Sid ran his fingers through his hair and face, shock and disbelief spread across his face. He paced here and there and finally turned towards that woman. "Is it true?" He asked. She didn't raise her head. "I'm asking you mom? Is it true what Ved said? Is that how dad died?" He asked her again. She kept silent. She closed her eyes tightly and cried. He sighed heavily realising what the answer is. He started to move backward nodding his head sideways as if telling himself that all this is not true. "No. No. No." He mumbled under his breath. His gripped his hair tightly. "NO. Arghhhhhhhhh." He screamed and fell on his knees. I was about to go to him but that woman reached him before me. "Sid." She called him. "DO NOT TOUCH ME. STAY AWAY FROM ME." He screeched at her and pushed her hands away. She stumbled back. His eyes were filled with tears. "All these years I thought my father was not strong enough to carry the burden but I was wrong. You made him weak. You made him suffer; you broke his heart and trust. You killed him and without any guilt, you took everyone's pity. You acted like a loyal wife for all these years. I hate you." He screamed at her with tearful eyes.

She looked at him pleadingly. "Sid, don't say that. I know I did wrong and I regret it to the core of my heart. I'm still paying for it. I'm living with my son's ignorance and hatred for the past 10 years. Please, I can't take it if you too go away from me. Please Sid." She begged on her knees in front of him. "And you think you had enough?" He asked her with gritted teeth. She looked at him shocked. "No. You made dad to take his own life. You drown the company in debts. You made Ved to suffer with all these alone. Do you know how he was struggling? No, you didn't care. He fought alone and rebuilds this company from scratch. You killed your husband and destroyed his years of hard work; you made your own son's life a hell, you let him walk through egg shells for years and the only punishment you got are Ved's ignorance and hatred. Still he took care of you. He fulfilled all your necessities and in return what you did to him? You tried to take away his only happiness that he got after all these years. You tried to create misunderstanding between him and his wife to get them separated. You brought back his old psycho ex-girlfriend who left him for good. For what!! To keep your secret safe, so that you could live in peace? Have you ever asked for his forgiveness? Have you ever apologized for your mistakes" He asked her with rage. She gulped hard and bit her trembling lips. He breathed heavily. "No. You didn't because you didn't care. You never tried to repair your relationship with your son. You were provided with everything you want. So it didn't matter to you. Is this what you call mother's love? If it is so, then I don't need that love." He said and stormed out of the office. She sat there in shock and bewilderment.

I looked at the closed door. I saw Priya standing there with a shocked and tear stained face. She looked at me with pity and then slowly walked out from the room. I sighed. I know it is too much for him to take. I know how it feels. I'm enduring it for years still I couldn't forget it. He needs time to process and I know I should leave him alone for the time being. My heart ached for him. I never wanted him to go through this but this woman leaves me with no choice. I told her not to play with my life but she didn't listen to me. Like always she was selfish, she couldn't risk her cover to blow up. To save herself from the guilt she tried to take away my only solace I received after years. I was happy for the first time in ten years. Being with her was easy. She made me comfortable without doing anything. Niharka, my comfort zone then the realisation hit me. Everything happened yesterday night came running in front of me. Bloody hell!! I completely forgot about it.

I have to go to her. I rushed out of the office leaving that disoriented woman behind. When the elevator hit the ground floor I ran out towards the parking lot. Getting into the car I took off immediately. I know shouldn't have doubted her. Deep down in my heart I know she was innocent but when it was confirmed that the mail was sent from her PC everything in my mind went blank. I don't know how long I sat in that bar and drank. Raghu had to pick me up from the bar. When I reached home and saw her all that things Ritwik said rang in my ears. I took out all my anger on her. When she stopped me by holding my wrist and asked me whether I trust her with her glassy brown eyes I felt my heart clenching. I wanted to stop every single tear from her eyes. But then my father's words echoed in my ears. "Do not trust women, they are fox in sheep's clothing." And his blood covered body flashed in front of my eyes. And then when I look at her all could see was the face of that woman. The woman I hate above everything and it came out of my mouth before I could stop myself. "Woman can do anything. They are good at pretending to care and then backstab at the same time."

Next day I woke up with a heavy headache. Everything happened flashed through my mind. I groaned, I shouldn't have shouted at her. I want to believe in her but my past was shadowing my present. I sighed. I think I should check for more details. I thought to myself and got ready for office. I was waiting for her to come down, we should talk. I was in deep thinking when the phone rang. "Hey Ved, How is you?" I heard Arohi's voice. "Good. Why did you call me?" I asked annoyed. What does she want now? There is already too much in my plate, I didn't need any extra tension now. "I just called to ask is everything alright with you? I heard about what Niharika did about the auction." She said. My jaw tightened. "How did you know about that?" I asked. "Oh, everyone in the office knows it. All are gossiping you know. Even the walls have ears. Nothing goes unnoticed." She said it as a whisper. I clenched my fist. Now everyone knows everything. All will accuse and point fingers at Niharika. I hope there is some foul play but I don't have anything to prove that she is innocent. The board members will definitely drag this in the upcoming meeting. I sighed. "I will call you later." I said and cut the call before she could say something more. My phone started buzzing with messages. All these will lead to a dispute with the board members.

I was thinking of what to do when I heard her clearing her throat. I turned around and see Niharika standing there all dressed up. "I. I want..." She opened her mouth to talk but I cut her off. "Where do you think you are going?" I asked harshly. She lowered her head. "To office." She said in a low voice. "Office?!! After all these you think you will be going to my office again?" I asked angrily. The office is in a chaos and she want to go there and increase the problem? Board members won't allow her to step inside the office since there is evidence against her. "Why not?!! I haven't done anything. I want to see myself what happened? I am being framed Ved. Why can't you believe me? Please Ved, I didn't do it. I swear. I could take any blame but this I can't. I. I will never betray you. I can't do that." She said and tears found its way down to her cheeks. But I was on the edge. There was so much to handle and this anger of mine was not at all helping. I have this trust issues since I found out about my mother's secret. "And why shouldn't I doubt you? I know what I did to you was wrong. Very wrong, but I did apologise for it. I was ready to give a chance for us and I thought you are happy about it." I said and closed my eyes. That woman's face started to appear in front of me. "It's not the land I'm worried for it's about trust Niharika. And it is confirmed that the mail was sent from your PC. Tell me who else do have access to your PC?" I asked through gritted teeth. "No one." She said after taking a deep breath and looked down. I nodded my head in knowing. "See, that's what I said. And you want me to believe you. Why should I believe you?" I asked. She looked at me with pleading eyes, that woman was also like this. But she betrayed my father. "I didn't do it Ved. I can't do it, because I l..." She started to speak again but my phone rang before she could complete.

I took out the phone from my pocket and answered. "Yes, Sid. Yeah I know. I'm on my way. Bring them to the conference room and start the meeting I will be there in 20 minutes. Okay." I said and disconnected the call. "I'm going and you are staying here. Understand?!!" I asked. She nodded her head in a yes and I walked out of the house without another word.

I was on my way to office when my phone buzzed again. I ignored it but it buzzed again. I took out the phone and looked at it. Involuntarily my leg hit the brake. I tried to grip the phone tight in my shaking hands. There was a message saying. "It seems like your wife enjoys her ex-husband's company more than yours." And there was a picture of Niharika in the arms of that bustard. I could tell it was taken from our apartment building in Pune. I looked again at the picture. She didn't tell anything about that son of bitch coming there and why are they in each other's arms? She was resting her head on his chest and was hugging him? Why is she hugging him? I heard sounds of horns from behind me. It is the peak time and already a traffic jam started to form behind me. I throw the phone on to the passenger seat and started the car again.

I was a boiling volcano now. They met in Pune and she didn't tell anything about it. I gritted my teeth. Is that why she went to Pune? To meet him? Is this a plot at they together planned? There were many rumours about her before. But she proved that every one of that was wrong. But was she just acting like that? Is she really like how people rumoured about? If she is innocent why did she hide the fact that they met in Pune? Then again the words started to ring in my ears, Do not trust women, they are fox in sheep's clothingI pressed my leg to the accelerator with more pressure.

...............................................................................................................................................................

I don't remember how long I was sitting in that bar. I was completely wasted. Niharika called me many times. Every time her name showed up in my phone screen the anger in me started to resurface, so I did the only thing I could do. I blocked her number. Then I drank and drank and drank. I don't know who and all were calling me. I stopped looking at the phone after a while. "Sir. Sir. It is time to close the bar." Someone told me. But I couldn't even lift my head. I think I heard my phone ring again. "Hello, yes. He is in here at Neon Nights Bar. Yes. That's correct. Okay Madam." I heard someone talking and then again went back to the slumber.

"Ved. Ved. Ved. Wake up. Come on I will take you to home. Come. Let's go." I heard a female voice. Somebody was trying to drag me. Did she come here to get me? I could feel two people holding me by my shoulders and dragging me. After a while I feel myself lying on something. Then again I went into my sleep.

I don't remember everything very clearly. Someone was dragging me by holding my shoulder. "Ved. Ved. You have to enter the password to your door." I heard her saying. Why is she asking me to enter the password, She knows it right. I was one who forgot it. I smiled. No, actually I didn't forget. I was acting. I want her to open the door for me. I love seeing her face when I come home. Home, yes, she made this concrete box into a home, our sweet home. I giggled thinking about our times together. "Ved type the password. I can't hold your weight." I heard her again. Then slowly I pressed the password. I was dragged upstairs. I was half asleep. I felt my eyes heavy.

We entered into my room. Then suddenly she slipped her legs because of my weight. She leaned back to the wall and tried to make me stand on my legs. "Ved." She called me again. I looked up. I saw her brown hair which matches with her brown eyes. She was smiling at me. The smile which gives me the warmest feeling I ever had. Niharika, my Niha, I wanted to touch her beautiful face. I missed her warmth. I missed her touch. I missed everything we had. I slowly lifted my hand and caressed her cheeks. Her cheeks were soft as they always had. I feel sad. Why is she going away from me? How is that moron better than me? I feel my eyes becoming glassy. "I miss you. Don't leave me." I said while caressing her cheeks. She smiled, the smile I always want on her face. "I miss you too." She said looking at my eyes and then suddenly she smashed her lips on mine. I was startled but then quickly I give in. I kissed her back eagerly. I needed her; I was missing her touch, her embrace, her kiss, her smile. I gripped her hips and pressed my body closer to hers. I was about to deepen the kiss when I heard something breaking. I immediately looked at the door from where the sound came and I was shocked. Niharika was standing there. Shockingly, I looked at the woman in my hands and whom I saw was, Arohi. I quickly took back my hands that were snaked around her. What have I done? All my drowsiness vanished into thin air. I looked at Niharika, her face showed all hurt, pain and betrayal. How could I do this? Why in the hell I couldn't recognize who's is with me? I couldn't look at her eyes. I looked away immediately.

But then I saw her face changing, rage replaced her hurt face and she stalked towards us. She stood right in front of us. Next second she slapped Arohi across her face. I was shocked as hell. Arohi stumbled back. I held her from falling on her back. I looked at Niharika in shock. . "Get out." She said to Arohi in a very cold voice. Arohi gave her a questioning look. "Don't make me repeat it. Go now." She said through her gritted teeth. Arohi was ready to backfire but I stopped her by holding her wrist. "Arohi leave." I said. She looked at me shocked. "Ved, how..." She opened her mouth but I cut her off. "Arohi, not now. We will talk about it later. Now leave." I said firmly. She walked out hesitantly.

We stood there in silence for few moments. But then she started to shout at me. "How could you do this to me? Were you seeing each other behind my back all these time? And you are telling me that you couldn't trust me when you are the one who cheated on me." She yelled at me. I couldn't meet her eyes. She moved closer and held my collar. "Why are doing this to me? What did I do to you to be treated like this? Firstly you married me without my concern, then you said you don't want commitment, then you asked for a chance and when I was getting along you did this to me? Why, Ved? Why?!!" She screamed. Tears started flow down through her cheeks. Her eyes were red and puffy. I feel my heart clenching with guilt of what I did earlier. I was disgusted at my actions and I was ashamed. How could I do something like this? But then everything became clear. I remembered the picture, the picture of her and that bustard hugging each other. She was cheating on me and she is acting like nothing happened. She hides it from me, if she was not cheating then she should have told me about that son of a b****h. All the anger started to come back to me. Then I held her wrist and removed her hands from my collar. "Don't act so innocent Niharika. I came to know what type of woman are you exactly? Don't call me a cheater when you were also doing the same thing behind my back." I said through gritted teeth. How dare she accuse me? "What? What are talking about?" She asked with a confused gaze. Wow, she is so good at this but I will pop that bubble of her. I pulled out my phone and kept it in front of her face. She was shocked. What does she think? That she can hide it from me. She thought of making me a fool like that woman made my dad. No, never.

"How did you get this?" She asked with her shocked face. "Does it matter? Han!! So you are not going to deny it. It's true. You both met each other. Is this why you went to Pune? To reconcile with your ex- husband? Is this your entire ploy together to ruin me? So now tell me who the cheater is?" I asked gritting my teeth. She didn't even deny it. That made me more furious. She being in his arms, I hated it to the core of my heart. How dare he touch what is mine? Only I have the rights to touch her. If he thinks that he can take her from me then he is hell wrong. She is mine and I intend to keep her for myself. I won't allow anyone to take her from me. She is my only place of peace. I will go mad if I lose her. I wanted to rip him off limb by limb. "Do you really believe like that? You think so low of me? You think after everything we shared I will stoop this low?" I came out of my thoughts when she started to speak with her trembling voice. I felt a prick in my heart. That's right, how could I think of her like that. My heart is saying me that she is innocent but my mind was stuck in my past. I couldn't look at her watery eyes. I looked away. I didn't know what to say. "I think we lost our chance." She said with her soft voice looking straight into my eyes. That struck me, what does she mean by that? Creases formed in my forehead. I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I was mad, confused and drunk. My mind stopped processing anything. She then slowly walked away. I stood there without doing anything.

After a few moments I came back to reality. What the hell I just did? I hurt her. I accused her. I doubted her. No, this is not me, how could I let that woman twist my mind like this? She is not like that, with or without evidence I should have trusted her. She is Niharika, my wife she is not that woman who betrayed her family. I quickly went back her. When I entered she was not there in the room. I went near the bathroom door and raised my hands to knock it but small sobs stopped me. My heart clenched. I made her cry again. I felt guilty. I didn't care anymore want she did about the auction, what she did with that bustard, all I want at that moment was scoop her in my arms and hug her tightly till her tears stop. I couldn't see her with tears. My heart was aching more for her. But that tears was caused by me. I sighed. I don't know whether I was angry at her or at that scumbag. But I took out all my anger at her. I puffed, why can't I think straight? I feel helpless. I didn't know what to do. Will she listen to me? I rubbed my face in irritation. I think we both need time to sort out our minds. I will talk to her in the morning after I sober up completely. When I'm in my full consciousness, with that thought I walked out of her room.

I went to her room in the morning but it was locked from inside and there was no sound coming. I think she is sleeping. I don't know when she slept after all the crying, let her sleep. I will come back as soon as possible from the office. That was my thought when I was driving towards our office building.