Author's pov

Kolkata,

Mira pulled the duvet over Benu and Anuradha. She kissed their forehead and walked out of the bedroom. She closed the door very carefully.

She came out on the living room. She made coffee for herself. She settled on the couch and took a sip of the coffee. She closed her eyes and wiped her tears.

It's been 10 days, she has left Anurag's home.

Her mind is messed up. She can't think straightly right now. His every behaviour is appearing like a mystry. She tried to remember if she had done any mistake after marriage. She can't remember any. Infact she tried hard to give her hundred percent to this relation.

Their past was not good. That's why she tried hard to make things better. Anurag also did the same. Infact he was more careful than Mira. On the initial days, he  filled her life with so much love. He poured pure happiness in her life. The way he took care of her was truly blissful.

Then why suddenly his behaviour changed like this??

Her trance broke with a sound. She turned her head and immediately she got scared after seeing Anurag standing on the hall. For few seconds she lost her speech.

How did he come in? The door was locked.

"How did you...enter?"

She was really shocked.

"I climbed on the terrace and came down"

Mira got truly dumbfounded. He came through the terrace. That means he climbed on the pipes to reach the terrace.

"Are you crazy Anurag?? What you want?  Why did you come like a thief?"

She almost yelled but within a second he pressed her mouth tightly with his palm.

"Don't shout....Benu and Radhu will wake up"

Mira scrunched her nose. He is drunk!

Anurag removed his hand off her mouth. She slapped on his hand and moved back.

"Leave Anurag...just leave...i don't want to make any conversation with you"

She sat on the couch in irritation.

"I didn't come to make conversation....I just came here because....."

He took his position beside her. Mira moved a bit away. Anurag chuckled which made her more angry.

"Just leave Anu.... I'm tired"

She held her head. Suddenly she felt him hugging her from back. She almost flinched when she felt him kissing her nape of neck.

"What the hell are you doing?"

She wiggled on his hold.

"I missed you..."

He whispered and kissed her deeper on her shoulder and neck.

"You are disgusting"

She pushed him and stood up angrily. He kept on staring at her in silence.

"Just go"

She showed him the way out. But she was not ready for his next move. He stood up and marched towards her. Within a second he picked her up on his arms and entered another room. He threw her on the bed and hovered over her.

She got so angry that she started to slap his chest but he grabbed her arms and pinned them on the bed. She struggled on his hold but he kept her tightly on his chest.

After a while her wiggling stopped. She was crying silently. Suddenly she felt his hand on her hair. He is caressing her hair just like a father do to make his daughter sleep.

She felt so relaxed with his touch. He kept on caressing her head. She finally fell asleep.

He kissed her head. He held the duvet and wrapped her carefully. He got down off the bed. Before leaving the room, he again took a glance of her and then finally left the room.

..................

"Don't worry mam, my physiotherapy works like magic"

"Please don't call me mam...just call me Pari...."

The physiotherapist smiled at Pari. Pari was looking at the middle aged man with so much curiosity. His age is 57 but he is so energetic. She has never seen someone that much lively before. This man has something on him that can easily spread positivity around.

"Pari, are we done?"

Mr. Patil appeared. He has already bought the medicines.

"Yes....Mr. Patil meet him...He is a physiotherapist...his name is Charlie"

"Hello...."

Mr. Patil and Charlie shook hands.

"I heard he is a superstar"

Charlie asked them.

"He is the biggest superstar of our country...You have no idea how much fan following he has....everytime the media is following him.."

Mr. Patil never leave a single opportunity to praise Mr. Khan. Pari suppressed her smile. She always felt his approach very genuine. He is a true admirer of Mr. Khan. He is really lucky to get a loyal man like Mr. Patil, she thought.

Pari's pov

We all return to the hotel. All the time Mr. Patil was talking about Mr. Khan and how humble he is while Charlie appeared to be a good listener. He was listening everything with extreme curiosity. I smiled after seeing Mr. Patil and Charlie's interaction.

After entering the hotel room, we find Mr. Khan was on a video call.

"Bye baby....I love you too"

Mr. Khan disconnected the call after seeing us. My face flushed in awkwardness when I find Charlie's shocking gaze. I know he is probably thinking about our marriage. I told him that Mr. Khan is my husband and here he is calling his girlfriend and saying I love you.

"Sir, he is your new physiotherapist"

Mr. Patil introduced Charlie.

"Hello....i will be at your service from today"

Charlie forwarded his hand towards Mr Khan. They shook hands and greet each other. Then they talked about the injury. Charlie saw the x-ray reports.

"You will be absolutely fine within 2 weeks"

"Yes, i have to....I have to resume my work soon"

Mr. Khan said with a worried face. Is something bothering him? He is looking so pale from the morning.

Charlie started his therapy. I decided to spent my time in the pool side. I went there and got seated in a chair. Many couples has come in this hotel with their children. They were having a great time together. I love to watch the picture of a perfect family.

I always pictured myself in a family. May be that's why I brought Kalindi aunty, Siva and Tiya to my home.

I'm scared of loneliness.

I had a family too but i never experienced a family environment. My mother was a maid. I had an elder brother too. He loved to study. I still remember how he cried to get admission in a school. He used to go to the slum school. I was very small that time. My mother used to take me with her.

She worked through the whole day and i roamed behind her by clutching her pallu. After her working hour, we returned home together and then the real struggle begins.

We had to endure the limitless abuse of a toxic father. Every night he beats us. I can't remember how many scars i got due to his beatings. My mother cried all night. Next morning she went to work with the bruises of last night.

My brother was the only person who used to wipe our tears. My mother has weaved many dreams around him. But one day everything destroyed.

My father chocked my brother infront of our eyes. He died then and there.

I was 7 year old kid that time. My brother was 12.

I still remember his dead face.  His eyes were open and his tongue came out.

That was my family!

I hugged myself because I was shivering after remembering that horrific night.

"You are shivering"

I almost flinched unknowingly.  I looked back and find Mr. Khan.

He is holding a cratcher on his hand. He pulled a chair and sat beside me. I started to feel conscious all of a sudden. We both sat like that. No words exchanged between us.

After a while he looked at me.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded my head.

"You are not looking fine"

He said again.

Why is he doing this? I'm already trying hard to stay away from his proximity. Whenever he talks to me or came close to me, i felt so many things inside me. I started to weave dreams which are not good.

I'm very much well aware of all these. I don't want to become someone pathetic and hopeless in one sided affection!

"Are you still mad at me?"

Oh God!! This man!!

This time I looked at him and tried hard to force a smile on my face.

"No I'm not.... Don't give yourself too much importance Mr. Khan"

He chuckled.

This smile will kill me one day!

I averted my gaze immediately. His charm is truly undeniable. I always had a crush on him. I used to gather his photos from newspaper, magazines. I even searched the dustbins for bolly magazines.

He will surely get an heart attack if he gets to know about my madness!

"Don't you ever had a crush on me?"

His question increased my heartbeat but i didn't show any expression on my face.

I started to laugh so much.

"Never ever.....I didn't even like your movies...infact i haven't seen a single movie of yours"

I replied with a fake smile.  He raised his brow.

"Interesting!"

"You know what I always faced craziness of my fans....some of them even stalked me...You will not believe but a girl literally sat near my bunglow for 22 days....I sent my men to her and you know what...her demand was that she will not leave this place until I marry her"

He started to laugh after saying that. But i didn't join his laughing.

"Don't laugh....may be she truly admires you...this happened sometime. We started to admire someone to such an extent that we forget the difference between reality and imagination.... that's the toughest thing ever"

His laughing stopped.

"Did you ever feel like that?"

He asked me suddenly.

"No.... I'm self sufficient....and i know the difference between reality and dream..."

I said but i didn't able to hide the pain in my voice.

We both stayed silent after that.

"This happened to me actually.....I have dreamt for Inaya so long....and now look, i got her....i believe, we have to cherish our dream..one day it will surely turn into reality"

He said with a slight smile. Though I felt a pang in my chest but i got so much curious. I want to know more about his feelings. I know this is crazy off me to hear about his feelings about Inaya but something was pulling me so much.

"How much you love her Mr. Khan?"

This question automatically slipped off my mouth. He stared at me with amusement but i saw a blush on his face. He is looking more handsome with this drool.

"I don't know...She is my world you know...I will die if she leaves me...i can't even breathe without her...She is like my everything...."

A storm started inside my chest. I felt a lump in my throat. Still I smiled. I will smile always like that.

I craved for a family and now suddenly I'm craving for something which i can never get!

Pari, some people came on earth with an empty fortune. God has not written anything on their fate. They just born, breathe and die. Poor people like us has no fate.

My mother used to say that.

"Empty fortune"

"What?"

My trance broke immediately. I spoke it loud. Mr. Khan is staring at me with a bit shock.

"What do you mean my empty fortune?"

He asked.

"Nothing...by the way, why were you worried from morning?"

I asked him to change the topic. Again that worried look came on his face.

"It's nothing"

He tried to stood up but suddenly I grabbed his elbow. He looked at his hand instantly and i left his arm being extremely embarrassed.

He sat again. He took a deep breath this time.

"My grandma has called yesterday....she is coming next month"

"It's a good news Mr. Khan..why are you worried?"

"She is very much conservative....You have no idea how much she can make people uncomfortable....I don't know how I will going meet Inaya..."

"Oh....that won't be a problem....i will help you"

I don't know why i said that. Am I trying to be on his good list??? I scolded myself immediately.

Stop right there Pari!! Don't try to become his saviour!! Can you see this man? Can't you see he is madly in love with Inaya..if you even give your whole life for him, still he will breathe Inaya's name!

"Thanks...."

He said. His phone vibrated at the same time. I saw Inaya's name and picture flashing on the screen. His face covered with the happiest smile. He immediately picked up the call and instantly he just forgot about my presence.

"Hey!! I was just thinking about you....i told you to call me every hour....."

He become so engrossed in the call that he totally forgot about my existence. I stood up and walked inside the hotel with a heavy heart and stupid smile. I looked back and found him smiling ear to ear.

Let him be happy like this. I felt a kind of peace when I see him smiling like that. Though I know that I'm not the reason of his happiness, still it felt good to see him happy.

You are turning mad Pari!

.......................

"I have three tickets for an Indian rock show...you wanna come?"

Charlie showed me the tickets.

"I..."

"No I or but....you are a young girl....live your life to the fullest"

Charlie held my both hands and said so dramatically. I started to laugh. He is a very very joyful person.

"Okay I will go...but tell me about this rock show...."

"Rock shows are wonderful...i like Indian desi music....We will dance and enjoy a lot.... You know dancing also helps us to burn calorie...."

I giggled.

"Yeah I know because I'm a dancer too"

"You what?? Oh my god... really"

Charlie was looking shocked.

"That's why you have such a nice figure....let me admire this beautiful lady once again"

I laughed again. He is such a nice person.

Mr. Patil appeared this time.

"Mr. Patil, you are also coming with us"

Charlie said.

"Where?"

"An Indian rock show"

I said.

"Oh...but i can't...sir will need someone"

Mr. Patil said with a sad face. I also understand this.

"We can take him too"

Charlie said enthusiastically.

"But we have only three tickets Charlie"

I said. Charlie's face turned like a fool.

"Oh...yeah...we have only three tickets"

"You go and enjoy....i will stay here"

Mr. Patil said.

"I will be fine Mr. Patil...you can go...."

Mr. Khan came out of the washroom.

"But sir...."

"I will be okay.....by the way, Imran is coming....he will reach within an hour....so i will be absolutely fine"

Mr. Khan said.

"Problem solved...."

Charlie announced.

...................

I was getting ready. Suddenly I heard a knock. I opened the door and find a lady holding a dress.

"Mam, this is for you"

I was shocked.

"Thanks..."

I find Mr. Khan taking the dress from her hand.

"Mr. Khan...what..."

"This is for you....now go and change"

"But....."

"Oh c'mon...you are going on a rock show....this will be perfect....i want people to admire you....And who knows you will get to meet your prince charming tonight"

He winked at me. I didn't say anything. His casual attitude make me sad in some way.

"Mr Khan...this is too expensive"

"You don't have to worry about the money...you are earning this by the way...."

He went back to his bed. This felt bad but it's true. He is paying me for staying with him.

I haven't used his money till now. I will return his money when he will divorce me. I didn't marry him for this money.

....,...............

I looked myself in the mirror. I don't know how am I looking like. I'm feeling nervous. Will he make fun of me? Am I looking like a joker?

I came out in tension.



He was on a call. I bite my inner cheeks in tension. His eyes fell on me and immediately the phone slipped off his hand. My face flushed when I saw him staring at me in pure shock.

He came near me and kept on staring at me with so much surprise.

"You are looking amazing....you are looking so different..wow...just wow"

My face heated up and i felt my heart going faster. I felt so much happy suddenly but i really can't believe.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"No.......not at all"

He immediately held my shoulder and turned me towards the mirror. He is standing behind me. I felt his breathing near my ear.

"Look at her... isn't she gorgeous?"

I looked at myself and then at him. I looked at us both. A small smile crept on my lips.

We look good together...

Then suddenly Inaya's face appeared infront of my eyes and i controlled my emotions. I lowered my eyes.

I turned my face towards him.

"Thank you for the complement"

"You are welcome"

Charlie and Mr. Patil entered at the same time. They also admired my look. I felt nervous and happy at the same time. Finally we headed towards the rock show.

.........................

Author's pov

Riwaz waved them good bye. He locked the hotel room. He took his phone and called Inaya.

"Hey....."

"Hi....."

"Is it working?"

Inaya asked from the other side.

"Yup....she is trusting me slowly"

"That's good.....we don't have much time Riwaz...do this quick...."

"Yeah...."

Riwaz went silent. Inaya sensed that.

"Am I pressurising you Riwaz? Do you feel it's wrong?"

Riwaz closed his eyes and sighed.

"I love you Inaya...and i can do anything for you....right and wrong doesn't matter to me.."

Inaya's face covered with a broad smile.

"Thank you Riwaz....still I'm a bit worried......what if Pari get to know the truth? She can go at any extent to save Mira"

Inaya's voice is filled with tension.

"Don't worry....i will make her weak....She will only take our side, not Mira's"

Riwaz said.

"What if she started to fall for you?"

Inaya asked again.

"Anurag played with your emotions always....and Pari took their side....She will now understand your pain....one day or the other, Karma will bite you back...now it's time for Anurag, Mira and Pari's Karma"

Riwaz said with determination.