She stood there with her stiff back towards him and waited for him to say something. When he didn't after few minutes she took a step ahead to leave.

"Srishti," She stopped and frowned in annoyance. Why couldn't he say what he wanted to and then let her go. She slowly turned around and looked at him.

"Stay away from Aditya." He warned and a chuckle escaped her lips but she immediately pursed her lips.

"You think this is funny?" He asked in a hard tone and she nodded a no innocently. She just laughed because of his out of the topic statement.

Here she was thanking him for appointing Greta and he was telling her to stay away from his friend? What was wrong with him?

When she glanced at him, he was still burning holes through his eyes so she composed herself and looked at him and asked him,

"Why are you telling me this, Mr. Malhotra?" She asked genuinely curious at his demand or warning whatever he called it. Sahil looked at her for few seconds and then walked inside his room leaving her baffled.

She flared her nostrils and followed him behind. He was standing in his room with his back facing her. She opened her mouth to protest but he beat her in it.

"I'm not asking you instead warning you to stay away from him. And I won't give you any explanations as to why I'm saying this." He completed and she just wondered why was he saying such a bizarre thing all of a sudden.

Sure he had told her this before but it seemed pretty serious right now. She wanted to look at his face and try to figure out why he was saying this but he wasn't even looking at her.

"If you so want this then why can't you tell Aditya to stay away from me? He can do that as well." She pointed out and Sahil clenched his eyes shut. This woman was too difficult.

He turned around and looked at her who was now scrutinizing him with her eyes but he cared less.

"I've told him as well but if he doesn't listen then I can't do anything. But for you, I can add this clause in the contract and you'll face the consequences if you don't comply with it." He threatened and she glared at him hard.

"You cannot do this." She gritted each word and he was nonchalant to her anger.

"You don't even know what all I can do." He said looking deep into her eyes and it stirred something inside her. Her anger disappeared and she went blank.

What did he mean by that?

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Sahil was lying on his bed when his phone rang. He sighed and sat up picking his phone from the side table. The phone flashed with Aditya's name.

"I've not called you to say sorry or to reconcile because you are at fault this time." Aditya spoke before Sahil could and he let him.

"Then what?" Sahil questioned and Aditya spoke nothing for few minutes.

"If you want me to behave normally with you, like if you want me to reconcile with you then you will have to do what I say." Aditya demanded and Sahil processed his words.

He knew it will be something related to Srishti but still he replied,

"Deal."

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Srishti and Greta were are the breakfast table in the morning where Greta had laid a plate full of fruits infront of her along with a glass of juice on the side.

"Greta, I know I'm pregnant and I also know that I have to eat for two people but is this much necessary?" Srishti asked eyeing the plate and Greta smiled at her.

"You have to stay healthy and these nine months are going to be very different for you." She explained and Srishti listened carefully as she had her fruits.

Suddenly Srishti's eyes widened as she saw Sahil coming out of his room wearing casual clothes instead of his blazer. What was he doing here when he was supposed to be at his company.

"Good morning, Mr. Malhotra." Greta greeted him in a sweet tone and Sahil nodded.

"Morning, Mrs. Khanna." He replied simply and sat down at the table making Srishti choke on her fruit. Greta immediately rubbed her back and handed over a glass of water to her while Sahil just stared at her.

"Are you okay dear?" Greta asked concerned as her coughing died down and she just nodded. Looking up, she saw Sahil staring at her and she immediately averted her eyes.

"I'll be working from home, starting today till you deliver the baby." Saying this Sahil got up and left for his room and Srishti sat there stunned.

"That's great news, Srishti. Now your husband will be there to take care of you as well." Greta exclaimed excitedly and walked away but Srishti was still trying to process what had happened.

He was going to be home everyday? So she'll be seeing him more often now and going to get nervous more than often? But why? What had suddenly changed his mind?

She sighed and made a crying face looking at her belly.

Few hours later, Srishti was bored to no end sitting idly in the mansion. She wanted to go out but didn't know if Sahil would allow her but she was determined to ask and argue if he refused.

Knocking on his door she entered inside his study as he replied. He didn't look up from his laptop and neither she wanted him to. It would be much easier if they had a conversation like this.

"I want to go out for a walk." She stated instead of asking and Sahil seemed too busy in his laptop. She frowned thinking for how long she was going to stand there and cleared her throat.

"You can go but Greta and one of the guards will be accompanying you. Just wait till I am sure that there's no media around." He said and she was surprised to see him agree so easily.

She waited as he called someone and sorted out everything while she chose to look around although there was nothing fascinating to see. His study was more or less same like his office. Too boring.

"You can go but be back before one." He ordered and she glanced at the clock. It was ten thirty.

"Okay," She nodded and turned to leave. Sahil stared at her retreating figure before getting back on his laptop.

He sure was frustrated for working from home but that is what Aditya's demand was and he had agreed to it.

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Aditya wanted to visit 'Hope' badly but something was stopping him. He didn't understand what but he just didn't have the courage to walk in there knowing how wrong his friend had done to Srishti.

So he just opted to look at the kids and her from afar and chose to stay content even though he was nowhere near it.

He saw Zevah laughing and dancing with the kids and automatically a smile formed on his lips. Her smile had that power, that charm to make anyone happy.

How he wished he could walk upto her and apologise so that things could go back to how they were.

Just then he saw Srishti entering the 'Hope' premises followed by a lady and a guard whom he definitely knew. The kids saw her and jumped happily making her happy as well.

He smiled sadly and walked back to his car and glanced at them one last time before driving away.

Sure he could have joined them forgetting everything, he could have joined them without thinking about it but he couldn't. He couldn't because he knew what his friend had done and despite knowing it he couldn't tell her about it and that is what increased his guilt more.

He could tell her everything and be honest but he would never betray his best friend.

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