Anupama was sitting on the stairs with her shoulders down waiting for Devika. She was physically present but her mind wandered to the scenes that unfolded this morning. The tears in her eyes have dried up but the pain still remains. She was restless constantly tapping her feet and rubbing her hands. The events of today replayed in her mind again and again which was making her anxious.

She needed to prove herself innocent but she had no idea how to. She never saw those bids or anything related to the project and hence she had no idea of who could have leaked those bids.

Anu(to herself):- Vikram aisa kaise kar sakte hai....bharosa to chodo unhone mujhe ek baar apni baat samjhane ka mauka tak nhi diya..wo mujhe apna dost kehte hai aur fir bhi.....how could he...

Anu thought in disappointment.

Anu(to herself) :- Lekin nahi Anu tujhe unhe samjhana hoga...koi kuch bhi soche farak nhi padta lekin wo kya sochte hai isse farak padta hai..chahe wo kitna bhi gussa kar le.....dost hai wo tere...aur us dosti ke liye tujhe unse baat karni chahiye....

She was lost in thoughts when Devika came and found her sitting on the stairs.

Devika:- Anu tu yha bahar seedhiyo pe kyu baithi hai....

She asked concerned.

This brought Anupama out of her reverie.

Anu:- Tu aa gayi...

Devika:- Haan but yha kya kar rhi tu...

Anu:- Kuch nhi...keys office me bhul gayi thi to..

Devika understood.

Devika:- Chal andar chal ke baat karte....

She unlocked the door and both of them went in.

Anu:- Chal tu fresh hoke aa jaa...mai banati hoo kuch tere liye...

Saying this Anupama walked into the kitchen.

Devika was baffled that she just lost her job and is behaving as if nothing happened.

Devika:- Anu tu theek hai?

Devika questioned anxiously.

Anu:- Kyu puch rhi hai?

Anupama asked sorting out the containers in the kitchen.

Devika:- Kyu ka matlab kya?...puch rhi hoo mai bas...

Anupama kept the containers aside and looked at her annoyed.

Anu:- Kyuki mujhe pata hai ki tujhe Vikram...I mean Vikram sir ne sab bata diya hai...and isiliye tu office se itni jaldi aayi hai....so yeh naatak karna band kar jaise tujhe kuch pata hi na ho...aur chup chap jaa fresh hoke aa...

She ordered her in a stern voice.

Devika:- Tu bhi fir yeh naatak karna band kar ki jaise kuch hua hi na ho....

She said walking towards the kitchen.

Devika:- Anu bata na kya hua?

She wanted Anupama to open up about her feelings.

Anu:- Jab sab tujhe pata hai to kyu puch rhi hai?

She said putting a pan on the stove.

Devika held her by her elbow and turned her to face her.

Devika:- Kyuki mai tere muh se sunna chahti hoo....

She stated in a stern voice.

Anu:- Aur mai nhi batana chahti hoo....

She said freeing her elbow from her hands.

Devika sighed seeing Anupama shut down her feelings again. She knew she can't do anything about it as getting Anupama to open up about her innermost feelings has proven to be an impossible task for her. She liked to fight her battles alone and all Devika can do to support is stand by her side.

Anupama saw the worried look on Devika's face.

Anu:- Devu jaake fresh ho jaa....mai chai bana rhi....fir baat karte hai...

Devika decided that she should give Anupama some time before talking to her again.

Devika:- Okay....but pehle tu bhi fresh ho jaa..

Anupama nodded and both of them went to their respective rooms.

Vikram was heartbroken after hearing those words from Anuj. He was not only his best friend but his brother. Anuj and Devika are the only family he has apart from Rittika. He was just trying to protect Anuj but he ended up hurting him this time.

I trusted you Vikram...I trusted you...

You need not bother anymore...

You lied to me...

The words kept ringing in his ears like a siren reminding him of Anuj's disappointment. The last time Anuj spoke so harshly to him was after his scooter broke down while they were going to Anupama's house. Anuj didn't speak to him for weeks but he later realised that it wasn't Vikram's fault. It was fate and they went back to their old terms. Vikram realised that this time was different....it was his fault....only if he had told Anuj in time about everything....he wouldn't be so disappointed in him.

Rittika:- Vikram....are you okay?

Rittika's words brought him back to the present.

Vikram:- Yeah.....yeah...

Saying this he moved towards his desk and sat down on his chair.

He brought his hand onto his head and rubbed his temples to silence the storm within.

Rittika:- I am sorry....I didn't mean to....mujhe pata hi nhi chala Anuj call pe tha....I shouldn't have...

Vikram:- It's okay Ritu...galti meri hai...this was bound to happen...

Rittika:- Tumhe aur Devika ko Anuj ko sab sach bata dena chahiye....isse pehle ki kuch aur problem ho...

Vikram:- It's too late....jo hona tha ho gaya...Anuj aa rha hai use sab pata chal hi jayega..

Rittika:- Aab please tum mujhe bataoge ki Anupama aur tumahre beech kya chal rha hai?

Vikram took a deep breath.

Vikram:- Wo theek hai....use koi chot to nhi lagi na?

Rittika:- Nhi she is absolutely fine....don't worry...

Vikram:- Chalo raaste me batata hoo sab kuch...

Rittika:- Haan but kha jaa rhe?

Vikram:- Anu se milne...

Rittika was confused as to what is going on but she nodded.

Rittika:- Hmm....but kya tum mujhe ghar drop kar doge...mai bhi chalti tumahre sath but mujhe kuch important kaam hai...

Vikram:- Okay...chale?

Rittika:- Hmm

Vikram stood up and took the car keys from his desk and they both left.

GK just came back from his morning walk and found door to the apartment was unlocked. He wondered if he forgot to lock the door or did someone break in. He was about to take a peek inside when he heard Anuj's voice coming from the hall and realised he might have come home. He took a deep breath and walked in and found Anuj firing instructions at someone over the phone.

Anuj:-

Get it ready before I reach.

Access the minutes of the board meeting and mail it to me ASAP.

I want every bit of info from the first day of her job until the last day.

And make sure no one finds out.

Am I clear?

Good.

He turned around to find GK standing behind him.

Anuj:- GK kha gaye the aap?

He asked curiously.

GK:- Bas apni morning walk ke liye maan...

Anuj:- GK 10 baj rhe hai....is samay morning walk?

GK:- Wo park me ek beautiful lady mil gayi thi...to maine socha thodi ghuftgu kar lu...

GK said with a naughty smile.

Anuj:- Aap aur aapki Aashiqi....

He formed a fake smile on his lips not being able to form a real one.

GK:- Kuch hua hai kya beta....tu aaj itne jaldi aa gaya...tune to bola tha tu raat tak aayega...

Anuj:- Haan nhi wo GK mujhe khi ke liye nikalna tha isiliye jaldi aa gaya...

GK:- Kha?

Anuj:- Ahemdabad....

Anuj said taking a gulp.

GK was shocked listening to Anuj suddenly going to India.

GK:- Anuj....sab theek to hai?...tu to agle mahine jane wala tha na?....to achanak se kyu?

Anuj put his hands on GK's shoulders and spoke...

Anuj:- Haan GK sab theek hai...bas ek important meeting hai...uske liye hi jaa rha hoo...kuch dino me wapas aa jaunga...

He assured him that everything is alright. GK had heart conditions since last year and he didn't wanna bother him with his problems. So he lied about the meeting.

GK:- Anuj tu jhooth bol rha hai....zaroor koi baat hai...nhi to tu aise achanak se India kabhi nhi jata....mujhe bata kya baat hai jaldi nhi to mai Donna se puchunga...

GK was getting stressed. Seeing this, Anuj led him to the couch and sat him down kneeling in front of him.

Anuj:- GK meri baat suno....sab kuch theek hai....bas Vikram ko meri zarurat hai office me urgently....isiliye jaa rha hoo...kuch dino me wapas aa jaunga....

He tried to comfort him.

Anuj:- Aapko bhi saath leke chalta lekin aapke doctor's appointments and checkups sab isi month lined up hai.... isiliye mai apke health ke saath koi bhi risk nhi le sakta.....

GK:- Wo sab to wha bhi ho sakta hai maan....mujhe nhi pata...mai bhi tere sath chalunga...tu ruk mai abhi apne bags pack karta hoo..aur tu meri tickets bhi book kar....

GK tried to stand up and go but Anuj sat him down again.

Anuj:- GK aap zidd kar rhe....mai wha sirf kuch time ke liye jaa rha hoo...jaise hi kaam khatam hoga wapas aa jaunga...ho sakta hai kaam 2 din me ho jaye ya fir 1 hafte me.... aapko pata hai na mai wha ek din bhi zada nhi ruk sakta....aise mai agar aapko leke jaunga...to travel...jet lag...time difference ki wajah se aapki health pe kitna asar padega aur fir agar kaam jaldi khatam ho gaya to wapas se travel karna padega...no way GK....aap abhi bhi medicines pe hai aur mai koi risk nhi lunga...

GK:- But maan...

Anuj:- No buts GK....aap yhi rehenge...aur jab tak mai wapas nhi aa jaata....Donna bhi isi ghar me rehegi....aapka dhyaan rakhne ke liye....

GK:- Wo sab to theek hai....but tu Donna ko kyu pareshan kar rha....mai apna khayal rakh sakta hoo.

Anuj:- Haan jaanta hoo mai aap apna kitna khayal rakhte hai....mujhe pata hai jaise hi mai jaunga....aap oily cheesy khana order kar ke khayenge bahar se....

GK made a puppy face and Anuj chuckled.

Anuj:- Aur Donna ko maine nhi kha....usne khud insist kiya...so wo aapke sath rahegi kuch din aur shayad Harvey aata jaata rhe...aur mai bas do chaar din me aa jaunga...don't worry...

GK:- Hmm okay....lekin tu bhi apna dhyaan rakhna....aur time se sona.....kaam me itna mat ulajh jana ki khana peena bhul jaye....

Anuj:- Okay GK...pakka..aap bhi apna dhyaan rakhna please...

He hugged GK.

Donna:- Are you two girls done?

Donna said in a sarcastic tone as she witnessed the two having an emotional moment.

Anuj broke the hug and looked at Donna who was standing leaning on the kitchen counter from don't know how long looking at the two having a heartfelt conversation.

Anuj :- For how long you have been standing there?

Donna :- Long enough that you two made me cry....

Donna said sarcastically pretending to flick a tear from her eyes.

Anuj:- Drama Queen....

He murmured under his breath.

Donna:- What did you just say?

Anuj:- Nothing....I said nothing...

He muttered standing up.

Donna walked upto GK and put a hand around his shoulders and spoke.....

Donna:- Come on GK....let him go...we will have fun...

GK:- Really?

Donna:- Of course...movie nights....day outs... eating at your favourite restaurants...

GK was ecstatic hearing this and gave a high five to Donna.

Anuj chuckled seeing their cute bond.

Anuj:- You know you are staying here to keep a check on him and not spoil him.

Donna:- I know.....I am not boring like you.....I can keep a check on him without sucking the fun out from his life...

Anuj:- Donna....you....

She interrupted him.

Donna:- Aren't you getting late for your flight?

Anuj looked at his watch and spoke...

Anuj:- Yeah I should leave....

Saying this he went into his room to bring his suitcase while GK went into the kitchen.

Anuj came back with his suitcase and stood in front of Donna.

Anuj:- Take care of GK....

Donna:- I will.... and I can't believe I am saying this but..I will miss you Anuj....

Anuj:- I am just going for a week Donna....

Donna:- I know....but I don't know why it feels like....it would be more than a week....

Anuj smiled.

Anuj:- I will miss you too Donna...

Saying this he hugged her and she hugged back.

Anuj:- Thank you....thankyou for everything....

Donna:- Take care....okay...and get your Anu out of this mess...

Anuj:- Hmm...

Donna:- And don't worry....I will handle everything here....

Anuj:- I know you will....

Saying this they broke the hug and gave each other a warm smile.

Soon GK entered with a bowl in his hand.

Anuj:- GK yeh kya hai?

GK:- Dahi sakkar....

Anuj:- But mai kuch nya thodi karne jaa rha...

GK brought a spoon full of dahi to Anuj's mouth and Anuj ate it...

GK:- Bas pata nhi kyu lag rha ki teri zindagi ki nayi shuruaat hogi....

Anuj smiled and bend down to take his blessings before leaving.

GK:- Bhagwan kare is baar tujhe wo hasi wapas mil jaaye jo tu 17 saal pehle us sehar me chod aaya tha...

Anuj cleared his throat to put the thoughts away and hugged GK.

Anuj:- Apna dhyaan rakhna....and Donna ko zada tang mat karna...

GK:- Tu bhi...

Saying this they broke the hug.

Anuj waved a bye to Donna and GK and left for the airport.

Devika was sitting on the couch in the living room watching Anupama still cooking in the kitchen as she was an hour ago.

An hour ago...

Devika came out of her room and saw Anupama cooking something in the kitchen. She went to help her when she was blocked by Anupama at the entrance.

Devika:- Anu tu yeh kya kar rhi hai...

Anu:- Whi jo karna chaiye....tu aaj kitchen me nhi aayegi....

Devika:- But kyu...

Anu:- Kyuki aaj mai sara khana banaungi....mera bahut man hai please...

Devika:- Okay but thodi to help karne de...

Anu:- Bilkul nhi....yeh le teri chai aur jaake living room me chill kar....

She handed her a cup of tea and turned her around pushing her towards the living room.

Devika:- Accha theek hai but tu bhi to apni chai leke aa...

Anu:- Mera man nhi hai aur mujhe bahut kaam hai....isiliye please go..

She ordered her and Devika went to the living room.

Kitchen was her comfort zone and it has been for almost all her life a place where she could find solace amid the chaos. It has witnessed her happiness, her excitement, her tears and her pain. Cooking was a thing that not only calmed her nerves when she was happy or excited but also provided her comfort and peace in moments of sadness. Cooking is something she has done all her life.....infact a year ago....it was her life but now it was just a part of it.

Still whenever she is sad or overwhelmed, the only place she is found in is her kitchen. Devika has realised in a year that it is her way of calming her nerves to deal with the situation and that's the reason she gave her the much needed time instead of pushing her to open up about her feelings.

Although Devika can't get Anupama to open up about her feelings but she wanted to atleast find out what she was thinking.

So she asked her in a calm voice...

Devika:- Anu....tu kya karne ka soch rhi hai?

Anu:- Mtlb ?

Devika:- Mtlb ki Job ke bare me kya socha hai?

Anupama looked at her from the kitchen counter perplexed.

Anu:- Sochana kya hai...Vikram...Vikram sir ne to fire kar hi diya...aab...

Devika:- Anu.....sir nhi sirf Vikram....

Anupama rolled her eyes at her statement and Devika realised that she thinks Bunty doesn't trust her anymore.

Devika went upto the kitchen counter, switched off the gas stove and dragged her out of the kitchen.

Anu:- Devika...tu yeh kya kar rhi hai?

Anupama said in annoyance.

Devika:- Whi jo mujhe thode der pehle karna chahiye tha...

Anu:- Kya?

Devika:- Tujhse baat...

She said making Anupama sit down on the dining table chair.

Anu:- Kya baat karni hai?

Devika:- Batati hoo...

She said taking a seat next to her.

Devika:- Anu kya chal rha tere dimag me?.....mujhe saaf saaf bata....

Anupama took a long and deep breath.

Devika:- Anu?

Anu:- Maine kisiko koi bids leak nhi ki Devu.....

Devika:- Tujhe lag rha tujhe mereko yeh batane ki zarurat hai?

Anu:- Fir kyu mujhpe koi trust nhi kar rha?

Devika:- Anu....kabhi kabhi hum whi maan lete hai jo humari aankho ke saamne ho...aur bas yhi baat hai ki log tujhpe shak kar rhe....

Anu:- Mai samajh sakti hoo....lekin unhe mujhe ek mauka to dena chaiye tha apni sacchai saabit karne ka....bas video me dekha aur maan liya ki maine hi leak kiye hai....

Devika was silently listening. She wanted her to vent out her frustration.

Anu:- Aur to aur Kiara ki baat pe vishwas kar liya....wo log Kiara ke jhooth ko ek baar me sach maan sakte hai lekin mujhe apne sach ko saabit karne ka ek mauka tak nhi de sakte....kyu....mujhme aur Kiara me kya fark hai.....sirf ek umra ka hi na.....

She sobbed a little while saying this thinking that she will always be treated differently throughout her career.

Devika:- Anu...

She pressed her hands a little to comfort her.

Anupama held Devika's hands and looked into her eyes determined.

Anu:- Lekin mai in sab se tutne waali nhi hoo.....chahe mujhe koi mauka de ya na de....mai apni sacchai office me sabke samne aur Vikram sir ke samne saabit karke hi rhoongi...chahe kuch bhi ho jaye....

Devika was happy to see the determination in her eyes but she needed to tell her that Vikram does trust her.

Devika:- Anu...meri baat sun... Vikram tujhpe bharosa karta hai...

Anupama chuckled a bit expressing her disbelief.

Anu:- Devika....agar Vikram sir mujhpe bharosa karte....trust karte...to mujhe naukari se kyu nikalte?

She questioned.

Kyuki tumahre Vikram sir stupid hai....

A voice answered her question but it was not Devika's.

They both turned around and found Vikram standing at the door.

Devika:- Bunty....

She said feeling relieved to see him while Anupama was stunned to see him there.

Vikram:- Anu se milne aaya hoo....

Anupama was perplexed. It was the last thing she expected after what happened in the office today.

Vikram saw the confusion on her face. He walked down to the dinning table and gestured Devika to move to the next seat.