My apologies for not updating before. Next chapter I will update sooner.:)

Suvarna' s POV.

Shishir squeezed my shoulder reassuringly before he got up. He took Charles to one side of the room. I could not her what they were talking about but I could see Charles's face going red with rage.

I gasped when after a few minutes he lunged towards Rita with his hands raised. Shishir caught him just before he reached Rita who huddled to one corner whimpering.

"Charles, no!" He said. Paresh got up and stood beside them.

Charles sat down opposite me and covered his face with his palms. "I am sorry Mehrotra, I am so sorry." He said looking up.

"Call Ricky." Shishir said quietly. Charles nodded and dialled a number. He got up and started talking over the phone, walking away from us. I could hear him shout as he asked this person to come to Shishir's apartment immediately.

Shishir came and sat beside me looking grim. "Ricky is Charles' s younger brother, Rita's twin." He told me quietly.

I nodded at him, still not able to grasp or understand what was exactly going on. How was this guy, Ricky involved?

After about ten minutes the doorbell rang. Charles dashed to the door and opened it with a force.

I heard some yelling though still could not see the face of the newcomer. My heart almost stopped beating when the face came into my view.

I grabbed Shishir's arm as the man who was the cause of my nightmare walked in. Shishir looked at me. I think he realised almost instantly who was the man to me.

"Ricky! You tried to rape Suvi!" He bellowed as he got up and before I knew this guy was on the floor.

"What?" the chorus of the other occupants of the room sounded. For some reason, right at this moment I felt nothing. It was almost as though all my senses had stopped working. A feeling of numb seemed to take over me.

The words seemed to float in the air and did not completely register. I could vaguely make out words like blackmail, drug, sorry-

I jumped in my seat as I felt someone land in a heap near my feet. My eyes widened when I saw the face of the man.

I felt my breathe hitch as I tried to breathe in deeply. The face that had tormented, invaded my mind for almost three years lay crying in front of me.

His eyes looked anguished as he folded his hands in a gesture of apology. "I am sorry." He said in a whisper. "I don't even remember the night too well-" he said as he lay sobbing.

For the first time I realised how young he was. Three years back he was probably a teenager, maybe still was.

Not able to take in any more I got up and rushed to my room. Shishir came in almost immediately . He held me to him as various emotions cruised through me.

Over the years I had felt disgust, fear, anger, helplessness and various other intense emotions. Right now I am not sure what exactly I am feeling.

"Suvi, don't worry." Shishir was whispering softly. His voice near my ears helped me sooth my nerves, slowly.

"Don't worry anymore." He said as he placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

I believed him. Always had. "Do you want to lie down?" He asked me gently.

I shook my head in a no. "I want to come out with you. I want to know why he did it. " I said softly. Strangely my voice came out steady. Maybe this amazing man beside me had sucked out all my fear and worries.

He looked at me long, as though trying to make sure I would be fine if I went out in front of -Ricky.

He smiled gently. "Come he said pulling me up.

We stepped outside and saw a grim looking Charles sitting with his young brother and sister. Paresh came to us as we entered and put his arm on my shoulder pulling me for a side hug. I gave him a weak smile.

He leaned and whispered something to Shishir. Shishir nodded.

"Suvi, I guess we will need to wait till we can confront Ricky." I looked at him confused. Why do they want to delay?

"We need to get to the man who actually planned the whole thing." Shishir continued.

"Ricky confirmed he is from India and that he is in London currently." Said Pushkar. "Ricky had in fact come to meet him here. It was him who told Ricky that Rita has come to your place and ahd asked him to come and get her."

Rahul? I know he is here. But how can he do this? And why would he? It is really difficult for me to believe it is Rahul. In the past three years or so that I know him, he has always been very supportive and understanding.

"Is it Rahul?" I asked. Paresh exchanged glance with Shishir.

"From what Ricky has been saying, it does seem so." Paresh said quietly. "He said he had introduced himself as Sunny."

"If a person can plan something to this extend, it is unlikely he will reveal his true identity."Shishir said. "Suvi me and Paresh will need to go out with Ricky. We need to take the mastermind by surprise."

Paresh nodded. "He is staying in this apartment block itself and is keeping an eye on us. With you and Suvi back together I think he knows he is now at risk."

I was beginning to feel dizzy. This was all getting too confusing. Who could have been so desperate to have planned things to this extend. What did that person hold against me?

"Bhaiya, there is another thing. Both Rita and Ricky say they did not steel the button from your shirt. So we need to figure out how -Rahul - got it?"

"You are sure it is Rahul?" I asked still not able to believe it.

"Who else? Suvi I know it is difficult to believe but then we cannot overlook evidence." Paresh said.

I glanced at Shishir who was very quiet. I saw his jaw clenched and touched his arm lightly. He looked at me and his features softened.

"I need to talk to Ricky before we leave." Shishir said suddenly.

I and Paresh followed him into the living room where the others were seated. I avoided looking at any of their faces. At this point of time I really don't know how to behave around them.

Rita walked upto me and caught my hand and started to say something. I felt uneasy at the contact but I need not have worried. Shishir pulled her hand out of mine and pulled me firmly to side and walked on.

I felt tad bit bad for Rita at her hurt expression but honestly I did not think I had it in me right now to have to hear any of their excuses for their role for that dreadful night.

Shishir made me sit on the couch and planted a kiss on my cheek. I felt emotions crash through me. So intense was his caring for me that I was actually able to sit within a few feet of Ricky and not freak out.

With him beside me I got the assurance that everything would be fine now. He would make everything okay for me.

I was surprised when he did not sit beside me. He walked straight upto Ricky and without uttering a single word caught Ricky by his collar and dragged him out of the room. Charles barely glanced at his brother being roughly dragged out of the room.

Paresh got up and followed them immediately but came back into the room presently. "Bhaiya has taken him into his study and locked themselves in."

To feel sorry for Ricky was not something I could even contemplate. However this action of Shishir had me worried. What did he have in mind that he could not do in front of others?

Shishir was beyond furious at this point of time, supposing his anger got the better of him and he did something.

I felt too restless to sit around and wait. Neither was I at ease sitting in the same room as Rita right now. With Shishir not beside me everything seemed to suddenly weigh down on me.

"I am going down for a walk." I said looking at Paresh who sat a little distance away looking tensed himself.

"Suvi it is quite late now." He said shaking his head.

"I won't go far, I will stay within the premises ." I said and walked towards the door.

"I will come down with you." Paresh said and I started to protest. "It's a new place for you Suvi, I am not letting you go alone. " He insisted and opened the door for me. I stepped out not protesting further. I stayed quite as Paresh asked Charles to call him once Shishir came out of his study.

We hardly spoke as we went down. As we stepped out of the elevator Paresh stopped me. "Are you sure you saw Rahul?"

"I spoke to him." I said quietly and started walking.

"We will need to tell Varsha bhabhi about- everything." He said.

A despair came over me as I realised he was right. If it was indeed Rahul behind all this then Varsha bhabhi and others will have to be told.

Suddenly Paresh stopped walking and pulled me to a stop. He pointed in a direction in front. I looked and saw Rahul! He was walking briskly in front of us and had not noticed us.

Paresh motioned silently for me to remain quiet and we ducked behind a car.

The way he was walking around, it really seemed he is living in this very apartment block..

For some reason I felt like crying. Rahul had always been supportive and understanding. I had always been aware of Varsha bhabhi's attempts to get us together. I never had any such feeling towards Rahul and had never even thought on that line. I had made it clear to Varsha bhabhi. Despite all this Rahul had become a good friend.

Right then a black car came and stopped in front of Rahul and he got in. The car had dark windows and we could not see who was in it.

After a few minutes Rahul got down and started walking as he pushed something in his jeans pocket. He passed near where I and Paresh were and we saw what he had in his hand. A big wad of currency notes! Clearly somebody was paying him a good amount for his services.

"I am dragging him right now up to bhaiya's apartment." Paresh said rushing forward. Rahul saw him coming and stared at him for a moment stunned.

Then he pulled out his phone and dialled a number and started running. Paresh had almost reached him when that black car came back and stopped right in between - and Danny got down.

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Break time!

Take a break. What do you think Danny is doing with Rahul? How do you think they are connected?

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Shishir's POV.

I stood near my study door as Ricky stepped out. If I could have my way I would have strangled him with my bare hands. Unfortunately I could not do that. I knew he was just the face of the whole plan and not the mastermind.

In the last twenty minutes that I grilled him I had managed to get a clearer picture of what had happened three years back. Ricky was the one who had travelled with my passport under flse identity.

This fellow, Sunny, had blackmailed Ricky into doing it since he had caught Ricky stealing and doing drugs He had threatened and intimated Ricky.

By now of course It was evident to me who this Sunny really was. However another fact was evident that we did not have much proof against him. So I could not just barge into his home claiming to blame him.

Worst was Suvi had already seen Rahul and she might actually try confronting him. This could actually trigger off as a warning to the actual mastermind behind all this.

Till now I had been thinking that this whole thing had been planned with the attack on Suvi as a part of the plan. Now after this grilling session with Ricky I realised Suvi had never been the intended target at all. The target had always been me and Suvi means to get to me.

I entered the living room and saw Ricky already seated there beside Rita. Charles came upto me and stood in front, his head slightly bowed, not meeting my eyes. I pressed his shoulder reassuringly, knowing exactly how he must be feeling right now. I would be pressing charges on both his siblings, there was no doubt in my mind about that. However that would not change my equation with him. He is a good man and is loyal to me.

"Where is Suvi?" I asked not able to see her. Paresh was not here either.

"Suvarna and Paresh have gone down for a walk." Charles said quietly.

I nodded and started walking out immediately. This is not good. I knew in all probability Rahul would be nearby and Suvi to come face to face with him is not going to help in getting the whole picture clear.

I had barely reached the elevator when the door opened and Paresh and a very upset looking Suvi stepped out. I leaned and wrapped my arms around Suvi. She placed her head on my chest. I looked at Paresh enquiringly.

"We saw Rahul downstairs." He said confirming what I was already dreading. "How is your relationship with Danny?" He asked.

"What about Danny?" I asked confused. I listened quietly as he related their encounter with him. They had almost got to Rahul but Danny came into the scene and took Rahul away. I shook my head in frustration but did not want Suvi to worry on this right now. She has already gone through a lot.

"Are you hungry?" I asked Suvi lightly stroking her back. She shook her head in denial. " I want to sleep. I am feeling very tired she said lifting her head from my chest.

I nodded and led her inside. Paresh followed us in. I knew he would handle Ricky and Rita and ensure Charles keeps an eye on them when they go home. I took Suvi to my room.

"I want to sleep Shishir ." Suvi said as soon as she saw where I had taken her. I kissed her forehead. "Sleep here. Okay?" I said gently making her sit on my bed. Her eyes widened at my words.

I went over to my walk in closet and came out with some clothes and gave it to her. She took them from me and went in to the bathroom.

I went out to check on Paresh and found him just outside my room. He told me Charles had left with Ricky and Rita. We talked for some time and then he went over to his room.

Back inside my room I saw Suvi had already changed and was sitting quietly on my bed. It felt good to see her in my clothes. She had almost half drowned in my T shirt and my shorts, being much too big for her but to me she looked cute as ever.

"Shishir." She said softly and my heart melted at her vulnerable expression. I went to her and put my arms around her.

"I am sorry." She said not looking at me.

"For what?" I asked her. I did not like her telling me sorry, for whatever she was thinking about.

"For being such a big trouble to you. You were better off without me." She looked so helpless. My heart clenched in my chest at her words.

She still did not feel atcease around me and I knew I was in a big way responsible for it by cutting her out of my life for so long.

I had to correct it and not by words. My actions would need to make her feel at ease around me without thinking her to be separate from me.

Without saying anything I led her towards my bed.

"Lie down. " I said softly and she did so without saying anything. I smiled feeling happy to see her lie on my bed.

There was no way I was going to let her be alone tonight. She had come face to face with her tormentor and I knew the night could be heavy on her and I wanted to be there for her.

"Come and lie down." Suvi said beckoning towards the bed beside her. This brought a smile to my face. I liked the sound of it. I liked that she did trust me and did want me to take care of her. I did not bother about changing and got into the bed and held her in my arms as she slowly relaxed.

Suddenly she sat up "What is the time?"

"Past midnight." I said trying not to laugh, knowing what she was thinking.

"Pre birthday!" she shouted and tugged at my hand. I got up and she immediately hugged me.

6th October had always been special. It was our pre birthday as we called it. To spend it with her after all these years was going to be so much more special.

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Break time!

Pre Birthday celebration of SuShi. A ray of sunshine after much gloom. They do deserve to have a good time and I am sure they will, in their own special way.

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Shishir's POV.

I woke up and saw the best thing that my eyes could show. Suvi lying next to me , sleeping peacefully.

I smiled as I thought how excited she had been at the prospect of celebrating pre birthday together. I had to convince her to sleep and we would spend the day the way she chose to.

I leaned and put away a strand of hair from her forehead and her eyes fluttered open. She smiled at me and raised her right hand to me. I held it and kissed her palm lightly. Her eyes widened and she sprang up to a sitting position. "You are real!"

I laughed at her expression "So you dream a lot about waking up next to me?" I teased her and when her cheeks coloured I knew the answer.

She looked around as though trying to remember why she woke up next to me. "I slept through the entire night in your room." she said breathlessly.

I smiled "So you did." She had woken up number of times throughout the night shouting in fear but had soon slept off after I had spoken to her reassuringly. While I had hated to see her in this state I was happy that she felt safe with me.

"So what do you want to do today?" I asked her as she sat dangling her legs from the bed.

"Get lost Shishir ." She said and I looked at her confused. What happened to her?

"What?" I asked.

She laughed when she saw my crestfallen expression. "I meant let's get lost."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I asked looking at her suspiciously. I knew from experience she had something totally crazy in her mind.

"Let's roam around in London and get lost! No planning, no checking where we are going." She said sounding excited.

Her excitement was contagious though her idea spelt trouble!

"Aren't you forgetting I practically grew up in this city? I know London too well to get lost. Besides why do you want to get lost?" I said shaking my head at her crazy idea.

"Ha! You are too upnosed to walk around in the streets anywhere. You will know London by car not the real London." She said scrunching her nose at me. "That is the way to enjoy sightseeing anywhere. To go completely unorganised and get swallowed in the unknown crowd." She said looking really happy at the prospect.

"You are mad!" I said looking at her happy face. I knew I would do what she has in mind, no matter how crazy her idea was.

"But tomorrow is mine." I said seriously. I had some plans and really wanted her to enjoy the day.

"No." she said "Tomorrow is ours!" she said and surprised me with a hug. I caught hold of her as she was pulling away. "I cannot believe we are celebrating our birthday together after so many years!"

The door flew open and Pushkar walked in unannounced "God you two just cannot stay away from each other." He said giving us a totally disgusted look.

"You mannerless boy. You barged in without knocking." Suvi said going red in the face and flung a pillow at him.

"So? It's my bhaiya's room. I always come in like this. I always did this with his previous girlfriends too." He said making me laugh. He along with others had always teased me how I never had any girlfriend ever.

My laughter faded when I saw Suvi's face. She did not believe him did she?

"I will go and get ready." She said and went out of the room before I could stop her. She believed the brat!

"Suvi!" I called but she was already out of my room.

I turned at my grinning cousin. "She believes you, you buffoon." I said.

"So convince her. What kind of a boyfriend are you that you do not know how to pacify a pissed