''What are you doing here this early ?'' Tarun asked Sejal who stood at his door with a remorseful expression.

''Wouldn't you allow me in?'' She made a puppy face . Tarun moved aside making way for her to step in. She smiled sweetly at him stepping into his apartment. She looked around appreciatively , ''Your parents gave you a beautiful place. So unlucky of Kajal.''

''Its a gift from our parents, this house belongs to Kajal equally.'' He made sure to stress on each word. Sejal gave an artificial smile pushing herself on to the couch.

''What would like to have, tea or coffee?'' Tarun asked for courtesy sake

'' Ah nothing, I am avoiding sugar. I came here to talk to you, about all what happened.''

''What about that?'' Tarun asked calm

''Tarun we are extremely sorry about what happened in Goa. I know we were rude but Kajal too was at fault, she shouldn't have walked off that way. I mean who insults a husband that way. I would have never done that. She is lucky to have you, otherwise she is nothing compared to you.'' She batted her lashes, placing her palm on to his knee

Tarun leaned back moving her palm away, ''I am getting late for work, if you are done the please leave.''

Sejal was shocked , Tarun had never been rude to her before. ''You are asking me to leave.''

''Yes, and what's wrong in that. I have to leave for work and you too don't have anything important to say.''

''I came here to apologise, even when I never wanted to. I don't feel a bit ashamed of my words I used for your snooty wife. Yet, I came for you because I care for you.''

''If you really did, you would have thought about my wife too, you came here to apologise yet you kept pointing fingers at her in her absence. Please leave.''

''Answer this Tarun, what made you and your mother chose her over me? She isn't pretty or rich like me.'' Sejal finally let out the question that bothered her since she met Kajal.

''Simple, you were never my choice and the way you expressed yourself today, I am glad I chose her over you.'' With that he got up and pulled open the door ending any kind of conversation.

''One day you will know what you lost.'' She threw words at him walking away. He closed the door and walked back into his room least affected by her words. But he was glad he turned her down, Praveen was right Sejal's beautiful face had a venomous heart. He missed Kajal all the way more. Today he actually saw the real face of Sejal, she had always been sweet and extra caring around him, which was just a facade where as Kajal for honest beyond limits, she would appear rude but she would never twist her words. She spoke her heart, he smiled. He missed being scolded by her.

Traun picked up his phone and dialled her number, she answered in 2 rings, ''Tarun, all good?''

''No, but manageable.'' He replied calm

She smiled, ''Any reason you called?''

''Yes , I was missing you.'' Kajal heart skipped a beat. She just stayed silent letting him add further, ''I was missing you scolding me about various things, could you please do that now.''

''Tarun you are crazy. '' She chuckled. He joined the laughter and then there was a moment of silence, ''I am sorry Kajal. I am sorry I made you feel miserable.''

''Tarun, I know my decision is childish for many but please understand it's about myself respect. I can't be with someone who if given a chance would have never chosen me. You are not a bad guy, may be we are not good enough for each other.''

''I understand, but there will be no divorce that's a promise.'' He made it clear

''How is work?'' She asked not being able to think of anything better.

''I got promoted.''

Kajal frowned, as per Praveen Tarun was being denied the promotion and it went to him. She decided to kill the suspense asking him straight, ''I met Praveen , he said he got the promotion you were expecting.''

There was a silence, ''Kajal, Praveen got what he deserved. I took what was suitable for me.''

''So how come your are promoted?''

''I am a Practice Lead, I may not have a team but I am still a lead.'' He replied in a happy voice

''Doesn't it make you angry? Letting the reward of your hard work go to others.''

''No. Anyways people believed that I did nothing and stole their credit. Now, since I am on my own and no one can point fingers at me.''

''You refused the position.'' Kajal's words made Tarun smile, in little time she had understood so much about him.

''Its fine! How is your work?''

''Don't change the topic!'' She sounded mad. ''How does it matter who says what? People will judge even if you are free of faults, the ones who found you suitable for promotion weren't idiots Tarun. You axed an opportunity.''

''Mission accomplished, thanks for scolding me.'' He chuckled. She didn't reply but his continuous prompting made her smile, '' Why did you do that?''

''I want to know my faults and correct them. I need an answer to your question Kajal...'' Wishing her once he disconnected, she held on to the phone for some time. A sigh escaped her lips, staring at the blank screen she whispered, 'Fight for us Tarun...give me the answer I need.'

***

Tarun submitted the project reports assigned to him, his boss looked impressed. He appreciated the models and plan suggested by Tarun. His hard work paid off as the manager asked Tarun to take rest of the day off. Tarun quickly grabbed his stuff, he was planning to visit his parents. The little conversation he had with his father had helped him gain some confidence about winning Kajal back. As he passed by the conference room, he saw a very agitated Praveen through the glass wall. Though, he could hear nothing but through the body gestures he could easily make out the Praveen was pissed. Tarun wanted to comfort him, but then he refrained himself. He had never told Praveen before that he was too short tempered and that was something team wouldn't take lightly. Praveen could never handle a single negative word and his frustration clearly showed he wasn't happy with his team. Traun knocked the glass door once, suggesting Praveen to pull the blinds, walking off next minute

***

Robin rubbed his eyes as he went through the designs one by one. Kajal smirked, she knew she surprised them this time, ''This is brilliant. These are so exquisite, I mean I have seen people making nature based designs but this is so intricate. WOW! You just blow my head off.''

Kajal picked her bag and got up, ''This is the first set, second I will send you in some days.''

''Kajal wait.'' He called her out before she could step out

''Any problem?''

''Have dinner with me.''

''For what joy?'' She asked straight

''I want to treat you''

''I don't want to get treated by you Robin. Have a nice day.'' Pulling the door of his cabin she walked off without turning back. Robin stood at the door watching her till she was out of the floor. He smiled, 'I know the truth of your marriage Kajal. I know you are still staying with your parents, if not today then tomorrow I will convince you to have a dinner with me. I lost one chance, I am not going to lose this one.''

After few minutes, Robin walked out and went straight to the parking. He started his car and moved out moving to the route Kajal would have taken to her home. He had been doing this every time she came to his office. When he first followed her after the wedding , he was shocked to see her driving to her parents house. He thought it to be a visit and then he followed her again, his doubts confirmed when he once asked her to meet him at office and waited outside her parents house. His doubts confirmed when he found her driving out from there. He was happy, he had lost a chance before but he was hell bent on gaining her trust. He didn't know what was the reason, but he was determined to know of it. That would give him an upper hand over her husband.  He was aware marriage was a sacred bond and to gain over it he needs to know all.

His plan was clear, he wanted to strengthen their bond through friendship, make her believe on him and then slowly extract the secrets out of her heart. He wanted to be the shoulder she could cry her pain on. Then he would confess his heart, denying true love in pain is very hard and he was confident she wouldn't turn him down.

He parked a little away from her house where he could easily hide behind the trees but could see her. She got off her car, locked it. She stomped when one of the folders slipped of her hands, squatting down she lifted them up. Robin smiled, she was perfect in every sense and he wanted to own this perfection at any cost now.

Kajal quickly changed and joined her parents for the dinner. ''How was your day girl?'' Arun affectionately asked his daughter.

''Good dad, I bowled them off with first set.'' She declared with a child like excitement.

Sheela cleared her throat, when her husband's eyes met hers she gestured him to speak to Kajal about returning to Tarun. Arjun gestured her to be patient. Once done, he asked Kajal to join him for a walk. Smiling she hopped following her father to the lawn, ''You look happy''

''I am dad, today I proved myself to those snooty people who said I had lost my touch after marriage.''

''Hmm, I am proud of you.'' Arun said walking ahead, as she caught up he asked for what he had bought her there, ''Can I ask you something?

''Go ahead dad.''

''Why did you agree to marry Tarun?''

''Because you guys found him suitable for me''

Arun halted, frowned and stared at his daughter, ''I didn't knew you were so stupid after me giving every possible support to make you independent and strong.''

''That's mean dad.''

''Its the truth, we didn't push you to marry him. There must be a reason you went ahead.'' He said folding his arms to chest, facing his daughter squerly

''Dad, I actually didn't like him at first. I found him too proud and unthankful. I was even rude to him, but even after that rudeness Tarun never failed to smile at me. Not once he misbehaved or acted rude. Even when his proposal came, I was rude but he approached me as a friend. I have never met a guy so calm like him.''

''Why did you gave him a second chance?''

This time she came out honest without any hesitation, ''Because I couldn't refuse him dad.''

''So you agree that even though he had flaws, he has good qualities too.'' She nodded positive, smiling he added, ''Kajal, like yours my marriage too was tough. I was a proud man, too high on my academic and career achievements. When I got married to your mother, I didn't care for her care and affection. I thought low of her as she came from a small town, but there was no change in her affection. And then you came along, the day I took you in my arms I realised the worth of a daughter and a female. She went under so much pain just to give me the best gift of my life, that's when I decided to value her love. ''

Kajal watched her father all shocked, he had been an idol for her. She wanted her husband just like her dad and now she didn't know if she wanted the same. Arun could understand the shock, he caressed her head, ''I will never ask you to compromise, all I asking is to think twice before letting him go.''

''So I should accept that I am a compromise of his life?'' Kajal asked all emotional

''Kajal, people change. If there is something bad about Tarun, he has good to. Before taking a decision see if you bring the best out of him. Help him and your relationship. I will always support you in all your decisions.'' Arun walked off leaving Kajal in her thoughts.

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