The Fractured Love - A KRPKAB Short Story, Part-5 Updated on Pg. 4 - Page 3

At Ishwari Niwas

As Dev was about to enter his home he could hear the laughter of his family members, tears threatened to spill from his eyes as the thought of sharing his decision crossed his mind, he knew the consequence of this was going to be painful for each of them but then they had to endure it for the better future which he was hoping for. Ishwari was the first to see Dev entering, she got up and made her way towards him.

"Dev, aaj badi der ho gayi ghar aane main" she asked him

"Haan Maa, office main kaafi zaroori kaam tha usey hi niptatey hue der ho gayi, waise Sonakshi kahan hai, bachon ko sulane gayi hai kya?" he asked observing that Sonakshi and the kids were missing.

"Arey nahi beta wo to aaj Bachon ke saath apne maaike main ruk gayi hai, aakhir baat hi itni Khushi ki jo hai" she said

"Kyun aisi kya baat ho gayi maa?" Dev asked perplexed.

"Arey Sona ne tujhey bataya nahi, Ronita Maa banne wali hai, Tu phupha baane wala hai Dev" she replied happily

Dev's lips curved into a happy smile, after years a young child was going to come into their lives though technically the child would be from Bose family but he had come to accept Ronita as his own sister and hence decided to take care of her as his own. He never experienced the feeling of taking care of someone on the verge of motherhood. He was not there when Suhana was born and even during the birth of Golu & Aarohi he was so engulfed in his own sadness & misery that he could not experience that feeling. After years he was getting a chance to experience that feeling and this time things were better, maybe it was God's way of letting him live the moments which he had missed during the birth of his own child.

"Arey ye to bohut Khushi ki baat hai Maa, main kal subah hi wahan jaake unhe badhayi doonga" he replied, the smile still intact on his face, but there was an internal battle going through him. He was relieved that Sonakshi and the kids were not there. He did not want to dampen the mood with his revelations and then his decision but then he decided he had to do this for everyone's good.

"Vicky Kahan hai?" his voice cold as he turned towards Elena to ask her.

Everyone could make sense of Dev's voice, it was laced with an underlying fury. "Dev Bhai, Wo kamre main hai, Kuch kaam tha kya ussey, main bulaon?" she asked as Dev nodded in a Yes.

As Elena made her way to the room to call Vicky, Radharani asked "What happen Dev Beta, itni raat ko kya kaam hai Vicky se aur tu itna angry kyun lag raha hai?"

"Vicky ko aaney dijiye Mamiji, main sab batata hoon" he replied, his voice stoic.

Everyone understood something was seriously wrong, they had seen Dev get angry many times before but it was always a burst of anger something which subsided as quickly as it came but today it was not the case, seldom did they see Dev being angry yet so calm and that did not auger well.

"Bhai, aapney bulaya, kuch kaam tha kya?" Vicky asked as he came down but suddenly he stuttered when he met the intense gaze of Dev's eyes conveying fury.

"Haan Vicky kuch batana tha tujhe, pichley kuch dino se main poora dhyan office ke kamon pe laga nahi paa raha tha aur isi ka fayda utha they hue kisine humare naye software ko chura liya hai" he said eyeing Vicky intently.

Everyone was shocked beyond their wits, Vicky's face blanched with fear with the thought that whether Dev came to know about his betrayal. Regaining his composure, he said "Ye aap kya keh rahe ho Bhai, Ye kaise hua aur kisne kiya? Aur koi aisa kyun karega?" rattling out his questions hurriedly.

Dev did not miss the fear in Vicky's voice as he keenly watched him he replied "Kisney kiya ye to pata nahi, lekin mujhe lagta hai ki ye kisi andar ke aadmi ka kaam hai kyunki iske baarey main sirf kuch hi log jaante they company main aur rahi baat koi ye kyun karega to issey jo bhi bechega usey karodon ka faayda hoga to koi aisa mauka kyun janey dega"

Dev observed Vicky's face, fear was palpable on it as he continued "Ek baat bata Vicky mere absence main tu office handle karta tha na?"

"Aap kehna kya chathey ho bhai, ki ye sab mainey kiya hai" he replied agitatedly as the others looked towards Dev in Shock.

"Main ney aisa kuch nahi kaha Vicky, main sirf itna keh raha hoon ki mere absence main office ki zimedari teri thi aur tu usme fail ho gaya" Dev replied calmly as Vicky looked on.

"Dev Beta, tu kaise my RED ko aise keh sakta hai, tu office main nahi tha to ismey Vicky ki kya galti?" Radharani interrupted defending her son.

"Mamiji, ye office ka mamla hai aur main Vicky se baat kar raha hoon. Aacha yehi hoga ki aap shanti rakhe" he said looking at her angrily as she backed off.

"Aaj iski laparvahi ki wajah se hamari company doobney ke kagar pe hai, humarey competitor ke haath main ye software chala gaya hai aur to aur humey shayad ye ghar bhi bechna pade" Dev continued in a sad voice as everybody looked aghast with this new information trickled in.

"Lekin Thakar to ko poora code bhi mila nahi" Vicky blurted out mistakenly

"Lekin mainey to Thakar ka naam bhi nahi liya Vicky aur tujhe kaise pata ki usey poora code mile nahi?" Dev said with a smirk on his face, he had gotten the truth out of Vicky

Vicky staggered in fear, he realised his game was up "Wo Bhai, Wo..." before he could continue he received a hard slap on his face, as everyone looked at Mamaji who slapped him once again

"Sach Sach bata Vicky kya kiya tuney?" he said angrily as everyone else was too shocked to react. Vicky was too shocked to react, he had no idea what to say.

"Main Batata hoon Mamaji, Ye humarey company ka software jis par hum pichle do saalon se kaam kar rahe hain usey humarey competitor Vikrant Thakral ko bechne chala tha, ye to acha hua ki waqt rehte humey pata chal gaya varna humari company doob jati" said Dev calming down a bit as things were moving the way he wanted till now.

"Tere paas kya saboot hai Dev ki my RED me ye sab kiya hai" said Radharani, she was still defending her son.

"Muhjey pata tha Mamiji, aap ye zaroor poochengi. Aapko Saboot chahiye na to main deta hoon aapko" said Dev as he took out a paper from his pocket. Holding it out he said "Ye Vicky ke phone ka call list hai jissey ye saaf pata chalta hai ki pichle kuch dino main ye har din kai baar Thakral se baat karta tha aur jahan tak mujhe pata hai humarey company ka unkey saath koi deal nahi hai to har din ye ussey itni baar baatey kyun karta tha"

As everybody looked at the sheet, Dev added looking in anger at Vicky "Aur agar ye saboot kafi nahi hai toh main aap sab logon ko kuch Sunana chahta hoon, lekin main ussey pehle aap sab logon ko ye bata doon ki jo bhi aap sunoge usey aap Shaanti se suney kyunki shayad iskey baad kahin rishton par se aap logon ka vishwas na uth jaaye, lekin mujhey ye karna padega kyunki main abhi aur kisi ko humari khushiyon ko cheen ney nahi de sakta"

Everybody looked in daze as Dev said that, they had just one thought going on in their mind. What was it that Dev was about to reveal that he said that their belief in relationships was going to be shaken. They hoped what he was saying does not turn out to be true but then the revelation that was made in the past few minutes it seemed that things were just going to get worse. As for Dev he had only one thought going on in his mind, he would not allow anyone to destroy there happiness anymore and it was TIME TO SET THINGS RIGHT.

I know this part might be a bit dull as there are no Devakshi POVs but it was important as things need to be cleared for the story to move forward. Also frankly I was disappointed the way the CVs have handled this track in the Serial, hence wanted to put in my thoughts on how I would have wanted it to happen.

Hope you all like it. As always awaiting your valuable comments/feedback/thoughts.

Dev took his phone out and started playing an audio recording

******

"Tu fail ho gaya Vicky, ek kaam diya tha tujhe aur wo bhi nahi kar paya. Ek code chura nahi paya tu apne office se aur wo bhi tab jab Dev office main tha bhi nahi" thundered a livid Thakral

"Sun Thakral, apni aawaz neechi rakh aur ye kya laga rakha hai tuney ki main fail ho gaya. Tujhe to client data aur ussey zyada important, code ka ek part to mila na"replied Vicky agitatedly

"Vo Client data mere kuch kaam ka nahi Vicky aur aadhe code ka main kya karoon, wo mere kuch kaam ka nahi aur sun wo jo tujhe mainey 5 crore advance main diye they wo jald se jald lauta de warna mujhe der nahi lagegi tujhe barbad karne main" said Thakral angrily, he was fast losing his remaining patience

"Ye dhamkiyan kisi aur ko dena Thakral, agar tuney mujhey barbaad karne ki koshish bhi ki to tu bhi bach nahi payega aur ye tu bhi jaanta hai" said Vicky calmly & smirked

Thakral calmed down a bit he knew there was truth in what Vicky said, regaining his composure he replied "Arey Vicky tu to bura maan gaya yaar, chal ye sab chod ab ye bata ki aagey kya karna hai. Ab tak to Dev Dixit ko zaroor pata chal gaya hoga aur kahin uska shaq tujhpe na ho"

Vicky let out a chuckle and replied "Thakral, Jab pichle saat saal main Dev Dixit ne mujhpe kabhi shaq nahi kiya to ab kya karega"

"Matlab, Kehna kya chahta hai tu, aisa kya kiya tune pichle saat salon main?" asked a confused Thakral

"Ye pooch ki kya nahi kiya Thakral, jab Dev Dixit ko kabhi ye nahi pata chala ki saat saal pehle uski Biwi ke family ko usney nahi balki main ney uske sign forge karkey unke ghar se nikalwaya tha to ab usey kaisey pata chaelga ki iske pichey main hoon, usey toh ye bhi pata nahi ki uske aur wo bangalan ke beech ki galat famiyan mainey aur meri mummy ne paida kiye they, arey meri mummy ne to khud apna ghar jala diya tha taki hum Dev Dixit ke ghar main ghus sakey, uske office main Tax scam mainey kiya tha, usey gundon se pitwaya, camp main saanp choda, kitni baar office main paison ke ghotalein kiye, arey yahan tak ki uss Bangalan ki behan se bhi mainey sirf isliye shaadi ki taki main ussey badla le sakoon apni beizati ka" said Vicky in a flow confessing to all the misdeeds he had done over the years

Thakral was stunned, he had read about the problems in Dev's marital life seven years back but never did he think that it was because of Vicky, he smiled wickedly as he thought that he had invested his time & money in the right person.

Vicky continued proudly "Arey wo Bangalan to shayad phir bhi maan jati ki Dev bhai ne ye sab nahi kiya lekin jaisey usney apni family ko toot te huey dekha to usney saarey rishtey tod diye aur Dev bhai to khud uss waqt nashe main dhut they mera kaam to aur aasan ho gaya tha, Lekin saat saal baad wo Bangalan phir se wapas aa gayi aur saath main apni beti ko bhi le aayi. Mujhe to laga tha ki apney bete ko mohra banake Dev bhai ki saari jaydad hadap loonga lekin mera saara plan chaupat kar diya. Lekin koi baat nahi iss baar bhi main un dono ko saath nahi honey dunga, already dono main problems shuru ho gayi hai aur iss bar bhi main un dono ke beech dooriyan paida kar doonga. Iss baar main Dev Dixit ko poori tarah barbaad kar doonga. Ab Pata chala Thakral Vicky Tripathi Cheez kya hai" and laughed as Thakral smiled, he was convinced that Vicky would do the job, the person who can stoop so low that he can backstab his own people can surely do the work he had asked off him. He told him to be careful and cut the call.

******
As Dev stopped playing the recording there was a stunned silence. The colour drained off from Vicky's and Radharani's face while fury was clearly visible on Dev's face. Elena & Mamaji were too shocked to react while tears were continuously flowing from Ishwari's eyes. Elena recovered first she made her way towards Vicky who was not able to meet her eyes.

She slapped hard across his face and said "Itne salon main mujhe ye to pata tha ki tum kisi kaam ke nahi wo Vicky lekin mainey sapney main nahin socha tha ki tum itney neechey gir sakte ho, jis Dev bhai ne tumhey aur tumhare family ko sambhala tumney unhi ke saath itna bada dhoka kiya"

Tears started flowing from Elena's eyes, she went towards Dev and folded her hands in apology before him but could not meet his eyes, Dev took her in embrace and calmed her down. He had taken her in as his sister and could understand the pain she was going through. He made her sit and made her drink a glass of water. He got up and went towards Vicky.

"Main ney tujhse pehle hi kaha tha Vicky ki sirf Dev Dixit ke jaise kapde pehen lene se koi Dev Dixit ban nahi jata. Mann to kar raha hai ki tujhe abhi isi waqt ghar se nikal ke phek doon lekin wo teri liye kafi kam saza hogi, tuney mere sign forge kiye aur office main itney ghotale kiye iske liye to tujhe main police ke hawale karna chahta hoon, lekin tere baaki gunahon ke liye tujhe saza dene ka haq sirf Elena, Sonakshi aur Bose family ka hai isliye ye faisla main unke upar chhod ta hoon" said Dev, anger clearly visible in his eyes and voice.

"Ye tu kya keh raha hai Dev Beta, tu apne chote bhai ke saath aisa kaise kar sakta. Jiji dekha apne kya keh raha hai Dev" said Radharani, before Ishwari could reply Mamaji pulled her and was about to slap her "Bhaiya" "Mamaji" shouted Ishwari and Dev simultaneously. Ishwari moved towards her brother and stopped him "Ye aap kya kar rahe hai bhaiya, patni hai wo aapki" she said.

"Patni, ye patni kehlane ke layak nahi hai Ishwari. Arey patni to ghar ki Lakshmi hoti hai aur isne to apne hi ghar ko jala diya. Us sey bhi iska mann nahi bhara toh isney iss ghar ko bhi nahi chhoda" spat Mamaji angrily. He folded his hands before Dev, before could speak Dev held his hands and nodded in a No, asking him to not to say anything. Dev went to Elena and said "Elena isko kya saza deni hai ye faisla main tum pe choddta hoon" Before he could continue Elena held his hand and said "Aap jo bhi faisla lenge main aapke saath hoon bhai". As she said that Dev picked up his phone and made a call to the cops asking them to come to Ishwari Niwas and arrest Vicky.

Ishwari was about to say something when Dev raised his hand gesturing her to stop "Nahi Maa, aaj kuch nahi bolegi tu. Itney saal mainey teri har baat mani hai lekin aaj nahi" he said with a finality in his voice. "Lekin Beta wo tera chota bhai hai" she replied. "Chhota bhai?? Ye bhai kehlaney ke layak nahi hai maa aur ab mujhe koi aur behes nahi chahiye" he said.

The police arrived after some time, all the while Vicky and Mamiji were asking for apologies for all the mistakes they had done but nobody was ready to listen to them. Ishwari tried to speak to Dev few times but was shut down every time by his withering looks.

As the police arrested Vicky and went, everybody made their way towards their rooms. It was going to be a long night for each of them.

In Dev's Room

Ishwari made her way towards Dev's room, she knew he was holding up a lot of emotions within himself after the happenings of the night. As she entered the room she was shocked, Dev was packing his clothes. Recovering from the shock she asked hurriedly "Dev, ye kya kar raha hai tu. Kahan jaa raha hai?" she had a fear that he was leaving the house. Dev could understand what she was thinking "Fikr mat kar Maa, main bas kuch dino ke liye bahar jaa raha hoon office ke kaam se" he replied with a sad smile. "Lekin achanak kyun beta aur wo bhi tab jab itna kuch ho gaya" she replied.

"Nahi Maa, kaafi dino se ye postpone ho raha tha aur ye sahi waqt hai jaane ka aur shayad main bhi inn sab se kuch din door rehna chahta hoon, kuch din akele rehna chahta hoon" he said controlling his tears. As Dev said that Ishwari could understand that the office trip was just an excuse, she also knew that once Dev had taken a decision no one could change his mind.

"Lekin beta iss waqt Sonakshi ko teri sab se zyada zaroorat hogi" she said hoping that Dev would change his decision but Dev had made up his mind. He said "Ye sab main mere aur Sonakshi ke liye hi kar raha hoon Maa". Ishwari was confused "Matlab, kehna kya chahta hai tu Dev" she replied.

"Matlab ye Maa ki aaj jo kuch bhi hua uske baad mera shayad rishton par se vishwas uth gaya hai, main jaanta hoon ki iss waqt mujhe aur sonakshi ko ek doosre ka saath chahiye shayad pehle se kahin zyada, lekin main ye bhi jaanta hoon ki main shayad us sey nazrein na mila paaon. Maine uske pyar par sawal uthaya tha jabki usney itna sab kuch sahney ke baad bhi bina kuch sawal kiye meri zindagi main wapas aaney ka faisla liya. Mujhey pata hai ki wo aaj bhi mujhse utna hi pyar karti hai jitna main uss sey lekin shayad hum dono ke rishtey main wo vishwas nahi raha aur iske liye shayad main hi jimedar hoon" Dev bared his heart out, tears were continuously flowing from his eyes.

He continued "Aur iss liye main kuch waqt dena chahta hoon apne aap ko bhi aur Sonakshi ko bhi taaki hum dono apne rishtey ko lekar sahi faisla le sake, Hum dono ek doosrey par utna hi vishwas kar sake jitna hum uss waqt kartey they jab humney pehli bar ek doosrey se pyar ka izhar kiya tha. Kyunki iss baar Suhana bhi humsey judi hai aur iska sabsey zyada asar uss par hoga, main phir se koi aisi galti karna nahi chahta ki jissey main ya phir Sonakshi phir se toot kar bikhar jaye"

Ishwari just stared at Dev, even as her eyes were flowing. All the moments of past seven years were flashing before her. Right from the time when Dev had declared his love for Sonakshi, their first break up because of her insecurities, their marriage, Sonakshi's infertility, their second break up, Sonakshi's return and then the reunion but one question was continuously striking her mind.

Regaining her composure she asked "Dev, tera vishwas kya humarey rishtey par se bhi uth gaya hai?". She did have an idea of the answer yet wanted to listen it from Dev. Dev looked towards his mother impassively, he made her sit on the bed and himself sat down on the floor. Putting his head on her lap he said "Tu sach sun na chahti hai Maa, toh sach ye hai ki mera vishwas humarey rishtey par se kabhi nahi uthega kyunki tuney aaj tak jo bhi kiya wo meri bhalai soch ke hi kiya, lekin main iss baat se inkar nahi karoonga ki shayad humarey rishtey ke liye mere dil main Khataas aa gayi hai"

Ishwari winced, she knew her insecurities were responsible for the situation they were in today and she wanted to rectify all her mistakes. She stroked Dev's hair and asked "Kya tu mujhe uss pre-nup wali baat ke liye kabhi maaf kar payega Dev?" Dev looked up in surprise and said "Ye kya keh rahi tu, tu meri maa hai aur maa apne bete se kabhi maafi nahi maangti, lekin kya main tujhse ek sawal pooch sakta hoon?"

As Ishwari nodded in a Yes, he asked "Kya tujhe sach main lagta tha ki Sonakshi ke saath meri shaadi hone ke baad main Tujhe ya phir apni behno ko bhool jaoonga, kya itna hi vishwas karti thi tu apne bete par?" Ishwari was speechless, she did not know what to reply, gathering herself she replied "Nahi Dev, tu aisa kaisey soch sakta hai, iss duniya main tere upar hi to mera sabse zyada vishwas hai". Dev looked at her "Agar aisi baat hai Maa to kyun tu apne bete ke Pyar par vishwas nahi kar payi, jab tu mujhse kabhi door nahi rehne soch bhi nahi sakti to tujhe ye kaise laga ki main apne bachon se door reh sakta hoon wo bhi kuch paison ke liye" he asked with a questioning look.

Tears burst out of Ishwari's eyes, holding Dev's hand in hers she said "Mujhe maaf kar de Dev, uss waqt main darr gayi thi aur Bhaabhi ke baton ne mere darr ko aur badha diya tha, mujhe uss baat ka pachtava zindagi bhar rahega". Dev wiped her tears and said "Tujhe yaad hai maa Sonakshi ne kaise Neha ke shaadi ke waqt usey samjhaya tha, Ayan ka sach saamney laya tha, Nikki ki padhayi main madad ki thi, yahan tak ki teri ek acchi dost ban gayi thi wo aur mujhey bhi jeena sikhaya tha usney, kya tujhe kya kabhi lagta hai ki wo kabhi humey alag karti?" Ishwari nodded in a No. He continued "Rahi baat maafi ki baat to mainey tujhsey pehle hi kaha hai ki maa apne bachon se kabhi maafi nahi maangti, lekin shayad tujhey ek baar Sonakshi se iss baarey main baat karni chahiye kyunki mujhey pata hai ki bhale hi wo kabhi seedhe se na poochey lekin uskey mann main ye sawal zaroor honge." Ishwari understood Dev's words she knew what he said was true and it was time for each of them to start afresh. They sat there for some time with Dev's head on Ishwari's lap as she stroked his hair. After some time Dev lifted his head up and said "Chal Maa, ab so ja mujhe kal subah jaldi nikalna hai" Ishwari nodded and left for her room, even though she was still uncertain about Dev's decision to stay away for few days but in heart she knew it was for the best for everyone.

Sleep was far away from Dev, he had been trying for the past half an hour but couldn't catch a wink. Getting up he made his way to the kitchen and made a cup of Black coffee for himself and moved towards the gallery, as he stared into the sky his thoughts went back to the conversation with his mother, things were starting to improve but he knew there was still A LONG WAY TO GO before things would be perfect.

Done, I know once again it is a long part and maybe a bit dull, but i had to remove Vicky & Mamiji so that there can be conversations between everyone without negativity.

Hope you all like it, as always waiting for your valuable comments/feedbacks/thoughts.