Hi,guys.I am so sorry for the late update.I have been writing this part for a month and I still haven't completed it.What I am posting below is chapter 1 of part 17.I hope you like it😚~~~X~~~~~~~
PART 17.1-Anurag,I'm Pregnant
Recap: Prerna consoles Anurag who feels responsible for Moloy's condition.Mohini sees Anurag sleeping on Prerna's lap so she tricks Prerna into spending the night at Basu Bari, saying that Moloy had extended this invitation for Prerna and Shivi.Prerna asks Ved to dig up information on Mr.Bajaj because she wants to teach him a lesson for humiliating Moloy in front of everyone.
The pregnancy book lying on the nightstand caught Prerna's eye.So Anurag had bought it the day she told him about her pregnancy.The day she told him that she would rather her child think he was dead than have a spineless man like him for a father.That day, why couldn't he just tell her the truth instead of listening to her insults with a pained expression?That way at least she would have felt less guilty now.Prerna rested her back on the headboard closing her eyes.That day had been one of the hardest days of her life.She had to make a choice between listening to her head or her heart.While her heart said that inspite of everything he had said and done, Anurag still cared about her.Her head argued that it didn't matter if he still cared for her when all he was doing was hurt her and she had to retaliate.After all,it was only fair,the way he hurt her,she will never be whole again.When she first found about her accidental marriage to Anurag and her pregnancy all she wanted to do was stay locked in her room and cry.But her mother's words had given her the strength to fight.If Veena hadn't inspired her to fight against the injustice meted out to her,Prerna shuddered to think of what would have become of her and her unborn child.She would probably have to leave the city,to avoid the scandal and raise her child elsewhere.Bilkul Ved ki Ma ki tarah,she thought sadly.Although,Ved often jokingly refers himself as Anil Kapoor to her Biwi No.1.But deep down she knows why he took such a deep interest in her personal life.His mother's plight had been no different than hers.Under fake promises of marriage,his father had gotten his mother pregnant and then ditched her to marry a wealthy heiress.In order to escape the daily humiliation and mockery she was forced to leave her hometown of Darjeeling and come to Kolkata.Ved had spent most of his childhood being ragged and mocked for his parentage.And that's why he went out of his way to consolidate Prerna's position in Basu Bari.He didn't want her to suffer the same way his mother did.He never said this but Prerna understood this.Maybe that's why she told him about her pregnancy-a news she hadn't shared with anyone back then.Agar uss waqt Ved ne Mera saath nahi diya hota,Prerna thought possessively,her grip tightening around Anurag's sleeping form,toh shayad aaj meri jaga yaha woh Komolika hoti mere kamre mein mere pati ke saath.It had been Ved's idea to trick Anurag into signing the marriage certificate.He felt that it would give her an upper hand over Komolika since she didn't get her marriage registered either.At first,Prerna was dead against this.It really hurt her self respect that she had to trick her own husband into legally acknowledging their marriage.This was something women like Komolika did.But Ved argued that this was their only option, given that Anurag had already betrayed her once and since he wanted her to leave Basu Bari,even he couldn't be trusted.Prerna took the marriage certificate from Ved, awaiting an opportunity to get Anurag to sign this.The opportunity came a week later, when Nivedita fell sick.Bed ridden,Nivi had asked Anupam to take some papers to the office for Anurag to sign.But as he was about to leave,Prerna offered to take the papers to Anurag instead, saying she needed to speak privately with him."Lekin aap please yeh baat gharwaalon ko mat bataiye ga.Main nahi chahti woh log aaj humare beech aaye, Anupam Da",she said making Anupam swear to secrecy.He had agreed to meet her outside Basu Bari in another two hours,when she will give him the papers.Thus,making it look like as if he had gotten those papers signed.
On her way to Basu Publications,Prerna touched her belly nervously.Today was a very important day for her not only because of her plan to trick Anurag into signing the marriage certificate, something she still wasn't comfortable with.But also because,today Anurag will decide her next move.It had been two weeks since she had come to Basu Bari with the intention of making Anurag's life hell.But in these two weeks all she had done was stop Anurag and Komolika's honeymoon and get confused by Anurag's behavior.While she was happy about the former, she was equally annoyed at the latter.She had come to Basu Bari thinking she will face the man who had played with her life and then cast her aside like a used tissue paper.Yet,every time she looked into his eyes the only thing she could see was love for her,time and again.Yes,it was true that he often sided with Komolika and threw his relationship at her face whenever he could.But she didn't fail to see that inspite of flaunting his relationship with Komolika,Anurag almost always avoided her.Also, instead of taunting her and humiliating her on a daily basis,like his mother and sister, Anurag was actually quite decent with her.He had never even repeated his words from the engagement party.From the little she could remember of Holi two weeks ago,he took care of her when she was too intoxicated to walk around.All these things confused Prerna to no end,raising doubts in her mind that maybe Anurag was hiding something and it had something to do with his marriage to Komolika.This was what stopped her from hurting him, because deep down she felt that he was acting under some sort of pressure.However another part of her,the part that hurt everytime he was near Komolika,said that he was just playing with her feelings all over again.But today this conflict will end.Ved had told her all about Mr.Chaubey helping Basu Publications out with a government project and their shares prices doing better since Anurag-Komolika's wedding.Maybe this was the missing piece of puzzle she was looking for all along.Maybe this was the real reason why he left her.Prerna still didn't know which alternative hurt her more,the one where the man she loves unconditionally chose his business over her or the one where he chose another woman over her?Either ways,today she will give him a chance to explain himself,to tell her the truth,and in return she will lay her cards on the table.She will tell him about her pregnancy.Whatever he says or does after that will determine her actions for the future.The car halted in front of Basu Publications, Prerna got out preparing herself for the upcoming battle.As she entered Basu Publications,she could see people staring at her and whispering.She quickened her pace.She had gotten used to this by now,people gossiping about her and her unique situation.She opened the door of Anurag's cabin.He looked up.When he saw her,he quickly got up from his chair in surprise."Tum yahaan?!"he asked.Prerna raised her eyebrows,"Kyun?Ek patni apne pati se uske office usse milne nahi aa sakti,Kya?(showing the file)Yeh tumhare naye contract ke papers hai,tumhe inhe aaj hi sign karke Nivi Di ko dena hai,aur Nivi Di beemar hai,iss liye main aagayi.". Watching her explain,as she sat down in front of him,Anurag smiled.These days it was so rare for them to be alone together.Maybe he will take her out for a lunch date after this.He smiled at her flirtatiously and said,"Jhoot,papers sign karna toh sirf ek bahana hai,asal mein toh tum mere saath time spent karne aayi ho.Hai na?".Prerna smiled at him pleasantly and said,"Tumne bilkul sahi kaha,main yaha bahana karke tumse milne aayi hoon.".Anurag was stunned to see her speak so honestly.Where were her vehement proclamations of hatred for him? Confused,he took the file from her and started reading it.Feeling Prerna's eyes on him he looked up.Unfazed,Prerna continued to stare at him.She finally spoke up,"Congratulations!". Surprised,he asked her,"Kis liye?". Prerna frowned in mock annoyance,"Arre,ab itne modest bhi mat bano, Kakababu ke absence mein business sambhaale tumhe bas do hafte huwe hai.Lekin inn do hafto mein tumne woh sab kar diya jo bade bade businessmen chhe mahino mein nahi kar paate.Basu Publications ke shares tezi se gir rahe the,lekin ab dekho!Do hi hafton mein shares stabilize ho gaye,aur isse bhi ajeeb baat achanak Basu Publications ko ek government project bhi mil gaya.Aur tum phir bhi keh rahe ho main tumhe congratulate Kyu karu?".Anurag shifted uncomfortably.Loosening his tie, Anurag thought,Agar tumhe pata chalta Prerna ki yeh sab mujhe kaise mila toh tum mujse aur bhi nafrat karti.Prerna's voice interrupted his thoughts,"Kya hua tum chup kyu ho?". Anurag replied,"Mmm...kuch nahi,yeh sab chhoro na.Tum kuch logi chai ya coffee?". Prerna answered,"Jawaab.Main jawaab lungi.Tumhare paas hoga na,jawaab?".Anurag asked,"Kis baat ka jawaab?".Prerna sat back, looking at Anurag intently,"Tumne mujhe use kiya,mere emotions ke saath khela aur phir mujhe chhor diya kyuki main tumhare layak nahi thi,woh main samaj gayi.Lekin tumne Komolika se kyu Shaadi ki?"she asked in a casual tone.Anurag stared at her, surprised by her calm and casual demeanor.He couldn't put a finger to it,but today Prerna was acting differently.There was a desperation in her eyes which made him nervous.Trying to understand what she was getting at,Anurag played along,"Main Komolika se pyaar karta hoon.".Prerna maintained her composure,but deep down his words killed her.This always happened.No matter how much she hardened her heart against him,he always managed to affect her.Taking a deep breath,she continued,"Waise tumhe usse kabse pyaar tha?I mean tumhe apne iss pyaar ka ehsaas kab hua?Jab tum uski behen ko engagement ring pehna rahe the tab, ya tab jab tum mujse pyaar ke jhoote vaade Kar rahe the?".Her words about his promises being fake stung him.Trying to steer the conversation in another direction Anurag said,"Waise tum yaha pe papers leke kyu aayi ho?Meri biwi bhi toh papers leke aa sakti thi na?".Prerna bristled at him"Papers tumhaari biwi hi leke aayi hai!".Inspite of himself,Anurag smiled at her assertion.Seeing this,Prerna said,"Tumhe na apne iss bimaari ke liye kisi doctor ko dikhaana chahiye,abhi thodi der pehle hi tum meri itni khaatirdaari Kar rahe the aur ab dekho Komolika ka naam leke mujhe bhagaane ki koshish kar rahe ho.".Anurag replied,"I guess yeh tumhare sangat ka asar hai,tum bhi toh pichhle do hafton se mujhe gaaliyaan de rahi thi,mujhse nafrat kar rahi thi aur aaj achanak tum yaha mujse Milne aa gayi.(in a serious tone)Sach sach bataao Prerna tum aaj yaha kyu aayi ho?Kya tum phirse koi nayi chaal chal rahi ho,mujhse badla lene ke liye?". Prerna replied,"Maine abhi tak tumse badla lene ke liye koi chaal nahi chali Anurag.Aur main kabhi koi chaal chalungi bhi nahi,woh toh Komolika aur tumhara kaam hai.Main toh seedha saamne se vaar karti hu.Aur main aage bhi wohi karungi.". Hearing her words,Anurag felt a chill run down his spine,not because he was scared of her but because he was scared for her.Till now,he has Komolika under control but if Prerna provokes her,and if he can't stop Komolika from hurting her-Nahi,Anurag thought,Mujhe pata karna hi hoga ke Prerna kya plan Kar rahi hai.Agar Komolika ne isse hurt kiya toh main apne aapko kabhi maaf nahi kar paunga!In severe tone,Anurag warned her,"Prerna,aisa kuch mat karo jiske liye tumhe baad mein afsos hona pare.I don't know tum itni dumb kaise ho sakti ho.I mean, Komolika ko support karne ke liye main hu,mere gharwaale hai,uske dad aur unka power hai.Aur tumhe phir bhi lagta hai ke tum usse hara paogi?". Prerna replied morbidly,"Waise Anurag unn papers ko tum sign karne se pehle ek baar padh lo, warna kahi aisa naa ho ki meri tarah tum bhi dhokha kha jaao.".Anurag was stunned by the sudden change in her demeanor.Seeing the unshed tears in her eyes, Anurag's heart broke a little.It was almost a ago,they had confessed their feelings to each other.He had made so many promises to her,of loving her, protecting her and always keeping her happy.But in the past one month,all he had given her was pain and tears.Prerna tried to compose herself.She will not cry in front of him.She will never let him know how much he hurts her everytime he speaks of Komolika and himself in the same sentence.Watching Anurag stare at her,Prerna gestured at the papers lying on the table and said,"Agar tum chahte ho ke main yaha se chali jaaun toh tum yeh papers abhi issi waqt mujhe sign karke de sakte ho,Nivi Di ne already ek baar inn papers ko study kar liya hai,toh tumhe inn he dobara padhne ki zaroorat nahi".Anurag replied,"Nahi main ek baar inn he padh leta,taaki koi galti naa ho".Prerna looked him in the eye and said,"Haan,kissi pe aankh band karke bharosa karne se badi galti aur kuch nahi hoti.". Understanding that she was hinting at their relationship,Anurag looked down so that she doesn't see his hurt look .He took the papers and started reading them again when Prerna interrupted him,"Apni doosri shaadi ke raat tum mujse maafi kyu maang rahe the?".Anurag asked,"Kya?"
Standing up from her place Prerna walked to his chair as Anurag got up from his place and stood in front of her.Prerna replied,her voice low but agitated,"Tum maafi maang rahe the mujse.In fact tum ro rahe the.Komolika,jisse tumne abhi abhi shaadi ki thi,jisse tum pyaar karte ho tum usko chhor kar uss ladki ke paas baithe the jisse tum apne layak bhi nahi samajte,jiski tumne itni beizzati ki,kyun?".Her questions left Anurag speechless.He didn't expect her to remember that night,she was so broken and devastated.He himself didn't want to ever think of that night because that night was a proof how badly he had broken her.Prerna grabbed his chin, forcing him to look into her eyes,"Answer me!",she hissed.When Anurag saw her,he was taken aback.He had never seen her like this.Her eyes tear-rimmed but her expression was fierce,the anger and hurt for him clearly visible.She looked at him the way she had looked at him at the engagement party waiting for his answer.Her eyes glinting with desperation and even a little bit of madness.Concerned,Anurag placed his hands on her shoulders and said,"Prerna...tumhari tabyat shayad theek nahi hai,tum baith-".In anger,Prerna slapped his hands away saying,"Main beemar nahi hu!Tum mujhe beemar karne ki koshish Kar rahe ho!Tum mujhe nuksaan pohochane ki koshish kar rahe ho!".Shocked and hurt at her words,Anurag said,"Kya?!Main tumhe hurt karna chahta hu?!Main tumhe beemar karna chahta hu?!(grabbing her by the shoulders)Tum mere baare mein aisa soch bhi kaise sakti ho,Prerna?". Pushing him away,Prerna replied angrily,"Kyu na sochu main yeh?Kya Kiya hai tumne mere saath,Anurag?Mandir mein Durga Ma ke saamne, Durga Ma ko saakshi maan ke tumne mujse Shaadi karne ka vaada Kiya,aur uske baad tumne kya kiya? Mujhe dhoke mein rakh ke tum Komolika se mangni Kar rahe the.Aur jab main waha aayi(wiping her tears) toh tumne ek hi minute ke andar mujhe,mere pyaar ko,yaha tak ki mere character ko gaali di.Mujhe poore sheher ke saamne zalil kiya!Aur tum kehte ho ki main aisa kaise soch sakti hu?!Meri haalat dekho tum!Kya galti thi meri?Yehi ki maine tumse pyaar kiya?Tumpe bharosa kiya?Tumhe apna sab kuch maan liya?".Anurag couldn't control his tears anymore.Seeing his tears, Prerna came closer to him and wiped his tears.Prerna said,"Kya hua?Jab main tumhare saamne ro rahi thi,tumse apne pyaar ki bheek maang rahi thi,tab yeh aasu kaha the,Anurag?Aur tum mere liye kyu aasu baha rahe ho,main toh tumhare liye kuchh bhi nahi hu, hai na?Jawab do.".Anurag was at a loss of words.He had no idea what had gotten into Prerna.Ever since she came into Basu Bari she had only shown her tough side.She never mentioned her heartbreak or humiliation and she certainly never showed her tears to him.But today Anurag realized that for the past two weeks Prerna had been hiding her pain behind her taunts and sassy replies.The Prerna that was standing in front of him, looking at him in anger with tears in her eyes waiting desperately for his answer this was the true face of Prerna Sharma.Prerna's voice broke his thoughts,"Tumhe pata hai log chahe jitna bhi koshish kare, kabhi na kabhi unki feelings unke chehre pe aa hi jaati hai.Jaise abhi tumhare chehre pe tumhari feelings mujhe saaf saaf nazar aa rahi hai.(shaking her head)Tum Komolika se pyaar nahi karte.Agar tum usse pyaar karte toh abhi tumhari aankhon mein yeh aasu nahi hote".He raised his head and their eyes met.Prerna continued,"Tumne Komolika se kabhi pyaar nahi kiya tha,agar tumhe usse pyaar hota toh tum usse itna dur dur nahi bhaagte.Tum toh uski maang mein sindoor Tak nahi bhar sakte aur tum kehte ho ke tum usse pyaar karte ho?".Anurag shifted uncomfortably,he had to stop Prerna she was getting too close to the truth.He decided that right now offense was the best defense,"Listen,Prerna main Komolika se pyaar karta hu,yeh baat woh bhi jaanti hai aur main bhi.Tum chahe jitni bhi koshish karlo,tum mere aur Komolika ke rishte daraar nahi daal sakti samjhi?".Prerna scoffed at his outburst,"Rishte mein daraar daal ne ke liye,rishta hona bhi toh chahiye na?Tum apne jhoote rishte ke peechhe mere sawaalon se bach nahi sakte,Anurag.".Letting out a frustrated sigh,Anurag said,"Tum aise nahi maanogi.".Walking to his desk,he grabbed his pen and signed the papers with a flourish.He took the file and handed it to her,"Yeh lo,tum jis kaam ke liye aayi thi woh ho gaaya ab tum jaa sakti ho.".Prerna took the papers from him and checked it.He had signed the contract papers and unknowingly the marriage certificate underneath the carbon paper.Prerna sighed,"Achcha theek hai,main chali jaaungi.Waise main jaanti hoon ke tumne Komolika se apna business bachane ke liye shaadi ki.".Her words left Anurag shocked.He was about to protest when Prerna cut him off,"Aur jhoot bolne ki zaroorat nahi.Tumhari Komolika se shaadi aur company ke shares ka achanak stabilize yeh ek coincidence ho sakta hai.Lekin Basu Publications ka woh government project paana jiski deadline miss hogayi thi, woh toh koi coincidence nahi ho sakti na.".Anurag stood rooted to the ground,at a loss of words.Prerna questioned him,"Kya baat hai?Tum inkaar nahi kar rahe?Thodi der pehle hi toh tum apne pyaar ki itni badi badi baatein Kar rahe the,ab kya hua?". Anurag's mind was running a mile a minute.He needed to know what else did Prerna find out.If this was all she knew then it was still fine.He could live with Prerna hating him for choosing money over her.But if she knew more,there was no way she would leave him.She would stay and fight for him,for their future and that would make Komolika angry enough to seriously hurt her.He just needed a few more months,once the government project took off he will pay off the mortgages on Basu Publications and Basu Bari,taking back full control from Komolika.Then,he will find a way to permanently get rid of Komolika,if he can.But until then,he needed her to believe that he is on her side.If she suspected even one thing,then Prerna will be her first target and he can't afford that!He had to play along to find out what else Prerna knew.Anurag finally spoke up,"Haan,toh?Mr.Chaubey ne yeh project mujhe Shaadi mein gift diya hai.Yeh sab toh high profile families mein hota hi rehta hai,yeh sab baatein tumhare chhote se dimaag mein nahi samaj aayengi Prerna.". Prerna smiled,"Hmm...shaayad.
Tumhe pata hain yeh baat aur kiske samaj mein nahi aayegi?Public ke.Elections aane waale hai,Mr.Chaubey Chief Ministerial candidate hai.Agar main yeh baat journalists ya unke rivals ke notice mein laau,toh tumhe kya lagta hai woh log iss baat ko kitna uchhalenge?Phir Kya yeh project tumhare paas rahega bhi?".Anurag gulped.It seemed Prerna was hell bent on uncovering the truth.He had to stop her no matter what.Anurag took a step closer.Looking into Prerna's eyes,he asked,"Tum kya chahti ho Prerna?".Prerna looked him squarely in the eye and replied,"Main sach jaan na chahti hu.Samjhe?Tum Komolika se pyaar nahi karte.Toh Kya tumne business ke liye Komolika se Shaadi ki?".Anurag closed his eyes,and took a deep breath and said,"Haan".Prerna took a step back,her heart racing.Even though,she had anticipated that this would be his answer it still hurt her.This was the man she loved with her heart and soul.This man was going to be the father of her child.She had really thought he was perfect match because he loved just like her- unconditionally.She thought that no matter how different they were in class,personality and upbringing,their relationship would last because they both put love over everything.Anurag's words broke into her thoughts,"Yes,maine Komolika se shaadi business mein fayde ke liye ki!Aur kyu na karta?!It was a great opportunity and it was a success!!Humare shares ke prices stabilize ho gaye hai,in fact prices aur badh rahe hai.Ek baar yeh project successful ho jaaye to yeh Basu Publications ko pehle se bhi zyada uchaayiyon mein pohcha degi!Baba ke accident ke baad humare shares ke prices kitna gir gaye the.Woh toh mere aur Komolika ke Shaadi ke baad hi stabilize huwe the,warna abhi tak toh company band ho jaati.".Prerna fought back her tears,and said,"Aur kya tumhare paas apne aap ko bechne ke alaava aur koi option nahi tha?".Anurag feigned annoyance, rolling his eyes he said,"Oh come on,Prerna don't be so melodramatic.I was just being practical.Tum bhi toh apna ghar bachane ke liye Naveen Babu se shaadi karne jaa rahi thi!Toh main agar apne Baba ka business bachane ke liye,unki legacy bachane ke liye Komolika se shaadi karta hu, toh main galat kaha hu?".Prerna wiped her tears,and said,"Haan, Naveen Babu se yaad aaya,apni engagement mein tumne mujse Kya kaha tha?Ki main paisewale aadmiyon ke peechhe bhagti hu.Agar apna ghar bachane ke liye main Naveen Babu jaise aadmi se shaadi kar sakti hu,toh pata nahi main tumhe paane ke liye Kis hadd tak gir jaati.".Anurag looked down trying to hide his embarrassment over that day's memory.Prerna continued,"Uss din tumhe apne iss business decision ka khayal nahi aaya?Poore sheher ke saamne mujh par keechar uchhaal te waqt tumhe humare iss common situation ka khayal nahi aaya?Maana ki mera pyaar tumhare liye sirf ek khel tha,lekin Kakababu toh mujse aur mere parivaar kitna pyaar karte hai,mere baba unke sabse achche dost the.(scoffs)Mujhe characterless kehte waqt tum toh unke dosti ka maan bhi nahi rakh paye!".Anurag burst out,"Haan,main nahi rakh paaya unke dosti ka maan,kyuki mere liye isse bhi important kuch tha-".Prerna said,"Komolika,hai na?".Nahi,Prerna tum.Uss din aur aaj bhi mere liye tumse zyada important aur koi nahi.Kaash yeh main tumse keh sakta,Anurag thought sadly. Anurag replied sternly,"Haan,aur kyu na ho Komolika mere liye important?!Usse Shaadi karke mujhe kya kuch nahi mila, business mein fayda, political influence aur mere gharwaale bhi kitna khush hai usse.Maa toh usse humare Ghar ki Lakshmi kehti hai,woh kehti hai mere liye Komolika se perfect ladki nahi ho sakti.And I completely agree,kabhi dekha hai tumne usse?Sabse kitna pyaar se rehti hai,sabko khush rakhti hai.Agar maine usse chhorkar tumhe(pointing his index finger at her) chuna hota,toh kya future hota Mera?Mera business jaata,hum raste pe aa jaate.Aur upar se tum,ma aur Nivi Di ek doosre ki jaan le leti.Iss liye,main kehta hu,Prerna Jo hua usse bhool jaao.Hum dono uss mandir mein ek sapna dekh rahe the,sapna toot Gaya,ab asal zindagi mein lautne ka waqt aa gaya.". Saying this,he turned around and walked to the window.Anurag closed his eyes as tears escaped from them.Please Prerna,meri baat maanlo.Tumhare paas abhi bhi waqt hai,apni zindagi jeene ka,khush rehne ka.Maine tumhe chhorkar apne haathon apni zindagi barbaad kardi.Lekin agar tum Komolika ke changul se nikal ke apni zindagi mein khush reh sako,toh mujhe aisa lagega ke maine ek khushaal zindagi jee hai.Anurag felt Prerna's hand on his shoulder.He turned around to face her.In a lifeless voice Prerna said,"Anurag,I am pregnant.".Her words hit him like a wave of tsunami.