A week had passed by, and Prerna couldn't get through to Anurag. He was cold and detached, and Prerna had no idea how to reach out to him. In her quest to bring Mohini justice, it seemed like she had broken Anurag, her precious son – how was Prerna going to fix him, if he didn't let her reach him. Over the week Prerna had tried calling him numerous times, he didn't answer, she texted him many times, he only ever responded to a handful. Prerna had decided, something had to be done – she had given him a week's time, and still he wasn't responding, it was time to take matters in her hand.

Prerna had found out from Nivi that her engagement with Anupam had to be postponed for two more weeks since her dad had to travel urgently on business. She took this opportunity to convince Anupam into taking Nivi for a weekend getaway – she knew Anurag wasn't in a state to stop them, and with his father and sister gone, he'd be alone at home – this time she'd pay him a visit for the weekend.

***

"Anurag baba, there is a visitor for you, she is waiting downstairs" informed Anurags' butler.

"Who is it?" he asked surprised.

"She said, her name is Beyonce"

"What!" responded Anurag and shook his head in annoyance, he had been in a terrible mood all week; the revelation at Prerna's was so huge that he couldn't process it fully even now, he didn't know what to believe and what not to, but when he confronted his father, it did seems Prerna's claim had some truth in it – his dad had said, when he saw the clause in Mohini's deed that Anurag wasn't his son, from that moment, there was a fear that gripped him, of losing his son; he knew Mohini was providing false evidence, she just wanted Anurag all to herself, she was a very possessive mother to him, and he feared over time he'd not let Anurag know him at all – that's why he never let Mohini near Anurag. After fifteen years of separation from his mother, honestly it didn't hurt him as much – his father's betrayal; the revelation only managed to aggravate his anger towards Mohini more somehow, why'd she not simply come to meet him once, simply explain without proof – wouldn't that have saved all his heart break? Truth be told, both his parents had disappointed him and broken his heart and trust – he just didn't know how to respond to it now. He just wanted to be alone, all by himself, figuring what he wanted to do with this information.

"Yes baba, she said she came here to sing for you" the butler repeated earnestly.

"What non-sense. Let me go and check" said Anurag and rushed to the foyer.

When he reached there, he was stumped. What was she doing here? She had never visited their house before. She had come to their farm house for Nivi's birthday but not here – as he walked towards her, Prerna turned around and smiled brightly at him.

"Beautiful house Anurag!"

"What are you doing here, Prerna?"

"Would you have asked that if I really were Beyonce? No, then you'd be all happy and requesting for songs and screaming like hippies, but when it comes to Prerna Sharma you show this long face" she feigned annoyance.

"What do you want, Prerna?" he asked quietly.

"To hang out with you all weekend." she replied indignantly.

"What?" he asked in disbelief.

"What, what? If you can turn up at my place anytime you want and stay over, why can't I? Can't I miss you?" Anurag looked at her face and exhaled deeply. Prerna wasn't going to be deterred, she had come all planned. There was no point stopping her – also very deep down, he was longing for it, for someone to put in the effort to break through the walls around him and walk in – Prerna had just done it.

"Very well. Pick a room"

"Wow, if I had to pick just any room, would I not have checked into a hotel, Anurag? I'm staying in your room!" she announced and then looked at the confused butler and asked him to show her Anurag's room. As an amazed Anurag kept staring, she walked into his bedroom like she owned it.

***

Prerna noticed, even though Anurag let her stay with him, he wasn't his usual self, he was staying aloof, keeping his distance – he was too quiet and Prerna's presence wasn't really helping him. She was worried, she had to reach out to him – she tried this with humour, but that plan seemed to fall flat on its face, then she tried annoyance, she tried bugging him into talking, that only irritated him further, and because he wouldn't shout at her, his frustration came out on the poor butler – Prerna was losing time, it was already night time on Saturday, she only had until Sunday evening, after which Nivi was expected to return, she had to do something quick.

This was the last topic she wanted to discuss about, but she was sure, this was something that will divert his attention, maybe rattle him a bit and end up opening him up to her? Without further ado, she went out of their bedroom and started looking for Anurag, he was sitting outside by the pool, he seemed to be introspecting. Prerna inhaled deeply and went over to him.

"Anurag, we need to talk" she said quietly, he looked up at her.

"You have some other newsbreak for me?" he smiled softly, but it didn't reach his eyes

"I want to know, why are you cheating on Mishka?" her plan sort of worked, Anurag looked surprised.

Anurag wasn't sure how to respond to that, why did she want to know anyway, he knew he was not obligated to answer her, but he decided to give it anyway.

"I am not, she knows how I feel about relationships and that I don't reciprocate to her feelings. We are in this arrangement because she loves me, and it was convenient for me, as she isn't very demanding" he replied honestly. Prerna relaxed a little, at least he was talking, this was the longest sentence he directed towards her after her big revelation that night.

"So she knows about our 'arrangement' and is okay with this too?" she probed further

Anurag shook his head, "No, she doesn't know"

"Will she be okay with it if you told her about this?" she asked pointing her towards both of them together.

"No." he replied quietly, not meeting her eyes.

"Then you are cheating on her Anurag. Question is why?"

"I don't know Prerna, maybe because so far I didn't care, but I have been thinking of letting her go" he replied back and finally made eye contact with her.

"Why?" she asked sharply

"It is obvious isn't it? I don't love her anyway" he said rolling his eyes in irritation

"Why don't you love her Anurag?"

"Prerna, you have known more about me than anybody. You know my whole history, and still you're asking? I told you every damn thing!" he spat back in anguish.

"But that's exactly my point Anurag, after what I told you, I don't know if you saw through it or not, but your truth has changed. How do you still not want to give love a chance?" Prerna asked exasperated.

"What?"

"Exactly Anurag; You see, after hearing Mohini's truth don't you see it clearly? You thought your parents didn't love you, that broke your heart, that shattered your faith in love, right? But that is not the truth at all – now you know, both your parents fought till the very end for love! For the unconditional love they had for you – if that can't bring back your faith in love, then what will?" Prerna asked him earnestly while lightly holding his cheeks. Anurag shut his eyes in her touch and basked in her warm hands for a moment before he snapped back.

"Prerna you have completely lost it", he was about to get up and go, but Prerna held his hand and pulled him back to sit.

"No Anurag, I haven't lost it, you have! And, I am helping you find perspective here. See, Mohini staged such a heinous lie to begin with because of her unconditional love for you, she could part with anybody but you – to keep you to herself, she even accepted adultery in her marriage. And your father? Despite his status and name, he risked to malign all that by calling you a love child with another woman just to keep you with him, neither of your parents wanted to let go of you, they had gone up to crazy extents just to keep you – why? Because they loved you Anurag, more than anything else in the world. Mohini fought till her last breath to come back to you, your dad used all his powers to stop her, just to keep you with him! Don't you see it? Yes they have all made big blunders on the way, but if one thing was clear in all this, it was their unconditional love for you. And yet you don't believe in love Anurag?" she finished, her voice had choked; while speaking her heart out in explaining Anurag the right perspective she realised how lucky he was in matters of love – and she?

Prerna saw Anurag's face, he was thinking, she knew she had successfully guided him to the right direction, but now it was for him to choose to believe what he wanted to. She patted him on the shoulder and left for their bedroom, leaving a distraught Anurag behind.

Anurag just sat there numb, he couldn't ignore everything that Prerna said; as hard as it was to digest, it was true – indeed he wasn't being able to find the right perspective for days, but today Prerna showed him that. But how could he accept this – this acknowledgment on his part would stand to question every belief he ever held true. Love, was it real then, did he have a chance to actually feel it? There was a storm raging inside him, one that would turn everything inside him, upside down – but still he had a small smile playing on his lips – it was hope; and a lone tear in his eyes – it was for Mohini, he was finally finding his way back home to his mother, maybe he was late, but he would not be guilty of lovingly remembering her anymore.

That night, when Anurag went back to his bedroom, he saw Prerna was already lying on his bed and sleeping, he had previously decided to move to the guest room for the night, but now he couldn't do it – he needed her, he needed her to anchor him; he couldn't be alone, not tonight. Anurag slowly got onto the bed and hugged the sleeping figure of Prerna from behind. She was sleeping on her side, so he spooned on her, then he tucked her loose tresses that was sprawled on her back to one side and kissed the nape of her neck, very softly, very gently; finally he hid his face on her back in the cavity between her shoulders, just below her neck and drifted off to a deep and peaceful slumber; he knew, here he was safe.

Prerna felt Anurag close in on her, but she didn't move, she let him hold her, she knew he needed her, the assurance that he still had something familiar to hold on to, as he clung on to her and slept, Prerna smiled, at last Anurag was healed, there was no more darkness left in him – now he was ready to be rebuilt.

***

Anurag woke up in the morning just in time to catch Prerna leaving, he was surprised.

"I thought you were going to spend the weekend with me?" he enquired with a crooked smile, Prerna looked back at him and smiled in relief, he was finally back to normal;

"Nope, my work here is done!" she replied chirpily.

"Excuse me, we still haven't had any fun, come I will teach you how to play X Box" he suggested excitedly. Prerna laughed.

"Teach that to Mishka now, she will be arriving in 30. I have some work, I got to leave" she replied back, holding her breath; she was hoping she'd leave before he woke up and then she'd save herself this conversation but guess all doesn't happen as per plan.

Anurag looked at her confused, "Mishka, why would she be here?"

"Because I called her, you genius" Prerna rolled her eyes, still trying to look casual

"Prerna why would you?" he asked genuinely confused now; as he got out from his bed and clutched onto her elbow.

Prerna sighed. "Anurag after yesterday, I figured you'd want to give your and Mishka's relationship a real shot – now with your changed set of beliefs." she replied softly, not looking at him.

"And what makes you think that?" his irritation was back, this Prerna was unpredictable as ever.

"Anurag, you guys were together for one year, despite you not loving her; something must have clicked right? That's why you chose to stay with her anyway. Plus she really loves you, and now you are ready to give love a try – or at least will be, over some time – isn't it worth giving your relationship with her a shot then?" she asked reasonably, although there was a small pit in her stomach as she spoke; she chose to ignore it.

Anurag stared at her, "From where do you get these ingenious ideas, Prerna? No really, tell me. I mean seriously? Suddenly you are all for team Anu-Mish? You know what, why am I even asking you so many questions? You don't like them right, isn't that a rule too? Fine, thanks for calling her here, it was very kind of you Prerna; but really, who I decide to be with/ if at all I decide to be with someone, is none of your concern – you see, the third rule applies to me too" he finished almost screaming, and at the same time felt guilty seeing her face.

Prerna was quiet, there was a thin film of tears in her eyes; she looked hurt.

"Fine, I will go then" she whispered, and pulled her hand away from Anurag's clutch and was walking out. Anurag felt desperate, he didn't know what came over him, but he jumped in front of her, and tightly cupped her face and pulled her towards him and plastered a kiss right on her lips. She didn't respond, maybe he was too quick, and it happened before she could register it, or maybe simply she didn't want to – Anurag didn't know – but he didn't move, he stood there still, touching his lips to hers – when she didn't move away either, he softly nibbled on her lower lips, he didn't know what came over him, but he needed her to calm down, he needed her to stay. Slowly Prerna responded, she kissed him back too, softly, cautiously but with assurance that she wasn't hurt anymore.

Anurag slowly broke the kiss and moved back, she was looking at him with her beautiful doe-like eyes. Anurag gently spoke, "Prerna, why are you trying so hard to fix me?"

"Because, I can't see you broken Anurag; not when you have a choice. I care too much for you" she whispered back not breaking her eye contact.

"Do you really care, Prerna?" he asked with urgency, still holding onto her.

"Of course I do" she replied.

"Then why won't you let me explain about me and Mishka to you, about that night at the club? Why don't you let me come clean to you? Why do you say it doesn't bother you?" he whispered back, she could sense his desperation.

Prerna looked at him surprised, in his question she finally found the answer she had been looking for herself, it was simple and right in front of her, only she couldn't see it.

"Because I care about you Anurag, much more than I will ever care about 'us'"

"What?" asked Anurag in confusion

"Yes Anurag, I care for you, I want you to be happy and if our 'thing' comes in between you and your path to happiness, I won't let it. I can't afford to believe in love, so I find happiness in such arrangements Anurag, but it is not the same for you anymore – you don't need to be happy with such 'things' when you can have the real deal! Remember you are healed Anurag!" she smiled radiantly with teary eyes.

"So you're basically saying you will break us for me and Mishka to happen?" asked Anurag dumbfounded, he couldn't believe his ears. Prerna looked down.

"Anurag, you are very dear to me, I don't think I can ever lose you; we can't break what we have, it is too deep" she spoke, and much to his relief, Anurag smiled, so Prerna hadn't gone completely nuts (yet).

Prerna continued after a brief pause, "But Anurag, it's time we make some changes in our 'thing'. I know we are emotionally close, but we will keep the physical intimacy out of this – it unnecessarily complicates life and it's the only thing that has the potential to come between Mishka and you; I am sure, she will not have a problem if you are emotionally close to another person too; it's like how Nivi is okay with me and Anupam, we can be that way, you know?" she asked hopefully.

Anurag breathed heavily, "So, now you basically want to be friends, just friends – right?" he was losing it again. "Oh but adhering by Rule #2 we can't call it friendship, it is still our 'thing'" he finished with dripping sarcasm. Prerna didn't say anything, she didn't know what to say, she couldn't completely let go of him, and there was no other way to keep him either – she didn't know if Mishka was the right person for him, but she was sure there would be someone right for him eventually, but if their 'thing' continued, he'd not give love a chance, that she didn't want for him – true that love had marred her, she detested it, she hated the fact that despite everything she still loved Rishabh, but even then, love when it lasted, however short, was beautiful; it was still worth experiencing once in life – she wanted that for Anurag.

"Anurag, I should go now, Mishka would be here any minute" she replied quietly.

Anurag looked at her coldly for a second and let go of her hand, "Fine, have it your way then" he said.

As Anurag followed her to the lounge area and saw her leave, he saw Mishka entering his house; Prerna and Mishka greeted each other nicely.

"Hey you are leaving, I thought we were all hanging out together?" said Mishka

"Yeah, but something came up, I got to go; in fact Nivi called, she and Anupam will not return before evening, it's only Anurag here, so have fun!" she smiled in a friendly way and winked at Mishka; Anurag's blood boiled at her indifference, but Mishka smiled broadly.

"Oh Prerna, I love you babe!" she squealed and hugged her before Prerna stole one last glance at Anurag and left.

*********************************************************************

Word Count : 3249

A/N: This was installment 12, that somehow closes the Anurag backstory loop in a way - now you have full perspective on what was there in his past, and how he became who he is eventually - his suffocation to relationships, his hopelessness in love, his playboy image, his brooding nature - but then the fundamental base of that belief is challenged and shaken by Prerna now - how would Anurag cope with that? Will it change him? Will it still have no impact on him? Stay tuned to know more!

But I am also excited to call out something important!

The next chapter is a very very critical chapter, and I put in a lot of effort on it, I hope you love reading it as much as i toiled putting it down for you! Just very excited to share it with you folks tomorrow! (More on this in tomorrow's A/N)

For now, do let me know what you feel about this chapter and if you're satisfied with the way it progressed! All comments, feed-backs, love and even criticism is welcome :)

Lastly, I can never thank you enough for all the love you keep showering on this story - I just hope I can live up to your expectations till the end of this story!

Much love,

A.