Thank you so much for being patient and showing all the love and support for my fanfiction❤️❤️

Sorry for the delay. I know this chapter was supposed to be updated last Wednesday but I have been travelling for the past few days. Hence, I couldn't update it.

So let's start without any delay....

Vanraj, slowly, took a few steps ahead and peeked through the gap between the curtains only to find Anupama and Anuj Kapadia laughing and giggling with each other.

What was he still doing there?

He wondered as he stood there watching the duo from behind the curtains.

The last time he saw them together was in the Reunion party and since then he had tried to convince himself that Anuj Kapadia behaved the way he did with him because of the fraud case and not because of Anupama. He might have tried to manipulate Baa and Toshu by informing them about Anuj's crush on Anupama in college but deep down, he believed that no one can fall in love with that woman and certainly, can't stay in it for twenty seven long years, especially a business tycoon like Anuj Kapadia.

However, the recent events and seeing them so close and comfortable with each other shattered his belief and the green eyed monster in him took over his thoughts.

He knew that he couldn't deal with Anupama the way he wanted to in front of Anuj but he, for sure, knew how to sow the seeds of doubt in Anupama's mind about their friendship.

Vanraj:- Kya baat hai !!

He let out as he walked into the office with authority, disrupting the discussion going on between the duo and Anuj and Anupama looked at him startled.

Anuj & Anupama:- Mr. Shah...

They breathed in astonishment as their eyes fell on the person standing before them and wondered what he was doing here.

Meanwhile, Vanraj smirked seeing them surprised and turned to Anupama before he spoke up....

Vanraj:- Yaha to mai tumse yeh bolne aaya tha ki tum ise mere baccho se dur rakkho.....lekin tum khud yaha iske saath aise...

He commented, pointing towards Anuj but before he could finish, Anupama interrupted.

Anu:- Mr. Shah.....aap yaha kya kar rahe hai?

She questioned, getting up from the couch and Anuj followed suit feeling confused about Vanraj's comment.

Vanraj:- Abhi bataya to......lagta hai tum kisi me khoyi hui thi....suna nahi tumne dhyaan se.

He taunted and Anupama understood all his vicious insinuations but decided not to react to it in front of Anuj.

Vanraj:- Koi baat nahi.....mai fir se repeat kar deta hoo......mai yaha apne baccho ke baare me tumse baat karne aaya tha.

He repeated himself and Anupama took a deep breath hearing this.

Anu:- Boliye....kya bolna hai aapko?

She inquired, walking up to him and he looked annoyed seeing her not affected by his presence or comments.

Vanraj:- Bolna nahi.....puchana hai !!

He corrected and Anuj and Anupama looked at him in question.

Anu:- Kya?

She asked in a straight tone and Vanraj moved past her to stand before Anuj.

Vanraj:- Yahi ki tum aur tumahre is dost ki himmat kaise hui meri beti ko yaha lekar aane ki?

He stated, giving Anuj a cold glare and then turned to Anupama to have his question answered.

However, before he could say another word to Anupama, Anuj came and stood between her and Vanraj.

Anuj:- Mr. Shah....Pakhi ko Anupama nahi.....mai yaha lekar aaya tha.

He said, taking responsibility for bringing Pakhi to the dance academy and Vanraj looked at him in irritation for not letting him talk to Anupama.

Seeing that look on his face, Anupama knew that Vanraj was not going to let this go easily and hence decided to interfere but before she could, Vanraj spoke up.

Vanraj:- To kya mai jaan sakta hoo Mr. Kapadia.....aap kis haq se meri beti ko yaha lekar aaye the?.....as a matter of fact......kis haq se aap use school se lekar gaye the?

He questioned and Anuj felt a little guilty about not asking or informing Pakhi's parents before offering her a ride.

However, he took a deep breath and was about to explain that his intentions weren't wrong but Vanraj accused him of something else before he could utter a word.

Vanraj:- Aapko pata hai na aise school se dusro ke baccho ko behla fusla kar apne saath le jaane wale kaam kidnappers ke hote hai?.....aur yeh sab aap jaise bade logo ko shobha nahi deta.

He insinuated and Anupama couldn't stop herself anymore.

Anu:- MR. SHAH.......Aapka dimag kharab to nahi ho gaya....aap kya bole jaa rahe hai?

She let out in a booming tone and went on to defend Anuj in front of Vanraj while both of them looked at her stunned.

Anu:- Anuj ne Pakhi ko aise school ke bahar sunsaan road pe auto dhundte hue dekha.....isiliye use help offer ki.....aur rahi baat use yaha laane ki to Pakhi ne khud unse use yaha drop karne ko kaha tha. Wo use uski marzi ke bina yaha nahi laaye the.

She added and this irked Vanraj even more.

He was trying so hard to corner each of them with his taunts and allegations but everytime he did that with one, the other one jumped to its defence and this finally led Vanraj to lose his patience.

Mr. Shah:- LEKIN MERI MARZI KE BINA TO WO USE YAHA LEKAR AAYA THA NA?

He lashed out in frustration and both Anuj and Anupama looked at him in exasperation.

Mr. Shah:- Agar ise help karne ka itna hi shauk hai to isne Pakhi ko ghar drop kyu nahi kiya.....yaha tumahre paas kyu lekar aaya?

He questioned Anuj's intentions but Anuj kept quiet realising that Vanraj's outrage was more about his ego than his daughter's safety and he was in no mood to feed more into it.

Seeing him standing in silence, Anupama understood that Anuj doesn't want to escalate the situation and hence, she answered Vanraj on his behalf.

Anu:- Kyuki wo meri bhi beti hai aur wo yaha mujhse milne aana chahti thi isiliye wo use yaha lekar aaye....agar usne inhe bola hota ki use Shah House jaana hai....to wo use waha lekar jaate.

She said and Anuj couldn't help but notice how furiously she was defending him in front of Vanraj.

Vanraj:- To aab tum saara ilzaam Pakhi pe daal rahi ho...

He retorted, feeling infuriated and Anupama sighed in defeat hearing this.

Anu:- Mai kisipe koi ilzaam nahi daal rahi hoo Mr. Shah....bas aapse itna keh rahi hoo ki ek choti si baat ko itna bada mat banaiye.

She requested wanting to put an end to this but Vanraj was in no mood to pay heed to her request especially after how his daughter behaved with him today because of her.

Vanraj:- Mai choti si baat ko bada bana raha hoo?.....meri beti yaha se aane ke baad mujhse yeh keh rahi hai ki mai usse pyaar nahi karta....aur tum bol rahi ho ki yeh choti si baat hai......zaroor tumne hi use mere khilaf bhadkaya hoga.

He accused her in anger and Anuj tried to keep his patience after hearing this.

He couldn't tolerate Vanraj hurling insults and allegations at Anupama and knew very well how to shut him up but he didn't......not solely because it was Anupama's personal matter but because he had faith in her.....faith that she can handle Vanraj or anyone else on her own and she didn't prove him wrong.

Anu:- Mujhe samajh nahi aata.....aap har baat ghuma phira ke mujhpe kaise lete aate hai.

She retorted in a tone as furious as Vanraj and not being able to do anything, he warned her.

Vanraj:- Kyuki meri zindagi ke saare fasaad ki jad sirf tum ho.....isiliye mujhpe ek meherbaani karo aur mere baccho se dur raho.....especially Pakhi se to bahut dur.

He said but Anupama didn't hold back this time.

Anu:- Aap jisse mujhe dur rehne ko keh rahe hai na Mr. Shah....wo meri bhi beti hai.

She reminded him that Pakhi is her daughter as well and Vanraj couldn't help but threaten her with the fact that he has Pakhi's custody.

Vanraj:- Lekin hak uspe sirf mera hai.....yeh baat tum yaad rakhna.

He stated and Anupama had enough of him now.

Anu:- Pita hone ka hak jatane se pehle....pita hone ka farz nibhana seekh lete aap to bahut accha hota.....Aap jitna wakt mujhpe ilzaam lagane me bitate hai na Mr. Shah.....usme se zara sa wakt agar apne baccho se baat karne me bita lete.....to aapko pata chalta ki Anuj ne Pakhi ke liye aaj kya kiya hai aur choti si baat itni badi nahi banti.

She asked him to stop asserting his rights and start performing his duties as a father but Vanraj was too proud to listen or understand.

He had come to the academy to threaten her but her attitude and Anuj's presence has made it impossible for him to do so. Nothing seemed to go as per his plan and he rolled his eyes in agitation as he heard Anupama lecturing him on being a good father and Anuj standing on the side with a proud look on his face.

Anu:- Baccho ki sirf financial needs puri karne se kuch nahi hota Mr. Shah......unki emotional needs bhi puri karni hoti hai.....mujhe nahi pata Pakhi ne aapse yeh sab kyu kaha.....lekin itna to pata hai ki usne yeh sab randomly nahi kaha hoga..... zaroor aapne uspe gussa kiya hoga.....chillaya hoga....kisi baat pe.....aur mujhe achi tarah se pata hai wo baat kya hai....Isiliye mujhse yaha behas karne se accha hai.....aap ghar jaake Pakhi pe chillane ki jagah.....use samjhaiye.....usse baat kijeye. Aap kabhi acche pati nahi ban paaye.....kamsekam acche pita to ban jaiye.

She further added and the last comment infuriated Vanraj even more.

Vanraj:- Accha pita hone ka paath mujhe us aurat se to bilkul seekhne ki zarurat nahi hai jo apna basa basaya ghar tod ke yha akele dance academy me itni raat ko apne....

He snapped at her with a taunt but Anupama cut him off before he could finish.

Anu:- Don't you dare !!

She warned, knowing well what his next words were going to be and Anuj looked at her and Vanraj in bewilderment.

Anu:- Don't you dare drag him in between.

She repeated herself and Vanraj smirked realising that he finally got under her skin.

Vanraj:- Are mai use beech me kyu le aaunga....beech me to mai aaya hoo tum dono ke.

He said, looking at Anupama and she closed her eyes in disgust.

Meanwhile, Anuj noticed her discomfort and wanted to interfere but stopped as he was still perplexed as to what was going on.

However, his confusion didn't stay for long as Vanraj turned towards him and sneered.

Vanraj:- I am so sorry Mr. Kapadia.....meri wajah se aap dono ki yeh special shaam kharab ho gayi.

He made a snide comment and Anuj's eyes finally snapped open realising what taunts Vanraj has been passing all along.

How low can this person stoop to just to feed his ego?

Anuj wondered, trying to digest this whole situation while Anupama glared at Vanraj in a warning to stop but he ignored it and went on to make another derogatory remark about the duo.

Vanraj:- I am sure....agar mai nahi aata to.....is sunsaan dance academy me aap dono ke liye aaj ki yeh raat kaafi yaadgar hoti.

He stated and Anuj took off his glasses in anger hearing this.

There might not be a limit to how low Vanraj can stoop but there certainly was a limit to how much Anuj can tolerate and Vanraj had almost exhausted that limit.

All Anuj wanted to do at that moment was to clutch Vanraj's collar and throw him out of the dance academy like he did at the night of the reunion party but he stopped himself for he knew it was Anupama's personal matter and he shouldn't interrupt until she can't handle it or asks for help.

Meanwhile, Anupama walked up to Vanraj in small determined steps and began in a threatening tone.

Anu:- MR. SHAH....

She stated in a cold voice and Vanraj looked at her in annoyance.

Anu:- Aap mujhe apne office ki partiyon me nahi leke jaate the kyuki aapko mere haathon se masalo ki badbu aati thi....lekin.....Mere to sirf haathon se masaalo ki badbu aati thi.....aapki to baaton se aati hai....aapki vicharo se aati hai.....ghatiya soch aur ochepan ki badbu.

She called him out on his disgusting remarks and asked him to stay away from her friends and her workplace.

Anu:- Isiliye mujhpe ek meherbaani kariye aur mere kaam ki jagah se aur mere dosto se dur hi rahiye.

She said and Vanraj was about to snap at her again but this time Anupama stopped him before he could start.

Anu:- Aur apne muh se ek aur ghatiya shabd nikalne se pehle ek baar reunion party wali raat yaad kar lijeyega.....jo us din hua wo wapas bhi ho sakta hai.

She threatened and Vanraj lost it this time.

Vanraj:- Anupama.....apni hadd me raho....nahi to...

He said, taking a step towards her in rage but before he could get close, Anuj came in between and stood there in front of her as a shield.

Anuj:- Aur tum Anupama se kamsekam pachaas metre dur !!

He stated as he wore back his glasses and looked at Vanraj in a death glare while Anupama took a gulp seeing them like that.

Vanraj:- Yeh ek maa baap ke beech ki baat hai Mr. Kapadia.....behtar hoga aap beech me na aaye.

He warned, trying to get rid of Anuj but he didn't budge from his position knowing well that Vanraj was trying to physically intimidate Anupama.

Anupama, on the other hand, tried to diffuse the situation by asking Vanraj to leave.

Anu:- Aur behtar hoga aap yaha se chale jaaye Mr. Shah....kyuki mujhe aapse baat karne me koi interest nahi hai.

She said and Anuj smirked at Vanraj hearing this.

Anuj:- Sun liya....now leave.

He dictated, gesturing towards the door but Vanraj stood there fuming in anger, looking at Anupama.

He so wanted to berate and lash out at her but couldn't because of Anuj's involvement. He knew that he had crossed his lines now and if he went beyond this, it might affect the deal his lawyer was trying to make with the AK Group.

So, he controlled himself and turned to leave.

As he reached the office door, Anupama called out to him from behind.

Anu:- Mr. Shah.....Aap jaa to rahe hai.....lekin yeh yaad rakhiyega......agar ghar jaake aapne mera gussa Pakhi pe wapas se utarne ki kosis ki ya use mujhse milne se roka to......

She trailed off and Vanraj turned to look back at her.

Vanraj:- To?

He asked, assuming that she was trying to make some empty threats but Anupama surprised him.

Anu:- To mai wahi karungi jo ek mahine pehle aap is case ke dam pe mere saath karne wale the.

She said and Vanraj immediately understood what she meant.

Knowing that he was in no position to retaliate, Vanraj just huffed in anger and left.

As soon as he walked out the door, Anupama put a hand over her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

No matter how strong Anupama presented herself in front of everyone, the truth was that it was hard dealing with Vanraj and his presence around made her feel anxious and jittery from inside.

She might not show it but it didn't go unnoticed by Anuj that she was affected and honestly who wouldn't be after hearing such disgusting remarks.

Anuj:-Tum theek ho?

He inquired, taking a step towards her but Anupama was still overcoming the scene Vanraj had created.

Anu:- Sorry meri wajah se wo tamasha...

She tried to apologise to Anuj for it but words failed her and Anuj got worried seeing this.

Anuj:- Anu....tum theek to ho na?

He asked again but Anupama was too buried in her thoughts to hear his question and answer.

Anu:- Samajh hi nahi aata.....unki problem hai kya?.....kyu mujhe chain se nahi jeene dete.....are Pakhi ke baare me baat karne aaye the to Pakhi ke baare me karte na.....usme unhe aapko beech me laane ki kya zarurat thi.....

She complained, leaning against the office desk kept behind her and Anuj looked at her in anxiousness.

Anuj:- Anupama....mai puch raha hoo.....are you alright?

He questioned aloud and Anupama replied in an instant finally hearing this.

Anu:- Nahi.

She said, looking back at him and Anuj realised she was too overwhelmed with her emotions.

Without saying a word, he walked up to her side and leaned on the office desk kept behind them.

They stood there in silence, side by side for a few minutes, gazing at the wall when Anuj felt a tug on his sleeve and looked down to find Anupama unconsciously clutching the cuffs of his suit tightly with her fingers.

He looked at his hand and then at her. In the last few days, so much has happened that he has witnessed a strong and furious Anupama he met at the reunion party for the first time after twenty seven years slowly weighing down under the pressure of the issues created by her ex-husband and in-laws.

It was not easy for him to see her like that and he feared that if things are allowed to continue in the same manner, Anupama will have a breakdown one day and there will be no one around to support her because she would never let anyone in on her feelings like she was doing right now.

Her fingers were unknowingly clutching the cuffs of his blazer for some comfort and Anuj so wanted to replace those cuffs with his hand but he knew that he couldn't. If he moves even an inch, Anupama will become conscious and will withdraw her hands, losing the support and comfort her heart was trying to hold onto for sometime at that moment.

Hence, he stood there in silence with his eyes fixed on the wall waiting for Anupama to relax a bit and after a few minutes, she finally did and turned towards him only to find him lost in his own thoughts.