He reached their apartment and pulled her into his arms as soon as she came into his sight. Sanskriti wasn't surprised. He always did that whenever he returned. But something about his body language was different today. He was more loosened up, more relaxed.

“I did it! I found out who the actual culprit is! I've proved your innocence, Sanskriti.”

He whispered and looked at her softly but her gaze hardened.

“So now that you have the real culprit and know that it was not me, you trust me?”

He frowned at her tone and question and asked.

“I always trusted you. When did I say I didn't?”

“Well, you never said you did either!”

She said, raising her voice a little and getting away from his hold.

“I might not have said it with words. But I was here, right? With you! Why would you think I don't trust you? Tumhe lagta hai mai uss insaan ki shakl tak dekhta jispr mujhe bharosa nhi hai let alone sleep while holding her in my arms. No, Kriti!”

He explained but she was too vulnerable.

“Then why did you never reply when I asked you whether you trusted me?”

“Because I knew who the real culprit was. Bas proof nhi tha mere paas and I felt ashamed that they did it to you. I couldn't get words out of my mouth, but I thought I was doing my best not to make you feel alone.”

He said feeling a little defeated. He had done everything in his capacity to make her feel supported and safe. But maybe it wasn't enough. Sanskriti was too vulnerable at the moment and couldn't think straight.

“And you did it by making me stay here like a prisoner? That was your way of making me feel trusted?”

She taunted and he sighed.

“It was to keep you safe.”

“Aisa kaun tha jisse aap mujhe ghar se bahar safe nhi rakh paate Abhi?”

“My parents! They were the ones who framed you. And they could've and would've harmed you if they got to know that I didn't act according to their plan.”

He said and then went on to explain to her what all he learned and how much his parents disliked her. How they didn't want them to get closer.

Sanskriti was quiet and listened to him.

“And now, I want them to know your place in my life.”

He said cupping her face. She was quiet for a few minutes before she spoke.

“I don't want to go back there. Not right now. I need a break Abhimanyu. I want to go away from here.”

She whispered and he looked at her for a second longer before nodding.

“Ok! Tell me where you want to go and I'll take you there.”

He whispered but she shook her head.

“Not with you. I want to go alone.”

He looked at her wide eyed.

“What? Why?”

“Ab kya mai sach saamne aane ke baad bhi iss kaid se free nhi ho skti?”

The way she implied that he was caging her made his heart shatter.

“I-I am not caging you. I was never caging you. It was to protect you.”

“I want to go alone.”

She was adamant and he lost. He sighed sadly and looked at her before nodding slowly.

“Atleast let me make the arrangements for you. So that I can make sure you're safe wherever you go.”

She didn't argue over that and nodded. Abhimanyu booked a resort for her after making sure of her safety.

His heart ached sending her away from him but he knew she needed this. She needed to feel free of the cages she thought she was in. And she needed this time to think clearly.

Sanskriti spent three days just lazing around at the resort. She did all the activities her package offered and relaxed herself.

It also gave her time to think about everything and she realised how he'd never left her alone. She had seen the exhaustion on his face. He had worked day and night to prove her innocence and stood by her all the time.

He might not have said it verbally but she knew he had always trusted her. The way he looked at her and held her proved it. She felt the trust in his hold and touch. 

But she was too lost to realise his actions. But now she understood. 

Sanskriti had reached back to her suite after a relaxing massage. She heard some shuffling her the room and saw her husband standing there with his back towards her, his phone clutched to his ear. He had got rid of his suit jacket and was just in a plain white shirt and black pants.

His muscles flexed when he moved his fingers in his hair. He turned around and stopped abruptly.

He disconnected the call and sighed as if her sight gave him relief.

Sanskriti too didn't waste anymore time and made a run towards him. He caught her as she launched herself in his arms and they hugged each other as if their lives depended on that hug.

He breathed in her scent and sighed in content.

“You smell of flowers.”

He whispered and she giggled before saying.

“I went to get a massage done.”

He pulled back and looked at her with clenched jaw.

“Was it a male?”

Sanskriti bit her lip wanting to tease him a little but then spared him the agony and shook her head. He relaxed immediately and rested his forehead on hers.

“Aap yaha kaise aa gye?”

She asked and he smiled.

“Couldn't sleep for the past three days. Aaj ek raat sukoon ki neend sona chahta hu. I promise I'll leave tomorrow morning if you'd want me to.”

She was quiet for some time.

“You don't have to leave alone. I'll go with you.”

He looked at her surprised and she smiled before whispering.

“I'm sorry for not being able to see your actions Abhi. I love you.”

She whispered and he felt like he could die of bliss right here.