Virat is brought to the huge conference room and sees 3 persons already seated at the table.

All three in their 30s are impeccably dressed and poised in their manner.

The spectacled one looks a bit softer, while the dashing young man looks sharp and no nonsense. But it is the third person with sparkling blue eyes that catches Virat's attention. He realizes now that probably the Ram Kapoor who arranged for the injection is this person, owner of Kapoor Industries.

Virat is unable to fathom why such a reputed and well known businessman would help him.

Ram speaks first, “Welcome ACP Chavan, myself Ram Kapoor. How may I help you?”

Virat turns his attention to Ram and smiles,

“Hello Mr. Kapoor. You might be aware why I came here. I am not here in official capacity and therefore the reasons for my visit are personal. I have a few questions for you”

“Sure.. we would be glad to answer them, but first Tea or Coffee? Or anything else?”

“Green tea would be fine”

Ram smirks and Virat notices it but doesn't ask.

Adi and Kunal meanwhile are eyeing Virat and assessing his mannerisms. His fidgeting with his ring does not go unnoticed by Kunal. Virat stops it when he sees Kunal has seen it.

A few moments after the refreshments are served, Virat focuses his attention to Ram and starts speaking,

“First of all, I presume you are the Ram Kapoor who procured the injection for me?”

Ram nods and smiles.

Virat continues, “Thank you Mr. Kapoor, that's a big favour you have bestowed upon me and I don't know how to repay you.”

Ram smiles again and says, “It wasn't me… it was my wife and her insistence”

Virat’s face changes emotions as fast as a lightening, “Wife and her insistence” doesn't really sit well for him.

Seeing his confusion, Ram continues, “My wife Priya requested the injection for you”. Ram lies through his teeth to gauge his reaction.

Still unable to understand, Virat wonders whether they do know anything about Sai or is it just misplaced information.

“Thank you, then I should meet your wife and thank her. My other question is who is Mr. Kunal and can I meet him?”

At which point, the dashing fellow Virat noticed earlier clears his throat and answers,

“I am Kunal and what do you want to know?”

Virat’s blood pressure is now rising, this handsome man and Sai… What is the connection? He wonders. But he composes himself and continues,

“How do you know my wife, Sai Joshi and why did you process her admission transfer?”

It is Kunal who smiles now, he looks at Ram and Adi and an unspoken conversation happens.

He faces Virat and answers, “Because I am her good friend and she asked me to”

Virat’s eyebrows twitch, jaw clenches slightly and he stops fidgeting with the ring, “good friend” is irritating him like hell.

Kunal is perceptive enough to notice all these minor changes and continues,

“She didn't want to live in Nagpur anymore, neither visit the place and hence I did it on her behalf… Dosto ke liye itna to aap bhi karte honge na?” (You do that for your friends right?)

“So can you tell me where she is? Ya ye bhi nahi bata sakte aap?” (Or you won't even tell me that?) Virat cannot help but ask this in a slightly angrier tone.

All three eye each other again and it is Adi who speaks first.

“Mr. Chavan, I am Aditya, another friend of Sai. Of course we know where she is. But She has suffered a lot at the hands of your family and is heartbroken. As her friends, we cannot share information about her unless we feel that your intentions are true”

Virat almost yells, “And who are you to judge my intentions for my wife?”

Ram replies, cool as cucumber, “Mr. Chavan, it would be better if you can keep your emotions in check. Right now, we are acting on her behalf. It will be her decision to accept you or not. But as her friend, I would not put her into any further harm. As a good will gesture, we will offer you her information, provided you answer our questions truthfully and sincerely”

Virat nods, understanding the precariousness of the situation and Ram continues,

“Are you aware of the backlash she received from your family members for your accident and have you done something about it?”

Virat bends his head down and in a remorseful tone says, “Yes, I was made aware and I have asked them to not bother her any further”

Kunal asks, “So, if she agrees, will you take her back to that same house?”

Virat, now understands the worry lacing the words, “No… I mean I will leave that to her… if she wants”

“And what if she doesn't or knowing her, she agrees but will you still do it?”

Virat realises the direction at which the question is intended, closes his eyes and after a moment, opens them, looking straight at Kunal, answers… “I suppose I can ask for a transfer, or stay in a different house till she completes her education. It would be tough for me to break all relations with my family but I will make sure that she does not suffer”

Priya enters the room and Ram pulls up a chair next to him for her, she studies the room and Ram hints at her to continue questioning,

“Hello. Mr. Chavan, I am Priya Kapoor. I would like to ask you about Mrs. Salunkhe and what will be her role in your marriage to Sai?”

Hurt by the direct implication, Virat is visibly upset but controls himself and answers,

“I do not intend to continue any relations with that woman. For me, Sai and only Sai matters.”

“And how do you plan to explain that to Mrs. Salunkhe? Because clearly she doesn't seem to understand'' Priya replies haughtily.

Virat ruefully answers, “Frankly, I don't know the answer to that right now. But no… Sai will not face a problem because of her. That's all I can assure you right now.”

Priya doesn't seem convinced and is about to say something more, but Ram gently puts his hand over hers and that seems to calm her down. He continues now,

“Mr. Chavan… do you realise that you are in this situation because you did not trust her enough? For you, she is still a kid, but then you also expect her to shoulder responsibilities and behave like an adult. When will you stop with this hypocrisy and when will you start trusting her?”

“I understand where I went wrong and I am willing to change my ways. I have realised that it's difficult for me to live without Sai and I would truly like a chance to talk to her once and confess my feelings. I have waited too long unnecessarily and now it is upto her to accept me or not”

Priya and Ram look at each other and then at Adi and Kunal. A softer smile plays on their lips and they look at Virat.

Virat almost has his heart in his mouth, wondering if he was convincing enough.

Ram looks at him and smiles, “Mr. Chavan… There were some white lies we told you. First among them being, it was Priya who saw Sai praying for a miracle for you and the injection was sponsored by me looking at her distraught condition. Secondly, she doesn't know that you are here and neither has she asked us to test you but we did it to save her another heartbreak. And thirdly, while she was hoping you would return someday, we want you to rethink whether it would be sane enough to take her to sorry to say but your godforsaken house where she has nobody.”

Virat looks at all of them and a wave of relief washes over him. For the first time, he is glad that Sai has some really good friends without him and he smiles to himself.

“I understand Mr. Kapoor and I have hurt her enough, and so do some of the family members whom she held dear. I would be lying if I say that she should forgive them easily or even me for that matter. But what I would truly like is a chance to talk to her, express myself to her and then I will wait for her. Whatever be her decision, I will respect it”

Ram and Priya look at each other and smile. Priya is happy yet still slightly unsure about Virat but Ram gently presses her hand and assures her of Sai’s intelligence. Adi and Kunal too look at her and assure her that they will support Sai.

Priya looks at him, her mouth slightly curved and responds, “Fine, Mr. Chavan. We will inform Sai and if she agrees we will arrange for you to meet.”

Extending his hand to Priya, and covering it with both of his, he thanks her for her benevolence and then proceeds to thank Adi, Kunal and Ram for taking care of Sai.

A new beginning for Sai or for Virat?