Anupama was sitting in her small office cum store room in the dance academy watching over the rehearsals that were going on in the studio. The bluebird like dancers can be seen through the gap in the curtains floating gracefully around the room to the sound of the softly playing music.

The taps of their feets brought solace and peace to Anupama's mind that was under constant stress due to the recent happenings. A few hours ago she was at her apartment following Devika's advice to not go out but her thoughts kept darting to the events that might be happening in office. She trusted Vikram and his promise to make everything alright but her mind kept reminding her of all the situations which she thought was in her favour but they turned out to be against her.

Destiny had been playing its own games with her all through her life and therefore leaving everything on fate was not an option. She did everything she could. Talked to a lawyer... planned her defence....what more she could have done other than waiting for Vikram to deliver on the promise.

She knew staying at home and just preparing for college will be a futile attempt to keep the anxiety away. She needed a place where she can find peace and forget all about what's going on in her life. So as soon as Devika left for office, she sneaked off to the dance academy. To her surprise, there was no media or cameras in and around her building or the dance academy.

Vikram indeed did a commendable job at keeping the media attention away from her.

She thought to herself.

After staying in the dance academy for a few hours, she felt a bit relaxed but still the sharp decrease in attendance was a constant reminder that the reputation of her dance academy had been tarnished due to the fraud case.

Her eyes kept darting to the phone waiting for Vikram to call. It has been two hours since the meeting and she has received no information from either Devika or Vikram. The anxiety that was gone an hour ago started making its way back into her mind.

Not being able to wait anymore, she picked up her phone to call Vikram when Devika suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Anu:- Devika tu yha....

She was astonished to see her there.

Devika:- Mujhe pata tha tu yhi hogi....isiliye chali aayi...

She said taking a seat beside her.

Devika:- Maine kha tha na Anu bahar nhi jaane ko but tu meri baat sunti kyu nhi hai...

She rebuked Anupama for her irresponsible behaviour.

Anu:- Sorry wo...

Devika:- Chal chod jane de.... tujhse kuch important baat karni hai...

Anupama grew nervous hearing this as she knew it's definitely related to the fraud case and started firing questions at Devika...

Anu:- Kis baare me?...ek minute khi office ke baare me to nhi....Bunty ne kuch bataya kya?....kuch pata chala ki kisne bids leak kiye hai....?

Devika:- Anu shaant....saans to le le....batati hoo

She asked her to calm down before she disclosed about what happened in office.

Devika:- Haan.....Vikram ka call aaya tha aur un logo ka bhi pata chal gaya jinhone tujhe fasane ki kosis ki thi....

Anu:- Sach?

She asked still doubting whether it's true or not.

Devika:- Haan....lekin

Anu:- Lekin?

Devika:- Wo...

She said in a jittery voice.

Anu:- Lekin kya Devu ?

She asked worried and Devika answered in one go..

Devika:- Jinhone tujhe fasane ki kosis ki thi wo koi aur nhi balki Vanraj aur Kavya hai...

Anupama fell silent at the mention of their names. She knew Vanraj could go to any lengths to make her life a living hell but to stoop so low that he put his family in jeopardy was not something that Anupama expected. She wondered why every thing in her life comes with an asterisk.

Devika:- Anu....Anu..

She gently tapped Anupama's shoulders seeing her lost in thoughts.

Anu:- Haan...

She replied coming back to the reality with a jolt.

Devika:- Kya hua tujhe...kya soch rhi hai?

Anu:- Devu mere bacche...mere baa bapuji.....

Anupama got stressed thinking about all the media attention they would be facing after the company sues Vanraj & Kavya.

Devika looked at her worried and asked calmly.

Devika:- Unka kya Anu?

Anu:- Yeh baat jab bahar aayegi to kitna tamasha hoga...kitna kuch sunna padega mere baa bapuji ko....mere baccho ko....wo yeh sab kaise handle karenge... mujhe kuch karna padega....

She stated nervously fiddling with her pallu.

Devika:- Jaise bhi kare....tujhe fark nhi padna chahiye Anu...in logo ne jo bhi tere saath kiya hai na....they deserve it.

She articulated.

Anu:- DEVIKA....

She yelled standing up from the chair...

Anu:- Tu bhul rhi hai ki wo abhi bhi mera parivar hai...

Devika walked upto her and stated.

Devika:- Wo tera parivar nhi hai Anu....

Anupama knew the reason behind Devika's statement but chose to ignore it.

Anu:- Tu kaisi baatein kar rhi hai Devika....wha mere baa bapuji hai bacche hai....wo mera parivar nhi to aur kya hai....

Devika:- Sach bol rhi hoo....sach....yeh kaisa parivar hai jo hawa ka ek jhoka aane pe tujhe chod kar bhaag gaya...are saath dena to dur ki baat hai...unhone to ulta tujhe hi galat maan liya....aur tujhe abhi bhi unki fikar hai....

She accused them of abandoning Anupama in the time of need while Anupama jumped to their defence.

Anu:- Haan to kyu na ho....rishta hai mera unse....aur tu kaise keh sakti hai ki un logo ne mere liye kuch nhi kiya hai...yeh dance academy....agar bapuji ne apna karkhana mujhe nhi diya hota ne....to yeh dance academy aur yeh Anupama apne pairo pe kabhi nhi khadi ho paati...agar mere baccho ne mujhe encourage nhi kiya hota to mai kabhi college nhi jaa pati....tu aisa kaise keh sakti hai ki mera unse koi rishta nhi hai...

Devika:- Rishta hai Anu....rishta hai...lekin sirf Bapuji aur baccho se....inke alawa us ghar me tera aur koi nhi hai....Baa bhi nhi...

She reminded Anupama that Baa is not a part of her family anymore. She never was.

Anu:- Inhi rishto ke liye Devika...mai jo karna chahti hoo mujhe karne de....

Anupama requested Devika trying to explain her that it's her family and she can't leave them alone amidst a problem.

Devika:- Jo bhi karna hai kar lekin ek baat kaan khol ke sun le agar tune Bunty se bol ke yeh case rukwaya to mujhse bura koi nhi hoga...

Looking at Anupama so tense, she let it go but warned her that she won't tolerate her trying to get Vanraj & Kavya out of this mess.

Anu:- Mai aisa kuch bhi nhi karne wali....Mr. Shah aur Kavya ko unke kiye ki saza mil kar rahegi....lekin uska asar mai apne baccho aur baa bapuji ki zindagi pe nhi padne dungi....

Devika:- Tu kya karne ka soch rhi hai?

She asked curiously and Anupama turned to her before answering....

Anu:- Samar se jab kal baat hui thi to maine use kaise bhi karke samjha diya tha ki mai theek hoo aur use yha aane ki zarurat nhi hai....to wo wha Mumbai me in sabse dur rahega....lekin mere Pakhi aur Toshu usi ghar me hai jha pe Mr. Shah hai....mai un dono ko wha akele nhi chod sakti....Bunty mere dost the isiliye unhone media ko sambhal liya lekin wo Mr. Shah ke kuch nhi hai...to mujhe nhi pata ki jab yeh baat bahar aayegi to mere baccho ki zindagi pe kya asar padega.....mai nhi chahti unhe is umar me media ke sawalo ka jawab dena pde....isiliye mai unhe wha se lene jaa rhi hoo.

Devika:- Aur tujhe lagta hai ki Vanraj tujhe unhe le jaane dega?

She questioned knowing well that Vanraj would never allow it to happen.

Anu:- Koi kuch bhi kare...mujhe usse koi fark nhi padta...mere apne baccho ke prati aur apne baa bapuji ke prati kuch farz hai aur wo mai zaroor nibhaungi....

Saying this Anupama was about to leave when Devika stopped her....

Devika:- Agar tu yhi chahti hai Anu to theek hai...lekin mai bhi tere saath wha chalungi...mai tujhe us pagalkhane me akele nhi jaane dungi...

The constant chant by Anupama that Baa is her family irked Devika but she knew there was no point in arguing. So she let it go and wished that Anupama soon finds about her true nature.

Anu:- Devika baat samjh ne.....agar tu wha jaayegi....to kha suni hogi...aur baat aur badh jayegi...tu ghar jaa...mai aa jaungi..

Devika wanted to accompany her to the Shah House but she refused stating that it might aggravate the problems.

Devika:- Lekin Anu....

Anu:- Lekin wekin kuch nhi tu ghar jaa ne Devika...

She ordered her to go home.

Devika:- Theek hai lekin tu mujhse ek waada kar....

Anu:- Kaisa wada?

She asked perplexed.

Devika:- Wada kar ki agar un logo ne tere saath aane ko mana kar diya to tu wha khade hoke apni aur bezzati nhi karwayegi...tu chup chap ghar wapas aayegi...

Although reluctantly but Anupama agreed.

Anu:- Theek hai...

Devika:- Waada?

She said forwarding her hand asking for a promise and Anupama complied by keeping her hand on hers saying...

Anu:- Waada.

Anupama looked at Devika with a smile before leaving the dance academy.

As soon as she left, Devika took out her phone and called Vikram.

On the call...

Vikram:- Hello

Devika:- Bunty tu kha hai?

Vikram:- Office me....kyu?

Devika:- Tujhse kuch baat karni thi...

Vikram:- Sab theek hai na?...Anu ko bata diya?

He asked worried.

Devika:- Haan bata diya and sab theek hai....relax !!

She said calming him down.

Vikram:- Okay to ek kaam kar ghar aa jaa mere....mai aur Anuj bhi pahuch rhe hai ek ghante me....whi pe baat kar lenge.

Devika:- Okay....but Anuj ke samne baat nhi kar sakti...

She stated nervously but he assured her that they don't have to.

Vikram:- Koi nhi alag kar lenge....but ghar to aa jaa...

Devika:- Okay....

Vikram:- Aur sun Anu ko saath me le aana....

Devika:- Mai le aati but....

She hesitated a bit in telling him that Anupama has gone to the Shah House.

Vikram:- But ?

Devika:- Kuch nhi....milkar batati hoo...

Vikram:- Okay....jaisa tujhe theek lage....

Devika:- See you in an hour...

Saying this she cut the phone call.

Vanraj and Kavya were sitting in their car outside Shah House discussing if they should tell their family members or not about the job.

Vanraj:- Maine bola na Kavya hum kisiko kuch bhi nhi batayenge...to nhi batayenge

He insisted Kavya to not disclose about their job in front of the family.

Kavya:- Jaise tum nhi bataoge to kisiko pata nhi chalega...

She commented in annoyance but Vanraj assured her that..

Vanraj:- Kisiko kuch pata nhi chalega....mai kuch pata chalne hi nhi dunga

Kavya:- Tum pagal ho gaye ho kya Vanraj....hume job se nikal diya gaya hai aur tum...

She was lashing out at him when he interrupted...

Vanraj:- SHUT UP Kavya....just shut up....maine bola na ki hme job se nikala nhi gaya hai balki hmne khud wo job chodi hai...

He barked at her while Kavya looked at him irked saying....

Kavya:- V mai tumahre haath jod rhi hoo....For God's sake apni sapno ki duniya se bahar aao aur reality face karo....hmare pass job nhi hai.... company hme kabhi bhi sue kar sakti hai....aur tum keh rhe ho ki kisiko pata nhi chalega...

Vanraj:- Jab pata chalega tab dekha jayega lekin hum abhi kisiko kuch nhi batayenge....

He still emphasized on not disclosing anything about their job.

Kavya:- Are lekin...

Vanraj:- Enough Kavya...

He interrupted her.

Vanraj:- No more discussions....

Kavya:- Fine...

She looked at him vexed.

Vanraj:- Aab andar chale?

Kavya:- Chalo

Saying this they both got out of the car and walked into the Shah House.

Bapuji and Mamaji were sitting on the dining table playing ludo when Vanraj and Kavya entered.

Bapuji:- Are tum log itne jaldi aa gaye?

He questioned seeing them back early from office.

Vanraj:- Haan Bapuji wo kaam thoda jaldi khatam ho gaya tha...

He answered feeling a bit nervous.

Bapuji:- Accha

He said and went back to playing Ludo.

Kavya:- Baki sab kha hai?

She asked not being able to find Baa anywhere.

Bapuji:- Beta teri baa kamre me aaram kar rhi hai, Pakhi apna homework kar rhi hai aur Toshu shayad apne kamre me hai...

He answered.

Vanraj:- Actually hm dono ko aap sabse kuch important baat karni thi bapuji....

Bapuji:- Kya hua beta koi pareshani hai?

He asked worried looking at Kavya so jittery.

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

Bapuji:- To fir achanak se kya hua?

Vanraj:- Ek baar sabko aa jane dijiye bapuji fir batata hoo...

He gestured Mamaji to call everyone in the living room.

Mamaji:- Mai bula ke lata hoo sabko...

He went to call everybody and a few moments later everyone gathered in the living room.

Pakhi:- Kya hua papa....aapne hum sabko aise kyu bulaya?

She asked curiously.

Toshu:- Haan papa....koi problem hai kya?

Vanraj:- Are nhi nhi beta koi problem nhi hai....hme bas tum sabse kuch baat karni thi...

Toshu:- Oh thank God.... mujhe to laga mummy ne fir kuch kar diya...

He breathed a sigh of relief realising it's not related to his mother.

Baa:- Pure samaj me usne hme khi muh dikhane layak nhi choda....aab aur kya hi karna baki hai...

She taunted and Bapuji looked at her in displeasure.

Bapuji:- Leela

Baa:- Kya Leela....aap jab dekho tab apni beti ki tarafdari karte rehte hai...

She retorted looking at her husband taking Anupama's side.

Bapuji:- Kyu na karu...

He was going to give Leela a reality check when Vanraj interrupted.

Vanraj:- Baa bapuji....please us aurat ka naam hum is ghar me na le to hi accha hoga..

Baa:- Are lekin..

Vanraj:- Baa

Baa protested but Vanraj asked her to stop.

Baa:- Accha chod yeh sab...tum dono batao kya baat karni thi tumhe?

She inquired looking at Kavya.

Kavya:- Baa wo...wo

Kavya had agreed with Vanraj about not telling anyone but still her nervousness was giving up that something is wrong.

Vanraj looked at Kavya stuttering and decided to step in.

Vanraj:- Baa wo maine aur Kavya ne apni job chodne ka decide kiya hai....

Toshu:- What?

He asked surprised.

Vanraj:- Haan infact hum apna resignation bhi submit kar aaye aaj...

Vanraj added and everyone looked at him and Kavya in bewilderment.

Baa:- Are lekin aise achanak se....humse salah liye bina hi tum dono ne itna bada faisala le liya...

She asked sensing the trouble on Kavya's face.

Bapuji:- Leela bilkul shi keh rhi hai.....itni jaldi kya thi naukari chodne ki...

Toshu:- Haan papa abhi to aap dono ne company change ki thi fir achanak se kyu?

Everyone started shooting questions at Vanraj & Kavya while he tried to answer each one of them with a straight face.

Vanraj:- Bapuji wo situation hi kuch aisii thi ki hme yeh faisala lena pada...

Pakhi:- Kaisii situation papa?

She asked perplexed.

Vanraj:- Beta wo...

Vanraj was about to explain the situation when a voice interrupted him.

Everyone looked towards the voice and saw Anupama standing at the door.

Kavya:- Anupama...

She gasped seeing her in Shah House.

Anupama looked at Kavya's panicked face and grinned.

Anupama:- Mai batati hoo ki aisii kya situation thi...

Saying this she was about to step in when Baa yelled...

Baa:- WHI RUK JAA...

She walked upto the door and stood in front of her.

Baa:- Teri himmat kaise hui is ghar me aane ki....

Bapuji:- Leela wo beti hai meri...wo jab chahe yha aa sakti hai....

He rebuked Baa for misbehaving with Anupama.

Baa:- Lekin yeh ghar mere bete ka hai...

She declared in a stern voice and Bapuji fell silent.

Baa:- Aur maine saaf saaf sabdo me ise samjha diya tha ki agar yeh ghar chod kar gayi to dubara kabhi yha kadam nhi rakh paayegi...

She reminded Anupama of the day she signed the divorce papers.

Anu:- Baa...ek baar meri baat to sun lijeye...

She politely asked Baa to let her in but Baa didn't budge.

Baa:- Bas haan bas.....

She snapped her fingers in front of Anupama gesturing her to get out.

Baa:- Jis raaste se aayi hai usi raaste se ulte paav wapas chali jaa...

Saying this Baa was about to close the door but she blocked it using her hand.

Anupama loved and respected Baa with her whole heart but that didn't mean she would tolerate any disrespect from her especially when she came for her children and Bapuji.

She gave the door a little push and it flew open leaving Baa stunned.

Turning her gaze towards Vanraj who was silently witnessing the whole scene, she spoke....

Anu:- Mr. Shah.... aapko to acchi tarah se pata hai na mai yha kya baat karne aayi hoo...

Vanraj stood silent while everyone looked at him perplexed.

Anu:- To behtar hoga aap hi bata dijeye ki mai wo baat bahar pure mohalle ke samne karu ya fir ghar ke andar sirf parivaar ke samne?

She subtly warned Vanraj of the consequences if he didn't let her in.

Baa:- Tu mere bete ko dhamki de rhi hai...

She said irked at Anupama.

Anu:- Bilkul nhi baa....mai to bas sawal puch rhi hoo...

She replied with a smirk on her face.

Baa:- Anupamaa...

She shouted but Vanraj stopped her.

Vanraj:- Baa...use andar aa jane dijeye...

He paused and looked at Anupama and spoke with a heavy heart.

Vanraj:- Andar aa jaoo.

Anupama stepped in and walked past Baa to Bapuji.

Anu:- Jai Shree Krishna bapuji...Jai shree krishna Mamaji..

She greeted them and touched their feets seeking their blessings.

Bapuji:- Khush reh beta...

He blessed her with a warm smile on his face.

Anu:- Aap kaise hai?

She inquired.

Bapuji:- Bilkul theek hoo...tu theek hai na?

He asked concerned thinking about the article in the newspaper.

Anu:- Haan Bapuji mai bilkul theek hoo...aap chinta mat kariye.

She noticed the worried look on his face and assured him that everything is fine.

She moved to Pakhi and Toshu and took them into her embrace but both didn't reciprocate the hug.

A few moments later Anupama broke the hug and kissed Pakhi's forehead.

Holding both their faces, she asked...

Anu:- Kaisi hai mere bacche?