Anjana Safar (lkt/dk/db/np)- Ch 19, Pg.56 - Page 27

Api barged inside a house, as a man came up front. "Hey, you're back." said the man. Api hugged the man, saying, "Ravi, when will this end?" "Api, even though I love you, you know I don't approve what you're doing to Lakshya; trying to make him go insane, thinking someone's after his life, when its actually you. Honey, you never told me why you're doing this to him, atleast now I have a right to know, we're about to get married." he replied. She pulled out, and looked at him. "You don't even wanna hear the bitter truth." she said, turning her face. He held her arms and rubbed them, "I really do." he said. "Well then fine, listen," she uttered. "..Lakshya was 5 years old when dad abandoned us, I was the age of 4, everyday Lakshya used to look at my Mom sob, and punch the wall. We were a very poor family, mom did eevrything she could to bring us up, but she died everyday. Lakshya never used to respect that, and used to always back-talk to her, about dad. One day Mom forcefully hit Lakshya, he got up, and looked at her with angry eyes. He left, and came back into the room, dragging me along. I asked him why he was so cruel to mom always, he said 'some things are to be hidden Api, even though you might hate what i'm doing to her, trust me, I want her good', but he never did. Later that night, he crawled up her bed, and kissed her goodbye, He grabbed some of his and my clothes, and put some poison in her mouth, he ran away from home, with me. Two days later, we were in a shelter at the station, near a orphanage. He said to me, 'don't worry Api, mom's with us, she won't leave you. She'll always love you. You're going to be adopted by very nice parents, don't trouble them at all. I love you.' he dropped me off at the orphanage, and ran away, knowing not where. I always had my mom's vivid image in my mind until now, I always saw her crying because of dad and Lakshya. I couldn't do anything to dad, but I won't spare Lakshya, for killing my mother." she said, with a furious tone. Ravi let go of her arms, dissapointed. Api faced him, wiping off her tears. "Is this the same Api, who used to say 'I hate to see people die. Especially my dear ones.' Is this the same Api who uttered 'I love you,' to me? Is this the same Api who couldn't stand anybody crying? No, it is not." he said. "What're you talking about Ravi?" she asked. "Lakshya's your only sibling, your only blood relation, yet, you are plotting against a crime he didn't commit?" he asked. "Nonsence," she said. "I'm a lawyer, Api. I know what's right and wrong. Even at the age of 5, your brother had a mind of an adult. He couldn't stand his mother in pain, so he decided to end it for her; and you took that the wrong way? Put yourself in his shoes, Api, would you have let your mother die everyday, and only live for you two? You have to apologize to Lakshya, you're making his life miserable." "You're talking rubbish, he killed my mother, and he will pay for his sins, no matter what anyone says, no matter what you say." she screamed. "Calm down, Api. Relax." he held her. She pushed away his hands in anger, "Look if you're not gonna support me in this, so be it. I trusted you, and told you the truth, now it's my planning, and what I do, will be right accoring to me." she fussed. "Okay," he whispered softly. "Come here," he took her in his arms, and kissed her forehead. "Don't cry, I'm always here for you. But, just know, you're in this without me. I'm sorry." he whispers. "It's fine if you don't want to become a part of this. But I will get revenge." she says, calmed.

***

Lakshya took KT into a private room. "KT, look, I've to tell you something." he said. "What?" she asked. "It's been 17 years of us being apart. Now that you've come back. I want you to know all these 3 months, I've had my whole childhood back with you." he replied. "Me too." KT said, smiling. Lakshya smiled in return. He finally said, "I love you, KT!" hesitating. He held her hands. KT looked up at him surprized. "I wasn't expecting you to say this." she suddenly said. Lakshya's face turned into a shock. "I love you too." she hugged him. Lakshya laughed and hugeed her back, wrapping her arms around her tightly. "I've to tell you something else." he said, pulling out, now sounding serious. KT nodded. "KT, I've never said this to anyone in my life, and I hope you can keep it a secret, until I die." he said. "Don't say such." she covered his mouth. "KT, someone very close is trying to kill me, but I can't recall who." he said. He continued with the story Api had told Ravi, and adds, "When I left her at the orphanage, I was walking back to my mother's house. I went inside, and saw her coughing. I told her everything I did, as we both cried. She said to me, 'After I go Laksh, you always have to take care of your sister, and always save her from the world. You swear upon me.' I agreed, and went back, as she passed out. On my way, I was hit by a car, and was admitted in the hospital by Sahil dad, and Ganga mom. They decided to adopt me, and I came in this house. Oh, I forgot one thing. I have a brother. But he always calls me 'step', he 2 years younger than me, but I always thought of him as elder. Since, I am the one who's adopted. His name is Ricky. He's gone to abroad, and nobody knows when he'll arrive. Anyways, after I was adopted, they put me in the same school as Api, after you left. I didn't know that was her, she had changed so much. But, she was always aware that I was Laksh, her brother. We became friends, then slowly I figured, she was my sister. & what strange is that, she was adopted by my real father. I guess she forgived him, but I never will." he said. His eyes filled with tears. KT kept her hand on it's shoulder. "I never knew, such would happen to you, Laksh. I'm so sorry." she said. "Hey! It's the past, now I can't change it, right? What had to happen, happened. Now just let it go. The future is to get Api out of her illness. She's sick, KT! She seeks revenge from me, for poising my mother. She thought I hated her, so I ended it. But no, I wanted her benift, and even my mother knew that. I always have to protect her, KT. No matter if she kills me. I swore to my mother I would. Yes, it's true, she's behind me. Inside she knows the truth, but she just took it the wrong way. But, it's fine. I'll do whatever I can to make her better." he added. "I'm always by your side, Laksh." KT said. Lakshya smiled, and wiped off his tears.

***

Neev knocked on Lakshya's door. "Come in." Lakshya said. Neev entered, and sat in front of Lakshya. "Hey bro." he said. "What's up?" Lakshya replied. "Come downstairs. We have to show you something." Neev grinned. "Okay?" Lakshya mummered, confused. He followed him, downstairs.

As he reached the living room, the lights lit up, as everyone yelled "Surprize!" Lakshya looked at Neev. "It's nobody's birthday, or any special occasion today." Lakshya whispered. "Oh, yes there is." He walked to the crowd, leaving Lakshya at the door. Lakshya gave a confused look, as KT appeared behind him. "What's going on? I had to rush here. I got a call from Neev." KT whispered to Lakshya. "I don't know." Lakshya mouthed. Ganga came in front of them, and held KT's hands. "Welcome to the family, dear. Neev told us everything. We're very happy for you two." She smiled gleefully. Lakshya and KT looked at eachother confused; wide-eyed, yet smiling. What will be their comment on this surprise?