Sonakshi yelped as she slipped, with Rohit on her. She held his shoulder as she felt him holding her head so it didn't hit the ground. She looked baffled as she looked around. He looked concerendly at her. "Are you okay?"

Sonaksh looked at him. "Haan...haan...wo..." Sonakshi shook her head, closing her eyes and then looking back at him. "Tum...tum kab aye?"

"Forty-five minutes hogaya."

"Oh..."

"Tum to Pooja ke sath busy thi uss Puppy ko leke..." Rohit gave her a complaining expression. "Dekha bhi nahi mujhe ander ate huya."

"To tum bula lete."

"Kyun? Mujhe kya padi hai." Rohit made a childlike face. Sonakshi suppressed a smile at that. "Tum to bhul hi gayi mujhe. Ek call tak nahi kiya."

"Are..."

"Haan aur nahi to kya..." Rohit tilted his head sideways, putting his lips on her neck. Sonakshi couldn't help but smile. "Kitni baar call ki maine par tumne uthaya hi nahi." He mumbled against her skin.

That reminded Sonakshi what she was so occupied with. Her father in law's ultimatum about her profession. He called her and directly told her to choose between her profession and the family. No beating around the brush, no indirect taunt. She had heard stories about this dilemma many times. Even her mother warned about that constantly which she had found unnecessary and very cynical of her mother back then. And now she wasn't as sorted and prepared to deal with it as she thought.

Rohit lifted his head to look at her as he realised she was completely distracted and wasn't responding to him as she usually did. "Sona?"

"Huh?"

He brushed her cheek. "Kya hua? Kya soch rahi ho?"

Sonakshi shook her head, "Nahi... wo... Nishi bua aur Yk ke anniversary party hai na... chalo. Ready hona hai."

"Haan ho jayenge. Thodi attention mujhe bhi dedo."

"Rohit..."

"Kya?"

"Utho na..."

Rohit huffed. "Fine."

Sonakshi gave a soft chuckle as they got up with Rohit all wrapped in towel and the sari she was trying on. As he struggled with the entanglement, Sonakshi laughed at him.

"Bahut hasi aa rahi hai tumhe..." Rohit pulled her towards him as she squealed, "Why don't you join me?"

Sonakshi giggled. "Rohit chodo. Mujhe party ke liye outfit decide karna hai."

"Haan to main madad kar deti hoon tumhari, decide karne mein bhi aur ready hone mein bhi..."

"Koi zaroorat nahi hai! Jao!" Sonakshi pushed him to the washroom, laughing.

____________________________________

Sonakshi helped Rohit with the coat.

"Sona..." Rohit turned towards her.

"Hmm?"

"Mujhe tumse poochna tha...ki maine jab kal call kiya tha to mom bol rahi thi tumhe papa ne bulaya." Sonakshi's expression changed as she looked at Rohit. "Kya hua? Tumse kya baat karna tha unhe?"

Sonakshi turned to the mirror, avoiding eye contact with him. "Kuch nahi, bas aise hi..."

Rohit frowned at her. He held her shoulder and turned her towards him. "Sona, kya bola papa ne tumhe?" As Sonakshi didn't reply Rohit continued, " Kahi tumhari kaam ko to leke phir se kuch ..."

"Chodo na, Rohit. Mujhe party ke liye ready hona hai."

Rohit's jaw tightened. "Kya bola unhone? Sona, we promised ki ek dusre se kuch nahi chhupayenge!"
Oh really? And you're the one to hold her to that? His mind remarked as soon as he said that. But he ignored that at the moment.

Sonakshi looked piqued. "Rohit baad mein baat karenge iss bareme...please."

Rohit looked at her face for a moment, then decided to drop it for then. "Thik hai, baad mein karenge baat." implying that he wasn't going to drop the matter once and for all.

____________________________

Rohit heaved a sigh of relief as she saw her falling asleep on the couch's hand rest in the balcony. He noticed she changed into the sari he bought from delhi. It looked good on her. Anything looked good one her. He rubbed his face in frustration. He was tired of arguing with YK and Nishi bua to drop the 'Rani' idea and keep Sonakshi out of it. And he was so exhausted from hiding about Rani from Sonakshi. Everytime she expressed her suspicion about her body double Rohit was tired of pretending oblivious.

"But Rohit, what if she is telling the truth?" Sonakshi asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean what if she is actually Pooja's biological mother?"

Rohit looked dumbfounded at her.

"We can't let this go...agar wo pooja ki biological ma hai bhi to bhi hum usse Pooja ki faida nahi uthane de sakti, hume background check karna chahiye uska," Sonakshi continued. Rohit looked away, not saying anything. "Aaj ayi thi wo mere paas, ro rahi thi ki Pooja se sirf ek bar miladu and all. I could clearly see Rohit, wo acting kar rahi thi. She was totally fake!" Sonakshi's tone was incredulous. "Pata nahi maqsad kya hai uski...she is not safe at all.Kal pata nahi wo ghar aa sakti hai, ya Pooja ka peechha kar sakti hai...hum..."

"Aisa kuch nahi hoga?" Rohit cut her off curtly. Sonakshi looked weirdly at him.Rohit closed his eyes to compose himself then looked at her. "Sona, tum... Pooja will be fine. Tum... you don't worry. I'll handle everything"

"But Rohit tum kaise..."

"Aur tumhe aaj shoot pe nahi jaana? Appointment bhi hai Swati ke sath aaj..."

"Par Rohit..."

"Come on, come on...let's go."Rohit pushed her to the washroom. "Roz kehte ho distance jyada hai, shoot pe late ho jata hai... I'll ask vimmi to pack your lunch." And Rohit already left the room, leaving Sonakshi agitated and confused.

The truth was Rohit was just ashamed. Ashamed of the whole idea of trying to con his sister. And he was scared that his Sona would loathe him if she knew. That she wouldn't love him anymore. Even though a part of him knew that he was being unreasonable, that his Sona would never stop loving him. But another part just couldn't help fearing losing her. What is he gonna tell her? That why did he want to do that? Why was he so scared of Pooja finding out about her biological parents? Why did he stoop so low to the extent of even thinking of manipulating his sister by a stranger? To play with her emotions when she was already so sensitive? He didn't have answers to these questions. He couldn't answer these questions.

He saw her stir as a teardrop fell on her face. She looked disoriented as she wiped her face and looked around. "Sorry, main wait karte karte sou gayi?" She pulled Rohit by hand to sit beside her. "Aao baitho baitho." Sonakshi noticed his bloodshot eyes. "Kya hua tum..."

"Kuch nahi... Sorry main...Khana lene gaya tha waha...wo...lekin main..."

"Kya lekin?"

"Nishi bua mil gayi to...unke sath der ho gayi wahi pe..."

"Kya bol rahi thi? Papa ko leke kuch...?" Sonkshi's expression was dejected, "Naraz honge wo bahut..."

"Sona..."

"Nahi, mujhe pata hai wo bahut upset hai mujhse. Mujhe samajh hi nahi ata, Rohit ki ..." Sonakshi paused, looking for words. "...ki main kya karu unhe manane ke liye."

"Sona..."

"Nahi Rohit, I konw wo complicated hai, difficult hai... I know that! Par mumma bhi aisi hi hai. Unke sath bhi meri nazariya kahi bar nahi milti. Lekin mujhe pata hai... Mujhe pata hai ki mumma ko kaise manana hai! Ek extra event, ek extra shift aur wo maan jati hai. I know mom ke kaise manana hai. Just spend some time with her in the kitchen or garden, khush ho jaati hai wo. Lekin papa... I don't know unka dil kaise jitu main." Sonakshi looked distressed.

"Par Sona, kyun? Kyun jitna hai tumhe unka dil?"

"Kyun ki...bas hai Rohit." Sonakshi looked frustrated. "Wo papa hai mere! You know jab unhone sangeet mein mujhe beta kaha to...to mujhe itna achchha laga. Mujhe laga iss baar main koi galti nahi karungi. Unhe hurt nahi karungi. Iss bar I'll do everything right."

Rohit frowned at her words.

Sonakshi had a lost look in her eyes as she continued, "You know main Swati ko bol rahi thi mere bachpan ke bareme. Mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai wo din jab papa ghar wapas nahi aye the. Mumma call kar rahi thi unhe, alag alag logo ko, unka pata karne ke liye.
Maine uss din wo jaane se pehle unse nayi colour box ke liye zid kar rahi thi. Aur jab wo wapas nahi aye mujhe laga wo mujhse naraz hoke chale gaye." Sonakshi gave a soft chuckle at her silliness. "Mujhe bachpan mein yahi lagta tha ki wo mujhse naraj hoke chale gaye. Ki agar maine mumma ko pareshan kya, kuch maangi, zid ki to wo bhi mujhe chod ke chali jayengi. Wo bahut pareshan rehti thi. Hamesha chhidi hui. Lekin jab mujhe koi kaam mil ta tha, ya kaam ke baad jab check milta tha to unke chehre pe jo khushi hoti thi na Rohit, main hamesha uski intezar mein rehti thi. Jab mujhe pehli baar main lead ka role mila, KPK mein, pehli baar Rohit, sola saal mein pehli baar wo puri raat mere sath thi, mujhe itna pamper kiya, jaise bachpan mein karti thi, papa ke jane se pehle." Sonakshi's eyes were filled with tears as a small smile played on her lips. "Aur phir itna pamper mujhe tab mila jab tum meri zindagi mein aaye." Sonakshi looked at him, chuckling. "Hamari shaadi se pehle. Mujhe to laga hi nahi tha wo hamari rishte ke liye manegi. Lekin wo itna khush thi, itna khayal rakha, itna attentive thi meri pasand, meri khushi ke bareme...taki sab kuch achchhe se ho jaye... unhone Pari ko bhi daanta! Mere liye! I haven't seen her like this in years. You got my old mumma back." She smiled at him, carefully wiping the tears away before it could fall from her eyes. Rohit looked at her, lost of words. He always thought she lacked boundaries with her mother. That she cared too much about everyone's approval. That she neglected her own emotional needs too much. He never understood why his father's validation meant so much to her. Even though he was aware of her past he never realised how deep her insecurities ran, how scared she was that her needs will chastise her loved ones away.

"Lekin Papa..." Sonakshi frowned, remembering what she was talking about. " Papa pata nahi kyun itna naraz rehta hai mujhse. Mujhe samajh nahi aata ki kaise manau unhe. Main kya karu ki maan jaye." Sonakhi looked at Rohit, then suddenly realised he was completely silent throughout her blabbering. "Main bhi na..." She touched her forehead, closing her eyes. "Kya emotional baatein leke baith gayi. Tumhe bhook lagi hai aur main yaha bekar ki baatein kari jaa rahi hoon. Wait main khana leke aati hoon."

She made to leave but Rohit stopped her and shook his head. "Nahi rehne do. Maan nahi kar raha."

Sonakshi pressed her lips in slight disappointment. "To phir chalo so jate hai"

Rohit got up with her as she pulled him to the room.

" Arre pehle change karke ati hoon... tum bhi chalo." Sonakshi said to Rohit as he just kept looking at her. "Rohit!" Sonakshi called a little louder.

"Hmm..." Rohit only hummed, still didn't know how to react. All he wanted right now was to hug her tight and kiss all her wounds away.

"Chalo! Change nahi karna?" Sonakshi asked again.

He only nodded, heading to the closet with her.As they changed and got into bed Sonakshi wrapped her hands around him and he hugged back. He looked down at her and kissed on her cheek, bending down.

"I love you." he whispered.

She smiled, "I love you too."

"And I love taking care of you."

Sonakshi smiled at him.

He continued, "I love your nakhre, your gussa, your narazgi, I love you when you're a jalkukdi, when you're ziddi and when you're chidchida and even when you're Parvati" Rohit chuckled softly, 'I always love you, Sona." When Rohit looked down, he saw her asleep already. It had been a long day. He moved a hair strand off her face and tightened his arms around her. "And I always will, I promise." He whispered, more to himself, holding her close to never let go.

________________________________________________________________________________

Sonakshi entered the house at 8 in the morning after a 12 hours shift. It had been a hectic week and she had barely spent time with Rohit since Nishi Bua's anniversary function. She was dead tired. And she had her next shift at 4pm.

"Vimmi," Sonakshi called Vimmi as she passed by, "Rohit hai ghar pe? Ya nikla nahi hospital se?"

"Haan bhabi, room mein hai. Adha ghanta pehle hi aya hai."

"Achchha." Sonakshi looked around to find the dining area empty, "Aur breakfast kar liya sab ne?"

"Haan bhabi, par Rohit bhaiya ne nahi kiya. Aap room mein jaiye, main aap dono ka breakfast room mein leke aa rahi hoon."

"Okay."

As Sonakshi entered the room she saw Rohit lying on the bed, probably sleeping. He too had to stay the whole night at the hospital for an emergency. She moved to the washroom to freshen up.

Sonakshi changed into her comfortable pjs and got into bed. Maybe she could catch a few winks before her next shift. She carefully got under the sheet and snuggled beside him. Then bend and pressed her lips to his cheek lightly. But as soon as her lips touched his skin the burning sensation startled her. Sonakshi pulled back and touched his cheek. That woke Rohit up as he squinted at her.

"Hi, Sona," he mumbled, "Main intezar kar raha tha tumhara." He scooted closer to her.

Sonakshi straightened up, sitting. "Rohit, bukhar hai tumhe!" She tried to get up but Rohit stopped her.

"Kaha jaa rahi ho?"

"Arre, check karna padega na."

Rohit only groaned in protest, tightening his arms around her waist. "Stay."

Sonakshi tutted and stretched to the bedside table, manoeuvring herself to take out the first aid box from that position. As she took out the thermometer and put it on his mouth. She gave a loud gasp at his temperature.

"Rohit, Bahut bukhar hai tumhe!" She got up, ignoring his protest and called Vimmi on intercom, instructing her as she rummaged the box, fishing out medicine.

She cut the call, sitting beside Rohit as he immediately moved his head over her lap, burying his face against her stomach and pulled the blanket over him tightly.

_______

"Arre, Vimmi, yeh sab kaha le jaa rahi ho?" Nishi asked as Vimmi passed by her with a tray full of food, a compress and a bowl of cold water.

"Rohit bhaiya ke room mein. Unhe bukhar aaya hai na."

"Achchha. Bhabi aa gayi wapas?"

"Nahi wo to nahi aayi abhi tak."

"To phir yeh sab kisne mangwayi?"

"Sona bhabi ne." Vimmi said leaving.

_______

"Haan Vimmi aao" Sonakshi called out as Vimmi knocked on the door. Vimmi came in and kept the tray on the bedside table.

Sonakshi nudged him to get up, "Rohit uthooo! Breakfast karlo, phir medicine bhi lena hai."

Rohit got up reluctantly, slightly peeved.

"Vimmi, jara mera phone do na, wo mere bag mein hai,." Sonakshi said,putting a spoonful of food into Rohit's mouth. "Tum na ek kaam karo, tulsi ka kadha bana ke lao, mein Muniya ko call karke bol rahi hoon tumhe recipe bol de." Sonakshi said, taking the phone from Viimmi.

"Bhabi, recipe ki zaroorat nahi hai, Veena ma'am ek kadha banwati hai, wo bana ke lau?"

Sonakshi's eyes lit up at that."Great! Haan leke aao."

Rohit who was chewing silently till now, swallowed his mouthful and said, "In sab ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Khana khake, medicine le lunga, thik ho jaunga."

Sonakshi tutted and ignored him. "Vimmi tum jao. Kadha leke aao."

"Thik hai, bhabi. Veena ma'am soup bhi banwati hai. Wo bhi leke aau?"

Rohit looked irritatingly at Vimmi.

"Haan lao na. Breakfast ke sath hi le ati. Waise mumma kaha hai?" Sonakshi asked.

"Veena ma'am to kal apni seheli ke ghar gayi thi night stay ke liye, aayi nahi abhi tak."

"Thank God, ek hi kaafi hai." Rohit mumbled.

"Haan?"

Rohit shook his head. Sonakshi moved her attention back to Vimmi again. "Ajit hai ghar pe?"

"Haan bhabi, neeche dining table pe hai sab ke sath."

"Achchha Ajit ko bolo, Tulsi ko call karke bol de ki Rohit aaj hospital nayi ayega. Wo aur Dr. Dimpy handle karle appointments."

"Arre iski koi zaroorat nahi hai..." Rohit stopped as Sonakshi glared at him. He sighed in defeat, taking another bite.

"Haan Vimmi, tum jao, bol do."

As Vimmi left Sonakshi gave Rohit the glass of water with the medicine.

"Itna overreact karne ki ko zaroorat nahi hai. Bukhar hi hai, utar jayega, appointments bhi attend kar lunga." Rohit said, gulping the medicine.

"Dr. Surgeon! Apni doctari abhi dikhani ki koi zaroorat nahi hai! Jab meri temperature sirf ek degree badh gayi thi na tab tumne mujhe almost poore din kamre se nikalne nahi di. Main phir bhi bahut chhut de rahi hoon tumhe. Tum aaj kahin bahar nahi jaa rahe ho."

"Okay, fine!" Rohit lay down on her lap again as she kept the food plate aside and dipped the compress in cold water to apply on him.

________

"Yeh itna hungama kyun hai yaha?" Yk looked around at the hustling staff.

"Arre, Rohit ko bukhar aya hai." Nisha spread the jam on her piece of bread.

"Achchha. To Veena bhabi agayi?"

"Nahi, wo abhi tak Seema ke ghar pe hai." Nishi replied. As YK looked confusedly at her she continued, "Arre yeh sab? Sonakshi ne bola hai."

"Kya baat hai! Veena bhabi ke nakshe kadam par chal rahi hai." YK remarked, smirking.

"Step by step." Nishi gestured with her butterknife.

"To hum bet kyun nahi laga rahe hai?" Ajit asked enthusiastically, sitting down beside YK.

"Ajit bhaiya, Sona bhabi ne kaha hai hospital inform karde ki Rohit bhaiya aaj nahi jaa rahe hai." Vimmi said as she passed by the dining table. Before Ajit could question farther she was gone to the kitchen.

"Chariyo..." Nishi pulled his attention on her again. "bua saans hoon main uski, main apni bahu pe bet lagau? Tauba!" Nishi bit on her piece of bread. "Haan bhabi hoti to alag baat thi."

"Arre, par meri to bhabi hai, na? Main to laga hi sakta hoon. Aur mom ke methods aur unke chronology ke to ratte lag gaye. Maja nahi ata bet laga ke aab. Maidan mein naya ghora aya hai, baazi to laga ni hi chahiye..." A flying smack landed on his head from YK as soon as he finished the sentence.

"Aise baat karte hai apni bhabi ke baare mein..." YK scolded.

"Arre main to..." Ajit fumbled, looking dejected.

_______________________________

Sonakshi threaded her fingers through his hair absentmindedly as she lay there with Rohit half on his stomach, his head on her shoulder , face buried into her neck and arms wrapped around her waist. His temperature came down, much to Sonskshi's relief.

"Kya soch rahe ho?" Rohit asked.

Sonakshi looked down at Rohit, slightly surprised as she thought he fell asleep.

She sighed looking away. "Kuch nahi...bas..."

"Kya bas?" Rohit prodded as she paused.

"Bas yehi ki bukhar tha tumhe aur main puri raat thi bhi nahi yaha. Mujhe pata bhi nahi tha."

Rohit frowned. "Matlab? Tumhe kaise pata hoga?"

"Wohi to. I wasn't here at all pata hone keliye."

Rohit's frown deepened. "Haan to main bhi nahi tha na yaha. Hospital mein tha main. Aur bukhar to puri raat tha bhi nahi. Subha aaya bas."

Sonakshi tutted.

"Sonaaa, kya bol rahe ho?" Rohit propped himself on his elbow.

"Yahi ki Rohit mujhe dhyan rakhna chahiye tha. To phir bukhar ata hi na." Sonakshi said frustratingly.

Rohit gave her a weird look. "Iska kya matlab hai? Sona, shooting khatam ho gayi hai. Aur tum ghar aa chuki ho. To yeh bukhar se le ke earthquake tak sab kuch ki zimmedar Parvati hoti hai. Tum nahi."

Sonakshi nudged him, "Rohit!"

Rohit chuckled softly, getting up to a sitting position as Sonakshi got up with him. "Arre Sona... kyun itna pareshan ho rahi ho? Bukhar utar gaya na abhi? Aur main koi bachcha thodi hoon ki koi dhyan nahi rakhega to bimar pad jaungi. Ab tum bhi to puri puri raat kaam karti rehti ho, apna dhyan nahi rakhti, weak ho jati ho. Meal skip karti ho, bp low ho jata hai tumhara. Itna kehta hoon sunti hi nahi ho meri baat. Ab main iske liye khudko kosna shuru kar doon? Puri raat hospital main tha yaar. Thak gaya tha, weather bhi thodi thik nahi hai, aur... main bhi thoda careless tha to aa gaya bukhar. Ab isme kya hai? Tum na yeh parvati ko set pe chod ke aaya karo."

She pressed her lips and looked down.

"Kya?" Rohit prodded. "Ab kya soch rahi ho?"

Sonakshi shook her head, not meeting his eyes.

"Sona!" Rohit tugged at her. "Look at me! Tum abhi bhi papa ki baat soch rahi ho, na? I know wahi se aa raha hai tumhe ye saara ajeeb o gareeb khayal."

"It's just Rohit... itna busy rehti hoon main...maybe papa is right"

"Yeh kya baat hui? Main bhi to rehta hoon na busy? To iss wajese kaam chod doon apna? Sona hum baat kar chuke hai na iss bareme. Maine tumhe kal kya samjhaya tha? Do what makes YOU happy! Chahe wo acting karna ho ya chodna. I would support you in whatever makes YOU happy! Not mumma, not Papa. What I would absolutely not support is something you're unhappy with. And I don't think you are really happy to resign. So achchhe se soch kar phir koi faisla lena ki would you really be happy with it or you're doing it to make someone else happy? Sona kal hi to itna discussion kiya...sab bhul gayi? Over ice cream? Jiska last bite tum mere bina kha gayi." Rohit complained, making a face.

That brought a smile to Sonakshi's face. "Par tumne to apne hisse ka nahi chhoda na." Sonakshi's eyes glistened with mischief as she insinuated how he licked the ice cream off her lips which soon escalated to a passionate kiss until her producer called her back to the shoot.

"Haan but wo to adhura reh gaya na...we can resume from where we stopped." Rohit slid his hands around her waist.

"Rohit tumna..." Words got stuck in her throat because of giggling as Rohit tickled her while nuzzling into her neck.

_______________________________

"Vimmi, Sona ke liye wo curry leke aao." Rohit shouted from the dining table to Vimmi who was in the kitchen.

"Rohit, I can't..." Sonakshi started to protest but stopped as Rohit pointed a finger at her warningly.

"Tumne yeh...mere bukhar ke chakkar mein breakfast bhi thik se nahi ki, aur shoot ke beech to tumhara khane ka koi pata nahi rehta to main kuch nahi sune wala, you have to have a proper lunch."

Just as Sonakshi opened her mouth to say something, a cry from the reception area made all the heads turn.

"Rohit Kahaan hai?" Veena entered the living room and came straight to the dining area seeing Rohit. "Rohit tu yaha kya kar raha hai? Bukhar hai na tujhe?" Veena put her hand on his forehead, blabbering but frowned. "Bukhar to nahi hai."

"Bukhar utar geya mom, relax." Rohit tried to assure her. "Lekin aapko kaise pata chala."

Veena looked at Vimmi and Rohit followed her gaze, glaring at Vimmi as Vimmi quickly put down the bowl of curry and fled from there.

"Arre mom wo sab chhodiye, important baat to aap ko pata hi nahi," Rohit said dramatically.

"Kya?" Veena frowned as everyone looked on confusingly.

"Yehi ki aap ki bukhar obsession club ke chairperson ke position ke liye perfect waris mil gayi hai."

Everyone agreed,chattering together as Veena wacked on his shoulder playfully.

"Sach keh raha hoon mom main. Aap Ki bahu ne aaj khud ko iss position ke liye bilkul kabil sabid ki hai...puchho sabse."

"Rohit!" Sonakshi chided.

"Haan bhabi..." Nishi added, "Rohit bilkul sahi ker raha hai. Sonakshi ne aaj iss position ke liye har umeedon par khadi utri."

"Bas bas aur mat chidao meri bahu ko." Veena scolded them.

"Haan mumma dekho na, yeh bimar par jaye aur hum pareshan bhi na ho." Sonakshi complained.

"Sona isse pareshan nahi panic kehte hai. Wo bhi sirf bukhar ke liye."

Everyone laughed as Ajit narrated to Veena what happened while everyone teased Sonakshi.