Life is so unpredictable, sometimes it puts you in a situation where you yourself don't know if you have to go with the flow or stay still until someone pushes you to move.

Anamika, a lady in her late twenties married to the most loving and caring person she ever knew, Vineet Shergill, a doctor by profession. He is someone she hadn't imagined getting, at least after her four year long relationship breaks with her love. She never thought she would love anyone else or even smile ever in her life. She was totally shattered and depressed, it was when her parents chose a guy for her and married her after a year of her break up but Anamika couldn't accept the change.

In the first night itself she burst out on Vineet in anger, denying to accept him, her tears were uncontrollable to find herself with someone she doesn't love. She didn't want to live with him, she tried to run away to hide herself from this wide world which only gives her pain but her husband was one of a kind. He's a psychiatrist, he helps her get over her sorrowful and depressed life, the more she pushes him away the more he tries to befriend her.

It wasn't easy for him to calm her, to make her believe in love and friendship, to take her on outings, over dinner, to parties or occasions. She wasn't an easy going person, it took him three years to make her what she's today, a successful business woman who rules the stock market and loves him too.

It's been a year since she confessed that she loves him and wants to give herself one more chance in love, he accepted her whole heartedly. Well, he accepted her the day they got married, her confession completed their relationship.

3rd December, 6 am

Anamika was sleeping soundly in his arms, she had her head on his outstretched arm.

While Vineet was wide awake and replying to some messages, it's their 5th anniversary and his Birthday after all it's obvious people will  send messages and he needs to reply to them. Though they already celebrated it yesternight making love to each other, a party is still needed now.

His friends and family were behind him for almost a month to organize a grand party and he couldn't deny it. They completed five years together. Also, it's his Birthday, so why not celebrate when you have two big reasons.

A party had been organised in the evening. She was least interested in all these but he convinced her and she had to agree with him as she didn't want to upset him.

''Unhmm! Keep your phone down na.'' She complained, hiding her face with the sheet, it seems she got disturbed with the screen brightness.

He turns to her,''just replying to some messages!'' He told her but kept the phone aside.

''Itni subha!??'' She asks, eyes still closed.

''Hmm hmm!! It's already 6, kuch der mei, I have to go for surgery, then shopping. Issi mei sham ho jaayega toh party mei hi chale jaayenge. Time hi kahan hai issliye abhi kar diya.'' He reasoned, removing her hair from her face.

She opened her eyes only to find him smiling as always, he has a charming smile. One that can make you forget everything around, one that forces you to stare at him all the time, not even getting tired.

''Don't worry, you are never that busy to not use your phone even for a full minute. I wonder how you hold on during surgeries.'' She teases him, smirking as her dear husband is always on his phone. He doesn't leave it even while using the washroom, he takes it along everywhere.

''Umm, like I control the whole day to meet you in evening!'' He reasoned, smiling, pining his lower lip between his teeth.

''Aacha!? Mujhe laga you love your phone more than anything, maybe more than your hospital!'' She teases him.

''Are you taunting me?'' He narrowed his eyes while pulling her closer.

''Tumhe aisa lagta hai?'' She asks gazing at him cutely, placing both hands on his chest.

Vineet tends to think,''yes! Aur tumhe iski punishment milegi!'' He grins.

Anamika rolls her eyes mischievously, ''oh, really! But let me remind you Mr. Shergill 'it's already 6 : 30 aur shayad 8 baje tak tumhe hospital bhi jana hai!'' She exclaims, it was her chance to grin at him.

Vineet furrows his brow and makes a face,''right! right!! Time kam hai, ready bhi hona hai, hmmm!!! Chalo helps me take a shower!!'' He exclaims and picks her in his arm, she shouted to let her go but he didn't and took her inside.

….

Vineet was getting ready in a hurry, it's already 7 :20. He needs to be there before 8 which seems a little difficult now. Anamika was standing beside him with a food plate and a glass of juice, giggling at his situation.

''Bahut hansi aa rahi hai tumhe, ek toh tumhari wajah se late ho gaya main aab tum hans rahi ho mujh pe.'' He pouted.

Anamika was left amused,''haww!! Tum khud late hue ho, meine bola bhi tha fir bhi tumhe aaram se nahana tha toh main kya karu.'' She makes a face and stuff a piece of bread in his mouth.

''Tum mujhe tease na karti toh ye naubat hi na aati!" He scoffs, tying his shoelaces.

''Dekho mujh pe ilzaam na daalo, tum khud mood mei the meine toh mana bhi kiya tha!" She makes a face.

Vineet takes the glass of juice and drinks it half.

''Baki blame game raat ko party ke badh complete karenge, filhal i'm already late!" He states and runs out of the room Anamika,  follows him to the gate and waves him goodbye, he reciprocates in the same manner. In no time his car disappeared from her sight.

She stands watching him with a smile, he's certainly a blessing in her life.

''Gaya wo, aab hamari help hi kardo jara!" Anamika heard her sister - in - law.

She turns to the lady. Her name is Swati, Vineet's elder brother's wife. The lady doesn't like Anamika for many reasons, first of all she doesn't like when Vineet drolls around her as she feels because of Anamika Vineet is not giving much attention to them. Secondly, Anamika is earning, she's stable financially while Swati is a homemaker, she have to ask for every single penny from her husband, while Anamika can-do whatever she wants this makes Swati jealous of her and she never leaves any chance to taunt Anamika about her earlier mental instability.

''Arey usse bhi toh office jana hoga, yahan kaam karne laag jaayegi toh jaayegi kab!" Vineet's mother Savita says, the lady has been Anamika's savior from Swati and her own daughter Varsha, who too never leave a chance to tease Anamika about her depression and mental instability.

''Nahi maa, aaj main office nahi jaa rahi ghar pe hi rakhungi!" Anamika replies.

''Aacha beta fir aai, jara ye halwa banane mei meri help kar do aur fir ready ho jaana humei shopping jana hai kyunki agar inn mardon ke bharoshe rahe toh jaane kab jaayenge.'' Savita says sarcastically, making others laugh.

''Fikar maat kijiye maa, koi aaye na aaye Vineet to aayega hi. Wo koi function chod sakta hai par apni biwi sang jaane ka koi mauka nahi!" Swati says gazing at Anamika teasingly.

Savita smiles,''haan, aab baki ko apni biwi ki chinta nahi toh koi kya kare." She speaks, Swati grunted and stayed silently knowing her mother in law will not let her tease or taunt Anamika.

The ladies get busy with their work.

Soon, after finishing off their work and getting ready, they leave for shopping and as expected Vineet accompanied them.

The Shergill family enjoy their day out with a lot of shopping and fun. Vineet got gifts for everyone, his family was happy getting something special from Vineet.

Time passes in a blur, it's already evening, time to join the party. Vibeet had organized the party in a 7 star hotel which was not liked by his brother, father, sister in law and his own sister. But his mother supported him.

Vineet's father was lecturing him for investigating too much money in a party while standing in the beautifully decorated party destination.

''Party hi toh hai apne garden mei bhi kar sakte the, itna bada garden hai hamara. Hotel pe itna kharcha karne ki kya jarurat thi, birthday manane ka shauq toh hai nahi tumhe aab anniversary ke liye itna taam jham wo bhi panch saal badh. Jab karna tha tab kuch kiya nahi aab iska kya tuk hai pata nahi.'' His father, Ram states rolling his eyes, Vibeet remains silent.

He knows his family is disappointed as whatever they should be doing as a couple in the initial days of their marriage they are doing it now after years. Anamika's rude and ignorant behaviour towards them also her family lied to them about Anamika's health before marriage. All this has disappointed his family members, except his mother who always supported him and helped him.

''Kya aap bhi, aab kar rahe hai toh kya baat ho gay bache hai celebrate karna chahte hai apna din ismei kya hai.'' Savita says and asks Vineet to ignore his father.

Anamika was silent all the while, she herself is not a party person and now when almost everyone is scolding Vineet she doesn't like it.

She takes deep breaths to keep herself calm.

Vineet finds her fidgeting with her thought, he slips his arm around her waist.

''Kya ho gaya? Party mei khade hoke itna kya soch rahi ho!" He asks.

Anamika denies,'' nahi kuch nahi!! I'm not comfortable here Vineet, meine pehle hi kaha tumse mujhe itne log dekh ke uncomfortable mehsus hota hai.'' She keeps her point, she actually looks uncomfortable. She was trying to escape gazes.

Vineet caresses her arm,''kabhi toh tumhe logon ko face karna hai na jaan. Aur uncomfortable hone ki kya baat hai, dekho sab toh apne hi hai.'' Vineet tries to convince her.

Anamika lifted her gaze, she found guests engaging among themselves while few were looking at them, their gazes were questioning as if asking her about her mental disturbance. She immediately turns away.

Vineet makes her turn towards himself and cupped her face.

''Ana, koi tumhe kuch nahi kahega. Tum khudse ye predict maat karo ki koi tumse kuch puchne wala hai kyunki agar kissi ke mann mai kuch hai bhi toh bhi wo yahan kuch bol nahi sakta. Don't panic, main hoon yahan!" He assures her, Anamika though wasn't convinced but nodded as she doesn't want to disappoint and embarrasses him in the party.

The party takes its pace, Vineet doesn't leave Anamika's side even for a minute which obviously his father doesn't encourage. While others were laughing and enjoying freely, Anamika felt suffocated and added to that some teasing smiles and sarcastic looks made her uneasy. But she controls herself just for him.

Soon, they cut his birthday cake. He first fed his parents then her, Anamika reciprocates and excuses herself as he gets busy feeding his family and friends.

Anamika runs to the washroom, on the way she hears her sister in law talking to a few ladies, actually about her and the ladies were laughing. Though when they saw them, they acted normal. Anamika had it enough, why is her sister in law behind her? Because she had a heart break? Because she suffered from depression and nervous breakdown? Or because she had mental instability for a time?

Anamika headed to her, anger filled in her eyes.

''Bhabhi aapko kya problem hai mujh se? Kyun aap iss tarah mere piche padi hai?" Anamika questions straightly.

Swati rolls her eyes,''mujhe tumse kya matlab? Tumhe aisa lagta bhi kyun hai ki main tumhare baare mei sochungi kyunki hum dono ka koi comparison nahi hai tum aache se janti ho!" Swati states meaningfully.

''Haan, sach bola aapne hum dono ka koi comparison nahi kyunki main aapki tarah ghar baith ke logon ko taane dete nahi rehti. Main aache se janti hoon aap mujhe pasand nahi karti. Par kyun Bhabhi? Aisa kya kiya hai meine?'' Anamika questions, her voice loud enough to get everyone's attention.

Vineet and his family came running after hearing her voice. As they arrive Swati tries to be innocent.

''Boliye Bhabhi aapko kya problem hai mujh se? Main jaanti hoon mujh mei bahut problem hai, jyada log dekh ke uncomfortable ho jaati hoon issiliye apne husband ka birthday celebration tak enjoy nahi kar paa rahi iska ye matlab nahi main paagal hoon na kabhi thi!! Har kissi se ye batana jaroori nahi ki what I have gone through.'' Anamika shouted, her eyes filled with tears. It was clear for others what exactly the matter is.

''Anamika meine aisa kuch nahi kaha hai!" Swati tries to cover up.

''Haan, aap bas inko ye bata rahi thi ki aapka dewar kitna bewakoof hai jo ek paagal ladki ko thik karne mei laga hai. Jo toh uss se pehle already kissi aur ke saath thi Kisne usko chod diya kyunki wo hai hi chodne ke layak, ye toh aapka dewar hai, psychiatrist hai toh bas experiment kar rahe hai mere saath. Kaise ek paagal ke saath deal karna hai aap sab ko dikha rahe hai! Aap toh kuch keh hi nahi rahi kissi se na Bhabhi!!" Anamika says sarcastically, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Swati glares at her while Vineet and his family shoot her deadly glares.

''Main…mainn!!!'' Anamika wanted to pour out all her anger but found herself already shivering as almost all the guests and hotel staff gathered there.

She runs to the washroom, Vineet follows her.

Savita asks the guests to wait for them in the hall and enjoy the party, hotel staff lead them in the party. While Savita glares at Swati.

''Tum yahan bhi ye sab karne lagi? Tumhe samajh kyun nahi aata ye sab karke tum khudko hi sabke nazron mei gira rahi ho. Kya jarurat thi yahan ye sab karne ki.'' Savita scolded her, Swati lowered her gaze knowing if she tries to clarify Savita will not think twice and will throw her out of the house.

Savita takes a deep breath and moves to attend to the guests as she doesn't want them to talk about it for she knows this will worsen the situation.

Here, Vineet holds Anamika firmly. She was crying uncontrollably, Vineet was trying hard to calm her. He knew such things could break her morale and it happened. She had tried hard to overcome her problems with his help but such things always pull her down. Today, Swati completely shattered her.

''Ana, calm down!! Sab thik hai Ana, calm down!" He kept on repeating his words.

''Kuch thik nahi hai Vineet, kuch bhi nahi. Main ye sab nahi sun sakti baar baar, main paagal nahi hoon. Meine kya bigada hai kissi ka? Meri kya galti hai? Agar usne mujhe chod diya, mujhe cheat kiya toh ye meri galti hai kya? Meine toh uss se sache dil se pyar kiya tha na, gaya to wo par ilzaam mujh pe laag rahe hai. I suffered because of him fir bhi galti meri hi kyun hai Vineet!! Kyun?" She cries out her heart holding his hand.

''Nahi, tumhari koi galti nahi hai!! Jisko jo sochna hai sochne do tum unke baare mei maat socho. Jisko kadar nahi tumhari uske baare mei sochna hi kyun. Wo insaan aaj khud pachta raha hoga aur jeevan bhar pachtayega ki usne tumhe thukraya. Main hoon na tumhare saath, I will always be there for you apni aakhri saans tak!'' He exclaims, assuring her that he will never leave her side.

Anamika stares at him, tears rolling down her eyes.

''Mujhe yahan nahi rehna Vineet, mujhe le chalo Yahan se please. Yahan rahi toh main firse khudko kho dungi aur wo main nahi chahti. Main tumhare saath jeena chahti hoon Vineet, tumhare saath apni har khushi bantna chahti hoon. Please, mujhe yahan se kahin aur le chalo.'' She pleaded and hugged him instantly crying on his chest.

She already suffered a lot in her past but wants to be happy with him for she knows only he can help her and love her for what she is.

Vineet embraces her tightly as he assures her that he would take her away in a safer environment and never let anyone hurt her. And she knew he would keep his words.
Anamika rests herself in his arms, still crying while he's determined to help her.

Life always throws hurdles in your way. You can't overcome everything on your own. Sometimes you need a partner to keep you going.

Not everyone gets a second chance in their life. But not every second change is smooth. Anamika though, get a second chance in love but her life is yet to be settled and Vineet is ready to be a part.

….

The End..