11-12-2025, 09:10 PM
Chapter 18 - Arjun's deal Divorce me on Adultery
The morning light of Monday, filtered softly through the curtains of Vikram's apartment, rousing the exhausted pair at 11:00 AM. Their sleep had been deep, born of emotional exhaustion, their bodies entwined from the night's consoling closeness. Vikram's rugged face, softened in sleep like a child's, bore the smudged kungum from Pooja's saree, now disheveled and clinging to her frame in chaotic folds. He stirred, waking with a start, his voice thick with concern, "Sorry, I was worried, so I stayed."
Pooja offered a faint, weary smile, her heart still heavy as they rose. Stepping out of the bedroom, their appearance—her saree askew, his cheek marked with her kungum—hinted at an intimacy that hadn't fully occurred, a silent accusation hanging in the air.
Their shock was immediate as they froze—Arjun stood in the living room, a camera in hand, its red light blinking as it recorded them.
Pooja's voice trembled with disbelief, "What are you doing? Are you mad?"
Arjun raised a hand, his tone eerily calm, "Calm down, Pooja. I'm here for some peace.
I know you did nothing, but what if this clip goes out?" Vikram's rage erupted, his fist connecting with Arjun's jaw, sending him crashing to the floor. Pooja lunged, grabbing Vikram's arm, "Stop!" She turned to Arjun, her eyes blazing, "You're crossing the limit. I get it—you want someone else, you threw me away, your goal is fullfilled already. What do you want now?, you event want me to drown in shame"
Vikram snatched the phone, attempting to delete the video, but Arjun smirked, "Calm down, it's on my drive. If I don't leave safely, it'll go public automatically." Vikram raised his arm again, but Pooja held him back. "Okay, calm down," Arjun said, dusting himself off. "I have a better solution for all." Still fuming, Pooja snapped, "Tell me what you want and get out." Arjun handed her a check for 30 lakhs, then revealed a photo—proxy signatures of Anjali and him with some investors a drama his ex-boss accepeted, timestamped 8 AM at a grand hotel, surrounded by investors from a big circle, launching a new venture. "I came to show this," he said, his voice cold. "See how real big people are here. I'm growing into a big league.
Back when Vikram stayed with us, I planned a lot—I thought he'd naturally take you, but he didn't. I stole his key, made a duplicate. Didn't know it'd help today.
I peeped at you two, sleeping tired, but the public won't believe it—they'll call it an affair. He laughed uncontrollably raging pooja and vikram.
Vikram said you have been planning for a long time? Arjun said yes, i want a divorce or i want her to cheat on me so that she will move away leaving me for good for my better future, why would i accept you to come with us on travel, but you guys did nothing, on her birthday night i purposely let her with you but you guys stayed getnle, what should i do, my goodness pooja bombarded with questions last night else i would have to streched the drama.
My goal's clear: I'm moving to a better world—you can't come. Your level might be Vikram's or even lower; mine's different. I want a quick divorce. This video's enough for adultery grounds and i can shame you. My new partner has links, but filing it that way could hurt your sister—no alliances for your family, and no one, not even Vikram, Vikrams family could advice him to leave you, so he might will hesitate to keep you.
So, its better you file divorce against me on adultery, take this 30 lakh advance, no hard feelings. It works better for both. its should be right way to put it, i brought this so i wrap it for good"
Pooja's world crumbled, her voice a whisper, "What does this mean?" Arjun's smile was bitter, "Think well. It means nothing between us. I'm leaving for a better world, maybe. This is the only deal." He stormed out, leaving silence in his wake. Pooja stood frozen, silent all day, her mind a whirl of shock and despair. Vikram remained a rock beside her, his voice steady, "We'll work through this. Now you know the answer—I'm here. Let's sail together. He's not worthy of your trust. Divorcing him legally is good—he's okay with adultery for a quick split. Once you're out, I'll bash him, break his legs." Pooja met his eyes, her own wet with tears, "I've lost trust in humans. If he files with that video, shame will fall on my family.
Yesterday, I felt bad for doing things behind him, i almost cheated him, i felt really bad—it hurts when you kissed me, i pictured arjun for a moment, my heart aches and i cried for hours i even break with you said drawing lines with you all for him, yea im not clean but i had only him—but he's fooled me he had been cheating me behind and been with me for money, for years. I never want to see him again. She cried"
Vikram took her hand, his grip firm, "You'll never carry his memory. My love will overshadow this betrayal—I promise." She collapsed into his embrace, sobbing against his chest, the weight of her choices sinking in.
The following day, Vikram and Pooja met a lawyer, filing a divorce case against Arjun on adultery grounds. Two days later, Thursday, Arjun appeared in court, spending money to expedite the process. He admitted the crime, offering the 30 lakh settlement. The judgment was postponed for a week. Pooja, unable to bear his face, stormed out, refusing to inform her family—by mutual agreement with Arjun and Vikram, who both hid their reasons (Arjun to avoid delay, Vikram for control). The week was torturous for her, her face etched with guilt that no outing—temples, parks, movies with Vikram—could erase. She was mentally disturbed, a shadow of herself. Vikram, notified by the lawyer of the next court date, prepared her, his presence a lifeline amid the storm.
Chapter 19 - Tears in the Moonlight?
The evening before the court verdict, hung heavy with anticipation as Pooja turned to Vikram, her voice soft but resolute. "Take me to the guesthouse one last time," she said, her eyes distant. "That was the best place I ever had—where my love with Arjun started, and now, where it ends. Maybe the rooftop can give me some peace." Vikram nodded, understanding the weight of her request.
The guesthouse belonged to mutual friends—Arjun's acquaintance, whose wife was Pooja's college mate—ensuring no key demands. He drove her there, the Thar jeep's hum a quiet companion to her turmoil. On the rooftop, under a sky streaked with fading light, Pooja's composure shattered. Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, her voice raw, "Why did you decide my life with Arjun? Why break me like this?" Her shouts echoed into the night, a plea to the universe. Vikram enveloped her in a tight hug, his arms a shield against her pain, whispering consoling words until her sobs subsided.
Minutes later, a soft knock broke the silence—a parcel delivery, thoughtfully arranged by Vikram. Pooja's surprise melted into gratitude as he unpacked a meal, and they sat under the moonlight, sharing food that eased her tension. She sighed, "Tomorrow, everything ends." Vikram shook his head, his gaze steady. "No, tomorrow is the actual beginning. You restart your life with me. I don't care how long it takes—I'll wait for you.
Pooja remained silent she was thinking something, vikram continued
Maybe it's destiny. Remember that day I gave you a lift?
It was strange, unusual, but I waited because I saw Arjun leave suddenly. Something felt off. That was beginning for us, My goodness on after other it led me to confess my love, and all this happened for a reason. Today, you're with me. At least you have me. Imagine if I hadn't picked you—what Arjun had in mind, that bastard."
Pooja met his eyes, a faint smile breaking through. "I'm glad you're here. Yes, it's for a reason. But maybe I should move back to Coimbatore, take a break, settle there. Chennai's given me lessons." Vikram took her hand, his voice firm yet gentle. "You should search for happiness where you lost it—not leave Chennai. Prove yourself here. I'm not asking you to earn crores like him. You don't need to live for others—just live, live for yourself, with love." Her smile widened, and she kissed his cheek. "I'm blessed to have you by my side." They talked of random things—memories, dreams—until the hour grew late. "Let's sleep here," Pooja suggested, and they entered the room where their near-cheating had begun. Cuddling came naturally now, a routine born of shared solace, though sleep eluded her with the verdict looming.
Vikram sensed her restlessness and pulled her close, his voice a soothing balm. "Pooja, you are my world—my everything. I'll take care of you, shield you from every storm. This verdict won't define you; it'll free you. I'm here, always, to hold you up, to love you through it all."
His words wrapped around her like a warm, unshakable promise, a lifeline that eased the jagged edges of her fears, though the weight of tomorrow's verdict lingered like a shadow in her heart. Moved by the depth of Vikram's devotion—his steady presence a stark contrast to Arjun's betrayal—Pooja's lips found his, their tongues entwining in a deep, heated kiss that stirred a torrent of conflicting emotions within her.
The passion flared, igniting a flicker of readiness, a longing to surrender to the comfort he offered, and Vikram, caught in the same fervor, shed his shirt, his hands trembling with reverence as he lowered her nightgown, revealing her bra. With a gentle slide of the strap, her full breasts spilled free, and he kissed them tenderly, his touch a silent plea for her trust. Yet, as the heat surged, Pooja's body tensed, her breath hitching with a sudden surge of guilt and resolve—she was ready, her heart aching to let go, but the verdict loomed, a final judgment she needed to face with a clean conscience. "Wait, wait, Vikram, I'm not ready yet. I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice breaking with the conflict of desire and duty, tears prickling as she wrestled with the urge to cleanse her past before embracing this new love. Vikram paused, his warm smile a beacon of understanding, his eyes reflecting acceptance rather than disappointment. "It's okay," he murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, a gesture that rebuilt the fragile trust between them. She hugged him tightly, drawing strength from his embrace, and kissed him once more—a gentle, trusting seal of their bond—before they drifted to sleep in each other's arms, the night's quiet embrace holding her as she clung to the hope of tomorrow's redemption.
The next morning, dawned with a tense stillness as Pooja, Vikram, and Arjun arrived at the court. The officials informed them their case was listed after 1 PM, leaving a stretch of anxious waiting. Vikram, eager to ease Pooja's nerves, offered to get her a water bottle and stepped out to his car, leaving her in the lawyer's office. As he entered a nearby hotel to grab the bottle, his eyes caught Anjali sipping coffee with a handsome man, their laughter filling the air. He initially ignored them, but an old man at the next table leaned in, his voice a hushed gossip, "See that woman? My son said he will be proposing her today—maybe he's her would-be if she admits." Vikram's jaw tightened, a surge of anger rising. Bitch—how many people will she toy with? She's already broken Pooja's life, and now this bullshit, he muttered under his breath, his fists clenching. The revelation churned his thoughts—something felt off, a tangled web he couldn't unravel. He resisted confronting her, not wanting to stir trouble and darken Pooja's day, but the pieces didn't fit. Should I tell her? No— i should not confuse her she is already broken and it was Anjali - Arjun mess to sort. Calming himself, he grabbed the water, determined to stand by Pooja no matter what, his resolve steeling against the chaos swirling around them.
Chapter 20 - Vikrams close to truth, but its too late
Continuation
As Vikram returned with the water bottle, Pooja's anxious eyes met his, her voice soft with relief. "Where did you go?" she asked. He smiled, holding up the bottle, "Just to get this—you might starve."
She pinched his arm playfully, a fleeting lightness in her tone, "Don't go away—stay with me." Moments later, the lawyers called them in, and the court proceedings began. By 2:30 PM, the judgment arrived—Pooja and Arjun were divorced. A radiant smile broke across Pooja's face, and she threw her arms around Vikram right there in the courtroom, her joy unbridled.
Arjun, watching from a distance, offered a warm smile—the kind only those who knew the truth of his sacrifice could fully grasp.
Anjali, arriving at his side, took his hand gently. "Arjun, now everything is done. You should go ahead with the treatment. I've requested the doctor to operate tonight—we may not know the result. Give them a goodbye at least now."
Arjun shook his head, his voice firm despite the strain. "No, Anjali. She should see me as a villain till my last breath.
Hide my condition from them. Let her live peacefully—Vikram will take care of her."
Anjali hugged him tightly, her voice breaking, "I've never seen a human like you.
Pooja might regret this if she knew the truth—it's better as you say." Vikram and Pooja, witnessing the embrace, misread it as intimacy, their expressions hardening.
Vikram stormed over, dragging Arjun out of the courtroom.
"I want to break your legs, but I should thank you for leaving her to me.
You don't know how to treasure her, but I will. Maybe I should tell you something,"
he whispered in Arjun's ear,
"I just saw your love, Anjali, charmingly with a young man opposite the court in that hotel.
Lol—a cheater gets a cheater."
Pooja called out, "Vikram, come—don't waste our time."
She avoided looking at Arjun or Anjali, turning away decisively.
Vikram lingered, snatching Arjun's phone. "Now I need to delete the clippings. Never try to blackmail her or harm my family—my family, meaning Pooja and hers, is mine now. Password, please." Arjun plucked the phone, typed it in, and Vikram took it back.
A folder labeled "Pooja - Vikram" appeared, brimming with files, but Arjun swiftly reclaimed it, deleting everything instantly.
"It's all gone—check now," he said. Vikram felt a flicker of doubt—something fishy lingered why many files all same or duplicate —but seeing the folder empty, he let it go, satisfied for now.
With legal help, Pooja and Vikram went to Arjun's house, collecting her files, certificates, and belongings. Pooja tore some documents, declaring, "There should not be one thing left to remind me of him."
Minutes later, Arjun arrived with Anjali. As Pooja moved to burn the papers, Arjun stopped her, his voice strained, "I'll do it. Take only what you want—what if the fire causes an accident here?
If you must dump them, do it outside."
Pooja left the papers, her resolve unshaken.
Vikram noticed a strange struggle in Arjun—his legs limping slightly, though Arjun masked it with effort. As the packing finished, Pooja offered a final goodbye to the place she'd spent two years, a tear glistening before a smile emerged as she grasped Vikram's hand.
They started the car, Vikram catching a fleeting, unfamiliar face nearby, though his focus stayed on Pooja.
After the Thar's sound faded, Arjun sank onto the sofa, crying uncontrollably. A reassuring hand rested on his shoulder—Anjali's fiancé, the doctor, Vikram had seen at the hotel but failed to recognize.
Moved by Arjun's selfless sacrifice for Pooja's future, the fiancé had come to prepare him for surgery.
Back at Vikram's apartment, Pooja arranged her things with enthusiasm, her spirit lifting.
Vikram, delighted, suggested, "Let's go somewhere fun tonight—places you haven't visited."
Pooja smiled, recalling, "A good friend once told me to search happiness where I lost it. I'm beginning my life where I thought I lost it. Take me to the guesthouse—I need a quiet dinner, in the moonlight, with my love." Vikram's face lit up.
"With my love?" he asked. Pooja cupped his face, "Yes, you are my love. I waited for this day to come clean, so you won't feel I'm torn between anyone. I'm here just for you." He hugged her, kissing her cheek, and they bought food ingredients, snacks, a carrom board, and puzzle cards for the night.
The Thar arrived at the guesthouse, its emptiness striking—no one spied on them, though Vikram found it oddly quiet, while Pooja noticed nothing amiss. Vikram couldn't shake his unease, scanning the garden with his phone, noting spots where three could hide.
At the hospital,
Arjun underwent tests, awaiting for the food
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
As she cooked, Vikram helped preparing for the new dishes,
At the hospital,
Food arrived from hospital canteen, the nurses arranged table for him to eat,
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
Vikram and Pooja arranged a moonlight dinner.
At the hospital,
Arjun was fed with plain rice kanji
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
they ate biryani, as vikram feed her with love
At the hospital,
The nurse gave him a tonic to drink
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
Pooja feed her ice cream, but vikram licked her finger sensually .
At the hospital,
Arjun's heart with Pooja—Live peacefully—I don't know if I'll pass this, but I want you happy.
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
Vikram pulled Pooja onto his lap, hugging her. "You're finally mine."
Pooja shouted to the sky, "Finally, I've found my true love—bless us with a life of joy and healing!"
At the hospital,
The chief doctor announced, "Operation in an hour."
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
They laughed, sharing naughty chats and a compatibility check, Pooja marveling at Vikram's knowledge of her likes, promising to learn his.
At the hospital,
a nurse ticked off Arjun's health reports.
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
An hour later, Vikram suggested, "Should we sleep here?"
Pooja replied, "No, let's go to the bedroom downstairs."
As she freshened up, Vikram grabbed his phone, browsing Instagram.
He planned to post a "new life, new beginning" photo, but a friend's repost loaded slowly—a blurred image of Anjali with the handsome man, captioned, "He said yes, and we began today."
The door creaked—Pooja entered, stunning him as she shed her saree.
At the hospital,
Arjun changed into his operation suit.
Vikram dropped his phone, the photo clarifying—Anjali and her fiancé—but he was too distracted by Pooja's bold presence before him.
The morning light of Monday, filtered softly through the curtains of Vikram's apartment, rousing the exhausted pair at 11:00 AM. Their sleep had been deep, born of emotional exhaustion, their bodies entwined from the night's consoling closeness. Vikram's rugged face, softened in sleep like a child's, bore the smudged kungum from Pooja's saree, now disheveled and clinging to her frame in chaotic folds. He stirred, waking with a start, his voice thick with concern, "Sorry, I was worried, so I stayed."
Pooja offered a faint, weary smile, her heart still heavy as they rose. Stepping out of the bedroom, their appearance—her saree askew, his cheek marked with her kungum—hinted at an intimacy that hadn't fully occurred, a silent accusation hanging in the air.
Their shock was immediate as they froze—Arjun stood in the living room, a camera in hand, its red light blinking as it recorded them.
Pooja's voice trembled with disbelief, "What are you doing? Are you mad?"
Arjun raised a hand, his tone eerily calm, "Calm down, Pooja. I'm here for some peace.
I know you did nothing, but what if this clip goes out?" Vikram's rage erupted, his fist connecting with Arjun's jaw, sending him crashing to the floor. Pooja lunged, grabbing Vikram's arm, "Stop!" She turned to Arjun, her eyes blazing, "You're crossing the limit. I get it—you want someone else, you threw me away, your goal is fullfilled already. What do you want now?, you event want me to drown in shame"
Vikram snatched the phone, attempting to delete the video, but Arjun smirked, "Calm down, it's on my drive. If I don't leave safely, it'll go public automatically." Vikram raised his arm again, but Pooja held him back. "Okay, calm down," Arjun said, dusting himself off. "I have a better solution for all." Still fuming, Pooja snapped, "Tell me what you want and get out." Arjun handed her a check for 30 lakhs, then revealed a photo—proxy signatures of Anjali and him with some investors a drama his ex-boss accepeted, timestamped 8 AM at a grand hotel, surrounded by investors from a big circle, launching a new venture. "I came to show this," he said, his voice cold. "See how real big people are here. I'm growing into a big league.
Back when Vikram stayed with us, I planned a lot—I thought he'd naturally take you, but he didn't. I stole his key, made a duplicate. Didn't know it'd help today.
I peeped at you two, sleeping tired, but the public won't believe it—they'll call it an affair. He laughed uncontrollably raging pooja and vikram.
Vikram said you have been planning for a long time? Arjun said yes, i want a divorce or i want her to cheat on me so that she will move away leaving me for good for my better future, why would i accept you to come with us on travel, but you guys did nothing, on her birthday night i purposely let her with you but you guys stayed getnle, what should i do, my goodness pooja bombarded with questions last night else i would have to streched the drama.
My goal's clear: I'm moving to a better world—you can't come. Your level might be Vikram's or even lower; mine's different. I want a quick divorce. This video's enough for adultery grounds and i can shame you. My new partner has links, but filing it that way could hurt your sister—no alliances for your family, and no one, not even Vikram, Vikrams family could advice him to leave you, so he might will hesitate to keep you.
So, its better you file divorce against me on adultery, take this 30 lakh advance, no hard feelings. It works better for both. its should be right way to put it, i brought this so i wrap it for good"
Pooja's world crumbled, her voice a whisper, "What does this mean?" Arjun's smile was bitter, "Think well. It means nothing between us. I'm leaving for a better world, maybe. This is the only deal." He stormed out, leaving silence in his wake. Pooja stood frozen, silent all day, her mind a whirl of shock and despair. Vikram remained a rock beside her, his voice steady, "We'll work through this. Now you know the answer—I'm here. Let's sail together. He's not worthy of your trust. Divorcing him legally is good—he's okay with adultery for a quick split. Once you're out, I'll bash him, break his legs." Pooja met his eyes, her own wet with tears, "I've lost trust in humans. If he files with that video, shame will fall on my family.
Yesterday, I felt bad for doing things behind him, i almost cheated him, i felt really bad—it hurts when you kissed me, i pictured arjun for a moment, my heart aches and i cried for hours i even break with you said drawing lines with you all for him, yea im not clean but i had only him—but he's fooled me he had been cheating me behind and been with me for money, for years. I never want to see him again. She cried"
Vikram took her hand, his grip firm, "You'll never carry his memory. My love will overshadow this betrayal—I promise." She collapsed into his embrace, sobbing against his chest, the weight of her choices sinking in.
The following day, Vikram and Pooja met a lawyer, filing a divorce case against Arjun on adultery grounds. Two days later, Thursday, Arjun appeared in court, spending money to expedite the process. He admitted the crime, offering the 30 lakh settlement. The judgment was postponed for a week. Pooja, unable to bear his face, stormed out, refusing to inform her family—by mutual agreement with Arjun and Vikram, who both hid their reasons (Arjun to avoid delay, Vikram for control). The week was torturous for her, her face etched with guilt that no outing—temples, parks, movies with Vikram—could erase. She was mentally disturbed, a shadow of herself. Vikram, notified by the lawyer of the next court date, prepared her, his presence a lifeline amid the storm.
Chapter 19 - Tears in the Moonlight?
The evening before the court verdict, hung heavy with anticipation as Pooja turned to Vikram, her voice soft but resolute. "Take me to the guesthouse one last time," she said, her eyes distant. "That was the best place I ever had—where my love with Arjun started, and now, where it ends. Maybe the rooftop can give me some peace." Vikram nodded, understanding the weight of her request.
The guesthouse belonged to mutual friends—Arjun's acquaintance, whose wife was Pooja's college mate—ensuring no key demands. He drove her there, the Thar jeep's hum a quiet companion to her turmoil. On the rooftop, under a sky streaked with fading light, Pooja's composure shattered. Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, her voice raw, "Why did you decide my life with Arjun? Why break me like this?" Her shouts echoed into the night, a plea to the universe. Vikram enveloped her in a tight hug, his arms a shield against her pain, whispering consoling words until her sobs subsided.
Minutes later, a soft knock broke the silence—a parcel delivery, thoughtfully arranged by Vikram. Pooja's surprise melted into gratitude as he unpacked a meal, and they sat under the moonlight, sharing food that eased her tension. She sighed, "Tomorrow, everything ends." Vikram shook his head, his gaze steady. "No, tomorrow is the actual beginning. You restart your life with me. I don't care how long it takes—I'll wait for you.
Pooja remained silent she was thinking something, vikram continued
Maybe it's destiny. Remember that day I gave you a lift?
It was strange, unusual, but I waited because I saw Arjun leave suddenly. Something felt off. That was beginning for us, My goodness on after other it led me to confess my love, and all this happened for a reason. Today, you're with me. At least you have me. Imagine if I hadn't picked you—what Arjun had in mind, that bastard."
Pooja met his eyes, a faint smile breaking through. "I'm glad you're here. Yes, it's for a reason. But maybe I should move back to Coimbatore, take a break, settle there. Chennai's given me lessons." Vikram took her hand, his voice firm yet gentle. "You should search for happiness where you lost it—not leave Chennai. Prove yourself here. I'm not asking you to earn crores like him. You don't need to live for others—just live, live for yourself, with love." Her smile widened, and she kissed his cheek. "I'm blessed to have you by my side." They talked of random things—memories, dreams—until the hour grew late. "Let's sleep here," Pooja suggested, and they entered the room where their near-cheating had begun. Cuddling came naturally now, a routine born of shared solace, though sleep eluded her with the verdict looming.
Vikram sensed her restlessness and pulled her close, his voice a soothing balm. "Pooja, you are my world—my everything. I'll take care of you, shield you from every storm. This verdict won't define you; it'll free you. I'm here, always, to hold you up, to love you through it all."
His words wrapped around her like a warm, unshakable promise, a lifeline that eased the jagged edges of her fears, though the weight of tomorrow's verdict lingered like a shadow in her heart. Moved by the depth of Vikram's devotion—his steady presence a stark contrast to Arjun's betrayal—Pooja's lips found his, their tongues entwining in a deep, heated kiss that stirred a torrent of conflicting emotions within her.
The passion flared, igniting a flicker of readiness, a longing to surrender to the comfort he offered, and Vikram, caught in the same fervor, shed his shirt, his hands trembling with reverence as he lowered her nightgown, revealing her bra. With a gentle slide of the strap, her full breasts spilled free, and he kissed them tenderly, his touch a silent plea for her trust. Yet, as the heat surged, Pooja's body tensed, her breath hitching with a sudden surge of guilt and resolve—she was ready, her heart aching to let go, but the verdict loomed, a final judgment she needed to face with a clean conscience. "Wait, wait, Vikram, I'm not ready yet. I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice breaking with the conflict of desire and duty, tears prickling as she wrestled with the urge to cleanse her past before embracing this new love. Vikram paused, his warm smile a beacon of understanding, his eyes reflecting acceptance rather than disappointment. "It's okay," he murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, a gesture that rebuilt the fragile trust between them. She hugged him tightly, drawing strength from his embrace, and kissed him once more—a gentle, trusting seal of their bond—before they drifted to sleep in each other's arms, the night's quiet embrace holding her as she clung to the hope of tomorrow's redemption.
The next morning, dawned with a tense stillness as Pooja, Vikram, and Arjun arrived at the court. The officials informed them their case was listed after 1 PM, leaving a stretch of anxious waiting. Vikram, eager to ease Pooja's nerves, offered to get her a water bottle and stepped out to his car, leaving her in the lawyer's office. As he entered a nearby hotel to grab the bottle, his eyes caught Anjali sipping coffee with a handsome man, their laughter filling the air. He initially ignored them, but an old man at the next table leaned in, his voice a hushed gossip, "See that woman? My son said he will be proposing her today—maybe he's her would-be if she admits." Vikram's jaw tightened, a surge of anger rising. Bitch—how many people will she toy with? She's already broken Pooja's life, and now this bullshit, he muttered under his breath, his fists clenching. The revelation churned his thoughts—something felt off, a tangled web he couldn't unravel. He resisted confronting her, not wanting to stir trouble and darken Pooja's day, but the pieces didn't fit. Should I tell her? No— i should not confuse her she is already broken and it was Anjali - Arjun mess to sort. Calming himself, he grabbed the water, determined to stand by Pooja no matter what, his resolve steeling against the chaos swirling around them.
Chapter 20 - Vikrams close to truth, but its too late
Continuation
As Vikram returned with the water bottle, Pooja's anxious eyes met his, her voice soft with relief. "Where did you go?" she asked. He smiled, holding up the bottle, "Just to get this—you might starve."
She pinched his arm playfully, a fleeting lightness in her tone, "Don't go away—stay with me." Moments later, the lawyers called them in, and the court proceedings began. By 2:30 PM, the judgment arrived—Pooja and Arjun were divorced. A radiant smile broke across Pooja's face, and she threw her arms around Vikram right there in the courtroom, her joy unbridled.
Arjun, watching from a distance, offered a warm smile—the kind only those who knew the truth of his sacrifice could fully grasp.
Anjali, arriving at his side, took his hand gently. "Arjun, now everything is done. You should go ahead with the treatment. I've requested the doctor to operate tonight—we may not know the result. Give them a goodbye at least now."
Arjun shook his head, his voice firm despite the strain. "No, Anjali. She should see me as a villain till my last breath.
Hide my condition from them. Let her live peacefully—Vikram will take care of her."
Anjali hugged him tightly, her voice breaking, "I've never seen a human like you.
Pooja might regret this if she knew the truth—it's better as you say." Vikram and Pooja, witnessing the embrace, misread it as intimacy, their expressions hardening.
Vikram stormed over, dragging Arjun out of the courtroom.
"I want to break your legs, but I should thank you for leaving her to me.
You don't know how to treasure her, but I will. Maybe I should tell you something,"
he whispered in Arjun's ear,
"I just saw your love, Anjali, charmingly with a young man opposite the court in that hotel.
Lol—a cheater gets a cheater."
Pooja called out, "Vikram, come—don't waste our time."
She avoided looking at Arjun or Anjali, turning away decisively.
Vikram lingered, snatching Arjun's phone. "Now I need to delete the clippings. Never try to blackmail her or harm my family—my family, meaning Pooja and hers, is mine now. Password, please." Arjun plucked the phone, typed it in, and Vikram took it back.
A folder labeled "Pooja - Vikram" appeared, brimming with files, but Arjun swiftly reclaimed it, deleting everything instantly.
"It's all gone—check now," he said. Vikram felt a flicker of doubt—something fishy lingered why many files all same or duplicate —but seeing the folder empty, he let it go, satisfied for now.
With legal help, Pooja and Vikram went to Arjun's house, collecting her files, certificates, and belongings. Pooja tore some documents, declaring, "There should not be one thing left to remind me of him."
Minutes later, Arjun arrived with Anjali. As Pooja moved to burn the papers, Arjun stopped her, his voice strained, "I'll do it. Take only what you want—what if the fire causes an accident here?
If you must dump them, do it outside."
Pooja left the papers, her resolve unshaken.
Vikram noticed a strange struggle in Arjun—his legs limping slightly, though Arjun masked it with effort. As the packing finished, Pooja offered a final goodbye to the place she'd spent two years, a tear glistening before a smile emerged as she grasped Vikram's hand.
They started the car, Vikram catching a fleeting, unfamiliar face nearby, though his focus stayed on Pooja.
After the Thar's sound faded, Arjun sank onto the sofa, crying uncontrollably. A reassuring hand rested on his shoulder—Anjali's fiancé, the doctor, Vikram had seen at the hotel but failed to recognize.
Moved by Arjun's selfless sacrifice for Pooja's future, the fiancé had come to prepare him for surgery.
Back at Vikram's apartment, Pooja arranged her things with enthusiasm, her spirit lifting.
Vikram, delighted, suggested, "Let's go somewhere fun tonight—places you haven't visited."
Pooja smiled, recalling, "A good friend once told me to search happiness where I lost it. I'm beginning my life where I thought I lost it. Take me to the guesthouse—I need a quiet dinner, in the moonlight, with my love." Vikram's face lit up.
"With my love?" he asked. Pooja cupped his face, "Yes, you are my love. I waited for this day to come clean, so you won't feel I'm torn between anyone. I'm here just for you." He hugged her, kissing her cheek, and they bought food ingredients, snacks, a carrom board, and puzzle cards for the night.
The Thar arrived at the guesthouse, its emptiness striking—no one spied on them, though Vikram found it oddly quiet, while Pooja noticed nothing amiss. Vikram couldn't shake his unease, scanning the garden with his phone, noting spots where three could hide.
At the hospital,
Arjun underwent tests, awaiting for the food
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
As she cooked, Vikram helped preparing for the new dishes,
At the hospital,
Food arrived from hospital canteen, the nurses arranged table for him to eat,
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
Vikram and Pooja arranged a moonlight dinner.
At the hospital,
Arjun was fed with plain rice kanji
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
they ate biryani, as vikram feed her with love
At the hospital,
The nurse gave him a tonic to drink
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
Pooja feed her ice cream, but vikram licked her finger sensually .
At the hospital,
Arjun's heart with Pooja—Live peacefully—I don't know if I'll pass this, but I want you happy.
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
Vikram pulled Pooja onto his lap, hugging her. "You're finally mine."
Pooja shouted to the sky, "Finally, I've found my true love—bless us with a life of joy and healing!"
At the hospital,
The chief doctor announced, "Operation in an hour."
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
They laughed, sharing naughty chats and a compatibility check, Pooja marveling at Vikram's knowledge of her likes, promising to learn his.
At the hospital,
a nurse ticked off Arjun's health reports.
At the guesthouse - the rooftop,
An hour later, Vikram suggested, "Should we sleep here?"
Pooja replied, "No, let's go to the bedroom downstairs."
As she freshened up, Vikram grabbed his phone, browsing Instagram.
He planned to post a "new life, new beginning" photo, but a friend's repost loaded slowly—a blurred image of Anjali with the handsome man, captioned, "He said yes, and we began today."
The door creaked—Pooja entered, stunning him as she shed her saree.
At the hospital,
Arjun changed into his operation suit.
Vikram dropped his phone, the photo clarifying—Anjali and her fiancé—but he was too distracted by Pooja's bold presence before him.
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