CHAPTER – 12
Isha walked to the doctor's cabin and she found her brother outside the cabin pacing to & fro biting his nails... She chuckled for a second looking at him but soon her own web of problems surrounded her.
"Ishu... What happened ? Negative right ? I knew...", Ranveer blabbered...
"Bhai... let's go inside...", Isha said and walked inside the doctor's cabin, Ranveer couldn't contain his anxiety, he would kill his brother-in-law if he took advantage of his sister's innocence... Ranveer determined.
"Rani sa... The result ?", the doctor asked her...
"Um... Po..Positive", Isha said clutching the pregnancy test kit tightly... Ranveer's heartbeat rose to a dangerous speed...
"What ? No... These test kits are not 100% accurate, Right doctor ?", Ranveer asked... he hoped for a miracle... But why isn't his sister not denying the doctor's doubts in the first place ? 'She is innocent', she might not know all this, Ranveer explained himself but even his ownself wasn't convinced by his answer though there was a huge possibility of it.
"Right Mr. Rajput... I'll take her blood sample as well...", the doctor said and Ranveer nodded.
The doctor collected Isha's blood sample herself and sent it to the lab for tests...
"We'll let you know once the reports are ready", the doctor politely told the Rajput siblings...
"We'll be in the hospital only, call us immediately when they are ready", Isha said and got up followed by Ranveer. None said a word, Isha found an empty room, asked Ranveer to consult the facilities department and get permission to occupy the room... Ranveer nodded and did the needed. She was the queen and she could get any room in a second but she didn't want to let people know, the news would definitely reach her husband faster than they expected, so she refrained from letting any of them know that. Only the doctor and the nurse knew about it.
Ranveer came back with the needed permission, the siblings occupied the room and he locked it before settling beside his sister.
"Ishu, now would you open your mouth ? Why didn't you deny the doctor ? I just wish the reports come negative", Ranveer asked
"Bhai... What do you want me to say ? And we are husband and wife bhai... I don't understand your question, and don't wish for something like that... If he/she is my kid, then they are your nephew/niece as well, don't you love them ?", Isha asked, her brother's reaction and him wishing for her not to be pregnant had angered and upset her, she knew why he was reacting like that but still it stung and her mood swings weren't of any help.
"Bacha... it's not like that... of course I love them...", Ranveer started
"Unfortunately your earlier words don't support your claims bhai", Isha said and Ranveer sighed deeply... he was about to justify himself but she cut him... "First call Rana sa and inform him about my hospital visit, otherwise he would be here and I don't want him to know anything yet", she said and Ranveer understood what she was saying. Ranveer called his brother-in-law and informed him.
"Rajput... You should have told me before taking her there, anyway, I'll be there soon", Abhyansh said
"Ranawat... Isha is fine, it's just a routine checkup, similar to the ones Dr. Sangeeta got her done", Ranveer said
"Nothing related to my wife is 'just' Rajput... Next time, don't use that word", Abhyansh warned... looking at the defeated sigh on her brother's face, Isha snatched the phone...
"If you want to come, then do as you please Rana sa, but I am not getting any tests done, I'm leaving from here...", Isha said
"Rani sa... Why are you so adamant... I just want to be with you while you go through the tests bacha...", Abhyansh said softly... Isha calmed down hearing his soft voice, and unknowingly, her palm went to her stomach, she lightly caressed it, if the kit is accurate, she is carrying his baby, her Rana sa's baby, and just the thought is enough to make her emotional, she wanted him with her at this time more than anything, but she was helpless, she was desperate to know the truth and her husband wouldn't tell her if he knows, he wouldn't know what she was feeling.
"Abhyansh... I'm fine, they are just some routine tests, I'll call you if I need you here... Right now, I need some time away from you, please understand", she said and he sighed, he understood his stubborn wife wouldn't let him come there, so he gave up to her wishes...
"Fine... But just ask Dr. Parthasarathy to call me after he verifies the reports, I want to know everything...", He said
"That's not necessary, everything would be fine Rana sa...", she tried
"Isha... I should receive Dr. Parthasarathy's call till EOD, if I don't, you know me", he said sternly and she huffed...
"Okay fine, I'll ask him to call you after he verifies the reports...", Isha said, she knew her husband very well, if she didn't agree, he would be there in the next 10 minutes, and she didn't want him to know about her pregnancy yet, that is if she is pregnant in the first place. She wasn't sure herself, because of the period she juts got recently... She suddenly remembered she hadn't informed the doctor about it. She decided to ask the doctor when she receives her reports.
"Okay take care...", he said and she hung up...
"We have to manage Dr. Parthasarathy...", Isha told her brother who shook his head...
"God, that old man is a task... He wouldn't agree... I'm out of this Ishu...", Ranveer said, he couldn't convince Dr. Parthasarathy, he is extremely loyal to Abhyansh and Isha. Wait! Isha ? "I couldn't convince, but you could, he is as loyal to you as he is to your husband, in fact a bit more towards you, as you have the confidentiality agreement as well", Ranveer expressed.
"Okay bhai, I'll talk to him, now you tell me, what was it ?", Isha asked softly, she knew her brother was offended by even the thought of intimacy between her husband and her. The topic is so uncomfortable but they need to talk about it, she can't have her brother feel like that about her pure relationship with her husband. The very same relationship that was responsible for their child...
"I just don't forgive him for what he did to you Ishu...", he said
"Neither do I bhai, nor he himself... He was suffering every second, he was burning in that guilt and regrets every minute but still, I couldn't get myself to forgive him...", Isha said and Ranveer nodded...
"Then what is this Ishu ? Why did you....", Ranveer trailed, he couldn't get himself to ask why she allowed him to take her innocence but Isha understood her brother's unasked question.
"I love him bhai... he is my husband and whatever happened between us, it has both our consent and happiness", Isha answered, Ranveer closed his eyes in distress, she didn't understand what's troubling her brother. "Bhai... will you tell me, what's happening ?", She asked clearly...
Ranveer shook his head, he couldn't tell her what's upsetting him, it would break her heart... He was sure that the beast wouldn't have told her about his one-night stands... And the fact that he consummated their marriage without telling anything to her about his past is frustrating him even more...
"Bhai... please tell me...", Isha pleaded...
"I'll, after your reports, I don't want to upset you at this sensitive time... Relax bacha...", Ranveer said and Isha sighed...
"So, you wouldn't tell me if my reports aren't fine", she stated, didn't ask...
"Ishu... Don't talk nonsense... speak good, good will happen, don't utter such things", Ranveer said and Isha nodded silently praying for her baby's safety...
After some time, her reports were ready and the doctor called them in...
"Rani sa... You are about 4 weeks pregnant, and reports are absolutely fine... Congratulations", the doctor said and Isha nodded with a smile, she controlled her welled-up eyes, she was too happy... "But just be careful, the first trimester is very crucial, your elevated levels of hCG suggest multiple pregnancies, I'm not sure of anything, we need to do your ultrasound after 7th week, I can confirm only after that", the doctor said, Isha smiled widely caressing her stomach but Ranveer is equally depressed, multiple pregnancies ? That would be so tough... how is his sister going to handle ? His sister had to handle all the pain while his a** of a brother-in-law enjoys fatherhood without any pain... His thoughts seemed unfair to himself as well but he couldn't help it.
"Multiple pregnancies ? You mean twins ?", Ranveer asked
"Your highness, it could mean twins, triplets even quadruplets... and looking at the report, it could be the latter as well", the doctor said
"What ? Quadruplets? Are you out of your mind ?", Ranveer shouted...
"Bhai... calm down... What are you doing ?", Isha said holding her brother's hand... "Sorry Doctor...", Isha apologized to the doctor who gave her a small smile with an 'it's okay'...
"Ishu... I'm worried bacha... You...you are not a machine...", Ranveer said holding her cheek, the doctor smiled looking at Ranveer's love for his sister...
"It's not confirmed Mr. Rajput, sometimes higher hCG levels are because of various other reasons too... not necessarily because of multiple pregnancies, So, relax, nothing is confirmed yet, but rest assured, Rani sa is doing good, just use these medicines in case you experience morning sickness or nausea...
"Doctor... I forgot to inform you... Um...", Isha hesitated, Ranveer understood and walked out thanking the doctor... "I spotted bleeding recently, I thought I got my periods... Is my baby really fine ?", Isha asked worried...
"Rani sa... everything is fine, but if you say you spotted blood, I'll check you again... but nonetheless, there's nothing to worry in your case, it happens sometimes... Well, to tell you, it wasn't your period", the doctor, Dr. Mrunalini said and she asked Isha to lie on the bed while she carried with the checkup... "There's nothing to worry about, but be careful for the next 2-3 weeks, come for an ultrasound in the 6th week, we'll know everything clearly in it", the doctor said and Isha nodded.
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Ranveer and Isha went to the Rajput palace, Ranveer said he would get the medicines later as it could make Abhyansh suspicious...
Both of them now have a huge task at hand, managing Dr. Parthasarthy, and as expected, the old man didn't agree to lie to Abhyansh, then Isha had to make a deal with him, she would cooperate with him and talk about the past slowly, in return he had to hide her pregnancy from her husband for a while... She felt guilty of doing this to Abhyansh but she is left with no choice. Her husband would hide this truth forever, and only she knew what this half-truth was doing to her mental health. She wanted to bring her child or children to a safe and happy place, not an environment filled with hatred, lies, and deceit. As a mother, that's the greatest gift she could give to her children, but her husband wouldn't understand this, he would get over-protective of her and hide this truth from her until her delivery, citing her health issues.
Dr. Parthasarathy called Abhyansh and told him everything was fine with Isha's reports and both of them discussed Isha's progress for sometime before they ended the call.
"If Maharaj decides to kill me, send the rest of the payment to my grandkids equally, but not to my children, they are too selfish...", Dr. Parthasarathy said entering the dining hall...
"Oh! don't worry, we'll make sure to send it to your grandkids...", Ranveer said and the old doctor looked at Ranveer with open mouth... "What ? If you expect assurance from me, I couldn't give you, I have no shame in accepting that I couldn't stop my beast of a brother-in-law", he added
"Bhai...", Isha said slapping his arm... "Come sit Dr. Parthasarathy... And please don't worry, nothing will happen to you... Rana Sa is not someone who would forget someone's favors so easily... You are helping his wife recover, he would be forever grateful to you, wouldn't express it though... You lied to him on my insistence, so I am guilty, not you, so don't worry", Isha said and the old doctor smiled at Isha's soft tone and kind words... He knew Abhyansh wouldn't kill him, but he would be furious... He just hoped what Isha wanted would happen and she disclosed to her husband about her pregnancy soon.
Dr. Parthasarathy had his dinner and went to his chamber, while Isha and Ranveer walked to Isha's chamber...
"Bhai... Aren't you happy ?", Isha asked holding his palm...
"Ishu... I'm very happy for my niece/nephew's arrival... You don't know how much... But there's also fear bacha... pregnancy isn't easy, there's a lot of pain involved, I have seen Bhabho ma suffering when she was pregnant with you... and above all that, the doctor talked about multiple pregnancies... I'm just scared Ishu...", Ranveer said, his eyes welled-up...
"Bhai... Thank you...", Isha said hugging her brother overwhelmed by his love... Ranveer smiled at her hugging her back...
"don't thank me bacha... You deserve all the love, and just know this, bhayyu loves you the most... everyone is after you", Ranveer said
"I know, but Don't say this in front of Ragini... she would beat you to pulp...", Isha teased...
"Well, she already knows, and she doesn't mind... She said she also loves you more than she loves me, so we are even there...", Ranveer said and Isha giggled at her brother and his crazy fiance who is her best friend, she is really fortunate to have Ragini in her life. She was the first individual who tried to help her in dealing with the world by offering her a job and teaching her things. Ragini would dismiss her whenever she tried to thank her, she got mad at her, so Isha stopped mentioning it to her, but there's always gratitude and love in her heart for what she had done for her.
"Bhai... I have a request, don't tell anything about this to Ragini... I don't want anyone to know before Rana sa... I already feel guilty for hiding it from him", Isha said tears slipping from her eyes...
"I know bacha, I won't... and there's no need to feel guilty... It was he who forced you to do it, you have no option", Ranveer said and Isha sighed...
"Weren't you supporting him till yesterday? Why did you take a U-turn suddenly after knowing about my pregnancy ?", Isha asked
"I don't like him from the start... What's so surprising in it ? And you know why I'm like this", Ranveer said trying to dodge her question, though her reports are fine, he can't stress her much...
"bhai... You can't play this game anymore... I know you, so out with it... Why are you angry with him ? I don't understand... Especially when he wasn't at fault...", Isha asked and seeing his sister defending his brother-in-law, Ranveer lost it... His a**h*le of a brother-in-law hid things from her and she is here defending him ?
"It's not his fault ? It's bl**dy his fault, it's his fault to take the next step in your marriage without telling you the truth", Ranveer said and Isha looked shocked at her brother's anger, she thought he was talking about the past...
"Bhai I know that... It was my decision too... even I was mad at him for hiding the truth till now but...", Isha trailed but Ranveer cut him off...
"Ishu... Ishu... I wasn't talking about that past bacha...", Ranveer said raking his hair...
"Then ?", Isha asked her brother...
"Your husband had physical relations with many women before marriage... He... And he didn't bother telling you", Ranveer said, he tried to put it in a nicer way, as much as his fury allowed him to, otherwise he was gonna say it in a much brutal way which would have broken her heart... Isha sat stunned. Was her husband capable of doing it ? No, No, he wasn't such a man, the man who didn't look at any woman could have slept with them ? It was impossible...
"bhai... You must be mistaken...", she fumbled...
"No Ishu... Do you think I would accuse Ranawat of such a huge thing if I'm not sure myself... For a man like him, it wasn't a big deal to sleep with women before marriage, but he needs to come clean to his wife before taking the next step which he didn't do, that's why I'm mad at him, so so mad at him, I expected him to tell you before he... I so wanted to kill him with my bare hands now", Ranveer said and turned to look at his sister... the broken look on her face instantly made him regret... God! what did he do in his fury ?
"Ishu...", he called slowly... "I... I'm sorry bacha... I...", Ranveer didn't know what to say about it anymore, seeing the broken look on her face, his chest tightened... "Bacha... bhai is very sorry", Ranveer said cupping her face...
"Why are you sorry bhai ? For telling me this or for hiding this from me till now ?", Isha asked, her voice cracked...
"Isha... It's not like that bacha... Ranawat should disclose this to you, that's the right thing to do, It's not appropriate for me to speak about all this... I was waiting for him to do it, but when I got to know that he didn't tell you anything before he claimed his rights as a husband, I got furious and spilled it... honestly, I didn't expect this from Ranawat", Ranveer said
"You are right about one thing, I deserved to know this from him more than my brother... But, he didn't bother to tell me... huh...", Isha said sitting on her bed as her head started spinning over all this...
"Wanna have something ? Ishu...", Ranveer asked holding her shoulder
"No bhai... I'm fine... I want to be alone...", Isha said softly jerking his palm...
"Ishu...", Ranveer started but she shook her head...
"I'm not left with much energy bhai... please leave me alone...", Isha said and Ranveer nodded leaving her to cope with the harsh truth... He knew she still didn't believe his words completely, that's how much she trusted her husband but that beast did this to her ? Ranveer fumed...
Isha kept pondering over her brother's words for hours, sleep was far away from her... She still couldn't believe her husband could do such things and not confess it to her before they consummated their marriage ? He can't be that moralless, she knew her husband had high values, then why didn't he tell her anything ? Did he actually do it or maybe her brother had a misunderstanding ? That could be a possibility right ?
She couldn't bear all these thoughts anymore, so she called her husband without realizing that it's half past 2 in the morning...
"Rani sa... Are you fine ?", her husband's worried tone greeted her...
"Yes... Come to Rajput palace, right now", she said and hung up...
He picked up his keys and rushed to his garage, he tried calling his wife but she didn't pick up... Her monotonous tone is worrying him... He drove to Rajput palace in lightening speed. He called her numerous times but she didn't pick his call... So, without option, he called his brother-in-law...
"Ranawat... at this time ? What...", Ranveer started but Abhyansh's cold tone interrupted him...
"What happened to Isha ? Why is she like that ?", he asked and Ranveer closed his eyes at his dangerous tone...
"What did she say ?", Ranveer questioned
"She asked me to reach there ASAP, Now answer my question Rajput ? Is she okay ?", Abhyansh asked
"Physically fit Ranawat, but about the other things, it would be better if you hear from her directly... My involvement has done enough damage to my sister, now I'll leave it to you two on how you deal with it...", Ranveer said
"What the f**k are you even saying Rajput... Tell me clearly, what did you do ?", Abhyansh asked coldly...
"I have told her something which she was supposed to know from you, and know much before, but you couldn't tell her yourself", Ranveer said and Abhyansh's eyes widened in realization...
"I WILL F**KING KILL YOU RAJPUT... I'LL BL**DY KILL YOU", Abhyansh screamed
"Feelings are mutual Ranawat... But right now, my sister is more important to me, so I'll see you here soon", Ranveer said...
"A**h*le", Abhyansh muttered and hung up before hearing what he had to say...
"feelings are mutual here too", Ranveer said looking at his phone... his brother-in-law had already hung up...
Abhyansh reached there in the next half hour, he tripled the usual speed, he cursed himself for not using his chopper. He would have if he had known the seriousness of the situation. He rushed to his wife's chamber but couldn't find her anywhere.
He rushed to his brother-in-law's chamber hoping she would be there, though he was the last person Abhyansh wanted to see at this time.
"Where is Isha ?", Abhyansh asked as soon as he saw his brother-in-law.
"Are you drunk ?, Why would she be in my chamber ? She kicked me out of her chamber saying she wanted to be alone", Ranveer responded...
"You will pay for this Rajput", Abhyansh said holding Ranveer's collar...
"You'll pay for what you did to my sister too Ranawat, that's my promise", Ranveer said challenging the BEAST.
Abhyansh left his collar and went in search of his wife, that's more important now. Both the men started searching for Isha and Ranveer found her in her father's study... She never entered that study, Ranveer didn't know the reason but she never did, he tried to get her there a few times but she resisted. That place always reminded of her pain, that's where Kailash Rajput choked her, confessing about how he killed her father, she thought it was a nightmare, though all of it seemed very real, even looking at that place caused her panic attacks, so she avoided it, but today, she deliberately went there, she felt as if the fire in her heart needed to be calmed down, the pain needs to be replaced, even with another familiar pain, she didn't mind, but the pain of betrayal she started feeling for her husband needs to go now.
"RANAWAT... Ishu is here...", Ranveer shouted for Abhyansh who rushed there...
"Bacha... what are you doing here, at this time ? You need to take rest...", Ranveer said taking his sister in his arms... She saw her husband rushing inside but his steps halted looking at the fire in her eyes...
"Bhai... Can you please leave us alone ?", Isha asked, though she said 'please' her tone was anything but requesting...
"Ishu... take care... Don't get hyper...", Ranveer said kissing her forehead... "Don't forget you need to be careful now", he whispered so that his brother-in-law wouldn't hear... She barely nodded at her brother, Ranveer sighed and left from there...
"Rani sa... Let me...", Abhyansh started but she cut him off...
"Is it true ?", she asked him... Abhyansh didn't say a word, he couldn't... He was scared to see the broken look on her face... "Did you sleep with women before our marriage ?", she asked in a harsh tone, he flinched at her tone as this was the first time she was using so much harshness while she spoke to him...
"Yes... I did...", Abhyansh accepted... He knew it was the biggest pain he would ever give to his wife but his dark past couldn't be changed, he considered it to be the darkest phase of his life, not because of the troubles he faced at that time, but because of the things he did to cope up with those problems...
"You are lying... Tell me the truth Abhyansh", she asked in her same tone... But she couldn't believe he could do something like that, a thing he hated...
"You know I don't lie... Yes Rani sa, I did sleep with women before our marriage", he said... 'but that was long before' he wanted to add but today, he didn't deserve to give any kind of justification for it, it was wrong and he deserved his wife's hatred, he expected her to scream at him, shout at him, or stop talking to him but what she did shocked him to the core...
She slapped him hard on his face shocking him to the core...
"ISHA...", Abhyansh said coldly... No one ever slapped him, let alone woman... He too never slapped a woman ever... According to him a 'slap' was the biggest disrespect anyone could ever get and she knew he felt that way.
"Don't say a word...", she shouted and he shut up seeing the fire burning in her eyes, it's as if it's her soul that's burning and it pained him to see her like that... "You called me a sl*t when you are one...", She spoke shaking with anger...
"Isha... sit here... come...", he said holding her arms which she jerked instantly...
"Don't touch me...", she said, finally tears slipping from her eyes... "Why didn't you tell me about this ?", she asked him sternly...
"I couldn't tell you until you recover Isha...", he said
"What is wrong with you, What am I asking and what are you saying ? Are you out of your mind Abhyansh ?", she said holding his collar, tears slipping from her eyes... He raised his hands to wipe her tears but her cold tone stopped him... "Don't touch me... your touch burns me", she said moving back from him.
"Everything is interlinked Isha... You will understand once I tell you everything", he said and it fueled her already burning fire of pain and jealousy.
"Fine... From tomorrow, my only concentration will be on getting fine Mr. Ranawat and your only concentration should be on staying away from me... I don't need either your calls or your presence to disturb me...", Isha said
"Isha... Don't do this... I'm sorry I did something like that, I regret it... I hated those days...", Abhyansh held her cheeks but she jerked his palms...
"Do.Not.Touch.Me, How many times do I need to tell you ? You will stay away from me, after I get fine, I'll call you to know the past, till then, goodbye Mr. Abhyansh Singh Ranawat... You can leave now", she said showing the door... She is extremely furious, it was clearly evident by the way she addressed him. But more than her slap, her decision to stay away from him is stinging him badly... He tried to change her decision but she didn't budge... She couldn't spend a single moment with her husband in peace without knowing the truth... So, for now she didn't want to gamble her peace especially when she was pregnant.
"Take care...", he said leaning towards her to kiss her forehead but she jerked away...
"Don't be so harsh Isha... I'm not used to it bacha... it stings...", he said, his tone going sore... she could feel the pain in his tone but she didn't budge... There are numerous times his harsh tone had stung her, one time wouldn't kill him, would it ? her brain supported her actions while her heart like always went to support him... Huh... stupid organ... She would have definitely chuckled at the way he said 'it stings'. His personality isn't such that it could hurt him if anyone speaks harshly. Well, no one has the audacity to speak to him in that tone in the first place except for her.
"It stings ? Then leave from here, I don't want to see your face till you are ready to tell me the truth and don't you dare spy on me", Isha said and walked away from her father's study... She met her brother outside the study.
"Ishu...", he started but she shook her head...
"You won't pick up Rana sa's calls until I say", Isha warned her brother and he lifted his hands in surrender. Isha silently walked away from there...
Abhyansh looked around, seeing the large portraits of Isha's grandparents and parents, he understood that it was Amar Rajput's study. He sighed deeply, not even in his dreams did he imagine he would fall in love, that too, with his arch-rival's daughter. He gave one last look to the man he hated the most and walked from there. Ranveer quickly went to his chamber as his brother-in-law would kill him if he saw him now.
Abhyansh stormed to the back palace as soon as he entered the Ranawat palace. He was extremely furious, not because his wife slapped him, but more because she didn't let him soothe her pain... More because she decided to stay away from him. Ranveer thought that she was extremely furious at her husband but Abhyansh knew she was hurt more than angry.
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Isha took sessions and Dr. Parthasarathy made sure that they were not energy-draining for her, he tried to keep it light but Isha knew she had to spill the truth that she was hiding from her family for years, she prepared herself for it all this time, she wanted her husband with her when she is going for her first ultrasound, so she decided to sort everything before it.
Dr. Parthasarathy and Isha settled in Amar Rajput's study. Isha decided on the place for that day surprising the old man.
They started with the session, he had an idea of what Isha was planning and he led the session in that direction. He started talking about her parent's death and how she felt about it and she slowly started opening up about her deepest scars in Rajput palace.
Isha saw a few people bringing in her parents' lying lifelessly covered with white sheets, she saw her dadi sa Rajmata Sanghvi Devi cry for the first time, her brother Ranveer too cried looking at their bodies, but Isha didn't understand a thing, she thought they were sleeping.
Slowly all the rituals took place, but none came to express their condolences or pay last respects to her parents, Days passed, and Isha waited for her parents to come back but they didn't. It was her father's birthday and she had prepared a card for him, she decided to look for her father in his study, that's where he usually worked when he was at home, as soon as she entered, she spotted her uncle. And Kailash Rajput who was completely drunk brutally slapped his niece and also told her how he killed her parents, especially her father choking him, just like he was choking her then...
She first saw this nightmare when she was 10, a few weeks past her parents' death, during her father's birthday, but she suffered her first panic attack 5 years later,when she was 15,when Madan tried to choke her and then Vikram saved her.
Tears slipped from Isha's eyes narrating her nightmare for years, the old doctor's eyes too welled up, he had heard many sufferings in his entire career lasting for more than 6 decades, but never did he personally get attached to a person, but Isha is different.
After Isha finished her side of the story, he gave her some time to recover and then started his questioning.
"But why do you think it's a nightmare", he questioned, if it's having such a deep effect on Isha even now, there are very minimal chances of it being a nightmare, thought Dr. Parthasarathy.
"Because it is... I woke up after a week in my room, Dadi sa and bhai told me how they found me unconscious in my room, moreover, I didn't find any bruises on my body or any physical pain, if my kaku sa really slapped me or hit me, there would be bruises but there are none", Isha said
"Bruises could be erased, pain could be eroded, it's not so difficult Rani sa...", Dr. Parthasarathy said
"I don't understand...", Isha frowned, what is he suggesting at ? He shook his head...
"But yes, if your grandmother and brother validated it, then I'm sure that would be right... Anyway, that's all for today... Go and take some rest, keep these thoughts away... I'm not giving you any medicine since you are pregnant, but do let me know if you are having any symptoms similar to the ones you have before you experience a panic attack ? Okay ?", Dr. Parthasarathy asked, Isha nodded.
"I hope you do remember our confidentiality agreement...", Isha asked and the old doctor unwillingly nodded. He needed to confirm about that incident with Ranveer but he couldn't ask him because of the confidentiality agreement he signed with Isha, but there is a small miscommunication. According to Dr. Parthasarathy, the confidentiality agreement states that he cannot disclose the details about their sessions with anyone, but the actual agreement states that it could be disclosed to Abhyansh but not Ranveer.
Days passed and Isha gave her best and Dr. Parthasarathy talked about that so-called nightmare everyday challenging Isha's restrains, he wanted to check if she could hold herself from suffering another panic attack and every time, Isha surprised her doctor with her strength. She knew she had to stay strong for her child, and become brave for them, if she couldn't tackle a nightmare of her past, then how could she give birth to her child, bring him/her up into a fine human being ? Those thoughts filled her head and heart with strength helping her from within and Dr. Parthasarathy helped her a lot with his sessions externally.
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After a couple of weeks, Dr. Parthasarathy called Abhyansh and informed him of Isha's progress and how she was fitter than ever and was ready to take the truth. Abhyansh rushed to Rajput palace immediately. All these days without talking to his wife is torture. She visited the office very few times a week, she mostly worked from home, and even the few times she visited, she stayed away from him, he had to hack his own company's CCTV footage to look at her, as he couldn't let his men know, he wasn't afraid of being judged but definitely afraid of getting caught, if this news reached his wife, she wouldn't leave him. In those few office visits, he noticed her increased food intake, and it definitely surprised him. He called Dr. Parthasarathy and he told him that she was recovering and all those sessions were energy-draining, so her appetite had increased. Abhyansh felt terrible for not being able to be with her through this recovery period. He hated his past self which led his present to suffer.
All three are having dinner when Abhyansh made his way inside the Rajput palace. Ranveer greeted Abhyansh and asked him to join them for dinner, but Isha continued having her dinner without looking at her husband, and her nonchalance hurt him. These days, she didn't even call his mother to check on him and he understood how mad she was and it was justified.
"You wanted to know the truth Right ? I'm here, finish your dinner and meet me in your father's study, Bhairav and I will be there", Abhyansh said looking at his wife and walked away to Amar Rajput's study.
After a few minutes, Bhairav walked inside, he greeted Isha with a bow and walked towards the study as ordered by Abhyansh.
"Ishu... Do you want to tell him now ?", Ranveer asked his sister, if she wanted to let her husband know about he pregnancy now but she shook her head.
"I want to hear him bhai... I'll tell him after that...", Isha said and Ranveer nodded.
Dr. Parthasarathy asked Isha not to lose hope whatever the past was, she gave a small smile to the old man for his concern. He went to his chamber after asking Ranveer to call him if at all he was needed, indicating Isha's condition though he knew that won't be needed as Isha is extremely strong to handle herself.
The siblings finished the dinner quickly and walked to the study.
"Rani sa... Please sit...", Bhairav said adjusting the sofa seat but Isha showed her palm...
"Bhai...", Isha said looking at her brother, requesting him to arrange a few cushions for her support, her back ache started much early, though it wasn't much, she suffered a bit when she sat for long hours. The doctor suggested she get the ultrasound done but Isha is determined not to get her first ultrasound without her husband.
"Ha bacha...", Ranveer arranged the cushions in a wider sofa and helped Isha settle down...
"What's wrong ? Are you not feeling well ?", Abhyansh asked walking towards her but she didn't respond... He sighed in frustration, his wife's anger and silence is getting too much to take, instead, he wouldn't have minded her 'n' number of slaps, or physical pain but this is pure mental torture that he failed to bear.
"You want the truth, I am telling you, what more do you want Rani sa ? Talk to me, please", he said, Ranveer and Bhairav looked at him as if he had grown horns, then they both looked at each other and got satisfied by their reactions, relieved that they weren't the only ones who are shocked.
"Ehsaan nahi krre hai maharaj aap(you are not doing any favor by telling me the truth maharaj), yeh humara hak hai(this is my right)", she said strongly and he sighed.
"Agreed... This is your right...", he said waiting for her to respond but she didn't, he left a sigh before giving what she wanted... "Fine... Before telling you the entire truth, let me tell you one thing clearly, the past was cruel and it could show that face of your father which you wouldn't have imagined even in your dreams, you would want not to believe but listen to the whole truth before reacting, because this is the last time I am letting the past come in front of my eyes", he said, his last sentence gave her the clarity that he wouldn't be repeating this ever. She kind of expected it with the way he prohibited anyone from even uttering a word about it for more than 16 years.
Isha nodded and Abhyansh & Bhairav started narrating what happened years ago that changed all of their lives, especially Abhyansh's and Isha's.
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Amruta wasbetrothedto the prince of Jodhpur, Chirag Rathore when she was a kid, and from that minute, she imagined Chirag as her life partner. She started loving him immensely, and when both of them reached the age of marriage, both families decided to decide the date for the wedding, and also for the coronation of Chirag as the king, he was already pursuing medicine at that time. Everyone thought he would pursue his studies parallel to handling the responsibilities of a king but unfortunately, that's not what he wanted.
He wanted to completely devote himself to his career as a doctor, but his father as well as Amruta's father gave him an ultimatum, if he chose his career, he couldn't get married to Amruta, though Chirag loved her immensely, he loved his profession a bit more and then Amruta's father decided to get her married to Prince of Ajmer, PratapSingh Ranawat, though he wasn't declared as the crown prince by the then king i.e Pratap's father Udai Singh Ranawat, since Pratap was his only son, so Amruta's father assumed he would be the future king undisputedly.
Since the news of betrothal was only between the two families, also both the families mutually decided to keep the news low as the Rathores were ashamed of their son's deeds and Amruta's family wanted the best for their daughter, so itwas easy for Amruta's father to get her married to Pratap,she tried to make her father understand but he wouldn't and to some extent, couldn't, as his health wasdeterioratingand he wanted to get her married before he passed away.
Amruta couldn't forget Chirag but couldn't tell her husband the same, who loved and respected her a lot. She tried to be an obedient wife, Pratap wanted to consummate their marriage on their first night of marriage and Amruta couldn't stop him, she wanted to though. She had Chirag in her heart throughout but she couldn't dare to stop her husband, being the timid woman she was. She died a hundred times thenand she was weighing the burden of those sins to date.
With time, Amruta slowly forgot Chirag and started liking Pratap, due to his immense love and respect towards her.He was a great husband to her.She went to the temple on their first anniversary and she promised to give her husband and marriage a chance forgetting Chirag. She wanted to tell the truth about her betrothal to her husband and his family but the promise she gave to her father on his deathbed stopped her. She gave birth to Abhyansh before her marriage with Pratap turned 1 year.
Pratap was never an affectionate father, he preferred to love his son from afar but he adored his son a lot. When Abhyansh was 2 years old, Pratap got to know about his wife's betrothal and that completely shattered his trust on his wife and changed the man he was. He started hating his wife and pushedawayeverything related to her away, and that included their son as well.
He verbally abused her for cheating, and toddler Abhyansh happened to witness all of it. Amruta tried to keep her son away from all this but he was too small to be left on his own and she couldn't trust any of the servants, and she couldn't even let her in-laws know how worse her husband treated her though they knew to some extent about his dislike towards her, but they didn't know it's not dislike but pure hatred and mad rage.
Abhyansh stopped opening his mouth fearing he would spit venom just like his father if he talked, for most of the time he didn't even ask for milk or cereal if he was hungry, thankfully his mother needed no words to understand him so that worked. The toddler brain was completely filled with the venom his father spat all the time. He witnessed his mother's tears and he hated them so much that he stopped crying. The thought of tears got him so aversive that he used to hurt himself as a punishment if he let even a drop of tear out.
One day, He witnessed his mother silently crying after his dadi asked her to get a good saree for her upcoming birthday, he got to know that his mother was crying because no one(his father) was ready to go with her or choose the saree for her, so Abhyansh promised her that he would select her saree and buy it for her every birthday.
Amruta took her son with her to shopping every year and he bought her the saree but to the temple, she visited alone. She didn't want her sins to rub on her son. Chirag couldn't forget her, he tried for years but couldn't, so, he kept visiting the temple to have a glimpse of her every year. He knew she wouldn't miss her temple visits on her birthday ever. He used to see her from afar, so she never noticed his presence.
WhenAbhyanshwas young, his grandfather was brutally killed. He couldn't understand anything, he tried to get his grandfather's death investigated but none took him seriously dismissing him to be a kid. He kept all the evidence he could gather with him safely, thinking to get them investigated further when he became capable enough. Everyone thought it was a natural death and let it go but Abhyansh didn't. He loved and respected his grandfather immensely, he was more of a father to him than his father ever was or ever would be. That old man had his own benefit in loving him, he wanted a capable successor for his empire and he saw that in his eldest grandson, so he started grooming him in that way, but still Abhyansh couldn't forget all that he taught him.
After Udai Singh Ranawat passed away, Pratap became the caretaker of the throne untilAbhyanshbecame capable enough to handle it. Udai never trusted his son's capabilities to handle the throne, so he kept it for his elder grandson who he trusted immensely.
Abhyanshwanted to take up the responsibilities at the tender age of 10 but Pratap refused and sent him to a boarding school.Abhyanshkept an eye on everything that's going on with the palace through the shrewd ways his grandfather taught him. When he was in boarding school, Avyan was kidnapped by unknown rivals of theirs,Abhyanshhad a basic idea of who they were but with the kind of planned abduction, he suspected more people were involved in it.
In rescuing his brother, he was stabbed multiple times but all the physical and mental strength he built throughout the years helped him survive it and rescue his little brother safely. He could take any number of stabs but determined not to let a scratch on his brother's body and he was successful at it. That was the first time he used his sword to slash people to death, till then he only practiced it under the protected environment created by his grandfather.
He carried his brother on his back with blood oozing out his body, he ran for miles to reach the Ranawat palace escaping their enemies. He was determined to take his brother safely to their palace and he couldn't lose his senses till then, he kept chanting the same thing, and just like that he collapsed in front of Ranawat palace when he saw Bhuvan and Bhairav running towards them...
After this incident, Pratap got to know aboutAbhyansh'staps on the palace and he sent him abroad cutting him off from all his sources,Abhyanshprotested but he failed against his father's power. He hated his weak self who lost to his father, so he was determined to become powerful enough to tackle with their enemies who dared to abduct his brother and harm him. He tried to know the palace matters from abroad but Pratap cleverly blocked all his sources leaving him completely clueless.
Abhyanshdecided to invest every second of his time in becoming powerful. But his foes who saw his strength and capabilities when herescuedAvyan decided to killAbhyanshas they were threatened by him, in those few years, 29 murder attempts were made to killAbhyanshand he escaped them every time. He was alone, his father didn't even send any security personnel with him suspecting he would generate information through them. ButBhairav knew the dangers lurking around the crown prince, but he couldn't go to protect Abhyansh as he was bound to follow Pratap's orders as he was the caretaker king, so he sent his younger brother Bhuvan to study in the same university asAbhyanshand protect him. 29 near death experiences bought these two closer, and they became best friends.
Abhyanshcould give his life for Bhuvan and vice versa. Their friendship was beyond anything and everything, and their enemies understood that they couldn't be defeated until they were together. These brutal attacks, the poisonous plots, and the dangerous games gave rise to The Royal BEASTas he was called.
Abhyansh'sintelligence and courage instantly attracted a lot of big figures andmoreover henever liked to play with weak people. Every time he fought and won, he won a powerful ally or defeated a powerful man acquiring his power, either way, it was an advantage to him.
In India, as soon asAbhyanshwas sent abroad, the power-hungry wolfs started their game. Pratap was friendly to all the royals and trusted all of them. He organized weekly dinners and lavish parties for them melting all the Ranawat wealth. Amar tried to stop Pratap but he was too prideful to listen to anything.
Amruta again met Chirag at one such dinner her husband had organized. She was shocked to see Chirag Rathore there after all those years. He introduced himself as her husband's friend and a best friend to her husband's best friend(Amar Rajput) indicating that Pratap didn't know about them yet.
Amruta couldn't bring herself to tell the truth to her husband as she wasalreadysuffering too much and she so wanted to die every time her husband accused her or verbally abused her. Now if she told her husband about Chirag being that man who she was bethroted to, he would accuse her of purposely calling him there, also she didn't want to destroy her husband's relations with Rajputs, as she knew Amar Rajput was the only well-wisher of her husband among these vile people who just used her husband. Well, she wasn't clever enough to figure out about the others, her mother-in-law Devyani Devi told her, but regarding Amar Rajput, she knew as he was her best friend's sister's husband. Nandini Rana was her best friend, though they lost touch in these years, they again met through Pallavi Rajput.
Chirag kept visiting theRanawatswith Amar for Amruta. Amar had no idea about her friend's past, he met Chirag in college, he was in the Business block while Chirag was in the medicinal field but he never mentioned to Amar about his betrothal to Amruta.
Chirag saw how Pratap treated Amruta carelessly, he never spoke respectfully to her and Chirag didn't like it a bit but he knew Amruta wanted only good for her husband so he helped Amar in protecting Pratap and the throne from other royal wolfs who eyed Ranawat Royal wealth accumulated by Raja Udai Singh Ranawat and his ancestors.
Pratap in his arrogance didn't understand their plans, Amar tried to make him understand many times but he dismissed Amar Rajput's worries as baseless. Amar approached Rajmata Devyani Devi having no option requesting her to make Pratap understand. Rajmata realized Amar genuinely wanted to help Pratap, and the extent he went to protect him and his wealth showed how sincere he was and that made her trust Amar. But this step of Amar didn't sit well with Pratap and there started the bad blood between them. Pratap limited his interactions with Amar and it became difficult for Amar to protect Pratap due to lack of information. Earlier, Pratap used to report his every move to Amar but he stopped after their misunderstandings grew and this resulted in Pratap's accident which Amar suspected was not an accident.
Later,Amar knew that this was planned by all other royal families except for the Rajputs and Rathores of course or so he thought. Chirag and Amar tried to save Pratap but were unsuccessful, Pratap became handicapped forever and at this weak moment, Chirag blurted out his worry for Amruta which caused Amar to suspect Chirag's intentions and he also observed his liking towards Amruta right from the start but he dismissed it till then, but soon Amar understood everything when he got his men to look into Chirag's life. Amar thrashed Chirag and restricted his visits to Ranawat palace from then. He felt guilty of his betrayal to his friend(Pratap) though unknowingly, not to forget, the pain and torture Amruta might have went through everytime she saw Chirag in front of her eyes.
After the accident, Pratap started recovering gradually and Amar was by his side always like a true friend and Pratap forgot his complaints for the time being.Abhyansh'spower multiplied like fusion, and he was capable enough to tackle his issues, at least that's what he thought, he decided to take the throne and end their enemies. He started studying every development in his palace from afar and that's when he realized the web of dangers his father had weaved around him and the whole Ranawat clan.Abhyanshimmediately started his journey to Ajmer but he was late.
His father was already drowned in problems neck-deep, he signed many documents without reading and that gave unprecedented power to his allies, with that power they started bullyingAbhyansh, and he purposely didn't show them his full potential,Abhyanshtook the throne and he tried to take care of his people without hurting anyone. Amar tried to helpAbhyansh, but after almost getting killed numerous times and facing more than a dozen betrayals,Abhyanshdidn't trust him much but he didn't let him know that. He was cordial to him and he seemed genuine with how he helped his father in recovering, how he bonded with him and brought out the best version of the venomous Pratap Singh Ranawat but looks could be deceiving,Abhyanshlearned it the harder way.
Abhyanshtried settling the matters at hand without a blood bath but unfortunately, that wasn't what their enemies wanted. There was an issue in their overseas business and he didn't want to leave his family at this time, well, Amar too advised him not to leave the country at this time andAbhyanshfelt he was right with his logical explanation, so he sent Bhuvan to tackle the issue.
In the next few hours, his twin siblings were abducted andAbhyanshrecollected how Amar hurriedly left for his palace after a phone call. He decided to investigate the cause later but for now, he decided to bring back his siblings safely.
He left his men along with Bhairav but on their way, they realized they left the palace completely defenseless, soAbhyanshsent his army of men to guard the palace with only a few left with them and unfortunately everyone succumbed to their enemies' brutal attacks except for Bhairav and Abhyansh.
Abhyanshand Bhairav tackled their rivals and their men, they found Avyan in a nearby big sheaf of paddy, which was set on fire and his brother was left in the middle of it to burn alive,Abhyansh'sblood boiled in fury at the cruelty, whoever was responsible for this, he would not only destroy them but their whole bloodline, he promised to himself.
Avyan was crying vigorously extremely scared of the fire and the extreme heat the fire produced boiled him but the oversized shawl that was wrapped around him saved him from the burn, Abhyansh rescued him and tended to his burnt wounds...
"Avyan... Where is Advaita ?",Abhyanshasked him, he knew his brother wasn't in a situation to answer but he was left with no choice but to ask him. He had to find his little sister before those monsters could harm her...Abhyansh'sheart thudded wildly in fear for his little sister...
"B... Bhai sa... Addu... She...", Avyan got scared and couldn't get a single word out of his mouth...
"Avyan... Your bhai sa is here now, no need to get scared bacha... I will protect you both always... I promise... I wouldn't let anything happen to you, come on speak up, where is Advaita ?",Abhyanshasked softly...
"She... She hid me here, covered me with this shawl, and she, those men... She... There...", Avyan said...Abhyanshclosed his eyes understanding everything.
Though his sister complained how he was partial to Avyan always, she followed his every word religiously, since he asked her to always protect Avyan saying she was the brave one among the both, she saved her brother and purposely got caught by the men to save Avyan but her little head couldn't realize that these brutal men will find their way to Avyan anyway...
"Bhai sa... I heard... They said... They kill mumma... Papa... Dadi sa... You....", Avyan said andAbhyanshclosed his eyes in fury... He tried to establish contact with his family but couldn't reach them, he got scared for his family so he asked Bhairav to go to the palace taking Avyan along while he went in search of his sister, Bhairav nodded and left to the palace with Avyan while Abhyansh went in search of Advaita but her state broke all the barriers and made him hungry for Amar Rajput's blood with how brutally he killed his sister.
And afterAbhyanshwas conscious, he asked for Advaita's body, and Bhairav shook his head. WhenAbhyanshinsisted on seeing her, Bhairav made him sit in the wheelchair and took him to the Ranawat palace hall, where the priest was performing rituals, in front there was a body covered till face with white sheets,Abhyanshslowly took off the sheets only to find his sister's whole body has cuts all over, especially her wrist was burnt brutally, her palms had cuts all over... Her ring finger missing...
"Unfortunately she sustained the car hit so they... They did this to her...", Bhairav said, tears slipping from his eyes for the cruelty done to their little & brave princess but the beast's eyes were cold, and the emotions he was feeling couldn't be described... The fury he felt for Amar Rajput was limitless.He felt like a failure, the words his sister used to utter in a funny way now hit him hard. 'You don't love me bhai sa, you only love Avyan', she used to complain and today he made it true, he left her to suffer...
ThoughAbhyanshhad to stay in bed for weeks that followed he kept his search for Amar Rajput alive. But that ba**t**d Neil Singhania and his allies kept him from reaching him. So,Abhyanshtried to go in a legal way, he knew Amar Rajput could not avoid the legal procedures, and he would comply with the rules at least to protect his 'law-abiding citizen' image.
But, Pallavi Rajput, Amar Rajput's wife provided an alibi for her husband, she told the police that her husband was at home at the time of the incident, in fact, they both took their daughter to the hospital because she fell down hurting herself.Abhyanshsaw a 10-year-oldwith small bandages resting on the bed with servants pressing her arms and legs. He couldn't see her face but he knew it was his arch rival's daughter because of whom he was escaping the punishment. She was resting in an air-conditioned room with servants tending to her while his sister died a brutal death. Hatred filled in his veins for that little girl, for Amar Rajput's daughter. He recollected what Bhairav told him a few days back, the actual reason for Amar Rajput to kill Advaita. Remembering it, his hatred doubled towards her.
"Stay away from my sight... If you come in front of me again, I would give you so much pain, that's unjustified to the crimes your bl**dy father has committed for you but I won't care",Abhyanshwhispered looking at the Rajput princess from the door ajar which was quickly shut by Amar Rajput from outside. He was the only one who noticed the burning fire inAbhyansh'seyes for Isha, as if he would destroy her.
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Daysafter the incident,Abhyanshwas trying to get hold of Amar Rajput and everyone involved in it, then came Chirag Rathore, he confirmed Bhairav's reasons of Amar Rajput for killing Advaita so brutally. Chirag toldAbhyanshhow Amar was the one who got Pratap's accident, he showed the evidence of the amount being transferred to the person who hit Pratap's car from Amar's account, he signed that check personally. He said that he had severed ties with Amar Rajput after knowing how he planned to kill Pratap.
Chirag Rathore was a very loyal friend to Amar Rajput, and seeing him testify against him, Pratap needed no other reason to hate Amar Rajput. And then how Amar killed his daughter generated unexplainable fury in Pratap. Pratap loved his daughter the most among his three children. She was the only one who brought those fatherly emotions in him and losing her completely killed the human in him and instead, hatred filled his lungs for Amar Rajput and his bloodline.
Abhyanshdoubted Chirag's intentions to help them, clearly, he didn't trust this 'Chirag Rathore' and his doubts were answered a few days later. It was his mother's birthday, he got a saree for her as he didn't want to break their tradition. In all these things the only emotion that kept him humane was his love for his mother and worry for her well-being, right from the day of his sister's death, his mother became lifeless and he couldn't afford her to fall sick, he managed to spend at least an hour a day taking care of her, feeding her meals and patting her to sleep...
Amruta got ready in the saree her son got for her not wanting to disappoint her son. She thought her daughter bore the weight of her sins and she wanted to ask forgiveness and take punishment of God so that her other two children stayed fine. So she went to the temple and there she found Chirag.
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Pratap spotted her with a man but he didn't see Chirag. On seeing Pratap slapping Amruta, Chirag got furious but he couldn't do anything. That evening Pratap told everything toAbhyanshbut he was calm. But, seeing the slap mark on his mother's cheek,Abhyanshgot furious, he warned his father never to lay his dirty hands on his mother. Amruta tried to explain her son but he didn't bother to listen, instead declared that no one would talk about it after that day. When Pratap tried to question him raising the issue,Abhyanshstripped him of all titles and powers and everyone understood the severity of his orders and thus started following them.
Avyan was kept away from all this as he was still in the trauma of the attack, fire, and his sister's death.
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Abhyanshlimited his interactions with his mother citing work, but didn't stop caring for her, he made sure she had her meals on time, if she didn't he fed her with his hands though he was upset with her and his this love and care made her believe that she would get back her son soon. She thought he would listen to her once his anger cools down, only if she knew.
One day, Amruta walked to her son's study to give him coffee and overheard him ordering for Chirag's killing. She was shocked to the core, why did her son want to kill Chirag when he had helped them catch the real culprit? She couldn't find any proper justification in the conversation, she thoughtAbhyanshwanted to kill Chirag because he doubted his involvement in the conspiracy, so Amruta went and informed Chirag of the plan making him escape failing her son's plan.
No one was allowed outside withoutAbhyanshor Rajmata's permission, Amruta asked Rajmata's permission, and the old woman trusted her daughter-in-law but that one step took away the trust of her grandson.
Abhyanshdidn't understand how Chirag got to know of his plan, he decided to plan again, and when he found the men who tortured his sister, he left with Bhairav to finish them asking Bhuvan to guard the Ranawat palace and his family. But only after reaching there, did Bhairav andAbhyanshrealize it was all a trap but they both managed to win the war and end their enemies brutally.Abhyanshthought he won but only when he reached home did he realize what he had lost when he saw his loyal men lying lifeless across the front palace, and inside the back palace, he saw his best friend lying on his knees holding his knife still ready to kill anyone who took a step ahead towards the Ranawat family, his best friend's family, though his whole body is bleeding with stabs everywhere.
SeeingAbhyanshand Bhairav, Bhuvan gave a weak smile and fell to the floor... Bhairav rushed to him whileAbhyanshstood there rooted.
"No... No... Bhuvan... Please don't... Stay back Bhuvan... Your brother needs you... Please, you are the only family I have", Bhairav said breaking, that's the first time anyone has ever seen Bhairav breaking...
Bhuvan gave a weak smile to his brother and forwarded his bloodied palm towards his friend.Abhyanshreached there taking his palm in his...
"I ha.. ve. Se. en t.he rise o.f b. eas. t, don't let him fa. fall, I w. ill st. ay.... a. l. ive in yo. ur ri. se", Bhuvan said looking into his best friend's eyes leaving his last breath taking away his best friend's smile with him.Abhyanshnever smiled at least that's what everyone thought but only Bhuvan saw that smile... When he made fun of the mighty beast, he received a small smile every time, instead of death glares... The thought of him not having those teasing conversations with his friend, the night-long silent talks, their adventures, them ending their enemies together broke Abhyansh's heart. His eyes reddened with fury at everyone who was responsible for the blood bath.
The wounded beast was more dangerous than anything and in the next few weeks, all his enemies saw that, especially Amar Rajput,Abhyanshisolated him from the world and destroyed his every happiness, he made sure that man didn't have a wink. After he was done with everyone except for Neil Singhania, Chirag Rathore, and Amar Rajput,Abhyanshtried to know how the blueprint of the back palace which was supposed to be their haven during danger, got leaked to their enemies, and that's when his trust broke into millions of pieces by none other than his mother, she was the one who gave those to Chirag Rathore, so that he escaped from the Ranawat's enemies who were behind his life for helping them, well at least that's what he told Amruta which was why she asked him to hide in the back palace as no one could reach there.
Abhyanshwent home and none spoke a word, the whole family stood in the hall in pin-drop silence, suddenly his mother's sobs were heard but this time the pain he felt by her tearsevery timewas replaced with nothingness...
"Amruta Singh Ranawat is just a woman who gave birth to me, not my mother",Abhyanshsaid in his cold tone and walked from there... Amruta sobbed on the floor, her loud cries were heard in the whole palace but it didn't melt him. His heart turned into a stone, a stone so strong that no amount of emotion could break it. If his mother's pain and suffering for years couldn't break into his stone heart, then therewas nosurprise if his wife's suffering didn't melt him, thought Ishaafter hearing it.
Abhyanshwas about to end Amar Rajput's chapter but then he heard about his accident, and Kailash Rajput came into the picture or so everyone thought that he came to the picture after Amar Rajput's death. Neil Singhania escaped and Beast let him be as he was not involved in the incidents at all. Well, for Chirag only he knew what he did to him...
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Everyone sat silent after Bhairav and Abhyansh were done narrating the past. Isha sat stunned hearing everything that happened. She couldn't even respond, her husband's sufferings made her numb, 29 attempts to kill him ? 'N' number of betrayals, that included his own mother's ? And his sister's cruel death ? His best friend's brutal killing.... No no... No... She suddenly started hyperventilating...
"Ishu.... Ishu... Damn... Dr. Parthasarathy...", Ranveer shouted about to rush out to call Dr. Parthasarathy... Abhyansh held Isha's palm and gave her water which she gulped...
"Sh... Relax... Breathe in, breathe out... Breathe in... Breathe out... Yes... Just like that... Very good", Abhyansh calmed her rubbing her forearms...
Slowly tears made their way from her eyes... she kept looking at the now faded scar on her wrist, and the very lightly visible cut bruises on her palms. He understood her next question but he couldn't answer it... Could he ?
"What was the actual reason behind these Rana sa ?", Isha asked... She knew her husband and Bhairav were hiding something from her and she wanted to know it. "And...", she started, she also wanted to know about her husband's wh**ring ways before marriage or so she thought but after all these, she couldn't get within herself to ask about it but she knew she needed to ask. She had a lot of questions and a lot of fillings to do but for now, all that filled in her mind are two things...
Was her father really the culprit ? Was he really capable of doing something so brutal ? Her heart said 'No' without a pause but her head was contemplating, if her husband was saying he saw 'Amar Rajput' in that green kurta, then he might have seen him ? What was the actual truth ?
And her aunt ? She said her parents attempted many times to tell Abhyansh the truth but neither Abhyansh nor Bhairav mentioned anything of that sort ? What is it ? Her head started spinning with all these, she had some more water, no she couldn't fall sick or faint, she chanted and that helped a bit.