Flashback continued

Preeta followed her mother out of the room. She stood silently as Sarla moved to stand in front of Bani Dadi.

"Preeta aapke saath aapke ghar jayegi!" she said looking at Bani Luthra in the eyes.

Everyone looked at her shocked.

"Sarla?"

"Ha Biji, Preeta Luthra house jayegi"

"Bahenji aap yeh kya kahe rahi hai?" Janki asked.

"Mujhe iss baat par aur koi baat nahi karni! Mujhe lagta hai aab hume chaalna chaahiye"

Bani and Sameer looked at one another and smiled.

"Preeta putar aapna saaman pack karle" Bani said while Preeta continued to look at Sarla.

"Nahi!" Sarla said "Aap log Biji, Janki aur Shrishti ke saat jaiye, mein aur Preeta auto se aa jaayenge!" she continued leaving no room for argument.

Preeta watched as everyone left closing the door behind them. she could hear the press shouting their questions even with the door and windows closed.

"Dekh rahi hai tu?"

Preeta turned to look at Sarla confused with her question.

"Issiliye meine kaha tha ke Luthra family se dur rahe... Karan se dur rahe! Lekin tune kabhi meri baat nahi suni! Preeta hum bahoot mamuli log hai, humare liye hamari izzat saabse zaroori hai.

Preeta continued to listen as Sarla moved closer to her and gently lead her to the sofa so that they could sit down and talk.

"Mein janti hoon ke tujhe mera faisla aajeeb lagraha hai, shayad tujhe ye bhi lage ke mein tujhe saaza de rahi hoon ya in aakbaar walo se darr gaiyi hoon... lekin aise baat nahi hai Preeta mujhe meri izzat se zayda meri beti pyaari hai! Uss parivaar ne hamisha tumhari bezaati ki hai tumhare aatma saman ko thes pochaiyi hai! Aur aaj kismaat ne tumhe khud ko sahi saabit karne ka mauka diya hai"

"Maa aap yeh..."

"Hai Preeta mein chaahti hoon ke tu uss ghar mein ja aur tu khud ko sahi sabit kar aur uss Sherlyn aur Mahira ko unki sahi jagha dikha! Uske baad tu agar aapne ghar aapni Maa ke paas zindagi bhar rahe tho bhi mein saar utha ke kahungi ke Preeta meri beti hai aur mujhe usspe naaz hai!"

Preeta dove into her mother's arms feeling overwhelmed with the love and support she was giving. Having lived most of her life without her mother she sometimes forgot that she didn't have to handle everything alone, that she didn't always have to be strong for others because her mother would always be there for her!

"Maa..."

"Ha?"

"Mein... woh..."

"Bol beta kya baat hai?"

"Maa mein usske saath kaise... matlab mein..."

"Karan ke saath rahene mein dikaat hai!"

"Maa..." Preeta looked at her mother who smiled at her daughters surprised face.

"Aise maat dekh, Maa hoon teri! Samajti hoon ke tujhe kya parishaan karta hai"

"Maa ussne mujhe bohot hurt kiya hai..." she finally admitted looking away from Sarla "... mein usse maaf nahi kar sakti!"

"Toh maat kar maaf!" Sarla said causing Preeta to look at her again "Preeta meine tujhe Luthra house jane keliye kaha hai Karan ko maaf karna na karna teri maarzi hai! Agar tu usse maaf nahi kar sakti hai tho wahan rahe ke usse bhi saaza de! Woh bhi uss Sherlyn aur Mahira ki jaisa hai... Ghatiya aur dhokebaaz!"

"MAA! Yeh aap kya kahe rahi hai? Karan ki tulna Sherlyn aur Mahira se aap kaise kar sakti hai?!" she demanded. Sarla smiled at her daughter knowingly. Preeta had jumped up and had raised her voice, realising what she was doing Preeta turned to look at the closed window unable to face Sarla.

"Tu jo bhi kahe lekin tu aaj bhi Karan se pyaar karti hai!" Sarla said turning Preeta to face her.

"Nahi..." before Preeta had the chance to deny her claim Sarla continued.

"Mein janti hoon ke joh bhi ussne kiya hai galat hai! Lekin usse aab tu sahi karegi! Usse yeh ahsaas dilake ke woh kitna galat hai! jitna meine Karan ko jana hai usski saabse badi saaza yeh hogi ke usse saach paata chale... usse yeh ahsaas ho ke ussne jo tere saath kiya hai woh galat hai aur jo huwa uss mein teri koi galti nahi thi!"

"Lekin Maa..."

"Dekh Preeta tu usse divorce dene se maana karti hai aur phir yeh jatati hai ke tu usse pyaar nahi karti, usse aapna pati nahi maanti. Yeh jhoot tu khudse bol sakti hai lekin teri aakho mein saaf saaf dikh raha hai ke tu aaj bhi usska intazaar kar rahi hai, ke woh tujhe lene aaiyega! Meine bhi yehi galti kari thi..."

"Maa..." Preeta put her had on her mothers shoulder to comfort her seeing the pain reflecting in her eyes.

"Ha beta meine bhi yehi galti kari thi jab tere Papa mujhe chood ke gayiye the! Mein unke peeche nahi gaiyi, yehi soochti rahi ke galti unki hai aur jab unhe uss galti ka ahsaas ho jayega to woh khud aa jayenge aur mujse maafi maangnege lekin..." she couldn't complete thinking about her late husband.

"Maa please aap roye maat" Preeta pleaded. Sarla wiped her tears and continued

"Jo galti maine ki woh tu maat kar! Aur waise bhi tu aajke zaamane ki larki hai! Agar tera pati tujhe chorde de ya ghar se nikalde to tujhe baith ke rona nahi hai! Tujhe usse yeh dikhana hai ke aajkal ki larkiya chup chaap baith ke aapne pati aur sasural walo ki baate nahi sunti aur nahi unke zulm sahe ti hai! Tujhe Karan to samjana hai ke woh tera haq kisi aur ko nahi de saaka hai aur tu iss baat ka intazaar nahi karegi ke woh tujhe yeh haq de! Tum aapna haq khud le sakti hai!"

"Ha Maa aap theek kahe rahi hai! Karan mera pati hai! Mein nahi janti ke mein usse maaf karungi ya nahi lekin ussne mujhse aapni marzi se shadhi ki thi, bina meri marzi jaane, aur aab usse yeh shadhi nibhani padegi kyunki mein yeh chaahti hoon! Luthra parivaar ne humare saath bohot galat kiya hai, hamesha humari aachaiyii ka fayida uthaiya hai, mera unhki baate bina kuch kahe sunna meri kamzori samja hai lekin aab nahi! Aab jo hoga woh meri marzi se hoga! Aaj tak unke saamne Preeta thi lekin aaj uss ghar mein Preeta nahi, Mrs Karan Luthra jaiyengi!" She declared.

Sarla smiled, "Jeeti rahe meri baachi, bhagwaan kare ke tere har kaam mein teri jeet ho!"

Preeta hugged her mother feeling a sense of security knowing that she would always support her and right now this is what she needed the most.

Preeta was suddenly jerked out of her thoughts by the rain. She blinked her eyes and looked up to find herself looking at Karan Luthra who was staring at her – a very dry looking Karan Luthra! She looked around to see that the rest of the terrace too was completely dry, it appeared to have only rained on her. As she continued try and figure out what had happened she noticed Karan hiding something behind his back

"Yeh tum kya chupa rahe ho?" she demanded

"Mein? Kuch... kuch nahi!"

Before he had the chance to react she quickly stood and grabbed the hand he was holding behind his back and bought it forward only to find an empty watering can. She looked at him in shock realising that the rain wasn't the reason she was wet but it was this crazy man in front of her who had watered her down with the watering can like she was some sort of garden plant.

"Yeh kya hai?" she asked exacerbated.

"Yeh... Yeh woh..." he stuttered as he started taking a few steps backwards

"Woh kya?" she growled as she followed him at the same pace. Karan's back hit the terrace wall and he realised that he was trapped and looking at the anger radiating from her he knew she would kill him!

"Tum... tum... Preeta Aro... I mean Preeta Luthra! Stop!" his sudden command startled her causing her to stop in her tracks and she looked at him "Tum na mujhe darrane ki koshish maat karo okay! I'm 'The Karan Luthra' aur tum..."

"Aur mein? Mein kya? Kya main?" she said stepping into his personal space "Yeh kya kiya tumne?"

"Me... meine ku... kuch nahi kiya!" he said looking here and there like a naughty child that had been caught red handed with his hand in the cookie jar before dinner. His expression almost made her smile but then Preeta remembered that this crazy man had dumped cold water all over her.

"Tumne kuch nahi kiya tho yeh kya hai?" she said pointing to herself.

"Woh... woh meine nahi kiya..." he gulped as Preeta narrowed her eyes and continued to glare at him "I mean ha meine kiya lekin... lekin... ha issme tumhari galti hai!"

"Tumne mujhpe pani dala aur ussme bhi meri galti hai?" she asked trying to understand the inner workings of his devilish mind.

"Ha tumhari galti hai!" he said feeling more confident "Tumhe kabse dhoondh raha hoon aur tum yahan ho, aur upar se kabse tumhe awaaz de raha hoon, aur tum ho ke patta nahi kahan khoi huwi ho ke mujhe, 'The Karan Luthra' ko ignore kar rahi ho! Are larkiya maarti hai mujhse baat kaarne ke liye aur tum ho ki... koi kadar hi nahi hai! Hamesha daanti rahti ho aur darrati rahti ho!" He stepped forward making Preeta take a step back only to grab her by the arms and reverse their positions so that Preeta now had her back pressed to the wall. Preeta gasped in shock finding herself unable to move as Karan caged her in his arms.

"Kya hai? Dur hatto!" she said after struggling to move him out of her personal space.

"Nahi hatta kya karlogi?" she made the mistake of looking into his eyes and found herself lost to her surroundings.

Mahira who had followed Karan in happiness when she had seen him walking towards the terrace fisted her hands in anger at the sight. When Karan had walked past her room this late at night she had assumed that he and Preeta had argued and he was going to the terrace to get away from her.

Her senseless brain had seen it as a perfect opportunity to add fuel to the fire and increase the anger Karan held for Preeta. However, her hopes had been quickly dashed when she saw Karan walking towards Preeta who was already sitting on the terrace. She was too far away to hear what was going on but she notice Karan saying something and making strange hand gestures, before picking up the watering can and throwing the water on Preeta who hadn't moved from where she was sitting.

She had laughed seeing this thinking that Karan must have been telling Preeta off and in his frustration he had poured water on her but, looking at the two of them pressed so close together she fumed and in her anger she kicked a flowerpot that was close to her causing it to topple over and smash. She almost screamed at the pain the shot through her foot but covered her mouth suppressing herself. Seeing that the sound had broken Karan and Preeta out of their moment she quickly stepped away from the terrace door and hid to one side so she wouldn't be visible to the duo.

"Yeh kya tha?" Karan asked looking at the doorway, the distraction giving Preeta a chance to push him away from her. Karan turned to look at her but before he had the chance to cage her against the wall again Preeta moved out of his reach.

"Are... kahan ja rahi ho?" Karan said following Preeta who was waking across the terrace "Aur tum kisse dhoondh rahi ho? Mein to yahan hoon tumhare saamne!" he continued not getting a response from her.

Suddenly Preeta stopped causing Karan to bump into her and stumble. She turned and glared at him causing him to take a few steps back that seeing she was in 'attack mode'.

"Woh mein..." but before Karan could finish Preeta turned her face away from him and continued to walk increasing the distance between them. Karan was confused with her reaction; he saw her stop again and then bend over but couldn't see what she was actually doing. As she didn't shout at him, Karan slowly stepped closer to her again.

Preeta who knew Karan well enough to know that he wasn't going to leave her alone, listened for the sound of his slippers tapping against the floor. As soon as she heard the distinctive sound indicating that he was coming towards her again, she smirked looking at what she was holding.

"Baby... Ahhhhhh" Karan's scream echoed on the terrace as Preeta abruptly turned around and drenched him in ice cold water that was coming out of the hosepipe she was holding.

"Yeh kya kar rahi ho tum!" he shouted as he stepped backwards trying to move away from her reach, but Preeta only moved closer and continued to drench him.

Hahahahha "Loser Luthra..." Hahaha "Kya huwa? Abhi toh bada 'I'm The Karan Luthra' kar rahe the aab 'The Karan Luthra' se bheegi bilee bangaye!" Hahahahah she laughed.

"Tumne mujhe, mujhe 'bheegi bilee' bola?" he said pointing to himself in disbelief

Hahahahah "Nahi meine to tumhare bhoot ko kaha!" Hahahha "Loser Luthra, aur koi dikh raha hai tumhe yahan?" the angle of the hosepipe slightly slipping as she follow Karan who was still moving backwards.

"How dare you!" he said pointing a finger at her only to have Preeta lift her had causing the water to splash straight into his face.

Hahahahhahah she started laughing once again. Karan too smiled to himself seeing his babydoll so happy and carefree after so long. However, as she looked at him again a scowl covered his face causing her to laugh more.

"Tumne mujhpe pani pheka tha naa aab bhugto!"

"Acha toh aisi baat hai..."

"Ha aisi baat hai! Tum na mujse panga maat lo, kyun ki tum haar jate ho! Aur tum haarete bohot bura ho!" she taunted.

"Mein aur tumse haaru? Never! I'm 'The Karan Luthra' aur mein kisi se nahi haarta! Aur tumse to bilkul nahi!" and with that he stepped closer to her and wrapped his arm around her waist causing her to let go of the hose pipe in shock, giving him the opportunity to grab it and start to spray her with the water.

The two continued to play with water and chased one another around the terrace. Mahira who was once again watching the scene burned in jealousy and anger. Not being able to take anymore she turned around and stormed off towards her room.

Rishabh who had stepped out of his room to take a phone call noticed her but didn't acknowledge her and she fumed even more at his ignorance. The last thing Rishabh heard was the sound of a bedroom door being slammed shut. He closed his eyes and shook his head and turned to go back in his room after finishing his call, but the sound of shouting stopped him in his tracks.

"Karan aur Preetaji?" he asked himself as he looked around to try and figure out where the sound was coming from. As he walked on to the terrace he instantly rolled his eyes in exacerbation looking at the crazy duo arguing on the terrace in the middle of the night – would these too ever stop behaving like little kids? he thought.

"Tumne shuru kiya tha!"

"Nahi tumne shuru kiya tha!"

"Dekho bajarbatti tumne mujpe, 'The Karan Luthra' pe pani dala! Issliye galti tumhari hai! Toh ab jaldi se sorry bolo!"

"You barajbattu pahele pani tumne dala mujhe pe! Mein toh aaraam se bahthi ti, toh galti tumhari hai aur sorry bhi tumhi bologe!"

"Kar di na Dr Dumbo wali baat, are itni raat ko koi pagal hi hoga jo aise akele terrace pe betha hoga, lekin mein bhi kisse baat kar raha hu?"

"Jab bhi mooh khologe bakwaas hi niklegi! Pagal mein nahi tum ho karele kahike!"

"Ahahaha Kadvee baate tum karo aur mein karela? Sarfireli kareli!"

"Shut up!"

"Not me You Shut up!"

"Yeh kya ho raha hai yahan?" Rishabh finally stepped in causing both Karan and Preeta to turn to look at him.

"Rishabh..."

"Rishabhji aap?"

Rishabh moved closer to the two to find himself losing his balance as he slipped on the wet surface. Both Karan and Preeta closed their eyes knowing what was going to happen.

"Ahhh!" Rishabh shouted as he landed on the floor with a thud. "What the... yeh saab kya hai?"

Preeta and Karan looked at him and then one another and then at Rishabh again before pointing at each other to allocate blame.

"Aiye Kareli tum mujhe umli kyun dikha rahi ho? Yeh saab tumne kiya hai meine nahi!" Karan said reaching to entangle his finger with Preeta's to prevent her from pointing at him.

"What? Meine? Dimag toh kharab nahi hai tumhara? Yeh saab tumhari vajah se huwa hai!" Preeta snapped back trying to free her finger from his grip.

"Babydoll tum bhool rahi ho, tumne mujhpe pani dala tha!"

"Meine nahi tumne!"

"Tumne!"

Rishabh who was still sitting on the floor realised that neither his crazy brother or his friend were going to help him and if he didn't stop them they would continue arguing and end up waking up the whole house. He struggled to get himself upright and them slowly moved closer to the couple who were still arguing.

"Meine kaha TUM Preeta Arora I mean Luthra!"

"Mein nahi tum Loser Luthra!"

"Are bas!" Rishabh snapped as he stepped in between them

"Rishbah yeh Kareli..."

"Karan! Chup!"

"Ha Rishabhji boliye isse..."

"Preetaji aap bhi? Are yeh toh hai hi pagal..."

"Rishabh!" Karan tried to protest but Rishabh ignored him

"... Lekin aap bhi isske saath baacho ki tarha behave karne lagi?"

Preeta pouted and glanced at Karan who was standing somewhat behind Rishabh. Being out of Rishabh's line of sight Karan started silently taunting Preeta causing her to gasp.

"Rishabhji aap mujhe kahe rahe hai aur yeh aap ke peeche..." Rishabh turned to Karan who quickly schooled his expression and was looking at the floor as if he was feeling ashamed by his previous behaviour.

"Preeta yeh kya, tum phirse jagra shuru kar rahi ho? Tumne suna nahi Rishabh ne kya kaha?" Karan smirked as Rishabh looked back at Preeta.

"Tum!" she raised her hands as if to strangle him but stopped herself and looked at Rishabh "Rishabhji aap toh mujhe jante hai, yeh saab Karan ne kiya hai, ussne mujhpe pani dala aur..."

"You bajarbatti! Tum mere bhai se meri jhooti complain karogi? Sharam nahi aati?"

"Sharam my foot..."

"BAS!" Rishabh shouted covering his ears

"Rishabh..."

"Meine bola na bas!" he glared at Karan "I don't care ke yeh saab kisne kiya hai, yah kisne kya bola hai! Tum donone baache nahi ho, behave like adults! Tum done ki befizool ki argument se saab ko disturb hoga aur raat bohot hogaiyi hai tho tum please shaant ho aur abhi ke abhi chup chaap aane kamre mein jao!" Rishabh said causing both Preeta and Karan to nod like obedient children. As they walked inside the house Rishabh looked at the terrace which looked like a tsunami had hit it, but instead of feeling frustrated at Karan and Preeta, Rishabh smiled and looked at the night sky.

"Thank you God, aaj aapne itne dino ke baad mujhe mera paglu lauta diya. Yeh saab Preetaji ke aane se huwa hai! Thank you Preetaji, thank you very much! Mein janta hoon ke hum saab ne aapke saath aacha nahi kiya lekin aab mein aisa kuch nahi hone doonga jiske liye aap ko iss ghar se jaana parde, mere Karan ki zindagi se janna pare! Kyun ke koi dekhe yah na dekhe, koi manne yah na manne lekin yeh baat saach hai ke mera Karan aapke bina nahi rahe saakta! Bohot pyaar karta hai aapse woh aur mein yeh bhi janta hoon ke aap bhi Karan ke bina nahi rahe sakti! Meine jo galti ki hai uski saaza aapko aur Karan ko mili... Dad ko mili... lekin aab mein aapni galti sudharunga! Zaarur sudharunga!" he finished wiping his tears and with a new determination he walked back to his room.

"Tum kahan ja rahi ho?" Karan asked Preeta who walked straight past their room. She continued to walk choosing to ignore his stupid question. "Meine poocha tum kahan ja rahi ho?" he asked again grabbing her arm to stop her from walking away.

"Tum pagal ho kya?"

"What? Pagalo wali harkate tum karti ho aur mein pagal?"

Preeta jerked his hand and looked towards the other end of the hallway to make sure Rishabh wasn't following them before replying

"Mein pagal nahi hoon tum ho! Aur tumne suna nahi Rishabhji ne kya kaha?"

"Meine toh suna tha lekin mujhe lagta hai tumhe aapne kaan check karane chaahiye!"

"What? What do you mean by that? Mere kaan bilkul theek hai okay!"

"Aacha toh tum ja kahan rahi ho?"

"Lagta hai kaan ke saath saath tumhe bhoolne ki bhi bimaari hai... don't worry mein yaad dilate hoon, Rishabhji ne kaha ki raat bohot hogaiyi hai aur hume sona chaahiye. Tumhara toh pata nahi lekin mein Rashabhji ki baate maanti hoon issliye sone ja rahi hoon!"

"Aacha tum Rishabh ki baat manti ho? Thank god tum kisi ki baat toh maanti ho! 'Mein Rishabhji ki baate maanti hoon issliye sone ja rahi hoon!' Pati mein hoon aur yeh Rishabh ki baat manti hai" Karan whispered the last part and made a face while mimicking her.

Preeta jerked her hand out of Karan's feeling more irritated and started moving again only for Karan to grab her hand.

"Tum pagal ho? Yah tumhe split personality disorder hai?"

"Yo..."

"Nahi woh kya hai na abhi abhi tumne kaha ke tum sone ja rahi ho aur aab pata nahi yeh bhatakti aatma baan ke kaha jane ka plan hai"

"Tum na aapni bakwaas bandh karo! Aur mein sone hi ja rahi hoon samje you looser Luthra"

"Sone ja rahi ho? Lekin room toh wahan hai" he said pointing at his bedroom door. Preeta looked at his room and then glared back at him.

"Yeh toh tumhara room hai"

"Ha hai, lekin yeh aab tumhara room bhi hai" he stated frankly.

"What! Tumhara dimak kharab hai kya? Mein tumhare room mein nahi rahoongi! No bilkool nahi! Never!"

"Why not Babydoll?" he said pulling her closer and wrapping his arms around her waist "Shadhi ke baad larki aapne pati ke room mein hi rahti hai" his husky voice sent shivers across his spine as he whispered into her ear.

As he pulled back to look at her she lost herself in his eyes. Karan too didn't fare any better.

"Tum dono abhi bhi yahi ho?" Rishabh asked coming up behind them and bringing them out of their moment.

"Rishabhji mein..."

"Dekh na Rishabh babydoll kahe rahi hai ke usse mere room mein aane mein sharam aarahi hai toh woh guest room me sone ja rahi hai. Aab tu hi isse samja na ke aapne hi husband ke room mein jaane mein kya sharam". Preeta's eyes widened in shock at the blatant lie but before she could say anything Rishabh spoke,

"Preetaji? Aap yeh..."

"Nahi nahi Rishabhji aisa kuch nahi hai. Aap toh jante hai ke yeh bajar... I mean ke Karan ko maazak karne ki adaat hai" Preeta said quickly.

"Aacha?" Karan grinned while Preeta glared at him.

"Rishabhji aap na isski baat pe zyada dhyan maat dijiye"

"Theek hai toh chalo" Karan said taking her hand gently and started pulling her towards his room.

"Chodo... Chodo mujhe!" Preeta panicked. "Chodo, mein kahi nahi ja rahi hoon tumhare saath!"

"Are tumne hi kaha tha ke koi problem nahi hai toh aab kya howa?" he said grinning at her.

"Ha Preetaji kya huwa?" Rishabh asked keeping a serious face but laughing in his mind.

"Rishabhji mein, woh mein aaj guest room mein so jaoongi warna yeh sari raat mujhse bahas karata rehega" she said as she started to move down the corridor towards the guestroom.

"Are, tum baat baat pe bhaag kyun rahi ho?" Karan said grabbing her arm before she could get too far "Aur waise bhi tum guestroom mein nahi so sakti ho!"

"What do you mean nahi so sakti? Tumne kahe diya aur meine manliya?" he grinned at her frustrating her further "Tum na mujhe order karna bandh karo! Aab toh mein guestroom mein hi soungi!"

"Are Preetaji, Karan sahi kahe raha hai, aap guestroom mein nahi so sakti, kyun ke guestroom occupied hai; ek mein woh Mahira hai aur dusre mein Ramona Aunty tho..."

"Lekin Rishabhji woh mein pichli baar woh peeche wale guestroom mein..." she tired but was interrupted by Karan who was mentally thanking his brother for his support.

"Tumne sunna nahi Rishabh ne kaha ke guestrooms occupied hai toh tum chalo aur usse sone jane do!"

"Don't touch me!" Preeta said looking at his hand which was holding her arm. Karan however didn't let go, instead he pulled her closer.

"Babydoll aab toh aadat dal lo..."

"What?"

"I mean chalo na babydoll mujhe bohooootttt neend aa rahi hai"

"To jao na kisne roka hai?"

"Are lekin tumhare bina kaise jau? Chalo na" he whined. Rishabh watched Karan's antics and couldn't help but smile.

"Mein... Mein... Mein tumhare saath nahi aa rahi hoon!"

"Are aise kaise nahi aa rahi? Aana parega!"

"Tum na mujhe chodo! Meine kaha na mein tumhare saath nahi aa rahi!"

"Nahi aa rahi?"

"Nahi!"

"Paaka nahi aa rahi?"

"Kitni baar kaho nahi aa rahi!"

"Theek hai fir..." he said leaving her arm causing her to sigh in relief, but her relief was only short lived as he bent down and lifted her up in the air

"Yeh kya batameeze hai? Neeche utaro mujhe! Karan meine kaha neeche utaro mujhe!" seeing Karan not responding she turned to Rishabh for help "Rishabhji aap kuch kariye yeh pagal admi mujhe kidnap kar raha hai!"

In response Rishabh just laughed and looked at Karan "Tu ja aapne kamre mein raat bohot hogaiyi hai so ja"

"Ha jao jao aapne kamre mein!" Preeta taunted

"Theek hai" Karan said and walked to his room

"Are yeh kya kar rahe ho? Mujhe toh chodo!" Preeta struggled in his arms but Karan continued into the room and dropped her onto the bed. Preeta tried to jump up and run to the door but Karan beat her to it and locked the door before she could leave the room and made his way back to the bed.

Preeta glared at Karan and tried to reach the lock, she tiptoed and she jumped but she just couldn't reach. Karan watched Preeta struggle while laying on the bed,

"Nahi hoga babydoll aake so jao!"

"You double duffer donkey! Abhi ke abhi darwaza kholo!" she ordered glaring at Karan who was laying on the bed. "Tumne sunna nahi?" she continued as he chose to ignore her. Getting no response she moved closer to the bed and began unsuccessfully tugging on his arm to try and get him to stand. Suddenly Karan turned to the side causing Preeta to fall over him, before she had the chance to react he rolled over resulting in Preeta being trapped under him.

"Chodo mujhe!" Preeta shouted unable to move.

"Mujhe na bohot neend ah rahi hai mein to so raha hoon" Karan replied cuddling her closer.

"Neend ah rahi hai? Toh mujhe kyun pakra hai? Mujhe toh chodo!" she said hitting his shoulder.

"Yaar babydoll mujhe lagta hai tumhe neend nahi aa rahi hai" he smirked "Lagta hai ke tum romance ke mood main ho, I mean I don't mind lekin..."

"Shut up! Tum nah mujhse flirt karna bandh karo! Aur mujhe chodo mein tumhare saat nahi so rahi!"

"Aacha toh kahan so ne jaogi? Mahira ke saath? Yah Ramona Aunty ke saath?"

"Nahi, mein Kritika ya Roo ke room mein so jaungi" she replied.

"Babydoll, Bua ka room Kritika aur Roo ke room ke bilkul paas hai, agar tum wahan gaiyi aur bua ne tumhe dekh liye toh tum janti ho na woh kya karegi?"

"Tumse matlab" She snapped half heartedly realising that she was fighting a losing battle.

Karan grinned seeing the resignation written across her face but he knew he had to seal the deal,

"Aisa karlo tum na Mahira ke room mein chali jao" Preeta looked at him "aise ghooro mat, mein kahe raha tha ke tum Mahira ke room mein chali jao aur usse kaho ke woh tumhri jagah pe so jaiye kyun ke tumhe guestroom mein sona hai."

"What!" Preeta glared at him "Tum Mahira ke saat so ge?"

"Mein toh sirf tumhari help kar raha hoon"

"Help my foot! Dekho Karan Luthra tum na uss Mahira se dur raho!"

"Dur rahu? Kyun?"

"Bas Dur raho! Aur hatto mere uparse"

"Yaar babydoll tumhara samaj nahi aata, tumhe yaha nahi sona aur jab mein tumhari help kar raha hoon tum ghusa kar rahi ho"

"Tum na meri help mat karo! Waise bhi tumhara dimak khali hai toh tumhare ideas bhi tumhari tarha stupid hote hai!"

"How dare you... Tumne mujhe 'The Karan Luthra' ko stupid kaha?" she nodded her head "You sarfireli kareli tum na niklo mere room se!" he said getting off the bed and pointing to the door.

"Preeta too got up and stood in front of him "Mein kuyn niklu? Yeh mat bhoolo yeh mera bhi room hai! Aur mein kahi nahi ja rahi!" with that said she climbed back on to the bed and began to arrange the pillows "Bada aaiya Mahira ke saath sone wala" she grumbled under her breath.

"Yeh tum kya kar rahi ho?" Karan asked smiling at her possessiveness.

"Dikh nahi raha? Mein yeh pillows beech mein rakh rahi hoon ta ki tum meri side pe na aao" she replied laying down on the left side of the bed and closing her eyes.

Karan wanted to tease her more but decided that it was enough for today and remained silent. Hearing no retort from him Preeta opened her eyes and looked up to find him standing in the same position near the bed.

"Kya hai? Abhi toh tumhe badi neend aa rahi thi, aab wahan buddh ban ke kyun khade ho?" she huffed.

"Babydoll mujhe nahi pata tha ke tum itni desperate ho" he winked

"Tum... tum se na baat karna bekaar hai flirt Luthra kahin ke" she groaned before turning away from him and closing her eyes.

Karan smiled and climbed into bed besides her. He closed his eyes and waited for her breathe to even out to indicate she had fallen asleep before slowly removing the wall of pillows she had made between them. He reached for her and gently as he could drew her into his arms.

"Babydoll I'm sorry for everything, mein janta hoon ke meine galat kiya hai lekin yakeen karo mein saab theek kar doonga. Jaise meine yeh deewar hataiyi hai waise hi humare beech ki har deewar hata doonga! I promise." He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes. It wasn't long before he too was lost in the best sleep he had had in a long time.