The Phonix (Beyhadh FF) Ch20 - p 7 - Page 5

Chapter 19

Time flew through the day as Maya spent it with everyone. Saanj, Aayan, Arjun, Jaanvi and Suman too. Ivya was busy for the whole day, the major distraction came from the constant checking of the phone from Maya's and Aayan's side. Mostly though it was Maya sharing a lot about Aayan and Kashi with Aayan constantly covering her mouth or stopping her. By the time dinner rolled around Maya was busy cooking with Suman and Jaanvi while Samay had promised to bring both of them. Saanj was very busy selecting the serving dishes, "Yeah valli nahi yeah vali lethe hai. (Not this one we will take that one.)

"Kuch bhi leleo Saanj Kashi Ko bhas normal dinner chahiye. Chill. (take anyone Aaank Maya Kaashi just wants a normal dinner.) laughed, Saanj smiled at her but the pain in her eyes was too clear, moving away from the dish she was making she tightly hugged Saanj, "Yeah ladki bahoth aachi hai. (She is a very nice girl)

"Aayan ne bathaya kyun nahi. Tum use jaathi bhi ho lekin uski zikr thak mujse nahi kiya. (Aayan said so much to you were as to me he did not say a word.) Maya looked down with guilt especially as she remembered the night Aayan brought Kaashi over as his girlfriend. Only message was bringing someone to meet you guys normal dinner or take out?

The vote was home cooked, Samay offered to make mutton biryani and Maya was asked to make some parathas Sevyaian bahala baath. Assuming it was a friend of his Samay stayed in the brown cargo shorts he had worn and Maya was dressed in a sleeveless green tshirt with a white shorts with bright splash works all over it. Her hair tied up in the normal simple braid... The pujari lap had just been lit when he rang the bell opening the gate holding a puja thali she demanded, "Aab kaunsi puppy ya kitti lekar aayi ho? (Now which or kitti did you bring?)

"Puppy ya kitti nahi girlfriend lekar aaya hoon. (Not a puppy or kitty I have brought a girlfriend.) His reply made her mouth drop open when her sight took him in, he was dressed in a dark green self printed T-shirt with black trousers and sandals. His hair was neatly brushed and pulled back, closing her mouth he went inside pushing her aside physically simultaneously pulling a girl dressed in a baby pink tank top with a dark blue printed knee length umbrella cut skirt with several splash patterns in light colours. A white cloth belt tied around her waist, her hair was left open except for the little which was twisted and tied back with a set of gold catches. The lightly smokey eyes look was highlighted by her pink lipgloss, a small set of white and red roses were pinned towards the side of her right near the spot were she pulled up the hair. Finishing it off were the usual black ankle boots and a gold multiple layer bracelet. "Hi candy. Nice to finally meet you, Aayan ki girlfriend banke. Teacher banke kai baar mil tho chuke hai na? Prashadh tho do baba. (Hi candy nice to finally meet you as Aayan's girlfriend. As a teacher we have met several times have we not? Give me the Prashad baba.)

Maya stared at the girl unsure of what to say as the girl in question smiled, finishing off with the black ankle boots. Embarrassed Maya stammered, "M-mai-muj-je la-gala I am so sorry please come in. Aayan ne kaha nahi apni girlfriend lekar aaraha hai. Kisi ne nahi! (I - I - I th-oug-ht I am so sorry please come in. I never thought Aayan will bring his girlfriend over. No one did.)

"Maine hi request kiya ki surprise hona chahiye. Main vaise hi aap logon se milna chahathi thi jaise aap normally hothe hai. (It was I who requested that it be a suprise. I wanted to meet you people just they way you normally are.) Kashi added removing her shoes and keeping it in the spot with others when Maya noticed the mark on her ankle. "Yeah mark? (This mark?)

Kashi smiled at the black eye with a rose for an eye ball, "Yeah mark thab thi gayi jab mujpar experiment ki gayi thi. Naveen ne kahaa na tume. (This mark is a symbol that I was experimented upon. Naveen mentioned to you about it right?)

"Yeah... Maya agreed taking the girl inside first to the hall were Sangamithra lay back on the couch. The girl who had finished a long day shred formals she was wearing and pulled on a single piece short light green summer dress which now resembles a washcloth. Adding to the damage was the facepack she had used! Her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail... Ivya was the only one mildly dresses if one called a teal tie up sleeves top with white tiny prints anything close to dressed. Her hair had been groomed thanks to habit but far from done up, especially thanks to the henna paste. Embarrassed for both Maya touched her shoulder, "Sanga Aayan ki guest aagayi hai. (Sanga Aayan's guest has arrived.)

"Aab kya laya hai ek puppy? Kitty? she asked taking out the cucumber from her eyes, seeing Kashi for the first time yelling, "Yawzi, sorry umm tum Aayan ki guest ho ya girlfriend? (Yawzi umm you are Aayan's guest or girlfriend?)

"Girlfriend maine hi kaha guest bankar aaungi. Main aap saab se aap ki normal situaiton main milna chahathi thi. (Girlfriend I made a request to come as a guest. I wanted to see all of you in your normal situaiton.) Kashi added stretching her hand to shake her hand, "Sangamithra but everyone called me Sanga.)

"Kashi. the girl added allowing Sanga to go wash up, Samay who was in the kitchen with Ivya walked in still dressed in the dark maroon cargo shorts. His hair standing all over the place and little wet thanks to the water fight which had taken place recently, "Umm...

"Hi Samay, nahi Ivya koi trouble main nahi hai, main Aayan ki girlfriend bankar aayi hoon. (Hi Samay, no Ivya is not in trouble I came as Ayan's girlfriend.) she added, smiling happily Samay walked up to hug her swinging her around, "Welcome to the gang.

A happy Aayan watched with the smile as his friends began accepting the girl he loved. Especially little Ivya who dashed up into her favorite teacher's arms squealing, "Kashi aap finally ban gaye hai girl-friend boy-friend?

"Haan Ivya ban gaye hai. (Yes Ivya we have.) Kaashi replied, hugging the child back happily. When Saanj called out for Maya waving her hands in front of her face she came back to reality and the kitchen work at hand, "Saanj... um Kaashi aagayi hai. (Saanj... umm.. Kaashi has arrived.)

When Kaashi arrived she had a large smile on her face. She was wearing a simple blue flowing dress that reached down to her knees printed with small flowers in pink, red and yellow. A light frilled off shoulder in the same light blue shade. A simple string of pearls around her neck with pearl drop earrings. Her eyes were set with deep cream eyeshadow with very light peach lipstick finishing with the black ankle boots. Sanmay stood behind her dressed in a cream jeans and a deep bottle green shirt, in his hand there were several gift bags. "Hi Jaan.

"Hi Kaashi. she hugged the girl tightly in the middle of the hall in Sharma mansion, "Come on you will introduce you. Yeah hai -

"Yeah hai Suman aunty. (This is Suman aunty.) Kaashi added touching the woman's feet, "Jeethi raho beta.

"Beta, kaab se is shab ke liye tharas gayi thi. Yeah aap ke liye hai. (Beta, since when have I longed for those words.) Handing Jaanvi a bright gift bag in a golden bag with self patterns of diamonds before moving on to the next woman. She sighed, then she looked at next woman who smiled at her, to Jaanvi it was a lavender bag with silver leaves all over it. "Jaanvi aunty hmm nope Jaanvi ma. Pranam.)

Waiting for her to get up she hugged her tightly, "Tumhare liye ek aur ma hoon. Yeah hai - (For you I am another mother. She is -)

"Duskey, Aayan ka bachpan. Happy to finally meet you. Samay iski gift bag? (Duskey, Aayan's childhood. Happy to finally meet you. Samay her gift bag?) Samay smiled sheepishly handing over a cream bag with red branch designs running all over it. Saanj gave a feeble smile taking the gift and hugged her lightly. Arjun who walked into the seen he had changed into his white kurtha and pyjamas his eyes filled with tiredness behind the thick glasses, seeing Kaashi he first wrapped his arms around the girl hugging her tightly, "Welcome to the family. Hamesha ek choti behen chahatha tha apni family ke liye. Aur tum mil chuki ho. (Welcome to the family. I always wanted a younger sister in my family. Now we go you.)

Emotions danced in Kaashi's eyes but the sudden beeping sound in their phones went off, Samay was first to respond, "Ivya. Location - on the way back gate.

Maya, Samay and Kashi ran with great speed followed by the others. Aayan was driving over on his bike pulling inside the house two bikers in jacket and helmets drove towards them gun out in their hands. It happened in an instant, Arjun's eyes grew as wide as saucers as Maya pulled the gun from inside her clothes and without thinking fired it at the person who was driving away. Kashi was holding a shivering Ivya tightly as Aayan and Samay pulled out their own guns. Jaanvi watched with eyes big as saucers and fear in their eyes. "Ivya beta aap ko teek tho hai na? (Ivya are you all right?)

"HO KYA RAHA HAI YAHAAN PAR? TUM LOGON KE PAAS YEAH GUNS KYUN HAI? Vo loog hai kaun? (What is happening here? Why do all of you roam around with guns? Who were those guys?) Saanj demanded being the first to come to her senses, tear filled Maya finally opened up with the shocking truth. "Aandhar jaakar baath kare? Aab thak puri thara surakshith nahi hai. (Shall we go inside and speak? We are not completely safe.)

Once they went inside Aayann hugged her tightly and asked, "Tum teek tho ho na bache?

"Hoon papa, muje nahi patha maine kiya. Kyun vo log mere peeche pad gaye the? (I am daddy, I had no idea what happened to me. Why did those people come to try capture me?) she cried weeping as Kaashi slowly began rubbing her back gently. "Pehele andhar lekar chalo bachi ko jaan, Aayan tum jaan ko bachi ko dhedho hume dhekna hoga agar vo log puri thara chali gayi hai ya nahi. (First take the child inside darling, Aayan give darling the child both of us need to look through the place to find out if those people have actually gone or not.)

Going inside Maya lay Ivya on the couch as she looked at Arjun catuionately. After soothening the disturbed child to sleep and checking her vitals. "Ho kya raha hai Maya? (What is going on Maya?)

"Bahoth lambi kahani hai, Ivya filal nahi utegi. Dinner karthe baath kare? Donon aajayenge thodi dheer main. (It is a very long story Ivya will not wake up for now. Shall we eat dinner and speak simultaneously? By then both of them will come over.) Maya sighed as Samay brought a large tray filled with small black ceramic soup bowls, spoons, some salt-pepper shakers and a large serving bowl filled with soup. Setting them on the coffee table as the others gathered around accepting the filled bowls in turn from Maya while Samay started the tale, "Kahani shuru hothi hai thab jab Maya aur Arjun ki shadhi hone vaali thi. Main Ashwin ke saath rehetha tha, patha chala vo ek constant sperm donor tha. High rate kyunki uski sperm ko experimental kids ke liye use kiya gaya tha. Success hua tho share milthi, lekin mauth thak ithna saara successful cases nahi thi. Ivya... thak. (The story started when Arjun and Maya were getting married. I was with Ashwin staying - I learned he was a constant sperm donor. High rate because his sperms were used for experimental kids. Successful then he gets a cut but till death there were no real success story. Till... Ivya.)

Everyone began choking on their soup when Aayan and Kaashi walked inside picking up their own, nodding to Maya who took over the storytelling, Arjun asked, "Ivya?

"Ivya - Ashwin Meherothra, Aayan Sharma, Aasha Thakre aur Yudi ki choti behen Ipshitha. Unlogon ke naam ko jood kar hi mili hume Ivya. Ipshitha, Vasantha, Aayan aur Ashwin Meherothra ki beti Ivya Meherothra. Muje patha chala tho maine adoption ke liye sighnup karvadhiya aur uski khyal rak rahi hoon. Aayan ko finally bol dhiya jab... jab uski bone maro ki zarurath padi. Job dhya gaya thab se vo aas paas rehetha hai. Naveen Ivya ka doctor hai, expert hai aur use bacha raha hai. Shub... Shub bhi humare teem main hai, technical aspects ko dhekar kaam kartha hai. Aur Sangamithra humari saathi hai in saab main - uski area main bhi kuch doctors ne bachon ke saath genetic medical games khelthe the. Yes those rumors are true, upar se gaawn ke loog, kaafi bhole the aur doctors jinki access milthi thi mile hue the. (Ivya - Ashwin Meherothra, Aayan Sharma, Aasha Thakre aur Yudi ki choti behen Ipshitha. It is combinging their names we got the name Ivya. Ipshitha, Vasantha, Aayan and Ashwin Meherothra's daughter. When I found out I signed up for adoption and I have been taking care of her ever since. I told Aayan when I needed his born maro... when we got his bone maro. A job was given so that he could stay close. Naveen is her doctor and he is an expert, and he is saving her. Shub... Shub is also in our team he sees through technicalities and brakes them for us. Sangamithra, she is one of our gang and a major level victim. Even in her area doctors played then genetic game play. Yes those rumors are true, on top of that doctors who were under accessibility were in on it. Very innocent people too. )

"Shub kyun? (Why Subh?) asked Suman as everyone lay down their soup bowls finishing it Aayan muttered something about getting the next course, Kaashi continued the story, "Aap ke husband kahan par kaam karthe the? (Where did your husband work?)

"Hay bagwaan. Muje laga Prem - hay bagwaan kaise ho saktha hai? (Oh my god? I thought Prem - oh god how could they?) she rubbed her head in anger as Kaashi walked back in rolling a tray with plates and dishes, "Prem ka maksath tha paise kamana thaki Saanj ke paas Arjun ko vo paa sakti hai. Uske baadh badhla ke liye, kithne bhi koshish kiye kaam nahi hota tha. Aur Vandhana aunty bhi koi insurance ke kaam par nahi thi, jab tumne ghar chod dhiya thab se vo bhi Prem uncle ke saath involve ho gayi thi. Kaam par bhi aur badhle main bhi. (Prem had an aim to earn money. After that it was revenge how much ever efforts were taken success was so far. Ever since you left the house she has been working with Prem uncle. In work and in revenge.)

"I am sorry Maya galath main tha lekin saza tume mil raha hai. (I am sorry Maya the mistakes were mine but you got punished.) he sighed leaning back into the couch his eyes filling with tears stretching she gently wiped it away and whispered, "Nahi Arjun, galthi humari nahi thi, kismath ki thi kyunki kismath ko manzuri humari ladne ki thi. Un bachon ke liye Sainik bankar, aur unke liye aise ladenge ke unlogon ko chance hi nahi milega humko takkar dhene ke liye. (No need to be sorry Arjun because fate wanted us to fight. We will fight as warriors, when we fight those people will not have a chance to even face us.)

"Vo log kaun hai? (Who are those people?) asked Saanj finally eating again, "A huge network lekin major logon se hi chalathe hai. Total of twenty people, big shots, inko pakadvathe hai tho mil jayegi hum pura ka pura network ko jala sakthe hai in a matter of months. (A huge network but it consists of a handful of major people. Total of twenty people, big shots, to capture them we can get everything burned in a matter of months.)

"Hume kya karna hoga jaan? (What should we do love?) Kaashi asked finally speaking for the first time that night, "Jab bhi hum puchthe the tum bolthi ho ki thab bologi jab sab humari haathon main hoga. (Whenever we asked about this you say that you will speak when everything is in our hands.)

"Kaathe kaathe baath kare aaj se hum log apni ek bhi meal skip nahi kar sakthe hai. Agar kisi bhi vajay se bhuk lagi tho kaana hoga aur aachi thara sona bhi. Lekin usse pehele Kaashi tumhari kahani tho boldho sab ko. (We will speak while eating for we can not skip even one meal. If because of some reason we are hungry we should take something. Before that though Kaashi tell everyone your story.)

"Ek streat child ke liye khaana milna kismath ki baath thi. Dhava tho sirf dua se milthi thi, thabi aagaya tha vo jaanvar humari zindagi main. Pagal tha, lekin ek sweet talker bhi! (A street child getting food was a matter of luck. Medicine was something we would be able to get only through someone's blessings. That's when he came into our lives he was a sweet talker but a monster. He was mental!) slowly the story went on and on till a point that everyone sat stunned listening about the kind of childhood Kaashi had to face. Especially the way she was treated with special diets and medications. A story that kept growing till a point when she kept her plate down and stood in front of Arjun and Samay who followed her action standing up. As her hands lay at the spot were the dress was tied, "Main app dhonon ko kaise lagthi hoon aachi, chute? Hot? (How do I look? Nice? Cute? hot?)

Saying this she took of the knot revealing the insides as she shed the dress a bit. There it was, skin. The boy's fet their eyes widen, she looked nothing like a woman,despite knowing her age she looked more like a sixteen year old and hairless under the neck. On top of that there was a mark under her right breast, a mark of a burning fire in a circle. The same mark which had been seen on Ivya's mother too except hers was made of water waves. "Kaafi hot lagthi hoon na? Kaafi attractive aur sweet bhi? Lekin sach yeahi hai ki unlogon ke dava ji wajay se sirf kubsurathi hi nahi balki uske saath saath meri ma bane ki chances bhi chinli gayi thi. (I look superb right? Hot, sexy and sweet? But truth is that those people gave me medicines and diet through which they made me beautiful but along with that they took away my chances of becoming a mother.)

Arjun gently wiped her tears as Samay closed her dress, "Choti behen maana hai humne tume aur family bhi. Tumhare saath jo unlogon ne kiya uska javaab hum, tumhari family kuch kar sakthe hai. Koi tumhari izzath par haath lagane tho duur tum thak phonch bhi nahi payenge. (You are our kid sister and our family. What ever happened with you for that those people will pay the price in our hands, your family will give them the reply they deserve. Forget about touching your virtue, they will not even be able to reach you.)

Chapter 20 - more realities

The sun shone into the room bedroom when Arjun walked in holding a tray with three mugs of coffee, the set was a classical piece set with beautiful blue chinese dragons printed on it, a matching sugar bowl on the side and a silver spoon too. He was still dressed in a black shirt with white cargo shorts, smiling he went further inside the room and smiled. "Maya, Aayan, Samay get up, come on.

The room was Aayan's and it was beautiful yet practically decorated. The room was spacious and the right side of the door had been set with a beautiful sitting area with a storage-coffee table set which was folded up completely at the moment. A laptop and a tab alone on the table, a scratch pad with a pen closed in it... around it were some bean bags, the biggest seating area was currently nailed into the wall. A little further away on the left side was a large window, set under it was a space saver' bookshelf combined with study table. The chair pushed inside in such a way that few books could be kept in the spot. It was neatly arranged against the dark wood, further along on the next wall were only two doors... finishing with a large air bed. On it were three sleeping figures, a light brown comforter covering all of them. On either side were Aayan and Samay... Maya in the center. Setting the coffee down Arjun stepped closer to the bed and gently sat down running his hands upon Maya's head. "Maya, come on get up.

"Hmm... good morning. she whispered smiling at him, before the sudden reality hit her senses. Jerking up she got up quickly, "I am so sorry Arjun, vo hum theenon ke beech aise vaise kuch nahi hai. We just fell asleep. (I am so sorry Arjun, nothing happened between us there is nothing like that. We just fell asleep.)

"Jaantha hoon baby. Maine hi in donon ke beech tume sulaya kal raath. (I know baby. I am the one who set you to sleep between the two of them.) smiling he explained what happened the previous night...

The clock had struck one, when Arjun had crossed the room to get some water. He stopped though seeing Maya fast asleep head on the coffee table tab open and so was the notepad. The pen had fallen on the side, still dressed in the teal blue night shirt. Aayan and Samay were fast asleep on the bed, Samay in his black shorts with a black sleeveless undershirt and Aayan in his usual soft soft checked shorts with cream and mustard. The comforter had been still folded up, neatly. Picking her up he placed her between them and wrapped the comforter upon the three of them before picking up the water bottle again and stepped out. Taking her hand he kissed her hand whispering, "I love you Maya.

When he stepped out he nearly bumped into Kaashi. Her eyes were bloodshot and she was still dressed in a silk, knee length green night dress her hair tied into a pony. "Aju biya kai jaa kar baath kar sakthe hai kya? (Aju brother can we go somewhere and speak?)

"Hot chocolate banadetha hoon. Chalo. (I will make some hot chocolate. come.) he replied, wrapping his arms around her, the soft white kurtha and pyjamas somehow seemed better in the current situation as her hands slipped around his waist. Going inside the simple kitchen he made two mugs of hot chocolate with milk while she spoke, "Meri kaafi saari chot aaj kul gayi. Vo nightmare muje apni aanken baandh hone hi nahi dhethe hai. Uunlogon ne muje kithni bhaar... kai bhaar... photos keench lethe the. Muje beejne ki koshish karthe gaye lekin ehem waqth main police ne aakar muje bachaliya. Bhai, mera bhai nahi tha balki ek officer tha jisne apna pura family kho chuka tha. Apna behen banakar ghar lekar gaya, recently uska dhihanth ho chuka tha aur main aab phir se akeli hoon. (Many of my wounds were opened today. My nightmares won't let me even close my eyes. Those people repeatedly... many times... took photos of me. They tried to sell me off repeatedly but in the right time police came and saved me. Brother, he was not really my brother. He was an officer who saved me and who had recently lost his entire family. He made me his sister and took me home. He too passed away recently and now again I am completely alone.)

"Nahi ho tum akeli, tumhara kamra bhi thiyar hojayega jalhi aajana ghar. (No you are no longer alone. Your room will also get ready, come home.) saying this Arjun pulled a key out of his pocket, "Ek extra key raka tha, Simmi ke liye lekin jaab uski sachai patha chala tho bhas... shayadh issi liye kyunki ussmain tumhari naam lika tha. (We had an extra set of keys, for Simmi but when we found out we just... maybe because this keys had your name on it.)

Smiling the girl accepted the keys... Maya who had listened to the entire story sipping her coffee smiled, "Mathlab? Mathlab aab vo tumhari saath rahegi? Thank god Arjun muje undonon ki kaafi tension hone lagi thi. This is so nice. (Meaning? Meaning she will stay with you from now on? Thank god Arjun I felt really worried for the two of them and had a lot of tension too.)

"Hmm good morning bhai. Mera bhi coffee pass karo na. (Good morning brother. Pass my coffee too will you?) Aayan asked finally getting up, Arjun handed him a cup too after adding the sugar and gave him the news, "Thanks bhai, main bhas aap se iske baare main puchne vaala tha lekin... thank you so much bhai. (Thanks brother, I was about to talk to you about it thank you so much brother.)

"Ek hi kamra share karna hai ya alag alag yeah tum donon ka dection hai. Uske liye ek kamra tho thiyar hai. (Want to share one room or stay separately it's your decision. For her I have got a room ready.) Arjun added while Aayan wrapped an arm around Maya who had now changed her position into a cross legged, revealing the dress wound on her upper legs further, Arjun gently touched the wound looking at her curiously, "Yeah?

"Yeah, chot thab lagi jab main Ivya ko bachane ki chakar main... (This wound, it took place when I had to save Ivya... due to which...) her voice hitched for a second but Samay who was also up by then finished the sentence for her, "Kaafi chot khaaani padi. Jao, jaldhi nahakar - DHARVAZA BANDH MAATH KARNA. (you got badly wounded. Go and quickly have a bath - DONT LOCK THE DOOR.)

Obeying him she rushed in calling out for clothes, waiting till she was inside he turned to Arjun, "Maya ko ek electric bullet lag gayi hai. Vo insaan kaafi jununiyath se bhara hua tha, Maya ko rokne ke liye. Iski effect kaafi zyadha hai, achanak uski legs stiff ho sakta hai. Issiliye hum use kai par bhi akele jaane ki ijazath nahi dhethe, aur na doors lock karne ki. (Maya got shot by an electric bullet. The guy was filled with a mental drive to stop Maya. he hit her with an electric bullet. The effect is terrible suddenly her legs become very stiff. That is why we never give her the permission to go alone anywhere or lock the door.)

Gulping their coffee they handed the mugs to Arjun, "Bhai main mom ka bathroom use kar raha hoon, Samay, Suman ka use kardhega. Aap na Maya ke liye inthizar kijiye. (Brother I will use mom's bathroom, Samay will use Suman's. You stay here and wait for Maya.)

Just then Kaashi walked in holding a bag, "Aju bhiya jaan ki kapde, aur make up. Use please kehedhena ki aachi se make up lagvadhe hamesha vahi boring style lagathi rehethi hai. (Aju brother, darlings clothes and make up. Please make sure she wears nice clothes she always ends up using the same boring style.) she added, Aayan wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her, "Good morning honey kya lag rahi ho tum.

Kashi smiled slightly leaning further into Aayan, she had changed into a full length brown and green checked dress with button up sleeves. Her hair had been tied using large catches and set it with light pink lipstick with dark cream eye shadow, a light layer of dark blue eye shadow set under it, touched up with black in the sides and very dark kajal. Adding on was the light cream nail polish and the small silver earrings and her usual ankle boots. "Thank you luv lekin aab baari tumhara hai, jao nahalena we have a long day ahead of us. Aur haan duskey aur jaan Ivya ko lekar mandhir ja rahe hai, uski gun load kardhena Samay.(Thank you luv but now the chance is yours go have a bath we have a long day ahead of us. Oh and one more thing, Duskey and darling are going to the temple with Ivya, load up Maya's gun Samay.)

Nodding Samay left dragging Aayan with him despite his seventy thousand objections, Kashi pushing him from behind in support of Samay. Laughing Arjun closed the door waiting for Maya to step out of the bathroom. She did a large green towel wrapped around her, stopping when she saw Arjun there closing her arms across her shoulder surprised, "Umm kapde paas kardho na main andhar hi pehenlungi. (Please pass the clothes I will wear it inside.)

"Nahi, tumhari kapde aaj main hi pehenadunga. Make up bhi, come... (No, I will help you wear your clothes today. Make up too... come...) Maya gulped for a second before remembering the words Aayan had said to her, "Jaan muje patha hai bhai ko phir se apnana tumhare liye aasan nahi hai. Lekin jo natak tha aab sach bane ja raha hai. Tume usse apna kareeb aane ki ijazath dhena hi hoga aur is baar sirf apne liye. Zindagi ne tumse jithna cheen liya vo saab kuch launtane ka waqth aagaya hai. We love you Maya issi liye tumare haath bhai ke haathon main dhene ke liye thiyar hai. (Darling, I know that for you to let brother close to you is not simple still you havet to. What started as a drama has now began becoming real and this time only for your sake. Everything life has taken away from you it's time to start returning it. We love you Maya that's why we are ready to give your hand in brothers.)

Taking a deep breath she removed the hands which were across her chest and went near Arjun who smiled and slowly helped her into the clothes at least started. "Maya, tumhari bra koi branded kyun nahi hai? Aur yeah kya ajeeb desighn hai? (Maya, why is your bra not branded? Why are you using such a strange design?)

"Vo... shoulder main ek kaafi geheri chot lag chuki hai. Main zyadha nahi dhabav nahi laga sakti, ussi ke hisaab se kapde bhi silathi hoon. Mostly tank tops bhi issiliye use karthi hoon thaki comfortable ho. (Umm... my shoulder has a grave wound. I can't really apply pressure on it, thats why I choose or stitch clothes based upon it. I usually use wear tank tops so that I can be comfortable.)

Nodding Arjun kissed her on top of her head lightly and helped her into the clothes, ensuring that the pain does not become too much. "Yeah teek hai? (This is fine?)

Maya nodded slowly as Arjun pulled the towel off her, the tears suddenly went down her eyes as the terrible marks revealed themselves in front of Arjun. His eyes first stopped at the wound on her chest first... the one he did not know about. Right above her right breast was a large spot, darkest in the center lightening as it went up. Touching it gently he looked at her, "Poison bullet, thaki main kabhi ek bache ko duudh nahi pila sakti. (Poison bullet, so that I can never provide a child with breast milk.)

Slowly he trailed his hands down further on to the blade cut scars which started on her waist and went up to her back nearly covering most of her lower back, "Fence ke wajay se, permanent hai. (Because of the fence, it's permanent.)

Hugging her tightly he kissed her on her forehead, "I am so sorry Maya, khaash, khaash main tumhari saath tha uss waqth main tumhari saath thi lekin aab aur nahi. Main tumhare saath hoon har kadham main. (I am so sorry Maya, if only, if only I was there was with you. Not anymore, I will be with you the full time and at every step of your life.)

"Thank you. she replied unable to say anything, silently Arjun pulled the dark blue tank top which reached mid thigh. Seeing it she smiled, "Uski kahani tum jaanthe ho. (That story you know it.)

"Tum pehele se hi aur bhi zyadha kuubsurath ho. (You are more beautiful than before.) he whispered as she bent down to try grab her tops, Arjun grabbed her waist to stop her, "Main hi karunga, please ek chance dho muje. (I will do it, please give me one chance.)

Maya nodded and waited as Arjun picked up the cream kurtha and noticed that it had a button up sleeves in front. Clearly a feature added to support her situation, helping her into it he finally picked up the green palazzo's printed with small cream petal butta works all over it in random. The outfit was finished with a dupatta which she work against her neck, "Accessories?

Maya picked up the gold butterfly' watch, "Ivya ne gift dhiya kuch dinon pehele. (Ivya gifted this to me few days ago.)

Arjun took her hand and looked at the watch, it was simple except there was a large dial with a blue butterfly, "It's beautiful, tumhari baal bandhe?

Maya nodded as Arjun slowly began brushing her hair, closing her eyes enjoying the feeling. "Done.

When she opened her eyes her mouth fell open. He had set her hair with a small bun on the back with most left open. He had set her eyes too using make up, eye liner was set in a wing followed by a light brown eye shadow with a light bit of dark brown touched upon the end. He had even applied a very light touch of cream lipgloss, "Wow, main kudh ithni aaachi thara nahi kar sakti thi. (Wow even I could not have done something so nicely.)

Getting up she kissed him on the cheek, Arjun's eyes suddenly grew wide and a glow spread across his face. Control suddenly left him body as he wrapped his arms around her body burying his face in her hair, shaking. Her arms went around him as she whispered comferting words into his ear till the shaking stopped, "Shh, Arjun please... it's all right. Kuch nahi hoga. (Shh, Arjun please it's all right. Nothing will happen.)

"Muje tumhare saath hona tha. Tume akeli chod dhiya. (I wa suppose to be there for you. I left you alone. that was what Saanj walked into, "Ahem, Maya thiyar ho tho chale? (Maya if your ready shall we go?)

Nodding Maya pulled away from him and walked away with Saanj, dressed in a little over the ankle length, short sleeved orange anarkali with white leggings and duppata. She had worn a thick, matching orange cloth bangle set with gold chamkis. In her hand was a matching set in green which she smiled and handed to Maya, "Tumne aab thak isko sambhal kar raki thi? (You still had it so carefully?)

"Yeah. Saanj nodded, as Maya slipped it on along with the simple pearl drop earrings similar, simple unlike the large gold ones Saanj had worn. Arjun looked between the two of them trying to understand only to be distracted by Ivya who rushed in dressed in a simple light pink choli beautiful embroidered with darker shade combined with beautiful shiney thread work. On her wrist was a matching thread work bangle set on her hand, "Bangles?

"Duskey ne dhiya, boli thi ki yeah humari dosthi ki nishani hogi. Deed saari colours thi iss set par. (Duskey gave it, said it's going to be our friendship symbol. There were several colours in the set.) smiling Maya picked the child up... soon laying her down again this time in the Shiv temple' Saanj standing next to her. As they closed her in prayer she for a minutes the pandit walked up handing Ivya a flower garland piece, and walked away, when she opened her eyes Maya saw the flowers in her hand and demanded, "Ivya yeah kisne dhiya tume? (Ivya who gave this to you?)

"Pandit ne. (Pandit did.) she replied pointing at a pandit, "Aayan ne kaha ki main pandit se yeah saab le sakti hoon. (Aayan said that I can take such stuff from the pandit.)

Shaking Maya took the flower garland from her, only to find the note falling onto her hand. Opening it tears fell down her eyes as Ivya suddenly lost consciousness, her face suddenly became cold, screaming Saanj picked her up, "Hospital jaana hoga. (We need to take her to the hospital.)

"Hospital nahi, Naveen ke paas keep her conscious. (Not hospital, to Naveen.) replied Maya getting into the driver seat when Saanj took the child in her arms and into the passenger seat. That moment suddenly Saanj saw it again, the psycho in Maya shone across her face the why was suddenly explained it self. She was the only one with the mental strength to pull off many things, that very moment she was pulling off a stunt never expected, the first being the band around the pricked hand which was turning blue. Next the call to Naveen they discussed symptoms and details. The words spoken by Shub struck her in the background and soon they pulled over to an approaching bike and the guy asked, "Maya dhavaiyan. (Maya medicine.)

Moving away she gave the guy access to the child as he quickly gave the treatment before getting back on the bike, "Main aaunga tum logon ke saath. (I will come with you people.)

Soon they were driving again this time with the guy behind them in his own black honda civic, still dressed in the black jacket and cargos, the helmet hiding the rest. Saanj kept checking on both the little girl who seemed to be getting far better on her lap and the rearview mirror to ensure that the driver was behind them. Maya who was again driving in great speed, calling Aayan on the way and updating him on the situation. "Maya? Yeah saab? Vo kaun tha? (Maya? All this? Who was he?)

"Bike vala ya madhir vala? (Bike guy or temple guy?) she smirked, "Pehele bike guy ke baare main bol dheti hoon. Naam hai Lakshman Prathap, bulathe hai Luckey. Uski biwi hai Ruksana, urf Roxy. Aur mandhir vaala hai ek master of disguise jiski chehere humlogon ne kisi ne bhi nahi dheka unfortunately mera sauthela bhai. Ashwin aur Shipra ka beta, Ivya ke peeche pada hua hai. (First let me tell about the bike guy. His name is Lakshaman Prathap, we call him Luckey. His wife's name is Ruksana alias Roxy. The guy in the temple is the master of disguise whoes face none of have seen and unfortunately my step-brother. He has been behind Ivya since the beginning.)

Taking her hand out of the steering Maya closed Saanj's open mouth, "Ghar aagaya hai, chale? (Home has come, shall we go?)

Going inside Aayan and Arjun rushed over cuddling Ivya, "Tum teek ho beta? Tume kuch hua tho nahi hai na? (Are you all right child? Nothing happened to you right?)

"Isko sone maath dhena, aache se khaana kiladhena. Less salt, less masala, saamp ka zeher hai. Andhar chale? Khaana tho khaana hoga. (Don't let her sleep, make sure she eats properly. Less salt, less spice, snake's poison had been given to her. Shall we go in we will have to eat?)

The rest of the gang who were there froze, especially Jaanvi who was seeing her daughter like that after a very long time. Suddenly it seemed like the Maya who ran Fashion in the City... the Maya who no one could reach. The Maya who had no love in her heart... the woman who walked past her dropping something my mistake... a note which she picked up.