NEW FF ...THE UNEXPECTED updated page 39 - Page 30

CHAPTER 32

Sugni let out a horrified scream as she looked at Vickram who was lying there unconscious. "Vickram?" She said as she knelt to his side . So much blood!.

"OH MY GOD ...Thakur Mallick!" The foreman said. Thinking quickly Sugni turn to him.

"We need to get him to the hospital quickly ...can you put the water in the van please?" She asked desperately. Doing as she said , he then helped her to place Vickram in the van. The foreman sat in the back with Vickram as he had no idea how to drive as Sugni sat in the driver's seat as she was about the start the jeep, Vickram's phone started ringing.

Sugni was about to ignore it but some instinct told her to check. Seeing that it was from home, she pressed the answer button, before she could say anything however Maa Thakur's frantic voice came over the phone:

"Vickram! Oh thank God, Vickram I have been calling you for hours...why didn't you answer. Listen be carefully she ...she sent some goons after you to cause an accident I heard her on the phone, son be careful please."

Sugni remembers Vickram switched off his phone when they were at the haveli and must have turned it back on as they go to the field.

"Maa Thakur...!" Sugni said.

"You!...Wh..where is Vickram?" She asked.

"He had an accident...I am taking him to the hospital now..."

"What where is he I want to talk to him!!! Is he alright?" She asked frantically.

"I don't know...he is unconscious...Maa Thakur ...I have to get him to the hospital...you can meet us there please?"

"Ok It seems that when he he tried jumping out of the way the car hit the jeep and it him , and he fell in the ditch on a stone." Explained the foreman to Maa Thakur as they waited for the doctor to come out and tell them something about Vickrams' condition. She got there mare minutes after Sugni who was standing in a corner trying to stay out of Maa Thakurs way, but she could not leave. She had to know that he was alright.

For now MT seemed to be ignoring her, asking the foreman what happened. Sugni just stood in a corner and prayed. Thank fully she was not accompanied by Reva or Neeranjan. Sugni tried not to think of the fact that this was not some random accident but was deliberately caused by Reva. How dare she !!!

The doctor entered the waiting room. "Doctor , how is my son?" Maa Thakur asked.

"He suffered a concussion when his head hit the stone, and a few bruises and scrapes. But other than that he should be ok. He is awake and anxious to go home, but it is advisable he stay here overnight so we can keep an eye on him. " the Dr. said.

"Can I see him?"

"Of course ...um where is Sugni?" The Doctor asked.

"Here" Sugni said coming closer to join them. "he was asking for you worried, it is important he suffer no further mental stress at this point, would you come with me."

"Yes" She said.

Both women followed the doctor into the room , where Vickram was. Sugni went over to his bed, looking at him, his head was bandaged and blood free he had the beginnings of a five o'clock shadow and he looked pale.

Caressing his face she looked at him sadly. "How are you?"

"I am good, are you alright?"

"I am fine. See nothing happened to me." She smiled

"I want to get out of here but they won't let me..." he said. Holding her hand as he leaned back and closed his eyes.

"Shh you need to stay here, and do as they tell you." She said

"You stay?" he asked...

"I will, but I go get you some fresh clothes and be back..." belatedly remembering Maa Thakur in the room, Sugni said.

"Maa Thakur is here worried, I'll just go home and come back soon ok..." she said letting go of his hand.

She moved to leave as she looked at Maa Thakur who was looking at her harshly. "Maa ji you will stay with him until I return with Rattu... I need to get some clothes for him..." Stonily she nodded.

Sugni left in the jeep, having Rattu following behind to bring her back. The house was quite when she got there. Most likely they were both in their room, Sugni avoided even thinking about it all concentrated on was the matter at hand and that is getting what she came for. After packing the necessities and taking a quick bath herself she came back downstairs in twenty minutes, ten minutes after she was walking back into the hospital.

As she approach the door, she saw that Maa Thakur was still at his side but he looked to be asleep. Walking into the room quietly she went to the place the small bag. Maa Thakur made a move to get up.

"It's ok...I'll leave you and go outside." She knew Maa Thakur was uncomfortable with her here.

"No...i-its' ok...he was mumbling your name... It makes no sense I stay here...I am sure Reva will want to hear what happened. I ll go home any change let me know ok." She said.

She nodded.

As Maa Thakur left Sugni tucked a sheet over Vickram as she sat holding his hand.

"Sugni..." he said squeezing her hand

"Shh I am right here go to sleep" She said caressing his face gently.

The door opened and Maa Thakur walked back in. Sugni Stood up.

The next day Vickram was given the OK to return home, but he needed a lot of bed rest as he was still suffering from the concussion. The Doctor recommended some medicines and told him to return in about a week to check his progress but until then he needed to rest or it could get worse.

Reva made no appearance in this time although when Maa Thakur told her he had an accident she cried uncontrollably saying how in the world did this happen. She would have rushed to the hospital but Maa Thakur said that with Sugni there it would just make a scene and she did not want that. The real reason was she did not want her anywhere near Vickram.

Sugni settled Vickram in his room and all of her time was spent at his bedside , taking care of him.

Two days after Vickram returned Reva paced her room , she was disappointed at the fools spoiled all her plans and all he suffered was a serious concussion. And now Sugni was not leaving his side. Damn why was all her plans going awry all of a sudden, she wondered . Even Neeranjan left her lone to go look for some wh**e she supposed.

Nooo Nooo she did not come this far to fail now... "Think Think...Molly think..." She said resorting to her real name in the privacy of her room. She remembered how she came to be here over a year ago.

She was working the red-light district in the city of Mumbai, looking for a way out when Neeranjan visited the place she worked for. He saw her and had the most strangest reaction she ever saw, calling her a ghost. Everyone thought he was mad. But he returned the next day specially requesting her.

She remembered he inspected her like she was some kind of specimen...then he told her he had a proposition for her , if he helped her out she could be richer than she ever thought. All she had to do was impersonate his dead sister.

It sounded too good to be true... but it was much better than where she was at now. So she agreed...it took months of training to be like Reva, to learn to talk, walk and especially the madness part but she did. Then the day came when he brought her in front of the family.

The plan was supposed to be simple all she had to do was pretend to be the mad wife for a while and soon they would make sure Vickram had an accident and she would be the widow, splitting everything between then 50/50. Just the thought off all that money had her going crazy , these people were filthy rich, she had hit the jack pot...so what if the man had to die...it meant nothing to her. She came from a place where prostitutes were both cheap and disposable ... where girls disappeared without a trace and no one cared enough to miss them. She was in a few tight spots herself. So she figured hey if one dude gotta die for her to live it up...why not.

It was by some miracle that Neeranjan managed to find Dr. Suman who was not above giving false diagnosis if the price was right. In the year she had been in the house, they tried a few times getting Vickram into an accident, but luck was on his side it seemed.

Then Dr. Suman came up with the brilliant plan to slowly poison him and it was working well to, when suddenly, he fell in love with that skank ! And wanted a divorce. No no ... that won't do. Her eyes fell on the bottle of pills the good doctor gave them it was more than enough to finish the job, all she had to do was somehow get it into his food. But how?

Coming out of her room Reva/Molly made her way to Vickram s room. Through the open door she saw Sugni sitting at his bed side and wondered if she would ever leave him. Sighing she made her way to the kitchen to find Champa preparing what looked like a small pot of soup on the stove.

"Who is that for?" She asked.

"Thakur Mallick" Champa answered. "He needs light food."

"Ok..." she said smiling to herself. Perfect. "Champa when you are done here , would you go into the store room and get me some potatoes...I am feeling for some fries."

"Yes Ma'am" Champa said.

Sugni was sitting at Vickram's bedside. The medication the doctors gave him to rest had him sleeping strongly, she would sit until he awoke. She knew it was probably crazy, but she felt she did not want him out of her sight. Looking at the clock she saw that he would probably be waking up soon and she was sure he would be hungry. She left Champa to look after the soup she had on the stove and asked her to bring it up when it was done.

Getting up she went to retrieve some fresh clothes for him when she heard voices in the hall way.

"It's ok Ma'am I'll manage" Champa said.

"Nonsense give the tray to me...you can go see about the potatoes ..go on...I can serve my Husband.!"

Wondering what was going on, Sugni looked as the door opened and Reva walked in holding the tray with the food. Walking into the room with a sense of authority, she placed the tray on the bedside table completely ignoring Sugni's presence in the room.

"Sahib...Sahib???" She said shaking him as he began to stir.

"What are you doing here?" Sugni asked...

"What dose it look like I am doing...my duty as a wife...no two bit tramp is going to tell me I can't come in here. In fact why don't you leave ...NOW" Reva said looking at her.

"Excuse me?" Sugni said looking at her.

"Ohh what you think I would just sit back and watch you fawn over my husband and say nothing...Oh you had your fun but it is over...Now leave!" She said again, as she sat at his side pretending to straighten the sheets.

Sugni looked at her stunned ...where was this sudden concern coming from. For the past two days she was neither seen or heard from . From the corner of her eye she saw a movement in the corridor. She looked to see Maa Thakur making some sort of gesture she could not understand.

Coming into the room Maa Thakur looked at them.

"What's all this noise?" She asked ... "Reva what is this?..."

"Nothing Maaji ... I am just asserting my rights !...she has no right to be in here." She said .

"Reva Vickram wil be upset and that is not good for him...please not now..." Maa Thakur said.

"Then ask her to leave..." Reva said not budging from the chair.

Maa Thakur walked over to Sugni and took her elbow she started half shoving half walking her out.

"Listen girl I don't want a scene ...leave.." As they approached the door very softly Maa thakur whispered to her..."that soup is poisoned...please..." She shook her head as she loosened her grip on Sugni's arm. Sugni looked at MT who was looking at her with a pleading expression on her face . She realized this was just an act.

Pulling her hand away Sugni said in a loud voice..."NO!!!!" Moving over to the bed she grabbed Reva and pulled her off the chair with so much force the chair overturned.

"You get out!" She said pointing her finger at her.

"how dare you!" Reva said

"How dare you...come in here and pretend to be some kind of caring wife when the you are the reason he is in this state in the first place!" she cut her off, angrily.

"What?"

Realizing that she might have said to much Sugni closed her eyes trying to get a grip on her anger.

"Yes...We all know your marriage is over, he wants a divorce but no... you can't give him that. You claim to love him and be his wife... Very well where were you when he was brought into the hospital, all you do is push him away ...listen woman... you can stop with your fake tears , fake concern and fake duty as a wife cause you are none...If you were I would not be here." Reva stood looking at her in shock.

"He wants nothing to do with you... not when he is awake and definitely not now...and I don't want you anywhere near him you hear me????" She said as she led her t the door, "Get out!"

"You can't"

"Yes I can...you know why because I love him...and I am not going to sit around here and watch you put him under any more stress because of some power trip... Get out!." She said again this time shoving her out of the threshold and shutting the door in her face and locking it.

"Thank you!" Maa Thakur said.

"Thank you!...for telling me."

Turning away from the door they both turned to see Vickram awake and looking at them.

Chapter 33

"You are awake !" Sugni said moving towards his bed side as he sat up

"What's going on?" he asked ..."Why was she...' he asked

Sugni looked at Maa Thakur, she did not want to upset him, but she could not lie to him either.

"She was just calling attention to herself as usual." Maa Thakur said. "She probably thought she can now that you are not 100 %. Forget it... Why don't you go get cleaned up and I'll see about sending up some dinner." She said.

"Yes that is right... Forget it.!" Sugni said. Vickram looked at the two of them. He knew there was more here, but he would find that out later.

Maa thakur took the poisoned soup and left. She was sure by now Reva would be locked back in her room.

After Vickram had his bath and a light sandwich that Maa Thakur prepared. He was sitting observing Sugni who was acting strangely. She was fidgety as though she could not sit quietly , he knew something happened that upset her and he wanted to know what.

"Sugni." He said looking at her as she was sorting out his shirts for the third time.

"Hmmm"

"Come here please" he said.

She came over to the bed, "yes?" She said.

"Sit" he said patting the space beside him. She sat. "What?" She asked looking at him.

"What's wrong?" he asked her.

She looked at him , and shook her head as she smiled slightly.

"I know something is. Tell me." He said holding her hand. Sugni looked down at their hands for a few moments, then burst into tears.

"Hey why are you crying...What's wrong?" He asked confused by her reaction . But instead of answering him , she leaned forward , as she hugged him resting her head on his chest.

"I don' t want to do this anymore." She said

"Do what?" Vickram asked. Even more confused.

"play this game anymore...If something happens to you..." She trailed off...saying it was too painful.

"Hey...Sugni...nothing is going to happen." He said.

"You don't know that." She said pulling back to look at him. "She's not going to stop, until she accomplishes what she wants, the pills, the accident , and now..." She trailed of.

"And now ?" he asked. She said nothing but closed her eyes. "Sugni what happened?"

Reluctantly she told him about the soup being drugged. "She won't stop. If something happened to you..."

Vickram closed his eyes in anger...tempted to go and throw her out at this moment. The only thing that was stopping him was Sugni. Seeing her upset was not boding well with him.

"Shhh...it'll be alright.." he said, pulling back to look at her"Look at me...nothing is going to happen to me. ." He said.

"How? We made no progress in the case. And all she is doing is plotting against you ." She said as she looked at him. Almost losing him shook her up more than she thought.

"Vickram, I can't lose you too...I already lost my mother and I can't ...you're all I have." She said, tearfully.

Vickram hugged her , comfortingly. "Hey now...you are not going to lose me. I promise it'll be alright. Come on...you can't break down on me now...then what would I do? Hmm You're my strength here you know that. The reason I don't go off and do something I am sure to regret later. Don't cry."

"How can they be so bad? Why?"

"I don't know greed makes people do the strangest things I guess. But if there is a God they won't get away with it" he said.

He looked at her as he wiped her tears. "This will be over soon. I promise. Just hang in there"

"I'll try...but I am not feeling al that strong right now." She said.

"Come here!" Vickram said stretching out on the bed, she joined him lying to his side resting her head on his shoulder as the embraced each other. For a while they lay in silence each offering the other solace in the moment.

"Sugni...I know this is not easy for you...but we got this far. But I can't do this without you. As long as we are together I can face anything. No matter what they do. "

"I am not going anywhere!" she said. "I just want this to be over."

"And it will be...but maybe we are taking the wrong approach..." he said thinking...

"What do you mean?' She asked looking at him. He had a contemplative look on his face.

"Hmmm...where is my phone?" He asked . Looking at the side table. Finding it he took it and made a call. Sugni looked at him in confusion.

"Hey Amrita how are you?"

"Good Vickram , how are you...I was going to call you tonight... how is Sugni?"

"She is here..a little shaken up but fine."

"Shaken up...why what happened?" Amrita wanted to know.

"Hold on let me put you on speaker ." turning on the speaker phone he told Amrita about the accident.

"Oh my God , are you alright?"

"Yes I am alright."

"Look I think we need to step things up a little." Vickram said

"Ohh ..what you have in mind?"

Vickram told her what he had in mind, as Sugni looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"But what if she runs..."

"Then the police will get her." He said.

"Ok I'll get on it..." She said. "One more thing ...why did Reva change her insurance beneficiary ?" She asked

"What...what insurance? she did not have one as far as I knew." He said.

"That is strange...according to investigations ...Reva had a life insurance policy that her father took out for her for the sum of some 2 million dollars... the beneficiary was Neeranjan for years until it was changed not to long before her accident...she named You as the beneficiary. "

"What?, no one never mentioned this to me..."

"Well apparently her father did it when she was a teen. When she had her accident and was declared dead the insurance company had started investigations on her demise...but it was stopped when she returned" Amrita revealed

"So you did not know about this?"

"No...first time I am hearing about it." He said

" Question is why would she suddenly change her from her brother to you?"

"Good question."

"Well we will find out ..I'll let you know what develops "

"OK."

She hung up . Leaving Vickram and Sugni exchanging confused and curious looks as to what that was about.

Molly was pacing her room the next morning , how dare she ...how dare she speak to her like this. Ohh no that two bit tramp won't get away with it. When she was finished with her she would be sorry for crossing her paths that is for sure. Thanks to her meddling Vickram did not have to soup she spiked..other wise all now she would have been happily morning her husband.

She was interrupted by the ringing of her phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello madam... how is life in the Thakur's house? Grand I am sure." Said a voice she did not recognized.

"Huh?"

"Hmm...I am sure the welcomed you back with opened arms ...but tell me would they be so accepting when they find out you are nothing but an imposter...?"

"What...who is this?" Mollly said as she pulled the phone to look at the called id...Private. Her blood ran cold.

"Ohh calm down darling... your secret is safe with me...for a price of course!" the voice laughed condescendingly...

"I don't know what you are talking about"

"Tut tut tut... nice try doll...but that won't work... I know you are an imposter...I know all about yours and Neeranjan's plans to be a widow ..."

Molly was about to hang the phone up when the voice said.

"Naaa...hang up on me and the next call I make will be straight to Vickram...with evidence...before the next hour is up you will be gathering you clothes from the side walk... Wanna try me?"

"Wh-Wh-What do you want?" she asked, this could not be happening.

"Two million...cash..."

"What two million...I can't get that type of money!" She said

"ohh don't give me that ...that is Thakur Vickram Singh two million is a drop in a bucket for him... I am sure you will find a way... Don't worry I will give you time ... two weeks... I will call you in two weeks...so do what you have to...And don't even think about running cause I am watching you...you slip and it's straight to jail you understand. Have a nice day." The line went dead.

Molly sat on her bed in shock. What just happened. She was being black mailed... but how by who...no no ..the only persons who knew the truth of her identity was Neeranjan , and this was his brain child he would not sabotage it all now for a measly two million. The other person was the Dr. Suman...who was currently suspended and a greedy little witch. But would she stoop that low.

True when people were desperate they did desperate things but still. On impulse she dialed the number for Suman. After three rigs she was directed to voice mail.

"Damn it ...Where are you Suman...if you are trying to screw with me ...you better think again!!!"

Getting up she began pacing...

"Molly Molly...you did not get this far too loose...it seems that everything is just going down the drain...ever since he picked up with that.girl...no ...Enough...time to get rid of her... how... how think think think !!! " She said as she paced...

There was a knock on the door.

"Who Is it?"

"Neeranjan..."

She opened the door as she let him in.

"Had fun?" She asked
"Hmmm"

"Good because we got some problems... Some one knows about us they are threatening to reveal my truth to Vickram if I don't cough up two million dollars !" she said.

"What ? Who..." he said shocked...

"Well I am thinking it is Suman...she is the only one and we all know how money hungry she is...did you get a hold of her?" She asked.

"No not since the article on the paper..."
Molly nodded, more an d more she was convinced Suman was the culprit. Seems she had another problem to deal with .

"Alright...I guess we have to deal with her as well!' She said. "But now it is important to split the love birds up. Sugni has to leave this place !" She said.

"How ? she is stuck to his side!' Neeranjan said

There must be a way...something... I just want to get he away from him" she said.

After a few minutes of thinking Neeranjan got an idea...

" I know how to do it... but it will cost us ... Give me a few days I'll handle it." he said.

A few days later:

Vickram was finally given a clean bill of health by his doctor to resume his work as normal. He got caught up with what he missed in the fields. Sugni was at his side through it all . So much so the field workers and other villagers were beginning to take notice of them.

Sugni noticed it as she was walking around the fields one day and was listening to a conversation between two of the village women who were working in the fields.

"You really going to do your Sardakhi Reshma?" Another girl , Shivani asked. As they were weeding the plots.

"Yes...the money is good and the Thhkur is nice. Maa said I was fortunate that he made the offer. $20,000. ...it will help Maa with her doctor bills." Reshma said.

Sugni stopped as she joined the girls . Reshma was just seventeen and Shivani was about the same age. They were one of the few willing to work . So it was Shocking to Sugni to hear that Reshma would rather do her sardakhi.

"Reshma? Is your mother sick again?" She asked, knowing sometimes desperate times called for desperate measures.

"No -No. She is well thank God...but now she can't dance"

"So you are going to do your Sar Dakhi?? I mean you're working here na...aren't you making enough?"

"Yes it gets us by...but with the bills...no."

"Well maybe if you talked to Vickram...he will help you..." She said. "you don't need to go entertain some old Thakur!" She said.

Reshma laughed, as Sugni watched her.

"Please..Sugni...don't" she said shocking Sugni. "Don't come with some lecture that being a bedni is wrong...you of all people. Don't give me that look because I choose to follow the tradition. "

Shivani gasped..."Reshma what are you saying..."

"Ohhh I am just saying what everyone else is thinking. I am seeing it on her face... she thinks I am doing something wrong...a least every one will know what I am doing and I am not pretending to be doing something else. Am I right Sugni?"

"Reshma..."

Sugni stood in shock at the words coming out from her mouth. She knew this would happen eventually, she thought she was prepared, but Reshma's words stung nonetheless .
"What you're going to run to Thakur malick and get me fired...go ahead I was leaving in a few days any way. I am not ashamed of who I am Sugni...or my tradition...unlike you. I am a bedni. And Unlike you...I don't pretend to be some high and mighty girl with big dreams when all you really areis somebodies plaything!'

"I am not..." Sugni said.

"Oh can it... everyone knows that is a lie. Everyone knows Thakur Malick told his wife...he is with you...that you are not only living in his house but bedroom as well. Am I lying? What you think servants don't talk... So don't you stand there and try and judge me! Funny naa... all these years your mother would walk around with pride saying her daughter is different...I wonder what she would say now."

Sugni felt as though the bottom had fallen out of her world, as she looked around , it felt as though everyone was looking at her, when in reality no one was paying attention to their conversation. She looked over and Saw Vickram on the phone busy with what he was doing. Normally she enjoyed interacted with the villagers in the fields as they reminded her of home... but not now...

Trying desperately to control herself ...Sugni turned and ran out of the fields away from them all and back to the haveli...blinking back tears the whole time...

Chapter 34

Sugni ran into the house how she made it home she did not know. All she kept hearing in her head was Reshma's words. They hurt. Somehow Sugni had managed to convince herself that she was doing the right thing, that her mother would understand...but Reshma's words brought back all that doubts and fares she had.

"Sugni...how come..." Champa said as Sugni by passed her and went straight up the stairs into her room. There she took a picture of her mother and herself. Again she wondered would her mother be proud of her? really for what being a hypocrite?

"Sugni?" Champa said as she came in... she was shocked to see her friend so upset . Where was Vickram Champa wondered? Did he have an accident again? Looking at Sugni though looking at her mother's picture and crying had her even more perturbed.

"Sugni what's wrong?" She asked as she walked in to sit by her side.

"Am I am different from Reshma?" She asked.

"Who?" Champa asked confused. After some prodding Sugni finally told her what transpired in the fields.

"I am just like her, no...she is right ..Maa would hate me for going back on my words."

"Sugni ...no...come on don't do this. Your mother would understand. Yes you are different...your situation is different. Sugni you know they are going to talk...you can't let their words affect you honey...Dose Thakur Mallick know what happened?"

She shook her head.

"You should tell him..."

"No no...I won't do that ...she needs the job...it's just her words hurt. Is that what everyone thinks of me?" She sobbed

"Sugni no..." Champa said. Champa knew part of this was the fact that Sugni always said she would live a respectable life , listening to Reshma's words and feeling like everyone else was judging her was having a toll on her. As it would...for 19 years she would tell anyone who would listen she would not end up a bedni for any Thakur and everyone was waiting to see whether she would or end up eating her words. People in the community can be cruel she knew.

Champa had no idea what to say to make Sugni feel better. There was a knock on the door and she looked to see Maa Thakur standing there. "Yes Mallkin...?" Champa said standing.

"Can you give us a few minutes?" She said

Godhavari walked into the room where Sugni was sitting on the bed, looking at the picture on her lap. Hastily she wiped her face of her tears when she saw her and went back to staring at the picture. She had a heart broken look on her face.

Godhavari was alarmed when she saw Sugni running into the house by herself, her first thought was that something happened to Vickram again, Reva and Neeranjan disappeared this morning they could be up to something again.

When she got to the room she over herd the conversation between Champa and Sugni and she could see how much the girls words was affecting Sugni.

Over the past few weeks , ever since the accident Maa Thakur had been silently observing Sugni and Vickram. The way she took care of him. That day she was sitting with him at the hospital, most of the time he kept mumbling her name, much to M.T.'s irritation.

When Sugni came back she could not wait to leave before she said something she would regret. Then she discovered she left her purse in her haste and went back for it. What she saw when she returned to the room struck her, the way Sugni was looking at him... the worry and concern on her face that reflected the worry and concerned she herd in Vickram's voice.

It was strange but it was that moment that MT got the feeling that maybe there was something deeper to this relationship than just lust. As Vickram came home she saw that further in the way Sugni cared for her son.

The change in Vickram when he was around Sugni was evident to, he moved different not as though he was just performing a duty but as though he was...alive. She could not remember when she saw him like that before. Not even when he just married Reva...there was always something missing . Not anymore even with all the problems he was facing.

She could not deny what was staring her in her face these two had something that was special. Her almost losing her only son made her realize that there was more important things in life than the upholding of traditions.

Now as she observed Sugni's upset state, she saw that Sugni to was fighting her own inner battles. Sighing she sat on the bed next to her.

She looked at the picture of Sugni and Gulabiya.

"Sugni?"
"Yes"

"You know when you two told me about your relationship, I kept wondering where I failed, as a mother. I tried my best to instill In Vickram the values and ethics to do what is right and to not follow in the footsteps of his father and the other Thakurs around here." She said .

"And he always did ...whatever I told him to he followed . Until now. Where he went against everything I thought him. The only reason I could see for that ... you.!" Sugni closed her eyes as MT words added to her already sinking spirit. Fresh tears welling up as she bent her head. "but I always knew that , since the minute you set foot in here something told me you were going to be trouble!"

"But I was wrong Sugni." She said softly. Causing Sugni to look at her. Instead of the harshness she was expecting , Sugni saw a softness to Maa Thakurs face as she smiled a little.

"Sugni in all the time I have seen Vickram... this is the first time I have seen him this happy, truly happy even with all this going on...there is a light in his eyes that I don't think I ever saw. And the only reason is you. The way you have been there for him these past few weeks...taking care of him. If that is not love then I don't know what is." She looked at Sugni as she continued... "There is a point in life Sugni where your children's happiness means the world to you. Vickram has always tried to make me happy, at times at the expense of his own self. But almost losing him..." She shook her head "Almost losing him Sugni , I know nothing is more important than him in my life...and I want him to be happy...and his happiness lies in you." She said.

"Maa ji?" Sugni breath as what she was saying began to sink in. Her heart beat faster with hope...could this mean she was forgiven?

"I know I have been hard on you...and I have said some things that hurt you...and for that I am sorry." She said looking at a shocked Sugni.

"No No...Maaji please...don't !!! I understand any would react the way you did" Sugni said shaking her head.. She looked at Maa Thakur , flustered by the change in this conversation.

"No Sugni...when you are wrong there is no shame in admitting it...and I was wrong about you."

Sugni stared at her , tearfully silent not sure what to say, but she felt a sense of relief that Maa Thakur was no longer hating her. She wiped her tears as they stared at each other. Coming to a silent understanding. Maa Thakur closed her eyes and sighed...she was not a woman who admitted she was wrong often.

"Now about today... and what happened. I know you are upset because someone pointed a finger at you. But you made a choice ...to love him .People will always have something to say , and it won't always be nice. They won't understand it. But beta...if you have the courage to stand by him now don't let anyone bring you down, cause If I know anything about Vickram he won't let any one . As for your mother I think she would understand that there is nothing in your situation that is "normal" . She would only want you to be happy. Are you?" She asked.

"Yes..." She said, Vickram was her world.

"Do you feel guilty for loving him?"

"No ..."

"Well that is all that matters."

"But Maaji Reva?" Sugni asked ...she knew that Maa Thakur had some issues about the divorce.

"Well Vickram is right there is no point in forcing them together if they are not meant to be. Neither will be happy. But she is one of our own and we will take care of her , just in a different way."

Sugni nodded.

"Thank you Maa Ji... for accepting me "

"Well the thing about love is no matter how much you try to hide it it shows...and it shows with you two...and who am I to stand in the way of that? I just want him happy...that's all. And he won't be happy if he sees you unhappy...hmmm so...don't cry..Ok." She smiled as she leaned forward and hugged her lightly .

At that moment the door swung open to a very worried looking Vickram.

"Sugni..What ha..ppend?" He stopped watching his mother and Sugni .

Maa Thakur stood up and made her way to where Vickram was standing . Reaching out to him she patted his forarm.

"nothing beta...Sugni...just had a bad day...but she is ok now...right Sugni...?"

She nodded...smiling slightly.

"I'll go get some rest..." She said as she left them. "go sit with her..." she said as she caressed his face and left the room leaving Vickram staring after her.

Vickram closed the door even more confused by what he just witness. His mother was in here with Sugni and they both looked cordial .

Walking over to the bed he saw the picture she was holding.

"Sugni? What happened you left just like that...I was worried when I couldn't find you? Now here...what's going on?'

"I am sorry...I didn't think. I just left." She said

"What happened? What got you upset." He asked... one minute she saw her helping the others weeding and she was moving around chit chatting with the women looking happy and then when he looked again she was nowhere in sight then one of the women said they saw her running down the track. After looking around for her he finally decided to check home, as he could not think of where else she would be. Here she was.

Sugni looked at him and his concerned. She knew if she told him what happened he would just get angry and she did not want to be the cause of any further distress in Reshma's life .

Taking a breath she smiled. "I was upset...but am not any more. It's not important...hmm I am ok." She said. She got up and placed the photo back on the side table where it was sitting before.

"Sugni..." Vickram began and she knew he would not accept it.

"Shhh..." she said placing a finger on his lips . She kissed him softly on the lips placing her arms around his neck. "I promise I am ok...there is nothing for you to worry about I was just a bit overwhelmed. But you know what...I am actually happy right now...you know why?"

"Why?" He said placing his arms around her.

"Because...Maa Thakur finally accepted us." She couldn't help the smile on her face "We had a long talk and she is ok with us together and the divorce."

"Hmm...She did? Wow..." Vickram said stunned by that news.

"I know I still can't believe it happened. But she was here you saw her?' " She said as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I am so happy ... her acceptance is all we need, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks right?"

Vickram frowned at that... did someone tell her something? Was that why she got upset? He wondered. He was noticing the looks from some people and he was sure they were food for gossip... but no one was foolish enough to say something in front of him...but maybe..."

"Hey!" Sugni said snapping her fingers in front of his face. She knew he was still wondering why she was upset.

"Huh!" He said

"I said aren't you happy...you are not listening to me!" She pouted.

"Yes I am...listening and happy...both!" he said coming out of his thoughts. As he looked at her she did look happy. She was smiling and it shone right through to her eyes.

He knew it pained her when his mother refused to accept them. It was something she kept praying to happen. Apparently her prayers were answered today. Truth be told so was his. Despite what some might think family was important to him and he would like to know that they had the blessings of the family.

Sugni sighed happily , in that moment she looked absolutely breathtaking. Giving into the urge he leaned forward and kissed her, pulling her closer to him. Breaking of the kiss for air a few minutes later, Sugni blushed as she looked at him.

"Why don't you go..freshen up and I'll go downstairs and see if they need help." She said.

"I have a better idea!" he said as he placed a kiss on her neck.

"What ?" She giggled.

"How about you let them make dinner and we stay here. Hmmm." He said peppering kisses up her jaw line to cheeks.

"Good idea...but no..." she said pulling away to look at him.

"Why?" he asked.

"you know why..." She blushed..."Now go freshen up ..." She said as she made to get up.

"Well that didn't take you long !" He sighed as he shook his head.

"What?" She asked confused.

" You sound like a wife!" he said

"I do not!" She exclaimed, she could feel the heat on her cheeks.

"Hmm see!" he said as though making a point.

"Just go!.." She laughed pointing to the door. As she followed him out.

She went into the kitchen still smiling feeling much lighter than she had in a long time!.

"Well this was a bust!" Molly complained as they drove back to Mawhari after visiting Suman's address. Apparently the good doctor had moved a while ago and no one knew where she went to. On an impulse today Neeranjan and Molly decide to pay her a surprise visit ...only the surprise was on them as she was nowhere to be found.

"Any progress on getting Sugni away from Vickram?" she asked him.

"Yes I made the arrangements...it was more than easy... I only hope they are able to deliver this time...but I scared them enough that I am sure they will do it. Besides they were desperate to help." He said .

"Good...when will they do it?"

"A day or two."

"O k.' she said.

"I think the old haveli will be perfect as it is deserted..." Neeranjan said

"Yes.." She agreed.

"Just remember...I get her first." He had a score to settle with Sugni. That was for sure.

"Patience ...Neeranjan...don't worry. You can have all the fun you want with her...I don't care. I wish we didn't have to get our hands dirty...but what can we do ... if you want something done right do it yourself!" She said

"True." He nodded. Soon it would all be over. He smiled Killing two birds with one stone was so much fun!!!