Next morning, when she woke up she found herself in the bed, sleeping in his embrace under the warmth of his arms but he seemed to be disturbed. There were tension lines on his forehead and his face seemed to be moist. Had he cried when she fell asleep crying? 

If he is feeling bad when she cries then why is he hurting her again and again? He loves her, she knows but why is he being heartless with her? Why can't he accept the child? 

Anamika stared at him without blinking, several thoughts flickering in her mind. Her trance was broken by the sudden ring of his cell, she immediately closed her eyes not wanting him to find her staring at him. 

Vineet grimaced and opened his eyes only to find her close to him. Last night incident flashed before his eyes and he took a deep breath. His phone was still ringing so he took the phone stretching his arm. It was from the same client with whom he has a meeting at noon. 

He attended the call and got to know that because of some urgent and unavoidable work they can't make it. Vineet sighs and disconnects the call, it seems destiny is in her favor. 

He again cast a look at her sleeping face, though sleeping her mind seems to be active, tension line running on her forehead. He slightly caressed them. This all is because of the child. He doesn't know how he is going to maintain the distance with his own child, living under the same roof? How will he suppress and bring close his shattered pieces of broken dreams? 

The only thing that he knows is he loves her truly and it can never fade no matter what. Though a line is already drawn because of the child but even it cannot stop him from caring for her. There may be some differences but separation will never be the fate of their relationship. 

Vineet closes his eyes, shutting his thoughts. He doesn't want to think about the hardship of their relationship that they are going through. 

Anamika opens his eyes, she gazes at him for a moment and sits up. She cast a last look at him and left the bed, Vineet could feel the movement but didn't open his eyes. 

Anamika takes a shower and gets ready for the day. After all there are several things that need to be done for the puja, The arrangements are still pending. 

...

The house was full with guests and relatives, a beautifully decorated hall. Anamika and Vineet were sitting for the puja while others seemed to be happy for the cause. 

Vineet who wasn't interested had to join when the relatives overflowed their house and entered his room congratulating him. He was enraged with their overly exciting behavior but couldn't do anything. 

Now sitting with his wife for the well being puja ceremony of their child, he was faking a smile to avoid questions. 

But Anamika, his parents and Rajat were well aware of his actual emotion at the moment. And as soon as the puja was over he excuses himself. Thankfully nobody questions his act as he's always this kind. 

Though it hurt Anamika, she faked a smile. 

Sachin pulls her in a warm hug and blesses her, so do her parents. This little gesture of her parents excites her, for the first time her mother lovingly patted her cheek and blessed her child. Anamika could ask nothing for now, her mother seems to be happy and that excites her. But Vineet's actions and words have saddened her heart. 

Anamika excuses herself and heads to the garden to converse with him. 

...

Here in the garden Vineet was having a hard time with Rajat who seemed to be convincing him. 

''Vineet ye paagalpan maat kar, teri family itni khush hai aur tu hai ki sab barbad karne pe laga hua hai. At least ye toh dekh itne salon mei pehli baar uski maa tak khush hai uske liye, jisne usko aaj tak pyar se dekha nahi aaj usse dua de rahi hai. Par wo jiss se itna pyar karti hai, aaj tak jisne usse itna pyar diya hai wo hi uske saath nahi khada hai uske saath!! Don't be a fool Vineet, main aab bhi keh raha hoon badh mei pachtane ko bhi kuch na rahega tere pass!!" Rajat tries to help his friend, to convince him for the change, to make him understand why he needs to change but Vineet was much adamant at his place. 

''Mujhe fark nahi padta kaun kya kar raha hai. Tera mujhe pata nahi par main uss bache ko accept nahi kar sakta, tu nahi janta ek sapna tootne ka dard kya hota hai. Jiss sapne ko meine jiya hai wo sapna toota hai mera. Main chup chap apne dil pe pathar rakh ke fir bhi yahan hoon wahi badi baat hai!!" Vineet almost shouts and turns away. 

Rajat enraged, he held him and made him turn. 

''Really!?? Tune dil pe pathar rakha hai ya wo teri berukhi bardasht kar rahi hai? Sach kahu toh lagne laga hai tere pass dil hi nahi hai, har chij bas junoon hi raha tera. Chahe tera sapna ho ya pyar, khokhla junoon!! Jo ek hawa ke jhokhe se tut gaya, kyunki tere pass dil hota na toh apne pyar ko tadapta dekh aise berukhi se na rehta!!!" Rajat jerks at him, Vineet was stunned at his words. How can he say such a thing!?? How can he call his love and dream an obsession and not dedication and true love? 

''Rajat!!" He shouted

''Chilla ke sach nahi badal sakta tu. Khud ki jidd mei sirf sab barbad hi karega tu aur ye likh ke le le mujh se jis din tujhe ye samajh aayega na tu akela hoga!!" Rajat vented out and took his leave, leaving an enraged Vineet behind. 

As Rajat proceeds to leave, he finds Anamika standing with support of the wall holding tears in her eyes, it seems she overheard them. 

Rajat feels pity for the lady, he stands before her and lets out a deep breath. 

''Don't cry Anamika!! Jitna ro-ogi utni hi takleef hogi tumhe!" He said convincingly. 

Anamika lowered her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks.

''Anamika, I know chijein shayad aab kabhi asan na ho tumhare liye par i'm on your side, today and forever! Main janta hoon tum pe kya beet rahi hogi par sach kahu toh kahin na kahin main janta tha ye hoga kabhi toh. Wo apna faishla kabhi nahi badlega Anamika, main bachpan se janta hoon usse aaj tak usne apni baat ko kabhi nahi badla wo aab bhi nahi badlega par main chahta hoon tum bhi apna faisla maat badalna!!" He spoke meaningfully! 

Anamika looked up while he continued. 

''Meine iss bache ko bachane ke liye jitna ho saka utna kiya, par aab aage tumhe karna hai. Aur..aur shayad mera haq toh nahi banta tumhe kehne ka par please uske samne itna maat girao khudko ki wo tumhe iss kadar lachar samjhe aur izzat na kare tumhari. Stand for yourself, jab tum khud apne liye khadi ho gayi na toh wo kabhi fir kuch nahi karega!!" Rajat seemed to be confident in what he said but it bounced off Anamika, she couldn't understand what the guy meant by saying that. 

''Main bas koshish kar rahi hoon ki wo hamare bache ko accept kare!! Main...main bardasht nahi kar sakti ki mera bacha bhi wo sahe jo meine saha hai!!" She cried, feeling heavy in heart remembering the hardship she had gone through with her family. 

Rajat just stares at her for moments, he can't blame her for the fear and tears in her eyes. Her family has to be blamed for who never loved her and now her husband is doing the same with her for her unborn child. 

''Wo accept hi kar le aur tum apna self - respect kho do uska bhi koi matlab toh nahi na!! Janta hoon tumhara darr aur dard par ye bhi janta hoon tum jitni umeed lagaogi utni takleef hogi tumhe!! Main bas itna chahta hoon tum usse galat shabir kar doh, usse bata do ki tumhara bacha tumhari kamjori nahi. Ek bade bhai ke naate tumhe ye sab keh raha hoon main, baki tumhari marji!!" Rajat again let out a sigh as he ended his statement and took his leave, he had enough for the day. 

Anamika remains there for a few moments and runs inside when Shakshi calls her.  The guests are still in the house and she needs to attend them, she can't behave like her husband! 

....

To be continued….