"VRINDA'S POV"

As I went towards the last room of this floor, my eyes drifted the another room of this floor.

Our room.

Those words left without any effort from my mouth.

Just because it was a habit. And habits change.

I pressed the knob of the door & it was locked. It's when I remembered Abhimaan putting the numbers that day while opening it.

I looked at it and thought if numerous numbers but just one came in my mind ringing like a bell.

1408.

August fourteenth.

The day dad died.

As I stepped inside, my mind ran back to what I saw when I first came in this office.

My eyes drifting back to the army uniforms with medals on it. The name engraved in it, shining out louder then any name.

Captain Abhimaan Kapoor.

Shrugging off the thoughts, I looked around and found the room stacked with lots of files. Files with just numbers.

And as I was looking at them, I found the working table with files on it.

Sighing, I went to the front of the table when the frames kept on the table catched my attention.

There were two frames. The last time, I didn't even notice them.

The frames, One which was a family photo of.. Dad, Aadi, mom and him.

And the another one was...Me.

With sunflowers.

My eyes again drifted to dad in the picture and Abhimaan...With the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face.

Why no one thinks what bhai did too has its own reasons.

Why everyone is just blaming bhai.

Aadi's words came in my mind.

But what next came in my mind again boiled my anger.

Just get away Vrinda. I don't want to hurt you.

Just tell me Or I'll shoot you right now.

I flinched as the door opened and I saw the same man who spoke those words.

He looked at me and sighed again.

"The files are there" He pointed to the couch and I didn't say anything and just went there picking up the files.

But I saw there was one more file. As I picked that up, he spoke.

"The hard copy of the statement of the victim girls. They're waiting for your call. As soon as you're ready, they'll be ready to be the witnesses " He told

"Who took the statement" I asked

"Someone from the crime department" He replied to which I just nodded.

"Vrinda, why are you still fighting the case" He asked curious.

"If the public prosecution goes in other hands, I don't know if this will be justice or not. I can't let so many innocent lives get in that hell anymore. " I said

"Not even me" He asked raising a brow.

"You can't be public prosecutor after you punched the guilty in the crime cell" I said, more mocked

"I was saving you" He mumbled

"I can save myself " I replied

"And I will save myself in future too. You won't be with me anymore" I added when he sighed

"I'm not leaving you Vrinda. I'm repeating it" He said

"I am leaving you Abhimaan. I too am repeating it" I stated

"You are staying here Vrinda" He spoke

"No" I straightaway denied.

"Your apartment is risky" He reasoned

"But Zara, doesn't live there anymore. She lives with Rehaan" I said as I remembered the conversation.

"And why do you know that? Wait. How do you know that" he asked narrowing his eyes at me.

"I just know" I shrugged when he still looked at me for some seconds but then looked away.

"And what will me shifting from there help this case" I asked coming back to the question.

"It isn't in helping the case Vrinda. It's about your safety" He stated

"I can handle my safety on my own" I said

"Yeah. I have seen that everyday of these six months woma" He mocked

"You can't protect me anymore Abhimaan. You don't have that ri.. " Before I could complete he spoke.

"Oh sure I do have. I'm still your husband. And nothing and no one can change that" he repeated the same thing and I sighed.

"Let's just do the work for which I'm here" I said and he looked at me for some seconds yet nodded.

It was after half an hour, we stood up from our places after discussing about the case .

And it took everything in me to not cry and break into tears in front of the same person who broke me.

"The victims will be present tomorrow in office." He told

"I do have some intense proofs against Sankalp Charan too. Some of the massive cases running in very short villages in India. I've got copies of those FIRs which never reached even district court there. They'll help" I informed to which he nodded.

None of us spoke for some minutes. I kept looking at his hazel eyes which held so many emotions at the same time.

And before I could completely break, I stood up turning, going near the door.

"Vrinda, can't I be forgiven even a bit" He asked and my steps halted but I kept a tight hold on the files with out turning.

And taking a deep breath, I was again about to walk away, when he held my arm and pulled me back to him such that the files fell from my hand scattering on the floor while my palm went to his chest for support.

"Abhimaan" I warned

"Don't go without my answers Vrinda. Tell me how to rectify it. I'm ready to do that. Tell me to do anything , I'll do that" He said

"Why don't you understand Abhimaan. What you've done can't be mended. You broke my trust in pieces Abhimaan, shredded in bits. How do you think it is going to get together" I screamed pushing him away slightly.

"Will this one sign and one piece of paper be enough for mending? You think this will work " He asked showing the papers, taking them out from his pocket.

"You're talking insane" I said

"Tell me Vrinda? You've found this solution right? Will this work" He asked as he took a step towards me where as I took one step back.

"Why are you silent now Vrinda? Tell me. Is this shit of papers enough for you to go away from me" He again asked his eyes boring mine.

"I don't find it answerable to you" I muttered looking away.

I hate the intensity his eyes we're holding. I hate it because they were making me go weak on my knees.

"Will this piece of paper free you from this voice? Wild cat " He asked as he took more steps near me.

Wild cat.

His voice straight away rang in my ears.

"Stop it Abhimaan" I warned but he didn't stop.

"Will this piece of paper make you look into my eyes without a blink" He demanded as he raised my chin making me look at him but I instantly looked away.

"Why are you looking away Vrinda. Answer me? Will this piece of paper stop you from the desire of this touch" He asked as he grazed his fingers from my palms to my shoulders.

And my hand held the hem of my t shirt tightly.

"Ab.. Abhimaan" The fucking voice came as a mere whisper.

"Tell me Vrinda? Will this piece of paper stop you from your urge to kiss me like I'm yours" He asked, his both hands resting on the door behind me, caging ne in between the door and him.

His lips grazing my ear lobe and my hold from my t shirt went to his shirt holding on to it.

"Will this piece of papers stop me from kissing you like you're mine" He demanded his lips whispering the words from my cheeks to my jaws while my hold tightened on the shirt.

"Maan.. " I whispered when I felt his nose touching mine.

Either push him away with the hate you hold on Vrinda, or else kiss him with the desire you're in right now.

"Will this piece of paper stop you from calling me Maan" He asked with a hoarse voice, his eyes boring into mine, his lips brushing mine as he spoke. And I learned in a bit more to him.

But he didn't kiss me. His lips still touched mine.

Kiss me like you own me.

Let me kiss you like I worship you.

"Will this piece of papers stop you from loving me" He asked and this time I looked at him with my senses getting inside me back.

"Abh.. " before I could say he put a finger on my lips.

"Will This Piece Of Paper Stop Me From Loving You" He demanded with his eyes filled with tears.

Loving you.

Loving you!!

I looked at him, shocked, surprised and dumbstruck at the same time.

"If they do, then I'm here, ready to sign papers." He declared ,a tear finally leaving his own eye as he took a one step away from me.

His warmth going away from me.

"And if they don't, which I know doesn't..." He added looking at me and then taking out a lighter from the near by shelf , he burnt the papers in his hands.

"Abhimaan" I spoke but all he did was, looking at me.

I looked at the burning papers again.

"Abhimaan throw them your hands will burn" I pointed out but he just still kept looking at me.

"Abhimaaan" I screamed as I took tried to take the papers away.

"Stop playing with fire" I yelled as I saw his hand burning.

"Maaaan stop it" I cried when he looked at me and threw the ashes of those burnt papers.

"Are you mad. " I snapped as I took his hand in mine inspecting it.

His hand was little red and I glared him.

"Aap pagal ho kya. Kya saabit karna chahte ho ye sab karke. Konsa junoon sar par leke chal rahe ho aap.
(Are you mad. What do you want to even prove by doing all this? With which passion on your head you're walking) " I yelled

"Tumhara junoon Vrinda. Itna mushkil hai kya ye samjhna. Junoon ki saari hade paar hai jab baat tumhari aati hai.

(Your passion Vrinda. Is it that tough to understand ? All the limits of passion are crossed when it's about you).

That I'll die without you. I'm unable to breath without you. Don't leave me" He screamed tears rolling down his cheeks.

And then what he did next shocked me.
He sat on his knees with his hands folded.

"Don't leave me Vrinda. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for lying. I can't even express how guilty I am for what I did. Please, please forgive me. " He begged and I gasped stepping one step back.

"Abhimaan" I whispered

"I know I did wrong by you. You deserved the truth Vrinda. Nothing else" He said

"You can't heal something which is broken and then break it again Abhimaan." I spoke with tears.

"I know. And I'm ready repent it in any way. As long as it doesn't separate you from me" He said

"And what if you can't repent it?" I asked

"You sent me two copies right" He asked back to which I just shook my head.

He didn't say anything, just went to the table picking up another copy of divorce papers and took out a pen from pen holder.

My palms started sweating when I saw him opening the cap of that pen.

And, He signed the papers.

And just like that, my world crumbled.

"If I can't repent them, you have what you want" His voice was a mere whisper as he didn't even try to wipe his tears falling from his eyes.

"Maa.. " Before I could speak he stopped me.

"Maan bol kar jaan maang lo, vo bhi haazir hai. Ye kagaz kya cheez hai. Mai, tumhara tha,hun Or rahunga. Or agar tumhe abhi bhi lagta hai ki sirf ye kagaz ke tukde mujhe tumhara hone se rok sakte hai, to chalo ye bhi karke dekh lete hai. Karo nafrat mujhse Vrinda. Jitni nafrat kar sakti ho karo. Par mera pyaar itna kaccha nahi ki tumhare is gusse ki nafrat se haar jaaye. Inhi kagazo par kisi din tum meri hui thi, Lawfully Wedded, inhi kagazo par tum mujhse rishta tod rahi ho, Lawfully Hated par vada hai mera tumse, inhi kagazo par fir tumhara Or mera naam hoga. Par vo kagaz sirf pyaar ki dastaan honge. Lawfully loved. Or us din bhi kagaz meri mohabbat ka mohtaaz nahi hoga.
Kyuki Vrinda Shah...
Mai tumhara tha, hun or Hamesha Rahunga" He professed as he looked at me confessing his love, his nose touching mine and our breaths heavy.

Vrinda Shah!

I held his collars for support and sobbed.

"Why did you do that to me" I sobbed in pain

"I wish I could change that action. But I know I can't" He whispered

"So here you go Vrinda Shah. Just don't forget that I'm going to repent my mistake in every way possible.
Or jis din tum mujhe maaf karogi, mai tumse vo lunga, jo humesha se mera hai....Tum.
(And when I forgive me, I'll take back what's mine. Even from you. That's.. You)" He professed his eyes boring mine.

"So hate me with all you have, because I love you with all I have. And I'm going to make you love me with all I have" He declared as he bent picking up the scattered files and keeping them near by,left the room as well as me.

Unki ye jang mujhse nahi thi. Unki ye jang khud se thi.

(It wasn't his war with me. It was his war with himself. )

But Wasn't this what I wanted?

Wasn't this what I demanded?

Then why it pained me like someone just pulled out my heart from me.

Wasn't I hating him? Wasn't I angry on him?

Then why were the sign on these papers the thing which I hated the most now.

I wiped my tears and taking the files, went down stairs when I saw Aadi leaving from his room.

"Aadi" I spoke and he looked at me.

"Bhabhi" He mumbled and then looked down.

"Thankyou" I said

"For what" He asked surprised

"For telling me the things. " I replied

"I'm sorry. I was.. Angry" He mumbled when I passed him a small smile.

"Abhimaan is lucky to have you" I patted his cheek and he looked at me.

"Mat jaao na bhabhi please. Bhai ki jaan basti hai aap mein.
(Please don't leave Bhabhi. Brother's life reside in you) " He said

"I know" I whispered

"Then why are you leaving" He asked

"It's meant to happen" I whispered when he sighed.

"Even if anything happens, promise me one thing Aadi" I demanded when he wiped his tears.

"Be the brother I saw today. Stand beside him like his pillar" I said wiping his tears and he nodded his head.

"Take care of mom" I added and turned to leave just to see mom.

"Can't you stay" Mom again asked

"I can't. It's too difficult for me. That moment has just got pasted on my mind mom. Every time I see him, I see th..that room, I.. I can't even breath knowing he's the same man who...love me" I whispered as tears left my eyes as my mind replayed his words this time.

Will this piece of paper stop me from loving you.

No one spoke further. Mom wiped her tears where as Aadi hugged me.

And I took one last glance at the house which became my home.

And people who became my life.

Taking fast steps, I went out side wiping my tears when I saw Elliot and Lucas.

"What are even your real names" I asked

"Elliot Fernandis, Lucas D'souza" Elliot told

"You're Indians. I was right when I said your hairs and face doesn't seem French. Though your accent is up to the mark" I muttered

"You're a good observer ma'am" Lucas said

"Why are you calling me ma'am now" I asked as I remembered the sign.

Fuck. Why it pain so much.

"Because we're bodyguards only. We were Avinaash sir's bodyguards. Now Abhimaan Sir's. And you're sir's wife. Our ma'am" Elliot revealed and I sighed.

Not anymore.

"Keys Lucas" I heard Abhimaan'a voice turning to see him there.

"I'll drive myself. No need" I said

"Keys Lucas" He again demanded and Lucas handed him the same.

Before I could say anything, Abhimaan opened the door of the car near him and then looked at me.

"Get inside" He spoke his voice a mere command

"Get that voice in check" I warned

"Vrinda, get inside. And my voice won't change because it's the only way you listen" He stated

"And I'm not obliged to do so" I replied

"Vrinda, I'm again saying. You're just 5'3". Don't tempt me to throw you into the car and put a child lock" He spoke

"Try that and I'll kick your ass" I snapped when he looked at me with an amused expression, a smirk slowly appearing on his face.

"I.. I mean, just let me go" I muttered

Or aise karengi aap inse nafrat.

(And that's how you'll hate him).

"Just let me drop you safely to the apartment. I know you don't want to see my face. I know you hate me. I know you don't want to live with me. But atleast let me make sure that you're safe" He said and I sighed knowing, he won't budge.

Hence I sat inside without a word and he closed the door, coming to driver seat, sat and drove towards the apartment.

The whole ride was a silent affair but the gaze didn't go unnoticed by me.

As my apartment came, I got out and looked at him for the last time before running inside taking the lift.

As my floor came, I rang the bell of my apartment and dad opened the door.

"Vrinda,you took long. I got worried" He said when I didn't say anything and just hugged him tightly breaking into tears.

"Vr..daughter. What happened. Did Abhimaan say something again" He asked when I shook my head.

"Am I wrong Or over reacting in all this" I asked

"No. You aren't. Whatever you've witnessed in these days. Anyone at your place would've had same reaction. May be more worse" He patted my back.

"Then why does it hurts. Why does it hurt so much when he actually gave me what I demanded the most" I cried

"What" He asked

"He signed the papers dad. We're over. It's over. Lawfully wedded is over. Lawfully hated won dad. It won. " I sobbed

"The chapter turned child. How can you be so sure that the book is closed " He asked

"He says he will repent it. Will he? And even if he does,will I ever be able to forgive him" I asked my insecurities overpowering me.

"Kabhi kabhi kuch chize vakt par chod deni chahiye
(Sometimes, somethings should be left on the time) " He said wiping my tears and I hugged my father more tightly.

But what he said next, made me rethink every single thing.

Every single decision, again.

"But just make sure Vrinda, vakt ke upar itna bhi nirbhar nahi hua jata,kyuki kabhi kabhi vakt ko haath se fisalte der nahi lagti.

(One can't depend on time so much because sometimes it doesn't take much for time to slip from our hands).

You're mature enough to understand next" He spoke as he patted my shoulder going inside the room where as I stood there with that piece of paper and tears in my eyes.

__________________________________

Hey readers.

So, how was the chapter?

By far one of my fav chapter because of the way Abhimaan confessed. Because of the way Abhimaan is so sure that his love will win over the angry hate of Vrinda. And the hindi in between is my most fav. I think it carries another level of emotions. What you think?

Abhimaan finally confessed Vrinda that he loves her.

Though no words were required yet, words are required🙈

But... Abhimaan signed the papers. He gave the divorce.

What's going to happen next.

Let's see.

Vote, like, share and comment.

Until next...

Hugs ❤