Ramona shook Mahira who snuggled more into Prithvi's chest moaning in protest.

"Mahira! Mahira get up!" She shouted looking around at the reactions of the rest of the group. Although Mahira didn't wake up, her constant shouting caused Prithvi to stir. He stretched his neck and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the audience he had Prithvi smirked internally recalling what had happened the night before between him and his Preetaji.

"Preetaji, now no one will be able to separate us" he thought to himself. He put on a shocked expression and looked around the room only to receive the biggest shock of his life in reality – in front of the bed that he was happily laying on with his hands wrapped around what he thought was Preeta, stood Karan Luthra who grinned as he pulled his shocked wife into his embrace and winked at Prithvi.

Prithvi slowly looked down at the woman in his arms to find Mahira. He shouted in shock and pushed her away from himself causing Mahira, who had actually woken up when her mother was trying to wake her, to finally open her eyes.

"Tum? Tum... tu... tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" He stammered. Mahira looked at him horrified and then looked around the room her eyes widening at seeing Karan and Preeta together.

"Mein... tum.. mein" Mahira didn't know what to say, her mind unable to process how and what had happened. She tried to get up only to realise that all she was covered in were the sheets. She looked at her mother in distress who turned on Prithvi,

"Tum ne meri beti ke saath kya kiya? Mein tumhari jaan le lungi! How dare you!" she started shouting.

"Ramona yeh saab baate baad mein karna pahele Mahira ko bathroom mein le jao" Rakhee said. She escorted her family out of the room and advised everyone to get ready. Turning to Rishabh she told him to clear the bills and make sure everyone headed towards Luthra house.

Preeta glared at Mahira noticing her lustfully looking at Karan, who was still walking around in his boxers, instead of being ashamed at the state she had been caught in. "Disgusting" she said out aloud as she grabbed Karan's hand and dragged him back to their room.

"Meine kuch nahi kiya Karan, mein..." Mahira started trying to get close to Karan to explain, only to have an irate Preeta harshly push her away. "Karan..."

"Tumse kitni baar kahna padega mere paati se dur raho!"

"Tum..."

"CHUP!" Bani Luthra shouted silencing everyone in the room. "Chup karo saab. Pata nahi yeh kya chal raha hai subha se lekin aab bohot tamasha ho gaiya hai!"

Bani was fed-up with the drama that had begun in the morning at the hotel and had been continuing for the last hour in her living room.

"Girlfriend clam down" Karan said seeing his grandmother getting stressed "App itna pareshaan kyun ho rahi hai?"

"Karan yeh tu pooch raha hai?"

"Aap ki problem yeh log hai right?" he said pointing to Mahira and Prithvi "Toh mein abhi solve kar deta hoon"

"Karan tum rahene do, please" Rakhee said

"Mom mere paas iss baat ka mind blowing solution hai" he persisted "Mahira... Mahira mein janta hoon ke yeh sab jo bhi huwa uss mein tumhari koi galti nahi hai..."

Mahira threw a smirk at Preeta and once again moved closer to Karan and took hold of his hand.

"Karan mein janti thi ke tum mujhe galat nahi samjo ge, hamesha mera saath doge" she smiled at Karan.

"Ha Mahira tum meri dost ho aur dost hi dost ke kaam aata hai aur mein bhi tumhare saath hoon issliye mein karawunga..."

"Ha Karan, tum mere saath ho toh mujhe aur kuch nahi chaahiye..."

"Yes Mahira I am with you! I will make sure that this man..." he pointed at Prithvi before looking back at Mahira "... this Prithvi Malhotra will marry you!" he declared causing Mahira to step back as if he had slapped her. Preeta whose anger had begun to simmer at Karan's initial words had to cover her mouth to stop her laugh after seeing Mahira's expression.

"Yeh kya bakwaas kar rahe ho tum?" Ramona shouted

"Kya galat kaha maine?" Karan asked

"Are you mad? Tum yeh kya bol rahe ho? Mahira iss se kyun shadhi karegi?" Ramona spat her distaste at the idea of Prithvi marrying her daughter clearly evident.

"Come on aunty iss mein galat kya hai? Aapki beti aapne boyfriend se shadhi karti hai tho aapko kya problem hai?"

"Yeh... Yeh mera boyfriend nahi hai! He is not my boyfriend" Mahira shouted

"In that case I think it is even more important that you two get married before anyone else finds out what happened between you last night" Shrishti added her two cents.

"Shut up! Tum se kisi ne nahi poocha, yeh humare ghar ka mamla hai toh tum beech main kyun bol rahi ho?"

"Relax Mahira Shrishti toh tumhare bhale ke liye kahe rahi hai"

"Karan yeh tum kya bol rahe ho? Mein iss aadmi se shadhi... no yeh... yeh nahi ho sakta!"

"Mahira jo kuch bhi huwa usske baad yeh hi sahi hai"

"Yeh kya bakwaas kar rahe ho tum, me isse shadhi nahi karunga! Are mein paagal hoon jo iss musibaat ko khud ke gale mein tang lu?" Prithvi shouted

"Kyun? Kyun nahi karo ge tum shadhi? Karni paregi!"

"You gilli danda player tu kaun hota hai mujhe order dene wala?" Prithvi said shoving Karan backwards. He extended his hand to grab Karan's lapels only to shout in pain.

"Ahhhhh" he looked at the source of the pain to find Preeta twisting his wrist backwards. "Pree... Preetaji yeh aa... aap kya... ahhhh.. kya kar rahi hai?" he groaned as her grip tightened.

"Tumhari himaat kaise huwi mere paati ko haat lagane ki?" She questioned her tone calm but her anger palpable. Karan smirked enjoying the moment as Prithvi continued to groan in pain until Rishabh who had started to ask Preeta to let go nudged him. Making a face at Rishabh he snaked his arm around Preeta's waist and softly whispered in her ear,

"Babydoll... chordo" the effect was instant and Prithvi pulled back his hand as soon as Preeta let go.

"Karan..." Mahira whined not liking the closeness between him and Preeta

"Tum Karan ko kya dekh rahi ho? Ussne sahi toh kaha hai, tum chinta maat karo hum bhi dekhte hai yeh tumse shadhi kaise nahi karta!" Preeta intervened.

"Tum chup raho! Mahira iss aadmi se shadhi nahi karne waali!" ignoring Preeta she placed her hand on Karan's "Karan beta Mahira tumse pyaar karti hai woh isse kyun shadhi karegi?"

"Ha Karan, tum... tum mera haath tham lo, please Karan mein maar jaungi, please Karan..."

"Ha beta tum hi ho jo Mahira ki izzat bacha sakte ho, woh tumse kita pyaar karti hai... tum usse shadhi karlo"

"Ha Karan please I love you!"

"Toh?" Preeta pulled Karan to her other side shielding him from the two women "Mere paati se hazaaro, lakho larkiya pyaar karti hai, isska yeh matlab toh nahi hai ke woh saabse shadhi karta phirega" Preeta spat having understood this to be what it was - a well laid out plan that had somehow gone to pot. She was a smart woman and could clearly see that if Karan had been found in such a situation with Mahira he would have been forced to leave her and marry Mahira.

Her anger increased further as the pieces of the jigsaw clicked into place and she looked at Ramona and said "Why don't you speak to the man that your daughter has decided to trap and get her married before someone finds out or he runs away!"

"How dare you!" Ramona raised her hand to slap Preeta but this time Karan came to the rescue

"Aapni had mein raho! Mere ghar mein kade rahe ke, mere hi saamne meri hi biwi pe haath uthane ki himaat kaise huwi aapki?"

"Karan yeh tum kya kar rahe ho? Tum Mom ko kyun kahe rahe ho? Tum ne suna nahi issne kya kaha?"

"Preeta sahi kahe rahi hai, mein kyun karunga tumse shadhi? Meri shadhi ho chuki hai aur mein aapni wife ke saath bohot khush hoon. Aur meri shadhi nahi bhi huwi hoti toh mein isski galti ke liye tumse shadhi kyun karta?"

"Karan..."

"No Mahira galti tum dono ne ki hai toh shadhi bhi tum dono ki hogi"

"Ha Mahira" Rakhee supported her son "Karan sahi kahe raha hai, jis tarha Veer aur Kritika appni galti sudhar rahe hai waise hi tum aur Prithvi bhi..."

"Mein nahi karne waala isse shadhi!" Prithvi roared "Preetaji aap hi kuch boliye na, meine kuch nahi kiya hai" he tried to hold Preeta's hand but Karan pulled her away before he could.

"Tu na meri biwi se zaara dur rahe samja!" Karan warned

"Mein Preetaji se baat kar raha hoon tujse nahi"

"Aap mujhse kyun baat kar rahe hai?" Preeta asked causing Prithvi to look at her

"Preetaji meine kuch nahi kiya, yeh..."

"App mujhe yeh saab kyun bata rahe hai?"

"Preetaji yeh aap kaisi baat kar rahi hai? Mein aap ka..."

"Kuch nahi hai tu meri biwi ka!"

"Karan, relax" Preeta placed her hand on his shoulder stopping him from pouncing on Prithvi. "Aur aap, aap yeh saab mujhese kyun kahe rahe hai? App ne kuch kiya hai ya nahi iss se mujhe kuch lena dena nahi hai – it's not my problem"

"Pree..."

"Suna nahi tu ne? aab tu Preeta se dur rahe aur aapni shadhi ki tayari kar"

"Kya shadhi shadhi laga rakha hai? Mein koi shadhi nahi kar raha iss paagal larki se! Sarla aunty please aap kuch boliye yeh saab paagal ho gaiye hai"

"Prithviji mujhe lagta hai yeh saab sahi kahe rahe hai, kal jo bhi huwa main nahi janti ke uss mein kiski galti hai lekin iss galti ko sahi karna aapka kaam hai"

"Aunty aap..."

"Prithviji," Shrishti interrupted "Aapki problem kya hai? Are aap hi the na woh jinhone hum saab ke kaan paka diye the yeh kahe kahe kar ke ek larki ki izzat saabse important hai aur usse khelne waale ghatiya logo ko saaza milni chaahiye" everyone except the Arora's looked at her confused not sure where she was going with this, "Shayaad aap ko yaad nahi hai, koi nahi mein yaad dilati hoon – Jab hum saabne Rishabhji ko Sherlyn ke saath uss halat mein dekha tha tab aap Maa ko baar baar bol rahe the na? kya bola tha? Ha yaad aiya aap ne kaha tha ke agar aap Rishabhji ki jaghe hote tho bina koi savaal kiye aap uss beechari larki se shadhi kar lete!" she passed Prithvi a winning look before continuing "Toh Prithvi 'ji' aab kya huwa? Abb kijiye na shadhi"

"Aur Di aapko yaad hai jab uss Monisha ne Jiju pe molestation ka jhootha case kiya tha tho issne aapko kaha tha kea ap Jiju se rishta na rakhe kyun ke jo aadmi aisi ghatiya harkat karta hai uss se baat karnese hum khud ki insult karte hai" she said to Preeta

"Mein... mein..." Prithvi stammered looking around the room at the judgement in everyone's eyes. He knew he had no way out of this mess but he wasn't Prithvi Malhotra if he went down without a fight and with that in mind he began to gather his thoughts.

"Dekhiye aap saab ne jo dekha mein samaj raha hoon lekin mujhe lagta hai ke kisi ne hume phasaiya hai. Mujhe nahi lagta ke Mahiraji aur mere beech kuch..."

Before he could complete he felt immense pain on his right cheek.

"Sherlyn?" Rishabh asked in confusion.

"Sherlyn puttar yeh tum kya kar rahi ho?" Bani asked her granddaughter-in-law who was silently glaring at Prithvi. The younger Luthra's and Arora's except Rishabh and Preeta looked at one another and smirked.

"Himaat kaise huwi tumhari mujhe dhoka dene ki?"

"Sherlynji yeh aap kya kahe rahi ho?" Prithvi asked innocently

"Shut up! Apna yeh jhootha drama bandh karo! Mujhe tho tabhi samaj jana chaahiye tha jab tum mera phone nahi utha rahe the, lekin galti tho meri hi hai mujhe tumhe plan batana hi nahi chaahiye tha!"

"Plan? Konsa plan?" Rishabh asked

"Sherlyn yeh tum kya kahe rahi ho? Rishabh I think Sherlyn is just upset about what has happened to Mahira" Ramona said trying to stop Sherlyn from revealing the truth but Sherlyn's anger had crossed all boundaries and nothing and no one was going to stop her,

"Shut up!" she spat at Ramona "Saab aapki wajay se huwa hai!"

"Meri wajayse... me.. meni kuch nahi kya" Ramona stammered

"Kuch nahi kiya? Are nah aap Preeta aur Rajveer ko nashe wali drink pila ke badnaam karne ka plan banati aur nah hi yeh Prithvi, Preeta ko paane ke liye uss plan ka faiyda utha ne ki koshish karta!"

"Kya?" "What?" "Yeh kya bol rahi ho tum?" the family members began questioning. Rakhee angrily looked at Ramona

"Ramona Tu ne yeh saab?"

"Nahi Rakhee yeh jhoot bol rahi hai... mein...meine..." before she could say anymore Kareena grabbed her and plastered a slap across her face.

"Tumhari waja se meri beti ke saath... jaan le lungi mein tumhari!" she said her hands making their way around Ramona's neck and choking her.

"Kareena" "Didi chodiye usse" "Mom! Chodo meri mom ko!"

Seeing Rakhee and Bani struggling to free Ramona Preeta began to step forward only to have Karan pull her back.

"Kya hai?"

"Tum kahan ja rahi ho?" Karan asked

"Tumhe dikhaiyi nahi de raha Kareena Aunty unhe maar dalegi"

"So what? She is getting what she deserves"

"Karan are you crazy? Yahan koi mazaak nahi chal raha hai chodo mujhe" but Karan simply refused to let her go.

Rishabh finally came to the rescue and managed to release Ramona who instantly dropped to the floor coughing. Mahira sat beside her mother patting her back.

"Relax Bua"

"Kaise Rishabh issne itna saab kuch kiya hai meri beti ke saath..."

"Aapki beti ke saath nahi, meri bahen ke saath" Shrishti said causing everyone to think about what Sherlyn had actually said.

"Aapki beti ghatiya hai yeh toh mujhe pahele se pata tha lekin aap... aap ek aurat ho ke aisi ghatiya harkat kaise kar sakti hai? Aap ki bhi beti hai, aapne ek baar bhi naho soocha ke Preeta ka kya hota?" Sarla spoke.

"Maa aap bhi kisse kahe rahi hai yeh saab? Yeh aurat aapne ailava kisi ka aacha nahi sooch sakti hai".

"Ramona kyun? Kyun kiya yeh saab tumne? Kya mila mere parivaar ke khhilaaf yeh saab kar ke?" Rakhee asked feeling more and more ashamed that she was the reason this woman was invited into her home.

"Ramona karna kya chaahti thi tum?" Bani also started to question her

"Rakhee Aunty, Dadi aap inse kya pooch rahi hai? Mein batata hoon, yeh meri Di aur Veer Bro ko badnaam karna chaahti thi taaki aap log meri Di ko iss ghar se nikal de aur phir yeh aapni iss characterless beti ki shadhi Karan Jiju se kar sake" she then looked at Ramona and Mahira "Yeh hi plan tha na aap ka? Ek baat boliye Ramona 'ji' aapne pati ko phasane ke liye aapne aisa hi kiya tha kya?,

"Shrishti! Mind your language! Rakhee aunty Mom, Mom ne kuch nahi kiya hai! Yeh... yeh.. ha yeh saab iss Sherlyn ne kiya hai" Mahira said trying to divert the accusing glares.

Hahaha "Meine?" Sherlyn laughed "Khud ke kale karnaame saamne aagaye tho mujhepe ilzaam laga rahi ho?"

"Yeh tum kya kahe rahi ho? Meine kuch nahi kiya, Sherlyn tum aapne aur aapne iss boyfriend ki kartuto ko chupane ke liye mujhe blame nahi kar sakti ho"

"Boyfriend?" Rishabh asked looking between Prithvi and Sherlyn.

"Ha Rishabh yeh Sherlyn tumhe dhoka de rahi hai, yeh iss aadmi ke bache ki Maa banne wali hai aur phir bhi issne tum se shadhi ki"

"Jhooth... Yeh saab jhooth hai!" Prithvi protested "Mahiraji aap jhooth kyun bol rahi hai? Mein aur Sherlynji ke saath... chee chee chee, mein toh aisa sooch bhi nahi sakta"

"Sooch nahi sakte par kar sakte ho! Rishabh trust me isska aur Sherlyn ka affair chal raha hai"

"Mahira!" Prithvi shouted losing his pretence realising that this stupid woman was hell bent on blowing his cover. He knew he had to do something "Oh aab samja mein yeh larki yeh saab janbooch ke kar rahi hai, Shrishti ne abhi abhi kaha na ke yeh Preetaji ko badnaam karna chaahti thi, issne zaroor mujhe bhi koi nashe wali drink piladi hogi aur mere saath kamre m..."

"Shut up! Just shut up! Karan tum isski baat maat suno yeh aapna affair chupane ke liye mujhe blame kar raha hai"

"Mujhe toh isski baat meine sachaiyi dikh rahi hai"

"Mein tumse baat nahi kar rahi hoon Shrishti Arora so mind your own business!"

"When you and your mother conspired against my sister you made it my business Miss Mahira Khanna!" Shrishti replied "Aab yeh maat kahena ke tumne kuch nahi kiya because no one here will believe you"

"Shrishti sahi kahe rahi hai Mahira" Karan said

"Karan,"

"No Mahira, tum ne aur tumhari Mom ne meri Preeta ko nashe wali drink pilane ki koshish ki, aisi ghatiya harkat ke baad tumhe lagta hai ke koi tumhari baat manega?" he shook his head at her and then looked at Ramona but continued to speak to Mahira "Tumhari Mom ka plan toh fail ho gaiya toh tumne iss daddhi waale bakre phasaliya right? Why Mahira? Agar tum isse pasaand karti thi toh hume kaheti hum tumhari shadhi isse kar dete, yeh ghatiya harkat karne ki kya zarurat thi?"

"Nahi, nahi Karan meine aisa kuch nahi kiya! Mein tumse pyaar karti hoon please, please believe me..."

"Come on Mahira aab toh maan jao, just admit it, you mixed something in Prithvi's drink and..."

"Nahi! I didn't, meine iske drink mein kuch nahi milaiya tha!"

"Okay tumne nahi milaya lekin aapni crime partner ke hatto yeh kaam pura kiya, ek hi baat hai" Karan egged her on

"Nahi nahi nahi! Meine aisa kuch nahi kiya!"

"Aacha tho yeh naashe ki halat mein tumhare saath kya kar raha tha? Tum iske saath kamre main kya kar rahi thi? Tell me Mahira, come on Mahira tell me, why did you go into the room with Prithvi?"

"Mein iske saath kamre mein nahi gai thi, iss Preeta ne mujhe woh drink piladi thi jo mein tumhe dene ke liye laiyi thi aur Sherlyn ne kaha tha ke woh tumhe room mein behje gi! Mujhe nahi paata ke yeh isska boyfriend mere room mein kaise pooncha!" she screamed in what she thought was her defence, but in reality she admitted to her doings.

Rakhee's eyes widened as she realised what Ramona and Mahira had planned for her son and favourite daughter-in-law and she moved closer to Mahira and began to slap her.

"Rakhee!" Ramona screamed and moved to protect her daughter but Rakhee was a possessed woman and in her anger shoved Ramona away.

"Kitna girogi tum? Tum mein sharam naam ke koi cheeze nahi hai yeh toh mein bohot pahele samaj gaiyi thi lekin tumne jo mere bete aur bahu ke saath karne ki koshish ki hai isski umeed nahi thi mujhe!"

"Rakhee, chod usse!" Ramona tried again this time pushing Rakhee away from her daughter. Mom!" "Maa" "Rakhee Maa" Karan, Rishabh and Preeta jumped forward preventing Rakhee from falling

"Theek hoon mein" she reassured as she looked at the mother-daughter duo. Bani Luthra burst at Ramona for pushing Rakhee but Rakhee stopped her,

"Rahene dijiye Mummyji galti meri hi hai jo maine hi aapne ghar mein saap pal rakhe hai" Rakhee said wiping her eyes. "Lekin aacha huwa, aacha huwa ke in dono ki asaliyat saab ke same ne aagaiyi kam se kam aab yeh hume dhoka toh nahi de sakenge" Sarla stepped forward to console a hurt Rakhee. "Ramona mein chaahti hoon ke tum mere ghar se abhi ke abhi nikal jao!"

"Nahi Mom" Karan interrupted causing everyone to look at him. Mahira smiled thinking Karan wanted her to stay "Inhone jo kiya hai yeh ghunah hai, it's a crime, toh innhe iss ki saaza bhi milni chaahiye!" Rakhee nodded and Karan continued "Sameer..."

"Ji Bhai"

"Police ko phone kar"

"Ji Bhai" he replied taking his phone out and dialling the number for the police.

"Yeh, yeh tum kya kar rahe ho?" Ramona panicked "Tum aisa nahi kar sakte, Rakhee, Rakhee kuch kahe tu, yeh Karan..."

"Kya kahoon mein Ramona? Aur kyun kahoon? Agar tumhara yeh ghatiya plan kaam kar jata toh tumne aur tumhari iss beti ne toh puri taiyari karli thi mere bete aur bahu ko badnaam karne ki, unki zindagi barbaad karne ki!".

"Nahi woh..."

"Aacha tu hi bata de agar woh nashe walli drink Karan ne peeli hoti aur woh Mahira ke saath uss room mein mila hota toh tu kya karti? Kya tu yeh kaheti ke yeh dono ki galti hai, chalo bhool jao? Nahi, tu Karan ko police ke hawale kardeti ya toh phir hume blackmail karti ke hum Karan ki shadhi Mahira se karade! Infact mujhe toh abb yakeen ho raha hai ke subha jo drama tu kar rahi thi darvaaza peetne ka yeh bhi tere ghatiya plan ka hissa hi tha"

"Rakhee mein..."

"Ahhh chodo mujhe!" Preeta's shout broke the discussion.

"Preeta! Mahira chodo Preeta ko!" Karan shouted seeing Mahira holding a knife at Preeta's neck.

"Mahira Preetaji ko chro!" Rishabh tried to move closer to her

"Dur! Dur raho!" Mahira threatened digging the knife into Preeta's neck causing a slight cut

"Ahh!"

"Preeta" "Di" "Bhabhi" "Preeta" everyone shouted together.

"Dekho Mahira agar Preeta ko kuch bhi huwa toh mein tumhe nahi chodunga!" Karan threatened

"Dekh lijiye iss ka paagalpaan meine pahele hi kaha tha, dekhiye aap saab, pehele toh yeh mujhpe ilzaam lagarahi thi phir pata lagta hai ke yeh Karan ko nashe wali drink pilla ke uska faiyda utha na chaahti thi aur abb yeh Preetaji ko marne ki koshish kar rahi hai!" Prithvi said using this to deflect the blame from himself.

"Tu chup kar! Tujse kisi ne nahi poocha hai!"

"Enough! Bohot hogaya app saab ka! Aab mein boloungi aur aap saab sunoge!" Mahira said taking a step away from the family.

"Mahira, Preeta ko choro!" Sarla shouted worried for her daughter's life.

"Chordo?!" Hahahah "Isse chordu jo saab problems ki jad hai, isse chordu take yeh mere Karan ko mujse cheenle?" she laughed again before continuing "Nahi! Isse kaise chod sakti hoon? Jabtak yeh zinda hai yeh har waqt beech mein ati rahegi. Aur tum, Preeta Arora, tum marti kyun nahi? Are kitni baar tumhe maarne ki koshish ki lekin tum ho ke hamesha baach jati ho!"

"Mahira, what the hell are you saying" Ramona tried to stop Mahira from admitting her crimes knowing she would be left with no way out if everything was exposed.

"Ha Mom aap toh janti hai na meine kitni baar isse maarne ki koshish ki hai? Tum janti ho Preeta Arora meine, meine uss truck driver ko paise diye the ta ke woh tumhe uda de lekin tum, tum road se hat gaiyi. Lekin maine haar nahi mani maine tumhe truck ke age dhaka de diya lekin tumhari woh bahen Shrishti, pata nahi kahan se aa gaiyi aur tumhe wapis path pe dekhel diya aur bhagne ke chakar mein mujhe chot lagaiyi. Koi nahi aapne Karan ke liye mein itna toh kar hi sakti hoon" she laughed again.

Rakhee was going to say something but Karan stopped her, he wanted to hear everything Mahira had put his babydoll through. A fire ignited within him and with every word that Mahira spoke it consumed him a fire that Mahira didn't realised would turn her to ash. Although tempted to pounce on the psychopath that was threatening his life he held onto the last thread of sanity he could muster and let her continue.

"Tum janti ho Preeta Arora uss choti si chot ka kitna faiyda huwa mujhe? Ek ek kar ke saab tumhare khilaaf ho rahe the lekin paata nahi kyun Rishabh tumhe bachane me lag gaiya" she glared at Rishabh who had always been against her "Jadu aata hai kya tumhe? Sab larko ko aapna deewana banna leti ho? Karan bhi aiya tha mere paas kahene ke mein tumpe lagaiya huwa case wapis lelu, lekin issme bhi mera hi faiyda huwa meine Karan se kaha ke agar woh mujse shadhi ka promise karega toh mein case wapis lelugi – aab iss mein meri kya galti hai ke mein court poonchi hi nahi" She looked at Karan and laughed who had closed his eyes struggling with his anger "are poonchti bhi kaise mere hire kiye huwe gunde jo milgaiye the raste mein! Kitna aacha plan tha lekin uss mein se bhi tum baach nikli!" she once again pressed the knife into Preeta's neck as a way of expressing her frustration.

"Ahhhh..." Hearing Preeta pain Karan's eyes shot open, quicker than she could react he grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl from which Mahira had picked up the knife and hurled it at her like a cricket ball. Mahira howled in pain not having the time to move away from the flying object as it smacked her in the face at 90 miles an hour falling backwards as she passed out from a concussion.

In the process Preeta fell forwards into Karan's waiting arms. Ramona screamed while Shrishti whistled

"Isse kahe te hai clean bowled!" Roo cheered while she and Shrishti grabbed Mahira before she woke up and caused more chaos.

As Ramona rushed towards her daughter the police arrived.

"Hello inspector, aacha huwa aap agaiye" Rishabh was the first to speak

"Hello Mr Luthra, aap bataiye hume kaise yaad kiya?"

"Inspector, in logo ko arrest kariye abhi ke abhi!" Ramona shouted "Dekhiye inhone meri beti ki kya halat ki hai" she pointed to a confused looking Mahira who was being restrained by Roo and Shrishti.

"Yeh app..."

"Inspector iss larki ne meri patni Mrs Preeta Karan Luthra pe jaan leva humla kiya hai – arrest her right now!" Karan ordered

"Bakwaas! Bakwaas hai yeh saab! Inho ne meri beti ki yeh haalat kardi hai aur aab police se baachne ke liye yeh sare jhoote ilzaam lagarehe hai meri beti pe!"

"Inspector yeh dekhiye..." Karan said pointing to the cut on Preeta neck "Iss paagal larki ne meri biwi ko knife se maarne ke koshish ki hai"

"What rubbish! Aisa kuch nahi huwa hai! Aap saab meri beti ko phasarhe hai. Inspector iss Karan Luthra ne meri beti se shadhi ka wada kiya aur usska faiyda unthiya hai aur aab jab saab saamne aiya hai toh yeh jhoothi kahaniya banake meri beti ko aapni zindagi se bahar phenkna chaahta hai ye..."

"Ramona! Faiyda Karan ne Mahira ka nahi balke Mahira ne Karan ka uthane ki koshshi ki hai! Aur ussne khud hum saab ke saamne Preeta ko maarne ki koshish ki hai aur ussne khud kabool kiya hai ke ussne kitni baar Preeta ko maarne ki koshish ki hai!" Rakhee shouted.

"Kya saboot hai tumhare paas? Tum aur tumhari yeh family kahegi aur inspector maan jaynge? Kabhi nahi!" Ramona spat

The arguments put the officer said in a dilemma – who should he arrest when both parties were blaming one another,

"Mrs Luthra hum saboot ke bina kisi ko arrest nahi kar sakte" he said causing Ramona to internally smile in relief.

"Aapko saboot chaahiye?" Karan asked and smirked at Ramona "theek hai hum saboot denge aapko... Sammy"

"Ha Karan Bhai ek minute" Sameer replied before turning on the television and streaming something from his phone. The occupants of the room looked on as the living room they were standing in appeared on the television. It didn't take long for anyone to realise that if they watched the whole video they would see a play by play of what had transpired in this room since they had all retuned back to Luthra house. Karan looked at Sameer who fast forwarded to where Mahira held Preeta at knife point and admitted to her crimes.

"I hope that is enough evidence for you Inspector" Karan said still smirking at Ramona "Agar yeh kafi nahi hai tho aur bhi hai jo hum aap tak adhe ghanta mein phocha denge"

Turning to Ramona and Mahira the officer said "You are under arrest" the words bringing piece to most of the room.

Ramona continued to protest even though she knew there was no way out of this while Mahira who was still in a daze only blinked a few times as she was cuffed.

"Ek minute Inspector" Kareena called as the police began heading to the door. Everyone looked at her hoping that she wasn't going to do anything stupid. Taking a deep breath she continued "Aap in dono ko bhool rahe hai" she said pointing at Sherlyn and Prithvi.

"Kareenaji yeh aap kya kahe rahi hai?" Prithvi asked

"Appna yeh drama aapne paas rakho! Inspector yeh dono bhi Ramona and Mahira ke plan mein inke saath mile huwe the app inhe bhi lejaiye"

"Meine kuch nahi kiya..."

"Aacha? Lekin Sherlyn ne khud kaha hai ke ussne tumhe plan ke bare main batiya tha aur Mahira ne bhi comfirm kiya hai ke tu isska boyfriend hai!"

"Shrishti yeh saab jhoot bol rahe hai maine kuch nahi kiya"

"Shut up Prithvi Malhotra!" Sherlyn who had been watching the drama spat.

"Sherlynji..."

"I said shut up! Aur kitna jhoot bologe?" she turned to the police officer and admitted everything she and Prithvi had done to the Luthra's and Arora's. She narrated what they had done from wanting to marry Rishabh for revenge to the food poisoning, to Karan's drug case and molestation case, Prithvi's marriage plans to Preeta to keep her out of the way, the fire in Kumkum Bhagya hall, Janki aunty's accident and memory loss, Ritvik's death, kidnapping Sarla, attempting to kill Preeta and Mahesh – everything. The Luthra's and Arora's looked on horrified at what had been happening right under their noses.

While everyone processed what they had heard Sarla and Rakhee looked at one another and nodding they attacked an unsuspecting Prithvi who had been looking at Karan and Rishabh expecting to be attacked by the two brothers.

"Humare bacho ko chot phochaoge? Humare bacho ki zindagi ke saath kheloge?" Sarla shouted as she beat Prithvi with her hands and her slippers.

"Tumhe kya laga tha ke hum maar gaiye hai? Innki Maa abhi zinda hai aur Maa aapne baacho ke liye kissi bhi kale saaye ke mukabala karsakti hai!" Rakhee too hit Prithvi with anything she could find. The rest of the women except Preeta who was still wrapped in Karan's arms, Sherlyn and Janki Shergill who was standing in between her two sons holding them back from killing Prithvi jumped into action too. Prithvi couldn't do anything to save himself, anywhere he tried to move another hand, foot or shoe greeted his face.

The police eventually broke the group up and arrested a badly beaten Prithvi. Sherlyn laughed seeing his state and amicably agreed to go with the police. She apologised to the Luthra's and Arora knowing it wouldn't change anything but decided that this would be a step towards her redemption – she would accept what punishment came her way and would work to become a better person for her child.

The police began to leave with the four culprits but were once again stopped, this time by Mahira's father.

"Yeh aap kya kar rahe hai?" he asked worry evident in his tone at seeing his only daughter and wife in handcuffs.

"Dekhiye na yeh log hume bina kisi galti ke jail bahej rahe hai, app app kuch kijiye na" Ramona said emotionally playing on her husband's guilt.

He looked at the Luthra's in anger but spotted Rajveer who had taken a step towards the front of the group to make his presence known.

"Sir app..."

"Mr Khanna aapki beti aur biwi appni sahi jagha ja rahe hai" Rajveer stated

"Lekin yeh... nahi.. yeh saab..."

Feeling sorry for the man Karan gestured Shrishti to come and hold Preeta while he spoke to Mahira's Dad.

"Uncle..." the word felt bitter in his mouth but realising that this man wasn't really at fault he continued "Uncle Mahira ne meri patni ki jaan lene ki koshish ki hai, ek baar nahi katni baar. Mein Preeta se bohot pyaar karta hoon aur mein uski life ke saath aab risk nahi le sakta!"

"Karan beta..."

"Nahi Uncle isse pahele aap kuch aisa mangle jo hum de nahi paayenge main aap ko kuch dikhana chaahta hoon... Sammy"

"Karan..."

"Nahi Uncle mein janta hoon ke Mahira aapki beti hai aur Ramona Aunty aapki wife hai lekin aap pahele yeh dekhiye, shaayad yeh dekhne ke baad aap khud in dono ko inke kiye ki saaza bugatne ke liye chod de"

Sameer once again streamed something on the television, once again shocking everyone in the room.

Seeing Ramona gloating about how she framed Gayatri Khanna for a sin she never committed only for her greed and selfish desires, the man who had remained married to her and fulfilled all of his responsibilities shattered. He realised how he had been tricked into hurting the only woman he would love for the rest of his life.

"Yeh... nahi... yeh Jhooth hai..." Ramona said her voice lacking conviction even to her own ears.

"Shut up! Tum jaisi ghatiya aurat ke liye meine... Oh God meine Gayatri ko..." he covered his face with his hands and cried remembering what he had done.

"Uncle..." Karan tried to comfort the man who just shook his head.

"Inspector lejaiye iss naagin ko, please lejaiye" he begged.

As the police finally left Akaash handed Rajveer a file and nodded,

"Mr Khanna," the man looked at Rajveer. "Mr Khanna mein janta hoon jo huwa uss mein aap ki koi galti nahi hai issi liye aap ko saaza dena galat hoga" seeing the confusion on the mans face Rajveer held up the file that was in his hand "Yeh aapki itne saalo ki mahnat ki kamiyi hai, isspe aapka hi haq hai"

Realising that Rajveer was giving back everything that he had lost the man felt humbled,

"Sir main nahi janta ke app yeh kyun kar rahe hai lekin aab yeh saab mere kis kaam ka? Jab maine duniya ki saabse keemti cheez kho di tho yeh rupiya paisa kiss kaam ka?"

His words restored some of the respect Rajveer had held for the man when they had first met.

"Mein Mahira aur Ramona ke ghunaho ke liye aap saab se maafi mangta hoon" Folding his hands he looked at the family "Ho sake toh mujhe maaf kardijiye ga"

"Yeh aap kya kahe rahe hai bhaisaab, jo huwa uss main aapki koi galti nahi hai toh aap maafi maat mangiye" Rakhee said feeling sad for the broken man standing in front of her. He smiled slightly and turned to leave.

"Iss file mein sirf aapki property or business ke papers nahi hai, issme humare Delhi office ki Manager ke bhi details hai jinse milke aapko shaayad khushi ho" seeing Mr Khanna turn to look at him, Ramkishan Shergill who had spoken for the first time continued "Veer use manager ka naam..."

"Priya, Priya Gayatri Khanna"

"Mr Khanna, Gayatri ne meri office mein kafi saal kaam kiya tha, jab mein usse mila tha tab woh Maa banne wali thi" Ramkishan smiled seeing the happiness returning to the other mans eyes "Priya aaj bhi aapne Papa ka intazaar kar rahi hai aur Gayatri bhi appne paati ka"

The man rushed to Veer and snatching the file from him it held it to his heart. Thanking the Shergill's he left taking his first step towards his happiness.