Anu sobbing....

Anu :- Devika I....I don't have that kind of money to pay for the damages.....I don't have anything to prove my innocence....I don't wanna go to jail....I will loose my daughter if I do....

Anupama spoke terrified of the outcome of the case.

Devika and Vikram were trying to comfort her....

Devika :- Anu.....kuch nhi hoga....hm hai na...

Vikram :- Anu....meri baat suno...idhar dekho....hm tumhe khi nhi jane denge....just give me a day I promise....sb theek ho jayega...

Anu :- KAISE THEEK HO JAYEGA ?

She rebuked standing up from the couch and walking towards her Kanhaji's idol with tears in her eyes.

Both Devika and Vikram fell silent hearing Anupama's tone. Never in their lives they have seen her so irked but they understood the situation.

A few moments later Anupama realised that she might have hurt her friends who were just trying to comfort her.

Anu:- Sorry sorry sorry....sorry

Anupama apologized turning towards Devika and Bunty.

Anu:- Mujhe aise nhi bolna chaiye tha....sorry sorry..

Vikram:- Anupama...relax...

Devika:- Hum samjhte hai..

She added.

Vikram:- Aur tum aisa soch bhi kaise sakti ho mai tumhe jail jaane dunga....huh?.....Board ke opinions kuch bhi ho....it's still my company....I am not gonna let anyone sue you....

Anu:- Mujhe jail jaane ki parwaah nhi hai abhi Bunty....I just don't want to loose my daughter....and I am going to just because of that article in the newspaper...

Vikram:- What?

Vikram had no idea what Anupama was talking about. He knew that Anupama and Vanraj were engaged in a custody battle earlier but he thought it was over.

Vikram:- What are you talking about?

He asked perplexed.

Devika:- Vanraj has threatened Anu to take back her right to meet Pakhi in court using the article published in the newspaper.

She answered Vikram.

Anu:- Mujhe apne baccho ko nhi khona Bunty....please do something.

She said wiping her tears.

Vikram was baffled by the information. He didn't expect Vanraj to stoop so low. He wanted to assure Anupama that everything will be alright but he himself had no clue. He hasn't received any information from Anuj or Ishika. He was not sure whether they will be able to find any proof or not but he can't tell this to Anupama. It would freak her out.

Anupama looked at Vikram and realised his dilemma.

She walked upto him and said...

Anu:- It's alright Bunty. I know you are doing your best.

She gave him a faint smile and walked into the kitchen.

Vikram couldn't figure out what just happened. A moment ago Anupama was freaking out and now she is comforting him but Devika realised what she was trying to do.

She was bottling up her feelings like she always did......not expressing herself.

Vikram:- Anu...

He called her out trying to say something but Devika gestured him to let her handle it and Vikram nodded.

Anupama was looking at Vikram in anticipation when Devika walked upto the kitchen counter and spoke...

Devika:- Anu....meri taraf dekh...

Anupama looked at her in question.

Devika:- Kya chal rha hai tere dil me?

Anu:- Kuch nhi....bas yeh soch rhi ki Mr. Shah ko kaise roku...

Saying this she turned around to go into her room when Vikram blocked her at the entrance.

Vikram:- Tum acche se jaanti ho Devika yeh nhi puch rhi thi...

He stated looking at her.

Anu:- To kya puch rhi thi?

She asked coldly looking at Devika.

Devika:- Anu maine yeh nhi pucha ki tere dimag me kya chal rha....maine yeh pucha tere dil me kya chal rha hai?

Anu:- Dono me fark kya hai....

She said indifferently knowing very well what Devika was talking about.

Devika rolled her eyes at her.

She walked upto Anupama and took her hands in hers.

Devika:- Anu....kya feel kar rhi tu?... please bata na...kya chal rha tere dil me?

Anu:- Devika mere pass in sab baato ke liye wakt nhi hai...mujhe Pakhi ke bare me sochana hai...

Saying this Anupama freed her hands from her hold.

Vikram:-Anu.....tumhe Pakhi ke bare me sochna hai socho....lekin apni feelings ignore karke nhi...

Anu:- Ladaiya feelings se nhi jeeti jaati Bunty...

She replied.

Devika:-Exactly.....ladai himmat se jeeti jaati hai...himmat sirf samne wale se ladne ke liye nhi chaiye hoti hai....balki khud se ladne ke liye bhi chaiye hoti....

She said trying to get Anupama to face her feelings.

Vikram:- Kab tak tum khud ko face nhi karogi Anu....kab tak sare dard takleef tum apne andar daba ke rakkhogi...

He wanted her to share the things she is bottling up.

Anu:- ENOUGH

She stated in a loud voice turning towards Vikram.

Anu:- Enough both of you....

She took a deep breath and spoke.....

Anu:- Tumhe kya lagta hai maine apni har ladai feelings ke sath nhi ladi...huh?

She paused and looked at Devika.

Anu:- Infact sach kahu to har ladai emotional hoke ladi hai....chahe wo sapno ki ho....divorce ki....ya custody ki...lekin kya hua huh?....kya mila mujhe....sirf haar....pariwar ke liye sapne chod diye lekin pariwar ne kabhi meri kadr nhi ki...pati ke liye self respect chod di lekin badle me kya mila dhoka aur dard....Baccho ke liye baa bapuji ke liye Mr. Shah ko court tak nhi le gayi lekin kya mila mujhe....sirf dooriyan aur tute hue rishte...ek baar mai apni Sweety ko kho chuki hoo...sirf emotions ki wajah se....agar mai us din apne emotions ko court me sambhal leti.....to aaj meri Pakhi mere pass hoti....

Saying this she wiped the tears that had formed in her eyes remembering the old wounds.

Anu:- Bahut ho gaya bas aab nhi....this time I won't let my emotions get the better of me....mai har baar haari hoo lekin is baar mai haarna afford nhi kar sakti....kyuki agar is baar mai haar gayi....to mai apni beti ko kho dungii....humesha ke liye...

She stated firmly and turned around and went into her room slamming the door behind her.

Devika:- Anu...

Vikram tried to open the door but Anupama had already locked it.

Devika:- Rehne de Bunty....wo jab better feel karegi to bahar aa jayegi...

Vikram:- You sure?

He asked worried.

Devika:- Haan...she is just overwhelmed....use thode der ke liye akela chodna hi theek hoga...

She sighed.

Vikram:- Hmm...

Saying this he turned around and his eyes fell on someone standing by the door.

Vikram :- Anuj....

He spoke.

Devika:- What?

She asked still facing the other side.

When Vikram didn't respond, she turned around and was shocked to see Anuj standing in front of her.

Devika :- Anuj...

She gasped.

Anuj parked his car outside Devika's building and got out. He was worried about Devika as Vikram left the office citing an emergency situation. He didn't know whether it was related to Devika or Anupama but he was sure that something is wrong.

As he got out of the car, he looked around to ensure that there isn't any media and there wasn't. Walking into the building, he looked for apartment 201 and immediately found it as it was on the ground floor itself.

He moved to the apartment door and his eyes fell on the name plate that read....

He was a bit shocked to find Anupama's name there. He never expected it but with all that was revealed to him today, it didn't seem that far fetched.

He reluctantly lifted his hands and gently caressed her name...

Anupama Joshi....

He thought to himself with a faint smile on his face and tears in his eyes.

The smile came at the relief that she finally found her identity after a long long time and tears for the cost she might have had to pay for it.

He was lost in thoughts when he heard a voice and his heart skipped a beat.

He slowly moved to the side and found the door to the apartment was half ajar.

Enough both of you...

The voice said and he took a peek inside the apartment. He saw someone standing between Vikram and Devika. He couldn't see her face as her back was to him but his heart recognised her in an instant yet his eyes demanded confirmation.

As she turned around to face Devika, the scene in front of him left him frozen to his place.

There was Anupama....the love of his life...his world...who he hasn't seen in years....standing mere foot steps away from him. He stood there taking in her form....capturing the moment in his brain....for he didn't know when he would be able to see her again when suddenly his gaze went to her eyes. Her eyes that were always full of hope and positivity had tears in them....tears....that were threatening to trickle down her cheeks.

His hands lifted automatically seeing the tears in her eyes as if they wanted to wipe them. He wanted to immediately run to her....take her in his arms...and assure her that he is gonna make everything alright but he couldn't. He had no rights. So he waited for her to express and when she did he was left shattered. Every word of hers pricked his heart like a thousand needles. The pain in her eyes reflected the wounds she has suffered throughout the years and when she slammed the door of her room, it felt like she slammed her feelings shut in corner of her heart.

Anuj was devastated to witness the scene that unfolded in front of his eyes. His brain that was conscious earlier about not to be seen was now oblivious of the fact that Vikram and Devika were calling him out.

Devika:- Anuj...

Vikram:- Anuj...

Both called him out anxious to see him standing near the door frozen to his place. They weren't sure if he had heard everything but the look on his face suggested that he sure did.

Seeing him still lost, Vikram snapped his fingers in front of him and he came back to the present with a jerk.

Vikram:- Anuj

Devika:- Tu theek hai?

They asked anxiously looking at him.

Soon the pained expression on his face turned into rage. His jaws tensed and his eyelids squinted in anger. He turned around and started walking towards the exit furiously without even saying a word to Vikram and Devika. His fist clenched at the flash of pain he had witnessed today. He still wasn't sure about the whole story but he sure had enough to beat the shit out of Vanraj Shah.

He was walking out of the building to the parking lot when Devika and Vikram caught upto him.

Devika:- Anuj....meri baat sun...

She yelled from behind but Anuj was in no mood to listen.

Vikram:- Anuj....ruk....

He shouted but Anuj had already started his car and turned it around.

He was about to speed up and leave when Devika jumped in front of it and seeing her suddenly appear out of nowhere...he hit the breaks hard and the car stopped.

He immediately loosened his seat belt and got out of the car slamming the door behind him.

Anuj:- Devika....

He shouted worried that she is hurt.

Vikram:- Devu tu theek hai..

Vikram ran to her.

Anuj:- Tu pagal hai kya....aise car ke samne kaun aata hai...khi lag jaati to....

Anuj yelled anxiously checking out for any wound on her but was relieved to find none.

Soon when Vikram realised Devika is alright, he turned towards Anuj.

Vikram:- Anuj....

Anuj:- Not a word....

He said in a stern voice.

Anuj:- Not even a word...both of you.

He looked at them enraged turning back to his car.

Devika:- Anuj meri baat sun...

Anuj:- Mujhe kuch bhi nhi sunna Devika...leave me alone.

He stated looking at her.

Vikram:- Ek baar uski baat to sun le....wo kya kehna chah rhi hai...

Anuj:- KYA SUNU HUH?

He yelled in frustration.

Anuj:- Peechle do dino se India me hoo aur humesha se tumahre touch me....fir bhi tum dono me se kisi ne bhi mujhe yeh batane ki zarurat nhi samjhi ki Anu ka divorce ho gaya hai....

He reprimanded them for not telling him the truth.

Anuj:- Batana to dur ki baat hai....you let me believe ki Anupama apni family ke sath khush hai...

He rebuffed Vikram.

Vikram:- Anuj jab tu wapas aaya to usse bhi badi problem thi humare samne ki uske baare me baat karna theek nhi laga....

Anuj rolled his eyes at him realising if he knew the truth it would have been probably easier to find out the culprit.

Devika:- I swear Anuj hum tujhe batane wale the...... isiliye we were insisting on you coming back here...

She added.

Anuj:- Really?

He chuckled sarcastically.

Devika:- Anuj please.....try to understand.

Anuj:- Enough

He said.

Anuj:- I just wanna know one thing.......when?

He took a pause not sure if he wants answer to his next question but asked anyway.

Anuj:- And why?

Devika stood silent not knowing how to answer without infuriating him but it was already too late and he needed to know.

Devika:- An year ago....

Anuj shut his eyes in pain realising he has been oblivious to Anupama's situation for a year now.

Anuj:- Why?

Devika remained in silence terrified of Anuj's reaction on hearing the truth.

Anuj:- I asked Why?....Damn it.

He rebuked her and she spoke in a go...

Devika:- Because Vanraj had an affair with someone named Kavya for 9 years....

Anuj expected nothing less than this but it didn't mean it broke his heart any less. The mere thought of Anupama living in betrayal for 9 long years completely clueless about it filled him with rage.

He was furious and the only way to silence the storm brewing in him was to take it out on the person who deserved it the most.

Vanraj Shah

He stated coldly and furiously opened the door of his car.

Devika:- Anuj...

She held his hand.

Anuj:- Devika....mujhe jaane de....aaj mera dimag kaam nhi kar rha...

He said in a cold assertive tone.

Vikram:- Anuj mujhe acche se pata hai tu kha jaa rha hai....but please gusse me aisa kuch mat kar jisse tujhe baad me pachtana pade.....

Anuj:- I DON'T GIVE A DAMN

He yelled and Vikram held him by his elbow.

Vikram:- Anuj ghar chal....aaram se baat karte hai..

Anuj:- Aaj nhi Bunty....aaj nhi

He said freeing his elbow from Vikram's hand.

Anuj:- Us insaan ki himmat kaise hui Anu ko dhoka dene ki.....mai use chodunga nhi...

Vikram:- Anuj.... please try to understand....this is not the right way to deal with this situation.

He tried to calm him down.

Anuj:- Mujhe is wakt sahi aur galat se koi fark nhi padta....

Saying this Anuj was about to get into his car when Devika spoke...

Devika:- Tujhe sahi aur galat se nahi fark padta but Anu se to padta hai na...

The words got to him and he stopped.

Devika walked upto him and put her hand on his shoulders trying to calm him down.

Devika:- Anuj....Anu ki life me already bahut complications hai.....please gusse me kuch galat karke unhe aur mat badha...

Her words brought him back to his senses and he realised that there is a lot he still doesn't know about Anupama. Before he does something in his rage that he might regret later, he should calm down his nerves and think rationally.

Still not being able to contain his anger, he wanted to go to a place where he can think clearly.

He looked at Devika in assurance that he won't do something impulsive.

He turned back to his car..

Vikram:- Anuj kha jaa rha hai...

Vikram questioned in stress and he replied with....

Anuj:- Don't worry...kuch galat nhi karne jaa rha...bas thode der akela rehna chahta hoo...

Vikram understood and gestured him to go on.

Vikram:- Take care please...

Anuj nodded in assurance getting into his car and drove away.

Vikram:- Mai bhi chalta hoo....I have a lot of things to deal with in office.

Devika:- Hmm.....

Vikram:- Anu ka khayal rakhna...

He hugged her saying this.

Vikram:- Don't worry...everything will be alright.

He patted her back and broke the hug.

Devika walked back into the apartment bidding him bye.

Vikram walked into his office and found Ishika scrolling through her phone.

Vikram:- Ishika what's going on and where is Zain?

Ishika:- Sir Zain left a long time ago.

She said standing up from the couch.

Vikram:- Wait....did he leave before finishing the work?

Ishika:- No....no sir....he did complete his task. Infact we found everything related to the culprit. I thought Anuj sir must have informed you by now.

Vikram:- What?.......No he didn't inform me anything.

Ishika:- But he asked me to wait here as he went to the conference room to inform you.

Vikram:- I wasn't in the conference room....anyways tell me what did you guys find out?

Ishika told him everything that it was Kavya who was behind all this and showed him all the proofs she had collected.

The revealation came like a bolt from the blue to him. He never expected this but it wasn't as shocking as it seemed to be given the history between Kavya and Anupama.

Vikram (to himself):- Mai itni badi stupidity kaise kar sakta hoo.....it was all in front of me and I missed it....the constant insults thrown at Anu in office after the case by Vanraj and Kavya....he using the newspaper article to threaten Anu....O my God....it was all just right there from day one....how dumb I can be to not even consider it...

He reprimanded himself for ignoring the possibility of Vanraj and Kavya's involvement in the fraud.

Vikram turned to Ishika and spoke....

Vikram:- Ishika call a board meeting tomorrow...

Ishika:- But sir we just had it today....

Vikram:- It's urgent. Do it.

He ordered.

Ishika:- Okay sir.

Saying this she left to do the needful.

Vikram took out his phone from the pocket and dialed Anuj.

A few rings went by but he didn't pick up.

Vikram tried again but still he didn't answer.

Vikram:- Damn it Anuj !! Why don't you pick up your calls when needed...