*Introducing
Rashmika mandanna as Samaira*

Fresh air of his hometown invited him. Finally he was back to his city after so long. He wasn't happy. He wasn't sad as well.

Siddharths phone buzzed. Dhruv had send him Arjuns address. He took a taxi and found his home.

A lady in her mid twenties opened the door for him. She had a baby bump which she held while walking. Siddharth stood outside holding a small bag in his hands.

"Samaira?"

She looked at him confused.

"I'm Siddharth. I was Arjuns senior in the camp" he said. She did realise him.

She smiled and nodded.

"Please come in"

He came inside and she asked him to sit. He did. He examined her face. She looked pale and tired. He felt guilty.She was elegant, like how Arjun used to mention her. He looked around and saw Arjuns and hers photos hanging in the wall.

"Are you okay?" He asked after a silence. She nodded.

"I'll make something for you" she struggled to stand up.

"No no it's fine. Please don't stress yourself"

She gave him a wry smile. He took a deep breath and looked at her.

"Arjun used to talk a lot about you Samaira"

"Trust me. He used to talk a lot about you too. Actually half of his conversation would be about you and his camp. Arjun told everything. Your love story. And everything"

Tears formed in her eyes. Siddharth too fought back tears.

"I'm sorry" he said after a pause. She raised her head and looked at him.

"You don't need to anna. You never did anything wrong. It was Arjun who decided not to come back"

"He did that for me. In turn I couldn't do anything for him. Nothing"

Tears rolled down his cheeks. Hers as well.

He wiped his tears and opened his bag. He took out a huge box from the bag and gave it to her.

"Take this. Arjun wanted me to give this to you. I don't know what's this. Open it and see "

Samaira took the box from him and looked at him. He asked her to look further. She tore the wrapper of the box and opened the lid of the box. Inside she found two pairs of little shoes , two pairs of anklets. Two pairs of toys and many other things for his little ones.

She held the box closer to her heart and soon bursted out crying. Siddharth too couldn't stop his tears. Seeing her in that condition. He knew how happy Arjun was , when he got to know that he's gonna have twins.

He wiped his tears a got up , presuming to leave. Samaira sat still crying.

"I've contacted your family. They will be here tomorrow to take you back home. "

She raised her head and looked at him.

"It's not safe for you to stay here alone in this condition "

She smiled with tears. He took a pen and scribbled his phone number.

"If you ever need something from me. Don't hesitate to contact me. I'll be there for you. Always as an elder brother"

He took his bags to leave. She wiped her tears and got up to drop him off.

"You're doing so much for me anna "

"It's my duty. Even though I met Arjun only a few months ago. I felt like he's my blood"

She gave him a faint smile.

"Take care"
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Lekha opened the door excitedly for her son. He smiled at her and widened his arms. She hugged him tightly and cried.

"Ma ..stop crying now. Is this the way to invite your son home after so long?" Siddharth asked. She smiled and wiped her tears.

"Im your mother. Mother's are allowed to cry for their children"

He smiled at her and came inside. He looked around. His house haven't changed. It's the same place where he grew up. His mother had maintained his home. His fathers photo hang in the wall with a Garland. He passed away when Siddharth was 19. His childhood pics hang in the wall. One among them was with Anjali.

"I'm so tired ma"

He fell on the couch.

"You take rest. I've made all your favourite dishes"lekha said.

"You're the best"

She smiled at him.
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Siddharth was lying in his mother's lap. She caressed his hairs. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He was near to his mother after so long. His thoughts lead him to Arjun. His gift for Samaira. How much he loved her like he loved Anjali. It's her marriage after few days. He don't know what she will be going through. She would have hated him for sure. But he wanted her happiness. That's all.

"Siddhu"

"Hmm.."

"What happened to you. You have became silent"

"Nothing ma. I'm fine. I was thinking about Arjun"

"Siddhu. God have his plans for everyone. We are no one to change our fates. "

"He was so innocent ma. This should haven't happened. "

"I know siddhu. Leave it now. Be happy"

He shook his head.

"It's Anjalis wedding."

A chill ran down his spine. Tears found his way to cheeks.

"I know"

"Aren't you sad?"

He remained silent.

"Siddhu. You're doing wrong. You love her but still.."

"No ma. I'm doing something for her good. She will be never happy if she choose a life with me. I was all blind in the beginning. What I was thinking? I don't know. It's her family's wish. I know she'll be happy later"

"But..she's so sad siddhu"

"She be happy later ma"

He got up from his mother's lap.

"Are you doing the right thing?"

He nodded.

"Atleast she'll be happy. That's enough for me"

He came back to his room and closed the door. He sat on the floor and leaned his head to the door.

"I'm sorry Anjali. I'm really very sorry"

*****

♡ Nila ♡