Week Pack – Episodes 365, 366, 367 & 368 (for 29th June – 2nd July)

Kurukshetra – Episode 365

Tamanna and Rudrakshi both stand shocked before Vishal Choudary’s gun… They both reach for the others’ hand and hold on.

Tamanna: Wh… what… what are you doing Inspector?

Vishal: I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME INSPECTOR! That title was taken away from me because of your darling husband!

Rudrakshi: Please come to your senses… put that gun down!

Vishal: I will not! You know… I could very easily make this situation turn out in a way that benefits me… I could make Kartik confess to everything he did if I wanted to… but then he will find a way to escape again. I’ve always learned that people pay for their crimes on this earth and that we receive justice for all things we do on this earth while we’re still here, still alive… but Kartik… Kartik has escaped every single time! I took an oath to punish the guilty and I won’t rest until I fulfill that oath! I will punish him for what he has done… By getting rid of the two of you.

Tamanna and Rudrakshi are somewhat scared now.

Tamanna: You’re insane!

Vishal: YES I AM INSANE! I’VE GONE INSNANE BECAUSE YOU MADE ME!!!

Rudrakshi: It’s very easy to blame your mistakes on other people Mr. Choudary…

Vishal: But I made no mistakes! I arrested Kartik Agnihotri fair and square and then he escaped… then he was discovered and he escaped again! Well I’ve had enough!!! This is where it all ends. This is where justice will be served! Right here, right now! So now I guess the only question is, who wants to die first?

Tamanna and Rudrakshi move back ever so slowly as Vishal makes his way closer to them.

Vishal: Tell me… which one of you want to die first? Tell me?

Tamanna looks to her side and sees a vase on a side table. She waits for a while and watches Vishal as he keeps switching the gun from one side to the other. The moment his gaze shifts from her she picks up the vase and throws it at him!

Tamanna: Run Rudrakshi!

The two of them start to run as soon as Vishal gets distracted but he quickly recovers and sees Rudrakshi running up the stairs. He points the gun in her direction and Tamanna sees this. Realizing he is about to open fire she runs back to Vishal and points the gun upwards. A shot is fired!

On the second floor of Chandra Mahel Rajind suddenly opens his eyes from his sleep… He looks around and sees Krithika sleeping next to him. He thinks to himself…

Rajind: What the hell was that sound?

He gets off the bed and starts walking out… Back downstairs… Rudrakshi turns around and sees Tamanna and Vishal fighting with the gun.

Rudrakshi: Oh my goodness!!! HELP! SOMEONE HELP!

Upstairs… Rajind hears this and starts running out of the room. Back downstairs… Tamanna and Vishal continue to fight for the gun and Rudrakshi runs towards them as well. She attacks Vishal from behind and he moves about violently with the gun in his hand… The three are in a vicious struggle and suddenly another shot is fired!!!

Meanwhile in Aksh and Rauktima’s room… they both hear the noise and wake up.

Rauktima: What was that?

Aksh: I don’t know… but it sounded like a gunshot.

Rauktima: Aksh…

They both get out of bed and start going downstairs while Rajind too is making his way there. Back downstairs… Vishal, Tamanna and Rudrakshi look from one person to the other and then… Tamanna slowly brings her hand up and there is blood on it… She looks down and sees that she’s been shot. She gasps…

Rudrakshi: ARGHHHHHH!!!

Tamanna falls to the ground and Rudrakshi moves away she then becomes really frightened and turns around to run up the stairs just as Rajind is running down the stairs. Vishal sees her running away and fires another shot!!! Rudrakshi gasps just like Tamanna did and Rajind watches as she falls on the staircase and rolls down. She lands face down at the bottom of the stairs and Rajind sees that she’s been shot in the back! Rauktima and Aksh come running there too… Rajind runs downstairs…

Rajind: MUMMY JI! BADI MA!

Aksh comes running down and flies at Vishal, tackling him to the ground. Rauktima rushes to Tamanna’s side…

Rauktima: Badi Ma… Badi Ma… open your eyes! Badi Ma!!!

Rajind gets up and goes to help Aksh. Together they manage to knock the gun out of Vishal’s hand and they both begin to beat him up. Meanwhile… the rest of the household has begun to stir. One by one the family members rush in.

Kaushik: What the hell!!!

Nakshatra: Shit!!!

Rauktima: Call an ambulance! They’ve both been shot!

While all this is going on Krithika begins to wake up slowly. She looks at the bed and sees that Rajind is gone and she hears a huge commotion downstairs. She gets off the bed and makes her way down. And back downstairs… Vishal has been hammered until he lies unconscious.

Rajind: Mummy ji!

Rauktima: Badi Ma! Wake up…

Kaushik:  Tamanna…

Nachiket: Rudrakshi Chachi… open your eyes! Wake up!

Poornima: The ambulance is on its way.

Kaushik: Did someone call the police?

Nakshatra: Yea I did…

Rauktima: Badi Ma please wake up…

The family looks around them as the blood from both Tamanna and Rudrakshi seems to have covered the floor. Krithika walks downstairs and she sees the spectacle.

Krithika: What the hell is going on here?

Rajind sees her and gets worried! He remembers that she isn’t supposed to get stressed out!

Rajind: Krithika…

Krithika: What is all this? Mom! MOM!

Krithika rushes to Rudrakshi’s side.

Krithika: Mom… what happened? WHAT IS GOING ON?

Rajind: Krithika you have to calm down.

Soumil comes running in as well.

Soumil: MOM! MOM! NO!

Krithika: MOM!

Soumil: How the hell did this happen? Oh shit! MOM!

The family is in a state… and the night consumes Chandra Mahel… The next morning at Chopra Mansion… Dhananjay wakes up next to Shubhavi again.

Dhananjay: Good morning.

Shubhavi: Good morning. I thought you might have left.

Dhananjay: I wanted to but then I woke up and saw you sleeping and didn’t have the heart to leave you.

Shubhavi: Stop being so romantic.

Dhananjay: I can’t help it.

Shubhavi: Dhananjay… what the hell are we doing?

Dhananjay: I don’t know, I really don’t know. But this doesn’t feel wrong. It’s like our relationship as husband and wife was left incomplete and…

Shubhavi: But you belong to someone else now.

Dhananjay: I know… and I know that she will be upset when she finds out the truth but…

Shubhavi: So you plan on telling her.

Dhananjay: Shubhavi, if you give me another chance, I’d like to be part of your life again. Vanshita was right, we should have never gone apart.

They smile at each other for a while.

Shubhavi: Ok so I’ll go get us some tea and you watch some TV till then. Then you can leave for work.

Dhananjay: Ok.

Shubhavi slowly gets off the bed and Dhananjay turns the TV on. Shubhavi is just about to leave the room when the voice of the news anchor echoes through the room.

Anchor: Former Inspector Vishal Choudary of the Delhi Crime Branch was arrested early this morning for the murders of Tamanna & Rudrakshi Agnihotri!

Shubhavi turns like a bullet and Dhananjay sits straight up in bed. Meanwhile in Nasik… Urvashi is also watching the morning news with her mouth open…

Anchor: The murders took place at Chandra Mahel, the home of the Agnihotris, Delhi’s most powerful business family.

Urvashi leans back in her chair and remains shocked. She thinks to herself…

Urvashi: And to think that I came all the way to Nasik to hire someone that would go after Darpana. But it looks like I’ll have to change my plans immediately.

And in Bangalore… Dr. Ruhan Goenka is also watching the news…

Anchor: The police arrested Vishal Choudary at Chandra Mahel a little past 1.00 AM and he will be facing charges for both murders very soon. This horrible incident came about shortly after renowned business tycoon Kartik Agnihotri of Agnihotri Incorporated was declared innocent of crimes he was previously charged with. The arrest was made by Vishal Choudary at the time and Kartik Agnihotri was believed to be dead by lethal injection. A statement released from the Crime Branch stated that Mr. Dhananjay Arora was responsible for faking the death of Kartik Agnihotri, after which he was subject to plastic surgery and returned to Delhi as Shatranj Pratap Singh. The twisted story of the Agnihotri family continues… stay tuned for more details on the story soon.

Ruhan switches the TV off and then remains in a state of shock. Just then Ankita walks in. She sees him and wonders what is going on.

Ankita: Ruhan…

He turns around startled.

Ankita: What’s the matter? Why are you so jumpy?

Ruhan: Ankita… have… you seen the news today?

Ankita: Not yet. Did something important happen?

Ruhan: You better sit down.

Ankita: Ruhan what’s going on? You’re scaring me.

Ruhan: Please sit down.

Ankita sits down reluctantly.

Ankita: Ruhan what is the matter?

Ruhan: The news says… that Dhananjay was responsible for rescuing Kartik from his death sentence and then representing him to everyone as Shatranj Pratap Singh.

Ankita: Who cares how that happened?

Ruhan: And they also say that he was acquitted of all previous crimes.

Ankita: Trust Kartik to figure out a way to do that. But I’ve forgiven him…

Ruhan: And they said that the Inspector who was in charge of the case…

Ankita: Oh I remember him… Sangeeta Bhabi used to be quite friendly with him. What was his name?

Ruhan: Vishal Choudary…

Ankita: That’s the one…

Ruhan: Ankita, apparently he was at Chandra Mahel last night.

Ankita: Oh… Why?

Ruhan: I….

Ankita: Ruhan for goodness sake the tension is killing me! What has happened?

Ruhan holds Ankita by the shoulders and his hands are shaking.

Ankita: Ruhan, you’re trembling. What’s going on? Oh good lord please tell me!

Ruhan: Ankita… he shot Tamanna and Rudrakshi.

Ankita’s face turns pale… She moves her head from one side to the other in dismay and pretends like she didn’t hear what was just said.

Ankita: What? Are you insane?

Ruhan: They’re dead Ankita. They’re both dead!!

Ankita slowly goes into a state of shock.

Ruhan: Ankita did you hear what I said? TAMANNA AND RUDRAKSHI ARE DEAD!

Kurukshetra – Episode 366

The mood is horrible at Chandra Mahel as everyone stands around the dead bodies of Tamanna and Rudrakshi in tears. A while later… a car drives in. Nachiket turns to look at who it is and then sees Kartik getting out of it with a smile on his face. He walks up the steps and sees Nachiket. But his smile vanishes the minute he sees his nephew wearing white. He slowly walks up to Nachiket whose eyes are filled with tears. Nachiket then moves aside and Kartik sees both Tamanna and Rudrakshi… dead.

He tries to walk in ever so slowly… but his knees buckle and he falls on the floor near the door. He looks at the bodies with horror in his eyes. His mouth opens just a little bit and then in a whisper he asks…

Kartik: Why?

Everyone’s attention is now on Kartik. Kaushik goes running over to him and embraces him. Kartik can’t get himself to move. He suddenly has a flashback of something he did years ago, just after a conversation he had had with Keshav… Flashback…

Kartik: Oh would you look at that… Checkmate!

Kartik throws his head back and laughs.

Kartik: You will have to make the choice in my favor Keshav Bhaiyya because you have no other option. Just let me set foot in that house one more time and I’ll make certain I don’t leave room for error ever again. They will pay, that entire family will pay. Who cares if they’re my own flesh and blood… I’ve been wronged and I will avenge myself! But this time it will be nothing like any one of them have seen before. They think they’re so powerful because they live under the roof of a palace and sit at the chairs of the company that has redefined the history of business in this region… Well everything you think you’re capable of my darling brothers… Kartik is capable of so much more.

Kartik leans back in his chair and lets the tips of his shoe touch the chess board.

Kartik: Look at them… all my beautiful pawns, all of my family… Stacked up into one little corner. Willing to make sacrifices for each other, willing to do whatever it takes to eansure each others’ happiness… Such a tragedy… Think of this chess board as Chandra Mahel and think of the pawns as the Agnihotri Family… Then… think of Kartik as a vicious bolt of lightning that’s about to strike!

He kicks his foot hard from underneath the table and the board goes flying into the air. Little pawns are scattered all over the place and some of them even break into pieces. The board collapses on the floor and breaks in half.

Kartik: A family of fools living in a world so small… Then came Kartik and killed them all! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

End flashback… Kartik looks beside himself. He sees what has happened and he realizes that this is punishment for all the bad he has done. He has more flashbacks…

Aindri: SORRY? Is that all you have to say? Leave aside what you put me through Kartik but what about what you did to your brothers? How are you going to answer their widowed wives when this truth comes out?

Kartik: I know that what I did was wrong and that’s why I want to make it better now by turning myself in…

Aindri: Kartik… my child… no matter what punishment they give you now it can’t bring back the dead! You stole every single son from this house and God was nice enough to send them back in the form of Anirudh, Nachiket and Dushyanth. But how are you going to explain yourself. For so many years you’ve ruled over the lives of others and now… I don’t know what to say. It would have been easier for me if you just let me be an invalid for the rest of my life.

End flashback… Dhananjay and Shubhavi arrive and rush in and they too see Kartik on the floor. Shubhavi runs to Krithika’s side as she looks devastated. Dhananjay kneels down next to Kartik. Suddenly… the memories flood in one after the other…

Sangeeta: All these years… we’ve been living under your rule only to find out today that you stole that right from your brothers?

Tamanna: You bastard!

Kartik shakes his head in horror and sadness…

Sangeeta: He stole our husbands from us!!!

Tamanna: Keshav made the biggest mistake by letting you back in this house! You’ve had the nerve to accuse us of all kinds of things in the past and look down on us and treat us like your slaves when you were the very person who made us this way? Helpless and alone!!!

Ranveer: Honestly Kartik… I would have helped you myself to get out of Manorama’s murder case but this is just sick!

Shubhavi: They were your brothers Kartik!

Kartik starts to cry really hard… Everyone’s heart breaks for him…

Anirudh: Chacha ji… we’ve looked up to you all our lives as our father figure only now to know that the reason we had to do that was because you stole our fathers from us…

Kartik is screaming in pain now…

Vidhushi: You’ve never been sorry for anything Kartik… You’ve always been out to make our lives miserable!!! You tried to destroy my marriage to Naren… You made all of us believe Keshav Bhaiyya was dead while you were keeping him alive on some deserted island… You made the lives of the people in this house a living hell!!! How can we believe that you are sorry for what you did?

Sangeeta: You plotted and schemed and killed our husbands! I will never forgive you for this Kartik! NEVER!

Dhananjay and Kaushik hold on to him tight as he breaks down completely in agony… He screams and screams and screams and Chandra Mahel shakes with his breaking heart…

Kartik: Why!!! Why have they paid for my sins? Why? This should have happened to me! I didn’t even get to say goodbye! I didn’t even get to say goodbye! Bring them back! Take me instead! They’re being punished for my wrongs! Please bring them back! WHY??? Please God please! Don’t do this to them!!! I didn’t even get to say goodbye! NOOOOO!!!

Everyone cries as they watch Kartik… The day comes to an end and very soon it’s time for the last rites to be performed. Kartik is dressed in white like everyone else and the emotion has been sucked out of his face. He just looks blank. On the other end, Aksh and Rauktima look stressed.

Rauktima: Did you call Rajind?

Aksh: I did.

Rauktima: How is Krithika?

Aksh: The doctors say that she is stable now. She wants to come back home immediately but Rajind is wondering if it’s a good idea.

Rauktima looks around and then sees Kartik and then turns back to Aksh.

Rauktima: I think it is a good idea.

Aksh: How so?

Rauktima: Well for one thing Krithika needs to bid her mother farewell and the other is that I think Krithika and Kartik Chachu need each other right now.

Aksh looks closely at Rauktima who seems very fidgety.

Aksh: Are you ok?

Rauktima: I’m fine.

Aksh: You keep moving around and fiddling with your fingers and…

Rauktima: What would you like me to do? Sit down in a corner somewhere and cry like everyone else?

Aksh: No I…

Rauktima: Well I can’t… I can’t afford to breakdown like the rest of the family because someone needs to be sane enough to make sure that nothing else goes wrong. I don’t understand why the hell things like this keep happening to us Aksh. Every time a bit of happiness comes our way it’s taken from us the very next second… But no matter what happens we have to keep moving on. We have to keep going forward. We have to keep living and I need to keep moving or else I will lose my mind and…

A hand touches Rauktima on the shoulder and she turns around to see Ankita.

Rauktima: Chachi… Chachi…

Rauktima slowly starts breaking down when she sees Ankita and the latter hugs her.

Ankita: It’s alright… it’s alright…

Ankita cries as well but she tries hard to conceal her sadness for Rauktima’s sake.

Rauktima: Why did this happen Chachi?

Ankita: That’s just the way life is. But it’s alright. I’m here now so it’s alright. How is Krithika?

Rauktima: She’s with the doctor at the moment but she’s coming back.

Ankita: And how is Kartik?

Rauktima: Not good Chachi…

Ankita looks inside and sees Kartik looking deflated. She then leaves Rauktima with Aksh and walks inside. She is soon standing over the bodies of Tamanna and Rudrakshi. She kneels slowly on the ground in front of them and cries. She touches both of their feet and bids them goodbye. She then stands up and sees Soumil standing a good distance away from all this, by himself. She walks over to him.

Ankita: Soumil…

Soumil: Chachi…

Ankita hugs him and consoles him.

Soumil: I found my mother after all these years and then she’s taken away from me Chachi. Why?

Ankita: I don’t know my child I really don’t know.

Soumil: I can’t bear this Chachi…

Ankita: It’s ok… It’s all going to be ok. I’m here now.

As time goes on the bodies are taken away from Chandra Mahel and the last rites are performed by Kartik. Vishal Choudary is sentenced to a life in a jail house mental facility. A week passes by… Anirudh and Jaya have returned from Goa and Jaya is in her room weeping madly. Akarsha is walking by the room and sees her and then walks in.

Akarsha: Bhabi… what’s the matter?

Jaya: What a horrible turn of events Akarsha…

Akarsha: I know…

Jaya: But my conscience is so heavy… I don’t think I can deal with this anymore.

Akarsha: What are you talking about?

Jaya: Rudrakshi Chachi and Badi Ma were the only people in the family apart from you who knew about who I really was and why I came to Chandra Mahel. Now they’re both dead and Vishal has gone insane. I feel like I owe it to all of them to tell Anirudh the truth.

Akarsha thinks about this a moment.

Akarsha: No.

Jaya: What?

Akarsha: You will not tell anyone anything.

Jaya: Why not?

Akarsha: Bhabi… willingly or unwillingly you’ve been given a new, clean slate. Use it.

Jaya: So you’re saying that I should continue lying to Anirudh about why I first came here?

Akarsha: Let me ask you a question. Do you love him?

Jaya: At first I didn’t… but now I do.

Akarsha: Then that’s all that matters. This family has suffered a great loss Bhabi. Two of its Bahus are dead… Kartik Chachu has locked himself away and if it weren’t for Ankita Chachi then there’s no saying what would have happened to us. You can’t bring this truth out now. It’ll be too much for everyone to take.

Jaya: But…

Akarsha: And given your connection with Vishal Choudary… No one is ever going to forgive you, at least not right now. Is that how you want things to work out?

Jaya: So I should continue lying?

Akarsha: You should continue living. The lie is over Bhabi. Start afresh. Take care of Anirudh Bhaiyya and this household as a true Bahu of Chandra Mahel. That’s what Badi Ma and Rudrakshi Chachi would have wanted from you at all cost.

Jaya thinks about this a while and then nods her head in agreement. In the meantime we see that Ankita is back in her old room. She is on the phone with Ruhan.

Ruhan: Ankita it’s been a week now. When exactly do you plan on coming back?

Ankita: I told you Ruhan I don’t know.

Ruhan: What do you mean you don’t know? That household and that family is not your responsibility anymore.

Ankita: How can you say that? My son is part of this house. He is grieving too and I need to be here for him. And Kartik…

Ruhan: The same Kartik who killed Kaurav! You want to be there for him?

Ankita: Don’t talk that way Ruhan. Can’t you see that he is suffering enough as it is? God has punished him for all his crimes by taking away not one but both of his wives! The poor man is beside himself.

Ruhan: So in short you don’t know when you’re coming back?

Ankita: At this very moment in time no I don’t. This house needs me.

Ruhan: What about me? Don’t I need you?

Ankita: I know that I’m being unfair to you and you know you’re welcome at Chandra Mahel at any time…

Ruhan: No thank you. I don’t want to live in my wife’s ex-Sasural!

Ankita: Why are you being so insensitive?

Ruhan: Because when that house spat you out like you didn’t belong there then I was the only one who was there for you Ankita and now I am the one person who is not important to you. You’re going to have to make a decision between me and Chandra Mahel now!

Kurukshetra – Episode 367

Ankita is shocked to hear this.

Ankita: What are you saying?

Ruhan: I’m saying that you can’t take care of both Chandra Mahel and our home here in Bangalore. You’re going to have to decide on which one is more important to you.

Ankita: Well isn’t that lovely? You want me to decide between the house that I’ve made a home with you and the house that is home to my family? How can you even say something like that Ruhan? You’re forgetting that when I left this house I left not as its Bahu but as its Beti and being the daughter of this house I have certain responsibilities.

Ruhan: You have certain responsibilities as a wife too Ankita!

Ankita: I’m not saying I don’t. But this is ridiculous. We have the rest of our lives together. All I’m asking for is sometime to spend with my family until they get over their grief.

Ruhan: And what if they don’t get over their grief.

Ankita: Don’t be absurd!

Ruhan: I’m not the one being absurd here it’s you.

Ankita: Ruhan my goodness what has gotten into you?

Ruhan: Think about what I said Ankita. Chandra Mahel or me.

The line goes dead. Ankita looks at her phone in disbelief. Meanwhile in Soumil’s room… He’s on the phone and talking to someone very rudely…

Soumil: I don’t care how the hell you get it done, just get it done!!! Do I make myself clear?

He hangs up and Katya walks into the room.

Katya: Soumil, is everything alright?

Soumil: Everything is fine!

Katya: You don’t have to snap at me you know.

Soumil turns to her and then walks up to her.

Soumil: I’m sorry… I’m really sorry it’s just… I don’t know what I’m doing.

Katya: Sit down and talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.

They both sit down.

Soumil: Katya, I don’t understand why things happened the way they did. But what I do know is that I miss my mother terribly and I wish that there was more I could have done for her as her son.

Katya: You think that’s bad? How do you think Dushyanth must feel right now? He wasn’t even here for the funeral.

Soumil: I know and that’s why I’m trying to make things right for all of us. Mom’s one mission in the recent past was to get Dushyanth and Sanskriti’s daughter back from Ashvini Bhabi and that’s what I’m trying to do now.

Katya: Do you think you will have any success in the matter? I mean to be fair, your mother did try very hard to find her and she couldn’t.

Soumil: Yes but that’s because Vishal Choudary had other things on his mind. That bastard! I feel like walking into where they’re keeping him and killing him right there!

Katya: And what is that going to solve? Look Soumil I know this is difficult but you have to look at this as an end to a vicious cycle. It’s unfair I know… but your mother and Rudrakshi Chachi through their death have somehow brought peace to Chandra Mahel.

Soumil: What are you talking about?

Katya: The complications that we’re all facing have ended and that is what they both would have wanted above everything else, to find a sense of peace for this house at last. They couldn’t do it while they were alive…

Soumil feels upset by this but he understands what his wife is trying to say and so he nods his head.

Soumil: But I won’t give up looking for that baby… I won’t.

Meanwhile… Ankita walks into Kartik’s room. It’s dark and she sees him sitting by a window with the curtains closed. She walks up to the windows and without saying a word she draws them apart. She then looks down at him and sees that he looks drained and there is a chess board in front of him. She sits down opposite to him and looks from the board to Kartik. Then she leans back in the chair.

Ankita: For how long are you going to remain this way?

Kartik: I don’t know.

Ankita: This family needs you Kartik. You can’t go on like this.

Kartik: All I do is cause destruction Bhabi. This way is better.

Ankita: You can’t think like that.

Kartik: Why not? Everyone fought for my freedom and when I received it at long last, I walk home to two dead wives.

Ankita: And you think that’s the end of the world?

Kartik: How can you say that?

Ankita: I’ve buried a husband myself Kartik, thanks to you, or have you forgotten?

Kartik: Have you come to rub salt in my wounds Bhabi?

Ankita: No, I’m here to remind you of who you are and what your responsibility to this family is. But it is important that you understand what is going on in your life as retribution.

Kartik: You think I don’t know that.

Ankita: If you do then you should stop feeling sorry for yourself and start thinking about how to move on. Your daughter needs you Kartik.

Kartik: She’s strong enough. Besides, she has you.

Ankita: There you go being selfish again. You’re forgetting that my responsibilities are not to Chandra Mahel any longer. I have another life that I built up with Ruhan. I have to go back to it but I can’t leave until I know that the old Kartik is really back. We all forgive you for what has happened Kartik and I believe that God has more than punished you for your crimes. It came at the expense of Tamanna and Rudrakshi but it came nevertheless. Bad things happen, they’ve happened to all of us. Do you remember when Revati Bhabi died? Keshav Bhaiyya was just like this. But do you remember what happened after that? In your efforts to fix this family and regain some sort of balance you went on a power trip and destroyed everything. You are the one that can hold this family together and you have to do it one way or the other, there’s no choice in the matter. Otherwise, another Kartik will be born within these walls, one that wants to take control. Our children have grown up, they have their families that they need to take care of and very soon, each person is going to want what’s best for their children. You’re going to have to be there to mediate.

Kartik doesn’t say anything. Ankita looks down at the chess board.

Ankita: This game never ceases to surprise me. We’ve all played it at some point in our lives. Sometimes in favor of this family and sometimes against it. But now the time has come to stop playing games. This family needs you Kartik.

Ankita waits a while longer and then gets up to leave…

Kartik: Alright…

She turns around.

Kartik: Alright… I’ll do as you say. But under one condition.

Ankita: And what is that?

Kartik: I’m still not as stable as I would like to be and there is no one in this house that I can turn to for support. I can’t do this alone.

Ankita: What are you saying?

Kartik: I need you to be here a little longer Bhabi.

Ankita is taken aback.

Ankita: Kartik I told you I have to go back to Ruhan and my house and…

Kartik: Is this not your house Bhabi? If your house with Doctor Ruhan is your Sasural then isn’t this your Maayka?

Ankita thinks about this for a while.

Kartik: Just for a little while until I find myself again. I won’t hold you back thereafter. They’re all gone Bhabi. The people that we called a family – Mom, Keshav Bhaiyya, Ketan Bhaiyya, Tamanna, Rudrakshi, Sangeeta Bhabi, Kaurav Bhaiyya, Sanket Bhaiyya… They’re all gone… There’s only you and me left. Kaushik Bhaiyya is busy with his company and he is going through problems of his own. You and I are the only people left from our batch of those who belonged to Chandra Mahel. If I am to make as strong a comeback as you want me to then I need you here.

Ankita thinks a while longer. Then…

Ankita: How long do you think you might want me to stay?

Kartik: A month.

Ankita: A MONTH! Kartik I’ve already been gone from home for a week!

Kartik: I know… but please… just one month. Please… There’s no one here for Krithika and Katya… they need someone… a woman… to take care of them. They need a mother-figure in their lives. So please… just one month.

Ankita breathes in deeply.

Ankita: Fine… one month. But that’s it. After that you’re on your own.

Kartik: Alright. It’s a deal.

Ankita: Ok then.

Ankita smiles and walks out of the room. Kartik looks out of the window and walks up to it. He cries for a bit and then pulls himself together. Meanwhile… Kaushik is in his room contemplating over everything that has taken place when suddenly Urvashi walks in.

Urvashi: Kaushik…

He looks up and is startled to see her.

Urvashi: I just got back from Nasik and I heard the news and… oh my goodness… I’m so sorry.

Kaushik: I’m not the one you should be feeling sorry for. Poor Kartik… God only knows what he is going through. The more I think about the more I miss Darpana.

Urvashi looks at him sharply.

Kaushik: When I saw Kartik breakdown in front of their dead bodies I pictured myself living the rest of my life without Darpana. I realized I can’t do it.

Urvashi: But does she feel the same way?

Kaushik: She must. I know she loves me, deep inside she does. When I think back to all the arguments we had I see that they were based on the love that she had for me. She was as scared as I was. We just expressed it differently. Kartik has no one now, thank God Ankita is here to take care of everything else. He has absolutely no support…

Urvashi takes a moment and then her mind starts racing like it has never raced before…

Urvashi: You’re right… Kaushik you’re absolutely right.

Kaushik: What do you mean?

Urvashi: You can’t waste another minute. You have to go to Darpana.

Kaushik: Well I know I should but…

Urvashi: There are no buts here. Think about it, what if something happens to either of you? What then? Are you going to live in regret like Kartik is right now? You can’t let that happen. Kaushik… you came here to reform the relationship that was rightfully yours to have with this family. You’re a part of it now but your home is Chandini Mahel… Your mother is there, your wife is there and you’ve managed Agnihotri Alliances from there for all your life. You should go back to your roots and rediscover yourself and your relationship with your wife.

Kaushik: You know what? You’re absolutely right. But I’m worried about the situation here…

Urvashi: Why? I mean as you rightly said, Ankita ji is here and I’m sure she will be for a while. And besides… if you want me to, I’ll stay here on your behalf and look after things with Ankita ji…

Kaushik: Would you do that for me?

Urvashi: Of course.

Kaushik: Is it not too much to ask?

Urvashi: Kaushik… we’ve become such good friends over time and after all you’ve done for me, reconnecting me with my son and… well what I’m trying to say is, nothing is too much to ask. I’ll be happy to stay here, if you want me to…

Kaushik: Thank you so much Urvashi. Thank you so much. I will go back to Kolkota and I will fix this…

Kaushik gets up and walks out looking content with himself and Urvashi stands up. She thinks to herself…

Urvashi: Yes you do that… because I’ve just realized that I’m backing a losing horse with you Kaushik. But you are so right about Kartik. He is lost and alone right now. Ankita will leave after a while and then he will truly be alone to manage this empire all by himself. We can’t let that happen now can we? Very smart Urvashi… very smart.

Later… Ankita is in her room on the phone to Ruhan.

Ruhan: A month? He wants you to stay in Chandra Mahel for a month?

Ankita: I explained this to you over and over again Ruhan. He really needs someone to be here and support him.

Ruhan: And you’re the only one he can think of?

Ankita: Ruhan I’m the only one alive!!!

Ruhan: AND WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?

Ankita: Stop it Ruhan! All I’m asking for is one month at Chandra Mahel.

Ruhan: So I guess in the end you picked Chandra Mahel over me.

Ankita: That is not true…

Ruhan: You know what Ankita… fine… do whatever you think is right. I’m not going to get involved in this anymore. As you said before this is between you and your family and I’m not going to stand in your way. Come home when you want to and do what you want to. After all… I’m only your husband. Why should anything I say matter to you? If possible just call one in a way to check on whether I’m alive or dead, ok? Goodbye.

Kurukshetra – Episode 368

The next day the family is gathered downstairs and Kartik walks in. They all smile at him and are happy to see him out of his room. Kaushik walks in and Urvashi follows.

Kaushik: I have some news that I would like to share with everyone.

Everyone looks to him and Urvashi looks around the room impatiently.

Kaushik: After a mind opening discussion I had with Urvashi ji yesterday I’ve decided that I need to work things out with Darpana.

Ankita, Kartik and everyone else except for Rauktima and Nakshatra are smiling.

Kaushik: So I’ve decided to move back to Kolkota for a while and resolve all my issues. Recent events have lead me to believe how important the husband and wife relationship is and I’m sorry it had to happen at your expense Kartik… but I need Darpana back in my life.

Kartik: I’m very happy to hear that Bhaiyya. Any idea when you will be coming back?

Kaushik: I don’t know right now. I really don’t. But I’m glad that at least Ankita is here and I’ve also asked Urvashi to stay back and help run the house, if that’s alright.

Kartik: She is part of this family through Nakshatra anyway… and I would like it very much if she would stay.

Kaushik: Excellent.

Urvashi smiles broadly.

Kaushik: Now I can leave knowing that everything is under control.

Rauktima is panicking big time and she shares a look with Nakshatra who is also worried.

Ankita: When do you leave Bhaiyya?

Kaushik: Immediately.

Kartik: Oh…

Kaushik: Kartik I’m sorry but…

Kartik: No, you should go. I know more than anyone else the importance of relationships. You have to go and mend fences with Darpana Bhabi. It’s the right thing to do and I won’t stand in your way.

Kaushik walks up to Kartik and the two of them hug. Nachiket stands up next.

Nachiket: There is one other thing that we need to do.

Kartik: What’s that?

Nachiket: Chachu… we wanted to have a proper Namkaran ceremony for our baby but the time isn’t right.

Kartik: That shouldn’t stop you… we can’t go on referring to your child as the baby forever.

Nachiket: I know and that’s why Poornima and I have both decided that you should be the one to name our baby boy.

Kartik: Me?

Nachiket: Yes Chachu. Despite all that has happened you are still the father-figure that we all had in our lives when were growing up and it is only fair that you name our child.

Kartik: But…

Ankita: Come on Kartik… consider it a new beginning for you. We’ve lost a lot as a family but let’s celebrate what we have and be thankful.

Kartik has tears in his eyes as Poornima walks to him with her baby. He takes the baby in his arms and looks at him.

Kartik: Hello little one… I’m your Dada ji…

He looks around and laughs.

Kartik: Look at how old we’re getting…

They all laugh mildly. He looks back at the baby.

Kartik: You are the ray of hope that lingers on in our darkest times… so I name you… Shubh, Shubh Agnihotri.

Everyone smiles. Meanwhile… at Chopra Mansion… Vidhushi and Shubhavi are at the table having a conversation.

Shubhavi: Has Naren eaten anything?

Vidhushi: He won’t listen to me. He insists on starving himself.

Shubhavi: You can’t blame him. He lost his sister.

Vidhushi: I know and the other one is of no help at all…

Shubhavi: Still no news about Ashvini?

Vidhushi: Nothing…

Shubhavi: At least Vayu is handling the business now so Naren doesn’t have to worry about that.

Vidhushi: I know… and we have only Tamanna Didi to thank for that.

Shubhavi: What a tragedy.

Just then Shubhavi’s phone starts ringing. She looks at the screen and then gets a bit nervous.

Shubhavi: I have to take this. I’ll be back.

Vidhushi: Ok.

Shubhavi walks away with the phone and Vidhushi continues with her train of thought about the incidents that have taken place. Back at Chandra Mahel… Rauktima goes to Nakshatra’s room.

Rauktima: What is she up to?

Nakshatra: I wish I knew.

Rauktima: I thought I knew exactly what she was playing at but she’s turned the tables completely!

Nakshatra: Why would she of all people convince Baba to go back to Kolkota?

Rauktima: Maybe it’s part of a bigger plan.

Nakshatra: It has to be. But what?

Rauktima: I can’t even begin to fathom what it might be. But she came to Chandra Mahel with the intention of coming in between Ma and Baba… her sending him off to her now is just a complicated move.

Nakshatra: To us… because we don’t think like her.

Rauktima: We have to find out what she’s up to because under the circumstances we can’t throw her out of the house.

Nakshatra: And we can’t even unveil her truth in front of everyone. What are we going to say? That she came here to drive a wedge between Ma and Baba?

Rauktima: You’re right. They’ll laugh at us because it seems she’s the only one who’s been able to bring the two of them together. But whatever happens we have to keep our eyes open. I won’t let her get away with whatever she is up to.

Nakshatra Yes but we need to find out what that is first.

Later that day… Kartik is in the great hall with Ankita, Soumil, Nachiket and Anirudh. They’re all talking about various things and sharing their grief with one another when Ankita suddenly looks up at the door and is shocked. She stands up abruptly…

Ankita: You!

Everyone else stands up and turns to look at the door. Ashvini walks in with her head held up and stands before them.

Ashvini: Yes… me. How are you Chachi? Didn’t you leave this place with someone else? Do they have an ex-Bahu call center that they use to keep bringing you people back?

Ankita: That would sure as hell explain why you keep coming back here Ashvini.

Ashvini: Still got that old spark don’t you?

Ankita: What do you want?

Ashvini: I’m not here to talk to you. I’m here to talk to my darling Kartik Chachu…

Ashvini goes past Ankita and stands before Kartik.

Ashvini: I came to offer my condolences on your recent loss.

Kartik: You have mine as well?

Ashvini: What on earth for? Oh because one of your wives used to be my sister? Well that relationship ended a long time ago.

Kartik: What do you want Ashvini?

Ashvini: What do I want? Well I want a lot of things Chachu but I’ve learned the hard way that I can’t have everything I want. Just like you can’t have everything you want.

Kartik looks away.

Ashvini: You know… finally you and I can talk about losing our spouses and how it makes us feel.

Soumil: Shut up! How dare you walk in here and…

Ashvini points a finger at Soumil.

Ashvini: Maybe you don’t like to talk in terms of relationships Soumil but I am still both your Maasi and your Bhabi and in both those relationships I’m older than you. Chandra Mahel’s teachings have gone to the dogs really. What’s the matter Chachu, don’t they know that when two adults are talking they shouldn’t interrupt? But then again… what would poor Soumil know? He didn’t even know that he was Agnihotri till very recently…

Kartik: Direct your statements at me if it’s me you’re here to talk to.

Ashvini: My, my… look at the great Kartik Agnihotri speak. Where did you suddenly find yourself from Chachu?

She turns to Ankita and then back to Kartik.

Ashvini: Hmm… I wonder.

Ankita: What are you insinuating?

Ashvini: I’m not insinuating anything but if you feel like I am then maybe I should. Who knows? I mean anything is possible in Chandra Mahel right? Brothers kill brothers, brothers exchange their wives between each other… I mean look at Manisha Chachi… she was with married to Sanket Chachu but not before she gave herself to Kaurav Chachu.

She turns to Ankita again…

Ashvini: Oh that’s right… wasn’t he your husband at some point?

Ankita glares at her.

Ashvini: And then my poor sister… She only left behind the Chopra name and then not one, not two but three Agnihotri names were fixed at the back of her first name. Tamanna Agnihotri Agnihotri Agnihotri… What a woman really… She scored with three out of five Agnihotri brothers.

Kartik: ASHVINI! You may not have respect for her as your sister but the woman you are talking about is my wife!

Ashvini: Really? Then what about that other one? What was her name? Ah… yes… Rudrakshi, what about her?

Kartik: I’ve learned patience over the years but you’re making it wear thin right now. If you’re done with your insults then you should leave.

Ashvini: Done? I haven’t even started. You see Chachu I’m here today to tell you that this is what it felt like for me when you took Rayyan away from me. But I don’t think you’ve been punished enough, you can never be punished enough for what you did.

Nachiket: You’re forgetting a very vital thing Bhabi. Chachu has been acquitted of his crimes… but if we wanted to we could still send you to jail for the murders of Sanket Chachu and my mother!

Ashvini: You could… but then what would happen to your niece?

Everyone is alert when she says this.

Ashvini: This family cannot hurt me in any way because the minute something happens to me, the baby will die!

Soumil: BHABI!

Ashvini: Please don’t shout… I don’t like it.

She turns back to Kartik.

Ashvini: Your granddaughter will remain with me and you can go through life wondering where she is and what she looks like. You will spend your whole life looking for her and you still won’t find her.

Soumil: We will find her! It’s what Mom wanted and I’ll see to it that it’s done.

Ashvini: Worry about your baby instead of focusing on your brother’s one Soumil.

She turns back to Kartik.

Ashvini: You are a sick excuse for a human being and I came here today to tell you that I am happy… no ecstatic at the fact that you have lost the two women you loved the most. Every time a tear falls out of your eyes I will drink to it because it will be cause for me to celebrate. Your granddaughter will grow up to be a complete disaster and I will guide her through all the bad habits this life has to offer and there will be nothing you will be able to do about it. I hope you suffer Kartik Agnihotri… I hope you suffer for everything you’ve done and everything you’ve put me through!

Ashvini turns on her heel and heads to the door.

Kartik: Ashvini… wait…

She stops in her tracks and then slowly turns around. Kartik walks up to her.

Kartik: Have you said everything that you have to say?

Ashvini: Yes I have.

Kartik: Good… Now listen to me.