When we reached home , Dhwani was already asleep.
I was going to carry her to our room but after a second thought I lightly shook her awake.
She groggily walked towards our room.
If anyone saw her now, they would misunderstand this as sleepwalking.
I lead her into the room.
Upon reaching there , she laid down on the bed and started sleeping. Again.
I smiled at her cute pout then gently removed her earrings and let down her hair. As I was getting up she held my hand and in her sleep she whispered with a small smile.
"Love you Veer"
"I Love you too Ms Taneja"
*
"Are you free today? " Dhwani asked.
"It depends. Why ?"
"I thought we could talk to Karthik. About the divorce. "
Veer stiffened.
" I'll take a leave. " He said nodding.
"I'm supposed to join back on Monday." Dhwani said. Not looking into my eyes.
"Good. There are pending work. "
"I know. I'll complete them fastly once I join back. "
"I know you will. "
Saying that I left the room.
*
Karthik Iyer was the family advocate of the Singhanias after his father's retirement. Like Mahika, they knew him from childhood. Rehan and Karthik were inseparable even then. Pulling each others leg or someone else's.
He is a great advocate and an experienced legal advisor. The fame and respect for the Singhania's were because of his hardwork too. Looks like we'll be paying him a visit today.
"May I come in ? "
"Bhaiya, Bhabi aap? "
"Come sit. Make yourself comfortable."
"Nice office Karthik" Dhwani complimented.
"Thank you bhabhi. " He replied warmly.
"Any particular reason for your visit?"
"Yes actually." This time it was Veer who spoke.
They looked at each other making sure both of them wanted the same.
"We are here to talk about our divorce. "
"Oh. We can..... Wait your what??? "
"Can we behave like professionals Mr Iyer. " I inquired in my business voice.
"Of course Mr Singhania. May I know the reason. " He asked still not completely convinced.
"It's complicated. Can we just move on with the procedures? " Dhwani asked with an ice cold glare.
"It's not that easy. This is a mutual seperation. Am I right?"
We both nodded.
"Good. "
"There are three conditions required under section 13B of the Hindu Marriage Act for a divorce.
The Husband and wife must be living separately for a period of one year or more. Which ofcourse you were not.
Second , That they are unable to live together. And third both husband and wife have mutually agreed that the marriage has totally collapsed. Hence marriage can be dissolved. As far as I know , you guys don't have any problem living together so I'm guessing it's the third ? "
" Yes. "He gave us a wary glance.
"So both of you will have to file for a divorce Petition. " He stated.
"We already did that." I handed him the papers.
"You have to submit this in the family court. You will have to appear in court four times on different days during this period. "
"Once you have filed the petition , their will be a court summoning , where The court will go over the petition and all the supporting documents presented as proof before the court. It can also try to bring reconciliation if possible. "
"That's not going to happen. " Dhwani said sternly.
"It is the way it is bhabhi. So I want you both to go back home and think. If the choice is still the same , meet me at the family court tomorrow. "
"Avantika.... Avanthika... "
"Doctor I think he's gaining consciousness. "
"Mr Singhania , can you hear me? Mr Singhania?"
My eyes felt heavy. I pried them open just to close them because of the blinding light.
"Dim the lights." I heard the stranger say again.
I opened my eyes to see Mahika. She was looking tired and worried. Was she worried about me? He thought confused.
The stranger turned out to be my doctor.
"How are you feeling Mr Singhania?"
"Like I'm back from the dead."
"Good. Because that's exactly what happened. "
I gazed at Mahika through the side of my eye. She had tears in her eyes and a smile in her lips. Why was she acting? She must have been praying for his death. Dhruv knew it. She'll be free of this marriage sham afterall.
"What happened? "
I asked, my voice raspy.
The doctor passed me a glass of water.
"You got into an accident. You are now in a hospital room. "
I nodded slowly taking in the information.
He looked at my eyes and tongue with a torch.
"Is it hurting anywhere?"
"My head. " I groaned.
"Your head had the worst injury. So that is predictable. "
I tried to sit straight just to let out a cry in pain.
"Easy their. You have multiple cuts and bruises in your chest. I wouldn't recommend moving yet."
"Mrs Singhania. Don't hesitate to inform the nurse if there's anything. " He said smiling at us both and left with the nurse.
*
"How long have I been out? "
"Long enough. "
"Hmm. "
"Everyone went home. Rehan Bhai is on a call. "
"Why didn't you go back?" I questioned Annoyed.
"Because even if you are in denial , I AM your wife Dhruv." She gave a painful smile.
"Do you want anything?" She asked
"I don't want anything from you." She nodded her head as if she already knew this would be his answer.
"You know what , I do want something. Get out of my life Mahika. That will be better for both of us. "
I started coughing.
She tried to give me some water.
"Don't you understand what I just said. I don't want anything from you."
"Of course. I'm sorry." Mahika went out of the room with tear brimmed eyes.
Mahika was making him hate her more.
He still remembered seeing Avantika. He didn't know if it was a dream or if it was real. But he couldn't care less.
Avantika had asked him to give Mahika a chance. How could she even think of something? I can never ever give my heart to another woman especially not to the person who he had trusted with his life to understand him.
*
"How are you feeling Bhai? "
"I've been better. "
Rehan smiled at me.
"You gave all of us a heart attack. "
"I am sorry for ruining your reception. "
"Oh don't worry. It was ruined anyway. "
I raised an eyebrow.
Rehan suddenly changed the topic.
"I have called home. Everyone will be here in a few minutes. "
"For what? To see me half dead. "
Dhruv said it as a joke but Rehan didn't take it like that.
"Bhai , don't talk about things you don't know. Do you know how terrified we were when we heard what happened? "
"I have never seen dad so broken.
Aarohi among all the people had to comfort us. Veer bhaiya almost went on a killing spree. Mahika was devastated. She didn't eat or sleep. I've never seen her like that. "
I rolled my eyes at that.
"All of you were clearly over reacting as you can see i am not dead. "
"You wanted to die didn't you? "
I refused to look into his eyes.
"When did you become so selfish bhaiya? I guess you always were. The difference is , we didn't know then. But I would never have thought that you were a coward."
After talking to Bhaiya I went outside to get some fresh air. It was almost 9 in the morning. I was debating whether to smoke a cigarette or not.
"Rehan , is that you? "
I turned around to see Trisha Jha. My old classmate or better my ex-girlfriend.
She came and hugged me which I returned with the same attitude.
"How have you been? Long time no see."
She said holding my hands and looking at me with hopeful eyes.
"I'm fine. How are you? "
"I could be better"
I gave her a tight smile
" What are you doing here?"
"I'm actually a lab technician here. " She said with pride.
"Wow that's great. "
"What about you? "
"I'm a professer at our college. "
"Well the students are sure enjoying it I hope. I know I would love you to teaching me. "
I chuckled.
"So are you still single? "
Before I could reply a feminine voice said.
"Married actually. "
Arya walked towards us and took me in a side hug.
"Isn't that right honey? "
I cleared my throat. I was confused on what exactly was happening here.
"Yeah. It was our marriage last week. "
"Oh congratulations." She said looking at Arya in disgust.
"I'm Trisha Jha by the way. " She said arrogantly.
"It's been a pleasure meeting you. I'm Arya Mehta now Singhania. " My wife smirked.
Trisha gave us a smile faker than the items made in China.
A cat fight was going on and Rehan was loving it.
'It was nice catching up with you Rehan. Hoping to see you again. " Trisha said warmly , ignoring Arya completely.
"Thank you. But can I have my husband for a moment. I missed him." Arya said looking at me with love sick puppy eyes.
Okay this was getting out of hand. I wanted to puke.
"Yeah sure. "
She took me towards her office and closed the door.
"What do you think you were doing there? "
"Talking to a friend? "
"You sure she was your friend. Because I can guarantee you, she was looking ready to make out with you right there in the middle of the hospital. "
"Is my wifey jealous? "
"Why would I be jealous?" She scoffed.
I walked towards her and caged her with her back against the door.
"Then why do you care?"
"Because I don't want anyone to think that my husband was cheating on me. That too only after a few days of the marriage. "
I tilted my head sideways.
"You sure that's the reason? "
I asked smirking.
"I don't care what you do or who you do. I have an image to maintain. So I'm not going to ruin my reputation especially in my work place. "
We both glared into each others eyes. No one ready to break it.
"We will see Mrs Singhania. "
"One day you will kiss me senseless because of your jealousy. "
"Only in your dreams Mr Singhania. "
"Oh. We do much more than kissing in my dreams. "
â
I have made some really big changes. Well not that big
Ladies and gentlemen....
I present you.....
Avantika Ranganathan
From the moment I created this charecter, this has been her face all along.
How was the chapter?
Dhruv is meaner after the accident.
I feel so sorry for our Dheer. Is our ship slowly sinking?
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With Love
Aswa_maya
" If you ever want happiness in your life.
Never be the owner of love. Be the donor of Love. "