( Hospital lounge.. venue for some scenes to come..)

*******

Mishti rubbed her eyes and looked through the lounge glass wall..at the.sunlight creeping by the horizon..

Last night her sleep was disturbed..

She got up and inspected Badimaa many times.

Moreover Abir...the real reason of her sleeplessness.....she sighed...kuch zyada hi bol Diya.. lekin usne kuch bhi jawab nahi diya....just sat like a stone the rest of the time he was there..

Her eyes then fell on something on the floor..

Someone...

Cocooned inside the blankets..

Kunal...!!!

When did he end up on the floor...??

Last night Kuhu had brought extra blankets and change of dress for both of them.. Misht had already packed her toiletries with her..

Mishti chuckled softly as she put on her specs and looked for her phone...

*****

Kuhu had just came back from a mini jogging session in the Rajvansh garden...and freshened up for aarti...

Nanu was ready for arti along with Meenakshi & Parul...Abir too was coming down the stairs..

Her phone chimed as she entered the hall...

Out of habit she instantly opened the WhatsApp image sent by Mishti and she lost it...

"Kuhu...Kya hua..?"

Parul asked but Kuhu was in no state to answer..she just gave Parul her phone..

Seeing the photo Parul's face lit up and she too joined the laughing spree..

Abir took the phone from Massi and looked at the photo..

Mishti''s selfie with something.. someone on the background....on the floor..

Nanko...gir gaya Kya couch se...?!

Abir too couldn't stop smiling at the cute pic of his brother...and his eyes hungrily drank the sight of a smiling Mishti,.

Yesterday's events tumbled into his mind and for the hundredth time he berated himself...

He was about to say sorry to her...but Kuhu and Kunal had rushed in between them... drowning their fight in their non-stop chirping..

*****

Kunal reached the Rajvansh Mansion by the time of breakfast.

At the breakfast table all were chatting and pulling Kunal's leg on the morning snap....except Abir.. who silently toyed with the food.. lost in thoughts...

Kunal nudged Kuhu..and both looked at Abir...and exchanged exasperated looks...

" In ka toh kuch karna hi padega... other wise yeh Mansion battle ground ho jaayega...and innocent sa pyara sa Kunal phas jaayega.."

Kuhu stifled her laugh as she heard Kunal's whisper...

Nanu looked at Abir with concern...and looked enquiringly at Kunal...

Kunal let down his shoulders ..and Nanu understood that something happened between Abir and Mishti..Kunal signalled him that they will talk ...and Nanu nodded..

Parul asked Kunal about Mishti...

"No worries maa... Mishti ka poora responsibility Maine Nihaal Bhai ko Diya hai..and he have arranged for timely delivery of food and refreshments for her... she'll be fine..."

Abir stood up and excused himself from the table...

All looked at him puzzled...as he walked away..

Meenakshi looked at Parul and Parul's question was directed to Kunal...

" Abir ko Kya hogaya...? Break fast bhi theek see nahi ki..."

Kunal Kuhu and Nanu lowered their gazes... clearly evading the direct answering..

Meenakshii's eyes narrowed in suspicion..

" Kunal...Kal humare lautne ke baad Kya hua that wahaan..?"

Her Stern questioning made Kunal look up..

" Woh ...mujhe Aur Kuhu ko zyada kuch pata nahi...hum.. coffee Aur snacks lene jaate time toh Nihaal hai Abir Bhai aur Mishti theek thi..."

Kunal paused and Kuhu continued..

" Yes auntie when we came back we saw them fighting... Dr Nihaal nahi tha..lekin Mishti Abir Bhai ko bohot suna Rahi thi...

Yehi pata hai...."

Meenakshi and Parul exchanged looks as Nanu exploded..

" Gadheda kahi ka...usko pata hona chahiye ki bachi tension aur stress mein hogi...thoda narmii se Mishti se pesh aate to Kya bigaad jaata .."

Kunal nodded in thought..

" Bhai toh waise cool headed Hein... situation ko dekhke hi react karthe Hain.. lekin..jab Mishti hoti hai toh Bhai ko yeh Kya ho jata hai..pata hi nahi chal Raha in donon ka problem Kya Hain..."

Kuhu intercepted the discussion..

" Tum aab Abir bro ko Kyu itna keh Rahi ho... zaroor us Mishti ki bachi ne kuch Kiya hoga..Aur bro poocha hoga... auntie I didn't hear Bhai say a word to Mishti...he was taking in whatever she was blaming him for...wait a sec...why was he silent...?.."

Kuhu was puzzled by her own account of what happened...

"Wohi toh..Bhai hi start Kiya hoga..."

Kunal took Mishti's side ..

" Bro ne kuch bhi nahi bola na...toh Mishti ne hi kuch Kiya hoga.."

Kuhu cut Kunal's claim..

" Bas!!"

The voice cut through the arguments of Kuhu and Kunal...

Meenakshi looked at both ..

"Ab tum donon bhi shuru mat karna..mein Abir ko bhi jaanthi Hoon Mishti ko bhi...kisi Aur in donon ke beech ki problems solve nahi Kar sakthe...Kunal? Mishti ne tumhe bataya ki kis baat pe yeh behas hua?"

"Nahi badimaa..subah try Kiya tha.lekin poochne see bhi Mana Kiya hai..usne."

Kunal replied..

" Abir bhi yehi jawab dega..."

Meenakshi said thoughtfully.

"Ab itni stress ki time mein Mishti ko Aur stress Dena theek nahi Hain... Parul..aaj tum Mishti ke saath rehna..... shayad Kal surgery ka date fix ho jaayega...phir hum uski hisaab se decisions lenge.."

Parul nodded in agreement..and stood up..

"Mein tayyar hoke aati hoon.."

**"**

Meenakshi and Nanu were seated in the hall when Abir came down ready for office..

"Abir..Tum.. Rajshri se milke hi office jaana.."

Nanu told him a bit sternly...

Both Meenakshi and Abir ..started with

"But"

"Lekin Bapuji"

"Abiir..." Nanu looked at both mother and son..

" tumhara Aur humara pehli zimmedari Rajshri ki taraf Hain...ab Mishti wahaan akeli Hain yeh jaan ke use thodi bura toh lagegi..shaam Tak toh woh thaki hogi..ab jaake usse Milo Aur dilasa dedo...theek hai? Parul bhi aa Rahi hai...Tum use hospital lejaao Aur uske baad office chale jaana.."

Meenakshi silently listened to her father in agreement..

Abir nodded as Parul came to them.. Meenakshii turned to her..

"Abir tumhe hospital le jaayega Parul...tum night stay keliye packing ki.??.acha Kiya..mein batane wali thi...

"Aap raat ko hospital mein rukne wali ho Massi..Kyu..Mein ya Kunal rukthe hai na.."

Abir was surprised ..

Nanu snickered...

"Gadheda kahi ka...sab chaopat kardi aur ab bol Raha hai.."!

"Nahi Abir..tum office see seedhe Ghar hi aana...Aur Rajshri se har subah..aise hi milke aana..samajh Gaya?!"

Meenakshii's Grim tone ..made Abir look at her..eye to eye...

His eyes then fell upon Kuhu and Kunal hiding and putting their heads out to hear the anticipated fight....

...and got the reason behind elders treatment.

"Ab hoga Rajvansh tashan... Kuhu.. presenting to you your first foray into the Dynamics of Rajvansh Mansion.."

Kunal's dramatic announcement in hushed voice was dimmed by Kuhu's..

" Chup raho duffer..bro won't fight..kisko jaana hai us ladaku Mishti ke paas.."

Kunal faced Kuhu.

"Arre Meri Mishti ko name calling karthe ho? wanna bet ? Ab hoga fight.."

" Bro Chala Gaya!.."

Kuhu informed Kunal cocking her head and folding her hands upfront...

" Kya?..Bhai ne Badimaa se jhagda nahi Kiya??!!"

The same look of disbelief was reflected on Meenakshii's and Nanu's faces..

Meenakshi sat down distracted...

"Bapuji...yeh kuch bhi nahi bola ..aisa hi Chala Gaya..Parul se bag liya Aur chal Diya! .Shayad kuch serious ladai toh nahi Hui un donon ke beech mein..."

" Sab theek ho jaayega Meenu...Abir ya Mishti.Bache nahi rahe..apne faisle khud lene wale Hain Aur apne pareshaniyaan khud paar karna bhi unke zimmedari Hain.sab acha hi hoga.."

*****

Parul eyed Abir as he drove the car... hesitating whether she should interfere or not..

Her fidgeting caught his eyes..

" Massi...chill...utna bhi tension lene ki zaroorath nahi hai...Aur Choti si disagreement thi..mein bhi stressed tha.....thoda zyaada boldiya....Aur usne bhi mujhe sunadiya...bas ..baat itni hi hai... Aur aap log Rai ki pahaad mat banao..."

Parul exhaled in relief..

" Abir...tum donon ki ladai aisee waise khatam hone wali ladai kabhi thi nahi naa..isiliye sab tensed Hain...tum na..thodi space de use...uska gussa bhi thanda hona hai na..."

Abir mulled on Parul's advise as he drove...

Give her space... when all he wanted was to eliminate all the spaces between them..!

He decided to take a decision after gauging Mishti's reaction today..

*****

Mishti had spent some time with Rajshri and when the nurses said it was time for her tests and need to ready her ..she came back to the lounge...

Just then Nihaal came looking for her... with breakfast.

As they talked..the mention of Abir clouded her face...which she tried to hide..

Uhho.. Nihaal's brows arched in realization...

" Tum donon ka jhagda hua Kya?!"

Mishti lowered her eyes...

Nihaal couldn't believe his friend.

" Use ho Kya Gaya hai...Kal toh woh bataya ki all is well between you two..

Phir..."

"Woh..Meri..galti ..thi..umm..Abir.. Badimaa ko leke pareshaan tha..Aur Maine use kuch zyaada boldiya ."

" Tum donon na.. made for each other ho..dekhna...ab jab mein use poochoonga toh javab yehi milega..ki tum stressed thi..lekin woh point se hatne Wala toh nahi..... you didn't update him on the day...ryt..?"

Mishti''s eyes shot to Nihaal in surprise..

Abir told Nihaal that he was upset as she didn't call him...?

Usse itna bura laga?..of course bura laga hoga...he was not ready to leave and only when she said she will keep him in loop he agreed...

Aur mein?..apni tension me use hi bhool Gaya..!

Uska gussa genuine tha...

Lekin toh baat kartha.. .jab woh ek baar bhi Meri taraf nahi dekha toh aisa laga ki mein achanak akeli padgayi..

Mishti fidgeted with her phone..

"Usne bataya tha.... solution bhi hai na...I will ask the records department to cc the results to Abir too.."

Nihaal said with ease...

But Mishti interrupted..

"Umm...No...mein hi Kar doongi... after all..Abir and umm Kunal have been going out of the way to help us..mein itna toh Kar sakthi hoo na...and you too..you are a busy doctor...and helping us round the clock.. thank you so much.."

" Well..I have my reasons ...and I am forever indebted to Rajvansh's... unkeliye kuch karna hai toh Meri Jan haazir.."

Mishti smiled openly..she liked the rapport Nihaal shared with Abir...and found that he was a genuine person too...

And in the next second her smile faded looking at the person at the foyer..

*****

Abir had thought he could handle the dark feelings whenever he saw Kunal and Mishti together...and he was slowly adapting to their closeness despite the possessiveness he felt for Mishti..

But the jealousy he felt the moment he saw Mishti with Nihaal was unexpected even to him....

To add bruise to the broken psyche the way Mishty's smile faded when her eyes fell upon him sealed the decision.. which he was mulling over... for him.

Parul came in and smiled at Nihaal..

" Acha...toh gappe maarne ka aadat doctor banne ke baad bhi nahi choota Tera?!"

Nihaal laughed and bent to take her aashirwad..

" Aadat hai na aunty..jaldi toh chootenge nahi.."

He said the words in light vain but looking at Abir...

Mishti took Parul's bag from her ..

" Aap Badimaa se Mila?.."

" Haan...pehle Rajshri di se Mila..woh unhe tests ke liye leke jaane wale the..shukar hai Abir ko dekhke thoda smile Jo Kiya.."

Abir acted as if he is in a hurry...He gave a cursory greeting to Nihaal and Mishti..

"Massy...mein Kal subah aap ko lene aajaaoonga.."

Saying that he turned to the foyer...

Mishti's eyes which was swirling around Abir with out meeting his eyes now flew towards him in hurt...

Abir won't be coming again today...

She saw herself run to him and hug him... not letting him go......

To keep him in her embrace...to say sorry for her fault yesterday...and he would...

Parul's touch brought her back from her imagination..to an empty foyer...!

" Uska bura mat maanna beta...pata nahi Kya ho jaata hai achanak..gussa naak pe rehtha hai aajkal.."

Nihaal too was surprised by the cold shoulder he received...

" Sach mein auntie..mujhse bhi baat nahi ki..ise ho Kya Gaya hai..?"

Mishti''s eyes burned with unshead tears as she gulped down the lump of sadness.. suffocating her..

*****

Mark had an inkling about the fate of the day when he saw Abir's face...

Composed yet ready to blow in any second...

Without any comment he kept Abir's schedule planner in front of him and awaited instructions..

Abir exhaled as he sat on his swivel chair and took into the work as if it's the last refuge.

Files, scheduling meetings for new projects.

Abir's hand habitually extended to the planner but eyes got stuck at the twinkling on his wrist....

Time stilled and all the memories flooded ..

She extended her friendship Gadheda...!!

And she met more than halfway with you to mend your friendship...

And he ruined it for something that was not there on her part...

Love, possessiveness , jealousy....all blinded him to what he already have...her promise of everlasting friendship...

That's the only relationship she can give him...and he just played his blame card.. knowing very well it would hurt her..and today morning....he could have said sorry then and there...but the dark emotions didn't let him..

Abir looked for his phone in the table... better late than never...

Just as he typed in sorry...he got a ping on his laptop..

Mark looked up from his chair... confused..

Abir looked at the notification in surprise..

e mail??! Mishti!!?

A smile bloomed from the corner of his lips...

Call bhi nahi karoongi..!

Text bhi nahi karoongi..yehi kaha tha na..!

Lekin email Kar sakthi Hain .

Abir opened it and found all of Rajshri's test results and evaluation till now..

But not even a hi from her..

He felt good that she could communicate with him even after his efforts to ruin their bonding.

Now it's his turn..

He took his phone and walked into the ensuite room...

Mark saw the dark clouds vanishing from his boss's face as he came out of the room..

*****

Mishti couldn't concentrate on any thing..

She pulled out a book to read and idly turned the pages...not even bothering to scan the pages...then put it away and took her phone..

After a look of deep thought she typed something and then sat browsing the SNS for a while..and shut it away as her agitation mounted ...

She stood up and went to the glass wall and stood there looking at the view...her fingers rubbing together in frustration..

Parul was subtly watching Mishti''s restlessness as she did work on her laptop..

" Mishti beta..tum toh poora din yahaan baithke bore ho gayi na...ek kaam Karo..just go for a walk... tension bhi thoda Kam ho jaayega..I will take care of things here..."

Mishti nodded at Parul's suggestion..

Sliding the phone into her jeans pocket she put on her Hoody jacket and left the lounge.

Parul smiled looking at the foyer and then at the texts send to her by Mark ..

******

Mark kept away his phone as he saw Abir coming out of the room... visibly refreshed..and smiling too..

" Sir.. every okay...I just saw some reports on your mail... from Mishti Ma'am.."

Abir's sudden transformation had confused him badly...

" No it's okay Mark...you carry on .. umm..can you get me some food..I didn't have breakfast properly.."

" Sure sir.. I'll bring something now.."

Abir leaned on his chair...

Now he need to finish work ASAP and go to the hospital....

But Maa had strictly told him in a veiled way to stay away from Mishti...

And Parul Massi too asked him to do that mildly...

Hmm...he took his phone and checked for new messages...and

Mishti haven't replied...his soared spirits dimmed little.

*******

Mishti left the elevator and walked outside the hospital..

She had atoned her mistake...but .. the words that left her mouth was hurtful...

She called him selfish... egoistic if not as such...

And all because he just complained about not being informed about Badimaa..

She just laid it on him...why would he understand how his actions affected her...she was the one in her imaginary world..

His Whole family was there...

He came directly from the office ..tired..

And she was talking with all as if everything was normal...then why would he ask if she was okay..

Mishti slumped at the steel bench and her shoulders shook in hard sobs...she couldn't even cry in the night for fear of Kunal hearing .

The chime of incoming message was ignored as Mishti poured out her despair as tears...

******