Crossroads -fanfiction

On a life crossroad you eventually make a choice. 

And there is no turning back

Part 1

"Harleen Ahluwaliya..will you marry me?" 

"Yes yes yes.." Harleen shouted as she excitedly hugged him.

***

Ekam closed his eyes as he felt the shower droplets drench him.He let the water take away Harleen's scent and touch.He hated it when she hugged him.Somehow he felt like cheating on nehmat....Ah his nehmat...His heart clenched when he thought about her. He proposed to Harleen just to prove to Nehmat that he would do anything for her.Including ruining his life. And perhaps a small part of him hoped..hoped that nehmat will stop the marriage. .She wouldnt be able to bear him marrying someone else.Maybe this was the only way to get her back

He increased the force of the water...Harleen's blue eyes flashed in his mind. It was not fair ..he knew..but love is not fair...he let the water wash away the tinge of guilt he felt.

***

Harleen has never been so happy in her life..Her hero..Ekam Randhawa finally proposed to her..the flowers the decorations...her handsome Ekam...everything was so perfect...finally she was getting married to the love of her life..She couldnt wait to tell her momsi...

Though her heart stopped when she thought of Mr.Ahluwaliya...how would he react? She was proud of her choice ASP Ekam Randhawa. But Mr.Ahluwaliya measured everyone on money.Everything  was a deal. In a way ,her parents were alike in that matter. Probably why they still were together.Atleast on paper...Would Mr.Ahluwaliya care to come to her wedding? Should I call?

Harleen's thoughts were interrupted  by her momsi 's call..She hurriedly picked it up bursting to tell her the good news.

"Momsi ...I am engaged !!"

***

Nehmat sat on the bedroom floor finally allowing the tears to fall..Her Ekam was no more hers...He proposed to Harleen..

"You will have a place in my heart" He had told her. She was happy..wasnt she? He did exactly what she told him to do.But why was she crying?why did this feel like her own wedding day? When she was left with no hope.Only darkness. As though there was no point in living

Her husband Advait had cheated on her, tried to kill her and made people believe  she was crazy. That hurt..But tonight somehow hurt more. Because she could be angry with advait for what he did..But tonight..who was to blame?? She blackmailed Ekam into proposing Harleen. 

She thought about the life they will have ..the plans..the kids..the family..every dream she had was with him and now Harleen will live it. Harleen will make him happy.He is better and safer away from me.She remembered the ekleen moments she witnessed...yes he will be happier with her..She consoled herself as the tears continued to fall

***

"Smile please!" 

Ekam forced another smile at the photographer though his eyes looked murderous. If he knew about the engagement photoshoots, he might not have agreed to this ridiculous  demand of nehmat

"Bhaiyya thoda aur kareeb pls" said the photographer. 

Harleen moved closer to him placing her hands around his neck. Ekam simply glared at the camera..If looks could kill, the cameraman would be dead. Even the whisky shots he had didnt seem to have any effect. He felt uncomfortable.  His ring finger felt heavy. He didnt want the ring. He didnt want this engagement. He didnt want Harleen..he wanted Nehmat...his eyes searched for her..where was she?

"Ekam..Ekam" 

Harleen's voice woke him up from his thoughts. He looked down to see her looking anxiously at him. He suddenly realised how close she was standing with him.She looked beautiful.Her innocent smile..her eyes full of love and happiness..A perfect bride..pity he couldn't be the perfect groom.

"Tum theek ho? Lagta hai kuch zyaada peeli tumne"  Harleen whispered to him softly as she placed her hand on his chest and posed for the photo.

Before he could answer, the photographer barged in

"Sir aap thoda smile keejiye..thoda chemistry chahiye..aag chahiye aag"

Harleen giggled while Ekam was flabbergasted.

"Dekho tum ASP se baat...."  Ekam began but he was cut off by Nehmat

"Sahi toh keh raha hai..yeh kya pose de rahe ho Ekam..thoda toh romance karo".. 

Ekam turned around to see Nehmat watching them .Malllika also joined in on the conversation discussing about the lack of chemistry

Ekam stared at Nehmat venomously. First she wanted him in a forced marriage and now she wants him to act?..fine if thats what she wants, then I will show her

He turned to the photographer who in Ekam's opinion fancied himself to be Yashraj ji. 

" Romance chahiye na aapko?...theek hai kheechlo photo"

He pulled Harleen closer to him ,his hands around her waist and smiling. Harleen happily obliged and the photographer clicked away

***

Ekam once again found peace near the bar...whiskey shorts to forget his engagement,the blue eyes, his pain , nehmat's zid...

The photo session seems to have made his mother happy. She was even polite to Nehmat after that. So something good came out of it...But he remembered Harleen's eyes when she looked at him..Was it possible she was falling more in love with him? Could this hurt her more? What was Nehmat thinking?  More whiskey....

"Gud Naal Ishq mitha..."

His eyes fell on the stage where Nehmat and Harleen were dancing.He watched them.Or maybe just Nehmat...He couldn't  tear his eyes away from her..he remembered  the college days..when they danced together..His eyes locked with Nehmat and for a moment she stopped before continuing..

He averted his eyes..his gaze made her uncomfortable. .that hurt him..there was a time when she loved to have his eyes on her. Situation  changed.Did nehmat change?

His eyes caught the ceiling decoration which was about to fall on the girls. Nehmat was in danger. Ekam ran towards nehmat pushing her out of harm's way.

***

Nehmat opened her eyes to gaze into the hazel eyes of Ekam.He had wrapped her in his arms and saved her...as always..she could feel the sting in her cheek as the glass cut her.but more than that, the warmth in his embrace..she disentangled herself from him

Her family rushed to her aid while she felt terrified by what happened. Jasmine had her hands around Harleen who looked okay. Ekam removed the glass from her cheek

She locked her eyes with him. She knew her pain caused him more pain. But for once, she didnt stop crying. She wanted him to feel her pain.He wasnt hers..but yet he was..she knew it was wrong..but she couldn't  look away. It was easier when he was not in front of her..but when he was..she wanted to do the right thing.but simply could not

(To be continued)

Please update soon and show admat 

Note: 

Part 2

ASP Ekam Randhawa rewinded the engagement video tape again. It was almost midnight. The guests and his family had left. But he had gone straight to the police station . He knew it was no accident .His gut feeling was that it was advait who planned it. He needed evidence

"Pause it" Ekam directed his constable.

There he was...the decoration guy. The video showed him going out after the accident. And Jasmine following him

Ekam had no proof that he was the one who caused the accident. But seeing him with Jasmine arose his suspicion. He knew what Jasmine was capable of. Was she trying to eliminate Nehmat for.her daughter? He needed to find out. If Jasmine was indeed behind all this, she would make sure that the decoration guy would leave the city tonight. The attempt had failed and now it was time to destroy all evidences

Nehmat's frightened  face flashed before his eyes. His anger grew. He needed to find out the truth.

Ekam sneaked into Harleen's house hoping to catch some evidence against Jasmine. He hid behind the balcony partition attached to Harleen's bedroom. She had turned on a projector which was showing Ekam's picture. She was still wearing the engagement dress looking at the image ,lost in thought. 

"Kya dekh rahi hai? "

Harleen turned around to see her mother looking at her in half pity half anger.

"Kya kar rahi hai Harleen? Kyun apni zindagi barbad kar rahi hai? Yeh aadmi tujse pyaar nahi karta..pyaar toh door ki baat hai..teri parvah tak nahi hai use..agar aaj tuje kuch ho jaata ,toh bhi use koi farak nahi padta"

"Momsi aap Ekam ko galat samaj rahi hai..usne meri jaan bachaayi thi"

"Woh uski duty thi Harleen...tu meri baat samaj le...aaj dekha naa..jab nehmat samne aati jai toh use kuch dikhaayi nahi deta...tu bhi nahi..na woh tujse pyaar karta hai naa hi uske paas paisa hai..kuch nahi hai uske paas tuje dene ke liye sivaye dard ka....yeh rishta sirf tu nibha rahi hai..woh nahi..aur aisa rishta zyada der nahi chalega"

Harleen's eyes welled up. She knew her momsi was right.She saw the conversation between Ekam and Nehmat in the washroom. Ekam was in love with Nehmat. She had made peace with that.But she had hoped that he will love her too at some point in life. But today,he didnt even ask if she was alright. He didnt even look at her once. It was clear that she didnt exist for Ekam whenever Nehmat was in front of him

"Dekh Harleen..abhi bhi time hai..mana karde iss rishte se...pyaar sirf dard deta hai...woh toh pyaar bhi nahi karta...mana karde....tujhe ek acha ladka milega...joh humare status ke barabar ho..aur tere kadmon mein puri duniya rakhega...meri baat maan Harleen...woh tere layak hee nahi...."

"Momsi...bas..meine bola na..mein sirf Ekam se pyaar karti hoon..aur uske baarein mein aap kuch galat mat bolo...aur rishte mein sirf dard mile toh mein seh lungi..ekam ke hisse ke saare dard mere kismat mein ho..aur mere hisse ki saari khushi usee mil jaaye. ,"

"Pagal ladki...tu pyaar mein andhi hogayi hai..pashtaaogi..agar tum apni zindagi barbad karne ki zid pe adi ho toh mein kya kar sakti hoon...par mein yeh tamasha nahi dekh sakti...mein ja rahi hoo kal ki flight mein..canada....jo mujhe aaj saaf saaf dikha...bhagawan kare tujhe bhi dikh jaaye jaldi...usko teri koi kadar nahi..tu uske liye kuch bhi nahi hai..apni family ko khush karne keliye tuje use kar raha hai...shaadi tere saath aur rasleela nehmat ke saat..!"

"Momsi ! Bas..nehmat ne aaj meri jaan bachayi hai..aap uske barein mein aise baat nahi kar sakte"

"Haa..ab to tuje sirf teri momsi galat lagti haina..theek hai..mein kuch nahi bolungi..tuje jo karna hai har" Jasmine stormed out of the room shutting the door behind her

Harleen felt defeated. Her momsi was right. Ekam and Nehmat loved each other. But when Ekam had held her close during the photoshoot, she felt so elated..She looked at her engagement  ring.She was Ekam's fiance..She would be Harleen ekam randhawa..she would his wife..mother of his children..his constant companion..she would be a lot of things..but never the love of his life.

She felt the spinal pain just below the shoulder blade. She had fallen off the stage and hit the floor from a considerable height. Everyone including herself was more worried about Nehmat that she didnt pay attention  to herself. But the pain increased once she got home. She kept quiet since she didnt want Jasmine to find out

"Dekh..tuje chot lagi hai aur woh nalayak ekam ko sirf nehmat ki padi hai" ..her momsi would have said...she didnt want her to think any less of Ekam.

Once Jasmine left the room, Harleen closed the door and searched her first aid kit.She tied her hair up which was hiding the bruise.She got the ointment and tried to turn her head and see her back in the mirror.  Turning her neck was painful too. She saw the bluish black bruise on her back. She tried to put the ointment but her shoulder was hurting when she moved her hands to reach the spot.

The bruise looked horrible...her fiance loved someone else..her mother was unhappy with the marriage and leaving for canada..she was arranging her marriage all alone...and now she couldnt even put a medicine on her back....she collapsed onto the floor and burst into tears..

She didnt know how much time had passed ..All her energy had drained out of her when she felt someone's  hand rubbing the pain ointment on back. She turned her head in shock at the touch and her eyes met with the hazel eyes of Ekam.

"Bohat dard ho raha hai kya?" He asked her softly still rubbing her back

Harleen didnt respond...which pain was he referring to?the physical one or the mental agony?how did he get here? Did he hear her momsi talking to her?what was he doing here...alot of questions  came to her mind. He had seen her breakdown.She hung her head in embarrassement. She was always the cheerfull one in front of him..the strong understanding partner who empathized with his pain..not the weeping mess because he would never love her.

They sat in silence as Ekam continued to massage towards her neck. Harleen felt herself relaxing under his touch 

"Tum kab aaye?kaise aaye?" Harleen asked

"Abhi balcony se aaya" responded Ekam keeping his voice as light as possible. He hadnt planned to expose himself to Harleen. But when he saw that bruise he couldn't  help himself after she started crying on the floor. Though he would never admit it aloud, a part of him knew that he was the reason why she was going through all this. The least he could do was apply some medichope.. there was a bluish black hematoma on her back and bruises on the shoulders.

"Harleen..humein hospital jaana chahiye"

"Uski.zaroorat nahi ekam..bleeding.nahi hai..do din mein theek ho jayega.."

Before Ekam could interrupt she asked the next question.."tum kya kar rahe ho yahan par? Kyun aaye yahan?"

Ekam was in a fix..As much as he trusted Harleen, he didnt trust her enough to tell her that he came to.spy on Jasmine...he wouldnt jeopardize the investigation  at any cost ..especially when Nehmat's life is at stake..so he opted for the lie

"Tumhe dekhne aaya tha..ki tum theek ho ki nahi,"

Harleen blushed deeply and smiled at Ekam. Just like the smile she gave him when he put the ring on her. She loved him.He knew. It made him more uneasy. He shifted his focus back to her bruise which had swelling

"Harleen swelling hai..doctor ke pass jana hai" he told her putting some force in his voice

"Shh...momsi sun legi.." Harleen put her hands on his lips

"Mein ice pack rakh loongi..kal agar pain kam nahi hua toh doctor ke pass jaungi.." Harleen whispered back to him. She could feel his lips on her fingers sending shockwaves in her body

"Toh theek hai ice leke aa jao..abhi rakh lete hai"

"Tum abhi jao..mein rakhlungi.."

"Toh mein hee lekar aata hoon" 

"Nahi...momsi dekh lengi..mein laati hoon...," Harleen gave into his demands

Harleen brought back the ice tray and Ekam took it from her. Harleen sat on her dressing table chair.Ekam brushed off the some strands of hair from her back and started rubbing ice cubes on the bruise. Harleen forgot her pain as she watched Ekam through her dressing table mirror.She felt heat run through her body even as he was rubbing ice cubes on her. All of a sudden,Ekam raised his head and looked into the mirror staring at her. She gazed at him hoping that he couldnt read her mind. Hoping that he couldnt sense the raw passion she felt for him at that moment. For a fraction of a second, Harleen thought she saw his eyes darken. A look of animal lust crossed into his face. Harleen felt her heart skip several beats...But then it was gone. It was as though she imagined that look. 

Ekam averted his eyes and gave her his signature stoic smile ( the one he used during their engagement). 

"Baraf ragaada hai..thoda color  change kam hua hai..swelling bhi kam hua hai..par tumhe kal doctor ke pass jaana hoga" Ekam said, his tone so normal that Harleen was convinced she was imagining  things. Harleen nodded not trusting herself to speak. She willed herself to look into his eyes, not his lips..if his hands could do so much, what were those lips capable of..Harleen blushed deeply at her thoughts

"Mein chalto hoon..bahut raat ho chuki hai" said Ekam

"Goodnight Ekam...thank you" said Harleen as she watched her fiance climb down the balcony. He walked away without a second glance at her. But the smile didnt leave Harleen's lips..He had come to see her.Maybe there was hope

AAAHHHHHHH OMGGGG , finally such a good Ekleen fanfic!! Pleasee you have to continue this, looking forward to the next update w/ baited breath <3 

Part 3

Nehmat woke up to the constant ringing of her mobile phone..Ekam..he was calling her  so early in the morning.She didnt pick up. She didn't  want to come in between him and Harleen. Her phone continued to ring. She knew he would continue to call until she picks up. Reluctantly  she attended the call

"Ha bol kyu call kiya?"

"Mein kabse call kar raha hoon..kya kar rahi thi?"

"Kyun call kiya?" Nehmat repeated the question intending to keep Ekam within his boundary 

"Tere pati..woh advait kapoor wohi tujhe maarna chahta hai..kal koi accident nahi hua tha..ek sochi samjhi saazish thi..tu akeli kahi mat jaana..jab tak woh jail mein nahi hota, tu safe nahi hai" 

"Tu pagal ho gaya hai kya Ekam? Kya bol raha hai.kal ka accident tune murder attempt bana diya? Mein jaanti hoon ki tu usse nafrat karta hai ...lekin itni nafrat ki jhooti case lagayegaa...yeh meine socha nahi tha. !"

"Tujhe kya lagta hai?mein jhoot bol raha hoon? Mere paas saboot hai..jis aadmi ko meine decoration karte hue dekha uska naam karan hai..meine uska call record trace kiya hai aur last call advait ko gaya hai...bas woh karan lapata hai....ek baar woh mil jaaye toh advait ka zaara khel khatam...tu bas khar se bahar mat nilkalna..jab tak advait jail mein nahi,tu safe nahi. Tu bahar mat nilkalna nehmat"

"Theek hai"

Nehmat 's head was spinning. Her husband has tried to kill her...again...His ema..his murder attempts..Nehmat had enough of it. She wanted  a divorce.Advait Kapoor was the biggest blunder of her life..and for whom did she do it...for Naaz...Naaz who betrayed her. But enough is enough. She wanted the divorce.

***

Ekam slammed the phone trying to control his anger. Nehmat's disbelief hurt him. She thought he was lying to her. Why would he lie? He was always honest with her....maybe a bit too honest. He wanted her to love him the way he loved her.Bhaad mein jaaye saari duniya, pyaar ke liye kuch bhi...Ekam aisa sochta tha..

But for Nehmat he came last..after her family,his family, Harleen, Herself..then ekam. He felt bitter at the thought..she married advait for Naaz. She could have waited for him..atleast 1 day..to get over the shock of those photos..He knew he should have trusted Nehmat that day..that day that ruined all their lives..But what if Naaz still threatened suicide even if Ekam believed Nehmat..would Nehmat have chosen him over he sister? He was not sure anymore.

"Kya soch rahe ho mere hero?" 

Ekam turned around to see Harleen beaming at him. He closed his eyes in frustration..Kaha phas gaya mein...

"Yeh tumhara ghar nahi police station hai Harleen...Har din attendance lagane kyun aati ho?"

"Ghar nahi toh kya..aapki gharwali toh hoon..tumne kaha thaa ki aaj hospital jaana hai..toh kab jaana hai humein?"

"Humein?...tum jaaogi..mujhe kuch nahi hua." Responded ekam curtly

"Mein akeli ladki kaisee hospital jaaungi..?"

"Tum akeli ladki canada se india aa gayi..hospital toh saamne haina"

"Mujhe dar lagta hai." ekam gave her a look of disbelief.

"Theek hai..mein nahi jaati..vaise bhi chot utni gahari nahi...bas thoda dard hai..mein seh loongi" said Harleen in her full on acting mode

"Dramebaaz" muttered Ekam giving up the battle

"Chalo abhi chalte hai..shyaam ko mujhe aur bhi kaam hai"

"Acha..mujhe bohot backpain ho raha hai..chal bhi nahi sakti...tum uthaloge toh..." Harleen smiled mischievously

"Aur bhi drama kiya toh seethe uthakar lockup mein daal dunga...chalo abhi " replied Ekam slightly amused by her antics

***

"Ekam..."

Ekam kept his eyes on the road not looking at Harleen. He had hoped for a silent ride to the hospital..But how can Harleen ever keep quiet!

Harleen looked at Ekam .He was a handsome man. Those hazel eyes...the sleek hair...the masculine arms...he looked sexy in the uniform..Harleen averted her eyes. Then again looked at him..why should she not look? She was getting married to him..if anyone could look at him that way, it was her..he belonged to her...atleast on paper...

"Ekam..itni jaldi kya hai ...dheere chalaona...humein hospital pahuchna hai..shamshaan nahi"

"Hmmm" replied Ekam

"10 din mein shaadi hai...kitni shopping baaki hai..bohot kaam bacha hai.."

"Hmmm"

"Invitation bhi chapvana hai....aur itni functions..itni kam time..pata nahi sab kaise manage hoga.."

"Hmmm"

"Tumne apne doston ko invite kiya kya?..mere dost toh canada mein hai.."

"Hmmm"

Harleen looked at Ekam who remained stoic. Jasmine's words rang in her ears..he doesnt love her.he doesnt want her...he is trapped in this marriage..Harleen's smile slowly disappeared

Was this the life she was choosing? He couldnt even hold a conversation  with her. How can they spend the life together? Did he feel anything for her? She could live with him for the rest of her life even if he gave her nothing..not even a smile..But what  about him? How would he able to live with her if he cannot even tolerate her..tolerance..that was what he felt for her.Harleen felt her heart drop.

"Canada se tumhare dost kab aa rahe hai? Kitne log honge?" 

Ekam's question startled her from her self pitying thoughts

"5-6 toh honge.." Harleen replied feeling slightly better that Ekam put an effort in the conversation 

"Ekam..tumne socha hai ki shaadi ke baat kya honge..?"

Ekam raised an eyebrow at her

"Canada mein toh sab live in relation mein hote hai..uske baat hee shaadi karte hai..toh koi surprises nahi hote..sab jaante hai....lifestyle..compatability...habits..meine bhi aise hee socha tha..canada mein settle hongi and all..lekin pyaar tumse ho gaya.." Harleen shrugged

"Toh shaadi se mana kar deti...bol deti ki live in ke baad hee shaadi karungi..kisne roka tha?"

"Mere matlab woh nahi tha..vaise bhi mujhe jaldi shaadi karni thi" replied Harleen happily

"Kyun?"  Ekam wanted to know genuinely.  Why did she want to marry him? He would always love nehamat.He was a middleclass police officer who really had nothing to offer her..why she wanted to marry him?

"Pyaar karti hoon tumse.....aur mujhe 5 bache bhi chahiye..isliye jaldi kar rahi hoon" confessed Harleen blushing

Ekam was stunned by her reply. With great difficuly he focussed on driving, but he reduced the speed

"5 bache..?" Ekam repeated faintly

"Haa...5 bache..mein momsi ki akeli beti thi canada mein..mujhe humesha se badi family chahiye thi..u know sisters and brothers koi nahi tha.....bachpan mein bohot akeli hoti thi..toh mein chahti hoon ki meri big family ho"

"5 bache Harleen! Tumhe pata hai ki ek bache ko paalne ke liye kitna expense hota hai..uska education, shaadi,healthcare...utne mein toh mera saara salary nikal jaayega..aur tum 5 chaahati ho..aur kaise manage karenge hum....sabka dekhbhaal karna bohot mushkil hoga.." Said Ekam with frustration. He was not good with kids..to take care of one kid was tough enough..Harleen was thinking about 5

"Bachon ka dekhbhaal mein karlungi..tum tension mat lo.."

"Par 1 bacha kaafi hai ..5 zyaada hai"

"Nahi 5 chahiye...2 ladki 3 ladke.."

"2..ek ladka aur ek ladki"

"Theek hai lekin agar donom ladke huye to 3 chahiye..mujhe ek beti chahiye"

"Deal" said ekam heaving a sigh of relief. Two seemed reasonable to him.

"Chalo 2 baar hee sahi...pass toh aaoge tum"  Harleen murmured

Ekam was shocked by her brashness. But he guessed that she would be forward due to her Canadian roots. Those blue eyes reminded him that she was half Canadian. He parked the car near the hospital.

"Toh issliye 5 bache chahiye the tumhe?" Ekam decided to continue to conversation  since she broached it. He realised that if they were to get married, she will be having expections from him as her husband. He was uncomfortable  at the very thought of being with anyone else than Nehmat. Maybe he should just break off the marriage.

"Mujhe bache pasand hai...vaise 50 saal ki shaadi mein 5 koi bada demand toh nahi hai" Harleen replied not backing off. 

"Nahi hai....mana karne ke liye abhi bhi vakt hai Harleen...soch lo...tum ek aise pati deserve karte ho jo tumse pyaar kare..jo tumhe sarakhon par baithe..jo tumhe utna hi chaahe jitna tum use chahate hon..bas woh insaan mein nahi hoon..aur na kabhi ban paaunga...mere dil mein sirf Nehmat hai..tum meri zimmidari banogi..pyaar nahi"

 A moment of silence passed between them

"Soch liya Ekam..shaadi karni hai toh  sirf tumse..aur mein jaanti hoon .tum shayad kabhi mujhse pyaar nahi karoge..par mein yeh bhi jaanti hoon ki tumhare shaadi ek aisi ladki se ho rahi hai jo tumse pyaar karti hai..tumhe sarakon par rakhti hai...aur tumhare ek smile ke liye kuch bhi kar sakti hai....tumhe apna nahi bana sakti toh kya hua...mein toh tumhari ho chuki hoon"

Ekam looked at Harleen. There was a fierce  determination on her face. She had made up her mind. There was no turning back for her now.

"Toh mujhe tumhe 50 saal jhelna padega?" Ekam said with a slight smile

"Probably usse kai zyaada...hum tum..aur hamare do bache.." Replied Harleen beaming at him

"Tumhe 2 hee chahiye the naa..?" Ekam looked at her suspiciously and Harleen burst out laughing

"Mujhe laga mere ASP ko pehle se hee pata tha...agar 2 bolti toh tum bachon keliye maante hee nahi.."

"Aisa nahi hai..meine bhi khwaab dekha tha..ek choti see family..ek cute see beti..bilkul Nehmat.." He stopped the sentence halfway..bilkul Nehmat ki tarah..that was what he wanted. But fate had other plans

Harleen placed her hand on his shoulder

"Humari beti hongi..bilkul tumhari tarah..tumhari smile ...tumhaari aankhein..bahut cute see ek beti..kya pata use dekte hee tum kaho ki 4 aur beti chahiye.."

Ekam smiled at her. She was a soothing balm to his aching heart.Distracting him, even if it lasted for a few moments from the gut wrenching pain he was in.

"Agar beti hui toh tumhari  jaisi smile honi chahiye.....ab chalo doctor ke paas" Ekam replied surprising Harleen

They went inside the hospital towards the reception when Ekam saw Nehmat rushing towards emergency wing. Her dress was stained in blood and there was a man who looked like an advocate in the hospital bed. He was badly injured

Ekam screamed "Nehmat"

Nehmat saw Ekam and rushed into his arms.

(To be contd)

Looking forward to the next part- please post soon! <3

Part 4

Nehmat didnt know how long she stood there wrapped in Ekam's arms. She was safe with him.

"Ekam...accident hua...mujhe lagta hai ki tum sahi the...shayad advait.."

She felt Ekam tense up. She suddenly went quiet. She shouldn't have said anything.What would Ekam do now....She looked up to see Ekam looking murderous. She had never seen him so angry.

"Uski himmat kaisi hui.." Roared Ekam shocking both Nehmat and Harleen. 

" Chodunga nahi use..."

Harleen watched as Nehmat tried to stop Ekam from going after Advait.She had never seen Ekam so angry in her life. She knew he would not stop. When it came to Nehmat, Ekam saw no logic ,no reason. She knew that Ekam would pay no heed to her words even if she tried to stop him. If Nehmat couldn't  stop him, Harleen certainly couldn't .She saw Ekam gesture Nehmat to leave him , his eyes spitting fire as he rushed towards Advait's house.

***

Suspended.

Ekam felt anger bubbling up again...He was suspended for slapping a criminal..A monster  who tried to kill his Nehmat. He was suspended for protecting his love. For mixing his personal and professional  life. 

What did SP sir want? Just because Advait was MLA, should Ekam  do nothing? Watch as he try to kill Nehmat again. He punched his hand on the steering wheel and drove faster...He wanted to go home...There was nowhere else to go..He was no more ASP Ekam Randhawa...

Renuka was happily chatting with her friends over phone about the wedding preparation when she saw her son walk in. His dishevelled state bewildered  her

"Ekam yeh kya hua?"

"Mujhe suspend kar diya gaya hai"

"Par kyun?..aisa kya hua?"  Renuka came to him looking worried

Ekam remained silent

"Tum kuch bologe Ekam?" Said Renuka

"Yeh kya batayega...mein batati hoon na...abhi meri baat hui Naaz se...isne Advait kapoor ko uske hee ghar mein jaakar maara hai" said Mallika who came out of her room. Naaz had called her earlier and informed about Ekam's misdemenour 

"Nehmat ka koi accident hone waala tha..use toh kuch hua bhi nahi..par isse toh hero banne ki aadat hai...isne advait par yeh ilzaam lagaya hai ki usne apni biwi ko maarne ki koshish ki hai...woh bhi bina koo zaboot ke...ASP ke uniform mein romeo vaala harkar karega toh suspension toh milna hee tha naa.."

"Mallika tuje sach nahi pata...advait ne Nehmat ko maarne ki koshish ki thi.."

"Agar ki bhi thi toh tuje kya...?"

"Mein ek police officer hoon..public ki hifasat karna mera kaam hai.."

Mallika laughed. "Acha toh yeh bahana hai tera...yeh tune jo kiya...MLA ko jo chaatta maara hai...woh bhi bina koi zaboot ke..ek accident ko tune murder attempt bana diya ..yeh teri duty nahi hai ...ya tera pagalppan hai"

"Mujhe yakeen nahi ho raha ki tu kabhi Nehmat ki dost hua karti thi...uski jaan par hamla hua hai aur tuje iss baat ki koi parvah nahi?"

"Mujhe apni bhai ki job ki parvah hai.Nehmat ke peeche tu apni zindagi.barbad kar raha hai.."

"Nehmat mera pyaar hai..meri zindagi hai..meri rooh hai..uske liye mein sab kuch barbaad karne ke liye tayyar hoon" 

SLAP

Renuka slapped her son for the first time in her life..Her hands were shaking in anger..Ekam looked too stunned to speak

"Nehmat Nehmat Nehmat....teri zindagi ..rooh sabkuch woh ladki haina..jisne kisi aur se shaadi ki..teri zindagi barbad ki.teri behen ki zindagi barbad ki..phir bhi tera yeh pagalppan khatam nahi ho raha na...acha hua ki tera papa nahi hai aaj..warna tera suspension ki khabar sun nahi paate woh"

Renuka continued 

"Uss ladki ke chakkar mein tune sharab peena shuru kiya..meine kuch nahi bola..kyunki mujhe pata tha ki tu dard mein tha..phir jab Harleen teri zindagi mein aayi toh muje laga ki teri zindagi mein khushiyaan aayegi...lekin tuje khushiyan nahi chaayiye..tujhe toh woh manhoos chahiye....aur uski chakkar mein tune MLA ko chatta maara? Suspend ho gaya...aur tuje to apne kiye karaye par afsoz bhi nahi...balki tuje toh lagta hai tu kissi medal ke layak hai"

"Tera pyar Vardi se upar nahi hai Ekam. Tune na vardi ki izzat ki na apni family ki..tujhe to sirf nehmat dikhti haina..Jaa..nikkal ja meri ghar se..tujhe humari fikar nahi na..tu ja uske paas..Mujhe teri shakal nahi deknna...Ja.." Shouted Renuka. 

"Jahan meri pyaar ka izzat nahi,wahan mein bhi nahi rahna chahta" said Ekam walking out of his house

Renuka watched as Ekam left the house and she collapsed on the floor. Mallika helped her on to the chair with soothing words. Renuka knew she was harsh on Ekam..She would call him back after her anger calmed down..Her son lost his job..he left his house...All because of Nehmat..she hated her..

Renuka picked up the phone and called Nehmat

"Namaste auntiji"

"Teri kya dushmani hai mere bete se..aaj teri vajah se mere bete ko suspension mila hai"

"Suspension? Kya hua aunty.."

"Kya hua..tu pooch rahi hai ki kya hua..Ekam ne Advait par haath uthaaya..kyunki use laga ki advait tuje maarna chahta hai..MLA par haat uthayega toh kya hoga...yeh sab teri vajah se hai"

"Aunty muje nahi pata tha ki.."

"Bas mujhe teri koi baat nahi suneni..mere bete ko baksh do" Renuka cut the call.

Nehmat was stunned. She knew Ekam would go after Advait.But to hit him..then get suspended..and somehow she..Nehmat was blamed for his recklessness. His job..ASP..a suspension..a forever blackmark on his career because  of her. His love for her. She felt suffocated in his love. His overprotective nature had done irreparable  damage on his career.Advait was the sitting MLA

Ekam needed to be reminded that love was not everything  in life. There was a life beyond it. He had duties beyond it. She needed to be strong. She needed to remind him. His love for her was like fire.Destroying everything  including himself. That needed to be stopped. She dialled Ekam's number on her phone

"Ha bol Nehmat..tu theek haina?"

Nehmat could hear the anxiety  in his voice. Even after so much happenings, he was still worried about her

"Tujhe kya zaroorat thi Advait ko haath lagane ki?..suspend ho gaya na?"

"Usne jo tere saath kiya..mein toh use maarna chahta tha"

"Tu hota kaun hai mere pati ko haath laganevaala..meine kaha tha naa..mat pad humaari beech mein..tujhe roka tha naa hospital mein..kitni baar kaha tha..ki meine advait ko car mein nahi dekha..bas thoda shak tha...ek shak ke buniyad par tune MLA par haath uthaya.."

"Nehmat..usne tuj par hamla kiya.."

"Tu suspend ho gaya hai ekam"

"Mujhe koi farak nahi padta"

"Mujhe padta hai ekam..lok toh yehi kahenge ki meri vajah se tuje suspension  mila..par sach toh yeh hai ki teri suspension ki vajah sirf tum ho..agar tuje apni kaam karne aate toh yeh naubat nahi aata..zaboot dhoodne ki bajai tune use thappad maara..agar asli policeman hote toh dimag se kaam leta..teri iss bewakoofi ki vajah se meri badnami ho rahi hai"

"Mera pyaar ab tujhe bewakoofi lagne laga hai?"

"Tera pyaar mujhe ab jeene nahi de raha..jab meri shaadi hui thi, tab bhi tu mere aaspaas hee mandraata tha..isliye advait aur meri shaadi chal nahi paayi..ab teri harleen ke saath sagai hui hai..tu woh rishta bhi imaandari se nahi nibha paa raha...muje laga tu apne kaam.toh theek se kar lega..lekin tujse woh bhi nahi.hota...tujhe jo karna hai kar..bas meri life mein dakhal mat kar..aur ha..agar ho sake to advait se maafi maang le aur apna job vaapas pa le"

"Ho gaya..?ya aur bhi kuch kehne ke liye baaki hai?" Asked Ekam in a calm yet dangerous voice

Nehmat didnt reply.

"Meine jo bhi kiya, theek kiya. Tere aur advait ki shaadi uski harkaton ke vajah se thooti..yeh tu bhi jaanti hai aur mein bhi.aur rahi baat Harleen ki, teri kehne par meine usse shadi karne ki faisla kiya tha..aur yeh baat woh jaanti hai.tujhe toh sabki fikar hai nehmat..harleen ki, advait ki...teri khud ki..mera kya?sabki feelings ki kadar hai...siva mere pyaar ka"

Ekam cut the call not awaiting her answer. More than angry, he was disappointed. Tired of all the fighting with his mom and Nehmat.

His mother didnt understand his love.That he had expected. But Nehmat...her words rang in his ears

Did Nehmat really feel that he was the reason for her divorce?that he could not be a good fiance ...a good police officer..he was not a good son...he remembered the countless nights he spend preparing for the exams..his pride and joy in wearing the uniform....the happiness in his family's eyes, Nehmat's eyes ..when he got selected as ASP

And now he was suspended..kicked out of house..and now he was here alone in the sports gym. He started hitting the punching bag without gloves with all his force.He wanted to feel something other than the emptiness he felt at the moment..even physical pain would be welcome

His childhood love..his soul..the words had hurt him more than he could even imagine..not even the suspension hurt him that much...he had done everything  for her..fought with everyone for her..and yet she couldnt understand  why he did it..she couldn't  see his love...she saw what the world saw...his suspension..Did love really feel like this?Humiliating...painfull..all he felt from loving Nehmat was pain.He remembered the good old days when his love was the light of his life...But now..it was a source of pain and insults and hopelessness. He felt empty.

He punched the bag continously. He was sweating,he could feel his heart beat,he didnt know how much time lapsed. He continued punching it focussing all his anger on it. Time lapsed but he found no peace.

Ekam felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Harleen.He had no idea how she found him..and he didnt care at the moment. He didnt want to hear her screaming at him as well.

"Harleen mujhe akela chod do...mujhe tumse.koi baat nahi karni"

Harleen took his hands in hers and looked at the knuckles.They were swollen.He didnt care. 

Her eyes met his.

"Na rishta nibhana aata hai..naa kaam karna aata hai..naa bharosa karna aata hai....kuch nahi aata Harleen..zindagi ne hara diya mujko"Ekam told Harleen with a painful smile.

There was nothing in his life

"Bas" she said moving closer to him. 

She placed her hands on either side of his face

"Ekam....tumhare zindagi ka sabse lowest point yeh toh nahi hainaa....iss se bhi bura waqt  dekha hainaa.....jab uncle nahi rahe.....jab behen ki shaadi tooti aur tumhe laga ki tumhara pyaar tumhe dhoka diya.....tab toh himmat nahi haare....toh ab kaise haaroge....ek suspension hee toh hai....wapas bula lenge..nahi toh koi aur kaam kar lenge...mera hero toh terrorist ke saamne bhi haar nahi maana..goli lagi tab bhi haar nahi maana...suspension kya cheez hai"

Harleen smiled at him.Ekam swept her off her feet as he hugged her . He felt a sense of relief in her arms. She was right.This was not the lowest point in his life.  Harleen stroked his hair as she huggged him back. She could feel him relaxing in her arms. She had searched almost the entire village to find him. Renuka had informed her about the fight and had asked her to bring him home.

Ekam released her and put her down to her feet.Harleen didnt release her hands around his neck

"Aunty bohot worried hai..tumhare mobile par kam se kam 50 miscall honge..ghar chalo"

"Mein nahi ja raha.." Said ekam turning his face away from her

"Hmm...yahan toh nahi reh sakte...toh..mere ghar chaloge?" Said Harleen winking at him

"Chahe jo bhi situation  ho..tum line maarna ke chance dhoondh hee leti ho" replied Ekam releasing himself from her hold.

Harleen held his arm in her arm not willing to let go

"Chalo na Ekam...aunty worried thi..unki bp bhi high ho gayi thi."

"Mom ko kya hua?"

"Khabarane ki baat nahi hai..meine doctor ko bulaya tha..sab theek hai...meine bola hai ki tumhe saath leke aaungi..."

Ekam didnt resist after hearing about this mother's health.

As they drove to his house, Ekam was suddenly aware of Harleen. He had always considered her as an irritation. But now something had changed. He was aware of how fast her heart beats, the rhythm of her breathing,  the slight tremble she felt in his arms. For the first time , he had noticed everything about her.He didnt know how long he had hugged her.But something had changed and he was terrified by it.

(To be contd)

Oh my goddddddd- I got butterflies reading the last part ❤️

I always thought Ekam looked good with Harleen and Nehmat with Advait.

Thank you for the update...love the last bit ...hope you will update soon.