Adultery Love Sex And War Part 1 : Age Of Darkness

[Harry Jordan]

                                                                                                                                                            CHAPTER 20

The scent of antiseptic hung heavy in the air. Distant voices echoed in muffled urgency. 

“BP dropping! We’re losing him!” 

Shouted one of the doctors as the defibrillator charged again. Hemant’s body lay pale, soaked in sweat, twitching under the electric shocks that coursed through him. But his mind—his soul—was elsewhere. He was tumbling through a deep void of memory and pain. And at the center of it was Sonarika. Her words repeated endlessly, stabbing his core. 

"I slept with him Hemant.....and.....I've been sleeping with him ever since” 

Her voice was like a curse etched into the walls of his fading consciousness, growing louder, more mocking, until the world collapsed into a deafening silence.

Then the visions began.

He saw Sonarika in her wedding dress, smiling radiantly as they exchanged vows. He remembered the warmth of her fingers when she first handed him baby Karan in the hospital, tears in both their eyes. A montage of beautiful, quiet family moments flickered like home video—diwali decorations, beach trips, late-night dancing in the kitchen. Anjali laughing with them, ever the cheerful sister. But these moments warped quickly. Her smile twisted into smirks. Karan’s laughter echoed like derision. Their happiness became a parody, taunting him. 

"I Lied To You" Sonarika’s voice said again, this time as a whisper over the wind. 

"I slept with him Hemant.....and.....I've been sleeping with him ever since"

Darkness crept in like smoke. Flames erupted around him. That house at Azerbaijaan burned again—the one he had locked away in memory. The air filled with smoke and screams. He saw Manush Rustom, his wife and daughter—blackened by flame, their eyes hollow and accusing. Their lips didn’t move, but Hemant heard them clear as day: 

"You Didn't Avenge Us" 

He stumbled back as the warehouse scene unfolded. Armed men charging at him. Blood. Steel. Gunfire. He was no longer Hemant. He was moving with inhuman precision. The infamous Inquisitor sword in his right hand, a gun in his left. Men fell like dominos. No mercy. No hesitation. Fire raged behind him. Then—he saw himself walk forward, a black suit drenched in blood, face untouched by time, eyes blazing.

"Welcome back, Hemant... or should I say... Michael King"

The name hit him like a punch to the chest. Michael King—the name he had buried. The identity he had tried to smother under marriage, love, and fatherhood. The gangster turned warlord. The man who once ruled the shadows of Europe, enforcing his brutal version of order. Hemant stared at this doppelgänger, knowing it wasn’t separate. It was him. And as the defibrillator struck once more, that name thundered in his mind, Michael King. The silence shattered. His body jolted violently—eyes flew open.

Gasping, air filled his lungs like fire. The doctors jumped back, stunned. He was stable, breathing on his own. 

"He’s back" one whispered in awe. 

But Hemant didn’t flinch. No panic. No gratitude. Just... silence. His eyes were dark and unreadable, fixated on the overhead light as though it held answers. The emotions—pain, heartbreak, confusion—had evaporated. What remained was something terrifying in its stillness. The doctors tried to speak to him, ask him questions, but he turned his head, as if the noise meant nothing.

His gaze fell to the tray beside him. The rings they’d removed lay there—emblems of his old life. The Garuda ring, a symbol of protection and strength. But it was the Archangel ring that lingered in his gaze. He remembered who gave it to him. What it had meant in the underworld—what he had meant. The ring shimmered faintly under the light, an echo of the fire that once consumed his soul. His fingers twitched slightly, not toward the ring, but in recognition. A seal had been broken. Michael King was no longer a ghost of the past.

The pain that had shattered Hemant's heart was gone. Not healed—consumed. That part of him, that vulnerable, loving man, had withered in that emergency room. What took its place was colder. Sharper. Forged from trauma, honed by violence. He wasn't mourning Sonarika anymore. He wasn't weeping over betrayal. Those emotions belonged to Hemant. 

But Michael King—Michael King didn't feel pain. He only felt purpose.

And as the doctors exchanged confused glances, murmuring about psychological shock or trauma-induced catatonia, Michael King lay perfectly still, staring at the ceiling. Behind his unreadable expression, thoughts churned like a storm. The world had forgotten who he was. But he remembered. And now that he was back—really back—the world would soon remember him too.

SOME TIME LATER

Sonarika along with Anjali and Karan charged through the hospital corridors after asking the reception where the emergency ward is. As they went through the hallway of the hospital. They finally reached the Emergency Room door. Through the glass window they saw Hemant laying in the bed. Sonarika noticed her heartbroken laying her pale and still. She also noticed he wasn't sleeping , his eyes were open but he kept on looking up. Just then Doctor Sonia Joshi arrived near them.

"Are you Mrs. Hemant Kumar?"

"Yess , I am. How is he?"

"You can relax , he is out of danger for now. Recovering well"

Sonarika sighed with relief.

"I would like to talk to you. Let them sit here , I'll arrange them to meet Hemant for the time being"

Soon a nurse led Karan and Anjali inside to meet Hemant while Sonarika followed Dr.Sonia to her office.

"Sit Miss?"

"Sonarika"

"Okay Sonarika , your husband is recovering well. But I am trying to find the cause of it"

"What happened to him Doctor?"

"Your husband suffered a serious and fatal stroke. From what I heard he was found in his vehicle passed out by Pedestrians. When he was brought here , I was honestly loosing hope , his pulse were almost gone. If they didn't get him here on time , it would've been worse"

Sonarika controlled her tears as she felt broken and cursing herself inside knowing that she is the reason for his heart stopping. Sonia continued.

"I just wanna ask Sonarika. Was anything bothering Hemant lately , did something happen? I am asking so that I can treat him better. My initial observation says he was met with a sudden shock of something , which resulted his body giving up on him. I know its personal but I need to understand if something happened so that I can find a solution to his health"

Sonarika cried a little , after which she decided to tell the truth.

"I met him in the evening doctor. I told him.......that I've been cheating on him...he left me teary eyed and silent on the Gateway"

Sonia realized what was the issue. She also felt awkward getting to know something personal about the family.

"Oh , that makes sense. So I guess that made him suffer a massive and fatal stroke. I really struggled to resusitate him. But something was very odd , he didn't flinch or exasperated like a normal patient. He simply came back , it was definitely something I've never seen before"

"He used to have bad dreams doctor. He served in the Army long ago which traumatised him"

"That explains his shutdown. Anyways he is back healthy as usual but I am afraid I will have to stop you from seeing him"

"But why?"

"Sonarika. Based on what I heard , he suffered that stroke after seeing you. I don't want to risk his health again if he has a similar reaction again seeing you. So first let me check him , you can watch him from the glass window away from his attention"

Sonarika understood her reasoning , but at the same time it hurt her knowing that her presence can hurt him further. Making the guilt in her stab her mind many times. She walked and stood at the corner of the window taking a peak inside to see him undetected. To ensure that he is safe and healing. Karan was near him and he was hugging him tight. Anjali talked with him , something she could not hear due to the soundproof glass. Soon both Karan and Anjali came out as Sonarika went to them.

"You talked to him Anju?"

"Yes Didi. Bhaiya is alright , he says it wasn't something serious. But I don't know , something is off , I feel it"

"Its okay Anju. We'll figure it out"

Just then Sonia came near them.

"He will be shifted to one of our VIP rooms. Seems he's eligible for it considering he played a big role in building this hospital"

Sonarika realized that little detail. This was the same multi-speciality hospital Hemant and Kunal worked with for Pranitha Mehta when he was employed in QUADRON. She was still proud of him , that he has achieved so much in life in recent times. And then there was the guilt and twinge of pain , knowing that she repayed his achievements and hardwork by spreading her legs for another man. She wished at that moment for the ground to break and swallow her into it. But she also knew she has made the mistake so she should definitely pay the price for it as well.

She saw from the window  Dr.Sonia talking to Hemant , but something strange caught her eye. Hemant was smiling , not showing any emotions of depression or sadness. And that fears her , she could not take his face she saw in the Gateway from her head. That swelled up cheeks , tears flowing like waterfall , holding off not to cry. She anticipated it to happen , but not like this. Not to the point he suffered a serious medical emergency. But now seeing him like this is something disturbing. As she was contemplating it , Sonia walked out of his room and came to them.

"We're moving him now , and Sonarika. Hemant wants to talk to you in private once the shift is done"

She realised it will not be a warm conversation but rather something painful and more hurtful. As they towed out Hemant from the emergency room , she walked by him but he simply looked up watching at the ceiling of the hospital moving. As they got him to his bed in his room. Karan hugged Hemant to which he reciprocated.

"Papa....you look like Spiderman from the video game now"

"Right when the villains ambushed him right?"

"Yes"

"Okay , Karan? I want you to be a good boy and behave well at home okay? Papa will be here for few days but will return home soon"

"Why can't I stay here Papa?"

"Because its a hospital Karan. Papa will need some rest for this , plus you will be bored here and you have your homework and institute to attend"

Karan nodded in disappointment.

"Look Papa will come home after few days. Until then you are incharge of being the man of the house. Help mumma when she needs it and don't annoy Anjali too much okay?"

"Okay Papa"

Hemant gave a warm kiss to Karan's forehead as he walked to Sonarika's arms. Then it was Anjali's turn.

"Bhaiya , how did this happen? I know damn well this didn't happen due to poor health as you are fit and fine. Something is definitely wrong"

"I know Anju. But lets wait for few days , we'll explain everything once I come home"

"Its not anything serious right?"

"Its nothing. Like I said Anju. Few days , then you'll know. Take care"

"You too Bhaiyaa.....you too"

Soon Anjali walked away with Karan to leave the room , leaving just Sonarika and Hemant inside. There was just an eery silence as both of them looked at each other. Sonarika's eyes were wet but Hemant still had that stoic expression. He finally spoke.

"You know Sonarika....they say that people in love can make one's heart stop......you did it quiet literally.....but for the opposite reasion"

Sonarika listened and tried to reason it with him.

"Hemant....I didn't want this to happen....not like this..."

"Then how.....you plan to keep me in the dark?"

"No , never......the whole reason for me to tell the truth is for that very reason....I've failed you many times......I didn't wanna do it again"

"So are you expecting a medal?"

"No.....I deserve whatever punishment you seem fit"

"Quiet easy for you to say that Sonarika.....when quiet literally the only looser in this whole mess is me"

Sonarika was confused but before she could ask , Hemant declared.

"Take Karan and Anju home , I don't want them in an environment of a hospital. I'll be back home in a few days"

"How can I leave you here all alone" Sonarika asked concerned.

"Don't act like a concerned wife anymore Sonarika. Just don't do it"

"I know I betrayed you , but I still care for you"

"Care? You don't care. Why don't you go home and call your boyfriend to show care"

"Hemant's its not like that"

"You don't get it don't you Sonarika. You didn't just break me. You broke our family , our little world is wrecked into smitherines. And Karan outside , he has no idea the kind of destruction you have caused to your family"

Sonarika didn't say anything. Silently sobbed her tears.

"You didn't just break my heart , you broke my future, our dreams of an ideal life for us as a family. All this time I thought you were loving me , caring for me. But they were all a lie"

Sonarika faltered when he said that as she intervened.

"No , Hemant , it wasn't a lie. I've never stopped loving you , I never did"

"Don't ever talk about love anymore to me Sonarika. You didn't just kill our love , you destroyed it to ashes"

"Hemant , please!"

"I am done talking to you Sonarika. Go home , once I am home , I will discuss the future. If I have any in that regard"

"Hemant pl----"

Hemant stopped her as tears were coming from his eyes.

"I've never raised my hand or thought any kind of violence against you Sonarika. If you don't walk away right now , I will start to hate you"

Sonarika with heavy sob looked at him knowing the amount of hurt she has already caused on him with her actions. She didn't want him to feel hurt again as she slowly walked away. She knew he is in deep pain right now , but her being there was only going to make it increase. She rubbed her tears and controlled her emotions when she left the room. 


Hemant lied there letting go his tears to flow freely as he lied on the bed. The pain in his heart was wrecking him. It was like he was back in tha void again , the very same void he sat when he lost everything. 


SOMETIME LATER


Sonarika shut the door of her bedroom and leaned against it, her body trembling under the weight of exhaustion. The silence of the house felt heavier than ever. No faint hum of Hemant’s breathing beside her, no rustle of bedsheets as he shifted in his sleep. Just emptiness. She slid onto the bed, curling into herself, and the memories came uninvited—those first years of their marriage when every small moment felt like a shared victory. Early mornings filled with coffee and banter, evenings navigating Mumbai’s chaos, and the rhythm they had built together. Now that rhythm was shattered, replaced by the unbearable stillness of guilt.



In the dim hospital room, Hemant lay propped against his pillows, the beeping machines beside him both grounding and maddening. The fluorescent lights blurred as his eyes brimmed with tears he didn’t want to shed. He wasn’t thinking about his physical weakness—the slight slur in his speech, the heaviness in his limbs—but about the seismic crack that had split his life apart. Every image of Sonarika he could recall, from their first meeting to her smallest acts of care, now came wrapped in barbed wire. He could no longer separate her tenderness from her betrayal.



Sonarika pressed her face into the pillow, breathing in the faint trace of Hemant’s scent still lingering on the bedsheet. She remembered those nights when he’d wake up from a nightmare, drenched in sweat, calling her name. She would hold him tightly until his breathing slowed, whispering that he was safe. Back then, she had felt needed, trusted, irreplaceable. Now, that same name—Sonarika—must taste like ash in his mouth. The thought made her stomach twist.



Hemant stared at the ceiling, every second stretching unbearably. He replayed the moment at the Gateway of India when she told him about the affair—the shock, the way his chest tightened, the darkness creeping in until everything went black. He wasn’t sure what hurt more now: the betrayal itself or the fact that she had chosen someone else over the years of love they had built. His mind returned again and again to one bitter truth: trust, that is broken, was like glass—it might be pieced together, but the cracks would always show.



The phone lit up on the bedside table, Vikram’s name glaring at her. Sonarika froze. For a moment, she thought about answering, if only to numb herself from the ache clawing at her chest. But then she remembered Hemant’s face when she confessed, the silent devastation before his body collapsed. She couldn’t give Vikram the satisfaction of stepping into the void this soon. She ended the call and silenced the phone, as if by doing so she could also silence the part of herself that had led her here.



Hemant’s thoughts drifted to Karan, their son. The boy’s laughter, his small arms wrapped around Hemant’s neck, the way his eyes lit up when both parents were in the room together. The idea that this bond might now be poisoned by tension and resentment was almost unbearable. If anything, Hemant’s love for Karan anchored him—he would fight to heal physically for his son’s sake.



Even with the phone silent, Sonarika couldn’t stop the flood of memories—her meetings with Vikram in Jabalpur, the stolen nights in his flat, the rekindling of their affair at his hotel. Strangely, none of it seemed thrilling now. The passion that had once intoxicated her felt shallow and meaningless in the cold aftermath of destruction. All she could feel was the absence of Hemant’s warmth on winter mornings, the loss of those simple, grounding rituals that had once made her life whole.



In the hospital bed, Hemant’s body ached, but his chest ached more. This wasn’t just the end of a relationship—it felt like the death of a part of himself. He thought about the years he had spent believing in love as something pure, something worth giving yourself to completely. But he has been getting punished everytime he fell in love , be it Sanjana , be it Ashnoor and now Sonarika. Now, love felt like a trap, a cruel trick that left you bleeding while the world moved on. He vowed quietly to himself: never again. Love was no longer a blessing; it was a curse he would not invite back.



Sonarika’s tears blurred the ceiling above her as she wondered if there was any road back from this. She could face judgment, she could bear anger, but the thought that Hemant might never again look at her with even a shred of tenderness—that was what crushed her. She had betrayed not just a husband, but her safest place, her home. Now, that home was gone, and she was left to wander the ruins.



Hemant shifted, wincing at the pain in his side. He knew the nurses would check on him soon, but he dreaded their polite questions about his condition. None of them knew that the real injury was invisible. The life he had dreamed of—a home full of love, laughter, stability—was crumbling before his eyes, and there was no medical procedure to fix that. The only love he trusted now was for his son and, in a quieter way, for Anjali, who had shown him nothing but loyalty.



Two separate rooms, miles apart, but both filled with the same suffocating air of loss. Sonarika wept into her pillow, the weight of her choices pressing her deeper into despair. Hemant stared into the dimness, his heart cold with resolve. At the same moment, they both knew—though neither would say it aloud—that the life they once shared was over. What remained were the echoes of a love that had once been their refuge, now turned into their greatest source of pain.




As morning came , Hemant was laying in his bed all groggy. It wasn't exactly sleep , after everything that transpired in 24 hours , sleep is the most difficuilt thing he could find. His mind was filled with pain , anger and frustration. And more importantly his change of demeanor and perspective about love. His mind recapped all the women that walked away from him. Only person he didn't think was Sanjana as it was him who walked away from her. But images of Kira and Ashnoor haunted him , and now Sonarika was part of that pain. And to some extent her betrayal hurt more because he believed he was happy with her and she was too. Turns out she wasn't. But it always made him wonder , where? where did it all went wrong? Sonarika was a confident , loving and a caring woman. For her , this family was everything. Then why? why there was a need for an affair?


This questions raised another doubt. Was it him? Could Sonarika went for another man because he couldn't satisfy her anymore? Hemant had that doubt understanding that not so long he was in his terrible health. He had his doubt ever since his poor physical act with her in Matheran. But those doubts were gone when he remembered his moments with Sonarika. He knew he made her satisfy. She definitely loved everything he did , then why? why would she seek something from someone else?


Then his thoughts went to the usual place every insecure man goes to. The question he asked himself ashamed him to extent. Was Vikram bigger than him? Is he some alpha in bed with her? Or is it something more darker? Did she chose to sleep with him because he is a millionaire? These thoughts upset him so he let those thoughts diminish eventually. His mind was a wreck , everytime he thought about love , it now hurt him like a stab. Love has become the worst thing to his mind and soul. 


He also contemplated the ramifications. Obviously the path forward for him was divorce. But how messy was it going to be? Hemant remembered Karan , he was no fool when it comes to family courts and laws in this country. He knew that no matter the situation , the rulings will favor her as she is a woman. So getting the sole custody of Karan was out of the equation. So he will now be forced to live in a close proximity with her because of the scenario of a shared custody. Plus he also knows that Karan has a deeper and more emotional attachment to his mother than to him. So he knows he was loosing this fight too. At the end of the day , Sonarika was going to have Karan with her and Anjali as well considering once the divorce commences the brother in law relation cannot be recognized.


Then his mind went to the despicable thoughts , how she will forget him and move on with her new man in her life. After all , she willingly slept with him , so its safe to say a part or whole of her heart beats for him now. Then something diabolical and cold blooded came in his mind.

What if there is no Sonarika?

But he instantly let it go on realizing how messed up that thought was. He could not do that , no matter what. And it was because of two important things , first being Karan. He wasn't willing to take his mother away from him , not right now. And second , regardless of what she did , he loved her unconditionally. His love for her was loyal and honest and a deep care , but she turns out doesn't have that same feelings for him.

His thoughts were immediately interrupted upon the arrival of Raquel into his room. He looked worried as he enquired about his mentor.

"Bhaijaan.....what happened to you"

"Its nothing serious Raquel.....I am alright now"

"But you're not the type to suffer strokes?"

"Life can be unpredictable sometimes Raquel....we just have to adapt"

"That is true Bhaijaan , especially after what happened"

Hemant was a little curious by Raquel's words as he asked his worry.

"What happened Raquel"

"Bhaijaan.....Ricky.....Ricky is gone.....there was an attack....at the Golden Yang"

Hemant was stunned , he never anticipated for things to escalate this further. He was already shaken up by his life turned upside down in the last 24 hours and now he learned one of his trusted ally was taken out in cold blood. Hemant knew who could it be behind the assault

"Lai Tong?"

That is the only word Hemant said looking at Raquel. And Raquel nodded in agreement confirming his intuition. Lai killed Ricky for one reason , to hurt him. And he knew , he is his target. Hemant moved his bed's head section so he could sit upright.

"Raquel , go and handle the proceedings of the factory. I will be here for the next 24 hours. Oversee the developments Kamya and Vaibhav made on Kohinoor"

"Bhaijaan , what about Tong?"

"He cannot attack me now , judging by the Tong legacy. But we have to prepare"

Raquel understood his concern.

"Looks like we are starting the recruitment phase. You are in charge of it Raquel , hire the best men for our cause. People who won't falter upon seeing death before their eyes"

"What about our factory workers?"

"They will be treated as backup. If Lai brings a war here , he will have an army waiting to send him to hell!"

"Got it Bhaijaan"

"Tell Kamya and Vaibhav to continue working on our secret project. Stall the paperwork for few days. I'll clear it once I am back in the office"

"Jo Hukum Bhaijaan!"

Saying that Raquel left with a confidence in his stance. Hemant was already feeling furstrated lying on the bed like this. An hour later , Sonia arrived for her check up. As she was conducting it , Hemant voiced his concern.

"Please doctor , any chance I get an early discharge. I cannot tolerate the environment of a hospital"

"Is that so? Even if its the hospital you built?"

"I was just part of the planning phase. Most of the work was Pranitha's"

"Pranitha did say you were such a chivalrous person"

"Yeah , turns out that didn't get me anywhere in life now"

Sonia noticed the sadness in his face. She knew the situation for his health detoriating.

"Look , Sonarika told me about the possible reason behind your stroke....and you have my sympathy and well wishes"

"Thanks....but right now the only well wish I need is the wish to leave this hospital"

"Tell you what , stay another 24 hours , let me do the round the clock checkups and if the results are fine. Then I'll let you go"

"Best news I heard for the day. Besides I don't think I can afford more days for a VIP room like this"

"Oh you don't need to. Pranitha is covering your expenses"

"WHAT?"

"Yeah , I contacted her when you were admitted. She is the one who ordered me to put you in a VIP room and reroute the bill to her personal account"

"Then where is she?"

"She is not in the country. She is currently in Amsterdam for a meet to bring advance CT Scan system for the hospital"

"Hmm.....glad she is taking care of the hospital"

"I am not trying to be her IT girl. But Pranitha is definitely a very caring and genuine manager here. She always faces the problems with an open mind. Guess its the Mehta genes"

"Might be....or it just might be her speciality"

"That too"

"But Doctor....can you atleast allow me a change of clothes? I don't like being here in this hospital linens.....I need to freshen myself"

"Sure you can but no tight fittings"

Once her check up was done , Sonia continued her rounds in the hospital. Hemant called Raquel to bring some spare clothes from his office wardrobe mentioning loose clothes. He arrived at his room half our later with brand new clothes which was a kurta and pyjama but with good textures. Raquel joked that he had no loose clothings in his wardrobe as he left for the factory again. Hemant went and had his warm shower.

Hemant eased himself onto the bed, the fresh scent of soap clinging to his skin, the green kurta and black pyjama fitting comfortably. For a moment, the comfort almost tricked him into feeling at peace. But the moment he let his mind drift, Sonarika’s tear-stained face flashed before him—her confession still echoing in his mind like a wound that refused to clot. Karan’s innocent smile, Anjali’s carefree chatter… both now felt like fragile glass figurines, unknowingly placed on a table already cracking beneath them. He had thought the shower would wash away some of the heaviness in his chest, but the ache persisted, stubborn and raw.

The door creaked open, and Hemant’s eyes darted up. His breath caught. 

"Pranitha?" he said, almost disbelieving. 

Doctor Sonia had told him she was in Amsterdam. Yet here she was—standing in his hospital room, still in her travel-worn jacket, her hair loosely tied back, a mix of worry and exhaustion in her eyes. For the first time since the heartbreak, a flicker of relief stirred in him.

"I heard you were admitted" Pranitha said, stepping in briskly. 

"What on earth happened, Hemant? You look… well, not terrible, but not fine either" 

Her tone was blunt, but the undercurrent of concern was unmistakable. She glanced at the IV stand, then at his face, searching for answers.

Hemant tried a half-smile. 

"It’s nothing. Just a small… mishap, that’s all" 

He tried to wave it off, but Pranitha’s expression told him she wasn’t buying a single word. She pulled a chair closer and sat down, folding her arms.

"Mishap?" she repeated. 

"Your blood pressure was through the roof, you had a stroke, and you call it a mishap? I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re hiding something" 

Her voice softened. 

"This isn’t just about health, is it?"

Hemant hesitated, his eyes falling to his hands. He could almost feel Sonarika’s betrayal trying to claw its way to the surface, but he forced it back down. 

"Pranitha" he said quietly. 

"can we… not talk about it? Not today. I just want to… have some normal moments" 

His gaze met hers, pleading but steady. 

"Please"

For a moment, she looked like she might push him for answers. But then she sighed and leaned back. 

"Fine. We’ll talk about something else. You know, I just got off a conference call this morning while at the airport—our supplier from Berlin finally agreed to the revised shipment terms"

Hemant chuckled faintly. 

"You’re still dragging Berlin into every conversation we have. Do you ever stop working?"

"It’s called multitasking, Hemant" she said, grinning. 

"Besides, I thought you liked hearing about my business dramas. You get free entertainment without having to deal with the headaches"

The banter flowed more naturally than he expected. By noon, they had wandered through topics from the ridiculous antics of her marketing team to old memories of their first ground work of this hospital. For brief stretches, Hemant forgot the stabbing weight in his chest. Pranitha had that rare gift—to talk about her world so vividly it distracted him from his own.

Eventually, Pranitha stood, brushing imaginary dust off her trousers. 

"I have a couple of important video meets this afternoon thanks to my unexpected detour. The world won’t run itself, sadly" 

She gave him a mock-serious look. 

"But I’ll be back in the evening. And don’t think about sneaking out of this place, understood?"

"I’ll try to restrain my wild side" Hemant smirked. 


As she left, the room felt a little emptier, but not in the suffocating way it had before she arrived. For the first time in days, Hemant sensed a faint thread pulling him toward something beyond the heartbreak—a reminder that life had more than just pain to offer, if only for a few hours at a time. But then he also remembers that he cannot risk it , how many more heartbreaks can he truly endure. Sonarika has already put a dent to his spirit , and right now he cannot think about moving on. Because this was the universe telling him that he has unfinished business. In that deep moment , he realized. The heartbreak , the tragedy that commenced in Shanghai. This was giving him the telltale sign that the path forward will soon become dangerous.


The late afternoon sun filtered weakly through the hospital’s glass windows, washing the room in a subdued glow. Hemant sat quietly on the bed, his legs still feeling the weakness from yesterday’s ordeal. His mind, though, was far from his health—it was still tangled in the jagged mess of the previous evening, when Sonarika had stood before him and confessed the one thing that could rip his world apart.

The door clicked open. Sonarika stepped in, holding a steel tiffin against her chest as though it were a fragile offering. Her hair was tied hastily, her face pale and drawn, the skin beneath her eyes darkened from a sleepless night. Hemant’s pulse quickened—not out of longing, but because the wound inside him split open again at the mere sight of her.

"I…I brought you food" 

She said, her tone careful, like she was approaching a wounded animal that might strike. She avoided his eyes, walking to the side table and laying the tiffin down. Her hands moved automatically, twisting lids, arranging containers. Hemant rose slowly from his chair and moved to the bed, his gaze fixed on her movements.

"Split the food" He said suddenly. 

His voice was calm, but the calmness was a dangerous kind. Sonarika stilled. 

"I’m not hungry" she murmured.

"You haven’t eaten since last night either" he replied without hesitation. 

"Your face is pale. You’re weaker than you think" 

His tone wasn’t gentle—it was observant, cutting through her feeble excuse.

She didn’t respond, only lowered herself into the chair beside him, her fingers brushing against the edge of the plate. They began to eat. Every bite felt hollow, a mechanical act with no taste. The scbang of spoons against metal filled the space between them. Hemant’s eyes stayed on his plate; Sonarika’s gaze hovered somewhere on the floor, as if speaking would shatter the fragile quiet.

Minutes dragged. Her throat tightened with every mouthful, not from the food, but from the knowledge that every shared meal from now on would carry this same weight. Her mind ached with memories of their family dinners, Karan laughing, Hemant teasing her about her cooking. That world felt impossibly far now.

They finished without a word. The basin tap hissed softly as they washed their hands. Hemant dried his fingers slowly, his movements precise, deliberate. She stood near him, willing herself to speak, her heart hammering. 

"Hemant…" She whispered, voice trembling. 

"I am sorry. For everything. For breaking us. For ruining us… for destroying what we had"

The silence after her words was deafening. Then, without warning, the sharp trill of her phone split the air. Both of them looked toward the table. On the screen, one name glowed in bold letters—Vikram. Hemant’s eyes locked on it, and something in his expression darkened instantly.

She reached over quickly and ended the call, her breath catching. 

"It’s nothing" she said too fast, too desperately. 

He didn’t answer. His silence wasn’t empty—it was full, brimming with rage and betrayal. She stepped closer, tears threatening. 

"Please… whatever happens to us, I’m still worried for Karan. And Anjali. Don’t—"

But he turned his back on her, walking to the large glass window. Mumbai sprawled beneath them, indifferent to the devastation in this room. He stood there, hands in his pockets, as if her voice couldn’t reach him anymore. Sonarika’s throat burned. Her steps toward the door felt heavy, her chest aching with the weight of leaving.

Then she heard it—so faint she almost thought she imagined it. 

"Sona" 

The nickname he used only in love. Her heart lurched violently, a dangerous flicker of hope igniting. She turned, searching his face for softness.

But his eyes were not soft. They were ablaze with fury. He closed the distance between them in two steps, his hand rising to her neck. In one swift movement, he unhooked her mangalsutra, the chain slipping away like the last tether between them. She gasped, her hand flying instinctively to her bare neck.

Hemant walked to the table, dipped three fingers into a glass of water, and returned. His touch was cold as he rubbed her vermillion, smearing the red into nothingness. Her breath trembled, her tears fell unchecked, her whole body shaking. 

"You are dead to me" he said, each syllable like a blade. 

"Get out" 

Her sob broke free, raw and unrestrained, as she fled the room. Alone now, Hemant sat heavily on the bed, his own tears coming, knowing the life they had was gone forever. Outside, Sonarika stumbled down the hall, barely seeing Tamanna approaching from the other end. She walked faster worried ever since she got a message from Hemant that he is in the hospital this morning. As she walked in , she saw Sonarika crying running away. Tamanna caught a glimpse of her ravaged face and realized instantly—something has gone terribly wrong in the last 24 hours.

Tamanna froze in the doorway, her breath catching at the sight of Hemant sitting on the edge of the bed. His shoulders were hunched, his face pale, and though his eyes were dry, she could see the storm he was holding back. The faint beeping of the heart monitor beside him made her chest tighten. 

"Hemant…" she whispered, stepping inside. 

He didn’t look up, just clenched his fists. Without thinking, she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him. 

"What happened?"

For a long moment, he stayed stiff, his breathing shallow. Then, as though her embrace cracked something inside him, he exhaled a shuddering breath. 

"Its over for me Tammu....its all over!!!" he said, voice barely audible. 

"Sona...My Sona....she loves someone else now…" 

He swallowed, the weight of the words dragging him down. 

"She’s been… with someone else. Vikram Bajaj" 

His voice broke on the last word. Tamanna’s fingers gripped his back as if she could physically hold his pain for him.

She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. 

"Hemant… oh my God" 

Her voice trembled, not from shock alone but from the raw ache of seeing him like this. 

"How could she… to you of all people?" 

The thought of Sonarika’s betrayal boiled inside her—she’d known Hemant since college, had quietly admired him, his whole personality. Now, to see that heart shattered made her chest ache in ways she couldn’t fully hide. 

"You didn’t deserve this" she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

He shook his head, staring at the floor. 

"After she said it, I couldn’t breathe. It was like everything inside me just… collapsed. I passed out in my vehicle , some pedestrians took me to this hospital. Stroke, they said. I guess you can say she literally broke my heart" 

The words came out flat, but Tamanna could hear the tremor underneath. His vulnerability was uncharacteristic—he was the one who usually comforted others, not the one needing comfort.

Tamanna sat beside him, her hand finding his. 

"Listen to me, Hemant. This—what she did—has nothing to do with your worth. You’re still the same man you’ve always been. You just… got dealt a cruel hand. But we can work through this. Together" 

She squeezed his hand, her eyes steady on his. But Hemant knew at that moment , he was not the same man anymore. In a more higher sense , Sonarika basically killed the old Hemant , what he is now is something more darker , more cold. 

"You’re not alone. Not now. Not ever" 

The sincerity in her voice was heavy enough to make him finally meet her gaze. His eyes glistened, and for a moment, he simply looked at her, as if searching for something—confirmation, permission, maybe hope. Then he pulled her into a tighter hug, burying his face in her shoulder. 

"Thank you, Tammu…..I feel greatful that there is some connections to my past that isn't scarred" 

She felt his arms around her, strong yet desperate, and in that closeness, she felt something shift—an intimacy that she once fantasized with him , long when he was someone else's boyfriend.

Resting her cheek against his hair, Tamanna spoke softly. 

"You will get through this , you always do. And I’ll make sure you never have to face a day like this alone again" 

She meant every word. For years, her feelings for him had been locked away, but seeing him broken like this made her want to shield him from every pain life could throw. Hemant eased back, his expression softer now. 

"I still have people who care… and maybe that’s enough for now" 

Tamanna smiled faintly, brushing his arm. 

"It’s more than enough. And I will be here when you need me" 

They sat there in silence for a while, his hand in hers, the room no longer heavy with despair but warmed by the quiet certainty that even in the ruins, something steady remained. Hemant's mind was a wreckage , an amalgamation of old pains and new ones. Tamanna was there as a comfort , to tell him that not everything is a ruined part in his life. As she left him due to her commitments as a single mother , Hemant was once again in his own thoughts. And the deeper question he asked is where? where did it all went wrong?

But the most important question was what is next? What is next for him? What is his future?

He had dreams and aspirations , an ideal lifestyle for his family. But that has been sliced in different ways and now he is caught in a maze of his family's ruination. He knew that he cannot throw Sonarika from his life forever as long as Karan exist. He knew Karan was the only link to his sanity for the moment. And Anjali , her relation to him exist as long as Sonarika is the wife. The moment that goes , she becomes a stranger to him.

Every single moment he spent that day was filled with sometimes rage and sometimes sorrow. But he was having a hard time to accept that everything will change from now on.


The city outside had sunk into the golds and purples of evening when the door opened again. Hemant looked up from the untouched magazine in his lap. Pranitha stepped inside, no jacket this time, just a soft cream blouse and dark jeans, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders. In one hand, she carried a bag of food, in the other, her tablet.

"I told you I’d be back" she said softly, closing the door behind her. 

"I couldn’t leave you to suffer another round of hospital curry"

A faint smile tugged at his lips. 

"Don't forget this is your own hospital. Next, you’ll start bringing a five-star chef in here"

She laughed, the sound instantly warming the sterile room. They sat together on the small couch, sharing warm naan and paneer curry, talking about her work. She described negotiating with stubborn suppliers, late-night calls with Europe, and the chaos of dealing with a client who thought deadlines were 'a vague suggestion'. Hemant listened—not just to her words, but to the rhythm of her voice, the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about challenges she’d overcome.

When there was a lull, Hemant set his plate down. 

"Pranitha… the doctor’s agreed to discharge me tomorrow"

"That’s wonderful" she said, her face breaking into a smile. 

"But promise me you’ll take it slow. No heroics"

He nodded, then hesitated. Something in her presence—the warmth, the familiarity—made him feel safer than he had in days. 

"There’s something I didn’t tell you earlier… the real reason for my stroke" He met her gaze. 

"Sonarika confessed toto me that she’s been having an affair. With Vikram Bajaj"

Her eyes widened. 

"Vikram Bajaj? As in BAJAJCORP Vikram?"

"Yes. And… remember a while ago your assistant mentioned Vikram’s secret woman in Mumbai? That woman turns out to be Sonarika"

The shock on her face gave way to anger—raw, unfiltered. 

"Hemant, how could she? How could she betray a man like you? You’ve done nothing but give her love and stability. It’s disgusting"

"Pranitha…" He reached for her hand, his touch steady. 

"Its okay Pranitha.....turns out pain and my life are destined for each other"

She didn’t answer—she moved closer instead. Her arms slid around his shoulders, her embrace warm and grounding. The scent of her hair mingled with the faint aroma of dinner still between them. Her face was close, too close, and in that silence, he could hear both of their breaths deepening.

Their lips almost touched before Hemant pulled back, the tension in his chest almost painful. 

"Pranitha....I....I… can’t. Not now. I’m still grieving. And this… it could make things complicated between you and Rony"

Her brows lifted, then she laughed—soft, but full of irony. 

"Hemant… there is no me and Rony. I broke up with him back in college because he’s gay. He’s been with Simon for years—the same Simon you did business with recently"

Hemant blinked. 
"You’re serious?"

"Dead serious, and half the reason I acted close to him was to see you fuming with jealousy" 

She murmured, her gaze locked on his. 

"And besides… something tells me we both need this" 

She leaned in, her lips brushing his before deepening the kiss. At first it was slow, testing, but then it turned hungry—urgent. Her mouth moved against his with a fervor that melted the last of his restraint. They kissed wildly, their mouths clashing, tongues meeting, tasting. The world beyond that room faded entirely.

When they finally pulled apart, a thin strand of saliva connected them. Her voice was low, almost trembling. 

"I guess now we can never be just friends. I didn't see it first but now I do. It’s like fate pushed us into this moment.”

She smoothed her hair, her tone shifting. 

"I have to fly back to Amsterdam tonight. I came here only to see you. I know you’re hurting, but remember—after every storm, there’s a spring. When I return… we’ll find a different meaning for each other. I have a feeling that we will need each other to heal....to redefine who we are!"


She kissed his forehead gently, then left. The silence that followed wasn’t heavy—it was charged. Hemant sat there, heart still pounding, torn between the warmth she’d left behind and the shadow Sonarika’s betrayal had cast over him.


Love had only brought him pain—Sanjana, Kira, Ashnoor, and now Sonarika. Each story ended in loss, each chapter closing with a wound. Love, for Hemant, had always ended in pain. First there was Sanjana, whom he had to leave behind because of the direction his life had taken. Then Kira, who chose her vengeance over him. Then Ashnoor, taken from the world entirely. And now Sonarika—the one who had lifted him from darkness into light—only to give him the worst betrayal of all.


How many more chances could he give to love? How many more times could he risk falling, knowing the crash would come? He decided then and there not to succumb again. But even as he made that vow, he knew he would have to decide where he stood with Pranitha… and what course his life would take from here.

                                                                                                                                                                                  (CHAPTER TO BE CONTD)