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Vikram was driving the car while Anupama was busy in her phone texting Pakhi asking about her day.

There was a doubt lingering in Vikram's mind for a long time but he wasn't sure if he should ask but seeing Anupama comfortable with him he decided to ask.

Vikram :- Anu....agar tum bura na maano to mai kuch puchu?

Anu:- Haan....puchiye na

She said with a smile.

Vikram:- Tum Mr and Mrs Shah ko personally janti ho kya?....I mean wo dono tumse kaafi chide chide rehte hai....yeh office politics se kuch zada lagta hai...

Anupama took a deep breath...

Vikram :- It's okay tumhe nhi batana to....no big deal

Anu:- Nhi aisi koi baat nhi hai...

She paused a bit.

Anu:- I am sure......apko Devika ne bataya hi hoga ki mera divorce ho chuka hai....

Vikram:- Hmm...bataya hai...

Anu :- Mr. Shah mere ex husband hai and as you know Kavya unki wife.....we didn't part ways on good terms...so bas isiliye...

Vikram was shocked but his doubt was right. He is the same Vanraj who is not only his wife's ex but Anupama's too.

Vikram was lost in thoughts when Anupama's words brought him back.

Anu:- Aap kha kho gaye....maine kuch galat kha kya?

Vikram:- Nhi nhi...wo bas aise hi mai thoda sa surprise ho gya tha bss yeh jaan ke.....

Anu:- Ohh...okay

Vikram:- It's alright Anupama....past ko apne present ko affect mat karne do...

Anupama sighed realising that she wants to forget the past but it seems to follow her everywhere.

Vikram(in his thoughts):- Maine kahi Anupama ko dinner pe invite karke galti to nhi kar di....mujhe yeh karne se pehle Rittika se ek baar baat karni chaiye thi.....pta nhi wo kaise react karegi.....khi wo misbehave na kare Anu ke sath....Anu ko mana kar du kya?....nhi nhi pagal h aise kitna ajeeb lagega use....koi nhi Bunty jo hoga dekh lenge...Rittika ko mai sambhal lunga bas I hope Anu ko Vanraj aur Rittika ke bare me nhi pata ho....

He thought to himself as they both reached Vikram's house.

Devika and Rittika were chatting over some wine while cooking the dinner when the bell rang....

Devika:- Tu ruk...mai dekhti hoo...

Saying this she went to open the door and was surprised seeing the person on other side....

Devika:- Anu tu yha kya kar rhi hai.....wo bhi Bunty ke sath....

She exclaimed...

Vikram:- Madam andar aane dengi ya yhi pe sare sawalo ke jawab chaiye aapko....

Vikram said stepping in while Anu was still at the door.

Devika :- Tu wha kyu khadi hai...aandr aa jaa...

Anupama came in while Devika closed the door behind her.

Devika:- Aab koi mujhe batayega ki chal kya rha hai.....

Vikram:- Shant ho jaa meri maa...batata hoo....long story short....actually hm dono ek dusre ko yaad the....aur aaj kaam karte karte hmare muh se yeh baat nikl gayi....

Devika:- Really?

Devika said in excitement.

Anu:- Haan.....

Devika:- Finally.... finally God....thank you so much....aab mujhe yeh dogli zindagi nhi jeeni padegi....aab mere dono dost bhi dost ban gaye.... finally...

Anu:- Tu kitni badi nautanki hai Devu.....

Devika:- Ek minute....wait....tum log abhi bhi dost bane ho...ya colleague hi ho...

Both Vikram and Anupama looked at each other gesturing to tell her.

Devika:- Oh God....No... Don't tell me Anu....tujhe abhi bhi ladko se dosti karne me problem hai....

Anu:- Devu....mai tujhe chodungi nhi...

Saying this she slapped Devika's arm.

Anu:- FYI...mujhe ladko se dosti karne me kabhi koi bhi problem nhi thi....wo to....

She stopped realising that it was her mother who forbade it before her marriage and after marriage it was her Baa and her husband.

Both Vikram and Devika understood.

Vikram:- Are yrr Devika...tu kaisi baatein leke baith jaati hai... ofcourse hm dono dost hai...

Devika:- Haan haan...wo to mujhe dramee karne ki aadat h....

Vikram:- Drame se yaad aaya ki....Ritu kha hai...?

Devika:- Haww....Bunty....abhi batati hoo mai Ritu ko...tu ruk

Saying this she pretended to go to her when Vikram pulled her back with holding her ears...

Devika:- Oucchhh...dard ho rha hai...chod mujhe...

Anupama was smiling seeing the two best friends pull each other's leg

Vikram:- Aab bta btayegi use...

Devika:- Nhi naa.....pls chod de

Vikram:- Good....

Saying the he left her ears.

Devika rubbed her ears looking annoyed at Vikram.

Vikram:- Waise wo hai kha?

Devika:- Kitchen me...

Vikram:- Tum dono baith ke baatein karo...mai aata hoo...

Saying this he turned towards kitchen when Rittika stepped into the living room.

Rittika saw Anupama behind Vikram and was shocked and same was the case with Anupama.

A memory flashed before their eyes....

17 years ago...

Rittika was holding Vanraj's hand persuading him to come back in her life.

Vanraj :- Humare beech aab kuch nhi baccha Rittika....mai Anupama ke sath bahut khush hoo...mere do bacche aur ek aane wala hai....it's over between us...

Rittika:- Aisa mat bolo Vanraj....mai janti hoo tum Anupama se nhi mujhse pyaar karte ho....wo tumahre type ki hai hi nhi....tum uske sath khush reh hi nhi sakte....tum use divorce dedo aur hum shaadi kar lete hai...I know you love me...

Vanraj:- Kaisi pagalo jaisi baatein kar rhi ho tum...Just shut up...I love Anupama...and humare beech me aab kuch nhi ho sakta...samjhi tum?... It's over

Saying this he took his hand from her hold and started walking away.

Ritiika:- Vanraj tum hum dono ki zindagi ka faisala akele nhi le sakte...

Vanraj:- Tumne bhi to 10 saal pehle hum dono ki zindagi ka faisla akele hi liya tha na....

Saying this he turned and walked away while Rittika fell on the ground with tears in her eyes.

A year ago when Anupama exposed Vanraj's EMA in front of his family....

Everyone was questioning Vanraj why he did this to Anupama...

Vanraj:- To kya karta Bapuji mai....maine kabhi is aurat se pyaar kiya hi nhi....pyaar to dur ki baat hai....mujhe to yeh pasand bhi nhi thi....lekin aap logo ne bina meri marzi puche meri isse shaadi kara di....fir bhi maine bahut kosis ki ise khush rakkhu.....maine iske liye kya kya nhi kiya....apne pehle pyaar Rittika ko maine apni zindagi me nhi aane diya sirf is aurat ke liye....isko itna pyaar diya..lekin badle me pyaar to chodo...25 saal me yeh mere saath bahar jane layak bhi nhi ban paayi...kash mai us din Rittika ko mana nhi karta to mujhe 25 saal is ganwar ko nhi jhelna padta....

This shocked Anupama...she never thought the woman who hugged her when she got the news that she will go to America will turn out to be the woman who tried to snatch her husband from her.

Vanraj's words echoed in their ears pricking their hearts....

Rittika :- Anupama...

Anupama:- Rittika...

Both of them never thought that they would have to face each other again.

Devika was surprised that they know each other

Devika:- Tum dono...

Vikram interrupted realising the situation might take a turn for the worse.

Vikram:- Anupama....meet my wife Rittika....and Rittika...this is Anupama meri aur Devika ki college friend.... remember I told you she is working with us....

Saying this,Vikram looked at Rittika worried how she is gonna react.

Rittika looked back at him and saw the worried look on his face.

She took a few steps forward and came and stood in front of Anupama.

Rittika :- It's so good to finally meet you Anupama.....Vikram can't stop talking about your work......

Saying this she forwarded her hand for a handshake with a smile.

Anupama was surprised that Rittika didn't bring up the fact that they both know each other but realised it might be hard for her to talk about her past as it was the same with her.

So she shook her hands and said with a warm smile....

Anu:- It's nice to meet you too...thank you for having me over....

Both said in a formal tone trying hard to forget the bitter memories of the past.

There was tension in the air which was making Vikram and Devika anxious....

Devika:- Yrr tum log baatein hi karte rahoge yaa fir dinner bhi karne ka irada hai.....

She interrupted trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Vikram :- Haan yrr mujhe bhi bahut bhook lagi hai....chalo dinner karte hai...

Rittika:-Haan haan ofcourse dinner lag gya hai.... please come...

They all went towards the dining table and took their seat.

Rittika :- Anupama....would you like a drink...I mean wine, Scotch, whiskey... anything?

She offered with a smile.

Anu:- Thank you....but mai peeti nhi hoo...

Rittika:- Ohh sorry...I thought Devika peeti hai to mujhe laga tum bhi...

Anu:- It's alright...

Vikram:- Are tum cold drink to peeti hogi...let me bring you some coke...

Anu:- Are it's okay.... please don't bother...

Vikram:- Anupama...maine kaha na no formalities...

Saying this he went into the kitchen and brought her some coke.

They had dinner chit chatting about work, reminiscing old college memories and praising Rittika for her cooking skills.

Both Rittika and Anupama were awkward with each other but they tried their best to be cordial.

After they had their dessert, Devika stood up....

Devika:- Chalo aab hum chalte hai....kaafi late ho gaya hai...

Vikram:- Are thode der ruko na.....kal chutti bhi to hai...

Rittika:- Haan please...we just started...

Anu:- Actually it's very late....hme chalna chahiye....

Devika didn't want Anupama to come off as rude so she interrupted...

Devika:- Actually kal Sunday hai aur divorce ke baad Anu ko uski beti Pakhi ke sath sirf Sunday spend karne ko milta hai....so yeh pgl uski planning aaj se hi karne lagti hai...

Vikram and Rittika both understood her situation.

Rittika :- It's okay...we understand...tum log aaram se jana..

She reassured.

Devika:- Anu teri car me chalenge...mai Rittika ke sath aayi to car ghar pe hi reh gayi...

Anu:- Lekin Mai to Vikram ki car me aayi hoo....meri bhi car office me hai...

Devika:- Ohh...to chal we will take a cab...

Vikram:- Are mai chod deta hoo na.....chalo

Vikram offered....

Anu:- Are nii.....we can take a cab...you must also be tired after office...

Vikram:- Are bhab....

Vikram bit his tongue realising what he was going to do again.

Devika looked at him with a death glare.

Vikram:- I mean Anu....koi badi baat nhi hai mai chod dunga...

Devika:- Nhi Bunty tu rehne de....hum chale jayenge...Anu is right....tu thak gya hoga...

Vikram:- Are but....

Anu:- No more buts...aab hum chalte hai...

Devika hugged Vikram and Rittika good bye and then left in a cab.

Vikram turned to Rittika to explain her.....

Rittika:- Mai dinner table clear kar deti hoo...

Saying this she picked up the plates and glasses and took them to the kitchen.

She was arranging the dishes when Vikram came from behind and hugged her tight.

Rittika:- Vikram kya kar rhe ho...chodo mujhe bahut kaam hai...

She tried to get out of his hold.

Vikram:- Nhi chodunga...

Saying this he tightened his hold...

Rittika:- Vicky please....abhi nhi...

He grabbed her shoulders gently and turned her to face him.

Rittika was still looking down trying to avoid him.

He tucked her hair behind her ears...

Vikram:- I am sorry Ritu... mujhe Anupama ko bina tumse puche invite nhi karna chaiye tha...

Rittika:- It's okay....

She said in a low voice

Vikram:- No it's not....look at me..

He lifter her face and held it between his palms.

Vikram:- Trust me....jab maine use invite kiya to mujhe nhi pata tha ki wo aur Vanraj saath the kabhi....

Rittika saw guilt in Vikram's eyes. She knew he would never hurt her purposely. It's just that she was not ready for the surprise.

Rittika :- Vicky.....it's okay....past is past...tumahri isme koi galti nhi hai infact kisi ki nhi hai....so relax...haan mai thoda surprise ho gayi thi initially use dekh ke...but I am not a teenager...mai handle kar sakti hoo....

Vikram:- You sure?

Rittika:- Sure my baby....isiliye please relax...

She got out of his hold and was walking towards the sink when Vikram said....

Vikram:- Ritu.....I know past me uski wajah se shayad tumhe kisi se dur jana pada...

He said closing his eyes at the thought of loosing her to someone.

Vikram:- Lekin usme uski koi galti nahi hai....wo buri nhi hai...she is very sweet...tum ek baar use janogi to tumhe samajh aayega...

Rittika walked up to him seeing him defend his friend.

Rittika:- I know she is sweet....17 saal pehle bhi thi aur aaj bhi hai.... infact wo bahut acchi hai Vikram...

She paused.

Vikram was listening to her patiently.

Rittika:- Lekin mai nhi hoo.... mujhe wakt lagta hai cheezo ko accept karne me...samajhne me.....mai jaanti hoo uski wajah se kuch nhi hua...infact maine uske sath galat kiya hai past me.....but maine aaj jab use itne saalo baad apne samne dekha to wo saari memories bhi wapas aa gayi jo Vanraj ne mujhe di hai.....mai yeh nhi keh rhi ki maine galtiya nhi ki hai...bahut sari ki hai.....lekin chot khud ki wajah se lagi ho ya kisi aur ki wajah se dard to utna hi hota hai na....

Vikram:- I understand....I am sorry yeh sab acchanak se tumahre samne aaya isiliye...

Rittika:- It's okay.....and mai jaanti hoo shayad maine aaj usse thoda rudely baat ki....but mujhe thoda time do Vikram....I will come around....

Vikram held her hand in his and said...

Vikram:- Tumhe jitna bhi time chaiye Ritu....tum lo...and I will take care ki mai Anu ki baatein karke pareshan na krooo....

She smiled at him.

Rittika:- Wo sab to theek hai....lekin yeh jo tumahre muh se bhabhi nikalta rehta hai uske liye....uska kuch karna padega...

He chuckled.

Vikram:- Baat to shi hai...agar use kabhi shak ho gaya to wo to mujhe maar hi dalegi...

Rittika smiled at her husband's antics and hugged him.

Rittika:- I love you Vicky...

Vikram:- I love you too Ritu....

Vanraj was sitting on his bed reading the file Vikram handed him over to make changes in his marketing plan.

He finished the file and kept it on the side.

His eyes were red in anger. He has looked at the file more than times and still couldn't find one mistake or a better alternative to Anupama's plans. He clenched his fist in anger and smacked the

flower vase kept on the side table.

The vase fell on the floor with a thud that woke up Kavya who was sleeping peacefully.

Kavya :- V kya hua....?

Vanraj didn't utter a word.

He sprung up from his bed and walked to the mirror.

Standing in front of it, he said with an evil smirk on his face....

Bahut ho gaya Anupama....aab tumahra is office se jane ka wakt aa gaya hai....

Anupama sat in silence looking out the window feeling the cool breeze on her face lost in thoughts...

Tum America chali jaaogi to mai tumahare bina 7 din kaise rahoonga....

Yeh Mera dhoka nhi tha pyaar tha...

Mai tumahare bina kaise rehta...

Maine kabhi is aurat se pyaar kiya hi nhi....pyaar to dur ki baat hai....mujhe to yeh pasand bhi nhi thi

Maine iske liye kya kya nhi kiya....apne pehle pyaar Rittika ko maine apni zindagi me nhi aane diya sirf is aurat ke liye

These were the words echoing in her mind when Devika spoke....

Devika :- Anu...tu theek hai?

Devika questioned seeing Anupama in silence.

Anu :- Haan...mujhe kya hoga...

She was still looking out the window.

Devika :- Tu Rittika ko pehle se jaanti hai kya....?

This brought Anupama back from her thoughts.

She looked at Devika and said...

Anu:- Haan wo...

Devika:- Kaise....?

Anu:- Actually wo aur Mr. Shah humari shaadi se pehle date kar rhe the....

Devika:- Haan but tu usse kab mili...

Anu:- 17 saal pehle wo humare ghar wapas aayi thi aur Mr. Shah ki zindagi me bhi.....

Devika realised what Anupama was talking about. She too was their in the Shah house when Vanraj humiliated and blamed Anupama for seperating him from his first love Rittika.

Devika:- I can't believe she is the same Rittika....sorry mai samjh sakti hoo ki use samne dekh ke tujhe kaisa feel hua hoga...mai Bunty se baat karungi...

Anu:- Tu kuch nhi karegi....Devika..pata nhi unko kuch pata bhi hoga ya nhi.....is baat ko aab bahut wakt ho chuka hai...and hme ise bhool jana chaiye.....aur rhi baat mujhe kaisa feel hua hoga...to haan mujhe bura laga....but utna hi bura Rittika ko bhi laga hoga...agar wo sab bhul ke civil reh sakti hai mere sath to mai kyu nahi....

Devika:- Yrr Anu....tu kitni acchi hai....tere jagah koi aur hota to abhi tak tamasha ho gaya hota...

Anu:- Devuu...

Devika:- Accha baba...theek hai nhi bolti...

She paused.

Devika:- Anu...dekh mujhe to yeh nhi pata ki Rittika 17 saal pehle kaisi thi....haan but itna pata hai ki aab wo teri tarah mahan to nhi hai lekin buri bhi nhi hai yrr....she has changed a lot....

Anu:- Devu maine yeh to kabhi nhi kha ki wo buri hai....wakt ke sath sab badal jaate hai...tu mujhe hi dekh le mai kitna badal gayi hoo....to shayad wo bhi hogi...

Devika smiled seeing Anupama handle the whole thing so maturely.

Anu :- Chal ghar aagaya...

They both were exhausted. So as soon they entered the apartment, they retired to their respective rooms wishing each other a good night.

Anuj was sitting on the couch in his office flipping the pages of a file thinking about what Donna said about going to India.

His trip to India 17 years ago left him completely shattered. He was afraid of going back and facing his past for all he knew this time it could break him completely.