"Uhaahhhg uaghaghh" Bani heard baby's crying. It was 3 in the morning.

"Baby, you awoke?" Bani who was half asleep opened her eyes to look at her baby. "Aw le le, you hungry? Come, mummy give you milk." She pick up her baby and start feeding milk.
Just then bani heard a knock on the door.

"Bani beta, is everything fine? Why Vivaan is crying"

"Nothing maa. He was hungry that's why" Bani replied with a soft tone enough audible to the person standing outside her room.

"Okay beta, take care and sleep well"

B: Ji maa.

Vivaan again fall asleep while drinking milk. Bani laid him on the bed and tucked him with a blanket. She patted him for a while and lost in her thoughts.

Bani's POV ~
It's been 2 years, I moved from Mumbai to Delhi. In these 2 years my life was totally changed, I came here, met new people, new place and different environment. I bought a 2BHK apartment here and my neighbourhood were so lovely. DD, Shraddha and Shalu maa, a family and my neighbours too who live next to my door. They are like a family to me.

DD and Shraddha are a married couple and Shalu maa is Dheeraj's mother. They always considered me as one of their family members which made me felt really grateful. DD who care me like I am his sister. Shrads was always be my sister more than a friend I must say. She and DD always been there for me in my ups and downs. Shalu maa who was considering me as her own daughter. In short, they are my family.

All were good, I got a new job in a textile company here, I have a family; a mother, sister and a brother. Months passed and my baby bump were visible enough to tell that I'm pregnant. I told them the thing happened to me and they did felt bad for me but they didn't corner me after knowing my situation. You know nowadays most people would talk bad about a girl when she got pregnant before marriage and all. Thank god I didn't face any kind of situation like that. They supported me, took care of me, pampered me and what not. Now I became a mother who have a responsibility to take care of my son, Vivaan. Shalu maa is staying in my apartment to take care of me and the baby. I'm glad that I'm financially independent, I don't have to worry about my son's future. I can give him all the happiness in the world. Except you VEER. I can't hate you, I don't know why but I can't hate you. I miss you Veer and I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.
~

Bani dozed off thinking about Veer. She still love him even he cheated on her. She doesn't know why he did that but she will love him till her last breath no matter what.

************************

A staff standing at the CEO's cabin with sweat beads on his forehead and a fearful expression on his face.

"Where is the red file I gave you yesterday?!!" someone shouted at him.

"S...sir, I..I kept it in my drawer but it's missing" he said stammering and not looking at the person.

"I don't know what you will do or where you will find it. I need the file on my table in 30 minutes or else you know the consequences. You got that?!" He said in a final yet dangerous tone.

S: Y...yes sir.

"Now GET LOST!" He shouted again.

The staff literally ran away from there. The person leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes. At the same time, a man on his early fifties entered in.

"Veer" the man called him. Veer opened his eyes to see his father coming towards him.

"Yes Dad. What's the matter?" He asked closing his eyes again and rested his back neck on the neck support.

Ballu: Veer tomorrow you have to go Delhi for an important meeting. You know right?

"Yes, I remember. Tapish bhai booked the ticket and he will be with me. Tomorrow early morning is our flight. " Veer answered him still eyes closed.

Ballu: Okay then, just came to remind you. I have to go now.

Veer hummed. Balwant went from there.

•~•
2 years ago,
Veer was in his room near the window staring at the moon, thoughts about Bani didn't leave from his mind. Her blank expression when she got to know about his wedding. Without his concern he fall in love with her. He knew that girl cheated his brother but he can't stopped himself falling for her after spending 3 months with her, knowing her. He was so sure that somewhere he did a mistake. He regretted. He decided to call off the wedding. Whatever it is, he have to find out what really happened that day which caused his brother's death. He went downstairs to tell the truth about Bani to his family and Mayuri.

"Guys, I need to tell you all something." He spoke grabbing everyone's attention.

Chandu: What Veer?

"Mom, I... I..." he didn't know how to break the news which made him stammered.

Ballu: Speak Veer.

"Dad, I don't want this marriage" he dropped the bomb, made everyone shock.

"Veer... it's not playful" Ballu groaned.

"I'm serious dad. I don't want to marry Mayuri." Veer said in a serious tone that no one failed to notice.

"Care to explain" Ballu asked seeing the serious expression of his son.

" Because I love someone else" Veer said dropping another bomb.

He was always known as a carefree boy who doesn't give a damn to girls. He is marrying Mayuri only for his mother's wish. She had been asking him to get married and finding no more other way to escape he agreed to marry Mayuri, his childhood friend.

"What? Who Veer?" Chandu asked.

"Bani Sharma" he told which made everyone's mouth hit the ground.

"What?" All gasped in unison.

"The girl who came yesterday? Your friend?" Tapish bhai asked.

V: Yes.

Chandu: Then why you never tell us about this? Did she know that you love her?

V: Mom it's a big story.

"Then tell us from A to Z now!" Chandu demanded.

"Okay, I will tell" he took a deep breath gaining his confidence and start telling them the whole thing. "Bani Sharma, I searched for her and found her that she works at a textile company. I went there to make a deal in order to get close with Bani and made her fall in love with me. As per my plan everything happened. One week ago, I fake proposed her for marriage which she accepted and confessed her feelings to me that she also loves me. And that night I...I" he stammered, not able to say about the night.

"That night.. what?" Chandu raised her one eyebrow questioning.

Veer decided to spill the beans. "I slept with her" he said in a low tone hung his head down. The next second a tight slap landed on his left cheek by Chandu. Everyone present there were shocked by his revelation.

"How can you be this cheap, Veer? Shame on you!" Chandu burst out at her son.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I did this to take my revenge. But now I realised my mistake. I'm regretting now." tears flowing down from his eyes.

"What revenge you are talking about? Even if it was a revenge, you should have not done this to her!" Ballu raised his voice this time.

"She is a girl Veer, she have future but you destroyed it. How can you stoop so low, Veer?" Chandu asked being ashamed of her son.

"Because of her Harsh died!" Veer shouted making all of them gasped.

"What?"Arjun who was there witnessing the whole scene spoke. " What are you saying Veer bhai?" He asked confusedly.

"Yes, Arjun. Didn't you recognise her yesterday? She was the one who cheated Harsh that day right." Veer asked Arjun with tears in his eyes.

"No, she is not!" Arjun said making Veer confused.

V: What?

"Harsh loved Bani Mishra not Bani Sharma" Arjun stated. Veer's eyes widened in shock. He didn't expect the sudden revelation.

"What?" He asked flabbergasted. "But, when I investigated about her in college the principal told me there was only one Bani and it was Bani Sharma." He continued.

A: Because at that time Bani Mishra changed her college and went to abroad. That was why the principal mentioned only Bani Sharma to you.

"And now she is not alive. She passed away in a plane crash accident when coming to India last month"he added.

Veer held his head with both of his hands and fall on his knees. He realised what a big blunder he made. The fact that Bani is an innocent increased the guilt of his deeds. She didn't involved in his brother's death.

"NO NO NO!!!!" He was crying badly whilst hitting his head with his hand continuously for what he did to her.

Chandu who saw her son in this state went near him and put her hand on his shoulder "Veer".

"Mom *sob* she..*sob* she trusted me *sob* b...but I destroyed her life" he was sobbing badly.

Chandu started consoling him "See Veer, what happened it happened. We can't change anything but we can make it right. Now go and bring here back before you lose her. Go"

Veer sniffed, and stood up to go, taking his car key but before that he turned to see Mayuri standing at the corner. He went near her.

"Mayuri, I know you are hurt but I'm sorry. It was my mistake agreeing to this marriage and ended up hurting you too. I should have told this matter earlier but I realised my mistake after only Bani came here to wish for our marriage. I'm sorry for giving you expectations. I can't marry you." Veer said with an apologetic look.

Mayuri smiled. Placing her one hand on his shoulder, she replied

"It's okay Veer. I can understand." Mayuri nodded understandingly and continued "The moment I saw Bani, I can see the hurt through her eyes. The way she smiled sadly when congratulating us, I noticed that she was hurt and masking it before us. But I didn't know the reason behind it. She is so good Veer that she was ready to sacrifice her love for your happiness. Now go fast and bring her back" she patted his shoulder and smiled.

"Thanks for understanding Mayuri" Veer thanked her and continued " still I'm...." before he could finish Mayuri interrupted

"Uff Veer, I don't know that Veeranshu Singhania know how to use the word sorry." She teased him. He chuckled at her.

Veer reached Bani's apartment. He ran up to the floor where Bani lives, tears flowing profusely. He reached her house and rang the door bell. Getting no response, Veer took out his phone and made a call to Bani's number but it was not reachable. He asked her neighbour and got to know that she moved from here. His heart broke when he got to know that he lost her.
•~•

Veer's POV ~

Two years. Because of my fault I lost you, sweetheart. Without you I became a living corpse. Neither I talk to anyone nor I smile. I searched for you, cried for you, craved for your love but didn't get. Where are you Bani? I am missing you. Please come back sweetheart.
~
He opened his eyes, tears flowed down.
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DD and Shrads characters inspired from the book Takraar se Pyaar by shivikavaniforever

How was it? No Vani scenes but this was needed. Comment please.

Is Veer regretting for his deed?

Will Bani and Veer meet each other again?

Love, Anusha 🥀