FF: Intehaa Pyaar Ki: Th.4.Ch-14p-105, NOTE p-124 - Page 75

Originally posted by: deepa17

Shirley I promise to proof read ASAP once you post .. Please post na??

Are we going to get update now???

Chapter 14:

On regaining their breaths, they again come forward and this time Ashutosh takes her lip a bit tenderly, as compared to the first time. Her hands move from his shoulders to overlap at his nape as she pulled him closer while his move from her waist down to her hips and then travel up again through her waist to her back and still upwards. Finally, he catches hold of a fisful of her wet hair, and pulls it, neither too gently nor too roughly, making her throw her head back and he gets the desired access to her neck, and his lips leave her lower lip and travel down her jaw, towards her neck. He gets totally annoyed when her dupatta blocks his way, Without taking away his lips from the upper part of her neck, he pulls the dupatta from her left backside with his right hand, making it slowly slither away from her neck and then he attack her neck with a force that completely staggers. Nidhi shivers, shudders and trembles as she experiences a million sensations per second. She wonders how long it would be, before her knees give way. But she tries her best to balance herself and holds on to him tight as his lips travel towards her cleavage. Again he is impeded by her kurta. Frustrated, his hands fumble for an opening at her back.. the strings which are tied at the back come in his grip and he pulls it with a sharp pull. The front loosens up a bit, and he hungrily digs into her cleavage.

Just then, they are startled by a light that is just switched on in the porch. They hurriedly part and straighten up their clothes. Nidhi quickly reties the string at her nape and had just bent down to pick up her dupatta when the door opens and BB emerges.

"Arre beta.. ye baarish achanak se aagayi na? tum.. tum dono toh bilkul bheeg gaye.. lekin tum dono wahan aise kyun khade ho.. Jaldi andar chalo. (Both of them are still not recovered and try to regain normalcy) Kya hua, Nidhi?.. Ashu, Nidhi fisal gayi thi kya? (They both first nod awkwardly and then shake their heads and finally giving up avert each other and BB's eyes. But BB just gets worried about Nidhi) Arre idiot, tu wahan kya butt (statue) banke khada hai? Jaldi se use andar leke aa. Dekh toh uska chehra ghabraahat ke maare kaisa laal ho gaya hai. (Ashu just waits for her to go in, and she does try to walk but her walk is wobbly) Nidhi, dhyaan se, Ashu haath pakad uska.." (Ashutosh awkwardly, yet strongly holds her hand and supports her, while she walks inside the doorway. As soon as they enter, BB's eyes fall on Ashu) arre ye kya Ashu? Chehra toh tera bhi laal ho gaya hai?"

Ashutosh does not even know how where to hide his face, "Uh.. Baba.. woh..Baba.."

BB continues, "Baba Baba kya kar raha hai Ashu? Tum dono baahar kuch ulta seedha khaake aaye ho kya? Ye toh food allergy lagti hai?"

Ashutosh closes his eyes tight for a second. Good God! How embarrassing!! He opens his eyes slowly, "Nnahi.. nahi Baba, woh Baba, Nahi toh.. kuch nahi.. hum ne.. matlab .. haan woh paani.. baarish haina Baba.. (BB looks at him in confusion but Ashutosh's eyes are on Nidhi, who is fidgeting with her expressions as well as hands, and averting everyone's eyes.) Tum.. uh.. tum chalo.. andar.. kamre me"

As if waiting for just this, Nidhi rushes into the bedroom without a backward glance. Ashutosh practically devours her receding form with his eyes, he gives an awkward smile to BB and makes a move to follow her, "Baarish.. mera matlab.. barsaat achchi hai Baba.. aaj.. woh.. aaj achanak.. yun suddenly.." he stops realizing he is just blabbering.

A sudden wave of realization hits BB, clearing all his confusion, as he nods solemnly, but says with a twinkle in his eyes, "haan beta, baarish achchhi hai, bahut achchhi hai, dikh raha hai mujhe. Tu jaa.. haan? .. andar jaa." And BB gives him an indulgent look.

This is the most embarrassing moment Ashutosh ever had before his father. Main kya karoon? Kahan muh chhupaaoon! He simply runs off to his room and bolts the door. BB's smile breaks out at that.

On entering the room, Nidhi had taken her towel & clothes and rushed to the restroom. She bolted the door, and literally starts jumping up and down for a second or two, before falling on the floor on her knees, with a thud. She trembles in excitement, My..my first kiss! YESS!! (she touches her lips with the back of her hand) We kissed.. Kumpel ne mujhe kiss kiya.. (she laughs tremulously) Kumpel actually kissed me!! (her hand runs over her jaw and neck) and the way he was .. Agar Baba nahi aate toh.. (she blushes in spite of herself) he loves me!! He desires me.. (a shade of doubt enters her head) does he? (she determinedly shakes her head, as if trying to shake of all negative thoughts) Of course he does! (she thinks back to his manner during their passionate moment.) The way he asserted himself on me.. Yes he loves me.. or not??but we kissed.. (she nervously laughs) main paagal ho jaaoongi.. he kissed me!! My Kumpel kissed me!!

She finally takes the towel and wipes herself, but when the towel reaches her lips, she jerks it off. No, jahan Kumpel ne chhooa, wahan kuch aur chhoo sakta. I want his touch intact on me. She averts the towel from her lips, jaw, neck and some of her cleavage, leaving it all damp, to let it dry on its own.

Ashutosh bolted the door, turned around and didn't see her around. Restroom gayi hogi. Then he closed his eyes, cringing. God.. Baba kya soch rahe honge? This was too embarrassing. But the next moment, he opened his eyes and smiled, a smile that even lit up his eyes. Ye sab achanak?!! Pata hi nahi chala, kab main.. kab woh.. we kissed? I had imagined, fantasized a lot about how kissing her will feel, but I.. the real thing was far far beyond my imagination.. Her tangy taste – I am already dying to get a second better taste of her.. Baba bhi kitne galat waqt pe.. I had barely begun to get a taste of… (he hit his forehead and ran his fingers through his hair in a gesture of wonder) ye sab kaise hua? I still can't believe. I didn't even realize – when we..!! It was as if some magnet pulled us together and we could not help ourselves. And Nidhi too? Not only did she not resist, but she kissed me back as eagerly, if not more eagerly. Iska matlab main jo pichhle dino soch raha hoon, mehsoos kar raha hoon, woh sach hai? She has atleast started seeing me as her husband? She is wiling to give our marriage a chance? She is willing to take our relationship to the next level? (He frowns) Lekin agar aisa hai toh why didn't she tell me ever? She is a bold outgoing girl – woh sharmaane waalo me se nahi hai. The way she kissed me right now reinforces that.. I was almost staggered by her passion.. toh phir kyun? Kyun kuch kaha nahi usne? Surely the kiss signifies.. wait, am I reading too much into the kiss? Was it just a result of a passionate heat of a moment? May be she didn't mean to.. maybe she is already regretting it? But why did I feel that assertiveness in her kiss?

He looked up when the restroom door opened and she emerged out of it. As if drawn by some unknown gravity, they walked towards each other with their eyes locked, still they stood within an arm's length of each other. She was looking at him with her heart in her eyes, while he looked at her with a tender expression, yet one that was smothered with passion.

Bas Nidhi, bahut aankh micholi ho gayi hamare beech.. ab aur nahi. Ab mujhse raha nahi jaata, yun paas hoke bhi tumse door. Ab aur sabr nahi hota mujhse Nidhi, I need you, I want you. Ab toh bol do ke tum bhi yehi chahti ho.. kuch toh bolo Nidhi. Ek lafz ka hi sahi, koi toh ishara do mujhe.. kaho Nidhi tum bhi yehi chahti ho na? tum bhi mujhe pati ke roop me dekhti ho na? Tumse sunna chahta hoon.. tumhe haal-e-dil sunana chahta hoon, tum se sab kuch share karna chahta hoon.. I want to tell you how much I love you and have been loving you since a long long time. Bas Nidhi, ab hamare beech koi parda nahi..

Kumpel, aaj main aapko batana chahti hoon ke I love you. Now I can't contain these emotions inside me for a minute more, nahi hota mujhse. No matter whatever your reaction, main aapse keh dena chahti hoon. I want you, I need you desparately to touch me. Touch me the way a man touches his woman – poore haq se, intimately, passionately. (she trembles a bit) I want to be yours in every sense. Please Kumpel, I want to feel you in my very veins.. don't back off now.

They are completely lost in each other's eyes. They are afraid to even blink for the fear of losing this moment. Finally, with a slight tremble, Ashutosh brings forward his hand to touch her face, but the next moment his face crinkles and he turns away to sneeze violently, "Sorry, (Another sneeze) Sorry"

Nidhi comes out of her trance, "Arre, you are still all wet, aap.. aapko thand chad gayi hai, aap change kar lijiye." And she goes and opens his wardrobe, while he tries to talk between sneezes, "Nid (Sneeze) hi, main le loo (Sneeze) main le loonga."

She nods and goes to the kitchen, heats up some milk, when she hears BB's voice, "Arre beta kya hua?"

"Kuch nahi Baba, unhe chheenke aa rahi hain"

"Oh no! Use bachpan se ye problem hai, baarish me bheegta hai toh.. (looking at the milk) ye doodh uske liye le jaa rahi ho? (She nods) Toh phir isme thodi si haldi daal de. Zukaam me achchhi rehti hai"

"ji Baba."

She had given him the milk and the sneezes had abated a bit, but still not completely. He was getting worried that if this continued in the morning, how would he argue. He was just calling the doctor to prescribe him some strong medication, when she said, "aap let jaiye Kumpel, main aapko vicks vaporub laga deti hoon. Mujhe jab bhi zukaam hota hai, isse theek ho jaata hai," and she dragged him to the bed before he could even protest. She applied vicks vaporub on his throat, neck and nose. She hesitates and wets her lips, "Kumpel, if i.. I mean can I apply it on your chest? Uh.. I mean, effect achchha hota hai.. " kya ye haq hai mujhe?

He nodded awkwardly, and she reached inside his t-shirt, to apply the vicks. Her hand was the one that was touching his chest, but it was her face that felt hot. He was relieved finally, as the sneezes stopped. She abruptly withdrew her hand from inside his t-shirt, unable to cope with her feelings anymore. She was about to get up from the bed when he rubbed his forehead. She took some more vicks and massaged his forehead. He felt relieved and the combined effect of the day's fatigue, strong smell of vicks and her nimble fingers made him doze off almost instantly, or so she thought. She covered him up properly and got up, when he reached out and caught her hand to say in a drowsy yet deep voice, "Nidhi.."

"ji?"

"Mujhe tumse kuch kehna hai", he said trying to open his eyes.

The way he uttered the words, had her heart racing. She whispered tremulously, "Kahiye?"

He could barely open his eyes, "Abhi nahi, kal kahunga," and leaves her hand.

She controlled her heartbeat with difficulty, "Kumpel, I too want to say something."

"Kya?"

"Main bhi kal kahungi."

He gives a weak nod and dozes off. Nidhi looks at the beloved face of her husband and loses herself completely in the rugged featured and the well set chiseled contour. She never even realized when she reached the diwan and lay down. She just kept staring, or rather doting on his sleeping form for a long long time and never realized when sleep overtook her.

The next morning, Nidhi awakes Ashutosh with her hand on his forehead. But instead of getting up, he makes her sit on the bed and puts his head on her lap. Though surprised, Nidhi starts to run her fingers idly through his hair, "Good morning"

"Good morning"

"Ab zukaam kaisa hai?"

"Zukaam? Tha hi kab mujhe?" and he looks up and smiles at her, "Nidhi, sach me tumhare vicks vaporub ne toh kamaal kar diya! Warna aaj ke argument me problem ho jaati."

"Ye case aapke liye bahut important haina?"

"Haan Nidhi, waise toh main kabhi kisi bhi case me emotionally involve nahi hota. Lekin ye case mere liye bahut important hai kyun ki Baba ke liye unki di hui zubaan bahut matter karti hai."

She nodded and he continued, "pata nahi kyun Nidhi, lekin ajeeb sa darr lag raha hai. What if I lose this case? What if I let down Baba? Agar aisa hua na Nidhi, toh main Baba se nazre nahi mila paaoonga. I .."

"Kumpel, why are you forgetting what you yourself said the other day. (he raised his eyebrow in question) Aap ko yaad hai aapne kaha tha, ke confidence is very important for a lawyer, toh phir aaj aapke confidence ko kya hua?"

He closed his eyes, "Haan Nidhi ye toh hai. I have never felt so nervous, probably not even during my first case, my first hearing. I don't know why but I am getting this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach"

"Kyun Kumpel, aisa kyun hai? Aap ne, infact, aap sab ne itni mehnat ki hai. I am sure nothing can prevent you from winning this case. Kumpel, I know you will win. I am sure." And she gave him a lovely reassuring smile.

"Itna bharosa hai mujhpe?"

She nodded, "haan hai. Poora bharosa. (he looks at her with admiration). Chaliye ab uthiye, chai banati hoon."

He gets up from her lap, "Haan uthta hoon, waise tum kal raat kuch keh rahi thi na? kal bataogi?"

"Keh to aap bhi rahe the ke kuch kehna hai"

He thinks for a while, "Haan, lekin abhi sahi waqt nahi hai. Raat ko bolunga."

"Toh phir main bhi raat ko bolungi. Chaliye fresh ho jaiye, I will bring tea." And she goes towards the door, when he stops her, "Nidhi"

"hmm?"

"Chai me adrak daal dogi please?"

She smiles, "sure!"

She brings his tea and her own coffee. He brings his laptop to revise his arguments. She does not disturb him and quietly feasts her eyes on him. He looked up, "Kya hua."

She gets startled, "kuch.. kuch nahi, main.. woh.. haan, I wanted to ask you, can I accompany you to court today?"

"Kyun, aaj toh tum Anji ke paas jaane waali thi na?"

"Haan but,.. uh.. I mean.."

"Nidhi, I know you want to give me moral support. But moral support toh tum mujhe kahin se bhi de sakti hona? Phir, Anji ko bhi is waqt tumhari zaroorat hogi. Usne tumhari kitni madad ki hai hamesha. Is waqt tumhe uski khushi me shaamil hona chahiye."

She nodded thoughtfully. He got ready and had breakfast. He was about to leave when she called him to the kitchen and put a spoonful of curd with sugar in his mouth, "Daadi bua ne bataya tha ye achchha shagun hota hai. It brings luck." He is surprised, kya ye wohi ladki hai jisse meri shaadi hui thi.

He hugs her, "Thank you so much Nidhi, toh main chalun?"

"Ji. Kumpel, all the best." She places a kiss on his cheek.

He is surprised, "Thanks again. (Looking significantly at her) Mujhe raat ka intezaar rahega"

"Mujhe bhi."

He leaves with a smile. She too gets ready and leaves for Solanki's house.

Two hours later, Ashutosh emerges from the courtroom utterly dejected, with his shoulders slumped. He sees Nidhi and Kanchan talking animatedly on the steps leading to courtroom. Nidhi soon sees him and rushes over to him. By now, even Armaan and Mallika had come out from the courtroom. Nidhi says enthusiastically, "Kya hua Kumpel, you won the case na? I knew it."

He does not reply, ignores her, goes to his car and drives off, leaving her stunned. Mallika places a hand on her shoulder, making her turn. Mallika says in a barely audible voice, "We lost it Nidhi.. woh zameen nikal gayi haath se."

Nidhi screeched, "WHAT?!!! (she realizes that faces were turned towards her at her shout and lowered her voice a bit.) Lekin, ye kaise ho sakta hai? Kumpel had prepared so well, you all had ensured that all bases were covered. No, it cannot be.."

Armaan says in a dismal tone, "Mujhe toh yakeen hi nahi ho raha! Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? I really suspect foul play.. Mallika, you know what I mean?"

She nodded, "Mujhe bhi shocks pe shocks mile. I mean, how is it possible? Hamare har point ke saamne Jagan ke paas, na sirf argument thi, but he had documentary evidence to support each of his points. It felt like he knew.. but ye ho hi kaise sakta hai?"

Nidhi's brow is laden with sweat, "Kya? Kya kaise ho sakta hai?"

Mallika shakes her head, "Kuch nahi Nidhi. I am not sure, I mean mere dimaag me sirf doubt hai. Toh, I don't want to say something, I don't have proof about."

Armaan says, "Haan Mallika shaq toh mujhe bhi ho raha hai. Shaq kya, I am quite sure.. lekin as you say, without proof.."

Nidhi interferes, "can you both please talk in a simple, easy language? Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa rahaa hai."

The other two exchange glances before Armaan says, "Nidhi, the way Jagan behaved and was in full command during the case, plus the way he presented evidence, aisa lagta tha jaise use pahle se hi pata ho ke Ashu ki argument kya hone waali hai.. Lekin how is it even possible?"

Nidhi looks at them stunned, but then wets her lips and says, "ab jo hona tha woh toh ho gaya. Main Kumpel ke paas jaati hoon.. he may need me." She turns to go.

Mallika says, "Nidhi, ek minute."

"Ji?"

"He has taken this loss very hard. As far as I know, he would just want to be left alone. Tum.."

Nidhi feels a sting, "Mallikaji, I know how to take care of my husband."

Mallika is hurt, "Main toh sirf.."

"I am sorry if I was rude. Thanks for your concern. But don't worry about him." And she goes off. Armaan gives Mallika an understanding look.

Nidhi goes straight home but can't see Ashutosh anywhere. BB says, "Arre Nidhi, tujhe kuch pata hai kya hua case ka? Ashu abhi aaya aur kuch bole bina, he went to the study and bolted the door. Mujhe toh bahut chinta ho rahi hai. Hua kya aaj court me?"

She spoke in a very subdued voice, "Baba, we lost!"

BB stands there, totally shocked. He does not even utter a word for a full minute. Then he seemed to be reeling under the shock. Nidhi got scared. Holding his shoulders gently, she make him sit on the sofa, while shouting, "Kaka jaldi se paani leke aayiye."

HK immediately rushed into the living room with water, and saw his employer's state. He asked in a worried tone. "Kya hua bitiya? Ashu ne bhi aate hi khud ko study me band kar liye aur ab bade sahib bhi?"

Nidhi takes the water and brings it to BB's mouth, who drinks it like an automaton, "Baad me bataati hoon kaka. Abhi aap jaake inke liye kuch juice ya nimbu-paani leke aaiye"

Finally after 15 minutes, BB was quite calm. He said, "Main theek hoon, beta. Tu Ashu ko dekh, I am worried for him."

She nods, goes to the study-room door and knocks softly. No response. She knocks again, louder, "Kumpel, pl. open the door."

No response. She leaves and returns after 5 minutes. And knocks the door again. He says in a barely audible voice from behind the door, "Nidhi, please leave me alone." Dejected, she leaves.

She somehow feeds BB his lunch and then brings a plate to the study, "Kumpel, open the door, aapko meri kasam."

No response. After a minute or more, the door opens softly. Nidhi is shocked to see the state he is in. He sits on the chair and faces away from her.He utters in a deceptively soft voice, "I told you na, I want to be alone."

She puts the plate on the table, "Khaana kha lijiye, then I swear I'll do whatever you want."

He shouts, "EK DIN NAHI KHAAOONGA TOH MARR NAHI JAOONGA. JUST LEAVE ME ALONE. IS WAQT MAIN APNE AAPE ME NAHI HOON. (he softens down a bit) Kahin aisa na ho ke main kuch aisa keh ya kar baithoon, which hurts you."

Nidhi is shocked to the core. She had never seen him so angry. She goes to the door and he is relieved. But instead of walking out, she closes and bolts the door from the inside. She comes back towards him, takes the plate in her hand, makes a morsel with roti and sabji, and brings it to his mouth. He doesn't open his mouth and looks angrily at her. She looks pleadingly at him and he relents. She forcefeeds him a few bites and finally, he raises his hand, "Bas. (she agrees and puts the plate away) You know Nidhi, I feel like such a loser. Baba ka ek case nahi sambhal paaya main. Kya fayda mere lawyer hone ka? Ab main Baba se nazren kaise milaaoonga? I feel like such a useless son. I couldn't even.. Baba, tumne bataaya unhe kuch?"

She nods. He is agitated and goes towards the door, "Kya kahaa unhone? Unki tabiyat toh theek haina?"

Nidhi holds him back, "Woh theek hain. Khaana kha ke so gaye hain."

He is relieved and closes his eyes, "I was so well prepared.. pata nahi.. kya hua?.. I felt as if.. as if Jagan already knew my entire argument.. lekin how is it possible? I mean.."

Nidhi says uncertainly, "Aap bhi? Jijaji aur Mallikaji bhi yehi bol rahe the. Lekin aisa ho kaise sakta hai Kumpel?"

"Un dono ko bhi yehi lagta haina? Now, I am sure.. I could see it in his eyes, he was too sure of himself, too smug.. But, who can do it? Ek minute, Nidhi, kal raat ko I gave you my entire argument to you in a pen drive na? To print it. (She nods nervously) Did you see anyone? Peon, clerks, juniors - sab log toh chale gaye the na? Hum chaaron ke alawa koi nahi tha. Right? (She nods again.) Toh phir kaise?"

She speaks with a slight tremble, "Kumpel, I have not been careless or anything like that. Please.." I hope you believe me.

He places a hand on her shoulders, "Nidhi, I know you won't be careless on something so serious. Lekin main jitna sochta hoon, utna hi sure hota jaa raha hoon. I have fought a number of cases against Jagan, he has never been so sure.. kuch toh baat zaroor hai Nidhi.. somehow I am sure, MY ARGUMENTS WERE LEAKED, I JUST NEED TO FIND OUT HOW? (His eyes flash so much anger that Nidhi involuntarily steps back and clumsily hits the table) I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I WILL DO, IF I FIND OUT THAT SOMEONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THIS.. I SWEAR I WILL JUST.."

Just then Nidhi's cell rings, its Armaan. She takes a deep breathe and takes it, "hello?"

"Nidhi, Ashu ka phone switched off hai. Kahan hai woh?"

She looks at Ashutosh, "Mere saamne."

"Pass him the phone."

She complies immediately, handing over the phone, "Armaan jijaji"

He reluctantly takes the phone, "Armaan can I call you later?"

"Sure buddy, no probs. Take your time. Kal shaadi me aane ki bhi koi zaroorat nahi."

"Armaan Armaan, just give me a little time. Did I say, I won't attend your marriage?"

"No. Lekin shaadi hogi tab tu attend karega na? I am postponing it."

Ashutosh shouts, "What the hell Armaan? Kya hua? Any problems? Kyun postpone ho rahi hai shaadi?"

Nidhi too gets worried hearing his last question.

"Relax Ashu, kuch nahi hua. Meri marzi – I am postponing it"

"Armaan, will you talk sense? Anji se jhagda hua kya?"

"Nahin. Lekin tu hi bata Ashu, jis shaadi me mera sabse kareebi dost khushi se fully participate nahi karega, hum sab milke masti nahi karenge, toh us shaadi ka matlab hi kya? Jab tera mood theek ho bataa dena.. tab.. "

Ashutosh gets indignant, "Oye gadhe, tujhe toh kheench ke ek doonga. (then he relaxes and says to Nidhi so that Armaan overhear) Nidhi, Anji se kah do ke kal se hi is bewakoof ki lagaam kaske apne haathon me rakhe, and keep this fool under her thumb. Warna ye toh aisa idiot hai.."

Nidhi is relieved and smiles. Armaan is relieved too, but shouts, "Oye, meri saali ke saamne kya bak raha hai? Himmat hai toh mere saamne aake bol jo bolna hai."

"Haan aata hoon na. Aur ekad danda bhi leke aata hoon."

"Danda kya tope leke aa, aa toh sahi."

"Bas 10 minute me nikalta hoon."

"Waiting."

Ashutosh cuts the call and hands over the phone to Nidhi. She asks, "Main bhi chaloon aapke saath?"

"Haan chalo.. lekin ek minute, tum toh poora din Anji ke paas rehne waali thi na? What are you doing here? Why did you come to the court earlier?"

She nods and looks at him uncertainly, "I..l don't know.. mera mann nahi laga wahan pe."

He hugs her, "Nidhi, I understand your concern. Lekin ab main theek hoon, aur agar naa bhi hoon toh hona padega. Armaan and Anji are our respective best friends. We can not let this one case overshadow their big day. Filhaal hum dono ko is case ke baare me bhool ke, un dono ki khushi me poori tarah shaamil hona hoga.. Tum jaao Anji ke paas aur main Armaan ke paas."

She nods and both go to the door. Ashutosh opens it and comes face to face with his father. He immediately averts his eyes but BB hugs him. Nidhi leaves from there giving the two men their required space.

"I am really sorry Baba, mujhe maaf kar dijiye. I couldn't live upto your expectations. I let you down.. I"

"Chup Ashu, bilkul chup. You did your best. The outcome was not in your hands beta. I have always been proud of you and always will be. I know you put your best.."

"Lekin.."

"Lekin vekin kuch nahi. (a bit softly) Ashu you know na. I firmly believe in The Gita. You did your Karma to the best of your ability. The fruits of your Karma were not in your hands. The Gita says, do your Karma without thinking about its fruits."

He looks at his father and nods gratefully. BB says, "Dekh Ashu, kal Armaan ki shaadi hai. He must be really missing you. Forget the case for now and go to.."

Ashutosh smiles wryly, "Ji Baba, I don't have much of a choice there. If I don't go now, that idiot will postpone the marriage. So, Baba, main jaa raha hoon Armaan ke ghar aur Nidhi Anji ke paas. Aap thoda rest kar lijiye. Main late evening aapko lene aaoonga. Dinner hum sab ka wahin hai. Of course Nidhi wont come – she will take at Anji's house."

BB nods smilingly and Ashutosh takes a quick shower before leaving. Nidhi too leaves for Anji's house.

Armaan's house wears a festive look all through the day. All the college buddies also join in the fun and frolic. That evening, Ashutosh and Armaan are relaxing in the living room. Both their attentions are focused on Mallika who is chatting aminatedly with Sameer - the two are laughing and hitting each other playfully.

"Ashu, tu bhi wohi dekh raha hai jo main dekh raha hoon?"

"Haan Armaan, is this the suave, sober Mallika we know? Ek do baar pahle bhi maine dekha hai. Her entire persona changes when she is with Sameer."

"I sincerely hope, what we think comes true. Mallika bhi settle ho jaaye.. You know waise toh Sameer ne mujhe bataya tha apne baare me – he got divorced within a month of his marriage and all that. And we do know him from college, but aaj subah Kailash Patel ka bhi phone aaya tha US se. to congratulate me, you know. And I asked him about Sameer, he too stays in New York na? He was all praises for Sameer yaar. He is an immensely successful and reputed lawyer. But also, wahan ki Indian community me bhi uska bahut naam hai. I also discretely asked about his character and all that, no problems or spots of any kind."

"Really? Armaan ye tune bahut achchha kiya. Inquiry karke."

"Karna padega na yaar. Mallika ka hai kaun hamare siva."

"Yeah, you know I still feel so so guilty. I sincerely wish.. I mean, shayad mera guilt kam ho jaaye."

Armaan nods, "Chahta toh main bhi yahi hoon yaar. Lekin they are both matured people – so we should not interfere aur.. Khair, ye sab chhod. Teri love story kahan tak pahunchi. (Winks) Kuch baat aage badi kya?"

Inspite of himself, Ashutosh's cheeks color thinking of the kiss they shared last night. Was it only last night? So much has happened..

Armaan nudged him, "Woohoo. Tu toh dulhan ki tarah sharma raha hai. Iska matlab.."

"Armaan, aisa.. kuch nahi hai. We haven't even said anything to each other yet."

"You mean.. abe ghadhe, kab bolega, jab mere bachchhe bhi bade ho jayenge tab?"

"Armaan, stop it yaar.. kal raat.."

He teases, "Haan kal raat kya hua tha, meri jaan? Did she take the initiative and .. (he laughs exagerately) he he he"

"Jaa nahi batata hoon,"

But Armaan does not relent, "What did she do, that you can't even tell? Poor girl I can't blame her, she had to take the initiative. Was she too assertive buddy?"

Ashutosh makes a move to get up in anger, when Armaan catches hold of him, "Sorry yaar. Ab nahi chidaaoonga. Bata na?"

"I was going to tell her, but then suddenly severe zukaam ho gaya."

"Dhat tere ki. This cough came in your way?" He laughed till his stomach ached.

Ashutosh was getting irritated, "Arre yaar I think we both understand. I am sure she knows and she too feels the same."

"Ashu, feel, understand sab theek hai. But yaar, you need to say it aloud. Abhi toh shaadi bhi nahi hui, phir bhi main aur Anji din me das baar ek doosre ko 'I love you' bolte hain. Lekin tu ullu ka ullu hi rahega."

"Arre yaar aaj bolunga na."

"Main bhi aa jaaoon teri madad ke liye – tera interpretator ban ke?"

Ashutosh hits him on the head, and both laugh. But after a while, Ashutosh gets Nidhi's call. She says that Anji was insisting that she stays there for the night. She herself sounds dejected at the idea, but Ashutosh assures her that it is perfectly okay.

The next day the marriage takes place with great pomp and show. Just after the marriage, Ashutosh looks for Nidhi to ask her something. He finds her talking to Kanchan again. Ye Jagan ki junior shaadi me kya kar rahi hai? Aur Nidhi ise kaise jaanti hai? Kal courtroom ke bahar bhi uske saath baat kar rahi thi?

Anyways, he nears the ladies, but sees something that makes him stop dead in his tracks. From where he stood, he could see Nidhi's face clearly and almost hear their conversation. Kanchan brought out a jewelry box and Nidhi eagerly opened it. Her eyes literally shone seeing whatever was inside the box, "Wow, this is exquisite."

"Really? You like it?"

"Uh huh. It's really good."

Kanchan extends her a paper gift bag,"I am glad. Chal, mujhe der ho rahi hai. Main nikalti hoon. Bye and thanks a lot."

Nidhi carefully puts the box in the bag, which she safely keeps in her handbag. "Come on yaar thanks kis baat ka? Bye."

Ashutosh literally feels something snapping inside him. Iska matlab?!!

He practically runs out to his car, and starts driving rashly & aimlessly. Finally, he dials Koel, "Koel, do you have your laptop at home?"

"Yes Sir."

"Okay, can you please send me a performa draft on my email immediately?"

"Yeah sure Sir, which one?"

He tells her and hangs up. He sees lots of missed calls and messages from Armaan and Nidhi. He dials Armaan, who blasts him, "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? Here I am, looking around for you like a fool. Nidhi bhi kitni pareshaan hai? LEKIN TU – TUJHE KYA?"

Ashutosh struggled to keep his voice normal, "Sorry Yaar, Ek bahut important kaam yaad aa gaya tha. Abhi kahan ho? Hall pe ya ghar pahunch gaye?"

"Ghar bhi pahunch gaye aur saari rasme bhi ho gayi. Tu jaldi aa jaa."

"Yaar Armaan, if you don't mind, hum kal milen? I have a headache aur.."

Armaan laughs, "Yeah yeah can understand buddy. Tonight is a big night for you too."

"ARMAAN"

"Whoa, whoa. Theek hai. Tere headache ka ilaaj yahin mere ghar me hai. Tu apne ghar jaa, main use bhi bhejta hoon."

Ashutosh cuts the call without replying.

By the time Nidhi reaches home, Ashutosh is in the study. She immediately rushes inside the study and sees him working on his laptop. She backhugs him, "Hi Kumpel, kahan chale gaye the? Main aap ko dhoond dhoond ke thak gayi"

He removes her hands from around his neck, "Sorry Nidhi, ek zaroori kaam se gaya tha."

"Okay, koi baat nahi. Abhi room me chaliye na. Bahut din se aapse kuch kehna hai. I can't wait any more."

His voice is strangly distant, "Baat toh mujhe bhi karni hai. Lekin ye kaam khatam kar loon phir. Tum chalo, main aata hoon."

She nods and goes to the room. She takes out that nighty gown which she had found at the top when she had opened her bag on her wedding night. She takes a quick shower, uses plenty of body mist/scent and wears the nighty gown. She comes out of the restroom and then combs her hair. She applies a bit of lip gloss and kaajal. She waits for him impatiently.

On the other hand Armaan enters his room and finds Anji standing near the bed. She does not hear the door being opened. He gently closes and bolts the door. Then he comes to her and very gently backhugs her. She shudders and turns about.

He says awkwardly, "Hi! (she smiles shyly) Tum.. you are comfortable, right?"

She nods, "yes."

"Ye room kaisa laga? Now it's our room."

"It's nice. I like it"

"That wardrobe to the right is totally yours. And.. aur bhi we can get whatever else you need."

She nods.

Not knowing what to say or do next, he holds her by the shoulders and locks his eyes with her. He raises his brow and seeks her permission with his eyes. Anji nods slightly, before lowering her eyelids in anticipation. He closes in on her, but suddenly backs off. She looks up at him, taken aback.

"Sorry Anji, there is something that needs to done right away. Ek minute haan?"

Though confused, Anji nods and he goes to his wardrobe. He opens the inner small cabinet and brings out something. Coming to her he shows her a picture, "I am sorry Anji. I know I should not remind you of my past, but ye photo Suman ki aakhri nishaani hai, uski aakhri yaad hai mere paas. I swear, since we confessed, maine ek baar bhi dekha hi nahi ye photo. But now,"

Heart in her mouth she watches confused as Armaan takes a candle and burns the picture. He leaves it burning in an ashtray.

Anji is totally surprised, "Aap.. ye kya kiya? Iski koi zaroorat nahi thi.."

"Tumhe nahi, lekin mujhe thi Anji. I didn't want my past to come between us in anyway."

"Aap bhi bilkul paagal hain.."

"Haan woh toh main hoon Anji, tumhare pyaar me."

She blushes, "Armaanji!"

"Abhi bhi ArmaanJI? Yeah, I guess budhe se shaadi ki hai isiliye you have to all me ji"

She gets irritated, "Stop this nonsense, okay? Whats wrong if I respect you?"

"Respect toh main bhi tumhe karta hoon, so should I call you Anjiji? You will like that?"

"Please thoda time dijiye na Armaanji"

"Phir se Ji? Chalo, let me use my persuasive skills on my wife tonight. Before I am done with you tonight, I will have heard just 'Armaan' from you." And he holds her by her waist.

She blushes profusely at that and tries to wriggle out of his arms. He pulls her nearer, "Scared of my challenge?"

She hides her face in his chest, and utters a soft "no!"

Ashutosh enters the bedroom with some papers in his hands. Nidhi sees him and gives him a lovely smile.

"Nidhi mujhe tumhe kuch dena hai."

"Aap ne mujhe sab kuch toh diya hai Kumpel."

"Haan lekin ye nahi diya, jo mujhe pahle de dena chahiye tha."

"Kya?"

Ashutosh gives her the papers and she asks, "ye kaise papers hain?"

"Mere khayal me you are a lawyer. Tum samajh sakti ho. Khud hi dekh lo."

She opens the papers and finds that it was the Deed of Divorce.

Originally posted by: sshirley

Everyone, I proofed only first half so, pl. point out any mistakes.