Chapter-65 |•|

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The enemy trump card

Author's POV

"Sitaara baby" cooed Abhimanyu when she was knotting his tie. She shot a glare at him and turned her attention back to tie. He pouted making her smile a little which she covered up immediately. He smiled and pecked her cheeks.

She turned her face away and moved to the dressing table. Picking up the cufflinks, she came to him again.

"My sweetheart" he cooed again with little more sweetness. She pretended not to hear it and continued doing her work.

"Pumpkin" he whispered slowly making her breath hitch and tears fill in her eyes. She stopped fixing cufflinks and took a huge breath.

"You still love him, Taara?" He asked with a sad smile. She looked at him and wiped her tears.

"Yes," she whispered. A tear escaped his eye and turned his chair to another side to hide his tears.

"Because he gave you. Because he gave me a life which no one in this world could give me making me yours. Because he left me, he left this world so that I could meet you, I could find a wonderful person like you, I could get a love which is immortal from you for me. Tell me, shouldn't I love the person who made my destiny intertwined with you, who became the reason we could get together?" She asked with a smile. He turned his chair back to her and smiled widely.

"You should! You have to. I really can't be thankful to him for giving you to me. He is like my guardian angel who brought me to you" he said nodding his head up and down vigorously crying. She hugged him tightly, sitting in his lap. He wrapped his left arm around her waist, resting it on her belly.

"You know Mani, many times I told Naman that every pain in his life has a meaningful reason behind it and beautiful future ahead but I couldn't realise it in my case and today, it proved. Viraj's death is a painful memory all my life which I carry till my death but almighty also blessed me with you to help me in overcoming, sharing my pain, shooing away the sadness with your love. Viraj death has a cause which is still unfolded but in my case, his death has a cause which was to make me yours" she said. Abhi smiled.

"Am sorry. I shouldn't have been cold with you in the morning. I won't repeat it, love" he said nuzzling his face in her neck. She smiled.

"Am sorry too" she mumbled. He kissed behind her ear making her bite her lips to suppress the moan. Tilting her head, she pressed her nose in his cheek and kissed it. He smiled finding it cute and pecked her chin. Looking into his eyes, she brought her face closer. He smiled understanding her and dipped his head down. Abhi brushed his lips on hers and licked the outline of her lips while she parted her lips taking deep breaths. Dragging his palm from her belly, he rested it on her right breast giving a slight squeeze making her moan in pleasurable ecstasy.

"Situ...."Aarya came inside with a platter with juice and her morning medicines. Abhi withdrew his hands while Sitaara stood up immediately and turned to her smiling nervously, tucking her hair strand behind her ear. She licked her lips, trying hard not to look flushed which she is already. Aarya turned her head to Abhi who is pretending to check his cufflinks but his ears and neck were red.

"Did I disturb something?" She asked to tease the couple.

'Yes, you did' Abhi wanted to snap at his sister but he controlled himself. He glanced at Sitaara and found her still taking harsh breaths as his touch is still lingering on her.

"You are here for?" Asked Abhi diverting the topic to make Sitaara ease. Aarya pointed at the platter in her hands. Sitaara sat on the bed while Aarya handed over juice and tablets to Sitaara.

"Aarya" Sitaara called placing the glass back in the platter after drinking it. Aarya and Abhi turned to her raising their eyebrows.

"Didn't you ever feel weird that your best friend which is me married your brother, then got pregnant with his baby? I mean we both never even met personally and here all this? Like...like I fell kind of assault in my stomach whenever I realise that I fell in love with my best friend's brother, marriage and now, carrying his baby" said Sitaara thinking deeply. Aarya smiled with tears and held both Abhi's and Situ's hands in hers.

"You know, my brother fell in love with you long back but he never realised it as he felt it's wrong to date his sister's best friend. I saw him at our school many times trying to get glimpses of you, I observed his curiosity to know about you from me, I have seen his few drawings of the future with you he dreamt but you see, Situ, am not a goddess to anticipate everything just closing my eyes and moving my lips chanting something "Aarya chuckled wiping her tears and continued."When I finally understood my brother's hidden love for you, it was too late as you fell in love with Viru bhaiyya and I didn't want to break you and Viru bhaiyya so that you could love my brother, so I respected your feelings and let you choose your way to find your man."

"But, there was always a part of me carving for you to become my sil, wife of my brother, fall in love with him as he does, carry his kids and lead a happy life with him. If you remember, I told you on your engagement that I always wanted you to become my family member and my unsaid prayers, wishes were understood by the almighty and he brought you guys together" she said.

"So, yeah, as I always dreamt this I don't feel any kind of weird thing," said Aarya smiled.

"So, you knew about me having feelings for your best friend?" Asked Abhi.

"When you even ask what dress colour she prefers for going to parks, movies, college and other stuff and follow them blindly like a lovesick puppy, who wouldn't understand?" Retorted Aarya while Abhi blushed.

"You did that even, Mani?" Asked Sitaara smirking.

"Well, things we do in love" he shrugged his shoulders. She smiled and pecked his forehead.

"Then, why did you love Sanjana?" Asked Sitaara slowly and saw him fisting his fingers. She held it and gave a slight squeeze. He smiled.

"I never realised, I loved you. I felt Sanjana is the one. She used to put up her acting so well that it made me believe that it was just a crush that will fade away soon. I sometimes shared about you with her and she manipulated me saying it's just a curiosity to see you. Me being a fool, I believed in all this shit" he said.

"So, if someone will manipulate you again, will you leave me?" She yelled.

"Sweetheart, I didn't say that-"

"You did. You will leave me. Don't talk to me. You are very bad. You always want to get rid of me" she sobbed making his eyes widen. Aarya giggled silently.

"Her hormones are kicking in making your patience kick out" whispered Aarya to Abhi.

"How am gonna handle her?" Asked Abhi looking at Sitaara who is crying trying to contact her father through phone to complain about Abhi.

"Well, you loved her, you married her, you made love to her, you made her pregnant so handle yourself after all she is your sweetheart and let me tell you this nut case is very tough to handle normally and now, she is pregnant, so it's gonna be a hard time for you," said Aarya winking and went away.

Abhi looked at Sitaara not knowing how to console her that's when he heard her talking to Dev when the other side was connected.

"Daddy, Mani-"

He immediately pulled her to him with his left hand making her fall in his lap and he latched his lips on hers.

"Sitamma...Sitamma.... Sitaara" came Dev's voice from another end. Sitaara tried to pull back but Abhi didn't let her.

"I love you, I fucking love you so much, sweetheart. It's impossible to manipulate me against you and break us because Sitaara and Abhimanyu are not different persons. Two souls and one heart" he said against her lips making them brush on hers. She smiled.

"You love me?" She asked.

"With every fibre in me," he said.

"You love our babies?" She asked.

"Not more than you but more than anyone in this world," he said. She smiled resting her head on his.

"I love you too" she mumbled.

"I love you three" he whispered looking at her belly. She giggled hugging his neck and kissing his cheek making a pop sound.

Dev who heard the conversation hung the call as happy tears were flowing down his cheeks.

***

"Arghh...damn this fucking hangover. God! Am not gonna touch alcohol again. Arghh... Swapna get me some lime juice" yelled Drithi holding her head in her hands groaning in pain.

A hand extended the lime juice and Advil to her.

"Thank you, Swapna. I guess, I didn't make a ruckus last night to get into my home" she said and gulped the tablet.

"Well, you didn't come" a voice made her shock. Opening her eyes slightly, she saw Naman in his usual grey three-piece suit tying watch on his wrist. She puked the lime juice in shock. Naman immediately steps back making faces.

"What are you doing in my room? Seriously, Naman? You sneaked into my room and you dared to fucking show your pretty face to me early in the morning?" She yelled at him. He rolled his eyes and walked to the mirror.

"I wish you made a ruckus at your house, At atleast I would've slept peacefully instead of bearing your silly antics and the annoying acts of yours yesterday night," he said spraying cologne at his neck smirking at her through the mirror.

She turned 360 degrees scrutinizing every corner to make herself believe that what he told was false but finding that she stayed in his room, her mouth hung down to the floor in shock.

"How did I get here, Naman?" She asked nearing him.

"You came up through pipelines like a monkey with the help of your friends and called me to open the door. Finding no other choice I did and you barged inside" he said checking himself buttoning his coat.

"Shit! Did I do that? I just can't believe I did this!!! This is so unlike me" she mumbled with tears. He turned to her suddenly and pulled her to him harshly holding her arms.

"Never! I say never repeat this! Just get this into your head that how hard you may try, you can never take Anika's place in my heart. She is me! From top to bottom, every fibre in me screams only Anika and I fucking don't care if she is married. Now, wear your clothes, I will find a way to get you out of here" he said gritting his teeth. She looked at him with tears and smiled sadly.

"My love has already reached the endpoint even before it stood at its starting point" she mumbled wiping her tears. He looked away loosening his hold on her.

"I love you, Naman. I understand if you don't love me and am not gonna either force you or gonna disturb you with my feelings again" she said and removed her arms out of his grip.

Walking to the fresh clothes Naman placed on the couch for her, she moved to the washroom and changed herself into fresh pair of clothes. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she came out of the closet and saw Naman sitting on the couch talking to someone on phone.

He looked at her and his breath hitched but his heartfelt a sharp pain seeing her red face with bulged eyes. He felt guilty for making her cry. He was so much disturbed with her effect on him and because of what he assumed he just hurt her.

"Drithi" he stood up to near her. She turned her face away.

"Am sorry, it's just I was dist-"

"It's fine, Naman. I understand your hate for me. And, I will never take Anika akka's place in your heart even if you want me to take it. I won't disturb you ever again'' she whispered wiping her fresh tears and walking out of the room while he stood there rooted.

When he realised, she is gonna go from the main hall, he ran after her but it was too late. She was descending steps while all the family members were looking at her with wide eyes.

''Drithi beta-''

''Bye uncle'' she mumbled cutting off Aman and exiting out of the mansion. They all darted their eyes at Naman who came down panting.

''What's happe-''

''Bye, everyone'' said Naman cutting off Sakshi and walking out of the mansion. Suddenly he came back and walked to Sitaara. She gave him a confused look while he smiled pointing his finger at her baby bump.

''Good morning, babies. Uncle Naman will come soon and get many chocolates for your mommy bye'' he said bending her belly. Sitaara smiled and pulled him by ears to her.

''I want details when you come back'' she whispered in his ears. He nodded and looked at Abhi.

''I will send Vinay home, anna. He will take you to the hospital. Do not skip it'' he said. Abhi nodded. Giving a glance at everyone, he ran out before anyone could question him.

***

''So, Mr Chowdary, here we are gonna send current waves into your numb areas to get your senses, so just try to bear with it'' said the doctor. Abhi nodded closing his eyes.

They started giving treatment to Abhi on his limped areas. He didn't feel any kind of pain but he felt relaxed. After 45 minutes of treatment, they found themselves in the doctor's cabin.

''This process may take nearly months or even weeks based on your internal system. Let's hope for the best, Mr Chowdary. I would like to see you next week again until then you will be attending general physiotherapy'' said Doctor. He nodded and moved out with Rishi and Riaan.

''Where to?'' Asked Rishi.

''I want to go to Mumbai. I want Sitaara to meet Sehgal's and clear the guilt completely. Now, I have 7 steps to destroy Vikram inch by inch. Let's look into it'' said Abhi.

''So, your next move?'' Asked Riaan.

''The enemy trump card'' smirked Abhi.

***

''See baby, mama(uncle/Abhi) brought many chocolates for atha(aunt/bua) and also you. But I know you are very good unlike your father and give away all your chocolates to me'' said Sitaara showing the box to Ved's 10 days old baby boy. Mridula smiled with tears looking at Situ, then at Abhi who was speaking to Dev.

Currently, they are at Shetty's mansion. Abhi brought Sitaara to her parents home as he wanted to discuss something with Shetty's. Chowdary's too came there.

''Am unable sit to properly mummy. It's still 5 months but I feel like being 9 months'' whined Sitaara holding back of her waist and her words caught Abhi's attention. Leaving the conversation in middle, he motioned his chair to her.

''Stand up, sweetheart. You need to take a rest'' he said extending his left hand. She shook her head in no.

''I want to play with baby'' she cooed.

''But, your back is aching. If you want, you stay here and play with him but now, take rest, taara,'' he said.

''No, I will come with you. I don't want to stay away from you. So, let me play now, I'll take a rest at night'' she said like a kid while he looked at her intently with a smile playing on his lips.

''Don't look at me like that. Am getting shy under your gaze'' she mumbled placing her palm over his eyes. He chuckled removing her palm off his eyes and kissing it.

''Okay! At least sit in a comfortable position so that you don't feel any pain'' he said. She nodded and settled herself in a comfortable position with the help of her aunt's, Amala and Surabhi.

''You need juice?'' He asked. She nodded and drank the juice Navya served her.

"We need to do a babyshower of Sitaara, Abhi. So, let's fix a date soon" said Dev. He looked at Sitaara who had a displeased look.

"Any problem?" He asked holding her hand.

"Let's arrange it for the 7th or 8th month. I don't want to now. I want it when you will be fine, running around the mansion for decorations, food preparation, when you will be able to look after everything by yourself. I don't want to celebrate if that isn't possible for now, we will try some other time but all I want is your participation in everything" she said caressing her belly. He smiled with tears.

"There is no guarantee that I will be able to walk again, Sitaara. Let's not ruin some important ceremony of yours because of me" he said with a painful smile at his inability to participate in fulfilling her every need as he dreamt.

"But for me, you are more important. Without your active performance in my ceremonies is not what I want" she said. He sighed.

"Okay! Let's go with her. I don't want to force anything that she doesn't like" said Abhi. They nodded.

"So, the main cause for which am here is to apologise to all the Shetty's for making you all go through terrible pain throwing allegations at Sitaara. Am extremely sorry, please forgive me. It wasn't meant to happen but I was forced to. To protect her. Don't ask anything now, time will tell everything. Please, just understand that it was all a drama even mom's slap. She didn't want to slap Sitaara in anger. It was all a part of the plan" said Abhi and looked at Vikram who stood there silently.

"What-"

"Mamayya(fil) no questions, please. I will tell you everything when the time comes. I wanted to apologise for hurting your daughter and I want to take her back to the mansion with respect. She was at our mansion because I was in a coma but as am alright now, I want to take her again asking forgiveness, promising her respect, her happiness. So, mamayya (fil), can I take your daughter back home? I promise this won't happen again" he said. Everyone had a proud smile on their lips seeing him accepting his mistake, begging for forgiveness, down to earth attitude.

"She is your wife, Abhi. You don't need to ask our permission" said Dev smiling. Abhi looked at Sitaara holding her hand in his and nodded.

"So, shall we go to our home, Mrs Abhimanyu?" He asked. She smirked and raised her eyebrow.

"One chocolate Box a day, panipuri, biryani,..... and yeah obviously breathtaking kisses," he said making her eyes widen and a blush crept her cheeks. She slapped his arm and bent her face resting her forehead on his shoulder. He chuckled.

"Let's go," he said. She nodded.

Bidding bye to Shetty's, they made their way out and got into cars.

***

"Dev" called Mridula extending his medicines for his diabetes. He looked up and took them from her. Drinking water, he placed the glass on the nightstand and pulled Mridula to sit beside him on the bed.

"You seem sad since Sitamma has come home, what is it"? Asked Dev. Mridula wiped her freshly formed tears.

"Hey! Why are you crying, Mridula?'' He asked wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

''Sitaara'' she whispered.

''What's with Sitamma? She is happy, her in-laws love her so much. Her husband just can't live without her and is so Sitaara, what's wrong then?'' Asked Dev.

''She loved a man and we don't know. She was about to marry him and we don't know. The man she loved is dead and we don't know. She attempted suicide and was in the hospital for a month and we don't know. She was meeting doctors, stood in front of a truck which leads to brutal accident and we don't know. She was in depression for two years and we don't know, what we understood about our daughter, Dev? After 33 years of our marriage am asking now, did we succeed as best parents?'' Cried Mridula.

''Sid and Navya had a baby before marriage but we don't know till my grandchild was dead. Sid was made to leave Navya, he was forced to marry Avni, he cried day and night and what we do? Nothing!! Just nothing

You know, Rishi and Adhira were in love for 4 years before they got married and we assumed it was arranged marriage. Why? Because all we did is to impose our decisions on them. Sid wanted to join the air force, you know that? But he became a businessman. Adhira wanted to do fashion designing, you know at least that? But she was forced to do CA. Sitaara! She was forced to pay Sisira's deeds, she was forced to live with a man who she barely know, who wasn't in her heart.

Since my Sitaara is born she never asked anything and for the first time all she asked was to stop this wedding and we did the same thing again. Forcing them.

It doesn't matter she is happy now, all it matters is how we made our kids suffer from our wishes, expectations, the legacy of business and our dreams forcing them to make it true.

My daughter was about to commit suicide, Dev and we don't know until her inlaws threw her out of the house, although they say it was a plan to something. What if my daughter is dead? If she didn't accept her husband, if Abhi didn't win her heart and if she is dead? I cannot live without seeing even one of my kids, Dev'' she cried.

What she told made sense. He understood that they made their kids suffer a lot still they managed to stand strong fulfilling their parents wishes understanding their parents and aced in everything though they were compelled.

''Leave that! What about my Sitaara, Dev? Till when she is gonna face these hardships. When everything was on the perfect path, her husband met with an accident while she was pregnant, she took care of him day and night handling huge empire, when her husband is back, today she wants to live with him while he is in a wheelchair and couldn't even eat on his own. Don't know if he can ever do things on his own. Am not saying that she has to leave her husband because he is paralyzed, it's that, does she deserve this? Do my daughter and son-in-law deserve this when all they have to do is enjoy their happy moments?

Why all this is happening to our Sitaara? She is the kindest soul ever and she is made to go through one heartbreak after the other'' cried Mridula hugging Dev.

''We failed as parents, Dev. We failed to fulfil their wishes. We failed to support their dreams. We failed to let them choose their partner. We failed to let them live their life'' she cried.

Tears rolled down Dev's eyes when all the things flashed in front of him.

''Don't cry, Mridula. We didn't fail as parents, our kids made us win. Today, they became strong because of the cruelty they faced and they won't let their kids face this. Our kids sacrificed their lives for us to make us happy and now crying like this would make them feel bad. Now, we understood our mistakes and regrets. That's enough as our punishment for a lifetime'' he said caressing her hair. She snuggled into him still crying thinking about Sitaara as she felt something bad is gonna happen once again.

*****************

How's the chapter?

Naman and Drithi? Tell me now, do you people think they can make a pair? Are they gonna have future together?

Vikram's countdown started! Share your views about how Vikram should be punished?

Though Abhi sent away Sitaara to save her dignity, insulting her, he is the one again who apologized to Shetty's and took Sitaara with him with respect. How sweet of him!

What about Dev's and Mridula's conversation?

Surya.