Words Count- 2270
Attached Song - Darmiyaan
____________

Neha

"Ma'am, Is it fine?" I nodded, patting his shoulder.

"Keep doing," I nudged the new intern under me as I proceeded to discard my gloves and coat since it was the end of my shift.

Switching on my phone, three missed calls from my mother-in-law reminded me of my pending visit to Mehta Mansion. Hence, I decided to stop by the hospital canteen to have a cup of coffee and then, leave for Mehta Mansion.

The hustle- bustle of the hospital was at the peak in the mid-evening as I strolled towards the vacant yet leisurely canteen, where a few interns and senior doctors relieved themselves, apart from the ear-deafening sirens of ambulance and the prompt yet hurried interventions of the doctors.

"My usual coffee, please." I ordered as the girl behind smiled, quickly getting on her feet to get it ready while, I sat the corner window table of the canteen, viewing the sky. The pale canvas, losing its colour to the darkness, inch by inch.

"Here, ma'am." I thanked her, holding the cup of steaming delight.

Sipping slowly, I sinked in the window view as my eyes went moist on their own. I could feel myself slipping away, with no one to catch me as I escape.

Before my thoughts could end, the cup of coffee went empty, urging me to get up and drive away to my next destination.

"I'm on the way to Mehta Mansion, Papa." I replied to my father's worried voice through the speaker as I drove the car.

"Drive safe, princess. Come back soon." I nodded, then, focused back on the road after bidding him a bye.

With a swift turn, my car rolled into the parking area of the mansion, before I turned the keys, letting the engine rest.

"It's already 7:50" I murmured as I hopped off the car and walked briskly into the mansion. A sudden jolt of sharp pain in my abdomen made me stop on my tracks as I sat on the cemented rear end of the fountain for a while, clutching my stomach.

After a few minutes, I padded to the main door and let the door bell ring to let know of my presence.

I heard a soft shuffling after which the door opened ajar, viewing a plump figure of Kiara Di, holding her protruding tummy. I smiled at her, gently having her in my arms as my hands touched the swell of her stomach, delightedly asking her the health status of her growing foetus.

"Neha," I stilled for a moment, hearing Maa's voice as I walked towards her and touched her feet, showing my respect.

She touched my head, hugging me close as she made me to sit on the living room with her.

"Kia, hope you are taking proper rest. Don't walk around so much." Kiara Di nodded as she sat beside me, smiling at me.

"You've completely forgot me, haven't you? No calls, no visits." She complained as Maa nodded at her words.

"Work kept me busy, Maa." I tried to speak, but, Kiara Di cut me off.

"See, both husband and wife have the same set of words as an excuse every time as if any of us have no work." They laughed as I shook my head, giving a faint smile.

"Kia, can you go and call Viraj here? Ask him to bring those papers." She nodded, padding to her room, which must've shifted downstairs, owing to her pregnancy.

My eyes moved to the room, which used to be our room, hoping that I would get to see him too.

A subtle sound of the door creaking open made me look at that direction to see Viraj coming towards us with Kiara. Both of them took their seat in my adjacent two seater sofa as he smiled at me.

He gave a few papers to Maa as he inquired about Surfraaz.

"Oh, he isn't home yet?" He whispered at Maa's negative answer.

Unintentionally, my eyes wandered to the closed main door with no signs of him.

They were indulged in their small talks as my eyes kept looking at the door and my watch intermittently. A strange anticipation taking over me, every time I did so. He won't come, I told myself. I was so close to giving up. But, I knew, my heart was still wishing for a glimpse of him. It's been a week, I saw him.

Maa forwarded me a few papers to sign them, saying they were some legal papers.

"He has already signed on them." I nodded at Viraj's words as my fingers caressed his name, imprinted on the paper in black ink.

Accepting my fate, I signed on them, holding onto my emotions as another sharp contraction shook my fingers while signing my name, next to his.

The conversation around me suddenly halted, when I looked up to see what caused it, I felt my heart skipping it's beats. Near the door, I saw him. The one, I'd been waiting for so long.

But, then, he was not alone!

There was Bhavna, holding his hand close as they strolled inside. Walking into the room with her, never once did he spare me a look.

As if the shock wasn't enough, Mom's words made me get up from my seat.

"Neha, we didn't want you to come to know it in these circumstances but, we need your cooperation too. Our Raaz has agreed to marry Bhavna." Maa informed me as I stared at Raaz, stumped.

"So, we need to speed up your and Surfraaz's divorce." She added, making me sit again as my legs gave up.

"The last hearing is on next week. Raaz, your presence is needed that day. Only your statement is left to decide the divorce." Viraj said, apologetically looking at me but, he just nodded.

"I'll come." That was the first thing he uttered, after he came.

"Raaz, I was thinking it would be better if you both get engaged in the next five days." Maa suggested. The decisions were getting made so fast that I had no time to think and speak.

He can't get engaged to her! He is mine.

"Engagement?" I found myself, exclaiming.

"Neha, I know, we shouldn't discuss it before you but, you have to cooperate to get done with the divorce faster. We know, you want the divorce to happen too." As soon as those words left Viraj's mouth, I found his eyes on me. A strange blankness in his eyes as if he wanted me to torment.

I don't want it!

"Your father met Maa last night, he informed us about your family's plans on your re-marriage with the elder son of Bhardwaj's, Rihaan Bhardwaj. I know him professionally, he is a great man and maybe, you would like him." Viraj revealed to me, taking me by surprise.

"Yes, Rihaan is a perfect boy. He is the CEO of 'Resplendid' and quite a successful Entrepreneur like Viraj. I said to your father last night too, though Raaz and you didn't work out. I hope, you find peace and love with Rihaan."

I mentally groaned, closing my eyes at how haphazardly every decision was being made, rashly. His eyes met mine; the resentment in his eyes with that nonchalant smile on his lips robbed me off my breath as my eyes teared up. I saw him whispering something to Bhavna, before storming out of the room clutching his phone.

"He has to attend an emergency." Bhavna promptly covered up for him as I stood up immediately.

"Give me a moment." I whispered before running out of the door as Bhavna followed behind, asking me not to go after him.

Before he could enter inside his car, I held his hand.

"Ma'am, please don't." Bhavna stopped at a distance, seeing me holding his hand.

"Excuse us, Dr. Das." I yelled at her, making her flinch. But, before she could go, Raaz thwatched my hand away as he called out to her.

"Come here, Bhavna." He pulled her towards him, intertwinkng their hands towards, his fingers filling the gaps of her fingers as I stood gazing at them looking at each other.

"Raaz, what are you doing? Why are you doing this to me?" I croaked out, stepping towards me.

"Neha, I am doing whatever you wanted me to do." He answered softly, his eyes softening for a moment.

"I don't want it." I groaned, clutching my head as the ache in my heart and stomach was maddening me.

"I never wanted it, Raaz." I whispered, clutching his hand.

"It's over, Neha. Please, let us go."

"You are hurting me." I whispered, holding his wrist with both of my hands.

"You wanted a divorce, Neha. You wanted a way out of our marriage. You wanted to get rid of me. Now, you are free. No need to continue your drama here. You've found someone of your taste, I heard. Then, why are you here?" He glimpsed at the dark sky before sighing as his gaze finally landed at me.

"Trust me, I had no idea of those plans. I was as unaware as you, Raaz." I whispered as pain clenched my insides.

"It's fine. Have a happy life ahead." He wished me as his blank eyes stared at me, a little later falling on my ring finger.

"It also knew when to come out." He laughed mirthlessly as Bhavna stared at him and caressed the back of his palm.

"Raaz," I whispered as he gestured Bhavna to sit on the car and he moved away from me. My grip on his hand slowly losing it's tightness.

"Neha, whatever happened between us. Let's leave it behind and move ahead. This girl here, Bhavna-" He pointed towards her as he spoke.

"She was the one, my family had chosen for me when you were to get married to Bhai and we had to get married." He whispered the last part as I stared at him, at a loss of words.

"I expect you to respect her like she deserves being my to-be wife. I don't like you raising your tone at her. Keep that in mind." I heard him say before he walked off, sat on the car and drove away with her.

××

"Papa," I knocked on his office room as he gestured me to come inside.

I waited till his work was over and as his eyes landed on me, he sat by my side and asked, "You don't look good, princess. What's wrong?"

"Why would you do that, Papa? You ruined it." I cried in his arms as he helplessly tried to cajole.

"Why would you do this, Papa? Answer me." He clutched my shoulder, patting my cheeks to calm down as he tried to find an answer for my outbreak.

"You were planning my re-marriage without asking me?" The resentment in my heart broken through my lips as an accusation, filled with anguish. He looked at me befuddled as slowly, my words set in.

"Princess, no father can see his daughter slipping away just before his eyes. I can feel it; the fear of losing you to that deserted life of depression yet again, and it send chills down my spine. So, I agreed when Smita Ji spoke of an alliance with Bhardwaj's." His voice trembled as he elaborated, patting my back once in a while.

"Smita Ji? Maa?" I asked him, bewildered.

"Yes, she advised me on a business dinner two days back to set your alliance with the elder son of Bhardwaj as he is a kind, rich and a fine young man, who can even contribute to yeild good profits in our company and shares." I looked at him incredulously as the turn of the events stunned me.

Why would Maa do such things?

"Maybe, she was right about Surfraaz and you. She could see both of your incompatibility from the first day itself, hence, she denied my request to let you marry Surfraaz, instead selected Viraj for you." He spilled the snippets of the past, I was unaware of!

"You wanted Surfraaz to marry me?" I inquired, my heart jolting in a warm embrace of his words.

"Yes, I always found Surfraaz to be the best man for you. But, I guess, fate had different plans." Shaking my head, I embraced him feeling an overwhelming emotion engulfing me.

No no no, papa!

He is the best man for me.

"I don't know, Papa. Somehow stop this divorce. Ask your best lawyers to let me win the contested divorce. Choose anyway, Papa. Anyhow, make it possible. I need the withdrawal notice in my hand before 11th of this month." I spoke agitated, still crushing him in my arms as I felt a a little hope waving it's hand at me.

"I'll try my best, Princess." I nodded, pressing my face into his chest as he patted my head.

"I just want to see this face smiling till I die. Will you do that for me, Princess?" He cried, seeing me as my dam of tears burst, letting my forever superhero take care of me.

"Promise, Papa." I smiled, sleeping on his lap.

________

____________

Hey peeps,

We are sooo close to the end. Let's hope they solve it soon. And, I hope all of you already know what or who is the problem!

How was the update? Do comment to share your feedback.

Thank you for being my active readers. Lots of love to you.

Stay safe. Good day/night and bye.

Take care 💅

Love,
B❤