The mid-morning sun was slowly getting intense. Darsh watched as Aditi walked out, cool and calm, utterly composed. It took her a minute to climb down the flight of granite stairs to the parking lot, and then a few more seconds to get to her Jeep. Her steps were as usual, elegant, measured, and precise. The only slight catch was when she got into the driver's seat - her palm clutched her left thigh, the wound making its presence known.

The silence around him continued; people who watched her go, now turned their heads to watch him. He tried to school his expression but knew it was too late.

"Another one bites the dust..."

A voice mocked from behind. He didn't know who it was but knew they were all smirking, shaking their heads in delight. Fingers curling around the heart, he counted to ten. He had to calm himself. There was no need for anger. No need for it when patience could easily achieve what he wanted.

Standing at the open restaurant window, Darsh continued his watch. He didn't know what he was waiting for. A clue, a signal, a little something to calm his frazzled heart. She'd looked so unaffected, it would be good to have something to hold on to until the next time.

Getting into the vehicle Aditi put the ignition on and glanced into her wing mirror. The soft honey brown of her eyes reflected in it, zeroing on him. Their gazes mingled. For a fleeting moment, he saw a wistful expression, something like a pain, a longing. It could be a trick of the light, it was gone before he could gather himself.

The Jeep reversed and pulled away, speeding on the dirt road in the direction of the village. Smiling slightly, Darsh settled his bill and walked out. He had got what he wanted. Her one look had done the trick, he could already breathe easy.

By the time he reached his cottage, he was already planning his next move. No emotions involved, she'd said coldly. Well, he'd see about that.

*****

Aditi returned to the clinic in time for her morning appointment. Everything was sorted now, everything was good. As long as Nehal stayed put, Vivaan didn't overreact, and Darsh Rathore kept away, everything should be fine. Surely, it wasn't too much to ask for? She just needed some time. Time to calm down, time to regroup. Time to find a solution that wasn't in sight right now, but it would come to her soon enough.

Noon came. She asked the assistant to get her another cup of tea.

"Sorry, Di. Dr. Wadhwa asked not to give you tea at lunchtime."

Aditi grimaced. "Please, Bipin. I need a strong tea. You can have my tiffin today, Kanta Chachi has made your favorite aloo-palak."

The boy's face sparkled. Getting her some tea, he scampered off to his lunch break. Aditi pulled out her phone. The first call was to Rajpur hospital to check on the pregnant woman. The next one was to Kanta Chachi. The news from home was not good. Nehal had stayed in her room, sulking, refusing to have any food. Ravi Chachu had had another argument with her Dadaji. This time he had kept three demands. First, his father should propose Nehal's match for Vivaan. Secondly, his father should supply enough dowry so Dalpat Raisingh agrees to the match. And lastly, he should be given his share in the property. As expected, all three were rejected and Ravi Chachu was sent away fuming. Aditi felt bad for having caused this rift but didn't know what else she could have done.

"Chachi, please make sure Dadaji takes his blood pressure tablet. He tends to forget when he is stressed."

Cutting the call she stared at the phone. Chachi hadn't mentioned Mohit. She wondered which way he would lean now, although he loved her and they shared a great bond, he was also very proud and loved his family.

Sighing slightly she dialed the next number. Sonal had recently taken up a new job in Delhi. A conversation with her was long overdue.

"Where have you been?" Sonal complained. "It's been weeks since we last met. Why didn't you return my calls?"

"Sorry Sonal, I've been a bit busy." Aditi chewed her lips. The last time they talked was on that night. A lot had happened since then, her friend was totally in dark. "How's your new job?"

"It's okay. The work is good, but I don't like the place. Too much crowd and pollution. And the mess food tastes horrible."

Aditi listened as her friend droned on with her ever-increasing list of complaints. Sonal had never been away from her family. Her hometown was Lucknow, from where they all had done their medical course.

"By the way, when are we starting on the hospital project? Did you talk to the architect?" Sonal asked excitedly.

Aditi smiled. "Yes, I have arranged for the architect's visit. We'll start once the plans are in place."

"That's great!" Sonal chirped excitedly. " I can't wait to be back in Palampur. The last time we came, I couldn't even watch the sunset properly. How about a visit this weekend? We can resume our sightseeing and also discuss the plans."

"Umm...no, not this weekend." Aditi faltered. "I am a bit busy, have a few things to sort out. But I am on it, I'll let you know."

Sonal frowned. "Is everything okay, Aditi?"

"Yes, everything is ok Sonal. It's just that something has cropped up unexpectedly. I just need to take care of it before we start."

The line went quiet. Aditi knew what her friend must be thinking. Sonal had an idea about Vivaan and had also witnessed her argument with Vicki. She had tried to probe that night when they were on their way back. Aditi hadn't been able to give a straight answer, and then Vicki had called on Aalok's mobile.

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"So..is everything sorted with Vicki now?" Sonal asked hesitantly. "And how is Sam? He was hurt that night. Is he okay now?"

Aditi swallowed uneasily.

That night. She wished it was erased from her memory, from her life. But she was not so lucky. It will stay there forever, galling, goading, taunting, and testing. Creeping on her maliciously when she least expected it. "Yeah...it's all sorted." she blurted unsteadily. "They all left. I am not in touch anymore. It's all...finished."

"Are you okay, Aditi? You don't seem right..."

"I am fine Sonal. I need to go now, I'll talk to you later." Aditi answered hastily and cut the call.

Wiping her clammy brow she tried to catch her breath. She needed to get a grip. Such conversations were inevitable. With time they'll disappear, with time it will all be fine. Until that time, she just needed to hold on.

Finishing her cold tea she readied herself. Lunchtime was over, and people were gathering outside. It was time to get back to work.

*****

A few miles away in the riverside Raisingh Villa, Dalpat Raisingh sat on his swing in his favorite spot on the terrace. The morning was hot, but the villa was surrounded by greenery. And the breeze from the river was enough to compensate for the overhead heat. Leaning back into his cushions, he sipped on his fresh lime water. The brass chains whinged delicately, at this age, he was getting a bit too heavy for this swing.

"You don't need to worry. It's all under control." He reassured pleasantly, stroking the woman next to him. His eyes slid over her well-matured figure. She was in her late forties, well past the officially desirable age. But even after two kids, she still held a certain appeal.

"Please. I don't like this. Keep Vivaan away from Nehal. She will not be another plaything for you and your family." Mansi's voice was tight.

Dalpat curled his lip. Plaything was the right word. The woman had certainly improved her vocabulary in her twenty-three years as a Sharma Bahu. Alas, vocabulary was the only thing she had improved. The rest of her was still the same, a pathetic wannabe, a greedy low-born.

"I said you don't need to worry. Vivaan will not overstep his boundaries." He waved her away but understood her concern. The Raisingh men had a reputation. And who would know it better than her?

Years ago, Mansi was introduced to him by a mutual acquaintance. He was on a business trip to Mumbai and needed company for one night. The young girl, a struggling actress, had taken care of all his needs. He was so impressed, he had taken her back with him and installed her in one of his lavish apartments in south Delhi. Ah, those were days of bliss, he still remembered them fondly.

"You shouldn't have come here. You know it's risky, right?"

"I had to come. Nehal has a mark on her neck." Mansi stuttered uncomfortably. "I don't know where this will go if they meet again."

"She's an adult. Presumably, she came out of her own volition. And you can't just blame Vivaan, it takes two to tango." His arm reached out to caress her cheek, then trailed down to curl around her neck. It had been years since he had her. He wondered if she still tasted as good.

"How's your father-in-law, by the way? Did he have anything to say on this?" Dalpat asked casually pulling her closer. The swing swayed precariously, metal rings creaked louder making her wince.

"He is worried. And Aditi crossed all her boundaries yesterday, threatening my husband with money, and Nehal with Zorawar. The girl is flying too high. You need to do something about her."

Dalpat laughed. He admired the girl's spirit, he had seen her fire in childhood itself. She would need special handling once she was married to Vivaan, but that was not his immediate concern.

"All in good time, sweetheart." He caressed her lovingly and pulled her closer. "How are things with your husband by the way? Is he keeping you happy?"

She looked irritated. "What is it to you anyway? You got what you wanted. You played with me to your heart's content and snared Ravi when you had your fill. Luckily he was too blinded by love to see through it, or I'd be on the streets today."

His lip twitched. Blinded by love. Another apt description. He had introduced Ravi to Mansi when he had come to Delhi for a racing event. The girl had swept him off his feet. He had proposed to her that very night and was married to her the next day. Balwant was obviously furious and refused to accept her. But Dalpat had put in his good word. His private life with her had remained private, and his obligation was fulfilled too.

"You should thank me for that, I settled you for life. And maybe once in a while, it would be good if you consider a payback." Pulling her close he fondled her plump assets. She struggled a bit, then let him have his way.

"Come to bed." His voice was hoarse. It had been ages. He didn't remember the last time they'd had a chance, since when that idiot husband of hers had come into the picture. And then it would've been too risky, too foolish to jeopardize his ties with Balwant. But now that she was already here...he felt himself hardening. It would be so unfair to waste the opportunity.

"No." She pulled away in mock anger. "I'm a married woman now. And I love my husband."

"Do you, now?" He laughed loudly. For all her wiles he knew how to make her comply. Money was always her weakness and after Aditi's threat, it was clear she was looking for an alternate source.

The stupid woman had taken a great risk and risked him too. But now that she was here, he couldn't just let her go.

Walking to the wardrobe he pulled out a thick wad of notes. As expected, her face brightened.

He didn't have to do much after that. She was too willing to oblige. His needs were taken care of like they were in the olden days. She had only gotten better with experience, he was hardly able to breathe when they were done.

It was well into the afternoon when she got up to leave.

"So what are they planning to do now? Surely Balwant and Aditi must have had a talk about it?" he asked stretching in his bed. His informer in the Sharma house could only tell him so much. What went behind closed doors, especially those of the Study, was still a mystery.

"I don't know." Mansi looked irritated. "You'd think after all this time, after so many years after their deaths, at least now he'll involve us in family matters. But no. He still shuts us off, treats us like outsiders, as if Aditi is his only living relative."

Dalpat shook his head. He admired Balwant. The man had proved he had wits to match his own.

"Even Mohit is angry this time, seeing his father treated like dirt. And Ravi.." She stopped, suddenly losing her chain of thought. Fear once again clouded her face."Ravi thinks it's okay for Nehal to meet Vivaan. In fact, he even demanded Babuji to propose their marriage."

"And you don't think it's a good idea?"

"Of course not!" She looked horrified. "Please. It's not right. Keep Vivaan away from Nehal."

His brow furrowed. He had wondered it often, Nehal was born premature, but had looked like a healthy baby at birth. "So you think...? "

"I know." She snapped.

He watched as she left, back to her prim and proper self, back to being a respectable Sharma Bahu. She had really perfected her act, no one could have accused her of any untoward behavior.

Scoffing to himself he got up. This latest revelation changed nothing. It didn't matter who Nehal's father was, as long as she served his purpose. His game had started long ago, and it would only end when he achieved his purpose.

***** *****