After listening his confession Smita doesn't know what opinion she should make about him. He killed those men but they were not innocents. They were predators who were hunting innocent kids. They deserve punishment which law failed to give. If he wouldn't finish them there will be more victim but..

Murder of someone give chills to her spine. He has strong stricks of revenge in him. He killed them because they wronged Shweta. He abused and raped her because she was wrong in his version of events. If Akshita will be wrong in future what will he do? She will received punishment or he will forgive her. Can she trust him with Akshita.

She is more puzzled and confused after thinking everything. At last she decided to leave it on Akshita whatever she choose she will stick to her decision. He is her father and she wanted her father. If outcome will be bad, she will be there for her daughter. She will not snatched her chance.

*********

India habitat center a place Smita loved for its library. This library not only contains rare old books but updated to newest arrival. This place is like heaven for book and art lovers. This building is complete package as it has huge library for book lovers, conference rooms for professional, lotus pond for nature lovers, amphitheatre for budding artists and last but not the least American diner which serves authentic American dishes.

She was entering inside the premise when she noticed him standing outside the conference room. His gaze focused on her and he make his way towards her.

"You are here?"

"Yes, I came to library."

"I came for a meeting which ended recently." he said and she nodded.

"I am going to have lunch. Will you come?" he asked and she smiled.

They crossed the library area and passing through theatre. A melodious voice can be heard from the outside.

"I had reconciled with my mother in this theatre." he said and her brows raised.

"but you shared very warm relationship with your mother. How can this is possible." she asked and he gave her a faint smile.

They have reached to American diner one of the oldest in town. It has still kept that seventies feel alive. Black and white tiles on the floor gave you impression of its age. Walls were painted in light yellow colour, having black and white portrait pictures. One wall is designed in checker board style. Red stools were placed around square tables.They headed towards table placed in a side of room.

" I used to trouble my father to brought me here for lunch." Smita recalled fondly.

"and I had troubled grandpa on every alternative day."

"but it was worth it" Smita said while eating her blueberry pancake. She closed her eyes to fully enjoy the taste.

"Absolutely."

"How is Akshita?"

"She is doing great." she replied. Although she wanted to say so many things but she didn't. This kind of lunch is rare in their life which is filled with lots of tension and drama.

Her gaze stop on sauce stuck at the corner of his lips. She recalls how she prays to God for moment like this in the earlier stage of their marriage.

"Umm Akshay"

"Yes."

"hm, um, there is something on your lips." she said

"I can say the same for you."

"Really." she asked and he nodded. She tried to wipe traces of food. When she failed he bend a little to help her. He wiped it gently . She can feel his thumb brushing outer side of her lips. It is weirdly arousing. She shouldn't feel this but she did. Smita take a breath which she didn't know she is holding when he is done. She didn't knew friendly lunch take this turn.

"Its not right to feel excited over an encounter with soon to be ex husband. How can I forget his brutal treatment?" she cursed herself mentally. She wanted to punish herself for this sudden arousal over his gesture which has no meaning.

"Long time no see."

Smita heard an unfamiliar voice. A middle aged man joined them on table when she was zoned out.

"Business happened." Akshay replied with a wide smile and other one replicate the same.

"Smita, he is Shekhar uncle,Ma's music teacher and Shekhar uncle this is Smita, my wife."Akshay introduced them. Smita exchanged greetings with him.

He said my wife.

Is there something to read between the lines.

No, it can't be.

He probably said to save himself or said accidentally .

Smita was practically absent during rest of the time. He leads her towards parking area.

"I wish he was my father." Akshay admit a long lost desire and Smita got another incomplete information.

"I resented my mother in my teenage years." Akshay said while adjusting seatbelt. Smita took whatever information he is giving because pushing him is next to impossible.

"Something is changed in me when I return from boarding school. I resented my mother for not freeing us from torture. I hated her for tolerating bullshit of my father. I ran away from her loving gesture. I rejected her advances for a conversation. Infact I avoid being home. My hate will continue if I haven't heard conversation of Ma and uncle. "

" What they said? "Smita asked with batted breath. She is scared of learning another horrific detail but it can't be left like this.

" My mother was equally trapped with my dad like us. Within few months of their marriage she discovered colourful ways of my father. I was in womb of my mother when she left my father." he took a deep breath to calm himself.

"At that time divorce was taboo and abandoned wife was untouchable still she took risk.She took risk for my sake. She was disowned by her family except my uncle who was in USA at that time. Sometimes no one ready to understand your point of view. "

"She started working in a local office to support herself. My grandfather came many times to reconcile my parents but my father refused to leave his ways. When I was born there was no one to celebrate my birth except Ma&grandpa. My mother's family refused to take care of her in that crucial time. I am grateful to that neighbouring lady who helped her at that time. My grandfather used to send money to Ma for supporting us."

Smita's heart constricted. She devloped an instant hate for his mother's family. You can rely only to your family in troubled waters and they left her in that crucial time. Its not easy to gave birth to a new life. The lady deserve so much care and delicacies but what she got nothing.

" Life was difficult for Ma but at the same time relaxing and free. My mother wasn't accepted in society. People used to mock her, taunt her and insulted her for no reason. "

After listening this Smita didn't want to know how she can returned to hell. Its definitely pressure of being outcast. Its not easy to live without support system. You can fight one person but can you fight whole bunch of people ready to slaughter you. May be some have guts to fight and some doesn't. Is it right to blame the wronged one for not being strong.?Smita doesn't know and she didn't want to judge.

"My grandfather refused to take burden of my father's frivolous actions and he promised to be good.He came to convince Ma but Ma refused to went with him so he took the back route. He instigate my mother's family. She returned after my maternal grandfather threatened to kill me. One single woman fought against all for her child and lost the battle for the same. "

" My grandpa stood with his daughter in law while her own parents left her. Their honour and pride had much more importance than my mother's life. An abandoned daughter is disgrace and continously abused daughter is pride. What a hypocrisy. "

Smita's blood was boiling with this revelation. She knew people killed their own children for honour but being part of that story is disheartening. She never imagined something like this happened in such a reputed family.

" Grandfather knew about all this?" she asked when she gained composer.

"No, grandfather was elated that my parents reconcile for my future but truth was something else. Voice of my mother shunned because of me. My father gained leverage and....

" Anuj and Avni was product of his new gained dominance and power. "

Smita can't take this anymore. This person endure it all but she did not have courage to hear anymore. She knew there is much more for him to say and her to listen but today is not the day. The hard hitting truth and bitter reality is too much to take for anyone. A person was outcast for refusing abuse. A woman forced to live in traumatic situation just for saving family prestige.

This not cruelty than what is?