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She does.

A voice answered in response that certainly didn't belong to Vikram.

Both Anuj and Vikram turned towards the voice only to find Devika standing at the door.

Anuj:- Devika....tu yha?

He asked surprised.

Devika:- Haan mai yha...

She replied leaning against the door frame.

Vikram:- Tu yha kya kar rhi hai?....don't you have your interview?

He questioned wondering about the interview Devika had this morning.

Devika:- Wo sab to mai baad me bataungi....pehle tum dono yeh batao ki koi office ka door khula chod ke aisii cheeze discuss karta hai?.....what if meri jagah koi aur hota?

She warned them that they were discussing personal matters with their doors ajar and it would become office gossip soon enough if they continue to do so.

Vikram:- For your kind information Ms Devika Mehta...I have a secretary to see to such things.

He reminded her of Ishika sitting by the door of his office.

Devika:- Well then she might be invisible.....kyuki bahar desk pe to koi nhi baitha hai.

She retorted with a smirk.

Anuj:- Guys...stop it.

He knew if not stopped....these two kids will start bickering again like a ten year old and he would not hear the end of it.

Anuj:-Aur Devika tu andar aa and please close the door.

He asked her to come in and she happily complied.

Devika:- I didn't mean to interrupt.

She said closing the door.

Anuj:- It's alright.....first tell me what were you saying a few moments ago....does Anupama really know?

He asked again wanting the answer to be a no even though he clearly heard Devika the first time.

Devika:- Yeah....she does.

She confirmed clearing his doubt and Anuj was speechless. He was afraid that Vanraj and Rittika's betrayal would break Anupama's heart but turned out....it was already broken and he can do nothing about it.

Vikram:- But how?....I mean did Rittika...

He tried to ask if it was Rittika who told her but Devika denied it.

Devika:- No no....not at all....Ritu ne kuch nhi kha...

Anuj:- Fir....kisne?

He asked baffled.

Devika:-Vanraj ne.....mera matalab hai.....I knew that a girl named Rittika came in Vanraj's life seventeen years back but I didn't know that it was our Rittika.

She answered recalling an incident from a year ago.

Vikram:- Saaf saaf bol tu kya bolna chahti hai...

He asked not being able to understand her.

Anuj:- Yeah Devu.... please.

Although Devika was a little hesitant about revealing the details about Anupama's personal life, she felt telling Anuj and Vikram is a better option rather than leaving them to assume things.

She took a deep breath and spoke...

Devika:- Actually ek saal pehle jab Vanraj & Kavya....

She paused as some of the flashes from that day appeared before her eyes.

Devika:- Jab Vanraj aur Kavya ka sach sabke samne aaya tha to.....Vanraj tried to blame everything on Anu.

She tried to keep it as short as possible not wanting to recall the fateful day that shattered her best friend.

Anuj:- Blame everything on her?

He asked for an explanation and Devika answered....

Devika:- Yeah...unki anniversary ke baad when Anu came out of the shock....she decided to tell everyone about Vanraj and Kavya but Vanraj apologized and manipulated her saying ki uske baa and Bapuji yeh sadma bardasht nhi kar payenge....aur agar unhe kuch ho gaya to wo jee nhi payega...he promised her that he will stop seeing Kavya....and Anu being Anu.....wo maan gayi and decided to take all the blame on herself....kyuki na wo Vanraj ko aur din jhel sakti thi na hi Baa and Bapuji ko dukhi dekh sakti thi...

Vikram:- Fir?

Devika:- She was trying to find a good lawyer for the divorce before telling everyone when one day everyone in the family witnessed Vanraj proposing Kavya in a resort including her....us din mai bhi wha thi....Samar ne mujhe wha bulaya tha sabke saath chalne ke liye because he didn't want her mom to be alone after Vanraj's betrayal came to light...

Devika was reciting the events of last year to Anuj and Vikram when Anuj interrupted....

Anuj:- Samar knew?

He asked not being able to digest the fact that Anupama's own son hid the truth from her.

Devika:- Everyone did... except Baa Bapuji and Pakhi.

She replied and both Anuj and Vikram were shocked.

Vikram:- Fir kisine Anu ko bataya kyu nhi....I mean how can someone...

He complained but Devika intervened.

Devika:- Kisi aur ko kya blame karu Bunty....maine bhi to nhi bataya tha Anu ko....

She spoke as the tears of guilt pooled in her eyes.

Devika:- Mujhe pata nhi tha lekin shak tha....maine Anu ko warn karne ka try bhi kiya tha Kavya ke bare me but use Vanraj pe itna vishwas tha ki usne meri ek bhi nhi suni....kaash maine thodi himmat ki hoti aur Vanraj and Kavya ke bare me pata lagaya hota to shayad Anu ko itna bada sadma nhi lagta.....

She closed her eyes to avoid the tears from spilling but Anuj saw through it.

Anuj:- Hey....hey....hey...

Both Anuj and Vikram quickly moved to her side and wiped the tears threatening to trickle down her eyes.

Anuj:- It's not your fault.....tu bas Anu ko hurt nhi karna chahti thi...

He said as he held her hand in his and squeezed them tight giving her the much needed strength to continue.

Pulling herself back together, she spoke.....

Devika:- Jab hum ghar wapas aaye to.....Baa and Bapuji started questioning Vanraj for what he did to Anupama aur fir Vanraj ne Anu ko...

Anuj:- No

He stated cutting her off in the middle.

Devika:- Huh?

She exclaimed.

Anuj:- Nhi janna mujhe fir kya hua....just leave it right here.

He asked her to stop as the tears in Devika's eyes gave him a faint idea of what had happened that day. He thought he could soldier through it but turns out he can't....he didn't have the strength to hear the pain his Anupama has suffered at the hands of the vile person....that Vanraj Shah is.

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

He asked noticing the change in his voice. The voice that was giving strength to Devika a few moments ago sounded broken now.

Anuj:- Yeah....I am fine.

He answered in a calm voice trying to hide the reason behind this abrupt change.

Anuj:- Devika....mujhe Rittika ke bare me Anu ko kaise pata chala janna hai...but not on the cost of revealing Anu's personal life....us din jo bhi hua....as u said that day....wo batane ka hak sirf Anu ka hai hum me se kisika nhi....

He used the boundaries of personal life as an excuse to not wanting to listen to what happened further.

Devika:- I understand.....there is always this thin line....jo shayad mai bhi kabhi kabhi bhool jati hoo....

She said respecting his boundaries and Anuj nodded in response.

Vikram:- Anuj....I know...you have created your boundaries....and I respect them....but Anu meri dost hai and mujhe janne ka hak hai ki us din kya hua....so please Devu....

He tried to ask Devika to continue but Anuj intervened.

Anuj:- Tujhe Anu ke saath kya hua yeh janna hai ya fir Vanraj ne Rittika ke bare me kya kha yeh?

He called him out on his demand as he understood the intention behind it and Vikram sighed realising that lying is of no use now.

Vikram:- Fine.....but mai seriously nhi puchta agar yeh baat 17 saal pehle ki hoti to....but Anuj.....it was just an year back and I want to know Vanraj ne Ritu ke bare me kya kha....if it's personal to Anu.....it's personal to me as well.....Rittika meri wife hai.

He justified his ask.

Vikram had accepted Rittika's past along with her but this sudden entry of Vanraj in their lives was making it difficult for him to deal with it....not because....he doubted Rittika....but because he doubted Vanraj. He knew Vanraj doesn't know about Rittika and him yet....but if he does in future....he will sure try to do something vile that would cause disruption in their lives....afterall it is Vikram's company that has filed a case against him.....so he just wanted to understand Vanraj and his intentions better.

Devika:- Bunty....aisa kuch bhi nhi tha jo aaj se related ho...

She said trying to relieve him of the worries but Vikram was adamant on knowing.

Vikram:- Still....mujhe janna hai.

Anuj:- But kyu....Devu ne kha na it has no relation to our present life....fir kyu?

He tried to reason but Vikram didn't budge.

Vikram:- Pata nhi Anuj....bas mujhe janna hai...

He stated in a determined tone.

Anuj & Devika:- Bunty...

Both sighed as they realised Vikram's impulsive nature is taking the better of him today.

Vikram:- Guys please...just the Rittika part....please..

He requested again and Anuj opened his mouth to express his displeasure but was stopped by Devika.

Devika:- Fine....just the Rittika part...

She agreed hesitantly while Anuj strode towards the desk chair in disappointment and took a seat not wanting to listen further.

Vikram:- Hmm...

Vikram nodded asking Devika to continue not giving up on his ask this time and she complied.

Devika:- Vanraj Anu ko....

She paused as she decided from where to continue in order to avoid hurting Anuj. After much thinking, she took a deep breath and spoke....

Devika:- Sab Vanraj se sawal karne lage aur khud ko defend karne ke liye wo Anu ko blame karne laga tabhi.....

Bapuji :- Tere jaisa insaan maine aaj tak nhi dekha....galti tune ki aur dosh meri beti ko de rha hai...

He yelled pushing Vanraj away from Anupama and Vanraj lashed out.

Vanraj:- To aur kya karu Bapuji....aur kya karu.....maine kabhi is aurat se pyaar kiya hi nhi....pyaar to dur ki baat hai....mujhe to yeh pasand bhi nhi thi....lekin aap logo ne bina meri marzi puche meri isse shaadi kara di....fir bhi maine bahut kosis ki ise khush rakkhu.....maine iske liye kya kya nhi kiya....apne pehle pyaar Rittika ko maine apni zindagi me nhi aane diya sirf is aurat ke liye....isko itna pyaar diya.....lekin badle me pyaar to chodo...25 saal me yeh mere saath bahar jane layak bhi nhi ban paayi.....kash mai us din Rittika ko mana nhi karta to mujhe 25 saal is ganwar ko nhi jhelna padta....

While she narrated the events, Vikram and Anuj listened keenly and by the end of it....Vikram realised the reason behind Anuj not wanting to listen to the story as he saw the expression on his face change with every line Devika spoke....from disappointment...to anger....to rage....and finally to guilt as he blamed himself for her fate.

Devika:- He blamed Anu for everything he did....not even feeling a bit sorry about it....that was the day Anu realised that it was all just a pretence....the apology...the remorse...the care for his family....everything was fake....he never cared about his family....all he cared about was his image of so called "accha beta accha pita" in front of them.....us din Anu ne na kuch bola...na kuch suna....usne bas apne bags pack kiye and wo ghar chod diya.

As she stopped, she looked at Vikram sitting on the couch resting his fallen face on his joined hands.

Devika:- Bunty...

She called and he lifted her eyes to meet her gaze.

There were tears in them.

She noticed when he turned his gaze away.

He looked at Anuj who was sitting on his chair restlessly fiddling with his magnet trying to deal with the thoughts that was creeping into his mind every now and then.

With his glasses lying somewhere else on the desk, the whirlpool of emotions was clearly visible in his eyes.

Vikram realised the pain through which he has put Anuj by coaxing Devika to tell everything and that too for something so insignificant.

Vikram:- Anuj....sorry....I shouldn't have....

He apologized and Anuj looked at him with a blank face.

Anuj:- It's alright....do you have all the answers you were looking for?

He asked in a calm voice putting the magnet back in his pocket.

Vikram:- Just one more thing....

He answered and Anuj sighed in exasperation.

Vikram:- Devika.....jab tujhe pata chala ki yeh whi Rittika hai....why didn't Anu or you tell me that you know?....forget about telling...you guys didn't even mention it once.

He asked turning towards her.

Devika:- Kyuki Anu ne mana kiya tha....use laga ki pata nhi tujhe kuch pata bhi hoga ya nhi....and she didn't want you and Rittika to face any troubles because of her.

She replied recalling the conversation she had with Anupama in the car.

Vikram:- After all that Rittika did.....she was thinking about her?

He expressed his surprise at her selflessness.

Devika:- Yeah....

She confirmed.

Vikram:- If it has been anyone else....they would have complained and created a whole scene...and she didn't even think of mentioning it to me once....just so that my relationship with Rittika remains unaffected.....I mean what on earth is she?

He questioned still not being able to digest the fact that someone in this world can be that selfless.

Anuj:- That's Anu....

He stated with a smile proud of the maturity with which Anupama handled everything and Vikram looked at him amazed.

Vikram:- I should apologise....

He said turning everyone's attention towards himself.

Anuj:- What?

He asked confused.

Vikram:- I should apologise to Anu for what Rittika did....

He replied expressing his intention and both Anuj and Devika were left bewildered.

Devika:- Why?.....it's not you who did it....and it's way back in the past....I can't say Anu has moved on....but she has dealt with it....and she doesn't want an apology.....she understands.

She reasoned trying to stop an impulsive Vikram.

Vikram:- Still....

He tried to speak but Anuj interrupted.

Anuj:- Bunty....Devika is right...if it's anyone who should apologise....it should be Vanraj and Rittika.

He said wearing back his glasses as he walked towards Vikram.

Devika:- And honestly....it doesn't matter whose fault it is....Ritu is not gonna like it if you would go and apologise on her behalf... it's her decision....if she wants to apologise or not....she will deal with it in her own way.....let's not jump in the middle.

She tried to knock some sense in Vikram's mind before he does something foolish and regrets later.

Anuj:- Alright ?

He asked Vikram if he understood or not while Vikram just hummed in response.

Anuj:- Thode der pehle tune hi bola tha na ki tere office me hmm...umm...huh nhi chalta....bade jaldi bhul gaya?

He said trying to lighten the mood waiting for Vikram's confirmation.

Vikram:- Haan nhi karunga mai kuch stupid....relax.

He confirmed and both Devika and Anuj sighed in relief.

Devika:- I can't say anything about Rittika but I am damn sure Vanraj Shah doesn't feel a bit remorse about what he did to Anu.

She expressed her displeasure at Vanraj living his life peacefully without any guilt while her friend is bearing the guilt of everything that has happened wrong with his family.

Vikram:- Don't worry....he will....soon enough.

He said with a bit threatening tone that left both Anuj and Devika perplexed.

Devika:- What do you mean?

She asked for some clarification and he gave one.

Vikram:- Nothing....I m just saying....this time....we have a strong case against him....he can't escape his fate now....he will pay for what he did.

Devika:- Yeah....but he is Vanraj....I don't like to say this...but he always finds his way.

She warned reminding them of everytime she thought Vanraj will finally pay for his deeds but somehow he got out of it and instead it was Anupama who suffered.

Anuj:- Not this time....he won't.

He replied in a determined tone.

Vikram:- Anuj is right....even if he does....he won't be able to escape...I took care of that.

He added and both Devika and Anuj wondered if he is hiding something he did.

Looking at their suspecting faces, he tried to divert from the topic.

Vikram:- Yeh sab chod.... enough of these talks......pehle yeh bata tera job interview tha na...tu yha kya kar rhi?

He asked reminding Devika and Anuj of the job interview that Devika had this morning.

Anuj:- Yeah....is everything alright?....koi problem hui kya?

He asked too feeling concerned for her.

Devika:- Chill guys...mai apna interview hi to dene aayi thi yha...

She answered beaming with smile.

Anuj & Vikram:- Yha?

They asked feeling a little bit confused and surprised at the same time.

Devika:- Haan yha....aab kya kru....jab mere dono dost meri company ko sue karne pe ade hue hai....to mujhe to aab unki hi company me job leni padegi na...

She replied dramatically and both Anuj and Vikram chuckled at her antics.

Anuj:- Drama Queen...

He whispered under his breath with a smile.

Devika:- Tune kuch kha?

She said picking on the whisper.

Anuj:- Nhi to....mai to bas yeh bol rha tha ki tune hume bataya kyu nhi?

He asked quickly changing the topic and saving himself from her wrath.

Vikram:- Exactly hme warn to kar deti ki tu humare sur pe aake baithne wali hai....

He stated pretending to be annoyed.

Devika:- Listen....mujhe tum dono ke sur pe baithne ka koi shauk nhi hai...okay?....and secondly abhi maine sirf interview diya hai...job nhi mili hai mujhe....so tum dono tension mat lo....kya pata bhagwan tumahri sun le aur tumhe mujhe jhelna na pade....

She snapped at Vikram as he joked about it.

Devika had given her notice to her former company the day the bid leak had came to light. She knew the company after the news will be a sinking ship and she had no plans to drown along with it. So she gave her resignation and started searching for a new job when she got a call from AK Group for the position of consultant head. It was a level up from her previous job and remuneration was quite good. Although she felt a little hesitant at first as it was Vikram's company but she decided to take the opportunity and not let it go to waste.

Devika is a confident woman but she too has her apprehensions and doubts when it comes to life changing decisions. So when Vikram joked about her being a burden in this company, it touched the wrong nerve and she felt that she was not wanted there.

Looking at the disappointment on her face, Anuj realised that she was nervous about the job and Vikram joking about it added more to the nervousness.

Anuj:- Yrr tu to gussa ho gayi....hum mazak kar rhe the...

He said trying to lighten the mood.

Vikram:- Exactly....gussa kyu ho rhi hai...

He added and Devika looked at him in annoyance.

Anuj:- Aur rhi baat job ki to...

He was about to relieve some stress of Devika but she cut him off.

Devika:- No don't you dare.

She warned him anticipating his next words.

Anuj:- Maine to kuch bola bhi nhi...

He complained.

Devika:- Mujhe pata hai tu kya bolne wala tha aur kya karne wala tha....so don't you dare interfere with the recruitment process.....mujhe yeh job apni merit pe chahiye....teri sifaris pe nhi...

She stated her assumptions and Anuj realised she has totally misunderstood him. He just wanted to boost her confidence....not demean her skills by interfering in the recruitment process.

Anuj:- Jaan...sifaris uske liye karni padti hai...jisme kaabiliyat na ho....