NEW FF ...THE UNEXPECTED updated page 39 - Page 27

I have several things to say about this chapter

• good to see Amu will be back very soon
• Seeing reva'S Plot it reminded me of Dev and Pammi story where Anu tried to put in dev's head that he is ill and soon will die which was a great plot and a great Lie, when she was their she used to put the pills in his coffee but unlike here she got successful in her plane - yes she did not want to kill him but she wanted to separate him from Pammi and have him for her self !!! so that reminded me of that !!!
• Good to see the doubts are cleared and yes she is Not Reva
• Great to know that vikram Knows may b reva is Alive but that wont change his Love for sugni !!!
• Niranjan is Reva's Bro so if she met with an accident - does it mean he was behind that ??
• Sugvi moment - her missing him and worrying about him and the hug and sandwich all that scene was nice !!! i liked the way the support each other - really wanted to see that in psh but .. at least here i can feel it !!! good work

nice progress !!

Chapter 27

Sugni always considered herself a calm cool person, she handled everything as best as she could and tried to make the best of what she had. She was not the type to let anything bother her unnecessarily and she tried most times to see the best in even the worse situations. She was proud of that fact about herself.

So it came as a shock to her when she realized that right now she was not feeling calm , cool or collected, so much so that going out into the small living area and pasting a smile on her face was becoming a task.

Amrita arrived at the Haveli three days after Vickram called her. She was like a burst of energy in the place. Sugni was shocked to see Vickram's friend , was so young, beautiful, graceful and confidant. She came in with all the western attire Sugni saw the girls in the city wore.

She fit in perfectly as Maa Thakur welcomed her with opened arms who greeted her like a long lost daughter. Obviously she had a close tie to this family. That was not the problem though, the problem was with her arrival Sugni saw less of Vickram who spent all his spare time it seemed showing Amrita around the Village. Sugni know the reason was he did not want to take the chance of discussing what he knew in the house least they be over herd...but still. Being friendly was one thing...but why did she have to smile at him so much, or touch him like that! Did'nt she ever hear about keeping a respectful distance. And why did't he say anything about it?. In fact he acted like it did not bother him. Why would it?...she was young , beautiful, confidant, educated in short she was everything Sugni was not. She was perfect.

Sugni realized she was suffering from a very bad case of irrational jealousy , but try as she might she could not help it. Taking a breath to quell the feeling Sugni went back out into the living room with a tea tray with three cups, and tried to ignore that Vickram and Amrita ,or as he liked to call her "Amu", what kind of a name was that any way? Was sitting a little too close to each other on her couch. . Sugni wondered if she could somehow politely ask her to move.

"Thank you!" Amrita said with a smile as she accepted the cup. Sugni smiled slightly as she handed a cup to Vickram , took her own and sat opposite them, feeling somehow like the third wheel in this group.

"Well...what do you think?" Vickram asked. So far Amrita was the only person who knew everything about him and Sugni. They came over to the guest house to discuss what she learned the past couple of days she's been here and how they should proceed.

"Definitely not Reva that's for sure. Remember that trip we took a couple of years ago, to Valencia and the water fall..the day we spent out by the River?" he nodded.

"Well Reva loved it, and every time I spoke to her she always said we had to do it again, and she could not wait to go back one day, and amazingly she remembered details about that place even I forgot and she would go on and on about it. But today I brought it up, she had no idea what I was talking about." Amrita said. "I think we need to go back and find out exactly what happened in that accident and before. As soon as I go back to the City next week...I'll have a friend of mine help me with that. Don't worry. I'll let you know what's going on. Also what about Neeranjan?...was he involved in anything?" She asked.

"Not that I know off. I mean he lived off of his fathers money, his weakness is going after women...he had a tendency to be extravagant at times. As far as I know he was never into any kind of major trouble. There was that time with Sugni..." He said looking at her.

"yes but after you warned him he acted I like did not exist. Which I am happy about!" Sugni said.

"Hmmm...well I'll look into him to see if he was involved in anything. This could take a while though...in the mean time I would say play dumb...proceed with the divorce...as usual." She advised.

Vickram let out a heavey sigh. He was not one much for pretenses.

Amrita reached over and patted his arm. Sugni clenched her fist. "I know it's going to be tough...but you want to get to the bottom of this you need to keep up with the charade. In the meantime I'll see if I can gather some solid evidence. You just keep pressure on her...in fact..." Amrita said with a wicked glint in her eye. "Maybe you should give her a real taste of what the life of a thakur's life is like around these parts!"

"I don't understand ." he said . Amrita looked at him , then at Sugni then back at him as she raised her eyebrows in some silent communication .

"oh.." Vickram said as he sook his head. "Hell no...no Amrita...you know this is..."

"Relax Vickram..I am not saying you are going to actually do anything...just create an illusion. Call it payback if you will." She said.

"No way..." He said

"What are you two talking about?" Sugni interjected feeling again like the third wheel with these two.

"Simple.!" Amrita said turning to Sugni. "Tell me Sugni, what is the worst nightmare of any thakurine around here?" She asked.

" That their husbands picks up with a bedni! The embrassment she faces...not to mention having to accept it quietly." Sugni said

"Exactly!...now no woman in her right mind would accept that. Now since she is hell bent on staying a Thakurs wife...don't you think she should get a taste of what that could be like."

"She already said she dose not care." Vickram said.

"Ohh Pish posh...yeah right. That is because she never had to deal with it. No woman , no matter how quite she is would accept that, believe me...So if Suddenly Vickram here decides to get himself a bedni., and she has to accept it...well that should be interesting..." It was beginning to dawn on Sugni exactly what Amrita was saying. She could not hide the disbelief on her face. How could she suggest something like that. ?

"Oh come on you two ...you don't see what I am seeing !. Vickram she spent the last year making your life hell, she is trying to kill you. All I am saying is don't make this so easy for her. I don't mean you two go out and do anything immoral...just give her a taste of her own mediciene. No pun indended. Also it won't make things as smooth as she wants it to be...she can't very well have you dancing to her tunes...if you'r other wise occupied can she." Amrita said. Seeing that what she was saying was not registering, she raised her hands.

"Ok Ok...I get it...bad idea. Forget I ever said it !" She said.

"Of course I will. There is no way I am opening Sugni up for any more ridicule around here. Sooner or later she will have to face some because of who she is when we come out in the open and I am not going to make it worse with some stupid game."

"I did'nt mean any thing..." Amrita said looking at them

"I know...I know." He said "Just forget it..."

"mmm" Amrita said."Sugni I am sorry if I offended you with that...I did'nt mean to insult you. I was just rambling." She said.

"It's ok Memsaab...I am not. I understand what you were trying to say." Sugni said.

"Really?...you know sometimes I just talk without thinking. And I hate seeing people take advantage of people. " She said.

"AAnyways shall we go?" She said turning to Vickram.

"Ohh yeah...let's go" Vickram said getting up. Sugni looked at them. He was leaving already ?

"Sugni you'll come with us?" Amrita said . Tinkering with her camera.

"Where?"

"Oh we are going down to the old Mandir sight...I heard the lights at night are breathtaking. I want to get a few pictures. Come on.! Oh darn...Vickram this is not working again." She said handing him the camera she had. "The night mode is not coming up, see."

Vickram took the camera and started looking at it. Again Sugni was struck with an intense feeling of jealousy watching them together. The irony of the situation being a bedni jealous of a high class woman, instead of the other way around.

"Uh...n-no...I'll stay here clean up and I have to get up early. You two have fun." She said. Amrita looked at her.

"You sure...it'll be fun."

Yeah right fun...

"No..'

"OK..." Amrita said.

"Here you go..you have to press the night mode button twice quickly...otherwise it goes back to normal mode..." he said

"thank you... what would I do without you!" she winked. He laughed.

"See ya Sugni!...bye" Amrita said walking out.

"Bye." Vickram said turning to follow her.

She waved at them as they walked out the door. Sugni sighed dejectedly. He could have asked her to come along. L

Turning she cleared away the teacups and made her way to the kitchen. All the while mumbling under her breath.

ohh what would I do without you.? What were you doing without him so long. Come along with us...to look at you flirt with him while I smile..." she grumbled softly. Letting out all her pent up emotions now that she was alone.

"my my my...somebody is mad!" he whisprered softly in her ear , scaring the daylights out of her as she did not hear him. She screamed

Sugni turned around to find a smiling Vickram staring back at her.

"Thakur mallic!.W-What are you doing here? Where is Amrita?" She asked glancing at the door way to the kitchen . She would die of embrassment if Amrita herd what she was saying!.

"She left...she said she would make it on her own...besides she was right as usual. You were jealous!' he grinned.

"What! No-no." She said. He simply stared at her . Embarrassed and self-conscious Sugni tried to side step him but he moved with her effectively blocking her path.

"move!" She said. He shook his head.

"Let me pass." She said trying to sound authoritative but failing, because he was laughing.

"Nope ..not until you admit it!" he replied

"Admit what?"

"that you were jealouse!"

"No...now move otherwise..."

"Otherwise?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

."Otherwise...i'll wet you!" Sugni threatened noticing the sink behind her.

"Hmm go ahead I need a bath anyway!"

Thakur mallick!" She said exasperated

"Hmmm?" He said coming closer until there was hardly any space between them. Sugni swallowed nervously as she looked at him. He winked, taking her hand he led her out into the hall way. Moving towards the couch he took a seat pulling her down beside him.

Sugni sat looking at her lap. There was no way she was looking at his smirking face.

"Sugni?"... He said he tried lifting her face to look at him but she moved her head away.

" Are baap re...so much temper...you are mad at me?" he said

She shook her head. "No..why would I be?"

"Ohh it is written all over your face...tell me hmm what's wrong?'

"Nothing!" She said. Vickram did not believe her. After they left Sugni , Amrita decided that she could make it to the mandir by herself and she told him he should say back. He was confused as to why she said that.

"Oh Vickram since I've been here you've been spending all your time with me. I am a big girl I can handle myself. I think someone is missing you." She said indicating the guest house.

"Sugni? No she's not , she understands." He said. He never saw Sugni as the jealous type.

"I am sure she dose...but if that look I saw in her eye today is any indication...I think she is feeling a little left out and possibly a little jealous...after all if some stranger came out of nowhere and was all over my man...I would be out for blood." She laughed.

"Go on I'll be fine...see ya!" She said making her way to his van , leaving Vickram staring at her. Coming back to the guest house he walked in , only to find Sugni mumbling to herself in the kitchen, proving that once again Amrita and her instincts were right as always

"Sugni?" he said presently. "I'm sorry." He said. She looked up at that.

"What why are you sorry?" She asked

"For leaving you out. I didn't mean to." He said. "I guess I spent a lot of time catching up with her, then when I look over here the lights off so I decided to leave you if you're resting." He explained.

"It's ok." She said to him. "I understand."

"Really...that's why you so upset. Or is it something else?"

She shook her head. Vickram sighed.

"You know something Sugni...two of the most important things in a relationship is trust and honesty. Without either of them it can never work. And part of honesty is being open about your feelings. If I am doing something that bothers you I'd like to know about it, the same as if you're doing something that bothers me I'd like to tell you about it.So we can solve it. Together. Because if you don't you just let that feeling fester and grow in here." He said touching her head. "Until it blows out and causes a big mess. Ok? I love you...and it's important for this work that we never lose that."

Sugni looked at him, at his face. His openness and honesty was clearly written in it. And she wondered...

"Why?" She asked looking at him

"hmm why what?" he asked.

"Why do you love me?" She asked

"What?" he asked confused.

"I mean ...look at me...I am not as smart as Amrita...or as educated or graceful...I can't carry on a conversation like you two. If you look at it she suites you perfectly...she fits in I don't." Sugni said, she closed her eyes, she just laid her deepest fears on the table. The fact was seeing Amrita did bring out the drastic difference between Sugni and Vickram.

"Sugni, look at me." He said She opened her eyes to look at him, Vickram hugged her close.

"Love is a strange thing you know, you never know who you'll fall in love with. If we all got married to people because we were best suited for each other...well we would not have any love stories would we?" He said. "If I were to ask you why do you love me what would you say? Cause I am a Thakur?" He asked.

"Nooo! " She said Pulling back to look at him. "Because you're kind to everyone, the way you speak, the way you treat others. You have a good heart." She said. He smiled.

"Well I love you Sugni because you don't see me as a Thakur, but as a man with feelings. Your're understanding,. And who says your're nt smart ...you are one of the smartest persons I know, you're brave, strong and you have the courage to stand up against the people around here. And because you are beautiful." He said kissing her cheek. "And Amazing." He kissed the other cheek. "And Adorable" he kissed her forehead. "And absolutely breathtaking!" He whispered kissing her lips softly, slowly, passionately. Automatically her arms went around his neck deeping the kiss, that lasted minutes, maybe hours. The need for air putting a stop to it. Pulling back he rested he forehead against hers. Both their eyes closed absorbing the moment. Lost in the moment.

Reaching behind him he took one of her hands in his bring it to his chest , resting it over his racing heart. "Feel that?" he whispered.

"Uhhuh" she said nodding.

"no one else dose that to me...that's just you. Only you." He said. Kissing her again. Pulling back he looked at her. Her face was red her eyes were still closed and she was breathing rapidly. Gently caressing her cheek with his fingers he said. "I love you, Sugni."

Sugni opened her eyes and looked at him for a few moments before hugging him, burying her face in his neck. They stayed like that for a few minutes quite each lost in their own thoughts and emotions. "I am sorry!" She said softly after a while.

"There is nothing to be sorry about, it's natural. In fact I am happy!"

"Happy?" She asked.

"Yes! Now I know you love me...see we only feel possessive and jealous over the ones we care about! Besides you looked so cute. Really.' he chuckled.

"Haha very funny!" She said chagrined.

"Oh no...!" She said, looking at him with a look of shock on her face.

"What?"

"Amrita...she must think I am horrible!" Sugni said, remembering Vickram saying she was the one who figured out she was jealous.

"no.." he said. Stretching out on the sofa and pulling her down to him, so that she was laying at his side with her head on his chest. "I am pretty sure she thinks you are cute too!" he said.

"Still...maybe I should apologies to her." She said worriedly.

"Relax Sugni...she understands...besides you were nothing but nice to her so why would you apologies? But there is nothing for you to be worried about with her." He said.

"I am not..."She said, she wasn't really deep down she knew he loved her...no her insecurity came from her own feelings of inferiority, which he just managed to put to rest.

"Really?" He said. She nodded.

"Darn!" He said sounding disappointed. She laughed.

"Thakur mallick?" She said

"hmmm?"

" how come you don't get jealous?" She asked.

"Umm...who says I don't...but to get jealous you need something to be jealous of...have you seen the other Thakurs around here?" He joked

"Ahh that is true. Confidant are'nt you?" she said looking at him. He shrugged.

"Well there was one time..." He said. "When you were in Mumbai and I was wondering maybe you would meet some one one day...maybe fall in love. That was not a nice thought!"

"You did?" She asked. He nodded. Feeling a bit mischievous. She said. "Well you were right."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I did meet someone...and fell in love... Haai Sita miya...he was so handsome na..." She sighed dreamily. Vickram opened his eyes and looked at her she had a far away look on her face , that was disconcerting.

"You met someone?" He asked. She nodded

"Who?" he asked.

"Ohh forget it na...but I do miss him...although not so much these days." She said.

"Who Sugni?" He asked.

"Him..." She said

"Him ..who is him?" He asked he couldn't hide the irritation on his face.

Sugni looked at him , trying not to laugh.

"my my my Thakur Saab...what happened you got mad?"

"Sugni?"

"Oh My God...the look on your face is priceless." She laughed. "What happened? Jealous?" She asked looking at him.

"You little minx!?" Vickram said realizing she was playing. She laughed. "Heeey!!!" She exclaimed when he pulled her closer to him. He began kissing her playfully. Which after a few moments turned more serious.

The moment was broken by the arrival of the van which signaled Amrita's return to the house.

"I should go!" He whispered...still kissing her

"Yeah" She said still holding him.

"I promised."

"Yes...you did..." She kissed him.

Pulling back from her Vickram got up. Taking a deep breath he said.

"I am going...I am going" Slowly walking to the door.

Sugni giggled as he made his way to the front door.

"Thakur Mallick!" She said befor he could step outside. He turned to look at her.

"I love you." She said ...she was sure her face was now a permanent shade of red. Vickram Smiled as he made his way to the main house...

Great chapter Vinnie.

Chapter 28

"Sugni? Sugni?" Champa snapped her fingers in front of her face to get her attention.

"Huh?"

"Are you going to stand with your hand in the water all day with that grin on your face or actually wash the dishes?" She asked

"Oh sorry!" Sugni said as she began paying attention to her task. Her face red.

Champa laughed. "My my my you are gone!...careful If they come in here and see you all smiles na they will wonder what happened!" She said. "by the way ..what happened?, yesterday you were walking around here all mad at Amrita madam, and today you all happy...tell me tell me..." Champa asked.

"Nothing!...I was just being stupid na...Amrita is very nice. Besides...if you love someone you trust them no...and I trust him." She said dreamily.

"Hmm...if Gulabiya mousie could see you na...she would laugh. Who would thing to see Sugni all gushing in love hehehe!" Champa said.

The smile on Sugni's face dissappred with that.

"Would she?" She asked

"Huh?"

"I mean I am not exactly doing the right thing here..." She said

"no no no..Sugni..." Champa said , she walked to the door way making sure every one was still at the breakfast table. "Look don't start with your self-imposed guilt. You're not hurting anyone, nor are you destroying some good home. She is trying to kill him and she is not even his wife. This is nothing like what other Thakurs and bedni's do around here. And he loves you...If he did'nt he won't have made that promise right.?" Sugni nodded.

"You're not doing anything wrong Sugni...I support you and if your mother was here I am sure she would support you to. She always told you stand up for what is right.! Well you are doing that!" Champa reassured her.

"Thanks Champa!" Sugni said hugging her.

"Any time, besides if it were up to me I would put broclax in her tea and let her spend the day in the toilet , how'd she like that?" Champa said with a mad look on her face making Sugni laugh as she got back to her dishes.

A commotion from the dining area caught their attention and they both went out to see what was going on.

Vickram was standing facing Reva and was being held by Maa Thakur and Amrita and Reva was being held by her brother. Vickram had a furious look on his face while she was staring daggers at him.

"Maa ji I want her out of this house...you feel I don't know why she is here? Huh...playing all innocent with me...Vacation my foot...!i know what's going on between you two. Look at her standing here shameless!" Reva ranted.

"Jiji calm down...it's nothing.." Neeranjan interjected.

"Shut up Reva...you have no right to insult Amrita, she is a guest in this house!" Vickram said. "How dare you say such things to her.!"

"Jiji...come on lets go upstairs..." Neeranjan said pulling his sister away.

Sugni and Champa looked at each other both confused as to what that outburst was about. Although why should they be...non of her outburst made any sense. Walking into the dining area, Sugni saw the bowl of curry was spilled onto the table and the floor and on the front of Vickram's shirt.

"Thakur Mallic!" She said looking at him. That was a piping hot dish they set out on the table a few minutes ago...surely she did not just throw it on him! Haai Sita miya.

"Uh Sugni ...can you come with me please... Get me the first aid box!" Amrita said as she walked upstairs with Vickram. Champa moved to clean up the table as Sugni went into the study. She made her way upstairs, as she passed by Reva's room Sugni herd the muffled voices together with what she could swear was laughter. Sugni could feel her anger raising they were laughing after probably hurting him?

Making her way into his room she found Amrita sitting on the bed as Vickram was rummaging through the closet for a fresh shirt.

"Thakur Mallick...are you ok...you hurt?" She asked concerned.

"Yeah I'm fine ...let me just change ." he said . taking the box from her he made his way into the bathroom.

"What happened?" She asked.

"I think she got upset." Amrita smiled.

"About what?"

"If I had to guess...it was the fact that he conveniently "forgot" to have his tea for the past couple of days. See he was to busy talking to me. And to top it off there was no way she could give him more as after breakfast we leave. So she started of on some tangent about something "going on" between us and I shouldn't be here ect. Probably trying to guilt trip me into leaving so that things can go back how she had it.!" Amrita said. "It was nothing more than a desperate tactic to get rid of me I am sure!" She said.

"Hmm...maybe that was why they were laughing!" Sugni said.

"Hmmm?" Amrita asked, Sugni told her what she herd. Amrita nodded. "See she gets away with it because she knows Vickram won't retaliate, Maa Thakur thinks she is just helplessly acting out and just feels sorry for her...so all in all she gets off scot free but I am telling you Sugni she should not be getting off this easily!" Amrita sighed.

The bathroom door opened and Vickram came out.

"How are you? Did you get burn?" Sugni asked concerned

"No...thankfully it was not that hot... Amrita I am sorry about that!" he apologized.

"it's ok...I know what she's up to...I am just thankful you are ok...My God Vickram she dose do a perfect imitation of Reva that is for sure!"

He nodded. "Unless you know what to look for you won't catch it" he said.

"She should be paying for this!" Amrita said. "And I am not talking about what the law will do when it catches up to her!

"How?" Vickram asked. "If it were up to me I would throw them out this minute, but if I do that all they will do is run and hide in a hole somewhere and we will never find out what happened to her.!" He said.

"Well I already told you...show her what life can be like for a Thakurine around here..." She began

"Amrita...no I told you..." He began

"I think she is right!" Sugni intervened. Vickram looked at her. walking over to her he said. "Sugni no...I won't put you through that.! " he said

"You are not putting me through anything." She said as she looked at him. He was looking back at her with concern. She knew he would do all he could to protect her from the people . She also knew that she could not just sit by and look at Reva's imposter take undue advantage of his goodness. And she crossed a line trying to hurt him. Sugni smiled.

"Thakur Mallick, I know how you feel, but you know something...If we just sit here and allow them to do as they please, then what is the point? No. I won't let her do this. What's the worse she can do, call me a bedni... that is nothing new. Let them talk, I don't care, remember you said we know the truth? That is what matters. And whatever they will say I am sure most of the people around here think that already! Amrita memsaab is right it is time they see you can't be played with. And I can't stand by and just watch her do what she did today...I can't" Sugni said with a look of anger crossing her face.

"But Sugni..." Vickram said. He did not like the thought of putting her in any more problems.

"But nothing..." She said. "I made my choice...to be there with you no matter what. I am not going to turn back."

"Aww how sweet" Amrita said looking at them. "You two are so cute!" she beamed. Unconsciously Sugni realized they were facing each other holding hands. They forgot she was in the room. Sugni blushed.

"Look Vickram...she is willing to help. Time to show them exactly what Vickram Singh is made off."

Vickram looked at both women. They were both looking with him with such hopeful expressions he knew he would not refuse them. With a heavy sigh he looked at Sugni... "You are absolutely sure?"

"YES!" She nodded.

"Ok..." He said. Amrita clapped her hands at that.

"Just one thing..." Sugni said looking at them both.

"What?" Vickram asked

"Maa Thakur...I - I think she should know what is really going on..." Sugni said nervously. True she did not care what others thought, but she did not want to lose her respect in Vickram's mothers eyes. Not now. She knew gaining her acceptance would not be easy...but she did not want to make it harder by being seen as a home wrecker.

"Hmm you are right!" Amrita said, "but how?" she wondered. "I mean if we tell her here thye might know what we are up to..."

"I know...I am sure she will need to pay a visit to her doctor sometime soon...!" Vickram said. "I'll tell her then." Vickram said.

They all agreed . With Amrita saying she will come up with a plan in the meantime.

A few days later:

Maa Thakur stood in Vickram's study looking at the three people in front of her in shock. The story she just herd was somehow impossible. "Reva" and Neeranjan finally went to their "doctors appointment and as usual they would be gone for hours giving Vickram , Sugni and Amrita enough time to explain the situation to Maa Thakur. To say she was shocked was an understatement.

"Wait...you are telling me that that woman is an imposter, and she has some plan to kill Vickram and over take everything...and that they had a hand in Reva's accident?" She said. They nodded.

"What!" she looked at Sugni ..."and you herd this while in the City...I thought you went to look after a sick Aunt?" this whole situation was confusing.

"Umm...no...Maa Thakur...Actually I was..." sugni began flustered as how to explain this.

"Maa..." Vickram interjected. He walked up to his mother. He looked at Sugni. "Listen I was the one who came up with the sick aunt story...in fact the reason she left was because of me..."

"Why?" She said looking at him.

"because ...I love her..." Godavori looked at her son , then at Sugni.

"you love her? You told me that was not the reason for you wanting a divorce!" She said.

"it was not believe me... this happened unexpectantly...and the reason she left was not to cause any further problems. Maa the only reason she came back was because of what she learnt. It was never out intention to hurt or cheat any one..." Vickram Said.

"She is a bedni...Vickram how? you know our family is against that sort of thing! And you do this?" She said

"I did what...? Maa don't do this...Sugni is not a bedni...nor is it my intention to make her one. I am not going to do her Sardakhi. I love her. WE love each other there is a difference. Please I am begging you don't paint us with the same brush as everyone else around here. Look at her, not where she came from . Try and understand this ...it's not something we expected to happen, it just did." He said looking at her.

"Maaji... forgive me for speaking here..." Amrita said taking Sugni's hand and walking up to them."I know this is a lot for you to take in, but times have changed. You can't know who you fall in love with. And they did try and do what is termed "right", but you can't deny faith seems to put them together. And you can't fight destiny. You know Vickram would never do anything to bring shame to your family. And Sugni...she left to save the reputation of this family...and she came back to save it. She insisted we tell you what is going on, knowing fully well that you might not accept her. Maaji I have seen them together...and I will tell you this much she genuinely cares about Vickram's happiness and well-being...She..." Amrita stopped as Maa Thakur raised her hand.

"So you all want me to forget all the traditions and everything...that this family has tried to upheld, and drag the name of the family through the mud? Love? Son this is mawhari...things don't work that way around here. The bedni's and Thakurs have one relationship...and you can call it love , lust or whatever it is the same thing! Cause that is the only relationship they do have !" She said. Looking directly at Sugni who was staring at the floor.

"No...no Maa...there is more to it than that!" Vickram said. "I love her...and I will make sure Sugni gets the respect that she deserve.!"

"What more Vickram? Tell me... How will you do that. You just said that Reva is probably out there somewhere alive. What happends when she comes back huh?" She wanted to know.

"Maa...it dose not change anything...'

"IT CHANGES everything...what happens when you WIFE comes back? Huh" She asked him.

"It doesn't . I will proceed with the divorce. Maa please ...don't start with this again. My divorce is going to happen . And when Reva is found I will do all I can to take care of her, but please don't keep hopes about salvaging my marriage we both know it has been dead long before the accicent!" Vickram Said.

"Very Good!! You are forgetting everything this family has gone through because of bedni's!" his mother said... she was watching Sugni stonily like she was the one who was responsible for it all.

Sugni bent her head , blinking her eyes. She knew this would not be easy...and she knew that Maa Thakur would not accept her relationship with Vickram. She thought she was prepared for it. but listening to Maa Thakur talk about bedni's and seeing the looks she was reciveing it hurt. She tried hard to prevent them but she could nt stop her tears from falling. How was she supposed to make her understand.

"I have not forgotten anything. Maa !" Vickram said. Taking a breath Vickram said. "Maa you were the one who taught me that we must judge people on their actions not there birth. And if you give her a chance you will see...Sugni has a wonderful heart. She is a good person. Maa..."

"Stop it Vickram... Stop acting like some young fool ! You may be blinded by her...but I am not!" She said looking at him sternly. She looked at all of them. She nodded as though making a decision.

"Ok ...I guess is to be expected...it's in your blood. Fine Vickram , for the sake of exposing This imposter and Neeranjan and to find out what happened I will agree to this. But if you want me to give you my blessing for this immoral relationship ...I will never do that. What you do with that bedni is your business..." She said. Turning away from him.

"Maa Thakur..." Sugni spoke up she came slowly to stand infront of Maa Thakur with folded hands. "M-Maa Thakur. Please. I am sorry , I never meant to hurt your feelings. But please don't be mad at him, I swear Thakur Mallick will never do anything to hurt you or the family reputation and neither would I...we would never act in any way to make..."

"Don't!" Maa Thakur said. "Don't come here and play all innocent for me ok. I knew ...I knew from the first day you came in here you were going to be trouble, but against my better judgement I allowed you in my house , kitchen. And for a while you managed to work your magic on me as well. Now I see you were indeed playing a smart game. Listen girl don't stand here and play all innocent with me...you did your job and managed to get the Thakur...so don't play some innocent soul trying to make what you are doing look good. I am not buying it. For the sake of Reva I will be a part of this sham...but from now on unless it is absolutely necessary I don't want to see your face you hear me...from now on Champa will handle work in the kitchens...as I am sure you have better things to do. And yes...you are here as his bedni...so please don't try to be anything else with me. OK!"

She turned to all of them this time clasping her hands. "I am begging you three...don't expect me to understand this. And for the sake of peace in this house, Vickram please I don't wan't to hear anything about you and her. I am going along with you or the sake of Reva...but don'texpect me to accept it. and if you have any respect for me...you will keep her as far away from me as possible!" With that she turned and walked out of the study leaving the three of them staring after her.

Sugni sat on the couch despondently as she started to cry.

"Sugni...hey..." Amrita said sitting next to her, she placed her arm around her trying to console her. "Shh don't cry...please. Don't take her words to heart...she just needs some time. Believe me when she sees how much you love each other she will accept you. Look all is not lost...she did agree to go along with us."

"She hates me..." Sugni whispered.

"Nooo..." Amrita said.

Vickram who was watching the exchange dishearteningly touched Amrita on the shoulder. Silently he gestured for her to leave them . She smiled gently sadly at him as she got up and left..

"Hey..." He said sitting next to her as he took her hand and wiped her face.

"Thakur M-mllick I am sorry... she should'nt be mad at you." Sugni said looking at him.

"No I am sorry Sugni, I know her word hurt you...I am so..."

"No no...I knew she would be mad...I just thought ..." Sugni Shrugged she did not know what she thought, except if it came from them may be Maa Thakur would some how be more accepting of it. She was wrong.

"We knew it won't be this easy right?" he said to her. Putting his arms around her in comfort. "And my mother is very old fashioned, her reaction was not surprising...maybe I to was hoping maybe she would accept it. She is old fashioned, but she is not unreasonable. And I am sure one day she will see that she is wrong about you and us. Just be patient with her ok." He said.

"I know...I just hate that I am the reason she is mad at you. " Sugni said feeling guilty. "I'll try to do as she says but I am afraidin dealing with them we end up hurting her more." She said.

"Well we will try right, it's the most we can do. It's to late to turn back now.!" He said. "But I promise I will do everything to convince her." She nodded.

"Sugni...Just remember one thing...I love you, and nothing is going to change that. Nothing. And no one. And the most important thingright now is for us being here for each other, and the faith that one day it will get better ok."

"OK." She said. As she wiped her eyes as she smiled. He was right . They needed to be each others strength not weakness. "I love you" She said as she hugged him.