There was a looming silence.

Silence that spoke volumes.

Sneha's eyes were misted, face tear stained. One of her hands was resting in Rahul's outstretched hand. He was caressing her hand repeatedly, comforting her. Perhaps, seeking comfort as well.

As for Vikram he saw the past few years play like a film in front of his eyes. The climax was pending and Ashok has decided to complete it.

Vikram looked at Juhi who was sitting beside Sneha, aghast. She had not spoken a word after Sneha's revelations. He nudged her to get her attention. She looked up at him and frowned. He said, " Let's get going. I'm sure you have questions. Answers to them are with your father."

She nodded. They said their goodbyes and hugged the couple and were back on the road.

Mr. Mishra was sitting beside his wife, comforting her. She had been scared after Mr. Raheja's accident. But her bad, Mr. Mishra dismissed her worries and just plainly said, " This is karma. It has come back for us." She had launched into a new session of crying, and he had to comfort her. They heard a car stop followed by the doorbell announcing someone's arrival.

The doors opened to reveal Juhi and Vikram. Juhi quickly hugged her parents while Vikram stood a distance away with hands in his pockets. Juhi leaned away to question them,
" Dad, tell me why are you both involved in this mess?"

Her father gulped but nodded anyway, "The same fateful night Ashok and Sneha's parents died, we were on the same accident spot. People thought it was an accident, so did we. But the police inspected all the three cars involved. We had survived with minimal injuries. It was much of a direct crash between their and Raheja's car. So they were the prime suspects, as they too survived with lesser injuries.

The police investigated the case for a long time. Our car's brakes had failed and we had no idea.

This much our driver had figured as well, thus we were driving slow. But the common thing was all the cars involved had no working brakes. The airbag in Verma's car didn't open, all safety protocols were damaged, a clear indication that this was a murder.

Verma's son blamed us all , the four of us, for the accident. His point being, how come we survived? It didn't help that Raheja and Verma had a conflict, three days before the accident, and the boy was present there.

He had started harboring mixed feelings for Raheja's but he thought better of it, till that night. After that night, he broke all ties with Raheja's.

He allowed his Bua to see her brother on one condition, condition of helping him, when he desired. She was emotional at that time and agreed.

Eventually, she forgot about all this. But the boy didn't.

His anger deepened when Vikram helped Rahul and Sneha marry. But he kept quiet.

He kept quiet for many things including his knowledge of our car's involvement in that accident.

Things started to clear this year. You guys are young and we proposed you should get married. Raheja's agreed but we never knew that Ashok had sensed this. He finally put his promise to use and asked Vikram's mother to push you two together. She told me everything and I agreed. She believed, Ashok would not harm his friend and was protecting Juhi because of her innocence. I, as well assumed it to be true.

We pushed you closer, so that you would marry and when you agreed for that. He set his plan into action. A plan to take revenge."

" How do you know so much?" asked Vikram.

He had always thought, Ashok wouldn't spare him, no matter what. This was his reason for hurting Juhi. He wanted to protect her.

He was unaware of Mishra's involvement until he paid a visit to Mr. Mishra after finding out the person behind Jodhpur land mishap.

" Son, your mother relied on me to protect you. She told me everything, she couldn't tell your father. She knew he won't handle all this and see she was right."

" My mother knew all this..." he mumbled.

" Yet, she didn't warn me!" His eyes held pain but as usual he masked it quickly.

Without waiting for further clarification, he said his goodbye.

Juhi had called him many times but he didn't pay heed to her. She was stopped by her mother, " Give him some time to come around." She had stopped and was pulled into a hug by her.

Vikram had got inside his car and drove fast randomly. Driving took things off his mind. It was most welcome for the moment. Aimlessly driving for hours, he finally got around the hospital where his father was admitted. He went inside but first made a quick stop to cafeteria to grab a coffee. After that he was on his way to guard the ICU.

Revenge, never lets you seek peace. It burns you and those around you. So was true with Ashok. He had pushed away his sister and friends. He was a lonely mogul striving to make a perfect strike of revenge.

His parents' untimely demise had forced him to take over many responsibilities, but due his excellence he succeeded achieving new heights for the company.

Vikram was his family, keyword being was. Now, he was his enemy. He stood beside Vikram's father, Mr. Raheja who was peacefully sleeping, nobody was there to keep him company except Ashok's unwanted presence. He had come here to take stock of his doings. "This was just the beginning and you land in ICU. What will happen when I take my ultimate revenge on you all, on 21st June, ten years after the passing of my parents?"

There was no reply. Ashok laughed to himself and started to go out. Stepping out, he was met with Vikram, who was now guarding his father from outside. Vikram as well noticed his presence, " Why are you here? Have you not done enough, already?"

Ashok smirked, " This is just the beginning. They will suffer the fate they planned for my family. Your life will change forever this 21st of June.".

Vikram's face had paled but he masked it fast. Ashok took notice of it and patted his shoulder and walked off, whistling to himself.