Rajat demanded an answer from his buddies. They have been together since college days, through every thick and thins, ups and downs. They share their problems and help to solve but today his buddies stare at each other with unpleasantness in their gaze.

''Arey bolo bhi, aise ghurte hi rahoge kya khud ko dono!" Rajat scoffs.

''There is nothing Rajat, chor!" Vineet says not wanting to open up any topic he won't be comfortable with.

''Vineet, i'm sorry though i'm not even at fault but I know hurt tum meri wajah se hi ho!" Sachin states as he knows Vineet is hurt and angry not just because of Kokila's words and behaviour but because he (Sachin) doesn't try much to stop his mother.

''Let it be Sachin main uss baare mei koi baat nahi karna chahta.'' Vineet tells him not even looking at him.

''Abey mujhe bhi batao kya baat hai, kyun aise behave kar rahe ho dono!" Rajat demanded an answer, eager to know what's going on.

''Ye mujh se naraaz hai.'' Sachin tells him gazing at Vineet.

''Khushi hone wali toh baat bhi na ki unhone, khair unse aur kuch expect bhi na karta main par tu jis tarah wahan khade reh ke sab sun raha tha uss se ek baat toh samajh chuka hoon main ki jo banda apni behen ke liye ladd nahi pata, koi uske baare mei itna kuch bole fir bhi usse rok na pata wo meri behen ka saath toh kya khoob hi de raha hoga. Aur meri badkismati dekh teri behen ko toh apne ghar le aaya par khudki behen ko na laa sakta. Sachin, you broke my trust today.'' Vineet blurted out his feelings leaving both his friends shocked as he is not a person who talks about such sentimental things.

''Arey tu aisi baatein kyun kar raha hai? Sachin kya baat hai? Kya hua hai tere ghar pe?" Rajat questions Sachin as hearing Vineet he's clear that something has happened at Sachin's home.

Sachin gazes at him and tells him everything that happened after Vineet left the house, Rajat was shocked with the revelation and angry at the same time. Rajat steals a glance of Vineet who seems disgusted.

''Chii yaar!! Unko akal hai ki nahi, aise kaun bolta hai kissi ke baare mei. Why doesn't she mind her own business?" Rajat spoke out in anger.

''Wo bolne se pehle na sochti aur baki khandan aaram se sunte rehte hai, rokne ki koshish tak na karta koi. Pata nahi, unke andar itni gandh kyun bhari hai apni hi beti ke liye, na hi khud pyar se baat kar sakti hai uss se aur naa dusro ko aisa karta dekh paa rahi hai.'' Vineet shows his anger, shaking his head in disappointment.

''Tu kya chahta hai main unse laddu? Kya faida ho jaayega uska? Unki soch badal jaayegi ya wo khud?? Agar aisa kuch hota na toh wo saalon pehle badal gayi hoti par nahi hua naa. Unke liye wahi sahi hai chahe hum jo kahe wo nahi manti toh aab kya karu main? Teri behen ko hazaroon baar bol chuka hoon main ki hum kahin aur chale jaate hai par wo manne tab na. Sab ko apne mann ki hi karni hai par sunna mujhe padta hai as if meri koi galti ho.'' Sachin shouted for he doesn't find himself at fault as he has been trying all these years to protect his sister and now his wife. Still, everyone blames him for no reason. He didn't expect Vineet to accuse him, at least not like this.

Sachin left from there in anger while Rajat stood at the center astonished. Just in a few days of his absence things seem to have changed.

He comforted Vineet knowing what the guy is going through. Making sure he's fine, Rajat heads to Sachin's office to have a conversation with him but upon reaching he gets to know that Sachin is in a meeting and won't be free before evening. Rajat got a plan, he messaged both his friends to meet him at his home as he's in some problem and wants to share it. They agreed and assured him about their presence.

...

Other hand, Anamika was worried about Vineet. His cold behavior disturbs her, she knows he had surely heard something at her mother's house, his act says that. She wonders what has happened that makes him feel so low.

She tries to connect with him again, for the 10th time and the result remains the same: he doesn't answer her call. She messaged him asking him about his well being to which he just replied with a emoji - a thumbs up emoji and now it makes her more worried.

She let out a sigh and headed to the kitchen. Anupam and Shakshi were in the hall, they were confused to see her as Vineet had told them that she had a meeting.

''Beta, tum meeting ke liye nahi gayi?" Anupam asks, Anamika gets alerted. She totally forgot about the lie her husband told them.

She stares at them for a moment,''wo papa meeting cancel ho gayi par main abhi office jaa rahi hoon!" She exclaims.

''Arey nahi nahi koi baat nahi. Meeting cancel ho gayi hai toh aab rest hi kar lo aaj, kal se office jana waise bhi Vineet hai na wahan toh wo sambhal lega.'' Shakshi says in a soft tone smiling at her lightly, Anamika smiles at her words she feels so lucky to have them by her side.

Her own mother has never been so caring and loving towards her but her mother - in - law is more like an angel in her life who loves her unconditionally.

Anamika nods and asks them for lunch to which they nod. She lays lunch for three of them and settles with the family but her mind is still wondering about Vineet.

...

7 pm

Rajat was impatiently waiting for his buddies. He had made all the preparation, soft music and drinks. Everything is ready and he knows his friends can't deny it especially when both are disturbed.

He calls them both one after another to ask about their whereabouts and gets to know that they are on the way.

''Bas dono yahan bhi ladde naa.'' Rajat says to himself as he doesn't want his buddies to fight because of someone else.

He can totally understand, they both are right at their place. What's not right is Kokila's behaviour and nature and unfortunately none of them can do anything to that, the lady doesn't give attention to anyone except herself.

Rajat let out a sigh and ran to the door hearing the doorbell. He opens the door only to find Vineet standing there, they smile at each other, Rajat allows him in. Vineet enters the house and settles down meanwhile Sachin too reaches and smiles at Rajat. Rajat takes him inside, closing the door behind.

Vineet's face fell to see Sachin, he got Rajat's plan and glared at him.

''Kya yaar aise na ghoor, abb tum dono gusse mei the aur mujhe meri azaadi enjoy karni thi toh aur kya karta. Apne liye nahi meri khatir hi sahi thora khush ho lo dono.'' Rajat requested.

Though neither of them were in the mood but just for their friend they forgot their anger for some time and enjoyed the drink.

Rajat tries to make them talk to each other but fails, they are stubborn and he knows that. He can't make them do things if they aren't willing to do it.

Rajat let out a deep sigh and concentrated on his drink. His buddies have already given him too much tension and he can suppress all his thoughts only by taking down some drinks.

...

To be continued..