New York

Devika gets down the bed when the doorbell rings. She moves to open the door and Vineet follows her shortly. She is surprised to see a delivery boy, early in the morning. She glances at the wall clock - it is just 8AM in the morning. She takes the envelope. Maybe, the delivery boy has a lot of work to do, so he's early on his work.

She opens the envelope and Vineet looks at her in fear. Since there's no hiding between both the mother and son, Vineet doesn't stop Devika from opening the envelope. But, he is fearful. Maybe, he knows about the contents of the envelope. A paper sneaks out of the envelope. Vineet bites his tongue, as she opens the paper and reads it. Her eyebrows furrow in anger. She turns to her son.

"Ye kya hai?" she asks, showing the paper to Vineet.

"Jab maine mana kiya hai ek baar, tujhe samajh nahi aata?? Tune fir bhi plan kiya!" she shouts at her only son.

The envelope is about his India trip. It holds the form to get signed by parents and also the schedule for the trip, and he's asked to collect his tickets from his college. Ruhana is angry even on the mention of India and here her son is planning to visit India. She looks at Vineet.

"Tujhe samajh nahi aata, Vineet? Maine kaha tha na hum India nahi jayenge. Toh ye sab kya hai??" she asks.

"Mom! That's from our college.. Main akele nahi jaunga. Mere dost honge na!" Vineet reasons.

"Kyun? Tu chahta hai main tujhe bhi kho dun?" Devika asks as she sits on the couch.

"Mom! Aisa kuch nahi hoga. Aap kyun 25saal purani baat leke baithi ho!" Vineet reasons.

He wants to go out, meet his lady love, but he doesn't want to hurt his mom. At the same time, he also feels that his mother is thinking much, she's thinking that he will also get hurt, just like his dad. But things are always not the same. The situation was different back then as compared to today.

"25 saal purani baat zaroor hai, Vineet, par mere liye zindagi bhar ka dukh hai. Aur ab main tujhe nahi kho sakti. Tu kyun nahi samajhta!!" Devika says, as tears leak down her eyes.

For her, her hate is justified. She has lost her husband in that country, just when she was expecting a baby, the mark of their love. She's hurt and she has put all her heart and soul in raising her son, who loves her, respects her and abides by her words. But, curiosity doesn't wait.

Vineet has seen pictures of his parents, when they lived in India. His lady love is from India and he wishes to meet her once, in her own country. He might be born in America, but he's still an Indian.

Vineet sits on his knees and holds his mom's hand.

"Maa! Please pareshan mat ho. It's just about ten days. Please,let me go!" He requests her.

"Fine! Do whatever you want to. But don't regret it later on." Ruhana says and moves into her bedroom leaving Vineet still at his place.

He sighs deeply. It's not because he wants to meet Anamika, but he also wants to find out who killed his father - - he wants to find out the very reason, his mother hates the country of India.

His phone rings break his trance and he gets busy with his call. He has to talk to his mom later.

*****
Delhi, India, Singhaniya House

It's Evening, Naina and Anamika are home and Anamika is lounging in the living room while Naina is in the kitchen.

"Ana! Go and change, baby!" she says.

"Noo! I'll wait for Dadu and Daddy!" Anamika whines like a kid.

"Ana! It's been an hour and you're still here. It's not good!" Naina scolds her daughter.

"I will take a shower, Mum! Before dinner. Mujhe daadu ko shopping dikhani hai." She says like a kid who is excited to showcase her things to everyone.

"Okay! Fine! Now don't come near me until you take a shower." Naina glares at her daughter.

"You're so mean!" Anamika makes a face.

"No! I'm your mom! Better behave!" Naina says.

Anamika whines but the doorbell rings at the same time and she rushes to open the door. She finds her father and grandfather and she pulls him in. Naina gets water for them and Anamika happily shows them her shopping. Rajveer and his father praised her choices and the girl is all happy. She picks a packet in her hand - - it's a night lounge, she purchased today. Showing it to her parents, she runs to her room to freshen up.

Rajveer smiles at his daughter. He looks upon, his father also moves to his room to freshen up while he looks at Naina.

"She's a happy girl. Please tum uske sath wo sab mat karna jo 25 saal pehle hua tha." Naina says.

"Naina! I didn't plan it. Yes I wanted it to happen, but I didn't do. " he says.

"Oh! Then who did it? I can still hear those sounds Raj! Tum maano ya na maano, galti toh tumhari bhi hai, aur Papa ki bhi." Naina says sharply and moves into the kitchen.

Rajveer is left helpless. He closes his eyes and a certain scene flashes in front of his eyes.

" Please aisa mat karo. Usey mat maaro."

" Why can't you understand? I don't want this! "

" You'll pay for your deeds, Mr. Singhaniya! You surely will."

The voices echo in his ears and he falls on the floor. Anamika who's coming out of his room, watches him and runs to hold him. It seems like panic attack. Something is bothering him, and he falls unconscious when he put stress on his brain.

" Dad, open your eyes" Anamika pats his cheeks.

"Mom! Dekho na dad ko kya hua!" Anamika shouts for her mom.

But Rajveer says a word and falls unconscious in his daughter's lap, while Anamika is left thoughtful.

To Be Continued.

What did Rajveer say?

What happened in the past?

Stay tuned.