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Flashback

I took the wine glass from her hands as our fingers slightly brushed making me shiver. Her eyes weren't leaving mine.

"Go on....give it a try." She whispered and sat down beside me.

I begged for forgiveness in my heart and took a sip. The red wine felt sweet at the tip of my tongue but later the combination of sour and bitter taste lingered in my mouth and the back of my throat.

"Is it good?" She asked.

"Um.... it's not bad. It's a new taste for me." I chuckled softly. She was sitting too close making me to lose the ability to think properly.

"Finish it then. If you like it.... I have an entire bottle u know."

I don't know why, but I did what she asked and finished the glass in one breath. Ugh! The taste.....not soo good, I felt a bit hazy too, maybe because it was my first time drinking it.

"What some more?"

"Um...no Thanks Maasi." I said blinking to clear my vision.

"Not even if I feed you...."

She suddenly sat on my lap as I watched her flustered.

"Maasi....wha...."

"Shh..." She kept her soft finger on my lips. I swallowed.....my heart racing.

She took a sip of her wine and placed her lips on mine catching me off guard. My eyes widened and I froze not being able to comprehend what the hell was going on. The sweet taste of the wine entered my mouth again along with her velvety tongue. I closed my eyes giving in. She was kissing me....and I was kissing her back, something I never ever imagined in my wildest dreams. The goddess of beauty was claming my mouth....

Her hand slipped up in my hair and another travelled down my torso over the t-shirt and still going down till it stopped on my crotch making me moan.

She broke the kiss leaving me breathless, her huge chest rising and falling as she struggled for oxygen herself. She got of my lap and sat down on her knees in front of me.

"Aree.... it's soo hard." She said caressing the tent in my pants making me hiss. It wasn't the first time I got hard, it was part of my puberty but why was it hurting much this time. It was like....it was craving for her touch.

"It must hurt soo much. You shouldn't leave it like that.....it can be dangerous. Let your Ridhima Maasi help. Ok?" She said beginning to unzip my pants.....

###

The phone rang making me flinch. It was Naila. The memory of her kissing me during her bday party flashed through my eyes. She had been avoiding me for 2 days since then. It's not like I was the one who kissed her, she kissed me catching me off guard. Who gave her the right to be angry? And why is she calling me now?

I answered the call before the ring died down. I checked the time. Oh, it was time to pick her up.

"Hello, Kaif." she said before I could. Why does, whenever she takes my name.....it makes me feel..... strangely happy in a way.

"Yeah, I was just about to leave. I'll be there in 10 mins." I said getting off my chair.

"No, no.... that's what I wanted to say. You don't have to pick me up. I'll be coming with Avanti in an auto. We need to stop by somewhere on the way to the office." She said.

"Alright then...." I was about to say something else too but she hung up. Why is she soo rude? I shook my head and got back to work.

"Why did you lie to boss?" Mr Arnav asked me as we sat in the cafe. I had bunked the last lecture to meet him here.

"Does he know you're here to meet me?" I asked him alarmed.

"No, of course not. You told me our meeting was confidential." He replied.

I sighed relived.

"So, what was so important you couldn't talk about at the office?" He asked curiously.

"Actually, I need a huge favor from you. I want you to get me the details of Kaif's case from 6 years ago." I said.... nonchalantly.

"His case.." he seemed confused first but then realization was visible on his face.

"Oh....that...."

I nodded desperately.

"Mr Arnav, I can only trust you right now. You're like a good friend to me and only you are capable of getting me what I need. Especially I want you to get every little information you can get on the victim.... Ridhima Ahuja. Please."

He sighed.

"I won't ask you the reason why you're digging into this as it's between you husband and wife, but I'll still try my best. Just give me 3 days." He said.

I smiled relieved. "Sure."

###

I knocked at the cabin door

"Come in." He was busy with his files as always.

I just took my seat without a word. Only 5 days remained of our internship then I didn't had to come here ever again.

All the things he has done for me till now, right from my college, to saving my life multiple times, making me laugh, finding out about Saim and helping me deal with my past.... I'd always been soo greatful to him. He gave me my lost smile again....he became my friend....my family, but it was all just for show, to make Mom and Dad happy, for the media. Nothing he did came from his heart. I was soo stupid to even think we could be anything more than just husband and wife on paper.

He even broke his promise to me and probably went to meet her lover! It's none of my business actually who he dates and who he.....sleeps with, but then, why does it hurt soo much just thinking about it?

He's eyes stopped at me from the files.

"Oh you're back.... Are you crying?"

I touched my cheeks and realized they were strained with tears. I quickly wiped them looking away.

"Um....no. I'm not."

"Are you sure? You don't look...."

"I'm fine ok! No need to show such fake concern!" I bursted.

There was complete silence for a minute.

"No need to try soo hard to be the good guy when we are alone. I'm not gonna go complain to Mom about it or anything." I said looking down at my hands.

"Naila...."

"Don't! Just don't...." I raised a hand up stopping him.

Don't take name like that, it hurts.....my heart hurts....

"I need something to drink." I said turning to leave the cabin but he came towards me and grabbed my wrist pulling me to him.

"Let me go." I grunted not looking at him.

He tugged at my wrist making me look at him heatedly struggling to hold back my tears.

"Do you think all that I did, was just for Mom? Do you think I'm soo selfish?!" He daggered his eyes into mine.

"Maybe.... maybe you are selfish who doesn't even care anyone's feelings, who just cares about himself and would only so things to satisfy himself, who has even forgotten his iman, who doesn't even fear the Lord above!"

I let out a frightened squeal as he forcefully dragged me back to the wall by my shoulders pinning me back. His grip around my shoulders tightened painfully and he brought his face dangerously close to mine. I squirmed shutting my eyes tightly.

He scoffed.

"You're saying all that because even YOU think that I'm a rapist huh?!" I could sense the pain and dejection in his voice.

I lifted my head to meet his eyes and shook my head.

"No...of course not. I don't think you're a rapist.... I know that you cannot be a rapist!" I said acidly.

His eyes turned soft and grip loosed around my shoulders as his hands slipped down holding my wrist gently. His sank his head on my shoulders making me lose my guard momentarily. My heart raced.

"You don't.....you really don't." He murmured as if he was happy to hear that.

"Yes, I don't think like that because.... I'm sure there's more to the story.... something more.... disgusting."

He lifted his head from my shoulders and I saw a horrified expression on his face.

"D.... disgusting?"

There was a knock at the door.

"Boss I got the investors details you asked fo....."

Mr Arnav paused in his words at the door shocked and embarrassed.

"S... sorry boss.... sorry bhabhi. I didn't know....sorry. I'm going now. Please continue...." He said hastily, stammering and almost ran away closing the door.

I sighed gently pushing Kaif and making my way too the door

###

I was filling my cup at the coffee machine bitting my lip to try to control the sob from escaping. I took the sip of the hot coffee but it was no use. I couldn't stop thinking about him. The way he smiled at me, how he holds my hands, the way his deep brown eyes lock with mine..... I just couldn't.

"Oh hi Naila. Can you get me a coffee too." I heard Avanti behind me. I just slammed my coffee cup over the machine and hugged her tight as I broke down crying.

"Naila? What happened? Why are you crying?" She asked worried patting my back gently.

"I'm scared Avanti..... I'm scared of the truth.... I'm scared I won't be able to handle it....."

"Handle what?......what truth? Naila.....shh, please don't cry...."

I didn't say anything else and just kept crying.

###

Our internship certificates were handed to us 3 days earlier as we sometimes did some overtime, so our 100 hours were completed. Mr Arnav told me he's almost got what I needed and will meet me tomorrow at the same cafe.

I was sleeping in my old room as I didn't had the strength to face him everyday till the truth was out. I woke up before him and went to college before him. As he used to come late from office, I ate and slept before he got home. That's how I was spending the days ignoring him. After I sudden outburst in the office, he didn't bother to talk to me either.

I didn't even know if he really was working extra in the office or .... having secret rendezvous with someone.

Finally the day came when I was going to find out about....HER!

"Ridhima Sameer Ahuja, aged 45, she currently is the CEO of Ahuja constructions, her husband's company. Their company is one of the top 3 construction company in India.

Her husband owned the company but 6 years ago, after the incident, he suddenly gave up on everything and drowned himself in drinking. Maybe it was a huge shock on him as....." He hesitated.

"As what?" I asked.... somewhat fearing his next words.

"He was the one who....uh.... caught the boss....u know what I mean." He said guiltily.

"Oh. That poor man." I said trying to control my emotions by clenching my fist under the table till my knuckles turned white.

"I'm sorry bhabhi. I know this must be soo hard on you."

"It's ok Mr Arnav. It was me who asked you for the information. Please continue.... don't worry about me." I forced a smile.

He took a deep breath and continued.

"After a year, his wife, Mrs Ridhima took over her husband's business after overcoming the trauma. She's still running the business efficiently till date.

The case ran in the court for a couple hearings till it was buried with proper financial consolation to Mrs Ridhima and boss was sent to the USA till the public forgot about it."

"What about Mr Ahuja?" I asked.

"He stays at home... drinking and throwing tantrums. His wife has to take care of him and the company."

I nodded.

"Also Bhabhi, I uh.... found out something else recently and it's really bothering me.... especially after going through the case."

"What is it?"

"My girlfriend Natasha works as a receptionist at a 5 star hotel. She told me that she saw my boss getting into a suite, the day he asked me to book the movie tickets, coming out after hours....and that suite was registered under....." He sighed and my anxiety was reaching it's peak.

"Under whose...name?" I dreaded to hear the answer which I already knew.

"Mrs Ridhima Ahuja."

I felt like someone just slapped me across my face. The reality hit me like a hurricane. I was right....they are in a relationship. I couldn't hold it in any longer and broke down. I didn't even know why I was crying.... it's not like we love each other or this marriage was anything important. Yet, I feel cheated and....hurt. It's killing me to think that Kaif.....my husband is.....Ya Allah!

"Bhabhi please.....try to control yourself. Please don't break like this." He said handing me a tissue. I accepted it wiping my tears.

"That's what's bothering me. If they are meeting each other without any problem....then the case six years ago about him raping her can be....."

"A lie." I completed his sentence finding my composure.

He nodded.

"Can I get Mr Ahuja's contact details?"

"I'll mail them to you in an hour."

"Thank you so much Mr Arnav for everything you've done. I don't know how to thank you."

"Oh no Bhabhi. No need for that, you're like a sister to me so I like to help you. You just take care of yourself and if you need anything, I'm just a call away." He smiled.

I smiled back.

"I know it's not much but.... I got you this." I took out a box and kept it on the table in front of him.

"You didn't had to!" He took his hands back.

"Please....it will make me feel better. Please accept it."

He hesitantly opened the box.

"It's a couples watch." He said amazed.

"Hm. You told me about your girlfriend last time that you're planning to marry. So I got it for you 2 hope she likes it too."

"She'll love it. Thank you."

###

He mailed me the details. My heart was pounding to the extent of getting dizzy now. I had to find out the truth, did he really see Kaif raping his wife, or did he witness something else? And if it wasn't rape then why is Kaif hiding the truth...why accept such a huge allegation...why not save himself with the truth.... unless, the truth is even beyond my imagination.

I got back home from office but Naila wasn't back yet. I called her but there was no answer. I called her bodyguard....

"Kaif!" I heard Naila calling my name. I turned back and saw her panting behind me. She was on the verge of tears. I immediately disconnected the call and went to her.

"What's wrong?"

"Kaif...." Her voice was shaking, worrying me.

"What happened are you ok?" I held her at arms length to examine her.

She shook her head.

"I'm soo sorry!" She suddenly began sobbing.

"I'm sorry for doubting you for soo long....but I know the truth now."

"What truth?" Somehow her words made me feel uneasy.

She looked up in my eyes.

"You weren't the one who raped her......she raped you! You were the victim!"