Few days passed by and Anamika was bed ridden by now, she hardly ate anything or converse with anyone and because of that her son was suffering as well.

Vineet was in guilt as he got to know that Anamika's friend's father is dead because they weren't able to operate on him in time. Vineet was saddened to know that and thought it's the reason behind Anamika's health issues.

It's another day, Anamika was in the room feeding her son and was lost in her thoughts.

Vineet was staring at her holding a food plate in his hands. It's been a week, she hasn't been on a proper diet.

''Ana, tum khaaogi nahi toh kaise chalega. Ek bafta ho gaya hai, tumne dhang se kuch khaya nahi aur iss wajah se Bubu ki tabiyat bhi bigad rahi hai. Apne liye nahi toh uske liye hi kha lo, please!'' He requested, concerned for his wife and son.

''Mujhe bhookh nahi hai Vineet, don't force me.'' She replies concentrating on her son, caressing his head gently.

Vineet keep the plate on the side table and holds her hand, ''Ana, jo hua usko hum badal nahi sakte aur na hi tumhare aise bhookhe rehne se kuch thik hoga.'' He tries to make her understand.

Anamika looked at him sharply,''tumhare liye bahut aasan hai ye kehna kyunki tumhe dusron se fark nahi padta you know only your good par main tumhari tarah nahi ho sakti. You can't understand what i'm going through.'' She taunts him, her eyes turned watery.

Vineet down his gaze,''I.. I know meine galat kiya aur mujhe iss baat ka pachtawa bhi hai. I'm sorry!!'' He apologies, not meeting her gaze.

''Tumhare sorry se kuch thik nahi ho sakta Vineet, mujhe akela chod do please, leave me alone!!'' She requested turning away her head to the other side.

Vineet stares at her for a few moments but leaves the room taking Akshit in his arms. He knows he's at fault, because of his ignorance a person lost his life and his wife is not able to bear that pain. She's guilty of not being able to help her friend.

******

Around an hour later,Vineet returned home. He had a smile on his face as he got some idea to cheer his wife up. But when he enters his home he finds some unfamiliar faces - - some police officials. They were questioning something to Anamika who was having a hard time answering their question.

Vineet handed Akshit to Nanny and headed towards Anamika. Savita and  Anamika were surprise to see his questionable gaze.

''Inspector aap yahan?'' Vineet asks, gazing at the officer, Anamika and Savita freezes at their place.

''Yes, Mr. Singhania hum yahan ek rape case ke baare mei investigation karne aaye hai, I mean uss aadmi ki pechaan karwane ke liye!'' Inspector told him, making the ladies tremble at their place.

''Rape case!??'' Vineet was astonished.

''Jii!! Anamika ji eyewitness hai uss case ki issliye hum unse milne aaye the. Well, hamari puchtach aab khatam ho gayi hai!'' The inspector says and takes their leave.

As he and his officials leave the house Vineet turns to his mother and wife.

''Ye kis case ki baat kar rahe the inspector? Aap logon ne mujhe kuch bataya kyun nahi?'' Vineet questions them, his voice rough.

Savita and Anamika exchange glances. They don't want to tell him the truth because they know he will ask them to take back the case and would scold them for interfering in someone else's matter. Though the case is personal for Anamika as the girl who was raped was Anamika's friend whom she wanted to help for her father's treatment.

The girl was in great need, her father's health was getting low day by day and so she thought to take leave of few days from her work place but her boss's friend rape her in his absence. Anamika who was there to pick her witness the crime, she tried to catch the guy but it was useless, he ran away.

Now the other lady is admitted in hospital, she's critical while on the other side her father died knowing the condition of his daughter.

''Bataoge kya hua hai?'' Vineet question again, this time a bit loudly.

Savita sighs deeply,''tu kya karega jaan ke waise bhi tujhe kissi aur ke maamle mei padna nahi hota toh jaan ke bhi faida nahi tere liye.'' She says briefly.

Vineet rolled his eyes. Okay, he knows, he doesn't like to interfere in someone else's matters but it doesn't mean he won't help the needy. Though, he knows that his mother and wife think that he's selfish.

''Kissi ki help karne mei faida ya nuksaan nahi hota maa! Haan main manta hoon mujhe logon ke maamle mei padma aacha nahi lagta par iska ye matlab nahi main matlabi hoon ya kissi ki help nahi karna chahta.'' He says, trying to prove that he's not heartless.

They stare at him with utter silence as if calculating whether to tell him anything or not.

''Please! I promise main tum dono ko nahi rokunga kuch karne se!'' He exclaims.

They gaze at each other again and look at him. Savita asks him to take a seat which he follows silently.

''Ana ki jis friend ko help chahiye thi wo abhi hospitalised hai, she was raped by her boss's friend.'' Savita says and tells him how everything shattered in a few hours. How that girl lost everything just in a few moments.

Anamika though witness but couldn't help her and she's in guilt for not being able to save her friend.

Vineet was shocked to learn the truth, he took a glance at Anamika who had tears in her eyes and her gaze was down.

''Aap dono ne mujhe ye pehle kyun nahi bataya?'' He questions.

''Kaise batate? Tujhe kuch kaho toh tu humein hi suna deta hai ki hum jabardasti logon ke maamle mei padte hai. Fir iss case mei itne paise laag rahe hai jo tu kabhi dega nahi, apna nuksaan karke dusron ki madad tu karta nahi aur na hi humei karne deta toh kya faida tha tujhe kuch batane ka.'' Savita stated.

Vineet took a deep breath, his mother and wife don't trust him and he's the reason. He can't blame them. They are in so much stress and struggling to arrange money but didn't ask for any help from him.

''Aap dono paise kahan se laaye?'' He questioned not meeting their gaze.

''Ek FD thi meri, kaafi pehle mature ho chuki thi par kabhi jarurat nahi padi toh choda hua tha. Ussi se paise nikale aur kuch meri aur Ana ki savings thi unhe use kiya.'' Savita told him, making him more guilty.

An utter silence prevails between them.

Vineet looked at them and parted his lips to say when a sound distracted them. Someone has thrown a stone on their glass window. The glass broke and the stone hit the table followed by more.

They immediately hid themselves knowing who the person could be. They heard threats from outside, a guy was threatening them. The process continues for a long time until they get tired and leave from there.

Savita and Anamika seem scared with their words, Vineet pulls them in a warm hug to calm them.

***

Vineet had called the cops and told them what happened a few moments ago and asked for police protection for his family. Four constables were appointed immediately for protection and Vineet appointed some private guards.

''Jaane sab kaise hoga, kaahin hamari mehnat barbad na ho jaaye.'' Savita says expressing her fear.

Vineet holds her hand,''don't worry maa, aisa kuch nahi hoga. Main tum dono ki mehnat zaya nahi hone dunga! Jisne bhi galti ki hai usse saja jarur milegi!'' Vineet states, he seems dedicated to prove himself before the ladies.

Savita was surprised but smiles to learn that her son is with them in this. She cups his face and pecks his head.

''Ek baar, Ana se baat karle. Usne sab apni aankho se dekha tha, bahut darri hui hai wo aur tut bhi gayi hai usse teri jarurat hai.'' Savita says meaningfully.

Vineet nodded and moved to his room.

He opens the door and finds her standing near the window. He headed to her and wrapped his arms around her affectionately.

He can feel her sobbing with his affectionate touch. He caressed her arms and placed a kiss on her shoulder, silently telling her that he's with her, with this she turns to him and hugs him tightly hiding her face in his chest, she breaks down in tears.

Vineet caressed her back to calm her. When she was calm, he made her sit on the bed, cleaned her face and held her hands in between his warm hands.

''Bahut dil dukhaya na tumhara, meri wajah se itne din se chup rahi, ghutti rahi par kuch bataya nahi sab meri wajah se. Par main promise karta hoon main aage se aisa kabhi nahi karunga aur tumhari iss ladaai mei main tumhara pura saath dunga!'' He exclaims as he pecks her hand.

Anamika gazes at him tearily and pecks his head for she knows he won't back off his words.

He embraces her in his arms, they remain like that for many moments until his phone rings breaking their trance.

He attended the call and chuckled. Anamika was confused to see him laughing over the phone.

A moment later Vineet hung up the call and gazed at her.

He held her hand and told her that her childhood friend wants to meet her. Anamika was confused, she gazed at him blankly as it's been years since she lost contact with her friend.

''Main sach keh raha hoon Ana! Abhi Jazs ka call tha, she's excited to meet you chalo na chalte hai!'' He insisted, a smile form on her lips hearing her friend's name but then she realises her situation. She has to give a statement in the court on Monday, how can she leave the state?

''Hearing Monday ko hai aur aaj toh friday hi hai. Hum sab do din ke liye jaa sakte hai, sunday sham tak wapas aa jaayenge hum.'' He told her the plan but she doesn't seem convinced.

''Bunnu sahi keh raha hai Ana, chale jao tumhe bhi change milega aur hearing mei toh time hai abhi.'' Savita says convincingly who just entered the room.

Anamika seems hesitant but agrees when they insist.

''Good, tum dono ho aao aur saath hi Aakash( their family friend) ki anniversary bhi attend kar lena!'' Savita told them.

''Hum sab jaayenge Maa!'' Vineet told her but Savita denied as she had some work.

''Tum dono meri chinta maat karo, aab yahan itni security hai aur waise bhi bas do din ki baat hai.'' Savita convinces them.

Thinking a lot, they agreed. Vineet books the tickets while Anamika packs their bags. Soon, they leave the state.

Anamika was happy to see the other side of her husband.

****
They meet Anamika's friend the other day. Anamika was excited to see her friend, her happiness seemed no bound but her friend realized that she's low and asked about the matter.

Anamika though doesn't want to bother her but told her friend, Saumya, the incident she witnessed.

Saumya was shocked but promised to help her if needed, Anamika thanked her.

Amidst their talks they didn't realise the time. It's already evening and Anamika has to attend the anniversary, she begins to leave but her son seems to be more interested in Saumya so she has to leave the baby with her friend and take her leave with Vineet.

In the next twenty minutes, they reach the party destination when they are welcomed by Aakash and his wife.

As the party starts Vineet did something which leaves Anamika touched and she smiles widely.

...

To be continued..