It was a Sunday morning. Every Sunday, as per ritual, Devika comes out of her room and finds Anupama standing at the door waiting for Pakhi in excitement but today was different. Devika came out of her room and saw Anupama sitting at the foot of the couch burried in her books and assignments. This has never happened before. No matter how important exam she has the next day, Anupama makes sure that she prepares everything a day before so that she can spend time with Pakhi without worrying about anything else.

Curious to see Anupama absorbed in books, Devika asked....

Devika:- Anu kya kar rhi hai?

Anupama lifted her eyes up from the book hearing Devika's voice.

Anu:- Devika tune kuch bola kya?

She asked completely missing what Devika said earlier.

Devika:- Haan.....Maine pucha kya kar rhi hai?

She asked coming in front of her.

Anu:- Matar cheel rhi hoo...

She made a sarcastic remark and Devika rolled her eyes at the statement.

Anu:- Dikh nhi rha padh rhi hoo...

She said pointing towards the books in annoyance.

Devika:- Haan wo to mujhe dikh rha hai lekin aaj to Sunday hai na....

She treaded carefully sensing Anupama's mood.

Anu:- To?

Devika:- To aaj Pakhi nhi aane wali...

She said stating the obvious but Anupama snapped at her.

Anu:- Tujhe sach me lagta hai kal jo hua uske baad Mr. Shah Sweety ko yha aane denge...

Devika:- Tu badhak kyu rhi hai yrr...maine to bas ek sawal pucha...

She retorted for being unnecessarily chided over a simple question.

Anu:- To mat puch ne Devika...

She replied in an irritated voice and Devika went into the kitchen without saying a word.

One might think Anupama was upset over not meeting Pakhi which she would have been....had she not been busy worrying about thousand other things on her plate....her college.... assignments....job.....dance academy....and most importantly her family. She has been restless throughout the night worrying about how she is gonna manage her college along with the responsibilities that would come her way in Vanraj's absence. She knew Vanraj will be held guilty in the fraud case sooner or later and in case that happens...she needs to prepare beforehand to handle everyone in her family. She wasn't ecstatic about the fact that Vanraj and Kavya would be in jail but the man has committed some vile crimes in his life and hasn't paid for any of it...it's time for some Karma to catch upto him.

Family wasn't the only reason she was anxious but there was someone else whose image kept popping up her in mind throughout the night.....someone who took her back to the fun she has always regretted missing out on.....someone who stood up for her and her bestfriend..... someone who saved her career and life from going downhill....someone in whose presence she felt secure even though she barely knew him.

Well that someone had left and you have a thousand other things on your plate to deal with right now rather than waste your time thinking about a person who is never coming back.

She thought to herself as she flipped through the pages of her book.

While Anupama was busy with her work, Devika came back with two cups of tea and slid it in front of Anupama.

Anupama looked at the cup and then at Devika.

Devika:- Bilkul chup...

She asked her to keep quiet and drink the tea.

Devika:- Chup chap baithkar chai pee...

Saying this she took a seat beside her on the floor.

Anu :- Thank you...and

She said sipping onto her ginger tea.

Devika :- And?.... jaldi bol jaldi...

She looked at her watch pretending to run out of time while Anupama smiled and apologized for her rude behaviour earlier.

Anu:- Sorry...

Devika :- Theek hai....theek hai...maaf kiya...tu bhi kya yaad rakhegi..

She said as if she is granting forgiveness for a crime.

Anu:- Thank you so much mam...

She played along folding her hands in gratitude and both chuckled at their silliness.

Devika:- Anu...

She called out as her eyes went to a file that remained open in Anupama's laptop.

Anu:- Haan ?

Devika:- Yeh idea kab tak tere laptop me aise hi pada rahega...

She said gesturing towards the laptop and Anupama sighed looking at it.

Anu:- Jab tak yeh puri tarah se ready nhi ho jaata...

She answered feeling tired of having the same conversation again and again.

Devika:- Anu....tu ispe ek saal se kaam kar rhi hai and you have made significant progress....don't you think you should put it out on the world now?

She said pointing out that the idea has been sitting in her laptop for a year now.

Anu:- Tu shi keh rhi hai Devika but it isn't enough....no one is going to invest in this project unless I make it profitable....

She reasoned but Devika reminded her of the firms that would invest in it as a part of Corporate Social responsibility.

Devika:- Anu....aise bahut sare firms hai jo sirf Goodwill ke liye hi is project me invest kar denge...

Anu:- In that case... majority bhi whi own karenge...

Devika:- Ofcourse...they will...agar risk sabse zada wo bear karenge....to it makes sense ki whi sabse zada shares own kare...

She stated facts but Anupama was still not convinced.

Anu:- Agar aisa hoga to jinke liye mai yeh project shuru kar rhi hoo unke liye kya bachega...

She jogged her memory about the women for whom she wants to start this project. She doesn't want them to be left with nothing at the end just because she chose to take the high road.

Devika:- To tu kya chahti hai....paise kisi aur ke lage but business tera ho..

She said reminding her that the world is not kind like her and she needs to be realistic while dealing with them.

Anu:- Devu....I just want to be in a position from where I can negotiate....and for that to happen I have to make sure ki yeh project profitable ho....I need to make it perfect.

She stated her concern and Devika realised it wasn't the profit aspect that was bothering her but it was the fear of being rejected.

Devika:- Ms Perfectionist....tu kab samjhegi....ki har cheez perfect nhi ho sakti....tu kitna bhi try kar le koi na koi loopholes nikal hi aate hai....so it's better that you put it out in the world and let the things take its course...

She tried to convince her to get some seed funding for her project but Anupama was still sceptical.

Anu:- Devu...

Devika:- Dekh mai tujhe force nhi kar rhi hoo....bas ek suggestion de rhi hoo....baki tera project teri marzi...bas itna yaad rakhana ki tune is project ke liye apne passion ko sideline kiya hai...so something better come out of it.....

She added and Anupama sighed in exasperation.

Anu:- Fine...I will think about it....but abhi chai pe concentrate kare...

She said pointing towards the tea that was getting cold and Devika smiled.

Devika:- Okay....but ek baat bta?

Anu:- Puch?

Devika:- Tu raat bhar soyi kyu nahi?

She asked taking a sip of her not so hot tea.

Anu:- Tune kasam kha rakkhi hai na Devika ki aaj tu mujhe chain se nhi rehne degi....

She looked annoyed at Devika's constant interrogation.

Anu:- Hum humesha ki tarah chai peete hue gossip kyu nhi kar sakte....zaroori hai yeh sab discuss karna...

Devika:- Ji bilkul....there is a time to gossip...and there is a time to be serious...

She said taking the book out of her hand and putting it on the side.

Anu:- So aaj serious hone wala time hai...great....isse better hota mai dance academy hi chali jaati...

She tried to avoid talking about her feelings as always but Devika didn't budge this time.

Devika:- Anu baate mat Bana...bata raat bhar kyu nhi soyi?

She inquired pointing towards the dark circles formed under her eyes.

Anu:- Aise hi kuch soch rhi thi....

Devika:- Anuj ke baare me?

She asked plainly as if it wasn't a big deal and Anupama was stunned hearing this.

Anu:- Huh?....mai kyu sochungi unke bare me....tera dimag to kharab nhi ho gaya hai....kuch bhi bolti hai....

She jumped to defend herself wondering what did she do to give Devika the impression that she was thinking about Anuj the whole night.

Devika:- Are shaant Anu shaant....mera matalab wo nhi tha...

She asked her to calm down realising she might have misunderstood her statement.

Anu:- To kya tha?

She asked anxiously.

Devika:- Mera matalab tha ki kal jo party me hua....Vanraj ne Anuj ke bare me jo bola...ki wo tera...

She tried to explain but Anupama cut her off in between.

Anu:- Wo kya bolte hai kya sochte hai mujhe usse koi fark nhi padta....unhe bas koi bahana chahiye tha mujhe sunane ka.....aur kal wo bahana Anuj the...aab is baare me baat karne ka koi matalab nhi hai....kyuki Anuj jaa chuke hai...wo bhi humesha ke liye...

Devika noticed the change in Anupama's expression and wondered whether the sadness visible on her face was because of Vanraj's comments or Anuj leaving.

Anu:- Aur waise bhi is baat ko 26 saal ho gaye hai....

She added letting out a sigh.

Devika:- Aur agar nhi hue hote to...

She exclaimed and Anupama was baffled.

Anu:- Tu kehna kya chahti hai?

Devika:- Yhi ki agar maan le Anuj aaj bhi tujhse pyaar karta hota to?

She presented a possibility in front of Anupama to find out if her doubts are right but Anupama looked away as she recalled a conversation from the past.

Vanraj:- Mujhe fark nhi padta ki tumne usse ek baar baat ki ya char baar....bas itna yaad rakhana ki wo tumahari zindagi me wapas aaya to mujhse bura koi nhi hoga....

A shiver ran down her spine remembering how Vanraj threatened her that night.

As Anupama closed her eyes to calm her nerves, Devika nudged her.

Devika:- Anu....kha kho gayi?

And Anupama lashed out.

Anu:- Kaun kya karta hai....kaun kya nhi karta isse mujhe koi fark nhi padta...mujhe isse koi lena dena nhi hai...meri zindagi humesha seedhe raaste pe chali hai aur humesha seedhe raaste pe hi chalti rahegi...idhar udhar dekhne ki fursat naa mere pass 26 saal pehle thi na aab hai...

Not realising that she might have awakened a bad memory, Devika sighed in exasperation.

Devika:-To mat dekh....mat sun....teri TV pe agar love story aaye na to channel badal dena...aur agar channel badalne ke baad bhi aaye na....to TV tod dena...

As she continued with her rant, Anupama's expression changed from bad to worse and this made Devika realise that she has overreacted a bit. This wasn't something new. Anupama has never been interested in boys even in college and now she was much more different than before. She has suffered a betrayal and had gone through a traumatic divorce.

There is no way she is gonna give someone else another chance in life.

She thought to herself and decided to lighten the mood.

Devika:- Are Anu....ladkiya pareshan rehti hai ki unhe koi admirer mile....tu aab isiliye pareshan hai kyuki tujhe admirer mil rha hai...fir bhi...

She said making a pout and Anupama got up to leave saying...

Anu:- Tu yeh sab bolti hi rahegi na....theek hai mai chalti hoo...

However Devika pulled Anupama back to the ground making her sit beside her.

Devika:-Anu....tu aisii kyu hai...

She whined and Anupama gave her an annoyed look.

Anu:- Kaisii?

Devika:- Sabse pyaari sabse acchi...

She exclaimed pulling Anupama's chin and her frown turned into a smile.

Devika:- College me na sari ladkiyaan prince charming ke sapne dekha karti thi sivaay tere...

She complained as the doorbell rang.

Wondering who might have come this early in the morning, Anupama got up and walked to open the door saying....

Anu:- Kyuki mujhe acchi tarah se pata hai aise rajkumar sirf aur sirf sapno me hote hai....asli zindagi me nh...

She was about to rebuff Devika's statement that prince charming exists in real life when her eyes fell on the person on the other side of the door....and the only word that managed to escape her mouth was...

Anu:- Aap?...

Vanraj....Vanraj....

Kavya barged into Baa's room shouting his name at the top of her voice.

Baa:- Yeh kyu gala faad faad ke chilla rhi hai....Vanraj ghar pe nhi hai....

She barked at Kavya for shouting.

Kavya:- To kha gaya hai?

She inquired wondering where he could have gone this early in the morning.

Baa:- Mujhe kya pata....biwi tu hai uski.....tujhe pata hona chahiye naa..

She taunted her and Kavya retorted back in the same tone.

Kavya:- Baa mai na sirf naam ki biwi hoo....V to abhi bhi us Anupama ke peeche pagal hai...

Baa:- Tu is ghar me firse us manhoos ka naam kyu le rhi hai....

She expressed her irritation at the mention of Anupama.

Kavya:- Kyu na loo Baa.....aapke bete aur ex- bahu ne mera jeena haraam kar diya hai...

She complained and Baa looked at her annoyed.

Baa:- Tujhe agar kosana hai to us Anupama ko kos mere bete ko nhi.....wo to tujhse itna pyaar karta hai...aur tu

Kavya:- Haan dikhata hai mujhe uska pyaar....

She remarked and sighed in exasperation realising Baa is blinded by the love for her son.

Kavya:- Anyways aapse behas karke koi fayda nhi hai....mujhe V se hi baat karni padegi....

Saying this she turned around to leave when Baa stopped her.

Baa:- Sun....idhar aa...

Kavya:- Aab kya hua Baa?

She asked feeling annoyed.

Baa:- Tujhse kuch baat karni hai....baith...

She called her back and asked her to sit beside her on the bed.

Kavya:- Baa aapko seedhe muh baat karni hai to boliye.....agar taane dene ke liye bula rhi hai to....I am not interested.

She gave out a warning and Baa wasn't very pleased at it.

Baa:- Abhi tak to seedhe muh hi baat karne wali thi....lekin teri harkate dekh ke lag rha hai....tujhe taano ki aadat ho gayi hai....

Kavya:- Baa..

She whined but Baa was adamant on talking to her.

Baa:- Chillana band kar....aur idhar aake baith...

Listening to her stern statement, Kavya unwillingly took a seat beside her.

Baa:- Aab bata kal raat tum log bahar gaye the to kuch hua tha kya?

She asked straight away and Kavya was shocked hearing this.

Kavya:- Aapko kaise pata?....Vanraj ne bataya..?

She checked if it was Vanraj who told Baa about last night.

Baa:- Use mujhe batane ki zarurat nhi hai....uski shakal se pata chal rha tha ki kuch hua hai...

She stated proud of her maternal instincts.

Kavya:- Baa wo....

She tried to explain realising Baa doesn't know the whole story.

Baa:- Wo wo na kar....aur seedhe seedhe bata kya hua....nhi to kaan ke neeche ek sitar padega....

She threatened her and Kavya spilled the beans. Kavya told her everything that happened last night with them in the restaurant.

Baa:- To tere kehne ka matalab hai ki tumahra wo boss jisne tumpe case kiya hai.....wo Anupama ka college ka dost hai....

She asked for confirmation feeling surprised that Anupama had friends in college besides Devika and Kavya found it to be the perfect opportunity to manipulate Baa against Anupama.

Kavya:- Sirf dost nhi hai Baa....purana aashiq hai....aashiq....Vanraj ne khud bola hai....

She said giving special emphasis on the word "Aashiq".

Baa:- Yeh Anupama ne to humara jeena haram kar diya hai....

She stated letting out a sigh of disappointment but Kavya pointed out that Anupama wasn't the one in the wrong last night.

Kavya:- Wo sab to theek hai Baa...lekin kal jo bhi hua usme Anupama ki koi galti nhi thi...

Baa:- To tu kehna kya chahti hai....mere bete ki galti hai...

She rebuked Kavya for blaming Vanraj.

Kavya:- Aur nhi to kya Baa....V agar kal apne gusse ko control kar leta to hum itni badi problem me nhi hote....

She explicitly accused Vanraj of creating problems in her life and Baa was left confused.

Baa:- Kaisi problem?

She asked perplexed and Kavya told about the call she received from the lawyer today.

Kavya:- Baa accha khasa hume ek lawyer mila tha lekin V ne jo kal tamasha khada kiya uski wajah se usne bhi is case se backout kar liya hai....

Baa:- Wo wakeel wha pe tha jab Vanraj ki Anupama se ladayi hui?

She inquired and Kavya nodded in a no.

Baa:- To tu yeh kaise keh rhi hai ki Vanraj ki wajah se sab kuch hua hai?

Kavya:- Baa aap samajh kyu nhi rhi hai....ki Vanraj ne kisi gali ke gunde se ladai nhi ki thi...balki business tycoon Anuj Kapadia se panga liya tha...aapko lagta hai wo hume aise chod deta...I am sure usne hi lawyer ko paise diye honge hme dump karne ke liye....

She explained Baa the reach of Anuj Kapadia and tried to poison her mind against Anupama saying....

Kavya:- Aur mujhe to lagta hai ki Anupama ne hi use aisa karne ko kha hoga....after all purani jaan pehchan jo hai....

Little did Kavya know that Baa doesn't need to be manipulated against Anupama. She hates her to the core from the day Anupama stepped into the Shah House.

Baa:- Yeh Anupama...mai kya bolu...yeh mere bete ko kabhi chain se nhi jeene degi....

She said letting out an exaggerated sigh in irritation and Kavya was more than happy to have fulfilled her goal.

Baa:- Tu yeh sab chod....Vanraj abhi gusse me hai...usse baat karne ka koi matalab nhi....aab jo karna hai hume hi karna hai....

She said in a determined tone and Kavya was baffled by her statement.

Kavya:- Hum kya karenge Baa?

She asked perplexed.

Baa:- Wo sab tu mujhpe chod de...

She replied in assurance and a vile grin appeared on her face as she said....

Bhale Anupama ne is ghar ka pinjara tod diya ho....lekin uske paon me aaj bhi is ghar ke rishton ki bediyaan hai....jinhe wo chahkar bhi kabhi nhi tod paayegi.....

Note:- Song lyrics in bold italics....

Anu:- Aap?...

She gasped and her eyes widened in surprise as it scanned the person in front of her.