriage would not affect his friendship with her. He had tried to reason with her, but in vain. She had often invited him sometimes alone and sometimes with Nidhi under various pretexes but he had politely declined. Only yesterday, she had walked into his cabin at KGH during lunch time when he and Nidhi were enjoying the special methi muthiya with Hare chane ki curry cooked by Nidhi; and requested him to accompany her home to give her advice on her investments. He said that now that her brother now lived with her and was a banker so could help her better. But she countered that since he had always been the one who had advised her on her investments, so she trusted him and moreover, he knew all about her investments. So, he told her to bring all papers to him at KGH today, and he will take a look and get back to her with his advice. But today, when he asked for the papers, she curtly replied that she did not need the charity from Nidhi's husband and walked away, while stood looking helplessly. He wanted to keep his friendship intact, but she was hellbent on ruining it.

Now, what was the excuse behind this late night call? He picked up with annoyance, "Hello?". Mallika's voice was very panicked, "Ashutosh, tum phone kyun nahi utha rahe the, kab se? Please jaldi aajaao, yahan gas leak ho raha hai, aur main bilkul akeli hoon, Aditya and family out of town hain, pl. jaldi aao mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai." Ashu got concerned and said urgently, "Mallika, pahle tum relax karo'.." hearing her sigh, "okay ab batao tumne gas emergency number pe call kiya?" "nahi lekin abhi karti hoon", she said realizing the idea never occurred to her. Ashu said,"Tum rehne do, main karta hoon. Aur ab meri baat dhyaan se suno, tum jald se ghar se bahar niklo, aur apne ghar ke saamne wale road pe security cabin me jaake mera wait karo. I will be there asap" and he cut the call.

While changing, he told Nidhi about the leak and she too was concerned and asked if she should accompany? He refused saying he would handle it and she already had an exhausting day. When he was leaving, she said, "Pl. take care of yourself and pl. pl. don't go into the house, until the leak is repaired by the Gas people." He assured her and left.

Ashu and the emergency people reached almost at the same time. Mallika on seeing Ashu, immediately threw herself in his arms, and started crying, "Ashutosh, achha hua tum aa gaye, main bahut darr gayi thi" Ashu gently but firmly detached her from himself and said mildly, "come on Mallika, isme itna zyaada darni ki kya zaroorat hai? Aur waise bhi woh log andar gaye haina, toh phir?" Mallika nodded and sensed his irritation, "haan, I am sorry Ashutosh, maine tumhe itni raat der disturb kiya. Lekin, mujhe kuch samajh hi nahi aa raha tha" she tried to explain. He softened, "its okay Mallika, achha kiya ke tumne mujhe call kiya" Mallika smiled a bit. Just then Nidhi called and Ashu picked, Mallika was irritated, though she could hear only one side of the conversation, "Haan Nidhi?... Sab theek hai''''.haan she is fine''haan haan baba, hum ghar ke bahar hi hain ''.' hmm'.'' vo log andar gaye hai, mujhe lagta hai jyada der nahi lagegi''''' yes, I will be back soon''. Lekin please tum so jao'..pl. Nidhi, zidd mat karo, dekho kal bhi tumhara hectic hai'''yes, that's like my wifey". Mallika literally cringed at the last sentence.

After half an hour, the gas people come out and say that it is safe to enter the house. Ashu leaves Mallika at the door step and then suddenly a thought occurs to him and he asks those people, "waise, ye leak hua kaise?" "ji sahabji hum bhi yehi soch rahe the ke aapko batayen ya nahi" one of them says hesitantly. Ashu looks up sharply and says, "Kya matlab?"

Mallika butts in, "rehne do na Ashutosh, kya farak padta hai? Ab toh sab theek haina? Tum jaldi ghar jaao, Nidhi tumhara wait kar rahi hongi na." "Ek minute Mallika, pata toh chale" he countered and looked questioningly at those people. One of them said nervously, "Sahabji pipe kati hui thi" "Pipe kaise kat sakti hai?" Ashu wondered aloud. "jis tarah se kati hui thi, usse toh yehi lag raha tha jaise kisi ne jaan bujhkar kaati ho. Matlab ek dum nayi pipe ' kahin ek kharoch bhi nahi aur itna bada cheera! Aap khud hi dekh lijiye sahabji ye rahi woh pipe" the man said and handed him the pipe they had replaced with the new one. Sure enough, the pipe seemed totally new, unscratched and yet there was a very prominent cut on it as if it had been cut with a sharp kitchen knife. Those people just shrugged in confusion and left. Ashu looked at Mallika in confusion. Her face told him the truth and he looked at her vey angrily. Mallika flinched at his anger and started blabbering, "Ashutosh, kya hua aise kyun dekh rahe ho? Tum yeh toh nahi soch rahe ke''.. Oh God! Ashutosh, maine chaaku se nahi kaat'." She stopped suddenly when she realized she was practically admitting her guilt even when he did not even accuse her of anything directly. She looked on helplessly while Ashu shook his head angrily, muttered "disgusting!", walked to his car swifly and drove off.

For the next two days Ashu totally avoided Mallika. This time Nidhi too agreed, when he said that the best way to handle her obsession was to totally avoid her for some time. Nidhi had a big heart, but now it was getting too much for her too. Yes, she did symphatise with her, but this woman was not even trying to accept the fact Ashutosh never was nor will be hers. Nidhi too was after a wife, she found it difficult to digest when Mallika clung to her husband at every instance. Besides, the couple felt that it was best even for Mallika's sake that Ashu avoids her.

On the third day the ward boy brought in a leave application for Ashu to approve. Mallika wanted a 20 days leave from KGH. Ashu was just wondering what to make of it when Nidhi walked in and saw him in deep thought. "Kya hua?" she asked, startling him. He wordlessly showed her the leave application. Both looked at each other perplexed. Finally Ashu picked up the intercom and said into it, "Mallika, are you free right now?... okay main abhi aata hoon" he hung up and said to Nidhi, "chalo Nidhi usse baat karte hain". "Nahi Ashutosh, aap jaayiye" she gently refused. "Lekin tum bhi chalo na" he insisted. She replied, "dekhiye Ashutosh, mere saamne woh aapse khul ke baat nahi kar paayengi, aur mujhe lagta hai ki abhi unke liye apne dost se akele me baat karna zaroori hai". He was about to protest when he realized that may be she was right. He nodded silenty and went out of his cabin. Nidhi sat there wondering why was she getting the vibes as if something bad was going to happen.

"Arre Ashutosh, kya hua mujhse koi kaam tha?" "Mallika tum 20 din ki leave kyun le rahi ho? Fine, shayad tum mujhse naaraz ho, but tum iske kaaran chhutti logi ye toh''''"

Mallika chuckled slightly, "are nahi Ashutosh, aisi koi baat nahi hai. Main toh bas ek break lena chahti hoon. Yahan se kahin door jaana chahti hoon." When he looked at her in alarm, she continued, "Come on Ashutosh! Aise kyun dekh rahe ho? I''I just want a change, an escape from this daily routine."

When Ashu still remained silent, she said very seriously, "Ashutosh maine pichhle do dino me bahut socha ke main aisi kyun karti hoon'..kyun main ye chahti hoon ke tum mere paas raho har waqt, kyun main ye accept nahi kar paa rahi ke tumhari shaadi ho chuki hai''. Bahut sochne ke baad mujhe laga ke mujhe thode din yahan se kahi door chale jaana chahiye. Maybe I would be able to think from a different perspective when I am away from this routine. Maybe, I should just move out of your sphere for a few days. Bas isiliye, maine socha hai, ke main 20 din ke liye Mussoorie chali jaaoon".

Ashu thought for a while and finally sighed, I guess you are right Mallika. I agree with you. A change will do you good. Lekin tum Aditya and family ke saath hi jaa rahi hogi na?" "Nahi Ashutosh, main akeli jaa rahi hoon", she replied. "Lekin Mallika, tumhara akele jaana theek nahi hoga" he tried to dissuade her. "Arre Ashutosh, meri toh aadat hai akele jaane ki, aur tum fikr mat karo, I can take care of myself" she assured him. "Lekin Mallika, tum atleast Suhasini ko toh bol hi sakti ho na tumhare saath jaane ke liye. I am sure she won't refuse" he tried to convince her. "I know she won't refuse. Lekin Ashutosh, main kuch din bas akele rehna chahti hoon", she said with finality. Ashu sighed resignedly, "Theek hai Mallika, main tumhari leave sanction kar deta hoon. But, please take care." She nodded.

After 10 days one Sunday morning, Ashu was sitting on the couch in their bedroom, when Nidhi came out of the bathroom with wet hair. She had just showered. She was disappointed to see Ashu so lost in thoughts that he did not even look up. Usually whenever he saw her with wet hair, he would grab her, play with her wait hair, nuzzle her and'''''she blushed thinking about it. She walked upto him and naughtily banged his face with her wet hair, bringing him out of his reverie. He immediately pulled her onto his lap and started smelling her. Yet, she could see that he was still bit distracted. So, she asked mischievously, "Kya baat hai, mere dashing husband kin khayalo me khoye hain?" He smiled and tried to divert her by saying huskily while nuzzling her throat and hugging her tight, "ab jise apsara jaisi biwi mili ho, woh bhala kin khayalon me kho sakta hai sivae apni biwi ke?" and was about to kiss her when she gently pushed him back and said in an annoyed tone, "You know Ashutosh, you are a pathetic liar. Agar nahi batana chahte to mat bataiye" and she was about to get up from his lap, when he pulled her back with a jerk, put his hands on her waist and said, "Nidhi actually, mujhe Mallika ki chinta ho rahi hai'''' I mean who akeli gayi haina, shayad isiliye" he explained. Nidhi said immediately unse baat kar ljiye. Chaliye unhe call kijiye abhi ka abhi. I don't want to see any worry lines on my adorable hubby's face."

He blushed slightly at the last words and again closed in to kiss her, only to feel his phone between their lips! "Pahle phone toh kijiye!" she said teasingly seeing his disappointed face. After a few seconds, he becomes serious, "Lekin Nidhi, tumhe sach me lagta hai ke mujhe use call karna chahiye? I mean, tum jaanti hona ke woh kyun gayi hai? That''that she wanted to be left alone, to be away from everything, everyone and especially me. Toh aise me mera use phone karna''" She cut his words with, "Aap itna kyun soch rahe hain? Just call her and ask if she is okay. Bas, that's it. Zyaada baat mat kijiyega." He was still not convinced, "Lekin''" "Lekin vekin kuch nahi, ye lijiye aap ka phone" she literally ordered. He dialed.

One ring, two rings, three, four, five'''.at last at the 6^th ring, he heard a groggy "Hello?" "He looked at the time, "Mallika tum so rahi thi? Its already 11 am. Tum toh 5 baje uth jaati ho, chahe kuch bhi ho. Tumhari tabiyat to theek hai" "Kya 11 baj gaye?" she exclaimed, but still could not brush off her sleep, "mujhe itni neend kyun aa rahi hai?" she mumbled very sleepily. Ashu was seriously worried now, "Mallika, ARE YOU OKAY?" he literally shouted, leaving Nidhi confused. Mallika replied, "Pata nahi Ashutosh, neend hi nahi khul rahi hai, aur severe body ache ho raha hai" "Kya! Mallika, you really sound unwell, main ek kaam karta hoon, main Dehradoon ki next available flight pakadta hoon aur shyaam tak ya aat pohunchta hoon" "Arre, nahi Ashutosh, main theek ho jaaoongi" she said firmly, "Aur please Aditya ya Suhasini ko mat batana!" "Lekin'.." he tried to reason. But she refused again saying, 'Ashutosh, please, mere paas antibiotics hain, le loongi aur dopahar tak theek ho jaoongi, don't worry." "Theek hai. Take care. main call karta rahunga" "Okay", she said and hung up.

She wondered why she was feeling so strange and uneasy. She tried to remember what she had eaten for dinner last night wondering if maybe she had caught some infection. Strangely, she could not remember anything. The last thing she remembered was buying tea from the vendor across the cottage where she was staying, while returning from the walk, as she was feeling so cold. But, strangly, she did not remember anything after that. She did not remember having dinner, or changing or coming to bed. Then she realized with a jolt that she was not wearing any that she was not wearing anything. And though, she had pain all over her body, a severe pain in a particular part of her body alarmed her! Oh God! Has she been'''..? Tears suddenly burst out at the realization of what may have happened.

She trembled uncontrollably, and rushed to the bathroom and retched repeatedly, feeling completely disgusted, and loathing herself totally. While bathing, she scrubbed herself ruthlessly, yet, still felt dirty. Finally she came out of the bathroom completely drained and lay down on the carpet in a foetal position trembling and crying helplessly. She desperately tried to remember something about last night. But, no matter however hard she tried, she could not remember anything.

That afternoon, Ashu was still worried about her, so he called her up around 2 pm. Mallika is still on the carpet, crying and trying to remember something about last. She got up with great difficulty and picked up, "Haan Ashutosh" she struggled to keep her voice from shaking. "Tumhari tabiyat? Aur are you shivering?" he was worried. "tabiyat better hai. Aur haan thodi thand hai na yahan pe isiliye", she lied and continued, "I guess, its flu. I think I caught yesterday. Don't worry maine antibiotics le liye hain and I will be okay in a day or two, don't worry. Main tumhe khud call karoongi agar zaroorat hui toh, abhi I need to rest, bye" and she cut the call abruptly. Finally, a blurred image of last night materialized in her minds's eye. She was shocked, "Lekin, woh? yahan?" Another wail escaped her and she broke down again.

Ashu felt strange. It seemed that for the first time in life, Mallika was trying to avoid him. Why? Is she in some trouble? He wondered. But she would definitely have told him if it was. Maybe''maybe she was just trying over her obsession with him. Yes, that was it! He tried to reassure him, but in vain. Something nagged him at the back of his mind. When he saw her in KGH after her leave was over, she completely avoided not only him but everyone. He got really worried but didn't know what to do. She looked ill and pale but evaded all his questions.

After a few days, Armaan happily told them, that Tamanna was willing to give their happiness a chance, if her family agreed. Nidhi says that considering the fact that her father was very orthodox (he didn't even attend AshNi wedding because he felt it was not right and also since DB was against it), it is better that they talk to CV first and take him in confidence. Ashu agreed and it was decided that they would visit CV in the evening after their shift at KGH.

That evening, they were having tea with CV and Ashu began with, "Baba, hume aap se kuch zaroori baat karni hai" "Haan haan, bolo Ashutosh, kya baat hai?" "Ji woh baat''.." he was cut by Kapil Solanki, who walked in saying, "Kyun Verma, akele akele beti aur damaad ke saath chai pee rahe ho?" And joined them in the drawing room, sitting near CV.

Everyone was surprised! This was the first time that he had even acknowledged AshNi's presence since their marriage. Infact, they had not even been invited to Ranji engagement. Yes, Kapil Solanki had finally given his approval to Ranji relationship, tauntingly telling the two families that atleast Ranganath was in the same age-group as Anji! Since both of them wanted to concentrate on their career, they had gotten engged 3 months ago and their marriage would take place maybe next year or the year after. Though Anji and Shyama had tried their best, he had not let them invite AshNi to the engagement party. When Anji had insisted, he had threatened to call of her engagement itself. So, they had no choice but to accept his decision.

Now, everyone was astonished at his behavior, and no one knew how to react. Finally, after a few seconds of awkward silence, NIdhi walked upto him with a smile and hugged him, "uncle!" He warmly hugged her back, and said to Ashutosh in a strange tone, "I am sorry Dr. Ashutosh, main aapko theek se pehchaan nahi paaya". Though Ashu felt a bit strange, he replied politely, "It's okay sir, ab toh aapne hamare rishte ko accept kar liya haina toh phir, let's leave the past behind". Solanki nodded at this, turned to Nidhi and said, "Nidhi tu khush toh haina?" "Ji uncle, main toh itni khush hoon ke kya bataoon? Aur aaj aapne itne dino baad mujhse baat ki, toh meri khushi aur bhi bad gayi" she says happily and looking at Ashu continues, "Bas, ab DB bhi maan jaayen toh'''." Solanki cuts her with, "Haan Nidhi, Buaji bhi maan jayengi. Waise ek idea hai, jisse woh pakka maan jayengi" "Kaise uncle jaldi bataiye" Nidhi asks excitedly! "Why don't you plan to surprise her with the best gift she can wish for!" he suggests. Ashu says immediately, "agar aisi koi gift hai, toh please bataiye, main kuch bhi kar sakta hoon unki khusi ke liye"

"Come on Dr. Ashutosh, isn't it obvious? Why don't you plan a baby?" Nidhi's face loses all color at this statement and Ashu's brow is laden with sweat. But, he still tries to control the situation. He falters as he says, "ji woh Sir'. Itni jaldi? I mean Nidhi ka career''" "But, don't you think that considering your age, ab tak toh aapko baby plan karlena chahiye tha? Aur Nidhi ka career kahan se beech me aaya. Aajkal toh ladies career aur baby ki responsibilities achhi tarah se handle kar leti hain. Nidhi bhi kar legi, kyun Nidhi?" "Nahi uncle, I don't think, I will be able to. Abhi toh meri internship bhi poori nahi hui hai" she tried to salvage the situation. "Lekin Beta, aise'."

CV butted in, "Solanki kyun is baat ke peechhe pade ho? Ye un dono ka decision hai. Let them decide when they want a baby!" AsNi were relieved a bit.

Kapil Solanki shouted, "Verma, let me tell you one thing ' they are never going to have a baby." Then, pointing at Ashu, he continues, "This man cannot father a child, he is imp..."

AshNi are stunned, while CV shouts angrily, "What the hell? How dare you fling such vile accusations at my son-in-law! I will not allow it."

"Verma ab toh apni aankhen kholo, tumne is shaadi ke liye haan karke Nidhi ki zindagi barbaad kardi! Maine khud apni aankhon se in dono ko fertility clinic se bahar nikalte hue. Aur Nidhi buri tarah ro rahi thi!" CV is shocked but Nidhi butts in, "Aur uncle aapne ye sochliya ke'.." before she can say anything further, Ashu stops her, "Nidhi, let me handle this, you won't utter another word!" she gulps hard, remembering how he made her swear on on him that the truth won't be known to any thir person. Ashu calms himself and says to Solanki, "Sir, I admit there is some problem, but trust me, it's a very minor one".

"I refuse to trust you on anything Dr. Ashutosh. I want you to divorce Nidhi right NOW. Ab main Nidhi ki zindagi aur kharab nahi hone doonga. Nidhi meri bhi beti hai, Ye Verma toh tumhari meethi meethi baato me aagaya lekin mai toh tum jaise logon ko achhi tarah'''"

"Just stop it uncle, aap mere pati se'..."Nidhi again tried, only to be stopped by Ashu's stern look and "Nidhi, I told you let me handle this."

Solanki continued, "Okay, you can leave now, I will send you the divorce papers by tomorrow morning, and you will sign them." He literally ordered Ashu.

"Uncle'." Nidhi started again only to be stopped by Ashu's stern look again, who says to Solanki, "With due respect to you Sir, I did not get married to divorce. Till my wife herself asks for it."

"But, at least you do admit that you are..." Before he could complete the sentence, Nidhi is in tears, but firmly holds Ashu's hand saying, "Chaliye Ashutosh, mujhe MERE GHAR jaana hai, abhi aur isi waqt" and gives a disgusted look to Solanki. Seeing her condition, Ashu too decides that it's the best thing to do, so, he too firmly holds her hand and nods his bye to a still stunned CV, and is about to leave with her, only to be stopped by Solanki's "You did not answer my question"

Ashu wondered what to do, Nidhi could break down anytime now and blurt out the truth he so wanted to hide, and Solanki was completely unrelenting. There was only one way out. He sighed deeply and said, "Sir, I am not answering any of your questions. You are free to think whatever you want!" and before anyone can realize what that statement meant, he rushed out of the house firmly holding Nidhi's hand."

There was complete silence in the car half the way, as Nidhi sat totally stunned! Finally, she broke down and shouted "Ashutosh aapne ye kya kiyaa? Aapne Uncle ki galat fahmi ko door kyun nahi kiya? Why did you let uncle think that..."

"Toh aur main kya karta. Woh ye baat tab tak khatam nahi karte jab tak baat ki jad tak nahi pohunchte. Aur waise bhi, thode time me ye problem apne aap solve ho hi jaayegi, when you conceive" he said rather casually as if it did not matter to him.

"Lekin mujhe samajh me nahi aa raha ke aap sachai chhupane ke liye is hadd tak kyon jaa rahe hain? I mean hum dono jaante hain ki koi badi poblem, I mean problem toh hai hi nahi aur main treatment bhi le hi rahi hoon. Toh fir kya farak padta hai, agar uncle ko ye pataa chal jaata ke I am the one who has some issues and not you?" she asks him

He thinks for a while and then says, "Nidhi, pata nahi kyun, I just don't want anybody else to know, shayad mujhe darr hai ke agar kisi ko bhi pata chala toh ye baat phail sakti hai, and the situation can get very difficult for you to handle".

"Lekin'..agar aap ke baare me ye galat baat phailee toh''." she asks very apprehensively.

He sighs in exasperation, "Dekho Nidhi, pl. is baat ko yahin khatam karo. Don't think any more about it."
"How can I not think, Ashutosh?" she countered and continued, "Lekin main to Solanki uncle se hairaan hoon. Unhe ho kya gaya hai? Bachpan se mere liye jaise Baba the waise hi Uncle the. Unhone ne bhi mujhme aur Anji me kabhi farak nahi kiya. Main jitna apne ghar nahi rehti thi usse kahin zyada unke ghar rehti thi. Anji aur mera jab bhi jhagda hota tha toh Uncle always used to take my side, which annoyed her so much. Aur aaj achanak ye sab''..mujhe to yakin hi nahi ho raha ki Uncle ye sab bol rahe the" she was totally distressed.

He did not know how to reassure her, "Nidhi'' I understand. But I feel, ke waqt ke saath sab kuch theek ho jayega", he tried to say confidently, and she nodded weakly.

They reached home to find a very anxious Armaan waiting for them. So, Ashu lied that CV had to go out somewhere and they could not meet him. Armaan shrugged disappointedly. After sometime, Ashu got CV's call apologizing for Solanki's behavior. Ashu said they are family so need to apologize, and tried to reassure him that the problem was not really big. CV cut him saying that he trusted him fully and needed no explanation and also that if they had any problem, they can deal with it themselves and need not involve him. Ashu thanked him for the trust he showed in him and promised that everything would be okay soon.

That night, Ashu received Mallika's call after a long time. She told him she was not well and needed some medicine from the hospital. Could he bring it for her please? Ashu was slightly relieved that he would finally get a chance to talk to her. He had been worried about her and was sure that she was unwell last many days, but she did not even talk to him. Today, he would talk her into getting a thorough check-up done. He told Nidhi everything and left for KGH to get the medicine Mallika had asked for, before going to Mallika's house.

Nidhi had never felt so resentful towards Mallika! She had always symphatized with her, had thought that she will improve with time and learn to be content with Ashu's friendship, but no, that was never going to happen. She would continue calling Ashu at her whims! She did not understand, why she wanted Ashu to bring the medicine for her. She could have called up any junior staff member. Nidhi decided that she could not sit back and watch any more. She had to do something. She had to deal with the problem once and for all. She had to remove the nuisance from her life for ever. Her face had a determined look, when she left the house.

Ashu reached Mallika's house to find total darkness. He entered as the main door was open. Surprised, he switched on the light and shouted after a second, "Mallika!" She was lying there in a pool of blood, with a knife struck in her stomach!

He rushed to her, took out the knife, and before he could think about stopping her bleading, Mallika completely lost consciousness. He checked her pulse, and sighed resignedly. She was dead!

For two minutes, he sat there in total shock. Then he slowly took out his phone to call the police, when he heard the sirens. Police was already here, and within few seconds, policemen filed into the house.

He was stunned when he heard, "You are under arrest!"

"JUST STOP RIGHT THERE!" he shouted angrily. It shook her totally, since she had never seen him this angry. His eyes were red and his face was totally flushed with anger. She got really scared while he continued in a deceptively calm voice, "tumhe andaaza bhi hai tum kya bol rahi ho? Do I need to tell you in words what you mean to me? I can live without breathing, but not without smelling your presence in the air I breathe! I can live without eyes, but not without seeing you first thing in the morning and last thing at night! I can''.. anyways" and he turned away deeply hurt and stood facing the window.

For me, this para was THE BEST part..oh I love this guy!! What a way of portraying his emotions shirley!! What a way!! Just awesome!!👍🏼

And he took her promise not to tell anyone?? Why?? And is taking the blame or rather facing the ridicule himself?! wow! Pyaar ho toh aisa! I mean its one thing to know and say that "Nidhi, it doesn't make any difference to me" and something else entirely to say "you don't say anything" and face the fire in her stead. Aise log kahan milte hain yaar! Sachchi mein..hats off to this guy!

Ha ha ha he wanted to keep his friendship intact?? He is too innocent boss..one sided love=end of dosti. Someone should explain it to that guy. But he is genuinely stuck..bechara! he wants to be there for Mallika like she had been there for him in the past but her love for him is making it impossible. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place!!😉

Jeez and what is wrong with Solanki?? He has pi***d me off big time. I mean..yeh koi tarika hain kya baat karne ka! But I guess you have changed his character a bit..made him more involved in Nidhi's life since her childhood..but still..i am super angry with him I tell you!!😡😡

Whoa whoa..Mallika is dead? Someone killed her?? and ashu is going to be blamed?? Boss ab toh next chap immediately chahiye..you can't leave us hanging like this..so not fair..😡😭

good work shirley..👏