Beyond the Past

Trepidation

Living room 

"HOW DARE YOU!" Abir shouted, his eyes ferocious. He clutched Karan's collar in anger, "Mr Karan Luthra, you do think that she is that Preeta that will endure your anger? NO! She is my Preeta! She is someone who knows how to return what was given to her by folds, whether love or grievances. SHE IS MRS ABIR RAISHINGHINA, AND NO ONE MESSES WITH HER!" Abir shouted. Abir recalled Preeta's scared face, the worries floating in her mind when she touched her belly. He saw Karan's hands struggling, and remembered how painfully he had clutched her. 

Fiercely he threw a punch at Karan's face, causing him to stumble. "Just because she is your legal wife doesn't mean she is yours! PREETA IS MINE!" Karan yelled and threw a punch towards him. However, Abir caught it in the middle and twisted his arm painfully before pushing him to the ground. Karan's blood boiled and he let out an animal-like growl before attacking Abir. 

Rakhi looked at her son fighting with Abir and her heart palpitated. Although both of them were throwing fists, Karan had blood on his mouth. She knew even if she calmed down Karan, without Abir calming down nothing good could come out. She turned to see Sushmita on the edge of the stairs staring at the scene with concern. Rakhi quickly went near her and pleaded, "Sushmita Ji, please help me stop this fight. Calm Abir down else I don't know what will happen."

Sushmita looked at Rakhi furiously, "Your son did a mistake and you are asking me to calm my son down? Your son almost pushed Preeta down, that is manhandling someone do you know the seriousness of his actions!"

"Please, right now who is right and wrong doesn't matter but what matters is that we need to break the fight," Rakhi cried. 

Sushmita was about to refute when she saw Neel coming towards the living room's direction, 'Neel will be scared if he sees such a fight, especially with Abir.' She quickly ran down the stairs and came between Abir and Karan causing their fists to pause midair. "Abir leave him."

"Maa did you not see what he did? What if she fell?" Abir argued angrily. 

"She didn't," Sushmita said sternly, "Neel is coming this way, Preeta must be worried. What matters the most to you? Your family or people you are not even worth speaking about? You go handle Pree, I will see to these people." 

Abir lowered his fists and sighed. His jaw was still tight when he climbed up the stairs, before leaving towards their room he said in a threatening tone, "Karan Luthra better not let me find you alone, because I take grievances against my family personally."

Neel came there at the exact time, "Dadda what happened? Why are your clothes messy? Mumma will scold." Abir picked him up and left for his room. 

Rakhi quickly ran towards Karan, as did the rest of the family members, and started scolding him, "What are you doing Karan? How can you behave like this?" 

"I told you to not leave the house!" Rishab shouted, "See what you have done! These are Sameer's in-laws, how can you be so reckless."

Mahesh Luthra went to slap him but Sushmita started clapping loudly gaining their attention, "Wah, kya family hai. When he was yelling at Preeta none of you came forth, when he was fighting with my son you stayed rooted to your place but now that he has done everything you are scolding him? Khandani bimari hai kya late react karne ki?" 

"Sushmita beta, I know Karan was wrong but he was just..." Bani dadi started to explain but stop when she saw Sushmita's hand. 

"I don't want your explanation nor do I want to hear your excuses. Preeta has told me everything about you people. This is your old habit: first, let your sons make as many mistakes as they can and never reprimand them, and then when you realise their mistakes you act to be these righteous people. I don't want such drama here."