A/N : Dear Readers, what can I say. I am writing this book with a lot on emphasis on raising awareness around mental health - that's what my first 'Author's Note' spoke about even before I published my first chapter. You guys have supported the story and thereby the cause by loving it, sharing your views on it and this story has moved 200+ ranks upwards because of that - it is now on #463 out of ~28K stories on mental health.

However, I'm not sure if this is the right place to talk about this, but I feel it imperative to call out my sense of loss after hearing the news of an eminent actor committing suicide. Sushant Singh Rajput - a great actor, a young boy, a bright star - he lost himself to the darkness - the one my characters are fighting in this story. Difference between truth and fiction is that, my characters will win but Sushant didn't. I would like to offer my deepest condolences and hope more and more people fight the fight - and most importantly they come out victorious.

About the story:

So, the last couple of chapters were a bit of a fluff, I felt it was a much needed respite after the angsty phase of dealing with Anurag's demon in the first part of the story - I'm glad you enjoyed that but now it's time we slowly dive back to intensity with Prerna's side of the story, her healing process.

Lastly, I would like to shout out to all the Rishabh Bajaj fans reading this (if any) or KSG fans - so this chapter finally marks the entry of Rishabh Bajaj in the story - he is key in Prerna's life so a lot of this part of the story will witness his presence - I promise you more AnuPre but, Mr. Bajaj will have his presence felt too - hence I called this fiction as AnuPreRish story and not just AnuPre.

I hope you enjoy reading this chapter!

Happy Reading!

Much love,

A.

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The guests had finally started to arrive at the venue to meet and greet Nivi and Anupam; they looked radiant and happy to be together. Anurag and his father were personally attending to guests and greeting them; people were gathered in small groups on different tables that were allotted to them in the lawn, all facing the stage where Nivi sat with Anupam.

Prerna was taken aback when she realised which table her name was allotted against, she hurriedly went to talk to Anurag, but he was with his father, greeting the guests. Prerna contemplated whether she should go to him then, but what other option did she have? Nivi and Anupam were on the stage surrounded by guests, and shortly they'd all need to sit anyway. She decided to talk to Anurag.

"Anurag, do you have a minute?" she asked cautiously as she approached them, Anurag turned around and smiled.

"Of course, tell me Prerna" he said as he gently held her elbow. She became conscious at once, because his gesture didn't go unnoticed by Anurag's father who then turned around. She gently pulled her hand away and Anurag looked at her surprised.

"Actually, really sorry to bother you now, but I think there is some issue in the seating order" she mumbled stealing glances at Anurag's father who was now looking at her.

"What issue?" asked Anurag urgently.

"Actually, they placed me in your family table" she mumbled looking down, "I mean I suppose I should sit with Shivi, Rakhi, Parth and all right?" the moment she mentioned Parth, she bit her tongue, now she had it; Anurag stiffened at the mention of Parth, but her cute expression calmed him down, he smiled.

"Relax Prerna, that's no mistake at all; since Anupam's parents couldn't make it due to his father's surgery, Anupam wanted you to represent his family." he smiled, then further added, "Plus you are much closer to us than Shivi, Rakhi and whoever you just mentioned, right?" then he winked; Prerna smiled; true it would be awkward sitting in that table with Anurag's father, but Anupam's gesture overwhelmed her.

"Also beta, Nivi and my Anu here, can't seem to stop talking about you, I'd love to have an opportunity of knowing you" added Anurag's father with a kind smile, to which Prerna shakily smiled and agreed.

***

He was sitting there, as the engagement was about to begin; he had met Mr. Moloy Basu and Anurag, they had welcomed him warmly; he was yet to meet Nivedita and her fiancé, by the time he had arrived the religious offerings before the engagement ceremony had begun; Moloy Basu and Anurag were on the stage sitting on either side of Nivedita and her fiancé.

"Where is Mishka, she said she'd reach by now?" he heard Kshama complaining, he looked at her and motioned for her to calm down.

"It's her friends engagement, she must be stuck on some duty, don't worry she will be here soon" he reassured her. This has been Kshama's problem always, impatience he thought to himself.

He was looking around, he spotted Mishka, walking through the gates; he smiled. Despite his on and off relationship with his wife Kshama, Mishka has always been a constant; she was more of a sister than a sister-in-law to him. But before he could wave his hand and motion for her to join them, he heard Anurag shout out a name and his head sharply turned towards the stage area.

"Prerna, can you please get the 'puja ka churni' from inside?" he called out looking at someone standing near the stage area, his eyes automatically followed him, but he missed her by a thread, as he saw someone flash behind the stage area. No, of course not, it couldn't be her, it was a very common name "Prerna" he thought to himself; plus what would she be doing in Calcutta? But he kept his eyes fixed onto the stage anyway. It had been a couple of minutes, the said Prerna was due any moment now, he thought to himself, when his thoughts were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder – he turned around.

"Hey Jiju, there you are, I was looking for you guys!" he heard Mishka's voice, he smiled.

"Come, come sit. " he pulled out the chair next to his.

"'Seriously, 'Jiju'?" Kshama spoke under her breath so only they both could here; Mishka looked awkward, Rishabh bored.

"We're not official yet, no one knows, that's why Mishka called me that" he muttered.

"Also, I am tired of keeping track of your patch ups and break ups. At this point I am going to permanently call him this" whispered back Mishka winking at him and stealing a quick glance at Kshama, who looked visibly pissed at her defiance.

He suddenly remembered and turned quickly towards the stage, but he missed seeing her again, she had just got off the stage and turned to sit at her table with her back towards him – wait she was sitting in the Basu family table – that couldn't be her – he sighed in relief.

***

The engagement ceremony had officially begun, Anurag, and his father were standing next to Nivi holding a silver platter with the engagement ring. Nivi was happily smiling looking at Anupam, as he looked around for Prerna, where was she? Wasn't she supposed to be up there next to him with his ring? Trust this girl to always disappear in the need of the hour thought Anupam.

"We should start the ceremony, now is the auspicious time" the priest called out.

"One second 'panditji', Prerna is just coming" Anupam told the priest, and looked at Anurag, "Call her once nah" he requested and Anurag nodded; he was just about to call her when he saw her hurrying towards the stage from the other end, with something big and heavy in one hand and a silver platter with the engagement ring on the other. He quickly went to her aid.

"What are you doing Prerna, you will fall down!" he scowled at her while holding her elbow and pulling up her dupatta from touching the ground, while she climbed to the stage. She looked out of breathe, he realised the package - what looked like a giant frame in her hand must be heavy so he took it from her, relieving her – Prerna looked stunned for a second for some reason and was about to say something but Anupam called her.

"Pri, hurry up, where were you?" he called out impatiently. Prerna hurried towards Anupam, on the stage with the platter; while going she turned to Anurag and whispered, "Anurag, hold that frame upfront on stage whilst the ceremony happens".

A surprised Anurag finally looked down at the frame he was holding, his face froze; looking back from the frame was a giant photo of his mother flashing her dazzling smile; she was wearing a bright blue saree and lots of golden jewellery – Anurag vaguely remembered, this photo was taken on his parent's tenth anniversary; a dozen of memories flashed before his eyes and made him tear up a bit, but he had to control, he knew he was on stage and lots of guests and important people were invited, they were looking curiously at him, so he quietly walked up next to Nivi and his father all the while clutching the fame close to him – he took his place and turned the photo around for all to see; he heard a collective sigh from a lot of people around him – but strangely, now the stage felt complete and the time felt apt for the ceremony to begin – he looked over at Prerna standing on the other side of the stage next to Anupam, she was looking at him curiously, all he could do was smile and nod his head in a 'thank-you'; she smiled.

"Now start pandit ji, now our family is complete" said Nivi and mouthed a 'thank-you' to Prerna too; she blew a loving kiss in the air for her, Anurag smiled; Moloy Basu quietly saw all this and smiled internally, only if Mohini wasn't so deranged-ly  possessive about Onu then they could all be here together maybe; but he silently thanked Prerna for being the force that made both his children gravitate towards home and family. He liked her, Prerna was good for his kids; then he laughed a little to himself, the same Mohini whose photo Prerna carried so lovingly here, had she been alive, seeing her Onu's feelings for Prerna, she'd surely be insecure and hate Prerna to the core, Mohini was like that!

***

"No, no, no it can't be. It can't be her; not after so long, not here, not with Kshama around! How was she related to the Basu's? How did he not know this?" he thought to himself. One moment he was calm and composed, and the next second his eyes fell on her on the stage, it was indeed her, Priyu. His breathing hitched, unconsciously he bulked up his muscles, and suddenly he wanted to run – only he wasn't sure if he wanted to run to her or away from her; it just took one moment for the world to turn upside down for Mr. Rishabh Bajaj.

"What the hell is she doing here?" he heard Kshama's strained voice and shut his eyes in tension; he didn't want any scene here.

"Who?" he heard Mishka asking in confusion

"Priyu" replied Kshama in baited breathe

"What? You mean 'the Priyu'? Where?" Mishka asked curiously looking around.

"Right up on the stage, next to the groom" Kshama whispered back

"Oh, but that's Prerna, di; you must have some confusion" Mishka replied lightly now; both Rishabh and Kshama's head turned to her now.

"Prerna Sharma – Priyu!" clarified Kshama; Mishka's eyes widened in understanding.

"Do you know her? What is she doing here?" Rishabh asked Mishka, Kshama's head shot up at him in a mocking disbelief.

"I do jiju. She is Anupam's best friend; and a close friend to Nivi and Anurag" she whispered.

The revelation led to pin drop silence in their table, as all three of them tried to blend in pretend that they were very much a part of and were enjoying the ceremony.

As Nivi and Anupam exchanged the rings, everyone clapped cheering for them; Anupam hugged Nivi first and then Prerna, Anurag hugged Anupam and officially welcomed him to the family; he was about to walk over and hug Prerna when he heard a voice from behind; Anurag turned around and smiled.

"Congratulations, Nivedita and Anupam" he greeted them, his voice was deep, and as calm as it was confident.

Prerna standing next to them had turned around to adjust her clothes, her heart stopped when she heard his voice. She was frozen to her spot, her legs wouldn't move, her head wouldn't turn, she forgot to breathe; it felt like time had come to a standstill – in the last eight years, she had imagined countless scenarios of meeting him, facing him – but today when it was finally happening, she didn't have what it took to simply turn around and see him even once – his face, his eyes that could look right through her; the same eyes where she saw love, where she saw intense hate – could she bear to meet his eyes? What if she still saw immense hate there, would she be able to survive this?

"Nivedita, darling you look very beautiful in this couture, this is so signature Manish Malhotra, I have to tell him he's done a great job with this one" Prerna heard another voice, she shook her head, Kshama ma'am was also here – no, she had to leave – she had to leave right now; she heard Nivi replying to them and introducing Anupam to the Bajaj's.

"Where is your family Anupam, I don't see them on the stage" spoke Rishabh deliberately, Mishka had told them that his parents weren't here and Prerna was filling up for his family; he had noticed that Prerna hadn't even turned towards him once, ever since they were up on the stage – he couldn't let her go just like that – he didn't know why, but he had to see her – up close, talk to her, see what time has done to her – was she married now?

"No Mr. Bajaj, my parents unfortunately couldn't make it here today - last minute emergency. But I have my best friend here with me today, my chosen family, Prerna" Anupam turned around to introduce Prerna but to his surprise, she was not there; wasn't she here just now?

"Sorry I think she got off the stage for something" Anupam smiled; Mr. Bajaj nodded in acknowledgment. So she didn't want to see him, she ran away, even after eight years she didn't want to meet him once? He had to see her now.

***

Prerna was walking by the backstage towards the banquet hall, with all the guests in the lawn, it was empty – she needed that, the quiet, the space – it was getting difficult to breath out there – how was Rishabh here? How did the Basu's know him? Did he see her? Would he have spoken to her if he saw her? But he was with Kshama ma'am, why would he bother to talk even if he did see her – it was all over.

"Yes Prerna, it was all over. Remember that" she was telling herself, it was so hot in there, plus these traditional clothes, they were so heavy, she needed some air, no a cigarette maybe.

"Remember what?" she heard a voice and at the same time felt a hand closing on her waist, she shrieked out in panic, she was about to run, when the same pair of hands turned her around, her breathing evened out a little, it was Anurag.

"It's me Prerna! It's only me, why'd you freak out?" he asked concerned. Anurag looked at Prerna, he felt something was not right, she was looking pale; her eyes looked frantic.

"Prerna, are you alright?" his voice was now serious, Prerna looked at him. No she had to be strong, she couldn't tell Anurag, she couldn't tell anyone, he was their guest, she didn't want a scene here. It was Nivi and Anupam's special day – she wasn't going to ruin it – and what would she say anyway, what was there to say – she had to come down.

"Yes, yes I'm fine Anurag, I came here to get something, but then I can't remember – and then you came in, this place was completely empty..so..you know..nothing is wrong" she managed to speak up. Anurag seemed to believe her, he looked relaxed; he even smiled.

"You are such a retard Prerna, why come here alone if you're scared, you could have just called me silly" he spoke to her, "Come now, let us go back; Nivi and Anupam would be looking for us" he said and held her wrist to take her, Prerna followed him, what could she do? She prayed that she could hold it together throughout this evening.

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Word Count :2522

Well, how do you feel about this chapter?

I know Prerna and Mr. Bajaj hasn't met F2F but I promise that will happen in the next chapter! You will see how that turns out!

For now, do let me know your views on this chapter and if it's not too much to ask, kindly vote up if you are enjoying this ride!