She was standing in the balcony, resting her hands on the iron railing, the cold winter wind hitting her and she was there without even a shawl but didn't feel any cold. 

A hot blood rush was running down her body, her whole body was heated up and the memories of last month's party night were still fresh. It makes her shiver whenever that incident flashes before her, it hunts her every minute but unfortunately she can't even leave the place. 

Her parents convince her to compromise, they indirectly hinted to her that she won't be welcome in their home and right now at the moment she doesn't have any other place to go, she had to live with her husband. If she would be alone then she would have left the house long ago but she can't, she's bound with her son's love and something else that she doesn't want to tell to anyone. 

She didn't expect that to happen but it did happen and she's left shattered and broken, no one cares to know how she's feeling or if she needs them but instead they ask her to adjust, compromise and let it go. She too tried but wasn't able to remove that incident from her memory. 

She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes to calm her accelerating nerves and mind but open them in the very moment feeling some touches, someone has wrapped a shawl around  her. She recognises the touch, it's her husband Vineet. 

He's an ace businessman, he has so much money and power that he and the family can live a lavish life their whole life even if he stops working today, he rules the city but at the same time he's a family man as well. He gets time to spend with them - - his mother, his wife and his 10 year old Son. No matter how busy he is but never forgets to be at home by 6 to be with his family.

For his mother, Kaushalya, Vineet is her Shravan Kumar who never disrespected her or her words. His mother's words are like indelible marks for him.

For his Son, Ansh, he's a superhero who gets him anything and everything that he wants and also loves him unconditionally.

And for his wife, Anamika, he is someone she can trust blindly, he has always been there for her, his love is the only thing she ever wanted. They have been married for 10 years now but have known each other for 15 years. She always thanked god and considered herself lucky to have a life partner like him but things changed last month, in their 10th anniversary party and now the situation is all her feelings for him have changed. It's not like she hates him but she doesn't even find herself holding any love feeling for him. 

She came out of her trance when he wrapped his arms around her and placed his chin on her shoulder, touching his cheek on her.

''Aren't you feeling cold? Kitni thand hai aur tum aise hi yahan khadi ho, tumhe pata hai na kitni haldi thand laag jaati hai tumhe, bimaar ho jaaogi!'' He says softly, in concern. 

She didn't reply, it's been a month she doesn't respond to him much, she replies when it is highly needed else she's quiet, always!

Vineet turns her around, he knows what is bugging her but it was a mistake, he didn't do anything intentionally still his wife is angry and hurt. He tried to sort out everything but only if she showed any effort. 

He turns her around, her gaze is down. He lifted up her face but she didn't lift her gaze. 

He cups her face with his one hand while his other hand is on her waist, holding her close to him such that he could feel her heartbeat, calm and unrhymed because she's tensed.

''Jaan, please, ek baar toh meri taraf dekho. It's been a month, tumhari awaj sunne ke liye taras gaya hoon main. I know jo hua wo sahi nahi tha par tum janti ho meine kuch jaan bujh ke nahi kiya, it was a mistake! Kya mujhe ek chance bhi nahi milega apni galti ko sudharne ka?'' He questioned looking at her all the while but neither her expression changed nor did she utter a word or look at him. 

Her silence was killing him, he's already guilty of his action and now the result of his mistake is much more dreadful, he can't bear her pale face, silent mode and cold behavior. He wants her to speak, shout at him like she does whenever they have an argument, he wants her to look at him, lovingly or even hatefully but she is just being a soulless body with no emotions. All her dramas which she does when he goes to office, her late night demands, her long crazy talks at midnight, her love and affection towards him, he's missing everything badly. He didn't know his one mistake would affect her so badly. 

He rolls his eyes on her again, she's still standing there in his arms -- emotionless! Not even protesting that she doesn't want him around. 

He knows she's hurt by what he did and wanted some peace, some alone time but her family didn't agree they wanted her to sort out things maybe by talking to him and this hurted her more. At first place she didn't expect any of that sort of thing to come from his side and then her family behaviour broke her. 

He caressed her cold cheek lightly, he wants her to understand that he didn't do anything intentionally though he feels it really unfair to make her understand his situation because she's highly affected with it and he should be the one to understand her mental condition instead of clarifying his name but if he doesn't do that then she will hate him forever which he doesn't want. 

''Ana, main janta hoon meri galti bahut badi hai par mera koi intention nahi tha tumhe hurt karne ka, main aisa soch bhi nahi sakta. Please, mujhe ek mauka do, I promise main sab thik kar dunga!'' he says convincingly but no use, she didn't react. 

He sighs, one mistake led to such a big disaster. 

''Hum dinner pe chale aaj? Main aur tum, tumhare favourite restaurant jaayenge!'' He came up with an idea thinking this may work, change of place may change her mood and he would also get a chance to talk to her properly.

This time she looked at him for a second and down her gaze again. He noticed her teary eyes and felt a needle in his heart.

In the past one month, he has seen her crying most of the time but not in front of him or showing anyone that she's crying. 

First time, when he saw her sobbing was when her parents refused to take her to their home. That day, she cried the whole night cuddling up in her side of bed and holding his shirt tight in her arms. She wanted someone to hold her, she wanted his chest to cry out her pain but couldn't. 

What can a broken soul do if their loved one, their healer is the one who broke them severely. 

He though holds her but it only increased her pain, she cried even harder but didn't turn to him. 

''Ansh ka assignment hai, mujhe uski help karni hai!'' She told him briefly, coldly. 

She never denied such plans, dinner dates and surprises excites her but not now.

''Maa uski help kar degi aur fir kal Sunday bhi toh hai.'' He doesn't want to lose this one chance, a chance to hold on her.

She stays quiet, maybe thinking of some excuse but it seems she doesn't find any and ends up nodding in agreement. 

Vineet smiles widely and pulls her in the room. He handed her a box wrapped in a gift bag, Anamika held it and moved to the washroom knowing it would be a dress. It's his way to show love, whenever he asks for dinner he presents her a new dress with all the accessories, today too he did the same.

Vineet watches her going with a smile, he just wishes that he would be able to bring a smile on her face. 

***

Anamika came out of the washroom after a few moments wearing a full length gown, her hair tied up and she had applied minimal makeup. She looks beautiful but her smile was missing.

Vineet looks at her lovingly, he marches towards her and pecks her cheek.

''You look gorgeous!'' He complimented, she stands still emotionless!

They leave the room, Vineet told his mother about his plan who assures him that everything will fall in its place and he doesn't need to worry about his son, she will take care of the boy. Vineet nodded and left the house along with Anamika.

Throughout their whole journey, Anamika was silent and looking out from the window Vineet tried to start a conversation but she didn't reply, he was left disheartened.

Soon they reach their destination, The Royal Plaza! Anamika stepped out of the car and closed the door behind, her dress got stuck in the door, she tried to pull it but couldn't as it was locked from inside. She sighs and pulls the dress forcefully and still isn't able to pull it.

It was then when Vineet took hold on her dress and opened the door of the car, he safely removed her dress and adjusted it sitting on his knees. She stares at him, trying to understand how he did that on their anniversary. He has been a sweet and calm person but that day she saw his other side, wild and aggressive which hurted her only and now again he's the same, loving and caring. 

Vineet taps on her shoulder finding her lost, she looks away instantly, she doesn't want to think about that night. 

They entered the restaurant and took their seats. Anamika was suddenly feeling thousands of gazes on herself though there weren't many people around but she was feeling uncomfortable. 

She pulls her legs close, her gaze never lifting. 

Vineet watches her, he asks her to order but she didn't react so he ordered the food. 

He tries to hold her hand but she pulls it back, his every attempt to start a conversation fails as she remains silent. 

Soon their food arrived, Vineet served themselves with the food and asked her to eat. Anamika obeyed, she ate a little and left the plate. She didn't feel like eating.

Vineet looks at her,''tum aise khana chod dogi toh kaise chalega Ana?'' He questioned in concern, it's been a month that she isn't having a proper meal, not only that but also sleep less nights are hunting her. She tosses on the bed but doesn't sleep, reason being her habit. She sleeps by keeping her head on his chest, in his tight embrace but that incident makes it impossible for her to even look at him then how will she snuggle. And it's obvious one can't change their 10 year habit overnight, it needs time. 

''Mujhe bhook nahi hai!'' She replied. 

He sighs and drops the spoon as well, paying the bill and leaving the place. 

They settled down in their car, Vineet asked if she wanted to stroll on the beach but she denied so they headed to their home. 

As they stepped in the house, Ansh almost jumped over her.

''Mumma, aap Ansh ko chor kar kahan gaye the.'' He questions pouting cutely.

Anamika shook her head negatively,''kahin nahi!'' She replied and moved to her room taking him along as she wasn't feeling to talk to anyone but also knows that her son needs her.

Vineet just stared at her, Kaushalya patted his shoulder.

''Kuch baat bani?'' She inquired as they took their seats on the couch lying in the hall.

Vineet shook his head negatively, ''nahi maa, wo kuch nahi boli. I don't know main usse kaise samjhau ki meine kuch jaan bujh ke nahi kiya wo bas ho gaya gusse mei mujh sey. Main khud nahi janta mujhe itna gussa kaise aa gaya uss din party mei ki itna bada kadam utha liya meine.'' Vineet spoke lowering his gaze as his eyes turned watery.

Savita caressed his arm affectionately, ''tumhari koi galti nahi hai Bunny, tu apne aap ko dosh maat de. Gusse mei aisi chijein ho jaati hai aur uss din bhi wahi hua par jaane kyun bahu iss baat ko samajh nahi rahi. Uske parents ne usse itna samjhaya aur meine bhi par wo kuch samajhane ko taiyar hi nahi hai.'' Savita says, for her it was a mistake that her son committed and she wants her daughter in law to forgive his son and let the matter go as Vineet is disturbed and upset because Anamika is not behaving normally. 

Vineet kept his head in his mother's lap,Savita caressed his hair as he drifted in the memory of that night which changed everything.

Flashback

It was morning and Vineet was in his room getting ready for office while Anamika was gazing at him angrily standing adjacent to him with the support of a cupboard.

''Come on stop checking me out. I know i'm handsome and hot but you don't need to stare at him like this.'' He says as he winked at her.

Anamika scoffs,''ooh yeah, hot and handsome brainless fellow!'' She commented sarcastically, he laughed.

''Hanso maat, ek toh tum hamari anniversary ke din office jaa rahe ho upar se ye bakwas,huhh!! I think you need a divorce Mr. Shergill.'' She glares at him fiercely.

He turns to her and lean a little,''uff, tumhare ye roj ke nakhre.'' He snaffled his nose but pecked her lips lightly making her chuckle.

He pulls her in his arms by wrapping his arms around her waist while she holds him by shoulder.

''You don't need to worry main thodi der main hi aa jagunga, ek important meeting hai wo nipta loon bas uske badh i'll be all yours. Kaho toh after party arrangements karlu!!'' He teases her as his hands  explore her curves under her tee.

She pushes him away,''koi jarurat nai tumhe kuch karne ki, kuch karna hoga toh main khud kar lungi tumhare sochne ka wait thodi karungi. Tum bas time se aa jana I have a surprise for you.'' She says in excitement, he smiles at her excitement and leaves the house.

The day passes in blur as promised Vineet returned early and spent some time with his family, a little while later they got ready for the party arranged in their garden. 

Anamika was busy in her last minute touch up while Vineet was adoring her lying on the bed.

''Dekho, agar party mei logon ne tumpe line maara na toh main na sahunga aur ye toh hoga hi tum itna saaj dhaj rahi ho!'' He stated gazing at her.

Anamika looked at him through the mirror.

''Who cares, logon ki darr se main apna birth right chod doon!? Aab tumse tumhare guest na handle honge toh ye meri galti nai!'' She exclaims teasingly. 

Vineet stood up from his place and hugged her from behind,''mujh se toh main hi na sambhal raha baki ka kya dekhu.'' He pecks the exposed area of her shoulder, making her moan. 

''Don't make such noises, party mei na jaya jaayega mujh se!'' He exclaims, hiding his face in her shoulder. 

But their sweet moment gets disturbed as Ansh walks in the room shouting for his father. Vineet makes faces but leaves the room as Ansh tells him that some of his friends are waiting for him. 

Anamika giggled at his act and concentrated on herself, she was smiling all the while as she got to know something and was excited to share the news with him. 

She opened her cupboard and glanced at the gift she had bought for him. Making sure she's presentable, she leaves the room and moves to the garden area but is left shocked to find Vineet shouting over someone, most probably a relative.

She was stunned to find him angry as he's a calm headed person but it seems he's out of control. Anamika runs towards him and holds his arm and pulls him but he jerks her hand and holds the collar of the guy standing before him. Media was witnessing all the mess, they were clicking pictures and taking videos, how can they leave such breaking news. 

Savita and Anamika tried to stop him. Savita pulls the other guy aside while Anamika holds onto Vineet. She pulled him to the other side while scolding him.

''Paagal ho gaye ho kya Vineet, ye kya kar rahe ho tum. Itna log hai yahan, apni reputation ka toh socho ek baar!'' She tries to make him understand but he wasn't in his sense. He was still trying to hold the guy somehow but her grip on him was firm, she was holding him tight.

''Chodo mujhe Ana, I need to teach him a lesson!'' He tried to free himself from her but couldn't while the guy continued to taunt him with his harsh and teasing words. 

Vineet pushes Anamika harshly but she holds his hand to stop him, this angers him extremely and he acts vigorously, he jerks her harshly and does something which he shouldn't do. 

Suddenly, everything turned quiet, a pin drop silence prevailed the whole area until the media person started to click their picture, the sound of click arose in the garden while Anamika stood still rooted at her place, her hand on her cheek!

He has just slapped her in front of thousands of guests and the media who just got the breaking news. 

Anamika ran to her room as the media jumped over her with their questions. 

Flashback ends.

Tears rolled down from the corner of Vineet's eyes. He still can't believe he slapped his wife in anger. He cursed himself for getting this hyper, well the situation was like that. The guy was creating negativity about his mother, spreading false news in the public and can't stand with that. He can't let anyone ruin his mother's name and so he protested and fought with the guy and landed in such trouble, in grief.

Savita continues to stroke his head to calm him.

..

Anamika was patting Ansh's head as the boy was sleepy. She was staring at him continuously, he looked so calm as if nothing happened. Okay, he's just 8 years old and can't understand what she's going through but Savita, how can she be so calm? She didn't even say a word to Vineet instead came to her and asked to let the matter go as it's not that big issue. She said it's just a slap, an unintentional slap from her husband and it's okay, such kind of thing happens in relation she shouldn't stretch the matter. 

Anamika doesn't know if she's actually over reacting and stretching the matter, if a slap from husband's side is so normal to react that everyone around her wants to let it go. 

Maybe, they find it normal and ignorable but she couldn't. She won't be able to forget the gift her husband got her at their 10th anniversary party. 

Anamika looks at her son who turns in his sleep. She covers him with the duvet and moves out of his room. She makes her way to the kitchen to get some water for herself when Savita calls her. 

Anamika knew what was coming next but obeyed her words. She walks to her and secures her seat opposite to them. Vineet sat up straight and looked at her, she's still staring at the floor. 

''Iss waqt kitchen mei jaa rahi thi, kuch kaam tha?'' Savita asked politely, Anamika shook her head negatively,

Savita takes a glance at Vineet then turns to her.

''Beta, tum kab tak iss baat ko leke baithi rahogi. Main janti hum tumhe bahut hurt hua hai par Bunny ne kuch jaan bujh ke toh nahi kiya, gusse mei ho gaya uss se. Tum janti ho wo tumse kitna pyar karta hai, kabhi sakne mei bhi aisa karne ka nahi soch sakta mera Bunnu. Kya hum uss baat ko bhula ke aage nahi badh sakte! Ek mahina ho gaya uss baat ko, dekh kya haal ho gaya hai iska ye soch soch ke ki usne aisi galti kaise kar di. Jab Bunnu itni koshish kar raha hai sab thik karne ki toh kya tum bhi thodi koshish nahi kar sakti.'' Savita says convincingly but Anamika remains silent.

Is anything left to say? The lady wants her to forget all the insult and embarrassment she had to face, the harsh words of her parents and their rejection. She wants her to forget everything because her son is upset not for her. 

''Aise chup rehke toh kuch nahi hoga na beta, ek na ek din sab bhula ke aage toh badhnaa hi hoga na tujhe, kab tak apne pati se muh phere rahegi!?'' Savita says, actually reminds her that she doesn't have any option other than to live with her son and accept what happens. 

Anamika lifted up her gaze and smiled at them sarcastically, through tears. 

''Agar yahi galti main karti toh bhi aap yahi kehti Mummy ji? Aapne bete ko ye jaa ke samjhate ki jaane doh ek thappad hi toh tha bas kuch haraaz logon ke samne, kuch news channel aur papers mei hi toh aayi hai baat, jaane doh kya fark padta hai agar kuch log tumhari insult kar jaaye toh, kya fark padta hai agar tumhari family tumhara saath chod jaaye toh, kya fark padta hai agar bina galti ke bhi sab tumhe samjhaye toh aur jiski galti hai usse kuch na kahe toh, kya fark padta hai mummy ji, kuch bhi toh nahi!'' Anamika finally broke her silence after a month, she didn't want to say anything but couldn't control. She's tired of hiding her feelings.

Vineet was spellbound, he lowered his gaze while Savita still tried to convince her but Vineet held her hand in order to stop her. He knows he's at fault. 

''Main jaanti hoon mere pass yahan rukne ke siwa koi option nahi, apke bete ke saath rehne ke siwa koi chara nahi hai filhal mere pass par iska ye matlab nahi aap dono mujhe iss tarah torture karenge. Just because aapka beta mujh se pyar kartabaur main uski wife hoon, usse mujh pe haath uthane ka ha nahi mil jata. Sab mujhe keh rahe hai ki main bhool jau sab kyunki ye ek normal si baat pe hai par main kya karu agar mujhe ye normal nahi lagta toh, main nahi bhool sakti kuch, mujh se nahi ho raha hai meine koshish ki thi. Please, Mujhe sukoon se kuch pal rehne dijiye, shayad tab mei kuch soch pau.'' Anamika requested, her voice was loud and tears rolled down her cheeks as well as Vineet's. 

She lowered her head, she shouldn't have to do this. She didn't want to but couldn't hold on. 

''Sorry!'' She apologises, her voice softens again. 

Savita didn't say anything, well she doesn't have anything to say. Anamika said it right, if the same thing would have come from Anamika then they couldn't have taken it otherwise. 

''Tum.uss din kuch batane wali thi humein party ke badh, kya baat thi?'' Savita asked, changing the topic. 

Anamika glances at her instantly, she blinks her eyes multiple times as her heart flutters. It totally skips her mind, she just realised that she had to tell them something.

Anamika sighs, maybe she should tell them. 

She left the place without uttering a word and returned after a few minutes with a gift box in her hand. She placed it on the table and moved to her room.

Vineet and Savita exchange glances but open the box which had another box inside, they open it and find another box. Vineet smiles lightly, it's her way to annoy a person with her gift but he's loving it. 

The box had around 9 boxes inside and lastly came the real gift in a small box. They open it only to find a pair of baby shoes inside. They glance at each other tearily knowing the meaning of her gift.

She was excited and happy to tell them that she's pregnant with her second child but got the biggest shock of her life. 

Vineet broke down in tears holding the tiny shoes close to his heart, Savita tried to console him while Anamika was watching them, standing at the doorstep of her room. She doesn't know if they ever would be happy again!

…

The End..