"Gunraj" Rajveer's stern voice brought their attention "kaha the tum... Uss din to bade dinge haak rahe the.. Naina tumhari zimmedari hai ye bacche ka khayal tum rakhoge... Aise nibhaoge tum apni zimedari.. Agar aj Naina ko ya bacche ko kuch ho jata to? Tum usey iss halat mein akela kaise chhod sakte ho" He was getting angry.

Gunny remained silent in guilt because he know it's his fault he shouldn't have left her alone. Wish he never left for that conference, what if something bad had happened to her. Rajveer is right he is the one to be blamed.

Naina didn't liked the way Rajveer accused him with no fault of his "mein ya mera baccha kisi ki zimmedari nahi hai.. Gunny sirf ek dost hone ke nate meri madat kar raha hai.. Iska matlab ye nahi ki hum uski responsibility.... Aur zimmedari nibhane ki baat tum na hi karo to accha hoga" She said taunting him.

"Mein doctor se tumhara prescription lekar ata hu" Gunny made an escape feeling burden on his heart, for being careless.

"Gunny ruko" He left without hearing her, Naina turns to Rajveer angrily. "Dekha kya kiya tumne... Kitna bura laga hoga usey.. wo bas meri madat kar raha tha.. mein uski zimmedari nahi... Bekar mein usko guilty feel kara rahe ho tum... Jabki tumhara humse koi lena dena nahi, koi matlab nahi".

He felt irked as she took his side, he felt insecure "bahot fikra ho rahi hai uski.. Jo tumhara kuch bhi nahi lagta.. Aur mera kya haan.. Mein tumhara pati hu, hak hai mera".

She cuts him in between "wo mera kuch nahi to uski zimmedari kis baat ki, Soon to be ex husband" She taunted

He was irritated now "future ki chhodo.. Mein aaj bhi tumhara pati hu.. Hakk hai mera tum par or tumse judi har cheez par, tumhara bhala bura sochne ka adhikar hai mere pas".

"Kaunsa adhikar? Kaisa adhikar? Jo tumhari apni convince ke hisab se ata hai jata hai. Kaha tha tumhara hak, jab mein tumhare agey gidgida rahi thi mujhe apna ne ke liye. Tab kyu nahi jataya tumne ye adhikar jab didi ne tumse iss bacche ke bare mein kaha... Tab tumhe kuch yaad nahi aya Rajveer..." She couldn't dare to complete his nasty remark,she felt humiliated.

"apni bari ayi to hak jata liya or
Jab meine apna adhikar manga to tumne farz ke naam par muh mod liye... Aaj achanak kyu tumhe itni parwah ho rahi hai? Isiliye ki tumse bardasht nahi ho raha ki mein kisi aur ko wo adhikar de rahi hu jisey tumne maan ne se inkaar kiya tha......male ego hurt ho gayi?". She showed him the reality. "Mere bina ye ladki agey kaise badh sakti hai...isko to rona chahiye...pal pal mere liye tadapna chhaiye...haina yahi chahte ho na?" She was furious.

He was about to say something when Naina joined her hands in front of him requesting him to go away "hath jodti hu.. Chale jao. Tumhe jo chahiye tha mein tumhe de chuki... Ab mujhe or mere bacche ko hamare haal par chhod do... Chale jao yaha se... Just leave".

He slowly went out of the room with heavy heart, not liking the taste of reality. Why is he feeling pained when she said he don't hold any right on them. This is what he wanted badly.. Right? Then why he is feeling hollow in his heart, with the thought that she will no more bother him. She will never interrupt him with her heart felt confessions, her chirpy excitement, her innocent looking eyes will never look into his. It hurts now, don't know why but it does.

________________

Rajveer was passing by a ward where he got a glimpse of a couple turned parents, the shine in father's eyes holding his child for the first time in his arms gave him goosebumps. Baby was so small just like a doll, with tiny legs, arms, fingers. He felt strange shiver in his body when the couple kissed baby together with love. His own eyes misted watching the scene.

His own baby is so small, just like a piece of grain, which he saw in sonography. Will he look like him? Or she? Is he thinking about having a daughter, his heart thumped. A daughter who will trail behind him with her tiny feets and he would pick her up in his arms like his most priced possession, hiding from the world. He was thrilled with the thought...

But his joy lived short when he saw Gunny entering her ward, he peeped inside and his blood boiled. Gunny was comforting her, making her eat fruits while creasing her belly. That fucckerr! He cursed him in rage. He has no right to touch what he possesses it's his family, and he will get them back...by hook or by crook.

_______________

After few days when he found her alone in park, he decided to make first move towards his child.

"Naina me sab kuch bhul kar tumhare sath or iss bacche ke sath ek nayi zindagi shuru karne ko taiyar hu.. " Her heart did a summer sault, is this the effect of going to be a father does? But her happiness lived short when he said "magar meri ek shart hai... Tumhe Sunaina se apne sabhi rishte todne honge, tabhi hum apne rishte ko bacha sakte hai". He said with difficulty not wanting to show his vulnerability or desperation to have them back.

Her hopes shattered but she composed herself and said " Bewakoof thi jo ye soch baithi ki tum badal jaoge. Rishte pyaar ke sath nibhaye jate hai aur shart par sirf sauda kiya jata hai... Me ya mera baccha kisi deal ka hissa nahi hai jo tum mere samne shart rakhoge".

"Bewakoof mat bano Naina, kyu apne or iss bacche ki zindagi bekar me barbaad kar rahi ho... Har rishte me shart hoti hai. Saat phere lete waqt kya humne ek dusre ko vachan nahi diye the.. Kya wo ek tarah se sharte nahi thi" He backfired her question, not giving up on them.

She thought it's in vain to make him understand as it's better to give him answer in his own way "agar wo saat vachan tumhare liye shartein hai to fir thik hai... Shart kabhi ek tarfa nahi ho sakti.. Ek waade ke badle mujhe bhi tumse ek waada chahiye" He asked her to go on "me apni behen se sabhi rishte todne ko taiyyar hu... Badle mein tumhe bhi apne bhai Ranveer se sabhi rishte todne Honge.. Manzoor? " She asked him cleverly.

He was surprised at her condition "dimag kharab hai tumhara? Bhai hai wo mera.. Aise kaise uss se apne naate tod du".

She smiles sarcastically " Behen hai wo meri.. Aise kaise un se apne naate tod du? " She replied in his way "shart iss tarah rakhi jati hai Mr. Shekhawat, or agar apko meri shart manzur nahi to mujhe bhi apki shart manzoor nahi... Deal cancel" She walked away.

"Theek hai Naina, agar tum aise nahi manogi.. To mere pas dusra rasta bhi hai" He in challenging tone and calls someone.

_____________

Rajveer called Naina in his house in the excuse of signing some documents "kaha hai documents jinke liye tumne mujhe bulaya" She said nonchalantly.

"Naina.... Mere bacchi" She was shocked to hear that voice.

She turned and was utterly shocked to see them all "ma baba.... Mom Dad app? " There stood her parents and in-laws, looking extremely happy.

Her mother-in law engulfs her in arms "tune hum sabko kitni badi khushi di hai jiska tujhe andaza nahi".

Her mother came beside her, creasing her head "Mujhe to yakeen hi nahi ho raha... Meri choti si gudiya ab Maa ban ne wali hai". She looks at her father who was looking at her with affection trying to hide his tears. She was left dumbfounded with their unexpected arrival. How the hell she is gonna tell them the ugly truth, they looks so delighted. How can she break their heart?

Her parents and in laws were showering her with love when her eyes fell on that excuse of a husband, who was smirking at her in victory. She was enraged, so it was his ploy to trap her, putting her in a situation where she couldn't tell them the truth nor can run away from him. Bastard. He could read her thoughts and smirks more widely winking at her, making her more angry.

He comes near her, holding her from side of her shoulder "aram se, meri biwi ap sabko achanak dekh kar shock ho gayi hai.. I think she needs rest.. Kyu biwi? " He smirks while she curse him under breath.

"Tum sahi keh rahe ho beta, isey kamre mein le jao aur aram karne do.. Hum log bhi shaam ko iss se mil lenge.. Bechari shock ke mare kuch bol bhi nahi paa rahi" Her mother said chuckling at her numb state.

He took her inside their bedroom holding her from shoulders, she saw the room in the same condition as she left. Old memories rushed back to her when she jerked him away from her.

"What the fuck was that! " She gritted.

He hissed "language biwi, it's not good for my baby". He replied in cool manner making her angrier all over again.

"Kaisi biwi? Kaunsi biwi? Ye baccha mera hai, tumhara nahi samjhe" She spoke getting pissed at him.

"Meri biwi.. Bhool gayi humne agni ke samne saat phere liye the... And this is OUR child, we made it... Yaad hai na kaise".

"Shut up, just shut up. Mein divorce papers sign kar chuki hu... Ab hamare raste alag hai". She shouted

" Magar meine wo papers kabhi submit kiye hi nahi" She was surprised "aur hamare raste alag kaise? You have my child breathing in your womb" He looks intently at her belly. Her hands wrapped around her stomach protectively.

She firmly said. "You have no right, I will not let you even lay a finger on MY baby"

He was irked with her denial not liking the way she was protesting "this is my child also." He said in serious authority without any playfulness he was showing previously "with your consent or not.... Iss bacche par mera utna hi hak hai jitna tumhara aur agar tumne mujhse mere bacche ko dur karne ki koshish ki to you will see the worst of me" He warns her.

She too was not backing off "kya karoge? Haan.. Nahi darti mein tumse, bahot man mani karli tumne apni..ab bas aur nahi".

He leans towards her making her back off a little, feeling intimidating in his aura like before " Kya kar sakta hu.. To suno.. I will fight for my child's custody, even if you want it or not.. I will get what I want by hook or by crook...itna to tum mujhe janti hi ho na" He saw helpless fear in her eyes which he didn't liked.... This is not what he wanted, he just wants her to accept the situation.

He shuts his eyes taking a deep breath "Naina acha yahi hoga ki bina ladai jhagde ke meri baat maan jao, let me have the privilege of knowing my child, agar tumne mere sath nahi rehna then be happy to leave.. I will not seperate you from our baby.. Itna bada sadist bhi nahi hu mein jitna tum samjhti ho. Mein bas itna chahta hu ki... Don't deprive this child of his father's love.. Uske ache future ke liye hum dono ki presence zaruri hai.. Even if we don't stay together..." He saw her thinking about it.

"Iss bare me dhyan se sochna zarur" She was calm now but not convinced Going back to his cool mode "ab tum rest karo biwi, mein office ja raha hu... Take care". He left her wondering about his words.

___________

" You are an asshole" Anjali gave him a beautiful compliment.

"Thanks". He said digging his face in file.

"You are an annoying disgusting crawling pest" She expirated.

"Thanks again" He calmly respond her back.

She slams her palm on table "you excuse of a human in form of sickening leech" She was mad at him he could make at out from her sweet words.

"Am highly obliged, thank you" He said keeping a hand on his heart as if flattered.

She smiled sarcastically "my pleasure, you slutty Bitch" She gritted.

He closed his file widening his eyes in shock "what was that.. Am offended now, that doesn't suits my personality" He played with her amusingly.

"Atleast it got your attention. Bitch!" She again remarked. "How can you put her in dilemma, you literally blackmailed her.. she is pregnant damnit". she said in disbelief.

He sighed and got up from his chair " I know she is pregnant..but Mere pas aur koi rasta nahi tha" He looks out of the huge glass window of his office.

"Usko aram se pyaar ke sath samjhate.. Am sure wo samjh jati" She calmly said.

"Uske gusse ka trailer dekhne ke baad bhi ye bol rahi ho tum" He amusingly said, looking at traffic....even in anger she looks cute with that pregnancy glow.

"Haan to.. " She tentatively said "thoda waqt lagta.. But am sure wo maan jati" She was a bit unsure.

"Yea right" He turns sarcastically "tab tak meri beti ki shadi ki umar ho jati... Maan jati wo". He said knowing how adamant she is.

" Beti? " She was amused "seems like you are way too fascinated about having a child".

There was a shine on his face talking about the baby " Am desperate to have her in my arms" He looks at his hands waiting to hold her "am so excited.. I can't even tell you... I will pamper her a lot, She will be my little princess, and i will make sure she loves me the most in this whole damm universe" He was radiating with happiness.

While Anjali never saw this side of him, it's totally opposite of his personality. Is this what a love of a child does to a person? Then what about the love of his wife? "Aur Naina ka kya? Your daughter needs a mother too".

He was silent then said " I don't mind her, I agree she will need her mother's warmth too... I can bear her presence for my baby, i can do anything for her... She can live with us.. But" He turns serious "If Naina wants to go then she can leave but alone, she can come to meet her but my daughter will live with me..." He was firm on his decision not ready to let go his child at any cost, Naina can take as much time she wants to adjust herself in his proximity.

"Rajveer ek ladki apne jeevan saathi mein apne baap ki parchai dekhti hai... teri beti bhi dekhegi...." He smiles thinking about it but in the next moment it died "agar usko waisa hi jeevan saathi mila jaisa Naina ko mila toh" she said this on purpose to give him a little bit taste of his medicine.

A fear was engulfing him, he felt his heart stopped beating. Naina's crying face, her pleading, that look of betrayal on her face, her misery...flashed in front of his eye. No he can't even imagine those things for his own daughter. For the first time he was ashamed of his deeds. He was scared of result. "Aisa...aisa kuch nahi hoga...meri beti mere pas hi rahegi...kahi nahi jayegi wo.." he was convincing himself.

Anjali shook her head, iska kuch nahi ho sakta. "But what if its not she but he?" She pulls his leg amusingly trying to distract him from earlier conversation "what if it's a boy".

His mind got diverted. He wondered for a while then shrugged his shoulders " I will teach him how to flirt... He will be my boy too" Anjali laughed.

He looks at her in annoyance as she makes fun of him when an thought lights up in his mind to irritate her "waise, Naina akeli hai uske sath ka koi baat karne wala nahi hai... Why don't you give her company".

She gulped her, remembering her phoolan avatar " Mein" He nodded amusingly "mein... Mujhe kuch kam hai, sara din teri tarah batiyane ko nahi baithi mein" She left holding her precious hairs dearly as he laughed.

______________

"To kya socha tumne" He asked her.

"I need some more time" She said ignoring him.

"Okay take as much time as you want but i need your answer in positive" He clearly said. "Now medicine time biwi".

She gulps down pills " Don't call me biwi".

"But you are my biwi" He loves to tease her, because when her face go red with annoyance it's a sight to watch...his favourite sight which he was missing badly.

"Am not, stop calling me that, okay? " She was irritated.

"Okay biwi" He smiled secretly.

"You idiot.. " She throws glass at him which he ducked cleverly.

He laughed "bad shot biwi, better luck next time" He left the room chuckled as she called him names from behind. He asked maid to clean the mess she created in room. He felt relieved after a month.