I had another almost panic attack. Another victim of rape. Another death. I was sitting in Rohan's office as Rohan brought me some water.

"Sanjana, here," Rohan said as he placed a cold water bottle in my hand.

"Ro,"

"Hmm?"

"Why don't you ask me anything?"

"It's your secret Sanjana, I'm whenever you're ready you'll tell me," he said with a small smile as he tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"What if... What if I never get the courage to do so? What if--"

"It doesn't matter, I don't want to know it," he said as he cradled my face in his hands and I closed my eyes.

"You're too understanding," I said, tears welling in my eyes.

"Why are you crying?" He whispered.

"Nothing, just overwhelmed," I murmured as he wiped my tears.

"Awe," he said as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in a hug.

"Thank you for being so patient," I murmured as I clutched his shirt.

We both sprang apart when the door to his office slammed open. In walked Sunil, followed by Monica who was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"How is my favourite couple?" Monica asked.

She didn't even wait for an answer as she walked closer to us and then sat in between us. Sunil just shook his head as he dragged a chair and sat on that.

"What are the plans for Diwali? We came in to ask that," Sunil said.

"Kyu! Kuch hua kya?"

"We were just planning something but then most probably that lady will be staying..." Monica trailed off.

"I told Monu that she always stays for Diwali and we can't do anything since diwali is in 8 days,"

"Forget it Monica, let's just go with the flow,"

"Go with the flow? I wasn't meant to go with the flow," she snorted.

"My goodness you drama queen, just shut the hell up!"

"Urgh!"

"Should we head home, it's almost 6 and I'm hungry,"

"Yeah, let's go I'm super tired and all I wanna do is eat and sleep," I murmured as I stretched my muscles.

°

"I want that girl to serve me food," the old lady said as she pointed her finger in my direction.

"Ma," Vicky uncle began but stopped when that old lady glared in his direction.

I sighed as I got up and served her the dal. As I was placing the rice bowl, my leg slipped and the rice bowl dropped to the ground, shattering into pieces.

"I'm... I'm sorry," I squeaked out as I bent down to pick it up.

"Nonsense! Is this your daughter-in-law? I knew it this girl was trouble!" The old lady shouted.

Rohan was by my side as he helped me with the mess. My hands were trembling and my heart was beating frantically.

"Ma calm down,"

"Calm down? How do I calm down? You didn't listen to me when I told you that get Rohan married to Lalita! And then you got him married to whom? This used girl? This characterless girl?"

"Ma! You have no right to talk to her like that!" Mom snapped.

"Why? Your husband got a shameless girl like you! Rohan got this characterless girl who you guys probably don't know! A used girl! Do you not know her past? Hmm? I'm sure this cunning girl wouldn't have said anything! Why don't you say what you did at the age of 17 in Bhatinda ha? You gave yourself to those guys didn't you?! Ruining my niece's son with your dirty--"

"Enough!" Rohan screamed.

I was trembling and not caring about this mess I rushed to the rooms only to be stopped by Rohan's hold around my wrist.

"Apologize to my wife this instant," he grit out.

"Let go," I whispered.

He let go and I rushed out of the room.

"You should be ashamed! You're a woman? Shame on you! And even if she has something that is her secret, she will be the one to say anything, you don't fucking get the chance to do so! She is my wife with or without that past and nothing can fucking change that! I'm leaving this house with my wife, I'm not staying in the house where my wife is insulted this way!" I heard Rohan faintly before I slammed the door to the bedroom shut and drowned the voices.

My breathing was coming in gasps and my mind was starting to spin.

Calm down. Breathe in. Breathe out.

The funny thing was I couldn't find it in me to breathe. I couldn't breath at all. My vision was starting to blur and I could see black spots around my eyes. I felt arms wrap around me, a faint voice calling out for me as my hands were placed on a chest. I could hear the thumping of someone's heart under my hands.

"Sanjana love, breathe, come on I'm here," I heard faintly over the thumping of my heart.

"Sanjana," this time the voice was clearer.

"Come on baby, just breath for me please,"

Slowly I got my control over my breathing and as I calmed down, I felt the tears on my shoulder, where Rohan's head was.

"Ro---Rohan," I croaked out.

"Are you okay? D-do you need anything? Water? Should I call a doctor? Are you--"

"Rohan," I said, tears welling in my eyes are I looked at his face.

"I'm so sorry Sanjana,"

"Why are you crying?"

"Am I? I was just so scared and angry and I didn't--"

He couldn't finish his sentence because I broke crying. Sobbing against his chest as I fisted his shirt while pressing one of my hand over my heart. I was physically aching.

"Hey please don't cry,"

"I'm sorry,"

"Don't be sorry," he said as he rocked us a little.

Once my sobs died down, he got to his feet, pulled me up and sat me down on the bed while he packed a bag.

"Come on, we're not living here for some time," Rohan said.

"I--"

"Kya hua?"

"Nothing, let's just stay here only,"

"Sanjana,"

"Let's just stay here okay? Now I'll go and change,"

I ran to the bathroom before he even answered back. Once I had washed my face and changed, I walked to the bed and sat on the edge.

"Sanjana,"

"Hmm?" I turned to him with a smile.

"Don't do that?"

"Don't do what?"

"Don't close your walls, don't close me out, I know what you're doing but don't,"

I scoffed at his comment.

"Are you seriously doing this? Are you--"

"Yes I'm being selfish by making this all about me but don't close out on me, it took me long enough to get so close to you, I cannot afford to lose all this just because some other person said some very bad things, this is unfair Sanjana, I didn't do anything you don't get to do that to me," he said close to tears as he faced me.

"I'm sorry," I murmured as I slid closer to him and wrapped my arms around his neck for a brief moment before laying down on the bed and closing my eyes.

After about an hour of tossing and turning around in the bed, I sat up and looked at Rohan only to find him peacefully sleeping. Without even giving it much thought, I dialled my father's number.

"Sanju babu,"

I don't know, maybe it was my dad's warm voice or the unfortunate events of the evening, I started crying again.

"Sanju, why are you crying? Is everything alright?"

I clamped a hand over my mouth to drown out my voice as dad fretted on the other side. I didn't even notice Rohan taking the phone out of my hand as I continued to cry.

"Ji papa, no I'll tell you everything tomorrow morning, don't worry I've got her, I'm sorry papa," he said.

"Sanjana, sweetheart kya hua?"

"I just..." I couldn't form any words, all I wanted to do was cry.

Rohan sighed as he wrapped his arm around me and cradled me to his chest and let me cry.

"I'm sorry I'm crying again," I murmured.

"Don't be sorry,"

"It's just that... Never once did anyone make me feel as if I was at fault, and when someone called me that my father was there with me always, and today I just felt so naked out there I felt so ashamed to be out there,"

"Shhh baby, you're never at fault, you never were at fault Sanjana,"

"I know it but sometimes I can't help be feel like I'm at fault, these people just..."

"Hush Sanjana, nothing changes facts,"

"Maybe you should have married that other girl,"

"Shut up and stop talking nonsense otherwise I'll kiss you!"

That threat made me laugh out laugh, even snort as I let my head fall back.

"Ah there's the smile that I love," he said as he wiped my face.

______________________________

Hey sweets!

Urm... Don't kill me please!!! *begging on my knees*

But did you guys notice something??? He called her baby twice. Ahhhhh I'm a proud mama!!