A/N : We have finally arrived at the last chapter of the story - all loose ends will be tied today - all questions answered.

I have this overwhelming feeling; I am delivering the last piece of the jigsaw and I can only hope it completes the picture in your mind - clean and clear.

The kind of support this story has garnered is phenomenal - we have close to 1K comments in the fiction - I never saw any of my fiction cause such a buzz - considering our AnuPre fam and fandom is reasonably smaller in size than other fandoms - we are only a handful here - no matter, as they say QUALITY over QUANTITY!

As mentioned earlier - I will express all that I have to, tomorrow in a post AFTER the EPILOGUE, but for now, in rhythm of the last chapter, I'd like to leave you with a quote:

"LIFE IS ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY NOT THE DESTINATION"

The journey of this story is what I hold dear - destination was AnuPre union and we always knew that - maybe this story in itself can be a reminder to us, on how to live life and not think of end goals..

No more ranting, I know you are excited for the ENDGAME - so happy reading!

Much love,

A.

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Anurag looked at Prerna pleadingly, a lot was at stake – even his last thread of connection with her – if she said she was happy, after this show down, Mr. Bajaj would make sure he never heard from Prerna again – he didn't know how to survive that if it happened, but that wasn't important right then, ensuring Prerna's happiness was.

"I don't know Anurag" Prerna replied after a long deafening pause.

He shut his eyes in apprehension.

"What?" he heard Mr. Bajaj shout, "You don't know?! What do you mean you.."

"Sshh" he stopped him, "Let her speak" Anurag said as Mr. Bajaj began to speak.

"What do you feel Prerna?" Anupam asked her gently, and hearing his comforting, friendly, supportive voice, she revelled; she found comfort in the knowledge that no matter what she said, this one person would still be there with her, she found a sense of belonging that one finds with family, a sense of platonic love and affection, it was always like that with Anupam, but lately she had forgotten the feeling, because lately she wasn't confiding in him – 'family' was something she hadn't had in the longest of time; his assuring voice, somehow gave her courage, the strength that she seemed to have lost ever since Mr. Bajaj's appearance in her life – a tear escaped her eyes - one drop of tear and it opened an unknown latch inside her – there was so much locked inside her, she needed them out today – forever – how on earth was she holding on to so much?

"I don't know Anupam, I really don't know how I feel. This man, Mr. Rishabh Bajaj he was my life, he was my every breath for the last decade – all I wanted was him, I loved him, I gave him a piece of my soul – he was a part of me – getting rid of him was like getting rid of a part of me. I loved him – I love him" she than turned to Mr. Bajaj, "I love you Rishabh, because that's all I have felt all these years – love for you, you were my escape, you were all my heart and then again you were also my personal hell" she spoke. her voice was strained.

Anurag stopped breathing, the despair was so deep and dark that it was consuming him – he could barely stand on his feet, it felt like someone was sucking the life out of him.

"See Mr. Basu, all cleared?" sneered Mr. Bajaj triumphantly.

"But..." Prerna continued, it was as if she never heard him; Anurag looked back at her with a slight flicker of hope – the last shard he was holding onto before crumpling.

"But?" Anurag asked softly.

"But you know Rishabh, I have already been to Spain – done skydiving, had that experience" she whispered uncertainly, they all looked at her confused. A lump formed in Rishabh's throat – no this couldn't go south, he'd stop it.

Prerna was speaking now, but she was not really present in the moment, her thoughts were far, drenched in memories of long ago, memories that her Rishabh had promised to fulfil now after so long, but did fulfilling these, matter now? Did she really think this through? She said 'Yes' to him because she had never known how to say no to him, his proposal overwhelmed her long craving for him, no wasn't even an option to her brain. But then what old promises would Rishabh fulfil now, were they of any significance in her life today? Did these dreams matter to her now? Shit, why did she not think about that? What joy would she get out of living these long lost, long forgotten fragments of imagination, which at one point she thought would give her joy – those days are gone, those dreams are gone, that girl is gone – then what right did Rishabh have to stay on? How did she not look at it this way until now? Why did she not ask herself these questions so far? How'd she let this get so far? Why did Rishabh always have the power to overwhelm her, she wondered desperately.

"No problem Priyu, we will go somewhere else, Italy maybe? Hmm?" Rishabh tried, but Prerna didn't seem to hear him.

"Japan in Cherry Blossom season....you forgot Rishabh that was Kshama ma'am's bucket list not mine – you got confused. You know, I don't remember how to make the margarine vanilla cake anymore, I didn't like it anyway, I used to make it for you – but you weren't there Rishabh, for eight years – who would I make it for? You know I have learnt to dance – the one art form? I can do salsa – this Anupam was my partner when I learnt – he was so bad in it – my God" she laughed, but there was melancholy in her voice.

"Mills and Boons? I wanted you to read one with me – it was my favourite you remember?" she asked earnestly, a tear fell from Nivi's eyes, only she knew what Prerna could be going through now. Anurag looked at her helplessly, he wanted to run and hug her – but all this had to come out – for her sake.

"Of course I remember Priyu, and guess what we will buy the lot tomorrow itself – one book at a time – we will read all – why one?" he encouraged her.

"I hate the romance genre now. I can't stand it – you had left Rishabh, how could I read them anymore? Also Rishabh, I finally learnt to drive – again this Anupam taught me – I didn't just glaze his car, I literally ran it into a pond – he had fractured a leg – but then I learnt" a chuckle escaped Anupam at the memory;

"I have completed this wish too without you Rishabh. Then you came back and expected me to be the same person you left so many years back – how could I be? How could I be the same without you? But you never even tried to see if I have changed, if there is a new me in all this while – you held on to the old version of me – I don't blame you, it's instinct – but it's the past Rishabh – I am not that person anymore – I don't get you anymore – how did you not see through that?" she asked him earnestly.

"Rishabh, I don't  like LIIT anymore, I hate it in fact, but I tried liking it again for you – I didn't want to eat the au gratin that day for lunch, I wanted to choose something of my liking, but you ordered for me – I didn't like the clothes you bought for me that evening either, I don't wear such clothes anymore – but I tried to be the same for you, I am not weighing a favour on you by saying this, I tried because I wanted to – for us, to restore us to what we were – and this solitaire? I hate shiny things remember? That still remained the same – but then you forgot that – a platinum band -  a simple one – that's what I always liked. And jade vine and chocolate cosmos? You like liked them – I had started liking them because you did Rishabh – but now I like Tulips – yellow tulips – I can't help it, but I do – I really fucking love bright yellow tulips damn it" and then came her down pour of tears.

She was holding back everything to fit into Rishabh's image of Priyu, but was she that person anymore? Prerna wasn't too sure. She had tried to, she had tried for the sake of her mind that told her this was the right thing to do, Rishabh was the right guy, because he always was; he was the one she loved for so long! She loved him for eight years without hope, how can that be a mistake? No, it couldn't be – these years of pain couldn't be for no reason; it had to be love and for the sake of that love she tried – how could her love for Anurag triumph this anyway? He knew her only for what? A couple of months? How could a couple of month's attachment bring down eight years of waiting for Rishabh without hope? It couldn't be, right? That's why she knew she had made the right choice by choosing Rishabh, she didn't need answers from the heart – the choice was evident – but ever since she made that choice, even though she thought her feelings for Anurag would eventually subside, it never did – on the contrary it became stronger, she became more emotionally volatile, she was far from feeling sorted – Anurag just kept growing on her even though she tried to be in the present with Rishabh – and today with all the questions that Anurag stirred in her –the basic foundation of her belief system shook; was the entire premise of her decision to choose Rishabh flawed?

"Okay baby, you like tulips, we will get lots of tulips – you tell me what you like, okay? We will make a new list – Jesus – Prerna stop making a scene here – it's a corporate event here" spoke an exasperated Rishabh looking around them – thankfully they were in a darker corner that was exclusive and cordoned off, there was some privacy. Nivi was hugging her tightly, Anupam was beside her – Anurag was standing a little far with an unreadable stoic face.

Prerna was lost in her thoughts for a while now, but then she looked up at Rishabh, she had to tell him this, he had to know.

"But that's the point Rishabh, we have reached a point where we need a new list – which means, I am not Priyu anymore – Priyu is dead. I am Prerna, I am Prerna Sharma now. It took a lot out of me to come out of the darkness, I defeated my monsters, I have defeated my ghosts – but you weren't there to fight with me – in the process of fighting alone, I lost Priyu, I have become Prerna Sharma now; I'm not your Priyu anymore – I'm trying to be her everyday Rishabh, but I am failing – I am failing every moment of every day -  how could you not see it? How did Anurag see it? How is it that he asked me the question you should have asked me – if I am happy or not? Does it matter to you Rishabh? My happiness?" she asked as more fresh tears escaped her eyes.

Anurag was thunderstruck – he could handle Prerna in any form but not in this weak, diminutive crying form – she was his rock – and rocks can't melt – it defies the rules – his rock couldn't fall short. Suddenly his brain seemed active, his Prerna needed him, Mr. Bajaj or not, he wasn't letting her fall short – he strode towards Prerna and held her up, he closed her in his tight embrace and held her head close to his chest – he didn't say anything – he just held her close, hoping his heartbeats would somehow calm her down the way hers did that lonely night – it worked, Prerna was pacifying after a while, her breathing was going easy, she was coming back in control – soon, she will be fine, she will be his rock again – he assured himself.

Rishabh stared at them – how on earth was he holding her in that embrace – it was their 'thing' – his and Prerna's – that instant, it was both instinct and a shot of jealousy that made him aggressive – he lost his still composed demeanour and grabbed Prerna by her arm and pulled her towards him, her body slammed against him and he heard her whimper in impact of the pain "Oof", simultaneously he heard a gasp from Anurag; Anurag stared with wide eyes, before he could register what he saw, Prerna was out of his embrace and in Rishabh's. He was holding her tightly, hugging her – Mr. Bajaj looked at Anurag menacingly, whatever was her problem, she still loved him, Rishabh – she was his, Rishabh's – isn't that the crux of whatever Prerna said?

"Calm down Priyu, listen to my heartbeats okay? I know, I know you need time – we will give you time, I am sorry for bringing it out on you this way, I was just very bothered seeing you with..nevermind – we have all the time – we will learn about the new you – we will make new plans okay? But let's just get married first, let's not waste time there. I promise tomorrow first thing the solitaire would be out and a platinum band will be in your finger – when you wake up it will be in your finger I promise." he gently cajoled her.

"You're not getting the point Mr. Bajaj; it's over now" Nivi spoke softly for the first time.

"That's enough Nivedita" he growled at her. Anurag's stare was fixed at Prerna, she wasn't calming down anymore, she was looking more agitated by the moment in his embrace – why was she uncomfortable?

Prerna was suddenly in Rishab's embrace – despite all the chaos in her thoughts and the world outside, a small part of her was happy – this embrace, she had been looking for it for eight years now! She was here, finally – she dug in deep into his chest – Rishabh held her tighter, encouragingly – he was saying soothing sweet nothings – but she didn't hear them – she was focusing on the rhythm of his heartbeats – it sounded normal, way too normal, just like any other person's – where was the music that calmed her? Why wasn't this calming her down – where was the familiarity? Where was her home she thought desperately? And then in that moment of time something struck her deep – a realization, an epiphany – how she wished she had had this before, she realised Rishabh couldn't calm her this way anymore, her allegiance had changed, it changed silently but truly, only Anurag could calm her this way now, just like he did just sometime back – how did she not notice? How did his heartbeats calm her? How did she not notice she was at home, when Rishabh pulled her out of it – now suddenly this simple truth was the most obvious and glaring thing in her life – how did she not see this?! Suddenly she pushed back Rishabh with all her might; he left her losing his balance – he looked at her in surprise.

"This is it Rishabh, we are over" she said quietly, looking deep into his eyes. Rishabh stared in disbelief; there was a tone of finality there – like no matter what, her wish was written on rock.

"What?" he barely whispered.

Anurag, Anupam and Nivi's head shot up; It's amazing how right a decision made from the heart felt like, it empowered her, not only was she no more confused, but there was strength there, courage there and a light, she had reached the end of the tunnel – finally; her eyes were shining now, one moment it was all in suspension and suddenly every bit came raining down on her – the picture before her eyes was crystal clear – how'd she not see it so far? Her heart had reached a decision – she had all her answers – just like that – it took one moment – it took one heartbeat to change it all.

Prerna looked at Rishabh for the first time with clarity of thought, a clear conscience and a decision that somehow fit her life perfectly, she wasn't uncomfortable, it felt right and she was going to have to tell Rishabh – yes, she was shaken at the crumpling of her eight years' worth of belief, but the new world was hers, it had embraced her much before she realised, now that she finally realised, she wasn't letting it leave – life was giving her a chance, a fair chance, she was going to take it now!

"Rishabh I am not Priyu anymore, neither am I the ghost of Priyu that existed after her – look at me, I am brand new – I am better than her – I am the best version of myself – I am older, smarter, sorted and independent – you cannot love me – even if you tried to start over again – I am stronger now – I know you, if you loved women like me, you'd still be in love with Kshama ma'am! We are much similar now, strong, with our own opinion on thing, goal oriented, we don't dwindle, we don't need taking care of, we don't need support Rishabh. You like being the controlling partner, you want to take care, you want to nurture, you want to be in charge, that's you – and I like to break free of every control, every leash, I don't like being nurtured, I need people to have faith in me, to respect the fact that I can do things myself – Rishabh you cannot handle this version of me – I am custom made for someone else!"

"What are you saying Priyu!?" Rishabh tried again, his eyes red now, not in choler but in hurt. "I can change, I can. Yes, I am that person you described – that is me – but how is wanting to take care of your partner wrong? But if you're different now, I'd change myself. We can try again can't we? We worked once, we can again Priyu!"

"If you could change, how is it that you didn't for Kshama ma'am, Rishabh? Even if you could change, it's just heart breaking Rishabh that you are a dime and a day late. Rishabh, there is no home for me in your embrace anymore, that has changed – I have realised after all these years in pain and anguish I finally have a new home and it's far from you" she was smiling now; there was this joy in her that she couldn't help control – it was radiating out of her.

"Where is 'home' Prerna?" it was Anurag who asked her this time, his eyes fixed towards her, vice quiet yet firm – there was a glint of hope in it for the first time in a long time now. Prerna smiled, a happy tear escaped, he didn't know how, but seeing her smile, a similar smile mirrored his face.

"My home is in your embrace Anurag. Home is with you at my small apartment, on my queen size bed where you barely fit – home is where we want to match outfits but miserably fail and then scour for yellow tulips, home is where the taste of Chardonnay meets Macallan 1926 – home is at the crook of you neck – home is where you can walk in anytime of the night and demand for company or food – home is where you can sit on my couch and complain about my vegetarian cooking, home is also where we fight on silly insignificant things, home is in your innate need to seek my happiness despite whatever it takes from you, home is where you lose your head and walk away but then eventually begrudgingly come back to check if I am doing fine - home is not where you are Anurag, you are my home." she gently cupped his face, eyes flowing with tears, but they didn't hurt – they were tears of happiness – his eyes were teary too, it seemed like he couldn't believe what he was hearing – could it be?

"Prerna, are you sure?" he asked, voice hoarse, tone tensed, lest she said it's a joke, or it turned out to be a dream? He wouldn't be able to survive if that happened.

"I am sure now. I love you, Anurag. I only love you." she said out loud, and just like that the hollow inside her filled up and disappeared in a way that you'd never believe it existed in the first place.

"Priyu, but you said you love me" she heard Rishabh's faint whisper, he was in denial; she slowly turned around, but Anurag was possessively clutching onto her waist now from behind, he hid his head on her shoulder still overwhelmed and sort of in a trance – he was facing down, eyes shut – he didn't care what Prerna had to tell Rishabh, he knew Prerna was 'badass' that way, she didn't need him here – she'd handle it – it was her war, she had won over her past today. He didn't want to interfere in the last leg and take any bit of the credit – it was her glory – her win.

"Yes Rishabh, I do love you; how can I ever not? I have loved you deeply for so long, such feelings don't go away completely, but .."

"Then..Priyu we can.." he tried weakly, he just couldn't accept what had unravelled before his eyes – his whole life was destroyed and he couldn't control it. But Prerna didn't let him complete this time.

"Rishabh I love you, but I am not in love with you anymore, I love Anurag so much more;  there was a time when you had this place in my heart – where Anurag resides today, but I now realize people do fall out of love; I fell out of love with you – when I don't know, was it today? Was it from before you came back, I don't know – I just know there was this guy who loved anything decadent.." she felt Anurag's soft chuckle on her shoulder, as she continued, "this guy came to my life and slowly turned me around and started capturing my heart bit by bit – I lost you bit by bit Rishabh, I didn't even realise – and today he has all of me – my heart, my soul, my existence – I still care for you, but I am in love with Anurag and only him – I don't even know if he even reciprocates..." but Anupam cut her this time.

"Like seriously Pri? Seriously? You don't know? Look at him, he is plastered to you ever since you finally figured your heart out – what do you think?" he laughed and so did Nivi. Anurag softly chuckled at her shoulder again – he didn't say anything – he didn't feel like he needed to – it was like he was able to breathe after a very long time, holding Prerna made him feel that way – for now that's all he wanted to focus on – breathing in her scent and letting the understanding settle in, that she has his – only his.

"I don't think he is right now in a state to tell you this, but let me tell you Pri, my bhai is hopelessly in love with you – there is no world for him without you – and this has been the case from longer than he knows himself" Nivi spoke while gently patting his shoulder. Anurag kept quiet, he said nothing, his hold on Prerna was iron clad, and his head was still buried in her shoulder, facing down, eyes shut.

"Who can, not love you Priyu?" Rishabh whispered, he had a tear drop in his eyes, but he wiped it away, he sounded distraught, and deeply devastated, but he had understood, his Priyu was gone – just as he had feared – he couldn't save this – maybe he was really late this time – life wasn't as kind to him as it was to Priyu, he didn't get a second chance – but he loved her, and deep down tried feeling happy that Priyu got one – he only wished she had got this second chance with him – but whoever said all wishes played out? He sighed one last time and slowly walked up to her and pecked her on the forehead; instantly Anurag's head shot up as he glared at Mr. Bajaj; Anupam barely managed to hold his laughter seeing Anurag's response.

Prerna smiled at Rishabh, "I'm sorry Rishabh I truly am" she said gently.

"Don't be" he replied and then looked at Anurag, "You get her this time Basu, but she is mine for every other time" he said with a small and stiff smile.

"That's where you are wrong Bajaj, she was never yours to begin with – Prerna was always meant to be mine, you have and always will be a guest appearance in her life – a push that will lead her to me. Always. Every single time" having said that, Anurag took to Prerna's finger, removed the much talked about solitaire and handed it back to Mr. Bajaj – he accepted it and left them there and walked away after one last look at Prerna.

Prerna turned around and looked at Anurag, he was finally letting go of her waist and smiling back at her.

"Congratulations Anu, Pri!!" shouted Anupam in happiness.

"Anupam, Nivi now disappear somewhere and don't show up before tomorrow – all celebrations then" mouthed Anurag with a smirk, as his eyes were fixed on Prerna – she was no more the meek coy woman she was ever since Mr. Bajaj had returned – she was the strong, defiant, confident woman she always was, she was back to her former glory – she was his Prerna. His Prerna had won over Mr. Bajaj's Priyu - what a bloodbath it was for them, but his Prerna won – there was not only love in his eyes for her today, there was pride.

Nivi and Anupam laughed and left them after dearly hugging him and Prerna.

"So Mr. Basu, let's go home?" she had a lopsided smile.

"So early?" Anurag smirked.

"Of course, there are loads to do!" she replied with the same confidence.

"Like?" he pressed on further

"Umm..like finish the business that you started on my birthday night, to begin with?" she smirked, biting her lips.

"Acha, I started it??" Anurag asked grabbing her waist and pulling her face into a soft kiss.

"One more round of Roulette before 'that'?" he asked her after breaking the kiss; she winked. As they walked hand in hand towards the game, there was a soft music playing in the background – two souls who were always meant to be together, found each other again, with another story, like they have with one story or the other in every lifetime.

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Word Count : 4330

Well, how'd it go? Satisfied? Happy? Relaxed?

This is the longest chapter of my fiction and rightfully so. So much had to come out!

I know we still haven't heard Anurag confess - that nutcase I tell you, keeps his mouth shut when we want him to talk ;)

And what about AnuPre moments? You feel deprived?

Don't worry, i can never leave you guys hanging - I have one chapter just dedicated to that - that is tomorrow's EPILOGUE. One doze of pure AnuPre affection, love and talks of the future ! All I can say is, wait for it one last time! :)

A big shoutout to the FAM for being so kind, generous, loving and most importantly motivating - you guys were my ray of sunshine for the past whole month :D

I request for your love and support one penultimate time!

Do let me know how you are doing, how you feel about this endgame - I am curious, excited and eagerly waiting :D

See you tomorrow (one last time!)