Bhumi was there but her mind was elsewhere. After Sonam had left, when Dev had reminded her that it was only because of Akash that both of them were there, Bhumi's whole life had tumbled down before her. She saw her foolishness in dressing up nicely, putting on makeup, and trying to look good. Bhumi couldn't help but blaming herself for being stupid enough to have forgotten that Akash was gone, and without him, Bhumi was simply an after-image. All that was required to bring Bhumi back to her senses was Dev's one statement. Why could Bhumi not have remembered that which could not be forgotten? Why did Dev have to remind her which she had forgotten for one night? Using Ashi as an excuse, Bhumi left early, went home with Ashi and wept bitterly. The little child was surprised at her mother's behavior and and tried to console her mother by embracing her. Bhumi hugged her daughter tightly and wept harder. She could not contain the self-loathing at how she had forgotten that she was Akash's widow and embarrassment at what Dev must think about her, that she was a shameless woman who failed to live upto her station as his brother's widow and behaved like a seductress in that manner. Dev had given her respect and an identity in the society, but Bhumi had tried to overstep her bounds. Bhumi felt alone and tired, her parents had not come to attend the wedding, and there was no one else that she felt she could confide her feelings in. Bhumi fell asleep with Ashi in her arms.
