OS:TejVi

Tej sat alone in the garden drinking wine wondering why everything had to change so much. What had made him so mad? He still could feel Priyanka's horror as he unleashed the devil in him to destroy the damn Piano. He had reached a new low today - he broke his little princess' heart as he hurt her with the lid prop. Tej Singh Oberoi never loathed himself so much in life.

He had always wanted to be the best in life but he could never succeed in doing so. His own father always preferred Shakti over him because Shakti was a god fearing , morally righteous man. Was it true? Shakti was smarter than that, he knew when and how to press the right buttons. He couldn't help but feel frustrated at being misunderstood by his own Father. It was no dream for any young man to disappoint the man, who he had looked up to his entire life.

His mother was too nave to understand the ways of the world. She preferred to live by the laws of Ramyan in this cruel world which understood nothing but needs, wants and money. She could not understand his ambitions and hunger for growth. He could never connect to her because she was anything but what he was.

Seeing the younger generation of the Oberois , he had often felt the pangs of jealousy and envy as he never shared the same kind of bond with Shakti or Roop . He always felt happy seeing the kind of protectiveness Shivaay showed towards Omkara , Rudra and Priyanka. He knew that no harm could befall the Oberois till he was alive and kicking. He however wanted Omkara to take up the responsibilities and help Shivaay with the business. He couldn't go on forever and Shivaay needed some help too. The Empire was too huge to be managed single handedly , though , he never doubted Shivaay's capabilities to do so. He wanted Omkara to be as worthy as Shivaay - nothing more , nothing less.

Jhanvi had come into his life when he was in need of someone who would love him all for what he was and not some imaginary version of his father and mother's son. Jhanvi had loved him for all he was. She confessed to him her love on the day of her wedding by eloping away from the wedding. She had made him feel what he had always wanted to feel - being the first person on her priority list. The first few years of marriage were lovely till Shivaay was born, Shivaay's birth made him realise that his son had lost the race to become the heir to the Oberoi Group of Companies ,in Jhanvi's womb. The disappointment hit him hard and heavily pregnant Jhanvi saw through that as Tej became increasingly quiet and buried himself in office work.

"Tej!" Jhanvi called out a little louder breaking Tej's train of thoughts. "Jhan-n-vi" Tej spoke softly slurring a bit in his usual deep voice. She could see the regret, pain and sorrow in his eyes. She wanted to tell him to stop drinking but instead she asked"Do you mind if I join you?" Tej looked at her fragile body and her beautiful wide eyes filled with concern. She had enough wine in her system to last her for days, he didn't want her to drink anymore but the fear of Jhanvi walking away stopped him from saying so. He simply nodded and motioned to pour out a drink for her while She proceeded to sit beside him. They sipped their drinks in silence , Jhanvi could see their marriage having the last laugh at a couple who needed to be drunk on a certain level to have a meaningful conversation.

She had heard about what had happened today from her mother-in-law who was petrified and left bereft on what he had unleashed on her dear grand daughter. Jhanvi also knew one thing - Tej would never hurt their little princess. Priyanka meant the world to him and nobody doubted it. He had proved it time and again. She was here to seek answers from him.

Tej sank comfortably on the couch sipping his drink "Jhan-n-v-i ! Come closer." She quietly snuggled closer to him while he placed his head softly on her shoulder. She softly ran her fingers through his hair waiting for him to speak. Jhanvi waited for him to speak but realised he was far from it, "Tej "he looked up at her as she called out to him, "Can I ask you something?"She asked hesitantly. "Take your chance."He said smiling a bit going back to keeping his head on her shoulder."What were you thinking before I came?"

Tej sighed as he spoke "My childhood , Our marriage , the kids and the rapid growth of the Oberoi Group of Companies and..""And whatever happened today with Priyanka" Jhanvi spoke softly feeling miserable than ever , "Jhan-n-v-i, I never wanted to hurt her , trust me. You believe me , don't you?" He asked her as tears slid down his cheeks ,like a child waiting approval from his mother. Jhanvi nodded softly crying "I do.""Mother doesn't want to see my damned face , she believes that I can never be a father , Jhan-v-ii." He wept like a child lying on her lap. "I never wanted to hurt her Jhan-n-vi""But why did you,Tej? Why?"Jhanvi asked weeping by now.

"She sang Tum hi ho while playing the piano, It brought back so many memories Jhanvi. Our relationship, Kids, You, me and the future we could have had." He spoke and paused before continuing "It made me feel like a failure , it made me face the devils I have always run away from. My head was tearing apart, I couldn't hear the song anymore and I wanted the song to stop and I went mad with rage and destroyed that piano till it was reduced to ashes." He sobbed holding his face in his palms lying on Jhanvi's lap.

Jhanvi sobbed profusely as he heard him speak. Their marriage had become a pricking thorn in their lives. She had never imagined in her wildest dreams that her marriage would become a mere piece of paper."Tej, we need to take things into our hand before it gets too late. "She spoke seriously as she rubbed tears away from her face. "What do you mean?""We are getting deeper into the mess and this is affecting our children and our own selves." "What do you think we should do?""Tej, we have to work on our marriage so that the kids are not affected anymore. Omkara has battled drugs, Rudra has Panic attacks and Priyanka has her own history of stammering and nervousness issues. We cannot allow this to go on forever, they are young and have their entire lives ahead of them."

"You're right. What should we do?" Tej asked sincerely, looking at Jhanvi. "Divorce me" Jhanvi spoke clearly and confidently looking him into his eyes without batting an eyelid. He wanted to come up with a thousand reasons to refuse and infact question her but he knew better , the kids could do without a lot of drama in their lives and this could be the first one for starters- they need not see Svetlana and Jhanvi under one roof. He looked at her uncertain of what to say , Jhanvi pressed his forearm " Please, Tej". He could see a faint glimpse of the Jhanvi he had madly fallen in love with , she was a determined lady with a lot of class and courage not a loser crying , alcoholic. He wanted to see the determined classy lady who he had loved madly live once again and that made him decide.

Tej nodded smiling " I believe you !" clasping her palms tightly.

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