Now Ahead…
Shanti handed her phone to Jay. As both Jay and Aman looked at the pictures on the screen, their eyes widened in disbelief. The images were shocking—one looked like they were kissing, and the other seemed far more intimate.
Aman's face turned crimson with rage. He clenched his fists as fire flashed in his eyes. Jay quickly placed a hand on his shoulder and said firmly, "Aman, calm down!"
"How can I calm down, Jay?" Aman growled through gritted teeth. He grabbed the phone and pointed at the pictures. "Just look at these! Do you see what they've done? It looks like… like…" he paused, unable to complete the sentence, rage choking his voice. "Whoever did this sick thing… I swear, I won't spare them. They deserve a death worse than a dog's."
Saying that, Aman stormed out of the hospital ward and made a call, instructing his most trusted men to dig out the truth behind the pictures.
Meanwhile, Jay turned to Shanti with a polite "Excuse me," and followed Aman outside. He found him sitting on a waiting room chair, elbows resting on knees, his head bowed, eyes fixed on the floor, lost in furious thought.
Jay sat down beside him and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"What is it, Aman? What's going on in your mind?"
Aman looked up and began, "You remember, Jay… last week when we were in London for that business meeting at the Savoy Hotel?"
Jay nodded slowly. "Yeah, I remember."
Aman continued, "Right after the meeting, you went back to the villa early. I got delayed and returned later. That's when I caught a cold…" He then detailed the chain of events that had followed. "Jay, I swear… I saved Shanti's life that night."
Jay listened carefully and then said, "Look Aman, I know both you and Shanti are victims here. And I truly believe… someone has framed Shanti deliberately."
Aman looked at him with disbelief. "How can you be so sure it's her who got framed? Isn't it just as possible that I'm the one being framed?"
Jay's voice was calm but firm. "If you were being framed, those pictures would've gone viral by now. Think about it."
Aman fell silent. Jay's words hit home. There was logic in them.
After a moment, Jay told Aman about his plan to take Shanti with him to Delhi. Aman resisted heavily, but Jay remained adamant and eventually brought Shanti back with him.
---
At the Delhi Bungalow
Jay explained everything to Shivani. Shanti was given a room in the bungalow's outhouse and placed under the watchful care of the staff.
Days passed.
Results from Delhi University were declared. Once again, Shivani topped the Science stream.
Aman rushed to her room, joy brimming on his face. Knocking on the door, he called, "Shivani, may I come in?"
"Yes, Bhaiya!" came her voice from inside.
Aman stepped in, his eyes glowing with pride. "Shivani! I have amazing news!"
"What is it, Bhaiya?" she asked, curious.
Holding out his phone, he showed her the result. "Congratulations! You've topped the entire university again!"
Tears welled up in Shivani's eyes. She tried to hide them as she whispered, "Thank you, Bhaiya." Then, bending down, she touched his feet.
Startled, Aman quickly pulled her up. "Don't do that in your condition," he said gently. "And you never have to bend before your brother for blessings."
Placing a loving hand on her head, he said, "Stay happy always. May success always kiss your feet."
Then with a playful grin, he added, "Now that calls for a celebration! Ask your husband to arrange a proper party."
He turned to leave and broke into a song, "Party to banti hai…" as he exited the room.
The moment he left, Shivani walked into the bathroom, turned on the tap, and broke down into loud sobs. The maids were all busy with chores and didn't hear her cries.
---
Meanwhile…
Jay was about to take Aditya to school. Just as he was about to get into the car, he realized he had forgotten his phone. He quickly headed back to the room to grab it.
As he neared the corridor, he heard Aman singing and stopped him with a smile. "What's with all the singing today?"
Aman beamed. "Of course, I'm singing! My sister just topped the university again!"
Jay smiled warmly. Aman looked at him and said, "Don't just smile—this calls for a party! Your wife and my sister just made us proud."
Jay laughed, "Alright then, let's have a celebration tonight."
With that, he continued toward the bedroom.
But as he stepped inside, he didn't see Shivani anywhere. Then, faintly, he heard water running and the sound of muffled sobs. Alarmed, he rushed toward the bathroom.
What he saw next froze him.
Shivani was sitting on the bathroom floor, drenched, hands covering her face as she cried uncontrollably beneath the running tap.
Jay quickly turned off the tap.
Hearing the water stop, Shivani looked up abruptly—and saw Jay. Embarrassed, she got up quickly and wiped her tears, forcing a smile onto her face.
Jay walked over, his brows furrowed in concern. "What's wrong, Shivani? Why are you crying?"
"I wasn't crying," she replied quickly, still smiling. "Something got into my eyes… I was just washing it off."
Jay gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.
And then—her tears broke free again.
She fell into his arms, sobbing.
"I… I miss Maa and Papa so much," she cried. "Whenever I topped my exams, they were the first to celebrate. They'd bless me, hug me, cook my favorite food. But today… there's no one left to share this happiness with. Today, I've truly felt… like an orphan."
Every word pierced Jay's heart like a dagger. He knew—he was the reason she had become an orphan.
His own eyes welled up. He held her tighter, silently apologizing again and again in his heart.
But could his unspoken apology bring back her parents?
No.
He slowly pulled her away, wiping her tears. "Shivani… remember your promise? You told me you wouldn't cry."
She sniffled, "I don't want to cry, but whenever I remember them… I just can't stop myself."
Jay embraced her again. "Shhh… calm down."
Then suddenly, he realized her clothes were completely soaked.
He stepped back quickly and without hesitation, began unwrapping her wet saree.
Startled, Shivani gasped, "What… what are you doing?"
Jay didn't respond to her panic. Calmly, he said, "What I should do."
He gently removed her saree.
Now left only in her blouse and petticoat, Shivani instinctively crossed her arms over her chest.
Jay chuckled, "You're acting like I haven't seen you like this before."
Blushing deeply, Shivani looked away.
Jay stepped forward, scooped her up in his arms, and carried her out of the bathroom.
---
To Be Continued…