New York

Vineet makes a call to Anamika after he receives her message. He tells her lowly that Devika didn’t agree to let him go to India. Even after he made the excuse that the trip is going from his college. He is irritated and he doesn’t know how to convince her. Even Anamika shares the same with him. She also doubts her parents that they are hiding from her. Vineet is dejected at the moment and at the same time, Anamika says something that makes him happy. He feels that this might work. He asks her to rest well as it is night in India and it’s time to work for him.

After disconnecting the call, Vineet moves out of his room and finds Devika setting the breakfast table. He walks towards her but she doesn’t see him.

“Ma! Naraz ho?” He asks.

“Kya farak padta hain? Tujhe toh meri baat sunni nahi hain.” she says firmly.

“Maa! Please! Aapki har baat se mujhe farak padta hain. Lekin aap kyun wo puraani baat ke peeche padi ho! Please jaane do na!” Vineet says.

“Aur wahan jaake tujhe karna kya hain? Hum yahan khush hain na!!” she questions him.

“Han Ma! Lekin aapka mann nahi hota kya ? India jaane ka! Hamara ghar hain wahan! Dad aur aap bhi toh wahin rehte they na! Fir aisa kya hua ki aap itna naraaz ho!” Vineet asks his questions and she sighs.

“Kuch sawal  agar sawal hi rahein toh acha hota hain, Vineet. Main dobara se wo sab yaad nahi karna chahti. Main dobara wahan nahi jana chahti jahan mere apnon ne mujhe dhokha diya. Tujhe nahi khona chahti! Samjha tu!” she says firmly.

“Maa! Kuch nahi hoga! Please ek baar! Dad ki khatir! Please.” Vineet says, trying ro convince her.

After all, India is her birthplace and the place where she met the love of her life, Daksh. She should not mind the past happenings but go with the present. Devika looks at her son who holds her hand.

“Ma! Main jaanta hoon ki kuch bahut bura hua hoga, tab hi aap wapas nahi jana chahti. Lekin maine toh dad ko dekha hi nahi. Mujhe jana hain, India. Itna suna hai us desh ke baare mein. Aur hamara ghar, jiski photo bhi aapne yahan lagayi hain, mujhe bhi jana hain, mujhe bhi dekhna hai.” Vineet says, he’s suddenly emotional.

“Yahan toh bas aap aur main hain, dad ki kami hain, lekin wahan toh dad ka sath milega na! Please Ma! I promise hum kuch dinon ke liye jayenge. Main tumhe dukhi karke toh nai ja sakta, lekin hum sath mein ja sakte hain na. Fir tumhe koi chinta bhi nahi hogi. Please Ma, chalo na!” Vineet says while requesting to his mother.

Devika looks at Vineet, she knows that he must be dying to see the house which has the memories of his late father, Daksh Clark. He hasn’t seen him, but he may experience him in their home. Yes! She had decided to never go back to India, but, now, it seems that she has to change his decision. She doesn’t want to face the people who had hurt her, killed the love of her life.

"Ma, please! Ho sakta hai 25 saal baad kuch acha ho jaye." he says, actually thinking about Anamika, as he planned to make Anamika meet his mom.

"Mujhe umeed toh nahi hai kuch acha hone ki, Vineet. Lekin sirf tere liye, tere dad ke liye, hum India jayenge. Lekin, usse zyada tu mujhse kuch expect mat karna. Aur…" she pauses, her throat gets heavy thinking about Daksh.

"Aur han! Wahan pe tujhe bahut dhyan se rehna hoga! Main tujhe nahi kho sakti, Vineet! I can't afford to lose you." Devika says, her voice is  heavy and eyes are ready.

"Maa! Aisa kuch nahi hoga. Aur jab tak aap mere sath ho na! Mujhe kuch na hone wala." saying so, he embraces her mom in his arms.

Devika composes herself after some time and Vineet hugs her, thanking her for allowing him to visit India. He will be visiting India for the first time and she will visit the place after 25 years.

*****

Singhania Mansion

Anamika is asleep in her room. Rajveer peeps in her room and sighs deeply. Some time ago, she was questioning him and he didn't have any answers. Rajveer walks away from his daughters' room when he hears Naina.

"Kab tak aise ghumoge? Aur kab tak sach chhupaoge?" she asks.

"Naina…." he says but she cuts him.

"What? Aaj Ana ne wo naam sun liya! Ganimat hai aadha hi naam suna! Tab se puch rahi hai, Ruhaan kaun hai? Kya batayenge usey?" Naina asks firmly.

"Wo toh waise bhi kahin door chali gayi hai na!" Rajveer says.

"Tumhari wajah se, Raj! Aur papa ki wajah se. Tum uska pyar samajh hi nahi paye! Uski guardianship di gayi thi papa ko! Uski zindagi ka faisla lene ka haq nahi tha unhe! Tumhari wajah se maine apni sabse achi dost kho di!" Naina says angrily.

"Dost, behen, family, bas ek wahi toh thi mere liye. Tumhari wajah se meri dost aaj mujhse bhi nafrat karti hogi. I won't forgive you for this, Raj!" Naina says.

"Lekin Ana ke sawal! Usey samjhao!" Rajveer says.

"Sawal toh ab uthenge hi! 25 saal beet chuke! Ana jaanti hai hum usse kuch chupa rahe hai! Aur agar ateet ek baar fir samne aaya toh tum uska samna nahi kar paoge!" Naina says and leaves leaving Rajveer thoughtful.

*****
On the other hand, Vineet is happy and is booking tickets for India. As he finishes booking the ticket, he smiles.

" Indiaaa! I am coming! Har gutthi ab suljhegi. Ma! I promise, jisne jo bura kia hai na usey uski saza milegi!" Vineet says as he stares his mother's picture on his laptop screen.

He smiles to himself and leaves with his Ma as she calls him.

To Be Continued.

So, Vineet has a new motive! Will he be able to find the truth?

Will Vineet and Anamika unite ever?

Stay tuned.